Intro
Village Boy: "The curse, the curse is finally gone! That voice is finally out of my head! Oh, it feels so good to know my thoughts are my own. Those adventures, they really are incredible. No normal person could break a spell like that. Maybe they're strong enough to beat him. Of course they can, they broke his curse after all. They even stayed to help rebuild our village. That angry looking guy's strength is incredible. He can pull up a full grown tree with his bare hands. And his skin is so tough he can file wood with his hands. But that white haired girl, she is so cute, and her powers of transportation are otherworldly. Her knowing about medicine is also a big help for our sick elderly and young. She's so kind, reminds me of my sister… I really miss my sister. And that guy that just woke up, he seems to be quite admirable. He's just as nice as the white haired girl, but he seems to trusting. Although, he did form quite a capable group. Either way, I'm really glad he convinced his friends to stay, they might just be able to help us. It'll be a shame when they have to leave. They're nice people. Well, maybe not all of them exactly."
Eris: "Hey, you didn't mention me in the intro."
Village Boy: "Oh, uh, well we didn't have time for a full intro so we had to choose who which characters to talk about, haha."
Eris: "What does that mean?!"
Villager Boy: "Well, the author didn't want non-fighting chapters to exceed 4000 words so we were limited to more "likable" characters."
Eris: "Are you saying that I'm not a main character?!"
Village Boy: "Whaaat? Nooo! You are a main character."
Eris: "Then put me in the intro."
Village Boy: "Oh wow, looks like we're out of time."
Eris: "Put me in the intro or else I'm gonna pop you like a grape!"
Village Boy: "AHHH!!! Somebody help!"
Eris: "Hey, get back here and put me in the intro! Running only makes me angrier!"
Villager Boy: "MOMMYYY!"
***
Conan: "So old man, you're the village chief I take it?"
Village Chief: "Yes. I thank you for helping us rebuild our village. We are humbly grateful."
Aaron: "Don't mention it, we're just happy we could help. Can you tell us what happened here?"
Village Chief: "Hmm, I'll tell you as best as I can recall. Long ago, before this village we live in now was built, our ancestors lived high in the mountains. Far from the problems of the vastly changing world, we lived in peace with nature. What we took, we gave back, understanding that everything that exist in this world is connected and should be respected. Plants, animals, even the soil we walk on, we all draw our strength from one source of energy, and it is through this that we are connected."
Conan: "Your point?"
Eris: "Conan! Sorry about him, he can be a little impatient."
Village Chief: "Haha, I was rambling, my apologies. Let me continue. One day, during one of our people's sacred rituals, one of them stumbled upon something completely unexpected."
Aaron: "What did they find?"
Village Chief: "Something only spoken of by the elders. A spirit."
(The room fell into immediate silence. Aaron and Eris looked towards Neku and Conan for any insight, but they seemed simply puzzled. Conan strained to recall anything about mountain spirits, while Neku seemed dumbfounded, but nothing came to mind).
Village Chief: "The spirits protected the village, so they were worshipped as guardians. It wasn't long after that that more spirits emerged from the mountain and took refuge into the village. Our ancestors were overjoyed to have so many of gods children live the village, but failed to realize the severity of what that meant. In just three days, a horde of demons came to the village and destroyed everything. They took everything they wanted and destroyed the rest. Women and children made up most of the captives, but the men, let's just say they were of little value."
Conan: "What about the spirits, what happened to them?"
Village Chief: "… Those demons captured them."
Aaron: "And the village?"
Village Chief: "Burnt to ash. Those monsters didn't waste any time either. After that, they've began migrating their captives. They were treated worse than livestock. Living conditions were beyond unbearable. Those who were too weak to keep up were either abandoned or eaten alive. This village only exists because those monsters told us to build it. Not like we had a choice, we would've died without living quarters."
Eris: "That's awful."
Village Chief: "We were treated like animals, used as livestock to feed those retched creatures. Those monsters treated my people like objects for so long that they lost all respect for themselves."
Aaron: "I'm—sorry that your people suffered for so long. No doubt it was hard, being forced to live for someone else's benefit."
Village Chief: "Don't be, we're content with our lives. The demons still let us bare children and be with our loved ones, as long as we dedicate our lives solely for their cause. We used to think that these demons were nothing but vile creatures, but they've actually been quite gracious."
Conan: "What do you mean by gracious?"
Village Chief: "We prayed to God, but received no answer. After realizing our prayers were never going to be answered we lost all hope. But the demons were willing to let us live in peace as long as we gave sacrifices. Some time later, one of the captives convinced my people to rebel against the demons, and he did it against my discretion. Those demons spared no effort in torturing us. They broke us and forced us to completely submit to their cause. I can still hear their horrid screams of my people. I would've given anything for those screams to stop. They didn't, and in that moment I realized something."
Aaron: "What?"
Village Chief: "God is completely worthless."
Eris: "… What?"
Village Chief: "You heard me. Our so called "god" is completely useless. If he won't even lift a finger to protect his own children, then obviously we're worth less than the dirt in his eyes. And if we are fated to live in such a way, then we wish nothing but the same for him. YOU HEAR THAT "GOD"? I HOPE YOU'RE HAVING AN WONDERFUL TIME UP THEIR! At least these demons gave us the ability to live, and the price isn't even that high. But, when "God" left we were left with nothing. If the demons waited any longer to claim this world we would be dead. So, we shouldn't despise and view them as repulsive, we all should be grateful they came and pledge our lives to their cause."
(The Chief poured himself some water into a cracked dirty cup, as if it was a fine wine. He raised his glass high in the air and scoffed before drinking it. The people behind him nodded proudly in agreement, as they to drank from their cups. Aaron and Eris were appalled, hearing humans disgrace their father so openly. Being suddenly put into a flustered state, Aaron and Eris were on the verge of committing a great taboo. Luckily for them, as well as the man, the two other individuals who able to disperse the tension in the air).
Conan: "Well, I think that you've shared plenty of information with us for today."
Neku: "Yes, you've been a great help. We greatly appreciate you sharing your story. It was very… insightful. But, we've had a long day, so I hope you can excuse us so we may rest a bit longer."
Conan: "We don't want to overexcite our friend, who just woke up, with all of your wondrous tall tales. For now, he should recover strength before listening to anymore long stories. We're grateful for your hospitality though. Maybe you can tell me some more stories later."
Village Chief: "Hohoho! Now, no need for such flattery. I understand. We'll leave you to rest. I'll get my son to stand by in case you need anything. He's a weird kid, so if he says something odd that's just how he is. He's a good kid none the less. Our home is your home"
(The Chief and his men left the room. Aaron and Eris, still processing the event that had just unfolded, were unaware that their hands were latched to a random object. Conan and Neku carefully pried the objects from their hands. They had to be careful with Eris, do to the broken glass shards that cut her hand).
Conan: "That, was a little too close for comfort. What were you two thinking?"
Eris: "… For once, I wasn't."
Aaron: "I can't believe humans have fallen so low. To think that they would disregard father so easily, and mark him as worthless. How could they, and after he's done so much?"
Conan: "Well, according to you two, your "father", deemed it necessary to forsake the humans without a moment's notice, leaving them to fend off the demon's savagery for millenniums. And according to that cursed fossil, humans have been forced to pledge their lives to the demons. Given the time that's past, it makes sense that the modern people would regard their god as "worthless" and put their faith in a lesser being. If this event were to befall your God because of humans, do you believe you could still retain your faith in them?"
Aaron: "I see your point."
Eris: "But still, how dare that man show such disrespect towards father like that! Father broke himself for them. They should be nothing but grateful he helped at all!"
Neku: "Well, it's not exactly their fault."
Eris: "Huuuh?!"
Neku: "From the humans perspective, their god discarded them as worthless. And soon after, they were enslaved by creatures that can only be described as monstrous. Even after begging and pleading to be saved, their god never returned. Now, after year's pass, their descendants have forsaken their god and have decided to put their faith in something more… vile. Even now, if your god wasn't dying you never would've came down here to help, which means their's some truth to their claims. So it's understandable why humans think you're worse than the demons they worship, since it was the demons that… answered their call."
Eris: "WHAAAT!"
Aaron: "Easy now, Eris."
Eris: "Did you not just hear her? She just undermined the purpose of our mission. And she even insinuated we are "worse" than demons!"
Neku: "I haven't heard you speak otherwise. You only helped the humans in regards to your father's dwindling health. Master, however, has risk his life every time to assist someone in need, human or not. Your reasons for helping are kind of immoral for an angel, don't you think?"
Eris: "Morality? What do you know about morality? You've ran away from every fight in your life and left those who cared about you to die without hesitation. Our father stood by his morals till it almost killed him, and he's still suffering. But even now, he's still trying to help, while you use my friend's kindness to fight your battles. Just like the humans, you leach off of the ones who help you then get upset when you deprive them of all their resources. Instead of giving back what you took you cast them aside, leaving them to make do with what they have left, if they have anything."
Neku: "That's not fair, the humans didn't know what they were doing to your god. And he should've known what would happen if he continued to spend his energy half hazardously. But, instead of telling the humans of the burdens they were placing on him, your god vanished without even saying a word. He should've said something. In either case, it isn't ok to use someone for your own selfish purpose without giving something back. It isn't right."
Eris: "Oh, I'm sure you know what's "right". You've done nothing but burden us since you've been here. Always causing problems and leaving us to fix them."
Neku: "How can you say that? I'm the reason Aaron is still alive, and let's not forget who told you about the cave and what was in it."
Eris: "And let's not forget", who's fault is it that Aaron almost died in the first place, TWICE. And how I almost died because of a misunderstanding between me and what dwelled it the cave."
Aaron: "Hold on, that's not exactly true."
Eris: "Really? So you weren't almost killed by a horde of demons back at the cave?"
Aaron: "Yes, I was. But, Neku came back and saved me."
Eris: "You wouldn't have needed saving if she hadn't left in the first place. And what would you have done if she hadn't come back?"
Aaron stood in silence, unable to find a suitable answer for Eris's query.
Eris: "Face it, when things get too difficult she'll abandon us, and we risk have that."
Aaron: "Come on, Eris."
(Eris vigorously points at Neku).
Eris: "We can't trust you to have our back during a major battle. You cause too many problems and leave too many uncertainties, not to mention all the enemies you've made that you haven't told us about."
Aaron: "Ease up, Eris."
Neku: "That's not true. I make an effort to fix my mistakes, and I've made a lot. But you, you act like everything is so cut and dry. You don't know to the strength of these monsters, you have no idea of what they are capable of doing. And yet, you stand there and shame me for being scared. Well you're wrong, because I'm not scared. I'm terrified. These creatures have destroyed my home, slaughtered my people, and forced me to run for my entire life. You accuse me of being selfish, of leaving people for dead, well you sound just like them. Those people who don't listen when I say that fighting is pointless. If you kill one demon, thousands more just takes it's place. But, you can't see it my reasoning. You're too high strung to trust my word even though I've been living in this world infinitely longer than you have. You can't even bring yourself to trust the very creatures your god so graciously left to rot. You're self-centered, arrogant, and completely ignorant on how horrible this world really is."
Eris: "Don't you dare talk about my father you *vetch. Even after everything, our father is still trying to help the humans after all these years of suffering they put him though."
Neku: "And how many years did it take him to come back?"
Eris: "Doesn't matter. He put in far more work than the humans give him credit for. Meanwhile, all you've done is leech off everyone before betraying them. Aaron got hurt because you abandoned him, Conan got banished because of your secret, and your previous master died because you left him for dead."
Aaron: "Enough, Eris."
Eris: "Everywhere you go you cause nothing but trouble for those around you, and it's always those people who suffer instead of you. I've tried to think maybe you weren't as bad as I thought in consideration of Aaron's feeling, but the fact is, Neku, you're completely worthless and we'd be better off without you."
Aaron: "Eris!!!"
(Neku's face froze for a brief moment before a waterfall of tears began running down her face as her head drooped towards the floor. She tried to dry her tears, but they just kept running. She raised her head with a smile towards Eris).
Neku: "Well, it's about time you told me your true feelings. Now, I can tell your fortune."
Eris and Aaron's face became puzzled.
Neku: "Eris, the path you walk is filled with darkness. You will come across a man who will reveal to you your origin, realizing that your life was a lie. You'll turn your back on the ones you claim to care so much about and you'll hurt the ones you hold most dear. And once the battle is won, you'll realize all that you have lost."
Eris's face became even more puzzled, not understanding Neku's meaning.
Neku: "Master, you should take the time to learn how to use your *Nekomata. Once you've mastered it it'll help you in your "future" battle. Conan, it's time for us to part, but it was really nice to see you again. And Eris… let me give you something, for troubling you."
Neku reached out her hand, gesturing she was holding something. Eris reluctantly held out her's to receive Neku's gift. Neku grabbed Eris's hand and what felt like a bolt of electricity shot through Eris's body. Eris yanked her hand back as she stumbled backwards.
Eris: "Ah! What was that?!"
Neku: "…My blessing. Stay safe everyone."
Neku glanced at Aaron before softly walking leaving the room.
Eris: "Hey! Come back! What did you do to me?! NEKU!"
Smack!!!
(Aaron slapped Eris. The sudden shock made her lose balance. She looked up at Aaron and saw his face twisted in expression).
Eris: "Aaron… why…"
Aaron: "Shut up."
Eris: "Huh?"
Aaron: "I… keep thinking about it, but I just can't figure it out. So, I'll just ask."
Eris: "What?"
Aaron: "Eris, what is your problem with Neku?"
Eris: "My problem? Did you forget she almost got you killed? She's dangerous."
Aaron: "No, I almost got myself killed, and the only thing she's done is try to help us even though she isn't obligated to. She warned us against fighting demons and we decided to fight anyway. If she didn't come back there's no doubt I would've died. You know that, so why are you being so hostile towards Neku?"
Eris: "Obligation or not she trusted a demon, which is what got her village destroyed. And she ran away and let her previous master die. We can't have that type of behavior in our team."
Aaron: "She was a child when she trusted that demon. She didn't know any better. And all we know is that her master died. We don't know if it was really her fault. She might just be blaming herself because she feels guilty about his death. Either way, you don't actually know what Neku did for certain, but we do know she's been nothing but kind to us since we met. If you're going to give anyone a hard time it should be Conan."
Eris: "Huh, him? Why, he gave us that flower?"
Aaron: "A cursed flower. My head's still fuzzy on what happened after I passed out. All I remember is hearing a bunch of screams, like someone was dying."
Eris: "MMMn!…"
Aaron: "What? What that part not a dream? Answer me."
Eris hesitated to answer. Knowing the answer would not only anger Aaron, but also give him credence for his claims, she tried to dodge the question. But, because Aaron is highly persistent her attempt failed. Feeling guilty, she held her tongue forcing Aaron's gaze towards Conan.
Conan: "After you ate the flower you blacked out and became shrouded in *miasma. After a short while you looked like you were going to become cursed, so I attempted to… kill you."
Aaron: "… … I'm sorry, what?"
Conan: "I tried to kill you. If you had failed to assimilate the flower the result would end with the rest of us dying and you running off to make the world worse than it already is."
Aaron: "Why am I just now being told this?" (Aaron says with a scowl).
Conan: "I personally didn't see a point."
Aaron: "Not you. Her."
Aaron shows a tempered grimace towards Eris. Her throat began to clamp, making it hard for her to speak.
Eris: "I-I didn't think it was necessary."
Aaron: "So many secrets. Why? He literally tried to kill me and didn't say anything. If he's willing to just kill his team, then doesn't make him just as bad as Neku who, by your words, will leave you for dead?"
Eris: "…"
Aaron: "Why won't your answer? The answer is yes. If it were Neku you wouldn't hesitate to tell me. You might have even tried to kill her yourself!"
Aaron slowly paces towards Eris. His face gets more twisted and ugly as he gets closer.
Aaron: *"Now, answer me. Why didn't you tell me? *(Whisper)
Eris: *Exhale "Because… I was told not to."
Aaron: "… by who?"
Eris: "Conan."
Aaron's face turns from anger to shock and confusion as he turns towards Conan.
Aaron: "Eris, go find Neku. We all need to have a long chat."
Eris hesitated before leaving to the door. She paused and looked back at Conan. His face was stern and non-expressive, but also somewhat aggressive. He slowly nodded his head without looking at Eris before she left.
Aaron: "Alright Conan, tell me. Are you our ally or not?"