Examining the Bewitchment

Hm? Parisa?

I...hear something.

...Over there!

Who? Where? Where am I?

What's with these guys? Are they sleepwalking or something?

Um... Get ahold of yourselves, please!

Ah! What? Who are you?

What are we doing here?

We were wondering that ourselves.

You...should rest. We'll take you...to an inn.

Y-Yeah, I guess you're right. Heading back to Acteul to regroup sounds like a good idea. Would you mind guiding us there? We're still a little frazzled.

You really saved our bacon back there. As you can probably tell, we're soldiers. We're stationed right here in Acteul.

My name's Aldo. I guess you'd call me a traveler.

And this is my friend Parisa.

Nice to...meet you.

What happened to you guys?

It's a funny story... There are rumors of a fearsome new strain of monster appearing near Lake Tiilen. Naturally, I got my troops together and went to investigate. But on the road, we were surrounded by this weird fog and before we knew it we'd lost our way.

I didn't see any fog...

We walked around in it for what felt like hours.

It looked to me like you guys were just wandering around and spacing out.

You mean the skies were clear?

Sure, I could see for miles around.

How strange... But if there's no fog now, we should be fine.

Move out, men. This time we'll slay this beast for sure!

Wait...

We'll be going. Thank you for your help, my dear.

Huh? But...

I...

Is something wrong, Parisa?

Aldo... That fog... It's...probably...not normal...

You think so too, huh? Something odd is going on here.

Want to go after them?

Can...we?

Yeah. I have a bad feeling about this fog stuff. Not only that, I'm starting to feel really sad for no reason.

Oh... Sorry...

Huh? For what?

No...nothing...

All right. Well, let's hurry to Lake Tiilen before those soldiers get themselves into more trouble.

Who? Where? Do you know the way?

They're all spacey, just like before.

Curse this fog...

Again with the fog. I don't see any.

I...hear something.

Whoa! So there really is fog here?

I can't see anything! Where did the soldiers go?

Aldo... Listen...

Huh? Listen to what?

Ra raa rargh ra raa♪♪

What is that? Sounds like... Growling, maybe? Is it a monster?

This way!

Raa rargh raa raa♪♪

Why aren't we getting any closer? It's like we're not even moving!

I think...

Did you figure something out?

Maybe... I think... I can help... I'll...play...my lute...

It's...gone?

What a lovely song...

Ra raa!

How did this monster get so close?!

Its voice... It creates...illusions...

Then this thing's the source of all the trouble?

After it!

No...leave this...to us.

We were helpless against its illusions... All right. We'll meet you back at the inn. Be careful!

You guys leave this to us. We can handle it.

No more running. We're taking you out!

Raa raaargh♪♪

Urgh, I can still hear it, even when I cover my ears.

Don't worry... I won't...let you...get away with this!

R...aa......

Its voice is gone? Was that you, Parisa?

I used...my lute... to negate its...soundwaves.

Now my head's clear, it's time for some payback!

Phew. That was more trouble than it should have been.

Thanks, Parisa. If it wasn't for you I'd have been lost in the fog, too.

I... I didn't really...

I never knew you were that good at playing the lute.

I...used to be...in a minstrel troupe, so...

We should...probably get back.

Yeah. We need to tell those soldiers about what went down here.

You're okay!

Yup. Defeated the monster, too.

And what about the fog?

Parisa figured out a way to disperse it with her lute.

I knew there was something different about that music! I only heard a few seconds of your song, but I'm already a fan.

A...fan?

N-No way!

He's right, I don't think I've ever heard such a beautiful tune.

I wish I could listen to it all day, every day!

Ha ha, cut it out, you knuckleheads. I guess we're all in deep now, huh?

Would you do us the honor of performing one more time?

Does that song have lyrics? I bet you have a wonderful singing voice.

I...

We'd love to hear it!

I... Uh...

Aldo... What do I do?

What's there to worry about? You can sing, can't you?

Yes, but...if I do... You'll regret it...

I promise you we won't! What could possibly go wrong?

I've got to admit, I'd really like to hear you sing, too.

Just one song!

All right. You...might want to cover your ears.

(How would we hear it like that?)

Here I go.

La la la♪♪

Ah, so beautiful. And yet...

I can't hold back the tears...

We'll have to part with Parisa soon. So sad...

I wonder how the folks back home are doing...

What's going on? Everyone's crying.

Huh? That's strange... I think I might have something in my eye, too...

*sniff* Miss Parisa... I'm so sorry for forcing you to do this. I-I just... *sob* I can't take it!

I'm sorry... I did try to warn you... My songs always make everyone sad...

There's nothing tragic about the song itself, and your voice is fantastic, but...

...But I'm cursed.

Cursed? How did that happen?

When I was still with the troupe... someone...cast this curse upon me. My voice...brings nothing but sorrow...

I feel bad for asking you to sing now.

No, I'm sorry...for not telling you before... It's just been...so long since I last got to sing... I used to love singing...

I...hope I can find a cure...