Guiding, Guided

What in the...

What happened here?

Teehee...

Mmm...

Alzie! I see your soulzie is lookin' bright as always! Mind if I give 'em a little pat?

Wait a minute, Ilulu. Before any of that, answer me this one thing. Do those souls belong to the living?

DING DONG, Alzie! You're so smart. Yep, they're living soulzies all right!

Not again...

But hold on...

There were more than five people collapsed on the ground. Are you hiding the other souls someplace else, Ilulu?

Alzie?! Are you serious? ME? Hide soulzies? I reap with pride! And I pat them on their little heads with pride! Nothin' to hide here!

...Right, that's great and all, but we're still missing some souls here.

Doobie doobie dooo♪

Is that...humming?

Those souls... You didn't...

Alo, Al! How goes it?

I'm quickly developing a serious headache.

Really? Oh wow, you should go see a doctor.

So, those souls...they wouldn't happen to belong to the living, would they?

What else would they be?! They're some of my favorite soulzies.

Oh boy...

They are quite brilliant, you've got good taste!

You think so, too? Amazing, huh?

They're perfect, in fact! Can really tell you take your reaping seriously!

I'm so glad you think so! Your soulzies are super cool, too! They're so radiant and wonderful!

Thanks! I gotta, say I'm impressed. You deserve a pat on the head, methinks!

Oh my gosh, I'd LOVE that! Pat away!

Funny, you seem to be a purgatorian, but I I don't think we've ever met! Nice to meet you!

Yeah, it's nice to meet you, too! My name is...

Wait a minute! Wait a minute. Sorry to break up the excitement, but how about we return these souls first?

Those souls... Hey, do you know her?

No, she looks like a purgatorian, but I don't know her. (There is something familiar about her though...)

Huh?

Oh my gosh, I love your souzlies! They're super cool!

Aren't they?

They're the best! They're all so radiant!

Thanks! I gotta, say I'm impressed. You deserve a pat on the head, methinks!

Oh my gosh, I'd LOVE that! Pat away!

Yeah, but your soulzies are amazing, too!

I know, right? I'm kind of obsessed with them!

Um, those souls...do they belong to the living?

Of course!

If you're reaping soulzies, you've gotta be a purgatorian like me! Nice to meet ya!

Yeah, it's nice to meet you, too! My name is...

Wait a minute! Wait a minute. Sorry to break up the excitement, but how about we return these souls first?

WHAAAT?

Don't you "what" me! Just think of the commotion if anyone sees all these folks collapsed in the village! Give them back before people start freaking out.

Well, when you put it that way... Fiiinnnee...

I can't say no to you, can I Alzie? Gimme just a tic.

...Can I maybe keep just one, though?

No!

Oookaaayyy...

Did you return them all?

Yeah, yeah. It's all good.

Huh? Where'd that lady go?

She's not back yet. Wonder what's taking so long?

Huh, I should go take a look and see if she needs any help!

Stay RIGHT where you are!

Huh?

Look at you. So oblivious to the despicable acts you have wrought.

HEY! That's no way to talk to my friend Al, here!

Ilulu? I don't think he's talking to me.

Oh. Wait, really? Sorry, who are you again?

Look at you, Ilulu. So oblivious to the despicable acts you have wrought.

...Ilulu?

Yeah, that's me!

Huh. Well, I'm Aldo. Nice to meet you.

(Well, that's weird. I wonder if that's just a coincidence?)

Aldo? 'Kay, I'll call you Al!

So, Al. Was that woman a friend of yours?

Yes, she's a companion and...

AHEM. I was not finished.

Okay? We're kind of in the middle of an important conversation here? ...But yeah, who are you, again?

Look at you, Ilulu. So oblivious to the despicable acts you have wrought.

...Ilulu?

Yeah, that's me!

Huh. Well, I'm Aldo. Nice to meet you.

Aldo? 'Kay, I'll call you Al!

(Hmm... Maybe this is the Ilulu from this world?) (Kinda crazy they ended up meeting. I mean, what are the odds?)

AHEM. I was not finished.

Okay? We're kind of in the middle of an important conversation here? ...But yeah, who are you, again?

I am here as your acting leader!

Wait, what happened to Dai-Dai?

Allow me to explain... We've been seeing increasing issues with purgatorians failing to meet quota. On top of that, we're up to our ears in disciplinary reports from purgatorians misusing their scythes! So, the folks downstairs have started to raise doubts about your "Dai-Dai"'s ability to manage her division.

And I WAS just about to reprimand her for her poor performance! But I was interrupted! Do you know why? BECAUSE I GOT A REPORT THAT A JUNIOR PURGATORIAN WAS REAPING THE SOULS OF THE LIVING!!!!

Ah...

Needless to say, "Dai-Dai" had to go "bye-bye", and I am now acting leader.

Oh no... This is all my fault?!

Is there anything I can do to help her get her job back?

Yes, actually. That is why I'm here.

I have long loathed the inefficient one-on-one purgatorian training system, you see. So I have established a new "Purgatorian Institute for Training".

...Sounds like the pits.

For our first class we are rounding up our most problematic purgatorians, and providing them with corrective training. And Ilulu, you have been chosen to be one of our first students.

Do you realize how boring that sounds? Why can't we just...not change anything?

Failure to report to class will be seen as insubordination and will further extend your leader's suspension. Not only that, your previous trainer will also receive punishment for your actions.

Punish Cat boss? You can't do that!

Then I think you should come with us.

...... (Ilulu may be at fault, but to threaten her like this... I dunno.)

(What is this corrective training, anyway? Can we really trust this guy?)

Failure to report to class will be seen as insubordination and will further extend your leader's suspension.

You can't do that! You can't just get rid of the way we've been doing things! Besides, I made a promise to protect Mia!

I can, and I already have. Perhaps I might listen to your little complaints after your leader has been reinstated, hmm?

Hmm...

So if I do your dumb training Dai-Dai gets reinstated?

You have my word.

Okay, fine. I'll go.

You sure about this, Ilulu? Want me to go with you?

I'll be fine! This'll be a walk in the park!

Very well. Your training starts in the Charol Plains.

I've got a bad feeling about this... I should probably follow them just in case.

Ey Alzie! All soulzies returned to their rightful owners!

You alright? Lookin' a bit long in the face, there. Where's my little purgie princess?

Yeah... About that...

Hmm. All that happened while I was puttin' my soulzies back?

Not gonna lie. I'm still kinda reelin' from hearin' her name, but... This whole purgatorian trainin' stuff is shocking. You can't just turn us into a buncha samey drones! It's our individuality that allows us to get close to different soulzies. Ya know?

Alzie, we better go check out this training thing.

Agreed.

Ilulu... So wicked we both got the same name...

Heheh... If she's in trouble, then it's my duty to help her out, or her senior's gonna be proper mad...

Hm? Did you say something?

Nope, nothin' at all! You said they were going to Charol Plains, right? Near Sarupa? Let's crack on, shall we?

All right, maggots. Welcome to the first day of the rest of your life. When I say jump, you say "How high?", got it?

Yes, sir!

I CAN'T HEAR YOU!

SIR, YES SIR!

If I can't hear you I'm going to assume you're slacking off, got it?

SIR, YES SIR!

Now! What is the most important thing to think about when reaping a soul. You, over there!

WRONG, YOU IDIOT! NEXT!

What did you say to me maggot?

Mauro, eh? I got my eye on you.

Do any of you worthless, bottom-scraping sad excuse for a purgie know the answer?

Oh! Uhmmm... Vibes?

What do think this is? The beach?! NEXT!

I knew I was dealing with the worst of the worst, but I'm surprised you morons haven't accidentally reaped yourselves!

The ANSWER is...

Spirit!

That's pretty cringe...

YOU GOT SOMETHING TO SAY, ILULU?

Ahhh, uhhh... NO SIR, SIR NO SIR!

NOW let's get your sorry excuse for a spirit in shape! That's 1,000 scythe swipes ON THE DOUBLE!

Seriously?

I SAID ON THE DOUBLE OR DO YOU WANT TO MAKE THAT 10,000 SCYTHE SWIPES?!

SIR, YES SIR!

This is ridiculous! How in the world will swinging a scythe help them grow as purgatorians?! This is just torture.

All this is going to do is make them too scared to do anything.

This is just too painful to watch, we should do something.

Not so fast, Alzie. As much as I hate it, we have to consider why everyone's here in the first place. Some of these folks might actually want to be here, ya know? We can't just rush in, we might make it worse!

Let's wait till Mr. Death Sergeant lets his guard down, and then we can give Ilulu a little shout, yeah?

Okay, agreed.

ALL RIGHT MAG-GOTS! Take 10 and reconvene for round two!

SIR, YES SIR!

Whew! That was quite the work out! My arms feel like overcooked pasta!

Ilulu! Are you okay?

Alo Al! Alo new bestie!

How is the training going? Are you going to stick with it?

It's AWFUL! I wanna quit so, so, soso bad, but I can't. I'm doing this for Dai-Dai. I'm always causing trouble for her, and all of this is my fault to begin with!

And it's not just me, too. Everybody's trying real hard so that their seniors don't get punished.

So it'd be really bad if I just skipped out on my own, ya know?

Yeah, but...

You know what, I get it. You're trying your best. I can see it! Cause girl, you are lookin' proper radiant right now!

You think so? Stop, you're makin' me blush!

All of you, really. So brave for doin' this! I'd give each of your soulzies a li'l head pat if I could!

You know what? I'm gonna join the class!

You're what?

I doubt he'd say no to a volunteer, yeah? It's gonna be tough, but with all these bright and shinin' soulzies around I'll manage no problem!

I just love watchin' soulzies hard at work. This might even be fun!

Yay! This is gonna be awesome! So Al, you're gonna sign up too, right? Wouldn't wanna be left out, right?!

I'm...not a purgatorian?

So? We'll tell him you're our friend from some other far away purgatory he's never been to!

Hey, you think they've got a refer-a-friend kinda dealy? I could use some extra coin!

Say yes. Please say yes! Say yes, say yes, sayyesyesyesyesyesyesyesyesyesyes...

Fine! Fine. But only 'cause I'm worried about you two.

You're such a sweetheart, Alzie! That deserves a head pat! Maybe even a high-five!

Uhh... M-Maybe later...

This is gonna be SO much fun!

Right, well first we gotta talk to the guy, and he's a little further in here right?

Oh by the way, I never got your name!

Me? My name's Ilulu!

WHAT?! I'm Ilulu, too! I mean, I'm also Ilulu. Not like I have a number after my name.

Wicked, innit?! How about I call you Li'l Lulu for short?

Oh my gosh, I LOVE it. If I'm Li'l Lulu, that makes you... BIG Lulu!

I LOVE THAT. Now does Li'l Lulu want a pat on the head from her Big Lulu?

That'll be 1,000 pats, please!

All right, maggots. Listen up! We've got two new recruits joining us. Hopefully they won't be as miserable as the rest of you!

SIR, YES SIR!

That's the spirit! Now! I want you to state the Reaper's 10 Commandments! Go!

Today, we'll be reciting the Reaper's 10 commandments, but this time, we're doin' it right in the middle of town!

Wait, won't that disturb the townspeople?

What was that? Since you seem so eager to open that pathetic mouth of yours, Aldo, why don't you go first?

But...

I CAN'T HEAR YOU, MAGGOT!

COMMANDMENT ONE! A RUSTED SCYTHE IS A RUSTED HEART!

Okay maggots, today we're... Hm?

What seems to be the problem, Maggot Mauro?

NO, I WILL NOT! You are free to do as you please!

BUT! Your fellow maggots are gonna have to drop and give me 100!

What?!

I SAID drop and give me 100, you ungrateful maggots!

Wow... I thought this day would never end! I can barely lift my arms up!

Really?! Seeing everybody trying their hardest at those push-ups was enough to get me through the day!

...Yeah, I'm pretty sure you're the only one that feels that way. You seem to really be taking to the training though!

Yeah! And Mr. Shouty Guy seems to really like you, Big Lulu!

Hm?

Purgies, purgies, let's calm down, alright? Think about what's gonna happen to your superior!

Uh oh... This is bad, right?

Really?

How can you hate something so fun?!

Right, but clearly he cares a little bit, or he wouldn't be here, yeah?

At any rate, we should go out and find him.

Yep, agreed!

Not here either... Where could he have gone?

Wait, I know this place...

WAIT!

Huh? Where am I?

This doesn't look at all like where I just was! Was it because of this big shiny thing?

Well, at least I got my soulzie cornered!

Time to reap ya!

...Why didn't that work?

In principle, a purgatorian can only reap souls with the same number of legs as themselves.

Oh, right! I was so hung up on chasing this soulzie, I totally forgot...

...Er. Who said that?

Fear not, I am a fellow purrrgatorian. Sorry if I startled mew. That soul meow're trying to reap is a cat, so I figured it might be a good idea to say something before mew waste meowr time.

Well, thanks for the reminder, but what am I gonna do with this soulzie?

What's your name?

It's Ilulu!

Did mew come through that hole from another time layer, Ilulu?

I came through the hole, but what'sa time layer?

Well, to purrrt it simply. Mew are in another world.

Whoa, really?

Say, why did mew bother to chase that poor soul through the hole anyway? It's so weak, surely mew know it has little chance at reincarnation.

Yeah! I know!

It's just, I didn't wanna leave it, you know?

How very capurrricious.

Hey! I know, do you mind reaping it for me? You're a cat, right?!

Very well.

You're the best! Thank you so much! Hey, mind if I give you a few pets for a job well done?

Myes! I do mind! if you want my help, though, I have conditions...

This place really takes me back...

Any luck, Big Lulu?

Nope, no sign of him that I could see...

And the same goes for me. We might as well head back and see how everyone else faired.

So, no one found even as much as a clue? Maybe he isn't coming back after all.

I mean, I get it! This is soo boring!

Hey, I know! We should all run away!

What happened to doing your best to end your leader's suspension?

Hmm... Aren't you worried this training is gonna change you?

I doubt Cat Boss would be happy if I changed. What about your superiors?

They respect your individuality, right? I can't imagine they'd be happy if this training erased all that...

Then we'll just have to slack off without Captain Yells-A-Lot realizing!

But how?

We could use that personality of his to our advantage!

MAGGOTS! What do you think you're doing? Slacking off? In MY class?!

We're not slacking, sir! It's just, due to your excellent and most effective teaching, we feel we have perfected the basics!

And to demonstrate that, we thought it might be a good idea to try and talk about why we're here. And what each of us can do to improve!

That's...not a bad idea maggot! In fact, I'm promoting you from maggot, to worm!

Very good...

...And my favorite FLOWER is...

Maggot Ilulu! Did I just hear you talk about flowers?

OH, sorry! I forgot to mention! She's speaking in code so that spies don't steal our secrets! She's turned over a new leaf, I swear!

Look at this, worm! They're definitely slacking.

Slacking?! Nooo... This is a special kind of training for chasing after really fast soulzies. I hear it's very popular in the east.

Then what is with all the smiles?

THAT is to lead the soulzies into a false sense of security!

Interesting.

Today was so much fun! I love slacking off!

We sure he's not on to us?

Don't worry about him! It wasn't easy, but I think he fell for it!

You're the best, Big Lulu! Y'know, I bet even Mauro would've had fun.

HEEEELP!

What's wrong?

There's a monster back in town! Everyone's fainted and won't wake back up!

What?! A monster did that?

C'mon, let's go check it out! To Sarupa!

I see you all heard the news as well. It's quite the disturbing sight.

Is that...the whole village?

Before you freak out Alzie, it looks like everyone's still alive!

Yep, so alls we gotta do is put the soulzies back where they belong!

Oh, phew. That's a relief.

No, it can't be...

You've seen that thing before?

You are looking at a purgatorian who did not fulfill their duties.

Oh, yeah I remember seeing one of these before! A banished purgatorian who was exiled for failing to reap souls, right?

Once they are in this state, they are doomed for all eternity...

Duties? Are you saying this is what happens when purgatorians fail to reap souls?

Yes. But it is a slow process. Only those who neglect their duties for extended periods of time change. And once they are changed, that is it. There's no turning back.

GRRit's...POINT...less... Stu...pid...PURG...ies...

Perhaps. He neglected class, as well as his duties. It would not surprise me if it was Mauro. Such a pity.

SHUT...up...STUpid...stupid...STUPID!

Hey! Watch out!

Ummm! Does anyone else think that was, like, super cool?!

Ilulu, are you serious? Those souls belong to the LIVING people of Sarupa!

Not ALL of them are living, Alzie. There's more souls than there are people there. Gotta be a few dead mixed in there.

So why do you think he's gathering them, anyway?

To eat them.

Eat them?! Why?!

There is no "why", maggot. It is this creature's nature.

If he eats those souls, we won't be able to put them back in the bodies of the living, right?

Not only that, Alzie, the soulzies it eats can't be reincarnated.

Such power... I'm afraid this land has forever lost their people...

What? Are you giving up? Not on my watch!

Even if we do save those souls, this monster's power is so great, it has all but broken the bond between body and soul. There is no guarantee we can put these souls back. We will need someone well acquainted with the souls to match them with their rightful owners.

That all? That should be easy-peasy!

Yeah! Livin' soulzies are my speciality!

Ah...

Lucky for us, right?

C'mon everyone, it's time to save some soulzies! Ya with me?!

First, we'll reap any souls belonging to the dead, then we'll bring any living souls back. We need you to protect them, okay? Once we got the situation under control, Li'l Lulu and me will handle the rest.

Oh no! It's coming right at us!

I'll run defense, you two focus on getting those souls back!

Thanks, Al!

Alzie you definitely deserve a good pat, but that will have to wait! Come on, Li'l Lulu! Let's go save those adorable li'l soulzies!

Okay, these soulzies belong to the dead!

Don't worry, you're all getting reincarnated!

Not so fast!

Oh my gosh Al, that was SO cool!

Okay, guys! Here's the souls of the living! Watch them for me, will ya?

Okay, that takes care of the soulzies!

Right, but we can't let our guard down just yet! We still got Mauro here to deal with!

He's amassing souls again! You guys know how to stop him?!

Leave it to us Al! I don't want to have to sort through all those souls again!

Yeah! Now, I think it's about time we put our problem child in detention!

UR...ggGH...

Well done! Now finish him off!

What do you mean "finish him off?"

Li'l Lulu, what do you think? Any way we can save him?

Save him? After what he did? Are you out of your mind?

Yeah, he's done some bad stuff, and he's gonna have to answer for that, but he didn't get this way on his own, you know? He didn't come here to protect his superior, he came here because he needed something.

So we won't be finishing off anyone today.

Yeah, besides, we got a lot more stuff to teach him!

Now that's more like it!

Okay. Then I guess we're saving him!

Yes, but no one has ever been brought back from this state.

Maybe that's because no one ever tried before? I can feel Mauro's soul in this creature, but I can feel the souls of monsters and beasts as well. My guess is that when he transformed, soulzies drawn to power attached themselves to him. So now that we've weakened them, all we need to do is reap until all that's left is Mauro.

Sounds like a plan!

Monsters and beasts, eh? Sounds like you'll be needing the help of a four-legged friend.

Oh, right!

Wait, who said that?

Quite the pickle, eh?

Limmy! Where've you been?

Keeping a safe distance. There was no way I was gonna let you rope me into that silly training business.

You're no fun!

Cat Boss?

Yes Cat, no Boss.

Whaat? But you look just like him!

This is Limmy! He's my darling li'l bro!

Again, I am not your "bro". Now why don't we focus on the issue at hand.

Since I am a cat, I can reap the four-legged souls, right? If we all reap at the same time, we should be able to deal with all the souls mixed in there all at once.

Wicked idea, Limmy! Let's give it a go.

Hold on just a little bit more, Mauro!

There's...nothing left? Did we mess up?

Without his original body, it could just be he went straight back to purgatory.

You think? Then let's go and see!

Uh, guys. I think you might be forgetting something? The living souls?

Oh! Right!

Leave that to Limmy and me! You two head to purgatory!

You sure? Thanks so much, Big Lulu!

C'mon Al!

Were you able to put all those souls back?

Yep, all done!

Where's Li'l Lulu?

Well, a messenger arrived, and now she's over there talking with the leader. The real one, this time.

But I thought she was suspended?

Well, apparently that got lifted once word spread about what happened in Sarupa. I kinda just think they wanted her to clean up the mess they made.

No rest for the wicked, eh?

She'll be working hard, and that's what we love to see, innit?! I do wonder if she'd ever let me give her a pat on the head...

Oh yeah, and the minute she was reinstated she did away with the training institute. Apparently our "acting" leader is going to get some retraining of his own.

...What about Mauro?

About that...

Come on, follow me!

There's my Li'l Lulu! ...And Mauro?

Look! Mauro's soulzie showed up here after all!

That's great news!

The thing is, all that monster business seems to have wiped his memory.

Yup! So I'm playing purgatory tour guide! Gotta get him reacquainted with the ins and outs, you know?

Now keep hands inside the rails at all time, and feel free to ask if you have any questions!

O-Okay!

Hey! Why don't you guys come with us? It's gonna be sooo much fun!

Eh, why not?

So that's that, then, huh?

Teehee. Yeah.

What?

Mmm... Nothing!

(Li'l Lulu is such a kind and curious purgatorian.) (Kitty, it looks like your wish is coming true!)

That's the end of that, then!

Sorry for dragging mew into this...

Don't be! I was the one that chased that soulzie here in the first place!

I was worried when you said you had conditions... I never thought you'd want me to reap a weak li'l soulzie too! Looks like we were in the same situation, huh?

There was no other way. I cannot reap two-legged souls, after all.

So who was that Luli, anyway? She mean somethin' to you?

No. I just didn't want to leave her all alone.

Teehee. Now who's "capurricious"?

You were so cool back there though with your whole "I will reincarnate you!" speech! Then that whole thing with your superior and "you will have to complete this trial..." was kinda shockin', too.

Yes, thank mew for meowr help with that...

Don't mention it! I'm just glad she can be reincarnated! Not only that, to be reincarnated as your junior, that's pretty wicked!

You know what, I think I'll come help her out if she ever has to go through her own trial. That'd be fun!

Nyahaha. Sounds like a great idea.

Would you look at that! I think the hole's closing! I should get goin'!

I wonder if I'm gonna have to do the same trials when I get back...

Well, unfortunately with that hole closing I don't think I'll be able to help mew out, either way.

Well, thanks anyway! Hey. I know! I'll make that kitty my junior!

Oh, and before I go, what are you gonna name your new junior?

Hmm... Purrhaps I'll borrow the name of my generous and most capurrricious benefactor.

Teehee. That'll make it easier for me to find her next time I'm here, then!

See you later!

Now, I must prepare to welcome my new junior... My little Ilulu...