Just as Echidna commences her assault, Gran loses consciousness as a result of the weakened link with Lyria. After receiving a warning of what is to come from an unfamiliar woman, Gran is reunited with Lyria. Ferry guides the two back to the real world, where the whole crew is now back together and ready to face Echidna at full strength.
Echidna
...!
Envoy
I suppose I can't change your mind.
Envoy
The Otherworld will help itself to the islands of the Sky Realm, starting with Bestia here!
The envoy's revelation of Vyrn and Lyria's true purpose comes as a shock. Even so, Gran refuses to cooperate with the Otherworldly beings.
Spurned by the captain's stance, the envoy has unleashed the corrupted Echidna on the crew.
Echidna
...!
Eugen
Damn! They'll stop at nothin'!
Echidna
...!
Rosetta
Echidna...
Dialogue Option
We don't have a choice.
Rosetta
Okay. We have to stop her and the Otherworldly beings!
Dialogue Option
We'll make it up to her later.
Rosetta
Okay. We have to stop her and the Otherworldly beings!
Nodding in agreement with Rosetta, Gran assumes a battle-ready stance.
Gran's heart begins to pound at the prospect of battle. But unlike the typical adrenaline rush, this throbbing of the heart signals a far greater danger.
Red—the color of blood and danger. It dyes Gran's vision as the world starts to fade.
Vyrn
Oh no! You okay?
Io
Hang in there! I don't know if healing magic'll work, but it's worth a try!
Eugen
They ain't gonna sit around while we do that! We gotta leave now! I'll carry Gran!
Rosetta
I'll put up a thorn barrier. Take care of Gran!
Vyrn
Stay with us, buddy! Don't close your eyes! C'mon!
Vyrn
Is this where our journey ends? Don't tell me this is—
Gran's consciousness sinks into nothing. Yet even in this pitch-black darkness, the captain's awareness hasn't completely faded.
Dialogue Option
Our life link...
The infinite void is suddenly shattered by a power that is beyond comprehension.
Dialogue Option
This might be it for me...
The infinite void is suddenly shattered by a power that is beyond comprehension.
Gran is drifting in the middle of a familiar sky, conscious but without form.
Dialogue Option
Is this—
???
Do you wish to fight?
???
Sky god. Astral god. It doesn't matter who you face. You have to keep fighting if you want to protect Vyrn and Lyria.
The woman's voice is full of melancholy. An enormous dragon appears behind her.
???
...
The being, clad in divinity and commanding absolute destruction, is none other than a god. A god who demands fear and awe.
???
Rebelling against a god comes with punishing consequences.
???
A god is the definition of reality. To defy a god is to defy the world itself.
???
You won't be safe from the gods' reach until arriving at sky's end.
???
Knowing this, you still plan to—
Dialogue Option
Journey on with Vyrn and Lyria.
???
I see. You've made your choice.
???
...!
Once again everything goes dark.
But this time a warm sensation envelops Gran's entire being.
???
Here... Over here.
It's such a familiar voice. Sound gives way to light, and Gran reaches out in desperation.
???
It will be... all right.
Gran's hand extends as far as it can go and touches the light. It has the same warmth as pressing one's hand against someone else's.
???
Finally... found you.
There in front of Gran is a young girl—hair like blue streaks on a white canvas—to whom the captain's life is intertwined with.
Lyria
Heehee. It feels like forever since we last saw each other.
Dialogue Option
Got that right.
Lyria
Well, like I said. It only feels like we've been separated for a long time.
Lyria
But in actuality, we've always been together, haven't we?
Dialogue Option
Kinda embarrassing, isn't it?
Lyria
Yeah. It's funny in a way.
Lyria
But I'm so, so happy knowing that we both feel the same way.
Gran and Lyria take each other by the hand.
Lyria
Mikaboshi told me everything. Who I am... What I am.
Lyria
She even told me about Vyrn. I was surprised to say the least.
Lyria
But even knowing what I know now, that hasn't changed how I feel.
Lyria
I want to help Katalina. I want to be there for you. For everyone. And I want to keep flying through the sky.
Lyria
I'm not some vessel created by the Astral god.
Lyria
The ups and downs I've gone through, and the memories I've made with everyone, are what make me who I am.
Lyria
When I think about it that way, I'm not even scared to fight against my maker.
Lyria
What do you think?
Dialogue Option
I'm with you on that.
Lyria
Heehee. Great. Somehow we always seem to be on the same page.
Dialogue Option
Together we have nothing to fear.
Lyria
Mm-hm. As long as we're together.
Lyria
Oh, b-but I still have trouble with ghosts, so hold my hand in spooky places, okay?
Lyria and Gran have more catching up to do, but another young girl's voice cuts in.
Ferry
Lyria. Gran.
Ferry
It's time to go. I think everyone's getting antsy waiting around.
Ferry
You can count on me to guide you back. That's what I'm here for.
Lyria
Thank you, Ferry! Please lead the way!
Using Ferry as a guide, the two soulbound travelers proceed through the light.
Gran's body surrenders to a comforting warmth, eyes slowly closing.
Vyrn
Gran's awake, everybody!
Gran blinks a few times. The world is still hazy, but the captain can make out a small figure protecting the group from Echidna's attacks.
Lyria
We made it!
Io
Lyria! Boy, am I glad to see you!
Io
Um, is that a new power from a primal beast?
Lyria
Actually it's my own power!
Rackam
We'll give you the rundown later! We gotta deal with Echidna first!
Mikaboshi
Those Otherworld fools really did a number on her.
Katalina
I'm sorry we couldn't make it back sooner, Gran.
Katalina
We have so much to talk about, but it's going to have to wait.
Katalina pulls out a Sky Map piece as a preview of what they can look forward to.
Rosetta
Could it be?
Katalina
It's Ares's Sky Map piece from her pact with Starke Island.
Rosetta
Ares... I see. Which means there's only one map piece left.
Eugen
Good. We already made it this far. Just one last push.
Eugen
You feelin' like your old self yet, Gran?
Dialogue Option
It doesn't hurt anymore.
Vyrn
Okay, so Echidna's got the last piece we need!
Dialogue Option
I think I feel even better than before.
Vyrn
Okay, so Echidna's got the last piece we need!
Vyrn
Here we go! Let's show those showboatin' Otherpunks they messed with the wrong skyfarers!
The crew frees Echidna from the Otherworld corruption; as a result the Otherworldly beings withdraw from the Sky Realm. Echidna bestows the crew with the fourth and final Nalhegrande Sky Map piece, which Mikaboshi uses to make the sky blue again. Their joy is short-lived, however, when Loki comes bearing grave news.
Echidna
Guh!
Echidna
Pant... Pant...
Gran and company succeed in releasing Echidna from the Otherworld's control.
Envoy
The situation has spoken. We shall wait for the next opportunity.
Envoy
But remember this: should you change your mind and wish to exact revenge on the almighty, your brethren will flock to your call.
As Echidna comes to her senses, the Otherworld forces retreat into the void before the bridge is lost.
Bestia Island is quiet again. Turmoil has fled the little sanctuary.
Echidna
I'm so sorry, everyone. I caused so much trouble for you all.
Rosetta
You don't have to apologize for anything. It wasn't your fault.
Echidna
I know you mean well, but it doesn't make me feel any less responsible.
Echidna
It's my duty to oversee the connection between here and the Otherworld.
Rackam
Oh yeah, been wonderin' about that. How'd you end up over there anyway?
Echidna
I'm not really sure, to tell you the truth.
Echidna shakes her head, confused by the gap in her memory.
Echidna
Someone came to the island. I remember that much.
Echidna
But everything after that is a blank. Then at some point I was captured by the Otherworlders.
Rosetta
Who was the person who came here?
Echidna
I'm afraid I don't know... I'm sorry Mommy is so useless...
The crew members take turns comforting Echidna. They encourage her to take as much time as she needs to recover.
Echidna
Thank you for making me smile again.
Echidna
You're right, I should rest. But before I go, I want you to have this.
Echidna hands over the Sky Map piece from her pact with Bestia Island.
Dialogue Option
Thanks.
Echidna
Hehe, you're welcome.
Dialogue Option
We're saved.
Echidna
Mm-mm. You're the ones who saved me.
Counting the map piece from Echidna, the crew has finally gathered all four parts of the Nalhegrande Sky Map.
Lyria
Hm? I think it's glowing a little.
Mikaboshi
That's because that piece is resonating with the other pieces.
Mikaboshi
Can you let me borrow it for a second? I want to personally put an end to this.
Io
"Put an end to this"? What's that supposed to mean?
Mikaboshi
Think of it as unfinished business. And it goes something like...
Mikaboshi
This!
What was once a dull glow intensifies into a dazzling ray of light that erupts into the sky as soon as the Astral touches the piece.
It pierces the sky above, dispersing over the entire expanse of the skydom.
Once the light particles have disappeared, like mist evaporating in the sun, the skyfarers are treated to the return of the azure skies they so love.
Rackam
She actually did it!
Rackam
Man, I'll never get tired of seeing that beautiful blue!
Mikaboshi
Huff... Huff...
Mikaboshi
It's my responsibility to right my own wrongs.
Mikaboshi
Now we're even. No complaints, right?
Lyria
Mika!
Mikaboshi falls toward the ground, her energy spent. The crew rushes to catch her, but someone else has her covered.
Loki
Well done. You really went above and beyond.
Gandharva
What, that's it? That's all it takes to wring out all the power inside you?
Gandharva
Feh. I don't get you Astrals at all.
Fenrir
Hey, weakling. Get someone else to carry you around because I won't do it.
Mikaboshi
Shut up, all of you...
Loki
And well done to you and your crew, Gran. You mop up fast, as I've come to expect.
Loki
I wish I could reward your hard work with a little shindig, but...
Loki
I know something you'll want to hear, and the sooner the better.
The normally capricious Loki is suddenly all business.
He's about to call upon the crew to partake in an inevitable conflict.