Lunar 2: Eternal Blue Asuka DX manga translation Art by Kaori Naruse Original story by Kei Shigema (Keisuke Shigematsu) translation updated 8/17/04, but only to replace several instances of "thought" with "love", thanks to the nuance of the lesser-used kanji for the Japanese word "omou". Otherwise, this is identical to the 5/13/02 version (second version, first rewrite). [Notes (a lotta Notes. Hit Page Down a few times until you reach the band of asterisks if you don't wanna read this...): This translation - as well as the manga itself - assumes that the reader is already familiar with the characters of Lunar 2. Since this is a Japanese comic, the Japanese names are used, and for character names, I (mostly) follow the spellings in the Lunar 1 & 2 artbook. (The big exception is "Lucier", which is an out-and-out mistake (springing from an inexplicable national tendency to replace the final "a" of certain Western names with "er" - "Aliser" from Phantasy Star, for instance).) Grouping all the name changes together- --Hiro -> Hiero --Ronfar -> Rong-fa --Lemina -> Remiena --Gwyn -> Guen --Lunn -> Linus ("Rainus" in the artbook, but the katakana are obviously going for "Linus") --Borgan -> Bawgan --Mauri -> Mauli (the "au" is pronounced "ow") --Luna -> Luhna --Vane -> Vheen (pronounced the same way, though. "Neo-Vane" is "Neo-Vheen", natch) --Taben's Peak -> Machine Mountain --(the town of) Horam -> Horn --the Dragonship Destiny -> the Dragon Steamship Valgan --the Cult of Althena -> the Order of Althena The Lunar 2: Eternal Blue manga is published by Asuka Comics DX and Kadokawa Publishing. If you wish to try to pick up a copy, try any online import house that does special orders (or if you live in the big city, try (of course) a Japanese bookstore). You'll need to supply the book's ISBN#, 4-04-853082-8. About the artwork: Naruse's style here is somewhat like Naoko Takeuchi's with stronger line quality and greater use of contrast. The characters' physical appearances come off slightly differently in this style, but everybody looks very nice - with the exception of Jean, who looks like a ditz, and Zophar, who looks weird - granted, he always looks weird, but he's more ugly than bizarre here. Lucia and Leo unquestionably fare the best - exceptional care and detail is taken in rendering Lucia, and Leo is drawn quite sharply and always looks very heroic (and, strangely, a little bit like FF7's Sephiroth, believe it or not), making this unquestionably a terrific manga for fans of either. Remiena is much...prettier here - a mature pretty, as opposed to her cutesiness in the game. Hiero and Rong-fa are drawn pretty much exactly as they are in the games. About the story: Folks who've played only the English Sega (or Mega) CD version of Eternal Blue will notice some storyline changes - some that were changed in Remix itself, some that were changed solely for the manga. [Not being familiar with Remix, I can't comment on everything, but I can say, thanks to Janet Losey, that the changes from the first Eternal Blue in the Goddess Tower and the endgame _are_ taken from Remix, and that the absence of Ghaleon - no, folks, Ghaleon does not appear in the manga, even though Naruse is a self-professed Ghaleon fan; other elements and characters fill his purpose in the plot here - is not. I can also comment on the odd continuity question of the manga's Althena having reincarnated herself several times before, contradicting the story of the Saturn Lunars (not the Mega-CD ones, but they don't apply to this book) and rendering the revelation at the Goddess Tower a bit less shocking and dramatic and the characters' reactions to it a bit odd and possibly illogical. (Could the manga possibly mean that Althena was just reborn in different physical forms but still remained a full-fledged goddess each time, or what?)] The pacing is a little erratic; the first half of the manga is devoted to the events that take place immediately after Lucia's escape from the Destiny/Valgan, while the second half is kind of a crash course on the events leading up to Zophar's resurrection, with the narrative hitting on the highlights and focusing on how they shape Lucia's evolving state of mind. Everyone is characterized well here, Lucia especially - indeed, as mentioned, the entire manga is structured around her train of thought on her mission, even more so than the game. (I personally also liked Rong-fa, who comes across as a more fleshed-out character with more deeply-seated motivations than in the game - and he has a few great lines.) Other time-honored Eternal Blue traditions, like having the game yammer platitudinally about the vague concept of the "power of humanity" and having Hiero scream Lucia's name at the top of his lungs every third line (about which Rong-fa even comments), are also upheld. -_^ Overall, it's a good book. Breaks in lines generally indicate that the text has moved to a different voice balloon. It's not infallible, but it's a good general guide for those who have the manga and would like to read along. Page numbers are also marked too. Anything in brackets is description or commentary by me. Standard Disclaimer: Lunar and the Lunar 2: Eternal Blue manga are the property of Game Arts, Asuka DX, Kei Shigema, Kaori Naruse and/or Working Designs. Translation by RACapowski@sceneryrecalled.com, who put a lot of time into this document, so please don't repost it without permission.] *************************************************************************** pg. 3 [nothing on pgs. 1 or 2 - nothing textual, anyway] PROLOGUE: THE AWAKENED [We see Lucia in her crystal asleep.] Lucia (narrating): The earth lies frozen, entombed by snow and ice. From beyond the leaden sky and the darkness of the void, the magic power - Althena's power - that emanates from Lunar revives the Blue Star, this world once fallen dead. pg. 4 Lucia (narrating): Along with the Blue Star, I sleep, awaiting the time when I shall awaken alone. [We see Lucia's dream - swirls of dark power begin to envelop Lunar.] Lucia (narrating): What...is this? pg. 5 Lucia (narrating): The power from Lunar is weakening...though the time is not yet right... [In Lucia's dream, Lunar explodes in a burst of light.] Lucia (narrating): ...this...is awakening me-- [Lucia's eyes shoot open.] Lucia (narrating): This sinister feeling--it cannot be!? Lucia: What does this mean... What is Althena doing!? Some sort of calamity is befalling Lunar...something irreparable...and fatal... pg. 6 Lucia: I must meet with Althena. I must go to Lunar... [Lucia is teleported to Lunar in a beam of light that shoots from her tower. In the meantime, we get some backstory - and a parade of images to illustrate.] Narration: Long ago, Zophar, the god of destruction, appeared on the Blue Star. pg. 7 Narration: Amidst the fear and chaos, what resistance the people offered was rendered insignificant and inconsequential before Zophar's great power. Desperate and helpless, the people could do nothing but pray for a miracle. Just when it looked as if the world would fall completely into the god of destruction's hands, the goddess of creation, Althena, descended. The goddess Althena used her power to seal Zophar away, but the gods' battle left the Blue Star gravely scarred. pg. 8 Narration: With her remaining power, the goddess filled the Blue Star's sister planet, Lunar, with water and lush life and led the Blue Star's few surviving humans there. Reincarnating herself over and over, she continued to send forth the power needed to revive the Blue Star. However, somewhere, sometime, at some point, Althena disappeared from the people. The tales of both her existence and the genesis of Lunar were relegated to arcane legend... And so the people forgot - about the history of the Blue Star... and about the existence of another goddess... [The parade of images ends with a carving of Lucia in her sleep. We then see a hand touch the carving. The hand, of course, belongs to Hiero...] pg. 9 CHAPTER THE FIRST: THE GODDESS AND THE BOY [We see Hiero (suspended from a rope) investigating some carvings on a tall pillar in some ruins. Ruby is with him.] Hiero: These relief carvings illustrate the Goddess Althena creation myth. It's amazing, Ruby, how such old ruins as these can be so perfectly preserved! Is the one standing at the head of the Four Dragons the Dragonmaster? And the one guiding all the people is the goddess Althena! --But, then, who's this woman? pg. 10 Ruby: It isn't Althena? Hiero: The Goddess Althena was depicted in literature and sculptures like these each time she reincarnated. But...this doesn't resemble any of those representations. We might have made a big discovery! Ruby: Oh, Hiero - you're just totally obsessed with these legends! (heart) Hiero: Of course I am, Ruby!... ...because I believe in them. pg. 11 [Hiero looks at a carving of the Lunar 1 cast.] Hiero: I believe that the events in the tales that are considered just legends today really happened! The goddess Althena and her reincarnation, the Dragonmaster and the heroes who saved the world... I want to travel the world someday to try to prove that they really existed! Besides, you're a "child of the Red Dragon", aren't you, Ruby? (And *that*'s a legend *itself*!) Ruby: Well...yeah, but... (maybe...) Hiero: Well, if the Red Dragon really exists... maybe, someday, we'll be able to meet even the Goddess herself... [Suddenly, the rope from which Hiero is suspended begins to quiver. Hiero looks up, and then Ruby and Hiero hear a whole lotta shakin'...] Hiero: An earthquake? pg. 12 Hiero: Let's go, Ruby! It's dangerous in these ruins. [Hiero swings down and starts to flee the ruins. As he does so, he drops a round gem the size of his palm - or the gem drops from somewhere by itself, the manga's pics don't make it clear. In any event, Hiero stops to pick it up.] Ruby: Hiero? Hiero: Um... Coming! pg. 13 [The rumbling gets louder and louder, until Hiero and Ruby come across...] Hiero: A SANDSHIP! [The Dragonship Valgan [Destiny], of course. Leo is standing on the bow.] pg. 14 Hiero: I've never seen such a big ship before! How cool! I wonder how it moves! Leo: Hey! You kid! Ruby: HIERO IS _NOT_ A KID! Leo: Do you know where the old archaeologist Guen lives? Hiero: Guen is my grandfather, but-- pg. 15 Leo: I am the Order of Althena's White Dragon Knight, Leo. I want you to show me the way to his house. Hiero: ALTHENA HAS BEEN RESURRECTED--!? [Hiero and Leo have arrived at Guen's house in the meantime.] Guen: Really... Finally been reborn, has she......... Leo (upset): (This backwater land of infidels...) Althena has been reborn on this earth to protect its people from a great impending disaster. The Goddess has prophesized that a Devil that is due to descend to the Blue Spire. I want to know how to enter the Blue Spire. [Note: I should note that the "Devil" term Leo uses here, "maou", can refer to a warlock or a devil or (more commonly) Satan himself. Since Lunar doesn't show many signs of Judeo-Christian influence but as "maou" here clearly refers to a Satan-like great evil, the term is translated as capital-D "Devil".] pg. 16 Hiero: A Devil--!? Leo (laughing arrogantly to himself): Ohhh, but when even *that* Devil meets my blade... Guen: But, Lord Leo, the fact is that I don't know how to open the doors of the Blue Spire either... Leo: WHAAAT!? Guen: Those who know of the Blue Spire should know about the Blue Star which glitters in the skies above and the origins of this world-- Such legends linger on in this part of the land. But... though I've tried researching the matter from every angle, I never could figure out how to do that... Leo (fist shaking): ............!!! THE ENTIRE WORLD IS IN DANGER, AND ALL YOU ARCHAEOLOGISTS CAN BE IS _NONCHALANT_--!! Soldier: Lord Leo!! Leo: What's wrong? Soldier: _The Blue Spire--_ pg. 17 [A beam of light shoots down from the sky to the Blue Spire.] Leo: The Devil! It's already appeared! We'll blow up the Spire with the Dragon Steamship Valgan's White Dragon Cannon and take the Devil down with it!! pg. 18 Leo (to Guen and Hiero): The battle begins now. Old men and children should be good and stay inside. [Leo and his soldiers speed away in the Valgan.] Guen: --Should we do as he says, Hiero? [Guen and Hiero exchange "yeah, right" smirks. We next see them at the Blue Spire.] Hiero: This is the Blue Spire... Guen: We're going to run into problems up ahead. Those doors still won't open for us any which way. pg. 19 [The group examines the entrance to the Blue Spire, which is shaped like a dragon's head. Hiero looks from one of the stone dragon's eyes to the other...] Hiero (thinking): The dragon's eyes-- The stone's in place in that one... but not in the other. [Hiero reaches for the stone he found earlier at the ruins...] Hiero: --Ruby. Take this stone. Try putting it in the dragon's right eye. Ruby: (This?) [Actually, Hiero, it's the dragon's _left_ eye that's missing, but what the hey? Anyhow, Ruby does as Hiero says, and...] Hiero: BINGO! [^_^. (He does actually say "bingo".) The doors to the Spire open, revealing a flight of stairs. The party ascends, only to find...] Guen: This is a dead end. pg. 20 Guen: How peculiar... There are supposed to be many more floors to the Spire above... [Hiero spots a circular tile in the floor.] Ruby: Hiero? [He and Ruby venture toward it...] Hiero: EE-- [...and get beamed up.] Guen: Ummm... What are you doing? Hiero... Hiero? pg. 21 [Hiero and Ruby reappear in a room with a crystal just like the one in which Lucia was sleeping. It's glowing...] Ruby: HIERO, LOOK AT THAT! Hiero (dazed and confused): Ohhh...but my head is spinning... pg. 22 [Lucia appears in the crystal...] pg. 23 [...materializes through...] pg. 24 [...and floats down before a very stunned Hiero.] pg. 25 Ruby: Hiero? Hiero! [Ruby notices (to her considerable dismay) that Hiero is staring stunned at Lucia.] Hiero: Beautiful... Ruby: Whaaaaaat...!! But _I'm_ going to be your wife, Hiero! _Grrrrrr..._ Lucia (thinking): A human boy... pg. 26 Lucia (thinking): I do not have _that_ feeling-- Lucia: Where is Althena? Ruby: "Althena"? ...You mean "the" Althena? Hiero: Who on earth are you...? Lucia: I am Lucia. I have come from the Blue Star. A great disaster is befalling this world. Take me to Althena. pg. 27 [Hiero and crew return to Guen.] Guen: Hiero? Where'd you go? [Guen notices that Hiero's picked up a new companion.] Guen: Wait a minute... Hiero (grinning): You mean that young lady? Well, to tell you the truth... [A while later, in the Blue Star's courtyard...] Guen: _From the Blue Star!?_ Impossible... Can that really be!? [Lucia looks out across the desert.] Lucia: So this is Althena's world... --But I thought this planet would be more...lush by now... Hiero: That's because we're near the Frontier here! There're lots of meadows and forests and everything if you go nearer the interior. pg. 28 [Lucia floats up in the air, surrounded in a magical aura. Everyone is amazed.] Guen: She's definitely unlike any ordinary human. [Lucia floats back down.] Lucia: I do not sense Althena... How could she not realize that I have come to Lunar...? [Suddenly, Lucia looks deeply startled...] pg. 29 Hiero: Lucia? Lucia: This...feeling-- [Lucia then freezes in the shock of recognition and looks up, and a voice booms from the dark clouds above...] Voice: Welcome, Lucia - sleeping beauty of the Blue Star! Lucia: YOU...ARE ZOPHAR!! [Note: Sleeping Beauty is called "Nemuri Hime" ("the sleeping princess") in Japanese, which explains the line in the WD version of Lunar 2. They may have just left it "sleeping princess" out of personal preference.] pg. 30 Lucia: Why are you here... Where is Althena... Zophar: Althena...my, what could have happened to her, I wonder? Ruby: What is that, Hiero! Hiero (holding Ruby): I don't know...but... Zophar: Why don't you see how Althena is for yourself? Goddess Althena, who has allowed this world to fall into my hands... Lucia: Zophar! Do you think I am going to overlook your presence? White Dragon! Black Dragon! Blue Dragon! Red Dragon! I, LUCIA, IN MY NAME COMMAND YOU!! DESTROY ZOPHAR!! pg. 31 [Everyone waits...but nothing happens.] Zophar: Ha... Lucia: The Dragons... ...are not coming!? Zophar: Ha, ha, ha... I've already sealed away the Four Dragons. Now only you remain, Lucia. [A giant bolt of lightning - or otherwise - from the dark-cloud manifestation of Zophar hits Lucia.] pg. 32 Hiero: LUCIA! [Hiero grabs the fallen Lucia.] Lucia: Zo...phar! Zophar: Oh, yes, Lucia! You should seek out Althena! Provided, of course, that you're still able to do so now!... pg. 33 [Zophar brings one of the Blue Spire's guardian statues to life for good measure. The statue breathes fire/energy at Hiero and Lucia; Hiero narrowly spirits Lucia to safety.] Hiero: Grandpa, look after Lucia! [Hiero throws his boomerang at the statue...] pg. 34 [...but the statue simply deflects it with one of its wristbands; it falls uselessly at Hiero's feet.] Lucia: It's no use. Hiero... Humans cannot overcome Zophar's power... [Lucia, very weak, tries to use her power against the statue-monster - and, to her surprise, a giant power-burst emanates from her direction...] Hiero (thinking): THAT POWER...!? Hiero: _LUCIA!!_ pg. 35 [The monster is decimated by a blast...that didn't come from Lucia. Instead, it came from a cannon - guess who's back...] Leo: DID YOU SEE THAT!? Witness the power of the Valgan's White Dragon Cannon!! Hiero: LEO!! pg. 36 Leo: I thought I told you that old men and children should be good and stay inside. It's not in the interest of scholars like you to go chasing after the Devil Lucia. Ruby (sweatdropping): Hiero, he said "Lucia"... [Hiero shushes Ruby.] Hiero (winking): Ruby! Leo: DO YOU KNOW SOMETHING!? Hiero: No... We were scared away by the monsters as soon as we came... That reminds me, though - there _was_ this strange black cloud headed toward the interior... Leo: WHAAAAT!? _Grrr...the Devil already left the tower!?!_ Allll _right_ - VALGAN, DEPART-- [Leo spots Lucia.] Leo: Who's that girl? pg. 37 Leo: She looks a bit unusual - she couldn't be... Hiero: She's Grandpa's assistant! Leo (whapping fist to hand): I see! [The Valgan leaves again. Hiero, relieved, turns to Lucia.] Hiero: They're gone. Lucia, it's all right now-- [Hiero turns around to find Lucia collapsed on the ground.] Hiero: _LUCIA!!_ pg. 38 [The crew returns to Guen's house. Hiero and Guen talk while Lucia hallucinates in her fever. She envisions a scene of beautiful nature...] Lucia (hallucinating): It was a beautiful planet, filled with Althena's power... Guen: This is... a curse. Hiero: Grandpa......... [...then Lucia sees a swath of darkness.] Lucia (hallucinating): But, too accustomed to this abundance, the people's hearts turned to devastation... and then his strength slowly began to grow... Guen: There's a shrine to Althena in the village of Larpa. A priest there should be able to lift this curse. The town's just across the lake. I'll get the boat ready. Lucia (weakly): Hiero... [Next, a shot of the Blue Star engulfed in war, Zophar grinning above the scene.] Lucia (hallucinating): The people realized their mistake too late-- Lucia: I...cannot afford to wait another moment. I must meet with Althena immediately. Zophar is...a horrible entity. If I don't stop him... Lucia (hallucinating): All that remained at the end of the battle-- pg. 39 [Lucia envisions the end result of her tale - the cold, icy, dead Blue Star.] Lucia: Hurry--to Althena...!! Guen: Hiero, Lucia appears to be charged with some sort of extraordinary mission - a burden too heavy for one person to bear. Hiero: Aren't you going, Grandpa? [Lucia sees Althena (or remembers a meeting with her in her dreams). The Dragonmaster is behind Althena; we can't tell exactly _which_ Dragonmaster, as the face is indistinct.] Althena (in dream): I entrust the fate of this planet to you. One day, the Blue Star will be reborn. Until then... Guen: I'm staying. Old men should be good and stay inside. [We see that Hiero has set sail. It's night.] Lucia (thinking in dream): I am the guardian of the Blue Star. With the power of Althena that emanates from Lunar - my planet will revive. pg. 40 Lucia (thinking in dream): One day, the Blue Star will be reborn. Until then... [Lucia wakes up to find Hiero playing an ocarina on deck. Hiero notices...] Hiero (fumbling to put the ocarina away): I'M SORRY! Did I wake you up!? Lucia: No. It had to do with that sound. I have never heard anything like it before-- Hiero: You'd already woken up...? Lucia: I feel much better. For some reason, when you made that sound-- I felt a strange power - like Althena's power-- pg. 41 Lucia: It...filled my body with warmth. [Hiero is shocked and red-faced. Meanwhile, Ruby starts to wake up.] Ruby: Lucia, you've gotten better!? [Ruby goes to see...and finds her talking to Hiero.] Lucia: Hiero, why is your face red? Ruby: ! HIERO, YOU JERKKK--! (But _I'm_ going to be your wife, Hiero! Don't get so close to Hiero, _Lucia_! I think you'd better go sit yourself over there!) [The boat arrives at Larpa.] pg. 42 [The scene opens at a small tavern Rong-fa is patronizing.] Man at Bar: _Damn it all!_ You remember this - I'm gonna take you down for _sure_ next time!! Rong-fa: Ohhhhh, I'll be waiting! No matter how hard you tried, if you beat me at gambling in a *hundred* years, it'd be too soon! Barmaid: OHHH-- RONFAR'S SO COOL--! Rong-fa: Heh - guilty as charged... [Suddenly, Lucia walks by and bumps into Rong-fa. Hiero rushes to her.] Hiero: I'm sorry. Lucia, are you all right? Rong-fa: --That young lady sick? pg. 43 Hiero: Yes, so we're headed for the priest's.... Rong-fa: --Huuhhh... [Rong-fa watches Hiero and Lucia walk away.] Man at Bar: What's the matter, Rong-fa? You should heal her up, shouldn't ya? Rong-fa: What do you mean? Man at Bar: You were a priest long ago, weren't you? Barmaid: WHAT--!! NO WAYYY--- Rong-fa: Do I look like a priest? MaB: Noooo, but... Rong-fa: Well, there you have it. _My_ calling's rolling the bones. pg. 44 [Lucia and Hiero arrive at the temple of Althena. Hiero approaches a woman at the temple.] Hiero: I'd like to see the priest, please. [While they talk, Lucia looks around the temple...] Acolyte #1 (to peasant): I'm sorry, but you'll have to make a donation if you want Althena's divine protection. Acolyte #2 (accepting donation from rich man): With this urn, your business will prosper! (It's only 10,000 silver!) Woman (to Hiero): This way. [The woman leads them into a room...] pg. 45 [...with a statue of Althena. (Note: The statue does not resemble the Althena of Lucia's memory.) Lucia is unnerved by the statue...] pg. 46 Priest (to Hiero): You are the gentleman who wanted a curse removed? Hiero: Lucia! Lucia: Hiero-- I cannot sense Althena's power in this statue...*gasp*... *gasp*...THIS POWER-- [Lucia collapses.] Hiero: Lucia! Priest: What blasphemy...! Dare you mock Althena!? NO WONDER YOU'RE CURSED!! REMOVE YOURSELVES FROM THE TEMPLE!! pg. 47 [The priest presumably escorts Hiero and Lucia outside, then slams the temple doors shut. We see that Lucia has once again collapsed.] Priest: Never come near this temple again! Ruby: Hiero, Lucia's... Hiero: ...... I have to find a priest. Voice: Whaddaya doin'? [Hiero turns around. The next we see of our party, they're at the home of the voice's owner - Rong-fa. Lucia is lying on a bed.] Hiero: Thanks, Rong-fa. Rong-fa: I said no thanks necessary. Anyhow, you said that girl's named "Lucia", right? Isn't normal...for someone to be cursed like this. pg. 48 Rong-fa: What the hell were you guys-- Voice from outside: Rong-fa! Are you there? It's me! Leo! [Hiero and Ruby, panicked, hide in another room. Rong-fa goes to answer the door.] Ruby (whispering): What're we gonna do, Hiero! Hiero (whispering): Shhhh! Just hide for now. Rong-fa: So what use could the Order of Althena's Four Heroes have for me? You got a lotta time on your hands, or what? Leo: Don't mock me, Rong-fa. I have a job to do today. I am hunting the Devil Lucia. Rong-fa: ...Lucia? Leo: A blood-thirsty Devil plotting to destroy this world. It seems, brazen as it may sound, that she stopped at the temple to Althena in this town. Rong-fa: Ohhhh... pg. 49 Leo: She wears a red hat and a long red mantle that completely covers her body. She seems to be in league with a filthy little urchin named Hiero. Rong-fa: Ohhh, those two-- [Hiero tenses up.] Rong-fa: I saw them on my way home from the tavern. I heard they left via the back end of town. Hiero (falling down in relief): (WHEW--) Leo: Is that so... While we're at it, Rong-fa, how long do you intend on leading this sort of life? There are no priests as gifted as you to be found. Althena herself laments the situation. Rong-fa: Stop. Gambling is comfortable for me. Lucia (in bed, thinking): Al...thena!? Leo: ...I'll be stationed in the port town of Dalton for a while. Come if you change your mind. Mauli, too, is waiting for you. pg. 50 [Leo leaves, Rong-fa cheerfully waving him out. Hiero comes out...] Rong-fa: All right... HOW ABOUT I GET AN EXPLANATION!? Hiero (sweatdropping): _SURE_... [A while later...] Rong-fa: That's an unbelievable story! A "god of darkness" called Zophar--Lucia coming from the Blue Star? Sounds like just a bunch of myths and legends to me! Do you even believe it yourself? Hiero: Rong-fa, Lucia.... ...she was utterly gung-ho on this. She says that if she doesn't meet with the goddess Althena, the world will be destroyed... She was worried about it above even her own health... pg. 51 Hiero: All I want is to help Lucia. [Rong-fa smiles.] Rong-fa (thinking): I give up. That earnest look in his eyes-- Rong-fa: Back when was a priest, my girl fell ill. Everyone flattered me, told me what a "genius" I was, and I wound up getting cocky. But when my powers were needed the most, I was of no use... my "genius" couldn't save her then. But! _Not this time--!!_ pg. 52 Rong-fa (chanting): Oh, Goddess Althena, in thy name... [Hiero holds Lucia's hand as Rong-fa casts a spell...] pg. 53 [...and Lucia awakens. The curse is gone.] pg. 54 [We see, however, that some time has passed between the chant and the cure. Lucia is awake, but everyone else is asleep. Lucia looks at the sleeping Hiero...] Lucia (thinking): To think that humans were able to lift Zophar's curse-- [Lucia touches Hiero's hand.] Lucia (thinking): Does that mean that they can channel Althena's power? [Lucia draws her hand away, but quizzically touches it to her own face, continuing to stare at Hiero - a bit puzzled, a bit forlorn.] Lucia: I... must leave... pg. 55 Lucia: ...I have my mission. [Lucia leaves.] pg. 56 [Later, when the guys wake up...] Hiero: LUCIA'S DISAPPEARED!? Rong-fa: The Order of Althena is on the lookout for her. If they find her, it'll be horrible! Hiero (thinking): LUCIA!! [Hiero and Rong-fa hit the streets to look for Lucia.] pg. 57 [Rong-fa approaches an apple seller.] Rong-fa: You seen a girl in a red hat and coat? Apple Seller (arms crossed): Is she an acquaintance of yours, Rong-fa!? Rong-fa: You've seen her!? Apple Seller: Yeah, that and more... [We see a flashback where the apple seller is hawking her wares to Lucia.] Apple Seller: Fresh-picked fruit! You over there, young lady! Won't you take one? [Lucia, unlearned in the intricacies of a free-market economy, does indeed "take" an apple - and walks away.] Apple Seller: Hey, hold on, you! You didn't pay! You can't just walk away with that-- Apple Seller (in present now): (I want to be reimbursed for that apple.) Rong-fa: (What, from me!?) [Meanwhile, Hiero asks someone else about Lucia.] Girl: Ohhhhh...you mean _that_ girl. Since she was _fairly_ pretty, I tried talking to her, but... Marginal Editorial Note: "Fairly?" [Another flashback - we see Lucia striding by, coolly magically whapping that girl out of her way without a second thought. Lucia says...] Lucia: I don't have time for you. A catastrophe is going to befall Lunar. If I do not hurry... pg. 58 [Finally, the duo pass by the tavern...] Barmaid: Rong-fa! There was a great big uproar this morning! That girl from yesterday was just passing by, and... [Another flashback - Lucia is walking down the street...and is spotted by a squadron of cultists. They surround her with bows loaded and drawn.] Priest: DEVIL LUCIA! In the name of Althena, I will punish you! [I'm not kidding; he really does say that. The arrows are loosed...] pg. 59 [...but Lucia deflects them all with a burst of magic energy.] pg. 60 Lucia (unfazed): You are acolytes of the Order of Althena, are you not? The knight called "Leo" should know Althena's whereabouts. Please take me to Leo. pg. 61 Rong-fa (in present, sweatdropping): --Rowdy gal. Hiero: Lucia got better! Rong-fa (witheringly): _Is that really the issue right now?_ Hiero (out of it): Oh good, oh good... Rong-fa: But she's wound up headed for _Leo's_... And that blockhead isn't even going to *think* about listening to her story! [Hiero grows serious at this realization.] Rong-fa: Leo's at the port town of Dalton! Let's hurry! pg. 62 [Meanwhile, Lucia has arrived in the streets of Dalton, filled with beggars and the poor, and another temple to Althena, ostentatious in its wealth among the destitute and needy. A poor woman with a baby is trying to get in...] Woman: My child is sick! If I could ask the priest for just a prayer--! Acolyte (waving her away): Yes, but seeing as how you haven't a donation... Woman: What... But before you didn't need to have money or anything......! Lucia (thinking): Has Zophar brought about this devastation... or has this devastation brought about Zophar? That a sanctuary dedicated to Althena could be filled with Zophar's power... Could something have happened to Althena's physical body, as the Four Dragons were sealed away!? pg. 63 [The scene shifts to the Valgan...] Leo: Hasn't the Devil Lucia been spotted yet!? Soldier: No new reports have come in as of yet, sir. We've blockaded all the highways leading out of Larpa, but... Soldier #2: Lord Leo! I have a report! The Devil Lucia... Leo: WHAT!? pg. 64 [The next thing we see is Leo and his soldiers surrounding and confronting Lucia.] Leo (grinning smugly): I never imagined that it would be _you_ who would come to _me_. Lucia: I heard that you are a knight in the service of Althena. Please allow me to meet with Althena. pg. 65 Leo: What business do you have meeting with Althena? Lucia: A great disaster is befalling this world. Althena's power is needed to save Lunar from destruction. Leo: And aren't _you_ the one bringing about this disaster, Devil Lucia!? Lucia: Why do you say it is I? Besides, I am not a devil. Leo: If you're not a Devil, then what do you call yourself? Lucia: I am Lucia of the Blue Star. I am unlike any other. pg. 66 [Lucia begins to emit a magical light. The soldiers are astonished. Leo momentarily loses confidence in his assumptions...] Leo: --A goddess? [...but quickly shakes his head and snaps out of it - or back into it.] Leo (thinking): ......Ridiculous!! I am a knight of the goddess Althena!! Leo: You may say you are as a god-- [Leo unsheathes his sword. The soldiers begin to chant and pray.] Leo: But I cannot allow you to proceed to where Althena dwells. pg. 67 Leo: GODDESS ALTHENA'S ORDERS WERE TO DESTROY YOU, DEVIL LUCIA...!! [Lucia forms a protective barrier around herself...] Lucia: Althena would not have told you to destroy me! This is some sort of mistake! pg. 68 Leo (taking his sword): It is impossible for Althena to make mistakes. [Leo rushes at Lucia.] Leo: PREPARE YOURSELF, DEVIL LUCIA!! [Leo slashes Lucia...] pg. 69 [...and Lucia falls.] Leo (to his men): Put her in the brig. [A change of venue - to Hiero and Rong-fa...] Various Townspeople: It looks like the Order of Althena's Lord Leo has captured the Devil! Just what one would expect of the White Dragon Knight! If it is Lord Leo, you can be sure he's made the town safe again! Rong-fa: What do we do, Hiero? pg. 70 Hiero: Save her, of course. Rong-fa: How? Leo's not just *any* knight; he's the White Dragon Knight. His subordinates are all seasoned warriors, and on top of that, Lucia's inside the Valgan itself. And there's no _way_ we'll be able to go in the front... Hiero (smiling, winking at Ruby): It'd be easier than getting in the old ruins, I'll bet! Ruby (winking back): Yeah! pg. 71 [Later - we see that Hiero and Rong-fa are scaling the sides of the Valgan with ropes. Rong-fa is having a tough time...] Rong-fa: --AND THIS GETS EASY _WHEN_, EXACTLY? Making sure you don't fall on the ground, seeing you don't fly off the wall-- This is why I've never gone in for the gym thing...*gasp* *gasp* Soldier (above): Wasn't that a voice just now? Soldier #2: Yeah, lemme check... [As the soldier goes to check, he hears a...] Voice: Meoooow... [Ruby is sitting like a happy cat on the rail of the Valgan.] Soldier #2: What the--a cat? Soldier #1: Ohhh...she's so cute! (I just love kitties...!) [The guys sneak by while the soldiers are distracted.] Hiero & Ronfar (thinking): Nice, Ruby. pg. 72 [Meanwhile, within the Valgan, Lucia tests the bars of her cell. They're impenetrable - energized with magic energy.] Lucia (thinking): This cell is sealed with a magical barrier. My power is not yet completely restored. I cannot get out of here with the power I have now-- Leo said that he was ordered by Althena to destroy me. But that cannot be... Zophar is cunning. He could be manipulating the humans and using them as his instruments. If so-- pg. 73 Lucia (thinking): But those soldiers were also using Althena's power. Althena can bestow her power upon a human... ...but isn't that supposed to be only the one chosen to be the Dragonmaster--? This situation has developed beyond the extent of my premonitions... How can I reach Althena? If I fail here, Lunar will-- my Blue Star will--!! pg. 74 Lucia (thinking): A world of death, with not a single living thing-- for all eternity-- [Lucia, staggered by the possibility, falls to her knees.] Lucia: I must hurry... If I do not meet with Althena and destroy Zophar... Lucia (thinking): But how? If I could only get out of this cell--but how--!? pg. 75 [Suddenly, Lucia hears some familiar voices...] Rong-fa: Have you found her? Hiero: Yeah, Rong-fa! Over here! Lucia! [Hiero reaches Lucia's cell.] Hiero: You're OK - oh, good, Lucia! Hold on - we'll get this door open right away... pg. 76 [Lucia is shocked.] Lucia: Hie...ro? [Rong-fa rushes up very eagerly and puts his arms buddy-buddy-like around Hiero's neck.] Rong-fa: I'm here too! Lucia: Rong-fa! You as well... Rong-fa: We were all worried about you! And Hiero here _really_ put on a big fuss about it, didn't ya, Hiero? "Lucia!" "LUUUUUUUUCIA!" He couldn't shut up about you! Rong-fa (sotto voce, to Hiero): (She gets you hot, doesn't she? C'monnn--) Hiero: RONG-FA! [Lucia is really...puzzled. Hiero and Rong-fa go to work on the door.] Rong-fa: Can you open it? Hiero: No problem! pg. 77 Hiero: I've run across tons of security systems more complicated than this in the ruins! (It's no sweat, no sweat at all...) Rong-fa (skeptical, thinking): What exactly constitutes "no sweat" for this guy... Lucia: That reminds me, I don't see Ruby... Hiero: Oh, yes! Ruby...... [Speaking of Ruby...] Ruby: MEO--WWW! [Ruby has practically Leo's whole company of soldiers fawning over her.] Soldier: She's a little strange, but she's so *cute*, that cat! Ruby (thinking): But I am _not_ a cat! Another Soldier: But there's no way we can keep her on the Valgan... Ruby (thinking): Yeah, but you're "keeping" a lady! Same Another Soldier: We'd catch hell from Lord Leo if we did! Ruby (bored, thinking): I wonder if that Hiero's been able to find Lucia yet... Yet Another Soldier: Hey! Go get some fish or something! Ruby (starry-eyed, "thinking"): HUH? FISH!? pg. 78 [Suddenly, Leo shows up.] Leo: What's all the fuss about? Soldier: OH! LORD LEO! 'Nother Soldier: A cat got into the ship... Leo (recognizing Ruby, who's happily munching fish): THAT CAT...... [Back at Lucia's cell...] Hiero: This should disable it! [The gate slides open.] Hiero: Now, let's go, Lucia! pg. 79 [Footsteps are heard coming down the stairs.] Rong-fa (whispering): Hey! Someone's coming! Hide! [Leo appears, on the alert and sword in hand.] Leo: Have you escaped...!! [Leo goes into Lucia's cell to look.] Leo: Heh! Did that brat get you out...!? Rong-fa: Leo. Yo. Leo: Rong-fa? So you came...!? pg. 80 [Hiero appears.] Leo: _Hiero!?_ This can't be, Rong-fa. Not you too... Rong-fa: Leo, why don't you want to let Lucia meet with Althena? She was drawn here to _you_! Didn't you even listen to what she had to say? Leo: WHAT!? You idiot... Have you become this Devil's accomplice!? Have you gone _mad_, Rong-fa!? Rong-fa: Yep, you're _still_ a blockhead, aren't ya... It's hopeless, Hiero. Hiero: Mm... [Hiero pushes a button and locks Leo in Lucia's former cell.] pg. 81 Leo: RONG-FA, YOU--!! Rong-fa: Naughty Leo. Now you be good and stay inside there for a while. Leo: You intend to betray Althena!? Rong-fa: Of course not. I just understand that something's going on. I've decided that I'm going to believe only what I've seen with my own eyes, for myself. And I believe these two. So... [Rong-fa, Hiero, and Lucia run away.] Leo: WAIT!! RONG-FA!! Do you intend to make me--to make _Althena_ your enemy--!? pg. 82 Hiero: Are you all right? Leo-- Rong-fa: Eh - there's nothing that can be done. Leo'll understand sooner or later... [The troupe runs into some troops.] Soldier: ! INTRU-- [Ruby toasts the soldier's face.] Soldier: --ders. Hiero: Ruby! pg. 83 Ruby (slightly disappointed): Lucia! I see nothing happened to you... Lucia (coolly): No, Ruby, nothing did - thanks to Hiero. Rong-fa: This isn't the time for chit-chat! Look around us! [Leo's whole battalion is at arms.] Lucia: Everyone close their eyes! [Lucia shoots out a bright light from her hand.] pg. 84 Soldier #8: My eyes... Soldier #456: You damned Devil... Rong-fa: (Whoa...impressive, Lucia...) Hiero: (Yeah.) Lucia: They're blinded. Now, while we have the chance-- [The party escapes. Later on...] Soldier: We've received reports that the Devil Lucia has escaped into the "Lost Forest"! Leo: Conducting a search within that forest would be difficult. We'll hold off for a while. Soldier: But, Lord Leo...! Leo: Relax. I know where they're headed. We'll lie in wait...and then strike...!! pg. 85 Leo (thinking): Just you wait, Devil Lucia! On my honor as the White Dragon Knight, I swear I will destroy you! [Nighttime. Lucia, Rong-fa, and Hiero are gathered around a campfire cooking chicken (or some other fowl) legs.] Hiero: The meat's done! pg. 86 Rong-fa: Hey, Hiero, you're a real handy guy to have around! (Takin' out those birds with one whack of your boomerang!) [Lucia simply stares at her chicken leg.] Lucia: .................. Hiero: Aren't you going to eat, Lucia? Lucia: No... I do not make a habit of eating... Hiero & Rong-fa: HUH!? Lucia: I'll soon adjust. Rong-fa (sweatdropping): I'd heard the general gist of it from Hiero... but you really AREN'T a normal person, are you... (In more ways than one...) Hiero: Maybe Lucia is for the Blue Star what Althena is to Lunar! Even though she's different from us, she's not weird or strange. Rong-fa: HUH!? YOU--YOU _THINK_ SO!? (Hey--hey, are you _serious_?) Hiero: Well, isn't she? Lucia: Why... pg. 87 Lucia: Why do you believe me, Hiero? Why do you believe me, even though the people of Larpa and Althena's knights did not--? Hiero (in jest): Are you lying to me, Lucia? Lucia: No. I don't lie. But... Hiero (smiling): If you're not lying, then I've got no reason to doubt you, right? pg. 88 [Lucia is momentarily stunned.] Lucia: I am headed for the Holy City, Pentagulia. I am told that Althena is there. Hiero, Rong-fa, thank you for helping me up till now. Well, then... [Lucia starts to leave. Hiero and Rong-fa run after her.] Hiero: ...H-hey, wait, Lucia! Lucia (a bit peeved): I cannot wait, Hiero. If I don't hurry... Hiero: I'm going too! pg. 89 Lucia: --Why? Hiero, you are not a warrior or a priest. I do not know what dangers lie ahead-- Hiero: That's all the more reason why I can't let you go and do this alone, Lucia! Lucia: I will be all right alone. My power is regenerating, and... Lucia (thinking): And, besides, I _am_ all alone...... Hiero: You're not alone anymore! pg. 90 Rong-fa: I've got some business to take care of in Pentagulia, too! As they say, "the more the merrier", right? Ruby: If Hiero's going, I've got no choice! Since I'm gonna be Hiero's wife... Hiero: Meeting Althena has been a dream of mine. And I'd like to try tracing the roots of the stories that have now become legends. So... pg. 91 Hiero: Let's go together, Lucia! Lucia (thinking): Is this...his love? It becomes this light which flows forth from Hiero... It's just like the light that thaws the frozen earth... Warm...and familiar... pg. 92 Lucia (thinking): This is the power of humans-- [Lucia gives what is quite frankly a million-silver smile.] Lucia: Thank you, Hiero! [Hiero is stunned.] Ruby: Hiero, you idiot-- Lucia: Hiero, why is your face turning red all of a sudden? (Have you fallen ill somehow?) Let's go, Hiero! Onward to Pentagulia! Lucia (thinking): Right now... pg. 93 Lucia (thinking): Right now, I understand nothing. My thoughts turn to my mission, reviving my Blue Star. For that purpose, I must meet with Althena and vanquish Zophar. [Meanwhile, Zophar observes...] Zophar (thinking): Ha, ha... Lucia (thinking): For the time being, I need the humans' help... Zophar (thinking): So, has Lucia joined forces with the humans after all? An unexpected development...but perhaps one that I can ply to my advantage. Lucia (thinking): ...and with struggling to cope with this unsettling thing called "emotion" that has sprouted within me... pg. 94 [A scene from later on - we see Lucia walking out of a building in her shawl-and-shorts outfit.] Zophar (thinking): The stage is set. Goddess of the Blue Star! The path you have chosen is the key to my plan. Lucia (thinking): I understand nothing - not Zophar's true aims, not the humans... not even myself-- CHAPTER THE SECOND: THE GATHERED pg. 95 Narration: For a long time, Althena was nowhere to be found on the face of Lunar. To the people, the goddess was a legend, a religious icon. But, one day, a woman calling herself "Goddess Althena" appeared. [We see "Goddess Althena" - the woman who claims to be Althena and whose image matches that of the Order of Althena's statue but does not match that of Lucia's memories - giving Leo a medicine that cures Mauli.] Narration: At the sight of the many miracles the woman performed, the people rejoiced and embraced her as the reincarnation of their goddess. The goddess reinstituted the Order of Althena and bestowed the Power of the Dragons upon four chosen ones selected to administrate the church. pg. 96 Narration: In command of the Blue Dragon, Holy Karate Master Linus; in command of the Black Dragon, Wizard Bawgan; in command of the Red Dragon, Priest Mauli; in command of the White Dragon, Knight Leo. Enshrined as "The Four Heroes", they enforced the Order's rule on Lunar with their great power. pg. 97 Narration: However - there now also appear those whose fates are deeply entwined with the Four Heroes... [Back to the present narrative - ready to speed through about a third of the game in six pages? Hiero, Ruby, Lucia, and Rong-fa arrive at a carnival. The group stops to watch a dancer. (The guys are watching a little _too_ closely.)] Dancer: We're a nomadic performance troupe. I'm Jean. A dancing girl! pg. 98 Jean: Long ago, I was kidnapped by the Evil Dragon Cult. Together with other children who were kidnapped like me, I was forced to train in the dark martial arts. [Note: Jean says she was trained in the "satsujinken", a phrase used to refer to martial arts used for the sake of killing alone - as opposed to "katsujinken", martial arts used for the sake of protecting others.] Jean: I was able to escape, but... [Jean in her flashback is approached by a strange looking boy.] Strange Lookin' Boy: I want you to save the kidnapped children. [A grown-up Jean, dressed in her karate togs, shielding the other kidnapped children, confronts their teacher - a man in a weird Inca-looking mask.] Jean: I'll never forget, not even now... The man behind the fabricated face of that mask... [The mask falls away...] Jean: MASTER LINUS--!! pg. 99 [The party now meets...] Remiena: I'm Remiena Ausa! Guildmistress of the historic and tradition-steeped Magical City of Vheen! [Remiena gets dollar signs in her eyes...] Remiena: You guys are great prospects for the guild! The guild entrance fee is usually 100 silver, but I'll give you a discount - only 98 silver if you act now! [Note: Remiena has a hand-held digital calculator. Where would one find such a calculator on Lunar? Anyhow...] Remiena: Vheen is home to the most prestigious magic guild on Lunar! It's managed by and for the people of Lunar! But, unlike the old days, it doesn't have much cash left in the coffers, so my mother, being such a good person and all, helps me out, since it's gotten so I can't pay our members' salaries-- pg. 100 Remiena: Now, only my mother and I are left in Vheen, but... I'll raise the money to restore Vheen to its former glory for sure! [Flashback: Remiena comes home to the guild mansion to find Bawgan standing next to her (rather impassive and unperturbed, actually) mother.] Remiena: BAWGAN! You traitor! You've been getting members into your own guild by buying them with your money and taking them away from this one! What're _you_ doing here!? [Bawgan touches his hand to Miria's cheek.] Bawgan: Bwa-ha-ha! I've come to welcome Lady Miria into my guild. This run-down mansion unbecomes Lady Miria. And so she is doing me the pleasure of coming with me... [Bawgan teleports himself and Miria up in the air and away.] Remiena: MOTHER...!! pg. 101 [We flash forward to the scene where Mauli is killing off Leo's soldiers... or something. It's not made clear in the context of the manga.] Rong-fa: Mauli... Stop this, please...Mauli. Mauli: My darling Lord Rong-fa... If you destroy the Devil Lucia, I shall do you the favor of killing you by my own hand. pg. 102 [Flash-forward a bit to re-meeting Leo at Azado.] Leo: For me, the word of Althena is absolute. I cannot pass judgment on you myself. Therefore...I will take you to Althena's whereabouts - and there, Althena's judgment shall decide your fates. pg. 103 CHAPTER THE THIRD - THE GODDESS AND THE HUMAN [Everyone has boarded the Valgan. Lucia is up on deck among the seagulls.] Lucia (thinking): Once I meet with Althena, my journey shall be at an end. My duty shall be fulfilled. All shall be as it is meant... so what could be this suffocation - this pain in my heart--? pg. 104 [Hiero appears on deck.] Lucia: Hiero. Hiero: We'll be arriving at Pentagulia shortly. Once you meet with Althena, Lucia, you'll have completed your mission, right? Lucia: Yes. Zophar's resurrection must be stopped at any cost. And even if he is resurrected, Althena can seal him away. Hiero: So that'll be a relief! Lucia: Re...lief? pg. 105 Hiero: Once Althena defeats Zophar, peace will return, right? So, after that, how'd you like to live together with the three of us - Grandpa Guen and Ruby and me? Lucia (thinking): Hiero knows nothing... Hiero (getting really nervous): Um, I could show you around the town and the ruins on the way home! Lucia: ...Nothing. Hiero (anxious): Huh-- Lucia: HIERO, YOU UNDERSTAND _NOTHING_! [Lucia looks horribly pained and wracked with worry.] Lucia: If Althena's power is truly unleashed... ...if that happens... pg. 106 [Lucia is horrified at the untold consequences of that possibility. Hiero is visibly concerned after her outburst.] Hiero: Lucia? Lucia (thinking): I cannot tell them. I can _not_ tell the humans. My obligation is to the protection of the future of the Blue Star... [Lucia pauses, then turns to Hiero.] Lucia: LEAVE... LEAVE ME ALONE-- [Lucia runs away.] Hiero: Lucia!? Lucia (thinking): Why? pg. 107 Lucia (thinking): Why does my heart ache so... I must concentrate on carrying out my mission, and yet... before I realize it, I'm thinking only of the humans. [The Valgan arrives at Pentagulia.] pg. 108 [Hiero, Lucia, and Ruby are taken before "Althena".] "Althena": Lucia of the Blue Star - I bid you welcome. I am Goddess Althena. [Lucia is unmoved...] Hiero: Lucia? Lucia: You are not Althena. Where is the real Althena? Lucia (thinking): Humans are liars. pg. 109 [A bright light, and then...] Fake Althena: Such fair skin... such beautiful hair... [Fake Althena is caressing the face of Lucia, who is bound to the wall by strands of dark power-stuff. "Althena" scratches Lucia's cheek with her fingernail, drawing blood.] Fake Althena: If I sacrifice you to Lord Zophar, eternal youth will be mine. Lucia (thinking): Humans are greedy. [Meanwhile, Jean finds Linus.] Linus: It is possible for people to better themselves... but this world is filled with the lazy and cowardly. Through my own methods of training, I have bestowed supreme strength upon myself. Strength is everything! The weak are worthless! Lucia (thinking): Humans are arrogant. pg. 110 [On to Bawgan...] Bawgan: Those who possess magic power shall rule the world!! Not the Ausa bloodline, but I - Bawgan!! Lucia (thinking): ...power hungry, oppressive... [On to Mauli...] Mauli: Ah, but Lord Rong-fa, think back to when I was cursed - when I was on the verge of death. Even though you offered so many prayers to Althena for me to be well, she refused to hear them. It was the blood of Zophar that saved me, and I, Mauli, have nothing but Heaven's wrath to wreak upon those who oppose him! Lucia (thinking): ...vengeful... ...envious... ...treacherous... These murderers... These who are causing murder... pg. 111 Lucia (thinking): They are the ones giving rise to Zophar! Hiero: Lucia! [Hiero and the others have arrived.] Hiero: Lucia, are you all right? Lucia: Hiero, you came to rescue me? Rong-fa (sweatdropping): Oh, _brother_. Lemme just use my healing magic... [Lucia is cut down and healed.] Hiero: Leo lent us a hand. [Leo appears.] Leo: Lucia of the Blue Star. pg. 112 [Leo bows to Lucia.] Leo: I was in error. What I have done is inexcusable.... ...but I apologize from the bottom of my heart. Lucia (thinking): Humans can recognize their mistakes. [Lucia smiles. Rong-fa winks.] Rong-fa: Leo! [Flash forward - the party meets up with the strange-lookin' boy who wanted to help Jean help the kidnapped kids.] Strange Lookin' Boy: Pentagulia's buildings are all part of a strong force field. Althena is sealed within. To break the seal, we need to free the Four Dragons from Zophar. pg. 113 Lucia: White Dragon Nall. It is your duty to help me. Nall (the boy): Oh, sure! [Everyone freaks.] Various Astonished Party Members: NALL...THE WHITE DRAGON? ARE YOU SERIOUS--!? Lucia: And... Red Dragon Ruby. [Ruby is shocked.] Lucia: Will you too continue to help me, as you have so far? Ruby: Lucia!... Am I really... Lucia: The Red Dragon...? Ruby. I don't lie. pg. 114 [A scared Ruby flees to Hiero's arms.] Ruby: HIERO-- Lucia (thinking): Everyone... Even though they know the battle will be harsher from here on in... [Starting off another a-third-of-the-game-in-a-coupla-pages frenzy...] Leo: The Valgan is fueled by the White Dragon's power. I will return it, with the Valgan, to its rightful owner... On the condition, Hiero, THAT YOU DEFEAT ME IN A DUEL!! [Hiero and Leo duel while Lucia looks on, worried.] pg. 115 Rong-fa: Don't you worry, Lucia. Lucia: But-- Rong-fa: That guy's doing this to forge Hiero into a better warrior! Leo knows what he needs to do with Hiero right now. Lucia (thinking): Humans... [Later...Jean laces up for battle.] Jean: Evil Dragon Karate is a karate of murder. After I escaped from the Evil Dragon Cult, I completely denied my own power. But...these fists...can also save others... WILL GIVE ME THE POWER TO SAVE EVERYONE--!! pg. 116 [Jean battles and defeats Linus.] Linus: Why do you not kill me? Jean: I fight for the sake of my comrades - for the sake of a future forged by everyone. I want you to live too. Not as the Evil Dragon Karate Master - as Blue Dragon Karate Master Linus. pg. 117 Linus: A karate which is not used for destroying life, but for preserving it... That is why I cannot win. Do you suppose I can start anew? Jean (smiling): If you truly want to... Linus: ABSOLUTELY! [Linus and Jean shake hands.] Lucia (thinking): Humans are forgiving. [Off to the floating city/fortress of Neo-Vheen...] Bawgan (in voice over/loudspeaker/magical transmission): Look, Remiena. My utopian society, brought about by magic power. THIS IS NEO-VHEEN!! pg. 118 [Remiena & co. enter Neo-Vheen (off-panel) and make their way to Bawgan.] Bawgan: When I had no magic power, you did nothing but make fun of me! Hiero (sweatdropping, whispering): What'd you do, Remiena... Remiena (sweatdropping, whispering): Well...lotsa different stuff! Rong-fa (sweatdropping): LET'S NOT GET *TOO* DISTRACTED HERE... Bawgan: _I_ am Neo-Vheen's master!! I shall lead the foolish masses. Remiena: _You're_ the foolish one, Bawgan! And I'm even more foolish... Even though the Magic Guild was founded for the happiness of everyone... I was discriminating against those without magic power... You are a reflection of myself - and so - I MUST DEFEAT YOU!! pg. 119 [Remiena makes good on her word. Neo-Vheen falls.] Bawgan (crying): The Black Dragon's Power-- My Neo-Vheen-- I no longer have any reason to live now-- Remiena: No, Bawgan. I need your power to help rebuild Vheen. Bawgan: Lady Remiena! [Remiena smiles.] Remiena: Will you help me? Lucia (thinking): Humans learn and grow. pg. 120 [And on to Mauli...] Mauli: Althena's tears-- so they exist after all, do they? Ah, but this maiden's heart has already been completely consumed. Now, Lord Rong-fa - shall you die with Mauli, drowned in suffering? Or shall you destroy this flesh? Lord Rong-fa killing the one he loves-- Such misery and agony shall make a splendid offering to Lord Zophar!-- Rong-fa: No, Mauli. I will neither kill nor be killed. When you changed, I couldn't face reality and ran away. Even though your heart was fighting against Zophar's control... pg. 121 Rong-fa: I'm not running away any longer. I will spend my lifetime praying on and on for you. I'LL TAKE YOU BACK, EVEN IF IT MEANS MY LIFE--!! [Rong-fa embraces Mauli.] Mauli: What is this... this light!? Mauli (in monstrous voice): It's hot! So hot! ...I'm... fading away... [The light engulfs Mauli.] Mauli: Rong-fa...? pg. 122 Rong-fa: Mauli? Mauli: I always had faith! I always knew you would come back to save me, Rong-fa! My love for you saw me through. Rong-fa: MAULI......!! [Rong-fa and Mauli _really_ embrace while the others watch.] Rong-fa: Let's live our lives together. Mauli: Yes! Rong-fa: We'll work the land...have children... Mauli: Yes! Yes! Lucia (thinking): Humans... believe in each other... cherish love... can sustain each other. pg. 123 Ruby (looking seriously): Lucia. Now that the seal's been broken, I know - your real reason for coming here. What are you going to do from here? Lucia (to herself): But... will it really be enough? [Everyone arrives at Pentagulia on the Valgan. The Four Dragons are circling overhead.] Lucia: DRAGON POWER WHICH GOVERNS THE EARTH! I, LUCIA OF THE BLUE STAR, COMMAND YOU! ANNIHILATE THE BARRIER WHICH IMPRISONS ALTHENA! pg. 124 [The Four Dragons destroy Pentagulia.] Lucia: Let's go! pg. 125 [The party reaches Althena's throne room - only to find it empty, except for Nall.] Hiero: Nall? Why's Nall here... Lucia: Where is Althena? Nall: Luhna... Althena is not here anymore. I have a message from Althena. I was asked to safeguard it for when another goddess visited from the Blue Star... pg. 126 [Nall turns on the recording and leaves. In the holographic recording, we see...an old, grandmotherly woman.] Nall: Lucia. This is Althena's final wish. That Luhna's love...be entrusted to you and the humans. [The old woman in the recording smiles.] Old Woman: Lucia of the Blue Star, I am Luhna. ...She who *was once* called the goddess Althena. [Lucia is shocked still.] Luhna: Once, I appeared to protect the people from Zophar. I led the people to Lunar. But, somewhere along the line, I realized that it had become so that it was the people who were protecting me. [An indistinct picture of the original Four Heroes is shown at this point.] pg. 127 Luhna: It was then that I realized that my duties as a goddess were at an end. So, entrusting the future of Lunar to humans, I was reborn as a human myself. Lucia, I believe - in the power of humans. Humans are the future of this planet. And I believe also that they will forge the future of the Blue Star. pg. 128 [The recording ends.] Lucia: So, humans can use Althena's power...? Althena entrusted her power to all the people...? Rong-fa: Man, what a shock! Remiena: No kidding! To think that Althena was reborn as a human! Jean: Uh huh! Hiero (smiling, happy): Lucia! [Hiero approaches Lucia.] Hiero: Even though this has become a terrible ordeal, Althena entrusted Lunar's future to us! Let's all defeat Zophar together! Lucia: Humans...defeat Zophar? Althena...are you saying that you foresaw this situation? No.........humans cannot defeat Zophar. Hiero: Lucia? Lucia: Yes...I am Lucia of the Blue Star. pg. 129 Lucia: My mission is to restore the Blue Star. That is the reason for my existence. I must protect the future of the Blue Star. [Lucia morphs into her red robes.] Hiero: LUCIA!? Lucia: I'm sorry, Hiero. pg. 130 CHAPTER THE FOURTH: THOSE WHO COMPREHEND THE DARKNESS, THOSE WHO ENVISION THE LIGHT Lucia: POWER OF ALTHENA! POWER OF REGENERATION! IN THE NAME OF LUCIA OF THE BLUE STAR-- Lucia (thinking): I cannot believe right now - in the power of humans...of my comrades. pg. 131 Lucia (thinking): And so I will fight alone... [Lucia stands (or floats) alone before the tornado-looking monstrosity that is Zophar's current incarnation. The others are aboard the Valgan, just a little ways away.] Lucia: Zophar! You are not to exist in this world. I, Lucia of the Blue Star, will seal you away. pg. 132 Zophar: You may deny me my existence, but it was the humans' hearts that revived me. I awoke because the people bade it. Lucia: The humans' inability to destroy you was the reason for Althena's birth... and my existence. Begone, Zophar! [Lucia readies Althena's power.] Zophar: Yes, goddess of the Blue Star... unleash Althena's power. Destroy me, AND EVERYTHING ON THIS WORLD WITH ME! pg. 133 [Everyone - including Lucia - is shocked.] Jean: What... Lucia: Shut up, Zophar!! Zophar: Oh, shall I not tell the humans? pg. 134 Zophar: Althena's power is the power of regeneration. But that means that there can be no regeneration without the destruction of the old first. Lucia: Even if I destroy the present world, if I seal you away, it can regenerate... Zophar: Yes, Lucia - you now have the power to save yourself - and myself along with you. _Destroy everything you love!_ Lucia (in a small voice): Oh, Power of Althena... [Lucia's hand and resolve falter, though.] Zophar: What's the matter, Lucia? Why do you hesitate? pg. 135 Zophar: Are you unable to do it, goddess? Well, then, I shall eliminate your hesitation for you. Lucia (thinking): Hie...ro. [Zophar fires a huge blast of energy at the Valgan...but Lucia blocks it.] pg. 136 Hiero: LUCIA! _LUCIA, STOP!!_ _I'm all right!!_ Lucia!! [Lucia looks back at Hiero and gives a pained smile.] Lucia: Hie...ro. Lucia (thinking): Even at a time like this, you worry about me, do you? [Zophar seizes Lucia and entraps her in a crystal.] Zophar: Now I have it--Althena's power in the palm of my hand!! With this, both the powers of destruction and regeneration are at my command! I shall become the _supreme_ god--!! pg. 137 Hiero: LUCIA!! Lucia: Hie...ro... get away... Hiero: LUCIA!! [A bright light, then...] pg. 138 [The scene shifts to Vheen, where Lucia has sent our heroes to safety.] Rong-fa: If I'm not mistaken... we're in Vheen. Jean: That was the first time it really sunk in for me that Lucia was a goddess. Remiena: Me too. Rong-fa: --So what do we do now? Remiena: ABSOLUTELY NOTHING! I can't even cast the letter "m" in magic! The Guildmistress of Vheen, unable to cast a single spell! And without a single silver to her name, on top of it! Rong-fa: Impossible...that Lucia *really* seized all of Althena's power... Jean: Well, what about Hiero, then? pg. 139 Rong-fa: He's completely out of it. [We see Hiero on the roof, lost in despair. Mauli approaches him.] Mauli: Hiero! There's someone who wants to see you. [Leo appears.] Leo: Hiero. Please - allow me to fight alongside you. Hiero: I'm sorry...Leo. Leo (angry): JUST AS I THOUGHT! I _KNEW_ YOU'D REFUSE...!! Leo (muttering, holding his head): It's because I was such an idiot to be taken in by Zophar once, isn't it... Hiero: NO, NO! THAT'S NOT IT AT ALL! [Hiero looks very sadly serene and resigned.] Hiero: Even though Lucia could've sealed Zophar away, I went along with the intention of helping her - and just ended up with my hands tied, absolutely powerless to do so. pg. 140 Hiero: I have no magic power... nor the power to save Lucia. And so...I cannot fight. [Leo, _very_ miffed at this talk, grabs Hiero by the arm - hard.] Leo: C'MON, HIERO!! [We go to a part of town where Linus and Jean are sparring.] Linus: Se-- Jean: Ha-- Linus: Your form's still too sloppy! You won't be able to beat Zophar at this level! Jean (smiling): Yes, Master Linus! pg. 141 Onlooker: That's Jean, the one who defeated Holy Karate Master Linus at the great tournament in Horn and won the championship! Onlooker #2: With those two joining forces... [Leo and Hiero go off to the Magic Guild, where Remiena and Bawgan are busy researching.] Remiena: We need to concentrate all of Vheen's energy on this right now! Bawgan! Might there be any records of a time when magic disappeared? Any items we can use, or... Oh! Hiero! pg. 142 Remiena: I'm devoting all of Vheen's energy to finding a way of defeating Zophar. I'm also looking for a way to get our magic power back! (Free of charge, no less!) COUNT ON ME! Bawgan (exhausted): You may say that, Lady Remiena, but the idea of reclaiming our magic power from scratch when not a drop of it remains... Remiena: I realize that. I know it's an almost impossible task. But I can't bring myself to think that magic is gone for good! With magic, the image is the important thing. Believe that something is possible, and its image is created in your heart. The incantations and the basics of magic are important too, of course, but nothing can happen if you don't believe. pg. 143 [Off to Rong-fa and Mauli. Rong-fa is looking at a mother rocking her sleeping child.] Rong-fa: Even I myself am finding that soothing... Rong-fa (to Hiero): Maybe it's due to some effect of Zophar's resurrection, but there've been a lot of curses going around. But word is that the power of the heart can heal you up! [Mauli distracts Rong-fa.] Mauli: Rong-fa, you have a wound on your arm... Leo: Hiero. Humans are weak. They will inevitably err and fail - as I myself have. But we always have the chance to start anew. _Where is the spirit and vigor with which you confronted me, tireless no matter how many times you met with defeat?_ _Hiero, humanity has not - your _comrades_ have not yet given up!!_ pg. 144 Hiero (to himself): Even if we lose our magic, we still live, and that's what matters. I wanted absolute power - the power to protect Lucia. But... why was I so worried? I have the life which Lucia saved, and my comrades are here. They all give me power. pg. 145 [Meanwhile...] Mauli: What? Leo: What's the matter, Mauli? Mauli: Rong-fa was wounded, so I tried praying over the cut, but now it's completely healed! Leo: Impossible... [Suddenly, Remiena slams into the room.] Remiena: *gasp* *gasp* _LOOK!_ [Remiena casts a teeny-tiny spell.] Remiena: It's only a little bit, really-- but I was able to use magic! Our power has returned!! pg. 146 [Meanwhile, at Zophar's twisted tower-thing...] Zophar: Such a foolish goddess you are. So madly enamored of the humans as to forsake your mission for them... What kind of world shall I create, and how shall I destroy it? I can make my every whim reality... Lucia: No, Zophar. I shall not let you have your way......! [Zophar, now in his effeminate human-butterfly form, looks up from his throne at Lucia, who is suspended in a crystal orb above.] pg. 147 Zophar: What do you mean to say you can do now? Or are you perhaps saying that the _humans_ can do something - the humans whose power you've stolen? [Zophar looks in a crystal ball surveillance-thingie.] Zophar: Speaking of whom... --you should be glad, Lucia. Your friends have come! pg. 148 [Lucia's friends arrive.] Lucia: RUN AWAY, HIERO! RUN AWAY...!! Zophar: Do you intend to oppose me - Zophar, who with Althena's power at his command has become the ultimate god? Hiero: We will destroy you, Zophar - AND TAKE BACK LUCIA! pg. 149 [The two sides clash as Lucia watches.] Lucia (thinking): How-- How can they use Althena's power? Even though I stole it all away-- pg. 150 Zophar: It is futile to attempt to defeat me. I feed upon the darkness in the hearts of humans. There does not exist a human without that darkness - and so humans are incapable of destroying me. Lucia (thinking): Humans gave birth to Zophar. Hiero: Of course humans have darkness within them. They fear and hate and despair... --but... Leo: I will be deceived no longer! I will fight to protect true justice! pg. 151 Remiena: This time, I'll rebuild Vheen for the sake of everyone's happiness! Zophar! I will not allow you to destroy my bright future! Lucia (thinking): They pray for the sake of others. They fight for the sake of others. Jean: I will fight! I will not allow any more children to grow up with memories like mine. Lucia (thinking): They understand the pain of others. Rong-fa: I'm not running away any longer - for the sake of a very precious woman! No matter how strong you are, I will surely destroy you! Lucia (thinking): They cherish their shared love. pg. 152 Hiero: Zophar, we fight against the darkness in our hearts, and we can overcome it! We can believe in ourselves. And we have comrades who can believe in each other. Lucia (thinking): Love shapes the world and gives birth to life. Hiero: ZOPHAR, WE WILL NOT FAIL. Lucia (thinking): THEY PRODUCE ALTHENA'S POWER. pg. 153 Hiero: Just you wait, Lucia. Lucia (thinking): Love becomes power... Hiero: We'll set you free very soon. Lucia (thinking): becomes the light which reaches me-- Lucia: Hie...ro. Lucia (thinking): Their love reaches me even beyond Zophar's barrier-- pg. 154 Lucia (thinking): Humans can seal away Zophar... because they can seal away the darkness in their hearts... [Lucia's orb-prison begins to break.] Zophar: What's this - this light...? Lucia (smiling, thinking): I can believe in Hiero...in everyone. I understand now. I understand why Althena entrusted the future of Lunar to humans. [Lucia busts out of her prison, morphs into her shorts-and-shawl outfit, and floats down to Hiero.] pg. 155 Lucia: Hiero...! Everyone!! pg. 156 Zophar: How... How were you able to negate my barrier? And this light... It's hot... So hot...!! Lucia (sidling up to Hiero damsel-in-distress-like): Zophar. If negative human emotions - the power which invites death - were what spawned you, then it is human love - their hearts which love and care for others, their power to believe - which composes Althena's power. You, Althena, I myself - the wishes of the people gave form to all of us. Zophar: If that is so... then it is all the more true that the darkness in human hearts shall never cease to exist! Lucia: Zophar. pg. 157 [We see shots of Leo's soldiers, Linus, Mauli, Bawgan, Miria, and all the townspeople praying for our heroes.] Lucia: I feel them - humanity's prayers - their hopes for tomorrow - the love entrusted to Hiero and his friends. Hiero. Destroy Zophar. pg. 158 ["Destroy Zophar"? Gee, Lucia, why didn't anyone think of that before? Anyhow, so empowered, Hiero takes his sword and does just that.] Zophar: I'm disintegrating...... OOOOOHHHH... My body-- Goddess! I shall revive again one day... As long as humans exist, so shall I... Lucia: Zophar! It may well be certain that you will eventually revive-- pg. 159 Lucia: over and over... That may be the work of humans... but, Hiero proved to me the strength within humans to overcome the darkness in their hearts. Begone, Zophar. Return to the darkness where you belong. [Zophar and his tower disintegrate.] pg. 160 EPILOGUE: THOSE WHO SHALL CREATE THE FUTURE [An unspecified - yet considerable - amount of time later, in Vheen...] Someone Off-Panel: It's a traveling caravan! Another Someone: Didn't you know? Jean's come to town! Third Someone: The one and only... pg. 161 [A clown peeks in Jean's tent, Remiena at his side.] Clown: How're you coming, Jean? [We see Jean dressed in a very elaborate version of her dancing costume. (Check out those earrings, by the way. Egad - how can her ears support them!?)] Clown: You look stupendous! How about a visitor? Jean: I'd love it, of course! [Remiena comes inside Jean's tent.] Remiena: The greatest dancing girl in all of Lunar - thanks to Vheen Guildmistress Remiena Ausa's promotional work! Jean: Thanks for all your help here! Remiena: For you, Jean? Anytime! pg. 162 Remiena (with dollar signs in her eyes): Especially with the cut of the profits you've been giving me! Jean: But, seriously - it's been such a long time. Remiena: Well, my job keeps me so busy! I didn't think I'd be able to see you even now, when you came to Vheen! I left all the paperwork to Bawgan so I could take off and see you! Jean: Oh, the poor guy... Remiena: HE'S FINE! Guess I can't fool anyone about my ulterior motives, huh... Jean: What about Rong-fa and Mauli? Remiena: But they sent out the announcements - they say they just had their second child. Jean: Oh, my! That reminds me, I heard an interesting story in the town of Horn the other day... A tale of a "Vagabond Knight" who suddenly appears to help people in distress and leaves without even giving his name! Remiena: SERIOUSLY? Leo (in illustration, in "Mystere" mask): There are none who know even my name...!! HA HA HA HA HA! [Note: the "Vagabond Knight" title is "rurou no kishi", a pun on the "Rurouni Kenshin" anime and manga.] pg. 163 Jean: ............ And how's the "couple" doing, I wonder? Remiena: He's come to Vheen a number of times, in search of clues... The last time I saw him, he was talking about how to activate the Star Dragon Temple, but... Jean: How's Ruby, then? Remiena: She's with Hiero's grandfather at Machine Mountain. Nall and she couldn't be in love - could they--? If even _Ruby_ can get a guy, WHY CAN'T I? Jean (sweatdropping): TELL ME ABOUT IT... [A change in scene - nighttime at a small farmhouse. Rong-fa is telling a bedtime story to his daughter (who looks to be two or three years old).] Rong-fa: And so the evil god of destruction Zophar was defeated, and peace returned to Lunar! pg. 164 Rong-fa: Now, that's the end of the story, Lu - it's bedtime now! Rong-fa's Daughter: But, Papa... Lucia went back to the Blue Star, right? Rong-fa: That's right. Rong-fa's Daughter: Poor Lucia! *sob* *sob*... [Rong-fa's daughter starts crying, which causes Rong-fa to get an "oh, boy, I screwed up" look on his face. Mauli walks in, holding their other child - an infant.] Mauli: Why don't you talk to her, Rong-fa? After all, she won't sleep now like that... Rong-fa: Don't cry, Lu! The story has another part to it! [Rong-fa's daughter cheers up.] Rong-fa: Our Hiero wasn't a guy who gives up that easily. --Long, long ago... pg. 165 Rong-fa: ...led by Althena, humanity crossed over from the Blue Star to Lunar. So going to the Blue Star's not impossible. There absolutely has to be a way. [As Rong-fa's fairy tale unfolds, we see Hiero, alone, back at the pillar he was exploring at the start of the story, overshadowed by the Blue Star, looking up at the pictoglyph of Lucia. We then switch to the Blue Star itself...] pg. 166 [...and see Lucia, as she was at the start of the story - in her crystal asleep.] Lucia (thinking): I am Lucia of the Blue Star. A goddess whose mission is the revival of the Blue Star. One day, the Blue Star will be reborn. Until that day, I shall continue to sleep alone. And dream - pg. 167 Lucia (thinking): of the clear blue sky; of the glistening sea; of the light of life; of the kind friends I met on Lunar; and of the boy I love who visits me in memory over and over. [Flashback in Lucia's memory - we see Lucia in the Blue Spire, preparing to reascend to the Blue Star. She has created a force field to keep Hiero away, and Hiero bangs against the field frantically.] Hiero: LUCIA! pg. 168 Lucia: I'm sorry, Hiero. I cannot go with you. Hiero: Lucia, why...! Lucia: Back then, I could not believe in the power of humans. I did not even know what it meant to believe in another. But, you taught me, Hiero - to have a heart that cherishes friendship, of the emotion of love... that which is the true power of Althena. That power will create the future. pg. 169 Lucia: And so I can return - to the Blue Star...to the path to its rebirth... My love for you will become my power-- [Lucia begins to cry.] Lucia: Hiero...my beloved Hiero. I'll never forget - Lunar...or the days I spent with you. Hiero: NO, Lucia, you can't...!! There's no one on the Blue Star-- Lucia: No one... but I have the love entrusted to me. I am Lucia of the Blue Star - because the hearts of the people who prayed for the Blue Star's revival bade me to appear. pg. 170 Lucia: And so, one day, when the Blue Star is restored, I can entrust it all to them - people who will love the Blue Star as you, Hiero, and your friends love Lunar. I understand Althena's feelings so well now - why she entrusted Lunar to humans... why she was reborn as one-- Goodbye, my beloved Hiero... Hiero: LUCIA! I WON'T LEAVE YOU ALONE...! [Lucia begins to teleport up.] Lucia (fading): Goodbye. Hiero: YOU HAVE TO TAKE... ME... pg. 171 [A light shoots from the Blue Spire; Lucia is gone. All that remains is her pendant, which Hiero picks up.] pg. 172 Lucia (thinking): Light emanates from Lunar - the love of the people that constitutes Althena's power. Warm, fondly-familiar light... --What is this feeling? This...is awakening me. [Lucia hears a banging noise. She opens her eyes a little bit - and sees part of her pendant hanging above. Her eyes shoot open...] Lucia (thinking): Or am I still dreaming--? pg. 173 [Lucia realizes - her pendant is hanging from the neck of Hiero, who himself is hanging upside-down from her crystal, knocking.] Hiero: HEY, LUCIA! pg. 174 Lucia: Why... Hiero, why are you here... Hiero: Lucia, didn't I say that I had to come with you? Lucia (thinking): Love-- Love becomes light... traversing even the distance between the stars to reach me. pg. 175 [Lucia begins to cry for joy.] Lucia (thinking): To reach me-- [Lucia leaps out of her crystal; she and Hiero embrace.] Lucia: HIERO...!! pg. 176 [Lucia's tower on the Blue Star resonates with the light from Lunar, spreading it across the Blue Star...] Lucia (thinking): The power of love brings about miracles. [...and Lucia and Hiero stand outside together...] pg. 177 [...on a grassy knoll overlooking the newly revived Blue Star.] -OWARI-