Between Faith and Doubt

Dymones: Everyone's here now. You may speak, Akarios.

Phernos: While surveying the canyon, we came across ancient tablets claiming this area was once contaminated by a Dragon Lord's poison and subsequently submerged in water.

Phernos: And yet, to look at it now, you would never know. How is this possible, Dymones?

Dymones: The tablets speak true. This entire area was completely submerged after the attack.

Dymones: But it has since reemerged as a result of seismic activity, retaining every trace of Zumion, the first Daeva.

Dymones: That includes the Mace of Blessing she once wielded. That and the other holy relics must have preserved the land.

Dymones: Unfortunately, Meslamtaeda's blood reemerged as well. We're doing what we can to manage it.

Phernos: Holy relics... and Meslamtaeda's blood...

Phernos: Caelid. Can you gather everyone? I have something to tell you all.

Phernos: It would be best to talk somewhere more private. Can you recommend anywhere, Dymones?

Dymones: We'll use the Notos Legion Office.

Adrian: Commander Dymones! I've prepared Zumion's holy relic!

Dymones: I entrust it to you, Akarios.

Luteros: Wow...

Nania: What do you plan to do with this, Phernos?

Phernos: When the Dragon Lord Meslamtaeda attacked Zumion Temple, Zumion's priests were turned into stone.

Phernos: We shall find those petrified priests, and awaken them.

Luteros: What are you planning to discuss with a bunch of statues?

Phernos: As you are all no doubt aware, Meslamtaeda's blood is extremely potent and deadly.

Phernos: We'll need a vessel to contain it. A grail of some kind.

Phernos: Zumion, the greatest of Clerics and first Daeva, would surely have possessed a vessel that can withstand it.

Dymones: So you're planning to find the temple's entrance by using the holy relic to talk with the priests!

Phernos: Correct, Dymones. Do you know where we may find these petrified priests?

Adrian: There are statues near the Destroyed Temple that are often heard mumbling.

Phernos: So they're able to speak already. That is good.

Dymones: Our legionnaires are keeping watch over the area. I'll contact the observation post right away.

Dymones: What did you wish to share that required such privacy, Akarios?

Phernos: Tell me more about Meslamtaeda's blood.

Dymones: Long ago, this place came under attack from the second Dragon Lord, Meslamtaeda. Zumion and her priests did what they could to fight back...

Dymones: Ultimately, they were all slain, but not before dealing Meslamtaeda a heavy blow, spilling his blood across the land.

Dymones: As the poisonous blood ate away at the land, those few priests who survived worked to seal it away. We've inherited that responsibility.

Phernos: What about Zumion Temple? Does it still exist?

Dymones: The temple grounds remain, but we have yet to find an entrance.

Caelid: What are you thinking, Phernos?

Phernos: We will dissolve the barrier.

Caelid: How, pray tell?

Phernos: With Meslamtaeda's blood.

Hithanya: You're out of your mind.

Phernos: Meslamtaeda's blood is a poison like no other. There is no material or magic it cannot penetrate. That includes Illusion Barriers.

Luteros: You can't be serious...

Phernos: It is the only way! Would you rather wait for Reda to come out voluntarily?

Caelid: To even consider such a path... We're Daeva! What do you mean, use a Dragon Lord's blood!?

Phernos: Do you have a better suggestion?

Nania: But Phernos, what if the area becomes contaminated again?

Phernos: Then that is a risk we must take. Our priority is to find Reda!

Hithanya: All I'm hearing is you couldn't care less what happens to Verteron, as long as you get your hands on that Core.

Phernos: Watch your tone. It's because of irresponsible Daeva like you that Atreia has degenerated to such a sorry state to begin with!

Phernos: Have you not followed me this far because you trusted me? Why are you hesitating now we're this close to the Core?

Dymones: I am willing to be your guide, Akarios. I trust you know what you are doing.

Hithanya: Oh, shut up would you, Dymones! Your sycophancy makes me sick.

Phernos: I won't waste time arguing. Either offer a solution of your own, or work with me.

Luteros: ...

Hithanya: You really are an insufferable old bastard.

Dymones: But how will we transport Meslamtaeda's blood to the barrier? It dissolves anything it touches.

Phernos: There are holy relics of Zumion to be found here.

Phernos: Zumion was not only the first of the Daeva, but a Cleric. I am certain her power will hold the key to handling the blood's toxicity.

Dymones: As expected of Akarios...! Always one step ahead! Fortunately, we already have one of her holy relics in our possession.

Caelid: Phernos! Enough! This isn't right!

Phernos: Let me ask you a question, Caelid. What did the others say when you suggested going to Poeta to rescue me?

Phernos: I'm sure they called you insane. Opposed it wholeheartedly.

Phernos: You cannot succeed in this world with only logic and conventional methods. If anyone could understand that, I had hoped it would be you.

Caelid: ...

Caelid: This isn't right... You've lost all reason!

Hithanya: Phernos was praised as a sage of great wisdom... Yet all I see before me is an obsessive madman.

Caelid: There's simply no justifying it... How can a Daeva even consider using a Dragon Lord's blood?

Luteros: We've followed him this far already. We may as well just help him.

Luteros: For all we know, Zumion's holy relic might not allow us to carry the Dragon Lord's blood after all.

Nania: What exactly has Phernos done for us so far other than stand in the back offering unsolicited advice?

Hithanya: Nania's right. There's no need to rely on that senile old fool. We're not irrevocably tied to him...

Caelid: What are you saying, Hithanya?

Hithanya: I'm saying I don't want to keep helping Phernos.

Caelid: If we don't, the Notos Legion will. Then they'll be the ones to cross the Bulwark with him.

Hithanya: *sigh* We just can't win.

Nania: There's nothing else for it. We'll just have to stick with Phernos. But the moment he tries anything reckless, we'll stop him, Captain.

Luteros: I agree. Why not wait until we see the results first before making a call?

Caelid: ...Fine. I'll defer to your opinions. Forgive my indecisiveness. It's unbecoming of a so-called captain...

Caelid: Hithanya and I will stay behind. I'll trust the three of you to do what's needed.

Caelid: I'll call you on the Selvis if anything comes up.

Phernos: Have you reached a decision?

Caelid: ‹your name›, Luteros and Nania have agreed to join you.

Phernos: Then there is no need to delay further. Let's get the holy relic from Dymones.

Caelid: I apologize for raising my voice earlier, Phernos. My legionnaires will support you.

Phernos: Understood.

Dymones: My subordinate, Adrian, is watching over the holy relic. I'll take you to him.

Akarios. It's a pleasure.

Come, follow me.

Lead the way.

Lachesis: The name's Lachesis. I'm in charge here. I received news you'd be coming.

Phernos: Where can we find the statues?

Lachesis: Right above us. But... don't expect too much.

Nania: What do you mean?