Scenario:Shiva - Sacred Dance
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Sacred Dance
The crew accepts an invitation to spend the night at the village the two children call home. They arrive to find that preparations are underway for a festival, one held for the sake of the island's economic development—to combat recent drought and outflow of residents. Shiva is impressed to see how far the villagers go to protect their homeland.
The crew is frolicking with two village children by the riverside.
As the sun begins to set, (Captain) and company say their goodbyes.
Boy: Aww! You're leaving already?
Lyria: Ahaha... Sorry, but we still need to find a place to stay for the night.
Vyrn: You kids better head back soon yourselves before it gets dark.
Girl: You don't have a place to stay tonight?
Boy: Why not sleep at our house!
Lyria: Huh? B-but wouldn't that be trouble for your parents?
Boy: Nah, it's fine!
Boy: Papa was sayin' it's gotten real lonely lately with how few travelers we've had! Trust me—Mama and Papa would be glad to have you over!
Boy: And we have a village festival starting soon! It'd be the perfect time for visitors!
Shiva: Oh? Tell me about this festival of yours.
Girl: Um, well... We decorate the village with flowers, and we sing and dance along.
Shiva: Sing and dance, you say? It sounds like a good time.
Shiva: I wish to see the sort of dance that's popular on this island.
Boy: You like dancing too, mister? Then you've gotta come with us!
Girl: I'm hoping you'll say yes... I'd love to talk some more.
Vyrn: Welp, we might as well, since we need a place to hole up for the night anyway.
Seeing that they have no urgent tasks ahead of them, (Captain) readily agrees.
Boy: Hurray! Last one to the village is a rotten egg!
Girl: Brother, wait! Sigh... Off he goes.
Lyria: Ahaha... Your brother sure is energetic!
Girl: Sorry, he's always like that.
Girl: Um, I'll show you to the village. It's this way.
After letting out a deep sigh, the girl leads them upstream.
Girl: Um... So this is our village.
Lyria: Wow! What a lively place!
Lyria: The bright red flowers everywhere are beautiful!
Girl: They're called jasmines and are supposed to represent the village.
Lyria: Oh... I guess that explains why they're everywhere.
The village is in a jovial mood as everyone prepares for the upcoming festival.
Shiva: I see a ray of sunshine in everyone's smile. I can tell they're excited to hold this event.
Girl: Mm-hm, we love festivals so much that we have one four times a year.
Boy: Guys! Over here!
The boy calls out to the crew amid the hustle and bustle, waving his arms enthusiastically as the man beside him dips his head deferentially.
Girl: Brother! What were you thinking leaving our guests behind like that!
Boy: Sorry... I got caught up in the heat of the moment...
The man beside the boy speaks up.
Father: My son told me everything. You're more than welcome to stay the night.
Father: And if you're not in a hurry, we'd love to have you for the festival two days from now.
Choose: We'll take you up on the offer.
Lyria: Thank you so much! I'm looking forward to the festival!
Father: The more, the merrier.
Father: Thanks for taking time out of your busy schedules to join us.
Choose: We wouldn't want to trouble you...
Father: It's no trouble at all! You looked out for my kids earlier, and I'm just paying you back.
Continue 1
Father: You must be tired. Shall I show you to the house?
Shiva: Hm...
Vyrn: What's wrong? Something about the village botherin' ya?
Shiva: I'd prefer we take a walk around the village first, if that's all right with you.
Father: Of course. I'll be glad to show you around.
Father: Kids, you go on ahead and help out Mama.
Boy & Girl: Okay!
After seeing his children off, the man turns to the crew.
Father: Well then, shall we get going? Though I should warn you we're still in the midst of preparations, so there won't be much to see.
They begin moving through the crowds.
Lyria: I heard you have a festival four times a year?
Father: Yes. We really love our festivals, though that's not the only reason we hold them so often.
Vyrn: Tell us about it.
Father: It's for economic development. There were once so many more villages on the island.
The continued poor harvest in recent years has led to many islanders leaving for good, causing a rise in the number of abandoned villages.
This particular village, being one of the few to be blessed with bountiful harvest, has been doing its best to preserve the island.
Father: We're fortunate in that our traditional dances have been popular enough to spread to neighboring islands. We're trying to leverage that.
Vyrn: Doesn't it start to get old if you keep doing the same dance over and over though, even if it is mega-popular?
Father: Haha, you're definitely right about that. Outside this village, the dance doesn't seem to be in fashion anymore. And we have fewer and fewer visitors every year...
Father: That's why we've been changing things up, by incorporating recent trends into our song and dance.
Furthermore, they've been looking into crops that grow even on infertile land and establishing new industries with whatever resources are available on the island.
On top of that, they're also trying to revitalize some of the deserted villages by maintaining them and setting them up as lodging camps.
Lyria: You're doing so much... You must really love the island.
Father: Our ancestors built this place up. It's only natural that we'd want to protect it.
Shiva: Yet no matter how hard you might try, this land no longer has the life force to support a large population.
Shiva: And what little vitality remains in the land will not last for long.
Shiva: Knowing that, do you still wish to safeguard this island?
After a moment of hesitation, the man responds with a wry smile.
Father: As long as there's a possibility of things getting better, we're willing to continue doing our best to preserve the island.
Father: The island's indigenous jasmine flowers, its mountains and rivers, its grasslands, its distinctive culture...
Father: We don't want to give up all these things our ancestors worked so hard to leave behind for us.
Father: We're proud of our heritage, and we live every day trying to uphold it.
Father: Ah, sorry if that came off as a bit arrogant.
Shiva: You have shown me the resolve of your people. The love you have for your motherland makes your souls sparkle, and that is a beautiful thing.
The man scratches his chin, bashful at Shiva's response.
Villager: Ah, there you are! Can I borrow you for a sec? There's something I've gotta double-check with you.
Father: Sure thing. Sorry, guys, but I have to see to this.
The man goes off to tend to his business.
Shiva: So this is how the children of man cultivate and pass on everything they are, everything they know, to future generations.
Lyria: Shiva?
Shiva: In the face of overwhelming despair, they grasp onto the sliver of hope they have and press on.
Shiva: Perhaps it is due to their efforts that life continues to blossom on this island.
Choose: Can't underestimate people.
Shiva: Indeed. The strength of people lies not just in their wisdom, but also in their way of life.
Shiva: My adherent, I once witnessed a miracle that came true by way of your prayer.
Shiva: The dazzling spark of the soul holds the power to overcome utter despair and overturn the cruelest of fates. Such is the power of the children of man.
Choose: This is one heck of a village.
Shiva: Yes, my adherent. The people of this village resemble you in many ways.
Shiva: From their unbreakable will to the incessant spark of their souls...
Shiva: Such dazzling power represents the potential of the children of man.
Continue 2
Shiva: So they resist the island's ruin by putting on a festival... I look forward to seeing it for myself.
Having learned about these islanders who are doing everything they can to protect their home and their heritage...
(Captain) and Shiva silently pray for the villagers' good fortune.
Sacred Dance: Scene 2
The crew runs into monsters in the woods while gathering nuts for the upcoming festival. After clearing the monster nest and purifying the tainted region, Shiva lends (Captain) a portion of his powers should the need arise later.
Father: I'm sorry to have to ask you for help with festival preparations...
Vyrn: No worries! All we've gotta do is gather nuts from the woods, right?
Father: Yes. I believe you'll be fine, but please be careful of monsters, as they do appear from time to time.
Father: And take care of my children as well!
Lyria: We will! You can count on it!
The next day...
As thanks for the family's hospitality, the crew goes to the woods to run an errand.
Lyria: Um... It's the red ones we have to gather, right?
Girl: Uh-huh, there's some on this tree. The green nuts aren't ripe yet, so we only want the red ones.
Vyrn: Found one. Doesn't look edible; what's it for?
Boy: We tie them together with string to fashion accessories. We each put one on for the festival.
Girl: They're very popular as souvenirs among travelers. For the souvenir kind, we also attach beads to make them sparkle.
Lyria: Sounds great. I can't wait to collect lots and lots of nuts!
Girl: Mm!
The crew splits up to look for nuts in the woods.
Shiva: ...
Vyrn: Somethin' on your mind, Shiva?
Shiva: A malicious presence approaches. I do not expect it to pose much of a threat, but we would do well to keep a close eye on the children.
(Captain) takes a defensive stance while surveying their surroundings.
Boy: Uwaaagh!
Vyrn: Over there!
Small Monster: ...
Boy: Get away from me!
Small Monster: ...!
Boy: Aiiee!
(Captain) rushes in and cleaves the monster in two before it can do any harm to the boy.
Lyria: A-are you okay?
Boy: Yeah... Thanks.
Shiva: Red Dragon, Girl in Blue. Bring the children back to the village.
Vyrn: Huh? Oh, all right! You be careful!
After confirming that the others have retreated to safety, Shiva and (Captain) turn their sights to the monster corpse on the ground.
Shiva: Have you noticed too, my adherent?
(Captain) is rendered speechless at what happens to the corpse.
Small Monster: ...
The felled monster stands back up, the bile from its wounds staining the ground with a foul stench.
Choose: It's like what happened at that village.
Shiva: Yes. This monster, too, has been visited by impurities.
Shiva: And chances are this is not the only one. There are likely similar cases elsewhere on the island.
Shiva: We should find the nest before this plague spreads any further.
Readjusting their grips on their weapons, the two proceed deeper into the woods.
The land grows more barren and the stench more foul the further they go.
The two finally stop before a horde of monsters wriggling around the hollow of a large tree.
Small Monster: ...
Choose: Is that the end of it?
Shiva: I sense no more monsters. However...
Despite having scorched all the monsters, Shiva's expression remains stiff.
Shiva: The taint of a distant land dispersed over this island. That is why the vegetation here is no longer sustainable.
Shiva: The monsters you cut down acted as they did because the taint entered and permeated their bodies.
Shiva: It's a good thing the village is separated from these woods by a river. Otherwise all that dwell there would have perished by now.
A flame stirs in Shiva's hand.
Shiva: I shall purify the land with my flames.
Shiva: The soil can still be salvaged. As long as I clear the impurities, I believe plant life can take root here once more after a long period of respite.
Shiva: Do not worry, my adherent. The village will not be affected.
Flames spew forth from Shiva's hands and engulf the vegetation.
As the woods around them turn to ash, Shiva speaks with a stern expression.
Shiva: I will grant you a portion of my power. Do not hesitate to use it should such a need arise.
A flame on Shiva's fingertips moves over to (Captain)'s hand before fading away.
Understanding what must be done if the situation arises, the captain offers a resolute nod.
Sacred Dance: Scene 3
Tainted monsters show up at the village festival on the following day. Strengthened by the children's prayers, Shiva fights alongside (Captain) to free the village of monsters. His flames of purification then work wonders, bringing about a rain of rebirth that breathes life into the land. They celebrate with a sacred dance.
After a night's peaceful rest, it is now the day of the festival.
The delightfully clement weather brings with it an abundance of tourists. Lively conversation fills the air from an early hour.
Lyria: We were already seeing some activity this morning, but this is incredible! The village is so full of life!
Vyrn: There's so much to see, I don't even know where to get started...
Stalls and stage platforms of all sizes line the streets; the locals do their best to keep the crowds entertained.
Boy: Hey! Miss Skyfarer!
(Captain) and company turn around to see the siblings, adorned with jasmine flowers, running up to them.
Boy: You should come check us out on the stage!
Girl: We're going to put on a show with the other children in the village!
Lyria: Ooh, that sounds fun! Where can we see it?
Boy: We'll be doing it at the big stage in the center of the village!
The boy points to the central stage, where a dance performance is currently being held.
Shiva: Ah, is that the island's traditional dance that your father spoke of?
Girl: Mm-hm. It's something we do in honor of our ancestors.
Girl: It's a way of saying thank you and good night to them.
Shiva: A requiem for their souls, I see. I've never seen dance moves like that.
Shiva: Let us go, my adherents. The performance of the adults interests me just as much.
Vyrn: Hey, wait for us!
Boy: We've gotta get ready! Catch ya later!
Lyria: Okay, good luck!
The crew wades through the crowds to get a better view of the stage.
Shiva: ...
Vyrn: Whoa! Didn't expect you to suddenly stop... Somethin' grab your attention?
Shiva's expression turns grim as he looks around the stage.
Shiva: I sense negative energies. This must be...
???: Uwaaagh!
Accompanying the screams is the sound of stalls on the street corners crashing to the ground.
Vyrn: Whatever that smell is, it's makin' my head hurt...
(Captain) and company cover their faces as flower petals carrying a terribly noxious odor are blown their way.
Monster: ...
A horde of monsters scattering their stench and bile show up, chasing after the scrambling villagers.
Vyrn: The smell's coming from those monsters! We'd better send 'em packing!
Vyrn: Darn it! It's impossible to get through all these crowds!
Lyria: P-please let us through! We're trying to save everyone!
Lyria doesn't get much of a response amid the ensuing panic. The monsters continue to amass their forces while the crew remains stuck.
Boy: Stop!
Vyrn: It's that kid!
A pair of brave siblings in a corner of the village stands defiant to the monsters as other villagers cower behind them.
Boy: We put so much into this festival! You baddies are ruining everything!
Monster: ...!
Boy: Eep!
Girl: B-Brother!
Boy: It's okay... I'll protect you!
Monster: ...!
Girl: Aiieee!
Vyrn: Too close for comfort! You kids all right?
(Captain) had managed to push through the crowds and reach the siblings before it was too late.
Monster: ...
Vyrn: Eww... This one's still slitherin' about even though it's on fire...
Shiva: These monsters are no different from the ones we encountered at the ruins earlier. Dead they may appear, they continue moving as an embodiment of impurities.
Shiva: Only when the impurities are thoroughly purged will the monsters be vanquished.
Lyria: Oh no... This is really bad for everyone!
Intent on protecting as much of the village as they can, they go around torching the monsters and stopping them in their tracks.
Seeing what they're capable of, the chagrined boy clenches his fists and speaks up.
Boy: I've gotta say... You guys are real strong.
Shiva: ...
Boy: So please... Save our village!
In that very instant, the flames engulfing the monsters grow in intensity.
Shiva: Is that your wish, child?
Boy: I'll do anything I can... Please!
Shiva: Then pray. Your wish for salvation shall grant me strength.
Girl: Pray?
Shiva: Indeed. It is by prayer that miracles are born.
Shiva: I grant salvation to the children of man. Seeing that it is what you seek, I am ready to offer it.
The siblings trade knowing glances, then look back up to Shiva.
Boy: In Shiva we trust! Save our village...
Girl: We beg of you... Please!
Monster: ...!
Shiva: For trampling upon everything these children of man poured their hearts and souls into protecting...
Shiva: You evildoers shall be reduced to ash by the power of my flames.
A sea of flames spreads out and overtakes the monsters.
Monster: ...
Lyria: (Captain), here they come!
Severely weakened by the inferno, (Captain) cuts down the encroaching creatures with ease.
Shiva: My adherent, what is it you wish for?
Shiva: For what do you swing your blade? Tell me.
Shiva: So it is the same with you.
Choose: To fulfill the wish of those children!
Shiva: Very well. Your prayer strengthens the power of my purification.
Shiva: So you swing your blade for them as well.
Continue 1
Shiva: Good. I am glad to have you as my adherent.
Shiva: May you exercise the fullest extent of your strength, so that we may bring about another miracle.
Together, (Captain) and Shiva leap into the monster-filled conflagration.
The monsters writhe in agony as their scorched flesh and sludge fall to the ground, scattering the fire all over.
The hellish landscape shows no signs of stopping, quickly spreading to the entire village.
And yet...
???: Beautiful...
How can anyone call this beautiful?
Oddly enough, that is the word on the tip of everyone's tongues.
Boy: That is way too cool!
Villager: It's like they're dancing with the flames...
The villagers find themselves spellbound by the rhythmic motions of (Captain) and Shiva as they move to and fro—slicing, dicing, dodging, and parrying as gracefully as dancers.
Girl: ...?
Noticing the moisture on her cheeks, the girl looks up to find an overcast sky.
Girl: Rain?
Countless raindrops silently pour onto the land.
The flames eventually die down, revealing a clear look at the village.
Shiva: It's over.
With not a single monster left in sight, a semblance of peace has been restored.
Villager: While the threat is gone, our village is...
Vyrn: This is pretty bad... The whole place has dried up; there's not a trace of greenery left...
Lyria: The festival decorations everyone worked so hard to make are ruined too...
The houses, touched by the monster rot, were quick to decay. Not a single blade of grass remains on the barren land.
Seeing what's become of their beloved homes, many a villager crumple to the ground, despair filling their hearts.
Shiva: No... Raise your heads and take a closer look.
Shiva: You've brought about a miracle.
The rays of sunshine peeping through the clouds give life to the village.
Boy: Ah! Jasmine flowers!
Girl: Over there too!
Before long, lush greenery spreads to the entire village.
It is now a breathtakingly picturesque vista that the sunbeams shine upon.
Villager: It's a miracle... The village has been reborn!
Father: Wh-who are you people to bring about such a miracle...
Surrounded by everyone's joyous cries, the father of the siblings looks at the crew in astonishment.
Shiva: The taint of the land was purified by my flames, the sacred embers of which entered into the atmosphere.
Shiva: My embers carried with them a great life force that transformed into the rain of rebirth upon reaching the clouds.
Vyrn: In other words, your flames did all the heavy lifting?
Shiva: To be precise, it is everyone's devout prayers that made this miracle possible.
Shiva: You have no one but yourselves to thank for this salvation, children of man. Be proud.
Father: We...
Father: Thank you so much... We can't thank you enough for saving the village!
(Captain) and company trade knowing glances and smile in response.
Boy: Wow! This is my first time seeing this flower! I wonder what it's called!
Girl: Brother, look! We've only seen nuts like that at the store before!
Boy: Heheh, this is such a blast! Just look at all the flowers in bloom!
Girl: Yeah... My eyes are going round and round just taking everything in!
Boy: You're not much of a dancer, are ya? This is how you do it!
Inspired by the siblings' contagious laughter, the villagers take out their instruments and play a celebratory tune.
The jovial mood spreads as more dancers enter the fray, as if the festival had never been interrupted from the start.
Vyrn: Heheh! Lovin' the music!
Lyria: Yeah! It makes me want to dance too!
Shiva: Hm... My thoughts exactly, Girl in Blue.
Shiva: In fact, I may just do that. My adherent, are you skilled in the ways of a dancer?
Shiva: Then let us join in on the celebration.
Boy: Ooh, we get to see you dance too? Hooray!
Girl: I'll play along with my flute!
Shiva puts on a riveting dance performance to go with the music, while (Captain) tries to keep up with the war god's moves.
Their flaming dance whips the crowds into a frenzy, instilling the village with feverish excitement.
Even as the sun sets and nightfall arrives, cheery laughter continues to fill the air.
The dances of Shiva and (Captain) etched into the villagers' minds, their tale will come to be told as the saviors of the island.
Categories:
- Scenario Character: Boy
- Scenario Character: Lyria
- Scenario Character: Vyrn
- Scenario Character: Girl
- Scenario Character: Shiva
- Scenario Character: Father
- Scenario Character: Boy & Girl
- Scenario Character: Villager
- Character Fate Scenario
- Scenario Character: Small Monster
- Fate Gender Check
- Scenario Character: ???
- Scenario Character: Monster