The Legend of Heroes: Trails in the Sky SC Part #123 - But, seriously, we can't just give up on them! Everyone's waiting!

Part 123: But, seriously, we can't just give up on them! Everyone's waiting!

Do snails really count as bugs? I don't think they have enough legs.

And then everything gets impeded. Yaaay.

Handy for all these beam attacks that have gotten so trendy lately.

-Wandering in the Darkness-

Miner Landan: Gehenna just...swallow me right now. It'll be quicker.

Mr. Landan? What's wrong?
Miner Landan: Oh! Estelle! I was wondering if you'd come by. I think we still owe you from way back.

Hahaha! Man, memories!

That's right, one of our first real bracer missions was carrying the septium crystal away after that cave-in.

It is a nice memory, but we don't really have time to talk about it.

Ah, right.
Miner Landan: Yeah, we have a problem. The elevator isn't working. The boss 'n everyone are stuck down there in the mines.

They were doing some work in the tunnels, correct?
Miner Landan: That's right. We're all working on shoring the tunnels up after the cave-in. We got the framework back up, but we still need to take care of our 'rat problem.'

You mean the holes that opened up in the cave-in...

Yes, the ones that opened up into monster holes when we were here last.
Miner Landan: Exactly. The boss dynamited them after you left to fill 'em in quick. Problem is, they're still dangerous if they lead to monster nests, especially digging ones. We talked it over and decided we needed to seal them up proper.

Now I understand. That's why Ridge was asked to guard you.

And then, right in the middle of all that...kaboom, all your orbal gear stopped working.

I hope everyone's okay down there.

If they are trapped down there, they are in danger. We should find a way down as soon as we can.
Miner Landan: Well, don't get me wrong, I'd love for you to do that, but we got one little problem. There's no way to actually get down there! This elevator shaft is the only way down and that elevator ain't going anywhere.

Oh. Right. Little problem. Gehenna does sound nice right about now.

Of course. It IS driven by orbments.

Is there literally no other way down?
Miner Landan: Of course not! We'd have used it to get the boss and everyone out by now otherwise.

Ah, of course.

But, seriously, we can't just give up on them! Everyone's waiting! We have to do something for them!

Yes, but the question is, what?
Miner Landan: I know we don't have much to go on, but if you have any ideas, could you give them a shot? I'm sure everyone's waiting to be rescued.

The control key has been inserted, too. It's purely down to the shutdown phenomenon.

Hmm...

Joshua? What is it?

Just a sec...I think I have an idea.

An idea? About the elevator?

Mr. Landan, is this elevator internally driven?
Miner Landan: Huh? Uh, yeah, it should be.

All right, good.

The control key's been inserted here...So...the drive orbment should be almost directly below it.

Hmm-hmm. Hatching a plot, my former student?

I'm not sure it will work, but it's worth trying.

Estelle. Can you lend me your Zero Field Generator?

My generator?

Uh, okay, but what...?

quote:

Estelle handed Joshua her Zero Field Generator.

What are you planning on doing with that?

Give me just a second and you'll see.
If we use the device that lets orbments run in the suspension field...then maybe we can run this orbment, even in the suspension field! It's just crazy enough to work!

quote:

Joshua placed the Zero Field Generator onto the control stand.

Miner Landan: WHAT in tarnation!

Whoa...This light...!

Just like what a Gospel emits!

Don't worry...I think this is the result of the orbal fields interfering with one another. If I understand everything right, the orbment should be getting power again right...about...
Miner Landan: It stopped...

...

There we are! It's back online.

Get on! This is our chance!

Hmhm, nicely done!
Miner Landan: I'll come too!

Hurry up then, Mr. Landan!

*GROINK* *FLOODGE* *YARGH*

Well, I can't speak for everyone, but I certainly came close to biting off my tongue there.

You know, I think it might've been more pleasant to just throw ourselves against the elevator. Repeatedly.

The drive orbment probably isn't quite at full output. Anyway, we did manage to make it down. Let's investigate.

Miner Landan: Where are the guys? You think we might be overreacti--Huh?

Did you hear something?
Miner Landan: Yeah, someone's coming! Heeey, I recognize him! That's Trent! Yo, Trent! What're you doin' over there, you lazy...

Miner Trent: B-Behind...
Miner Landan: Eh?
Miner Trent: THEY'RE COMING FROM BEHIND!

Oh, heck. More monsters from that nest?

Most likely. We don't really have time to think about it! Defend yourselves!

-Strepitoso Fight-

As per Schera's oh-so-subtle hint, these crabs are resistant to weaponry.

Care for some Screamed crab on toast?

-Wandering in the Darkness-

That's more work than I needed after an elevator ride like that...

Yes, we'll need to be careful.
Miner Landan: H-Hey, bracers...
Miner Trent: Is it okay to come out? Please?

Oh, yeah! It's clear now.

Miner Trent: Thanks to you guys, I get to live to enjoy another meal!
Miner Landan: You idiot! This isn't the time for that! First things first. Where's the boss and the rest of the boys?

Yeah, can you tell us what's going on down here?

Was there an accident or something?
Miner Trent: Uh...Yeah, kinda. So we were working when suddenly the lights we use to chase away the monsters cut out. Wasn't much we could do, so we put the job aside and came here to wait. And then this morning, a huge swarm of monsters flooded out of the dig site! Gaa-aaah...I thought we were monster food for sure!

Hold on a sec. Wasn't there a bracer with you?
Miner Trent: Y-Yeah, there was...He bought some time for us to get away. But...But the last we saw of him, he was being swallowed up by the horde of monsters...

NO!

You mean Ridge is...?!

...

...We need to get moving. Right now.

Yes, we need to rescue those miners first. We can go save Ridge afterward. And we WILL save him.

...Yeah, you're right. I'm worried about Ridge, but we have our mission.
Miner Trent: I...I got so hungry I made a break for it, but...I think the boss and everyone else are still hiding somewhere.

How many miners are here in total?
Miner Landan: There should be four others. Five if you count the bracer guy.

Okay. Five people. Let's get looking, then.

Let's hurry!
Miner Trent: G-Good luck!

Miner Bones: What am I supposed to do all alone like this?

Miner Bones: SOMEONE! HEEEEEELP!

Questions later!

We'll save you!

-Strepitoso Fight-

This fight starts with a civilian NPC in a bad position, but it's not hard to keep him safe.

-Wandering in the Darkness-

Miner Bones: Haah, hooh...Man, oh, man...I thought I was dead for sure.

Is it me or does this get harder every time?

It was a close one, that's for sure.

No kidding...We were just in the nick of time.
Miner Bones: I knew it, it's you guys! You guys saved us from that cave-in!

That's us!

We were only junior bracers back then, mind.
Miner Bones: So you guys are full bracers now, huh? Lookin' at you now, yeah, you've got that same kinda posture that Scherazard has.

Ahaha, thanks!

Though...this isn't really the time to be swapping compliments.
Miner Bones: Yeah, good point. I'm guessing you guys found a way down here?

We did. Get back to the elevator shaft. If you go now, you SHOULD be able to avoid any monsters.
Miner Bones: Right, got it. You guys be careful down here, too. This place is crawling!

Miner Heinrich: _{(SHH! Keep quiet! Quit muttering like that. The monsters will hear you!)}
Miner Pierre: _{Hmph! In the last cave-in it was surely the grace of the Goddess which saved us. A little faith wouldn't hurt you in a situation like this, Heinrich.}

We're from the Bracer Guild.

Are you two hurt at all?
Miner Heinrich: No, we're fine, somehow.
Miner Pierre: Oh, Aidios, thank you for this salvation...

You're welcome to be as faithful as you wish, but thanks are a bit premature. We need to get you out of here as soon as we can.

Yes. First, we--

Miner Pierre: Goddess' mercy!

They're coming! Watch out!

-Strepitoso Fight-

Much easier odds this time.

-Wandering in the Darkness-

Miner Heinrich: Gwaaaaaaah...Ohh, sweet Aidios!
Miner Pierre: I was sweating bullets there...

Run for the elevator immediately. The way should still be clear, but you need to go right now.
Miner Heinrich: R-Right! Thanks!
Miner Pierre: Aidios' grace be with you, heroes!

That's...

Mine Chief Gaton: Well, it was a good plan, up to 'get all the monsters to chase me here'...Aw, hell...Looks like I might've overdone it again. Anya, Frissa...I'm sorry...I guess I won't be coming home.

Gaton!

Don't worry! We'll save you!

We won't make it fighting normally. We must carve a path straight through their ranks!

Forward!

-Strepitoso Fight-

Oh no you don't, you cheating little crab bastards.

-Wandering in the Darkness-

Okay...We...somehow...
Estelle blinked and missed the whole thing.

...We managed to win, it seems.

Gaton, are you all right?
Mine Chief Gaton: Yeah...Just scratches, is all. Man, they really must teach you guys to have perfect timing at Bracer School or something. Wish you could stop by when we're not in the middle of a damned crisis!

Haha! Yeah, really. Seems like the only time we ever come by the mines is when there's an emergency.

It would be nice to visit once without being in mortal danger.

Still, there will be time for joking later. We need you to get to safety first, Mr. Gaton.
Mine Chief Gaton: Ah, right.

We're getting everyone to go meet Trent and Landan over by the elevator. Head over there for now.
Mine Chief Gaton: Right, I'll do that.

Mine Chief Gaton: That other bracer who came to run guard duty for us...Have you found him already?

Ridge? Um...

No, unfortunately. We haven't come across him yet.
Mine Chief Gaton: I was afraid of that. If you haven't seen him, head to the construction site. We last saw Ridge trying to buy us some time there.

...Okay. Thanks.

Mmm...We'll keep that in mind.

Yes, we've saved all of the miners, I believe.

In that case, all that's left is Ridge.

We haven't...seen any trace of him yet.

Gaton said he last saw Ridge by the construction site. He said Ridge was covering their escape...

Let's hurry. We may already be too late.

The construction site should be north of here.

Let's go, then!

Mine Chief Gaton: That bracer might still be around here. He was doing just about all he could to give us enough time to escape. Sure hope he's safe...
Miner Landan: I'm glad everyone's safe! I hope you find that other bracer soon, too.
Miner Bones: *pant* *pant* Th-That sure was scary...
Miner Trent: H-Hurry up and find everyone! I want out of here! *shudder*
Miner Pierre: Sweet Aidios, please save Your children! *mutter* *mumble*
Miner Heinrich: Pierre's praying again, I see. *sigh* I'm so sick of it that I can't even be bothered to complain anymore!

Ugh, this is hideous. It REEKS of monsters.

We won't be able to turn back once we go in...Estelle. Are you sure our equipment and everything is okay?

Put on some Faint and Blind defense before you proceed here.

Okay...We're as ready as we'll ever be, I think.

Let's go, then!

-Creeping Crisis-

Ridge!

RIDGE!

Ridge: What're you...doin' here...?

Ridge, don't worry, you fought well. You've done enough. Just relax.

Leave the rest to us.
Ridge: I get it...Cool...B-But...be careful...They don't just...

Mmm...?

Gh! Get back!

*ROOARRR*

The pack leader of the nest, possibly.

Haha! It's a strong foe, whatever it is!

Regardless of WHAT it is...It clearly doesn't like us being here.

Uh oh...

Estelle! Come on!

-Fight With Assailant-

This battle has STR+50% and HP+50% bonuses in play. I recommend not letting any of those go to the giant enemy crab with 28000 HP.

They're coming out of the walls! They're coming out of the god damn walls!

Giga Crash is the Fainting move.

Your fate...

IS IN MY HANDS!

Schera's Judgment Card has a random face, and inflicts a random ailment on its targets. That doesn't matter much here, unfortunately.

Ahhh ha ha!

Oh also the Hydra can just cancel the damage from your last S-Break when it feels like it. So that's cool.

Hooray for Strike quartz.

hey what's this now