Khvarena of Good and Evil

Quest List

Asipattravana Itihasa The Hymn of Tir Yazad Awakening's Real Sound The Splendorous Sky That Day As the Khvarena's Light Shows As the Khvarena's Light Shows: Samudaya As the Khvarena's Light Shows: Dukkha As the Khvarena's Light Shows: Nirodha The Hymn of Tir Yazad

Asipattravana Itihasa

You need the help of the Pari Mihir and Rashnu to obtain the Chaplet. You might be able to find Mihir's trail in Asipattravana Swamp...

Paimon:

Um, uh... Are you sure we're going the right way, Sorush?

Sorush:

Stop making such disgraceful noises. Would I lead you wrong?

Sorush:

Hmph. Pale Floater, you could stand to learn from our Yasnapati and his unflinching calm.

Paimon:

Exactly! Just looking at that big mass of... stuff over there is pretty scary already...

Sorush:

Such trivial trials! They pale in comparison to the sacrifice that I must offer up later.

Sorush:

Ah, I misspeak. You, Pale Floater, are not as bold as my Yasnapati... But perhaps one may consider retreating at the slightest sign of danger a wise choice.

Paimon:

Right... That's right! Traveler's in charge of being brave, while Paimon's in charge of being smart. That's why we make the best of buddies, after all!

Traveler:

Nice going, buddy!

Paimon:

Hehe, right? Paimon thinks that was a good rejoinder too!

Sorush:

... But I did not give you your title for naught, Yasnapati. Do give praise unto my bravery more, pray.

Paimon:

Well, Traveler's known Paimon longer. When he's not being your Yasnapati, there's nothing wrong with him sparing some time to praise Paimon!

Paimon:

Anyway, don't sweat the small stuff, Sorush. You're not really doing anything that especially needs praising right now, are you...

Sorush:

My great work is not for the present, but the future. Still, at this very moment... you are being given the privilege to witness where it all begins!

Paimon:

Well, if you say so. Speaking of which, we're here to find...

Sorush:

Mihir. That foolish familiar of thorns... She must be suffering right now.

Paimon:

Wait. Is she trapped in there? Then we've got to go save her!

Sorush:

The power of the purple mist beneath us shares a source with the demons of Dev. Mihir's task should have been to keep such wicked powers from running rampant upon this earth.

Sorush:

Under the Sign of Apaosha, the powers of the two forces warring here ebb and flow...

Sorush:

We Pari should be dauntless, willing to fight till we ourselves are torn to shreds... but Mihir? Hah. I shouldn't wonder if she searches for some way to protect herself even now, conducting some loathsome struggle.

Paimon:

Wait. Aren't you allies? Are you really gonna leave a fellow Pari to her fate like that?

Paimon:

Uh... Paimon can't tell if you're genuinely scolding her or not!

Sorush:

It is no difficult matter, saving Mihir. Perhaps I might even call it trivial. But we Pari each have our mission, and we also have different... ideals.

Sorush:

She must've found some position equal in seclusion and defensibility, before using a Gray Gate to seal both the demons and herself in.

Sorush:

If she could still move freely, aha, she would be like that Khvarena, begging for aid and prostrating herself before all and sundry to earn pity.

Traveler:

Can Khvarena even prostrate themselves?

Paimon:

Maybe if they try hard enough?

Sorush:

You plebeians miss the point. All the same, the state of this place tells me that she shall not hold out long by herself. How pitiful...

Sorush:

Pah, what a horrible sight. To be as Mihir is, corroded by filth, falling from a spotless to a sinful state, yet desperate to preserve herself... Had the Elder not bade me come...

Paimon:

Hehe. So after all that, you do care!

Sorush:

Hardly! I merely wish to see if that useless fool has any regrets or not. If she turns back to us and accepts our aid, then perhaps I shall spare her a moment or two.

Sorush:

...After all, the flower, the star of the songs of praise, shall seem less radiant if the green leaves are not there to serve as its foil.

Sorush:

The following labor shall be little, but it is still a radiant shard. Yasnapati mine, record it down with a reverent heart, and use even this mote of shattered light to grace your mighty hymn.

Paimon:

We can talk about the less important stuff later, Sorush. Let's figure out how to disperse that purple mist first!

Sorush:

"Less important," you say!? *sigh* ... Well, so be it.

Sorush:

Mihir's sinful form renders her unable to fulfill her duty, but the thorns remain. So long as I lend them some of my strength, it shall only take a brief moment to scatter this purple smoke.

Sorush:

As for the downward path, let us follow that wandering Khvarena we just saw.

Paimon:

Well, if Sorush's so sure... Let's try getting closer then!

Paimon:

Oh, right. If you feel uncomfortable, then hold your breath! Well, Paimon isn't all that good at doing that herself... so you'd better make it quick, Sorush!

Sorush:

Underestimate me not, Pale Floater.

Paimon:

Wait, is this Mihir? Is she... stuck? Seems like the purple mist has already made it all the way down here...

Paimon:

What do we do now, Sorush? Can we just do what we did earlier? Y'know, give some of your power to the thorns and free her?

Sorush:

Why of course, I shall save her. After all, she does seem so very piteous, infested with corruption and helpless as she is.

Traveler:

This isn't the best time to throw shade on her.

Paimon:

Exactly! We've got to save her, and quick...

Sorush:

Yet I have not heard her repent! I shall hear her repudiation of her obduracy and her supplication for my aid...

Paimon:

Oh, come on, are you serious? We don't have time for that kinda talk! Paimon thought you were just speaking in anger...

Paimon:

Stop playing along with her!

Sorush:

Well, then... If you, too, say so, my Yasnapati. After all, fulfilling your wishes once in a while is indeed within the purview of one so exalted as I.

Paimon:

Eh!? Seriously? Paimon wishes you'd listen to her too, Sorush...

Paimon:

Awesome! Are you alright, Mihir?

Sorush:

Well, I suppose she is alive, if barely, and covered in sin, and weakened to the extent that she may only defend herself...

Mihir:

Sorush, Sorush... Sorush who took humans for companions. Sorush who lost her way.

Paimon:

Uhh... It sounds like there's some secret meaning behind her words...

Sorush:

Do not get near her, lest the defilement that emanates from her touches you...

Sorush:

It seems that she has not only forgone a heart of gratitude, but has lost much of her intellect, or she would not use such baseless words to reproach me.

Mihir:

Thank you, Sorush. If not for you and your companions, I would have needed much time to gather my strength...

Mihir:

And even then, I am unsure if I could have stood against the rising filth on my own.

Mihir:

The Sign of Apaosha could be seen all too clearly, even from the bottom of the valley, but thorns can only crawl upon the ground, never to reach the sky — not even the reflection of the skies on the earth...

Sorush:

Hmph. Of course. After all, I am the one who is destined to make sacrifices and extinguish the Sign.

Sorush:

And I must add that Traveler is no companion of mine, nor is Paimon. He is my Yasnapati, a willing instrument recording my great work.

Traveler:

Sorush's number one Yasnapati, that's me.

Paimon:

Paimon wants to be number one too! Uh, wait... Why would Paimon wanna fight you to be Sorush's "willing instrument," anyway?

Paimon:

Hmmm... Just saving Mihir isn't enough to complete what Zurvan asked us to do, right?

Mihir:

I see. So you have something to request of me, Sorush.

Sorush:

What? Have your senses gnarled into tumbleweed during your imprisonment and departed the Temir Mountains into the nameless dunes?

Sorush:

It is by my magnanimity in not remembering past slights that my Yasnapati has been given leave to record your name within the hymn that sings my praises.

Sorush:

Your sinful form, stained with defilement, should never otherwise have appeared within those stanzas...

Sorush:

You should thank me, Mihir. If it was not for our Elder... Ah, whatever. We do this to obtain the Twin-Horned Chaplet. For that reason, you must return with me to the Vourukasha Oasis.

Paimon:

Speaking of which, Sorush... You keep talking about "stained with defilement" this and "sinful form" that... What do you even mean?

Mihir:

It is the duty of us familiars of the thorn to prevent defilement from spreading across the earth and guard against its corrosion. But when we battle against the demons of Dev, injury is nigh unavoidable.

Sorush:

And if you had been shattered in battle with them, that might have been worth a song... But stained as you are, you can hardly be counted as one of us.

Sorush:

If it were not for my coming to your rescue, you would likely have continued some pathetic struggle here, till the world forgot you, and you utterly faded away.

Mihir:

Those are the words of the human who has befriended you, Sorush.

Sorush:

He is no ordinary human. He is the Nasuraia of the Order of Skeptics.

Paimon:

Huh, so that's how it is...

Traveler:

Sounds like a matter of wounded pride.

Paimon:

That's right. Calling someone "sinful" because of that... Mihir, you poor thing!

Mihir:

To do one's duty is not a pitiable act. Nor is struggling to perform that duty for a while longer shameful.

Sorush:

Pah! Never mind the matter of our Elder. I have not fallen so low as to require your judgment! Rather, it is you who should thank me for rescuing you!

Paimon:

Oh come on, Sorush, stop yelling at an injured person! Well... Mihir was wounded in combat, so that counts, right?

Mihir:

It is alright. Sorush... will understand, or she will never obtain the Twin-Horned Chaplet from Zurvan.

Mihir:

But as she says, my "sinful" form is unacceptable in the eyes of other Pari. I cannot return to the Vourukasha Oasis in this state...

Sorush:

Merely perform a cleansing pilgrimage, and it will be well.

Paimon:

A cleansing pilgrimage? Will that take a long time? Will it be dangerous?

Sorush:

You need not be so concerned as to the details of Mihir's deeds. After all, there shall be little room for her in the praises that shall be sung of me.

Sorush:

She knows this road well, but in her weak and helpless state, were she to be attacked along the way, I doubt there will be anything left of her.

Paimon:

Hehe, what Paimon's hearing is that things will be fine as long as we escort her. Don't worry, we're very experienced at this sorta thing!

Paimon:

Wait. Aren't you allies? Are you really gonna leave a fellow Pari to her fate like that?

Paimon:

Uh... Paimon can't tell if you're genuinely scolding her or not!

Sorush:

It is no difficult matter, saving Mihir. Perhaps I might even call it trivial. But we Pari each have our mission, and we also have different... ideals.

Sorush:

She must've found some position equal in seclusion and defensibility, before using a Gray Gate to seal both the demons and herself in.

Sorush:

If she could still move freely, aha, she would be like that Khvarena, begging for aid and prostrating herself before all and sundry to earn pity.

Traveler:

Can Khvarena even prostrate themselves?

Paimon:

Maybe if they try hard enough?

Sorush:

You plebeians miss the point. Back to the heart of the matter, we did disperse some purple mist, but their root cause remains unresolved. I doubt that she can hold out for much longer. How pitiful...

Sorush:

Pah, what a horrible sight. To be as Mihir is, corroded by filth, falling from a spotless to a sinful state, yet desperate to preserve herself... Had the Elder not bade me come...

Paimon:

Hehe. So after all that, you do care!

Sorush:

Hardly! I merely wish to see if that useless fool has any regrets or not. If she turns back to us and accepts our aid, then perhaps I shall spare her a moment or two.

Sorush:

...After all, the flower, the star of the songs of praise, shall seem less radiant if the green leaves are not there to serve as its foil.

Sorush:

The following labor shall be little, but it is still a radiant shard. Yasnapati mine, record it down with a reverent heart, and use even this mote of shattered light to grace your mighty hymn.

Paimon:

We can talk about the less important stuff later, Sorush. Let's figure out how to save Mihir first, shall we?

Sorush:

"Less important," you say!? *sigh* ... Well, so be it.

Sorush:

Mihir's sinful form renders her unable to do her duty, but the thorns remain. So long as I lend them some of my strength, scattering this defilement should cost me but a little effort.

Sorush:

As for the downward path, let us follow that wandering Khvarena we just saw.

Paimon:

Well, if Sorush's so sure... Let's try getting closer then!

Paimon:

We're finally outta there. We can already see the Harvisptokhm!

Sorush:

And we can also see the Sign of Apaosha...

Traveler:

We won't be able to relax till we manage to fix the crisis above us.

Paimon:

That's true, but let's prioritize escorting Mihir on her cleansing pilgrimage so she can regain her spotless form and return to her companions' side.

Paimon:

But isn't it awful that she's been fighting all this time, but now that she's injured, she can't even go back...

Sorush:

One who clings to life and self-protection despite being filled with such filth is unworthy of a Yasnapati's chronicle.

Paimon:

What are you saying, Sorush? Mihir's been fighting all by herself to fulfill her mission all this time... She's been very brave.

Paimon:

We should remember what she's done and praise her for it!

Sorush:

Only humans require such things as courage. We Pari have no need of it.

Mihir:

Sorush speaks the truth. We Pari have known our purpose since birth, and we only live to serve that purpose. We do not require remembrance.

Mihir:

Perhaps being forgotten might even be for the best.

Paimon:

Eh? But...

Mihir:

If the day comes when none mention us again, then surely the entire earth must have been purged of all calamity.

Mihir:

There will be no more sacrifices to be sung of, for there will be no more sufferings to be remembered.

Mihir:

I believe that that shall be a wonderful day.

Paimon:

Mihir...

Sorush:

That day is yet distant. Not before I make the sacrifice that shall extinguish the Sign of Apaosha, at least...

Sorush:

Let us not waste daylight here. We should complete the cleansing pilgrimage as soon as possible.

Sorush:

We should not allow this preamble to delay us so... I am the protagonist of this hymn... I alone...

Mihir:

Thank you for walking this difficult path with me. I believe that the road shall be far smoother ahead. Would you like us to continue on together?

Mihir:

Yes. You know where to find me.

Paimon:

We're back! Guess your cleansing pilgrimage is done, huh, Mihir? And that means your "defilement" issues have been solved, right?

Mihir:

I have indeed completed the cleansing pilgrimage, but it couldn't have been done without your aid.

Mihir:

The wind and waters here are good, and wondrous energies cycle here. For now, there is no need to worry about the defilement.

Paimon:

Yeah, this place sure is better than that valley full of purple mist. It's definitely got that... "soul-purifying" feeling to it.

Mihir:

Purifying? ... Indeed.

Paimon:

Hehehe, that was easier than Paimon thought! Now that Mihir's clear of this "defilement," other Pari aren't gonna reject her anymore, right?

Paimon:

You can finally take a rest after all that trouble you went through, Mihir.

Traveler:

And Sorush is now closer to obtaining the Chaplet as well.

Paimon:

That's right! Everyone wins!

Sorush:

A fitting end for Mihir, perhaps, but not for me.

Sorush:

My ending will not be something so ordinary or peaceful... or as insignificant as you are, Pale Floater.

Paimon:

Paimon isn't insignificant! ... Well, not that Paimon's very heavy or anything either!

Sorush:

My end shall be glorious, radiant, like that of the divine bird Simurgh. I shall split into infinite motes of Khvarena, cleansing the world of its impurity...

Sorush:

That which Mihir has done cannot be compared to what I shall yet accomplish.

Mihir:

Yet there was only one Simurgh, and there is only one Sorush.

Sorush:

My Yasnapati, it is clear that you do not understand Simurgh's greatness. Nor do you rate the tragic vow and resolve of us Pari as you should.

Sorush:

You speak but empty words, born of your witlessness. My mind is made up, my heart set. I will not be moved.

Paimon:

Ugh, Paimon doesn't get Sorush at all. Why does she insist on sacrificing herself to deal with the Sign? And why is she so cold to Mihir?

Traveler:

Well, the way things look right now, Mihir's the one with deeds to her name.

Paimon:

So what you're saying is that Sorush hasn't done anything yet? Hmm, if you think about it, Mihir has been doing her best to protect the land from corruption, but Sorush...

Traveler:

I'd say she's pretty anxious about that.

Paimon:

Ah, Paimon kinda gets it now! Sorush's worried that if we praise Mihir, we won't do the same for her afterward, so she wants to do something even greater...

Paimon:

Oh, come on! Isn't she just afraid that Mihir will steal her Yasnapati?

Paimon:

She doesn't need to worry about that. We're born flatterers, aren't we, Traveler?

Paimon:

Let Paimon think... Let's put four lines of praise for Sorush in that hymn or whatever she's always going on about, and two for Mihir. That way, everyone wins! Hehe.

Paimon:

Wait. Aren't you allies? Are you really gonna leave a fellow Pari to her fate like that?

Paimon:

Uh... Paimon can't tell if you're genuinely scolding her or not!

Sorush:

It is no difficult matter, saving Mihir. Perhaps I might even call it trivial. But we Pari each have our mission, and we also have different... ideals.

Sorush:

She must've found some position equal in seclusion and defensibility, before using a Gray Gate to seal both the demons and herself in.

Sorush:

If she could still move freely, aha, she would be like that Khvarena, begging for aid and prostrating herself before all and sundry to earn pity.

Traveler:

Can Khvarena even prostrate themselves?

Paimon:

Maybe if they try hard enough?

Sorush:

You plebeians miss the point. All the same, the state of this place tells me that she shall not hold out long by herself. How pitiful...

Sorush:

Pah, what a horrible sight. To be as Mihir is, corroded by filth, falling from a spotless to a sinful state, yet desperate to preserve herself... Had the Elder not bade me come...

Paimon:

Hehe. So after all that, you do care!

Sorush:

Hardly! I merely wish to see if that useless fool has any regrets or not. If she turns back to us and accepts our aid, then perhaps I shall spare her a moment or two.

Sorush:

...After all, the flower, the star of the songs of praise, shall seem less radiant if the green leaves are not there to serve as its foil.

Sorush:

The following labor shall be little, but it is still a radiant shard. Yasnapati mine, record it down with a reverent heart, and use even this mote of shattered light to grace your mighty hymn.

Paimon:

We can talk about the less important stuff later, Sorush. Let's figure out how to disperse that purple mist first!

Sorush:

"Less important," you say!? *sigh* ... Well, so be it.

Sorush:

Mihir's sinful form renders her unable to fulfill her duty, but the thorns remain. So long as I lend them some of my strength, it shall only take a brief moment to scatter this purple smoke.

Sorush:

As for the downward path, let us follow that wandering Khvarena we just saw.

Paimon:

Well, if Sorush's so sure... Let's try getting closer then!

Paimon:

Oh, right. If you feel uncomfortable, then hold your breath! Well, Paimon isn't all that good at doing that herself... so you'd better make it quick, Sorush!

Sorush:

Underestimate me not, Pale Floater.

Paimon:

Um, uh... Are you sure we're going the right way, Sorush? We seem to have been around these parts before...

Sorush:

Stop making such disgraceful noises. Would I lead you wrong?

Sorush:

Hmph. Pale Floater, you could stand to learn from our Yasnapati and his unflinching calm.

Paimon:

That's right! This place still doesn't look safe at all, just like the last time we came here!

Sorush:

Such trivial trials! They pale in comparison to the sacrifice that I must offer up later.

Sorush:

Ah, I misspeak. You, Pale Floater, are not as bold as my Yasnapati... But perhaps one may consider retreating at the slightest sign of danger a wise choice.

Paimon:

Right... That's right! Traveler's in charge of being brave, while Paimon's in charge of being smart. That's why we make the best of buddies, after all!

Traveler:

Nice going, buddy!

Paimon:

Hehe, right? Paimon thinks that was a good rejoinder too!

Sorush:

... But I did not give you your title for naught, Yasnapati. Do give praise unto my bravery more, pray.

Paimon:

Well, Traveler's known Paimon longer. When he's not being your Yasnapati, there's nothing wrong with him sparing some time to praise Paimon!

Paimon:

Anyway, don't sweat the small stuff, Sorush. You're not really doing anything that especially needs praising right now, are you...

Sorush:

My great work is not for the present, but the future. Still, at this very moment... you are being given the privilege to witness where it all begins!

Paimon:

Well, if you say so. Speaking of which, we're here to find...

Sorush:

Mihir. That foolish familiar of thorns... She must be suffering right now.

Paimon:

Wait. Is she trapped in there? Then we've got to go save her!

Sorush:

The power of the purple mist you witnessed previously and the demons of Dev stem from the same source. Mihir's task should have been to keep such wicked powers from running rampant upon this earth.

Sorush:

Under the Sign of Apaosha, the powers of the two forces warring here ebb and flow...

Sorush:

Paimon:

Wait. Aren't you allies? Are you really gonna leave a fellow Pari to her fate like that?

Paimon:

Uh... Paimon can't tell if you're genuinely scolding her or not!

Sorush:

It is no difficult matter, saving Mihir. Perhaps I might even call it trivial. But we Pari each have our mission, and we also have different... ideals.

Sorush:

She must've found some position equal in seclusion and defensibility, before using a Gray Gate to seal both the demons and herself in.

Sorush:

If she could still move freely, aha, she would be like that Khvarena, begging for aid and prostrating herself before all and sundry to earn pity.

Traveler:

Can Khvarena even prostrate themselves?

Paimon:

Maybe if they try hard enough?

Sorush:

You plebeians miss the point. Back to the heart of the matter, we did disperse some purple mist, but their root cause remains unresolved. I doubt that she can hold out for much longer. How pitiful...

Sorush:

Pah, what a horrible sight. To be as Mihir is, corroded by filth, falling from a spotless to a sinful state, yet desperate to preserve herself... Had the Elder not bade me come...

Paimon:

Hehe. So after all that, you do care!

Sorush:

Hardly! I merely wish to see if that useless fool has any regrets or not. If she turns back to us and accepts our aid, then perhaps I shall spare her a moment or two.

Sorush:

...After all, the flower, the star of the songs of praise, shall seem less radiant if the green leaves are not there to serve as its foil.

Sorush:

The following labor shall be little, but it is still a radiant shard. Yasnapati mine, record it down with a reverent heart, and use even this mote of shattered light to grace your mighty hymn.

Paimon:

We can talk about the less important stuff later, Sorush. Let's figure out how to save Mihir first, shall we?

Sorush:

"Less important," you say!? *sigh* ... Well, so be it.

Sorush:

Mihir's sinful form renders her unable to do her duty, but the thorns remain. So long as I lend them some of my strength, scattering this defilement should cost me but a little effort.

Sorush:

As for the downward path, let us follow that wandering Khvarena we just saw.

Paimon:

Well, if Sorush's so sure... Let's try getting closer then!

The Hymn of Tir Yazad

Access the Harvisptokhm through the path of the depths, and complete the final Rite of Ab-Zohr.

Paimon:

Are we at the top of the large tree stump?

Paimon:

We went through all that effort passing through that cavern, only to get blocked again?

Sorush:

I have obtained the Twin-Horned Chaplet, so why is the Harvisptokhm rejecting me? This shouldn't be happening... *sob*

Paimon:

Um, is there something wrong, Sorush? You don't look so good.

Sorush:

*sob* It's the Twin-Horned Chaplet... Something is... coming in!

Paimon:

Hey, Sorush!

Paimon:

C'mon, Sorush, wake up!

Sorush:

Agh...

Paimon:

Phew, you're finally awake! You really scared Paimon, fainting like you did up there.

Sorush:

I... I'm fine.

Paimon:

But the tree opened up after that, and we followed the path in. This is... the giant lotus, Gaokerena, that Zurvan was talking about, right?

Paimon:

What happened to you earlier? Did something go wrong with the Chaplet?

Sorush:

I saw memories that the earth returned to the Harvisptokhm. Countless Pari, Dahrian machines, and human warriors sacrificed themselves in battle against the demons.

Sorush:

A masked swordsman, a one-armed sage, and our ancient forerunners defeated the monsters that rose from the depths.

Sorush:

Their consciousnesses then joined the Harvisptokhm together with the Khvarena, turning into rain that descended from the heavens.

Paimon:

The Dahrian machines... Wait, did things really go the way Nasejuna said they did?

Traveler:

Looks like we'll have to ask Zurvan.

Paimon:

Yeah. But what should we do now? Paimon remembers Zurvan saying that we needed to clean out the impurities, or something like that...

Sorush:

We must enter the Defiled Chambers within our god's consciousness to rescue the Spenta Hearts trapped inside the impurities. Only then will the consciousness reawaken.

Sorush:

In the memories I saw, that place was a boundless void.

Paimon:

If that's the case, how are we supposed to get in?

Sorush:

Come with me. We only need to follow the paths left by the heroes of old, and we will reach our destination.

With the Rite of Ab-Zohr complete, you then follow the flow of Amrita and leave the Harvisptokhm together with Sorush, returning to the sea of flowers...

You see Zurvan, who is expecting your arrival.

Zurvan:

To think that you were truly able to complete the Rite of Ab-Zohr. Your deeds are indeed the equal of the ancient heroes. Most surprising.

Paimon:

Well, you don't look surprised at all!

Sorush:

The Sign of Apaosha has been extinguished, and the earth has been purified. To think that this could be done even without any sacrifice...

Paimon:

The rain was super heavy! That big hole in the sky is now gone, and the withered tree stump's grown back into a huge tree!

Paimon:

Your god will definitely suffer less, now that she's no longer being eaten away by those impurities!

Traveler:

About what happened five hundred years ago...

Paimon:

Ooh, that's right! The memories Sorush saw showed that there were people from Khaenri'ah amongst the Skeptics who first fought the monsters!

Zurvan:

Now, now, there's no need to be so serious. Since you have seen the memories of the past, what I shall now tell you are not tales, but truth.

Zurvan:

A long, long time ago, when I had first awakened amidst the sea of flowers, the skies were filled with anomalies of the dark hollow and there were monsters roaming everywhere — everywhere but this small land of refuge.

Zurvan:

I gathered the might of Khvarena according to the divine bird's last wishes, and departed from the sea of flowers to subdue the monsters, until I met that golden-haired man out in the wilderness.

Zurvan:

Half of his body had become that of a monster, but I did not sense an aura of monstrosity in him. When I discovered him, he was holding a ring tightly in his hand.

Zurvan:

I brought him back to the sea of flowers, and when he awoke, he claimed to be a Dahri swordsman who had only survived because he had been cursed.

Zurvan:

For a time, I traveled with this masked swordsman, and we resisted the Dev that invaded the sea of flowers.

Paimon:

A masked swordsman from Khaenri'ah. Do you think that could be...

Zurvan:

Oh? So you do know him. That makes my explanation way easier.

Zurvan:

Not long after that, people in scholarly garb led by a one-armed sage came forth from lands east of the desert.

Zurvan:

They claimed to have once fought shoulder-to-shoulder with the heroes of Dahri. They said that those heroes had walked their path despite the ill repute they had garnered...

Zurvan:

And that it was to carry the will those heroes had borne, and to completely destroy the disaster from the dark depths that they had followed the heroes' path to this place.

Zurvan:

Later, we entered a ruin left by the Dahrians together, and there we found machines that had stood against the monsters — machines that belonged to the war-party that had fought alongside those scholars.

Zurvan:

Finally, the one-armed sage used documents left by the Dahrians to find a path through the darkness to the Harvisptokhm.

Zurvan:

Thus did we enter the tree and use Amrita to purify the defiled skies and earth. After that, the sea of flowers would constantly birth Pari, and the monsters slowly disappeared from the land.

Zurvan:

Later, the masked swordsman would leave the sea of flowers alongside a young woman with golden hair just like yours, and the sage went into the ruins underground and never returned.

Zurvan:

The humans who remained would forge bonds with the newborn Pari and call themselves the Order of Skeptics as they settled here.

Zurvan:

And now, a golden-haired hero has returned to the sea of flowers, and though it is not the one who came before, I can feel that something has begun to flow again.

Zurvan:

This is also why I chose to ask you for help. With you around, I need not fret about going hither and thither searching for a valiant soul to fight alongside us Pari.

Zurvan:

The task of teaching humans is a most trying one indeed.

Paimon:

That's just because you Pari are each lazier than the last!

Sorush:

Pale Floater, do not include me in this...

Zurvan:

Well then, since you have finished the Rite of Ab-Zohr, the impurities will not be able to threaten this place for a time — and I can take that time to rest.

Zurvan:

As for Sorush, I leave her to you. Do guide her well in your journey — this is, after all, also the work of a Yasnapati.

Sorush:

I do not intend to be lectured by you, Pale Floater...

Paimon:

Hehe, don't be like that! You gotta listen to your teachers, y'know? Still, Zurvan, you say it like we won't meet again or something.

Zurvan:

Well, you don't intend to stay here with me, do you? You humans are all like that. You will never stop to settle down.

Traveler:

We will return.

Zurvan:

Haha! Well, I'm afraid I shan't believe you. This isn't my first time hearing such words.

Zurvan:

Speaking of which, I wonder how that masked swordsman is now... If you see him, do say hello to him for me.

Zurvan:

You are both travelers, after all. I'm certain your paths will cross.

Zurvan:

Alright, alright, go off to where you need to be. Don't miss me too much now.

Paimon:

The Spenta Hearts here have all been brought back to the lotus. According to what you said earlier, Sorush, we should be able to awaken the divine consciousness now.

Sorush:

In that case, let the real Rite of Ab-Zohr begin.

Sorush:

Next, I shall borrow the power of Khvarena to make the Flower of Sanctity bloom once again within Gaokerena.

Sorush:

But this will mean unleashing the filth gathered within the sacred lotus, which will transform into monsters that bar our path.

Sorush:

It matters not, for so long as the god's consciousness is awakened, the power of the Amrita will defend us.

Sorush:

If the Flower of Sanctity grows, it will spread Amrita all over the land, and cleanse all its impurities.

Sorush:

This, then, is a final battle worthy of a Bloomguard!

With the Rite of Ab-Zohr complete, you then follow the flow of Amrita and leave the Harvisptokhm together with Sorush, returning to the sea of flowers...

You see Zurvan, who is expecting your arrival.

Zurvan:

To think that you were truly able to complete the Rite of Ab-Zohr. Your deeds are indeed the equal of the ancient heroes. Most surprising.

Paimon:

Well, you don't look surprised at all!

Sorush:

The Sign of Apaosha has been extinguished, and the earth has been purified. To think that this could be done even without any sacrifice...

Paimon:

The rain was super heavy! That big hole in the sky is now gone, and the withered tree stump's grown back into a huge tree!

Paimon:

Your god will definitely suffer less, now that she's no longer being eaten away by those impurities!

Traveler:

About what happened five hundred years ago...

Paimon:

Ooh, that's right! The memories Sorush saw showed that there were people from Khaenri'ah amongst the Skeptics who first fought the monsters!

Zurvan:

Now, now, there's no need to be so serious. Since you have seen the memories of the past, what I shall now tell you are not tales, but truth.

Zurvan:

I gathered the might of Khvarena according to the divine bird's last wishes, and departed from the sea of flowers to subdue the monsters, until I met that golden-haired man out in the wilderness.

Zurvan:

Half of his body had become that of a monster, but I did not sense an aura of monstrosity in him. When I discovered him, he was holding a ring tightly in his hand.

Zurvan:

I brought him back to the sea of flowers, and when he awoke, he claimed to be a Dahri swordsman who had only survived because he had been cursed.

Zurvan:

For a time, I traveled with this masked swordsman, and we resisted the Dev that invaded the sea of flowers.

Traveler:

He was cursed...

Zurvan:

Yes. It is said that the people of Dahri were cursed to varying degrees during that catastrophe.

Zurvan:

Not long after that, people in scholarly garb led by a one-armed sage came forth from lands east of the desert.

Zurvan:

They claimed to have once fought shoulder-to-shoulder with the heroes of Dahri. They said that those heroes had walked their path despite the ill repute they had garnered...

Zurvan:

And that it was to carry the will those heroes had borne, and to completely destroy the disaster from the dark depths that they had followed the heroes' path to this place.

Zurvan:

Finally, the one-armed sage used documents left by the Dahrians to find a path through the darkness to the Harvisptokhm.

Zurvan:

Thus did we enter the tree and use Amrita to purify the defiled skies and earth. After that, the sea of flowers would constantly birth Pari, and the monsters slowly disappeared from the land.

Zurvan:

Later, the masked swordsman would leave the sea of flowers alongside a young woman with golden hair just like yours, and the sage went into the ruins underground and never returned.

Zurvan:

The humans who remained would forge bonds with the newborn Pari and call themselves the Order of Skeptics as they settled here.

Zurvan:

And now, a golden-haired hero has returned to the sea of flowers, and though it is not the one who came before, I can feel that something has begun to flow again.

Zurvan:

This is also why I chose to ask you for help. With you around, I need not fret about going hither and thither searching for a valiant soul to fight alongside us Pari.

Zurvan:

The task of teaching humans is a most trying one indeed.

Paimon:

That's just because you Pari are each lazier than the last!

Sorush:

Pale Floater, do not include me in this...

Zurvan:

Well then, since you have finished the Rite of Ab-Zohr, the impurities will not be able to threaten this place for a time — and I can take that time to rest.

Zurvan:

As for Sorush, I leave her to you. Do guide her well in your journey — this is, after all, also the work of a Yasnapati.

Sorush:

I do not intend to be lectured by you, Pale Floater...

Paimon:

Hehe, don't be like that! You gotta listen to your teachers, y'know? Still, Zurvan, you say it like we won't meet again or something.

Zurvan:

Well, you don't intend to stay here with me, do you? You humans are all like that. You will never stop to settle down.

Zurvan:

Haha! Well, I'm afraid I shan't believe you. This isn't my first time hearing such words.

Zurvan:

Speaking of which, I wonder how that masked swordsman is now... If you see him, do say hello to him for me.

Zurvan:

You are both travelers, after all. I'm certain your paths will cross.

Zurvan:

Alright, alright, go off to where you need to be. Don't miss me too much now.

Paimon:

We're back, Katheryne!

Katheryne:

Welcome back. I've received notice from the Akademiya that you were able to successfully solve the problem posed by that strange celestial sign. Very impressive.

Katheryne:

I'll say that you exceeded expectations on this count.

Paimon:

What? Paimon thought you said we were the best choice for this job.

Paimon:

Or do you just say that to literally everyone?

Katheryne:

Well, of course not. I believed you could do it.

Katheryne:

Ah, yes. We did ask you to contact the Nagarjunites previously. Were they of any help to you, I wonder?

Katheryne:

It seems that things got complicated.

Katheryne:

However, it is all ultimately a part of your adventures, and experience is itself an irreplaceable treasure.

Katheryne:

Since you've managed to successfully finish that commission, the Guild should now have permission to investigate those Khaenri'ahn ruins. If any related commissions do come up, you'll also get first priority in our considerations.

Paimon:

Y'know, we've come all this way, but we still don't know who our commissioner was!

Katheryne:

Well... The Adventurers' Guild is obligated to keep the identities of those who submit commissions confidential. As such, I'm afraid I cannot reveal that to you.

Katheryne:

However, the person who gave us that token did claim to have been a light novelist.

Paimon:

A light novelist? Wait a moment. Didn't we hear that there was this Skeptic elder...

Katheryne:

Hmm, it does look like you do know something about this, but well, that has nothing to do with the Guild. Either way, the remuneration from the Akademiya is here with me. Please, feel free to take it.

Awakening's Real Sound

You need the help of the Pari Mihir and Rashnu to obtain the Chaplet. Rashnu seems to be around the giant tree at the Hills of Barsom...

Sorush:

That tree... Rashnu is there, but...

Sorush:

*sigh* Let us draw nearer. I fear that returning Rashnu to the Vourukasha Oasis may not be so easy a thing.

Paimon:

Huh... It's you, Nasejuna! What are you doing here?

Nasejuna:

Ah, honored envoy of Khvarena, and you two... Ah, our Yasnapati and his companion, I suppose?

Paimon:

Gah. Just call us Traveler and Paimon!

Nasejuna:

Since I have been given such permission, then allow me to call you by those names... Do you two remember what I mentioned earlier, about how we Skeptics have always been searching for the Kory Drums?

Paimon:

Uh, it was about them being important items for some ritual or something, yeah.

Nasejuna:

Well, while I can see that the proper terms were not remembered, that is the essence of the matter, yes.

Nasejuna:

The two of you have been acknowledged by Khvarena's Envoy, and yet you know little of our glorious history. I fear that you may be led astray by heresies and heterodoxies from the forest.

Nasejuna:

Allow me, then, to explain the true history of Barsom and the Kory Drums.

Paimon:

Yeah, the stuff Nasejuna says is even harder to understand than the stuff Sorush talks about... Paimon didn't catch any of it the first time...

Sorush:

Hmph. In that case, say it more often, Nasejuna, until even one such as Paimon can remember every last word.

Paimon:

Uhh... In that case, let's just hear it once, shall we? Traveler has a good memory. It'll be fine as long as he remembers.

Nasejuna:

...Long ago, our predecessors worked to quell the disaster that occurred in this land and formed a profound friendship with the Pari.

Nasejuna:

Barsom's familiar had a preference for music, so we crafted Kory Drums for her. During the ceremony where our bonds with the Pari were made official, five drums had to be gathered and played according to scores.

Nasejuna:

Though the Kory Drums are long lost, the drum scores have withstood the corrosion of the sandstorms. As you can see, they have been almost perfectly preserved.

Nasejuna:

Words shall nary describe the true magnificence of that occasion. When the Kory Drums sounded, all things reverberated in unison. It felt as if their sound could freely traverse space and time...

Nasejuna:

Those who witnessed it were all shaken to the core. Even the elements themselves were stirred.

Traveler:

Sounds like a very lively time.

Nasejuna:

*sigh* It's a shame that we Skeptics failed to pass on our legacy, resulting in the loss of all the Kory Drums. And however loudly we cried out, Barsom's familiar would never again utter a word in response.

Paimon:

Barsom's familiar... Is this the Rashnu Sorush mentioned before? Is that who you're talking about? But why wouldn't she respond to the Order of Skeptics' call?

Sorush:

The Pari and the Order of Skeptics both value tradition and ceremony, so there is routine to our actions.

Paimon:

They talk about tradition, but then they lost their drums...

Sorush:

This is hardly a peaceful land. That such things would happen is little surprise.

Paimon:

Mm, okay... Seems like getting Rashnu back to the Vourukasha Oasis with us won't be easy...

Nasejuna:

That is so. We will need to collect all the Kory Drums and play them according to the score...

Nasejuna:

Thankfully, I have never once given up searching for the lost drums. I have been gathering the relevant clues even before your arrival.

Traveler:

As one might have expected of you, Lord Nasuraia.

Nasejuna:

There's no need to flatter me. After all, if Aryadeva had not...

Nasejuna:

...My apologies. I refer to an elder amongst the Order of Skeptics who left for Sumeru City to work on his... light novels, the dratted things. This heavy responsibility would not have fallen to me otherwise.

Paimon:

He became a light novelist?

Nasejuna:

He rambled on and on about how "warring against the Yae Publishing House editor and opponents in Genius Invokation TCG should still be considered war"... But if you ask me, he's just turning into a ridiculous old geezer.

Nasejuna:

But he's still an elder who knows more about our heritage than I do, so I have to ask him for information regardless of any... disagreements we might have.

Nasejuna:

He's reluctant to answer any questions that don't have to do with light novels and card games, though. It took me three whole questions to receive a single reply...

Nasejuna:

Anyway, it took me a great deal of effort just to gather clues about the Kory Drums.

Paimon:

Speaking of that, we did find Kory Drums other than the one Katheryne gave us! Not the whole set of five, but still...

Paimon:

Yay, new clues! But Nasejuna, if you had the clues all along, why didn't you go look for the lost Kory Drums yourself?

Nasejuna:

That's an easy one to answer. Traveler, it seems like you're not in possession of a Vision.

Traveler:

That's right, I am not.

Nasejuna:

And yet, you're capable of bending the elements to your will... What an enviable gift. Unfortunately, I wasn't blessed with such a gift.

Nasejuna:

So it is good that you are here... I mean, we could save quite a lot of trouble for Lady Sorush with your help. Otherwise...

Nasejuna:

I would have to make other arrangements.

Nasejuna:

Hahaha, but just as I said before, it seems that even fate is on my side...

Nasejuna:

Lady Sorush, and you two, please, come with me. Hidden treasures may be found closer by than we think.

Paimon:

Yay, new clues! But Nasejuna, if you had the clues all along, why didn't you go look for the lost Kory Drums yourself?

Nasejuna:

That's an easy one to answer. Traveler, it seems like you're not in possession of a Vision.

Traveler:

That's right, I'm not.

Nasejuna:

And yet, you're capable of bending the elements to your will... What an enviable gift. Unfortunately, I wasn't blessed with such a gift.

Nasejuna:

So it is good that you are here... I mean, we could save quite a lot of trouble for Lady Sorush with your help. Otherwise...

Nasejuna:

I would have to make other arrangements.

Nasejuna:

Hahaha, but just as I said before, it seems that even fate is on my side...

Nasejuna:

Lady Sorush, and you two, please, come with me. Hidden treasures may be found closer by than we think.

Paimon:

That's strange. There's no path here at all! Seems like you're not all that good a guide, Nasejuna.

Sorush:

There are signs of rockfall...

Nasejuna:

You are observant indeed, honored envoy. I am inclined to think that monster activity caused the rocks to collapse and thus block this... Well, let us call it a path.

Nasejuna:

But you may leave this to me, everyone. This problem only requires... a little spark to solve. Ah, yes. For safety concerns, please stand back a bit.

Nasejuna cleans the stone crevice before putting a small package inside. He fills the gap back up, retreats to a safe distance, and lights the fuse. The large rock blocking the way splinters into smaller pieces, and when the dust finally clears, a Gray Gate appears in its wake.

Nasejuna:

*cough* Well, that's it for those stones blocking the way.

Paimon:

Wait, why's there still a gate in the way?

Nasejuna:

We used to be able to pass through. As for breaking the seal on this Gray Gate, we will need your help, you two.

Paimon:

Well, guess that falls to us, huh?

Nasejuna:

Regardless, now that we know where the Kory Drums are specifically, we just need to retrieve them all.

Nasejuna:

Although the trial here has been destroyed, that may not be the case in other places.

Sorush:

Whether they are or not shall be little issue. Let us leave that task to my Yasnapati. This should be no issue to someone of his caliber, no?

Paimon:

Of course! We're professionals, y'know.

Nasejuna:

In that case, you can find the other Kory Drums so long as you follow these notes. I leave that to the two of you. Good luck.

Paimon:

Right, Traveler, remember to record the drum scores on the stone walls. We'll definitely need them at some point!

Paimon:

Speaking of which, if we take the Dendro Drum here into account, it seems like we've found all five Kory Drums, haven't we? It feels as if we just... happened upon them as we were adventuring.

Traveler:

Convenient things like that do happen every once in a while, I suppose.

Nasejuna:

As expected of the Yasnapati whom Lady Sorush acknowledged. This... went faster than I thought it would.

Nasejuna:

Have you recorded the entire drum score carved into the stone walls? If you have, let us return to Barsom to begin the ritual.

Paimon:

This place is full of Gray Crystals...

Nasejuna looks around a bit before collecting some scattered records and browsing through them.

Nasejuna:

It is not too far from what I expected. The mechanism that sealed the Dendro Drum was once here, but it has been destroyed. There are even some notes here that show where the other Kory Drums might be found.

Nasejuna:

As the elders put it, when the Kory Drums were lost in a single night, the Order of Skeptics was overcome with great grief.

Nasejuna:

Losing the drums meant losing the bridge that connected them to Barsom's familiar, and from then on, the young were never again able to listen to her teachings — this was a grave incident indeed.

Nasejuna:

Great efforts were made by all to search for the drums thereafter, but few gains were made due to the obstruction posed by the defiled energies. According to the elders, this is one of those old locations.

Nasejuna:

But as you have seen, those without the power to combat the brute might of the defilement, those who cannot wield the elements, and those who have not obtained the trust of Khvarena's Envoy are unable to reach this place.

Nasejuna:

Aryadeva also attempted to retrieve the Dendro Drum here in his youth, but he did not succeed, and has been silent about the matter ever since.

Nasejuna:

A sense of responsibility, perhaps... or was it pride that closed his mouth?

Paimon:

Y'know, when you said that the Order of Skeptics had a terrible relationship with the Akademiya, Paimon thought that you'd all just stay here.

Paimon:

Now that there's that big hole in the sky, never mind not coming back to help out... Don't you think it's kinda weird that he's just over in Sumeru City writing his novels and playing his cards?

Traveler:

Perhaps he can achieve in fantasies what he could not in reality?

Paimon:

You mean writing the story of his failures into a light novel but changing the ending? ... How's that supposed to solve a real-life problem?

Traveler:

People need hope in their lives, even if it isn't real.

Paimon:

Well, Paimon thinks that sticking together is our best chance of fixing this sky-hole problem. It concerns Sorush too, after all!

Sorush:

Hehe. Your concern, Paimon, is rather wasted on one destined for so grand a sacrifice as I.

Sorush:

Or perhaps I should say that evaluating the choices and fates of others is, itself, an overly prideful act.

Paimon:

Paimon just... just... Ugh, Traveler, help Paimon out here!

Paimon:

Eh? Shouldn't we be saying that "we can't just let you be"?

Nasejuna:

Forgive my saying so, but such thoughts might be a bit unprofessional for adventurers and specialists.

Paimon:

Well if you say so, Sorush, then leave this to us! Just relax, Nasejuna. We know the Kory Drums are very important. Traveler's not going to ruin them or anything!

Traveler:

We'll meet there again later.

Rashnu:

Good. Then I shan't have to think about what I should say on the way.

Paimon:

Time to look for the other Kory Drums!

Paimon:

Let's see... Next, we just need to put the Kory Drums back in their original places before performing the piece according to the scores on the stone walls, right?

Paimon:

Rashnu will definitely be happy to answer us when she hears her favorite music.

Nasejuna:

Do excuse my presumption, but the ritual that bound the Order of Skeptics to the Pari is one of great significance...

Nasejuna:

I think that it would only be proper Order of Skeptics regulation if its Vijnanapati — that is to say myself — were to preside over it.

Paimon:

Eh? But we were the ones who got all the five Kory Drums!

Nasejuna:

Even if you are Lady Sorush's Yasnapati, I believe this to be out of line... or should I call this prideful presumption upon her favor?

Nasejuna:

Lady Sorush is Khvarena's Envoy. She might have behaved more amicably to the two of you on account of your aid in fulfilling her destined mission...

Nasejuna:

Yet this is but a manifestation of her virtue, and not any credit of yours. Do not forget your place. Give praise and stand in awe of her every action, as you should.

Paimon:

Uh, that's what you say... But even though Sorush always acts all high and mighty, Paimon doesn't think she's all that great... or that distant from us.

Sorush:

That does not sound like something that shall be written into a hymn of praise.

Traveler:

Well, I'd say it's praise enough by Paimon's standards.

Sorush:

Well, what about you, then, Traveler? Do you desire... Do you want to play the Kory Drums and awaken the familiar of Barsom for me?

Nasejuna:

Ah, a sensible person, I see. After all, such an important ritual should indeed be left in the hands of one who understands our traditions the most, and who occupies a most suitable position...

Sorush:

Silence! I did tell you before that a Pari's word is final. Doubt not my judgment.

Nasejuna:

...As you will.

Sorush:

Traveler, I propose to give you, and no one else, this honorable task. Do you accept?

Traveler:

You need not speak in such a winding manner, Sorush.

Paimon:

That's right! If you want to ask Traveler for help, just say "I'll leave it to you" or something. No need for all this weird talk!

Sorush:

This is not "weird talk." These are words that befit a Pari's stature. Well then. I shall take that as your acquiesence.

Paimon:

Well if you say so, Sorush, then leave this to us! Just relax, Nasejuna. We know the Kory Drums are very important. Traveler's not going to ruin them or anything!

Traveler:

Let's go together.

Rashnu:

Going together with humans? ... *yawn* Alright.

You return to the Vourukasha Oasis with Rashnu.

Paimon:

Let's see... Next, we just need to put the Kory Drums back in their original places before performing the piece according to the scores on the stone walls, right?

Paimon:

Rashnu will definitely be happy to answer us when she hears her favorite music.

Nasejuna:

Do excuse my presumption, but the ritual that bound the Order of Skeptics to the Pari is one of great significance...

Nasejuna:

I think that it would only be proper Order of Skeptics regulation if its Vijnanapati — that is to say myself — were to preside over it.

Paimon:

Eh? But we were the ones who got all the five Kory Drums!

Nasejuna:

Even if you are Lady Sorush's Yasnapati, I believe this to be out of line... or should I call this prideful presumption upon her favor?

Nasejuna:

Lady Sorush is Khvarena's Envoy. She might have behaved more amicably to the two of you on account of your aid in fulfilling her destined mission...

Nasejuna:

Yet this is but a manifestation of her virtue, and not any credit of yours. Do not forget your place. Give praise and stand in awe of her every action, as you should.

Paimon:

Uh, that's what you say... But even though Sorush always acts all high and mighty, Paimon doesn't think she's all that great... or that distant from us.

Sorush:

That does not sound like something that shall be written into a hymn of praise.

Traveler:

Well, I'd say it's praise enough by Paimon's standards.

Sorush:

Well, what about you, then, Traveler? Do you desire... Do you want to play the Kory Drums and awaken the familiar of Barsom for me?

Nasejuna:

Ah, a sensible person, I see. After all, such an important ritual should indeed be left in the hands of one who understands our traditions the most, and who occupies a most suitable position...

Sorush:

Silence! I did tell you before that a Pari's word is final. Doubt not my judgment.

Nasejuna:

...As you will.

Sorush:

Traveler, I propose to give you, and no one else, this honorable task. Do you accept?

Traveler:

You need not speak in such a winding manner, Sorush.

Paimon:

That's right! If you want to ask Traveler for help, just say "I'll leave it to you" or something. No need for all this weird talk!

Sorush:

This is not "weird talk." These are words that befit a Pari's stature. Well then. I shall take that as your acquiesence.

Paimon:

Well if you say so, Sorush, then leave this to us! Just relax, Nasejuna. We know the Kory Drums are very important. Traveler's not going to ruin them or anything!

???:

*snore* *snore*

Nasejuna:

Ah! Barsom's familiar has answered our call!

Paimon:

She must be Rashnu. Don't you think she seems kinda... tired, though? Looks like we might need to help her out somehow...

Sorush:

This is Rashnu indeed, but...

Traveler:

Perhaps we could have a nice meal?

Paimon:

That's right! Grub! Meat, veggies, sweet, salty... Ooh, what should we get? Actually, hang on. Do Pari enjoy human food at all?

Traveler:

Perhaps a repeat performance might do?

Rashnu:

So... noisy... So... sleepy.

Paimon:

Paimon kinda thought this might go differently. Y'know, like a moving reunion after many years... Not gonna happen?

Rashnu:

You are Sorush. I recognize you.

Sorush:

That's right. This is my Yasnapati, Traveler, and his companion, Paimon. And that is the Nasuraia of the Order of Skeptics.

Rashnu:

The Skeptics... Yasnapati... *yawn* I do not wish to know... about these human affairs.

Rashnu:

Humans and their drums... are so noisy. I threw them into different places so I could... sleep in peace.

Paimon:

Well, that wasn't Paimon's fault!

Nasejuna:

How...? But our documents recorded this so very clearly...

Nasejuna:

Nor did Lady Sorush say anything against this...

Sorush:

...You must have slumbered too long here, Rashnu, muddling your memory of these affairs. Surely the scattering of the Korybantes was meant to select those who might clear the trials...

Sorush:

With those who could not solve such a small problem proving unfit to call themselves Yasnapati. For how then would they aid me in my great work of extinguishing the Sign of Apaosha?

Rashnu:

The Sign... *sigh* I'm so tired... but this is not the time to sleep.

Sorush:

Yes... You see, Traveler truly deserves the title of "Yasnapati." He has helped me immensely. But his help alone is not enough...

Sorush:

Rashnu, I need yours as well.

Rashnu:

Ah... I get it. It was Zurvan who...

Sorush:

She, too, approves of me, of course! Alright, Rashnu, will you come with me to the Vourukasha Oasis?

Rashnu:

*yawn* Well, it is not impossible.

Nasejuna:

Barsom's familiar, please wait. I have many queries regarding the Skeptics' traditions...

Rashnu:

Human business... Later, perhaps. We can talk later. Perhaps after I... sleep for a bit. Maybe then.

Nasejuna:

Uh...

Sorush:

Nasuraia, do you not have other things to attend to? We can save your business with Rashnu for another day.

Nasejuna:

...Yes. I will return to camp to accomplish... that which I should.

Paimon:

Y'know, Paimon kinda feels bad for Nasejuna right now.

Traveler:

I'm afraid this isn't something we can butt into.

Paimon:

Yeah. Nasejuna and Sorush have known each other for a long time... They can settle this stuff between them, can't they?

Paimon:

Whatever the case, if you'll come with us to the Vourukasha Oasis, Rashnu, Sorush will be one step closer to getting the Chaplet.

Rashnu:

Together... now?

The Splendorous Sky That Day

To solve the anomaly that has appeared in the sky, you must first go into the desert to make contact with the "Nagarjunites"...

Paimon:

Found it, found it! Paimon wonders what it is...

Paimon:

Huh? Aw, come on, this is no treasure. It's just some tattered old drum!

Paimon:

We don't know what it could be used for, either.

Paimon:

Ooh, that's right. Despite its rather shabby appearance, it might still be some valuable antique!

Paimon:

We might be able to sell it for a good price at Royinjan's, right?

Paimon:

Hmm, hold on. There's a note over there at the side. It might just hold some clues!

Paimon:

Let Paimon see... Huh. This seems to have been left by an adventurer.

Paimon:

"The Sign of Apaosha"... Uh, Paimon's not super sure what this guy's talking about, but he sure is irresponsible, leaving a commission unfinished just because it's hard!

Paimon:

But since that's how things are, let's hand this drum over to Katheryne and let her reassign someone to complete... whatever commission this was.

Paimon:

Found it, found it! Paimon wonders what it is...

Paimon:

Huh? Aw, come on, this is no treasure. It's just some tattered old drum!

Paimon:

We don't know what it could be used for, either.

Paimon:

Ooh, that's right. Despite its rather shabby appearance, it might still be some valuable antique!

Paimon:

We might be able to sell it for a good price at Royinjan's, right?

Paimon:

Hmm, hold on. There's a note over there at the side. It might just hold some clues!

Paimon:

Let Paimon see... Huh. This seems to have been left by an adventurer.

Paimon:

"The Sign of Apaosha"... Uh, Paimon's not super sure what this guy's talking about, but he sure is irresponsible, leaving a commission unfinished just because it's hard!

Paimon:

But since that's how things are, let's hand this drum over to Katheryne and let her reassign someone to complete... whatever commission this was.

Katheryne:

Hello there, Traveler. How have your recent travels gone?

Katheryne:

I've heard about your previous adventures. It seems that you've become very experienced.

Katheryne:

As long as you keep going, I believe that it will only be a matter of time before you become a truly great adventurer.

Paimon:

Hmm, speaking of adventures, we found this on one of ours.

Paimon:

This was left by some irresponsible adventurer. We thought it'd be bad if the commission he took never got resolved, so we brought it back here.

Katheryne:

Hmm... Indeed, this item is key to a particular commission. Thank you very much.

Katheryne:

The commission linked to this drum is a very important one from the Akademiya and is also critical to the expansion of our operations.

Katheryne:

Unfortunately, though we have previously given this commission to various talented adventurers, they have all invariably failed.

Traveler:

A commission from the Akademiya...

Katheryne:

Well, this is an issue that even the Akademiya cannot solve, so we did expect a relatively high failure rate.

Paimon:

Actually, Paimon's getting kinda curious now. What sorta commission is this anyway?

Katheryne:

Simply put, a recent star observation by researchers from the Akademiya led to the discovery that the northern skies have become blocked by a strange, heretofore unseen phenomenon.

Katheryne:

Concerned that this would have a great impact on the accuracy of any astrological calculations, the Akademiya immediately put people together to investigate.

Katheryne:

This resulted in them delving into ancient records, within which they found mention of a strange phenomenon known as the Sign of Apaosha, which bears strong similarities to the recent occurrence.

Katheryne:

According to these records, this celestial sign appeared after the disaster that engulfed most of Teyvat five hundred years ago.

Katheryne:

Although the circumstances of its eventual disappearance are unclear, its position has been determined to be near the Temir Mountains, at the northernmost regions of the desert.

Katheryne:

However, that area has only ever been sparsely populated. Even when the ancient desert realms were at their peak, they did not extend that far.

Katheryne:

And after the cataclysm five hundred years ago, that place was one of the areas worst affected by the encroaching Abyss due to it being connected to an ancient underground realm.

Katheryne:

Since then, it has been declared a restricted zone by the Akademiya. The only people who still live there are a mysterious Darshan known by the Akademiya as the Nagarjunites.

Traveler:

Huh. A mysterious Darshan, you say.

Paimon:

If even you're calling it mysterious, Katheryne, it's gotta be something super mysterious...

Katheryne:

Though they seem like legends to the average person, they were once a Darshan of the Akademiya, albeit one that split off five hundred years ago.

Katheryne:

Then, the researchers who wished to fight the monsters from the Abyss banded together and traveled to the depths of the desert, and the Nagarjunites are an organization comprised of the people who stayed there in the end.

Katheryne:

That said, it has been many years since, and they have branched off further and further from the Akademiya. They even seem to have developed their own academic traditions.

Katheryne:

It seems that they also worship a form of energy known as Khvarena. This energy communicates with them in the form of spirits... Well, I feel that I'm going off-topic now.

Katheryne:

The Akademiya believes that this faction is strongly related to this celestial sign. However, they have not been able to establish contact with this group and, as such, have commissioned the Guild to assist in their investigations.

Katheryne:

This is a win-win situation for us as well. Ruins related to Khaenri'ah are located nearby, but exploration in that area has been declared taboo by the Akademiya until now.

Katheryne:

If this commission is a success, perhaps we will be able to participate in future expeditions to those ruins.

Katheryne:

Since you have heard me say this much, why don't you take this commission on?

Traveler:

You're just finding someone to step up to the plate, huh?

Katheryne:

Hardly. It is following careful analysis that I have found you best suited to this task. After all, your pioneering spirit is something rare even amongst adventurers.

Paimon:

So after all that, it sounds like we just need to look for those Whateverites, right?

Paimon:

Sounds like it'll be pretty easy! And we'll get some Mora from the Akademiya, too...

Katheryne:

Yes. That drum you picked up was originally given to us by the Akademiya to be used as a token of good faith in our dealings with the Nagarjunites.

Katheryne:

Just give it to the organization's leader. It stands to reason that they will have some way to solve this problem.

Katheryne:

I'll be leaving this task in your hands, then. I've marked the rough position of the Temir Mountains for you. Ad astra abyssosque, Traveler! May you inscribe a new legend in the desert sands.

???:

Who are you?

???:

You guys don't look like tribespeople of the desert, more like adventurers from a faraway land.

???:

...But no matter who you are, this is as far as you will get. Please go back.

???:

Commission? What commission? As far as I know, the Akademiya of the rainforest has declared this area a restricted zone. Why would there be commissions?

Paimon:

We were commissioned to investigate something up in the sky that looks like bad news! The Sign of... what was it again?

???:

"The Sign of Apaosha."

Paimon:

Ah, yep! That's the one!

???:

...Wait. How did you come to know its name?

Paimon:

Katheryne of the Adventurers' Guild told us! ... Hang on a minute. Didn't you mention the correct name just now?

???:

Since you know of "The Sign of Apaosha," you must have heard of us "ShamaniyyaOrder of Skeptics," right?

???:

The desert past this point is a restricted zone under our guard. As a Ranger of the Order of Skeptics, I cannot let you pass, no matter what reason you may have.

Traveler:

The Order of Skeptics?

Pyrrho:

My apologies, I forgot to introduce myself. I'm Pyrrho, a member of the Order of Skeptics in charge of guarding this place.

Paimon:

"Order of Skeptics"? Paimon remembers that Katheryne told us to look for the "Nagarjuicites" or something. Umm, looks like Pyrrho isn't the one we're looking for...

Pyrrho:

"Nagarjunites"? Hmph. That's just a derogatory name that those guys from the rainforest have for us!

Pyrrho:

Lord Nagarjuna is a hero who fought against the "Dev"monster alongside the divine bird's heirs. He gained divine power through the "Rite of Chinvat" and put an end to the calamity.

Pyrrho:

How dare they call such a great hero — and our first Vijnanapati — by his given name!

Pyrrho:

Wait, why am I telling you outsiders this? Are... are you two spies from the Akademiya?

Traveler:

We're here to take care of a problem.

Pyrrho:

Aha! So you are the Akademiya's henchmen! We've tried our best to keep a low profile, but still, you've managed to find our trail...

Pyrrho:

Still, I'd believed that the Akademiya was full of cowards who would never dare to step foot into the desert. I won't lie — you've impressed me.

Paimon:

Um, Paimon didn't expect you to have such a strong opinion about the Akademiya.

Pyrrho:

Of course! Lord NasuraiaVijnanapati has said that we wouldn't have been reduced to this state if it weren't for them.

Pyrrho:

...Wait. So you are here to gather intelligence after all! Ugh, I've revealed more than I should... Anyway, please leave. If this conversation continues...

Pyrrho:

As unwilling as I might be to do so, I would have to end you.

Paimon:

What? You're the one who couldn't resist blabbing. Why are you putting the blame onto us?

Paimon:

Also, there's no need to be rash... Oh right, Traveler, show Pyrrho the token that Katheryne gave us. He'll know what's going on once he sees it!

Pyrrho:

Token? This had better not be some trick!

Paimon:

Ta-da！Look, told you we weren't lying!

Pyrrho:

What is this shabby drum... You call this a token?

Paimon:

Eh? Did Katheryne mix things up?

Pyrrho:

You guys don't think you can bribe me with such a small thing, do you? Leave now, or things will get nasty.

Pyrrho:

Don't you underestimate us Skeptics!

Traveler:

Spare us!

Pyrrho:

It's too late to beg for mercy!

???:

Cease! Cease, I say!

Pyrrho:

Lady Sorush... Why did you... You didn't have to attend to such trivial matters personally, let alone in front of these outsiders...

Sorush:

We Pari appear before whoever we wish, and our volition is not for you mere mortals to question. How dare you overstep your bounds!

Paimon:

(This little thing is about Paimon's size, and the way she talks is kind of funny... Why's Pyrrho calling "Lady" in that reverent tone?)

Sorush:

Hmph, your sins will be judged, but the time for that has yet to come. The two of you over there, as envoys of the Akademiya, it is only polite to state your names first, no?

Paimon:

Yeah, we should have introduced ourselves first, but that high-and-mighty attitude of yours is...

Sorush:

My words and actions are not contrary to traditions and principles of the Pari. The same cannot be said for you nameless persons... Hmph.

Paimon:

Ugh... Fine! We're not nameless. Paimon is Paimon, and he's Traveler. We're adventurers who came here on a commission.

Paimon:

Hey! We adventure together all the time!

Sorush:

I need only know your names. Your other trivialities do not concern me. However, as for that drum...

Sorush:

That item has a profound connection with us Pari, and is not something that you mortals should possess. Traveler, I command you to present it to me immediately.

Paimon:

No way! At least sound nicer about it when you're asking someone for a favor!

Paimon:

Besides, this item is important to our commission. We're to hand it to the leader of this Order of yours.

Paimon:

If we give it to you and fail to complete the commission because of that, not only might we lose our reward, we might even have to pay Mora to the Adventurers' Guild! That's a huge loss!

Sorush:

Reward? Mora? To think that you would risk your lives in a place fraught with peril for such frivolous reasons... You know nothing of what transpires here.

Sorush:

One mistake would send your race tumbling into an eternal samsara, and yet you commit deeds that are beyond even our comprehension.

Sorush:

You humans are such... interesting beings.

Sorush:

No matter... I shall bring you to the "leader" you speak of. This item would remain worthy tribute even if you should only present it to me after that meeting.

Paimon:

That's more like it... Wait, that's still not right! We still have to deal with that huge hole in the sky! And if we don't...

Sorush:

...Huge hole? You refer to the Sign of Apaosha, then? And you wish to quell this calamity with mere mortal coils?

Sorush:

Hah, how presumptuous! It is the duty of us Pari to eradicate the Sign of Apaosha — an endeavor that I, Sorush, shall give my all to accomplish!

Sorush:

To quell this calamity, I must follow in the footsteps of the divine bird Simurgh, and sacrifice everything that one might call "Sorush"...

Sorush:

To stand in my way is not a sin that one such as you may bear!

Traveler:

Simurgh?

Sorush:

Foolish beings, have you not heard of the divine bird Simurgh? She is the master of Khvarena who once saved the land from destruction.

Sorush:

Legend has it that it was she who split into infinite motes of Khvarena after her sacrifice, thus quelling the catastrophe.

Paimon:

Um, sure, but Paimon doesn't think that we'll need you to sacrifice yourself...

Sorush:

Hmph. In any case, this matter is far beyond your capabilities, and your intervention is futile... All you must do is bear silent witness as I transcend.

Sorush:

You shall receive remuneration from this Guild of yours so long as the calamity is quelled, will you not?

Sorush:

Still, do not forget to extol my virtues and laud my accomplishments. After all, even the greatest heroes shall require mere mortals like you to sing of their deeds.

Pyrrho:

But Lady Sorush, the Vijnanapati has instructed us to forbid suspicious individuals from interfering before the ritual is completed...

Sorush:

I have decided, and as a Pari, my word is law!

Pyrrho:

Umm...

Sorush:

Alright, follow me. I shall take you to the "leader" you spoke of.

Sorush:

But gird yourselves all the same. That which lies ahead is not a place that human beings can easily set foot in.

Sorush:

If you get lost or end up being eaten by some monster appearing out of nowhere, there shall be nothing I can do for you.

Paimon:

What do you mean, "Dev"? Aren't these just Abyss Mages and hilichurls?

Sorush:

To think you would so easily defeat the rampaging Dev. Your strength is most radiant indeed. Consider me impressed.

Sorush:

Though there is still quite the gap between you and us Pari, the sight of you fighting valiantly reminds me of those humans of legend who once fought alongside us.

Sorush:

I have decided, then. You shall have the honor of being my Yasnapati!

Paimon:

Yasnapati? Paimon doesn't know what that is, but coming from you, it can't be anything good, really.

Sorush:

Do you not have such things amongst humans? Strategists, scribes, and the like? Those who exist to praise the heroes whose stories they exist in?

Paimon:

Neither of those jobs are what you just described!

Sorush:

No matter how great the hero, their great deeds must be recorded and sung of by others. If not, the same fate that befell ancient heroes shall befall them also...

Sorush:

Though they may have loved violence and conflict, great deeds are still great deeds, and they deserved to be remembered.

Sorush:

*sigh* Alas, those who loved conflict would be consumed by it, and once they had slain each other, they were all lost.

Sorush:

And because there were no authors or poets to tell of their deeds, once all who had lived in such times were gone, their works forgotten to the last. I will not be like them.

Sorush:

My great work shall shine so gloriously that the world itself will suffer great loss to not know of it. Thus, I shall now give you permission to record those deeds...

Sorush:

Rejoice and give thanks, for is this not a grace that few receive from us Pari?

Paimon:

This all sounds very complicated, but basically, you just need someone to tell you how awesome you are, right?

Paimon:

That's right! There's nothing worth bragging about with you. You just look kinda cute, that's all.

Sorush:

Your refusal is futile. Orders given by a Pari are absolute!

Sorush:

And what do you mean, cute? I am valiant! Heroic!

Sorush:

Whatever the case, it has been decided. Fret not, you shall be free to do as you please once I have sacrificed myself to restore the pure skies.

Sorush:

Till then, you shall witness my valiant form!

Paimon:

Well, sure, even if Paimon can't see it...

Sorush:

The path here is now dotted with Gray Crystals. When I last left it, it was not yet so.

Paimon:

Gray Crystals? You mean the crystals we're seeing everywhere?

Paimon:

Paimon's had her eye on them for a while now. What are they?

Sorush:

Gray Crystals are remnants of the black fire's embers. Proof that this land has suffered great calamity.

Sorush:

Indeed. I am sure you have heard that a great catastrophe struck long ago, where dark fire rose from beneath the earth and scorched the land.

Sorush:

The dark fire opened a bottomless hollow in this land, and the demons of Dev that crawled through that gap nearly turned this into a lightless realm.

Sorush:

Though the gap was blocked by the great tree, the dark fire's filth spread like seeds, and the countless dark and painful memories, released by that corruption, began to lay down roots and sprout.

Sorush:

This persisted till the honored lord of Khvarena, the divine bird Simurgh, drank the primordial water left behind by our god, before transforming herself into Khvarena of all kinds and scattering across the land.

Sorush:

From that day on, the Khvarena has taken the divine bird's place in defending this land, and those painful memories that leaked out have been sealed by Khvarena.

Sorush:

What was left are these ubiquitous Gray Crystals. Though they seem no different from any other stone, they may contain objects that are yet to be purified.

Sorush:

The Gray Crystals in the area have increased of late. I suspect that this must have something to do with the Sign of Apaosha's dark power.

Sorush:

But if we use Khvarena's might, we can get rid of these crystals.

Sorush:

If my senses do not deceive me, a wandering Khvarena should be nearby. Let us look around.

???:

Lady Sorush, Khvarena's Envoy, you have returned.

???:

Though it has taken much work on my part, the analysis of documents regarding the Rite of Chinvat will soon be complete.

???:

According to my research, we need only collect all the Great Songs of Khvarena next, and your great work may then be completed.

???:

Wait a moment. You two are...

Sorush:

Do not fret. They are Traveler and Paimon, my newly-chosen Yasnapati and his companion. They are here to witness my great work.

Paimon:

Hey now, Paimon hasn't agreed to that yet!

???:

A Yasnapati, you say... Though I will not question your most astute judgment, I fear that allowing ignorant outsiders into this land before the Rite of Chinvat is complete may have untoward effects.

???:

Know that the people of the Akademiya surely do not desire the Rite's completion.

Sorush:

Speak no further. I have my reasons for doing this.

Sorush:

Well, then. Take that drum from before out, Traveler and Paimon.

You bring the drum out, as agreed.

???:

A Korybantesdrum...

Paimon:

A Korybantes, you say?

???:

Hahaha! Yes. This is an important catalyst for the ritual needed to forge a Laupaconnection between ourselves and the Pari.

???:

I have searched for many years for this, and to think it now comes to me! Ah, this is indeed a good omen for my future plans.

???:

It would be good if the fates will also be with me when I lead the Order of Skeptics to throw down the Akademiya and burn their House of Daena, or whatever they call it, to the ground.

Paimon:

Wow. What a way to casually paint yourself as the villain, huh?

???:

Villain? Hah! The Akademiya are the true villains here, have no doubt of that!

Nasejuna:

Ah, I forgot my introductions. I am Nasejuna, the Vijnanapati of the Order of Skeptics, we who cultivate ourselves here. If you would use the terminology of the Akademiya, I would be the equivalent of a "sage."

Nasejuna:

But I doubt those pampered folk would care much for what we at the margins call ourselves.

Nasejuna:

You do not look much like those the Akademiya might send.

Nasejuna:

Fair enough, though in truth it would not matter even if you were to be from that dratted place.

Nasejuna:

Even if the entire Corps of Thirty were to be sent here, my plans could not be halted.

Paimon:

Well, whatever your plans are, we didn't come here to stop them, that's for sure.

Nasejuna:

Hah! So they would all say, those treacherous louts from the Akademiya. And when my guard is down, you would stab me in the back!

Nasejuna:

Just like those people in funny masks who try to skulk about and steal our academic tomes.

Nasejuna:

They even dared to attack our honored envoy of Khvarena, Lady Sorush!

Sorush:

Hmph. And they met defeat at my hands, each one of them!

Traveler:

Very impressive, Sorush.

Sorush:

Of course, my Yasnapati. It is right that you should sing my praises!

Nasejuna:

Do not look upon us as some miserable few who inhabit the Temir Mountains! We once had such numbers that all the desert north of Mt. Damavand would struggle to hold us.

Nasejuna:

It is only because of our harsh environment and the slander and ostracism by the Akademiya that we have been reduced to this.

Nasejuna:

If it was not for such sage souls as myself holding things together and the protection of Khvarena, we Skeptics would have been reduced to nothing long ago.

Traveler:

Sounds like quite the disagreement, yes.

Paimon:

Katheryne said that you have your differences, but it sure looks to Paimon like you Skeptics really hate the Akademiya.

Nasejuna:

Say not "hate," but rather that we simply cannot coexist.

Nasejuna:

When I was young, I did go there to learn in an attempt to mend our differences, but they treated me like an outsider.

Nasejuna:

Though they feign politeness by calling us a branch of the Akademiya, this is naught but a means to belittle us!

Nasejuna:

It is said that our predecessors had a clash of ideals with them, and so chose to go into the desert to stand against the darkness themselves.

Nasejuna:

From that day on, we have been holding firm in the war against defilement, defending our land, and what have those useless louses been doing in the meantime?

Nasejuna:

Compared to those pampered pedants, we who combine thought, word, and deed far better deserve honor for our wisdom!

Paimon:

Uh, Paimon doesn't quite get it...

Nasejuna:

You need only understand that conflict is the true nature of this world.

Nasejuna:

Khvarena and impurity, Dahri and the true way... It is these struggles for supremacy that have kept this world alive, just as surely as this sky does.

Nasejuna:

Those sophists in their fancy Darshans believe that the fates of all are inscribed in the skies, and that this is the supreme wisdom and truth.

Nasejuna:

But look! The skies reflect defilement itself! Surely their "truth," then, is an imperfect thing.

Traveler:

Perhaps nothing is truly perfect.

Nasejuna:

Ah, think you thus? Then we might yet be friends. If time permits, we may discuss this issue in more detail.

Sorush:

Nasuraia. This is not the time to talk about such things. Have you not seen how the Gray Crystals hem us in ever more tightly?

Sorush:

If we do not extinguish the Sign of Apaosha soon, things shall grow most perilous indeed...

Traveler:

Well, speaking of the Sign...

Paimon:

Right! That's right! We were tasked to fix this... hole thing. But after all this talking, we still don't know what it's supposed to be!

Nasejuna:

Ha. Well, our plans also involve extinguishing that celestial mark. As for what it is... If it must be described as anything, let us call it the water's surface.

Paimon:

The water's surface? Your explanation's just making things more confusing...

Nasejuna:

The water's reflection, while an illusion, nonetheless hides the truth within itself. So it is with the skies. It is like a mirage, if you have seen those before.

Paimon:

Uh, that big hole up there is way spookier than any mirage!

Nasejuna:

Well, it should be, for that celestial sign reflects an otherworldly hellscape!

Nasejuna:

Long, long ago, DahriKhaenri'ah once built a facility here that connected them to realms beyond.

Nasejuna:

During the great disaster, which they say the Dahri started, monsters swarmed from that very facility into the nations of the world.

Nasejuna:

The monsters tore open a great rift that came to be called the Tunigi Hollow, and though they were sealed away with the new vein of the ancient tree, this mysterious sign appeared along with that.

Nasejuna:

What the sign reflects is that which lies beyond the dark rift, and though the monsters cannot enter Teyvat through that illusion, it nonetheless radiates corrupt energies.

Nasejuna:

They say that our very first Vijnanapati extinguished that strange sign together with the Pari, but as the power of impurity has strengthened over time, this ancient symbol has appeared once more.

Nasejuna:

And should we leave it be... Who knows? That hollow may truly re-emerge one day, and that ancient war will be reenacted. In truth, it might be interesting to live in such exciting times.

Paimon:

What? No! That wouldn't be interesting at all!

Sorush:

It matters not. Simurgh drank the Amrita left behind by our god, transmuting herself into limitless Khvarena.

Sorush:

As the heirs to the divine bird, solving this problem is the mission that we Pari have. I, Sorush, will surely leave behind a work great enough to be her equal.

Nasejuna:

Of course, of course, Khvarena's Envoy. And we of the Order of Skeptics shall surely help you see your duty through.

Paimon:

Ugh. What's with all this talk about "sacrifice"? Is that really necessary to solve this problem?

Nasejuna:

Well... In truth, I do not know. All documents regarding the Sign of Apaosha have long been lost, and the traditions and rites surrounding it have also ceased to be passed down.

Nasejuna:

If it had not been for me constantly looking up what documents were left, there might not have been anymore left to know that the Rite of Chinvat existed at all.

Nasejuna:

According to my research, the Pari are the descendants of Simurgh, and should therefore also have the power to transform into Khvarena to purify the land.

Nasejuna:

And would you not say that a grand sacrifice to save the world on the part of the divine bird's heirs very much suits our Order's style?

Paimon:

What? That's so... haphazard! This sacrifice you're talking about doesn't sound like a small thing either... Why aren't we thinking of other ways to solve this issue?

Paimon:

Paimon's sure there's gotta be some alternative, right, Traveler? It's always been this way, hasn't it?

Traveler:

Yup.

Sorush:

I already said that you need not interfere. Simply witnessing my sacrifice shall suffice.

Sorush:

It is something worth celebrating that we Pari should sacrifice our lives to purify the earth.

Paimon:

Well, you say that, but...

Nasejuna:

I would ask that you keep a respectful distance from that which you do not comprehend, outsiders.

Nasejuna:

But since this is the case... Well, I was planning to investigate the Tunigi Hollow to make preparations for the Rite of Chinvat anyway.

Nasejuna:

Why don't you come along? I trust that you also wish to see the scars left behind by a fissure that once led beyond our world's bounds.

Nasejuna:

When you see it, I believe you shall understand.

Paimon:

Well, Paimon is kinda curious...

Sorush:

A sound plan. In that case, I shall lead the way. After all, you would find it impossible to freely traverse this land where Khvarena battles against impurity.

Sorush:

My Yasnapati, follow me to the end. Watch me complete my mission!

Paimon:

Uh... Is that deep pit the Tunigi Hollow you were talking about earlier?

Paimon:

There's super huge crystals all over the place, even bigger than the ones we saw before! They look scarier, too...

Sorush:

These were once huge trees used to seal and subdue the creatures of the dark depths. The power of defilement has corrupted them, warping them into such forms as you see now.

Paimon:

Since the monsters have been sealed, it sure doesn't look like anyone needs to sacrifice themselves again.

Nasejuna:

That is why we must use the power of Khvarena to re-open the way...

Paimon:

Hey! Wouldn't that just release the monsters again? They took so much effort to seal, too!

Nasejuna:

No, no... I mean that we must open the path to the Sign of Apaosha. The way to the rift in the earth was sealed long ago. It can never lead to the true darkness again.

Nasejuna:

But that is exactly why that sealed rift does indeed connect to the illusion of the abyss.

Nasejuna:

We need only use the Great Songs of Khvarena to stabilize the seal before initiating the Rite of Chinvat to pass through the darkness and reach the Sign.

Nasejuna:

They are the mightiest manifestations of the Khvarena scattered throughout the world. We can use the Great Songs to initiate the Rite of Chinvat.

Nasejuna:

After that, we can open up a path to the darkness, just as legend holds that the first Vijnanapati Nagarjuna and the Pari did.

Paimon:

That's all well and good, but what will we do once we reach the side that the Sign is on?

Nasejuna:

I do not know what happens after that. I have encountered legends that our first Vijnanapati Nagarjuna was lifted up to the heavens, where he used divine power to extinguish the sign, but that, I feel, is mere myth.

Nasejuna:

I believe that Khvarena's Envoys will have some way. Since they can purify the defiling impurities, they must also have some way to extinguish the Sign.

Nasejuna:

Hah, did Sorush not also say that she wishes to imitate the sacrifice of Simurgh? The world is built upon conflict and sacrifice, after all.

Paimon:

Well that's what Sorush says, sure, but that's... that's way too irresponsible of you!

Nasejuna:

Oh, don't fret. Before the necessity of any sacrifice can be ascertained, we must still bring the Great Songs of Khvarena together. At the moment, we have yet to take even the first step forward.

Paimon:

Uh-huh, says the guy who's just been talking this whole time.

Nasejuna:

Well... Basically, only the Pari who has been chosen as a Bloomguard can touch the Great Songs.

Nasejuna:

But our current Envoy, Lady Sorush, has yet to obtain that right.

Paimon:

Is that so? For all that bluster, you really aren't all that, huh, Sorush?

Sorush:

You dare speak to me like that, Pale Floater?

Paimon:

Well, Paimon isn't a Pale Floater!

Nasejuna:

Only by obtaining the Twin-Horned Chaplet may she become the Bloomguard, a being able to gather the power of Khvarena. As such, she must first be acknowledged by Lady Zurvan, the First Pari.

Nasejuna:

She is a mighty Pari who once fought alongside our ancestors. It is even said that she was the very Pari who fought alongside the ancient heroes to subdue the embers of the Abyss.

Sorush:

But that elder of ours is... utterly unreasonable. She refuses to acknowledge my dearest desire. I'm afraid there's nothing I can do about that.

Sorush:

Still, even without the Twin-Horned Chaplet, my sacrifice will suffice to accomplish this deed.

Nasejuna:

Of course, I do not intend to doubt your desire to sacrifice yourself this way, but if you are unable to perform the Rite and pass through the dark hollow, your wish will not be fulfilled nonetheless.

Nasejuna:

However, I do have a suggestion. Lady Sorush called you her Yasnapati, did she not?

Nasejuna:

Why don't you go with her to the Vourukasha Oasis? That is where Lady Zurvan may be found.

Nasejuna:

Perhaps Lady Zurvan may yet change her mind should she see that we humans view Lady Sorush as the predestined envoy.

Traveler:

And why aren't you going?

Nasejuna:

Well, as for me... She would certainly look down on a bookish man like me, considering her many years of experience.

Nasejuna:

If she looked upon me, I doubt she would ever change her mind again. Haha!

Nasejuna:

This is the only method we have at present to change our current situation, so please, do go with Lady Sorush to the sacred place protected by the Khvarena...

Paimon:

Hmph, aren't you a sneaky one? Looks like you're the only person coincidentally out of a job!

Nasejuna:

Of course not! There is much I must do. For example... The preparations for the Rite of Chinvat still must be done.

Nasejuna:

I must also consult the words of the ancient scribes once more to ascertain the locations of the Great Songs.

Nasejuna:

As for the Kory Drum you brought, I believe I may now form a connection once more with the Pari who still remain in slumber.

Nasejuna:

Their awakening is necessary for the Rite of Chinvat to occur.

Nasejuna:

Regardless, I leave the matter of the Twin-Horned Chaplet to you two. Once everything is complete, let us meet at the campsite upon the Temir Mountains.

Paimon:

Oh well. So we have to look for that Pari elder, right? Well, let's hope she isn't as nasty as Sorush is.

Paimon:

Whoa? So this giant snake fella is also sealed here?

Sorush:

Yes, but it does not have a "sinful form." Perhaps it was merely unlucky to have been caught in the crossfire and sealed here.

Paimon:

Well, maybe it's a good thing it's been sealed here. If not, it might just pop outta the ground and swallow us all in one go!

Paimon:

Hehe, Paimon knows that!

Sorush:

Hmm, you two certainly look like you get on well.

Paimon:

Of course, we're the best of buddies!

Sorush:

But is it not also said that even constant companions would fail to notice if the other was spirited away by a sprite? These stories are quite common too, yes?

Paimon:

What are you talking about? Traveler would never do that.

Sorush:

Hah, I merely jest. If you are bosom buddies, surely some idle jokes will not move you?

Sorush:

Hehe. We shall soon reach the Vourukasha Oasis. Come, let us hurry.

Paimon:

Whoa. The crystal here looks like...

Paimon:

Could this be one of those Wenut that we've seen before? How did it get trapped here?

Sorush:

Hmm? So you call these children of an ancient dragon the Wenut?

Sorush:

Still, it does not have a "sinful form." Perhaps it was merely unlucky to have been caught in the crossfire and sealed here.

Paimon:

Well, maybe it's a good thing it's been sealed here. If not, it might just pop outta the ground and swallow us all in one go!

Paimon:

Hehe, Paimon knows that!

Sorush:

Hmm, you two certainly look like you get on well.

Paimon:

Of course, we're the best of buddies!

Sorush:

But is it not also said that even constant companions would fail to notice if the other was spirited away by a sprite? These stories are quite common too, yes?

Paimon:

What are you talking about? Traveler would never do that.

Sorush:

Hah, I merely jest. If you are bosom buddies, surely some idle jokes will not move you?

Sorush:

Hehe. We shall soon reach the Vourukasha Oasis. Come, let us hurry.

Paimon:

Paimon didn't think there'd be such a huge patch of green on the other end of the mountain.

Paimon:

We were just in the desert, too. How strange!

Sorush:

Impressive, is it not? It is our homeland, after all.

Paimon:

The homeland of the Pari? So there'll be lots of other beings like you here, right?

Paimon:

Ugh, you know what? Paimon's not all that keen on going...

Sorush:

Should you not be excited beyond words?

Paimon:

And the big tree stump over there looks like it's holding off the stuff oozing outta that big hole.

Sorush:

That is the Harvisptokhm, the sacred form of the god that has granted us Pari life. It is not just some "large stump."

Paimon:

That's a god? Well, we've seen other gods, but this is the first time we've seen one looking like that.

Sorush:

That is because our godHarvisptokhm cannot... be considered alive.

Sorush:

Five hundred years ago, our great god gave all to quell the power of the disaster afflicting this place.

Sorush:

But she was stained with corruption, and could not be reborn in a purer plane. Thus, her divine consciousness continues to wander the mortal one.

Sorush:

Our great god left us with the sanctified Amrita, and the Lord of Verdure caused the Harvisptokhm to grow from that, thus anchoring our god to this realm.

Sorush:

The Vourukasha Oasis has been nourished by the Amrita, and even the Khvarena that defends this earth gains its unending power by the grace of the Amrita.

Paimon:

But this god of yours doesn't look too well... She's been trying to hold out against the stuff coming out of that hole this entire time.

Sorush:

Her power maintains the seal over the dark hollow. I fear that the Sign has emerged here due to being attracted to her power.

Sorush:

If it were not for the presence of the Harvisptokhm, the defilement surging forth from that hollow would have infected the entire world... But it is also due to performing this duty that the tree has deteriorated so much.

Sorush:

I do not believe that I could ever bear to be reduced to such a state.

Sorush:

That is why I must leave a legacy of heroism behind for all to remember before it does happen...

Paimon:

Well, never mind that first. Let's go look for this Zurvan person, shall we?

Paimon:

If we get that Chaplet and fix the sky real quick, that might make your god feel all better too!

Zurvan:

Well, if it isn't Sorush. Such a rare guest.

Sorush:

It has been a while... Elder Zurvan.

Zurvan:

Elder? Well, if you call me that, then you should follow Pari norms and cease consorting with those humans whose hearts are heavy with their ulterior motives.

Sorush:

I haven't gone against our norms. I have only made contact with humanity to find a way to extinguish the sky-fire, just as the divine bird did.

Zurvan:

And is that why you have learned all that claptrap about sacrifice from the humans? We Pari care nothing for such foolishness.

Sorush:

Isn't it our duty as Pari to sacrifice ourselves in the battle against the defiling impurity?

Zurvan:

Await the call of destiny, Sorush. Only humans rush in blindly.

Sorush:

This destiny you speak of is a nebulous thing. I cannot simply be expected to sit and wait for it!

Zurvan:

And that is precisely the danger. The Chaplet you seek contains the highest authority over Khvarena. In giving it to you, I may as well be handing the power of Khvarena over to those untrustworthy humans.

Sorush:

Can't you just have more faith in me, Elder?

Paimon:

Uh, you two... Looks like we're being left out here, aren't we?

Paimon:

Also, it seems like Sorush loses that cocky attitude of hers in front of Zurvan, huh? Hehe.

Paimon:

And those Skeptics are all too happy to go along with her, huh?

Zurvan:

Well then, little ones. You came with Sorush, yes? This is not a place that ordinary humans may visit lightly.

Zurvan:

Let me see... Well, you certainly aren't from the Order of Skeptics. You seem to be outlanders, in fact.

Zurvan:

Well, in matters of courtesy, I suppose you two shall introduce yourselves first. I don't ask humans for their names often, you know?

Paimon:

Paimon's Paimon, and he's Traveler. We're...

Traveler:

Adventurers who shuttle across Teyvat.

Zurvan:

Adventurers... So you are travelers, then?

Zurvan:

Well now, I do think I have seen a traveler much like you before.

Zurvan:

This is the forbidden land of the Pari, the paradise nourished by Amrita, the shrine at which we pay reverence to our great god.

Zurvan:

Only heroes who have forged bonds with Pari and pilgrims who have come to genuflect before our god may enter.

Zurvan:

I shall take it that you are Sorush's companions, then. Hehe, it has been several hundred years since humans last visited our sea of flowers.

Paimon:

That said, aren't there a ton of Skeptics living outside in the desert? Don't they know how to enter this place?

Zurvan:

Hah! I shall not permit such discourteous folk to enter our hidden realm.

Zurvan:

In the past, we Pari did indeed fight alongside their ancestors. We even lived here together.

Zurvan:

But many years have passed, and folly has grown strong amongst them. Even the traditional rites have become utterly forgotten. None living amongst them now can forge a Laupa with a Pari.

Zurvan:

They should have been the ones to conduct the Rite of Ab-Zohr for the tree that suppresses the dark hollow, thus cleansing it of the filth that stained it.

Zurvan:

Yes, the deterioration of the tree cannot be avoided, but if they had not neglected the Rite and caused the seal to weaken, this terrifying Sign would never have reappeared so soon.

Zurvan:

But human tradition is unreliable in this fashion. Compared to them, you outlanders, blank slates as you are, certainly seem more dependable.

Paimon:

Paimon's not sure if you're actually praising us or not, but we're here to...

Zurvan:

I would guess that you are here about this sign in the sky. I doubt that anyone would notice our little nook if not for this great crisis.

Paimon:

Um... Well, we were commissioned to deal with this large hole, yeah.

Zurvan:

Oh my, oh my, so it is as I guessed. It seems that even after so long, this short-lived race is as short-sighted as ever.

Zurvan:

Still, if it were not that way, would you even need us Pari to act on your behalf?

Paimon:

(Ugh, looks like Pari are just pretty nasty as a whole...)

Zurvan:

Regardless, since human heroes have again graced our secret garden, it seems the gears of destiny have begun to turn once more.

Zurvan:

And you seem to be an interesting human being, too. Ah, that takes me back... Once upon a time, I, too, traveled alongside humans as curious as you to quell a calamity.

Zurvan:

Perhaps you really might equal their great deeds... Well then, it's decided. I shall give you a chance.

Zurvan:

The two of you certainly seem more trustworthy than those blind and foolish Skeptics.

Sorush:

Elder, shouldn't you put your trust in me instead?

Zurvan:

Well, as for that... You do know where Rashnu and Mihir are, right? Go bring them here. They should still be enjoying their beauty sleep right now.

Zurvan:

This will serve as proof of your trustworthiness, and I will be able to give the Chaplet to you.

Paimon:

Oh, Paimon knows! So this is the kind of seal that everyone needs to get together to break, and then we can get the Chaplet, right?

Zurvan:

Ah, such impoverished imagination.

Zurvan:

The Chaplet can be given to you at any time. But to solve the issue of the Sign of Apaosha, we will need their strength.

Zurvan:

Sorush alone will not be able to open the path through the dark hollow, not even with the Chaplet. This, perhaps, is another example of the Rule of Three...

Paimon:

Paimon doesn't really know what you're saying, but as long as we can get the Chaplet, it's fine.

Zurvan:

Indeed, Traveler, Paimon. Do help Sorush out, alright?

Sorush:

I don't need help...

Paimon:

Ahaha, you're not very honest, Sorush. But since your elder's said so, guess you've just gotta listen to us!

Paimon:

Found it, found it! Paimon wonders what it is...

Paimon:

Huh? Aw, come on, this is no treasure. It's just some tattered old drum!

Paimon:

We don't know what it could be used for, either.

Paimon:

That's right, they might want to hear more about something we found in the desert.

Paimon:

Paimon's not all that interested in this studying stuff, but if we can make a little this and that off their budget, why not, right?

Paimon:

Hmm, hold on. There's a note over there at the side. It might just hold some clues!

Paimon:

Let Paimon see... Huh. This seems to have been left by an adventurer.

Paimon:

"The Sign of Apaosha"... Uh, Paimon's not super sure what this guy's talking about, but he sure is irresponsible, leaving a commission unfinished just because it's hard!

Paimon:

But since that's how things are, let's hand this drum over to Katheryne and let her reassign someone to complete... whatever commission this was.

Paimon:

Found it, found it! Paimon wonders what it is...

Paimon:

Huh? Aw, come on, this is no treasure. It's just some tattered old drum!

Paimon:

We don't know what it could be used for, either.

Traveler:

If we brought this one back to the Akademiya...

Paimon:

That's right, they might want to hear more about something we found in the desert.

Paimon:

Paimon's not all that interested in this studying stuff, but if we can make a little this and that off their budget, why not, right?

Paimon:

Hmm, hold on. There's a note over there at the side. It might just hold some clues!

Paimon:

Let Paimon see... Huh. This seems to have been left by an adventurer.

Paimon:

"The Sign of Apaosha"... Uh, Paimon's not super sure what this guy's talking about, but he sure is irresponsible, leaving a commission unfinished just because it's hard!

Paimon:

But since that's how things are, let's hand this drum over to Katheryne and let her reassign someone to complete... whatever commission this was.

Nasejuna:

Then I shall leave the matter of the Twin-Horned Chaplet to you. I have some leftover work to take care of.

Nasejuna:

I believe that all people, no matter who they are, will submit to you and the Envoy's awesome glory.

Nasejuna:

When we have each done what we must, let us meet at the campsite upon the Temir Mountains.

As the Khvarena's Light Shows

Go to Zurvan to obtain the Twin-Horned Chaplet, and you will be able to go around collecting the Great Songs of Khvarena...

Zurvan:

Well now! If it isn't Sorush and her Yasnapati.

Zurvan:

You sure did come back quickly. And while this might sound rude, you have exceeded my expectations.

Sorush:

Hmph. Whether it be foolish Mihir or ignorant Rashnu, I have personally saved them and brought them back to our sea of flowers.

Sorush:

You will see me in a different light now, I trust, Elder?

Paimon:

Uhh, Paimon thinks it's more accurate to say that we saved them together! Traveler put in tons of work too.

Sorush:

Hmph, you speak too much! I was planning to elevate you, too, to the position of my Yasnapati. But if you will be so petty, Pale Floater, it seems I must reconsider my decision.

Paimon:

Whoa... Actually, never mind. Who wants to be your Yasnapati anyway?

Sorush:

Now, it may seem strange to say so, but I believe myself and my Yasnapati to be of the same root and stem. Indivisible.

Sorush:

And just as the heroes of legend should have many helpers, my Yasnapati's works shall also count for my glory.

Sorush:

It also goes without saying that a Pari who shall do such a supreme deed as I will not peddle in the foolishness that is stealing another's credit.

Sorush:

Therefore, Yasnapati mine, feel free to add your deeds to the hymn, for thus shall my great deeds seem all the greater for it!

Paimon:

Oh, stop it with the silly roleplay already!

Paimon:

That's right! We're quite used to you talking like this, Sorush, but Zurvan's right over there looking at us like we're a bunch of idiots!

Sorush:

*cough* Then let us not speak of things unrelated. Just as we agreed before, Elder, you can give me the Twin-Horned Chaplet now, yes?

Zurvan:

Well, we did. But I can't give you the Chaplet.

Sorush:

Wait! Are you going back on your word?

Zurvan:

Hehe. Now, the Chaplet is the symbol of Khvarena's recognition. How could it be given away based on private whims?

Zurvan:

Amidst the countless motes of Khvarena created by the transformed divine bird, only we Pari have been blessed with intelligence. It is thus that we are able to communicate with the remaining consciousness within the mother-tree and guide the power of Khvarena.

Zurvan:

But not all Pari may possess such authority.

Zurvan:

Only the Bloomguards, those who prove worthy successors to the divine bird's aspirations and have the courage to see that wish through, may gain the Chaplet, the crown that contains wisdom.

Zurvan:

Come, then. Pray along with me to the invincible Khvarena. If you have been acknowledged, then our god will grant you the Chaplet herself.

Zurvan recites the words of an ancient hymn and Sorush joins her. It is as if a thousand birds sing out at once, and as if a hundred flowers respond.

Paimon:

Ooh, so the Chaplet just grows out of your head!

Paimon:

Well, this didn't go as we thought, but guess you've got your Twin-Horned Chaplet now, Sorush.

Traveler:

You look much more reliable than before.

Sorush:

Haha! Of course! I am the destined "Bloomguard," after all!

Sorush:

Now I need only offer myself as a sacrifice to extinguish the Sign of Apaosha...

Paimon:

Uhh... And there you go, ruining our impression of you right away.

Paimon:

But since you've got the Chaplet, Sorush, now we can go find that Great Song of Khvarena thing, right?

Paimon:

Paimon remembers Nasejuna saying that we'll need to collect enough of those Great Songs if we want to perform that rite of his, and then we can pass through the darkness...

Paimon:

But who knows if his words can be relied on or not...

Zurvan:

That is the Rite of Chinvat. Now, is this Nasejuna you speak of from the Order of Skeptics? To think that any human remembers that rite. I thought that it had been lost.

Zurvan:

I did once travel alongside human heroes to cross the darkness through the Rite and cleanse the impurities tainting the mother-tree.

Paimon:

Hey, hey, looks like he wasn't mistaken, then!

Zurvan:

But when that happened, I was the one who personally used the Khvarena to repair the seal that held the darkness at bay.

Zurvan:

Later, I was the one who fused the strongest Khvarena collected there into five Great Songs, which I used to purify the land.

Zurvan:

The Skeptics should not have knowledge of the Great Songs' existence if they relied merely on their traditional records.

Paimon:

Maybe Nasejuna's just that interested in researching documents? Maybe there are some documents he found elsewhere that you don't know about, Zurvan.

Zurvan:

That would make him all the more suspicious. As I understand it, there are indeed others who would be interested in the Great Songs...

Zurvan:

All the same, with you there, I believe such small matters should be no obstacle. In any case, Sorush has only just obtained the Chaplet and cannot collect enough Khvarena.

Zurvan:

If we wish to conduct the Rite of Chinvat now, we will need the power of the Great Songs.

Zurvan:

At that time, after I first scattered the monsters that had invaded our sea of flowers, the Great Songs were scattered across the land.

Zurvan:

Only one was hidden by me within the waters of the Sunyata Lake here, kept away for a future time of need.

Zurvan:

Now that Sorush has obtained the authority to touch the Great Songs, you can first go to obtain this one.

Zurvan:

As for the rest, you shall have to seek them out yourself. Safeguard them well! Do not let them fall into the hands of suspicious people.

Zurvan:

I would also ask you to take care of Sorush for me. Though she may have obtained the acknowledgment of Khvarena, I fear that wisdom and intelligence have never been prerequisites for becoming a "Bloomguard."

Paimon:

Whoa! Something weird came out from the lake!

Paimon:

Is that a Great Song of Khvarena? ... Y'know, it looks kinda cute, actually!

Paimon:

It's a lot bigger than all the Khvarena we've seen previously... Maybe we could just call it "Great Khvarena" for short!

Paimon:

Paimon didn't think something this cute could be this good at cleansing the impurities, though.

Sorush:

Pleasing to the ear, those words are not, but I shall take it that you praise my majesty nonetheless.

Paimon:

Well, that's one Great Khvarena down. Next, we just...

Paimon:

Um, wait a moment. We don't know where the rest are, do we?

Sorush:

No need to fret! I have already commanded Nasuraia regarding this matter. He already knows where the other four may be found.

Sorush:

We need only have him guide us.

Paimon:

Umm...

Sorush:

Well? Do you doubt my judgment?

Paimon:

Well... Paimon just thinks that Nasejuna's documents aren't all that reliable.

Sorush:

Hmph. This is different from the matter of the drums. The locations of the Great Songs of Khvarena were not found by consultation of the Skeptics' traditions, but through Nasuraia's own painstaking studies.

Sorush:

Apart from the ones locked within the ruins, I have personally checked the rest. There will be no errors.

Sorush:

Be assured, Pale Floater! I am the destined Bloomguard now. Would I make such mistakes?

Paimon:

Alright then. Paimon's not very assured, mind you. But we can always go ask Nasejuna first and stuff. Didn't he say he'd meet us at the camp?

Sorush:

Such considerations are unnecessary. Yours is to simply follow me and record mine accomplishments.

Nasejuna:

Well then, let me help you open this door. The final Great Song of Khvarena can be found in this underground Dahrian factory!

Nasejuna:

We are merely one step away, but knowing that we are so close to collecting all the Great Songs, even I feel rather excited.

Nasejuna:

Haha, long have I prepared for this moment.

Nasejuna:

Hah! There we go. Inside at last!

Paimon:

Well, this looks like the main hall. What should we do next?

Nasejuna:

Hmm, let me think. Just like the previous ruins we've explored, this should also be the energy control hub for the entire ruin.

Nasejuna:

If the documents I have read are accurate, this place was used as a manufacturing center, and it was owned by the Dahri warrior band known as the Schwanenritter, just as the proving ground from earlier was.

Nasejuna:

According to these records, they resisted the monsters that surged forth from beneath the earth during the cataclysm that occurred 500 years ago.

Nasejuna:

Ah, but that's not important right now. Whatever the case, my notes say that the Great Song we must claim here is at the very bottom of this factory.

Nasejuna:

We will need to use the elevator to reach that location, which means that activating said elevator is our present problem.

Nasejuna:

But just as with the previous ruins, the relays powering the elevator have been sealed by Gray Crystals. We will need to find Farrwicks to eliminate them.

Nasejuna:

It seems we'll need... three of those. The notes seem to say that these ruins should contain quite a few of them, though, so we might as well have a look around the adjoining rooms.

Paimon:

Well, you say that, but the doors all around look closed. Doesn't look like we're going anywhere fast.

Sorush:

Hmph. Pale Floater, you fret over-much. All places are accessible to those who use Khvarena. And is not one of the Farrwicks you wish to find here?

Nasejuna:

Exactly. As long as we use the Farrwicks to break the seals over the relays, we can use the mixer to transfer power over to the devices near the doors to open them.

Nasejuna:

Well, let's give this a go all the same.

Paimon:

Ooh, it really opened!

Paimon:

In that case, let's do the same with the door on the other side!

Nasejuna:

I'd love to go over there and have a look. My notes say that this factory's smelting center lies that way.

Nasejuna:

But seeing the state of these relays, we will need another Farrwick to activate the door here.

Nasejuna:

And if we want to activate the elevator, we will need to unseal all three of these relays...

Nasejuna:

Considering that, could we trouble you and our great Envoy to go find it?

Sorush:

Oh? You almost sound like you presume to command me.

Nasejuna:

...Oh no, no, of course, I would never dare do such a thing, O Great Envoy. Yet this is a great task that only you may accomplish!

Nasejuna:

You and your Yasnapati truly work wonders that a mere mortal such as I cannot aid in accomplishing, and as such, mine is only to wait for your return.

Nasejuna:

Still, do take these investigation notes along with you, so that you shall not lose your way. It contains the locations of all the Farrwicks you must find.

Nasejuna:

It took me much effort to obtain this information, so do keep it safe.

Nasejuna:

Without the notes to guide me, I shall not be able to leave this place alone. And you would not leave a poor man such as I here in the dust, would you?

Nasejuna:

Oh my! You're finally back.

Nasejuna:

I was beside myself with worry! If some frozen beast were to suddenly revive themselves, I would have been done for, no doubt.

Nasejuna:

Fortunately, nothing of the sort happened.

Nasejuna:

Well then, that's two Farrwicks we have obtained. In that case, let's open the door on the right, just as before. Following that, if you'll allow it, I shall follow you onward.

Paimon:

Wow, that's a huge furnace. It's super hot! How is it still in operation?

Nasejuna:

This giant furnace is used to make a substance known as Azosite. It is the core of this entire factory, and the Energy Blocks we saw earlier were derived from this place.

Paimon:

But shouldn't this place have been abandoned ages ago? No one should have been able to get in here!

Nasejuna:

Well, there might be some paths in here that we're not sure of. Those people who worship the dark abyss... and perhaps even the "Fatui" you spoke of may have entered.

Nasejuna:

Surely, now that I consider it, the Great Songs might have been stolen by now, were it not for the fact that only Lady Sorush may touch them.

Sorush:

Hah! Worthless worries. The Great Songs of Khvarena are my destined inheritance. That any others might taint them with their touch... Inconceivable!

Nasejuna:

Indeed, indeed, it is so. But we must find one more Farrwick to activate the relays sealed in crystal, if you are to claim your destiny.

Nasejuna:

Then, we can activate that elevator and go to where the Great Song awaits us.

Nasejuna:

Come then, let us go.

Nasejuna:

Hah, do you see that giant machine up there?

Nasejuna:

That is the central control device of this entire factory. As long as we can get the energy from the relays to that center and then activate this device, we shall be able to activate the elevator.

Nasejuna:

Whatever the case, let's hurry and unseal the relays, then use the mixer, as before, to connect this circuit.

Traveler:

Hmm...

Nasejuna:

What is it? This is no time to retreat.

Paimon:

Yeah. You know what? You know this place too well, Nasejuna. It's like you've been here before or something.

Paimon:

Don't you find it weird too, Sorush?

Sorush:

Well, that is true, but he is a human Vijnanapati. Surely this is not beyond him?

Nasejuna:

Hmph. Don't look down on us scholarly types! With the aid of these documents that I read in the mountains, even I can master these devices.

Nasejuna:

And I have not only read all the books within the House of Daena, but I have spent much time collecting tomes heretofore hidden.

Nasejuna:

As the great Envoy commanded me, I have always paid special attention to records concerning the Great Songs of Khvarena and underground ruins.

Nasejuna:

Tell me, is deriving recorded truth from documents not the essential work of those whose preoccupation is such writings?

Nasejuna:

And even if you should suspect me, let us save that until we have obtained the Great Song of Khvarena! You would not abandon me here at this juncture, would you?

Nasejuna:

Please, let us focus on resolving the matter of this elevator!

Nasejuna:

Good, good. Now we need only activate the central control device at the control platform above, and the elevator should be restored to normal function.

Nasejuna:

Well then, Yasnapati of her Eminence, the great Envoy, I leave that to you. I still have work to do here in examining these aged machines.

Nasejuna:

We are finally here. The preparations I made were not in vain.

Nasejuna:

And yet, let us leave celebrations till later. Who knows what dangers yet lie ahead?

Nasejuna:

Finally! Now we need only use this elevator, and we shall reach the deepest section of this factory.

Nasejuna:

Well, my notes do also say that a path into an underground realm still deeper down than this factory may be found there...

Nasejuna:

But that is not a place we can reach.

Nasejuna:

The road ahead of us is perilous, but I will not falter at the precipice this time.

Nasejuna:

This may be considered the deepest parts of the surface realms, after all. If a researcher such as myself were to stop here, I would surely shame the name of my Order.

Nasejuna:

As always, I leave myself in your able hands, Yasnapati, Honored Envoy.

Paimon:

Nice! And that's all five Great Khvarena in our hands!

Paimon:

Now we just need to take 'em over to Zurvan in the sea of flowers and perform that Ritual of... whatever we're calling it.

Nasejuna:

Please wait! As I see it, these Great Songs should go to me first.

Nasejuna:

As I mentioned before, I must still examine these Great Songs more carefully before the Rite of Chinvat can begin.

Nasejuna:

And did I not put in much effort toward finding them as well? If I were not present, you might yet be stumbling blind through this factory.

Paimon:

Well, that's what it looked like, yeah...

Nasejuna:

Yes, yes, reasonable, is it not? Come then, give me the Great Songs, quickly now... That way, I can draw up a procedure for the ritual first...

Nasejuna:

...Yes, that's right. That's my work, too, after all!

Paimon:

Hmm. Y'know, the more you talk, the more suspicious Paimon's getting...

Sorush:

It is as my Yasnapati says. You need simply await the completion of my heroic deed, Nasuraia.

Nasejuna:

Silence! You piss me off!

Sorush:

Nasuraia, you dare...!

Nasejuna:

Hah! Well. I've said it now, haven't I? I've blown my cover.

Nasejuna:

But ah, it is such a liberating feeling, to no longer have to grovel and nod before this idiot of a Pari.

Nasejuna:

Well! Where should we begin? Even I'm not very sure.

Nasejuna:

I'd love to tell you all about my plans. Dead people tell no tales, after all. But I'd wager you'd not like to hear of such convoluted matters much.

Nasejuna:

Why don't you just hand the Great Songs over? That'll save me time.

Paimon:

Nope, not happening! We spent so much effort getting them, and if we don't have 'em, our commission's a non-starter!

Paimon:

Zurvan also said that we'd be idiots to give them to you!

Nasejuna:

Bah! Sideshows, all of that, compared to my plans! I've been playing house with you imbeciles this entire time, just to get the Great Songs!

Nasejuna:

They call me Vijnanapati at the Order, but they could never understand my labors, and so I acted in secret. I had to!

Nasejuna:

In order to get in contact with Khvarena constructs, I came up with the idea of using the Rite of Chinvat to extinguish the Sign and lured in Sorush...

Nasejuna:

And that was already a pain in the neck. You've seen it, how most Pari are just obstinate cretin.

Nasejuna:

But she was truly useless! Her constant failure to obtain that Chaplet had me on the verge of giving up!

Nasejuna:

It was thanks to you two, ultimately, that the Chaplet was gained, and that we made it all the way here! Now, it won't please you, but I am very grateful.

Traveler:

Well, that's a bit too harsh on Sorush.

Nasejuna:

Is that even important!?

Nasejuna:

The songs of the Skeptics do record that some humans did become companions of the Pari. But were it not for the Great Songs, I would never have associated with them at all.

Nasejuna:

All that is left now is to use the Great Songs of Khvarena to reverse the Rite of Chinvat, which will release the seal on the Abyss... and the wars of old will begin anew!

Nasejuna:

Oh, the expectation! Does it not kill you inside? Shame, then, that you shan't see that glorious sight.

Paimon:

Wait, but isn't your Order supposed to help suppress the Abyss? Why do you want to unseal it instead...

Traveler:

You've turned your back on your duties.

Nasejuna:

Ah, but have you not considered other possibilities?

Nasejuna:

Just as you have seen, the Skeptics' documents are a pile of raving-mad myths, while Dahri records are factual. Precise.

Nasejuna:

As I see it, the "history" and the "duty" of the Order of Skeptics are but tall tales, invented from nothing.

Nasejuna:

My discoveries in the ruins only proved my judgment astute. I found a great many interesting things there, just so you know.

Nasejuna:

Well, I have managed to enter this place at times, in secret, alongside the lector who gave me the notes. But this is the first time things went so well.

Nasejuna:

According to my research, those who resisted the impurities here were heroes of the Dahri. They are the Skeptics' true ancestors.

Nasejuna:

But they were forgotten. Their tale untold. They were smeared as sinners. As the cause behind the disaster.

Nasejuna:

Their deeds were wiped from the records by the thrice-be-damned Akademiya, and then mistakenly appropriated as a founding myth by the Skeptics... I suspect this is why the Akademiya never intended to accept us.

Traveler:

Sounds like speculation to me.

Nasejuna:

No! This is the truth, which I discovered with my own hands.

Nasejuna:

I did say so earlier, did I not? I found some interesting records in the ruins. For example, Dahri records of that sign in the sky.

Nasejuna:

They called this the Sign of Truth, believing that it reflected the "reality" beyond our skies...

Nasejuna:

That is my plan. To bring truth without mercy to this unjust world!

Nasejuna:

Now then. My great work requires the Great Songs of Khvarena, so hand them over. If you come quietly, perhaps I might spare you.

Paimon:

And what'll you do, snatch it? It's gonna be pretty tough for you, y'know...

Nasejuna:

Well, that's too bad. I've come prepared!

Nasejuna:

... My apologies for the wait, O Priest of the Dark Hollow.

Paimon:

Hmm, where's Nasejuna gone off to? He was hiding over there a moment ago...

Paimon:

Ugh. How could we have let him slip off like that!?

Paimon:

To think that he'd gang up with the Abyss Order to take our Great Khvarena! And what was that crazy nonsense he was going on and on about?

Paimon:

Well, now that you mention it, he was pretty suspicious right from the start. And given what Zurvan told us, she must have realized something as well, right?

Paimon:

In that case, let's bring these Great Khvarena back and get some answers from Zurvan.

Paimon:

As for the Order, didn't Nasejuna say that he was keeping them in the dark too?

Paimon:

Well, we shouldn't rule out the possibility that some of them might have been swayed to Nasejuna's side, but Paimon thinks Pyrrho and some others didn't know what was going on.

Paimon:

If we've got the time, let's tell 'em the truth!

Sorush:

...

Paimon:

Whatever the case, let's head back to the sea of flowers. We've gotta make sure that nothing bad happens, after all!

Nasejuna:

Ah, yes. There is one more thing we should prepare before entering.

Nasejuna:

According to my notes, these paths have all been blocked by Gray Crystals.

Nasejuna:

If we wish to access the Great Song of Khvarena, we need to find a way to bring Farrwicks, which radiate Khvarena, in.

Nasejuna:

Let's have a look around, then.

Nasejuna:

Lady Sorush... Your present form is most astounding indeed...

Nasejuna:

Gazing upon your mighty form, I know in my heart that you must have been crowned the Bloomguard of the Pari, acknowledged by all!

Sorush:

Startle not, human. This was my calling from the beginning.

Nasejuna:

Of course, of course. Such majesty is only to be expected of the honored Envoy, one who shall obtain the Great Songs of Khvarena and extinguish the Sign of Apaosha!

Sorush:

Indeed, your words are most suited to be inscribed in the hymns that shall be written in mine honor!

Paimon:

Huh... Nasejuna's still his usual self. Paimon's not sure how to feel about this.

Nasejuna:

Ah yes, Yasnapati, Paimon, you too deserve thanks in this matter.

Nasejuna:

Though your endeavors are naught but the afterglow of the Envoy's mighty works, your labor in Lady Sorush's successful obtaining of her crown shall not be voided.

Paimon:

That's not how it went, buddy, but we'll just take this as your way of saying thanks!

Nasejuna:

Haha. Our mission now is to search for the Great Songs of Khvarena, and the long-awaited Rite may then be performed.

Nasejuna:

Speaking of the Great Songs, they are inextricably linked to the destiny of us Skeptics...

Paimon:

But Zurvan said that you guys shouldn't know about the Great Songs' existence, you know?

Nasejuna:

Yes, it is indeed true that the ancient rites have stopped being passed down through our Order. If I had relied solely on our traditions, I suspect that even the Rite of Chinvat might still be shrouded in mystery.

Nasejuna:

But I gained access to a large batch of long-lost documents from a very learned scholar. That was where I learned about the Great Songs.

Nasejuna:

Those documents recorded a great number of things that the traditional hymns of our Order have never written of. That also inspired in me the desire to reform our Order.

Paimon:

That doesn't really help, you know. Your traditions are already pretty suspect. How are we supposed to trust these documents, then? They might've come outta nowhere for all we know!

Sorush:

Enough. These sideshows are not fit to be written into my songs. If you so wish to tell truth from falsehood, then let us go and see for ourselves rather than quibble here.

Sorush:

Why, if I do not offer myself up as a sacrifice to save this land soon, those who come after may read these texts and suspect that I was a spirit of laxity.

Nasejuna:

No, no, how could that be? I do not believe any would hold to such contemptuous thoughts!

Paimon:

Hmm. Paimon thinks that you just want us to hurry up and collect those Great Khvarena, Sorush.

Paimon:

Wait... Since when did Paimon become your translator?

Sorush:

Hmph. To think that you, Pale Floater, should understand my thoughts best.

Nasejuna:

Since it is your command, great Envoy, allow me to lead the way.

Nasejuna:

It seems that you have obtained one of the Great Songs. It is just as well, then, that I have discovered the locations of the remaining four.

Nasejuna:

Although I have not been to those underground ruins myself, I am as familiar with them as I am with this camp.

Traveler:

That seems like an overstatement, but alright.

Nasejuna:

Haha. Well, the Great Songs are items that I do desire to win, especially after all that effort...

Nasejuna:

*cough* Well, let's not speak of unrelated matters. Come with me, everyone.

Nasejuna:

Lady Sorush... Your present form is most astounding indeed...

Nasejuna:

Gazing upon your mighty form, I know in my heart that you must have been crowned the Bloomguard of the Pari, acknowledged by all!

Sorush:

Startle not, human. This was my calling from the beginning.

Nasejuna:

Of course, of course. Such majesty is only to be expected of the honored Envoy, one who shall obtain the Great Songs of Khvarena and extinguish the Sign of Apaosha!

Sorush:

Indeed, your words are most suited to be inscribed in the hymns that shall be written in mine honor!

Paimon:

Huh... Nasejuna's still his usual self. Paimon's not sure how to feel about this.

Nasejuna:

Ah yes, Yasnapati, Paimon, you too deserve thanks in this matter.

Nasejuna:

Though your endeavors are naught but the afterglow of the Envoy's mighty works, your labor in Lady Sorush's successful obtaining of her crown shall not be voided.

Paimon:

That's not how it went, buddy, but we'll just take this as your way of saying thanks!

Nasejuna:

Haha. Our mission now is to search for the Great Songs of Khvarena, and the long-awaited Rite may then be performed.

Nasejuna:

Speaking of the Great Songs, they are inextricably linked to the destiny of us Skeptics...

Paimon:

But Zurvan said that you guys shouldn't know about the Great Songs' existence, you know?

Nasejuna:

But I gained access to a large batch of long-lost documents from a very learned scholar. That was where I learned about the Great Songs.

Nasejuna:

Those documents recorded a great number of things that the traditional hymns of our Order have never written of. That also inspired in me the desire to reform our Order.

Paimon:

That doesn't really help, you know. Your traditions are already pretty suspect. How are we supposed to trust these documents, then? They might've come outta nowhere for all we know!

Sorush:

Enough. These sideshows are not fit to be written into my songs. If you so wish to tell truth from falsehood, then let us go and see for ourselves rather than quibble here.

Sorush:

Why, if I do not offer myself up as a sacrifice to save this land soon, those who come after may read these texts and suspect that I was a spirit of laxity.

Nasejuna:

No, no, how could that be? I do not believe any would hold to such contemptuous thoughts!

Paimon:

Hmm. Paimon thinks that you just want us to hurry up and collect those Great Khvarena, Sorush.

Paimon:

Wait... Since when did Paimon become your translator?

Sorush:

Hmph. To think that you, Pale Floater, should understand my thoughts best.

Nasejuna:

Since it is your command, great Envoy, allow me to lead the way.

Paimon:

That said, we've already picked up a whole bunch of Great Songs of Khvarena along the way.

Nasejuna:

Without guidance... But I suppose I should have expected as much from the eminent Envoy and her Yasnapati.

Nasejuna:

Now then, I have investigated the locations of the rest.

Nasejuna:

Although I have not been to those underground ruins myself, I am as familiar with them as I am with this camp.

Traveler:

That seems like an overstatement, but alright.

Nasejuna:

Haha. Well, the Great Songs are items that I do desire to win, especially after all that effort...

Nasejuna:

*cough* Well, let's not speak of unrelated matters. Come with me, everyone.

Nasejuna:

Without the notes to guide me, I shall not be able to leave this place alone. And you would not leave a poor man such as I here in the dust, would you?

Nasejuna:

Now we need only activate the central control device, and the elevator should be restored to normal functionality.

As the Khvarena's Light Shows: Samudaya

With Nasejuna's aid, you now know where the Great Songs might be found. One of them is hidden in the catacombs containing a Korybantes...

As the Khvarena's Light Shows: Dukkha

With Nasejuna's aid, you now know where the Great Songs might be found. One of them is hidden in a cave where the Wenut sleeps...

As the Khvarena's Light Shows: Nirodha

With Nasejuna's aid, you now know where the Great Songs might be found. One of them is hidden within a Khaenri'ahn underground ruin...

Nasejuna:

"Turn the gears such that all three types of runes are displayed. Ensure that the square rune is connected to the triangular rune at the bottom without changing said triangle." Simply do as I instruct, and we should be fine.

Paimon:

That weird cannon emerged from the ground! Are they trying to say that we should shoot that big machine over there?

Paimon:

Hmm... Such a thoughtful design.

Sorush:

Your imagination truly is wild, Pale Floater. Did Nasuraia not say earlier that this place was modified from its original form as a proving ground for testing machine functionality?

Sorush:

It appears that the device we unlocked earlier was meant to be used to activate the proving ground.

Sorush:

It seems that the modifications did not include the dismantling of the original devices. A most helpful discovery indeed.

Sorush:

In that case, my Yasnapati, the honor of operating this cannon shall be yours.

Nasejuna:

Behold, the moment of destiny is at hand!

Traveler:

...

Paimon:

This is just a normal mechanical door!

Nasejuna:

*cough* I mean to say that as long as we open this mechanical door, we will gain access to the ruins.

Nasejuna:

Haha, this is my first time entering a Dahrian ruin, you know? Is it so surprising that I might be excited?

Paimon:

Eh? You sounded so confident earlier that Paimon thought you must've explored loads of ruins.

Nasejuna:

Hah! Well, I can't claim to have personally explored them. But with this copy of "Rene's Investigation Notes," written as it is by an excellent scholar of ancient histories, it is as though I were there in the flesh!

Traveler:

"Rene's Investigation Notes"?

Nasejuna:

Have you never heard of it? I thought that only one sequestered in a distant desert such as I would not have heard of such a brilliant scholar.

Nasejuna:

These notes contain a lot of records left by the people of Dahri. According to the author, he once discovered knowledge that "surpasses mortals" in these ruins.

Paimon:

This sounds harder to believe by the moment.

Nasejuna:

Leaving that aside for the moment, now that we have these notes, entering these Dahrian ruins should be a simple matter.

Nasejuna:

If you don't believe me, let's test this! For example, if we'd like to open this device... Oh, there we go!

Nasejuna:

Looks like we've finally reached the heart of these ruins. Now then, as the one amongst us who has done a fair amount of research into Dahrian ruins, allow me to tell you all about it.

Nasejuna:

According to the notes I have, this was once a proving ground where the Dahrians would conduct research and tests. The Great Song of Khvarena we seek is at the deepest part of this facility.

Nasejuna:

If we want to reach it, we'll first have to, hmm...

Paimon:

You were just saying that you'd done your homework, and you're fumbling about already?

Nasejuna:

Well, the makeup of these ruins really is too complicated. I doubt anyone could fully understand the principles behind the mysterious machines that the Dahrians used just from descriptions alone.

Nasejuna:

Let me see... Ah, there we go. Looks like our current position is that of the control hub for the entire proving ground.

Nasejuna:

If we wish to reach the Great Song, we must first activate the entire ruins' control mechanisms. To do so, we have to solve an energy issue.

Nasejuna:

Though the people of Dahri are said to have been able to use the power of impurity to operate machines and master monsters, it seems that these ruins don't do so.

Nasejuna:

On the contrary, it seems that they used a form of energy known as Azosite. It was drawn from pure elemental energy before being formed into blocks.

Nasejuna:

That means that as long as we find an Energy Block of this kind, we will be able to provide energy to these cores, after which we should be able to settle any other problems with ease.

Sorush:

That sounds troublesome. Now if only we could simply settle this through combat.

Traveler:

Well, let's begin, then.

Nasejuna:

Ah, raring to go, I see. That's the Envoy's Yasnapati, indeed.

Nasejuna:

In that case, I will leave the work of searching for the Energy Block to you. This is a set of schematics that shows the layout of the proving ground. I'm sure you'll put it to good use.

Nasejuna:

In the meantime, I have some other things I must examine. As such, I'll wait for you to return here. With the honored Envoy by your side, this shall be child's play — I know it.

Nasejuna:

If you encounter any issues, just examine these schematics a bit more closely.

Nasejuna:

Looks like we've finally reached the heart of these ruins. Now then, as the one amongst us who has done a fair amount of research into Dahrian ruins, allow me to tell you all about it.

Nasejuna:

According to the notes I have, this was once a proving ground where the Dahrians would conduct research and tests. The Great Song of Khvarena we seek is at the deepest part of this facility.

Nasejuna:

If we want to reach it, we'll first have to, hmm...

Paimon:

You were just saying that you'd done your homework, and you're fumbling about already?

Nasejuna:

Well, the makeup of these ruins really is too complicated. I doubt anyone could fully understand the principles behind the mysterious machines that the Dahrians used just from descriptions alone.

Nasejuna:

Let me see... Ah, there we go. Looks like our current position is that of the control hub for the entire proving ground.

Nasejuna:

If we wish to reach the Great Song, we must first activate the entire ruins' control mechanisms. To do so, we have to solve an energy issue.

Nasejuna:

Though the people of Dahri are said to have been able to use the power of impurity to operate machines and master monsters, it seems that these ruins don't do so.

Nasejuna:

On the contrary, it seems that they used a form of energy known as Azosite. It was drawn from pure elemental energy before being formed into blocks.

Nasejuna:

That means that as long as we find an Energy Block of this kind, we will be able to provide energy to these cores, after which we should be able to settle any other problems with ease.

Sorush:

That sounds troublesome. Now if only we could simply settle this through combat.

Nasejuna:

Ah, raring to go, I see. That's the Envoy's Yasnapati, indeed.

Nasejuna:

In that case, I will leave the work of searching for the Energy Block to you. This is a set of schematics that shows the layout of the proving ground. I'm sure you'll put it to good use.

Nasejuna:

In the meantime, I have some other things I must examine. As such, I'll wait for you to return here. With the honored Envoy by your side, this shall be child's play — I know it.

Nasejuna:

If you encounter any issues, just examine these schematics a bit more closely.

Nasejuna:

Just install the Energy Block into these Energy Cores, and the whole control system should start!

Nasejuna:

It is just as the notes say... Hmm? You're back already?

Nasejuna:

But judging from your appearance, you must've found the Energy Block we require.

Nasejuna:

I have examined these Energy Cores... They are very well-preserved. Now, all that is needed is to install the Energy Block into them.

Nasejuna:

...And that, I shall leave in your hands.

Nasejuna:

What is it? Is there some problem?

Nasejuna:

You need only follow the schematics, find the Energy Block, and return here.

Nasejuna:

The Energy Cores have been filled. Now, we should be able to activate the control systems...

Nasejuna:

Huh? That wasn't what I was expecting. Is there a problem somewhere?

Nasejuna:

It seems as if we'll need to go have a look at the control center where the relays are. Which is fine, it's on the way to the proving ground all the same.

Nasejuna:

Well now, it seems the control center is in the direction you previously came from. Since that's the case, let's go together!

Nasejuna:

As I thought. The problem lies with these relays. The energy from the Energy Cores isn't reaching them. We need to find a way to connect them...

Nasejuna:

And some of the relays in this place have been sealed in crystal... But since these ruins don't use impurities as an energy source, they shouldn't have come to the attention of Khvarena at all...

Nasejuna:

The only explanation for that has to be that this place was intentionally sealed by someone with the ability to use Khvarena. But why would they do that? What are they trying to hide?

Nasejuna:

Well, I suppose this can be discussed later. Our current task is still to use Khvarena's power to remove the Gray Crystals that have formed those seals.

Nasejuna:

There should be Farrwicks nearby that contain Khvarena's power. I believe you can sense it too, mighty Envoy?

Sorush:

Umm... Hmph. Of course! Are you doubting my majestic power as the Bloomguard?

Nasejuna:

Hardly, I would never dare! Please, great and eminent Envoy, guide us.

Nasejuna:

We just need to find the Farrwicks, remove the Gray Crystals, and then use the mixer once again to connect these relays.

Nasejuna:

This way, the circuit between these devices should have been joined up. Now we just need to do the same for the ones on the left side.

Nasejuna:

Hmm... I believe we should proceed along that path.

Nasejuna:

Great Envoy, and her honored Yasnapati, I fear that this is as far as I may attend you.

Traveler:

And what's the problem this time?

Nasejuna:

According to the texts, the road ahead is full of perils that no ordinary mortal may bear.

Nasejuna:

Once we go in here, we shall be within the proving ground that the Dahrians once used to test their machines. There is even an incomplete prototype of a giant machine amongst them.

Nasejuna:

The copied Dahrian records in my notes say that this place was once modified for use as fortifications from which the monsters could be attacked, although it didn't see much use in that regard.

Nasejuna:

Strange, isn't it? Why would the Dahrians, who triggered the defiling disaster, create machines to fight monsters?

Nasejuna:

All the same, now that we have activated the control systems for these ruins, the defensive mechanisms within the proving ground must also have been activated.

Nasejuna:

The Great Song we are searching for should be within that Golem. Though I am stymied, I suspect that it will prove easy for you all.

Nasejuna:

Please allow me to stay here and await your return, so that we may be able to obtain all the Great Songs of Khvarena.

Sorush:

Well, you are indeed but a mere human. Such a request is to be expected.

Nasejuna:

By your gracious leave, then.

Paimon:

Well, guess Nasejuna's slipping off at the last moment. Still, Paimon's a lot happier now that the two of you won't be bouncing off each other for a while...

Nasejuna:

If I went along with you, I suspect I would only drag you all down. As such, I shall simply wait here.

Nasejuna:

But I believe that whether it be Dahrian machines or the monsters of Dev, they shall be no match for the great Envoy or yourself.

Nasejuna:

Ah, as one might expect of the great Envoy and her Yasnapati. Neither the Dahrian machines nor the creatures of Dev were able to stop you.

Paimon:

Eh? When did you get in here, Nasejuna?

Nasejuna:

Why, I was watching your wondrous battles from the side, and oh, what a sight it was! Then, upon seeing that you had the Great Song in hand, I rushed to meet with you, of course!

Nasejuna:

Good work, all of you. And while we're on this topic, perhaps you might give the Great Songs of Khvarena to me for safekeeping? I mean, well, it might... How should I say this... give me a greater sense of my participation in our grand endeavor?

Paimon:

But you didn't do all that much from the start, and anyway, Zurvan said that we shouldn't give the Great Songs of Khvarena away carelessly.

Nasejuna:

Oh, don't say that. I mean, I have done so much research on them! I'm sure that a little examination on my part will be of help later!

Nasejuna:

For example, we could find out why these Great Songs of Khvarena have come to be hidden in these ruins, and...

Sorush:

This is not the time for stories, Nasuraia.

Paimon:

That's right! We need to go to the next place where we can find a Great Khvarena, don't we?

Paimon:

You can tell us your stories again once we've gotten them all, Nasejuna.

Nasejuna:

Well... alright.

The Hymn of Tir Yazad

You've managed to gather all the Great Songs of Khvarena regardless. Now, it is time to resolve the anomaly in the sky...

Paimon:

Sorush's been pretty quiet since we left the ruined factory.

Paimon:

She used to keep talking on and on, so Paimon's not used to her being silent now.

Paimon:

Cheer up, Sorush! We've still got so many things to do!

Paimon:

For instance, we need to perform... um, that rite with a name Paimon can't remember, and then fix the giant hole.

Paimon:

After we're done, let's treat ourselves to something delicious for our hard work!

Paimon:

We can have... Um, Paimon doesn't know what Pari prefer for food...

Sorush:

...

Sorush:

...Pari don't need to eat, Silly Floater.

Sorush:

*sigh* To think I have fallen so low to require the Pale Floater's comfort, what a shame.

Sorush:

I'd rather be sealed into the Gray Crystals right away or find myself a cavern to slumber undisturbed for eternity, till everyone I know ceases to exist.

Paimon:

Paimon said Paimon's not a Pale Floater! But is there really such a cavern?

Traveler:

Avoidance can't really solve the problem.

Sorush:

At this point, I'm past caring!

Sorush:

How am I supposed to live with the sheer embarrassment of being fooled by Nasejuna?

Sorush:

Anyway, now that you've collected all the Great Songs of Khvarena, you can go to Mihir or Rashnu if you want to solve the anomaly in the sky.

Sorush:

Whatever the case, please leave me alone and pretend you never heard the things I said.

Paimon:

Uh, you did say a lot of weird stuff...

Traveler:

"My Yasnapati"?

Sorush:

Awwww, stop! Please stop!

Paimon:

Traveler, stop teasing her now! She's been traveling with us for so long, after all, and Paimon doesn't wanna see her quit halfway.

Paimon:

What's more, Sorush does have... some good qualities... like, um...

Sorush:

I saw you hesitating! *wail* Stop patronizing me!

Traveler:

You're quick to act.

Paimon:

Yep yep! And haven't we been working hard to extinguish the Sign of Apaosha?

Paimon:

It's all thanks to you that we've made it so far!

Paimon:

How did it go again? Let Paimon think... Ah, "As long as you keep going, I believe that it will only be a matter of time before you become a truly great adventurer."

Sorush:

Really? Do you genuinely mean to praise me?

Traveler:

Yes, as genuine as a friend could be.

Sorush:

Hehe, I knew I was great!

Sorush:

Hehe, my motivation is back.

Paimon:

Now that the motivated Sorush is back, let's go find Zurvan, fix the giant hole, and get the reward! Paimon can't wait for her big meal!

Paimon:

Zurvan, we're back!

Zurvan:

Ah, it's Traveler, Sorush, and Paimon.

Zurvan:

By the looks of it, you must've obtained all the Great Songs of Khvarena.

Zurvan:

Whatever the case, the result is desirable. I was right to entrust the mission to you.

Zurvan:

Without you, the Great Songs of Khvarena might've been robbed away by those with ill intent.

Paimon:

Huh, why does Paimon feel like Zurvan saw what was coming?

Zurvan:

Eh-he, so I was on to something! You didn't run into the followers of the dark hollow, did you?

Traveler:

How did you know?

Zurvan:

Well... Instead of dwelling on how I knew, why don't you tell me what exactly happened?

You recount your adventure in the underground ruins and Nasejuna's betrayal to Zurvan.

Zurvan:

Hehe, even the Order's Vijnanapati had sided with the dark hollow. That was unexpected — not that I had any hopes in them to begin with, but that's just a step too far.

Zurvan:

And if I'm not mistaken, Nasejuna had been enticed into pursuing the Great Songs of Khvarena by the servant of the dark hollow you fought. That one's an old acquaintance of mine.

Paimon:

Huh? You know that guy from the Abyss Order?

Zurvan:

Hmph, he used to be with the Order of Skeptics. Several hundred years ago, an investigation team from the forest came to explore the secrets of the Dahrians.

Zurvan:

They insisted on entering the Dahrian ruins despite the Order's warning. So the then-Vijnanapati sent the man to go with the team in case something happened.

Zurvan:

No one knew what they encountered in the ruins, but by the time he reappeared, he had already embraced the defilement's blessings, and the investigation team was nowhere to be found.

Zurvan:

Then came the followers of the dark hollow. They were after the Great Songs of Khvarena and for that purpose, they summoned countless demons of Dev to attack the Vourukasha Oasis.

Zurvan:

Although we managed to protect our home with the help of many Pari and human warriors, we didn't eradicate the dark hollow's followers.

Zurvan:

To ensure that I left no gaps for them to exploit, I sealed the Vourukasha Oasis and the many ruins with the power of the Great Songs.

Zurvan:

The Order of Skeptics never recovered from this incident. They lost their ancient archives to fire, and gradually became like this.

Zurvan:

I sensed that the followers of the dark hollow were making their play since you last mentioned them, but I didn't expect them to have corrupted even the leader of the Skeptics.

Paimon:

Anyway, Paimon's still wondering about what Nasejuna said. Do you know anything about the Skeptics' ancestors?

Traveler:

You've fought alongside them, after all.

Zurvan:

Hehe, history becomes legend, legend becomes tale — that's how traditions live on. Forgetting is also part of the story.

Zurvan:

The more you cling to the idea of tradition, the more you only selectively remember the story you desire and eventually become lost in the maze of tales.

Zurvan:

In a world where things are being forgotten every hour of every day, what we engrave on the ground is far more reliable than what we sing to the wind.

Zurvan:

That's why I trust you, for you're forthright and never seem to concern yourselves with other people's judgment.

Paimon:

Although you're praising us, the way you put it sounds somewhat odd...

Traveler:

I somehow feel a sense of sarcasm.

Sorush:

I presume Elder Zurvan's words are intended for me...

Zurvan:

As for what happened five hundred years ago, I think you'd want to see for yourself than hear my version of the story.

Zurvan:

And now you have exactly the perfect opportunity.

Zurvan:

By the way, Sorush, it appears that you've grown more reliable now. With what you've been through, have you awakened from those raving-mad myths of humans?

Sorush:

Elder! Please just let bygones be bygones!

Zurvan:

It seems that I made the right decision to entrust the issue to Traveler and Paimon. In that case, I guess I can also leave the Rite of Ab-Zohr in your capable hands without any reservations.

Traveler:

The Rite of Ab-Zohr...

Paimon:

Paimon remembers hearing Zurvan mention it! Is it for cleansing... um, defilement of sorts?

Zurvan:

The Rite of Ab-Zohr is a ritual performed to cleanse the Harvisptokhm of defilement. Normally, you only need to conduct it under the trees that suppress darkness.

Zurvan:

However, with the seal weakening and the anomaly re-emerging in the sky, we need more than the usual to solve the problem.

Zurvan:

The anomaly appeared above the Harvisptokhm as a result of the tree absorbing a great amount of defilement.

Zurvan:

With that excessive amount of filth building up within it, and the corrosion caused by the anomaly, the Harvisptokhm can no longer sustain the Khvarena's power.

Zurvan:

The only thing we can do now is enter the Harvisptokhm to cleanse it and wake our god.

Paimon:

So we can actually enter the Harvisptokhm?

Zurvan:

Of course. Did you think that the Rite of Chinvat was to be performed inside that dark hollow? Even Pari wouldn't be able to stand the defilement within.

Zurvan:

Inside the Harvisptokhm lies a giant lotus, Gaokerena, and our god's consciousness slumbers within it. By cleansing the defilement, the Flower of Sanctity will bloom once again.

Zurvan:

The Amrita will rid the land of all its impurities. Convoluted as these processes may sound, I believe they shall constitute no hindrance to you.

Zurvan:

Well then, I have already sent Rashnu and Mihir to the Tunigi Hollow. You need only bring over the Great Songs, and then you'll be able to gather the power of Khvarena.

Zurvan:

Khvarena will awaken the huge trees that are suppressing the darkness and purify the contaminated mud in the depths. After that, you can then perform the Rite of Chinvat and thus open the path into the Harvisptokhm.

Zurvan:

And once you are inside, the Chaplet will reveal to Sorush the great deeds of ancient heroes.

Zurvan:

Since all memories related to Khvarena will return to the Harvisptokhm in the end, these memories will never fade no matter how legends are retold and changed.

Sorush:

I've never heard of this!

Zurvan:

Hehe, the Chaplet was originally a part of the Harvisptokhm. You will know when you get there.

Zurvan:

Now, please go and extinguish the Sign of Apaosha. We will meet again when Amrita falls from the sky.

Rashnu:

What took Sorush so long...

Mihir:

We've been waiting here for a very long time.

Rashnu:

I'm so tired... I want to... go back to sleep. Zzz...

Sorush:

Hey, that's not fair. I'm the one who's been laboring hard all along and you didn't do anything!

Mihir:

That's not true. Waiting is also an important job. In fact, acting is only momentary while waiting is eternal.

Paimon:

What's with this weird logic...

Mihir:

That's just the philosophy of us Pari.

Mihir:

But now is not the time to discuss philosophies. What matters is the Great Songs of Khvarena. I trust you've collected all of them, no?

Paimon:

Of course we have!

Mihir:

In that case, let us remove the seal. Then you can gather the power of Khvarena with the Great Songs.

Mihir:

But be careful. Since the filth has been building up for centuries, I have no idea what will emerge once I remove the seal.

Paimon:

Now that we've placed the Great Khvarena properly, everything around here seems to have recovered!

Mihir:

These trees were originally cultivated with Khvarena to resist the corrosion of the cataclysm. It's just that their power has ebbed away with the passage of time.

Mihir:

With the Great Songs' nourishment, they will be able to regain their former glory.

Mihir:

But with the seal removed now, the filth from the past has been freed, too.

Mihir:

The rite won't be able to continue if Rashnu and I spend all our energy here. So please take care of these locations for us.

Sorush:

Hehe, leave it to me! It's the Bloomguard's job to fight defilement!

Paimon:

Mm, our work is done!

Paimon:

It seems that some flowers have grown on the tree. But what do we do next?

Mihir:

Ah, don't look at me. I'm as clueless as you.

Mihir:

Now that Sorush has already put on the Twin-Horned Chaplet, she can connect to the memories and wisdom of the Harvisptokhm using the Chaplet.

Mihir:

Give it a try, Sorush.

Sorush:

I know, but I'm not yet used to the Chaplet!

Sorush:

Um... I think I see new shoots sprouting, but the filth hasn't been fully cleansed yet.

Sorush:

We still need to purify these flowers.

Sorush:

Then the pure power of Khvarena will thrive again.

Paimon:

It's gotten quiet, finally.

Mihir:

Now, perform the Rite of Chinvat before the filth starts to ooze out again.

Mihir:

Then our job will be done.

Rashnu:

And that means... I can sleep in peace... without anyone disturbing me.

Mihir:

Come on, Sorush!

Rashnu:

Sorush, hurry up!

Mihir:

It has to be the three of us.

Mihir:

Done. The path to the depths has opened, and our mission is completed.

Paimon:

Huh, that was quick. You kept talking about "rite" and stuff, so Paimon thought it'd take a whole bunch of complicated incantations to conduct.

Mihir:

Hmph, only humans need such things, as they can't even wield the power of the elements on their own.

Mihir:

We Pari are different, for our power and that of the Khvarena hail from the same source. It's like how you humans don't need to recite incantations to walk.

Mihir:

Um... Although you don't walk, you float.

Paimon:

Like Paimon said, your logic is weird.

Mihir:

Anyway, let's not waste our time on this irrelevant topic. I'll leave what's next up to you.

Mihir:

"May the eternal Khvarena guide us on the upward path."

Zurvan:

Then, please extinguish the Sign of Apaosha. You will know what transpired in the past once you're inside the Harvisptokhm.

Zurvan:

We will meet again when Amrita falls from the sky.