The Stalking Shadow
Medusa and the crew deal with a monster problem near a small village, the primal earning herself the villagers' admiration and gratitude with her skill. Following a celebratory feast, she is awoken in her room and kidnapped by an intruder—one unaffected by her glare.
(Captain), Lyria, Vyrn, and Medusa have received a request for aid from a quaint little village located by a forest.
The source of the villagers' concern is the horde of monsters that has started to prowl the confines of its neighboring woodland.
Monster: ...!
Medusa: Hehe, tell me when I'm gonna get to fight some actual competition!
Medusa: I thought there was supposed to be strength in numbers! I'm barely breaking a sweat here!
Vyrn: Watch out, there's more coming from further in! Look alive, Snake Girl!
Monster Horde: ...!
Medusa: I told you not to call me that already!
Medusa: And I also told you that these guys are total pushovers!
Medusa: Let's pick up the pace, Medusiana! We can't let (Captain) show us up!
Medusiana: ...!
Medusa and Medusiana's combined might leaves every one of their foes petrified or pulverized in a matter of seconds.
However, unbeknownst to either of them, a lone figure hides in the underbrush, keenly observing their fight.
???: (A curse-inflicting gaze that turns all it beholds to stone... There's no mistaking it—that has to be Medusa.)
Finally, as the sun begins to dip below the horizon, (Captain) and the others clear up the last of the beasts and return to the village, triumphant.
Medusa: Every last beastie was taken down by yours truly!
Medusa: Neither mortal nor monster can escape my petrifying gaze! Cower in fear before my might!
Reverent Villager: So the stories really were true! You vanquished those beasts with ample aplomb!
Reverent Villager: We watched you fight from the forest's edge, and you were as mighty as the Great Serpent itself!
Generous Villager: It even seemed like you skyfarers were fighting under its auspices! Praise be!
Medusa: The "Great Serpent"? What the heck does that even mean? Less blabbing, more cowering, okay!
Reverent Villager: The Great Serpent is the god that has protected our village since time immemorial.
Reverent Villager: It is said that, a very long time ago, when a great famine struck our village, a lone snake appeared unto us and brought us fruits and berries to eat.
Reverent Villager: Ever since then, we have revered that snake as the Great Serpent—the one who helped us in our time of need.
Lyria: Sounds like there used to be a snake living around here that was wonderfully kind! Just like you, Medusa!
Medusa: Y-you can't just compare me to some random viper we've never met!
Medusa: And besides, I don't care even half as much about what happens to some random mortals. I never wanted to help out to begin with!
Medusa: But, uh, I mean... I only did it this time 'cause those monsters were such an eyesore on your pretty woods!
Medusa: A-and what's more, it feels weird that you keep thanking me! These guys also did a bunch of work!
Medusa: Thank them properly, too! They didn't have to come save your tiny little village, y'know!
Generous Villager: Oh my, you're just as gracious of a snake goddess as your companion says!
Lyria: Yes! Medusa really is that nice and kind! Honest!
Vyrn: Well, she could be more honest sometimes, but she's a good apple, all the same!
Medusa: H-hey! I'm standing right here, y'know!
Medusa: Stop making fun of me! And wipe that dumb grin off your face already, (Captain)!
The gang and the villagers all end up smiling in spite of themselves at Medusa's pouty protests.
That night, the villagers treat the skyfarers to a lavish dinner spread as thanks for their hard work.
Lyria: So full... Can't eat another bite...
Vyrn: I feel bad eating all this grub and getting paid on top...
Reverent Villager: Please, think nothing of it! You have helped us out enormously—in fact, we don't feel like we've thanked you enough!
Generous Villager: Our little village is very out of the way, so we can't do that much for you beyond giving you food and a place to rest your heads...
Generous Villager: At the very least, you can rest easy here tonight before returning to your airship in the morning.
Medusa: Yeah, I think I'll do that—I can feel a food coma coming on...
Medusa: I think I'm gonna go crash. See you all in the morning. Good night (Captain), Lyria, Vyrn...
Lyria: You deserve it after all the fighting you did today. Have a good sleep, Medusa!
Vyrn: We'll come wake you up when it's time for breakfast tomorrow!
Medusa: See ya...
Medusa plods into her room, eyes drooping, and collapses into her bed. Scenes of her earlier victory fill her head as her eyes begin to flutter shut.
Reverent Villager: You vanquished those beasts with ample aplomb! You were as mighty as the Great Serpent itself!
Reverent Villager: You were as mighty as The Great Serpent itself!
Medusa: Hehe, I could get used to people calling me a goddess. What a way to be thanked, huh?
Medusa: I'm gonna sleep well tonight. Good night, Medusiana...
Medusa idly pets the giant snake as the pair fall sound asleep.
Medusa: ...
???: ...
Medusa: Huh?
Medusa: C'mon, it's like, midnight... 'Zat you, (Captain)? Lyria?
???: Dammit, I was hoping to do this quietly.
Medusa: (Wait... Who the heck is that!)
Medusa: (No one, and I mean no one, gets to just waltz into my room and get away with it!)
Medusa: (He's gonna learn that the hard way when I turn him into stone!)
???: Sorry, but that's not gonna work on me.
Medusa: (What! He's not turning!)
Medusa: (He's just some common mortal! How can he resist my glare?)
Medusa: What the heck are you?
???: Hm, looks like you have no backup plan, either.
???: I heard you were a cunning primal—one who uses your innocent guise to disarm us mortals, and then you stab us in the back. Seems like the stories exaggerated a few details.
???: But that also helps me. Makes this easier.
Completely ignoring Medusa's confused spluttering, her assailant deftly scoops her up and throws her over his shoulder.
In the blink of an eye, the man flees the room, taking the primal with him.
Medusa: Aieee!
Medusiana: ...!
Awakened by her mistress's scream, Medusiana bursts out of the room in pursuit mere moments later.
But it is already too late.
Medusa: Put me down right nooow!
Medusa is carried ever deeper into the forest, her shouts muffled by the trees, failing to reach the ears of her sleeping friends.
Ward of Blood
Medusa's kidnapper reveals his name to be Perseus, and demands the primal become his weapon. Medusa instructs Medusiana to return to the village and fetch (Captain) to help, and the crew teams up with the great snake to give chase.
After finishing a quest to clear a nearby forest of monsters, Medusa finds herself kidnapped in the dead of night by an unknown man.
Even as she is bodily carried off into the woods, the primal beast continues to furiously shout.
Medusa: What the heck are you doing? Where are you taking me?
Medusa: I don't know who you think you are, but this is no way to treat a noble primal beast like myself!
Medusa: You'd better put me down this instant, or else you'll wish you'd never been born!
???: Would it kill you to stop whining for a sec? My eardrums are gonna explode.
Medusa: And whose fault is that for kidnapping me! If you want me to stop, then you'd better tell me what's going on!
Medusa: And do it soon, or I'll scream and shout until your eardrums really do burst!
???: Fine, fine! Damn, I never thought you'd be this annoying! So you want answers, huh!
Perseus: Name's Perseus—future hero of legend.
Perseus: And you're going to help me achieve that, whether you want to or not. I'm taking you to become my weapon.
Perseus: That good enough for you? Now stay quiet if you know what's good for you!
Medusa: A weapon? What does that even mean? Tell me what you want with me, right now!
Perseus: I don't have to explain jack squat to you, lady. Just shut up and let me carry you!
Medusa: Excuuuse me? Seriously! You're the worst kind of kidnapper there is—an annoying one!
Perseus: Kidnapper? What, you think I'm some kinda criminal?
Perseus: You're not even a kid! You're a primal beast!
Perseus: I'm gonna get thanked for taking you down, not condemned!
Medusa: H-huh?
Medusa's retorts die in her throat at the sudden rebuttal, and she completely clams up, not knowing what to say.
Just then, a large shape emerges from the trees.
Medusiana: ...!
Medusa: Medusiana! You came to rescue me!
Perseus: Dammit! I thought I'd lost you... Persistent beast, aren't you?
Perseus: Sorry, but I'm not planning on getting caught now! Get outta the way!
Medusiana: ...!
Perseus: I'm warning you!
Perseus' blade effortlessly parries Medusiana's striking fangs.
Perseus: I know you can hit harder than that, you fiend! Take this!
Medusiana: ...!
Medusa: Medusiana!
Medusa: (She's moving much slower than usual... No! She's afraid she's going to accidentally hit me!)
Medusa: (She's gonna be in trouble unless I do something!)
Medusa: Medusiana, down! Don't fight him!
Medusa: Get out of here and go get (Captain) and the others!
Medusiana: ...!
Medusiana hesitantly cocks her head at her master.
Medusa: Don't give me that! You know as well as I do that they won't rest until I'm safe and sound!
Medusa: Now, go!
Medusiana: ...!
Perseus: (Captain)... That one of the mortals that were with you?
Medusa: Yes! They're my frie—my underlings!
Perseus: Hmm, mortals serving a primal... How badly were they chafing under your boot, huh?
Perseus: They're probably having a party now that they're rid of you.
Medusa: E-excuse me? Now who's the one throwing around baseless accusations!
Perseus: Well, now that your meddling snake has run off, it's high time we got moving. I'm already late enough as it is.
Perseus hoicks Medusa back over his shoulder and resumes running through the undergrowth.
Meanwhile, back in the village...
Vyrn: Snrrr... Zzz...
Medusiana: ...!
Vyrn: Whozzat! What's goin' on?
Lyria: It's Medusiana! Has something happened?
Continue 1Vyrn: Whozzat! What's goin' on?
Lyria: Are you okay, (Captain)? I heard a huge crash over here!
Lyria: It's Medusiana! Has something happened?
Continue 2Medusiana: ...!
Vyrn: I've never seen her this crazy and panicky before! What the heck happened?
Vyrn: Speakin' of, where's Snake Girl got to?
Lyria: Hold on a moment!
Lyria: Can you tell me what happened, Medusiana?
Medusiana: ...!
Lyria: Whaaaat!
Vyrn: What did she say?
Lyria: She said that Medusa's been kidnapped!
Vyrn: Whaaat!
Lyria: She sent Medusiana back here to come get us for help!
- Take us to her!
- We've got to save her!
Choose: Take us to her!Before (Captain) can finish speaking, the great snake is already motioning for the captain to climb onto her back.
Lyria: I hope she's okay... We've got to get going right away!
Vyrn: I dunno why someone'd wanna steal Snake Girl, but we've gotta help her, pronto!
Choose: We've got to save her!Vyrn: Yeah! I dunno what this guy's goal is, but it doesn't sound like anything good!
Lyria: She says she wants us to get on! Come on, (Captain), we've got to hurry!
(Captain), Lyria, and Vyrn all scramble up the giant snake's scales and onto her back.
Continue 3Seeing the three are secure, Medusiana nimbly leaps into action, whipping the way she came back into the dark.
Ward of Blood: Scene 2
Medusa keeps Perseus talking to buy time, learning of his plans. The hero followed the advice of an old sorcerer to seek the blood of a primal, trying to awaken a weapon called the Bloodwrought Coral. Just as he finishes explaining, (Captain) and Medusiana ambush him, rescuing Medusa.
With (Captain), Lyria, and Vyrn on her back, Medusiana desperately tracks the trail of her mistress through the forest.
Meanwhile, Perseus—Medusa over his shoulder—arrives at a small cave in a distant corner of the woods.
Perseus: Hey, magic geezer, I'm back.
Old Sorcerer: You certainly took your time, Perseus. And who is this? Is she the primal beast you were talking about before?
Perseus: I think that's pretty open-and-shut. She even called herself a primal earlier. So, what happens now?
Old Sorcerer: Hm... I see. Come over here, then.
The sorcerer draws a crooked blade from his waist, holding it aloft.
Old Sorcerer: Her blood will feed this blade, and the Bloodwrought Coral shall drink its fill.
Old Sorcerer: I only require a little at first. We must make sure it causes the effects we want.
Perseus: Understood.
Perseus takes the sword from the old man and brings it up to Medusa's arm.
Medusa: Ow! What in the name of the skies are you doing!
Medusa: How dare you break my skin! No way are you getting away with hurting a primal beast, you weirdo!
Perseus: That's probably enough. How's it looking, old-timer?
Perseus coats the blade in the snake primal's blood before holding the rubied metal out for inspection.
Old Sorcerer: Hmm, there doesn't seem to be any reaction. I fear this might not work—or, perhaps, we simply require a more... liberal coating...
Perseus: Drop the mysterious act, okay? You said all I needed to do was get you some primal blood, and I've gotten you it, haven't I?
Old Sorcerer: Don't rush me, boy—the true experiment is just beginning! Firstly, let's see what effect increasing the amount of blood has.
Perseus: I mean, we have a full primal's worth right here, ready to use. Guess there's no need to hold back.
Medusa: ...
Perseus: It seems like she's finally accepted her fate, at least.
Medusa: You don't get to speak for me! I'm not some guy's lapdog like you are!
Medusa: I'm not just gonna roll over and let you take all of my blood! That's totally out of the question!
Medusa: A-and speaking of questions, why do you even need my blood, anyway? At least tell me that!
Medusa: And don't think about saying you can't or whatever, or you'll be limping home!
Perseus: And what difference is you knowing the "why" going to make?
Medusa: It makes all the difference in the world to me! Hurry up and start talking, or I'll give you a taste of my fangs!
Perseus: I'm not gonna spill my life story to some random stranger. I just need to get stronger as soon as possible, that's all.
Perseus: Enough to save her...
Medusa: "Her"? Is someone you know in trouble?
Perseus: No one that you need to know about.
Perseus: Either way, I have to get a whole lot of power in not a lot of time. This is one of the best leads I've had in a while.
Medusa: Oh, so that oversized shiv's got "a whole lot of power," huh?
Medusa: Doesn't really look like it to me.
Perseus: Yeah. The old guy said to me the Bloodwrought Coral only awakens once it has tasted the blood of a primal beast.
Perseus: Once it has, the stories say that it has the power to slaughter entire armies.
Perseus: In exchange for me getting him a primal beast, he said he'd pass the blade onto me once his experiments on it are done.
Medusa: Are you crazy? You decided to come kidnap me over some stupid legend?
Medusa: Why didn't you just, y'know, ask me? Surely that'd be less of a shot in the dark!
Medusa: If you'd just started by saying someone you know needed help, I'm sure we could've worked something out—
Perseus: C'mon, I know you're begging for your life, but cut the crap.
Perseus: A primal, helping out mortals? Pull the other one.
Perseus: There are countless stories about towns and nations that asked primals for help during the War, and all of them ended the exact same way: failure and destruction.
Perseus: I won't repeat the same mistakes my ancestors made.
Medusa: Huh... Well, I can't say I don't understand your logic there.
Medusa: I also didn't think I'd ever stoop to helping out you mortals... But a lot of things have changed recently.
Medusa: But, y'know, either way, you'll be crying and begging for my forgiveness soon enough.
Perseus: Huh?
Medusa: In fact, right... about... now!
On cue, a pair of sharpened fangs flash toward Perseus, catching him unawares.
Medusiana: ...!
Perseus: Gah!
Medusa: That was perfect, Medusiana! You're such a good girl!
Perseus: Argh, it's that damn snake from earlier! You might've gotten off a cheap shot, but it's too little, too late!
Perseus: I'll cut off this beast's head, and yours with it!
Perseus swings his blade toward Medusiana.
The sword whistles through the air towards the snake's flesh, when—
(Captain): ...!
(Captain) makes a desperate leap from the shadows and parries the blow in the nick of time.
Ward of Blood: Scene 3
The old mage abandons Perseus, summoning monsters as he leaves. Medusiana uses her blood to awaken the power of all three gorgon sisters in the Bloodwrought Coral, and soon the battle is over. Perseus tells Medusa they'll clash again someday, and the primal promises she'll put him in his place.
Perseus quickly recovers from the captain's sword strike and adopts a fighting stance.
Perseus: You... You're the mortals that were with her back in the village!
Vyrn: That's us alright! And you must be the guy who kidnapped Snake Girl!
Lyria: Oh no, Medusa, your arm's bleeding!
Medusa: It's just a little graze! I'm fine, promise!
Medusa: You guys could learn to show up earlier, though! Do you realize how long I had to buy time here?
- Sorry for the wait.
- Thanks for believing in us.
Choose: Sorry for the wait.Medusa: Yeah, you should be. Maybe if you ask for forgiveness, I'll let you off lightly!
Medusa: More importantly—hurry up and help me sort this guy out!
Choose: Thanks for believing in us.Medusa: Huh? I-I mean, I didn't really think you'd get here in time...
Medusa: I just asked Medusiana to go get you so she wouldn't have to get hurt any more than she needed to! That's all!
Medusa: A-anyway! Hurry up and deal with this kidnapper! He's super annoying!
Continue 1Perseus: I never thought I'd see the day when other skydwellers would come to the aid of a primal.
Perseus: Hey, geezer. You wanna help me pummel these guys before you do your little experiment?
Perseus turns to look at the old sorcerer, only to be greeted by a disheartening sight.
The old man stands in the center of a magic circle drawn on the ground, shaking his head slowly.
Old Sorceror: Oh no, I'm afraid I cannot. Not only were the initial results not very promising, but you seem to have brought unwanted guests with you.
Old Sorceror: I'm afraid our negotiations have run their course, boy. I'll take my leave and let you return to your delusions of grandeur.
Perseus: You're what? Wait, "delusions of grandeur"? Where'd that come from!
Vyrn: Watch out, (Captain)! Monsters're poppin' up all over the cave!
Medusa: It was that magic circle! That old guy must've used it to summon them and cover his escape!
Medusa: We've gotta mop up these guys before we can get out of here! C'mon, (Captain)!
Medusa and the captain join forces, making short work of any foes that come their way.
Perseus: That backstabbing old codger! If I ever get my hands on him...
Perseus: Yaaah!
Monster: ...
Monster Horde: ...!
Perseus: Crap, there's too many of them!
Medusa: Hey, kidnapper! There's no way you're gonna be able to fight your way out of a corner!
Medusa: We're not gonna stab you in the back, at least, so get over here and fight!
Perseus: Hah, as if! I'm never gonna join forces with a primal and her lackeys!
Perseus: I'm destined to become a hero of legend! I can easily deal with a few stray beasts!
Monster: ...!
Perseus: Grk!
Perseus is backed further and further against the cave's walls, facing off against an ever-increasing surge of monsters.
Medusa: Oh, come on! He's gonna get himself killed!
Medusa: We've cleared up most of the bad guys here, (Captain)—you think you can handle the rest?
Medusa: I'm gonna go pull that idiot to safety!
Medusa and Medusiana push their way through the onslaught of enemies, aiming for the overwhelmed Perseus.
Medusa: Geez, they might be pushovers, but there's so many of them! This sucks!
Despite her complaints, Medusa still strikes down foe after foe before her, pressing forward.
Medusiana, meanwhile, fixes her petrifying gaze down at the ground.
Medusiana: ...!
There lies the abandoned blade of the Bloodwrought Coral. The serpent takes it up in her coils and plunges it between her scales.
Medusa: What the...
Medusa: Medusiana! Why would you do that!
Panicking, Medusa snatches the weapon away from her familiar. Before she can fling it away, however, she notices something strange.
Medusa: The Bloodwrought Coral is... glowing?
Medusa: This feeling... There's power coursing through every inch of my body!
Perseus: The blade's awoken? And it gave its power to you?
Medusa: I can sense my sisters' presence emanating from it—but how?
Medusa: Could it be because Medusiana shares her blood with all three of us?
Medusa: Well, now's the time for fighting, not thinking.
Medusa: With Euryale and Stheno by my side, I have all the power I could ever need!
Medusa: With me, Medusiana!
Medusa: Hyaaaaah!
Monster Horde: ...!
Perseus: Gwargh!
Medusa's attack clears the cave in moments—all caught in the blast are blown away, including Perseus, who is slammed against the cave wall.
Medusa: Yikes, I didn't mean to hit him!
Perseus: ...
Medusa: Phew, looks like he's just out cold.
Medusa: W-well, let that be a lesson to you, jerk! Be grateful your skull's thicker than the rest of the bad guys'!
Medusa: Okay, Medusiana, let's go back and regroup!
Unconscious Perseus in tow, the primal and her serpent make their way back toward where the captain, Lyria, and Vyrn had been fighting.
Lyria: Oh! Look, he's waking up!
Perseus: Ugh, man, my head... That was a hell of an attack, lady.
Medusa: Now you have a taste of my true power. Still want to fight?
Medusa: Sorry, but you really don't frighten me anymore—even knowing my glare doesn't work on you.
Medusa: Maybe if you throw yourself at my feet and beg, I'll consider giving you a pass this time.
Perseus: You're right. It's not brave to try and fight someone so much more powerful than me—it's just reckless.
Perseus: And, to make the matter worse, I was saved by a primal, of all things... I'll never live this down.
Medusa: Heh, so you finally understand the situation! Now, be a good boy and—
Perseus: But that doesn't mean I'm just gonna roll over and admit defeat!
Medusa: Hwaaagh! What the heck is wrong with you!
Perseus's Voice: I'll get you back for this slight! You will be struck down, and the Bloodwrought Coral will be mine!
Perseus's Voice: Keep your head attached till we meet next—I want it to look nice when it's mounted on my wall!
Medusa: Graaah! Medusiana!
Incandescent with rage, Medusa gestures to Medusiana, who starts to sweep the smoke screen aside with her tail.
However, when the haze clears, Perseus is nowhere to be seen.
Vyrn: Looks like he got away...
Medusa: Oooh, that guy is the worst! Not only did he not apologize, I didn't get any answers from him!
Medusa: (I still don't know why my glare has no effect on him, or why he was looking for this Bloodwrought Coral thing...)
Medusa: (He might be a bonehead, but he has information I need...)
Medusa: I'll have your head mounted, you stupid jerk!
Medusa: I might've let my guard down when I was sleeping, but you won't get the jump on me again!
Medusa: Next time we meet, I'm gonna force you to tell me all your secrets, and then make you apologize ten—no, a hundred times!
Medusa's yelling echoes around the walls of the conspicuously Perseus-less cave.
At her side, the Bloodwrought Coral glimmers softly, promising that the two will clash once again—and that it will slake its thirst once more.
![Medusa [蛇眼嬢]](/File:RoB_Medusa_1-1.jpg)
![New Year Medusa [真蛇姫]](/File:RoB_Medusa_2-1.jpg)
![Gorgon Medusa [雪蛇姫]](/File:RoB_Medusa_3-1.jpg)
![Serpent Medusa [冒蛇姫]](/File:RoB_Medusa_4-1.jpg)
![Sweet Medusa [甘蛇姫]](/File:RoB_Medusa_5-1.jpg)
![Dancing Unico & Medusa [巫角舞]](/File:RoB_Medusa_6-1.jpg)
![Transcend Medusa [蛇讐姫]](/File:RoB_Medusa_7-1.jpg)
![Recorder Player Medusa [奏蛇姫]](/File:RoB_Medusa_8-1.jpg)
