Meeting You All

I will procure the medicinal herbs.

Then I'll find a good spot and invite Master Guildna.

Hey. What're you two talking about?

Ah, Aldo. I did not see you there.

Myrus and I were just discussing the necessary preparations for our duel.

D-Duel?! Not this again! If this is some kinda sibling rivalry, you're taking it way too far!

Why do you seem so surprised? You were there when we first discussed it.

Incidentally, why don't we have ourselves a duel one of these days? My consciousness was a little hazy, so that bout we just had was...not my best work. But I will win next time.

I look forward to it. It's been a while since we dueled!

Wait, THIS is what you meant by "duel"?! I thought it was just gonna be some kinda casual practice match. Nothing this serious!

That's what I thought too. But Var-var said if we're gonna do it, we should do it right.

This is more than just a fight for me. It is an opportunity to prove both myself and my abilities. We mustn't go easy on each other because we are family. It must be done right, as tradition dictates, else it loses all meaning.

You're...pretty serious about this, huh.

All right, Var-var. I'm gonna go find us a nice spot!

A nice spot? She makes this sound so casual...

Now then, I should be heading off to gather those medicinal herbs. Would you care to join me, Aldo?

Sure. Where're we heading?

I was thinking the Moonlight Forest. It's a long way, but a good place to find quality herbs.

The Moonlight Forest it is, then.

I picked a bunch of herbs, but...will this be enough?

Hmm... Perhaps a few more, if you would be so kind.

Why are we out here picking herbs anyway? Are there not enough in the village?

There might be, or there might not. There's no telling how severe our injuries might be. Once the duel begins, I doubt either of us will be backing down.

But even if the village were sufficiently stocked, I would hate to waste their precious stores on my selfish whims.

If you think things might get that ugly, couldn't you just agree not to hurt each other?

If only it worked that way. But that is not in our nature as beastfolk.

Even so, I am determined to see this through. I will not be satisfied until I can prove myself the stronger.

I can kinda see where you're coming from. It's easy to get carried away with these things, even with those you're closest to.

For me, it is precisely because we are so close that I feel we must do it this way.

If I loathed my opponent, I could simply unleash my hatred on them. However... I am fighting my own sister this time. I may have been the one to suggest the duel, but I still find myself...reluctant.

Then why not call it quits?

No, the duel must go ahead as planned.

But why?

Because I do not want Myrus to have to hold back anymore. She should be free to do as she pleases.

But she cannot do that so long as she sees me as weak.

When we were younger, I was too feeble to keep up with her during training.

I never managed to beat her in mock battle. Not once.

Everyone on the island laughed at me. They thought I was pathetic.

That's horrible...

Indeed it was. I couldn't bear the shame of being ridiculed, of my own weakness. Myrus grew stronger as the years passed while I remained weak and powerless.

Then one day, Myrus switched from her old faithful ax to a staff.

She changed her fighting style?

She gave a plethora of reasons for the switch, but I knew they were all lies. There was only one reason, and one reason alone. She did not want to hurt me any further.

I can't imagine that was the only reason.

I suppose she also did it to stop the constant comparisons. We used the same weapon, so the difference between us was clear. But after she began studying the staff, our mock battles ended.

Do you know how I felt when that happened, Aldo?

No, I can't say I do.

I felt relief, pure and simple. No longer would I be compared to Myrus. No longer would I have to keep losing those fights. My body was not the only part of me that was weak. My mind was, too...

I want you to see how strong I've grown. Then you will never hesitate to pick up an axe again.

Hesitate? Why would she do that?

Hehe. It's our little secret!

Is that the secret you guys were talking about?

Through this duel, I hope to purge any memories of my weakness from Myrus' mind.

But she used an axe back on Astra Island. It doesn't seem like she worries about that anymore.

Perhaps she doesn't, but I do. And I will not be satisfied until I prove myself with strength and not words. That, too, is in our nature as beasts.

Anyhow, I think we've talked enough.

Should we head back?

Not yet. There's somewhere else I'd like to go, if you don't mind.

Sure. Where to next?

Nowhere too far. Just a little deeper into the woods.

Ah, this takes me back. Do you remember this place, Aldo?

Yeah, it's where we had our first fight. Back then, I never could've imagined us traveling together like this.

I could say I was simply following the Beast King's orders, but...that would just be an excuse.

I am sorry for all the trouble I caused you.

Don't be. It's all in the past now.

But why'd you wanna come here?

Because I can think of no better place for us to fight.

Er... Fight?

Indeed. Would you do me the honor of fighting me here once more?

I don't mind, but...why me? Is this some kinda warm-up before your duel with Myrus?

You are no mere warm-up, Aldo.

I have always admired you, ever since I lost to you that day.

Really? I thought you would've hated me.

You bravely faced the Beast King to save your sister, despite knowing he was stronger than you. You did not let defeat stop you either. You stood back up and followed him here, then fought me. You were everything I longed to be.

Wow, I...never thought of it that way.

I ask again: Would you do me the honor of fighting me once more, so that I may begin closing the gap between us?

Of course! But I won't go easy on you.

I would not have it any other way. Prepare yourself, Aldo!

Let the fight...begin!

Ngh... You truly are strong, Aldo.

So are you. I mean, you're much stronger than you were back then.

But it's still not enough. At this rate, I will lose to Myrus as well... Perhaps it would be best to postpone the fight after all.

Don't let this get to you, Vares. It can be really scary going up against someone you lost to before. Honestly, I was terrified when I fought the Beast King at Miglance Castle.

You? Terrified?

But I faced my fear and took him on. And look where it got me. The same goes for you.

Though unlike you, I have yet to emerge victorious.

Still, you have my thanks. You have taught me a valuable lesson: that taking on the challenge is more important than winning it.

Let's go. Even if I cannot beat Myrus, I mustn't run from our duel.

Is that...?

Don't fret, Aldo. That is just my darling pet.

There, there. What's that around your neck?

Hmm... It's a letter from Myrus.

What's it say?

That she will be waiting in Resttin.

The village on Astra Island?

I should have known.

That place is full of so many bad memories... Which also makes it the perfect place to rewrite them all.

Come, Aldo. My duel with Myrus awaits.

Are you really gonna fight Vares?

Yup! It's what he wants, so I have to be supportive.

Don't worry, Feinne. If things get dangerous, Guildna and I will put a stop to it.

Just you wait and see, Your Majesty! Var-var and I will prove we're strong enough to be your retainers.

Don't worry about who wins or loses. Fight until you're both satisfied.

We've been looking for you. Are we not dueling in the village square?

No. They said we had to do it outside so we don't destroy their guardian deities.

That's too bad, seeing how important this fight is and all...

No, this will do fine. I can focus solely on the fight here, without having to worry about the village itself.

Good luck, Vares!

Okay, you two. Are you ready?

Set...

Aaand go!

Vares is being overpowered... He must be tired from his fight with me.

That is no excuse. One almost never does battle in perfect condition.

But they could at least do this another day.

It was Vares's decision to do this. Now he must win, no matter the circumstances.

Ngh!

Hehe. Give up?

(Is this really the best I can do?)

(No. I cannot give up, for Myrus as well!)

Hraaah!

Var-var?!

You really aren't messing around this time.

Well, two can play that game!

Let's do this, Var-var!

I will NOT lose again!

C'mon, they're taking this way too far now!

This is how our people duel, Aldo. Now quiet down. I will not stop the fight until one of them passes out.

Ungh...

It seems we have a victor.

What did you think, Myrus? Impressed?

Yeah... You've gotten so strong, Var-var. I wanted to prove I was still strong enough to beat you, but that didn't really work out...

Don't be ridiculous. You are most certainly a force to be...reckoned with...

Var-var!

He must have pushed himself too hard. I will carry him to the inn.

You did well, Myrus.

Thank you!

As did you, Vares. Well fought.

...Ah!

Oh, you're finally awake!

Myrus? What happened?

Don't you remember? You passed out after our duel. Master Guildna had to carry you here, so be sure to thank him later.

How embarrassing. His Majesty shouldn't have...

I wouldn't worry too much about it. He seemed pretty happy about our duel.

Speaking of, where is he now?

He said he was going to have a mock battle with Aldo. Apparently seeing your duel got him all fired up.

Now that you're awake, I think I'll head over myself. I don't wanna miss seeing Master Guildna in action!

Let's do this again sometime, Var-var. Next time, I'll beat you for sure!

I look forward to it.

(Var-var's actually looking forward to fighting me?)

(That's a first!)

Teeheehee!

What's so funny?

Nooothiiing!

...That was odd. In any case, I think I will go watch His Majesty and Aldo...

Ngh!

Please don't exert yourself. You're still not fully healed.

No, apparently not. Apologies if I startled you.

There's no rush. Let's just take our time.

A moment, Feinne. If you will.

Yes?

I wanted to apologize to you once more, for kidnapping you and putting you through that terrible ordeal.

I truly am sorry.

But you've already apologized for that! It's all water under the bridge.

Yes, but this time, I would also like to thank you.

Thank me? For what?

For the courage you showed when standing up to Agilat to protect Sidre. And for your words on the duty of the strong...

Only cowards bully the weak. Someone who's really strong should protect the weak, not hurt them.

You saw that?!

I am sorry I didn't make it in time to help you that day. But if it hadn't been for your words, I never would have become as strong as I am now.

Meeting you and Aldo changed me. It helped me grow. And for that, you have my most heartfelt gratitude.

My words just gave you a little push. But that alone can't change someone. You got stronger because you wanted to. You worked hard to get where you are.

So you should really be thanking yourself, Vares. You've come so far!

Thank you, Feinne.

I look forward to walking this road with you...

Toward a future where humans and beasts live in harmony.