Iridescent Blessing

......

(Poor Yuna seems so deflated. I imagine she's worried about finding a way to control her rainmaking powers.)

Hey, I just had a good idea. Since there are tons of good places to eat here, why don't we go grab a bite?

...That's okay. No need to concern yourself with the likes of me.

(Well, that didn't work.)

Come on, Yuna! One way or another you're going to find a way to control your power, right? Just have faith in yourself.

Faith? How am I supposed to have that when my Mizu Mirror is the only thing keeping me from destroying people's lives? And if something happens to it who knows how I'll manage by myself...

W-Well... I'm sorry. I just wanted to cheer you up.

O-O-Oh, no! I-I'm sorry! I didn't mean to make you feel bad and you shouldn't have to apologize and yet, I...

*sigh* I feel so...so gray and joyless...

Just like the sky.

(She's right. If she doesn't perk up who knows when another cataclysmic storm might break out. And if it does, it won't be pretty.)

I know! Let's just forget all about this rainmaking stuff for a while.

B-But...

We're gonna go somewhere so hot and dry there's no way you could find even a drop of rain there: Zarbo! It'll be nice and sunny and you'll feel better in no time, I bet you.

We're gonna go somewhere so hot and dry there's no way you could find even a drop of rain there: the desert! It'll be nice and sunny and you'll feel better in no time, I bet you.

...Okay. I hope so.

Then it's decided. Next destination: sunny-skyed Zarbo!

Then it's decided. We'll ask the Synth Hydra to take us to the desert!

Oh man, the heat here is sweltering. But look, not a raincloud in sight!

Indeed. I can't imagine even a drip like me having to worry about whipping up a storm somewhere as hot and arid as this place!

See? I told you, nothing to worry about here except getting sunburn.

Damn it, we can't go on like this... If only we had some rain!

......

......

I...thought I heard the word "rain"! I must still have some of that Holy Water in my system. Well, Aldo, back to the ship! After you! Let's "make like a banana and split" like you people of this land say!

Geez, Yuna, hold on! We can't just leave after we...

But I thought we came here to FORGET the rain! Didn't we?!

That was the idea but it didn't include any and all mentions of the word! Don't you think that's a little extreme? Besides, while we're here we might as well see if we can find anything to help you control your power. Am I right or not?

...Y-You're not...not wrong.

Excuse me. I heard you mention something about rain. Is something the matter?

Hey, as a matter of fact, there is! He's yet struck again, I tell you!

"He"? "He" who?

Don't tell me you don't know? I'm talking about the mage who set up camp in the desert here! He's rearing all kinds of monsters we've never seen before and siccing them on unlucky passersby!

What?! That's awful!

Wait, but what does that have to do with the rain? Are the monsters under his control made of fire?

No, no. They're protected by this "Drought Barrier" spell or whatever. You can't touch 'em. We had another Mage from the Royal City try his hand at fighting them but that spell meant they didn't even take a scratch!

Um, a Drought Barrier? It certainly does sound like something a spot of rainfall could dispel, but wouldn't fighting them after sundown have the same effect?

Well, the guy ain't stupid. He knows that. That's why he hides 'em away real well after dark.

Oh boy, this sounds like a real joy to deal with. But we can't let him continue to run rampant.

We'll head to the Rucyana Sands and investigate further.

Without a plan?

Well, it's not like we can make one without finding out more anyway.

Y-You're also not wrong there. To the Rucyana Sands, then.

Are you sure you won't reconsider this, Aldo? I-I-I mean, we don't know what manner of creature we'll be up against, and...

It isn't the monster or mage that's the problem, it's this mysterious Drought Barrier. We just have to find out how to break it so somehow, some way, that's what we'll do.

I...suppose so. If only I could use my powers with some restraint I could...

Hey, don't get all glum on me now! That wasn't what I was expecting of you.

Besides, it's not like you could create a downpour in the middle of a wasteland like this, right?

I...I don't know. Perhaps I could.

It seems that the bigger problem is... Whether I could get it to stop. Such was the case when the rains I summoned sunk my village, according to that letter Ratchett found. What's stopping that from happening again here?

Yuna...

When I read that letter, suddenly everything became clear. Why my kinsmen were so cold to me growing up, why they sent me away. They were afraid of me. And why shouldn't they be? I destroyed their home once. They, the world, would be better off if I didn't exist. If I never existed.

......

Enough! Quit it with that kind of crazy talk!

Ah! I...I-I-I'm sorry!

I won't stand here and listen to any friend of mine undervaluing their life like you just did. If the people of your hometown care about you like Ratchett said they do, you should too. That letter, this journey to learn self-restraint, none of it was meant to cast you out, I know it. It was so you could grow as a person. You have to recognize that.

B-But...I... My head hurts. I don't know anymore...

......

A binding effective enough to conceal her strength isn't easy to make. Not to mention it'd take far too long. By the time it was finished she could already be dead.

It's...It's that serious?

Yes. Her powers are simply too great. Next time she loses control it might just be more than her body can handle.

...Look, for now, just don't use your powers. Okay?

R-Really? I don't have to?

Yeah, it's okay. We'll find another way to crack this Drought Barrier thing, just like we said we would. Right?

Right!

Okay, let's get back to looking for that Mage. If we're careful maybe we can catch him by surprise.

Aldo, over there!

Wait, is that a golem? What's it doing in this time?!

A-A-Are golem sightings not a common phenomenon in this era?

Not a chance. They're a product of the magic of antiquity.

How very astute of you. Indeed, this brick-built beauty here is an ancient magic weapon.

I take it you're the Mage who's been terrorizing the desert? What's the big idea? Huh?!

"Terrorizing"? How dare you! I am but a scientist putting the operating principles of ancient technology to the test. FOR SCIENCE! If I can restore and repurpose these old golems I can offer them as soldiers to the highest bidder.

And there's always a market for cannon fodder. If not in the Kingdom of Miglance then in the Eastern lands or remaining beast clans. I'll be rich!

Not if we have anything to do about it!

And what would you do against a perfectly invulnerable soldier like this, hm? Give it a good back-scratching with that puny sword of yours?

Where there's a will there's a way! And I have the will. The way's coming right up!

Wargh?! It's like that guy said... My sword just bounced right off it!

Oh, no...Oh, no!

It's got to be that Drought Barrier!

It is indeed. A charm of my very own making! And as long as the sun shines it'll deflect every attack like a wall of solid iron, making my golem the perfect desert-battle specimen!

But wait, there's more! It even packs a mean punch too!

Ngh!

Oh, no...!

See? So, know any despots or warlords who'd be interested in buying?

Ngh...This isn't over yet...

Oh, but it is. Right...now...

Tch, sundown already? Oh well. You can enjoy dying in the wilderness. Toodles!

Wa...wait!

Aldo, I...I'm so, so sorry. Because I didn't use my powers, you... *sniff*

Yuna, it's not your fault that thing was protected as well as it was.

I-I know, but...

We agreed ahead of then that you weren't going to use your powers. So it's not your fault, it's the Mage's. Okay?

Yes.

More importantly, we need to focus on what we're going to do about that barrier. We can't do much else until we figure that out.

Um, perhaps Ratchett knows something that could be of help? She might not, but...Well, she also might.

Hey, why didn't I think of that. Let's go see Ratchett!

A golem behind a Drought Barrier? Oh, my. A golem is terrifying enough without the added invincibility magic, let alone with it. If only I knew how the spell was cast, I could be of some help. But as things are, I'm afraid I'd have no idea where to start.

He said he made it himself or something if that helps.

And it dissipates in the evening, correct? Then I guess your best bet would be to somehow block the sunlight from the golem.

I knew it. The only way to defeat the golem is if I summon the rain.

No! You musn't!

Stay calm and listen to me carefully, Yuna. If you lose control of your strength even once more, it's likely you could lose your life in the process too.

Wha...Wha?

Your Mizu Mirror can't contain your power for much longer. If your abilities go beserk again, it won't be of much help. And in that instance the energy may be so vast and overwhelming that your body simply gives out.

Really...

That's why I'm giving you this rainmaking amulet. Try it on for size with this pesky Barrier, okay?

Okay!...W-W-Wait, um! Do you mean to say this will call the rain in place of my powers?

That's right. But be warned, it won't work for long. So try and keep the fight short, okay?

Yes, we will! Thank you!

Yuna? About what Ratchett just said. I'm sorry I kept quiet about it before. I just didn't want you to worry any more than you were.

You don't have to apologize Aldo. I know you were just worried about me and... To be honest, that makes me happy. So, um...Thank you.

You're welcome. Thanks for not being mad.

All right, Drought Barrier, prepare yourself!

Yuna, let's hurry back to the Rucyana Sands! It's time for a rematch and this time we're winning!

Th-That's right! Yes!

(But I can't keep relying on you to do my duty forever. You were right about that too.)

If it comes to it, Aldo... I won't leave you in peril. No matter what.

Well, well, well! If it isn't the buzzard breakfast I served up last time! I thought the birds would have picked you clean by now but no matter. This time you're finished.

Actually, that's my line. Yuna!

U-U-Um, right! I call forward, clouds!

Wha?! The Barrier! It's, !

While the sunlight's blocked, now's our chance!

NO! My golem! My perfect experiment!

Just a little more and this thing'll be nothing but a pile of rubble!

Damn it, is the amulet's effect wearing out already?!

Oh no, the Barrier is back up!

Guagh!

Aldo!

AHAHAHAHA! Behold! Even the heavens bend to the genius of my scientific accomplishments!

Now, to conclude the experiment and finish this impudent grub of a man...!

Ngah! Yuna... Run...! I'll buy you some time, just...go...

No, that can't happen! If I leave you here, you'll... You'll, !

It's okay, I'll be right behind you. Just go, Yuna...!

......

Not after you told me to value my life. I won't let you disregard the value of yours either.

That's why I'll use my power, every drop of it if needs be, and take this evil duo down!

No! You can't do that, Yuna, you'll...!

Until now, Aldo, I've done nothing but cower in fear and rely on your help. Whether I was feeling bright or clouded or gloomy, you were always there to help me carry out my duty.

It's about time for me to be your ray of light when you need it most!

You said it yourself! I can't keep putting off using my powers or I'll never get better at wielding them. And you never gave up on trying to make me see that's true. So I can't give up now! I'll call forth a storm to save you and send it back from whence it came too!

A storm in a desert like this?

Hahaha! I've never heard anything so scientifically impossible in my life! You must be mad with fear, girl!

I dare you to say that again when your golem is struggling to paddle in the floods of my rage.

Oh dear, she really has gone crazy.

Spirits! As you once did for my kinsmen, now, for my beloved comrade and I...

The Mizu Mirror...It broke!

Wait, what's happening? Why is the sky turning all grey?

Grant us rain! Grant us rain!

Like the sacred Holy Water quenches the drought of the body...

Yuna!

I'm fine! Now, go!

You don't have to tell me twice! Get ready to rumble, Rocky!

The core! You...You broke my golem's core! Eeeyaaaaaaargh!

We did it, Yuna! That golem's nothing but dust now!

*huff* *puff* We did...didn't...

*huff huff* Aaah!

Oh, no! Is she losing control?

*labored breathing* It appears I'm not capable after all... But I really thought...I had it... This time...!

Listen to me, Yuna! You can't let this thing overwhelm you! You've got to fight it!

Before...too late...Aldo! Stop me! You have to...!

But-But how?!

Wait a second, a shard? From the Mizu Mirror?

(If Yuna's emotions are what affect the weather...) (That means she already has the means to control her power!) I've gotta try it! Here goes!

Look, Yuna! See this? It's another "seal" Ratchett made you!

Se...al?

Yeah! It activates when you believe in yourself! So just believe! Tell the rain to stop and believe it!

B-Believe in...myself? Y-Yes...Yes! I do! Enough! Keening skies. You will wail no more!

It...It stopped!

You did it, Yuna! You finally took control of your powers!

Uh, I-I-I, no! That was just because of, the...the seal that you gave me...

No it wasn't. See for yourself.

Th-This is...a shard? Of my Mizu Mirror? Then...then the rain stopped because?

Because you already had the ability to control your powers all along. The only thing you were missing was confidence. All you had to do was stand and face your fears and challenges instead of running away. And you did.

You're...re...really?

Really, really. How else could the rain have stopped? It's not like a fake seal could make that happen.

I...I can't believe it...

......

What's wrong? Aren't you happy?

Haaaaaah, I'm so relieved! I'm just so relieved that nothing bad happened a-and that everything turned out okay!

Hahaha! You can say that again!

By the way, I think I know now how the people of your hometown felt too. Back when you first lost control of your power. I don't think they hated you at all. Rather, they wanted to save you. That's why they gave you a seal.

W-Well, if I didn't have one I would have destroyed the village again. I still don't think it has anything to do with wanting to help or save me.

If they didn't want to save you why didn't they just leave you to be consumed by your power? Think about it.

When you put it that way... Does that mean the secret letter inside the Mizu Mirror was written out of tough love, not hate?

I'd bet on it. They wanted you to learn and grow. Eventually, you did. Just now. You did really great, Yuna.

Oh! Then...That means I can finally go home to my village, doesn't it?

Well, in theory. But I only succeeded this time in controlling my power because, well, y-you were there to...encourage me. And I still need to learn how to do it all on my own! S-S-So if you don't mind, I'll, um, keep journeying with you yet. If...that's okay.

Oh, oh! Look, Aldo!

A rainbow, huh?

It's so beautiful... Really, really, beautiful.

You know, I'm not sure you're a medium of the rain after all. See how clear the skies are when you smile? Maybe you're actually a medium of the sun.

Eheh! You think so? Thank you, Aldo!