The Trials of Raven Tengu Izuna

So this is the future, huh... It's chock-full of humans!

No forests, no monsters...

Wait. Did the humans make it so all other creatures went extinct or somethin'?!

Hey, is it just me, or does that girl have wings?

Yikes! Am I next?!

(I'm a tengu. Tengu are strong. Tengu aren't scaredy cats. I'm no scaredy cat!)

It's probably a costume for something. She's not the only one dressed weird.

...Are they gone?

Yeah, it's okay now.

I thought so when you were acting all suspicious in Nagsham, but you really aren't used to humans, huh.

I thought so when you were acting all suspicious in the Spacetime Rift, but you really aren't used to humans, huh.

Th-Thaaat's not truuue... It's just...humans are so tricky and bitey, ya know?

"Bitey"?! Where did you get that idea?

I was always told not to leave the mountain 'cause humans eat fools like me for breakfast.

At least...that's what my li'l bro always said...

Oh, Senya? Wait...LITTLE brother?!

Yup! He's the li'l brother, and I'm the big sister!

(I think if Senya heard that he'd make the face Kuramaru does when offered dried sardines.)

But even after all those warnin's about how humans are dangerous, Senya still left the mountain and didn't come back.

Wow. I can't imagine you with a little brother.

Hehe! I may be small, but I'm a bona fide lady on the inside!

(She reminds me of Feinne at her age. It's kind of cute how they try so hard to act grown-up.)

But even after all those warnin's about how humans are dangerous, my brother still left the mountain and didn't come back.

That's why I came down from the mountain, too. I gotta find him!

Gack! A human?!

GOSH, that scared me! But I guess it must be okay since it didn't attack.

Humans don't attack out of nowhere like monsters, you know...

If you're that scared of them, you don't have to force yourself.

Never been better!

Th-There's nooo way a TENGU like ME would be scared of humans!

Oh no. Oh my. I sure hope some kind passerby can help me.

I'm in a reaaal pickle. Isn't there anyone muscle-y and strong who can help little old me?

Wh, How obvious can you get?!

I'll save that human over there and prove how brave I am!

Hold on, Izuna. Getting involved with a human like that only leads to trouble.

If you want to prove something, you can...

Are you even listening?!

Oh boy... Guess I should go too...

Mask...all set. Oh, Aldo's not here yet. Ah well.

Oh lamenting one... You appear to be troubled.

Yes, yes! You are exactly right! I am SO troubled...

Oh. It's just a kid. Is that a wing-shaped jet pack? Where do you even buy those...

Hey, Izuna. You should probably leave...

Whoops! I mean you are SO VERY RIGHT. I am troubled by the most troubling of troubles!

Ahem-hem... Thou ist-eth... Hmm... Maybe I should throw in a "verily" to sound extra distinguished?

Do you have to change how you talk that much?

I gotta sound distinguished so the human'll take me seriously!

Very well, human child. I shall inquire about said troubles...verily!

Well, you see... There's this synth weapon malfunctioning on Route 99.

But as you can see, I'm not exactly a bodybuilder, so I need the help of someone gullible, kind, and strong!

You literally just said "gullible"! Out loud!

It must have been the wind! I'm just a good-hearted guy trying to stop some bad guys!

A good-hearted guy!

So you seek power for the purpose of doing good. I most heartily approve! I, the raven tengu Izuna, shall grant your wish!

(I should probably go along with...whatever that means to get her guardian here on board.)

I am ever so grateful for your bless-ed help!

Hey, Izuna...

Ghuh! H-Hey, don't pull! Can't! Breathe!

Look, I have a lot of experience with that kind of guy, and they only ever want to cause trouble or to take advantage. I don't blame you for wanting to help, but you should tell him no.

It'll be fiiine! Yeah, humans are shifty and all, but this one's good! I just know it!

And what makes you so sure?

'Cause he said so!

...Hoo boy...

Fine. But I'm coming with you.

Yay! Okay, then let's go with the human guy to that Route 99 place!

This place sure is deserted.

The synth humans' rebellion wrecked the industrial area up ahead. This road has fallen into disuse ever since.

Huh. I guess war's still a thing in this era. You humans and your petty conflicts.

You talk as though you aren't a human.

'Course! I'm a tengu!

A what now? You said the same thing earlier, but what even is a "tengu"?

Weeell, since you asked so nicely...

I'll tell you while we walk! ...Wait...uhhh...I shall elaborate further as we proceed. Eth.

In short, tengu are invaluable beings who live in harmony with nature.

We use, utilize, our godly energy to enact miracles.

This is what makes tengu revered and worshipped among humans.

(How do you like THEM apples?! You can kneel in worship if you want!)

People are worshipping...children?

Ch-Children?!

I'm older than I look, you know! In the East, I'm considered a full-grown grown-up!

...I think. Probably.

Where did that confidence from earlier go?

My memory only goes back about five years... And I dunno how to calculate my age in human years.

Only five years? Does that mean you have amnesia or something?

No, it's more like I just kinda started existin' one day.

No childhood or anythin'. Just lookin' like this from the start.

So...does that make you a five-year-old?

N-Nuh-UH!

Humans and tengu are totally different, okay?! We're really, reaaally special! It's like...we're born from a kind of spiritual power thing. ...I think.

Special, huh? That does sound like something a kid would come up with...

C-Come one! We should keep goin'!

So where exactly is that synth weapon you said was malfunctioning?

Over there!

A fight? Or is it broken?

Yipes! It looked this way!

Human...Human targets discovered. D-D-Dispooose of targggets...

I-I see YOU'RE the villain! I, the raven tengu Izuna, will...

Gyack!

Forget about flying for now! We gotta calm it down!

Give up yet? I dunno what you're tryin' to do, but if you say you're sorry...

Izuna!

Ack!

Whew... That was close!

Oh, good. You're not hurt, are you?

Nope! You warned me just in time!

M-M-M-Must enact rrrevenge on dis-disrespectful huuumans!

Revenge...

Even karakuri from the future are motivated by somethin' like that? Why do people even like killin' each other so much anyway?

It doesn't get you anywhere. All you gotta do is stop thinkin' about the revenge stuff, and you can be plenty happy.

Yeah right!!!

Why should I just boo-hoo cry myself to sleep at night when someone did me wrong?! I worked myself to the bone to get this far... And still! STILL they cast me aside! They were going to ruin the plan we worked on together!

I don't really know what you're talking about, but it sounds like you had a rough time.

You don't know anything!

I recalibrated this thing to take revenge on those jerks from Elzion who made fun of me for being from a low-income plate!

What?

But then my friends... They all just gave up on the plan halfway through and turned themselves in!

I can't give up now! I'm gonna use this to get payback!

Payback? But...didn't you want us to help you stop the bad guys?

You're kidding. You seriously believed that? There's being naive, and then there's being stupid.

Anyway, things didn't go exactly as planned, but if I just reactivate this...

Y-You mean...you...

YOU were the bad guy?!

NOW you notice? I guess the high and mighty tengu aren't all they're cracked up to be.

...Repent.

Huh? What's with you?

Repent...

...And face divine punishment!!!

Hmph! I hope you've seen the error of your ways now!

Izuna! I know he's a bad guy, but that was way too much! C'mon. We're going back to Elzion.

Ungh...

Well? Do you regret your evil deeds now?

What...are you...

I already told ya a million times! I'm a tengu!

I can't believe he flew that far without a scratch...

That's 'cause I shielded him with godly energy!

I just wanted to get him to think hard about his actions. Not hurt him.

Ha. What am I, a little kid? You think you're better than me?

Geez! Is that all you can come up with? This is why people don't like you!

I really hate all that "payback" stuff. 'Cause I know the face humans make when they get swallowed up in gettin' it.

They never smile, and they always look unhappy... And I just really hate it when his ...or their...face gets all scary like that.

Izuna...

If revenge is just gonna make you look like you've got all the misery in the world on your shoulders, you should just give it up.

Nothin' good ever comes from gettin' it.

Gack! The EGPD!

Hey! Let me go!

Told ya. Nothin' good ever comes from gettin' revenge.

Let's go, Aldo...

Are you okay, ma'am?

Just fine, thank you, dearie. In fact, I have some good news for a nice young lady like you...

I am but a humble helper of those in need...

Hmm, I see...

Would you be so kind as to lend a hand?

Sure! What do you need?

Transfer all of your life savings into this account here! If you keep the gift of charity into your heart, your needs will all be met!

Huh?! I'M the one in need?!

Uhhh... Buhhh?

Get back here, you fraudster! You won't get away this time!

Drat... I've been found. Guess it's time to make my getaway.

...Fraudster? She was lyin'?

Izuna... It's not...

I don't wanna hear it! I don't care anymore! Who cares about some dumb ol' humans!

I'm goin' home to my mountain!!!