Somewhere Down the Line

Raid Event: Scars of the Syndicate

Epilogue

Somewhere Down the Line

Previous Quest

No More Nightmares

Summary

Aspidochelone disappears into the space between worlds, but the Syndicate is not defeated—so Aldred sets out on a journey to hunt them down. He and the prince agree to help each other if it's ever needed, and they set off on their separate ways.

Dialogue

Grraaaghh! Extraordinary. Even fused with Aspidochelone, I find myself defeated... Very well. I accept my loss—but know this is not the end of the Syndicate! Someday, you will know our terrible truth! GLORY TO THE SYNDICAAAAAATE... A-are we back? Yep—and everyone's safe as houses! We did it! We defeated Aspidochelone! Hurk... GAAAAH! Aldred, what is it?! G-get away from me... I can't... control the dragon's power... D-don't come near me! Uraaaagh! ...... Aldred, why are you shapeshifting?! This will not be forgiven, foolish child of man. Oh crap. That ain't Aldred! No. I am the true ruler of this body—and I will not forgive the humans who forced me into such a weak and stunted vessel. Now know my wrath! Whoa! Aldred, no! ALDRED! My name is Barbatos! Know my fury, and by it learn your own folly! Aw, crap fire and save matches! Well? What's the plan, boss? We gonna fight this thing? We can't—this dragon is also Aldred! Aldred! Wake up, Aldred! Urgh... Euden... Aldred! Is that you?! Help me... End me... What are you talking about?! I killed my own sister. I can't come back from that. If I were to kill you, too... Please! Don't let my sins pile any higher! Do it before I... Nnngh... Your pathetic resistance ends here. No! The dragon is back in charge! The time for destruction is at hand. Now accept your reward for toying with my sacred body, humans! We need a plan RIGHT NOW! Aldred! Your Highness, no! Do not approach him! If you truly have your share of sins, Aldred, that means you can't give up! The only way to atone for your sins is to take responsibility for them and LIVE! Your voice can no longer reach him. Now learn regret for your foolishness. Learn it through your own deaths! Aw, sweet corn casserole. Everybody, RUUUUN! You are a stain that must be cleansed from this world! I know how miserable it is that you brought harm to your sister, Aldred, but that's not the crime you need to repent for! Your crime is yielding your fate to this dragon! It's the weakness of your heart!  ! The dragon stopped moving! Urwaaaagh! N-no... Fool! This cannot be! *pant* *pant* It worked. What you said about my crime being a weakness of the heart, I mean. I was wrong. Your heart's not weak at all. No one with a weak heart would have been able to overcome that dragon. No—I AM weak. Without all of you, I would have been consumed by it. But I'll continue on. I'm going to accept being a sinner with weakness in his heart. Because you taught me that's how I can atone. What will you two do now? I'm going after the Syndicate. We may have beaten the Doctor, but there are plenty more just like him still out there. We'll find them and rip them out, root and stem. The Doctor said something about the true power of the Syndicate at the very end. I know of a Syndicate boss who led a major city guild, and I've heard rumors they may have infiltrated the royal court of the Empire itself. The Doctor was just one man among many. It's hard to believe such a massive organization kept itself a secret. There must be a way for us to help. I think you've already got your hands full taking on the entire Empire, don't you? Leave the Syndicate to me. Are you sure? Dammit! The Syndicate is mine, so stay the hell out of my way! Huh? Heh. Just messing with you. Aldred! Dude! You actually told a joke! ...Did it hurt? You need to lie down? I've never heard him do that before... I DO have a sense of humor, you know! Hee hee! Oh man, your face is SO red! C'mon, quit messing with me... Hey, this is a good thing! Getting razzed a bit means we've become pals. Indeed it does. It's a strange feeling. I haven't thought about anything except revenge in so long... I owe you, Euden. You're the only reason I was able to take down the Doctor. No one is owed anything. I did what I always do: I fought to protect what is important. It just happened that the Doctor was my enemy this time. So like I said, you don't owe me. I see. Well then, I'll make a promise... If you ever need me in your fight, I'll be there. I won't hesitate when the time comes! I hope we can all meet again somewhere down the line. Thanks, everybody! See you soon, I hope! He will need to bear the burden of his body forever. It is a harsh fate indeed. Yes, but he's not the type to let that get him down. I truly believe that.