The Cursed Dragoon Roar Ye Tempest! The Evil Sword Shines Once More!

What do you think about dressing up a bit more, Kid? You could try some makeup and see how you feel about it!

Nah, think I'll pass on that. Ain't my style. Don't wanna be walkin' around lookin' all pale and ghosty like someone we know.

Ahaha! Call me what you will, you ill- mannered thief. You cannot hurt moi!

Oi! Say that again!

I will gladly say it az many timez as you like, idiote!

Okay, okay! That's enough, you two. I know you're good friends...

Hah! With "friends" like her, who needs enemies?

Iz zat your idea of a joke? I'm afraid it iz not amuzing!

There you guys are. Please try to get along. I don't wanna cause any trouble for the other villagers...

Where's Glenn and Cyrus?

They said they were headed to the Serena Coast to practice their swordsmanship.

Again? I feel like that's all they ever do...

Well, I can understand the urge to train by the sea.

Why don't we go check on them?

Alright. They seem to be getting along really well, don't they?

One's a samurai and the other's a knight, so they probably have a lot in common. Right, then. To the Serena Coast.

Might I ask you something, Glenn? It's been on my mind for a while.

What is it, Cyrus? You know you can ask me anything.

It's about that sword of yours. It doesn't strike me as an ordinary blade. Is there a special history behind it?

Ah, you have a good eye. This here is the Einlanzer. Back in my home world, it is known as a holy sword passed down from generation to generation within the Acacia Dragoons. It was said to have been forged by the ancient dragonites.

My, how fascinating!

But to be honest, this sword is a heavy burden to bear. Perhaps one too heavy for me... It was meant to be wielded by Dario, that is, my older brother.

It sounds as though you, too, have had a troubled past.

So troubled I wouldn't even know where to begin talking about it. But I suppose that is the case for everyone.

Hey, you two. We've been looking for you.

We heard you came here to practice the sword.

That we did. One mustn't underestimate the importance of daily training. It strengthens our bodies and minds, which we so heavily depend on. Trust me when I say you will thank yourself for your diligence one day.

I know. It's not like I don't train or anything, Cyrus...

Huh?

The Einlanzer!

Ogre Rancorem? What's going on?!

I can feel it... A strange and otherworldly being has arrived. Whoever it is resonates with us.

What?

Whoa!

Ahh!

What in the bloody hell's just happened? Where are we?

Is this Snake Skull Mescita?

Why're we suddenly on Snake Bone Island?

That otherworldly being is wandering this land somewhere. Perhaps it summoned us.

This island was named for a snake? Curious...

Indeed, and now we must seek out this "otherworldly" being for it seems they have some connection to us.

Would you mind lending us your aid, Glenn? After all, your blade responded to the call like Ogre Rancorem did.

Yeah. Come with us, Glenn.

But of course.

Still, I ain't thrilled to hear we're dealin' with another snake.

Our worldz may be different, but zey are still connected somehow... Perhaps it iz the work of fate that we are here now.

Right. Well, we better start looking for whoever it is that wandered into our world. Maybe the people of Konium know something.

Ah, Master Guildna. Lady Feinne. You are both looking well.

It's good to see you again. I missed you!

You seem to be faring well too. How are the people?

The same as ever, as is the village itself. But something strange has happened on the island.

Has a stranger been wandering these lands?

Indeed. If the rumors are true, he is a knight the likes of which we have never seen before.

A knight? I doubt the ones from Miglance would be so far from home.

Thankfully there hasn't been any major damage done. Someone said they saw him around Corabel the other day.

Then that's where we'll go.

Don't worry, sir. We'll take care of this.

You have my thanks. Do be careful.

It seems Ogre Rancorem spoke true about the otherworldly being.

Right. Then let us make for Corabel with haste.

Wait. This place...

Kinda reminds ya of Cape Howl, don't it? Sure brings back memories!

This is no time to be reminiscing. Brace yourselves, for that otherworldly being is here.

What?!

Who are you?!

F-Father?! What are you doing here?! And that blade in your hands... It can't be! It's the evil sword, Masamune!

An evil sword?

It was once a legendary and holy blade, but the stories say that a bloody battle turned it evil. This isn't the sword that fell into my brother's hands. Could it be the other that was lost to time and space?

A pain in my arse is what it is.

Garai may be a knight, but he iz still dead, non? Zat evil sword iz of no threat to moi.

......

Tch... Listen to me! You must stop this!

Ngh!

It seems he prefers to let his blade do the talking. In which case, we must respond in kind!

Hmm... So it was the Masamune that called out to me. Very well. Let us see how hard it strikes!

I can hear it... The sword speaks to me... And you shall hear it too...in your very soul!

Hmph. Is that all you can do? And here I was looking forward to a battle with an evil sword from another world.

What's going on?!

The two swords are resonating? And they're getting stronger...!

What now?

Consider this a gift from my heart to yours...

The sharpest edge of the Masamune!

Grahhh!

Glenn!

What will you do now with that cursed and bloody blade?

Ungh... Ahhhhhh!

Bloody hell, the bastard got away!

Glenn!

You okay?!

I still can't believe he was here... Father...

H-Hey! Hang in there!

He needs to rest. Let us return to Konium.

Are you alright, Glenn?

Yes... I should be fine, so long as I don't exert myself too much.

Still can't believe that old man's ghost came all the way over here.

You said he was your father, right?

Yes. He was one of the four Devas of the Acacia Dragoons, but he was slain when I was still very young, Cut down by a friend who was possessed by that evil blade. It seems like he was then absorbed by the sword, where he lives on as a cursed spirit.

I see... What a tragedy.

In any case, we must deal with that curse he placed upon you with all haste.

The evil sword...

I know I mentioned this before, but... The Masamune is a legendary sword forged by a sage in antiquity. However, a bloody battle turned it into the evil sword you see here.

The holy sword Einlanzer, on the other hand, was created by the ancient dragonites. It was passed down from one captain of the Acacia Dragoons to the next. From my father, Garai, to my brother, Dario...

And eventually to me, although I cannot measure up to the knights they were. I have no right to wield such a grand sword...

Glenn. A warrior does not choose his sword. It chooses him. And it passes from one hand to the next until it reaches its chosen wielder.

You will come to understand that in time.

I will...?

It seems you have been cursed by that evil sword.

Who's there?!

Oi, who in the hells're you?

Are you an incarnation of the Dragon God?

Dragon God, you say?

Yes. My people serve the ancient Dragon God. If you do nothing, you will be possessed by the blade and killed by its curse. However, we may be able to sever the bond between you and the sword.

How?

Come to Damaku. But be prepared, for breaking the curse will be no easy feat.

Hmph. Finally, something worthy of my attention.

We have no choice but to go. We cannot leave Glenn to this terrible fate.

Right. Then let's head to Damaku!

So this is Damaku, eh? Bit dodgy, if ya ask me.

You are une poule mouillée! You can go back to ze village, if you like. Bon voyage!

Callin' me a coward, are ya? I ain't the one shakin' in her li'l clown shoes, now am I?

Alright, you two. That's enough.

You okay, Glenn? I don't want you to push yourself too hard.

Indeed. There is no telling what sort of damage that curse is inflicting on your mind and body.

Please, don't worry about me. I'm fine.

That envoy asked me to come here, and I should like to do so on my own two feet, sword in hand.

Alright. Then let's go!

Hm?

What's the matter, Glenn?

Ungh...

Are you hurt? Did something happen?!

Glenn... Listen to me...

Who are you? And where are you?

Give up, Glenn. It is impossible...

I know this voice... It's you, isn't it, Dario?

It is not within your power...and it never has been. You are neither worthy of being a dragoon nor bearing the Einlanzer...

I am well aware, Brother. I could never be like you.

You speak true. You have always fallen short of his greatness...

F-Father?!

In the end...we have nothing... We are born with nothing and leave this earth with nothing... Whether in darkness or in light, all comes to naught in the end...

Give up, Glenn... Come with us...

Father... Brother... I...

Glenn! Get ahold of yourself!

Ah!

What happened just now?

I think it high time you showed yourselves.

And who're these buggers?

They are the ones who assailed Glenn's psyche just now. I suspected something strange was afoot when he started acting odd.

Alright, then let's get rid of 'em!

C'est honteux! Prepare to be punished for uzing such an underhanded technique!

Whew. They're gone now.

And what a relief it is... You have my gratitude.

You needn't thank us. Everyone has something that haunts them. Something they do not want others to see.

Now that they're gone, what say we get a move on? We got a curse to break and an old man's arse to kick.

Right. Let's go.

So this is the heart of Damaku, eh? Guess that makes it the heart of the island too.

We're here! Show yourself!

Good. Now step forward, bearer of the holy sword.

I am Glenn of the Acacia Dragoons. I hail from the El Nido Islands.

The Einlanzer you wield was forged by us in the distant past to stand against the darkness.

It was?!

You mean to say this sword crossed time and space to come to my world? I had heard that it was forged by the ancient dragonites, but I had no idea of its true origins...

With the radiance of our Dragon God and the prayers of those who stand beside us against the darkness... May you be freed of your curse and the sword cleansed of evil. May the Einlanzer's plea be heard!

Wh-What's happening?!

The red sword has turned white?

This is its true form... The lost holy sword, Masamune!

Now go. The otherworldly knight wanders deeper still within the darkness of Damaku. It is time you put his spirit to rest.

So this is what the Masamune was meant to look like. I am glad it was restored to its original form.

Y-Yes... As am I...

You look upset, Glenn. Whatever is the matter?

It's my father, Garai... Since he passed when I was young, it was my brother who raised me most of my life.

That is why I...I do not know how to feel about him. I do not know how best to face him...

I see.

But that dark knight is no longer your father. 'Tis a fearsome monster. Since you are both in this world now, I think it would be a mercy for you to put his spirit to rest.

I understand that. Even so... I do not know if I can cut down my own father's ghost.

That is an answer you must find yourself. Everyone must choose the path they will follow, no matter how hard it is to walk.

Yes... You're right.

I know you will be just fine, Glenn... No matter which path you choose.

So you have come...

I see you have returned the Masamune to the holy sword it once was.

Hah! Then why not test its strength? See just how far it can take you.

I shall! So prepare yourself to face the holy light of both the Einlanzer and Masamune!

Hngh... What was that?

You fool. Have you forgotten that both blades were once mine to wield? No matter how hard you try, you are no match for me, my boy.

Then try this on for size!

You are the fool to undereztimate moi!

What the?!

Non... Zis cannot be!

All bark and no bite, I see.

Very well. Allow me!

Insolent pests! How dare you stop me!

On your feet, Glenn!

This isn't over yet!

You're better than this!

You waste your breath.

Ahh!

Ngh!

Cyrus! Aldo! Serge!

Why was I summoned here? Why did our paths cross?!

Is that you, Dario?

This is no time to be complaining. You must rise and fight, again and again. No matter how many times you fall.

I can't, Brother... I'm sorry. I can never be like you.

Of course you can't. You can no more become me than I can become you.

But you were chosen by my blade. The Einlanzer wants you to wield it. Now rise, Brother. You can do this!

Dario...

Einlanzer. Masamune. Now we fight!

Hmph. I have waited long enough. Now hurry, Aldo.

You ready, Glenn?

I am! Together, Aldo!

But how?!

It is time we settle things.

I do not know why I was summoned to this time or place.

But it matters little, so long as I can hone my blade!

Do you understand? Life and death... The border between existing or not... Though I appear before you plain as day, my soul could not be further!

Your soul...

Ah, I see now. What I've been searching for was always there, from the very beginning.

And it shall never be lost... Not ever!

Very well, then. Allow me to show you the true power of my blades, Father!

Prepare to face the Einlanzer and the Masamune!

So this is as far as I go... But this cannot be how our story ends...

Dario...

......

A family together again...

Someday, I'm gonna be a great knight, Just like you, Father!

Is that so? Then I look forward to that day, Glenn.

May we meet again someday.

Yes... Father, Brother... Until next we meet.

Whew... Glad everything worked out in the end.

Yeah. Hopefully things calm down now.

I must say, those battles were quite the feast for this swordsman's belly!

And that bloody sword's back to normal. I reckon you must be pretty stoked 'bout that, ey, Glenn?

Hm? Oh... Yes.

Everyone haz a fate zey cannot outrun, no matter how hard zey try. You can only go around it, slowly and constantly...

Just like ze stars.

I've been wandering this whole time, but the path's always been there... And your souls too.

Isn't that right, Einlanzer? Masamune? I understand now... I will stick true to my convictions, come what may.

Forever with you by my side!

I feel as though I have been walking astride them since time immemorial...

Like a flickering light amidst an endless darkness.

Well, should we be on our way? On a new journey through the stars...

And to a greater adventure beyond time! Together!

There's a faster way to get there. I'm sure of it.

We should focus on moving forward.