Little Nightingale, Take Wing for Tomorrow

Good morning, Miss Unicorn!

Good morning, Fina.

I've learned the spell to summon a Butterfly Fairy, look!

Wow... she's beautiful. Fina, you really are an amazing magician.

Hehe, thank you! Come on, let's go and find Miss Cassandra!

What's wrong?

It's Savio, he's gone! I can't find him anywhere!

What? When did this happen?

Just now. I was following you two for a bit, and then... I turned around, and he was gone! I searched around the theatre, but no one saw him come back. Waaaah... what do I do...!?

Don't panic. He can't have gone far. Let's start by checking the area.

Berry, I...

Ssh...

Are you all right?

Yeah.

Get some more sleep. I won't leave, I'll be right here when you wake up.

It's okay. We should get down the mountain and head to the village.

You wanna go back? There've been roars coming from there for days...

I was thinking, if we could make it home and grab our weapons...

And with your strength, you'll find a way out.

No one's going to save us no matter how long we stay here anyway.

...Let's go then.

Take it easy.

Watch your step.

You're not fully recovered. Are you sure you can do this?

I'm okay. It's just a few scratches.

Don't push yourself too hard. We still have to save some strength for those Filthoids.

Take that sword with you. It might be helpful one day.

Keep yourself safe. I'll take care of these Filthoids.

Is this place... a temple?

...Yes.

Someone once left that flying ship here.

And... a "key."

Listen, thrust your sword right in there.

Like this?

Is this your idea of "accurate intel," Randy? You gave me your word.

The soldiers did their best with the Filthoids. These are indeed unforeseen circumstances. But we did find something valuable on this island today...

Alchemical tools she has used and an airship with a Legion serial number on it.

You realise we're looking for "No. 0," not this useless junk, right?

We've been searching for over a decade... But our maritime unit intercepted several of the villagers' vessels. They might be able to dig up some...

Were those gunshots?

Randy.

Yes, ma'am!

...That's how it happened.

The Filthoids attacked you "for no reason" after you came here, and you managed to open the hidden path "by chance"... Is that really your story?

We're telling the truth! Let her go!

...!

Chief Sibylle, we've checked her spinal structure and confirmed that...

She's the "No. 0" we've been looking for.

...!

Fortune has finally smiled upon me.

Take her back.

As for her...

Remember... Vita, you must remember...

Your power... the power of Resonance...

If you wish to save all this...

Hang in there! I got you...

Berry!

Give it up, No. 0. Even the toughest blade has its breaking point.

Come back with me, and you'll live, so will this kid you care so much about.

Otherwise, she will...

...Give me your word.

Hmm?

I'll go back with you, but you have to promise to let her go.

Give me your word! Or, you can take two corpses back!

Perhaps I wasn't clear, This is not a negotiation, it's an order.

...Berry.

...?! You...!

Get out of here, and live.

No...!!

Quick question, Vita. The "three quick blinks" means...

I've got this, Berry. Three quick blinks means...

"Even if left all alone, you should be brave and live on."

"Until the day we meet again."

Run!

You can't get away!

Quest failed. Try again

Quest failed. Try again

This is my first time in the Cocytus Province. Is this how the people here show their hospitality?

I don't want to bother you, I just want to... strike a small "bargain."

I'll pay you whatever you want, and all you have to do, well, it will be a piece of cake.

The ship is at the mountaintop. After a short break, we'll push on.

...Can't believe we'll be saying goodbye to Purgatorio Island soon.

...You creatures just can't give us a break, can you?

But up until now, there has been no answer. Only endless flowing quicksand covering my vision, and...

him.

No...

Don't... take her...

No chance we're leaving by sea. Guess we'll have to count on that thing...

Listen, there's actually another "ship" on this island, up in the mountain ruins.

A ship... on the mountain?

Yes, a "ship" that flies. Now follow me.

Remem▇▇... ▇▇, you must ▇▇▇...

Your ▇▇... the power of ▇▇...

▇▇▇ wish to ▇ all this...

Wait, I can't hear you...

This is my first time in Cocytus Province. Is this how the people here show their hospitality?

I don't want to bother you, I just want to... strike a small "bargain."

I'll pay you whatever you want, and all you have to do, well, it will be a piece of cake.

Hold on... what's that on the ground?

Looks like... a silver coin?

No... just cardboard painted silver. This was a prop Savio made for our game.

He's always careful, he'd never just leave this behind... Does this mean... something's happened to him...? *sniffles*

Ah...! I almost forgot! The Reticent Detective said the bandits we were tracking... they kidnap children!

B, Bandits!? You think they took Savio!?

Fina, you mentioned finding some important clue before. What was it?

Yes! It was a map... The Detective said it might show where the bandits are hiding, near Lamenting Lake!

Then what are we waiting for!? Let's go!

No, not all together. We don't know how many of them there are. It'd be too dangerous to charge in as a group. Cassandra, do you remember the way back? I need you to return to the city and alert the Security Bureau.

I remember, but...

I already cleared out the Filthoids nearby on our way here. They won't be back for a while, stick to the path we took and you'll be safe.

Cassandra, you're the only one who can do this. You're the only Solarian here, they won't listen unless it's coming from you.

...I get it. I won't let you down. Wait for me!

Alright then, Fina, ready for an adventure?

Mm-hmm! Let's go!

Now's our chance...!

Savio, wake up! Are you alright?

Oi! Who let these runts in!? Think you can swipe our prize and walk out alive?

Fina, get down!

I'm not just a helpless fledgling anymore...

I can protect others, too!

...Serafina...?

O friends, come and protect everyone!

Fina, I didn't know you could use such powerful magic!

My fairy-tale friends came to help!

That's amazing. Well then, I'm counting on you to watch my back.

Mm! I will do my best!

We did it... Miss Unicorn! We beat the bad guys!

And it's all thanks to our brave little Fina.

Hehe...

Savio... are you alright?

Y, You're Serafina... right? Your hair's blue now... but I remember your face!

I...

And... this butterfly... The Butterfly Fairies that came when I couldn't find Mum and Dad all looked like this one.

I remember now, you were in the garden that day, too. You summoned the Butterfly Fairies to comfort me, didn't you?

...Yes, Savio, that was me. But my name is Fina now.

So I wasn't alone after all... Thank you, Se, I mean, Fina! But... why did you leave? Will you come back home?

Because I'm a Charon... That mansion didn't have room for someone like me. I had to leave, I can't go back. But I have a new home now. Don't worry about me.

Then... do you know where Mum and Dad went? Why haven't they come home?

They... they... *sniffles*

Nobody move! Security Bureau!

Wait... these bandits are already down?

Yes. We're Phoxhunters, hired by Miss Cassandra. We took them down.

Is that so?

That's right! I hired them, they're not bad guys!

...Alright then. We'll take them from here.

That filthy Charon scavenger wouldn't stop pestering us about bandits near the lake. Thought she was full of it, but turns out that lass was right...

Cassandra... did you send them to find me?

Of course I did! Who else would've? Why'd you run off like that? You scared me half to death!

I... I thought maybe you didn't want to play with me anymore. That no one did... So maybe I shouldn't go back to school.

Don't be ridiculous, we're friends! If you start lumping me in with those bullies, I'll get mad, Wait a sec... Are you hurt!?

I'm okay. Just a few scrapes. Thank you, Cassandra.

Thanks to you, I'm safe... and I finally found the Butterfly Fairy!

That's amazing! You've got to tell me everything when we're back at school.

I will!

Fina, Miss Vita, thank you so much for saving Savio!

It was nothing. Actually, I should be the one thanking you, Miss Cassandra.

You know what, just call me Cassandra. We're friends now, aren't we?

I'm sorry I was mean to you before. I'd heard all these awful things about Charons, greedy, cunning, dangerous, and I believed them...

Turns out it was all rubbish. You two are a hundred, no, a thousand times nicer than those snobby Solarians!

I want to thank you too! *sniffles* I thought I was a goner... Waaah!

Don't cry! You've got loads of friends now, no one's going to hurt you. And if any bullies or bandits show up again? Fina will just summon a giant monster to chase them off!

"Giant monster"? That sounds scary... I don't know any dark magic like that. But I can call in a majestic knight to protect you instead~!

Heh heh~

Even if there's no magic protecting me, I won't be a scaredy-cat anymore. I'll be brave, just like Miss Vita said!

Alright, brave little ones, time to head home.

Hi, Fina! It's me.

Savio? Why did you come alone? Where's Cassandra?

She's out shopping, so I thought I'd drop off my thank-you gift first!

Look what I brought!

Mr White Bird...!

I remembered how much you loved him. After you left, I kept him safe in my closet, waiting for you to come back. Now that you've got a new home, I think he should be with you.

Aww... Thank you, Savio!

Fina... I remember now, you never really looked happy at our old place. Are you happy here?

I am. I really like my new home.

That's great! Can I come visit you sometimes? Maybe we could play together again?

Of course you can, we're friends, aren't we?

Fina! We made it!

Fina, guess what, I ran into Miss Eyepatch at the shop! Hehe, I brought cakes, cookies, and candy, my treat! Help yourselves!

Wow... they smell so good!

Great. Back to "Eyepatch," huh...

Something on your mind, Fina?

Miss Unicorn... do you remember the story of the little nightingale?

She wanted to survive in the outside world and protect her new family. So she plucked out the beast's heart... but never realised doing that meant another innocent cub would lose their family.

Savio... he doesn't know. It was because of me that he lost his parents. If he ever finds out, will he hate me?

Do you remember the story I told Savio, the one about Prejudice? Even though the nightingale killed the beast, the real villain was that invisible monster.

If Savio understood that story, then one day, when he learns the truth... he'll know it wasn't your fault.

But right now, you're both still kids. So just eat your vegetables, go to bed early, and enjoy your little tea parties. Leave the heavy stuff for later.

And when that day comes, when it's time to face it all, I'll be right there with you, Fina.

...Okay! I will! Thank you, Miss Unicorn.

Fina, Eyepatch, what are you doing out there? Come in, or we'll eat all the cake without you!

Coming!

Me too!

Fina? I'm home, whoa...!? Why are there so many kids in here?

Perfect timing! Come and join the tea party, Great MagicMutt, I mean, Great Magician.

You totally did that on purpose!

Outsider, you're back! These are my new friends, come meet them!

Fina, guess what, I ran into Miss Eyepatch at the shop! Hehe, I brought cakes, cookies, and candy, my treat! Help yourselves!

Wow... they smell so good!

Great. Back to "Eyepatch," huh...

Something on your mind, Fina?

Miss Unicorn... do you remember the story of the little nightingale?

She wanted to survive in the outside world and protect her new family. So she plucked out the beast's heart... but never realised doing that meant another innocent cub would lose their family.

Savio... he doesn't know. It was because of me that he lost his parents. If he ever finds out, will he hate me?

Do you remember the story I told Savio, the one about Prejudice? Even though the nightingale killed the beast, the real villain was that invisible monster.

If Savio understood that story, then one day, when he learns the truth... he'll know it wasn't your fault.

But right now, you're both still kids. So just eat your vegetables, go to bed early, and enjoy your little tea parties. Leave the heavy stuff for later.

And when that day comes, when it's time to face it all, I'll be right there with you, Fina.

...Okay! I will! Thank you, Miss Unicorn.

Fina, Eyepatch, what are you doing out there? Come in, or we'll eat all the cake without you!

Coming!

Me too!

Fina? I'm home, whoa...!? Why are there so many kids in here?

Perfect timing! Come and join the tea party, Great MagicMutt, I mean, Great Magician.

You totally did that on purpose!

Outsider, you're back! These are my new friends, come meet them!

"The little nightingale left her nest and flew into the unknown... On her journey, she met the clever Reticent Detective, cheerful Magic Roasted Potatoes, and many, many new friends..."

"She was no longer afraid of bad sorcerers, or the beasts that once chased her..."

"Because now, she knew, no matter how dark or scary the world might seem... as long as she held hands with her friends, she could always find her way to a rainbow-coloured dream."