returned to town, and Huxley and Sara tend to Clive. Eleni finds Ash in a somber mood. Ash does not think he can continue, even though Clive is going to live. Eleni tells Ash that everyone, including himself and Clive, have been fighting for a better tomorrow. Eleni implores Ash to honor his father's memory by fighting the good fight. Eleni then throws Ash's own words (spoken to her grandfather Orosius) about responsibility back at him. Ash agrees, and pledges to continue the fight. Ash plays the tune on his ocarina, the same tune he played for Eleni when they first met 3 years before. It turns out the ocarina belonged to Aldor, and Ash just could not get rid of it. The party then heads off to Shumeria. Upon arriving at the capitol, they find it in chaos. Imperial soldiers are being slaughtered by monsters. An Imperial soldier tells Ash that Dolf took the Flames and holed up in the Holy Temple. Dolf spoke of a ritual that would destroy the rebel army. After that, monsters appeared and started attacking the soldiers. Ash wonders what could be going on at the Great Temple. Zohar postulates that a powerful negative force is using the Flames, and it created a vortex to a dark and evil dimension. Xeno shows up and confirms Zohar's hypothesis. Xeno wanted to rise above humanity, and Zohar needs to stop him. During the fight, Sara pledges herself to Amon, and Clint attempts to profess his love to Kira. But, Kira did not hear him, so Clint just tells her to "be careful." The party is successful in finally putting an end to Xeno and his lust for power. Afterwards, Zohar talks of Xeno and how he was a promising student once upon a time. The party then readies themselves for the fight against Dolf. Entering the Great Temple, Dolf extolls virtue on the party for making it that far. Ash asks how far Dolf wants to take his lust for death. Dolf exclaims that Ash misunderstands his intentions. Dolf does not want to be Emperor. He wants revenge for his father: Arris the Sage. Dolf explains that his father was a true patriot, and was used and thrown aside. As Ishtaria enjoyed prosperity, they all but forgot Arris's sacrifices. Zohar scoffs at Dolf for using the Flames for petty revenge. Dolf counters that unclean world can