Journey's End And Beginning

Hey, you said you had something on your mind. What's going on?

Ah, you came. Thank you. You see, lately I've had trouble getting a handle on what my buddy here is thinking.

I've never been able to tell what Uquaji is thinking, myself...

Huh, really? He's very easy to read when excited or upset after a loss, isn't he?

Maybe for you...

Still, it sounds like something's changed. Any idea why?

Well... he's been acting in ways he's never acted before. He stares off into the distance, or avoids me if he sees me coming...

...... Maybe it's not that I don't know what he's thinking. Maybe I do know, and I'm just scared to admit it.

You mean...

Yeah. It may be that he's grown tired of our journey together, and wants to go back to his home.

I'm sorry. I just didn't want to consider the possibility.

But now I've made my peace. Now I just need to find a way to return him to his world...

Well, hang on. You don't know for sure yet.

Hm?

What was that sound?

It came from inside!

Huh? Uquaji's gone back to how he looked when we first met!

Yes, his training has taught him how to freely change his form, you see. Maybe he finds this form relaxing. It really brings me back, too.

But...

What is it?

No, just...something on my mind. Can we talk outside? Anytime you're free, no rush.

W-what's that?!

Is that...another Uquaji?!

Did they come to bring him back to their own world?

What the, ?!

What was that?! They attacked him!

Buddy!

...He protected that traveler. Maybe...

Okay. I get it. I know what you're feeling.

But we can talk later! First we have to do something about all of this!

Phew. Looks like we drove them off.

What in the world was that?

I think they came to bring Uquaji back to their world.

Huh?

R-really?

I see...your clan travels worlds seeking to become strong, as a sort of rite of passage. So, sensing that you'd become strong enough, your family came to fetch you.

But...hm? Sorry?

...You wanted to stay with me. Thank you. And when you explained that, your family protested, and tried to drag you back by force...

You got all that right there? Impressive as always...

Maybe if we had talked things out from the beginning, we could have avoided all this unnecessary stress.

I'm glad to learn that you weren't getting tired of our journey together.

Yeah.

Hm? What did he say?

Haha. I'm flattered you're being so considerate of me.

But I could tell, those others are a strong bunch. Our usual training isn't going to cut it.

...Hm, hm. I see. Yes, I see. I agree, but I can't promise anything. We'll have to ask him personally before deciding anything like that.

Hey, what are you two discussing? I'm really having trouble following this conversation, you know.

Oh, right. Sorry. To keep it short... Would you be willing to take my buddy here with you on your journeys?

Huh?!

Call it a martial pilgrimage. My buddy is pretty sour about how his family blew him off before, and he wants some harsh training.

He says he'll be a bodyguard, fight your enemies for you, anything. Can we ask this of you?

I see... In that case, sure. I'd be happy to.

Good for you, buddy.

But what will you do?

Hmm... I'll start preparing for a new journey, once my buddy comes back to me stronger than ever.

That sounds like a plan.

Take good care of him, won't you?

I will!

Hm? Something's on the floor...

What is this thing?

Buddy says it's a scale from the Uquajis we fought before. It seems like when they fight and feel a strong urge to grow, they change shape and drop these. They're pretty rare, so you might as well hold onto it.

I see. I guess I will, then. I don't know if it'll come in handy for anything, though...

I'm sure someone somewhere will have a use for them.

That said, given how gung-ho they looked before, I'm sure they'll be coming back for a rematch.

I'd appreciate it if you came back to check things out around here every now and again.

Sure. Fighting them again will help Uquaji with his training, too.

Hm? What's a Nopaew doing here?

Poh...

Po po po! Paew paew?

Huh? You're interested in this?

How strange. It appears to be interested in that Uquaji Scale.

Koo, paew-paew!!

Um...what is it saying?

Po po...

Hmm...it's interested in collecting Uquaji Scales, it sounds like.

It wants to know if there's anything among its wares that you would be willing to trade for.

I-I see. Thanks for the translation.

Well, it seems really interested. I guess I'll have a look.

Poh!!

I'll be around this area, so let me know when you want to trade...it says.

It's like we're playing telephone...

Got it. I'll be sure to stop by!

Can we talk outside? Anytime you're free, no rush.