Granblue Story Archives

lthough Yggdrasil disappears and leaves Io alone, Rosetta appears soon after. Io's joy at being reunited with her friend is short lived as her most painful memories come back to haunt her.

Yggdrasil Malice

...

Yggdrasil

...

I'm so sorry, Yggdrasil...

Yggdrasil

...

Yggdrasil fades away from view in a brilliant scattering of light.

...

Those who attempted to fill her with malice are also nowhere to be seen, while Io remains in a stupor.

I...

From the forest ahead, a figure with an alluring scent appears before Io.

???

...

No way... Rosetta?

???

...

...!
Rosetta!

Io runs over to Rosetta in a display of sheer joy she hasn't been able to show in a long time.

But that joy is short-lived.

...

A memory of the greatest loss Io has ever experienced overtakes her.

No matter how many tears she sheds, her parents are forever lost to the plague.

Her continual whimpering is the only sound that breaks the silence in the air.

A memory of another significant loss surfaces in Io's mind.

She had finally found a place she belonged. But that too was suddenly taken away from her without warning.

However, she lost no tears over the anguish. She overcame the pain of it all and became a stronger person for it—she had to.

...

The lost memories come flooding back, nearly sweeping Io off her feet.

Hey... Rosetta?

Will you up and vanish from my life one day like the others?

???

...

???

...

Her lips curved upward, the rose-scented lady twirls her thorny vines around in an antagonistic gesture.

So that's how it's going to be... I see...

Io musters the last of her remaining power, readying herself for battle.

I... have to become stronger.

It's the only way I'll get through all this alone.

In spite of the conviction in her words, the hopeful luster in Io's eyes is no more, instead replaced by a raw sheen of tears.

Though she is able to prop herself up with her staff, Io's mental state has reached its limit.

Rosetta speaks with a piece of Io's consciousness, which has taken the form of Archduke Tzaka. Rosetta decides to leave the crew, but this manifestation of Tzaka questions that line of thinking. When Rosetta is then confronted with the image of a crying Io, she reaches a hand out to her.

Tzaka the Great

Looks like you're misunderstanding things here.

Rosetta

Archduke? How is it you're...

After tracing through Io's memories, Rosetta's resolve is greater than ever. She's come to grasp the excruciating emotional pain Io has suffered.

And now she stands face-to-face with Tzaka the Great, archduke of the Valtz Duchy and Io's former master.

Rosetta

So you can see me...

Rosetta

This is the world of Io's memories.

Rosetta

I wasn't expecting anyone to notice my presence here.

Tzaka the Great

For starters I'm not the same Tzaka you know.

Tzaka the Great

I may share his appearance, but I am not the one who originally appeared in Io's memories.

Tzaka the Great

In other words...

Tzaka the Great

I am the physical manifestation of the thoughts and feelings that Io keeps bottled up inside.

Rosetta appears convinced.

Rosetta

There's something I'd like you to tell her.

Rosetta

Let her know that I can take part in their journey no m—

Tzaka the Great

I refuse.

Rosetta

...!
B-but why?

Tzaka the Great

Why do you think no one else noticed you in this world?

Tzaka the Great

Or should I elaborate?

Rosetta's brows furrow at the unexpected question.

Rosetta

This world is made up of Io's memories.

Rosetta

It's only natural to go unnoticed in a time and place I wasn't originally present in.

Rosetta

If I were to appear in such a timeline—where two of me existed simultaneously—wouldn't the whole of reality collapse?

Tzaka the Great

True enough... But that line of thinking is flawed.

Though Rosetta appears perplexed, the archduke continues on.

Tzaka the Great

The memories belong to Io—there's no mistaking that. But you should know...

Tzaka the Great

Your current state is a reflection of what you feel within yourself.

Rosetta

And that's to say...

Tzaka the Great

You've always distanced yourself from Io and the crew.

Tzaka the Great

You may have traveled with them, but it was always more as a caretaker rather than a friend.

Rosetta

...

Slightly taken aback, Rosetta quickly collects herself and leans inward.

Rosetta

Gran's father entrusted me with the well-being of all in the crew.

Rosetta

As one with so much more experience than them, I was only doing what I felt was right.

Rosetta

Gran and the others have grown strong. So much so that they've no need of a caretaker any longer.

Rosetta

Just as birds hatch from their eggs and eventually leave their nest.

The archduke looks on with pity at the pensive Rosetta.

Tzaka the Great

Is that your wish?

Rosetta

...

Tzaka the Great

At the very least, the members of that crew—Io in particular—would never desire such a thing.

Rosetta

What is it that Io wishes for then?

Tzaka the Great

That would become immediately obvious if you would simply step out of the sidelines and bask in the limelight with them.

Rosetta

So you say...

Rosetta slightly staggers as if the weight of his suggestions has thrown her off balance.

Tzaka the Great

Io may be deft, but she is clumsy as an oaf when it comes to matters of the heart.

Tzaka the Great

Won't you lend her a helping hand?

Rosetta

So it's up to me...

Her passion ignited, Rosetta reaches out to the empty space in front of her.

Rosetta

...!

Rosetta

This is...

???

Sob... Whimper...

Rosetta turns to the voice to find a young, sorrowful figure standing all alone.

Sniff... Sob...

Why... Why me?

Help me... Rosetta...

Rosetta

...!

These words are the final nudge that Rosetta needed to hear to be convinced of her new role.

Her hands fully outstretched, Rosetta reaches out to the whimpering girl.

Io is fighting the primal beast by herself, but she doesn't have enough strength left to do anything but defend herself. Rosetta appears and the two embrace. Rosetta vows that instead of protecting the crew as a guardian, she will now fight alongside them.

Huff... Huff...

???

...

Io stands all alone against a fearsome primal beast.

Exhausted from facing one battle after another, Io only has enough strength remaining to defend herself.

(What do I do, what do I do...)

(I have to become stronger... I have to...)

(But I...)

Under these most trying of circumstances, Io mutters the one name that comes to mind.

Rosetta...

Rosetta

...!

Rose... tta...

Rosetta

...!

Rosetta suddenly manifests and locks her arms around Io in a tight embrace.

Rosetta? Are you really...

Rosetta

Sorry, Io... Looks like I kept you waiting, huh.

Rosetta

But I understand it all. Everything about you... and about myself.

Rosetta

I'm here now, right beside you.

Rosetta

And that's never going to change.

Io shakes her head at the apologetic Rosetta.

No worries... I've always trusted you, Rosetta.

I was scared; I was lonely... But I knew you'd be there for me. So it's okay...

Rosetta returns the smile with an equally radiant one.

Rosetta

Hehe... I could get used to you always being this honest to yourself.

And I could get used to you being so calm and collected.

After a small bout of laughter, the two turn their attention toward the primal beast.

???

...

Rosetta

So, Io...

Yes, Rosetta?

Rosetta

I don't think I'll be capable of protecting you anymore.

Rosetta

The dangers we'll be facing from this point onward will surely be too much even for me to handle.

Rosetta

But don't take this the wrong way... I still want to protect you all, and I will.

Rosetta

I want you to know that whatever comes up, my feelings on this will never change.

Rosetta professes her newfound conviction.

Rosetta

I'll be beside you every step of the way. Not as a caretaker... but as an equal.

Rosetta

That's how I plan to move things forward.

Sounds like something a responsible and mature lady would say.

Rosetta

Haha... I must be on the right track.

Rosetta speaks to the primal beast next.

???

...

Rosetta

My journey with him has come to an end.

Rosetta

Because I'm here to start a new one with Gran and the crew.

Rosetta

And not as a favor to anyone either. This will be my journey from here on out.

Rosetta

So I must bid you farewell, the me that was just a primal beast.

???

...

Rosetta

It's time to put an end to all of this. No more regrets, no more cold feet—it all stops now.

Rosetta

This is what I... No, this is what we must do for our journey to begin anew.

Rosetta mutters parting words to her former self.

With Io by her side, Rosetta confronts the physical manifestation of her power.

Echidna collapses when she sees that Io and Rosetta have safely awoken from the temporary pact. Otherworldly beings begin to surround them, and Io and Rosetta fight them off using the power of the innermost teachings.

???

...

Io and Rosetta work together to fight off the primal beast.

Immediately after, the two are engulfed in a bright light before seeing dreams in an ivory-white world.

Rosetta

What is this place...

Yggdrasil

...

Rosetta

Wait for me, Yggdrasil.

Rosetta

I'll have to my hold off my retirement in Lumacie for a while longer.

Huh? What the... Where's Rosetta?

Sensing a presence behind her, Io turns around.

???

...

Huh? You're... Gran?

No... Something's off...

???

...

Huh?

O-okay! Leave it to me!

I can do this...

Rosetta

Io? Is everything all right?

Phew!
Hm? Rosetta?

What was I...

Rosetta

Relax. I just woke up myself.

Rosetta

You were muttering something, so I just wanted to make sure everything was okay. You seem to be yourself, at least.

Um, well... Ehehe.

Rosetta

...?
You look almost too happy.

Mm-hm! I was asked to look after you.

Rosetta

...?
Now who would—

Ah! Forgot all about Echidna!

The two survey their surroundings and find Echidna, overwhelmed with concern for them.

Echidna!

Echidna

Whew, so glad to know you two made it back okay.

Rosetta

After the way we left you, you can bet we did everything we could to get back.

Echidna

Hehe... That's comforting to hear. Though I must apologize.

Echidna

I'm relieved to see you two are okay, but I'm afraid this is it for me...

Rosetta

Echidna!

Rosetta holds Echidna up, preventing her from tumbling to the ground.

Oh no...

Rosetta

She's still breathing; it should be okay. She's simply exhausted her power.

Rosetta

However...

Rosetta carefully looks around the area.

A group of otherworldly beings appear, as if waiting for the moment Echidna would fall.

Otherworld Being 1

...

Otherworld Being 2

...

Are those...

Rosetta

The ones from the otherworld that Echidna mentioned, no doubt.

Otherworld Being 1

...

Otherworld Being 2

...

The entities surround and close in on the trio.

Echidna did her best to protect us even though we were under a temporary pact!

Rosetta

I noticed... She might've taken it too far...

But now it's our turn to repay the favor.

Rosetta

It's time, Io...

Rosetta

Time to demonstrate everything we learned from the innermost teachings!

I won't lose anyone ever again!

You lay a hand on any of my friends, and I'll take you all on!

I'm not strong, and I don't have to pretend like I am anymore... Because I've got a friend with me every step of the way now!

You otherworld knuckleheads don't stand a chance against us two!

After Io and Rosetta defeat the otherworldly beings, Echidna reveals that the forces of the Otherworld have begun to stir even more than before. She assumes that this is due to the work of Gilbert.

Otherworld Being

...

With newfound strength obtained from the innermost teachings, Io and Rosetta vanquish the otherworldly beings that appeared on Bestia Island.

Having found Echidna a place to rest, the two utter a sigh of relief.

Phew... Nice to finally catch our breath.

Rosetta

Mm-hm. You've been holding up really well, Io.

Echidna

You have my gratitude for stopping the otherworldly beings.

Echidna

I speak for all in Bestia when I say from the bottom of my heart: thank you.

Echidna

And congratulations on reaching the depths of the innermost teachings.

Echidna

Never let go of what you've gained.

Rosetta

But of course.

Uh-huh! That's a given!

Io and Rosetta trade glances as if to reaffirm their new bonds.

Echidna's gloomy expression strikes a stark contrast with the upbeat atmosphere.

Echidna

...

Rosetta

Did something happen while we were asleep, Echidna?

Echidna

I didn't want to spoil the mood...

Echidna

But this is something that must be said.

Echidna

If left alone, it may be too late to rectify the situation later on.

The somberness in her tone conveys to Io and Rosetta the gravity of the matter.

Echidna

Even after I placed you two under a temporary pact, the attacks from the otherworldly beings persisted.

Echidna

I did not expect the power of the Otherworld to become that strong that quickly...

Echidna

But there was one spot where its energy multiplied at an alarming speed, as if resonating with something.

Resonating, you say...

You can't find the power of the Otherworld in just any old place, right?

Rosetta

That's right. Must be why we see activity only in certain places.

Echidna

There's only one person I can think of in this skydom who might be the cause. His name is Gilbert.

Echidna

I can't imagine anything other than the power he seized from the Otherworld having such an effect.

So you mean... The one causing this resonance is...

Rosetta

Gilbert. Something huge must be going on with the Rhem Kingdom.

Echidna

I have a bad feeling about this.

Rosetta

I'm not looking forward to whatever comes next.

We need to get back to Gran and the others right away!

Though they enjoyed a brief respite after diving into the innermost teachings, Io and Rosetta now face a new threat.

And back at the capital of Idelva Kingdom, that threat has already taken form, threatening to disturb the peace.