A Risky Idea

Facility Event: A Wish to the Winds

Episode 2

A Risky Idea

Previous Quest

Danger Lurks in the Wetlands

Next Quest

The Way Home

Summary

The party uses the wind shrine to drive off Garuda, and learns the dragon is demanding a sacrifice in exchange for protecting Louise and Lowen's village from fiends. The group then decides to skip the middleman and deal with the fiends themselves.

Dialogue

Garuda's here! Now let's show her the power of our new shrine's mana! With this wind to drive it, may this arrow strike with sundering force! Grrrk... What is this power?! No...that shrine! Bwaaaa ha ha ha! You would go so far merely to deny me? So be it. If that is your choice, then I shall rend the lot of you asunder and claim the boy as my prize! The day I return shall be the final day of your pathetic lives! I'm glad she's gone, but I fear greatly her wrath upon her inevitable return. ...... Hmm? What's wrong, Lowen? Oh, er, nothing! I just... (Garuda looked really...lonely for a second. But why...?) Garuda hasn't given up on getting Lowen, so we need to come up with a plan. To that end, could you explain the situation to us in detail? Yes. But first, I must thank you again for saving us and make proper introductions. My name is Louise, and this is my little brother, Lowen. We're from a small village far to the north of here. Garuda has long protected our village from the fiends that live nearby. Wait, the same Garuda that's gunnin' for yer bro's life also PROTECTS yer village?! Garuda is the guardian deity of the village, yes. However, one day, she suddenly began demanding a sacrifice from us. Why would she do that? I don't know. What I DO know, however, is that without Garuda's protection, our village would be doomed. This is why the village heads opted to do as she demanded and offer her a sacrifice. But when your brother was chosen to be that sacrifice, the two of you fled instead? Yes. Unfortunately, Garuda got wind of our escape and chose to pursue us. What reason could she have for wanting a sacrifice so badly? Does it matter? She's coming after Lowen, and we need to save him. That's the only important thing here. Somehow I doubt that dragon's gonna listen if we just ask her not to murder us real nice-like. Then fighting is our only choice. But if we defeat Garuda, your village will lose its protection and be attacked by fiends. Ugh! This is like one of those stupid logic puzzles with the boat and the dog and the chicken or whatever! Actually, I think I have an idea—although it's not without risk. If the fiends near your village were gone, there would be no need for a sacrifice, right? You can't possibly... No, we cannot ask you to do this! Those fiends are a particularly vile and fearsome lot! Actually, we're pretty good at this kind of thing. Let's head to your village and at least get the lay of the land. After all you have done for us, you would continue to put your own lives at risk? I told you before, we can't leave you to sort this out on your own. Plus, I'm curious what caused Garuda's sudden change. It's been a long time since we've encountered such kindness... Yeah, and it's GREAT! Thanks a bunch, everybody! You be a good boy and watch over things while we're gone, Lowen. No way, Sis! I'm going! This is about ME, after all! No way, buster! This is going to be a perilous journey, which means you are going to sit it out! ...... Louise, once you've recovered, we'll set off. Two or three days here at the castle should be enough to get your strength back, I imagine? I'll leave some fresh clothes here. Feel free to make use of them. Thank you, Cleo. ...Come here, Lowen. I'll help you get undressed. Oh my gosh, Louise, I can do that myself! Plus Cleo is RIGHT HERE! Don't you back talk me, mister! Get over here this instant! Nooooooooo! All right, Lowen! Open up big and wide, 'cause heeere comes the dragon! Do you not trust your brother to consume food on his own? This meal is quite hazardous. The soup is hot, and there are small bones in the fish. Now open up, Lowen! Aaaaaah... Aaaah... Lowen? ...Lowen! Where are you?! You, uh, ever think ya might be a bit of a mother hen with that kid? Whatever are you talking about? This is a perfectly normal amount of care. I'm merely looking for him so we can take our nightly bath, but he's nowhere to be found. Wait, his big sister gives him a BATH? I ain't usually one to judge, but I'm gonna go ahead and call that super weird. There's nothing wrong with it! If anything, YOU'RE the one with the problem! Ugh. Even being away from him for this long is making me itchy. ...Lowen! Get out here right now! ...Hey there, Lowen. What did you need? I want you to fight me! If I can beat you, then it means I'm strong, and Louise will HAVE to take me to the village with all of you! Your sister is REALLY not going to like this idea. I don't care! This is MY problem, and I'm tired of relying on her for everything! Plus, there's something I'm curious about. What's that? I've actually been to Garuda's nest before. ...Who's there? State your business at once or begone! Hiya! I'm Lowen. I, um...just wanted to see where you live. Do you wanna play? You have come to my home to...play? Yeah! And I know the grownups all told me not to or whatever, but I couldn't help it! I just reeeally wanted to see what your nest was like! Then we are well met, young human. It has been long and longer still since I have had a visitor in my home. So, um...you're not mad at me? At the fact you came here to visit me? Of course not! Please, take your time. Look around. Stay as long as you like. Okay. Thanks, Miss Dragon! Hearing that gives me a very different impression of Garuda. Louise would kill me if she knew I went to see Garuda, but I can't stop thinking about it. She was super nice to me that time, so why did she turn into such a big jerk?! Thank you, Lowen. This may actually prove to be quite helpful. And while I'm not going to fight you, I'm happy to spar. Show me what you know and we'll go from there. Oh wow. Thanks! *huff* *pant* I...I can still...fight! That's more than enough. You've proven plenty strong, so I see no reason why you can't come to the village. R-really?! I can?! YA-HOOOO! Thank you, Euden! Thank you! This is the first time I've been given the chance to fight like this. Oh man, I've NEVER been this happy! We're going to be facing fiends along the way, so I'm counting on you. Yes, sir! I won't let you down!