New Beginnings

Facility Event: The Hunt for Harmony

Episode 5

New Beginnings

Previous Quest

The Search for the Egg

Summary

The party safely retrieves Simurgh's egg from the fiends. While the prince misses his chance to win the egg hunt, he is hailed as a hero for his part in saving the forest. His wish for friendship between humans and sylvans is fulfilled, albeit not how he originally planned.

Dialogue

Intent on retrieving Simurgh's egg, the party scours the forest for the fiends' nest.

There's the nest—which means that giant egg must be Simurgh's. I've never seen so many fiends before... Probably best not to go charging in. Sylas, Luca—got any goodies you wanna share? I used the last of my aroma oil earlier. What about your smoke bombs, Luca? I've only got a mustardbomb left, and that'll just rile them up. Hmm. I think I have an idea. So...... What do you all think? It sounds like it'll work—but won't you be in a ton of danger? Yeah... If one person fumbles their part, you could end up in major trouble. Plus, you barely even know me and Sylas. You sure you can trust us? I am. I've seen how skilled you both are. Plus, you're Luca's friends, so you should be used to dealing with reckless behavior. H-hey now, what's that supposed to mean? Nya ha ha! That's your reason for trusting us with your life? You're a riot, Euden! Well all right; count me in. I have no objections. There is some risk, but the strategy you outlined is indeed the most pragmatic. Don't worry, nobody's gonna leave you hangin'! Oh, I know. All right everyone, get in position! Right! Here, fiends—have a mustardbomb! Graawrgh?! ...Graaaaaaaagh! That got their attention. Just have to lead them to the right spot now... Hey fiends—over here! Come and get me! There he is! Heh, he really pulled it off. Keep your eyes peeled for the signal. This should be far enough—FIRE! Aye aye, cap'n! All right fiends, here's some arrows comin' at ya! ...Or rather, those mushrooms at your feet! Excellent. The spores are airbone. *cough* Graaargh—*hack* *wheeze* Bold move, luring those fiends right into a spore trap. Yeah, and GENIUS! It took 'em all out at once! Now, Simurgh—blow those spores away! Right. Guuurgh...graaaah... *gasp* Phew, I managed to hold my breath. Good work, everyone. Now—*cough* Euden?! I'm fine. I think I just *cough* inhaled a few spores. We'll handle this from here. You just rest, yeah? ...Whew, I think that's all of 'em. How's the prince? Sylas whipped up an antidote, so he should be fine. We've only just met, yet you devised a strategy that relied on me to save your very life. I should judge you foolish, but...I shall settle for brave. Heh. Thanks, Sylas. Have you seen Sarisse and Fleur? They should be back any minute now with ol' Simurgh's egg. Aaaaaaany minute now. We did it! We got the egg! Oh, my darling... Never leave me again. I'm glad we could help, Simurgh. You may have a more peaceful time raising your egg elsewhere, though; you'd be more than welcome at my castle. Hey, yeah! No fiends to worry about there. My, what a kind offer. I will gladly accept. Excuse me for the interruption, but we're fast approaching the end of the egg hunt. Shoot—if we're not back to the village in time, we'll be disqualified! We'll never make it... What a dumb rule! Please, allow me to ferry you back. It's the least I can do. Damn, if we zip through the sky we'll be back in no time! I'm afraid I can only manage one passenger, however. So... Only one of us can have their wish granted? ...... ...I shall withdraw myself from the selection. My entry was never under my own behest. What about your research? I've determined my perspective may need...broadening. As such, I plan to seek knowledge from beyond the forest. To that end, I would very much welcome your help, Luca. You seem quite well-versed in the outside world. HELL yeah, man! Whatever you need. Dang it Sylas, you beat me to the punch! Are you planning on giving up the hunt as well? Yeah, I guess. But that doesn't mean I'm giving up on Sarisse and Luca—not even close! Nya ha ha! Anyway, I can still count on you for advice, right? I figure I'll need it, sooner or later. Are you sure? Like you said, I'm not sylvan. Eh, whatever. You trusted all us sylvans with your life, right? I figure I can do the same. Well, that's Laranoa and I spoken for. Who shall Simurgh carry, then? Good question. I think it should be... Everyone, your attention please! The hour has arrived to crown the winner of the egg hunt! She made quite an entrance, returning atop a dragon. I present to you, your champion... FLEUR! Ha ha! Thank you so much! Now, let us close out the Banquet in style. Eat, drink, and be merry all! *pant* *pant* Man, I gotta work on my cardio. Looks like we can still catch the end, though. I need to get me some GRUB! The young girl won... Are you all truly all right with ceding the victory to her? Course! It seemed the best way to go, all things considered. Yeah. I only wanted to win so the elders would accept more cultural exchange. But it actually wouldn't have done much good, right Euden? Yeah. That's something we came to realize, working with Laranoa and Sylas. We can't hope to improve sylvan and human relations with a law alone. We need to trust each other first, and go from there. So we'll work at it, bit by bit, and then someday our wish will come true—without even making it. Guys! Oh my gosh, thank you all SO much! The elders gave me permission to leave the village! Well, I guess I kinda forced them, but STILL—now I can study human art! Congrats, girl! I can't wait to see what you come up with. You'll be the first person I show! Hey, is that the human prince I heard about? Must be. The champion told me he risked his life to beat some fiends. Yeah, that's him! I'd be fertilizer if he hadn't saved me from that raging dragon. Wait a minute... Didn't he also save the village at Lake Myriage from the Empire? Sounds like a hero to me. O-oh, uh... I'm just happy I could help. Seems like we made some pretty good progress today, eh prince? Heh. You might be right, Luca. Hey, everyone—let's lift this guy up and give him three cheers! Show him how loud and proud we sylvans can be! But first, a little personal thank you— Welcome to KAPOW CITY! WHOOA! Fawning over a human... An utter disgrace! And yet... To think a human would be met by such fervor... Indeed; I doubt they would obey us, even if we bade them avoid humans. Should the people wish to invite him back in the future, we would not be able to deny them. ...I suppose. To think our traditions would be undone so easily... Perhaps that too is a sign of changing times. This prince seems a very special character. Of that much, I am certain. C'mon Sarisse—let's get this guy in the air! First cardio, now heavy lifting? Yeesh... Yo, Sylas, get over here and help! *sigh* If I must. Leave room for me! ...HNGH! Wait, guys, hold on— Everybody set? It's GO TIME! One... two... THREE! As the sun withdrew, the clear Spring

skies echoed with shouts of joy.

A fitting end for a lively and

memorable Vernal Banquet.

The End