Quest: The Fallen Emperor

BGM: Irodori no Daichi ("The Painted Land")

(*A spirit drifts toward the large tombstone, when the hero approaches the tombstone, the following text appears*)

Warrior... I shall test your strength. (*the hero/ine is dragged down to the underworld by a spirit*)

(*scene change, the first level of the Underworld*)

Larc: Have you awakened? I am Larc. Dragoon of Drakonis.

Hero/ine: Dra...what?
Larc: A knight who serves a dragon.

Hero/ine: What happened?
Larc: I brought you down into the Underworld because I thought you were a powerful warrior.

Larc: If you want to know more, you should come down below with me.

Hero/ine: Forget it.
Larc: You fail to understand. Well, wander the Underworld at your leisure.

(*if you talk to him again after this*)

Larc: Do you understand?
Hero/ine: I don't understand.
Larc: What a dense individual... Fine, wander the Underworld!
Hero/ine: I understand.
Larc: We shall descend into the depths. Go at your own pace, and I shall follow. (*Larc joins*)

Hero/ine: Alright.
Larc: We shall descend into the depths. Go at your own pace, and I shall follow. (*Larc joins*)

Ambient Shadole Chatter:
Shadole: Hey, newly-dead! Watch out for that guy! Kahahaha!
Shadole: We're Shadoles o/' Your shadows o/' The world's shadows o/' The Underworld's shadows o/' Huh? What's on yer mind?
Hero/ine: What is a Shadole?
Shadole: We're like shadows. Shadows of everything. You'll be one of us, too!
Hero/ine: What is this place?
Shadole: The Underworld is the Underworld! Bodiless souls wander its halls!
Hero/ine: The giant tombstone?
Shadole: That's the register of everyone who's gonna die! I bet your name was on it, too!

(*in the Baptismal Chamber*)
Shadole: We're Shadoles o/'
Larc: I need you to pour some flames over my new partner here...
Shadole: No way, Jose! Ain't nobody gonna receive no Baptism of Flame without Olbohn's permission! (*if you talk to it again*) No baptism until Olbohn says.

(*in a tunnel area*)
Larc: Hmmm... I suppose we'd better go see Olbohn.

(*further along*)
Larc: You can go on if you wish, but all the doors around here are closed. You must report to Olbohn first, or else you won't be able to get around. Olbohn's chambers are near here. He is a Wisdom, the manager of departed souls. He keeps the dead from getting out of hand.

(*in Olbohn's Control Room*)
Olbohn: I am Olbohn, keeper of the Underworld. Larc. Dragoon of Drakonis.
Larc: ......
Olbohn: Why do you bother me, bringing this person down here?
Larc: As a dragoon, I must follow the will of my master.
Olbohn: But this time you've brought quite a lively one... So will Drakonis's evil plans succeed now? I would love to help out if you had a nice spot for me.
Larc: If you really mean it, then give me permission ot perform the Baptism of Flames. But if those words were meant to insult my master, then mind you...
Olbohn: Permission granted. Receive the Baptism of Flames. The Shadole will guide you.

(*back in the Baptismal Chamber*)

Shadole: We're Shadoles o/' What's on your mind?
Larc: We have permission. Perform the Baptism of Flame.
Shadole: Here ya go, Daddy-o! (*baptism is performed*) Now you can go to the bottom levels.
Larc: Let's go! Our master awaits!

(*as you attempt to go through a door*)
Larc: Now we shall see if you are worthy enough to serve my master. Are you ready?
Hero/ine: I'm not ready.

Hero/ine: I'm ready.
Larc: Here we go!

BGM: Marginal Beast

(*enter the Shrine of Silent Faces, begin boss fight with Hitodama*)
(*after the battle*)

Larc: Incredible... My master will be most pleased... (*teleported to the Pulpit of Eternal

Flame*)

BGM: Omonariyuku Unmei ("Destiny Becoming Weightier")

Larc: Prepare yourself, for my master comes. (*he kneels*) Lord Drakonis... (*Drakonis appears*)
Drakonis: So you finally found one, Larc... One who can defeat Hitodama.
Larc: Yes, my lord.
Drakonis: Enough pleasantries, great warrior. My name is Drakonis. I summoned you for a reason. I want you to return the magical powers stolen from me by three dragons.

Hero/ine: Ask Why.
Drakonis: Long ago on the surface, I was once the Emperor of Dragons. But three jealous dragons stole my powers. I was made to wander the Underworld in this Weakened form. I awaited the coming of one who could defeat the three dragons in my stead.
Larc: So, what my master wants is for you to defeat the three dragons. Either way, you must cooperate. Because if we leave you as a half spirit... you will eventually turn into nothingness.
Drakonis: I could not stand letting so strong a warrior fade away. If you defeat the three dragons, I will return to you your previous form.

Hero/ine: Reject the offer.
Drakonis: Will you wander the Underworld, only to fade away? It would sadden me to see such a waste... (*if you talk to Drakonis again*) Strong warrior... Will you help me recover my powers from the three dragons? (*the offer is made again*)

Hero/ine: Accept.
Drakonis: (*he laughs*) I am indebted to you, strong warrior. (*the hero/ine and Larc are teleported to the surface*)

Larc: My master told me to give this to you as proof of our contract. (*receive AF "Skull Lantern"*) Prepare yourself... We are off to hunt the Dragons of Knowledge. They think they protect order in the world, but we do not need their domination. If you do not like what I am doing, you are free to do as you will. But do not forget: this is an important opportunity to test your powers.

The Fallen Emperor End

Hero/ine: Ask about Drakonis.
Drakonis: Long ago on the surface, I was once the Emperor of Dragons. But three jealous dragons stole my powers. I was made to wander the Underworld in this Weakened form. I awaited the coming of one who could defeat the three dragons in my stead.
Larc: So, what my master wants is for you to defeat the three dragons. Either way, you must cooperate. Because if we leave you as a half spirit... you will eventually turn into nothingness.
Drakonis: I could not stand letting so strong a warrior fade away. If you defeat the three dragons, I will return to you your previous form.

Hero/ine: Reject the offer.
Drakonis: Will you wander the Underworld, only to fade away? It would sadden me to see such a waste... (*if you talk to Drakonis again*) Strong warrior... Will you help me recover my powers from the three dragons? (*the offer is made again*)

Hero/ine: Accept.
Drakonis: (*he laughs*) I am indebted to you, strong warrior. (*the hero/ine and Larc are teleported to the surface*)

Larc: My master told me to give this to you as proof of our contract. (*receive AF "Skull Lantern"*) Prepare yourself... We are off to hunt the Dragons of Knowledge. They think they protect order in the world, but we do not need their domination. If you do not like what I am doing, you are free to do as you will. But do not forget: this is an important opportunity to test your powers.

The Fallen Emperor End