Scenario:Eahta - The Blade God's Deceit

The Blade God's Deceit

(Captain) has a vivid nightmare of a village under attack. The next morning, Eahta notices that (Captain) is unable to focus and suggests meditation, during which the captain falls asleep. Upon seeing the Eight-Life Katana again, he suspects that the source of (Captain)'s nightmare is none other than the sword itself, and threatens to destroy it.

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The sky burns with crimson. Black smoke suffocates the air.

Unfortunate Child: Waaah! Waaah!

Only the sound of cries and screams can be heard among the bloodied bodies as flames consume one home after another.

Tragedy-struck Lady: No, anything but that! I don't care what you do to me, but have mercy!

Tragedy-struck Lady: Aaahhh!

(Captain) cannot move nor speak, forced to witness the gruesome scene in all its depravity.

???: ...!

Lyria: (Captain)! Oh, thank goodness... You looked like you were having an awful nightmare.

Vyrn: You're totally covered in sweat and your face is white as a sheet! Is everything okay?

Lyria and Vyrn look at (Captain) with concern, who tries to reassure them that everything is fine. However, the nightmarish images are still vivid in the captain's mind.

Vyrn: You dreamt that a village was being destroyed? It wasn't the time Zinkenstill was attacked, right?

Vyrn: We've seen our fair share of destruction on our travels so far, so maybe it's startin' to have an effect on you...

Lyria: Oh, maybe you'll feel better after a hot cup of tea! That always helps me get to sleep.

Thanks to Vyrn and Lyria's help, (Captain) was eventually able to return to sleep. However, it was anything but a good night's rest.

Eahta: You'll have to do better than that if you want to sharpen your skills!

Even in the heat of training against Eahta, (Captain) isn't able to completely forget the images from the nightmare.

Eahta: If your mind and spirit are not fully present, wielding a blade is pointless. I do not know what is troubling you, but it seems we will need to resharpen your blade.

Eahta: Perhaps some meditation is in order to expel any distractions on your mind.

Taking Eahta's advice, (Captain) finds a secluded area on the Grandcypher deck and begins to meditate.

Lyria: (Captain), Eahta! It's almost time for dinner!

Vyrn: Huh? Is he sleepin'?

Eahta: Hmm.

Lyria: I guess (Captain)'s still sleepy after having that bad dream last night...

Vyrn: It'd be a shame to wake up someone lookin' so comfy, sleepin on Grandpa Katana's shoulders like that...

Eahta: In that case, allow me to bring (Captain) in.

Eahta picks the captain up with ease and heads into the bedroom with Lyria and Vyrn.

Vyrn: Still out like a light, huh? It must've been a rough night.

Lyria: Hehe... But I'm glad (Captain)'s finally getting some much-needed rest.

Vyrn: That's right! Thanks for taking care of the heavy lifting, Katana Grandpa!

Eahta: ...

Vyrn: What's wrong?

Eahta: This sword...

Eahta picks up the Eight-Life Katana, tucked away in the corner of the room.

Eahta: It looks like it hasn't been maintained in quite some time. Would it be all right for me to borrow it?

Vyrn: Yeah, sorry... We've got so many new weapons lately, you know?

Vyrn: It'd be a huge help if you could take care of this one!

Eahta: Very well. Let us leave this room in order not to disturb (Captain)'s rest.

Lyria: Oh, I completely forgot! Everyone is waiting for us to start dinner.

Lyria: We should set a plate aside for (Captain) too... Come on, Vyrn!

Lyria: Where'd Eahta go?

Vyrn: Already gone, huh? Something tells me we'll need to set aside a plate for him too...

Vyrn and Lyria check (Captain)'s resting face once more before heading for the Grandcypher canteen.

Eahta: Now then.

Eahta has taken the Eight-Life Katana to a secluded room, staring daggers at the sword.

Eahta: You have my attention now—that is what you wanted all along, is it not? Or shall I break you right here and now?

Eight-Life Katana: I'd like to see you try, you coward!

Eahta: Hmph. I do not care for the opinion of an old piece of scrap metal. Especially one who would arouse nightmares in others.

Eight-Life Katana: Ha! You think I'm afraid of you? You're a coward who wants to become the strongest, but you don't have the gall to do what it takes!

Eight-Life Katana: If you're looking for an old piece of scrap, just look into a mirror! You don't deserve to hold me, you old gink!

Eahta: It appears your desires still remain unchanged. You wish to be wielded by the strongest warrior, but why is that so?

Eight-Life Katana: Isn't it obvious? A revenant weapon's function is to destroy every threat to the sky, to sunder every last enemy and reign supreme!

Eahta: Now I ask you this, Eight-Life Katana. Whose words were those?

Eight-Life Katana: ...

Eahta: Your desire to seek the strongest—I know not who forged you with this purpose.

Eahta: But you know not the reason for your purpose, only that it must be fulfilled. It is a meaningless ambition.

Eight-Life Katana: How dare you!

Eight-Life Katana: The Revenant Weapons were forged to become the strongest! Otherwise, who will step up to snuff out inevitable evil? The skies shall fall, and doom will prevail!

Eahta: Calm down.

Eahta: You merely speak for yourself. You speak not for me, nor (Captain).

Eight-Life Katana: Why, you...

Eahta: I can break you right here and now. And your selfish ideals of strength shall remain unfulfilled for eternity.

Eight-Life Katana: Grgh...

Eight-Life Katana: You... bastard... Absolutely despicable!

Despite the its undying resentment, the sword resigns in silence as Eahta returns it to its shelf.

Lyria: Oh, there you are, Eahta!

Eahta: How can I help you?

Vyrn: (Captain) finally woke up! We've saved some leftovers from dinner for the both of ya!

Eahta: Is that so? I'll gladly take you up on that offer.

Lyria: Great! I'll go heat it up right now! You're gonna love what we had today!

The intensity of the earlier conversation seems to have vanished into thin air upon Lyria and Vyrn's interruption, to Eahta's relief.

In his pursuit to become the strongest, the samurai had once sacrificed his connection to the world. However, he doesn't intend to make that decision again.