pattyaifread

[pattyaifread]

Tales of Symphonia: Dawn of the New World - Hatenai Omoi Vol. 1, Alice Excerpts

I translated the prologue, part of chapter 4, and the epilogue in the first volume of Tales of Symphonia: Dawn of the New World - Feelings Without End by Sara Yajima.

This volume is entirely about Alice and Decus' backstory. The parts I translated cover their finale in the game, and gives more introspect on Alice's thoughts during that segment.

Prologue

She could feel the scrapes on her shoulders and chest as she laid face down. Here in the Ginnungagap, the bones of countless monsters who had lost their life were mercilessly scattered about. Those who still had a semblance of their form were the lucky ones—no doubt below laid those whose bones had long crumbled to dust. This was a Monster Graveyard. Moaning, Alice desperately tried to stand.

De…cus…

Reflected in her hazy eyes was his unmoving body, no longer breathing. Her hand trembled as she reached out to him in an attempt to get even a tiny bit closer.

“Alice… I know…you always said I was disgusting…”

Decus’ voice rose up in her mind.

“But I loved you…”

Those were his last words. She couldn’t count how many times she had heard him say “love” since they were young. However, it was the first and last time she had heard it in the past tense.

Decus…

When he was stabbed by Emil Castagnier’s sword, she instinctively let out a shriek. Unable to stand, she fell to her knees.

“...I… I loved you too. I really, truly… loved you too!”

She wondered if that voice would reach Decus.

Decus… If it was gonna come to this, then… I should have…

She could hear Emil saying something. Answering that voice was Marta Lualdi, still holding her spinners.

“Ghh…!”

Using all her strength, Alice crawled forward.

“Decus… I’m… coming for you…”

As he lay stretched out languidly, Alice reached out to his slender fingers.

The pain from the wound that Marta inflicted slowly faded into the distance. In its place, she could hear a faint whooshing sound.

Was it the wind? Wind did not blow in the Ginnungagap. That was the sound of the strong winds blowing in Hima.

I’m going home…

Alice smiled.

The orphanage where she met Decus when she was young must surely still be there.

It was an old building, and the kids would often have to repair the roof after the wind would damage it. Occasionally, a curious traveler or stray monster would wander into the small yard. The paint was peeling on the outer walls, and all that remained of the smashed windows was a warped frame.

Alice listened carefully to the sound that called her. Soon, she would no longer be in pain.

The wind grew stronger.

Chapter 4

Ginnungagap was the passageway to another world—once meant to connect Tethe’alla and Sylvarant—and now was the door to the demonic realm.

Richter, who had made pacts with the demons, was now trying to open the door to Niflheim. After confirming Richter had entered, Alice and Decus laid in wait to ambush Marta’s group. They would surely appear soon to stop Richter.

“This should be a good place to wait.”

Decus held the iron maiden in one hand and struck a pose. The reason it took them so long to reach this place was because of his so-called lucky merchandise, which weighed a ton.

“Decus, how long are you going to carry that dumb thing around? I can’t believe you brought it here of all places.”

She breathed a sigh and side-eyed the casket-style torture device.

“Well, my dearest Alice, today is the 765th day! The day my wish is to come true! There’s no way I wouldn’t bring it!”

“Is that so?” It was a typical occurrence, so Alice brushed it off.

“Hehe… Hehehehehe!” Decus looked down and burst into laughter.

“Why are you acting so disgusting?”

“Sorry, I was just thinking. Like how it would be nice to get a house after this. Let’s see… How does a place in Hima sound?

“Hima?” Alice looked at Decus, puzzled. “You can go back there if you want, but surely you of all people know Hima is beyond remote.”

Decus wriggled his body and proudly proclaimed, “That’s exactly why! I did think it through, y’know. With your flying monsters, we’d be just a hop away from work!”

“Wait, you’re including me in this?!” Alice gaped at him.

“The monsters there have decreased in numbers, and it’s become a nice place.”

“Oh, you…!” Alice glared at Decus. “You left me to go searching for Exspheres while you went back to Hima.”

“Please don’t get mad. I just wanted to take a glance to see if it was a suitable place for us to live and put you at ease.”

“...”

Does he really plan on staying with me forever?

Alice was exasperated.

At that moment, faint footsteps could be heard in the distance.

“!”

Alice readied herself.

“Alice, it looks like they’re here.” “I know.”

I’ll show you my “power.” Alice looked up with a dignified face, and then looked forward.

What appeared before her eyes was not a large number of people, but Marta and Emil, and the Centurion of Darkness, Tenebrae.  Alice was happy to see this.

Alice had not known that Lloyd’s group, who held the Derris Emblem that Ratatosk hated, had been transported to another location. She had only wanted to surpass Marta, and say a piece of her mind.

“Welcome, to the Monster Graveyard.”

Alice lined herself up with Decus, and snapping her whip, stepped out to meet the two. She had no intention of losing.

I’ll show you whether my belief is just a show or not.

Alice readied her whip, and Decus took out his large sword from the iron maiden. Emil went after Alice with his sword.

“Watch out, Alice!”

Marta went after Decus with her spinners as he guarded Alice. Taking that gap as a chance, Emil’s sword flashed several times before her eyes.

“Ahh?!”

There’s no way I’ll lose! I came this far with my own power. I can’t allow myself to lose to Martmart of all people! I’m stronger than her!

Believing in herself, Alice continued to fight. Eventually, she collapsed. Decus was also wounded, and let out a moan.

Why… I thought Martmart can’t do anything on her own… Don’t tell me she really grew up just because the princess met her prince?

“Martmart…”

Alice, collapsed, began to stand up while calling Marta’s name. Emil’s attack had cut deeply, most likely puncturing a lung, and she had difficulty breathing.

“Alice…”

“Martmart, you know, I…”

I have to say it. Those words I’ve always wanted to say!

Alice drew nearer to Marta, slouched over. She took one step and showed off a large stumble.

“Alice!”

As expected, Marta came running over and reached out to support Alice’s body.

Martmart, you’re too naive.

Alice straightened her body and slapped Marta as hard as she could across the cheek.

“I hate your guts!”

You’re just a little princess who’s never suffered a day in her life, and gets pampered when you can’t do a damn thing!

Alice pushed Marta down and straddled her, then raised her whip high and started to strike her.

“S-Stop that right now!”

Emil went after Alice and sliced his sword sideways.

Ahh!

She closed her eyes instinctively, when suddenly she heard a noise.

“Urgh…”

Before her was a groan she knew all too well.

D-Decus?!

Decus had his back gouged by Emil’s sword as he jumped in front of Alice. He tightly grabbed Alice’s shoulders with both hands.

For the first time, Alice saw a hint of nostalgia in Decus’ unfocused pupils, as he swayed back and forth. As his lips turned purple, he muttered, trembling and with a smile, “Today… is the 765th day… It seems… it was a scam again…”

Decus…

“Alice… I know���you always said I was disgusting…”

As his voice grew hoarse, he murmured just one thing.

“But I loved you…”

His words streamed into Alice’s ears.

That was it. Standing upright, just like that, he fell forward.

No…

“Decus!”

Alice shrieked. In that moment, the armor around her heart shattered.

“...I… I loved you too. I really, truly… loved you too!”

This wasn’t supposed to happen.

As much as I wanted to yell “I hate your guts!” to Marta… All the same, I wanted to say “I loved you” to Decus…

A terrifying regret took hold of her heart. 

Why did I only realize now… That’s right, I loved Decus. So why…!

Alice picked up Decus’ large sword from the ground. The idea to use her monsters never once crossed her mind.

“DIE!!!”

She rushed at Emil, who had taken Decus’ life. Suddenly, a large impact struck her back.

“...You know… Martmart…”

When she raised her head, Marta turned her back on her.

“...Hate me if you will. But I’ll never forgive anyone who hurts Emil.”

“...I never imagined you would seriously come at me. It’s my utter defeat…”

Since when did things turn out this way… Since when…

Alice desperately retraced her path.

“You’re a half-elf.”

“You’ll become strong.” “...So long as you don’t die in the middle of it, you’ll live a long life.”

The words of the old lady living in Hima came to mind.

Just… when…

Unable to come to an answer, she collapsed face down.

Epilogue

“Decus… I’m… coming for you…”

The strong winds blowing in Hima danced in the heavens, and softly rained down on the place Alice laid. The sound faded into the distance.

Her hand finally reached his fingers, where warmth still resided. She gently overlapped his hand with her own.

“Soon… we’ll be together again…” She whispered with only a movement of her lips.

If only… I had realized sooner… Then maybe the days we spent together may have been different…

The sky that Decus had looked up to every day when he was young. With clouds torn apart by the wind, the two began their journey under that same sky, seemingly too high to set their dreams free into.

To change the world all by oneself.

To obtain “power” all by oneself.

What I really wanted was… No, this was for the best…

She knew where her destination lay.

This time, I’ll return home, she thought.

Next time though, I absolutely won’t lose! She slowly closed her eyes.

Alice’s final smile graced her lips.

[pattyaifread]

Annon-Guy: So, you read (or translated) the Dawn of the New World Novels?

If so, what's Alice beef with Marta? The games tells me Alicedoesn't like Marta being weak and overdepandent on others and hates her for that to the point where she wants to kill her while Marta doesn't like Alice for bullying her and being a sadistic jerk toward everyone.

But someone told me it's more complicated in the Novels regarding Alice's thoughts toward Marta. I do know Marta tried befriending Alice with cookies, but since Marta doesn't know about her awful cooking yet, she burned the cookies and Alice chipped a tooth on it, making her believe Marta hurt her on purpose.

Going to paraphrase based on memory:

Alice doesn't like spoiled people who are handed everything due to the hard life she had growing up and the treatment she received for being a half-elf. She values having the strength to defend oneself. It's an eat or be eaten world to her. When she first met Marta, at the time Marta was still being pampered by her dad and the vanguard members. She didn't get any actual work to do and took it for granted.

So from the outset Alice didn't like her after getting that vibe. She temporarily thought to reevaluate Marta after she stole Ratatosk's core and went against her dad. But when she saw Marta being protected still by Emil as Ratatosk's Knight and Tenebrae she decided it was pretty much a done deal that she'd never like her.

I don't remember if she chipped her tooth on the cookie but it's true she tried one, was astounded how horrible it was, and gave the rest to Decus once leaving the room. The first meeting she wasn't sarcastic towards Marta and kept her thoughts to herself.

[pattyaifread]

Annon-Guy: I was wondering what you think of the characters from Dawn of the New World?

Emil, Ratatosk, Marta, Tenebrae, Richter, Aqua, Alice and Decus.

I really love Emil and Marta, both as characters and as a couple. Personally, they deserve more love and don't deserve the hate they get.

Sure. My feelings have changed a lot from 9 years ago when I first played to my recent replay. I gave it another chance with an open mind and ended up really enjoying everyone this time around.

Emil - He's really my type, and being voiced by Shimono Hiro is a bonus. I quite like his dynamic with the main cast, and how you can see the various ways they inspire him to grow stronger. With Marta, it's a desire to protect her and be a bit more manly. With Richter, he was able to gain the courage to do what he needed to do. And how despite this, inside he still says the same kind kid, who is still sometimes a bit of a pushover. I really love his conversations with Ratatosk that we get to see in Rays and I wish we had more of it in the base game. It's hard to put into words just what it is I like about Emil most, but he is tied with Ratatosk as my second favorite in the game. I'm just weak to cute types...

Ratatosk - He finally clicked for me when I was reading the DOTNW beach event in Rays. His regrets about killing Aster and how awkward he feels around Richter as a result hits really hard. Despite taking an antagonistic attitude towards him, he understands and regrets that he robbed something dear and precious from Richter, and likely realizes Richter probably feels the same as he did when he lost his Tree. The parallels with them are great. I also just love the way he accepts Emil as a part of himself... and with extra lore dropped from Rays, it only drives me crazier. I wish we got more scenes of him with Marta as I found their dynamic really interesting. The scene when he gets upset over thinking Marta prefers Emil too really tells a lot about him. When I rewatched the ending after he clicked with me, I realized how great of a parallel he was to Richter. His actions caused it all, and they both had things to atone for, but he still showed mercy on Richter and decided to change the laws of the world and to let him free in 1000 years to lessen that burden. Anyways, he's a lot cuter than I expected.

Marta - A young girl with her head a little too far up in the clouds--but coming back down to earth is part of her character arc, so I never minded that. And I think it's fairly realistic for girls that age. In my school days I did nothing but daydream about romance. I appreciate that even though she's not the strongest, she still works hard to meet her goals, and I think she protects Ratatosk+Emil just as much as they do her, in her own way. While her arc could have been more developed, I don't find her role offensive. I like her quite a bit, and once again, being voiced by Kugimiya Rie is another bonus.

Tenebrae - His loyalty to Ratatosk makes me feel so much I can't put it into words... I'm incredibly weak to loyal types. I love that he likes to screw around, and he always makes skits a lot of fun. The fact that he comes to see Emil as another precious master of his makes me wanna cry 🥲

Richter - *takes a deep breath* By far my #1 in the game. Seeing his sidequest this time around is what sent me on a major DOTNW spiral. I couldn't believe how cute he was in it... and that you miss out on a good chunk of his development if you don't see it. My problem only got worse and worse as I read through all his side and Rays material. His dedication to Aster is so intense I still can't believe I'm not hallucinating. He's just... the kindest antagonist to ever exist. His methods were messy, and many things didn't go the way he intended, but all he wanted in the end was to revive his friend and to protect the world that had let him and Aster meet... Onshuu no Richter adds a lot of context to his side as well, and how devastated he was by some events Brute caused after Richter handed him Solum's core. I love how he can't help but look after Emil, even if it at first it was due to him being stunned by having the same appearance as Aster. That even after finding out he's Ratatosk, he still cares for Emil and struggles to resolve himself to fight him. And that he's even willing to sacrifice himself just to keep the Gate closed... I could write a whole essay on Richter and his kindness but what do you mean this is the main antagonist 😭 I'm glad he at least gets to be happy with Aster in Rays.... I have a lot of feelings about how he just wanted to revive the first, and only until that point, friend he ever had...

Aqua - She didn't really grow on me until Onshuu no Richter, where you get to see her perspective on the reckless things Richter is doing. I like that due to her guilt, and her feelings for Richter, that she's still willing to watch over him and help him with his goals, even if she doesn't agree with it. And she doesn't accept it blindly either--she attempts to talk him out of it. In the game most of her scenes were comic relief, so I didn't have strong feelings on her, but her scenes in the manga really helped to shed more light on her character. But of the cast she's probably still my least favorite.

Alice - I like her personality but when I first replayed the game some months ago there were things about her that still went over my head. She started to grow on me a lot after reading Katsura-sensei's Alice & Decus spinoff manga, and Hatenai Omoi vol. 1 also boosted her for me. It helped me understand just what rubs her the wrong way with Marta, when I think the game was messy regarding that. It also helped to flesh out her feelings on Decus a lot, and I can see their ending in a new light. I think she's generally a lot of fun. She grew on me massively over the past few months, and might be my 3rd favorite now. It's between her and Tenebrae, I think.

Decus - On paper he's my type--dumb, but a loyal slave to Alice. I think he's a lot of fun and I enjoy his scenes, but I probably have the least deep feelings regarding him. I think his dedication to Alice is sweet though. That said, I wish them happiness in the next life 🥲 or in Rays.

[pattyaifread]

Annon-Guy: Loved the Marta short story! Thank you! It's adorable!

Interesting how she got her Spinner and it's nice to see why she's so close with her mom.

Glad you enjoyed it!

[pattyaifread]

Tales of Symphonia: Dawn of the New World - Hatenai Omoi Vol. 2, Marta Excerpt

I translated a short passage from Marta's chapter in the second volume of Tales of Symphonia: Dawn of the New World - Feelings Without End by Sara Yajima.

The passage is about how Marta obtained her spinners.

Marta spent her days with her mom cooking and nurturing flowers. However, after she passed the age of 10, she was allowed to hold and look at the various swords and grim-looking weapons in her home—which until that point she had been told to not touch because they’re dangerous—and this naturally caused a curiosity in strength to bud inside her.

“Mommy, do girls need to be strong too?” She tried asking her mom who was tending to roses in a vase while in the garden. “I think I should learn how to use a weapon and get strong.”

“I wonder,” her mother responded casually while plucking thorns from the stems. “I think perhaps it’s best for girls to be protected by a strong man.”

“So did you marry Daddy because he’s strong?”

“That’s not the only reason… But it’s true your dad is quite strong. Enough to obtain unshakeable faith from his subordinates.” Her mother boasted with a smile. 

“It would be nice if one day a prince would appear to protect you.” Her mother said while handing over a rose. Marta’s eyes lit up drastically as she took it.

“A prince?! Like the kind from stories?!”

“That’s right.”

“Whaaat, you mean I have my very own prince too?”

“Of course, silly. You just haven’t met him yet.”

What should I do? Thought Marta while twisting her body. As a result of being pampered since a young age, she never had the habit of doubting herself or being in denial. Should she wish for it, it would be granted.

“Hey Mommy, a prince usually wants to marry a princess because she’s beautiful, right?”

“Usually, yes.” Having finished arranging the flowers, her mother nodded as she picked up the vase to carry it to the bay window in the living room.

“Oh my gooosh! I have to hurry and become the fairest in the land! I’ll grow out my hair, get a thinner waist, and become an elegant lady—oh!”

Marta clapped her hands together. “That’s it! I just need a cute weapon that will match the cute clothes I wear! Mommy, do you have any ideas?”

“Let’s see…” Her mother trailed off as she went to grab a magazine from Brute’s study.

“This is your dad’s, but it’s full of weapons. Why don’t you look through it and see if you find something. But just know: I’m not buying it for you. I’m against you carrying around anything dangerous.”

“Got it. I’ll only look.”

Marta sat back on the sofa and flipped through the pages. The various pictures made it clear just what kind of shape each of the weapons were.

“Ugh, they’re all so grim. Sickle and chains and man catchers, even the names are ridiculous.” 

Marta laughed and then suddenly proclaimed, “Oh, this is so cute!” She pointed at a weapon.

“A rotating blade… It's called a spinner. It looks like a halo!”

With this, I can use them all cutesy and be just like a butterfly! I’ll try asking Daddy.

Although her mom had said no, she knew if she tried asking her dad, Brute, he would definitely buy it for her. And so just as she expected, albeit it came with the condition that it was only for self-defense, Marta obtained her spinners.

[pattyaifread]

As the person who translated the event, I want to clear up some misinterpretations because I would rather not see them spread. I'm glad you still enjoy the event, but I would like to offer a different perspective at least on the things you seemed to be caught up on, and hope that you might see them in a better light. I really love this event so I don't really want to see things being taken the wrong way with it. I'm glad to see others opinions, but I also would like to clear things up if maybe the way I approached a line caused someone to interpret things wrongly.

First, regarding the Aster line about seeing Emil and Marta get along together: the jealousy comment isn't implying that he doesn't get along with girls. He mentions Rilena right after, so what he's jealous about is that someone with his face has their precious person right next to them in that world. That scene is about him missing Rilena. Nothing more.

Second, about Aster being a lech... I think one throwaway comment about wanting to see girls in their swimsuits is not that grand, or puts him on the same level as Zelos who never keeps it in his pants. Even if he is a little pervy, the reality is there's too many situations we've never seen Aster in in canon to say how he'd react 100% to things. I would probably just not think so hard about the line in general in a negative context when he's probably just saying the first thing that came to mind.

Third, Ratatosk's attitude. His words are too harsh at times and his personality isn't gonna change overnight. His words to Richter are quite reasonable, all things considered between them, and Tenebrae is not apologizing on his behalf. He's just trying to help Richter understand Ratatosk a little bit better, as his own grudge still clouds his judgement, and Tenebrae is very loyal to his master and just wants his actions understood. I do feel it's viewing Ratatosk a little unfairly here to think of him so bad, when this event is actually what made me start to really love him. Despite his antagonistic relationship with Richter, he still railed into him for Emil's sake, which I found incredibly sweet. And I think that openly speaking their minds to one another is for the best, even if it starts off with only harsh words.

Translated by Polka. Proofread by Aera and Seine. Video editing by Scarfy.

[pattyaifread]

I made a transcript for all of my Rays translations thus far, for easier reading and browsing.

The formatting is a bit inconsistent as I copy-pasted things as they were, and it lacks a proper ToC at the moment.

I also made a directory for my Tales translations thus far: https://pattyaifread.tumblr.com/directory

[pattyaifread]

Login bonus dialogue for Tir Na Nog SUMMER: Tempests at the Beach Resort.

[pattyaifread]

Translated by Polka. Proofread by Aera and Seine. Video editing by Scarfy.

[pattyaifread]

Translated by Polka. Proofread by Aera. Video editing by Scarfy.

[pattyaifread]

Translated by Polka. Proofread by Aera. Video editing by Scarfy.

[pattyaifread]

Translated by Polka. Proofread by Seine. Video editing by Scarfy.

(We will be changing the spelling of her name as of this skit. Thank you for understanding.)

[pattyaifread]

Translated by Polka. Proofread by Seine. Video editing by Scarfy.

[pattyaifread]

Translated by Polka. Proofread by Seine. Video editing by Scarfy.

[pattyaifread]

Translated by Polka. Proofread by Seine. Video editing by Scarfy.

[pattyaifread]

Tales of Symphonia: Dawn of the New World - Hatenai Omoi Vol. 2, Richter Abend Excerpts

I translated the first and last parts of Richter's chapter in the second volume of Tales of Symphonia: Dawn of the New World - Feelings Without End by Sara Yajima.

The chapter begins post-game with Richter alone in Ginnungagap, and he starts to reminisce about the time he spent with Aster. The novel covers up from just before the time he got captured and locked away in the Research Academy, up to Aster's death.

Occasionally, he felt a throbbing sensation on his forehead. Richter Abend lightly touched the spot with his fingers, reaffirming that Ratatosk’s core was implanted there. It had been some time since the Summon Spirit Ratatosk had left Ginnungagap, and although the strange sensation hadn’t disappeared, he was now used to it.

Just how much time had passed since then?

Ratatosk split his body from his core and returned to that world as Emil Castagnier, and should be spending his time as a short-lived human alongside Marta Lualdi and their friends. Perhaps this throbbing sensation is responding to Emil’s feelings, Richter thought.

He knew it was a little too convenient to think that Ratatosk living as Emil was making up for what should have been Aster’s life. However, that thought was the only solace for Richter who was sealed inside Ginnungagap as a human sacrifice, and had to live with the core.

Nothing happened in this place. The flow of time couldn’t be felt. Even the demons from Niflheim were silent.

“A thousand years.” Ratatosks’s voice rose to his mind. “It will take a thousand years to separate mana from all living beings on this planet. After mana is no longer needed to support this world, the remaining mana will be used to create a new seal. I’ll release you then.”

I suppose it’s an offer I should be grateful for considering I sold my soul to demons and tried to destroy the world.

Richter’s lips curved into a smile at the edges, and as he gazed at the dark space spreading out before him, he recalled his best friend.

They had read books together, devoted their all to research, fiercely debated with one another, and had shared bread on their travels together. Aster was carefree and never discriminated against him, and in the end all that was left behind was a cold corpse.

Aster… Even once I’m released, you won’t exist in the world that I return to…

Richter wondered what that foolishly good-natured Aster would think of him spending a thousand years in the place of his death, and quietly closed his eyes.

※

—---------

After they enter Ginnungagap

“Richter!” Aster called for Richter. “Look. Over there.”

Richter followed Aster’s line of sight, and there he saw a being looking down upon them. Aster took one step towards it.

“Aster…”

Aster signaled it would be okay and made a fist, and swallowed hard while nodding. “You’re Ratatosk, the Summon Spirit of the Great Kharlan Tree, right?” His shaking voice seemed to reach the being.

“Some have called me by that name.” Ratatosk’s voice was deep and rattled the air. Those on the other side of the door reacted to that voice and became boisterous.

Richter took notice that Ratatosk’s gaze was fixed above them, and moved to stand shoulder to shoulder with Aster. “Ratatosk,” Richter called out as he gazed upon the Summon Spirit, “right now, the flow of mana in the world is out of balance and is in a state of chaos. We believe that to restore that balance, your power is needed.”

“Even if I restore the balance, the world will once again fall into chaos without a tree,” Ratatosk coldly stated.

“We heard that a new tree was born!” Aster started speaking again, this time with a firm voice. “But from what we researched, the spirit of the new tree doesn’t have the power to control the flow of mana like you do.”

“Hmph. And?”

“I beg of you! Please use the Centurions to restore the balance of mana in the world! If you do, the world will be saved!”

There was a momentary silence. Then suddenly, the Summon Spirit’s voice boomed. “Awaken, Centurions! Form pacts with monsters, and restore the balance of mana. And then eradicate humanity who destroyed my tree!”

W-what?!

Richter doubted his ears.

“W-what on earth are you saying!” Aster went white as a sheet.

“I thought you wanted to save the world?”

“Why do you have to kill people to do that?!” Aster picked a fight with the Summon Spirit.

Ratatosk became furious at his words. The room trembled with his next words. “Who was it who destroyed the Great Kharlan Tree?! Humans and half-elves, that’s who! So I’ll destroy them in return!”

“B-but a new World Tree was born!” Aster replied frantically.

“And in time you’ll destroy it once more. Your kind are nothing but parasites to this world!”

“That’s not true!” Aster looked hurt, and continued to frantically appeal. “Humans and half-elves are an important part of this world, and—”

This is bad, Richter thought. At that very moment—

“Silence!” Ratatosk’s callous voice roared.

?!?!

Richter saw white fly by at the edge of his vision. Aster was hit by the full brunt of Ratatosk’s power, and went flying. He crashed down against the floor violently, and continued to tumble. By the time his body had stopped rolling, all Richter saw a white lump that was twisted unnaturally, and Aster was no longer moving.

“Aster?!” Richter yelled out, wide-eyed.

“See? The death of one parasite had no effect on the world.”

“Aster?!” Richter approached Aster unsteadily. Why was he yelling for him even though he knew it was too late? Even though nothing would change in the world? His feet stopped.

“Aster… Aster.” Richter turned to look behind him. “You bastard! How could you… How dare you do that to Aster!”

Richter grabbed his sword and axe as the blood rushed to his head. He rushed towards the Summon Spirit.

“Aaaaaahhhhhhhhhh!!!!”

Ratatosk recoiled at the sword raised high. The sharp edge of the blade cut into the Summon Spirit. “Guh!”

If I kill Ratatosk, the world will fall into ruin. Richter realized this fact, but it mattered not.

“How dare you do that to Aster! Mortal Summer!”

Flames burst out from the swinging axe and raced across the floor in the space between him and Ratatosk. However, it had no effect on the spirit.

“Dammit!”

He threw his axe and it cut through Ratatosk’s leg and lodged into the floor. Taking that chance, Richter grabbed his sword with both arms and raised it above his head. “Towering Inferno!”

It didn’t matter who his opponent was. He went on the attack against Ratatosk who was blinded by the dizzying light. 

But then at the perfect timing— “Ain Soph Aur!”—Ratatosk sent the axe flying and retaliated.

“Aghhhhh!!!!” Richter felt like his body would break into pieces upon impact, but scraped together all his remaining power for one last attack.

I don’t care if I die. Aster was already killed like some bug!

“Tch!” Ratatosk clicked his tongue at the tenacious half-elf.

On the verge of insanity and death, Richter raised his sword once more above his head as it gleamed. Through the violent bursts of light, he had just barely glimpsed Ratatosk’s figure bending back. When the light faded, the spirit was nowhere to be seen.

“Where… did you go…” Richter was breathing heavily and collapsed to his knees. He then noticed a shining red gem rolling on the floor.

What… is that? Don’t tell… me… that’s… Rata…tosk? The sound of blood gushing out felt like it would tear apart his eardrums. He crouched down for a moment.

Aster!

He started to crawl towards Aster with a desperate look on his face.

…Aster!!

A blue figure passed by several times overhead. Richter didn’t notice that Centurion Aqua was there at all. She hid herself in the darkness. “As..ter…”

He finally grasped the edge of that white coat. With a sliver of hope, Richter looked up towards that twisted body. However, with a pale face and closed eyes, Aster was unmoving.

“I always figured I’d hand it all over to you once you eventually left the Research Academy and went out into the world.” “I want to entrust everything to you, Richter. When I die, please make sure my research lives on.” “Rather than interactive, it’s more like circulation!”

Whose voices were those? It echoed repeatedly in his head, causing pain. “Rata…tosk… I’ll never… forgive you!”

Richter picked up the gem—Ratatosk’s core—and though he lacked knowledge surrounding it, he knew he should destroy it.

While holding Aster up, he thought to go grab the core, but his consciousness was already dim due to the wound. Even so, he struggled with all his might to support his body, but just sitting up was his limit.

Suddenly, a black shadow jumped out of midair.

What?!

The black shadow swiftly grabbed the core in its mouth and ran off into the darkness.

“D-damn… it… Augh!”

When he looked down, he noticed that Aster’s white clothes had been dyed crimson in his arms.

Everything was over. Richter had finally understood that. He would never come back to life. Knowing that, he couldn’t contain his cries. Using the remainder of his life, he wanted to become empty.

“Aster! Aster! ASTER!!”

Richter slanted over and collapsed onto the floor as his screams continued reverberating.

※

Just how long had he immersed himself in memories of Aster?

Whether it was only for an instant, or for a year or even ten, it made no difference to his current predicament. When he opened his eyes, the unchanging view of Ginnungagap spread out before him. If he had been left like that, he no doubt would have lost his life, he recalled.

By the time he came to, Centurion Aqua was staring at him worriedly. “It’s all my fault for taking you there in the first place…”

She had taken Richter, who was on the verge of death, to a safe place and nursed him back to health. She had greatly lamented the death of Richter’s friend, and mourned. So she had listened to his story, and opened her heart to him. Richter made contact with the demons, and exchanged a contract with them: “If you open the door to the demonic realm, Aster will be revived.” Aqua of the eight Centurions betrayed the Summon Spirit Ratatosk, and chose to work together with Richter.

Richter gave Solum’s core that he had received from the demons to Brute, the leader of the Sylvaranti Liberation Front, and in return received a high ranking in the Vanguard’s troops.

The Summon Spirit Ratatosk was the face of Richter’s revenge–a face stolen from Aster. And now, he had given his body to that very same Summon Spirit and was spending a thousand years in the place where Aster had been killed. Richter had begun to gradually think he was finally making peace with everything.

I wonder what Emil is up to now.

He wondered if Emil was forging his own path forward together with Marta.

Richter had a secret hope that he would never dare voice.

He hoped that once Emil saw his life through as a human, that he would return to this place in Emil’s form. If it was Emil in old age, then perhaps he would be able to get a glimpse of Aster’s life, who he should have watched over. If it was the sixteen year old Emil… Richter let out a faint laugh. It seemed like something Ratatosk would do. He wouldn’t mind spending a thousand years here in that case.

He would gladly repay that kindness for the sake of the world that gave birth to Aster and allowed them to meet. He prayed to be able to once again research day in and out alongside Aster once he was released. He knew it was impossible, but that feeling revived in Richter’s chest again and again, carrying him away to those nostalgic days.

He heard giggling as he began to space out again. He cleared his throat. Once again, there were giggles.

Centurion Aqua and Centurion Tenebrae—they dispersed to escape at that moment. He wasn’t able to see them, but he could sense them. Those two, along with the rest of the Centurions, were busy controlling monsters and working on separating mana from the world, but occasionally they would return and tease Richter. It was their own form of consideration.

Richter put his hand against the core on his forehead. He was looking forward to hearing about Ratatosk’s happy travels as a human. Richter believed that somewhere in there, he would find proof that Aster was still alive.

End

Flashback quotes:

The first one is after the worlds were merged, and half-elves were released. The line is from Richter, who never thought he'd be able to leave. The second one is from Aster, when he's lamenting he only has so many more decades left as a human, and wishes he could continue to research for eternity. (This is just before they enter Ginnungagap) (Sorry kid).

The third one is Rilena, talking about the relationship between Aster and Richter and how well they've been able to get along. They're using scientific terms here rather than normal terms to describe human relationships, in terms of humans and half-elves getting along, so out of context it doesn't make much sense. But she's saying that they built a really well relationship, to the point she's even a little jealous of it.

[pattyaifread]

Tales of Phantasia Drama CD - Suzu Fujibayashi’s Ninja Diary: Chapter Two - The Art of High Jumps