Yukata Cassandra/Stories

General Stories Misc

Quotes

On Sortied

I make this yukata look GOOD!

On Entering a Room

Shall we go on a yukata date?

When Quest Begins

Let's go cool off, dearies!

Are you quite ready? There's no going back once we depart.

Response to Beginning of a Quest

Oh, this is the perfect time for a little cooldown!

I certainly hope I don't damage this yukata...

When Controlling Character in Quest

I'm being sent for.

When Receiving a Heal

Well, THAT had me all in a sweat!

Ah, back to my old self.

When Entering a Boss' Room

Time to see them off to the great beyond...

When this is done, let's all go take in the evening air.

Response to Entering a Boss' Room

Time to see them off! Enjoy the next world, deary!

Their crossing shall be swift indeed.

Upon Getting to Low Health

I think my yukata has become a bit untidy...

This old girl isn't ready for the next life just yet!

Upon Opening a Chest

Now this should make for some FINE summer memories!

Something we can use to cool off, perhaps?

Boss on Low Health

The end of summer is close.

The time draws near for you to abandon this mortal realm.

Boss Enters Break State

My, my! Is someone suffering from the heat?

Can you see the beauteous river, dearie?

Rare Enemy Spawns

My, I think we've a rare summer vision here.

Is what I spy there the living...or the dead?

Upon Death

I have things yet undone...

Looks like this old girl is done at last...

Upon Revival

Let's have no regrets now.

When Using Weapon/Shared Skills

Damage: Can you see the will-o'-the-wisps?

Buff Self: I've cooled off!

Buff Ally: Beat the summer heat, dearie!

Debuff Enemy: My, is your hair standing on end?

Heal Ally: Let's not start wrapping the shroud just yet.

Heal Self: I'd never be worn down by the heat.

Player Uses Damaging Skill

You've shown me something lovely.

That sent a chill up my spine!

When Shape Shifting is Ready

Ooo, I'm all flustered!

Vigor wells within me!

Shape Shifting into Dragon

Send them on their journey to the next world, dragon!

Idle During Quest

Summer memories are fleeting. ...And painful.

Dear me, I must fix my yukata...

Quest Clear

Hope you find peace in the next world, dearie.

Quest Failure

I can never return to that summer.

Home Screen Walking

This yukata has many memories attached.

The gloaming is upon us.

Ah, what a lovely night breeze.

The going is good, so let's get going!

Where could Douleur be?

I wish these sandals weren't so tight...

Home Screen Inside

The most painful thing in this world just might be a love that one cannot let go of.

You should not approach suspicious places—one never knows what might be lurking there!

In Hinomoto, they carve horses for the dead out of vegetables. Care to join me for some crafts?

I think I'll walk around and find a festival. I mean, I AM wearing a yukata, after all.

I can dress myself in a yukata without help— I practiced many times for a certain someone...

I've developed a passion for barley tea in addition to black tea—though I still add sugar and salt.

Home Screen Portrait

I haven't dragged my yukata out in decades... and it looks like the old girl still got it, yowza!

If you're hot and worn out, let old Cassandra brew you up a nice glass of iced tea!

Why DO we find the end of summer to be so painful in notion, not even a court sorceress such as I knows the answer.

None wish to be forgotten; not the living, nor the dead.

It's not easy to rid oneself of lingering attachments, yet there's no choice but to move ever forward.

Collection Portrait

I wonder what that old fool would say if he saw me dressed like THIS?

Are you hot, dearie? Let me fan you.

Hmm... you see the nape of my neck in this yukata? I bet your heart skipped two beats, dearie.

Spirits and souls weren't my area of expertise, until recently, that is.

If there IS another side, will he wait for me there?

At The Halidom

Time to wander around and show this yukata off!

Use utmost caution when playing in a river, dearie!

Did I hear someone...? No, just my imagination playing tricks again.

New Mana Circle Unlocked

The ability to grow is proof that one lives.

On Mana Circle Fully Unbound

The end of summer is sad, but there's always another one to be found next year, dearie!

Adventurer Story Episodes

Episode 1

Summer Reminiscence

Please note that this story contains spoilers
for chapter 5 of the main campaign.
Let me out! Please, I... I gotta get out of this village! N-no! Stop! Stay baaack! Gwaaaaaugh!

---

Talk about a ghost town. There's not a soul in sight. Here's hoping incorporeality doesn't correlate with inhospitality. Oh, ghooosts! Cassandra thirsts—some water, please! ...Hm? Thunder. The rain won't be far behind.

---

I suppose we'll have to wait it out in this abandoned house. And just when I'd finally gathered the last ingredient, too. ...... Yes, Douleur? Out with it. Water, lime, saltpeter, sulfur... I thought we were buildin' a human, not fertilizing the lawn! Zing! Really? This again? The theory is sound. My procedure should yield a perfectly serviceable vessel. Then what? We get back to the workshop and you turn that hibiscus you picked into a batch of soul-summoner's incense? Bing, bang, conjure the dead, boom? His soul is fused with the Shadowwyrm's mana. If we tease it apart with the incense and transfer it into a waiting vessel... You get a cool zombie that looks just like your old flame. Zing! What are you driving at? We're not talking about tryin' to cram a soul back in its old box like a certain queen we won't mention. This is playing Frankenstein for your own selfish reasons. Ain't sorcerer-ing supposed to be all about understanding profound laws and guiding nature along its course? What you're doin' here flies in the face of all that. I'm well aware it's taboo, thank you. That isn't about to— I'm just saying, you've already GOT a guy. Who, Audric? He has his own dumb court sorceress in the world he came from. She gets dibs. Besides, no one could ever replace the man I spent all those years with. So you're just gonna dive head-first into heresy? What happened to your pride as a sorcer— Douleur. Not another word. Please. Feh! I see how it is. Silly me, forgetting you're a senile old bag with more wrinkles 'n I got dog-eared pages. I'm aware that my tenacity in this particular pursuit is unbecoming. But if there's any chance of this working, I'm going to try it. I won't give up again like I did that summer... Summer, 40 Years Ago
Alberian Royal Castle
You're inviting me to a festival? One of the villages I'm set to look in on is holding an event in Hinomotoan fashion. Would you accompany me on my visit? If you like. A court sorceress's place is at her king's side. Who all is coming with us? Raemond, I would imagine, and— No. I've other important matters to entrust to Raemond. ...Just me? My royal guard will be on security detail for the event as well. I'd hate to disrupt the locals by marching a grand entourage through. Ah, so it's to be a date! Never pegged you for the sort. This ought to be fun. We're there to work, Cassandra. I want your thoughts on this influx of foreign cultural influence. Fine, fine. I'm sure having a grumpy king wandering through their midst won't stop the locals from enjoying their party at ALL. You think it might? I think it's important to enjoy the festival as your people do, sire. Don't you worry— I will teach you to have a grand old time. Hmm... I suppose there's something to that. I leave the matter to you, then. Heh heh. There's a good boy. Now, run along. We've a big day ahead!

---

Aaand there! Managed to get the obi tied. Quite the fetching look, these Hinomotoan yukatas. It was worth the trouble of hunting one down. This ought to drag a compliment out of him. Wait. Am I overdoing this? No. It's a Hinomotoan festival. There's no logical argument to be made against wearing a yukata. Besides, the man wouldn't know fun if it hatched from a dragon egg and called him "papa." It's going to be just the two of us... I'd assert that I'm showing remarkable restraint. Pardon the intrusion, milady. I wanted to speak with you about the visitation plans. Yes, of course. What is it? I'm afraid that heavy rains have flooded the roads. We'll need to adjust our departure schedule. Regrettably, this means we'll have to give up on attending the festival. Is that so? Well, scheduling is up to you ministers and Aurelius. Why come to me? His Majesty said we might still keep to our original plans if we were willing to risk it. Personally, I can't recommend it, but... Ah. He's being stubborn on my account. You go and tell him that if he does something stupid and the unthinkable happens, he'll have made fools of his entire court! Yes, ma'am. Tsk. All dressed up and nowhere to go. His loss, I suppose. I played the good sport about it, but even now,
regret lingers like a thorn in my heart.
I wonder what he would have said
upon seeing me in such fetching attire...
Was I asleep? Goodness, I must have been tuckered out if—hm? This is...the yukata from back then! Why in the world am I in it now? I'd banished it to the back of my closet. Am I still dreaming? But the sensation is so real... Give me a reality check, Douleur. Am I wearing a yukata right now? Oh, stop your sulking and answer me. ...Douleur? Gone. I don't see how a mouthy diary could have sprouted legs and walked off on his— Hm. Voices. And not just a few...

---

What is going on here? This village was completely deserted. Look at you, all gussied up! Come all the way to our little hamlet to take in the summer festival, have you? Oh, how marvelous! You enjoy yourself, now. Do you live here? I have a laundry list of questions. What is this place? Where... (Wait. This preternatural sensation... Ah! These people must be—!)

Episode 2

Village of the Dead

(Wait. This preternatural sensation... Ah! These people must be—!) Something wrong, child? You have the gravest look on your face. I'm just a bit lightheaded. Can you tell me when the festival begins? After sundown, of course. You can't enjoy the lanterns till after dark, love. Lanterns? Sure, the festival's famous for 'em! Isn't that what you've come to see? Ah, yes, of course. It would seem the long trip here has taken a toll on my memory. Oh, you poor thing. You're welcome to rest a spell at my home, if you like. That is terribly kind of you, ma'am, but I think I'll putter around the village a bit before the festival begins.

---

(The dead ordinarily return to mana and flow across the world. But this...) (In rare cases, the soul cannot come to terms with death and instead lingers in the place where its body passed on.) You forgot the dinner I packed you, sweetheart. Good luck with the festival setup. You liar! You promised we'd always, ALWAYS watch the lanterns together! Again, I already said I was sorry. I just can't make it this year, okay? (The ebb and flow of daily life— the same as you'd see in any town. But everyone here is...) (It is said that the dead resent the living. If these people learn that I'm alive—) Y-you there. You're not one of the villagers. Are you, er...real? I'm guessing you wandered in here too? Oh, thank heavens! I was resting in this abandoned house I found, and when I awoke, I was here, among all these people. Then that THING attacked me! P-please, you've gotta help me. I just want to go home! Please! Sorry, dearie, but I don't think that's going to happen. You're already— Now, now. What's all the commotion here? Y-you! Get me out of here! I beg you! Poor soul. I think the heat's gotten to him. Come, love. Rest awhile. I'll take him to my house. It's right on the river, so it stays nice and cool. N-no! Stay away from me! Aww, don't be shy. If you're too tired to walk, we'll carry you there. Stop! N-no, let go! LET ME GOOO! The heat always drives folks a little batty. Sure you don't need to come rest as well? No, I'm quite all right.

---

As I thought. Some sort of barrier is blocking my means of egress. It's safe to assume this place is a manifestation of these people's collective memory, fueled by their regret at passing. If what I've read is true, there's only one way out. I must ease their regret and guide them back to the source of mana where they belong. First, to discern the cause... ...Whoever is watching, I can feel your eyes on me.

---

Hm. They're gone. Hopefully that doesn't mean they've realized I'm alive. Is that a weary festival-goer I spy? Hello, ma'am. I grew tired from my stroll, so I'm just resting in the shade a bit. Really, now. You should follow me, then. I have just the thing. (Was she the one watching me? Those weren't the footsteps of an elderly woman.) Are you listening, dear? Don't tell me the heat's sapped your hearing, too. (For now, I need to avoid arousing any suspicion.)

---

There. A nice, frosty flagon of grape juice. We make it every year. There's plenty, so just holler if you'd like more. This drink's a festival tradition, you know. I really shouldn't, but thank you. It's the village's pride and joy. Surely a little taste wouldn't hurt. (I can't let this past my lips...) Come, come. Bottoms up, love. Or is there some reason you don't want to? (I've read the legends. Sup upon the offerings of the dead, and you'll be unable to return to the realm of the living.) You're a strange one, even for a stranger. Could you be— ...... Eek! S-sorry. Somebody pushed me from behind. Oh no! I got juice all over your pretty clothes! I'm so sorry! Worry not. I just need to wash it before it dries. Can you point me to some water? The village well is just over there. That will do nicely, thank you.

---

Phew. That was close. But I can't let my guard down. I need to find what's become of Douleur, too. Um... I'm really sorry about before, ma'am. Oh, it's you. Don't worry, dearie. I'm not upset in the slightest. But you were planning to show that yukata to your boyfriend, weren't you? My boyfriend? Now what would make you think that? The way you're all done up, of course! I'm a romantic too, so I've got a sense for this sort of thing. Heh heh... Sorry to disappoint you, but this raven is flying solo today. Well, that's a shame. Oh, that's right! I wanted to offer you my handkerchief to clean up. Much appreciated, dearie. Folded crisp and even... She must have been quite the fastidious little girl in life. Mm? Something fell out when I unfolded it. A...torn scrap? Wait. What?! This village is trapped
in a tragedy 40 years past.
Please help us.
A message? What's more, this paper... The page is infused with mana. This was a piece of Douleur!

Episode 3

Daring to Defy Destiny

This can't be happening.
We've got to get out of here, NOW! Or we're all dead! This can't be the end.
This can't be how it happens.
No! It's too late! I still haven't ever—
Another torn scrap... It's definitely Douleur. They've been laid out like breadcrumbs. And hopefully, at the trail's end... You'd better be more than a pile of confetti, you mouthy rag.

---

They end here. I guess this shed is my destination. Wha—Hey! Is that you, Cassandra?! Douleur! Where are you? In here! The desk drawer! *GASP* Finally, I'm a free book again! Ahhh, the air's so much sweeter outside of the slammer. Heh. Sounds like you're still in one piece. Yeah, except for all the LITERAL PIECES that were torn out of my PERFECT, STUDLY BODY! Look at me! I'm a ragged mess! Keh heh heh. You poor dear. So, who do we have to thank for turning you into Douleur: The Abridged Version? Don't ask me. I just ended up here outta nowhere. Couldn't see the perp on account of all the CLOYING DARKNESS. I remember the feel of their hands, though. Tiny and smooth. Moisturized. A child, then. It must be the girl with the handkerchief. Yeah, cool, handkerchiefs. So absorbent. Great for mild-to-moderate spills. More importantly, Cassandra, you mind telling me what the HELL is going on?!

---

An echo of some vengeful dead folks' memories? We picked a hell of a vacation spot. Okay, so how do we get back out? This message is the key. "This village is trapped in a tragedy 40 years past." You wanna know what the REAL tragedy is? This penmanship. Zing! I surmise that an event four decades back explains why the town stands empty now. It must have claimed countless lives. And now those victims are the ones keeping this crazy thrill ride going. But riddle me this: Why's one of those spirits dropping hints for you? The memories of the dead always return to the same time. Care to guess where? ...The moment they kicked the bucket. The dead don't relive their final moments to relish the memory of being alive; they do it because they refuse to accept death. "I should have survived." "There must have been a way." They cling to that possibility. Few seem to escape this vicious cycle. They relive the agony of death eternally. Yeesh. I'm starting to see why you'd welcome a little outside help. Notice how I'm not asking why you're weirdly knowledgeable about all this dead-people stuff. Let's just say I've pored over a wealth of material on the subject. More to the point, we're probably about to witness the tragedy from 40 years ago firsthand. If we can get out ahead of it and save the villagers— It'll dispel their resentment and break their ties to these final memories. And to that end, I need to ask a little favor of you. I'll just drop my tools off in the shed. You go on ahead to the riverside. We'd best continue this elsewhere.

---

Coast looks clear here. So, what do you need from me? Check in with the me in the diary from 40 years back. I would have made a note of any rumors or intel that came my way. Ahhh, yeah. If it was bad enough, news of whatever happened here might have reached the castle. Let's see... "Day 8, month of the Prismawyrm. Aurelius played a song for me today. The masculine line of his jaw as he sang was—" The GERMANE bits. Unless you'd like to become the ABRIDGED Abridged Version. Ooooh, sooo scary! ...Ah! Here we go. "Day 13, month of the Blazewyrm." "Flood took a small village southwest of the capital, claiming the better half of its citizens' lives. He's changed his schedule to make a consolation visit there." "The day of the disaster, the villagers gathered at the riverside for what they call the Festival of Floating Lanterns." A festival of lanterns... I'm just a bit lightheaded. Can you tell me when the festival begins? After sundown, of course. You can't enjoy the lanterns till after dark, love. Bingo. "A flash flood struck, brought on by days of heavy rains upstream. The village was all but washed away." "It would have been a tragedy no matter where it happened, but when I heard the village's name, I stopped short. It was—" ...The rest of the page is torn. Did I...know this place? I can't recall anything of the sort. Senility's a bear, grandma. Zing! Anyway, shouldn't we be hurrying down to the river? Right.

---

So, these are the festival grounds. Ah, you made it, miss! Festival's just about to start. Mm, I can't wait. I couldn't help but notice, though—isn't the river running a little fast? Can't argue that. The rain's been nigh-torrential around here as of late. Then the water level must be high. Seems dangerous, doesn't it? It's a shame, but perhaps we'd best postpone the festivities. Hmmm... Better safe than sorry, I suppose. Especially with little ones around. Not happening. The festival's been held on this day as long as I've walked the earth! Tradition is important, to be sure. I'd argue safety is even more paramount. Today's the day, and there's not a dang thing anyone can say to change that! But if we don't stop this— You're actin' awful strange, child. You need to come rest a spell at my house? (I don't suppose pressing the point here will make any difference.) No. It wasn't my place to interfere.

---

You got a plan B, Cassandra? Because we're whitewater rafting our way to a massacre here. When the flood comes, I'll erect a barrier to shield the villagers. It's the only way. You're gonna block a natural disaster big enough to wipe a town off the map? Alone? I understand the risk. But this is the only chance we've got.

Episode 4

Festival of Salvation

Welcome, one and all, as we celebrate yet another iteration of our beloved festival of floating lanterns! ...... Easy, Grandma. Stay loose now, or you'll wear yourself out before things go down. Thank you, Douleur. But if you "Grandma" me again, I'm tossing you in the drink. I wanna float one too! Just a moment, dear. I'm getting one ready for you. They place paper lanterns on little boats and float them down the river. What a curious festival. It's supposed to be a ritual for laying the spirits of our ancestors to rest. Oh, it's you. Thank you for the handkerchief earlier. I got your message, by the way. Leave it to me. Message? What do you mean? (She wasn't the one who wrote it?) Do you mind if I join you? I've got some time to kill while I wait for someone. Not at all. And by "someone," do you mean that little sister of yours I spied you with earlier? I usually go with my sister, but this year, I'm actually hoping to spend it with a childhood friend. Ah, so that's why you two were arguing. He must be someone special. He's special to me, anyway. I couldn't tell you how he feels about me. Especially considering that he's LATE. Do you have someone like that, ma'am? I did, once. We were to visit a festival together, but I let my chance slip away. Because of the rains, you mean? I heard the royals couldn't come because of that. Someone from the royal family was meant to come here? That's right. Our lantern festival is based on an old Hinomotoan tradition, so they wanted to come see it for themselves. One of the villages I'm set to look in on is holding an event in Hinomotoan fashion. Would you accompany me on my visit? "It would have been a tragedy no matter where it happened, but when I heard the village's name, I stopped short. It was—" He and I were to come here. I was to wear this yukata. Huh? What's that rumbling? It's coming from upriver. Here it comes!

---

Aaah! The river! It's a flood! We've got to get out of here, NOW! Or we're all dead! No! It's too late! Everyone, get behind me! "Laws of the deep, thy mistress commands: let mana's flow form a dam to stem the raging tide." —Barrier wall, activate! (It's no use! The water's coming too fast! It's going to break through!) Huh?! What's—? The water's receding. Are... Are we saved? AWRIGHT, GRANDMA! You actually did it! Not gonna lie, I gave up hope there for a hot minute, but you came in clutch. Adrenaline's a helluva drug, I guess! How strange. I felt powerful mana surge through me. But where did it come from? Aw, worry about that later. You just saved a whole village, woman! Which means their grudge goes out the window and we get to BOOK it back to the land of the liv— I won't let you. Not until every last iota of the pain I felt wracks your feeble body. What...? I've been through this over and over, waiting to hear his answer. Over...and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and overnadoverandoverandoverandoverand Uhhhh... I'm gettin' some reeeal psycho vibes from this one, Cass. You think some water hurt that day? ...Hee. Hee ha ha... Ah ha ha ha ha... aH ha hA Ha Ahh Ha hA HA ha ah HA AH HA HA HA hA Ngh?! This suffocating aura! So evil. Is she— Offer their lives as tribute to me, my people. Let them suffer as we have! NroooOOOoooargh! Okay, I'm all for a sensible costume change, but this is getting very NOT OKAY. We're running, Douleur!

---

All right, spill. What's WITH that chick?! A soul stained black by grief—a ghast. I was wrong about what's happening here. This place isn't a manifestation of the villagers' collective memories. It's the work of a single ghast. Then what are the rest of them? Poor souls trapped in the prison of her memories, condemned to play their parts in the recurring drama of her final hours. Unless her grudge is dispelled, they can never return to where they belong. What's the deal with ol' ghasty-gal, then? I thought she was all aggrieved from dying in the flood 40 years ago. No. Her real grief lies in— Rgh, she's already caught up! What's the plan, Gran?! Over here. Who's there? Ah! You're— Hurry. This way...

---

This is my special place. It's a secret to everybody but me. You don't say? Well, hopefully that buys us a little time, then. Also, side note: Who the heck are you? Why are you helping us? When you led me by the hand, I couldn't help but notice yours was tiny and smooth. "Moisturized," even. The puzzle pieces are finally clicking into place. You were the one who put the note in that handkerchief. I have questions, little one. About your big sister. ...Okay.

Episode 5

A Maiden's Sadness

My sister changed once she died.
She's been keeping all the villagers trapped here,
forcing us to repeat that day over and over.
The only thing worse than seeing her so
miserable was knowing that I couldn't help her.
But there was a glimmer of hope.
Someone from the outside found their way in again? If my sister finds her, she'll make sure this lady shares our fate. Wait... But she's protected—by some powerful force. Maybe it's enough to keep my sister from noticing... Easy with the mitts, babe. I'm a...feather duster kinda guy... Zzzzz...zing... It talked?! No way. That lady's not normal if she's got something like this. Maybe... Maybe she can help us.

---

So you figured Cassandra here was your best shot at de-ghasting your sister, huh? But you couldn't let the little psycho catch wind of that plan, so you hid me in that drawer. Sure. Fine. I get it. But tearing my body to shreds just so you can leave the old bag a HINT?! You're worse than a greasy-fingered toddler manhandling a picture book! Eep! I-I'm sorry. Oh, grow up, Douleur. She was desperate. Then you were the one watching me as I inspected the barrier surrounding this village. And when the old woman was harping on me about having a drink... I snuck around behind so nobody would see me and shoved my sister into you. You're my little heroine, you know that? I promise to fix all this. Sorceress's honor. Let's back it up a second here. What's she so torqued about in the first place? I always thought she got this way because she was so sad about dying... ...... I've been through this over and over, waiting to hear his answer. Is your sister's friend trapped here in this world with you? The boy. No. I don't think so. Did you notice anything different between the two of them, leading up to the festival? Different? Hmm. Well, actually...

---

...I see. Thank you. That solves the mystery of what's spurring her to gruesome action. It does? Yes. It's a sentiment I know well. Painfully so, even. I'm going to go talk to her. You two stay here. She should be at the riverside. I'll teach you a way to get there without being seen. Thank you, dearie. And don't worry. I promise I'll help your sister.

---

You come willingly to the slaughter? Hee hee. What a foolish woman. It hurts to look at you. To see you clinging so desperately to such a fragile possibility. You've thrown all logic out the window, the perceptions of others be damned. ...It's like gazing into a mirror. Don't talk as if you understand. What could you possibly know about me? You told him how you feel. Your friend. You confessed your love to him before the festival. And he said he'd give you his reply today. How—How do you know that?! It's the curse of being a genius sorceress, dearie. I see everything. So you broke your little sister's heart and made plans to meet with him instead. But he never arrived. Then the flash flood came, and your time was up. ...... Still, you needed to hear his reply. And so you repeated that fateful day, again and again. But in the end... This time will be different! This time, for sure, he'll— He didn't come to the festival at all that day. Wasn't caught in the flood. He isn't among the dead here, dearie. But I suspect you knew that from the start. That he yet walks upon the earth. No! You couldn't face that truth. Couldn't bear to accept it. Even if it meant damning an entire village to suffer alongside you. Then what was I supposed to do?! Even if he turned me down, there would always be another chance so long as I lived to see another day. But now... There's nothing left—not even the faintest glimmer of hope! Sadness is an abyss, and it has swallowed me whole! I'm not so callous as to say "get over him." But think about what you're clinging to. Think of what he would say if he saw you now. Would he love what you've become? What I've become... Ha ha, who could love this? My soul's stained dark as pitch. But it need not get any darker. ...Maybe so. Maybe... You're right after all... In truth, I'm in no position to lecture. You and I are one and the same.

---

Ah, we're back. Once little miss psycho returned to the source of mana, we made it out. Looks like the other souls were freed, too. Good. That's good... Thank you, nice witch. And Mr. Douleur and the other guy, too. Heh. My pleasure, dearie. But who do you mean by "other guy"? The one who was protecting you. He was strong as a dragon! A dragon? No... I should be going, too. Bye bye, and thanks again!

---

She's returned to mana now, too. That's our cue, Douleur. The comfort of home awaits.

---

There's just one thing bugging me, Cass. Why were you wearing that yukata in their memories? Maybe it was because of this. I had it stashed in my pocket. A Shadowwyrm scale? It's one of the ingredients I need to bring that old fool back. It houses his mana. Perhaps that selfsame mana manifested as the yukata I wore—to keep me safe. Heh... Makes for a pleasant daydream, if nothing else. Yeah, real romantic for a gal your age. ...Huh? Somebody's coming this way. Well, this is quite the chance encounter. Did you come from the old abandoned village, miss? Something like that. Do you have business there? Just paying my respects. An old friend of mine sleeps there—one I made a promise to a long, long time ago... Wait. Surely you're not... It was about four decades ago. Work had taken me to the next village over, and I was hurrying home to meet my friend, but the roads were closed due to heavy rain. Getting stranded like that wound up saving my life, but she wasn't so lucky. I lost her without ever getting the chance to tell her something important. So I come back every year to offer a prayer and repeat my answer to her. I can only hope it reaches her up in heaven. ...Bah, what am I droning on about? I'm sure you've no interest in hearing an old man's regrets. You might be surprised, dearie. And I'm sure she hears you loud and clear. Here. You can give this flower to her, if you like. Is that a hibiscus? That's mighty kind of you. You don't mind letting me have it? It's yours. I've come to realize it doesn't take a flower for one's feelings to bear fruit.