Scenario:Created by the Stars, Loved by the Skies - The Astral Artifacts - Chapter 1: Weary Primals - Episode 2

Created by the Stars, Loved by the Skies - The Astral Artifacts - Chapter 1: Weary Primals - Episode 2

Baldr attends Madl and Kona's wedding the next day but keeps his distance from the other guests. He feels further alienated after overhearing a few villagers express fears about his existence as a primal beast. In the end, he decides to leave the village for good to wander on his own. Crossing paths with Loki and Fenrir, Baldr refuses Loki's offer to travel together. As Baldr leaves, Loki mentions a forest that's perfect for resting in.

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Madl: All right then...

Madl brushes the bread crumbs from his lap.

Madl: It's still kinda early, but I think I'll hit the hay. Even an adult needs his beauty rest.

Baldr: Yes. Tomorrow is an important day.

Madl: Sure is. You're coming right? I don't want to hear any excuses about how you overslept in the forest.

Baldr: I will attend if you insist.

Madl: Remember, it's not just me. Kona expects to see you too.

Baldr: Then I don't have a choice.

Baldr's mouth twists into an awkward smile. He feels a breeze as cool as an autumn wind bite his cheeks.

The next day.

Skydweller 5: Congratulations to Madl and Kona!

Skydweller 6: You lucky bastard! Good luck, you two!

Madl: Thanks, everyone!

Kona: Um, who's using foul language at my wedding?

The entire village has come out to celebrate a joyous matrimony on this beautiful, sunny day.

Villager 1: This village has lost so many of its young. To see these two return home safely from the battlefield and embrace one another...

Villager 1: It's such a beautiful sight.

Villager 2: You're so right. I can only hope we're past all those days of fear and anxiety.

Villager 3: Yeah, about that...

Villager 2: Oh, right. Him.

Villager 3: Yep. He came too.

Baldr: ...

Villager 3: I'm sure Madl and Kona invited him because they get along well, so it shouldn't be a problem, but...

Villager 2: He scares me. Can we move over there?

Villager 1: Hold on. Didn't you hear what he did for us during the waning days of war?

Villager 3: I know, I know, but doesn't that make him more terrifying?

Villager 3: He might look like us, but he's more monster than skydweller as far as I'm concerned.

Villager 2: Now that the war is over, he doesn't have a reason to get violent, right?

Villager 3: Who knows what those things are thinking. They did betray the Astrals to join our side.

Villager 1: Hm... Are you suggesting he could turn on us too at some point?

Villager 3: Even toward the end of the war, there were already rumors about our primal beast "allies" becoming our enemies again.

Villager 2: You can't count anything out. I wonder if it's safe to let him run loose around the village.

Villager 2: I'm not trying to be mean. I appreciate what he did for us.

Villager 2: A lot of people survived because of him, and he helped end the war. But still...

Villager 1: Hmm... It's a complicated issue...

Villager 1: Anyway, this isn't the day for hand-wringing. We should be eating and dancing.

Villager 3: Now there's something I can get behind! Let's grab some drinks!

Baldr keeps his distance from the gaggle of villagers.

However, his excellent hearing is a double-edged sword, for he can clearly hear every word spoken.

Baldr: Sigh...

Baldr: I wasn't fighting for the sake of skydwellers specifically.

Baldr: I did it... for them...

With a small smile, he gazes at the happy couple, who are surrounded by friends and family.

Baldr: Madl... Kona...

Madl: ...!

Madl notices Baldr looking their way. He whispers something to Kona, and they both wave to him.

Baldr: ...

Baldr: Congratulations.

Of course, his words are too quiet and too far away to reach them.

Baldr: Why is the wind so cold?

Freyr: Although...

Freyr gently rubs his forearm.

Freyr: I must say it's a bit chilly today.

Baldr: Chilly?

Freyr: Not that I mind, but... do you not feel cold?

Baldr: Not particularly.

Freyr: You really are specially built for battle. I'm almost jealous.

Baldr: This sensation of "cold" you speak of... Does it affect you in battle?

Freyr: No, it's not quite on that level.

Freyr: Though mortals—especially skydwellers—may find the cold difficult to bear.

Baldr: I see. This must be the cold you spoke of, Freyr. I finally understand.

Baldr: I hope this chill doesn't find you, Madl, Kona.

???: Greetings!

???: Are you a wandering primal beast perchance?

Baldr: ...

Loki: How come you're trudging out here by yourself?

Loki: Though to be fair, vagrant primals aren't much of a rarity these days.

Baldr: Who are you?

Loki: An Astral.

Baldr: ...!

Loki: Hahaha! No need to get up in arms. You and I are in a similar boat.

Baldr: What?

Loki: Let me guess: you backstabbed the Astrals, didn't you?

Loki: But instead of being showered with kisses from skydwellers, you're meandering pointlessly in exile.

Baldr: ...

Loki: We all know that camaraderie between skydwellers and primals is a pipe dream.

Loki: The people of this world just can't understand the likes of Astrals and primal beasts.

Fenrir: ...

Loki: People are people; beasts are beasts. Equality is a fool's errand.

Baldr: What do you want from me?

Loki: Oh, how my heart ached when I laid eyes on your melancholy trek.

Loki: We can be friends if you'd like.

Fenrir: ...

Loki: Just like me and Fenrir here.

Fenrir: Hmph...

Baldr: I see nothing to suggest friendship. In your own words, people and beasts can't understand each other.

Loki: Hahaha! How brash. I almost forgot to laugh.

Loki: So what's it going to be?

Loki: Would you like to become pet number two or continue on your lonely journey to nowhere?

Baldr: I'm not going with you.

Loki: Aww. That's too bad.

Loki: Oh, incidentally...

Loki: There's a stunning forest not far east of here that escaped the ravages of war.

Loki: As far as napping spots go, it seems right up your alley.

Baldr: I see...

With his back turned to Loki, Baldr can't see the indecipherable smile spreading across the Astral's face.

Loki: Sigh, he really didn't want to talk to me.

Fenrir: What are you so sad about? You weren't planning on bringing him with us anyway.

Loki: Everyone misunderstands me.

Loki: I'm too nice for my own good. How can I turn a blind eye to these pitiful creations who were abandoned by my fellow Astrals?

Fenrir: Who are we talking about again?

Loki: Hm? Did you say something?

Fenrir: Nope. Nothing at all.

Loki: Uh-huh... If you say so.

Loki: Shall we go?

Fenrir: As if I had a choice. Where to next?

Loki: The temperature's starting to drop. I say we head south.

Fenrir: Since when do we care about being cold...

Loki: We don't. Nothing matters. I'm just killing time.