arrow_back Genshin Impact Quests 
In the Dwelling of Life
You've taken the elevator up. Now, the assembly hall is right in front of you...
Paimon:
It's not opening from this side... or from this side either...
Nastya:
Paimonka, Big Brother Traveler, we usually go through this door in the middle, but I think it's now locked from the inside...
Traveler:
Looks like we can get in through here.
Nastya:
Hmm, I think... I can squeeze in through here? Wait for me. I'll go open the door.
Paimon:
Okay! Just call out to us if you run into any trouble, Nastya. Paimon can squeeze through to help too!
Nastya deftly slipped through the gap...
The curtains don't budge an inch...
Paimon:
Huh? Why isn't anything happening? Is the switch broken because it hasn't been used in really long or something?
Nastya:
Hmm, I think there's another switch on the other side. The curtain should open if we use both switches at the same time.
Paimon:
Tell you what, Paimon's gonna fly over there, and you two stay here and activate this switch...
Paimon:
Hey! Paimon's stronger than you think, okay! It's just a tiny switch... Mmgh... Ugh... The switch must be jammed!
Nastya:
I'll give Paimonka a hand. The two of us together should be as good as one Big Brother Traveler.
Paimon:
Can we do it...? Hold on... Let's do it together... One, two, three!
Paimon:
Yes!!! We did it! Nastya and Paimon will stay on this side. You go over to the other side, and when Paimon gives the signal, we'll activate the mechanisms at the same time...
Traveler:
Aye, aye. Ready for your orders, Captain!
Paimon:
Let's see... We should be able to get through from over there.
Nastya:
Be careful now, Big Brother Traveler! That way looks dangerous! You haven't grown any branches yet, so it'll really hurt if you fall!
Paimon:
Alright, think that does it! Ooh, there's an elevator here. Let's meet up with Traveler downstairs.
Paimon:
Hey, Traveler! We'll see you downstairs!
Nastya:
Oh yeah... the day the Volkodlak took us away, all of us kids were told to go to the assembly hall. My... My friends were probably here too...
Nastya:
It's been so long since I saw them.
Nastya:
Uhh... Have you found anything?
Nastya:
Same here. Then we must hurry.
Nastya:
Phew... I'm just glad everyone's okay! I didn't know we were gonna find so many people here... behind the shelves.
Paimon:
Same... One second it was dead quiet, and the next, BOOM! They just came rushing out like that!
Paimon:
But hey, look at that new path that just opened up over here.
Traveler:
It looks like the way home to me.
Nastya:
I don't know about that. But looks like it's the only path now, and the Doctor said before, "The only path is the right path."
Nastya:
So as long as I follow this path, I'm sure I'll make it back to mama and turn into the Perfect Tree...
Nastya:
The Doctor should be home too. He's never gonna leave. Zhara is protecting him, so I know he's there.
Traveler:
Looks like we're close to finding the answer...
Paimon:
Let's keep going, then... Once we get to your "home" and meet Koshchei... no, Paimon means that "Doctor Moreau," we should finally get the answers we've been looking for.
Nastya:
I remember this was carved to look like Zhara. But Zhara doesn't look like this anymore.
Nastya:
We have to keep going, through here...
Paimon:
Oh, okay! Onward we go~ Hang on, isn't this just a wall?
Nastya:
This is the doorway to home. Only the ones who are chosen can go through and become eternal life free of all worries.
Nastya:
Doctor Moreau is the only one who's supposed to know how to open this door, but... But one time, I saw how he did it when I was hiding in a corner of the hall...
Nastya draws a simple diagram and hands it to you.
Paimon:
Hmm, so this thing is actually a dial. To open the door behind it, we have to turn it to match the right pattern...
Nastya:
The bridge to the assembly hall is right over there. But where is Furiosa? I usually see her around here...
Paimon:
Hmm... Is this "Furiosa" someone really important, Nastya? Paimon's heard you mention her quite a few times now.
Nastya:
Of course! She's my idol! Or should I say, she's still my number-one idol right now, and you two are at number two for now.
Nastya:
You should have a match-up with her when you have the time! Maybe the rankings will change then!
Paimon:
Aw, yeah! Traveler is a super good fighter, you know!
Paimon:
But Paimon gets it now: Nastya likes people who are good at fighting. The stronger, the better!
Nastya:
No, no, Paimonka, you got it all wrong. I like people who can protect others. That's why I like Furiosa, Zhara, the Doctor, and the two of you too!
Nastya:
It's just that the stronger you are, the more people you can protect... I think that's why Furiosa said yes to growing branches!
Nastya:
...They say she was the first person in town to grow branches. After the Doctor helped her grow them, she got new, stronger arms, and she became even better at fighting.
Nastya:
After that, everyone started spending most of their time at the assembly hall, while she stayed outside to keep us safe...
Paimon:
She's gone... We can enter the assembly hall now!
Nastya:
...
Paimon:
Nastya? What is it? We're almost at your home, aren't we...?
Nastya:
I just don't understand... Why did Furiosa try to stop me... and why hasn't she turned into the Perfect Tree yet?
Paimon:
Huh? Is Traveler already on the other side???
Paimon:
Then Paimon must yell really, really loudly so that he can hear Paimon clearly!
Nastya:
Can we go up there and activate the switch together now?
Nastya:
Okay... Good luck!
Nastya:
What is it, Big Brother Traveler? Is something wrong?
Nastya:
No need to worry. I'll protect Paimonka, and Paimonka will protect me.
Nastya:
A little tree will be blown over by the wind, but two little trees can lean on each other.
Nastya:
But where is Furiosa? I usually see her around here... I really wanna to see her!
Paimon:
Hmm... Is Furiosa very important to you, Nastya?
Nastya:
Of course! She's my idol! Or should I say, she's still my number-one idol right now, and you two are now at number two.
Nastya:
But that ranking's just for now. If you ever get a chance to spar someday, maybe that ranking will change!
Paimon:
That's right, that's right! Traveler is a super good fighter, you know!
Paimon:
But Paimon gets it now: Nastya likes people who are good at fighting. The stronger, the better!
Nastya:
No, no, Paimonka, you got it all wrong. I like people who can protect others. That's why I like Furiosa, Zhara, the Doctor, and the two of you too!
Nastya:
It's just that the stronger you are, the more people you can protect... I think that's why Furiosa said yes to growing branches!
Nastya:
...They say she was the first person in town to grow branches. After the Doctor helped her grow them, all the problems she had went away... And she became even better at fighting.
Nastya:
After that, everyone started spending most of their time at the assembly hall, while she stayed outside to keep us safe...
Paimon:
So you want to keep more people safe too, Nastya? Is that why you want to grow leaves and branches too?
Nastya:
Um... I never really thought about it like that... I mean, I'm so small. Even if I got stronger, I still won't be that strong. All I want is to be just like everyone else in the family...
Nastya:
Hmm, if we do see Furiosa later, I wonder if she'll still know who I am...
Paimon:
Oh, she definitely will! ...Hold on, what if she's like Zhara!? What if she thinks we're Badbugs, stomps all over us, and burns us to a crisp!?
Nastya:
Mmm, don't worry about that. Furiosa will still spar with you even if you aren't Badbugs.
Nastya:
And burning Badbugs isn't her job... So even if she really thinks you two are Badbugs, you should be fine.
Paimon:
That'd better be the case!
Paimon:
Wow... This place is... spectacular...
Nastya:
Yeah, it's super pretty, huh? Gets boring if you stay here too long, though.
Nastya:
We used to sit here, carrying the booklets Dr. Moreau wrote us and reciting the prayers he wrote for Zhara. I only remember a few lines...
Nastya:
"Once, I was a firebird, burning on a rusty roof..."
Nastya:
"It pecks at wheat-grains of flesh, and drinks the bitter wine of thought..."
Nastya:
"...Until it becomes a silent tree, growing new branches and leaves in the warm ashes."
Nastya:
Reciting prayers is no fun. I would space out a lot of the time, so I remember most of the places here...
Nastya:
Huh? Why is the curtain drawn here? There should be a road behind it that leads home.
Nastya:
Let me see... There's a mechanism that can open the curtain over there... Ugh, it's so high up. I can't reach it.
Traveler:
You can wait for us here, Nastya.
Paimon:
That's right. We'll meet up with you once we've activated the mechanism.
Nastya:
...But I don't wanna wait here by myself. You're not family, but I don't want us to split up.
Nastya:
Please let me come along... Don't worry, I'll stick real close, just like Paimonka...
Paimon:
O—Okay then. Then let's go together... Who knows, maybe you'll be able to help us out somehow, eh, Nastya?
Paimon:
The dial isn't doing anything... Uh, is the mechanism here broken?
Nastya:
...Oh! I remember now! For the last step, we gotta put the "salt" there.
Nastya:
Doctor Moreau said that for a person to turn into the Perfect Tree, they have to change in three ways...
Nastya:
"Cast off the soul of the past, and it shall no longer be bound by the hidden veins of the earth." Then, the thing that replaces the soul of the past is... the um... s—sulfur of the soul?
Nastya:
"Cast off the will of the past, and it shall no longer be watched by the gaze above." And the thing that replaces the will is the silver of the spirit.
Nastya:
The last thing you have to cast off is... "Cast off the body of the past, and it shall no longer be worn away by the toil and turmoil of the mortal world." So at this point, we have to offer up the material that will replace the body.
Nastya:
So uh... The salt is... the new body that grows from the old one. Yes, that's it!
Nastya:
Ow... This hurts a little more than I thought.
Paimon:
Nastya... Are you okay?
Nastya:
I'm okay. It hurts a lot, but I'm happy. This way, I can go back home, and you can find the Doctor and ask him about Koshchei.
Nastya:
So this little bit of hurt doesn't matter... Hurry, hurry up and offer up the salt.
Paimon:
...Uh, okay, sure. We'll do as you say. Traveler, let's put this little branch on that platform.
Nastya:
Hmm... Once we go through the doorway, we're at home. But...
Nastya:
N-Nothing. I don't know why, but my heart feels a little messy, like a pile of fallen leaves...
Nastya:
The doctor once said that "the closer you get to home, the more nervous you feel.” I never understood it back then, but now I think I get it...
After finding a suitable spot, Nastya tosses over the items she just found to you...
You fall into a mysterious sewer. Now, you have to find a way to get back up as quickly as possible...
Eye of Graeae:
...I detect an energy reaction in the vicinity...
Paimon:
Um... W—Where are we??? Traveler, are you alright?
Traveler:
I'm okay. Don't worry.
Paimon:
Paimon can't believe that scary giant bird attacked us just like that, with zero warning! Do you think that scary giant thing is that "Zhara" Nastya was talking about...?
Paimon:
So Nastya lied to us!? Aw, come on! Paimon was really looking forward to this!
Paimon:
Oh! Wait, wait... Are you saying Zhara's only like this to us? Then maybe it's because... y'know... we don't have branches sticking out of our heads like Nastya?
Eye of Graeae:
But to that monster whose sole objective is to preserve the status quo here, our approaching is a form of danger.
Paimon:
Huh? But why, though...? We're only here to get Goggles' body part back, that's all...
Paimon:
Oh! Oh! Paimon gets it now! It's all because of Goggles' power! That's what's making this town feel so warm and weird!
Eye of Graeae:
Yes, that is correct.
Eye of Graeae:
That half-man, half-bird creature named Zhara... and the way the local residents have transformed in both body and mind... All of these feel extremely familiar to me.
Eye of Graeae:
I can remember now... one of the four who created my body back then at some secret location... He was a leading figure of Snezhnaya's now-vanished school of bio-alchemy...
Eye of Graeae:
...Koshchei the Deathless.
Eye of Graeae:
All these we are seeing are very much aligned with his approach to "life."
Paimon:
Hmm... So the thing we're looking for is with this Koshchei person?
Paimon:
Sheesh... This town feels even weirder now...
Paimon:
So anyway... first we take Nastya home, then we look for Koshchei or whatever his name is, right?
Paimon:
That's... gonna keep us busy for a while.
Traveler:
We should find a way to get back to the ground first.
Paimon:
Yeah, there's no way we'll find anything just hanging around here... Come on! Let's get out of this dump, fast!
Paimon:
Then we'll ask Nastya when we find her!
Examine Control Board:
Insert the three keys
Paimon:
Ding ding ding! Paimon's got the blue key!
Traveler:
We're counting on you here, Paimon!
Paimon:
But how did the people who built this even get around here? Did they have wings too or something???
Paimon:
...Must undergo three rounds of authentication... Obtain the Red, White, and Blue Keys and place them at three different locations... Insert them into the slots to activate the gate...
Paimon:
Hmm, this is written in such a complicated way... Looks like there's a name written on the cover of this tattered little book... "Doctor Moreau"? Uh, so these are the notes written by that kind doctor?
Paimon:
Whatever. So all we have to do is go to these three spots and find the red, white, and blue keys...
Paimon:
...Then we insert them into the three places, and... and we should be able to get out, right?
You've made it out of the sewer. Now, go look for Nastya at the "town entrance" she told you about earlier.
Nastya:
Okay, we're here... And he's still standing there at the door.
Paimon:
Hmm. Looks like talking it out isn't an option here... Nastya, how about just ask him for the Control Wheel outright?
Paimon:
Even if he really hates you, there's no way he'd stand in the way of a child trying to get home!
Nastya:
That's where you're wrong, Paimonka. He will never give us the Control Wheel.
Nastya:
He has always stopped us from going to the assembly hall... Every time we were supposed to see our families there, he'd catch us and lock us up in his cellar. But sometimes, he would give us yummy food, too...
Traveler:
"Us"...?
Nastya:
That's me and my friends. He always locked all of us up together.
Paimon:
What? And no one else in town cared that he was doing that???
Nastya:
It was always only for one night, just so we couldn't get to the assembly hall in time. And even if we told on him, Mom would just think we played too long and made up an excuse or something.
Nastya:
Nobody knows why he keeps doing that. But we're always getting scolded because of him.
Nastya:
I always thought he was one of those Badbugs. You know, the kind you're supposed to just burn to make a new, healthy tree. But too bad the Doctor and Zhara don't see it that way.
Paimon:
Oh, so that's why you gave him that awful nickname... Yeah, Paimon would be mad too if someone got her into trouble like that! But it doesn't seem like we can just demand the Control Wheel from him...
Nastya:
Oh yeah, I've been on his roof to toss frogs into his house before. You should be able to find a way to sneak in from there...
Paimon:
Wait a minute...! Tossing frogs into someone's house? That's something only naughty kids do!
Nastya:
I know... But I only do bad things to him when he does bad things to us. And we totally play fair. If he catches five of us, then we toss five frogs over the wall.
Nastya:
But since there's no one here to help me with the ladder... Um... I don't think I can get up there. Could you get in there to find the Control Wheel?
Paimon:
Heh, you've come to the right people! We'll get it to you in no time.
Nastya:
I'll wait for you outside, then! Be careful!
Nastya:
Ooh, you're back! Did you find the Control Wheel?
Traveler:
Heh, of course! That was a piece of cake for us.
Paimon:
HEY! That's Paimon's line!
Paimon:
But now that we have the Control Wheel, that means we can take the elevator to the assembly hall, right?
Nastya:
Yeah, yeah! Let's go right now! Mom and everyone else must be worried... Quick, come with me!
Nastya:
...All I'm gonna do is toss those frogs into his house, and then... wait to see his face when he comes back to a house going, "Ribbit, ribbit!" Heh heh, it's gonna be so funny!
Nastya:
He's a Badbug... Would you help me please, Aunt LePuy? Would you help me get the key...?
Aunt LePuy:
...Believe... family...
Paimon:
Finally! Nastya! Nastya, we're over here!
Nastya:
Yaaaay! Big Brother Traveler! Paimonka! You're here!
Nastya:
I've been waiting for you for so long... Zhara is so mad, though. Maybe she thinks the two of you are baddies or Volkodlak or something.
Nastya:
I saw the two of you just drop into that big, black hole... It was so big... and so deep... Ugh, I didn't even dare to look inside.
Nastya:
But I knew that the two of you would make your way out anyhow.
Paimon:
It wasn't easy, mind you... But never mind. Right now, we have a few questions for you.
Paimon:
Do you have a family member here named Koshchei, by any chance?
Nastya:
I don't think I've heard that name before...
Paimon:
No? Really?
Nastya:
I don't know everyone's names, though. But if you wanna know, Paimonka, you should talk to Doctor Moreau... The Doctor knows everything and everyone's names.
Nastya:
When you turn into a tree, slowly you won't be able to talk anymore. And everyone else will start forgetting your name too. Only Doctor Moreau remembers all those names...
Paimon:
"Turn into a tree"... Hold on, so you mean to say that the Leshy here all used to be human!?
Nastya:
"Leshy"? What's that? Anyway, whatever that is, that's not us... what Aunt LePuy and the others have almost completely turned into are the Perfect Tree...
Nastya:
But right now, I'm only half-tree... And it's all those Volkodlak's fault! Otherwise, I'd be exactly where they are now instead of being so far behind.
Traveler:
So how do you communicate with each other?
Nastya:
Once I turn into a Perfect Tree, I'll be able to talk to the other trees just by touching their leaves with mine! And my roots will be joined with everyone's too...
Nastya:
Doctor Moreau said, "Let us become one family, and create a world that is warm and where pain is no more. Let us come together, so we may reach..."
Nastya:
"That eternal courtyard that is free of all worries."
Paimon:
(Hmm, Traveler... Might this "Doctor Moreau" really be...)
Eye of Graeae:
From my perspective, that is a highly logical deduction.
Paimon:
(Ooh! You think so too, Goggles? But what are we supposed to do now then...?)
Traveler:
(Let's just follow Nastya for now.)
Paimon:
(Yeah, that makes sense. As long as we follow Nastya, we'll meet that Doctor Moreau — Koshchei the Deathless...)
Nastya:
Big Brother Traveler! Paimonka! What are you two whispering to each other about???
Paimon:
...WHOA! Um... N—Nothing! We are just... just really interested in Doctor Moreau! Can you tell us more about him?
Nastya:
Heh, of course! Ever since he came to Okurov, the town has become really nice and warm. All the ice and snow have melted into these creeks, and you can see so many trees with pretty leaves coming out from the ground now.
Nastya:
He's made everyone better, too! Mama's leg stopped hurting after he started helping her, and her eyes stopped being so red and watery, too...
Nastya:
Everyone's stopped fighting, too. Even the ones who had been at each other's throats forever... Now, they hold each other's hand in theirs and have become family...
Nastya:
...Is that why you two want to be my family? Zhara will definitely stop being mad at you if you do that.
Traveler:
It does sound like it comes with plenty of benefits.
Paimon:
(Hey! Are you joking... or are you serious!?)
Nastya:
Awesome! I bet that when you become my family, Big Brother Traveler, you will grow the most beautiful leaves!
Paimon:
Anyway, the most important thing for us now is to get Nastya home!
Paimon:
You mentioned before that your home is at that tall assembly hall all the way over there, right? So how do we get there?
Nastya:
There's an elevator over there that goes up. But... "No-Nose" Ove has probably hidden the Control Wheel for the elevator in his house.
Nastya:
He doesn't like us, and I detest him too. He's not gonna give it to us if we ask for it.
Nastya:
But without the Control Wheel, we can't take the elevator to the assembly hall...
Paimon:
Hmm... Show us the way to his house, Nastya. We'll take a look first. When there's a will, there's a way — and we'll find it.
Nastya:
What is it? Is something wrong?
Nastya:
You want to... persuade "No-Nose" Ove??? No way that will be easier than just beating him in a fight!
Nastya:
But since he's standing right there, I guess you can try if you want... But if it looks like he's gonna beat you up, just run!!!
Ove:
...UGFFFF... Must not... go... Close...
Ove:
...
Ove:
...Get... water... No, milk... bread... and... sugar... cubes...
Ove:
...First... catch... frogs...
Ove:
Keep... kids... from... hall... tomorrow...
Follow Nastya "home"...
You have defeated Zhara. Go look for Nastya now...
Paimon:
Nastya!
Nastya:
Don't worry about me. Actually, I should say that I feel very good right now, because I saw Doctor Moreau...
Nastya:
I saw him, and he even praised me. He said he could see that I am working really hard to get home with help from both of you.
Nastya:
He said I was amazing, and that I could turn into part of the Perfect Tree too. And I... I could feel mama too... Even though her hug felt a bit different...
Nastya:
But I know that mama was there.
Paimon:
Huh? Doctor Moreau? Nastya's mom? But there's no one here except Nastya!
Nastya:
You can't see them, Paimonka. You have to be family to feel them...
Nastya:
Because... Ah, because... The Perfect Tree is a life that transcends all time and all life. It is... eternity.
Nastya:
Thank you. Nastya is no longer alone... Nastya is "us." And now, or perhaps then too, Nastya has always been part of "us."
Nastya:
It is only at this very moment that she has returned to our embrace. On the level of the eternal, all is connected. Thank you for your help, especially you...
Nastya:
Descender, the fourth, one half of the twins, and now the one who stands unique in his position.
Nastya:
We have had countless names, though words like "before" and "past" no longer hold any meaning for us. But I am the thing you seek or pursue. The thing. That person.
Nastya:
For your ease of understanding, you may call me Koshchei or Doctor Moreau. There is no real difference between the two. Especially now, less than ever.
Paimon:
Oh, so you're the baddie in this story!
Paimon:
We want Goggles' power back! And Nastya, too! You're not allowed to use Nastya's body like that!
Nastya:
...The Eye of Graeae, or "Primordial Human." The return of its power was a thing that was bound to happen eventually. But fate will take a turn. I, or we, had originally thought...
Nastya:
That the one who would appear here would be someone else — Aksinya. But now, you have been chosen to take her place and do what she was meant to do.
Nastya:
Take it. The ritual is already complete. I, or we, have no use for that power anymore, for we are already eternal. We are a life that is, in concept, infinitely close to eternity.
Nastya:
Even this brief moment of speech between us will not matter. Across all eternity, all words will lose their meaning. Everything will lose its meaning.
Nastya:
Ah, but... O everlasting dream, everlasting dream. A courtyard devoid of meaning and therefore entirely without suffering... For what reason did I seek eternity? Was it for... for...
Traveler:
You have forgotten what you wanted.
Nastya:
...Because wanting has lost all meaning.
Nastya:
O Eternity, that cold and merciless far shore, where even the fiercest love cannot reach.
Nastya:
I, we, shall return that power.
Nastya:
But... all of this shall still end in a way no one wishes to see...
Eye of Graeae:
What do you mean?
Nastya:
You shall come to understand. At the very end, in the very beginning, it was your design, your choice. You chose the Descender. Is this be your final struggle, or merely a coincidence of fate...?
Nastya:
Such brief suffering. I shall return, return to among "us." Nastya, you still have a little time before you become "us."
Nastya:
Go say goodbye to them. Though in the end, or at the end of time, after annihilation, we shall all become the same thing in any case.
Nastya:
Um... Okay. I'll take a minute to do that.
Paimon:
Nastya?
Nastya:
Paimonka, Big Brother Traveler, thank you for bringing me home.
Nastya:
Now I can become part of the Perfect Tree. I can be just like everybody else, and be with my mama again...
Paimon:
But Nastya, if you turn into the Perfect Tree, we won't be able to play together anymore. Or, uh, run around in the woods, or eat yummy food together.
Nastya:
That's okay, Paimonka. It'd be so awesome if I could do all that, yes, but there's something more important I have to do.
Traveler:
Is this... really what you want?
Paimon:
That's right, Nastya. There are so, so many fun things to do outside, and so many wonderful things to see too. Just come with us.
Paimon:
And, and, that ritual thing Koshchei set up... Goggles! Goggles must have a way to fix it, right?
Eye of Graeae:
Yes... The ritual can be dismantled. While what has already been changed cannot be reversed, once the ritual stops, life's form will not continue to transform.
Paimon:
Nastya, you do know that you can still live a wonderful life without turning into the Perfect Tree, right...? And you can leave the rest to Traveler and me. We can keep you safe!
Nastya:
Yeah... I know all that, Paimonka. I know what you and Big brother Traveler can do for me.
Nastya:
Aunt LePuy, "No-Nose" Ove, and Furiosa, they have all told me about the world outside... It sounds so interesting that I want to go on adventures out there too.
Nastya:
But what made me happiest was coming home every day and telling Mama, who lay in bed, about the day I had... About how I played with my friends, and all the fun stories I heard...
Nastya:
And when I talked, mama always looked at me with those eyes that made me feel all warm and nice inside.
Nastya:
I just want to see those eyes just one more time...
Paimon:
But...
Traveler:
...Nastya has made her choice.
Nastya:
Heh, I know. Sometimes, when the two of you look at me, it makes me feel all nice and warm inside too.
Nastya:
I'm sure there are lots of people in the outside world with the same kind of eyes. But mama is mama...
Nastya:
I'm so happy I met the two of you before I turn into the Perfect Tree. When I see Mama, I'll definitely tell her about you.
Paimon:
Okay then... Goodbye, Nastya. Goodbye!
Nastya:
Goodbye! Don't worry about me, Paimonka. We'll see each other again in the world beyond eternity!
From the girl's waving hand comes a light, and a disintegration, that then spread to the rest of her being.
The light grows, then dims, transforming into that glowing blue algae you have seen earlier along the way.
Her body is changing faster than expected. That brief confusion in her eyes turns into joy.
The girl who is now glowing from top to toe appears to be taking a step toward you... Or perhaps that was just a momentary loss of balance on her part.
Her body falls to the ground in an almost weightless manner, and by the time she touches the ground, she has already become blue algae.
...And it looks just like all that blue algae you have seen along the way here.
Paimon:
Nastya...
Eye of Graeae:
This is the final form of the Perfect Tree... The eternal form of life Koshchei seeks to create.
Eye of Graeae:
It cannot move, cannot speak, and even its very form of life has been transformed, stripping everything of meaning. All that remains is eternity, and a life that no longer knows either joy or love...
Eye of Graeae:
Ah, I sense that all the power from the grand ritual in this area has been recovered... and it is now in that enormous egg. The egg that is... a part of my body.
Paimon:
That's part of your body...?
Eye of Graeae:
I'm guessing it's a part of my power that my body has coalesced into this form... like some kind of crystal. Probably because it might not be a very pleasant sight if you have to carry my entire body around otherwise.
Paimon:
Huh, you're probably right. We'll put it away for now then...
Paimon:
Oh, right... Zhara. That huge firebird.. Don't people say that firebirds can come back to life again and again?
Eye of Graeae:
...Indeed. And since that creature is wholly a bio-alchemical creation, it probably does not rely on my power for its core.
Paimon:
Then.. then what if it decides there's nothing left here to protect and gets super-duper mad? What if it decides to go off and destroy everything???
Eye of Graeae:
That is a real possibility. Man-made monsters generally do not possess a very high level of intelligence...
Paimon:
No, no, we have to head out and make sure that doesn't happen!
Aksinya:
...So. You chose to merge "it" with the plants after all, Koshchei.
Aksinya:
O firebird, firebird... Oh how you sing in the night, dance in a palace of glass-like ice and snow, then bow your head in song to feast upon the golden fruit.
Aksinya:
Ah, you're here. Are you worried it might revive again? I've made a few small adjustments. Its body will soon break down and disintegrate.
Aksinya:
Ultimately, if a man-made monster cannot transcend all things, it is no more than the body of an ordinary monster.
Paimon:
Oh, thank you, thank you... That's a huge help!
Paimon:
Uh, hold on... who are you again?
Aksinya:
Oh, that's right. Though I already know who you are, I suppose I have yet to introduce myself to you...
Aksinya:
I am but a lowly "Court Jester" who once served His Majesty, the late Belyi Tsar. My name, insignificant as it is, is Aksinya.
Eye of Graeae:
Aksinya...
Aksinya:
Yes. Does that serve to refresh your memory?
Aksinya:
Izmaylov always complains that my introductions are far too humble. But personally? I see it as a deliberate choice in style.
Eye of Graeae:
"Aksinya"... That name sounds very familiar.
Aksinya:
Well, that happens to be the name of the person who built the mechanism you're residing in right now, after all.
Traveler:
You... are the one who made Goggles?
Aksinya:
Yes, it is I.
Aksinya:
Haha, so you see, "Goggles" belongs to me. Do be good and return it now, you little thieves!
Paimon:
Huhhhhh????
Aksinya:
I'm only teasing. Feel free to keep "him" with you.
Aksinya:
In that grand design, it was also I who was supposed to obtain the Eye of Graeae along with the will inside it. But since "he" has made "his" choice...
Aksinya:
I believe in the Eye of Graeae, and I also believe in you, the ones "he" has chosen.
Aksinya:
That's enough of an introduction. Our goal is the same... to help the will inside the Eye of Graeae find its body and reclaim its power.
Aksinya:
That is what you want, isn't it?
Eye of Graeae:
...Yes.
Aksinya:
Then we shall cross paths again on the journey ahead. Ah, it is almost time.
Paimon:
Huh? Time for what...?
Aksinya:
"The fallen leaves rustle at our feet, as winter begins to lay down its offerings"...
"...It's almost time, everyone. Out in the fields, the last blooming flower is about to wither."
Paimon:
Hey, hold on, hold on!!! We still have so many questions——
Paimon:
And she's gone... just like that. Hmph, what a strange lady! Goggles, how are you doing? Did seeing her remind you of anything at all?
Eye of Graeae:
A few things. But they're... only vague impressions for now. She, along with Koshchei and two others, created me. That was at...
Eye of Graeae:
...an organization called Hvergelmir.
Eye of Graeae:
That is all I can remember for now.
Paimon:
Oh... Okay then.
Paimon:
That's alright. She did say we'll see her again later anyway... So, when we do, we'll just make her tell us everything!
Paimon:
That's part of your body...?
Eye of Graeae:
I'm guessing it's a part of my power that my body has coalesced into this form... like some kind of crystal. Probably because it might not be a very pleasant sight if you have to carry my entire body around otherwise.
Paimon:
Huh, you're probably right. We'll put it away for now then...
Paimon:
Oh, right... Zhara. That huge firebird.. Don't people say that firebirds can come back to life again and again?
Eye of Graeae:
...Indeed. And since that creature is wholly a bio-alchemical creation, it probably does not rely on my power for its core.
Paimon:
Then.. then what if it decides there's nothing left here to protect and gets super-duper mad? What if it decides to go off and destroy everything???
Eye of Graeae:
That is a real possibility. Man-made monsters generally do not possess a very high level of intelligence...
Paimon:
No, no, we have to head out and make sure that doesn't happen!
Aksinya:
...So. You chose to merge "it" with the plants after all, Koshchei.
Aksinya:
O firebird, firebird... Oh how you sing in the night, dance in a palace of glass-like ice and snow, then bow your head in song to feast upon the golden fruit.
Aksinya:
Ah, you're here. Are you worried it might revive again? I've made a few small adjustments. Its body will soon break down and disintegrate.
Aksinya:
Ultimately, if a man-made monster cannot transcend all things, it is no more than the body of an ordinary monster.
Paimon:
Oh, thank you, thank you... That's a huge help! ...Huh? You're... Aksinya!
Aksinya:
Yes. I'm glad to see you remembered my name.
Paimon:
But... Why are you...?
Aksinya:
Why am I here? There could hardly be any other reason...
Aksinya:
Our goal is the same... to help the will inside the Eye of Graeae find its body and reclaim its power.
Aksinya:
As for Koshchei, I'd say he both succeeded... and failed. He once spoke to me with such fervor about the greatness of personal love, yet now he can't even hold on to that love.
Aksinya:
How very tragic... Still, Koshchei's ritual won't draw upon "his" power. You've already recovered that shattered body — the fragment of His power, haven't you?
Aksinya:
That is what you want, isn't it?
Eye of Graeae:
...Yes.
Aksinya:
Then we shall cross paths again on the journey ahead. Ah, it is almost time.
Paimon:
Huh? Time for what...?
Aksinya:
"The fallen leaves rustle at our feet, as winter begins to lay down its offerings"...
Nastya:
Huh? Is something wrong?
Nastya:
I dunno. My eyes were closed the whole time... There wasn't any sun here, and no one else, either. I just kept sleeping, until you found me.
Nastya:
So for me, maybe only a little while passed by. But for my family waiting for me, maybe it's been a long, long time...
The Anvil:
Hey! Where the hell did you two drop in from? You ain't here to swipe our loot, are ya!?
The Anvil:
I don't remember askin' for two little runts for the job... You two think "The Anvil" is a pushover, huh??? I'll show you what I'm made of!
The Anvil:
Hey! Where the hell did you two drop in from? You ain't here to swipe our loot, are ya!?
The Anvil:
You kiddin' me! Nobody just "passes by" around here! You think "The Anvil" is an idiot, huh??? I'll show you what I'm made of!
The Anvil:
I'm sorry! I'm sorry, you two! I screwed up, alright? I didn't know who I was messin' with!
Paimon:
Hey, hey, hey — so now you're begging for mercy after doing something bad, huh? Get him good, Traveler!
Traveler:
I'm on it!
The Anvil:
Wait, stop, stop!!! I can pay ya! I got cash...
The Anvil:
You see that tunnel over there? That's how we snuck into town... and that's where our stash is right now. All the loot we swiped from Okurov is inside.
The Anvil:
But hey... obviously, all that stuff's yours now.
The Anvil:
Although...
Paimon:
Although what? You're not trying to go back on your word, are you???
The Anvil:
Naw, naw, naw, no one's backin' out of nothing, man! It's just... the tunnel entrance is all caved in. I can't get in there, and neither can you.
The Anvil:
Took me a whole lot of wrangling just to get this naive little punk to help me, and then I went and got the dynamite all ready according to his little plan.
The Anvil:
But he kept dragging his feet, while me and my boys were about to freeze into bloody icicles... and then you're the ones who show up instead.
The Anvil:
Least I can still go squeeze him for that hundred-times breach of contract fee he owes me. Otherwise, this whole thing would be a total bust!
Traveler:
A penalty of 100 times? That seems a bit much.
Paimon:
Right??? That's daylight robbery!
The Anvil:
And so what if it's daylight robbery?
The Anvil:
Look, I didn't mean to... But it's not like I got any other choice. Lookin' for loot in Okurov? That's risky business, man.
The Anvil:
Though we didn't run into that giant firebird everyone's been yappin' about, we still near about kicked the bucket tryin' to haul out... that super rare treasure.
The Anvil:
And now that all that loot ain't mine anymore, I gotta find a way to make sure I don't lose my shirt at least...
Paimon:
Hey! Robbery is wrong no matter what your reasons are! If it weren't for the fact that Traveler knows how to fight...
The Anvil:
I won't do it again... I swear, from here on out, I'm making myself scarce, and you ain't ever gonna see my face again...
Paimon:
Whoa... Traveler, is that a little girl...? With tree branches growing out of her head!? That has to be some kind of decoration... right? Nobody actually has branches growing out of their head like that!!!
Paimon:
I—Is she s-still alive? Is she where the "signs of life" are coming from?
Paimon:
That "super rare treasure" The Anvil was talking about... could it be...?
Nastya:
*Sobs loudly* Please let me go... I don't have any treasure...
Paimon:
Ow! You gave Paimon a real scare there!
Traveler:
Calm down, Paimon. It's just a little girl.
Paimon:
Uhhh... sorry about that. Don't be scared — we won't hurt you! We're the ones who just freed you, actually.
Nastya:
Oh... I thought I was gonna get kidnapped again... Those Volkodlak! If Zhara were here, she'd beat them up so bad, they'd turn into total dum-dum losers!
Paimon:
"Those Volkodlak"...? Are you talking about The Anvil and his men...? Anyway, don't worry, we've already taught them a lesson! But who is this "Zhara" you're talking about...?
Nastya:
Zhara is family, and she watches over the town. Oh, I live in Okurov, but I have no idea where I am right now...
Nastya:
I've been away from home for a while... Mama must be crying... going rustle, rustle with her leaves...
Paimon:
Traveler，Goggles' body might just be in that place! Eh... Oku... Okuro... Okuro-vuro!
Paimon:
Tsk, fine! Paimon can't remember the name of that town! But that's not the important thing right now!
Paimon:
The important thing is... since this little girl is heading back to town too, why don't we go together? She can show us the way!
Paimon:
Ahem, tell you what. My name is Paimon, and this here is Traveler. He is a super awesome adventurer. We were just on our way to the town to... Um... do some sightseeing!
Paimon:
How about we take you back to town?
Nastya:
Wow! Two awesome adventurers are gonna take me home? You two are so nice! My name is Nastya. Now we are friends, and very soon we will be family.
Paimon:
Hang on, hang on... isn't it a bit too soon for us to be "family"?
Nastya:
Heh, that's true. Plus, so much has to happen before we can become family anyway...
Nastya:
Big Brother Traveler, Paimonka, let's go back to town first! I can show you the way once we get there.
Paimon:
"Paimonka"? "Little Paimon"...? Huh. That sounds pretty weird... Nastya, you're not that much bigger than Paimon, you know! But at least it's not a horrible nickname...
Paimon:
Anyway, let your Best Travel Guide Ever over here figure out which way we need to go first!
Paimon:
Didn't that Anvil guy say this tunnel would take us to town? Then we should just follow the tracks! But... it looks like the way here is still blocked...
Nastya:
Oh? I know a way. But I need your help.
The "home" Nastya keeps speaking of is right inside that assembly hall looming in the distance...
Eye of Graeae:
...There is a part of my body right here. I can sense it more and more strongly now.
Eye of Graeae:
It's... in the direction of that building over there. No, to be more precise, it's behind that building.
Nastya:
Yes, over there... Do you see it? That's "home" for everyone in town.
Paimon:
You mean that huge house over there? That's where everyone lives together?
Nastya:
That huge house is our assembly hall. That's where everyone's hearts, everyone's leaves, and everyone's love are, all in one place. That's why it's home for everyone.
Nastya:
And a house is just a house. You don't get it, do you, Paimonka? "A house is merely a place to live, while a home is where the heart truly resides."
Paimon:
My, my, how clever of you, Nastya-ka. So tell us, what does "reside" mean?
Nastya:
Um... well... "reside"... it's like "decide," you know? So home is the place where you can listen to your heart and choose whatever you want?
Paimon:
That doesn't sound quite right... but it does kind of make sense too...
Nastya:
Heh heh, but of course! Doctor Moreau also said that out of all the children here, I'm the smartest and most like him...
Nastya:
It's all the fault of those horrid Volkodlak! If they hadn't taken me away... I should have my beautiful leaves by now. I should be able to understand the land and the trees by now...
Nastya:
Can you imagine how cool it is to understand what they're saying? And once you're family, you can grow branches too... You two aren't Badbugs. I believe you can do it!
Paimon:
Hmm... imagine tree branches growing out of Paimon's head... That actually sounds kinda cool, doesn't it...?
Traveler:
Then we'll get an even more special Paimon!
Nastya:
Special...? But it's not good to be special...
Nastya:
Doctor Moreau said we'll stop fighting and competing once we're all the same. When that happens, everyone will get along perfectly.
Traveler:
But it's impossible for everyone to turn into exactly the same thing.
Paimon:
He's right, you know! Even if you all turn into trees... some would be tall, some would be short, some would have green leaves while others are more yellow...
Nastya:
...You do sound a little more right than the Doctor... And it's true. Sometimes I'd look at my leaves and my friends' leaves to see whose are prettier...
Nastya:
...But once I get all my leaves, I won't have to eat anymore. Then, I can play Catch the Bug with my friends in the woods all day long!
Paimon:
W-W-W-What!? What do you mean, you don't eat!? No way! A-Anyway, branches growing out of Paimon's head would look really weird on someone who flies, okay!? Let's just forget about it!
Paimon:
Paimon would rather have a belly full of food than be special any day...
Nastya:
You seem to have gotten the wrong idea, Paimonka? What I meant was that we won't be afraid of going hungry. But if you really want something yummy, that's totally fine too.
Nastya:
And there are so many other cool things about growing branches! Like... your body won't even hurt if you fall down super hard, because you'll be way bigger and stronger!
Nastya:
I know maybe you don't believe me right now. But once you see my family, you'll know what I mean.
Paimon:
Hmm... it does sound pretty cool to grow branches and stuff... But anyway! Let's get to town first! Then we'll find out if what Nastya's saying is true!
Paimon:
Well then, off we gooo~~~~~
Nastya:
Yay! Let's go!!!
Nastya:
This is where we usually play Catch the Bug. But nobody seems to be around today... So I'll just play with you instead.
Nastya:
But... since the two of you helped me, you're definitely not the Badbug.
Nastya:
I'll be the Badbug then. You two can play as Doctor Birdie. It's two against one, I'm going really easy on you!
Nastya:
The rules are simple: catch me, and you win.
Traveler:
Do we have to play right now?
Nastya:
Yes. The Doctor said it's super important that we follow every single step of the ritual.
Traveler:
You don't have to go easy on me, because I'm going to win either way.
Paimon:
Okay.. But since Paimon can fly, she'll be a really good Doctor Birdie, that's for sure!
Traveler:
But what if we can't find you?
Nastya:
Then we'll meet at the town entrance... Are you two ready? Let's begin!!!
Traveler:
This Doctor Birdie is in position.
Paimon:
And this Doctor Birdie is in position too!
Nastya:
Okay. Now relax, close your eyes, and count down from 60... Once you get to zero, you can start looking for the Badbug!
60, 59, 58... You count down silently in your head, as you get ready to "Catch the Bug."
Paimon:
Traveler! Traveler! Open your eyes! She's almost gone!!!
Traveler:
I can't believe you'd cheat like that!
Traveler:
You gotta play fair, you know!
Paimon:
What? No, no, this isn't the time to argue about something like this! Paimon was just in the middle of her, uh... "tactical glimpse" where she realized that...
Paimon:
She can go wherever she wants, but everywhere we go, we'll just keep running into dead ends! Come on, if we don't follow her now, we might get stuck here!
Paimon:
And, and — it's not like we know the way to the town entrance!
Paimon:
So we'd better catch up with her now while we still can!
Nastya:
Yeah, that's right... This is where all our new friends used to get off... All we gotta do now is keep walking that way...
Nastya:
I know the way now. We gotta to walk through the station first.
Nastya:
Not many people know how to get around here because the Doctor said nobody's allowed to come to the station... But I do!
Nastya:
I was here once before when I was playing Catch the Bug... The Doctor was bringing some new friends to town right then, and when he saw me, he gave me a ride back too.
Paimon:
That's weird. Why would he forbid everyone from coming here...? There doesn't seem to be anything special about this place...
Nastya:
Oh, the Doctor said that's to keep everyone safe. Because we never know if any of our new friends are actually Badbugs.
Traveler:
New friends can be "Badbugs"...?
Paimon:
...Or does he mean that not all newcomers are good people, and some of them could possibly be Badbugs?
Nastya:
Um... I only know the Doctor said that it takes only one Badbug to ruin a whole forest. That's why we have to get rid of all of them!
Nastya:
So, once Doctor Birdie catches all the Badbugs, we can all have a warm home full of love together...
Nastya:
I always win whenever I play Catch the Bug. Doctor Moreau even says that at this rate, I'll become a real Doctor Birdie soon, and catch all the Badbugs!
Traveler:
That sounds a little... unusual...
Paimon:
And it sounds a little dangerous, too. Why would the Doctor ask a kid to do something like this...?
Nastya:
Oh? You don't have to worry about me! Zhara will help me too. Not only does she protect all of us, she can tell right away if somebody is a Badbug! She's so cool.
Nastya:
Actually, Zhara is the real Doctor Birdie... No, no, no, with those huge wings of hers, Zhara is the Big Doctor Bird!
Paimon:
Huh... "Bird"... Paimon's heard something about that before... Something about a strange giant bird in this town...
Nastya:
I don't know who you heard that from, Paimonka... But they must be talking about Zhara!
Nastya:
We'll see her once we're in town. And if she's in a good mood, you might even get to touch her beautiful leaf-feathers!
Nastya:
...You do have to be careful, though, because Zhara can get grumpy very easily. She's only good when the Doctor is around.
Nastya:
Especially you, Paimonka, you have to be extra careful. You're so small and light like a leaf, Zhara might just blow you far, far away if she flaps her wings!
Paimon:
Don't you worry about that! Traveler will hold on to Paimon!
Paimon:
Hmm... now that we're talking about it, Paimon really wants to see this Zhara bird for herself now!
Nastya:
Then let's get going! I don't really know where she is in town right now... But we'll definitely find her if we go looking for her!
Nastya:
Huh... Looks like there isn't a way through here either. We'll have to pass through the station then...
Nastya:
A flock of little birds is flying through the sky. One is at the very front, two are at the very back, one is at the very back, two are at the very front, and one is in the middle...
Nastya:
How many birds are there in total?
Nastya:
Let me think... You're right! I think it's three birds too.
Nastya:
I've been asleep for so long... I need to get my brain working again. Otherwise, I might not even remember the way home...
Aunt LePuy:
AH! UGFFFF... Go... Burn!!!
Aunt LePuy:
One... one... more... time... Become... new...
Traveler:
(Looks like communicating with her is off the table...)
Paimon:
Nastyaaa! Oof! Finally...
Nastya:
Huh? Wow, you're a really good Doctor Birdie! You caught me before I even got to hide...
Paimon:
No, no, we've been running after you! This game of "Catch the Bug" is on pause for now!
Paimon:
But we'll do it next time for sure! That's because you can go everywhere, Nastya, but Traveler and Paimon can't.
Paimon:
So if we had waited for you to hide before coming to look for you, we might've ended up getting lost in the woods!
Paimon:
Heh heh, it’s all thanks to Paimon's incredible deductive and strategic skills that we're all here together now!
Traveler:
Wow! The Incredible Paimonka, huh?
Nastya:
Wow! The Incredible Paimonka!!!
Nastya:
...Alright, we'll play again next time then! When I get home, I'll get everyone together for a game of Catch the Bug! It's gonna be so much more fun!
Nastya:
The grown-ups over there just told me where I can find everyone!
Paimon:
Oh, so you were talking to them? They... can speak!?
Nastya:
What are you talking about? They are family! Of course I can talk to them...
Tall Leshy:
...
Nastya:
Don't worry, Aunt LePuy. They aren't Badbugs. They are good people who brought me home... Yeah, I'll make sure they grow beautiful leaves too!
Paimon:
(Seriously? All these giant Leshy are Nastya's "family"??? Well... she does have branches growing right out of her head... But aside from the tree stuff... she looks just like any other kid!)
Paimon:
(Wait, what if her entire family turns out to be Leshy!? Does that mean we're gonna have to follow her all the way inside?! And why is Paimon getting nervous just thinking about it!?!!!!!!)
Traveler:
(We still need to go in there to look for Goggles' body part...)
Nastya:
...Big Brother Traveler, Paimonka, are you still taking me home? The grown-ups are awfully busy, as always...
Paimon:
Paimon doesn't think it's a good idea to let her go home all by herself...
Paimon:
And besides — we haven't even seen that "Zhara" Nastya keeps talking about yet! Wouldn't it be a real pity if we walked away now?
Traveler:
Let's do it. Just to make sure that Nastya gets home safe and sound...
Paimon:
We'll come with you and take you back to your family. The two of us always get the job done!
Nastya:
Thank you so much... You two really are awesome! Almost as awesome as my idol Furiosa...
Aunt LePuy:
...Go... Busy...
Nastya:
Alright, Aunt LePuy. I won't bother you anymore. I'm off then!
Nastya:
The grown-ups are too busy for me... Big Brother Traveler, Paimonka, let's keep going.
Paimon:
Alright, let's keep going then! But hold on, what are they doing?
Nastya:
Oh? They're burning the Badbugs! The Badbugs among the new friends, and the old friends who have turned into Badbugs too... They all have to be burned up!
Nastya:
"Once reduced to ash, the Badbugs will nourish the soil, while it is from that same earth that new family will grow." That's how the bad can become good all over again!