Unsinkable Wings

All clear on the right... All clear on the left... Okay! No one's here!

Gently... Gently...

Phew...

Why don'cha just hand that over directly?

Gack! You were watchin'?!

Ya still haven't gotten any better at dealin' with people, huh.

Ya haven't grown up one bit from when ya used to push plates of food to me with a stick.

Y-Yuh-huh! I've totally grown up!

Yip...

Wh-Why do ya always have to take Senya's side, Kuramaru...

A-Any way, if we wanna talk about things that don't grow up, humans are way worse!

Always fightin' wars and stuff even when they're all beat up and bruised. I don't get it at all.

They should learn from us tengu.

...Nazuna?

I'm sorry?

You're Nazuna, aren't ya? I can't believe you're alive...

I think ya got the wrong person. She doesn't know any humans.

...Have we met before?

You...don't remember?

After stealin' my family from me... and drownin' all of Yatogami Village!

Um...

I'm sorry. I don't know who you are or what you're talking about...

...Fine.

That lady had a really serious look on her face. Did something happen?

Beats me. Seemed like she mistook our resident tengu for someone else, though.

She said...I drowned her village.

She said that of you? But that can't be possible.

I've heard that the reason her village sank was a flood which occurred five years ago. To this day, debris from the village can still be seen flowing downriver after a rain. To attribute that to one person...

Rain...a flood...

Oh... I was born in a village on the other side of Yagara Grove... And there was a river nearby...

A village? Didn't ya say ya were born in the mountains?

Huh? Oh, yeah...

That's weird... It felt so natural to say... ......

I'm gonna go to Yagara Grove real quick. Somethin's buggin' me about that village.

I'll come too. Let's check it out until you find out everything you need.

Thanks, Aldo. Let's go!

Five years ago, huh... Don't Izuna's memories only go back five years?

Somethin'...anythin'... The rain lasted for so long this time, there's gotta be somethin' that washed down...

...Ya need somethin'?

Um... I was hoping to ask you about your village.

Ha! You really don't remember. Ya got some nerve forgettin' after everythin' ya did.

Just so ya know...Izuna's pretty stupid.

Stupid?! Hey! I don't wanna hear that from you!

She's sincere and people-pleasin' to the point of stupidity.

Senya...

There's no way she could keep a straight face after drownin' a whole village. Granted, I can't deny the possibility she did it on accident.

Hey!!! Deny that part too!

We heard there was a big flood. How does that have anything to do with Izuna?

A flood? Yeah, right. It was divine punishment.

That girl...angered the great Sluugh.

Sluugh?

Sluugh is the name of our god of water distribution.

In fact, that day was rainy just like it is now...

Huh?! Why is this here in this time?!

Is that...my mother's hairpin?

Oh, Great Sluugh! Thank you so much!

No way. THAT'S your god? There's nothin' godly about it! Hey, Izuna...

Oh...ohhh...

I...I know him.

A memento of my mother...

Stay back!

Ohhh no... No no no no...

Izuna! What's wrong?!

The water... The water...it... It's swallowin' everythin' up...

Tch. Let's fall back for now.

Oh, Aldo. How's everyone else?

Well, Izuna's fast asleep. And Tsubame's taking the lady back home.

Is that so...

Ya know, she was callin' that giant slug monster by her god's name, but it reeked of death. It's probably some kind of specter. One that's best to avoid.

To tell the truth, I've battled a monster like that before, but it was in the way distant past.

It's not the same one as the thing we just fought, but it's still weird that it would be in this era.

Are ya saying it also came from some other world or time or whatever?

In that case, if I use my power on it, we might open another weird wormhole...

...Sorry. Let's talk more later.

Senya?

I'll be right back.

Okay... If I fly from here, I don't think anyone should find me...

Ya plannin' on goin' by yourself?

Senya? But how...

Whaddaya mean, "how"? It was written all over your face.

...I'll listen if ya wanna talk.

Didn't ya tell me before that talkin' about painful things puts them in the past?

......

Alright, but...don't freak out on me, okay?

Turns out, I...used to be a human named "Nazuna." Yahiko told me how tengu are born, but I still didn't really get it. Then when we were fightin' that monster earlier, my memories came back.

Turns out, I...used to be human. Pretty surprisin' after how bad I talked about 'em, huh? To be honest, even I don't fully have my head around it. But when we were fightin' that monster earlier, my memories came back.

I was born in your average little village.

That's where...I was worshipped for havin' godly energy as a fallen child of god. I was so proud of bein' special... Of being able to save everyone...

But...I also hated it.

......

Then one year, there was really bad summer drought. There was no food, so a bunch of people died...

There has been no rain for two whole months. At this rate, we'll all starve to death.

Are ya sayin' we still have too many mouths to feed? Both of my parents already went to the mountains. That's STILL not enough?

...What about Lady Nazuna?

Lady Nazuna?

As the fallen child of god, if we return her to the great Sluugh, he is sure to grant us mercy.

But she... ...No, you're right. It's the only way.

Please, Lady Nazuna. Please save us with your godly gift.

...Okay. I'll do it.

I'm...I am a child chosen by god. I shall do my duty.

Hehe...heh... I'm not scared...not at all...

I'm a special child chosen by god. I even have a special power...

I thought it wasn't fair I had an amazin' power from birth. That I had to make it up to everyone by protectin' 'em.

I knew everyone was sufferin', so that's what I told myself. I couldn't say...I didn't want it...

Oh, Great Sluugh! Please give us some rain! I will do anything for it! So please!

Eep!

No... I can't do it... I'm sorry... I'm so sorry, I-I can't...

NOOO!!!

I thought I was ready... I really wanted to save everyone... Or...at least, I thought I did. But when I realized I really was gonna die, I just got so scared... I accidentally attacked Sluugh.

He got mad and washed away my village and everyone in it.

I...killed everyone.

......

I don't really remember what happened after that. Just runnin' and runnin'... ...And I ran out of strength at some point.

...Are ya gonna eat me? Go ahead... I don't care anymore.

Everyone died 'cause of me. I didn't die like I was s'posed to, and now they're all...

But I didn't die. A tengu appeared and saved me.

I see you've lived and died for others in this life as well. The cycle of reincarnation is full of cause and effect... But why must you and the other children always be tested so?

...Wha?

Your pure heart will only cause you pain if you live among humans.

You have earned more than enough good karma in this life. From here forth, you shall live on as a tengu.

I shall seal those memories so as to keep you from drowning in guilt. ...Izuna. Flee from your fate and fly free. That is my wish as the one left behind.

Their voice was so gentle. And so sad. The next thing I knew, I'd forgotten everythin' and woke up reincarnated as a tengu.

And that's how I became the Izuna ya know now.

...I'm the worst, huh. Killin' all those people and then forgettin' all about it.

That wasn't even your fault. But ya won't listen even if I say that.

...Yeah. Sorry.

We've switched places from before, huh.

Remember? When I found ya lost right after ya got to the mountains.

I went to save ya when you were dyin'.

I was just too hungry to move. And me almost dyin' was YOUR fault, got it? Shovin' a grilled gecko ya burned to a crisp into my mouth with no warnin'...

Wait, but... But you ate it while cryin', didn't ya?

'Cause I was chokin' to death, ya dummy!

...Thanks, Senya.

Don't worry about it.

Hm?

It's him... He's usin' his power...

I gotta go. I hafta stop him this time. Don't worry, I'm a tengu now. I'm really strong, so this time... I'll be fine.

Why should it be your job?

Geez, why do ya alway gotta say things to kill my motivation!

Your miracle power and your tengu power are both things other people forced onto ya.

You and I were both made out to be "special" without any say. Our roles were forced onto us. Ya shouldn't have to work that hard to fulfill yours.

But I'm gonna. 'Cause I want to.

Yeah, I didn't want this power, and I didn't want to be special. But I also don't wanna lose. To that slug or to myself.

And more than anythin'... I don't wanna lose to you when we're both fightin' against our fates!

Do ya even get anythin' from makin' me your rival like that?

What. Don't tell me you're scared you're gonna lose 'cause I'm just gonna keep gettin' stronger?

Keep sayin' that. I'm way stronger.

...Fine, whatever. Ya never listen once ya've made your mind up anyway.

I owe the folks here, too. I'll lend ya a hand.

Izuna!

I was so worried when I returned and you weren't there!

Sorry... I wanted to be alone for a bit.

But I'm okay now. I figured out what I needed to.

I wanna take that slug down. I don't want this village to sink to the bottom of the river. Can you all help me?

Of course!

Thank you! Then let's go to Yagara Grove. We're gonna beat that slug for sure!

Ugh...

You okay, Izuna?

Yeah. I got everyone here with me. I can fight.

Thank goodness! It hasn't been washed away!

Why are you here? It's too dangerous! You should go back!

Ya don't have to tell me. But first...

Oh, Great Sluugh, please tell me. Why did you drown my village? Everyone died, and even Nazuna forgot me... I'm all alone...

......

Why...didn't ya kill me with everyone else?

You mustn't get closer!

Please! Get behind me!

This is bad. The rain's getting stronger.

Tch... I was plannin' to do this after he stopped movin', but I guess I got no choice. I'm sendin' him to another world!

We'll help! You just keep focusing on doing what you're doing, Senya!

Open...

A wormhole?!

This isn't exactly what we planned, but as long as this gets it outta here, I don't care!

Leave it to me! I'll push him through!

And I shall defend...

Gotta...use..more...power... It's okay... I can beat him now!

Just how long are ya gonna fight back? Stop bein' stubborn.

Ahhh!!!

Tch!

I'll handle it!

Why...did ya...

We can talk later! Right now, I gotta send ya back to the other side!

(I'm bein' sucked in..) What about this!

I won't let anyone else get lost in the flow of time OR water!

Taaake...THIS!

Where's Izuna?!

She stayed on the other side to save me...

That dummy...

Thank goodness... This time I saved her before she got washed away.

But what do I do... I don't think I can go back.

(It hurts... It's like...the water is chokin' me...) (I can't...breathe...) (Everyone else...must have died like this... Unable to do anythin'...) (It must have hurt...so bad... It must've been so scary... They didn't want to die either...) (...I'm...so sorry...)

Ugh... THIS is how I die? Just tossed around by fate... I didn't even get to take my revenge...

You can't die! I won't let ya!

You're hungry and lost, right? Here! Eat this! It's my super-special grilled gecko!

Hck! ...BLEGGGHHH...

Wh...What kind of crap?! Ya tryin' to KILL me?!

Huh?! Whaddaya mean?! I'm here to SAVE you?!

And how exactly do ya plan to get me outta this hole?

Duh! I'm a tengu!

Even if ya don't have wings, I can just take your hand and make ya fly!

...na...Izuna...

(...Huh?)

Izuna! Fly! That's what you're good at, isn't it?

(Sen...ya?)

(Oh yeah... I can fly now...) (I'm not the same as when I was drownin' in tears and my own guilt.)

(I won't...let my weakness... weigh down my wings!)

Dang it... We can't look for Izuna at this rate!

Where did that dummy get off to?

Tch. What a pain.

Not on my watch!

Geez, Senya! You're always makin' such a mess!

Look at the pot callin' the kettle black.

I'm sorry to interrupt, but it's still a bit too soon to relax.

Oops! Sorry! I can handle this. No worries.

Are you okay to fight?

It's weird. I was so scared before, but now I don't think I could lose if I tried.

Same here. Let's finish this!

He's pretty strong.

My techniques are also a poor match. We may want to retreat for now.

A poor match?

With this climate...and this terrain... Yeah! It'll work!

Senya! Gimme a hand!

I'm gonna make you fly with my fan, so you use your sword to stab him through the head!

Huh... I'm down, but ya better not miss.

Who do ya think you're talkin' to?! 'Course I won't!

Sure, sure...

And...GOOO!!!

You can do this, Izuna!

This is...everthin' I've got!

Repent...and face divine punishment!!!

Yippee!!! We did it!!! Total success!

Huh?

Whaddaya mean "total success"! My sword...

Oh no! I'm sorry! I'll go find it!!!

Makin' that kinda slipup right at the very end... Well, I guess it wouldn't be Izuna otherwise.

Is that all?

......

Senyaaa! I found your sword from your mooom!

Don't wave it around like that! You're gonna drop it!

Nuh-uh!

Whoopsie!

I'm never lendin' ya anythin' again.

Aww... I said I'm sorry...

I'm glad both you and Senya's sword are okay.

What happened to that lady from earlier?

Thanks to you, she was unharmed, so I told her to return to the village.

That's a relief. I'm glad...I could protect her this time.

We defeated Sluugh...

I still don't exactly know how to feel, but... I did get to avenge the village.

Izuna...

Aw man... My clothes are all soaked, and I missed my lunch... What lousy luck.

......

Well, then, I guess I'll just have to whip up a feast when we get back to our era!

Tengu cuisine... I'm quite looking forward to it.

I'd temper those expectations. She says it's "a feast," but that's by her standards.

Hey!

Haha. Alright, then let's head back to the village.

Ta-dah! Here's the Izuna Grilled Gecko Special!

YIP!

Well, it's not inedible, but it is kinda bitter...

It is a tad overcooked, but it seems healthy enough. Tastes better than field rations as well.

Ya know it'd be better for Izuna to just admit it's bad, right?

Grr! Suit yourself then! You only get one!

Oh no, whatever will I do. Who'd wanna eat ashes anyway?

If that's what ya call bitter food, it just goes to show ya still have kiddie taste buds!

What.

Guess that means since I'm the grown-up, I'll just have to keep takin' care of you.

Excuse me...

Why are you here?

I heard that Nazuna...no..Izuna is here.

I...I wanted to say thank you for savin' me.

...Thanks. I'm glad you're okay. Since I couldn't save ya last time.

No, that was... You were the one who saved me then and now. I always knew deep down... that it wasn't your fault.

It's just when I lost everythin'... I didn't know what to do. I'm so sorry.

I mean, that's a good explanation and all, but it doesn't excuse anythin'.

...I forgive you.

I can't forgive myself either. It was my fault...

But it really hurts to not be able to forgive yourself. So since ya forgave me, I want to forgive you too.

Izuna...

I don't think I forgive everything right this minute...

After all, I was really, really hurt when I was chosen as a sacrifice. It felt like everyone had just tossed me aside. It was so lonely even though I was surrounded by people.

Yeah... I'm sorry for that.

But since ya said you're sorry, I know at least you're not a bad human.

So now...I wanna find out if you're a good human or not.

I hope that's okay, Ceri.

Y-You remembered my name? Yeah. Of course it's okay, Izuna!

...This is exactly what makes ya so gullible.

Nuh-uh! Not anymore! I've been trainin' with Aldo!

Oh really...

Oh no... This is quite the pickle...

Oh! I'll be right back!

You there! Human! Speak-eth your concerns! I, the great raven tengu Izuna, shall see they are solved!

O-Oh, thank you. To tell the truth, lately there's been this monster messing with my fields...

Okay! Leave it to me! I'll fix it all up in a jiff!

Repent...and face divine punishment!

Phew! All in a good day's work!

Oh, no! The monster I was keeping in the fields...

I told you a hundred times to take it to the mountains! I had to trick this little lady into getting rid of it!

Trick...me?

Grrr...

I'm never believin' what humans say AGAIN!