January 21, 2024

Hook

Sins of the Father IV (Raikougan, Cahyali)

Plot Synopsis

Sochi is exhausted, so the group decides to kick back and spend a few days in the town so she can recover her DU. During this time, they chat with the spirits and find out more about the past of Ryushu, including that Noboru was responsible for the downfall of the Raidens when he took over and launched a paranoid witch hunt against anyone with possible connections to the Blood Hawks. Hanabi was the victim of one of these hunts, and died by the hand of her own family when she transformed in the Kasai blood curse to defend herself, and was unable to turn back.

In the night, Ji keeps sneaking away into the forest, led by a wisp of light. She finds her mentor there - who she now knows is Noboru - and trains. He manipulates her, telling her thinly veiled lies to get her to agree with him. Eventually, the group talks to Asahi and secures his help, letting him know that Naoki is the reincarnation of Akari and their only hope to deal with Noboru is to confront him head-on. They go out to the gate, where they are met with resistance until Ji hears Noboru's voice commanding her to "bring him what's his". She grabs the heirloom sword and sprints toward the gate, where she meets him.

The party follows, interrupting any part of the resurrection ritual beginning, and Ji realizes that she was being used. Noboru taunts the party, insulting Kentaro's Ley'Orkian blood and Rilo's cursed state. Finally, when he says that Toyeto deserved its destruction at the hands of the Blood Hawks, Rilo fires on him. He parries the shot and sends the bullet whizzing back, severly injuring Rilo. It's now that he challenges Raiden to a duel, calling him Akari. Raiden replies that he is himself, but he has no qualms with beating the shit out of him. They duel in a domain under Noboru's power, and Raiden eventually beats him down.

It's then that the rest of the party rushes in. Mid-fight, Rilo is killed, but is brought back by a successful DI. Ji deals the final blow, and the group returns to the gate. Chihiro expresses a desire to return to Cahyali with the prayer beads, and the group decides that it's better used now on her than to keep from using it and risk someone unsavory coming back. Chihiro is resurrected, and the group exits back to Cahyali. Sochi sits down in the midst of Toyeto, and performs a ritual to allow every spirit in the town to finally pass on.

After freeing Toyeto, Kentaro zips over to Sakai to retrieve Michi, and they return to Youtai together. The rest of the party also charters a wagon and returns. They meet up with Chihiro, who has returned to the Raiden household, and wind down the night in Youtai before going their separate ways.

Noteworthy Postgame Events