Scenario:Prayers - Chapter 5: Amulet Unleashed - Episode 2

Prayers - Chapter 5: Amulet Unleashed - Episode 2

Amulet's retelling of the past continues. The constant enemy attacks absorbed by Amulet began to distort her body. However, her desire to protect the people outweighed the dangers of prolonged fighting. Years later, after the War ended, Amulet couldn't contain the absorbed energy any longer, resulting in a catastrophic disaster. As Amulet's flashback ends, she pleads for someone to stop her, and Shiva promises to do so.

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Amulet had continued to absorb the attacks of both Astrals and primal beasts for the people of the Kingdom of Patmos.

However, something strange had been gradually happening to her body.

Amulet: (It's odd... The power I've absorbed refuses to disappear. It just keeps swirling inside me.)

Amulet: (If it keeps building up like this, will it eventually overflow?)

Royal Mage: Goodness, Amulet. You look rather pale.

Royal Mage: Are you feeling worn out from all the fighting?

Royal Knight: What? We can't have that! You had better get some rest before you collapse.

Amulet: B-but...

Royal Knight: Haha, not to worry. We can handle things if you need to recharge!

Royal Knight: We'll do everything we can to protect the country while you're out of commission!

Royal Mage: That's right. And proper rest is necessary for victory as well, you know.

Amulet: I appreciate the thought, but you really don't need to worry about me.

Amulet: More importantly, be careful. I can sense more primal beasts approaching the island.

Royal Knight: What! Really?
Everyone! To your stations!

Royal Mage: They'll need me to provide logistical support as well. Amulet, make sure not to push yourself too hard, all right?

Amulet: Okay! You take care of yourself too!

Amulet: (I'd be fine with resting if my natural regeneration capabilities could fix this. But I have a feeling that's not the case.)

Amulet: (I could leave the front lines until I come up with a solution, but I have no idea how long that might take.)

Amulet: (I don't really even know how my body works... and what if everyone were attacked in the meantime?)

Amulet: (I'll be fine. I just need to hold out until the War is over. I can do that, I know it.)

Amulet: (I can tough it out, if it means protecting everyone!)

Amulet: And so I continued to absorb countless attacks. Violent strikes from primal beasts, magic spells from Astrals—all of it.

Amulet: Years later, the War finally came to an end. The Astrals departed from the skies, and peace returned to the land.

Royal Knight: Thank you, Amulet! I hate to think what would have happened to us without you!

Royal Mage: We've got to do all we can do rebuild our poor, war-torn country. Now's the time for us to buckle down!

Mother: Amulet, if you have nowhere else to go, why don't you come live with us? I'm sure my boy would be delighted!

Amulet: I'm... sorry...
Don't...

Child: ...?
Amulet?

Amulet: Don't... come near... me!

Amulet: By that time, my body had reached its limit.

Amulet: The power I had absorbed during the War began to overflow, discharging energy indiscriminately.

Amulet: It destabilized the surrounding elements, withered the land, burned the forests, and caused tremendous damage to the kingdom.

Royal Knight: What is the meaning of this, Amulet! Why are you trying to destroy our country after going so far to protect it?

Amulet: It's not me! It's not me! I hate this!

Royal Mage: The capital is under siege! If we don't do something, we'll be wiped out!

Amulet: Graaah!

Royal Knight: At this point, she's no different from the Astrals and their beasts that attacked our country...

Royal Knight: It can't be... Is Amulet betraying us?

Child: No way! She'd never do such an awful thing!

Child: Come on, Amulet! Listen to me—

Royal Knight: ...!
Get back! It's not safe!

Child: Aaahh!

Mother: Aah!

Child: ...

Mother: I can't stop the bleeding... Darling, please answer me...

Mother: Why, Amulet? Why are you doing this?

Royal Knight: It seems we have no choice but to accept the truth.

Royal Knight: Our friend Amulet is no more. That... that thing over there is nothing but a monster that must be slain!

Amulet: (No! I don't want this!)

Amulet: (Stop me! Don't let me attack anyone else...)

Amulet: I continued to lay waste to the land. I obliterated the knights who came to defeat me and ravaged the magnificent castle to the ground.

Amulet: There was nothing I could do. But the moment my strength waned enough, I succeeded in tearing myself limb from limb.

Amulet: I thought that by doing so, they'd be able to band together and seal me away...

Royal Mage: Look! Amulet couldn't withstand her own power and self-destructed!

Royal Knight: Yes, she's finally immobilized! Hurry and seal her while we have the chance!

Royal Mage: Right!
Mages, forward!

Royal Mage: We'll seal away the beast even if it costs us our lives!

Amulet: (I'm so sorry... for everything... Thank you... for sealing me away...)

Amulet: (I hope now... everyone will be... safe.)

Royal Mage: Thank goodness it worked. The rest is in... your hands...

Royal Knight: Hey, pull yourself together!

Royal Knight: Damn it! This is all because of that cursed primal beast...

Royal Knight: And it's our fault for being foolish enough to think we could actually be friends with a weapon!

Amulet: Ahh, the pain... I was supposed to be sealed...

Amulet: I don't want to hurt anyone... but I can't... control my body...

Amulet: Somebody, please...

Shiva: ...!

Shiva: It appears I have been returned to the laboratory.

Shiva heaves a great sigh and gazes at Amulet through the miasma.

Shiva: But I have heard your final words to me—your true wish...

Amulet: (Stop... me...)

Shiva: If your heart seeks salvation, my apocalyptic fire shall purify it without fail.

Shiva gazes at the dark mass writhing in the darkness.

The miasma pulsates, as though echoing Amulet's anguished breathing.