The Blessings Fall

All right, the ascension ceremony is complete. Sorry for the wait, Aldo.

It's fine! I didn't want to get in the way of the ceremony anyway.

Thanks to you, I had enough time to give a proper goodbye. Thanks.

Sooo... What do we do now? Since we're already here, how bout we kick back and relax a bit?

I'm afraid I can't. Seeing as it's ceremony season and all. We should get going as soon as possible.

Ceremony season? You mean other than the one you just did?

There's a ceremony that happens every year around this time here in Konium. And... I can't be here when it happens.

...And why is that?

There you are, Dunarith. My little la-a-ambs told me you were back in town.

...Uh oh.

Been a lo-o-ong time eh? Feels like just yesterday I was taking you to your prosperity ceremony.

Who's this guy?

This man took care of my sister and I when we lived in this village.

And I haven't seen you since you left.

You know, I need some help with the prosperity ceremony this year, and I think you owe me some help. How does that sound?

Ah, well, you see...

What is this prosperity ceremony, anyway?

It's a ceremony that goes back generations.

Kinda like the illumination ceremony?

In a way... Remember how the illumination ceremony guided souls of the dead up to the sky? If the illumination ceremony was a ceremony of the dead... The prosperity ceremony is a ceremony that celebrates new life.

Woah! So, it's like a good thing then! Why don't we go? I mean your old man went out of his way to invite us and all...

THIS is the reason I wanted us to leave as soon as possible?

Errr...Why?

My occupation ties me to the dead, not the living. My presence at the ceremony could have dire consequences for those children.

Oh...

Ba-ah-ah-humbug! I knew you'd say something like that, Dunny. That's exactly why I came to ask you in person!

What do you mean?

All the ceremony requires is a prayer in your heart. You pray for the dead so that they can live out eternity in peace, right?

You exaggerate...

You are surrounded by death, and that is why you respect life so much more than others! The kids will understand! Now come on. I ain't got a whole lot of time left myself, you know.

......

He's got ya there. And I mean, listen. You're one of the nicest guys around. I can't think of anyone better for the job.

Et tu, Aldo?

FINE! It looks like I have no choice.

Good. Cause it's not just me that wants this, the whole town is all-in on the Dunny-train. Head on over to Snake Skull Mescita when you're done preparing.

Well, looks like I need to change.

Aldo, go on ahead, I'll catch up.

Sure. See you at Mescita, then!

Here we are... Wonder what they mean by celebrating new life?

Sorry I'm late.

What. Is. That. Outfit.

Ah yeah, this is the traditional prosperity ceremony attire. That's why it took so long for me to get here.

And the feathers are...related somehow?

Yeah. We bless new life with the wings to achieve, these feathers represent that.

I see... So I guess my next question is... What do you actually do in this ceremony?

The reason we have it this time of the year is the seasonal winds. We use those winds to guide the feathers to the children from above, blessing them.

Sounds like I'm gonna need some tissues.

I loved it when I was a child. It was like, if you could see blessings with your eyes, I imagine they'd look just like this.

When you talked about new life, I was kind of expecting to see, you know, babies? The children here are already pretty big? Not exactly new life, here.

Heh, I see what you mean. The reason is our ancestors believed life was a gift from the garden of heaven.

What do you mean by gift?

Back in those days, most children didn't live long enough to see their horns grow. So beastfolk handled their grief by believing that dead children returned to the garden of heaven. These children are now of the age when their horns start to grow.

Ahhh, which means this ceremony is a... Okay I think I get it now.

Yes. This is to welcome these children officially to the village and bless them. These days most children live this long, but the tradition remains.

Sounds like a pretty big life event.

When the children's horns bud, they are blessed. If they don't they return to heaven. But...

But?

Nevermind. We should gather the children and get started.

May your path be guided by wings, from now until your end. Blessings be upon you all.

WOOOAH! This is SO COOL!

The feathers are so pretty!

Man. I am SO glad I convinced Dunarith to do this.

Congratulations. You lived to see the budding of your horns. I wish you all the happiness.

That was great Dunarith. Seems like everyone loved it.

I hope they did... I didn't think I had it in me to give blessings. But I was wrong.

Why would you think that?!

Because we do not belong to this village. My sister never reached this age. Yet, she still resides within me. Unable to pass on. I can neither celebrate her death nor her life. And it is my fault.

Ah... I see now...

How about I give YOU a blessing?

You? Give me?

I don't know a whole lot about how it works, but a blessing is just praying for someone, right? You're one of my dearest friends, and it's important to me you continue to protect your sister. I pray that the path ahead for you has even just the smallest bit of happiness.

You are too kind...

Celebrate might be the wrong word for this kind of thing, but...

You've done so much to try and save your sister. It's about time we recognize the good you're doing. Not sure if that's a blessing or not, but, yeah.

It is a blessing indeed, my friend. The best blessing I could ever hope for.

The year my sister would have gotten her horns, I watched the ceremony from afar. Instead of seeing her face under the feathers, I felt her cursed soul stirring within me. I thought, our lives would eternally be without blessing.

......

And yet...you bless us.

Thank you, my friend. I am truly blessed to have met a friend such as you.

Feelings mutual, Dunarith.

What was that?!

The snake dream?!

MMMmmm! There are just so many! I can't decide which I will devour first!

Who the hell are you?!

Ahhh, I've slept for FAR too long! Only the FINEST sacrifices to satiate this hunger! And after a little bit of non-stop torment, their souls will be curses incarnate! Yum!

Eat...their souls? Get back! We'll handle these things!

It appears my previous minion was destroyed. ...I'll have to change my plans.

Minion? Yeah this guy is definitely up to no good. Let's get em, Dunarith.

...Dunarith?

This miasma... I know it from somewhere...

I guess I'll have to make a NEW minion! My plant-soul eating minion was too weak! I need something with a little more of an appetite.

Huh?!

What's the scary ghost talking about, Dunarith?

Now. This one here lacks the magic needed to make a good sacrifice, but it might make a good minion. Hmmm...

He's going for the kid!

ACCEPT THIS MARK AS A PLEGE TO ME.

Not on my watch!

Ngh!

Aldo!

That was unexpected. My mark...missed...it's mark... Meh. Same difference.

WHAT HAVE YOU DONE TO ALDO?!

Figure it out for yourself.

Er. Hold on. Your soul... I remember this scent. No. Not your soul. The other soul inside of you.

So soft. So innocent! And yet, it overflows with despair! Mmmm... It would make a delicious sacrifice indeed...

What scent?

Ah yes. NOW I remember. The only soul that managed to escape my last awakening.

You can't mean...

That soul was the one I had my OLD minion chew, mangle, and torment!

You can't be serious... You're talking about Reliath?!

I was truly disappointed. To let such an exquisite feast pass me by. But...why do I sense it now?

You won't be around long enough to find out. I will finish you here, now, and once and for all!

Argh...

What's wrong, Aldo?

I'm afraid you're too late. You can try and kill me, but what's done is done. Soon, my little minion here will seek out that little soul. The one that escaped my clutches.

Damn't, wait! Arghh....

Aldo!

Dunarith... We can't let that thing get away..

Your safety comes first, Aldo.

If that thing gets away...

Don't worry. I won't leave your side. For now, let's get you back to Konium. Can you stand?

Hahhh... Hahhh...

You aren't injured, as far as I can tell... But you look to be in so much pain... It mentioned a mark. Perhaps that is what is causing you pain?

Urgh... Dunarith...

Aldo?!

I feel like I can't breathe... Like something inside me is very, very wrong. Like I hunger...for something...

What do you mean by hunger?

Oh no...

Have you...figured it out?

I've seen this condition once before.

It appears my previous minion was destroyed. ...I'll have to change my plans.

That mark is what is causing this hunger.

Damn...

The sacrifices it was talking about... Those must be the souls of beasts tortured into becoming evil spirits.

Urghh...How? Is this possible...

When the souls of the dead are tormented, they turn into a curse incarnate. Reliath met this fate.

Then that thing was...

Planning to take the weak into it's minion, and then slowly eat away at their soul! And when it's done, it will turn it into an evil spirit, and then devour it! Just like what happened to Reliath.

Urgh...

I could never figure it out... Why would a monster that only eats yuen herb souls, suddenly attack Reliath? Why eat a soul it couldn't consume?

It was all...that...thing!

Yes!

There's no time. The hunger that drove that minion mad, will make quick work if we don't hurry. And as long as you have that mark...

Then...eventually...I'll become one of those monsters...

Fear not, Aldo. I won't let that happen.

I-Is it better?

For now. This is only a temporary salve to stop the pain. We must destroy that thing and stop this cycle of madness. Let us go, Aldo.

He doesn't have a prayer.

What?!

Urgh...

Arghhhh...

What's wrong, Dunarith?!

No, Reliath. Aldo is different! Reliath! Please!

...Reliath?!

Feeling better, Dunarith?

Think so...

You were talking to your sister... Was all that because of her?

I can only guess, but... The spell I cast must have made her power swell within me... And for a brief moment I felt a feeling of despair so strong I could not control it. Perhaps that being brought back Reliath's painful memories.

Sorry...

I had no idea the pain she endured. How could she have endured that for so long?

Listen, next time the hunger comes, just leave me be, okay?

Better yet, let's kill that soul sucking bastard before the hunger comes back!

Sounds like a plan. I don't know how much longer I can contain Reliath's power.

It disappeared into the Snake Dream, right? We need to track it down before it's too late.

I think I might already know where it is, actually.

You do?

Bran here can sense the energy coming from the souls it eats.

He was looking for it this whole time?!

Yes.

...Yes. I see. Thank you, Bran.

It appears it holed itself up in Damaku.

Damaku it is then! Let's go!

......

Even without Bran, I can feel its presence. There's a thick, lingering scent of despair and pain... It's definitely close.

Hey you big ball of gas! Show yourself!

Humans are quite unpredictable.

You little...

So much confidence for someone who is about to die.

I'm immortal, you idiot. My soul can't be harmed by the likes of YOU two. I'd like to thank you for bringing my minion back, though. My sweet little sacrifice.

I am no ones minion!

And I am no one's sacrifice. The mere sight of you fills me with unspeakable rage.

I won't allow you to repeat what you did to Reliath.

Your reign of terror ends NOW!

Suit yourself! But remember, I'm immortal!

Let's cut this fool down once and for all, Dunarith!

Urgh, so much for this body, I guess!

You shall not torment others again!

Did we...do it?

It's hard to say. His reaction was too casual for someone about to die. But...why?

Argh! What the, !

Aldo?!

How can the hunger be getting stronger? We defeated the miasma!

There's that damn voice again!

Damn!

We...won't...let you...

We can't do anything to him as long as he is just a soul. We'll need to find another way to stop him.

Ugh... Aaargh!

Aldo...

Guagh! What...is...happening to me?! Reliath! No! You can't!

Dunarith!

Stay away, Aldo! Reliath's pain, her despair... The miasma brought it all back! This never-ending pain... It curses the world and all that reside within it!

Whatever you do Reliath. I beg you. Leave Aldo be!

Aaaaaargh!

Dunarith!

Ngh!

Shut up!

Say one more thing about Dunarith's sister. I dare you.

He spent his life trying to protect her! Like hell I will do anything to betray him!

Aldo...

SHUT...UP!

You don't understand... Aldo is...my...

Gaaaargh!

I WON'T...GIVE IN!

What?!

You would ask me to choose between my sister and Aldo?!

Take your deal...AND SHOVE IT!

Dunarith!

Like you'd ever let either of us go!

Ngh!

Stop Dunarith! Listen to my voice!

...I can hear Aldo's voice. I know what I must do... If I end my own life, he'll be saved. If I kill Reliath, then...

Du...na...rith...

Aldo!

What have I done?!

Aldo!

I DID NO SUCH THING! I wasn't trying to... ALDO! PLEASE! WAKE UP!

...... How could... How could I have done this?!

How about I give YOU a blessing? You're one of my dearest friends, and it's important to me you continue to protect your sister. I pray that the path ahead for you has even just the smallest bit of happiness.

Aldo was...everything to me.

And yet, I could not save him... I couldn't let go of my sister!

......

Aldo...

Please, wake up. Open your eyes. You do not deserve this fate. I do.

Stop Dunarith! Listen to my voice!

Aldo...

Hate me! Despise me. Your blood is on MY hands. This is a sin I can never atone for.

I killed you! It's all my fault!

Dinner is served.

You son of a...

What are you gonna do? Throw soul gas at me?

What I'm NOT gonna do. Is give up! I have someone to save. I have a whole world to save. This ISN'T how it ends!

Except, it IS how it ends. The fate of a soul is set in stone.

No, now's my chance! In this state, I can attack your soul!

Guagh!

You're wasting your time, guy. Without your body, you're just a lump of stupid and gas.

IT CAN'T BE OVER!

HELLOOO?! YOU. ARE. ALREADY...

Errr...what?

Such a sore loser...

Who's the loser?

What the?

Where the hell did you come from?!

You wanna get rid of this guy, right? I can help you there. Don't worry about the how. We can discuss them later.

Yeah, wait, you can give me that power?

Not just me... It's your power, too. I'd just be activating it.

I'm sorry, what power are we talking about again?

The power from all the souls Dunarith has guided to their final resting place.

The souls of those freed from their endless wandering.

They have blessed him during his travels.

What is this...

Okay, maybe "blessing" isn't the right word. But you could use those wishes, or whatever, here. Now. Use 'em or lose 'em. As they say.

I can...feel their power!

All right. Now I'm ready!

Hey, can't we just be friends? I wasn't really gonna...

FOR DUNARITH! FOR RELIATH! IN THEIR NAME I SHALL CUT THIS EVIL DOWN!

Guaaaaaaaaagh!

...And this time, it's gone for good.

Wait, where'd my body go?!

...It's time to go.

Time to go? You mean...to Purgatory? Wait! Please! There's still so much I have to do!

Huh? Oh, no, no, no. I didn't mean THAT "time to go." Sorry. I meant, it's time to go... back to your real body.

But how? I'm already dead! Dunarith attacked me, and then...

Ah, I could see where you two would see it that way. It all happened so quickly and all that.

Sorry, I don't follow.

I did a little something, just before your soul left your body.

Huh?

Listen, you were definitely going to die from that attack. So, I used the scythe of Purgatory to borrow that soul of yours, before you kicked the bucket.

I think I've seen Ilulu do that before...

At any rate. The scythe of Purgatory can remove souls from the living.

You can do that?!

Only temporarily. But yeah.

That said, it was kind of hard finding the right scythe for your...unique soul.

Meaning, you had to borrow from someone else? Why go that far to help me?

Our interests were aligned this time.

You mean...

That thing you just defeated. It was a nuisance to all those who wield the scythe of Purgatory. It was a twisted, demonic spirit that wandered this world and the next. So obsessed it was with its former life, that it learned how to consume other spirits while hiding from us.

Ah... So it was a wandering soul, then...

Yes, but this one was a particularly powerful one.

I overheard your conversation with Dunarith, and I got an idea.

And I'm glad I did. I got here just in the nick of time. You were about to be torn in two, and well Dunarith was doing all he could to hold back.

He was resisting, even up to the last second...

Thanks to him, you were able to survive with your body in tact.

You should count yourself lucky.

I do. You said before you were using Dunarith, but maybe I misunderstood your intentions.

Our relationship is mutually beneficial. When it comes to sending beastfolk souls to their rightful place, he's second to none. As for me, I'm just doing my job.

You say that, but... The truth is, you wanted to do something for him, isn't it?

Maybe you're right. I just can't stand to see him cry like that. All right, enough chatter. Let's get your soul back in your body.

......

Hahhh!

Hahh... Hahh... Wh-Where am I?

A-Aldo?! Y-You're back?!

My head feels a bit hazy, like I was in some long dream.

......

I remember seeing the embodiment of Reliath's rage...but after that... Nothing.

But I do know one thing. I defeated that monster's soul. It won't be coming back.

Be at ease, Dunarith. Reliath has been avenged.

......

Dunarith...

...Still, I've done something I can't take back.

I couldn't stop myself from... from hurting you...

I understand... But let's talk about that after we let everyone in Konium know the danger has passed.

......

Everyone was so relieved to see us...

Aldo... I understand what you said. But it doesn't change what I did. I was faced with the choice of either you or my sister. And I chose her. I could have killed you!

You know, Dunarith... All in all, I can't blame you for not abandoning your sister.

Aldo...

All told, I can't blame you for choosing family, Dunarith. Had I been in the same situation, I can't say I wouldn't do the same.

......

Because of what you did, your sister is still here. You didn't abandon me. You protected her.

But how do I know that I didn't just let my ego get in the way?

Dunarith...

I felt it it when I was connected to her memories. All that pain. I understood why she wanted to disappear. And yet I keep her here.

You've got it all wrong, Dunarith.

Am I?

Just before my soul returned to my body...

You say that, but... The truth is, you wanted to do something for him, isn't it?

Maybe you're right. I just can't stand to see him cry like that.

And that's where I saw it. A gentle, yet sad light twinkling by your side.

What?!

Like her soul was crying.

When I was little...I fell and hurt myself. Feinne got so upset that she cried even before I could. It kind of reminded me of that time.

Reliath...

We couldn't exchange words...

No words were exchanged. But her heart was without a doubt pouring out for you. She didn't look liked a trapped soul to me.

......

So please, promise me, Dunarith.

Promise you what?

We both have someone that we have to protect. In order to succeed... We have to keep helping each other.

Aldo...

I can't believe you still want to be my friend after all this.

You've been my friend since the day we met. And nothing will change that.

You really are a strange one.

My sins against you will never fade... But even if atonement never comes, I swear I'll strive to make amends.

Is that your response to my promise?

You could say that.

Then let's continue our journey. Together.

I'd like that.

Dearest Reliath. Hold on just a little while longer. I will not stop till I find a way to save you.

If only you could hear me...

Hey! Dunarith!

Huh?

Look up will ya!

What the, ?!

That was a feather from the prosperity ceremony, right?

Yes, but...how?

Looks like someone out there is wishing for your happiness. A blessing...