Continuing their journey to recover Castti's lost memories, she and the Shining Hope Squadron have crossed the sea to the Eastern Continent and finally arrived in Winterbloom, hoping to uncover more of the past the Apothecary had lost.

"So this is Winterbloom. According to my treatment log, I've been here before. I have no memory of that visit, of course, and yet…I am at ease here." Castti said.

"I feel the same way, Castti. I rule over an Ice Kingdom, and being here in the Winterlands makes me feel at home." Frosta said.

"Speak for yourself, some of us don't like the cold as much as you." Catra said.

"Yeah, I'm freezing here!" Hagakure said.

"That's cause you almost never wear anything else." Mermista said, as a woman walked out of a nearby house and spotted Castti.

"Hmm? It can't be!" she said. "Castti! Castti, is that you?!"

The womans outburst caused a bit more of the townspeople to gather around.

"What's all this ruckus?" an elderly man asked.

"She's back! Miss Castti is back!" the woman said.

"Castti? No kidding!" another townsfolk said.

"Welcome back, dear. We were all hoping to see your face around here again."

"Excuse me, but…you recognize me?" Castti asked.

"Huh? What are you saying? How could I forget you after all you did to us?" the elderly woman who recognized her asked.

"Sorry about this ma'am, but you'll have to excuse her. Castti's lost all her memories." Gemini explained. "We sorta came to Winterbloom because we figured visiting here would help jog her memory."

"Well, we'd all be happy to talk your ears off if that helps!" a man said.

Castti then inquired all the townspeople aout what they knew, and information was abundant about her. Apparently, Castti had helped a lot of the citizens in Winterbloom, whether it would be ailing the sick and injured, or helping someone move past the passing of their loved one.

"Wow Castti, it's like you're a celebrity here." Kaibara said.

"I wouldn't go that far, but it seems I'm well respected." Castti replied.

"The locals all said the same thing, you helped them through a lot of tough stuff. But, it looks like you were really close with Winterblooms ruler, Rosa." Flamberge said. "Hey! I bet she could help you jog a few memories!"

"You're right Flamberge. Lets go see her at once." Castti agreed, and so the group headed northwest of town. They soon arrived at a large manor, and were easily welcomed inside, coming before the presence of a woman in a green gown, bedridden for some reason.

The woman coughed a bit before seeing her. "Ah, Castti… good to see y-" she suddenly was strained as the apothecary rushed to her bedside.

"Please, be at ease, Lady Rosa." Castti said.

"Just Rosa will do. No need for formality between old friends." Rosa said as Castti was silent. "...So it's true. You really don't remember."

"There's time for that later. You need medicine, I'll-" Castti started as she went into her bag.

"No need. I already have some. This is the medicine you prepared for me." Rosa said.

"So she's treated you before?" Sakura asked.

"Yes. Dozens of apothecaries saw me before Castti came. They all declared me incurable, a lost cause. But she was different. I owe my life to her fortitude and skill." Rosa said.

"Oh… I'm glad to hear I was able to help you." Castti said. "Would you allow me to examine you?" she asked as she examined Rosa. "The medicine appears to be slowing the disease's progress, but your entire body is showing signs of mild paralysis. At this rate…you won't last another month."

"I'm aware. Only a few grains of sand remain in my hourglass. Yet…I wish to live just a little longer…" Rosa said.

"Rosa…" Castti said as a little girl soon entered the room.

"Mother, I've brought your medicine." the little girl said before noticing Castti. "Castti?! It's me, Melia! It's been so long!" she said before approaching the other side of Rosa's bed and giving her the medicine. "I've gathered balm leaves from the herb garden every day, just like you told me." she told Castti.

"Garden? What garden?" Castti asked.

"The one you planted for us. For Mother." Melia answered.

"A garden… With the right herbs, I may be able to craft a special elixir for Rosa." Castti said. "Would you show us to this garden of yours?"

"It would be my pleasure. The garden is next to the house. I'll go ahead and unlock it." Melia said, leaving for the garden.

"Rest easy, Rosa. I'll be back soon." Castti said as she and the group left the room, greeted by one of Rosa's maids, Lily.

"Castti, how is Lady Rosa?" Lily asked.

"I won't mince words. She doesn't have long." Castti said. "Nevertheless, she's fighting with all her strength to hold on."

"Lady Rosa suffers for the sake of her family and her legacy. Melia is still a mere child of 11 years. In the laws of our land, she cannot inherit her mother's estate until she is twelve. If the lady perishes before her daughter comes of age, her lands and her title will pass to her next nearest kin." Lily explained.

"So, Rosa wants to hold on at least until her daughter is 12, so that she can pass on everything to her?" Bow asked.

"That's some dedication." Vashryon said.

"I'll do everything I can for her. I promise you. I'll see that Rosa's hopes do not crumble around her." Castti assured Lily.

Castti and the group soon reached the garden as they found Melia already inside.

"This garden is truly amazing, Melia. The plants here are well tended to." Perfuma said.

"Thanks. I've taken care of them every day, just like Castti taught me." Melia said.

"Mind if we take some cuttings so Castti can make a medicine for your mom?" Glimmer asked.

"Help yourselves!" Melia nodded.

The group did so, grabbing some essential ingredients like bloodberries, scalebark leaves and snowgrass. Castti was easily able to whip up some medicine from those ingredients, and Melia knew her mother didn't have enough time to live. She was eager to take up the family heritage and carry on in her mothers place, but she didn't like that she had to wait until she was 12.

On top of that, there was someone else who wanted to inherit Winterbloom from Rosa, an aristocrat named Greg. He eagerly encouraged Rosa's condition and wanted her to pass on as soon as possible, so he could change Winterbloom to his liking. Rosa didn't think anything bad of Greg, just that he was too hasty and presumptive.

After gathering the ingredients, Castti and the group returned to Rosa's room. After a brief encounter with Greg, they were able to administer Rosa her medicine and soothe her to sleep. Though not before Rosa was reminded of Castti. Just as that happened, Lily entered her room to request them.

"Is everything okay, Lily?" Glimmer asked.

"I found this out front…" Lily said, presenting a note.

"Apothecary, we have Melia. If you ever want to see her again, come to the Tavern in the Thieves' Quarter. Alone." Adora said. "Wait, someone kidnapped Melia? Are you sure?"

"I've searched the whole manor, and there's no sign of her anywhere." Lily said. "Oh dear, oh dear… What will I tell Lady Rosa?"

"Where is the tavern they spoke of in the letter?" Castti asked.

"It says Thieves' Quarter… is that place here in town?" Kendo asked.

"Yes, it's on the north side of town. But the Thieves' Quarter is too dangerous. People get robbed there!" Lily said. "You all can't mean to-"

"We do. We intend to rescue her." Castti said.

"No doubt this was a scheme cooked up by that slimeball Greg. We'll go and teach him some manners." Mermista said.

"Keep watch over Rosa, Lily. Don't worry about us, we can handle ourselves." Hope said.

The group headed to Theives Quarter and soon got inside the Tavern. Inside, they saw Melia unconscious on the floor.

"Melia!" Castti said as the group rushed toward her.

"Now now, not another step." a voice said as Greg appeared, behind him was a woman and two men.

"Greg. We figured you were behind this. What have you done to her?" Hope said.

"Oh, don't worry about her. I'm a pacifist at heart. I gave her a little something to put her to sleep." Greg said.

"What is your game that you do this to a little girl?" Aqua asked as she summoned Stormfall, but Hope put his hand up, signaling not to engage yet.

"Oh, that's easy. I want your apothecary friend to stop ministering to Rosa and get out of my town." Greg said.

"So it was all about the title deed to Winterbloom, huh?" Vashyron asked.

"What kind of family member pressures one of their own to hurry their own death? How can you be so cruel?" Xion asked.

"Don't judge me so harshly, I'm a visionary. I'm going to turn this backwater burg into a thriving metropolis, like Clockbank! But that fool Rosa is too stuck in the past to see the future. Eventually, I started thinking: I could do a better job than her. I could lead this town." Greg said.

"You would pressure her now when she's battling a mortal illness?" Castti asked.

"I-it's for her own good! She should give the town to me and retire so she can focus on recuperating! I've almost got her convinced, but you're going to ruin all my hard work! Don't make this harder than it needs to be. Leave, all of you, and I'll promise I'll send Melia home." Greg said.

"Ugh. Blah blah blah, could you shut up already?" the woman behind Greg asked. "Let's get to the point. You want these busybodies gone, right?" she asked before socking Greg in the stomach. "There's an easier way to make them disappear."

"H-hold on, what are you planning?" Greg asked.

"Depends on what they value more, their money, or their lives." the woman said, drawing twin cutlasses.

(Cue: In Pursuit of Memories ~ Critical Clash 2- Octopath Traveler 2)

"S-stop! I hired you to stand there and look menacing, nothing more!" Greg said.

"Geez, Rosa was right, you really are too hasty and presumptuous. You really think someone like her would do as you say the second you give them some money?" Catra asked.

"We'll deal with him later, Catra." Roxas said, turning to the banditess. "I'd suggest you and your friends walk away. You can see the odds aren't exactly favorable for you."

But Gregs hired gun wasnt indimidated at all. Undeteered, she keept her focus. "Mikk! Makk!" she called.

"Yeah, boss?" the two henchmen asked.

"Little Miss Tough girl and her friends here are on their way out of town. Show them the boot, and take their purses for the trouble!"

"Alright, you asked for it!" Lei K said as everyone got ready to fight.

"I'm coming, Melia!" Castti said.

Indomitable Thief and her Underlings

Plukk

Mikk and Makk got in front of their boss, taking point while she hid behind them.

"She's covering her blind spots by hiding behind her goons!" Frosta said.

"Not a problem. We'll just clear them out of the way so we can get our shots in on her." Catra said.

"Both of them are weak to arrows and Ice, it looks like." Entrapta siad.

"Shall we Frosta?" Bow asked.

"Like you needed to ask." Frosta smirked.

Bow first fired a volley of arrows which pelted Mikk and Mack with all sorts of trick mechanisms, like goo and bombs. Frosta then followed up with a big blast of ice, hitting them both and stunning them, exposing Plukk.

"Dammit! Well, if you want something done right…!" Plukk said charging in and engaging in combat with the group.

"Not very smart, attacking us all at once, are you?" Hope said.

"Shut up! You just got lucky with my boys, for all I know, you guys might be chumps like the guy who hired me!" Plukk said.

"Allow us to prove you wrong then." Aqua said as she easily parried Plukk's swords and sent her back with a Counter Blast, setting her up for Lei K to nail her in the face with a somersault kick, followed up by a flaming slash from Flamberge.

"What the…?! Who the hell are you guys? Wait… don't tell me you're in league with those freaks who took out Bergomi a couple of days ago!" Plukk said.

"Oh, so some people we know came through here before we did? Nice to know you've heard of them." Vashyron said.

"Grr… we're not dropping dead like he did!" Plukk said as she and her recovered henchmen grouped together and charged, focusing on Castti.

"Castti, look out!" Bow said, shooting an arrow that turned into a flashbang, blinding all three and allowing her to knock them back with a wide swing. "Nu, take em out!"

"Destruction!" Nu said, unleashing her Calamity Sword and knocking them all down with one blast of her sword, them down for the count.

Hope sighed, taking out his switchcomb and brushing his hair back. "Should've surrendered."

(end song)

Greg sniffed as he recovered. "This… this wasn't suppose to happen…"

"It's not our place to judge you for your crimes. Examine your deeds and your heart, and if you find them wanting, become a better person. Tell Rosa what happened here." Castti said. Greg sniffed in reply and nodded, as everyone saw Melia was coming to.

"Are you okay, Melia?" Hope asked.

"I am now. Thanks, everyone." Melia said.

"Let's go home, shall we? Your mother must be worried." Castti said.

With their deeds done, the group returned to the mansion and continued to watch over Rosa, making sure she made the most of whatever time she had left. But it wasn't long before her time was almost up. Rosa entrusted the future of Winterbloom to both Melia and Greg, the latter promising he would look after the town the right way. While saying their goodbyes, Castti's last inquiry of Rosa made her remember that the only thing Rosa wanted, was for her to be happy.

It was fortunate then, that she was able to live long enough to give Melia one last birthday gift when she came of age, a Brooch of Joy, before she finally breathed her last, and passed on.

It was later after that, that Castti and the Shining Hope Squad met with Melia in the garden.

"Everyone…! Do you all really have to go so soon? I..I wanted to thank you all for everything you did for my mother. I promise you I'll continue to tend to the garden. Those herbs will be used to heal all who need them." Melia said.

Castti chuckled. "I know you'll be a kind and just leader, Melia."

"Oh, I almost forgot to ask. How is Mr. Trousseau?" Melia asked

"Trousseau?" Castti parrotted.

"He was such a nice man. It'd be lovely to see him again." Melia said as Castti was silent in thought. "Oh, don't tell me you forgot all about him, too?"

"I never heard that name before. I wonder who he could be?" Castti asked before inquiring Melia as she soon had another flashback.

She remembered visiting Rosa's mansion once before, with Malaya even. They met a young man known as Trousseau who was just learning the healing arts.

"I remember now…" Castti said as she and the group were outside the manor. "'To extend a helping hand to all those in need.' That was our creed. The driving purpose of Eir's Apothecaries. It was in this town I met that young man named Trousseau, but…just who was he?"

"We don't have all the facts yet, but at least now we've been able to jog loose your memories from Sai and here in Winterbloom." Hope said.

"Yeah, but now the trails gone cold. Where are we supposed to go now?" Bow asked.

"I…think I do remember something. A…a small village and…purple rain." Castti said. "I don't think it's that far from here actually."

"Do you know the name of this village? Where is it?" Ichiro asked.

"Healeaks… yes, it's named Healeaks, and it's on the road leading between the Winter and Brightlands. In fact, I think we actually walked past it on the way here." Castti said.

"Well if it's that close, we don't have to go that far to complete the puzzle." Kaibara said.

"So lets get going right now. We'll get to Healakes, and finally figure out what happened to make you lose all your memories, Castti. Then we'll figure out if we need to stop anything related to this rain." Hope said.

"Yes. let's get going." Castti nodded.

With that, the group quickly got moving to get to their next destination, Healeaks, which isn't too far away from where they were now. Castti was close to rediscovering all of who she was… she could feel it.