Dream of A Rusted Sword: Part II

Maybe I should go look for him, Captain.

Just wait. He usually comes back around this time.

Oh, we recently found traces of a Corrosaurus we've been tracking for a while. It's a slippery one, hiding itself in the Wastelands. Sending too many people in isn't a wise move.

A senior Gladiator from our camp knows the terrain well. He's a perfect candidate to scout for it. But now he's…

He's chickening out! Just like those cowards who deserve no blessing from the eternal sun!

Watch your tongue, Kamron! Show some respect, or you'll disgrace your mentor!

Tch... Sorry for how I put it, but still... You aren't changing my mind about him!

Apologies for the nonsense. We've just had a hard time keeping track of him lately. Wait... could I trouble you to help us find him?

Thank you. I'll share all the intel we've gathered with you.

Time to run, Gramp! Another one's coming our way!

Quiet! I can see it just fine! Keep shouting and you'll draw even more of them! Got it?

G-GOT IT!

Thanks a bunch for the help! Gramp's back has been acting up lately. If it were just the two of us, who knows how long we'd have been stuck out here.

By the way, I'm Rolla. What's your name?

...You're the Champion of this year's Great Agon, aren't you? Name's Rover?

Whoa, I never thought I'd run into the Champion in person!

Fighting people and fighting Dark Tide beasts aren't the same, but you've got the skills for both. Born with the gifts, I'd say?

Hah, you're good at talking crap too.

Haha, don't mind him, Champion. The old timer's a bit grumpy these days. He roasts everyone.

Because of the Corrosaurus, right? We were sent to track it down! Gramp actually spotted it a while ago!

Let's head back.

This doesn't seem the way back to the Hunter's Den.

Nope, we're heading back to our camp.

Thanks, Aeolus. Any anomalies?

If you mean the Corrosaurus, no. It hasn't found this camp yet. But there's a Kerasaur sneaking around.

Tsk, that thing's roar is ear-splitting. If we're not careful, it could draw the Corrosaurus right to us.

Shame to abandon a camp like this with such perfect terrain. Look at it. Hills for cover, water all around—

By water, you mean the Dark Tide, right?

…You really are a mood killer, Rolla. Can't you tell I was trying to lighten the mood?

We were.

Not to brag, but back in the day, we were household names. Until we got fed up with the sponsors and nobles. That's when we walked away.

You must have heard the name Gren back in Septimont City, haven't you? I even endorsed drinks once.

That was forever ago, Coach. This here is Rover, the newest Champion of the Great Agon!

Seriously? And I thought that Lupa girl was already something. Now there's another one?

No kidding! Ask Aeolus!

I'll handle the Kerasaur. We can't let it get any closer.

Alone? But you're still injured!

No need.

So, should I take this as your official acceptance to join our team, Aeolus?

I'm going to deal with the Kerasaur. That's all.

Then take Rolla with you. It's about time she fights one herself.

And to make sure she comes back in one piece, Rover should go too. Sound fair?

…Don't think this earns you my thanks, Gren.

What, are you trying to crush Rolla's spirit, Gladiator Aeolus?

Hmph. Fine. I'll patch up. Then we move.

Are Kerasaurs really that dangerous, Champion?

Coach Gren always said he could take one down single-handedly in his prime… But Gramp's always going on about the "nine rules" of fighting a Kerasaur.

Aha, now that's the Champion talking! One finger, huh? That makes you, like, five times stronger than Coach!

Hmm… now I'm curious what Gramp was like when he was younger.

You don't know? I thought you've always been together.

Nope. He only showed up after we set up this camp not long ago.

Before that, I was roaming the Plateaus with Coach Gren and the others, scraping by wherever we could find shelter. But we always avoided Gladiators.

Why?

Coach used to say they were a bunch of stiff guys who'd do anything in the name of "a brighter future for Septimont." He's not a fan of people with no sense of humor.

But Gramp seems to know Coach Gren well. He's always looking out for me... Wait—don't tell me he's actually my real grandpa?!

You know, that "Gramp" Aeolus is actually about eight years younger than me. Hard to believe, right?

Let me tell you the secret to staying young: keep your sense of humor! I heard you're from Huanglong? People there have a saying... hmm, what was it again—"Laugh more, live longer"? Haha!

Anyway, I'll leave Rolla in your care. It's been years, and Aeolus's skills haven't improved one bit. That stubborn old man...

Ah, no can do. Not this time.

It takes someone as strong as you to make Aeolus drop the whole Gladiator thing.

I bet you've got a lot of questions on your mind right now—"What's your relationship with Aeolus?" "Why did you try to stop him from being a Gladiator?" "Is Rolla really his family?"

Well, I'm afraid those answers are yours to uncover on your little journey.

Pfft, you've got a sense of humor, eh! Didn't expect someone your age to crack better jokes than me. Wait… don't tell me you're actually older than I am?

You can return to the camp now. Tell them I'll bring back the intel soon.

Oh, come on, Gramp! Why so stubborn today? Let's just go!

Those are its footprints. It's larger and heavier than normal ones. The stride is steady. No signs of injury or irregular movement.

...

No traces of battle with other Dark Tide creations along the way either...

Looks like its frequency alone was enough to scare off the others. Could it be... a special variant?

What's that, Gramp?

An illusive realm that often appears after the High Tide. Some say it's a fragment of a certain type of Sonoro.

I've seen similar things in places tainted by the Dark Tide… but none of them looked as real as this one.

Then let's get a closer look!

This place… Looks like it used to be a smithy.

The best you could find on the Plateaus.

For a Gladiator, their weapon is their second life. This was where many first came, when they set out to chase greatness.

I got my first sword here too. Many years ago.

Really? But I've never seen you use it. Did you treasure it that much?

...Time to go.

The frequency has stirred. It's pointing in a specific direction.

It might be affected by the Kerasaur's frequency. If we follow it, we might find some clues.

Judging by the size of these scratches… and how deep they go into the stone… This one's definitely a mutant.

The illusive realm appears again!

Look, Gramp—there's someone inside!

Did you hear that noise? That girl is hunting the Lion Beast all by herself. A fight like that is bound to attract more danger. Even if she takes it down, she'll need backup.

We have to help her... Are you hurt?

Ha... I...

The Lion Beast and a girl... Could this be the moment when Ephor Augusta hunted it down?

(But the tale of Augusta's trial only mentions an old hunter. Who's this second person?)

(Someone left out of the story...)

Rolla, head back to camp. We need reinforcements.

Eh? But Coach Gren said—

Just go!

You don't have to yell, okay? Got it!

Strong Dark Tide creations are drawn to powerful frequencies. I know where that Kerasaur's heading.

I know what you want to ask, but once we get there, you'll understand everything.

Ha... you are insanely strong.

Must be a price too heavy for me to take.

...Follow me.

Watch its tail!

It's most vulnerable when it swings that thing to attack!

What is this sword?

It belonged to Master Cato, Augusta's coach. He once wielded it against the Dark Tide creations here alone. Even now, his valorous frequency lingers on it.

Not exactly. I never earned Master Cato's recognition. And no, I wasn't part of that hunt. That old hunter aided Augusta while I was back at camp nursing my wounds.

Augusta... hero of Septimont.

After her hometown was torn apart by the Dark Tide, she trained under Cato, the legendary Gladiator. Then, she slayed the Lion Beast that plagued the Plateaus, defeated a hundred foes in front of all Septimont, and eventually won Arsinosa's blessing.

And me? I was just one of the supporting roles in her legend.

How long are you going to cling to this obsession, Aeolus?

"A man with neither talent nor resolve is unfit to be my student." That was the only thing Cato ever said to you, wasn't it? And you still see him as your mentor?

Always spouting that nonsense—"Your weapon is your second life."

That Augusta girl defeated a hundred Gladiators and took their blades. Do you think someone like her would remember the name of a weak man like you?

Yes, maybe you were close to heroes. But it doesn't make you one.

Just look at yourself. You're old, Aeolus. One swipe of that Kerasaur's tail could snap your bones in half.

I've had enough of hearing how Gladiators die out here chasing empty glory. It's ridiculous.

And it's even worse when it's my friend caught in this madness.

So quit being a Gladiator, Aeolus. Don't you get it? You're aging too fast as a Resonator.

I don't want to dig another grave in this cursed place.

I see. So Aeolus eventually decided to join Gren's team. I'll file his withdrawal application then.

Master Gren used to be the teammate of Master Cato, Ephor Augusta's mentor.

When all of Septimont was watching with bated breath the duel between Augusta and Arsinosa, signs of the Dark Tide surfaced again on the Plateaus. Master Cato went alone into the Wastelands to face it, and never returned.

Gren blames Master Cato's death on the ingrained defects of the Plateau's logistics and support system. He traced that failure back to the former Ephor's compromises with the nobles. And so, his entire team withdrew from the Gladiator ranks.

Very few know the truth. That day, Master Cato wasn't the only one who went to the Wastelands. Aeolus followed him.

But to uphold the legend of Cato's solitary last stand, Aeolus's name was left out of the story.

I understand why he chose to join Gren. But still... it's a shame. He was so close to claiming the glory he longed for.

Such is the fate of a Gladiator, {Male=Sir.;Female=Lady.} Rover—

Born for glory. Die for glory.

I don't know much about Septimont's culture, or you. But I respect your choice.

Should we return to the Hunter's Den or Gren's camp?

...Rover, Champion of the Great Agon.

I, Gladiator Aeolus, hereby challenge you to a duel.

Draw your blade.

...

...I lost.

Rover, bring the Corrosaurus's intel back to the Hunter's Den. Tell them I'm sorry and I won't be going back.

You go first. I'll stay here for a while.

Hey, Champion! Thanks for convincing Aeolus to quit. It's time we headed out too.

Augusta wouldn't let a warrior like you go to waste.

I know she wouldn't. I was her 98th opponent, and I could feel her spirit through her blade. She's done a lot to make this city better.

But ever since I set foot back on this land... I've been dreaming. Dreaming of the past. Of Cato. Of the hunts shared with my old friends who fell.

I dream of them laughing, charging toward the Dark Tide—and then vanishing. I was the one left behind. The one to bury them.

One bloody grave, then another. And another.

Now that I've woken from those dreams... I just don't believe in myself anymore. And I can't buy into that so-called "Gladiator's glory" either.

As for Aeolus... even if he died out here, no one would know. No one pays attention to an old man's last moment.

By the way, did you know he was Augusta's seventh opponent? She beat him in just two strikes. And I used to take him down using only my left hand! Haha!

He's at his temporary camp, packing up his things. I'll send you the coordinates.

Traces of a massive Dark Tide creation?

These aren't Kerasaur footprints. Could it be… the Corrosaurus?

There are human tracks here too. Was it Aeolus? Did he clash with the Corrosaurus… and lead it away?

I should hurry up.

Aeolus trapped the Corrosaurus inside the cave. What is he planning?

I need to find a way in.

These facilities…

Has he been training here all this time?

So close to the Dark Tide?

All this dynamite...

Is he planning to blow up the entire cave?

Are you alright?!

I... Ugh, I'm fine!

Aim for the ankle on its right leg! That's its weak spot!

I've always been… a coward…

I feared Augusta, so I lost my will to fight her the moment we crossed blades…

I feared the Lion Beast, so I ran back to camp...

I feared death, so I turned away. Left Master Cato behind to face that hopeless end alone…

I… I keep having the same dream… In that dream, I still lose to Augusta... I never earn Cato's approval. But…

I also dream… of standing right in the swarm of the Dark Tide's creatures. Master Cato is behind me, and I'm holding my ground, fighting with all my might…

Would Master Cato smile... and say he misjudged me?

Heh… just a dream... but this… this isn't so bad either…

To take the Corrosaurus down with me… Ha, who said I didn't have a sense of humor…

Aeolus... he was truly a great Gladiator. I will make sure his story lives on.

I understand your sorrow for Aeolus. But Septimont doesn't measure one's sacrifice by whether it was "necessary."

If you can't understand Aeolus's choice, then think of it this way:

He was a Gladiator. That's all there is to it.

...

What kind of joke is this, huh? A prank? If I fall for it, is he gonna jump out and mock me?

Aeolus, you old fool... You think I'd find this funny?!

Damn you Gladiators... Damn the Dark Tide... Damn it all!

…I'll tell Rolla later. Just—just give me a moment. I'll see you around.

Did you build this?

Uncle Gren helped too. He's probably off slaying more Dark Tide creations. Been cursing nonstop.

…I recently had a dream of my childhood.

I dreamed of Dark Tide creations attacking the village. No reinforcements. Just two Gladiators holding the line. When the monsters were about to kill me, a Gladiator picked me up and ran.

He was crying, holding me tight, running away from the battlefield... from his companion.

His face was covered in tears. He kept saying sorry. Called himself a coward.

...Why did you say that, Gramp? You've always been my hero.

To Gladiator Lord Aeolus, I have received your withdrawal request. It is hereby denied. The glory of Septimont shall forever shine upon you—a true Gladiator. Also, Master Aeolus, you were the seventh formidable opponent I faced on my path forward. Your swordsmanship and keen battle instincts left a deep impression on me. I will carry your blade, your ideals, and everything you stood for, and lead Septimont forward. Please, bear witness. Highest regards, Ephor Augusta of Septimont

Oh, it's you. Good timing. We're just about to leave this hellhole. Tch, this place reeks like fart...

We… we built a grave for that idiot. Right next to another idiot's grave.

Got a minute? Rolla and I are heading over to pay him a visit. You know, the whole "talk to the air and pretend the dead are listening" thing. Haha...

...What's with that look, Champion? You expecting me to break down crying or something? The only damn thing I'm good at aside from fighting is outliving my friends.

Anyway... I'll just meet you over there. That's the deal.