Vacation Basics

Onslaught Event: Summertime Saviors

Prologue

Vacation Basics

Next Quest

A Familiar Plight

Summary

Patia is enjoying a holiday at the beach when suddenly Mikoto washes ashore and a gang of imperial soldiers begin to attack! The two warriors then step forward to defend the beach and the vacations of all who rest upon it.

Dialogue

Look at these blue seas and white sandy beaches... I believe this is going to be the vacation of my dreams! Vice Captain Patia
On leave (finally) from the White Sparrow Corps
You're certainly in high spirits, Patia. But I understand—if anyone deserves a vacation, it's you. Indeed, I hear the White Sparrows have been forced to deal with everything from bears to pirates to mutants. Aye, we've had a rough go of it lately. It's nothing less than a miracle that I was able to join you on this vacation at all. But now is the time to put my cares behind me and just enjoy my vaca— GWARGH! Just my luck to begin my vacation being struck by an errant chunk of driftwood. ...... Ho, this is no driftwood—it's a man! Do you yet draw breath, sir? Speak! Wh-where...am I...? Mikoto
Washed-up (literally) surfer of revelation
Heeding the will of Heaven, I have been locked in a battle of life and death. Yet how did I...? Mikoto?! Is that you?! One and the same: I am he who has attained revelation and he who seeks Mineuchi—and now I am he who was swept away by the waves. Er, and what does that mean, exactly? The last part specifically. I was surfing the ocean in search of my poor lost cat Mineuchi when both I and my board were swamped by a rogue wave and shipwrecked. How can one be "shipwrecked" on a surfboard? Did it crack in two or— And who did I encounter then, but a being possessed of unfathomable power! By all means, do not let my sensible question interrupt your monologue. As nature roiled all around me, it became clear I had given offense and would be forced to fight for my life. Thus did I battle the fell being day and night without pause. On the night of the third day, the beast unleashed a great flash upon my board. That is when I knew the battle was— You've been fighting on the ocean for THREE DAYS?! The next thing I knew, I found myself swept here. Ah, but where IS here? This is Lathom Beach. You are Mikoto. Oh, and I'm Patia, if you care. Well, now that we know how you came to wash up on this beach, it seems clear you aren't here to enjoy our vacation. Still, if you intend to continue searching for your cat, I suppose we could take the time to escort you to the nearest harbor. Hell no, he ain't comin' all the way here just to turn around and leave! Stick around, yeah? Kick back! Take a load off! We would be thrilled to have you join us, Mikoto. What do you say? As divine providence guides us in all things, I have clearly been reunited with you here for a reason. However, I am not acquainted with the specific rituals of this..."vacation," was it? Might I seek your guidance in the matter? Looks like we have a fresh recruit! In that case, why don't we start out with some basic beach activities? I shall face all of your trials with the zeal of a challenger! In that case, everyone follow me!

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Right! This game is called beach flags. You see those flags over there, yes? The idea is to run through the sand in a pack and grab one of them! I imagine whoever can claim a flag most quickly is the victor? You got it! But I gotta warn you, Patia and I have captured more than a few flags in our day. So at the risk of being a big jerk, one of us is totally gonna win this thing. Yes, yes, we're all sufficiently impressed. Now then, anyone who wants to participate should line up here. Ready, set, g— Done. What? Rubbish! No one is that fast! It is a trivial matter for one who has attained divine revelation. Bwaaa ha ha! I knew ya shouldn't have dismissed this guy as a noob! Ya better give yer all in the next game—and I think ya know exactly which game I mean. I believe I do indeed. So for our next event...

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Behold! Beach volleyball! Let us see if your fleet feet will avail you here, sir! So we are to stand in the sand and bat this sphere about? I think you will find it more complicated than securing a flag. Are you ready? Heavens above, I cannot possibly match the movements of this sphere! By Ilia, what a serve! That was my famed mirageball, feared the world over by rookies and veterans alike! Perhaps our dear Mikoto won't be walking away with the prize so easily after all. I wasn't aware this was a competition. Well, now that I have seen what you are capable of, perhaps you will permit me to set the next challenge. Bring it on, pal—we're up for whatever!

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When Luca said we were "ready for anything" I do not think he meant we would be surfing with cats! ...Blurgh! Cleo's gone under! Get a lifeguard, stat! It does my balance no favors to share my board with this cat. If you but align yourself wholeheartedly with the flow of nature, you will become one with the waves—and the more you trust your partner, the easier this will be. Meow. Uh, okay? Hey there, kitty. Go easy on me here, ok—BLURGH! Meeeeooow. You have ridden the rough waves well! The joy within your cat speaks to the fact that you are of singular talent. That's all well and good, but how are we even supposed to tell who is the victor of such a ridiculous event?!

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...I feel like I've done a lifetime of beach activities today. I never knew some of those even existed. Mikoto's athleticism made for some truly stirring competition. What say you, Mikoto? How did you like your first ever vacation? It was quite the novel experience. Even having attained revelation, I would never have thought up the likes of best-of-three, cat-surfing, and watermelon-smashing. I think that was new to all of us... Well, for a first-timer, ya put on one helluva show. Maybe there really is somethin' to that whole zen dealie ya got goin' on. Ah, so THAT is the secret to Mikoto's otherworldly strength! In that case, the next time we have a spare moment, I would hear all of your secrets in terms of— GRAAAAAGH! Oh, what is it now?!

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Get outta here, you lot! This beach belongs to us now! It's a lovely day for a hooooliday, but not for any of yooooouuuu! We're not gonna let you enjooooy it, because you smell like...uh...traaaash! Ugh! I can't take another minute of that off-key caterwauling! Imperial soldiers?! Fie! I don't know what those scum are doing here, but I won't let them ruin my vacation! Hey, we're risking our lives out there while you lot frolic and cavort at the beach! Well, now it's OUR turn for some fun! Yep! It's a soldier summer vacation! Oh, and we're gonna need the whole beach, so let's all move along now. That's it, off you pop. Taaaa! As a knight of the White Sparrow Corps, I shall not stand idly by while you ruin the vacations of all merely so you can attempt to have one of your own! Heaven has spoken. Your behavior is a violation of the natural order, and all things must heed to nature's flow. Cram it with walnuts, pal! If you won't get outta our way, we'll make you pay! What the...? They deflected our attacks! Your attacks were pathetic. Your Highness, we shall stand our ground here—please see the other vacationers to safety! Right. With me, everyone! You curs are dealing with me now, and I shall stop at nothing to protect the public order as well as the right of the people to vacation in peace! What Heaven knows, the earth knows— and what the earth knows, Mikoto knows. We will set down any and all in our path so long as Heaven wills it. En garde!