Cost of Hope I

She taught many about the techniques of survival.

But now a Songseeker is asking us for help. That means she's probably facing some serious trouble.

We better not delay, then. Let's hurry and ask her about the situation.

Endmin, I believe Fiona has filled you in on the situation? Operator Arclight was the one who requested support.

The Hannabit Circuit. They're a partner of Endfield Industries. Simply put, the Circuit is a group of wildland roamers who are happy to share the wisdom of survival. Many refer to their tribes as the "academy of the wilderness".

Operator Arclight happens to be their Songseeker. They travel around and lend their aid to those in need.

Songseekers acquire plenty of experience as they travel and endure the wilderness. They would teach these lessons in the form of hanna songs to anyone who needs them. Naturally, this also includes Endfielders.

Someone's waiting for us by the entrance! Hmm? Wait, Perlica... That doesn't look like Arclight.

Over here! Oh thank goodness, you've arrived so quickly.

I haven't seen you for a while, Karja. Why are you the one meeting up with us? Where's Arclight?

Arclight went out looking for the child ... right after she left you the message.

Thank you so much! I know the others won't let me go 'cos they think I'll just end up causing more trouble... Please help us find Mia!

Hmm. Arclight ventured out into the wilderness on her own at a time like this. She must be really skilled!

She asked me to stay here so I can tell you about the situation.

A child went missing? At noon? We gotta start looking for her! Do you have any clues?

She's a friend of Ginny's, and her name's Mia. Her brother has patrol duty today, and asked me to look after her.

Mia's an energetic girl. She really likes to run around the camp. I told her that this area isn't very safe.

Oh yeah, we got some drawings up ahead. Mia made them by painting over the Landbreaker graffiti.

Perhaps the drawings have meaning! Maybe Mia is trying to tell us something with them!

Endmin, let's follow this trail of clues.

A child went missing from our camp! She disappeared around noon today!

But I was tasked with something else this morning and took my eyes off her for just a brief moment... By the time I went to get her for lunch, she was already gone.

Arclight found them and told me she could use them as clues. So she left to follow Mia's drawings. The mere mentioning of Landbreakers gives me the shakes... I'm worried that...

Looks like there was a fight here... Hey, that might be Mia's brush! Oh no, this doesn't look good...

Be cautious. The surrounding areas used to be Bonekrusher territory that we cleared out before.

Roger. Let's go!

Wait. This looks like ... the Endmin's mask!

Mia is a friend of Ginny. Perhaps Ginny told her about the Endmin.

But this glyph is a symbol of "territory" ... and that worries me. It means some of the Bonekrushers have returned.

Among manglerbeasts battling for ground, such cruelty is rare! Why have you wrought this?

That voice...! It's Arclight! We must help her!

Indeed. Karja told us about the situation. What happened here?

I'm not sure. I came across a group of fleeing Landbreakers when I arrived at this place. I knocked down a few of them, and then ran into this mob right here.

Oh ho! You really know a lot about secret doors and mechanisms.

Endmin, let's scan this place and look for mechanisms that might open the secret door.

Apologies, Supervisor Perlica... I failed to rendezvous with you at the appointed location. The situation is worse than I expected. Like a storm, they tear through this place.

The Bonekrushers have marked this place as their territory. These Landbreakers are probably their sentries. We must hurry. More breakers are probably on the way.

This cave... Its echoes do not sound right. The space is narrower than I expected... Yes, a secret door there.

Yeah. I've seen similar designs in a number of ruins.

I'll activate it.

...Strange. I've opened plenty of doors like this. A current of this intensity should have worked.

Could be. Endmin, this should be right up your alley.

I have always wanted to witness your Originium Arts.

Hmm. Okay.

This mechanism is not responding despite me coursing a high current through it. Necessary might be your Arts, Endmin.