In Baruoki

So, I'm a little confused by the fact you asked me to go to Baruoki with you.

Why's that?

Before, when I mentioned Baruoki, you said something about spoilers and tabled the conversation.

So I just figured you must have had some bad experiences there.

Oh, my dear Aldo.

The way you care for your companions... A shining example of a true adventurer, you are! I'm going to make the next quest the best one yet.

Yeah, about that. I don't think you're supposed to plan adventures?

And hey! Stop changing the subject!

Sorry, that was not my intention.

Okay then, why are we going to Baruoki?!

Mmm... Well, you see...

Youuu over there with the stygian hairr...

Mm?

There is sssomething I need to know, are you the head of Baruoki's kin, the man they call Aldo?

...Y-Yeah I am. What about it?

Listen to my simple requessst....

A requesssst?

Yessss. Bring the mayor to Moonlight Foressst.

Why would I bring him to the Moonlight Foressst?

It'ssss a matter of grave importanccce.

Concccerning the peaccce of the the lands you leasssse.

But do no dawdle, for the threat is growing eeeeever awfuuuuul....

I am so confused right now, but okay.

If you have such an important thing to tell him, why don't you walk up to him and tell him directly? I'm not sure if I want to bring Grandpa to a forest where there are monsters. Let me guide you to his place.

To his place? With you guys? Uhmm... Nay? For I fear there may be spiesss...

You mussst bring the mayor to Moonlight Foressst. I have other plansss you see ssssorry that it could not be. Need to be at the florist by three...

...And he's gone.

......

Victor...

Yes?

I mean, that may have been the most suspicious guy-in-a-robe I've ever seen. He seemed really out of it, and really pushy too.

I don't think we should bring my grandpa to the forest. I'll just go there alone and...

...No.

No?

Let's go get your grandpa, and head to the Moonlight Forest. Together.

Are you serious? Are you saying you trust that weirdo?

Is...Is this your adventurer's intuition again?

Bingo bango, Aldo.

I mean, they've been right so far...

So I guess I need to bring grandpa to the forest.

Now Aldo, this is just my intuition.

The decision must be yours! Tick, tock, tick, tock....

Hmm...

Fine! I'll trust your intuition! Let's take grandpa to Moonlight Forest.

I knew you'd say that! Now that you've made your choice. Let us venture to Baruoki.

Right, let's go back and explain what's going on.

Grandpa. I'm home.

Hi, Laddie.

On our way in I got stopped by this guy... Said he had something to tell you.

Heeey! Nice place ya got here.

You could not have come at more awkward time.

Sorry, grandpa, let me introduce...

M?

MM?

Vi...VI....

VICTOOOOOOOOR!

Yeah, Victor! How'd you guess? Wait. Why are you doing that?

That face. That smirk. That...everything! After all this time... Victor! Is that you?

Hah! Yup, it's me.

And you're right. It HAS been a while. You're looking great.

Wait, what?!

You guys know each other?!

Do we KNOW each other? What we have is way more than that, Aldo.

Is someone going to explain what is going on here?!

You said it, old friend. What we have runs as deep as the sea.

Deep as the sea?

To see you here again, makes living this long worth the years.

Likewise.

I CAN FEEL THE FIRE IN MY HEART BURNING RED AS THE SUN.

READY OR NOT, VICTOR! HERE I COME!

G-Grandpa?! What in the world has gotten into you?!

SHUT UP LADDIE, YOUR GRANDPA'S TALKIN'!

I MAY BE RUSTY. BUT TO THINK THIS CANE WOULD COME IN HANDY...

Your cane?

YES, I SEE IT NOW. THIS CANE WAS MADE TO CUT THIS MAN DOWN!

IT'S BEEN 100 YEARS VICTOR. STEEL THYSELF!

Yikes. Almost got me there.

You still got it, old friend. If it wasn't me, you would have hit your mark for sure.

Hmph! Don't patronize me!

I see that annoying mouth of yours hasn't changed. You look the same, and you bother me the same. Still the same Victor I went on adventures with.

Hold on. You guys went on adventures together?!

Ages ago. Believe it or not, your grandpa here used to be quite spectacular.

None of this makes any sense! There's no way you were alive when grandpa was young.

Except, I was?

In fact.

We've known each other since we were kids. We're the exact same age, even!

I uh...

How?

This is a joke right? You guys are pranking me. There's just no way...

Nope. Victor's telling the truth. He's just as much a grandpa as I am.

Victor? A grandpa? But, why does he look so young?

Heck if I know. Probably found some way to stop aging, or something.

Doesn't surprise me, by the way.

Hah! Observant as usual. You got it mostly right.

How long has it been since our last adventure? And then here you are, showing up out of the blue.

I had no idea you two knew each other. Hang on, now. Victor, did you suggest coming here so you could see grandpa?

What? No, that was just my intuition! It was screaming at me to come here today. Specifically today.

There you go again with your intuition.

Bah! Still blabbering about your stupid intuition after all these years!

Don't listen to this man, Aldo. His intuition got us into trouble more times than I can count.

You too?!

When you say us, was it more than just you and Victor?

Aye. There were five of us.

There was King Miglance, the first of his name.

King Miglance?!

He was our leader, in a way. Back then he was still a prince, though. Oh, and the daughter of the blacksmith was there, too.

The daughter of the blacksmith... you're not talking about May's grandmother, are you?!

Yup. She was stubborn, that one... And then there was a mage.

I'm absolutely shocked right now.

May not look it now, but believe it or not we were young once! Gahaha!

About the guy that needed to talk to me, is Victor that guy? Because if that's the case, you can go. I think we've talked enough for two lifetimes! Gaha!

Hey, that's not something you say to an old friend!

Oh! Right!

It wasn't Victor, grandpa.

Is that so? Then who?

We met this really strange hooded guy in Karek Swampland. He asked me to bring you to the Moonlight Forest.

Said something bad is happening in the forest and he needs to talk to you about it.

I see. Well then I guess we shouldn't keep him waiting.

You sure you want to go, grandpa? I mean, he seemed REALLY sketchy. He could be dangerous. In fact, I was kind of hoping you'd refuse...

(Actually, with grandpa being as strong as he is...maybe it's fine?)

You already decided to bring him, Aldo. So I suggest we do. And don't worry. I won't let anything happen to this guy.

Gaha! As if I need your help!

Laddie! Forget this baby-faced geezer. We've got a man to meet!

Grandpa! Wait for me!

Sheesh. Stubborn old man sure hasn't changed.

He didn't say anything about protecting him UNTIL we got to the Moonlight Forest, though!

All right. No sign of monsters. So far so good.

Don't treat me like some old fart! I can take a monster or two! Almost got you a minute ago!

G-Grandpa! Behind you!

Why hello there mister goblin.

Stand back, grandpa! I'll take care of it!

Gaha! As if! Watch your ol' grandpa take care of this.

Okay, wow.

Gaha! Takes more than a goblin to take me down. I can take 100 without breaking a sweat!

Raaaagh...

Hup!

G-Grandpa, was that necessary? It was just a goblin!

It looks like just a goblin, sure. But who knows, it might split into a hundred mini-goblins the moment you attack! That's why I decided to take it out quick!

I guess that makes sense?

See that Victor?! I might be old, but I still got it!

Hah! Don't need a demonstration to see that!

Grandpa! There's another one behind you!

Hmph?!

Phew... That was close.

Never let your guard down. Even in victory. One moment is all it takes.

...Is how the saying goes, right? You were the one who taught me that!

WHY YOU LITTLE... There goes that mouth of yours! Never liked it!

All right, so I gotta know. Have you guys always been like this?!

Hmph! As long as I can remember!

I mean, I always considered him my best friend...

It's just he always seems to be mad at me about something!

Maybe if you actually stopped to think about WHY I get mad, you'd know! You act like you're this cool guy, but you always take things too far. And you always say too much!

You make life and adventure boring! You always say what's going to happen next!

(He's got a point there.)

Hah! Well now that you've told me what's wrong, I don't have to think about it!

Bah! And the worst thing is you always keep the most important part to yourself!

I hate that part the most!

......

Grandpa?

Don't worry Aldo, I got this. So to summarize...

We're basically best friends!

Yeeeeah, I don't think that's true.

You won't fool me Victor, you couldn't then, and you won't now! And don't you forget it!

What was that about?

No clue. We should probably go after him, though. Cause with or without us, he's going to Moonlight Forest!

Oh wow, he's already pretty far. I didn't even know he could move that fast!

Grandpa! Wait! I'm coming with you!

Hmmm... Seems like he's on to me...

Ssso nicccce of you to ssshow... You know, I was sssstarting to think you wouldn't, though.

I brought the mayor just like you wanted.

Now. Care to say why you brought me here? I heard there was trouble in the forest, but I don't see anything.

Hee heh, that little thing that I did feed. A tiny trifle to mislead. Enticing words for you to heed. Pessssky pessssts to lure indeed!

...Trifle?

A trifle, yesss, a bait you see, in other words, a curiosity to get you here to me, essentially!

I knew it! You were acting way too suspicious for this to be anything but a trap!

Now wait a moment little man. The trap is canned as long as you give in to my demand!

Mm. Then go ahead, spit it out, sonny.

I betrayed you here to make a trade.

You've had the deed for far too long. It's time the rights were passed along.

...You're going to have to speak slower, son.

Moonlight Forest, you old loon. Give it to me, and give it soon.

Why would you want the forest?

Let me guess, you want the prisma ore.

Hehe, good to see someone in this group of three is not as dumb as it may seem!

The small village that you lead, makes waste to such an opportunity. With these woods in my sole possession, the wealth I'll build is without question!

Sorry to burst your bubble, sonny. You can't just mine for prisma. The forest gives it only to those who need it.

Yeah!

That may be how it worked before, with superstitious folklore. But fairytales are such a bore, and regardless what you're on about, I've ample funds to buy you out!

Sorry. You're rhyming at the wrong guy. Mountains would move before you'd get him to change his mind. Especially when it comes to making money off prisma.

I don't need anyone to talk for me, especially you, Victor.

But, he's right. This forest will never belong to you. To put it in words you understand. I'm gunna kick your bunny if ya dun run back home, sonny.

I was hoping we could coalesce our hearts, but I digress.

You give me nay a choice but to give my verdant friend a voice.

Be ready for anything!

Show yourself my little pet! My precious pawn, so violent!

Hold on, my intuition is tingling. It's telling me that his pet is neither little nor precious.

Right again! That is one ugly pet. Also, he's more on the blue side?

I need the man to take my terms! Steal his grandson, make him squirm.

The forest will be mine before the hour strikes nine!

You'll never get the chance! My special cane will make sure of that!

Ahhhhhhhhhhh!

Grandpa?! You okay?

Ack! My back!

That's what you get for swinging that thing around at your age, old man.

Says the geezer!

Anyway...

Leave this one to us.

Aldo, you know what to do.

Good luck trying to hold me hostage!

Drat!

Ready to give up?

Peh!

It's unfortunate this matter could not be settled over chatter.

But now you all have forced my hand, to murder all that fore me stand.

You what?

This deed will come at quite the price. For reimbursement, blood will suffice.

Not on my watch!

I hope you are prepared young lad. My next pet's over twice as bad.

...Twice as ugly seems more accurate.

Urgh...

Victor! Protect grandpa!

......

What are you waiting for, Victor?! He's going to get killed!

He doesn't need protection.

What?!

......

My protection, to be more specific.

Huh?

Oh yay! The rope that binds the do-goods starts to fray.

So now's our chance to seize the day!

GRANDPA! NO!

STOP RIGHT THERE!

Wait a minute! That sounds like...

What are you guys doing here?!

I'll explain later!

May! Nomar! I'll distract him with my bow. You two take it from there!

Y-Yessir!

What terrifying little scraps, too much milk and "special" vitamins, perhaps.

AH! Baruoki guards, I see! The picture's clearer now before me!

Darn right! And we don't play nice with bullies in bad hats!

You may leave...this time. But show your face again, and we may not be so merciful.

That's right. NO mercy!

Peh!

Yeah? Well you all stink! And if you think I'd come back here to you greasy buccaneers... Then it is clear your brain is of a lower tier!

Thanks guys! You got here just in the nick of time!

The timing WAS perfect, wasn't it?

It was a little too close, in my opinion.

B-But, at least we won!

Yeah!

Hey, grandpa. You doing okay?

My back is twisted, but other than that, I'm doing all right, laddie. Sorry you had to see me like this.

But more than that, why are you three here?

We heard from someone that Aldo had a run in with someone suspicious.

Yes, EXTREMELY suspicious. So we came as soon as we heard.

We thought, knowing Aldo, he probably didn't realize the guy was suspicious, so we came just in case.

...Did you know they were coming?

What do you think, my dear boy?

Try not to sweat the details. We should head back to Baruoki, anyway.

If not for the fact we need to do something about your grandpa's back.

You're right. He needs rest.

Ugh, I hate to admit it, but Victor is right. Let's go back to Baruoki.

How's your back holding up, Grandpa?

Hah! I barely even notice it! Pain is all in the....

MIIIIIINGGHGHHGHHGH!

G-Grandpa!

Good grief... I see you're still trying to overcome pain with the ancient art of ignoring. Stop being so stubborn, and get some rest!

And don't give me this "I'm still fit enough to go out on adventures!" malarky either!

Adventures? What does he mean, Grandpa?

H-How did you...

How COULDN'T I?! First you blab about this special cane of yours. Then, you try and hit me with it, then we go out and you kill this goblin all like "I still got it!" It's clear you've been training. Too bad about the back, though.

Training?!

You KNEW it was a trap, but you went because you missed the adventure!

Ugh...

...U-huh.

Listen. I'm glad we got to go on one last adventure together. Nostalgia out the wazoo.

However...

You and I both know there's something more important to you than adventures. Your village and its people.

Victor...

Keep that special cane of yours. Just use it to protect your people, okay?

Or else I'll be holding on to this sword of yours for no reason.

I didn't know that belonged to Grandpa!

I have two. One's mine, one's his.

And you always use yours, and keep his in the...

It's the other way around.

Why?

My sword is reserved for some very specific opponents. And also, I've been using his for so long, I kinda just got used to it!

Just got used to it, my butt! One day, out of the blue, you challenged me for a chance to borrow my sword. Then, after you won, you left with without saying a word!

So Grandpa, you're saying he got away with a win, and your sword?

Hah! I just went out for a walk, and well, one thing led to another, and I set out for adventure.

Walk shmalk! How many years do you think I've been waiting for you!

Sorry, friend.

By the way, Aldo. I'm getting another call from the ol' intuition. May, Darunis, and Nomar want to do dinner.

They do?

You and I both know he's probably right, so go on, laddie. We'll be fine here.

Yeah, you're probably right...

I'll be back later! You two play nice!

...... Another reason I can't stand you is you're too good a liar!

Hey! We're supposed to be playing nice!

You're planning on going one on one with that monster, aren't ya.

......

Hah! Can't get one past you, can I.

You think this is funny?!

That thing almost killed us! What makes you think you can go fight it alone?!

...I'll be fine.

Leave him to me! If you're well enough to swing that cane around, then I'll have no problem swinging your sword.

Victor...

You have people to protect, right? Let me go take that thing down, once I'm done I'll come back here, and we can celebrate.

And for the record. I don't plan on involving Aldo.

Seems like you've grown up a bit, I'll give you that. But, I'll have you know my grandson is no slouch. Remember that.

Hah. All right.

I'll keep that in mind.