<aside> ❗ This document is a mix of concrete story details and speculation, but I did my best to distinguish between the two.
It also contains transcripts and story details from the following:
Each section is labeled accordingly, so you can skip anything you don’t want spoiled.
</aside>
If you’re already familiar with the main Astral Duo event story, feel free to skip this section. It provides transcripts from the event as they’re relevant to Zaro & Quincy’s backstory. If you’d like to read the full story, you can find it here.
Our first (clear) introduction to Zaro is in the Astral Duo event story. Eiden dives into Moon Slate Lake and finds himself displaced back in time, near one of the villages in the forest.
Eiden sees a younger and generally much happier Quincy, shown in the outfit used for his R card (minus Topper and the dark circles beneath his eyes).
And, although Zaro doesn’t have any official art, this is the first time we see him speak.
Quincy in his pre-trauma era
Zaro Ah, Quincy! You're back!
Quincy? I've brought the rope, plus a little buddy I ran into on the way.
Innocent Child Dad!
Laboring Villager Have you been pestering Quincy again? He's very busy, you know!
Quincy? It's no trouble. He's a good kid.
Laboring Villager You go far too easy on him. You're a mighty warrior of the tribe, not a childminder. You don't have to play with him so much.
Innocent Child Quincy said it was alright!
Zaro That's Uncle Quincy to you!
Quincy? Hey, that makes me sound so old. Does he have to?
Zaro Don't tell me you'd rather him call you big brother.
Innocent Child Big Brother Quincy~
Quincy? Hahaha, not bad, not bad.
Eiden eventually runs into the present version of Quincy, but since Quincy is a bit distracted by his essence levels going haywire, Eiden can’t ask too many questions. Quincy is quick to avoid Zaro and his past self.
Eiden Why are we hiding?
Quincy ...We've arrived in a different time period. It'll be troublesome if we're seen by people from the past. Don't make a sound.
Eiden (A different time period!? People from the past!? So that Quincy from before was—)
Zaro Strange, I could swear I heard the cry of a wild animal from over here, but there's no trace of the thing.
Quincy? I'd say that's for the best. Most animals are harder than usual to deal with at the moment. I'd rather we didn't run into any.
Zaro How about you? Elder said those possessing strong essence would be affected too, right?
Quincy? My essence has weakened a little, but don't worry... I can still fight.
It’s clear from (past) Quincy and Zaro’s interactions, as Eiden observes, that they’re close friends. It seems they’re working together to protect their village during the double eclipse.
Zaro also thinks highly of Quincy and his strength.
Zaro sigh... I was hoping to use this chance to do a little sparring with you.
Quincy? We better leave that for the tribal tournaments. Come to think of it, you didn't beat me at all last year, right?
Zaro Heh, look at you getting all cocky. I suppose I can't blame you. You are the tribe's strongest warrior, after all!
Quincy? I'm not the strongest. You'll have to come up with a more suitable title for me.
Zaro You're the strongest in my eyes! That's good enough for me. But seriously, the tribe's lucky to have you watching over us.
Quincy? You're exaggerating... Come on, we've finished checking the area. Everyone's probably waiting for us to start dinner.
Once the coast is clear, (present) Quincy doesn’t have much to say on the matter.
Eiden So that was you from the past... and your friend?
Quincy Yes.
His reply as succinct as always, Eiden senses no trace of emotion in the forest guardian's expression. All that follows are the sounds of chirping crickets and falling leaves, like whispers revealing long-kept secrets…
Eiden Say... how far in the past is that other you from?
Quincy ...I can't remember. At least... two double eclipses ago.
Eiden Two double eclipses!? We traveled that far back in time!
Quincy Maybe.
Eiden First, traveling between worlds... now traveling through time... Come to think of it, I know you look younger than you are, but I never knew you were so... Uh, can you remember anything from back then?
Quincy No.
Eiden Hmm... but seeing your friend and old self, you've gotta feel a little... nostalgic, right?
Quincy It's all in the past. There's nothing to be nostalgic about.
Eiden (For real...? It sounds pretty sad when he puts it like that...) (But I can't just force my feelings onto Quincy. Everyone has their own way of dealing with things.)