The magnificence of Protea is mostly seen in its extensive size. Unfortunately, because of the war, there is a dwindling population of Proteans left. All have taken refuge in the main chasm which lies very deep beneath the surface. [TODO: Lots of intriguing: methods of/things to do during, descent]

Upon entering the main chasm, the group is met with a spectacular view of Protea, as well as a loud host of bands, choirs, and entertainers. The festival seems a bit out of place, having observed many ruins only minutes before, but the people are nonetheless absorbed in celebration: the princess has returned!

• Rush takes the opportunity to formally introduce himself to the officials, including Brooke's father. The Proteans are somewhat wary of Rush, having been both helped and attacked by Protectors before. They are still hospitable.

• Brooke is pretty much lost to the crowd and the chaos of the party. The reveling goes on into the night.

• During this time, Ko is left to wander, and he really doesn't feel much like partying. He finally finds a relatively secluded spot near a garden of the palace.

  • i. Tyrus happens to pass and sees Ko. He asks the boy why he is so gloomy. Ko fires back his own question: why is everyone so happy? There isn't really all that much to be joyful about. Tyrus considers this and a conversation ensues, and Ko is abnormally talkative. The two create a bit of a dialogue when Tyrus tries to sympathize with Ko; Tyrus' brother was killed during an ambush on an Antarean camp. He explains that there's no reason to be sad; his brother died for the glory of Protea. Ko says nothing to that.

• The celebration finally winds down and Ko and Rush are offered a room to rest in the palace.

Ko awakes the next day and has some time on his hands. -room for development-

Ko listens in as Brooke's father holds an important meeting in the main hall of the palace. He begins detailing Brooke's first adult task as a Protean. Rush, also present, is a bit bemused to find that in Protea, it's usually the females who do the fighting out and about, while the males stay to guard and coordinate.

• Brooke's mission is to investigate the Northern Ore Eumonite Chamber. Power from that chamber was cut off shortly before Brooke arrived, and no practical explanations could be found. (*Since the abatement of the war, there are very few of these chambers in existence, perhaps two or three. They contain the magic ore eumonite that Kydran has been mining, but in much higher quantity and of much higher potency. The high energy of this ore eumonite is required to cast deep-level spells perform deep-level techniques, such as Resurrection.) It has been kept as secret as possible; only the king, the Head Gatekeeper (Tyrus), and a few others know of it.

• As the meeting is dismissed, Rush asks the king if he can accompany Brooke on her new mission. The king says absolutely not: this is an internal Protean matter and they have no need for any outsiders to get into the mix. Besides, the princess will be taking Protea's best escort troupe along with her. Feeling a bit snubbed, Rush tells Ko to come with him and heads off to leave the kingdom.

• The two cross through the exit gate and begin their ascent. In only a few moments, Rush realizes that he just walked through a Protean gate. He shouldn't normally be able to do that, since all the gates usually remain closed unless someone has asked to pass through. Looking upward, they see a black cloud of wings and claws swooping down the tunnel toward them. They hastily go to warn the Proteans, but as Rush and Ko approach the palace, it is too late. Antareans begin pouring into the chamber.

• The king orders everyone to evacuate to a separate connecting chamber while his puny army of remaining soldiers buys them some time. Rush feels quite strongly that the notion to run away in this situation is insane. He finds out that Brooke has already departed the palace via a small auxiliary tunnel, and is on her way out of the kingdom.

• All the while battling through Antareans, Ko and Rush make it to the auxiliary tunnel where a few last groups of Proteans are escaping. They close the gate on the two, and they are faced with an angry trio of Antareans that has caught up with them (boss fight).

• Luckily, seemingly from out of nowhere, Tyrus appears and lets them through the gate. The three escape down the auxiliary tunnel to find Brooke and her task force.

Further down, they come upon a vehicle stuck in the tunnel and realize it is Brooke's party. The remaining two Proteans with her are getting beat up quite a bit by a mob of Antareans, but Ko, Rush, and Tyrus jump in and save Brooke before she too is knocked out.

• Brooke alternates between being thankful and being angry. Though somewhat happy to see Ko is at least being a sport about it, she doesn't want any more help on her mission. Rush points out that they can't go back, and her escorts have been pretty well disposed of by the Antarean attack. Tyrus agrees; they can't rejoin the main group of Proteans, so their only use now is to go ahead with the mission to the ore eumonite chamber. Reluctantly, the party of four heads on to investigate the energy cutout.