Let's start this update with a bit of bestiary filling out. Interlude has a lot of Points of No Return, so if we can encounter an enemy, we should go for it ASAP. Of course, seeing as we're encountering Damcyan Desert enemies at level 32, the only problem is the encounter rate, which is a lot lower on the world map than in dungeons.
A bridge has been built to Mt Hobs, but all dungeons are closed off by soldiers saying everything is under control. Into Damcyan Castle, then. Damcyan's been really renovated. It even has shops! Nothing we want or need, though. We head up to the throne room.
Secretary-in-training: King Cecil, Queen Rosa. Thank you for coming. This way, please.
Everyone's here... Except Edge and Rydia. Hmm.
Edward: Greetings, honored guests. I must first express my unending gratitude for all of my dear friends who have come to join us here today. It is only thanks to your generous support that Damcyan could be restored to the bustling town you see before you. And so, to celebrate our reconstruction and to show my appreciation for all that you have done, I would like to take the opportunity to...
Palom: Get on with it, already!
That is met with a well deserved hit on the head.
Porom: Palom, hush!
Edward: Haha! I missed your candor, Palom. Then let me dispense with the formalities. There is just one thing I would like to say... Damcyan owes its revival to all of you. I will never forget this debt. Thank you all!
Rosa: Edward has grown to be a splendid king.
Cecil: Indeed.
Edward: Well, let us leave the speeches and formal talk here. We must enjoy this rare time together with such dear friends!
Cecil can now talk to everyone. Yang and Rosa seem worried about different things. The secretary thinks Rosa looks unwell. We talk to Edward.
Edward: Thank you, Cecil. I never thought the king of Baron would be able to make it out to see me.
Cecil: Are Rydia and Edge not coming?
Edward: They said that they would. I suppose they will show up sooner or later.
Cecil: You must be right. ...But what have you done with the Crystal?
Edward: Haha! Of course you would be the first to notice!
Cecil: Well, you have completely opened the castle to the public. I can't imagine anyone would go after the Crystals again, but...
Now that I think about it, most of the castles in this world have really bad security. How do we manage to walk into them every single time? Fabul was justified, as Yang was with us then, but Troia and the Dwarven Castle had no idea who we were.
OK, come on, SCM, stop trying to apply logic to Final Fantasy.
...
Let's move on with the conversation.
Edward: Don't worry, my friend. I have thought of everything.
Edward presses a button and a door opens behind the throne. Someone's been talking to the dwarves, I see.
Palom: Whoa! A hidden door!
Palom rushes in.
Porom: Quiet, Palom!
Porom rushes in too.
Edward: Don't worry. It is not just anyone who can open this door. The Crystal will be safe here.
We head in to look at the Crystal, which Palom and Porom are now staring at.
Porom: The opposing force to the Water Crystal we keep in Mysidia...
Palom: So this is Damcyan's famous Fire Crystal, huh?
Porom: Come on, Palom. We should go back.
Palom: What, already!? Come on, Porom! Just let me check it out!
Porom: Are you serious? We finally get to see everyone and you want to stare at a stone?
Palom: Geez! You're such a nag...
The two leave. We head to leave, but the Crystal makes some noise.
Cecil: ...!? ... Must have been my imagination...
We head back into the throne room.
???: E-excuse me, my lords, my ladies!
It's some soldier. Are you here to deliver plot?
Soldier: I'm sorry to interrupt, but we've just received word of an incident on Mount Hobs!
Yep.
Yang: What was that!?
Edward: Tell us everything.
Soldier: Our lookout on Mount Hobs sent a message, sir. He reported a group of Fabulian monks, beaten and unconscious near the summit of the mountain.
Yang: Edward, forgive me. I must go at once.
Edward: Are you sure you should go alone?
Cecil: I shall go with him.
Yang: Cecil, you don't have to...
Cecil: I do. I have a bad feeling about this.
Rosa: And I'm going, too.
Yang: I am in your debt again, friends.
And so Yang joins our party. He joins us at level 32. That's all for now. Next time, hopefully less plot!
Stats:
Yang: Lv 32 HP:2095 MP:0 Strength:56 Speed:22 Stamina:42 Intellect:2 Spirit:3 Attack:80 (9 attacks) Defence:34 Magic Defence:6
Rosa: Lv 30 HP:950 MP:250 Strength:29 Speed:17 Stamina:18 Intellect:17 Spirit:50 Attack:77 (5 attacks) Defence:24 Magic Defence:20
Cecil: Lv 32 HP:1455 MP:134 Strength:34 Speed:22 Stamina:31 Intellect:18 Spirit:22 Attack:66 (6 attacks) Defence:47 Magic Defence:10
