After driving the Blessed away, the crew asks the edgedwellers about their encounter with Gran's father. Shitori reveals that he managed to escape the Edgelands by riding the eruption of Ebisu's volcano all the way back to the Sky Realm. Gran and the others agree this should be their next course of action too.
Blessed One
Pant... pant...
Rackam
Well, what's it gonna be? You wanna keep this up?
Blessed One
Curses... So this is the strength of the singularity's crew...
Blessed One
Listen well. Your journey will bring about the destruction of the world.
Blessed One
When the time comes, I hope you will not regret what you have wrought.
The man signals to the other Blessed, and they take their leave.
Vyrn
Whew... That was bonkers. Wonder what was eatin' that guy...
Shitori
Thank you, everyone. You've saved us all.
Mika
You guys were super-duper strong! That's what you get when that old guy's kid is leading your crew n' all.
Katalina
I know this may seem sudden, but there's a lot we would still like to ask you.
Rosetta
Yes, starting with this island, Gran's father, Vyrn, and Lyria too.
Knowing looks pass between the two groups. The edgedwellers invite the skyfarers back inside for further discussion.
Edgedweller
Let us see... Where did we leave off from last time?
Vyrn
We were just about to ask where Gran's dad went since he clearly ain't around here...
Edgedweller
To make a long story short, we are not aware of his present location either.
Shitori
There's no telling since we were the ones who sent him off.
Dialogue Option
What do you mean?
Shitori begins to respond, her resolve apparent in her expression.
Shitori
We told you that once you've drifted here, it's impossible to return to the Sky Realm.
Shitori
But there is actually one method that allows you to go back—albeit it too is all but an impossibility.
Shitori
That did not stop your father from trying, however.
Shitori points to the window.
Shitori
See that volcano?
A massive mountain sits clearly in the distance, molten lava occasionally sputtering from its crater.
Io
Wait. Is that volcano actually active? It's smaller than the ones back in Valtz, but it seems like it could blow any minute now.
Shitori
It very well could. But it would be no ordinary eruption.
Shitori
You see, it's possible to use the resulting force of the blast to return to the world above.
Katalina
How does one use a volcanic eruption exactly?
While Katalina is still trying to work out the meaning behind Shitori's words, Rackam has already come to a grim conclusion.
Rackam
Wait... No, no, no—
Rackam
This has got to be some cruel and unusual joke, right?
Io
Wait, what did I miss? Why do you look so upset, Rackam?
Rackam
How else am I supposed to look? You give a helmsman bad news and expect him to smile?
Rackam
Look, are you all really suggestin' we just hitch a ride on a volcanic blast?
Rackam
Sure, that sounds like enough force to get us home...
Rackam
But wouldn't that be pushin' our luck? Can you really ride somethin' like that?
Edgedweller
It is not as simple as merely hitching your airship to the blast.
Edgedweller
Wrought by Ebisu's power, the eruption is a manifestation of blessings. If fate would have you leave, then consider yourself blessed.
Edgedweller
Our primal's power is not bound to the same rules that govern our existence in the Edgelands.
Edgedweller
That is why it's possible to ride the eruption back to the skies above.
Rackam
Yeah, yeah, but it still sounds completely cuckoo to rely on a volcano to spit you up into the sky.
Rosetta
So this means that Gran's father escaped by riding the blast?
Shitori
...
After a brief pause, Shitori nods to Rosetta.
Mika
You shoulda seen it! It went kaboom!
Vyrn
Whoa, really? Gran, your dad sure is somethin' else.
Rosetta
Haha. You can say that again. I see he hasn't changed since I traveled with him.
Edgedweller
I must apologize, but as that man's child, I do not know how to adequately ask for your forgiveness.
Dialogue Option
Why are you apologizing?
The edgedweller begins an embarrassed explanation.
Edgedweller
Well, the volcano provides a means of escape from the Edgelands.
Edgedweller
But that is it. We cannot guarantee anything else.
Shitori
This place is far below the Sky Realm.
Shitori
Imagine what would happen if you rode something that could toss you high enough to send you back.
Io
Um... You would be back sailing the skies and living happily ever after?
Katalina
No... That's merely one possibility, Io. And that's only if you were lucky.
Katalina
It's just as likely that one would crash into the underside of an island or another airship.
Eugen
And that might not be the worst of it. You could even get shot clear into the Grim Basin.
Lyria
I guess even if we get back to the Sky Realm, it might not work out so well if we're unlucky.
Shitori looks down at the ground, dejected.
Shitori
We were unable to stop that man from being reckless.
Shitori
I think we might have even encouraged him accidentally.
Shitori
He truly made us believe he could do anything and live to tell the tale...
There isn't a peep in the room as everyone imagines the worst possible outcome.
Dialogue Option
He's okay.
Shitori
What?
Shitori
But since his escape, there's no way of knowing...
Dialogue Option
He gave me a letter.
Shitori
A letter?
Vyrn
That's right! He made a promise to us in that letter!
Rosetta
There's one thing I'd like you to tell me. Did that man ever mention Gran to you?
Mika
He said he had to leave Gran behind, but he was real sad to do it. Said he had some place he had to go.
Shitori
That's right. He mentioned he left his precious child in his hometown.
Gran tells the edgedwellers more about the letter and how it sparked a grand adventure.
Shitori
A letter from Estalucia?
Mika
Wowie! The old guy really made it to the Island of the Astrals?
Edgedweller
He actually returned to the sky without any harm coming to him. And then managed to venture to the Astral Realm...
Rackam
The more I hear about Gran's pops, the more impressive he sounds.
Katalina
It seems we still have a lot more to learn about him, if our time here is any indication.
Dialogue Option
I won't let him down.
Lyria
There you go, Gran! I know we can do it!
Dialogue Option
I'm going to find him no matter what..
Lyria
There you go, Gran! I know we can do it!
Eugen
Well, we'd better stop wastin' time around here then.
Eyes filled with determination, Gran turns to address Shitori and the other edgedwellers.
Dialogue Option
Will you help us?
Shitori
So you'll try to use the eruption, huh?
Shitori
Even though your father made it out unscathed, it is still a dangerous gamble.
Shitori
There is nothing ensuring that your crew will also come out in one piece.
Shitori
Knowing that, will you still attempt it?
Gran looks to each of the crew members, intent on hearing their opinions before making a choice.
Rosetta
I think we should go through with it.
Rosetta
I trust in Gran's ability to provide me with many more heart-racing adventures.
Io
Honestly, we've been through tons of dangerous predicaments up until now.
Io
So if there's a way back up, then we should at least give it a go, right?
Eugen
Yup, skyfarers make their livin' by livin' dangerously.
Eugen
No fortunes were ever made by sailin' through smooth skies alone!
Rackam
I'm your helmsman, so you probably already know where I stand.
Rackam
Our airship is out of commission, which makes me 'bout as good as a pile of bricks.
Rackam
So even if I've gotta risk my life to get the Grandcypher back to the skies where it can soar, then it'll be worth it.
Rackam
Well, as long as whatever we end up doin' doesn't put the ol' gal through any more turmoil.
Katalina
I decided that I would accompany Lyria no matter what, and that's still my decision now.
Katalina
So I'll do whatever you deem best.
Lyria nods to her protector before turning to Gran to speak.
Lyria
Gran, you've said since the very beginning that you were going to go to the Island of the Astrals: Estalucia.
Lyria
I know it's not just because you want to have some grand adventure... It's because your father is waiting for you there, right?
Lyria
I'm not sure if I have a mother or father...
Lyria
But if I knew where they were, I'm sure I would go find them.
Lyria
We've already been through so much on so many islands.
Lyria
And now, here we are, a little closer to your father than we've ever been.
Her resolution growing that much stronger, Lyria looks directly into Gran's eyes.
Lyria
Gran... That's why I don't want you to ever give up on your dream.
Dialogue Option
Let's make it there together.
Lyria
You got it!
Vyrn
Heh-heh... We can't keep your dad waitin' forever, huh? We better get a move on!
Gran turns to Shitori and announces the decision of the crew.
Shitori
In that case, I suppose there is nothing we can do to change your mind.
Mika
Really? But they just got here...
Shitori
No, Mika. We must not be selfish. They have their own goals.
Edgedweller
If you are as determined as you seem, then we will assist you.
Edgedweller
At the very least, we would like to repay this kindness.
Lyria
Oh, um, we didn't really do much...
Edgedweller
Ah, no, forgive me. I meant that we want to repay the kindness we were shown by your father.
Edgedweller
If he is presently on the Island of the Astrals, it would be all but impossible to properly thank him.
Dialogue Option
Thank you.
Edgedweller
It is our pleasure. As your father gave us something indispensable.
Io
And what's that?
Edgedweller
Hope. So that we may live on.
Dialogue Option
This is a big help.
Edgedweller
It is our pleasure. As your father gave us something indispensable.
Io
And what's that?
Edgedweller
Hope. So that we may live on.
Edgedweller
Everyone here was at one point facing certain death when they drifted here by chance. I am sure it was the same for you as you fell through the skies.
Edgedweller
And yet, here we are—alive. But being unable to return to the world above, it is hard to describe this as living.
Edgedweller
Your father gave us meaning to what was otherwise an incomplete existence.
The edgedweller's tone takes on a self-deriding note as he continues.
Edgedweller
The group that attacked earlier, we were all once part of the same sect.
Edgedweller
We adhered to a philosophy of status quo. It was not that we couldn't progress—it was that we were to abandon progress and embrace the present.
Edgedweller
And adhere we did, until your father came and mercifully destroyed our ways.
He pauses for a moment, as if to reminisce about brighter times.
Edgedweller
You see, we began researching Ebisu's eruption at his request.
Edgedweller
Our idle lives were suddenly filled with activity. With vibrancy.
Edgedweller
Everything else happened so quickly. He said he had to make haste, leaving us before we could thank him.
Edgedweller
Perhaps... Perhaps he thought what he did for us deserved no words of gratitude.
Turning to face Gran, the edgedweller brings his tale to a close.
Edgedweller
Forgive me. That became longer than I intended...
Dialogue Option
Thank you for sharing.
Vyrn
Yeah. We got to hear a little bit more about what Gran's dad was doin' on his adventure.
Determined as ever to reach the Island of the Astrals, Gran nods in agreement with Vyrn.
The crew, now with a clear means to return to the Sky Realm, begin preparing themselves for their ensuing homecoming.
While Gran and the crew are sharing a powerful moment in the home of the edgedweller, a figure peers in at them from a window.
Loki
Haha. I wasn't expecting to see you all here, but there you are.
Fenrir
Hey. Stop staring inside the window. Not only does it make you seem like a creep, they'll notice you peeping.
Loki
Oh, we certainly don't want that. I would hate for them to get the wrong impression of me.
Loki
But, then again, if I don't look inside, then how will I know what's going on?
Loki, unperturbed by the potential danger of being discovered, returns to his post at the window.
Loki
Oh... Look who's here.
Fenrir
Who'd you find? Is it that wretch you were searching for?
Loki
The very one. But I won't do anything for now. There's nowhere to run if things go sour.
Fenrir
What? Your prey's right there. You should just grab it.
Loki
Eh, I'm fine for now.
Loki
Besides, the situation is just a little too... off for me.
Fenrir
The situation is... off?
Loki
You have to properly season and cook your food, Fenrir. I'm not like you; I can't just dive into any old raw meat.
Loki
Besides, there's a group on this island that could make things spicier. Why don't we take a little detour to ask for their help?
Loki, a satisfied grin crossing his lips, shuffles off away from the house.
Fenrir
Ugh... I don't get him at all...
Fenrir follows suit, until both disappear in the distance.
112: Father's Footsteps 
