Norza's Fall
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Scene 8
Scene 1
Master always told us...
One is not truly alive until
tempered in the heat of battle.
tempered in the heat of battle.
If that's true, then it was Fate that
I was born into this era.
I was born into this era.
An era of war...
The Pandemonium.
The Pandemonium.
Town Guard A
The east gate has fallen! We've got
another force of monsters on the way!
another force of monsters on the way!
Town Guard B
Damn it...we have our hands full just with
the advance scouts!
the advance scouts!
Town Guard C
R-retreat!
We have to retreat!
We have to retreat!
Town Guard A
The townsfolk aren't evacuated yet!
We have to buy them time to escape!
We have to buy them time to escape!
Town Guard B
If you want to die here, be my guest!
Town Guard C
There's an Aeon Knight with them!
We don't stand a chance!
We don't stand a chance!
???
Oh...
An Aeon Knight, you say.
An Aeon Knight, you say.
Boisterous Woman
Sounds like it's our lucky day!
Girl
The client didn't say anything about that.
Trying to shortchange us, maybe?
Trying to shortchange us, maybe?
Boy
You know how Master Kisara is, Menue.
She probably didn't even ask.
She probably didn't even ask.
Kisara
So, how many Knights are we talking?
Is there a Lord? Tell me there's a Lord!
Is there a Lord? Tell me there's a Lord!
Town Guard A
N-no, just the single Knight...
Menue
Oh boy, Master's eyes are practically
sparkling.
sparkling.
Boy
There'll be no stopping her now.
Town Guard B
Wait...are you mercenaries or something?
Menue
That's right. We're here to back you up!
Town Guard C
How many are you?
There must be more of you, right?!
There must be more of you, right?!
Kisara
There's me, my first disciple Menue,
and...second disciple, Norza.
and...second disciple, Norza.
Norza
...
Kisara
So that makes three all told!
Town Guard C
...
R-retreaaaaaaat!
R-retreaaaaaaat!
Menue
Oh, come on! You're an adult! Are you
really going to let kids show you up?!
really going to let kids show you up?!
Norza
They're coming, Master.
Kisara
Right. Wait for them to come a little
closer.
closer.
Skeleton
Grroooooar!
Town Guard A
T-they're here!
Waaaaaaugh!
Waaaaaaugh!
Kisara
Norza! Menue!
Attack!
Attack!
Norza & Menue
Yes, Master!
Scene 2
Monster
Ggrgr...!
Town Guard A
Those kids...
They defeated a squad of monsters?!
They defeated a squad of monsters?!
Menue
Norza! Your footwork is sloppy!
What are you doing?!
What are you doing?!
Norza
You're taking up too much space.
I was just avoiding your flailing.
I was just avoiding your flailing.
Menue
You've got a big mouth, bucko! Next time
we spar, I'm making you cry!
we spar, I'm making you cry!
Town Guard B
W-who on Erden...
Kisara
Leave the enemy to us. You fulfill your
duties and keep the townsfolk safe.
duties and keep the townsfolk safe.
Kisara
...That said, given the circumstances, no
one would blame you for fleeing.
one would blame you for fleeing.
Menue
I would!
Town Guard C
How...how could we just run away, when
even kids are willing to fight?
even kids are willing to fight?
Town Guard B
Our duty...
Town Guard A
...Okay. You handle the monsters. We'll
get the civilians out safe, I promise!
get the civilians out safe, I promise!
Kisara
Oh, so you do have spines after all. Good!
Keep working on that.
Keep working on that.
Kisara
Alright, apprentices! We've got us
a town to save!
a town to save!
Norza & Menue
Right!
Norza
(The Pandemonium.)
Norza
(A blight on Erden, threatening every
living thing, threatening life itself.)
living thing, threatening life itself.)
Norza
(And so, we fought.)
Menue
The guards say the Aeon Knight has
occupied the central plaza.
occupied the central plaza.
Norza
The force at the east gate is pushing
toward the center, pillaging as they go.
toward the center, pillaging as they go.
Menue
Things will get complicated if they're
allowed to regroup...
allowed to regroup...
Norza
Right. So we should attack the plaza from
the west, where resistance is thin.
the west, where resistance is thin.
Menue
It's a long way round, but that looks best.
When are our reinforcements arriving?
When are our reinforcements arriving?
Norza
...Can we even defeat the Knight? They're
supposed to be immortal, aren't they?
supposed to be immortal, aren't they?
Kisara
Hm...
Okay, I've decided.
Okay, I've decided.
Kisara
We're attacking the plaza from the east!
Norza
Did she hear anything we said?
Menue
Master?! If we do that, we'll just end up
getting pincered!
getting pincered!
Kisara
If you seek a simple victory, then look
for an easy fight!
for an easy fight!
Kisara
But if you want glory, then you must
seek out a challenge!
seek out a challenge!
Menue
Challenge?! This isn't a challenge, this is
suicide! Wait! Master, wait!
suicide! Wait! Master, wait!
Norza
You know she won't listen!
Let's keep up!
Let's keep up!
Menue
Oh, come oooon!
Scene 3
Kisara
I see you survived! Excellent work.
It was worth training you all that time.
It was worth training you all that time.
Menue
S-somehow...
But we can't keep this up, Master.
But we can't keep this up, Master.
Norza
The Knight ahead of us, the eastern
force behind. This is...!
force behind. This is...!
Kisara
Yeah...
Isn't it great?!
Isn't it great?!
???
Draw steel, you roughnecks!
For Erdeeeeen!
For Erdeeeeen!
Menue
Huh?!
Look, to the east!
Look, to the east!
Norza
That's...
It's the mercenaries!
It's the mercenaries!
Kisara
Right on time.
Menue
Our reinforcements! And they're perfectly
placed to ambush the eastern host!
placed to ambush the eastern host!
Norza
Master! Did you have us come up this way
to serve as bait for this maneuver?
to serve as bait for this maneuver?
Kisara
Sure! But you don't think that's all we're
here for, do you?
here for, do you?
Norza
You mean...
Menue
Master! Can't we at least wait until the
mercenaries get here?!
mercenaries get here?!
Kisara
We're after the Aeon Knight. I'm not
letting anyone else take my prize!
letting anyone else take my prize!
Norza & Menue
I knew it!
Town Plaza
Monster
Graaaaar?!
Aeon Knight
?!
???
Ah, there it is!
Kisara
Take a look. That's an Aeon Knight—
a demon blessed by the Eternal itself!
a demon blessed by the Eternal itself!
Norza
...What is this, a zoo tour?
Menue
(It's a demon...!)
Kisara
People say they're immortal, but only the
Aeon Lords are truly immortal.
Aeon Lords are truly immortal.
Kisara
The Knights are just monstrously strong
and regenerate! Nothing special!
and regenerate! Nothing special!
Norza
Oh, yes, nothing special at all...
Aeon Knight
Grrrrooooaaaaaaaar!
Scene 4
Aeon Knight
Nnggh?!
Gaaaaaah!
Gaaaaaah!
Kisara
An Aeon Knight, huh...
In name only, I see.
In name only, I see.
Norza
I can't believe it. She's—
Menue
She's pushing it back!
Aeon Knight
Gaaah?!
Norza
Master! It's not finished!
Menue
It's starting to regenerate!
Hurry and finish it off!
Hurry and finish it off!
Kisara
Kyukyo Itto-ryu, Sixth Form...
Kisara
Ripple Blade!
Aeon Knight
?!
Aeon Knight
Graaaaaah!
Kisara
I severed your tendons and broke all the
bones in your limbs. Hurts, doesn't it?
bones in your limbs. Hurts, doesn't it?
Norza
(All that with the back of her blade...
That was amazing!)
That was amazing!)
Kisara
Fetch some chains and stakes, you two.
Menue
We're...capturing it?
Kisara
Apparently there's a bonus for a live
capture. Maybe they want to study it?
capture. Maybe they want to study it?
Aeon Knight
Gaaa...
Graaaa?!
Graaaa?!
Menue
(...It's afraid. The Aeon Knight
is afraid of Master!)
is afraid of Master!)
Menue
(Someday...if I keep up my training,
someday the demons will fear me, too!)
someday the demons will fear me, too!)
Norza
...
Norza
(Menue...)
Norza
(The Pandemonium.)
Norza
(We endured harsh lessons from our
Master, Kisara. We never complained.)
Master, Kisara. We never complained.)
Norza
(I was desperate to grow even a little
bit stronger. And Menue...)
bit stronger. And Menue...)
Norza
(Menue had her own circumstances.)
Westland
Snowy Mountain
Snowy Mountain
Menue
You're falling behind, Norza. And you
call yourself my backup?
call yourself my backup?
Norza
I'm carrying a lot more than you. And
besides...
besides...
Norza
This isn't the route we were supposed
to take.
to take.
Menue
We need to exceed Master's expectations,
or what's the point? Anyway, look!
or what's the point? Anyway, look!
Norza
Is that...?
Menue
The first sentinel stone for the trial!
Norza
It's not active yet.
Menue
No telling what's in there...but we'll
defeat it, all the same!
defeat it, all the same!
Menue
Three, two, one...
Menue
Go!
Scene 5
Norza
...Got it!
Menue
Aww, good job! You did well, after such
a hard climb. Good boy. ♪
a hard climb. Good boy. ♪
Norza
Hey, I'm 10 now too. You're only a few
months older than me.
months older than me.
Menue
Two more stones, then we head for the
summit...okay. Let's do it.
summit...okay. Let's do it.
Kisara
Fighting unknown enemies on uncertain
footing, in the cold, in this thin air...
footing, in the cold, in this thin air...
Kisara
What a brilliant trial! Kisara, you've
outdone yourself once again!
outdone yourself once again!
Kisara
I have a special surprise waiting for you
at the last stone, too. You'll love it!
at the last stone, too. You'll love it!
Kisara
Ha ha ha! ♪
Now move it!
Now move it!
Norza
Where did she even get sentinel stones?
Those are castle fortifications.
Those are castle fortifications.
Menue
...My family mansion had them, too.
But...
But...
Menue
In the end, it didn't matter...
Norza
...
Norza
(Menuetta said she used to be nobility,
from some little farming country.)
from some little farming country.)
Norza
(But it was attacked shortly after the
current Pandemonium started...)
current Pandemonium started...)
Norza
(And she lost her country, her home,
and her family, all at once.)
and her family, all at once.)
Norza
(A common enough story, in those days.
But...)
But...)
Norza
(To me, there was nothing common
about her.)
about her.)
Menue
But...
Menue
I know that now, I'm even stronger than
our sentinel monsters!
our sentinel monsters!
Norza
(Menue really is amazing.)
Norza
(We're the same age, but she's smarter,
stronger, and faster than I am.)
stronger, and faster than I am.)
Norza
(It can't just be the extra training she has.
No— The difference is talent.)
No— The difference is talent.)
Norza
(But most important of all...)
Norza
(Menue has a reason to get stronger.)
Menue
I wonder how I'd fare against them,
as I am now?
as I am now?
Menue
Against the demons who killed my
parents...
parents...
Norza
...We need to keep moving.
Menue
You're right. We don't want to spend the
night up here, after all.
night up here, after all.
Menue
Okay, let's go!
On to the next stone!
On to the next stone!
Norza
Right.
But first...
But first...
Norza
Stop sneaking your things into my
bag! Carry it yourself!
bag! Carry it yourself!
Menue
Oh, you noticed? I was just helping you
with a little extra training! Haha! ♪
with a little extra training! Haha! ♪
Norza
Come on...
Norza
(Menue despises demons, down to her
very core.)
very core.)
Norza
(Master's never talked to her about it.
Never asked, or said, anything.)
Never asked, or said, anything.)
Norza
(But one day, Master said something
to me.)
to me.)
Norza
("When the time comes,
fight alongside her.")
fight alongside her.")
Norza
(That was all. She didn't explain. But
somehow...)
somehow...)
Norza
(I knew what she meant.
And I nodded.)
And I nodded.)
Menue
Nngh...
Norza
What's the matter, o senior disciple?
You're slowing down.
You're slowing down.
Menue
It's my feet...
I can't feel my toes.
I can't feel my toes.
Norza
...
Put these into your boots.
Put these into your boots.
Menue
Little bags?
What's in these?
What's in these?
Norza
A kind of Eastern pepper.
They'll warm up when you step on them.
They'll warm up when you step on them.
Menue
Huh, really? Well, I guess I can give it
a shot, but...
a shot, but...
Norza
Also, this kind of rock gets slippery under
snow. Be careful, or you'll fall again.
snow. Be careful, or you'll fall again.
Menue
I just stepped on a rock weird! It was
one time!
one time!
Norza
And if you do it again in the wrong place,
you could fall to your death.
you could fall to your death.
Menue
Grr...
Norza
...Hey! Look there!
Menue
Huh? Hey, that's the second stone!
Norza
This one's not active, either.
Menue
Right! Let's get in there!
Norza
Not yet! Wait for your feet to warm up
first. We can fight after.
first. We can fight after.
Menue
You sure are mouthy, for a junior
disciple!
disciple!
Menue
...Okay, fine. We'll take a few minutes
to rest and get ready.
to rest and get ready.
Norza
I'll follow your lead.
Menue
Right!
Scene 6
Menue
Okay, that's two!
Norza
Just one more to go.
Menue
...
Norza
What?
What is it?
What is it?
Menue
Master hasn't taught us anything about
mountains. How did you know that stuff?
mountains. How did you know that stuff?
Norza
...When my village was attacked, the
survivors fled into the mountains.
survivors fled into the mountains.
Norza
We lived there for a while, staying hidden.
Menue
...What happened to the others?
Norza
They went elsewhere, or got sick, or
got injured...
got injured...
Norza
Before too long, I was the only one left.
Menue
I see...
Norza
...
Norza
(I lived like that for years, on my own.
Every day was a struggle for survival.)
Every day was a struggle for survival.)
Norza
(I stole. I robbed people.
I even killed, when I had no other choice.)
I even killed, when I had no other choice.)
Norza
(I ate dirt, straw, bugs...anything I had to
to get the strength for one more day.)
to get the strength for one more day.)
Norza
(But then, one day...)
Norza
(I met them.)
Norza
Aah!
Menue
Trying to steal our bags, huh? I oughtta
beat some sense into you!
beat some sense into you!
Kisara
Haha! That might be worth seeing.
Just be careful not to kill him!
Just be careful not to kill him!
Menue
Okay, Master!
Norza
Waaah!
Norza
(After that, Master Kisara adopted me as
the second of her disciples.)
the second of her disciples.)
Norza
(The training was brutal. But seeing
someone my age enduring that hell...)
someone my age enduring that hell...)
Norza
(I couldn't bear the thought of being the
only one to give up. So I persisted.)
only one to give up. So I persisted.)
Norza
(And every time we survived, I felt
stronger. It felt so good.)
stronger. It felt so good.)
Norza
(It was so different from my life of
survival, alone on the mountain.)
survival, alone on the mountain.)
Menue
You know, you and Master Kisara
are really similar.
are really similar.
Norza
That's sudden.
How so?
How so?
Menue
The way you both just want to get
stronger. Your lust for life, too.
stronger. Your lust for life, too.
Norza
...Makes sense to me. You need to be
strong to keep yourself safe.
strong to keep yourself safe.
Menue
Is that all it is? Hm. Maybe Master was
right when she said our meeting was Fate.
right when she said our meeting was Fate.
Norza
I don't believe in Fate.
But...
But...
Menue
But?
Norza
...It's nothing.
Let's go!
Let's go!
Menue
Hey! What was that?!
Stop trying to look cool, you brat!
Stop trying to look cool, you brat!
Norza
(No. I don't believe in Fate. But if that's
what our meeting truly was...)
what our meeting truly was...)
Norza
(Then I suppose...
I would be grateful.)
I would be grateful.)
Kisara
...They're here.
Kisara
More than an hour sooner than I
expected. Well done.
expected. Well done.
Kisara
But let's see how they fare against their
last set of foes... Heh heh.
last set of foes... Heh heh.
Norza
There! The last sentinel stone!
Menue
Figures it's right by the summit.
Hey, look at that.
Hey, look at that.
Norza
It's already active. Its activation radius
must be wider than the others'.
must be wider than the others'.
Menue
I'm all warmed up and ready to go.
Think you can keep up, Norza?
Think you can keep up, Norza?
Norza
Of course.
Let's do this!
Let's do this!
Norza
...Huh?!
Menue
What the...
Norza?
...
Menue?
...
Norza
Are those...us?
Menue
An ugly little rugrat and an elegant,
accomplished warrior...yeah, that's us!
accomplished warrior...yeah, that's us!
Norza
Ha ha. Won't you have trouble cutting
down your "elegant" self, senior disciple?
down your "elegant" self, senior disciple?
Menue
I'm right here. And you're right there.
Everything else...
Everything else...
Norza
...Is just another enemy!
Menue?
...
Menue
Whoa...! She's fast!
Norza?
...
Norza
Mine too! It's like they're copying our
movements...nngh!
movements...nngh!
Menue
Norza!
Norza
It's just a cut! Keep your focus!
Menue
I know! But...
Menue?
...
Menue
(...She's strong!)
Norza
(It has no openings. I'm avoiding any
fatal hits, but I can't strike back.)
fatal hits, but I can't strike back.)
Menue
(My attacks aren't landing! It's like she
knows what I'll do before I do it!)
knows what I'll do before I do it!)
Norza? & Menue?
...
Norza
(We're matched in speed, power, and
tactics. This thing...it's me.)
tactics. This thing...it's me.)
Menue
(To defeat myself, I need to be even
better...)
better...)
Norza
(I need the power to overcome my limits.)
Menue
(I need to be faster. Even faster...!)
Norza & Menue
...There!
Norza? & Menue?
...
Menue
They... They vanished?!
Norza
I guess...that means we won.
???
Certain rare sentinel stones can record
and reproduce creatures they encounter.
and reproduce creatures they encounter.
Kisara
What you two fought was one of those
reproductions.
reproductions.
Menue
Master!
Norza
They were as fast and strong as we were.
I didn't know the stones could do that.
I didn't know the stones could do that.
Kisara
The first two stones recorded your
battle performance.
battle performance.
Menue
And the third one made copies of us...
Wow.
Wow.
Kisara
But those copies were just that— copies.
They had no soul, no capacity for growth.
They had no soul, no capacity for growth.
Kisara
But you two do. And that's what you did—
You're just that little bit better now.
You're just that little bit better now.
Norza
We're better than we were before!
Kisara
That's right. It feels good, doesn't it?
Menue
It does, but...
Where did you get these stones, Master?
Where did you get these stones, Master?
Kisara
Oh, I just sto—...borrowed them from
an old teacher of mine!
an old teacher of mine!
Menue
(You totally stole them.)
Norza
(How did she manage that? Did she steal
a carriage, too?)
a carriage, too?)
Kisara
In any case...
Menue. Norza.
Menue. Norza.
Kisara
You two did well!
Menue
T-thank you, Master!
Norza
Phew...
Kisara
Now! How about a special treat from
your beloved Master, eh!
your beloved Master, eh!
Norza
Special treat?!
Menue
It can't be...?!
Kisara
A full-course dinner of medicinal herbs,
guaranteed to soothe all aches and pains!
guaranteed to soothe all aches and pains!
Kisara
It'll rejuvenate you, body and soul!
You won't believe how good you feel!
You won't believe how good you feel!
Norza
...
Norza
...!
Menue
H-hey! Don't leave me here!
Wait for me!
Wait for me!
Kisara
Heh heh heh. If you run...
I'm gonna want to chase you!
I'm gonna want to chase you!
Norza
Wah!
Kisara
A little slow on your feet there, Norza!
Nothing my herbal cooking can't fix!
Nothing my herbal cooking can't fix!
Norza
Master, with all due respect...
Norza
Your cooking isn't fit for humans to eat!
At the very least, I can't do it!
At the very least, I can't do it!
Kisara
Oh? You can't eat my food?
Kisara
Then that's your new training objective!
Eat everything on this plate!
Eat everything on this plate!
Norza
E-everything?! Wait! Menue! At least
let me split it with Menue!
let me split it with Menue!
Norza
Noooooo!
Menue
I'm sorry, Norza.
But I can't save you.
But I can't save you.
Kisara
You told me you ate mud and straw to
survive, and this is too bitter for you?
survive, and this is too bitter for you?
Kisara
Get back here! You're going to eat this
even if I have to force it down your throat!
even if I have to force it down your throat!
Menue
Oh, poor Norza... He's so young!
But so am I, so I'm getting out of here.
But so am I, so I'm getting out of here.
Norza
(We faced cruel...truly cruel training.)
Norza
(But the days I spent with Menue and
Master Kisara...)
Master Kisara...)
Norza
(Every hour, every second, stronger than
I was before...)
I was before...)
Norza
(Those days were the best of my life.)
Norza
(Incidentally, though Master's herbal
cooking was unbelievably nasty...)
cooking was unbelievably nasty...)
Norza
(...It was also fearsomely effective.)
Norza
(Master always told us...)
Norza
("The purpose of living beings is to know
their Fate, and overcome it.")
their Fate, and overcome it.")
Norza
(If that's true, then that encounter...
That moment...)
That moment...)
Norza
(Was my Fate.)
Westland
Underground Labyrinth
Underground Labyrinth
Minotaur
Grrooooooar?!
Menue
Is...is that the last of them?!
Norza
...No. There's more!
Menue
There's no end to them.
Norza
And we're still cut off from the others.
No idea where Master went, either...
No idea where Master went, either...
Menue
The entrance is blocked off now, too.
Things just keep getting better and better.
Things just keep getting better and better.
Norza
Footsteps approaching—lots of them.
Get ready for another attack!
Get ready for another attack!
Menue
Huh?!
Wait! Those aren't monsters!
Wait! Those aren't monsters!
Human Soldier
Child mercenaries?
Hah! What is the world coming to?!
Hah! What is the world coming to?!
Menue
They're human?
Are you our reinforcements?!
Are you our reinforcements?!
Norza
I don't recognize you from the task force.
Human Soldier
Whatever...you'll be fine targets for the
weapons the Aeon Lord gave us!
weapons the Aeon Lord gave us!
Menue
The...
Aeon Lord?!
Aeon Lord?!
Norza
...Here they come!
Scene 7
Menue
Nngh...!
Norza
Yeah...they're human, alright.
Menue
Why would humans have attacked us?!
Norza
They said they got weapons from the
Aeon Lord.
Aeon Lord.
Menue
The direct subordinates of the Eternal...
Much more powerful than a Knight!
Much more powerful than a Knight!
Norza
Who could have guessed one of them
might be lurking down here...
might be lurking down here...
Menue
But why would humans be working with
one of them?!
one of them?!
Norza
I've heard rumors of this kind of thing.
Some even become Knights, they say.
Some even become Knights, they say.
Menue
They willingly help the demons who
threaten Erden...
threaten Erden...
Menue
It's unconscionable...no!
It's unforgivable!
It's unforgivable!
Norza
Calm down, Menue.
We need to find Master first!
We need to find Master first!
Menue
But...but, Norza!
Norza
We won't change!
Menue
!!
Norza
Neither you, nor me, nor Master, will
ever be like them!
ever be like them!
Norza
That, I promise you!
Menue
...
Menue
...Let's go, Norza.
Let's find Master!
Let's find Master!
Norza
...Yeah!
Norza
(We ran through the infested labyrinth,
looking for other members of the group.)
looking for other members of the group.)
Norza
(We'd come here with a force of elite
mercenaries, and of course, Master.)
mercenaries, and of course, Master.)
Norza
(It should have been an easy contract.
But...)
But...)
Norza
(With the group in chaos, Master gone,
the Aeon Lord and the traitors...)
the Aeon Lord and the traitors...)
Norza
(Our hopes for an easy mission withered
and died.)
and died.)
Norza
(But we still had what Master taught us,
and we had our trust in each other.)
and we had our trust in each other.)
Norza
(We clung to those two flames, our
lights in the dark.)
lights in the dark.)
Norza
(Never realizing just how weak
those lights were...)
those lights were...)
???
Hmm...?
???
I feel it...raw material, unshaped steel.
A blade only half-formed.
A blade only half-formed.
Creepy Man
It's coming. Coming closer...
Coming to me.
Coming to me.
Creepy Man
Yes... come.
I will test your worth.
I will test your worth.
Creepy Man
Let's see what I can make of you...
Skeleton
Gaaaaaa!
Kisara
Hah...all the small fry I could ever want!
Kisara
(The force occupying this labyrinth...
It's a full regiment!)
It's a full regiment!)
Kisara
(What's leading them? An Aeon Knight?
Or perhaps...)
Or perhaps...)
Minotaur
Guoooarrr!
Kisara
Menue! Norza...!
Where are you?!
Where are you?!
Kisara
Menue! Norza!
Hang on...!
Hang on...!
Minotaur
Grrr...
Menue
There's...there's no end to them!
Norza
They're targeting us.
Menue
Hah...those fools. They don't realize
they're up against a born demonkiller!
they're up against a born demonkiller!
Norza
(It's true, Menue is very strong. But if
we don't find a way out soon...)
we don't find a way out soon...)
???
Well, well...that's a claim I take seriously.
Creepy Man
Indeed...there's no fooling my eyes.
Creepy Man
You there, girl.
You're a top-grade specimen.
You're a top-grade specimen.
Norza
?!
Norza
(Who's this? An Aeon Knight? No...
He's on a whole different level!)
He's on a whole different level!)
Menue
You can't be...!
Creepy Man
Argento, the Silvered Forgefire.
An Aeon Lord...
An Aeon Lord...
Argento
And foreman of this foundry.
Norza
Foundry...?
Argento
I used to be a blacksmith, you see.
Forging weapons was my life's work.
Forging weapons was my life's work.
Argento
But I got a little too enthusiastic about it.
I tested all my weapons myself...
I tested all my weapons myself...
Argento
...On three or four nearby villages,
and all the people living there.
and all the people living there.
Menue
Wha...!
Argento
The revenge-seekers, bounty hunters, and
so on gave up after I changed, though.
so on gave up after I changed, though.
Norza
Changed...into a demon?!
Argento
Correct, middle-grade specimen. Now I
can hone my craft for eternity!
can hone my craft for eternity!
Norza
W-who are these people?!
Argento
Fans of my work, of course! They just
love killing people with my weapons!
love killing people with my weapons!
Menue
You...you scum! Traitors!
Menue
I'll never forgive you! Not you, and not
the Aeon Lord you signed your souls to!
the Aeon Lord you signed your souls to!
Argento
Haha! Good, good!
Come! Show me how you kill!
Come! Show me how you kill!
Menue
Haaaaaaaaah!
Human Soldier A
Gah! W-what's with this girl?!
Human Soldier B
She's strong! Even stronger than us...
Even with Lord Argento's weapons!
Even with Lord Argento's weapons!
Menue
Because...I have convictions that keep me
fighting! Unlike you traitorous scum!
fighting! Unlike you traitorous scum!
Norza
(Menue... She's amazing!)
Argento
I see...indeed! Indeed, you are something
special!
special!
Menue
Kyaaah?!
Norza
Gaaaah?!
Argento
And durable, too! Well-tempered for ones
so young. I'm impressed.
so young. I'm impressed.
Argento
But...your will can hardly compare to that
of an Aeon Lord, I'm afraid.
of an Aeon Lord, I'm afraid.
Norza
Huh?! He blew through my guard...!
Ugh, my whole arm is numb!
Ugh, my whole arm is numb!
Menue
N-Norza!
Ugh...nnngh!
Ugh...nnngh!
Argento
Oh? So you can still stand? You might be
even better than top-grade material...
even better than top-grade material...
Argento
Here. Take it.
Menue
A...sword?
Argento
A blade forged with Eastern and Western
techniques, imbued with demonic magic.
techniques, imbued with demonic magic.
Argento
My masterpiece.
Argento
A demon blade that changes form to suit
its wielder's skill and Fate...
its wielder's skill and Fate...
Norza
Skill and destiny...?
Argento
Take it, girl.
Take it, and see how it cuts.
Take it, and see how it cuts.
Argento
Come...
Strike me down!
Strike me down!
Menue
...
As if...
As if...
Menue
As if I would ever!
Argento
?!
Norza
Stop it, Menue! W-we have to run!
We have to find Master!
We have to find Master!
Argento
Ah, I see...yes, I know this impurity. I've
encountered it before.
encountered it before.
Argento
Honor...
The ore is unworkable, I'm afraid.
The ore is unworkable, I'm afraid.
Menue
?!
Menue
A-aah...
Mas...ter...
Mas...ter...
Menue
Nor...
za...
za...
Norza
Aaaah...
Menue? Menue?!
Menue? Menue?!
Norza
Noooooo!
Argento
Such a pity. It makes a person strong,
but so tragically inflexible.
but so tragically inflexible.
Norza
You...you...
Bastaaaaaard!
Bastaaaaaard!
Argento
Now, now. Norza, was it? What have we
learned from this little object lesson?
learned from this little object lesson?
Argento
Your hated foe stands before you.
And...
And...
Argento
Before you is a single hope...
A blade.
A blade.
Norza
!!
Argento
So, what will you do? In the depths of
despair, what will you cling to?
despair, what will you cling to?
Argento
Your Master? Your training?
Your "honor"?
Your "honor"?
Argento
Come, Norza.
Argento
Make your choice.
Norza
(My sadness and rage all paled before
the paralyzing tide of fear.)
the paralyzing tide of fear.)
Norza
(But in that dark abyss, there was a single
scant light.)
scant light.)
Norza
(The sword. A hideous blade forged with
blasphemous arts by a demon's hand.)
blasphemous arts by a demon's hand.)
Norza
(A sick thing born of the suffering,
blood, and death of countless innocents.)
blood, and death of countless innocents.)
Norza
(But to me, it seemed blinding in that
darkness.)
darkness.)
Norza
(Like a twisted, diseased sun.)
Argento
...?!
Kisara
Haaaaaa!
Argento
Ngaaah!
Norza
Aah...!
Norza
Master Kisara!
Kisara
Norza!
Where's Menue?!
Where's Menue?!
Kisara
...!
Norza
She...!
The Aeon Lord, he...!
The Aeon Lord, he...!
Kisara
!!
Argento
(She tore through my armor just like that?
Who is this woman?!)
Who is this woman?!)
Kisara
Norza...
On your feet!
On your feet!
Norza
!!
Kisara
Your sister's killer is before you!
On your feet...and draw your weapon!
On your feet...and draw your weapon!
Norza
Damn it...
Damn yooooou!
Damn yooooou!
Kisara
That's right!
Embrace it!
Embrace it!
Argento
You, woman...who are you?
How did you damage my work?!
How did you damage my work?!
Kisara
Scum. I have no name to give
to the likes of you!
to the likes of you!
Scene 8
Argento
I'm...losing ground?!
Impossible!
Impossible!
Argento
How are you doing this?!
You're just a mortal!
You're just a mortal!
Kisara
I won't just break your bones, I'll carve
you apart, piece by piece!
you apart, piece by piece!
Kisara
Let's see how immortal you really
are, Aeon Lord!
are, Aeon Lord!
Norza
(Master truly is amazing.
I...)
I...)
Norza
(I could never be as strong as her.)
Norza
(Maybe Menue could, but...
Menue is...)
Menue is...)
Norza
(Power...right. Menue should have taken
the sword. If she had...)
the sword. If she had...)
Norza
(She would have lived, at least for a little
while longer.)
while longer.)
Norza
(That's right. If I take this, then surely...)
Norza
Aah...?!
Kisara
Norza?!
What happened?!
What happened?!
Argento
...Enough!
Kisara
Ngh!
What a cheap trick!
What a cheap trick!
Argento
Remember this day, mortal! Someday,
I will break you upon my anvil!
I will break you upon my anvil!
Argento
I will crush you, shred you, forge a blade
from the iron of your blood...
from the iron of your blood...
Argento
And shatter it into a thousand
worthless shards!
worthless shards!
Kisara
...He's gone.
Kisara
(...He was strong. Maybe more than I can
handle with just this blade.)
handle with just this blade.)
Norza
Master... I'm sorry.
You had to cover for me...
You had to cover for me...
Kisara
You fought well.
Kisara
The others will be here soon. Leave...
Leave Menue to us. You need to rest.
Leave Menue to us. You need to rest.
Norza
...
Norza
(That was the end of the Labyrinth raid.)
Norza
(The demons fled or died, and the humans
who sided with them were put in chains.)
who sided with them were put in chains.)
Norza
(And I...sat in a corner, out of the way,
staring into space.)
staring into space.)
Norza
(Master always told us...)
Norza
("Know your own weaknesses. Know your
failings, and know the taste of fear.")
failings, and know the taste of fear.")
Norza
("When you know these things, then you
can take your first step as a warrior.")
can take your first step as a warrior.")
Norza
(But after seeing my best friend, my sister,
cut down before my eyes...)
cut down before my eyes...)
Norza
(I felt paralyzed. My legs wouldn't move
an inch.)
an inch.)
Norza
(The future was even darker than when I
was alone, starving in the mountains.)
was alone, starving in the mountains.)
Norza
(But there was one thing I could see.)
Norza
(And I clung to it, like a man drowning...)
Norza
(To the coldly glittering light.)