Mystic Ark Vols. 1, 2, & 3 manga translation 

original manga by Akirako Iwasa 

NOTES

(As always, proceed to the line of asterisks to skip directly to the 
translation itself.)


This is a translation of Volumes 1-3 (complete) of the Mystic Ark manga by 
Akirako Iwasa published by G Fantasy Comics: ISBNs 4-87025-568-5,
4-87025-578-2, and  4-87025-588-X respectively. 

Note before we begin: While Mystic Ark takes a few elements & names from
Elnard/The 7th Saga, it's not a direct sequel to that game, and its
Remeer/Lemele and Lux are not the same characters as The 7th Saga's
Remeer/Lemele & Lux.  The studio that made both titles, Produce, just has a
really bizarre love for the name "Remeer."  (Little-known fact, though: The 
7th Saga has its own two-volume manga  -  published under the name "Sebunsu
Saga," not "Elnard," the game's Japanese title  -  so if you're looking for
a 7th Saga-related comic, I suggest you go that route instead.)

Also: The original game had you exploring a collection of dimensions from a 
Myst-like hub world; those lands have been smooshed into one globe for this
manga.


Cast of Characters:

Most of the game biographies are taken from Japanese Wikipedia and 
confirmed by the Japanese manual.  (The actual game doesn't give much 
background info on its supporting cast.)

Remeer: Your typical naive Chosen One holy boy paladin.  The male choice
for your protagonist in the game, the manga Remeer is a 16-year-old member
of the "Divine Tribe of Light" (an invention of the manga) who has been
raised in the prairie village of Nanaka (from the game's fifth world). He's
on a quest to meet the seven Ark spirits scattered across the globe and
thereby gain a chance to ask the world's goddess about the whereabouts of
his missing sister.  Remeer has shoulder-length blond hair, is white, and
typically wears a white short-sleeved tunic over a black long-sleeved shirt 
and black pants.  He also has a fixation on his sister that goes 
uncomfortable places in the third volume.
Note: He is not the king from The 7th Saga named "Lemele" in the U.S. 
version (which is another possible translation of the raw Japanese 
"Remiiru").  In the Japanese version of 7th Saga, that king is named 
"Shiida" ("Remiiru" is the name of the town where his castle is located),
and the endings of 7th Saga and Mystic Ark make it clear that the 
characters have different origins.

Felys: In the game, Felys is the female choice for your protagonist; she's
still a sword-swinging paladin, though with lower attack and higher magic
stats than Remeer.  In the manga, Felys is Remeer's sister, who went 
missing after a targeted attack by monsters from the Divine Tribe of 
Darkness.  Felys looks a good deal like her brother (they are twins, in
fact) but has somewhat longer hair worn in twin braids.
Very Long Explanatory Note about Which Few Will Care: This character's name
is "Ferisu" in raw Japanese and is rendered as "Fellis" and "Ferris" in 
the two fan translations of the game available.  ("Faris," of course, has
already been famously taken.)  Now, Brain Lord, an earlier Enix-published
game by Produce that also contains a Remeer (completely unrelated to the 
Mystic Ark Remeer or anything in The 7th Saga  -  again, Produce just
really likes that name), features a character named "Ferris" in the U.S.
version, which would tip the scales toward that translation.  Here's the
thing, though: the Mystic Ark game actually has a direct sequel on the 
PlayStation (subtitled Maboroshi Gekijou, or Theatre of Illusions), and 
that game contains a version of the "Ferisu" character named "Alice."  
Therefore, in order to give the character a name that would be more 
directly analogous to her incarnation in the sequel, I decided to go with a
third, separate translation of my own.  And that's the long and overly 
complicated story of how one character has three different names in 
English.

Reeshine: Reeshine is a 16-year-old grappler in the game who specializes in
hand-to-hand combat; the manual states that she's the rough-and-tumble 
daughter of the chief of the fifth world's prairie folk.  In the manga, 
Reeshine is a martial artist who can throw Kamehamehas and the like; she's 
bossy (albeit with a fierce sense of justice), has a crush on Remeer, also 
has a temper, and though a powerful fighter, serves as the comic's
comic relief.  Reeshine has long black hair worn in a ponytail braid and
may be of Asian (or NotAsian  -  you know what I mean) descent, though this
may be just conclusion-jumping.  She wears a predominantly pink long-
sleeved top with puffy sleeves and long, rectangular tails of fabric front
& back, plus black leggings and short pink mini-boots.  Yes, her name is
pronounced as it looks: "REE-shine."

Miriene: A 32-year-old fortuneteller from a dangerous big city, RPG 
Miriene has a healthy degree of self-interest and is a dab hand with a 
knife.  Though she serves as the party's black mage in the game, Miriene 
does not play quite the same role in the manga.  Miriene has darker skin 
and short, stylish hair that is usually dark brown in the art assets & 
promo art for the game but is occasionally depicted as black; it seems to 
be black in the manga.  She wears a form-fitting sleeveless black top that 
shows her midriff and a long black skirt with an ornate golden necklace 
and lots of golden bangles.  (No hookah in the manga, though!)

Tokio: The party ninja in the game, Tokio is a 28-year-old soldier from a 
land of endless war.  In the manga, Tokio is mainly a dine-and-dashing jerk
who cares about little but exacting revenge on both the Tribes of Light & 
Darkness for an initially-unspecified slight, no matter who has to die for 
him to do so.  I believe Tokio is supposed to be of Eastern ethnicity; he 
has pink short hair and huge bangs that fall in his face, with a long, most
probably leather or pleather black coat to whap around stylishly, plus a 
long, trailing Ryu headband AND wrist wraps AND a scarf to shroud his ninja
mouth AND fingerless gloves AND a bunch of earrings in one ear AND a nose 
stud AND a freaking fishnet shirt.  We are going for maximum cool here.  
(At least he has the sense to eschew game Tokio's strappy leather Mad Max 
bondage mask.)

Lux: Lux is a gentle giant of a robot; while he has human characteristics,
he does not seem to be as self-aware as the Lux of The 7th Saga.  (The two
Luxes are different characters with different models and different origins,
by the way.)  Lux is about ten feet tall and has a black oval display for
a face (with two lights for eyes), with a white or silver chassis; you're
probably better off looking up an illustration to get a sense of what he
looks like.

Meisia: In the game, Meisia was a 17-year-old priestess & white magic
caster; Japanese Wikipedia claims that she was from a family of skilled 
magicians but turned her back on family tradition to pursue her profession.
(The manual mentions her heritage but does not refer to any family 
conflict.)  Manga Meisia has no special talents; she is merely the 
descendant of unspecified priests.  She takes care of the children of what 
would be the game's third world and seems to fulfill in part the role that 
the character Cecille did in the game.  Meisia is a young white woman with 
long blonde hair gathered in a loose ponytail in back that makes it look 
like her hair is actually shoulder-length in front.  She here does not wear
her priestess garb from the game, opting instead for a white apron over a 
long, dark dress (most probably blue, if we assume that the manga is again 
drawing on inspiration from Cecille for manga Meisia).

Kamiwoo: Kamiwoo is an ogre of humanoid shape and stature.  The manual and
Japanese Wikipedia don't agree on his backstory.  Wikipedia claims that he
was raised by friendly human townsfolk; upon reaching maturity and
awakening to his own primal nature, however, he withdrew from human society
and secluded himself within the forest for the townspeople's own safety.
The manual agrees on Kamiwoo's upbringing but claims that the impetus for 
him leaving town was his being pursued by human hunters.  I don't know the 
source for Wikipedia's material  -  whether it's taking info from, say, the
official guide, or if someone's just making stuff up. 
Anyhow, manga's Kamiwoo story is almost the exact opposite of his Wikipedia
profile: a perfectly civilized ogre shunned by human society, he yearns to 
get in the good graces of the locals.  His efforts to that end lead to some
of the manga's best moments.  Kamiwoo's skin is green, and he sports a horn
in the middle of his forehead and long pointed ears.  He has white line 
markings on his face and a shaggy pink-red mane.  He is bare-chested save 
for a couple leather straps, and he wears olive pants and sandals; his eyes
are white and pupilless.  In the manga, he understands human speech but 
cannot talk himself.

Darkness: Yes, there was an enemy in the game named Darkness; no, this 
enemy did not resemble Tim Curry.  In the game, Darkness serves as Mystic
Ark's proto-enemy, appearing a few times to taunt the player and serving as
the boss of the final world before the last dungeon.  In the manga, 
Darkness is the big bad's primary & most powerful lackey and kind of looks
like a giant cross between a Xenomorph, a shellfish, and an orangutan.  
Contrary to the name, Darkness's carapace is white.

Slayvier: Mystic Ark doesn't really have a conventional lead villain per
se, so the artist decided to improvise.  Slayvier is the head of the Tribe
of Darkness, and that's probably all you need to know about him.  He's a
young-looking white man with long black hair who wears black robes and has
a penchant for eyeball-themed jewelry & accessories.  The artist has taken
the design for this character from an...interesting source.


Small note: With the addition of the Volume 2 translation, what were 
previously referred to as the "Sacred Tribes of Light and Darkness" are 
now the "Divine Tribes of Light and Darkness" in the translation.  
(Sacredness is largely a matter of attitude, and we learn in Volume 2 that
the Tribe of Darkness was not exactly treated as sacred.)


Unsolicited opinions: The manga is a superior execution of an inferior idea
-  with two very bad decisions made in its later volumes.
Let's talk general ideas first.  I don't think the Mystic Ark game was
entirely successful, but it had an interesting surrealism to it: the Alice
in Wonderland quality of its lonely Myst-like hub island, where you were
sent to a series of strange dimensions by interacting adventure game-like
with the abandoned possessions inside an empty, isolated home, as well as
the unique concepts of its worlds: a land devoid of color; a land
consisting only of children, with a society centered around their childlike
priorities; etc.  The manga pushes most of that aside in favor of a more 
conventional "naive Chosen One knight boy from farm village collects the
legendary Magic Thingies to thwart the evil plans of the tribe of darkness"
RPG plot.  Yes, the game was in part about collecting Magic Thingies, but
it had unique elements upon which I wish the manga had better capitalized. 
The manga has a number of welcome small touches that tell of care, though, 
and it's interesting (albeit a departure from the game's no-nonsense
Reeshine) to have the female martial artist of seemingly NotAsian descent 
be both the comic relief and (until Volume 3) the love interest  -  those
aren't roles that type of character is usually allowed to fill.  In 
addition, the manga does have a good sense of humor at times (it also has
an unfortunate sense of humor at times).  How the artist handles Reeshine
and women in general in the latter two volumes is rather frustrating, 
though, as is the marginalization of certain supporting characters in favor
of Remeer.  
Also, there is no (real) version of the game's world 6, which is a high
crime.
Also also, as mentioned, the manga makes two rather dramatic wrong turns at
Albuquerque.  One, the big fight at the start of Volume 2 is so badly 
botched in so many ways designed to get the hero some cheap pops at the
ruinous expense of everyone else that it actually does an excellent job of
turning the reader (or, at least, this reader) against him for the rest of
the story.  Two  -  well, I don't know how to phrase this without spoilers,
but it bears noting: the manga takes a very odd turn for the incestuous in
Volume 3.    


The manga was originally published in 1996 and is out of print, so you'll 
have to find it used.  I'd normally recommend a deputy bidding service for
Yahoo Japan auctions here (standard recommendations: Shopping Mall Japan is
OK; stay away from Celga & Rinkya), and using tenso.com as a forwarding 
service and buying from Amazon Japan directly is also an option (albeit one
that requires a bit more work).  There's another possibility, though: if 
you input Mystic Ark's name in Japanese (go to Wikipedia and copy the 
Japanese characters in the first line of the article) into the search 
engine on plain ol' Amazon U.S., you will as of this writing (February 
2015) come back with listings for at least the first two volumes of the 
manga, offered by a number of Japanese sellers willing to ship to the U.S.,
no middlemen required.


Images from this manga can be found at 
http://www.sceneryrecalled.com/trans/picpage.htm.

Any text in the translation in parentheses is spoken by the characters 
sotto voce or as an aside; any text in brackets is stage direction, 
description of action, or commentary by me, the translator.  Each new line
in a character's dialogue indicates a new word balloon.

Translation by R. Capowski, RACapowski@sceneryrecalled.com, 4/20/16.  
Mystic Ark is the property of Enix & Produce, with whom this document is
not affiliated.


***************************************************************************


MYSTIC ARK VOL. I
by Akirako Iwasa


pg. 3


[Yes, the story starts on pg. 3.  We begin with a:]

Totally Unnecessary Disclaimer: This book is a work of fiction.  It is 
unrelated to any actual person, organization, or event.

[_Thank_ you, Enix.  I'm glad no giant robots or cat people will be suing
you for defamement anytime soon.
Anyhow: We're greeted with a more conventional sight for the opening of a 
fantasy manga: a tableau showing a classic battle between light and 
darkness.  Light is composed of praying maidens with flowing blonde hair
and dashing knights on white chargers; Darkness is staffed by emaciated 
demons led by a swarthy humanoid with long black hair and spindly horns.]

Narration: Long ago  -  a thousand years past...
a great holy war took place  -  a battle to decide the fates of the men and
women of Light and Darkness.
The dark god Slayvier vied to make the world his own...but his arrogance
proved his downfall...
His body was torn into seven parts and scattered throughout the land...
Fearing the dark god's return, the goddess Iris used her great power  -
that of the Arks  -  to seal him away...


pg. 4


Narration: Those of the goddess's bloodline, the Divine Tribe of Light, 
erected temples atop the locations of the seals...
and enshrined the Arks within, together with statues of the goddess Iris.
And so they lived in peace...


pg. 5


CHAPTER 1: THE ARKS UNLEASHED

[Splash page: Lemele poses with his sword; Reeshine stands ready for 
combat in the background, her fists raised.  Meisia, Lux, Miriene, and 
Tokio loom in silhouette in the background (sans Kamiwoo, unfortunately).
(Speaking of sets of seven: seven colors to the rainbow...seven Arks.  
The goddess didn't have a name in the game, but I now realize why the
manga chose to call her "Iris.")]


pg. 6


[A lovely small panel of Reeshine, daisy in her hair, blowing in the 
breeze.]


pg. 7


Narration: Nanaka, village of the people of the plains...

[The scene opens on the fifth world's trademark windmills.  Kids run 
through the city corner as a woman hangs her laundry.  Nearby mountains
loom large & immediate over all, framing the scene.]

Voice: ...Remeer?
Remeer!

SFX: ::clatter clatter::

[No answer but the windmills.  The voice's owner  -  a peeved Reeshine,
hand on her hip  -  edges into view.]

Reeshine: ...--*Tuh!*
Now, where'd that boy run off to?!...

Old Man: He's probably at the usual place.

Reeshine [turning around, surprised]: Grandpa!

[Note: Both Reeshine & Remeer refer to this man as "jiichan" or "jitchan,"
a terms that can refer in general to an old man but which literally means
"grandpa."  In the game, Reeshine is the daughter of her village's elder,
so it wouldn't be far off to assume this man might be her literal grandpa,
but he is not related to Remeer.  (I assume Remeer has come to call him 
that just by being a friend of the family.)]

Chieftain: The boy _does_ love his mother...

Reeshine: ............
...He's at his dead mother's grave again...isn't he.

[Well, I hope he's not at his _live_ mother's grave.  Reeshine and the
Chieftain wander across the fields...]


pg. 8


SFX: ::WHHOOOSSSHH::

[As the wind picks up and Reeshine's hair billows in the breeze...]

Reeshine: OH!

[...Reeshine's face lights up in joy as she spots something in the 
distance.  Her eyesight must be better than mine, as I see only the 
faintest of two dots on the horizon, but...]

Reeshine: _HEEEEEEEY!!_

SFX: ::WAVE WAVE WAVE::

Reeshine: _REMEER!  REMEEEEEEEEEEER!!_

[...as we move closer, the dots resolve into Remeer and a cross interred in
the ground.]

Reeshine: HEEY!...

[Remeer turns bewildered as he finally notices Reeshine's extremely 
noticeable presence, then smiles gently.]

Remeer: Reeshine!
Gramps!


pg. 8


[Reeshine, exhausted from trying to get Remeer's attention, approaches 
Remeer and clomps him tiredly on the shoulder.]

SFX: ::pomf::

Reeshine: ::gasp::
Just _knew_ you'd be here...

Remeer [oblivious] What's wrong?  You're out of breath.

Reeshine [peeved]: It's an important day tomorrow, you know  -  your 
sixteenth birthday!
You're gonna be an _adult_!

Remeer [still oblivious]: Thank you for remembering!

Reeshine: OF _COURSE_ I REMEMBERED, _DUMMY!!_

[Reeshine then calms herself, and her face grows anxious.]

Reeshine: So...are you really gonna leave the village?

Remeer: ...--Yeah!


pg. 10


[Remeer, as sunny as can be, looks up at the sky and smiles, oblivious of
Reeshine's feelings.]

Remeer: I've been waiting so long for my sixteenth birthday  -  the day I
would become an adult!
I want to travel and see so many different lands!!

[Yeah, this Remeer isn't very bright.]

Chieftain: And...there is also the matter of your sister Felys...

Reeshine: ............

[Reeshine clenches her fists as Remeer blithely adjusts a wreath on his 
mother's grave marker.]

Reeshine: It's not like you don't have a choice here!
You were _ten_ when that happened!!
And...look, I'm sorry, but there's no way Felys survi--

Remeer: _That's NOT true!!_
I have faith...I _know_ my big sister's somewhere out there...still alive!
.........I'll find her  -  and I'll bring her back  -  with my own two
hands!

SFX of fists: ::CLENCH::

Reeshine [frustrated]: ............
(Grr...)

Reeshine [thinking]: Oh, for....
"Felys!"  "Felys!"  That's all he _thinks_ about!


pg. 11


[In the midst of this, a cat wanders up through the grass along Reeshine.]

SFX: ::rustle::

Reeshine: !

[Reeshine yanks the cat up by the scruff of its neck and stares it in the 
face peevishly.]

SFX: ::hyup::

Remeer: And the village chieftain promised me, too  -  didn't you, Gramps?
That I could leave on a journey when I turned sixteen!

Chieftain: Mmm...that I did!

Remeer: And tomorrow's the day!  At long last!!

Reeshine: REMEER!!

Remeer: Huh?

[In response, Reeshine flings the cat in his face.]

SFX: ::FLIP::
::PLUP::

Cat: MEOWOWOW

Remeer: _!!_
GAGAGAGAGAGAGAHGAHGAHGAHCAAAAAAAAAAAAAATTT!!

SFX: ::GRAH GRAH::

Elder: _Hey--Reeshine!!_

SFX of Reeshine: ::HMPH!::

SFX: ::stormstormstormstorm::

[Reeshine strides away wordlessly.]

Remeer: _Wha...what's gotten into HER?!_
(Haa...  
Haa...
Haa...)

[Night falls...]


pg. 12


[Remeer flops down on his bed.]

Remeer: *sighhhh*...

SFX: ::FLOP::

Remeer [thinking]: Tomorrow......I head off for a world I've never seen
before...
The day's finally here...!!
--...Mother...
Felys is still alive, isn't she?...She _has_ to be!!

[Remeer flashes back to his early childhood.]

Voice: Now, then...
what story shall it be tonight, I wonder?...


pg. 13


[We see Remeer and his evidently twin sister, both about five years old,
snuggled side-by-side in bed.  The voice belongs to their mother, seated in
a nearby chair with a storybook in hand.]

Child Remeer: Mama!  Tell us the one about the _goddess!!_

Mother: All right!
Long ago...
There was an evil god of darkness who hurt the people and the animals.
Seeing how the people were suffering, the goddess of light 
punished the dark god...
and with seven sacred powers known as the Arks, they say she sealed him
deep beneath the ground!

Child Felys: Wowww...
The goddess is _awesome,_ isn't she, Remeer!

Child Remeer: Yeah!!
She's really great!...

Mother: Yes...
She's very kind...a wonderful person.

Remeer [back in present]: (Mother...  Felys...)


pg. 14


Remeer [thinking]: It's been six years since that day......

[Remeer envisions himself at ten, carrying a basket of flowers in his 
arms.]

Remeer [thinking]: I had been to the forest...and while I was there...

[Ten-year-old Remeer wanders back into town.]

Ten-Year-Old Remeer: I wonder if this'll be enough...
Mother and Felys both just love these flowers...

SFX of townspeople: ::CHATTER::

Ten-Year-Old Remeer: I know they'll be so hap--

[Suddenly, Remeer notices a crowd gathered around his house.]

SFX: ::CHATTER CHATTER::

Townspeople: How horrible...
it must be the doing of the Dark Monsters!
But why...
why did they come to _Lady Salia's_ home...?

[Ten-year-old Remeer enters the home and sees the victim of the attack in
the Elder's arms...]  

Ten-Year-Old Remeer: _MOTHER!!_


pg. 15


[He rushes to take her hand.]

Ten-Year-Old Remeer: _MOTHER!_

Chieftain: Remeer...

[The mother's eyes flutter open...]

Mother: ...Re......

[Her hand reaches up to tousle Remeer's hair.]

Mother: me...er......

[Remeer's flowers lay scattered on the ground.]

Ten-Year-Old Remeer: _Mother!  Don't talk!!_
_I'll get a doctor right--_

Mother: Y...you...your...
...sister...are...
l...light...and dark...ness......

[His mother's hand falls.]

Ten-Year-Old Remeer: _MOTHER!!_

Chieftain: ...I'm sorry, Remeer...
...Before our eyes, Lady Salia was...
And Felys...


pg. 16


Chieftain: Felys was taken by the Dark Monsters...

Ten-Year-Old Remeer [sobbing]: _AAAAAAAAAHH!!_

[Back to the present.
(By the way: The "Dark Monsters" moniker for the monsters of the game is
given in katakana ("Dakku Monsutaa") by the manga artist.  This will not be
the last usage of somewhat awkward English in proper nouns.)]

Remeer [thinking]: Mother...Felys...!!

SFX of fists: ::CLENCH::

[But then...]

SFX: ::PING::

[A pebble is launched through Remeer's (open) window.]

Remeer: !

SFX: ::rattle::

Remeer [thinking]: ...Who could that be  -  in the middle of the 
night?......

[Remeer goes to the window to see a worried Reeshine, of course.]

Remeer: --...!!


pg. 17


Remeer [thinking]: Reeshine.

[Incidentally, Remeer's room is on the ground floor, his bed is right next
to the window, his light is on, and, as aforementioned, his window is
_open._  Why is Reeshine throwing pebbles to get his attention?]

Remeer [ever oblivous & literal]: What's wrong?  Why are you here in the 
middle of the night?...
Did something happen?

Reeshine: No...
I...don't really have any real reason for coming...
It's just...
............

Remeer: ............


pg. 18


[Suddenly, Remeer smiles.]

Remeer: ............
Say, Reeshine!
How'd you like to head to the shrine?
Right now, I mean?

Reeshine: Huh?!...

Remeer: To see the goddess statue  -
in the heart of the shrine!  You know, where we've been told never to go?
It's the middle of the night!  There's probably no one standing guard!
Let's explore a little before I go off...
...make some memories together!

[Reeshine pauses in shock, then...]

Reeshine [ecstatic]: _OK!!_

[To the shrine, which is a castle-like affair.]


pg. 19


[R & R are in the center of the shrine.  The vaulted dome overhead seems to
shine with starlight in the darkness.]

Remeer: Wow...
It's pretty spooky, coming here at night...

Reeshine: Yeah...but it's _pretty_...

[Reeshine then blushes and giggles to herself.]

Reeshine [thinking]: What's Remeer got planned  -  inviting little ol' me
to a place like this?......
............It's such a _thrill!_ [heart]...
All alone with Remeer, here in the shrine, in the middle of the night...
[heart]
(I'm so lucky!  [heart])

Remeer [looking around, oblivious]: (Ummm...)
I'm sure the door to the heart of the shrine was this way!

[Reeshine pauses, looking disappointed.]

Reeshine [thinking]: ......But, come morning, he'll be gone......

[Remeer & Reeshine find a huge stone door with a large sun carving.]

Remeer: The goddess statue is enshrined just beyond here, isn't it?

Reeshine: Yep!  But there doesn't seem to be anyone on watch...


pg. 20


[Remeer opens the door...]

SFX: ::CREEEEEAAAAAK::

[...to find...]

Remeer: ...A cave!!
So I guess the heart of the shrine connects with the caverns in the back 
hills...

[The pair venture into the cave.]

Remeer: It's dark, so be careful, Reeshine!

Reeshine: Yeah...
Hey, did you know?
There are only seven of these goddess statues in the entire world.  They're
symbols of immense power...
They say the Arks are contained within them!

Remeer: Wowwww...

Reeshine [casting furtive glances about]: Kinda eerie here...

Remeer: Scared?  Wanna turn back?


pg. 21


Reeshine: I...I'm not _scared--!!_

Remeer: Reaaaally?

Reeshine: _Hey!_  Who's the one who was always afraid of the _dark!?_

Remeer: That was when I was a _child!_  Not _now!_  _I'm fine!_

Reeshine: (Ho _ho._)
But you still can't stand _cats,_ can you?

Remeer: .........

Label on Star Lodged in Remeer's Head: BULLSEYE

Reeshine: And _you're_ gonna travel the _world_ all by _yourself?_

Remeer: I..._I_ can overcome my..._dislike_ of cats on my trip!!  Just you
_wait!!_

Reeshine: So what're you getting all worked up about?

[Reeshine takes a pause.]

Reeshine: *sigh*

Reeshine [thinking]: ......It's no use.  Why do we always end up harping on
each other at times like this?......

[While Reeshine & Remeer stew, an odor (visible in the manga, at least 
to us readers) filters through the cavern.]

SFX: ::waft::

Remeer: Anyhow, let's hurry, Reeshine.

Reeshine: Hey--wait!!

[Suddenly, Remeer notices the slight smoke.]

SFX: ::billow::

Remeer: _!!_


pg. 22


Reeshine: Something wrong, Remeer?

Remeer: Well...
For a little while now......
I've been noticing this odd odor.  Do you smell it?...

SFX of Reeshine sniffing: ::sniff sniff::

Reeshine: Yeah, now that you mention...
It smells a little metallic...like rust...

Remeer [thinking]: I've smelled this somewhere before...

[Remeer then recalls the source of his memory: the blood that soaked his
mother's corpse.]

Remeer [thinking]: _That's it!!_
_It's just like back then!!  This is..._

Remeer: _!!_

Remeer [thinking]: _THE SMELL OF BLOOD!!_

[Reeshine and Remeer have walked a bit farther down the cave during their
exchange, and they are hit full in the face by the sight of the source of 
the stench: the massacred bodies of the absent guards.]

Reeshine: AAAAAAAAAA!!

SFX: ::BAM::


pg. 23


Remeer: _These...these were the guards who were supposed to be on watch!!_

Reeshine [pointing ahead]: _!!_
_Remeer...someone's here!!_

[Ahead, a winged, demonic silhouette hovers into view.]

Demonic Voice: OHH...

SFX: ::whoosh::

Remeer [thinking, horrified]: _...What!?--_
_That's......!!_

[The silhouette steps forward, revealing an emaciated demon, its skin 
pulled too tight over its lean muscles.]

Actual Demon: ...SO THERE ARE YET SURVIVORS AMONG THE TRIBE OF LIGHT?!

Remeer [thinking]: _A DARK MONSTER!!_

SFX: ::RRRROOOOAAAARRRRRRR::


pg. 24


Remeer [tense, thinking]: That's ridiculous...
Grandpa told me that the Dark Monsters had been wiped out!!...

[No time for reflection, though, because...]

SFX: ::CRACKLE::
::BAMMM!!::

[...the demon attempts to bring its fist down upon Remeer & Reeshine.  They
jump away just in time; the stone floor shatters.]

Reeshine: _AAAAAH!!_

Remeer [still thinking, unbelievably]: What is it doing here!?
--...!!
_That's right!!_
_THE GODDESS STATUE!!_

[Remeer, who has just dived for safety, looks from his odd vantage point 
through the demon's legs to the goddess statue at the other end of the 
chamber.]

Remeer [thinking]: _He wants what's inside the statue  -_
_THE ARK!!_


pg. 25


Reeshine: REMEER...ARE YOU ALL RIGHT!?

Remeer: _Get back, Reeshine!!_

SFX: ::SHING::

[Remeer takes a sword (presumably from one of the corpses; he didn't have
one on his way in) and faces the demon.  Reeshine assumes a fighting stance
and goes to his side.]

Demon: BRAT!...DO NOT INTERFERE IF YOU VALUE YOUR LIFE.
BE A _GOOD_ BOY...AND SURRENDER THE GODDESS STATUE TO ME!!

Remeer [thinking]: No!!
There's no time to go tell the chieftain...
--...I have to do something!!

Demon: .........
HA HA HA...
WHAT'S WRONG?  NOT GOING TO RESPOND?
...YOU MAY BE A CHILD, BUT YOU _ARE_ OF THE TRIBE OF LIGHT...IS THAT YOUR
ANSWER?...

[The demon raises its fist and gathers magic power in its hand.]

SFX: ::FHWOOOAAARRR::

Demon: THEN _DIE!!_


pg. 26


Demon: _FIRE STORM!!_

SFX: _RRRRRRROOOOOOOAAAAAAARRRRRRRR_

[You know, no matter how many r's I put on the SFX for that, the demon was
a whole lot more menacing before it used an actual spell from the game.  
C'mon, man; you know offensive magic sucks in Mystic Ark.]

Reeshine: EEEEEK!!

SFX: ::FWOOSH::

[The spell seems to have ensnared Reeshine, though.  (Well, she never could
equip anything to boost her defense.)]

Remeer: _Reeshine!!_

Demon: BOY!!

Remeer: *gasp*

Demon: YOU SHOULD WORRY ABOUT YOUR _OWN_ HIDE!!

[The demon lunges for Remeer...]

SFX: ::WHOMP::


pg. 27


Remeer: _GAH--..._

[His fist finds its mark in Remeer's stomach; the boy spews blood.]

Demon: HA HA...

SFX: ::STOMP::

[The demon slams its foot onto Remeer, slamming him into the stone 
beneath.]

SFX: ::CRUNCH::

Reeshine: Re......Remeer...
_REMEER!!_

[Now, spoilers for down the road: like her game counterpart, manga Reeshine
is a martial artist.  Unlike her game counterpart, however, manga Reeshine
chooses to do absolutely nothing while Remeer's life is in danger but fall
to her knees and sob.  This is not the last time this will happen.
Remeer, meanwhile, is getting his face ground off.]

SFX: ::GRIND::
::CRUNCH::

[But then, Remeer again indulges his affinity for ill-timed mental 
distractions, and his mind wanders back to...]

Voice in Memory: .........Remeer...
Remeer...


pg. 28


[In Remeer's memory, a pair of hands hold up a flower garland.]

Voice in Memory: Remeer!
Here!

[A very young Remeer, about five years old, sits with his sister Felys in
a windswept field.]

Young Felys: It's a flower necklace...
Let your big sis put on you!

Young Remeer: Flower necklaces are what _princesses_ give as presents!

Young Felys: Mm!

Young Remeer: Well, then, I'll become a knight!
And if something happens to you............
then I'll _protect_ you!  Even if you fly off to the ends of the earth!!

Young Felys: Ha ha!  
Thank you, Remeer!

SFX of wind: ::whoosh::

Young Felys [smiling]: It'll be our promise!  Just between the two of us!

[In the present...]

Remeer [thinking]: ..._Felys!_
Am I going to die here!?
I wasn't able to protect Reeshine...
and I wasn't able to keep my promise to Felys...


pg. 29


Reeshine [sobbing]: NOOOOO!!  _REMEER--!!_

Remeer [thinking]: If only I had more power...

Demon [raising claw]: IT'S OVER, BOY!!

Remeer [thinking]: ...the power to protect those important to me...

[Remeer looks up to the goddess statue...]

Remeer [thinking]: _I WANT THAT POWER!!_

[Suddenly...]

SFX: ::GLEAM::

[...the goddess statue lights up, shooting to a blinding brilliance.]

SFX: ::FLASHHHH::

Demon [shielding eyes]: _!!_


pg. 30


Demon: WHA...
WHAT!?
WHAT IS THIS--FROM THE GODDESS STATUE...!?

[A crackle of (more) light erupts from the goddess's forehead...]

SFX: ::SKREEEEEE::

[...and the crackle forms...]

Remeer [thinking]: This is...


pg. 31


Remeer: THE ARK OF LIGHT!!

[The fairy-like form of the Ark of Light floats before Remeer's face for a
second...before disappearing. Her energy begins to flow into Remeer...]

SFX: ::FSSH::

Remeer: Ah--

Demon: TH...THE ARK IS BEING ABSORBED?!
_HOW?!_  HOW CAN THIS _BRAT_...

SFX: ::FLASH::


pg. 32


[Lightning flashes around Remeer as he stares with eyes not quite his 
own...]

Remeer: ----...
~I summon...~
~the divine grace of the spirits of thunder to my protection...~

SFX: ::CRACKLE::
::CRACKLE::

Remeer: ~...to pass judgment on thee...~

Remeer [from the recesses of his mind, thinking]: Is that...
...a spell!?

Reeshine [looking on, thinking]: .........What!?
Remeer's _never_ cast any magic--

[The demon advances.]

SFX: ::GRRRRRRR::

Demon: _BOY!!_

[Remeer thrusts his open palm above his head.]

SFX: ::WHAM::

Remeer: ~MAY THEIR LIGHTNING~
~PASS JUDGMENT UPON THEE!!~

SFX: ::VOOOOOM::


pg. 33


SFX: ::KRA-KOOM!::

Remeer: _PLASMA_
_FIELD!!_

SFX of demon: ::OOOOOOOOOHHHHHHHHHHHH::

[Massive light and thunder erupt from Remeer's palm, massively damaging the
demon.  (In the game, meanwhile, this would probably take off about a fifth
of the enemy's health, if we were lucky.)]


pg. 34


SFX of demon, still: ::OOOHHHHHHHHHH::

Demon: I...IMPOSSIBLE!!
_WHY..._
_WHY...DID THE ARK CHOOSE...THIS BOY!?_

SFX: ::CRACK::

[In a final flash of wind and power, the demon is turned to ash.]

SFX of cooling ash: ::HISSSSSSSSSS::

Remeer: ............
......I......


pg. 35


Remeer: ............
I..._did it?_

SFX: ::SLUMP::

[Remeer sinks to his knees in shock.]

Reeshine: Re...Remeer...

[Reeshine, similarly shocked, looks on puzzled.  Suddenly...]

SFX: ::GLOMP::

Reeshine: _WWWWWWOOOOOOOO
OOOOOOOWWWWW!!_
WOW WOW WOW WOW _WWWWOOOOOWWWWWW_, REMEER!!

Remeer: _AHHH--!..._

[Reeshine, insulted at Remeer's failure to embrace her sudden enthusiasm, 
drops him like a hot potato.]

Reeshine: (_Fine!_)
WAAAAAHHHH...

Remeer [flustered]: (Wha?  Wha?)
Ree...Reeshine...

[Reeshine, mistaking Remeer's gormless flailing for an apology, clamps onto
his waist.  Remeer, face red, puts one arm around her back kinda stiffly
and awkwardly.]

Remeer: .........

Reeshine: WAAAAAAAAAAAAAH

[Later...the next morning (or, technically, maybe the same morning)...]


pg. 36


Remeer: Wow...

[Remeer appears in a traveling cloak and better traveling gear, with a 
sword and some sort of medallion.  He has come from visiting his mother's
grave one last time.]

SFX of the heels of Remeer's snazzy new boots: ::clack::
::clack::

Chieftain [sweatdropping]: Seems like you kind of ran wild last night...

Remeer [genuinely apologetic]: Sorry, Gramps!
But is it still all right  -  
for me to set off on my journey right now?
If another incident like the one last night happens...

Chieftain: Don't worry.
It is my duty as chieftain to protect this village...
you must walk the path you feel you must.
But, Remeer...
is it true that the Ark lent you its power?

Remeer: ?
Yeah...  I didn't really understand how or why myself, but...

[Suddenly, the Chieftain gets a worried look on his face.  He seems to have 
had a realization.]

Chieftain: ......
That's it!!
Remeer...
If you find you cannot locate Felys...
then visit the six other shrines that are scattered across the land...


pg. 37


Remeer: The shrines?

Chieftain: Mm.
If you pay your respects to all seven goddess statues in the shrines 
throughout the land, the goddess herself will grant you an audience.
She is our leader  -  the leader of the Divine Tribe of Light...a goddess
made flesh!
I am certain she can tell you Felys's whereabouts.
And making a tour of the shrines will allow you to see the world.  It'll be
a good experience for you!

[Remeer smiles.]

Remeer [thinking]: The leader of the Divine Tribe of Light...hm?

Remeer: Thanks, Grandpa!
My destination is clear!!
By the way, where's Reeshine?

Chieftain: Hm?  Ohhh...
She's at home, sulking in bed.  Because you're going away, you see.

[Remeer's face falls a bit.]

Remeer: ......

Remeer [thinking, genuinely]: (That's too bad...)

Remeer: I see.

[Remeer departs.  He waves one last goodbye to the Chieftain from afar.]

Chieftain [thinking]: Remeer!...
If you _are_ the one chosen by the Arks...
then this journey will be a harsh one for you.
Steel yourself...and forge a path to your destiny!!


pg. 38


[A bit removed from the village, Remeer smiles and looks up, surveying the
fine weather.]

Remeer [thinking, smiling]: Just you wait, big sis!
I'm coming to find you  -  you just see!

[Suddenly...]

SFX: ::MEOW::

[...a cat appears directly in front of Remeer's face.]

Voice: --...Hey, there...
What're YOU so chipper about?!

[Reeshine, who has just thrown another cat at Remeer's face, emerges from
behind a tree.]

Reeshine: *Tuh.*  What a sissy's boy.

SFX of Remeer frantically trying brush cat off head: ::wha-wha-wha-wha-
wha-wha-wha::

Remeer: Ree..._Reeshine!!_
_Aren't you supposed to be asleep at home...!?_

SFX: ::pant:: 
::gasp::
::gasp::
::pant::

Reeshine [smiling]: I was preparing for our journey!
I didn't tell Grandpa!  I just came along!

Remeer [_absolutely mortified_]:..._WHA?_
Whawha_WHA_...!?

Reeshine [winking]: Can't leave you to fend for yourself, can I?
So I'm coming _with_ you!  (heart)

[Against a backdrop of majestic mountains, Remeer and Reeshine set off on 
their journey together.  Whether Remeer wants to or not.]

Remeer: (......)

Reeshine: (You could look a little _HAPPIER_ about it, you know!)


pg. 39


CHAPTER 2: SANDYLAND

[The "proper" title below the furigana is "The Desert Kingdom." 
"Sandyland" is possibly a pun on Candyland, considering the residents' love
of board game-based puzzles.  The frontispiece for the chapter is fitting, 
as Remeer contemplates one of the cat people's blasted chess problems.]


pg. 40


[Remeer & Reeshine have made it into the apparent rain shadow of their
mountain range, as the peaks give way to desert dunes.]

SFX of wind: ::HOWWWWWWL::

Remeer: An ocean of sand as far as the eye can see...
This must be the desert kingdom...Sandyland!

[As I mentioned, this author is not that good at naming things in English.
Anyhow, R & R make their way to a door in a sandstone edifice.]

Reeshine: This must be...
the gate!!

SFX of knocking: ::BAM::

Voice from Within: Welcome, travelers!!


pg. 41


[Our two heroes enter to find a reception desk staffed by mysterious
folk shrouded in robes and ghutra, their features hidden.]

Front-Desk Clerk: First-time visitors
must pass an entry examination  -  meow!
It'll take only a minute!  Come here  -  meow!!

Remeer [sweatdropping]: ............"Meow"?

Reeshine [giggling]: Hee hee hee!

Remeer: (I've got a bad feeling about this...)

SFX: ::SLAM::

[The clerk promptly slams a chessboard down on the counter.]

Clerk: Solve this puzzle for me!  Meow!

Remeer: A _puzzle~~?_

[This is on track to be the most faithful game-to-manga adaptation ever
produced.]

Clerk: Move the knight to capture all the other pieces  -  and you win!  
Meow!!

[The clerk places a...paw on one of the pieces to demonstrate.]

Remeer [flustered]: Ummm...

[Meanwhile, in the background, hanging out all tsundere, is Tokio, the
ninja character of Mystic Ark.  For the manga, he has eschewed his dumb 
face bondage-mask for a stylish bandana that shows off his bangs.  He 
stares at Remeer.]

Tokio [thinking]: --......
......That boy...


pg. 42


Tokio [thinking]: There's something different about his aura...
Is he...a full-blooded member of the Tribe of Light?
But his aura's so brilliant...what could be the source of it!?......

Reeshine: !

[Reeshine snaps her head around, noticing Tokio staring.]

SFX: ::whap::

[Tokio whips his head around, pretending not to have been staring.]

Reeshine [giggling, thinking]: That guy...is he a pilgrim, too...?
He's pretty handsome...
Seems kinda...*mature!* [heart]

Remeer: I DIIIID IIIIIT!! [music note]

Reeshine [thinking, sweatdropping]: And compared to _him_...
(What a dweeb.)

Remeer: It's _sooooolvvvved!_ [music note]

SFX: ::GRIIIIIIIIIN::

Clerk [sweatdropping]: _Wellllll~~~..._

SFX of clerk scratching head: ::skritch skritch::

SFX of cloak: ::SLIP::

[The clerk's head slips off to reveal...]

Clerk: I'll be!  Well done  -  meow!

[...a muzzle...]


pg. 43


[...a pointed furry ear...]

Clerk: And it took me all _night_ to think up that puzzle  -  meow!

[...and a paw.]

SFX for Remeer: WHA WHA 

Remeer [freaking out]: Y...--
_Your body...!!_

Clerk: Well...to tell you the truth...
the puzzles are just a way for me to kill time  -  meow.  But...

Remeer [REALLY freaking out]: _--YOU...YOU'RE--YOU'RE--A--A CA--A CA--
CA..........--!_

SFX of Remeer: GA-GA-GA-GAH-GAH-!!

Clerk: (Um...)

Remeer: _A CAAAAAAAAAAAT--!!_

Reeshine: What's _with_ you?!...  Didn't you _know?_

[Reeshine & Remeer leave the guard station/customs house.]

Reeshine [closing door, annoyed]: Sandyland's residents are all beastmen  -
_catpeople!_
They'll get _offended_ if you act up like that!

Remeer [hand on chest like he has the vapors, pupils dilated, ignoring 
her]: (Noooo!  Cats are _scary!_)
(I _hate_ cats!)

SFX of Remeer's heart: ::KA-THUMP KA-THUMP::

Reeshine: You know, if we go into town...


pg. 44


Reeshine: _EVERYONE'S_ GONNA BE A CAT.

SFX of cold wind: ::SHIVER::

[True to Reeshine's word, on the other side of the door is an entire
town populated with cats.  Remeer freezes in utter shock.
Yes; in a questionable decision to remain faithful to the source material,
we are in the cat world that bogged down the first part of the game.
But hey  -  we're in a town, not a ship that's run aground, so 
at least we won't have to deal with that neverending, repetitive
Bloodhook/Gunboss rivalry that took up the game's first seven hours!]

Remeer [freaking, thinking]: I have to visit the seven shrines throughout
the world to pay my respects to the goddess statues...

SFX of Remeer: ::*sob* *sob*...*sob*::

Remeer [still freaking, still thinking]: BUT...why does my first stop have
to be a world of _cats?!_

[Reeshine and Remeer pass through the town's shopping district.  Or, 
rather, Reeshine does  -  Remeer is frozen in horror behind her.  A nearby 
vendor calls to her from the side of the street.]

Street Vendor: HEY!
Hey, there, pretty traveler!!

Reeshine [looking around, all smiles] HUH!?

Street Vendor: Why not stop and have a bite to eat in my establishment?

Reeshine [pointing to herself]: You mean _meeee!?_

Street Vendor/Restaurateur: Yup!  You got it!!

Remeer [still frozen in back]: (Uhhh...)


pg. 45


[Reeshine, and a sweatdropping Remeer, step inside.]

Reeshine: Looks like a restaurant... 
That reminds me...I'm starving.  Aren't you, Remeer?

Waiter in Back: TABLE FOR TWO!  RIGHT THIS WAY~~~!!

[Later...]

Waiter: Here ya go!  Sorry to keep you waiting  -  meow!

SFX of plate: ::clatter::

[Our heroes have each been served a Japanese curry with a couple sausages
or hot dogs on the side.  I suppose a cafe run by cats wouldn't serve hot
dogs, though, would it.  
Reeshine's pleased, though.]

Reeshine:  Wow!  [heart]  Looks good!

Remeer [looking hesitantly at cat waiter]: Um!
Excuse me...there's just something I'd like to ask you...

Waiter: Meow?
You can ask ol' Bulminch anything  -  
they call me Bloodhook's walking encyclopedia  -  meow!

Remeer: I'd like to visit the goddess statue in the shrine...
but I don't know where it is.

Reeshine [oblivious]: (Wowww!  What the heck!?  This's super delicious!  I
can't believe it!  Woww!  I'm gonna start gaining weight again!)  

SFX: ::MUNCH MUNCH MUNCH MUNCH MUNCH MUNCH MUNCH::

Bulminch: The shrine?
Can't go there now, meow!

Reeshine [attention finally caught]: --Huh?
Why's that?


pg. 46


Bulminch: (WELL...)
There're two towns in this country, meow!
And each of those towns chooses one..._big-shot_ priest to go run the 
shrine, meow!
We in Bloodhook sent Father Alonzo!  And the next town over, Gunboss, sent
Father Chavez!!

[...*Sigh.*  And I thought we had escaped.
Note: If you're wondering why these two apparently holy towns are named 
"Bloodhook" and "Gunboss," it's because this section is a bizarre 
adaptation of a (neverending) section of the game involving a rivalry
between two clans of cat pirates.  The "Bloodhook" and the "Gunboss" are
the names of their two ships, and their two captains were, naturally, 
Alonzo and...well, Crypt, not Chavez.  ("Chavez" was taken from the game 
cat world's Altar of Chavez, which, according to one of the books in the 
Gunboss's library, was discovered by the Gunboss's first captain, named 
Chavez.  I discovered this tidbit of information only after watching an LP;
the claim in the first release of this translation that the altar's in-game
namesake is never revealed is, then, inaccurate.  My apologies for my 
initially-incomplete understanding of the rich personalities populating the
17,000-year cat saga.)  
In any case: this will be far from the last time the comic will demonstrate
an...incomplete grasp of the meanings of the English words it uses to name
its people and places.]  

Bulminch [sidling up to Remeer, to his horror]: By the way!  Those two have
been on _really_ bad terms lately, meow!

SFX: ::PSST::

Remeer [hyperventilating]: AH...AHHHH...
(Eeeeek!)

Bulminch: Whenever they see each other, all they do is fight.  People from 
town can't even get close to the shrine, meow.

Remeer: The two _priests_ are fighting?

Reeshine: Well, that's got nothing to do with _us._
Can't we just go see the goddess statue?

Bulminch: But you need permission from _both_ priests to see the goddess
statue, meow.
If you get permission from _one_, the other's liable to just say _no_,
meow!

[In the background, meanwhile, a cat with a...well, it's not a mitre, since
it's closed, but...a tall clergy hat lurks, listening.]

Apparent Priest Cat: ............
IT'LL BE ALL RIGHT IF YOU GO _NOW_, MEOW!


pg. 47


[The priest cat rises from his chair and approaches Remeer.]

Priest Cat: Father Chavez is back home on business, meow!

SFX of chair: ::CLATTER::

Priest Cat: With just Father Alonzo there...I think you'll get permission
right away, meow!

Reeshine [unimpressed]: Who're you?

Priest Cat: Father Sixpack!  ...An assistant priest from this town, meow!

[Sixpack's name made more sense ("sense") in the game, where he was a cat
pirate.
Anyhow: Remeer and Reeshine go with...Father Sixpack to the city limits.]

Sixpack: You can see it from here  -  the shrine, meow!
And beyond it is the town of Gunboss!
Our country is filthy rich from the pilgrims who visit the shrine, meow!
So we're really grateful for folks like you two  -  meow!!

[The trio approaches the great stone doors of the shrine.]


pg. 48


[They enter and walk down the halls of the shrine.]

Reeshine: Wowww...
I guess the shrines are built differently from country to country, aren't
they?
(Whoa...)

Sixpack: This way, you two  -  meow!

[The three walk toward the center and meet another priest cat.]

Sixpack: Excuse me  -  Father Alonzo?

Alonzo: Oh!  Sixpack?

Sixpack: I've brought some pilgrims with me, meow.  
They'd like your permission to worship the statue...

Remeer [again freaking out, albeit more calmly this time]: (Ahhhh...)
(Everywhere I _go,_ there are cats...)

Alonzo: Hmmm...would you tell me your story?

[Alonzo hears R & R's story.  Later...]

Alonzo: ......I see.
So...you're on a pilgrimage to visit the goddess...to ask her for a clue as
to the whereabouts of your missing sister...?

Remeer: Yes!


pg. 49


Remeer [hesitating]: And...at the shrine in my homeland, I also absorbed 
the Ark of Light...

Alonzo: _What!?_
_The Ark of Light--...!?_

SFX of Alonzo's chair: ::CLATTER::

Alonzo: Hmmm...

Alonzo [thinking]: The chieftain of the prairie folk must have realized the
significance of this and sent this boy off on his journey...

Alonzo: Very well!!
You have my permission to worship  -  meow!

Remeer, I Think: Really!?

Alonzo: However  -  is it all right if we observe?

Remeer, I Kinda of Think, Though Judging from the Wording, It Might Be
Reeshine: Oh!  Well  -  it makes no difference to us!!

[The group climbs a spiral staircase in a tower-like structure.]

SFX of feet: ::CLACK::
::CLACK::

Alonzo: ...I believe you're aware of this, 
but the Arks are the great power that once sealed away the evil god, meow.

Remeer: Yes!  I've been told that since I was a child.


pg. 50


Reeshine [giggling, aside to Remeer]: (Really warming up to these cats,
aren'cha?)

Remeer [nervous again]: ...Just so long as I'm only LOOKING at them...
(*sob sob sob*)

Alonzo: I don't have any reason to doubt your _tail,_ but...
as a priest, I have to verify it with my _own_ eyes  -  meow!
The Arks are sacred energy  -  spirits who conceal a wide variety of 
powers!
If you have absorbed one of those Arks...then you have done so by its own
will, meow!!

[Again, the group finds itself before a huge set of stone doors.]

Alonzo: We of the Divine Tribe of Light have been the guardians
of the Arks for generations!
If an Ark has truly lent you its power...then we must lend you ours as
well.

SFX for door opening: ::BOOOOOM::

Alonzo: --...Ultimately, it all depends on whether or not our Ark will
accept you as its master.


pg. 51


Alonzo: And it is our duty to ascertain that  -  meow!!

[As Alonzo opens the doors, the figure of the goddess statue is revealed 
beyond.
(Stray note: It's implied that membership in the Tribe of Light is 
hereditary  -  blood-borne.  How are the apparent humans of Nanaka and the
catpeople of Sandyland part of the same genealogical tree?)]

SFX of doors: ::BOOM::

Alonzo: This is the goddess statue of Sandyland!
The Ark of Power rests within  -  meow!
But so far, even we priests have seen only its aura...
will it show its face to _you,_ meow!?

[Remeer, fretting, stares silently at the statue.]

Remeer [thinking]: ...I didn't really _come_ here to take the Ark...
I just came to pay my respects.  But...

[Remeer approaches the statue.]

Remeer: ...............

Remeer [thinking]: ...there's no way it could happen _twice_...right?!

[Remeer tentatively reaches out to the statue...]

SFX of Remeer's hand: ::glide::


pg. 52


SFX: ::VOOM::

[...and it lights up.]

SFX: ::SKREEEEE::

[Electricity crackles from the statue as light fills the room.]

Reeshine: _WAAAAAAH!!_

Sixpack: W..._What!?_  (Meow!)

Reeshine [thinking]: _This light..._
_it's just like before......!!_

[The statue unleashes waves of power.]

SFX: ::WHOOSH::
::WHOOSH::


pg. 53


[Tendrils of smoke climb from the aura enveloping the statue...]

SFX: ::OHHHHHHHHH::

Remeer: .........!!

[...and the Ark of Power  -  in giant form, not the small fairy-form from
the game  -  stands before the assembled group.]

SFX: ::BOOM BOOM BOOM BOOM::

Alonzo: Th...this is the Ark of Power?!
I've never _seen_ it before  -  meow!!


pg. 54


Remeer [mouth agape]: (It's _huge_...)

Ark of Power: ............

[The Ark of Power starts emitting even more light.]

SFX: ::FLAAAASH::

Ark of Power: ...I
recognize you as my master.

Remeer [shielding eyes, trying to peer through them, thinking]: _!!_
--...what?!
My body......!?

[Waves of power slam into Remeer.]

Remeer [thinking]: _My body--it's surging with power--!!_


pg. 55


Alonzo: He...He's the real thing, that boy  -  meow!
The Ark  -  it chose him of its own _will,_ meow!!

[The light fades from Remeer as the Ark disappears.  Remeer has sunk to his
knees.]

SFX: ::FLASH...!::

Alonzo: .....W...

[Alonzo runs up to Remeer and grabs his hands in his paws in sheer joy.]

Alonzo: _WOWWWWWW!!_
_INCREDIBLE!!_

SFX: ::GRAB!::

Alonzo [shaking Remeer's hands up and down in congratulations]:
_Spectacular!!_  You actually _absorbed_ the Ark...!!

SFX: ::SHAKE SHAKE::

Remeer [apoplectic]:  _HYAAAAAAAAAAH!!_

Alonzo: To think that I could behold such a gentletom of distinction with
my own _eyes_, meow!!  

SFX of Remeer breaking hold: ::WHAP!::

SFX of Remeer yanking hands away: ::WHOOSH::

Remeer: _Ho...hold on here!!_

Sixpack [perplexed at this]: (?)

Reeshine [looking at Remeer]: (You _jerk_--!!)


pg. 56


Remeer: I still have _no idea_ what's--

Figure in Doorway: _HEY!!_
_ALONZO!_

[The silhouette of another cat-priest has appeared in the doorway.]

Figure: What's all the racket here!?  What's all the _noise,_ meow?!

Alonzo: _!!_
_CHAVEZ!!_

Figure Who Is Chavez: _This is the chamber of the sacred goddess!_
_You're OLD enough to know to keep it down, MEOW!!_

Alonzo: _OLD enough, MEOW?!  You're the same age as I am!!_

Chavez: _Bzzz!  WRONG!!  You were born before me and was a year ahead of me
in school, meow!!_

SFX: ::HISS HISS HISS::

Reeshine [sweatdropping]:  What's with these guys?...

Sixpack [interceding]: Now, now, you two...
Father Chavez  -  I thought you had to go back home on an emergency?
(Ahh~hh...I can't take my eyes off them for one MOMENT...)

Chavez: _YEAH!_
_That's RIGHT  -  meow!!_


pg. 57


[A short time later, I think.]

Alonzo: _What?!_
_You want a temporary TRUCE?!_
What changed YOUR tune?!

Chavez: You know too, don't you?  About the Sandworm......

Reeshine: The Sandworm?

Chavez: A Dark Monster that's recently appeared in our kingdom, meow!
It strikes like lightning  -  pops up _everywhere,_ meow!!
Every since it's shown its face, the wells have dried up  -  even our 
crops are withering!
The townspeople are _terrified,_ meow!!
At a time like this, everyone looks to us priests for help!
We _can't_ stand divided, meow!!

Alonzo: Mm...of course not!!
There's no other choice.  
I'll be the peacemaker.  A truce it is, meow!


pg. 58


[But...]

Chavez: _What do you mean, "YOU'LL be the peacemaker"?!  That's _my_ line!!

Alonzo: _MEOWWW--HISSSS!!_

SFX of fistfight in background: ::BIFF:: ::POW::

Remeer [sweatdropping]: What happened to the truce?...
(Classic...)

SFX: ::HOWWWWLLL::
::HISSSS::
::MEEEOOWWWOWWW::
::YOW::

Reeshine: Hey, Sixpack...
why _are_ they fighting?

Sixpack: Huh--!?  Welllll~~...to tell you the truth, meow...
Recently, there's been this human magician who's come to Sandyland...

SFX: ::MEOWWWW::
::YOW::

Remeer [trying, futilely, to intercede]: (Uh, um......)

Sixpack: She lives in a tower outside of town...
The _problem_ is that I hear she's *quite* pretty  -  meow.
--...AND _THESE_ TWO ARE REFUSING TO _ACT THEIR AGE_ AND ARE _COMPETING_ 
FOR _THAT WOMAN._  
(Even though she's not _interested_ in you.)

SFX: ::FREEZE::

[_This_ gets the priests to stop fighting.]

Chavez or Alonzo, Though It Doesn't Really Matter Which: S...S-S-S-
Sixpack!!  
_Y-You promised you wouldn't TELL, meow!!_

Sixpack: _Uh--um--well..._

Remeer [sweatdropping]: ......

SFX: ::...rumblerumbleRUMBLERUMBLE::


pg. 59


SFX: ::ga-THUDDDD::

[Everyone is thrown off their feet as the ground shakes.]

Sixpack: _!!_

Reeshine: _Waaah...!?_

SFX: ::RUMBLERUMBLERUMBLERUMBLERUMBLERUMBLERUMBLERUMBLE::

Reeshine: _Wha...what's going on!?  Is it an earthquake?!_

Alonzo: _N--no, meow!!_

SFX of goddess statue wobbling: ::clatter clatter::

Alonzo: This shaking means...
_...that the SANDWORM's here!!_  In the desert in back, meow!!

Remeer [thinking, gritting teeth]: A Dark Monster--...!!


pg. 60


SFX: ::THUMP THUMP THUMP THUMP THUMP::

Alonzo: _Wha...whadda we DO, meow!?_
_We're no good with weapons..._

Remeer: --...I'll go!!

Reeshine: Remeer!

Remeer: I want to do something to thank you for letting me see the 
statue...
and...

SFX of Remeer's fist: ::clench clench::

Remeer: RIGHT NOW, MY BODY'S..._BURSTING_ WITH THIS STRANGE ENERGY!!

[On that uncomfortable note: later, in the desert...]

SFX: ::THWOOOOOSSHHHH::
::KA-THUMPPP::

[...the Sandworm jumps in and out of the sands.]


pg. 61


Remeer: _It's moving at tremendous speed!_

SFX: ::SHOOM SHOOM SHOOM::

Reeshine: _And...it's throwing up those huge clouds of sand!!_

Remeer: _I'll stop him in his tracks with some magic..._
_Draw his attention in the meantime, Reeshine!!_
_Then I'll finish him off!!_

Reeshine: _Got it!!_

Remeer: _LET'S GO!!_

[The Sandworm erupts from the depths once more...]

SFX: ::SHUMP::

Sandworm: RRROOOOOOAAARRRRRRR


pg. 62


SFX: ::BOOOOOOOM::

[Meanwhile, from a faraway perch...]

SFX of wind: ::HOWWWWWLLLL::

[...Tokio the ninja watches the battle unhelpfully.  (He seems to be 
standing on some sort of pole.)]

Tokio: ...............
Boy...
show me what you've got!!

[Thank you for that unprofitable interlude.  Meanwhile, Remeer is chanting.]

Remeer [chanting]: ~Polar spirits rampaging through the heavens...~
~fell mine enemies before me like leaves before the storm!~
_COLD DOWN!!_  

SFX: ::CRACKKK!::

[An ice spell envelops the Sandworm's lower half.]


pg. 63


Remeer: _Go, Reeshine!_

Reeshine [leaping up]: OK!

SFX of ice spell: ::crack::
::crack::

Reeshine: _HAAAAAAAAAAAAA--!!_

[Reeshine delivers one of Chun-Li's Lightning Kicks to the worm.]

SFX: ::WHAP WHAP WHAP WHAP WHAP::

[Meanwhile, Remeer draws his sword...]

SFX: ::SHING!::

Remeer: .........
_NOW!!_

[Remeer stabs the worm.]

Remeer: _GRAAAAAAAAAAAAH--_

SFX: ::SLAM!::


pg. 64


[The Sandworm falls to the ground dead.]

SFX: ::SHUMP::

Remeer: ......We...
_We did it!!_
(*pant*)
(*pant*)

SFX of wind: ::HOWWWWLLL::

[From faraway  -]

Tokio: --...!!

[Again, thank you.  Back to the actual actors in this story  -  where:]

Remeer: _!?_

[A cloaked female figure has appeared in the post-Sandworm wreckage.]

SFX of wind: ::HHOWWWWWLLLLL::


pg. 65


[Remeer continues to stare at the woman across the sandstorm.]

SFX: ::HHOWWWWWWWLLLL...::

Woman [staring]: .........

Remeer: ......Who...
Who are you!?

[Suddenly...]

Voice from Behind: _SIR REMEER--!!_

Remeer [turning around]: (GASP--!)

[The cat priests, along with Reeshine, are rushing to Remeer's side.]

Chavez: _Are you all right?!  You did a magnificent job in vanquishing him,
meow!!_

Remeer: Alonzo!  Chavez!

Reeshine: Remeer!


pg. 66


[Remeer turns back to where the woman was but finds her gone.]

Remeer: ............

Reeshine: What's wrong, Remeer?

Remeer: ......Just now...
there was a...kind of mysterious woman here...
 
Reeshine: _A mysterious woman!?_

[We pan over the corpse of the Sandworm, which Remeer chopped in freaking
half.]

Remeer: Yeah...  She looked like some sort of sorcerer...
Maybe...do you think that woman might have been controlling the Sandworm?!

Chavez: _Wha...what did she look like, meow!?_

Remeer: Well...I couldn't really see her face, _but_...she had this fierce
look in her eyes...
and she was wearing a black robe...and she seemed to have on her arms
these crafted metal bracelets...
Oh!...and she was relatively tall...

[Tokio, we see, is watching from the temple or building or whatever in back
of the group.  Somehow, he can hear this conversation, and his reaction is
a resounding:]

Tokio: ...............


pg. 67


Sixpack: ...That sounds just like Matoya, meow!

SFX: ::mutter::

Chavez & Alonzo: _THAT'S RIDICULOUS!!_

Sixpack: But the Sandworm started showing up at the same time that she 
came to town...

Chavez: _What're you SAYING, Sixpack?!_

Alonzo [lovestruck]: It _couldn't_ be my _darling_ Lady Matoya...! [heart]

Chavez [lovestruck]: That's right!  She's such a _sweet_ mage...!

SFX: ::blush::

Reeshine [unimpressed]: _I_ see...Matoya's that pretty girl you were 
talking about earlier, isn't she!

Remeer [thinking]: So she's the one controlling the Dark Monsters...huh?

Remeer: --...If that's a possibility, then we should go see her.
We might find some clues, and--

SFX of Chavez clamping onto Remeer's shoulder: ::GRAB!::

Chavez: _Sir Remeer!  You don't SUSPECT her, DO you, MEOW!?_

Remeer [still not over his fear of cats]: EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEK!!

Chavez: ?

Remeer: CAT PAWWWWWW!

Reeshine: .........
(Oh, man.)


pg. 68


Reeshine: We don't know this Matoya person, so we wouldn't know, but...
...this would be an excellent excuse to go see her, wouldn't it?!

Chavez & Alonzo: HMMM...

Reeshine: And if she _isn't_ involved, then if another Dark Monster like
that Sandworm appears,
it'd sure be nice to have a magician to help out, wouldn't it?!

[We get a group shot of the five characters, framed by the shrine or
another building in the distance.  Tokio definitely was way too far away
to hear anything.]

Reeshine: Anyhow, let's go...
to Matoya's tower!!

Alonzo [making fist, looking off in the distance, determined]: YES!

SFX of Alonzo's fist: ::CLENCH CLENCH::

[In his zeal, Alonzo has grabbed onto Remeer's shoulder again.]

Remeer: MAKE IT STOOOOOP!!

Reeshine: ......


pg. 69


CHAPTER 3: TOWER OF PERIL


Chavez: Here we are, meow!!

[The group has arrived at Matoya's Tower.  Contrary to the game, it's not a
lighthouse.  It looks more like a way taller version of Devils Tower (sic,
stupidly).]

Chavez or Maybe Alonzo: On the top floor...
lives Lady Matoya, meow.

[Chavez & Alonzo join paws in utter anticipation of a rendezvous with 
Matoya.]

Chavez: Ohhhh--!!  This is the first time I've ever been in her ~private
quarters~, meow!  [heart]

Alonzo: My heart's _pounding,_ meow!!  [heart]

SFX: ::Ooooooh!::

Chavez & Alonzo: MY _LOVELY_ LADY MATOYA!!

Reeshine: ...WE'RE GONNA LEAVE YOU BEHIND, YOU TWO MIDDLE-AGED FOGIES!!


pg. 70


SFX of paw hitting pavement, or at least stone: ::BAM::

Voice: *GASP*

[The group is heading up the long spiral staircase that lines the tower's
interior.  Alonzo and Chavez are lagging behind.  Man, they're doomed if 
this section is faithful to the game; they're never gonna survive the 
umpteen jaunts up this thing.]

Chavez: I...I'm _beat,_ meow.

SFX: ::PUFF::
::HUFF::
::HUFF::
::PUFF::

Alonzo: Are...are we at the top floor yet, meow...?

Reeshine [in lead]: You're _pathetic!_  Where's all the energy you had
_before_, huh?!
Look!  The door's just ahead of us!

[True to Reeshine's word, the light of a doorway can be seen on the floor 
immediately above the group.]

Alonzo & Chavez: OHHHH!

[The group arrives, and Remeer tentatively opens the double doors (what, no
knocking?)...]

SFX: ::CREEEEEEAAAAK::

[...whereupon the shrouded figure from before stands before them, in the 
shadows.]

Figure: --...I've been waiting...
...for you all.


pg. 71


"Matoya": I am the new mistress of this tower.  ...Call me Matoya.
I bid you welcome.

[The woman's face is revealed, and we confirm that she is not, as in the 
game, a surly cat but rather a beautiful human woman with short dark hair
and dark skin.  And not just any beautiful human woman with short dark hair
and dark skin  -  she's the game's playable black mage, Miriene.]

SFX of Alonzo & Chavez waving furiously & fanboying: ::OOOOOOOOOH~~!!::

Sixpack [irritated]: ............

Remeer: How did you know we were coming?

Miriene: I was doing some divining just a little while ago...
and I foresaw your visit.
And you have come...
to ask about the Sandworm that has been ravaging this country as of 
late, have you not?

Remeer: Yes!  And to get to the point...

Alonzo & Chavez: S...Sir Remeer...

Remeer: ...I don't mean to be rude, but I'd like to ask you a little bit 
about the incidents...


pg. 72


Miriene: ............

[Suddenly, Chavez jumps forward.]

SFX: ::BAM!::

Chavez: Er  -  um...
Lady Matoya!
Please, I _beg_ your understanding...
_we would never, EVER doubt you!_
It's just  -  your arrival
just _happens_ to coincide with the arrival of the Sandworm...

Miriene: ...It's fine!
I am a sorcerer of the Divine Tribe of Darkness, which uses the shadow as
our source of power...
When you consider the actions of my ancestors...
...then it is only natural that you would have your doubts. 

[Miriene smiles.]

Miriene: And you are priests of this land!
I _trust_ you; I would NEVER misconstrue your actions!

Reeshine [thinking, not buying this]: One cool customer, I see.

Reeshine: (Isn't _she_ mature...)


pg. 73


Miriene: --...In any case, we can't just stand here while we're talking. 
Please  -  come inside.
I have some _lovely_ tea!

Sixpack: Hm?
--Oh, no, please don't make a fuss...

Remeer: ...............

Remeer [thinking]: This Matoya woman...
She certainly _looks_ like the woman I saw after I defeated the Sandworm...
She seems awfully kind...
Not at all the type...
Maybe...maybe I _do_ have the wrong person...

SFX: ::poke poke::

[Remeer has been lost in thought for a bit; Reeshine is poking him with her
finger to check on him.]

Reeshine [thinking]: Hey, Remeer!
What's wrong?  Is it her?

Remeer [still lost in thought...er...thinking]: Hmm...  I just don't 
know...
(Oh, my...)

Reeshine: (Grrr...)

Reeshine [thinking]: _Youuuu--!!_  This is gonna be a _problem!_


pg. 74


[Later, everyone has sat down, and Miriene is pouring tea.]

SFX: ::glup glup glup glup glup glup::

Miriene: It's not the best, but I hope this tea is to your liking...
It comes from Strato, the land to the west.

Alonzo & Chavez: THANK YOUUUUUU!!
(~*swoon*~)

[That Alluring Eyes spell sure is potent.]

Miriene: Remeer...did you say your name was?

Remeer: Ah...yes!

Miriene: You have such a strange aura...
I've encountered plenty of people in my time, and yet...
I've never known anyone with an aura that shone so brightly!

Remeer: Really?

Alonzo & Chavez [jumping forward]: YOU'RE SO _DISCERNING_, LADY MATOYA!

SFX: ::LEAP::

Remeer [leaping back himself from evil cats]: (Wah!)

Alonzo or Chavez: Sir Remeer is the heaven-sent child...the one of 
prophecy, meow!!

Alonzo: And I'll let you in on a secret...
Remeer is the Messiah chosen by the Arks!!


pg. 75


Miriene: --...Of prophecy?

SFX of Chavez elbowing Alonzo aside: ::SLAM!!::

Chavez: _Allow ME to explain, meow!!_
Despite his youth, Sir Remeer is on a pilgrimage...
and he's absorbed two Arks already  -  from the shrine in the village of 
the prairie folk and the shrine here in Sandyland!

Miriene: Absorbed...the Arks!?

Chavez: That's right, meow!!
And when he absorbed the Ark of Power...

SFX of Alonzo whapping Chavez: ::PUNCH::

Alonzo: It SAID that it recognized Sir Remeer as its master!!

Miriene: My...
That _is_ quite astonishing...
But..._ultimately_...is that really a good thing?


pg. 76


Everyone Else: HUH?


Miriene: You don't see?...
The Arks are the supreme sacred power...
a power we have always been forbidden to touch!
The very act of absorbing the Arks...
might destroy the balance between Light and Dark.  And what then?

[Outside the room, Tokio slips into the frame, lurking.]

SFX: ::SLIP::

Miriene: Right now...
the balance in the world between Light and Dark...is preserved by the
Divine Tribes of Light and Dark...is it not?

Sixpack: ...Lady Matoya...
...what are you trying to say?!


pg. 77

Miriene: BE IT LIGHT _OR_ DARKNESS...
AN EXCESS OF POWER ON _EITHER_ SIDE IS DANGEROUS.
Was that not made clear from the holy war of a thousand years ago?
If one side gains power, it will use it to try to obliterate the other...

Reeshine [leaping out of chair]: _That's RIDICULOUS!!  Are you saying that
REMEER would do a thing like that!?_

Miriene: I'm not saying that.
However...


pg. 78


Miriene [pointing at Remeer]: _You..._
_are UNNATURALLY strong in the element of Light..._

Reeshine: (Grr!)
What're you _talking_ about...!
It almost sounds like you're saying that Remeer is EVIL!

Miriene: I apologize if you're offended...
But...I believe that this situation is of the utmost importance...
to both the Tribe of Light..._and_ the Tribe of Darkness!

Alonzo & Chavez [in fanboying pose]: I'm getting a _bad_ feeling, meow...
(Oooooh...)

Alonzo: L...Lady Matoya!
There are a number of special circumstances that apply in Sir Remeer's 
case!

SFX of Alonzo's chair falling over: ::CLATTER!::


pg. 79


Chavez: When we asked, he told us that his mother was killed by Dark
Monsters...
and his elder sister was also kidnapped, or  -  something...

Alonzo: He's been through a _lot_, meow!!

Miriene: Oh, my...
I'm sorry.  I didn't know. 
I suppose I've said some horrible things... 

[Remeer looks pained and lost in memories.]

Miriene: But...I just want you to know...
We of the Divine Tribe of Darkness...and the Dark Monsters...
never kill without cause.

[Remeer, as if half-possessed, staggers and bolts from his chair.]

SFX: ::CLATTER::

Reeshine: Remeer!?


pg. 80


Remeer [angry]: _So..._
_you're saying there was a GOOD REASON that my mother was murdered  -_
_was BUTCHERED?!_
If there's a good "cause" for her death...

Miriene: ............

Remeer: ...then I can't see it.

Miriene: ...Imagine...
if a person was born with a great amount of Dark power...
then would not that power naturally increase as they matured?
Even if he is not currently a threat...in consideration of the future...
as a member of the Divine Tribe of Light, would you not consider taking
preventative measures?

Remeer [shocked]: _!!_
...To take him...and his blood relatives...
and kill them?!

Reeshine [thinking, concerned about Remeer, who's troubled]: ............
Remeer...


pg. 81


Remeer: ............

Miriene: ...Perhaps I've said too much.
[taking cup] ...Your tea's gotten cold.  
I'll go put on a fresh pot.

Sixpack: _Oh--!  No, no, Lady Matoya!!_
_I think it's time for us to be going..._

Miriene: Oh?

Sixpack: _Sorry for troubling you, meow!_

Miriene: I don't mind if you stay a little longer.

[Remeer is sitting at the table, fists clenched, brooding.]

SFX around Remeer: ::DOOM::

Sixpack: No, I'm really sorry, but...

Chavez [thinking]: (Shut UP, Sixpack...)

Miriene: How _unfortunate_  -  for your sake...

[Miriene smiles, raises a hand above her hand, igniting with magic power.]

SFX: ::VOOOOOOM::

Miriene: ...and I had _so_ wanted to give you that _final_ cup of tea!!


pg. 82


Reeshine: _WHAT?..._

[Everyone is shocked at this.  I'm more disappointed.  We had a character
from the opposing side making a more or less cogent argument that calls 
what the good guys are doing into question, and they have to have her turn
suddenly homicidal just to discount what she's saying.
Also, for those who have played the game: no, Miriene is not a good guy in
the manga.  (She's a party member in the game.)
(Incidentally, though: Miriene introduces herself as the "new mistress" of
the tower.  In the game, the mistress of the tower is an even-more- 
aggravating-than-usual cat person named Matoya, who will send you on 
endless fetch quests, chores, and traipses up & down her monster-infested
tower before she'll help you.  The "new mistress" line might suggest that
cat Matoya actually did exist, but Miriene killed her to take her identity
and possession of the tower, which I can definitely get behind.  Take your
Crumpled Clothes and shove them, lady.)
Anyhow, Miriene continues to gather power...]

SFX: ::VOOOOOOM::

Miriene: Oh  -
I forgot to tell you.
My..._true_ name...
IS MIRIENE.

[A many-clawed skeletal reptilian monster emerges from a portal Miriene has
opened behind her.]

SFX of monster emerging: ::VROOM::

SFX of eye opening: ::glare::


pg. 83


[The monster destroys...something with its claws.]

SFX: ::SMASH::
::CRASH::

Remeer: _UWAAH!_

[Miriene floats up to the monster's side.]

Miriene: My King Mole will see you off on your journey...to _hell._
My little boy...is _very_ loyal to me.

SFX: ::RUMBLE RUMBLE RUMBLE RUMBLE RUMBLE::

Remeer [angry]: Summoning magic.........!!

SFX for stunned Alonzo & Chavez: ::DUHHHHH::
::blink:: ::blink:: ::blink:: 

Sixpack: So she _was_ the one controlling the Sandworm  -
meow!!


pg. 84


[Miriene floats up to the King Mole's shoulder and caresses him lovingly.]

Miriene: And my Sandworm was _such_ a sweet boy...
YOU'LL PAY FOR THAT!!

Reeshine: _What're you talkin' about, old lady?!_
_YOU'RE the one who's gonna pay!!_

Note on Alonzo & Chavez: SHEET WHITE

Sixpack: ("Old lady"?)

Reeshine: _How DARE you try to take us in with that cheap tea-party 
FARCE!!_  

[Note: The word Reeshine uses here for "farce," "chaban," is meant as a
pun, containing the Japanese word & character for "tea," "cha."
(Yeah, I could've used "charade" to keep the pun going, but it lacks that
final-word *oomph.*)
Sixpack flings Remeer's (sheathed, thankfully) sword at him.]

SFX: ::FLING::

Sixpack: _Sir Remeer!!_

SFX: ::CATCH::

Remeer: Ah...yeah!


pg. 85


SFX of King Mole: ::RROOOOOAAAARRRRR::

Reeshine: _Remeer!!_

Remeer: _Got it......!!_

[Remeer unsheathes his sword...]

SFX: ::SHING::

Remeer [thinking, ironically]: No time to brood......
...At least not _now_  -  when we're being attacked 
by a Dark Monster...!!
If I don't stop him...
someone'll get hurt!!

Reeshine: _HA!!_

SFX: ::WHAM::

[Reeshine leaps up and jumps on the mole's head.]

SFX of mole: ::THUD::


pg. 86


[Remeer attacks with his sword...]

SFX: ::SLASH::

[But...]

SFX: ::GRIND::

Remeer: _Guh--...!!_

SFX of King Mole's teeth: ::GR-GNASH::

Remeer: Looks like physical attacks don't work!

[I dunno about that; Reeshine's opening attack from above seemed to do
_something._]

Reeshine: Remeer!!
I've got an idea...!!


pg. 87


Reeshine: You buy me some time  -  with magic or something, _whatever!_
In the meantime, I'll gather my ki!!

Remeer: _!!_
For a Powerwave!?  But...I don't think you've ever done that before...

Reeshine: We've got no choice!  There's no other way...
I've got to try...!!

[The author calls the attack a "Sustainer" in small katakana, but the kanji
clearly indicate it's Reeshine's Powerwave.  Also, wouldn't Remeer's "magic
or something" count as a non-physical attack?]

Miriene [watching from a bit away]: Looks like you're strategizing.  But...
...if you want your deaths to be less painful...then I would advise you to 
_abandon_ your futile struggling.

[Reeshine, disregarding Miriene's advice, begins to charge her ki, 
Kamehameha-style.]

SFX: ::FLASH::

[Meanwhile, Remeer, hands aflame, confronts the King Mole.]

SFX of King Mole: ::ROOOOAARRR::

Remeer: ~Divine torch that illuminates the witching hour...~

SFX: ::FWOOSH::

Remeer: _FIRE!!_


pg. 88


[Remeer looses a stream of fire...]

SFX: ::FWOOSH::
::FWOOSH::

King Mole: _SKREEE--!!_

[...but...]

Miriene: It's no use! 
Your inferior magics will NOT avail you!

[Oh, come on, Miriene.  That thing screamed.  Remeer clearly did _some_
damage.
Meanwhile, Remeer, though daunted, lights another fireball.]

Remeer: ~Kindled in the lamps of Heaven's kingdom...~

Remeer [thinking]: What if I were in the opposite position?...

SFX of flame igniting: ::POFF::

Remeer: ~Dauntless spirits smouldering in the flames...~

Remeer [thinking]: ...What if they're attacking because of me?...
..Am I the reason...
that my mother was killed?
That my sister was taken!?......

Remeer: ~I entreat...thee...~


pg. 89


[Remeer stops in consideration of this thought; as his resolve fades, so
does the magical flame in his hand.]

Remeer [thinking]: IS IT MY VERY EXISTENCE...
THAT'S MAKING THE DARK MONSTERS ATTACK...!?

[Reeshine, still charging, notices Remeer faltering...]

Reeshine: (Ah...)

SFX: ::ROAR::

Reeshine: _Remeer!!_

[...and so does the King Mole, which takes the opportunity to swipe at
Remeer.]

Remeer: _!!_
_I'm too late..._

[But...]

SFX: ::SHING::


pg. 90


SFX: ::SKRASSSSHHH::

Remeer: _!!_

[...Tokio jumps down with Ninja Unvanish powers to deflect the blow at the
last moment.]

Miriene: _Who..._

Skipack: _Who's HE, meow?!_

Reeshine [thinking, recognizing him]: ...He's--
--he's that man I saw at the gate...!!

SFX: ::GRIND::

[Despite Miriene's claim about physical attacks being ineffective, Tokio 
has stabbed the mole in the nose.]

Reeshine [thinking]: Why.....!?

[Tokio pulls his sword out of the mole.]

SFX: ::SHHHRINGGGG::


pg. 91


Tokio [turning to Remeer]: _What are you doing, BOY?!_
_Do you want to DIE?!_

SFX of another blow by Tokio: ::SLASH::

Remeer: Who...who are you!?

[But...]

Reeshine: _Both of you!  Out of the way!!_

SFX: ::GLARE::

Remeer: _Reeshine!!_

[Reeshine readies her Kamehameha...]

Reeshine: _HAAAAAAAAAAAAA--_

SFX: ::SKREEEEEEE::

Reeshine: _AAAAAAAAAAA--_

SFX: ::FLASH::


pg. 92


Reeshine: _EAT THIS!!_
_POWERWAVE!!_

SFX: ::WHAM::

[From the faraway city, catpeople look agape as a giant hole explodes out
the side of Matoya's tower.]

SFX: ::BOOOOOOOOM::


pg. 93


SFX: ::KAAABOOOOOOOOMM!!::

Reeshine & Remeer: _!!_

Alonzo & Chavez, clutching each other: _L...Lady Matoya, watch out~~~!!_

SFX: ::gyaaaahhh...::


pg. 94


SFX: ::CRACKKKK::

[Miriene shields herself as the corpse of the Mole King, cleaved in half,
falls apart.]

Everyone: _!!_


pg. 95


Miriene, stepping aside: (eep)

SFX of blood falling: ::SPLUT::
::SPLUT::

[Miriene pauses, then grins.]

Miriene: Ha ha...

SFX of wiping blood from her chin: ::SLICK::

[Miriene looks at Remeer, reveling in the blood of her creature that stains
her chin.]

Miriene: I SEE...
IT SEEMS...THAT I SLIGHTLY UNDERESTIMATED YOUR POWER...!!

Remeer: ::SHIVER::


pg. 96


Miriene: --What a pity...
And I had my heart set on delivering this land to the Dark Kingdom!
But I have to admit...you showed me a good time.

SFX: ::VOOM::

[In a whirling gust of wind, Miriene hovers out the newly-blown hole in her
tower.]

Reeshine & Remeer: _!!_

SFX: ::ROOOOAARRR::

Reeshine: _Wha...!?_
_Get back here, old lady!!_
_You tryin' to RUN?!_

Miriene: _Till we meet again..._
_Child of Light!!_


pg. 97


SFX: ::FWOOOOSH::

[Miriene spirits away.]

Reeshine: _HEY...!!_

[Alonzo & Chavez clutch each other, sobbing.]

Alonzo & Chavez: _Ohhh-wah!!  How could Lady Matoya have been EVIL--!?_

SFX: ::GAAAAAAAH::

Caption Near Two Cats Written in English: Oh!!  Jesus!  Don't you love me?

Reeshine [steaming]: _That WITCH~~!!  Next time I see her, will she
PAY!!_

[Suddenly, she notices something...]

Reeshine: (Hey!)
!
_Wait a minute...!!_
_That guy  -  where'd he go!?_

Chavez: _Hm?..._
_Oh--!!_
He must've disappeared when we weren't watching, meow...

Alonzo: Mm!

Reeshine: Hey...Remeer!  Didn't you see him?

[But Remeer is again lost in his own thoughts, rather depressed.]


pg. 98


SFX: ::CLONK!::

Reeshine: _REMEER!!_

[Reeshine whaps Remeer upside the head.]

Remeer: What're you doing, Reeshine!?  (Oww!)

Reeshine: ARRRGH!!
Are you _still_ obsessing over what that woman said to you!?

Sixpack: She's right, meow!  It was all just mere sophistry, meow!
You can't let it consume you, meow!!

Reeshine: He's right!  That _con artist_...

SFX of Reeshine's hands against Remeer's chest: ::whap::

Remeer [smiling very slightly & uncertainly]: Yeah...
I'll be all right...

[Reeshine turns back to the cat priests to speak with them.  Remeer, 
though, turns to look out to the sky, to where Miriene disappeared.]

Remeer [thinking]: --That's right...isn't it.  Right now............
all I can do is to walk the path in which I believe......!!


pg. 99


CHAPTER 4: FRUITLAND

[In this chapter's frontispiece, Remeer and Reeshine happily browse a
farmer's market.  Reeshine has in her arms a bunch of what are either 
onions or mandrake roots.]


pg. 100


Voice: HUHHH?

[We open in one of the Fruit World's abundant forests.  A little female
fairy with a flaming hairdo perches on a treetop branch.]

Fairy: How _weirrrrd_...
Where could he have gone?
--_Ohhhh_-wah!  He's so quick to run away...that fox!!

Voice: REMEER!

[The fairy looks down to see Reeshine & Remeer, traveling cloaks on, 
walking through the forest.]

Fairy: !

Reeshine: Haven't we walked through somewhere like this before?

Remeer: I'd been meaning to get out the map and have a look at it while
we've been walking around, but...

[The two get out their map.]

Reeshine: (Hey...)
REALLY~~?


pg. 101



SFX: ::BONG::

[Unfortunately, the map avails Remeer & Reeshine little, as it is a "Tokyo
23-Ward Foodie Walking Tour" map written in Japanese.]

Reeshine [sweatdropping]: ...What's even written on this?  I can't even 
_read_ it!
(Maybe it's ancient script...)
I...think something's _wrong_ with this map...

Remeer: Really?

Fairy: HEY THERE~~!!  [heart]  Young man!  Young lady!

[The fairy has appeared behind R & R.  They turn to regard her.]

Fairy: You look like you're lost!  

SFX: ::flutter flutter::

Fairy: If you like, _I_ can tell you the way!  How 'bout it?

Remeer & Reeshine: _WAAAAAAAA--!!_

[Remeer & Reeshine are absolutely _ecstatic._]

Remeer: A fairy!  _A fairy!!_  _A FAIRY!!!_

Fairy: I...

SFX: ::BEAM BEAM::

Reeshine: _EEEEEEEK!_
_I've never SEEN a fairy before!!_

Fairy [sweatdropping]: Wow...aren't you just..._bursting_ with youthful
enthusiasm...

[Later...]

Fairy: Watermelon Village?


pg. 102


[A beaming fairy gets right up close to a blushing Remeer and boops his 
nose.]

SFX: ::boop::

Fairy: Just keep walkin' toward the setting sun, and you should run 
*smack-dab* into it!

[An annoyed Reeshine picks up the fairy by her wings.]

Reeshine: THANK. YOU. VERY. MUCH!!
(Gettin' a little _friendly_ there, aren't ya?!)

Fairy: Haaa ha ha!  [heart]  Don't mention it!

Remeer [sweatdropping]: ............

[Reeshine whaps Remeer on the back, turns him around, and steers him away.]

Reeshine [peeved]: (Let's go, Remeer!!)

SFX: ::WHAP!::

Fairy [waving]: BYE BYYYYYE!

Remeer [sweatdropping]: (What're you mad about?...)

[You could really do with hitting Remeer a lot less, Reeshine.
Anyhow, the fairy watches them leave, staring at them arms crossed, with
interest.]

Fairy: .........
That boy...could he be?!

[Later...Reeshine is dumbstruck by the sight in front of her.]

Reeshine: TH...THIS...
IS WATERMELON VILLAGE...?

SFX of cold wind blowing: ::HOWWWWLLL::


pg. 103


SFX: ::BONGGGG::

Reeshine: (GAH)

[We see that Watermelon Village is a literal village of giant, hollowed-
out watermelons, Peter Peter Pumpkin Eater-style.]

Sign: Town of Food and Culture
WATERMELON VILLAGE

Remeer [smiling]: Wowww!  This looks like a rather curious village, doesn't
it? 

Reeshine [pulling out hair]: It's gone way past "curious!"
_IT'S A LITERAL REPRESENTATION OF ITS NAME--!!_


pg. 104


[Remeer & Reeshine enter the village.  Remeer gazes around its fruit 
markets.]

Remeer: But it's unique, don't you think?

SFX of Remeer: ::beam::

Reeshine: That's the _problem-!!_
And not only that  -  all the villagers are just so...PLUMP!!

Remeer [grinning nervously]: I...I guess so, now that you mention it...

[Suddenly, a hail of little black specks lands at Reeshine's feet.]

Reeshine: !

SFX: ::PTOO PTOO PTOO PTOO::

[One of the sedate Couch Potato villagers from the game is enjoying some
watermelon and is spitting the seeds at the ground machine-gun style near
Reeshine.]

Reeshine [jumping out of her boots]: nGAHHH!
~~~~~~~~~...!!

Remeer [sweatdropping at this conglomeration of punctuation]: ......

Reeshine [to Couch Potato]: _Watch it!!_
If you're gonna spit seeds, spit 'em where no one's standing!!
(And I'm STANDIN' right HERE!)

Couch Potato: HUH?
Ohhh--!!  SORRRY~~!  Didn't mean anythin' by it, ya knowww~~!

Remeer [quickly stepping in front]: No!  No!  The fault's ours!
She's just out of sorts today...

SFX of Remeer: ::WHOOSH::

SFX of Reeshine: ::grr::


pg. 105


Remeer [still panicked]: Er, by the way  -  it really is interesting how 
all the buildings in this village are shaped like watermelons, isn't it?!

Note near Remeer's word balloon: desperate attempt to change the subject

Couch Potato [chucking watermelon rind into pile behind him]: Huhhh? 
They're not _shaped_ like watermelons...!
They ARRRE watermelons~~!
This village is FAMOUS for its giant watermelons, ya knowww~~!!

SFX of toss: ::PHUT!::

Reeshine: Huh?  ...But how do you make them into houses?

Couch Potato: Eat out the insides and put rooms in the middle, of 
courrrse~~!
(The rinds make great pickles, ya knowww~~!)

Reeshine: OF COURSE.  HOW STUPID OF ME.

Remeer [still with apologetic grin on face]: By the way...we've come to pay
our respects to the goddess statue at the shrine in your town...
...Where can we get permission to do so?...

Couch Potato [pointing]: Go to the elder's houuuse~~!
He lives in that great big watermelon right over there, ya knowww~~!

Remeer: Thaaank you very much! 

SFX of Remeer: ::bow::

Couch Potato: Oh...hey, wait!


pg. 106


Couch Potato: They say there's been some sorta fox monster poppin' up 
around here lately, ya knowww~~!
Be careful when you go to the shriiine~~!!

Remeer: A fox......?

[Later  -  but it can't be _too_ much later, as the elder's house was
right across the street...]

Caption: At the elder's house...

SFX: ::BONGGGGG::

[Remeer & Reeshine have been admitted into the house's watermelony 
interior.]

SFX of Reeshine: ::UGHHHH...::

Reeshine [thinking]: How can you _relax_ in this room!?
(With all the red...)

Voice: Sorry for keeping you waiting!

[The elder appears.]

Elder: I'm the village elder, Mucho.
How can I help you?


pg. 107


Remeer [smiling, still nervous]: ...Pleased to meet you!  My name is 
Remeer!
I'd like your permission to visit the goddess statue in your shrine...

Elder [surprised, sweatdropping]: What?!  The shrine?
Wellll, it's not really much to look at...
I've got a better idea!  Instead of the shrine, how about I show you around
some of our village's _other_ famous places!!

Remeer [sweatdropping]: Huh?

Reeshine [peeved]: (......)
I'm sorry, but...we didn't come here to sightsee!

Elder: R......really?  But...
Well, I'm terribly embarrassed, but we haven't really taken care of our 
shrine  -  it's all gone to seed, and--

Remeer [honestly]: But...you should've received a letter of introduction
for us from the Sandyland shrine...it must've arrived by now, _hasn't_ it?

Elder: HUH!?

Remeer: I think it described our circumstances in detail?

Elder [sweatdropping]: .........

Remeer: ...You must _know_ the priests there, don't you?
Alonzo and Chavez?

Note on pic of Alonzo & Chavez: MEEEOOOOWW

Elder [panicky]: OF--OF COURSE!!


pg. 108


[Reeshine is decidedly not impressed.]

Note on Reeshine: SUSPICIOUS LOOK

Reeshine: ...........

SFX: ::STAAAAAAARE::

Elder: Well, well, excuse me!
Of course I give you permission to visit the goddess statue!

Remeer [smiling]: Oh!  Thank you!

[Reeshine is still not impressed and has moved in close to stare down the
guy nose to nose.]

SFX: ::STAAAAAAAARE::

Remeer [apologetic, making "come on" motions with hand]: Sh...shall we be
going, Reeshine?

[Outside the village...]

Reeshine: Hey!  Remeer...

Remeer: What is it?

Reeshine: The village elder...didn't he seem rather odd to you?

Remeer: Yeah...
Something about him doesn't really sit well with me, either.

Reeshine: It was like he didn't even want to let us go to the shrine, did
he.


pg. 109


[Remeer's face turns pained.]

Remeer: ...But maybe that's only natural!

[Remeer thinks back to Miriene.]

Remeer: The Arks are so very important...

Miriene [in Remeer's memory]: The Arks are the _supreme_ sacred power...
a power we have _always_ been _forbidden_ to touch!
The _very act_ of _absorbing_ the Arks...
_might destroy the balance between Light and Dark._  And what then?

Remeer: And here I am, this complete stranger who appeared out of nowhere!
Ordering them to take me to their precious goddess statue...

SFX: ::POW!::

[In yet another act of domestic violence, Reeshine has socked Remeer across
the back of the head again.]

Reeshine: HEY!  _Snap out of it!_
_COME ON!!_  _Are you STILL mooning over what that woman said!?_

Remeer [cowering]: (UWAAAHH!)

Reeshine: That's dark!  That's DARK, you know!
You're doing what you're doing because of what you believe.  Isn't that 
reason enough?


pg. 110


Reeshine [blushing]: _I_ believe in you.

Reeshine [staring tentatively, also blushing]: ------...

[Reeshine quickly begins waving her hands in a dismissive, sneaky matter.]

Reeshine: I mean, I don't think you'll abuse the Arks or anything.

SFX on Reeshine: ::UH-HO HO HO HO::
::whew::

Reeshine: It's not like I have any designs on a jerk like you!!

Remeer [sweatdropping]: ............

SFX: ::GRAB!::

Reeshine: _OK!_

Remeer: _WAHHH!_

[Remeer is quickly pulled away, out of this situation, by Reeshine.]

SFX: ::DASH!::

Reeshine: _LET'S GO, REMEER!_
(Grrr...do I gotta do _everything?!_)

[Later...Reeshine is again dumbstruck by the sight in front of her.]

SFX of cold wind blowing: ::HOWWWWLLL part twoooooooo::

Reeshine: ............

SFX of Remeer [rubbing wrist]: ::twitch twitch::

SFX of Reeshine: ::quiver:: ::quiver::


pg. 111


SFX: ::BONGGGG::

Reeshine: (GAAAAAAAH)

[We see the shrine has been carved out of a pineapple.]

Reeshine: IS THIS SHRINE A _JOKE!?!?!?_
(First a _watermelon,_ and now a _pineapple!!_)

Remeer [sweatdropping]: Well, this _is_ Fruitland...

[Inside  -  which seems built of stone, just like the other shrines, 
despite the exterior...]

Reeshine: Huh?  It's kind of pretty inside, isn't it?
How has _this_ "gone to seed"?

Remeer: That's right!
These sights alone are enough to give this place a claim to fame, 
aren't they?

Reeshine: _OK!_
We're gonna do our thing and worship the HECK out of this statue today!!

Remeer [sweatdropping]: Well, it's not like we can just barge in and 
worship however we like...
(That wouldn't be respectful, you know...)

[The duo enters the room with the goddess statue.]

Reeshine: Hey!  Remeer!!

[Reeshine pushes a reluctant Reeshine forward.]

Reeshine: The goddess statue...!!

Remeer: Yeah...


pg. 112


[Remeer approaches the goddess statue.]

SFX of Remeer's heart: ::ka-thump::
::ka-thump::
::ka-thump::

[He continues to stare at the statue...]

SFX of Remeer's heart: ::ka-thump::
::ka-thump::
::ka-thump::

[But...]

SFX: .........
......
...

[...nothing happens.]

Remeer & Reeshine: HUH?


pg. 113


Reeshine: ...There's no response?!

Remeer: GUESS NOT!
(Whew!)

Reeshine: _Hold on!  You weren't actually RELIEVED just now, were you?!?!_

Remeer [sweatdropping]: Huh?  No, not really...

[As Reeshine & Remeer..."converse," the white, pupilless eye of...something
lurking behind one of the temple's pillars stares at them.]

SFX of eye: ::GLINT::

Figure: .........

[Back to Reeshine.]

Reeshine: THERE'S SOMETHING FISHY HERE.

SFX: ::GRRRRRRRR!::

Remeer: You're on _that_ again?...

Reeshine [sweatdropping]: Well, _COME ON~~!!_

Remeer: You know, originally...the Arks never showed their faces!  So this
is the way things are _supposed_ to be!
Like I said, it's all right!


pg. 114


Reeshine [frustrated]: .........
But that's not the ONLY thing that's fishy around here!!
_That CRAZY-looking village!!_

SFX on picture of crazy-looking village: ::YUP::

Reeshine: _The townspeople and how they're all so...OUT of it!!_

SFX on picture of out-of-it townspeople: ::YUP::

Reeshine: _And that...*MAN* with ABSOLUTELY NO MANNERS--!!_

SFX on picture of man with absolutely no manners: ::YUP::

Reeshine [pulling hair out of head]: _THIS WHOLE ENITRE COUNTRY IS JUST
BEYOND MY COMPREHENSION!!  IT'S GOT ME ON MY *LAST* *NERVE*!!!!_

SFX: ::GAAAAAAHH::

Remeer: In other words, Fruitland doesn't really agree with you, does it...

[Suddenly...]

Fairy: Looks like you youngsters are lost as usual, aren't you--!!

SFX: ::flutter::
::flutter::

Remeer: !!

Fairy [waving]: HIIIII, you two!  [heart]
We meet again, I see!!


pg. 115


Reeshine: You're...that fairy from before!?
What're you doing here?!

Fairy [hands behind back]: Ohhhh, nothing much!  You just happen to wind up 
wherever I'm going!
But never mind _that!_  Where're YOU off to next?

Remeer: All the way to Luffa Bridge, the next town over!
There's no inn in Watermelon Town!

[Note: The name of the town is actually "Hechima Bridge," "hechima" being
the Japanese word for a specific type of gourd known as the "sponge gourd"
(the source of luffa sponges) in English.  The town is known in at least
one translation of the game as "Gourd Bridge."  I'm using "Luffa Bridge"
due to a joke later on.]

Fairy: Hmmm....  Luffa Bridge, huhhh...
But, you know  -  things have been pretty bad over there nowadays, too!
With the severe water shortage, I mean...

Remeer: Water shortage?!

Fairy: Oh, my!
You didn't hear about it in Watermelon Town?
The houses and everything over there are rotting because of it!

SFX of Reeshine imagining the rotting watermelons: ::BLECH!::

SFX of rotting watermelons in Reeshine's vision: ::stink::
::stink::

Reeshine: (_Rotting_...)

Remeer: Do you know the cause of it?

Fairy: Yeah!


pg. 116


Fairy: Upstream, at the source of the river  -  
- there's been this giant tree that sprouted recently!!
It's sucking up almost all the water in the stream...
There's no water reaching the village!

Remeer: A giant tree, huh...

Reeshine: Well, why don't the villagers just all go and chop that tree
down?

Fairy: The people of Fruitland don't want to do anything but eat!
And they _certainly_ don't want to do any _physical_ labor!!

Remeer: Huhhh...
I wonder if _we_ can do something...

Reeshine (livid): _YOU_...YOU ARE TOO! GOOD! _A PERSON!!_


pg. 117


Remeer: But...the townspeople must be suffering...

Reeshine: (Oh, please!)
If they get _desperate_ enough, they'll get up and do something
themselves!!

Fairy: You think so?

[Reeshine grits her teeth and thinks of the Couch Potato...]

Couch Potato in Reeshine's memory: YA KNOWWW~~?
Ya knowww~~?
(Ya knowww~~?)

Note on Couch Potato: Not gonna do _nothin'._

Fairy [smiling]: But, you know!!
The source of the river's just on the other side of Luffa Bridge...
and if you're going there _anyway,_ then I'll go _with_ you!!

[The fairy alights on Remeer's head, beginning to play with his hair and
poke his face.]

Fairy: And, you knowwww....I just _love_ pretty boys... [heart]

SFX: ::POKE::

Fairy: (And you're so *cuuuuute!*)

Remeer [blushing, enjoying the attention]: Haa...

SFX of a livid Reeshine running up: ::DASH::

Reeshine: (_SCRAM!!_)

Fairy: (Eeeeek~~~~!)

[Behind the trio, though, in the forest...]

SFX: ::RUSTLE RUSTLE RUSTLE RUSTLE::

Remeer: _!!_


pg. 118


Remeer [turning around]: _Wh...what was that!?_
_That just now...!!_

Reeshine [also turning around]: _Something big!  Moving toward us real 
fast!!_

SFX: ::RUSTLE RUSTLE RUSTLE RUSTLE::

Fairy: _No way--!_  

SFX: ::HOWWWWLLLLL::

Fairy: _It can't be...the Metal Fox?!?!_

Remeer [in Solid Snake voice?]: _"Metal Fox"...?!_

Fairy: _A fox monster that's been terrorizing the area recently!!_
No way...it's headed for Luffa Bridge!
The bridge is all dried up  -  it's so brittle...if the fox attacks now,
the bridge'll be destroyed!

Remeer [running off]: _That's it  -  let's go!!_

Reeshine [following]: _Yeah!!_


pg. 119


SFX: ::SLASH::

[The Metal Fox appears before Luffa Bridge.]

Terrified Luffa Bridge Villagers: (WAAAAH!)
(WAAAH!)

Remeer: _Over there!!_

SFX of...fires on the side of Luffa Bridge?: ::ROOOAAARRR::

Reeshine [thinking]: ...Of _course_ it's shaped like a luffa......


pg. 120


Reeshine & Remeer: _Let's go!!_

SFX of R & R running: ::WHOOSH RUSTLE RUSTLE WHOOSH::

R & R [to Fox]: _HOLD IT--!!_

[The Fox turns around...]

Metal Fox: _!!_
HEH HEH HEH...
SO YOU'VE COME...CHILDREN OF THE TRIBE OF LIGHT!!

Reeshine: What the heck!?  ...Shouldn't a fox monster be _cute?!_
That's a Dark Monster for sure!!

Remeer: Yeah...

Fairy [floating above, watching]: .........


pg. 121


[The Metal Fox bares its fangs.]

Metal Fox: _VERY WELL!!_  I'LL _BATHE_ IN YOUR BLOOD!!

SFX: ::CHOMP::

[The Fox rears forward...]

SFX: ::GRAP::  

Reeshine: _Aaaaah!!_

Remeer: _Gah--!!_

[Remeer advances with his drawn sword, while Reeshine turns about to attack
the Metal Fox's head with a mighty walloping kick...]

Reeshine: _HIYAAA--!!_

[But...]

Fairy: _GAHAHAHAHAAA--!!  [heart]  Remeer, you're SOOO *COOL!!*_
(Omigoshhh...  [heart heart heart])

[Reeshine freezes in mid-thud; the Fox does so in mid-chomp.]

SFX: ::DING-DONG::

Remeer [sweatdropping]: Ummm...


pg. 122


Fairy: _BOOOO!!_
_Reeshine, you look so DORKY!!_

Reeshine: _And whose fault is THAT?!  Shut your *mouth* for a second!!_

SFX: ::GRRRR~~::

Remeer: _REESHINE!!_

Reeshine [turning around]: _Huh?!_

Remeer: _WATCH OUT!!_

SFX: ::SWIPE::
::BUMP::

[Remeer narrowly shoves Reeshine out of the way of the Fox's claw.]

Remeer: Dangerous, isn't it, to lose your focus during battle?

Reeshine: I _KNOW_ THAT~~!!

[Remeer, stop being a jerk.]

SFX of Fox's foot: ::STOMP!::

Remeer [thinking]: In any case...wherever we go, Dark Monsters are running
amok!
Is the water shortage the work of the Dark Monsters, too?


pg. 123


[While Remeer is thinking, the Fox makes a move...]

SFX: ::LEAP::
::SLASH!!:

[...and narrowly misses Remeer with its claw.  It's dangerous not to be 
concentrating during battle, Remeer.]

Remeer: --Haa~!

SFX: ::DASH::

[Remeer runs behind the Fox...]

Metal Fox: BOY...!!

SFX: ::SLASH::

[Remeer slashes with his sword, but he doesn't seem to have done damage.]

Fairy [watching from afar again]: Hmmm...
They don't really seem to be getting anywhere...
I wonder if I should help out a tiny bit?
(I mean, he _is_ pretty and all...)


pg. 124


[The fairy steels herself and ignites a magical flame on the tip of her
finger...]

SFX: ::POFF::

[...and unleashes a blast of magic from her hands.]

Fairy: _EYY!!_

SFX: ::KA-POW!!_

Metal Fox: _!!_

[Flames swell at the Fox's feet...]

SFX: ::ROOAARRR::

Metal Fox: _WHAT?_
_THESE FLAMES...!?_

SFX: ::LEAP::

[Remeer has taken the opportunity of the distraction to leap into the 
air with his blade...]

Metal Fox: _DAMN YOU..._


pg. 125


SFX: ::SLASHHH!!::

[...and lands a mighty blow right across the Fox's eye.]

Metal Fox: _GUOOOOOOHH!!_

SFX: ::THRASH::
::THRASH THRASH THRASH::

Metal Fox: _MY EYE...MY RIGHT EYEEEEEE!!_

SFX: ::SWOOSH FWOOSH::

[Swirls of magical energy begin to envelop the Fox...]

Metal Fox: _I'LL REMEMBER THIS, BOY...!_
_YOU'LL PAY FOR THIS!!_

Remeer: _Hey...!_
_Wait!!_

SFX: ::FWOOSH!::

[The Fox disappears in a gust of magic.]


pg. 126


Remeer [aggravated]: ...He ran AWAY!?

Fairy [fangirling again]: Eeeeee!  [heart]  Remeer, you're just sooo super-
_cool!_

SFX of Reeshine: ::GRRR::

Reeshine: _Hold on, you!  Keep your jerky comments to yourself while we're
fighting!!_

SFX of Reeshine: ::GRRRR~~~!!::

Fairy: HMPH!

SFX of fairy: ::*snit*::

Voice: _HEY!!_

SFX: ::CLOMP::
::CLOMP::
::CLOMP::

[The group turns to see the Couch Potato running up to them.]

Couch Potato: I dunno who you are, but ya really helped us out, ya 
knowww~~~!

SFX: ::CLOMP bounce::
::CLOMP bounce::

Reeshine: UGH.

Couch Potato: I'd like to thank ya on behalf of the people of Luffa 
Bridge, ya knowww~~!!

Reeshine: _Hol..._
_HOLD ON HERE! What're YOU doing HERE?!_
_WEREN'T YOU JUST IN WATERMELON TOWN!?!?_

Couch Potato: HUH?

SFX: ::bounce::

Remeer: (......)


pg. 127


Couch Potato: Went to Watermelon Town, did ya?  That was my little brother,
Sancho, ya knowww~~!
By the way, ya knowww, my name's Pancho~~!

Reeshine [gritting teeth, thinking]: HE LOOKS JUST LIKE HIM!!

Reeshine [shaking fists in air]: _GRRR---BAHHH--!!  THIS IS *ALL* THAT
*HAPPENS* IN THIS COUNTRY!!_

SFX on Reeshine: ::GRAAAAHHH!::

Pancho: (HUH?)

SFX of Remeer: ::quiver quiver::

[Considering Sancho & Pancho here, and that the elder of Watermelon Village
is named Mucho, and that most of the villagers are depicted as heavyset 
layabouts, I hope that we're not dealing with some deeply unfortunate
stereotypes from Japan of Mexicans of which I'm unaware. 
Later, at the inn in Luffa Village...]

Pancho: So you're headed for the giant tree that appeared at the source of
the river?

[The group is seated around a table.  Pancho, standing, is munching on a
couple of raw hechima gourds.]

SFX: ::MUNCH MUNCH::

Pancho: I wouldn't recommend that, ya knowww~~!
That fox likes to show up therrre~~!

Remeer: That Dark Monster...

Reeshine: Hey, Remeer.
You think that might be his den?

Remeer: Hmm...maybe.


pg. 128


Reeshine: And...I can't stop thinking...
About how the goddess statue didn't respond when we visited it...!!
That _fox_...!  Maybe _he_ has some sort of connection to the Ark...

Remeer [not very enthused]: --...mmm...

Fairy: ............

Reeshine: WE'VE GOT TO GET GOING  -  
TO THAT GIANT TREE!!

Remeer [looking at Pancho]: (By the way, how can you eat those luffas?)

SFX: ::munch munch::

Pancho: (They're an acquired taste.)

Reeshine: (HOW DO YOU _ACQUIRE_ IT?!  _HOW?!?!_)


pg. 129


CHAPTER 5: THE GREAT TREE


Remeer, Reeshine, & fairy [in identical poses of fist-clenched 
determination]: Now!  To the great tree!!
BUT F-I-R-S-T...

Signs at Gourd Bridge establishment: HECHIMA Fine Cuisine
RESTAURANT

[The team find themselves before a truly magnificent spread that includes
sea bream, a fruit platter with a halved pineapple, egg rolls, a bottle of
wine, some sort of Japanese-style steamed vegetables, a Bundt cake, a 
tureen of soup, some sort of pastry, and a turkey complete with pop-up
timer.]

SFX: ::TA-DAAAAHHH::

Reeshine: Let's eat up!!


pg. 130


Remeer: *Wowwww*...

SFX of Reeshine, vigorously enjoying everything: ::CHOMP::  ::CHOMP::
::CHOMP::  ::CHOMP::  ::CHOMP::

Remeer: Are you going to be all right eating that much, Reeshine?

Reeshine: What're you talking about?!  Haven't you ever heard that you 
shouldn't fight on an empty stomach!?!?
You just _know_ that Metal Fox is waiting for us at the giant tree.
So EAT UP!!

Fairy [turning from a beverage she's enjoying with a straw]: That's right!
_MEN!_
We've gotta at least eat HERE!!

Remeer [sweatdropping, in low voice]: ...But, Reeshine, it's like you're 
eating for two people...
(*psst...*)

Reeshine & Fairy: WHADDAYA MEAN BY _THAT?!_

SFX: ::GRRRRR::

[Remeer's super-suave repartee is interrupted by the hand of another 
prospective diner pulling a chair out from the table to sit down.]

SFX: ::CLATTER:


pg. 131


Remeer, Reeshine, Fairy: ............

[Everyone is speechless as Tokio pulls up a seat.]

SFX: ::CLATTER::

[Tokio stares for a moment...]

Tokio: ...We meet again.

SFX of Tokio sipping tea: ::siiip::

Remeer: ?
?

Fairy: (Who is he?)

Reeshine [thinking]: D...does he think he can just _waltz_ right in here?!
(If so, he's not being very _natural_ about it...)

[Remeer then bolts from his seat with a sudden realization...]

SFX: ::WHAP::

Remeer: (OH!)
_You're...that man from before, aren't you?!_

Reeshine [thinking, sweatdropping]: ...A little slow on the uptake, aren't
you, Remeer?!?!

Remeer: Thank you for helping me out of that tight spot bef...

Waiter [interrupting]: Here we go!
One bowl of kake soba~~!

[Kake soba is a Japanese dish of buckwheat noodles in hot broth.]


pg. 132


[With one hand, Tokio reaches behind his back...and pulls out his personal 
pair of chopsticks from a hidden compartment in his jacket.]

SFX: ::SLIP!::

Reeshine [staring in disbelief, thinking]: K..._kake soba?!_  And he 
brought his _own chopsticks?!?!_
(Where's this guy _come_ from?!  [sweatdrop])

SFX of Tokio eating: ::slurp::

Remeer: Um, by the way...
I looked for you afterward to say thanks, but...

Tokio: ............
It wasn't that I particularly wanted to help you...

Remeer: HUH--?!

Tokio: --I have something I want to ask you...

Remeer: S...sure?


pg. 133


Tokio: Why are you fighting?
--With those of Darkness.

Remeer: You want...a reason?
...My mother was murdered by the Dark Monsters.
And my sister Felys was kidnapped at the same time.
I believe that Felys is still alive.  So I'm...just on a journey to find 
her.

Tokio: --...That's all?

Reeshine [bolting from chair]: _"That's all"!?......_
_How can you SAY that?!?!_

SFX of Tokio eating, unconcerned: ::chomp chomp::

Reeshine: _For his FAMILY, it's HORRIBLE!!_

Fairy: _THAT'S RIGHT!!  HOW RUDE!!_

Caption on Reeshine & Fairy: UNITED FRONT


pg. 134


SFX of Tokio: ::GLARE::

SFX of Reeshine & Fairy: ::GULP!::

Reeshine & Fairy: ............

[OK, spoiler alert here: This manga's treatment of Reeshine and women in
general is gonna take a dive in a little bit, and this is the first sign.
Reeshine, you're not exactly Lux in combat, but as someone who's finished
the game, I'm fairly confident that you could take Tokio, at least.]

Tokio [to Remeer, and not to lowly icky women]: If you're only trying to
find someone, then there's no need for you to fight.
You could  -  and should  -  simply leave for the next land once you
visit the goddess statue.

SFX of Reeshine & Fairy, cowering behind Remeer's chair: ::grumble grumble
grumble grumble::

Reeshine & Fairy: ...Be nice if he didn't _glare_ at us...

Tokio: There's no need for you to meddle in the affairs of strangers!

Remeer: But...I can't just stand by and look the other way when people are
suffering!!

[Remeer, aren't you doing that very thing right now when this ninja is 
trying to bully your friends for defending you?  Haven't you lost your
Avatarhood in the virtue of something or other at this point?]

Remeer: And...I don't want there to be more people like me.

SFX of Reeshine, hands to mouth, fretting  -  what?: ::panic panic::

SFX of fairy, cowering in her seat, *sigh*: ::panic panic::

Tokio: ............
What a two-bit sense of justice...


pg. 135


SFX of Tokio getting up from table: ::CLATTER::

Tokio: If Light kills Darkness or Darkness kills Light, it's all the same 
to me.  Slaughter as many of each other as you like.
...JUST STAY OUT OF MY WAY!!

Remeer: ...Then why did you _help_ me?!
Because of your _own_ so-called "two-bit sense of justice"?!

Waiter [nervous, visiting]: (Miss, I'm afraid your party is making a 
scene!)

Reeshine: (It's not OUR fault!!)

Tokio: --...No.
I simply have a score to settle with the Tribe of Darkness...

Remeer: A score to settle?
So you're from the Tribe of Light?
Or are you...

SFX of Tokio taking katana: ::grab::


pg. 136


SFX: ::SLASH!!::

Remeer: 
!!

[Tokio has taken a swipe at Remeer with his sword and now has it pointed at
Remeer's neck.  Reeshine has bolted from her seat, ready to defend him.]

Tokio: ...Don't misunderstand me.
My grudge is not only against the Tribe of Darkness...
...I will deal with the Tribe of Darkness in my own way!!

SFX of Tokio's sword swinging back to his side: ::SLICE::

Tokio: And _then_...I'll deal with _your_ tribe.

[Tokio heads for the door.  Remeer is too freaked to respond.]

Reeshine: _What!?..._

SFX of Tokio leaving, I guess?: ::rustle...::

Reeshine: _HOLD ON!_
_You talk a big game..._
_but you're not gonna even tell us your NAME?!_


pg. 137


Tokio [grabbing coat and whirling it around him with a ridiculous 
flourish]: IT'S TOKIO!!
TOKIO OF DUPREAUX  -  FROM THE EASTERN LANDS!

SFX of Tokio turning on his heel: ::clack::

Reeshine: .........

Remeer [thinking]: Tokio of Dupreaux...

[Note: The nation from which Tokio hails is actually a small town in the
game and goes by the name of "dupuro" in raw Japanese, which is probably
meant to be rendered as "Duplo."  I've used an alternate rendition to avoid
having Tokio's dramatic backstory evoke the image of chunky Lego blocks and
hazelnut candy bars, though considering this incarnation of Tokio and the
use of English in proper nouns in this comic, I don't know why I bother.
Later...]

Sign above counter: CASHIER

Reeshine: --...Huh?
That's not enough money?


Cashier [apologetically]: (The numbers add up!)
There's the matter of your friend's kake soba!

Reeshine [clenching fists]: _...!!_

Caption: HE'S NOT OUR FRIEND!!

Reeshine [thinking]: (That jackass...)

SFX: ::quiver quiver::


pg. 138


Reeshine: _That dine-and-dasher!!  When I get my hands on him, he's gonna 
PAY!!_

[Pancho is strolling by the restaurant as this commotion is taking place.]

Pancho: HUH?

[Pancho pops in to find our party.]

Pancho: Heyyy, everybodyyy~~!

SFX of Reeshine, stopping dead in her tracks: ::GURK::

Pancho: Finally headin' off  -  to the Great Tree?  Hang in therrre~~!

Remeer: Oh!  Pancho!

[Reeshine, eyes narrowed and teeth gritting, slowly turns around...]

SFX: ::GRRR::
::GRRR::
::GRRRRRRR::

[...and clamps her hand down on Pancho's shoulder.]

SFX: ::CLOMP::

Reeshine: Don't _laugh_ like this doesn't concern you.

SFX of Reeshine barely containing rage: ::quiver::


Reeshine: YOU'RE comin', TOO.


Pancho: HUHH?
Whaaaaa~~?
I'll just get in the waaaaayyy, ya knowww~~!

SFX of Reeshine pulling Pancho's cheeks: ::TUUUUUG::

Reeshine: A little exercise'll do ya good, HUH?!
You've got some weight to lose--!!

[This really is the worst chapter.
Pancho wanders over to Remeer.]

Remeer [sorta-whispering to Pancho]: She's..._really_ in the _worst_ mood
today...

Reeshine [huffing in background]: (What're you TALKING about over
there?!?!
LET'S GET GOING!!)

Fairy: (*Scary*...)

Pancho: I don't get girls her age, ya knowww~~!...

[Later...]

Reeshine: Is this it?!


pg. 139


[The group, Pancho included, is standing at the base of a skyscraper of a
tree with a small cave-like opening at its roots.]

SFX of general ominousness: ::HOWWWWLLLL::

Reeshine: Wow...it's really huge!  Kinda gives me the creeps a little!...

Remeer: Looks like we can enter here!

[The team does so.]

Reeshine: The road continues underground...

Remeer: The true heart of the tree probably lies deeper within!

Reeshine: Aren't you chipper today...

Remeer: There's no sense in worrying day in, day out!

[Remeer pauses, a slight look of regret on his face.]

Remeer: Besides, it was my smug, hypocritical
"two-bit sense of justice" that led us here, wasn't it?

Reeshine: .........

Reeshine [thinking]: He really _is_ taking it to heart, isn't he...

Pancho: Ah, hold on!  I'm gettin' tired, ya knowww~~!
Let's take a li'l breeeaaak~~!


pg. 140


Reeshine: What're you TALKING about?!  We haven't even gone down five 
METERS!!

SFX of Pancho, sitting down: ::whew!::

Pancho [mopping brow]: I'll be a string bean at this rate, ya knowww~~!

Fairy: Who was it that invited him along in the first place?

Remeer [sweatdropping]: .........

Reeshine: .........

SFX: ::twitch::

Reeshine: If you DID become a string bean, it'd make you a better man than
you are NOW, ya KNOWWW~~!!

Fairy: Myyyy!!  REEEEEESHIIIINE!!  _I_ didn't know that THAT was what you
were into!!
(So unexpected!)

[It strikes me, with the petty girl-rivalry stuff between Reeshine & the 
fairy and Tokio being a jerk and all the overweight jokes, that this 
chapter really is kind of the pits.]

Fairy: _IIIII_ like _Remeer!_

Remeer: .........

Reeshine: _I've already SAID I prefer Remeer!!_

Pancho [gazing into hand mirror, in the middle of a shoujo-manga storm of
roses]: How HORRIBLE!!  She's been taken with my _comely_ figurrre~~!!
Do YOUUUU feel the same way, Remeer~~?
HUH??

Remeer [sweatdropping]: If you're looking for agreement...

Reeshine [thinking, clenching fists]: I...I know it was temporary
_insanity_...

SFX of dramatic wind: ::HOOOWWWWWLLLL::

Reeshine [thinking]: ...but WHY did I take him along?!

Caption: WINDS OF REGRET!


pg. 141


Pancho: My waist is larger than my hips!  That's the Golden Ratio, ya 
knowww~~!
And it's every gourmand's dream to set new records in weight and height!!

SFX of Reeshine whapping Pancho on back of head with newspaper: ::WHAP::

Reeshine: _Enough!!_  SHUT IT!!

Fairy [gleeful]: The straight woman and the clown!  What a _classic_
comedy act!
(So fun!)

Caption on can Reeshine's shaking while looking at fairy: BUG SPRAY

SFX of Reeshine shaking can: ::shake shake::

Reeshine: ...Want me to shut YOU up, too?

Remeer, helpful as ever in these situations: I'm gonna go on ahead!

Everyone else: (Wait up, Remeer!!)

[On up ahead...smack in the middle of the tree's great mass of roots...]

Sign on Giant Steel Sliding Door Complete with Black-and-Yellow Caution
Stripe at the Bottom: Authorized Personnel Only
NO ADMITTANCE!!

SFX: ::BAM!::

[Yes, this is something that was actually in the game, presented with
absolutely no context or explanation.]

Reeshine: W...what is THIS?!?!
"Authorized Personnel Only"?  "NO ADMITTANCE"?!?! 

Remeer [not getting the author's joke]: "Authorized Personnel"...

Pancho: I'm reeeaaally not authorized personnel, ya knowww~~!
So I'm going back!

Reeshine [clamping hand on Pancho's shoulder]: _HOLD IT!!_


pg. 142


SFX: ::KA-BAM!!::

[From a mighty impact, the sign  -  and door  -  implode...]


Reeshine [w/ red fist, grinning maniacally]: _THERE!!_  Ain't no "no 
admittance" sign _NOW!!_

SFX on Reeshine: ::gasp::

SFX on Reeshine's fist: ::shine::

Remeer, Fairy, Pancho [all sweatdropping from a distance]: ...Guess not.

[Inside, the group discovers a vast, high-ceilinged chamber.]

Reeshine: To think that such a huge chamber could exist underground...

Remeer: Is this the heart of the tree?

[Suddenly...]

Remeer: _!_
(*gasp*)

[...Remeer notices another presence in the room  -  a shadowy figure at the
entrance.]

Shadowy Figure: WELCOME, ALL OF YOU...
...WELCOME TO MY _DEN._


pg. 143


[The shadowy figure reveals itself to be...]

Elder: I _thought_ it was about time for you to be coming along...
Children of Light.

Fairy: W...who is it?

Reeshine: H..._he's_ "authorized personnel"?!

Pancho: ?

Remeer: The elder of Watermelon Town...
what're you doing here?!

[The frame moves in closer on the elder, to reveal...a long scar over his
right eye.]

Elder: I intend to pay you back in kind for this scar on my right eye!!

Remeer [thinking, nominally]: "Right eye"...?
He couldn't be...

[Yeah, he could, Remeer.  A giant claw erupts from the Elder's human hand.]

SFX: ::RRRIIIIIPPPPPP::


pg. 144


[Jointed limbs bust out of the man's back.]

SFX of Elder screaming: ::AAAAAAAAAAAA::

SFX: ::POP::
::RIP::
::POP::

[The Elder's giant limbs elongate, and a huge claw pounds down on the 
floor...]

SFX: ::SHLUPPP::
::CLOMP::
::ROOOAAAARRRRRR::

Fairy: _Ew...!_

Remeer [FREAKING FINALLY]: _THE METAL FOX!!_

[In an eyeball-bulging, tooth-displacing, tongue-yanking panel that 
would've made Seiji Tanaka proud, we are treated to an extremely gross shot
of the fox's snout erupting through the "elder"'s human mouth.]

SFX of teeth popping out of jaw: ::splut::
::splut::

SFX: ::CRACKKK!!::


pg. 145


SFX: ::HOOWWWWWWWWLL::
::BAM::

[The Metal Fox now stands in its full lanky glory before the party.]

Metal Fox: _BOY!!_
THE ONLY REPAYMENT I WILL ACCEPT FOR MY EYE...
_IS YOUR LIFE!!_

[The fox takes a huge swipe with his claw...]

Metal Fox: ATONE...
WITH YOUR DEATH!!

SFX of pay hitting ground: ::CRUNCH::

[The claw lands home in Remeer's shoulder.]

SFX: ::SLASH::

Remeer: _UH--!!_


pg. 146


Reeshine: _REMEER!!_

Remeer: _I'M OKAY!!_
_It's just a scratch...!!_
_Never mind me!!  Don't get careless!!_

Remeer [thinking, holding shoulder wound]: He just swiped the air with his
front paw, and I was cut to pieces...
...he's even stronger than he was before!!

Metal Fox: DON'T THINK THIS'LL GO LIKE BEFORE.
I'LL GIVE YOU NO QUARTER _THIS_ TIME.
YOUR DEATH WILL BE PAINFUL...AND _SLOW._
I WILL EXTERMINATE THE TRIBE OF LIGHT  -
AND TAKE THE POWER OF THE ARK FOR MYSELF!
AND THEN  -  _THEN_  -  A NEW AGE WILL BEGIN.  THE AGE OF THE PEOPLE OF
DARKNESS!!


pg. 147


Reeshine: _So it WAS you, WASN'T it?!_
_YOU hid Fruitland's Ark!..._
_Are you JOKING?!  You think a cheap trick like THAT'S gonna get you the 
Ark's power?!_

Fairy [hiding behind rock, watching Fox]: _Eep!_

Pancho [beside her]: What's wrooooong~~?
What're ya worrrried 'bout~~?

Fairy: Uhhh...*nothing!*  Ha ha ha ha--!
[getting serious] But never mind that!!  How can you just _stand_ around?!
_DO SOMETHING--!!_

Pancho: But I can't move on an empty stomach, ya knowww~~!  

[Argh, this chapter.  Meanwhile, up front:]

Metal Fox: "HID THE ARK"?!
WHAT'RE YOU _TALKING_ ABOUT, _GIRL?!_...

[The Metal Fox flies at Reeshine, jaws wide...]

Metal Fox: THAT'S _MY_ LINE!!

SFX: ::GRAAAAAAHHH::

Reeshine: _!!_

[Reeshine dodges, but is unable to avoid his attack completely, as the Fox
snaps off...well, just the end of her braid, actually.]

Reeshine [thinking]: --_HE'S TOO FAST!!_

SFX: ::SNAP::


pg. 148


SFX: ::FWOOSH::

[From the side, Remeer slides in and lunges for an attack.]

Remeer [pointing sword at Fox]: _TAKE THIS!!_

SFX: ::SHING::

[But...]

Remeer: _What--!?_

SFX: ::WHAP::

[One of the Fox's claws thrusts out...]

Reeshine: _REMEER...!!_


pg. 149


[...and lands a hit directly on Remeer's jaw.]

SFX: ::POW!::

[Remeer is flung backward and slides along the ground.]

Remeer: _AAAAAAH--!?_

SFX: ::SKIDDDD::

[Reeshine holds up her hand...]

Reeshine: _How DARE you...!!_

SFX: ::FLASH::

[...and, in a flash of light, unleashes a Kamehameha.]

Reeshine: _POWERWAAAAVE!!_

SFX: ::SKREEEEEEEEE!::


pg. 150


SFX: ::KA-POWWWW!!_

[In a tit-for-tat attack, the Powerwave lands right on the Fox's jaw.]

Metal Fox: _GAH--!!_

SFX of Reeshine landing: ::WHOMP::

Reeshine: _Remeer!!_

Remeer: Yeah...

[Remeer moves to raise his sword, only to find...]

Remeer: _!!_
_MY SWORD...!!_

[...that he's holding only a hilt; the rest of his sword has crumbled 
away from the Fox's attack.]

Fairy [thinking]: Oh no...  At this rate...!
What do I do...  In _my_ position, I can't help out just one side...!
There has to be another way...?

[The fairy spots Pancho...]

Fairy: !

[...and an idea goes off in her head.  (In one of the cuter touches of the 
manga, the idea is represented in a thought balloon not by a light bulb, 
but by an anglerfish with its esca lit.)]


pg. 151


Fairy [sidling up to Pancho]: Ya knowww, Panchooo~~!
(Hee hee hee!)

Pancho [sweatdropping]: W...what _iiiiis_ it~~?

Fairy: If you help those kids out for me, I'll treat you to your favorite
dish  -  _aaaaaanything_ you want!  [heart]

SFX of...tension?: ::crackle::

[Before we get the answer, we go back to our two playable characters.]

Remeer: Reeshine.
It doesn't seem like it's working out with us attacking one by one!

[Speak for yourself, Remeer.  You haven't landed one good hit this entire
fight.]

Remeer: We need to find an opening and attack at the same time!!

Reeshine: What--?
But  -  your sword...

Remeer: It'll be all right!

[The conversation is interrupted by the...well, interruption of Pancho,
who is hoisting a giant rock the size of Gibraltar on his shoulders.]

Pancho: _GUOOOOOOOOHHHHHHH!!_

SFX of effort: ::GRAAAHHHH::

Metal Fox: _WHAT?!_


pg. 152


Pancho [throwing rock]: _GRAHHHHHH_
-  ya knowww~~!

SFX: ::TOSS::
::BAMMMM!::

Metal Fox: _UHH--!!_

Reeshine: No way...

Remeer: _Now!!_

[Remeer raises the broken hilt of his sword and chants.]

Remeer: ~Polar spirits rampaging through the heavens...~
 
SFX of energy around sword hilt: ::crackle::
::crackle::

Remeer: ~...by this frozen blade here in my hand...~

[A long, rectangular but not, per se, sharp mass of ice forms on the 
end of Remeer's hilt.]

Remeer: ~GATHER TO MY SWORD!~

SFX: ::SHING::

Remeer: _ICEROCK NAIL!!_

Metal Fox: _UO...--!?_

SFX of Metal Fox leaping back: ::DASH::


pg. 153


[Reeshine & Remeer attack with their Kamehameha and...long blunt kebab
of ice...and smite the fox in his head at the same time.]

SFX: ::WHAM!!::

SFX of fox screaming: ::GUOOHHHHH--!!::


pg. 154

[Waves of darkness converge on the fox as it collapses.]

Metal Fox: _H...HOW--...YOU BRAAAATS!!_

SFX of waves: ::HISSSSS::
::HISSSSS::

Metal Fox: _B....BUT..._
_DON'T THINK THIS IS OVERRRR!_
F-F-F...FOR HIS POWER  -  _HIS_ POWER...IS _BEYOOONNDD COMPAAARREEE!!_
AND THE LIKES OF YOUUUU...THE LIKES OF _YOU_...WILL _QUAIL_ BEFORE HIS
MIGHT!!  EEE HEE HEE...HEE HA _HA HA HAAAAaaa..._
_GYAAAAHHHHH!!_

[The Metal Fox disappears in a tornado of darkness.]

SFX: ::FWOOSHHHH::

Remeer: H..."Him"?!

SFX: ::RUMBLE RUMBLE RUMBLE RUMBLE RUMBLE::

Voice: _Remeer!  Reeshine!!_


pg. 155


[The fairy and Pancho appear.]

Fairy [pointing]: _The bedrock up in the ceiling's starting to collapse!!_

SFX: ::RUMBLE RUMBLE RUMBLE RUMBLE RUMBLE::

Pancho [pointing, panicking]: _We...we gotta get outside QUICK, ya
knowww~~!  HURRY, both of you!!_

[Through the cave...]

SFX: ::RUMBLE RUMBLE RUMBLE RUMBLE RUMBLE RUMBLE::

[...and outside...]

SFX: ::rumble rumble rumble...::

Pancho: Whew!--...
Looks like we made it, ya knowww~~!

Reeshine [gasping]: But this adventure has just _wiped me out!!_
And we _still_ don't know what happened to the Ark...

Remeer [sweatdropping]: Well, it's in the shrine, isn't it?

Reeshine: By the way, what about the Great Tree?
Nothing we can do about it in our sorry state, is there?

Pancho: Looks like we're stumped, ya knowww~~!

Fairy [grinning]: Leave it to me!

Remeer: Huh...?!


pg. 156


[The fairy's dress  -  and, indeed, her entire body  -  becomes wreathed in
flame.]

Fairy: My congratulations on defeating the Metal Fox.

SFX: ::POFF::

Remeer: What are you...

Fairy: Wait but an instant, and I will reduce this tree to ash.

SFX: ::ROAAARRRR::

[As the fairy says, and in a clear victory for our heroic band, the tree is
reduced to tinder.  Yeah!  Death to trees!  Well, it could've been related
to Exdeath, for all we know.]

Fairy: BY THE FLAME THAT I CONTROL...


pg. 157


Fairy: ...I, THE ARK OF FLAME!

SFX: ::RRRROOOAAARRRR::

[Everyone is amazed.]

Fairy/Ark of Flame: You have indeed demonstrated...
...that you are worthy of being my master!

[How?]


pg. 158


[The fairy leans in and kisses Remeer on the forehead.  Remeer is 
inordinately aroused by the advances of a one-foot-tall woman.]

SFX: ::SMACK!::

Fairy: And I agree!  [heart]
To lend you my assistance.

[The fairy becomes incorporeal and mentally merges with Remeer by diving
into his forehead.]

SFX of fairy entering Remeer's forehead: ::FWOP!::

Reeshine [extraordinarily livid]: _AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHH!!_

SFX of Remeer [disturbingly ecstatic & aroused]: ::wwwhooooaaaoooaaaa...::

Reeshine [waving arms frantically]: _......!!_
_............--!!_

Remeer: (She *kissed* me...)

Pancho [remembering something]: (Hey!)

[Pancho starts crying.]

Pancho: ...And she PROMISED to treat me to my favorite FOOD, ya knowww~~!

Reeshine [still waving arms]: (_...........................!!_)
(_..................!!_)

SFX of Remeer: ::BLUSH::
::BLUSH::
::BLUSH::
::BLUSH::
::BLUSH::

Remeer [ridiculously blissed out]: Eeee~!!

[Later, at Luffa Village...]


pg. 159


[...Remeer has recovered from the ecstacy of afterglow, and the townspeople
(Pancho included) have gathered at the gates to see Reeshine & Remeer off.]

Townsperson: Heyyy~~  Thanks for helping us out that one time!!
You cleared up the water shortage, and you even took care of that fox
monster...

Remeer: No; don't mention...

Townsperson: We'd like to get together and make some luffa cuisine for you
to celebrate!!

Remeer: (Luffa!)
Er...no...please don't trouble yourselves...

Reeshine [ignoring all this]: (Grrr... Grrr...  Remeer & THAT WOMAN...)

Remeer: We've got to get going...

Townsperson: ...Really?  We're sad to see you go!
We were hoping to make you our new chief!

Townsperson: (Yeah!)

Townsperson: (That's right!)

Pancho: (Ya knowww~~!)

SFX on all townspeople; good Lord, am I glad to leave this chapter:
::jiggle!::

Remeer: _WHAT?!_
_No, no!  I couldn't, I couldn't!_

[The townspeople then approach bearing loads of gifts.]

Townsperson: Then at least let us give you some of our famous luffas!

SFX: ::SMILE::
::SMILE::

Remeer: (Um--)

Townsperson: And our luffa manjuu!

[Note: Manjuu are small Japanese confections made with flour that look 
like small sweet buns, with a filling usually made of red beans.]

SFX: ::SMILE::

Townsperson: And our luffa keychains!!

Remeer: _We--We've got to get going!!_
[turning to Reeshine] _RIGHT?!?!_

Reeshine: _Th...that's right!!_


pg. 160


[Nevertheless...]

Remeer: ...Well...

Reeshine: ...So that was Fruitland.

[We see that Remeer & Reeshine are walking along with bundles of luffas
under their arms and strapped to their backs.]

Caption: Forced to take them after all

Remeer [with forced smile]: That was a pretty fun country, huh!

Reeshine [with no forced smile]: _I_ DIDN'T HAVE THAT MUCH FUN.


[The duo walk a little further along.]

Reeshine: ...Anyhow, what do we do with these luffas?
Make 'em into scrubbers and sell 'em in the next village?

Remeer: ...Then maybe we can buy me a new sword?

[Later, Remeer is clutching his head in pain...]

Reeshine: ?
(What's wrong?)

Remeer: (My...my head--!!)

[And inside that head, the Ark of Fire is having a coffee klatsch with her
fellow Arks upon her reunion.]

Ark of Fire: (EEEEEEEE!!  Ark of Light, it's been SO LONG!!  Like, a 
thousand years, right?)

Ark of Light: (It really has!)

Ark of Fire: (Ark of Power, you've been keeping up on your workouts, I
see!  No surprise there!)

Ark of Power: ......

SFX for Ark of Power: ::.........::

Ark of Fire: (Eee!  Oh, YOU!)

[Nothing untoward is going on above, by the way.  The Ark of Power's just 
staring at her.]


pg. 161


CHAPTER 6: CHILDREN'S HEAVEN

[Frontispiece: Remeer is dressed in his Paladin game outfit in front of
some pretty paneling.]


pg. 162


[We open on a domed palace in darkened earth, surrounded by giant crystals
erupting from the ground.]

SFX: ::clack::
::clack::

[We see Miriene, her cloak removed, as she steps through a great hall.]

SFX: ::clack::
::clack::

[She arrives before a dais, whereupon she falls to her knees.]

SFX: ::kneel::

Voice: The mage Miriene has just arrived...


pg. 163


Voice: ...my Liege...Lord Slayvier.

[On the dais is a throne, upon which sits a young-looking man with long
black hair and black robes.
OK, here's the news: Slayvier's character design is ripped wholesale from
a Super Famicom game named Angelique, which is considered to be the very 
first otome game.  Slayvier precisely resembles Clavis, the game's
Guardian of Darkness, in his hairstyle, his body language, his manner of 
speaking, his tendency to be garbed in swaths of dark fabric and, later, 
his affinity for tarot cards.  Slayvier has a thing for decorations that 
look like eyeballs and likes to wear them on these leather strappy 
contraptions he wears on his sleeves, but otherwise, it's a complete rip,
which is entertaining, but distracting nevertheless.]

Slayvier: --It seems that we're all gathered...
Kuga!  Please begin.

Kuga: Yes!

[Note: Kuga was a humanoid alien creature in the game, but here, he's a 
bald human of slightly shorter stature in a robe.]

Kuga: ...We have gathered you all together today on a matter of grave
importance...
...concerning our sworn enemy...the Tribe of Light.

Miriene: ............


pg. 164


[We pan back to see that the meeting hall contains about twenty-five
people.]

Kuga: We of the Divine Tribe of Darkness have a thousand-year history of 
conflict with the Divine Tribe of Light...
...and throughout those long years, our supreme goal has been to bring a
decisive end to the struggle.
A threat to that objective has surfaced from the far frontier  -  from the 
village of Nanaka.
This individual holds power unparalleled among the Tribe of Light...
...and we have received reports that he has already vanquished several of 
our Monsters.
In Sandyland, he destroyed two summoned by the mage Miriene  -
a Sandworm and a King Mole.

SFX of Tribe of Darkness rhubarbs in the background: ::MURMUR MURMUR::

Kuga: --...At issue is the unique power this tribesman possesses.
It appears he is capable of absorbing the Arks into his very body.


pg. 165


Kuga: He currently possesses three Arks: those of Light, of Power, and of
Fire...
...and he may well have absorbed even more by now.

Slayvier [lips curled in a smirk, just like Clavis]: *Oh?*...
This should be quite amusing...

Kuga: Indeed!  If he weren't so powerful, he'd be beneath our notice,
but...

[Slayvier pauses, then...]

Slayvier: --...Darkness.
Go...and test this boy's power.
Be my eyes...

[Slayvier is addressing a towering yet odd-looking humanoid figure standing
in the background.  Note to those reading who haven't played Mystic Ark: 
yes, there is a villain in the game named "Darkness"; yes, it's just as 
stupid there.]

Voice: _Wait, Lord Slayvier!!_

[Miriene steps forward in the great hall.]

Miriene: _Please  -_
_you MUST leave this to task to me, Miriene!!_


pg. 166


Kuga: _Lady Miriene!  Restrain yourself in Lord Slayvier's presence!!_

Slayvier: It's fine, Kuga!

Miriene [relieved]: --...Then, Lord Slayvier--

Slayvier: --However!  You may be overeager for glory.
I am leaving this task to Darkness.

Miriene: _BUT--_

Slayvier: I am not taking into account your missteps in Sandyland in my
decision.
It would be best for you to cool your head a bit.

Miriene [gritting teeth]: ............

Slayvier: I leave this to you......
Darkness!!


pg. 167


[The manga takes almost an entire page to reveal Darkness in full, who 
looks like...well, this giant thing wearing a clunky white armor-carapace,
with giant muscly-bony claws that hang down to the floor like the arms of
an orangutan and a kinda-sorta Xenomorph head that's bifurcated in back.  
You're probably better off looking up the sprite from the game than reading
my description, honestly.]

Darkness: AS YOU WISH, 
LORD SLAYVIER.

[In other news, we have a Tribe of Darkness and a character named Darkness.
Man, this's gonna be fun.
Anyhow, our scene now shifts to a quiet forest.  A boot-clad foot finds...
footfall on the earth.]

SFX: ::pat::


pg. 168


[The owner of the foot, Remeer, looks anxiously into the distance.]

Remeer: ...............

Reeshine: _?_
What's wrong, Remeer?  You're spacing out!

[Remeer continues staring into the sunlit forest.  Nothing appears.]

Remeer: For a while now, I've been having this strange feeling...
If I had to say, it's like this..._wall_ of dread...

Reeshine: A strange feeling?
I don't really sense anything, though...

Remeer [insistent, still staring into forest]: It's coming from that
direction!

[Suddenly, without saying any more, Remeer runs off into the forest.]

SFX: ::DASH::

Reeshine: _Hey--..._
_HOLD ON!!_
Weren't we gonna head for the next village before it got dark?!

[Remeer doesn't even respond; he just keeps running.]

Reeshine: WHAT THE HECK--HEY, _HOLD ONNNN~~!!_


pg. 169


[Reeshine runs after Remeer.  They reach the depths of the forest...]

SFX:: ::FWISH FWISH FWISH::
::AAAAAAAAAAHH!!::

Remeer: _OVER THERE!!_

[We discover the sight of an Aqua Hydra menacing a bunch of children.]

SFX of Hydra coiling: ::FWISH FWISH FWISH::


pg. 170


SFX of Aqua Hydra moving about, snapping its own body? or a tree?:
::SNAP!::

Remeer: _A Dark Monster...!!_
_We have to save the children!!_

Reeshine: Y...
Yeah!!

[As she whips off her traveling cloak, Reeshine thinks anxiously.]

Reeshine [thinking]: He sensed _that?!_
Remeer...since when have you been able to do _that?!_

Kid: Help!  The Aqua Hydra's...!!

Remeer [sword drawn]: _IT'S ALL RIGHT!!_
_All of you!  Run away!  Quickly!_

[The kids do so.]

Aqua Hydra: WHAT IS THIS?  YOU...
YOU INTEND TO INTERRUPT MY FUN...!?


pg. 171


Reeshine: This is a _game_ to you?!

Remeer [uncharacteristically fierce]: DON'T _TOY_ WITH US!!
How can you threaten the lives of _children!?_

Aqua Hydra: HA HA HA...HOW VALIANT!
BUT THAT VALOR...WILL BE THE _DEATH_ OF YOU!!

[The Aqua Hydra crackles with energy (which seems ill-advised, considering 
it's an aquatic creature)...]

SFX: ::CRACKLE::

Remeer: _!!_

SFX: ::KA-POW::
::KA-POW::

[...and, in a truly horrific casualty of war...]

Remeer: _WHAT?!?!_

[...Remeer suffers a teeny-tiny rip in his tabard thing.]

SFX: ::rip::

Remeer: _......MY CLOTHES!!_


pg. 172


SFX: ::FWOOSHHH::

Aqua Hydra: I'LL MELT THE FLESH OFF _BOTH_ YOUR BONES!!

[The Aqua Hydra breathes a torrent of...water?  energy?  fire?  I guess 
it's fire because of the word "melt," but that seems an odd choice of 
weapon for an Aqua Hydra  -  at Remeer.]

Remeer: _UWAAAAAAAH!!_

Reeshine: _Remeer!!_

[Reeshine takes her traveling cloak in hand...]

Reeshine: ::grab!::

[...and, to protect Remeer's clothing from further harm, jumps up and 
blinds the Aqua Hydra by throwing the cloak over the monster's eyes.]

SFX: ::WHAP!!::

Aqua Hydra: _!!_


pg. 173


[Remeer produces his sharpest weapon  -  a brand-new sword he apparently
got from selling luffa scrubbers...]

Remeer: _HYAAAAAHHH--!!_

[...and attempts to slit the belly, or at least the body, of the Aqua 
Hydra, but...]

SFX: ::CLANG!!:

Remeer [shocked, thinking]: _What..._
How hard _is_--!!

[Remeer has no time to think, though  -  he catches something moving out of
the corner of his eye...]

SFX: ::WHOOSH::

[And...]

SFX: ::POW!!::

[...the Aqua Hydra's coiling body catches Remeer across the chin.]

Aqua Hydra: SUCH _PATHETIC_ ATTACKS WILL NOT AVAIL YOU!!


pg. 174


Aqua Hydra: _PUNY HUMANS..._

[Remeer is knocked flat on the ground.  The Aqua Hydra whips out a 
monstrous tongue...]

SFX: ::LUNGE::

Aqua Hydra: _KNOW THE LIMITS OF YOUR STRENGTH!!_

[...which begins to coil around Reeshine.]

Reeshine: _AAAH!!_

[It picks her up...]

Remeer: _!!_
_Reeshine!!_

[Meanwhile, the children watch from the safety of a nearby stand of trees.]

Kid: W...whatta we do?  They'll be _killed~~!!_

Kid: We've gotta go get help...

[Suddenly, from behind them...]

SFX: ::CLANG::

Kids: !!

[A pair of feet  -  not human  -  appear after the noise...]

Kids: _AAAH!!_


pg. 175


[Back at the battle...]

SFX: ::FWOOSH::

[The Aqua Hydra moves quickly, and Reeshine is flung aside and falls...]

SFX: ::FWAP::

Reeshine: _AAAHHHH!!_

Remeer: _REESHINE!!_

[But before she can hit the ground...]

SFX: ::KRA-CLANGGG!!::


pg. 176


[...she is caught by...a towering, 10-foot-tall steel robot: Lux.]

Remeer [stunned, staring & thinking]: Wh...what!?
He can't be...a new enemy!?


pg. 177


Aqua Hydra: _Y...YOU!!_

Lux: I AM FROM KIDSDOM MANOR.  MY NAME...

[Lux readies his gun arm...]

SFX: ::ka-CHING ka-CHING::
::SKREEEEEEEE!::

Lux: _IS LUX--!!_

SFX: ::BANG::


pg. 178


[Remeer looks on horrified (as Reeshine does, weakly) to see that Lux has
instantly vaporized the Aqua Hydra's head off its shoulders.]

SFX of rest of Aqua Hydra body falling to earth: ::THUD!::

SFX of lightning around Lux: ::crackle::
::crackle::
::crackle::
::crackle::

[The light in the eyes of the black oval display that is Lux's face dies 
down.]

SFX: ::EEEEeeeeee...::

Lux: ............

[In the background, the kids come running happily out of the forest to meet
Lux.]

Kids: WOW!
Wowwwwww, Lux~~!!
You're so, so COOL!

Remeer [still stunned]: ............


pg. 179


Reeshine [amazed]: With just one hit...

Remeer [amazed] ...he took out that giant Dark Monster!!

[The kids all jump on Lux, riding on his shoulders & arms, and hugging
him.]

Remeer [thinking]: What POWER...!!


pg. 180


[Lux regards Remeer.  We see Remeer's face reflected pixel-like in Lux's
Terminator-esque display.]

SFX: ::beep beep!::
::whirrrrrr::
::beeeeep::
::beep! beep beep!::
::beeeeep::

[Then, apparently satisfied with his scan, Lux turns his head abruptly.]

SFX: ::WHIRRRR::

Remeer: Huh?

Reeshine: ...Maybe he wants us to come with him?

Remeer: I guess...

[Remeer shoulders the injured Reeshine, and the two follow Lux and the kids
back to a huge, gated manor.]


pg. 181


[Everyone enters the manor; the kids run to a blonde woman at the end of a
hall.]

Kids: BIG SIS MEISIAAA~~!!

[Yes, the caretaker here is Meisia, not Cecille. Meisia is not wearing her
priestess robes, however; instead, she is clad in a dark (blue?) dress and
white apron, carrying a basket of laundry.]

Meisia: My...you're all dirty...
--...huh?

[Meisia suddenly notices Remeer & Reeshine.]

Meisia: Travelers?
What horrible wounds!...  We have to treat them right away!

Remeer & Reeshine: Huh?...  Uh...OK?!

[Later...]

Meisia: --...There.
That should do!


pg. 182


[Curiously, instead of white magic, Meisia has used a good ol'-fashioned
first-aid kit and bandages to treat R & R's wounds.]

Meisia: I heard you saved the children...
I can't thank you enough.

Remeer: No...thank _you!_
It was Lux who saved _us_...

Meisia: But...it's been a while since we've had travelers here.
This land is quite dangerous nowadays...
The Dark Monsters are running rampant, you see.
I tell the children not to play outside the manor that much, but...
they're just desperate to have some fun.
This is Kidsdom Manor...it was originally an enclave of the priesthood.
I've gathered the remaining children together here and am protecting them
from the Dark Monsters with a strong magic barrier.


pg. 183


Reeshine: "Children," you say...but where are the adults?
I don't see any in the manor...

[Meisia looks out the window anxiously at a mountainous landscape.]

Meisia: ............
There are no adults here.
They're all...on that mountain.

Reeshine: Huh?!

Meisia: The adults of this land...
...were all turned to Figurines  -  stone statues  -  by the Tribe of 
Darkness...
...All except me...!!
The Tribe of Darkness...they lined up the adults just like candles on a 
birthday cake...

["Like candles on a birthday cake"?]

Meisia: That mountain...they call it "Candy Mountain"...they've made it
their fortress.

[Yes, "Kidsdom Manor" and "Candy Mountain" are names from the original 
game, though the latter, at least, is used in a more appropriate 
circumstance than as the name of an enemy Death Star.
Also, the "Figurines" bit is taken from the opening premise of the game:
the main character, the other playable characters, and a number of other 
people have been turned into figurines (not life-size stone statues as in
the manga; actual tiny figurines) and spirited to an interdimensional 
shrine at the start of the game, and one of your main objectives is to get
everyone home and figure out who put everyone in NRFB status and why.]

Reeshine: _How HORRIBLE!  "Candy Mountain"..._
_Are people just PLAYTHINGS to them?!?!_

Remeer: But...what does the Tribe of Darkness mean to accomplish by doing
that?


pg. 184


[Meisia turns back to look at Remeer anxiously.]

Meisia: ............

Remeer: _Oh--!_
I'm sorry  -  pestering you with so many questions...

Meisia [smiling softly]: No...it's not that.
It's just...it's strange!
I feel like I can talk about anything with you two...

[Meisia leads Remeer and Reeshine out into the hallway.]

Meisia: I'm sure Lux feels the same way, you know...
That's why he brought you to this manor!

Reeshine: ...Hey, Meisia.
I've wondered about this for a while now...
Lux  -  is he an adult?  He's wearing that strange armor...
And how were you and he saved?

Meisia: --...He's not human.

Reeshine [astonished]: What?!

Meisia: He's what we call a "Tetujin."  He was designed as a highly 
advanced automaton.


pg. 185


[Meisia leads Remeer and Reeshine into a library, where the children are
reading and doing schoolwork.]

Meisia: That's why he wasn't turned into a Figurine.
...But he's a very kind and brave soul.
He has a human heart.
The children know that well.

[Meisia reaches for a book on the shelf.]

Meisia: And...what kept me safe...
...was this book.

[Meisia shows R & R a huge, locked, leather-bound book.]

Reeshine [I presume]: This...?

Meisia: An ancient magic tome.
Many powerful magics...and many forbidden curses...are sealed within it.


pg. 186


Meisia: Only the descendants of this land's priests can open this book.
It's been that way for centuries.
--...Now, I'm the only person left who can use it.

[Reeshine tries to open the book, to no avail.]

Reeshine: You're right...I CAN'T open it!

SFX: ::GRRRR...::

Remeer: Do they want to obtain you and your magic power, then?...

Meisia: Yes...
...and until I offer myself and this book to them...
...the Tribe of Darkness probably won't leave this land.
So, ultimately, I imagine I'll have to...

Kids: _NO, Meisia!_

[A couple of Meisia's young charges come running in.]

Girl: _If you go to them, they'll do something HORRIBLE to you!_

Boy: _And if YOU'RE not here, we'll...WE'LL...!!_

[The kids break out crying.]

Meisia: Vince...  Nina...

SFX: ::WAAAAAH!!::

Kids: _No, no, NOOOOO!  NEVER!!_


pg. 187


Meisia: Um...thank you, you two.
Now, let's get some sleep.

[Meisia smiles wanly.  Remeer and Reeshine both look on a bit anxiously.]

Remeer: ............

[Night falls.  We see Meisia, lantern in hand, heading to the library 
alone.]

Meisia [thinking]: At this rate...
we'll be under the Tribe of Darkness's heel forever...
I'm sorry for the children......

[Meisia reaches the shelf where the ancient book rests and takes it from 
the shelf.]

Meisia [thinking]: _...but if I just sacrifice myself, everyone will be 
saved......!!_


pg. 188


Lux: ...MEISIA.

Meisia: _......!!_

[Meisia turns around to discover Lux standing behind her.]

Meisia: Lux...how!?

SFX of Lux improbably stealthing: ::SLIP::

Lux: .........

Remeer: We knew you were here...

[Remeer and Reeshine anxiously peek out from behind Lux.]

SFX: ::peek::

[Also:]

Intrusive Note on Side of Page: Originally published in G Fantasy, January
to June 1996

[OK, back to plot.]

Meisia: Remeer, Reeshine  -  you, too!?

Reeshine: We thought you might do something like this!


pg. 189


Reeshine: ...It's dangerous for you to go alone!
You're going to meet the Tribe of Darkness, aren't you?
They're just going to use you and that book for evil purposes!
Besides...the children need you!

Remeer [smiling]: ...We got talking with Lux, too!
And he said that if we combine forces, we can do anything  -  right?!
So...don't even think of going off by yourself!!

Meisia: Remeer...

Remeer [sweatdropping]: Well, Lux can, anyhow...I'm not so sure about us!

[Lux gently touches Meisia on her head with his hand.]

SFX: ::PAT...::

Meisia: Ah...


pg. 190


[Lux then puts his hand on Meisia's shoulders.]

Meisia: ...LET'S GO 
TOGETHER!!

SFX: ::beep::

Meisia [beginning to cry]: _Oh..._
_Thank you........._
_everyone!!_

MYSTIC ARK VOLUME 1 END


pg. 191


ATTACK OF THE EXTRA PAGE!

[A caricature of manga's artist, Akirako Iwasa, comes out riding in a 
wheeled recliner, being pulled by a giant tortoise.]

Iwasa: Thank you for buying Mystic Ark Vol. 1!

Note on Iwasa: Changed her hairstyle.

Inexplicable note on Iwasa's shirt: Yamamoto

Note on tortoise: 4WD

Iwasa: I'm Akirako Iwasa! (said like Tamao Nakamura)

[Tamao Nakamura is a famous Japanese actress who had her heyday in the 
'50's but has continued to be active to this day.  I don't know what's 
distinctive about her voice or what Iwasa's going for here; sorry.]

Note: ...She just went to the hair salon and got a new haircut.  
[sweatdrop]  She doesn't look like a woman anymore.

[Iwasa gets up and happily brandishes a copy of Mystic Ark Vol. 1.]

Iwasa: Well, anyhow...I have a COMIC out!  It's like a dream come true,
isn't it, Kamezaemon?

SFX: ::thrilled!::

[Note: "Kame" means "turtle" or "tortoise."]

Tortoise/Kamezaemon: Ha!
More like a NIGHTMARE!

Caption: AMERICAN JOKE

[I suppose the American joke here stems from Iwasa referring to her book as
"komikkusu" (a comic, usually American) instead of as a manga, even though
there's nothing American about the book or its style and it definitely is
a manga.  I dunno.
The next we see, Kamezaemon is lying on his back/shell, and Iwasa has a 
mallet behind her back.]

Iwasa: Also, a big thanks to everyone who took the time to send me letters!
I'm sorry that I've been so late in replying  -  just like I was with the
original draft of the comic!

[We see a picture of a chibi Remeer and Reeshine.]

Iwasa: But, you know, I'm going to see that their journey gets even 
_tougher_ from here on out!
What lies in store for them?  Find out in Vol. 2!

Caption: SPECIAL THANKS

Iwasa: To my father & mother, for raising the kind of daughter that I am. 
To my sister, for erasing.
To my supervisor Huggy.  I'm gonna keep on being a nuisance to you, so hang
in there!
And others!

SFX: ::Heh heh!!:

New Inexplicable Note on Iwasa's Shirt: TAROU

[New Translator Note: This Inexplicable Note is actually explained in the
notes of Attack of the Extra Page Vol. 2.]


~*~END OF MYSTIC ARK VOLUME 1 FOR REAL~*~


***************************************************************************


MYSTIC ARK VOL. II
by Akirako Iwasa


pg. 3


[Again, yes, the manga proper starts on pg. 3.]

CHAPTER 7: TETUJIN

[Note: "Tetujin," or, more properly, "tetsujin," means "metal man" or 
"metal person."  The word "Tetujin" untranslated, though, is used for the
race to which the Lux from the U.S. version of The 7th Saga belonged, so
we're just gonna continue using it. 
Anyhow: We open on a mining site.  Numerous Tetujin, identical to Mystic
Ark's Lux, bustle about hauling boulders, lumber, and other supplies.  
(Various humans also mill about the site, doing nothing in particular.)]

SFX of activity: ::BANG::
::KA-BOOM::

Layabout #1: Dang good thing our ancestors left behind such useful tools,
huh?

SFX: ::BANG::

Layabout #2: Yeah!
Work 'em like dogs, and they never complain a bit!

SFX: ::BOOM::

[I assume that Layabout #1's comment means that the game's World 3 and 
World 4 have been combined in this manga.]


pg. 4


[A blonde woman arrives on the scene, carrying a package.  She is
accompanied by a little blonde girl, also carrying a pack.]

Woman: Delivery, everyooone!...  It's lunchtiiime!!

[A couple men approach.  One tousles the hair of the girl, who we see is a
child Meisia.]

Man: Ohhh!
See you've got this little lady on delivery duty, too!

[Meisia smiles.]

Other Man: HEEEEY!  Lunch's here, everyooone--!

[The woman goes off with the two men to deliver the lunches.  Meisia,
though, stays behind, noticing something...]

Meisia: ......!?

SFX: ::BANG::
::BABOOM::
::CLANG::

[She sees the Tetujin, continuing to work.  No lunch for them.]

Meisia [approaching nearby man]: Hey, Mister!

Man: Huh?
What is it, little lady?

Meisia: Aren't the Tetujin gonna eat?

Man: Ohhhh  -  it's OK!  They're not like people!
They don't get hungry, just doin' what they're told!


pg. 5


Meisia: But...

[Suddenly...]

SFX: ::...rumblerumblerumbleRUMBLE::
::_CRASH!!_::

Man: _!!_

[One side of the worksite has collapsed in a gigantic pile of rubble.]

Man: _Wha...WHAT!?_

Man: _The workers!!_

Man: _This's BAD!!  Everyone come QUICK!!_

SFX: ::RUMBLE RUMBLE RUMBLE RUMBLE RUMBLE::

Man: _The bedrock's collapsed..._
_Make a roll call!  See who's been buried!!_


pg. 6


[A short time later...]

Man: _No humans..._
_...but all the Tetujin got buried!!_

Man: _Who cares about the Tetujin?!  Leave 'em for later!  Treat the
injured and check the site for damage!!_

[Little Meisia, horrified, runs toward the bedrock...]

SFX: ::DASH!::

Woman: _AH--!!_
_Meisia!  It's DANGEROUS over there!!_

[Meisia runs up behind the man to whom she was talking earlier...]

Meisia: _Wait, Mister!!_
_Why aren'cha gonna help the Tetujin?!_

Man: _Get OUTTA here, little girl!!  It's DANGEROUS!!_

Man: _Be a good girl and go back to your Mommy!!_

Meisia: _Please!  Please save the Tetujin...!!_

Man [angry]: _Look, GIRL!  I told you BEFORE..._
_The Tetujin aren't LIKE us humans!!_
_No matter how USEFUL they are as tools, they're NOT worth risking human
lives!!_


pg. 7


Meisia [wide-eyed, crying]: ...USEFUL...
..._TOOLS!?_...

[Later.  The sun has set; the worksite has been abandoned.]

SFX: ::pad pad pad!::

Meisia: *gasp*...
*gasp*...
*gasp*...

[Little Meisia has run all alone to the worksite in the middle of the 
night, clutching the magic book we saw in the present-day library.]

Meisia: I'm here, everyone!...
(*gasp*)
(*gasp*)
...I'm gonna save you all now!

[One of the Tetujin, trapped in the rubble with only its head above the 
debris, stares at Meisia.]

Tetujin: .........

[Meisia opens the book.  Its pages flash with light.]

Meisia: Please, magic book!...

SFX: ::FLASHHH!::

Meisia: Please give me the power to save them all!!


pg. 8


[A beam shoots up to the heavens...]

SFX: ::SKREEE!!::

[...and the worksite is flooded with light...]

SFX: ::RUMBLERUMBLERUMBLERUMBLERUMBLERUMBLE::

Tetujiin: .........!!

[Freed from the rubble, the Tetujin who was staring at Meisia before
stands up...]

SFX: ::CLANG::

Meisia: _!!_

[Elated, Meisia runs toward her rescuee.]

Meisia: _Mr. Tetujin!!_


pg. 9


Meisia: _Are you OK?  ...Does it hurt?!_
_I really wanted to save you earlier, but..._
...but it took me time to go get the magic book, and...
OH!

[Suddenly, Meisia notices...]

SFX of wind blowing over lifeless worksite: ::HOWWWWWLLLL::

Meisia: _OH...!!_

[No other Tetujin have moved from the rubble.  Their bodies have been
dislodged, but they lie motionless.]

Meisia: ...Did they all die?
Are you the only one...!?

[Meisia buries her face in her hands in horror.]

Meisia: I'm sorry!  I'M SORRY!!
It's all my fault  -
_all my fault that they're--!!_


pg. 10


SFX: ::beep::

Lux: ...WHY...

SFX: ::whirrrr::

Lux: ...ARE YOU CRYING FOR OUR SAKE...?

[Lux kneels down next to Meisia.]

Lux: WE ARE TOOLS...CREATED FOR HUMAN USE...
WE ARE MEANT TO BE EXPENDABLE.

Meisia [shaking head]: _NO!  You're NOT tools..._
_You're really our FRIENDS!!_
_Everyone's just FORGOTTEN that!!_

[Lux moves to scoop Meisia up in his arms.]

SFX: ::WHIRRRR::

Lux: BUT...
OUR BODIES ARE DIFFERENT FROM HUMAN BODIES...
WE DO NOT EVEN HAVE INDIVIDUAL NAMES LIKE HUMANS DO.

Meisia: No!  You're just like us!
You have the same really strong warmth inside you...
...If you don't have a name, I'll GIVE you one!......


pg. 11


Meisia: Your name is...
...yeah!
Your name is Lux!

Adult Meisia: --And that's how we met!...

[Back in the present, Meisia smiles wearily after recounting her
flashback.]

Meisia: It's been 10 whole years since that day, but...

[We see that Meisia, Reeshine, Lux, and Remeer are walking through the
countryside.]

Reeshine: Wowwww...
So Meisia gave you your name, huh, Lux?  She's like your _mom,_ then!

[Reeshine playfully nudges Lux with her elbow, only to regret it.]

SFX: ::NUDGE*ow*::

Lux: ............ [blush]

Remeer [thinking, smiling]: Wow...so Meisia's really important to Lux, huh?
I'm...kinda jealous.


pg. 12


[Remeer looks at Meisia from the side, in profile.  He sees in her his 
adult sister, whose appearance, much less her distinctive dual-braid 
hairstyle, he could not possible extrapolate to the degree shown in the 
panel.]

Remeer [thinking]: That reminds me  -  Meisia kind of looks like Felys...
Maybe it's how kind she is, or just her overall personality...
Felys...where are you right now?

Meisia: ?
What's wrong?

[Meisia has suddenly noticed Remeer staring at her.]

Remeer [smiling apologetically, waving hand in front of face]: Um...nothing
-  never mind!
(Ha ha... [blush])

Meisia [smiling but kinda puzzled & uneasy]: _?_

Reeshine: _Remeer!!_

[Reeshine's up ahead; she's nervous and on guard.]

Remeer [running toward Reeshine]: _Reeshine!?_

Reeshine: _Look at this!!_

[Remeer pulls up to where Reeshine & Lux are standing...]

Remeer: _!!_

SFX: ::BAM::

Remeer: _These are...!!_


pg. 13


[A number of life-size stone statues are gathered in a field ahead, frozen
in poses & expressions of fear & panic.]

Remeer, Maybe: _FIGURINES!!_
_Are these...the adults of this land...!?_


Reeshine, Maybe: _It's HORRIBLE!!_

[Suddenly...]

SFX: ::SHIVER...!::

[Remeer cringes, and his face tenses with terror; he has received another
premonition.]

Remeer [looking up quickly]: _WHO'S THERE?!_

[Before Reeshine turns to find a large Xenomorph-shellfish-orangutan 
silhouette on a nearby cliff watching our little band of heroes from above, 
we must stop for a:]

Completely & Utterly Necessary Disclaimer: This book is a work of fiction.
It is unrelated to any actual person, organization, or event.

[OK, good to get that out of the way.  Now: Reeshine has turned to find a
large Xenomorph-shellfish-orangutan silhouette on a nearby cliff watching 
our little band of heroes from above.]


pg. 14


SFX of DRAMATIC WIND : ::HOWWWWWLLLLL::

[Remeer turns to stare horrified at Darkness.  Darkness stares back 
unconcerned.]

SFX of Remeer's heart: ::KA-THUMP KA-THUMP::


pg. 15


Darkness: --...MY NAME IS...
..._DARKNESS!!_

[Thank you.]

Remeer: _"Darkness"_...?

SFX: ::ka-thump::
::ka-thump::
::ka-thump::
::ka-thump::

Remeer [thinking]: _W...WHAT?!_

[Yeah, Remeer  -  I know, right?]

Remeer [thinking]: His aura...it seems completely different from that of
any other member of the Tribe of Darkness!  What...?

Reeshine [brandishing fist]: Wh...who ARE you!?

Darkness: YOU...ARE REMEER, ARE YOU NOT?!

Reeshine: _This is YOUR doing, isn't it?!_
_YOU'RE the one who turned all the adults into Figurines!!_


pg. 16


Remeer: Reeshine!

[Reeshine & Lux, who have been spearheading the party, turn behind them to
look at Remeer.]

Lux: !!

Remeer: Lux!!
We all need to attack at once...
...to strike first!!

[Remeer, not waiting for the other two, holds out both his hands and 
ignites a fireball in each palm...]

Reeshine: Remeer...!?

SFX: ::POFF::
::POFF::

Remeer: _Let's go!!_

[Lux readies his arm cannon as Reeshine charges a Kamehameha.  Reeshine,
still disturbed, is looking warily behind her at Remeer.]

Reeshine [thinking]: ...What's got him in such a frenzy?! 

SFX of Lux's arm: ::KA-CHING::

Reeshine: Remeer!!

[Remeer raises one arm above his head...]

SFX: ::ROAR::

Remeer: ~Kindled in the lamps of Heaven's kingdom...~
~Dauntless spirits smouldering in the flames...~
~I entreat thee  -  unleash the blaze within!~


pg. 17


Remeer: _PROMINENCE!!_

SFX: ::BLAST!::

Reeshine: _POWERWAVE!!_

SFX of Lux's gun: _KA-POW!!_

[Prominence isn't your special ability, Remeer, but we'll ignore that for
now.  The three blasts barrel toward Darkness...]

SFX: ::SKREEEEEEE::


pg. 18


[But...]

SFX: ::THUD::

Remeer: _T-that's impossible!!  How could anyone block all three 
attacks?!_

[...Yeah.  Here's the problem: We're currently in the middle of a huge
Dragonball Z fight, and we're going to be there for the next _fifty pages._
I hope you packed a lunch, or at least can easily skip down to Chapter 9.
For those of you staying with us: the psychic power from our heroes dies 
down...]

SFX: ::SSSSST...  SSSSST...::
::ROOOOOAAAARRRR::

Darkness: .........
ARE YOU FINISHED?


pg. 19


Darkness: _MY_ TURN!!

[Darkness fires a Kamehameha...]

SFX: ::POW!!::

[...that roars toward Meisia...]

SFX: ::RRROOOOOAAAARRRR::

[...but....]

SFX: ::WHOOSH...::

[...Meisia looks on in horror...]

Meisia: _...!!_


pg. 20


[...as Lux dives in front to protect her.  The Kamehameha hits his left 
shoulder...]

SFX: ::KA-BLAMMMM::

[...and blasts his arm right off.]

Lux: GAH...!!

[Yeah: the manga is also going to get really wasteful regarding its 
supporting characters from here on in.]


pg. 21


SFX of Lux's arm hitting the ground: ::CLANG::

Reeshine: _Lux!!_

[The other party members, panicked, rush to Lux's support.  Reeshine puts
an arm around the Tetujin to support him.]

Reeshine: A...are you OK?  It doesn't hurt, does it!?
I mean, you're a Tetujin, Lux!...
You're so much _stronger_ than we are...

[Darkness, meanwhile, advances on the party.]

Darkness: ......WHY ARE YOU WILLING TO SACRIFICE YOUR OWN BODY TO PROTECT 
THE HUMANS?

SFX of Darkness's footstep: ::THUD::

Darkness: ANSWER ME, TETUJIN!!


pg. 22


Reeshine: _He's coming!!_

Remeer: _Yeah!!_

SFX: ::SHING!::

[Darkness apparently...reaches forward and takes Lux aside, without any
resistance from the others?  It's unclear, but Darkness is holding on to
Lux as Reeshine and Remeer lunge forward to attack, when...]

Darkness: ICE CHAIN!!

SFX: ::BAM!::

Reeshine: _...--!!_

SFX: ::SNAP!!::

[Reeshine seems to be hit on the cheek.  Remeer fares far worse, though...]


pg. 23


SFX: ::BANG BANG BANG BANG BANG BANG!::

[...he is the victim of an outright machine gun massacre, as ice 
projectiles punch sizable holes through his shoulder, hip, hand, and, worst
of all, his midsection, which takes the largest perforation.
Blood gushes from Remeer's wounds as he hacks up more from what's left of
his gut...]

SFX: ::HACK!::

Remeer: Ga--...HRAAAK--!!

[Meanwhile...]

SFX: ::BAM!::
::SCREEEEEECHHH::

[Reeshine, though unbloodied, is hurled a good distance from the field of
battle.  Remeer, implausibly, is still on his feet and capable of conscious
thought, even though he is losing so much blood that his clothes are
already a mass of red.]

Remeer [thinking]: HE...
_HE'S TOO STRONG!!_

SFX of Darkness walking: ::THUD::

Remeer: *haaa...*
*haaa...*
*haaa...*

Remeer [thinking]: The speed and power of his spells...
...they're orders of magnitude above those of the Dark ones we've fought so
far!


pg. 24


[Suddenly  -   or more accurately, not as suddenly, considering what's
happened...]

SFX: ::SHUDDER::
::twitch::

[...Remeer finally collapses to his knees.]

Remeer [thinking]: !!  ...I'm..._shaking?!_

Darkness: ...TETUJIN!!

Remeer [looking up at Darkness looming over him, thinking]: I've never
_felt_ such terror before...!!

[Thank you, Remeer Serling.]

Darkness: YOU HEARD, DIDN'T YOU?
WHAT THAT GIRL SAID...JUST A LITTLE WHILE AGO!! 
THE HUMANS WILL _NEVER_ UNDERSTAND THE PAIN THAT WE OF ABNORMAL FORMS
EXPERIENCE.

Reeshine [from where she landed, far away]: N...no!!
I...I didn't...m...mean it that...
...way...

SFX: ::SHUDDER::

[Reeshine collapses from her wounds.]

Darkness: THAT'S RIGHT!!
AS YOU HAVE SEEN...THE HUMANS HAVE REJECTED US...

SFX of Darkness igniting magic: ::VOOOOOOM::

Darkness: YOU _WILL_ SEE...


pg. 25


[With his good arm, Lux grabs Meisia...]

SFX: ::GRAB::

Meisia: _Lux..._

Darkness: _...WHETHER YOU WANT TO OR NOT._

[...and shoves her aside to protect her as Darkness's magic hits his 
abdomen.]

SFX: ::WHAM::

Darkness: AFTER ALL  -  YOU'RE THE SAME AS ME!!

[Darkness swoops toward Lux and slashes with a clawed hand.]

SFX: ::SLASH::

Darkness: TO THE HUMANS...
...YOU ARE NOTHING MORE THAN A DOLL OF METAL AND OIL!!

[Meisia watches in horror.]


pg. 26


[Darkness punches Lux in the back.]

SFX: ::THUNK::

Lux: AGH...!!

[As Darkness pummels Lux into senselessness...]

Darkness: YOU SHOULD KNOW...

[...Lux flashes back to his days in mining.]

Layabout #1: Dang good thing our ancestors left behind such useful tools,
huh?

Layabout #2: Yeah!
Work 'em like dogs, and they never complain a bit!

[In the present, Darkness severs Lux's remaining arm and his left leg.
What the hell is this manga?  You have a giant playable robot, and the best
you can think of to do with him after one puny monster fight is to have him
graphically dismembered on-page?]

Darkness: OF HUMANS' SELFISHNESS!!

Flashback Layabout: _...but all the Tetujin got buried!!_

Other Flashback Layabout: _Who cares about the Tetujin?!  Leave 'em for
later!_

Darkness: OF THEIR _ARROGANCE!!_

[Darkness grabs Lux and lifts him by the throat.]

Darkness: HOW THEY _DISCRIMINATE_ AGAINST THE TETUJIN...AND THE PEOPLE OF
THE DARK!

SFX: ::CRUNCH::

Lux: ......!!


pg: 27


SFX: ::RUMBLE RUMBLE RUMBLE RUMBLE RUMBLE RUMBLE::

Darkness: THE HUMANS FLAUNT THEIR PREJUDICE IN OUR VERY FACES...
AREN'T _THEY_ THE _TRUE_ FREAKS?!?!

[Like me, Meisia can hardly process this; she has her head in her hands 
and is silently crying.]

Meisia: No...
Stop...

[Darkness flings Lux's body down on the ground.]

SFX: ::SLAM::

Darkness: BUT STILL...
..._STILL_...YOU HAVE FAITH IN THE HUMANS!?

Meisia [screaming]: _STOOOOP!!_  JUST _STOP!!_

[Meanwhile...]

SFX: ::SHING!::

[Remeer has planted his sword in the ground.  Unfortunately, he's not quite
vertical enough to wield it.  He tries to pull himself up, to no avail.]

Remeer [thinking]: It's no good...I've lost too much blood.  I can't will
my body to move!!

[Also, Remeer, your really don't have much of a body left to move, with
most of your viscera blown out and all.]

Remeer: Ugh...
(Haa...)
(Haa...  Haa...)
Damn...it...

Remeer [thinking]: I have to help Lux...


pg. 28


[Blood pours from Remeer's eyes as he watches Lux's one remaining limb
dangle by a few wires from its joint, because this has turned into a Seiji
Tanaka manga all of a sudden.]

Remeer [thinking]: I'm losing consciousness...  My body's not responding!
Please...  Please move...


SFX: ::TREMBLE TREMBLE TREMBLE TREMBLE::

Remeer [thinking]: _MOVE!!_

[But Remeer's plaintive cries merely echoed and re-echoed.  In his own 
mindspace.]

Lux: ...I...BE...LIEVE...IN...MEI...SIA....

SFX: ::GRIND::

Lux: IF...MEISIA...BE...LIEVES...IN...HUMAN...ITY...
THEN...SO...DO...
...I!!

SFX: ::SLUMP::

[Lux collapses.]

Meisia: --...!!


pg. 29


Meisia: _PLEASE..._
_STOP already!!_
_At this rate, he'll DIE...!!_

Darkness: ...YOU HAVE TWO OPTIONS!!
HAND YOURSELF AND YOUR GRIMOIRE OVER TO US...
...OR DIE HERE WITH THE REST OF THESE FOOLS HERE AND _NOW!!_

[Meisia is silent for a bit.]

SFX for Meisia's fist: ::clench!::

Meisia: ............
------...I see.

Remeer: _Meisia, you can't!!_

[Remeer, how can you shout?  Didn't your lungs get shot out or something?]

Remeer: You...y...you can't do as he...says.
That won't make...Lux...happy either.


pg. 30


Remeer: Lux...fought to the end...to protect you...

Meisia: Remeer...

Remeer: You can't...let...all that heart he showed...be for nothing...

Darkness: MEDDLER!  HAVE YOU NOT LEARNED _YET?!_

SFX: ::WHOOSH::

[Darkness moves forward...]

Darkness: IN THAT CASE...
_...THERE IS ONLY ONE ANSWER!!_

[Despite the fact that Meisia, indeed, has not answered, Darkness moves
toward with a claw to eliminate her...]

Remeer: _S..._
_STOOOOOOOP!!_


pg. 31


[But, before Darkness can reach her, Lux sits up to block Darkness's path
(guess he had been flung right in front of her).]

Darkness: _YOU!?_
HOW DO YOU STILL HAVE THE POWER TO _STAND?!?!_...


pg. 32


[Darkness punches through Lux's chest...]

Lux: M...EI...
SI...A--!!

[...and Meisia stands horrified as Lux falls back to the ground, 
unmistakably mortally wounded at last.]

Meisia: _N..._
_NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO--!!_


pg. 33


Meisia: ...Lux.

[Reeshine and Remeer, as well as they can in their weakened states, look on
in anguish as Meisia stands hands to her face, wide-eyed and sobbing, 
unable to tear her gaze away.]

Meisia: _Why...!_
All for _my sake--!!_


pg. 34


CHAPTER 8: LIGHT AND DARKNESS...AND...


Lux: M...EI...
SIA...
YOU...GAVE ME...A NAME...
...A...REASON...TO EXIST...
YOU...LET ME KNOW...THE JOY...OF BEING...ALIVE...
THANK...Y...OU......

Darkness: --WHAT LOFTY IDEALS  -  AND HOW _MEANINGLESS._


pg. 35


[Meisia stares dumbstruck as Lux collpases for the final time.]

Meisia: ALL...
...FOR _THAT?!_

Darkness: FOR A _NAME,_ YOU THROW AWAY YOUR _LIFE_, TETUJIN?!
HOW _PATHETIC!!_

[Suddenly, something snaps in Remeer's mind.  Sensing that he has been
upstaged for a prolonged period by a character inconsiderate enough to
have a lengthy, pathos-filled death scene in his manga, his eyes stare 
blankly in cold, hard anger.
(Note: This is your last chance to bail and meet me at Chapter 9.
I highly suggest you do so.)]


pg. 36


Remeer: ...say that again.

SFX: ::GRRRRRR::

Remeer: _SAY IT ONE MORE TIIIIIIME--!!_

SFX: ::BAM!::

[Remeer surges up, incensed, and...
No.  I'm sorry, but no.  Remeer, you don't nearly have enough blood to 
move your limbs.  Your entire abdominal area is a red ruin.  Your guts 
should not even be staying in your body of their own volition.]

Darkness: _!!_


pg. 37


[Remeer leaps at Darkness, sword drawn, and performs a mighty overhead 
slash.  This is really where you want to go with this, author?  ...OK. 
Darkness catches the blade against one carapace-gauntlet...]

SFX: ::SKRRREEEEEEE::

Remeer: _GRRRRAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!!_

SFX: ::grind::

Remeer: _AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHH--!!_

SFX: ::crack::
::crack::
::SNAP::
::SNAP::

[...but the gauntlet begins to crack under Remeer's unrelenting, non-
blood-fueled assault.]


pg. 38


Darkness: W...WHAT!?
THIS OVERWHELMING POWER...--!!

[...Yes, it's off the charts.]

SFX: ::RROOAAARRRRR::

Darkness: !!

[Behind Remeer erupts...]

SFX: ::BAM!::

Darkness: THE ARK...OF POWER!!
I SEE...
_THAT'S_ HOW YOU'RE DOING IT--!!

[So Remeer is currently at Super Saiyan 1, for those counting.]


pg. 39


[Remeer's sword has not achieved its ULTIMATE TRANSFORMATION, however, 
so...]

SFX: ::CRACK!::

[...it eventually breaks against Darkness's carapace.  Back to selling
luffas after this adventure, I suppose.  Undaunted, Remeer stomps the 
ground...]

SFX: ::STOMP!::

[...yes, like so; and:]

Remeer: GRAAAAHHH--!!

SFX: ::HIYAA...::

[kicks Darkness karate-style up the side of the head.]

SFX: ::THWAM!!::

Darkness: OOF--!!


pg. 40


[Darkness is hardly staggered, however, and grabs Remeer's leg.]

SFX: ::GRAB!::

[Yes, again, like so.  Despite having no point of leverage, since
Darkness's head is like ten feet off the ground, Remeer kicks Darkness in
the head with his _other_ leg...]

SFX: ::THOMP!::

Darkness: GAH!!

[...and breaks free, somersaulting away to a nearby patch of grass.]

SFX: ::THUD!::

[All right, first of all, Remeer has demonstrated no aptitude for hand-to-
hand combat.  Second, even if he's super strong, he's made only of flesh
and (no) blood and is fighting an enemy that can rend steel with its bare 
hands.  It should not take much at all for Darkness to dispatch Remeer. 
It should have been over the moment Darkness seized Remeer's leg.  This is
not a viable fight.]

Remeer: _...This isn't about the Tribes of Light and Darkness!_
_I CAN NEVER FORGIVE YOU FOR WHAT YOU'VE DONE--!!_


pg. 41


Remeer: _Meisia and Lux had a special bond!  They BELIEVED in each
other--!_
_You've DESTROYED their happiness!  Theirs, and that of the people of this
kingdom!!_
_And YOU..._
_YOU of the Tribe of DARKNESS had NO right to do that!!_

[Remeer & Darkness race toward each other, and Remeer's comparatively tiny
little fist slams into Darkness's great big open claw...]

SFX: ::SLAM!!:

[...and Darkness, unrealistically, is sent flying back, speed lines and
all.]

SFX: ::GRAAAAHHHHHH::


pg. 42


[Reeshine, meanwhile, is standing with Meisia on the sidelines as the 
explosive blowback of Remeer's absolutely scorching martial arts skills
reaches these mere mortals.]

Reeshine: _!!_

SFX: ::BAAAAANGGGGG!!::

Reeshine: _Meisia!!  It's dangerous here!!_

[Yeah, why _did_ you guys bring Meisia in the _first_ place?!  To your
knowledge, she can't fight.  Why didn't you just leave her in the safety
of the manor's force field?]

Reeshine: Hurry and get to safety--

Meisia: _NO!!_

[Meisia glares back at Reeshine with pure rage, tears pouring down her
cheeks.]

Meisia: _You expect me to just RUN OFF!?_
_...to let Lux DIE all alone!?!?_
Please...let me _stay_ with him!!

Reeshine: Meisia...


pg. 43


[Meanwhile, in over-9000 news:]

SFX of Remeer kicking: ::BAM!::

SFX of Remeer igniting fire spell: ::POFF!::

[Back in...well, the background, Reeshine has taken Meisia's arm and begun
to attempt to lead her forcibly away from Lux's body.]

Reeshine: _Meisia...  If you stay here, you'll be in danger, too!  Don't 
you understand that!?..._

Meisia: _LET ME GO!!_
_PLEASE...just leave us ALONE already!!_

[Reeshine grimaces in regret.  Is there nothing this talented physical 
fighter can contribute to this struggle?] 

SFX of Reeshine's palm on Meisia's cheek: ::SLAP!::

[Oh.  Right.  I had forgotten that these characters were women first &
foremost and that this is how all disagreements between women have to be
handled.]


pg. 44 


[At this juncture, I'd like to take some time to address these plot
developments.
Spoiler alert, but Remeer is going to end up winning this fight, and his 
keys to victory are going to be a) martial-arts skills and b) a high-
powered spell named Holy Emblem.  Seated firmly on the sidelines, allowed
to contribute absolutely nothing to the battle, are Reeshine, the martial
artist, and Meisia, who in the game is noted for her white-magic spells, 
among them her ultimate attack spell Holy Emblem.
Now, in the game, the Arks aren't for just the main character.  They could
be infused into any of the PCs.  From the perspective of the source 
material, if superhuman martial arts skills are required to triumph in
this battle (as stupid an idea as this is, for reasons I've covered
above), then the logical course is to infuse Reeshine with the Ark of
Power, not the swordsman Remeer.  Now, I understand that the author wants
the primary focus to be on Remeer and for him to fill the role of 
Arbitrarily Special Holy Boy and be the only one able to unlock the sacred
powers of the world, etc.  I also understand that there's a reason why 
the author wants another character hanging out in the background with 
Meisia, in order to converse with her and convince her of a certain course
of action she'll take in the near future (though, to be honest, there's no
reason that couldn't have been Remeer; in fact, having it be Remeer would
make more plot sense).  However: if Reeshine and Meisia _had_ to be 
incapacitated during this battle, then _why_ make their trademark 
abilities the keys to victory?  Why couldn't have Remeer used amped-up
versions of his own abilities to win?  To have him appropriate the unique
powers of other party members who are _right there,_ and to force those
party members to sit there useless like bumps on a log for contrived 
reasons that contradict the original story, is really disrespectful: it's
like the author was going out of her way to twist the source material
around to make the women useless.  To cap it all off with the old saw of
slapping the hysterical female who won't listen to reason  -  "oh, these 
ridiculous, irrational women!"  -  is really insulting.
Back to the story, such as it is.]

Meisia: ......!

SFX of Reeshine's hand on Meisia's shoulder: ::pat::

Reeshine [crying, like Meisia]: Please...I understand how you feel, but 
you have to be _rational!_

[Oh, _Christ._]

SFX of Reeshine's hand: ::clench::

Reeshine: _Think_ about it..._THINK about why Lux fought so hard!!_

[Yeah, _think_, you crazy woman.]

Reeshine: I..._hurt_ Lux...with my careless words...
and...I never got the chance to apologize...when this...all happened...

[Reeshine is breaking down all throughout this speech, to the point where
she's slumping and hanging on Meisia's shoulders by its end.]

Reeshine: ...please!!  Let me protect you!!  ...Not just for your sake!!

Meisia: Reeshine...


pg. 45


[I never thought I'd be relieved to go back to Goku vs. Frieza.]

Remeer: _Before, I just rolled with the punches as I fought...stayed on
the defensive..._
_NOT THIS TIME!!_

[Remeer slams a flaming palm down on the ground...]

SFX: ::SLAM::

Remeer: ~Blood-stained criminal beneath a sainted veil...~
~may your body bloom scarlet with the Hell of the Crimson Lotus!~
 
SFX: ::ROOOOAARRRR::

Remeer: _RED BURN!!_

[Note: The Hell of the Crimson Lotus is a concept in certain schools of 
Buddhism, so named became it's supposedly so cold that visitors' flesh
erupts bloodily from beneath the skin like an abstraction of lotus
blossoms.  I'm sure you're glad I shared that information.  It's not any
more unpleasant than the rest of this chapter, really.
Anyhow, the Ark of Flame appears behind Remeer as he appropriates yet
another character-unique spell that is not his own.]

Darkness: THE ARK OF FLAME!!


pg. 46


SFX: ::RRROOOOAAARRRR::

Darkness: GAHHH...
I CAN'T DEFEND AGAINST THIS!!

Remeer: _By MY WILL ALONE,_
_I WILL DEFEAT YOU!!_

[Oh, shut up.  _Shut up._  SHUT UP, MANGA.]

Meisia [watching]: Remeer...

Reeshine: ............

[Reeshine is rather horrified.]

Reeshine [thinking]: What is this _rage_ Remeer is in?
I've never _seen_ him this way...that _look_ on his face!!


pg. 47


[Reeshine thinks back a memory of her joking around with Remeer's usual
bashful, non-Saiyan self.]

Reeshine [thinking]: He's nothing like the Remeer I know...
Is this...the influence of the Ark of Power!?

[Well, to be fair, Reeshine, having one's peritoneum destroyed will do 
things to a man.
Speaking of whom, a word from Remeer:]

Remeer: _GWAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHH!!_

SFX: ::RRROOOOAAAAAARRRR::

[Remeer lunges forward and punches Darkness with a flaming fist.  Sadly, 
it wasn't an uppercut, but I suppose one can only learn so much about a 
Shoryuken through a few minutes of spiritual osmosis.]

SFX: ::POW!!::

Darkness: GUO--!!

Meisia: .........!


pg. 48


Meisia: He can't go on...

Reeshine: Huh!?

Meisia: At this rate, Remeer's _life_ will be in danger!...

Reeshine: Why!?
He's the one winning...

[We cut back to the battlefield, where Remeer is charging what is a very
obvious Kamehameha.]

Meisia: ...Of course, with the Ark of Power,
Remeer can overwhelm even that Darkness creature now.
But...controlling that amount of power demands great physical endurance!!
An ordinary person wouldn't be able to withstand the power of even one 
Ark...
and with Remeer so injured...

Reeshine: !!

[An ordinary person wouldn't be able to withstand getting their guts blown 
out, Meisia.  I think we're no longer in the realm of conventional magic-
science.
Anyhow: suddenly, Meisia's eyes light upon something almost forgotten in 
the ruckus: her magic book, left in a nearby forest clearing.]

Meisia: *gasp*


pg. 49


[Meisia runs toward the book.]

SFX: ::DASH!!:

Reeshine: _Meisia!?_

SFX: ::GRAB::

Meisia [seizing book]: If this battle goes on any longer...
...Remeer's body won't be able to take it!
He'll break under the strain of the Arks!

SFX: ::RUSTLE::

Meisia [taking book out of leather carrying case]: _Before that happens..._
_I have to end this  -  with powerful magic that can defeat Darkness!!_ 
_And the only way I can do that...is by using the grimoire's forbidden
spell!!_

[Wait.
...Wait.
Meisia, are you telling us that you had the power to defeat Darkness THIS
WHOLE TIME?!  And yet you stood around and let your Lux BE DISMEMBERED when
you could've resolved the situation YOURSELF?!  You'll break the taboo on 
using the book's ultimate spell to save REMEER, but you wouldn't use it to
save your CHILDHOOD FRIEND!?
!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!??!?
...
?!?!!??!!?!?!?!?!?!??!!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!??!!?!?!?!?
Meanwhile: Remeer is still charging his Kamehameha, and for some goddamn
reason, he's called on the Ark of Light.  You were already winning, Remeer.
Are you just hopped up on power?  Do you just want to drive me completely 
insane before this chapter ends?  Is that it?]

SFX: ::BANG BOOM BANG BANG::

Remeer: ~Lei Gong's Eight Immortals of Kunlun...shrouded in darkness from 
the four directions as his axe of thunder falls upon the wicked...~

[Note: Lei Gong is a Taoist god of thunder in charge of punishing evil; the
Eight Immortals are eight humans said to have achieved immortality through
mastery of Taoist principles.  Kunlun Mountain is an abode of the gods in 
Chinese myth.  Interestingly, carved stone axes from the Stone Age that 
were found after rainstorms etc. were traditionally held to have been
thrown from the heavens by Lei Gong.]

Remeer: ~May your thunderbolts seize the false prophets and put them to the
crucifix!!~

[????  Remeer, crucifixion has a long, sordid history of being associated
with the bad guys, I don't know if you know.  You seem to be a scholar of
Earth religioms, what with the references to Buddhism & Taoism, so you
should be familiar with the most famous example of such.
But, then again, you _are_ condemning your enemies to Buddhist hells, so I
suppose this isn't out of character.]


pg. 50


Remeer: _BLAST BOMB!!_

SFX: ::BWOOOOM!!::

[Blast Bomb, to the surprise of no one, is not one of Remeer's specials. 
It's one of Lux's.  Furthermore, being one of Lux's spells, it uses Lux's
unique robot parts: it's not like magical Kamehameha energy that you can 
summon.
So: How are you doing this, Remeer?  You're not a robot.  You don't have
missile bays equipped.
Seriously, is this Apotheon?  Is Remeer's goal simply to claim the powers
of all the other characters?  He's used spells from game Miriene, Tokio,
and Lux thus far.  Why have other characters at all at this point?
Also, if one of Lux's special abilities can damage Darkness, then there was
no need to have Lux be helplessly dismembered, was there?
Anyhow, the last question is partially moot, as Darkness seems to defend 
against this spell a bit better...]

Darkness: AND NOW...THE ARK OF LIGHT?!

SFX: ::KA-BANG BANG BOOM BANG BOOM::


pg. 51


[The inexplicable onslaught does, however, shatter the tip of one of 
Darkness's epaulets, revealing the fibrous mass of sinewy tendrils that 
serves as Darkness's flesh.]

Darkness: TO BE ABLE TO CONTROL THE HORRIFIC POWER OF _THREE_ ARKS AT 
ONCE...
YOU CERTAINLY _ARE_ THE GREATEST THREAT TO US OF THE TRIBE OF DARKNESS...

Remeer: _.........!!_
_WHAT?!_

[Remeer is horrified...but not by Darkness's words.  His eyes are fixed on 
Darkness's exposed..."flesh."  Out of the fibrous mass peeks an unexpected
sight...]

Remeer: _...A HUMAN HAND?!_

[Indeed, an unblemished human hand hangs limply out of Darkness's 
shoulder.]

Remeer [thinking]: It _can't_ be...!
...is there a _person_ in there!?...


pg. 52


[Darkness, however, does not notice, or at least respond, to Remeer's 
stunned horror.]

Darkness: BUT...

SFX: ::twitch::

[The dark jewel on Darkness's chest glimmers, and we go in for a close-up
to reveal that something inside...]

Darkness: ...YOU ARE NOT THE _ONLY_ ONE...

[...the Ark of Shadow.]

Darkness: _WHO HAS AN ARK!!_

SFX of Ark of Shadow's eye opening: ::GLARE::

Remeer: _......WHAT--?!_

[Darkness takes advantage of Remeer's confusion to seize him by the torso,
the boy's chest held fast in Darkness's huge claw like a toy in a UFO 
catcher machine.  That's an idiotic metaphor, but this is an idiotic 
chapter, and I'm not expending the mental energy to think up a new one.]

SFX: ::GRAB::

Darkness: JUST LIKE THAT MEISIA GIRL WAS TO THAT TETUJIN...

Remeer: _UWAA...--!!_

Darkness: MY LORD SLAYVIER IS _EVERYTHING_ TO ME!!


pg. 53


Reeshine: _REMEER!!_

Meisia: _...MYSTIC GRIMOIRE!!_

[Darkness's grip tightens.  Remeer is completely unable to move; to be
honest, given the strength Darkness evinced earlier, his torso should be
paste.]

SFX: ::CRUNCH::

Darkness: AND FOR THOSE WHO WOULD PRESENT AN OBSTACLE TO HIS PLANS...

Remeer: _Uh...GAH!!_

Darkness: _I BRING ONLY DEATH!!_

SFX: ::AAH...  GRAH...::

Remeer [thinking]: --It's no use...  I don't have the strength to get
free...
Is this it?...
Lux...!
Mother...!!

SFX of Remeer's teeth: ::grind grind::

Remeer [thinking]: _I wasn't even able to see Felys again...!!_


pg. 54


[Darkness hoists Remeer up high  -  but, suddenly...]

SFX: ::SHUDDER!::

Darkness: !?

[Note: The SFX above is "dokun," the sound of a heartbeat as part of a 
shocked reaction.  While "dokun" is readily identifiable for what it is in 
Japanese, there's no real counterpart for it in English.  ("Ka-thump" or
the equivalent doesn't really communicate shock well in this context.)  
While "shudder" isn't an exact equivalent, it better represents the 
author's intention.]

Remeer [thinking]: ...What?

SFX: ::GACK!::

[Remeer is not only expectorating blood but bleeding from his eyes again.]

Remeer [thinking, somehow]: His grip...is loosening?!


pg. 55


SFX: ::SKREEEEE!::

Reeshine: _Meisia!!_

[Meisia is holding her magic book, which is shining fiercely with light.
Suddenly, out of the cover...]

SFX: ::POP::

[...pops a face.  Meisia's magic book is actually the Ark of Wisdom.]

Meisia: ~Arrow of Sol, cannon of Luna...~
~Brilliance of the sacred dawn...~

SFX: ::VOOOOOOOOOM::

Meisia: ~Embrace him with your light!~

SFX: ::FWOOOOSSHHHH::


pg. 56


[The holy energy enters Remeer...]

SFX: ::THWAP:: ::THWAP:: ::THWAP::

[Darkness's claw shoots open.]

SFX: ::POW!::
::crackle:: ::crackle:: ::crackle::

Darkness: THIS...
THIS LIGHT...IS THIS THE ARK OF WISDOM!?

[Remeer's eyes shoot open.]

SFX: ::GLARE::

[Amazingly, contrary to information on Remeer's ocular status from a couple
panels ago, this does not release a torrent of blood.
Anyhow, energy begins crackling around him, as it does.]

Remeer: ~Arrow of Sol, cannon of Luna...~

SFX: ::CRACKLE::
::CRACKLE::
::CRACKLE::

Remeer: ~SLAUGHTER THIS DARK CORRUPTION!!~


pg. 57


Remeer: ~SACRED LIGHT...SEAL OF THE GODS!~

SFX: ::POW!::

Remeer: _HOLY EMBLEM!!_

[Fuck you, Remeer.
(Also, the chant for Holy Emblem has "slaughter" ("hofuru") in it?  
Really?)]


pg. 58


Darkness: _UH--_
_AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHH!_

SFX: ::SKREEEEEEEEEEE!::

SFX of Remeer falling to ground: ::THUMP::

Reeshine: _Remeer!_

SFX: ::dash::

Reeshine [gathering Remeer in arms]: _No..._
_HANG IN THERE!!_


pg. 59


[Suddenly, over the hill...]

SFX: ::STOMP::

Meisia: *gasp*

SFX: ::STOMP::
::STOMP::

Reeshine: _He...he can't be!!_

[...comes Darkness.  Most of the carapace surrounding Darkness's body has
been blown away; the creature shines with dark, unholy flames.]

SFX: ::POW::

Meisia: He...he took that spell, and he's still...

Reeshine: ...How can he still be _alive!?_


pg. 60


[A silhouette rises from the flames surrounding Darkness; it is obviously
that of Slayvier.]

Slayvier: ............
Child of Light!

SFX of flames: ::ROAAARRRR::

[Remeer, never one to deny attention, turns to face Slayvier, despite
ostensibly being unconscious and near death moments before.]

Remeer: Uh...!?

Slayvier: So you have elected to fight us to the very last  -  to fight
the Tribe of Darkness?...

Remeer [thinking]: W...what!?  His voice...it's...different...!?
There's this...overwhelming aura of power behind it!!

Slayvier: Fool...
The only thing you will find at the end of that path is _despair._


pg. 61


Slayvier: But if you insist on following the path in which you have such
faith...

SFX: ::HOWWWWWLLLLL::

Slayvier: ...then gather your strength...as best you can...

SFX: ::FWOOOSHHH!!::

Slayvier: ...and come to me!!

[Darkness disappears in a gust of wind.]

Remeer: _!!_
Wa......wa...it--!!

Reeshine: Remeer......!!

Remeer: Who...ARE you......!?

[Oh, _shut up,_ Remeer, and let this chapter end already.]


pg. 62


SFX: ::FWOOSH!!::

[Meanwhile, in the field of what this manga is calling "Figurines"...]

SFX: ::CRACK...:
::crack::
::crumble::
::crack::
::crack::

Figurine: ......!!

SFX of Ex-Figurines: ::YAYYY!!::

Reeshine: The adults...!!


pg. 63


Meisia: The petrification...
the spell's been broken!!

Reeshine: Yeah!!

[Later, everyone is gathered outside, and Remeer has presumably gotten 
massive skin grafts on his abdomen.]

Someone, I Don't Care Anymore: Are you sure your injuries are all right?

Remeer: Yeah...
they're pretty much healed!

Kid [tugging on Remeer's cloak]: But I wanted you to stay here forever!

[Yes, Remeer!  You're _ever_ so much stronger and smarter and _better_ than
Meisia or the other adults or anyone who will _ever_ pop up in this manga!]

Meisia: Don't be unreasonable, now, Raymond.

Reeshine: But...that book really was the Ark of Wisdom, huh?

Meisia: Yes...it disappeared afterward,
but Remeer must have absorbed it.

[Yes, and now it's REMEER'S FOREVER, Meisia!  No one else has a right to 
ANY Arks!
(Well, it's not like its Wisdom was really rubbing off on Meisia, given her
failure to save Lux on the battlefield despite having the power to do so 
all along.  But Remeer has a new Ark, so who cares if Lux died horribly!)]


pg. 64


Meisia: ...I'm going to carry on Lux's will...
and join forces with everyone here to protect this land!
I think that...would be the best testament to Lux's memory!!

[Yeah, well, too bad you don't have that ultra-powerful source of 
overwhelming magic anymore, huh?  Too bad you gave it away to someone who 
already _had_ three sources of powerful magic and didn't really _need_ 
yours at all.]

Remeer [smugly smirking]: Yeah...!
And I've _also_ made a decision  -  
to make a promise to Lux and keep on fighting the Tribe of Darkness...!!

[Yes, because what more fitting tribute could there be to Lux's sense of
self-sacrifice than to continue on doing _exactly_ what you were doing 
before and concentrate on becoming a little power-mad demigod.]

Reeshine [thinking]: Remeer...
It seems like you're a little more macho now than you were before...
--But...
I have to wonder...
if continuing to fight the Tribe of Darkness is really in your best
interests...

[Well, sister, it sure ain't healthy for _me._
And so we exit this, the worst of all chapters, and considering the one
in Fruitland with all the weight-related jokes, that's saying something.]


pg. 65


CHAPTER 9: FAIRYLAND

[A pretty picture of Reeshine, her eyes closed, her hair blowing in the 
wind.  It seems to have been watercolored, but the hues have been lost in
the black-and-white reproduction, alas.]


pg. 66


[OK, for those wise souls among us who skipped ahead to this point when the 
over-9000 antics started, here's the news: Lux got gratuitously 
dismembered, and Remeer, despite the handicap of no longer having any
intact abdominal skin to keep his entrails inside his body, single-handedly
defeated Darkness while Reeshine and Meisia sat in the corner 'cuz they're
girls, even though their special abilities from the game turned out to be
the keys to victory.  All the fighting was for naught, though, as Darkness
simply sauntered off to gather ki another day at the end of the whole 
fracas.  Remeer got to steal Meisia's magic book due to it being an Ark,
though, so it worked out well enough for _him._
Also, it turned out that Meisia had the ability to use the Ark of Wisdom 
and save Lux all along but, inexplicably, preferred just to watch him get
drawn & quartered.  But who cares if Lux died wretchedly and needlessly,
since the author has decided that Remeer is the only character who
matters.
Enough of that, though.  What's going on in the manga right now?]

SFX of wind: ::HOWWWWWLLLLL::

[Darkness is standing & looming like the giant Xenomorph-come-lobster hulk
Darkness is.  Well, great.  I'm glad we made such progress from last
chapter.] 

Voice: ...Oh, my.

SFX of heel: ::clack::

Miriene: Doing some thinking out _here,_
Darkness?!?!


pg. 67 


[We see that Darkness (& Miriene) are apparently on a balcony on Slayvier's
temple of Darkness.]

Miriene: You came back in quite the tatters the other day...
That body of yours...Lord Slayvier opted to heal it, I suppose?

SFX: ::HOWWWWWLLLL::

Darkness: ............

[Darkness refuses to answer, opting instead to stare soulfully out over 
the balcony, lost in thought.  Yes, let's dwell on the inner mental turmoil
of the giant Xenomorph lobster.  Still waters run deep in that case,
obviously.]

Miriene: Your ultimate objective was reconnaissance, not termination...
...so perhaps you, _too_, were inclined to take it easy on the boy...
Am I right?  
But...next time, _I_ won't be giving any quarter.
I apologize...but I intend to take the life of the Child of Light!


pg. 68


[Miriene turns to leave.  She stands in the doorway and looks over her
shoulder to say:]

Miriene: I know you are Lord Slayvier's favorite...
...but watch your back.
Any more errors like those you've committed recently...
...and even _he_ will lose faith in you.

[Miriene leaves.]

Darkness: .........

Darkness [thinking  -  really?  We're doing this now?]: BACK THEN...

[Darkness flashes back to having grabbed & hoisted Remeer up and being 
about to kill him.]

SFX of flashback: ::SHUDDER!::

Darkness [thinking]: MY GOAL WAS NOT TO KILL HIM...  BUT...
WHY...WHY COULDN'T I DELIVER THE KILLING BLOW?


pg. 69


Darkness [thinking]: THAT AURA I SENSED FROM HIM THAT TIME...
WAS THAT THE REASON FOR MY HESITATION!?
...I CAN'T UNDERSTAND--!!

SFX of Darkness gripping & breaking stone balcony: ::CRUNCH!!::

Darkness [thinking]: WHAT IS _HE_ TO _ME...?!_

[Meanwhile...]

SFX: ::HOWWWWWLLL::

[on an balcony in an _opposite_ room...]

Slayvier: ...............

[...Slayvier stands...doing nothing at all, really.  We do, however, see
that his eyeball fetish extends to the straps on his shoes, which 
demonstrates admirable commitment, really.]


pg. 70


[Meanwhile yet again...]

SFX: ::FWOOOOOSHHH::

[...Remeer & Reeshine have also decided to join the "..." brigade.  They,
however, are not standing or looming or in any way vertical; they are
instead opting to sack out and enjoy a placid noonday nap on a grassy,
sunlit hill.]

Reeshine: zzz

[Remeer, though, stirs slightly in his sleep...]

SFX: ::twitch!::

Remeer: --.........mmm...


pg. 71


[Blackness.  A long drop of dark liquid oozes down.]

SFX: ::splut::
 
Remeer [thinking]: WHERE...WHERE AM I?
IT'S SO DARK...I CAN'T SEE ANYTHING...

[Remeer, sword in hand and bleeding from the abdomen again, stands 
limply.]

Remeer: Reeshine...
Felys...

[Suddenly...]

SFX: ::GRAB::

Remeer: _!!_
_DARKNESS?!_

[Darkness lunges from the...darkness and seizes Remeer once again in a 
giant monstrous claw.]

SFX: ::CRUNCH!:

Remeer: _UWAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHH!!_

[Oh, no; we're caught in a time loop, aren't we!?  Chapters 7 & 8 are
neverending!]


pg. 72


SFX: ::GRIND::
::GRIND::

Remeer [thinking]: I CAN'T...
I'M GOING TO DIE!!

[Suddenly (again)...]

SFX: ::POP...::

Remeer: ............!?

[...Remeer reappears instantly released from Darkness's grip.
He looks up, however...]

Remeer: _!!_

[...to find an adult Felys has taken his place in Darkness's clutches 
instead.]

SFX: ::CRUNCH!::

Remeer: _FELYS!!_


pg. 73


[Darkness's claw moves in...]

SFX: :LUNGE::

Remeer [wide-eyed]: ...n.........
_NOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!_

[But...]

SFX: ::SPLUNCH::

[...a burst of blood explodes from offscreen as Felys's hand jerks, then 
goes limp.
And then   -]

SFX: ::CLONK::


pg. 74


Remeer: ...............

[Remeer has jolted awake in his sunny field, and in sitting bolt upright
after his nightmare, his forehead has collided with that of a little boy
seated on his chest.]

SFX of boy: ::grrrrr::

Caption: FOREHEAD COLLISION.

[The boy is one of a handful of children who have set up shop around 
Reeshine & Remeer, watching the pair with interest.  Reeshine is stirred
from her sleep.]

Reeshine: ......mm!
What?

SFX of kids: ::HA HA HAAAA!::

[The kids run merrily away.]

SFX of Reeshine: ::yawn::

Remeer: (Ow!)
Was that a dream?...

[Actually, Remeer, it was an attempt at the game's World 6, and it's 
appreciated, but not as much as an actual World 6 would be.]

Remeer [thinking, expositing]: That reminds me, we arrived here in 
Fairyland early this morning, didn't we...and we just fell asleep right 
where we were...

SFX of Remeer: ::SIGHHH::

SFX of giant lump on Remeer's forehead: ::throb throb::

Reeshine: Remeer? 
What's wrong?

Remeer: Uh...nothing.  I'm all right...


pg. 75


[Suddenly, two smaller children approach R & R, carrying flower wreaths in 
their hands.]

SFX: ::toddle toddle toddle::

Remeer: _!?_

Girl [holding out flower crown]: Welcome to the village of Tinkle!

Reeshine [kneeling down, smiling]: Myyy...thank you!

Girl: Ummm!  [heart]  These are necklaces for a prince and princess!

Boy: And _you're_ the princess, and _you're_ the prince!!

[The duo puts on the necklaces, but as they are:]

Note on wreaths: <- Kid size

[...they fit only on their heads.]

Reeshine [delighted]: _Ohhhh_-wah, look at us--!  They did pretty _good_
for kids, didn't they--!  [heart]
(Eeeee!  [heart])
Prince & princess, _huhhh!_
Wonder if they thought that we make a good couple!  [heart]

Remeer [not so delighted]: .........
(Ha ha... [sweatdrop])

[But Remeer takes his mind away from Reeshine to a more fondly-remembered
female: Felys, as a child, holding a daisy chain.]

Remeer [thinking]: Flower necklaces...huh.

[Remeer, Reeshine is right: you _do_ have a sister complex.]


pg. 76


Remeer [thinking, moping  -  which is rather incongruous, given he has a
fluffy flower crown on his head]: Felys.........

Reeshine: _GRRR!_

[Reeshine notices Remeer's funk and irritatedly gives him noogies on both 
sides of his head.]

Reeshine: _What's with YOU?!_
These _really_ suit us. 
You should be _happy,_ SHOULDN'T YOU.  WHAT HAVE YOU GOT TO _COMPLAIN_ 
ABOUT.

SFX: ::GRIND GRIND GRIND::

Remeer: :_OWOWOWOWOW!!_

[And, dammit, Reeshine, you're too violent.  Don't make me wish for 
Chapter 8 to come back.]

Reeshine [tugging on Remeer's ear]: _Perhaps_...
...you saw the flower necklaces and were thinking of _Felys_...am I 
_right?_

SFX: ::tuuuug::

SFX of Remeer: ::twitch::

Remeer: !

[Goddammit, Reeshine.]

Remeer: ............you guessed?
(Heh heh!)

Reeshine: You can't beat a woman's intuition!!

SFX of Reeshine turning away: ::SNIT::

Reeshine [blushing]: Remember, we've been neighbors ever since I can 
remember!
And I've always...had my eye on you.


pg. 77


Remeer: .........
...Hm.

[Remeer blushes himself and smiles contentedly.  I'd be rethinking a 
relationship given her behavior just before this, Remeer.
Meanwhile, some more children gather.]

Boy: Cinderenna! Over here!!

Cinderenna [a little girl in the manga, unlike the game]: Heyyy!
Wait up, Hinocchio!

[Remeer & Reeshine sit on the hill, their hair blowing in the wind.]

Remeer: Fairyland is so peaceful, isn't it...

Reeshine: Mmm...
...In a way, it's like we've come home to Nanaka.

Remeer [thinking]: It's really been a while since we've been able to
enjoy this sort of peace...
It's like our battles with the Tribe of Darkness have all been just a
dream.

[Remeer's sword lies in the grass  -  not in hand, but just a bit removed 
from it.]

Remeer [thinking]: Back then.........


pg. 78


[Remeer thinks back to Darkness.]

SFX of flashback: ::HOWWWLLLL::

Remeer [thinking]: Why didn't he finish me off?
And...that aura I felt from him......
It's like...I _knew_ it from somewhere...
But...where?  ...When?  ..._How?_
And...will I survive if we fight again?

[Suddenly...]

Kids: AAAAAAAAH!!

Reeshine: !!

Kid: _Kamiwoo's here--!!_

Kids: AAAAAAAAH!!

[A horned figure approaches from the distance.]

SFX: ::STOMP:: ::STOMP::

Kid: _Everyone RUN!!_
_He's gonna EAT us--!!_

SFX of Remeer & Reeshine: ::JUMP::

Reeshine: _W...What?!_

Remeer: _He can't be...a Dark Monster?!_


pg. 79


SFX: ::LOOM::

[Kamiwoo  -  a tall, barechested green-skinned ogre with a horn growing 
out of his head  -  has arrived and...well, looms in the field, a hulking,
silent figure.  The children keep their distance in a ring around him, 
scared stiff.]

Kamiwoo: ............

Remeer [thinking]: AN OGRE...?!

[Remeer & Reeshine take their battle stances.]

SFX of Reeshine's arm moving back: ::yank!::


pg. 80


[The ogre still silent, Kamiwoo's hands move to his pockets...]

SFX: ::RUSTLE...::

[Vigilant, Remeer moves forward...]

SFX: ::dash::

Remeer [thinking]: _Is he making his move...?!_

[...and the two warriors see Kamiwoo pull out...]

SFX: ::POP!::

[...a long string of flags, confetti, rabbits, and doves.]

SFX of dove flying away: ::flap flap::

Remeer & Reeshine, sweatdropping & staring in disbelief: _............_

[Kamiwoo stands with a goofy grin on his face, waiting for a reaction...]

SFX in background: ......

[The children, however, remain nonreactive.]

SFX of dove: ::flapflapflap::

Kamiwoo: (Uhhh...)


pg. 81


[Freaked, Kamiwoo desperately rifles through his pockets trying to salvage
his act.]

SFX: ::PANICPANICPANICPANICPANICPANIC::

Kamiwoo: OH--
OHH--

SFX of top hat & deck of cards falling out: ::flutter::
::flutter::

[The ogre then eagerly drapes a tablecloth over Remeer's hands.]

Kamiwoo: OHHH!
OH!

SFX of tablecloth: ::flutter::

Remeer: ?
_Uh--_
_Huh!?..._

[Kamiwoo pulls back the tablecloth...]

SFX of cloth: ::flap::

SFX of something underneath: ::THONK!::

Remeer: !!

[...to reveal...]

Cat: MEOOOWWWW!

[The cat promptly tries to climb over a verklempt & completely frozen 
Remeer's face.]

SFX: ::climb climb::

SFX of Remeer metaphorically turning into sand & fading away: ::rustle::
::sift::
::sift::

Reeshine: *GLERK*
_AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!_  THAT'S _PRICELESS!!_


pg. 82


[Delighted, Reeshine turns to the children.]

Reeshine: You guys wanna try?  It's really fun!

Kamiwoo: ............

[Kamiwoo smiles and tries to approach one of the children...]

Kamiwoo: OH--

SFX of arm: ::glide::

Child: _WAAA!_

SFX: ::GULP::

[...but the child jumps away.]

Remeer: ......!?

[Remeer looks at the other children; they are clearly terrified.]

SFX of girl: ::shudder::
::shudder::
::shudder::

[Kamiwoo kneels down and slowly tries to approach the girl...]

SFX of arm: ::reach::

SFX of girl: ::quiver:: ::quiver::

Girl: ...g...


pg. 83


Girl: _GET AWAAAY!!_

SFX: ::WHAM::
::SLAP:

[The girl runs away.]

SFX: ::DASH!::

Boy: _Gresel!!_

Another Boy: _Everyone else run too!!_
_If we don't hurry, he'll eat us up!..._
_He's an ogre  -  a MAN-EATER!!_

[Kamiwoo & our two heroes watch in confusion as the children do so.]

Reeshine: W...wait...  Where're you...!?


pg. 84


[Kamiwoo looks dejected.]

Kamiwoo: ............

Remeer [looking at Kamiwoo, thinking]: Those children...what's wrong with
them?
He doesn't seem like a bad person......

Reeshine: Say...!

SFX of Kamiwoo's foot on grass: ::rustle::

[Kamiwoo turns toward Reeshine.]

Reeshine: You live here in Fairyland too, right?
...We just arrived in this land and don't know a thing about it.
You wouldn't mind filling us in, would you?

[Kamiwoo seems puzzled for a minute...]

Kamiwoo: ............

[...but while he doesn't seem like the best candidate to tell anyone about
anything, the next we see...]


pg. 85


[R & R find themselves in a room with a fluffy sofa, frilly throw cushions,
and a stuffed bunny in a dress...]

Reeshine: Wooowwww...

[...a ring-toss game, a wood duck, and some building blocks...]

Reeshine: There're lots of toys here that kids would enjoy!

[...and the duo is sitting at a low table while Kamiwoo, in a ruffled 
apron, is happily slicing up strawberry cake to serve to them.]

SFX of Kamiwoo: ::smile smile [heart]::

Remeer [cradling cup of tea]: Sorry for making you go all the way back to
your house...

Reeshine [looking around stunned]: (What the heck...)
This room is...really cute...

[Reeshine then gets a bit more comfortable and smiles at Kamiwoo.]

Reeshine: You really want to get along with the kids, don't you?

Remeer: But...why do the kids all run away from you?

Reeshine: You're so unassuming, and you seem like a good...person?...so...


pg. 86


[Kamiwoo starts frantically and apologetically gesturing with both hands 
to Remeer & Reeshine.]

Kamiwoo: OHHH--...
OHHH!

SFX: ::gesture::
::gesture::
::gesture gesture::

Remeer: Huh?
The children...?

SFX of Kamiwoo's hands: ::fwish fwish fwish::

Kamiwoo: OHHH!

Remeer: "When...
...they...
...see...
...me...
...they get scar...
ed."

Reeshine: ...How come YOU can translate for him?!

Remeer [smiling]: And you're wondering why _we're_ not scared of you?
Well, we've seen a lot of things that are _really_ scary!...

Reeshine [smiling too]: And......you can't judge a person by appearances!

Reeshine [thinking]: He kinda reminds me of Lux......


pg. 87


[Meanwhile, outside Kamiwoo's window...]

SFX: ::RUSTLE::

[...a wolf emerges from the bushes, unseen by the heroes, and peers into
the window.]

Wolf: HMPH.
LOOKS LIKE THE ONLY ONE WITH ANY MUSCLE AROUND HERE IS THAT OGRE!

[The wolf observes Kamiwoo serving pastries in his frilly apron.]

Wolf: AND JUDGING FROM HOW _HE_ ACTS...IT DOESN'T SEEM LIKE HE'LL POSE
MUCH OF A PROBLEM.
AND THOSE OTHER TWO LOOK LIKE THEY'RE JUST TRAVELERS...

[Suddenly, Remeer glances toward the window pane.]

Remeer: ?

Reeshine: What's wrong, Remeer?

Kamiwoo: ?

Remeer: Maybe it was just my imagination?
I got the feeling that someone was watching us...just now, from that
direction.


pg. 88


[But the episode passes without further incident.  Night falls on Kamiwoo's
cottage.  Suddenly...]

SFX: ::BANG BANG BANG!::

[...there's a knock at the door.]

Kamiwoo: OH?

SFX: ::BANG BANG BANG!::

Remeer: Sounds like someone's at the door...

[Kamiwoo opens it to find a group of humans on his stoop.  They cringe at
the sight of him...]

Kamiwoo: OHHH?

SFX of door: ::CLACK::
::whoosh::

Man: _EEEE!_

[Reeshine and Remeer step outside as well.]

Reeshine [seeing crowd]: What's wrong?

Man: _Ohh..._
_T...travelers!!_

[An older man with a moustache and pince-nez glasses is leading the group.]

Man: _Please...you have to help us...!!_
_The children of our village have been kidnapped!!_

Kamiwoo: !!


pg. 89


Remeer: _KIDNAPPED?!_
By _whom...!?_

Man: _A Dark Monster  -  known as the Big Bad Wolf!!_

Reeshine [glancing nervously at Remeer]: Remeer...

Remeer: Yeah...

Man: The Big Bad Wolf and his gang have long lived in these parts...
...but before, they only ravaged our crops...
...in these past few years, it's as if they've...gone _mad_...
Recently, they've even been roaming around the shrine, looking for
Fairyland's Ark...
They seem to have gotten it into their heads that they'll be able to get
the Ark if they offer the children as sacrifices...

Remeer: _What a ridiculous idea!_
_They'll never get the Ark that way--!!_

Man: My grandson, Hinocchio, was also taken...


pg. 90


Man: And, as you can see, this land has no resources to offer  -  just its
peace...
Even if we go after our children, we don't have any weapons...
When I saw you during the daytime, you had a sword with you...
If we could just borrow it...

Remeer: Old man...
I'm sorry, but I can't lend you my sword.

Man: _O...ohh, but please..._

Remeer: _Because we're going to the shrine ourselves!!_

[Remeer smiles.]

Remeer: We're used to fighting Dark Monsters.
We promise  -  we'll save the children and bring them back safely...!!

Man: Ohh...  _Ohhh!_
Thank you!!

Kamiwoo: ...............


pg. 91


[Meanwhile, at the shrine, which sits in the middle of a waterfall...]

SFX of waterfall: ::RROOOAAARRR...::

[...the children, inside, clutch each other and tremble with fear as the
wolves loom overhead.]

SFX of kids: ::tremble::

Wolf: HA HA HA HA!
LOOK AT ALL THESE FRESH LITTLE BRATS WE ROUNDED UP!
I _KNOW_ THE ARK WILL BE PLEASED WITH _THIS_ SACRIFICE!!


pg. 92


[Meanwhile, in the village...]

SFX of Remeer seizing sword: ::GRAB!::

[Remeer, Reeshine, Kamiwoo, and a couple villagers are on the outskirts,
ready to go to the shrine.]

Hinocchio's Grandfather: The shrine is to the south, at the Carrascobath
Falls!
Please, I beg of you  -  be careful!

Remeer: We will!
Please, all of you  -  wait for us back in the village!

Kamiwoo [anxious, stepping forward]: _OHHH--!!_

Reeshine: Kamiwoo!
You're coming with us, Kamiwoo!?  That's reassuring!  [heart]

Hinocchio's Grandfather: _A...are you JOKING?!_
_We came to ask the TRAVELERS to help us!!_

Other Man: _We don't need a MANEATER's help!!_
_If YOU save the children, who KNOWS what you'll do to them afterward!!_


pg. 93


Kamiwoo: ...............

Reeshine [mad]: _How COULD you!..._

Other Man: _You'd better stay away from him!_
_You can BET he'll just sneak the kids away from the wolves and eat them
himself!!_

Remeer [gritting teeth]: --...!!
_Aren't you going a little too far?!_

SFX: ::clomp::

[Kamiwoo has put his hand on Remeer's shoulder.]

Kamiwoo: OHH...

Remeer: Kamiwoo...

[Kamiwoo looks at Remeer and shakes his head.]

SFX of Kamiwoo's head: ::turn turn::

Kamiwoo: ............


pg. 94


Remeer [thinking]: Kamiwoo...

Remeer: ...OK!
Let's go together, Kamiwoo!!

Kamiwoo: !!

Hinocchio's Grandfather: _What--?!_

Other Man: _Do you know what you're DOING?!  He's a MANEATER..._

Remeer: _If he helps get the children back safely, then what have you got
to complain about?!_

[Remeer, along with Reeshine and Kamiwoo, turn to leave.]

Remeer: _...Let's go!!_
_To the shrine in the southern falls!!_


pg. 95


CHAPTER 10: THE OGRE

[Kamiwoo and Remeer sit peacefully beneath a tree with the village 
children; Reeshine stands nearby.  A squirrel sits on Kamiwoo's shoulder,
and a dove perches on his hand.]


pg. 96


SFX: ::DASH!::

[Remeer, Reeshine, and Kamiwoo are running through the forest.  Reeshine is
out of sorts.]

Reeshine: _--MAN!_
_Can you BELIEVE them?!...  What's WITH those villagers--!?_

SFX: ::RUN RUN RUN RUN RUN RUN RUN RUN RUN RUN::

Reeshine: _They've just made up their minds that Kamiwoo is some sort of
VILLAIN!_

Kamiwoo: OHH!

Reeshine: !!

[Reeshine & Remeer look behind them, where Kamiwoo is; the ogre is shaking
his hand in front of his face, apologetically waving away Reeshine's 
objections.]

SFX of Kamiwoo's hand: ::no no:::

Reeshine [sadly]: .........
You're too kind, Kamiwoo...


pg. 97


Remeer [smiling]: But that's what's so great about him, isn't it?

Reeshine: YEAHHH, BUUUUT...

Reeshine [thinking]: But...when we get to the shrine, we're going to have
to fight those Dark Monsters!!
Kamiwoo's so gentle by nature...can he really fight? 

[Suddenly, the group spots something.]

Reeshine [pointing]: Remeer...the falls!
I can see the shrine!!

Remeer: AHH!!

SFX of falls: ::RRROOOAAARRR::


pg. 98


[Meanwhile, inside, the children are in wide-eyed tears, clutching at each
other in terror.  The Big Bad Wolf swoops in to hoist up one by the neck.]

Children: _......!!_

Big Bad Wolf: _HEH HEH HEH HEH!_
IF I BRING THE ARK AS A GIFT TO LORD SLAYVIER...
...I'M _SURE_ TO WIN A PROMOTION TO THE TRIBE'S UPPER RANKS.

[The Big Bad Wolf raises his claw to strike.]

SFX: ::GRRR...::

Big Bad Wolf: NOTHIN' PERSONAL, YOU UNDERSTAND...
...WE'RE JUST DOING THIS TO GET AHEAD.  NO HARD FEELINGS, OK?!?!

Remeer: _HOLD IT!!_

SFX: ::POW::

[Remeer, Reeshine, and Kamiwoo have broken into the temple.]


pg. 99


Reeshine: _We're not just gonna let you get away with this!!_

Remeer: _Let the children go  -  NOW!!_

Wolf: _Wh...who are YOU?!_

Wolf: _Doesn't matter...KILL 'EM!!_

SFX of general standoff: ::POW!!:

[Meanwhile, back at the village...]

Villager: ............What do we do?


pg. 100


Villager: Those two travelers...they took that MANEATER with them!!

Villager: Do we really want to leave things in THEIR hands?!

Hinocchio's Grandfather: ...That settles it!  We have to go to the shrine
ourselves!!
After all, that was our original plan, wasn't it?...

Villager: We could snatch the kids while the ogre and the wolves are at
each other's throats...

Villager: If _that's_ our plan, then we could've taken care of this mess
ourselves all this time!

[But, meanwhile, at the shrine...]

SFX: ::SLASH!::


pg. 101


[...Remeer slashes at a wolf.]

SFX: ::POW!::

[Reeshine delivers a kick.]

SFX: ::GWOOHHHH::

Kamiwoo: OHHHH!!

[Kamiwoo raises the dull end of his axe...]

SFX: ::THUNK!::

[...and delivers a mighty blow to the side of the Big Bad Wolf's head.  He
then proceeds to blow through more of the wolves.]

Wolf: GUOHH--!!

Reeshine [watching Kamiwoo, amazed]: Remeer!

SFX: ::DASH!::

Remeer: What?


pg. 102


Reeshine [smiling]: These wolves...there're a lot of them, but...
for Dark Monsters, they seem pretty low in the pecking order! 
Looks like they don't even know about us!

Remeer [turning back to slashing wolves]: I guess...!!
And I see Kamiwoo's doing pretty well for himself...

SFX: ::POW::

Remeer: If this keeps up, we should be all right...

Reeshine: YEAH!!

[Meanwhile, the children watch wordlessly...]

Children: ............

SFX: ::SLASH::
::GRAAH::
::WAAAAAAA::

[...as the trio subdue nearly all the wolves.]


pg. 103


Wolf: B...BOSS, WHADDA WE DO!?
THEY'RE _CRAZY_ STRONG!!

Big Bad Wolf [gritting teeth]: GRRR...!!

Big Bad Wolf [thinking]: I DIDN'T SEE THIS COMING...!
WHO'D THINK THAT CREAM PUFF KAMIWOO WOULD PUT UP SUCH A FIGHT...!!

[Meanwhile...]

SFX: ::THWACK!!:

[...another wolf hits the wall, near the kids.]

Kid: _Uwaa!!_

Voice: _Hinocchio!!_

Hinocchio: _!!_
_GRANDPA!!_

[The villagers have arrived in the shrine.]


pg. 104


[The adults and children are reunited.]

Hinocchio's Grandfather [hugging Hinocchio]: _I'm so glad...I'm so glad
you're safe!!_

Man: _Gresel!!_

Gresel [hugging man]: _Papa!!_

Reeshine: _So_...they finally came, huh?

Remeer: Yeah!!

Remeer [thinking, smiling]: But I'm glad!  This means...
...that _they'll_ be able to see Kamiwoo's good side, too!

SFX of wolf retreating: ::DASH!::

Wolf: _DAMN YOU...!!_
WE'LL KILL YOU _ALL!!_

SFX: ::POW::

[The wolf extends a claw toward Hinocchio's grandfather, who shields his
grandson...]

Hinocchio's Grandfather: _UWAH!!_


pg. 105


SFX: ::GLONK!::

Wolf: ugah?!

[We see that Kamiwoo has soundly thwomped the wolf on his head with his 
fist.]

Hinocchio's Grandfather: _KAMIWOO!!_

[Panicked at being seen by the humans, Kamiwoo quickly turns away.]

SFX: ::panic panic!::

[The humans, meanwhile, look on anxiously.]

SFX of Kamiwoo running out of shrine: ::dash dash dash!!::

Reeshine [to grandfather]: Are you OK?

Hinocchio's Grandfather: Y...yes.

[Reeshine smiles and bends a bit to address the kids.]

SFX: ::...slide::

Reeshine: ...Hey, you guys.

Hinocchio: ? 


pg. 106


Reeshine [gently]: Do you know _why_ Kamiwoo's fighting? 
I want you to take a good look with your _own_ eyes and think reaaaalllly
hard about it!

Kid: "Why he's fighting"...?

Hinocchio's Grandfather: ...What do you mean?

[Meanwhile, from behind a pillar above...]

SFX: ::peek::

[...a figure shrouded in a robe and ghutra looks out upon the conflict.]

Figure: ...What's all this?  I _thought_ I heard quite a racket going on...
Well, well  -  if it isn't yet another blustery argument...
--oh?


pg. 107


SFX: ::SLASH::

[The figure's eyes light on Remeer.]

Figure: Ho ho~~!!  So it's THAT young man.

[Back on the floor, one of the wolves appeals to his boss...]

Wolf: B-BOSS~~!

SFX: ::KLONK::

[The Big Bad Wolf merely kicks him in the head.]

Big Bad Wolf: OUTTA MY WAY!
_I'M_ GOING OUT THERE!!

Remeer: _!!_

SFX of BBW's foot: ::scratch::

Big Bad Wolf: _YOU..._
LOOKS LIKE YOU'RE TAKEN CARE OF MY LACKEYS~~!!
BUT HOW ABOUT TRYING YOUR LUCK AGAINST _ME!!_


pg. 108


[The Big Bad Wolf makes a swipe at Remeer...]

Big Bad Wolf: ::GRAAAAHHHHH!!::

SFX: ::ROOAAARRRR::

[...but Remeer smiles and blithely dodges...]

SFX: ::DASH!::

Remeer [thinking]: If he's _that_ slow, then I can evade him easily!
When I think of the other recent battles I've had with the Tribe of 
Darkness, this is--

[...or so Remeer thinks; he suddenly finds himself falling backward...]

SFX: ::gulp!::

Remeer: _Huh--!?_

[...as the Big Bad Wolf has, comically, glommed onto his lower leg like a
dog.]

SFX: ::CHOMP!::

Remeer: _AHHH!_

Reeshine: _REMEER!!_

[But Kamiwoo is already on the move...]

SFX: ::DASH!!:


pg. 109


Kids: _AAAAH!!_

[...the ogre dashes in front of Remeer and takes a punch from the wolf
meant for the boy full on his chest.]

SFX: ::THUNK!::

Remeer: _!?_

Big Bad Wolf: _WHAT!?_

[Kamiwoo winds up for a punch of his own...]

Kamiwoo: _OHHHHHH-!!_

SFX of fist: ::WHOOSH::


pg. 110


SFX: ::CRACK!::

Big Bad Wolf: GLURK!?

[...and lands it square between the wolf's eyes.]

SFX of BBW sliding along floor: ::SKREEEEEEE::

[The kids look on in amazement...and, finally, delight.]

Kids: W...
_WOWWWWW!!_


pg. 111


Wolf: B...Boss~~~ [sweatdrop]

SFX over BBW: (gaaaaah)

Other Wolf: H...he's no joke!  We've got no chance!

[Note: Going back a few pages, the bit about the Big Bad Wolf being slow 
to attack is ironic, since he's one of the fastest enemies in the game.]

Reeshine [smiling]: Remeer...

Remeer: Yeah...!!

[The kids look at Kamiwoo, ecstatic.]

Kids: _AWESOME,_ KAMIWOO!!

SFX: YAYYYY!!

Kids: YOU'RE _REALLY_ STRONG~~!!

[Kamiwoo looks in slight disbelief...then smiles.]

Kamiwoo: .........

[The adults, however, intervene, grasping their children protectively.]

Hinocchio's Grandfather: _Stay AWAY from him!!_


pg. 112


Kid: But...

Adult: _He's DANGEROUS!!  Come over HERE!!_

Reeshine [outraged]: _They're STILL AT IT......!?_

Remeer [hand on Reeshine's shoulder]: ...Reeshine!!

Reeshine: Remeer...!

Remeer: I have an idea...
Can you back me up?

[Remeer turns away from Reeshine and, blade in hand, stalks menacingly
toward the villagers.]

SFX: ::STOMP::
::STOMP::
::STOMP::

Reeshine: Huh--!?  Hold on...

[Remeer approaches the children...]

SFX of Remeer's hand on sword: ::CLUTCH::

Remeer: ............

[...and seizes one of the children by the collar.]

SFX: ::GRAB!::

Boy: _!?_


pg. 113


[Reeshine, eyes like saucers, watches as Remeer wrangles a terrified child
under his arm and brandishes his blade in front of him.]

Remeer: _DON'T MOVE!!_
_DO WHAT I SAY IF YOU VALUE THE BRAT'S LIFE--!!_

Other Kid: _Wha...what're you doin'?!_

Kamiwoo: ......!?

[Kamiwoo, confused, begins to approach Remeer, but...]

Remeer: _Didn't I TELL you not to move?!_

Reeshine [hesitantly putting up her arm]: _W...we told you!  We're 
SERIOUS!!_

SFX of Reeshine's arm: ::WHOOSH!::

Villager: Ah...!!

Remeer [trying to glower]: Didn't expect Kamiwoo to be that tough...
...but thanks to your _gullibility,_ our plan came together _all too
easily!!_


pg. 114


Villager: _What...what are you saying?!_

Remeer: We're slave traders!  Didn't we put on the _perfect_ front before?
BEHAVE yourselves, and I won't have to KILL the brat!!
Children fetch higher prices than adults...
and I'd just _hate_ to damage the merchandise!!

[Thank you, Remeer, for raising the spectre of child sexual abuse with 
your comparison of the prices fetched by child slaves vs. adults.]

Remeer: If Kamiwoo & the wolves had just killed each other off, we would've
been able to snatch the kids and make a clean getaway...
You think we would've _volunteered_ ourselves as great "allies of justice"
otherwise?!

Kamiwoo [shocked]: ............

Remeer: And to think you'd come to _us_  -  that you'd play _right into
our hands!_
Lucky for us that you just _blindly_ judge by _appearances alone..._

Villager: _WHAT!!_

Remeer: ...you even were afraid of that harmless bleeding-heart Kamiwoo!
We didn't even NEED to feed you a story!

Reeshine [looking at Remeer piteously, thinking]: Remeer...


pg. 115


Remeer: All we had to do was pretend to be harmless travelers...

Villager [horrified]: ............

Remeer: ...and _you_ and your _prejudices_ just _naturally_ assumed we 
were _good people!_

[Reeshine nervously looks at Kamiwoo, who is standing by attentively...]

Reeshine: ............

[Slowly, Kamiwoo's hand forms a fist...]

SFX of Kamiwoo's hand: ::shake:: ::shake::
::CLENCH::

[Meanwhile, the ghutra-clad figure from before watches the conflict
silently...]

Figure: ............

Remeer [yanking child closser]: _WELL, NOW, THE GAME IS OVER!!_
_AND I'LL BE TAKING ALL THESE BRATS WITH ME  -  NOW!!_


pg. 116


[Suddenly...]

Kid: _!!_
_KAMIWOO!!_

SFX: ::_POW!!_::

[...Kamiwoo has run up and decked Remeer one.  Remeer falls to the ground.]

Kamiwoo: !?

[Kamiwoo watches as Remeer looks slyly up at him and gives him a wink.]

Remeer [thinking]: Kamiwoo...

SFX: ::DASH!::
::GRAB::

Kid: _KAMIWOO!!_

[The child Remeer was holding fake-but-not-really captive runs into 
Kamiwoo's arms.]


pg. 117


[Meanwhile, Remeer rises...]

Reeshine: _Remeer...are you OK!_

Remeer [rubbing cheek, being a ham]: OW!!
OWOWOWOW_OWWWW!!_
_It's no use!  Kamiwoo's too strong!!_
_Retreat, Reeshine!!_

Reeshine [flustered]: UH...YEAH!!

[The two higgledy-piggledy dash away.]

SFX of R&R's feet: ::tap tap tap!::

[Kamiwoo, confused, stares at his fist silently.]

Kamiwoo: ............

[From behind him, the townspeople, holding their children, approach 
remorsefully.]

Hinocchio's Grandfather: Kamiwoo...


pg. 118


Hinocchio's Grandfather: WE'RE SORRY......

Man: FOR EVERYTHING!!

Kamiwoo [still staring in disbelief]: .........

[Meanwhile, away from the falls, Reeshine and a newly-bandaged Remeer are
on the road again.]

Reeshine: Remeer...
Is your cheek OK?

Remeer [sweatdropping]: Everything's still where it was  -  roughly...

Voice: HELLO THERE!!


pg. 119


[R & R turn to look behind them and spot...the ghutra-clad figure from 
before.  We see the figure's face  -  that of a very aged person with a
long, thin nose.]

Ghutra: Say  -  you two!
Hold up a bit for me!!

[Our two heroes stop as the figure limps forward.]

Ghutra: *Whew*...it's a wonder I managed to keep up with you!

SFX: ::dodder::
::totter::
::dodder::
::totter::

Reeshine: Huh--!?
Who're you...?

Ghutra: No one special..
Just someone who lives close to the shrine!
I've been watching your journey...and I've seen _everything_  -  from start
to finish!

Remeer: "Everything"..."from start to finish"?

Ghutra: Heh heh...your swordsmanship seems serviceable...
...but your acting could use a little work.

Remeer: (gulp)
_You...you knew!?_

Reeshine: I guess!  It _was_ a pretty farfetched story...

Ghutra: YOU'RE FOUND OUT, SONNY!!

SFX: ::HO!::
::HO!::
::HO!::


pg. 120


Remeer [sweatdropping]: U...ummm...
Could I ask you to keep this a secret from the villagers?

[The figure stands silently smiling for a moment, then...]

Ghutra: ...Hmmm...
Welllll  -  I suppose that depends on how you answer my next question.

Remeer: HUH--!?

Reeshine: WHAT _question?_

Ghutra: Now, _now!_ There's no need to worry...
...if you answer my question, that is!
It's simple.
You two managed to mend fences between the ogre and the townsfolk.
Are you satisfied with the result?

Remeer: .........
I don't know if my idea was the right thing to do...


pg. 121


Remeer: We just wanted to give Kamiwoo and the villagers a chance to 
understand one another...
It's not like I think that everything is solved now.
In fact, I think that the tough part for Kamiwoo starts now.
Whether or not he'll be able to make the villagers understand his true 
nature...
well, that depends on Kamiwoo, doesn't it?

[There's a bit too much Kamiwoo-blaming in that statement, Remeer.
Nevertheless, because this manga is his rodeo...]

Ghutra: ..._HM._
You are young, but your reasoning seems quite sound...
I like that!!  So I'm coming with you.

Reeshine: _Huh...!?_  Coming _with_ us!?
(Not the way you're walking!)

Ghutra: HO HO HO!!


pg. 122


SFX: ::FLUTTER!::

[The figure casts off robe & ghutra to reveal...a lower half made not of
legs, but roots.]

Figure: I am the Wood Ark!!
And I will be at your side from here on!!

[Meanwhile, in a field, Kamiwoo is playing with the children.]

Girl on Kamiwoo's Shoulder: Hey, Kamiwoo!!

Kamiwoo: OHH?


pg. 123


Girl: That boy, and the girl he was with...
...do you think they were really bad people?

Kamiwoo: .........

[Suddenly, Kamiwoo turns to see...]

Kamiwoo: _!!_

Reeshine: Do your best,
Kamiwoo!!

[Remeer and Reeshine smile at Kamiwoo from above, from a nearby cliff. 
They then depart.]


pg. 124


SFX of teardrop falling: ::PLUNK::

Boy: !!

[The boy looks up...]

Boy: Kamiwoo?

[...to see that Kamiwoo is crying.]

Girl: --...What's wrong?
Why're you crying?

Boy: Hey, Kamiwoo!
Are you hurt or somethin'?
_Kamiwoo!?_

[Despite what seems like an ominous ending in text, the scene closes out on
Kamiwoo & the kids together happily on a sunlit hill.  They'll be fine.
_We_ won't be fine, though.  Because...]


pg. 125


CHAPTER 11: TOKIO

[Oh, _good._  How befitting that the manga should run completely bankrupt
of good story ideas upon reaching Chapter 11.
The frontispiece features Tokio at oceanside posing dauntlessly against the
wind, long coat & bandana & cape & everything blowing in an attempt at
maximum staged coolness.  Remeer is perched sitting on a rock alongside
him, looking ahead, relatively placid but mildly anxious.]


pg. 126


[We open on a fairly crowded city.  It's a bit more modern than the 
typical medieval village, consisting mostly of multi-story tenements, but
is rather plain.]

Reeshine: Ratwood's a pretty bustling town, isn't it?

Remeer: Yeah!
Hey...Reeshine, let's ask at that shop where the shrine is.

[The two approach the shopkeeper, an older but robust woman.]

Skopkeeper: --The shrine, huh?

SFX of flour sack being placed on crate: ::THUMP::

Shopkeeper: Haven't had any tourists wantin' to go there recently.


pg. 127


Remeer: Ummm...
We're on a pilgrimage to see the goddess statues!
(We're not tourists...)

Shopkeeper: Really?  But, I mean...
if you DID go to our shrine, what good do ya think it'd do ya?

Reeshine: HUH?
What do you mean?  Your goddess statue is located in the famous Water 
Shrine, isn't it?!

Shopkeeper: You've got outdated info!  _That's_ an old story!
There's no one takin' care of it now!  It's all fallin' to pieces!

Reeshine: It's _that_ bad?!

Shopkeeper: "Bad" ain't the word for it...  You'd never even _know_ there 
was a shrine there!

[While the shopkeeper has been speaking, an elderly local man has walked
up to the shop.]

Man: Could you get me a pack of tobacco, Stella?

Shopkeeper/Stella: Hey, Tomas.


pg. 128


Stella: Tomas, these kids say they wanna go to the shrine.

Remeer [apologetically]: ...Yeah!  We'd _like_ to pay our respects to the
goddess statue...

Tomas: Ohh?  The statue, huh...
Well, I don't mind if you go...
You'll have to leave here and go through the village of Dupreaux, though.

Remeer: Huh?...

Reeshine: _Dupreaux?!_

[The two think back to a jerk from the past...]

Tokio [in flashback]: TOKIO OF DUPREAUX  -  FROM THE EASTERN LANDS!

Tomas [in present] You familiar with it? 

Remeer: Ah...no!
We just know someone who says he's from there...

Stella: From _Dupreaux?_  You sure he's got _legs!?_
(Not a ghost, I mean?)

[Note: As you might be aware, ghosts in Japanese folklore have no legs.]

Reeshine: HUH?

Remeer: Um...what do you mean?

Stella: --...That town...
it ain't nothin' but ruins!!


pg. 129


Remeer: RUINS!?

Stella: All I know's the rumors.
They say 10 years ago, it was wiped off the face of the earth.  In one 
night, too.  Every man, woman, and child in it  -  dead.

Remeer [thinking]: ...Tokio would've been a child then!

Remeer: (Hmmmm... [sweatdrop])

Stella: Well...I guess your friend coulda left before that happened, huh.

Reeshine: But...how was the village destroyed in _one night?!_

Stella: Search me!  What happened back _then_...

Tomas: ...no one knows.  Not in this village.
Ratwood's a new settlement.
We don't concern ourselves with the old stories.
Everyone here came to this land and built this village _after_ Dupreaux was
destroyed.
Come to think of it...the shrine was already a wreck by then...

[Remeer & Reeshine leave Ratwood.  They eventually come upon a different 
land...]

SFX of foot on gravel: ::crunch...::


pg. 130


SFX of wind: ::HOWWWWWLLLLLLL::

[...one devoid of people, buildings, vegetation, or any sort of life.  All
that remains is barren earth, a few isolated crumbling walls from 
devastated farmhouses, and rubble.]

Remeer [horrified]: _THIS_...
IS _DUPREAUX?!_

Reeshine: This is _terrible_...
It's like a _war_ happened here!!
This...is where that Tokio came from?

Remeer: ............

[Suddenly, the sound of far-off music reaches Remeer's ears.]

Remeer: .........!?
...Do you hear that?!

Reeshine: Is that a flute?


pg. 131


Reeshine: Someone's here!  Let's go see, Remeer!

Remeer: Yeah.

[Remeer & Reeshine run off together in search of the source of the sound.]

Remeer [thinking]: Is that...the sound of a reed pipe?
It's so beautiful...so clear...  --And yet...
...somehow...it seems to have a tinge of sadness to it...

[Note: I looked up reed flute performances on YouTube, and I found out that
reed flutes sound a lot like broken bagpipes.  So please, by all means, go
play one of those videos while reading this scene.
In the distance, R & R spot a lone figure seated on a rock.]

Reeshine: ...Remeer!  Who's that over there!?

Remeer: !!


pg. 132


[It is, of course, the jerk after whom this chapter is named.]

Remeer: Tokio...sir?

[Tokio turns to fix the pair with a typically sneering gaze.]

Tokio: --...
...So you made it this far?


pg. 133


Remeer: ........Um...

Tokio: --...This is no place for the likes of you.
Get out of here.  NOW!

Remeer [sad for some damn reason, thinking]: Tokio...

Remeer: ............
......Er...all right.

[Remeer & Reeshine turn and leave.]

SFX of Reeshine's cloak: ::rustle::

Tokio: ............


pg. 134


[R & R's departure, rather impolitely, leaves us the readers alone with
Tokio for a bit.  He returns to his former position, and thoughts flash 
through his mind  -  of a couple caught in a collapsing building; of a 
pale, black-haired boy laughing wickedly as he runs through the ruins; and
of a girl with black hair, dark skin, and a black cloak, who looks toward
Tokio's viewpoint and meets his gaze with a gloating grin.]

SFX of Tokio's fist on rubble: ::WHAM!::


pg. 135


Tokio [thinking]: --I'll never forget...
...not even with my dying breath!!

[Reeshine & Remeer, meanwhile, have stopped still in a huge open area.  It
appears to be little different from the rubble of Dupreaux, save for the
vastness of the space and what can be roughly recognized as the fluted
shafts of a few ruined columns.]

Reeshine: --THIS _CAN'T_ BE...
...WHERE THE WATER SHRINE WAS...?
This is horrible...  Who would think that it would be this _devastated?!_
...Didn't the elder tell us before we left...
that of all seven shrines, the Water Shrine was the most beautiful?!?!


pg. 136


Reeshine: Overflowing with sparkling water...

[Reeshine looks at the smashed, drained fountains.]

Reeshine: Rich with vegetation...

[Reeshine looks the barren earth and gnarled, lifeless trees.]

Reeshine: There's no trace left of any of that now...is there?

Remeer: No...
Reeshine...for the time being, let's just look for the goddess statue!
It's got to be here somewhere...!!

[Remeer takes a hand and tentatively begins to sift through the rubble to 
make a pathway for him and Reeshine.]

SFX: ::rattle...::
::RUMBLE...::

Remeer [looking at rubble, thinking]: This devastation...it's just like the
village of Dupreaux!?
It seems like something happened at the same time to both places...

Reeshine [grappling with rubble]: --MAN~~~!!  We don't even have a CLUE
as to where it could be, do we?!

Voice: ...Would you like...
a HINT?


pg. 137


Reeshine: ..._WHAT--?!_

[Reeshine and Remeer's gazes snap behind them to find the voice's owner...]

Miriene: It's been a _while_...
..._hasn't it,_ you two!!
You've been quite _busy_
since last we met..._haven't_ you?

SFX of arrival: ::WHOOSH!::

Remeer: _YOU...!!_

Reeshine: _MIRIENE!!_

SFX of realization: ::BAM!::


pg. 138


Miriene: Now, there are only two Arks remaining...
To think that you were able to lay your hands on five whole Arks...you 
truly _are_ a Child of Light!

Reeshine [readying fist]: Sorry that we managed to survive this far!
Seems like YOU'VE gotten to be even more of a SNAKE since we last met!!

Miriene: Ha ha...

SFX: ::GLARE::

Miriene: ...I see you haven't changed!!
And I just _knew_...that if I waited at the shrine where the Water Ark lay
sleeping...

SFX: ::GRRRRROWWWWLLLL::

[From behind Miriene materializes an army of ravenous monsters.]

Miriene: ...that you'd come to _me._


pg. 139


Miriene: ...YOUR JOURNEY ENDS HERE.
REMEMBER WHAT HAPPENED IN SANDYLAND?

SFX: ::RRROAAARRRRR::

[A torrent of monsters rushes past Miriene.]

Miriene: _CONSIDER THIS MY REPAYMENT!!_

Remeer: _THEY'RE COMING!!_

[_Thank_ you, Remeer.  The duo is instantly surrounded by a horde of
muscular monsters.]

SFX of approaching monsters: ::RUMBLE::


pg. 140


[Reeshine blocks an incoming blow...]

SFX: ::THUD!::

Reeshine: _GUH...!!_

Reeshine [horrified, thinking]: _All that power...in a single blow!!_

SFX: ::CREAK...::

Reeshine [thinking]: These guys...they're _strong!!_

[Meanwhile...]

Remeer: _OHHH!!_

SFX: ::THUNK::

[...a non-Ark of Powered Remeer kicks a monster in the gut, which 
inexplicably causes damage.  But...]

SFX: ::GRAB::

Remeer: _!!_

[...another monster latches onto his arm from behind...]

SFX: ::FWOOSH::

Remeer: :_Gah...!!_

[...and the monster Remeer jump-kicked breathes fire, which Remeer blocks
partially with his...sword?  Not totally, though.  Obviously.]


pg. 141


Remeer [thinking]: These monsters...each and every one of them is a 
powerhouse!!
And with their numbers...there's no _way_ the two of us alone can...

SFX of sudden energy blast: ::CRACKKKK!!::

[Suddenly, as if on cue...]

SFX of monster's head splitting in twain: ::SPLUTTT!!::

Miriene: _!!_

[...a ray of energy erupts from behind Miriene, killing one of her 
creatures.  All (human) combatants turn to see the source of the blast...]

Reeshine: _AHH!!_

Miriene [glaring]: ............

Remeer: _......!!_

[And, arms crossed, standing dramatically on one of the lone still-standing
pillars like the worst Tuxedo Mask ever...]

Miriene: _WHO ARE YOU?!_


pg. 142


Tokio: No more...
No longer will I permit the Tribe of Darkness to have their way with this 
land!!

[Oh, Lord.  This volume of the manga wants to kill me.] 

Miriene [smiling]: ......You again?
You seem to _enjoy_ attempting to interfere with my plans..._don't_ you?

SFX of monsters ::RROOAAARRR!!::

[The monsters turn their attention from R&R to Tokio...]


pg. 143


[...but...]

SFX: ::SLASH!!::

[...since this artist, for no earthly reason, really really likes Tokio, he
defeats all the monsters in a single blow of his katana that doesn't even
hit half of them.  Maybe he used that "Death Flare" instakill of his from
the game.]

Miriene: _......!!_

SFX of monster limbs falling to ground: ::THUMP::
::THUMP::
::THUMP::

Tokio: .........
_Prepare yourself!!_

SFX of katana being unsheathed, even though it was already unsheathed:
::SHING!::

[...Yeah, that's a warning to the reader, too.  Hey, I hope you missed the
huge Dragonball Z fight that occupied the entirety of Chapters 1 and 2 of
this volume!  'Cause we're going for an encore.
Also, yes: except for the Kamiwoo interlude, this volume is nothing but
Dragonball Z fights.]


pg. 144


Monsters: _GWWWOOOOHHH!!_
_GWWOOOOHHH!!_

[Tokio again makes a slash with his sword and splits several monster 
skulls apart in several different ways.]

Reeshine: _HAAAAAAA--!!_

SFX: ::CRUNCH!::

[Reeshine backhands (backpunches?) a giant dragon-thing, landing her blow
right in the middle of its skull.  It looks simply stunned, but let's 
agree it's out of action, since  -  spoiler alert  -  this is pretty much 
the last time in the manga Reeshine is going to be allowed to be useful.]

Remeer: ~Flames of punishment...wreak divine judgment...
and gather to my sword!~

[Remeer brandishes his blade...]

SFX of flames on sword: ::RRROOOAAARRRRR::


pg. 145


Remeer: _FLAME STORM!!_

SFX: ::RRROOAAARRRRR::

[...and an inferno erupts from his sword and incinerates a wall of 
enemies.
Meanwhile, Tokio vaults over some of the remaining monsters...]

SFX: ::JUMP!::

[...and lunges for a direct attack on Miriene.]

SFX: ::CLANG!!::

[Miriene, however, parries his sword with her staff.]


pg. 146


Remeer: _!!_

[Tokio's attack has left a small cut on her shoulder.  Miriene herself,
however, smiles.]

Miriene: ...........
Such _strength_...

SFX of staff: ::SLIP::

Miriene [licking blood from wound, leering]: SUCH A PITY IT'S WASTED...
...ON A _HUMAN._

[Tokio's eyes shoot open in a realization; his mind flashes back to the 
child with the dark hair he remembered earlier.]

Tokio: THOSE COLD EYES...!!


pg. 147


SFX of Tokio stomping ground: ::STOMP!::

Tokio: ............

SFX of Tokio's sword being brandished: ::SLASH!::

Tokio: _That's right!!_
--...IT WAS _YOU._

Reeshine: "It was her"...?!

Tokio: --...The memory still burns in my mind.
Of that day  -  13 years ago!!


pg. 148


[Tokio flashes back to what is presumably the village of Dupreaux in the
days when it was still standing.]

Tokio [narrating]: In those days...
...Dupreaux was a quiet village in the middle of a desolate, barren 
wasteland.  "The hidden village," it was called.

[We see children cowering in fear in their parents' arms, the doors and 
windows of their houses barricaded, as soldiers from an army stand swords
drawn on watch outside.]

Tokio [narrating]: It was a modest village, but it was peaceful.  It was my
home...and on that day, it became embroiled in a groundless, pointless
conflict.

Voice: _Tokio!_
_Get away from the window...come further inside the room!_

Child Tokio: O...OK.

[Inside one of the Dupreaux homes, we see child Tokio and his presumable
parents.]

Child Tokio [pointing at window]: ...What's going on outside right now?
The sky's all dark...
...and there're lot of people with swords outside!


pg. 149


Tokio's Father: Yes...
The Tribe of Darkness has summoned an army of monsters...
It is probably their aura that has blackened the sky.
And the people with the swords are the Tribe of Light.
They've been dispatched to protect the Ark of Water  -
_which the Tribe of Darkness wants._

SFX of fountains in cutaway of Water Shrine: ::SHAAAA::

Child Tokio: But there's nothing special about us, right?
Why do _we_ hafta be involved?!

Tokio's Father: You're right...
...We don't belong to either tribe!!  And yet...


pg. 150


SFX: ::SPLASH!::

Voice: --...So...
were you able to get the Ark of Water?

Man: UH!!
W...well...

[Two children are seated near a fountain in the Water Shrine; one idly 
splashes the water with one hand.  A man heading an army of magicians 
deferentially approaches to make a report.]

Man: We understand that the Ark will reveal itself only by its own will...
...and it has not chosen to show its face in our presence.
In view of this, it would be quite difficult to obtain the Ark...

[A close-up of the children; one is a young Miriene.  The other, the one
with his hand in the fountain earlier, is a light-skinned boy with dark 
hair, longish to the shoulders, who wears a cape and golden bangles.]

Boy: So, the _Arks_ hate the Divine Tribe of Darkness _too,_ huh?
...I'm getting _bored_ of this _already._

[The boy turns to Miriene.]

Boy: _So..._
..._I_ think it's time to give the Ark the thanks it _deserves!!_

Man: _!!_
_Bu...but Lord Slayvier!!_

[The man at the head of the magicians lifts his head; we see him to be a
younger Kuga.  (BTW, though their heads are bowed and we therefore cannot
see their faces, the other magicians are dressed identically to Kuga, and
they are similar in body type, stature, and lack of hair; this is probably
a reference to game Kuga, who commanded an army of clones of himself.)]

Kuga: _That means that the Ark..._

Child Slayvier: Who _cares_ about the Arks?


pg. 151


Child Slayvier: _...I'm already sick of them!!_
_AND...I'M OUT OF PATIENCE._

[The boy, the young Slayvier, looses a torrent of energy...]

SFX: ::BOOOOOOM::

[...that instantaneously shatters the stone shrine like glass.]


pg. 152


[In Dupreaux village, meanwhile...]

SFX: ::RUMBLE RUMBLE RUMBLE RUMBLE...::

Child Tokio: _M...Mom!!_

[Tokio's mother cradles her child protectively in her arms.]

Tokio's Mother: _It's all right..._
_It's all right, Tokio!!  The Tribe of Light will protect the village!!_

Tokio [narrating]: But...her hope was in vain.

[A pillar of light floods the town.]

SFX: ::BANG::

[Slayvier & Miriene climb over what is left of the village, which has been
largely reduced to rubble.]

Child Slayvier [not exactly in a subtle mood]: _AHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!_
_Die, die, EVERYONE..._
_DIE, you puny WORMS!!_

[In shock, child Tokio watches the happenings outside his window.  His 
home, while shaken from its foundation, is relatively intact; his parents
are alive, and his mother still clings to him protectively.  But then...]

Child Tokio: ......!!

[Tokio notices Miriene...]

Tokio: But she's my age  -  she's just a _kid!!_

[...and, unfortunately, Miriene turns her face to notice him.]


pg. 153


[Her eyes lock onto his, and she gives a maniacal, satisfied grin...]

SFX of Tokio's house: ::tremble::

Child Tokio [frightened, clutching mother]: Mo...

[But Tokio's cry is cut short.]

SFX: ::BANG...::

Tokio [narrating]: And so, on that day, the village vanished...

[All is consumed in blinding white...] 


pg. 154


[...and all is silent.
...
Time passes...
...and then, a small hand shifts beneath a mountain of rubble...]

SFX: ::twitch::

[...as child Tokio gazes up blankly at a darkened sky...]

Child Tokio: ............

[...beneath the corpses of his parents, who in death still shelter their
only child.]

Tokio [narrating]: Afterward, the Tribe of Light introduced a new batch of 
settlers to this land  -  one that knew nothing of what had happened.  The 
truth of the conflict was buried, and the existence of Dupreaux was kept
from the people...
I learned of their lies myself only a long while after!!

[The flashback ends, as we transition to a horrified Reeshine & Remeer.]
 
Tokio: Because of _your_ war...because of the tribes of Light and 
Darkness...
My _homeland_...my _family_...they were all _obliterated_...in a _single 
night!!_

SFX of Tokio taking off his scarf: ::RUSTLE::


pg. 155


Tokio: Ever since that day......

SFX of Tokio taking katana: ::GRIP::

Tokio: I HAVE LIVED ONLY FOR REVENGE AGAINST _BOTH_ YOUR TRIBES...

SFX of Tokio's teeth: ::GRIT::

Tokio: ...LIVED _ONLY FOR THIS DAY!!_

[Tokio is currently binding his katana to his hand with his scarf, using
his teeth.]

Miriene: So...you managed to survive.

[Miriene smiles.]

Miriene: --But...that little incident
had _completely slipped my mind!_


pg. 156


Tokio [glaring]: ............
......WHAT!!

[For Tokio, the day Miriene graced Dupreaux was the most important day of
his life, but for Miriene, etc. etc.]

Miriene: So...

SFX of Miriene's heels: ::clack::
::clack::

Miriene: It's only _common courtesy_...that I give you your fight!!

SFX of magic summons: ::POP::
::POP::

Miriene: THAT _THIS TIME_...

[Miriene sits smugly amidst a new army of monsters.]

SFX: ::GRRROWWWWLLLL::

Miriene: I GIVE YOU YOUR LONG-OVERDUE REST!!


pg. 157  


CHAPTER 12: A NEW DETERMINATION

[In the frontispiece, Tokio & Miriene stand austerely back-to-back amidst 
illustrations of flowers, hands on their weapons.  Tokio is garbed in a 
more knightly manner, with armored gauntlets & boots edged in filigree, a
formal cape, and a fine tunic & epaulets with elaborate patterns &
embroidered hems.  Miriene has added to her usual dress a heavy, gemstone-
encrusted Egyptian neckdress; belts, bracelets, and an armband in filigreed
metal; and a headband with a long, light transparent veil in back that
trails behind her.  It's quite a pretty illustration, actually.]


pg. 158


SFX of Miriene's wand pulsing with power: ::VOOM::

Miriene: What a pointless struggle...

SFX of wand: ::SKREEEEEE::

Tokio: _UH--!!_

[Tokio stands, sword drawn, before Miriene, but cannot land a blow; she is 
charging up a spell whose very aura has blinded him.  Remeer, who 
apparently was besieged by Miriene's monsters offpage, notices this...]

Remeer: _TOKIO!!_

Miriene: You can't defeat me with a pitiful _sword!..._
_BLIZZARD HOLE!!_

SFX: ::ROOOOAAARRRR::


pg. 159


[I don't think you can actually use that spell, Miriene  -  but, hey, all 
the cool kids are stealing spells nowadays.  A crystalline formation of 
icicles rises blossoms beneath Tokio's feet...]

SFX: ::CRASHHH::

Tokio: _GAHH--_

[...but the ninja nimbly dashes out of the way, kicking a giant monster in
the back of its head in mid-air for good measure.]

SFX: ::BANG!!::

[It doesn't matter, though, because the monster is promptly shot full of 
holes by Miriene's ice spell, much like Remeer was by Ice Chain at the 
start of Chapter 7.  Man, ice is OP in this manga.  
The other heroes brace for impact as the rest of Miriene's army is riddled
by the collateral damage of Miriene's spell.]

SFX: ::BANG BANG BANG BANG::

Monster: _AAAAH!!_

[Well, _Reeshine_ does.  Remeer, oddly, doesn't seem to be blocking, which 
is strange, considering he's had firsthand experience of the effects of
this type of spell.]


pg. 160


[Miriene, meanwhile, is unfazed that she's taken out most of the fearsome
army she'd assembled at the end of the last chapter.  Well, she was never
the most competent party member.]

Miriene: Ha ha...
Dodged my magic, hm?!
Fairly impressive...
_FOR HUMAN VERMIN!!_

SFX: ::TOSS!::

[Miriene looses soomething from her hand...]

SFX: ::whooshhh::
::WHAP!::

Tokio: _!!_

[Miriene strikes too quickly for Tokio to react, but luckily, she is a 
lousy shot; her projectile merely grazes Tokio's cheek, serving only to 
give him a stylish cut there.]

SFX of Miriene's projectile falling to the ground: ::CLANGGG!::

[BTW, it's not clear what the projectile is; mid-air, it looks like a 
knife, which would make character sense, but in the clanggg panel, it 
looks circular  -  like, weirdly, one of her bangles.]

Tokio [narrowing eyes]: ..."Human vermin," hm?...

[Tokio's mind flashes upon the piles of victims among the rubble of
Dupreaux.]


pg. 161


Tokio: And yet we're not as low as a tribe
THAT KNOWS NOTHING OF PAIN!!

Miriene [smirking]: --"Pain!!"
..._"Pain,"_ you say?

[In the background, Reeshine & Remeer are almost finished clearing out the
stragglers from Miriene's army.]

Miriene: --Ha...!!
Ha ha ha...
That word comes so _easily_ to your lips, does it?
I KNOW _PAIN_...
I KNOW IT _ONLY TOO WELL!!_


pg. 162


SFX of Tokio readying his sword: ::WHOOSH::

Tokio: ............

Miriene: When I think of the _pain_ we of the Divine Tribe of Darkness have
endured throughout the generations...
...it is only _natural_ that I give this meager _thanks_ to _humanity_ and
the _Tribe of Light!!_

Tokio [genuinely shocked]: WHAT...!?

[Remeer & Reeshine, who have finished fighting, also turn to look.]

Miriene: Ever since I was _born_...
I have been condemned to walk this accursed path of evil!
TO ENDURE THE STIGMA BORNE BY THE TRIBE OF DARKNESS!!  


pg. 163


Miriene: Those of the blood of Darkness are the most despised creatures on
this earth!!
The prejudice--the _persecution!!_
Is it not _humanity_ and the _Tribe of Light_ who have been the _source_
of it over the years??

Tokio: ............

Miriene: For us...this is a war of justified self-defense!!

[Miriene envisions a cluster of corpses, both human and monstrous, 
presumably slain by a group of warriors silhouetted in the background.
The dead humans are dressed in peasants' clothing; they were clearly not 
themselves soldiers or capable of self-defense.]

Miriene: In this world, the Tribe of Light has been viewed as always in the
right!!
This belief has led you to attempt to _eliminate_ the Tribe of Darkness..
We have no _choice_ but to fight!!


pg. 164


Miriene [pointing a finger at Tokio]: _--SO!!  It was YOU  -  the TRIBE OF
LIGHT and HUMANITY  -_
_WHO WANTED THIS!!_

Remeer [shocked, thinking]: --_We_...
..._were the ones who wanted this--?!_

[Tokio, standing still, lowers his sword slightly to his side.  He has 
been listening, but he remains unimpressed.]

SFX:: ::SLIP::

Tokio: ............
A pity.
YOU'VE MISJUDGED THE VALUE OF YOUR OWN LIVES!!!


pg. 165


SFX of Miriene: ::glare!::

Miriene: _--...!!_
_WHAT..._
_DID YOU SAY!?_

SFX of ground cracking beneath her feet: ::CRACKK!!::

Tokio [himself staring]: .........
You project your own delusional view of the world on others...
without realizing how twisted it's become!!
_Your "accursed path of evil"..._
_...you think people WANT you to live that way?!_  


pg. 166


Miriene: _YES!!_
_You do  -  you HAVE  -  without realizing it yourselves!_

SFX of Tokio wiping blood from cheek while listening: ::wipe::

Miriene: _You_...you all like to think of yourselves as so "righteous"...
_AND IN THE ROLE OF YOUR "NECESSARY EVIL"  -  THE VILLAINS TO YOUR 
"HEROES"..._
_...YOU'VE CAST THE TRIBE OF DARKNESS!!_

Tokio: ............
_Don't make me laugh!!_


pg. 167


Tokio: _No one can GIVE your life its meaning..._
_...it's something you take for yourself!!_
_Letting yourself fall onto your "path of evil"..._
_...is just bringing suffering upon your OWN head!!_

[Miriene falters at Tokio's inspirational speech...]

SFX: ::WAVER::

Miriene: _--...YOU..._

[...but not for long, as she gathers magical energy to her off hand...]

SFX: ::CRACKLE::
::CRACKLE::


pg. 168


Miriene: WHAT DO _YOU_ KNOW OF IT?!

SFX: _POWWWW!!_

Tokio: _--...!!_

[Caught off his guard, Miriene's huge energy blast hits Tokio right in his
chest.]


pg. 169


Remeer: _TOKIO!!_

SFX of Tokio hitting wall: ::CRUNCHHH!!::

Remeer [running over to Tokio]: _A...are you okay?!_

SFX: ::dash!::

[But...]

SFX of Tokio getting right back up: ::BAM!::

Tokio: _GET BACK!!_

SFX of Remeer: ::shock!::

Tokio [wiping lip]: _This...is my fight!!_


pg. 170


Miriene: _We have been cast as the villains of this world..._
_We had NO CHOICE but to fight to free ourselves of this CURSE!!_
Lord Slayvier is creating a land where we can live in SAFETY and PEACE...
And to us...he is the one who gave us the ONLY dream that's made our lives
worth living!!

[So Slayvier is Ghaleon.  In addition to being Clavis.]  

Miriene: _We couldn't have SURVIVED all this without a DREAM..._
_EVEN IF THAT DREAM WAS A NIGHTMARE!!_
_AFTER ALL...WE...THE DIVINE TRIBE OF DARKNESS...HAVE BEEN _CONDEMNED_ TO 
AN ENDLESS LIVING NIGHTMARE!!_
_ISN'T THAT RIGHT..._
_ARK OF WATER?!_

SFX of a small, unobtrusive puddle of water in the background: ::drip::


pg. 171


Remeer: _THE ARK OF WATER?!?!_

[Remeer whips his head around at the mention of an Ark with _ridiculous_
abruptness.  Finally, after all these tales of woe, something about which
he _actually_ cares!
As Miriene says, from the growing puddle of water behind Remeer emerges...]

SFX of slow emergence: ::HISSSSSS::

Ark of Water: ...............

[The Ark of Water looks pretty, fretty, and rather vacant.]


pg. 172


[Tokio glances over his shoulder...]

Tokio [thinking]: So...
that's the Ark of Water...!!

[He is not overly impressed.
The Ark of Water's eyes fixate...]

Ark of Water: ...Human child!

[...but the object of her gaze...is not Remeer.]

Ark of Water: Your will of iron and fighting spirit...are worthy of praise.

[The Ark gathers her magic power.]

SFX: ::SHAAAAAAAA::

Ark of Water: So that you may fight on to carry out your will...
I will lend you my power.

[Tokio stares at her in disbelief...]


pg. 173


Tokio: _GET BACK!!_

SFX of Ark: ::GASP!::

Miriene: ......!?

[Yeah, Miriene, I know, right?  I can't believe Tokio is currently my 
favorite character on the page right now.  Take that, you vacant-eyed jerk
who let a whole town die.]

Tokio: _I DON'T NEED YOUR HELP!!_

Remeer: Tokio...!?

Miriene [genuinely, deeply shocked]: Why...?
But without the Ark of Water...you don't stand a chance against me!

Tokio: ............

SFX of Tokio brandishing sword: ::WHIP::

Tokio: What good is a victory...
won by the power of another!?


pg. 174


Tokio: _If you claim that walking your path of evil was YOUR destiny..._
_...then making a stand against you here and now is MINE!!_
_BY MY OWN POWER..._
_I'LL PUT AN END TO YOUR DESTINY MYSELF!!_

[Miriene stares for a moment...then takes up her wand with a small smile.]

Miriene: --...
You truly _are_ a strong human, aren't you...

SFX of Miriene taking up wand: ::YANK::

Miriene: If only I had that strength...


pg. 175


[Miriene raises her wand aloft...]

SFX of wand lighting up: ::POFF::

Miriene: THE STRENGTH TO LIVE FIGHTING MY FATE...!!

[The entire environs are flooded with light as Miriene chants...]

Miriene: --~Temptation of Mara...~
~Immolate the instruments of heaven's vengeance...~

SFX: ::SKREEEEEE::

Miriene: ~and bring grief on sacred child and divine descendant!~

[Everyone, even Tokio and the Ark, freezes in shock...]

Tokio: _!!_

Reeshine: _W...What?!  This magic power...it's overwhelming!!_

Remeer: _MIRIENE!!_


pg. 176


Remeer [thinking]: No  -  I can't let this happen!  Neither of them was 
born to fight this battle!!
At this rate, they'll kill each other  -  and that'd be a _tragedy!!_

[Remeer extends a hand to the Ark of Water.]

SFX: ::WHAP::

Remeer [smiling]: ...
Let's stop them both!!


pg. 177


Remeer: I DON'T WANT ANYONE TO GRIEVE OR BE HURT ANYMORE!
SO LET'S DO WHAT WE CAN  -  RIGHT NOW!!

[Oh, shut it, Remeer; you just want to make a move on the Ark.  But the 
Ark of Water seems rather empty-headed, and so she joins with Remeer.]

SFX of Miriene stabbing spear into ground: ::SLAM!::

Miriene: ~Bring joy to fools...and death to sages!~
_~CURSE OF BURNING DESTRUCTION!~_

SFX: ::BOOM::
::BOOM::
::BOOM::
::BOOM::
::BOOM::
::BOOM::

Miriene: _~DEATH FLARE!!~_

[Miriene's spell rains huge columns of burning light everywhere on the 
battlefield...except  -  true to her horrific aim and self-defeating use
of force in this battle  -  on her opponents.
Also, I guess Tokio doesn't have Death Flare in this manga after all, does
he.]


pg. 178


[Meanwhile...]

SFX: ::WHOOSH!::

Remeer: _PROTECT THEM FROM THE FLAMES OF PURGATORY..._

SFX: ::ROOOOOAAAAARRRRRR::

Remeer: _WATER ARK!!_

SFX: ::BOOOOOOOM!!::

[That's rather Jack Chick of you, Remeer, you self-satisfied jackass.
Anyhow, a huge column of water ascends from the battlefield, to...seemingly
no effect.  Nothing of Miriene's spell hit its mark, after all.]


pg. 179


Tokio [glaring at Remeer, maybe for the "purgatory" comment earlier]:
_You...!!_

Remeer: _Tokio!  Miriene!  Don't you UNDERSTAND yet?!_
_You can't just fight hatred with hatred!  Such a battle means NOTHING!!_
_There's GOT to be a way for you to understand each other besides
fighting!!_

Miriene [sadly & resigned]: ...I'm sorry, Child of Light!!
No one can stop this magic now...
It is a spell of ultimate annihilation...unleashed in exchange for the
caster's life!!

Tokio [shocked]: ......!!


pg. 180


[Suddenly, Tokio dashes forward...]

Tokio: _WAKE UP!!_

SFX: ::DASH!!:

Miriene: _!?_

Remeer: _TOKIO!?_

SFX: ::BAM!::

[Tokio is now close enough to Miriene that her magical field is impinging
on him.  His expression is one of genuine horror.]

SFX: ::CRACKLE CRACKLE::

Tokio: _You're so resigned to your fate..._
_...that you're willing to embrace DEATH  -  ALONE?!_
_FIGHT!!  FIGHT TO YOUR LAST BREATH!!_
_Fight...and I will take ALL your pain!!_

[Miriene is shocked...]


pg. 181


[...and Tokio runs toward Miriene, sword drawn...]

SFX: ::DASH::

Tokio: _Break free with your own power..._
_Break free from both our fates!!_

[Miriene readies her staff in response...]

SFX: ::WHAP!::

Miriene: Ahh-!
_IT'S TOO LATE!!_

[The combatants collide...]

SFX of Tokio's sword: ::CLANGGGG::

Miriene: _!!_

[...and Miriene's eyes widen in further shock...]

Miriene [thinking]: --I've been trapped...
...in one long, unending nightmare...

SFX: ::SPLUT::

Miriene [thinking]: ...but!!


pg. 182


Miriene [thinking]: _...soon..._
_...soon, I'll be awake..._

[A full-page panel reveals the fatal result: Tokio and Miriene have stabbed
each other through their hearts.]

[Miriene's staff was kind of pointy on the end.]

[Also, given how busty the artist has been drawing Miriene, it looks more 
like she's been stabbed fatally through her left breast rather than her 
heart.  I know this is a problem in depicting women who have been 
stabbed in the heart, but it kind of undermines the drama here.]


pg. 183


Miriene: ............
Why...?
(cough)
Why did you...stay your sword?

[He didn't, Miriene.  It's currently sheathed in your chest.]

Miriene: W...with your skills...
you should have...dodged my attack--...

Tokio: --...Maybe...I'm tired, too...
Just like you...
I've been...trapped...in this...nightmare...called revenge...


pg. 184


[Tokio puts a bloody hand on Miriene's head, pulls her closer, and...
lovingly caresses her, smiling.  I don't know anymore.  I don't think I 
ever knew.]

Tokio: _--We're..._
_not so different...you and I..._

[In response, with her remaining strength, Miriene embraces him back and
starts crying.]

Miriene: --I...
I wish...
I had met someone like you...sooner...

SFX of Miriene's hand: ::SLIP::

[Miriene slumps in Tokio's arms, dead.]


pg. 185


[Suddenly...]

SFX: ::VOOOOOM::

[...the area around Tokio & Miriene's body erupts with brilliant light.]

Remeer: _TOKIO--!!_

Remeer [thinking]: The magic's all gathering to one place...has Miriene's
spell been broken?

Remeer: _Quick  -  get out of there...!_
_You can still make it!!_

[I'd tell Remeer that Tokio's been fatally stabbed in the chest, but a) it
was Miriene who did it, so it probably wasn't a competent job, and b) the
relationship between cause and effect has been on vacation for the last few
pages.
Tokio does not move, still holding Miriene's body.]

Tokio: Remeer...
Don't forget...about the people...who had no choice...but to live this
way.
--Show the world...


pg. 186


Tokio: Show the world...
a better way to live...

Remeer: _Wait, Tokio!!_
_I..._

Tokio: ...You can do it!!

Remeer: _Toki--_

[Remeer reaches for Tokio...]

Remeer: _TOKIO!!_

[...but manages to grab only his bandana before he and Miriene fade to 
nothing.]

SFX: ::WHOOSH::


pg. 187


[All, then, is quiet and still.]

Reeshine [hands covering mouth, silently crying]: _......!!_

[Remeer slumps to his knees.]

SFX of Remeer's fist pounding on earth: ::BAM!!::

Remeer: _Why..._
_WHY--?!?!_
_Tell me..._
_WHY DID THEY HAVE TO DIE SUCH WRETCHED DEATHS?!_
_UWAAAAAAAHHHH!!_


pg. 188


[Later.  
Reeshine has almost composed herself; she sits quietly on a rock.  Remeer
stands, back to hers, gazing off into the distance, Tokio's bandana in 
hand.]

Reeshine [quietly looking back over her shoulder]: --...
Remeer...

Remeer [not turning around]: --So far...
I've been traveling only because I wanted to find Felys...
I never gave any serious thought to what it actually meant to be able to
absorb the Arks.
--But...
...that changes now.  There's more to this fight!!

[Remeer takes Tokio's bandana and ties it around his hair in back.]

SFX: ::TUG::

Remeer: If...I really am the Child of Light...the one chosen by the Arks...
I can prevent this tragedy from happening again...


pg. 189


[Oh, Lord; the power's gone to his head.  
Remeer thinks back upon Miriene, Kamiwoo, Lux, Tokio, and Meisia...]

Remeer: By _my own will,_ I want to see this through to the very end!!
I want to see what the Arks can give this world...
and...

[Remeer turns around to Reeshine, staring, and flashes a confident, scary
grin...]

Remeer: ...I WANT TO SEE WHAT _I_ CAN DO!!

[Yes, all these senseless deaths were _exclusively for your benefit and
smug, self-serving validation._  I hate you so much, Remeer.] 


pg. 190


SFX of Remeer donning his cloak: ::WHAP!::

Remeer: _LET'S GO, REESHINE!!_
_TO FIND THE FINAL ARK!!_

[Remeer looks confidently off into the distance to the mountains ahead, as
if he has a destination in mind and knows where the final ark lies.  
Unfortunately, we know that he's looking totally _not_ where the final ark
lies, because it's in Darkness's chest, and you have no idea where Darkness
is at the moment, Remeer, you freaking dweeb.
I can't wait till Volume 3.]

MYSTIC ARK VOLUME 2 END

Intrusive Ill-Timed Note on Side of Page: Originally published in 
G Fantasy, July to December 1996


pg. 191


ATTACK OF THE EXTRA PAGE  -  2!!

[A caricature of the manga's artist, Akirako Iwasa, appears holding a copy
of the second volume of the Mystic Ark manga.]

Iwasa: _CHECK IT OUT!! Vol. 2 of the manga is ON THE SHELVES!!_

SFX: ::POW!!::

Shades-Wearing Turtle in Background: ......

Name on Manga: Akirako Iwasa

Note Near Iwasa: pudding head

[This is a Japanese term referring to black hair that's been dyed blonde
where the original black color is still showing near the roots.  The term
is taken from the appearance of flan-style desserts popular in Japan, where
light-colored custard pudding will rest atop dark-colored caramel on the
bottom of the cup.]

Phrase on Iwasa's Shirt: Merorin Q!!!

["Merorin Q" is a nonsense catchphrase from a Japanese variety show.  The
guy who coined it is apparently a member of the Diet now.  It's all very
confusing.]

Shades-Wearing Turtle, Near Other Shades-Wearing Turtles: *Tuh!*  And there
I thought she'd _never_ finish it!--
(Here y'go; 2,000 yen.)

[The turtle through a couple 1,000-yen bills into a money pot in front of
a couple of turtle bookies.]

Sign in Background: Odds
Vol. 1: ...x 1.2
Vol. 2: ...x 3.5
Vol. 3: ...x 18.6

Iwasa: WHAT?  Are you BETTING AGAINST me?  _HEY!_
By the way, some people have probably noticed this already, but...
I added some more piercings to Tokio since his first appearance.

[No, I was really trying not to pay attention.]

Iwasa: (By the way, I have four on each ear myself.)

[A diagram of Tokio's face in profile with some helpful numbered arrows
shows five earrings in his left ear, plus a nose stud...plus two arrows
pointing downward, below where the drawing cuts off, which is at Tokio's
shoulder line.] 

Iwasa: Ultimately, Tokio has eight piercings in all...
but two of them are in places where you can't see!
(Where could they be, I wonder?)

[I do not need to know this information.  This is reminding me of that
producer on the Metroid series who was talking about how Samus had a tattoo
or birthmark or whatever in a location known only to him.]

Iwasa: Just to let you know, they're on his upper body!

[I'm still not reassured.]

Phrase on Iwasa's Shirt: Yamamoto.

[Taro Yamamoto is the "Merorin Q" guy.
Anyhow, later, Iwasa is sitting at her drawing table, head resting on its
surface, fast asleep.]

Iwasa [narrating]: Recently, though, I've become a huge dunce when it comes
to drawing the original pages  -  maybe because I've been getting hung up
on weird little details...
(Plus I do it while sitting at this little low tea table...)

Note Near Iwasa: white eyes

Iwasa [narrating]: I want an assistant, but it's kind of a problem to get
one, so little ol' me is just all by my lonesome!

[Iwasa waves as she rides a giant turtle off into the sunset.]

Iwasa: _Well, coming up is Vol. 3: the long-awaited conclusion!!_

Note on Iwasa's Shirt: Taro.

Iwasa: _See ya there, if we live that long!_
(Adios, amigos!)


~*~END OF MYSTIC ARK VOLUME 2 HONEST~*~



***************************************************************************


MYSTIC ARK VOL. III
by Akirako Iwasa


pg. 3


Remeer: --Finally...
We've made it. 

[Remeer and Reeshine are as they were at the end of the last volume  -  
at the top of a tall cliff, overlooking the land below.  They are not, 
however, in the same location...]

Remeer: This is it...  The last one...
The last of the seven shrines to the Arks scattered throughout the world!!

SFX of wind: ::HOWWWWWL::

Remeer: The Holy Land...ruled by the goddess Iris, leader of the Divine
Tribe of Light...


pgs. 4 & 5


Remeer: THE HEART OF THE WORLD--...
THE SHRINE OF LIGHT!!

[Below lies a huge three-tiered shrine crowned by two domes and surrounded
by a number of smaller towers.  The shrine sits in the middle of a lake, 
connected to the mainland by a number of pale bridges; on the mainland, in
the shadow of the cliffside, lies a great city, composed of many homes.]

CAHPTER 13: THE GODDESS IRIS


pg. 6


Priest: Welcome.

[Remeer and Reeshine have arrived inside the temple.  They are greeted by
dual rows of priests bedecked in draped hats and chasubles with crosses, 
eyes closed and heads bowed.]

Priest: Welcome to the Holy Land...and the Shrine of Light.

Remeer [thinking, shocked]: All these priests...gathered together just to
greet _us!?_

Remeer: U...um...!  We...!?

Priest: Lord Remeer. 

SFX: ::clack::

[A priest separates steps out from one of the lines to greet R&R as they 
stumble awkwardly down a center carpet.]

Ill-Timed Editorial Note: This book is a work of fiction.  It is unrelated
to any actual person, organization, or event.


pg. 7


Priest: We have been waiting for you...
Lord Remeer...the Heaven-Sent Child blessed by the Light...

[The priest bows low; he is older than the rest, with a gray beard and 
moustache.]

Remeer: W...Who are you!?

Priest: I am the head priest...they call me Dardanelles.

[Um...yes.]

Dardanelles: But first, this way...we have a meal prepared.
After that...you will have your audience.

Reeshine: HUH?!

Remeer: "Audience"...

Dardanelles: Indeed!
Our leader...the living goddess Iris...is waiting for you.


pg. 8


[Later, Remeer and Reeshine find themselves in a massive hall, two small,
isolated specks in a great chamber.  Again, two rows of priests line the 
far sides of the room.  The two lone heroes face an immense throne 
enshirined at the center of the far wall.]

Iris: --Please...raise your heads, both of you.

Remeer: Y......
_Yes--!!_

[Suddenly...]

Remeer: _......!!_

[...Remeer's eyes widen in profound shock  -  for he now realizes that
before him...]


pg. 9


Iris: You have done well to come this far,
you two...

[...sits the image of his...]

Remeer: ...M--
_MOTHER?!_


pg. 10


[Indeed, though this woman is bedecked in white Grecian robes and a golden
tiara, neckdress, and bracelets, she has the face and long, flowing, wavy
blonde hair of Remeer's mother.
(While we're on the subject of costume changes: both Remeer and Reeshine 
have donned new clothing for their audience with the goddess.  Remeer,
though his hair is still tied back with Tokio's scarf, is now in his formal
paladin outfit from the game box, a long-sleeved white tunic cinched at the
waist with stitching on the front and puffy upper sleeves, paired with dark
pants.  Reeshine is in a simple dress that is essentially a very long,
light-colored tabard cinched with a patterned belt over a dark long-sleeved
shirt and leggings  -  a more "feminized" version of her battle outfit.]

Remeer: W..._WHAT?!_
_Remeer, she looks just like your mom..._

SFX of Remeer: ::GASP!::

Remeer [thinking]: --She does...
but...there's no way she could be alive!!

Iris: You've been on a long journey, searching for the Arks...you must have
weathered many hardships.

Remeer [thinking]: I saw her die...with my own eyes--...
But--...!!

Iris: Now...come closer.  Let me have a good look at you.


pg. 11


[Remeer (and Reeshine) do so.]

Iris [smiling]: Remeer...
You're looking more and more like her, aren't you?
Like Salia...

Remeer: --_WHAT?!_
_You...you knew my mother!?_

Iris: Yes...
Now, you look just like her when she was younger.

Remeer [still astonished]: How is it that you know my mother?...
And why is it...that you LOOK like her......?


pg. 12


Iris: I suppose it's only natural!
I am, after all, your mother's--...
Salia's older sister.

[Profound shock and alarm all around from R&R.  Both are utterly 
dumbstruck, their eyes wide with astonishment and horror.]

Remeer [thinking, gaping]: My mother...and the goddess...are SISTERS?!

Reeshine: _Then...the goddess...is Remeer's AUNT?!_

Iris: .........

[The goddess is silent for a moment; her eyes narrow in sadness.]

Iris: Remeer...


pg. 13


Remeer: Y--...yes?!

Iris: During the time that you lived with Salia...
were you happy?

[Remeer's eyes widen further.]

Iris: Was she--...a good mother to you?

[For the first time, the tension vanishes from Remeer's face; his eyes
shine in pleased remembrance, and he positively beams...]

Remeer: YES!!


pg. 14


[Remeer thinks back to a smiling Salia embracing a laughing Remeer and 
Felys.]

Remeer: Mother did a wonderful job raising us!
She was strict, yet kind...
She taught us so many things  -  she was really a wonderful person!
Even now...I am proud that she was my mother!!

[Iris smiles.]

Iris [thinking]: So she really did love Felys and Remeer...

Iris: Is that so...

Remeer: But--...
now...Mother is...!!


pg. 15


Iris: ...I know.

SFX of Iris's hand falling from the arm of her throne: ::slip::

Iris [sadly]: I...shouldered her with a terrible burden.
All because I was weak...

[We switch to what appears to be a chamber in the shrine's inner sanctum.
The staging makes it difficult to discern clearly, but behind one of its
open rear doorways lies...what appears to be a huge, dark, opaque ovoid
mass.  The mass has what appear to be some sensors dangling off it and is
considerably taller than the quite spacious ceiling in the main hall.  Some
knights are clustered around it, but their backs are, at least initially,
turned.  Suddenly, however...]

SFX: ::crack::
::SNAP!::
::CRACK!::

Knight: WHAT?!

[...a few hairline cracks appear in the surface of the mass.
The scene at the audience hall, however, goes on uninterrupted.]

Remeer: Goddess...


pg. 16


Remeer: Please, I beg of you...
I have just one thing I would like to ask...!!
_Why was my mother killed six years ago..._
_...and why was Felys taken by the Divine Tribe of Darkness?!_

[The goddess closes her eyes in pain.]

Iris: SHE--
Salia wanted to live a quiet life as an ordinary human being...
...so she moved to the village of Nanaka.
She concealed her identity and attempted to go on with her life...
...but the sheer potency of her Tribe of Light blood made her a target for 
the Tribe of Darkness.


pg. 17


Remeer: _So THAT'S why my mother was killed?!_

Iris: No...
The true objective of the Tribe of Darkness...
_...was not to kill Salia..._
_It was to gain power...power that could be obtained only by a person of a
certain heritage!!_

Remeer [shocked]: _IT WASN'T--..._
_...TO KILL MY MOTHER?!_

[Meanwhile, some knights and priests are conversing anxiously in the 
background.]

Iris: The Tribe of Darkness's goal was to lay their hands on this person...

Reeshine [turning behind, noticing commotion]: ...?

Iris: Salia had the same blood as I do...she was probably considered a 
hindrance to those plans.


pg. 18


Reeshine [looking back]: What's going on?...
The Mage Knights and the priests...there's some sort of commotion...!?

Remeer [not noticing]: ...It CAN'T be!!
They CAN'T have been after...

Iris: --Yes.

SFX of goddess's fists: ::clench::

Iris: They were after the one you know best...
Your twin sister...
Felys.

Remeer: _---!!_

Remeer [thinking]: THE TRIBE OF DARKNESS...
WANTED FELYS'S BLOOD...HER "POWER"--!?


pg. 19


[Suddenly, back in the inner sanctum, a heavily-decorated knight runs into
the hall.]

New Knight: _What's going on?!_
_You say you've found abnormalities in the barrier?!_

Knight: _CAPTAIN!!_
_We don't know the exact cause, but..._
_...we've been getting strange waves of energy from the barrier for a while
now!!_

SFX: ::CRACK::
::CRACK!::

[The mass  -  the barrier, I guess  -  develops further ruptures.]

Knight: _They're trying to open the gate at the heart of the shrine!!_

New Knight/Captain: _Damned creatures of the Dark!  I was sure they 
wouldn't be able to break the barrier, but..._
_I suppose every DOG has his day!!_
_Send for reinforcements!!_

[Back in the audience hall, however, no one except Reeshine has yet taken
notice of the residual hubbub spilling over from this matter.]

Remeer: _But...WHY would the Tribe of Darkness want Felys's blood and 
power?!_
_Why did they have to have FELYS?!_


pg. 20


[Iris rises to approach Remeer.]

SFX of Iris's dress: ::rustle::

Iris: Remeer...

[Iris places her hands on Remeer's shoulders.]

Iris: Wherever there dwells light, there is always born darkness.
However...without that darkness, we would never know of the existence of
light.
And the reverse...is also true.

Remeer: _...?_
What on earth do you mean?

[Iris closes her eyes and turns away.]

Iris: I cannot say more now.
But...she who dwells alone in darkness is waiting for a ray of light.
And that light...is you, Remeer!!


pg. 21


Remeer: I--...am the light that can save Felys?

Iris: Yes...that is why I must ask you to obtain the final Ark!
For when you have them all in your possession...

Priest: _LADY IRIS!!_

[A sudden series of flashes from the back of the hall showers all present
with a laser light show.  Iris still does not notice, however; her gaze 
remains fixed on the priest.]

Iris: _WHAT IS IT?!_

SFX of Huge Freaking Laser Light Show: ::VOOOOOOOOOOOOM::

Priest: _The...the barrier...inside...!_


pg. 22


SFX: :RUMBLERUMBLERUMBLERUMBLERUMBLERUMBLERUMBLERUMBLERUMBLERUMBLERUMBLE::

Reeshine: _Wh...what's that noise!?_

Knight: _THE CREATURE OF DARKNESS HAS BROKEN THE BARRIER  -  IT HAS
BREACHED THE SHRINE!!_

Iris [staring, anxious, thinking]: THIS AURA...!!

[Back in the inner sanctum, a familiar foot appears...]

SFX: ::STOMP!::

[...and a familiar xenomorph shape looms in the haze beyond.]

Captain: _Company...ready your strongest magics and fire!!_
_We CANNOT allow it to reach Lady Iris!!_


pg. 23

 
[A claw reaches out...]

SFX: ::VOOOOOM::

Captain [readying magic]: _DARK ONE!!  Leave here IMMEDIATELY..._
_Do you think you can PREVAIL against the _Mage Knights_  -  the world's
strongest warriors  -  ALONE?!?!_

Darkness: --...

SFX: ::RUMBLE RUMBLE RUMBLE RUMBLE::


pg. 24


Priest: _Unbelievable...  A Dark One?_

SFX: ::BOOM::

Another Priest: _To think that it could break the barrier on the Shrine
of Light, the very center of the world...!!_

Remeer: _GODDESS!!_

Iris: It seems...
...that the bearer of the final Ark has arrived...

Remeer: _The bearer of the final Ark!?_
_Then the final Ark isn't here in this temple!?_

[Remeer, you knew this.  You saw the Ark of Darkness in Darkness's chest
before.]

Iris: It was originally enshrined here...
However...the Ark recognized a Dark One as its master by its own will.

Remeer: _The ARK chose a DARK ONE?!_
_WHY?!  The Ark was supposed to have lent its power to seal the Dark 
Ones...the dark god AWAY!!_

SFX: ::RUMBLE RUMBLE RUMBLE RUMBLE RUMBLE RUMBLE::


pg. 25


Iris: The Ark acts on its own will...it shall recognize the bearer of a 
stronger will as its master.
And...the Ark responded to something in _that_ particular Dark One's soul.
But, Remeer...your conviction can win through.

SFX: ::RUMBLERUMBLERUMBLERUMBLERUMBLE::

Darkness: HOW AMUSING...

[Darkness slams a claw down...]

SFX: ::WHAM!::

Darkness: _ALLOW ME TO SHOW YOU...THE _TRUE_ GREATEST POWER ON EARTH!!_

SFX: ::BANG BANG BANG BANG::

[...and repels all the Mage Knights in a single blow.]


pg. 26


Priest: _LADY IRIS!!_
_I have a report!!_
_The Mage Knights...they have been annihilated!!_

Another Priest: _That's impossible!!  The Mage Knights are known to be the
strongest warriors in the world...!!_

Priest: _Nonetheless...the survivors have erected a barrier around the 
hall!!_

Reeshine: _Lady Iris...  You have to get to a safe place  -  immediately!!_

Iris: No...I cannot leave!!

Reeshine: _Goddess!!_

Iris: Remeer...listen carefully.
Soon, the Dark One will be here in this hall...
and the battle that lies ahead will be a far greater trial than any you
have yet fought.


pg. 27


Iris: The name of the bearer of the Ark...and the name of the Ark itself...
--is DARKNESS!!

Remeer: _DARKNESS?!?!_
_THE MEMBER OF THE TRIBE OF DARKNESS...WHO KILLED LUX?!?!_

Reeshine: _What?!  HE has an ARK...?!?!_

[Did everyone forget Chapter 8?  Well, I suppose I can't blame them on that
account.]

Iris: It is perhaps your inevitable destiny to do battle with Darkness...

SFX: ::SLIP!::

[Iris gently takes Remeer's right hand, which is currently holding his 
sword.]

Iris: But, Remeer...
if you try to win by force alone...the result will be a tragedy.


pg. 28


Iris: Take Darkness's pain within yourself.  Try to understand it...
...try to hear the voice that cries from within!!
Find the truth that lies within the dark...

Remeer: Darkness's...pain!?
What are you talking about?!
And what do you mean by "the truth"?!

Iris: Because...within that darkness sleeps...

SFX: ::BANG!!::

[Priests are hurled from the rear wall of the audience hall as the wall is
blown to bits.]


pg. 29


SFX of falling debris: ::RATTLE::
::RATTLE::
::RATTLE::
::RATTLE::

[Darkness stands framed by a gaping hole in the wall as debris rains from
above.  Remeer, however, is insensate; he stand frozen in the foreground in 
wide-eyed horror.  We have not heard Iris's last words...but their effect 
on Remeer is evident.]

Remeer: _--...WHAT?!_

[Darkness, however, waits for no twerp and steps into the room.]

SFX of Darkness's foot falling: ::CRUNCH!::

Darkness: ...IT'S BEEN A WHILE.

SFX: ::rumblerumblerumblerumblerumblerumblerumble::


pg. 30


Darkness: _CHILD OF LIGHT!!_

[The Ark of Darkness opens its eye...]

SFX: ::STARE::


pg. 31


[Darkness approaches, but Remeer does not budge or even notice.  He remains
fixated on the goddess.]

Remeer: GODDESS...
WHAT DID YOU JUST SAY..._WHAT DID YOU JUST SAY!?!?_

Darkness: WHAT'S WRONG...CHILD OF LIGHT?!?!
BACKING DOWN FROM THE BATTLE _ALREADY?_

SFX: ::CLAMP::

[Remeer latches onto Iris's shoulders.]

Remeer: _It was a lie, wasn't it!?  What you just said..._
_It has to be a lie--!!_

Reeshine: _Remeer...!!_

SFX: ::CRUNCH::
::CRUNCH::

[Darkness is by now a few steps from Remeer and the others.]

Darkness: THE GODDESS IRIS...A LIVING GODDESS, THE DIVINE MADE FLESH, THE
LEADER OF THE TRIBE OF LIGHT...AND THE SHRINE OF LIGHT ITSELF!!


pg. 32


Darkness: THE PERFECT AUDIENCE...AND THE PERFECT STAGE!!
CHILD OF LIGHT!--...  LET US SETTLE THE LONG STRUGGLE BETWEEN LIGHT AND
DARKNESS HERE AND NOW!!

[Remeer, fists clenched, finally snaps to face Darkness.]

SFX: ::WHAP!::

Remeer: _I won't believe it...!_
_I'LL NEVER BELIEVE IT...!!_
_UNTIL I SEE THE TRUTH  -_
_WITH MY OWN EYES!!_


pg. 33


SFX of Remeer's teeth: ::GRIT!::

Remeer: --I...
I WON'T BELIEVE IT!!

Iris [looking on worried, thinking]: Remeer...

[Remeer draws his sword...]

Remeer: _I'LL NEVER ACCEPT IT!!_

[...and points it at Darkness.]

SFX: ::BAM!::


pg. 34


CHAPTER 14: THE TRUTH ABOUT DARKNESS

[Remeer, cape flapping dashingly in the wind, points his sword at the
reader; an image of an adult Felys in profile, eyes closed, rests in the
background.  Darkness is reflected in the blade.]


pg. 35


[Hang on; we're gonna be in DBZ mode for a good long while here.]

SFX: ::STOMP!::

Remeer: _AAAAAAHHHHHH--!!_

Reeshine: _Remeer!!_

[Remeer charges at Darkness, sword drawn, while Darkness readies a 
fireball...]

SFX of spell: ::FLASH!::

Darkness: HA HA HA...  I DON'T KNOW WHAT THE GODDESS PUT INTO YOU...
BUT I LIKE IT!
COME TO ME...CHILD OF LIGHT!!


pg. 36


SFX: ::SCRRRAANNGGGG!!::

[Remeer and Darkness clash, metal against carapace, and Darkness catches
Remeer's sword in an open palm.]

SFX of Darkness charging magic: ::SKREEEEEEEE::

Darkness: IS THAT _ALL!?!?_

[Darkness aims at Remeer and fires...]

SFX: ::BOOM!!::

Remeer: _UHH--!!_

[...and Remeer catches it with his...chest.]


pg. 37


[Remeer, however, has apparently absorbed the Ark of Gymkata off-page, or
has equipped the Anti-Shock Brace from Illbleed, since...]

SFX: ::TAP!::
::DASH!::

[...he executes a graceful backflip, alights on the ground on one hand,
flips again, and lands blithely on his feet, completely unharmed.]

SFX: ::GLARE!::

[Remeer looks daggers, and raises his sword arm...]

Remeer: _GRAAAAAAAAAAAHHH--!!_

[He lunges at Darkness...]

SFX: ::POW!!::


pg. 38


[...but...]

Darkness: WEAK!!

SFX: ::WHAP!!::

SFX: ::WHAM!!::

[...Remeer may have his Anti-Shock Brace, but he forgot his Protector, 
as Darkness effortlessly backhands him out of the air.  Remeer lands flat
on his back this time.]

Reeshine [standing by fretting & literally wringing hands]: _Remeer!!_

[Remeer, however, is quickly back on his feet.  I'm still subscribing to 
the Anti-Shock Brace theory.]

Remeer [wiping mouth]: _DAMN YOU...--!!_


pg. 39


Reeshine [staring at Remeer, wringing hands, thinking]: ......!!
Remeer isn't himself...
He's just like he was before when he fought with Darkness...!!

Darkness: SO IS THIS _ALL,_ CHILD OF LIGHT!?
DON'T DISAPPOINT ME, NOW!!

[A rivulet of blood from Remeer's forehead flows down into his eye.  (It 
ain't a fight till Remeer's eyes are obscured with blood.)  Remeer glares
murderously...]

Remeer: _.........!!_

[...and, in a fury, stomps his foot  -]

SFX: ::STOMP!::

[-  yes, like so, and:]

Remeer: _--AAAAAAAAAAAAAH!!_

SFX: ::OOOHHHHHHH!!::  

[I have to admit, I'm impressed that Remeer can scream in two voices at
once.]


pg. 40


[Remeer grits his teeth, clenches his fists, shuts his eyes, and tenses his
body as he summons a sheer torrent of magical energy...]

Remeer [thinking]: _NO..._
_NO!  NO!!_
_NOOOO!!!_

[Note: The writer added the three exclamation points, not me.]

SFX of Remeer's heart: ::KA-THUMP::
::KA-THUMP::

Remeer [thinking]: _RIGHT NOW...I'M FIGHTING DARKNESS!!_
_MY MOST HATED ENEMY!!_

SFX: ::KA-THUMP::
::KA-THUMP!!::

Iris [fretting, not wringing hands]: _!!_
_Remeer!!_

Darkness: OHHH...
ARE YOU USING THE ARK OF POWER?!
BUT, I WONDER...CAN YOUR BODY WITHSTAND THE MIGHT OF _SIX WHOLE ARKS?_


pg. 41


Iris: _No, Remeer!!_
_I TOLD you...you cannot fight Darkness with hatred and anger alone...!!_

Reeshine: _But, Goddess..._
_...at this rate, Remeer will be killed!!_
_The only way to defeat Darkness is to hit him with everything the Arks
have...!!_

Iris: ...............
Of course, Remeer must win this battle.
But...at the same time, he must save Darkness!!

Reeshine: _W...what are you TALKING about!?_
_And before  -  when you were telling Remeer about Darkness's true form--_

SFX: ::VOOOOOM!::


pg. 42


[Remeer has raised an orb of energy aloft in one hand...]

Reeshine: _REMEER!!_

SFX: ::RUMBLE RUMBLE RUMBLE RUMBLE RUMBLE RUMBLE::

[A veritable solar system of magical satellites orbits Remeer, and the aura 
around him threatens to crater the ground upon which he stands.]


pg. 43


Iris: _You must suppress the power of the Arks!!  Remeer..._
_You MUST accept the truth!!_

Remeer: _...--!!_

SFX of Remeer's teeth: ::GRIT...!::

[Tears fall silently down Remeer's tensed face...]

SFX: ::POW::

[...but he fires anyway.  Darkness nonchalantly puts up a gauntlet to 
block the blow.]

Iris: _FOR WITHIN THAT DARKNESS IS--..._


pg. 44


[Remeer, however, does not hold back; he stares in focused, concentrated
rage, sustaining his attack.]

Darkness: _GUO--..._
_OOOHHHHHH!!_

[And even Darkness is overwhelmed.  The hulking creature is knocked back,
and Reeshine  -  and even Remeer  -  stare in horror as the creature's very
face is ripped off...]


pg. 45


[...unleashing from within its now-headless body...what seem to be strands 
of long, human hair...]

SFX: ::FLUTTER::

[Remeer stares.]

Remeer: THIS--...
IS THE TRUTH!?

[Reeshine stands knock-kneed in childish fright, in the little-girl arms-
up-to-mouth fretting pose that is now her mien.]

Reeshine: No...
It...it can't be...

SFX of Darkness's head & other ill-timed debris hitting ground: ::CLUNK::
::CLINK:: 

Iris [closing eyes]: --The one who sleeps in Darkness...
is the one for whom you have been searching--


pg. 46


[From beneath Darkness's shattered chestplate emerges...a human figure.
A human torso, embedded in  -  merged with  -  the sinew of Darkness's
chest.  One with the face of a woman  -  the face of...]

Iris: _YOUR SISTER----..._

[The face opens its blank eyes...]

SFX: ::HMPH...::


pg. 47


[Remeer stands stock-still in wide-eyed horror.]

Remeer: ----...
Sis...ter...

Iris: _...FELYS!!_

[Note to help you visualize, possibly: Have you seen Iria: Zeiram the 
Animation from the umpteen times it aired on the Sci-Fi Channel in the 
'90's?  This looks just like the "shoot me" scene.
Felys attached, the headless corpse of Darkness shambles toward Remeer.]

SFX: ::CRUNCH...:
::CRUNCH...::

[Felys raises her expressionless face to regard Remeer...]

Felys: ............
CHILD OF LIGHT...

SFX: ::VOOOOOM...::

[She slowly raises a claw, pulsing with light...]


pg. 48


Felys: BEHOLD...

SFX: ::VOOOOOM...::

[The claw catches Remeer across the face and pins him to the ground.]

SFX: ::SLAM!::

Felys: MY ACCURSED FATE!!

[Suddenly, Remeer's mind is flooded with a vision  -  of a great, lonely,
darkened chamber, with Felys, here a frightened child, kneeling and
cowering within.]

Remeer [thinking]: --What is this?
Are these...my sister's memories?
They're flowing...directly into my mind!! 

[Suddenly, in Felys's memory, a ray of light illuminates the room as a door
on the far side of the chamber opens.  The light outlines a human figure in
the doorway.  Felys's head shoots up.]

SFX of man stepping into room: ::clack!::

SFX of Felys: ::!::


pg. 49


[Child Felys turns to look at the approaching figure.]

Felys: _Who are you...!?_

[The new presence kneels down beside Felys...]

SFX: ::RUSTLE::

Slayvier: Welcome to my Shrine of Darkness...
Felys...Daughter of the Dark...

[Slayvier takes Felys's hand and holds it to his lips.]

Slayvier: I am the leader of the Divine Tribe of Darkness...
SLAYVIER!!

Felys: _!!_

[Little Felys pulls away in shock.]

Felys: _What am I doing here...!!_
_Bring me back home!!_
_Bring me back to Mother and Remeer!!_

Slayvier: I'm sorry, but that is not possible.
Rather, I should venture to say...that you no longer _have_ a home.


pg. 50


Felys: _What...what do you mean!?_

Slayvier: The blood of Darkness flows within your veins...
...and the people of the Dark are not allowed to live in the light.

Felys: _You're LYING, AREN'T you!?  I don't HAVE "Dark blood" in me!_
_My mother's from the Divine Tribe of Light...and so is my twin brother!!_

[Slayvier points a clawed fingertip at Felys's forehead.]

Slayvier: But...you feel it, don't you?
You're not like your mother...or your brother...who have received the
blessings of the Light...  It doesn't feel _right_ for you...living in the
Light yourself!!
That is why the sheer strength of your Dark blood drew the Tribe of 
Darkness to you...  
I myself heard the cry that came from within your Dark blood...and so I
brought you to my shrine.  That's all.


pg. 51


Slayvier: It is only natural that those of the Dark should return to it.
And your mother could not stop that...not even with her very _life!!_

Felys [horrified]: _!!_
_WHAT DID YOU DO TO MY MOTHER...!?_

Slayvier: The Dark Monsters that you drew to you brought her death upon 
her.

[Slayvier places his hands on the girl's quaking shoulders.]

Slayvier: Yes...this tragedy is all your doing!

SFX: ::SHIVER::
::SHIVER::

Slayvier: You caused the death of your mother...I cannot imagine that your
brother will EVER forgive THAT!!


pg. 52


Felys [sobbing]: _YOU'RE LYING...!_
_NO..._
_YOU'RE LYING--!_

[Felys falls to her knees.]

Felys: _NOOOOOOOO--!!_

Remeer: _----...!!_

SFX: ::STING!!_

[Remeer grits his teeth and winces as the mental connection breaks and the
flashback ends.]

Remeer: Uh...--!!

SFX of nearby debris: ::RATTLE...::

[Remeer sits up groggily, holding his head.  Felys stands (in a manner of
speaking  -   in her Darkness carapace shell) nearby.]

Felys: SO YOU SAW...WHAT HAPPENED TO THIS GIRL!!


pg. 53


Remeer: _Why...!?_
_Why, Felys...why do you have Dark blood?!_

[Felys brings her face close to Remeer's and grins.]

Felys: ...YOU KNOW _NOTHING._
_OF YOUR OWN FATHER!!_

SFX: ::WHAM!!::

Remeer: _Gah!!_

[Felys hits Remeer with...something from below and sends him flying back.]

SFX of Remeer flying back: ::SKREEEEEEE::

Reeshine: _Remeer!!_


pg. 54


[Remeer struggles to prop himself up with his arms.]

Remeer: ............
My...father...!?

Reeshine, redundantly, right down to punctuation: Remeer's...father!?

SFX of Iris's nervous first: ::clench!::

Iris: ............

Felys: THE INFLUENCE OF YOUR MOTHER'S BLOOD SEEMS TO BE STRONG WITHIN
YOU...
BUT THE GIRL HAS TAKEN AFTER YOUR FATHER!!

Remeer: What are you saying...!?
What do you mean..."taken after my father"!?

Felys: ----...
YOU STILL DON'T UNDERSTAND!?

[Felys, your brother is a little slow, I don't know if you've noticed.]


pg. 55


Felys: YOUR FATHER WAS OF THE DIVINE TRIBE OF DARKNESS!!

[Remeer, still on his hands and knees, can only stare wide-eyed.]

Remeer: _----...!!_
_That's impossible!!_
_I heard...  Mother told me...
_...that Father died of illness right after we were born...!!_

Felys [sneering]: ............
YOUR MOTHER LIED!!

Iris [watching with pained expression]: _...............!!_


pg. 56


[An image is displayed of a dark-skinned young man reaching out for 
Remeer & Felys's mother; both man and woman are unclothed.]

Felys: YOUR MOTHER TURNED HER BACK ON HER OWN KIND--...
SHE YEARNED FOR THE TOUCH OF A MAN OF DARKNESS!!
THEY HAD THE FOOLISH IDEA THAT THROUGH THEIR OWN UNION...
THE TRIBES OF LIGHT AND DARK MIGHT BE MADE ONE!!

Remeer: ...............

[Remeer is still shocked.]

Remeer [thinking]: I REALLY _DIDN'T_ KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT MY FATHER...
HOW COULD MY FATHER...BE A MEMBER OF THE TRIBE OF DARKNESS--!!


pg. 57


[Suddenly, while Remeer is still doubled over in shock...] 

Voice: _STOP!!  Stop SAYING these HORRIBLE things!!_

[Felys looks over unimpressed at the source...]

Reeshine: _IT'S JUST LIKE BEFORE...YOU CAN'T JUST SAY WHATEVER YOU WANT!!_
_That's he's a fool...that's she's a LIAR..._
_WHAT GIVES YOU THE RIGHT TO SAY SUCH THINGS!?_
_Who ARE you, ANYWAY?_
_WHAT DO _YOU_ KNOW?!?!..._

Felys: "WHAT DO _I_ KNOW?"...
I KNOW _EVERYTHING_ ABOUT THIS GIRL...!
FOR SHE AND I--...AND THE ARK OF DARKNESS...ARE ONE AND THE SAME...
_BODY AND SOUL!!_


pg. 58


Remeer [shocked]: _WHA...!?_

Iris [rueful]: ...............

Reeshine [horrified]: "BODY"...
..."AND SOUL"?!

[How was this not evident from the reveal of Felys's body?  Why is anyone
surprised by this?  Why am _I_ surprised that anyone is surprised by this?]

Felys: UPON LEARNING OF HER OWN DARK HERITAGE...
THIS GIRL WAS PLUNGED INTO A DARKNESS WITHOUT ESCAPE...WITHOUT A SINGLE RAY
OF LIGHT...
_TORMENTED_ BY _DESPAIR!!_  
THE ARK OF DARKNESS WAS MOVED BY THE CRUELTY OF HER PLIGHT...  IT
RECOGNIZED HER AS ITS MASTER...IMBUED ITSELF WITHIN HER...IN AN ATTEMPT TO
SAVE HER WITH ITS POWER!!
HOWEVER...HER DESPAIR AND PAIN WERE FAR TOO GREAT...  SHE GAINED THE POWER
OF THE ARK...BUT COULD NOT BE SAVED!!


pg. 59


Felys: THE DESPAIR...THE SADNESS...THE _RAGE_ OF THIS GIRL AND THE ARK...
ALL THEIR NEGATIVE EMOTIONS...THEY CREATED _ME_...--_DARKNESS!!_

Remeer [still doubled over]: My sister's...
despair...and pain?!?!

Felys: INDEED...THEIR BOUNDLESS POWER IS MY STRENGTH...MY VERY _LIFE
FORCE!!_
AS LONG AS THIS GIRL LIVES..._I CANNOT DIE!!_

Iris: _YOU'RE WRONG!!_


pg. 60


Iris: _...Humans cannot survive on pain and rage alone!!_
_Even from deep within the darkness of her despair...I know that Felys's
heart is searching for light..._
_For Light and Darkness...are ever searching for each other...NEED each
other...!!_

Reeshine [looking at Iris suspiciously, thinking]: Goddess--...!?

Iris: _These children's parents loved each other...created peace between
Light and Dark...proved that they could coexist!!_

Felys: THAT IS _DRIVEL!!_
BEHOLD, GODDESS  - 
BEHOLD THE _TRAGEDY_ PRECIPITATED BY THESE ILL-CONCEIVED SIBLINGS  -  OF 
LIGHT AND DARKNESS INHERITED IN SEPARATE STAR-CROSSED VESSELS!!
ONE IN TORMENT, HER HEART CLOSED IN DESPAIR...
AND THE OTHER NOW CRUSHED BY HIS OWN POWERLESSNESS!!


pg. 61


Darkness: _YOU HAVE SOUGHT YOUR UNATTAINABLE "PEACE" AND "COEXISTENCE"
-  AND HERE IS THE RESULT!!_
_BEHOLD THE TRAGEDY BROUGHT ON BY YOUR HIGH-MINDED IDEALS, GODDESS...
BEHOLD YOUR OWN _FOOLISHNESS_  -  AND DESPAIR!!_

[Iris looks by silently and anxiously, gritting her teeth helplessly...]

Iris: _----...!!_

[But...]

SFX of Remeer's fist: ::clench!::

[Slowly, Remeer rises to his feet...]

Remeer: Goddess...

SFX: ::RUSTLE::

Remeer: Like you said...
I am the only one who can save my sister...


pg. 62


Felys [grinning]: SO YOU YET HAVE THE WILL TO STAND...
BUT...WHAT WILL YOU DO _NOW,_ CHILD OF LIGHT?!?!

[Remeer grasps his sword, which has been sheathed in the...floor...]

SFX of sword being withdrawn: ::SHING!!::

Remeer: I finally understand...what the goddess meant by her words!
Only I...can quell my sister's sadness and rage...and pain!!

[To do so, Remeer...grits his teeth in fury and assumes a fighting stance.]

Remeer: _THIS ISN'T A MATTER OF LIGHT BLOOD OR DARK BLOOD!!_

SFX of drama: ::POW!!::

Remeer: _FOR ME, THIS IS A MATTER OF GETTING BACK MY ONLY SISTER  -  THE
SISTER I LOVE!..._
_AND FOR THAT  -  FOR _THAT,_ DARKNESS--...I WILL _DEFEAT_ YOU!!_

[Remeer will save his sister, even if he has to stab her to death to do so.
You learned entirely the wrong lesson from watching The Searchers, Remeer.]


pg. 63


CHAPTER 15: A CHANCE MEETING OF THE LIGHT

[A human Felys in a flowing dress kneels in anguish, her arms and feet
bound by sinewy tendrils.]


pg. 64


[Back to battle.  Remeer & Felys are staring each other down, while Iris 
and Reeshine watch.]

Remeer [thinking]: I am the only one who can save my sister!!
--But how...!?
How do I save my sister when her heart is enclosed in darkness...!!

[Remeer stares hate at his sister and doesn't seem particularly saviorlike.
Felys leers back.]

Felys: WHAT WILL YOU DO, BOY?...
YOU CANNOT DEFEAT _DARKNESS_ BY MEWLING YOUR TRIBE'S _WORTHLESS_ IDEALS!

Remeer [thinking]: --I cannot defeat her!
I have to save her!!

[Remeer takes a halting step forward...]

SFX: ::crunch...::

[...but...]

SFX: ::WHAP!::

SFX of Remeer: ::GASP!::

Remeer: _----...!!_

[Darkness's weird...tongue? tentacle? I don't know from the art what this
appendage is, or even where it attaches to Felys's body  -  lashes out at
Remeer.]


pg. 65


Remeer: _UHH--!!_

SFX: ::BAM!!::

General SFX from Somewhere, I Dunno: ::OHHHHHHHH::

[Despite the SFX, Remeer wasn't actually hit above  -  or, if he were, he
was only grazed.  Darkness's tentacle/tongue/whatever stops short in front
of Remeer's chest.]

Remeer [thinking]: Her closed heart--...

[Felys again stares smug hatred.]

Remeer [thinking]: THAT'S IT!!

[Remeer's eyes widen.]

Remeer [thinking]: I have to open my sister's heart!!
If I can take away all her pain and sorrow--...


pg. 66


[Remeer recalls Iris's words...]

Iris [in flashback]: Remeer...
You cannot fight Darkness with hatred and anger alone.

Remeer [thinking]: _GODDESS--..._

[Silently, Remeer holds out his hand...]

SFX: ::WHAP!::

Reeshine: _!!_

Felys [confused]: ----...!?

SFX: ::CLANG!!::

[...and drops his sword.]


pg. 67


Felys: WHAT IS _THIS_...!?
YOU CAST DOWN YOUR BLADE AND PLEAD FOR YOUR LIFE  -  _NOW?!_

Remeer: I don't need my sword...
It won't heal my sister's heart.

[Speaking of things that would heal Felys's heart: Why aren't we hearing 
from Iris here?  She knew her own flesh & blood was being tortured by the
Tribe of Darkness, encased in a living hell, and yet she threw her to the
wolves?  Maybe some acknowledgement that that was a bad decision would go a
bit toward making amends here?
Instead, Iris is silent  -  and so is Felys, staring unimpressed.]

Felys: ...............

Remeer: And if I'm throwing away my life along with that sword  -  so be 
it.
If it will heal my sister's heart, then I will happily sacrifice my life.
----...However!!


pg. 68


Remeer: _MY HEART WILL NEVER DIE!_
_NOT UNTIL MY SISTER'S HEART IS RETURNED FROM DEEP DARKNESS...INTO A PLACE
OVERFLOWING WITH LIGHT!!_

Felys: --DON'T MAKE ME LAUGH, BOY...

SFX of Felys extending claws: ::SHING!!::

Felys: LET US SEE...
...IF YOU STAY TRUE TO YOUR WORDS!!

SFX: ::WHOOSH!!::

[Claws out, Felys's right arm lunges for Remeer...]


pg. 69


Reeshine: _REMEER!!_

Reeshine [thinking]: He can't...he _can't_ really be meaning not to dodge
it, can he!?

SFX: ::BAM.::

[Felys's arm stops short just before it would have smashed in Remeer's
skull.  Remeer stares back unblinking, resolute.]

Felys: ...............
IT SEEMS YOU'RE SERIOUS...

Remeer: ...............


pg. 70


Felys: _BUT SO AM I!!_

SFX: ::CRUNCH!!::

[Felys instead uses her protruding claw to lift Remeer up by his
midsection.]

Felys: MAY YOUR FLESH KNOW YOUR FOOLISHNESS!!

[Felys's grip tightens, and she gathers energy for a spell in the same
hand...]

SFX: ::VOOOOOOOM...::

Remeer: _...--!_

SFX: _POW!!_

Remeer: _GA...--!!_

[Felys unleashes the energy, and Remeer is sent flying backward.]


pg. 71


SFX: ::BAM!!::
::WHAM::
::THUD::
::CRUNCH!::

[Remeer, as hinted above, lands none too gently.  Iris is shaken; Reeshine,
as will be her permanent character mien from now on, clutches her hands and 
stands frozen like a scared little girl.]

Iris: ......!!

Reeshine [in broken voice]: Ohh----...

Remeer: ----...
Sister...

SFX: ::tremble::
::tremble tremble::
::crunch::

[Remeer struggles to prop himself up from where he landed, face-down in the 
rubble.]

SFX: ::sploosh::
::sploosh::

[A cascade of viscous, raspberry jam-like blood flows from Remeer's face 
onto the floor when he finally succeeds in righting himself, suggesting 
injuries that should not be survivable.]

Remeer: Sister, you've...
...you've been fighting with your dark blood all this time...alone...
haven't you...

[Remeer looks up with eyes that are once again streaming with blood and
smiles gently.]

Remeer: --BUT YOU'RE NOT ALONE ANYMORE!...


pg. 72


Remeer: I know I might be too late...
...and you probably can't forgive me...
--but...I'm not going to leave you alone anymore!!

[Felys stares at Remeer in disbelief.]

Felys: ............
IS THAT _ALL_ YOU HAVE TO SAY!?

SFX: ::CLENCH!::

[Felys latches onto Remeer's hand.]

Iris & Reeshine: _!!_

[Felys yanks Remeer skyward...]

SFX: ::SWING!!::

Felys: _SIMPLETON...A FOOL TO THE _VERY_ END!!_


pg. 73


[...and punches Remeer rapid-fire all over his body with that tentacle
protrusion, blood blossoming on Remeer's clothing with every blow.]

SFX: ::BAM BAM BAM BAM BAM BAM BAM BAM BAM BAM::

Felys: THIS GIRL IS _BEYOND_ HOPE...
AND THE TAKING OF YOUR _WORTHLESS_ LIFE, HOWEVER _SWEET_...
WILL _NOT_ BE HER SALVATION!!

Remeer: _........._
_SISTER!!_

[Felys simply continues pummeling Remeer.]

SFX: ::BAM BAM BAM BAM BAM::

Reeshine: --...!!
_NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO--!!_
_STOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOP--!!_


pg. 74


[Sobbing helplessly, Reeshine shrieks, covers her eyes like a little girl,
and fails to fall to the ground only because Iris has propped her up.]

Reeshine: _WHY DO THEY HAVE TO SUFFER SO...WHY DOES IT HAVE TO BE SO
HORRIBLE?!_

[Iris is largely unfazed  -  but, then again, she seems to have turned a
permanent blind eye to the suffering of her family members, so what would
she care.]

Iris: Reeshine...

Reeshine: _At this rate, Remeer will...!!_

[...will sustain shattering injuries that will incapacitate him for maybe
half an hour.  We've been through this before, Reeshine.
Anyhow, like an infant, Reeshine buries her face in Iris's shoulder.]

SFX: ::clutch::

Iris [thinking]: Felys...!!
Please, open your heart...respond to Remeer!!

[Felys has paused her assault, and Remeer's body hangs limply from her 
arm.]

Felys: CHILD OF LIGHT...
I WILL ASK YOU ONE LAST TIME!!
DO YOU _TRULY_ THINK YOU CAN SAVE THIS GIRL WITHOUT YOUR WEAPON...WITH
YOUR HEART _ALONE!?_

[Remeer gives his answer, and Felys is shocked...]

SFX: ::BAM::

Felys: _.........!!_

SFX of Remeer: ::smile...::

[Remeer gives a gentle, warm smile to Felys, just like before.  (It's a
very nice smile, I have to say, especially considering that Remeer is 
bleeding out.)]


pg. 75


SFX: ::SHUDDER::

[It hits home, and Felys is genuinely shocked.  For the first time, her
face seems wholly human.
She releases her grip.  Remeer falls to the ground.]

SFX: ::BAM!::

[Remeer looks up in rage, gritting his teeth.  Way to ruin a moment that
lasted for almost a page's worth of panels.]

Remeer: _!?_

Felys: Remeer...


pg. 76


Remeer [still enraged, but also shocked]: _!!_

Felys: I'm the one...
...who can never be forgiven...
Mother...died...because of me...
It's all  -  my fault...

[Suddenly, though...]

SFX: ::WHAM!!::

Remeer [staring, now only shocked]: ----...!?

[We see that Felys has stabbed herself in her own shoulder with her claws.]

Felys: _...THAT'S ENOUGH!!_
SO YOUR CONSCIOUSNESS YET REMAINS, I SEE...


pg. 77


Felys: DO YOU NOT KNOW _WHEN_ TO GIVE _UP?!_......

Remeer [thinking, still shocked]: She's still there...  _She's still 
there!_
Even after six years...her heart still lives...!!
I knew it...I _knew_ she hadn't been completely swallowed up by the 
darkness!!

Remeer: ----...Sister...

[Remeer, now bloodied nearly beyond recognition, struggles to his feet.]

SFX: ::tremble tremble...::

Remeer: I'M...
...I'M RIGHT HERE!!


pg. 78


Remeer: Darkness...!!
If you can run my body through, then do so!...
But!!

Reeshine [sobbing, thinking]: Remeer!
Please...just stop!!

Remeer: You can never destroy my sister's heart, which awaits rescue...
or my heart, which loves her!!

Reeshine [sobbing, thinking]: How can you stand and SMILE like that!?
When your LIFE is hanging by a thread...!!

SFX: ::RUUMMMBLE::

Felys: THEN...!!
LET US _SEE_ IF YOU ARE _RIGHT!!_

[Felys lunges for Remeer with her claw, and Remeer once more stands
motionless, smiling.]

Remeer: Sister...
One more time...--


pg. 79


Remeer: _JUST ONCE MORE..._

[Felys, glaring and gritting her teeth, rushes in...]

Remeer: _TAKE BACK YOUR HEART...--!!_

SFX: ::WHAM!!::

[...and her claw bloodily finds its home in Remeer's chest.]


pg. 80


Reeshine [helplessly shrieking]: _NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!_
_REMEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEER!!_

[Remeer's chest is now exploded worse than his stomach was at the start of
Volume II, and this is really getting to the guro side of things.  The
Passion of the Child of Light.
Even though, based on where Felys's claws are now impaled, it is physically
impossible for Remeer to have an intact heart and functioning circulatory
or respiratory system, he reaches out with a bloodied hand to Felys.]

SFX: ::AGH::

Remeer: Sis...ter...

SFX: ::SHUDDER::

[Felys's eyes are wide; her face is once again human.]

Remeer: ----Stay...
with me.

Felys: .........

SFX: ::GASP::

[Felys is now crying.]

Felys: Re...meer...


pg. 81


Remeer: Come back with me...
...to the home you love!!

SFX: ::SHUDDER:: 

Felys: _----..._
_REMEER!!_

[In its globe above Felys's face, the Ark of Darkness lights up...]

SFX: ::FLASH!::

[...and...]

SFX: ::RIIIIP::


pg. 82


[...Felys's human body, together with the Ark, separates from Darkness's
carcass, and descends into her brother's waiting arms.]


pg. 83


SFX: ::GRAB!::

Remeer: SISTER--!

[Suddenly...]

SFX: ::SAG::

[...Felys collapses.]

SFX of Felys's heartbeart: ::...thump::
::ka-thump::
::--ka-thump::

[Remeer carefully studies his sister's face; she is now unconscious, but 
seems unharmed.  A jubilant Remeer holds her close.]

Remeer [thinking]: Thank goodness...she's just unconscious--...

SFX: ::HUG!::

Remeer: _...My sister!!_

[...We now interrupt this heartwarming reunion for a completely stupid plot
development.]

SFX: ::GRIND...::
::CREAK::


pg. 84


Remeer [turning to look behind him]: ----...

Voice: ......NOT...
NOT YET...

SFX: ::CREAK::
::CREAK::

Remeer: ...DARKNESS!!

Voice: ...NOT YET...BOYYYYYY...!!

[OK: Despite having lost its head and...well, its actual _consciousness_,
something is animating what's left of Darkness's body.  Which makes no 
sense.  Yes, I know that Felys claims that Darkness is an entity created
from her rage and hatred, but...well, it's difficult to discuss visual
clues in a text translation, but that's not how the monster is treated in
the manga.  Felys _was_ Darkness.  Her voice was its voice; her expressions
were its expressions.  She's treated as the entity at its heart, its true 
form, its core  -  that's the point of the reveal.  That's why Darkness's
"head" is just a tearaway mask, why every other physical aspect of Darkness
is vestigial.  She's not a captive inside a separate or even symbiotic
organism: she IS the organism.
(Refer also to Darkness's internal monologue in chapter 9, where Darkness
is clearly conflicted about killing Remeer; this makes no sense if Felys is
a separate consciousness.)
But then, if we start examining these inconsistencies, we have to note that
Remeer is now walking under his own power and is seemingly unharmed,
despite having his heart and lungs shredded in his chest a couple pages
ago.  Which completely negates any perceived sacrifice he made in those
pages, really.
But all this stupidity exists solely to provide a particularly dumb moment
of Remeer glorification, so I advise you to skip ahead to halfway into pg.
87.]

SFX of Remeer putting Felys down: ::RUSTLE::

Remeer: You've detached from my sister...and you've lost the Ark of 
Darkness.

[Also lost: Head, mind, consciousness, any reason for this scene to be
taking place.]

Remeer: Don't you understand yet?  The darkness you say dwells in the 
hearts of the people...

SFX of spells charging: ::FLARE:
::FLASHHHHH::

Remeer: ...was dispelled by the light in our hearts  -  the light in which
we believed!


pg. 85


Remeer: _RETURN TO NOTHING  -_

SFX: ::FLASH!!::

Remeer: _WITH ALL THE SUFFERING YOU'VE CAUSED!!_

SFX: ::BURN!::

Voice: _GUOOOOOHHHHHHHHHH--!!_
_--...CH..._
_CHILD OF LIIIIIGHT~~!_

SFX: ::crack crack::
::crack::
::crack::
::OHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH::

[Remeer releases a Mega Ultra Death Spell of Supreme Awesomeness Because
Remeer Is the Best, Really that annihilates whatever it is that he's 
fighting right now that shouldn't even exist.]


pg. 86


[Or maybe it doesn't, at least not immediately.  Remeer stares as what's 
left of Darkness's former body breaks down.  Incidentally, we see a better
shot of Remeer's body on this page, and Remeer's chest is a complete red
ruin.  And yet he's not only ambulatory but able to strike glamorous action
poses with ease.]

Whatever, I Don't Care Anymore: ----...I...
WILL......NEVER DIE...
AS LONG...
AS SOMEONE...DESIRES...THE POWER...OF THE DARKNESS...

SFX: ::KAPOWWWWWWWWWWWWW::
::RROOOAAARRR...::

Remeer [smiling smugly to himself, thinking]: Darkness...
Even if what you say is true...


pg. 87


Remeer [thinking]: ...Someone like me will appear...someone who believes in
the light of hope...to destroy you.
Over and over...no matter how many times you return!!

[Remeer, you didn't even care enough to write your own Deep Thoughts.  You
just ripped off the ending of the SNES version of Final Fantasy IV.  Just
be quiet and let this scene end.]

[Oh, right.  For those of you who followed my advice to skip ahead: Remeer
destroyed Darkness's shambling corpse, which had no consciousness left to 
power said shambling, by posing prettily and speechifying a lot.  He also
thinks he's FuSoYa now, apparently.
No, don't ask.  Don't scroll back to find out what I was referencing.  Just
forget what I said.]

Felys: ----...Remeer!

Remeer: Sis...ter?

[Felys is up and standing on her own two feet.]

Felys [smiling]: ----...
REMEER!!


pgs. 88-89


Remeer [smiling with blood dripping down his face]: SISTER...

SFX of Felys running toward Remeer: ::DASH!::

Remeer: _SISTER!!_

[The siblings hug, both sobbing tears of joy.]

Iris [watching, thinking, crying]: Remeer...  Felys...
I'm glad that you both overcame this difficult trial well...

[Iris, you let your own flesh and blood be tortured for six years straight.
You've kind of lost the right to pass moral judgment on anybody.  Daisies!
This is even more intolerable than when Lux got dismembered!
Anyhow, Reeshine watches from afar as Remeer embraces his sister with an 
enthusiasm and love he never remotely displayed toward Reeshine.  Reeshine
smiles wanly and sadly.]

Reeshine [thinking]: I'm happy for you...
Remeer...


pg. 90


[Night falls, mercifully.  Remeer is sitting in a chair, his torso kinda
bandaged up, because that will heal his severe organ trauma, apparently.
Iris stands next to him.  Felys is asleep in bed before them; incidentally,
her hair is now in her trademark twin braids.
Iris kneels to cast a healing spell on Remeer.]

SFX: ::FLASHHHH...::

[A couple bruises on his arm disappear.  Yeah, nice try.  Remeer still
should be dead.]

Iris: ...Remeer.
It's about time you got some rest, too.
You fought so hard, after all!


pg. 91


Remeer: ----I will.
But...my sister's finally come back to me after so long...
I just want to stay with her a little longer.
It kind of seems like a waste just to sleep now...

[Remeer and Iris both settle in to...er, watch Felys sleep.
.........
Meanwhile...]

SFX: ::RUSTLE::

[The Ark of Fire, apparently uncomfortable with the family voyeurism
fetish, erupts quietly from Remeer's...ponytail...]

SFX: ::FWOOSH::

[...and flies off into the next room.]

SFX: ::FLASH!::

Ark of Fire: --Geez...
Kinda embarrassing...watching such an *intimate* display!!


pg. 92


[The fairy wanders the halls of the shrine...]

SFX: ::flutter::
::flutter::
::flutter::

[...until she comes across a balcony.]

Ark of Fire: Huh?

[A lone figure stands out in the starlight.  The Ark of Fire smiles in
recognition...]

Ark of Fire: HIII, REESHINE!!  [heart]
Whatcha doin' in a place like this?!

[Reeshine, irritated by the Ark's presence, silently sulks on the balcony.
Warning here: Things are about to get...weird.]

Ark of Fire [persisting]: You sure you're all right...not bein' with
Remeer?!

Reeshine [turning slightly]: ----...What do you mean?...
Are YOU gonna be all right...not being INSIDE Remeer?

[That kind of has an unfortunate double meaning in English, but there's no
other way to put it, and I'm not entirely sure it's unintended in 
Japanese.  After all, we've been dealing with unfortunate double meanings
since Remeer expressed a desire to be "run through" by his sister's naked
form.
Oh, hey  -  did I mention this was going to start to get weird?]

Ark: _I'm FINE!_
Besides, it's not like I could've STAYED...  
Things were gettin' pretty *cozy* between those two...I had to give them 
some privacy! [heart]


pg. 93


Reeshine [bitterly, to herself]: ----...
YEAH...

Ark: Oh...that's right!!
You couldn't stand to watch either, could you?
Don't you get the feeling...that Remeer's got a HUUUUUGE complex about
his sister?! 
But, you gotta say...
...they make a good couple!

SFX of Ark: ::HA!::

[Reminder, in case you missed all Remeer's yelling earlier: Felys is
Remeer's _sister._  We do not even have the Alex and Luna Corollary here, 
where the characters are merely adopted siblings.  They are flesh-and-blood
siblings  -  twins, as close biologically as siblings from opposite genders
can be.
Of course, at this point, it would make perfect sense for Remeer to fall in
love with a version of himself.
Anyhow, the Ark looks up at Reeshine and notices that she's genuinely 
miserable, eyes brimming with tears.]

Ark [thinking]: Hey...!  Heyyyy~~...
What happened to all that spirit she always had?

Reeshine: I know!...

SFX of teardrop: ::plop!::

Reeshine: Remeer's always been looking for Felys, so...


pg. 94


[Reeshine breaks down helplessly sobbing, again.]

Ark: _H...hey!!  What're you crying for?!_
Aren't you happy?!  That Felys is back, I mean...

Reeshine [thumping fist]: _I AM happy!!_
Remeer's...
just _ecstatic!_, and...
I've never seen him so happy before...with such a smile...
He's never been that way even _once_ with me...

Ark: Reeshine...

[A pause.  You know, I feel sorry for Reeshine here.  It's Remeer's right
not to be interested, but seeing an actual person getting hurt and reacting
in something resembling a plausibly human way is more affecting given the 
contrast to everyone's bizarrely alien reactions to Remeer's apparent
_actual_ object of interest.  You can't even dismiss it with a "well,
they're consenting adults," because they're 16 years old, and one of them's
just emerged from years of severe mental trauma.  Also, the last time
Remeer saw Felys was when she & he were _nine,_ meaning that he's formed
this mental fixation on the image of an elementary school-age child.  And
yet everyone seems to be OK with this and is treating it as a joke instead
of raising any of the obvious objections.]

Reeshine: --If I were in the same position as Felys...
...I wonder if Remeer would've risked his life for me like he did for
her...


pg. 95


Ark [panicky & not very convincingly]: _Um..._
Of course, _right?!_  I mean, of _course_ he'd help you--!
I mean, Remeer's just that kinda _guy!!_

Reeshine: ...You think so?

Ark: _OF COURSE!!_  I mean, like I _said..._

Reeshine: But--...
_I..._
I don't think Remeer really needs me by his side...

[Reeshine is again silently crying, and this time a bit pensive.]

Ark [not really knowing what to say at this]: _--..._
_HUH--?!_


pg. 96


Reeshine: No...he never needed me.
All he needs is Felys...

Ark [panicking]: _It...it's not like that--!_

[Ark of Fire, we ALL know at this point that it is EXACTLY like that.]

Ark: It's because of your help that Remeer's been able to--

Reeshine: Whatever the case, he doesn't need me _now..._
Now that he's found _Felys..._
--I'M...
I'M GOING BACK...
...TO NANAKA VILLAGE!

[I'm sorry, but I gotta reiterate: this manga is creating a love triangle
between Remeer, Reeshine, and Remeer's SISTER.
But...Felys is saved!  Remeer's goal is accomplished!  He can finally 
resume his uncomfortably-close relationship with his sibling!  It's over!
This manga's over!  It's all over!  
...Is it over?]


pg. 97


CHAPTER 16: TO THE DARK WORLD...

[Goddammit.]

[...If we have to do this: FRONTISPIECE: Remeer sits by the side of a pool,
his pants rolled up and his legs dangling in the water.  The Ark of Fire
sits on his shoulder, back to him; the Arks of Water and Light (both
demonstrably female Arks) swim in the pool and sit in a tree respectively.
Considering Remeer's reaction to being kissed on the forehead by the Ark of 
Fire at the end of Chapter 5, for him, this probably counts as an orgy.]


pg. 98


SFX: ::tweet tweet...::
::tweet tweet!::

[A bright, sunny morning.  A figure in a dress stands at a window, taking 
in the mountains and watching birds fly across the sky.]

Iris: ----...
Felys?

[Iris peers into the doorway; Felys, clad in a patterned apron & white 
long-sleeved shirt, turns to greet her.]

Iris: Do you feel all right now  -  physically?

Felys [smiling]: Goddess...!
Yes...I feel all better now!
...But...I--...


pg. 99


[Felys turns back to the window and seems a bit more somber.]

Felys: ...I truly _have_ hurt a great many people.

[Felys recalls, er, obliterating her brother's thoracic cavity.]

Felys: Even though Darkness had control of my closed heart...
I still hurt even Remeer, who had such faith in me...

Iris: Felys...

Felys: Perhaps I was too preoccupied with my negative thoughts before...
with the idea of Dark blood, and of the power of Darkness.
In truth, both blood and power...change according to the nature of those
who hold them...


pg. 100


SFX: ::rustle...::

[Iris puts a hand on Felys's back.]

Iris: Your father...
once said the very same thing, Felys!...
He said that in truth, Light and Darkness cannot be neatly divided into
good and evil...
That to do so...was perhaps a weakness of our own human hearts...

Felys: Father said that?

Iris: Yes...

Felys: ...Remeer was the one who made that clear for me.
Remeer has Mother's power and Father's heart, doesn't he...


pg. 101


Felys: That reminds me...
Goddess...
Where is Remeer?

Iris: --He said he had a bit of thinking to do.
I imagine he went to the lake!

Felys: ----...
Goddess...Remeer is...

Iris [thinking]: I know...
He probably...
...is thinking about the final battle.
--With the leader of the Tribe of Darkness...the Dark God Slayvier......!!

[Wait, why?  All Remeer's objectives have been achieved  -  he has all the
Arks, and he has his sister back.  Why would such a battle be necessary, 
for anything other than Remeer's glorification?]


pg. 102


Iris: ----You as well...
...the same burden weighs on your mind, does it not?

Felys [in a level tone, with resolve]: --...YES!!
I don't think it will atone for the mistakes I've made...but...
we can't just let Slayvier go...!!

Iris [sad]: ...............

[Iris takes Felys's hand in both of hers.]

SFX: ::rustle::

Iris: Felys...
--As the leader of the Tribe of Light...
I cannot stop you...
But...speaking personally..._from my heart!!_...

Felys [shocked a bit]: Goddess...!?


pg. 103


SFX: ::GRAB!::

[Iris puts one hand around Felys's neck and one hand on her back and yanks
her close.  Felys's eyes widen blankly, and her mouth gapes, stunned; the 
way she's been drawn, it looks as if she's reacting to being stabbed in the
back.]

Iris: Over the years...
...there have been so many victims in our war with the Tribe of Darkness.
Even my sister Salia...!
And even _him_...no  -  even your father--!!
If something were to happen to _you_ as well...I...I--!!

Felys [blushing, thinking]: Goddess.........
You smell just like my mother......

[??? 
Anyhow, later.]

SFX of Felys's footsteps: ::CLACK::

Felys [walking down hallway, thinking]: Goddess----...


pg. 104


SFX: ::GREEEEE...::

[Felys opens a random, and apparently squeaky...room curtain?...and is 
shocked to discover...]

Felys: ----...!!

Reeshine: --Ah...

Felys: _!!_
Reeshine...

[Reeshine is sitting by a window.  (The Ark of Fire floats nearby.)
Reeshine turns listlessly (and only slightly) to face Felys.]

Reeshine [thinking]: Felys--...

Reeshine: Uh...um...do you feel OK...physically?

Felys: Yes...

Reeshine: I see...  That's good.  What a relief, huh.

SFX of Ark of Fire: ::PANIC PANIC::

Ark of Fire [thinking]: ...Well, _these_ two couldn't be more 
uncomfortable!!

Felys: Um...I...I know I did some pretty horrible things to you, too...
Darkness hurt you so many times...I'm truly sorry for that.

SFX: ::CLATTER!::

[Reeshine bolts from her chair.]

Reeshine: W--What're you talking about!
That's not _your_ fault, is it?
Your heart was being controlled by Darkness...you weren't in control of 
yourself!

[OK, this is why they're trying to make Darkness a separate entity after
the fact, even though the scenes don't support it: to excuse Felys from all
the havoc she wreaked while captive.]


pg. 105


Reeshine: ...But, besides that...
Um...

Felys [wide-eyed & waiting]: _!?_

[Reeshine blushes and smiles cheerfully but nervously & apologetically...]

Reeshine: ----Ah...welllll...
It's not really--

Ark of Fire: _HOW DO YOU FEEL ABOUT REMEER!?_

Felys: HUH!?

Reeshine: Hey...!  H-Hang on...!!  [sweatdrop]

Felys: "How do I feel"?...  Well, he's my brother!  I really love him!
To me...he's my flesh & blood...my only family!

Reeshine [pensively]: Your brother...

Ark of Fire: OH!  WELL!
WE DON'T MEAN _THAAAAAT~~!_


pg. 106


Ark of Fire, Eyes Shut & Waving Fists & Really Freaking Out: WHAT WE MEAN
IS--
DO YOU LIKE REMEER _AS A MAN?!?!~~~~~_

Felys [wide-eyed, but perhaps not as much as she should be at this
suggestion]: ...!?
"As a man"...!?

Reeshine: ............

[Reeshine is sweatdroppy, but waits quietly for an answer. (In other news,
this comic has had an extended conversation that is baldly, inarguably 
about whether or not Felys wants to have sex with her brother.)]

Felys [blushing, waving hand unconvincingly in a "it's not like that"
gesture]: I...
_NOT AT ALLLL!!_
_How COULD I~~~!!_

Reeshine [genuinely shocked]: _HUH?!_

Felys: I MEAN...
I really love Remeer and all, and he's the most important person in the 
world to me...
But...he's my _brother!_  I don't love him at ALL _that way!!_

[Yeah ahahahahaha you _totally_ didn't mean it that way how could we EVER
have gotten that idea you totally DID mean that, manga.]


pg. 107


Reeshine [nervously]: _A...ha ha ha ha!  Oh, _I_ know!  I mean, of _course_
not, _right?!_ [heart]
[to Ark of Fire] How could you ask something so WEIRD!?!? [sweatdrop]

Ark: _HUH?!?!_  WHAT THE _HELL?!?!--_
_You_ were just _DANCING_ around the issue, so _SOMEONE_ had to step up 
and--

SFX: ::CHOMP::

[The Ark is silenced by Reeshine shoving her finger in the Ark's mouth.]

Reeshine: _Um--never mind, Felys!!_ [sweatdrop]

SFX: ::chomp::
::chomp::
::chomp::

Reeshine: _Pay no attention to us~~!_ [sweatdrop]

Felys: UH...
SURE...

[Manga, you could at least own up to the fact that you _did_ try to posit
Remeer's sister as a legitimate rival for Remeer's romantic affections.]

Felys [thinking]: Reeshine...

SFX: ::giggle!::

Felys [thinking]: You really think a lot of Remeer, don't you...

Felys: --Hey...
Reeshine.

Reeshine [who was apparently turning to leave]: ...Huh-?


pg. 108


Felys: Um......
Could you go see Remeer for me?
I think...he's probably by the lake.
He's doing some serious thinking...it'd be good for him to have someone by
his side.

Reeshine: Thinking?
But, Felys, wouldn't you...

Felys: No!  Not me!...  I'd just be a distraction  -  he's too worried 
about me...

["But he doesn't care about _you,_ Reeshine, so you won't be distracting at
all!"]

Felys: And, besides...
I think, to Remeer, you'd be the most reassuring presence for him.

Reeshine: He's _worried_...?
Why?...  You're back...so his journey's over, isn't it?...

Felys: ----
Well...


pg. 109


SFX: ::FWOOSHHHH...::

[Outside.  The black wind howls.
Actually, a gentle breeze just rustles the trees. 
Reeshine indeed finds Remeer sitting by the lake, arms crossed and head 
buried in his folded-up knees in what apparently is meant to be signified
as Very Deep Thought.]

SFX of Reeshine's footstep on grass: ::pad::

Reeshine: ----...
Remeer...


pg. 110


Remeer [not even turning to look at Reeshine]: .........

[Reeshine sits down next to Remeer.]

SFX of sitting: ::fwish::

Reeshine: Remeer...
I heard from Felys...
You can't...
actually be thinking of fighting Slayvier, can you?

[Reeshine tries to manage a forced laugh & smile.]

Reeshine: You've gotta be joking, right?......
I mean, to take on such an unfathomable monster...
You CAN'T, right?!
You were on a journey to find Felys, and you _did_ that...
Why not just leave the rest to the goddess and her servants and come back
home to Nanaka?


pg. 111


[Still quiet, Remeer idly picks up a nearby stone.]

Remeer: ----...
So far...

SFX of Remeer throwing stone in water: ::SPLASH!::

Remeer: I've been traveling around the world to the shrines, looking for
my sister...
...and I finally found her.
At first, I thought I was finished.  That she was my only goal.  
--However!!
I've met so many people in my journey...
and...left so many behind.
I've had so many experiences, both happy and sad...
And through all of them, I've thought to myself...
...that...I've got to fulfill my duty as the Child of Light...right?...


pg. 112


[Remeer dramatically looses Tokio's headband from his hair.]

Remeer: I remember what Tokio said to me...

SFX: ::slip...::

Remeer: ...back then...

Tokio [in flashback]: Show the world...
a better way to live...
...You can do it!!

[Remeer stares as Tokio's headband as he remembers the ninja.  Of _course_
Tokio would be behind this.  He's dead, and he's _still_ ruining chapters.
Incredible.]

Remeer: Ever since then...a single-minded determination has taken root in
my heart.

Reeshine [staring in silent, nervous disbelief]: ...!!
_Aren't you SCARED?!  To face the leader of the Tribe of Darkness
HIMSELF!?!?_
_YOU DON'T KNOW WHAT HORRIBLE POWERS HE HAS!!_

Remeer [staying self-consciously stoic]: ...C'mon.  Of course I'm scared.
----..But...


pg. 113


Remeer [lifting his eyes to the far-off mountains in a self-consciously
heroic pose]: I'M...
GOING TO FACE THE LEADER OF THE TRIBE OF DARKNESS  -  SLAYVIER!!

[Wait, why are we facing Slayvier?  He's not a good person, obviously, but
he's not really an active threat, and his most powerful lieutenants are 
either dead or unbrainwashed.  How is killing him going to help show the 
Tribes a better way to live and foster peace between them?  Remeer, just be
honest with yourself and admit that you want to kill a final boss for your
own self-aggrandisement, you twerp.
In any case: Reeshine is silent and still in response to this news, 
clutching her fists in her skirt.]

Reeshine: _Then..._

SFX: ::clutch::

Reeshine: _Take me with you!!_
_Felys is going too, isn't she?!_
_I might be able to give you just a _little_ help!!..._
_I won't get in your way!!_

Remeer: No...it's too dangerous, Reeshine.  I can't take you with me.

[Yes, know your place, woman.  Reeshine, I'm sorry, but I'm afraid this 
volume has nothing for you to do but fret, sob, shriek, and worry if
Remeer wants to have sex with his sister.
Speaking of whom, since Reeshine's worries are entirely founded and Remeer
can't stay away from the topic for two seconds:]

Remeer: Besides...I have no right to stop my sister from coming.
She's struggling with the destiny she inherited by blood, just as I am...


pg. 114


Reeshine: _Do you feel so duty-bound by your Tribe of Light blood, 
Remeer?!_
_There's no need to fight to the point of SACRIFICING yourself, is there?!_

[Remeer doesn't answer, and Reeshine gasps in horrific realization.]

SFX: ::GASP!::

Remeer [not looking at Reeshine, holding himself]: ...I don't...
...want to see anyone else hurt...
I don't know what makes me qualified for this...but...
...even so...the Arks chose both of us, brother and sister, as their 
masters.

Reeshine [thinking]: Why...why are you putting up such a front!?

Remeer: If I have the power of the Light...
...then that means I have a duty to fulfill...

Reeshine [thinking]: You must be so, so scared...!!

Remeer: I'm going to fight!!


pg. 115


[Unable to stand it anymore, Reeshine closes her eyes, grits her teeth, and
clenches her fists.]

Reeshine [thinking]: _LOOK at you  -  you're SHAKING!!_
_You're just FORCING yourself to put a brave face on all this!!_
_You're going...you're going to MARTYR yourself!!_

[This actually is rather disturbing: Remeer _does_ want to martyr himself,
even when his death won't serve any apparent purpose.
Glaring in anger, Reeshine bolts to her feet...]

SFX: ::BOLT!::

Remeer [finally turning his head]: _Reeshine?!_

Reeshine: _IDIOT!!_
YOU DON'T CARE ABOUT _ANYONE'S_ FEELINGS...

[Reeshine's face is consumed with rage, tears welling in her eyes.]

Reeshine: _YOU SAY YOU DON'T WANT TO SEE ANYONE HURT..._
_BUT YOU DON'T CARE IF YOU HURT ME!!_  


pg. 116


[Well, duh.  Anyhow, Reeshine turns and runs away.]

SFX: ::DASH!::

Remeer: ----...
_Reeshine!!_

[Reeshine doesn't stop; she runs back to the shrine and disappears from 
Remeer's sight.]

Remeer [thinking]: Reeshine...

[Later.
Day breaks.  It's the next morning.
Reeshine kneels miserably by her what seems to be her bed, her head buried
in the covers.]

Reeshine [thinking]: --It's already morning...isn't it.
And Remeer's leaving today...

[Already?  Remeer just made his decision yesterday.  I suppose martyrdom
waits for no one.]


pg. 117


SFX: ::KNOCK KNOCK::

[The Ark of Fire floats nervously outside Reeshine's door.]

Ark of Fire: ...Reeshine?
Um, hey!  I'm...I'm leaving now, OK?
I'm going off with Remeer...

[No answer.]

Ark of Fire: ............

SF of Ark resuming her assault on the door: ::POUND POUND::

Ark [more frantically]: _Hey, we're REALLY leaving, OK?!_
_I mean, REALLY!!  This isn't a joke~!_

[Still no answer.  Even the fairy's efforts die down.]

SFX: ::POUND...::

Ark: ......WE CAN'T _LEAVE!!_
NOT LIKE _THIS..._

[Reeshine, still miserable, stares blankly & anxiously.]

Reeshine: ............


pg. 118


Iris: So I see you're finally going...aren't you, you two!!

[Iris is addressing Remeer & Felys in the nearly-empty audience hall, still
strewn with rubble from the last fight.  What's all this "finally" 
business?  What has it been, two days since Remeer got his heart & lungs
torn out of his chest and Felys emerged from a six-year imprisonment inside
a Zeiram?]

Iris: Your destination is the keep of the dark god Slayvier...the Shrine of
Darkness...
As long as Slayvier remains undefeated, you will most probably not be able
to return to our world...
You will be fighting in darkness, without a single ray of light to guide
you...
Please...take care of yourselves!!
The path to the Shrine of Darkness lies beyond the barrier at the heart of
this shrine--...
You will be able to pass beyond the gate you'll find there.

[Remeer looks around anxiously.]

Remeer: ............

[Incidentally, Felys now has her paladin outfit from the game to match her
brother, complete with sword.  I'm not sure when there was time for her to
learn swordfighting, but then again, I'm not sure when Remeer found time to
learn kickboxing back in Vol. 2, either.]

Felys: It's all right, Remeer!...
I know that Reeshine will understand eventually!

Remeer [smiling unsurely]: Mm...

[Guys, she understands about both of you.  WE ALL UNDERSTAND ABOUT BOTH OF
YOU.  Good Lord.
Actually, joking aside: No, she doesn't understand what you hope to
accomplish.  I've been translating your story for over 500 pages now, and
_I_ don't understand.  You're going off to win the hearts and minds of the
your enemy by murdering their leader, because Remeer wants to martyr 
himself.  That's the same logic that suicide bombers use.  I don't like my
heroes being motivated by the same logic as suicide bombers.]


pg. 119


[Anyhow, Remeer, Felys, & Iris go to the inner chamber that holds the 
gate to the Shrine of Darkness.  Magical energy swirls around it.]

SFX: ::wisp::
::crackle::

Iris: The barrier to the Shrine of Darkness has already been broken.
Remeer!  Felys!!
You have to come back to us!

Remeer & Felys: ...YES!!

Iris: Now, go through the gate, and...

Voice: _REMEER!!_


pg. 120


[All three turn to find an out-of-breath Reeshine standing in the 
doorway.]

SFX: ::BAM!::

Someone, I Don't Know: _!?_
_Reeshine!!_

SFX: ::huff::
::puff::

Remeer: Th......thank you.
I appreciate you seeing me off...

[Reeshine, looking downward, slowly takes a few steps forward toward
Remeer.]

Reeshine: Remeer...

SFX: ::clack::
::clack::
::clack::

Reeshine: I'm...not going to try to stop you...
but...just promise me...

SFX: ::whip::

[Reeshine holds out her pinky for the pinky-swear gesture that's popular in
Japan.]


pg. 121


Reeshine [smiling, trying to look hopeful]: PROMISE ME...
YOU'LL COME BACK!!

[Remeer looks at Reeshine's hand and is kind of taken aback...]

Remeer [thinking]: Her hand...it's just covered in scars...
...because she's stayed with me all this time...right by my side...

[Remeer, who had been tentatively moving forward with the pinky-swear, 
suddenly clasps Reeshine's hand in both of his in determination.]

Remeer [smiling assuredly]: Don't worry...!

SFX: ::clasp!::

Remeer: I'll come back!  I promise!!

[Moved, Reeshine stares at Remeer, and a tear falls from her eye...]

SFX: ::drip::


pg. 122


[Reeshine begins to cry full-on, and withdraws a bit apologetically from
Remeer's touch.]

Reeshine: ----...!!
I...I'm sorry, I--

[Remeer stares...]

Remeer: ----...

[...and then...well, it's not exactly an embrace.  He closes his eyes,
takes Reeshine's hand in his, and kind of puts his forehead to hers.]

Remeer: Have faith in me...
...and wait for me!!

[In the artist's defense, she might have wanted to showcase both Remeer &
Reeshine's expressions, hence the distance between them.]


pg. 123


[In any case, Remeer detaches himself from Reeshine.]

SFX: ::SLIP...::

Reeshine [staring with teary, wide-open eyes]: ............

Remeer [smiling]: I'LL COME BACK!!

Felys [looking on, smiling, thinking]: Remeer...

[Remeer turns...]

SFX: ::CLACK::

[...and both he and Felys head through the gate.]

SFX: ::VOOOOM::


pg. 124


SFX: ::FWOOOOOSHHHH::

[Felys & Remeer's bodies blur, and then are gone.]

SFX: ::rustle...::

[Reeshine falls to her knees, covers her face with her hands like a little
girl, and breaks down sobbing.]

SFX: ::CRUMBLE::

Iris: Reeshine!?

[Yes, Reeshine, why are you broken up that my blood relations are going off
to almost-certain death?  I certainly overcome any such reservations myself
long ago!]

Reeshine [thinking]: I'LL...I'LL WAIT!!
SO PLEASE...
YOU _HAVE_ TO...
_YOU HAVE TO COME BACK!!_


pg. 125


[Meanwhile, on the other side of the gate...]

SFX: ::RRRROARRRRRR::

[Kuga looks up at the glowing vortex and notices a couple pinpoints of
light in the distance.]

SFX: ::crackle...::
::skree...::

Kuga: --...Is it finally time,
Lord Slayvier?

[In his determination to go full-on Clavis, Slayvier has arrayed a variety 
of rectangular glass shards like tarot cards before him, floating in 
mid-air.  (Slayvier also seems to be floating in mid-air himself.)  He 
plucks a glass card from the ether.]

SFX: ::slip::

Kuga: The Seven Arks, the Priestess of Darkness...
and  -  the Child of Light...


pg. 126


Kuga: All the players are assembled...

[Slayvier idly turns over the glass card in his hand; it depicts Remeer &
Felys speeding through the gate.]

Slayvier: ...for the neverending battle between Light and Darkness...I see.
_But_...now...this drama will reach its grand finale!!

[Slayvier closes his hand on the card, and it shatters.]

SFX: ::SHATTER!!::

Slayvier [smiling]: AND SO WILL THE HISTORY...
...OF THE TRIBE OF LIGHT!!


pg. 127


[Darkness.  
(I mean of the literal kind, not the monster that was Felys's previous
incarnation.)]

SFX: ::tap::

[Remeer's foot alights in an empty void.  Once steady on his feet, he pulls
Felys through portal behind him.]

SFX of portal: ::voooooom...::

Remeer [tensed, thinking]: It's so still--...
...I can't hear a sound.
Not even my own heartbeat...  It's as if everything...is being swallowed by
the silence around us...


pg. 128


[The surrounding world resolves to show...Remeer and Felys alone on a long
stone bridge spanning an inky lake, leading to the domed temple surrounded
by giant crystals from the opening of Chapter 6.]

Remeer [thinking]: _So this is Slayvier's keep--..._
_the Shrine of Darkness--!!_


CHAPTER 17: SLAYVIER


pg. 129


[The siblings walk through the high columns that line the entrance.  No one
greets them.]

Felys: ----...
This place hasn't changed since when I was taken here when I was
kidnapped...

SFX of footsteps: ::CLACK...::

[Felys and Remeer continue on through the main hall.  Only the echo of 
their footsteps can be heard.]

Felys: There's not a single sign of life...

SFX: ::CLACK::

Felys: The very air itself feels cold and inhuman.
Like we're at the bottom of a stagnant sea...

SFX: ::CLACK::

Felys: There's only one difference!
The darkness...it's even deeper and thicker than before...almost pitch 
black!! 

Remeer [thinking]: It's as if this shrine rejects all signs of life...
...because Slayvier's dark power reigns supreme here!


pg. 130


[The twins arrive before a massive set of double doors.]

SFX: ::CLACK...::

[Before they can more forward, however, a lone figure appears before them,
floating in midair...]

Felys & Remeer: _!!_

Kuga: WELCOME...
CHILDREN OF DESTINY...
TO THE DIVINE TRIBE OF DARKNESS'S HOLY LAND...OUR SHRINE OF DARKNESS.

Remeer: ...We have no business with you.
Step aside.
We're here to fight Slayvier.

[Kuga's pupils glaze over, his skin takes on an unnatural color, and horns 
begin to erupt from his skull.]

Kuga: All the better!  For before I grant thee an audience with my lord
Slayvier...

SFX of splitting skin: ::POP::
::POP::

Kuga: ...for the sake of my master...


pg. 131


Kuga: _I SHALL TEST THY POWER..._

SFX of appendages erupting: ::ZHHRUMMMP::

Kuga: _...WITH MY OWN FLESH AND BLOOD!!_

[Kuga's "flesh and blood" has grown to reach a couple stories.  He now has
six taloned arms, minotaur legs, and a thick dragon's tail.  His head, with
pupilless gog-eyes and skin stretched thinly over a distended skull, is 
encased in a secondary head akin to that of a spider.  I don't think
there's a monster like this in the game; this seems to be an original 
creation.  No matter, though, for...]

SFX: ::ROARRRR::

[...Remeer draws his sword...]

SFX: ::SHING!::


pg. 132


[...and with a _single blow_...]

SFX: ::SHPLATTT::

[...neatly slices off Kuga's head and part of his chest in a single, ovoid
slice.  (Felys is not allowed to participate in this Flawless Victory.)]

SFX: ::slip::

Kuga [still talking as his head/chest slides off his body, as if this were
No More Heroes or something]: ----...
_M...magnificent!!_

SFX: ::KA-THUMP::
::THUDD!::

Kuga: _You are indeed worthy to face Lord Slayvier..._

[Kuga raises his arm...]

Kuga: _Rejoice, Lord Slayvier!!_
_The time is nigh..._
_...and the gears of fate have begun to turn...!!_


pg. 133


SFX: ::CREEEEEEEAAAAKK::

[...and the huge double doors beyond slough open.]

SFX: ::rroaaarrr...::

[A torrent of inky darkness slithers out into the environs...]

SFX: ::RROOAARRRRRRRR::

[And Remeer & Felys peer beyond to spy...]

Remeer: _...!!_

[...a long-haired figure floating calmly in mid-air before them.]


pg. 134


Slayvier: ...At last.  I've been waiting...
CHILDREN OF LIGHT AND DARKNESS!!

Felys & Remeer: _SLAYVIER!!_


pg. 135


Remeer [thinking]: This man..._he_ is the leader of the Tribe of Darkness!!

Felys [thinking]: This isn't the Slayvier I know...
His aura is far stronger than it was even before!!

SFX of Slayvier whipping off his cloak: ::WHAP!::

[We see that one of Slayvier's hands is already sheathed in a claw-like
weapon.  Well, fighting self-righteous blonds always was Clavis's natural
element.]

Slayvier: --Now, then...
Shall we have our magnificent battle?...
--The battle that will pave the way for a new age of Darkness!  


pg. 136


Remeer: _HE'S COMING!!_

SFX: ::VOOM::

[Slayvier raises his hand and instantly unleashes an enormous spell that 
floods the previously pitch-black room with a wall of blinding light.]

Remeer: _...!!_

Remeer [thinking]: He was able to gather such immense spiritual power to
him  -  in just an instant?!


pg. 137


[And with a punch...]

SFX: ::FWOOSHHH::
::BOOM!::

[...Slayvier directs the full force of his magic toward the twins.]

Felys: _EEEEEEEEEK!!_


pg. 138


SFX: ::RRRROOOOOARRRRR::

[Knocked back, Remeer can only stare helpless & wide-eyes as Slayvier's
light fills his vision...]

Remeer [thinking]: T...THIS...
THIS IS WHAT DESTROYED THE SHRINE OF WATER AND DUPREAUX IN AN INSTANT...
THE POWER...OF DARKNESS?!?!


pg. 139


[Slayvier smiles with satisfaction as Felys & Remeer hit the ground with
a:]

SFX: ::BAM!::

Slayvier: .........

[Well, that's what happens when you don't put up your Mirrors.  Slayvier
stares impassively as a bloodied Remeer reaches for his sister's hand.]

Remeer: ...Ah...
...Sis...ter...

[Remeer grasps her hand, but Felys is unresponsive; she appears to have to
been knocked unconscious, having failed to accomplish a single thing during
her time in the Dark World.  I suppose that's to be expected, as she was 
never trained as a combatant outside of her hulking Darkness form, but 
still...good grief.]

Remeer [thinking]: This overwhelming power...it's filled with malice and
despair...
Its only desire is to destroy...
If it's left unchecked...
then the world will be engulfed in cold and darkness...just like this
shrine!!

[Yeah, think of a justification to come here after the fact, Remeer.  
There actually was an apocalyptic threat, and it wasn't due just to your
own ego.]


pg. 140


SFX: ::WHOOSH::

[Slayvier alights on the ground from mid-air...]

SFX: ::clack::

[...and steps over to the fallen pair of paladins.]

Slayvier: .........
Is that all?...

[To punctuate his point, Slayvier stomps down on Remeer's spine.]

SFX: ::STOMP!::

Remeer: _AAAAH!_

Slayvier [foot still on Remeer's back]: Such _killjoys_...
I'm so disappointed in you both...
--...Aren't you going to entertain me a bit longer?


pg. 141


[Receiving no answer, Slayvier flies away a few steps...]

SFX: ::WHOOSH::

Slayvier: But if you're already _finished_...

[...and raises his hand behind him to gather magic energy anew.]

SFX: ::VOOOOOOOM::

Slayvier: THEN OUR GAME IS _OVER!!_

[The ground itself begins to crack as Slayvier gathers power to him...]

SFX: ::crackkk::
::crackkk::

SFX: ::RRRROOOAAAARRR::


pg. 142


[Remeer looks up, as he always does during these confrontations, with a
bloodied face and teeth gritted in grim determination.]

Remeer [thinking]: It can't end here...

SFX of Remeer taking his sister's hand: ::CLENCH!::

Remeer [thinking]: If we're defeated now...
...no one will be able to stop Slayvier!!

SFX of Remeer taking his sister's hand for the third time: ::grasp!::

Remeer [thinking]: Arks that dwell within my sister and me!
If you can hear the cry of our hearts...

Slayvier [winding up to release magic]: ............

SFX of magic: ::FWOOSH::

Slayvier: Farewell...Children of Light and Darkness!!

Remeer [thinking]: GIVE US YOUR POWER...

SFX of Slayvier's magic: ::SKREEEEEEEE::

Remeer [thinking]: ...TO PROTECT THIS WORLD!!


pg. 143


SFX: ::FLASH::

[A light erupts from Remeer & Felys's clapsed hands...]

Slayvier: _...!!_

[...which shoot out blinding trails of light in multiple directions.]

SFX: ::BANG::
::BOOM::
::BANG::
::BOOM::


pg. 144


[Waves of power break out from the shrine...]

SFX: ::FWOOOOSHHH::

[...and the earth and sea nearby upheave...]

SFX: ::CRACK!::
::CRACK!::
::RUMBLE RUMBLE RUMBLE RUMBLE::
::SHAAA::

[The entire sky crackles...or something...with power...]

SFX: ::OHHHHHHHH::


pg. 145


[...not only above the Shrine of Darkness, but in Nanaka, too...]

SFX: ::RUMBLE RUMBLE...::

[Does that make sense, by the way?  I'd gotten the idea that the Shrine of
Darkness was in another plane or something, due to how Remeer & Felys had 
to go through a sealed-away portal & all to access it.
Anyway: The chief of Nanaka waits in the village shrine...]

Villagers Rushing in: _CHIEFTAIN!!_

SFX: ::CLATTER CLATTER CLATTER CLATTER CLATTER...::

Villager: What on earth is _happening?!_  All this _shaking_...

Villager: It's still noon, and the _sky's_ going black!!

[The chief refuses to answer or even face his people, instead turning his
thoughts to  -  who else?]

Chieftain [thinking]: So it's at last upon us...
The final battle that will decide our fates!
REMEER!!

[Hey, buddy  -  you personally don't know that Reeshine herself isn't with
him.  And she's your _daughter_ in game continuity.  A thought for her
wouldn't go amiss here.
Anyhow  -  again  -  in Sandyland, the head priests react to the commotion,
tails rigid and fur on end.]

SFX: ::RUMBLE...::

Chavez: _W...w-w-w-what's going ON, MEOW?!_

Alonzo: _I-i-i-i-i-it's an EARTHQUAKE, MEOW!!_

[In Fruitland, the personal effects of the villagers clatter off their 
shelving, and Pancho braces himself beneath a pillow.]

SFX of Pancho: ::EEEEEEEEE...::

SFX of earthquake: ::CLATTER CLATTER CLATTER CLATTER...::

Pancho: _I...--It's the end of WORLLLLD, YA KNOWWW~~!!_

[Before we continue, I'd just like to remind everyone that it's _Remeer_ 
who's responsible for all this.  Him unleashing the power of the Arks
triggered all this.  Slayvier didn't do anything here.]


pg. 146


[Meanwhile, an ill wind blows outside Meisia's manor.]

SFX: ::HOWLLLLL::

Meisia [thinking, looking anxiously through window]: The sky and the
earth...
...are _rumbling!!_

[In Fairyland, frightened children run to Kamiwoo.]

SFX: ::RUMBLE RUMBLE RUMBLE RUMBLE RUMBLE...::

Children: _Kamiwoo!!_
_I'm SCARED!!_

[And in the ruins of Dupreaux...]

SFX: ::RUMBLE RUMBLE RUMBLE RUMBLE RUMBLE RUMBLE RUMBLE...::

[...Tokio's sword and Miriene's staff lie crossed and silent.]


pg. 147


[In the inner sanctum at the Shrine of Light, Iris and Reeshine watch as 
the portal pulses with light.]

SFX: ::VOOM VOOM VOOM VOOM VOOM VOOM...::

Reeshine: _Goddess!!  What's this rumbling?_
_What's happening?!_

Iris [anxiously]: Reeshine...
It's all right!  It'll be all right!!  With those children...!!
It _has_ to be...!!

[No, Iris.  One of the kids got immediately knocked out, and the other has
unleashed the end of the world.  You're not in good hands.
Anyhow, in Big Surprise news, Reeshine has fallen to her knees like a 
little girl, eyes tight and hands clasped in prayer.  Iris, standing, holds
Reeshine's shoulders not-very-reassuringly.]

Iris [thinking]: REMEER...  FELYS...
ONCE THE ARKS ARE UNLEASHED...THE TRUE BATTLE WILL BEGIN...!!

[Elsewhere...]

SFX: ::RUMBLE RUMBLE RUMBLE RUMBLE...::


pgs. 148-149


[A splash...panel, I suppose, unfolds of Slayvier watching as the Seven
Arks appear wreathed in light.]

SFX: ::OHHHHHHHH...::

[Meanwhile, Remeer and Felys, eyes closed (and Felys in a questionable
state of consciousness), are buoyed aloft by the Arks'...swirling power, I
guess.]

Arks: Children in whom Light and Darkness dwell!!

SFX: ::WHOOOSHHH::

Arks: Take our power, that of the Seven Arks, in hand...

SFX: ::FLASHHHH::

Arks: ...and forge a path to the world of justice in which you believe!!

Slayvier [thinking]: Their wounds are healed...their arms strengthened!
I feel it  -  the powers of both are reaching their peaks...
_This_  -  is the true power of the Arks!!

[Remeer opens his eyes...]

SFX: ::flutter::


pg. 150


SFX: ::CLANG!::

[Felys & Remeer are on their feet again, standing and glaring at Slayvier.
For some reason, their elbow bucklers have been upgraded to something 
resembling Tetujin carapaces marked with crosses & wings & other paladin
heraldry.]

Remeer: ...Slayvier!
The Seven Arks have unleashed all the power they possess and bestowed it
upon US!!
Now...we have gained UNPARALLELED power to protect this world!!
Our might FAR exceeds your own dark power...there is NO WAY you can win!!

[At Remeer's obvious power-mad villain speech, Slayvier...merely smirks.]

SFX: ::GRIN...!::


pg. 151


Remeer: --!?
Don't you _UNDERSTAND!?_  There's no SENSE in fighting!!

[Note: This panel makes it clear that only _Remeer_ has unsheathed his 
sword.  Felys, though she also has a Tetujin buckler, is unarmed and is 
merely clasping her hands frettily in the standard Vol. 3 Reeshine pose.
Granted, her brother _is_ acting like an utter sociopath right now.
Anyhow...]

Slayvier: --HA!...
HA HA HA...

Remeer [balling fists, really wanting to fight]: What's so _funny?!_

Slayvier: _Fools_...
I've been waiting for this...waiting for SO long!...
_For you to obtain all the Arks..._
_...AND TO UNLEASH THEIR POWER!!_

Remeer: WHAT...!?


pg. 152


Slayvier: Don't you _know?_
The reason I've let you live this long...
...was to _let_ you obtain the Arks.

Remeer [shocked]: You...

Felys [shocked]: ...LET us obtain the Arks?!

[Slayvier reascends into the air and begins crackling with lightning, like
M. Bison in the Street Fighter movie.]

Slayvier: You don't seem to have listened to a _thing_ the goddess told
you...

SFX: ::CRACKLE!::
::CRACKLE!::
::CRACKLE!::

Slayvier: ABOUT WHAT WOULD _HAPPEN_...IF YOU UNLEASHED THE POWER OF ALL
SEVEN ARKS!!


pg. 153


Slayvier: _Did you think you would SAVE your world by unleashing the
Arks?!_

[No, he thought he'd attain glory by martyring himself.  Any actual benefit
to the world would have been purely incidental, I'm sure.  
Actually, considering this is Remeer we're talking about, he was probably 
thinking about banging his sister, too.  Not as a consequence of unleashing
the Arks.  Just as constant mental background noise.]

SFX of environment: ::SHUDDER::
::SHUDDER::

Felys [thinking]: _Slayvier's aura is growing stronger..._
_It's not even COMPARABLE to what it was previously...!!_

Slayvier: _FOOLS!!_
THEY'RE NOT YOUR _SALVATION..._

SFX: ::THROB::

Slayvier: THEY'RE YOUR _DOOM!!_

Remeer: _Releasing the Arks...will lead to our destruction?_

SFX of Slayvier's hair, for some dang reason: ::billow...::
::billow::

Remeer: _What do you mean!?_


pg. 154


Slayvier: ONCE--...

SFX of Slayvier's hair again: ::FWOOSH::
::FWOOSH::

Slayvier: IN THE HOLY WAR OF 1,000 YEARS AGO...OUR LEADER WAS RENT LIMB
FROM LIMB BY THE TRIBE OF LIGHT. 

[We see this leader screaming as his body is, literally, torn apart into
pieces by an unseen force.  Wait, wasn't this leader specified in the 
prologue to be Slayvier himself?  It sure looked like Slayvier, from what
we were shown, and the figure in this panel, from what we can see, bears a
marked resemblance as well.  Maybe there's just a long hereditary line of
Slayviers.]

Slayvier: His body and power were divided into seven pieces and sealed away
by the power of the Arks. 
And in the thousand years since...for so long!...he has waited, until the 
time when the seal would be broken...!!

Remeer [shocked]: _......!!_

SFX: ::GASP!::

Remeer [still shocked]: YOU CAN'T MEAN...!?

[Slayvier himself is undergoing a transformation, growing giant claws and
monstrous limbs.]

Slayvier: Indeed...by lifting the millstones of the Arks, you have
destroyed the seal!

SFX of transformation: ::GLORP::
::GLORP::

Slayvier: In other words...every time you absorbed an Ark...
you released yet another fragment of the Dark God's power!!


pg. 155


[Slayvier has mutated considerably; one of his eyes drifts strabismically
up & back into his skull.]

Slayvier: And now...in order to return you from the brink of death...the
Seven Arks have COMPLETELY unleashed their power!

SFX of eye rolling back into head: ::SLORP::

Slayvier: And in doing so...they have also completely shattered the seal 
upon the power of the dark god of old...power which has surged into ME!!
I used your family, killed the goddess's sister...

Felys [for some reason surprised at this]: _!?_

Slayvier: ...and took the Priestess of Darkness away to this shrine...
...and THIS is the result  -  my grand design!! 

[A nest of giant hydra heads erupts from Slayvier's now-massive flesh.]

Slayvier: JUST AS I PLANNED...YOU GATHERED THE ARKS  -  TOOK THE ONLY POWER
THAT COULD POSSIBLY OPPOSE ME...

SFX of hydra: ::SLURP::

Slayvier: _...AND DELIVERED IT RIGHT INTO MY HANDS!!_


pgs. 156-157


[The pages pan back, and we see that Slayvier more or less has taken on the
form of Malice, the final boss of the game  -  his veiny, clawed torso, 
more demon than human, sits Scylla-like atop a pack of gigantic serpents.
(All right, this doesn't sound much like Malice in print, but the visual 
motif of "monstrous growths radiating from central human figure" remains.)]

Remeer [eyes wide open]: _.........!!_

[Yes, Remeer.  Who could have predicted that your power-mad scheme to 
absorb Arks despite being told that it would be disastrously destabilizing
and perpetrate a hit on a head of state for no reason could _possibly_ 
backfire?]

Slayvier: _ALL..._
_ALL HAS GONE JUST AS I DEVISED!!_

SFX of drama: ::BAM::


pg. 158


Slayvier: It will be a _small task_ for me to seal the world in darkness!!
I have the dark god's power...as well as my own  -  
_a combined force the likes of which the world has never seen!!_
_By releasing the Arks, you TRULY have led the world to its destruction!!_
_HA HA...HA HA HA HA HA!!_

SFX: ::GLARE::

Slayvier: _I MUST THANK YOU..._
_...CHILDREN OF LIGHT AND DARKNESS!!_

Remeer [shocked, thinking]: Did I--
Did WE revive him!?

[HA HA HA HA he actually said that.  Felys bonded with her lone Ark
unconsciously, Remeer.  There's no one to blame here but you.]

Remeer [shocked, thinking]: Revive a darkness...
that not even the Seven ARKS can stand against?!


pg. 159


CHAPTER 18: SEVENTH HEAVEN


[Yes, that's what it's titled, in Roman letters and everything.]

Remeer [thinking]: _I_ resurrected him?!

[Well, at least Remeer learned to take some responsibility between chapter
breaks.  Remeer stares at Malice.]

Remeer [thinking]: The Seven Arks that were once scattered throughout the 
world...  By obtaining them...
I allowed Slayvier to revive the power of the old god of darkness?!

Slayvier: ...Now...
Children of Light and Darkness!
Shall we bring this _all_ to a conclusion...once and for _all?!_

[Note: There is now a bloody trail below Slayvier's right eye socket, which
is empty; I suppose the eye popped out.  Lovely detail to mention, I know.]


pg. 160


SFX: ::ZWOP!!::

[One of the serpents attached to Slayvier's lower half hisses to life and
lunges at the twins...]

Remeer: UH...!!

SFX: ::DASH::

[But Remeer & Felys manage to avoid it in time, and it smashes into the 
floor between them, demolishing the tiles.]

SFX: ::SMASH!!::

Remeer: _UWAAAH!!_

SFX: ::RIP!::

[But, this being a major battle, Remeer has decided to manifest tears in
his clothing and blood spurting from his body spontaneously, despite not
actually being struck.]


pg. 161


SFX: ::STOMP! DASH DASH DASH DASH::

[The twins  -  Felys also spontaneously bleeding and sporting battle damage
to her clothing   -  unsheath their swords, run toward the enemy...]

SFX: ::SHING!::
::SHING!::
::THWACK!::

[...and jointly cut the serpent's head from its body.
Slayvier, however, is not perturbed...]

SFX: ::GRIN!::

[And...]

SFX of blood near stump of serpent: ::splut::
::splut::


pg. 162


Remeer: _What...--!?_

[...we see that tendons & muscles have begun to grow out of the stump, 
sewing themselves back to the gash on the other side and reattaching the
head.]

Remeer: _The wound...it's mending!!_

SFX: ::SHLUPPP::

[And...no, no, _no._  That's not what's supposed to happen.  Two heads are
supposed to be growing back for every one that's cut off.  How can we have
a proper nest of hydrae if it doesn't even adhere to the most basic 
mythological rules?
Also, speaking of regenerating things: Slayvier's right eye is back now.  I
don't understand it.
Also, speaking of Slayvier:]

SFX behind Felys: ::WHAP!::

Felys: _......!?_

[Slayvier takes the distraction as an opportunity to lunge forward
(propelled by what, I don't know; his lower half doesn't really have a
means of locomotion anymore), and...]

SFX: ::SSLASHHH!!:

Slayvier: WHERE ARE YOUR _EYES?!_

Felys: _EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEK--!!_

[...slashes Felys  -  and Remeer, for that matter  -  right across the 
chest, netting one twin with each claw.]


pg. 163


[And now Remeer is once again in his favorite state, with all of his blood 
located outside his body, particularly around and beneath his eyes.  It
ain't a big battle until Remeer's gushing blood from his ocular cavities.
(Felys is in the same state, but we all know that the manga doesn't give a
damn about Felys anymore.)]

Remeer [thinking]: He's changed...  He's much stronger, much faster...
I can't even get a hit in on him!!

[Both twins are now lying helplessly in pools of their own blood.]

Slayvier: Ha ha...
Your _goddess_--...
..._she_ is as much of a raging hypocrite as _you_ are.

[Slayvier Eye Update: The eye is gone again, and the empty socket and blood
are back. (Yeah, I know, but it's distracting.)]

Slayvier: Even though it is HER duty to protect the world from the threat
of the Darkness...
...she instead offers up her own CHILDREN as sacrifices!!


pg. 164


[The bleeding eyes of both Remeer and a surprisingly-conscious Felys go
wide...]

Remeer or Felys, I Don't Really Know Which: _THE GODDESS'S..._
_...CHILDREN--!?_

Slayvier: You didn't _know?!_
_How utterly PATHETIC!!_
_Did you TRULY think the goddess's murdered sister was your REAL mother?!_

Remeer: ...It...can't be?!

[Felys flashes back to the goddess embracing her strangely closely.]

Felys [thinking]: Goddess...
Of course...you _were_ my real mother, weren't you...

[Of course, this does bring up the issue that the goddess abandoned her own
daughter to be tortured, knowing she was trapped in a living hell yet doing
nothing to save her.  Iris, you are a worse goddess of light than Althena
from the Lunar series, and that is saying something.]


pg. 165


Slayvier: If you don't believe me...
...then you can ask your _father_...
...in _hell!!_

[An image is shown of a young man with short dark hair and skin wielding a
sword to protect Iris from a magic-wielding Slayvier and a couple of 
monsters.]

Slayvier: Your parents took their newborn children and tried to escape 
from their pursuers...
_...but there was no mistaking the goddess's distinctive aura of light!!_

Remeer: ............

Slayvier: And I saw to it _myself_...that the INSULT to the honor of the 
Tribe of Darkness that your FATHER represented was put to an END!!
I let your mother go for sport...a lark!...
_...but I never thought that she would later be the means to such an
intriguing twist of fate!!_


pg. 166


Remeer [thinking, crying, bleeding, experiencing general severe bodily 
fluid loss]: My father...
...was killed by Slayvier!?
Because he was protecting _us_...!!

Slayvier: The man she loved  -  for whom she _betrayed her own blood_  -
was murdered before her very eyes...
_and yet she persisted in trying to save her children!_
In other words, _you_...the very first children born of both Darkness and 
Light in our long history!!

[Remeer's fist clenches in DETERMINATION...]

SFX: ::twitch!::

Slayvier: At last, she abandoned her maternal duties and took the goddess's
throne...
...to draw attention away from you onto herself!!
She entrusted you to her younger sister and hid you well...in the far-flung 
lands of the frontier!!

[Slayvier has his right eye back again.  Forget it.]


pg. 167


[We see a figurative image of Salia, Iris, and Remeer & Felys's father
together.]

Remeer [thinking]: The goddess...
is our true mother!!
Our mother and father...tried so hard and sacrificed so much to protect
us...
...and wanted Light and Darkness to live in harmony!?!?

SFX of Gobs of Remeer's Blood Gushing to Ground Again: ::SPLUT!::
::SPLUT!::

[Yet again, Remeer is struggling to his feet after an egregious beating as
blood gushes from his body in amounts that suggest nonsurvivable wounds.]

Remeer [thinking]: THEY RISKED THEIR VERY LIVES!
TO ENTRUST THEIR HOPES AND DREAMS...
...TO US!!

[Across the room, Felys is following her brother's lead and struggling up
from her own massive pool of blood.]


pg. 168


Slayvier [shocked, for some inexplicable reason]: _WHAT...!?_

[Why are you even surprised, Slayvier?  This is how every single big fight
has gone in this manga yet.]

SFX: ::STAGGER::

[To top his previous performances, not only are Remeer's eyes and chest 
black with blood, but so are both his arms and his...crotch.  Er.]

Remeer: ------------
SLAYVIER!!

[Felys has fully arisen too.  I don't know in which inappropriate places 
she's black with blood yet.]

Slayvier: _Impossible!!_
_How..._
_HOW have you yet the power to STAND!?_


pg. 169


SFX of thick drops of blood dropping from Remeer's face into a pool at his
feet: ::SPLOT::
::SPLOT::

SFX in environment: ::VOOOOOOOOM...::

[Remeer & Felys face each other, and a huge light erupts between them...]

SFX: ::SKREEEEEEEE::
::FLASH::

Slayvier: _Tuh!_
Insolent brats!!

[Remeer's hair billows, and he stands as if possessed, as the Ark of Power
appears behind him.]

Ark of Power: WE, THE SEVEN ARKS----...
...ARE BOUND TO MAINTAIN THE BALANCE OF THIS WORLD.


pg. 170


[The other six Arks manifest as Felys & Remeer are buoyed aloft, once again
cleansed of their wounds, and...divested of their clothing, because we are 
totally forgetting the "sub" in "subtext" and just GOING for it, friends.
Strap yourselves in.
(Their naked bodies are enveloped in ribbons of magical energy, like a 
magical girl transformation, except they never make it to the fukus.  I
guess it's Crisis Make-up time.)]

Ark of Wood: In the ancient holy war of a thousand years hence...

Ark of Water: ...we sealed away the power of the Dark God Slayvier to 
protect that balance...

Ark of Fire: But, now--...
...newly revived, the dark god wields more power than he ever did before.

Ark of Wisdom: Now, we must act as one...

Ark of Darkness: ...to preserve the balance with that great dark power.

Ark of Light: THE TIME HAS COME  -  TO UNLEASH OUR LIMITLESS MIGHT!


pg. 171


[Suddenly, Remeer and Felys are back in their battered Paladin outfits, and
back with blood streaming down their faces.  I'm not sure what the point of
this is, given what's coming up, save for that this artist likes them 
dripping with gore as often as possible.]

Felys [trancelike]: The Arks encompass all...
The entirety of life in this world...
Our joy...our sorrow...

Remeer [also trancelike]: Our strength...our weakness...
ourr kindness...our cruelty...

Felys & Remeer: THEY ARE THE HEARTS THAT ENCOMPASS ALL  -  AND FORGIVE ALL!

[The arena floods with light...]

SFX: ::FLASHHHH::


pg. 172


SFX of light, I don't know: ::AHHHHHHH::

Slayvier: _GAH...--!!_
_So the power of the Arks has increased...but what now!?_
_You're still trapped in a hopeless position!_

Remeer: ...You're mistaken about the Arks.
They aren't just simple power.
They exist to protect the right to live...the right that is given to us all
equally!!

[Remeer, we have Dragonball and incest and guro fetishes and Schrodinger's
Eyeball all floating around here.  We don't need to add Thomas Jefferson to
the mix.
Also, the last time the Arks were unleashed, they drew & quartered either
Slayvier himself or his predecessor/ancestor.  I think Slayvier's well 
aware of the nature of the power of the Arks.]


pg. 173


Slayvier: ..."THE RIGHT TO LIVE"?
"THAT IS GIVEN TO US _ALL_ _EQUALLY"!?_

[Yeah, I know, right, Slayvier?]

Slayvier: _Then why...WHY have you continued to persecute the Tribe of 
Darkness to this very DAY!?_
_Your words are _honeyed_..._yet you seek to destroy our flesh!!_

Remeer: _That may be true!  But even if you enclose the world in 
darkness..._
_...you'd succeed only in grinding history to a halt!!_
_A hollow existence in a frozen world that rejects all human life...what 
would be the point of that!?!?_

Slayvier: _A WORLD WHERE NOTHING CAN BE BORN..._
_...AND NOTHING CAN BE _THOUGHT_..._IS_ THE POINT!!_

SFX: ::WHAM::

[The head of one of Slayvier's serpents smashes into the floor, shattering
the tile; I'm not sure if that was meant as punctuation, or if it's dead,
or what.]


pg. 174


Slayvier: _Like the Tribe of Light, we have hopes & dreams...we cannot 
withstand endless conflict!!_
_It is only in a world devoid of all such foolish struggle...that we can
live in peace!!_

Felys: _YOU'RE WRONG!!_

[Felys, you're not allowed to say anything in this climax.  Didn't you get
the memo?  We have now passed through the Guro Bleedout section of the 
battle and are firmly in the Remeer Self-Righteous Showboating Extravaganza
portion of the proceedings.  Please don't interrupt the smarm.]

Felys: _Suppressing all new thought...all new CREATION...is the same as
giving up on life itself!!_
_Even at this very moment, you YOURSELF are THINKING and ACTING and
ALIVE..._
_Right now...you're in denial of your OWN WAY OF LIFE!!_

[In the wake of her undergrad thesis, a knock-kneed Felys petulantly 
gathers magic energy...]

SFX: ::FLASH::


pg. 175


SFX: ::ROARRRRRR::

Slayvier: _WHAT?!_

[Felys's magical outburst roasts Slayvier with a magical fire attack that
melts the flesh off his face.]

Slayvier: _Impossible..._

SFX of flesh dripping off Slayvier's face: ::glorp...!::

Slayvier: _My dark energy...is being absorbed?!_

[No, that's not really what's happening, Slayvier; rather, Felys's hate
energy  -  you know, the energy from the beings that are supposed to be 
guardians of universal brotherhood & the right to life  -  is liquefying
Slayvier's flesh to give him a very painful death.  Though perhaps Slayvier
can be forgiven his mistake, given that, well, he *is* being liquefied.]

SFX of flesh melting: ::shlorpp::

SFX of serpents screaming as its flesh dissolves: ::keeee!::

Slayvier: _DAMN YOUUU!!_
_You use your own Dark blood...to absorb MY power?!..._

SFX: ::SKREEEEEEEEE!!::

[No, dude.  Your flesh is peeling from your bones.  It's a total Seiji 
Tanaka scene in here.  This is pure vengeful death, no matter what the
manga says.]

Slayvier: _DAMN YOU!!  DAMN YOU TO HELLLL--!!_


pg. 176


[The melting mass of pudding that is Slayvier's body reaches out a barely-
solid hand to unleash one last spell...]

SFX: ::RRROOOAAARRRR::

Slayvier: _I'LL END YOU HERE AND NOW!!_

[Felys, though, unleashes her own spell...]

SFX: ::FLASH::

[...and thin golden strands of magical energy once again begin to entwine
the twins...]

SFX: ::SKREEEEEE::


pg. 177


Remeer [chanting]:  ............
~Fates of the azure skies, thee who spin both Heaven and Earth, its good
fortune and ill...~
~Blot the judgmental eyes that search for swords cast from ships long
past...~
~Wage war with the bonds of Father Time...~
~Close this world, cut ties, and cease this game...~

[As before, Remeer's clothes again begin to dissipate.
(Note 1: In the first part of the verse, Remeer actually refers to the 
Nuidonoryou, the Bureau of Sewing & Embroidery that handled the production
of clothing at the imperial court in classical Japan. Even if that weren't
obscure, it's a bit prosaic for the reference used here, so I took the
liberty of substituting the Fates, who serve the same figurative purpose.
Note 2: The bit about swords & ships refers to a traditional Chinese fable
about a foolish official who dropped his sword off the side of a ship and 
marked the handrail on the boat near where he was standing so he could come
back and retrieve it later.)]

Slayvier, Whose Face Is REALLY Melting, Someone Please Put Him out of His
Agony: _W...what!?  This force field..._
_You are gathering all of Light and Darkness...no--_
_all the magic power in the WORLD to you?!_

[Well, of course he is, Slayvier.  We ARE dealing with the raging egomania
of Remeer here.  You can't expect him to hear that his sister had gathered
a huge amount of dark power to her and NOT do something massively unwise
and apocalyptic in an effort to outdo her.]

Remeer [chanting]: ~Light, become a buoy in the channel of history!~

[The amethyst spires of the Shrine of Darkness crumble.]

Remeer [chanting]: ~Darkness, be a safeguard of the Pure Land!~

[Contrary to Remeer's stated wish, ocean waves engulf the land of the 
Tribe of Darkness in a cataclysmic flood, most certainly annihilating all
life in the land.  Well, I suppose that if you successfully commit genocide
against your enemy, you *are* at peace with them, after a fashion.]

SFX of waves: ::RRROOOOARRRRRRR::

[Seriously, though: I suppose that's the point of the "not a single sign of
life" line from earlier  -  to assure the reader that the place is empty
and that the Wonder Twins' subsequent rampage is therefore largely 
victimless  -  but...this land _is_ supposed to be the Tribe of Darkness's
refuge, right?  The one place they can stay without persecution?  Where is
the tribe living, if not here?  Just like with your Felys-Darkness retcon, 
I don't buy your 'splainin' here, manga.]  


pg. 178


[The Shrine is collapsing around the combatants.  His body almost 
complete Jell-O, Slayvier reaches out a hand in supplication.]

Slayvier: _STOP, YOU FOOLS!!  DON'T YOU UNDERSTAND!?
_UNLEASHING SUCH IMMENSE MAGIC POWER... WILL ANNIHILATE NOT ONLY _ME,_ BUT
_YOURSELVES_ AS WELL!!_ 

[Congratulations, both of you.  The murderer with a den of snakes for a
body is now the reasonable party here.  
Naturally, Remeer & Felys take no heed...]

SFX: ::RUMBLE RUMBLE RUMBLE RUMBLE RUMBLE RUMBLE RUMBLE::

Slayvier: _YOU WON'T BE ABLE TO RETURN TO YOUR OWN WORLD!!_
_DON'T YOU CARE?!?!  YOU'LL DIE ALONG _WITH_ ME!!_

[But Remeer's desire for martyrdom is too great, and he smiles as he
responds...]

Remeer: All the people in this world who are living to their fullest...
...they taught me what it means to be alive!!


pg. 179


[Remeer thinks back on everyone he's met on his journey as he explains why
he's at peace with murdering the entire Tribe of Darkness, his sister, and
himself.]

Remeer: The Arks...
...might very well be the world itself...this world that we all
share...that has sustained and nourished us.
And the hearts that have returned to the earth nurture and watch over the
next generation...
This isn't the end...it is the beginning!
Even if your flesh and ours is destroyed...
The Arks will heal all our hearts...and take them into their own!

Slayvier: Take them _all?_
Even mine?

[No, Slayvier.  No.]

Remeer [reaching out hand]: All that will end is our long history of 
sorrow!

[BECAUSE THE OTHER SIDE'S DEAD.  THERE WILL BE NO CONFLICT BECAUSE THE 
TRIBE OF DARKNESS IS _ALL DEAD,_ EXCEPT FOR THE SISTER YOU WANT TO BANG,
AND YOU DID IT, REMEER.]

SFX of outstretched hand: ::rustle::

Remeer: THE TRUTH...


pgs. 180-181


Remeer: LIES AT THE END OF THE SEVEN WORLDS...!!

[That's the game.  There aren't seven worlds in this manga.
Anyhow, Remeer & Felys, now both completely naked, unleash a huge light 
that floods the environs and disintegrates Slayvier, finally ending the
hideous pain of being liquefied alive.]

SFX: ::
FLASH!::

Slayvier [disintegrating]: --...Aa!
The...light...
it's...warm...
Is...this...the Arks'...true pow...er...?...

[Slayvier is, mercifully, finally destroyed.]

Felys: Remeer...

[Felys gently takes her brother's hand.  Remeer looks softly behind him to
see his sister, smiling and naked, moving close.]

Remeer: Sister...

[Felys's hand, still clasped in her brother's, is now quite close to
Remeer's unclothed front, south of his waist.]

Remeer [thinking]: --I'm sorry, Reeshine...
I won't  -  be able to keep my promise...

[Remeer closes his eyes as the nude form of his sister hovers close behind,
and all dissolves in blissful light.
.........
......
Well, he did say he wanted her to run him through.
...
I'm sorry.
...
...
Not really.]


pg. 182


[Back in less intimate surroundings...]

SFX: ::SHATTER!!::
::sift...::
::crash::
::clang::

[As Reeshine and Iris watch, the amorphous mass/portal at the heart of the
Shrine...shatters? into sharp shards? and a sandlike substance kind of 
sifts out of the center.
One last time, for old time's sake, Reeshine falls to her knees, sobs 
helplessly, and shrieks like a little girl...]

Reeshine: _!!_
_----...!!_
_REMEEEEEEEER!!_


pg. 183


Iris [merely faintly alarmed]: Remeer...!!
Felys...!!

[A moment's pause; all is silent.  Reeshine, still on her knees, covers her
face with her hands; a mildly-disturbed Iris, silently crying, closes her
eyes and bows her head slightly.]

Iris [thinking]: It's all over, then...
All of it...!!

[The scene dissolves...and we transfer to another, beneath a clear blue
sky.]


pg. 184


Caption: The village of the prairie folk
Nanaka...

Voice: ............
It's all gone by so quickly, hasn't it?

[Inside a home in Nanaka, two cups of hot tea sit on a table.]

Voice: To think it's been 10 years already--...

[The frame pans out to reveal that the two figures sharing the tea...are
an older Iris and Reeshine.  Both are dressed in more sedate clothing than
when we last saw them; Iris has exchanged her goddess attire for a heavy
plaid house robe, her hair pulled back in a simple unadorned ponytail, 
while Reeshine, her hair loose around her shoulders, wears a simple '50's
pink housedress, no longer looking anything like a warrior.]

Reeshine: Yes...
Is my dear sister-in-law doing well, I wonder?

Iris: She'll be just fine!  She's a strong girl...
I just know she's doing a magnificent job as the goddess!

Reeshine: But it was just such a _shock_ back then!
When he and my dear sister were sent back from that portal...just as it 
was closing, and on the verge of death!...


pg. 185


Iris: Indeed...
It was a true miracle  -  a gift of the Arks!
I suppose the world...still needed those children to bless it with the 
power of their hope...

[We shift scenes again to the Shrine of Light.  Two women confer in its
great hall, before what seems to be a glass coffin containing a third
figure.]

Woman: Lady Felys...
I mean, Goddess.
Should you not rest a bit?

[We see that this woman is an older Meisia.  She is dressed more like a 
priestess, though she is not in her robes from the game; she is wearing
a...plaid dress (?), a wide belt and stole, and a rather ostentatious
crucifix.]

Felys: Yes...
Thank you, 
Meisia.

[We see that Felys is in full goddess attire.]


pg. 186


[The next panel reveals that the figure in the glass coffin is Slayvier,
returned to his human form and asleep Snow White-like.  Well, I suppose
a good nap is what Clavis would have really wanted all along, anyway.]  

Meisia: Why was he allowed to survive as he was?
...He might once again rise to become a threat to this world.

Felys: Of course...
He did once try to enclose the world in darkness...to lead it down the path 
to destruction.
He was mistaken in his methods...but...
perhaps he, too, was struggling with his destiny in his own way.

[Felys touches her hand to the glass coffin, near Slayvier's face.]

Felys: Truly, was there anyone...
...who took the task of living more seriously than him?


pg. 187


Felys: Can you not feel it?
The breath of life that fills this world...
When you once more awaken, I will know...
that the time has come...when Darkness and Light  -  and, indeed, 
all of life itself  -  can coexist in harmony... 

[Felys smiles, closes her eyes, and holds her hands in a prayerful 
position.  (Meisia has left, perhaps at a loss that Felys's affections have
apparently transferred from her brother to her former captor.)]

Felys [thinking]: No...I _will_ build such an age.  Just you watch...
Slayvier.

[That's going to be difficult, Felys, considering that you kinda destroyed
the homeland of the Tribe of Darkness earlier.  But, if the other side's
dead, I suppose there is technically peace between the parties in the 
conflict.  But we've been over this before.]


pg. 188


[Back to Nanaka.  Iris sets down her teacup.]

SFX: ::clatter::

Iris: It's about time for lunch, isn't it?
Call in the children,
Reeshine!...

Reeshine: --...YES!!

[Reeshine turns a smiling face toward the "camera"; it's the first time in 
this scene that's we've seen her face in full, as she was depicted only
from the back and from her mouth down before.  Her identity is treated as
a surprise reveal, but, really, who else could it have been?  Who else has
long black hair, lives in Nanaka, has a personal connection (albeit 
considerably labored) with Remeer, and was shown together with Iris in the
_very scene_ that preceded the parallel "10 years later" timeshift?
Anyhow, outside...]

SFX of wind: ::HOWLLLL...::

[...a figure steps across the grass, toward three faraway silhouetted
figures  -  one large, two small  -  near a cross that marks a grave.]

SFX of footstep: ::rustle::


pg. 189


[We see Remeer  -  now with waist-long hair, turned with his back toward
the camera  -  and two young children: a blond boy of about five in 
overalls with short, curly hair, and a girl of about seven with short,
straight black hair.  All stand before what I presume is Salia's grave  -
and, really, Remeer?  You're getting your barely-out-of-preschool-age kids
wrapped up in your cemetery fetish?]

Boy [turning around]: Oh  -
it's Mommy!

Girl [turning around]: Mommy--!!

Reeshine [waving frantically at Remeer, who has not turned around to greet
his wife]: _REMEER--!!_

[With a suspiciously delayed reaction that suggests marriage counseling in
the future, Remeer finally turns around to greet his wife and gives what
seems to be a kinda strained smile.]


pg. 190


[The girl runs to a loving, smiling Reeshine, who bends to pick her up.  
The boy laughs and stays by his father, who tousles his hair but remains 
ramrod straight and does not approach his wife, who remains on the opposite
end of the panel  -  perhaps for reasons of artistic balance, but it is,
well, strange.  Nanaka's famous wind kicks up, and on this rather odd
freeze-frame, the manga's tale finally reaches its...]

MYSTIC ARK VOLUME 3 END

Note on Side of Page: Originally published in G Fantasy, January to June
1997


[...OK.
I've been joking about this, but I want to say one more bit about the 
incest subtext/text here.  
Nearly every single positive potent emotional response Remeer has is
prompted by Felys.  He jumps gleefully into her arms, holds hands
repeatedly with her, lovingly watches her sleep, leaps joyfully into her
unclothed body for a lasting hug, and, in the climax of the manga, is 
practically embraced by her naked form full-body while he is also naked, a
scene that closes on what looks for all the world like a symbolic orgasm.  
He thinks wistfully about Felys frequently throughout the manga, obsesses
on reuniting with her as the entire object of his quest (indeed, fixates
with utter conviction on the idea that she _must_ be alive when any
reasonable person would have doubts), and acts out with her a highly-
formative knight-and-princess fantasy  -  a noted romantic ideal, and while 
Remeer & Felys are just kids at the time, Remeer cherishes this memory into
what constitutes anime adulthood. 
With Reeshine, his ostensible actual love interest, he a) leans in A-frame
like to press his cheek against hers kinda (it's a pretty panel, but, I 
mean, that is what's happening) and b) stands on the opposite
side of the page across a field from her, while she and he are both garbed
in full-length, long-sleeve outfits that cover as much as they possibly
can.  Compared to his romps with his sister, it is amazingly, almost
comically sexless, painstakingly devoid of passion and romance and 
untouched by emotion.  While Remeer's interactions with his sister (his 
unbrainwashed sister, anyhow) are embraced with constant joy, his (sparse)
"romantic" interactions with Reeshine are marked by nothing but begruding
duty.  
Now, I don't know that what degree Akirako Iwasa actually wanted Remeer to
have a physical attraction to his sister.  It sure as heck took over the
manga, intentional or not.  But what I'm saying is: if you want to sell a
romantic relationship, don't have the sole focus of your protagonist's
emotional reactions be another person, particularly when the connection 
you're _actually_ selling is with a blood family member.  
Also, if the incest mindset was indeed more intentional than not: I'm not
saying that incest is always an inappropriate subject for works of fiction,
or that game-based manga can't deal with mature subject matter, but...well,
a relatively light 'n' poppy adventure comic is not the best venue for it,
if you hear me.  
...
As an aside: we could interpret all the manga's railing against the
narrow-minded cultural taboos that inhibit and misconstrue unconventional 
relationships frowned upon by a judgmental society as having a target other
than the Light/Darkness prejudice.  At the core of the manga's proto-enemy,
the self-avowed "Darkness" that lurks in human hearts (and, in the game, 
represents part of the character's dark side), lies, to Remeer's horror,
the naked form of his sister.  The final boss of the manga is a character
who embodies society's prejudice against unconventional relationships and 
has a sordid history of keeping those in Remeer's family with culturally-
discouraged romantic attachments apart.  In light of this, we could view 
Remeer's main struggle throughout the manga as coming to terms with and
embracing his desire for his sister in the the face of societal incest 
taboos, and we could read the manga's climax (in more ways than one  -
immediately preceded by Remeer apologizing for being unfaithful to his 
"promise" to Reeshine) as Remeer having to resolve the romantic tension 
with his sister in a definitive, sexual manner before he can move on to a 
more "conventional" life.  I mean, Iris is by no means old by the time of 
the epilogue.  There's a reason why she had Felys take a job that separated
her from Remeer by a continent.
...
At the very least, don't have your main character frolic nakedly with his
sister.  Maybe that's the takeaway here.]


pg. 191


ATTACK OF THE AFTERWORD!

[A huge tortoise (Kamezaemon from Vol. 1, maybe?) is reading Vol. 3 of the
manga and sweating.]

Tortoise: ...I can't believe she actually made it all the way through...
There goes my bet!

Note on Word Balloon: (Ref. to Vol. 2)

Tortoise in Background: Inconceivable!

Inter-Panel Note: By the way, the answer to the question about the 
piercings from the Vol. 2 afterword: on the left side of his chest and in 
his navel.

[*Sigh.*
The manga artist, Akirako Iwasa, appears, holding a bunny and with three
hamsters riding on her shoulders & head.]

Iwasa: HA, HA, HA!  You _pathetic_ fools!

Note on Iwasa's Sleeve: Kosugi

Tortoise: WHAT?!  THE _ARTIST?!_
(Your hair's red again!!)

Iwasa [cuddling rabbit & hamster]: There, there, my little babies!!
(Aren't you CUTIES?!)
You've been SUCH a comfort to me while I've been working, HAVEN'T YOU,
sweethearts?

Note on Iwasa's Sleeve: Kane love

[Kane Kosugi is a famous martial artist.]

Inter-Panel Note: This is my golden hamster Z, my Djungarian hamsters Y &
I, and my miniature rabbit D (aliases).  I also have two more hamsters and
one more rabbit at home.

Tortoise [running away in tears]: _How HORRIBLE!!  You were just TOYING
with me all this time, WEREN'T you--!?_

SFX: ::DASH!::

Iwasa: ("Toying," NOTHING!...)
I never even HAD a turtle in the FIRST place!!

Iwasa's Shirt: Kane

Iwasa: Anyway...

SFX: ::COUGH::

Iwasa's Shirt: Kosugi father & son

[Note: Kane Kosugi's father was also a famous martial artist.]

Iwasa [bowing head in traditional Japanese "apology" stance]: I was able to 
finish three whole volumes of comics back-to-back without any delays  - 
but it was all thanks to all of you who read it and the support of those
around me!!
(Heh heh--!)
I'm going to strive to do my very best in my future endeavors, and I hope I
have your support for many years to come!!  
FROM THE _BOTTOM_ OF MY HEART: THANK YOU--!!


~*~THE END  -  OF IT ALL, AT LAST.  YOU DON'T HAVE TO GO BACK IN THE 
BOTTLE, BUT YOU CAN'T IMBUE YOURSELF HERE.~*~