Summoner Nagi

Wow, this is an amazing building. It's like the Dragon Palace.

Yeah, I guess it is. There're huge bookshelves, palace mages, and all kinds of things.

Huge bookshelves? You mean there's a library here?

In that case, I'd like to look something up. Would you help me out?

Of course. I'm not much of a book person, but I'll do what I can. Now that you mention it, you were looking up your home and more about yourself, weren't you?

Yes. The squids accepted me as one of their own. But I've always known deep down that I was different.

And it kinda makes me a little lonely. That's why I'd like to find my way back to my real home one day.

Okay, no problem. Let's head over to the bookshelves now then.

Okay, well we're here now. But what exactly should we be looking for?

Firstly, I want you to see if there are records of anybody who looked like me before. I'll check for unexplored and remote regions. Any scenery that seems familiar to me.

Got it. I'll start from over here then.

Hmm... I can't find anything on people who look like you.

I didn't have much luck either.

Oh, but what's this?

Did you find something?

This is a weird looking book.

Let's see... "Top 100 Summon Spells for Other-Worldly Creatures"?

Summoning creatures from a different world, huh? Sounds interesting. Let's have a little look. I see... Whoa... Uh-huh...

Th-There's some pretty weird stuff in here. Some of these pictures really creep me out.

Wait! Aldo, look at this!

Wher, oh!

A monstrosity devouring all that it encounters. It's name: Thing From The Abyss. These tentacles are like mine... Am I...am I the child of a creature from another world?

You do both have a lot of legs, but the rest of you is kinda different, don't you think?

But there's a chance. And you can't prove that I'm not either.

There's also a chance that this whole book is made-up, you know?

But it's worth a shot.

Hmm...

Okay. If you're sure, then I'll do what I can to help. But we need someone who knows magic.

I know! Let's ask Ratchett. She might just know something about summoning.

Hey, Ratchett. Could you have a look at this book for us?

Hahah, this book brings back memories. What exactly did you want to know about it?

Actually, here's what we know...

I see, you wish to summon something, yes?

This book has a whole section on summoning a "Thing From The Abyss."

Oh yes, if I remember rightly, "Apply that of the fiercest flame imaginable to White Blossom Coral," wasn't it?

I knew we could count on you!

So where can we get hold of some White Blossom Coral?

Well, it's actually a peculiar kind of coral that isn't found in the sea.

So we can't perform the summoning spell then?

Fortunately for you, that's where you are wrong. There in an spot deep in the nearby Man-eating Marsh where they grow.

Now we're getting somewhere!

Thanks for your help. Let's head to the Man-eating Marsh then.

Aldo, you seem kind of tired, you feeling okay?

Oh, no, it's nothing. I'm fine, thanks.

I just don't have the best memories of this place is all. Not to mention all the slimes...

You mean those tasty looking jelly guys?

I wonder what they taste like...

Do you want to get sick?

Well have you tried them?

Of course not! Anyway, let's get back to looking for that coral. It should be around here somewhere.

Is that it?

Aldo, found it.

Now we just have to heat it up, right? We need something with a bit more kick than matches though. I knew I forgot to ask Ratchett about something. Let's go back to the palace and ask about a powerful heat source.

I don't think we'll have to. I have an idea. Remember all the boulders surrounding lava around Nadara Volcano? What if we place the coral on top of one of those?

That could just work! You're a genius!

Okay, well let's head straight over to Nadara Volcano.

Well, we're here now. See any good boulders?

Actually I was thinking it might be best to go further into the volcano. The hotter the better, right?

Yeah, you're right. Okay, let's go.

Oh no.

What's wrong?

We should've brought some sweet potatoes as well.

Ahaha. I still can't believe how many you ate in the end.

They were just so warm and soft, I just couldn't stop myself.

You even beat the village's eating record.

(Just wish you had left some for me as well.)

How about over here?

I'm sweating buckets just standing here, I'd say it'll do.

Okay, here I go. Putting the coral on this rock now...

......

Whoa! Did it work?!

Something's coming!

It's just like the picture from the book.

Oirotteberim...

......

Nomeryakumzofth...

Ryarhmwaburone!

Oh...

Huh?

Mom?!

No way! This is your mom?! Did it really say it was your mom?

I...I don't know. I don't understand anything it's saying.

Meraya! Aburagiroaaa!

Whoa! It looks really mad!

I can't understand it and it can't understand me. Maybe this isn't my mom?

You think?!

GYOOORUUUGAAAAAA!

She disappeared!

I kinda feel bad for it now. Maybe we should have tried to find a way of calming it down?

My body just reacts to being attacked by attacking back.

I guess that's another thing you picked up when you were little, to survive?

That's right. It was around that time that I also learned that there is nothing more painful than hunger.

We couldn't understand each other. It didn't even look like it noticed me really.

I guess it really wasn't my mom. What a let down.

Nagi...

You know, I've been thinking. Even if you never find your real home. Does it really matter? I think about it, you already have somewhere to call your home.

You mean the Dragon Palace?

Yeah. The squids and Sheila are all waiting for you back there, right?

I get what you're trying to tell me, I really do. But...

I don't really know how to say it. I think it's just something that a person who knows where they come from will never understand.

Maybe you're right.

Sorry, I didn't mean to be so blunt.

It's okay. I know you didn't mean anything by it.

Grgrgrgrr...

"Grgrgrgrr"?

I think I might be hungry.

Wish I had cut a tentacle snack off that thing while we had the chance. I bet it was pretty tasty.

Hahaha, at least we're not short of places to cook it if we did. Where ever you come from, I'm sure you were born a big eater.

(I have to find Nagi's real home for her, one day.)