In the Forest of Hidden Gods

Say there, mister. Could I ask you a favor?

Oh? Sure, I guess. What's up?

We need help finding a missing child from our village who didn't return last night.

Sure, I'll help. But why me?

Well, he's sort of an odd one around here. Interested in the outside world and all. So sometimes he goes to check out the human settlement nearby. We don't mind going to search... But with how we look, the humans might drop dead of shock.

I see what you mean...

With the exception of meeting you all, titans have never come into contact with humans. And if our existence were widely known to them, it'd be bad new for both sides.

I hope you understand. So do you think you could go and check around that settlement?

You've got it! Just leave it to me.

Much obliged! You're a giant help!

Hm... I don't see titan-looking people around here. I only came out here for a favor, so maybe I should just head back to the village already...

...Huh?

You there! Traveler! Have you seen my daughter?!

No, but what's wrong? Is she lost?

Oh yes! And I've no idea where she's gone! You wouldn't know anything about it, would you?

Please. Any small clue will help...

Sorry, but I haven't seen any lost kids around here. Where did you last see her?

Yesterday, when I went to Hokishi Forest to pick wild vegetables. I lost her on the way home. I searched all night for her, but she's nowhere to be found.

This is awful! If I hadn't taken her outside of Gadaro, this would've never happened!

Just calm down. You said you went to Hokishi Forest?

All right, I'll go and have a look. So just stay here and try to take it easy, okay?

Huh?

I bet you haven't slept a wink. You look exhausted, and you can barely stand.

Oh, what a disgrace I must be. Surely, after searching in such a state, then I could've easily missed something.

Please find her if you can. I believe it was in the deeper part of the Hokishi Forest.

Thanks. I'm on it!

...What an odd story though. Two people going missing in such a short time? Doesn't seem like a mere coincidence. Guess I'd better head over to the Hokishi Forest and have a look around.

Still dunno what's going on here, but there's cause for worry if a kid has found their way into this forest. There are monsters lurking in this place, so I hope they're safe anyway they can.

...Ahahaha! Hee hee hee!

Huh? Did I just hear a voice?

I think it came from further in!

Heh heh heh! Wow! That's so neat!

I hear it again! And that's definitely a kid!

Now, have a look at this! When you split open this fruit...

See! Full of fruit juice! And it's delicious! Take a sip!

*gulp*

Ahhh! So sweet and refreshing!

Hold up. Is that a titan kid and a human kid playing together?

Say, you're the human who came to Pador before. Right?

Yep. Sure am! And you must be the lost titan who left the village and didn't return overnight.

What!? That much time passed already? I didn't even notice...

The villagers are worried about you, you know. You'd better get back right away.

But more importantly, what's a human kid doing around here?

Uh, well...

Please! You gotta promise not to tell the village grownups!

Uh, why?

Cuz the grownups always say that we can't go showing ourselves to humans. But I found her collapsed under a tree yesterday evening, and I couldn't just walk away. So, I brought her along with me.

Since yesterday? Then you must be the lost kid from Gadaro!

A lost kid?

Yeah. There was a mom from Gadaro who was looking for her daughter. Said they got separated picking wild vegetables.

Oh, yeah! Then that's my mom!

Figures. By the way, she's worried sick about you too.

I was having so much fun playing that I forgot to get back...

It's my fault too. I should've remembered that she has someone waiting for her, just like me. And I bet her mom's not to keen on me bringing her this far out.

Yeah well, at least I've found you and you're both safe. And she'd have been in a worse spot if you'd left her behind. I'm glad you helped her.

So how about we head back to Gadaro?

Oh! Wait a sec!

What's wrong?

Well... Do you think we could make a quick stop somewhere before I got home? Pretty please?

Huh? But what about your poor mother?

Yeah! Not sure that's good idea if you don't head straight home.

So you wanna break your promise then? I was really looking forward to it!

Uh, well...

What promise?

Listen to this! Yesterday, he promised that when the sun comes up, we could go treasure hunting in a legendary place!

You kids mean to go treasuring hunting? For real?

Yup! You see... After I found her yesterday, we had to hide in a tree hollow so the monsters wouldn't find us. But it got so boring that I ended up talking about old legends from my village.

If you awaken the wing's slumber in the place where snow falls white, then you'll find glittering treasure!

What? I have no idea what that means...

But that's how the legend goes. And ever since I told her, it's all she asks about.

Come on! It's not too far! And it'd be such a nice memory. Please...?

Hmmm...

...All right. Hopefully your mom is getting some rest. But you've got to be home by the time she gets up. Got it?

No problem! I promise!

So where are we gonna look for this treasure then?

Just a little ways into the Valley of the Ancients! I just know the place we're looking for is around there.

Got ya. That's just up ahead!

Treasure treasure♪

Golden glittery treasure♪

At least these two are in a happy mood...

I've been wanting to go too, actually. I tried getting other titan kids to come with, but they're all scaredy cats.

They were scared? I guess this isn't any old treasure hunt.

Nope! In truth, the legend goes more like this...

Steer clear of the land. While the snow falls, the slumbering treasure lies with wings. Disturb its sleep, and its wrath will turn from disaster to attack. Remember still, even stars twinkle above dark clouds. Only those who survive the storm can take hold of the light. Pretty cool, huh?

Are you nuts?! It's bad news all around! Wrath this and disaster that...

Yeah, I was scared at first too.

But when I saw her face all lit up about it, I got excited too! Humans are so neat! It's like you're braver than we are, or don't shy away from anything!

Yep! I don't scare easily! Hee hee!

Listen, it's not wise to be so bold about things you know nothing of.

Aw, it's okay! Besides, you're here with us.

If something happens, you'll use that sword to defend us, won't ya?

That's my point. You should avoid these situations in the first place. At any rate, just be careful as we go. Okay?

Roger!

Look! Could that be the tree?

Hey! What did I just say?!

No doubt about it. This is the place!

Doesn't seem out of the ordinary to me. Looks just like a tree.

Heh heh! Don't get it, do ya? Take a closer look.

Hey! There's a bunch of little white flowers on it!

Yup! Looks just like freshly fallen snow, right? While the snow falls, the slumbering treasure lies with wings. This has got to be what the legend was talking about.

I'm impressed. You've got a good eye!

But if we go by the legend, it means we have to make it snow. Right? How can we make the flowers fall?

No problem! I got this one!

Oooh! You made so many of them fall away!

Okay, I'll admit that it does look like falling snow. But are you sure it's all right to shake it like that?

It's a big tree though. I'm sure it can handle a good shake.

Well, you made it snow. So how do we find the treasure?

Grrrr...

Huh?

Shawaaar!

Yikes! A m-m-m-monster dropped in!

Never figured a monster would be up in a tree...

Does this mean...we disturbed its slumber?

Eep!

Watch out!

Don't you touch the kid!

Grrrr...

Uh oh. I think it's only getting angrier! You two, stand back!

I'll handle it from here!

Whew... You two okay?

Yeah. Thanks, mister.

That monster was pretty huge! Did you see the size of its wings?

You make it snow and then a winged monster will get grumpy and appear. Isn't that what the legend said too?

Huh?

Steer clear of the land. While the snow falls, the slumbering treasure lies with wings... Disturb its sleep, and its wrath will turn from disaster to attack...

You're right! And after that...

Remember still, even stars twinkle above dark clouds. Only those who survive the storm can take hold of the light.

Then the treasure's gotta be right around here somewhere!

So we're looking for light, then? Something shining around here...

Oh! Is this it?

Wow! It's so pretty and sparkly!

I think I saw this fall just a moment ago.

This could be a missing claw from that monster!

This is so neat! Just like a real treasure! I didn't think we'd find something so pretty!

Yeah. If it's okay with you, can I take it for a sec?

What do you plan to do with it?

Heh heh! I may be a titan, but I'm good at crafts! Just make a little hole here... And put this through there...

And voila! All done!

Oooh! Now it's a pretty necklace!

Ha, that was pretty clever. Good job.

It's something special we found together! Now this way you can wear it all the time.

Thanks! I'll hold it dear!

Good! Now that the hunt is over, let's get back home.

...Hm?

Hey!

There you are, you little scamp. Is this where you've been all this time?

I saw a monster fly this way. Are you all right?

Oh...yeah! My friend here get rid of it for us!

I see, I see... That monster in particular doesn't usually get that worked up. Guess you ran into a bit of bad luck.

Nope! It probably got all angry because I was shaking the tree.

You were shaking the tree? As in, trying to make the white flowers fall?

Yeah. That's a really good guess.

I knew it. You must've heard about the legend of the treasure.

You know about it too?

Of course. It's just a dare kids tell each other over the years, though the details change.

Just a dare...?

Oh yes. When the white flowers bloom, it means the monster's claws have just about regrown. Maybe because shedding the old ones is irritating, the monster gets pretty ornery around then. Just shaking the tree even a little will get it riled up to attack you.

Oh! So the dare is to anger it in the first place.

Honestly, it's not a bad deal for the monster though. After dealing with a few brats, its old claws will fall out naturally.

And that's where the legend comes from!

I've got to say, I'm impressed with you, boy. When we were children and brought the claws home, we were treated like heroes. So what sort of treasure did you get?

Uh, well...

Oh? Haven't found it yet, have you? Shall I give you a hand in looking?

No! That's not it. I found it, but...

...Hm?

Oh, whoa! We've a human child here!

...I'm sorry! It's just... All the grownups say not to show ourselves to humans. But... She was all alone in the forest, and I couldn't leave her.

Is that so? I think I understand... So what do you intend to do about her then?

What do you mean? I want to help her get home to Gadaro.

That won't be easy though...

Huh? Why?

Because she now knows of our existence. And she's young at that. One day or another, all of the outside world will know of our village.

Let's take her back with us for now...

...!

No way!

I'm taking back to her own home!

Hey! Wait!

And off they go...

I've got to get back and notify the villagers. Do me a favor and tail them for me, mister!

I will. But do you really have to take the girl?

As for that, I'll try to talk something out with them. But first we've got to make sure they don't go running straight into a monster's nest. I'm counting on you.

The priority here is to find those two. They're heading off towards Gadaro, right? Hopefully they're still somewhere within the Valley of the Ancients...

All right. There should be a shortcut up ahead.

It everything gonna be okay?

Of course. You'll be back in Gadaro in no time.

No, I mean... Is everything gonna be okay when you go back? It sounds like you broke a really important rule.

Aw, it'll be just fine!

Are you sure?

Look, when that monster came after us, and I couldn't do a think about it, I realized something. I realized that I can't stay this way. You're way smaller than I am, but you tried to protect me.

So I want to be a friend to someone like that. That means I've gotta show some courage!

Thank you. It's a shame that I've made a such a good friend that I won't ever get to see again. I had so much fun hanging out with you.

Let's see. We ate fruit, climbed a tree, and played hide and seek, huh? And then we went on a big adventure. I'm grateful that you taught me so much about the outside world. And I've never had so much fun before.

Me too! I'll never forget this day for as long as I live.

Found you!

...!

You got this far, huh? I was thinking that you might've met some trouble and gotten hurt along the way.

Oh. It's you, mister...

No matter how badly you want to protect her, you can't just run off like that without talking things out. If you gave the grownups a chance, they might hear you out, you know.

...No, they won't.

How can you say that for sure?

I gave it some real thought. He said that they can't let her tell anyone about our village cuz then the whole world will know. So that means...

They can't ever let her go home. Right? Those grownups will never understand...

There you are, boy!

!!

Now bring me the girl.

No... I won't do it!

How many times must we tell you? We mustn't show ourselves to humans.

But...

Let her go home then and just watch. Soon all the people will know about us.

Wait... What if I don't tell anyone?

It's not that I don't believe you. But you're just a child. We can't know for sure if or when you'll spill our secret. If other knew of our existence... By fear or fascination, they'll come to the dangerous Valley of the Ancients just to see for themselves. And that is not our desire.

......

We are stronger than them. But that doesn't mean we intend to hurt them. We decided long ago just to watch from afar. However, there is a curse placed on our people. And if some accident were to happen...

I know. I know what you're saying.

But I can't give her up! Isn't she innocent in all this? All she did was get lost! And just for that, she has die here without ever seeing her mother again?

She has...to die?

Exactly!

...Am I wrong?

Ah... I see. That's what you were thinking when you ran away with her then.

Not to worry. We've no intention of killing her.

Really?! You mean it?

However... We can allow her to go home under one condition.

Oh? And what's that?

The titans have a way of sealing off memories. And we will use it on her. She will forget everything having to do with our village, never to remember it again.

...!

She'll never remember it? Ever?

No way! That's awful! We're finally friends now!

You must be reasonable here. The only way for her to leave is to use this spell. If anything were to happen with us and the humans, it would only cause great trouble. Or would you rather have her live in our village for the rest of her life?

No... I can't do that. I want her to get back with her family.

......

Yeah... She needs to live her own life.

Fine then. Use your spell and then get her home.

Are you really okay with this?

Look, I know you miss your mom. Right?

Yeah. I'd hate it if I never saw her again.

But it means that I'll forget everything from today!

That's all right. Because I'll remember. The adventure we had was a lot of fun. I'll never forget it for as long as I live.

...Thank you.

One last thing though. If it's okay to ask...

Promise you'll treasure that necklace, okay? That necklace will keep our memories. I want you to take it, in place of your memories of me.

But...with the spell, you'll just forget the promise anyway.

No way. I'll definitely remember.

Even if I forget everything else, I won't forget this! It's a promise I'm making to my dear friend.

Thanks! That's enough for me.

Thanks a lot for playing with me.

I should be thanking you! I'm grateful you became my friend.

Now then, are you ready? Just close your eyes, little lady...

And the memory seal is complete. She's asleep now, but by the time she awakens, she'll have forgotten all about our village.

Do you mind taking her back to where she belongs, mister?

Don't mind at all. I'll do just that.

...... *sniffle*...

Held it in as long as you could, I see. If it pains you that much, I could place the same spell on you to seal off the same memories...

No. I don't want that. No matter how sad or lonely it feels, these memories are precious to me.

She said she wouldn't forget. But if I end up being the only one who remembers, there's no way I'm letting go of them.

I see... You've really grown, haven't you, boy?

Hey, wakey wakey! I found your daughter.

Oh! It's you!

Thank goodness you're safe!

And thank you so much, sir. I don't know how to thank you enough!

Mom... Were you taking a nap?

No, she wasn't. She's tired because she was searching for you all night.

Huh?! You were looking for me? Oh, now that you mention it... Where was I?

......

You were asleep in a tree hollow, deep in the forest. I guess you were hiding from monsters there and got tired.

Really...? Hm...

I imagine it's hard for you to remember. I bet you had quite a scare back there too. Now, are you all right? Did you hurt yourself?

Mom, I'm just fine! Nothing happened to me!

Then I'm glad to hear it. Now let's get home then. But first, you should thank this young man.

Right. Thanks a lot, mister!

...Oh? Have you always had such a lovely necklace?

What necklace? Oh... I don't know where I got it from.

Do you know something about it, mister?

......

Nope, can't say I do. She was wearing it when I found her.

I see. But it's strange... I don't know anything about it, but I feel like I need to treasure it somehow. Say, mom. Is it okay if I keep it?

Yes, of course. It's so pretty after all.

Yeah! It sure is!

I think you've got the right idea. And if the necklace could talk, it'd want to stay with you too.

Then it's decided! This necklace will be my number one treasure!

Number one treasure, huh...?

Even if memories are erased, the bond will never be broken. Yeah... I know I believe it.