Six down, let's head for the seventh!
The first room here has an old man stand before us with some coloured doors.
Old Man: You have come far. I will now ask you some questions. Walk through the door that corresponds to your answer. All will be revealed by the choices you make... Are you more the... Blue: Intellectual type Red: Athletic type
Intellectual. Definitely.
Old Man: I would rather be in the... Blue: Front line Red: Rear guard
Rear guard.
Old Man: To get attention, I would... Blue: Sing a song Red: Perform a magic trick
Um... I can't sing or am any good at magic. Uhhh... Red.
Old Man: During battle, I... Blue: Attack swiftly Red: Think carefully before acting
Oh come on! That's dependent on whether or not Auto Battle is on! Well, usually I think, so Red.
You would be perfect as... ... ... A mage! Here's a Magical Box for you mystic-minded people!
It's a Dry Ether and a Soma Drop. Not the best reward from this floor, but it'll do.
Next is another of those Sylph healing floors, despite the fact I haven't gotten in a battle yet. Grr... They also give us a Megalixir, though.
Next is a generic moon dungeon floor, which is full of treasure. We get Perseus's Bow here, which somehow has less Attack than the Yoichi Bow, but more once arrows have been equipped. An enemy here also drops the Dragon Whisker for Rydia, which is, of course, good against Dragons.
We get to the trial floor, which has the "someone just died" theme playing in the background. We head for the door, but it throws us away!
Cecil: !?' What is this?
The door opens only for knights that soar through the sky with the force of dragons. No one else may enter.
Kain: Let me go alone.
Cecil: Are you sure?
Kain: Don't worry about me. I'll be back.
Cecil: All right. We'll be searching other areas.
The only other area is the stairs down. Kain heads in.
... Kain... Kain...! Kain! Wake up!
Kain: Ugh...!
We've ended up in Baron. Cecil's standing next to us.
Cecil: You're finally awake! What happened!?
Kain: Is this... Baron? Why am I here?
Cecil: I'm glad you're all right.
Kain: What's going on here? What's with all the noise?
Cecil: A soldier was attacked last night by an unknown assailant.
We head over to the soldiers, who have Rosa with them.
Rosa: Kain! Thank heavens you're all right!
Kain: Rosa...? Why are you...?
Cecil: We were worried about you, so we followed you here. We found you lying here and the town's in turmoil. There's something strange going on...
Rosa: I heard a soldier was attacked by someone or something... I don't know the details, but...
Cecil: I think we should investigate.
Kain: Yeah, I agree.
The soldiers are questioning everyone here. The weaponsmith thinks it was the Grim Reaper, and someone snuck into his shop. This someone looked like a black shadow and had a scythe. The soldier talking with Rosa mentions that it was actually a spear, as far as they can tell.
A woman near the area mentions that she also saw a strange shadowy figure, and that it could jump across the rooftops. The soldiers say that there was no chance of it being a Dragoon, however. The soldier talking with Cecil has a different idea, though...
Cecil: What? You think Kain did this? Maybe you have forgotten that he was also attacked!
Soldier: That is not what I meant. However, in this vicinity, dragoon are the only ones who mainly use spears or lances as weapons... I was just pointing out the facts.
The captain shows up.
Captain: Have you found any clues?
Soldier: Nothing yet...
Captain: I see... Oh, I see everyone is here. As you can see, the town is in turmoil... However, that will end soon! I will capture the one behind this! If anyone finds any important information, make sure you let me know immediately!
Cecil: Yes, we certainly will.
Captain: We're very grateful. Hey! Have the town borders been blocked off yet?
Soldier: Yes, sir!
Captain: Good! Make sure to question every suspicious person you come across!
Soldier: Yes, sir!
Soldier: Captain! I think we should ask Sir Cecil and his friends to help us out with this incident.
Captain: What?
Soldier: If the suspect has been seen jumping from roof to roof, I think we should have Sir Kain help. He's the only one who can chase the suspect. In case we can't catch him...
Captain: What!? Are you saying you want to depend on others to catch this criminal!?
Soldier: N-no, sir! I just thought we could use the support...
The captain, being a moron, chases the soldier off.
Captain: Hmph! I'm sorry you had to see that... Still, I would be grateful if everyone could help us clear up this unfortunate incident. With your help, we're sure to catch whoever's behind this. What do you think? Will you lend us a hand?
Cecil: Certainly. Kain was attacked as well. I'd like to see those who did this apprehended.
Rosa: Yes. Let's get to the bottom of this and clear your name, Kain.
Kain: Yeah...
Captain: Thank you very much! This will help us with our investigation more than you know! You must be tired from your journey. Please go to the inn and get some rest here tonight. I will talk to the innkeeper and have everything prepared.
Cecil: Thank you. Kain, you should go ahead and rest. I'll take Rosa back to her house.
Kain: All right...
Cecil and Rosa leave.
Kain: ...
Those were some not quite perfect leaps in logic there. Kain was found on the ground, so the murderer must have attacked him! It looks like a spear was used, but there's no proof Kain did it, so Kain has to clear his name for a crime he hasn't even become a suspect in yet! I think everyone in Baron caught a case of the stupids.
We turn in for the day. At night, Kain starts dreaming...
Rosa: Kain!
Kain: (Rosa...)
Rosa: Kain! I can't believe you actually...!
Kain: (No! I didn't do it...!)
He wakes up.
Kain: !? (It was just a dream...) ... It's still dark outside.
He thinks he hears something.
Kain: Cecil? ...
He goes back to bed.
Kain: (The weapon was obviously a spear, judging by the wounds... Maybe a weaponsmith...?)
The next morning...
Kain: ... ...?
He gets up. There's a bloody spear in the room.
Kain: ...? This spear... It wasn't here last night...
He picks it up and heads outside.
Who... would... that...
Kain: ...?
Cecil: Kain! There's been another attack!
Kain: What...!?
It's the weaponsmith. Oh dear.
Kain: This wound... It was definitely done by a spear. This was done by someone accustomed to using this weapon. The weaponsmith was an important witness. This wasn't a random attack... ...
Important witness? He thought it was the Grim Reaper!
It turns out a spear was stolen from the weapon shop. That must be what we're holding.
Kain: A spear...
Cecil: ?
Rosa: Kain? What's wrong?
Kain: I found this spear in my room...
Cecil: It wasn't there before you went to bed? What's going on?
Kain: I don't know.
Rosa: I think we should hand it over to the soldiers as evidence.
Kain: ...Yeah.
Cecil: Kain...
We give it to one of the soldiers.
Cecil: Kain... You need to be careful! You've been attacked before! You should watch out, too, Rosa.
Rosa: I will. And, Cecil, I'm worried about you as well...
Cecil: Something about that spear bothers me... I should stay in the inn tonight as well.
All right, we'll have a sleepover!
That night, Kain wakes up.
Kain: I hope nothing happens tonight...
He heads back to bed. In the morning, Cecil is gone.
Kain: All right. Cecil...?
Cecil's outside.
Cecil: Nothing happened last night. Perhaps it was because we were together. Kain, have you seen Rosa?
Kain: No. Why do you ask?
Cecil: I was just wondering where she is. Kain, you should keep searching for more clues.
Kain: All right.
We head for the Training Room, under the Devil's Road. The spear's down here, along with the soldiers. They've found nothing. Rosa's mother also hasn't seen her. This could be bad. But, there's nothing else to do. We should go to the inn.
That night, Kain can't sleep.
Kain: Ugh! (Another... dream...)
We head outside. Cecil's also up.
Kain: Cecil...?
Cecil: Kain...
Kain: What is it? Did you find Rosa?
Cecil: Not yet.
Kain: What!?
Cecil: Will you help me find her?
Kain: Of course.
She's tied up in the north of town.
Rosa: ! Kain... Where's Cecil?
Kain: Let me give you a hand...
Cecil: Rosa!
Rosa: Cecil!
They kiss. Right in front of Kain. That's gotta be awkward.
Kain: ...
Rosa: I knew you'd come!
Cecil: Your mother is worried. I'll walk you home.
Rosa: Cecil...
They leave. They head to Rosa's house, but they're too busy to talk to us. We head back to the inn.
The next morning, we head back to Rosa's house.
Rosa: Kain, I'm sorry about yesterday. You just startled me...
Kain: It's fine.
Cecil: Rosa, what happened?
Rosa: I was at home sleeping when I heard someone calling to me. Before I realized it, I was standing outside... I knew I had to get back inside, and that's when... A man dressed in black appeared from above... When I came to, I found myself in the spot where you found me. And Kain was standing in front of me... I can't remember anything else. It felt like everything happened in a dream...
Cecil: I see...
Rosa: Wait, there was something else.
Cecil: Another clue?
Rosa: I constantly heard... someone's voice...
Cecil: Whose?
Rosa: I don't know. It was a very sad voice... But a kind voice that filled me with feelings of nostalgia...
Cecil: ...
Cecil asks us to look at the scene of the crime. We do, and see a mark on the ground.
Kain: This wound... Was it made by... a spear..?
We head back to the inn and turn in to see something.
Kain: ! The bloody spear!
The guards run in and accuse us.
Captain: Calm down! We don't know it was Sir Kain! We have no evidence! I'm terribly sorry, Sir Kain! I don't want to do this, but I must put you in restraints...
Kain: What?
Captain: I didn't want to believe you were the one behind all of this... However, the weapon used in the attacks has shown up in your room...
Soldier: I hate to do this, but will you answer some questions for us?
Kain: ... All right...
Captain: Please stay inside until the charges are dropped. Hey! Makes sure to recover the spear!
A soldier grabs the spear and they're instructed to watch Kain. We can't to anything but go to sleep.
(Kain... It is all you...)
Kain: (Wh-who's there?)
(You still haven't figured it out? This is what you hoped for... Come... With your strength, it'll be easy to take out the guards...)
Kain: (I can't lay a hand on soldiers from Baron!)
(See? That wasn't so bad.)
Kain: (!)
(Come... Leave this place... Kill him.)
We get up, and the guard at the door to the inn is dead. We head outside, where a black figure is waiting.
Kain: Wait!
We chase the figure to Rosa's house.
Rosa: Ahhh!
Cecil: !?
Kain: Stop right there!
He runs out and we give chase. We catch him, and he drops the spear.
Kain: Give it up already! You're the culprit!
The guards show up.
Captain: I knew you could help us! I apologize from the bottom of my heart for having locked you up. Take him away!
They take the caught man away.
Captain: So this is the spear... Well, I must be off! Thank you for the help! We will let you know how it all ends. Thank you again!
Kain: ...
Rosa: I can't believe that soldier was behind all this...
Cecil: Nothing gets by Kain! The incident is finally over. We should leave town tomorrow.
Rosa: All right.
Cecil: It's late. Kain, you should rest in the inn as well.
We do so. And there we find... the bloody spear.
(It's not over yet... It's not over until he is dead. That man... Cecil!)
Kain: (Cecil! He's in danger!) Cecil!
We run outside.
Kain: Cecil...
Cecil's just walking around.
Cecil: ...
He heads into the Devil's Road. We follow. And wind up... where Kluya turned Cecil into a Paladin? Cecil's unconscious and Rosa's tied up again.
Kain: Cecil...
Cecil: ...
The shadowy figure is in the mirror. He comes out.
???: I have stolen from him his freedom. It was easy. All I had to do was use Rosa as bait.
Kain: ...Who are you!?
???: Who am I? You should know the answer to this question better than anyone else. I am you. I am your desire. I am your true self. This is the world I created for myself. Come! Now is the time to grant all of your wishes! What's wrong? Deep down, you have wanted Cecil out of the picture. You have wished him gone, away from you. Now is the chance to make that wish come true! With that bloody spear!
Kain: Cecil!
We get asked if we want to fight Cecil. No... no, we can't do this. This is wrong. We can't kill him.
Kain: Shut up!
???: You wish to deny who you really are?
Kain: I wish to deny my weakness!
???: Then I shall become you. Desire is all humans' source of power!
Dark Kain is like the Dark Knight Cecil fight; don't do anything.
Kain: I must defeat the darkness in my own heart...
Dark Kain transforms into Lunar Bahamut! He's the same as Bahamut, just with less of a countdown and counter attacks. So we use a Lunar Curtain. It casts Reflect and stops direct attacks from hitting. Then it's a matter of beating the crap out of him before it wears off. We get Summon Book LB afterwards.
Kain: (This... This should be the end of everything... Right... Kain...?)
We get the Dragoon's Gloves. Then the spear starts glowing.
Kain: !? The bloody spear is glowing!
We take it, and it becomes Abel's Lance!
Kain: ... This is the way it should be... Right, Rosa? Right, Cecil?
We leave the trial.
Cecil: Kain! You're back already?
Kain: ...? How long... How long was I in there?
Cecil: What are you talking about? You just went inside.
Kain: ... I see...
Cecil: What was past those doors?
Kain: ... Nothing... Absolutely nothing...
Well, that's odd. The Dragoon's Gloves change Jump into Double Jump, which doubles the damage of Jump. Abel's Lance is a very powerful weapon for Kain that will randomly cast Tornado upon attacking or Jumping, and bypasses Tornado immunity. The Lightbringer is broken. The Dragoon's Gloves/Abel's Lance combo is just abusive.
Next time, we change our party again to take on the final trials.
Stats:
Kain: Lv 74 HP:5658 MP:0 Strength:90 Speed:62 Stamina:75 Intellect:13 Spirit:52 Attack:255 (15 attacks) Defence:100 Magic Defence:35
Rydia: Lv 69 HP:3014 MP:636 Strength:55 Speed:52 Stamina:54 Intellect:42 Spirit:34 Attack:85 (10 attacks) Defence:71 Magic Defence:35
Cecil: Lv 74 HP:6055 MP:327 Strength:99 Speed:59 Stamina:89 Intellect:37 Spirit:56 Attack:255 (16 attacks) Defence:98 Magic Defence:29
Rosa: Lv 72 HP:4389 MP:602 Strength:49 Speed:33 Stamina:42 Intellect:22 Spirit:97 Attack:142 (9 attacks) Defence:71 Magic Defence:52
Edge: Lv 74 HP:4702 MP:256 Strength:62 Speed:71 Stamina:59 Intellect:35 Spirit:25 Attack:228 (12 attacks) Defence:78 Magic Defence:29
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