Following the trail left by Vasili, this half of the group encounter the Dream Demon now consumed by the Abyss's energy. Returned to his old ways and blind destruction, the Dream Demon no longer listened to reason. The words from his acquaintance however broke through the blinds of his violence.
Aisha, Raven, Chung, Elesis, Add, Lu, Ciel, and Laby look for the guide who might be in danger.
Quest Completion Dialogue
Raven:The trail is becoming more sporadic.
Ciel:Is this... a creature of the Abyss? It hasn't been long since it died.
Laby:Do you think Vasili defeated it? Laby sure hopes so...
Add:.......
Add:(Damn it.)
Add:(Damn it, damn it, damn it...)
Add:(Why, can't, I, calm, down...!)
Add:(I'm the last Debrian. I've jumped through time, and there's no one chasing after me. The past no longer concerns me.)
Add:(Then why...! Am I making this my problem.)
Add:(I know what this anxiety means...!)
Add:(Then why can't I control it...!)
(SCRATCH, SCRATCH SCRATCH)
Add:(Ugh... This is all the blue hair's fault. He couldn't shut his mouth...)
(SCRATCH, SCRATCH, SCRATCH SCRATCH)
Add:(Demons... Abyss... I don't like any of this.)
Add:(Damn it... Watch and see. I won't let this drag me down...!)
Elesis:.......
Elesis:Add, a moment, please.
Add:What.
Elesis:Your neck. Didn't you promise you won't scratch it anymore?
Add:I never made such promise.
Elesis:.......
Add:If you're worried I'll hold you back, you can drop the worrying act.
Add:It's like you said. It doesn't matter as long as I do my job. I'll do my job, so mind your own business.
Elesis:... No, I won't mind my own business. Come here.
Add:Kugh, what's this? Get if off me!
Elesis:It's a handkerchief. Stand still! It's not going to kill you!
Add:I don't need it!
Elesis:I know you don't need help. I'm sure you can eventually overcome whatever it is you're dealing with.
Elesis:But some people are dying to help you. They might not show it, but I'm sure everyone's worried about you.
Elesis:Even if you're doing fine, let others help you out, time to time. You know it's nice to have something like that sometimes.
Elesis:Now... I'm going to wrap this around your neck, so whenever you feel like scratching, focus on this scarf. You should feel better soon after you distract yourself like that.
Add:.......
Elesis:Done! Now go on!
Add:Can't you tie it properly? This looks stupid.
Elesis:Uh uh. Beggars can't be choosers. Don't take it off! You better have that around your neck until we get out of here.
Add:Tsk... Fine. I'll have it around my neck. You stop bothering me.
They found their guide, but the situation is no better. A strangely condensed demonic energy was flowing out of the guide's wound. He was no longer the same person the El Search Party knew.
Clear either one of the following two conditions to clear the quest.
Quest Completion Dialogue
(CRAACK-!!)
Chung:Kugh...!
Chung:Vasili! Snap out of it... Please!
Add:Tsk, not bad for a wimpy shrimp. Though he's terrible at actually landing a hit.
Laby:Add! No attacking, ok?
Add:What am I supposed to do then? Stand still until he finally gets a clean hit?
Vasili:Ahhh... Will you stop bothering me? I have something to protect.
Vasili:But... What was that something...? From what...?
Lu:It's not use... He doesn't recognize us at all.
Ciel:Tsk, he's been consumed by the demonic energy...
Aisha:But I thought it was fine for Vasili! Didn't you say that the demons of Red Demon Territory can withstand the Abyss?
Red Demon King's Eye:Hm, did I say that?
Laby:Don't play dumb! And Vasili said he'd be ok, too!
Red Demon King's Eye:Hahaha! There's no way he was going to be unaffected. You really believed that? I can't believe you're that foolish.
Red Demon King's Eye:Don't get me wrong. It wasn't all a lie. It's true he wouldn't easily die in Abyss. But I can't say the same thing about his mind.
Aisha:Dream Demons act in a hive... Some that stand out end up leading the group, and others follow them and become part of the group...
Red Demon King's Eye:No matter what group they end up in, they slowly change their individuality to match the identity of the group. And right now... We're in the Abyss.
Aisha:You mean... He was the most susceptible one to turn into an Abyss Worshipper from the start?!
Lu:Tir. You were planning on entering the Abyss before we came back to Magmelia.
Lu:Did you force him to, expecting this will happen?
Red Demon King's Eye:Dear me, are you trying to place the fault on me? I'd really rather not hear this from you, Luciela.
Red Demon King's Eye:Besides, I didn't force anything. In fact, I gave him a chance. With his sacrifice, the group could buy time to run away.
Red Demon King's Eye:With you along, there's even a chance to stop Ran all together. I'm sure he has no regrets.
Red Demon King's Eye:We both had an understanding. All I did was remain silent following his wishes.
Aisha:He... knew? Why would he... How could he make such a decision? It's his life we're talking about!
Red Demon King's Eye:Strange... Is that important right now? He did as he promised. He said he was going to help you meet Ran.
Red Demon King's Eye:Thanks to him, you came down here at a pace that would have been impossible on your own.
Lu:... I hate your methods. I always have.
Red Demon King's Eye:Huhu, the feeling is mutual.
Chung:But this... This is not what we wanted... Is there anything we can do?
Raven:Elesis, let's switch positions. Can you handle Vasili with Chung for now?
Elesis:Sure. Tag!
Aisha:Raven, do you have something?
Raven:Hm. It's not much, but I noticed he'd hesitate whenever his name is called.
Ciel:You mean, he didn't lose all his memories.
Add:You sure he's not flinching from your shouting? The two with the biggest voices kept creaming his name, after all.
Raven:You're right. Tilting your head to the side is definitely a kind of action you take when you hear a sudden loud noise.
Add:Tsk, you could have told us that first.
Raven:Abyss Worshipers all look alike. So do Dream Demons of Magmelia.
Raven:But Vasili still looks like himself, even though he's not acting like himself.
Ciel:We might not be too late.
Laby:Even if Vasili said it's fine, Abyss is dark and sad. He must be lonely...
Laby:Let's wake him up so he can return to his friends!
Lu:But I'm not sure how effective it will be to call his name over and over again.
Vasili:My mission... is to protect. With my life... But what?
Aisha:Hm... A way, some kind of way...
Aisha:Lu, didn't you say that you become an Abyss Worshipper when you are lured by the demonic energy of the Abyss?
Lu:I did. Do you have a plan?
Aisha:Hm... I don't know. I'm not sure if it will work...
Aisha:But if the problem is being overly affected by the demonic energy of the Abyss, maybe using all that demonic energy will return him back to normal?
Ciel:Make him use all his power? But we're inside the Abyss. It's no use if he uses all his demonic energy, leaving him nothing to resist the Abyss.
Raven:It's a fine plan. I believe it will work.
Ciel:Oh, that's heartless...
Add:That's not it. If you still don't get it, why don't you look up.
Red Demon King's Eye:Hey!
Laby:Oh, Tir's eye! It's protecting us!
Ciel:I see! As long as we're within its gaze, the power of the Red Demon King will protect us.
Lu:It has potential! Let's try this!
Vasili:... I don't know, but a hunting dog does not ask questions.
Vasili:Incarcer, Torta. An order must be obeyed.
Vasili:I need to protect it. Even if I don't know what it is.
Chung:Vasili! Please... Snap out of it! You can't let the demonic energy control you!
Vasili:Control? Hahaha... Torta is never controlled! Always in control!
Vasili:Scared little prey running away... They're easy targets.
Vasili:Quesito... But I don't know about you. You're almost within reach, but never actually within grasp. One moment you're attacking, and the next you're running away.
Aisha:Come on! Get a hold of yourself! We came to stop Ran together, remember? You came to protect the village and the Dream Demons!
Vasili:Hello? Excuse me, I don't think we've met. Do I know you?
Vasili:Protect... That word resonates with me. Is it an order?
Laby:It's not an order! You wanted to! To protect everyone!
Elesis:... Torta, is that where you belong?
Aisha:It's like he went backwards in time, instead of losing his memory.
Laby:Backwards?
Ciel:When you first become a Dream Demon, you lose your memory until you awaken...
Lu:Backwards in time... You mean when he was in a different group before he was awakened!
Laby:Ooh! Then how do we make him go forward in time?
Aisha:I... don't know...
Vasili:Oh, I see... So I'm the prey. Is that it?
Laby:Huh?! That's not it!
Vasili:Hahaha! How fun...! A hunting dog designated as prey?
Vasili:Fine. Then you will be my prey. I'll think about the order later.
Raven:Looks like he calmed down after his awakening.
Vasili:Now... Hahaha! Run, little prey. Torta never misses their mark!
It's harder to take down without harming. It's a heavy burden.
Clear either one of the following conditions to clear the quest.
Quest Completion Dialogue
Chung:(Idiot... I'm an idiot.)
Chung:(Find my way to the Abyss by myself! I can't believe I said something so irresponsible!)
(KLAKAKA!!)
(BANG!)
Chung:Ugh...! Cough, cough!
Lu:Laby! Take care of Chung. Make sure he can rest even for a moment.
Laby:Ok! Chung, are you ok?
Chung:I, I'm fine...!
Add:It's simple, but fast and powerful. I didn't expect him to pack a punch.
Lu:Now is not the time to be impressed.
Add:What's impressive is not his power and speed.
(... KLAKAKA! BANG!)
Ciel:Ha!... Not bad, but maybe you should look before you hit?
Vasili:Ahh... So annoying. Stop hopping around.
Ciel:For all your talk about hunting and prey, you're not that impressive.
Lu:Ciel is doing a good job wasting his power by aggravating him. Though he's still too lively...
Elesis:Hey, his attacks seem off doesn't it? He's got the direction right, but can't seem to get a hold on the distance.
Raven:You're right. He has too many openings to be a 'skilled hunter' like he wants us to believe.
Aisha:Oh! Oh dear, do you think it's because he doesn't have his glasses?
Elesis:What? You mean his eye sight is that bad?
Add:All his talk about meeting first time, and he didn't even look at our faces properly?
Laby:Maybe he'll recognize us if he has his glasses back!
Add:Too late for that. Someone snuffed out that possibility long ago.
Aisha:Cough, cough! There's no guarantee that he'll return to normal with the glasses anyway.
Aisha:It will be worse if he starts attacking properly because he can see, right?
Vasili:Aha! Hahaha! You guys are playing with me! You know my eyes are my weak point.
Vasili:Not bad, playing with your prey... But I have my ways.
Ciel:Hm? And what is that?
Vasili:Well, I feel strangely energized. If I can't hit you, then I'll wipe everything off! Hehehehehe...
Ciel:Whoa, I think that's my sign to step back.
Lu:He has to get exhausted at some point. Let's continue with our strategy.
Laby:Yeah. Since Vasili always looked tired, maybe he'll remember everything when he's exhausted again!
Add:What a mess...
Chung:I thought it wasn't fair. I didn't think I was being selfish to want to go on my own.
Chung:But that wasn't it.
(CRASH!)
Lu:Kyu!
Laby:Lu! Are you ok?
Red Demon King's Eye:Is this really necessary? You guys waste time at the weirdest moments.
Raven:... It is necessary.
Elesis:Hey, at least we managed to somewhat tire him out. He should start reacting by now...!
Vasili:Pant, pant... You're not easy prey, are you. Especially you.
Chung:.......
Vasili:I tried to take them one by one after scattering them, but they keep gathering around you... Are you their leader?
Raven:Watch out, Chung! He's going to target you next!
Lu:What?! I'll go!
Raven:You won't make it on time! Aisha, any spells?
Aisha:They're too close to each other! Chung will be caught in the spell!
Add:Tsk, Almost...!
(KABOOM!)
Ciel:It's fine, he took it!
Elesis:... I don't think he can take it a second time. Let's separate them!
Vasili:This is pretty sturdy. What is it, a cannon?
Chung:... I was selfish.
Vasili:Hm?
Chung:I didn't think about the ones I'd be leaving behind.
???:(Weren't you curious?)
Chung:If something happened to me, everyone would have been sad.
Chung:That's why he refused outright. Because, Elsword already made that decision before.
Vasili:... What are you doing?
Chung:I realized my mistake. That's why I won't let you do that same!
???:(Chasing and hunting, do you really enjoy doing it?)
Vasili:Kugh... Whose voice is this...?
???:(In my eyes, I see someone afraid and uncertain.)
???:(A frightened beast raised its fur.)
???:(So... Are you going to hunt me down?)
Chung:Snap out of it.
???:(Or... Do you want to come with me?)
Chung:You have to go back!
???:(Then get up!)
Chung:Remember who you are!
Diana:Wake uuuuuuuup!
Chung:Wha?
Vasili:... What is this tattered bunny. Move.
(FLICK! ... SQUEAK!)
Diana:Wah! You awful meanie! I can't believe you don't recognize me!
Diana:Sigh... I knew it! I knew this was going to happen! That's why I wanted to come down instead!
Aisha:Huh? Isn't that the rabbit doll that Add took from the magician?
Add:Hmph, I thought I felt something squirming. Something must have activated.
Diana:Aww, I'm sorry I yelled at you. You're scared right? That's why you changed back to how you were before. I'm really sorry.
Diana:And... Everyone has a weak side. That's why I hope you don't think of yourself as a burden. I should have told you this before you left.
Diana:Oh! I'm talking to you through Hat's rabbit. I had to interrupt his teatime with Puppet, but I was so worried.
Vasili:Huh, what...? Wait... What are you talking about? Too much information... I need to...
Diana:If it were up to me, I would have zipped down there... But Hat said he can't teleport me without a frame no matter how close we are... I'm sorry.
Vasili:Nng... ... Wait, what?
Diana:Hm? I said! There's no frame in the Abyss!
Diana:So I can't use the frame to zoom to your side no matter how close we are...
Vasili:Close? What is?
Diana:Huh? Didn't I tell you? Well...
Diana:We... didn't evacuate. We're all waiting for you at the entrance of the Abyss!
The guide gained his memory from a heartfelt cry, but soon panics. The thick demonic energy responds to his panic and rise.
Clear either one of the following two conditions to clear the quest.
Quest Completion Dialogue
Diana:Sorry! But that's that!
Vasili:Wait, what do you mean, that's that?! There's too many things you're not explaining with 'that's that'!
Diana:Awww... But we couldn't leave you behind... What about all the lovesies and funsies we had together!
Vasili:Are you out of your mind?! If this fails, everyone will die! Aren't you the one always telling me I shouldn't cling to my emotion since I'm already dead?
Diana:I diiiid... But, you know, things don't always go according to plan. Sometimes I just say things.
Vasili:Wha... I...! Why are you always like this, my lady?! You always do whatever you want, whenever you want and ruin all our plans...!!
Diana:Aww, it's no fun living according to plan though.
Ciel:... Well, he's back. Now what? Shall we go collect the others?
Raven:Now that he's back, we should ask where Ran is.
Vasili:Uh, Uugh... Wait, then... Everyone's near the Abyss...? Then there's no way they can avoid it...?
Vasili:No... I saw through the gaps. He was there. The nightmare took over... Everyone will die... No one can stop him!
Vasili:I'm sorry... I'm sorry! I can't... All I can do is to...
Laby:Vasili, calm down. What are you talking about?
Vasili:The King of Abyss... will be born...
(RUMBLE RUMBLE)
Laby:Mm... Zz, zz... Soft... warm...
Nisha:.......
Laby:Mwa... Laby's so sleepy... 5 more minutes...
Nisha:....... ...... ... ...... .......
Laby:Nisha's so diligent... Chores... Mrr...
Laby:When Laby wakes up... Promise...
Ciel:Lu... Let me introduce you. This is Verni... and this is my sister... Terre.
Ciel:I'm happy everyone could meet. Try this raspberry compote. It's my favori...
(SMACK, SMACK! SLAM!)
Raven:Wake up, Ciel!
Ciel:Mm... No, Terre. You won't... be able to sleep...
(SMACK! SMACK! ... SLASH!)
Ciel:Ack?! Kah! Cough! What's going it?!
Diana:Finally awake?
Ciel:Uh... Yaawn. What is it? I was having a good dream.
Raven:If you fall aslepp in an Abyss, you'll end up dreaming forever.
Ciel:Oh, right. We're still inside the Abyss. What happened?
Raven:Something rose up from the ground, and everyone fell asleep. I do not know the details.
Ciel:Hm... Whatever it is, it can't be anything good. I'll also try to wake the others.
Ciel:An egg...? Did I fall asleep in here? I didn't expect to fall into sleep so deeply that I'd be dreaming.
Raven:What were you dreaming about?
Ciel:Hm... I don't actually remember, but I know it was sweet. I still feel sorry I had to wake up.
Ciel:Come to think of it, how did you managed to stay awake when everyone fell asleep?
Raven:I was also affected. I was about to lose my conscience when my body moved on its own.
Raven:I was able to escape because the Nasod Arm ripped the egg before I was fully encased.
Ciel:Ah... That's a relief.
Raven:(But is it...?)
Raven:... What tastes the sweetest can prove to be the deadliest toxin. You don't know how the dream would affect everyone if they are under it for too long.
Lu:Zzz, Good, good! How sweet...
Ciel:Lu! Wake up, Lu!
Lu:I... Zzz, will pardon your impudence, Tir. You will receive the honor of serving me...
Lu:Kiss my boots as a sign of loyalty... Huhuhu...
Red Demon King's Eye:Seriously? No, let her be. I'm curious how far she'd take this.
Ciel:... I'll break out Lu first.
(SLASH!)
Elesis:Gasp, cough! Cough!
Aisha:Are you alright? You're the last one. Others are struggling with Vasili.
Elesis:I, cough. I see. Let me gather myself.
Chung:What did you dream about, Elesis? I saw the sea of Hamel in my dream.
Chung:The sky was clear, and the waves were calm. It was peaceful.
Elesis:I... ... dreamed of a snowy night.
Aisha:I dreamed of when I was traveling with my grandpa. Do you like now?
Elesis:Yeah.
Chung:That's everyone. What do we do about Vasili?
If they wanted peace, they wouldn't have started this journey.
Clear either one of the following two conditions to clear the quest.
Quest Completion Dialogue
Lu:Yaaaawn... mmm...
Aisha:Lu! Wake up! Or you'll be trapped in the egg again.
Lu:Wha, I was, I was just resting my eyes!
Raven:This entire area is being covered by membranes...
Laby:Laby wanna go and wake him up, but the thrones go whoop! and stop Laby. Does Vasili not want us to come?
Diana:Yup. Do not approach. He is sending a very clear message.
Laby:But why? He looked like he was in pain, like he was having a nightmare... Even though we all had happy dreams.
Diana:All your dreams and nightmares taken out. Someone had to take them in.
Add:What is the purpose of taking nightmares?
Diana:Dream Demons eat dreams and gain power from it. But Vasili was born with a body that can only consume nightmares.
Diana:That's why the more he uses his power, the more he hurts himself... You have to stop him.
Ciel:Why is he doing this? This will only hurt himself.
Diana:I don't know what he saw at the bottom of the Abyss... But he must have thought there's no chance.
Diana:I guess he thought if he puts everyone to sleep and let them dream happily, everyone would at least die painlessly...
Ciel:He decided to give up everything. What was it that he saw through the gap...?
Diana:I'm sorry. It's my fault for pushing him over the edge. If we had evacuated, he wouldn't have gone that far.
Diana:From the way he's straining himself, I think he's planning on extending his power to those of us waiting outside. He won't be able to handle that.
Aisha:The dream made me happy... But I can't settle for it. This is not the time.
Lu:I do not wish for happiness that requires exploitation of others. Let's get him out.
Red Demon King's Eye:But you seemed to enjoy your dream a lot.
Lu:You be quiet!
Diana:Can you take me to Vasili? I'll try to wake him up.
Aisha:Ok. I'll try!
Add:... Don't do what you did to his glasses.
Aisha:Add! Stop spreading negativity! It's bad luck!
Diana:Huh? Glasses?
Raven:It's nothing. Let's go!
Diana:Uuuh....?
Vasili:Ah, ugh...
Vasili:Ah, ugh... sniff... sniff...
Diana:... You're always trying your best, even in your dreams. You don't have to do that.
Diana:I know. You're always nervous when things don't go according to plan. You're scared everything will be beyond your control.
Diana:But unexpected things always happen. You can't control everything. And even when that happens, it can still be fun.
Diana:In the morning, towards the west where the moon falls, in the evening, towards the east where the moon rises again.
Diana:Head north to face the cool wind, and head south to feel the warm breath of earth.
Diana:Even if it's a life of nomads, it's more important to live happily, don't you think?
Laby:Don't... fall... asleep!
Aisha:I know! I know that... I do...
Add:Do whatever you can! Pinch yourself!
Diana:I always wanted to tell you there's no reason to fear change, but it must be overwhelming for you, who lived as a hunting dog for so long.
Diana:But you will never be able to overcome that if you run away.
Chung:I smell... the ocean... Uhh... Did I fall asleep?
Lu:If you fell asleep, I must have as well. I see sweet cupcakes dancing before my eyes.
Raven:Familiar scent... Illusion from a daydream... Even in this bleak setting.
Diana:There's no dream you cannot wake from.
Raven:It's luring me. As if telling me to stop resisting...
Elesis:A snowy night... The moment I walked into the house with my brother in my arms... It's the happies memory in my life. I won't trade it for anything.
Add:This is deception. I will not be satisfied by this temporary relief.
Diana:Tomorrow will come even when you don't want it.
Elesis:If you live in the past, you'll lose what's important now!
Lu:That's right! I'm not interested in dream cupcakes!
Ciel:Of course! I'll make as many as you want, once we're done.