Illuminating the Path/Tiki: Awakened Blood

Tiki: Awakened Blood - C

Tiki	Ban-Ban! You’re here!
Oh, Tiki! How wonderful to see you. And in such high spirits too. What do you think of Askr?		Bantu
Tiki	I haven’t been here for very long, but everyone’s been really nice to me so far!
That is heartening to hear.		Bantu
Tiki	Yeah... A-although...
Hm? What troubles you, child?		Bantu
Tiki	Oh, it’s just something that Commander Anna said when I got here... It sounds like there are a bunch of worlds, and the people here might not be from mine...
Ah.		Bantu
Tiki	Are you...the Ban-Ban I know?
I’m not sure I can answer that with any certainly, I’m afraid. But what I can say is that every Bantu, no matter the world, surely cares for every Tiki.		Bantu
Tiki	You mean... Even if you aren’t my Ban-Ban, you still care for me just as much as he does?
Precisely!		Bantu
Tiki	Hooray! Then with Ban-Ban’s help, I’m going to do my best in Askr too!
Why don’t we take a tour of the nearby town? There is yet much to learn about this place.		Bantu
Tiki	You mean the one that winds all around the castle? That sounds fun! Let’s go!
Not so fast, Tiki! We should first see if any of the other dragon children are interested in joining us.		Bantu

Tiki: Awakened Blood - B

Nowi	Here we are! This shop sells the tastiest apples in all of Askr.
Ooo! I love apples!		Tiki
Nowi	Then how about I buy you one? We are friends now, after all!
Really? Thank you so much! This is the best day EVER!		Tiki
Bantu	Now, now, Tiki... If you raise your voice like that, you’ll cause quite the commotion.
Heehee... I can’t wait to taste it! I’m going to take a peak inside, Ban-Ban!		Tiki
Myrrh	Tiki and Nowi turned out to be fast friends, didn’t they?
She has never been able to speak with someone her age before. She must be thrilled.		Bantu
Myrrh	I understand that feeling well...
Once, Tiki was sealed within the Ice Dragon Temple and left to slumber in solitude for ages. Such was the dying wish of the Divine Dragon Naga, who feared she would one day succumb to madness. Whenever Tiki cried out or was awoken by her nightmares, I was there, watching over her.		Bantu
Myrrh	That must have been tough...
Indeed. Eventually, I took pity on her and spirited us away from the temple. At the time, I had no idea how much it would alter the course of her life, or that it would embroil her in conflict...		Bantu
Tiki	I’m back, Ban-Ban! Look, Nowi bought some apples for me, just like she said! When I told the lady in the shop about Myrrh, she gave me an extra apple for free! Let’s eat!
Oh, that looks delicious. Thank you, Tiki.		Myrrh
Tiki	I’m really starting to like this place, Ban-Ban! It feels like there’s nothing but nice people everywhere I look!
Agreed. This is indeed a wonderful place.		Bantu
Tiki	There’s one thing I don’t get though. If Askr is such a great place, why do we need to fight all the time?

Tiki: Awakened Blood - A

Bantu	Ah, so you would like to know the reason why Askr is embroiled in a constant state of conflict?
Yes... Everyone’s really nice, and they all seem so happy... So why do they end up fighting?		Tiki
Bantu	To answer that, we must go back to the beginning—to the founding of the very kingdom itself. It is said that the Kingdom of Askr was founded in antiquity by a Divine Dragon of the same name.
An...ti... Uh... You mean, a really, REALLY long time ago, right?		Tiki
Bantu	That’s right. Askr sought to make his kingdom an open door welcoming people from other worlds.
An open door...		Tiki
Nowi	You know, like a gate? Askr has a bunch of those connecting it to all sorts of different worlds. Travelers can use those gates to come and go between them.
It’s not just travelers though. As you have seen, not everyone who comes through is friendly. The Order of Heroes and its allies work together to combat existential threats like that.		Myrrh
Tiki	So, they opened their doors, invited everyone in, and got some scary visitors?
That is a good way of putting it. And so, given that there are countless worlds, Askr may never truly be safe.		Bantu
Tiki	Well, if there was someone scary outside, I would just lock the door...
Oh? Do you think they should close the gates?		Nowi
Tiki	Right! If the scary people realize they can’t get in, I’m sure they’ll give up really quickly. And with no more scary people around, there won’t be any reason to keep fighting!
Perhaps...		Bantu

Tiki: Awakened Blood - S

Bantu	Tiki, you are correct in thinking that closing Askr’s gates would put an end to attacks from invaders. But you must understand that such an outcome is not what the Divine Dragon desired for his kingdom. What has made Askr the lively and prosperous place it is today is a result of keeping its gates open. By accepting those from outside and learning to coexist with them over time, it has blossomed.
So... It only became such a nice place to live after people from other worlds settled down here?		Tiki
Bantu	Think of it like this: you were safe and sound in your slumber in the Ice Dragon Temple, yes? After you awoke and experienced the outside world, did you ever regret not staying asleep?
No... Especially not after meeting Mar-Mar and Caeda. We’re all best friends now!		Tiki
Bantu	Indeed. The world outside of the temple may be fraught with danger, but it is also where your future lies.
So, if I had been too scared of the outside, I would have stayed in the temple. But then I would have never become friends with Nowi and everyone else!		Tiki
Myrrh	It takes great courage to venture out into an unknown world. But always remember: there is surely something wonderful to be gained from making that journey. That’s what the Divine Dragon Askr may have hoped when he threw the kingdom’s gates open.
Then, is there anything that I can do for Askr, Ban-Ban? I want to help people from this world and the others get along together!		Tiki
Bantu	Of course, child. The fact that you were summoned here is proof enough of that.
If any scary people come looking to make trouble, we’ll just send send them packing!		Nowi
Myrrh	We became friends after you took that first step into the wider world. Let’s treasure that good fortune.
Right! And I want the people of Askr to have more chances to make friends, just like I did! I’m going to do my part to make sure that happens—with everyone!		Tiki

Scenario
← Tiki		Nagi →
Illuminating the Path
Tiki	Nyna	Elice	Hardin

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