Central

Central

All this talk of the Bugmaster in this day and age... it never gets old.

Central

Mm, you know, I got a hankering for some dried gristle flaps right now...

Central

... His ribs did protrude, he craved some good food...

Central

Did I ever thank you guys for getting me out of that bar in the swamps?

Central

Time for a sing song to raise my spirits me thinks!

Central

Ahem... *hack*

Central

Ahem... *hack*

Central

Been too long since I had some decent target practise. Finger's startin' to get twitchy...

Central

You know, there was a time once when I wrestled a randy gorillo with my bare hands...

Central

This scent... it reminds me of her...

Central

...

Central

Kana finally got her dues...

Central

Feels good to be away from civilisation. If you can call any city in these lands civilised...

Central

Still can't get used to all this open space, you know...

Central

The open road has it's perks but...

Central

Forget Eyegore, the Stone Golem, Arc... All the legends.

Bystander

...

Central

... A greenfruit would do, something to chew...

Central

Yeah... One time I drank so much sake that I made a wager with a cactus. It was destined to go down hill from there...

Central

Oh! There once was a noble, handsome and bearded...

Central

Harmothoe, Harmothoe, she lived a life of anguish!

Central

Trust me. You guys won't like me when I'm twitchy...

Central

Right here, it was. I sipped a very large amount of rum so it was the most wobbly of battles!

Central

About time.

Central

I still can't shift these nightmares though. Haven't had a good night's sleep in weeks...

Central

I need action... Leader, when is our next battle?

Central

Hmm hmm hm...

Central

They don't compare to Cat-Lon...

Bystander

Are you laughing at us? I can never tell with you.

Central

They have the BEST gristle flaps back in Mud Town, y'know...

Central

So... Mr ex-sentinel... they drink in the Holy Nation?

Central

... But with nothing in sight, he was in a great pligh-

Central

Who took a liking to shooting a spear did!

Central

For chained in Rebirth she was condemned to languish...

Bystander

I know that sound... preparing for song... please not another song...

Bystander

I'm warning you, no songs.

Bystander

...

Central

But I did it! I taught the randy gorillo a lesson in manners and restraint, so I did...

Bystander

I'm sorry about your wife, Hamut. Slavers, they're the scum of the earth.

Bystander

So, uh... we've been travelling a while now. You've not mentioned your 'legend' since the bar...

Central

So. Griffin. How many women did you burn at the stake during your sentinel days?

Central

I remember you... The White Ripper.

Central

Hmm hm hm...

Bystander

I know what you're about to say. Don't say it.

Central

Because skeletons laugh on the inside. We're too depressed to laugh on the outside.

Central

Just thinking about it makes me so hungry I could eat a gar.

Bystander

Alcohol?... It is legal, but frowned upon.

Bystander

Be wary of talking cacti! They'll rob you blind, I tell you...

Central

The noble laughed with glee as his slaves did plee...

Central

'Til one day she'd been ravished by the high paladin most vile!

Central

Song? Why, a fly flew up my nose, that's all! But I can sing a song, for sure...

Bystander

You seem to mistake us for liking you when you're NOT twitchy...

Central

You, what happened to your horns anyway?

Central

Then we sat down together at the campfire and we talked about those pesky cacti. He gave me a-

Central

And I'm sorry about your time in the mines... I won't let them take you again.

Central

Legend? What legend?

Bystander

I'd prefer not to talk of my past.

Bystander

Nightmares about your father?

Central

Time hasn't been kind to you.

Bystander

...

Bystander

Patience, kin. Greed is an ugly thing.

Bystander

This. What is this...?

Central

They don't compare to Cat-Lon...

Bystander

Can't you just reset or something when you get too depressed?

Bystander

Wind.

Central

Guessin' a squeaky-clean guy like you never drank a drop then. I should get you on some bloodrum...

Bystander

Noise! You get one warning only, flatskin: No more babbling.

Bystander

Keep caterwauling, bard, and I'll give you my fist to chew...

Bystander

Alright! We get it...

Bystander

Whew, I've had my share of experiences with those rascals but I had the last laugh in the end...

Bystander

No sing songs! Pipe down.

Central

And he killed a hundred while laughter thundered!

Central

And she swore her dark vengeance with a murderous smile...

Central

A fly went up my nose!

Central

Aw, is the woeful widower uncomfortable with my love of shooting harpoons?

Central

I mean, mighty shek warrior n' all, you musta done something real weak-kneed to have lost your horns...

Central

Oh look! That gnarled tree looks just like my Aunt Una!

Bystander

We'll take them down one day, Hamut. You and me, together.

Bystander

Don't let those scumbags twist your soul, Hamut. Live your life. For her.

Bystander

The legend you joined with us to search for. The wailing banshee or whatever it was...

Central

And I'd prefer not to be reminded of mine everytime I see your face. Life isn't always fair though.

Central

Yes.

Bystander

You either. You look like gutter shit.

Central

And so is idleness.

Central

... Um... a song, I was just humming.

Bystander

Why... Why did you have to bring him up?

Central

Yes. But then we reset all of our skills too.

Central

... Excuse me?

Central

There was this one time, I had ONE glass of the stuff. Woke up in a bog with no eyebrows and a new samurai helmet.

Central

... *Rumble*

Bystander

Just hang in there, we'll eat soon...

Central

...Er, yeah... Right...

Central

The noble laughed with glee as his slaves did plee...

Central

But along came Tinfist and the laughs rang quiet...

Central

She stashed a long nail, forged to a blade...

Central

And... something about crows!

Central

Hey, wouldn't it be fun if it turned out I shot wifey of yours back in my slave days?

Bystander

...

Bystander

Alright, alright, gramps. Nap time soon...

Bystander

Alright, gramps. Have some rum and quiet down, you're talking gutter shit again.

Bystander

Put a sock in it and cut the loony fairytales, old man. Or I'll be putting a harpoon in it...

Bystander

Hm hm hm

Bystander

A what?! What did he give you?

Central

I will. We will.

Bystander

And something about truffles...

Bystander

I remember them parading you through the streets of Heng...

Bystander

...

Bystander

We all want to stretch our sword arms, kin...

Bystander

I do not care for it.

Bystander

Cat-Lon is gone in history. And history he should stay.

Bystander

Huh.

Bystander

You're a sack of it.

Central

Good times.

Central

And he killed a hundred while laughter thundered!

Central

The noble pissed his pants and the slaves had a riot!

Central

And one by one the guards were slayed.

Central

*Thud*

Central

So fun!

Central

Me, I cut mine myself. Ruined way too many hats when I had 'em long...

Bystander

Take a sip of your medicine and save us from your stories, would you?

Central

Don't even get me started on gutter shit! Nuggets of the devil, so it is!

Central

...

Central

... Is something funny?

Bystander

Tell me and I shall write a song of it! The Randy Gorillo!

Bystander

... Sheesh. Concentration span of a rock...

Central

Wailing banshee?...

Bystander

Beep.

Bystander

We live by what we know. We do what we gotta do to survive.

Bystander

Kill enough people and it will numb you. You'll sleep better.

Bystander

Kill enough people and it will numb you. You'll sleep better.

Bystander

You were just a boy. What was that... 10, 15 years ago?

Bystander

Who's the shek talking to?

Bystander

But seeking brawls makes us no better than the wretched exiles back in Stenn.

Central

... Okay...

Central

And that's how you end up with legends like Cat-Lon...

Central

Guess that's my queue to keep quiet...

Bystander

*Sigh*

Central

Just a swift blow with the fist and he fell to the floor...

Central

Now the high paladin lies dead, a nail in the eyeball...

Central

Ow! No throwing rocks...

Bystander

... Don't ever expect me to have your back in a fight, 'ally'...

Bystander

I didn't ask.

Central

Afraid I'm all out. The 'ol rum bottle's completely drained, so it is...

Bystander

*Sigh*

Central

I don't like you

Central

I don't know about that. Sounds awfully silly...

Bystander

We've all got our skeletons in the closet, how about leaving 'em be.

Central

I don't know about that...

Central

I don't know about that...

Central

I was tortured and starved in prison for 15 years... It takes its toll...

Bystander

I don't know... you?

Central

Hmph.

Bystander

Speak for yourself... Some of us like being alive.

Central

Maybe if I sing about swords and heads being chopped off, I'll have your approval?

Bystander

... Who's Cat-Lon?

Central

Forget the Bugmaster, Eyegore, the Stone Golem, Arc...

Central

No tact, you shek.

Central

But along came Tinfist and the laughs rang quiet...

Central

And the bearded noble was handsome no more!

Central

With it the name Harmothoe, in blood on the high wall!

Bystander

I'll be vouching for the enemy whenever it comes to your neck.

Central

Still sore about the lost honour thing, eh? Well, I would be too...

Bystander

You know... I've never seen a Shek warrior laugh before...

Bystander

Seriously?... But...

Bystander

Beep.

Central

Defended by a spleen thief. How apt.

Bystander

Mmh. Trust.

Bystander

Trust me. I haven't felt a real emotion in years and I'm fine, ain't I?...

Central

Ha. What's your excuse?

Bystander

I'm not the leader, don't look at me!

Bystander

Truth.

Bystander

Mmmmh...

Central

...

Central

The noble pissed his pants and the slaves had a riot!

Bystander

... Don't go giving me ideas about your eyeballs, bard...

Central

You love me really.

Central

I mean, it's pretty embarrassing. At least I chose to cut mine off myself...

Bystander

It looks... odd. Don't do it again.

Central

*yawn*

Bystander

And you're making beep uncomfortable.

Bystander

...

Bystander

*sigh*

Bystander

Well, who IS the leader?

Bystander

Approved. But relent with the wabbling of voice.

Bystander

...

Central

Just a swift blow with the fist and he fell to the floor...

Bystander

Hmph. Hiding behind the barrel of a turret, that's embarrassing.

Central

Then I will lead! I shall lead us to glory and doom!

Central

Then I will lead! I shall lead us to glory and doom!

Central

... You mean the singing. The singing part of the SONG.

Central

And the bearded noble was handsome no more!

Bystander

*Clap clap*

Bystander

Why have you always got to make dramas, huh? You're like a walking tornado of bickering...

Bystander

... Really, is there a point to this bickering?

Bystander

Hmph! Noise. I've never known another Shek blab as much as you do...

Bystander

*Sigh* You know what I miss?... Silence.

Bystander

Firing off your mouth like a yapping whelp, that's embarrassing.

Bystander

Beep thinks you look fabulous.

Bystander

...

Bystander

Yes.

Bystander

Encore, encore! More eyeball stabbing!

Central

I like it. It kills time. Sure you may hate me, but don't deny that I provide entertainment.

Bystander

Noise. You talk too much, turret girl.

Bystander

*cough*

Bystander

Led by an unhorned? Hmph. Never.

Central

... Forget it.

Central

Hmph. None agree, mmh?

Central

Insult. This UNHORNED will be the one to feed you your own boot.

Central

... Betrayal.

Bystander

Challenge accepted.

Bystander

Cut it out! Both of you!

Central

Hmph.

Bystander

Hmph.

Central

The slavers were like the life blood of the land...

Central

Feels empowering, don't it?

Central

We done good, guys. We done good. Longen's dead...

Central

Longen's dead, now it's time to sit back and watch the slavers burn.

Central

Pride, kin!

Central

Never thought the day would come where I'd see them fall.

Central

Taking down the leader of the most deep rooted faction in all the land...

Central

And now the world is our playground, muhaha!

Central

The desert's nicely riled up, I'd say. I'm proud of you guys.

Central

We've molded the world itself, with our own blades.

Central

Now is a glorious age.

Bystander

This is the beginning of true freedom, comrades. Enjoy it while it lasts...

Bystander

The beginning of a new era...

Bystander

Not to spoil your celebration... but factions fall and rise like clouds grow and fade.

Bystander

I feel relieved, happy no one else will suffer under Longen... But...

Bystander

From farm girl, to selling myself for fucking fish scraps...

Bystander

Well. You guys sure showed me. Choosing the winning side ain't always so smart after all.

Bystander

Perhaps this was Okran's true mission for me after all...

Bystander

I don't care either way, if I'm honest...

Bystander

Right! I'd say this calls for a drink at the Dancing Skeleton...

Bystander

Well, I guess we'll be crafting our own gear from now on then...

Bystander

There were times I thought I'd be stuck in the Vault 'til I died...

Bystander

Agreed.

Bystander

'Cause you never know when the next Tengu's gonna take it away again.

Bystander

'Cause you never know when the next Longen's gonna take it away again.

Bystander

Another will take Longen's place. Be it in your lifetime, or beyond.

Bystander

To saviour of the oppressed.

Bystander

Perhaps this was the wreck bound for civilisation's second destruction.

Bystander

Can we rest now? My back is killing me.

Bystander

A toast to freedom! *glug glug*

Bystander

Since it's gonna cost a POOBILLION Cats to buy a stinkin' loaf of bread now!

Bystander

And now this! I was able to do my part in the fight for freedom after all.

Bystander

This. This is a life well lived.

Bystander

I can just hear the songs now! 'Heroes of the outlands'...

Bystander

You feel unsatisfied. Still hungry for vengeance.

Bystander

You wife is still gone. Vengeance has not brought her back.

Bystander

We move on. Find new loved ones. New family.

Bystander

Yeah. I'd say it feels pretty damn good.

Bystander

Agreed. I thought all the dreamers were just turret fodder for the slavers.

Bystander

It's been an honour to fight by your side.

Bystander

I'm sure as hell not letting anyone take it away again.

Bystander

Mmh! Just let them TRY and take it.

Central

Ya know... this is the first time I'm actually interested in hearing a song from you...

Bystander

WE will take his place! We'll take the land...

Bystander

... Yes.

Bystander

...

Bystander

Look around you. This is your life now, but keep looking behind and you'll miss it all...

Bystander

Sometimes you speak sense, for a bone headed gunner.

Bystander

Beep.

Bystander

Wher-... where'd you even get that drink from?

Bystander

Hm hm!

Central

Now that I'M in it. Hit me with your screeching, Bard.

Bystander

Will you keep the slave camps?

Bystander

You can kill and avenge all you want, but it won't bring your wife back.

Bystander

Loss... mourning. It is the hardest part of living.

Bystander

Forever trying to numb yourself with vengeance.

Bystander

... Ain't it past your nap time about now, kid?

Central

Glory to us all!

Bystander

Can't. Sore throat.

Bystander

Only for the criminals, the bandits... and our enemies. We'll keep the economy moving. Everyone's happy.

Bystander

Until you face this, there will forever be this void you call justice.

Bystander

Centuries gone by, and I have never learned a fix for loss' wounds.

Bystander

Are you laughing again?

Bystander

Glory!

AAAARGH!!

Bystander

*cough*

Bystander

...

Bystander

I thought we agreed not to do that. It's... creepy when you laugh.

Central

Useless!

Bystander

You don't agree?

Bystander

That's how the Traders Guild first started. Everyone thinks they have good intentions.

Bystander

It is the human race's weakness. They refuse to learn from their mistakes, dismiss the past as someone else's.

Central

Well... that sure as hell put a downer on my buzz.

Bystander

Beep.

Central

The Empire has been crippled yet... I feel no better.

Central

So... Tengu's gone now...

Central

Tengu was a useless coward. I feel no pride in defeating the bloated meatsack...

Central

I was expecting something a little more dramatic following the death of the Emperor...

Central

Watching Tengu squeal was like music to my ears. Ha! Not laughing now, is he?

Central

Victims still suffer... evils get replaced with new evils...

Bystander

... Not a lot has changed since. I'm disappointed.

Bystander

You know, I can't help but feel that the lands got even MORE fucked up with him gone...

Bystander

Agreed.

Bystander

Look a little more closely. You're looking at the whole world, and it's too big to take in.

Bystander

What did you expect? That idiot to be the mastermind behind the UC?

Bystander

Freedom is a never ending battle. The moment you pause, the moment the rot starts spreading back...

Bystander

The UC is as old as it is big. It will take more to dig up it's root.

Bystander

Hmph, annoyance. So we find it's real root, and we destroy it.

Bystander

Disdain. The baby's blubbering has left a bad taste in my mouth.

Bystander

But one by one, we've saved people.

Bystander

He was a puppet. And puppets are easily replaced.

Bystander

The land will always need freedom fighters. Better to fight than be a victim.

Central

Didn't it used to be your home, the UC?

Bystander

Tengu was no challenge anyway.

Central

*grunt*

Central

...

Bystander

It was my master's home. I follow a new master now, the life of a samurai goes on.

Central

Sounds a little heartless...

Bystander

Well, I had my fun anyway.

Bystander

We brought justice to Tengu, either way.

Bystander

Try working for a noble, then come back to me and we'll finish this conversation.

Bystander

Let his replacement quiver in his boots at the thought of Tengu's murderers on the loose!

Bystander

It was nothing but stress. How else do you think I ended up with grey hair?

Bystander

As long as we still breathe, we'll make the nobles suffer.

Central

Bad sun protection?

Bystander

Well... that too.

Central

So, can I now FINALLY travel through Okran's Pride without being treated like a demonic farm animal?

Central

So, can I now FINALLY take a stroll in the grasslands without holier-than-holy paladins breathing down my neck?

Central

I feel... conflicted.

Central

Hm hm hm.

Bystander

And the skeletons can FINALLY take over the world in peace?

Bystander

Oh, but it's not over yet...

Bystander

The Okranite mutt is gone... And by my own blade too, but...

Bystander

It's all so exciting... Sure, everything's a mess right now, but we get the chance to rebuild...

Bystander

It still doesn't feel real to me... that he's gone. That... maybe it can all be over.

Bystander

The Phoenix dog is dead at last! Pride, kin...

Bystander

Good riddance to the Harebrain Lord Phoenix...

Bystander

Beep.

Bystander

Wow, the chosen Okranite FEELS?

Bystander

The guy was basically Longen in a priest robe. What is there to be conflicted about?

Bystander

Hm hm!

Central

*awkward silence*

Bystander

Next up: We take down the desert Empire.

Bystander

Frustration!

Bystander

We can start over in Okran's Pride, from fresh.

Bystander

Blighted be his name.

Bystander

And there I thought you were just an empty husk of make-believe scriptures.

Central

Just my life's purpose... but...

Bystander

... It was a joke.

Bystander

With him and the Bugmaster gone, who is left to battle?

Central

...

Central

He spread fear within the Holy Nation. It is for the best to start over, I know...

Bystander

What's so funny?

Bystander

Music to my ears!... Sounds like a challenge!

Central

We've just taken down a shek-hating god prince...

Bystander

Dunno if it's that simple, kiddo.

Bystander

... And what is there to be conflicted about?

Central

The Holy Nation's doom!

Bystander

Hm hm hm.

Bystander

There are too many left to battle... There always will be.

Central

... If that doesn't make you happy, what does exactly?

Bystander

Then we kill what's left of everyone, we make it simple.

Central

Just my life's purpose... but...

Bystander

Well, I thought he was a pretty decent guy, myself.

Bystander

Amusing.

Bystander

See. The Shek gets it. And the Shek never get anything...

Bystander

Death makes me happy.

Bystander

Er...

Central

He spread fear within the Holy Nation. It is for the best to start over, I know...

Bystander

Mmh?!

Central

You're no fun, you know that? You're the OPPOSITE to fun.

Bystander

... If only there were more Griffins in the holy land, it wouldn't have had to come to this.

Bystander

BECAUSE YOU'RE A HUMAN!

Bystander

BECAUSE YOU'RE A HUMAN!

Bystander

Jokes, I meant jokes. Of course you 'get' things.

Bystander

This knowledge makes me happy.

Bystander

She used to be so innocent...

Central

... Thank you.

Bystander

Mm...

Central

*sigh*

Bystander

I think we broke her.

Central

Why do I feel like we've just kicked a nest of blood spiders...?

Central

Disappointing. I'd hoped the mighty Stone Golem would be stronger.

Bystander

Because the Shek idolize the strong...

Bystander

Because the Shek love an excuse to fight.

Bystander

Because they Shek are arrogant boneheads, I tell you. Ain't no sword that can kill their egos...

Bystander

Because the Shek never forgive...

Bystander

... Because we just riled the most battle hungry nation in all the land.

Bystander

You surprise me, Shek. You betrayed your own queen...

Bystander

And in defeating their strongest, we've made ourselves their next challenge.

Bystander

And we've just given them one hell of an excuse.

Bystander

And they won't forgive us for what we've done. We're their new Bugmaster now.

Bystander

Only death will end their thirst for blood.

Bystander

And that's all you have to say?

Bystander

Until they find a better challenge, they'll be coming for us. Don't underestimate the determination of a Shek.

Bystander

But call me flatskin one more time, I dare 'em...

Bystander

... Beep...

Bystander

Disappointing. I'd hoped the mighty Stone Golem would be stronger.

Bystander

Well, someone needed to put them in their place...

Central

Hm! I betrayed my queen the moment I left with you.

Bystander

... Beep...

Bystander

You surprise me, Shek. You betrayed your own queen...

Central

You surprise me, Shek. You betrayed your own queen...

Bystander

Honour? Bullshit to their honour. They're nothing but barbarians.

Central

But the Shek Kingdom will live on...

Bystander

... Stubbornness more like...

Bystander

And that's all you have to say?

Central

And that's all you have to say?

Central

... And I'm honoured to be their new enemy.

Bystander

Hm! I betrayed my queen the moment I left with you.

Bystander

Mmh!?

Bystander

But the Shek Kingdom will live on...

Bystander

... And I'm honoured to be their new enemy.

Central

Say goodbye to the days of pantless dreg, say hello to noble status!

Central

We'll go down as heroes for taking down the Iron Brute.

Bystander

Don't be so naive... The nobles are as fickle as fish.

Bystander

Don't be so naive... The nobles are as fickle as fish.

Bystander

Tinfist was the last of us to try and change the world...

Bystander

Mm. Pride, kin.

Bystander

I guess we put an end to his terrorism...

Bystander

You're proud of what we did? Tinfist was the people's only hope...

Bystander

He fought for people like me. Label him a brute but...

Bystander

You'll be forgotten in a month, on with the next new fad...

Bystander

You'll be forgotten in a month, on with the next new fad...

Bystander

Perhaps he should have known better than to fight human battles...

Bystander

A legend is replaced by the new...

Bystander

I don't even know what I'm fighting for anymore.

Bystander

He was on my side and I helped destroy him.

Bystander

Or perhaps he'd lived long enough to risk it all for what he believed.

Bystander

...

Bystander

Haha... did you just get called naive by a child?

Bystander

He was a terrorist.

Bystander

We do what we've gotta do to survive.

Bystander

We picked the winning side, and we joined it.

Bystander

If it keeps us alive, who cares if it's pretty.

Bystander

Nothing wrong with surviving.

Central

Never had a problem with Grim, ya know...

Central

I guess Big Gray will takeover the swamp now...

Central

It was those bastard Twinblades that got my back up. The Twinblades can go rot in a bog.

Central

In the end, nothing will really change though...

Central

But I'll be glad for an end to all that howling!...

Central

No one person truly runs the swamp.

Central

Idiot hounds.