Together with Hal the crew begins their search for Dykotomus. As they climb the mountain, they discover that Hal knows about the crew and their map pieces, making his identity all the more mysterious.
Lyria stands in the middle of a snowy field in deep concentration while Gran and the others watch over her.
Lyria
Hmmm... It's this way. I can sense the primal beast from this direction.
Together with Hal the crew begins their search for Dykotomus.
They begin climbing the mountain based on Lyria's direction.
Katalina
Honestly I'd never have guessed that the their fortress would be in the middle of the Grim Basin...
Rackam
I know that Silverwind Stretch does cross a bit into the Grim Basin.
Rackam
But who'd put a base camp there? What are they thinking?
Sturm
Well, it explains why the light keeps shining toward the mountaintop.
Hal
Gran, if you can get a map piece from Dykotomus...
Hal
Then I'm sure you can cross into the Grim Basin.
Hal
The Istavion Troop patrols Silverwind Stretch regularly.
Hal
If you're lucky, you might be able to find your friends inside the fortress.
Vyrn
But if we find them there, then that means they've been captured, right?
Hal
Well, your goal was to rescue your friend who was already captured.
Hal
It won't make much of a difference with two or three more to rescue.
Vyrn
Oh boy... That's a harsh thing to say with a carefree look on your face, you know.
Rackam
Hey, now that you mention it, there's something that's been bugging me...
Rackam
How do you know that we only need one more map piece to cross into the Grim Basin?
Katalina
That's right. We didn't get to chance to talk to you about it back in the village...
Katalina
But do you have any proof to back such an assertion?
As Katalina presses him, Hal begins to shift his eyes uncomfortably.
Hal
Ah, well... The truth is that I had a look at all your belongings while you were unconscious.
Hal
I'm really sorry about that...
Hal
It was an emergency rescue, but we just had to make sure that you weren't a threat to us.
Lyria
So then you saw that we only had nine map pieces.
Vyrn
Hm? But still... How do you know how many pieces are needed to cross?
Vyrn
Does that mean there are ten pieces in all?
Katalina
It can't be. The note that the Blue Knight left had the names of islands we'd never heard about.
Katalina
Which means that there should be more map pieces than the ones we have now.
All eyes are on Hal in hopes of real answers, but he shrinks back a little before speaking.
Hal
As for that all I can tell you for now is to trust me.
Hal
I can't reveal to anyone who I am, you see...
Hal
But if I don't tell you who I am, I guess you may never be satisfied with my answers.
His expression is serious, and Gran and the others are unsure what to say.
Sturm
As long as what you say is true, I don't care how or why you know it.
Sturm
However... if you're lying, I'll surely find out.
Sturm
And when I do, you'd better be ready for the consequences.
Hal
...
Hal
Well, no, I'm not lying...
Hal
And although I've never collected map pieces myself, I just happen to know about them, you could say...
Hal
And it's an old legend passed down for ages, so there could be a little mix-up somewhere...
Sturm
If we get the map pieces and still can't get into the Grim Basin...
Sturm
Be ready... for the consequences.
Hal
Eep...
Lyria
A-anyway let's get moving! I sense the primal beast is this way, Gran!
The crew prods Hal, who reveals himself to be the ruler of the hidden village. Before they can find out more, Dykotomus charges in ready to fight, forcing the crew to react.
Rackam
It's hard to believe...
Rackam gazes over at Hal with a look of amazement.
Rackam
Can a guy like you who's supposed to be under wraps just up and leave like that?
Hal
Ah... Well, yeah, I mean...
Hal
Why not! I started all this, and I have a right to see it to its end!
Sturm
...
Katalina
Even so I think Rackam's got a point.
Katalina
This is a bit awkward to ask...
Katalina
But are all the people in that village your servants?
Hal
!
Katalina
You look quite young, but I didn't see anyone who looked to be your parent.
Katalina
That woman called you Your Highness, and it's rare for someone your age to speak on behalf of a village.
Vyrn
Yeah, and when we left with you, everyone was staring at us and looking really worried.
Unable to sidestep the crew's keen observations, Hal sighs and begins to answer them.
Hal
It's as you surmised... Everyone in the village is a servant of mine.
Hal
We've lived together in Silverwind Stretch for as long as I can remember. They're like family to me.
Hal
But I'm not allowed to walk far distances here, even with their escort.
Hal
So even if it's just a short distance, I want to see as much of the outside as I can.
Having confessed his secret desire, Hal hangs his head in shame.
Katalina
If that's the case, then be sure to use this time to take in the view all around you.
Katalina
We'll protect you while you're with us. You're seeing the mission to its end, right?
Hal nods back at Katalina with a wide grin on his face.
Just when they enter the mountainside, Lyria suddenly raises her voice.
Lyria
It's near... And it's coming this way fast!
...
Dykotomus
...
...
Sturm
It's here...
Hal
Dykotomus has never come this far down the mountain before...
Hal
There must be something wrong.
Lyria
B-but...
Lyria seems perplexed as she focuses her power.
Lyria
But it's... not on a rampage, I think.
Lyria
I sense more of a calm... And just a little coldness...
...
Dykotomus
...!
Rackam
It doesn't matter. That thing looks ready to fight us.
Rackam
This time let's be sure to get it before it gets us, Gran!
Gran and the crew fight Dykotomus, but just when it seems they've met their match, Dykotomus suddenly yields its map piece and flies away. Sensing its pain, Lyria vows to come back and save it.
Dykotomus
...!
Gran and the crew fight Dykotomus, but it seems they've met their match.
The last blow lands weakly. Dykotomus appears unfazed and still ready to attack.
Sturm
This one's tough. That's a primal beast for you.
Katalina
But we can still fight it. We'll make sure the next strike is the final one...
Dykotomus
...?
Vyrn
Whoa! What's going on now!
Lyria
I don't know! But I think it's... hurting?
Dykotomus
...!
Katalina
It looks like it's writhing in pain, like it's trying to escape something.
Rackam
What in the blazes is going on here?
Hal
...
Still in fighting stance, Gran and the crew watch the scene unfold before them as Dykotomus finally grows still.
The primal beast exudes a light that shines onto Lyria. Soon after a crystal manifests before her.
Lyria
Is this a map piece?
Dykotomus
...
Lyria
And it's for us?
Dykotomus
...
Vyrn
Hey now... Does this seem right to you? We haven't defeated it yet.
Katalina
I don't know. But if that's a real map piece...
Lyria nervously reaches out for the crystal.
Once her fingers touch the object, Dykotomus flies away in an instant.
Rackam
It's gone but that means we can take it, right?
Lyria bites her lip, unable to hide her confusion.
Lyria
Something wasn't right.
Lyria
It's like someone was forcing it to give us the map piece...
Lyria
It did seem... to be in a lot of pain.
Hal
That means that Dykotomus still isn't quite right.
Katalina
So it was controlled and forced to give up a map piece against its will, eh?
Katalina looks up into the sky, but Dykotomus is nowhere to be seen.
Katalina
There may be something here on Silverwind Stretch that's yet to reveal itself or its purpose.
Sturm
It's a waste of time to worry about things you don't understand.
Sturm
More importantly we've got all the map pieces now.
Sturm
Let's head for the Istavion Troop fortress at once. We're going to rescue him.
With the light guiding the way once again, they begin to move.
As they walk, Lyria looks up at sky.
Lyria
(We're only going to borrow this for a little while...)
Lyria
(But I promise... I promise we'll come back and rescue you.)
Lyria
(So please... Just hang on.)
The primal beast has long disappeared into the distance, but Lyria vows in her heart to come back and save it.
77: Holed Away 
