In Search of Meaning

They were worried about not having neo regulators, but Lamaty'i cheered them up.

If you have any troubles or anything else you want to talk about, I'm always here to lend an ear.

Delia

Come again any time.

Accepting the quest

Start of cutscene.

Forgive me. I didn't mean to darken the mood.

Still, I feel better for having shared my feelings with you. Thank you.

I'm sorry I'm not being much of a guide. I don't usually get approached this often.

It's quite all right. The people have been through so much. It's only natural for them to seek comfort and assurance from someone they trust.

Besides, I was able to relax with a delicious cup of coffee and have a lovely chat with Forename.

I appreciate your understanding.

Right then, where to next... We could take a look inside the Nexus Arcade, but it can probably wait for when we actually need something.

In that case, let's head back to the recreation zone. There's plenty to see on True Vue.

End of cutscene.

Speak with Gulool Ja.

Optional dialogue

He was this way when we arrived...

Ungh...

Hey, are you alright?

He looks pale... We need to find a place for him to rest.

<pant> Thank you...

I was on my way to attend to some business...when the memory of being killed here came flooding back... The danger has passed, I know, but the terror lingers...

<sigh> For all the comfort I've offered others in my work, I can't seem to comfort myself...

Optional dialogue

The regulators and souls they used to spare themselves the horror of death ended up subjecting them to it over and over again. If only we'd come to their aid sooner...

But we're here now. We can offer this man the comfort he can't give himself.

I see... When the soldiers attacked, he...

He may be physically none the worse for wear, but unseen wounds also require time to heal...

/rally the stricken citizen.

Optional dialogue

Try as I might, I can't shake this fear... My courage has completely deserted me...

The citizen is overcome with fear. He may need someone to rally his spirits to recover.

Start of cutscene.

Thank you, I feel better already... Your encouragement was exactly what I needed...

Ah, but where are my manners? My name is Malachite, and I am an usher.

An usher? They're the ones who came to those without long to live, right?

But given everything that's happened, I expect your duties have changed.

That's correct. We no longer attend to the dying. It is only after they have passed away in their families' care that we convey their remains to a government storage facility.

A storage facility? What for?

Henceforth we must inter the deceased─but as the specifics are undecided, the bodies must be kept in cold storage for the time being.

I didn't know... I'd heard there were graveyards over by the submerged city, but like funerals, burial customs must be long forgotten.

Did you have usher duties? If so, we could help.

I'm not actually here in an official capacity, so I am loath to trouble you further. But since you asked, I shall explain why I've come.

I've taken to delivering the personal effects of the departed to their families. Even though their memories have been entrusted to the cloud, I still remember where they once lived.

The rule was to dispose of any belongings─to do anything else was strictly forbidden. But it saddened me to see them discarded like waste, so I began secreting away what I could.

Of course, I understand that not everyone shares my sentiments, and I leave it to the families to decide what to do with these items. Some accept my deliveries, others reject them.

Whether I'm doing the right thing, I cannot say, but I feel the families should be given the choice.

Oh... They didn't have it before, then...

It's important to think about what people leave to us. I want to help.

Do you want to help too, Forename?

What will you say?

Deliveries happen to be my speciality!

I suppose I can...

I'm truly grateful. Now, there are four items to be delivered here in the recreation zone. I leave them in your care.

In the meantime, I will head to the residential sector to make deliveries there. After you've finished, please meet me back here─I would like to know the families' reaction.

You know, there've been people in Tuliyollal who had similar episodes due to the trauma of the siege...

Would you mind if I went with Malachite, just to keep an eye on him? Only if you can handle those deliveries without me, of course.

It's fine, it's fine! I'm sure he'll be happy for the company.

Come, let's deliver these keepsakes to the families!

End of cutscene.

Speak with Sphene and have her and Gulool Ja accompany you.

Optional dialogue

Come, let's deliver these keepsakes to the families!

So, there are four items in total to deliver?

Right. Three for people on True Vue, and one for someone over by the Neon Stein. Let's visit them in that order.

Might I trouble you to do the talking, Forename? I fear my voice may betray my identity...

Lead the way. We'll be right behind you.

Sphene and Gulool Ja are now accompanying you. Keep them at your side in order to proceed with quest objectives.

You can leave your quest companions behind by entering a different area, or by speaking with them and selecting the option to part ways.

If you wish to have your companions join you again, return and speak with them at the original location.

Optional dialogue

Even though they're gone, the mementos of our loved ones give us the means to reconnect with them in spirit. I'm sure the people who receive these items will treasure them greatly.

I heard before about ushers clearing out the homes of the departed. No wonder he started thinking about their belongings.

Part ways.

Has something come up? Alright, we'll wait for you back where we started.

If you have urgent matters, then please see to them. I'll take in the view in the meantime.

Regrouping after parting ways.

There you are! Come on, let's deliver the keepsakes.

Taken care of business, have you? Then let us be about our business.

Interacting with objectives without escorts.

You should have Sphene and Gulool Ja accompanying you before completing your delivery.

Conversation Points

(X:19.5, Y:17.5): Discuss True Vue.

The way the buildings are all in a row reminds me of the old castle town. Lively as it is here, I can see why Oblivion can blend in.

The people around True Vue seemed scary at first, but most of them are really kind.

When I see someone passed out on the street now, I worry if they'll be alright...

(X:19.1, Y:20.0): Discuss the vending machines.

So you can purchase beverages from these machines? That's wonderful. I've always believed that technology should be developed for the benefit of the people.

Genolt's favorite energy tonic is a special formula, not like the ones they sell here. I wanted to try one, but Shale wouldn't let me.

Deliver the keepsakes to the citizens.

Energetic Citizen

Energetic Citizen

Hm? Is there something you need?

The player hands over the Wrapped Keepsake.

Energetic Citizen

Ah, so Malachite sent you! He was very considerate. When he offered to bring me the keepsake, he stressed that I didn't have to accept it if I felt uncomfortable.

I see why some would say no, but I couldn't do that. Not when it's something that belonged to my parents...who I understand now I will never see again.

Having spare souls won't save us from the inevitable. That's always been the case. But now, I find myself wondering about this and that. Like how much longer can I afford to muck around with my brothers...

...But I won't bore you with my ramblings. Thanks for bringing me the keepsake, and give my regards to Malachite!

Brooding Citizen

Brooding Citizen

What is it? If you're trying to sell me something, I'm not interested.

The player hands over the Wrapped Keepsake.

Brooding Citizen

Ohhh, you brought the keepsake. Thank you. I've been looking forward to this, hoping that it might help me remember...but no such luck, it seems.

The owner is dead, and they'll never become one of these “Endless” Queen Sphene tells us about. It's a sad thought...

Even so, I'm not sure I want to become Endless myself. If they're made by putting your memories into a new body made of aether, doesn't that mean you yourself still have to die first?

The thought of not having to worry about souls was appealing, so I was happy to receive a neo regulator, but I've only had doubts since then...

If Queen Sphene herself recommends it, I want to believe that all will be well, but still... <sigh> Sorry, I need to clear my head.

Disconcerted Citizen

Disconcerted Citizen

Oh, hello. Do I know you?

The player hands over the Wrapped Keepsake.

Disconcerted Citizen

Ah, so this is the keepsake... Truth be told, I've been wavering as to whether or not I should accept it. I mean, it belonged to someone that died...

It's got me thinking about what we did to Tuliyollal. I didn't even know we'd killed so many of their people, not until the funeral... What if they decide to retaliate?

Lamaty'i─Wuk Lamat would never do that. She and everyone in Tuliyollal know that my father was to blame for the attack, not the Alexandrian people.

Disconcerted Citizen

Oh dear, I'm sorry... I didn't mean to make you speak ill of your father.

It's just...I can't stop worrying about death, and hearing that they're running out of neo regulators makes it worse. I don't know what to do anymore...

After speaking to all NPCs

That's everyone on True Vue. Let's go to the Neon Stein.

Deliver the keepsake to the lively citizen.

Hm? Are you talking to me?

The player hands over the Wrapped Keepsake.

Start of cutscene.

Oh, right, this. I can't say it stirs any memories...but it does feel familiar somehow.

If the player has completed The Neoteric Witch

You know, you look familiar yourself. Where do I know you from...?

Ah, of course! You're the unenhanced challenger─no, champion!

I can't stress how incredible it is, what you've achieved without using feral souls. It's a genuine honor to meet you─though not for the first time, I realize...

Otherwise

Ahhh, I remember now.

It was at the infusion station in the government sector...and it wasn't my finest moment, as you might recall.

What will you say?

You're the Arcadion fighter who was desperate for souls.

That's right... I'm sorry you had to see me like that.

You're the one who yelled at Sphene to her face!

I-I apologized, didn't I? I was so desperate then, I wasn't thinking straight...

Are you sure we've met before...?

Ah, well... Never mind. It's fine if you don't remember me being desperate and rude.

Lithander

Anyway, seeing as we're meeting properly now, the name's Lithander.

I used to fight in the Arcadion, but not anymore. I took Queen Sphene's words to heart and found a new job, one where I can put my knowledge of physical conditioning to use.

As you know, lots of people were badly hurt when the mechanical soldiers malfunctioned, and I've been assisting with their rehabilitation. It's not something I ever imagined myself doing, but here we are.

Not many people can help others like you can. I think it's great what you're doing.

Lithander

Heh, thanks. It's encouraging to hear that.

There's this fellow who has to learn how to walk all over again. Becoming Endless would solve his problems, but he's determined to overcome them the hard way, with the body he's got.

Seeing that gave me a newfound appreciation for my own body. It's a gift from my parents─a sturdy thing that's survived the arena─and I need to take better care of it.