Cursed Sword, Clear Sheath

Whew! Glad THAT's over. Really worked up an appetite, though! Why don't we head out and grab some- thing to eat?

...Alright, but only if you promise not to overeat, this time.

No worries there! I'm not a light- weight like you, so I can eat as much as I want and I'll still feel fine!

I'm not worried you're going to get a stomachache, Flamme... I'm worried you'll eat another poor tavernkeep out of house and home. The supply chain can only take so much.

Ahaha! Well, if you're that concerned about it, I'll do my best. Just don't get your hopes up TOO high, okay?

You're wasting your time if you think you can make this fool girl plan ahead. She rushes into everything without a thought. Best just resign yourself to the inevitable disaster.

I...suppose. Hm?

What is it? You decide you're hungry, after all?

Actually, imagining how much you're about to eat has just about done for my appetite. ...I was wondering about your Ogre Rancorem, actually. Could you turn around for a second?

...Like this?

Ah HAH! I knew it!

What? What is it? Is there a huge bug on my back? Is it something cute like a dragonfly?

No bugs, but there's a huge crack in your sheath, Flamme!

Tch, learn to keep your mouth shut, Boy. It's no concern of yours.

What?! There's a crack in Oggy's sheath?!

Yeah...you said this sheath was the only thing sealing in Ogre Rancorem's power, right?

Th-That's right... What do I do? If that sheath actually breaks, it'll be like letting an abbetos loose in a glassworks!

...Let's try to avoid as much wanton destruction as possible, then. Isn't there some way to fix it? Or maybe get a new one?

Since your Ogre Rancorem is the past version of mine, they ought to be connected, right? There's no hint of the damage though, so you must have either fixed it or had a new one made at some point.

That's just not possible. Oggy's sheath is totally unique! It was made by the High Priestess herself. I doubt we'll find her wandering around your time dispensing the Goddess' wis- dom to priestesses and wisewomen.

Even if she's not around right now, if we went to another time...maybe further into the past? Actually...I might know someone with a fair bit of knowledge, who follows the Goddess. We could try going there for advice, if you like?

...Who are they, exactly?

They're the chieftain of a titan village, who claim to be descendants of the Mother Goddess... Not to mention, they are the ones who forged Ogre Rancorem's predecessor, the Palsifal Saintsword. Surely, they should be able to help us.

You're right! They might even be able to make an even stronger sheath, if they're titans. Either way, s'no point in moping around here, so we might as well go see if we can meet them!

Great! Then let's get going. We can ask Synth Hydra to give us a ride to Pador.

...Hm? Oh, Aldo? I didn't know you were in Pador.

I was hoping I could talk to Siodglase. I don't mind waiting until you're done talking, Garam.

Garam...? Wait, do you mean...

THE Garambarrel?! Great hero of the titans?! THAT Garam?

That's my name... Though I confess this is the first I've heard about this "hero" business.

Oh, um, well, um...that's...that's how people know you waaaaay in the future. I guess you wouldn't know anything about it now, but, I'm a titan from the future! Just a few thousand...er, maybe a few tens of thousands...? Anyway, a whole bunch of years from now is the point!

Deep, calming breaths, Flamme...

I'm perfectly calm! Which is to say as calm as anyone could be in the presence of the great hero Garam!! So, okay, maybe not all that calm, but come on! I'm meeting the guy who defied fate to save so many of our people! He's a legend...!

......

...I see. So the Titan people have survived into your time. And you say I'm one of the people to thank for that?

Yes! You're going to...

I'd rather not hear tales of feats I've yet to accomplish. It's enough for me, to know the titans survive.

Ahh, spoken like a true hero of legend! Isn't he amazing, Aldo...?

...He's great. Flamme, wasn't there something you were planning on asking him?

Oh, right!

We're here to consult with a titan sage who follows the ways of the Goddess, just like us.

I don't know about sage, but people around the village do tend to call me a walking dictionary, so ask away.

Well...

...Hm. So you need a way to repair Ogre Rancorem's sheath. The sheath was made using wood from a tree in the Valley of the Ancients... And you say its strength is waning?

A tree in the Valley of the Ancients? ...I had heard the sheath was made from the trunk of the World Tree.

The World Tree... I see. Is that what people in the outside world call it?

So, are there any trees like that around here?

In rare cases, saplings that grow in the Valley of the Ancients absorb the powerful energy of the Elementals. It's said that those trees can go on living forever, so will continue to exist until the end of the world.

You told me before that the Rucyana Sands, where the World Tree stands, used to be a massive forest... I think the tree's mighty lifeforce must've been having some kind of effect on everything around it.

That is quite possible. As you say, the lifeforce of the tree is powerful indeed. A scabbard made from its trunk's wood ought to be hard to break. However... It seems that the dark power of the sword has begun to gain the upper hand, and from the resulting crack... although faint, I can sense an aura, not unlike miasma, seeping out into the world.

Then...at this rate, Oggy, I mean... the sword's curse, will be unleashed upon the world again? It's my duty as Oggy's wielder to not allow that to happen! Please, you have to lend me your wisdom.

With damage as pronounced as this, your only option will be to create an all-new sheath... Materials will pose a problem, however. The main body will need to be made using the wood of a tree from the Valley of the Ancients... But that alone won't be enough.

...Siodglase. What of the stone used for the Demon's Den Gate? A sheath reinforced with some of the same stone would likely be impervious to miasma, would it not?

You may be right... Although the Demon's Den Gate was built in ancient times, the seal is as strong as ever. Coating the sheath with a lacquer made from that stone should be enough to reinforce its seal.

Great! I'll just go pick up a few of those rocks, and we can get started! Where can I find them?

Emberite can be found deep in the Demon's Den, along the border of our world and the Underworld... At what we call the Demon's Den Gate. They give off their own faint heat, so you shouldn't have any trouble knowing which stones to take.

If you'll gather the emberite, I'll use that time to go get the wood we'll need from the Tree of Eternity.

Are you sure? This is your first trip back home in a while, right? I'd hate to make you run errands for us.

Ogre Rancorem was born of the Dark God's curse. He is, in a sense, our descendant, and our responsibility.

Garambarrel and I will craft the body of the sheath. We'll leave it to you to gather the stone for the lacquer.

Thank you so much! I'll find a way to repay you for this, someday.

Come on, Aldo! Demon's Den, here we come!

Alright, follow me then.

This is it, Flamme. The deepest point in the Devil's Den.

She said we'd find the stones for the lacquer near the gate, right? It's weird to think the Underworld is right through there! It's giving me the weirdest chills, just being here.

It's probably not a great idea to get too close...what with the gate likely leaking miasma and all.

You're right, the sheath's already been cracked. We don't want to do anything that could make it worse.

...Oh!

Look there! The stones over here look like they're glowing from inside. It's like they're full of firelight! And here, they really are warm to the touch... These must be the emberite that Siodglase told us about!

I'm glad we found them so fast. Let's go ahead and grab what we need so we can get straight back to Pador.

Heh... It's too bad you're out of time.

...Oggy?

Ever since you said we would go to Pador, I thought you'd eventually bring me to the Demon's Den. But I never imagined you'd make it this easy. Have you any idea how much miasma has accumulated here, through the ages? It oozes from every pore of this area. It's sweeter and more potent than anything I could glean from mortals' hatred, and with it I grow stronger... No longer must I suffer the yoke of the mana-seal fetters you fools have bound me with. They are broken! Come to me! My bones, the part of me hidden away in the cracks between frozen time...! Come! Follow the path laid by our rightful grudge against these fools!

Ogre Rancorem...!

That must be Future Oggy... Normally I'd be really happy to meet you, but this is a super bad time!

You would fight me then, girl? Are you fool enough to think you might actually win against me in this form?

I'm a disciple of the High Priestess. I can definitely win! Also, it's my duty to keep you sealed. I can't just let you run off to go murdering whenever you like!

You'll have me to contend with, too! As your future wielder I have a vested interest in making sure you stay put with as little murdering as possible.

You put up a good fight... Unfortunately, I'm afraid you won't be winning this battle.

My eternal flesh! Avatar throughout the endless ages, hear me now! Come to me once more!

No! If I can just...get the sword...

Ah!

...Now that I have reclaimed this body, I no longer have any use for you fools.

Wh... How is there a wormhole...?!

This area is quite unique... Time is brittle, and it takes almost nothing to tear through.

Listen, girl. I owe you my thanks for carrying me away from the village where I was sealed. For that service, only swear you will stay out of my way and I shall not be forced to throw you into this rift.

You know I can't do that... It's my duty as a Seal Maiden, and... You're my friend, Oggy! Real friends don't just stand by and let each other do horrible things!

You truly are a fool, girl. ...But I admit, I've grown fond of that particular foolishness. Still, if you intend to cage me, then you can join my enemy Aldo and wander the endless dark until death finds you!

...Fool of a girl. Those who wander lost through time shall wander their lives away, never finding home again...

Where am I...? It's pitch black... Oggy...? Aldo...? Is anyone there?

No one's answering... I have to find them!

Come on guys, please... Someone answer me! Oggy! Aldo! This is no time to hide!

I guess they really aren't anywhere nearby... They have to be somewhere, though!

Hello...? Is anyone here? Someone answer me!

Am I really the only one here...? ......

...It's no good. I can't find a single other soul, no matter how much I look. ...I'm all alone. ...Again. Oggy, I'm so lonely... Just answer me, like you did before.

Snff...hck...

Flammelapis. It is long past time for you to stop crying. Tears will not change your fate. Your father is never coming back.

Everyone says awful things about him all the time... They all say he brought disaster on the village.

Your father put his life on the line to buy time for us to seal away Ogre Rancorem in the sheath. Because of his efforts, countless lives were saved. The villagers do not remember that. They only remember how he was at the end, eaten away by the sword's curse. None of them can hide the terror they feel when they remember that.

...Do you hate them?

They're always so horrible about Father...but they were also really nice to Mother when she was sick. So...I do hate them. ...But, I like them too.

If you hold those feelings close to your heart and do not let them go, I think you'll make a fine priestess. The fate that lies in store for you is not a kind one, but I know you shall be more than equal to the task. Live well and be strong...even if you must do so alone.

Priestess...?

The village is...gone...? What...what happened?! I just left for training and now...

...No, don't panic, Flamme! I've got to search for survivors, before anything else. The High Priestess led this village. Surely the Mother God- dess wouldn't leave it unprotected...

...They're gone.

I can't find anyone.

...Everyone's gone.

Please, answer me... I beg you... ...Please, don't leave me all alone.

Well, if it isn't the Priestess's girl. I thought I heard someone's forlorn crying...

...Ogre...Rancorem...? Is that you?

Oh, such misery you possess, girl! Ah, I see... They would not even let you live amongst them. But because of that you are the only one of them left. Pitiful, really... I have an idea, though. I am feeling quite merciful, right now. We share blood of the same peoples. Let me feed on your sweet loneliness, and I shall let you be my puppet.

...You're here.

What is the meaning of this...? She...has...revived...?

Then! This means I found a survivor! Thank goodness! I'm so glad you're alive! Thank you so much for being alive!

......

Hey, Oggy? Where should we go next? Towering snow-capped mountains? A sparkling cerulean lake? A sprawling forest of endless shades of green? I want to see everything I've never had a chance to see before.

You were supposed to be my thrall. My puppet. ...How did it come to this?

Well, it's my duty to help keep you in check. But you saved me, so I couldn't just seal you away without a word. Back when I found the village swallowed up by the sands... You said you would eat all my misery ...my loneliness, didn't you?

Bah! Your emotions were so unpalatable, I could hardly stomach them!

Hey, my emotions are delicious! Probably. Though, I suppose that's for the best. It'd be kinda creepy if you WANTED to eat my emotions, if I'm being honest. ...So, uh. What does loneliness taste like, anyway?

Cold and hollow, like feasting on chill air. Loneliness never fills you up like hatred or fury do. Your emotions were especially awful.

Huh. Yeah, I guess I can see what you mean, then. That doesn't sound very tasty at all!

I miss you, Oggy... How am I supposed to get out of here? Everything's so jumbled up I can't tell up from down or now from later... I just need some kind of landmark, anything at all to help me find my way out of here, but there's nothing!

...Or. Wait. There is one thing...!

My charm for finding things lost... If I use that, I should be able to find the loneliness I lost, back when I met Oggy...! If just some of my emotions still exist inside Oggy, that should be all the connection I need to get back. Oggy, wait for me! I'm going to find my way back to you no matter what!

...Why does the boy still wield me? Have I not just freed myself from the bonds of that accursed sheath?

More fool you, so ignorant of your impeding failure that you would stand and boast of a victory never to come!

Ah. So you knew this would happen. Of course you did.

...Now, foolish predecessor of mine, I still need to pay you back for dropping me into that rift with Aldo!

Yeah. Let's get this over with. I need to defeat you so we can start looking for Flamme!

Give it up, boy. Where I sent her, time leaps forward and backward, slows, speeds, and repeats with no rhyme or reason. She is either long dead of old age, or regressed until she no longer exists. Either way, she is gone.

No! We've got to find her then, we can't wait another...

Don't worry! I found you first!

Hey, Aldo! Oggy! I'm back!

Thank goodness you're alright!

Wh...?! How did you...??? I threw you into the time rift!

And I got out of it again! It was seriously terrible in there! I spent so much time running around in the pitch dark, my feet ache and my eyes hurt from trying to see...

Cease your nonsense, fool girl! Where I sent you, a thousand years can pass in a second, and a second can stretch to a thousand years... Even if someone could escape, their psyche would be completely shattered!

Whoa...I had no idea that place was so dangerous! Good thing I got out as quickly as I did!

And it's all thanks to you, Oggy!

What do you mean...?

The loneliness you took from me all those years ago... I was able to follow it back to you. We're both connected by that same sense of solitude...and I knew I wasn't alone in my loneliness. Knowing that kept me going long enough to find my way back to you!

Bah! Utter nonsense...! ...But no matter. If you're so bent on self-destruction, I'll be happy to put an end to your foolishness, myself!

So you won't just do what's good for you and go back to being a sword? I didn't think you would, but...

You think you can force me back into that form? Fine, then, girl...come and make me!

It's okay, Oggy! Don't worry. I'm gonna win this, and then you'll be yourself, again!

Alright, that's that! We won! Time to keep your promise, Oggy, and go back to being a sword!

I promised no such thing! All the accumulated grudges and righteous vengeance of the Ogre people shall not bend to a mere girl...

Cease your shameful blithering. Young as you may be, there is no excuse for such whining over a loss fairly dealt. You shall have another chance, hear? Swallow the indignity and wait for a better moment.

...... ...Very well. Since my future self seems so intent on it, I shall return to being a sword. Do not mistake me, girl! My grudge hasn't lessened one whit. In time my grudge will come to bear, and all who live in this world will burn in the flames of my vengeance!

...I'm happy to see you, too, Oggy! Welcome back.

Wipe the smug look from your face, girl. You are nothing more than my vassal, and my vessel, in this world.

I've not forgotten anything! I don't think I'm your master or slave, Oggy! We're friends!

......

So, er...I'm a little worried that this is still going to be a problem even after you get him back in his sheath.

...Bah!

But he's not going back in the old sheath! Oggy's moving into a brand- new sheath after this!

Well, we should get back to Pador with these stones so the brand-new sheath can actually get made.

I've already completed the sheath's body using the wood Garambarrel harvested from the World Tree. All that's left to do is to coat it in the emberite lacquer.

Thank you so much for your help, Siodglase.

...I'd like to thank Garam, too, if I could find him! Do you know where he's gotten off to?

Garam's not here at the moment. We've just heard of a monster running amok near the World Tree, so he's gone off to deal with that.

Now that the energies are beginning to settle, he should return soon.

Alright, I'll thank him when he comes back, then!

Do just that. First, however, we ought to finish off your new sheath..

So this is it?! S'just like the old one, but I can't feel even a hint of miasma seeping out...! This is great, Oggy! Now you won't have to watch what you eat quite so much anymore!

You guys are back to normal, I see...

Yep! Just two friends on a journey, plying the winding roads into the unknown!

Just sell me to the first wandering peddler you find. End my suffering.

Give up. You shall be with the girl until the day she dies. You will face the same agony I was made to suffer...

The cursed blade Ogre Rancorem... I'm surprised to find he's possessed of such...heartfelt emotions. Barring a few exceptions, demon swords tend to twist and corrupt the minds of those who wield them. Born from the Dark God's curse, and stewing for ages in his bitterness and grudges, Ogre Rancorem should... Possess quite a strong tendency towards such corrupting hatred.

So, Oggy, where to next? From here we could go to the past or the future!

Somewhere I can feed on the darkest thoughts of twisted minds...

Siodglase. The monsters of the Valley of the Ancients have settled.

...Garam!

Thank you so much for gathering the materials for Oggy's sheath!

So that's the new sheath, then...? I see. You were successful, I take it.

Oh, great... There are more of you. Titans are too pure to make a decent meal of, though...

Don't be prejudiced, Oggy! Just because I don't taste good, doesn't mean Garam might not be delicious!

Hm. I see...

What do you see, Siodglase?

This demon sword's special ability is to consume the hatred in people's hearts, but emotions are impure things. The emotions of humankind are blurred and gray. There is no clean line to draw between black and white. Superiority and contempt may mingle with the impulse for benevolence. Love and longing may become mixed with hatred and loathing. Ogre Rancorem must not have realized this. Because of that, even he is unaware that he's allowed more than just hate to take root within him.

So you mean, Ogre Rancorem is driven by something more than hatred, then? Well, it's true he does almost nothing but make a nuisance of himself. How- ever he's helped out sometimes, too.

If the blade continues to consume emotions, perhaps in 100,000 years or so the mana-seal sheath... Will no longer be necessary, and he will come to be restrained by the hearts of those around him.

...I can hardly even wrap my mind around the idea of it.

It's settled, then, Oggy...! Next stop: the tavern at Pador! Now that you don't need to watch your diet so much, we should get as many delicious things as we can!

Bah! You only wish to taunt me with another display of all the dishes I cannot eat.

Aww, don't be like that, Oggy! Going out to eat with friends is half the fun of a feast!

...But it would be nice if it did happen.