The Curse's Grasp

Raid Event: Echoes of Antiquity

Episode 4

The Curse's Grasp

Previous Quest

Qitian Dasheng Clash: Beginner

Next Quest

After the Relic

Summary

The party wrests the Jin Gu Er back from Qitian Dasheng and returns Wu Kong to his senses. However, he is so enthralled by the power of the relic that he is manipulated into reclaiming it once again. The party then sets off in hopes of saving him for good.

Dialogue

We made it back. Is everyone all right? What about Wu Kong? Nnngh... Looks like he's back to normal! ...Or as normal as this guy gets. Wh-where am I...? Wait. I'm remembering now. I used the Jin Gu Er and... Wu Kong. Ack! M-master! I...um...heya? Are you all right, Wu Kong? You are not injured or feeling unwell? No, I actually feel pretty good. Listen, master. I'm REALLY sorry abou— No, Wu Kong—I am the one who is sorry. Responsibility for this incident falls upon my own failings alone. What the heck are you talking about?! I'M the giant doofus who decided to start fiddling around with mystic stuff that's way outta my league. Yet it was my own failings as a teacher that set you down your path. As one who ought be guiding you, it is shameful—and I deeply regret it. I beg your forgiveness. Master, I... This is so weird... Enough. You must rest now. The power of the relic put terrific strain on your body, and we cannot be certain its effects do not yet linger in some unknown fashion. A-all right, master. I'll go rest. The heck was THAT?! I thought she was gonna chew him out until he was sobbing in the fetal position. Trust me, Notte—this is way worse. Yeah. For the kid, getting a verbal beatdown would've felt better. Really? The whole reason Wu Kong took the Jin Gu Er in the first place was to gain his teacher's acknowledgment of his own expertise. Which shows precisely what a figure Xuan Zang is in his life. It would be terrible to have someone you respect be so sad about your actions. I hope it doesn't impact our journey when we set out tomorrow.

*yawn* Man, I am bushed! Feels like we walked a hundred miles and then some. These Qilin really know how to build their villages in the damn sticks. Also, I gotta say, sleepin' outdoors is startin' to take it outta me. Never used to be a problem, back in my mercenary days... Sounds like the years are catchin' up to you. Cork yer pie hole, chump! I ain't... Huh? The...power... That kid again? The hell's his deal? Can't...any more... Uh, guys? Doesn't he seem a little...off? Yeah, he ain't right for sure. 'Course, he ain't never been, so... Wu Kong? Heeey, Wu Kong! What's going on, buddy? You...must... Please... We must please what? R...un... What the?!

...Still awake, Xuan Zang? If you don't get some sleep, you'll likely be in for a pretty rough day tomorrow. Yes, of course. My apologies. Are you still worried about Wu Kong? Mmm. I'd thought my concern to be better hidden than this. How shameful. I'm not sure it'll make you feel any better, but if you want to talk, I'm here. ...Perhaps it would help, at that. In truth, I am still rather young and untested in the world of sealers— and honestly in no position to be taking on a student of my own. But the reason I insisted on training him is because I killed his parents. ...How? A Qilin relic I ought to have sealed went out of control, killing them in the process. I had no idea. I'm so sorry. That day, I swore to watch over Wu Kong. Both as his master, and as a kind of... Well, a foster parent, I suppose. But now I am wondering if that was a terrible miscalculation. Why would you think that? As a teacher, I am overjoyed at Wu Kong's growth. The boy possesses a rare talent for the art of sealing. But as a parent...I don't want him taking on such a dangerous role! I see... Because of my hesitance, he has started to lose patience with the entire process. This makes me a failure as a teacher. Listen, Xuan Zang. This might just be my opinion, but you're— Huh? What was that?! Euden! We got trouble! And not the fun kind! Who... Who am I? Am I... Wu Kong...? Wu Kong, you must fight this! What's going on here, Xuan Zang?! Why did he take the Jin Gu Er again?! Wu Kong did not seek out the relic. Rather, I fear the relic sought out HIM. It did what?! Once one has been possessed by a relic of the Qilin, it is no simple task for them to be freed from its thrall. The connection between Wu Kong and the Jin Gu Er was not severed when last we struggled with it. If only I could have controlled the relic's power, this would never have happened. Maaaasteeeeer! I... Aaaaaaargh! No! Wu Kong! ...There is no Wu Kong anymore. Oh, dang! Wu Kong's all ripped and evil-looking again! How many times will I need to repeat it? My name is not Wu Kong! It is... Qitian Dasheng? Indeed, I am the great Qitian Dasheng! And after the utter fool you made of me, I will slaughter all of you where you stand. I will slaugh...slau... Urrgh... What's happening? Bah, forget it! I'm more inclined to inflict my rage elsewhere. Wu Kong, wait! He left... Are you hurt, Your Highness?! No, I'm fine. How about you guys? Yeah, I got all my bits and pieces intact. Still we would've been in big trouble if Wu Kong didn't warn us away. What the heck happened to him?! If he has been completely consumed by the power of the Jin Gu Er, we may not be able to return him to normal. Wait, so we're screwed?! There's still hope. He hesitated earlier when he was about to attack us, right? That must be because he was resisting the relic's influence. If that is true, then perhaps we do have a faint sliver of hope. A faint sliver is all I need! Then let us get after him. Leave it to me to find him, Xuan Zang. I will not possibly miss a presence as powerful as the Jin Gu Er. Come on, everyone. We've got a friend to save!