Careful Not To Overeat!

Mmmm-mmm!! This rainbow roc and nana crorn stew is the best thing I've tasted in ages! And the grilled sand salmon with avocado sauce? Positively divine! Transcendental! Oh, and don't even get me started on these deep fried scorpions... The texture alone is irresistible!

......

Ah, where's our server...? Excuse me, I'd seconds of everything we've got already, and hm... Did you want to get dessert too, Aldo?

Er. Flamme, I think...

Oh, sorry! I should have asked if you wanted seconds, too! We can order our desserts after. The flan looks SO...

I think I'm literally going to burst if I eat anything else. So don't worry about me. Honestly just watching you is kind of giving me a stomachache...

Are you seriously planning to get seconds of all that? You've already plowed through ten different dishes!

Right, barely an appetizer! And you barely finished three entrees, Aldo... Did you spoil your appetite snacking or something?

Did I, I wasn't snacking! Three entrees is more than a healthy appetite, I'm pretty sure. You, on the other hand... You're going to clean the restaurant out of ingredients completely, the way you're tearing through the menu!

Don't be silly! They're not going to run out of food from cooking up one normal sized meal.

Oggy, Oggy, Oggy! Are you seeing this?! Your salad's here! It's even got cute layers like a cake! I just know you're going to end up wanting to eat at least three!

Eat at least three...? Ogre Rancorem hasn't eaten a single thing so far. You know...because swords can't eat?!

Not at all! Oggy's quite the gourmet, actually. S'just that the staple food of his diet is a bit...unorthodox.

Unorthodox?

S'like...you know how sometimes he'll just jump out of his sheath and take control of your body?

Regrettably.

You probably already know all this, but seeing as how Oggy was born from the resentment of the Ogres, well... I guess because of that, Oggy's kinda built to absorb stuff like miasma, malevolence, hatred, and despair... Putting it another way, to Oggy, anger and hatred are just part of a balanced diet!

So...when Feinne was abducted...the reason Ogre Rancorem took over like that was because of my emotions...?

Probably. Most likely, he was able to do it after feeding on your rage. Oggy's not that different from us. He doesn't have the strength to move when he's starving. And just like us, if he starts to eat when he's really hungry, he's liable to eat way too much.

I keep telling him he's got to watch what he eats. ...Especially since he can't exercise to balance things, what with being a sword and all.

Huh...

(...Feels like déjà vu, just like when Feinne would lecture Varuo after he'd eaten too much...)

Not that Oggy wouldn't still be cute with a few extra pounds, mind you! Just that I don't even know where we'd find a mana-seal sheath in a bigger size if he outgrew this one...

Ogre Rancorem's scabbard is called a mana-seal sheath...?

It looks pretty normal at a glance, but with a name like that, I guess it must have some special properties?

Yeah, what with Oggy's favorite things being mayhem, destruction, and the wanton slaughter of innocents... S'just a good idea to reign in a few of his more antisocial tendencies, and that's what the sheath is for. It seals away power and keeps him from doing anything I'd regret! Thought, it has its limits... Sometimes Oggy just gets too strong for the seal to hold.

I see...

Wait! ...WHAT?! You just told me that sometimes the pet psychopath you carry around just slips his leash! How are you so calm?!

Sure it's not a really, really, really great kind of situation and all, but panicking isn't going to help. I just need to be careful, and regularly perform the proper ritual to cleanse Oggy's blade of all that pent up evil.

Right now, it's probably a little early for it, but maybe I should go ahead and do a purification ritual.

Tch...You would insist on subjecting me to that tiresome ritual yet again, you foolish girl?

Sorry, Oggy. I know how much you hate it, but it's for your own good! What kind of friend would I be if I didn't keep you in tip-top shape?

...Hey. You need me to put you on a fitness plan, too...?

Bite your tongue, boy. How dare you mock the righteous wrath of the Ogres, the vendetta I bear as the proud harbinger of this world's...

That's alright, Oggy! Just do your best and all that pesky evil'll just melt away!

......

......

Right. Um. Flamme? What exactly does this purification ritual involve, anyway?

We must journey to a place where the other Goddess has laid down her burden to rest, gather up the holy... Water that flows from her tears for the cleansing, carefully wiping away evil with a holy cloth that's been... Knitted of the blessed strands of the Goddess' own hair...

And by that, you mean...?

Oh, we just find somewhere that's been really strongly touched by the Goddess and give Oggy a bath. Simple!

Well, maybe not simple-simple, since everything'll have to be imbued with prisma. The stuff's pretty rare... Or, it's pretty rare in this time period, at least.

Well, I'm not sure exactly what you mean by "imbued," but why don't we try looking near my village? I know there's prisma in the Moonlight Forest, and since a lot of the fabric we make in Baruoki is dyed using... Plants from the forest, maybe some of the prisma has rubbed off on the cloth.

Oh! That sounds like a great idea! Prisma can definitely have an effect on cultivated plants. It can imbue the soil and water, and anything grown or raised with them gets a little bit of the effect.

I was just tossing ideas out, so I'm just glad we've got something that might actually help. Want to head out, then?

Sure! ...First things first, though.

Excuse me! Can I get a to-go order? I need a Wrap Do Zalsa, and...

How is she still hungry...?

Hey Gramps, I'm home!

Thanks for having me.

Oh, Aldo. I'm so glad to see you back home! Hm...I don't think I've met this nice, young lady before...

Great to meet you, Aldo's Grandpa! I'm Flammelapis! Aldo and I've been traveling together.

Here! I even brought a little souvenir from our travels. Enjoy!

Why, thank you, miss... I'll just take one of them. You've got to watch what you eat at my age.

And here I was thinking you bought that so you could eat it yourself.

Delicious food is meant to be shared! That's why I got one for myself, and one for you, and one for Oggy... And one as a souvenir, and... Well, I bought ten, at any rate!

(Best not to ask what she's doing with the other half a dozen...)

Heh, I haven't had one of these in ages. Back in my adventuring days, we barely ever had the time to sit down and eat a proper meal. Food like this, that you could eat on the run, was pretty much an essential. Though 90% of the reason we had to... Run around so much was a certain some- one rushing headlong into one situation or another, based on dumb "intuition".

Most of the time he just ended up roping all of us into a fresh disaster.

(Sounds like Victor gave Gramps and them a pretty hard time, too...)

(He's got to be a real piece of work if even Gramps lost his temper...)

Listen to me, Aldo. You must never open sealed doors and carelessly handle what lies on the altars within!

I'm not an idiot, Gramps. Do you really think I'd just...go around, carelessly messing with suspicious artifacts...?

Oh, good. So it was some OTHER careless little punk who took out the cursed sword I'd hidden away? You know, the one that was carefully wrapped in a mana-seal cloth to stop its curse from bringing on disaster?

......

Okay, but in my defense, I had no idea Ogre Rancorem was cursed at the time. I just thought it was a weird old sword and it'd be fun to show to everyone.

...I suppose it's fine, just this once. Since you haven't actually brought disaster upon the village... Just yet. Still, you need to learn that mysterious hidden objects with mysterious hidden pasts are dangerous.

I know that! I promise I'll be more careful the next time I find a creepy ominous object hidden away.

Hey, Aldo's Grandpa? Could you go back to the part about the cloth you used to wrap the sword in? You said it was mana-seal cloth, right?

Yes. It's one of the village's local crafts, made by dyeing fabric with plants from the Moonlight Forest. The plants that grow there tend to be quite strongly imbued with the power of prisma... So they've got a long history as great material for the sort of talismans that can stave off disasters.

Sounds like the perfect kind of thing for your ritual, Flamme...

Would you mind if we borrowed some of that cloth, Gramps?

...Hmph. Well, it seems you've got your reasons. Why not? I don't have any other use for the stuff. Take it.

Will this work alright? I know it's a little bit old...

No worries. It's just the thing. Thank you, Aldo's Grandpa! This cloth really is beautiful, too... It's so satiny and smooth, and I love the color. Like it was dyed in the night sky...

Unlike the ordinary black dye we use for fabrics that is made from seeds and minerals... This dye has been made by mixing a variety of flowers, to give the cloth more depth of color.

That's amazing...it really does look like there's a whole rainbow of colors hiding inside the black!

It kind of reminds me of Oggy, actually. Like how he's really, really evil but he's got some good points, too!

......

Don't worry, Oggy. We're going to do the ritual so you don't have to be an avatar of pure and horrific evil!

You said the ritual needed pure water too, right...? Can we just take that from the Moonlight Forest, too?

Yep, I don't think we should have a problem with that. Milk and water that've been bathed in moonlight have been standard ingredients in charms for ages. Since we've got the chance, let's get some water that's soaked up a ton of moonlight!

Even in your time, this forest has just the same feel to it. I wonder if that's because of all the prisma here? It feels like the spirits are watching over things...

You can tell stuff like that?

Any disciple of the High Priestess would be in a whole lot of trouble if she couldn't do that much!

High Priestess? Is that actually a thing?

Sure it is! A really wonderful thing, too. Everyone in my home village really looks up to her. She can read the stars in the sky and hear the whispers of the earth... And she guides us with her broad knowledge and numerous magical arts. In fact, my dad met my mom after he came to our village following rumors of the Priestess of High Virtue.

So that's how your parents met, then. Why was your father seeking out the priestess in the first place, though? He was a titan, right?

He was looking for a way to seal away a cursed sword that plunged all who encountered it into madness and death. His search led him to the priestess.

Wait. You don't mean...?

Yep. That cursed sword...

Was none other than Oggy!

(It's kinda hard to take an evil, cursed sword seriously with a name like that.)

Back then, whenever someone got their hands on Oggy, he'd manipulate them and run amok through the countryside... Razing villages and slaughtering any- one in range of his wrath. But the High Priestess, in her great wisdom and power, knew magic that let her craft the sheath. ...And that's how our relatively- peaceful Oggy was born!

So the only reason Ogre Rancorem isn't still rampaging about is that sheath this priestess of yours made...

She really must be amazing, if she managed to seal Ogre Rancorem away when he was at his full power.

I know, right! She's amazing! SO very amazing! Plus, she taught me everything I know!

She gave me all the wisdom and all the magic skills she could, so I'd be able to get by even if I wound up alone...

So you learned to fight with magic from her, too? I've never seen anyone else cast a channeling circle with their feet before...

Oh, no, that's a Flamme Original! I was always way better at dancing than I was at art, and like they say, you've gotta play to your strengths! So, I decided to try it out and need- less to say it was a huge success!

Well, you sure are light on your feet at any rate. It's a total mystery how you can move like that after eating enough food for a small army every day, though...

Anyway, it's been great talking, but we should probably get going. I have a feeling we don't want to see what happens if we DO go too long without performing the ritual.

Oh...you're right. I guess I just haven't had the chance to talk about my home village in so long... It was nice. ...But I guess, a little too easy to get caught up chatting.

Honestly...I think part of me thought I'd never be able to talk about that stuff ever again. Not after...

Flamme?

...Oh, sorry! It's nothing. Anyways, never mind the past, we need to focus on finishing the ritual!

...I can feel the residual power of the spirits, here. This water should work just fine.

We just put some in this flask, and...there we go.

Now we just need to get to the right spot to do the ritual, but...

What is it?

The purification ritual is a closely guarded secret. It's forbidden to all outsiders, so... I'm not sure if I should let you come with me for the rest of it, Aldo.

Oh, so that's it? Don't worry about me. I can wait nearby until you're done with the ritual. It's not like I've never made you wait around for me before, Flamme, so we can just call it even.

You're sure? Thank you so much! Alright, then accompany me there, and you can wait nearby.

The ritual site is located in the Rucyana Sands. It's where Oggy slept, hidden away ages ago. ...The roots of the World Tree.

Whoa...I'd heard about it, but... Seeing it up close, it's so huge! In my time, the tree's been weakened a lot because of the miasma, but it's really perked up a lot in 1000 years!

I'd heard that just Ogre Rancorem's presence was what turned a great forest into this desert... But was it already a desert by your time, Flamme?

It was. The World Tree was swallowed up by the sands, but still alive, and everything was so desolate. Oggy's miasma is poisonous to all life...that's why we have to be care- ful this doesn't happen elsewhere.

Yeah, I'd hate to see any more beautiful landscapes turn into barren deserts.

Well, don't worry, we're going to make sure of it! Once I purify Oggy he'll be tame as a kitten! An evil kitten, but... Anyway! Just wait here a bit. I'll be right back.

No peeking no matter what!

It's taboo, right? I've got it.

Alright, I'll hold you to that! See you in a bit.

...Let's see. This should be a good place. I'd rather not keep Aldo waiting, and anyway, I want to get started as soon as possible.

Alright, first we give Oggy a little splash of the pure water...

Stop that, girl! I'm not a houseplant. I don't need your, I said, cease your splashing! You've gotten it under my crossguard, you insolent little...

Oh, Oggy! You're finally talking to me again! I'm so glad. Especially the way you've been sulking since I said we'd do the ritual.

I do not sulk. ...And you truly are a fool, if you expect I should welcome a ritual meant to erode my power.

You are always so careless. Particularly...hm?

I sense something... Something I've felt before.

Oggy? What is it? Is the ritual making you itchy?

...Girl. I'll be borrowing your body for a short while.

What? Oggy, how are you...

That's right...just up ahead... Only a little bit farther, and...

...Gh! My body feels like it's on strings...

Aaahh!

...Where am I? The place feels like it's been consecrated, somehow... The World Tree? No, different...

Ah...I can feel it... I feel it! This is my very own curse! The pure corruption that tainted a holy blade with rage and hatred...!

Then...that's you lodged there... Isn't it, Oggy? How...? Aldo isn't anywhere nearby...

That version of myself is separated from us by ages. Two full millennia before the two of us ever cross paths. Behold! Can you not feel the caress of my miasma? This is my true self...! Take hold of my hilt, girl! Draw me out and free my power...!

Nope! I'm supposed to be stopping you from going on murderous rampages, Oggy! This is the total opposite of that!

I care not what duty you think you have, girl. I am the one who is in control of this body. You have no choice...

...Nghh. Oggy...you...you can't...! If we do this, history will be...

Hey! You! What are you doing?!

Oh! ...You broke Oggy's hold on me? But, never mind that...

Rude! You can't just go around attacking people out of nowhere! It's not nice! What if I'd been hurt?!

I'm not gonna listen to a dirty graverobber lecture me on manners!

Graverobber... Wait, you think I'M...

Yeah, you just stole that grave- marker sword from some dead kingdom's dead king! And sure, it ain't like a pile of bones has much use for a sword, but I can't just let you steal it!

Hold on a minute! This is just a big misunderstanding, alright?

Yeah, right. Keep your excuses to yourself, thief. I'm gonna make it so you never have the chance to rob anyone again!

...Tch. You're not half bad for a skulking little grave robber. Next time, though...

Now hold on a minute! If you'll just listen to me. This really is a mis- understanding! I haven't stolen Oggy! This Oggy is MY Oggy, okay? Your Oggy is a different Oggy!

...What?!

Just...look! Look at the roots! The sword's still right there.

Tch, right, how could it be...

Still there?!

So, you're just carrying around a lookalike sword? Why would you even bring that here? You practically tricked me into thinking you were a graverobber!

Huh? Are you mad at me...?

I... Hmph. Sorry about the mix up. I... You're not...hurt, are you?

Oh, no, I'm fine. Are you a guardian here? It seems like this place is really important to you.

No. I'm...pretty sure I'm not, anyway.

You're pretty sure? So, maybe you are a guardian, then?

Ugh, how am I supposed to know?! I don't even know why I'm here, or... who I'm even supposed to be!

So you're lost, then. Hmm...lost...lost...

Oh, I know! I've got just the trick! I know a great charm for finding lost things!

Woah, no thank you! I'm fine just the way I am. It's just that sometimes...my chest feels hollow and twisted and I...

You're probably...lonely, I think. When you're lonely, it feels like all the warmth is just leeching out of your heart, little by little. ...Let me do the charm for you. It'll help you rediscover all those memories and feelings you lost...

Hey! What did you do to me?!

I told you, I cast a charm. I learned this one straight from the High Priestess, so it's sure to work!

And, speaking of lost things, I should get back before Aldo thinks I've gone and gotten lost, myself.

Aldo...?

Not to mention, I don't trust what Oggy'll try to do if we hang around here much longer.

See you! I'll pray that you find the things you lost!

...What just happened?

Whoa...!

Huh...Aldo?!

Owww...

Sorry...I didn't think you'd be coming out the same instant I ran in after you. And...sorry about barging in like that. I know you told me I couldn't see the ritual.

No need to apologize! I know you were just worried about me, right? Plus, I've pretty much finished with the ritual, so you didn't break your promise.

What happened in there...?

Well...

Why don't we go somewhere else, like a restaurant, and I can tell you there? I'm famished!

Let's stop by the tavern in Zarbo, then. Not sure the staff will be happy to see us so soon, though...

Excellent idea! We never did get to try the dessert menu, and I've been really looking forward to it!

Ogre Rancorem took control of you and opened a wormhole...?! ...I've been wondering why there was a wormhole there, but I guess that explains it.

I know! Here I was, just planning on sprucing up Oggy's moral fiber a bit and I wind up in the distant past... I could hardly believe it! Still, I'm glad I got a chance to meet Past Oggy, no matter how weird things were.

...Oh! And speaking of weird, new things I learned, did you know Oggy used to mark the grave of a king?

I met a lost girl there, too... Heh, when you think about it, today turned out to be a ton of fun after all! There were a few rough patches, sure, but I finished the ritual so all in all, a job well done!

Shouldn't you be a little more worried about the part where you got dragged deep into the past?!

...But I'm glad you're alright.

Actually...there was something I wanted to ask you, Flamme. That purification ritual for Ogre Rancorem... I've never once done anything like it, but I probably should...right?

WHAT?! Not even one time?! That's just no good at all! It's your duty as Oggy's wielder to make sure he stays in shape and keeps off excess evil!

Can I... Just gimme a sec, I need to take a look at Future Oggy.

...Huh? There's no buildup of miasma...? Your Oggy's sheath feels different, too.

Did you find something?

Not...wrong. Your Oggy's in great shape, he looks really good, almost not evil at all. ...And that's weird! It's weird that you're not having problems!

As far as I'm concerned, no problems is the way to go. Why are you so stuck on this?

It just doesn't make sense! You've been in battle, there should be at least a little corruption. Hmm...

Ah! Now I understand! He's just watching what he eats!

He...what?

It's like your grandpa said, Aldo! You've got to watch what you eat once you start getting older, right? Well, your Oggy is way older than mine, so that's probably it!

You...think so?

Yep, it makes perfect sense! Feels great to solve things, huh? Now! All that problem solving really worked up an appetite!

Excuse me! I'd like to order one of everything on the menu starting here ...and going until here!

That's...almost two whole pages! Are you going to be okay, eating that much food?

Oh! You're right, Aldo! I forgot to get us dessert! Can I get one of these, too?

Flamme, that's not what I meant! You're ordering way too much again! At least wait until you've finished some to...

Soon. The time is near at hand, and at last I'll be free of this yoke...