Scenario:Threo - Three-Tiger Axe's Elegy

Three-Tiger Axe's Elegy

Threo's insistent methods finally convince the Three-Tiger Axe to talk. Listening to Threo share her desire to protect (Captain) and friends, the Revenant weapon recalls its previous wielder and decides to guide Threo on the path to true strength. It instructs her to deepen her bonds with (Captain) and friends.

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The Three-Tiger Axe had once imparted its wisdom to Threo.

Hoping to get a second helping of insight on how to become stronger, Threo offers the axe platters of meat chunks and cake.

Threo: Dig in! All it'll cost ya is some info on how I can power up!

Three-Tiger Axe: ...

Threo: This cake is super sweet without being overwhelming. Trust me—I know my cakes!

Three-Tiger Axe: ...

Threo: Now that I think about it, how does an axe eat anyway? Do you even have a mouth?

Threo: Oh well. Just slice into it, and I'm sure you'll get a taste!

Threo grabs the axe and is about to smash it into the dessert.

Three-Tiger Axe: Sigh... Thou hast not changed one bit.

Threo: Wahoo! Finally got ya to talk!

Threo: Okay, Tree-Hugger, tell me—

Three-Tiger Axe: My name is not Tree-Hugger. It is Three-Tiger Axe.

Threo: Yep, it sure is! So, Tree-Hugger. I've got a question for ya.

Three-Tiger Axe: ...

Threo: I'm still not as badass as I could be.

Threo: But you know how I can get there, right?

Three-Tiger Axe: What spurs your desire for further strength? Why strive to stand above all others?

Threo: I want to protect everyone, including (Captain). Wouldn't wanna see any of 'em get eaten.

Threo: That's why I gotta be able to take down any predator, big or small.

Three-Tiger Axe: It seems thou art driven not by impulse but by purpose. I am amazed at how far thou hast come.

Three-Tiger Axe: Nevertheless I celebrate this unexpected maturation.

Three-Tiger Axe: The fact that thou hast not lost sight of that purpose while seeking strength indicates thou art capable of obtaining absolute power.

Threo: Those are a lot of big words that I don't really understand... Are you gonna help me or not?

Three-Tiger Axe: This is a golden opportunity. Sit still and absorb my personal parable.

Three-Tiger Axe: We Revenants began as ordinary weapons with no will of our own, as one should expect.

Three-Tiger Axe: In the hands of our wielders, we survived the violence of the battlefield, and their volitions imprinted on us over time.

Three-Tiger Axe: And if their aspirations could be passed on, so too could their personalities.

Three-Tiger Axe: As my previous master drew his final breath, the weight of his emotions were etched into me.

Three-Tiger Axe: In time, his memories gave birth to my so-called sentience.

Threo: Uh-huh...

Threo: What was your old master like? Are we kinda similar?

Three-Tiger Axe: Although he served in the military, he was no soldier. His family was a casualty of the War.

Three-Tiger Axe: He showed promise when I was in his hands, thus he was chosen as my new master.

Three-Tiger Axe: In his mind, acquiring limitless power meant he could protect everyone important to him.

Three-Tiger Axe: With that power he could strike down the greedy and the selfish.

Three-Tiger Axe: To war he went with the Sky Realm's enemies, his noble intentions driving him forward.

Threo: Sounds like this guy put a lot of thought into it. I bet he was smarter than me.

Three-Tiger Axe: True enough... Yet the daily horrors of warfare gnawed at his heart.

Three-Tiger Axe: Eventually his mind snapped. His purpose forgotten, he devolved into a single-minded killer of his enemies.

Three-Tiger Axe: But one day he arrived at a critical junction in his life.

Three-Tiger Axe: The events from that day would set in motion the suspension of his dark descent.

Threo: Yawn...

Doting Wife: Why do you keep risking your life like this?

Doting Wife: What is coming back battered and broken supposed to accomplish!

The young woman weeps over a bedridden man covered in injuries.

Young Man: I want to be the strongest...

Doting Wife: And then what? What comes after that?

Young Man: ...

The man lies there, staring up at the ceiling, unwilling to answer.

Doting Wife: Can't think of anything, can you?

Young Man: ...

Doting Wife: Why? Why can't you see how hollow of a pursuit this is?

Doting Wife: I understand the need for people to set goals for themselves. That's what motivates us. Helps us plan for the future.

Doting Wife: But the path you've chosen doesn't lead anywhere.

Doting Wife: Please, darling... Pick another dream.

Doting Wife: If you don't, I'm scared it will destroy you...

Doting Wife: I don't want that to happen to you. So please, do this for me?

Three-Tiger Axe: His wife begged and pleaded through tearful eyes.

Three-Tiger Axe: But he could not accept her appeals.

Three-Tiger Axe: Perhaps the fragments of his original purpose still held sway over his decisions.

Threo: ...

Three-Tiger Axe: A few days after their conversation concluded, their town was beset by a primal beast.

Three-Tiger Axe: We engaged the primal, but my master's body was on the verge of collapse.

Three-Tiger Axe: His life was about to be snuffed out until...

Primal Beast: Groar!

Doting Wife: G-get away from that man!

Young Man: What are you doing here! Run! Go!

Doting Wife: No! I won't leave you behind like this!

Doting Wife: I will always love you, until death do us part.

Doting Wife: I will protect you!

Young Man: ...!

Primal Beast: Groar!

Young Man: My purpose...

Young Man: My reason to fight...

Three-Tiger Axe: The only thought racing through that woman's mind as she stood before a foe she could not hope to defeat was to protect her loved one.

Three-Tiger Axe: This was the sacrifice she made to show him what it means to protect someone.

Three-Tiger Axe: His eyes could not deny what they saw, and the resolve he had lost came flooding back.

Three-Tiger Axe: It was a revelation.

Three-Tiger Axe: The desire for absolute strength is not reason enough to seek its bounty.

Three-Tiger Axe: True strength is born of spirit and willpower.

Three-Tiger Axe: Thus he made a promise.

Three-Tiger Axe: If there ever was a next time, he would pursue true strength without losing sight of his purpose.

Three-Tiger Axe: And become a champion worthy of protecting others.

Three-Tiger Axe: Those were his last thoughts that flowed into my consciousness.

Three-Tiger Axe: Therefore as the torchbearer of my former master's wishes, I am compelled to lead the worthy down the path of strength.

Three-Tiger Axe: Here in the present, the individuals who meet such requisites are (Captain) and thee.

Threo: Snore.

Three-Tiger Axe: Ahem...

Threo: Bwuh? Yawn...

Three-Tiger Axe: How long hast thou been asleep for?

Threo: Uh... I dunno...

Threo: But me and your previous owner have pretty much the same goals, right?

Three-Tiger Axe: ...

Threo: Oops, forget I said that! Okay, this time I'm really gonna pay attention!

Threo: I super promise. If I even start to feel sleepy, I'll pinch my cheeks.

Three-Tiger Axe: A mistake on my part. I must remember to speak plainly for a simpleton such as thou.

Threo: Hey, I kinda sorta get it, okay?

Threo: That guy had people he wanted to protect. Well, so do I.

Threo: I'll never stop trying to keep (Captain) and the others out of harm's way.

Three-Tiger Axe: Bahaha!

Threo: What? Did I say something funny?

Three-Tiger Axe: Thou art naive, though because of that, I am assured of your honesty. Those who possess sincerity merit respect.

Three-Tiger Axe: With the right purpose, thou can travel with (Captain) on the path to true strength.

Three-Tiger Axe: Nay, allow me to be your guide.

Threo: Wow, no foolin'? Great, let's hear it! What do I havta do to get stronger?

Three-Tiger Axe: Deepen your relationship with (Captain) and the others.

Three-Tiger Axe: That is all thou shall need to become stronger.

Threo: Deepen my relationship? So, like, no more duels or something?

Threo seems confused by the axe's advice.

Once more the Three-Tiger Axe goes to great lengths to explain what Threo should do.

She now has the keys to make her dream come true.

The future is uncertain, but she is sure of one thing.

This is the best chance she has at fulfilling her wishes.