Nilya's Name is Nilya

Hey, Nilya. How have you been now that things have calmed down?

You needn't worry about me! But I thank you for your concern all the same.

Yes, we're doing quite well. Not an enemy in sight. Hoh hoh hoh!

I am still struck by the strangeness of human beings, though. It's impossible to predict what they'll do next.

Yeah, we're a mystery unto ourselves, too, half the time.

An imperfect and irregular life-form you are. Entertaining to watch, but also a bit of a nuisance.

Then perhaps you would benefit from a measure of excitement.

You again! Yolya, right? What do you mean "excitement"?

Nilya, Jilya, heed my words. You're not the only ones to be born from the giant edaxian.

What?

There are others like me?

Indeed. Go to the Transforming Battleship and see for yourself. With luck, you'll be able to meet one of your brethren.

Our brethren?

If you want to see them, you should hurry before it's too late.

Too late? What do you mean?

You'll understand when you arrive. And I will enjoy what follows...

Now go, unto the fading glory that is the Edax Domain.

Other edaxians...

Alright, then let's go to the Transforming Battleship. Maybe we'll be able to find this new friend of yours.

Right. Let us be off, Aldo.

What the?!

Hm. They are indeed a tiny edaxian like myself.

But what is happening here...?

Hey, what's going on? What are you doing?

We could ask you the same thing. We came to apprehend this monster.

Monster? You mean the little edaxian?

Yes! He's the one who brought us into this strange world. This is all his fault!

What are you talking about?

It wasn't me! I didn't do anything! And I don't know nothing, neither!

Now scram. The monster's coming with us.

Hey, wait!

Get in our way, and we'll have to deal with you, too.

Wait. You there. You look like another monster to me...

And if I was one...?

Enough. Our mission was to capture the monster hiding out here, that's it. Don't go giving us more work to do, okay?

Hmph. Fine. Well, if you are a friend of the monster, you'll be dealt with sooner or later anyway. Let's move out!

No! Let me go!

Not so fast!

Aldo, do not be rash. We would do well not to fight the humans.

Ugh...

We weren't the only ones born of the giant edaxian after all...

Right, let's go to Unigan and see what's going on. We can't just abandon the little guy, right?

What is all this? What's going on?

They're going to execute that monster.

WHAT?! Why would they do such a thing?

There's been a weird rumor going around town...

A rumor?

Folks are saying it was them that cursed us and brought us to this strange world.

Them? You mean the little edaxians? People are saying they cursed us?

Yeah, so if we kill them all, the curse'll be lifted, and the world will return to normal.

That's ridiculous! How could anyone believe that nonsense?

No one knows what to believe. We've been cast into another world without any rhyme or reason...

And we have no idea when or if we'll be returned to our own world.

No matter the solution, we have to try something to get out of this situation...

But that still doesn't mean...

Don't get me wrong. Not everyone believes the rumors.

The king and the knights and all the other powers that be didn't even entertain the possibility.

But among the lower ranks and the commonfolk, some felt driven to act, even if it meant violence.

I don't know how serious they really are, but now that the wheels are in motion, there's no stopping them.

If we kill him, we'll all be saved! So get on with it! Kill him! Do it! Do it now!

Hear, hear! What are you waiting for? Get on with the execution already!

We have to stop this!

But Aldo, if we mess this up, we'll make an enemy of the humans in Unigan!

But...

I didn't do anything! Please! Why are you doing this?!

Quiet, monster. You can't fool us! We all know this was your fault.

Yeah, it's all his fault! So get on with it! EXECUTE THE MONSTER!

Prepare to die, monster.

Eep!

STOP!

Aldo!

Can't you see he's scared?

And just who're you?

It doesn't matter. What matters is that he's no monster! He's a life-form born in the Edax Domain!

You're human...but you're taking the monster's side?

I told you, he's not a monster! And whether I'm human or not doesn't factor into this. I always stand by those I want on my side!

If you side with the monster, then you may as well be one of them.

Stop this. I don't want to have to fight you.

Quiet!

Ngh!

Stop...this...

I thought I told you to be quiet!

Argh!

Aldo?!

Who is that woman?

She ain't human, that's for sure.

Monster! She's another monster! They're all monsters!

Death to them all!

Is this...humanity's true nature?

You see it true, Nilya.

On a night black as pitch, beneath a starless sky was I born. A mirror to your soul...

Your twin and your truth. Yolya of the dark!

I am one, and I am many... I am many, and I am one.

No! Nilya, you mustn't!

Humans...YOU are the monsters, not us!

Good, Nilya, good. Now tell me, what's your name? Go on, whisper it to me. Tell me your name.

My name...

Nilya, no!

Whoa! What the heck is that thing?!

You've revealed your true nature, monster! Prepare to fight!

You're in for it now, monster! Get her! Kill the monster!

Gyaaah!

Aaargh!

No, Nilya, don't! You have to stop!

It's no use... If you can't, then I'll have to make you!

Nilya, listen to me, please! I still believe in you!

So please, believe in us humans! You have to fight it!

That voice...

Heh, and while it hasn't been that long you've been to all our homes!

Nilya, welcome to the family! Hehe!

How wonderful!

Yes, and I am happy to be back. To see your faces again, there are no proper words to describe my joy.

Welcome back, Nilya.

Yes... My name... My name is...

My name...is Nilya. Forever...and ever...

I must apologize for my behavior, and thank you for saving me.

I am in your debt, Aldo. You brought me to my senses.

Selfish though it may be, we cannot simply abandon this world...

We are neither monsters nor fiends.

Yet I cannot deny the possibility that one day we may be reduced to such. It is no different for you or for us. The risk is ever present.

I can only hope that these events have helped us all to grasp this truth...

You were all under Yolya's spell, your hearts swallowed up by the darkness. The dark rumor that spread across Unigan was all part of Yolya's curse.

I'm sorry...

It was like we were all in some kind of trance. We weren't ourselves.

I'm really sorry.

Are you alright?

Yeah, thanks. I'm Kolya, by the way.

Like you, I was hoping to travel the world and see all kinds of things.

I think that's a wonderful idea.

But if you ever find yourself in danger, don't hesitate to call on us.

I will, thanks. Take care!

Until we meet again, Kolya.

Whew, that was quite the ordeal, wasn't it?

Hmph...

So, what are we doing here, Aldo?

Well, this is for you.

Is this...

I figured you'd probably never celebrated your birthday before.

No, I suppose I haven't...

So, happy birthday, Nilya! Welcome to this world.

Thank you!