Necoco is Necoco!

This letter has seen better days, that's for sure... The only thing I have left of my parents...

......

Sorry Mom... Sorry Dad... After all the trouble you went through... I wasn't given any gift. The power of the Sacred Beast was received by Altena, not me. If only the timeline had gone the way it was originally supposed to...

Oh, hey Necoco.

Nya!

What are you doing here, Nyaldo?!

Otoha told me, to tell you, to get back to work. Said after the whole Akuraou thing you guys are busier than you ever were.

I AM working! ...By soaking up rays! Ughhh I don't wanna wooork! But if the power of the great Necoco is needed, then who am I to refuse?

I guess I'll go crank out an ema or two!

There's a lot more than there was last time, huh.

We're really raking in the git now! Okay. Which one should I do? You know, times like this, best to go with your gut. So...I'll pick...THIS ONE!

It says...

Um...

What's it say?

This ema is...weird.

Huh?

What does that even mean? Feels like...

A prank, maybe?

Huh? Wait a minute...

Can I take a look?

Huh? It's just a plain old ema?

...It is?!

"My cat keeps sharpening its claws on our furniture. Do you have anything to help?" Seems pretty normal to me?

What? That's not what...

...It said? But now... I...

You okay, Necoco? You're acting weirder than usual.

......

Aldo!

What's wrong, Feinne?

Something's wrong with Altena! She looks like shes in pain!

What?

She's resting close by, come with me!

Got it, lead the way!

Right behind you guys!

Hmm... Wonder if this has anything to do with that ema?

You okay, Altena?

I'm fine, thanks. But I'm not the one you should be...

Urgh...

Altena!

It's the Sacred Beast that's having problems.

What?

It feels like it's trying to escape from my body. Like it doesn't want to be here anymore.

What?!

Escape? But wasn't joining with you the Sacred Beast's idea?

I don't understand it either. This is the first time this has happened.

This must be what the ema was talking about...

The what?

We got this bizarre ema at the shrine. It was like it was written to me specifically. It said... To get your power back from the wicked change in history. Bring the vessel to the birthplace... Or something like that?

Wicked change? What's that supposed to mean? Does it have anything to do with the Sacred Beast?

I...

Maybe it has something to do with what that specter said? That you were supposed to get the power...

I uh...

Is that true, Necoco?

*sigh* Well I guess I might as well tell you the whole story.

......

I was supposed to inherit the Sacred Beast's power. It's the reason I was born. But at some point the timeline was changed, and I never got it...

...Because you did.

What?!

So that's what this whole wicked change business is about? But why is this happening now?

I get the feeling it's because of you, Nyaldo. The moment you arrived on this continent, history changed, ever so slightly.

Just by landing here?!

Long ago, the Four Great Elementals split, and their power rained upon the lands. Specters and beasts like Altena were born from this power. The Sacred Beast is the power of the four elementals made whole again. That part you already knew, right Nyaldo?

Yeah.

The power of the Sacred Beast is as great as it is pure. And that power draws evil to it. And to protect it, a clan of specters took up the mantle. Since then, they have passed that responsibility down, from generation to generation.

That clan...is your clan?

It is. To become the vessel for the Sacred Beast, my clan has passed on our power and techniques. To prevent other specters from using it as a tool for war.

......

That's also the reason my parents left me at the Cat Shrine. To protect me from specters. They themselves were being hunted down, you see...

And so they did that to protect you...

I am the last connection specters have to beasts. And to protect the future of the specters, the line cannot be disrupted.

...But the Sacred Beast did not choose me.

What do you mean?

If I remember correctly, the Sacred Beast was trapped in the dungeon ruins in the land of Ro, right? It was supposed to have called out to me for help...

Wait.

But it was us who went to help instead.

Exactly.

And in the future I inherit the power of the Sacred Beast... I had no idea it would affect your clan. How can the future change the past?

It's not like you did something wrong But it is what it is. When the Sacred Beast was trapped, it asked for your help. History was changed when you saved it back in ancient times at Dragon God's Swamp.

It may have even started the minute you set sail for this continent.

Little by little, the moment we sent sail, history was being rewritten... Huh...

And so the wicked change is...

It must have something to do with the Sacred Beast. I think the vessel they are talking about is you, Altena. And the birthplace must be Dragon God's Swamp.

......

The thing is, I have no idea who wrote the ema. It could be another trap.

Let's go, Necoco.

Didn't you hear what I just said, Altena?!

Yeah, but the Sacred Beast is in pain. Even if it is a trap, if we find out why this is happening... It will have been worth it, right?

But...

Don't worry about me. Let's head to Dragon God's Swamp.

...Is this really the right thing to do? The ema is asking if I want to take the power back. And if I do that...

You sure you wanna do that, Altena?

It's better than letting it suffer inside me.

Altena...

We were given the task to stop history from changing by the Goddess of Time herself. But we had no idea, by doing so it actually changed history. And if that change is what's causing the Sacred Beast pain, then I have no choice but to let it go.

......

The Sacred Beast is my friend. You'd do the same thing, right?

I...

I don't think I would.

What?

Because that's what I was born to do. That is my one reason for living.

Necoco...

It's different! My wish is not just my own. It's my parents and my forefathers wish, too. They're all counting on me. They all risked their lives to continue the line. And for me to just give that up, it would mean all their work had been for waste.

And that's why I can't just give it all up. If we were in the same situation, I'd do it different from you!

......

I know, it's because I'm like this the Sacred Beast didn't choose me...

I don't...

It can't be just a coincidence it chose Altena instead. Even if the fates deemed it so... It still would have found a way to choose you.

You have a heart purer than anyone. And the Sacred Beast has known you for longer.

Necoco...

It made me sad, because this was the reason I was born. And it felt like you took my destiny from me, and my place in this world with it.

......

Sorry. I know this sounds bad.

But I just... It's all just coming out. I didn't mean to make it sound like you did something wrong.

I'm just all messed up inside. I'm sorry.

The one apologizing should be me.

Nya?

I had no idea. The responsibility you shoulder, and how heavy that responsibility is... I took it all from you... I can't even begin to imagine how it feels to fight along side me.

So, I'm sorry, Necoco...

Altena...

I hate you.

You what?

I hate you. I REALLY hate you. You... Even I know you did nothing wrong. An accident in a mistake wrapped up in a mishap is all this is. And yet you accept all the responsibility....

......

You have such a big heart. Big enough for me, the Sacred Beast and all sorts of other stuff. That's why I hate you.

You are strong and I am weak.

Necoco...

No, you're not. Necoco. Look at how far you've come, despite all the pain. You helped us protect this world. That is no easy feat.

......

Someone took your place in this world. And you are seeing your future slowly slip through your fingers... I'm sure that is scary as hell.

How would you know?

Probably because I've taken someone's place before.

You have?!

To protect Feinne, I took on the guise of Eden. But while I was up here doing that, down in the lowest depths of shadow was the real Eden. All alone, and in pain. When I saw him for the first time, we looked exactly alike. I thought, how would that feel. To see someone who looks just like you, doing what you were meant to do.

Aldo...

So, if that's what you're going through, I wanna help.

Me too. Whatever it takes to make a future where you and the Sacred Beast are not in pain...

Yeah. By saving your future, we may end up changing another. It's what we've been doing during our whole journey.

But of all the futures we've changed, I wouldn't turn back a single one. That goes for the future you want, too.

......

Why we got the ema, and why the Sacred Beast is in pain, we still don't know for sure. If the future you want is at the end of that road, then I'm gonna walk that road along with you.

Not just for the Sacred Beast, but for my other friend. That's you, Necoco.

Yeah. Let's go Necoco.

You guys...

Thanks. Let's go find out the truth.

Yeah. To the place Altena and the Sacred Beast formed their bond.

......

The power of the Sacred Beast was passed down through my family so that we would use it for good. Then maybe I.... Hmm...

To get your power back from the wicked change in history. Bring the vessel to the birthplace. Was it?

If the birthplace is where I became friends with the Sacred Beast, then this is it.

Why here though...

Hngh!

Argggh...

Altena!

I don't think I can hold the Sacred Beast in any longer! Urghhh! Why now?! Why is this...

Urgh!

What in the world is happening?

I took your beast girl and filled her with elemental power beyond what she could handle.

To cut her from the Sacred Beast, and fix the timeline.

A phantom!

Why is a phantom here? Did you write that ema?!

Silly specter. You fell right into my trap, hook, line and sinker.

Get the power back... Bring the vessel...

You're behind all of this, aren't you?! The ema, the pain Altena is going through, all of it!

I said what I said. It just happens that what you want, and what we want is the same.

What YOU want?

The beast girl's deeds are causing havoc on the timeline. The changes it is making are far exceeding what we expected.

......

Changes that also impact our plans. So we must get rid of her before it's too late. And to do that, we must return the Sacred Beast to it's rightful place.

I see...

Did you really think I'd help you do that, though?!

What you want and what we want is the same. You are the rightful heir to that power. As long as it is in her possession, the pain your family has suffered through the ages will be for naught.

......

Remember the responsibility you bear by birthright.

Necoco!

I know, Nyaldo! Don't believe his lies!

Remember the responsibility you have to your family.

Nnnnhhhgggh!!

Remember the responsibility you have to this world.

SHUT UP!

Are you truly prepared to cut the eternal link between your clan and the Sacred Beast? All the prayers, all the tears, all the pain that was left for you to defend... You simply throw all that away like yesterday's garbage? You would reject the reason you even exist?

......

What do you want from me?

Wait...

You called me here because it's obviously something only I can do, right?

Clever girl. I need you to perform the rite of inheritance.

The what?

I pumped the beast girl full of elemental power in the hopes it would drive the Sacred Beast out. But for some reason, the Sacred Beast clings to her still. So some outside help is necessary.

So you want me to pull it out by performing the rite?

You do know how to do it, yes?

Even if I did, why would I...

It is not for us. It is for you. Get it through that thick skull of yours already. So that you leave your mark on this world, you must fulfill the task assigned...

......

If your conscience is what is keeping you, I can give you the perfect reason to do it.

Uughhh...

Altena!

What did you do to her?!

I put even more elemental power into her. These lands have plenty of it. I can keep going until she bursts.

Ur...ghh...

Altena!

If you want your friend to live... You know what you must do.

...Fine. You want me to do the rite? I'll do it.

Necoco, don't!

I have to save Altena, Nyaldo. And I don't see any other way. I'm going to remove the Sacred Beast from her, and put it into me.

......

I never thought I'd have to use the teachings of my clan in such a way, but I have no choice.

O' sacred protector...

Show yourself to your new vessel!

Yes... Yessss...

Urggghhh...

Altena! Are you okay?!

I feel...better? But why?

I'm sorry Altena. I had to remove the Sacred Beast in order to save you.

You what?

You were about to die. A phantom was filling you with elemental energy to the point you were about to explode... And since the Sacred Beast wouldn't leave, I had to force it out.

But...Necoco?

I knyow! I knyow! You're probably thinking there must have been anyother way!! But, there was something in me that couldn't let go... If anyone else was going to have it...

I'm sorry, Altena.

......

Now I need to perform the rest of the rite. The part that puts the Sacred Beast into me.

O' sacred protector...

Nya!

That'll be enough from you.

You interrupted my chant! What is your deal? I am the vessel, the Sacred Beast should be...

We do not need another vessel. We got what we wanted.

You plan on using the Sacred Beast for yourself! What happened to us wanting the same thing?! What happened to fixing the timeline? Fixing the timeline means me getting the Sacred Beast!

Who said fixing the timeline meant putting it back the way you wanted? The history of this world has been changed countless times. Who becomes the vessel makes no difference to us.

So you...

We wanted the power for ourselves. All this talk of fixing the timeline, giving you back your power, was just the bait for our trap.

I see...

In that case. Get ready for the beating of your life.

What?

Where'd it go?!

Meh heh heh! Nya hah hah! Nyaldo! That wasn't the Sacred Beast!

Then what was it?

You stupid Phantom. You totally fell for it!

What did you do?!

I didn't remove the Sacred Beast from Altena, I removed the elemental power! I made it look like the Sacred Beast. Gave you the ol' cat and meowse!

But...

What do I need to say to get it through that thick skull of yours, phantom?

I've been seeing the Sacred Beast in my dreams every day since the day I was born.

......

But you have to be some spring kitten to think I'd steal it from Altena! As IF! The Sacred Beast decides what it wants to do. What makes IT happy. Yeah, my clan has gone through a lot to protect it. But that doesn't give us the right to tell it what to do!

Fine. Then I will take it the hard way.

Get ready, Necoco!

There's no turning back now. But with Altena no longer it's prisoner, we have no reason to lose!

Let's do this! Let's turn this phantom into a miserable pile of miasma!

You... We were almost...

The phantom is gone!

Everybody okay?

Of course! That phantom was no match for the great Necoco!

I'm okay. The Sacred Beast, too. Thanks to Necoco getting rid of all that elemental energy. Thanks, Necoco.

No need to thank me!

I gotta say, I wasn't expecting you to play a trick on that phantom.

Hah! How do you like them apples! All it took was a little cat nip, and he played right into my paws! If I hadn't, he would have kept on with the elemental power. So I gave him a little of the cat scratch fever!

I don't think that's what that means.

You had me confused though. You said you pulled out the Sacred Beast and I was like...no you didn't?

Yeah! And I was like SHHHH Altena! You're gonna give up the ruse!

But everything I said after was totally true. I'm not taking the Sacred Beast from anybody.

Necoco...

I thought about it. My forefathers probably took on this responsibility cause they were worried about the Sacred Beast. Akuraou mentioned that there are specters out there that seek its power. I bet there were tons of em.

Definitely.

So, until the Sacred Beast was strong enough to defend itself, we decided to protect it. And then we raised it into what it is now.

......

So! I realized my job wasn't to "receive the power." It was to make sure it was happy and safe.

Necoco...

And to do that I'm gonna...

I know!

Know what?

What I'm gonna do for you, Altena!

For me?

We gotta head back to the Cat Shrine! Like, now!

Hey, wait!

Okay, so what is it?

I'm gonna give her the Cat Deity blessing! Now wait here just a sec while I get ready.

Is this the girl you wanted to bless?

Yup! So I'm gonna do the ritual we do to protect the shrine on her.

Another ritual?

Hah! Don't look so worried! Not like I'm gonna eat your or nothing! We're just gonna pray for the Cat Deity to protect you!

Necoco...

I get the feeling this is why the phantoms never got it, even in the future! The prayers of the Cat Shrine priests were keeping it safe! So nyalls we gotta do is put one on you, and those phantoms won't bother you ever again!

Thanks, Necoco.

Okay, let's get started.

That should do it! Just like we protect the Sacred Beast in the future, this should keep you safe now. I don't think you'll have to worry about the two of you separating anymore!

Thanks... Is this really okay? You're fine with me keeping it?

Nyup! Me and the Sacred Beast are never gonna be the same. And that's okay. ...I'm okay!

Necoco...

Until the phantom showed up, I thought having the power is all I was meant to do. And it ate me up inside that I wasn't doing what I was supposed to. I even felt like I lost my place in the world...

......

But, I was wrong!

When I saw your kindness, and when I saw how the Sacred Beast didn't want to leave, that's when I knew. The Sacred Beast's place is with you, Altena.

With me?

The Sacred Beast needs someone with a gentle heart. My place is with the Cat Shrine, it's place is with you!

With me...

I mean, Otonya is too much of a ditz, Nabe and Fuku are too strict, Nyanji's never around...

But, when everyone's here, it feels like home. Being here makes my heart feel like the Sunday morning sun. I guess it's cause I love them all. My place is with them. I bet the Sacred Beast feels the same way when it's with you.

......

SO! I figured I'd protect you! Protect where the Sacred Beast calls home. Make it so the Sacred Beast can be with you in peace in the future. And when it gets weak in my time, I'll be sure to give it a place to rest so it'll be ready for you.

Thank you... I will take good care of it.

If it ever feels like too much to handle, just come see me. I'll swallow you both whole!

...Swallow us?

I'm just kidding! Or am I? Nyahahaha!

Is the ritual over, Necoco?

Nyup!

Aw man, you shoulda called me! I love rituals!

I wanted to! But I couldn't find you. I figured you were probably out sunbathing or something...

In the name of the Cat Deity, you are now safe!

You call that a ritual? Come on now!

Hehe...

What's so funny?!

I was just thinking, you two really get along well. I think I'm starting to understand what you meant, Necoco.

Meant by what?

Well...

PROMISE ME YOU WON'T SAY A THING!

Say what?

As if I'd tell you!

Hehehe...

Let's head back to the shrine, eh Otonya? We got chores to do!