Scenario:Sutera - Tearing Through Illusions

Tearing Through Illusions

Sutera first speaks with the ruffians who have been harassing the villagers and extorting them. With a threat of physical violence, she forces them to agree to her terms. Then she speaks with the man who manages the town's training grounds, but he refuses to let the villagers practice there. When Sutera returns to the hub, she finds to her growing frustration that the ruffians have harassed the villagers even worse than before.

---

After some time apart, Sutera finally meets with people from her village once more. She immediately senses something amiss in their behavior.

The villagers reluctantly admit that due to their lack of knowledge about the outside world, they are having quite a few issues living in it.

Sutera resolves to help them, feeling that it is her duty as a guardian to do so.

Vyrn: So how are we gonna do this?

Sutera: Our first priority should be speaking with the people who have been taking advantage of the villagers.

Sutera: They've been selling substandard merchandise and forcing unsanctioned tolls, among other things.

Lyria: That's horrible... We have to get them to stop!

Vyrn: I'm on board, but... You really think these are the kinda people you can reason with?

Goon: Well, well, whadda we have 'ere?

Sutera: You know the trouble you are causing. Quarreling won't do either side any good, so why don't we come to an understanding?

Goon: An understandin'? Hehe... I'd rather pick that fight instead, thanks.

Sutera: My people are not helpless. If you decide to do so, you and your fellows won't leave unscathed.

Goon: That a threat? Yer real funny. If that were true, your little buddies shoulda been fightin' back this whole time.

Sutera: You... You purposely took advantage of them knowing they couldn't, didn't you? Cowards!

Vyrn: Huh? What's that mean?

Sutera: It would be the outsiders who take the blame for a ruckus caused, not the locals.

Sutera: Especially outsiders who are already in hot water with the other locals.

Sutera: Meaning these thugs can do whatever they please to the ones who have lower social standing.

Aster: That's awful! You shouldn't do that!

Goon: Now you're making a whole lotta assumptions, aren't ya? You really wanna throw down—

One of Sutera's arrows swiftly strikes the ground in front of the man's toes.

Goon: Eep! Y-you... You're an outsider too, y'know!

Sutera: But I am not one living on this island. The ones who are, however, can use a bow just as well as I can.

Sutera: Should you continue to abuse them, you might find yourself the target next time.

Sutera: Are you foolish enough to try your luck?

Goon: Aight... You've made yer point. Those stupid country nobodies ain't worth our time anyway!

As the unruly bullies walk away, Aster pops out of her hiding spot.

Aster: Sutera, that was amazing! You were so cool!

Sutera: Phew... I was more nervous than anything else. Hopefully using such a method wasn't too much.

Vyrn: Pffft, nah! Punks like them won't learn otherwise!

Sutera: So you say, but...

Sutera: Ah! No, I can't let myself be deterred now. We should make for our next destination.

The group leaves to visit an older resident of the town.

Well known in the community, the man manages a training facility outside the town.

Townsperson: I don't care if you're here on their behalf. Those outsiders aren't allowed to use the practice space anymore.

Sutera: But... You didn't have a problem with them until recently. What happened?

Townsperson: The town's grown since I first built this place. Naturally the number of people requesting to train here has grown too.

Townsperson: Everyone wants to be able to defend themselves against monsters, yeah?

Townsperson: So I let your pals in to train at first. But everything got way too packed. They had to go.

Townsperson: Otherwise tensions would've gotten out of hand, a fight would've broken out, and a bunch of folks would've been hurt on my property.

Townsperson: Newcomers have to be the first ones to go. They should be thankful I even considered letting them on the grounds in the first place.

Sutera: According to the reports I've heard, there aren't any other spaces left nearby. How are the guardians supposed to practice...

Townsperson: Guardians? I don't know what the heck you're going on about, but what's that got to do with me?

Sutera: You have suitable equipment prepared in your training areas. Please, could you reconsider—

Townsperson: Oh, put a sock in it! I told you already, I don't have the space! Now scram!

Vyrn: Hey! What're you bein' all rude for, huh?

Townsperson: Shut yer trap, lizard! Straitlaced prudes like you guys are just the worst!

Vyrn: I ain't no lizard!

Lyria: Vyrn, please calm down! (Captain), help!

(Captain) settles the group down and requests that the man keeps negotiations open. In exchange, the crew would keep the villagers from coming to the grounds.

Townsperson: Hmph... Whatever. Doesn't matter how many times you bother: my mind's not changing.

Sutera: ...

Vyrn: The heck was wrong with that guy? What a jerk!

Sutera: He had a valid reason, though he could have chosen his words a bit more carefully.

Sutera: I wasn't sure how to counter his points. (Captain), I have you to thank for salvaging the situation.

Aster: It's okay, Sutera! We can still do this!

Sutera: You're right... It won't do to wallow in setbacks. Let's head to the next location.

The crew treks all over town, attempting to solve the issues between villagers and townspeople.

Each issue, however, proves to be difficult for Sutera to solve.

Vyrn: Phew... Finally made it back.

(Captain) and crew return to the community building for the villagers.

As they do, they notice a strange abundance of trash scattered in front.

Sutera: What happened here?

Villager 1: Those goons paid us a visit, of course. Came and left us trouble like they always do.

The villagers diligently gather the trash, their expressions clouded by resignation.

Vyrn: So why're you the ones pickin' it all up?

Vyrn: We gotta find those punks and teach 'em a lesson!

Villager 2: They ran off before we could do anything. Then other townspeople came and told us to pick everything up right away...

Sutera: This is all my fault! I've failed in my duties as a guardian...

Guardian: You shouldn't blame yourself for this, Sutera.

Aster: Exactly! You did your best to fix things!

Sutera: Aster, doing one's best isn't enough.

Aster: Huh?

Sutera: A guardian of the village must obtain results. Lives are not saved by going through the motions of an attempt.

Aster: Sutera...

Seeing Sutera so dejected, (Captain) gives her an encouraging pat, then moves to assist the garbage cleanup.

Tearing Through Illusions: Scene 2

As the days pass, Sutera's efforts to fix the villagers' issues with the townspeople continue to fail, and the harassment from the ruffians escalates by the day. The villagers, feeling more hopeless than ever, are paid a visit by Sutera, who lets slip she thinks their lives may have been better back when they were trapped on their home island with the Forbidding One. Sensing some truth in her words, the villagers discuss their next move.

---

Townsperson: I told you, you're wasting your time! Beat it!

Sutera: Please, at least hear me out. All I'm asking for is a bit of your time.

Townsperson: There's nothin' for me to hear! My training grounds are full, and I don't want trouble! Now scram!

Sutera: Sigh...

The crew watches worriedly as Sutera sighs at another failed negotiation attempt.

With the thugs' harassment escalating day by day as well, the villagers' position grows worse and worse.

Villager 1: Sigh... Who knew the outside world was this tough to live in?

Villager 2: What a joke we are... And Sutera's trying so hard for our sakes.

Guardian: She's a true guardian. I could never hope to compare, especially when we are this indebted to her.

Guardian: Hm? Sutera, is that you? Why are you here alone?

Sutera: I came to apologize. My ineptitude has caused everyone to be subjected to more distress...

Villager 2: You don't have to apologize. We know you're doing all you can to aid us.

Guardian: As a fellow guardian, I can tell you are doing far better than I could've, especially considering my inexperience.

Sutera: The fact still stands that my efforts burdened you with more issues. I am truly ashamed.

Sutera: With the situation the way it is...

Sutera: Perhaps the village would have been better off if the Forbidding One had been left alone and the balance between them undisturbed.

Guardian: A-are you seriously saying things were better when the Forbidding One was around?

Sutera: Everyone would have remained back home on the island if nothing had changed.

Sutera: All this struggling could have been avoided. Am I wrong?

Villagers: ...

Sutera: The Forbidding One was an ever present threat, but it was a dormant one that allowed for our village to live in relative peace.

Guardian: I can understand how you'd see it that way, but...

Sutera: As a fellow guardian, do you think we did all we could for the villagers?

Guardian: Th-that's...

Sutera: The Forbidding One is actually a primal beast known as Marduk.

Sutera: Metera defeated it, but it wasn't slain. It's still sleeping in that cave.

Sutera: It proved to us that it can prey on others' insecurities and revive itself.

Sutera: Which means it might do so again in the future... As for what we would do then...

Sutera opens her mouth as if to continue, but shakes her head a moment later.

Sutera: Excuse me. Please forget what I've just said.

Sutera: The point I wanted to make was that living on the island with the Forbidding One might not have been that bad. That's all.

Sutera takes her leave without another word, and the room fills with stunned silence in her absence. Eventually another person speaks.

Villager 1: Do you think she maybe had a point?

Villager 2: She wasn't wrong... We did have a good thing going. I'm starting to believe it was a mistake to fight it.

Guardian: ...

Villager 1: You think so too, right?

Guardian: She said the Forbidding One can revive itself...

Discussions open between the villagers as they digest what they have heard.

Tearing Through Illusions: Scene 3

Aster learns that the villagers are preparing to revive the Forbidding One. Sutera invites Aster to join them, but an arrow from the real Sutera pierces through her and reveals the imposter for the illusion that she is. The culprit is the Forbidding One, and it forms itself from the possessed villagers and attacks.

---

Townsperson: You really don't know when to quit either, huh? Kinda scary how persistent you are. But my answer's still a no.

He slams the door in Sutera's face.

Sutera: (If Metera were here, she would know exactly what to do.)

Sutera: (But I'm still as lost as ever...)

Outside of town, Aster makes a desperate run for the training grounds.

Aster: Pant... What are you all doing?

She takes in the sight of the guardians shooting targets and the other villagers sparring with swords and spears.

Guardian: Aster, what are you doing here?

Aster: Your neighbors told me you came to the training area!

Aster: You know you're not supposed to use it!

Aster: Otherwise, all the effort Sutera and (Captain) put in to get you permission will go to waste!

Villager 1: We don't have a choice. We need to be ready for when the time comes...

Villager 2: Being prepared for anything is crucial. Besides, nobody else is using the training grounds right now. It shouldn't matter that we're here.

Aster: This place belongs to the townpeople! We can't just use it because it's empty!

Aster: What are you trying to prepare for anyway?

Guardian: We are going to head home and revive the Forbidding One.

Aster: Th-that's not funny! Sutera and Metera already defeated it!

Guardian: Defeated, not killed. It slumbers now, but Sutera informed us that a revival is possible.

Aster: Sutera did?

Villager 2: Monsters dwell near the cave where the Forbidding One sleeps. That is why we must ready ourselves.

Guardian: The villagers still living on the island might get in our way as well. They are not opponents we can fight without practice.

Villager 1: They won't understand the significance of the Forbidding One's return. They will resist.

Aster: Significance? Resist? What are you talking about?

Villager 2: We finally realized the Forbidding One is necessary for our existence.

Villager 2: None of our suffering outside the village would have occurred if balance had been maintained and we had stayed home.

Aster: But that doesn't mean you need to revive it now! It's dangerous—

Sutera: I will admit it has risks.

Aster: Sutera! Please tell me this revival stuff is just one bad joke.

Sutera: Oh, Aster. The peace of the village only lasted so long because of the delicate balance created by the existence of the Forbidding One.

Sutera: It gave us a purpose too. But everything was lost when the Forbidding One was struck down. We have suffered because of it.

Sutera: To right the mistake we have made, we must return the village to the state it once was. Revival is our only course.

Aster: No...

Sutera: Aster, you're still young. You may not understand the important of balance yet, but one day you will.

Sutera: Help us—

Aster: Ah!

For a moment, it appears as if Sutera has been fatally shot by an arrow.

Aster: You're not Sutera! You're a monster! Which means the person who shot the arrow is...

Aster turns to see a familiar figure emerge from where the arrow originated.

Sutera: Aster, are you hurt?

Aster: Sutera!

Sutera makes her way over to Aster, glancing down at the fading monster by their feet.

Sutera: My resolution to guide our people forward has not changed in the slightest.

Sutera: A guardian like myself would never wish to revive the Forbidding One.

Aster: Exactly what I thought!

Aster: I just didn't expect a monster pretending to be you...

Sutera: And attempting to spur conflict. Of this I am certain.

Guardian: Do you intend to get in our way?

Aster: What are you talking about? The real Sutera is right here! You were listening to a fake!

Villagers: ...

The villagers raise their blades and aim their bows in response.

Sutera: They're too consumed by animosity to be reasoned with. This has to be...

Aster: Look! Something's happening to their bodies!

A thick, black miasma spills from the villagers, flowing to the ground and pooling into one mass. It bubbles and swells into a recognizable shape.

The Forbidding One: ...!

Aster: Th-the Forbidding One? But how is it here?

Sutera: This isn't the one we're familiar with! Metera already took care of it, and I doubt it could form itself again.

Sutera: But if small pieces of the original hitched a ride in their bodies and managed to possess them...

From behind Sutera and Aster, new footsteps rapidly approach.

Lyria: Sutera! Aster!

Sutera: (Captain)!

Vyrn: Lyria sensed a primal beast while we were out and about in town!

Vyrn: I dunno what's happenin', but it doesn't look so good. Whatever it is, we've got your back!

Sutera: Thank you! May I ask for your assistance in dealing with our friends then?

Aster: Please be careful! They're being possessed!

Vyrn: Gotta be careful we don't hurt them, huh? Gonna be tough to hold back and deal with a primal beast at the same time.

Sutera: Leave the Forbidding One to Aster and I!

Sutera: Us guardians can handle this! Aster, to me!

Aster: I'm right behind you!

The Forbidding One: ...!

Tearing Through Illusions: Scene 4

Sutera defeats the Forbidding One and erases all traces of it with her magic bow. Instead of celebrating, however, she immediately scolds the villagers, but also lets them know the good news: Sutera's continued efforts have convinced the training facility's manager to allow the villagers in. Excited and inspired, the villagers vow not to give up so easily again. Aster's respect for Sutera grows, though Sutera herself sees that she still has a long way before she's become a worthy guardian.

---

Sutera: Say goodbye!

The Forbidding One: ...!

Sutera: Raaah!

Sutera fires arrow after arrow, pelting into the Forbidding One and chipping away at its very being.

Aster: (Whoa! The way Sutera's radiating power right now...)

Aster: (It's almost like watching Metera take down the Forbidding One again!)

Aster: (Metera can shoot faster, but Sutera has pinpoint accuracy!)

The bright stream of magic arrows bores into every fragment of the primal beast. Once the dust settles, it is clear that not a single trace is left behind.

Sutera: Phew... That should be the end of it.

Aster: That was awesome! You're really a master of the magic bow now!

Sutera: You exaggerate... But I do admit that I've gotten better at using it.

Sutera: It almost seems as if the bow responds to my resolve to protect our people. The stronger my feelings, the more powerful my arrows fly...

Vyrn: Hey, looks like the villagers are back to normal!

Lyria: Sutera, you were able to hit such tiny pieces! That was incredible to watch!

Sutera: Thank you very much. But that wasn't anything compared to Metera defeating the original primal beast.

Vyrn: Speakin' of which, how'd that thing even show up here anyway?

Sutera: The original probably planned to seek outside help while laying dormant inside the cave.

Lyria: Outside help...

Sutera: Fragments of its power laid inside the villagers, slowly gathering strength and eventually deceiving them with illusions. Once ready, it tried to bring them back to the island.

Vyrn: But your old man and a buncha other people are still waiting back home, right? Would that kinda plan really work?

Sutera: Everyone definitely would resist and counterattack, but that might have been exactly what it wanted.

Sutera: The Forbidding One feeds off of conflict, after all. A fight like that would have been the perfect catalyst for its revival.

Guardian: Sutera... So we were completely deceived by its illusions.

Villager 1: To think we would raise our weapons at Sutera and Aster... We are truly pathetic.

Lyria: But... It really wasn't your fault.

Sutera: Excuse me, Lyria. Allow me to handle this.

Lyria: Huh?

Sutera: Truth be told, this incident could have been avoided if everyone had their wits about them.

Villager 2: Right...

Sutera: The Forbidding One prompts violence, but only from sources where it already lies in wait.

Sutera: I understand the outside world is hard. However, we are not alone in our struggle to live in it.

Sutera: Others have been just as or even more unfortunate in their circumstances. Do not ever forget this fact.

As Sutera reprimands her brethren, (Captain) and the others watch from a safe distance.

Vyrn: Whoa, what's happenin'? You ever see Sutera get this mad before?

Aster: Part of being a guardian means scolding the villagers when necessary.

Aster: She's not mad. She's doing her best to make sure everyone can live happily in the future.

Lyria: I can tell she's truly worried. She really is a super kind person!

Aster: She sure is! She's the nicest person I know!

The scolding ends with Sutera asking the villagers to correspond with her on a more frequent basis.

She explains that she intends to remain informed of their worries and any issues they have in the future.

Aster: How did you find us in the first place? I thought you were making rounds through town.

Sutera: Oh. I almost forgot to mention...

Townsperson: Sigh... Fine. I give up, okay? I've lost. Use the training facility for all I care.

Sutera: Really? I don't know how I can ever repay you! Thank you so much!

Sutera: But why did you change your mind out of the blue?

Townsperson: Guess I couldn't help but be impressed by your persistence.

Townsperson: Plus I gave it a little more consideration. Figured there was still a little bit of space we could squeeze you into.

Townsperson: In exchange though...

Sutera: It seems that he's planning on expanding the training area soon, and he wants our help to do so.

Sutera: The other condition is that you concede your space to others whenever the facility appears full.

Sutera: I was searching for you all to tell you this.

Sutera: Though I'm sorry to say that this is the only thing I managed to accomplish, as I had my hands completely full with it.

Guardian: Y-you're sorry? How could you be sorry for doing something incredible for our sakes?

Villager 2: We're the ones who should be apologizing. And thanking you too! We are utterly in your debt!

Sutera: Please. You should be thanking the training facility manager instead.

Vyrn: Color me impressed. Can't believe you actually managed to get that guy to agree!

Sutera: I didn't do anything special. I simply didn't give up...

Although Sutera tries to be humble, it is evident that her resilience is what convinced the man to reconsider.

Sutera: There are still many issues left to resolve, including the current bad blood with those hooligans...

Villager 1: You don't have to worry about that! We already owe you so much!

Villager 2: We gave up too quick to do things on our own—embarrassingly so. Being in unfamiliar territory is no excuse.

Guardian: But you showed us exactly what it takes to see things through. You don't have to bother yourself over us anymore!

The gloomy clouds that were hanging over the villagers' heads have now cleared.

Aster: Looks like everyone's back in high spirits!

Sutera: So it appears. I'm relieved to see it.

Sutera: But please don't say that I shouldn't bother. We are family, all hailing from the same home.

Sutera: If ever you are troubled, we should work together to solve things.

Guardian: O-okay!

It is clear the villagers regard Sutera with trust from the look of admiration radiating in their eyes.

Before long, the combined efforts of the group solves the remaining issues, and the crew finally departs the island.

Sutera: Sigh... That was far too many failed attempts. I still have a lot more room to grow.

Aster: But that doesn't mean you weren't amazing! I really learned a lot!

Sutera: Aster, I'm an inexperienced guardian who can only tackle one task at a time.

Sutera: I was lucky this time around, so there really wasn't much to learn from...

Aster: No matter what you say, I'll always look up to you, Sutera! I'm sticking by your side through thick and thin!

With a determination to improve, Sutera quietly contemplates her duty as a guardian.

The villagers' trust in her has only grown from this encounter, though she has yet to realize it herself.