The Scars Mark the Fighter

There you are, Theodorus. I've been looking for you.

Ye look worried. Somethin' the matter?

I know this is sudden, but would you take down a monster for me?

I don't mind, but...don'tcha got some young fighters in the arena who're up to the task?

They all tried to no avail. Have you not heard about the rampaging beast at the palaestra?

Sure have, but that's nothin' outta the ordinary.

I assure you this one is. Apparently, it's been coming and going from the restricted area as it pleases.

What?!

Sounds like a pretty dangerous place.

It's more than just dangerous. Goin' in there's been forbidden since I was young. All the monsters in the palaestra're only there 'cause they were runnin' from the stronger monsters in that place.

But if it's going back and forth between the areas, that must mean it's not trying to flee into the palaestra like the others.

At first, the fighters who were training there were able to drive it off. But as time wore on and it came back again and again, the number of people to fight it off fell, from injury and fear.

And the few greenhorns left ain't enough to handle it, huh. Alright, consider it done. Where's it now?

The arena in the forest. Good luck, Theodorus. I pray it does not make it into town.

Then we better be off...

To the forest! Let's gooo!

I don't think it's safe for you to come with us, Sylvie.

Whaaat?! No fair!

Let us handle the monster, okay?

How come Ruvi gets to go? She's a weakling like me too!

Sylvie! That's not nice!

A weakling...

Don't let it bother you. Your brains have saved me lots of times already, and I know they'll come in handy again.

Aldo...

I didn't hear you deny the "weakling" allegation. That must mean you agree.

What? No! I don't think you're weak!

Enough yappin'! We got places to be!

Did you hear that?

About the strong monster?

Indeed. I do not have any interest in the duels of man, but monsters are an entirely different story. Some time has passed since your forfeiture in the arena. Perhaps it is time for you to make a triumphant comeback?

Y'know, I brought you to make sure I didn't dillydally out here. But...why the heck not?

Then let us follow their trail.

Hey! You okay?!

It doesn't look like the monster's here. Let's hope that means it left already.

Ungh... Theodorus...

Save yer breath. We gotta get ye to the infirmary.

I'm...fine... But one of the other fighters... He tried to save us, but got captured by the beast... It headed toward the restricted area...

What?!

This ain't good... Even if he gets away from that monster, the others'll find 'im.

Please, Theodorus! You have to save him!

I didn't wanna go into that area, but it looks like I ain't got much choice.

Aldo. Ruvi. Get these guys to safety...

You're not thinking of going alone, are you?! That's way too dangerous!

Didn'tcha hear a word I said earlier?! That area's full o' strong monsters!

Sounds like you guys could use a hand, or four.

Yer Utpalaka, ain'tcha? And you?

Cerius, a friend of his.

I think I remember seeing you in the stands.

What're you doing here? Sorry to say, but we're kinda in a rush.

We understood as much after hearing your conversation in the tavern and thought we could be of service.

The more people we got, the better. 'N' besides, I know how good ye are with a bow.

Is that so? I do not recall firing a single arrow in this town...

Theodorus... That never happened...

Oh, right. Sorry 'bout that.

The more people we got, the better. But are ye sure? Yer friend don't look too tough.

Don't worry about him. Cerius is an expert hunter, that I guarantee.

Alright. We'll be countin' on ye both, then.

Now that that's settled, we should get moving. We need to take that monster down quick.

Still set on comin', are ye?

I know it's dangerous. But I can't just walk away knowing someone needs help. And besides... A real fighter isn't scared of a strong opponent, right?

Heh. Couldn'ta said it better myself. If yer that sure, then I won't say any more.

Thanks, Theodorus.

Now, about the monster in question. Do you think that simply besting it once will resolve your problem?

What makes ye think otherwise?

This is the first time a monster has gone in and out of the area, yes? In which case, I imagine something triggered the change. And if we do not fix the underlying cause, it may just happen again.

As the saying goes, "If you give an Ursus Ferus a cookie, it will return to your dwelling to inquire about a beverage."

What?

Anyway...why don't we worry about getting that fighter out first? If we've still got energy after that, we can figure out the cause.

We can leave the investigatin' to the arena folk. Savin' that guy and beatin' that monster is our job.

Hey! Can ye hear me?!

He's badly wounded... We need to get him outta here so we can treat these injuries.

Yeah. But I don't think getting out will be that simple.

Tch... So they were still nearby, huh.

Ruvi. Can ye get 'im outta here on yer own?

No. He's way too heavy for me to manage.

Then I'll do it. Hate that I'm gonna miss out on a good fight, but this's more important.

Thanks.

C'mon, we gotta buy 'im time to escape!

Instead of creating some sort of diversion, we could always just dispose of them.

And here I thought you were more brain than brawn...

It took out those other monsters with a single blow.

Don't let yer guard down! It ain't on our side!

You're gonna fight that thing?!

Course I am! I ain't scared, just the opposite! Ain't nothin' better than takin' down a tough opponent!

I must agree. The toughest quarry is the most worthwhile to hunt.

I don't know how both of you can be excited at a time like this.

Quiet down 'n' toughen up! We gotta fight, so might as well enjoy it!

Huff... Huff... Hahaha! Didja see that?!

Let's get outta here before it comes back!

That beast seemed rather...fixated on you, Theodorus. Might you have some connection to it?

Not that I can remember. But... Nah, that's not important right now. We gotta get outta here first.

We should take the injured to the infirmary too. That's probably where Utpalaka's headed.

And it had all these swords stuck in its body and its mouth was all like whoaaa... So yeah, it was a really big, strong monster.

Oh yeah? You must've had fun hunting that.

I regret to inform you that the beast got away.

You won against that?! You're amazing, Ruvi! I'm sorry I called you a weakling.

Hehe. It was nothing! For me, at least. 'Cause Theodorus did all the work.

Don't sell yourself short, Ruvi. You helped too.

Speaking of those swords, I noticed there were some new ones, but others that looked pretty old.

It's proof o' how many fighters it took down. That thing was a fighter in its own right.

I hate to think what would happen if it came back to the palaestra.

Ye don't hafta worry 'bout that. I think I figured the whole thing out.

I see you made it back safely, Theodorus.

Reshan's takin' care o' the injured fighters. Says they're all gonna be just fine.

That's a relief. You have my gratitude for handling that monster. From now on, we'll be keeping an eye on the restricted area.

Good idea. By the way, I was wonderin'...

Did Tiodore go into that area often?

Why do you ask that?

'Cause I think that monster wasn't after me. It was after him.

That makes sense. You two would smell identical to its nose.

So? Did he?

Yes, he did. He told me he had found a monster worth fighting in there.

Then that must be the creature that attacked us.

Maybe it wanted another match with 'im. But since Tiodore wasn't comin' to it, it went to the palaestra to find 'im instead.

I guess it can't tell that he's already gone...

It must be so sad without its friend.

Friend?

Grandpa always says that there's no hard feelings after a fight. Tiodore and that monster must be friends after battling so many times.

Gahaha! Ye might be right, Sylvie!

All the other fighters feared 'im, so maybe he found a kindred spirit in that monster. Ain't my place to judge who his friends were. But if that monster wants a fight, I can do it in Tiodore's place. Then it won't come wanderin' into the palaestra anymore.

If you do, I'll join you.

Well, we better get going.

I had quite an enjoyable time. I am certain that will make the spices in my next meal taste all the hotter.

Thanks fer yer help. I'd be happy to treat ye to dinner the next time yer in town.

I look forward to it already. There is bound to be some local delicacy with spices I have never tasted before.