Prelude

You feel as if your body is floating, then you find yourself in a strange dream. You see Carlyle and Sai and realize that you’re seeing the exhibition for the Sakura Jewel that was held in Saphinia earlier in the year. The scene changes, and suddenly you’re in front of Apis and Douglas, back when you had ridden the party cruise together over the summer. The scene changes once more, and you see Lied and Nox in Necropolia during the Hell Festival. Again, your vision shifts to Prytwen and Caliburn back in Daten during the Christmas party. Various scenes swirl before your eyes as you dream, and each one fills your heart with warmth. You happily remember all the places you’ve been and all the people you’ve spent time with: the fun times and the difficult times spent with the princes from the Dream World. You see Yzak and Rufus as you think of the problems you’ve had to overcome. You remember that there have been times when the pain and sadness has been overwhelming, but as you recall all the people you treasure so dearly in the Dream World and remember their smiles, you fill with hope. You give yourself over to the tug of the dream, knowing that this is a good dream.

In the next instant, the light suddenly dims and you hear the rain.

Rain is falling, hitting your bare skin and making you shiver from the cold. The rain seems to be pouring so as to block your vision and wash away the scenes you were seeing before. The rain turns more violent, making it difficult to breathe, and you reflexively reach out…

To see your fingers encased in turquoise crystals that glow with a dull light. The crystals continue to eat away at your skin, slowly encasing your entire body… You cry out, and then…

A flower petal dances before your eyes. You look around, and see yourself standing in a strange field of flowers. They sway gently and you find yourself relaxing into the silence. Then you see something shine among the flowers. You can’t make out what it is, but the flowers seem strangely familiar. As you stand there confused, the flowers begin to grow noticeably brighter. You reflexively close your eyes…

You open your eyes and find yourself in your bed. Looking around, you recall that you had finally stopped somewhere during your travels for the night and that’s where you were now. But still the dream and the flower field won’t leave your mind. You don’t know what the light was, but you felt that it was warm.

Navi comes in to wake you and finds you’re already up. You exchange morning greetings as Navi pulls aside the curtain covering the window, revealing a dark, cloudy sky and a pouring rain. Navi mentions that the rain still hasn’t stopped. You wonder how long it will continue, considering it doesn’t seem to have weakened at all during the night.

A few days ago, dark clouds had suddenly covered the entirety of the Dream World and the rain had started to fall everywhere. The rain, which has shown no signs of stopping, possesses a terrifying power so that anything living exposed to it for an extended period of time becomes crystalized. The crystals look similar to scales as they cover the body, and so people have been calling them “Dragon’s Tears”. Navi reports that the damage caused by the crystallization has continued to spread. You recall your dream, and remembering the sensation of your entire body being encased in crystal causes your hands to tremble.

Navi notices, but you smile and say you’re fine. You declare you’ll get changed, then the two of you can head out and continue to search for a way to stop the rain. Since the rain and the crystallization had started, you and Navi have been walking to each country to try and find some clue.

At that, Navi perks up and mentions that he has received some information on the matter. It has been discovered that there is a place that has escaped the effects of the crystallization. You realize that this is the clue you were waiting for and it’s possible the place has a method for holding back the crystallization. Hope brightens in your heart like a faint light. You ask Navi where this place is that has escaped the crystallization, and he replies that it is located within Alstoria. 

You recall your dream and wonder if someone sent you that dream as a way of telling you to go to Alstoria. You still don’t know the connection, but knowing that there could be something there, you tell Navi that the two of you should leave for Alstoria immediately.

……

The cold rain continues to pour from the dark clouds covering the sky. Beneath those clouds stands a single man. His mouth is hardened into a frown as he slowly looks up. Beneath his mask, a single raindrop rolls down his cheek. 

Prologue

The rain continues to fall on the road ahead of you, offering no shelter. You come to the town in Alstoria and see the damage the exposure to the rain has caused. It is already quite extensive. 

Having been given a clue about the rain, you and Navi have been traveling around Alstoria to investigate, but no matter where you’ve gone, the rain’s crystallization effect is all you’ve seen. Every single plant you’ve seen has been solidified and wrapped in crystal, causing destruction across the entire country. What you see now is so vastly different from the Alstoria you remember that it makes your heart ache. 

Just then, you hear someone call your name. Turning around you see a familiar head of red hair from amidst the haze of the town. Avi greets you. 

You express your gratitude for Avi coming out to meet you, though Avi brushes it off as not a big deal. Navi mentions he must be busy, but Avi insists that since he’s the one that called you to Alstoria, of course he’d meet you. His words are blunt, as if he’s slightly embarrassed, while he starts walking. As Navi chases after him, you find yourself relaxing a little among the strange scenery. 

You laugh, and Avi asks what’s so funny. You brush it off and just tell him thank you. Avi calls you weird, but he’s glad that you seem to be doing well. You walk beside Avi as you head to the castle.

Avi looks around at the other princes that have gathered in the room of Alstoria’s castle. In order to investigate the Dragon’s Tears and the crystallization effect, princes from other countries have come to Alstoria. Avi says that other countries had also begun investigating on their own, but the gathering here was relatively recent. He attempts to present all the information in order, but Thor interrupts, saying you should all share your own information. 

Thor says that at present, they have heard there is a place in Alstoria that has been unaffected by the crystallization. In order to investigate that information, other countries had sent their own representatives. His own country of Asgard has sent out various delegations to investigate countries that have suffered comparatively little damage. He looks to Riel as he mentions there have been exceptions to this. Riel nods and says that, while he wouldn’t say his own country has suffered little damage, they heard of a way to stop the crystallization effect. The animals of the forest have told him that there is a flower field unaffected by the rain. Avi confirms that the unaffected flower field is here in Alstoria. Hearing that, you recall your dream of the flower field and the light.

Avi asks what’s wrong, and Thor says you look like you remembered something. You confess that you had seen a flower field in your dream that morning. Avi doesn’t think it’s a coincidence. Thor says the investigation of the flower field should begin immediately, and that there might be a clue there. He had thought of covering a person’s body in the flower to fend off the crystallization, but he now realizes this may not be just an ordinary flower. Thor frowns, and your shoulders drop.

Ruber speaks up, saying he had thought to use the flower as an ingredient to make a cure for the crystallization, though that line of thinking is quite difficult. You ask about this cure as he looks at you with slitted eyes. Ruber says that to him, anything that causes an abnormality in the human body is a type of illness. It’s obvious that he would be searching for something that would be a cure. 

You think to yourself that his answer is exactly what you’d expect from Ruber, but aloud you say that you’re glad to have a doctor along for this. But Ruber cautions you not to rely on him too much, because at present he still hasn’t found a way to reverse the crystallization. With that, Ruber says he needs to return to his patients if the sharing of information is finished.

Avi looks around the room, asking if anyone else has anything to share. When everyone shakes their heads, Avi explains that he wants to move forward with investigating on whether this resistance to the crystallization is happening in other fields with the same flower. He thanks everyone for being willing to help, and wants everyone to take extra care and extra precautions against the rain and crystallization. The gathered princes nod at his serious tone, and each quickly leaves the room.

With the other princes gone, you talk to Avi and say you want to help, even if you can’t do much about gathering information. Avi appreciates the offer but doesn’t want you to push yourself. Just then, another voice calls out to you. You turn and see Kairi standing in the doorway. You ask Kairi if he’s also come to Alstoria following the clue about stopping the rain and he responds that it’s something like that. Avi butts in and says Kairi actually came to Alstoria because he heard what was happening in this country and wanted to help. Navi pipes in that Kairi must have been worried about Avi and rushed over. Kairi just says he had some free time on his hands.  

Although the Dream World has fallen into a state of unease with everything that’s happening, seeing these dependable princes who have come together to support each other in a crisis eases your anxiety.

Chapter 1

Decked out in rain gear, you accompany the princes to the forest of Alstoria to investigate the clues you have to stop the crystallization. But Riel remarks that the crystallization is already quite severe here. All of the flowers and trees have turned to crystal. As you look for anything that is unaffected, Riel warns you to be careful, even though he’s grateful you’ve come along. You tell him you’re fine and think to yourself that you couldn’t have just sat around doing nothing while everyone was out trying so hard. 

As you walk through the mud, your foot gets stuck and you start to pitch forward when a strong hand grabs you. Zant, Prince of Secundati, sets you to rights and warns you that you need to watch your feet since the rain has made the ground unsteady. Shao, another prince of Secundati, agrees and tells you to hold on to him as you walk. You know that the two of them are investigating the crystallization phenomenon, and you know you can rely on them, but you ask why they’re helping. Zant says that, although Secundati is separate from Alstoria, it is their duty as princes of the Land of Spirits. Shao elaborates, saying that because they are so connected with the spirits of nature, they want to help. Plus, for Shao, water is supposed to be a force that gives life. Now, that balance has been thrown off as the rain destroys life instead. They can’t just sit by while the power of nature is used to harm people. Zant assures you as well that they’ve left Foia and the others to watch over Secundati while they’re gone.  Shao remarks that you really are kind for worrying about them and their country.

As you try to deny the compliment, you hear more footsteps walking through the mud. You almost call out the name of the person you see, however you are aware that he is Gary, Prince of Clairbool, and for certain reasons he has been hiding his identity, so you hold yourself back. Riel asks if he had come to investigate the forest, and Gary confirms that he was deep in the forest. According to him, the crystallization at the center of the forest is already quite severe, and so you should change course as you continue your investigation. Riel remarks that you aren’t making much progress with this investigation. He wants to try his best for the residents of the forest, and while Gary understands those feelings, he urges Riel to not look so down. Gary also wants to quickly find a solution to this problem that everyone is facing. Riel becomes embarrassed to have been caught complaining like that when he’s a prince and apologizes. He’s sure that Gary must also have something he’s trying to protect, and Gary confirms that he’s going to do whatever he can to protect his country and his younger brother. You are aware the brother he speaks of is Gilbert, the prince left behind as a body double to handle administrative affairs, and that Gary is currently on a journey to undo the curse placed on him. 

The rain has already caused great damage and chaos in Gary’s home country, and so he must hurry to find a way to stop it. Riel agrees, saying the trees in his own country have been affected and that the whispers of the trees he can normally hear have faded away, leaving the forest incredibly quiet. Zant remarks that he had heard Riel could hear the voices of plants and animals, and Riel says that it’s always been a natural part of his life to hear them. Now everything is going quiet, and it causes him great pain to lose those voices. 

The princes all resolve to find a way to stop the rain, for the sake of their homes. Their desire to protect the things dear to them is strong, even as the days are overtaken by suffering. Feeling the depths of their determination pulls at your heart strings. 

Chapter 2

Taking a break from your investigation, you go into the town cathedral to stock up on supplies and recall having heard that the church had been turned into an infirmary for the people afflicted with the crystallization. Everyone gathered in the church has the same gloomy expression and air of unease about them. You feel yourself sinking into despair as you see them when suddenly you hear a voice.

Vairy, from the Land of Beastmen, calls out to you to help him handle the supplies being brought in. Beul, another prince from the Land of Beastmen helping with supplies, remarks that it makes his heart ache to see so many people hurting. Ruber is also there and he asks if what Beul and Vairy have are supplies for the injured. You confirm this and Vairy says that if there isn’t enough of something, to tell him as he and Beul will do their best to get more.  

Beul remarks that he’s seen the damage in Alstoria and that it’s much worse than their own country. Since people from other countries have helped his people prepare for hibernation, he wanted to help the others when they’re in trouble, whether that’s providing supplies or doing something else to help. Ruber understands as Beul looks at the people in the church, then asks if they’ll help distribute the supplies. Vairy says to leave all the physical labor to him. Ruber directs Vairy on where to go in the inner rooms and warns him to under no circumstances touch the infected crystallization on a person. He then asks Beul to help him with something, to which Beul agrees. You ask to help as well, and Ruber takes you up on your offer.

Ruber says that he’s gotten rain samples from the people of other countries. He’ll let you know what comes out of the analysis of these. You thank him, but before you can finish Ruber interrupts you and says there’s no need. He’s just doing what he needs to do. At his steadfast words, Vairy turns serious and says everyone naturally has to come together at a time like this. If everything goes dark, you’ll never see the future if you don’t move forward. Beul agrees. 

Some time after you started to help Ruber with the patients, you hear a commotion of voices near the entrance to the cathedral. Lyon, Prince of Vilastine, appears and says he has brought a sample of the rain from his country. Lyon smiles when he sees you. The other princes of Vilastine have also arrived, including Nepenthes and Gerber. As they all call out to you, Ruber warns you that this is a place of medicine and to keep quiet. Lyon apologizes, and you ask if they are also investigating the crystallization. Gerber says they’re trying to find a connection between the flowers and the crystals, and that they had heard there was a flower here unaffected by the crystallization. Lyon says they have to find a way to save the flowers of Vilastine. You understand, considering how flowers and greenery are important to the entire landscape of the country. 

You notice Nepenthes seems troubled by something, so you ask him. He comments that the fragrance around here is unpleasant and that he hadn’t expected everyone to be so depressed, yourself included. You’re confused, and Gerber says that they’ve figured out that the flowers that have been crystalized aren’t dead. They’re sure that if the crystallization is undone, all of the greenery can be saved. Lyon says that as long as they don’t wither, there’s still hope. As you take in these princes who are still looking to the future, Nepenthes comments that he can’t do anything right now on an empty stomach. He gets distracted by Ruber as he smells the scent of antiseptic and proper hygiene. Taken with the scent and the nutrients associated, Nepenthes sticks out his long tongue towards Ruber. 

Thankfully Gerber stops him and Lyon tells him that Ruber is in the middle of doing treatments. Indignant, Nepenthes asks if he can commence once the medical stuff is finished. Lyon isn’t sure how to respond, and Gerber firmly says no, even when the treatment is over. Ruber tells them all to be quiet again. 

For a moment, lively voices had filled the air, and you notice that even the townsfolk in the church are now smiling. You feel a light blazing in your heart, chasing away the gloom you had felt, thanks to the princes. 

Chapter 3

During a break in the investigation, you head back to the castle and happen to pass by the library. From within, you see Navi. You call out to him, and Navi greets you. He is currently helping Thor with his investigation. Thor says he is searching for something called “The Sword of Salvation”. You tilt your head at the unfamiliar term, and Thor crosses his arms as he explains that in Asgard, it is a legendary weapon. You ask if the sword has some relation to the current crystallization issue. Navi confirms this, saying that the Sword of Salvation is supposed to have the power to respond to strong desires within a person’s heart. That power can even reach the heavens and cut through the sky. You think on this and ask if it’s possible for the sword to cut through the clouds that cover the Dream World. Navi says they haven’t confirmed it for certain, but Thor says it is said the sword has appeared in Alstoria before. This is the only clue he was able to find in his own country as an answer to the crystallization. It could just be a coincidence, but Thor thinks its possible this may be the key to unlocking the solution. Seeing his conviction, you can’t help but agree. 

Thor says there’s no guarantee that this will help, but during his free time he wanted to see if he could gather any more information on the sword. You realize he is probably really busy already with the investigation and worry that he’s pushing himself. Thor says he came to Alstoria as Asgard’s representative, and for his country and the people he left behind, he can’t waste time resting. He will definitely complete his quest. 

You think of how Thor has a strong desire to protect people and would often choose to go into battle alone. Even now, he’s fighting on his own, and you wonder if there’s anything you can do to help him. Thor says you’re probably busy, and while you say you have a break for now, you point out that the same is true for Thor. Thor gives in but tells you not to overdo it. You can hear the kindness in his curt tone, and you feel warm from it.

Some time after you started to help Thor look for information on the Sword of Salvation, Michiru, Prince of Buldrome, and Haku, Prince of Rivaille, come to the library. Michiru brings some books over to you, which Haku says are the most likely to have mentions of the Sword of Salvation. You thank them both, and Graham, Prince of Mysterium, is sitting at a neighboring desk and casually lists that the books cover history and classical literature. He says that the Sword of Salvation may have been used as a model for other literature, so he’s grabbed some fantasy as well. Navi is impressed at all the books they’ve been able to gather pertaining to swords. Graham also clarifies that they tried to keep records of the swords to relatively recent accounts as there isn’t enough time to go through everything from the beginning. You remark that you’d expect nothing less of Graham, and he gets flustered, saying even someone like him has his limits when searching through literature. He becomes shy again and turns back to the book he has. 

Haku comments that he isn’t sure if anything he knows will be of help, but you assure him that it is. Michiru asks if there’s anything else he can do to help since he came to Alstoria to help everyone. He knows that everyone has been anxious and worried ever since the rain started to fall. You recall that Michiru has a strange ability to hear the voices of people’s hearts, and that it must be hard for him to be hearing everyone’s pain and suffering. You thank Michiru and say that his desire to help everyone makes him very kind. Michiru says that instead, you’re the kind one. It’s thanks to you that Michiru wants to help everyone because you taught him about all the happiness in the world. Haku says that although he doesn’t quite understand ‘happiness’, he feels similarly and wants to see you smile. Navi comments that your bonds with the princes are an unshakable thing. 

As you feel warmth spread around you at everyone gathered together, Graham exclaims that he’s found something. Thor comes over to take a look. Indeed, Graham has found a complete record of the legend of the Sword of Salvation. Graham then points to something, saying that it’s the part everyone should be paying attention to. 

“When the cataclysmic rain pours down, the Sword of Salvation shall be entrusted to the one who will protect the world.” 

Graham wonders who the person that will protect the world is, and Thor says he doesn’t know but that there must be certain conditions that must be met for the sword to appear. You look at the old page of the book to see the illustration of a hero holding the sword, and for some reason it makes you feel uneasy.

Chapter 4

In order to convey all the information you’ve gathered so far, you wait for Avi at the castle. After a while, he returns from his thorough investigation of the lands. You ask how bad the damage is, and Avi says it’s bad everywhere. They would be able to recover with the support from the other countries, but as the rain hasn’t stopped, nothing will change. He asks how things have gone on your end, and you mention that you were looking for information on the Sword of Salvation. Avi nods, saying Thor had mentioned it. Since the legend states that the sword appeared in Alstoria before, it’s one that Avi is aware of. 

You mention that you wanted to help look into it as there was even the slightest possibility it could lead to something. You remember how all the princes you met with were doing their best to help each other, and how they all had strong desires to see this problem through to the end. Avi says he also met with the other princes, and they told him of their desires to stop the rain and protect the world. Everyone who came to Alstoria did so because they had something important that they wanted to protect. Although Avi’s expression is earnest, you can tell he’s thinking hard about something. As you attempt to ask about it, you hear footsteps and a voice outside the door.

One of Avi’s attendants says that there’s been a new landslide. He rushes to go, and you say you’ll go too. Avi tries to stop you, but you interrupt, saying that even if you’re just an extra set of hands, it’ll help. Avi gives in but warns you to be careful. 

Amidst the torrential rain, you, Avi, and the soldiers begin providing relief from the landslide. During this, you run into Kairi again. He asks for a damage report, and you tell him that thankfully the damage to the town wasn’t too severe. However, the people were becoming more uneasy and huddling together. Seeing this, Avi asks if they’re hurt. The villagers say they aren’t physically hurt, but one says they’ve just lost their entire field, and another says there family has been injured by the rain. They ask if a solution has been found yet, and Avi says they’re doing all they can to find a solution and asks them to hang in there a little longer. Another villager frets that soon Alstoria will be no more. Hearing that, Avi swears he won’t let that happen. He will find a way, and they will overcome this. You are once again weighed down with the severity of the issue in Alstoria.

As you are finishing up the rescue operations, you realize that Avi has disappeared. As you look around, you find him standing alone. You go to say something when suddenly Kairi is beside you. Kairi says that he remembers all too well the feeling of helplessness at being unable to protect something important to him. You are reminded of his lost kingdom and his father the king who was betrayed by a close attendant, leading to the country’s destruction. Having already lost the country he grew up in and his entire family, Kairi is the one person to understand the fears that Avi now harbors. Kairi says that a big part of this is that Avi is shouldering all the burden and won’t ask for help. As you look at Avi again, you can almost see the immense weight that presses down on him. You realize Avi must have been suffering for so long, alone. But you say to Kairi that Avi isn’t alone, and Kairi says you’re probably the only one who can tell him that.

You thank Kairi, who dismisses it. Kairi just says you’ll go crazy if you’re always looking down and behind you, and that even though you meddle a lot, that meddling nature of yours will surely help Avi. He tells you not to hesitate and to just do like you usually do. You smile, hearing the kindness in his cold tone.

Suddenly, Kairi seems surprised and mentions something about your hand. You realize that your hand had gotten stiff and, as you look down, you see the crystals have started to encroach over your hand. In a rush, Kairi says that the crystallization effect doesn’t look like it’s completed and to hurry inside. You suddenly feel the intense pain associated with the crystallization spread up your arm, and your mind goes blank with fear. Kairi is yelling, telling you to hold on. But your vision is already flickering and you collapse in the cold rain. 

Chapter 5

Navi and the gathered princes watch over the princess with concern. Ruber says he’s aware that people’s tolerance to the crystallization varies, but even so it seems to be spreading fast. Avi asks after her condition, and Ruber says that he’s done all he can, but it doesn’t look good. Kairi gets frustrated and Navi gently holds onto the princess’ hand. Ruber continues that he was able to lessen the pain and slow down the crystallization, but as there’s no way to reverse the effects yet, he trails off as he implies that the princess will die if a solution isn’t found. His face is full of regret as he bites his lip and the room falls to silence.

Avi finally speaks, saying the princess was affected because of helping with the landslide relief efforts. Kairi says it’s not Avi’s fault, and that it’s just part of the princess’ personality to help in situations like that. Even still, Avi is upset and blames himself, saying he couldn’t protect his country or the princess. Navi says he doesn’t need to shoulder the blame, but Avi says he should have gotten stronger after traveling and fighting for so long. He was confident that he had grown stronger, both physically and mentally, but despite all that, he can’t even protect the things important to him. Navi suddenly notices that the princess is showing signs of waking, and Avi calls out to her.

——

Avi calling your name echoes in your head. You slowly open your eyes, though your lids are heavy, to see Avi looking at you with concern. Avi says your name once you open your eyes, and Navi breathes a sigh of relief. Ruber asks if you hurt anywhere, but you say the pain is pretty much gone. Avi apologizes to you as he grasps your hand, but you try to ease his concern and tell him you’re alright and say that he shouldn’t be saying things like he can’t protect anything. 

Avi asks if that means you heard what they were talking about, and you nod your head. You tell him that you don’t want him to think that way, and that the fight isn’t over. It hasn’t been decided yet whether he was able to protect Alstoria or the world. Ruber agrees with what you’re saying and tells Avi that while it’s easy to give in to weakness and stop moving, is that really what he wants to do? Avi is slightly shocked at his words, and Kairi looks to him. Kairi says that Avi has not yet failed his country or the people important to him. Navi agrees. 

You tell Avi that you all will be able to protect the things important to you until the very end. That is the reason all the princes gathered here and have been trying their best. Everyone wants to protect this precious world and get back their daily lives. So don’t give up, and keep searching for the light. Avi’s eyes open wide, and you can see that a strong brilliance has returned to his eyes. 

Chapter 6

There’s a light knock at the door. Navi responds, and the door opens to reveal Thor and Riel. They had come to report some new information, but Riel immediately turns to you and asks if you’re alright. You say you’re fine and apologize for worrying them. Thor says they’d been concerned ever since they heard you’d collapsed. Now, you can visibly see the relief on their faces. Avi prompts them to give their report.

Thor says its about the flower field that is immune to the crystallization. Avi asks if something has changed, and Riel says that throughout their investigation they’d never once seen what’s happening now. That being the strange light emanating from the flower field in question. You are immediately reminded of the dream you had where you saw a light shining in a field of flowers. Thor says that they’re going to investigate the field thoroughly once more. Navi mentions that, as he suspected, your dream was connected to this phenomenon. You’re a little surprised that your dream has become reality.

Kairi mentions that he and the others will go, but you say that you want to go as well. Riel wants to stop you, and Ruber says he’s prescribing you complete and total bedrest. Even now you can feel the faint pain coming from the crystallization, but you bring up that when you saw the flower field in your dream, you also saw the light. Avi asks if that’s true, and you explain that when you saw the light in your dream, it had emitted some kind of warmth. You’re sure there’s some meaning to it, so you’re sure you can be helpful if you go. You look to all of the princes and say how you want to save this world, and that you want to protect it just like everyone else. Avi finally says that there’s no point saying no as you won’t listen anyway. Kairi agrees. Ruber finally gives in but says you are to be escorted at all times with no exceptions. You express your thanks.

The blue-purple flowers are dotted with raindrops and emitting a faint light. Avi asks if it’s the same as in your dream and you say that while it’s remarkably similar, you’re certain that the light you saw was coming from the center of the field. Kairi understands and says that everyone should move forward, watching their step. Accompanying the princes, you all make your way further into the wide field. 

Avi tells you to go slowly, and you can hear the kindness in his voice as he walks beside you. You tell him of your hope that you’ll find some clue, for everyone’s sake. You are encouraged at the thought of all the princes and the people you hold dear. Avi agrees, saying that everyone will undoubtedly protect the things important to them, with their own hands. As you walk forward with a new strength, you suddenly see a blindingly bright light which forces you to close your eyes. As you open your eyes, both you and Avi are immediately drawn to what has appeared.

There, amidst the flowers, is a single sword, thrust into the ground and emitting a divine light.  

Chapter 7

In the midst of the flower field stood an impressive sword, emitting a divine light. Thor sees it and doesn’t believe it; could it truly be the Sword of Salvation? Avi wonders the same, if it’s truly the sword of legend, and Ruber ponders on the rumors being true. Yet Riel is the one who wonders why the sword suddenly appeared, and Navi is unable to answer. You remember the legend associated with the sword and look up to the sky, the rain still pouring down incessantly. Navi recalls how the sword is supposed to have the ability to respond to a person’s intense feelings and slice through the sky. It makes you wonder if the sword appeared in response to everyone’s strong desire to protect. Though Kairi has no response as to why the sword appeared, he assumes that now that it’s here, someone has to wield it. You think on the feeling of wanting to protect the world, and how the person to wield it may be the person who shoulders all those desires… which makes you turn to Avi. You can see he’s already made his decision.

You gesture for Avi to go to the sword, and he moves forward. As he touches the hilt, the flowers seem to glow brighter in response. You say that it’s like the sword and flowers are granting Avi their power. Navi murmurs something about the last time the Sword of Salvation appeared in Alstoria and he asks if you remember the legend you found in the library:

“When the cataclysmic rain pours down, the Sword of Salvation shall be entrusted to the one who will protect the world.” 

Navi says that he’s certain of this: the sword has appeared before the one it deemed worthy. As the Dream King’s knight, Avi has a strong desire to protect you, the Dream King. And in protecting the Dream King, he protects the world. You look to Avi and see him grasp the hilt tightly and slowly pull the sword from the ground. Avi holds the sword aloft, still glowing faintly, in an awe-inspiring gesture and…

A blinding beam of light shoots out of the tip of the sword, rising higher and piercing through the ominous dark clouds. The brilliance of that divine light takes your breath away. As the light fades, you see that the rift between the clouds is slowly growing, and light peaks through. The rain falling around you glows gold. You think to call to Avi, but as you see him standing there in the rain of light, you are reminded of the hero illustrated in the book, and your voice catches. It is truly a divine sight. 

Suddenly Riel calls out, and you look to see the crystallization that had encroached on the trees around the flower field is disappearing. Riel breathes a sigh of relief as he realizes this may mean the trees and the forest animals are saved. Ruber asks if your hand hurts and when he mentions it, you hold your hand up to the rain of light. Slowly, the crystallization is disappearing and the color of your skin is returning to normal. Ruber says it appears the crystallization on you is healing, and Avi is glad to hear this. Kairi and Navi are also glad to see you’re getting better. You remark that the rain of light must be the thing curing the crystallization, and you’re sure it will help the other people who have also been affected. 

Thor remarks that he was able to complete his duty and protect the things that needed protecting until the end. You can see the relief in his face. Without saying a word, Ruber turns to head back into town. You call after him, but he simply says that he’s going back first to quickly check that his other patients are also healing. You say that everyone will be right behind him, and before he leaves, he says he’s glad the crystallization on you has been cured. He gives a brief wave and returns to town. 

Avi is incredibly glad to see you back to normal, and you say it’s all thanks to him. But Avi says it’s all thanks to the sword for lending him its power. As you watch, the sword in his hand slowly dims and turns a rust-colored brown, its purpose fulfilled. You say that you’re sure the sword responded to everyone’s strong desires, and Avi agrees that it was everyone’s wish to protect the world. Avi says he’d had one thing on his mind, that no matter how strong he got, he would feel despair at not being able to protect the things important to him. There are opponents out there who could defeat him, and yet no matter what despair he faces, he and everyone else will face it, without fail. Kairi’s glad he’s finally remembered that, though he does still think Avi is troublesome. Avi says it was the fact that everyone had gathered together to try their best to protect the world that had reminded him of that fact. And of course, because you were there as well. He says that from now on, he and the others will protect the world without fail, no matter what despair befalls them. That will never change. 

A gentle breeze brushes through Avi’s hair, and you think that from this angle he seems even stronger and more determined than before. The thin beams of light breaking up the clouds are like the physical representations of your hope. 

Chapter 8

The golden rain of light that dissolved the crystallization has finally ceased. The sky is still full of clouds, however the rain that was called the Dragon’s Tears has not fallen again.  

Avi thanks the other princes for their cooperation in the investigation. Thor brushes it aside, saying he was only doing his duty. He then asks if he’s sure Avi doesn’t want any more support. Although the investigation is over, he is able to send people from his own country to Alstoria to provide help. Though the rain has stopped, Alstoria is still feeling its effects.  Avi appreciates Thor’s offer, but he can handle things from here. Everything may not be back to normal right away, but everyone is making progress. Besides, he’s sure everyone has things to take care of in their own kingdoms. 

Riel agrees at that, saying he wants to hurry home to check on the situation there. Plus, he wants to tell the trees and animals what happened here. Thor agrees, saying he should make a report to the other princes in Asgard. Then Avi turns to you, and Kairi and Ruber who stand next to you, and asks what you all will do now. You say you intend to stay in Alstoria for a while longer, and Kairi says he was also planning to stay while the relief efforts were taking place. But Avi might be thinking that he’ll just get in the way. Avi says that’s not the case at all and that he’s glad the two of you will be staying. Ruber says he also plans to stay for a while since his patients are not only those inflicted with the crystallization. There are still many situations in Alstoria that require the need of a doctor, if Avi is alright with it. Of course, Avi is. 

Avi smiles as he looks at everyone and once more thanks them for their help. Without them, he wouldn’t have been able to find the hope in the situation. 

You recognize that there are still things to do, but with this you’ve slowly started to move forward towards reclaiming those peaceful normal days. That’s what you think as you see the bright expressions of the princes.

……

Elsewhere at the same time…

Roie, Prince of Records, stands pondering over an ancient stone slab carved with writing. He things about the strange rain that brought the crystallization, and how even though the rain has stopped, the world is still enshrouded in clouds. What is the cause? And what caused the Dragon’s Tears to fall in the first place? There are still too many questions left unanswered. 

Suddenly, one of Roie’s attendants rushes in with a report. A vast amount of magical energy has been observed coming from a strange place. Roie instructs the attendant to be more concise and explain what this ‘strange place’ is. The attendant says the magic signature is coming from up in the sky. Roie asks if it was one of the boats that fly powered by magic, but the attendant says it wasn’t anything matching that scale. He hands over the report. Roie frowns as he reads it and asks if the attendant is absolutely certain it is correct. If there are no mistakes, this thing in the sky is emitting enough power to be able to move an entire kingdom. 

……

A solitary man stands below the sky covered in thick, dark clouds. 

??: “…at last. With this, my wish will be granted.”

He slowly takes off his mask.

??: “To bring back my daily normalcy.”

 The man, his face now laid bare, smiles darkly.