Haaj/Stories
Haaj leads Alk and co. to a World Flipper hidden deep in the ruins. The Starview villagers go home, but not before getting their young guide to join them.
Light: Haaj. How much longer?
Haaj: Not much. ...There, it's open.
Alk: Whoa... Awesome.
Haaj: I'm a hunter. It's part of my job to pick locks.
Alk: What's a hunter?
Nimbus: Someone who makes money off raiding ruins.
Nimbus: You find 'em out here in the borderlands—out of sight of the royals, living how they want.
Haaj: It's not that simple.
Haaj: Let's go. The target's close.
Alk: A World Flipper! Wow. There really was another one.
Haaj: I found it when I searched these ruins long ago... But I never could've guessed it linked to other worlds.
Stella: Activating World Flipper.
Stella: I have established our coordinates. Transport to Starview Village is now possible.
Light: So we no longer need the World Flipper that was beneath the palace.
Alk: You sure it was a good idea to just leave it in the basement?
Stella: I shut it down. Its power can no longer be abused.
Stella: Though the masked woman might be able to override the system.
Nimbus: But it's safe from the royals, right? That's good enough.
Alk: Yep. Now we're finally ready to leave this world behind.
Alk: Let's go home, guys!
Haaj: I'm from this world. Technically, this IS my home.
Alk: Oh, right. Then, uh... Let's head out, Haaj!
Light: We would not have gotten this far without you. You know much about this world, and we will likely need your help again.
Haaj: I never said I was staying here.
Light: Good. Now, it's time we left.
Nimbus: Hey. Why didn't you tell anyone about this place? The information would've been worth a lot of money.
Nimbus: Maybe enough to overthrow the royals. That's what you borderland folks want, right?
Haaj: You know... I think I understand how Rolan felt.
Haaj: The World Flipper could've brought him money and power... But he kept it hidden, even from his own family.
Haaj: It was probably because he had things that were more important to him.
Haaj: ...I don't want to start a war. As long as my mom's safe, that's enough for me.
Nimbus: Makes sense. Sorry I asked such a stupid question.
Nimbus: You're all right, Haaj.
Haaj: So are you, Nimbus.
Haaj takes the boys hunting. Light is used as bait, and Alk tries a local specialty for the first time.
Alk: Think any new quests came in?
Light: Alk... All we've done of late is raise money.
Alk: You hate it, but you can't live without it. Hey. That guy looks familiar...
Alk: Haaj! What are you doing here?
Haaj: Looking for a quest.
Alk: But you're from the desert.
Haaj: You might be too, for all you know.
Alk: Touche...
Haaj: Lately, the royals have been sending people out into the borderlands. It's tough work just getting near any ruins.
Haaj: That's when I work Kaleidoscope jobs.
Light: Alone? You're only a child.
Haaj: I'm not much younger than Alk.
Haaj: Either way, age doesn't matter to a hunter. Once you've done your first raid, you're an adult. I don't need—
Alk: You find something?
Haaj: "Looking for liver... Rare delicacy..." I could take this quest...
Haaj: Light, does your offer still stand? Help me with this quest, and we can split the bounty.
Light: All right. What exactly are we doing?
Haaj: Going hunting. And the quarry's in my territory.
Light: Is this a jest?
Haaj: Quiet! They get spooked easily. Keep talking, and they won't come.
Light: You really are using me as bait!
Alk: You, uh... know what you're doing, right?
Haaj: Sandworm hunting... Sandworms were the first kind of quarry my dad introduced me to.
Haaj: He was also a hunter... one of the best in the business.
Light: Is now the best time to be speaking of the past? They're here!
Haaj: We didn't have Light back then, so we lured them out with rats.
Light: I'm being used in place of a rat?!
Haaj: Good. They're being drawn to the noise.
Light: You said noise drove them away!
Haaj: You'll be fine... Sometimes, when we couldn't get rats, I'd play bait. But I never got hurt.
Haaj: Because my dad never missed!
Haaj: Disengaging limiters!
Light: Never do that to me again.
Haaj: I said you'd be fine. And I was right. I killed it in one shot.
Light: You're a talented marksman, I'll give you that...
Haaj: You get it now, right? I'm a hunter. I can take care of myself.
Haaj: So don't treat me like a kid a— Alk, what are you doing?
Alk: Oh. Uh, I was just wondering what part of this thing tasted good.
Haaj: The liver. You won't be able to see it until the sandworm's skinned and prepped. Want to give it a shot?
Alk: That sounds kind of gross...
Haaj: You haven't done anything today. Help out a little.
Haaj: Do a good job, and you'll get a share. Sandworms LOOK gross, but they TASTE delicious.
Alk: All right then! Let's get to skinning!
Haaj: NOW you're excited...
Light: *sigh* All's well that ends well...