Mystic Den - Exploration/Story

Mystic Den - Exploration story, which continues from Learning the Mirror of Equity/Story.

Mystic Den - Exploration (OPENING)
Akstar
 * So this is the cave, is it? Not that I doubt the reports, but I can't say I see any monsters.

Lasswell
 * Agreed. Nothing seems particularly out of order, but we should take a look inside just to be sure.

Akstar
 * If we do chance to encounter something, it would afford me the perfect opportunity to practice the Mirror of Equity.

???
 * Stop right there, mister!

(Shinju and Pecciotta appear)

Akstar
 * Hm? Who are you two?

Lasswell


 * I remember you. We met at the manor.

Shinju
 * Big Brother! I knew you'd never forget me! It's me, Shinju!

Akstar
 * "Big Brother"? This child is your sister, then? No, she couldn't be.


 * Then she must be calling you "Brother" at your reque- Hm. Perhaps I shall avoid kicking this particular beehive.

Lasswell
 * Whatever it is you're thinking, I'll thank you to stop thinking it!

Pecciotta
 * It's been a while, so maybe you don't recall. The name's Pecciotta.


 * Sorry about ambushin' you outta nowhere. You know how it is. Once this girl gets an idea in her head, she won't be stopped.

Shinju
 * I couldn't help it! I mean, it was a really, really good idea!


 * Hey, Big Brother? Mister? You're here to get rid of the monsters, right?


 * Then how about we all go together?

Akstar
 * "Mister," hm? That's the first time anyone's ever called me that.

Lasswell
 * And you two have your own reasons for being here, I assume?

Pecciotta
 * Well, ya see... Folks are sayin' there's treasure in there, just waitin' to be claimed. We thought we might take the chance to go scope the place out for ourselves.

Shinju
 * The inside's crawling with monsters, right? I mean, I'm pretty strong, so the two of us would be fine on our own...


 * But we'd get it done way quicker if we all went together! Times two people means...half the time? I think?


 * Come on, pretty please?

Lasswell
 * Well, I can't say I particularly mind...

(Lasswell looks to Akstar)

Akstar
 * Do as you wish. Just don't interfere with my training.

Shinju
 * Yippee! Our negotiations went through! Well then, let's go! Time's a-wasting!

(Shinju runs ahead, and Pecciotta follows here. As Lasswell starts walking...)

Akstar
 * A moment, Lasswell. After this is done, I would spar with you.

Lasswell
 * Huh?

Akstar
 * I feel the key to grasping the Mirror of Equity lies in crossing blades with you.


 * You understand, don't you?

(Akstar enters the cave)

Lasswell


 * ...Good grief. We're here to slay monsters, not play around.


 * And yet, why do I feel like my heart's about to jump out of my chest?


 * This reminds me...of how I used to train with Master every day until the sun went down.

(Pecciotta appears in the cave's entrance)

Pecciotta

Mystic Den - Exploration (HARD)
Pecciotta
 * Some of those monsters had some real backbone to 'em. I'm glad to have you two around, lemme tell ya.

Shinju
 * This has got to be the deepest part, right? Hm... But it doesn't look like there's anything here.

Pecciotta
 * Sure looks that way. Not a gold coin in sight.


 * Well, we got a sense of the lay of the land, and that ain't bad for a day's recon. Come on, let's head back to the manor.

Shinju
 * Whaaat? But that's no fun! I wanna look around some more! And I want more time with Lasswell!

Pecciotta
 * Give it up, kid. We've gotta save the treasure hunting for the Madam.


 * And besides, it looks like our pals here have other business to attend to.

Shinju
 * Oooh,what kind of business? I'll have you know I'm GREAT at business!

Pecciotta
 * None of ours, that's what kind. If you really wanna help your "big brother," give him some space.


 * And on that note, thanks for havin' our backs, you two. We'll see you around the pond.

(Pecciotta starts pulling Shinju)

Shinju
 * Ugh, I don't get it! Can't you make it more simple?

Pecciotta
 * I'm sayin' these two are itchin' to fight and we're in their way. You're gonna have to learn to read people a lot better if you're serious about bein' the Madam someday.

Shinju
 * Oh. Really? Fine, then. I guess I'll go back...


 * ...and brag about seeing Lasswell to everyone at the Soiree!

(Pecciotta leaves, pulling Shinju with him)


 * Bye-bye, Big Brother! Bye-bye, mister!

Lasswell and Akstar

Akstar
 * They're a considerate pair. Now then, shall we begin?

(Akstar dons the Zeno armor)

Lasswell


 * That form...!

Akstar
 * That's right. Fighting you will take no less than my all.


 * Let's go, Lasswell!

Mystic Den - Exploration (ENDING)
Akstar
 * Splendid, Lasswell! Now it's my turn!


 * Mirror of Equity!

Lasswell
 * Mirror of Equity!

Akstar
 * Ngh...!


 * (I was certain this armor would lend my blows the weight they needed, but he turned my blade aside with ease.)


 * (And yet his strikes have almost no weight to them at all.)


 * (His sword is sharp and honed, but almost gentle, even as it pierces my guard.)


 * (No, what I am lacking is not power. It must be something else...)

(Akstar removes the Zeno armor)

Lasswell


 * What's wrong, Akstar? Are we done already?

Akstar
 * No... Far from it.


 * You are blessed with a strong and noble heart, Lasswell. You have earned my respect as a swordsman.


 * And as a fellow swordsman...I must surpass you!


 * Mirror of Equity!

Lasswell
 * Th-that was it!

Akstar
 * Now I see. This is the truth of the Mirror of Equity.


 * I was confused as to what it was lacking. Then, at last, I realized that I needed what you possessed...


 * ...The will to surpass another. That may be the key to all this.


 * ...Hmph.

Lasswell
 * What's wrong, Akstar?

Akstar
 * I have found what I needed. Now all that remains is to continue to train.


 * Someday, I swear, I will perfect this technique...


 * ...and I will be the one to guide you to what lies beyond it.


 * Look forward to when that day comes, Lasswell.

Lasswell

Akstar
 * Now come along. We're done here.

(Akstar leaves)

Lasswell
 * Hey! Wait, Akstar! What do you mean by "that day"?