The Sorrowful Prince
~ VISION 2-4: A mother's plea ~
Within the Claire Moa Temple, there was a long and wide red carpet from the entrance in the center that lead all the way towards the end of the building up the north. Near the end of the building there was a higher platform with steps that had a golden and red cushioned throne on it that faces towards the direction of the entrance, as well as another stone statue of the envisioned Goddess Claire, holding a book in one arm. Meanwhile on the throne sat an adult La-Lakooshan girl with long silver hair and light red eyes, who was wearing a light purple and tall hat, a light and dark purple robe which had a crystalled brooch with wings attached onto the center of the robe's chest, and gray high-heel boots. She also had a metallic blue staff with a green crystal and a golden orb on top, leaning against the right side of her throne as she was resting her left shoulder on the other, just staring off onto the ground in a somewhat emotionless but also depressing state. While there were three other apprentices in their regular uniforms off to the left holding their hands together and trying to concentrate, sparking little bits of energy from their fingertips with barely any luck, the adult girl just slowly looked at them and deeply sighed. Then suddenly, the doors at the entrance opened, as Lolo walked in while dragging Klonoa by the arm and Popka then following them soon after.
Klonoa: H-Hold on a moment, the King of Sorrow is back? Since when? And how?!
Lolo: Sorry Klonoa, but i think the High Priestess is better at explaining the story herself. It's a bit complicated.
Eventually Klonoa and Lolo arrived just in front of the steps to the throne, as Lolo let Klonoa's hand go and they then both turned her head towards the adult girl sitting on the throne. Lolo clasped her hands together with a more serious look right at the adult La-Lakooshan girl.
Lolo: High Priestess!
The High Priestess sitting in the throne then slowly turned her head just towards Lolo after hearing her, and then deeply sighed again. Meanwhile, Klonoa and Popka both awkwardly stared back at each other for a moment.
Klonoa: She seems to be even more distressed than last time...
Popka: Yeah, no kiddin'...
The High Priestess then looks a bit more upwards towards Lolo, as she began to speak, saying...
High Priestess: I'm sorry Lolo, but... i'm a bit busy. I already got enough to deal with.
Lolo: You have been getting more and more 'busy' these last few months. I can just clearly see that something is bothering you!
High Priestess: Please, don't let this concern you. No need to help me.
Lolo then noticed how the High Priestess still didn't see Klonoa from where she was looking, so Lolo then gently grabbed a hold of Klonoa's arm again and then dragged him over a bit more towards the right so that he appeared into her field of vision.
Lolo: Well... maybe this does.
Klonoa: O-oh?
As the High Priestess laid her eyes upon Klonoa, her eyes suddenly widened up from the surprise and her mouth slightly dropped open...
High Priestess: Hm...?
She just stared out of surprise at Klonoa for a while, as Klonoa just closed his eyes and politely waved. The High Priestess leaned a bit more forward in her throne out of surprise from seeing this with her own eyes.
High Priestess: No... that can't be...!
Klonoa: Hehe... Hey, High Priestess. It has been a while, hasn't it? Three years i believe?
High Priestess: How did you return, Dream Traveler...?! Lunatea isn't in grave danger...!
Lolo: Well... the matter of fact is that Klonoa is back, regardless of whether you like it or not. Not that i mind it, but...
Klonoa confusingly looked back at Lolo from her last statement.
Klonoa: Wha? W-What does that mean?
Klonoa then seemed to be getting a bit flustered after , as was she herself from her own statement.
Lolo: H-Huh?! Nothing, nothing! B-But regardless of that...
Both Klono and Lolo then tried to shake it off as they turned back towards the High Priestess.
Lolo: Please, High Priestess. I need you to tell us the truth. He needs to hear it. I need to hear it. He wouldn't be here if it wasn't for the fact that something is going on in Lunatea, or with Sorrow! And you are trying to keep it to yourself? We haven't seen him in months!
The High Priestess still seemed a bit hesitant, but eventually she just gave up, sighed, and then stood up from her throne grabbing the staff next to her with her right hand, as she closed her eyes.
High Priestess: Alright then. Klonoa, Lolo... listen well, and pay attention. I will tell you the whole story to catch you both up to date...
The High Priestess's green crystal within the staff then lighted up as she fiercely swung her staff around once, with multiple dust sparkles flying up into the air as they come out of the glowing orb on top of the staff, which come together to form visual imagery from her memory right behind herself, while Klonoa and Lolo just stared off behind the High Priestess...
Faintly, a memory appeared within the dust sparkles... The High Priestess appeared to be slowly walking back to her Claire Moa Temple in the sunny but quiet afternoon. Eventually, she heard the faint noise of crying in the distance. She stopped for a moment and looked around in confusement.
"Less than a week after you left, Klonoa... I was going through my usual routine as a priestess. Until i stumbled upon what seemed like an abandoned baby."
The High Priestess then tried to listen in on where the crying came from, as she heard it coming further up from her own temple... She seemed really confused, but as she then made it to the door of the temple, there it was... A really young baby was just lying down in front of the door that looked to be of a similar species to Klonoa. Long ears, green and white fur. The High Priestess just stared for a while, as it kept harshly crying.
"I was confused in the moment. I didn't even know what to make of this, except for the simple thought of not being able to believe that somebody just abandoned a baby here. But then, i realised something..."
As the High Priestess looked closer at the crying baby, she noticed that the baby had a necklace around him... A necklace which had a small and purple orb attached to it.
High Priestess: Is that... the fifth element...?
The High Priestess then walked up closer to the baby and carefully picked him up in her arms, looking up close to him... Eventually he calmed a bit down and stopped crying, to which the High Priestess said towards him...
High Priestess: So... You must be the previous embodiment of the fifth kingdom's element...?
As the baby slowly opened its eyes, it was revealed that the baby had red-colored eyes... Looking upwards towards the High Priestess, as she began to smile at him.
High Priestess: And there's almost nobody else to take you in... Well, i gladly will... Sorrow. You're safe with me...
Then the baby closed its eyes again and innocently laughed, waving its tiny hands upwards towards the High Priestess, as she just seemed genuinely happy.
"From there, the story speaks of itself, as the years would pass by."
Then from there, the string of memories disappeared with the sparks, as another string of memories quickly formed on other particles. This time, the High Priestess was teaching Sorrow, as a toddler, how to carefully walk and take his first steps as she sat down on her knees in the center of the Claire Moa Temple along the red carpet, sticking her arms out towards him.
High Priestess: Now come here... I can catch you.
"I raised him like my own son... Worthy of someone to be loved and properly educated."
Then as Sorrow slowly took one step, he carefully tried to take another one but tripped and fell onto the ground before the High Priestess could catch him, as Sorrow started to cry really hard from the pain. The High Priestess was shocked and quickly scooted on over to him to pick up the crying Sorrow and comfort him in her arms, gently brushing his head with her hand.
High Priestess: There, there... It's okay...
"I still had to get used to becoming a parent despite it being a month already, but i wouldn't give up."
Sorrow kept crying as the High Priestess just carefully gently pat Sorrow on the head...
The string of memories quickly disappeared with the sparks again, as yet again, another string formed into a new memory from another set of sparks. Sorrow, still a toddler but slightly taller, was sitting on a bench within the plaza near the Claire Moa Temple in the morning, as the High Priestess was crouching down near the couch down to him. She smiled up a bit, exaggerating her mouth's movements a bit.
High Priestess: Now say it... Mama. Say mama. Your first word, mama.
Sorrow just stared off into the distance as he heard a bird call, to which he looks off and points at the clouds with his tiny hands, saying his first attempt at a word...
Sorrow: Bah!
The High Priestess just sighed after hearing that, while still smiling a little bit.
High Priestess: That's... close enough...
"To my own surprise, it was only less than two months before he became a toddler and learned the basics. Much faster than any other child that i have ever heard of in the land. I was scared that things would maybe move too quick for myself, but... it all went better than expected."
The toddler Sorrow just kept on laughing as the High Priestess just stood back up and turned around for a moment out of embarrassment. Eventually she turned back around and covered her hands in front of her face and turned back towards Sorrow, as this genuinely confused him...
The string of memories disappeared, and formed another string with other dust sparkles. Within a dark blue bedroom located within the top floor at the Claire Moa Temple, the High Priestess sat down next to the now prepubescent Sorrow, as he was wearing orange pyjamas and was tucked down within his blankets, looking back at the entrance to his bedroom from the door, where the High Priestess stood.
High Priestess: You sure you will be alright?
Sorrow then turned his head back towards the High Priestess, as he seemed a bit nervous but also tried to appear brave.
Sorrow: Mm... the darkness doesn't frighten me! Well... i don't think so...
The High Priestess then smiled as she stood back up and went for the door, ready to click off the lights... But just before she did, Sorrow yelled back at the High Priestess.
Sorrow: W-wait, mom! !
The High Priestess then slowly turned back towards Sorrow as she confusingly looked at him, seeing that Sorrow was still trembling a bit within his bed.
High Priestess: Yes, dear?
Sorrow: U-umm... Can you... read me a bedtime story, please? Just before i go to sleep...
"It was only four months... he was already such a good kid. A bit scared by nature, but i loved him with all my heart."
The High Priestess stared a bit, as she eventually smiled softly at Sorrow in the distance.
High Priestess: Of course, my dear...
The High Priestess then turned back towards Sorrow and walked into his bedroom again, as she grabbed one of the books on the shelf close by labeled as 'The Fifth Bell' next to the wall. She then sat down next to Sorrow on his bed, opening op the book from the first page and clearing her throat, as she began to read...
High Priestess: This story starts with a prophet that goes by the name of Baguji... Living in a world of four kingdoms, he foresaw a fifth bell that was about to appear upon the world.
Sorrow: A fifth bell?
High Priestess: Yes... A bell, assigned to an unknown fifth kingdom upon the land.
"While raising him, i slowly introduced him to our world, but not to overwhelm him with it... He deserves to know his great importance of the past, but it wasn't the time for that just yet."
High Priestess: Believing this kingdom would bring ruin, a boy from another world, a priestess, and her pet, all came together to try and prevent the awakening of the fifth kingdom...
The High Priestess kept on reading, as she slowly turned the page on the book...
The string of memories disappeared as another formed from a different set of dust sparkles. It was now early in the morning. The young Lolo arrives back at the quiet and almost empty Claire Moa Temple, as she was wearing her pink hat without a green feather attached, short-sleeved dress, black leggings, golden bracelets and brown shoes. She carefully closed the door behind her back, as she sighed.
Lolo: I can't believe i really managed to do it on my own...
Then as she turned around, the young Sorrow in a purple priest robe suddenly appeared right behind Lolo and naively grinned with a big smile.
Sorrow: Heyo!
Lolo: Ah?!
This startled Lolo as she jumped out of fright, then suddenly seeing the young Sorrow standing in front of her, trying to keep herself cool.
Lolo: H-hey... Um... You look familiar...
Sorrow seemed confused as he heard that statement from Lolo.
Sorrow: Familiar? How come? This is the first time i have seen the likes of you around.
Lolo: O-oh, right... i have been away from everyone for quite a while, so even new trainees like you probably don't remember me...
"In that time he was growing up into the life of a happy kid, even Lolo returned back to the temple."
Then the High Priestess came walking down from the staircase to the left of temple and faced towards to two of them further down the large hallway. Upon hearing the High Priestess' footsteps, Sorrow quickly turned back around towards the High Priestess.
High Priestess: Hey, dear! What did i say about sneaking out of the house?
Sorrow: I-I wasn't sneaking out mom, honestly! I just heard someone walking up to the temple from the distance!
High Priestess: Someone walking up to the temple?
The High Priestess then looked off into the distance and saw that it was Lolo, as the High Priestess briefly gasped and ran closely up to the two of them.
High Priestess: Lolo! You came back! I-
Then in the middle of her sentence, the High Priestess notices the green feather of Lolo's hat was gone upon seeing her and stopped talking... before eventually speaking up again.
High Priestess: What happened to your feather?!
Lolo then just awkwardly smiled a bit back at the High Priestess as she then turned back towards the young Sorrow.
Lolo: Umm... A lot of self-work. I didn't think i rightfully earned it... R-Regardless of that, who is this new kid?
The High Priestess then proudly smiled up as she took a step closer to Sorrow and patted gently patted him on the head as he just chuckled a bit.
High Priestess: Oh, right... Lolo. I like you to meet my son, Sorrow.
Lolo seemed absolutely shocked hearing that come out of the High Priestess, and stared directly at her.
Lolo: S-son?! I haven't been gone for that long, have i?!
High Priestess: No, no... this is my adopted son.
Lolo looked up a bit closer at Sorrow, noticing how he was only a head smaller than herself.
Lolo: B-But... He's only a few years younger than me!
High Priestess: Actually younger than that. He's five months old.
Lolo: F-five months?!
"It was quite a lot to process for those uninformed, even for Lolo. But over time she and the others finally realised what was going on."
Sorrow just confusingly stared back at Lolo as she was reacting shocked to all of these answers of the High Priestess. Then the young Sorrow stuck out his hand towards Lolo's own surprise.
Sorrow: Oh, you must be the great priestess Lolo that mom told me about! Nice to meet you!
Lolo: G-great priestess? I... I wouldn't go that far, but...
Lolo still seemed a bit speechless, but she then slowly stuck out her own hand, as she crouched a bit gave a polite handshake to the young Sorrow, softly beginning to smile herself.
Lolo: It's nice to meet you too, Sorrow...
They just kept shaking hands while Sorrow innocently grinned, as was Lolo.
Then the string of memories disappeared and then formed another from a different set of dust sparkles. It was late in the evening. At the side of the mountain on the bridge close to the giant Goddess Claire statue, the High Priestess and Lolo, now with her green feather back on her hat, both properly sat down on one knee and clasped their hands together while closing their eyes. Meanwhile the late-prepubescent Sorrow sat down on two knees.
Sorrow: Dear Goddess Claire... If it is possible you can hear me-
The High Priestess then quickly reopened her eyes and turned back around towards the young Sorrow.
High Priestess: Stop, stop... That is supposed to be "If thou can hear us"!
Sorrow: S-sorry mom!
The High Priestess then noticed how the young Sorrow sat down on both knees and began to raise her voice a bit while looking down onto him.
High Priestess: And you are not allowed to sit on both knees!
Sorrow: Okay, why not?! I still do not understand that!
Lolo: These mistakes are easy to make. You'll get used to it.
Sorrow: Well... okay then...
Sorrow then sighed a little bit, as he tries to kneel down on one knee while standing with the other in front of the giant Goddess Claire statue.
Sorrow: Dear Goddess Claire, if thou can hear me-
High Priestess: It's 'us'! !
As the High Priestess was yelling, a few tears dropped from Sorrow's face as he seemed a bit upset and turned his head towards her.
Sorrow: P-please, can you just note it down?! This is too hard...!
"We had some hardships at times and i could be a little strict, but... he learned from it by the end."
High Priestess: Please don't give me that look. I know you can do this! Do not be lazy!
Sorrow: I-I'm not trying to be...!
Lolo then chuckled a bit to herself as Sorrow and the High Priestess were arguing.
Then the string of memories disappeared, slowly forming into one last string of visual memories from the remaining dust sparkles... It was in the middle of the afternoon. At the Claire Moa Temple, the High Priestess was properly adjusting Sorrow's short and cutoff white robe in the bathroom on the top floor, in front of the mirror. Eventually she got back up as they both stared back into the mirror, with the High Priestess looking at Sorrow and softly smiling.
"He went from a small child, all the way to a proper teen in just two years. And has stayed like this up until now."
High Priestess: So? What do you think, dear?
Sorrow just stared in awe, looking at his dress... as well as closely looking at as his orange bracelets and anklets, and pulling a bit on the large golden belt with a long scarf attached to it. To which he eventually spoke in a gentle but also confused tone.
Sorrow: It looks a bit... familiar... doesn't it?
The High Priestess just softly smiled at Sorrow.
High Priestess: Lolo told me to make it. I'm not sure for what reason, but... she recommended me to make this outfit for you when you'd grow up, dear.
Sorrow: Oh... I see...
Sorrow nearly dropped silent, as the High Priestess raised a bit of a genuine eyebrow.
High Priestess: Do you not like it?
Sorrow: N-No, it's not that... It's just... It's perfect. But do i really deserve such a wonderful gift...?
High Priestess: Why not, dear?
Sorrow: Well... It's been two years, and i still can't properly control my energy. I can't heal... I can't levitate... Other priestesses are probably laughing behind my back for it...
High Priestess: Hey... None of that matters now, dear. There's still a whole life ahead. No matter what happens, i will help you learn to properly pull out your potential some day, and be the first man to reach priesthood... You are the start of a new era for our religion, my dear Sorrow.
Sorrow: Y...You think so...? You think Goddess Claire would be proud of it...?
The High Priestess just smiled at Sorrow, as she eventually said...
High Priestess: Of course she would. And even if you don't ever get the hang of it, i will still love you for who you are.
Sorrow dropped silent, and slowly teared up after hearing the High Priestess say that... To which he eventually he began to cry, and quickly reached around the High Priestess with his arms, tightly hugging him while tearing up.
Sorrow: Thank you, mom... Thank you...!
The High Priestess seemed a bit surprised from this sudden hug, but she just embraces it as she softly smiled.
"I wouldn't have had him to turn out any other way..."
Back in the present, the final remaining dust sparkles vanished with the wind... as the High Priestess was still standing up, and Klonoa seemed a bit astounded on what he just saw, as was Lolo.
Klonoa: So the King of Sorrow has been... brought back? And you raised him?
High Priestess: 'Brought back' isn't the correct term here. It's more like reincarnation, going off of what Lolo told me about him in the past.
Lolo: Mm... He is nothing like what he was before. Still sensitive, but he has such a sweet side to him this time... Nothing compared to what we saw of the previous king.
Klonoa briefly gasped as he then looked in amazement from hearing this. Lolo then naively chuckled a bit.
Klonoa: Wow... really?
Lolo: Hehe, yeah... It was so cute to see him when i came back. I was still away from priestesshood for half this time, but... I didn't think he would just suddenly show up at our doorstep.
Klonoa then seemed smiled at the High Priestess, as the High Priestess still seemed sad. Meanwhile Lolo turned back around and seemed a bit confused at her.
Klonoa: But that's a good thing, right?
Lolo: Yeah... I don't really get how any of this ties together with what's been bothering you, High Priestess.
The High Priestess then deeply sighed, and turned her head back towards Lolo and Klonoa once more.
High Priestess: Well... There's still more left to be told.
The High Priestess then swung her staff around once again, with a few dust sparkles flying up into the air once again...
As a string forms together, Klonoa and Lolo could see the following... A memory where it was late in the evening on top of the mountains within the La-Lakoosha region. As the teenage Sorrow and the High Priestess sat down on the mountains watching the sunset in the distance, Sorrow eventually looks over at the huge, angled stone castle that lied on an island of dirt further up the southeast. Sorrow seemed to be innocently smiling. Meanwhile the High Priestess was a bit lost in thought.
"It was six months ago. Sorrow still was unaware of his true past... I knew it had to come at some day and just sit and watch in the meantime. I wanted to wait until he reached priesthood and mastered his own energy. But..."
Sorrow: The sun's beautiful at this time, isn't it mom?
The High Priestess then snapped back to it, and turned her head towards Sorrow.
High Priestess: Huh? Y-Yeah...
Then Sorrow looked off to the stone castle on the island.
Sorrow: I wonder who even lives on it... The books called it as the 'fifth kingdom Hyuponia', but... even after it resurfaced, just like the legend said... I have never seen anyone live on it. Who rules the kingdom after the king was defeated anyway?
"...I couldn't hide it anymore. He had to know it. He had to know everything."
The High Priestess raised her head, and then finally spoke towards him, looking back at Sorrow, as he said the following...
High Priestess: ...It's your kingdom.
Sorrow naively turned towards the High Priestess, genuinely confused.
Sorrow: Huh? W-what?
High Priestess: The one who ruled Hyuponia... His real name was the King of Sorrow.
Sorrow: The King... of Sorrow...? B-But... That name you gave me was just a coincidence. You always said so!
High Priestess: Well... No... You are actually the son of the king. Your name never was a coincidence... it was always meant to be the Prince of Sorrow. I took you in as a baby after the king died.
Sorrow then completely dropped silent... he seemed to just not be able to comprehend it, and after a while, shook his head before turning back towards the High Priestess.
Sorrow: No... That can't be...
High Priestess: I did not want to approach you about it just yet, seeing as you still are in training. I wanted to tell you about it after you grown to priesthood. But i just couldn't hold it in any longer...
Sorrow: ...But, why would you hide this from me in the first place mom? Why would you take me in, knowing all of this?!
The High Priestess then clenched her hand a bit.
High Priestess: I... I was just worried... Worried for you, dear. Worried how the world would see you and react at you!
Sorrow seemed shocked, and turned silent again.
High Priestess: I am so sorry for this, my dear. But i just... I wanted to wait for the right moment. The moment the world would look up to you and be proud at you. Not overwhelm you with anything regarding your true past, and look down upon you for something you did not even commit.
Sorrow then just looked down, as he sighed and seemed a bit disappointed.
Sorrow: ...I see...
The High Priestess just looks a bit concerned herself, as Sorrow still kept his head down...
"Little did i know he would take all of this to heart, and it all would come back to haunt me..."
Then as the string of memories disappeared, the remaining dust sparks formed another memory... It was in the middle of the evening. The High Priestess was just sitting on her throne within the Claire Moa Temple, just casually reading a book.
"Four months ago, our kingdom was suddenly attacked... And it was from this day that i ever regret telling him the truth."
Suddenly, a loud and big bolt of lightning strikes, as the Claire Moa Temple began to heavily rumble. The teenage Sorrow came walking down from the stairs to the left and turned towards the High Priestess sitting on her throne.
Sorrow: W-what was that...?
The High Priestess then calmed down for a moment and used her senses... She suddenly felt a large group of energy in the distance, to which with a quick and brief gasp, she immediately dropped her book to the ground and got up on her two feet.
High Priestess: Trouble... Something evil is coming right for us. Come, my dear! !
The High Priestess then ran for the door outside as Sorrow quickly followed.
As they got outside and arrived at the busy plaza, they saw everyone else looking off towards where the large bell tower made out of stone resided close to the Claire Moa Temple further up to the north... as dark and stormy clouds began to arise near the bell tower in the distance. Then one of the priestesses in an outfit looked at the High Priestess running up to them and quickly pointed off in the distance towards the bell tower.
Priestess: High Priestess, look over there!
Then as both Sorrow and the High Priestess saw the dark stormy clouds, they just stared at the large bell tower while the High Priestess softly said to herself...
High Priestess: The Bell of Tranquility...?
Meanwhile close by, Popka walked up to the two of them, as did Lolo, now wearing her long-sleeved pink robe with the green crystalled brooch with wings attached. She just confusingly stared, as Popka was scratching his head.
Popka: Lolo? The heck's goin' on over there?
Lolo: D-don't ask me... How should i know?
Then as a hole appeared in the dark clouds appeared, something came falling down out of the hole... Hundreds of parachuting Nighty-Knights with swords and shields, heading right for the Bell of Tranquility down below. The High Priestess just confusingly but also angrily glared while Lolo confusingly stared, Popka was getting really nervous, and Sorrow was a bit frustrated.
Lolo: Wait... Nightmare invaders? W-where do they come from?!
High Priestess: My senses were right... I don't know where they came from though...
Sorrow: H...Hundreds of them...? I don't like the sight of that...
Then slowly they noticed how the dark clouds were about to hear further down south and spread out a bit, closely heading for their own temple and the plaza they stood on.
Popka: Ngh... They really tryna conquer us all?!
Lolo then looked over towards the High Priestess and Sorrow as she seemed more determined.
Lolo: No! High Priestess, we can't give up our hope yet!
The High Priestess just closed her eyes and nodded a bit, as she said...
High Priestess: Agreed... As long as i have a saying in it, i will not back down and let our kingdom fall.
The High Priestess then opened her eyes again and quickly turned her head back around towards everyone in the plaza who were almost all at the point of panicking, as she fiercely spoke up towards them all.
High Priestess: Everyone! Listen up! !
Within less than a fraction of a second, the High Priestess has all the priestesses attention.
High Priestess: We did not train in the word of the goddess just to fall over and die. So let's make our goddess proud and protect the land of Lunatea from further harm of these wretched and outsider nightmare creatures!
The High Priestess then quickly pointed at the 73 priestesses further in the back and then further up behind the mountains that lead southward.
High Priestess: You all in the back, head southward and follow the clouds as closely as you can! You have to stop it from spreading towards the other kingdoms as much as possible! If you come across an uninformed person who may be of help, ask them to fight with you!
All the 73 priestesses in the back then quickly left either by using their levitation ability or following the route that lead them southward towards La-Lakoosha to get further ahead of the dash clouds that were quickly spreading. Then immediately the High Priestess turned back around towards the plaza, looking off towards the 56 priestesses in the center.
High Priestess: You all in the center, spread out over La-Lakoosha and fight off these monsters from our kingdom! We can't let them cause any more harm to it!
All the 56 priestesses in the center then began to quickly spread out and headed off into different directions all across La-Lakoosha from where they stood... The High Priestess then swiftly turned her head back towards Lolo and Popka.
High Priestess: Lolo... Popka... I trust you to protect the Bell of Tranquility. We cannot let our element be stolen by the likes of the nightmares.
Lolo then politely and gently bowed down as she still seemed determined, as Popka was shivering out of fear.
Lolo: R...Right! I won't let you down!
Popka: Eeeehhh?! Why me?!
Lolo then forcefully grabbed Popka by the hand and then started to run back towards the Claire Moa Temple, as Popka shrieked a bit.
Popka: L-Lolo?! HEY! Don't be gettin' all quiet on me, i ain't able to fight those appleheads! What're you draggin' me around for?!
Lolo: Just stay calm. All you need to do is help me barricade the door! I'll try to handle the rest!
Popka: B-barricade?! Ya think i can hold down a door?! I can't even open it right! !
Then as they ran back into the Claire Moa Temple to head towards the Bell of Tranquility, the High Priestess turns her head back towards the remaining 20 priestesses in the front at the plaza.
High Priestess: And all of you in the front... Protect the Claire Moa Temple and the plaza, no matter what it takes! We cannot allow them to lay their hands on our sacred haven!
The High Priestess then raised her staff, as the remaining priestesses raised their fist and yelled, while most of them began to run towards the Claire Moa Temple... with a few keeping their guard around the plaza. Then the High Priestess grabs Sorrow by the hand to his own surprise, as he seemed a bit too caught up in his mind from these strange events.
Sorrow: W...Wha...?
High Priestess: Just stay close. I don't want you to get hurt.
The High Priestess then started to run further southward of La-Lakoosha while having a hold on Sorrow... as the memories faintly began to vanish.
Back in the present, the last remaining dust sprakles slowly vanished with the wind... as Lolo was still confused.
High Priestess: We lost the lives of around nine priestesses, but we managed to stop their invasion... You still remember that evening from four months ago, right Lolo?
Lolo: Yeah, i would never forget. You told me and Popka to defend the bell, to which we drove them off.
Popka: Correction... You drove 'em off. Those damn door-rammers kept comin' with their enforcers, i could barely even keep the door safe!
Klonoa chuckled for a bit hearing that from Popka, as he then suddenly realised something and turned back around towards the High Priestess out of confusion.
Klonoa: But hold on, were those invaders Nighty-Knights? What were they doing here?!
The High Priestess raised a bit of an eyebrow.
High Priestess: Nighty-Knights...? You mean you know those nightmare creatures?
Klonoa: Well... Not really, aside from their name. But i know they're specifically out to get me.
High Priestess: Hm, strange... From what we heard of these 'Nighty-Knights', they only made some remarks claiming they're coming back for their 'true homeland', but... nothing else outside of that.
Klonoa then sighed a bit out of relief.
Klonoa: I see... Well, it doesn't matter too much anyway, seeing most of you all managed to stay safe from the attack and protected the kingdoms.
Popka: Still, the heck're they doin' here if they're tryin' ta hunt you down?
Lolo then confusingly turned back towards the High Priestess as she raised her voice a bit.
Lolo: But... regardless of all of that, what about Sorrow? You said that after this invasion he was fine, right? That he just needed to take some time off for a few weeks?
The High Priestess then deeply breathed in and sighed.
High Priestess: Well... what truly happened while you were off defending the bell...
The High Priestess then grabbed a hold of her staff and held it up, as she said...
High Priestess: ...was this.
Then the High Priestess fiercely swung her staff around one more time, as a a few dust sparkles went flying up in the air...
As the dust sparkles come together to form just one memory, it appeared that the High Priestess and Sorrow were up on the bridge inbetween the route towards the town of La-Lakoosha and the Claire Moa Temple, just above the giant lake. Sorrow stood right behind the High Priestess as three Nighty-Knights were ganging up on them. Then the High Priestess clasped her hands together and grabbed a hold of her staff, firing an energy blast at one of the Nighty-Knights as it sent him sliding off of the bridge and into the water. Then another one furiously grumbled.
Nighty-Knight: Why, you...!
Then as the Nighty-Knight tries to strike Sorrow from behind as he seemed a bit out of it, the High Priestess immediately jumped in the way as his sword slashed at the High Priestess, opening a cut onto the High Priestess' face. She grunted a bit of the pain, but endured it.
High Priestess: Ngh...!
Then immediately the High Priestess swung her staff around upon a split second reaction after getting cut, as it caused enough force to knock the other two Nighty-Knights off of the bridge and fall into the water too... The High Priestess just sighed, slowly noticing the cut across her head as the wound was bleeding quite a bit.
High Priestess: T-That was close... I should get this cut fixed up soon by someone else...
Then as the High Priestess was ready to move further towards the south of La-Lakoosha, Sorrow looks off further down towards the southeast of the lake that lead to the ocean. He couldn't help but just think about the island of Hyuponia... As he faintly seeing the clouds slowly approaching it in the distance. The High Priestess stopped and turned back towards Sorrow.
High Priestess: What are you doing, dear?
Sorrow then points off towards the island of Hyuponia further up.
Sorrow: I... I just cannot help but wonder... But... what about... my kingdom...?
The High Priestess then raised an eyebrow, as she raised her voice.
High Priestess: Are you worrying about that now? The lives of multiple people are at stake... The peace of the kingdoms can't be ruined! We gotta protect them!
Sorrow then dropped silent... Until he eventually turned back towards the High Priestess with a more concerned look on his face.
Sorrow: But... What about it? Will we just leave my kingdom there as it is?!
High Priestess: La-Lakoosha comes first. I just can't let it fall. We'll drive them off later off of that little island later! Why are you so worried about that place anyway?!
Sorrow then began to harshly clench his fist, and eventually just snapped... furiously yelling right at the High Priestess.
Sorrow: Because it is all that is left from my past, mom! ! !
The High Priestess then dropped silent out of shock... Sorrow just turned quiet again, as he kept his head low while a few tears began rolling down his face.
Sorrow: ...I'm sorry, but... I am of no help to you all in the name of the goddess anyway. I am nothing but a worthless child...
Sorrow then looks back at the High Priestess again as tears just kept falling.
Sorrow: If i will die from an invasion... I will die protecting the place i was born from! !
Then Sorrow started to run up further up the stone bridge that leads back towards the south of Lunatea, as the High Priestess stuck out her hand to try and stop him.
High Priestess: W-wait, son! !
But it was already too late... Sorrow just kept on running, disappearing into the distance before the High Priestess could catch up to him... As the sound of thunder and energy blasts could be heard off further up ahead from multiple directions, the High Priestess just kept her head down as she looks back off towards the Claire Moa Temple further up the northern mountain, and slowly turned back around.
"...That was the last time i saw him."
The High Priestess began to walk back down the bridge and for the cave that lead upwards the mountain...
Then as the dust sparkles flew away with the wind, the High Priestess put down her staff and began to sit back on her throne, deeply sighing. Meanwhile Lolo and Klonoa were just staring out of surprise, as they were almost completely quiet... even Popka was a bit astounded from what he saw.
High Priestess: I can still sense that my dear Sorrow is out there, in Hyuponia... He's alive, but there is something is different about him... Something is not right...
Eventually Lolo just shook her head a bit and then turned back towards the High Priestess.
Lolo: W-why didn't you tell any of this sooner, High Priestess?!
High Priestess: I just couldn't, Lolo! I thought he would maybe return after a week or so unharmed, but... no... That day never came... Something must've happened during this specific storm at Hyuponia, and i do not know what...
Klonoa then raised a bit of an eyebrow at the High Priestess.
Klonoa: Couldn't you have just tried to approach Sorrow yourself?
High Priestess: Well... I technically could have, but i just... I cannot handle having to face my own son and kill him. I just don't have the heart for it...
Lolo: I would never do something like that to him either! But you know i would try everything to properly get him back to us, don't you?
High Priestess: Yes. But it's exactly that, that made afraid... Afraid something would happen to you, or anyone else. That's why i tried to hide the truth from all of you priestesses.
The High Priestess then turned her head towards Klonoa and Lolo again, as she looked at both of them.
High Priestess: I thought maybe if Klonoa was here by some miracle... Maybe it would be different... And now that you are here, i feel i can finally do my plea...
The High Priestess, as she started to tear up a bit, fiercely clasped her hands together and bowed down to the two of them.
High Priestess: So please... PLEASE, Klonoa and Lolo... I beg of you two, with all my heart... bring my son back. I just can't stand it anymore!
Klonoa seemed a bit shocked by this sudden question as he just uttered for a bit.
Klonoa: Umm... I... I'm not sure if i'm really the right person to be asked of such a task...
High Priestess: Why wouldn't you be...?
Klonoa then nervously held up his hand, as he clenched it a bit.
Klonoa: Well... I killed the King of Sorrow before due to there being no choice... I really do not want to do it again...
Klonoa then looks on over towards Lolo, as she just looks back at him with a bit of a determined and serious face. He eventually took a deep breath, and calmly responded as his face turned a tiny bit red.
Klonoa: ...But... I can at least try to bring him back. So... we'll do it together.
Lolo then softly smiled at Klonoa, as the High Priestess did to the two of them out of relief.
High Priestess: Oh thank you, Dream Traveler... Thank you, Lolo. My heart really soars at the wonderful words of you both.
Lolo just blushed as Klonoa tried to shrug off the compliment while softly smiling himself.
Lolo: I-It's nothing...
Klonoa then turned his head back towards the High Priestess as she calmly sat back onto her throne again.
Klonoa: So... what do we need to do to prepare ourselves for this dangerous adventure?
High Priestess: From here... I sense that the dangerous nightmare energy arising within Hyuponia is huge... I do not think either of you two can take on Sorrow like this.
Klonoa: W-what?!
High Priestess: But no need to fear... We still have the four remaining elements of the bells. Tranquility... Joy... Discord... and Indecision. It is essential that you collect all of them across the land before heading off towards Hyuponia.
Klonoa: Ohhh, right... I still remember those...
Lolo: So we need to ring the bell of each kingdom and retrieve the elements before finally heading off to the Kingdom of Sorrow?
High Priestess: Correct. Although whether or not your journey will be a breeze up to that point, i cannot say... That purely depends on the world around you.
Popka smugly chuckled towards them.
Popka: Good luck with that, ya two.
Lolo then kneeled down at Popka and looked directly at him, as she flicked her finger at Popka.
Popka: Oww?!
Lolo: You are coming along too. No discussion!
Popka: Wha-wh-why tho?! I ain't got nothin' to offer! I'd rather stay here!
Lolo: I know you will just sneak out again and steal stuff from the market. You cannot cause any more sacrilegious trouble while i'm gone!
The High Priestess eventually looks back on over to Klonoa, as she scratched her head.
High Priestess: Speaking of journeys... I have been meaning to ask. Dream Traveler Klonoa, how exactly did you get here to La-Lakoosha?
Lolo: Oh yeah, that's right... It just feels like it happened out of complete surprise. Were you specifically called back to Lunatea as of recently?
Klonoa: Well... No, i actually came here on my own will...
Klonoa then turned his head back towards Lolo and directly looked at her, as he said...
Klonoa: Specifically for you, Lolo.
Lolo then began to blush a bit from his words.
Lolo: You came back on your own... For me...?
Klonoa then also realised what he just implied by saying that, as his face turned red from embarrassment.
Klonoa: N-No, not like that! I-I just wanted to offer my apologies and see you one last time. But... I made it back to Lunatea with the help of my friends from another world.
Lolo: Oh... i see...
High Priestess: With the help of friends? How did you do it?
Klonoa then began to step up towards the High Priestess as he reached for his back pocket, pulling out his Dream Crystal and noticing it was glowing into a light-blue color. Klonoa just stared, as the High Priestess seemed confused.
Klonoa: It's glowing again...
High Priestess: Hm? What's the matter?
Klonoa: N-Nothing... This is the crystal i used to get back.
Klonoa then walked up towards the High Priestess and handed his glowing Dream Crystal over to the High Priestess' hands... She began to hold it up and carefully examined the triangular Dream Crystal for a while, as she then gasped and reeled back a bit in her throne. Klonoa and Lolo seemed surprised.
Lolo: W-what is it, High Priestess?!
High Priestess: No... It can't be...! Where did you find this?!
Klonoa: Well... One day, it just suddenly showed up in my back pocket. Me and my friends tried to find its origins about the crystal and what it could do, and learnt about legends speaking of activating it within the strongest dream signal... We weren't sure what most of that meant.
The High Priestess dropped silent, as she softly spoke again, saying...
High Priestess: ...The Dream Stream...
Klonoa raised his ear a bit out of confusion after hearing the High Priestess mention the Dream Stream. Meanwhile, the High Priestess quickly reached for her staff and uses the energy of the golden orb on top of her staff to quickly pull out a book out of the bookshelf off to the left near the wall, as she quickly grabbed a hold of a really thick book called 'The Scripture of Claire', as she quickly began scrolling through the hundreds of pages, eventually stopping in the middle of the book, as she saw the drawn sketch.
High Priestess: Here it is. Page 607... And as a parting gift before ascending to divinity, i left my last creation from the mortal realms... crystals, filled with elustrious energy that can twist the Dream Stream however the user pleases.
The High Priestess just closed the book, put it down and kept staring in awe at the Dream Crystal.
High Priestess: I... I couldn't believe it myself... The Dream Crystals were the last artifacts created and left behind by Goddess Claire herself, thousands of years ago. None of us priestesses have ever laid our eyes upon one within all that time. It was like a myth, to our knowledge...
Klonoa: Wait, hold on... You know what the 'Dream Stream' is? Please explain it to me!
High Priestess: The source of it all... Where both dreams and nightmares were born, prior to even the birth of Goddess Claire herself. We are all part of the Dream Stream, no matter how far we may be from each other. Even in life and death.
Popka: Sounds like crazy talk to me.
Lolo: Sshh, Popka...!
Klonoa: I see... But what does this all mean for me, exactly?
High Priestess: It means that you ended up with a legendary artifact from the Goddess Claire herself, due to unknown reasons. And that you were able bring yourself back to Lunatea with it, even if you were not meant to be.
The High Priestess then carefully handed the dream crystal back over to Klonoa with both hands, as she directly looked at him with a serious face while he just nervously stared back.
High Priestess: Do not lose this crystal, Klonoa. It bears a lot of importance to us, and to yourself.
Klonoa: R...Right... Got it.
Then as Klonoa puts the dream crystal into his back pocket again, the High Priestess began to sit down onto the throne and smiled at both Klonoa and Lolo.
High Priestess: Well... Go on forth, my heroes. The first element awaits you close by, over at the Bell of Tranquility just past here.
Klonoa then smiled at the High Priestess, as Lolo properly bowed down towards her.
Lolo: Right... We will do our best to save Sorrow!
Klonoa: Thanks for everything, High Priestess.
Meanwhile Popka just groaned... Then as the three of them started to walk towards the door up close to the northwest within the Claire Moa Temple, Lolo quickly stopped in her tracks. Klonoa and Popka confusingly turned back around.
Lolo: W-wait just a second, i forgot something!
Lolo then turned for the staircase up close to the left of the building and ran upwards... Klonoa and Popka both raised an eyebrow.
Klonoa: What do you think that's about?
Popka: No idea...
Then after a minute or so, Lolo came running back down, as she knocked a bit of dust off of her robes while walking with her hands behind her back.
Lolo: Well then... shall we go?
Popka: Umm, not before 'ya told me what we stood around for.
Lolo: Huh?
Lolo seemed a bit flushed after that question and just tried to brush it off.
Lolo: O-oh, that! Nothing important... I just forgot my brooch!
Lolo then just laughed a little bit while walking for the door up to the northeast, as Klonoa just shrugged it off and followed her. Meanwhile Popka stood a bit still and eventually just facpalmed, pulling his face a bit from annoyance.
Popka: Ya already had it on though... Forgetful klutz...
Popka then ran up to the two of them as they all headed for the door that lead back outside and towards the Bell of Tranquility further up to the north.