The Volcano's Legend

Raid Event: Loyalty's Requiem

Episode 1

The Volcano's Legend

Previous Quest

A Fervid Teacher

Next Quest

A Cry for Help

Summary

During a break from their training, Celliera recounts a terrifying legend about the volcano. But just as she does so, it erupts—and a cry for help reaches the prince's ears.

Dialogue

LEFT, RIGHT! LEFT, RIGHT! LEFT, RIGHT!

...I CAN'T HEEEEEAR YOU!

Left, right! Left, right! IS THAT YOUR VOICE, OR DID A CRICKET FART OVER THERE?!

Belt it out, Euden! From the gut!

YES, ARMSMASTER! LEFT, RIGHT! ELISANNE! RANZAL! Swing those arms!

Lift those thighs! I WANNA SEE ACTION!

YES, ARMSMASTER! What's the holdup, Cleo?! When I say to show me grit, YOU GIVE ME A DESERT! *gasp* Y-yes, Armsmaster! *wheeze* Skreeee! OUT OF MY WAY! Hrngyaaah?! Any fiend gets in your way, YOU GIVE THEM THE BOOT! Got it, whelps?! YES, ARMSMASTER! She's the biggest fiend of all... AAAND...break! All right, pups, take five.

Cleo, remember to breathe over there.

*WHEEEEZE* I fancied myself in fairly good shape,

but my legs are quaking like butter.

I knew you lot were something special.

Most of my students break down in tears ten minutes into the ol' fiend marathon.

It certainly...wasn't easy... *pant*

But you're right. Now that it's over, I DO feel stronger than before.

Who said it was over? NO ONE SAID THAT!

We're just getting STARTED! Once break time's up, I'll have you do burpees all the way up to the summit!

Wait, WHAT?! My teaching style is shock and awe.

I'm not here to ask your muscles politely— I'm here to dominate your flabby abs! And I DO NOT TAKE PRISONERS.

Do we at least get something to drink?

I'm dyin' here!

...Take this. It's water steeped with various healing herbs. Th-thank you... Goodness, this is delicious. Running up a mountain is bad enough,

but a volcano? I'm melting in this heat!

In that case, I've got just the story to put a chill up your spine...

Stay hydrated, everyone, because this will have you wetting your smallclothes. Now...SIT UP AND LISTEN! A thousand years ago, a kingdom called Alba stood on this very spot. And on its throne sat Archeole—a king protected by a mighty dragon.

A king with a dragon?

Sounds like Euden.

Archeole was great and wise,

brave and just. So fine a king he that the dragon took him for its master of its own free will. Alba rose to heights of prosperity unknown in any age before. Until one day, when it merely...vanished.

I know kingdoms fall, but I've never heard of one that simply vanished. People? Gone. Houses? Gone.

King? Dragon? Throne? Castle? ...All gone. They were never seen again...but to this day, their voices are said to haunt this very mountain. Their wails cry out to the living... BECKONING THEM TO THEIR DOOOOOOM!

(That voice from before...) ...nngh...someone...!

...anyone...nnrgh...save...!

(If my ears weren't playing tricks, then maybe I actually heard a ghost of Alba!

No, that can't be right. It seemed to bear the living no ill will...)

Heh heh heh... Scared, are we? Bored. No offense, but yer a way better trainer than a storyteller. What?! That's not possible! Admit it—

you're terrified! When I told that tale to my students, they were petrified. One even passed out! ...Er, wait. Was that why they ran like mad when that fiend appeared? Augh! Then that was my own dumb fault. I can't well blame them for getting scared when I'm the one scaring them.

Er, Celliera? AHEM! ...Er, nothing. Just thinking up a new way to make you whelps puke.

No then, you've rested long enough. BACK TO TRAIN—

What'n the hell?! GRooOOooOOOooAAArh! A fiend?! It's enormous... I've never seen such a creature before! That's him! The one I told you about! It's...gone? Was that some sort of mirage? Oh, GROSS! Whatever it puked up,

it STINKS!

*sniff* That's sulfur.. But wait, does that mean the volcano is becoming active? Was that fiend the cause? Regardless, at this rate it could erupt at any moment! Our hunt isn't over, but I can't risk their lives for this...

Everyone, back down the mountain! Hurry!

...Nngh... Please...someone...

grant me strength...

It's that voice again! Someone...anyone...grant me strength... I hear it loud and clear this time! As do I. They seem to be begging for help. This way! It's coming from the back of the cavern.

Let's go!

What?! Wait! It's too dangerous! He don't care how dangerous it is, lady.

If someone needs help, he's there. That's just how Euden is. And we're dumb enough to follow him. Anyway, why don't ya head down the mountain ahead of us, yeah?

...No. I am your armsmaster,

and you are my students! If you're risking your lives for a rescue, I'll not run and save myself alone! FOLLOW ME, WHELPS! RAAAAAAH!