Why are Delvers' maps so vague?
It's said to prevent unauthorized excavation.
Details of locations are spread by word of mouth,
but in my case...
You get your information from Lyza and Ozen's letter.
Don't worry, Nanachi.
Trust in Riko and let's keep moving.
Sure thing.
We have to respect our team leader's will, after all.
We're here. The Garden of the Flowers of Fortitude.
These are all Eternal Fortunes...
Don't go to the top of the hill. You'll get the Strains.
It's the same place...
...that I saw back then...
Reg! Something wrong?
I'm alright! I'm coming!
Nanachi?
I heard it too. Must be several of 'em.
Riko!
At the foot of the hill...
Delvers!
Some of them have collapsed!
Can I he-- I mean,
can I go see what's going on?
Don't get caught. And also...
Whatever I say is...
"Absolute!"
All right. Go ahead.
Riko! If you see anything strange, you tell me.
I'll watch over the force field.
The consciousnesses are all messed up.
Are they confused or something?
Huh?
What's up?
What that person's carrying...
Can that be...?
Reg, halt!
Why...?
Why is he here?
What's wrong, Nanachi?
He's one of the Umbra Hands!
The delving crew of Bondrewd, the Sovereign of Dawn!
Bondrewd...
Your and Mitty's bitter enemy!
At your feet!
In front, on your right!
That scream a moment ago... was that your doing?
How about you say something, huh?
Be quiet.
You'll wake them.
Indeed, I did cause it.
That being said,
this place has been designated off-limits
for over 60 surface-time days now.
What?
So you entered without knowing, then.
Well, that's understandable.
Can this be...
So it is Blaze Reap!
Don't drop it again.
Why...?
I'll say it again.
This area is off-limits.
Tell your furry friend and the other one, too.
H-how did...
Reg, don't say anything you don't have to!
That bastard!
Was he spying on us?
How long have we been watched?
Nanachi, are you alright?
I'll try to figure out what he knows.
Hey... wait, that's...!
Leave it to me.
Any enemy of Nanachi's is an enemy of mine!
Hey! We'll decide what we're going to do
only after I see what it is you're doing!
Follow me.
Isn't this... an insect?
It looks just like a leaf.
Huh...? Isn't this a...
Riko, what are you...?
Here it is!
Nanachi, look at this!
Take care in the flower fields of the Sixth Layer.
If you spot one of these guys among the leaves,
you've found their nest.
Disguised as Flowers of Fortitude,
they will attack and lay their larvae
inside organisms that come near them.
Who? Who?
Who?
We discovered them only a short time ago.
The larvae invade the head,
and turn it into a convenient living food source.
An astounding amount of native creatures are being eaten alive as well.
And that's why this place is off-limits?
They have already made a massive nest inside that hill.
The predatory adult insects are sleeping throughout this garden,
waiting for the signal.
The signal?
Who?
Hey... it went in his mouth just now!
They feed themselves to their food sources to make them last longer.
I've already collected such a specimen from his abdomen.
That was when he let out a scream-- nay, a reflexive utterance.
That must've been what you heard.
These creatures are called "Amaranthine Deceptors."
They originate in the Sixth Layer. They are not meant to be here.
The sheer number of them has proved unmanageable.
Your team's boss... what is he doing?
That person is currently not present.
The method for straddling layers is prone to difficulties.
Who?
That's the signal.
I must hurry.
Wh-what are you talking about?
Burning agents have been dispersed in key positions in the area.
Wh-what are you doing?
Aren't there still delvers out there?
The adult insects are entering their active stage. There's no saving them either way.
That can't be...
Then I'll... I can--
Reg!
What... are you going to do about it?
Don't say anything stupid.
I can't defend Riko on my own.
Get back here.
Never mind.
I can't do anything, either.
Return to your friends.
The Sovereign of Dawn eagerly awaits your arrival.
What a decent person would do...
...or upholding my pride as a delver...
I shouldn't have need for such concerns!
Don't lose sight of what matters!
Don't lose sight of it!
Damn it!
They're going for any orifice they can!
Ouch!
But we got out of their territory! What a persistent bunch!
Reg's back!
Are you two alright?
You're drenched in bug juice!
The insects are a problem,
but the fire's consuming all the air too.
Let's get out of here now.
Nanachi, forgive me.
The fire started before I could find out how we're being watched.
Don't worry about it.
No way you could've seen this coming.
This is terrible.
The field of flowers...
...that mom loved...
The Sovereign of Dawn eagerly awaits your arrival.
That bastard...
It's not just me-- Reg and Riko are in his sights too!
What lies at the end of this journey?
They still do not know
As for what lies on the path ahead...
They still do not know.
Right now, there is but one thing they do know
Someone is awaiting them...
at the bottom of this chasm...
and whoever that may be,
they must keep pushing forward,
for unless they overcome the darkest of darknesses
the dawn shall not come.
Made in Abyss: Dawn of a Deep Soul
The Depths' Fifth Layer
The Sea of Corpses
I came from the lowest part of the Depths' Fifth Layer.
"Idofront" is what they call the place.
The final point from which one can return human.
It's Bondrewd's miniature garden.
Inside it is the only entrance to the Sixth Layer,
used by White Whistles for their Last Dive.
However, I don't think Bondrewd'll just let you guys pass through.
We can't avoid an encounter with him.
Keep that in mind.
I knew you'd swell up where that bug bit you!
I told you I'm fine, didn't I?
What's happening?
A water support must've collapsed.
Looks like our path is open.
Let's proceed with caution.
Hey, this thing isn't gonna crumble from under us, is it?
Don't worry. They call it frost but they're actually crystallized water supports.
A little jumping around isn't gonna hurt 'em.
Still, I don't sense any living things around here at all.
Aren't there any living things around here?
Let's see...
Oh, right! A hamashirama!
Hamashirama
Is this thing even edible?
Yep. Apparently, it's not poisonous.
Salt Nanachi made by drying seaweed
Thoroughly rub the meat
Seems like there's twice as much slime as flesh...
Thoroughly rub the meat
It'll get tough if you rub it too much. It should taste best raw.
Honestly, this is gonna take some courage.
Don't cry like that!
It's sweet!
Riko Sashimi
This really hits the spot!
You can't judge taste by looks alone, huh?
Look, Riko, at that wonderful sight over there.
Say, Nanachi! How about I turn the other one into a stew?
For real?
Riko, can you teach me how to make it?
Sure! Let's cook it together!
You seemed enthusiastic about learning from Riko.
I'm the industrious type, you see.
I'm not satisfied with being on the same level as you.
You know,
all Mitty ate while in the Abyss was just tasteless food bars.
That's why once I'm able to cook delicious food,
if I were to see Mitty again,
I might get to feed her some.
That we weren't able to have such delicious food together makes me feel bad.
NANACHI!
You're such a good person!
Don't take advantage of the situation to rub me!
Get away from me!
Jeez... that was just my heart speaking.
I don't actually expect to see her again.
Don't say stuff like that!
That's right!
It's too early to give up!
This is the Abyss, after all!
I bet we could find a way to see Mitty again,
figure out why the Curse of the Abyss exists,
and come to understand the secrets of the Narehate and the relics!
All the answers are at the bottom of the Abyss!
You don't even know what the bottom of the Abyss is like.
You sure are confident.
Of course!
It's where Reg came from, after all!
It must be a wonderful place!
Come on, you two!
Let's get going!
Aw, darn it...
This is the adventure to the bottom of this world...
...that I've always wanted.
Darn it...
I'm actually having fun...
Darn it...
Lower Region of the Depths' Fifth Layer
I d o f r o n t
The Forward Operating Base
That building is slowly spinning around!
How is it doing that?
Nanachi, you okay?
Yeah. I was just watching the force field.
Look, you see that part that's not spinning?
There's no other way in unless you use a boat.
Since they have such a clear view of the area,
we have no choice but to stay alert and keep moving.
That building makes use of what was an ancient ritual site thousands of years ago.
You see that tower in the middle?
That's the device used to make
the Last Dive into the Sixth Layer.
Wow... so that's it!
Aren't ritual sites places where people come to pray?
I wonder if the ancient people also saw everything below this point as special.
No way!
They're all about as tall as I am!
No!
You need to be confident!
So, how should we act ahead?
We're not sure how much they know.
Don't speak carelessly and instead
make them do the talking.
Information is power.
Don't get scared, no matter what they say.
Don't miss anything.
Got it.
Is that someone you know?
Nope.
So you're Papa's guests?
Pretty small, aren't you?
"Papa"?
Let's go.
Still impressive for a bunch of kids like you to have come this far!
Hey!
How'd you get here?
The crystallized water supports...
You must be joking, right?
You crossed over the crystallized water supports?
Information is power!
You're kidding! You never know when one of those things might collapse!
I can tell if you're lying, you know!
I've seen them before!
How'd you really get here?
How about you say something, huh?
Are you mad because I said you're lying?
Hey, don't give me the silent treatment!
Do you wanna touch my hat?
Why's she being this casual...?
You two... help me out here!
Talk to me!
I'm feeling hurt!
I know! Names!
Yes, our names!
Mine's Prushka!
And you guys are?
I... I'm Reg.
I'm Riko.
How about this one here?
You're so fluffy and adorable, aren't you?
Are those ears real?
Can you talk?
Papa!
Hello there, everyone.
How nice of you all to come.
Nanachi.
I'm glad to see you're well.
That hat suits you very nicely.
Ah, yes, yes.
The other day, that child's flesh lamp went out.
Congratulations, Nanachi.
I see you've finally been set free.
Hey.
So it was you, wasn't it?
You're the one that did those two in, huh?
Bondrewd,
I don't feel like getting into it right now.
We just want to keep on going.
Will you let us pass through?
Certainly. I don't mind in the least.
However, the altar used for taking one's Last Dive
is activated with a White Whistle.
As you may already know, a White Whistle can only be used by its original owner.
This was made out of the relic "Your Worth,"
the Life-Reverberating Stone.
Even in the case of a parent and child,
if their Life Insignias differ, the correct timbre won't be produced.
Riko, is that true?
That's what Habo said...
and Ozen, too...
Unlike other whistles, this one can only be used by its original owner.
That White Whistle's a key, you know.
You guys won't be able to do anything with it though.
I thought if I just went, it'd all work out somehow...
We've been through so much,
but I thought we, of all people, could make it...
Hey, Papa.
Is that girl a White Whistle's kid, too?
Yes, she is, Prushka.
Can you make friends with her?
There, there.
You truly are a good girl.
I've prepared a room for you all.
How about taking a rest and thinking things over?
Prushka, can you guide them?
Follow me!
I cleaned the room myself, you know!
Let's go, Riko.
The toilet's there.
You'll die if you fall in, so be careful!
Don't climb up those stairs. You'll get hit with the Strains of Ascension if you do!
And here's your room.
You turn this spinny thing to the left!
Go on in!
These are Type 4 Energy Rations!
Oh, it's those food bars.
It's made for delvers going deeper than the Fourth Layer!
It's a nutritionally complete meal!
Can I have one?
Of course!
I don't need any.
It tastes like a wall.
Hey, Riko... right?
What does your name mean?
What my name means?
I wonder what it means.
Guess I don't know.
My name, "Prushka,"
means "the Flower of Dawn!"
Papa gave me that name!
Have you seen a dawn before?
Prushka...
You've never been to the surface before...?
Nope. I was born here.
But I know what a dawn is like!
Umm...
a light goes on!
While he was doing those experiments,
he already had a daughter?
What's he trying to accomplish by having her approach us?
But the sea is really big!
But that's all it is!
The one down here is much better!
What about the Inverted Forest in the Second Layer?
The trees grow upside down
and the waterfall actually falls upward!
Really?
I've never seen anything like that, not even in the Fifth Layer!
Didn't I tell her information is power?
You know, I used to live in this place called Belchero Orphanage!
Ah, well.
It's safe in here, unlike outside.
Have a good rest.
Thanksh.
Good night!
Good night, Prushka.
I'm... going to sleep....
Good night.
No telling what's going to happen.
I should go to rest prepared.
That pattern on your helmet...
Seems to appear every time I put it on.
Is it some kind of writing?
Huh? Compared to before, it seems like it's...
...diminished, doesn't it?
It looks like the same pattern.
This is a relic that produces air.
Every time it's used, the pattern diminishes.
I've seen it happen on all sorts of relics...
The pattern indicates the number of uses left until something's unusable.
No exceptions.
But I've been fine though mine's been diminishing, haven't I?
Probably because you use so little energy to move.
There's only one thing that comes to mind...
The Incinerator.
In a sense, it's powerful enough to rewrite the laws of the Abyss, after all.
Judging by the pattern, you have around three uses left.
No firing the Incinerator here.
But...
I told you already.
I can't protect Riko on my own.
The moment you return to being a hunk of scrap iron is the moment this adventure ends.
In that case, will I be able to take him on, should the time come?
I'll figure out a way.
Isn't there...
Isn't there some way to let these guys continue onward?
Everything's fine!
Truly, you...
You and your friends are miracles born from the menace of the Abyss.
I am positively delighted to have you back.
Bondrewd...
I need to talk to you.
And I you.
Let us have a long talk together.
Pee...
Huh? Where'd everybody go?
That's right, that must be it...
They must've gone to the restroom together.
I wonder where it leads down to.
Reg!
Nanachi!
Reg!
Where did they go?
The door we came in from is closed and won't open...
Then the only one left is...
Don't climb up those stairs. You'll get hit with the Strains of Ascension if you do!
Bondrewd is an out-and-out scoundrel.
You better be careful.
I've got a bad feeling about this...
It's alright...
Take it nice and slow...
If it gets dangerous, I'll squat down quickly...
Hasn't hit me yet...
It's scary... but the thought of finding something out after it's too late and regretting it
is even scarier!
What...?
It doesn't hurt...?
Huh?
What's going on?
That's right...! I have to squat down...
But wait...
Which way is the ground?
I can't hear my voice...
I can't touch myself...
What's happening to the shape of my body?
Is my face supposed to be further back?
Where is that again...?
Where... is "where" again...?
Riko!
I'm so glad!
Prushka...
Ow!
The pain's coming back, huh?
Show me your face.
Man, you hurt yourself really bad!
Sharp things cut into me out of nowhere.
You fell face first.
Huh?
The curse of the Fifth Layer
robs you of your sense of touch and balance.
Say "Aah."
You've done in your molars.
When your body loses the right amount of sensation and you do stuff like clenching your teeth,
you can break them really easily.
The ones you cracked were baby teeth.
You're in luck!
New ones'll grow in!
There we go!
Thank you.
Where were you, Prushka?
I was in my room.
I woke up to you screaming.
But all the doors were locked...
What about it? Even I lock my room.
I'm at that age, after all.
So I've got my reasons.
Um, the truth is...
How did it go?
You're right, this is strange!
They're all locked.
First time this has happened.
So this is the only place left.
Reg... Nanachi...
All right... let's go together!
Huh? But...
Don't worry!
Meinya, wake up!
This is Meinya.
Papa gave me Meinya on my 10th birthday.
Here, Meinya, say hi to Riko!
There!
You go first!
Is it gonna be okay?
Meinya's eyes and legs
sense different things than we do.
Did you know? The curse of the Fifth Layer only takes away the senses of those possessed by humans.
Leave it to me! There's a trick to this.
I mean, I go on adventures all the time without Papa knowing.
Say, Prushka...
In your eyes, what kind of person is your dad?
He's the best dad ever!
He's always thinking of me!
To think that you actually have a daughter...
We're distant in blood, but she is my daughter.
Is she not adorable?
So she's not directly descended from you?
It's not like you can start a family, anyway.
Nanachi, is what one calls "family" restricted merely to those related by blood?
I do not believe that to be so.
Families are built by strangers who cross paths and come together.
Having souls that love each other is what makes people family.
Blood just helps in that regard.
Love.
It's a matter of love, Nanachi.
"Love," you say?
You've got some nerve spewing such grand concepts from that narrow gap of yours!
Your verbal abuses are so very unique and adorable.
That's it.
Take a deep whiff.
It's your first time, so keep your eyes shut.
Focus.
Even if you lose all your senses,
you could see the wavy things Meinya puts out, right?
Yeah. I can see them.
Take your time and head for those, okay?
Slowly... go forward slowly.
Just like that, Riko!
Nanachi, the research is at long last entering its final stage.
Please, come back and join me again.
There are so very many things I would like you to see.
Hey, Bondrewd...
I... I...
All right.
I'll come work with you.
That is positively delightful to hear!
Nanachi, you really are special.
I have some conditions.
What do you ask?
Can you please not hurt them?
And... you know...
help them get down to the Sixth Layer...
Whoops.
It seems I have done something regrettable.
That "boy-type" is a truly unprecedented specimen, you see.
I have already--
It wakes. It wakes.
What...?
Its meridians are also similar.
Similar.
What are they talking about?
Sleep.
Its vitals, too.
I can't move...
I can't... speak...!
Want to see the inside. Want to see the inside.
Inside.
No good. Metal is not strong enough.
Light.
Let's use the light.
Damn it! What is this?
What are they doing?
Removed.
My hand...!
Urine is also similar.
What's the composition?
Unknown.
Sufficient volume of fluid collected from opening.
Even reproduces extreme pain.
Purpose is unknown.
Unknown.
Want to see the abdomen next.
Want to see.
Would also like a leg.
REG!
Damn it! Why'd things turn out like this?
Blessing.
Blessing. Blessing.
Blessing. Blessing. Blessing.
Blessing. Blessing. Blessing. Blessing. Blessing.
Stop it! Don't touch me!
What are you doing?
Stop that, all of you!
Didn't I tell you that these kids are Papa's guests?
Reg! Nanachi!
Riko! We need to get out of here, quickly...
Reg...?
Reg?
Reg!
Ri...
...ko...
Reg!
How terrible!
Hey now, you guys!
What's the meaning of this?
I - I'm going to tell Papa on you!
That is a dangerous relic.
Had we not lowered its guard, it wouldn't have been possible to capture.
Wait, was this on... Papa's orders?
But... there's no way Papa would do something this--
You must not come here.
Did not the Sovereign tell you as much?
Now this way, please.
This way.
Now this way, please.
Now, please.
Riko!
Reg! Reg!
Nanachi! Reg is...
Looks like he's passed out.
Riko, we're gonna take refuge outside for now.
They were planning to do this from the very start!
But Reg's arm is still inside...
I promise we'll get it back.
I promise...
Are you sure about this?
I'll tell Papa about the boat.
I'm sorry...
...about what happened to your friend.
Prushka...
You... you don't know what they're going to do if you go back.
They were acting strange today...
But Papa understands me.
I'll ask him to return Reg's arm.
Oh, and I'm sorry... you know,
I know I don't have any right to say this, but
once Reg gets all fixed up,
I mean, if everything turns out okay, then...
Then, you know...
Never mind.
Sorry to keep you. Please go.
Riko!
I... want to go on adventures with you!
Papa...
Papa!
Listen, Riko and her friends---
Prushka.
You are on the path to becoming a full-fledged lady.
I would like for you to see and hear it for yourself.
This Umbra Hand is trustworthy.
He will protect you while you're outside.
I'm at my wits' end.
Look what he did to Mitty... and now even Reg! I can't let a bastard like him run wild!
They're no doubt going to come after us.
I don't know if we can do it, but...
Reg...
Reg is...
Riko...
There, there...
You held up well.
Riko... Nanachi...
Reg!
I smell Netherworld Stew...
The scorched parts...
What are you talking about?
Smell?
This is the Sandstone Region of the Fifth Layer...
Could it be...?
Nanachi.
Please don't sulk like that.
I heard from Prushka, you see.
That doll's important to you, isn't he?
I cannot restore him but I shall repair him in a most adorable fashion.
Now then... let us all return together.
That's not gonna happen.
I won't let you all go back.
That's... the Sovereign of Annihilation's...
It's dangerous here, Nanachi.
Evacuate immediately--
You know, you shouldn't just stare into holes.
You really oughta watch your feet more.
In the Sandstone Region of the Sea of Corpses on the Fifth Layer...
There is a distinct odor that surrounds their nests.
Those who haven't made any vomit smoke signals before coming here
will probably die.
Seven-tailed scorpions...
The ultimate predators of the Fifth Layer...
...a colony of Stingerheads.
Reg! Nanachi!
Riko, are you all right?
Yeah!
Are you both okay?
I'm used to the Strains of the Fifth Layer.
You won't lose all sensation if you adjust to the eye of the force field.
Reg, how's your wound?
It hardly hurts anymore...
What's wrong?
The pain...
I can feel it in my missing fingers!
Must be what they call "phantom pain."
Either way, we've gotta get that arm back.
We can't afford to just sit here.
Okay, you two.
Time to get ready for our next operation.
Hold on, Nanachi!
They're already...
He's... a monster...
What was that?
What did he just do?
Sparagmos.
The Essence-Returning Light.
It's the thing that cut off your arm
and scorched off Mitty's eye. It's his weapon.
What's the matter?
Why are you hiding in such a place?
Please, do show yourselves.
Damn it...
Can he read the flow of consciousnesses, too?
Probably not.
I think he's using some kind of trick on me.
I fear that he's peeking in on my sight!
Papa...
Riko...
What should I do...?
Good gracious.
Since we were right on top of their nest,
I tried to call out to you without provoking them.
But to think you were fully aware of what you were doing...
Marvelous. Marvelous.
So you already knew then, huh?
Let's see if you can...
...play it cool this time!
Papa!
A glowstone bomb...
Committing to a suicidal move like that...
You truly are a boy.
I'm just getting started!
You've caught me by surprise.
You aimed at a gap in my armor, didn't you?
Why, this is...
They're Amaranthine Deceptor larvae.
There's nothing good in that head of yours,
so let 'em devour it!
How... marvelous...!
Bondrewd didn't know anything about our conversations.
He only knew about things I saw.
We'll show off the items we prepared...
...and hit him in completely different ways, one after the other.
Right now, he doesn't have any cartridges.
We won't get a chance like this again.
Cartridges?
Equipment he uses to ward off the curse of the Abyss.
It'll be a short decisive battle, until his reinforcements come.
Such wondrous destructive power...
Good gracious, I'm envious.
This isn't... over yet!
We don't know how many Sparagmoses he has, so we need to prevent him from firing any.
If he released enough heat underwater to burn everything up,
the water would vaporize and cause a huge explosion.
I see. I'm surprised.
Did you think of this yourselves?
Marvelous. Marvelous...
Now, Reg!
Just below the water is the Sixth Layer.
So, you should be able to give him a taste of it!
How dare you harm Mitty... and Nanachi!
If you like experiments so much,
go ahead and get a good taste of what one feels like!
Mar... vel...
..lous...
Mar... vel... lous...
Mar...
Mar-vel-ou--
I'll let you take one last breath...
You blow that whistle...
And we'll... go onward...
Onward...
Damn it...
Why...?
Sorry, Reg, for forcing this horrible job on you.
Papa...
Prushka...
Papa...
Answer me...!
Papa!
Please...
Papa...
This is cruel...!
Damn it...
So what...?
So what about it...?
Papa, Papa...!
It hurts...!
Please...
Don't leave me...!
Papa!
Papa is here, Prushka.
Papa! Papa!
I'm so glad!
I won't be going anywhere.
As long as I have your love, I am immortal.
You've gotta be kidding me!
What the hell are you?
Now that you mention it, I haven't introduced myself, have I?
I am Bondrewd,
a delver of the Abyss.
People call me "the Sovereign of Dawn."
You are all truly marvelous.
You have brought about a trial that we have been lacking
and guided Prushka toward completion.
Trials make love grow stronger.
Isn't that so, Nanachi?
Wait--
Ah, so heroic and adorable.
I very much want you all as well.
Riko!
Those are Shakers, carrying the Strains of the Third Layer.
Please don't be alarmed.
Your viscera will merely churn a bit.
You bastard! What's going on?
Why's there two of you?
Two?
The Umbra Hands are all myself.
Now, Nanachi.
Let us return together.
Why... why me...?
The Abyss does not just grant curses.
There is a particular effect I was unable to see because the Strains were too great...
As a matter of convenience, I call this...
...a "blessing."
It is due to your deep spiritual connection with Mitty...
...that this body of yours received only the "Blessing of the Abyss."
You are the only successful example of this.
Love.
It is a matter of love, Nanachi.
You low-life scum!
Hush... you'll wake Prushka.
My apologies, but please allow me to take my leave.
Feel free to come over anytime.
You are always welcome.
Yes.
Please dispose of all that is marked in crimson.
Dispose.
Papa.
Papa...
I...
...want to see the dawn...
Yes.
Let us view the dawn together.
Together is best...
Together...
On an adventure...
Yes. We shall be together, forevermore...
You can do it! You're almost there, Riko!
Well, Riko, you'd be "the Sovereign of Children!"
How about something a bit cooler?
Maybe "the Sovereign of Forehead-Glasses!"
Hey, what do you wanna do once you're a White Whistle?
Well, I thought I'd become a White Whistle because I wanted to go see my mother.
But you know, I wonder if that's all there is to it.
Even though now I know whoever's at the bottom might not even be my mother,
I've become even more excited.
Who really wrote this letter...?
Why does the Curse of the Abyss exist in the first place?
Who made Reg and why?
I mean, even his penis gets big, you know!
What's a penis?
It usually looks kind of like this, and when Reg sees boobs or touches Nanachi, it...
Oh! You mean a "Papa Pole!"
Anyway, I can't help but feel like wanting to meet my mother
just became an excuse...
I also feel like now,
I want a White Whistle only so that I can descend to the Sixth Layer.
There is one thing that doesn't change, though.
I want to keep having adventures with those two forever and ever!
But don't tell either of them, okay?
I mean, it'll sound like I don't have any goal in mind.
You're amazing, Riko.
Riko, I think it's not so much that you wanna go see your mother,
but more that you want to be like your mother and go on adventures with her.
Your feelings already won over your reasons, haven't they!
That's it! Meeting her won't be the end!
Right! In fact, it's only the beginning!
Thanks, Prushka!
Glad you're feeling better.
I want to see and talk to those two already!
You know, Riko...
That kid, Reg,
he's more amazing than Papa's Special-Grade relics, right?
I bet you're going to be
the first White Whistle armed with an Aubade.
Keep going, Riko.
Slowly... take your time...
Don't look back.
No matter how dark the Abyss becomes, you'll be fine.
You're very bright, after all...
A "Flower of Dawn" wilts and falls in the afternoon.
But you must push forward.
You know, Riko, I...
I've always wanted a friend like you.
Riko, I...
...want to go on adventures with you.
No... Prushka...
No... no...
DON'T GO!
PRUSHKA!
Riko!
Try not to move!
Your insides are hurt!
What should we do now...?
Nanachi's brooding...
What the heck was that monster...?
Once he moved into that body, I couldn't even begin to keep up with his movements!
Not yet...
Riko?
We can't give up yet!
In the Compilation of Recorded Relics...!
Hey...
What's with Riko?
Riko has that catalog nearly all memorized.
If his relics are on there, we could find clues on taking him down!
Look.
His discarded remains.
All of the head is still there.
Only the mask was taken.
He didn't swap heads...?
"Zoaholic?"
What?
"Zoaholic!"
The Soul-Slave Machine!
A relic that allows you to transplant yourself into someone else and multiply!
But when you mix in or increase your consciousness, the hosts go insane!
It's a Special-Grade relic considered lost even by the Compilation since 15 years ago!
White Whistles are meant to only have up to Grade-1 relics,
but then I remembered what Prushka said.
Is that the true nature of that mask?
No...
Zoaholic is supposed to look like a large room-sized butt...
Maybe that isn't it.
Remember what that Umbra Hand in the Garden of the Flowers of Fortitude said?
That person is currently not present.
The method for straddling layers is prone to difficulties.
Could that mean he can move his consciousness even without his mask,
but he'd go insane if he straddles the force field too much?
Perhaps the mask is just a symbol of
"the Sovereign of Dawn," Bondrewd the Novel.
It would also serve to impress the belief that "this is your father" upon Prushka.
Anyway,
the Zoaholic, was it?
That thing's super fishy...
It's the kinda thing that bastard would love, you know?
That's our Nanachi! You're the brains of the team!
I - I could be wrong, you know!
Still, it's worth looking into!
Yeah...
I guess you're right.
If I give up before you guys do,
I wouldn't be able to show my face to Mitty again.
All right. If we can destroy it,
that might shake him up a bit!
This is it, you two.
I'm not about to let things end here.
Let's take our adventure back!
Reg's energy source is electricity, you know.
We revived him using electricity back in Orth.
But it might've been what caused Reg to lose his memory...
If Reg forgets who we are...
Riko,
we must have the Incinerator if we're going to take him on.
It'll be a matter of how many shots I can hammer him with
in the ten minutes before I faint after I fire my first.
And don't worry.
I won't forget about you.
Reg!
Listen up.
Idofront gets its electricity from a whirlpool.
It's nothing compared to what cities on the surface have, but
we can count on him recovering.
Or so I'd like to believe.
Reg, you're going to sneak into the power source alone.
Riko and I will buy you some time.
The whirlpool's located inside Idofront, so
you need not worry about getting sucked in, but...
Sun sphere...!
Now, please...
Come this way.
These Umbra Hands... how many of them are there...?
What am I supposed to do?
Hey, Nanachi...
The Sovereign of Dawn's White Whistle...
...how was he able to use it?
Only the original owner's meant to be able to use--
Reg...
...did you do it?
WHerE...
...iS tHis...?
What's happened? Who are you?
Where to...?
Even peeking in on my vision
won't do much when it's this dark.
Nanachi, Reg's not responding.
What's this commotion?
It must be Reg!
He's shaking things instead because his comm isn't working!
You're one hell of an optimist.
Either way, let's hurry to Prushka's place!
It's that thing that was with Prushka...
Meinya!
You came for me!
You smell like Prushka.
Meinya!
Hey!
Meinya?
Riko!
I think Meinya wants us to follow!
What is she...
That is... the right way...
I wonder...
What is this place?
The processing area.
"Processing?"
Of people, I mean.
The ones who are chosen
are children from slums or mouths that could no longer be fed.
What's inside their heads and part of their spines...
Plus enough guts to live for a few days until their expiration date...
That's all they leave of them.
Everything else gets scraped off while they're still alive.
Any sensory organ that might hamper the curse gets chopped off.
What little's left after all that's been cleanly scraped off
is wrapped in skin and flesh again, then stuffed into one of these bone-substitute containers.
Their ecstasy and fear manipulated by medicine,
they suffer as fleshy curse-repellent until they die.
They resulted from the experiments Mitty and I suffered through.
That is the truth behind what Bondrewd calls "cartridges."
Nanachi...
I... was truly terrified of him...
I gave in to my fear and helped him make these...
The hands of the kids who giddily kept telling me how cute I was just the day before...
Their eyes, which were filled with admiration for the Abyss...
Their chins, as they groaned in pain...
We carefully removed those parts and threw them away!
Pretending not to see anything!
WITH THESE HANDS!
SO MANY PEOPLE!
SO MANY!
Damn it...!
What the hell have I done?
Huh, Bondrewd?
Marvelous.
Even under such extreme conditions,
I see that your sensitivity and ability to absorb information did not diminish in the least.
You are worthy of the Blessing.
Now, Nanachi.
Something far more enjoyable awaits you.
Please come back and assist me.
Why're you always like that,
you crazy bastard?
You...
You're gonna cram Prushka into one of those things just so you can get that Blessing or whatever, right?
Please!
Let Prushka go!
Do not worry.
Prushka is merely sleeping at the moment.
I will indeed release her.
Leaving that matter aside...
I was completely under the impression that you had come to create the raw materials for "Your Worth."
"Your Worth?"
The Life-Reverberating Stone...
If I remember correctly, it's what White Whistles are carved out of...
You mentioned the Immovable Sovereign,
so I assumed she had taught you a little about that.
But I suppose she's quite ill-natured.
The raw material for "Your Worth" is
a human being.
You're kidding, right?
This base was the ruins of a former ritual site.
To challenge the Sixth Layer and beyond, from which one can never return,
is to surrender oneself to the Abyss.
Here, preparations were made
and the ritual was held.
Not just anyone makes for a suitable offering, however.
Without a firm resolve to sacrifice all for the whistle's intended user,
the Life-Insignia won't be compatible.
The timbre of the instrument that'll be created will have the power to draw out the "true purpose" that's hidden within relics.
That doesn't sound so bad, does it?
I get it now...
You used yourself as the offering for your whistle, didn't you?
Well, well!
You have keen insight.
You came up with the experiments that led to the cartridges
while fiddling around with how to produce "Your Worth," didn't you?
You may be much more like us than I first imagined.
I can understand having great ambitions,
but I can't even begin to forgive you.
If you're capable of making an offering of yourself,
then you should do just that to make your own damn cartridges!
This is the original me from back when I was human.
We who came thereafter,
have had our mind judged as not belonging to that of a living thing,
and thus, we cannot be utilized as such.
Most regrettable, isn't it?
Still...
Even then...! Doing that to Prushka is just...!
This has been far too intense for just buying time, but...
He's here.
Reg!
You...!
My, my.
My, my, my, my...
I was wondering what the commotion was about. It was you, hmm?
I see you've gotten all slippery while I wasn't looking.
Be careful!
He's fully equipped with cartridges!
Well, well. I see you're in fine spirits.
What the?
What happened to Reg?
He sure is fired up...
Meinya?
Nanachi, stay here!
You...!
Prushka!
I'll be... there soon!
You're a peculiar one, aren't you?
To think you've even sucked the reserve electricity dry...
Rather than electricity, it must be power itself that you've taken in.
I would very much like to see the power of an Aubade.
Gangway.
He deflected it?
Sparagmos.
How marvelous.
I really do regret having removed one of your arms.
That body of yours...
...I'd very much like to have it.
Reg...
What's happened to you...?
Rather than losing your memory,
you've become something else entirely!
Whoa there.
But...
But you know...!
You're an even match for Bondrewd!
While I'd love to watch you run wild a bit longer,
it would be problematic if you destroyed any more of the facility.
Far Caress.
Close.
Reg!
Damn it! The cartridges are spewing out consciousnesses!
I can't read what he's gonna do next!
Nanachi!
What in the world have you been doing?
I found it!
Zoaholic!
I still haven't found Prushka, though.
And also...
Right next to it...
For real?
Listen, Riko.
Don't show it to me no matter what.
Just in case...
Nanachi?
The Incinerator...?
The Force Field's calmed down?
No!
It's all tensed up because of the potential destruction!
Is this...
The light of essence?
All of Idofront?!
Riko, run!
Opposite from where we are!
You mustn't, Nanachi!
You stupid or something?
Don't you forget about what you treasure!
STOP!
What the...
Nanachi!
What... did I...
Good grief, that was some show you put on.
Nanachi!
Riko! You okay?
I'm fine!
I see. Come back here.
She's fine, she said.
What in the world happened to you?
I remember up to the point I bathed myself in electricity...
It felt like a whole bunch of "someones" were inside me.
One of them took control of my body and...
Thank you, Nanachi!
I snapped out of it thanks to you!
That means my words reached you?
No. Umm...
Your fluffiness...
Give me a break!
Here. Stuff this in your ear.
A comm device?
I stuck one on your helmet, but you lost the whole thing...
So anyway, what happened to that bastard?
I'm not sure.
Maybe he got engulfed in all that?
Accompany me.
This way, please.
Re...
REG!
Damn it...
Where am I...?
I fell from there...?
What are these things?
Shakko.
Ethan.
Sumiko.
Puel...
They all have names,
Reg.
N-not even a scratch?
Well, now...
Isn't it that you've chosen to have things this way?
Huh? What are you talking about?
Oh? So it wasn't deliberate, then?
Even so, it wasn't pleasant to have the ground crumble out from under me.
That light of yours is a little too dangerous.
Now, in this place, we can test out both your light and my masterpieces...
...to our heart's content.
Please show me more...
And then yield to me.
These Narehate... also used to be...!
Whoa there.
Well, this is most surprising.
You're more agile than you were all slippery.
I'm surprised, too...
"Someone" made me remember
how to use this body...
...and that I have to stop Bondrewd
or our adventure ends here!
So it has begun...
Reg! Reg!
Nanachi?
You've already fired the Incinerator.
I'll keep this short and tell you the final game plan.
I see...
So it's make or break, huh?
My, my...
Right after I requested a change of scenery... how cold of you.
That bastard's holding off the Sixth Layer's curse with those cartridges.
But they won't last forever.
Focus on retreating and make him use them up.
Don't try to strike him down.
Unless we destroy the Zoaholic,
he is immortal.
Bon can move freely right now.
The Incinerator needs warming up and it's unlikely that it would hit him.
You've gotta make it back before your time limit's up.
My, my...
Recima is finished.
She was one of my kind-hearted masterpieces.
She dreamed of becoming a princess, you know.
Isn't that cute?
The water bastion's collapsing! Look out!
Reg! Reg!
So this...
...must be the blessing...
Tarkiri.
Toreithea.
Nopero...
It was truly a marvelous adventure, was it not...
Prushka?
What...
Are you saying...?
Is that...? But...!
Prushka...!
Prushka...
She cried over you...!
My.
My, my, my.
What a strange thing for you to say, considering you desire to kill me.
Come now.
Preparations for stepping into the next 2000 years have been completed.
Let us witness the dawn together.
To hell with your dawn!
As if there could be any reason
to turn your beloved daughter into one of those things!
Let's do this, Nanachi!
Got it! On with the plan!
Riko! You hear me?
Riko! Answer me!
Riko!
Prushka...
Prushka...?
It hurts... it hurts...
It hurts!
How is it going, Gueira?
This one's proving difficult, boss!
She's been cursed so deeply, even her ego's been stripped away!
Here. Do you know who you are?
Though she's an Umbra Hand's daughter,
surviving the loss of that carriage...
Way things stand, making use of her will be too much work.
Wouldn't it be better to just kill her off...?
A prayer cannot be born from one who only knows of joy.
Child of suffering who curses life itself...
There is something only you can accomplish.
Your name shall be Prushka.
The meaning of the word is "Flower of Dawn."
I'm Papa.
I am your Papa...
...Prushka.
Come on, Prushka.
Time for your medicine.
Come on out.
How's she doing, Gueira?
She's been like this the whole time.
Prushka...
I have brought you a friend today.
Meinastoirim...
...a "Child of Change."
Mei...
Meinya...?
My.
Have you taken a liking to it?
You mustn't put it in your mouth.
Oh... she's coming out!
Meinya...
Prushka,
I see you've found something that you like.
From this moment forward,
your world will begin to change.
From now on, you will grow as a person with each and every step you take.
Today is the day of your birth.
This is the start of your adventure.
Is that... good?
You can eat it, you know?
I see. What a waste...
There's so much good food in the Abyss.
Good food can be eaten?
Yeah, that's right.
I wonder what good food is...
Think it tastes like you, Meinya?
Shtinky!
Meinya!
Wait for me, Meinya!
You can't go there!
All right!
All the nails on both her hands,
her upper left arm,
and all her baby teeth were broken.
Thankfully her spinal cord didn't get crushed...
...but we can't be sure if her psyche can be brought back.
It will be fine.
Prushka's psyche sprang forth from a far deeper place.
I am sure it will return soon.
Let us watch over her with care.
My hair...
It's gone all twirly now.
Why were you totally fine, Meinya?
I've gotta investigate!
Pretty amazing, huh?
When I take a sniff of Meinya's scent, I can see fuzzy stuff where I usually can't!
You don't give up, do you?
Is the boss okay with letting you run wild like this?
It's fine! Keep it a secret from Papa, okay?
Good grief...
Meinya, use those eyes that see everything and watch me have adventures!
Some special and important visitors are coming today.
They're people who are going to help me.
Prushka, I would like you to keep them company.
Ah, yes. One of them is the daughter of a White Whistle, just like you.
You need not fret. I am sure you will become friends in no time at all.
Oh, come on, Papa!
I mean, you already have me!
Hey, Meinya...
Those people came all the way from that "surface" place, right?
I wonder what seeing an actual dawn would be like...?
Right!
Well, I'm surely better at cleaning than them!
The trees grow upside down, and the waterfalls actually fall upwards!
Really? I've never seen anything like that, not even in the Fifth Layer!
You know, I used to live in this place called Belchero Orphanage!
I listened... I learned...
About scenery I never heard of...
About creatures I've never heard of...
Precious friends...
How fun.
How fun!
Faces I'd never made!
Words I'd never used!
More...
More...!
More, together...!
My hand...
My leg...
My... what is that, anyway...?
It hurts...
The pain...
...is getting worse...
Papa's pain...
His feelings...
They're flooding into me...
My pain...
...is turning into Papa's strength!
Papa...
Papa, I'm here with you!
No matter how hard things get...
No matter how dark the night is...
...we can overcome it together!
These claws can pierce through your thin spots, it seems.
Although your body is excessively durable,
your weak points are fashioned after a human's. How helpful.
You...
You said that even my pain... is an imitation... didn't you?
Indeed. You are truly well made.
Even your insides are warm.
If this pain... is just an imitation...
Then I can move!
I'll show you...
That this will of mine... is no fake!
So, Papa...
Just one thing...
Can I ask just one thing of you...?
Reg! Riko!
NOW!
I...
You know, I...
I want you to make peace with Riko and her friends.
It's not good to fight, you know...
'Cause we're gonna go on adventures together!
On adventures, together!
Reg! Reg!
Damn it, don't you die on me!
Nanachi.
Don't talk! I'll fix you no matter what it takes!
Na... Nanachi...
Your hand...
I've... calmed down a bit.
Forgive me... I can't hold on...
Take care... of Riko...
You have surprised me.
To think you got the severed arm to operate like that
and unleashed the full extent of its power...
Using your wits,
each of you took action most brilliantly. It was truly moving.
Enough of your blabbering.
Seeing how nobody's coming to protect you,
you must no longer have any combat-capable Umbra Hands.
Now we're free to destroy the remaining facilities, including the Zoaholic.
There are so many of you that we couldn't kill you if we tried.
But...
Your aspirations end here.
Serves you right.
Oh, heavens, no.
Your prayers...
Your ardent desire to choose your own paths and push forward...
They surpassed even my own.
Although it is most regrettable that this body has been destroyed,
crossing paths... and having had the chance to clash with you
was an unparalleled joy.
My new aspiration...
...is that you will all continue beyond here.
It's no use saying anything to you, huh?
You bastard...
How unbelievably pathetic!
I've been dreaming
of the day when we would kill each other in battle for so long...
Ah... I am truly glad
that things did not turn out that way...
Nanachi, please...
Raise your head...
May...
May your journey... overflow... with curses and blessings...
Just shut up...
Ahh, you...
...truly are adorable...
How ironic...
If I didn't fall for your flattery, I would've...
Looks like you're awake now.
I'm so glad.
Nanachi...
I took a peek, but your insides weren't injured.
Seeing how you're doing, I think you'll be fine.
Did we... do it...?
Yeah.
There's still some Umbra Hands left,
but they no longer have the power to get in our way.
More importantly...
I don't... want this...!
Riko!
Reg!
Your tummy!
As you can see, I'm alright...
That aside...
Prushka, you know! She's so warm, but...
Look, even though she has a pulse...
Huh? Her pulse...
It hurts when I point you up?!
No!
Prushka's spilling out!
Why...
What's this?
Prushka... is that you...?
Seriously?
Is that...?
That's the sense I get...
I wonder why...? It's strange...
Huh? Hey, what happened?
M-my belly's hot! What is this...?
A Life-Reverberating Stone...
For real?
But unless the packed subject desires it, something like this wouldn't...!
For one to be able to care for another, even while having the Curse forced on them...
And it was such a short period of time, too...
Prushka...
Riko...
Can I see that for a moment?
Here. Leaving it exposed like that is, you know...
Not very good, right?
N... Nanachi!
I know you're probably feeling conflicted,
but I'm certain that this being given to you
is what Prushka wanted.
You're the only one who can use it.
It doesn't look too pretty...
But that's your White Whistle.
Nanachi!
Looks like you've got about ten shots left?
That aside, we haven't eaten yet, have we?
But you've already had your fill!
Besides, the base's still blacked out!
You two ready?
Crying, eating... you're a busy one, aren't you?
Hey, Nanachi.
The bastards...
We should've destroyed that mask.
You're fine with this?
It's already been settled.
Besides,
I'm gonna respect our team leader's will.
Come on, hurry!
Our adventure is about to begin!
To those who offer up their bodies and challenge
the chasm for which even darkness is no match,
it is said that the Abyss shall grant all.
Life and death, curses and blessings, all of it...
Prushka...
Let's go.
At the end of their journey, what closure will they come to choose?
That can only be decided
by the Challengers.
So this is it!
Our Last Dive!
Yeah. It's finally time.
The beginning of a final journey of no return.
Let's go!
No matter how dark the Abyss becomes, you'll be fine.
You're very bright, after all!
Riko, keep moving forward!