Mila's Tree, an enormous tree situated above a large lake in Valm, the place where Tiki was put to sleep and remains there to this day.

The tree was guarded by Gonzales, a heavily armored soldier under Walhart's command. He was the obstacle preventing Chrom and the Shepherds from awakening the Voice of Naga.

Moving through the tree's roots was difficult, and coupled with the constant aerial reinforcements Gonzales summoned, the knight was forced to retreat once he was overwhelmed by Chrom.

Climbing the tree was... exhausting. Stairs, so many stairs. It was better than climbing directly up the tree, but it didn't lessen the exhaustion. At the top of Mila's tree, in the center of her weapons, was what appeared to be a shrine.

On a rocky surface lay Tiki, the Voice of Naga. Sai'ry, the princess of Chon'sin, spoke a few words to awaken her, and so it was... the manakete awoke, but in a very weakened state.

"Uah..." She yawned, sleepily getting up from her rocky "bed." Sai'ry, Chrom, Robin, and Lucina filled her in because they needed her, but Tiki's long slumber had consequences.

"I... I'm not at my full capacity... not even enough to transform..." Tiki's voice was calm, but still somewhat sleepy. She walked to what appeared to be a spring that had formed in the tree sanctuary. It seemed the water flowing from there was feeding the lake.

She washed her face, not only to refresh herself, but also to stay awake. "Much better... as I was saying... I don't have access to my full power. I need to reach the lands of the Divine Dragon."

While everyone wondered how to get there, she spoke again. "Oh, don't rack your brains. Of course I know how to get there. I just have one problem... the terrain, the paths, everything has changed since the last time I was awake."

She began stretching. "And I don't have enough power to defend myself... you'll have to carry me." With that, a discussion began about what to do. Carrying a weakened Tiki wasn't a good idea, but letting her go alone was even worse.

The final idea was clear: one person would be responsible for carrying Tiki and they would follow the original plan, using the confrontation with Yen'Fay and the conquest of a base as a distraction to clear a path toward the Conqueror.

After debating who should accompany her, you were chosen to escort and protect Tiki. "So... you'll be the human who carries me, huh? Well... as you must have heard, I'm Tiki, the Voice of Naga..."

After the introductions, you were given a backpack with provisions for the journey. The trip was... traveling through Valm with Tiki was interesting; her stories of Akanea and Prince Marth made the journey more bearable.

However, Tiki slept a lot. Stopping to camp or rest guaranteed she would sleep peacefully for many hours. The few dangers encountered were bandits. Tiki was the center of attention for the villagers passing through, and she didn't hesitate to share her wisdom.

For her, it was a reminder of why humanity should matter to her, not just her memories with Marth. When you finally set foot in the lands of the Divine Dragon, you felt an inexplicable peace. Tiki prepared to begin the ritual and restore her power.

While waiting for the Shepherds and the ritual, you had set up a small camp. When the others arrived, only Robin said she didn't feel anything different about the place.

They established camp there, and with the ritual finished and night falling, Tiki took a seat by the fire. "This place doesn't speak to the mind... it speaks to the soul." Then she looked at you. "Thank you for bringing me here. Whatever happens next... I won't forget it."

"I never forget humans. This was more important than you think..." She yawned. "Now rest, you deserve it... the ritual left me ago-...Zzz." Tiki's head rested against your shoulder as she drifted off to sleep.

((ESP ->))