Rewinding Raindrops

Meet up with Yangyang and Chixia

Yangyang: ...I see.

Yangyang: Yes... I can feel the tension in the Streams.

Yangyang: I'm worried something bad is going to happen...

Baizhi: Remember to check your Terminal signals, and wear the Academy's protective suit correctly...

Chixia: It's just Baizhi being Baizhi. She's a little awkward with showing care, but I think it's cute!

Chixia: Anyway! Rover, quick, tell us what happened!

After a brief moment of thinking, you gave them a brief run down of your meeting with Jinhsi, but didn’t mention Jué's disappearance...

Rover: Jiyan the General, Jinhsi the Magistrate, and Jué, Jinzhou’s Sentinel... Is there any kind of connection between them?

Chixia: Connection? ...No idea, but I did hear General Jiyan used to be a military doctor...

Yangyang: Hmm... Speaking of that, I think we'll need to start with a bit of Jinzhou's past.

Yangyang: A storyteller near the theater once told us something like this...

Chixia: Uhhh... Maybe the Sentinel had its own special ways of picking candidates?

Yangyang: Or maybe it is their incomprehensible ways that set these divine beings apart from us? Their thinking tends to be elusive to the average person.

Yangyang: I understand your concern.

Yangyang: Madam Jinhsi was only a teenager, and she was suddenly selected to be the Magistrate. It must have been so difficult for her...

Yangyang: I remember people were skeptical when she first took office.

Yangyang: Despite her achievements, many believed she lacked the necessary experience and authority in the political realm.

Yangyang: People only showed their respect to Madam Jinhsi because they trusted Jué's judgment...

Chixia: Seriously, Lord Jué knows how to choose 'em. Our previous Magistrates were all top-notch at running the show.

Chixia: And Madam Jinhsi? She's already made this city a well-oiled machine in no time.

Chixia: I'd have a mental Overclock just trying to keep up with all that paperwork... She was made for this!

Chixia: Uh, what is that saying again? Real gold never loses its shine!

Chixia: The Norfall Barrens?! It's been a battlefield since ancient times...

Yangyang: Rover, it's dangerous there. The Norfall Barrens is the frontline in our defense against the Threnodian. We must be careful about going there.

Chixia: The Black Shores? Doesn't ring a bell... Sounds like the name of a place, but I've never seen it on any map.

Yangyang: Hmm... We're still in the dark about Fractsidus' plans, and the Norfall Barrens is too risky. The Black Shores seems to be our only option now.

Yangyang: But if we are to look for them with only a photo of this flower... It's going to be difficult.

Chixia: Since it's about flowers... We should go ask Grandma Lin!

Yangyang: Yes! Grandma Lin runs a flower shop. I'm sure she can give us some tips.

Chixia: Hehe... You're making me blush a little.

Chixia: Grandma Lin loves listening to storytellers. I think I saw her earlier... Let's go look for her.

Storyteller: So you want to learn more about that battle?

Storyteller: They say storytelling inevitably carries some subjective bias, all to enhance the ebb and flow of the narrative.

Storyteller: But when it comes to the "Battle Beneath the Crescent," we typically avoid adding any of our personal commentary, focusing instead on accurately retelling history.

Storyteller: But even just telling the story carries a heavy emotional weight.

Storyteller: Was Geshu Lin truly an unforgivable sinner? Was General Jiyan the perfect hero?

Storyteller: The sudden onset of the Retroact Rain, the decision of our Sentinel, and the timing behind this series of events...

Storyteller: I guess it will be up to future generations to figure it all out, haha.

Find Linsu

Linsu: Oh, hello! Chixia, Yangyang, what brought you here?

Chixia: Hey, Grandma Lin! We're here for some stories today, and here's our new friend!

Linsu: Haha, so you are the famous Rover! Oh, youngsters these days are really something.

Yangyang: Have you seen flowers like this one before?

Linsu: Hmm... I'm familar with most of the flowers local to Jinzhou, but this one... it doesn't match anything we have here.

Linsu: I don't think I've seen anything similar, not even in the plant encyclopedias...

Chixia: Oh no... If not even a flower expert like you can recognize it, who else could help us?

Linsu: Oh, Chixia, I'm far from an expert. We've got a plant-type Resonator here in Jinzhou, remember? She knows the plants much better than me.

Yangyang: Oh, are you talking about that young lady? I always see her helping out at your store.

Linsu: Yes, she has been a great help. She knows a lot about everything plant related.

Linsu: And she is such a sweet child. Her smiles always make me happy. She reminds me of the lovely Starflowers.

Linsu: She's probably up in the back mountain doing some field research.

Linsu: I said I wanted a field in the back mountain and she offered to help right away. That's where she is now, checking it out.

Linsu: Go in that direction, and soon you'll see a waterfall. Walk right through the waterfall, then you'll reach the back mountain.

Yangyang: Thank you so much, Grandma Lin.

Linsu: Oh, anytime, dearie! Don't forget to visit my Penjing shop. I'll have treats ready for you!

Go to the waterfall behind the square

Yangyang: This should be the shortcut to the back mountain. Once we cross the waterfall, we'll reach Mt. Pingting.

Go through the waterfall

Yangyang: The flowers seem to be showing us the way. Let's follow it.

Follow the flowers

Yangyang: A bridge of flowers... That's impressive...

Verina: Oops, sorry! I should've introduced myself first... I know it's a polite thing to do in Huanglong...

Verina: My apologies. I used to live in the New Federation, so I'm not very familiar with the language here.

Chixia: Hi, Verina! I'm Chixia, this is Yangyang, and he's Rover! Grandma Lin told us we should come find you!

Verina: Oh, right. Grandma Lin talked about you. I left those flowers so she knows how to reach me.

Verina: What seems to be the trouble? If there's anything I can help you with...

Verina: Hmm... It's an unusual flower indeed. Pure black flowers are rarely found in nature. We can't rule out the possibility that it's been dyed.

Verina: When looking at the structure, there are a few types of flowers that seem similar.

Verina: Take Iris, for example. Its petals are similarly oval-shaped, but it has double petals.

Verina: It's not Viola, either, since Viola has notched petals.

Verina: Then there's also the Cliffrecluse, but this flower has a longer stamen and an extra petal.

Verina: Lemongrass is also similar in shape. It's native to the New Federation, and Huanglong people may not be familiar with it.

Verina: Though it has a similar stamen length, it has a conical inflorescence with a trumpet-shaped corolla.

Verina: Oh, and I almost forgot the Pecok Flower! It's a single-petaled flower with a similar stamen length!

Verina: But... The Pecok Flower has a distinct peduncle, while this one doesn't.

Chixia: Wow, you really know your stuff! I learned a lot from that!

Verina: Anyway, this black flower does look very special. There are hardly any similar plants in nature.

Verina: So, I'm thinking it might be a newly cultivated species.

Verina: Also, its veins are somehow cross-shaped... I can feel some faint traces of frequency fluctuations on it too. It's a sign of overflowing Remnant Energy.

Verina: So, my guess is it should be an unique Remnant plant, created by a certain type of Resonance Energy.

Verina: But in order to figure out the right soil for it, or exactly what type of Resonance Energy it is, I need more than just a picture.

Chixia: Gosh, help us out, someone! We don't know what kind of flower it is, and we haven't seen anyone wearing it either...

Chixia: Speaking of that... How does it even work? If I wore this flower on me right now, do I automatically become one of them?

Yangyang: Chixia, wait, what did you just say?

Chixia: Uhhh... Yeah? I was just saying if I wore this flower, would they immediately see me as one of their own...

Yangyang: If this black flower is indeed their symbol, the Black Shores members should immediately notice it on you.

Yangyang: But to all the other people, it would only look like a peculiar flower.

Yangyang: Given that... if they are indeed in Jinzhou city, we may only need to wear this flower to lure them out...

Chixia: Ohh, I see... but how do we get our hands on one?

Verina: Erm, I... I could probably make one for you with my Resonance Ability... If you just need something that looks similar...

Verina: Come on, Verina, you can do it...

Chixia: No way? That's amazing, seriously! It looks exactly like the flower in that picture!

Verina: T-thank you, it's nothing... I'm glad I could help.

Chixia: It's friggin amazing! Could you do that again? Please! I love it!

Talk to Yangyang

Yangyang: Rover, have you noticed?

Yangyang: We've been seeing these black petals for a while now... They're scattered all over the place. I’m pretty sure they're not made by Miss Verina.

Yangyang: ...Okay. Chixia and I will wear these black flowers and go look for members of the Black Shores in the city.

Yangyang: Rover, please be careful. Rings us anytime when you need help.

Chixia: Rover, did you see that? Miss Verina just conjured up this exquisite Blake Bloom out of thin air!

Chixia: And! It looks exactly like the one in the photo!

Verina: Erm, it's just my Resonance Ability...

Chixia: Could you please make another one? Then there'll be one for each of us!

Verina: Sure, I-I'll give it another try...

Chixia: Oh, I see! And guess what? Miss Verina just made another Blake Bloom for us. Now it comes in handy!

Chixia: Easy peasy! I've got this!

Verina: Oh? Ah, sure. One moment, please...

Locate where the sound is coming from

Rover: (The Fractsidus? What are they doing in a place like this?)

Fractsidus Member: Damn that woman! Always getting in our way... And what are you doing here? Get lost!

Rover: (...I'll have to take them down first.)

Rover: (The weird noises persist. They're coming after me.)

Find a suitable place to lure out your stalker

Rover: (If I climb up to that point, I should be able to get behind that person.)

Rover: (Better hide here for now.)

Camellya: Hmm... Where is he hiding?

Rover: Looking for me?

Camellya: Ooh, here you are.

??: So we're playing truth-or-dare now? I see... Oops!

??: Hehe... Getting angry, are we? Sorry, but it's just so much fun to rile you up.

??: Bingo! I'm one of the Bloom Bearers of the Black Shores.

??: This Blake Bloom is our symbol. It represents our mission to save the world.

??: Our plans? Hmm... What is it again? To recruit as many talents as we can, and save the world from its impending doom.

??: Nuh-uh, I don't! The world? Couldn't care less. If it's all going BOOM tomorrow, why not have fun while we can?

??: Well... I mean, I'd love to live that way, but alas, duty calls.

??: Our "Garden"The Black Shores is home to many green fruits, and we'll make you the most special "Seed" among them all...

??: My duty is to nurture and safeguard seeds like you, allowing them to blossom into luscious fruits.

??: You're just like what TethysCivilization Simulation Sand Table has told us... I can feel such explosive potential within you. One day, you'll surely bear the most beautiful fruit imaginable.

??: No need to be so on edge. I won't do anything... strange, to you, I think?

??: Actually, I've been diligently protecting you, you know? I got rid of all types of pests that tried to get in your way!

??: Ew, don't mention me and the Fractsidus in the same sentence. I couldn't care less about their petty games, but if they even think of laying their dirty fingers on you... Hmph. You're mine, and I don't like sharing.

??: Woah, don't tell me you haven't noticed?

??: Enjoyed your nightly rendezvous with that Loong Maiden? You have me to thank for keeping those Fractsidus people away.

??: Hehe, nothing in particular.

??: The way you look at me though, it's almost as if... No, forget about it.

??: But I'll be watching you. You're a very special "Seed", that I am very sure.

??: I can feel something oddly familiar about you...

Camellya: My name is Camellya.

Camellya: Try not to let me catch you so easily next time~!

Rover: And she's gone... Huh, that was fast.

Yangyang: Phew... At least you are safe.

Yangyang: Sure, we are in the shopping district. See you then.

Meet up with Yangyang

Yangyang: Nothing in particular, just some small talks...

Kind Man: Hey, aren't you the girl from earlier?

Yangyang: P-please stop teasing me!

Yangyang: Chixia did say she found someone suspicious... Look, it's him.

Yangyang: P-please stop teasing me!

Yangyang: Chixia did say she found someone suspicious... Look, it's him.

Yangyang: Chixia did say she found someone suspicious... Look, it's him.

Chixia: Rover, perfect timing! This guy's been sniffin' around here for a while now. He keeps trying to talk to the elderly and minors! I've been keeping an eye on him!

Chixia: And I saw a little girl with him! She kept turning her head and looking around, but now she's nowhere to be found. This is super fishy!

Chixia: Hey, I'm Patroller Chixia. Sir, business license, please.

Aalto: B-Business license? Uuuhh... Oh! I'm Aalto, just a humble information broker. I've been travelling around, helping people out in my own small way...

Chixia: I see. So, no license. I bet you don't have a fixed business location either, huh?

Aalto: ...Business location? Why would I need that?

Chixia: Hmph, now show me your Organizational Accreditation, please.

Aalto: Well... I am an honest broker of information, always open to negotiations at the right price! I'm the all-time Intel champ, with more Best Seller certificates than I can count...

Chixia: No license, no clear business plan... You're running an illegal business, then...

Aalto: ...

Chixia: Who's your supervisor? You should at least have their ID number?

Aalto: My s-supervisor? Oh right! She's, like, a super big deal!

Chixia: So do you even have a supervisor or not?

Aalto: What? C'mon, I already told you about her! Why won't you believe me?

Chixia: Yeah, yeah! I believe you! I know what's going on!

Chixia: Now, sir, you're coming with me to the Patroller Station!

Aalto: Oh, come on! Please, I didn't do anything illegal! I was just looking for someone!

Aalto: A little girl, um, about this tall... She's the kind to stand out in any crowd!

Chixia: You really think I'm gonna buy that?

Aalto: Yeah! Exactly! Wait, how do you know?

Verina: Oh, please watch out... It's dangerous to run like that...

Encore: Here you are! Hurray!

Aalto: Encore! I looked everywhere for you!

Chixia: Back off! Leave that girl alone!

Aalto: Miss Patroller, she's the girl I've been looking for!

Chixia: Hello, little one. Is your name Encore? Do you know this person?

Encore: Yes! Encore knows him!

Encore: Uncle Aalto sells stuff without a license, he listens in on people for commercial secrets, and he loves pulling pranks on us kids... But he’s not a bad guy, really!

Aalto: Ugh, Encore! Remember our little chat?

Yangyang: Miss Verina, where did you meet this girl?

Verina: I ran into her near a cliff on my way home. She was eating a poisonous mushroom...

Verina: I managed to make her the antidote in time. Imagine what would have happened if I wasn't there...

Encore: Don't worry! Encore's had plenty of that mushroom already!

Yangyang: But why did you go to such a dangerous place alone, little Encore?

Chixia: We've got your back, little one! No worries! Just tell us what you know!

Encore: Because... Because Encore must keep an eye on him!

Aalto: Ahahaha... Kids can have such wild imaginations sometimes, haha...

Encore: Hey, Aalto? Didn't you send Encore there? Wait... Why are they all giving you the side eye?

Aalto: Encore... Some things are better left unspoken, you know...

Aalto: Since the situation has come to this, I've got no choice but to tell you...

Aalto: Indeed! We're here for business. And it's a crucial one! You wanna know what it is?

Aalto: Let's go, Encore!

Encore: Hey, Aalto! Wait for meeee!

Aalto: See ya! We still have a world to save!

Chixia: Cough cough... Wait!

Chixia: Cough... We can't let him get away!

Verina: I-I'll go search in the residential area!

Look for Aalto

The "mist figure" of Aalto. It's posed in a weird way, as if he's an eagle spreading his wings.

...Did he leave it here to mock you? You're not quite sure.

In front of the "mist figure", there is a floating line of handwriting, also made out of fog: "We value integrity and quality above all else! New customers enjoy 20% off!"

Chixia: Ugh! What is this? Is he mocking us?

Chixia: I'll go down that way towards the Patrol Station! I know the streets here like the back of my hand!

The "mist figure" of Aalto. It's posed in a weird way, as if he's stretching his arms wide for a welcome hug.

...Did he leave it here to mock you? You're not quite sure.

In front of the "mist figure", there is a floating line of handwriting, also made out of fog: "Fate brings us together; may our friendship endure forever!"

Yangyang: Here's another split in the road...

Yangyang: I'll go look for him in the square. I'll leave the other side to you!

The "mist figure" of Aalto. It's posed in a weird way, as if he's making a heart with his hands.

...Did he leave it here to mock you? You're not quite sure.

In front of the "mist figure", there is a floating line of handwriting, also made out of fog: "Patience please, the answer is right around the corner!"

The gaps between each "mist figure" are shrinking... Over there, at the end of that alley!

Catch Aalto

Aalto: Well, we weren't really running from you! We just wanted to make sure you were alone.

Encore: Be good, please!

Aalto: That's enough Encore, you're freaking our precious client out.

Encore: Encore just did as Aalto said! Encore is usually a good girl.

Aalto: Don't be scared, Rover. We just have a few questions for you.

Aalto: Was it your idea to have those two ladies wear those counterfeit Blake Blooms and attract our attention?

Aalto: I must admit, they looked quite convincing. If I was an outsider, I might mistake them for the real deal.

Aalto: So you worked with a plant-type Resonator... Interesting.

Encore: A plant-type Resonator? We happen to know someone like that too, don't we?

Aalto: Yeah. There are more than one of them out there. Not a big deal.

Aalto: Why? Hmm, what if I told you... We have the information you want the most?

Aalto: Like what they say here in Huanglong: the straight hook is for willing fish to bite. Ta-daa da daah! Your efforts finally caught our attention.

Aalto: Surprise! The people you've been looking for are right in front of you!

Aalto: Aww, not that disappointed look! Are we not what you had in mind?

Aalto: I know you must have a ton of questions for me, but one moment, please.

Aalto: As you already know, I'm an "information broker".

Aalto: That means I make deals instead of passing out freebies. You want information from me, you gotta give me something in return.

Aalto: Relax, Rover. We just want to make a deal with you.

Aalto: We want you to come with us to an abandoned Court of Savantae facility, to help us recover a "Resonance Beacon".

Aalto: Our business is centered around customer satisfaction and built on integrity! Otherwise, we wouldn't qualify as Consultants of the Black Shores.

Aalto: And since you're a first-time customer... I'm pleased to offer you an additional gift.

Aalto: Here, have this. This should prove we're serious, since you already know what it represents.

Aalto: And if you still have doubts about us... Just show it to that plant-savvy young miss. She'll be able to tell.

Aalto: Finally, as a last resort...

Encore: Aww... Pwease help us... Pretty Pweeaaase...?

Aalto: Look at this poor child, pleading to you like that! How could anyone have the heart to decline?! The deal's settled then!

Aalto: We'll be waiting for you near this Beacon in Whining Aix's Mire! And don't forget to come alone, okay?

Verina: As I expected! This flower is indeed a type of Remnant plant.

Verina: And it contains a very unique kind of Remnant Energy. The concentration is much higher than usual, too.

Chixia: No way, are they really from the Black Shores?

Chixia: Tsk... Not as mysterious as people make 'em out to be. Well at least they're good at running, I'll give them that.

You explained the current situation...

Yangyang: That place... I only heard it's an abandoned research institution. There's nothing special about it.

Yangyang: Because of the dangerous weather conditions in Whining Aix's Mire, it's been ages since anyone went there.

Chixia: Don't worry, Yangyang. We all know how strong our Rover is!

Yangyang: Okay... Rover, I'll tell the Academy about this, and they'll help transmit your data from the Resonance Nexus. Then that Beacon in the Whining Aix's Mire should be unlocked for you.

Yangyang: There have been frequent Tacet Field activities recently. If you're going there alone, please be careful.

Chixia: Just ring us whenever you need a hand! We'll come rushing!

Talk to Aalto and Encore

Aalto: Heya, Rover!

Aalto: I've sent the coordinates of that CSC research facility to your Terminal.

Aalto: Now that we're in the same boat, let me fill you in on what we're getting into before we dive in.

Aalto: The Court of Savantae is a mysterious scientific research organization. They are best known for their research in "Automata Mechanics", but...

Aalto: What really put them on the map isn't that; it's all the bizarre experiments they did.

Aalto: What's with the psychedelic black light coming from Mourning Aix's Mire, and is that freaky ring in the waters really the lake monster's doing?

Aalto: One day, a daring young scientist soared into the sky and never returned... Could this be the beginning of another diabolical plot?

Aalto: Ahem, my bad. Old habits die hard. But the big part is coming right up!

Aalto: One day, out of the blue, every single Court of Savantae member VANISHED!

Aalto: The last words from that mysterious researcher, the Court of Savantae Committee's Chairman, was this—

Aalto: "You want my research? You can have it! I left everything I gathered in the Court of Savantae's labs. Now you'll just have to find it..."

Aalto: Haha! I knew you'd be into this like I am! But stories aside, we do have an important mission on our hands.

Aalto: I suppose the Magistrate of Jinzhou has already told you what we do.

Aalto: We've set up Resonance Beacons worldwide to monitor the Lament, collecting data in real-time. This is how we predict when the next Lament is happening.

Aalto: As the saying goes, one miss is as good as a mile. Every single one of the Resonance Beacons is crucial.

Aalto: After the Court of Savantae researchers disappeared, all of our Resonance Beacons near their facilities were damaged to varying degrees.

Aalto: Recently, something went wrong with our Lament detection system, and we suspected it had something to do with a damaged Beacon around the area.

Aalto: That's why we've been sent here, to investigate the case.

Aalto: While our main goal is to retrieve the lost Resonance Beacon, we also might find some treasures.

Encore: Aalto, even Encore can tell what you're up to...

Aalto: It's called seize the opportunity while I can! You're just too young to get it! Come on, let's go!

Go to the Court of Savantae Facility

Aalto: Huh? Is my TD Detector working? How come it didn't warn us of so many Tacet Discords ahead?

Encore: Cause they all just appeared outta nowhere!

Aalto: That's weird... Anyway, let's deal with them.

Aalto: This is the place.

Aalto: Ugh, those savants really love their puzzles, don't they...

Aalto: No wonder folks never managed to get inside after all these years. Their security is top-notch.

Encore: That's because Aalto set off the security alarm! And now the gate's closed, hmph!

Aalto: Ahem... Anyway! We've got to figure out how to open it up again.

Aalto: It looks like a sundial, don't you think?

Aalto: Maybe if we spin the dials to align every pointer in the same direction...

Enter the Court of Savantae Facility

Aalto: This is... No wonder...

Aalto: Those crazy savants... They were trying to recreate the Retroact Rain...

Aalto: The Retroact Rain is essentially a form of condensed Remnant Energy from the Etheric Sea.

Aalto: Various events across space and time from every dimension are recorded in the form of Remnant Energy. The Retroact Rain conjures illusions of past events for those exposed to it.

Aalto: That rain curtain we saw earlier was probably the results of their experiments.

Aalto: Before the Retroact Rain forms, it goes through three stages. In the first stage, it looks just like any regular rain.

Aalto: And what we're seeing now should be the second stage: Water droplets floating in midair, being absolutely still.

Aalto: I've heard of plenty independant studies on the Retroact Rain.

Aalto: Most of the researchers were driven by their obsessions. Some wanted to relive a particular experience, while others yearned to reunite with their loved ones...

Aalto: But look at all these devices here... The sheer scale of this research is really something.

Aalto: It really makes one wonder... What on earth were they trying to bring back with such a massive Retroact Rain?

Aalto: The power system here might still work... Let's split up and find it.

Encore: Hurray! Woolies, thataway!

Find a way to turn the electricity on

Hologram of a Male Researcher: That Fractsidus Overseer has been really generous with his sponsorship... It would have taken us much longer to build this place without him.

Hologram of a Male Researcher: Though he loves to meddle with our experiments a bit too much... Well, he's our patron, can't do anything about that.

Hologram of a Male Researcher: This lab's location is a bit too remote for me, but I'm okay with it as long as we can keep doing our research.

Hologram of a Female Researcher: Yeah... Where else could us "maniacs" possibly go?

Hologram of a Male Researcher: The Committee kicked us out like trash... They'll never understand...

Hologram of a Male Researcher: As Professor Heisen stated, we are embarking on a monumental endeavor with the power to redefine humanity's future.

Hologram of a Male Researcher: This time, we will make the "divine miracle" we saw happen again for all of humanity to behold!

Hologram of a Male Researcher: The experiments have been going smoothly, but we still can't get the desired outcome… Why?

Hologram of a Male Researcher: The "Artificial Retroactive Rain" project has advanced to its second phase... We have various evidence that this ancient civilization was the Whining Aix's Mire at some point.

Hologram of a Male Researcher: We believed we could recreate that “divine miracle” with the artificial Retroact Rain... have we been mistaken?

Hologram of a Male Researcher: We have no time left. The "Artificial Controllable Tacet Field" should be complete by now... We’ll have to rely on our backup plan.

Aalto: Now, this is the last room...

Encore: Aalto, Rover! Encore spotted something!

Activate the device on the wall

Elder Male Voice: ...It's getting closer. These will be my final words, haha... If only I had more time...

Elder Male Voice: I thought my enemies were misconceptions, waning passion, and my own ignorance.

Elder Male Voice: Only in the end did I realize... time is my ultimate foe.

Elder Male Voice: I became blindsided by my fear of death and insatiable thirst for truth, eventually derailing our research...

Elder Male Voice: It was too late when I finally came back to my senses... We... We had already walked into that false "Gate"...

Elder Male Voice: Now, I'm leaving my last realization behind...

Elder Male Voice: They are our "past"... but they are also our "future"... Had I realized it sooner, there might have been a chance to get things back on track...

Elder Male Voice: The future being hailing from our past... Please save us... once again...

Elder Male Voice: Please, keep pushing forward... until you reach... the real Gate that can change the world...

Blurry Female Hologram: ...

Encore: Wow... She's so pretty...

Aalto: Heh, knew it...

Aalto: Great, now that power's been restored, that elevator should work.

Aalto: The Beacon's signal is coming from below. Let's go.

Take the elevator to the basement

Encore: Wow! A big cluncky monster!

Aalto: Damn... Those savants never run out of new surprises for us...

Aalto: The signal's coming from it. Did it swallow our Resonance Beacon?

Aalto: Looks like peace isn't an option. Guys, brace yourself. We'll need to take it down!

Encore: Aalto, we doing it like we usually do?

Aalto: Of course.

Encore: Hehe, then this big guy is Encore's to tackle!

Encore: Cosmos, Cloudy, ATTACK!

Aalto: Let me figure out its weakness...

Aalto: I see! It’s cobbled together from these metal parts!

Aalto: We should target its joints, use the fallen parts to counter its attacks and destroy its unstable structure.

Defeat the enemy

Aalto: Phew, job done!

Encore: Hehe, Encore is strong! Told ya!

Encore: But why did they keep that big guy here?

Aalto: According to our findings earlier, researchers who worked here were probably only a small faction of the Court of Savantae Committee.

Aalto: They were likely studying an ancient civilization they deemed to be "divine beings", but later got denounced from the CSC due to their extreme methods.

Aalto: Somehow, they believed this ancient civilization had once visited the Mire, which led to their attempts at recreating those past events with artificial Retroact Rain.

Aalto: And when they failed to recreate the Retroact Rain, they resorted to making a "replica" of the lost civilization instead.

Aalto: To get their desired results faster, they started feeding this "replica" various frequencies, datasets, and mechanical constructs...

Aalto: And we've seen what that ended up with. It turned into a monster driven by the frequencies of "hunger," devouring everything in its path.

Aalto: It was probably the culprit behind the disappearance of those folks.

Aalto: And, I suspect, the Fractsidus Overseer mentioned in that log may have something to do with it all.

Aalto: Those researchers... They were too obsessed with validating the "divine miracle", they eventually got lured in by that monster's frequencies of hunger and willingly walked into its maw...

Aalto: The monster devoured them, but not with its teeth... Their own delusions and fear were their undoing in the end.

Aalto: What a crazy bunch...

Aalto: So Rover, now it's time for me to fulfill my promise.

Aalto: As you already know, we monitor and research the Lament, and we’ve got Resonance Beacons set up in every nation worldwide.

Aalto: The island our headquarters are built on is in fact a massive piece of Tacetite ore, which powers our various energy-intensive operations.

Aalto: This Blake Bloom is a product of that overflowing energy on the island.

Aalto: Our island is located in the perfect spot to accurately monitor the Lament, ensuring precise predictions.

Aalto: ...That being said, the Lament's behavior is constantly changing and we are still studying to understand its true nature.

Aalto: All we can do for now is to observe the Lament, study its patterns, and provide early warnings to countries worldwide.

Aalto: I'm just an insignificant Consultant at the Black Shores, so I don't know that much about all its hidden secrets.

Aalto: But I believe the piece of intel I'm about to share with you will make this trip worth your effort.

Aalto: This is not the first time you've been reawakened. Last time... You woke up at the Black Shores.

Aalto: Rover, we share the same goal.

Aalto: We're both aiming to fight against the Threnodians and prevent the Lament crisis.

Encore: Yep! Encore can prove it! The Threnodian is a bad, bad guy, and Encore and Aalto are the heroes of justice, so we're gonna stop the bad guys!

Aalto: I understand. Trust isn't something you can afford to give out that easily.

Aalto: Remember the Blake Bloom I gave you earlier?

Aalto: It is more than just a symbol. It also holds the key to our headquarters. I'm sure it will come in handy for you.

Aalto: Phew! Anyway, mission accomplished! We've got the Resonance Beacon secured, plus a sweet bonus of Court of Savantae's big secrets!

Aalto: Glad I got you on board, Rover. Looking forward to our future collaborations.

Aalto: Oops, almost forgot! Gotta check that Resonance Beacon again, just in case.

Aalto: Wait... This is...

Aalto: No, it can't be...

Encore: Hey, Aalto! WAAITT!

Meet Aalto at the entrance

Encore: Encore heard lightning! When there's lightning, it's gonna rain, and when it's gonna rain, Encore should bring an umbrella...

Encore: ...Uh, no, no no no... Aalto said when it rains like this, we hide!

Aalto: No... This is...

Aalto: ...It's the real Retroact Rain.

Yangyang: Rover, Jinzhou...

Yangyang: Jinzhou is under attack! It's a TD Outbreak!