Inner Darkness

File:.png

Inner Darkness

Previous Quest

Force Back the Fiends

Next Quest

Struggle in the Snow

Summary

The prince and friends defeat the fiends with the aid of Lucretia, but this does not help the town rest much easier. Meanwhile, a mysterious shadow continues whispering to Elias, and its influence may be causing the fiends to grow even stronger...

Dialogue

I don't think these guys are gonna stop anytime soon. We may need to pull back. You seem rather distraught about something. Ah! Y-you are... Lucretia! Good heavens, but there ARE quite a few of them here, aren't there? Wait, stay back! It's dangerous! Well, isn't that sweet! But you don't need to worry about me. Yah! Graaaagh... Huh? Holy crap! I thought this lady was supposed to be some famous singer, not some famous fiendslayer! Oh, I am a famous singer! ...That said, I do like to dabble in arts of the more "martial" variety. I'd call that a little more than dabblin'. Either way, we appreciate your help. You're quite welcome. Honestly, the only thing that matters is seeing everyone safe. Lucretia! Ah, my dear Vixel. Is something the matter? You're all in a dither. You vanished without a trace earlier, and now I find you here! We were WORRIED! *sniff* *sniiiiiff* Goodness! Is that someone weeping? Waaaaaah! Wait, that's Pia! Why is SHE here?! "Budding Vocalist: Pia" *sniff* I s-saw Lucretia leave and... And I wanted to stop her, but I was so scared that I couldn't talk! WAAAAAAH! Easy on the waterworks, now. The fiends are all gone. There, there. Do stop crying. *sniff* I...I wish I wasn't like this. Everyone always tells me I'm a big scaredy-cat. Plus, no matter how much I practice, I always mess up when I get on stage. I KNOW I'm better than that but I can't ever make it work which makes me even MORE sad and then...then... I just wanna sing as pretty as Eliaaaaas! WAAAAAAH! Come now! You're still a brave girl for coming here to protect me. *sigh* In any case, everyone is safe. And it looks like you've got these fiends handled, so...yeah! Keep it up, I guess. Don't you think Pia should return to the the choir about now? *sniffle* Oh, no! It's soooo late! Practice is gonna start without me! That kid can practice singin' all she wants; her attitude needs the real work. Oh, I don't know. I think she showed bravery in her own way. Anyway, we have to drive the rest of these fiends off so the recital can continue. I know everyone's looking forward to it. Pffft. Not that Elias kid. He looked like he'd swallowed a lemon last time we saw him. Eh, that's no big deal. Kid's just gettin' to be at that rebellious age is all. Hmph. Heh. You might be right, Ranzal. Anyway, let's get back to it. Hmm... I doubt the answer to Elias' recent attitude is quite so simple... Now then! Attend to me, everyone, and our practice can finally begin. Listen carefully as I sing this note.... ♪♪♪ Now all of you try it. Let us begin. ♪♪♪ Hold a moment, Elias. Me? You. Is there something troubling you? Huh? Wh-why do you ask? A singing voice reveals its owner's true feelings, and yours is currently trembling with unease. Y-yes, ma'am. I'm sorry, ma'am. I've never heard anyone scold Elias like that before. I wonder what's going on? That's quite enough chattering! Now then, from where we left off. And a-one... ...And that concludes today's practice. Thank you! *cough* A-HEM! Aaaaa-hem... Elias, are you all ri— Don't talk to me. Geez, Elias... What's going on with you...? (I can't believe Lucretia scolded me in front of everyone... This wouldn't be a problem if my voice wasn't being weird!) I just wanna sing... ♪♪♪ Ah! Is that Lucretia? Oh, who am I kidding? I'll never be able to sing the way she does. Go away... Go away... Huh? That voice again... GO AWAAAAY! Y-you're the thing I heard in my dream! Wh-what the heck ARE you? What do you want?! I don't want to become an adult so... IT HAS TO GO AWAY! You said that in my dream, but that's not what I want! The darkness in your heart... The power of darkness... Stop it! Stay away from me! THE POWER OF DARKNESS! I WANT IT! Nooooooo! ...Huh? It's gone. Um...ha? Ha ha ha! Oh man, that was one crazy dream! Hooo... Grrrraaaagh! Is it just me, or are these chumps actually even stronger now?! It certainly feels that way. What in the world is going on? If that's the case, I'm afraid there may be an even more powerful enemy waiting for us up ahead. Keep your guards up, everyone—I think it's going to be a long night.