A Story of Love and Friendship

Today's hot topic: Who is to blame?! We all witnessed Arcadia fall into chaos during Wryzie-pie's absence, but just what is going on behind the scenes?!

Uh, what are you talkin' about?

Oh, we were just chatting about how tough things were while you were away...I think.

Yeah, like how we ended up searching every corner of the Darkrealm.

Yeah, Wryz. Obvs.

Didn't sound like that at all... But now that ya mention it, guess I hadn't heard the whole story yet.

Well, now's as good a time as any. Get ready for a story of love and friendship that's sure to move all of Arcadia to tears...

Hehe... This is where it ends, humans.

Dammit...! We don't stand a chance!

We can't give up now. We have to stand firm! Justice will prevail!

Time to become a star, Nca!

What...?!

We did it! Now...

*gasp* Is this... Is this Nca's true form?!

Now wait just a minute! That's not what happened at all!

And that, ladies and gentlemen, is the story of what didn't happen.

Wait, what?!

Parts of it sounded kinda familiar, though...

Because it was inspired by all the stories YOU told me, Aldodo.

Still tellin' tall tales, huh? Well, if you're done blabberin', guess I'll be headin' out.

Uh, wait...

Hm? What is it?

I...I'll tell you what really happened.

You swear?

I swear. So get ready for a true story of love and friendship, and to me, a fond memory...

So we've got no idea how to find Wryz.

Wryz...

Melpiphia, you haven't seen anything that might help us, have you?

Sorry, no...

We should search every nook and cranny. Maybe we can climb up somewhere high and take a look from there.

But we already flew around every which way and found nothin'.

Then how 'bout flyin' even higher?

I reckon I've got just the thing!

What is that?

One might call it "the human launchpad," and true to its name, it can launch someone straight up into the sky.

And how would they land?

Well, they'd come crashin' back down to the ground and likely get smashed to bits.

So it's a useless piece of junk, then.

Well, that's a bit harsh. But fine, I've got one more thing that might just do the trick.

Another one-way ticket?

'Course! That a problem?

*sigh* Can't you be serious for once?

Anyway, why don't we head back to camp in the meantime?

Good idea. While we will do our best to find Wryz, we still have a very important promise to keep. We must ensure Wryz's legend lives on.

Um...

What is it, Melpiphia?

I'd like to go back home and check on things. The Wyrmking's miasma might be gone, but I want to make sure everyone's okay.

That sounds like a good idea. You should head back to Memhelba, then.

I'll go with you and put this handy fan to good use!

Aw, thanks, Nca.

Alright, well, see y'all in five years!

We won't be gone that long, will we...? Will we?!

That should do it.

Whoa, the miasma's clearing up...!

This handy tool has the power to transform dark energy into heavenly energy. I made it myself!

Thank you, Ncaboo!

Ncaboo...?

Isn't that your name? That's what Melpi said.

Hm, well, I suppose that's accurate enough...

Would it hurt to call me by my real name? Otherwise, how are people going to remember it?!

About that... The miasma got people to start fighting, and some left the village because of it...

No one's gone looking for them, saying we should let them be. I hope they're okay...

I've heard that's how it's done in this village, but still, it makes me a little sad...

No?

Hm, I suppose you have a point.

Then let's return everything back to the way it was! We'll find anyone who left and bring them back!

That's a great idea! But how will we track them down?

That's a good question...

(Oh? I wonder what she's up to this time.)

Huh? Do you mean...

I wasn't planning on it!

Is she going to be much longer?

Huh?

Hey! Weren't you going to change?!

You didn't have to hit me!

She's right, you know...

But your outfit is really cute! Where'd you get it? And what do you mean "paew-erful"?

Oh, yeah. That.

Hold it right there, now.

Yup, he's a merchant all right.

Yup, he sure is.

...Yer an odd one, ain't ya?

Anywho, that other tool I was tellin' ya about? I reckon yer the only one capable of usin' it.

An outfit and staff made by the Nopaew. They're yours if ya want 'em.

Just so ya know, that ain't no ordinary staff! It can kick up winds strong enough to carry ya right up into the sky!

So that was your plan...

And what about the outfit? Does that have special powers too?

Hehe, you have a good eye. See, the Nopaew put this together from records they found in the human world... 'Cause they reckoned it had a cool vibe.

That's it?!

Ain't that enough? Only thing is, bein' a Nopaew creation, the size is a touch small.

Er, that ain't quite what I said...

The process of elimination...?

The process of elimination...? Wait, but how are you planning on getting everyone back using the power of wind?

After you made such a big deal about getting changed?!

Is that like what you're always saying about throwing chaos into the mix?

Well, you do seem motivated, that's for sure.

I hope I don't regret this...

Hey there, boys and girls!

Huh? Miss Melpiphia...?

We're hardly boys...or girls for that matter.

Take a good look in the mirror. You'll see a young boy at heart!

Be serious, Melpi!

We're sorry, but you know how she can be... Anyway, we're looking for the folks who left town. Do you know where they went?

No, I'm afraid not.

They all left without a word. Perhaps we should let them be.

......

I was afraid we wouldn't find much to go on...

What do we do now, Nca? Great question! Maybe we should search the island for some sort of clue.

......! So everything I heard about you was true...

Hm?

Er, never mind. I just realized why Melpi likes you so much.

Eureka! I've got it! I had it all backwards!

Agh! Wha-What is it?!

Sorry, did I scare you? I didn't mean to. I'll warn you first next time.

Don't worry about it. Anyway, what do you mean, you had it backwards?

Instead of us going out to find them, we should make them come to us!

That does sound like it would be a lot easier... But how do we do that?

Hmm, what if we light up the town all bright and shiny-like?

I feel like that would just attract bugs... Oh, but wait! What if we were to hold the star festival?

What's that?

It's the one festival we celebrate here in the village. It might be hard to imagine, but we really let loose and have a great time. No one can resist a festival, so that might just be enough to get people to come back.

That sounds like so much fun! When is it held?

"When a shooting star the color of a peach soars across the western sky."

Huh? You're kidding, right?

No, it's true.

Really...?

Yup, the shooting star signals the day of the festival. We see something remarkable and can't help but get excited. That's how it is here, we go with the flow.

But...how do we know when you'll see it next?

Well, it appears about once every three years or so. But the thing is...we saw it just last year.

What?! Then there's no way we'll see another one anytime soon!

Hmm, then we'll just have to make do.

How?

We'll hold the festival, shooting star or not.

Is that even allowed? I don't think anyone's tried that before...

Like a great man once said, "You just gotta give it a shot."

Who said that exactly?

Don't ask me. But I'm sure someone great's said those exact words at some point.

Wait, so you just made it up?!

...You know what? Never mind. You're right. You don't know what's possible until you try.

That's the spirit, Ncabeanie! Now, let's go tell everyone about our plan!

And that's why we'd like to put on the star festival!

A fun event is bound to be fun no matter the circumstances!

But...that's unheard of...

The point of the festival is to celebrate the coming of the shooting star. Without it, what are we to celebrate?

Can't we just enjoy the festival...?

Hmm, it's never been done in all my years. What are we to do...?

I knew it was a long shot...

......

Melpiphia?

The winds are calling.

Huh?

Raaaaaahhh!!

Whoa! Melpiphia?

Aldo! Did you see Melpiphia?

Y-Yeah, she headed that way. I was coming to see how you guys were doing, and she just ran by.

Come on, we have to chase after her!

Are you worried about her? I mean, it's probably just her usual antics.

No, not this time...

She was really upset!

Well, you know her better than I do. Alright, then let's go find her and cheer her up.

Right. Come on!

So you want people to come back, but you can't hold the festival... Hmm...

I know that Melpi's this odd girl with the power to see into the future, but she's not as strong as she seems. When things don't go well, she gets upset and even cries sometimes.

Yeah, I know...

Let's talk about something else. Anything else! All the pieces were in place, Wryz, the dragon, the cave, and yet nothing changed! What more do I have to do?! What else is there?!

With Wryz still missing and her not being able to help out the village... I understand why she wanted to get outta there.

Yeah... Which is why we need to find her and cheer her up!

Hey, there she is! Melpi!

Oh, the winds, the earth, the ocean, the mushroom meal vendor...

Wh-What are you doing...?

Oh, Aldozzo. Long time, no see. 167,354 seconds to be exact.

You've been counting?!

Anyway, I heard what happened. I know you're upset, but you don't have to hide from us, you know.

So you know everything, then? But nothing you say can make me feel better. I feel so horrible sometimes... I'm doing all I can for everyone, but it's hard to get them to see that.

It's just that everyone's just living their lives the only way they know how, and I'm ruining it by trying to change things...

But that's okay!

Nca...?

To quote the words of someone wise:

"People who can't be saved by the rules've got no choice but to destroy common sense with their own two hands."

Hey, that's...

Hehe, I recognize those words. And you're right, she's incredibly wise.

Hey, Melpiphia. Do you remember when we went to the Darkrealm to get you back?

I'm gonna save everyone, and that includes you and your village. In a way...they're livin' life the way they want to, just acceptin' things as they are. But that'll all end if we don't do something, and I don't want it to.

Our wise friend wanted the same thing: for the elves to live like they always have. So what if that means breaking the rules just this once? We can't ignore her wishes just because she's not here, can we?

...You always know just what to say, don't you?

And don't forget that I'll be right there with you! If you're going to break the rules, I'll break them with you! When I'd already accepted our fate, when I thought it was all over, you were there to defeat the dragon and save everyone. So now it's my turn to help you! Maybe you haven't been able to convince everyone, but you've convinced me!

......!!

Did you all just come here to make me cry?!

We just wanted you to know that we all recognize how hard you work to help us.

Not to be a buzzkill, but without the festival, how are we gonna find the folks who left?

Hmm, are we absolutely sure that putting on the festival's out of the question?

Without the shooting star, I'm not sure how we could...

Hmm... If only we could summon one somehow.

That's, uh, pretty ambitious...

It's like you're always saying, Melpiphia: We need to do the unexpected. So...

That's it!

Agh! You scared me! What is it?

I don't know if it'll work, but...

We need to wrangle Kuchiina!

Kuchinawa?

Hmm, I think our best bet would be Arcadia base camp.

Uh oh, what's she up to now...?

Now that I've finished stocking up, I reckon it's time to go on out to the continent and spread my wings...

Oppressor of the people, greedy profiteer! Soulless, evil merchant... Now is the time for justice! Hiyaaaaaah!

Wha, ?!

Why're you so surprised? I've seen you pull that move time and time again. And I'd rather not get hurt, now.

Grr, foiled by my own complacency... I need to come up with a new move.

Wow! Can you teach me how to do that?

Do you always have to choose violence?

Have y'all come to see me? What can I do for ya?

I need to buy something from you!

Oh? A customer keen on buyin' somethin'? Don't see those too often.

Really...? How do you stay in business...?

So what is it ya need?

The human launchpad.

Huh? Are you serious?

Oho. So ya finally realized its value! Of course I'd be happy to sell it to ya!

Do you also have something like this...?

Hmm, I reckon I've got just the thing...

Pleasure doing business!

Isn't that his line...?

So what are you planning on doing with this thing?

Don't be silly, Nca. This was your idea.

Huh? What are you talking about?

We're summoning the star, just like you said.

W-We are? But how...?

Nca. Remember what color the shooting star is?

Wait...

You don't mean...

With this tool, we can launch someone into the heavens.

And together with this ore, one that emits a bright glow when held close...

You... You...

You want ME to be the star?!

Exactamundo!

Nuh-uh! No way! I can't! What if I die?!

Have no fear! That's where I come in. This staff crafted by the Nopaew can create winds strong enough to send someone flying, but also...

Strong enough to catch someone falling out of the sky!

But how do you know it'll work?!

Nca, a wise person once said to me: "You don't know what's possible until you try."

That wasn't a wise person! That was me! I said that!

But you ARE a wise person. You saved my life, remember?

Arg! There's no winning with you, is there?!

Don't worry, I'll never let anything happen to you. I might not be the most serious person you know, but I'm serious about this.

Well, now I can't say no...

Alright, so when night falls, we'll launch you straight up into the starry skies. I can't wait!

Ohhh, I'm not looking forward to this at all!

Ohhh...

Nca, have I ever told you the story about the butterfly?

No, I don't think so.

Well, there's a fairy tale passed down in Memhelba about a beautiful blue butterfly that was being chased by children. The grown-ups ran after the children, and before they realized it, they were deep within the forest. They were caked in dirt, which led to bathing becoming the new trend. But there weren't enough bath supplies to go around.

So a traveling merchant selling those items ended up making a huge profit, and everyone lived happily ever after. The end.

What kind of fairy tale is that?!

The kind she made up on the spot.

Really?!

Yup, I just thought of it.

What even was the point of that story?!

The point was that even an insignificant event can change the course of events and shape the future. At least, that's what I believe.

Oh, well, that's actually a great lesson.

Now, let's get started. If we launch you from here, you should fly over the village and soar across the sky toward the west! Ready? 3... 2... 1...

Wait, we're doing this already?! I need a moment to...

Time to become a star, Nca!

Oh! Is that...

A shooting star...!

Aaaaaaaaagh!!

Is that...the star's wails of lament?! A miracle that only happens once in a hundred years?!

Hm, it's odd that it's happened two years in a row, but... I suppose this means we must hold the star festival!

Thanks to all of those who stayed and all of those who came back! We hope you enjoy today's festival!

Before we get started, I'd like to share something with you all. To make this event happen, I lost someone dear to me. My heart may be broken, but I want us to come together in dance so she lives on through it for years to come.

Please, I hope you'll all join me in this dance to "A Requiem for Nca."

Hey, I'm still here!

I don't need my name to live on! Is this the thanks I get for helping you out?!

Oh, I thought for sure you'd want to be remembered...

Well, I for one, am just glad it all worked out for the villagers and everyone else.

Now, if only Wryz would come back...

If only... I even wished on a shooting star for her return...

That was me!

I really hope it comes true...

Oh...

Huh? Did you see something?

It's... It's Wryz! I-I need to tell everyone at Arcadia right away!

Is she coming back?!

What?! She is?! Then what are we still doing here?!

Let's hurry back to camp.

I want to tell Wryzetti about everything that happened today!

About this story of love and friendship, one that wouldn't exist without the strength and support of everyone around me.