There will be a large forest in the game that acts as a sort of dungeon. This forest will probably be infamous in this game for being hard to get through if you don't grind levels first. Within this forest will be a rumor of a guardian that watches over it.
Manari is that guardian. She will encounter the party early on in the game and join until the party reaches the end of that part of the story. As soon as Manari guides them to the exit, she will leave, saying her place is here and she won't abandon her home.
Later in the game near the 2nd half, you can choose to backtrack and visit the forest again, if you do so, you will find it being attacked by something. Possibly the forces of the main villain, or possibly some kind of ancient recently unsealed demon or dragon. When you travel through the forest again, the monsters are all much much more powerful and it will be difficult. Upon reaching the boss of the forest, the party will encounter Manari again, caught in the battle of her life against this optional hard boss. If you fight and defeat this boss she will swear vengeance on the big bad and join your party permanently as she travels with you to make sure her forest doesn't get attacked again.
Manari is that guardian. She will encounter the party early on in the game and join until the party reaches the end of that part of the story. As soon as Manari guides them to the exit, she will leave, saying her place is here and she won't abandon her home.
Later in the game near the 2nd half, you can choose to backtrack and visit the forest again, if you do so, you will find it being attacked by something. Possibly the forces of the main villain, or possibly some kind of ancient recently unsealed demon or dragon. When you travel through the forest again, the monsters are all much much more powerful and it will be difficult. Upon reaching the boss of the forest, the party will encounter Manari again, caught in the battle of her life against this optional hard boss. If you fight and defeat this boss she will swear vengeance on the big bad and join your party permanently as she travels with you to make sure her forest doesn't get attacked again.
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