Second Underworld: Iztaccíhuatl

The wind's gotten cooler. We must be approaching the second underworld.

The Storm Border is still being repaired, so we can't call the Command Room.

We can manage one-way, voice-only transmissions for a few seconds, but that's only for emergencies.

I'm recording a video as we go, so I'll be submitting it to them as a record of this mission once we get back.

And we weren't able to fully recharge the Ortinax, so we'll have to keep conserving energy.

So let's try to avoid danger as much as we can, and take the shortest possible route to México City.

We still need to cross the second boundary of the underworld before that. What sort of trial should we expect there, Tepeu?

When I crossed it, I had to traverse a mountain trail.

It was quite tiring, especially as the wind was very strong, but other than that, there was nothing harmful.

Oh, right. I suppose I did slip and fall a few times after getting lost in thought.

So I hope you'll all do your best to catch the person next to you if they look like they're about to fall.

Oh, there was also some sharp obsidian lying around. It had been whittled down by the wind, so it will cut you if you fall.

The cuts won't be terribly dangerous, but humans like you could lose a great deal of blood if you fall enough.

Well, I don't have to worry about that. I float everywhere I go.

I don't have to worry about wind blowing me away, either. I might not look it, but I actually weigh literal tons!

Nope. State secret. I tried to stop myself, but it just popped out before I could.

I'm not mistaken! I know for a fact I weigh over ten thousand tons!

The only reason I don't have any effect on my surroundings is because I'm constantly manipulating gravity!

How else could I make gravity fields!?

You really weigh that much? At that size!?

Wow, Olga Marie, that means you're warping time and space just by existing!

Did you really have to put it like that, Mash!?

？！

Hmm. Then I believe we should be fine if you block the wind for us, U-Olga Marie.

On which note, we're here.

The second underworld, Iztaccíhuatl, the bone graveyard consisting of a valley of blades and wind, lies just past these trees.

Uh...

？！

Right?

All these rocks are practically weapons themselves! I think they're even sharper than my knifehand strike!

The wind is blowing at ten meters per second, with bursts up to twenty! That's going to slow us down, to say nothing of the danger of flying debris!

Really!? Yikes! That wind would carry me right off if I materialized!

You're that light, Habbycat!? All right, um, in that case, make sure you stay hidden in your spirit form!

The temperature is more than a little unforgiving. Wind this cold is likely to slow even Servants.

Oh my, I'm surprised to hear such timidity from a Disciple. Perhaps life as a butler has made you weak.

Just think of this wind as a gentle mountain breeze and you should be fine.

？！

I'm so sorry, but this item is one of a kind.

Though I do get the impression I once received a fur coat from a certain someone...

Oh, right. I was so pissed off, I threw it in my storehouse, so I don't have it on me at the moment☆

Hmm. If only we had some hot pepper water right now...and something to keep us all tied together...

Tepeu, when you say "hot pepper," do you mean the spice?

No. Here, hot pepper is a mixture of honey and herbs. It's sometimes called "honey orchid."

It causes the body to generate heat, so we use it in cold periods when the sun is at rest.

I apologize for not bringing any; I don't generally use it myself.

？！

What? Why're you rummaging through your bag? There's no point looking for stuff you don't have, right?

？！

Why, those are honey orchids and vine rope. I'm impressed you thought to bring these.

Oh my, you even have styptic grass for treating cuts! Now then, if you'll excuse me. Here, Mash, you have some, too.

Oh wow, it does remind me of honey. It's sweet and tasty.

Interesting. This is hardly my field of expertise, but I think this could make for a good secret ingredient for curry.

I do have some interest in Lostbelt medicinal cooking, but I'll pass. I'm good with just my coat.

？！

...

...

Hey, Fujimaru. Where's mine?

Huh!? N-no, that's okay.

We only have so much to work with and I don't get cold, so you should just drink it all yourself.

Th-that's right! I DON'T get cold! And I'm not feeling the least bit left out, either!

One of these days, I'm going to send you to Siberia! Now stand back and watch in awe while I open up a path!

？！

？！

Indeed. We're lucky U-Olga Marie is blocking the wind for us. This would be even harder otherwise.

Perhaps this isn't the best time, but if you don't mind, I have a question: Does Proper Human History have underworlds like this, too?

Yes, it does. I think this one is the equivalent of Proper Human History's Itztépetl, Mictlán's third layer.

Itztépetl was said to be a mountain path filled with sharp obsidian that cut the dead as they walked along it.

The wind blowing across the mountain was also said to strip the dead of all the ornamentations they possessed in life.

It would remove their clothes, their equipment, their possessions, and sometimes even their very flesh, eventually leaving them as no more than skeletons.

Skeletons! Then how could anyone possibly keep going to the next layer?

These were trials in the underworld; those undertaking them would be dead. Being a skeleton would be little inconvenience.

It was, in fact, the souls' willingness to persevere through this suffering that allowed them to be saved.

It's not unlike Japanese folklore's version of hell.

Right, now that I mention it, this scenery looks a lot like the mountain of needles.

A pit of endless punishment that exists solely to torment sinners... What a horrifying thought.

？！

Hell! Hell, huh!? Who would've thought such a texture would fit so well in my yard!?

Making an utter mockery of the dead! Devious. Clever. I like it!

Imagine punishing the dead instead of saving them! That truly does sound far more hellish than this place!

Ha. Haha. Hahahahahahahahaha. Hahahahahahahahahahahaha!

That creepy laughter and flapping!

Welcome, apes! Welcome, underworld pilgrims!

Let me show you the way! Let me see what you've got! Let there be a new mark of agony made in this ever-unchanging Mictlān!

But now is the time to tremble in fright! Tremble at Camazotz!

Tremble at the lord of the house of fear, the king of the underworld, and the wings that strip the flesh from the living!

？！

Hm? You've got a different team than last time, don't you? I see you lost one ape and gained another.

What a shame. I never got a chance to try that child's blood. Pity he's dead now.

Yes, what a pity! How dreadfully sad!

To think he would give up the honor of sacrificing his blood to me, Camazotz, after I had my eye on him!

Servant blood still tastes terrible, of course, but still, it's the principle of the thing. What a waste.

Try not to meet a similarly luckless end. We almost never get visitors here.

And I like Proper Human History. Your ape blood tastes a lot better than deinos' blood.

...

Koyanskaya? (I've never seen such hostility from her before...)

？！

No need to explain. I know the name "Camazotz." He is an evil Mayan god in Proper Human History.

That's the enemy Mash described in her report.

The one using Lord Fujimaru's Command Spells for himself, right?

I'll have to put a speedy end to him, then. I can already tell talking to this one will get me nothing but a headache.

Oho! That weapon! That smell! I remember your face now!

You're the woman who snuck into my Mictlān and took the Crypter to an outside world!

And that's not all! You're also the devilish rabbit who sold weapons to the ocelomeh!

You and Tezcatlipoca must've been reaaal close, as much as that weird god loves modern weapons!

It's like La Malinche all over again! You're the latest evil woman to poison the Aztecs and help bring about a new country in Mexico!

Wat.

Oh my, is that true?

Of all the ways to find out how the ocelomeh got their weapons!

Ouch! I've been slapped! Even though I have a strict hands-off policy!

(*Wisely keeping the fact that his favorite rocket launcher is an NFF Services product to himself)

？！

Heh. It seems the bunny's out of the bag.

You're right, I did provide the ocelomeh with firearms. Wherever humanity in all its foolishness goes, they can rest easy knowing NFF Services will be right there with them.

However, those weapons were loaned out for a trial period to last one month, and not a day longer!

But then that accursed blondie said he'd figured out what he needed to know, and that he'd make the rest himself!

He stole my property, reverse engineered it, and now he's making it for himself! I've never been so absolutely livid with a fellow competitor in my entire life!

You underestimated Tezcatlipoca. There's nothing he can't do. You Proper Human History humans should've known better than to pigeonhole him as just a god of war.

But I'm stronger than him here in Mictlān! Without his precious sun, Tezcatlipoca is just another pompous idiot!

But I digress. Now is the time to taste death and slaughter.

Call your Heroic Spirits, priest of Chaldea. I want to see your technique. I want to know how it's done.

Once I've finished, I'll drink every last DROP of your blood and take over Proper Human History myself!

Haha. Hahaha. Hahahahahahaha! That's it! Now this is divine providence! This is truly a new lease on life!

I'll use the blood of you Chaldean criminals to bring my Mictlān back to life! Now, let's see those delicious-looking heads!

Hmm. This summoning stuff is more difficult than I thought.

I was sure I could put more of myself into it... Hm?

Ah, she's here. Looks like that's the end of your royal audience.

I'll leave you in the capable hands of the guardian of the underworld. In fact, even I have no choice there!

This hellbird is too hot for even me to handle! She's the empress of flame! She cleaves souls like butter!

Come, Beni-Enma! Come give these interlopers a new trial!

？！

Master, Tepeu, over here! The landscapeno, the land itself is being pushed aside!

The mountains are moving. But, how? Or...why!?

Look! There's something up in the sky!

Who IS that!? Something about them's giving me chills!

...I am an agent of the Ten Kings of the Eight Hot Hells. I am Beni-Enma, the Vermillion Bird.

...

Your excuses are worth nothing to me. All I want is your tongues.

Your first sin was coming to my hell to begin with. Your second was defying my winged god.

And you seem to have committed many other sins as well. Do not expect a punishment which ends with a tour of only eight hells.

H-huh? D-did you say Beni-Enma!?

As in Beni-Enma the Tongue-Cut Sparrow, proprietress of the Enma-tei!?

You've read my story? ...Never mind. It doesn't matter.

A judge cannot allow her personal feelings to influence her work. I suppose I can at least serve you breakfast once a day, though...

I am told that you Chaldeans are destroyers of lost worlds. I can only imagine the trail of bodies you left in your wake.

For that alone, I will not say you are evil, but it is your own heart that makes your sins weigh so heavily on you.

My sword is only as sharp as your conscience dictates.

The better person you are, the easier you will fall. The more evil, the more painful your death.

The living and dead are equal in my eyes. My verdicts can kill even those who are already dead. Now...let us have a good, clean trial!

Eeeeeeeeeeee!

Director Olga Marie!?

Ghh...!

She'll have to do better than that! It'll take more than stopping my brain waves to kill me!

I managed to reboot myself! But just so you're aware, I don't think I'll be able to do that again!

...I understand your sins now.

I sentence you to a hundred quintillion years. Wail and rejoice. Chirp.

...Beni-Enma just flew away. Does this mean...the battle is over?

It can't be... Beni... My darling Beni...

How could they make you grow up like thaaat!? I'm going back to Tunguskaaa!

？！

Thank goodness we're all still alive.

That Servant seems to have taken off toward the peak. Was she from Chaldea as well?

Yes... I think she must have been one of the four who was summoned on the Border, like Kingprotea.

Let's just forget about her. I doubt she'll come after us again.

We just need to cross the mountains there to get through this underworld, right? No reason it's got to be the tallest of them.

Right, Tepeu?

Indeed, we merely have to make it to the other side. Once we reach the ridge, it's quite literally all downhill from there.

True. At least this time, Young Miss is entirely correct, for some reason.

What do you mean "for some reason"?

Beni-Enma... I don't know where she comes from, but her Spirit Origin was at the scale of a Divine Spirit. And then there was her fearsome swordplay.

The very fact that she thought to use the mountains themselves as blades makes clear that you have no chance of defeating her, Young Miss. At least as you are now.

Oh come on, who uses mountains as swords? They're heavy, they hurt, and most of all, they're scary.

We are on an urgent mission. If you desire revenge upon her, you should do so after we have saved Fujimaru's compatriots in México City.

Yeah, I guess you're right. Unlike Protea, she didn't seem to be in any pain.

What about me!? Who's going to heal my heart after seeing my poor Beni like that broke it!?

Oh, Beni... Beni...

How could you grow up into such a hale and hearty delinquent with no trust in societyyy!?

？！

It seems we needn't bother putting it to a vote then. Tepeu, would you kindly lead on?

Of course. Iztaccíhuatl is much harsher than I remember, but the path through it remains the same.

This way, please. It may be dangerous, since we'll need to cross a few animal nests along the way...

...but with your skills, I'm sure we'll make it through this underworld in no time.

So far, so good. No problems to speak of.

？！

I knew it. Well, that explains why I've been sweating so much.

So you've actually been worried? You seemed so calm while you were guiding us; I had no idea.

I appreciate your intentions, Tepeu, but at times like these, we need to come up with a plan as soon as possible!

I guess deinos and human internal clocks are more different than we realized. Oh well.

The fact is, we've been climbing the same mountain over and over for a while now.

Let me expand my sensor radius... Yeah, I knew it. This entire underworld is closed off. There's no way out.

No way out?

But, the underworlds are supposed to let dead people through if they pass their trials. Doesn't having no way out violate the rules?

Damn, that's it. Now I understand.

Beni-Enma is the new guardian of the underworld. Consequently, this underworld's rules changed to suit its guardian.

This second underworld is no longer a valley of blades and wind. It's become a hell from Japanese folklore.

Which means

？！

Pretty sharp, Fujimaru. I think you're right.

Also, didn't that Servant say something about a hundred quintillion years before she left?

Butler, remind me how many digits there are in a hundred quintillion?

Of course, Young Miss. Quintillion is the next order of magnitude after quadrillion, or ten to the twentieth power in notational format.

Are you kidding me!? Even I'll be long dead by then!

One hundred quintillion years? What does that mean?

It means there's no point even trying to serve the sentence. Hell, not even a red giant star could serve that sentence.

I guess Beni-Enma's concept of hell comes from Buddhism...

India was one of the first countries to discover the concept of zero, so they must be very well-versed in numbers.

All that aside, one hundred quintillion years seems a little...excessive. I mean, those are very literally astronomical numbers.

Life imprisonment, indeed. It seems clear now that our only path out of this is a jailbreak.

A jailbreak? But how do we do that when there's no way out?

Oh, that? Simple.

If this underworld transformed into an execution ground when Beni-Enma became its guardian, then it should go back to the way it was once she disappears.

I know I originally recommended leaving her alone, but now that we understand our situation, we have no choice but to defeat her. Don't you agree, Fujimaru?

？！

Of course I'm against it. As far as I'm concerned, that fake priest can just die.

...Still, it does seem that we won't be able to leave this boundary of the underworld without defeating her.

And since I make it a point of pride to separate my personal Beast feelings from my business dealings...

...if you decide to go after her, I'll lend you my full support.

Then, we're going to fight her, yes?

...

...

？！

True. Her sword seems to be capable of killing even the dead.

Fortunately for us, this hell follows the Japanese model, which means sinners simply come back to life once killed.

That was why Young Miss was able to will herself back during our earlier battle.

So we know Servants will come back to life no matter how many times they're killed. As such, this comes down to how much pain and suffering we're willing to endure.

？！

？！

...

Well, that just makes sense. Of course we need to keep as many capable personnel as we can.

Right! I agree with Master!

Then you can do the same thing you did with Kingprotea, Father Kotomine.

You can slip past her deadly blade like a stray bullet from an ocelotl.

Hahaha. I'd be grateful if you refrained from volunteering me for such obviously reckless courses of action, Tepeu.

Unfortunately, I don't think I can do that this time. Kingprotea's infection was concentrated in her mask.

But I have yet to see any specific item causing her transformation like with Kingprotea, which means I can't cure her Alterization.

？！

So your hands are tied this time, Father Kotomine? Then I have a suggestion.

I think Beni-Enma, the Tongue-Cut Sparrow, must have been forced to grow into her current form.

This version of her is her future self, after she completed her training and began to substitute for the kings of hell.

That means it's not a superficial transformation, but genuine, if forced, growth.

And THAT means all we need to do is make her young again☆

Quite an idea, expertly weaving together your own personal interests and desire for profit.

I see only one issue with your plan: it is impossible.

Unless someone here has a spell or Noble Phantasm of rejuvenation that I'm unaware of.

Of course they don't. But aren't you forgetting something?

Past, present, and future all converge in the underworld. As long as we have enough magical energy, we can summon as many Servants as we like while we're here.

Which means we have no end of willing collaborators to choose from. Isn't that right, Master of Chaldea?

？！

I'll search the database right now!

Given how many missions we've completed, I'm sure we'll find a Heroic Spirit with a rejuvenating Noble Phantasm!

...I'm so sorry. My enthusiasm was misplaced.

There are a number of Heroic Spirits whose Noble Phantasms deal with immortality, invincibility, and the like...

...but I didn't find any who can make someone young again.

What about, uh, what was that guy's name...? Urashima Tarou! His story's all about age, right!?

Hahahaha, I'm afraid you're mistaken, Young Miss. Tarou's story involves suddenly getting older, not younger.

Hmm... I can't think of any fairies with de-aging legends, either. The only ones I know of involve fairies pranking people by making them old.

So even summoning Heroic Spirits cannot necessarily solve every problem. What a pity. I suppose Father Kotomine flying to her is our only choice.

Hahahaha. I must say, Tepeu, I really don't understand your sense of humor.

？！

Ahem. Excuse me.

I'm sorry to interrupt, but our top god was adamant that we can't let Odin have all the glory.

May I offer some advice?

Eep! I-I know that voice!

A Noble Phantasm is an embodiment, or sublimation, of a given Heroic Spirit's legend. Their trump card, if you like.

And I doubt there are many Heroic Spirits out there who have de-aging or rejuvenation as their trump card.

So try taking it one step down.

There may not be many Heroic Spirits with a rejuvenating Noble Phantasm, but there are absolutely some who possess a rejuvenating potion or elixir.

I'm afraid I don't have anything of the sort myself...but can you not think of one who does?

A hero who loves collecting things of that sort, and who has strong ties to all of you.

All right, that's all from me. Give the proprietress my regards.

I-I can't believe we got a call from the other side of the summoning circle! This almost feels less like the underworld and more like a Throne of Heroes outpost!

...

(It's true, every human dies eventually. Heroes are no exception. So the underworldthat is, the next world, is both a melting pot of human data, and its final destination.)

(So why would Tezcatlipoca put such a thing here? Could there be another purpose to these boundaries of the underworld?)

Hmm. Any idea who he meant, Fujimaru?

？！

Seriously!? Think harder, you idiots!

How hard can it be to recall Uruk's great king, and one of the greatest collectors AND heroes of all time!?

？！

King Gilgamesh! That's right! Of course he would have an elixir of youth in his collection!

It's so good to see you again, Your Majesty! It's been so long since

Oh, uh, right. This isn't "again" for you at all, is it?

The events of the Seventh Singularity were never inscribed upon the original King Gilgamesh, so...

I'm so sorry. I hope I didn't offend you...

？！

...Hmph. No matter. I didn't come all this way just to lecture you.

You can review how Heroic Spirit summons work on your own time.

Right now, you need an elixir of youth, yes? Fortunately for all of you, I have one.

I can't deliver it to you myself, since your summoner's magical energy is so pitiful it is barely third-rate...

...but you can at least summon the elixir itself. Here, take it.

Oho, how very generous. You're nothing like the king I know. Are you sure you're really Gilgamesh?

Hahaha. Fujimaru, you'd be best-served by lopping off that man's head now, while you have the chance.

If you don't, there is no question that he will betray you, and at the most inopportune time to boot.

I'm afraid you have the wrong idea. Fujimaru and I were never allies to begin with.

On a different note, King Gilgamesh...

Legend has it that you went all the way to the Abyss in your search for an elixir of immortality.

Though you failed to obtain the elixir, you were willing to settle for the Herb of Rejuvenation.

But, on your way back to your kingdom, your arrogance led to a snake stealing it.

So my understanding is that you never actually obtained this Herb of Rejuvenation... Am I wrong?

Fool. Who do you think I am?

True, I allowed that snake to steal the herb, then returned to rebuild Uruk while I was still old and decrepit.

But I never forgot about the herb incident, and I've always made it a point to never let my failures stand for long.

So I returned to the Abyss and reclaimed the herb, which I then stored in my treasury, as it was reasonably valuable.

Yeah, that's right! That smug-ass king really said that right to your face back in your room, Senpai!

？！

All right, farewell, last Master of humanity. I wish you luck on your pilgrimage in the underworld.

Hold on! I can't let your earlier remark about Senpai being only third-rate pass!

What do you take issue with? His magical energy, catalyst, and luck are all pathetic. His luck especially. Did he leave them all at home?

But, I suppose third-rate is indeed a step too far. Congratulations on making it to second-rate, Chaldean.

？！

All right, I'll hold on to this elixir.

The rest of you will fight Lady Beni-Enma until she's no longer a threat...or at least somewhat exhausted.

Then I'll do whatever it takes to get her to drink the elixir, even if it costs me my life!

If all goes well, when we're done...

...we should have the original, purehearted, innocent, deliciously gullible Beni-Enma back on humanity's side!

What are you sinners doing here? This court has already passed judgment on you.

There will be neither retrial nor appeal.

If you refuse to accept your sentence...

...then I will chop off your limbs and use your torsos as stands for my Needle Mountain Sword for another hundred quintillion years.

This sword was given to me by the Buddha himself. You will soon grow most familiar with its full weight of eight tons.

The mountains are moving! Get ready for her, Fujimaru!

Try to call on Servants with Death resistance! If you can't get any, I'll figure something out myself!

You stay out of this one, Mash! Without a Spirit Origin, there's no coming back if you die!

R-right! Thank you, Olga Marie!

Not even the smallest rat shall escape punishment for its sins. Now you will see for yourselves how keenly my mountain blades cut.

Enjaku Battoujutsu Ultimate Art, Vermillion Bird Beni-Enma. Let the flaming trial begin!

Ch-chirp! How are you weaving through my needle mountains!? You're not even kingfishers!

Is THAT the best the world's quickest, shortest sparrow quick-draw can do? Hardly impressive as weapons go.

It may work well for crushing large targets, but it's clearly useless against small ones.

Did you stop sizing your opponents once you grew up, or is this some sort of inferiority complex fixated on your smaller self?

Don't get cocky, rabbit! Even now that I am a great king, my sword is as precise as ever!

This is it! This barrage is exactly the opportunity I was waiting for!

I'm afraid you're the cocky one here. Lady Beni-Enma's swordplay is supposed to be so quick it can't even be seen.

It should NOT be so big and brutal that you hide your own target from view!

Huh!?

Goats aren't the only ones who have an easy time crossing mountains! A bunny on a bike can do the job just as well!

Now watch me thread the needle in your place!

Eee, I did it! Then without any further ado...!

Wha... What are you doing, you pervert!? Chiiirp!

...I'm beyond mortified, chirp. I'm so, so sorry you had to see me like that.

Please, allow me to introduce myself properly. I'm Beni-Enma, the Tongue-Cut Sparrow.

And you must be the Master of Chaldea. Thank you for everything you've done to protect humanity so far.

I wish you luck in your continuing quest, though I also hope you won't push yourself too hard, chirp!

I'm afraid the only services I can provide are a good bed, a sound night's sleep, and a delicious meal.

But if any of those will help you smile, I'll gladly offer whatever I can.

Please, call me Beni from now on, chirp. And if you need me to use my battoujutsu too, just say the word!

S-so you HAVE been to the Enma-tei before. I knew it, chirp.

I don't remember that encounter, so from my point of view, it must happen after this meeting here.

...I know it's against the rules to ask you something like this, but...

...which time period, and which Enma-tei, did you visit?

We visited during New Year's.

You, Toshi, and all the other sparrows did a great job running everything. You were very good to us.

I see. What a lovely smile, Mash.

I'm not entirely sure why, but hearing you say that makes me really happy, chirp!

？！

On another note...

...can you do anything about this overgrown jackrabbit clinging to my leg, chirp?

Please say it isn't so, Beniii! How could you not remember meee!?

I do know a fox shrine maiden who looks just like you, but I feel nothing towards you whatsoever.

It can't be... I mean, I'm certainly used to you being cold to me, but this is too much...

You would still be your disgraceful Alter self if it wasn't for me...

That was no disgrace. Eventually, I will act as proxy for the Ten Kings.

That means I will one day grow up into the form you saw earlier. And that's nothing to be ashamed of, chirp.

My disgrace was in you dodging my Needle Mountain Sword.

I can't believe I was still so immature that I let you goad me into using such wild swings like that...

Not at all, Beni-Enma. Your sword technique was a wonder to behold. I must say, between your guns and swords, human tools simply astound me.

More importantly, what about your Command Spells, Fujimaru? Did you get any back?

Oho. Only one left to go. Then it stands to reason we'll find it with the guardian of the third underworld.

That bat...man had some nerve, using your Command Spells for his twisted ends.

Fortunately, what he did has given me some new power.

It's a shame that I can only remain here in Mictlān as a guardian of the underworld...

...but thanks to that, I can now become a grown-up whenever I want, chirp.

Please, go on ahead, everyone. Don't worry about me.

In your next battle, when you face an enemy that you must put all your body and soul into striking down...

...that is when I will show you the power of the Enma's true ultimate art, chirp.

？！

Come now. I may no longer be an Alter, but I'm still a guardian of the underworld.

I'm certain you'll need to fight another great battle in this boundary of the underworld.

So until that time comes, I'll be here, training. Especially now that I have someone to help me train, chirp!

Huh?