Scenario:Bennu - Bennu the Strategist

Bennu the Strategist

After delivering presents to the children of a village, Bennu learns that a "cursed tree" had been causing the settlement's wonderful greenery to start withering away, preventing the villagers from readying the holiday tree that they wanted. Thinking that the cursed tree will surely be a worthy opponent, Bennu sets out to find it.

---

Bennu lands on a remote island at the behest of Santa.

As soon as he sets foot in a village, children flock to Bennu, showing great interest in him.

Village Boy: Hey, mister! Who're you?

Bennu: I am Bennu Claus!

Village Girl: Bennu...
Claus? Who?

Bennu: Bennu Claus is Bennu Claus! Nothing more and nothing less.

Bennu: Now, young lad, what is your name?

Village Boy: Me? I'm Michel.

Bennu: Michel, is it? This is your gift.

Village Boy: Yay, a present! Thanks a lot!

Bennu: And you, little girl. State your name.

Village Girl: My name's Ayla!

Bennu: Ah, Ayla. Here is your gift.

Village Girl: Wheee! I wonder what it is!

Bennu: And the little one next to her, state your name.

The strange question-and-answer session continues until Bennu finishes handing out gifts to all of the children.

Bennu: That finishes it, then? That took less time than I expected.

Chieftain: Oh, my. Distributing gifts in our little village out here? You have my thanks for that.

Bennu: Hm? And you are?

Chieftain: Ah, pardon my intrusion. I am this village's chieftain.

Chieftain: But, ahem, well...
Santa Claus, you're much bigger than the rumors have said.

Bennu: I am Bennu Claus! At Santa's request, I am delivering gifts in his stead.

Chieftain: Oh, I see. That explains why you're so different than I imagined.

Bennu: Would you have preferred the real thing?

Chieftain: Oh, no, it's fine. The children are all so very happy.

Chieftain: There isn't much entertainment to be found in a village as remote as ours, so this will surely be a memorable day for them.

Bennu: Hmmm. Yes, this island has few visitors, so I can't say it is a lively and popular destination.

Chieftain: Hahaha! You're quite the frank one.

Chieftain: That's the reason I'm so fond of this village. It's peaceful and its natural environment is rich.

Chieftain: We have a long tradition of living simple lives in harmony with nature here.

Chieftain: Nevertheless, our young folk have been saying that things are dull, that we need to interact more with the outside world.

Bennu: Living in harmony with nature sounds good enough to me.

Bennu: But the natural environment you speak of seems far from rich.

Bennu: Especially the forest to the rear. The trees look far too damaged to have just died off from the winter cold.

Bennu: Come springtime, there will be no new sprouts if that condition continues.

Chieftain: Yes, so you've noticed...
That's the fault of the cursed tree.

Bennu: A cursed tree? What do you mean?

Chieftain: A monstrous tree with the face of a person. Its curse is the reason for the forest's desolation.

Chieftain: As a matter of fact, the tree we had planned to decorate for tonight also withered from the curse.

Chieftain: Unable to prepare a holiday tree for this year, the children grew quite upset, as did the rest of us.

Bennu: I see. So that's how it is.

Bennu: You say that this cursed tree is nesting in the rear forest?

Chieftain: Yes, that's right. Why do you ask?

Bennu: You've gotten my attention. With all the trouble this tree has caused, it must be a powerful opponent.

Bennu: My fists are crying out to me to engage it in battle!

Chieftain: Battle...
So, you mean you're offering to vanquish the cursed tree?

Bennu: If I win, I suppose that will be the result.

Chieftain: No, you can't! It's far too dangerous! I appreciate your concern, but if something were to happen to you...

Bennu: There is no need to worry. It would be my greatest honor as a warrior to be slain by a worthy foe.

Chieftain: That isn't what I meant.

Chieftain: I suppose I can't stop you. All I can do is wish you victory in battle and await your return.

Bennu: That's enough for me.

Bennu: Heh, a cursed tree, is it?
Here I come!

Brimming with energy, Bennu approaches the forest while visions of great battles dance in his head.

Bennu the Strategist: Scene 2

Finding the cursed tree, Bennu determines that it is not the cause of the withered forest around it. Investigating the soil, he concludes that this must be a deliberate, man-made problem. Thinking up a strategy, he takes the cursed tree back to the village to serve as a holiday tree. After overcoming their trepidation, the villagers learn that it is no danger and come to welcome it, much to the consternation of a suspicious group of men.

---

Bennu continues through the withered forest in search of the cursed tree.

He arrives at the location the village chieftain spoke of to find a single tree dominating the area.

Cursed Tree: ...

Bennu: (So, that's the cursed tree? The trees around are more damaged the closer to the tree they are.)

Bennu: (Just seeing this, it wouldn't be out of the question to think this cursed tree is to blame.)

Bennu: (However...)

Bennu kneels where he stands and looks down as if searching the ground for something.

Bennu: (Naturally. The soil's acidity has caused the forest to wither this far.)

Bennu: (On the other hand, that cursed tree's trunk doesn't look blighted at all.)

Bennu: (If it was what's polluting the soil, then one would expect it to look the part...)

Bennu: (Could this be entirely natural?
No, it's odd that only the cursed tree is unaffected.)

Bennu approaches the cursed tree as he ponders.

Bennu: I will get to the point. Who has done this?

Cursed Tree: ...!

Bennu: It seems you're trying to convey something, but cannot form the words... Very well.

Bennu: This much is clear now that I stand before you: you're rather weak, aren't you?

Bennu: Power that fragile barely qualifies as monstrous... Though I imagine humans see your eerie shape and quake in fear.

Bennu: A pity you're no worthy foe. I'd turn my back and be done with this, yet something stops me.

Bennu: A forest is vital roosting ground for birds. If this was done deliberately, those responsible will not go unchecked.

Cursed Tree: ...!

Bennu: You see it that way too? Good. Then we're of one mind.

Bennu: ...

Bennu: I'd like you to lend me a hand—rather, your whole body. Are you willing to assist?

Cursed Tree: ...?

Bennu: Fear not. You need only stay still.

Bennu: Hmph!

Bennu grips the cursed tree in both arms, plucks it from the ground, and slings it over his shoulder.

Bennu: Now then, back to the village!

Villager 1: H-hey, isn't that...

Villager 2: That's the cursed tree, isn't it?

Cursed Tree: ...

Not a single villager knew what to make of the scene: the cursed tree, fully adorned for the holy night, standing tall in the village square.

Villager 1: Don't tell me... it moved here on its own?

Villager 2: And that ornament on its head... isn't that weird too? What's going on?

Bennu: No need to worry. I carried it myself, and the decorations are my doing as well.

Chieftain: Wh-what is the meaning of this! Instead of vanquishing the cursed tree, you've brought it into the village?

Bennu: You said you couldn't get a holiday tree this year, did you not? This one will serve as its substitute.

Chieftain: This is your idea of a holiday tree?

Chieftain: This is absurd! If you leave it here, the whole village will—

Village Boy: Um, Bennu Claus? Are you sure that thing won't hurt anyone?

Bennu: I'd like to say my word is enough, but words alone won't earn your trust. So allow me to demonstrate.

Cursed Tree: ...!

As Bennu strokes the cursed tree, it sways happily in response.

Chieftain: Whoa...

Bennu: It may be a monster, but there's nothing to fear. So long as you bear it no ill will, it won't cause harm.

Village Boy: A-are you sure?

Bennu: Trust in Bennu Claus.

Village Boy: O-okay...

The boy, encouraged by Bennu's words, reaches out to the cursed tree with a timid hand.

Cursed Tree: ...!

Village Boy: Whoa... It likes it! Can I touch it again?

Bennu: Are you content with merely touching it?

Bennu hands the boy a variety of ornaments he prepared beforehand.

Bennu: Seems it has a taste for decoration. What I put on wasn't nearly enough. Go on, deck it out to its heart's content.

Village Boy: Okay!

Village Girl: That looks fun... Can I try too?

Bennu: Don't be shy. Anyone interested may step forward.

First the girl, then the rest of the children dash toward the cursed tree.

Chieftain: Wh-what is going on... Was that thing not a cursed tree?

Bennu: It is a monster, yes, but a frail one with no power to harm anyone.

Bennu: Simply view it as a peculiar tree with a will of its own. It holds no enmity, no desire to hurt.

Chieftain: Incredible... So the cause of the forest's decay lies elsewhere?

Bennu: Don't assume only monsters are capable of wronging your kind.

After delivering that cryptic line, Bennu lowers his voice and whispers something to the chieftain.

Bennu: That settles my business here. I've no further reason to remain.

Bennu: Farewell!

Village Boy: Bye bye, Bennu Claus!

Bennu gives the chieftain a final glance, then takes his leave as the villagers see him off.

Dubious Duo: ...

Unbeknownst to him, a dubious duo observes Bennu from afar, tracking his every move.

Bennu the Strategist: Scene 3

That night, after Bennu has left, two village youths attempt to burn the cursed tree but are trapped by it instead. They confess to causing the recent events in hopes of forcing the village to modernize. Bennu, having secretly stayed, reveals that the tree's trap was actually his own, set in order to discover the true problem. After watching the villagers talk it out, Bennu reports what happened to (Captain) and becomes closer with the captain.

---

After the bustle of the holy night dies down and the village falls quiet...

The pair who had been watching Bennu move in on the cursed tree, torches in hand.

Village Youngster 1: A little flame'll set this thing off for sure. No way it stays calm.

Village Youngster 2: Yeah. And once the village takes some damage, everything should go just like we planned.

Village Youngster 1: Right. C'mon, let's do it already.

Village Youngster 1: Weird... The ground's gone all squishy. Mud, maybe?

Village Youngster 2: H-hey, something's wrong! We're getting swallowed like it's quicksand!

The ground engulfs them before they can react, trapping their bodies in place.

Village Youngster 1: What the hell is this! Some kinda pit trap or what?

Village Youngster 2: This ain't what we planned! It's almost like—

Cursed Tree: That would be my curse.

Village Youngster 2: Aaah! D-did the tree just talk?

Village Youngster 1: That's impossible! This isn't a cursed tree, it's—

Cursed Tree: What was your intent? To set me aflame and frame me for some ill-doing?

Cursed Tree: Confess your mischief in full. If you dare deceive me, the ground will swallow you whole.

Village Youngster 1: We'll talk, we'll talk! Just don't kill us!

Shaken to their core, the two blurt out the full truth of their misdeeds.

The forest's withering was caused by chemicals they had spread, planning to pin the blame on the cursed tree.

Cursed Tree: Why resort to such foolishness?

Village Youngster 1: Guys our age, our generation... we were sick of this village being so closed-off.

Village Youngster 1: We suggested opening up to the outside world, but the elders shut us down every time. They never listened.

Village Youngster 2: So we decided to push things the hard way. That's how we came up with this whole plan.

Village Youngster 2: If the village took some damage, we figured the elders would have no choice but to seek help from outside.

Village Youngster 1: We were so close... Then that huge guy shows up and suddenly the tree's "safe" now.

Village Youngster 1: That's why we wanted to torch it, so folks would go, "I knew it was dangerous! It must've ruined the forest too!"

Village Youngster 1: We really believed that'd sway the whole village, so we moved forward with the plan.

Village Youngster 2: We wouldn't have pulled something like this if a real discussion could've fixed things.

Chieftain: Hmph. I see.

Village Youngster 1: Chieftain! What're you doing here?

Bennu: We set this up in advance. By my reckoning, someone was bound to try a trick like this tonight.

Bennu: Right on schedule, you appeared. So I played the tree and wrung the truth out of you.

Village Youngster 2: No kiddin'... Man, we got played!

Village Youngster 1: We told you everything! Please, save us!

Bennu: Your lives were never in danger. I'll get you free in a moment.

Bennu: Hnnf!

Bennu strikes the ground, and the soil loosens into liquid once more.

Bennu seizes both their hands and pulls them free.

Village Youngster 2: Phew... I thought we were goners... I never wanna be in a situation like that again...

Chieftain: Looks like the experience left quite an impression on you.

Village Youngster 1: Chieftain... W-we crossed a line, I know...

Chieftain: Yes, you certainly did. But hearing your story, I realized we elders share the blame as well.

Chieftain: Ignoring what you young people had to say is what led us here. We must face that reality, not avoid it.

Chieftain: Therefore, I propose this: we establish a space for dialogue, one where we commit to hearing what our young people have to say.

Village Youngster 1: F-for real? You mean it?

Chieftain: That said, we cannot turn a blind eye to the trouble you caused.

Chieftain: Your penance will be to bring the forest back to how it was. Are we clear?

Both: Yes, sir!

Bennu: Very well.

With the village's problem resolved, Bennu, satisfied with the result, turns and leaves the village behind.

In time, the cursed tree becomes a local sensation, drawing tourists to the village—but that is a story for another day.

Bennu: I've returned!

Vyrn: Yo, you're late! You were gone forever! I was startin' to get real worried, y'know.

Bennu: I got tangled up in a bit of trouble.

Bennu explains the events that unfolded in the village to (Captain) and the others.

Lyria: Wow! Bennu, you really saved the day!

Vyrn: Mm... Nope. Still can't picture it. Bennu, thinking up a plan and handling things all smarty-like?

Bennu: So you truly believe I'm nothing but a battle-crazed brute? If that's the case, I could oblige you with a bout this instant.

Vyrn: See? That's exactly what I mean.

Bennu: Hmph. Just a jest. However...

Bennu: Singularity. You're the one I'd truly like to trade real blows with.

1. Call me (Captain).
2. I'd rather be friends than fight.

Choose: Call me (Captain).

Bennu: You take my bloodlust in stride, hmm? Fascinating. My regard for you grows.

Go to "Continue 1"

Choose: I'd rather be friends than fight.

Bennu: Hmph. Is that the confidence of the mighty, or your real feelings laid bare? You're impossible to read.

Bennu: I can see why Horus and the others took a liking to you. You've piqued my curiosity even more.

Continue 1

Bennu: For now, I withdraw. If we're to trade blows, I want to face you at my fullest.

Bennu: I'm sure the day will come. I intend to savor that moment, (Captain).

Wearing a bold, confident grin, Bennu turns and departs the airship.

With the feeling that their bond with Bennu has grown, (Captain) and the crew send him off with warm smiles.