Reverberations of a Smile

Still a long way to go...

Hey Eva.

There you are! What are you doing out here all alone?

Nothing that is worthy of mention. I am simply pondering.

Oh... I see...

Eek!

Th-They're here!

The monsters! They've finally started showing up even here!

What? What monsters?

AHHHHHHH!

Hey!

His eyes looked upon us as if he were a kitten reflected in the eyes of one who might make him dinner.

That's...an interesting metaphor, not sure if he was THAT scared, but yeah, he was definitely scared.

Thou think it untrue? Perhaps my words draw too grotesque a picture, but it is what I saw. If my words pull me further from mine end, then I will paint them with lighter strokes.

Your end?

There was something about that man. A feeling which I must not ignore. I will give chase, but thou art not honor-bound to follow. Do as thou wilt.

Hey! Wait up!

I'm telling you! It was like nothing you've ever seen. A monster wearing a human shape! Just standing there in the Derisimo Highroad!

Then that's it... We're trapped in the borders of our own town. There's no way out.

And with no way to call for help...

I see. So thou believed me a worthless mutant.

Well, it is true, this form is but a gruesome deformity of man and serpent. But I am no sahaugin lurking in the bush, nor am I some mimic craving human prey. Thy rumors go too far.

Yourself... Gruesome? Deformity? Really?

Eek! It's here!

Wait! I heard what you guys were talking about. And it seems like you're in some kind of trouble, but... You gotta trust me. Eva is no monster. She would never harm you, or anyone.

But she has sharp, scary horns, and a monster's tail!

And...and...

A face...that looks truly kind... Maybe she's not as scary I first thought...

Is that how thou seest me, boy? Thou art yet a babe but thy words are of a man much older.

Oh...you think so?!

No one's ever said that to me before...

The boy is right. She doesn't look like a man-eater, at least. And her friend doesn't seem like a bad sort, either.

I take it thou now seest me for who I am, indeed?

S-sorry. You're right, there's no way a monster would be able to speak so rationally with us.

Right...But do you folks actually have a monster problem?

Aye. Every day it seems like someone else has gone missing.

We send out search parties, but more often than not they end up never coming home.

At night, we can hear the awful things scurrying and scuttling under our windows.

...But even if you look, there's never anything there.

We're under attack by the very air itself, spiriting people away into nothingness.

I can't imagine how frightened you all must be...jeez...

......

What is it, Eva?

I smell an air corrupted by infected flesh over yonder way.

You mean towards the Man-eating Marsh?

I devote my days to help the cause of man. So I shall aid thy cause. Now hide. Be not seen by friend nor foe. Provide the hunt with no more prey. I will find thy beloved and spirit them to thine arms by the touch of dawn.

Thank you! Thank you, thank you, thank you so!

I'm so glad you would help us...

We had almost given up... I can't tell you what a relief this is.

Thou givest thy trust so easily... Curious.

Now I must be going. Aldo, do as thou feel. This is not thy problem to solve.

No, I'm coming with you. The thought of you doing this alone worries me.

Worry? Over me?

Insanity.

In...what?

...Let's do as she bid us. Stay indoors, stay quiet. So we don't lose anyone else.

......

So, you think the monster's around here somewhere?

Most probably. It feels as if someone is poking the cavity of my nose very hard. This is no decent monster. But then, no trace remaineth here.

We must make haste. I fear the lives we wish to save may have time less than once counted. And to those that remain only briefly more...

Yeah... The villagers that were still in town seemed pretty shook up. I mean, you saw how they reacted to you.

A reaction most natural. None who have gazed upon this distorted frame have greeted it with gentle eye.

None except thee.

I mean, you do look different than your everyday human, but...

I have a lot of friends that don't fit the typical mold, you know? A scale or two and a tail, honestly kinda tame compared to what I've seen. So back there, when you said you looked "gruesome", I firmly disagree. You're beautiful, actually.

......

Your eyes are kind, and your smile warm. They may have been frightened at first. But they saw what I see. You actually even calmed their nerves. Not from your words or deeds, from your appearance.

MINE eyes kind? Do not jest. These lips would be not dead if it were not for the blood that warms them so.

You don't even know, do you?

Ever since we met. I've been enamored with your smile. And it's not just me, everyone sees it.

My...smile? ...... Of this I did not know. And if thy words are true, and I still have doubt...

This smile is a smile not mine own. The warmth of which thou speakest is but a kind heart's cruelty.

...What do you mean?

Ahhh!

I think it came from over there!

The coward comes forth from its cave so that I may rip life from flesh and gnaw upon death.

*huff* *huff* Did they go even further in?

I'm so scared...

But she praised my courage. I have to keep going. For her, and for everyone.

I could have sworn the scream came from around here...

Aldo.

Uh... Guhh...

Oh no. She's out here all alone! We need to help her, quick!

Wait! Eva!

Uh...

Time escaped us, it seems.

A sickening sight, indeed.

Eva? What are you doing?

Look.

Hm?

Wha?!

This monster devours a part of its prey and steals its form.

Wait...are you saying the girl is...

No. Death has not yet come for her. This feeble being has not the capacity to devour more than a hair's strand. But that is not to say there are no others who may have.

That's...

There are numbers of souls living still within our reach. But we must act quickly. Let us quell this terror before it spreads even further still.

Damn! Knowing that they're monsters doesn't make attacking them any easier.

If it so bothers thee...

Allow me to relieve thee of such stress.

Eva?! What is...

Waaah!

This is no place for a child. If thou feel thy presence a boon then thou art mistaken. Pain is all that awaits thee here.

Now, I must finish this.

Tch.

You okay, Eva?!

I may fly, yet by a cruel fate's chance I am damned to crawl... Were I to stab my talons into their wicked hearts...but nay. Wings clipped to brittle arms, mortal and soft, the frustration of fragility haunts me.

And yet... It is brittle arms that will bring thy terror's end.

I've got your back, Eva!

My back needs thee not, when it is only thy life that is in danger.

Okay...seems like that's all of 'em.

Art thou injured, boy?

I, uh...I....

......

Aldo, return this child to his home.

Right, but...

He came here to see monsters, and a monster he did see.

Forgive me, boy.

Eva...

Take the boy. I do not wish to, but I will deliver the others. I care not for the water that surrounds their town...

What's wrong with water?

Nothing that concerns thee.

Boy. It is by honor that I am bound to finish this quest. If thou wishest not to see me again, go with Aldo, and come no closer.

Oh...

Well, what do you wanna do, kiddo?

......

Take me to town, but I do wish to see her again.

Then let's get goin' back to Acteul.

Are all accounted for? If thou art injured or weary in spirit, speak now.

Looks like everyone's back, safe and sound!

We owe it all to you and your friend.

Did my deeds serve?

You're the hero of the town, and our hearts.

Then I take my leave.

Wait! Allow us chance to repay your generosity.

No.

Miss! Wait!

......

You said I was grown for my age, and I wanted to prove it, but... In the end, I couldn't do anything. I was afraid of you, and I... I'm sorry.

......

Boy.

Do not let thine eyes deceive you. I am no human. I am the monster before which thou cowered.

Huh?

Think thee my words an invitation? I assure thee they are not. For such an invitation could only be written in blood. Let words be words, boy. Do not ponder. Do not guide them to thy heart. They are a dagger.

Miss!

Eva!

Hey! Eva!

What is your problem? That boy just wanted tell you how he felt.

I showed him kindness.

What?

Perhaps thou seest it not so... Nay. I suppose a human would not. Alas...my journey's end grows ever farther from me... And it is of my own doing...

Eva...what is this end you are searching for? What is this honor bound mission?

I seek what is lost. My true self.

And this journey cannot end unless I help others.

What do you mean by true self?

With thine own eyes hast thou seen it, though for just a mere moment... I am dragon cursed to human form. Cursed by mine own deeds...

For I am a dragon of the heavens...

Who devoured a child of man....