The Forbidden Fruit

Huh? Somebody dropped something here.

Look at that, you found another Git.

Looks like it's your lucky day, Aldo. Again, heheh.

Yeah, I think you're probably right.

Actually, Radica, how about you read my fortune? You know, like you did before?

Very well. You certainly are a sportive sort, aren't you, Aldo?

Wh... What's this?!

What's wrong, Radica? Was my fortune really that bad?

No, it's nothing like that. I...I cannot see anything.

Nothing at all? Does that happen often?

I don't know. I don't think this has ever happened before...

Well, everyone has bad days, I'm sure you'll be able to see it later.

Maybe... I hope you are right. Yet, now that I think about it, this really hasn't happened to me before.

Well, well, this does indeed seem to be my lucky day.

You are the adept dark elf teller who has been making quite a name for themselves as of late, are you not?

Well, I don't know about that, but, yes, I am a fortune teller.

And, who are you?

Oh, my name would mean nothing to you. I am merely a customer with a fortune I wish to be told.

Sorry, I'm afraid I am not quite in the right spirits for telling at the moment.

That is a shame, and puts me in something of a bind. You see, the lives of countless innocents depend on this fortune.

Countless lives? But...

If you don't perform this reading, they may all be lost.

What do you mean by that? This sounds to be a more dire situation than a fortune could properly mitigate.

I am afraid I cannot elaborate any further. But it is as you say, dire. Very dire, indeed. The future is at stake here.

All right...

Are you sure you're okay with this, Radica?

As a fortune teller, I simply cannot stand by and do nothing while the futures of innocents are at stake. I have an obligation, as one who is able to peer into the mists of what has yet to be, to do what I can to help them.

Well, if you say so. Just don't push yourself too much, okay? You said yourself you're not in top form today.

Thank you, Aldo. I feel better knowing that you're looking out for me.

So, you will give me a reading after all? I am in your debt. I feel like a weight has been lifted from my shoulders already.

But there are too many prying eyes in this place. I know, how about Keruri Highroad? Yes, meet me there.

Prying eyes? I'm starting to get a bad feeling about this.

Perhaps. If something is afoot, I will be able to detect any danger with my predictions. There is no need to fret.

Oh yeah, I guess you can. Well even if something does happen, I'll do whatever I can to protect you.

......

You really are so very kind, Aldo.

Okay, that guy said Keruri Highroad, right? Well, let's get going!

Ah ha, you're here! Excellent. Well, let's get too it. Please, read my fortune now. More specifically, my future.

Your future? That's not specific at all.

Besides, why do the lives of so many people depend on your future?

I am currently working on a scheme of sorts, you see. I wish to see how this, plan, will turn out. After all, depending on if comes to fruition or not, a large number of people's futures will be affected.

I see. But why did you require my reading in a private place, like this?

I'm still not ready for anyone to be privy to my, uh...scheme.

You mean, you're afraid someone might steal your idea, or something?

Yes, or something. I also don't want to indulge anymore on my...plan, either.

Well, I suppose this wouldn't be the first time a client has been reluctant to discuss their business.

Very well. Let us see exactly how your plan develops in the future.

My cards! I've never seen such darkness. Like a beast lurking in the obsidian of night...

What's wrong? Do you still not see anything?

No, I can see all too well. It is dark, so very dark. There is a strong presence there, too. Gripped with torpor; everything is being swallowed up by an abyss. A sea of darkness.

A...a sea of darkness?!

Two silhouettes sinking into a sea of darkness.

One of those silhouettes that sinks ever further into the abyss...

Was you.

Really?!

I have been telling fortunes for a very long time. Yet, not once have I seen a future as dark and malicious as yours. What's more, and it pains me to say it, the more sinister my prediction the more accurate it is. If you continue to tread this path, this premonition is as good as guaranteed.

Oh ho! To think that I stumbled across a teller of such power! Heh heh ho hahaha! What extraordinary ability!

Look, we won't pry into your affairs any further, but I implore you to stop whatever it is you are doing. I swear to you that there is no other way to avoid this terrible fate.

You know, she's never wrong about these kinds of things. You should think about doing what she says.

Hmm... Fine, I shall heed your warning. Only since I was lucky enough to bear witness to such magnificent divination. Heheheh. Well then, I will be on my way, now. Thank you for your time.

He was, uh, different...

Oh, Aldo, what am I to do?

I thought I had failed to read your future earlier on. But I hadn't failed at all. I was looking straight at that malicious abyss, that sea of obsidian. That ear-twitching, harrowing torrent of umbra. But that would mean... I-It can't?!

Something wrong?

N-Nothing. Never mind me! My readings are off. Yes, it must be that. I am simply having a bad day. If only there were some way I could confirm that my fears are unfounded...

Ah! Perhaps she can help!

Aldo, I must meet again with that fortune teller in Unigan.

The fortune teller in Unigan? You mean that "full power sprint read" woman?

Yes, the full power sprint read lady. Come, there's no time to waste!

What luck. We managed to find her again, and straightaway.

Oh, look who it is! How have you two young'uns been faring?

We have need of your telling power once more.

Just name what you need seeing and I'll see it for you. I still owe you for finding my ring for me.

Thank you so much...

Oh, but if you could, I'd like you to perform the reading without the added exercise.

You think I enjoyed that nonsense?! You won't ever catching me running around like a deranged washerwoman again!

You really won't lose your ring again, right? You'll be more careful this time?

Of course, of course. You don't need to tell me! You might think I've gone senile but I never make the same mistake twice.

(She's going to lose it again, for sure.)

Anyway, you still have the ring now, don't you?

Please, you have to read Aldo's and my fortunes!

Wha?! Why mine as well?

Please, Aldo, no questions now. This is of the utmost importance.

O-Okay, I trust you.

Very well. Then I shall begin. Please wait but a moment.

Oh... Ho! It's all becoming clear now! Wh-Wh-Wh-What in all of good Unigan is this?!

...?!

Urgh...the horror... The horror!

Please, you have to tell me what you see!

I don't know. I have never laid my eyes on anything so horrific. But... To hazard an educated guess, I'd say I saw "nihility," in some form or another.

That...that can't be?!

This young man's future just stops existing. Anything and everything just disappears.

How is that possible?!

It is the same future that I saw!

I so wanted to be wrong!

But why? Why?!

Radica?

*sob*

Please, Radica, you just have to calm down right now. From both your reactions, I guess the result of the predictions was pretty bad, huh? What was it? Death? Do I die?

It's...it's not like that, no. Not quite. If it were death, then the reading's results would be simple. But, no, Aldo, your future reads..."termination."

Termination?!

A future that should not be possible. To vanish from the cycle of life and death, to be cut off entirely from this world!

......

Radica, listen, I'm going to be fine. I've been through so much in the past, and the present, and even the future. Nothing bad is going to happen to me this time, either. I promise.

Aldo... I want to believe that, I really do. It's just...

"Just" nothing. Believe him.

Who was that?!

Nobody can dispute that your power of foresight is remarkable. But, forget not mankind's power to alter the future.

Wha, it's you! That hooded guy who got Radica to do a reading for him. How are you in this time right now?!

Heheheh...

I am afraid I cannot divulge that little secret just yet.

You're the one behind all this, aren't you? I did not foresee this abyss when I divined Aldo's fortune before. Somebody, somehow, has tampered with his future.

If you so wish his future to be changed, I suggest that you chase after me! Don't look so distraught. With your abilities, finding me should prove child's play for you, no?

Just what was all of that gibberish?!

I don't know. Yet. But I do know if I don't do something about that hooded villain, Aldo's future will...

Radica, you don't need to worry so much about me. I'm more worried that someone with that kind of power is trying to cause you problems.

Aldo...

Well, this is exactly what he wants, but let us chase after that man! I will not sit back and allow Aldo's future to be erased!

I can see him! He is in the Corinda Plains!

I have been waiting for your arrival. Although, might I add, not long. And that is our reason for concern with you. Your powers are unfathomably strong. Too strong, in fact.

Enough! Tell us why you insist on meddling with Aldo's future!

What is it, Aldo?

So...this is Aldo? Well, this is quite a turn in fortunes, indeed.

You know who I am?

Yes. We have met before, although it is the first time for me.

What...what does that even mean?

But that is of little significance now. The plan must be seen through.

Besides you were never part of our machinations. You, however, dark elf, always were.

What?! Me?

Yes. My task is to...

Eliminate you!

What the?! You're a Phantom?!

The girl is a threat to our existence. She sees too much of what we plan. That is why it is necessary for us to eliminate her existence instead. It is the only way to preserve our plans.

You think I'll just let you "remove" her, huh?! Come on, Radica, it's fighting time!

I'm right beside you! Let's make sure your terminated future never comes to pass!

Grrrghh! You have ruined everything!

Looks like you're the one who's getting removed!

......

Radica, are you okay?

I'm fine. Thank you, Aldo.

See, what did I say? Nothing bad is going to happen to me. I've been through this kinda stuff before.

That is a relief...

I'm feeling pretty relieved myself, being able to keep my promise to you.

Aaargh!

Radica!

AAAHHHHHH!

Not on my watch!

A-Aldo!

Victory? What victory?!

I...I couldn't save Aldo. That big liar, Aldo... This isn't fair! You said you'd be okay! Aldo, please don't leave me alone here. Don't go...please.

I-I've got it! I can still save him. It's not too late!

If I use the Power of Time once more... Yes! I can turn back time and save Aldo!

I...I know all too well that this is forbidden. It's the same taboo that made me what I am now. I can't even imagine what might happen if I use it again.

Whatever happens, I have no doubt that it'll be terrifying.

But that doesn't matter right now! I have to save Aldo, damn the cost!

I'll turn back time. Back to before Aldo was removed from existence.

Radica, you have to stop! You can't break that taboo again!

No, just let me do this! If it means that I can see Aldo again, I'll do whatever it takes! I'm not afraid of the consequences!

I'm saying you don't need to do that! I'm here, see? I'm back!

That's right! I'll bring Aldo back home. Just like before! No matter what I'll bring him back!

Listen to me! I'm back already, look!

What do you mean "back already"? Who is?

Wha-Wha-Wha-Wha-Wha?!

H-How is this, what the, Aldo, you're, you're back!

Well, yeah.

Ohhhhhh, you, you, you big idiot! I was so worried for you! What is wrong with you?! Why did you do something so, so irresponsible?!

Whoa! I'm sorry, okay? I just reacted. I didn't know what else to do.

But, I don't understand. How were you able to come back?

Well... I don't really know. I just kept thinking, "I gotta get back to Radica." I wanna know what happened too. Let's try going to the Spacetime Rift.

Spacetime Rift?

Yeah, to Time's Forgotten Stop!

I-It's not like that, really.

...Meep...

You say something, Radica?

N-N-Nothing! Never mind! So, what happened back there, anyway?

I don't remember much at all. Think I passed out after getting dragged into that portal thing. Wherever it was, it was really dark, and the Phantom was there too. I think it was, anyway. Then it was like someone else appeared, and...

Darn it! I can't remember any more than that. Afterwards, I woke up here.

You're saying he was just lucky? That's it? If Aldo was going to come back, then, why was I not able to see that in my predictions?

N-Now?

O-Okay, I'll give it a try.

Wh-What is happening?! I don't understand. Why? I can't see anything, anything at all. It is as though the entire world has simply ceased to exist!

It, it does. So that is why I was unable to see into his future.

Can't say I really understand what happened, still. But, see, Radica? Wasn't anything bad, in the end.

Still kept that promise I made to you!

Wh-What are you laughing at? This is not funny, Aldo! Do you have any idea how worried I was about you?!

Aldo, I...

Oh, what's wrong?

Somewhere in me, I'd already given up. I was so adamant that the future in my prediction could not be avoided. But you were different. You fought to open a new path for your future, and now you're here, safe and sound.

I really didn't do anything, honestly.

I don't believe that is the case. I think that your unwavering resolution was what brought us all to this future.

Really? Well, coming from you, I almost feel like that could be true!

The future is what you carve out for yourself. And not something that is decided by fortune telling. After all, telling is no more than a way to illuminate one's path as they walk it. Not the final destination.

Thank you, Aldo. For finally helping me remember this fundamental fact.

Well, glad I could help you somehow. That's what friends are for, isn't it? Helping each other out?

Yes, I suppose you're right.

I think I'll do my best to hone my clairvoyance even more from now on.

I'm counting on you. I'm sure one day you'll be able to read any kind of fortune, no problem.

I'll certainly work towards it. But, I think I'll leave love fortunes for other tellers to do.

How come?

Because my future with the person who is most important to me shouldn't have to rely on my telling. I suppose our future is just something I'll have to make for myself.