Konami and I travelled to Bastok in hopes that one of their alchemists could find a cure for her mother. However, none of them admitted to be skilled enough to take such a task. One of the alchemists of Bastok told us that there was someone who might be able to create such a cure, but only one person knew of his whereabouts.
"Who is the person that knows of this alchemist?" I asked.
"Ciero," the man replied. "the sister of the same man you want to find."
'Ciero...' I thought to myself. 'that's my mother's name. But... why can't I remember ever having an uncle?' Looking at my amulet, I added, 'Maybe that's something Kousaten remembers.'
"Is something wrong, Kazu?" Konami asked.
"...It's nothing, really. I know where to find Ciero." I responded.
"Without even asking!" she asked in suprise. "Those sure are some interesting powers you have there."
"I'd rather be rid of them all together." I admitted as we walked towards La Theine Plateau, to the small log cabin where I was born and raised.
Three hours of non-stop walking later, we arrived at the log cabin I once called home. La Theine was quiet back then, but now beastmen are scattered amongst the plains. Konami and I went inside, since the door was already open anyway.
"Hello? Is anyone here?" I asked.
"Well now," a woman inside said. "what is a young couple doing in such a place like th--... KAZU! Is that you!" I nodded, and knew right then that this Hume woman was my true mother.
"That dark armor..." she said, looking at me. "well, regardless of what they did to you, or what people may say, you still have more resemblence to me than your father."
Konami looked at me in confusion, and I just grinned and said, "Konami, this is my mother, Ciero. Mother, this is the one I am travelling with, Konami. She's a Bard."
"Pleasure," my mother said. "but tell me, why come all this way to see me? And where is Kousaten?" I paused for a moment, and remembered Kousaten was taken for execution earlier than I was.
"To be honest..." I said. "I don't know where Kousaten is. But... I do know that you know where we can find an alchemist that's good enough to make a cure for Konami's mother."
Ciero sighed, and said, "Only your uncle has the skill in alchemy to make the potion you seek. Due to that skill, he's become labelled the King of Alchemy, and forced himself into hiding much like we did almost seventeen years ago."
"Do you know where we can find him, mother?" I asked her, hoping that we would have plenty of time to spare to save Konami's mother. "I am sorry, Kazu," she replied. "...but I do not." We said our good-byes for now, I hugged my mother, and Konami and I left empty handed.
"It's alright Kazu," Konami said. "you tried your best... just like I'll try mine."
"I'm not going to give up yet, I just won't let the suffering of people continue any longer, especially not the suffering of you or your mother." I told her. All was quiet until we eventually went to bed, when about seven Orcish Warmachines encircled us. I knew I could defeat them, but it would be at too great a price- Konami's life would end and I would lose control of the darkness within my heart once more.
"Don't lose hope, Konami!" I said. "We'll find a way out of this." Once I said that, all seven of the warmachines dissolved on the spot.
"Or maybe..." a man behind us stated. "I, Hikiri, can make one for you two." When I turned around, I saw the man known as Hikiri. He was better known to me as the King of Alchemists, my uncle.