Somewhere between Kana's challenging of the second and third Temples of the Goddesses, a merchant is attacked by bandits and asks Kana and Zephyr to assist him in rescuing his captured brother. Kana, eager to prove her worth as a hero, extends a hand in order to help. As they reach the bandit's lair, however, things take an odd turn..

Aqua Sword Dancer

5x Hero Stones (1 after each part, 1 after clash, 1 after special stage)



Transcript

Kana Zephyr! Are you okay?

Zephyr Yep, couldn't be better. Everything go okay here?

Kana Yeah. No one came through here at all.

Zephyr Huh... Gotta admit, I messed up a bit on my end.

Kana You did? What happened?

Zephyr I saved the hostage, but there was a hidden passage I missed. They were able to fire off a smoke screen and get away.

Kana What? They didn't try to attack you when you couldn't see?

Zephyr They didn't have time for that. Anyway, I told the merchants to run off before they got caught again, and we parted ways there.

Kana Huh...

Zephyr Yeah. Not a perfect ending, but still a job well done.

Kana Right! Besides, we gotta get back to gathering firewood and meet up with the others anyway!

Zephyr Good point.

Kana suddenly turns her back to me.

What's that about?

I thought I'd sold the story well, but there was something weird about the way she reacted.

Scouring her body posture for clues, I notice her shoulders quivering slightly.

She's laughing. And trying to hide it.

Zephyr Hey...

Kana spins to face me, a smile on her lips, and says it to me straight.

Kana Thanks for trying to protect my feelings, Zephyr.

Zephyr You figured it out, huh?

Kana I know you better than that, Zephyr. It wasn't like you to put me in charge of something alone.

Zephyr Ah. So you snuck away from your post to watch me.

Kana Yep.

And here I thought I had her totally fooled.

Guess the fool here is me.

Zephyr Well... Sorry you had to see that. Try not to let it get you down.

Kana Let what get me down?

Zephyr You know what.

Kana That the person we were trying to help was conning us all along?

Zephyr Yeah. That.

Kana That did come as a bit of a shock. I was so sure that I was being this big hero...

But that was nothing compared to the good thing that happened.

Zephyr What do you mean?

Kana The way you lied to me. I'm so touched by how much effort you put into that!

Zephyr What are you talking about? I thought you hate it when people lie?

Kana That was a lie you told to make me feel better. I like that kind of lie.

It was the sentiment behind it... That's what meant so much to me.

Kana smiles at me, sweetly.

Zephyr Well, okay then.

What the heck?

Her comments had me feeling embarrassed and awkward, but...

She really did seem happy. So I might as well call it a win.

Zephyr Well, let's hurry back. We gotta get to camp before nightfall.

Kana Yeah, absolutely! What do you think we're having for dinner tonight?

Kana starts to break into a run. I grab her hood to stop her.

Kana H-Hey! What's the deal?!

Zephyr That's not the way back to camp. Camp is that way.

Kana Oh... Is it?

Zephyr You're hopeless. Just follow me.

Kana Okay. Thanks, Zephyr!