Xenoblade Chronicles Guide- Walkthrough Part 70: Speed

As soon as you get near enough to the platform, even if you’re not heading towards it, the next section of story triggers.

The three party members start crossing the bridge towards the platform- Sharla runs ahead as Juju cries out for help, charging towards the Mechon.  She calls out to her brother as he hangs mostly-limp from the three-jawed pincer on the end of the tentacle.  Shulk shouts after her to wait, but she doesn’t seem to be listening.  Shulk is about to call out again when-

Monado Flash!- Sharla runs towards the tentacled Mechon when a pincer erupts from the ground, smashing into her from below.  Tossed into the air, the woman is helpless to dodge when the tentacle strikes a second time, snapping shut around her legs and waist.  Screaming in pain, the purple-haired woman dies.

As Shulk comes back to himself, the light in the Monado’s glass pane spins, the weapon revving up- and a new symbol in pale blue appears which Shulk takes an instant to stare at.  He wonders aloud if he can save Sharla- and the voice of the stranger from his vision in Tephra Cave comes to him, telling him ‘Of course you can.’

Shulk and Reyn dash after Sharla, up the slight slope that the bridge provides.  Unable to catch up at first, Shulk abruptly accelerates, his eyes glowing blue- and then energy wells out around his body, motes of it swirling in a pale blue glow.  Leaping into the air, the blond slashes down at nothing, and when the Monado reaches the ground a burst of the power wreathing its wielder flies forth and slams into Sharla, abruptly boosting her speed.  Dodging without really being aware of it, Sharla is startled to realize she’s moved to one side, and turns her head to look, gaping at the death she narrowly evaded.  Then a secondary burst of force from the Monado hits, and severs the end of the tentacle before it can strike out again.

Stunned, Sharla stops and calls out to the others in confusion.  Shulk and Reyn, now moving much more quickly, dart over to circle her in guarding positions, each facing the opposite way from the other, and away from the purple-haired medic.  Shulk warns the others that the tentacles could erupt from the ground at any second.  He tells them to wait for his directions, and then calls to Reyn to back him up.  Confidently, the larger warrior simply replies ‘Leave it to me.’

Confirmed and set, Shulk gathers himself and then charges.