Rain Check

Stupid storm...

We just finished loadin' the supply ship and now we're stuck here.

Hey, Sazanca. What're you spacin' out over here for?

I was just thinking about my hometown...

Sorry, I didn't mean to dredge up bad memories.

Your village was flooded in a storm like this, huh?

No, it's okay. Painful as it was, I wouldn't be where I am today if that hadn't happened.

...You're a lot stronger than you look, Sazanca.

Well, getting depressed about it isn't going to solve anything.

I'm just worried about that girl...

What girl?

The shrine maiden I mentioned while we were camping that one time.

Ah, yeah, I remember. You said she was the one responsible for all that rain.

All my tonics... The scrolls with all my research... It's all gone.

Do you really think it's her fault?

...I chose to leave the village, but not her. They kicked her out after what happened. She had no say in the matter.

......

I just wish there was a way she could have another chance...

Hey! Where ya at, Sazanca?

Urk! Not her again!

Hey, what kind of way is that to greet your elder?

How do you always know where I am?!

Simple minds are simple to track. All ya gotta do is ask if anyone's seen a loudmouth healer about and follow the trail. Yer not exactly hard to miss.

Anyhow, who's the knockout?

K-Knockout?!

...Do you know her, Sazanca?

Yeah... She's my master. She SHOULD be back in the village focusing on her research, but instead she keeps following me around.

Your master? So what, She's even more hard-headed than you are?

Hah, I'm right here ya know. Yer lucky I'm willin' to take that as a compliment.

The name's Hanabi. Nice to meet ya.

Wryz. Sazanca's part of my dragon hunting party.

A dragon hunter? You must have some incredible stories to share...

Now that I think about it I never did tell you, huh? There's this place called Wyrmrest Isle...

...Sounds like one heck of an adventure, that's for sure. Guess I shouldn't be surprised given who I'm talkin' to.

Well, I'm sure you didn't come here just to ask what I've been up to. Hurry up and tell me what you want.

I'm busier than I look.

Busy? That's not what the girl at the inn told me. She said you lot were taking the day off since the ships have been moored by the weather.

Urk...

Setting that aside for now...

, Do you remember the shrine maiden from our village who held power over rain?

......

What's that look for? You know who I'm talkin' about, right?

Yeah, this storm just had me thinking about her. She's the one who flooded our village...

Heard about that, did ya? Then I guess you've also heard that she was thrown out.

Those old codgers in the village sent her away without a single word of advice. I guess I should probably mind my own business, but...

...I just wanted to make sure she's safe.

You did? But why? What connection do you have with her?

...That doesn't matter. I was worried about her and that's reason enough.

Which brings me to why I'm here, I want you to help me search for her.

Huh? I mean, I can't say I haven't been worried myself, but I'm not exactly dying to spend more time with YOU...

Disrespectful little brat. How about you, gorgeous?

Quit callin' me that!

...But yeah, it's not like I have anything better to do now that the boats can't sail. Just thinkin' about those waves makes me wanna vomit...

That said, we ARE still technically on duty...

What if I told you I could send some food and medicine your way as a way of payment?

Really?! You can?!

I can indeed. I hold more clout in my village than you might think.

And how do I know you're not just lying to get my help?

No, it's true. Master holds a lot of power in our village. She's a descendent of the shrine maidens.

Seriously? She doesn't look like much of a maiden to me...

But if that's the case then it's not an opportunity we can afford to pass up. Life'll be a lot easier at base camp with that kind of support.

All right, then! I'm making the call on my authority as commander!, We're going after the girl!

Say what?! Aren't you a little too easily convinced?!

A leader's gotta think on her feet.

...If you say so. I can't deny that I'm also a bit worried about her.

Then it looks like we've got a plan.

Where are we supposed to start our search?

Where all such searches begin, of course, the tavern.

And let's be quick about it before this storm gets any worse.

The rain summoner? Yeah, of course I've heard of her. She's done a lot for us.

Huh? Like what exactly?

She made it rain. Obviously.

What?! She used her power? Why would she do something like that?

Because we really needed the rain, that's why. We haven't been able to serve any fruit juice due to the drought. That juice is one of our main sellers, and without it the tavern might've had to close its doors for good.

When we found out that maiden had the power to summon rain, we begged for her help.

And lemme guess, this storm is the result of that request?

Well, not exactly. I didn't ask for THIS.

Meaning?

Meaning it doesn't look like her rain summoning went so well.

Said she was missing something she needed to make it work...

You need an offering for the gods?

U-Um, yes, that's right! B-But it's okay if you don't have anything...

Now that you mention it, I've heard that people from the eastern continent offer up drinks to the gods in their rituals.

And if drinks are what you're after, then you've come to the right place! Here, take this.

Oh, um... I-I'm honored! B-But I should tell you first, even with an offering it doesn't guarantee the ritual will succeed, and...

, No, no, I insist. This is the best stuff in the house. I'd like to offer it to the gods as a token of thanks.

Wow... It smells so sweet and delicious...

W-Wait a second! Is this, ?!

Is everything alright, miss?

S-S-Sorry but I can't accept this! Looks like my bag is too full!

You need an offering for the gods?

U-Um, yes, that's right! B-But it's okay if you don't have anything...

Now that you mention it, I've heard that people from the eastern continent offer up drinks to the gods in their rituals.

And if drinks are what you're after, then you've come to the right place! Here, take this.

Oh, um... I-I'm honored! B-But I should tell you first, even with an offering it doesn't guarantee the ritual will succeed, and...

, No, no, I insist. This is the best stuff in the house. I'd like to offer it to the gods as a token of thanks.

Wow... It smells so sweet and delicious...

W-Wait a second! Is this, ?!

Is everything alright, miss?

S-S-Sorry but I can't accept this! Looks like my bag is too full!

Maybe it wasn't to her taste?

I wonder if I offended her somehow...

Either way, the moment she left it started pouring so hard you'd think the ocean itself had been tipped on our heads.

Couldn't have asked for a better outcome than that, even if it was just a natural coincidence.

There wasn't anything natural about it. That's just how much power she holds.

Anyhow if what ya said is true, then she shouldn't have gotten too far. Do you know where she was headed?

No, unfortunately I don't.

But I can't imagine she'd be traveling in this. She must've taken shelter somewhere.

I hope yer right. We'll try searching around here a little more.

So is it true? Are the maidens from your hometown really that powerful?

Yeah. The god of weather is enshrined in our village, so there are quite a few shrine maidens with special powers. They're highly respected and even govern the village.

Oh yeah? Guess that explains why Hanabi's such a respected figure there.

...I said I have clout, not respect. Those old coots would rather pretend I didn't exist.

Huh? What do you mean?

Forget it.

We have more important things to worry about.

We need...to hurry up...and find her...

Huh? Are you okay?

Master? What's wrong?

...Ngh...I'm...fine...

What the, ?!

You are NOT fine! You're burning up!

Let's get her back to the inn right away!

Y-Yeah!

This is terrible... Nothing I'm giving her is helping the fever.

Are you sure you've tried everything?

Of course I'm sure! What are we gonna do...

Ah! Master! Thank goodness you've opened your eyes!

How are you? Any better?

Yes... I'm fine now... Let's go...

No! You're staying right where you are! You're so pale!

Do we have anything else to give her? If you need to go gather more herbs I can go with you.

We could try the Vasu Mountains. There might still be some lingering spiritual power in the area...

Alright. If there's even a tiny chance then we need to take it.

Y-Yeah, okay.

Wait here, Master. We'll be back soon.

Ugh, can't trust the gods for anything, can ya? They didn't even give me enough time to finish what I came here for...

I guess I've just gotta accept that only human hands can save human lives.

I should at least...write my last words...

How about this? It's got a nice color to it.

That's a rock. I tried grinding one down to powder and ingesting it once, but nothing happened.

I think it was called...ratledite? Something like that.

Sigh... There's nothin' here. You have any other ideas?

No. I didn't even know she was sick until a short while ago. She's been hiding it this whole time...

But you're a healer... If you don't have any ideas, then who does?

I didn't say I was giving up. I'm sure we can find something, even if it only helps a little.

Yeah, you're right. Let's do it.

If your master's even half as tenacious as you are, then I know she's gonna make it through this, Sazanca.

Sazanca! I have been looking all over for you!

Huh?! What're YOU doing here?!

You know them?

She's my helper back in the village.

Right, or at least I WAS until you ran off raving about making some kind of immortality potion.

I do hope our Sazanca has not been causing you much trouble.

Nah, not really. She can be a bit of a loudmouth, but she pulls her weight.

Was that your idea of a compliment?!

That is wonderful to hear. I know she can be quite a handful.

HEY!

She knows...

I was sent here with an urgent message, Sazanca.

HERE?! Couldn't it have waited until I got back?

I'm afraid not. It's too important.

You remember Miss Hanabi, right? She was your master and a healer in our village.

Remember her?! She's the whole reason I'm...

, I'm sorry to be the one to tell you this, but she passed away a short while ago.

...Wh-What did you just say?

It seems she was ill.

I'm sure you already know she did not get along well with the other village leaders. She spent most of her time alone in her laboratory at the back of the village. By the time anyone realized something was amiss, she was already gone...

H-Hold on a second...

The village already arranged a funeral service for her. I came here aboard a supply ship to find you, because I thought you deserved to know.

There's gotta be some kind of mistake! Master is waiting for us back in the Acteul inn!

Huh? I do not quite follow...

Sazanca's telling the truth. I saw her master just a short while ago with my own two eyes.

It's true she got sick earlier, but she was in high spirits before that.

But... How is that even possible?

If you don't believe us then why don't you take a look for yourself?! Let's hurry back to the Acteul inn.

O-Okay...

I can't believe the rain hit right in the middle of buying supplies!

I'll have to apologize to Sazanca for keeping her waiting.

ALDOOOOOO!!!

Oh, you guys went out, too?

What's wrong? You look terrible...

That's because it IS terrible! It's my master, she's, !

...There are TWO Hanabi's?

Yeah! She was just with Wryz and me!

I am telling you that is not possible!

Okay, first I'm going to need everyone to calm down. We can talk more when we get back to the inn.

She's gone...

Maybe she got better and left? We probably just missed her...

Here, I brought you another glass of...

Hey, do you know where Hanabi went?

Wh-What do you mean?! She shouldn't have gone anywhere!

No one has left the inn today other than your group.

What in the world is going on here...

Did she go out through the window?

No, it's still locked tight, and it's not like she was in any condition for acrobatics.

What is this? A letter?

Sazanca, this handwriting...

No doubt about it! It's Master's!

What does it say?

Um...

What?!

The maiden...of mist?

And yet even after all that, she still made medicine for them...

...The letter ends there.

What?

She wasn't able to finish it?

Master...

Sazanca...

...Let's give her some time alone.

But...

Leave her be. Anyone would be in shock after this, even her.

OH! THAT'S IT!!!

Wh-What the, ?!

Wh-What're you yelling for all of a sudden... Aren't you supposed to be in shock?

I was thinking. What could Master have possibly needed to tell that girl so badly?

Whatever it was was something so important to her that even death wasn't enough to make her give up.

It's incredible!

...THAT'S what you've been thinking about? Aren't you sad?

Well, now's not the time to be getting depressed! I was trying to remember something that Master told me once...

...Something about always watching and never giving up. "When the rain stops, the trees may bear fruit."

I don't get it...

It was something Master told me back when I was still in the village...

Damn it! Why won't the mixture just work already...

AAAAAARGH!!! I don't care how many times it takes! I swear I'll...

WAAAAAAAAAHHH!!!

AGAIN?! I TOLD you to take good care of it this time!

I did, but...but a monster came and ate it. You gave me such a precious seed, and then...

......

I'm such a failure...

So what? You're giving up?

Huh?

It's fine to get sad about it, but it's not an excuse to quit. How many times do ya think my experiments fail before I'm able to make a new medicine, huh?

I dunno...

That's right. You don't. I've failed so many times I can't even keep count anymore.

And I'm one of the lucky ones! Some people die before they have even a single breakthrough. It's not even close to the challenges you'll face carin' for a few trees.

Sniffle...

...But the thing is, you've got talent. Not many people can stay as focused on a single task as you can.

So, if you're interested, how 'bout I teach ya how to make a potion that'll make it easier to care fer the trees?

Y-You'd do that?

Yes, but only if ya promise me that ya won't give up the second the going gets tough.

I promise!

The fruit is finally ripe! Time for a taste test!

Time for a taste test!

...UGYAH, BLEEEGH!!! This is horrible!

...I guess I'm gonna have to try harder next time.

Hi, Sazanca. Did you hear about Miss Hanabi?

O-Oh no... PLEASE tell me she doesn't want help with another experiment...

No, not that. She said she plans to stop working as a healer.

HUH?! Why?!

Something about governing the village. She was asked to help after one of the elders passed away...

Oh... Then what's going to happen to her laboratory?

She's giving it to you. In fact, she already moved out.

She asked me to tell you something. She said, "Always watch over the orchard. When the rain stops, the trees may bear fruit."

Fruit, huh?

Do you know what she meant, Sazanca?

...Before that, would you mind trying a piece of this?

Huh? I guess so.

U-Ugh... This is awful. Are people even supposed to eat this?

Of course! It tastes that way because I did a bad job raising it.

If you do it right, it's delicious.

But the thing is, this kind of tree is difficult to raise. It withers too easily.

All you can do is keep trying over and over again until you finally get it right. But when you do, the flavor is totally worth it.

It can't be THAT difficult...

Anyhow, what Master meant was this...

I'm sure that's what she was trying to say to me and that girl. As long as you're alive, you can always keep trying. You shouldn't be afraid of failing.

I see... That sounds like her, alright.

Yep. And that means her work isn't finished yet either. She's just handing it over to a new generation.

U-Um! Forgive me for interrupting, but we've found the location of the person you're searching for.

You have?!

Yes, one of our other customers witnessed someone matching her description while traveling along the Keruri Highroad.

Then we know where we're headed. You ready, Sazanca?

Yep! I'm not giving up, and I'll make sure she doesn't either!

I wonder how far she went...

We should've brought Cerius to track her...

Hey! Is now really the time to be picking herbs?

But these flowers are really rare! You can use it in a potion that completely reinvigorates the body and mind...

I'm begging you, can you please lay off the research for just one second?!

You don't understand! I can make some pretty powerful medicine with this.

There's a good chance that girl will need it when we find her.

Hmm... I guess that's true. Sorry for jumping to conclusions...

It's fine. You're just trying to help in your own way, and I really appreciate that.

Hm? The flowers over here have all been trampled...

Sazanca! Look out behind you!

Huh?

UWAAAAAAHHH!!!

We've gotta go after her!

Damn it! Why does this keep happening?!

Sigh... I messed up again... I can't believe the smell alone was enough to make me lose my composure like that. I'm still dizzy from it...

...Wait a second... Where am I?

AHHH! Monsters!

G-G-Get away from meeeeee!!!

UGYAAAH!!!

Sazanca! Are you hurt?!

Get it together, will ya?!

But it's not my fault...

Um, are you okay?

Y-Yes! Thank you very much for rescuing me!

Wait... Aren't you?

Yuna?! Are you alright?

Aldo! What are you doing here?

We came here looking for the maiden of rain...

The maiden of rain? You mean me?

...Now I get it. YOU must've been the one Sazanca was searching for this whole time, Yuna.

But before we get to that, we need to do something about these monsters.

Are you alright?

Y-Yes!

Good. We'd better do something about those monsters fast.

Eeep!!! They're REALLY ticked off! We've gotta make a run for it!

Run?! I ain't runnin' from nothin'! Let's do this!

It's scary, but I must do my part...

A-Alright, alright! It'll be hard to talk if we're being chased anyhow!

...It's done. I'm glad to see no one was hurt.

That outfit kinda looks like Sazanca's...

You wouldn't happen to be the maiden of rain, would you?

Y-Yes, that is correct... Um... Might I ask who you are?

Wryz. You already know Aldo. This is Sazanca.

I take it you're the maiden of rain?

Y-Yes, that is correct... I am the rain summoner. Um... Might I ask who you are?

I'm Aldo, a traveling swordsman.

Wryz.

...M-My name is Yuna.

Yuna, 'eh? My friend Sazanca here was hoping to have a word with you.

Huff...puff...

Wh-What's with the heavy breathing?

Okay! I'm ready!

She's putting a lotta energy into this...

Ready for what? What's your problem?

Well, I mean, she's a super powerful maiden, right?

I was thinking I needed to be extra careful not to make her mad.

Um, I could not help but notice your outfit. Could it be that you are from the same village as me?

Y-Yeah, that's right! I'm Sazanca.

There's something I needed to tell you.

O-Oh no, does that mean...

Sigh... I knew this was going to happen...

Huh? What're you talking about?

I... I...

Hello?

I'M SO SORRY!!!

Huuuh?! What're you apologizing to me for?!

You came here to scold me, didn't you? After all, I haven't sent a single letter since leaving on my journey, and I've barely made any progress at all... I'm a complete failure...

N-No you aren't! And there's no way I would dare scold one of the maidens!

R-Really? I'm relieved...

I have an important message for you.

A message? From who?

Do you know a woman named Hanabi?

I've heard the name, yes... But I'm afraid I have never met her in person.

Um... To tell you the truth, I was instructed by the village elders to keep my distance from her...

Sounds familiar...

Master, I mean Miss Hanabi, she said...

......

Hm? Is something the matter?

Well you see, I'm a healer back in our village...

...But I'm not a very good one. I make tons of mistakes. Sometimes I even mix things incorrectly and end up prescribing medicine that's totally dangerous!

Um... I do not believe you should be saying that so openly...

I-I know that! Of course I'm not proud of it...

Reminds me of what happened recently at Palsifal Palace...

I already said sorry about that! Would you let it go already?!

A-Anyhow... The point is I screw up a lot...

...And those failures hurt.

Yes, I can understand well. I make a lot of mistakes, too.

But well... I think that those kinds of failures are also chances.

The gods gifted us with the power try again, and that means that it must be okay to make mistakes. Failure isn't the end.

In fact, I'm trying to make a world where people can have as many chances as they need.

Your words are kind...

So don't give up, okay? No matter how many times you fail, you've gotta always stand up and try again.

...And that is what Miss Hanabi wanted to tell me? Or was that from you?

Hmmm...

Now that you mention it I'm not entirely sure anymore.

I-I see... Is that really okay?

...Pretty sloppy, but I've learned not to expect anything else.

Haha, that's our Sazanca...

, Hanabi's devoted disciple, and a wonderful healer in her own right.

You will not be returning home yet?

No. There's still a lot of things I have to accomplish here.

Alright... I understand. Just make sure you do not cause any trouble for your comrades.

Ahahah, no need to worry about that. I'll keep her in line.

That's rich! YOU'RE the one who's always charging headfirst into danger!

Heheheh... I'm a little jealous.

Huh? What for?

You are very lucky to be surrounded by such wonderful friends who understand and appreciate you.

...Now you're gonna make me blush.

Well then, I must be off now. Continue to follow your path and never give up, Sazanca.

Not that anything could stop you anyhow.

Heheh, yep. You can count on me!

It wasn't a compliment.

I'll be fine. I promise I'll never give up, for as long as I still draw breath. I'll find the secret to immortality, and create a world where everyone can have a second chance.

I'll try as many times as it takes, just like Master taught me.

I dunno about this...

Trust me! I definitely got it right this time!

...Nom!

I-It's good! It's really good this time, Sazanca!

Heheh, I'm glad.

Now I'm one step closer to realizing my dream! I'm gonna travel the world to research new medicines!

Seriously?! You've been dreaming of leaving the village?!

Never give up, because once the rain stops, the trees will surely bear fruit!