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Hringhorni – Rec Area
Mio: Okay, I’m leaving.
Masaki: Wait, you’re going out on your own?
Mio: I’ll be fine.
Masaki: But…you’re emotionally unstable right now…
Mio: I said I’m FINE!
Mio: …I said I’ll be fine.
Masaki: …..
Mio: W-What?
Tytti: Mio, don’t be so stubborn. I’ll go with you.
Mio: …You just don’t think I can do anything on my own…
Masaki: Actually, I don’t mind if you go alone.
Mio: Huh?
Masaki: If you go alone, though, be prepared to die if you encounter Katekis and Wulf.
Mio: I…I’d never let that happen!
Masaki: Did you forget that one of the reasons Tian died was to protect you?
Mio: I…
Masaki: If you want to be alone, then just stay put in your room. Still, I can’t blame you for feeling like this.
Masaki: …I was in the exact same position once.
Mio: I-I’m…
Tytti: Mio, I just want to make sure you stay safe. So let me come along.
Mio: …Okay.
Masaki: Demeksa should be there too. Ask him how his training’s been going. It’s been forever since we’ve seen him.
Tytti: I certainly will.
Solatis Shrine
Ibun: I see…so Tian has…
Demeksa: I’m so sorry…
Ibun: Good grief, even with my advanced age, everyone else is dying before me…Ricardo, Zeolute, Maddock, his Highness…and now Tian.
Ibun: And Maddock aside, they were all so young…too young.
Tytti: Yes…but we inherit the will they left behind.
Ibun: Hmm…
Tytti: ? Is something wrong, Lady Ibun?
Ibun: No, nothing to worry about. So why exactly did you decide to come here?
Ibun: Although I think I already know the reason.
Mio: I want some specialized training…so that I can become more powerful!
Ibun: So I was right…but that won’t benefit you as you are now.
Mio: Huh? W-Why not?
Ibun: …Something tells me you won’t understand if I explained it…so I may as well prepare that training you want. Tytti, give me a hand.
Tytti: Of course.
Demeksa: Um, would you like me to help too?
Ibun: You’ve just finished a training regimen yourself, Demeksa. Rest up a little.
Demeksa: Okay.
Ibun: Let’s go, Tytti.
Tytti: Right.
*Ibun and Tytti leave*
Mio: …..
Demeksa: …..
Mio: …..
Demeksa: So…um…I’m sorry about Tian.
Mio: ！
Demeksa: U-Uh…
Demeksa: Oh, the tea’s ready, be right back.
Mio: ……………
Demeksa: Sorry for the wait. The tea here’s really good. It has almost the exact same scent and taste as gyokuro.
Mio: …..
Demeksa: Drink up before it gets cold.
Mio: Hey.
Demeksa: Yes?
Mio: Tell me…why are you smiling?
Demeksa: …I am?
Mio: Tian is dead!!
Demeksa: I know….
Mio: Demeksa!!
Demeksa: I have to smile because…I’ll cry if I don’t. And then my sister and brother will too.
Mio: Wha?
Demeksa: It’s…kind of a long story. Would you like to hear?
Mio: O-Okay…
Demeksa: My father was a high-ranking official in the Ethiopian government. My mom died when I was little, and my father eventually remarried, so I was several years older than my younger siblings.
Demeksa: My step-mother also worked for the Ethiopian government. My father and step-mother were always busy with their work, so it fell to me to take care of my little brother and sister.
Demeksa: The political situation in Ethiopia was unstable at the time, and there was quite a bit of gruella warfare happening around us.
Demeksa: Whenever they heard a gunshot, my brother and sister would start crying.
Demeksa: But they would stop as soon as I would smile. It gave them security, even if just a little.
Demeksa: Eventually, due to the fact that I was good at long-distance running, I was selected to be a participant in the Olympics.
Demeksa: And one day, when I was away from home at a training camp…a coup happened.
Demeksa: My father and step-mom were killed because they were important government officials…and as for my brother and sister…
Demeksa: I hurried home the instant I heard about the coup, but they were at death’s door when I arrived.
Demeksa: I wanted to cry, and I wanted to curse. But then…if I did that, my brother and sister…they would cry too.
Demeksa: And I didn’t want them to cry. Even though they would soon be dead…I wanted them to have peace of some degree in their last moments.
Demeksa: From that day on…I decided that I would always smile. No matter how bad things got…
Mio: Oh…oh, god…I’m so sorry!
Demeksa: It’s fine. Although, a girlfriend I once had dumped me because of this. Uh, perhaps I’ve said too much. Ahaha.
Mio: …..
Demeksa: So…in short, it’s not that I’m not sad. I just don’t show that I am.
Mio: Yeah…I getcha. I’d be better if I could smile…that’s what Tian would want.
Demeksa: Well, in spite of what I just said, if you want to cry, I think you should cry.
Mio: Demeksa…you’re strong.
Demeksa: Not really. I just put on a brave face in public. Once I’m by myself…then I’ll cry.
Mio: I…I don’t…think I can…put on…a brave face!!
Tears of Grief
Mio: Uwaaaaaa!! Tiaaaan…!!
Demeksa: I won’t claim to understand how you feel. Everyone processes grief differently.
Demeksa: But there’s something you should never forget.
Demeksa: What did Tian leave for you?
Mio: …What Tian left…for me?
Demeksa: Yes. When someone puts their life on the line like that, it means they were trying to protect something. Do you understand that now?
Mio: Yeah…I think I’m finally coming to terms with why Tian and Dinheim did what they did…
Demeksa: Coming to terms…that’s good. Being able to do that will break the chains on your psyche.
Demeksa: Of course, I don’t mean that literally.
Mio: Heh…I get what you meant.
Demeksa: Hey, you finally cracked a smile.
Mio: Hm, I guess I did.
Demeksa: People shouldn’t solely cry when they’re sad. Some say it’s good to do so, but…
Demeksa: Smiling and laughing is just as important for your health.
Mio: …Hey, the Patron Spirit of Zamzeed is Zamuuj, right?
Demeksa: Yes, that’s correct. He’s a Major Spirit of Earth.
Mio: Spirits…the will of the Spirits…
Demeksa: Spirits are said to always exist alongside humans. From the beginnings of history they’ve proven to be invaluable comrades…that’s an excerpt from a Langran poem.
Mio: Exist alongside humans…? Even after death?
Demeksa: That’s right.
Mio: Gotcha…I think I understand them a little better now.
Demeksa: That’s good to hear.
Ibun: Well, everything’s ready for…
Ibun: Eh? Mio, you’re…
Mio: Hm？I’m what?
Ibun: Ohoho…have you learned something in the short time I was away?
Mio: You could say I learned something…or you could say I experienced something…
Ibun: Hm…I’m glad. I though you weren’t ready, but now it seems like you are.
Mio: Then, the special training?
Ibun: You may begin.
Mio: Okay! Thank you!
Chapter 10: Mio’s Decision
Spirit Realm
*Zamzeed appears*
Mio: As usual, we’re in the spirit world, a place I don’t really understand.
Ibun: Alright, Mio. Are you ready?
Mio: Yup, I’m A-OK!
Ibun: Then…begin!
*Another Zamzeed appears*
Mio: As expected. Looks like I’m fighting myself again…
????: Yo. Nice to meet you. So you’re Zamzeed’s second herald, Mio Sasuga.
Mio: Huh!? W…Who…are you?
Ricardo: Zamzeed original herald, Ricardo Silveira.
Mio: Huh? Whaaaaaaa!?
Ricardo: Buh? No need to shout like that.
Mio: Granny Ibun! What’s going on!? Is he a ghost!?
Ibun: Calm down, Mio. That’s no ghost.
Ricardo: Exactly. I have legs here. In Japan ghosts don’t have legs, right?
Mio: Yeah. The story is that started because of Maruyama Ōkyo’s famous ghost painting…
Mio: Hold up! I know you’re dead, Ricardo!
Ricardo: True, I am dead. I still remember that moment as I lay my head in Tytti’s lap…man, that was paradise.
Ibun: Good heavens…you certainly haven’t changed, Ricardo. Still, that’s to be expected.
Mio: If you could explain what’s going on here!
Ibun: Simply put, this Ricardo is a memory.
Mio: Memory?
Ibun: Correct. The memories of those who knew Ricardo, the memories of those who have heard of Ricardo, and Ricardo’s memory itself…
Ibun: All of these have come together to form the essence of the Ricardo in front of you.
Mio: Our thoughts…
Ibun: It’s clearly materialized because his death was only a few years ago, but as the generations go by it will become more abstract.
Mio: That means…I can see Tian too!?
Ibun: Technically, yes. But don’t get the wrong idea. It’s a ‘memory’, not the person itself.
Ibun: While alive a person can grow and change, but these can’t. So it’s not a means of seeing the dead alive again.
Mio: Hm…fine.
Ricardo: So, you understand now, Mio?
Mio: Yeah…this wall that I have to surmount…is you, isn’t it, Ricardo.
Ricardo: Well, if that’s how you see it, that’s how it must be.
Mio: In that case…I shall surpass you, Ricardo!
*Mio’s Will increases*
Ricardo: That’s the spirit, Mio. That’s why you were chosen as Zamzeed’s new herald.
Ricardo: Now come at me, and don’t hold back!
*Ricardo’s Will increases, Conditions shown, Battle starts*
*Mio VS Ricardo*
Mio: Ricardo!!
Ricardo: You’ve got spirit enough, but you’re still green. You’ve gotta toughen up if you wanna be my successor!
Mio: Then I look forward to sparring with you!
Ricardo: Yeah, same here.
*Mio VS Ricardo (After the battle, if Mio received damage)*
Mio: Tch…w-wow…this is Zamzeed’s original power…
Ricardo: Not quite. To be honest, I’m not going full out.
Mio: Say what!?
Ricardo: If you want me to take this seriously, than take it seriously yourself. I told you not to hold back.
Mio: B-But…I AM serious…
Ricardo: Don’t set your own limits. Humans can be surprisingly strong if they have the right spirit.
Ricardo: Forget about everything else, and just concentrate on defeating me.
Mio: O-Okay!
*Bring Ricardo’s HP to 30%*
Ricardo: Whew…what did I tell you?
Mio: Ricardo…
Ricardo: Hey now, don’t let your guard down. It ain’t over yet.
Mio: Right!
*Defeat Ricardo*
Ricardo: Haha…I knew you could do it.
Mio: Y-Yeah…
Ricardo: Huh? What’s up? You beat me. Rejoice a little, why don’t ya.
Mio: But…doesn’t this mean I’ll never see you again?
Ricardo: Oy, don’t go mixing me up with the dead. Or did you forget that I’m not real?
Mio: I know that, but still…
Ricardo: I showed you my strength and skill. The rest depends on how you make use of them. Do you understand the essence of Zamzeed’s power now?
Mio: Yeah…it was unbelievably strong. But at the same time, it gave a sense of stability and reliability.
Ricardo: Zamuuj is a Spirit of Earth. The Earth nurtures life. You understand how those properties are connected?
Mio: …Yeah, I think I do.
Ricardo: Alright, very good. You’ve got natural talent. And you’ll end up being a better herald than I was. I guarantee it.
Ricardo: Well then, I’m off. Say hi to Tytti for me.
Mio: I will…thank you, Ricardo.
Ricardo: No problem. See ya.
*Ricardo vanishes*
Mio: The Earth nurtures life…
*Zamzeed begins glowing*
Mio: W-What? What’s this light…so gentle…
Mio: Ah…now I…now I understand. Zamzeed…moreover, Zamuuj…is lending me his power.
Ibun: Well, Mio. Did you obtain what you wanted?
Mio: Yeah…thanks to Ricardo’s words of wisdom. I won’t hesitate any longer.
Solatis Shrine
Ibun: You worked hard today, Mio. You should feel proud.
Mio: Yep, some of my best work, if I do say so myself.
Tytti: What kind of special training was it? Did you fight yourself like before?
Mio: Oh…so you don’t know, Tytti.
Tytti: Hm? Well, of course not. Lady Ibun was the only one connected to the spirit world.
Mio: Actually…I fought Ricardo.
Tytti: …Huh?
Mio: Yes, Ricardo. Ricardo Silveira. Zamzeed’s first herald.
Tytti: You…really? How…
Mio: Yeah, really. Uh, but not the person himself, more like a memory of him.
Tytti: Lady Ibun! If I go to the spirit world…can I meet him too?
Ibun: Calm down, Tytti. It’s just like Mio said. It’s a memory, not the person.
Tytti: Even if it’s just a memory…can I still meet him?
Mio: Welllll, this is kind of a ineloquent way to put it, but it’s kind of like a scene in a manga.
Mio: Y’know, the scene where a the image of someone who recently died is put against a blue and star-filled sky. Also the image has a translucent glow, and the person in question is smiling.
Mio: And we realize they aren’t really dead. They’re still alive inside of our hearts…get it?
Tytti: …I did not understand a word you just said.
Demeksa: Sort of like…an elemental spirit?
Ibun: Hoh…very sharp, Demeksa.
Tytti: Elemental Spirit…so an assemblage of human thoughts and emotions?
Ibun: Right on the money. And not just those of people alive right at this moment. The collective wills of everyone that has ever lived…that is refined into the essence that creates spirits.
Mio: Like the eight million gods from the Shinto religion?
Ibun: Sort of, but it doesn’t apply only to benevolent spirits.
Ibun: In a way, Volkruss can be considered a spirit refined to an extremity. Except from negative thoughts and emotions.
Tytti: …I see. So, Mio. What’s your impression of Ricardo?
Mio: Hmm…he was a little off-beat, but he was also kind and reliable.
Tytti: Yes…that’s right. That’s how I remember him…
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