02x17 - The Astral World

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Spirit Realm

This show contains scenes that some viewers may find disturbing.​ Viewer discretion ​is ​advised.

G: You know about us?

Flora: Yes, the branded ones, guided by wee wings.

Flora: I have been waiting for you.

G: She knows about the brand?

G: Could she be an Apostle?

G: No.

G: My brand twinges. But it's different.

Sch: The branded ones?

G: Granny, who are you?

Flora: Wait one moment.

Flora: His story comes first right now.

Flora: What you witnessed involves trolls?

M: Yes.

Flora: Trolls normally inhabit the spirit realm.

Flora: Even seeing them in our world should be rare,

Flora: much less a village being att*cked.

M: Wait, then...

Flora: Unfortunately, I cannot help you.

M: Why?

Flora: I no longer possess the time or strength to leave this place.

I: You make it sound like you'll kick the bucket any second.

I: What? You're scaring me.

Iva: Don't be so rude!

Flora: Yes, I am about to die.

Flora: I am quietly waiting for my time to come.

M: Then what should we do?

Flora: Not to worry.

Flora: I cannot go, but I will send someone in my stead.

Flora: Schierke, aid them.

I: Oh, that's a big responsibility!

Sch: Mistress, but I'm not...

Flora: It's time for you to apply your training out in the world.

Sch: But right now?

Flora: Could you all aid my apprentice?

G: Hey, we don't owe you that much.

G: Sorry to say it, but we're in a rush.

Flora: Of course there will be recompense.

Flora: I shall make a ward that will protect you during your journey.

I: What's a ward?

Ser: A protection charm.

I: A protection charm?

I: Don't you just buy those for peace of mind—

Sch: Watch your tongue!

Sch: Wards made by mages are no mere superstition!

Sch: The ones my mistress makes are exceptional!

Iva: Ignorant masses wouldn't understand.

P: Well, sorry for being ignorant.

Flora: The brand has power beyond imagining.

Flora: It is not possible for me to nullify it completely,

Flora: but I can weaken it.

Flora: It will attract fewer evil spirits,

Flora: and it should no longer be able to possess you.

G: You can do that?

Flora: However, the ward's effect will not last forever.

Flora: Still, it should last for the duration of your journey.

Guts: It can prevent that from happening?

I: I see.

I: I didn't know the brand had that kinda thing going on.

G: I'll accept your offer.

Flora: We have a deal, then.

M: Thank you.

G: Hey.

I: This is getting pretty interesting.

Iva: She should just leave them!

Sch: Mistress...

Flora: You should address your new companions.

Sch: Thank you for allowing me to join you.

Flora: Well, Schierke, prepare supper.

Flora: Draw an herbal bath, too.

Sch: Yes, mistress.

Flora: You must all be exhausted from your long journey.

Flora: Please depart in the morning, so that you can have a good night's rest.

Flora: This mansion has also been warded.

Flora: I can guarantee you safety for at least one night.

I: With so many leaves and berries,

I: I don't feel like I'm eating anything, but it's good.

Sch: It's nutritious.

G: Granny, what did you mean when you said

: you were waiting for us?

Flora: I had a prophecy from a friend in the spirit realm.

Flora: He said that branded ones, guided by wee wings, would come to the forest,

Flora: and that I should aid them.

Flora: But I'm the one being aided by you.

Flora: It has turned out rather contrarily.

G: Aid us...

G: Who was it?

I: Hey, so what's this spirit realm about?

Flora: Put simply, it's the afterlife.

Flora: Due to the brands' power,

Flora: you've all become attuned

: to incorporeal entities, invisible to the naked eye.

Sch: There is a trinity of realms.

: The mortal realm coexists with, and overlaps, two others.

Sch: One is the spirit realm,

: an astral plane that belongs to spirits.

Sch: The other is realm of ideas. The soul of existence's origin.

I: So basically, they're ghosts?

I: They seem a little too real. They're all sticky and gross.

Sch: That's because your spiritual self is interacting with the spirits.

Sch: If your spiritual self senses them,

Sch: your physical self will react when you see and touch them

: as if they had material form.

Ser: Then, does that mean...

Sch: Elves and trolls are both denizens of the spirit realm.

Sch: In the past, the existence of elves was widely accepted.

Sch: But as the Holy See's monotheistic world view has spread,

Sch: fewer humans could see them.

Sch: Once humans became unable to sense elves,

Sch: most of them vanished into the spirit realm.

P: I see.

P: So that's why Farnese couldn't see me at first.

P: You should savor my presence.

Ser: Please don't bully her too much.

G: Your so-called homeland had better be safe.

G: And not in the afterlife.

P: No prob, no prob.

P: We have lots of live humans, so it's probably fine.

Flora: We mages have long practiced freeing our spiritual selves

Flora: from the physical realm, in order to explore the astral realm.

I: You can do that?

Flora: There is a plane of existence in the relatively shallow

: reaches of the spirit realm called the interstice.

Flora: There, many spirit beings of legend reside.

Flora: Souls of the dead who haven't

Flora: realized their death, or given up their ties to the living, wander there.

Flora: Deeper in the spirit realm,

Flora: the landscape is quite unlike the physical realm,

Flora: beyond your wildest imagination.

Flora: Massive astral beings exist there,

: beside which human spirits pale.

Flora: Those we call angels and demons, or in polytheistic societies, gods.

Flora: And in the greater depths,

Flora: worlds may exist that humans only reach

: through their own karma, such as heaven and hell.

Flora: Traveling too far may prevent return,

Flora: so no one has reached those depths alive.

Flora: Beyond, in the farthest reaches, it's possible that...

Flora: Not only is the world vast without,

Flora: it also contains great depths within.

Flora: The world cannot be defined by materialism or any single doctrine.

Flora: To accept that great mysteries exist,

Flora: and to explore all creation from within our world...

: That is the way of mages.

F: Come on, stay still.

F: The journey's damaged your hair.

F: I never thought I could relax like this during a journey...

F: Not to mention, at a witch's home.

I: Well, time to exercise my special rights as a kid.

I: sh*t!

: Scrub-a-dub-dub...

Sch: Take that! And that!

Sch: Ow... Ow.

: And that!

Flora: You wish to show me something?

: And that.

Flora: What is it?

Flora: That's...

Sch: What is that?

Flora: Where did you get that?

G: I obtained it from a man.

Flora: I see.

Flora: All those who aim to master magic know of it.

Flora: It is a Behelit.

: It's a key, linking the mortal realm and the deepest part of the spirit realm.

Flora: A talisman used to summon five angels.

G: Good thing you're a witch. I have less to explain.

G: So tell me how to use this to get them to show up.

Flora: Is it for revenge?

F: Hey, wait!

F: Don't walk around like that. It's indecent.

F: Please excuse us!

Flora: To protect her, you are headed to Elfhelm. Isn't that right?

Sch: Elfhelm?

G: So you know everything.

Flora: There is a paradox.

Flora: Without hatred, you would not be alive.

Flora: Yet those vengeful flames thr*aten to engulf the thing you care for most.

Flora: That, in turn, has shackled you, dulling the edge of your sword.

Flora: Unfortunately, I cannot help you.

G: Then you won't teach me how?

Flora: No.

Flora: This is not what you think.

: It isn't something you can use by learning a technique.

Flora: A high-ranking astral being, capable of

: determining human fate, or an even more powerful entity,

Flora: sends a Behelit to the physical realm.

Flora: It finds its way into a chosen one's possession, at a chosen time.

Flora: That is how it works.

Flora: When it will be used is beyond human control.

G: It's up to God, then?

G: Not a fan.

P: Oh, wait a minute!

P: Don't take my Betty out without asking.

G: It's yours now, is it?

P: Yeah. I mean, I'm the one looking after it.

G: One more question.

G: The God Hand...

G: Who are they?

Flora: Even to we who traverse the spirit realm,

Flora: that is one of the great mysteries.

Flora: All I know is that they were all once human.

Flora: Reincarnated as executors of the will

: of an unknown entity, residing in the spirit realm's deepest reaches.

Flora: I doubt any human can reach

: those depths without losing their spiritual sense of self.

G: Talk about clutching at shadows.

Flora: I am sorry to be of so little help.

G: It's fine. I'm still counting on you for the ward.

G: I'm going to go bathe.

G: Well, good luck to you tomorrow.

Sch: That's... a brand of sacrifice, isn't it?

Sch: My mistress taught me about them.

Sch: Those who have been marked

: become an offering to dark beings, down to their last breath.

Sch: You intend to take on beings

: who can manipulate fate, such as angels and demons?

G: I guess.

G: I have to punch them in the face someday.

Flora: What is it, Schierke?

Sch: It's idiotic. He's so ignorant.

Flora: Emotion and feelings are critical in magic.

Sch: But we're speaking of transcendental beings in the physical realm!

Sch: I've seen him.

Sch: He possessed an enormous flow of od, which engulfed and entranced people.

Sch: A fortune that denied any physical blade's touch.

Sch: A hawk...

Sch: He may look human, but his spiritual form is far greater.

Sch: In the physical realm, none can equal him.

Sch: He is, indeed, absolute.

Sch: If he is the fifth angel incarnate, as prophesized in Revelations,

Sch: the Hawk of Darkness,

Sch: that is terrifying.

Flora: That hawk is the one who branded him.

Sch: Then even more reason...

Flora: Schierke,

Flora: we mages possess more knowledge

: than most humans regarding the forces that reside in this world.

Flora: But that knowledge may, at times, obscure the truth.

Sch: What do you mean?

Flora: Do not let yourself be beguiled by hidden miracles.

Flora: Open your eyes and see the truth before you, as well.

Flora: He is still alive.

Flora: He has resisted fate and lived.

Flora: Lived to meet Schierke,

: the witch of the forest of the spirit tree's favorite disciple.

Sch: Are you instructing me to help him?

Flora: That is your decision to make.

Flora: The gods may mete out fate to men,

Flora: but the choice to accept that fate still lies in their hands.

Flora: That is my belief.

Flora: Use your eyes and decide for yourself

: what this fateful encounter means for you.

Sch: There.

G: Ow!

G: What the hell?

Sch: I rubbed in purifying salt.

Sch: It's done.

Sch: While the ward isn't as strong as my mistress's,

Sch: it should keep the brand from attracting evil spirits for a day or two.

G: I'm counting on it.

Sch: Are the rest of you ready?

I: This kind of stings.

Ser: What is this ointment?

Iva: It isn't for eating.

Sch: This is called witch's ointment,

Sch: a kind of numbing medicine made by combining almond oil with

: celery, belladonna, aconite, and other ingredients.

Sch: By dulling the five senses,

Sch: it improves your ability to sense spiritual beings.

Sch: There.

Ser: What are they?

Sch: Magical weapons from my mistress, imbued with the blessings of spirits.

Sch: With these, you should be able to counter trolls.

Sch: First, Serpico, take this hooded cloak and sword.

Ser: What is special about this cloak?

Ser: It seems to move of its own accord...

Sch: Take a good look at it.

Ser: Oh?

Ser: I see something faint...

Ser: Perhaps the shadows of translucent-winged insects.

Sch: Yes, they're sylphs, air elementals.

F: Elementals...

Sch: In the physical realm, the material states we observe,

: such as solid, liquid, energy, and gas,

Sch: resonate in the spiritual realm

: with earth, water, fire, and air elementals.

Sch: These elementals are the air's spirits filling this world.

Sch: The very heart of the wind flowing in the skies.

P: Huh, so you're the wind.

P: Thanks for your work. I'm Puck.

Iva: What're you saying?

Iva: They're our ancestors.

P: Huh?

Iva: You're a pixie, right?

Iva: Don't you know pixies belong to air spirits?

Iva: There are all kinds, but...

P: I was an air spirit?!

P: That's a shocking revelation!

P: I wasn't a chestnut!

Sch: The sylph cloak is blessed by the elementals.

Sch: It allows you to use air to ward yourself against swords and arrows.

Sch: This sylph sword has also been blessed by the wind.

Sch: Its blade is a great eagle's feathers,

Sch: and its hilt is of mistletoe from the forest's highest branch.

Sch: With one strike, you can create a whirlwind

Sch: to rend the flesh of enemies without touching them.

I: It looks kind of lame.

P: Ta-dah.

Ser: This is useful.

P: We're invincible.

I: Nice, nice!

I: Where's mine? Where's mine?

Sch: This is for you.

I: Huh, a dagger?

I: Why can't I get a sword or spear?

I: Oh, but it's glowing kind of red.

I: What're these small, wriggly things?

I: Lizards?

Sch: They're salamanders, fire elementals.

Sch: Molten lava was transformed into this blade by magic.

Sch: Any wound caused by this dagger will burn as if caused by a brand.

I: Huh...

I: There!

Sch: Salamanders are a rowdy bunch!

Sch: Please stop swinging it around.

I: This is great.

I: And what's this?

Sch: Consecrated berries.

Sch: Throwing them at trolls will make them flee.

P: That's a good fit for you.

Sch: They're only for self-defense.

Sch: I would prefer not to bring a reckless, thoughtless person such as you,

Sch: but I cannot disobey my mistress.

I: What was that?

Sch: Please try not to get in the way like before.

I: Y-You've got to be kidding me...

P: Now, now.

Iva: The same goes for you.

Sch: Farnese, please give Casca the silver shirt.

Sch: When you use these items,

: please envision their astral forms,

: as you see them now, as clearly as possible.

Sch: They are only as strong as your belief in their astral power.

Sch: And once you've used them,

: please don't forget to thank the elementals!

Sch: They will aid you even more if there is greater trust between you.

Ser: Thank you, all.

Sch: Lastly, this is for you, Guts.

G: I don't need it.

Iva: Aw, why not? Just take it.

Iva: How dare you reject our help?

G: In battle, I prefer to stick with what's familiar.

G: The sun's already up.

G: Let's get going.

P: Hey, where's mine? Where's my super slasher?

Iva: Cut it out.

Sch: What is that?

Ser: I've never seen a tree so large.

I: Huh?

I: All the scrapes and bruises I had yesterday are gone.

Ser: Come to think of it...

Sch: Your physical bodies readjusted to your ideal spiritual forms.

Sch: Staying here heals most minor and new wounds.

Ser: How useful.

Sch: This is in the spirit realm.

Sch: The interstice straddles the physical and spirit realms.

Sch: The power of the brand situates you in the interstice in the

: physical realm, where you can sense the spiritual realm.

Sch: You could say it's like being at the water's edge.

Sch: Still, unless the mistress of the house extends an invitation,

Sch: normal people can never come here.

Sch: Since you were on the house's plane, you easily reached it.

I: Then this place is...

Ser: In the afterlife, I suppose.

Ser: We apparently had a near-death experience without realizing it.

Sch: In the physical realm, this tree fell nearly two hundred years ago.

Sch: When it was alive, arboreal animists worshiped it.

Sch: The more elevated the life in the physical realm,

Sch: the more permanence in the spiritual realm after death.

Sch: Many mages choose to live in the interstice.

Sch: The restrictions that hold sway in the physical realm are weaker here,

Sch: so it becomes easier to manipulate reality with the power of thought.

Sch: Master mages can even fly through the skies.

I: Seriously? Sounds like a stretch.

Sch: Mistress, may we not leave Casca here safely, at least?

G: I appreciate the gesture,

G: but leaving her behind has never ended well.

Sch: But...

G: I know this place is safe,

G: but nothing is ever certain.

G: So I prefer to keep her where my sword can protect her.

Flora: Yes, that is the path you've chosen.

Flora: That may protect you from the vengeful flames.

Flora: Have you also made peace with this path, miss?

F: I am going.

F: I may be more of a burden, though.

G: I'm trusting you with Casca.

F: R-Right!

Sch: What a burden.

Sch: If I went alone, it would be easier.

I: Okay, let's get going!

Sch: Especially that one.

Sch: Well, I shall be off.

Flora: May the spirits' blessings be with you.

Iva: I'll take care of her.

Flora: Oh, so you were here.

Flora: You could have spoken to them.

Flora: Is this to your liking?

Flora: Even so, I must wonder at this turn of events.

Flora: To think that you would ask a favor of me.

Flora: And for someone else, at that.

Flora: Old friend,

Flora: I would like to believe that you still have a human heart...

Apostle,Skele: It may not matter if I do it personally.

Apostle,Skele: He may only be a factor, guided by the law of causality.

Flora: Indeed.

Flora: God has allotted him a certain fate. The fate of encounters.

Man: It's no use, Hannah! He's done for!

Hanna: Ted...

Horace: Damn it!

Morgan: Everyone!

Villagers: Morgan, you're alive!

Morgan: I managed, somehow.

Villagers: Wh-Where are the rest?

Morgan: Well, trolls att*cked us in the forest...

Villagers: I see.

Morgan: Who are in the coffins?

Villagers: Ted and Horace.

Villagers: They took Hannah.

Villagers: They att*cked Ted, who was guarding the cattle shed,

Villagers: and took Hannah when she tried to save him.

Villagers: A mob showed up

: when Horace defended his sister by stabbing one with a pitchfork.

Villagers: They tortured him to death!

Villagers: He was just married four days ago.

Elder: So, Morgan, how did things go for you?

Morgan: Elder, they are our help.

I: Heya!

Elder: So they are the ones...

Title ,Sign: Next Episode Preview

I'm counting on you, spirits!!

They can't be dealt with by human means!

Doing something you don't want to, just because you're told to, is weak.

Trolls! But why so many?!

They mean to overwhelm and devour us.

Fight for Survival Against the Demonic Legion