Hero Stories: A Prayer to the Waxing Moon

No. I won't allow it!

Why? It won't take long!

You are too young to go outside.

If I don't go out this time, then I need to wait for the moon to wax and wane another twelve times. And that's if I'm even allowed to then either...

Of course you won't be allowed. I won't let you out until you realize your duty as a Nocturne and start being mature enough.

You always say no to everything...

Fine, I'll just rot here in the cemetery while everyone else is having fun at the festival.

...*sighing*

Looking around for just a while should be fine, right? He'll be safe as long as you're with him.

This isn't about whether it's safe or not, I'm worried that he'll like the outside too much and refuse to come back.

Not to mention, not enough time has passed for those who knew him in the outside world to have forgotten him.

So really you're just afraid of losing him or him hating you?

Where's the aloof, confident Kise I used to know?

I don't want to hear that from you, of all people.

Ludwig really does seem desperate to go outside.

Don't you think he might just be reckless enough to sneak out and try to find Ezera by himself? Now that would be dangerous.

We'll have to keep a close eye on him at least until the end of Ezera's New Year Festival.

Or how about trying another, closer festival, instead?

I've heard that the town near Destina's shrine also has its own small festival to celebrate the new year.

Since it's only a small town, it should be a lot quieter than the one in Ezera.

Perfect for us to enjoy a festival atmosphere, if only for a moment, don't you think?

...I guess it might not be a bad idea.

Really? Are you sure? We're going to a festival together? You can't take it back!

It's not as grand as the one held in Ezera, but...

That's fine, it's still good enough for me!

I was so upset hearing everyone else but me talking about what it's like in the outside world.

Now everyone will be so jealous that I came outside with you, Kise!

Is it really that exciting?

Anyway, it'll be over by the time we get there if we dawdle any longer.

Wow...

Kise! Look! The whole world is twinkling! Doesn't it look like the stars have fallen to the ground?

It really does.

So this is a festival... It's even more amazing than I expected.

*giggling* Is this your first time at a festival, young man?

I'm not young...but yes, it is.

Ludwig, stay behind me.

If you need something, talk to me instead.

Oh, I'm sorry, I didn't mean to be rude. I swear in the name of Destina!

My name is Ruele. I'm the successor chosen by the Spirit Lord of Light.

Since it's his first time participating in this festival, I thought he might be interested in having his fortune told with New Year Rabbit Fortune Cookies.

Rabbit...Fortune Cookies?

That's right! Usually you tell fortunes with Rabbit Fortune Cookies based on which side has more cream on it.

But! These New Year Rabbit Fortune Cookies I bought are extra special!

If you buy the special edition New Year Rabbit Fortune Cookies 10-Piece Set, it comes with a special card that tells your fortune for the new year!

And if you don't like your fortune, you can change it by buying another pack!

Lucky, right? You can renew it over and over again until you get a fortune you like!

Do people seriously fall for that...?

Kise, I want to try...

...

Thank you, please visit us again!

*sighing*...

Ta-da! Surprise! What's my fortune for the new year?

"Catastrophic - Watch out for disease and external injury."

Hmm...

Kise, what does "catastrophic" mean?

It means really bad.

Well, it doesn't matter, anyway. I still have four more packs left! I'm sure there must be a good fortune among them.

Now, would you like to go next, young man?

Sure! Let's see...

"Catastrophic - Prepare for a farewell with a loved one."

...This is very suspicious.

Is this some kind of trick? Maybe they only say negative things so people keep buying more...

N-No way. Ahem... Hmm...

A loved one... To me, that means you, Kise.

It's just for fun, so you shouldn't think about it too much, Ludwig.

Still...

Hmm, alright then! I'll give you a new fortune!

Young man, you will meet so many good friends, and your life will be full of happy moments.

You will be beloved by everyone!

You can trust me, I'm the successor of Destina, the Spirit Lord of Light, after all!

I swear this in the name of Destina!

...Now I've said that, Destina will have to do whatever it takes to make sure it comes true!

What a responsible successor Destina has.

*giggling* She loves even this side of me!

Anyway, now you have the blessing of the successor of Destina herself, you don't have to worry about what these silly cards say.

In any case, you already know I will never leave you. That's absolute nonsense.

You promise?

Of course. I never make fake promises.

Okay, then. I trust you, Kise.

How about we lighten up the mood, hmm? Let's go fishing for sugar cookies!

We really ought to go...

Oh, yes please...!

...

This festival happens only once a year, we should all enjoy it together! There are still so many things left to do!

And then we did Sugar Cookie Fishing, and then a Rotten Log Crossing Race, and then a Find the Mud Flux in the Mud contest...

It was so much fun! I hope I can go to the next one too!

Your first time leaving the Lunar Cemetery certainly seems to have lived up to your expectations, Ludwig.

Did you bring us any souvenirs?

Oh, no! I completely forgot! I was too excited about the festival...

*chuckling* I'm only teasing you. I'm glad you had fun.

I really should have bought something for Saskia at least, since she was the one who persuaded Kise to let me go.

In the end, I fell asleep and didn't even get to say thank you to Ruele...

...I know! I'll go back to the town myself...

I can buy presents for everyone, and say thank you to Ruele. I'm pretty sure I remember how to get there!

It won't take too long, so it should be fine, right?

Not here either...

Where has he gone?

Kise? What are you doing here?

I can't find Ludwig anywhere!

Ludwig? He was over there talking about the festival earlier...

Right, he told me how fun it was and how he can't wait to go back.

Did he leave the cemetery and go back to the town alone?

...!!

Wait, Kise!

Kise...

I knew it. I knew he would leave us if he ever experienced the outside world.

I should never have allowed it...

I love you, but I can't be away from my country any longer.

...Even you chose the outside world over me, eventually.

That's not it, I refuse to be forced to choose between you or Taranor. I need you both.

So please, come with me.

...

I will be waiting for you tomorrow, by this lake.

Don't take too long...

...And that was the last time I saw him.

I was unable to meet up with him due to an unfortunate incident. And so he left, and never came back.

And the outside world continued to take many others from me.

Some left voluntarily, fascinated by the ordinary lives led by Humans, and some were made to leave against their will because they were chosen as an Heir.

No matter their reasons for leaving, none of them ever came back.

I can't lose Ludwig like this too.

I need to hurry.

Strange... I should have arrived by now. Am I lost?

No, never! I'm not some kid...

Hey, look at that kid over there. He just came from the Restless Hill.

There's no way... Even experienced adventurers are reluctant to go there.

Trust me, I swear I saw him coming out from there. Maybe he's one of the Nocturnes.

Maybe he knows where the treasures mentioned in all those Duselnorc legends are...

*chuckling* Maybe we can convince him to spill the beans.

And if he refuses, I'm sure we can just as easily force it out of him.

Hey kid! What are you doing all the way out here?

I'm not a kid. And I'm heading to the town.

Town? There's no towns 'round these parts.

Huh? That can't be right...

It snows a lot in Duselnorc, so it can get very confusing. People here never depend on memory when it comes to finding their way.

You're better off with a compass.

Oh, I see. I didn't know that.

Since you're lost, how about we take you to the nearest village?

Don't worry, just follow us...

That would be great! Thank you so much!

Since we're being so kind to you kid, don't you think we deserve a reward?

He's right, we've been so nice! Don't you think you owe us something?

Of course, I'll give you anything you need.

All we need is to know just one thing.

You know the legend of the ruler of a fallen empire who hid his treasures in a cave in Duselnorc?

Can you tell us where that cave is?

Oh... I've never heard that story before...

Don't play dumb with me, kid!

I'm telling you, I don't know!

Then bring us someone who does! Show us where you came from!

Wait, you only helped me to get something out of it!

Haha, of course. Why would we help a little kid like you for no reason?

We're waiting, boy. Lead the way.

I'll stab you with this if you try running, so behave.

Ack...

Ludwig!

Here you are.

Kise!

Is this another Nocturne? I guess we don't have to go anywhere after all.

Stay still, woman! You'll tell us anything we need to know!

I was so worried after you disappeared so suddenly.

Can't you hear me? If you come any closer, I'll take this kid's life...

Take his life?

How would you take his life when you don't even have any hands to hold a knife?

Huh?

W-What? Aghhhh! My hands!

What, what happened?! When...

I will spare you this time...

But that doesn't mean I won't punish you for what you've done.

I've never seen her this angry before.

She must be really upset about me sneaking out. What should I do...

Ludwig.

...Yes.

Are you hurt?

No.

Good...

We should go back.

Are you not mad at me?

Why, do you want me to be?

No.

And that's why I'm not, because I know you wouldn't want it.

...I'm so sorry for making you worry. I mean it.

You're safe now, that's all that matters.

Shall we stop by somewhere on the way back home?

I have something to give you.

Wow, what is this place...?

A place only Nocturnes know.

Would you mind bringing me a rock and a plant you like?

Sure!

This rock is bent like Kise's scythe.

I'll choose this one.

Now for a plant...but which?

I like this one...and that one too...

But I really love this one. It's yellow and round like a moon!

Are you done?

Yes, here!

You've chosen a lapis stone and a marigold.

Come sit with me. I'll show you how to make an amulet.

For a long time, us Nocturnes have been making amulets using rocks and plants from this cave.

They can be used to set or dispel barriers...

But their original purpose is to protect those we love.

Everything us Nocturnes do is based on our desire to protect those we love.

Weaving a string together with this plant symbolizes an unbreakable connection with another, while the sturdy rock symbolizes a heart that never changes.

I didn't know that...

I guess I'm still not mature enough, all I do is complain that I'm not a kid...

But I'm still too naive and ignorant...

Being an adult is not only about how much you know.

Our lives are long, it's okay for you to take your time learning. There's no need to fret about it.

But why? I want to hurry up and be an adult like you, Kise.

Because becoming an adult means experiencing pain.

...Okay, it's done.

I give this to you in the hope you will stay out of trouble in the future.

Wow... Thank you, Kise. I will cherish this forever!

I won't go to the town alone ever again.

Now I know not everyone out there is as nice as our clan or Ruele...

And that you'll be worried if I disappear without a word.

I'm glad you finally realized that. I don't think my heart could take it if this happened again.

I understand, don't worry about me!

It's only been three days. Three. Days.

Can you believe this? How can it take him only three days to break his promise?

It's not that surprising. He's still a child, after all.

Didn't you want Ludwig to stay young for as long as possible anyway?

That doesn't mean I want him to break promises.

He'll only get himself into trouble again unless we find him.

He's already been through this before. I'm sure he'll be more careful this time.

Ludwig cherishes you just as much as you cherish him, so he won't do anything that might risk breaking your heart.

Stop worrying so much...

Do you really think that?

Wasn't it you who intentionally stopped me from meeting Alfred that day?

You already knew it would break my heart. Even though you cherished me, you still did it. Because of your own selfishness!

What right do you have to say something like that? How can you be so sure that Ludwig won't do the same to me, regardless of the scars it will leave me!?

...Kise.

...I'm sorry, I went too far.

I can't just sit here waiting like this. I have to find him.

She becomes a whole new person when it comes to Ludwig.

Did I...make her like this?

I'm so sorry, Kise.

He's not here, and he's not in the town...

Where could he be?

Please be safe, Ludwig...

Footprints in the snow... Are these Ludwig's?

They appear to be recent, that's a good sign.

But there are often a lot of large monsters that way...

I still can't find Ludwig anywhere. Were those not his footprints?

If he's not here, then where could he...

...! No...surely not...

Ludwig!

Oh! Kise?

...I was hoping to get back before you noticed I was gone.

Why did you sneak out? You promised me you wouldn't do that again.

I promised not to go to the town alone, but I never promised I wouldn't sneak out again.

You knew how much I would worry if you just disappeared.

I did...but I wanted to give you this...

That's an...

It's my first amulet.

You said becoming an adult means experiencing pain, right?

Knowing how mature you are, I thought you must have gone through a lot.

And perhaps that's why you're always so worried about me...

I've never seen her like that before. She's always so calm and cool-headed.

Maybe she was afraid of losing another person she loves.

Those who have been hurt before are always afraid of being hurt again.

...

I... I want you to be happy. I don't want you to experience any more pain.

Just like how you're always wishing for my safety.

That's why I wanted to make an amulet for you, but it took longer than I thought...

...I see.

I appreciate it, but I already have something better than an amulet.

Huh? But I've never seen you carrying around any kind of amulet or charm...

That's because I have you, Ludwig. You are my own little charm of happiness and wellbeing.

As long as I'm with you, I'll never be sad or hurt. Nor will I die or get injured, so that I can always be by your side.

So why don't you make one for yourself, not for me?

Kise...

I have so much love for you, Kise. I will never leave you, no matter what happens.

Even if you can't find me anywhere, there's no need to worry. I will always come back to you.

I realize that now...

I was always so worried because I didn't fully trust you.

If I knew your heart as I do now, I wouldn't have been so anxious.

I promise to stop being so overprotective of you from now on. Even if I cannot find you, I will give you my trust and wait for you to return.

Shall we head back now? Saskia must be worrying about us.

Ah!

What's wrong?

I wanted to make an amulet for her too, but I completely forgot!

We can make it together later.

I guess so... We've got plenty of time, after all!

There's no use holding onto a relationship I've already lost, or waiting in vain for the scars to heal.

I should walk out from the shadow of the past.

For my own sake, and for the future I have ahead with Ludwig.