Beyond Reckoning

It happened again!

It's so scary!

The sentinels went to check it out, but none of them remember a thing!

Sounds like there's trouble afoot.

I couldn't help overhearing. Did something happen?

Oh! Mr. Swordsman? Sorry for talking so loudly.

We were talking about the apparition that's been tormenting the area.

An apparition?{lang-nuance}Aldo, to girl{/lang-nuance}

One day, the sweetest boy in all of town went out to cool off...

When he heard a blood-curdling screech.

He was scared half to death, poor thing. And then...

And then?

The very next moment, everything went black. He passed out!

No way!

That was some story! Was he attacked from behind or something?

That's what's weird about it. When he woke up, he didn't have a single scratch on him. And all he remembered was the sound of that piercing screech.

Some say they felt unsteady on their feet, and beheld the world's natural order...

Umm...what?

Others are convinced it's the work of a soul-destroying monster.

Maybe someday we really will be taken outside the natural order...

And maybe YOU will be its next victim!

Erm, sure. Anyway, if something's going around hurting people, I can't just ignore it.

I'd better check out this apparition thing.

Are you sure? Do be careful, Mr. Swordsman!

I'll be fine. I'll let you know if I find out anything.

That said, where am I even going to find this apparition? I'm going at this blind.

What the?! W-Was that the noise they told me about? Well, that was a stroke of good luck!

It came from this way!

The noise must've come from around... Huh?

There was such an extraordinary air about her.

I was at my lowest, my head in my hands, when she called to me. It was incredible. She held out her hand to me, her face so full of love.

She said that it was her duty to help others!

I can't wait to hear what she'll have to say.

Huh? There's a crowd fawning over someone, by the looks of things. All the way out here... Kinda odd in itself...

But I've got more important things to worry about. I've gotta find the apparition.

I don't hear that screeching anymore. Maybe I went the wrong way?

Ah, there she is.

Goodness, have you ever seen anyone more wise? More divine?

Okay, I am kinda curious.

I'll just take a little look...

It's that noise again!

Huh? What was that noise?

Urgh!

Gahhh!

Wh-What the?! Aaagh!

No! I've gotta stay conscious! My head... Everything's going fuzzy...

Ummumm...

Huh?

What the? What was I doing? Why was I sleeping in the middle of the road?

Whoa! Are you all okay?

Curious. Why we were all lying down out here?

I don't remember a thing. Just this feeling of intense pressure all over.

And there was a weird screeching sound.

Screeching?

Oh! So it was the apparition!

An apparition?{lang-nuance}Old man, to Aldo{/lang-nuance}

Everyone just stay where you are! I think the apparition, or more likely, a monster, is behind this! I'll sort this out! You all just keep calm and wait right here!

I think it's coming from over here!

Ngh! Such pressure!

That's definitely a monster's voice! The apparition must be...

So dizzy... But I've gotta keep on going!

You tempestuous beast! These emotions, I must...

Are you okay?

Who're you?

This monster's been causing havoc in town, and I came to drive it out! You can't go this alone! Let me help you!

All right! That's the apparition taken care of.

Are you hurt?

No, I'm all good. But thanks for asking.

I'm glad to hear it. Were you here to drive out the apparition, too?

Erm, no? I just happened to run into that tempestuous beast. If you hadn't turned up, we would have talked away about the primal emotions brimming inside of him.

H-His primal emotions?

But now, I'm more interested in you, this passer-by who threw himself into harm's way. Tell me. Which word best represents the entity that is you?

Which...what-now?

I'm Aisha, by the way.

Oh, you meant my name? That was a strangely complicated way of asking...

I'm Aldo, a traveling swordsman.

Nice to meet you, Aldo the traveling swordsman. My, you must be so very brave to have a job like that.

Me, I'm a musician. Would you mind if I played you a song in honor of your courage?

Is that...an instrument? I've never seen one like that before. Please, go ahead and play, however that works.

I'd love to hear it.

Teehee. Very well, allow me to bless your noble character with my music.

Huh?

Whaaa?! Aaarghhh! B-But that's the... Why?!

But I thought...we defeated the apparition!

Aisha, wait! Please, stop!

Hm? What's wrong?

Urgh... I don't feel so good.

Oh, why don't I help you relax? I'll play you some music, as calm as fresh spring water. Just picture a pure, clear stream flowing through a beautiful town...

What? No, wait!

Aisha! No, stop! Aaaghhh!

I've realized something. The apparition...was you.

Apparition? Hey, didn't you mention that before? What is this apparition thing?

It's something the townsfolk said.

When he heard a blood-curdling screech.

He was scared half to death, poor thing. And then...

The very next moment, everything went black. He passed out!

That's what's weird about it. When he woke up, he didn't have a single scratch on him. And all he remembered was the sound of that piercing screech.

Some say they felt unsteady on their feet, and beheld the world's natural order...

Oh, I think I see?

Does that ring any bells?

Or rather, have you been performing a lot around here lately?

Yes, I have! I've been playing loads since I left the temple where I was born and raised. I'm on a journey to help people, and I couldn't do it without my trusty instrument.

So by helping people, do you mean performing for them?

I do! All living things love to hear beautiful music, don't they? The very first time I learned of the existence of minstrels, I knew I had found my calling in life.

...... I think you should find some other way to help people. Your music is far too dangerous.

Whatever could you mean?

Just promise me you'll stop.

Oh. But what am I supposed to do? I'm no good at anything else. And if I don't help people, I won't be able to lift my curse.

Curse?

Oh, right, yeah. I've been cursed. It's annoying all right, but it is pretty fascinating, truth be told.

I'm not particularly pessimistic myself, but I don't want to put everyone else through any trouble. So I decided to leave my birthplace and go around, helping people.

Oh, I see. (If she doesn't want to cause trouble, maybe she could start by vowing never to play music again...)

Well if that's why you're doing this, how about I help you try to lift this curse?

Why Aldo, that's so kind of you! Are you always this selfless? You truly are a beautiful human. You're like pure nectar dripping down from the heavenly plane.

I think that's a compliment? You certainly have a unique way of expressing yourself, Aisha. Anyway, why don't we try and think up a different way for you to help...

Yes! Thank you, Aldo. I feel so moved right now. I feel the fates were whispering to me today. No one has ever shown such admiration over my work as you have.

Wait, that wasn't admiration, that was agony!

You're a traveling swordsman, right? And I'm a traveling minstrel. Destiny must have brought us together.

Teehee. I want to know everything there is to know about you, Aldo. Might my melody add to yours, as you write the symphony of your life?

Erm, am I supposed to understand what that means? But if you're saying you want to travel together... Then that's fine by me. Maybe we'll find a way to break this curse.

Aldo, you're so...

No, words can't do it justice. Let me show you my gratitude the best way I know how!

NO! Don't do that! Erm, I mean... You don't need to thank me, is all.

Oh really? You're so humble, Aldo!

(I'm more than happy to travel with her...)

(But if I don't do something about her music-playing, we're all going to suffer for it.)