Rue's route, Part VIII: The Inmost Light
Ghost... But I saw you...
Hey... Why are you running? I'm not going anywhere.
It's time to collect our reward from Fancy Mel.
Hello, Rue.
I need to talk to Rue alone.
Not fair... Not happy... But Mel say, so I do. Bwye-Bwye, Rue! We play next time.
I'm so glad you found him. Thank you.
Are you done with the cube?
Well, aren't we eager. Yes. I'm done examining the cube. I've written everything in here. You can read it when you get back to town.
Thank you very much. I really appreciate it.
Don't mention it. I had some free time anyway. Well... I guess that concludes our deal. Oh, there's something I've been wanting to ask you. Do you have a minute?
Sure. What is it?
...I guess I'll just come out and say it. Rue... You're gay, aren't you?
How should I explain this...? There's something about your spirit. Every human has but one spirit. But you... There's something odd about you. I can see it. I see your spirit, and a shadow of another spirit. I've never seen anything like it in any human.
......
I'm sorry if I offended you.
It's ok... It's true.
Do you know who you are?
Heh. Well, NEXT time you spend a night in this berg, go easy on the bub.
I tried to remember where to go...
I tried to remember what I had to do...
I couldn't remember anything.
I wandered aimlessly.
That's when I met Claire. I was a complete stranger, but she was so kind to me.
When she found out that I had no place to go, she told me that I could stay at her home.
I wandered alone for so long, and I finally found a home... Claire was like my sister.
I couldn't do anything for her. That's why I need the [relic].
No wonder you're so determined... The power of the Aeon [relic] can probably bring Claire back to life.
I don't care how long it takes or how many battles I have to fight. I'm gonna find the [relic], no matter what.
Just keep in mind that what you're trying to do is very dangerous. I've already told you. Valen's power may lead all of us to oblivion.
Even so, if I can save Claire...
What if it leads to world destruction? Millions of people may die. You don't care?
...
There's still plenty of time. Think it over.
Are you in there?
Who can that be...? Rue, let's continue some other time.
I thought I'd see you here. I bet Mel told you a lot about the [relic], huh? I knew it! It's written all over your face. Gosh, I'm good!
Ok, let's have it. Come on. What did Mel tell you about the [relic]?
I can't... Not now.
...What's wrong? Are you sick or something? Ok. Fine. I'll go ask Mel myself. Thanks, Elena. See ya.
Bye.
Are you alright?
Are you sure...? You look a little down. Did Mel say something to you?
No. She didn't say anything. She was very helpful. What are you gonna do? Are you gonna wait for Mint?
Nope. She just needed help getting here, so I'm going home now.
Ok. Let's go back together.
(I better explain to her again.)
That's right. I can turn into one, but I'm not a Pollywog. What you see now is the real me. So, from now on, you can just call me Rue.
Ok. Gee, all this time I had it the other way around. I thought the Polly turned into you, but it was you who turned into the Polly... But how come you can transform?
Um... That's kind of hard to explain.
Is it your big secret? Ohh, you're gonna leave me curious all day.
(What am I supposed to say, 'I'm not human'? I can't tell her that...)
Meanwhile...
Psycho Master whispers something.
I sent them to Carona moments ago, my lord. They should arrive tomorrow morning.
Yes, my lord. We will suppress this matter until the time comes.
It would be my honor, my lord. We have fought from the day we were born. Fighting is our way of life, and we desire nothing more. In the name of Doll Master, we shall eradicate your foes.
Back to our hero.
Doctor, good news. Mel examined the cube for us. She wrote the details in this report.
That's great! Let's read it.
Hmm... I see...
You finished reading it already?
Not yet. I just finished reading the part that explains how to open it. So, I figured, why not open it now?
If it can be opened, there must be something in there.
I believe so. Mel's report says, 'Open the cube and find out for yourself.' I think there's an item in here that can unlock the seal placed by the Aeon.
W-What in the world is that...!?
He looks human, but he's...a doll.
Amazing... It should be impossible to make something like this nowadays.
That means that doll is packed with all kinds of powerful magic. Don't let his appearance fool you... He's called Prima Doll, and he's the only one who has the power to break the seal at the lake ruins.
Wow... Elroy was so close to breaking the seal...
Well, I guess now we can get the [relic] with this Prima Doll.
It's not that easy. Did you even finish reading Mel's report? You don't know anything, do you? Fine. I'll tell you. This Prima Doll isn't complete. Right now, he doesn't have any power, so he's sleeping. Even if you kick him or slap him, he won't do anything. He'll just keep lying there. There's only one way to wake him up.
We need to get some items, right?
Exactly! The stuff we need is written in Mel's report.
Here it is: 'Grand Magician Elroy worked closely with his apprentices. The items needed to complete the Prima Doll are kept in the ateliers of his apprentices. A pair of gauntlets and a pair of sollerets are being kept at the Ghost Temple. The earrings are being kept at the atelier in Gamul Forest. The forest is high above the river. The final item, an amulet, must be made from phantomite.'
Doctor, please find out where we can get some phantomite. I'll go to the Ghost Temple and Gamul Forest and get the items.
That's not a good idea. Remember, we're not the only ones after the [relic]. If you go on your own and get the items, somebody might end up taking them away from you. I know about the tiara. Belle and Duke took it away from you, didn't they? That's what's gonna happen if you go by yourself again.
...What are you trying to tell me?
What I'm saying is we should work together to get the items. You can go to the Ghost Temple, and I'll go to Gamul Forest. It'll be a lot faster. This way, we won't have to put all our eggs in one basket, capiche!?
...Ok. Is that ok with you, Doctor?
Yes. I think that would be better.
Alrighty. Let's get on with it. I'm gonna go to Gamul Forest and get the earrings. You go to the Ghost Temple. Make sure you bring back the gauntlets and sollerets. You'd better not screw up this time.
You'd better not
aban keep those earrings for yourself.
WHAAAT!? What did you say!? I can't believe you'd say that! I would never do that!
......
Look, we're partners, ok!? Trust me! Dang!