Undine The Miracle Maker

Huh?

Am I seeing things or is that a living person in here?!

At the very least he looks different to the regular shades in Purgatory. I should see if he isn't lost.

Excuse me.

What do you want?

Apologies if I'm mistaken, but you're not dead...Right?

If you're asking that means you're still alive too.

Yeah. My name's Aldo. And last time I checked I was as alive and kicking as ever.

The shadowy figures here say that this is where people erased from existence end up. I didn't think I'd run into another living soul in a place like that.

It's not the norm, that's for sure. So how did you get here? And why come in the first place?

I... Don't quite remember. All I know is that I'm still alive somehow.

O...kay. Well, in any case, this isn't the kind of place you want to hang around in. I'm sure there's some way for you to get back to the world of the living. I'll help you find it.

......

What's up?

I'm not going back.

But... If you don't want to go back what are you going to do instead?

I also heard the shadows say that there's some kind of powerful spirit that resides here called Undine. If you ask for her help, she can free you from any pain or suffering you might have.

Free you how?

In death. I intend to end my life with her help.

End your life?! You can't...

I've already made up my mind. So don't try and stop me.

Hey, wait a minute! There's no way I can let him go ahead with this. I have to go after him!

There he is!

You're Undine, right?

I am. What troubles you, aimless human?

I heard that you can free anyone from any kind of pain or suffering. Is that true?

It is. A man has but to yield his soul to me and I will cleanse him of all misery.

Then do it. Free me from my torment.

Wait! Undine...

I see now what it is you wish for. That is a favor I cannot grant you.

What? Why not?! You said it yourself! You can free people of any kind of pain!

I do indeed have the ability to soothe the dead of their anguish. You, however, yet live.

So? I have nothing left to live for! I'm ready to give up on trying. So go ahead! End me, now!

Really? Is eternal sleep what you really desire? Will you throw away every possibility life offers and allow every trace of your influence upon the world to be wiped clean?

...!

The erasure of your existence is not the only way to ease your pain. You have the option to face your adversities and overcome them. Speak frankly, troubled human. What of this sorrow that grips your heart?

Undine's right, there must be something you can do. What happened to you?

You think you have any right to tell me what to do with my life? Forget it, both of you! I'll do it myself!

No!

How can he be so determined to give up on living?

Wandering human. May I ask of you a favor?

You want me to stop him, right? Way ahead of you.

You have my thanks. He is not yet meant to die.

Don't worry, I've got this. He can't have gone far yet. I'll find him!

This will do it!

Urgh! No, I can't...move! I thought I was ready, but... Why am I so scared? Even though I know there's nothing but misery left for me back home...

Aaargh!

You okay?

Y-You! Why...

Doesn't matter, just get behind me! You're gonna live to fight another day!

Are you hurt?

I-I told you not to follow me!

I don't know what your reasons are or how you might be feeling right now. But what I do know is that I won't ever let someone throw their life away.

......

I'll keep you safe on the way back to Undine. It's dangerous to go alone.

...Okay.

He is still alive. Thank you, traveler.

It was a close one. You're welcome.

Now, sorrowful human. Will you not let me hear your tale? I wish to know of your pain.

...Fine. I'll tell you.

In the world of the living, I worked as a mixologist.

A "mixologist"?

Yeah. Smoothie-making's been my passion ever since I was a kid. I started young and devoted my whole life to the craft.

Then one day, I received an unexpected visit from a well-known master mixologist. He personally requested a bottle of my finest. Overjoyed, I put my heart and soul into making the best bottle I'd ever made, unaware that it would be my downfall.

How could something you put so much effort into making ruin you?

My smoothie was just a sample for him to test his own recipe against. He was never interested in giving it a good review or telling me how I could improve as a beverage artist.

Really...

Instead he trashed my smoothie publicly, tarnishing what little reputation I had. It broke my heart, it really did. All I wanted in life was to make something delicious that would bring joy to kids and adults alike. That was all I lived for. But look at what the world gave back to me!

......

Do you? The last thing I remember is getting into a fight with one of my detractors in the tavern. The despair I felt then was greater than any emotion I had ever experienced. I lied, I do know why I'm here. It's because I'm already half dead from my injuries. Both physically and emotionally.

Hmm. There have been rare cases of those who toe the line between life and death mysteriously finding their way into Purgatory.

There you go. There's not one good thing waiting for me back there. It'd be easier to never have existed at all.

Yes, in a sense. However you are still alive. While the misery you have endured must be excruciating indeed, in living you may yet discover another path to solace.

Then help me find it! You're supposed to be some all-powerful ghost or whatever, aren't you? Do something!

In my current form I do not possess enough power to save you. But I may give you the means with which you can save yourself.

What "means"?

Traveler. May I ask of you one more favor?

What do you need?

Allow this mirror to feel the sea's embrace.

What do you mean? Do I just wave it around in some water?

Offer it to the oceans of the distant future. Of the giant landmasses that crest the skies in that era, there is one you will know called the Last Island. You must journey there.

Last Island, right? Got it. I'll be back before long.

Thank you.

About here should do it. So, I just have to hold the mirror underwater...

...And nothing's happening. Was there something else I had to do?

Whoa! Is that your voice, Undine? I did what you asked but nothing happened. Are you sure it's okay to leave now?

What setup? ...Well, whatever. Back to Purgatory, I guess.

What's next?

Let us begin. Approach, both of you.

What you are about to see is a vision of the distant future as it relates to you, worried one. The events are those that will take place should you choose not to give up.

The future?

Whoa!

Yo, Barkeep! Gotcha special order here!

Heh, hearing you say that makes all the effort I put into making it worth it.

Can't say it looks all that special to me.

A miracle smoothie, huh? Mixed by this half-pint?

Well, I wouldn't say it's miraculous. But it was created by an ancient ancestor of mine and I do like sharing that history with others. It's my biggest joy in life to see his recipe put smiles on the faces of kids and adults alike. That's the real miracle to me.

Heh, I like your savvy, kid! All right, Barkeep, one glass o'the "Comet"! I gotta taste this thing for myself!

That was the Elzion bar just now, wasn't it?

The mirror reflects a tiny fragment of the time whose waters it was bathed in. For water itself is both timeless and my everlasting steward. It will always serve me, no matter when or where it is.

Wow, I had no idea you could do that.

...Hold on. Is that me in the future? I recognize the bottle I saw. That was definitely my "Comet." But I don't recall ever visiting a tavern like that. How is that possible?

The young man you saw is one of your descendants. He exists in a future where, in your time, you continued to live.

Hey, that's great! That means if you live your smoothie will get so famous people call it a miracle!

Am I really supposed to believe that? How do I know it's not a trick? The future, my descendant, all of it?

B-But!

......

...I guess I did hear him say the same thing I've always said. That nothing is more fulfilling than making people smile. I know that, at least, is real.

No matter how badly life gets you down, that's one thing you should never lose.

To fight and thrive in the face of the harshest adversity... I believe that is the core tenet of what it means to be human. That's why you must not give up now.

...Maybe you're right. The world make life hard for us sometimes. But dying doesn't make it easier. You have to try and make things better.

It doesn't matter who that kid was. What matters is he had almost as much dedication to his craft as me. And I refuse to let anyone outdo me in that!

Hahah, that's the spirit! Good going!

...Both of you have my thanks.

I feel like something... Is pulling me back. Goodbye, you two. You'll be seeing my "Comet" around somewhere one day!

Yeah, bet we will! Good luck!

I really hope he got back okay.

With his will to live renewed, his living body has called him back. He should awaken shortly.

That's good to hear.

Now, you deserve more than thanks for lending me your time and strength. Take this.

What's this?

The water's, my power's, protection encased in a jewel. Hold it close and no fire will harm you, be it cinder or blaze.

Thank you, Undine. I'm sure it'll keep me safe.

There is no need to thank me. Should we meet again, I will gladly ease your burdens.