Negotiations That Get Results

Ewan! Just the man I wanted to see.

Mm, what is it? Unusual for ya to have any business with me. Does this mean ya've finally plucked up the courage to start handlin' cursed weapons yourself?

I'll have you know, my selection is perfect! What I do have for you is info about the weapon you're after.

What?!

Hey, I can't guarantee this'll lead to anything. I don't even know if the guy I spoke to is reliable.

I'll find that out for myself. I'm desperate for a lead here, anythin' is better than nothin'.

Okay, so a chap came to my shop the other day, and asked about you. He said he has a weapon to trade, in exchange for information on Phantom's Bane.

So this is someone who knows that I'm after it, huh? Hmmmm...

This chap was as shady as they come, he had his face hidden and everything. I wouldn't trade with someone like that, personally. Seems risky.

Anyone who knows anythin' about the Phantom's Bane tends to not be completely trustworthy. Anyway, was that all they said?

They want to meet you in the Rucyana Sands. And they said they expect that you'll be ready for the trade.

Rucyana Sands, huh. Not my favorite desert in the world, but if that's where it's gotta be then so be it.

Not your favorite desert?

Doesn't matter. Anyway, thanks for the info. Next time I see ya in the tavern, I'll see to it ya get your favorite dessert at least.

I'll go with you, if you want.

I don't mind one bit. Be warned though, ya'll be gettin' yourself involved in some fairly nasty business.

Nothing unusual for me. Shall we get going then?

What a stupid place for a meetin'. I like my desserts sweet, not sandy.

Ewan, something's been bothering me... When we were with that ex-pirate, you said you knew someone who did the same sort of thing. I've been wondering about that guy...

Yeah, well, I say a lot of things.

You sure do. And that time, you were talking about yourself, right? What happened?

......

...Sorry. I don't mean to pry, but I thought if there's something I can help you with, then I'd like to.

Ya really are a... Yeah, fine.

I'll tell ya. Let me warn ya though: it's a bitter tale.

I can handle it. Please tell me your tale.

Actually, let's save the story for another day. They're here now.

Ya're the one I'm dealin' with?

Indeed. We're offering information relating to Phantom's Bane.

And in exchange? Give me the details.

There's a weapon we're after.

No problem, what weapon are we talkin' about? A slicer of fairies and fiends? An ax that'll crush the bones of demons?

The Phantom's Lance.

......

Sealed within the Phantom's Lance is the soul of an ancient, malignant spirit. He who enters into a contract with this spirit... ...will wield immense magical power. In return, their life force is sapped, until it runs completely dry. Dry like this desert, where you yourself agreed to a contract, all those years ago.

Care to tell me how in the hell ya know that?

Hehe... No. Talking time is over.

He's brought beasts with him!

Oh, I see how it is.

We failed to take the lance all those years ago, but not today!

You guys are going down!

This was a miscalculation on my part. I thought we wouldn't have to deal with beasts...

So, the cursed weapon you made a contract with was...

Yeah, ya got it. Out of all the cursed weapons that could've come my way, the Phantom's Lance was the one that did.

I was only a lad. We were makin' our way across the world, me and my old man, as part of a merchant's caravan. One day we were passin' through this very desert, when we came across a body, with a lance in the grip of its dead hands.

We knew what it was, the kind of thing ya don't touch unless ya want to meet a sticky end. The lure of it was too much for me. I was told sternly by my old man to leave it alone. I ignored him, of course. What was the threat of "eventual demise" to me? I wanted the power to keep our caravan safe from anyone seekin' to harm us. That little wish brought about a whole world of hurt. I took the lance.

What about the contract?

That came later. One night, once most of the caravan had hit the hay, the beasts struck. They had come lookin' for the lance. They cut through the caravaneers like they were nothin'. With death and destruction in every direction, I looked around and thought "this is it for me." It was then that the lance offered me the contract.

I took it, seein' as the only other option for me was a bloody death at the hands of the beasts. I've thought endlessly about how I could've done things differently. But at that moment, it was as simple as "take it or die."

I see what you mean by bitter...

So that ghastly ball of shadowy light you were talking to on the Serena Coast was the spirit sealed in the lance?

That was him. I've been searchin' endlessly for a way to get rid of him, but it's been a fruitless search so far.

Phantom's Bane should do the trick, surely. With a name like that, I'd be shocked if it didn't.

I'm confident it will. And then, all my years of hard brokerin' will have paid off.

But haven't we hit a dead end here?

What are ya talkin' about? We know now that the beasts are still searchin' for the lance. We simply need to find some associates of that motley crew from earlier, and then we'll be in business.

You're suggesting we go to their base? To the Beast King's Castle?

That's what I had in mind.

All right then, let's get moving.

I can't see anything relevant to the lance.

If there's nothin' in here, we'll be goin' home empty handed.

Now what do we have here... Found ya.

Looks like the beasts have been doin' their homework. "Residin' within the Phantom's Lance is an ancient and unimaginably evil spirit." "The spirit offers its extraordinary magic energy to anyone who agrees to enter into a contract with it." "All its owners have met with untimely demises. This is said to be the wielder's price to pay for the lance's full power."

An untimely demise doesn't sound like much fun...

Those that made contracts up until now must have had some idea of how it'd end for them. But the beasts... They're fully aware and they're goin' after it anyway. They're that desperate to win the war against humans.

Hey Ewan, there's something bothering me...

Oh, look at this, Aldo! There's somethin' on Phantom's Bane too!

"The ancient Palsifalians of Antiquity sealed the Phantom's Lance somewhere within their palace." "Stored alongside it was a weapon known as Phantom's Bane." "It was kept as a safeguard, bein' the only weapon capable of destroyin' the lance."

That's good information. I guess we should be thankful the beasts found this all out.

There's a bit more... "The last record of anyone havin' seen Phantom's Bane dates from around 20,000 BC."

The trail goes cold over 20 millennia past. Blast it.

Then we'll just have to make take a quick trip across the millennia and pick up the trail where it left off!

Well, I never... I've gotta tell ya, durin' all my years grapplin' with this problem, I never once thought "If only I could go back in time," now here I am about to go back in time! Ironic, eh?

Let's pay Antiquity a visit then, shall w...

Argh...

What's wrong?!

Nothin' to worry about.

What we were reading about just now... The part about untimely demises... Do you think that's what you're heading for, at this rate?

...... Yeah, I reckon so.

The contract requires the continual drainin' of my life force. And when I need a power-up, I lose an extra chunk.

All my bodily senses have dulled to the point where I can only feel the most extreme pain. I can also only taste certain, strong flavors.

So everythin' except a super-sweet dessert tastes like sand from a desert.

That explains that insane sweet tooth of yours...

Borrowin' his power makes me more or less invincible, but brings me closer to an early grave. Even if I'm wise enough to refrain, he's sure to remind me of his presence with generous showerings of pain throughout the day. It's safe to say that my contract with this spirit hasn't been my finest business decision.

Can't you do something about the pain?

It's part of the contract, and the contract is completely bindin'. I need a way to nullify it. Bumpin' off the other party seems like a good option in this case. Unfortunately for me, there's nothin' other than Phantom's Bane that's known to be able to kill this spirit.

*sigh*

What's with that face? I'm the one in pain here, ya know. Our next stop is the palace. 20,000 years ago, was it?

Hey there. By any chance, have ya ever heard of a weapon called Phantom's Bane?

Phantom's Bane?

This is a weapon related to the Phantom's Lance, I presume?

Yeah, that's right.

I'm afraid I don't know anything about a Phantom's Bane, but the lance is rumored to be stored in the palace's dungeon. If this Phantom's Bane of yours exists, it is possible that it's been stored together with the lance.

Understood! Thanks!

Let's get going right away.

There's somethin' buggin' me.

What? What's wrong?

The phantom's gone quiet on me. We're on the cusp of puttin' an end to him, and yet... He doesn't have anythin' to say about that? It doesn't seem right.

Maybe you've scared him into submission.

That'd sure be nice. Anyway, let's go already.

Let's give that nasty phantom a taste of his own bane.

I'm hopin' it'll be easy to spot, but if it's not... I'll bust this place up with my hammer if I have to. No stone is goin' unturned on this search.

Come to think of it, why do you use a hammer when you've got the lance? The lance must be extremely powerful, right? Wouldn't it have been worth mastering lance-wielding so you could use it?

Eh, I've tried my hand at more or less every type of weapon under the sun durin' my time as a broker. What I like is somethin' that lets me put my full body weight into a single, satisfyin' smash.

Well I can't deny, I do feel reassured when I see you leaping through the air with that hammer of yours.

Besides, if I used the lance, I'd be reminded that I'd been scammed every time I went into battle. And I don't want to feel like a chump every time I battle.

No resentment there then!

You're not lying? You'll really give me your power?

Huh?

I've had enough of being looked down on as a feeble grunt. I want to make something of myself! That'll show the Lieutenant and all the others for saying I'm useless.

That's this era's phantom!

That's the worst sales pitch I've ever heard. If ya've any sense ya'll back away from that thing right now!

Wah?!

Get back!

Hey! Why did you do that?!

Make a contract with that lance, and it'll be the stupidest thing ya ever do. The rest of your life will be nothin' but miserable sufferin'.

Oh yeah? I think I can decide for myself what's best, thanks! Who are you to tell me I'm wrong?!

I've met some chumps in my time, but ya take the cake.

I guess he's gotta learn it the hard way: ya can't have your cake and eat it too. If ya trade your life force away to an evil spirit...well, ya're gonna die. It's not a "live and learn" sort of mistake.

*sigh*

I'm a livin' example for those guys of how they'll end up if they screw up like I did. If I've got to doom myself a bit more to get them back on the right track, then so be it.

Is that why you've been doing the brokering job? So you can prevent people from making the same mistake as you?

No, none of that. I've had my eyes on the prize, on Phantom's Bane. Everythin' else was just a side dish.

All right, if you say so.

Anyway, come on! We need to go after him!

Let's put an end to that phantom's miserable existence!

Oh, it's you again. Stay out of this, would you!

Look, either ya wise up or I'm gonna have to bust ya up. Mess around with evil spirits, and ya're gonna get played, son. What part of that isn't obvious?

What would you know about it? And anyway, you know nothing about me!

All right, so we've got one bowl of pain to serve up.

Our business concerns you not! Leave, at once!

I'm not goin' anywhere until my hammer has squished ya flat!

You choose death, then.

Eeek!

This is your true form, is it? Excellent, a nice, big target to really sink my hammer into!

No dubious deals are going down on my watch!

Gotta love that crunchin' sound.

For humans to do this to me... It's simply not possible!

That oughta do it...

...... I am not so ungenerous as to not commend your effort. But it's useless. Only a strike dealt by Phantom's Bane may rend me asunder.

Not surprisin', really.

It seems that creating a contract will be more difficult than I first thought. But rest assured, there's many an opportunity waiting for me. Human greed is in such abundant supply, you see. It shan't be long before I come across another willing contractee.

Damn that thing!

...Hm. I never knew the lance could move on its own...

Does that mean your lance is always with you?

It has to be; it's contracted to protect me after all. Usually I keep it in my...

Hmm?

Impossible! The lance isn't there!

What do you mean?

No idea. This has never happened before.

Do you think...

That he was plannin' to take Phantom's Bane away while we were occupied with the other spirit? Yeah.

Back down to the dungeon, come on!

Look!

That must be Phantom's Bane!

If it isn't my favourite phantom. I don't remember authorizin' ya to go walkabout.

That's Phantom's Bane? It's a hammer?

Yes, it is as you say, this wretched weapon that would end my existence takes the coarse and loathsome form of a hammer. I may not be able to wield the hammer itself, but what I can do...is keep it out of your grasp!

No, ya won't be doin' that. Get out of the way!

I only follow the orders of those who offer me their life force. Is that what you wish to do? But oh, what's this! A slice of this paltry amount you have left won't satisfy me, I'm afraid. Unless you want me to take it all, leaving you as a corpse?

Fine. Prepare to get pummeled once again.

Let's do this!

Once again? No. You are mistaken.

This thing looks a lot stronger than the one we fought earlier!

I am infinitely more powerful than my former self. The nourishing life force of greedy humans has bulked me up, and taken my magical abilities to new heights. You can curse the fools who, in lending me their life force, have given me power enough to seal your doom.

Your fists against my hammer, huh? My money's on my hammer!

We're taking you down, phantom!

Imbecilic humans! I'll reduce you to dust!

No! I was not to lose this battle! Not this one!

*huff* *puff*...Well, have I got news for ya...

Do it, Ewan!

It's time for us to part. I can't say your companionship has been enjoyable, but all the same, farewell.

You wretched fool, how dare you...!

Ya can't run from me, phantom! We've got a contract, remember? Now, just like me in the desert all those years ago, ya've only got one option: to have your existence ruined. And so, it's time...

To make a deal!

Wh-What?!

Ewan, what are you talking about?!

If I get rid of ya now I'll be left with this weak body and who knows how many days or weeks I'll have left to live. That's a bad deal, no two ways about it. So what I want is for ya to give me back all of my life force. Do that and I'll spare ya.

Spare me, will you? ... This is amusing. So when your back is against the wall, you'll look after number one at the expense of everyone else... Your hypocrisy matters not to me. I will return your life force. In exchange, you must forfeit the right to wield Phantom's Bane.

Agreed, save for one condition.

While the contract is valid ya don't touch Phantom's Bane either. That way we keep each other in check. It's only fair, wouldn't ya say?

We have an agreement. Our contract will be bound with the force of my ancient magic. You'll be physically incapable of breaking it.

An oral agreement is bindin' in my book anyway, so no problem.

Very well! I hereby return to you your life force.

Ahh, that's the stuff! I haven't felt like this in who knows how many years!

Relish this moment. It shall all be downhill for you henceforth. You shall continue to provide me with your life force. I shall strengthen, and you... You shall wither!

Back in the desert that time, I learned a harsh lesson: no matter how hopeless things look, don't get desperate. Do that and ya might just end up in a unsavory situation, one that'll haunt ya for the rest of your days.

Ya're about to learn the very same lesson, courtesy of Phantom's Bane.

How absurd. You cannot possibly...

Aldo, ya're up. Would ya mind givin' my good phantom friend a nice, healthy bashin' with this here hammer?

You cannot...! This violates our contract!

It doesn't, actually. The agreement was between the two of us.

Aldo was just a witness; he has no obligation to suppress his desire to wreck ya.

It really is over for you now, phantom!

Grrgrghgaaaaaaaagh!

...Huh. I see what you mean about hammers. There's something really satisfying about the way you just swing the handle, land the blow, and boom! Destroyed!

If ya ever fancy tryin' your hand at bein' a hammer-wielder, I've got a top-notch cursed one in stock.

Or maybe I'll reforge Ogre Rancorem into a hammer?

Anyway... Don't you think it's weird that Phantom's Bane disappeared as well?

Those two weapons were like ying and yang. A tightly-knit pair, I suppose. So they wanted to go off into the sunset together... I assume.

Still, it was a shame to have to let a weapon of that quality go. The next time somethin' like Phantom's Bane pops up, nothin's gonna stop me from trackin' it down and makin' a big sale.

You're going to keep on going with the brokering then?

'Course. What else would I do with myself?

Well, you can count on me if there's ever any cursed weapon too dangerous for you to handle alone.

Yeah, if things turn sour I know just the lad to call on.

Now! I believe we have cause to celebrate. Hey, Barkeep! Ya got any sweet treats on the menu here?

Wait... Why're you buying sweet stuff if you've got your sense of taste back?

I told ya, It was only the strongest flavors that I could taste! I was missin' all the subtlety in my favorite desserts. I've finally got the chance to taste true sweetness again!

Wow, okay. I thought you only liked that stuff because it was the only thing you could taste.

Nah, I've always walked on the sweet side of life, ever since I was this tall.

Hey, Barkeep! Bring me all your sweet dishes! Ya heard me, all of 'em!