Lament For The Dawn

Aldo, look at this weird creature! What is it? Gliding around in the water so peacefully.

Hm? Maybe you found a rare creature?

Nope? That's just a fry. They're pretty common around here.

A fry? It's called a fry?

What a great name. It just rolls off the tongue. So how does this fry swi...

Oh look, a little birdie! Now birds, I recognize. They're such wise creatures of flight. But that's strange. The birds at the temple were a slightly different color.

Yeah, that's normal. All birds have individual differences.

They do? The colors of life certainly are beautiful.

That's a nice way to put it.

But there's something I don't understand about you. You talk in such a clever way. Yet you hardly know anything about basic things like birds and fish. How come?

Well, I guess I'm just not all that familiar with the outside world.

But you know, I'm glad there are so many things I don't know.

My head was full of words from the moment I was born. Manipulating language is as intuitive as breathing to me.

Eh? What do you mean?

But language can only go so far. Sometimes it creates a barrier between the speaker and listener. Like you and I right now. I've long felt that pure music far surpasses language...

So let's talk, Aldo! With music!

No, wait, don't...

......

Actually, go on. Play something.

Of course! Your wish is my command!

Yeearghhh!

Nope, I can't take it after all. Her playing was so bad, I thought maybe it was just a bad dream... But no, it was real.

What are you talking about?

But you know, I'm so happy that my music touches you so deeply that you feel you have to lie down!

I could do without that feeling, to be honest with you...

Ah, that sound!

I've found you! I've finally found you!

Oh, I remember you. From the other day, right?

Urgh! I thought I told you to wait where you were! I said I'd be right back! Honestly, how could you go wandering off like that?

Oops! My bad! I completely forgot about that until just now! What was it you were doing again? Preparing monetary backing or something?

Yes! All for you, I...

Aisha, who is this man?

Oh, right. You haven't met before, have you? He and I became acquainted the day you and I met, Aldo.

I met him on that road shortly before we ran into each other. He left to run an errand. Then I came across that monster.

And then, I felt destiny drawing me to you, and I decided to accompany you on your travels.

So you forgot about this guy?

Yep, pretty much.

Aisha...

Um... I'm really sorry my friend caused you trouble. That day...

You... Are you trying to steal her away from me? Is that your game here?

Huh?

I-I know what's going on here! You were charmed by her music, too! You're my competition.

A fellow talent spotter!

Wait, what? What are you talking about?

I was so deeply moved by her sweet melodies.

She's gonna be the next big thing! She has what it takes to take the whole world by storm! My Venus!

She'll perform far and wide, with ever-growing audiences and fans.

And I saw her first! I'm not letting you take her from me!

A-Are you serious? You were actually moved by her playing?!

Of course I was! Together, she and I can have the world in the palm of our hands!

This guy sure is something!

Isn't he just delightful?

Erm, yeah. I guess... If he loves your music...

Huh? No, I'm not talking about that.

Hm?

Come with me.

I sense something strange about him. He's not like most people. It's quite intriguing.

And another thing. That day, that tempestuous beast appeared the very moment he left. I sensed him in that creature. Teehee, delightful, isn't it?

So you're saying he set that monster on you?

Perhaps. But that doesn't matter. It was so very exciting to bask in such passion.

Then you can't keep him around! This isn't safe, you've got to protect yourself!

Haha, you sound just like the temple folks. They always used to scold me in the same way.

This is no laughing matter, Aisha!

What are you two whispering about over there?

Are you trying to poach her away right in front of me?

Look, I'm not a talent spotter, okay? You're the one...

Aldo!

Shh!

Oh.

(Why is Aisha acting like this when she knows this guy's after her?) I don't know what I should be doing anymore...

Look, he wants to spread my music far and wide. If I have the world in my hands, then surely I'll be able to help people the world over, right? I couldn't ever hope for more. It might help give me some clue as to how I break this curse, and...

Nothing would make me happier than knowing I'm making others happy.

(I don't think that's going to happen! If Aisha's music spreads all over the world...)

(The result will not be pretty! I don't know what he's after, but I've got to stop him!)

Y-You can't do this, Aisha! What I mean to say is, umm...

Oh yeah! You said you'd find another way to help people, remember?

Aldo...

It's okay. I know.

Y-You do?

I'm sorry. He's a good guy, really. If you want the world, why don't the three of us take it together?

What are you doing? Him not being one of us wasn't the problem here!

Oh, you!

Let's soar across the world together! With you by my side, I'm sure I'll see so many beautiful sights!

No, you're not getting it!

Ah, I understand. If this guy's with you...

Will you PLEASE just listen?

Aisha's music is awful! I don't know what you're really doing here, but...

Yes, yes, I know. When encountering a being powerful beyond human understanding... People can become so overwhelmed that their souls leave their bodies. Can't they?

I don't even know how to refute that.

Oops, we seem to have gone off topic there. Let's get back on track.

Okay, you two. Time to get serious! If we want the world, we'll have to start by getting you some local fans. Why don't we head over to Acteul? I'm sure they'd love to hear you play.

Sure, fine by me. Well, not Acteul. It's a long story, but I'd rather stay away from that sanctuary of water.

I heard there's a village of fire near here. Ratle, was it? Why don't we head there?

Huh? R-Ratle? B-But...

Hey, wait up!

Strange. Why's that got him so panicked? With Aisha acting like this, I'll have to be the one to stop him when the time comes.

Aldo! Why're you still standing there? Ooh, did you find something interesting? What is it? The suspense is killing me! I'm coming back to you!

N-No, don't do that! Just wait right there! I'm coming, I'm coming!

She should be around here somewhere.

She there?

Nope, no sign of her! She must've left already!

Grr! We've gotta find her quick!

Or else we can't go back there!

So this is the fire village, Ratle? It's spectacular! It's brimming with energy so unlike Acteul!

It sounds like you're quite familiar with Acteul.

The temple where I was born was in Acteul. There's no point in running away from home but sticking to your local neighborhood, is there?

Is that why you insisted on coming here instead?

Yeah, that's right. So anyway...

What's up with you? You seem so restless.

Wha?! Not me! I'm fine, totally fine.

Is that so?

Your pupils are dilated. Your heart's racing. And...

Hey, back off, lady. You're way too close!

Aisha, you can't invade people's personal space like that!

Ahem! Right, erm, let's find you an audience! We've no time to lose!

We should get all the villagers to gather in one place.

Hey, miss! You got a minute?

What's that feeble little thing you've got there?

What, you've never seen a baby before?

A baby? And what kind of creature is that?

Why, a human, of course! Newborns look quite different from adults.

That's a human youngling? It looks like a whole other creature! It's so small and cute!

It would be so fascinating to see how it grows! Hey, why do these babies have ten fingers and toes? Though, I guess the adults do, too...

Huh?

Caught ya! You're the seeker now!

Nooo! Hey, wait up!

Hey, you two! What's a seeker?! Why're you running around like that?

Hey, who're you?!

Whoa! You're so fast! Play with us!

Play with you? Ah, so that's what you're doing, you're playing? Then sure, I'm in!

Aisha! Not now!

Teehee. She's rather childish, isn't she? She reminds me of my eldest.

Oh noes, you caught me!

What a funny-looking instrument!

Isn't it heavy?

Hm? Oh, this? You want to touch it? Go ahead, I don't mind. I'd love to hear what someone else playing it sounds li...

Huh?

Hey Aldo, look at this! I sense such tremendous energy coming from this! Why are the flames all red like that? Why doesn't it go out when the wind blows? Do you know what's strange? I feel so...nostalgic gazing at these flames. Are flames linked to nostalgia? Or are these flames special? I read about bonfires in a book at the temple. A human activity...

Erm, hello?

What is it? Do you know the answer?

What? No!

But I don't see you playing! And I don't see any indication that you're about to play, either! What do you think you're doing? Can you PLEASE stop darting all over the place for ONE minute?

Oops, my bad. Whenever I see something interesting, I just can't help myself. It's not just that my attention shifts the moment something new catches my eye...

I keep chasing after people who look like they might know the answer. I thought I'd lose the urge once I asked enough questions, but nope. That didn't happen.

Hey, why are cats so small and fluffy? And why do they have such long tails? And why are their ears all triangular like that?

Do you know? Oh, and why are cats such free-spirited creatures anyway?

Aisha, you're doing it again.

Oops, so I am. I've gotta do better! I can't lose myself again.

*sigh* I'm enjoying myself, but you guys looks like you disapprove. Maybe this is all part of the curse on me?

Come to think of it, what exactly is this curse you're under?

Right, I guess I never explained.

One day, I suddenly started to hate all these things, for no reason at all. It didn't follow any pattern. Like, I'd hate eating, or I'd hate wearing clothes. As soon as the impulse struck me, my body would simply refuse to move.

It caused such trouble for everyone at the temple. I still don't know what brought it on.

I knew it was a curse, though. So I decided to pack my bags and leave the temple.

A curse that makes you hate things?

I once spent the night out on the streets because I hated the thought of entering the temple. But you know, ever since I started traveling with you, the curse seems to have abated a little.

But now, I just get all the more overwhelmed by my curiosity instead.

It's absolutely fascinating, don't you think? It's got me completely stumped.

Hmm... Yeah, I don't get it either. There must be some kind of clue somewhere.

Oh, it's you...

Ugh...

Huh?

I...

I CAN'T TAKE IT ANYMORE!

Wha?

My goodness! This is far too early to be revealing your hand! Patience is a virtue, you know.

You're mocking me?! When I was about to steal everybody's spirits with that murderous instrument of yours?!

I don't know what you're talking about, but my instrument doesn't have that kind of power.

(But I can see why he might think otherwise...)

Doesn't it? I know better than anyone! You're an unwanted life! A being of the impure flame! And that is why the music you play creates such a terrifying sound!

What?

The impure...flame?

I've never heard that term before. What is it you're trying to say?

No, wait. You're...

Hah! Do you really not know anything? I thought you were aware. I thought that was why you brought me to Ratle.

Aha! There she is!

We finally found her!

B-But it looks like they're fighting!

Ah!

Ngh!

Hahaha! If you want to know, then follow me to the Man-eating Marsh. If I can't make you do my biding, I will just have to annihilate you!

That wretch!

How could he stoop so low as to take a hostage? How could he drag a little kid into this?

We've got to go after him! We can't let him hurt the boy!

Right! Let's go, Aisha!

Wait! Take me with you!

You can't go with them, little one, it's far too dangerous! Best you stay here with me!

Hey, lemme go!

HEEEY!

Where is he?

Aldo! Over there!

Found him!

You! I don't know what you're after, but leave him out of it! Honestly, you didn't even need to take a hostage. You intrigue me so much, I would have come either way.

Shut up, shut up, shut up! Don't try to act brave, you vexing woman! And stop looking at me with that sparkle in your eyes!

But I'm telling the truth! Even before, I sensed you were no ordinary man. It was delightful. And there was something you said before that really stood out to me.

I know better than anyone! You are an unwanted life! A being of the impure flame! And that is why the music you play creates such a terrifying sound!

What?

The impure...flame?

......

There's something else I want to know. I sensed it when we were going around together before... But this thing I sensed, it felt so familiar. Yet there's no way we've ever met before.

It's eating away at me. Tell me. Tell me what it means.

Hmph! You certainly seem relaxed about this. Perhaps you don't understand how this works.

I'm not telling you anything! I lured you here to get rid of you! Why would I bother explaining anything to you now? If you really want me to tell you, you're going to have to beat it out of me.

Ugh... You hit me... You actually hit me!

Well, what did you expect? You just told me to beat it out of you!

I didn't think you'd actually do it!

Well a promise is a promise, so out with it! I want to hear it all, no matter how trivial.

Grrr!

(Okay, while Aisha's got him distracted, I'll go get that...)

Huh?

Fine! I'll tell you everything! You're...

Nooo!

Graarghh!

Phew! Just in time! Don't you mess with her!

Goodness! You're the little boy's friend, aren't you?

Wake up! Wake up! C'mon, snap outta it!

Hmmhmm... Hah!

Uh-oh! I let my guard down!

Miss, miss! You're not hurt are you, miss?

Me? Erm, no. I'm fine.

Phew!

Bubble-blaze! I almost broke into a sweat there.

Bubble...blaze?

Who are you? Do you know Aisha?

Yeah! We're her escort. Thanks for the help before!

Bubble-blaze! But we'll protect her from now on.

Why do you keep saying "bubble-blaze"?

Wait a minute... I know where I've heard that before!

Bubble-blaze!

Minimanders!

One, two... Three!

Bubble-blaze!

Whoa, what the?

Heheh, did we startle ya? We're Minimanders!

Minimanders? Oh, you're so cute! But...what's a Minimander?

We're Salamander's little helpers! Sure, we may be small in size... But underestimate us... And you're in for a surprise! Bubble-blaze!

You're...Salamander's...helpers? Who's that then?

You don't know Salamander?

Nope! Who's Salamander?

Y-You really don't know? He's one of the Four Great Elementals, the great fire spirit... You've honestly never heard of him? For real? But Salamander's the one who sent us to meet you!

Salamander sent you to Aisha?

Why?

Well...

Because you were born of the great Salamander's tail of flames!

Huh?

HUUUH?!

What do you mean? Explain, explain! Tell me everything!

W-We don't know the details! But that's what Salamander said! That there was a being who was like a daughter to him. So we...

Hm... If I'm a part of him, born from his tail, then surely I'm more like a fragment than a daughter?

THAT'S what you're focusing on?

You're...

You're incredible, miss! We knew you would be!

Did we, though?

To tell the truth... I always figured it wasn't true. Now that we're actually here with you, and you don't seem to know who you are... And then there's your magic power born from the flames. It doesn't seem right, it's all in chaos...

Oh, really? Hm...

W-We're sorry! We don't want to hurt you. We're just concerned. What if you're not actually the girl we came here to find? Do you have any proof or anything?

Proof?

Unfortunately, all I've got with me is my instrument. I can play it for you, if you like.

Bubble-blaze! A concert, just for us? We can work with that! If you have power, it will shine through your instrument. So play for us! But just in case that guy comes back, let's go to Nadara Volcano.

Fine by me!

Come to think of it, what became of that guy you drove off? He was about to tell me something. Do you know anything about him?

Oh, um, err... Nope! Not us!

Right... I'm pretty sure you're lying, but no matter! I'll find out sooner or later!

Hng...

Anyway, Nadara Volcano? Lead the way!

You bet! We'll take you to a special place, perfect for a private concert! We'll be taking a shortcut through Vasu Mountains, so keep close! We don't wanna lose you!

Aisha...are you okay?

Why do you ask?

We haven't managed to break the curse, or solve the matter of that strange man. And now, they've sprung this on you, that you were actually born from Salamander's flames. It's a lot to take in. I thought you might be struggling with it all...

Aldo...

Heehee, I'm okay! The more unknowns, the more treasure chests there are to open! I really don't have a clue what's going on here, but that's what makes it so exciting! I'm just going to throw myself into whatever comes my way!

You coming with?

Sure, if you want me to.

I knew you would, oh fated companion of mine!

Okay, let's go. Onward, to Nadara Volcano!

Aisha...

Uh-oh! I almost forgot! She's going there...to perform...

I've gotta listen to her playing again? Oh no...

Whoa! What is that?

It's our special place!

Let's gooo, let's gooo!

Guess we'd better go, too!

How's about here? Bubble-blaze!

It's so toasty warm here! Sizzling, sweltering, scorching hot!

Wow! Look at all this ore! I've never seen anything like it before!

Yeah... Hopefully all these rocks will block out the noise... And reduce the damage to Ratle.

Damage?

Oh, erm...

All right, shall I begin?

I'll give you all I've got.

Ooh, I'm so excited!

Listen to this!

Ugghhh!

Urrgghhh!

Gaaahhh!

Well? How did I do? Did you feel anything?

Gahhh! I can't think straight...

But... But...

Urgh! Bubble-blaze... Bubble-blaze...

Hm? They don't seem right...

Bu...

BUBBLE-BLAZE!

Wha?

Stop, Aisha! You've gotta stop! Something's wrong!

Huh?

Whoa, would you look at that! How did you get so big? When did that even happen?

Have you forgotten how to talk?

Whoa there! You've forgotten me as well?

Something's not right here! They're going berserk!

Oh, rats! We've gotta do something!

We've no choice but to fight! We've got to knock some sense back into them!

Urgh...

Huh? What's going on?

Are you okay now, you two?

Miss... Yeah, we're fine now.

Did the sound of my music stir up your inner passions?

Huh? No?

Then, what?

You started acting weird when you heard Aisha's music. You got really big, too.

No way! Th-That sounds so scary!

As soon as I heard her music, it was like the spirit's power started welling up inside me. Yet...I don't really remember it. Did our power explode or something?

Explode?

Strange... No one else has ever grown bigger when they heard me play. No one's gotten more powerful either.

So it's just us?

Okay, I'm convinced. You definitely have unusual powers. We may only be small, but we are the great Salamander's little helpers. For you to have such an influence on us... You must have Salamander's power.

But it wasn't a good influence...

No, that is strange...

Look, you've got unusual powers all right... But your magic is all chaotic. I felt it when it washed over me. It's not a pure flame. It's like something else is mixed in there, swirling around like a storm.

......

Come to think of it, what exactly is this curse you're under?

I know better than anyone! You are an unwanted life! A being of the impure flame!

Because you were born of the great Salamander's tail of flames!

Hmm...

Aisha, are you okay?

Aldo, Minimanders. There's something I want to know. But I don't have enough information to work it out myself. So...

I've decided to go back!

Yippee! We'll take you back to Salamander ourselves!

He'll be so happy! And we'll be so happy that we were able to...

No, I don't mean there. I mean, to the place where I was born and raised. The temple of water.

Huh?

HUUHH?!

That's incredible! The fragments are melting together!

My fingers are reacting to you, my heart is becoming warm enough to melt. Stay with me till the very end, as part of my being.

This... This is so strange! It feels like the power within me is resonating with this fragment! It may be small, but I feel a flame burning bright. Maybe it will get even hotter the more I gather. How fascinating! If I find any more, I'll pick them right up.