Chapter 17 The Dwarves

Dwarf King: So you are unharmed.

Cecil: And you are?

Dwarf King: I am Giott, King of the Dwarves and ruler of this Underworld.

Cecil: What of the Dark Crystals!?

Giott: So that is indeed what brought you here. We thought you were with the others, but they were giving you quite a shelling. We very nearly shot you down ourselves.

Cain: Are the Underworld's Crystals still safe?

Giott: Sadly, two of the four have fallen into their hands.

Yang: So we were too late after all…

Giott: But the Crystal in this castle is still safe. The Dwarven tank corps drove them back, barely.

Rosa: So those were the tanks fighting the airships just now.

Giott: Oh, so you call those things airships? To think the world above has such things… Even our proud tank corps is a little hard-pressed when attacked from the sky… I know! Could you cover us with this airship of yours, as you call it?

Cid: Well, the thing is, what with that shelling and the crash landing, she's gone and got herself a bit busted.

Giott: If you need anything for repairs, shall I have it prepared?

Cid: I can patch her up for now, but the hull won't stand the heat of the Underworld's lava. We've got to go back to the surface and plate her in mythril! Right, I'll make a quick run up there!

Cecil: Cid!

Cid: Bah, I'll be right back! I'll come back better than ever, so be good and wait for me!

Rosa: Be careful…

Cid: Ho ho, Rosa! Don't go fallin' for me, now!

Cid left the party.

Cecil: King Giott, where exactly is this castle's Crystal?

Giott: Truth be told, it's in a hidden room behind this very throne! This way, as long as I'm alive, it's safe!

Yang: !

Cecil: What is it, Yang?

Yang: Someone's eavesdropping!

Giott: Who goes there!?

Cecil: There's no one here.

Yang: I sense a presence up ahead!

Giott: Open the doors!

Dwarf: Lali!

Cain: It won't open!

"Eee-hohoho."

Cecil: ?

Rosa: The dolls!

"We're the jolly Calcobrina!"

"Scary, cute little dolls!"

"Dummies!"

"Walking right in like that!"

"We'll beat you, and bring you…"

"…to Lord Golbeza as a present!"

"Eee-hohoho!"

"How dare you!"

"Owww!"

"But we already reported this place!"

"We'll be avenged!"

"Lord Golbeza!"

Cecil: What!?

"It has been a while…"

Cecil: Golbeza…!

Golbeza: I am much obliged to you for your assistance the other day. But the one who wielded Meteor is no more. So, by way of returning the favor from that day, I shall tell you why I have been gathering the Crystals. Eight Crystals in all, light and dark… together, they are the key to reawakening the Tower of Babil, the sealed path to the moon. It is said the moon holds a power beyond our human understanding. This Crystal makes seven… and thus only one remains. And for this, too, I have you to thank. It would be most discourteous of me not to return this favor as well. Accept it! This is my final gift to you!

Cecil: We beat him…! We beat Golbeza!

Rosa: Rydia, we owe it to you!

Cecil: But look at you…

Rydia: Leviathan swallowed me and took me to the Eidolon Realm.

Cecil: The Eidolon Realm?

Rydia: It's the world where the Eidolons live. They became my friends there. I can't use white magic anymore, but to make up for it, my summoning and black magic got stronger! But time flows differently in the Eidolon Realm than here…

Rosa: So that's how you grew up?

Cain: Cecil, who is this girl?

Cecil: Rydia, from the village of Mist.

Cain: That child!?

Yang: Well, this is a surprise…

Cecil: But why help us? I… your mom—

Rydia: Don't say it! The Queen of the Eidolon Realm told me… that a greater fate is now unfolding… and that we're the ones who have to stand against it…

Cecil: Rydia…! Summoner Rydia joined the party!

"I… shall not die!"

Cecil: No! The Crystal!

Cecil: I'm sorry… The Crystal is in Golbeza's hands…

Giott: It can't be helped. Now we must guard the last Crystal with our lives.

Rosa: Where is the last Crystal?

Giott: In the Sealed Cave, to the southwest. Golbeza has gone there, but do not be alarmed. Without the key to its seal, none can enter that cave. And so, I have a favor to ask of you!

Cecil: It's our fault the Crystal was taken! If there's any way we can help…

Giott: With Golbeza bound for the Sealed Cave, now is our chance. Will you infiltrate the Tower of Babil and take back the seven Crystals?

Cain: The Tower of Babil?

Yang: You would have us infiltrate the enemy's own stronghold!?

Giott: Have no fear! Our tank corps will draw the enemy off! While they are busy, I want you to recapture the Crystals! With Golbeza gone, it's now or never!

Cain: What'll we do?

Rydia: It's the enemy's base, isn't it?

Rosa: It certainly is dangerous.

Yang: Yet one cannot take the tiger's cub without entering its den…

Cain: With Golbeza away, we won't get another chance.

Cecil: All right…

Cecil: We'll try!

King Giott: I am counting on you! Beneath this castle lies the entrance to a secret passage! Go as soon as you are ready! I pray fortune is with you in battle!

Obtained the Dark Crystal!

Got the King's permission? Then I'll let you through!