Cain is fighting a losing battle against Zeyen. The sage asks him why he chose to secure Io's freedom over the sage's. Cain explains that he didn't choose Io, but rather he's placing his bets on Gran and the crew. As Zeyen prepares his final strike, he senses something sinister behind him. As he turns to look, Gran and the others come running in from the opposite direction. Zeyen uses the chance to test the crew's resolve to continue their perilous journey.
Cain
Agh! Nghh...
Cain takes a blow to the gut, which sends a sharp and numbing pain throughout his body.
Up against a sage who can calculate the future, a victory for Cain is nowhere in sight.
Cain
Huff... Huff...
Zeyen
Hm... Is this where you give up then?
Cain
Ha-ha... Why ask when you can calculate it yourself?
Zeyen moves into a resting stance as he gazes at the young man curiously.
Zeyen
Answer me one thing... Why did you choose Io?
Cain
...?
What are you talking about?
Zeyen
For the hostage exchange with Rhem.
Zeyen
Depending on the offer, you could have negotiated for my release instead of Io.
Cain
I dunno about that. The main goal of Rhem's visit to the island was about you, so I doubt they would've let you go so easily.
Zeyen
But talking things out is your specialty. And you should've had other collateral to offer them.
Zeyen watches Cain with a wary eye as he continues to speak.
Zeyen
However, Antikythera showed me that you would be the one to set Io free.
Zeyen
I never doubt the future Antikythera reveals to me. But I must admit that it was quite curious.
Zeyen
Seeing the outcome of the exchange only made me more suspicious.
Zeyen
For in the end, I know you're in need of more power to challenge Rhem Kingdom.
Zeyen
But Io... I won't say that she is weak, but she is still a child.
Zeyen
She has much potential. A raw power hidden within. But it has yet to bloom.
Zeyen
If you only desire power for a fight, it is no question that I am more useful to you.
Zeyen
But why did you choose Io? I cannot help but wonder what led you to that choice.
Cain begins to grin in answer.
Cain
That's a surprise... I guess primal beasts have a better grasp of people's hearts than actual people do.
Cain
The answer's simple. It's not that I chose Io. It's that I'm placing my bets on Gran and the crew.
Cain
When Gran and the crew work together, their strength is greater than anything standing against them.
Cain
Individually they might not hold a candle to you as a sage.
Cain
But I know that together they are more powerful than anyone. That's why they were even able to cross skydoms.
Cain
So I bet on Gran and the crew, counting on their strength as a team.
Zeyen
...
Zeyen sighs and squints his eyes before he begins to speak.
Zeyen
But... do you really think you've won by taking a chance on them?
Zeyen
Now that they've gotten Io back, this airship is the only thing keeping them here.
Cain
Oh, but that's more than enough. Or rather, I don't see any way that I'll lose this bet.
Zeyen
Well... how sure are you?
Zeyen
An airship is an airship no matter how you look at it. Don't you think they'll give up on this one if reclaiming it is too much of a hassle?
Zeyen
If they abandon this airship, they'll have no more business here. And no need to get involved in unnecessary risks.
Zeyen
Now do you really believe they would go out of their way to come and rescue you?
Cain seems annoyed at the sage and sighs heavily.
Cain
Good grief... If it bothers you that much, then just peek at the future already.
Cain
I know they're coming. I believe in Gran and that's it.
Cain
If you asked why I believe, then I'd have to say that it's because Gran and the crew made me do so.
Zeyen
...
Zeyen is left speechless in the face of Cain's unwavering confidence.
Cain
So? What's the verdict of your calculation? Is it that you don't like what you see?
Zeyen
You continue to spout blasphemy... but that ends here.
Zeyen
It is unfortunate. You must possess an unusually keen intellect to have discovered the truth behind my power. But it appears you are much too reckless.
Zeyen focuses his power as he prepares for his final strike.
Zeyen
Truly unfortunate indeed... If you have any last words—
Zeyen
!
Zeyen stops suddenly as he feels a dangerous presence nearby. He turns around to look.
Cain
...?
Zeyen
What was that?
Dialogue Option
Cain!
Opposite the dark presence, a voice calls out frantically for Cain, and Zeyen turns once again toward the young general.
Gran and the others come running up behind Cain out of breath.
Zeyen
You're incredibly lucky.
Io
Mentor! What are you doing? Why are you fighting with Cain?
Zeyen
I'd said that I would test him. To see if he can be trusted with our knowledge.
Zeyen
If he cannot even prove this to me, then he would surely succumb to the power of the innermost teachings and stray from the path.
Zeyen
As the island's elder I must prevent that from happening.
Io
Mentor...
Cain
Gran and Io... Zeyen is being serious.
Cain
The power of Zeyen and the primal beast is dangerous enough to warrant his caution.
Cain
I learned that well while fighting him...
Zeyen
But it is not just Cain. It is all of you. If you do not pass this test, then I cannot allow Io to go with you.
Dialogue Option
We'll see about that!
Zeyen
I too wish to return Io to her crew.
Zeyen
But our teachings deal with a power that connects the skies and the stars... Only a select few are allowed to keep this knowledge.
Dialogue Option
Io's our friend, you know!
Zeyen
I too wish to return Io to her crew.
Zeyen
But our teachings deal with a power that connects the skies and the stars... Only a select few are allowed to keep this knowledge.
Zeyen shows no intention of backing down, so Gran and the others take a fighting stance as they ready their weapons.
Lyria
Well, if Zeyen's power is that of a primal beast...
Lyria
Then I might be able to help too!
Katalina
Right! If Lyria can interfere with his primal beast connection...
Zeyen
...
Lyria
Huh?
Lyria seems puzzled at first, but she tries focusing her powers again as she lifts her arms in the air. However, there is no response.
Zeyen
Did my primal companion Antikythera answer your call?
Lyria
No... But why?
Vyrn
Is it a primal beast that not even Lyria can reach?
Lyria
It's as if... my power is slipping... Like it's being held back somehow.
While Gran and the others listen in astonishment, Zeyen is calm and collected as he begins to speak.
Zeyen
But of course...
Zeyen
The original purpose of our teachings was to keep the enemy from controlling primal beasts.
Katalina
Keep the enemy from controlling them? Then who was the enemy?
Zeyen
The innermost teachings...
The sin of Nalhegrande...
A distant world unknown to you.
Zeyen
Even travelers such as you, who have come all the way from Phantagrande, may find yourselves bewildered at times.
Zeyen
The providence from the old world will not fare well in the new. If that instills you with fear, then you should turn back now.
Zeyen
Where is your journey headed? Will you continue down the path no matter how many times the world knocks you down?
Dialogue Option
We're just passing through here.
Zeyen
The place you seek is beyond both Nalhegrande and Oarlyegrande, I see...
Dialogue Option
Our destination is far beyond here.
Zeyen
Your journey will end only once you've reached your destination, I see...
Zeyen
Excellent. Then my omniscient power shall reveal all as you prove to me the power of your will!
One last strike from Gran brings Zeyen to his knees. Zeyen admits his defeat, agreeing to cooperate with Idelva and allow Io to return to the crew. Elsewhere on the airship, Leona apologizes to Reinhardtzar for trying to attack Zeyen, forcing Reinhardtzar to use all his might to stop her. Leona admits that she'd do anything to protect Cain, even if it's underhanded.
Zeyen
Nghh!
One last strike from Gran brings Zeyen to his knees.
Zeyen
Whew... I see now. This is the strength of working together...
Dialogue Option
Did we pass the test?
Zeyen
Of course. I see that you who have crossed skydoms have a genuine power indeed.
Dialogue Option
We can do this all day.
Zeyen
I'll pass... I can't keep up any longer. You've done more than enough to prove yourselves to me.
Zeyen's expression is cheerful as he gently dusts himself off and calmly begins to speak.
Zeyen
I acknowledge your strength. You are all worthy to be entrusted with our knowledge.
Zeyen
As the Omniscient Sage and leader of Kluger Island, I swear cooperation with Idelva Kingdom.
Zeyen
Io, you may return to your crew. But you must not forget to keep training diligently!
Io
Mentor!
Cain
W-wait a sec! Did you say cooperation with Idelva?
Cain
When all's said and done, I barely landed a hit against you when I was on my own!
Zeyen
All I asked was that you show me your power and prove your worth. I never said anything about besting me in battle.
Cain
What!
Zeyen
I apologize for having to make such threats against you.
Zeyen
But if I did not, it would never have been a test, would it?
Cain gives a great sigh as his posture crumbles in exasperation.
Cain
Sigh... You're kidding me... Why didn't you say that earlier?
Zeyen
Ha-ha... I believe I said it from the beginning. You must listen more closely to others.
Cain
Sigh...
Katalina
He's a sage indeed. Wise enough to trick someone as clever as Cain...
Vyrn
I'll say... This old man's more crafty than we thought.
As if reminded of something, Zeyen opens his mouth again to speak.
Zeyen
That's right... I've something to give you as well.
Zeyen focuses his power as he squeezes his hand into a tight fist.
A light begins to shine from the fist and he opens his hand to reveal a sparkling fragment in his palm.
Lyria
Is this a piece of the sky map?
Zeyen
The primal beast Antikythera is both my companion and the ruler of Kluger Island.
Zeyen
This is proof that you are recognized by both Antikythera and me. Please accept this with pride.
Gran takes the object from Zeyen's hand and grips it tightly.
Vyrn
Heheh! This is the first map piece we've gotten since we arrived in Nalhegrande!
Lyria
Yep! We've got to make sure we get all the map pieces we can from this skydom!
Gran and the others take a quick look around only to realize that the Rhem battleship is nowhere in sight.
Rackam sighs in relief upon seeing the followers happily reunited with Zeyen.
Rackam
I guess everything turned out all right somehow. But I nearly had a heart attack a few times...
Rackam
Thanks for trusting me from start to finish, Captain Gran.
Dialogue Option
You're my friend after all!
Rackam
Ha-ha... Oh yeah? Then that's the last of the formalities!
Rackam lazily looks up to the sky.
Rackam
But you know... the skies are truly vast.
Rackam
I really thought we'd come a long way in our abilities...
Rackam
But the sky's still crawling with monstrously mighty folks.
Vyrn
Speaking of might, the Scarlet Knight has yet to show us his real moves, right?
Zeyen
The Scarlet Knight? Have you all met Baragona before?
Io
He's the guy in the red armor, right? We've fought with him plenty of times...
Zeyen
...
Although apparently curious, Zeyen does not press the subject any further.
Instead Katalina uses the chance to pose a question to the sage.
Katalina
By the way, I was hoping you could tell us more about something...
Katalina
Is it true that the purpose of your power is to keep an enemy from controlling primal beasts?
Katalina
Only Astrals should be able to control primals in the first place.
Katalina
Which means this power was originated by people who considered Astrals the enemy... In other words, was it the skydwellers?
Zeyen
No... This power was devised by an Astral in fact.
Katalina
An Astral? So this Astral was fighting against other Astrals?
Zeyen appears downhearted as he shakes his head.
Zeyen
I'm afraid I cannot answer that. I haven't the right to do so.
Zeyen
There is sin in Nalhegrande. And to speak of it is a burden in and of itself.
Zeyen gazes into the sky as if seeking an answer.
Zeyen
There is one who wishes to cleanse this sky of its sin.
Zeyen
When the time comes, the truth in its entirety will be told in his words.
Zeyen
For now you must only gather your strength, improve your skills, and wait...
Gran and the others sense an unspoken, inexpressible heaviness from Zeyen's words.
And unbeknownst to them, the time that the sage speaks of is growing closer and closer.
Cain
Hold on. Where are Leo and Reinhardtzar?
Vyrn
Hm? Reinhardtzar took the Idelva soldiers with him to the Rhem battleship...
Vyrn
But Leona ran off somewhere else saying that she'd catch up with him later.
Lyria
She said she had a duty to serve as Cain's adjutant.
Cain
Hm... The Rhem battleship is long gone. Maybe she's tying up loose ends somewhere.
Leona
I'm so sorry. I just don't know what to say...
Leona apologizes to Reinhardtzar as she treats his wounds.
Reinhardtzar
That's enough... The cut's not even deep. You stopped yourself just in time.
Reinhardtzar
But...
Reinhardtzar
Are you telling me your duty as an adjutant is to sneak up and attack someone who's giving a fair fight?
Reinhardtzar
If I hadn't used my own body to stop you, you would've surely killed Zeyen.
Reinhardtzar
And from the looks of it, he caught wind of what you were about to do.
Reinhardtzar
I know that you wanted to get Cain out of danger, but...
Leona
It's just... I can't lose Cain.
Leona
Ever since that day... I just knew I could never lose anyone so important to me ever again.
Leona
I'd do anything to protect him even if it's underhanded.
The words spill from her mouth as she confesses her loyalty.
And the usual warmth in her eyes is now replaced with a dark and resolute determination.
89: Teachings of the Sage 
