Beast Reincarnate! Throne of Prayer

It's nothing... Nothing in particular really.

Hey, Master, since I'm here, got a minute to talk?

You see, Aldo and the others, they all have specific goals they're after.

For instance, Aldo'll someday rescue Eden from the darkness of time... And the rest'll protect the world from destruction.

I mean, what am I doing this all for? I've relinquished my title as king and now wander time and space far from my own people.

Konium, you mean... Well, it's true I haven't returned in some time. The old man, the children...I haven't even had a chance to see Vares.

So this is where you been hiding, Guildna. What's going on? Did you have something to say to Master?

Aldo, I'm going to Konium.

You're going to Konium? That's a bit sudden, but I don't see any trouble with that.

Master, I'll be back soon enough.

(When all's said and done, this place really feels like home.) (It looks like Master had the right idea the whole time.)

Welcome home, Master Guildna!

Welcome home, Brother.

Thanks. What about Vares? Has he gone somewhere?

He got tired of waiting for you, and so he decided to head to Angal in the future East.

I guess we just missed each other. What's going on in Angal though?

We were talking about the beastfolk in the Future, and he insisted on seeing them for himself. He asked Synth Hydra to take him there and off they went.

He's always been that way... But I suppose that I'd feel the same way if I heard about Angal like that.

Well then, our next stop should be Angal, right? There's no telling what could happen if Vares is left alone in the Future.

I made it clear to him that he shouldn't do anything strange. I'm sure he can handle himself... But if you should happen to bump into him, then I'd feel teeny tiny bit more relaxed.

Just be careful, Brother.

There's no need to worry. We'll be back soon.

Th-This is...the proof that all our dreams, wishes, and hopes...were for nothing. Is this the future of our beastfolk?

Isn't that right, Your Majesty?

Vares...

Answer me, king of the beastfolk!

It's as you say... This is the future of our people.

Then what is it all for? Our descendants... They are cursed to live in this future.

I'm sorry, Vares... Even as king, I don't have the power to change anything.

No, it's not the fault of our king! Each one of us bares responsibility for this. So please, stop blaming yourself for this.

Guildna... It's just like Vares said. This isn't your fault.

......

Ngh!

Are you all right, little one?!

What's wrong, kid? Are you okay?

I-I'm so hungry... I can't walk anymore. I haven't eaten in three days...

Where're your parents?

They're both...gone. They got sick and...

Vares, we're going to go ahead and hunt some monsters for meat. I want you to stay with this child. We don't want anything to happen to the child while he's unconscious.

Understood. Please be careful.

Let's go, Aldo.

Right with ya! Vares, we'll leave the kid to you.

That's a good start! Let's get some more to make sure that kid gets a proper meal.

So far, so good. Let's get some more.

We don't have enough yet. Let's get a little more.

I think we've got enough. Let's go back to Angal.

Alright, let's head back.

Glad to see you're back so fast. I gave the child some water to drink and he started feeling a little better.

That's good to hear. We managed to collect enough meat. Here you go, eat up.

Th-Thank you, Grandpa!

Kid, don't call me grandpa.

Can I have the meat, now?

Go ahead.

Thank you so much!

Haha... And just moments ago he said he couldn't walk anymore.

Who's there?!

Is there something wrong, Your Majesty?

Me?!

What's wrong, Guildna? You look...odd.

Your Majesty, what's going on?

I could change the future? For my people?

My throne... The true Beast King?

Your Majesty? What's wrong? Who were you talking to?

Vares, I want you to wait here. I'm going to...my throne...in the Beast King's Castle!

Your Majesty, what're you saying?!

The Beast King's Castle?! Why the heck do you wanna go there?!

You don't understand. He's waiting for me... It's to make a new future for the beastfolk!

Y-Your Majesty?!

So, Guildna. Care to explain what we're doing here? Did you hit your head or something? You've been acting strange since Angal.

......

Anyone home, Guildna?!

A new future for beasts... The true Beast King...

Wait, Your Majesty!

Vares?!

Vares... What are you doing here?

You looked like there was something wrong back in Angal, so I decided to follow you.

Don't get in my way, Vares.

No, Your Majesty... I will not follow your commands and allow you to go through with this. I don't understand the obsession with this, but we can't listen to voices from the darkness!

Hey, tell me what's going on!

Your Majesty... Listen to me!

If you insist on standing in our way, we won't hesitate to stop you.

What are you talking about?! Are you both serious?!

Your Majesty... You've already been tainted by the shadows... There's no other way. I won't allow you to proceed with this!

Vares?!

Hey, wait! Listen to us!

Hah... Vares... Do you really think you can stop me? Then prove it. Come at me, Vares!

Graaaaahh!

Grrrr... B-But this isn't this end for me... Not by a long shot! Even if I cease to be, I will still stop you!

Aaaaaaaaargh!

Gragh!

Vares?! You've changed again!

Your Majesty! Bring it!

Vares! This is the end of the road for you! Here we come!

It's no use. I can't stop him! I guess there's no other way...

Ugh! Y-Your Majesty?!

Ha... Vares?! What have you...

Vares, are you okay? Hang in there!

M-Master Guildna... You are the hope of our people... You can't fall to the shadows... Please, return to the light!

Vares?! No, you can't, Vares! Open your eyes!

Return...to the light...

Vares?!

Damn it!

Urrrrrrghhh! Where are you?! Come out, you coward!

What's this?! Another phantom?!

No... This isn't Phantom, right? Something's speaking through this phantom... Something that can use phantoms... Could it be the master of the shadows?

You said you'd make me the true beast king? Don't make me laugh... Let me show you the real power of the beast king!

Got it! Let's go, Guildna!

......

Guildna, are you okay?

It's all my fault... I shouldn't have listened to that voice from the shadows... Vares is gone because of me!

Let's step out. There's nothing we can do here.

You're right. In that case, could we go to Corabel? I know I've got to tell everyone in Konium about what happened... But I can't face the villagers just yet...

Sure. I think that's a good idea. Let's go.

......

Are you really okay, Guildna? You shouldn't dwell on it too much...

I am responsible for everything that happened. I was too weak... Vares was just trying to save me from the corruption of the darkness...

These feelings have existed in me for as long as I can remember. That voice merely awakened something that was already in my heart. I'm a fool for thinking that I could become the true beast king!

Guildna... We all have a weakness inside us. Don't be so hard on yourself.

No, I'm nothing but a murderer... He was killed by my own hands!

But if we didn't give it our all, then we'd be the dead ones...

I wonder if he died on purpose...just to make me wake up.

I-I don't know about that... But...he's really gone. Vares...

You called?

V-Vares?!

H-How's this possible?!

Glad to see you're both well! I never doubted for a moment that you'd be able to beat that monster.

Y-You're alive?! Are you a ghost or something?

Nope, not a ghost. I'm in tip top shape actually.

B-But you turned into bits of light...

Ahhh, you mean that. I was just molting.

M-Molting?

You've never heard of it? It's when something matures by shedding its skin and emerging in a different state. Though, I'm not a bug.

Of course I know about molting! But there's supposed to be some kind of maturation... You haven't changed a bit!

I may look the same at first glance, but I've changed a lot on the inside. Those bits of light were pieces of my shell coming off. Once reborn, my transparent body left that place and moved somewhere safe. Then my body took a rest until my strength fully recovered.

Is that the truth? (What kind of being does that make him?)

This is a secret ability passed down in my family. Not even the beast king knew, correct? I'm very sorry for surprising you like this. I feel absolutely terrible.

Hah... You definitely got me this time.

However, I wish to also apologize. I was possessed by that cursed voice from the darkness. Without your help, I don't know what would have happened... Thank you, Vares.

There is no need for that, Your Majesty! It's true that our armies were defeated... But there is more to wars than just winning. And I will forever be proud of the fact that I fought alongside the beast king.

I'm glad that you were with me... Thank you, Vares.

Please stop, Your Majesty! You waste your compliments on me.

By the way, how did you manage to get to the Beast King's Castle from Konium?

Ah yes, about that... The Gallery Master took me there.

The Gallery Master? So when the holy sword was switched... He's got something up his sleeve, that guy...

That's enough for now. I think it's about time to check in with Master at Time's Forgotten Stop. The only reason this all turned out as well as it did was because of him.

I'm going to return to Konium. See you guys around.

It got a little complicated this time. Vares told me how proud he was to fight at my side. I won't forget that. I, too, am proud to fight side by side with Aldo. I'll remember that as we continue our journey together.

I also wanted to thank you for the advice you gave me.

Say, Master. Mind if I wander in here again sometime?

Got it. See you next time.