Hero Stories: Memories of the Remorseful

On the day I first met her...

It was a stormy day just like today.

Countless days and nights have passed since then, but not a day goes by that I don't picture that day in my head and wonder if anything could've turned out differently.

If I did not know her...

If I had never even met her...

...I am fully aware of how meaningless regrets like these are.

They're as foolish as wishing for autumn to last forever, or for winter to stay far away.

However, no matter how deeply it pains me to reflect on those moments...

Do I really wish to erase the memories I have of her?

Could I really forget the days we spent together, sharing laughter and tears?

Never in million years.

I will look back on those days with fondness until my last breath.

I was told there were mysterious ancient relics hidden here, but it doesn't quite live up to my expectations.

I-I apologize, Sir Mort!

It's not your fault.

Humble creatures tend to have high hopes and expectations for the uncertain. This is just another consequence of their nature.

Gather everything worthy in here and send it all to the old Dragon. I won't be returning here again...

Wait, there's something interesting.

What did you find, sir?

Look at the fine letters engraved on this small box... This alphabet is yet to be found in any other civilization we're aware of.

There are items from different dimensions in this cavern. Touching any of it could be dangerous!

Hmm...

Are you worried about me?

...N-No, sir!

Perhaps it would be dangerous for you.

Hmm... There's a small button here.

CLICK

........ ...... ......... ... ...... .......

Hmm?

I don't recognize this language.

You press it.

M-Me? A-All right...

CLICK

...... ... ...... ....... ........ ....... .......

Hm... Umm... I don't think this is an ancient language.

Does that mean you don't understand what it says?

...That's correct.

I see.

Take every possible measure to ensure this box is comprehensible by the time I return here tomorrow.

P-Pardon?

H-How should I...

I will leave the particulars to you.

The only thing I'm concerned with is understanding what that box says.

By tomorrow.

Why does that weirdo keep showing up around the villages?

Is he following me? Or worse...

No, that can't be.

But I'd better tell him off. I don't want him even thinking about doing anything funny in an area under my protection.

What have you done, Mortelix?!

You'd better have a good explanation for the dead Dragons and Human wizards outside the village! How dare you desecrate somewhere under my...

Yes, I know.

This area is under your wings. But...

Hmm? What do you have there?

Well, I don't exactly know what this is.

However...it seems to be a fortune-telling device.

I've never seen an alphabet like this before!

If you cannot read these characters either, it seems safe to assume that it's not of this world.

A fortune-telling device, you say?

I believe that to be its original purpose, but it does not function properly.

When you press this button...

CLICK

Weekly fortune! Your luck in romance is on the rise. Your soulmate is just around the corner!

...I-It says you'll soon meet someone you can share your life with... I highly doubt someone like that even exists.

But then...

CLICK

Weekly fortune! Your luck in finance is on the rise. It's time to make a bold move!

Every time I press this button, it gives out a different message.

CLICK

Weekly fortune! This week is not your week. Stay inside!

A machine blurting out prophecies that change every five seconds is veritable scrap metal.

Perhaps inferior beings from another dimension made this to entertain themselves.

You came here so you could get your hands on stuff like that?

Why don't you try pressing the button too? I'm curious whether it will give you the same results.

Hmph... More of your ridiculousness! You'd better not be planning something...

...This button, right?

CLICK

Weekly fortune! You'll forge a new connection, but it will lead you to...

What? Why did the message get cut off?

Well, it was crudely made in the first place. Perhaps it's starting to break down.

You said it gives out a different message every time you press it? If that's the case...

CLICK

Weekly fortune! You'll forge a new connection, but it will lead you to regret...

Huh? Why is there smoke coming out of it now?!

I think it's broken.

I-I didn't break it!

...I didn't say you did.

Well, as long as you're aware.

I hope you don't come here just to distract me with such ridiculous toys anymore.

Then I'll be sure to bring a more interesting gift next time.

Not coming at all is the best gift you could give me, all right?

Ha.

I feel much more comfortable here now that there's no one to get on my nerves.

On a day as nice as today, I should go to my hideout and enjoy the cool autumn breeze.

What a peaceful day! What beautiful scenery!

There's no room for useless feelings like loneliness...

Hey!

Wh-Who are you?! Don't ever jump out and scare me like that!

Who am I? I'm Senya!

And I was here way long before you got here.

Hmm...

What's your name?

There is no need for us to exchange names. This will be the last time we see each other.

Hmph...

Then can I give you a name?

...What are you talking about, you brat? Don't even think about calling me by some ridiculous name you make up!

Oh, I get it now! You're shy, aren't you?

...

You said your name is Senya?

Yes.

You really don't know who I am, do you?

Of course not. We've never met before.

I should come by the village more often... They don't even know who's protecting them... Tsk.

We live in the same village? That's weird... How come I've never seen you there?

Never mind.

You should leave now. This is where I come to relax.

No, this is where I come to take a break from scouting... I discovered this place first.

What are you talking about? I found this place a while ago...

When? Last week? The week before?

No, you tell me when you found... You know what, let's drop this.

We should go back before it gets too dark. This could be a dangerous place for children.

You're right! It's dangerous to walk around at night, so let's head back. Just follow me, I know a shortcut.

...Don't be a brat. Just stay behind me.

The roads are pretty safe from this point on, so you should be fine by yourself.

Huh...? You're not coming with me?

I have no business in that village right now. Don't you worry about me, off you go.

Where do you live?

Why do you want to know where I live?

So that I can walk you home.

I'm walking YOU home right now. But you want to walk me home again?

Yes.

Walking alone can be dangerous, you know.

...Didn't you see me fight earlier? I'm very strong, so you don't have to worry about me.

Hmm... Still... I want to know where you live...

By the way, why do you keep pretending to be an adult? I'm pretty sure I'm older than you...

*chuckling* Pretending...

You'll be very shocked if you find out how old I am.

Tell me!

No one knows my age, and I'd like to keep it that way.

What does that mean?

It means I'm not going to tell you.

Don't be like that! I promise I won't tell anybody!

The truth is...I don't know. I stopped counting at some point.

Liar!

Why would I lie to you?

I should head back. Otherwise, we're going to spend the rest of the evening standing in the middle of this road.

You really aren't going to tell me your name?

You'll find out later.

Hmph.

Aha, we meet again, you pretend granny!

What are you doing here? I told you, this is where I relax!

Eh? Come on! This place is open to anyone!

Hmm...

You're not going to claim this entire mountain as yours, are you?

I'd never do such a thing!

I want to become strong like you. Teach me how to fight.

No.

Come onnn. We're friends!

Friends? I don't remember agreeing to be your friend.

Hehe, you don't need permission to become friends with someone.

You always do whatever you want, don't you?

So...will you teach me?

No, so stop badgering me about it.

A little knowledge is more dangerous than no knowledge at all.

But...

Another tantrum? Tsk... Do you always have to have everything go your way?

It's not that...

Get up. It's time to go home.

Already?

What do you mean, "already"? You spent the whole afternoon playing here.

It gets dark pretty early at this time of year.

Can't we stay here a little longer?

Tch... I've spoiled you too much. You can stay here, but I'm leaving.

Hehe, you're so funny when you talk like a granny.

What?

All right. Let's go home. I'll come back tomorrow and we can play together some more!

You...

Listen carefully, Senya.

Yeah?

Don't ever come back here again. Next time I see you, I'm going to pretend I don't know you.

Really...?

Really.

...

Hmm? Why are you so quiet all of a sudden? I thought you were going to throw another tantrum...

...

Ahem! Your silence isn't going to change my mind. Today will be the last time I walk you home as well.

I know...

I already know you think I'm annoying...

W-What?

I think you misunderstood. It's not that...

So...I tried to stop myself from coming here too...

But I thought if I made you laugh, you'd open up to me.

And maybe you'd like me some day...

I'm telling you, that's not what I meant!

...But then I still keep acting like a baby in front of you, and I hate myself for it...

It's not because I don't like you, Senya!

...It's not?

No! I don't even know you well enough to hate you.

Then why are you telling me not to come here anymore?

That's...because...

Oh no, how am I supposed to explain something as delicate as life and death to a little kid?

I don't know if she'd even understand what I'm saying, but I should at least give it a try.

As a matter of a fact...this is where I honor the memory of someone who was very dear to me.

Someone dear?

Yes, so I've been spending some time alone, to remember them fully.

I should have kept you out of here too...but I ended up being a little lenient with you since you're just a small child.

Hmm... I'm not that small... We're about the same height.

That's not the point!

Then, where is that someone? I don't see any altars or grave markers.

Are you only saying that because you don't want to say you dislike me to my face...

W-What are you talking about?

This pile of stones right here...

You mean this?

Yes... That's actually a shrine.

...It doesn't really look like a shrine.

You don't believe me? When have I ever lied to you?

No, I do... It's just... I didn't mean to keep coming here and bothering you.

It's quite all right. You didn't know.

Hey... I was thinking...

Since I can't come here anymore, maybe you come to my village and play with me later?

Perhaps I could.

Really? You promise?

Yes, I promise.

It's so peaceful around here without a child raising a ruckus.

I finally get to appreciate this beautiful open sky. It's been a while.

But what is this emptiness I'm feeling...?

It's only been a few days... I suppose I should admit that I did grow a little fond of her.

Not too long ago, Senya was running around right over there, laughing...

Huh?

Are my eyes playing tricks on me? No, that's definitely Senya.

Why is she surrounded by monsters?! I have to go rescue her right now!

Tch. I thought I made it clear enough for her...

Shoo, you nasty creatures!

Go away!

What are you doing here, Senya? Didn't I tell you never to return here?

Ah, so you were here!

I was going to ignore you, but you appeared to be in danger.

I told you not to come here. Did you think that was a joke?

No... It's not that...

Then explain yourself!

Your shrine...

My shrine?

I thought I heard some noise from here, so I wanted to see what was going on... I was planning on staying hidden even if I did see you.

But then those monsters kept messing with your shrine.

...So you jumped in even though you don't know how to fight?

Yes.

I had to make sure the shrine didn't fall apart.

*sighing* ...Why would you risk your life for something that isn't even important to you?

...It is important... Anything that's important to my friend is important to me too.

Th-That's...

Friends...should protect each other.

...

So you're saying you are going to protect m, Wait!

Step aside, Senya! It's dangerous!

No matter how many of them I put away, they just continue to swarm in.

Is there something inside that pile of stones that's attracting them?

But at this rate, she could be in serious danger.

Senya, listen carefully. We need to get out of here. Come on, get on my back.

Huh? What about your shrine? We can't just leave it like this...

That doesn't matter! We need to keep you safe first!

But...!

You're going to be sad if the shrine is ruined...!

Now's not the time for that! Hurry up, climb onto my back!

How do I climb onto you? You're smaller than me.

Ah... I haven't transformed yet.

Whoaaa...!

It's quite high up, so hang on tight.

Wow... You... You really are...

...My name is Alencia. You can call me by that name from now on.

Alencia?

I have another name, but you don't need to know that.

My mom told me about a Dragon who protects the village!

Yes, that's me. Now do you believe what I've told you?

I didn't know you were really a Dragon!

Well, this is not how I normally look...

Alencia... You know...

What is it? If you feel sick, don't look down...

Can I come visit you tomorrow again?

...

Weekly fortune! You'll forge a new connection, but it will lead you to regret...

It's just one of the thousands of ridiculous things I've heard over the course of my long life.

What could there be to regret about a connection with someone? I'm sure I'll feel sad and empty when we part ways, but that moment too shall pass.

Do whatever you want. As you said, this mountain is open to anyone.

Hehe...really? Yippee!

What should we do tomorrow?

Hold on tight if you don't want to fall off my back.

I will drop you off at your village in a moment.

Okay!