Skyward Voyage

Ahoy there, young stranger.

Feel the briny wind from the sea? A perfect day for a voyage with the calm waves, eh?

See, that's my Gondola over there. As long as she's with me, there is no place in Rinascita we can't reach.

Ah, where are my manners? Name's Davide, Captain Davide, or... boatman perhaps. Doesn't matter which to me.

I'm retiring anyway.

You've got that right. I can still run a full trip to Septimont, singing shanties and puffing on my pipe the whole way.

No storm's ever bested me and my Gondola, and none will.

But every tale needs a proper ending. I reckon it's time for my last grand voyage.

Nah, it's alright. All I want is one last sail to somewhere I've never been to, before I settle down for good in the city.

I've crossed Nimbus Sanctum, seen Lorelei dancing among the stars, and ventured to forbidden lands, through reefs sharp as daggers.

From the dread lurking in the abyss to the beauty of fantasy islands, I've seen more than enough.

There's only one place left in all of Rinascita that I haven't conquered—the sky.

Aye! Now you probably think I've got a few bolts loose, eh? Older and crazier than the lot on Pilgrim's Sails.

But this is no joke. There were nights I dreamed of my Gondola and I gliding on the wind.

We would pass the rainbow bridge and see birds flashing beneath the boat like fish in a coral reef. Imagine that—a voyage like no other.

I've got faith in her. All she needs is the right push, and she'll take me up there.

I know what I'm talking about. In fact, we did come close one time.

We were out at sea when we got caught in a... what do they call it? Tornado? Felt like a giant hand grabbed us and flung us into the air.

Ah, no need to worry. That was just a starter compared to the worst I've seen. Now, you seem like a kind soul. Think you can help me find something as powerful as that tornado?

Naturally, there's something in it for you. Whatever treasure I find on this journey is yours.

They say, "At the end of the rainbow lies gold." The same goes for the clouds. In Rinascita, there's a tale of a ruin from the Dark Tide, said to be filled with treasure.

But for me, steering my Gondola toward treasures lost to time is worth more than any treasure itself.

So, what do you say? Not a bad offer, eh?

Let me think... I remember, in Ragunna, there's a TD built like a giant stuffed toy but packed with raw strength.

If we can turn it into an Echo, it should be strong enough to launch us into the sky. Then I'll just leave the rest to my Gondola—I trust her.

Ah-ha! That's the Echo! Thank you, young one!

Ahem... though I do have one more favor to ask.

I'd like to share with you this moment of thrill as I break free from the earth and reach for the sky.

Would you do me the honor of witnessing my voyage?

Excellent! Now, eyes on me!

Ah-ha! That's the Echo! Thank you, young one!

Ahem... though I do have one more favor to ask.

I'd like to share with you this moment of thrill as I break free from the earth and reach for the sky.

Would you do me the honor of witnessing my voyage?

Excellent! Now, eyes on me!

Time to set sail!

Give it all you've got, big fella!

Ugh... guess my old bones weren't ready for that.

*Coughs*... Oh, it's you. Gave you a bit of a laugh, did I?

But for me and my Gondola here, this is nothing at all. Right, partner?

*A confident whistle*

If you'd seen us take on the raging seas, you'd know this is smooth sailing.

We've ridden down waves taller than mountains without a scratch. This drop's barely worth mentioning.

It clearly didn't go as planned. What's holding us back?

Maybe Gondolas aren't built for flight, eh? Even with a boost, all we'd get is a short glide.

Alright, alright, I may have put too much faith in my old partner. She's always been unstoppable in my memory.

Hard to believe there are things she can't do...

*A protesting whistle*

Easy there, partner. I'm not griping. Just saying we need a new plan.

In my younger days, I saw flying balloons at the Carnevale that could lift a single person up into the air.

But I can't just leave my boat behind. What kind of captain would I be without her?

Still, it's not a bad starting point. Now, what could we use instead of a balloon?

Let me see... Ah, yes. There's a flying TD in Penitent's End called Fae Ignis.

If we turn them into Echoes and load them aboard, there's a fair chance they'll give us the lift we need.

So, mind making one more trip for this old man?

Thank you, young one.

Aye, that's the one!

Thank you. I'll be ready in a minute!

I'll take that blessing!

Brace yourself—you're about to see us conquer the sky!

We've got it this time...

Hold on... these Fae Ignis are acting strange.

Well, it's good to see you again, my friend.

*Coughs*... No need to worry. Just a minor setback, nothing I can't handle.

Rough landing aside, I'd say things went fairly well.

At least my partner and I managed to fly, though it was not the voyage I had in mind.

Maybe I'm just getting old, old enough to forget Fae Ignis can go off like firecrackers...

For sure! Even if I wanted to quit, my partner would never allow it.

*A supportive whistle*

Hah! That's right, partner! We'll be above the clouds!

Could you do me one more favor, my friend? I swear this will be the last one.

I believe we are on the right track. Echoes can make a Gondola fly, but only the right ones can make a Gondola soar.

If, just if, we could get our hands on a calm flying Echo like a Wingray...

Come to think of it, there used to be Wingrays here, but they've all vanished recently.

Could it be… those masked fellas in red uniforms?

Ah yes, the Fractsidus! They've got a camp around here. Haven't been there, but I've spotted them firing at the sky.

Are they… poaching the Wingrays? By the Sentinel, those transgressors will answer for this!

Would you mind heading over to take a look? If they've taken the Wingrays, please save them.

A Wingray! Thank you, my friend.

So, you taught those poachers a lesson, eh? The Sentinel will smile upon that.

Now let's see if it would give me and my partner a ride to the sky.

I can feel the wind beckoning us from afar... urging us to start our voyage.

Thank you for everything. Now, I hope you'll stay to witness the moment we take flight!

Off we go, partner!

*A spirited whistle*

It worked! We're flying! Keep it steady, partner! Take us to the clouds!

See that, my friend? We made it! Want to join us for a view of the heavens?

Wait… how do I control this thing… no, no, how do I stop it?

N-no matter! This is my last voyage! Onward! Nothing can stop me now!

The Fractsidus has locked up the Wingrays.

These doors look flimsy. Perhaps a heavy blow may break them down.

The gate's open.

Let's bring this Wingray to Captain Davide.

So we meet again, my friend.

Me? Couldn't be better. The view above the clouds was exactly like what I dreamed.

For a final voyage, it was everything I ever wanted, and deeply satisfying.

Allow me to thank you once more. My dream has finally come true.

Oh, don't remind me. That Wingray had a mind of its own—it wouldn't change course or land.

Eventually, hunger got the better of me, so I jumped into the sea, watching my partner and the Wingrays fade into the horizon...

That's alright. She seemed happy as could be. My partner loved the thrill of adventure as much as I do—we're two of a kind.

She'll continue that grand, mysterious voyage, and I'm sure she'd find plenty of joy along the way.

And, well, I did manage to find a little surprise.

It's that chest over there. I stumbled upon a floating platform in the clouds, and it was sitting right on top. No idea who left it there.

Anyway, as we agreed, everything in it is yours.

Me? I'll go back to Ragunna and live the quiet life of a retired captain, telling my tales to anyone who'll listen.

A captain who flew his Gondola to the sky… Well, who'd believe that?

Farewell, my friend. May the Sentinel always bless you.