Aigu

**Aigu** is a Wanderer advertising her requests at the Paradise Group headquarters. She is the lead singer of the Dandelion band, which travels all over the world to spread the healing ability of music (metaphorically, not literally). She later recruited Bragi into Dandelion after meeting the Bard in Izlude.

## Story

**SPOILER WARNING:** Plot and/or ending details follow.
After performing at a local show, Aigu went back to the Paradise Group headquarters to meet with someone. She could not find the person and so went to seek out the person in charge of Paradise Group. Unfortunately she was not able to find the head of the group and most everyone at the headquarters were too busy to aid her. She therefore decides to advertise her requests on her own.

It is revealed that Aigu was a member of the White Wings guild that has been spending the last two years looking for its guildleader Newoz. Eventually, members of the guild track down Newoz to a space in the Dimensional Gap. Roter seemed relieved to finally find the Minstrel while Mingmin could think nothing more but to feed Newoz a basket full of poisonous mushrooms for costing the guild so much time and money to find him. Newoz promises to explain himself and remarks that he can't eat mushrooms at all. Aigu mentions that Newoz can't eat anything but meat, but she's glad he's safe regardless. Gelka greets Newoz enthusiastically, saying that her master told her many great things about him. Feeling embarrassed, Roter tells her to stop and says that Newoz is nothing more than an idiot with no sense of direction. Arang notes that Newoz's eyes look puffier than usual, suggesting that he hasn't been getting much sleep. Newoz greets her back and asks her about Ari until he is interrupted by Roter telling him how they've recruited new guildmembers to find him and that he has been gone for a very long time. Runane quickly introduces herself and expresses how honored she is to finally meet the famous Newoz in person. Roel chimes in his own greeting and mentions that he joined the guild along with Runane.

After all the introductions and reunion remarks were done with, Roter boastfully asserts that according to the guild's policy, he is now the guildleader and Newoz has been demoted to mere member status. Without missing a beat, Newoz happily congratulates Roter on his promotion, which disappoints Roter as he wanted to upset the Minstrel. Just then, a voice chimes in saying that Newoz wouldn't be fazed by such a thing as all he's interested in are adventure, monsters, and treasure. Newoz wonders if the voice is a ghost and then greets Melody-Jack properly. While still in Hiding status, Melody-Jack warns that he senses something coming from the ground where Newoz was standing. Arang jokingly asks if that's why Melody-Jack is hiding like a coward, to which the Shadow Chaser responds that it is natural for veteran thieves like him to hide themselves in potential enemy territory. Mingmin agrees with Melody-Jack and says that the area simply screams that it's unnatural. Bragi suggests that perhaps the place was supernatural. Noticing the bard, Newoz asks if his name was Bragi and that he'd love to work with him sometime.

Just then, Runane asserts that she joined the guild in order to meet Newoz and asks the Minstrel if he has a girlfriend. Aigu quickly yells out that she has dibs on him first, to which Runane counters if Newoz knows that. Aigu sheepishly admits she never confessed to him and Runane declares that the Minstrel is fair game. Gelka begins to feel uncomfortable about the conversation as Arang expresses that she wants in on the fight over Newoz's affection as well. Suddenly, Mingmin notes that something is in the distance and Runane quickly volunteers to go check it out. Aigu runs after her to Bragi's chagrin.

Aigu and Runane quickly became lost together with the recruit and Runane becomes worried that something might jump at them out of nowhere. Suddenly, a girl in black appears, scaring the lights out Runane. Aigu manages to calm the High Priestess down and the girl asks them how they got into the area. Aigu mentions that they wouldn't be there if it weren't for a certain someone and the girl mentions "the one who sings." Hearing that, Runane asks the girl if she knew Newoz and decides to get the girl out there. Aigu takes the girl's hand and the girl notes that the Wanderer's hand is warm.

Aigu, Arang, and the recruit manage to find Newoz, who complains that the area is like a maze with so many offshoots and clearing. He began to fill with dread as memories of Bifrost Tower came to him. Arang snorts, saying that he thought the same of Prontera Culverts, which was nothing compared to this. Aigu couldn't understand why it was so difficult for Newoz to follow them and notices that Runane is not with them anymore. Suddenly, the girl in black points out Newoz as the "man with the singing voice" and introduces herself as Shaloshi. Newoz thinks she's cute and promises to sing for her later. Suddenly, monsters start appearing around them and Aigu begins to worry. Arang assures her that they'll be okay as long as they stick together, until she notices that everyone else is gone. Newoz tells them not to worry as he'll protect them. Arang expresses her love for him, but Aigu notes that Newoz is more likely to run and suggests that they get a move on.

Aigu and the recruit soon lose sight of Newoz and Shaloshi, but manage to find Runane along with Roel. The Wanderer mentions that she had Shaloshi's hand and the next minute the girl was gone. Runane is surprised that the girl's name was Shaloshi and that she never told the High Priestess after asking several times. Aigu responds that it was strange since Shaloshi introduced herself to Newoz as soon as she saw him. Runane becomes irritated and expresses that she hates girls. She adds that they may see more monsters and Roel assures her that he'll protect her. Aigu wonders if the Royal Guard is more reliable than someone she knows (Newoz), but Runane scoffs not to put too much faith on Roel. Despite being brushed aside, Roel still yearns for Runane.

Mingmin, Aigu, and Arang later find each other and become involved in a game of rock-paper-scissors. It turns out Aigu had a bottle of Green Potion that's nearly expired so they're trying to see who would drink it in order to not waste it. Arang ended up being the loser who has to drink it. Mingmin assures her that the potion won't do anything to those who aren't poisoned. Arang argues that it's awfully bitter regardless. She tries to get Roel to drink it instead, but the Royal Guard says he needs to go look for possible threats.

Newoz and the recruit eventually meet up with Mingmin again along with Aigu, Bragi, Roel, and Shaloshi. Shaloshi mentions that she suddenly remembers a few things and Newoz and Bragi initiate an inappropriate joke in response, earning them slaps from Mingmin and Aigu. After chastising them, Aigu asks Shaloshi to elaborate on what she remembers. Shaloshi recalls hearing a voice in darkness that was low and ringing. She then heard Newoz singing while waiting for his friends and his voice warmed her. She didn't understand what friends were, but she wanted it. In doing so, Aigu and Runane showed up as if someone granted her wish. Newoz is curious that Shaloshi would remember darkness as the area they're in has always been brightly lit aside from the fog that separated them earlier. He theorizes there may be someone else in the area along with them.

Just then, the group encounters Roter, Gelka, Arang, and Runane being accosted by monsters. Newoz is worried for Arang and Shaloshi, but the Taekwon girl assures him that they're fine. Newoz mentions that his instincts told him to slow down due to danger ahead and Gelka mistaken it for the instincts of a great adventurer. Arang asserts that Newoz's instincts have gotten rusty and Roter adds that the Minstrel is just being lazy. Shaloshi points out her instincts tell her that Newoz is not strong and that he thinks everyone except Roter is mediocre. Mingmin concludes that Shaloshi's instincts are actually an ability to hear thoughts. Runane becomes upset and orders everyone to stop being disrespectful to Newoz. Roel intervenes and says that comrades should not be fighting each other. Runane scoffs at the statement, saying that they're all just a bunch of strangers trying to save a lost girl. Roel's heart is aflutter hearing Runane be angry.

Elsewhere, Runane tells Aigu that perhaps Newoz isn't interested in dating. Aigu agrees and admits she never seriously confessed to him because he's dimwitted and only interested in adventuring. Runane is resigned to the fact he'll say no to her if she asks him out. Aigu mentions that she seems fond of Roel, to which Runane responds that she's not interested in that kid. Aigu then turns her attention to the recruit and asks him/her about his/her love life. Aigu remarks that she doesn't mind healthy rivalry, but would prefer friendship over it. Runane suggests they make a truce over Newoz, but asserts that she will take him the moment she finds him vulnerable. This incites Aigu to counter that it won't happen as long as she lives. Hearing this, Shaloshi contemplates the meaning of friends, comrades, and rivals.

The recruit manages to find the rest of the guild. Newoz notices that the atmosphere of the area has changed. Mingmin and Roter point out the air smelling different and it seems as though they're underwater but they're not. Melody-Jack emphasizes that the guild has been circling around the same place since they arrived. Mingmin equates the drastic environmental changes being rather similar to the mood swings of a bipolar person. Melody-Jack adds that as the environment changed, the foreign energy he's been sensing has been growing stronger. As the group talks about what they'll do if a monster appears before them, Arang notices that Shaloshi isn't with them. Newoz suggests they find her and the group goes deeper into the area.

At long last, the entire guild was finally together again with the addition of Shaloshi. Melody-Jack notes that the area is falling apart around them and Shaloshi explains that the Ferres are angry. Mingmin is astonished that the girl can also hear the thoughts of monsters and Shaloshi asserts that they're her friends. Runane argues that friends wouldn't attack each other and Shaloshi goes on to explain that the Ferres are attacking the guild because they're trying to protect Shaloshi from Roter's thoughts. With that, they teleport her away. Roter suggests they find a way out before the place collapses on them, but Newoz insists that they find Shaloshi. When the rest of the guild protests against it, Newoz decides to go look for her on his own. He reminds them that he's not their guildleader anymore and that they don't have to follow him if they don't want to. Aigu goes with Newoz while the rest of the guild look to Roter for guidance. Unfortunately she quickly loses sight of the Minstrel.

After Newoz and the new recruit manage to exhaust Ferre, Roter and the others catch up to them. Melody-Jack asserts that they need to get rid of Ferre quickly as the ground was shaking violently. Shaloshi opposes vehemently, revealing that Ferre created this space in the Dimensional Gap for her. If Ferre were to be destroyed or loses its mind, then the space will disappear along with everything inside. Mingmin points out that Shaloshi would be fine, though, which causes the girl to fall silent in response. Hearing this, Roter declares that he has plenty of time before the space collapses to get rid of Shaloshi if that's the case. Shaloshi suggests that if she takes Ferre with her to a different space in the Dimensional Gap, then exits will appear due to the rift loosening up. However, Melody-Jack remarks that Shaloshi is too dangerous to let go as she is smart and capable of teleportation. Saddened by the turn of events, Shaloshi admits that she shouldn't have led the guild into that space, but she really wanted some friends. Newoz assures her that she now has friends with the White Wings guild.

Upon hearing this, Shaloshi thanks Newoz and admits that she has been leading them on. She reintroduces herself as a demon mind-reader and the third agent of Surt. Although she is free from Surt's control, it doesn't change the fact that she's a demon. She tells them that she enjoyed their company and wonders if they'll be enemies the next time they meet. Newoz assures her that she is a member of his White Wings guild. Roter protests the declaration and refuses to accept a demon into the guild. Despite that, Shaloshi thanks Newoz for the invitation and asks to invite him over if she finds an interesting place. She explains that she has the ability to take people with her anywhere she goes and asserts that they wouldn't have followed her as far as they have unless she wanted it. Runane opposes Shaloshi taking away Newoz, but Shaloshi reveals that the High Priestess would like to come along as well.

With that, Shaloshi bades the guild farewell and disappears into the Dimensional Gap with Ferre. The guild regroups and Newoz is ecstatic to have adventured with his old friends after so long. He hopes that they can adventure together again soon. Roter asserts that the guild was no longer called White Wings and quickly renames it Super Critical as the new guildleader. Aigu thinks the new name sounds lame and Runane agrees that it's dorky. Mingmin exclaims that Roter can keep the name as she's decided to leave the guild. Melody-Jack affirms that although he's not a guildmember, he thinks the new name is undesirable as well. Bragi is uncomfortable being in a guild with that name and asks Aigu if she's willing to stick around under that name. The Wanderer responds that she doesn't care what the guild's name is as long as she can be with Newoz. Runane is hesitant to stay with the guild if its name is going to be Super Critical instead of White Wings. Roter silences the protest and concludes the adventure of his Super Critical guild.

Later, Newoz receives a letter from Shaloshi and somehow travels to the past along with Aigu to when the Charleston Factory when it was still functioning. Aigu becomes separated from Newoz and Shaloshi and it is unsure what happens to her.

## Gallery

* Aigu's sprite as seen in RO.
* jRO art of Aigu.

## Trivia

* The word aigu is French for the acute used only on é.

## References

1. ↑ Jitterbug Nightmare
2. ↑ Charleston Crisis
3. ↑ Wikipedia 2016 Feb. 12