The Tide Father Resurfaces
Once weakened by the imperial army, the lord of the seas fully recovers and joins the crew. Juri wishes to know why his father, who stood for justice above all else, instilled Poseidon with dark essence, but the Tide Father does not remember. They visit the location where Poseidon was first captured to learn the truth.
One day, after completing a mission, Lyria broaches an unexpected subject to (Captain).
Lyria: Um, (Captain)... I think Poseidon wants to talk to you.
Vyrn: Poseidon? Isn't that the primal beast who went on a rampage after being pumped full of dark essence?
Vyrn speaks of an incident that played out in Auguste which involved the crew.
As part of the imperial army's Operation: Apprehend Poseidon, the primal beast was given enough dark essence to manifest in physical form.
Poseidon: You would ridicule the lord of the sea, you miserable minnow? Your foul power estranged my body from my will!
Poseidon: And as your punishment, the very land you stand on will sink into the depths of the sea.
Not intent on letting anyone control him, the enraged Poseidon nearly destroyed the Auguste Isles.
But thanks to the efforts of (Captain) and Juri, Poseidon was safely absorbed by Lyria.
Vyrn: I guess he's well enough to come out and chat now?
Lyria: Mm-hm. In fact, he's out here already. See?
Poseidon: ...
Vyrn: Heyo, long time no see, Poseidon. What did you wanna talk about?
Lyria: It seems like he needs lots of water to make a full recovery.
Lyria: That's why he wants us to bring him to the seas of Auguste.
Vyrn: Whaddya say, (Captain)? We just finished up a mission, so we've time to kill.
Lyria: Once Poseidon's recovered, he wants to repay the favor by lending us his strength.
Poseidon's power once proved a great threat to all, which also means he would make for a most powerful ally.
The crew heads to Auguste to tend to the primal beast.
Vyrn: Sure is nice to know he's on the road to recovery though.
Vyrn: I still remember how much pain the dark essence caused him back then.
Lyria: Yeah...
Lyria: I think this spot's good!
The crew stops by the shoreline.
Lyria: Okay, here goes...
Lyria: Poseidon, come out!
Lyria holds an arm out toward the sea, which begins to gently shimmer.
Once the light subsides, the Tide Father Poseidon becomes visible in the water.
Poseidon: Ah yes, the bountiful sea could not be more rejuvenating.
Poseidon: I am back to my glorious self, as the almighty Tide Father.
Lyria: I sense a great power from Poseidon, just like when we first met.
Vyrn: Means he's all better!
The crew is pleased to see the water god in good spirits.
He takes a good look at (Captain) and company, a serenity in his eyes.
Poseidon: It has been a long time, children of man.
Poseidon: Though I have stayed in the shadows, I have been watching your journey all this time.
Poseidon: I also know that you've avenged me in your own way by teaching that foolish empire a lesson.
Poseidon: As such, I've come to realize that you are more than worthy of my blessing as the Tide Father.
(Captain) ponders the meaning of his words.
- You mean you wanna join the crew?
- Feels like you've helped us all along...
Choose: You mean you wanna join the crew?Poseidon: That's one way of putting it. Though of course, I will not become a child of man myself.
Poseidon: I merely permit you to use my power if you so choose, and I will also call you captain if you so prefer.
Poseidon: That is my way of thanking you.
Choose: Feels like you've helped us all along...Poseidon: No. I've merely lent you an iota of power through the girl in blue.
Poseidon: But if you so wish, I will lend you the full extent of my strength going forward. You'll see for yourself why people call me the Tide Father.
Continue 1Lyria: Teehee, I look forward to traveling with you some more, Poseidon!
Vyrn: Same here! We already know what a powerhouse you are, so we'll be countin' on you big-time!
Noting their delighted expressions, Poseidon responds in kind.
Poseidon: Very well. May you bask in the glory of the Tide Father.
Poseidon: Captain, I now wield my trident for you.
Vyrn: Great, so we're done here! I'll show you around the Grandcypher when we get back later!
Lyria: And we can have lunch in the ship's galley!
They turn on their heels to head back to port.
Just then, a familiar figure suddenly appears.
Continue 2Continue 3Continue 4???: Wait!
???: Whew... Made it just in time!
Lyria: Huh? Oh, it's Juri!
Juri is a hot-blooded young man who fights for justice and once served the imperial army.
Though he at first participated in Operation: Apprehend Poseidon, he found out the empire was not on the side of justice and left.
He's been traveling with (Captain)'s crew ever since then.
Continue 5Juri's Voice: Wait!
Juri: Whew... Made it just in time!
Lyria: Huh? Oh, it's Juri!
Continue 6Vyrn: Weren't you supposed to have the day off? Any reason you're fully armored and all tense?
While most are surprised, Poseidon glares coldly at Juri.
Poseidon: Hm, a familiar face. The blood that flows within you is a reminder firmly etched in my memory.
Juri: Yeah, I'll bet... I haven't forgotten about you either.
It was Juri's father, acting under the imperial army's orders, who had first awoken Poseidon.
Juri: Poseidon! If it's payback for what my father did to you that you want, then take it out on me! Just leave the island alone!
Poseidon: You ask for clemency? Ignorant fool! I am a god, and justice is mine to mete out as I see fit! I have no pity left for your kind.
Poseidon directed his anger at Juri, and the soldier confronted him head on.
Juri came out victorious, leaving the sea god's anger unappeased.
Poseidon: So you've come to repent for your slight against me, I see. Splendid.
Juri: ...!
Vyrn: Uh-oh... Juri's gonna be in danger at this rate!
Lyria: Hey, no fighting! Please calm down!
(Captain) runs up to Juri, ready to protect him from harm's way.
Poseidon: Do not interfere, Captain. Only one person has to pay for the damage done to me. I do not intend for anyone else to get involved.
- Run, Juri!
- Calm down, Poseidon!
Choose: Run, Juri!Juri: No! I came here to settle things!
Poseidon: Oh? How admirable.
Choose: Calm down, Poseidon!Poseidon: I am not one to use my power aimlessly. There is not a ripple in my heart.
Poseidon: Of course, I recognize that the foolish boy is also equally calm at heart.
Continue 7Juri glares back at Poseidon.
Juri: I won't run or hide. Nor would I mind accepting your punishment.
Juri: But before we fight, I have a favor to ask.
Poseidon: Fine. I'll give you a moment to say your last words.
Juri continues in all earnestness.
Juri: The empire has since collapsed, along with all factions of the imperial army stationed throughout the skies.
Juri: Yet I'd still like to know what my father was trying to accomplish in Auguste.
Juri: He always spoke to me of justice, yet he went ahead and embedded dark essence within you. Can you tell me why?
Poseidon: I have no answer for you. Or perhaps I should say, any answer I may have had is gone.
Poseidon: The memory you seek remains shrouded by the treacherous light of the dark essence.
Vyrn: Uh... You mean you don't remember much about the dark essence?
Poseidon: Correct. Only my anger toward the foolish cretins remains.
Juri: Damn, so you don't know what happened with my father?
Poseidon: That's right. If you wish to find out, give me a suitable offering capable of dredging up the memories within me.
Juri: A suitable offering?
Juri: There may be records of the operation left at Karna Citadel...
Poseidon: Then bring me there. In order to cleanse myself entirely of the wrong done to me, I must know the truth.
Juri: Fair enough. I didn't plan on facing you without knowing the truth either.
Poseidon: Let us go then, to the resting place of my shame.
The crew follows Juri's directions to reach Karna Citadel.
Taking in the sight of the citadel ruins, turbulent waves begin to form in the corner of the Tide Father's eyes.
Impressing a Sea God
The crew finds nothing at Karna Citadel at first, but Poseidon recovers a few fragmented memories from walking through its halls. He uncovers stairs to the underground cave where he had awoken. They venture into the cave to continue their investigation.
The crew visits Karna Citadel to search for clues to help Poseidon recall certain memories.
However, its interiors are rather empty, having been long abandoned by the imperial army.
Vyrn: Not a single document lying around. I wonder if it was worth coming at all...
Juri: The empire cleaned up well after itself, having a policy of wiping out any evidence pertaining to its experiments and military expeditions.
Juri: I, myself, was often told not to leave a single scrap of paper behind.
Lyria: Maybe we can ask Pommern if he still has any related documents.
Vyrn: Hm, it was Furias who took charge of this place...
Vyrn: And I'm not so sure he'd have told his mustached friend very much.
Juri: True... Information got tangled up often even in the army. That goes for my dad too.
While they discuss how best to proceed next...
Poseidon looks around as if retracing his memories.
Poseidon: These sights... The moisture in the air... I've definitely been here before.
Poseidon: ...
???: Hey, you awake? How are you feeling?
Poseidon: Child of... man... Are you the one who awakened me?
???: Yep, it was us imperial soldiers who found you.
Poseidon: Where am I?
???: An underground cave in Auguste. We heard you were a primal beast of water.
???: So we went looking for the place with the freshest water on the island.
Poseidon: The scenery... The sound of the rushing water... I know this place.
Poseidon: I awoke in an underground cave beneath this citadel.
Vyrn: Oh yeah? I don't see any stairs going down though.
Poseidon: I go where the water flows. The water will be my eyes and ears.
Poseidon: If I follow the stream, the cave will make itself known. Give me a moment.
He closes his eyes to focus, then points to a spot in the room.
Poseidon: There. I can sense flowing water behind that wall.
Poseidon effortlessly moves a towering bookcase with the tip of his trident...
Uncovering a giant hole in the wall, with stairs leading underground.
Lyria: Wow! I can't believe that was there all along!
Poseidon: Splendid. What we seek lies ahead.
Poseidon: My absolution awaits. Let us make haste, (Captain).
Having come upon a new lead...
The crew carefully makes its way down the hidden passageway.
Impressing a Sea God: Scene 2
The crew finds Juri's father's diary in the underground lab, which helps to jog Poseidon's memories. Juri's father did his best to persuade the Tide Father to assist the empire and even agreed to duel him at one point. This duel never came to fruition, as Furias showed up later to embed dark essence into the water god.
(Captain) and company descend the stairs to the underground cave to find a small open space before them.
A well-worn bookshelf and table have been left behind, giving a sense that people once made a home of the cave.
Juri: The stationery and stores of armor polish are all army issue.
Juri: I think it's safe to assume that this cave was used as a military research facility.
Poseidon: Indeed. A similar emblem was emblazoned on the armor of the man who had awakened me.
Vyrn: All righty, let's see if there are any clues remaining!
(Captain) and company split up to perform a thorough search of their surroundings.
(Captain) finds a book lying around in an inconspicuous part of the cave.
Juri: (Captain)... Could that be a copy of the research records?
Juri: This... This is my father's handwriting!
Juri: It references Operation: Apprehend Poseidon... Looks like it doubles as a diary.
Vyrn: Wasn't your dad the one who came up with the operation?
Vyrn: Maybe he left details on what exactly they did with Poseidon.
Poseidon: Read it aloud, child of man.
Juri does as instructed, tracing his fingers along the words.
Juri: "Research Day 1... Transport the slumbering Poseidon to the cave."
Juri: "Subject appears to be in some sort of deep sleep."
Juri: "Research Day 10..."
Juri: "My hypothesis proved correct. Pure water is needed for Poseidon's manifestation after all."
Juri: "His physical presence grew stronger and stronger as we put him in constant contact with the cave's spring water."
Juri: "Research Day 32... The experiment is a success. Poseidon appeared before us and I exchanged words with him."
Poseidon: So I see...
Poseidon: The memory of my awakening is coming back...
As if led by the writing in the notebook, Poseidon closes his eyes and mutters under his breath.
Poseidon: My first memory is the sight of flowing water in my vicinity.
Poseidon: Many voices called to me, but none of them were worth answering.
Poseidon: I spent my days in tranquility, waiting for the one truly worthy of my blessing.
Poseidon: A tranquility that came to a sudden halt.
Poseidon: I am the Tide Father, Poseidon. By what means did you make me manifest?
Juri's Father: The army happened upon you in ancient ruins. We excavated you along with some research records.
Juri's Father: Those records indicated that the research was done here because being near large amounts of water gives you strength.
Juri's Father: And your awakening now proves it true.
Juri's Father: At full strength your capabilities "defy imagination," according to the records.
Juri's Father: It seemed kind of vague, but now that I'm talking to you face-to-face, I get the impression you could sink an entire island if you wanted to.
Poseidon: You can tell without seeing a demonstration? Impressive.
Poseidon: Now I must ask... For what reason have you awoken me?
Juri's Father: It's simple. Please lend us your strength!
Juri's Father: You would be an incredible boon to the empire and its people!
Poseidon knits his brows, seemingly disgusted at the request.
Poseidon: How foolish of the children of man to think they can tame the lord of the seas. What stupidity.
Poseidon: Others like you have attempted the same a long time ago, only to perish by miserable deaths.
Poseidon: If you do not wish to share their fate, then rethink your conviction to subjugate me.
Juri's Father: So that's how it is, huh...
Juri's Father: But I must refuse!
Poseidon: You fool. Do not underestimate the power of the Tide Father.
Juri's Father: No, you misunderstand me! I simply believe your power would be of tremendous benefit to the citizens of the empire!
Juri's Father: My superiors tell me to apprehend you, but I believe there is a better way.
Juri's Father: I formally invite you to join the imperial army!
Juri's Father: Let us work together to build a better empire for the people!
Despite his best efforts, Poseidon simply sighs.
Poseidon: Your naive impudence grows irksome. You are, in essence, trying to set the ocean on fire so that you may have a pot of boiling water.
Poseidon: Discard the foolish notion. The Tide Father will not be one with the people.
As the weeks pass, Juri's father remains as enthusiastic as ever in his persuasion of Poseidon.
Juri's Father: You'll never want for lack of supplies in the army! The meals are absolutely superb and the beds couldn't be more soft!
Juri's Father: Well? How about it? Feeling convinced yet?
Poseidon: Not in the least. I have no need of your room and board.
Juri's Father: Hm, I suppose I ought to brush up on my persuasion skills...
Juri's Father: Except there's not much time left. If I fail to persuade you...
As a look of desperation sets upon the man's face...
Poseidon offers a suggestion.
Poseidon: How about we engage in battle, child of man?
Juri's Father: A battle? Between us two?
Poseidon: Indeed. The thought of mortals subduing the Tide Father couldn't be more absurd.
Poseidon: In all my years of war, there was not a single person who could ride my raging torrents and come out unscathed.
Poseidon: Persuade me not just with words but also a show of your strength.
Poseidon: Outmaneuver me and my trident, and I will consider your offer.
Juri's Father: You'll join the army if I win?
Poseidon: If you win. Don't think it'll be easy.
Poseidon: Show me the power of the "imperial spirit" you speak of. I will be the judge of it.
Juri's Father: Very well!
He looks Poseidon straight in the eyes, his resolve firm.
Juri's Father: Just gimme a sec! We can start as soon as I get my gear in order!
Poseidon: He never came back. As it turns out, he lied about challenging me in battle.
Juri: No...
Poseidon: It was Furias who came later in his stead.
Poseidon: He embedded dark essence in me, which took over my soul.
Juri: ...
Poseidon: Your father conspired against me. And I must deliver retribution for it.
Poseidon: As he is no longer here, you—the bearer of his bloodline—shall be the one to receive that retribution.
Poseidon speaks in a chilling tone.
For a moment, all they can hear is the sound of water dripping in the cave.
Impressing a Sea God: Scene 3
Reading further into the diary reveals that Juri's father was eliminated for attempting to stop Furias from forcefully controlling Poseidon. Juri, having inherited his father's fiery spirit, challenges the Tide Father to battle.
Poseidon: Do you see now, foolish child of man?
Poseidon speaks in disgust of Yuri's father.
Poseidon: That man made a fool of not only me, but of the promise between us.
Poseidon: A broken pledge with a god is not something that can be forgiven.
Juri: No, there must be some kind of misunderstanding!
Juri: My father stood for justice above all else. And he definitely wasn't the type of person to go back on his word, especially on his honor as a soldier.
Juri: Something must have happened. Do you remember anything else, Poseidon?
Poseidon: What insolence. You doubt the Tide Father's memory because of your blind trust in your father?
Poseidon: If only you knew how rotten the "imperial spirit" you spoke so highly of truly was. In fact, you probably did.
Juri: Ergh!
- Why don't we continue investigating?
- Calm down, both of you.
Choose: Why don't we continue investigating?Vyrn: Yeah! We might find out what happened to Juri's dad.
Lyria: Maybe there's more we can learn from the notebook! Right, (Captain)?
Choose: Calm down, both of you.Lyria: Yeah! Arguing isn't going to get us anywhere!
Lyria: Maybe there's more we can learn from the notebook! Right, (Captain)?
Continue 1Being handed the notebook from Lyria, the captain carefully flips through its pages...
And finds something particularly odd about the back cover.
Vyrn: Looks like the pages in the back are glued together somehow.
Juri: Is this wax? It's as if someone was trying to keep the contents hidden...
Juri: ...!
There must be info damaging to the empire in here!
Juri: This was my father's way of hiding secrets from his superiors!
Juri and (Captain) open up the sealed pages with a knife.
A few pieces of paper come falling out.
Vyrn: The handwriting's the same. Must be a continuation.
Juri: Hm...
Juri quickly scans through the contents.
Juri: Seems like my father knew how dangerous the operation was.
Juri: He realized trying to tame Poseidon would be far more dangerous than profitable.
Juri: He proposed to Furias that they go about it differently. But...
Juri's Father: "Major General Furias censured me for speaking up, and pushed me to continue with Operation: Apprehend Poseidon."
Juri's Father: "He believes it possible to control Poseidon, but I find the risk to be far too great."
Juri's Father: "The operation's failure would subject the island and its residents to immeasurable danger. "
Juri's Father: "What's more, Poseidon cooperating with us of his own will is now a possibility."
Juri's Father: "I'll try advising the major general once more on proceeding with caution."
Juri's Father: "If anyone should find the notes I've jotted down here, I pray that you may be able to stop him before it is too late."
Juri: That's the end of it.
Vyrn: Looks like he was opposed to using dark essence on Poseidon after all!
Juri: That may very well be the case. Judging from these records, it's unclear if he even knew about dark essence at all.
Juri: Though it seems safe to assume that he spoke to Major General Furias once more before the duel with Poseidon, which led to grave consequences...
Pommern: Oh yes. Although, once he realized the danger Poseidon posed, he came to try to put a stop to the operation.
Pommern: But defying Major General Furias is a very grave mistake.
Juri: I knew it! My father had no intention of breaking his promise!
Lyria: Juri...
Vyrn: You need to see this too, Poseidon! If this doesn't convince you, I don't know what will!
Poseidon: I...
The Tide Father takes the notebook from Vyrn and traces his fingers along its contents.
Poseidon: It's all coming back now...
Juri's Father: Every time I measure your power, the results greatly exceed my expectations. Perhaps that is the power of primal beasts.
Poseidon: Do you now tremble before my might? A fitting reaction for a mortal, the likes of which cannot possibly control me.
Poseidon: Perhaps now you see why the children of man mustered every last option they could think of to finally seal me away.
Juri's Father: That explains the dormant state you were in... It must've been painful.
Juri's Father: After all, it's by being active in the pursuit of justice that we find joy in life.
Poseidon: Huh, is that the "imperial spirit" you keep spouting about like a simpleton?
Juri's Father: Hahahah! So you've finally learned what it is!
Poseidon: Humph. I'd be the simpleton to not figure it out when you keep harping on it.
Poseidon: Though as you suggest, I may have been searching for one worthy of my blessing.
Poseidon: As much as I enjoyed my time in tranquility, I have my duties to fulfill as Tide Father.
Poseidon: That's why I hope you'll be able to show me what you're truly capable of, so that we may work together.
Juri's Father: I'm looking forward to the day you deem me worthy. We'll save the empire's people together!
Juri's Father: I'm all about teamwork, so you're going to get sick of seeing me so much!
Juri: Father...
Juri bites his lip in response to what he's just heard.
Juri: I said I came here to be judged by you.
Juri: And that's the truth of it. I was ready to atone if my father wronged you in any way.
Juri: But having read my father's notebook, I now realize he upheld justice until the very end.
Juri: So instead of atoning, I'm going to carry on my father's wishes...
Juri: Fight me, Poseidon!
Poseidon: Heh...
The Tide Father takes note as his challenger's unclouded eyes shine bright.
Poseidon: That look in your eyes... Yes, his blood truly flows within you.
Poseidon: Very well. I give you the chance to carry out your father's mission.
Poseidon: But take heed: I will not go easy on you. Show me the fiery soul that burns within you.
Juri: You can count on it! My resolve will carry me through!
Impressing a Sea God: Scene 4
Having been bested by Juri, Poseidon vows to watch the ex-soldier's actions going forward to determine whether he deserves punishment for the imperial army's corruption or a blessing instead for remaining true to justice. Juri is confident that it's a blessing he'll eventually receive.
Poseidon: That's twice you've bested me now...
Poseidon: Although I fail to understand it, I must acknowledge the incredible will you and your father posses.
- Feeling convinced yet?
- Can we all be friends now?
Choose: Feeling convinced yet?Poseidon: ...
The shame I've borne will not be forgotten so easily.
Choose: Can we all be friends now?Poseidon: Friends?
Poseidon: As much as I'd like that, the shame I've borne cannot be forgotten so easily.
Continue 1Poseidon: As the lord of the sea, it is my nature to render judgment with my tides.
Poseidon: But in order to ensure that my judgment is justified, I will take some time to observe you all very closely.
Poseidon: Our battle just now taught me that this is the best way forward.
Vyrn: Cool, that means we get to travel together for the time being!
Lyria: Phew... I'm just relieved no one's hurt.
Juri: I have you all to thank for making sure of that.
Poseidon: Our battle will have been for naught if I do not see this through.
Poseidon: Inheritor of the fiery soul, you would do well to remain noble and pure until your next trial.
Poseidon: If you should go down a path of immorality, my trident will show you no mercy.
Vyrn: Heheh, I'm sure things'll work out just fine!
Vyrn: Right, guys?
Juri: I wouldn't have it any other way. I'll show you just how far our justice goes.
Juri: And no matter how many years that takes, I'm never going to stray from my righteous path.
Poseidon: You truly are your father's son.
Poseidon lets slip a slight grin.
His eyes now resemble the calm tide of the tranquil sea.