Having been again accepted into the kingdom of San d'Oria thanks to Rahal, I walked the streets of the great nation. All around me I saw people that still had fear in their hearts of what I once was, and it saddened me. However, I would not let my regret stop me from moving forward. I would do anything in my power to protect the innocent of this land, and that was the new pact I made with the king after resigning from the Royal Knights. "Hey, Batosai!" Rahal said, running towards me. "Why did you quit the Royal Knights?"
"I do not wish to use my strength in the ways I once did," I responded with a sigh. "now, I will do anything in my power to protect these people. Those of Vana'diel who have done no wrong, and still remain overpowered and in fear of those with power. I will not let them suffer any longer, so I must do everything I can to help them." Suddenly, a young girl ran into me, and then quickly took off. A second later, I realized that my money was gone, and followed her as fast as I could. I found where she was eventually, and decided to see what was going on from where I could not be seen. Inside the house she ran to, she was talking to an older woman who seemed to be very ill, and was in bed.
"Mother," she said. "I have this week's payment. Do you think it will be enough for us to afford your operation?"
The woman coughed and said lightly, "I am unsure, my sweet daughter. But I do appreciate you working so hard... it burdens my soul to know it, but I also feel joy to know what I am loved by someone as pure and kind as you."
"Mother..." the young girl said. "I'll make dinner for us now."
About two hours later, the young girl came out onto the balcony where I was. She didn't notice me, so I decided to remain hidden. "I know what I'm doing is wrong..." she whispered. "but... I can't just let my mother keep suffering. I'll do whatever it takes to pay for her operation... please... Altana, please help me save her! I beg of you, let me find a way to help my mother." She started crying, and I put my hand on her shoulder.
"Huh! It's you!" She said.
"Don't fret, I know of your need for the money, and you can keep it. Is there something that I could help you with?" I asked her.
"Why would you want to help a thief like me?" She asked in response. "You're supposed to be a cold-hearted killer, right? That's what everyone else in the kingdom says, so why not kill me right now and get it over with?"
"I've comitted many crimes in the past, and taken the lives of many innocent people as well," I replied. "I know that many people will never forgive me for what I have done in the past. However, that will not stop me from trying to help those in need of it now. The suffering people of this world, such as you and your mother, do not deserve such cruelty upon them. But who is to help them? Their government? Unlikely. Thus, I have deticated my life to protecting the weak from anything that brings them harm."
"...Batosai..." she said, taking in what I just told her. "Is there a way to save my mother?"
"That is something you will learn on your own," I said. "but you must first walk the path of life that your heart has chosen for you. I will see to it that your mother gets the best of care San d'Oria has to offer. Now please, get some sleep. You need it if you wish to stay healthy." I jumped off of the balcony, and landed softly on the ground, then went to the Chateau.
Inside of the Chateau, I spoke with the king about the young girl and her mother. I asked him to give the mother the best of health and care San d'Oria could give her, and he did so, telling me that it was the least he could do for my loyalty through the years. I thanked him, then went outside into the Ronfaure forest. Outside, I heard a beautiful voice coming from behind a tree. A girl was singing a song that I had never before heard, and I could feel the same warmth flow through me as I did when my brother was around. I went to the tree, and saw that it was the same girl who I spoke to before. "That's a beautiful song you just sang," I said. "but should you really be up this late at night?"
"I always come here to sing after my mother goes to sleep," she replied. "the lyrics to this song remind me of my mother when I was young, and the memories sooth me."
"That song is one of the songs that the ancients once sung, called 'Recollection'," an old man said, walking towards us. "it brings forth the happiest memories within whoever hears it. It is truly a wonderful song, and you sang it with such feeling, such heart. You have the talent and heart to help bring peace to Vana'diel through your music alone, and that is a great thing indeed."
"...Batosai..." The girl said, looking at me.
"You must be the one to see the path your heart has chosen for you. Look deep inside of yourself and follow what your heart tells you." I responded. Before either of us noticed, the old man was gone, without a single trace of him entering, being there, or leaving.
"That man," she said. "looked just like my grandfather, who passed away almost seven years ago." She then turned to me and added, "I believe my grandfather knew the path my heart has chosen for me, to follow in his footsteps. I want to help those who suffer in this world by making them happy with my music... could you help me, Batosai?"
I nodded and said, "I will, but between us, my real name is Kazu."
She smiled and said, "And I am Konami, now a Bard of Vana'diel."