Encountering Legend

Heeey!

Huh? What's that?

Ah, you must be the adventurers I've heard about. What a relief to find you here!

Is something wrong?

A powerful monster has appeared on the Serena Coast! It's attacking two youngsters right now!

Oh no, we'd better hurry! Are the kids all right?

From what I saw, they've managed to avoid harm so far, but it's not looking good. First beastfolk, now monsters... It feels like our home will never be safe again.

I'll go see what I can do!

D-Don't panic! I'll find a way to get us out of here.

I'm sorry... This is all my fault...

You can't blame yourself for this. We're both going to be fine, I promise!

I hope you're right...

Gyaaargh!

Darnit... All this waiting around made us a sitting duck for this monster. I was sure I could sense my mermaid approaching, too.

Keep it together. Help is on the way!

That voice...

Aldo!

Looks like I'm a little late to the party. Stand back, you two. This thing means business!

And that's the end of that chapter.

Grooorgh!

Guess I spoke too soon. Wow, there's a whole pack of them... Even I might have trouble fighting this many while keeping those two safe.

Hmph. I suppose I have no choice. I will lend you my aid.

Huh? What are you...

You wiped them all out! How did you do that?

Buh? Hey, where'd she go?!

That way. She dived into the sea and disappeared. I had no idea she was so powerful.

Mermaids sure are wonderful...

Wait, you mean?

Yes. Without a doubt, that was her. I even saw her transform and disappear beneath the waves.

So merfolk can transform to look like humans. No wonder they're so hard to find.

Are you the same mermaid I met all those years ago?

You... You remember me?!

But why did it have to be in secret? Couldn't you have just told me?

I wouldn't have told anyone! I wish you'd have trusted me.

That's right. You should already know how nice a guy Kasim is. He'd never do anything to hurt you, or any other merfolk.

P-Please, wait!

She's gone... I didn't think she'd be so secretive.

Merfolk do exist! I was right! It wasn't a dream...

But... But now I'll never see her again, will I?

You've had a hard day. C'mon, I'll come the rest of the way back to Rinde with you.

*sigh*

Try to look on the bright side. You got to meet your mermaid again, and the town's safe from monsters.

But what do I do now? She's gone for good, and I have no way to follow her.

I guess, but...

*sigh*

Hey, you're not gonna give up now, are you? There's got to be some way humans and merfolk can live in peace.

She'll only get mad at me if I try to find her again.

Of course she will. It's only natural. She risked her life just to come talk to you one last time. If you can't show the same courage, maybe you're not worthy of her after all. You've spent your whole life looking for her, are you really okay letting it end like this?

No... No, you're right.

I've always been prepared to do whatever it takes to see her again.

Then it's time to put your money where your mouth is.

Yeah! I can't give up. I'll never give up. Thanks for talking some sense into me, Aldo.

Her presence hasn't completely faded yet. I'm going after her!

Hey! Don't forget me...

Hope I didn't hype him up too much. I'd better go along and see how this turns out.

Phew, Kasim made it here okay.

That you, Aldo?

Yeah, it's me. Can you still sense her nearby?

Yes. I'd know this presence anywhere. She's around here somewhere.

Aldo, you helped me remember something important. I told you before that I fell in love with her when we first met. But... I couldn't remember why, exactly. What was it that attracted me to her so much?

Soon enough, I became obsessed just with finding her again. I lost sight of the emotions that should have spurred on my resolve.

......

But as I stand here, looking at the ocean where she makes her home, I remember. She saved me. When I was a kid I couldn't wait to become a fisherman like my dad. But I couldn't swim. I used to sneak out of town and down to the coast at night to practice. Looking back on it now, it was pretty stupid of me to do that alone.

But I'm glad I did. If I hadn't, I'd never have met her.

She laughed at the way I was thrashing around in the water. But then she offered to teach me how to swim. It was like magic. When I followed her instructions, everything clicked, it all made sense. I wouldn't be the man I am today without her help. I want to be with her, no matter what.

You just don't give up, do you?

I thought I told you this was the end of the two of us. I hope you're prepared to face the consequences.

It's you!

I'll take anything you can throw at me! Finding you has been my life's work. No matter what you say, I'll follow you to the ends of the earth if I have to!

I'll do whatever it takes to be by your side.

You're a fool. ...But I won't try to stop you.

Huh? You won't?

My people aren't like humans. We very rarely resort to violence except in the most extreme cases.

All that "face the consequences" stuff was just a bluff, huh? I didn't think you'd hurt us. Not after hearing about how the merfolk never fought back even when they were hunted.

That's right. We are pacifists at heart. We're far more likely to flee from danger than face it head on. Thanks to my dispersing those monsters, rumors about me have already spread.

I won't be able to return here until the very concept of merfolk has faded from living memory. I'm sorry, Kasim. This is goodbye.

There she goes...

This isn't the end... I won't allow it...