The Lone Wolf's Claw
Balurga, a former member of the Odajumoki Gang, lives a life on the run from her former comrades. She recalls Guzaletha, the leader who took her in, and the trap he laid that led to her being branded a traitor. Out of luck and out of options, she has a fateful encounter with (Captain) and the crew.
The Odajumoki Gang are a band of fiendish Harvins.
In the hall of their great leader Guzaletha, an imposing roar rings out.
Guzaletha: Grah! Silence! This is no place for the likes of you!
Balurga: No, I refuse to leave. Not until you let me join you.
Guzaletha: Don't be stupid. I can see right through you. Your little outfit can't hide the fact that you're a woman!
Guzaletha: We are the Odajumoki Gang, and only the manliest of men may join us! As a courtesy, I'll spare your life. Now begone!
Balurga: I'm a man, I came here to get manlier, and I ain't leaving until you let me join!
Guzaletha: Hrrmm... I see you do not lack for resolve. Very well! Take our entrance exam... if you dare!
With a tilt of his chin, Guzaletha gives a silent command to a nearby lackey. Then he looks back with a daring smile, eager to see Balurga's reaction.
His lackeys bring in the beast that tows the Ultra Dogsled-Tank Jenkins.
Guzaletha: Heh heh heh heh... Animals don't lie, and this one can smell the difference.
Guzaletha: Are you frightened, girl? If you're sincere about joining us, then put your right hand up to its mouth!
Balurga: Gah! Aaaghhhh...
Guzaletha: What are you doing? You... you idiot! Why would you actually do it!
Balurga: Heh, heh heh... How'd you like that? Is that good enough for you, Allfather?
Balurga: He knew it was an impossible request. He was just trying to get me to back down.
Balurga: But I did it anyway.
Balurga: The Allfather took a real liking to me after that. He doted on me like I was his own son—no, even more than that.
Balurga: He called me his "right-hand man" and gave me this steel gauntlet, the Vulcan Claw...
Balurga: Pant, pant, pant.... Damn, they just keep coming and coming.
Odajumoki A: Come on out, little kitty! Ha! Any luck over there?
Odajumoki B: Geheheh! Nope! No dice!
Odajumoki A: Yeehaw! That way, boys! Search over there!
Balurga: Ever since the Allfather kicked the bucket, it's been nonstop sibling squabbles. Sheesh, these guys just don't have any respect.
Balurga: But I don't get it, Allfather... I thought you trusted me.
Balurga: Allfather... Why would you do this to me? Why would you try to get my brothers to kill me?
Odajumoki A: Yeehaw! This way! I heard something!
Balurga: Tch, awfully perceptive for rats.
The whole thing happened suddenly.
Odajumoki A: Gah! W-we're in trouble! The Allfather, he... He got done in by Skull!
Balurga: (Wh-what? There's no way that's possible.)
What reaches Balurga's ears next is even more shocking.
Odajumoki A: Hmm, but get a load of this! Turns out we've actually got another traitor in our ranks!
Odajumoki A: Geh heh heh! And here's the kicker! This traitor is a woman disguised as a man!
Balurga: ...!
Women are not allowed to join the Odajumoki. Only the manliest of men are permitted membership.
It is a family that transcends blood ties, formed by the ironclad bonds shared between men.
Odajumoki B: Hmmm... Of all the rules to break, who the hell would break that one?
Odajumoki A: What do you mean, "hmmm"? It's obviously Balurga!
Balurga: Apparently the Allfather wrote my secret down into his journal, and now it's been leaked.
Balurga: And that's not all. For some reason, that cruel old geezer wrote the following—
Balurga: "He who kills my faithful right-hand man Balurga will be recognized as the new leader."
Balurga: Pant, pant, pant... That stupid old man! Why would he do this?
Odajumoki A: Yeehaw! This way! The dog's got her scent!
Balurga: You've gotta be kidding me. They even brought a Nord Husky?
Balurga: Heh. Guess it's time to make a stand. These guys will make good fodder for my Vulcan Claw.
Balurga: Aaargh! Damn it! I've got nothing left!
Odajumoki A: Now things are gettin' exciting! Over here, guys! Come get some while you can!
Balurga: Heh... heh heh heh... Guess it's all over for me now.
Balurga: (Oh yeah, it was that Skull guy who killed the Allfather, wasn't it? What's he like, I wonder?)
Balurga: (Whoever he is, he must be one hell of a man. Maybe he knows why the Allfather did this to me.)
Balurga: (Heh heh heh... Oh well. I can just ask the Allfather in person... once I meet him on the other side...)
Balurga: Wha? Who the heck—
Odajumoki A: Yeehaw! We know you're in here! Just give it up, Balurga!
But there is no sign of Balurga—only a handful of customers enjoying their meals.
Odajumoki B: Don't jerk us around, damn it! Hiding isn't gonna help you! If you value your life—
Odajumoki B: Hmmm? Is that... a flying lizard? And a blue-haired girl?
Lyria and Vyrn: Huh?
Odajumoki B: Eeegh! D-don't tell me... These guys are the ones who beat the Ultra Dogsled-Tank Jenkins and the primal beasts?
Odajumoki A: Eeegh! Th-there's no mistaking 'em! They're the ones who drove the Allfather into a corner and nearly wiped us out!
Odajumoki A & B: Gyaaah! Don't think you've won! We'll be back! Retreat! Retreeaat!
Vyrn: Sheesh. I dunno what just happened, but they sure were a rowdy bunch.
Lyria: Hehe, looks like they're gone! You can come out now.
At Lyria's words, a tiny head peeks out from behind the counter.
Balurga: Heh heh! Thanks for the help. You saved my life.
(Captain) smiles and waves a hand, dismissing the whole thing as not a big deal before turning to leave.
Balurga: H-hold up! A real man always returns a favor!
Balurga: Name anything you want! So let me do this, yeah?
- You don't need to return the favor.
- Return the favor? How?
Choose: You don't need to return the favor.Balurga: That's fine and dandy for you, but that doesn't work for me! I'd rather die before leaving a favor unreturned!
Balurga: All right, I've got it! Since you saved my life, I'll just have to save yours!
Balurga: Heh heh heh! And I'm not leaving your side until I do! Brace yourselves!
Choose: Return the favor? How?Balurga: Well, I don't have a penny to my name. There's not much I can offer you...
Balurga: But how about taking me on as protection? Considering what just happened, you might not believe me, but I'm actually a great fighter.
Continue 1And so the mysterious fugitive Balurga joins the crew on their journey.
Fishing for Trouble
While journeying with (Captain)'s crew, Balurga encounters Skull, another traitor to the Odajumoki Gang. Balurga asks him about Guzaletha, but Skull demands a fishing contest before giving any answers.
(Captain) and crew spend a few days in a small village as they work on a minor job request.Coincidentally they stumble upon the man BalurageTypo is in the in-game text. desperately wants to meet while they're there.
Skull: Is this where you were hiding all along?
Balurga: Are you... Skull? Why are you—
Skull: Do you even have to ask? I'm in the same boat as you—running from your old buds. Of course I'm avoiding big cities.
Balurga: ...
Skull: Heh, from the looks of it, you're not here to avenge the Allfather, huh?
Balurga quietly lowers the Vulcan Claw and relaxes.
Then, Balurga asks Skull for the truth behind why Guzaletha would order a hit on his own right-hand man.
Skull looks up at the sky for a while before he replies in an unsure voice.
Skull: Hmm... Now why would you ask me that?
Balurga: Well, the Allfather was pretty fond of you, so I thought you might know.
Skull: Pfft! Hahaha! Had a feeling you'd say something like that.
Balurga: Does that mean you know the truth?
Skull: Of course. If that's what you want to know, well... Come with me for a sec.
Balurga: Huh? Go with you? Where are you taking me?
Skull: Don't flip out. Just trust me and leave everything to this genius right here! Hahaha!
(Captain) and crew spend a few days in a small village as they work on a minor job request.Coincidentally they stumble upon the man Balurage desperately wants to meet while they're there.
Balurga: Hey, you there. I heard you betrayed us and went off to be a skyfarer, but...
Balurga: I didn't know you joined this crew, Skull!
Skull: Heh, from the looks of it, you're not here to avenge the Allfather, huh?
Balurga quietly lowers the Vulcan Claw and relaxes.
Then, Balurga asks Skull for the truth behind why Guzaletha would order a hit on his own right-hand man.
Skull looks up at the sky for a while before he replies in an unsure voice.
Skull: Hmm... Now why would you ask me that?
Balurga: Well, the Allfather was pretty fond of you, so I thought you might know.
Skull: Pfft! Hahaha! Had a feeling you'd say something like that.
Balurga: Does that mean you know the truth?
Skull: Of course. If that's what you want to know, well... Come with me for a sec.
Balurga: Huh? Go with you? Where are you taking me?
Skull: Don't flip out. Just trust me and leave everything to this genius right here! Hahaha!
Balurga: Hey, what's the big idea, Skull? Explain yourself!
Skull: There's nothing to explain! If you're a North Vast man, then fishing's the only way to settle this!
Balurga: Are you kidding me? Quit screwing around!
Skull: I'm dead serious. We're Odajumoki, and fishing's our thing. This'll be a true match between men.
Balurga: Fine. A true match between men.
Skull: I'll tell you why the Allfather did what he did since you wanna know so badly... If you manage to beat me, that is.
Balurga: You should have said so sooner! Heh heh, it's on, Skull! You're gonna regret challenging me!
And so, the two decide to have a fishing competition at a nearby beach.
Skull: Hey, hey, hey, here they come! This is how you fish by chumming!
Lyria: Wow, that's amazing! Look at all the fish!
Vyrn: Whoa! Lyria, stay back! Fish may be fish, but those ones don't look friendly!
Fishing for Trouble: Scene 2
Skull and Balurga drop their lines in the ocean and enjoy a moment of rest. As they fish, the two slowly come to an understanding.
Skull:
Skull: Yeehaw! What's the matter, bud? Ain't you supposed to be good at this?
Balurga: Quit showboating. Just shut up and watch me. I'll fish one up in no time.
Under the warm sun, surrounded by fresh ocean air and the sound of the endless waves...
Far removed from their dangerous lives, the two fugitives enjoy a rare moment of respite.
Skull: Hey, I got a question for ya. Don't you have a grudge against me?
Balurga: Don't make me laugh. I've never held something as petty as a grudge in my life.
Balurga: You just found a freedom worth more to you than the one Allfather offered. Pretty straightforward and manly in my book.
Balurga: Even the Allfather gave you credit for that.
Skull: ...
Balurga: If I had to choose one thing to be mad about... it's that you were the one to do him in and not me.
Balurga: Heh heh heh... To think his most loyal son would be the one to steal the honor from me.
Like the weight of the world has been lifted from his shoulders at those words, Skull smiles softly. However, his expression quickly changes.
Skull: Hey, aren't you gonna do something about that?
Balurga: Huh? About what?
Skull: You know there's been tugging on your line this whole time, right?
Balurga: Y-you cheat! You should've told me sooner!
Fishing for Trouble: Scene 3
The fishing contest between Skull and Balurga comes to a head as a big one yanks on their lines. Along with this fish comes an understanding between the two of them, and a vow to surpass the man that Guzaletha was.
Balurga: Get a load of this huge catch! I think we can both agree that I win!
Skull: What? Are you stupid? I'm clearly the winner here! Look how many I caught! I crushed you!
Balurga: Hahaha! With those tiny sardines? They're almost as small as you!
Skull: Whatever, man! I won!
Balurga: No you didn't! I won! Now be a man and admit it!
As they argue back and forth, Balurga's line begins to twitch.
Lyria: Hey, Balurga! There's a tug on your line!
Balurga: What?
Balurga hastily grabs the fishing pole and gives it a hearty tug.
Balurga: Nngh... This feels like a whopper! The line's not coming up at all...
Vyrn: Wait, seriously? You sure you didn't just snag it on something?
Skull: Whoaaa! It's a party over here! Looks like it ate my bait too. Damn, but now our lines are tangled! How are we gonna pull it up!
Balurga: I don't think we can... The way the line is pulling is...
Balurga's face drains of color, and Skull, too, realizes what they're struggling against as he grips onto his fishing rod for dear life.
Skull: No way... This isn't just a whopper... This is like, Leviathan-level huge!
They continue their struggle, until finally their fishing poles fly up into the air as they give one last yank.
Having successfully reeled in the whopper, Skull and Balurga heave a huge sigh of relief before promptly collapsing.
Balurga: Heh... heh heh heh...
Skull: Gahahaha!
Balurga: Now I get why you invited me to go fishing.
Balurga: As you were drawn to the freedom Allfather offered, I was drawn to his manly code.
Balurga: We wanted completely different things, but now here we are, seeing eye to eye.
Skull: Pfft, haha! Look at you, talking like you know it all.
Balurga: But that's exactly it, isn't it? Just because someone's path was different, doesn't mean they're wrong.
Balurga: The Allfather knew that. He knew that, and he knew you would help me see that, so he set things up so I'd get driven out of the gang.
Balurga: That's what you wanted to tell me, right, Skull?
Skull doesn't confirm or deny the question. He simply gazes contentedly at the sky and compliments Balurga.
Skull: Hmph! To be honest... If you'd been there, I probably couldn't have done him in.
Balurga: Hah! Easy enough for you to say now.
Balurga also turns to gaze up at the sky.
Balurga: (You're a real piece of work, Allfather, using this guy to say what you never could.)
Balurga: (Not very manly of you, Allfather... Not very manly at all...)
Gazing up at the endless blue sky, the two of them make a silent vow in their hearts.
Someday, they would beome better, freer men than the Allfather ever was.