Gate of Memoirs/What Remains

A fleeting calvacade of fragmented memories flood your senses as you surrender to the song.
Portrait 	Dialogue
Music: "Daydream"	Music: "Daydream"
 	
*—A memory of solace.
 	
*Aoife: It hasn't been long since we last came here.
 	
*・・・・・・: I like this place. It's our safe haven.
*The two sit in silence, before a movement catches Aoife's attention.
*Interwoven fingers and a small smile.
*・・・・・・: Thank you.
*・・・・・・: For everything you've given me.
 	
*Aoife: What a strange thing to say all of a sudden.
 	
*・・・・・・: You know what I mean. I wouldn't be here otherwise.
*・・・・・・: I wouldn't know how beautiful the sun looks dipping beneath the waves.
*・・・・・・: I never used to notice these things.
 	
*Aoife: You speak of me too highly.
*Aoife: There is little I can do, but it pains me to see you suffering.
 	
*・・・・・・: ...You're always like this.
*・・・・・・: Well, I'm no different, I suppose.
 	
*Aoife: It's true. You wouldn't think about yourself if you could.
*Aoife: Someone needs to take care of that.
Portrait	Dialogue
 	
*・・・・・・: Haha.
*・・・・・・: I always wonder why you're so preoccupied with a hollow shell.
*・・・・・・: Because you're hungry, or because you love me?
*・・・・・・: Love is a funny thing. Don't you think?
Portrait 	Dialogue
Music: "Land of Giants"	Music: "Land of Giants"
 	
*The ghosts crumble back into ash, leaving barely audible whispers in their wake.
*Those were some of the most demonic-looking specters you've ever seen.
*Heaven only knows what sort of resentment had transformed them so.
*Next to you, Hakuzo pats his hands free of dust and narrows his eyes.
 	
*Hakuzo: Well! Strange of them to be here.
*Hakuzo: They're demons, . Despite their, hmm..."glamors", you could call it?
 	
*Now, it's your turn to narrow your eyes.
*Demons have...souls?
 	
*Hakuzo: ...Not in the way you imagine us to have, no.
*Hakuzo: Ever wonder why we demons simply reappear over and over no matter how many times you clear an area out?
 	
*Hakuzo: They're not truly *dead*. As long as their essence lingers, they'll return to life within a manner of days.
 	
*Hakuzo: Here, however...
 	
*Hakuzo kneels down and draws a circle in the dust.
 	
*Hakuzo: Their essences are bound here.
*Hakuzo: In other words, as far as any other realm is concerned, these demons are nonexistent.
*Hakuzo: It's not really my business if they are, but it does pose a problem when they're taken out of the circulation entirely.
*Hakuzo: Given enough time, it could result in a complete essence vacuum...and final death for the rest of us.
*Hakuzo: Not that I know why they're here, really. Curiosity can be...quite deadly.
 	
*You are surprised by the sudden candidness, but consider his words carefully.
*Try as you might, however, your mind feels oddly foggy and distracted.
*You're not sure if it's due to the spiritual attack, or the nature of this island.
**tinkle*
*A small sound draws your attention.
*?: *tinkle*
*The wisp—a small, shy, glimmering little thing—floats at the edge of a trailing wood inland.
*After lingering for a few moments, it soon retreats beneath the dappled shadows and disappears.
Music: "Seabed Song" 	Music: "Seabed Song"
 	
*As if drawn by some phantom compulsion, you find yourself in pursuit.
Portrait	Dialogue
 	
*The woods didn't seem this dense from outside, did they?
*Your footfalls quietly crunch the leaves of innumerable seasons.
*The trees—thin, fraying, pale—don't seem ancient, but they *feel* incredibly old.
Portrait	Dialogue
 	
*Before long, you find yourself before a tiny stone shrine in a corner.
*The wisp seems to have been expecting you.
*?: You're human...and alive...
*?: I've waited a long time for someone like you.
*?: My name is not important; please, listen to what I have to say.
*?: You've seen the ghosts, right?
*?: ...You seem capable. Perhaps you're someone who can help.
*?: Please, help her. Aoife...
*You settle down next to the grave, confused.
*Aoife? In need of help?
*You look around, and scarcely peeking through the unruly weeds are similar graves.
*The dull hum in the back of your mind seems to emanate from every corner.
*Fragmented memories of people flood your senses.
*Their smiles. Their laughs. Their looks growing sorrowful, then strange, then—
Portrait	Dialogue
 	
*Your world begins to mist, just like the shore, and the voice of the wisp is drowned out
*by the sound of the sea and the gentle lapping of waves.
Portrait 	Dialogue
Music: "Overcome"	Music: "Overcome"
 	
*Hakuzo's ears prick at an undercurrent of soft, barely audible song.
 	
*Hakuzo: Wait a minute.
*Hakuzo: ?
 	
*Hakuzo: ?!
 	
*His client. Gone.
*And in danger, from the sound of it.
 	
*Hakuzo: Damn it.
 	
*Summoning his glaive by his side, Hakuzo takes off down the cliff, channeling a spell in his other hand.
Portrait	Dialogue
 	
*Hakuzo: How could I have forgotten her song?