act12d0

The room is empty. All the toiletries and bedding are neat and tidy, with a piece of paper resting on the table in the center.

They're gone?

There's a note on the table. Let's see...

'We left. Don't miss us. I hope you enjoyed the music. Also, we left all our records here for you. Have fun. -AUS'

...Heh, they really are unbelievable.

I don't think I'll ever forget that Acahualla place.

(Humming) It was definitely unforgettable.

But the people there are really noisy, and wild.

Yeah? I love them!

Of course you do. I don't think you'd mind if we left you there.

I was definitely thinking about it.

Don't you think those people have a kind of natural, primal energy?

Out of all the countries and cities we've been to, I've never seen people like that.

I love 'em!

Well, you're right about that much.

They really get our music. They're the best audience we've ever had.

I think Frost likes them too.

But we can't just show up and flip a whole civilization upside-down. We should stick to singing.

Sing for them. If it sounds good—

Then they'll sing too.

Didn't we say that before?

Who knows? We might've said it a million times already.

Let's go. Continue on our journey.

If we sing to the world, will she listen?

A few of the bandmates joke around for a bit, until the car goes silent.

Alty looks at the key in her hand, 'Dr. Kal'tsit, can that Rhodes Island of yours give the world the answer it's looking for?'

Oof... Ah.. That hurts a little...

Gavial, you're awake! Are you okay?!

I'm fine. Just a scratch.

More importantly, is that the machine Zumama's been tinkering with all this time?

Yes. I heard them calling it 'The Big, Ugly Thing.' So gross...

It's pretty badass!

So... Err, huh?

But the big thing definitely beat you down...

I can tell it's really tough, even through it knocked my lights out before I got a good look at it.

Hmm, yes it is...

But I never imagined she'd actually put together something like this.

Closure makes some weird gadgets every once in a while, yeah, but even she'd be impressed with Zumama's machine here. Haha.

Wow, are there lots of things like that at Rhodes Island?

Yes.;......;Not that ugly.

Waaaa! Rhodes Island sounds scary...

Haha, Rhodes Island would blow your little mind.

Haha, now that you mention it, that thing would drive Closure up the wall as soon as she laid eyes on it.

Hm? What happened to the Temple?

That monster blew it up.

Oh, so that means the ceremony's over?

Yes.

And so Zumama's the Great Chief now?

Yes...

Everyone was pretty shocked at first, but...

Why did I destroy the Temple? It's simple.

It's my way of telling you all we're ending this tradition.

With your fists, you can beat down ten men. If you're Gavial, maybe you take a hundred. But more than that?

Even Gavial couldn't manage.

There's a limit to what you can do with your fists.

But with a tool? That's different. My tribe created this 'Big, Ugly Thing' that effortlessly took down Gavial and destroyed the Temple just as easily.

This is the power of a tool.

Tools can make you all even stronger!

And so I hereby proclaim the age of machines!

Everyone bought into it, so...

So she became the Great Chief. Hah, well, that's an L for me, obviously.

Are you okay with that?;......;You're right to accept it, Gavial.

Huh? Yep. A loss is a loss.

Hey, Doctor, I don't need your comfort. I'm really fine.

Hmph, duh. Do you know me?

Oh, but I have to apologize to Tomimi. It's my fault you never got a chance to fight.

...That's okay. Even if I went up there, it wouldn't have changed anything.

Yeah, you're right about that one.

Hey, Doctor, what do we do now?

Find the engine and the others.;......;Sightseeing?

Ah, right! We need the engine to get back.

And as for the others, if we didn't see them at the ceremony, maybe they got lost?

Still thinking it over, Doctor? No rush. We've got some vacation time left.

Haha, I love this Doctor! Then let's get some sightseeing in while we look for the engine and the girls.

Erm, well...

Huh? Those two over there...

Hey, Yota, are you okay?!

Yeah, it's just, it kinda...

Yota!

I need a shaman!

Hey, let me take a look.

Gavial? You're alive?

Takes more than that to kill me.

Shut up for now. Lay your brother out and I'll look him over.

Tomimi, get my medical bag.

Oh, okay!

Is he gonna be alright?!

He's not dead. But he's not looking good either.

Shortness of breath, foamy, bloody spittle... Hm? And Originium crystals on the body?!

...Doctor, my initial diagnosis is heart failure brought on by Oripathy.

What?

It's Stone Disease. The symptoms aren't too bad. I have some emergency medicine in my bag, but we need to treat him right away.

Stand him up. He can't lay down. I'll give him some oxygen.

The Stone Disease did this? Ugh, I told him not to push it.

Hey, what's your name?

I'm Yogi. That's my brother, Yota.

Which tribe?

Eunectes.

What's wrong, Gavial? Your face is scaring me.

Not now.