Scenario:Sarunan - Lost and Found

Lost and Found

(Captain) and company visit an island―where spirits and people live together―in hopes of finding a way to replenish Kazann's life force. When they find no answer, Sarunan tries to sacrifice an Erune child to her, but she convinces him not to. The child's mother thinks Kazann is an evil, life-stealing demon, so she calls some guards.

---

Sarunan's time is fast running out. He becomes more haggard day by day, and his personality grows more and more twisted.

Unable to ignore his suffering, the crew decides to travel to an island where people and spirits coexist. There they hope to find a way to extend his life.

Town Child: Great Spirit! Will you play with me again today?

Earth Spirit: Sure, I don't mind. But be careful not to get hurt.

Woman: Oh! There you are! May I ask you for some charcoal, Great Spirit?

Fire Spirit: Of course. Hand me your brazier.

Vyrn: Whoa. There really are spirits all over town. You don't see this every day.

Sarunan: So it's normal for people to live with spirits on this island. I've heard about this, but it's still hard to believe.

Sarunan: Ugh... The sun is so bright today. It's hard to even walk.

Lyria: Are you okay, Sarunan? I'm sure we'll be able to find you a cure on this island.

Vyrn: Yeah! I mean, there are apparently several spirit-related spells passed down here, right?

Sarunan: Yeah... That is, I certainly hope so.

Sarunan: The spell to reincarnate Honey can most likely only be found on the Island of the Astrals...

Sarunan: But we might find a way to restore the life force I've given her.

Sarunan: And luckily there seem to be a lot of Erunes here. I'm sure we'll be able to find something at least.

Honey: ...

Vyrn: Huh? What's the number of Erunes got to do with the spell for your cure?

Sarunan: ...!

Sarunan: W-well, since the Erunes respect their traditions, I thought we might find some ancient spells that even I don't know about.

Vyrn: Sounds good! Let's start looking for info!

The crew starts asking around for clues about spirit spells that are known only to the people on the island.

But there's a reason the spells have never left the island. The moment the crew mentions them, the islanders frown.

The more cooperative islanders simply apologize that they can't reveal the island's secrets to outsiders.

Vyrn: Grr... Now what are we supposed to do?

Lyria: Ugh... And Sarunan still doesn't seem to be doing so well. I'm worried.

Vyrn: Yeah, he was saying something about the sun messing with him earlier. Hope he's okay... Hey, Sarunan! Huh?

Lyria: Sarunan? Where could he have gone?

Town Child: Hey, mister! What did you want to ask?

Sarunan: Do you like beautiful spirits?

Town Child: Yeah! The water spirit is really pretty! But you can't see her that often.

Sarunan: Good, good. Well, I know of an even prettier spirit. Would you like to meet her?

Town Child: Yeah!

Sarunan: Excellent. I'm sure you'll love her. So much so that you'll want to stay with her.
Forever.

Sarunan: Come here, child.

Honey: ...

Sarunan: What's wrong, Honey? Stop what I'm doing? Why?

Town Child: Wow! She really is beautiful!

Sarunan: I call her Honey. Do you like her?

Town Child: Yeah! She's the prettiest spirit I've ever met!

Sarunan: I'm glad. You'll love her even more soon. So much more.

Honey: ...

Sarunan: This is too terrible? You'd rather wait for your life to end? But—

Honey: ...!
...!

Sarunan: ...!

Sarunan: Oh my... What was I thinking? I'm so sorry, Honey.

Sarunan: In my foolish haste, I almost did something unthinkable. I really need more sleep. Sometimes I don't even know what I'm doing.

Sarunan: But that's hardly an excuse, is it?

Lady: Oh, there you are! Don't wander off like that!

Town Child: Oh! Mommy!

Sarunan: ...

Lady: I'm sorry, sir. I hope my child wasn't bothering you.

Sarunan: Of course not. We were just talking.

Sarunan: She's a sweet child. I'd like to have one myself some—

Woman: ...!
What's that behind you?

Sarunan: She's the woman I love. The spirit Kazann. Isn't she beautiful?

Woman: Why is that spirit taking your life? Don't tell me it's an evil spirit revived with a spell!

Sarunan: ...

Sarunan: Evil spirit?

Woman: Guards! It's an evil spirit! An evil spirit has invaded our town!

Sarunan: What's wrong with all of you? Wearing that ridiculous armor.

Sarunan: Do you mean to harm my Honey? So be it. It'll be amusing to watch you try.

Lyria: Hey! There he is! Sarunan!

Vyrn: Sheesh! What's he gotten himself into!

Vyrn: What in the sky is he thinking? Let's get in there and break it up!

Lost and Found: Scene 2

When the guards call Kazann an evil spirit, an enraged Sarunan tries to use magic to silence them. Kazann refuses to lend him her power, so he blows up at her as well and takes it by force.

---

Guard: Argh!

Vyrn: Hey! Don't start busting out magic in the middle of town! Cool it, Sarunan!

Sarunan: ...

Woman: Oh no... The guards... That evil spirit...

Woman: S-someone help...

Guard: You! Not only have you brought an evil spirit, but you've damaged the town! You won't get away with this!

Guard: Destroy that spirit! Men, prepare to cast the banishing spell!

Sarunan: You still dare to call Kazann evil even after seeing how beautiful she is?

Vyrn: Hey, Sarunan! Cut it out! You're just making things worse!

Guard: You guys are with him, huh? Capture them all!

Vyrn: Whoa! I mean, he's part of our crew and all, but...

Vyrn: Uh-oh. It doesn't look like they're in the mood to talk!

Sarunan: We just need to shut them up. That's easy.

Honey: ...

Sarunan: Honey? What's wrong? Lend me your power.

Honey: ...

Sarunan: You've had enough? What do you mean?

Sarunan: Obey me!

Honey: ...!

Sarunan: Damn it. I don't want to do this either!

Sarunan: But at this rate, you'll be destroyed! And I won't let that happen!

Lost and Found: Scene 3

An earth spirit on the island tells Sarunan that there's no way to restore his life. The spirit tries to convince him to let them lay Kazann to rest, but Sarunan refuses, so the spirits attack him.

---

Guard: Ugh...

Honey: ...

Sarunan: Is it over?

Sarunan breathes heavily as he looks at the guards on the ground all around him.

There's a moment of silence, and then another presence surrounds him.

Earth Spirit: Young soul bound to a spirit. What do you desire? For what reason do you fight?

Sarunan: I seek... a certain spell.

Sarunan: I can't sacrifice the lives of children. That's why I need a spell to restore my own life. That would be enough!

Earth Spirit: Perhaps, but there is unfortunately no spell on this island that can restore lost life.

Earth Spirit: To create a vessel for a spirit to possess and prolong its life... There's a reason such spells are forbidden.

Sarunan: But I'm running out of time. There has to be a way.

Earth Spirit: I have one suggestion.

Earth Spirit: Leave her with us so we can lay her to rest on this island.

Sarunan: Wha? You call that a suggestion?

Earth Spirit: Her given time has long since passed. You've forced her to live longer and sown seeds of conflict. Does she really wish for that?

Honey: ...

Earth Spirit: If you continue to fight, both of you will soon perish. We don't want you to die on this island too.

Earth Spirit: We can send her off without causing her further suffering. Young soul, what say you?

Sarunan: I say nay!

Sarunan: And didn't I tell you I'm running out of time?

Sarunan: I don't have a moment to spare for this useless talk!

Earth Spirit: Then our negotiations have failed. As such, we must resort to more forceful measures.

Spirits: ...

Sarunan: Tch! You're all but nameless spirits! You dare challenge the spirit Kazann?

Sarunan: This should be hilarious. Take your best shot, feeble ghosts!

Lost and Found: Scene 4

The guards try to use a spell to destroy Kazann, but Sarunan risks his life to stop it. When the Erunes see how much he cares for her, they offer a bit of their own lives to him. He regrets his behavior and looks forward to one day returning to their town with Kazann after she has been reincarnated.

---

Sarunan: Pant... Wheeze...

Sarunan: Damn it! I've got little time left as it is without spirits trying to shorten it!

Honey: ...

Sarunan: Don't worry, Honey. I'll get us off this island shortly.

Honey: ...

Sarunan: Honey?

Honey: ...

Sarunan: What's wrong? Why won't you say anything? Why do you look so sad?

Sarunan doesn't understand at first why Honey is acting so dejected.

He mulls it over for a while, and then it occurs to him.

Sarunan: ...!

Sarunan: (What have I done?)

Sarunan: (I deprived her of her free will and forced her to do my bidding...)

Honey: ...

Sarunan: I'm sorry.

Sarunan: I'm so sorry.

The guardian spirits of the town have used up all of their energy, and nothing around Sarunan moves.

Sarunan stares blankly at Honey, tormented by regrets that can never be made right.

Honey: ...

Honey: ...!

Sarunan: Honey! What is this?

Guard: It's one of the spells you were so eager to learn.

Guard: No matter how strong the spirit, once it's swallowed by this circle, there's no coming back!
Begone, evil spirit!

Guard: If you had just cooperated, she wouldn't have had to suffer on her way out.

Sarunan: Honey!

Honey: ...

Sarunan: You're giving up? No! You can break it!

Honey: ...

Sarunan: What do you mean it's better this way? No. I won't let them take you!

Sarunan: Aahh!

Guard: What? You fool! No mortal can pass through that circle! Get out!

Sarunan: I won't let you die! If you don't have enough power...

Sarunan: Then use what little remains of my life to break the spell!

Honey: ...

Sarunan: No, I won't. I'm not leaving, Honey.

Guard: Damn it! Hey! Break the circle! Now!

Honey: ...

Sarunan: ...

Guard: Reckless idiot.

Earth Spirit: Gather all of the Erunes on the island.

Guard: Okay, fine.

Responding to the guards' summons, the Erunes begin to gather around Sarunan.

They chant an incantation and touch his staff one after another, apparently performing some sort of ritual.

Sarunan: You guys... What are you doing to Honey?

Guard: We're not causing her any harm. Just keep lying there.

Guard: This is another one of our spells. We've given you a bit of our own life force. It will linger in your staff for a while.

Guard: This should give you a year or two during which you won't have to use up your own life. It doesn't really solve your problem though.

Sarunan: You can store life force in a staff? I never knew this was possible.

Honey: ...

Earth Spirit: There's a reason the spell you used is forbidden. The only way to keep the caster alive is to share the life force of others with them.

Earth Spirit: There was a similar incident on the island long ago. An entire family was destroyed.

Guard: Ever since then, we have deemed spirits whose lives are extended through that spell to be evil and have avoided them.

Sarunan: Then why are you helping me?

Guard: Well, I can understand why you wouldn't want to lose a beloved spirit.

Guard: And we don't want you dying here either. Seriously.

Sarunan: I'm so sorry. I've done such terrible things to you.

Guard: What's done is done. I'm just glad there were no fatalities. But don't ever tell anyone what happened here.

Guard: We don't have nearly enough life force to deal with any more people like you.

Sarunan: I promise never to harm you again. I'm in your debt.

Guard: And do try to stay out of lethal magic circles from now on. Don't waste the gift we've given you.

Sarunan: Of course.

Sarunan spends the rest of the day going around town and apologizing for what he has done.

Some scold him for his actions, but most are sympathetic and kind, perhaps because they understand the tragedy of the curse.

Sarunan: ...

Honey: ...

Vyrn: Hey, are you okay? You look even worse than before.

Sarunan: I just deeply regret what I've done.

Sarunan: I'll return to that town one day to repay them, with Honey by my side.

Honey: ...

Lyria: I see. Then we have to make it to Estalucia no matter what.

Sarunan: That's right. The people asked me about my situation, so I told them how I was exiled from my hometown after using the forbidden spell...

Honey: ...

Lyria: What? They said you could live with them after Honey gets a body?

Sarunan: Yes. If I find a way to deal with the adverse effects of the spell I cast, they would like to know as well.

Vyrn: I see! That definitely sounds like a reason to come back!

Sarunan: ...

Lyria: Sarunan, is something wrong? You're starting to look really pale.

Sarunan: Ugh... Perhaps it's because I've suddenly stopped sharing my life energy...

Sarunan: But I feel extremely sluggish.

Sarunan: I'm going to return to my room. I think I might finally be able to sleep.

As soon as he gets to his room, Sarunan collapses into his bed, not even bothering with a blanket, and closes his eyes.

Sarunan: Zzz...

Honey: ...

Thus Sarunan is freed from having his life siphoned away—at least for a while.

Honey watches over him as he at last manages to sleep, his face peaceful.