Part 41: Nike of Arabia

Chapter 20: Nike of Arabia


We are again in your debt.
Your name will be told in the tales of the Katta as long as there are Katta to tell them. We Katta tried to think of some way to say how much we were grateful. Please accept this gift of a sapphire pin. May it do you good.
So now you’re grateful enough to just give it to me?
Yes. In addition, I have placed a minor enchantment upon it. Wearing the pin shall forever mark you as a friend of the Katta, and cannot be seen by those who would seek to do you harm.
Great, thanks. You know, it’s especially nice, since this is just like one of the pins I used back when I was learning how to pick…uhhh…noses.
You used pins to pick your nose?
Yes, of course. I certainly wouldn’t use pins to pick locks, after all! Ha ha ha ha ha.
…
I think I’ll go now.


You said you wanted to see me? Is this about that pizza elemental I read about in the AAFACS?
Pizza? No, I worked some magic last night to uncover information about your trip to Rasier. I need to discuss this with you.


Remember when he did this when leaving the inn? He will also catch and slurp you when you exit other buildings too, if you do so on the right day.



Sorry about this. Green guy’s been stalking me since I went on a trip last week.
Not at all. Your saurus is obviously enchanted, so we need now to see what is his true form.
Wait, what? Damn, green guy, you’ve been holding out on me!

Water of Wisdom, Liquid of Life,
I call upon thee three times three,
Mirror without what lies within,
So we shall have the true to see.

Look into the water, and we shall see your true form.


Ah, the Emir Arus al-Din. There was a good reason why my spell could not locate you in Rasier. You are under a most powerful enchantment. The caster must be a very skilled wizard to craft such a spell.
You seem awfully nonchalant about this.
Enchantments are my forte. I deal with this sort of thing on a regular basis.

Water of Wisdom, Liquid of Life,
Knowledge now is what I see,
Reveal the caster of the spell,
upon the one which I bespeak.



Well that wasn’t all too helpful. You know, it’s probably just that Ad Avis guy the beast in the desert told me about.
Who? You had not mentioned that name before!
You don’t know him? You know, now that I think about it, he was one of the portraits for potential sponsors when I was taking the WIT exam. Are you sure you haven’t heard of him?
No. The portraits you saw were enchanted to show you those wizards who affect you in the near past and future; I would have no way of knowing who would be among them. What disturbs me is that I do not know of him. Wizards form a small community, so to have one so important to you and unknown to me makes me fear that he really is the source of the troubles in Rasier.
Oh, great, evil wizards. All my previous experience with wizard-thwarting is with a slightly whimsical gnome jester.
You defeated the elementals he sent without trouble. I have confidence in your abilities.
It’s good one of us does. I think I’ll go take out some stress on Uhura.
One final word: you must take the caravan to Rasier tomorrow. I will keep the Emir with me for safe-keeping, while you find the means to restore him to his rightful shape.
“Find?” I’ve got a couple spare dispel potions with me.
That kind requires the hair of the subject to work. It will not help with a hairless saurus.
Aw, nuts.
We all are hoping for your success, Hero, and eagerly await the pleasure of your return. Farewell, Nike von Slartibartfast.

I get a real “we didn’t finish this” vibe from this part. The Emir will eventually be restored, but not until after visiting Rasier.


So, Hero, not being content with having merely saved the city, I see that you are about to attempt to save the land of Shapier as well.
That’s what everybody keeps telling me, at least.
Heh. When we first met, I could feel there was dark within you. Now I can see that the light is stronger, if you will only let it be so. It is a narrow path between darkness and light, and you will always walk that tightrope in your soul.
I…huh. It seems weird to say this, but I think you’re right. _{Still not going to stop me from robbing places, though.}
The journey you are about to make is to a very dark and dangerous place. The foe you will face is very powerful in the ways of magic. Be wary and alert, for you will be surrounded by enemies. Yet trust your instincts, my friend, for you may still make allies by your actions. All of us in this city will be hoping for your safety, for all know of the seriousness of your mission. May fortune smile upon you, Nike.
Keep your weapon handy, Hero, and don’t let your enemies get you. You and I maybe practice some more when you get back.
Why not now? All this “Everybody is relying on you” is starting to get to me again.
Actually, my leg has been feeling better since you captured the last elemental. I thought that you and I might practice today instead.
Um, okay. Am I going to have to deal with a flaming sword?
Relax, I do not ignite Soulforge for a friendly bout.


In the original, Rakeesh is one of the hardest combats you can encounter in the game. Nevertheless, having perfect scores in everything makes even him a pushover. I’ll also note that Rakeesh doesn’t actually offer to fight the hero unless he’s a fighter; however, he will be there in the practice room on day 16, offer or no.


He’s still a fairly difficult fight in the remake, including a new charged three-hit combo attack, but he just doesn’t have the sheer “fuck you” powers available to the ghoul. Alt Nike doesn’t have too much trouble beating him down.

You are good, very good. Soon you will be a master with your sword. However, the real battle is not always won by a swing or a thrust. To fight with Honor is not always easy. Sometimes the Way of Honor will seem foolish to those that have none. Nevertheless, without Honor, there is no victory. With Honor, there is no real defeat.
What if you die in combat? I’d call that a loss.
At least you would die knowing that you upheld the Way to your dying breath.
Well yeah, but you’re still dead. Plus whatever you were protecting is now going to get destroyed by the thing that killed you.
That is what I meant when I said that winning is not a matter of swinging your sword. Protecting the helpless is Honorable, but dying needlessly in the name of protection is not. It would be better to see those you can help to safety than to simply be the first to die.
Now that’s the kind of “Honor” I can get behind.
…
Well, it’s a start.



The Sultan of Shapier
has now decreed,
That this hero is a Hero
here indeed.
For actions fundamental
in dispelling elementals,
A reward for he who freed
us with all speed.
Homie, you were fucking awesome out there. Sultan’s givin’ mad props.

*You receive a reward of 100 dinars.*

Now sit yo’ ass down, bitch, Omar’s gonna rhyme yo’ motherfuckin’ face off.


No point in arguing with that.



The Emir had a brother,
who quickly took the throne,
but the Shadow lurking under soon was known
For the Katta were exiled,
and Rasier was then defiled,
By the rules and regulations that were shown.

The Sultan sent his men to restore Rasier to right,
But they did not even have a chance to fight,
For as the crossed the land,
a tremendous storm of sand,
Forced his forces to retreat from their plight.

So now the rumor’s told of the city of Rasier,
That the Darkness shadows everything in fear.
And He that now does rule has the Emir as his tool,
Disobedience brings punishment severe.

The moral of the story as the best of tales must tell
Of the horrors of the orders that befell,
Is the simple corollary that the Hero must be wary,
‘Ere He journey’s to that Shadow’s Citadel,
And we bid him luck and wish him to fare well.

As you travel to Rasier, Nike von Slartibartfast, know that all of us in Shapier wish for your safety and the success of your mission.


Wait, Omar can talk normally? Wow, he’s an even bigger asshole than I thought he was. Oh well, time for sleep.


*Sheema greets you as you leave the room with some breakfast and supplies to take with you. The inn is filled with Katta merchants who wish you luck upon your departure. As you pass through the gate of Shapier, the gate guard presents you with a new saurus, a gift from the Sultan. Ahead in the desert sands awaits a mass of sauri and riders being led by the Caravan Master, a huge centaur who orders the caravan into motion before the sun can be seen. You ride out to join in this new adventure, pausing only to watch the sunrise.*


Not that big of a caravan, huh? I expected to see more wagons.


Hey, who’s that guy on the hill there?


Oooohhhhh.