Chapter 10: Dark Castle D

Henner (the crazy fellow back in Shell) has finally completed the statue of Ellie, and has come to Ien to show it to the girls. Henner says that it has the beauty of the Goddess Althena--just like Ellie. But, two Vile Tribe imps are watching the exchange, and suppose that if Henner contends that Ellie has the beauty of the Goddess, perhaps she is the Goddess. They decide to report this back to Memphis.

Leave the docks and go northeast back to town. You should check with the professors who can teach you spells, in case you've gained enough levels. You may be able to learn some from Steel. If you speak to folks around town, apparently Henner's statue set off a rumor that Ellie is really the Goddess Althena. Ralph (in the library) mentions something interesting: Althena ordinarily is reborn as a human once every 500 years; the last time she reappeared was about 200 years ago.

Go to the plaza in town, then exit the plaza. Lena comments on how the misunderstanding about Ellie being Althena is going to cause a lot of problems. The scene shifts to the Vile Tribe's Dark Castle D. One of the imps returns to report to Memphis and Barua. He says the current incarnation of the Goddess is in Ien; she's the model that was the source of the statue at the docks. Memphis says that with the Goddess's power, the castle D can grow more powerful--and even be able to move by itself. Then, D itself speaks up to confirm (the castle itself is alive). Barua says that, first, they'll need to re-recruit Wing, and need to use more of D's power for that. D refuses, saying that he answers only to the real master of the castle: Memphis. Memphis says that their objective should now be to capture that "model" in Ien, but he leaves it up to Barua--who says that when she returns with the Goddess, then D will acknowledge her authority.

The scene shifts back to Ien, where Lena, Wing, and Ellie are discussing what to do. Wing supposes that the rumors could be true, when Barua suddenly appears. She approaches Wing to take him back; when Lena interjects, she says her business is only with Ellie, and Wing. She transports the three of them to the castle. Memphis appears, asking who the two extra people are; Barua answers that Wing is hers, and the other girl is just an 'extra'. When she goes to take Wing, he resists (for once), subconsciously casts some sort of magic, and buys them time to escape. Memphis sends two Vile Tribe henchmen after them, and tells D to make preparations in the meantime. Now to make your way through the castle. On the first floor, go directly west and take the bottom path you see west. Pick up a Water of Light in the small room. Go back and take the second-from-bottom path west this time, turn north at the end, and go all the way north to the door for the next floor. On the second floor, go a little east and take the first path south. Turn west and take the next path you see south. Continue and take the first path you see back east. Keep following the path, turn south, and take the first path you see west. Pick up the Water of Protection in the chest there; then, to back east, continue south, and at the end of that path go east all the way to the end. Turn south, go around the corner, and take the door to the next floor. On the third floor, continue along the hallway to the south, and keep following it until you see paths branch off. Continue east and turn north at the end. Follow this path and pick up a Chalk in the small room you come to. From the chest, continue south, and take the path you see off to the east.

Once there, Lena says she sees some light and the possible exit. But Memphis and Barua come up to block the way. Memphis demands you hand over Althena's power, and summons D to capture Ellie for him. But then, D stops the spell--he says that this girl is not the Goddess Althena. Very well, Memphis says; they'll just have to eliminate them here and now. Barua offers to do so, still lusting after Wing, and she attacks.

Don't hold back on your attacks. After defeating her, Memphis says that he'll take care of you two himself. At that point, Glen and Steel show up, to the surprise of both Memphis and Barua. Steel motions the three of you to follow him out, while Glen holds back Memphis and Barua. Memphis says that it's no matter--those students are of no use to him (much to Barua's irritation at letting Wing go). Glen exits, but Barua wants to pursue him. Memphis says not to worry; they can simply destroy the only place they have left to escape to--which would eliminate Wing, as well. Memphis has D prepare to attack Ien. Before Glen leaves, he remembers to leave behind a little 'present': he attacks the foundaction of the castle with magic and shakes it up, as a warning to Memphis and Barua. With that, the curtain falls.