Ahead of the Storm - Day 7

Cauldron, Six Months Ago

The Harbingers this, the Harbingers that... everywhere I go today, all I hear is The Harbingers, The Harbingers, The Harbingers...

Deep in my heart, it makes me wonder where the real heroes have gone.

In this hour of need, where were the Outsiders? Those brave warriors that I met long ago, and watched rise to power, saving our fair city of Cauldron.

Eadfrid is rarely seen around here anymore - off on constant missions to track down remaining Demodands. Yet I believe his powers could have been put to far better use fighting off the undead of the Age of Worms... is he not already immune to most of their powers?

And what of our mayor Scatterspells? He who I so idolized long ago, now has done little to fight off this new threat, up until now, at the very last minute. And it's not like he's done all that much to restore Cauldron, either. Every day, we see little improvement around the city, while his tower to Vecna and dark magic grows taller and taller. Even the half-orcs Vhalantru brought upon us still remain, as "protection"... yet I wonder who they are protecting, the citizens or the mayor's rule over us?

And then there is the one I now question myself most over - Xenogear. His Xenosaga Collection has become such a massive phenomenon that it has become the most popular chain of magic item stores in all major cities across the land. From Cauldron to Sasserine, to Greyhawk and Alhaster, you will find your local branch of the Xenosaga Collection to serve all your adventuring needs. Even I was run out of business by his growing monopoly, yet I didn't complain, and happily become his assistant manager - now running it all on my own while he is away.

But the question is, where has he gone? The rumors say he had a fight with Verodemocrium, and departed from this world as a result. People think that as his former assistant, I can confirm the rumors, but the truth is I know next to nothing myself. His only words were to take care of the business while he was away. Yet it has been months and months now, without word from him. I fear the loss of our beloved Xenogear, and can only imagine what things would have been like had he been here to fight the undead armies.

In the end, I guess we owe much to these Harbingers for what they have done for us all. Yet I fear that the same will happen to them as well...

When the next calamity strikes the land, will they be there to save us again?

Or will Elena be too self-absorbed in her reign as Queen to care about anyone else?

Will Soulerio be too bitter about being misunderstood and tricked, to bother trying again?

And will Pellegri, perhaps the truest hero I've ever heard mention of, want to be in the midst of bloodshed ever again?

For if they go the way of the Outsiders, and leave us to search for new heroes - I wonder if the day will come when there are none left in the world.

Until then, I can only wonder... Xenogear, where are you?