Makara: Well, hello thur. Name's Makara, and I'm here to help Mr. Flynn out. I used to carry gods around, y'know, but now I've been summoned I suppose I can learn tuh make do. But now Mr. Flynn's got this gross head thing, and nobody seems to be able tuh agree what tuh do with it. I remember, though, there was someone who wanted it. I just hope we get rid of it fast; I've got sensitive nostrils, yuh know...
The correct place for Peallaidh's head is, of course, with the Kelpies, but these's still some things you can do here at the pond. The rocks in the water can be jumped to, and there's a relic spawn on one of them, but more importantly, you can follow them to the tower in the center of the pond. At the top of it, you'll find the Hawthorn Spear, a very good weapon.
Flynn: How odd... this looks like something the blacksmiths back in Mikado might create. I wonder who would leave it around this pa- GUH!
(FLYNN is suddenly headbutted in the stomach by something small but very hard)
Zhu Tun She: Eeeeeee! I got him! Old dude, did you see that! I got the hooman! Nothing can stand up to the head of Zhu Tun She!
Sandman: Yeaaaaaawn... you woke me up for this?
Zhu Tu She: Aww, come on, old dude! This hooman looked really tough, and even he can't stand up to the steel head of Zhu Tun She!
Flynn: Eurgh... I'm definitely summoning you two. Vengeance is sweet.
Zhu Tun She: Some vengeance; let's see how my head fares against other demons!
Zhu Tun She specializes in the Lunge move; he's weak for this point in the game but I find he's more accurate with it that other users of this move. Now with the Peallaidh assignment taken care of, there's more to explore in Ueno. In particular, check out the largest subsection of the map, which has many relic spawns that can be sold for a good profit. You'll also find an optional Domain here; unlike the Domains you've been to before, you're not allowed to use the map here. i'm told this is because these optional domains are randomized in layout.
Shiisa: Oh no, I do not like mazes, master! Mazes are not like playing with a nice squishy ball! I would like a nice squishy ball, master!
Make your way through the maze until you find a door. Save and heal here, then enter.
=MINI-BOSS: KIN-KI=
Level 20. Resist Phys, Drain Elec, Weak Force, Resist Dark
Jueyuan: Huh huh, "Kin-ki," huh huh.
Kin-Ki's a tough customer, but like a lot of minibosses, if you exploit his weakness he's not too bad. He has Fang Breaker, a Phys move that really hurts due to his high Strength stat, and Zionga, a medium-damage Elec move, so bring nobody weak to that. He shouldn't last longer than three rounds if everyone uses wind moves.
Sandman: Yeeeeeaaaaawn... please don't make me do stuff anymore...
Shiisa: Ooh! Ooh! I found a a shiny thing on that guy, Master!
Flynn: Strange. Some sort of mystic orb.
Hooligan: New York or Boston! New York or Boston!
Flynn: Eh? Is this a human, or...?
Hooligan: Screw you, man! That ball was on the line!
The "orb" is actually a lightbulb, which can be used to fulfill a delivery quest at the Ueno Hunter Association. There's also a couple new quests you can pick up here, one of which, "Slay the Pirate Demons," we can do now. Head to the Ameyoko back alley to do this quest.
=MINI-BOSS: PIRATE HORDE x3=
Level 20. Weak Fire, Null Ice, Null Elec, Weak Force
These Hordes can pack quite the punch, and you have to beat three of them. They have Axel Claw and Mazionga, and can easily wipe you if you've got people weak to Elec. Hua Po is good here, as she has Maragi, but it's a chance as Mazionga can easily defeat her.
Flynn: I'm mystified at how similar these Unclean Ones are to us. These "Hunters" are the exact same as the Samurai! I had supposed the Unclean Ones to be hostile, but... I think I should try to fuse some new demons now. Let's see... UWAAH!
Morax: BWOOOOOOOOOOH!
Flynn: No... I wasn't trying to... That demon! I have heard tell of this demon in the fairy-stories of home! They say he rules over a world of endless war, and can grant his summoners boons in exchange for their souls... I have clearly gotten in over my head... this is the Overlord Morax!
Morax: Bwoh hoh hoh... your description of me is half right, little thing. Perhaps I did rule that world in another life, but now I am something of a... freelancer, it could be said. I shall be your demon at no cost to yourself...
Flynn: ...I am not sure I should trust you, not certain at all...
Oread: Oh, grow a spine, Samurai; you know a contract between a human and a demon is unbreakable! You really put stock in fairy tales? As a Fairy myself I can say they're mostly crap. Think, kid; has any one of your demons tried rebelling against you?
Flynn: Hmm... that is odd. Then again, I have never summoned an Overlord before...
Shan Xiao: Hyuck hyuck hyuck... Them Overlords're some of the strongest demons; I'd get used ter it if I wanted ter survive out here. Hyuck Hyuck hyuck...
Oread is another powerful Wind-user, having Zanma. Morax is the lowest-ranking member of the iconic Tyrant race, and an Elec user. Shan Xiao specializes in buffing attack.
Once you have everything around here, head to the river and give Peallaidh's head to the Kelpies, who promptly use it as a chew-toy. The Kelpies will then form up into "Formation B," allowing the Prentices to cross on their backs to the Kasumegaseki Region.
???: Young master...
Flynn: Hmm? This one is dressed as a manservant... Excuse me, sir, I am no one's master, merely a Casualry.
Bifrons: This changes nothing, young master. In the infernal hierarchy I am footman, gravekeeper, and butler; my name is Bifrons, and as you are my summoner I shall perform these duties unto you.
Oread: Ooh, a free butler! Take it, stupid!
Flynn: This is so far above my station...
Welcome to the Kasumigaseki Region; Bifrons, a fire-user, is one of the new demons around here. Others include...
Kaso: Umm, hi Mr. Summoner... I'm not really all that strong, but I can... can... mmmmwaaaaaaahhhhh!
Onmoraki: Why you lily-livered little piece of crap!
Hooligan: You'll never make it in the majors, kid! Fire his ass, Commish!
Flynn: Hey! Nobody's getting fired here! Demon contracts are binding to both parties, remember?
Morax: Heh.
Flynn: Now, where is that base?
Kaso: Sniff... you mean that old place? It's... to the south of here...
Head south and you'll see two places you can go. The first, the large building, is Tokyo Station, and you can't do much here at the moment. You will, however, have your first encounters with the Ring of Gaea, and oddly-dressed organization that believe in absolute meritocracy: only the strongest and most capable should be allowed to rule.
Flynn: Hmm, these fellows are strange, but Walter seem to have given them an ear. Nevertheless, it appears we do not meet their standards to proceed further...
The second spot you can enter leads to Kasumigaseki park, which is our destination. This area is small with a couple relic spawns and wild demons. Head to the passage to the underground to be stopped by two members of the Ashura-kai. They confirm this is the way to the Counter-Demon Force base, but will not let the group through. Refuse to leave and they'll sic their demon on you!
=MINI-BOSS: TSUCHIGUMO=
Level 21. Resist Phys, Weak Ice, Weak Force, Resist Light, Resist Dark
Yet another easy miniboss. It has Zionga and Poison Claw, but that's not nearly enough to be a threat, so just spam ice up the wazoo. Shouldn't take more than three rounds. When you win, the Ashura-kai thugs flee, allowing you access to the CDF base!
Take the elevator down to the main passage. There's a grate hear you can climb into to get to a closed-off area of the surface with some good relics, but otherwise just proceed.
Azumi: Ooh, human! Come on, I'll race, you, I'll fight you; I'll do anything you want! Come on, ya little sissy, are you chicken?
Strix: Honestly, Azumi, dahling, you know this much stress at your age in't good for you.
Azumi: Neither is sittin' around on your patuckus, you old bat!
Strix: Well, I never... I'm an owl.
Azumi is an exceptionally-fast ice user, rare among the Brute race. Strix can drain MP, but the difference doesn't usually matter much. Take the elevator at the end of the passage here to reach the base. Fist things first: investigate the Terminal. When you go inside, you'll find that same guy, the Terminal Guardian, again... except now he looks and sounds completely different. As before, he'll sic demons on you.
=MINI-BOSS: PIXIE HORDE=
Level 23. Null Light, Null Dark
Yet another unimpressive miniboss. This one's main asset is that it has the medium-strength healing spell, Diarama, and no weaknesses, so just spam multiple-strike attacks and you should be fine. Defeat it to unlock the Terminal to Kasumigaseki.
Zhu Tun She: Hordes are hard to hit with your head...
Head into the top-right door here, inside you'll find... the Black Samurai!
Flynn: Hold me; I may just wring her ne- eh?
Actually, it's just her suit. In fact, there's a whole rack of them. Burroughs analyzes them as the uniform of the CDF, the DEMONICA. The group decides to take some with; these are excellent pieces of armor, apart from a Wind weakness. Walter also finds an identification card, which will get us into the big door at the center of the base...
What is beyond that door? Who is this Terminal Guardian, anyway? Can Kaso cut it? Stay tuned to find out!
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