A Game of Hide and Seek

Mystery and Truth Come Hand-in-Hand

 Talk to Cissia and enter the Hollow

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Talk to Cissia and prepare to enter the Hollow.

Blazewood

(Idle)

Promeia: Opportunity won't wait for us. Let's make haste.

(Talk to Cissia)

Billy: The Manager needs that W-Engine, so I don't care if they're a Void Hunter or whatever — you steal something, you give it back! Chase 'em down and demand answers fair and square — that's the Starlight Knight way!

Cissia: Since you've all made up your minds, th—this specialist can't bail out now either! But if things really go south, we're all running together!

Promeia: Once you're ready, let's head out.

Let's go now.

Prep up a bit more.

(Talking to Cissia again repeats dialogue)

Hide-and-Seek

The following is recorded in the Video Archive

 Hide-and-Seek

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Video Summary: It's hard for people to shake their mischievous side... like deciding to play hide-and-seek at the worst possible moment.

Story Description: Inside the Hollow, Remielle speaks with the unseen figure behind a floating, mysterious device. The person urges Remielle to finish something as soon as possible.

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Meanwhile...

Remielle: Oh my, didn't expect that naughty little snake Thiren girl to be quite so capable.

Remielle: Now when did she even manage to stick this thing on me...? Hmm... why do I get the feeling she wasn't taking me seriously?

???: Remielle, stop wasting our time.

???: Phaethon and TOPS' pursuit units are closing in on your position.

Remielle: Yes, yes, got it. Don't worry. I'll take care of those little nuisances.

???: ...

Remielle: I don't mean Phaethon, of course.

???: Don't let your guard down.

???: We don't have any intel on TOPS' mech, so no way to be sure if it's specifically designed to counter you.

Remielle: Aww... are you worried about me? Or... is it something else?

???: ...

Remielle: Relax. I know what I'm doing. But... before I open the treasure chest... let me waste just a tiny bit more time doing something only a "bad girl" would do, hmm?

Remielle: Like... going to play a little game of hide-and-seek with that "anti-Void Hunter mech"...

???: ...

Remielle: Ah, right, and before that... I should return this tracker to that cute little snake first~

... ... ...

A Faded Hollow

The following is recorded in the Video Archive

 A Faded Hollow

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Video Summary: Secrets, much like coughs, are hard to hide.

Story Description: After entering the faded Hollow, the group decides to search the area for any trace of Remielle.

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You and your companions arrive at the Hollow where the signal cut off...

Cissia: Wait, why does everything in here look all faded, too?! Don't tell me — don't tell me the Void Hunter's punishment has already started?!

That's just how this Hollow looks...

(ProtagonistProtagonistWise / Belle): Hey, don't freak yourself out. It's just how this Hollow (‍is.... I've taken part in investigations here before, and look, I'm still perfectly fine. There's no cause for alarm.is.... I've taken part in investigations here before, and look, I'm still perfectly fine. There's no cause for alarm. Tooltip for is.... I've taken part in investigations here before, and look, I'm still perfectly fine. There's no cause for alarm.ⓘText for Wise / looks. I've done some field investigations here before, and look, I'm totally fine. No need to panic!looks. I've done some field investigations here before, and look, I'm totally fine. No need to panic!Text for Belle‍)

Cissia: Phew— Thank goodness I know the most reliable Proxy ever! Otherwise my glorious career would've ended early in this black-and-white silent film...

(ProtagonistProtagonistWise / Belle): ((‍That said... something feels off. Comms with Belle and Fairy cut out the moment we entered this Hollow. Still, given the urgency, finding Remielle is the priority.That said... something feels off. Comms with Belle and Fairy cut out the moment we entered this Hollow. Still, given the urgency, finding Remielle is the priority. Tooltip for That said... something feels off. Comms with Belle and Fairy cut out the moment we entered this Hollow. Still, given the urgency, finding Remielle is the priority.ⓘText for Wise / Still, something feels off. We lost Wise and Fairy the moment we entered this Hollow. No time to dwell on it, though. Finding Remielle is the priority.Still, something feels off. We lost Wise and Fairy the moment we entered this Hollow. No time to dwell on it, though. Finding Remielle is the priority.Text for Belle‍))

 Search for Remielle

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The tracker's signal vanished into the Hollow. Looks like we'll have to manually track Remielle from here on out.

Melinoe Hollow

(Ongoing)

Promeia: Let's keep going.

Billy: Doesn't matter if it's a trial for the Void Hunter. Starlight Knight Billy is always ready for battle!

(Reach the bottom of the ramp)

(Ethereals spawn)

 Take out the enemies blocking your path

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Take out the enemies blocking your path

Melinoe Hollow

(After defeating the enemies)

Cissia: There's something strange up ahead!

 Search for Remielle

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Enemies eliminated. Keep moving and search for Remielle.

Melinoe Hollow

(Interact with the Lonely Statue)

A Gift for a Gift

The following is recorded in the Video Archive

 A Gift for a Gift

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Video Summary: Secrets, much like coughs, are hard to hide.

Story Description: The group finds the discarded tracker and Waiting for Meltdown. The note Remielle left behind suggests she doesn't want you to continue pursuing her.

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Cissia: Huh?! This is... a little Bangboo, looks like it's melting... And my tracker!

Promeia: There's also a note.

Cissia: Eh? What does it say? Is it a warning...? Is she turning us all into faded statues if we don't turn back?!

Billy: Oh? Is it trash talk? A challenge? So it's finally happening? I get to throw down with a legend, face-to-face?!

A small doodle of a puffed-up, angry face sits on the note. The handwriting is elegant and firm.

"Stalking is hardly a habit I'd care to encourage.
It only gets more dangerous from here. Turn back while you still can.
I, Remielle Dan, intend to honor the promise I made you. There's no need for you to venture any deeper."

"Oh, and this little one? I traded a story for it. Back then, I thought we were quite alike.
But on second thought, this melancholy style doesn't really suit me.
So, I'm leaving it in your hands. Keep it safe for me~"

Cissia: Okay, okay... So she returned the tracker and even gave us a... gift? It seems she's not that angry? Does this mean I'm safe now?

It's a warning...

...And also a promise.

(ProtagonistProtagonistWise / Belle): (‍It reads like a warning and a promise. Whatever she's planning, it's likely beyond what we can handle... by her estimation, at least.It reads like a warning and a promise. Whatever she's planning, it's likely beyond what we can handle... by her estimation, at least.Text for Wise / It sounds like both a warning and a promise. Whatever she's up to, it's likely far beyond what we can handle... at least in her eyes.It sounds like both a warning and a promise. Whatever she's up to, it's likely far beyond what we can handle... at least in her eyes.Text for Belle‍)

(ProtagonistProtagonistWise / Belle): (‍The question is whether her intent is protective... or a calculated misdirection...The question is whether her intent is protective... or a calculated misdirection...Text for Wise / But is she trying to protect us... or is this a calculated misdirection...But is she trying to protect us... or is this a calculated misdirection...Text for Belle‍)

(ProtagonistProtagonistWise / Belle): *winces*

Before you can think it through, a familiar wave of pain crashes over you. Your vision starts to fade into a blur.

"Manager?!"
At the sound of your companions' worried voices, you force your gaze upward. Through the haze, you see it clearly — not far ahead, a lone figure stands in silence.

Alone

The following is recorded in the Video Archive

 Alone

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Video Summary: Secrets, much like coughs, are hard to hide.

Story Description: You see Remielle standing ahead, looking back at you. But your companions insist they see nothing. After a brief discussion, the group decides to follow the direction of the vision you saw.

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(ProtagonistProtagonistWise / Belle): Remielle!

Cissia: Who? Remielle? Where?! She's here?

(ProtagonistProtagonistWise / Belle): (‍There...!There...!Text for Wise / Over there...Over there...Text for Belle‍)

Billy: There...? Where?! I don't see anything!

Remielle: I'll go on and catch up with you all ahead!

(ProtagonistProtagonistWise / Belle): Wait! Don't go! What did you mean by that? Ngh—

A sharp pain stabs through your head.

By the time the pain subsides and you look up again, Remielle's figure has already faded, melting into the colorless void.

Billy: Manager! You good?

Promeia: I've checked the area. Doesn't look like anyone's been around.

This feels just like back in Blazewood...

More of those weird visions...

(ProtagonistProtagonistWise / Belle): Sorry... (‍I believe I just saw a vision of Remielle and reacted without thinking...I believe I just saw a vision of Remielle and reacted without thinking...Text for Wise / I think I just saw an illusion of Remielle and blurted it out...I think I just saw an illusion of Remielle and blurted it out...Text for Belle‍)

(ProtagonistProtagonistWise / Belle): She was here. I'm sure of it... (‍I may be able toI may be able toText for Wise / I think I canI think I canText for Belle‍) trace her path through these illusions...

Cissia: Illusions? But Billy and I didn't see anything! Hey... Proxy, are you sure you're okay?

I'm fine... Don't worry.

(I can't let them worry about me...)

(ProtagonistProtagonistWise / Belle): Don't worry, Cissia. (‍I'll manage.I'll manage.Text for Wise / I'm okay.I'm okay.Text for Belle‍) Right now... finding Remielle (‍takes priority.takes priority.Text for Wise / is what matters.is what matters.Text for Belle‍)

Cissia: Uh... Don't push yourself, alright? If you start feeling sick... you have to tell us, okay?

(ProtagonistProtagonistWise / Belle): (‍YeahYeahText for Wise / SureSureText for Belle‍)... I will. Let's keep moving.

(Ongoing)

(ProtagonistProtagonistWise / Belle): These illusions again... (‍Over there.Over there.Text for Wise / Over there!Over there!Text for Belle‍)^{[Note 1]}

(Approach Remielle's illusion)

(Enter combat)

 Keep tracking Remielle

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Keep tracking Remielle.

Melinoe Hollow

(After defeating the enemies)

(ProtagonistProtagonistWise / Belle): (‍Over there.Over there.Text for Wise / Over there!Over there!Text for Belle‍)

(Approach Remielle's illusion)

(ProtagonistProtagonistWise / Belle): She's... talking to someone?

(Approach the illusions)

Remielle: This is a nice place... A world of pure white. I like it. It suits me.

Remielle: If I die one day, I hope someone can lay me to rest here... Or at least somewhere like this.

???: ...

Remielle: Haha, what are you talking about? I'm a Void Hunter, how would I ever get corrupted and turn into an Ethereal?

Remielle: Well... it's a promise then. If I really do become an Ethereal someday...

Remielle: You'll be the one to kill me.

Remielle: And then... bury them here. As proof that I once lived.

???: ... ... ...

Remielle: That's not what I meant! Why would you bury me here after I've turned into an Ethereal? That's hideous. I don't want that.

You tell everyone about the voice you heard—

Cissia: It sounds like a really sad story. Like... she was leaving behind her final words or something...

Promeia: Which means... what you saw likely wasn't the Remielle of the present, but from much earlier...

Billy: So... Remielle's actual goal is the thing that's buried here?

Very likely.

That might be what Rusty Cliff is after as well...

Promeia: The only way to get our answers is to catch up to Remielle.

Promeia: If she's coming back for something, she'll have to pass through this fissure too. Up ahead... this wild goose chase should be reaching its end soon.

Billy: Remielle, and that W-Engine Manager's after... They are right in front of us. Let's go!

(A Hollow Fissure appears)

(ProtagonistProtagonistWise / Belle): Hm? There's a (‍fissure nearby.fissure nearby.Text for Wise / fissure...fissure...Text for Belle‍)

 Touch the strange wall

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There's something inside that weird wall... that draws one in without even thinking...

Melinoe Hollow

(After entering the fissure)

((‍WiseWiseText for Wise / BelleBelleText for Belle‍) is separated from the group)

(ProtagonistProtagonistWise / Belle): (‍Where am I?Where am I?Text for Wise / Where is this?Where is this?Text for Belle‍)

(Continue down the hallway)

(Remielle's illusion appears at the far end)

Remielle: I didn't know you were capable of this.

Remielle: I'll give it a try too...

(Approach the Strange Wall)

(ProtagonistProtagonistWise / Belle): I feel like... I should be able to do this...

(Interact with the Strange Wall)

(The blocks move away to reveal a white coffin)

Billy: Woah, what is this?!

(A mech drops from the sky)

???: Perimeter's locked down^{[Note 2]}

Leave None Alive

The following is recorded in the Video Archive

 Leave None Alive

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Video Summary: The mantis stalks the cicada, unaware of the bird behind it... but who's the bird this time?

Story Description: TOPS' anti-Void Hunter mech suddenly appears, cutting the group off. Promeia invokes her authority as a Krampus Judge and orders it to stand down. However, the enemy responds that everyone present knows too much, and they don't intend to let anyone leave alive.

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Cissia: Wha—What is this thing?! It's even crazier than those Romeul mechs!

Billy: Damn, look at its armor, and that energy output... Classic TOPS work! Different sides and all, but I gotta hand it to 'em... I'm a little jealous, professional-wise, you know!

Billy: Too bad for them that they caught me on a perfect day! It doesn't matter how tough that mech is, I'll come out victorious!

Promeia: That's an Anti-Void Hunter Riot Suppression Mech, The Decider - Terror Raptor.

Billy: Erm... That name's kinda lame. Could definitely use some work...

Cissia: ...Billy! You just took a step back, didn't you? I saw that!

Promeia: Whoever is piloting that mech, answer me: whose orders are you following?

Mech Operator: Heh... Lady Promeia, why ask what you already know? We are simply following the will of TOPS: retrieve the mission objective.

The thing hidden here...

(ProtagonistProtagonistWise / Belle): What exactly is hidden here?

Mech Operator: Hey, you don't seriously think I'm just gonna answer your questions, do you?

Mech Operator: But I can tell you one thing — before I get to the real work, I'll be clearing out all of you "unstable variables" that might threaten TOPS' assets.

Promeia: By the authority vested in me as a Krampus Judge, I am taking control of this area. Withdraw immediately.

Mech Operator: The high-and-mighty Judge, as arrogant as ever. You really still don't get it, do you?

Promeia: Withdraw. This is your final warning.

Mech Operator: *sigh*... Don't you see, ma'am? It's exactly because you're here that this has to end so badly.

Mech Operator: Just look at this lineup — a Krampus Judge, a Public Security specialist, and the Mayor's little favorite, Phaethon...

Mech Operator: Tsk, what a troublesome bunch. Letting even one of you go is a liability we can't afford.

Mech Operator: So, I'm afraid... you'll all have to stay here. Forever!