Day 712 of search:
Finally, an expedition is being sent to Tiamaranta. All my training has been leading up to this moment.
I have scoured Atreia for Mother. I have even sent feelers into Elysea and Asmodae, with no success.
Tiamaranta is the only place left I have to search, and joining a Legion is the best way to get there.
The nightmares still persist--the visions of Mother being dragged away by the Drakan, screaming for help....
Finding her again, alive or dead, is worth any price I pay.
Day 718 of search:
I was rejected by the Zayedans, the Sandstorm Legion.... Basically every group I applied to.
They all told me the same thing: my combat abilities were judged insufficient for the tasks expected in Tiamaranta.
My best hope has been shattered. All those years in training.... wasted.
I suppose I shouldn't be surprised; I was never very strong or agile to begin with.
I only began training because I knew the Legions were the best way to find Mother.
Now that I've failed... What now?
Day 725 of search:
I've finally arrived in Tiamaranta. It is a dark, menacing place; the Legions were right to reject me.
I paid nearly all of my life savings to a Shugo trader to be smuggled in with her cargo.
She further told me (with a little more Kinah) that the Dragonbound can be found living in the southeast.
I've taken many risks to get to this point, but I only did what had to be done--and yet it's still not enough.
Day 731 of search:
I think I have a lead in my search for the Dragonbound.
They often use Manticores as pets and sentries. I found multiple Manticore tracks near the Steam Springs.
They seem to all lead in the same direction. Their village must be very near.
But the question remains: even if I find the village, what do I do then?
In all my research, I still haven't found a way to undo Dragonbound brainwashing, except one--and how could I kill my own mother?
Day 733 of search:
I came to Tiamaranta out of desperation. It was my last chance to find Mother, alive or dead.
I couldn't live with the nightmares, the guilt. No matter what, I had to at least see her again.
On my second day spying on Avad Village, I saw a female Cleric on patrol.
It was her. The years have etched more lines on her face, but there was no mistaking her. Mother....
Finally, I found you. Finally!
Day 734 of search:
I have made a decision: I am going to approach Mother and stand before her as her son.
The sight of me, the sight of her mirror.... Surely it must penetrate whatever cruel things the Balaur have done with her mind.
I believe her love for me, and mine for her, is stronger than evil.
But... if I'm wrong... then I don't regret that either. I prefer oblivion to life knowing that Mother serves the Dragon Lords.
I prefer oblivion if the alternative is an existence steeped in guilt and nightmares.
No matter what, it all ends today. I can only pray to Siel that it ends well.