Chapter 1: Dawn Rises in Baruoki

Wretched humans! Thinking they can do as they please! No entry for us beastfolk, huh? How dare they! This forest used to belong to us...

What's that sound?

Waaah!

A human baby? What is it doing here?

Even humans can be cute as innocent little babies... What's wrong? Are you sad, little one? Lost your mother?

Hey, little one... Peek-a-boo!

Waaah! Waaah!

Well, that didn't work...

Huh? This power...this strange power, lying dormant in this child... Could it be?!

Oh, someone's coming. The last thing I want is to have to deal with people...

I have to leave you now, little one. Maybe we will meet again one day.

Waaah!

Waaah! Waaah!

Oh my! I thought I heard crying. Lo and behold, a baby in the midst of a forest! What is going on here, laddie? Where is your home? Is this your baby sister?

......

Waaah! Waaah!

Oh dear... Do not be afraid, child. Hush, no more crying. Be a good girl, sweetie.

Waaah! Waaah!

Wakey wakey, big bro! Aldo... Wake up, Aldo!

Ngh... Wha...?

C'mon, Aldo, it's morning! Get up already!

*yawn* I guess you're right. Mornin', Feinne.

Don't "mornin'" me. Do you have any idea what time it is? The sun's already risen above the Pekari Trees. At this rate you're gonna be late for your meeting with Darunis.

Oh no, I forgot about that! I'd better get going.

Hurry up!

No going back to sleep, okay?

All set. Time for another day of protecting the peace!

Feinne, Grandpa, I'm heading out!

See you later, Aldo. Take care of yourself!

Hey, Darunis! Sorry I'm late, I overslept a little.

I had a feeling you might. You've never really been a morning person. It doesn't surprise me anymore.

Sounds good. I'll head over right away.

Keep up the good work, Aldo.

Listen up, Aldo. Prisma are crystallizations of the four basic elements - fire, water, earth, and wind. We still don't know all the details, but our leading theory is that they're formed deep within the earth over long periods of time. They're the cornerstone of all human civilization. I'm serious - we'd still be living in caves if we hadn't learned to harness these! So show a little respect when you handle prisma. Touch them gently, with a heart full of gratitude. That's not so hard, right?

Kiiindly... Soooftly...

Whatever you say, Ashtear. (It's totally not worth arguing with her...)

Good! Compared to the vastness of nature, we humans are no more than grains of sand. Remember that. Forgetting our place in the world will only bring disaster. Give it a try - see this Wind Prisma here? Allow its gentle breeze to soothe your body and mind.

Aldo, there you are!

Hiya, Feinne. Something wrong?

Ta-da! I have a job for you. Grandpa wants you to activate all the Water Prisma in the village. The weather's been so dry, we could be looking at a drought if we don't do something. Think of the poor plants! Healthy flowers means a village full of happy people, right?

I guess so. Okay, I'll get right on it.

I don't see what's so cool about it, but sure, if you want.

Woo hoo! Give it your best shot!

Don't forget, there's a trick to activating prisma. Kiiindly... Soooftly...

Huh? What are you talking about?

Oh, nothing. C'mon, let's go.

Right behind you!

Yay, that's the last one! Now the plants and flowers can grow nice and strong. Nice work out there, Aldo. Here, Grandpa said I should give you this when you finished.

One more thing... I was wondering if I could talk to you about something.

Geez, is that what this was all about?

I thought it'd be nice to give Grandpa a new cane. Kind of as a thank-you present from both of us.

Sounds like a good idea. That old stick he's using right now is practically falling apart.

Right? So, I think we should make it from a Coconerica branch. They're real sturdy, and the pattern's pretty, too.

Coconerica, huh? Okay, let's go find us the perfect branch for the job.

Yeah! There should be plenty of them out on the Nuaru Uplands. Once we have one, we can ask the blacksmith to carve it into the right shape.

Wow, you've put a lot of thought into this. To the uplands!

Yay! This is exactly what we need.

Next up is the blacksmith, right? He should be able to work with this. Want to head back right now?

Let's go!

Aldo, Feinne, hey there! What can I do for you kids? You know we're closed today, right?

Sorry to bother you, Sir, but we'd really like to have this Coconerica branch made into a cane.

A cane? You're a little too young for one of those, aren't ya? Oh, I get it. It's a present for the Mayor, right?

Yeah. It was 16 years ago today the Mayor found Feinne and I out in the forest and took us in.

We wanted to give him something to say thank you for taking care of us all this time. I know it's your day off, but do you think you could make an exception?

Ha, guess there's no rest for the wicked. If that's all you want, it won't take me long. Let's take a look at what you've got.

Yup, this is Coconerica, all right. Looks like a fine, sturdy piece, too. That'll make shaping it a little tricky... But don't you worry your little heads! I'm the finest smith for miles around. No job is too hard for me.

Wow, thank you!

It's real nice of you to do this for us. Thanks so much.

No problem. I owe the Mayor plenty myself, I'm glad to be able to do him a good turn. Now, about the design... Wouldn't it be cool if you had something flashy on the top? A lil' bit of glitz and glam?

Glitz? For a walking stick?

Just imagine it, a proud cane topped with a glittering gemstone! Doesn't that just scream "Mayor" to you?

It screams something, but...

That sounds wonderful! I want his present to be as beautiful as possible!

Sounds like we're on the same page. You might want to check out the dried-up well on the edge of the village. Not many folks know this, but there's a hole in the wall that leads to a cave. Might be worth digging around in there. Just don't go telling everyone you meet about it, okay? I've found some good minerals there, and I'd like to keep it secret.

Our lips are sealed. The back of the cave under the dry well, right? I can't wait to see it!

Shake a leg, Aldo! Let's show Grandpa just how much he means to us!

I'm all for expressing our gratitude, but... Do we really need to make it so showy?

Don't be such a party-pooper. We'll be right back, Mister Blacksmith, sir!

I'll get started on shaping the cane while you're gone. Take care of yourselves, kids.

Wow... There really was a secret entrance here.

This is starting to get creepy. Are you sure you want to go in here?

Of course! Where's your sense of adventure? But...I do think you should go first.

This is so cool, we dug up a real treasure! Come on, let's go see what the blacksmith can do with this.

Nice timing. I just finished up here. Hand over the stones and I'll get to work on the modifications.

Here you go!

Oh, you got your hands on some high-quality Migradrite there. I'll have this done in a jiffy!

There! One Coconerica cane, custom-made for our beloved Mayor. It's got a real keen edge to it.

A-An edge?

Oh, excuse me, I was just rambling. It's nothing you need to worry about. The Mayor'll be delighted with this. Treat it careful, now.

Thank you so much. Wow, this is absolutely beautiful!

Yeah, thanks a bunch! We owe you one.

Anything for the Mayor. I wouldn't be surprised if he wept tears of joy over this. Ha!

Hey, Aldo! Did ya hear? Varuo and his pal Langelo are really going at it! They're on the hill over at the edge of the village.

Again? Urgh, he's got such a short fuse... I'd better go take a look. Thanks for letting me know. Be careful when you go outside the village, okay?

You too, Aldo. I know you're a guard and all, but don't get hurt out there!

I can't believe Varuo! I bet he and Langelo are fighting over a girl again.

I guess we should go see if we can calm them down.

Hold on, Aldo. I need to go home and get dinner ready for tonight. Find Varuo and bring him back with you, all right?

Sure thing. I'll see you later.

See you!

There you are. Where is Langelo? Have you finished your little scrap? Maybe he has something against calicos. Hey, buddy, you hungry? Feinne said dinner'll be...

Huh? Urgh, Varuo... Where'd he go now?

I-It hurts! Please... L-Let me go!

Tell us what we want to know. Then your pain will be at an end, I promise.

A baby was found in the forest 16 years ago. Where is she now?

Aldo? I've no business with him. Where can I find this "Feinne"?

The...the Mayor's house... Both of them should be there... Now let me go!

Arrrgh!

See, no more pain.

Come, Vares.

Yessir!

Dinner's almost ready, Grandpa. I'll serve it up as soon as Aldo and Varuo get back. I pulled out all the stops for this meal. I just know you're gonna love it! Plus, when you're done eating, I have a little surprise for you... Hee hee!

Hrm...?

Oh, right... Sounds great, Feinne. I'm looking forward to it.

Is something wrong, Grandpa? You seem a little distracted.

It's nothing, really... I received a letter from the capital some time back. People are starting to worry about the beastfolk. Word has it their forces have united under a new leader, an individual they're calling the Beast King.

You'll give yourself wrinkles if you worry over silly rumors. Everything will be fine, you'll see.

Hmm... I can only hope you're right, Feinne.

I hate to shatter your self-deception, but our forces are already on the move.

Ahh!

Beastfolk?! What are you doing here?

It seems my name has already spread as far as tiny villages like this one.

What? You're...the Beast King?!

Well, "Your Majesty," what do you mean by barging into my home like this?

Don't flatter yourself, old-timer. I'm here for the girl.

Huh? Me?!

What do you want with Feinne? Now see here, mister, I don't know what...

You're beginning to bore me. Vares, if you will.

Yessir!

Nooo!

Stop... Get away, you fiends!

Ahhhh!

The Gallery of Dreams, huh? Good name for such a weird place. Sure did feel like something out of a dream. Almost like I'd strayed into a completely different world...

C'mon, Varuo, time to head home. Today's a special day, you know? Hard to believe it's been 16 years already. Feinne said she's cooking up an extra special meal to celebrate!

Mrow!

Wh-What the... Grandpa?!

Gramps, are you okay? What happened here? Where's Feinne?!

A-Aldo... The beastfolk... They took Feinne... I'm sorry... They were too strong for me...

What?! Why would they do that?

I don't know... Hurry, laddie... They can't have gone far. You may yet be able to save her!

What about you? I can't just leave you alone like this...

It's not as bad as it looks. I'll be fine once I get a little rest... Please, Aldo!

All right. I'll go after the beasts. I'll bring Feinne back!

Be careful, my boy...

Huh? Why are there beastfolk here? Feinne?! Hey, what the heck do you think you're doing?

And who might you be?

I'm that girl's brother, you creep! Feinne, are you okay?

Ah yes. Aldo, wasn't it? Sorry, boy, I'll be borrowing your sister for a while. I have need of her power. It's the only thing that can eliminate the scourge that is humanity from this world.

Are you out of your mind? There's no way Feinne has power like that!

I don't have time to stand and chat. The truth of the situation would be wasted on vermin like you.

We'll see about that!

Resorting to violence already? Do you value your life so little, boy?

Your Majesty, allow me to deal with this whelp.

Stand down, Vares. I need you to keep an eye on the girl.

As you wish, Sire.

As for you. It's about time you humans learned what true suffering is.

Step forward, boy. I hope you have something to back up all that aggression.

There's no way I'll let you take Feinne away!

Stop right there!

And who might you be?

I'm that girl's brother, you creep! Feinne, are you okay?

Ah yes. Aldo, wasn't it? Sorry, boy, I'll be borrowing your sister for a while. I have need of her power. It's the only thing that can eliminate the scourge that is humanity from this world.

Are you out of your mind? There's no way Feinne has power like that!

I don't have time to stand and chat. The truth of the situation would be wasted on vermin like you.

We'll see about that!

Resorting to violence already? Do you value your life so little, boy?

Your Majesty, allow me to deal with this whelp.

Stand down, Vares. I need you to keep an eye on the girl.

As you wish, sire.

As for you. It's about time you humans learned what true suffering is.

Step forward, boy. I hope you have something to back up all that aggression.

There's no way I'll let you take Feinne away!

Aldo! Aldo! Please, open your eyes... Aldo, are you okay?

Urgh...

It's back to normal...

No good, huh? What happened to all that power it had earlier? And what was that voice? No, weird voices coming out of swords can wait. Right now I've got to focus on saving Feinne!

The beastfolk were heading toward Moonlight Forest... Are you sure you're all right, Aldo?

They kidnapped my sister... I can't afford to sit around and wait!

Please, just be careful!

Don't worry. I'll be back.