Heroes of the Old Days

All right! The road to Unigan is safe once again. All thanks to you Aldo!

Yeah, but, again, I didn't do any...

What do you mean you didn't do anything?! You picked the safest route to the monster! That's something!

Yeah, cause you told me to. I swear, our little exploits feel a lot more like paint by numbers than actual adventures. But I guess, at the end of the day we did what we came to do, and that's all that matters.

Paint by numbers? Exploits? This was as adventurey as adventures venture, my dear boy!

Yeah, I don't think we have the same definition of adventure.

An abandoned house at the outskirts of town! That's an adventure! Fights with never-before-seen, creepy and weird enemies! That's an adventure! Form bonds with allies to topple insurmountable odds! That's adventure, Victor!

Aha, so like...

An adventure that started at my house, the one at the edge of Baruoki? The one where you got magically whisked away to another place, and another time? The one where you fought a mysterious new foe?

A foe you only beat with the help of your friends? And if my intuition has it right, those allies were May, Nomar, Darunis, and Feinne? Am I right?

...Exactly? How did you... Why am I even surprised anymore.

Er, wait. ...Your house?

Yeah, my house! And I sure do miss it.

You mean to tell me that haunted house at the edge of town is yours?

I dunno about haunted, but yeah. Haven't been back since the whole bit with the eternal life.

Maisie has the key. Gave it to her when I left town.

Right, because you and May's grandmother were old adventuring buddies.

(Now it makes sense. But even if it wasn't his house he would have figured it out, I'm sure.)

It sure has been a while. Jeez. I'd say it's been a few decades, even.

Aldo, my boy. I feel a tingle tangle wanglin' in my intuition position. And it's tellin' me to go back home. Cause the fun is just gettin' started. You in?

Huh? Oh. Yeah?

All right. Let's get on, gettin' on home, then.

I mean, to the abandoned house, my dear boy!

Excuse the mess, I guess.

Nice to see not much has changed, though.

Are all these yours, Victor?

It's stuff me and my buddies found over the years. Let's see...

This box here? We found in the woods. Had a pretty wicked curse, too.

Doesn't look like much, eh? Which is why I couldn't help but open it.

And you got out okay?!

I'm here talkin' to you aren't I? This thing is a soul sucker. And it woulda got us if it wasn't for ol' Gileas. He found a way to save us all. It was a whole thing. Louise was all "take me not him!" Didn't take anybody though.

That big pointy club over there? Got it from a monster so big it could change Unigan to Unigone in one stomp of its foot. With the right kind of magic, that there thing can grow 10 times its size, and boy does it pack a punch.

You fought a monster that big?! And won?!

We gave em a little juice to relax 'em up a bit, and when his guard was down, that was that. You can thank ol' King Miglance for that one.

That's the bottle right over there, in fact. Then we got the necklace Maisie and Louise got at a fair. Shows you who your soulmate is.

Then there's the weapon that looks all old and rusty, until you pick it up and it turns all brand new.

I got a story for everything in this place, I better quit or else we may be stuck in here forever!

Seeing all this stuff... You and grandpa really did go on some amazing adventures, huh.

I bet you have a hell of a time imaginin' that old geezer goin' on any adventure. At least one that went farther than the bathroom. Hah! He sure was intense back then. More than all of us combined.

You sure it wasn't just you pressing his buttons?

I can neither confirm nor deny these allegations, your honor. Hah!

This was our base of operations. The five of us... All gathered here... We'd talk till the sun came up. Where we should go, where we messed up the last time... Adventuring was all we knew, and all we wanted to do.

Man, that sounds awesome.

Hey, I know. Why don't you tell me how your adventure went!

You mean the one that started here?

The ol' intuition says it's a good one, so tell me all about it!

Haha, okay well, here it goes.

It all started one day when I was with my friends...

I had just defeated the Spearbreaker with a sword forged by May and her grandmother...

Oooh! An unexpected alliance wins the day! Carry on!

I went to inspect the body, and when I did, I found it had turned into a curious piece of armor.

May's grandma was really proud of it. I was happy to help.

Aha! I knew it! You're talkin' about the armor from that one time.

The armor from that time?

Yeah.

This armor, right?

Uh...

Ummm... Hold on. Why are you...

Maisie brought this over a long time ago. If I got the two stories right, must have been just after she saw you.

You shoulda been there, man...

You IDIOT! How many times do I have to tell ya to stop bein' so damn reckless! You have no idea how much a pain in the arse you are!

We managed to find a way out though, right?

Aye, but we wouldn'ta had anything to get out of if YOU hadn't gotten us into it in the first place!

And anyway, I wasn't being reckless. It was my...

Intuition, right? You sure do trust that intuition of yours, it's all you ever talk about.

Exactly, Louise! A good adventurer needs to have a keen intuition. As sharp as the sword he carries! And my intuition is telling me we're about to be paid a visit by a certain someone!

Hellloooooooo?

Aha! I knew you guys'd be here!

What'd I say?

Intuition my butt. Maisie shows up here all the time, even I coulda guessed that.

Teehee... So, what's got you all excited? Have a new weapon for us?

No, not a weapon. This time I brought...this!

...Armor?

Not just any armor! This one's special!

I got it from defeating the Spearbreaker!

Don't tell me you fought that thing all on your own?

The one that's been wandering around the graveyard? I heard they've been having quite the time trying to defeat it.

Was everything all right? Are you hurt?

Hah! Yup! I'm totally fine. Stop being such a worry wart, I'm not a baby, you know!

I'd worry less if you'd stop showing up with all those bruises!

Okay, that's fair. But this time I was actually fine. I had backup!

Another adventurer?!

If by adventurer you mean a guy who took the weapon I made and went...

YAAAAAAH!

And then won, then yeah, I guess he was?

Calm down lass. This may be Victor's house, but you still don't want to end up breaking anything.

I think you mean BECAUSE it's Victor's house.

You sure are sweet on him, Louise.

Anyway! Once the Spearbreaker was dead, it went all PSSSH and then, POOF! There be armor.

Hmmm... So perhaps the Spearbreaker was armor once cursed by an evil spirit?

If that's the case, it could still be cursed. Better to put it in safe keeping just in case...

Aw man! Would you look at this? I can't take it off! It won't even budge!

You what?

Victor! No!

Wouldja look at that! Victor! It fits you perfectly! Kinda like it was tailor made for you, in fact.

You...

IDIOT! You don't just go wearin' any stupid armor you find on the ground!

I mean... It's just kinda hard to resist, right?! It's rare armor! Of course you try it on! How was I supposed to know it had some kind of weird curse of binding put on it.

One of the tamer curses we've come across, huh.

After all the cursed items we've come over, did you not think for a second this thing might be cursed? You adventure obsessed idiot!!

You sure you can't take it off, right? If not, I'm gonna have finish my work while you wear it. That okay?

I was using it as reference for this new armor I was making!

This thing is definitely not coming off any time soon, so I guess you got yourself a model!

Er! Maybe I can help? Allow me to, uh, remove your... teehee...your armor? You're welcome!

Ergh.... Hngh.... Nnngh!

What is wrong with this stupid thing! It's like it's part of you!

What'd I say? It's cursed! You okay Louise? Didn't hurt your hands or anything did it?

My hands? What? No! They're fine! Absolutely fine... Teehee...

Well then, there's only one thing left to do. We smash 'em to pieces. Victor and all.

NOOOOO! Do you even realize how hard it was to get this armor?!

Hah! We're fresh outta options, eh?

Sounds like someone's having fun.

Al! There you are!

Long time no see Albert! How'd you sneak out of the castle this time?

Trade secret. Anyway, what'd I miss?

I put on this armor, you see. And now I can't take it off. Turns out, the armors cursed.

Cursed armor, eh? That doesn't sound good. Fill me in.

Hmmm... You're gonna need to find out more about this armor, so why not check out the graveyard for clues?

Such an obvious idea, but when Albert says it, it has so much... gravitas?

You do a lot of public speaking in my line of work.

Well then, why don't we head down to the graveyard? It's been a while since Al has joined in an adventure. Should be fun!

I'd love to join, but I'm afraid I can't. With the coronation coming up, I only have enough time to say a quick hello. I barely have enough time to sleep!

Oh... Okay. Well, just don't work too hard. The kingdom needs their king healthy!

You got it, Louise. Anyway, tell me all about it next time, eh?

I'll keep the glasses cold for ya.

We still need to finish our little contest, Gileas.

Oh, it's on. Just make sure you come with an empty stomach.

Sounds like a plan. Make sure Victor stays out of trouble for me, eh?

I refuse!

Countin' on ya Gilly! You know how I can be!

I said I REFUSE!

Well then, let's head to the graveyard! Leave no tombstone left unturned.

It's adventure time!

Another peaceful day in sunny Baruoki! But maybe I should take care of a few things before I set off.

Hngh!

You okay, Victor?

This thing keeps getting...

Ngh! Yup. The further in we go, the tighter this armor squeezes.

Maybe we should turn back?

Shoulda listened! Now that thing's gonna strangle you to death.

More like crush my bones. Or at least that's what it feels like.

But hey! The ol' intuition is telling me there's a bad guy here in this graveyard. And all this crackin' means we're getting close.

But, we already took care of the Spearbreaker?

Forgot to mention, my intuition says I gotta do this on my own. Sorry guys. This adventure's a solo campaign.

You what?!

It's too dangerous to go alone, Victor!

Don't worry, I'll be fine. Intuition is shoutin' from the rooftops for me to go. So I reckon it's probably what I gotta do. Just trust me on this.

Victor! Wait!

That damn intuition again. He's gonna get a right talkin' to when he gets back.

Should be around here somewhere...

Where...

Where...is...it...

Theeere he is!

Hm?

You!

Hey. Let me just get right to it. This your armor? It's gettin' real tight.

It is! And I was looking for it, so...

Aha. So you must be the Spearbreaker fella everyone's been talking about.

Uh...Yeah! That's me. In my past life I...

Died with regrets, right? And that's why you remained here, haunting this armor. And BEFORE you died, you were an adventurer, am I right?

...How'd you know?

An adventurer's intuition, my good ghost.

A fellow adventurer, eh?

Well, you're right. I died before my time, and that left a lot of regrets. So much, I guess it kept my spirit from moving on, cause before I knew it, here I was, in this graveyard. That armor there was the armor I wore back in my hayday. So when I was looking for a place to rest, the armor seemed like a perfect fit. Anyway, I figured, if I'm gonna pass on, I'm gonna need to take care of some things up here. So I put on the armor, and tried leaving. Turns out, I had a lot more regrets than I realized... Cause all that stuff turned me into kind of a monster...

So, you became a Spearbreaker that attacked everything in its path! And when Maisie defeated the Spearbreaker, you got your conscious back!

Am I right?

100% on the money.

Listen, speaking adventurer to adventurer, I need to ask a favor. Those regrets...

You want me to take care of em, right? No problem. Leave it to me.

Thanks. I've been here for so long. Haunting this stupid graveyard...

Let me tell you how it happened... I was battling this extremely powerful foe, and we had it cornered. It was destroying villages, killing innocents. Real bad stuff. So, here I am, about to finish it with my special attack, and all of a sudden... It targeted a villager who was trying to escape. I went to defend them, and... Big ol' claw to the neck, and that was that.

I see, I think I get it.

Get what.

Well, if my intuition is sayin' what I think it's sayin'...

You're mad you didn't get to do your special attack! That's why you're here. You're waitin' for someone reeeeal strong to come up so you can let loose.

Yeah, uhhh, I dunno if that's...

Allow me to free you from those spectral chains, friend!

That's not...

Don't worry! Just give me all you got, I can handle it!

But, my regret isn't...

Well if you're not gonna attack first then let me do a little instigatin'. The intuition is tellin' me we should both do our secret attacks, that should really do the trick!

Give me a sec. Need to charge up here...

Wait! Stop!

This right here's called an iai stance. Learned out east. You ready?

Exorslash!

GWAAAAA!

I shoulda known you'd be trouble. I was doing my best to choke you with that armor and you were totally fine!

You are definitely no average adventurer! I better finish you quick before this goes south...

So you're finally taking this seriously!

That's the spirit, my undead friend! Gimme all ya got.

You little...

Urgh...

And now to finish the job!

That's enough of that. ...Feel better?

Come ON! It doesn't work if you get hit on purpose.

Sorry, I just really wanna help you free yourself from those regrets. You know, one adventurer to another.

So just relax. You're suffering is finally over.

GRAAAAAH!

And, that's the story of how I saved the grieving ghost at the gloomy graveyard. After that, the armor was fine! End of story.

Er. That makes no sense.

What do you mean?

He kept trying to tell you it wasn't about a special attack!

Was he? But he fought me with all he had.

It sounds like you did what you wanted and didn't even listen to what the poor guy was saying.

Nice to know your intuition wasn't always right. (No wonder Grandpa hates hearing about it.)

You ever think about the possibility that ghost never left and is still wandering around that graveyard?

No?

If he is, then he's been there for decades. We should probably go see.

Yeah, but, my intuition?

What does it say now?

......

...That I should go to the graveyard!

See? Now, let's go!

O-Okay?!

(The boy's sure actin' more and more like his grandpa...)

Everything okay, Victor?

Mmmm... The armor is tightening.

It is?!

Seems like history is repeating, my dear boy. Not only can I not take the armor off, it's squeezing me to death.

That's...bad. Looks like the curse never left, eh?

Hah! It would appear so!

This isn't funny! We gotta hurry and...

What was that?

Dunno, but we should probably go find out, eh?

Urgh... Man I don't remember it being this strong!

I mean, he's had a few decades to stir over it, you know!

He's here. I can feel it. You were right Aldo. He never left.

Hm?!

The next time that idiot with the red hair shows up I'm gonna show him a thing or two...

Oh, does he hate you, Victor.

What was that?

MMM?

MMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM??

YOU!

Heyyy, there's my ghost from another host! Why are you here? I freed you, right? Regrets go bye bye.

Are you SERIOUS? You really thought you freed me? You're being serious right now. Like, you... I can't... You gotta be kidding me. You're totally serious.

Uh...yeah?

Well you didn't, you IDIOT. Did it even come across your little idiot pea brain that you MIGHT need to hand over the armor first? You just walked in, did your little stupid-dumb, stupid, fart-for-brains iai slash or whatever and walked off. And I just sat here, for god knows how long, waiting for you to come back. I don't even remember why I ended up here. The only "regret" I have? Is you. It's you. You're my regret. I'm a big blue ball of miasma or whatever because of you.

Well, don't worry cause today's the day. My intuition says you're about to get a one way ticket to freedom.

Victor, I don't think we should mention the ol, uh, you know.

OHHHHHHHHHHHHHH! Your intuition is telling you that! Well THAT'S a different story. Whew. I think I need to kill you. Like, now.

I think maybe we should get our swords out.

Sounds like a plan, my dear boy!

Sorry to have kept you waiting, friend, but this time I'm not leaving till you're free.

What a fight! So much power, I can't even move!

Urghh...

I win.

Victor!

I...lost?

Not again...

Don't give up!

What?

Yeah, you lost, but we're not here to fight. We're here to understand why you can't leave. Please, tell us.

Ugh, can't you guys just leave me alone?

Listen, I admit it. I was wrong. I was young, I mean, I'm still young, but I'm also older. It's complicated.

I don't care, you haven't changed a bit!

Wait... It's been decades at the least. Why haven't you... Don't tell me you're also...

Okay, fine. If you're WILLING TO LISTEN THIS TIME, I'll tell you. You know the story about how I died? Well, the thing is, the monster cut off my head, and it was never found.

You mean when the monster cut your head off it went flying somewhere?

Aha! The ol' intuition says...

VICTOR! What did I just say!

Let the man speak.

All right...

(Oh, Aldo... I'm feeling great energy from you. It's greater than that I feel from Gileas!)

So basically, you were buried here headless?

Exactly. And after that I showed up here as a ghost. Cursed to walk this graveyard until I get it back.

Find your head, eh? Easier said than done given how much time has passed.

I was wearing a helmet that matched that armor. So, if you can find the helmet, that should do the trick.

All right. Then let's go find that helmet.

Aldo, my boy, that won't be necessary.

Hm? What do you mean? We gotta find the helmet, Victor. He just said...

I know. We don't have to go find the helmet.

Because I already have it!

......

......

WHAT?!

But how?

I found it on one of my adventures. There was this underground monster nest. And all the monsters there wanted the helmet. They went crazy for it. They were causing problems for adventurers, so I went to check it out. Badda bing badda boom. No more monsters, and I got the helmet.

So... all this time... You had the armor AND the helmet?

The helmet was giving off a lot of anger and despair...

So I decided to take it with me!

I don't get it. What does feeling anger and despair have to do with taking it with you?!

Cause, I figured if I brought it on a few adventures, it'd cheer up!

Why would you think that? It's just a helmet!

You took the helmet...on... adventures?

Okay, but why did you never wear it?

Well, if I'm being honest...

It's kind of a lame helmet!

Victor! He's standing right there!

Guha! Guhahaha!

What's so funny?

I don't know why, but I feel a little better. Still annoyed! But, a little less angry.

Victor, was it? I see you really do love your adventures.

Yup, my favorite thing in the whole world!

Yours too, right?

.......

Seein' the world, sometimes gettin' into more trouble than you can handle... Laughin' with your friends, explorin' new places... It's not all good, but that's what makes it special, right?

No matter how the adventure ends, it's always with you. A special little memory.

Victor...

You're totally right. I had a lot of fun. Maybe even more than you!

Hah! Well, I'd love to hear some stories sometime!

I didn't take you for the listening type. But maybe another time. You have your own adventure to go on. I hereby give you, Mr. Stupid Adventure Addict, permission to keep my armor and helmet.

You mean...

All right! I'm gonna take you all over, see all the sights.

...Exciting fights too...please...

You sure?

Yeah... I still have regrets. But, I'm just all out of energy. So I'm gonna take a nap, until the next adventure.

All right. And I'll be sure to wake you up before the next one, all right?

Well, looks like your intuition was right again.

Glad he could go with a smile on his face.

You saw his face?

Nah.

Just my intuition.

Hah. Right.

Now that the adventure's over, how bout we head back to Grandpa's?

Yes, much to tell ol' Gilly.

...And that's how we freed the ghost that was haunting the graveyard.

I see, quite the story.

So when you said everything was taken care of, nothing was taken care of! Typical!

I mean, I thought it was!

You sure are something else. Wish I coulda talked to the ghost about you. We'd prolly talk for days.

Yeah, you're probably right.

I really was full of myself back then, huh?

That stupid intuition of yours was never a hundred percent! Remember when you told us to make a right turn in that labyrinth? We fell down a hole! Push that button? It was a trap!

But I'll be damned if it was right way more than it was wrong. And that's what makes me so mad!

Hah, maybe he was just lucky?

Can't believe I thought he could see the future.

In my defense, I got better at it as I got older.

And on that note. The ol' intuition says we're about to greet a guest!

Who?

As I live and breathe!

May's grandma!

Got it again.

No, I invited her over!

He told me not to act too surprised.

But I knew. I knew it'd be you. I could tell by the look on Gilly's face.

Hasn't changed a bit, has he? Hah!

And you too, Maisie. You look great.

Hey, right back at ya. You haven't changed a bit.

Hah. Feels like I've traveled back in time. So glad I could live this long. Never thought I'd get to talk with the two of you about adventures again...

Maisie...

Oh, and Victor. Those swords. One of them's Gilly's, right?

You remember that?!

Of course. Who do you think I am?

And the other one's yours, right?

Still dual wieldin' after all these years, huh? Wish I was as strong as you.

Not exactly. I only use the one, cause the other one's meant for someone specific.

But you already slayed that thing, right? So you can use both now.

......

Oh yeah! I totally forgot!

Yeah, I can use both! Thanks for the reminder, Aldo!

I just...nevermind.

Now that ye can use your own, how bout ye give me back mine!

I would, but I just got so used to having it, you know...

Oh, so ye're a thief now, eh?! That's my sword!

Grandpa, calm down.

Never a dull moment with these two. Haha!

I'm sure Albert and Louise are laughin' from up above.

I bet they are! This idiot will never grow up!

You guys...

How bout I go get us a few drinks, enough for the five of us. And some milk for you too, Aldo.

Let me help.

Such a sweetie. All right, Aldo, you get the snacks.

......

(Louise... Al...)

Victor, why so glum? Come on! Join us!

Hm?!

Oh Victoooor! You gonna help us, or what?!

Huh? ......

I'll be right there!

I was around five years old... I caught this huge fish, bigger than me. But I accidentally let go of it. So no one believed me. Made me so mad I couldn't stand it. Haven't done it ever since. Maybe I should, though. Bet I could catch a biggun.

Wonder what happened to the treasure we put at the bottom of this well. If I remember correctly it's stashed back in our little fort... Oh well, might as well leave it for someone else to find. Hah!

Ol' Gilly's dad is just as ornery as he is. Maybe even worse. Just walkin' by this place gives me the heebie-jeebies.

Back when I was a kid, I'd hide at the bottom of this well... Usually when I got scolded, or when I screwed things up. I'd sit down there, bawlin' my eyes out with my hands on my knees... All the while people up above were lookin' for me... I wonder why I stopped...

Ah, I love this sound! Maisie, one day you're gonna run this place. Be the best blacksmith in the land. And we're gonna be your best customers!

Louise isn't from Baruoki originally. But when she touched the prisma for the first time she instantly fell in love. Said, she loved seeing the place her allies grew up in, made her feel more connected to us. Made me happy too. Doesn't matter where you're from. It's all about who you're with.

When Al was little, he'd sometimes come and visit with his dad in secret. This right here is where we played hide and seek. He'd always be nervous at first, but by the end of the day he'd hide better than any of us. Guess that's how he got so good at sneaking out of the castle. Hah!

Hey now. How bout we hold off on the shopping till after we get back. We're gonna need to stock up a lot. That Maisie, she could eat a horse. Louise on the other hand, is mostly content watching the rest of us. Gileas and Al, well, they'd never let the other get the best of each other. And me? Well, I'm always the last one in bed. Heh. That's always my favorite part of the night.

Hey guys! Didn't expect to see you!

We're off on another adventure, actually.

Cause SOMEBODY decided to put on cursed armor again.

Yeesh, another curse, eh?

I know you guys are strong and all, but be careful out there, eh?

Our little Albert is finally becoming king. I still remember the little boy crying his eyes out cause he couldn't jump rope. Time sure does fly!

Now he's too big for his britches!

Who's acting too big for his britches now? Remember, you were terrible at jump rope too. Always losing to Victor...

Well, I was a lot better at turning the rope than he was!

What are you two talking about? I was the best jump roper!

I wish there was a way I could grow up really, really fast.

Why?

Because then...

I could marry Victor!

I don't think you should...uh...

Ahahaha! Looks like you got yourself a rival, Louise!

Victor, that new armor sure makes you look different...

I'm getting serious "demon lord" vibes, actually.

Hah! If I'm the demon lord, then you be the adventurer that's trying to stop me, okay?

Come on, adventurer, show me what you got! Grrarrrrrr!

Eek! You're too scary, Victor!

I really admire you, Victor. All that thunder cracking and all.

Hah! It's not easy, I'll tell you that. I feel electric shocks all over, even in my hair. Like it's flowin' through my veins.

Sounds dangerous.

Wanna find out?

First, you've got to understand the origin...

Uh, how bout I take a rain check.

There's nothing up there for us. My intuition says we need to go east of the village!

The ol' intuition says we're headin' the wrong way.