What Can and Cannot Change

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Meryt?

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What's wrong, Meryt?

Oh, Lovinia. I didn't notice you there. I was lost in thought...

Worrying about the city again?

Yes, but don't worry. I'll be fine.

Still...

More importantly, I think it's high time we started working on those guardian deities you suggested. I want to preserve the memory of all those who gave their lives to protect our home, like Mythan and Diaan.

The city's finally calmed down, too.

Making now the perfect time to get started. Let's go speak to the sculptor.

Oh, it's the queen!

Good day, Queen Meryt. Taking a look around the city?

Queen Meryt, wanna help us look for Mr. Diaan?

Look for...Mr. Diaan?

Forgive him. The children still don't want to believe that Diaan is gone.

They insist that he's lost in Dhaat, the underworld of urban legend.

Let's look over there!

Out on patrol?

It's hard not to think about all the ones we lost.

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Oh! Hey, Aldo!

Hey there! I was just looking for you two.

What brings you to our city?

I came to see how everyone was doing. Do you need any help with anything?

Hah... Considerate as always.

Why don't you come with us to the sculptor's place?

Sculptor?

Yeah. She makes all kinds of things!

It's not far from here. Let's go.

That's right. You were trying to find some way to keep their memory alive.

Now that things have calmed down in the city, Meryt thought it was time we got started on it.

(This place is why Diaan, Mythan, and the others...)

I won't let them die.

Lady Meryt, please look after the children...and this city.

Is it possible to recover the husks of your comrades? I don't want to pretend that they never existed. There must be a way to preserve their memory.

The existence of Dhaat and those who created it are still being kept secret from everyone. That's why we can't let anyone know what they really look like.

So Meryt decided to use them as inspirations for statues. They'll be guardian deities!

Guardian deities? That sounds familiar...

Then we have a deal?

You can count on me, Your Majesty! As per your specifications, I'll create statues that are... Elegant, delicate, beautiful, and ephemeral while also majestic, noble, proud, and unforgettable...

Yet opulent, impressive, durable, and strong enough to still be standing in 20,000 years!

Perfect.

Are those "specifications" for the guardian deities?

Yes, I want them to be elegant, delicate, beautiful, and...

Okay, okay. I get the picture!

But you never told me you had such... extensive requirements. You didn't mention any of this when we discussed it the other day.

Well, I've been putting a lot of thought into what would be best.

By yourself? You could've mentioned something...

It sound like an incredibly tall order. Are you sure you can manage all that?

Have a little faith! I'll present to you masterpieces the likes of which you've never seen in about...

Three years!

Three years?!

Of course! It's going to take some time to meet all those requirements. I'd better get started right away!

I wasn't expecting this to take years... I really want to see how they turn out, but I guess I'll just have to be patient.

You know...there are guardian deity statues in Resttin.

There are?! Do you think they could be the ones we just commissioned?

Hard to say, but...I could take you there, if you want.

A trip to the future... Let me think about it.

Don't you want to go see the guardian deities in the future?

I do, but...I was just wondering if my instructions to the sculptor were clear enough. The statue we see in the future will be determined by what I ask of her now.

Well, why don't we check out the statues in the future... And if you don't like them, we can come back and ask her to adjust things.

Well... ...... I don't know.

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Come on, Meryt! At least tell me why...

Your Majesty, might I have a moment of your time? I feel I would make better progress on the statues if I had your help with something.

With what, exactly?

All I require...is a touch of those wonderful ears of yours!

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M-My ears?

You said you wanted them to be elegant, delicate, beautiful, and ephemeral while also majestic, noble, proud, and unforgettable.

If that doesn't scream "Queen Meryt's ears," I don't know what does!

Well, that was unexpected.

I'm sorry, but Meryt doesn't allow anyone to touch her ears.

Oh, I'm so sorry. How rude of me! But yes, I see. They are all the more sacred for being so untouchable. Please forget this ever happened!

Well, I wouldn't really mind, so long as it wasn't excessive...

What? But before, you...

Hah. But this has been refreshing.

I see now that there's no point in worrying about my instructions to her. Let us have Aldo take us Resttin!

O-Okay!

These huge, pillar-like statues are the guardian deities of Resttin.

So that's...what they were...

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So, um, what do you think?

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Hey. Do you think I made a mistake telling her about them?

I don't know. I don't necessarily think she hates them...or anything...

But now that I think about it, do they really meet all of those demands she made of the sculptor?

Art's so subjective, it's kind of hard to say...

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Back again?

You seem quite interested in the village's guardian deities.

They're nice statues. They're just...not quite what I was expecting.

Hm?

I see you're here too.

Oh, is that...

Myrus, Vares. Good to see you again.

Likewise. And we haven't seen Meryt or Lovinia since we met at the ruins. I hope you've all been well.

I heard that Master Guildna went to the Golden City. I'm sooo jealous! I'd love to visit if I ever get the chance!

If you do, I'd be more than happy to show you around!

Woohoo! If you'll be my tour guide, then I'll be yours! This isn't the only beastfolk village around, y'know!

I'd love that! What do you say, Meryt?

I am curious to see where beastfolk have settled outside of this island.

Well, Konium's a great village! You're gonna love it!

What brings you to Resttin, anyway?

Aldo told us about your guardian deities. We wanted to see them for ourselves.

Aren't they just wonderful? Whenever I come here, I always stop by to offer a prayer!

I like to think they watch over all the beastfolk from here.

So everyone loves the statue?

You betcha!

Oh... That's good.

While we're here, I think I might take a look around the village.

Would you like a guide?

No... I'll be fine.

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Meryt? Is something on your mind again?

Hm? Oh... Yes, I suppose there is...

You've been worrying so much lately, yet you never open up to me.

I...

Sorry, I'm not trying to blame you for anything. I just worry about you. You always used to talk to me, but ever since you became queen, it feels like... you just stopped.

...Sorry.

I-It's fine! Just let me know if you ever want to talk, okay?

I know I'm at fault. I'm the one who asked Lovinia to stay by my side, after all...

I know exactly what's causing this woe. But it's time to lay it to rest once and for all. And with him Guildna here, maybe this is my chance. Maybe talking to him will help clear this uncertainty...

There you are, Guildna.

Looking for me? It must be something serious, judging by your expression.

There's no need to look so worried.

Do you remember what I told you back in the Golden City? About how I passed through a vortex of light... I traveled through time and space and encountered an unknown people and an unfamiliar way of thinking.

You said you learned how difficult it is to lead a people.

Yes. Thinking back, it was a valuable experience for me. I got to meet you too. Before you fought the humans and got defeated by Aldo.

What?!

I could tell by the way you looked and carried yourself that it was you, some time during those sixteen years you lost. Back then, the fight with the humans seemed to be beyond the point of no return.

The people of this land all say the same thing. "Whoever has the strongest beastfire is king. And because he is king, we must obey." I find it so odd. It feels as if someone put this idea in their heads.

Do you have a problem with that?

Yes! How can you call yourself a king when treating your people like that?!

It has brought the scattered beastfolk together in almost no time at all. And we must stand united if we are to defeat the humans. I don't expect an outsider like you to understand our plight!

You were a completely different person back then. But your back was up against a wall. And you weren't alone. Everyone who followed your lead was there with you.

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Have you ever thought about... Going back in time and doing things differently? Finding a way to eliminate the conflict at its root? Maybe then you could save those you'd lost. You could stop the suffering before it starts...

Is that what you think about?

The people of my city mourn the loss of those who have passed, like Diaan and Mythan. I keep thinking what I could have done differently... I am not strong enough to simply accept what has happened.

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They gave their lives for me, but I never got to say goodbye to them. There is someone who I might have been able to spend time with as family, but now can't.

Just as there are things we can do in the present for the future... Aren't there things we can do for the present by changing the past?

Haven't you ever thought about asking Aldo to take you back?

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I think it's best to pretend I haven't.

*gasp*

Oh...I see... Yes, I had a feeling you would say that. I understand. We can't save everyone.

I would not be who I am now if things changed. I might no longer be able to lead my people or help my friends.

Yes...

I'm glad I sought you out. This has eased my mind.

Likewise. I never thought I could have this conversation with anyone.

Oho. What's this now? Finally some respect for your elders?

Hmph. You still haven't proven anything.

Grr...

Is a fight you want?

Hah! As tempting as that is, I'll have to turn down your offer...for now. I must return to the Golden City and speak with Lovinia.

Lovinia.

Yeah?

To be honest, the guardian deities in Resttin looked nothing like what I was expecting. But I decided not to say anything to the sculptor.

You mean you're going to leave them that way?

Everyone loves and respects them. There's no need for them to change. It also serves as a lesson to myself, that I cannot change everything to be the way I want it to be.

Was there something you wanted to change?

The past.

*gasp*

So that's what's been weighing on your mind. Diaan, Mythan, Farsa, the queen...

But if I start changing the past, where does it end? It's impossible to save everyone. As queen...rather than our past, I should focus of our present...and our future.

I agree!

I didn't want to tell you that I was dwelling on the past. I thought it disrespectful when everyone else was looking forward. But when I saw our people mourning, I wavered. I felt conflicted...

And I...I know my reticence has been upsetting you. And I am sorry about that.

Hehehe! Don't worry about it! I'm just glad you finally opened up to me!

Thank you, Lovinia.

Diaan and Mythan gave their lives for this city. We must look forward and not back, so that their sacrifices will not be in vain.

Then Mr. Diaan isn't in Dhaat after all... That means he's never coming back...

I'm afraid not. But he may be watching over you still, though you may not recognize him.

I'd like that!

We need to stay happy and healthy, or he'll be sad!

That's right. So why don't you try being a little less picky, for his sake?

No fair!

You know, there's something I've been meaning to say for a while now.

You're welcome to touch my ears, if you like!

Huh?!

Do you remember the conversation we had at the sculptor's house? Well, I was thinking. I wouldn't mind so much if you touched them.

Then when you were muttering about how you wouldn't mind, you meant me specifically?

I'm pretty sure I said how I wouldn't mind if it was you.

I think you left out the "you" part!

Buuut I guess you might've still been in shock from what the sculptor said!

Well, this is a new attitude for you.

Hah, go on then! Touch my ears to your heart's content!

You're making this weird...

But okay. Here goes... Hehe!