The tensions between the Galka and the Humes was at an all time high. While the Hume senate and president simply saw the Galka uproar as nothing to worry about, it had slowly begun to enter a state of pre-rebellion. All of this was sparked by the apparent return of the Talekeeper. President Karst dispatched the Mythril Musketeers under the leadership of the Bastokan hero, and nephew of Ulirch, Volker to watch over the situation. But there were other factors to account for.

Cid and Karst's own daughter Cornelia did not see the Galka as simply animals to be used for labor. Cornelia, named after the same Cornelia from the northlands mission, seemed to have many of the same characteristics of the latter. Also within the Mythril Musketeers; Iron Eater, Ayame, and Naji all sought to outdo each other to be the next leader. Burdened with the task of sorting all of this out was the presidents aide, Lucius.

On Ore Street in the Mines District the Galkan boy Povall is deemed the new talekeeper by several Galka.

At first they find it hard to believe, but soon the hope that their leader has returned eventually takes control. However, Iron Eater arranges an expedition to the Altepa Desert to discover if the boys claims are true.

There they manage to find a moon pebble, the one which should have been in the hands of the Talekeeper, which all talekeepers must have. Returning to Bastok it quickly becomes clear that the return of the Talekeeper is a lie. The hopes of the Galka are dashed as the little Galka Povall under pressure and fear of death like all the previous Talekeepers flees for his life. Gabbot the elder Galka is forced from the town by Iron Eater for lying to his own people. The only one with any hope left seems to be the little Galka Gumbah, friend of Zeid.

At this time, Bastok and Norg begin to discuss the possibility of trade. Ayame is sent to offer trade routes to the pirates there, possibly making them REAL businessmen.

There she is confronted with her past as a Samurai and her oath to Gilgamesh as one of his warriors. But, it becomes clear to him that she is happy at her new post and the two agree it is best she stay there.

Seeing her return to Bastok with a new sense of duty, Naji is pleased to see her. Perhaps he has feelings for her, more than just that of two officers?

Meanwhile Cid is visited by the president's daughter Cornelia, she recently has a conversation with the Galka child Gumbah.

Apparently he, saddened by his long time friend Werei leaving has asked that someone be sent to find him. He had set off on his journey of rebirth, one that all galka must take. Cornelia turned him down however, fearing that she alone could not convince her father to do such a thing. Cix questions her reasons why she would fear such a thing and gives her a lecture about her father's past and how just because the Galka are looked down on by many humes that she shouldn't try to help them. With luck, and alittle pressure from Iron Eater, President Karst agrees and sends a small group to locate Werei in the hopes it will give the growing galka talk of rebellion in the mines sector a reason to settle down. They discover a letter of an adventurer named Hani, which is for Gumbah.

The letter is a sad goodbye from Werei which says that Gumbah is the new talekeeper, and although he must bear this burden he should always be himself before being the talekeeper. He gives Gumbah one final wish that they will meet again when he is reborn. Meanwhile a letter is received by Iron Eater from Zeid to Volker. It offers that the time has come for the Galka to "unlock the past", which prompts Volker to send a group into Altepa to discover what Zeid is up to.

In Altepa, Zeid directs a group to a mural on the walls of the old Galka city that depicts the last days of the Galka on the island.

It also tells two more tales. The first is that of the journey of rebirth. When a galka reaches the right age, it sets out on a journey to find a high mountain or a place of solitude where it will live out it's last days. There a bright light envelopes in and the is reborn. However, Zeid continues, no one has ever seen such a thing. Those who leave never come back and around a year later a young galka wanders back into the village/town. It is assumed this is the galka who was reborn, but the galka holds no memories of it's past life. All but one that is, the talekeeper. The talekeeper is the only truly reborn galka, which carries the memories of all the past galka, though not for all time like many think. The talekeeper only carries the past 200 years, which is easier than all of galka time, but still a burden. It is in this that most talekeepers meet their fate. No talekeeper has ever lived long enough to be reborn, which is brings up other questions about the journey of rebirth. With that Zeid says that the talekeeper is amongst them and that they should tell Iron Eater this. Back in town Iron Eater is shocked to hear such things, especially after the early fake talekeeper.

Meanwhile an expedition is sent into Kuftal Tunnel to search for any whereabouts of Werei.

A small piece of wood is found with a final note from Werei offering the galka need to learn to embrace their life and future and not look back to the past. Back in Bastok, the unrest of the worker galka has boiled over and now they demand entrance into their homeland through the tunnels in Bastok which were sealed off. Though they are told it's for their own protection they refuse to believe. Finally Gumbah steps forward and calms the crowd.

It is at this time he reveals he is the new talekeeper. Although shocking the crowd at first, it is soon clear he is the real thing. Finally the talekeeper has returned.

Taking it upon himself Gumbah decides to prove to both the Galka and the Humes that he is the real thing and wants to help both races. With the help of the president, Gumbah begins to see the corruption amongst the senators. Going along with the plans, he discovers Sen. Alois has been embezzling funds from the government.

The senator is booted from office in shame, and President Karst recognizes Gumbah as the representative of the Galka. Finally able to mke atrip to find his friend, Gumbah discovers that Werei is indeed reborn, but sadly has no memory of Gumbah.

Saddened it matters little to Gumbah as his friend has returned. Back in Bastok it seems everything is becoming peaceful once again. However, appearances can be deceiving.

Soon there after a letter arrives from Zeid via a captured musketeer explaining what happened to Raogrimm and the involvement of Volker's uncle. Shamed by the actions of his family Volker is asked to step down as leader of the musketeers. Angered, Volker tracks Zeid down to the ruins of the throne room in Castle Zvhal.

Here, at the site of two injustices, the battle between these two warriors would begin. It is discovered that these two men have more in common than just Raogrimm. It was actually Zeid, at the time named Warcloud, who had defeated the Shadow Lord the first time. Volker had taken credit, and Zeid had held it against him ever since. Battling each other in the throne room, the manifestation of the ruins of their past, the two dueled to a standstill.

Stopping the battle, the two finally agreed to let their past go. The fighting wouldn't solve anything and both agreed what was done, was done. Forgiving each other the two agreed that while done for the day, perhaps someday in the future they would meet again.

and finish the battle they started.

Returning to Bastok Volker finds that all is forgiven and that the actions of his uncle should not be reflected upon him.

Finally peace had returned to the republic and the Galka and Humes could live together in harmony.. as much as possible that is.