Warmhearted Warrior
Lyria and company look after the bedridden (Captain) while Jin visits a waterfall to meditate on the captain's behalf. Jin thinks back upon his adventures with the crew up to this point, and Vyrn and Lyria arrive to let him know about the captain's full recovery.
(Captain)'s crew continues its journey toward Estalucia.
During a stop at a nearby island, however, Jin grows concerned over (Captain)'s health.
Jin: (Captain), are you all right? Your face is quite flush.
Lyria: Oh my gosh, you're right! Let me feel your forehead, (Captain)... Eep!
Lyria: This isn't good! You have a serious fever!
Jin: Egads! You must rest, (Captain)! We'll call a doctor!
(Captain) is taken to a local inn and quickly falls asleep.
Lyria and company watch over their sickly captain until nightfall, but (Captain)'s fever only grows worse.
Lyria: Oh no... (Captain) is tossing and turning in bed... I wonder if they're going to be all right...
Vyrn: Sigh... And all the doctor told (Captain) to do was take some medicine and rest.
Jin: Sleep is the best medicine, they say. However...
Jin: (Is there nothing else I can do?)
Jin: (Ah! Of course!)
Jin comes to a realization and quietly leaves the room while Lyria and the others continue watching over (Captain).
Jin: Pardon me, shopkeep, but there wouldn't happen to be a waterfall nearby, would there?
Shopkeep: Hm? A waterfall? There's one in the forest just outside of town. I can draw you a map if you'd like!
Jin: A thousand thanks!
Jin: Very well! This waterfall should do nicely.
Jin: Waterfall... I challenge thee!
With a splash, Jin plunges beneath the freezing waterfall.
Jin: Ngrah!
Jin: This... is... nothing!
Jin is taken aback momentarily by the shocking drop in temperature but quickly corrects his posture and closes his eyes.
Jin: (I will drive away misfortune with the purifying cascade of this waterfall... May (Captain) enjoy a speedy recovery!)
With the sound of the waterfall filling his ears, Jin dedicates his body and soul to wishing (Captain) back to good health.
Jin: (How curious... I can hear nothing else from within the waterfall...)
Jin: (I can't help but recall my past adventures with (Captain) and the others...)
Jin: (During my youth, I was saved from a monster attack by a wandering swordsman...)
Jin: (Inspired by his actions, I chose to walk the path of the sword so that I could one day help others in the same way...)
Jin: (But reality is harsh. One must put food on the proverbial table.)
Jin: (I had to ask for compensation from those I saved in order to survive...)
Jin: (Conflicted over my way of life, I accepted a request to supposedly save an island.)
Jin: (I was asked to spirit away Sara, Priestess of the Dunes, a girl burdened with a fate most cruel...)
Jin: (It was at this time that I encountered (Captain)'s crew, under which Sara found protection...)
Jin: ((Captain) travelled the just path I sought to follow so long ago.)
Jin: (Offering a hand to those in need without so much as thinking about personal gain, and delivering swift punishment to those who would inflict harm on others.)
Jin: (To bear witness to their actions was a revelation.)
Jin: (When all was said and done, I offered to help (Captain) as they travelled that path.)
Jin: (We faced each other as foes at first. But (Captain) forgave me and allowed me to join the crew as an equal.)
Jin: (Another revelation awaited me during my travels, as my eyes were opened to the joys of fishing.)
Jin: (Facing the dangers of Auguste's grand ocean provided me with the answers I'd been seeking.)
Jin: (How insignificant we are in the face of such vastness! And yet... that is precisely why the decision to help others is so worthy of reverence.)
Jin: (I no longer had any doubt. I wished to dedicate myself, body and soul, to the cause of helping others.)
Jin: (We may be on a journey to the end of the skies, but my resolve is unshaken.)
Jin: (I only hope this purifying act can return (Captain) back to health!)
Jin: ...
Jin continues his steadfast efforts through the night. Soon enough, daybreak arrives.
Jin: Hm? Voices?
Vyrn: Whoa! Hey, Lyria, I found Jin! What're you doin' in there, buddy?
Lyria: Oh! You'll catch cold if you stay in that waterfall, Jin!
Jin steps out from the waterfall to speak with his friends.
Vyrn: We were lookin' all over for you, Jin!
Jin: Terribly sorry. I should have left a message with the innkeeper.
Jin: But if you're here...
Does that mean (Captain) is—
Lyria: Yes! (Captain) recovered this morning, and with a big appetite too!
Jin: Oh ho! That's certainly reassuring.
Vyrn: Heheh. (Captain) wanted to eat with the whole crew, so we came to look for you!
Jin: Much appreciated. Let's return to the inn at once!
Vyrn: Before we head back, you mind telling us what you were doing out here? Nearly shocked me senseless when I found you in that waterfall!
Jin: Oh, uh... Just uttering a little prayer.
Lyria: A prayer? What fo—
Oh!
Jin: Hahaha! Realized for yourself, I see. Keep it a secret from (Captain), will you?
Lyria: Hee hee... I bet the reason (Captain)'s fever dropped is all because of you, Jin!
Jin: Hardly. Your devoted care is what saved the day.
Buffeted by cheerful conversation, the crew returns to (Captain)'s room.
It is at this time that Jin realizes how grateful he is to have such precious friends.
That sense of gratitude will lead Jin to support (Captain) and the crew forever and always... even if (Captain) doesn't realize it.
Frigid Waves, Blazing Hearts
(Captain) and the crew visit their old fisherman friend Kaz to commemorate the new year. Kaz invites everyone to participate in a local custom by swimming in the frozen waters.
Soon after the advent of the new year, (Captain) and the crew pay a visit to Auguste.
They're here to wish all the best to Kaz, a local fisherman who looked after Jin in the past.
Jin: It fills me with joy to see you in good spirits, Kaz.
Kaz: Haha, worried about me? Bet you were half-expecting me to be collapsed on the floor, huh?
Lyria: Hee hee... We always want you to be well, Kaz! So don't overdo it, okay?
Kaz: Gracious, Lyria's ready to box my ears too? Spare me the punishment!
Kaz: Reminds me, though. I'm just about to go for a swim in the cold waters. That's gonna be rough.
Vyrn: Huh? You're not seriously gonna go out there right now, are you? It must be freezing!
Kaz explains that it is customary for fishermen on the island to swim out in the cold water to wish for good, safe catches during the year to come.
Lyria: Huh? Are you sure it's safe to go in the water right now? It's so cold!
Kaz: Sure is. Heck, that's exactly why I'm going!
Jin: I see... A trial by ice, as it were.
Jin: Kaz. Is it possible for visitors from outside the island to participate?
Kaz: If you're interested in taking the challenge, I'm sure the other fishermen would be delighted!
Jin: Indeed! I will be undertaking the trial as a skyfarer, wishing for good, safe catches—I mean matches—in the coming year.
Jin: For the sake of the crew, I plunge into those icy waters with an open heart and open mind!
Vyrn: Haha! That's our Jin! How about you, (Captain)?
Lyria: Um... I can't swim, but we'll be cheering for you and the others, Jin!
(Captain) nods at Lyria, and the crew quickly heads to the beach where the frigid challenge is about to begin.
Frigid Waves, Blazing Hearts: Scene 2
Local villagers and the crew gather at the beach to watch Jin and some other villagers begin their swim in the frigid waters. After getting used to the water temperature, Jin notices two villagers helplessly floating in the water and helps fight off attacking monsters.
By the time the crew arrives at the beach, a group of icy-water warriors has already gathered, young and old alike.
Lyria: Wow! Is everyone here going swimming in the freezing water?
Fisherman: Ha ha ha! Until we go out there and make our wishes, it just won't feel like the new year!
Lyria: Oh my gosh... You fishermen are amazing!
Jin: I shall do my best to swim the complete distance as well!
Fisherman: Well, how about that! The little guy Kaz fished up is gonna participate too? I don't want to hear any complaining about the water being too cold!
With the families of the local fishermen in attendance, the time to plunge into the icy depths arrives at last.
Kaz: Take care of yourself out there!
Lyria: You can do it, Jin!
Jin: Let us begin!
While Jin's body is shocked by the initial drop in temperature, he slowly begins to warm up as he swims through the frigid waves.
Jin: (Goodness... It's as if I'm one with the ocean!)
Jin: (The more I swim, the easier this becomes...)
Jin: (I see now... It only makes sense for fishermen to want to start off the new year with an experience such as this...)
Jin slowly makes his way through the water, aiming for the small island just off the coast.
Jin: ...!
Jin: (Is this... blood? Did something happen?)
Shocked by the sight of blood in the water, Jin swims to the surface and checks his surroundings.
A fisherman is floating nearby, hanging on to another wounded swimmer.
Fisherman: Ngh... Hang in there! It's just a flesh wound!
Jin: Whatever is the matter?
Fisherman: Well... About halfway to the island, a monster showed up and tried to eat us!
Jin: You're joking! I'll have to do something about that monster, then!
Fisherman: In these waters? You're nuts!
Jin: A fisherman bests fish. A skyfarer bests monsters. Allow me the honor!
Jin dives back into the water before the fisherman can respond.
Monster: ...!
He soon finds the monster that attacked the fishermen.
Jin: (You yourself need to eat to live. I know that all too well, and yet... If my wish is to be realized, I have only one choice!)
Jin: (I challenge thee, monster... Fair and square beneath the ocean waves!)
Frigid Waves, Blazing Hearts: Scene 3
Jin finishes off the monsters and resumes swimming through the freezing waves, eventually returning to the starting point at the beach. Jin dries himself off in no time with his masterful towel skills and teaches (Captain) and the other freezing fishermen his technique.
The fishermen sing Jin's praises, stunned at his victory over the monster.
Fisherman: Oh ho! Just what I'd expect from someone trained by Kaz himself!
Jin: I merely did what I could. Now... onward to the island!
Without skipping a beat, the fishermen resume swimming toward their destination.
The tradition complete, everyone begins returning to the beach.
(Captain) and the crew, much like the others present on the beach, welcome Jin with smiles and cheers.
Lyria: Hooray! Welcome back, Jin!
Kaz: Thanks for the help, Jin! I hear you helped save a few folks from monsters, so I'm just glad to see you in one piece!
Jin: Oh, it was nothing—
Jin: Achoo!
Vyrn: Uh-oh! You went out there to wish for safe travels and almost caught a cold in the process! Lemme grab you a towel!
Jin: Terribly sorry, Vyrn. Whew... Leaving the water's always cold, but this...
Lyria: Oh... I feel cold just looking at you. Make sure you warm yourself up so you don't catch cold, Jin.
Jin: Hahaha! No need to worry! I'll dry myself off in but a moment! Got another towel I can borrow?
Lyria: Um, if you say so... We've got plenty of towels, so help yourself!
Jin: Thank you, Lyria. There's no better way to warm yourself up!
(Captain) and the others look on in confusion as Jin thoroughly rubs himself down, generating a veritable towel tornado in the process.
Soon enough a crowd of astonished onlookers has gathered around him.
Fisherman: Wow, that's certainly one way of doing it! Keepin' it simple!
Jin: Indeed. I was taught this method in my hometown. It requires only the simplest of tools, and creates a robust, healthy physique in the process.
Fisherman: Is that so? I'm chompin' at the bit to get started myself!
Kaz: Yup. If it's gonna keep me from getting sick, I want to give it a shot too!
With the fishermen and Kaz leading the charge, a towel typhoon soon descends upon the beach.
Jin: You too, (Captain)! You'll have a body most robust in no time!
Lyria: Okay! Let's try it, (Captain)!
Jin and Lyria's urging soon prompts (Captain) to join the others in their towel-turning extravaganza.
With cold water wishes and warm towel wonders, (Captain)'s crew will surely enjoy a healthy and happy new year.