Zace/Stories

General Stories Misc

Quotes

On Sortied

A hunt is it? Leave it to me.

On Entering a Room

Let us hunt together.

When Quest Begins

Let us begin.

You are prepared, yes?

Response to Beginning of a Quest

I'm at your side.

I'm ready for anything.

When Controlling Character in Quest

For the pride of my people.

When Receiving a Heal

Thank you.

That's a big help.

When Entering a Boss' Room

We're nearly done. Let's go.

We've come too far to lose now!

Response to Entering a Boss' Room

We'll make this swift.

Victory is ours for the claiming.

Upon Getting to Low Health

It'll take worse than this!

I can...still fight!

Upon Opening a Chest

A chest! ...I hope there are bones inside.

We'll divvy up the spoils later.

Boss on Low Health

It's time to end this.

The hunt is nearly over. We're almost there.

Boss Enters Break State

It's exposed!

An opening! Don't hesitate!

Rare Enemy Spawns

There's a strange one...

I didn't think I'd find such an oddity today.

Upon Death

It's my turn to be the quarry...

The hunt is...merciless.

Player Uses Damaging Skill

Fine work.

Impressive technique!

When Shape Shifting is Ready

The dragon's pulse... I feel it.

The dragon offers its aid!

Shape Shifting into Dragon

Idle During Quest

No harm in a little rest.

Impatient hunters go hungry.

Quest Clear

Quest Failure

Not all hunts end in success.

Home Screen Walking

The hunt begins.

I should prepare for tonight.

I'll sleep beneath the stars this evening.

Scapula are enchanting! ...No? Not feeling it?

There's nothing so noble as a femur.

The carpals are a gorgeous bunch.

Home Screen Inside

The Azm are a hunting tribe, but we are also nomads. Sleeping in a tent is all I've known.

We Azm craft our tools from bone. Not one part of the prey is wasted.

A hunter must always carry gratitude in his heart. Without that, he is simply a murderer.

I am a lover of bones, but I know others don't share my interest. I will try not to upset them.

Y-you'll talk of bones with me?! Then...here! Is this not the finest wolf tarsal you've seen?!

You have lovely bones. ...Hmm? Oh, mere flesh and clothing do not hide bones from me.

Home Screen Portrait

Apologies. I don't know what to say.

You would hear about bones? I would talk, but I may continue until dawn.

Are tools of bones uncommon? They're an everyday sight for my people.

I hunt to survive. To waste a catch is to waste life itself.

Collection Portrait

Thank you for accepting my...unusual passion.

Creatures beautiful in death are also beautiful in life.

Bones tell a story. How they died. When they died. All is revealed.

Behold this tibia fibula. Powerful apart yet flexible together. Simply stunning.

At The Halidom

Hmm? Anxious about something?

Join me on a hunt?

Are you here to see my bone collection?! ...No, it was silly of me to ask.

On Promotion to 4

I won't stop training, for the hunt is never over.

On Promotion to 5

I will grow strong enough to protect more than just bones.

Adventurer Story Episodes

Episode 1

The Quiet Collector

...Hah!

Hot damn! Ya took that fiend down in one strike! Those are some skills ya got, Zace.

......

C'mon, say somethin'. Yer startin' to weird me out over here.

...Ah. Right.

Huh. Man'a few words, I guess.

...My apologies.

Er, ya don't need to apologize for it.

Ranzal's just worried about you, Zace. He's afraid you might be having a hard time fitting in.

I see. Sorry to trouble you.

Aw, I'm just bein' nosy. Not every day we pick up an ally as dependable as you, after all.

Back in my merc days, I had my share of tangles with the Azm Tribe. I know their strength real well.

What's the Azm Tribe?

A group of hunters that live waaay far from here. They're known for makin' tools and whatnot out'a animal bones.

And is that why Zace wears armor made from bones?

......

Hey, if the guy keeps fightin' like this, he can wear an outfit made of tin cans far as I'm concerned.

And on that note, let's get goin', Zace. We'll celebrate our victory with some grub!

???: BWAAA HAR HAR HAR!

Heh. Sounds like somebody's happy to be here.

Hunter A: Feast yer eyes on that gigantic skull, boys! Them fangs're right scary, ain't they?!

Staff: Eeek! P-please stop.

Hunter B:: C'mon! Ya really gonna give us attitude after we went to the trouble of takin' down a huge beastie like that?

Hunter C: This varmint mighta attacked the village! You oughta be thankin' us for our service!

Staff: O-oh, I'm quite grateful! Really I am! I just don't especially want bones shoved in my face like this...

Hunter A: Like you'da believed us if we didn't show ya! Now go on—give it a real good look!

Staff: Noooo! EEEEEK!

Hunters: BWAAAA HAR HAR HAR!

What a bunch of creeps. I'm gonna go—

It is shocking how you people have such brazen, unearned confidence despite your every word being utter nonsense.

Uh, Zace? What are you—

Hunters: Who the hell are you, bone boy?!

That skull comes from a species of hippopotamus called odotamus.

Its body may be quite large, but it's a docile creature that feeds only on grass. It's nowhere near the brute you described.

Hunter B:: Ya got any proof of that, pal?!

That skull's front teeth are fang-shaped, but the molars have the flat, millstone-like structure characteristic of the odotamus.

Hunter C: Uhhh...

You guys wanted everyone around town to treat ya like a couple of big dogs, yeah? Guess it didn't work out for ya.

Maybe you oughta scram before ya embarrass yerselves any more.

Hunters: D-dammit!

You sure know your animal bones, Zace. Is everyone from the Azm Tribe like that?

...Roughly.

Sounds about right for a buncha folks what make weapons and armor and everyday goods outta bones.

...That's not exactly the whole story. I am simply a fan of bones.

My hobby of collecting bones is unusual even among the people of my tribe.

In fact, I joined you all because I believed it would be a good chance to collect rare fiend bones.

Is that right?

I'm sorry for not mentioning it. I was worried it might seem distasteful, and so kept the matter to myself.

What're you on about, Zace?! Ain't nobody got a problem with it!

......?

He's right. You don't have to keep the things you like a secret.

T-truly?

Truly. In fact, here's my secret: I love stuffin' my face with food! Pretty sure it blows Cleo's mind on a daily basis.

Ha ha! You might be right about that. So as you can see, Zace, there's no need to hide your passions with us.

I didn't realize... Th-thank you.

Wait, is that a smile? I didn't know ya COULD smile! Well, ain't that a first?

Heh! I guess you're getting used to being with us, huh?

I suppose you may be right.

Episode 2

Written in Bone

Gah! Where'd that blasted fiend run off to? Any luck, Euden?

No sign of it. But it's lurking in this forest somewhere—I'm sure of it.

...Hmm? Something's on the ground. Wait, these are...

Zace? What's up?

Remarkable! These are the bones of the mighty tiowolf!

Er, what's that?

A particularly rare breed of wolf. Take a close look here.

Such a gorgeous tibia! ...And what's this?! There's a complete carpal bone as well!

The tiowolf has an accessory carpal bone that is treated essentially as a sixth digit.

And if you look at this bone here, you'll note that the tiowolf, which is able to grasp objects, can actually–

Whoa, whoa! Slow down there, professor. We ain't got time for a lecture right now.

Sorry, Zace, but he's right. We need to track down the fiend and eliminate it.

Ah, my apologies. But you need to hear this, at least: I suspect this wolf was attacked by the same fiend we now pursue.

What?!

The tiowolf tops the food chain here. It's highly unlikely one would leave behind bones in this condition if they perished from natural causes.

As such, it must have been attacked by some creature that exists OUTSIDE the food chain–a fiend or the like.

I see.

A tiowolf wouldn't allow something that attacked its pack to escape. It would give pursuit and enact revenge.

Therefore, if we follow these footprints, we should eventually come upon the fiend responsible.

All right then—let's follow the trail.

...Look! Over there!

Fiend: Grrrrrr!

Aw, hell! It already got the wolves!

Come on, you two. Let's take it out!

Ranzal & Right!

How ya like them apples, ugly?! Aw yeah, that's how we do it!

......

Hmm? What are you doing, Zace?

I wish to give the wolves slain by that fiend a proper burial.

Hey, ain't those the bones we found earlier? You're buryin' them too?

I am.

Look, I'm not what ya'd call savvy in, uh, bone-ology, but ain't those valuable?

Honestly, I do regret giving up such beautiful examples of osseous matter.

But these bones belong to the offspring of the wolf killed by that fiend, and I wish for them to be laid to rest together.

Oh man, sorry about that rot I was spoutin'. Here, lemme give ya a hand.

I'd like to help as well.

A beautiful creature has beautiful bones.

I want to be the kind of person who can grieve over the death of a creature before admiring what it leaves behind.

Episode 3

The Collector's Confession

...Hah! ...Yaah! ...Hngh!

......

What's up with Zace? Don't think the guy's blinked once since Elisanne started her daily trainin'.

Notte Hee hee! Soooomeone's in looooove!

Nah, I don't buy that for a second. He don't strike me as the type to be interested in romance.

Notte And I'm telling you, that's gotta be it! Look at him—can't you see the smoldering gaze of a man in love?

What kinda nonsense are ya–

...Simply beautiful.

'Ranzal & Notte' WHAAAAT?!

Hey, uh, Zace? Don't wanna pry or nothin' but did ya just say ＂simply beautiful＂?

Notte And were you talking about Elisanne?!

Ah, yes. She is quite beautiful.

Notte SEEEEEE!

Zace? In love? With Elisanne? Man, my mind is BLOWN over here.

Then this sensation...is love?

Notte You probably have a real tight feeling deep in your chest, right?!

I'm not certain I follow you, but I DO feel moved to the core of my being.

Notte Welp, that settles it. It's gotta be love! And that means you should go confess your feelings to her RIGHT NOW!

Er, confess my feelings?

Ain't no reason to hem and haw about it. I'm with Notte—just get over there put it all out in the open.

Put it all out...

Notte Don't listen to this idiot, Zace! You can't just waltz over and open your big mouth; You need to set the mood!

Nope! In a situation like this, yer best bet is to just get right to the point. ...Oh, hey there, Euden!

Looks like you're all excited about something. What's going on?

Euden, help us out here. Advise Zace in the ways of love.

Um...

Notte Surely you agree that you need a little style when you're talkin' to a lady, right? Not like this big idiot here!

I'm...really confused.

Also, I'm not sure I'm much of an expert when it comes to love.

But if you love someone, it's probably best to just tell them so clearly and honestly.

Hmm. Yes, I suppose you're right. ...Very well. I'll tell her how I feel.

Go get 'em, tiger! Grrrrawl!

......

...Well? How'd it go?

I clearly and honestly told her what I think, and she accused me of ＂ghoulishness.＂

Notte Daaaaaamn! That's ice cold.

Yes, but it also doesn't really sound like Elisanne to crush someone like that.

Actually, yeah. I guess not. What exactly did you say to her, Zace?

As you advised honesty, I simply told her that her bones were lovely.

Ya said WHAT?!

Her...bones?

Indeed. Elisanne's skeletal structural is a thing of true beauty.

Her scapula and sacral vertebrae? The flow from her shoulders to her back and then to her waist? Simply splendid.

Ah, and her radial styloid process? I never dreamed I'd lay eyes on a thing of such utter beauty!

Uhhh...yeah.

That's... Well, it's a little...

Oh, that reminds me! Ranzal, you yourself have gorgeous femurs.

Leave my femurs outta this!

And the delicate curve of Notte's coccyx is quite remarkable.

Notte Wait, is that my BUTT?! How would you even know what that looks like, creeper?!

When one is an expert on bones, clothing is no hindrance.

Notte WHAAAT?! Agh, stop looking at meee!

Ah! I feel such passion welling up inside me! Could this also be love?!

Notte NOOOOOO IT'S NOOOOOOT!

Episode 4

A Bone to Pick

???: Zace!

Vendra! Is that really you? I never would have thought to see you here!

Vendra: It's been a while, Zace. I heard you were staying in this castle, so I came to visit.

Is this an acquaintance of yours, Zace?

Vendra: Ah, you are Euden, yes? I am Vendra, an old friend of Zace's. We were quite close in our youth.

Well, any friend of Zace is welcome here.

Rumor has it you became a merchant.

Vendra: I did. And while I don't mean to boast, I've done rather well for myself.

I'm glad to hear of your success.

Vendra: Yes, well, my business may be booming, but I wish I could say the same for my body. I'm quite out of shape these days!

Vendra: Which is one reason I'm here. I was recalling our youth, and thought we might go hunting together again.

Hunting, you say?

He came all this way, so how about it?

Yes...I suppose.

Vendra: Would you care to join us, Your Highness? It should be quite enjoyable.

I don't see why not.

Vendra: There!

Deer: !!!

Vendra: Yaah!

Bird: Cheeep!

Vendra: Aha ha ha! What a haul! The game is plentiful today.

Vendra: What do you make of that, Zace? Looks like I'm not quite so rusty after all.

The hunters of the Azm Tribe sure do live up to their reputation. Although...

Vendra, don't you think this is a bit much? We'll never be able to eat all these animals.

Vendra: Oh, it's fine. We'll just toss out whatever we don't finish.

The purpose of hunting is to live! Throwing away perfectly good game is no different than throwing away a life!

How can you think such things and still call yourself an Azm?!

Vendra: I'm no longer with the Azm! I don't have to be bound by those rules!

Be that as it may, I'll not stand here and permit you to commit such a careless waste of life!

Vendra: What kind of high and mighty nonsense has gotten into that head of yours?!

Both of you, calm down! There's no need to be at one another's throats over this!

In fact, I've got an idea: Let's go back to the castle and share our catch with everyone.

Hmph.

Vendra: Tch.

......

Vendra: ...I'm sorry for what happened, Zace. I didn't mean for us to fight.

I apologize for becoming heated myself.

Vendra: I know you've loved bones since we were little, so I brought you something.

These...these are the bones of a jonabird.

And what beautiful bones they are! See how the grand wings affix themselves to such a small frame!

A sturdy femur, as well as a long radius and ulna that lose none of their beauty even within the heteromorphic structure.

A bird so rare it's legendary... I never dreamed I'd see a complete specimen with my own eyes!

Th-thank you so much, Vendra.

Vendra: I'm delighted that you like it. Looks like all the coin I spent in order to catch it was well spent.

What...did you say? You captured the bird these bones came from?

Vendra: Yes. Just for you.

...Take them and go. Now.

Vendra: Sorry, what?

Take them and go! I have absolutely no need for bones like these!

Vendra: What're you on about?! I brought them because I thought you'd ENJOY them!

You think I'd be happy that you murdered a living creature?! I'll say this once more: Take them with you and GO!

Vendra: You'd spit on a man's kindness like this? Pah! Consider our friendship over!

...You okay, Zace? That was some fight.

I'm sorry you had to see me like that, Euden.

You haven't done anything to apologize for. But he was an old friend you hadn't seen in a long time, right?

And weren't those bones valuable?

Bones are wonderful, but they are still the remnants of living things.

In order to collect bones, living creatures must die. ...Sometimes I forget that.

That is why I must admonish myself.

And also why you...

Yes. I don't want anything to die for my own pleasure.

Episode 5

Broken Bones

You're cornered!

Fiend: GRRRAAAAGH!

You are so focused on Zace, you left yourself wide open. HAAAAH!

Hmph. A trifle at best.

Fiend: GRAAAGH!

Elisanne! Look out!

Fiend: GRAAAAARGH!

Blast! It's still alive!

Hngh!

Zace! ...Curse you, fiend!

My apologies, Zace. That happened because I was unable to finish it off.

You're not injured, are you?

I am unhurt. However, I can't say the same for this...

Oh no... Does that mean the sound I heard earlier was the breaking of one of the bones you carry?

Still, better a carried bone than one of our own, I suppose.

Yes.

......

Man, Zace is lookin' even gloomier than usual.

I wonder if something happened?

I fear this is my fault.

And while I'm not good at brightening people's spirits when they're down, I have to at least make the attempt.

Zace? I'm...sorry about what happened.

The bone that got broken, I mean. Er...was it valuable?

Valuable? No, it was a rather common example that can be found in any human.

Wait. It was...human?

It belonged to my mother—or so I was told. She died when I was a baby.

My father pitied me for growing up without her, and so left me that to remember her.

Perhaps because I grew up hearing that story, I started to feel as though there was a comforting warmth within it.

That may have been what led to me liking bones as much as I do.

I had no idea it was so precious!

Don't trouble yourself over it, Elisanne. It was due to my own inattention.

Yet it was so important to you...

It's all right. What I wanted more than one of my mother's bones...

...was for her to be alive.

Zace, I'm so sorry.

I'm happy it was used to save the life of a living person, even if it was destroyed in the process.

I see.

In that case, I am going to make you a promise, Zace.

You saved me, and because of that, I swear not to let my life go to waste.

I would like that very much.

Still, I can't JUST do that. I must thank you in a more traditional way as well.

In that case...

Did you have something in mind?

Well, if you were ever to die, Elisanne... Might I have your bones?

How did I know we might end up here? But after I die, my bones can–

Y-you'll give them to me?!

I would LIKE to do so, but alas, I am a Paladyn.

My body must be offered up to the Church. I'm very sorry, but my bones belong to that institution alone.

I...I see. I suppose that is that.

If you think of anything else you might want as thanks, please let me know.

What she says makes sense. Ah, I suppose I've no choice but to abandon my pursuit of her bones.

Wait a moment. Humans have two hundred and six bones in their body...

Surely even the Ilian Church would not need QUITE so many...

Elisanne, wait!

What about just one bone?! Just one would be wonderful!