A Place to Call Home

This whole place seems a lot busier than the last time I was here. Did something happen?

Whoops! Sorry!

N-No, that was all my fault. I'm the one who should be apologizing.

Oh, is that you, Al?

Al? Wait a minute... Is that you, Mistrare?!

It is! Forgotten my face already, huh?

Of course not! You just look different than usual...

Oh, right! It's for today's signing ceremony...

Signing ceremony?

It's a diplomatic matter between the church and the Winged People's Village.

Seze!

She's our village representative. She's just completed the formal exchange of signatures with the Supreme Cardinal.

Really? I wish I could have seen that.

It wasn't all that exciting. It's just that the church and village have been so busy... That we never got round to putting our business down in writing before.

But now it's all official. Friendship and cooperation in perpetuity, that sort of thing.

So that's why everyone's been hurrying about the place today. And Mistrare, I'm guessing you're here with Seze in order to record it for your village?

There is no greater day than this for a Storyteller and keeper of the Winged People's history! I'm wearing my formal Storyteller robes.

Formal robes, eh? So this outfit is traditional or something?

Yes! It's been handed down the generations, ever since the very first Storyteller. And yet it hasn't aged. Isn't it amazing?

It belonged to the very first Storyteller?! That really is amazing...

But, yeah, um. It really suits you, Mistrare!

*giggle* Thank you. But...

At the end of the day, I'm just here as record keeper and Seze's companion. So by all rights... Seze should really be wearing the other formal robe that has been handed down in the village.

So there's another one of them?

Yes. The two of them are sort of a set.

I'm fine dressed as I am. It's true I'm representing the village, but that doesn't make me the mayor or anything. I don't intend to put on airs or act like I'm better than anyone else. It's just...

I just want to fulfill my mother's dying wish.

Oh, Seze...

Besides. Unlike Mistrare, there's absolutely no way I'd suit something so cute and dainty.

What?! That is not true! You definitely...

Well, well, well! Well well well well!

I know that voice...

You had a style update, Noah? I LOVE that color on you!

And what's this? There's ANOTHER new-style Noah?!

What's with you, Noah?! You changed looks AND learned how to clone yourself?!

Grrr! Thillelille may be a bit slow, but even I know something's not right here! You're not Noah, are you?! You're those creatures from the moon...

Bleeep!

WHA?!

What was that?

What's going on? Why are there moon rabbits all over the place?

So those things are rabbits?

R-Rabbits?! What are they doing here? In any case, such chaos cannot be ignored! If they wander outside the church grounds, they could get themselves lost.

I vow to bring you safely back home to the moon, my children.

My, my... With a face like that, you'll be lucky if they don't all run away.

My first time back in a while, and already something has gone wrong.

Oh dear! This is like something out of a fever dream.

I had assumed that rabbits could only survive where there are sufficient magical elements... But thinking about it, if Noah was able to adapt to our planet, it can't be impossible.

Blip! Blep!

This is no time to be talking. We must do something about this mess.

What the?! Now there's something I didn't expect to see today. I almost thought you were a hallucination from overwork.

Loiter at my feet and I might accidentally tread on you...

...... Are you enjoying yourself there?

This doesn't look good. Should we chase after the rabbits?

We should. Though I can't help but wonder if everything's okay on the moon.

Rabbits from the city on the moon are flooding into the cathedral, and they're clearly panicked. What if something has happened up there?

Leave us here to deal with these rabbits. You should go to the moon and find out what's causing this. There's no point in catching them if we can't send them back.

Seze...

Thank you so much!

Let's go, Al!

Off to the Lunar Ghost City we go!

It's as quiet as ever here.

It is. Though this is my first time coming back here since our adventure together... Maybe it's because the rabbits aren't here, but the place feels even more lonely.

It's strange, isn't it? I was born in the Winged People's Village and never lived here like Mel and Clary did. But looking around this abandoned city, there's something about it that just makes me feel so...forlorn.

Do you think it's because it's the Winged People's homeland?

I wonder... I don't think "homeland" is quite the right word for it. This isn't a place I, or we, could call home. After all... This was where those intent on causing pain to innocent people lived, carrying out their Paradise Plan.

Mistrare...

But we have more important things to worry about right now! We must find out why the rabbits came to the church.

Right. But nothing really looks particularly out of the ordinary here.

No. I wonder what...

Hm? I heard something just now.

You did? I didn't hear anything. Was it some creature crying again?

Yes, but it sounds odd. It sounded like it was saying "master" or something...

Master? That's an unusual cry...

I heard it, too! But that wasn't some creature crying!

No, that was someone's voice! It sounded so clear! Al! I think the voice came from over there!

There's light coming off of that rabbit?!

It looks like it's asleep. Why is it glowing like that?

Oh! There's that voice again!

Whoa?!

Welcome back, Master! I was waiting for you!

What the?! It just talked?! And it's saying you're its master...

I-I don't understand. What is going on?

Have you finally finished your work on the blue planet? Oh, how I've missed your smell! Oh, how I pined for you!

Um, I'm not...

Master? What's wrong? Did your mission on the blue planet take so long that you forgot all about me?

Ah...! You're not my master?! Your clothes smell of my master, but your body smells of someone else entirely! You have the same hairstyle, but your face isn't hers... Who are you? And why are you wearing my master's robes?!

P-Please calm down! These are the Storyteller's robes! They've been handed down in my village for generations!

No! That is the outfit my master had made specially for when she went to work on the blue planet! Did you... Did you steal it from her? You stole from my master!

No, please listen to me! This must be some kind of misunderstanding.

Ouch!

Mistrare, are you okay?

Yes, it's just a scratch...

Feigning ignorance, are we? Saying you don't know my master... Well, fine. Now that I'm finally awake, I'll just look for her myself!

I know! My master's archives... I'm sure there'll be loads of clues in there. I'm coming, Master!

Hey, wait!

Oh, boy! He seemed incredibly confused.

Yes... He scared me. His face seemed so sad, so frightened. These traditional robes once belonged to the very first Storyteller. What if they do actually come from...

Al, we must follow that rabbit! We cannot leave him be!

Got it. He said he was going to the archives. So let's pay them a visit as well.

Doesn't look like he's here.

But I felt the rabbit's magic. He must be around here somewhere.

Oh? Look over there...

What's that?

"My departure for the blue planet has finally been set. How long until the Paradise Plan is achieved, I wonder?"

Is that...?

Yes! I can hardly believe it, but this is a note written by a Winged Being! And this name written underneath the note... That's the name of the first Storyteller of the Winged People's Village.

Really?! But if the first Storyteller was this Winged Being, then...

Yes. That means one of the Winged Beings fell to the valley floor and became the Storyteller of our village. I had no idea that the first Storyteller was actually a Winged Being working on the Paradise Plan...

Mistrare...

Wha?! The note just changed!

It looks like it turned to a different page...

This note must have been written just before she left to execute the Paradise Plan on our planet.

There's a date written here. The timings line up. So she put that rabbit into stasis while she was away from the moon.

Another page...

What? What is this?!

Mistrare? What's it sa...

What was that sound?

Maybe it's him?

It's Lunique, isn't it?

...... A few years at most.

What?

That's what my master said, before she put me to sleep...

What?! You won't take me with you to the blue planet?

But! I'd take that over being parted from you, any day!

I don't want to wait. I don't want to be without you. And... And you always talked to me about the blue planet, saying how beautiful it is... I was really looking forward to seeing this wonderful place with you! So please...

Master? But... I thought your mission was to record loads of information about the blue planet? Didn't you say it was biological research or something? It can't be that dangerous...

Master...

What?

Wh-What's happening?! What did you do to me?! Master! Master, don't go!

That's all I can remember. After that, everything was hazy. Then I smelled her scent, ever so faintly. When I opened my eyes, you were there. I thought she'd come back to me, like she promised.

......

But what's going on here? It's not just my master. The whole city's gone.

I'm so sorry to tell you... But your whole country has been destroyed.

Destroyed? No, that can't be! I slept through the whole thing?

(It must be hard to believe. While he was sleeping, his dearest friend passed away. And then the whole country fell... If I were in his shoes...)

I'll never get to welcome my master home ever again... Never...

Lunique...

I'm so sorry for appearing before you in the clothes of someone you loved so dearly... Even if I didn't know I was doing so. I have tainted the memory of your master. These robes... You should have them.

But...those robes...

You didn't steal them after all, did you? Even so, you'd offer them to me?

Huh?

To be honest, I wasn't angry because I thought you'd stolen them. Well, I was for a second. But really, it was something else... You're just like my master. So kind, so warm... And yet, you're not her. And that's what made me take my anger out on you.

I'm sorry. I'm terrible. My master would hate me...

I'm sure that's not true. All of this anger and confusion and sadness you feel... It's because you love your master dearly, and you've been waiting for her, all alone, this whole time. How could anyone reproach someone like that? I couldn't, and I'm sure your master couldn't, either.

But...

Hm? What's this? The Paradise Plan? Go down to the blue planet... Deceive the people and bring them to the moon as pawns in our war.

That's...

Wh-What is this? B-But that's not biological research? My master went to the blue planet to do THAT?!

Lunique, please calm down! It's...

What was that?! Was that a roar from outside?

Let's go, Al!

Lunique, hide in here!

......

We'll be back! Let's go, Mistrare!

Lunique!

Huh?

Your master's notes are kept in here! All the things she wanted to say to you, but never could... She wrote them all down. So read them. They are more than just a record of facts from history.

They are words written by your master herself. Please take them!

Master's...notes...

......

Another tremor. What's happening?

Al! Over there!

Mechanical weapons! And rabbits?

Oh! Perhaps the reason why all those rabbits flocked to the church...

Was because the mechanical weapons have been terrorizing the moon?! They came to take refuge?

Citizens of the empire?

No, not us. I may have wings, but Al and I are from the blue planet...

Mistrare! I don't think we can talk our way out of this!

N-No, you're right! I'm sorry!

Ugh! But...don't you find it strange? These mechanical-weapon soldiers belong to the empire, right? Why would they want to eliminate citizens of their own empire?

That's a good point. They're acting very strange. Something's not right here...

But there's no time to think about that right now! These machines are disturbing the rabbits' safe haven, and I will do all I can do stop them!

Did we beat them?!

Phase 4?!

Al, look!

There's more of them?!

Looks like they called in some friends! At this rate...

The Regalian Empire? Why are they cheering the Regalian Empire?!

Ah! It all makes sense now! That's what was off about it. These mechanical weapons are from the Empire of Schnaud, but they are now working for the rival land! The Regalian Empire and the Empire of Schnaud had an ongoing feud. I read about it in the Ghost City documents.

Oh! So that's why they want to attack citizens of the Empire of Schnaud!

Perhaps the Regalian Empire tampered with Emperor Schnaud's soldiers, planning to attack them from within. Though that still doesn't explain why they would activate now of all times.

Whatever the case, those rabbits won't be coming back unless we destroy all of them. Let's do it, Al!

Let's do this!

Bring one down and another takes its place. I don't think my arms can take much more...

Eeek!

Mistrare!

Guh!

...... Yes... This country has carried out so many cruel policies. They deemed them- selves superior to other species... Waged wars, and used life on another planet as pawns in their fight. I may have wings on my back, but I never thought of this place as my homeland. How could I? So I put this place behind me... Returned to the valley, and never thought about the moon again.

Mistrare...

But...

I realized something, reading the notes written by Lunique's master.

There was someone who wanted to stop the war but couldn't. There was someone who lived her life in the shadow of war, writing notes and caring for her beloved rabbit. Lunique's master, the professor, Mel, Clary, the people in the holograms... They all lived here.

My ancestors committed such atrocities living in this place that I automatically wanted to... Look the other way. But Mel said it shouldn't matter if you're descended from a sinner. And she didn't say it for me to go and act like this. I am ashamed and embarrassed. Did I learn nothing after flying out from our closed-off valley?

This land has already fallen. The Empire of Schnaud will never rise again. And...

I cannot allow you to destroy it all over again! Once is more than enough. This is our other homeland, so stop trampling on it!

Mistrare, take this!

Huh?!

What just happened?!

This is no time to rest!

Quick, before my power runs out!

Okay!

That was amazing!

I was important to my master. So I can't just sit around. I must help you out!

Right!

Thank you. That was incredible!

Oh, stop. Honestly, I wish I could have given Aldo some of my power, too... But my power only seems to be compatible with Winged People.

Don't worry about it. You came to help us, that's all that matters.

Yeah. Well, don't get the wrong idea. I just couldn't let you die in my master's robes.

No, I understand. These robes must be such a valuable memento of your beloved master. You must have wanted to protect these robes no matter what.

......

When it was nearly time for her to go to the blue planet... I poured my magic into those robes. So much so that I thought I'd run dry.

I still assumed I'd be going with her. But not knowing what the future might hold, I wanted to do it, just in case. And yet...

My magic should be emanating from your robes right now. It isn't, though. Not even a trace. Such a terribly long time must have passed for that to happen. But my master's scent still clings to them.

Lunique...

Your robes. You don't have to give them back. I understand now.

Huh?

When you stood up against those mechanical weapons, I realized that... My master's soul exists within you, and it shines so much brighter than ever. You protected both my master, and myself.

The things my master could not do on this planet, and the things she could not say... You, who inherited her clothing, took them on. So thank you, Mistrare.

Ah...

It's me who should be thanking you. Both you, Lunique, and your master.

I'm sure she hears you. I should get going now. So long.

Lunie!

Huh?

Lunie! It's your new nickname! You don't mind, do you? After all we've been through together, I thought I should give you a nickname!

A nickname? Sure, I don't mind. But I should be...

Why don't you come back to the Winged People's Village with me, Lunie?

The Winged People's Village?

It's where your master and her friends lived on the blue planet. And it's where we, her descendants, live now. These robes are ancient heirlooms of the village.

Oh...

There are lots of her records still kept in the village. So come with me.

......

No, I'll stay here. Have a safe trip home.

Hey, Lunique!

Lunie! I'll come to see you loads and loads! And you'll always be welcome in the village, whenever you like!

I didn't want to leave him all on his own again...

When you come see him, take me with you. Okay, Mistrare?

Al...

Of course. Let's go every day!

All right. Let's get back to the church.

Okay. We must return the rabbits to the moon.

Is that all of them?

That was tough. I don't want the church turning into a rabbit play- ground ever again.

Perhaps not, but a number of them certainly seemed quite attached to you.

Intimidated, more like.

Blipple! Blup!

Just as well that they did. Prai had the opposite effect on them. It was quite the shambles, wasn't it, Prai?

Oh... I still have a lot to learn about how to approach small creatures.

I'll lend you Moke if you like. Then you can practice all day long!

Blup?!

If the situation is now sufficiently handled, then I will take my leave. I must tidy up all the work tools that have been kicked over...

I will return to the valley. What will you do, Mistrare?

Good question.

I would love to talk to you all... But maybe not today. I think I'll go home.

Are you okay, Misty? You don't look so good.

Saying that isn't going to help...

Mistrare. We can always meet up again, whenever you want.

Okay! Thank you. Well then...

Aldo! I hope you realize, your journey isn't over until you get Mistrare home!

I know. I'll take care of Mistrare for you.

I've only been away from the village a short while... Yet it feels like I've been on an incredibly long journey.

You went all the way to the moon. It WAS a long journey. And an unexpected turn of events.

At any rate, the Winged People's Village has really started to thrive while I've been away.

This is just the beginning. We have only just started to get going as a trading post. We will build up the village with the goods provided by the church, and raise the children big and strong.

Teehee. You're getting more and more like Great Grandmother as each day passes, Seze.

No, I'm nothing compared to her.

You're the only one who hasn't realized yet.

Yeah, I'm sure that's what your Great Grandmother would say.

I hope so.

Anyway, you should rest here a while and...

Oh! It's Aldo!

He came to play! Come on, let's play Hide 'n' Seek!

Sure, let's do it.

But I have a feeling you'll just fly up in the air and find me right away...

It's called thinking outside the box!

All right! Let's go call the others over!

Yay!

Looks like there's no time for that rest, then.

Teehee, I guess not.

Well?

Huh?

There's something you want to talk about. I can tell by the look on your face.

There is. I want to tell you something. It's about someone I met on the moon...

So, the first Storyteller who recorded the history of this village, was actually one of the Winged Beings? Then perhaps all of those records kept in the village originally started out as humble journals.

Maybe. I'll be going back to the moon sometime, to show them to Lunie. And when I do, would you come with me to see him?

See, I was thinking, our homeland is not only here, in the Winged People's Village... But also the Lunar Ghost City, where our ancestors lived. So we should restore it.

And as a first step toward that, I would like you to visit it with me.

Mistrare...

And I really want you to meet Lunie. He's all on his own there.

There is no need.

Seze...

Oh, don't be so disheartened.

There is no need to visit him. Because isn't that him, behind you?

Huh?

Lunie! How long have you been there?! You came after all?!

He's been following us the whole journey back from the church. Acting all jumpy, hiding in the shade of rocks and grass.

Hey, stop it! Quit snitching! And don't misunderstand me. I'm not here because I want to live with you all in a big happy family or anything... I just wanted to read those records that my master left here.

Teehee, of course. Welcome home, Lunie.

Welcome home?

Yes. There doesn't have to just be the one place you call home. This is the place where your master was laid to rest, so of course you should be able to think of it as home.

I see...

Okay. Thank you, Mistrare. And...

It's Seze.

A little blunt, but it's a nice name.

What was that?

You two are so similar.

No we're not!

Why, look at how well you're getting along!

*sigh* I suppose it's a good thing.

Rabbit, from today on, you are a member of our village. You may be cute, but cuteness alone will only get you so far. You must make yourself useful.

Doing what?

Be my guide on the moon. I have never been there before. How am I meant to rebuild the place if I don't know anything about it?

Ah...

Seze!

Of course, I cannot neglect this village either... But we are not alone.

I have Mistrare, and I have this rabbit. And all the children and adults of the village. And we can always ask for help from our non-winged friends if we need it. So let's rebuild that city!

Yes! Let's do it!

Thank you, Seze. Thank you, Mistrare. I'm glad I followed you here.

There's no need to thank us. As Mistrare says... You are part of our village. There doesn't have to be just one place you call home.

That's right! Someday, we will turn that sad and lonely city into a place more inviting and homey than ever before!