Shining like the Sun

I love the smell of wheat...and the overpowering scent of the earth and sun...

Is it really that good? Guess I never noticed 'cause it's just always...there.

It's almost time for the harvest! Are you gonna help out too?

Last year, you harvested sooo much wheat, it put all those guys to shame! Hehehe! You're the best, Jorna! I'm so glad you're my sister!

I am pretty handy with a scythe. And I can earn money for my help too.

What're you saving up for anyway? Is there something you wanna buy?

Hey, Erina...

Once the harvest is done, why don't we go to the ocean? I've always wanted to see it.

Here we are, Jorna! This place brings back memories, doesn't it?

Are you okay? You haven't been looking so hot lately...

Well, now that we're back home, why don't you take it easy?

Maybe you'll feel better after getting a whiff of this wheat you loved so much.

What do you mean spirits can't smell? Oh, Jorna!

Oh no... What am I gonna do about the harvest now?

Are you okay, sir? Your robot looks like it's got a screw loose.

Oh, thank you so much! Take this, please!

Is this...trash?

N-No, it's...a thank you for helping me...

Whoops. Sorry about that! But you really don't have to give me anything. I'm just happy to help!

Well, if you're sure... Thank you. Really.

Now why do I get the feeling I've seen you somewhere before? Hmm...

What's that, Jorna? I still don't understand the value of money? I guess the value of a Git changes depending on who's holding it...

You're so smart, Jorna. I don't know what I'd do without you around!

Hey... How come you're so quiet all of a sudden?

Hm... You really haven't been looking well lately. But we're almost home, so just hang in there!

What a sad voice... A soul that is not where it should be is bound to bend and warp. It must be returned to where it belongs.

Hey, Jorna? We'll always be together, won't we?

Back when you caught thanato fever, I was really scared.

I thought I'd never see you again.

But then...

Even after you passed away, you're still here with me. I'm so happy we can be together forever, Jorna.

Jorna...

Jorna?

Jorna!

Wh-What's happening? Why are you attacking me?!

Who are you?

A scythe wielder.

What's going on? Why is she acting like this?

Because she has stayed here too long. A soul that lingers in this realm turns into an evil spirit. I have no choice but to reap her.

She's strong... Stronger than I anticipated.

Stop!

What are you doing? If I don't reap her now, she will start attacking the living out of spite!

We cannot let her stay here.

Don't say that! We've been together for so long now! She's my sister! My family!

I can't believe you're trying to stop me. Yet another thing I did not anticipate...

Stop it, Jorna... Please!

......

Stop!

I lost sight of her.

Mr. Scythe Wielder... Thank you for protecting me. But why exactly did you come here?

My name is Zeviro, and I do not belong here either. But I heard that soul crying for help and could not look the other way.

So you came all this way to save her?

I can't believe your sister's soul was in such an awful state. This is what I get for leaving this time layer's souls to this time layer's scythe wielders.

You seem like a nice person, Zeviro.

I wouldn't trust others so readily if I were you.

Now then, to find that soul. People will get hurt if I don't do something about it.

I think I know where she went...

My sister always wanted to see the ocean. If she's still in there somewhere, that's probably where she's gone.

How fascinating.

Let's go. I...I have to stop her.

Found you...

You finally got to see the ocean, Jorna.

......

I know he said you can't stay here...

But that doesn't make sense, does it? You should be able to stay... We should be able to be together...

......

Did you say something?

I...I can't hear your voice anymore. Your voice is...gone...

Even though you used to talk so much...

......

She can't hear you anymore. I have to reap her soul.

Jorna... Were you in pain this whole time?

Why... Why did you endure all that to be with me?

This is it!

You don't have to suffer anymore. I'm so sorry, Jorna...

*cough* *cough*

Jorna, please don't go... Stay with me. You can't leave me all by myself!

Don't cry...Erina...

Wh-Why not?

Because you're like the sun... You have to keep shining bright... no matter how dark life gets... Please always be a ray of light... Erina...

I get it now, Jorna... It was my fault you stayed... This weird power of mine forced you to be here with me... All because I didn't want you to leave...

I'm sorry, Jorna... I'm so, so sorry...

......

Hey...am I living the way you wanted? Shining bright...like the sun?

Bye, Jorna. Thank you for everything.

I'm so sorry, Zeviro. I thought you were going to take my sister away from me with that scythe.

But I see you were just trying to take her to where she belongs.

I'm glad you finally understand.

Say, Erina. Why not make a contract with me? That power of yours would make for very efficient work.

What kind of contract? Can I really do anything good with this power? I mean, I forced my sister to stay in this world...

That part's not important. There are some souls that can't pass on without the help of scythes like mine. But you did so without one. It's like... you put her soul at ease. It's the first time I've ever seen someone do that. And that power seems more useful than the average scythe to me.

Really?

However, there might be an even better way to utilize that power of yours...

What do you mean?

There's someone I want you to meet.

Okay...

She's very far away...and a bit of a humorless individual. But I think she is what you need, and you are what she needs.

I don't get it...

You will once you meet her. Now come with me...to Purgatory.

I brought a visitor.

Well, well. It isn't every day a scythe wielder brings one of the living before me.

H-Hello...

I believe she has promise. Use her well and she could be a boon to Purgatory.

Perhaps she could, but...why would an outsider want to help us?

If you were the Zeviro of this world, perhaps you would do it for recognition. So? What is it?

...A fine question.

Well, I will consider this a favor. Do not forget now.

What is your name, girl?

Erina...

Why have you come here, Erina? This is the land of the dead. The hearts of the living will freeze if they set foot in here.

I heard you might have something I need.

Is that so?

I...I said goodbye to my sister earlier. She turned into an evil spirit, so I used my power to send her on her way... I can still feel the warmth on my hands...

Hm...

My sister smiled as she left. So I decided...I want to help the souls that are suffering. I...

I want to save people.

I can tell you are determined...foolishly so.

You have no regard for your own life. You simply want to help others. I used to be like you, once upon a time.

Erina, I have seen the strength of your will.

This is a parting gift for you, as you set out on that road.

Daisy... This is such a beautiful outfit.

They're robes for a radiant chrysanthemum.

A radiant chrysanthemum?

Yes. One in full bloom that illuminates the endless night. They are meant to be worn only by one who stands between this world and the next. Though they are my hand-me-downs.

They were yours?!

Your power will ease the lost souls in your world and be a rope that binds them. Whenever you wear that garment, I shall lend you my strength.

They're so warm... I can feel my power growing just by wearing them. Thank you so much, Daisy!

I'll do my best to make sure no one suffers the way my sister did.

You are never to return to Purgatory again. Do you understand, Erina?

What? Why?

I told you, this is the land of the dead. Your soul will rot if you stay here too long. You belong on the other side. Live on and use your power there.

I will!

May the path before you always smell of fragrant flowers.

I'm back...

Jorna...

Hey, Erina... Remember how you said you wanted to help others someday? And save lives? I think you can do it. I just know there's someone out there you can save.

I miss you, Jorna... But I know you're gone.

And since you can't anymore... I'll do it. I'll be a ray of light for everyone who's sad. And I'll save everyone I can.

Just watch. I'll make you proud, Jorna.

Where am I...?

...... Who...

Who...am I?

...Leave me alone.

......

...I don't know. I don't know why I'm here...or who I am... I don't know anything...

I see you're finally awake, my little flower.

Who are you?

Daisy. I am like a ribbon tying you flowers together into a nice, little bouquet. You have been reborn as a scythe wielder.

A scythe...wielder...

That large scythe is a part of you. You will use it to reap lost souls.

Reap...

I'm good at reaping... Or at least, I think I am.

Jorna.

That's my name.

Did you pluck that from a memory of when you were alive? You shouldn't hold on to things like that here.

In any case, Jorna, time for your first job.

Yes.