A New Wind

Facility Event: A Wish to the Winds

Episode 5

A New Wind

Previous Quest

Defending the Village

Summary

The party defeats the fiends and brings peace back to the village—meaning there is no longer a reason for Lowen to become a sacrifice. When the prince presses Garuda for the reason she sought a sacrifice in the first place, the dragon finally reveals the truth...

Dialogue

RAAAAARGH! This is the end! Well, we did it. Thank you for fighting at our side, Garuda. I merely wanted it over with quickly. Now then, I will have my sacrifice! Urk! What is the meaning of this, girl?! I'm not giving you Lowen! You impudent cur! I will return you to the dust from whence you came! Stop it, both of you! This does not concern you! And if I don't finish her off here and now, Lowen is doomed! Garuda, if you intend to continue with this unreasonable demand, it is YOU who will find yourself in danger. Your words are wind! Now cease your jests and submit to me my sacrifice. But Garuda, there isn't even a reason to offer you a sacrifice anymore. Explain yourself! We eliminated all the fiends in this entire area. Things are going to be peaceful for quite some time to come. And furthermore, I am personally going to extend my protection to this village. If the fiends ever come back, I'll be there to help cut them down. We've quite a few skilled fighters in my castle, after all. Then you would drive me hence from the selfsame village I've given so much to defend? Not if you explain to me WHY you wanted the sacrifice in the first place. What was your reason, Garuda? I need to know. You humans are so selfish... You consider only your own interests, sparing not even a passing thought for the concerns of others. The more I protected the village, the fewer visitors and words of thanks I received! I KNEW that's what it was! That means you wanting me has nothing to do with protecting the village, right? In that case, I WILL be your sacrifice! Lowen, no! Everyone around here thought Garuda was a sacred being, and sacred beings are always left alone. But Garuda never wanted to be treated that way in the first place! When we all decided to keep our distance, we made poor Garuda lonely! She just wanted someone to be with her. Right, Garuda? Nnngh... You've been guarding our village all this time, and we never stopped to consider your feelings... We just chose to treat you like a deity and stay far away from you. But you kept protecting us anyway! You're really nice. You know that? M-me? Nice? Yeah! I mean, even in that battle just now, you drew the fiends away from the village before you fought them. Now that I think about it, even when you were chasing us, you didn't attack us, either... Enough! If you continue to flap your gums, I'll summon a wind to blow you away! Aw, you're embarrassed! But listen, I really AM sorry for everything that happened. And because of that, I'll stay with you as a sacrifice so you don't have to be lonely anymore. That's not a sacrifice, Lowen. That's just called being a friend! Heh. I guess you're right. So then, Garuda...will you be my friend? If you're going to push so hard for it, what choice do I have? Ha ha! Sounds like somebody's not being totally honest with themselves. Looks like we can close the book on this one, huh? Yep. The kid totally won Garuda over. 'Course I didn't expect anything different considerin' the unstoppable gal what raised him. Actually, now that you mention it, where IS Louise? She was just here a second ago. Louise! Ah. Euden. I'm surprised to find you out on the edge of town like this. Anyway, things are all wrapped up here, so we should be heading back. *sniff* Uh, Louise? Are you crying? I am most certainly not! It's okay if you are. Crying is weakness. And if I am weak, how will I ever protect him? But when I think about what a fine young man Lowen has grown into, the tears just start coming. What's going on? It's because of how hard you worked and how much you sacrificed for him. And I still think it's okay if you want to cry. You can say that all you want, but I... *sniff* I... WAAAAAAAH! I guess you've got a sensitive side. *sniff* Ugh. How embarrassing. It's not a bad thing. Baring your feelings like that makes you relatable. I've never shown anyone such weakness before. I thought being strong for Lowen's sake had killed this side of me. It was painful and hard, but it was also worth it. But then he grew up, and suddenly there's nothing left for me to protect. He told me he wanted me to find what makes me happy, but I have absolutely no idea how to do that. It's okay. I know you'll find it with time. Just think about how hard you wanted Lowen to find happiness, then turn those thoughts on yourself. But without an older sister or brother, I'd be doing it all on my own. Not true. You have Lowen, and me, and all the rest of us back at the castle. We all want to see you happy, and we all believe that you can be. Now you just need to believe in yourself. Believe...in myself... This wind... Loooooouiiise! Hey, guys! We're over here! You both disappeared so suddenly. Is everything all right? You...were worried? Uh, duh! Of course we were! I'm relieved to see you're all right, Louise. Anyway, this is a hell of a wind, huh? Maybe take it easy, Garuda! How dare you! I'm not— Hee hee! A wind this strong could carry you away just about anywhere! ...... (That's right... The season has changed, hasn't it? Lowen grew up, he made peace with Garuda, and we gained many new friends. And if that change can happen, maybe I can find a way to change, too.) Louise? (Are you watching, Mom? I think I can do like you asked. I think I can be happy. I'm a little scared, but with his words as the wind at my back, I'm going to spread my wings and try to fly.) All right, Euden. I'm going to believe in myself. I'm going to find my own happiness. So...thank you. That's what I wanted to hear! (Look at him. He really is happy for me. I'll soar on my own wings, just like in Mom's poem...) O wind! Messenger of the promised land — Your breath brings naught but joy!