So, you are awake? Did you sleep well?
As well as can be expected, I guess. Does the word "Bak-Baar" mean anything to you?
Bak-Baar! Where did you hear this word?
I heard it in a dream.
The spirits told me that I'd had a Bak-Baar.
Dreams are not just dreams in the Spirit Dig, human. Dreams have a presence there, and the spirits use dreams to guide us.
So the spirits spoke to you openly? You are lucky, human. Some who enter the Spirit Dig never come out again, and some spend the night but hear nothing. But to you the spirits spoke!
A Bak-Baar is a vision of yourself that speaks the truth in two ways. One is the dark truth. This is how you see yourself when you are not sure of yourself, or angry with yourself.
The other truth is the very opposite of the first. This is how you must see yourself to be happy.
The people I saw, were they really there?
The spirits use masks to convey their messages, and they speak in voices from the past or the present that carry great weight with you.
I was told that my name among the Banda would be April Bandu-embata.
"She among the little ones who seeks and finds".
This world will never be the same again once you have passed through it. But we are grateful, and I'm proud to have met you and to give you what you came for.
It was just luck that brought me here. I didn't come for anything in specific.
Yes, you did. This is what you came for.
So you are the one we sing of, the human who would come to aid us and to save our world...and who will then tear it apart.
You bring tidings both happy and sad to the Banda, April Bandu-embata. Both hope and despair.
But the spirits remind us that both are important, that you cannot love yourself without first seeing your flaws.
The messengers are never the same, nor the message. But you must take care to hear and heed their words.
What is it?
This is the stone given to us by the Fathers, to keep safe until this day. It has been with us for so long.
Oh, it's a piece of the disc!
Then you know it? You came for the stone, even though you didn't know it until now?
I guess I did. Thanks.
Now you must continue your journey, April Bandu-embata. Remember that this is your tribe now, and so you are welcome at our fires and in our Digs whenever you come this way again.
May there always be Soil between your toes, April Bandu-embata.
And between yours, Elder. Goodbye.
I'm...honored. Thank you.
Oh, she is awake. April!
Good morning, Ben-Bandu.
Greetings of the new day to you too, April. Did you sleep well in the Spirit Dig?
Did I sleep well? Aside from the voices, the apparitions, the sharp rocks poking me in the back and the moist moss mattress? No, not really.
So you were visited by the spirits?
I guess. When you told me last night that I would be, I didn't believe you. I thought it was just a manner of speaking, like saying "don't let the bed bugs bite".
Our ancestors are close to us at all times. Once in a while they speak to those who have been chosen to spend a night in the Spirit Dig. That they spoke to you is a great honor, April. A great honor.
Right now I'd be happy to exchange all the honor in the world for one decent night's sleep.
Oh dear me, you are very funny, April. If all humans are as funny as you, your cities must be filled with laughter.
And you'll be in mine, Ben-Bandu. Always.
You will come back, when your journey is over?
I'll try. Goodbye.
Oh my, I cannot stand farewells, but...farewell.
The Elder wishes to speak with you again. And I must go sing now, down in the tunnels. It was decided this morning that I was finally ready to join the diggers!
I'm happy for you, Ben-Bandu.
Thank you. May the Balance provide you on your journey, April. You will be in my heart always.
Wake up!
Huh?
Turn off the big light, Mommy.
It's called the sun, Crow. Welcome to the world of the living.
Oh. (yawns) I was having this weird dream about a big-ass turkey wearing a pair of red shoes...and you were there, and he was there, and...and...maybe it wasn't a dream after all?
I think it's safe to say that you need therapy. And we need to leave. Right now.
We do? We do! Let's go get 'em!
Uhm (clears throat). Who are we getting again?
Some evil alchemist out to rule the world with his powerful and destructive magic.
Yes. Exactly. Uh. I'll keep an eye out for other potential threats then, shall I? Like marauding...mice?
You do that, Crow.
Thank you.