Tepetli Dissonance

Sh—She's not back yet... I hope nothing bad happened to Master Cheven...

Hey, that little kid is crying. Wonder what happened...

Let's go check what's wrong.

Hello. Is something the matter?

*sobs* M—Master Cheven, she...

Sh—She went to gather Volcanic Crystals... But, she's still not back yet.

I told the guards, but they said that they don't have people to spare. Plus, that area's super dangerous, with tons of monsters and bad guys...

They have to finish making preparations before they can try to rescue her... But, it'll be too late by then!

So, you'll help? Great! I'll just make a quick sketch to show you where the guards went earlier.

They said Master Cheven might have stopped around here.

She might have been forced to go near the Shadow Pin. If that's the case... Then... *sniffles*

Well, they didn't put up much of a fight...

Phew... Thank you so much... I thought I wasn't gonna make it down this mountain alive.

Saved by 旅行者... Guess my luck's not too bad today.

Ah, sorry, let me introduce myself. I'm Cheven, a gem artisan. I'm not usually this lucky, but maybe things are looking up.

Imix sent us to help.

She did, huh... *sigh* I didn't mean to make her worry. I wasn't planning to be gone longer than two days tops.

But, then, I discovered a new seam of Volcanic Crystal near the Shadow Pin... It's a large deposit, and the purity is exceptional.

I dug up a whole bunch of it and was getting ready to head back, but the phlogiston within the crystals attracted monsters...

I panicked, and ran up a narrow path to avoid them... But, by the time I was in the clear, I ended up running into those bandits... You showed up in the nick of time.

If the situation was so dangerous, why didn't you just drop the crystals and run?

I left most of them behind, believe me. I only kept the purest chunk — I have to bring it back, no matter what.

...For Tlazolli, and poor little Nechca.

Who are they?

Ah, right, you wouldn't know. Tlazolli is a former Ancient Name artisan, and Nechca is her daughter.

Anyway... I'm sure you've seen the state this place is in. It's all because the Shadow Pin suddenly came crashing to the ground and left behind a massive crater.

The seam I found was closer to the outside, so it survived the disaster. Still, the crash riled up the monsters in the area, and now they're everywhere.

I panicked, and ran up a narrow path to avoid them... But, by the time I was in the clear, I ended up running into those bandits... You showed up in the nick of time.

If the situation was so dangerous, why didn't you just drop the crystals and run?

I left most of them behind, believe me. I only kept the purest chunk — I have to bring it back, no matter what.

...For Tlazolli, and poor little Nechca.

Who are they?

Ah, right, you wouldn't know. Tlazolli is a former Ancient Name artisan, and Nechca is her daughter.

So... She crafts Ancient Names?

That's right... Or, well, she used to. Now, she just handles regular forging commissions.

Xilonen's in that line of business too.

Oh, you know Xilonen? Haha, try mentioning that name in front of Tlazolli. She could sing Xilonen's praises forever.

"The foremost expert in Ancient Names" "the future of our tribe," "the finest artisan in Natlan"... You'll never hear the end of it.

I know Tlazolli misses the days when she used to forge Ancient Names. She'd never say as much... but I can tell.

Why did she stop?

...Because of her daughter. Poor Nechca contracted an awful illness and Tlazolli put everything aside to take care of her.

Even as Nechca's illness grew worse, Tlazolli never gave up. Like a torch in the night, she was determined to burn bright, even as darkness encroached from all directions...

Still, all's well that ends well! Thanks to the doctor's medicine and the Great Spirit's protection, Nechca's flame was rekindled!

Her condition has been slowly improving ever since. She's still weak, of course, and has to recuperate at home... but she's well enough to write letters already.

She often writes to Xilonen, apparently. Her dream is to become an Ancient Names forger, just like her mother.

Her birthday's in a few days, so Tlazolli asked me to find a pure Volcanic Crystal to give her as a present.

Yeah, talk about an important chunk of ore! What a nice gift! Paimon hopes it helps her feel better!

I'm sure she and her mother appreciate your well wishes.

Alright, let's head back. I'm sure Imix is worried sick.

Actually, why don't you come with me to visit Tlazolli tomorrow?

It's all thanks to you that I managed to bring back the crystal.

You deserve a reward for helping us protect something so significant.

I just hope it makes Nechca happy.

That's right. A good mood makes for a quick recovery!

And of course, we, uh... wouldn't say no to a little gift...

Haha, don't worry. Something tells me you'll like this one.

But, I'll let Tlazolli tell you what it is herself.

Why did she stop?

...Because of her daughter. Poor Nechca contracted an awful illness and Tlazolli put everything aside to take care of her.

Even as Nechca's illness grew worse, Tlazolli never gave up. Like a torch in the night, she was determined to burn bright, even as darkness encroached from all directions...

Still, all's well that ends well! Thanks to the doctor's medicine and the Great Spirit's protection, Nechca's flame was rekindled!

Her condition has been slowly improving ever since. She's still weak, of course, and has to recuperate at home... but she's well enough to write letters already.

She often writes to Xilonen, apparently. Her dream is to become an Ancient Names forger, just like her mother.

Her birthday's in a few days, so Tlazolli asked me to find a pure Volcanic Crystal to give her as a present.

Yeah, talk about an important chunk of ore! What a nice gift! Paimon hopes it helps her feel better!

I'm sure she and her mother appreciate your well wishes.

Alright, let's head back. I'm sure Imix is worried sick.

Actually, why don't you come with me to visit Tlazolli tomorrow?

It's all thanks to you that I managed to bring back the crystal.

You deserve a reward for helping us protect something so significant.

That's right. A good mood makes for a quick recovery!

And of course, we, uh... wouldn't say no to a little gift...

Haha, don't worry. Something tells me you'll like this one.

But, I'll let Tlazolli tell you what it is herself.

Why did she stop?

...Because of her daughter. Poor Nechca contracted an awful illness and Tlazolli put everything aside to take care of her.

Even as Nechca's illness grew worse, Tlazolli never gave up. Like a torch in the night, she was determined to burn bright, even as darkness encroached from all directions...

Still, all's well that ends well! Thanks to the doctor's medicine and the Great Spirit's protection, Nechca's flame was rekindled!

Her condition has been slowly improving ever since. She's still weak, of course, and has to recuperate at home... but she's well enough to write letters already.

She often writes to Xilonen, apparently. Her dream is to become an Ancient Names forger, just like her mother.

Her birthday's in a few days, so Tlazolli asked me to find a pure Volcanic Crystal to give her as a present.

Yeah, talk about an important chunk of ore! What a nice gift! Paimon hopes it helps her feel better!

I'm sure she and her mother appreciate your well wishes.

Alright, let's head back. I'm sure Imix is worried sick.

Actually, why don't you come with me to visit Tlazolli tomorrow?

It's all thanks to you that I managed to bring back the crystal.

You deserve a reward for helping us protect something so significant.

That's right. A good mood makes for a quick recovery!

And of course, we, uh... wouldn't say no to a little gift...

Haha, don't worry. Something tells me you'll like this one.

But, I'll let Tlazolli tell you what it is herself.