Inside the Farmhouse
Night
—Phew! Finally done!
Shortly after entering his home, Kamui took on all the remaining farm work himself. When he is done, the sky has already darkened, and he returns and collapses into a seat drenched in sweat.
Let me think... how much did I get done today? 1, 11, 31... Whoa, that many?!
Did you guys know I was coming back today and leave all the chores for me on purpose?
...Don't flatter yourself.
Azael grimaces, shoving a cup of water into Kamui's hand with a stern look on his face.
You're the one who showed up right in the middle of harvest season and went ahead doing everything yourself. We were calling after you, but you wouldn't listen. You're still the same impulsive idiot you've always been.
Oh... I figured since I haven't been around all these years, I'd make up for everything I missed, you know?
...Hmph, suit yourself, but don't come crying to me when you're spent. I won't help you even if you beg.
Or you could ask your... "friend" here? You two seem pretty close. Maybe your friend won't turn you down, at least.
I can handle it myself. Can't have a... guest doing all our chores, right?
"Guest." Right.
Azael sits across from you, his eyes narrowed in scrutiny.
Kamui, you disappeared for years without a word, and now you show up with some stranger in tow. What's this about? Planning to add someone to the family?
How long are you staying this time? And are you planning to stick with this stranger the whole time?
Maybe this person's the reason you ran away in the first place—mmph!!
Smack—!
The sharp pain behind his head cuts his interrogation short. Azael knows exactly who's responsible for it, and he's in no position to complain.
Watch your mouth. Keep talking nonsense to our guest and your brother like that, and the roosters won't have to wake you up anymore. I'll slap you every morning myself.
If you care about your brother, then say it properly! You're not an idiot, so don't talk like one!
Seeing his brother gets smacked, Catrayv quietly steps forward to rub Azael's head, even gently blowing on the sore spot to mimic the way Kamui used to comfort him when they were younger.
Azael's expression softens at the sight of his brother's concern. He drops his harsh attitude and pats Catrayv on the head, signaling that he's alright.
Big brother's... tired... go rest. I'll... wipe your sweat.
Alright, alright! Catrayv's the best! Whatever you say, buddy!
Kamui knows Catrayv feel the happiest when he's allowed to do things for others, so Kamui doesn't stop him.
You three... Still messing around with each other like you did when you were kids.
Eurytes finishes setting the table and glances at the rowdy family with a sense of resignation.
Dinner's ready, everyone. Surely you don't need your mother and father telling you to line up by the table like when you were little?
The humble table holds a generous spread, including mead that is usually reserved for festivities. The exceptional display of hospitality is not just to welcome you, but also to celebrate the return of their prodigal son.
Flickering candlelight bathes the table in a soft glow, basking the family dinner in warmth.
"May the Lord bless us. May every evening be as beautiful as this." They say their customary prayer before the meal.
—Kamui.
Odile speaks up, interrupting Azael and Kamui's bickering. Everyone at the table turns to look at her.
Didn't you say you had something to discuss with the family?
Say it now.
...Understood.
Kamui pulls back the fork he extended toward Azael's plate. He was just about to steal a few peas, but he got caught in the act as usual.
I came back this time... to take care of something. I hope you can understand.
Some bad things have been going down in town lately, and it might spread to the village before long. And...
...I can't tell you the details, for your own safety. But I know for certain that staying here puts you in danger.
I've already found another place for you. Everything's sorted out and ready to go. You can move in right away.
I want you to move there and lay low for a while, and you probably won't be coming back anytime soon. We leave tomorrow.
Is that... okay?
Silence settles over the table, as everyone mulls over Kamui's words.
...What about you, then? Where are you going?
Are you coming with us, or are you going to keep acting like a barbarian out there?
...Hey, I'm not some barbarian! I'm going to take care of whatever's threatening you first.
And you'll come home once you've dealt with it?
...Yeah. I'll come back once I've handled it.
...Alright.
Azael stands and stretches. Having finished most of his food, he is ready to get up.
Take your time, there's no need to rush. I'll start packing my stuff and Catrayv's. You know how scatterbrained he is. It will be a disaster if I let him do it himself.
Catrayv and Kamui can pack the food we're taking with us. It'll go faster with both of them.
Then your mother and I will take care of the rest.
Leave the farming tools to your father and me. You don't know how to handle some of them, and I don't want nobody to get hurt.
I'm... done eating. I'll help... too.
You...
Taken aback by how readily his family accepted his request, Kamui feels a little lost.
Don't just stand there gawking like that. What? You thought we'd say no?
You've obviously got your reasons for all this. Look, I have no idea what could make a blabbermouth like you keep a secret...
But we trust you, you dummy.
You said it yourself, remember? "We're family. We don't need to explain everything."
Farmhouse Attic
Late Night
The farmhouse attic is a modest space tucked beneath the roof. Odile and Eurytes planned to use it for storage, but the three children kept sneaking up there to play, and it became their little sanctuary before long.
Kamui lies on a bed of flattened straw, staring absently at the skylight overhead. It was his idea to have it built, and it was meant to mimic the observatories found only in the palaces of legend.
The night sky is crystal clear. A vast tapestry of stars is scattered brilliantly across the heavens.
[player name]? What are you doing up here? I thought we said you'd take my room and I'd sleep in the attic?
Kamui spots you before you get close, quickly sitting up and giving you a hand.
What do I do with you... Alright, alright, I'll scoot over. Take this spot! The straw's the thickest and softest right here. It's the best place to sleep!
"Pat-pat." Kamui taps the spot beside him, quickly making room for you.
You both lie down, the soft straw cushioning you while brilliant stars shimmer above.
Did they... come looking for you earlier?
I know this might be overstepping, given how things are with you right now, but...
We were hoping you could look after our boy when he needs it.
We have a pretty good idea about this threat he mentioned and what you two are planning to do.
He won't let us get involved, and we know we're powerless to help him anyway. That's why we're asking you, [player name].
You're the only one we can all trust... Please, we're counting on you.
Mom... Dad... I'm sorry for worrying you.
I... I know they mean well, but don't worry, [player name]. I won't slow you down.
I can handle it if things go bad, so you don't have to go out of your way to—
You... How much do you know? And how did you find out...?
...Well then, let's hear it, great detective.
Kamui doesn't look at you like usual. Unable to meet your eyes, he tilts his head back, letting his gaze drift toward the distant horizon.
...Yeah, you got me. I was the one who wanted to investigate the Gecko Tail.
...Yeah. We fought together side by side back during the Gecko Tail incident.
That's the only reason I couldn't just stand by while you were in danger.
Just think of me as... someone you used to know, [player name].
What I can promise you is this—no matter what happens, I won't let anyone or anything hurt you.
Besides... none of that matters anymore.
Let me tell you a story, [player name].
Once upon a time, there was a mischievous little boy who dreamed of becoming a great hero.
Every day, he'd fight scarecrows with sticks like they were real enemies, dreaming his heroic dreams.
Luckily, his parents were retired warriors, so they taught him how to wield all kinds of weapons once he grew a little older.
"The warrior braved every danger, defeated the dragon, and became a hero to all." He believed that was how his story would end.
One day, the villagers heard rumors of something called the Mist appearing in nearby towns, with terrible devils hidden within. Everyone was terrified.
The boy heard stories of how many people the devils had devoured, so he trained even harder, eager to defeat the Mist as quickly as he could.
When the Mist reached his village, the boy didn't hide like his parents told him to. Instead, he grabbed his weapon and went to face the devils head-on.
...No. That was no victory at all.
That was the first time I encountered those twisted creatures in the Mist. I even... felt the Archdevil's shadow there.
They were far more complicated and terrifying than any beast. You could fight them with weapons, but there was no way to defend against their power to corrupt your mind.
...Even during that first fight, the seed was already planted within me. I was always going to lose control eventually.
When the Mist took hold, I couldn't tell what was real anymore, or friends from foes... Anyone close to me was in danger of getting hurt.
My neighbor's puppy was very stubborn, and it insisted on following me. We got caught in the Mist together, and the tiny thing gave its all to fight by my side...
But when the Mist finally cleared and I came to, I realized I'd hurt it while I was under.
The scar on its forehead is still there, even now. It's a permanent reminder of what I did, and it'll never go away.
Kamui stays where he is, but he is no longer gazing at the stars. Lost in the nightmare that shaped who he is, he closes his eyes.
The nightmares haven't stopped since that night.
I dream about hurting that puppy again and again.
Sometimes it's not just the puppy. It's my mom, my dad, my brothers... everyone from the village...
They all share the same fates. At first, they ended up getting hurt by me accidentally, but then...
I'd dream about being controlled by those monsters before murdering everyone I loved.
I wanted to destroy the source of the nightmares, but I couldn't guarantee my family would be safe from me in the process...
...Sometimes the ones who are alone are the strongest, [player name].
When there's no one by my side, I don't have to worry about hurting them when I fight. That's the real reason I stood out in the Hunter Legion.
I had nothing holding me back, and I wasn't afraid to die... When you don't fear losing your life or yourself, nothing can beat you.
You and I both understand that, so...
Kamui opens his eyes and turns to face you, finding the courage to meet your gaze once more.
Moonlight filters through the attic skylight from beyond the window, draping over you both like gossamer veils. You remain together in its glow, no longer apart.
Rustle—
Kamui reaches out, and the straw beneath him rustles with his movement. He wants to touch the gossamer veil of light, to use it as an excuse to brush his fingers against the cheek of...
But his hand freezes midair. The attic window is small, and the moonlight only reaches so far into the room. When Kamui sees his fingers slip into shadow, clarity returns, and he pulls back.
He sits up and crosses his legs, his gaze drifting back to beyond the window.
So if you've forgotten the past for the same reason... I think that's only natural.
When we tracked down the old Gecko Tail base seven years ago, we picked up Marlis' trail.
But I wasn't strong enough back then, so when she fought back and retaliated... you faced her alone, [player name].
After that, I lost track of you. When we finally met again... you already lost your memories.
If that was your choice back then, I figured I shouldn't bring it up even after we met again... I owed you that much. To leave you be.
That's why I said none of that matters anymore.
As long as Marlis and the Gecko Tail can't threaten you anymore, and everyone is safe... that's all I need.
You answer, and relief washes over him. The silence he dreaded never comes.
...Thank you for trusting me through all of this, [player name].
But this isn't the time yet. Once this is over, I'll tell you everything.
As for the memories you lost... they don't matter anymore. Really.
I'm just glad you're safe... As long as you're okay, nothing else matters.
Azael! Catrayv!
—?!
A sudden cry cuts your conversation short. Kamui and you rush down from the attic to see what's going on.
What happened?! Catrayv, where's Azael?
The room downstairs is completely wrecked. Catrayv's face is streaked with tears, panic written across his features.
Bad guy... broke in... the house.
Bad guy... wanted to take me... Brother found out... protected me. He was... taken away...
Save him... save brother... Hurry, save brother...
Dammit! This has to be Marlis again. I didn't think she'd make her move this fast. We let our guard down!
Catrayv! Which way did they go? And what did the bad guy look like? Was it a woman?
Catrayv quickly shakes his head, then points at a broken window.
N-no... not a woman... a man... I think.
His face... looked like... big brother. Left through... the window.
He also... said... to tell big brother...
"Kamui... end your... rebellion... and come back... now. Obey... Mother's... will."
Catrayv's words catch everyone off guard, but he has no reason to lie, and he wouldn't mistake something like that. Which means the only explanation is...
...Some kind of trick from the devils. Maybe they can change their appearances or something.
Right. Rare, but not impossible. We're dealing with a cunning enemy here.
As for this "Mother"... It's probably just a codename. Either way, we can't let them get in our heads.
Exactly. It's not safe here anymore. Kamui, take your brother and [player name] to the new house right now. Your father and I will—
Not this time, Mom.
Kamui refuses his mother's request and begins preparing to leave, his expression solemn.
Mom, Dad... They're not something you two can handle. The ones who need to go to the new house are you two and Catrayv.
The intruder can't have gotten far. If I go after him now, I can track him back to their base. Leave this to me.
You move closer to Kamui quietly and whisper.
...Most likely a test subject from the Gecko Tail project. A Tail, in other words.
Marlis has a sick sense of humor. She'd make the Tails look exactly like their original hosts, so... that intruder must be my Tail. The one Marlis is using against us.
Truth is, I lost my Gecko Tail too. Looks like Marlis got her hands on him and put him to use.
—Kamui.
Odile and Eurytes exchange glances, then turn back to Kamui.
We only have one question for you. Can you promise us you'll keep yourselves safe and come back in one piece?
...I promise, Mom. I'll get Azael back safe and sound, and we'll both come home together.
Alright. Your word is all we need.
Catrayv, go pack your things. We're leaving now, and don't you dare slow your brother down.
We'll head to our new home now... and we'll wait for you there, Kamui.
