Wandering Spirit

So, Dunarith... Is this really the place you were talking about? The place where you found another soul of the recently deceased?

Yeah. Bran was able to smell it and then track it. We can always trust his sense of smell.

Smell? Really?

It's like... the existence of a soul can actually be sensed. I'm not just talking about the souls of the deceased. I'm sure your soul carries a unique smell too.

Seriously?

Do you need convincing? Come here, Bran!

No, not really...!

Heh heh. I know you do. Stop pretending. Knock yourself out, Bran.

...I see. Hmm... Right... Of course...

So, what does my soul smell like?

He says it pretty much smells like a hairy monster.

What?! Just so you know, I bathe every day! In fact, Bran is a beast too, isn't he?! What does it mean when something smells like a hairy monster?

Hahah! It's just your soul that smells like a monster.

The scent of a soul... Wait! It can't be...

Do you have some idea?

Yeah. It's a really long story, but his soul would probably smell pretty different from others'.

A human whose soul smells like a beast's...what a fascinating concept that is.

I would love to hear more... But that can wait for another time.

Speaking of which, I've never seen a human who has a soul that smell like a monster.

Right... It's my soul that smells like a beast. Wait, that doesn't make things better!

There there. We can laugh about it all day, but let's save that till next time.

Let's get back on track. According to Bran, apparently the soul itself isn't here at the moment.

All that's left is a sense of regret.

Regret? Is the soul telling us that there's something we should pay attention to?

Yes... It's highly likely.

And it seems we have some company?

Who?

Alright, why don't you stop hiding and come out?

Whoa! Who's that?!

What do you mean he's a Purgatorian?

Hmph. Human souls do not concern me...

You!

It's not so often that someone is with Dunarith. And it happened to be you.

Hmph! Human souls do no concern me. Dunarith, it's been a long time. What brings you to this continent?

Well, sometimes the fates just lead us to new people.

This is Aldo. We've been traveling together.

Hmph. Human souls do not concern me...

...Hmm? Wait. I believe we have met somewhere.

Huh? I... I don't know. I've never seen you as far as I know.

I see... If you say so.

It's been a long time, Dunarith. What brings you to this continent?

Well, I've been traveling with Aldo here.

You made friends? What a surprise.

Hahah. What makes you think you can say that?

Anyway... Did you come all the way here because you've got some business with that soul we're tracking?

How smart you are. Indeed, I wanted to ask you to perform a ceremony for it.

Oh? Is this soul too much for your scythe to handle?

Correct, but it is not too late to communicate with it. This is your specialty, is it not? Though I ask, it is not like you have a choice in the matter.

...Yes. I will take on the job. That okay with you, Aldo?

Sure. It seems like this soul might be in trouble. We should do something about it.

Thanks, Aldo.

So, where can we find this elusive soul?

Try going to Rinde. Speak to the people there. They'll surely be talking about it.

Though I have a warning for you.

You mustn't hold back your beast form this time.

......

Beast form?

Guess I almost forgot that you're a beast, Dunarith. But I've never seen you use your beast form though.

......

You have my warning. Now I shall leave everything to you.

...He just disappeared! Who was he anyway...

He seemed a little bit like Ilulu though...

But how could someone like him know you?

Is he a traveling Purifier like you?

No... He's not like that.

He and I are connected through an odd fate.

Anyway, let's hurry to Rinde. We've got to find this soul.

We can't stand it any longer!

I'm sorry... Don't be mad...

Huh? Who was that?

Stop! It wasn't her fault!

Something's going on. Let's go find out.

Look what you've done! The whole town is a mess!

Th-That wasn't my fault... It all happened as if it was meant to happen...

Drop it! You're torturing the poor girl! All this wouldn't have happened if you guys had let his soul rest in peace!

Y-You can't make me believe your lies! Besides, seeing humans and beasts acting friendly makes me sick.

Why? Why am I treated this way? It's true that he is a beast, but he hasn't done anything wrong...

Stop! Don't get any closer to her!

I can't stand this... Not anymore...!

Ugh...?!

You did it again... You used your power make trouble for our town!

I knew it...It's a curse. Let's not get involved!

You'll pay for this!

Hey...

It's not true! I'm not cursed!

Wait!

...She's gone.

So is that girl the soul we were looking for? I'm surprised I was able to see her so clearly.

Probably the will of the soul is quite strong, or perhaps...

Hold on, did I just hear you guys say something about a "soul"?

By any chance, are you guys one of "them"?!

Who's them?

Scythe wielding beasts I suppose?

Y-Yeah...

I knew it. That girl is the soul we are looking for.

......

Must be...

You can see her just like those scythe wielding guys.

...Can't you? It seemed to us like you were protecting her.

I was just trying to stand in the way of where they were talking.

Why am I the only one not able to see her? To me, she was...

...You're a beast, aren't you? Why were you protecting a human girl like that?

She and I were...friends. We met on the beach and started hanging out since then. None of the grown-ups know about this.

But because of that, she got attacked by a monster.

If only I could have protected her!

So you're saying she was attacked right in front of you.

You were too afraid to move. You couldn't help her. Is that what you're saying?

Yeah... I can't forgive myself.

Then I guess that explains everything.

What?

Those who witness the end of a life will not be able to see the spirit of that person.

It's not common, but I've heard this happening before.

You'd be surprised by all the weird situations you'll face when you're working in this industry.

But even though you can't see her, there are times when you can hear her.

So I can't do anything since I watched her...

Yes. It's just natural that you are the only one who can't see her.

Damn it!

It's a cruel twist of fate.

So, how do you want to face this?

What do you mean by that?

When a soul lingers in this world, they become evil spirits oblivious to their fate.

That's awful...

No, I don't want that! I swear I'm going to save her this time! Even if I'm the only one who can't see her, I'll be the one to help her!

Now I understand what you want. In that case, we've got to make this spirit understand that it's time to move on.

Are you going to talk to the spirit?

I've got to. Little boy, do you know where the spirit could have gone to?

Around the bridge of the Serena Coast, probably... She and I used to meet there secretly, without letting the grown-ups know.

Can I come with you guys?

Of course you can. In fact, I was going to ask you to come with us. Let's get going. We shouldn't waste too much time.

Uhh...

Are you okay?

Eek! I remember you! Did you come all the way here chasing me?!

Relax, it's okay. We're not here to hurt you.

We know your friend, the beast boy. He asked for our help.

He did?

Yeah... And he came here with us.

She's here now, isn't she?

I... I want to help you this time. That's why I'm here!

I'm so happy to hear that, but I'm too ashamed.

Ashamed? Why?

He and I promised to be together forever. But I broke that promise.

What are you saying?! It was all my fault that we aren't together now!

If only I had more courage at that time, none of this would have happened.

I still want to be with you! Even if your soul is the only piece left of you in this world!

......

I get it... I understand how you feel. So much that it hurts. But doing that will only lead to more pain.

If a soul continues to linger in our world, it'll change into an evil spirit...

What...?! I'll become evil?!

N-No, I don't want that...! What am I supposed to do then?

The smell of regret is what lead us to this place. You're still here because you're not done with this world yet. Please allow us to help you.

Me? Well...

...... I need to apologize.

What?

There's this place I want you to take me! That's the place where I can be myself...

And where is this place?

By any chance, is it the place where you two last visited?

I see now. We may be able to solve your troubles there. Am I right?

...Yes.

It's at the end of this coast... That'll be the perfect place for me to apologize to him.

Apologize? Why... I'm the one who owes you an apology.

This is the place where you were...at the end, correct?

That's right.

This is also the place we met for the first time. I was on my own, lost, crying alone on Serena Coast. But then, he found me...

After that, we came here to secretly meet up.

So it was a special hideaway for just you two.

We were here like every other day until a huge monster showed up...

And then...it happened.

Yes... You got attacked, and all I can do was watch.

And the boy saved me, using his own body to protect me...

What?

What does that mean? Hey, didn't you say that you weren't able to save her?

I-I have no idea what's going on...!

Is he there? I can't see him, but I could hear his voice.

*sob*... I'm so sorry... None of this would have happened to you if it wasn't for me.

What are you talking about? You mean... You can't see me?

Someone tell me what's going on...

A monster! I didn't even see it coming!

It's that monster!

Aaaah!

Don't come any closer...

...Leave her alone!

That must be the power that troubled Rinde so much.

So it wasn't the girl at all... It was the boy all along.

M-Me?! What does this all mean?

I'm sorry, it must be confusing for you. I wanted you to learn everything when you were ready.

But it looks like we don't have that option.

Dunarith, tell me what you mean!

I'll explain everything later. First we've got to deal with this monster!

Alright... Let's get this over with!

Phew... We managed to beat it.

Yeah... and I didn't even have to change into my beast form.

Um... Thanks for saving me. Are you guys alright? Did you get hurt?

We're fine. Don't you worry.

I was afraid someone was going to risk their life to save me again.

Risk their life? Me? Wh-What does that mean? Look, it must be hard to accept what happened to you...

That monster was after her. It didn't even look at you...

But that means... No way! It can't be...

As you might have guessed, the soul that lead us here. That smell of regret... was him.

That can't be right! I watched her... unable to protect her.

Try to remember everything that happened, step by step. Probably things got mixed up in your head. What really happened to you two on that day is...

Stop right there! What do you want from her?!

No! Stay away from me!

(Damn it. I'm too scared to move!)

(But...)

(I must do something... or I'll regret it for the rest of my life.)

(I've got to do something!)

Aaah!

Watch out!

Hey, wake up. Talk to me. Why? Why aren't you waking up?!

Right... I did save her but...

Looks like it all came back to him.

I was the one who didn't make it after the attack... How could I forget about that?

Probably it's because her life meant more to you than your own.

That's why you didn't even realize it. You stayed by her side, protecting her.

I knew it. He saved me again, wasn't it?

Indeed. It was also him who stopped the bullies back in the town.

So the curse they were talking about... It was my power, wasn't it? All I wanted was those bullies to leave her alone.

I understand that you meant no harm. She probably told her friends that you gave your life to save her. That would explain why the kids in town couldn't see you.

And they mistook your powers for a curse.

...... Then I probably shouldn't be here any longer.

Then it's about time. There is somewhere I have to go.

It seems you're finally ready to move on.

Move on? Wait, is he leaving? No! I don't want to be without him again!

I want to stay too! But...

Hmm... Perhaps I can let this one go?

Are you sure?! But I thought it was your job to help souls move on.

I can pretend I haven't seen anything. It's just one soul. It shouldn't hurt.

Really?! Does that mean he stays and we can be together?

Sure. However... You've got to accept the fact that some day, souls lingering in this world will turn into evil spirits.

No... We can't let that happen!

I can't let him suffer because of me. Absolutely not!

Oh...

You two are both strong, kind-hearted kids...

Then, it's really time to say goodbye... Are you ready?

...Yes.

Yes, but... I'm a bit scared, though.

There's nothing to worry about. The Winged Being guides the souls of the beasts to the afterlife. Now, may your soul depart safely... and those that remain be joyous. This is not a time for tears.

Thank you... for watching over me all this time!

Thank you for everything! And... Good bye!

Bran!

...Bye.

...... Let's get going.

Yeah.

First, we've got to take the girl back to Rinde. We'll also have to explain the truth to the people in town.

Um... Thanks for helping the boy back there. And for telling everyone in town about him.

Of course. What he did was a very brave thing. He was only trying to protect. He never had any evil intentions.

I know. Again, thank you!

Ah, Bran is back.

Wh-Who's this?

I have confirmed the soul was received. Good work.

...What's going on? I thought Bran was sending the souls to the afterlife.

Oh? Hasn't he told you anything?

Let me introduce you to him, Aldo. He's my... employer.

The souls that go through Ascension are delivered to him. That's how it works. It's in our contract.

So all this time, Bran was delivering souls to this guy?!

Technically... Usually, the Purgatorians are in charge of receiving souls of their own kind. That's why I know from the beginning it was the beast boy's soul we were dealing with.

There's a reason why I didn't tell you about it...

It's because the boy couldn't even imagine he was no longer alive. In such cases, it requires bonding with souls and reminding them of what they are. It's better you didn't know.

You knew every detail about what was going on?!

If I didn't, I wouldn't have let Dunarith take care of everything. He's very good with words, so I knew that convincing a kid wouldn't be a problem.

Besides, if worse comes to worst, he could fight. But I'm surprised you didn't turn into your beast form fighting that monster. Guess you're strong enough without it.

The soul has been delivered to you. I'm assuming you're happy with it.

Yeah. But don't let your stubbornness make you do crazy things. Don't forget why...

You've got what you wanted, correct? Now, do you really want to stay here and waste your time?

Yes, yes. I'm leaving. Anyway, do not forget about our contract.

Sure... Not like I can...

So, Dunarith. You really can transform after all, right?

I'm sorry for keeping so many secrets. It's not just about transforming.

I kept secrets about the contract, the job today, the truth about the afterlife... Too many secrets.

...I get it. Everyone has a secret or two that they don't want to share.

That's why I'm not forcing you to tell me everything right now.

You don't hate me for all of this?

Well, I'd have appreciated it if you had told me that it was the beast boy's soul we were dealing with...

But as I watched you closely, I saw how much you cared. Your secrets were out of kindness. That makes you a strong person. Without you, those kids wouldn't have been able to properly say goodbye to each other.

...... ...Hahah.

D-Did I say something odd?

You really are a nice guy, Aldo. Too nice even. If I were a con artist, I'd leave you with nothing but the clothes on your back.

What the heck is that supposed to mean?! Here I am trying to compliment you... That's it. I'm getting out of here!

Hah hah. Forgive me, Aldo. I speak with nothing but affection for you. You're a good man.

I was right about my decision to travel with you.

One day, you and I...