Through the Petals in the Land of Repose - Debate, Discourse Without Spears

Ask about Axana's whereabouts with Aglaea and the others

Mission Description
After discovering Anaxagoras had fled to theCouncil of Elders, Aglaea rushed to Dawncloud to confront the Council about theCoreflames.The scholar appears to share the same condition as (Trailblazer). This might hold the key to(his/her)salvation.

In the meantime...

  • Aglaea: I have news from Hyacine and Dan Heng . Anaxa might be trying to do something with Kephale 's divine body.
  • Phainon: Kephale ? But what could Anaxa want...? Is the Council of Elders going to sit around and let such a sacrilegious act unfold?
  • Aglaea: That is not possible.
  • Aglaea: He is indeed "the Great Performer," capable of fooling anyone and everyone with his tricks.
  • Phainon: I... I'm sorry.
  • Aglaea: No need for guilt, for this is good news to us. The Council of Elders has found themselves a traitorous ally. Anaxa's ambitious desires will be something we can exploit.
  • Aglaea: What we should be doing now is to keep our eyes peeled for whichever trickery Caenis is up to and react accordingly to thwart her plans.
  • Aglaea: Being Okhema 's political center, the Demigod Council holds just as much significance as the Vortex of Genesis . Someday, after my duty is over, this site will take the place of the battlefield where you hunt gods, become the next challenge you ought to overcome...
  • Aglaea: Till then, it's best to get used to this place as soon as possible.

We will be waiting here for your good news.

Come find us anytime you need something.

  • Strolling Councilor: Preposterous! The Chrysos Heirs only have their standing because of the Council of Elders. How dare they trample over it!
  • (Trailblazer): ▶ (Wow, these people are shooting daggers with their eyes...)
  • Krateros: It's been a while.
  • → Hello, Oleg of Amphoreus .
    • Krateros: ...What is that supposed to mean? Is this really the sort of person that the young lord praised as a ferocious warrior?
  • → But we've never met.
    • Krateros: That's fine. I recognize you. The young lord has nothing but good words about your courage.
  • Phainon: It has indeed been some time, Lord Krateros. What brings you here in such haste...?
  • Krateros: Shh...! Keep it down.
  • Krateros: Be more vigilant. See those duplicitous dogs over there? They do the dirty work for Caenis.
  • Krateros: I've already ordered my people to hold them back, but we should still lay low... Unless you're itching for a bloody fight to get a workout in.
  • Phainon: My bad. So, did something happen?
  • Krateros: Did you hear thunderclaps last night?

It would be hard not to notice thunderclaps in broad daylight.

No, I'm a heavy sleeper.

  • → Hurray, it's Acheron ! Someone's coming to save us!
    • Krateros: Acher... what?
    • Phainon: ▶ ( He's / She's ) been through a lot lately. Please pardon ( him. / her. ) Can you tell us more about these thunderclaps?
  • Krateros: Thunderclaps are beacon signals of Strife. They are a message from the young lord. He threw a spear bearing several words at Okhema.
  • Mydei: "Watch out. The Flame Reaver is back."
  • Phainon: ...I guessed as much. We didn't actually kill them back at the Kremnos arena .
  • Krateros: I figured this is something you would want to know. We Kremnoans never back down from a fight, so if you plan to take that thing down in a battle, reach out to me anytime.
  • Phainon: You have my gratitude. I will let Aglaea know about this right away.
  • Krateros: Remind her to be on her toes while you're at it. That vicious Caenis has been unusually active lately.
  • Krateros: Those lackeys she keeps undercover have been going in and out of the city a lot more frequently these days. Some even seem to be getting Kremnoans to defect to the Council...
  • Crowd: Get off the stage! Scram!
  • Phainon: That's...
  • Krateros: Hmph. Looks like you can see it for yourself.
  • Phainon: We should get back. Thank you for the intel, Lord Krateros.

Return to the Demigod Council and inform Aglaea about things

Step Description
After discovering Anaxagoras had fled to the Council of Elders, Aglaea rushed to Dawncloud to confront the Council.Deliver Mydei's warning to Aglaea.

(Approach the two councilors to the left of the bridge, idle text)

  • Nosy Councilor: The Council of Elders has long fallen into disgrace.
  • Steadfast Councilor: I want to support the Council of Elders.

(Listen to the two councilors to the left of the bridge, optional)

  • Nosy Councilor: Haha, someone trampled right over the master's flower bed, yet the master only fumes in silence. Oopsie, there goes the reputation of the Council of Elders.
  • Steadfast Councilor: Whose side am I on? Why, I'm all for the Council of Elders to reclaim their authority, of course!

(Approach the three councilors on the bridge, idle text)

  • Careful Councilor: Hush, the Chrysos Heir is here.
  • Pious Councilor: On behalf of the Chrysos Heir, I plead for forgiveness.

(Listen to the three councilors on the bridge, optional)

  • Careful Councilor: They're here. The Chrysos Heirs are here.
  • Elderly Councilor: I should've gone back home to fetch a sacrificial vessel, some floral crowns, and frankincense to burn and offer...
  • Pious Councilor: O Titans, please forgive these arrogant and self-conceited heroes.

(While crossing the bridge)

  • Lygus: By Kephale and Talanton above, as the Theoros, I have observed...
  • Lygus: ▶ Virtuous citizens of Okhema, Phainon of Aedes Elysiae and (Trailblazer) the outlander are heading toward us!

(Approach the stage)

  • Phainon: Aglaea! What happened here?
  • Aglaea: I know about the poisonous fangs of that kingsnake through the golden threads. In the past, I would be confident about keeping her in check, but... I admit I am now unable to do so.
  • Phainon: What do you mean?
  • Aglaea: It is no longer about eloquence or arguments. I have been a demigod for far too long that I hardly have any humanity left. Before I realized it, I have become no different from these hypocrites, no longer capable of relating to the people.
  • Aglaea: This has come a lot sooner than I expected, but perhaps it is time. I need you to step up, Phainon, in order for me to retreat behind the scenes.
  • Phainon: Yes, this is my duty, but...
  • Aglaea: It is far easier for the Council of Elders to fool many than just fool one person. Their so-called "more support" is no more than a ruse to distribute power using words instead of lances.
  • Aglaea: There is no glory in winning this debate, but that makes having respect for "humans" so much more priceless. Phainon, you are a Chrysos Heir without flaw, capable of relating deeply with humans...
  • Phainon: I appreciate what you've taught me, Aglaea. I hope we'll live up to your expectations and win this debate.
  • Caenis: Pfft. Hahaha...
  • Caenis: You've done well, Lord Callictis. Let me take over and personally close this debate for today.
  • Caenis: Dearest councilors, let it be known that I sorely miss the blissful times portrayed in lyrical poems. Back then, Amphoreus was home to nearly a thousand cities — each with their own local faith — while gods walked the earth and shared close bonds with humans.
  • Caenis: Yet in the present, people from all over are forced to leave their homeland, to seek refuge in the holy city, where they hope to rest under Kephale 's protection. All of us have long been in the same boat, with no way out of this plight.
  • Caenis: We didn't have a choice in the past, but now... the Council of Elders brings to the table a new possibility. All I have left is one question for you:
  • Caenis: Would you rather strive toward the unheard-of "Era Nova," or return to the prosperous "Era Chrysea" of our past? Make your choice!
  • Caenis: Now, which of the two would lead mortals to an ideal future?
  • → No hesitation! I stand by "Era Nova"!
    • (Trailblazer): ▶ "Era Nova" is a path of salvation the gods promised. We should not have doubts in the Flame-Chase Journey.
  • → If it's possible to bring "Era Chrysea" back...
    • (Trailblazer): ▶ But how are we supposed to send Amphoreus back to "Era Chrysea"?
  • Phainon: We all know that "Era Chrysea" is a thing of the past, Lady Caenis. Please enlighten me — how does the Council of Elders plan to turn back time?
  • Caenis: Let the Three Titans of Calamity be born and Era Chrysea is nevermore, but bring demise to those Titans and Era Chrysea will descend upon us again.
  • Caenis: Know that the Council of Elders is never one to make empty promises. Look at who we have on our side...
  • Caenis: Anaxagoras, one of the Grove's Seven Sages, and Castorice, Aidonia 's "Goddess of Death"!
  • Caenis: With the help of these two heroes, I can promise all of you that "Era Chrysea" will exist once more!
  • A Member of the Council of Elders: Aren't they Chrysos Heirs? They're supporting the Council of Elders instead?
  • Another Member of the Council of Elders: Hmph, it's clear from the start that these heroes do not get along well in their group. All the more proof that Aglaea isn't fit to speak on behalf of every Chrysos Heir. I am in favor of "Era Chrysea"!
  • A Member of the Council of Elders: Era Chrysea, Era Chrysea!
  • Members of the Council of Elders: Era Chrysea, Era Chrysea!
  • Castorice: ...
  • Phainon: Castorice? Why are you standing over there...
  • Aglaea: You've finally arrived, Anaxa. So have you... Cas.
  • Anaxa: Don't worry, Aglaea. While I know that you have many queries, could you continue to converse like how "the citizens normally do"?
  • Anaxa: Tell me, dear citizens...
  • Anaxa: If we successfully retrieve and return Thanatos ' Coreflame without anyone passing the Death Titan's trial, what would happen next?
  • Caenis: The answer is simple: We will have a chance to rid the world of "death" and bring Amphoreus back to an era when all beings live forever... We'll usher in a new future that will be entirely different from "the Flame-Chase Journey"!
  • discussing fervently: The members of the Council of Elders are .
  • Phainon: Your proposal is much too idealistic. As long as the black tide still exists, how can we go back to the old days?
  • Anaxa: Remember what I previously said? Kephale 's Coreflame is guarded by the secret power of the Council of Elders. Plus, Phagousa 's water curtain will be able to block out any external perceptions.
  • Anaxa: Tell me, dear citizens: Have any of you ever seen even a glimpse of the threat that this person is talking about anywhere within the walls of this majestic holy city?
  • → But this place will become the Flame Reaver's target sooner or later!
    • Caenis: Oh? Could it be that you heard that from the Flame Reaver themself?
  • → Isn't this just survivorship bias?
    • Caenis: If we eliminate death, then there's no need for us to fear that Flame Reaver, right?
  • Caenis: Citizens, let's loudly sing the blessed hymn: "O beautiful old world, where are you now? O legendary Era Chrysea, return to the mortal realm!"
  • Anaxa: After the destruction of the Three Titans of Calamity, the Flame-Chase Journey will have to end!
  • cheering in excitement: The members of the Council of Elders are .
  • Phainon: This is bad. The masses are now totally riled up...
  • Aglaea: Anaxa, pray tell: Everything that you've mentioned hinges on the premise that we can find Thanatos 's existence, right?
  • Anaxa: Thank you, Lady Aglaea, for still caring about this city. However, dear citizens, we are truly fortunate and blessed...
  • Anaxa: ...For Castorice, Aidonia's "Goddess of Death," will surely find Thanatos under my guidance!
  • Phainon: What...!?
  • Caenis: With that, I solemnly promise that the Coreflame Lady Castorice brings back will be personally managed by the Council of Elders.
  • Caenis: Thereafter, if we are able to garner the support of all of you at the citizens' assembly, we shall spare no effort in ensuring that the Era Chrysea will return to our world once again!
  • cheering in excitement: The members of the Council of Elders are .
  • Lygus: With the balance shattered, the result is clear. By Kephale and Talanton above, as the Theoros, I have observed...
  • Lygus: Okhema has chosen her destiny. The issue up for discussion at this citizens' assembly shall be modified to the "Suspension of the Flame-Chase Journey." This resolution shall be put up on the Wall of Heroes such that all citizens are aware of the city's way forward.
  • cheering in excitement: The members of the Council of Elders are .
  • Anaxa: Aglaea, dear Aglaea... What has caused your heart to soften? You also don't seem to be as quick-witted as before?
  • Aglaea: Wag your tongue as much as you like. Since the Flame-Chase Journey has been preordained by the prophecy, our failure has never been on the cards.
  • Anaxa: Well then, I guess we'll find out if that's true at the citizens' assembly.

Lygus announces the conclusion of the debate, and the attendees part ways...

Speak to Castorice and learn about what happened

Step Description
As Castorice and Anaxagoras back the Council of Elders' plan to "return to Era Chrysea," "pausing the Flame-Chase Journey" has become a matter for the citizens' assembly.Let's hear why Castorice publicly "abandoned" the Flame-Chase Journey. There must be more to this story.
  • (Trailblazer): ▶ (Castorice... What's going on?)

(Talk to Castorice)

  • Aglaea: Well, it seems that when I sent you to look for Anaxa, I unintentionally facilitated your partnership with him instead?
  • Castorice: I...
  • Castorice: My apologies, everyone. I know that you have many questions to ask me. I will answer them to the best of my knowledge.
  • Aglaea: In that case, please tell us as much as you can.
  • → What happened when you went to look for Anaxa?
    • Castorice: In actuality, he showed me...
    • Castorice: ...A past that was both long and heavy.
  • → Hold on. I'm not ready.
    • Castorice: ▶ I will wait for you. This matter is of great consequence... and ( Mr. / Miss ) (Trailblazer) should hear the entire story from beginning to end.

(Talk to Castorice again)

  • Castorice: ▶ ( Mr. / Miss ) (Trailblazer), are you ready now?
  • → What happened when you went to look for Anaxa?
    • Castorice: In actuality, he showed me...
    • Castorice: ...A past that was both long and heavy.
  • → Hold on. I'm not ready.
    • Castorice: ▶ I will wait for you. This matter is of great consequence... and ( Mr. / Miss ) (Trailblazer) should hear the entire story from beginning to end.
  • Anaxa: The reason I say this is as I've mentioned earlier: The answer was hidden in my journey unto death.
  • Castorice: Anaxa... you were in the nether realm?
  • Anaxa: Yes — I am but a living dead man now — but that's not important. What truly matters is — I overheard a conversation between heroes.
  • Switching to Castorice's POV...:

The final destination of Polyxia and that Castorice's destiny will reveal Thanatos's whereabouts...