Eternal Scars

## Introduction

**Melia:** Dunban... I don't know how to ask this...

**Dunban:** What is it, Melia?

**Melia:** The man in the metal-faced Mechon... Mumkhar I think? Were you and he acquainted before he became that... thing?

## Gain (+8)

**Dunban: *[We were comrades-in-arms.]*** One year ago, he and I risked our lives fighting the Mechon. But when the battle turned, he chose to make a run for it.

**Melia:** So he was a cowardly man?

**Dunban:** He was always fairly unreliable. Deep down I knew that one day he'd fail us in a time of need. But in the battle a year ago, he still seemed to be on our side.

**Melia:** What do you mean, Dunban? Are you saying he wasn't always the monster he became?

**Dunban:** Whatever his reasons... That day, he was fighting off those machines as hard as we were.

**Melia:** That is... difficult to believe.

**Dunban: *[I know the truth.]*** That's why I'm so full of regret. Maybe I could have stopped him.

**Melia:** You mustn't blame yourself. You could not have stopped this.

**Dunban:** Perhaps. But it's complicated. I can't deny that he was a bit of an... unreliable fellow. But he saved my life countless times. After I took up the Monado there was a definite change in him.

**Melia:** He was taken by its power. I pity him.

**Dunban:** I just wish he'd realised. I wasn't the true heir to the Monado, Shulk was! He never should have had a reason to hate either of us.

**Melia:** Dunban...

**Dunban:** *Mumkhar, I doubt I’ll ever forgive you for what you did... But I’ll never forget you and I hope you can find peace...*

## Net 0 (+4, -4)

**Dunban: *[We were comrades-in-arms.]*** One year ago, he and I risked our lives fighting the Mechon. But when the battle turned, he chose to make a run for it.

**Melia:** So he was a cowardly man?

**Dunban:** He was always fairly unreliable. Deep down I knew that one day he'd fail us in a time of need. But in the battle a year ago, he still seemed to be on our side.

**Melia:** What do you mean, Dunban? Are you saying he wasn't always the monster he became?

**Dunban:** Whatever his reasons... That day, he was fighting off those machines as hard as we were.

**Melia:** That is... difficult to believe.

**Dunban: *[You would not understand.]***

**Melia:** Hmph. That may well be what you think, Dunban.

**Dunban:** I apologise, Melia. My words are not meant to hurt. But I knew him, and I can only tell you what I saw.

**Melia:** Do you think he had a reason for fighting? Someone to protect?

**Dunban:** I've often thought about that. He is originally from another colony. One destroyed long ago. So in theory, he had nothing to lose. Maybe that's all it was...

**Melia:** Perhaps you are right. Whatever the reasons, his atrocities can never be justified.

**Dunban:** Of course. I suppose it would be futile to think too hard about it.

**Melia:** Dunban... Does it hurt to remember?

**Dunban:** Hmph. I didn't mean for you to worry over this. This is one of many tales of battle. A neverending circle of betrayal.

**Melia:** If you say so. But I look forward to the day that our world is free of war.

## Net 0 (-4, +4)

**Dunban: *[What difference does it make?]***

**Melia:** W-well...

**Dunban:** I apologise. I didn't mean to sound so defensive. I just don't quite understand the relevance of your question.

**Melia:** It's difficult to explain. But I need to know. I must know, Dunban. He murdered my father, yet I know nothing about him.

**Dunban:** I understand, Melia. I'm sorry. I should have spoken to you about this sooner.

**Melia:** Thank you. I know it's not easy for you to talk about him.

**Dunban: *[I'm fine. Ask away.]*** I am partly responsible, after all.

**Melia:** You? What do you mean?

**Dunban:** He changed right around the time I started using the Monado. He coveted it so much that his jealousy consumed him. If I'm honest, I wasn't completely oblivious to this. But I didn't act. And then it was too late.

**Melia:** You should not blame yourself. The darkness that haunted his heart was to blame. He was lost long ago, it seems.

**Dunban:** I just wish that fool had realised. I wasn't the true heir to the Monado, Shulk was! He never should have had a reason to hate either of us...

**Melia:** Dunban...

**Dunban:** I shouldn't get emotional. You probably didn't want me to go on about the old days like this.

**Melia:** Actually I found great value in it. Thank you, Dunban.

## Loss (-8)

**Dunban: *[What difference does it make?]***

**Melia:** W-well...

**Dunban:** I apologise. I didn’t mean to sound so defensive. I just don't quite understand the relevance of your question.

**Melia:** It's difficult to explain. But I need to know. I must know, Dunban. He murdered my father, yet I know nothing about him.

**Dunban:** I understand, Melia. I'm sorry. I should have spoken to you about this sooner.

**Melia:** Thank you. I know it’s not easy for you to talk about him.

**Dunban: *[It will never be easy!]* Not after what he did to our home! And to Fiora!**

**Melia:** Believe me, I know. He stole my father from me as well.

**Dunban:** I doubt the day when I forgive him will ever come, Melia.

**Melia:** Just as long as you understand the danger of living in the past.

**Dunban:** I do. I know if I live with hate in my heart, I'm no better than him. He became consumed by his hatred for me. And he died for it...

**Melia:** I see...

**Dunban:** It was Shulk who showed me the light. I'd have gone down a dark path otherwise. I'd have taken Mumkhar's life. I'm very grateful to Shulk. I hope I can repay the favour one day.

**Melia:** I feel much the same way. Let us work together to live by Shulk's example.