Scenario:Alexiel - Guardian's Pledge

Guardian's Pledge

In a flashback of the time of the War, Alexiel and the dragon Belung defend the god-realm from skydwellers. Faced with their relentless attacks, Belung suggests calling for reinforcements. Alexiel, however, dismisses this advice out of pride. Belung later ends up sacrificing himself to save Alexiel from the skydwellers.

---

???: ...xiel... up.

Alexiel: What a nostalgic voice...

???: Alexiel, wake up.

Alexiel: That voice belongs to... Yes, I remember now.

Alexiel: My better half. The guardian dragon born of my mirror-blades. His name is...

???: Oh, you're up! Morning, Alexiel!

Alexiel: Belung?

The first thing that pops into Alexiel's view is a massive, friendly dragon looking down at her.

Belung: Yep! It's me! You feeling all rested up yet?

Alexiel: Yes, I'm fine now... How long have I been asleep?

Belung: Um, well, I've seen about three suns go down since you shut your eyes!

Alexiel: I overslept a tad bit. Thank you for waking me.

Alexiel rises and furrows her brows at the lingering scent of war in the air.

Alexiel: What is the current situation? It appears the enemy's advance has halted.

Belung: Some tried to sneak in at one point, but I took care of every last one of them, just like you asked!

Belung: After that... It's pretty much been a waiting game, I guess.

Alexiel: I see...

Alexiel: The War was drawing to a close.

Alexiel: Astrals had begun retreating from the Sky Realm. Skydwellers, seeing this as an opportunity, pressed the attack.

Alexiel: They were relentless in their counteroffensive, pushing all the way to the god-realm.

Alexiel: We defenders of the god-realm fought for days on end to buy enough time for the Astrals' retreat.

Belung: Hey, Alexiel?

Alexiel: Yes, Belung?

Belung: Um, I was thinking maybe we should call on other guardians for reinforcements.

Alexiel: That again?

Belung: I mean... Despite our best efforts, the skydwellers' front line is inching closer and closer.

Belung: My shield and your sword make for the ultimate combo, but there's only so much we can do...

Belung: Not to mention the latest wave of skydwellers aren't like other skydwellers we've faced before...

Alexiel: ...

Alexiel instinctively crosses her arm as if to cover the wounds that have yet to fully heal.

Belung: They've been extra scary lately... So it only makes sense for us to be extra prepared.

Alexiel: Belung... This god-realm's protection is a job entrusted only to the two of us.

Alexiel: Thus we need no reinforcements. We will continue defending it until the Astrals have completely withdrawn.

Alexiel: That is our purpose. Even if it means we must give our lives for it.

Alexiel: Your shield is an unyielding sentinel, whose unassailable defense rebuffs all who dare approach.

Alexiel: As you've often said, your shield and my sword together are unstoppable in the face of any skydweller threat.

Belung: Mm... Yeah, I suppose you're right! Whatever it takes, us two are gonna keep the god-realm safe!

Alexiel: Yes, I'm counting on you, Belung! We shall come out of this victorious.

Alexiel: Somewhere deep down, I had underestimated skydwellers for being mere mortals. Mortals who couldn't possibly stand against us primal beasts.

Alexiel: Misjudging the opposition on the battlefield can be fatal. It was a lesson I thought I'd already learned from the countless skirmishes I'd engaged in.

Alexiel: Haaah!

Alexiel takes a deep breath after mercilessly cutting down a group of skydweller soldiers. She is unaware of the shadows sneaking up behind her.

Belung: Alexiel!

Alexiel: !

A single moment of carelessness is all it takes. Four swords pierce through her body simultaneously.

Alexiel: Ungh!

Sky Soldier 1: W-we did it! That's one primal beast down—

Belung: No one bullies Alexiel!

Sky Soldier 1: Gwaaah!

Sky Soldier 2: Wretched monster! Do not let up! We must break through, no matter the cost!

Belung: I won't let you get any closer to Alexiel! Or the god-realm!

Seeing the skydwellers valiantly stepping over the corpses of their fallen comrades, Belung erects a massive barrier.

Yet the opposition remain undeterred and continue their advance.

Sky Soldier 2: Fire!

Belung: Rgh!

Alexiel: Belung!

Belung: I-I'm fine! I'll live on!

Belung: I just don't get why they're so much more aggressive now! Normally they'd have retreated after taking this many casualties...

The skydwellers even pay no heed to friendly fire, resuming the onslaught against Belung in an attempt to destroy the barrier.

Alexiel breathes a deep sigh, somewhat taken aback by the enemy's unprecedented boldness.

Alexiel: If they're here on a suicide mission, then we'll just have to respond in kind.

Muttering under her breath, Alexiel pulls out the swords piercing through her body and readies her own blade.

Belung: That's reckless, Alexiel! Even you can't keep fighting with injuries that big!

Alexiel: Retreat is not an option for us guardians! We fight until one side falls!

Alexiel: It's time, Belung! Our final battle, one way or another!

Alexiel: Huff... Huff...

Alexiel: (Have all the Astrals withdrawn yet? How much longer must we keep fighting? Someone answer me...)

A mountain of corpses spreads out before her eyes, yet the sounds of battle do not cease.

Barely managing to stay upright by leaning on her broadsword, Alexiel's thoughts begin to wander amid her fading consciousness.

Sky Mage: Throw everything you've got at her! Show them what we skydwellers are capable of!

As soon as those words register, Alexiel notices an unusual trembling of the air around her.

Alexiel: ...!

Alexiel looks up to see a torrent of searing light fast approaching.

Alexiel: (Is this the end...)

Lacking the strength to move out of the way, the primal closes her eyes in acceptance of what is to come.

Alexiel: ...!
Belung!

The torrent of light drives into the dragon's body instead, now standing in front of Alexiel to act as her shield.

Belung: Urgh...

Alexiel: Belung! Why! Why did you cover me?

Belung: I promised you, didn't I? That I'd keep you safe... I'm... your shield... after all...

Belung: Rhg... Gwaaaah!

Alexiel: ...!
I don't believe it!

Alexiel bites her lip as she witnesses the edges of the gaping wound in Belung's body begin to discolor and rot away.

Alexiel: (An anti-primal spell that interferes with the elements, causing rot. Who would have thought the skydwellers were capable of something so deadly!)

Sky Soldier 2: That troublesome shield is gone at last! Don't let up!

Alexiel: ...!

Seeing the uplifted spirits of the advancing skydwellers, Alexiel returns her gaze back to Belung.

Alexiel: (This is bad... Before long, the elements composing Belung's body will lose control and run amok!)

Alexiel: (It won't just be the god-realm that suffers! Both the Sky and Astral Realms will be greatly affected!)

Belung: It'll be okay... Alexiel...

Alexiel: Belung?

Belung: As guardian dragon... I'm going to make sure I keep you and this place safe...

Belung: Mirror-blades, invert... My shield, take your new form as a cage!

The next moment, a faint light engulfs Belung's body, which transforms into countless mirror-blades.

Sky Soldier 2: The heck?

Sky Mage: Crap! F-fall back! We're retreating!

Belung: Oh, no, you don't! We're going out together in a big bang!

Perceiving incoming danger, the skydwellers attempt to turn back, but the mirror-blades close around them like a spherical cage.

Alexiel: No...

Alexiel: Stop it, Belung! You don't need to do that!

Belung: I'm sorry I couldn't protect you until the very end, Alexiel.

The pale glow of the spherical mirror-blade cage suddenly explodes in a brilliant flash of radiance.

When the light subsides, Alexiel opens her eyes and gasps at the sight before her.

Alexiel: No...

Alexiel: It's my fault this happened to you, Belung...

Lips trembling with terror, the primal stares in stunned silence at what is now a vast expanse of void.

Guardian's Pledge: Scene 2

Days later, a rejuvenated Alexiel recounts her past to the crew. As it turns out, the dragon nestling in the god-realm and polluting the elements is a remnant of her former guardian partner, Belung. She apologizes for diving headfirst into danger and asks for the crew's help in saving him.

---

Lyria: ...

Alexiel: That is my past... and also the true nature of the anomaly afflicting this island.

Alexiel: What now infests the god-realm are the remnants of Belung, hindered from passing on by the tainted elements.

Having retreated from the god-realm, the crew is currently taking refuge in a nearby village.

Alexiel had been unconscious for several days, but she's now awake and speaking of her past in the god-realm.

Alexiel: As a guardian of the god-realm, Belung's choice to sacrifice himself in taking out those skydwellers may have been the correct one.

Alexiel: That doesn't mean, however, that I can agree with it. More than anything else, I cannot forgive myself.

Alexiel: For forcing Belung into making such a drastic decision, due to my own gross incompetence.

Alexiel: For stubbornly refusing Belung's advice to call for reinforcements because I'd overestimated my own strength.

Lyria: Alexiel...

Seeing a downcast Alexiel with fists clenched in remorse, Lyria and Vyrn can do little more than trade glances.

Uriel: So you stepped into the god-realm alone when you realized your partner was causing this mess, huh?

Alexiel: Yes. What's become of Belung and the threat he poses can ultimately be traced back to my failure.

Alexiel: I did feel a strong need to resolve this calamitous situation that was of my own creation. But at the same time...

Alexiel: Belung was created from my core and mirror-blades, which essentially makes him a part of me.

Alexiel: So I was also motivated by a desire to personally relieve Belung of his suffering.

Uriel: Look... I know how you feel, but...

1. I have to admit I'm angry.

Choose: I have to admit I'm angry.

Alexiel: My apologies. At the very least, I should have sent word to you, (Captain).

1. You should have waited for us first.

Choose: You should have waited for us first.

Alexiel: ...

Alexiel: Still, the situation needed to be resolved as quickly as possible, and I did not wish to trouble you with my own affairs.

Vyrn: That's all well and good, but chargin' straight ahead alone is how you lost your buddy in the first place.

Vyrn: If we didn't notice the crack in the mirror-blade you gave us, or if Uriel couldn't get through to the god-realm, you might be a goner now...

Vyrn: (Captain)'s angry 'cause we came so close to losin' ya back there.

Vyrn: Heck, I'd say every one of us feels the same way.

(Captain) silently nods in agreement as Alexiel realizes her shortcomings.

Alexiel: (Ah, done in by my overconfidence again... Why do I keep thinking I can accomplish the impossible alone?)

Alexiel: (Ever since accepting Uriel as my master and traveling with (Captain)'s crew, I've overcome so many hardships.)

Alexiel: （But I was only able to do so with others—as a team. Yet here I am, still clinging to my old ways...）

Amid the dark clouds of regret, the faces of those she met and fought alongside during the journey thus far flash through her mind.

Alexiel: It was because we combined our strengths and worked as one that I was able to overcome numerous trials and tribulations.

Alexiel: How could I forget a lesson so simple yet so crucial... Let it serve as proof of my viridity.

Alexiel: Forgive me. I should have withdrawn before being cornered.

(Captain)'s expression finally softens upon seeing Alexiel's deep bow.

Alexiel: Now, given all that has been said, I'd like to make a formal request of the crew.

Alexiel: In order to solve this anomaly...

Alexiel: No, rather... In order to save Belung from his endless suffering once and for all... I ask that you fight by my side.

Alexiel extends a hand. (Captain), Vyrn, and Lyria nod to each other, and then individually shake with the guardian.

1. We're with you!

Choose: We're with you!

Vyrn: Heheh! No way are we gonna say no to a friend in need!

Lyria: Let us work together to save Belung!

Alexiel: (Captain), Red Dragon, Girl in Blue, you have my thanks.

Alexiel: Master Uriel, I must ask something of you as well.

Alexiel: Will you safeguard the island from the polluted elements that leak out of the god-realm while we battle Belung?

Uriel: Yep, not a problem, but... aren't you guys a bit shorthanded?

Alexiel: The goal isn't merely to destroy him... In fact, I believe I can prevent his annihilation by reintegrating what remains of his personality from the mirror-blades into myself.

Alexiel: That is the true way to save Belung. And it is something only I, his other half, can do.

Alexiel: Belung may have died once, but if any part of him remains, I wish to preserve it if at all possible.

Uriel: Good, you've got it all figured out. Your resolve's palpable, Alexiel.

Uriel: Leave things here to me! Once this is all over, I'll make you some of my special stew!

Alexiel: Thank you, Master Uriel. I look forward to savoring your stew once this is all over!

Vyrn: Now that that's settled... Ready to go, Alexiel?

Alexiel: Yes. Let us finally resolve the matter.

Alexiel: Belung, hang in there. I promise to save you!

Her heart filled with determination, the primal makes for the god-realm once more, except with backup this time.

Guardian's Pledge: Scene 3

Seconds before success, back in battle with the dragon, a final attack threatens (Captain)'s life. Desperately, Alexiel recalls Belung's final moments and a lesson from Uriel, inspiring a new technique that she uses to deflect the attack.

---

Belung: ...

Alexiel: Belung... It ends here and now...

Having crossed into the god-realm, Alexiel and crew prepare to face off against the rampaging dragon.

Alexiel: As we discussed earlier, Girl in Blue!

Lyria: Right! I'll call out to Belung's consciousness to try and slow him down as much as possible!

Alexiel: Good. Into the fray we go, (Captain)!

The captain charges forward without hesitation, weapon in hand.

Lyria: I'm sorry, Belung! But I have to do this!

Belung: ...!

Lyria calls out to Belung's core in an effort to pacify him, only to be met with a fierce roar in resistance.

Lyria: Nhg!

Vyrn: Lyria! You all right?

Lyria: Y-yeah... Belung's the one who's in incredible pain...

Alexiel: Stay strong, Girl in Blue!

Alexiel: Hraaah!

Without a second thought, Alexiel brings her greatsword down on the massive dragon.

Belung: ...!

Alexiel: Rgh!

While Alexiel is taking the brunt of Belung's attacks, (Captain) manages to slip past the dragon's guard.

Belung: ...!

Alexiel: (Captain)!

The captain gets back up and signals for Alexiel to keep formation.

Seeing (Captain) dash toward Belung again without pause, the primal refocuses.

Belung: ...!

Alexiel: Uoooogh!

The relentless assault of the pair combined with Lyria's suppression proves to be highly effective.

The rampaging dragon's movements grow increasingly dull.

Alexiel: (I can feel it! We're whittling Belung down little by little...)

Alexiel: (Captain)! Let's finish this!

Sword in hand, knuckles whitening, the captain zips past the dragon's guard once more.

Alexiel: Haaah!

(Captain): ...!

Belung: ...!

Vyrn: We did it!

Lyria: ...!
Wait, this is...

Lyria: Alexiel, (Captain), no! Get away from there!

Belung: ...!

Following a roar powerful enough to shake the atmosphere, light bursts forth from deep within Belung's body.

The radiating light spreads out in all directions, turning nearby floating boulders to dust in an instant.

Alexiel: Rgh! (Captain)! Behind me—

Vyrn's Voice: Uwaah!

Alexiel wastes no time generating a shield when Vyrn screams out from behind her.

As countless beams of light erupt from Belung, the dragon's giant claws aim directly for the defenseless figures of Lyria and Vyrn.

Alexiel: (The girl in blue can't move while she's focusing! What can I do from here...)

Belung: ...!

(Captain) intercepts Belung's claw just in time, only to then be brought down by the barrage of beams.

Alexiel: (Captain)!

Belung: ...!

Belung gathers light in his jaws to finish off the immobilized captain.

Vyrn: Oh crud! Here we go again!

Lyria: Ngh! I can't suppress him any further!

Alexiel: Back off! I will not allow you to hurt them!

Belung: ...!

The instant Alexiel arrives at (Captain)'s side and deploys her shield, Belung unleashes a powerful beam of light.

Alexiel: Rhg!

Vyrn: Alexiel!

Alexiel: Worry not! My shield is impenetrable... I will withstand this!

Belung: ...!

Resonating with Belung's roar, the beam continues to grow in intensity. A piece of Alexiel's shield chips off.

Alexiel: (Never mind pushing the beam back, the shield won't last much longer at this rate!)

Alexiel: (Th-there must be some way to break out of this!)

Lyria: Huh?

Vyrn: Lyria! What's wrong?

Lyria: I think I heard a voice just now...

Lyria closes her eyes and takes a deep breath to focus, scanning for the source of the voice.

Lyria: Power of the mirror-blades... Alexiel... You can do this...

Alexiel: Was that Belung you heard?

Lyria: It must be! His voice was faint, but that's what I heard him say!

Alexiel: ...

Alexiel: (A power of the mirror-blades that only Belung knew about?)

Alexiel: (Think, Alexiel, think! There must be a hint in your memories! How did Belung use them to fight?)

After flashing back to Belung's final moments, a far more recent memory surfaces next.

Alexiel: (It was shortly after accepting Uriel as my master...)

Uriel: Set aside winning and focus on protecting what's important first.

Uriel: Then while the enemy's tiring itself out trying to break your defenses, determine their weakness!

Uriel: If you exploit that weakness, you can turn the tables in an instant.

Alexiel: Right... It all makes sense.

Vyrn: Alexiel?

Alexiel: I've finally figured it out... The meaning behind Master Uriel's teachings and Belung's actions that day!

Alexiel's shield, which had been wavering under Belung's assault, reclaims its original sturdiness.

Belung: ...!

Alexiel: I'm ready to bear the weight of it all, Belung... Your suffering, your pain—lay it all upon me!

Alexiel: I will grant you true rest without fail this time!

Belung: ...!

Alexiel's declaration seems to intensify the light emanating from Belung, causing the cracks spreading across the shield to widen rapidly.

Alexiel: (No, this isn't enough! The final attack must be able to shatter his core in a single strike!)

Vyrn: Careful, Alexiel! Your shield's about to break!

Alexiel: Not yet, my shield! I beg of you to endure for a bit longer!

Alexiel: I swear upon my duty as guardian to protect every one of you along with the skies!

With a sharp crack, Alexiel's shield buckles from the pressure.

???: Alexiel!

Alexiel: Mirror-blades, invert! Release the soul ensnared by darkness and grant true rest!

Alexiel: Nibelung Reflection!

A beam of light shoots forth from the shield, piercing straight through the center of Belung's body.

Guardian's Pledge: Scene 4

The defeated Belung has one final heartfelt conversation with Alexiel before being absorbed into her mirror-blade. With the root of the island's elemental stagnation gone, the poor harvests soon become a thing of the past. Reflecting on this series of events, Alexiel is now more determined than ever to become a true guardian capable of protecting all she holds dear.

---

Belung: ...!

Amid the grating cacophony of its death throes, the dragon's massive form begins to crumble.

Particles of light spill forth from its body, gathering together to create a singular form.

Belung: Huh? That you, Alexiel? It's been so long...

Alexiel: Belung...

Alexiel: I'm sorry I didn't come sooner... It's because of my shortcomings that you've suffered for so long...

Belung: Oh, that's not true. I mean, it definitely wasn't fun. Nope, no fun at all...

Belung: But the whole time, I was sure you'd eventually come to take me out.

Alexiel: ...

Belung: I'm the one who's sorry. If I'd just gone out in a blaze of glory like I meant to...

Belung: I could've saved you so much trouble. Shame I ended up leaving pieces of myself behind...

Alexiel: No, Belung, please don't blame yourself. I'm the one who must apologize.

Alexiel: Had I simply heeded your advice and called for reinforcements, you wouldn't have had to sacrifice yourself to begin with!

Alexiel: I accept full responsibility for what happened to you! I don't know how I'll ever make up for it...

Alexiel lowers her head, straining to speak under the weight of her regret. Meanwhile, the light forming Belung's shape gently envelops the primal as if to offer solace.

Belung: There's no need to cry, Alexiel. I regret nothing.

Belung: I say that as both the god-realm's guardian dragon... and as your shield. I'm so glad I was able to keep you safe.

Belung: Besides, I was born from your mirror-blades to begin with. In a way, I'm just going back home to where I belong.

Belung: We'll be together forever and ever from now on, Alexiel. I'll be right beside you, even if you might not be able to see me.

Alexiel: Yes, that's right... We'll never have to be apart again.

Belung: Mm-hm! So cheer up, Alexiel! And... I'll see you later!

With those last words, the final remnants of Belung's shape disintegrate.

Lyria: Alexiel...

Alexiel: ...
I'm fine. I do indeed feel Belung with me. There's nothing to be sad about.

Alexiel: Welcome home, Belung. And may your sleep be peaceful...

Once all the light has faded, only the shard of a shattered mirror-blade remains in Alexiel's hand.

Alexiel: (Captain)... Will you hold on to this?

1. This is... a mirror-blade?

Choose: This is... a mirror-blade?

Alexiel: Yes, though it's different from what I handed you before. This one is equivalent to a second core, like the one that gave life to Belung.

Alexiel: Although Belung's consciousness no longer inhabits this shard, the protective blessing remains ever present.

Alexiel: I would like you, my comrade, to have possession of this. I imagine Belung would be proud.

Looking down at the mirror-blade shard, then up at Alexiel's expression, the captain responds with a solemn nod.

1. I'll treasure it.

Choose: I'll treasure it.

Alexiel: Thank you. Belung, too, will keep you safe through the mirror-blade.

The shard in (Captain)'s hand seems to agree by emitting a soft glow.

Uriel: Welcome back, Alexiel! Glad you managed to wrap things up.

Alexiel: Master Uriel! I apologize for all the trouble I've caused. How fares the village?

Uriel: As you can see, the pristine earth element that now flows out of the god-realm is already fast enriching the soil.

Uriel looks to a plot of previously barren farmland that is already showing signs of a rapid recovery.

Alexiel: It'll take some time before everything's back to normal, but we should have nothing to worry about now.

Alexiel: And with the pollution lifted from the elements, the epidemic plaguing the land will soon become a thing of the past.

The villagers, too, have regained their vitality, perhaps invigorated by the vibrant greenery that's sprouting all over.

Their jubilance brings smiles to the faces of (Captain) and company.

Alexiel: Master Uriel...

Uriel: Hm?

Alexiel: I have learned much through the resolution of this matter.

Alexiel: My duty is not to conquer the enemy, but rather to protect against them.

Alexiel: I am both the shield and the weapon that safeguards my allies.

Alexiel: As a defender who is also your disciple...

Alexiel: I vow to continue bettering myself in order to become a true guardian—one for the people of the skies, for the god-realm, for all that needs protection.

Uriel breaks into a grin and ruffles his disciple's hair, lightening the mood.

Alexiel: M-Master Uriel?

Uriel: Hahah, attaguardian! Good to see you growing up!

Uriel: All right! Time to chow down on my stew so you can grow even bigger!

Alexiel: Yes, I certainly will!

Nodding firmly at Uriel, Alexiel places a hand on her chest and gazes up at the sky.

Alexiel: Of course, you will be joining me as well.

Alexiel: Belung... May we continue on the path to becoming true guardians.

Her hair sways gently, caressed by a gentle breeze that picks up as if in answer, carrying her words wherever they may go.