Fear the Ghost of Water

Hmm... Will he be okay? All alone in there.

Something wrong? You seem worried about something.

Oh, you... You a traveler, by chance? Rare around these parts.

The truth is that my father went to the Ship Graveyard alone.

He left here sometime ago, but he hasn't come back...

Ship Graveyard... That Ship Graveyard? That's concerning.

The name of the place itself is scary in its own right. That's concerning.

Yeah, that's for sure. But the place is too dangerous. Not even I'm reckless enough to go.

No one in this country is willing to hear me out...

Oh wait, traveler! You seem confident in yourself. Would you check on my father for me?

Me?

I'll make it worth your while. So, can I count on you?

Umm... Ahhh, I don't need a reward or anything.

I see. Okay then. It's just that nobody has been willing to visit that spooky place...

I meant what I said. A reward won't be necessary. I'll help.

I'm worried about your father, too.

Really?! You're so kind! Thank you, traveler!

People need to help each other, right? So your father... What kind of person is he?

Well... He's kind of a coward. He probably got stuck in the cove on the way there.

So, despite being a coward, he went to that scary place all by himself?

Anyway, I understand. If you think he's in the cove, I'll try searching there first.

I hope you can find him.

There! That must be his father!

He seems timid all right. I'll use a gentle voice with him.

Umm, hey...

......

......

Mi...

Mi...?

Gyaaaahhhh! I-It appeared!

Saaave meee!

Huh?! That wasn't gentle enough for you?!

Oh what?! W-Where is this?!

Noooo! It's too dark! Too scary!

I'm done for! Surrounded on all sides!

Just calm down! Even if I was a ghost, you'd only be surrounded on two sides, right?!

Ah! "Even if you were a ghost..."? So does that mean... You're not a ghost?!

Y-Yeah... I'm human, actually.

N...

Noooo! I knew you were scary! No actual ghost would ever admit to being one! Please! Don't eat me!

I told you, it's fine! Ghosts don't eat humans anyway, now, do they?!

Huh? Ah... Hmm. I suppose not...

I was just so surprised... I thought my heart might stop.

You've finally calmed down...

I'm Aldo. Your son asked me to come find on you.

I see! Sorry about losing my cool.

N-No worries... Just as long as you get it now.

But you... You look just like your son. Or maybe... It's he who looks like you? You even kind of look about the same age...

Haha! Everyone says I look young for my age!

Uh, I see...

(Father and son... Maybe that's why they look alike?)

But... You helped me out. It's embarrassing, but I was unable to move from this spot.

So why were you trying to enter the Ship Graveyard anyway?

Well...

The truth is that this ship graveyard is home to a treasure. I thought that I'd be willing to risk life and limb to get it.

Oh, right! I've got a request for you! Would you mind helping me?! I'll make it worth your while!

No, really... I don't need any kind of reward!

I see. Okay then. It's just that nobody has been willing to come to this spooky place...

No, I meant what I said. A reward won't be necessary. I'll help.

Didn't I have this same exchange with his son?

R-Really? You're going to help me?

Yes, of course. By the way, any idea where this treasure is hidden?

Y-Yes indeed! Just leave that to me! First step is to get through this ship.

Okay. Then let's search the Ship Graveyard together!

I'm sure you know this, but it's really scary in here... There's a coldness to it...

Didn't we only just enter? I'm impressed you wanted to come here despite being so timid and all... Do you have an emotional attachment to the treasure somehow?

Yeah. That's exactly why I was willing to come here. To find something that reminds me of my family. I mustered all the courage I could.

Reminds you of your family? So the treasure you speak of isn't one of jewels or gold?

Eeek! Was something there just now?!

Huh?!

Wh-What is this?! A weapon that moves on its own?!

Urgh! Where in the world did it come from?!

Whooooaaa... Eek! Eek! Eek! Eek!

......

......

Phew... Looks like it's finally done flying.

Th-Thank you, Aldo... What was that just now?

Can't say... It wasn't here during my last visit.

Can't say... I was sure we were the only ones here.

Well, no use fussing over what we don't understand... Are you hurt?

Th-Thanks... Thanks to your help, I'm totally fine.

It's just... It's just that I'm scared stiff. I just need a little time...

That's a big problem, is it not?!

But you were awesome. If I was a young lady, I'd be head over heels for you!

Haha... Umm... Thanks but no thanks...

I get the feeling that we've got a good chance at reaching that treasure with you around!

All right! The treasure awaits up ahead! We don't have a moment to lose!

Ah! But you shouldn't move so quickly!

Ngh!

Scared stiff... I told you.

Let's proceed slowly when you're able to move again.

Wait, Aldo. It should be right around here.

The treasure, you mean?

Yes.

If I do this here...

Wow! There really is a treasure!

(But what is something that reminds him of his family doing here of all places?) (This decay indicates it ran aground decades ago.) (No... Hundreds even, maybe...)

Haha! Open this, and we'll be gone before long. Nothing more to fear...

Yaaaaaargh! Wh-What now?

The weather sure went south quick... It's fine. It's just thunder.

Eeeeek! Help me!

H-Hey, it's just thunder, I said! No reason to be scared...

*passes out*

Th-This sinister feeling...

Ah!

Huh?! If it isn't a monster!

The man is in danger! I need to end this fast!

I think I'm starting to understand...

Are you okay? I defeated the monster, so please, pull it together.

Mmm...

A-Aldo, is that you? Did I lose consciousness?

You did. Want to open this treasure?

Ah! That's right! I can't believe I passed out with the treasure so close! All right! It'll finally be mine, once and for all!

Here goes nothing, Aldo!

A-Ahh!

......

......

Th-This is...

(It's... It's empty. Somebody must have stolen it.)

Aldo...

...... Sorry... I don't know what to say.

Yes...

Huh?

Yes... Yes! It's finally mine!

Huh?

Thank you for accompanying a ghost like me to this important place.

A ghost...like you?

This treasure chest may appear empty to you.

But I can see it plain as day. My wife and son alive and this ship new. The memories of our travels!

Aldo. Because I'm a ghost, my cowardly self was only able to make it this far thanks to you. Along the way, this careless poltergeist provoked the weapon. And attracted others of my kind... For that, I am truly sorry. Now I can meet my end without the least bit of regret... I can't thank you enough.

Wh-Whaaaa? That's great...but... Was the fact that he was a ghost the cause of the physical phenomena? And does that mean I've been alone with a ghost all this time?

That's kind of freaky. I need to get back to Zami and report back to his son!

So, in the end, your father ascended safely.

I see... Thank you so much. I knew if anyone could do it, you could.

It was nothing, really.

But aren't you just a little bit to blame? You could have, at the very least, told me he was dead...

My apologies. It's just... It's just that I thought I'd never have this chance again.

It's fine. You apologized. It's not like I'm mad or anything.

But there's still one thing I don't understand. Something doesn't add up. You're at best about twice my age, right? And when I saw your father, he was about your age. He said he set sail with his wife and son... Meaning you had already been born. But that ship had clearly been shipwrecked for well over 100 years.

Tell me... How old are you really?

...... I told you, didn't I? I said that I thought I'd never have this chance again.

It's not every day that I meet someone who can see me.

What? You don't mean...

Yes, that's right. I, too, died suddenly at the age I appear to be now.

Hearing that my father's soul had left for the Ship Graveyard, I lost heart, and my soul lingered here.

But now... That's all changed. I'll follow my father into ascension.

Umm... Uh, hold on...

I won't give you a reward, but please use this house as you like.

So, I guess this is goodbye. You've done so much for me. Thank you.

......

So they were all ghosts... I think I'm finally starting to understand how Amy must feel.

He said that I can use this house as I like...

As if I need it!