Forbidden memories of the past lay buried in ashes and ruins. The ominous “fractured star” beckons, holding untold secrets within its shadows. Secrets that still burn within a cindered heart.
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Watch out!
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Ugh... Uh? Uhh...
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Something's not right. Why wouldn't it attack us?
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Nngh... brother...
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Help... Help...
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(Talk to it.)
(Jump:6)
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(Attack it.)
(Jump:13)
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Brother... help...
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Ugh...
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Who is your brother?
(Jump:8)
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Help...
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| 9 |
It seems to only repeat these lines... This is not a common Tacet Discord.
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| 10 |
Tacet Discords attack other living beings, because they need to feed on those frequencies to make themselves whole again. When frequencies are scattered and recombined, a new Tacet Discord is born.
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This one probably devoured the frequencies of... humans.
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Turning the last bits of a human's consciousness into such monotonous mumbles... Are these words the last cries of someone innocent? Who is behind this twisted plot?
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(Jump:21)
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W-wait! It doesn't look like it's trying to attack us...
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Do Tacet Discords have consciousness too?
(Jump:14)
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Help...
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...Brother...
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...
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It seems to only repeat these lines... This is not a common Tacet Discord.
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| 18 |
Tacet Discords attack other living beings, because they need to feed on those frequencies to make themselves whole again. When frequencies are scattered and recombined, a new Tacet Discord is born.
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This one probably devoured the frequencies of... humans.
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Turning the last bits of a human's consciousness into such monotonous mumbles... Are these words the last cries of someone innocent? Who is behind this twisted plot?
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(Jump:21)
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Yangyang crouches down, hand on the Tacet Discord's head. As she focuses on the Streams, sorrow fills her expression.
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| 1 |
I'm sorry...
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| 1 |
Are you talking to it?
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No, that's beyond my ability. I just sensed some complex feelings from it... A mixture of deep sadness and eager anticipation.
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| 3 |
Rover... I think I know what's going on here.
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Go ahead.
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It seems to be begging for help, but it's not asking us to help it. I can sense the pained cries of this Tacet Discord... No, the cries of this whole village.
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The village is crying, waiting for rescue.
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Something truly awful must have happened here... And the victims' Reverberations still linger.
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Based on the evidence we've found and the condition of these ruins, that didn't happen all too long ago. I can still feel it in the Streams.
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Perhaps the Tacet Field has kept this village from being discovered, or maybe someone has been intentionally concealing it. Anyway...
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There must be something we can do. We may find the victims nearby. I can feel someone connected to what happened here is still close... This place is dangerous.
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| 10 |
I'll inform Chixia about what happened here. Can we continue our search before the official investigators arrive?
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Sorry, I know it doesn't sound very convincing... It's just a hunch of mine, and I don't have any evidence to back it up.
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No, not at all. I believe you.
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This is where Jinhsi's token has pointed to.
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Thank you, Rover. Please stay vigilant.
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As for the little one here... Let's leave it be.
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| 1 |
These cards... I see...
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The Fractsidus is likely behind it all.
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The Fractsidus?
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Yes. I don't know much about the Fractsidus, but as an Outrider, I've worked on related cases.
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It's a group of extremists obsessed with fusing humans with Tacet Discords. They've caused terror attacks of various scales around the world.
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Fusing humans and Tacet Discords...
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We've seen signs of their presence in Jinzhou, left by lower-ranked members called "Artificers".
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Above the Artificers are the Overseers, leaders with eerie abilities and unknown intentions. They pose a far bigger threat...
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No one knows their true intentions. Some members speak of world destruction, while others claim they seek eternal power.
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And there is one particularly insane Overseer. He's crazy even by the Fractsidus's standards...
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A man who sees no order and revels in destruction... I've seen similar cards in the physical evidence file of the Fractsidus-related cases.
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They belonged to this one Overseer I'm talking about. They call him... Scar.
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If he's responsible for what happened to these villagers... Who knows what kind of cruel and twisted atrocities he's capable of...
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You are... Scar?
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If you need to hear it from me, then... Yes, I am Scar.
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"Cruel and twisted maniac."
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Where is Yangyang?
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We deserve a meeting free of such disturbances, don't you agree?
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That girl... She's gonna sway your judgment.
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What do you want?
(Jump:7)
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Give her back to me!
(Jump:6)
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Aw, so you really care about her.
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(Jump:7)
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Don't worry, I don't plan to make you hate me just yet... She is safe now.
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Well, let's just enjoy our time together for the moment. Forget about that irrelevant person, will you? I have a lot to share with you.
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To begin with... I heard you've lost your memories?
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How did you know?
(Jump:10)
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Answer my question first.
(Jump:15)
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So it's true.
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That makes sense, given how fragile you were when you woke up. Or I would've questioned the authenticity of those rumors.
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You followed me.
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So you noticed? Aww, I'm flattered.
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No need to be so on edge. By now you should've realized I'm just one of the onlookers.
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But out of all the onlookers, I'm the only one who came forward to meet you, with absolute honesty.
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(Jump:16)
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Hehe... Indeed. I'll tell you then.
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(Jump:16)
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Before you knew anything about this world, you were already the center of conflict.
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You are the unknown variable we've been waiting for. Forces have been fighting for possession over you.
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From the moment you opened your eyes, everyone you've met, including that girl you care so much about... They all knew how valuable you are.
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The world is a cruel place. You are a living, breathing person, but you're just a pawn to many.
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That's why I'm here... Because I see you as a dear friend, and I want to tell you the truth. I am so, so sorry for everything you are about to face.
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But truth hurts sometimes.
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As if you were any different.
(Jump:22)
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You're just trying to make me join your side.
(Jump:23)
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Hehe, I know you are not one I can sway with simple words.
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(Jump:24)
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You could say I'm looking forward to your choice.
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(Jump:24)
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My goal is simple. I just want to deepen our mutual understanding, nothing more.
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Come on. Observe the surroundings a little more, and tell me what you see.
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As you learn more about this world, your true desires will surface, and our little game will become... even more entertaining.
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And before that, I don't want anyone to disturb my precious alone time with you... That's all.
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What did the Fractsidus do to this village?
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Aww. Why do you have to assume we are the culprits?
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Maybe you should be asking me what actually happened here.
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I won't tell you everything just yet. That's too boring. As I said, why don't you take a look around and see for yourself?
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So. Go ahead, what do you see?
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A large-scale ritual.
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People were injured.
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A strange Tacet Discord.
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Bravo! Didn't think you'd catch on to that!
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Now, what is the conclusion you've drawn?
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The Fractsidus manipulated the villagers.
(Jump:34)
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The villagers killed each other.
(Jump:36)
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| 34 |
Ah, how typical. The age-old tale of savage wolves and helpless lambs. Good and evil as clear as day. It's a tired story that people cling to in their mundane lives. Oh, how it keeps them in check.
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But let me ask you this: do you truly believe the real world can be that simple?
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(Jump:39)
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I see you don't really trust those villagers.
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Ah... So they were right about you. You are indeed quite exceptional.
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I like it. Your keen observation, precise judgment, and accurate understanding of human nature...
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(Jump:39)
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| 39 |
Let me give you a couple more tips.
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The truth is far more complicated than you think.
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First, who are the players in our tale?
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An innocent girl, a revered leader, and a flock of simple villagers.
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Next, what makes up our main plot?
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False devotion, fleeting kindness, collective deceit, senseless killings, and... The one vulnerable soul, pushed onto a path of destruction by the masses.
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Now, Rover, the story is yours to spin.
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I'm eager to hear your version after you've learned more.
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| 1 |
Rover... Rover!
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...Yangyang.
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I shattered Scar's illusion. That should've injured him.
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Hehe, should I thank you for showing me mercy?
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Stay away from her!
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Ugh. Didn't you promise to leave me some alone time with Rover?
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With one condition. I do hope you haven't let that slip from your mind.
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Don't let your improvisation trouble others.
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Ugh... Look at you, rushing in to protect your precious "Perfect Movement".
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No worries. I know all the dos and don'ts. I don't need you to tell me what to do.
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Rover, it seems our happy little date... must come to an end.
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But don't forget my sincere reminders.
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Let me know what you'll choose: an unexpected gift, an honest and open exchange, or a highly risky gamble...
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The choice is yours. I know how smart you are. You won't make a hasty decision.
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We'll meet again... in the not-too-distant future.
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They are gone. Should we go after them?
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...Let's skip it for now.
(Jump:16)
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Nevermind. Are you alright?
(Jump:17)
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...
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(Jump:18)
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Oh... Don't worry. I'm okay.
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(Jump:18)
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Scar's Resonance Abilities appear to involve teleportation and the manipulation of space. He trapped me in confinement, and I could only sense that it wasn't far from here.
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It took me some time to break that barrier. Sorry, Rover, if only I could've reached you sooner...
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You are safe now, and that's all I care.
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I broke free from it all thanks to you.
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B-brother... Brother...
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Eh? Why are you here, little one?
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It probably hid out of fear.
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I've never seen any Tacet Discord display such vivid emotions...
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The 'brother' it mentioned... Could it be...
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Scar...?
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Yes, that is a possibility, since Scar had been here before...
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Let's talk about it later. Rover, can you fill me in on what happened?
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You tell Yangyang about what just happened and the leads you gathered.
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It seems all the tragedies in Qichi Village were linked to that "ritual“...
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...And Scar was feeding me bits of info.
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Making up stories based on real life to support his twisted beliefs... That does sound like something he might do...
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We cannot take his words for granted. Now we must locate where the "ritual" took place and see for ourselves.
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Yes, we should give it a check.
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Hmm? What's the matter?
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...Nothing.
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Two distinct frequencies of Tacet Discords... I see.
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I can feel it in the Streams... Over there. Follow me.
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(In the south...)
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They are unharmed. Please rest assured.
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As you anticipated, Scar did not try to kill them... Yes, I stayed out of it like you asked.
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Is everything alright on your end?
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...Please be sure to stay safe, My Lady.
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The tree branches are loaded with paper slips, each containing someone's wish. The words on most of the notes are soaked and no longer legible.
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(Read the paper slips.)
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Another crumpled page from a children's book, half-buried in the mud.
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One day, a shepherd visited the village.
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The shepherd brought them promises of abundance and protection. The lambs, drawn in by his words, soon lived in comfort and security...
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Is that... the end of your story?
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Nope, quite the opposite! The shepherd's arrival is only the beginning.
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With a wave of his hand, the shepherd could grant their every wish.
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His flock obeyed, bowing their heads, pleading for better food and shelter.
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They no longer had to struggle for survival, as their once meager lives were replaced with endless luxury.
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The flock worshipped their shepherd-turned-god, praising him and holding him in the highest regard...
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...
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What's wrong? Does my story make you uncomfortable?
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Imagine you were one of those lambs, facing irresistible temptation and pressure from your peers. Wouldn't you bow down and beg for food from your master?
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We are all created equal. There should be no hierarchy.
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Haha... So we agree already.
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You are right, but the world we live in falls short of our ideals. The shepherd still reigns, and the lambs have grown complacent.
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It's up to the two of us to make that ideal world a reality.
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A crumpled page from a children's book, silently resting on the ground.
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The lambs reveled in endless bonfire parties, celebrating their new god every night, except... the one little black lamb.
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As each night passed, it was the only one to notice how its flock was dwindling away.
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Rover, do you think someone would give you what you want without taking anything from you?
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I believe in quid pro quo.
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Hehe...
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I once believed that too. Thought as long as I paid a high enough price, I could get my desired outcome.
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But true equality is scarce. Always has been.
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The world was never a fair place. Wouldn't you agree?
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To receive equal retribution, one must give more, and more... and more.
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When every wish comes with a hefty price, people weigh their options carefully.
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But when they can make someone else bear the price...
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They all rush to make more wishes. They don't consider they too may one day pay for another's selfish desire.
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Funny, isn't it...
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Sorry, Rover. I didn't feel comfortable down there.
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The air was heavy in that place, without any wind to speak of, but I could still feel so many emotions and desperate cries for help... I... I couldn't handle it.
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The villagers were a complex mix of emotions... hope, resentment, and despair. And as I read the diary, I could feel the intense sorrow and longing of its owner.
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What was the diary's owner longing for? Was it the peaceful life she once had, or did she miss her only family—the person who pushed her towards such tragic end?
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...My apologies. I got lost in thoughts again.
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It's okay.
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I understand.
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I wish I could say such tragedies won't happen again...
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...But I still lack the confidence to make that claim.
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It was tragedies like this that made me want to become an Outrider... to become someone with the strength to stop them from ever happening again.
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I cannot stop the Lament, but at least I should do everything in my power to help those affected by it.
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I trust you.
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I'm with you.
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Really? Thank you... Rover.
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Dwelling on it won't do us any good... Let's go. I'll compile a report on what had happened here, and send it in along with the clues we've gathered.
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Yes. Let's go back... together.
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You find some markings on the walls.
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As you lean in closer to look, you notice some faint markings on the wall.
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Words like "MONSTER", "WITCH", "BANISH HER" and "ALL HER FAULT" are written thickly on the wall.
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A crumpled page from a children's book, silently resting on the ground.
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Later, the shepherd openly blamed the black lamb for the flock's decline.
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On the next day, the white lambs welcomed the rising sun as usual, but the black lamb was nowhere to be found.
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The shepherd introduced an unspoken rule to this village, one that our black lamb violated by telling the truth.
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Suddenly, the once doting "god" stopped fulfilling wishes, because no more sacrifices were being made.
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After witnessing the black lamb's actions, and hearing from their almighty shepherd... What do you suppose the white lambs did?
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Ah, those oblivious lambs. Little did they know, the most fearsome demon was right under their noses.
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