DQXIS Side Story: Knowing Time Betrays

Rab's Side Story is going to take us... places. Although you might find that the Kingdom isn't exactly famous for dreams.

Well, for starters, Rab's been conked out. Somehow.

I'm not sure what kind of amnesia this is, but the only thing Rab doesn't really remember is how he got here and why. Everything leading up to that seems perfectly fine- although following up Erik's loss of memory with this is certainly entertaining.

Only Rab would wake up in the whereever and find a bunnygirl waiting for him.

He has to actually check, for some reason.

He doesn't name a name, but I imagine the idea is that this is one model in particular he's seeing to be so particularly flabbergasted.

I... don't think Rab's got any other options.

...Really going there, aren't we?

At this point, we just have to run after the one person nearby and...

DQXIS Side Story: Dragon Slasher

Erik's side story is going to take on an entirely new flavour! Surprisingly, the "new acquaintance" isn't going to factor heavily there, although it will in part.

Erik has woken up... somewhere. He's as clued in as we are.

He reasons that if he made it, everyone else did too. He has experience with this, thanks to Erdward jumping off a cliff in the opening. Although in that case, everyone turned up in the same spot.

In this case, that is not what happened,  and without a clear answer on what the difference is, Erik can't draw any conclusions. And he's certainly not going to be getting any more evidence in his current predicament.

Oh great. Even better.

...

WHERE DID YOU COME FROM!?

Alternatively, that.

Since this Slime is voiced, those slurping noises come voiced too.

This is a healslime, and healslimes have the instinct to heal.

And heal Erik he shall!

DQXIS Side Story: The Jinxed Job

After the very sedentary Sylvando Side Story, a nice way to get the energy of the story back up would be to bring in the tough (and popular) Jade for a little violence.

Unlike Sylvando, who was found wandering around in Act 2 (and thus could've had his Side Story anywhere), Jade must end her Side Story in Octagonia.

Well then... that's very concerning.

Perhaps we need to help out the people who have to live with this mess.

And... well, there's no analysis on how bad that is for the overall health of humanity? I guess there's not much to hope for, but still.

Jade knows the one thing Erdward does is help people. And by carrying that burden, she hopes she can get reunited.

If nothing else, at least she's doing the thing Erdward would do.

DQXIS Side Story: The Entertainer

Welcome to Gallopolis! ...It doesn't sound like it's the place to hang around.

Dave: Crikey! I thought Gondolia 'ad it bad, but this place actually seems to 'ave even less life about it! Well, no use whingin' about it- we've got a job to do! This is where that fella told you to come lookin' for new performers for the circus, ain't it? Come on, let's get crackin'! There's bound to be someone around 'ere 'oo still remembers 'ow to raise a smile!
Leader of the Beastly Boys: My parents took me to the circus once, when I was a little boy. I remember me and my pals trying to copy the moves for hours afterwards. It's a real shame they're calling it a day, but at least we're helping them go out with a bang!
Vice-Leader of the Beastly Boys: I'd be more than happy to join the circus if I had any kind of talent, but I don't know a whole lot beyond hoisting mainsails and weighing anchors. I'm sorry. I wish I could be more helpful, but there's bound to be some talented performers around here who'd be more than happy to step in and save the day!
Beastly Boy in Training: Whoa...! This is my first time in Gallopolis, and it's even bigger and more bustling than I expected! It's just a shame everyone looks so miserable, but I suppose it's the same everywhere nowadays...
Priest: The priest who works at the church in Gallopolis is vastly experienced and highly respected. I have the utmost admiration for him. I've always wanted to have the chance to meet him in person, so I'm very glad our journey has led us here.
Callabero: Muchas gracias, Señor Sylvando. If you had not stepped in when you did, that mother and daughter would have been done for. We talk a lot about the way of the caballero in Puerto Valor, but displays of true chivalry are few and far between. Por favor, Señor Sylvando... Teach me everything you know! Teach me to be a chivalrous caballero just like you!

The circus shutting down is kinda causing a bit of a death loop. People are too depressed to go to the circus and keep it in business, the circus shutting down is making people depressed...

..."Short-tempered guards"? As if this situation needed to get any worse.

In front of the church, we can bump into a drummer trying to make a lady smile again. Or rather, brainstorming effective methods.

He's actually one of the people we need to get the circus back up.

With any luck, we should be able to help him figure out the exact trick he needs to pull of to get her feeling better.

And he's happy to accept that exchange.

DQXIS Side Story: The Great Long March

We start our journey into the Side Stories, where else, but In Search Of Hope.

Cause there certainly ain't much of it here.

We'll be looking at the world through Sylvando's eyes today.

...Once he's figured out where that is.

At least he finagled his way to safety. How everyone got clear of Yggdrasil is satisfactorily explained later, but not necessarily where they turned up once they did. A lot of characters turn up in medias res, with no explanation as to how they got into the situation they ended up in.

Sylvando, at least, wound up in control of the Salty Stallion.