What Comes After Vengeance?

Here we are. Are you sure your father's in this quiet desert town?

Since our last encounter I have doubled my efforts to locate him. This place is the only clue I've found after searching the memories of countless swords.

I don't want all that work to go to waste. Let's ask around.

Excuse me. I would like to ask you something.

Why, hello there, missy. One of my fine weapons catch your eye?

No. I have not come to shop. I'm looking for someone. Do you recall a man with a katana visiting this establishment?

A man with a katana? Let me think... I can think of a few recent customers who fit that description. You got anything more specific? Scars, markings, that sort of thing...

He is clothed in Eastern garb and carries a katana engraved with three blades at the hilt.

Ah, yes, I remember him! I remember as clear as it was yesterday. A getup like that really stands out around here.

Really?!

As crystal clear as clean water. I mean, the guy was talking to his sword!

The people we spoke to in Rinde said they saw him doing the same thing.

Where is he now?

Can't say I know that's where he went, but... He asked me if I knew any deserted areas and I said the Rucyana Sands probably qualified. Coulda gone there, I suppose.

Why go to a place like that?

A question for later. A lead is a lead. We must head to the Rucyana Sands right away.

Wait a moment, if you would, Aldo.

Sure. What is it?

I'm casting a protection spell on you as well while I still have the chance to do so.

That should do it. Now we can fight without worrying about falling prey to any unseen traps.

So we won't be caught out by that paralyzing magic like last time?

Precisely. This time I'm taking no chances.

Smart move. You're pretty good at this witch stuff, huh?

I have to be, if I am to face my father.

This time I swear I shall bring about his demise.

Tsukiha. Are you sure that's what'll make you happy?

My people and I must have closure. It's not a matter of my personal happiness and it never has been.

The man I once knew is gone. The only consolation I might find now is in ending his savagery myself.

Okay. If that's what your heart is set on I won't question it anymore.

It is. This duty is all I have.

Let's go. To the Rucyana Sands... And to my father.

I thought you would have given up by now.

I would have preferred that we not meet again, but... Perhaps this is fate, and I was naive.

What a formidable woman you have become. And to think that once you were but a child trailing after me. Misfortune has raised you well.

So it has come to this, has it? Just as the absurd legacy of our family would have it.

Very well. If you must stand in my way, be you stranger or blood, I will cut you down.

Strike, Tsukiha.

Gagh! You have indeed... Grown very strong.

......

No! It must remain sealed! Forever, my folly...

I shall make this sword your prison. And I shall guard it with my life.

Tsukiha! This is different to before, what's going on?!

The sword! Tsukiha, you must let go of...

Another Tsukiha? How?

Come now, do you not recall the visage of your own mother? You wound me deeply, Tsukiha.

I really have to say, it's uncanny. Forget resembling her, you're practically a mirror image.

And yet a child may resemble their parent. I conceived you in my spitting image.

You are nothing more than a vessel. A vehicle of flesh and bone created only to deliver me everlasting life.

Come now, do you not recall the visage of your own mother? You wound me deeply, Tsukiha.

This is a trick, there's no way! No parent resembles their child that strongly.

And yet a child may resemble their parent. I conceived you in my spitting image.

You are nothing more than a vessel. A vehicle of flesh and bone created only to deliver me everlasting life.

Indeed. If not for unforeseen circumstances I would have claimed that body years ago.

But you're her mother! How could you be so heartless?!

My, my, such defiance in those eyes. So very similar to that which I saw in my husband's when he sealed me away.

I should love to test that resolve of yours, but, alas, having only just awoken I require a little more power before I may.

In fact, a satisfactory store of essence lies right here, ripe for the harvesting. Do you hear that, dear husband of mine? You will be useful to me in your final moments. Rejoice.

Tsukiha.

If I feel shocked I know you must feel it ten times worse. But right now we have to go after them.

My, my, how fleet of foot you are. I have only just finished draining your father of all the power he possessed.

I do not die. Rather, I am destined for immortality. That is why I birthed you and harvested the plentiful essence around me. I will live forever.

You are a fool to not have realized it sooner. What a truly pathetic duo you are, husband and daughter.

Yes, that was his feeble attempt to save you from me. Perhaps made especially desperate by him being too late to save anybody else.

There you have it, daughter. Now, however, there is no-one to to prevent my ascension. So yield and accept this truth that you have sought out so blindly.

That body was never yours. And now I will have what is rightfully mine!

Pah! Look at yourself. Your foolhardy conviction is proof enough you are but an inferior replica. Defective on every level but the physical.

No, Tsukiha! Don't listen to her!

You choose to help the young and sick. You decide to do what you feel. That's no vessel, that's just...you!

How is it possible? Me, bested by a worthless vessel?!

N-No! This defiance is unacceptable! I... I can still take the last of his strength, and...

*huff* *huff* Gyahh!

H-How? In that condition you should be incapable of attack...

Enough. I knew you brought ruin to our land and yet I spared your life. I could not leave this earth with that mistake unatoned for.

But... No! I don't want to die! I could have lived! I should have...!

Fear not death, for it comes to all things... But, if you are afraid, I... I will go with you.

Come with me? Hah... You remain a fool! Knowing the woman I am and still you would embrace...the dark with me.

Tsuki...ha...

I am sorry...to leave you alone in the world again.

I have caused you such grief... The night before our tragedy, knowing that you might be left an orphan, I hurried to perform a ritual of inheritance. You were to take on the full power of our family's witchcraft, but in my haste the ritual went awry and you were cursed. The curse manifested itself as the arm with which you wield your spectral blade. Every day I regret placing this burden on you...

If that is so, then I, as your father, am, Argh!

Listen to me carefully, daughter. This katana is all that remains of our clan now. Take it and read its memories. Now that it is free from its curse, you may safely hold it and discover the truth for yourself...

Of course, Tsukiha. Let's head to the coast.

Thank you for your help. Hopefully, now they can rest in peace.

Yeah...it really is.

It's time to read the memories of your father's katana now, right?

Yes, it is. Watch over me while I do so, if you would. Now...

You madwoman! Consuming the life essence of our friends, our fellow citizens! What have you done?!

Oh, but you are the one who is mad. Falling in love with a demon of a woman and giving her the opportunity to do so... The guilt for your countrymen's demise lies not with me. It lies with you.

There is some truth in those words. And if it really is so, then I will shoulder the burden of redemption too.

I shall make this sword your prison. And I shall guard it with my life.

Heh heh... Dear husband, do you really think it will be that simple? Just as there are many ways to skin a cat, there are countless ways to undo a seal.

You will never have the chance to manipulate Tsukiha for your wicked purposes. I shall forsake this land so that you never see her again. I shall take up the mantle of villain, slaying creatures far and wide to maintain the seal that holds you prisoner. If nothing else, that is what I must do to atone for both our sins.

So this...

This is the truth. Father's attack on mother, and his flight from our land...

Everything he did was for me.

It may look rather different, but this is the truth of this world, what Gaishin could not resurrect. This is the truth of my homeland.

Tsukiha...

My quest for vengeance is over.

I...never imagined it would end like this.

Yeah, I guess he would...

So... What will you do now?

In all honesty, I don't know. My life was so focused on revenge that, now I've taken it, I feel lost. Perhaps some, umm... Some soul-searching is in order. Yes, I think that's what I need.

Sounds like we might not be parting ways just yet, then.

Indeed. I would like to travel with you for a little longer, if I may.

I doubt that anything can make my right arm fully human again.

But I'm grateful that it has given me the gift of experiencing the final emotions of the brave warriors who wielded those swords.

So I won't let it bother me anymore.

Instead, I'll use that energy to keep surviving and accept my arm for what it is, a special bond between this life and the next.