The Soul Ferrier

Made it!

Now all that's left is to hand this soul to a scythe wielder.

Eek!

Great! Now I'm soaking wet!

Hoohoo?! Hoohoo!

What's the matter, Weiss?

Huh?! The cage is open! And the soul inside it is...

I better go after it!

Ah! Sorry...

No, it's my fault. I wasn't looking where I was going...

Wait...Mazrika? Didn't realize it was you! What's the rush?

I'd love to answer that, but I'm kinda on the clock right now! See ya!

Huh, she was running really fast...

...And it Looked like she was headed towards Unigan... I should go check up on her and see what the deal is.

Aha! There you are!

Aldo? Why are you here? Did you need something?

Well, back when we bumped into each other at the Serena Coast, you looked a bit in a panic, so...

...I figured since I noticed it, I might as well follow up and make sure you're doing okay.

...So you just ran all the way here to find me? You really are a weird one, Aldo...

Anyway, unlike my boss, I don't really need any help with my purgatorian duties, okay?

...Except for the kinda help I get from Weiss, here.

Wait, that bird helps you out?

Yes. This is Weiss, a bird of Purgatory. He can sense souls.

Souls? Purgatorians? What ARE you talking about?

You see, I'm a purgatorian by trade. It's my job to send souls of the dead to what you call the afterlife.

Hoohoo!

Is Weiss trying to tell us something?

It appears he found a soul.

One that I kinda...sorta...let go?

...We should get going.

...There you are. Come on now, time to go.

...Down deep?

Beastfolk believe that the sinless go to the garden of heaven and the sinners go underground.

I can't grant you that wish. The garden of heaven doesn't...

(I can't tell them it doesn't exist, can I?)

(Their faith is important to them. If I tell them the truth...)

(But I can't lie, either. That would be dishonest.)

Um...

Mazrika... Mazrika!

Hm? Did you say something?

The soul got away again!

No! You're kidding me!

No mercy, that's what Boss said. He is NOT gonna be happy if I lose this one.

It headed toward the Karek Swamplands. We should be able to catch up if we go now.

Aldo, can I ask you something? Which would you prefer? A kind lie or a harsh truth?

Uhh...why do you ask?

There's something I need to tell that soul...

But if I do, I'm pretty sure what I say will hurt its feelings.

So I'm wondering if I should tell them at all.

Well, everyone's different right? My answer might not necessarily match what that soul thinks, you know?

But as long as the person saying it means well, I guess I wouldn't mind either way?

I think that's probably the most important part, your intentions.

Hmm... So it's all about the right intentions?

Hoohoo! Hoohoo!

...A gentia?

It might look like one, but that's no gentia. That's a type of lily grass that feeds on life force.

Oh no...

And I think our soul is inside it! Aldo, I think I might need your help after all. Do you mind?

That soul is coming with us!

Are you okay?

I won't. I'm afraid it's impossible.

You keep mentioning sinners. What was your sin, exactly?

They lied to you?

Then you don't deserve to hear any more lies. You deserve the truth, as harsh as it may be.

The garden of heaven doesn't exist. Neither does the "down deep".

No. The dead actually go to a place called Purgatory.

The only dead who remain in Purgatory are purgatorians like me.

Wait a minute. You're dead?!

I am. I may not look it, but I actually died a long, long time ago.

I...had no idea...

All other souls have their memories washed away in the waters of Purgatory before being reincarnated.

It is not possible for you to reunite with your brother as you are now.

Is it really impossible?

Well, miracles can happen. It is possible that your and your brother's souls could cross paths. However... It is about as improbable as plucking a shining star from the night sky or the moon from the water's surface.

Thank you. Now, if you'll just get in this cage...

You did really well, you know.

You lived without throwing your life away. As a purgatorian, I know how difficult that can be.

Of course you did. We all try, don't we?

So, what's the plan now?

We need to send this soul to be reincarnated. Weiss, will you find me a nearby scythe wielder?

Hoohoo!

Looks like Weiss headed to...Baruoki? No. That can't be it. Beast purgatorians don't go into human towns unless they have to...

So then he must have gone to the Nuaru Uplands. Let's go.

Hoohoo!

Hey, cut it out, you stupid bird!

Ow! Hey! Stop that!

Thanks for finding me a scythe wielder, Weiss.

You're...

Hey, it's you again.

Huh, interesting, a human that can see me even in my invisible state...

Hello, beast scythe wielder. My name is Mazrika.

I'm sorry to be so blunt, but could you please reap this soul for me?

That's how you greet a perfect stranger? You ask them to reap a soul for you?

Besides, aren't you a beast? You can just do it yourself.

I am a carrier of souls, not a reaper.

Ah, so you just guide souls to a scythe wielder who'll reap them for you?

Y'know, I had heard there were scythe wielders around who didn't wanna get reincarnated. You one of that crowd?

If that's the case, I'd be happy to reap this soul for you.

Thank you.

Farewell, then.

He will take you to Purgatory.

May blessings be upon your soul in your journey to the next life.

Thanks to you, I achieved 200% of my daily target today.

With rates like that, I'm even willing to forgive that pesky pet of yours. Well, see ya.

Sorry to keep you waiting.

No worries. I'm just glad you were able to give that soul a proper send off.

By the way, why don't you want to get reincarnated?

I still have regrets. I don't want to get reincarnated until they're resolved.

Regrets?

Well, strictly speaking, they're not my regrets. They're the regrets of the one who owned this soul before I became a purgatorian.

There's something this soul wanted to say before it died but was never able to. I want to do it for them.

It's just...I don't know who those words were intended for.

So you're looking for someone, you just don't know who? That sounds like quite the task.

If there's anything I can do to help, just say the word.

Thank y-y...

YAchooo!

Sorry, getting splashed with all that water has me feeling a little cold...

Would you like to come over to my house? I can get you a glass of hot milk or something.

Really? That would be wonderful.

Oh, and uh, I'll take it with 10 large scoops of sugar, if you don't mind!

That many?! What, do you have some kind of death wish?

Relax, I'm already dead, remember?

(Guess she's gotta point...)

Okay then. Let's go.

If only the garden of heaven was real. Because then...

Just...please...don't take her... At least allow me...to go to the garden of heaven...with her...

...At least I would have been able to wait...for you...