Alma Kinan Ritual
Chris hears a noise outside in the village.
Chris
What was that? I thought I heard something.
She goes outside, the villagers are gathered in a formation.
Chris
What's going on here?
Yuiri
Getting ready for the ritual.
Chris
Ritual? What for?
Yuiri
Ritual of soul-sending.
Chris
Soul-sending?
Yuiri
We offer a soul to the spirits in order to receive their blessings on the Grasslands.
A white light flashes, and Chris flashes back to an earlier conversation with Yun.
Yun
This is the second to last task I must perform, Chris.
Chris
Second to last?
The scene snaps back to the present.
Chris
You're not talking about Yun, are you?
Yuiri
Yes, of course. She is a special child. She lives for today. There's a destructive force which aims to destroy the true runes, and people who intend to obtain the Grasslands by taking advantage of the present turmoil. We need the blessings of the spirits to block them. Tonight, Yun will offer her soul to the spirits.
Chris
You must be kidding! How could you sacrifice her life...just like that?
Yuiri
Do you not make sacrifices for Zexen?
Chris' face turns from surprise to anger.
Chris
No! I mean, yes! I mean...losing one's life in battle is a lot different than killing for some spiritual mumbo-jumbo.
Yuiri
How dare you treat something you don't understand with so much disrespect?
Chris
I.....is this why you brought us here, to witness this atrocity?
Nash intervenes between them.
Nash
Forget it, Chris.
Chris
Is a 'lucky' rabbits foot so lucky for the rabbit who lost it? Damn this superstitious garbage!
Yun
Chris.
Yun walks toward Chris from the altar.
Yun
Please.....can you come with me, Chris?
Yuiri
Yun, remember, the ritual starts soon.
Yun
I know. I only want a brief moment to speak with Chris before the ritual. I won't be long.
Yuiri
Mind you, she is not from Alma Kinan.
Yun
Of course. Chris, come this way.
Yun walks towards the altar, Chris follows.
A view of the large tree, altar, and full moon.
Yun
This is such a quiet evening. A perfect setting for the ritual.
Chris
Yun, do you know what you're getting into?
Yun
Of course I know. After the soul-sending ritual, I am going to die.
Chris
Yun!
Yun
This is my duty. Many people die without finishing, or even knowing their duties...I consider myself lucky. No regrets. In Alma Kinan, a girl whose soul is offered will become a spirit. My soul will live forever.
Chris
Still...
Yun
How compassionate you are! I appreciate your concern more than you know. After all, you hardly know me.
Chris
So now I can ask you...Why did you bring me here? Was that one of your duties?
Yun
I've had visions of today's events ever since I was little. Maybe this is why you feel like an old friend to me. I've always wanted to meet you. Of course there was always the 'destructive force' to consider, but it wasn't just that.
Chris
What do you want me to do?
Yun
You do not like expectations placed on you by other people?
Chris
......I put all efforts as a Zexen Knight into combat. I only intended to defend my fellow men, the Zexen Knights and my country. But I found myself hailed as a hero, tormented by unsolicited attention and overt jealousies.
Was I born with those qualities? Why do my people love me as a hero? Was this my destiny? That has always bothered me. Maybe it is why I distanced myself from the Knights. Maybe I wanted to escape the role of a hero. But I still...
Yun
You don't need qualifications to make a difference. Let expectations bring happiness, not burdens. Do whatever you feel is right. Trust your intuition. Just as I have my duties, you have yours. Wouldn't you be more upset if you had no purpose in life?
Chris
But....I am....
Yun
It is almost time. After the last ritual is complete, the seal of the Water will be released. Its power will be sought again. The power of the True Rune that has been suppressed by the seal will be released as well, and the whereabouts of the Flame Champion will be identified. Making use of his power may be the only way to save the Grasslands. I will leave it to you to make it so, Chris.
Chris
Yun.
Yun
It was nice to know you, Chris. You are a serious but kind person...
Chris
Kind?
Everyone else comes to the altar, including Chris' party of Nash, Fred, and Rico.
Yuiri
Yun, it is time.
Yun
So it is. Chris, Nash, Fred, and Rico...Good-bye to you all...and to my sisters, Yuiri and Yumi. It is my time to go.
Yumi
Yun...
Yun walks towards altar, turns around for a second, keeps walking
Chris
Y-Yun...
Nash
This is not Zexen nor Holy Harmonia. The Grasslanders have their own ways. Look how they curse us for cutting trees and burning grass to make way for 'stone piles'.
Chris
To die by the sword is noble...but to give up your life freely?
Nash
Not for us to say.
Yuber approaches, accompanied by Luc and Sarah, knocks everyone down with a fireball spell.
Luc
I fully agree with the lady. I'd advise you to stop the ritual. I'll release the seal of the True Water Rune.
The party draws their weapons
Yuiri
You! I saw you not too long ago!
Yuber
I told you I knew where the village was.
Yuiri
Disgraceful intruders! You defile this sacred place! Leave this instant!
Chris
Why now?
A battle ensues.
Yuber
Pity you couldn't keep your mouth shut.
Chris
I won't let you touch Yun!
Luc
She'll be dead after the ritual anyway. What difference does it make?
Chris
S-Shutup!
A light flashes.
Fred
Oh, brother.
Luc and Sarah spproach altar. Yun's spirit has been sent.
Yuiri
The ritual is over.
Sarah
We shouldn't have taken so long. The seal has been released. The True Water Rune is...
Luc
...gone with the Water Seal, I imagine. That's fine. There's another seal left. We'll still manage if we get that one.
The three teleport away.
Yuiri
Are they gone?
Chris
Were they the destructive force Yun warned us about?
The screen fades out.
