Scenario:Tanya - Warmth in Darkness

Warmth in Darkness

Tanya's chance encounter with her father's old friend, Shura, stirs memories of her parents, Corcia and Vina, from a decade ago. In order to pay for Vina's medical expenses, Corcia had become the captain of a band of agents run by the republic and set up an underground base. When Corcia led a kingdom—a major client—to victory and was refused payment, there was little that could be done as Vina passed away that night.

---

On the following morning, the crew members wake to find that Tanya is missing.

Lyria: Do you think Tanya's all right? She's been acting a little strange since yesterday.

Vyrn: I'd love to go searchin', but I dunno... We gotta go talk with the big cheese soon...

(Captain) decides to meet with the chancellor unaccompanied, leaving Vyrn and Lyria to search for Tanya.

Vyrn: So you wanna split up... Let's get goin' then!

The previous night, while (Captain) and the others yet slept...

Beneath the night-shrouded town, Tanya was facing off against a knife-wielding man.

Tanya: Shura! I should've known it wasn't just my imagination...

Shura: Tanya! I'm so sorry for attacking you! I'm just a little on edge...

He is Shura, an acquaintance of Tanya's father and precisely the person Tanya was searching for.

Shura: Let's move out. Go somewhere a little more familiar...

Tanya: Wow... A whole decade and nothing's changed...

Shura: That's right. I just stopped in yesterday, and I couldn't believe that everything was how we left it.

Shura: But you, Tanya... You've changed plenty.

Tanya: Yeah. A lot's happened...

Shura: I can't apologize to you enough. We left you all on your own back then!

As Shura bows his head deeply, Tanya seems to look off into the distance.

Tanya: Back then...

Memories that Tanya had long kept out of mind begin resurfacing.

A decade ago, Tanya's mother, Vina, fell ill and was bedridden.

To pay for her medical expenses, Tanya's father, Corcia, signed up with a well-paid team of agents newly formed by the republic.

Already a decorated veteran, Corcia was given command of this new team and established a base for it under the capital.

Tanya: Father, you have to teach me! How to fight as cool as you in the dark! And how to use a knife too!

Corcia: Come on... How many times have I told you to stay out of here? It's dangerous...

Shura: Hahaha! She's the captain's daughter all right. Got more flame in your belly than us.

Tanya: Ah...

As soon as Shura shows himself, Tanya hides behind her father's back.

Tanya: Shura... Uh... Hi...

Corcia: She's scared. Get back, Shura.

Shura: Ahaha... She only talks to you after all, Captain. Isn't that right?

Shura: Well, come back in time for our strategy council.

Once Shura is gone, Tanya steps out.

Tanya: Come on, Father! Hurry up!

Prodded on by Tanya, Corcia begins teaching battle tactics to his daughter.

This becomes a part of life in the underground base.

One day—

Tanya: Hey, Father! I can do the knife move you taught me all by myself now!

Team Member: Captain, this just isn't right! Today's mission was our biggest to date!

Shura: Our expedition was long, and we've lost more members than I want to think about! We can't let this stand!

Shortly before, the squad had engaged in a battle between two large kingdoms. Successfully barraging the enemy under cover of night, they led their client to victory.

However, the kingdom refused to pay, seeing little risk of reprisal from Corcia's tiny republic.

Corcia: The chancellor has tried negotiating again and again, but it's no use. Our hands are tied...

Shura: Who has time for politicians' excuses? Sure, the client this time was the kingdom, but in the end it's the republic who owes us our pay.

Corcia: The chancellor says he'll pay in the end. All we need to do is wait.

Shura: In the end? Just how do you expect us to put up with this?

Shura: If we get that fortune soon enough, then your wife—then Vina might—

Corcia: Don't make me repeat myself again.

Corcia: The chancellor's doing everything he can for the kingdom. We just need to be patient for a while more.

Shura: All right... If you say so, Captain...

Tanya: (I want to go home now...)

From a distance, Tanya watches the squad members go their own ways, and then she heads out of the underground base.

The following day...

Vina's health takes a sudden turn for the worse, and she quietly breathes her last.

Warmth in Darkness: Scene 2

"Eyes ahead. No tears," a saying of her father's that Tanya recalls in the wake of her mother's death. Tanya accepts her father's knife after some heartfelt family time. Days later when she learns of her father's death and that he is being treated as an enemy of the republic, Tanya sets out on a journey to uncover what exactly had happened.

---

Tanya: Sniff... Sniff... Mother...

Corcia: Tanya... How many times do I have to tell you not to come to the training grounds without my permission...

Tanya: Father!

Tanya: I-I'm not crying! Just like you taught me, Father...

Corcia: "Eyes ahead. No tears." That?

Corcia: We say that because we're a team of agents putting our lives on the line daily. There's no need for you to follow that.

Tanya: No... You're not crying, Father. And I'm going to follow the rules just like you.

Corcia: All right.

Corcia responds quietly and then sits down beside Tanya.

Tanya: Shura told me... Told me that the republic killed Mother.

Corcia: That isn't true. Everybody dies sooner or later. There's no way around that.

Tanya: But if we had the money that the republic was supposed to give us, then Mother...

Corcia: ...

Tanya: I hate all those cowards in charge of the republic. And the kingdom people think they can just push everyone around... I despise them!

Tanya: Father, please... Go get them!

Tanya: No... I promise I'm going to get strong and take revenge myself!

Corcia: Tanya, don't spend your time resenting other people. That won't do a thing to bring back Vina.

Tanya: But...

Corcia: Our teaching "Eyes ahead. No tears." means you accept that death can't be fought and forge your own path anyway.

Tanya: Accept... your own path...

Corcia: It might be a bit tough for you still, Tanya...

Tanya: I don't get it... I mean, why!

Tanya: You did fight! Against Mother's death!

Corcia: ...!

Tanya: You wanted money to save Mother, so you joined that team of agents, working yourself to the bone...

Tanya: And you were exhausted from fighting, but whenever you were home, you held Mother's hand to keep her going...

Tanya: I know everything!

Tanya: So why! Tell me!

Corcia: Thank you. But that's enough.

Corcia gives Tanya a big hug and caresses her silver hair.

Tanya: Father...

Corcia: All we can do is accept what's happened and keep our eyes ahead...

Tanya: ...

Tanya: It's okay... I'm here for you.

Tanya pats Corcia's back to comfort him.

Corcia: ...!

Corcia: You've really grown up... gotten strong...

Tanya: Yeah. I'm your daughter after all.

Tanya: I can outdo Shura with a knife, easy!

Corcia: Heh... That's good to know.

Corcia: Tanya, I want you to have this.

Tanya: That... It's the knife and sheath you use.

Corcia: You wanted it, didn't you? Take good care of it, or it will rust. Polish it daily.

Tanya: Hurray! I'll shine it everyday! Thank you!

Shura: I'm sorry, Captain, but it's time...

Tanya: Are you going?

Corcia: Yeah... I'm sorry, but I'm off again.

Tanya: Oh, okay... I'll keep practicing with your knife until you get back!

Corcia: ...

Corcia: Say, Tanya. Do you remember my stories about traveling?

Tanya: Of course. I love them more than any storybook!

Tanya: The one where you saw the rainbow lake, the one about when you fought the dragon, and the one where you met Mother—

Tanya: I remember them all!

Corcia: It's a big world out there. I didn't know much when I set out at the age of twelve.

Corcia: It would be really fun to see new parts of the world with you, Tanya.

Tanya: Yeah! When I get bigger, let's go on a journey together.

Corcia: All right. That's a promise.

Corcia smiles at Tanya and then walks to where the other squad members are waiting.

Several days later, Tanya heads toward the underground base, but no one else is there.

Tanya: They aren't back yet. I wonder if this is another long expedition...

???: It's pitch-black in here. How the hell can they use this as a base?

At that time, the sound of an unfamiliar voice and footsteps can be heard coming from the entrance. Tanya quickly hides.

Tanya: (It's not Father and the others! Who in the world...)

Republic Soldier 1: Looks like they're through with it. Guess they're not planning to come back.

Tanya: (Are those republic soldiers? What are they doing here?)

Republic Soldier 2: I tell you though, that damn Corcia... Where does he get off...

Tanya: ...!

Republic Soldier 1: Hey, don't speak ill of the dead. Corcia bit the big one after all.

Tanya: (Huh?)

Tanya: Are you saying that Father's dead!

Republic Soldier 2: Huh?

Republic Soldier 2: It's her—Corcia's daughter!

Republic Soldier 1: Looks like we just saved a lot of time searching. Get her!

Tanya: W-why!

The soldiers attack Tanya without a moment's warning.

Tanya: (I can't let them catch me! I have to run away!)

Tanya swiftly moves through the darkness and slips out the exit.

Republic Soldier 2: Damnit! My footing...

As the soldiers struggle to find their footing in the underground base, Tanya runs to the surface and leaves the town behind.

Tanya: (Father.... Why! You promised we'd travel together!)

Tanya: (No... No tears. I have to find out what happened to Father. Why they're treating him like an enemy of the republic.)

Tanya: (I'll get to the bottom of this no matter what it takes!)

Clutching the knife that Corcia left her, Tanya makes a vow.

Afterward Tanya cuts off her long, silver locks and heads out alone on her journey.

Warmth in Darkness: Scene 3

Shura explains the events leading up to Corcia's death. His band of agents approached the kingdom directly for due payment, but they responded with an arrow that pierced Corcia's heart. The kingdom twisted the facts, alleging that the agents had led an assault on them. Just as Shura remarks that the time for payback has finally come, (Captain) appears alongside the republic's troops.

---

Reunited after their separate missions, (Captain) and the others exchange information.

Vyrn: Hunt down a team of agents? That's the chancellor's assignment for you, (Captain)? Well, we heard about a team of agents too...

Lyria: We were talking with people in town to find Tanya.

Lyria: And we found out that Tanya used to live here ten years ago. They said her mother and father passed away too.

Vyrn: I don't wanna believe it, but you think Knife Girl might've left to see the agents?

Lyria: Mmph... I'm worried... If Tanya finds out about what happened ten years ago...

Vyrn: Sigh... She might join up with the agents and do something hasty!

Vyrn: We've gotta hurry, (Captain)!

Tanya: Hm...

Shura: Woken up, have you?

Shura: You feel asleep in the blink of an eye. In that little recess there, just like you used to.

Tanya: (The darkness was so warm, and it brought me back to the old days. I couldn't help but fall asleep.)

Coming to her feet, Tanya puts on a face of composure once again.

Tanya: Shura, I came looking for you because I need to know how my father's life ended.

Tanya: Tell me what happened ten years ago.

Shura: Yes... I knew the day would come when we had to talk about this.

Shura takes a breath and slowly begins to speak.

Shura: Back around the time your mother, Vina, passed on, our frustration was about to explode.

Team Member: Damn it all! Thanks to those cowards from the republic, the captain's wife is—

Shura: Captain! I can't remain silent about this any longer!

Corcia: You need to cool your heads, men.

Team Member: After all this, you still expect us to suck it up?

Corcia: No, that's not what I'm saying. I'm as tired of all this as you are.

Shura: Yeah, well then what is it that you expect us to do?

Corcia: ...

Corcia: We've got as much of a right to know the facts as anyone. Let's head to the kingdom and get the story from the horse's mouth.

Corcia: What comes next—well, we can decide then.

Shura: After that we headed for the kingdom's castle.

Shura: The only thing we had in mind was a little parley. We even sent a letter to them beforehand to let them know our intentions...

Shura: But they—those bastards...

Kingdom Minister: Greetings, agents. You certainly have some gall waltzing into the castle in this fashion.

Corcia: All these soldiers... It looks like you're awfully excited to see us.

Corcia: You understand, don't you? You'll be facing an international incident with the republic if you dare lay a finger on us.

Kingdom Minister: You have a point. And if we were to spread the word that a group of agents suddenly attacked us, that would cause an international incident.

Shura: Enough already! Cut the crap!

Shura: I leapt out then without ever noticing the archers up on the mezzanine!

Shura: It was totally reckless of me. The arrow came flying in a line straight toward my heart.

Shura: I closed my eyes and prepared to make my peace—

Corcia: Keh-hah!

Shura: Captain?

Shura: But the captain leaped in front of me, and the arrow pierced his heart.

Corcia: Run away... Shura... Lead everyone out!

Shura: How can we! I'd rather see this through to the end than tail!

Corcia: No... You've gotta survive! Die, and it's all over...

Shura: Captain!

Corcia: You listening? This is my final order.

Corcia: Eyes... ahead... No tears!

Shura: We ran out of the castle like bats out of hell.

Shura: And we never went back to our base in the republic after that. We became a group of wandering freelance agents.

Tanya: So that's how it all went down...

Tanya: Father didn't do anything wrong. It was for everyone else that he...

Shura: I... We detest them. The cheats from the kingdom who killed our captain... The frightened do-nothings from the republic..

Shura: Dreams of revenge are what's kept me alive these past ten years. And I think the time is just about ripe.

Tanya: Revenge?

Shura: We'll handle it. We got together here in our old haunt and decided on it.

Shura: We start getting that revenge when we attack the kingdom under cover of night and occupy their castle.

Tanya: No, Shura! You can't!

At that time, the earth seems to shake with an army's worth of footsteps.

Team Member: Shura! It's them! The republic's soldiers are on their way.

Shura: Humph, doing the kingdom's bidding like the dogs they are! I knew they were sniffing around, but still!

Shura: Heh, we've got the home ground advantage. Let's teach them the meaning of eye for an eye.

Team Member: Head out, everyone!

One by one, the agents emerge from the shadows.

The soldiers advance directly toward them.

The situation seems ready to explode at any moment, but a stunned Tanya is unable to move.

Tanya: B-but! Why!

In the direction that Tanya is looking...

(Captain) can be seen at the forefront, almost as if leading the soldiers.

Warmth in Darkness: Scene 4

The republic's chancellor arrives with an apology for the events of a decade ago, along with long-overdue payment. Shura lashes out at first, but Tanya cools him down with a slap, reminding him of Corcia's teaching: "Eyes ahead. No tears," and convincing him to stop the attack on the kingdom. Tanya later visits her parent's graves and sheds tears for the first time in much too long.

---

Tanya: (What are (Captain) and everyone else doing here!)

Shura: Who's that in front of the troops? They don't look like soldiers, but...

Vyrn: We're skyfarers! We got a request to come here as go-betweens!

Shura: Go-betweens?

A man parts the soldiers and walks through the opened path.

Chancellor: I come only to speak today. I have no intention of battling.

Shura: You... You scumbag of a chancellor!

Shura: I don't know what you think you're doing here... I'll be damned if I talk to you.

Tanya: ...

Shura: Tanya! Out of the way!

Tanya: Those soldiers don't seem very threatening. Let's listen to what they have to say.

Shura: What would be the point?

Tanya: No... No matter who you're dealing with, it's important to stay open.

Tanya: Please, Shura. Let's listen to what the chancellor has to say.

Shura: Humph, it'll be a waste of breath.

Shura: But for Tanya's sake, I'll hear him out. What are you after, you sell-out to the kingdom?

Chancellor: Thank you very much. I came to fulfill my promise today.

Shura: Your promise?

At the chancellor's signal, the soldiers who were waiting in the rear carry in chest after chest.

When the soldiers begin opening them, it's clear that each contains a trove of gold coins.

Shura: Wh-what's all this money!

Chancellor: I must sincerely apologize to you. Due to my own fecklessness, for an entire decade I've failed to recompense you.

Shura: You're kidding. You're finally going to pay us for that assignment from ten years back?

Chancellor: That's correct. After you fled the republic, I set aside funds, amassing them little by little.

Chancellor: I've worked to correct everyone's misunderstanding that you launched an assault against the kingdom, and today I received permission to recompense you.

Tanya: That squad of agents doesn't have a thing to do with the republic any longer. Why go through all that?

Chancellor: Believe it or not, it was Corcia who comforted me when I explained that we'd failed in negotiating with the kingdom.

Chancellor: And he also said that he'd convince you all of what happened.

Chancellor: He saved me then. So I swore that I'd make good on my promise, no matter what it took.

Chancellor: You might think it's too late for all of this, but... I hope you'll find it in your heart to accept it.

Tanya: Chancellor...

Shura: You've mocked us more than enough.

Shura: What good is money going to do? The captain, our friends—they're not coming home!

Shura: We're going to attack the kingdom! Get in our way, and we'll take you out with everything we've got.

A sharp sound echoes through the underground room.

Tanya has slapped Shura on his cheek.

Tanya: Get control of yourself!

Shura: Huh! What do you think you're doing, Tanya!

Tanya: You can hate them all you want, but it's not going to bring the people we loved back!

Tanya: That fact isn't going to change just because you attack the kingdom.

Shura: That much I know! But really...

Shura: Are you ready to let the people who left you all alone go on living?

Shura: And forgive those people who made you miserable?

Tanya: ...

Tanya: I wasn't miserable.

Shura: What!

Tanya: These ten years I haven't been miserable!

Tanya: The world outside this underground darkness was wide and beautiful. It made my heart dance!

Tanya: With Father's knife in my hand, I took on all sorts of assignments... And it was so much fun getting stronger!

Tanya: I met everyone on the crew, had all kinds of experiences. I haven't been alone!

Tanya: I've been advancing on my own two feet... Kept my eyes ahead... And I don't regret any of it!

Tanya: That's why I don't hate anyone.

Shura: ...!

Tanya: Did you forget Father's last words?

Corcia: You listening? This is my final order.

Corcia: Eyes... ahead... No tears!

Tanya: You've got to keep moving, keep your eyes ahead... We can't let Father's sacrifice go to waste!

Shura: Tanya...

Shura: You're finally able to speak your mind. You never used to talk with anyone but the captain...

Shura slowly lowers the knife in his hand.

Team Member: Shura, we...

Shura: Yes... This was harder on Tanya than anyone else. If she's the one saying all that, then, well... It's time for us to cool our heads.

Shura: Isn't that right, Chancellor? I'm ready to see through the captain's promise.

Chancellor: Very well!

Shura: We'll accept that money... Which means that the attack on the kingdom is off.

Shura: Once an agent gets his pay, he won't complain about the rest.

Shura: Could I ask you for one special favor though?

Chancellor: Yes? What might it be?

Shura: Mind if we return to our underground base here?

The chancellor gently nods in response to Shura's request.

After this, the crew say farewell to the chancellor and attendants. They then take a walk through town.

Vyrn: You gotta run away just like that? You really had us worried!

Tanya: S-sorry... I didn't know what would happen... And I thought it might be a hassle for you.

Lyria: A hassle? Hassle us all you want. That's what friends are for!

Tanya: Okay. Thank you, Lyria.

Vyrn: Either way, you did what you set out to on your journey, right?

Tanya: Yeah... But if you don't mind, I want to keep traveling with you guys.

Tanya: You don't mind, do you?

1. Of course not!

Choose: Of course not!

Tanya: Phew... That's good to hear...

Lyria: It'll be great to have you stay with us, Tanya!

Vyrn: We oughta head back to the Grandcypher then!

Tanya: Ah... Can you wait a little bit? There's one last thing I need to do while I'm here.

Tanya walks just outside of town to visit the mausoleums of Corcia and Vina.

Tanya: I wouldn't have guessed that Shura would build your grave somewhere this bright. You always said you wanted to be buried underground.

Tanya: I guess the important thing is that you're together though, Mother and Father... You're probably on a journey of your own now.

Tanya bows her head and brings her two hands together.

Tanya: Mother... Father... I need to be honest with you...

Tanya: Ever since I started traveling on my own, things were tough for me.

Tanya: Not everything in the world has been beautiful. I saw a lot of ugly things and ran into a lot of trouble.

Tanya: There was a lot of pain and stress... Cursing someone I'd never seen, hating them... Despising them...

Tanya: The nights were lonely... And the dark and the moonlight were both cold.

Tanya: Curling up in the hay, my throat was always scratchy. I was always about to burst into tears.

Tanya: But I said, "No tears." I swore that to you.

Tanya: Polishing your knife, I managed to bear it all somehow.

Tanya: You believe me, don't you? When Mother died, I know you could tell I was lying...

Tanya: But this time I really didn't cry... Not once... Not one time...

Tanya: Mother! Father!

Tanya: Sniff... Sniff... Waaaah!

Lyria wraps her arms around Tanya, whose body is shaking from the force of the released emotion.

Without saying a word, (Captain) steps beside Tanya and squeezes her hand.

Tanya: You guys....

Tanya: (That's right... I wasn't alone after all.)

Tanya: (Grief isn't anything you have to push past alone.)

Tanya: Mother, Father... Let me promise you something.

Tanya: I'm going to travel with all my friends. And I know that this time, I'll be smiling...

Tanya: I'll look ahead—no tears. Next time I'm here, I'll tell you all about it.

Softly smiling as tears run down her face, Tanya has made a new vow.

The setting sun softly illuminates her silhouette in profile.