Khaotic Nature-Stage 7 Revised

Stage 7: Nonemu, the Village of Nobodies

Narrator: When we last left off, the Adepts began their perilous trek through the Black Hollow. Along the way, the met a peculiar teenage girl named Kibane, who was being pursued by one of the Hollow’s dangerous fauna. After managing to chase it off, the Adepts talked with Kibane in her hut high above the ground. There, Kibane revealed that she was the survivor of the massacre of her tribe, the Lunarians. Suddenly, Kibane’s hut was destroyed by a ravenous plant creature, an alraune named Rafflesia. Rafflesia was intent on devouring Kibane, but with help from the Adepts, Kibane bore her fangs and defeated Rafflesia. Just before her death, Rafflesia revealed that there were forces at work behind the scenes, and that the Black Hollow would soon be under complete control. With her hut destroyed, Kibane remained true to her word and led the Adepts through a Lunar path to reach a village named Nonemu. However, they quickly began to notice people quickly running into their homes in fear. While looking for someone to speak with, they ran into the village’s protectors known as the Yagami Corps, who have threatened to arrest the Adepts for trespassing…

The scene picks up from the conclusion of the previous episode with the Adepts and Kibane trapped by Pi’s shadow-like tendrils.

Keith: Say what?!

Pi: You heard me. I said, you’re all under arrest.

Brandon: What are you arresting us for? We haven’t even done anything wrong!

Pi: Your charges: Trespassing on forbidden territory, refusing to heed authority, aiding and abetting a beast of the Black Hollow and assaulting an officer in service to the village elder.

Keith: Hey, you were the one who attacked us first, pal! All we did was walk up to you and ask you for directions! (attempts to move) And what the hell did you to us just now?!

Pi: I’ve bound your shadows. For as long as I can focus, you criminals won’t be able to move.

Brandon: Nice trick. I suppose you’re using some kind of Elchemy to do it, am I right?

Pi: “Elchemy”. Never heard of that word before. This is Anjutsu, a staple art of the Yagami Corps. We’ve been trained to manipulate shadows in order to serve and protect those in need. We protect this village from hostile outside forces and any of the Hollow’s beasts that roam into the village. (Pi releases his hold on the Adepts’ shadows, but the shadow tethered to Kibane remains) I’ll give you all one last chance to heed my warning. Leave this village and never return.

Marina: But we can’t turn back. There’s someone that we need to rescue, and in order to do that, we need to cross through the Hollow. You’d seriously turn away a few harmless passer-bys?

Pi: [coldly] I’m afraid we can’t concern ourselves with your problems, girl. (Pi signals to two men) Secure the beast and take her to a cell. (to the others) Everyone else, make sure these outsiders take our warning seriously.

Two members of the Yagami Corps approach with a net to place over Kibane. A screen shows Quenn quivering in tranquil fury.

Marina: What are you going to do with Kibane?

Pi: She’ll be taken and made an example of to the beasts of the Hollow.

The two net handlers start to place the net over Kibane.

Kibane: Don’t do this, please! I’m not one of them!

Quenn: Hold it! (this makes Pi stop and turn around to face Quenn, who steps in front of Kibane) You may think of her as a beast, but she’s a person to us. If you think you can just stand there and treat her like a piece of dirt, you’ve got another thing coming.

Pi: Foolish words of a hopeless outsider. Men, make an example of him as well.

The members of the Yagami Corps point their arrows at Quenn and open fire. Quenn whips up a massive Mirage Typhoon attack which repels every shot. Pi leaps away from the typhoon while the two net handlers are blown away by it. Pi lands in a crouch and looks inside the dwindling typhoon to where Quenn had been standing only to find that Quenn is missing.

Pi: Where did he…?

At that moment, Pi feels a strange presence behind him. He glances behind himself to find Quenn standing against his back.

Quenn: Like I said before, hurt Kibane, and you’ll have to answer to us.

Pi: [chuckling] Bold words, outsider. Then we’ll make things a little interesting. (he and Quenn turn to face each other) One of you will face me in combat. If by some margin of a miracle that you’re able to beat me, your “friend” will go free. But when I win, you will leave this village, no questions asked. Bet?

Quenn looks at the others, who – sans Kibane – nod one by one.

Quenn: Bet. What are the rules?

Pi: The fight ends when either combatant is on the ground for three seconds or submits. Killing won’t be allowed, neither will any weapons or the use of any special techniques. The fight will be decided purely by hand-to-hand ability. I’ll give you a moment to choose which one of you will fight. Choose wisely.

Pi turns away as Quenn goes back to the others.

Brandon: Big Bro bought us some time. Let’s use it to pick who fights.

Quenn: Actually, guys, would you mind if I took this? I kind of feel responsible for what just happened.

Marina: Don’t beat yourself up over it, Quenn. You were just doing what you thought was right.

Keith: Tone him down a notch or two.

Kibane: [worried] You can’t do this! With the use of your special techniques verboten, it’ll all come down to skill! It’s not worth it to risk yourselves for me!

Marina: We can’t just let them bully you for being different, Kibane.

Brandon: And if we don’t accept, we could face permanent exile. We can’t face all of the flora and fauna of the Black Hollow by ourselves. At least this way, win or lose, we won’t make any enemies out of the Yagami Corps. Big Bro wouldn’t make a bet like this if he didn’t think he was theoretically capable of winning.

Quenn and Pi walk toward each other and square off, then quickly get into their fighting stances. Pi immediately rushes toward Quenn and launches a volley of punches and kicks at Quenn, who returns a few of his own. The two seem to be involved in some sort of fistic dance for a few moments before backing away from each other.

Pi: Looks like we’re evenly matched. Not bad for an outsider. But in physical combat, you don’t stand a chance against me.

Quenn: Don’t be so quick to write me off.

Pi swings his leg out to strike with a crescent kick, but Quenn bends back into a bridge to avoid it. Pi resumes his attack, launching punches and kicks at Quenn again, who dodges each attack and locks arms with Pi when Pi tries to go in for a grapple. However, Pi presses his foot upon Quenn’s chest and follows through with a devastating somersault kick. Quenn staggers back a bit, then starts to lose his footing.

Kibane: Oh, no! He’s going to fall!

Quenn reaches back and rolls into a break-fall, springing up quickly. Pi smirks.

Pi: A break-fall. I’d say you’re quite skilled, but that can only take you so far. You’d have been better off letting yourself fall to save some pain and embarrassment.

Quenn: [smirking] No, thanks. I’m having way too much fun to stop now.

Pi throws a right-hand punch at Quenn, who counters by slapping Pi’s hand away and strikes Pi with a rising head-butt. Pi staggers back, but manages to keep his footing. Pi wipes his face and his face changes to an annoyed expression before rushing toward Quenn once again. The two exchange punches and kicks again, unable to land a solid blow on one another. Quenn tries to take advantage of an opening and throws a right-hand punch at Pi, but Pi manages to maneuver himself past the attack and strikes Quenn with a high side kick, sending him staggering back.

Marina: Oh, no!

Brandon: Big Bro!

Pi maneuvers himself behind Quenn, grabbing his midsection.

Pi: This fight is over!

Quenn: [straining] You’re right about that! Too bad we don’t have the same outcome in mind!

Quenn manages to wrench himself free of Pi’s grip and maneuvers behind him with a reversal hold.

Pi: What?! No way!

Quenn: Now the fight’s over!

Quenn picks Pi up and slams him onto the ground and quickly gets back up into his fighting stance. Pi is too stunned to get up and continues to lie on the ground for a moment.

Keith: All right! Quenn won!

Kibane: [sighs in relief] Thank goodness…

Quenn walks over to the others.

Keith: [jokingly] You’re starting to slip, Quenn. I’d have finished that fight in half the time.

Quenn: He was pretty good. I won’t deny that. His last move had me nervous for a minute.

Marina: Guys, we may still have something to worry about. Look.

We see more of the Yagami Corps leap down and surround the Adepts.

Keith: Back off! Your captain lost already!

???: Our orders are orders, outsider. We can’t let the young Lord’s defeat deter us from our mission.

Pi: Enough. (the Yagami Corps look at Pi) Stand down. A bet is a bet, and he beat me fair and square. Their friend is free to go. (to Quenn) Outsider.

Quenn turns around to see Pi rising to a standing position.

Quenn: What is it?

Pi: You are the victor between us. As agreed, the Yagami Corps will leave your friend alone during your stay here. This way. I’ll arrange an audience with the elder for you.

The members of the Yagami Corps standing on the rooftops lower their bows. Pi walks ahead as the Adepts and Kibane follow him. Fade to Pi, the Adepts and Kibane standing in front of a house larger than any of the homes in the village. Pi gives a knock on the door, once with his left hand, then twice with his right. The door is opened, allowing them to walk inside. Pi leads them to a large room, where an elderly man is shown sitting in a chair behind a table.

Pi: Sorry to disturb your quiet time, Elder, but these people here wish to speak with you.

The man gives a silent wave to Pi. Pi nods and leaves the room. The man stands up and walks around the table.

Man: Greetings, young travelers. I am the elder of Nonemu Village. They call me Ezekiel.

Quenn: I’m Quenn. These are my friends, Marina, Brandon, Keith and Kibane.

Keith: Now that we’re all on a first-name basis, can you explain to that guy that we’re just regular travelers?

Ezekiel: My apologies for what happened. The Yagami Corps serve as the police of our village. We can’t be too careful these. Besides, it’s not every day that a group of outsiders show up in our village.

Marina: Sir, when we first arrived in the village, we noticed that everyone here was acting like they were afraid of us. Do you know why that is?

Ezekiel: Yes. To begin, I shall tell you about the origin of our village.

Ezekiel begins to explain as various intercuts are shown, with the villagers starting an exodus from their former village.

Ezekiel: [voice-over] Since the days of our former village, we were the victim of constant attacks and raids by bandits. In order to escape, we began an exodus to search for a new place to call home. The journey was long and dangerous, and we lost a few people along the way.

After a while, the villagers find a meadow within the Hollow. There, they start to build their new village. Over time, the village grows, adding more huts.

Ezekiel: [voice-over] Eventually, we finally found a meadow within this forest which would be our new home. It took us nearly a year to build our new home from the ground up. For six years, we’ve lived here among ourselves, finally believing that we escaped from the clutches of our oppressors.

We cut back to the present, where Ezekiel continues his story.

Ezekiel: [continued] However, we only ended up exposing ourselves to a new threat.

Quenn: A new threat? What do you mean?

Ezekiel: Recently, strange beasts have begun to appear within the Black Hollow. No one knows where they came from; they just suddenly appeared. When we first arrived, they either weren’t here before, or they were more prominent in another part of the Black Hollow.

We see a sepia-toned screen of a fish-eyed first-person view slowly lurking upon a young woman gathering berries.

Ezekiel: [voice-over] They lurk outside, beyond the  borders of the village, waiting for any unsuspecting victims.

Suddenly, the screen speeds up, zooming up to the young woman as she turns around. We see a shot of the woman’s terrified face, before the screen fades to black and a bloody squelching noise is heard before fading back to Ezekiel, the Adepts, and Kibane.

Marina: That’s awful.

Brandon: Elder, if you don’t mind me asking, why would you give a village a name that means “no name”?

Ezekiel: The name “Nonemu” comes from the people that inhabit the village. When we lived in our old village, the bandits found us easier to attack and raid. Some of us are too young to fight back, some of us are too old. You see, we chose the name of “Nonemu” for our village because we were a village of invalids; nobodies, even. Quite a fitting irony, would you say?

Quenn: A village of nobodies?

Ezekiel: Yes. Because of the way we were treated in our old village, everyone has become accustomed to hiding themselves. You see, fear has become a staple of our very lives. Everyone lives in a constant state of paranoia, believing that our oppressors will come back to continue their raids upon us.

Keith: Where do the Yagami Corps fit into this? Were they with you when you started your exodus?

Ezekiel: No. We met the Yagami Corps at the same time we started to build our village six years ago.

We see intercuts of Ezekiel speaking with the Lord of the Yagami Corps. The man’s appearance is well-built. He has a cross-shaped scar on the right side of his face and a 12 o’ clock shadow. The man gives a wide smirk and shakes Ezekiel’s hand.

Ezekiel: [voice-over] We needed protection from any bandits and raiders that made their way to our village. Since we were poor, we weren’t able to pay for their services. Their previous Lord, however, agreed to bodyguard us, despite the fact that we had no money.

We fade back to Ezekiel, the Adepts and Kibane. Kibane notices a picture of the man on Ezekiel’s desk.

Ezekiel: Now, with these beasts outside, it seems that our new home may no longer be safe.

Marina: Is there anything we can do to help?

Ezekiel: As it stands, there may be no way to stop what’s happening. The Yagami Corps added a safe room for our protection, but we’re not sure if it’ll withstand the onslaught if the beasts were ever to find a way inside.

Kibane: Elder Ezekiel, do you know anything about “sigils”?

Ezekiel: Sigils? (shakes his head) I’m not sure what you mean.

Kibane: My friends and I believe that these beasts may be hunting them somehow. Just before we arrived here, we met an alraune who said that the sigils would be the keys that would free them.

Ezekiel: I’m afraid I can’t provide the answer you’re looking for, but there may be someone else who may know more about these “sigils” you speak of. Somewhere in the northern corner of the Black Hollow is a spring. I remember finding it during one of my walks. At first, it seemed to be empty, but the next second, I saw a very mysterious woman there who glowed like the light of the moon. Maybe she can answer the questions I could not.

Quenn turns to the others.

Quenn: Well, guys, it looks like a steep order. What do you think we should do about it?

Keith: Listen, guys, while I feel bad about what’s going on here, didn’t you guys forget that we have a mission of our own, like rescuing Master Zoran? The sooner we can take care of this Abanor guy, the sooner the matter here will fix itself.

Marina: We can’t just ignore the state of the people here, Keith. In order to help ourselves, we have to help them. Trying to find another way will take too long, and we don’t know if Abanor plans on keeping Master Zoran alive for long.

Brandon: Marina’s right. Doing this would not only benefit the people of the Black Hollow, but it would benefit us as well. Crossing through the Hollow is quicker, but if we ignore what’s going on, we’d only end up running into trouble sooner or later. And I have a feeling that the Blind Hound and the alraune girl we faced earlier are probably just the tip of the iceberg.

Keith: [sighs] Fine. Let’s do what we can, then. I just hope all this is worth having to put our journey on hold.

Quenn: As long as we have the Mars Stone, the Generals of Order won’t do anything to Master Zoran yet. That’s his only lifeline right now. We will rescue Master Zoran, and if we can help anyone else along the way, that’s a bonus. That’s what Master Zoran taught us to do. (he turns to Ezekiel) Okay. We’ll head out to this spring.

Ezekiel: [nodding] Very well. I will arrange to have a few rooms prepared for you at the inn for you to rest for the night.

Quenn: [nodding] Thank you, elder.

At the inn, the Adepts and Kibane are shown eating and conversing mutely over what to do. Later, Pi and his advisor lead the Adepts and Kibane to their rooms for the night.

Pi: Here’s where you’ll be staying for the night. Elder Ezekiel paid for your stay, so it’s free of charge.

Quenn: Thank you.

Pi: [glaring at Kibane] I still believe that your presence here is a danger to our village, but I’ll stand by my word and leave you alone. It’s what Elder Ezekiel would want me to do.

Pi begins to walk away. Kibane remembers the picture on Ezekiel’s desk.

Kibane: I remember now. Back when I was younger, I remembered seeing someone who looked just like you, but older. Was he related to you?

Pi: [coldly] That’s none of your business! Don’t talk to me like I’m a friend of yours!

Pi walks away.

Marina: He’s so rude.

The advisor of the Yagami Corps, Violet, hears Marina. Violet is short and has a lithe body frame. As per the Yagami Corps customs, she is dressed in purple and black loose clothing. Her skin is a fair complexion and she has amber eyes and black hair styled into a bob with her bangs streaked with purple and a ponytail hanging just between her shoulder blades.

Violet: Please understand, it’s not his fault. Normally, the young Lord is quite nice. But something happened to change that.

We are shown a flashback of the man shown on the picture.

Violet: [voice-over] At first, the Yagami Corps were led by a different Lord. His name was Kai Yagami. When the Yagami Corps began, we were a group of mercenaries at first. Lord Kai, however, wanted a chance to do something good. So when Elder Ezekiel asked for his services to help protect the people of Nonemu Village, he was the first one to agree.

We see Kai training with the members of the Yagami Corps. We see a young boy imitating the training session. He does a high kick, but slips and falls onto the ground. Kai walks over to the boy and comforts him with a big grin.

Violet: [voice-over] In time, the Yagami Corps evolved from a band of mercenaries into sort of a police force. Lord Kai always had a big heart to his companions, and to the people of village. Children looked up to him.

We see Kai leaving the village with four other members of the Yagami Corps. He is shown waving to the people with a huge smile on his face.

Violet: [voice-over] However, two years ago, Lord Kai went on a scouting mission with a team of five people, himself among them. It was a routine check as usual, as this was the time that the beasts began to appear.

We see the four members that Kai left with return without him. Their clothes are torn, signs that they were involved in a grisly battle.

Violet: [voice-over] However, he was the only one who didn’t return.

We see a younger Pi, thirteen years old, hearing the news about Kai.

Violet: [voice-over] The other members of the scouting team came back to the village to inform Pi of what happened. He was 13 years old when he lost his father.

We cut to Pi sitting on a rooftop, blowing into a leaf like a whistle.

Violet: [voice-over] From then on, Pi was forced to take over his father’s duties as the new Lord of the Yagami Corps. Since then, he has devoted himself to destroying every beast within the Hollow.

We cut back to the Adepts, Kibane and Violet.

Quenn: I can understand that, but that doesn’t give him the right to be a jerk to Kibane.

Violet: You have a right to believe what you will about the young Lord, but those are his reasons, even if you disagree with them. I just thought I’d let you know that.

Kibane: [flattens her ears to her head] Long ago, I was attacked by a Blind Hound, and that man saved me from it. After he helped me build my hut, he left, and I never saw him again. All this time, I’ve wanted to thank him for what he did. I didn’t know that he…

Violet: [places a hand on Kibane’s shoulder] Don’t be sad. It was nice to know that he’s been in your thoughts all this time. I’m sure if Lord Pi would just come around, he’d know that, too. (she bows) Please, enjoy your stay.

As everyone rests for the night, we see Pi packing objects into a bag in an erratic fashion. We also see Violet standing against the wall with her arms crossed over her chest.

Violet: Is something troubling you, my Lord?

Pi: [sighs] Sorry about losing my temper back there, Violet. I needed to cool down for a moment.

Violet: [looking at an overstuffed bag] Not cooled down enough, I see.

Flustered, Pi pulls some things out of the bag quickly.

Violet: My Lord, you always do this whenever you’re trying to hide your feelings. Speak with me, honestly.

Pi: [frustrated] She had no right asking about my father like she knew him. There’s no way my father would ever befriend a beast like her.

Violet steps forward.

Violet: She explained her side of the story to me after you left. Whether you believe it or not, she’s just as much of a victim of the Hollow as you.

Pi: How do we know that girl’s not just some beast hiding in plain sight? How do we know the outsiders that came with her aren’t the same?

Violet: We don’t. We’ve always closed ourselves off to the world around us. Maybe it’s time we started to let people in.

Pi stays silent as he looks at Violet. Fade to the outside of Nonemu Village, where we see Pi and Violet standing near the entrance.

Pi: I’m going to check out the shrine in the south corner of the Hollow. That was where the scout team went on the day my father was killed. I don’t expect to find much there, but if there’s some sort of connection, it’ll be the best place to look.

Violet: Are you sure you’ll be fine by yourself? I could come with you to help you look.

Pi: I know you mean well, Violet, but this time I can’t let you come with me. I just have a bad feeling.

Beat. The screen focus on Pi for three seconds, then fades into Violet for three seconds.

Violet: [nodding] Okay, then, my Lord. I’ll do as you ask and remain at the village.

Pi: Okay. I’m off.

Violet: Do you have everything you’ll need, my Lord?

Pi: All accounted for. (he notices a worried expression on Violet’s face) Don’t look so down. I’m only going to investigate the shrine. If anything goes wrong, I’ll call you.

Violet: Right.

Pi takes off, heading for the south corner of the Black Hollow. The next morning, after a full night’s rest, the Adepts and Kibane start their own journey to the north corner of the Black Hollow. Kibane leads the way through the Lunar Path connecting from the back of Nonemu Village to the spring.

Kibane: Elder Ezekiel said that this Lunar Path would lead us straight to the spring.

Marina: Do you believe there’s someone there who can really help us?

Kibane: I’m not sure. I’ve spent a lot of time in my hut, so I’ve never seen all of the corners of the Hollow.

Keith: So, you’re not sure this Lunar Path is gonna take us to this spring or not?

Kibane: I can tell that this is definitely the way. My senses are very sharp. I guess that’s how I’ve been able to navigate these Lunar Paths.

Brandon: Fascinating.

Kibane: We can reach the spring within 45 minutes if we keep a steady pace.

Quenn: Let’s go. Hopefully, we can find some answers there.

Meanwhile, Pi is shown quickly dashing through the Black Hollow in the direction of the shrine. Upon getting there, he takes cover behind a large tree before peeking out. From there, he is able to see the shrine, as well as a trio of hooded figures standing nearby.

Pi: [thinking] They look like trouble. They’re talking about something, but it’s hard to make out what it is they’re saying. I need to get to a place where I can listen in on them without being seen…

Pi gets closer to the shrine, where he is able to faintly hear the conversation between the three figures.

Hooded Figure #1: Things have gone exceedingly well. The conquest of Hanako’s shrine was easy enough since those Lunarians are no longer around to oppose us.

Hooded Figure #2: Our scouts have reported that Rafflesia has fallen. However, she managed to destroy the seal within the meadow.

Hooded Figure #1: Indeed, Rafflesia’s sacrifice has succeeded in placing us one step closer to our ultimate victory. Lord Faunas would be pleased.

Pi: [thinking] So they’re the ones behind this! Those fanatics are using some sort of dark magic to conjure those beasts! I have to get back to Nonemu quickly and report this to Elder Ezekiel!

Hooded Figure #3: Now, only two seals remain. Once our beasts have managed to desecrate the seals around them, we will have complete freedom from the Black Hollow.

Hooded Figure #1: Yes. Such is the power of the Pantheon. Anyone who dares to oppose our conquest shall be annihilated like the Lunarians and that foolish human.

Pi: [thinking] What…? My father… It was them?!

Hooded Figure #1: The next seal should be in the east corner. In recent years, a village has been made there. In order to obtain our freedom, the village must be destroyed. The lives of the people there are inconsequential to Lord Faunas’ will.

Pi: [angrily] Like hell they are!

The hooded figures turn their heads to see Pi standing in front of them. The hooded figures stand equidistantly as they face Pi.

Hooded Figure #1: I’m not sure what you believe you’ve heard, but if you know of our plans, then we must be sure to eliminate you.

Pi: You plan to kill dozens of innocent people just to serve your own agenda! I refuse to let that happen! My name is Pi Yagami, and by order of the Yagami Corps, I’m taking you in!

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