Basara Vol.1, P.1-56 P.5 narration: BASARA, the freely living spirit that denies old authority and overcomes traditions and customs. The origin of the word is "Vajra", meaning "diamond." P.6-7 (title pages) Chapter 1: The Destined Child P.8 (a map of "Jipangu", a land mass strongly resembling Japan) P.9 (view of twins babies) ~voice: This child is the destined one. Sarasa: The day we were born, this was foretold by the prophet Nagi. ~Nagi: When grown, this child will rise up and bring salvation to this country. P.10 (view of the desert) narration: Japan. P.11 voice: Sarasa! voice: Sarasa! You shouldn't go over there! P.12 (a little girl with braided hair is crossing the dunes with difficulty, as a boy yells at her from behind) boy: Sarasa! You're not supposed to go into the desert! Aren't we always told that? Sarasa: Shut up! You don't have to follow me, Mah-kun. Sarasa: As for me, Sarasa: I just want to check out what's on the other side of the sand... (someone grabs Sarasa by one of her braids) man: There is nothing beyond the sand. Sarasa: Kakujii... P.13 (Kakujii, mostly bald but possessing an imposing mustache, towers over Sarasa as he holds her up by the back of her shirt) Kakujii: Really! Must you do things like this when we're so busy preparing for the festival? Kakujii: Everyone was so worried! (Sarasa throws sand in his face) Kakujii: Ooph! Sarasa: The one everyone is worried about is my brother Tatara, Sarasa: not me! Sarasa: After all, everyone's "Tatara-sama" is "the destined child." (trying to escape, Sarasa walks into someone) voice: Oh my, you're as spirited as ever. P.14 Sarasa: Nagi. (Nagi is kind and ancient in appearance, with long flowing hair) Nagi: Kakujii, myself, and your parents as well, Nagi: were all worrying about you, Sarasa. Sarasa: ...... I'm sorry. Mah: Sarasa only listens when it's Nagi that's talking. Sarasa: Well that's because Nagi's prophet, elder, doctor, and teacher. Sarasa: [he's a very important guy] {kusu = chuckle} Nagi: That is only due to my lineage. Sarasa: [he knows about everything] Sarasa: By the way, Nagi, is it true that a long time ago this wasn't a desert? P.15 Nagi: Yes, long ago this country was tranquil, green, and prosperous. Nagi: There used to be a highly advanced city here. Sarasa: Why did it become a desert? Nagi: I wonder. We don't know for sure. Nagi: At the end of the 20th century, there was some sort of huge disaster which halted civilization. Nagi: It seems it had all been predicted by an early prophet. Sarasa: Hmm, like a Nagi from a long time ago, right? P.16 Mah: But Tatara-sama is going to make this land like that again, right? Mah: After all, he's "the destined child"! Sarasa: ...... Sarasa: The destined child... Sarasa: and I'm only the twin sister with the same appearance. Sarasa: Mah-kun, I'll race you to the village! Mah: Sarasa! Kakujii: It's because you fill her head up with unnecessary knowledge, that that girl is always so unruly. (Kakujii is still rubbing the sand from his eyes) Kakujii: [owch] Nagi: There is no great harm in it. {kusu = chuckle} Nagi: However, it may mean that she will want to leave the village. P.17 Nagi: Today is Tatara's 12th birthday. Nagi: The entire village is consumed with excitement over his coming of age ceremony. Nagi: However, Nagi: today is also Sarasa's birthday... Sarasa: Sanyou region, Byakko village. Sarasa: Blessed with underground water, we are able to cultivate a small amount of plants here. women: Sarasa-chan, is Tatara-sama doing well? Sarasa: Uhuh. P.18 mother: Sarasa! Everyone's very busy today, so don't bother people! Sarasa: Yes, mother! Sarasa: The villagers raise crops and livestock, and weave on looms. villager: [say hi to Tatara-sama for me] Sarasa: [ok] Sarasa: And pay most of it in tribute to the local king. Sarasa: And one more thing. Sarasa: In this area we mine the sand for iron. Sarasa: Our village is home to many metal smiths. P.19 Sarasa: This is the type of work I like best. Sarasa: The roaring fires, the tools, the beautiful swords... Mah: Sarasa! Sarasa! I've been chosen! Mah: I get to hold the sword at the ceremony today! Isn't that great?! Sarasa: Oh, good for you, Mah-kun. Sarasa: Actually, I really wanted to do it. Sarasa: But girls aren't allowed to. (Mah's mother arrives and grabs him by the collar) Mah's mother: [Makoto, don't play around when there's so much to do!] Mah: [Mom, that hurts!] P.20 (the festival) Nagi: Before the gods of heaven and earth, we shall perform the coming of age rites. villager: Tatara-sama! villager: Tatara-sama! villager: Tatara-sama! villager: He's looks so noble! villager: Tatara-sama! P.21 Nagi: Tatara, come before the altar. Nagi: On the fifteenth day of the eigth month, Nagi: upon Tatara, the first-born son of the village chief, Nagi: we bestow the hat of manhood. P.22 Nagi: I now hand the protective sword of our village, "Byakko," to you. Nagi: Take it Tatara. (Tatara takes the sword from Nagi, as Sarasa looks on) P.23 villager: Tatara-sama! villager: Tatara-sama! villagers: [ohhhh, ahhh] mother: We'll celebrate your birthday later, Sarasa. villager: Now our village will have peace. No, not just our village but the whole country. Nagi: Take the sake cup, Tatara. villager: Now we will be free from the oppressive monarchy that has continued for 300 years. Sarasa: Just for a moment... Sarasa: I want to touch it... (Sarasa reaches out for Tatara's sword resting on its stand) voice: Sarasa! P.24 man: How dare you!! (the man slaps Sarasa hard across the face) Sarasa: Father... father: That belongs to Tatara! father: It is a treasured sword that has been passed down through the generations for the destined one! father: It must not be defiled by a woman's touch! (Sarasa begins to cry) P.25 (she runs away) mother: Sarasa! mother: Sarasa... Kakujii: I'll go. Tatara: Sarasa... (Sarasa is running out in the dunes) Sarasa: Tatara is "the destined child." Sarasa: Then what am I? P.26 Sarasa: An unnecessary child? Sarasa: The extra that came with Tatara? Sarasa: Why were we born as twins?? Sarasa: Why? P.27 (Sarasa looks out across the distant desert) Sarasa: Sand as far as the eye can see. Sarasa: The desert at night is as cold as Nagi said. Sarasa: Is there really no one out there? Sarasa: If I go far enough, there should be an ocean. P.28 Sarasa: He said that the ocean is like a huge well. Sarasa: But it's salty, so you can't drink it. Sarasa: And also... Sarasa: He also said that the stars can be used to guide you in the desert. Sarasa: But I don't know which stars are which. P.29 (Sarasa notices the flames of torches drifting nearby) P.30 (a procession of soldiers is riding/marching across the desert) Sarasa: What is this? Sarasa: They're all dressed in red. Sarasa: Soldiers? Where are they coming from? Sarasa: The leader seems to be a boy only a little bigger than myself. Kakujii: Sarasa! Sarasa: Kakujii. Kakujii: What a rel... Kakujii: ! Kakujii: Sarasa! Don't go over there! P.31 (Sarasa runs across the path of the soldiers... ah, baka) general: Who dares to cross the path of The Red King?! Kakujii: Sarasa! (Kakujii covers Sarasa and receives the sword slash meant for her) P.32 Sarasa: Kakujii! Kakujii: Please forgive her... She is only an ignorant child. Kakujii: Please forgive her... (the boy-leader, aka the Red King, stares down at them coldly) P.33 Red King: Kill them. Sarasa: Kakujii! Sarasa: Let me go! Lemme go! Sarasa: I'll take care of them! Kakujii: Shut up! Be quiet! Sarasa: I'm an unneeded child after all. Sarasa: Kakujii! Sarasa: Let me go! P.34 voice: Stop this. (a figure in heavy desert shrouds stands nearby, with an owl perched on his shoulder) person: Red King, person: you'll tarnish your good name. P.35 (the Red King slashes his sword across the mysterious person's face) Red King: With the sacrifice of that eye, I'll forgive you. Red King: What is your name? (the shrouded man is stone-faced, while his closed left eye bleeds heavily) man: Ageha. P.36 (the army rides on) advisor: Red King, that man is one of the desert Blue Nobles. They are a threat to us. advisor: You should not be so lenient with them. Red King: Ashou, silence. Ashou: ...... Ashou: Yes, m'lord. Sarasa: Kakujii, Kakujii, hang on. Kakujii: I... urg, I'm fine. Ageha: ... You, are "the destined child", no? Sarasa: That is my older brother. P.37 Ageha: Strange, it is unusual for my intuition to mislead me. Ageha: Well then, please convey to him that those throughtout the country who bear expectations of him will gather one day. Sarasa: Ah... your wound... Ageha: It will be fine. (Ageha wanders off into the desert) Sarasa: What does he mean? Sarasa: Um... Sarasa: I never... thanked him... {hyuu = the howling of the wind} Sarasa: Age...ha...? (when Sarasa and Kakujii return to the village, they see a crowd of people huddled together) Sarasa: Hey. Sarasa: I wonder what's happened. (a couple women are crying with their hands over their faces) P.38 villager: Ah, Sarasa-chan! It's terrible. villager: The king's forces were here just now. villager: They said they were here to root out rebellion plots... villager: And then they demanded that we give up Tatara and all of our weapons... Sarasa: The procession from before... villager: And then... and then... Sarasa: Mah-kun! (Mah lies prone on the ground in a pool of blood. Some women have covered him in a blanket.) villager: Mah-kun decided to take his place. Mah's mother: He said that he would take Tatara-sama's place and die for him. {aaaaa = wailing} Mah's mother: He was so happy to do it. P.39 Tatara: For my sake... Mah's mother: No! This child did not die in vain, Tatara-sama! villager: That's right! If you at least shall live-- villager: Yes! You will certainly bring change to this country. Sarasa: Everyone... villager: You will defeat the king and give us a peaceful place to live! Sarasa: They will accept anything for Tatara's sake. Sarasa: Even this. (in a hut, Sarasa is sitting beside a bedridden Kakuji, Nagi is nearby tending to him) Sarasa: Sorry, Kakujii. Kakujii: Forget it. This is nothing to a man of the sea like me. [owch] Nagi: Sarasa. Sarasa: Yes? Nagi: You musn't grow up to be so subservient. Nagi: You have to learn to cope with every possible situation. P.40 (Sarasa begins to cry) Sarasa: I understand. ~Mah: Tatara-sama is going to make this land rich and green like that again. ~Mag: He's the "destined child" after all. Sarasa: I wonder... Sarasa: if there's something I can do too. Sarasa: Someday.. Sarasa: will I be able to help Tatara-sama...? P.41 narration: 3 years later. voice: Sarasa! Tatara: Hey. Sarasa: Tatara-sama. Tatara: Just big brother is fine. {kusu = chuckle} Tatara: So you're staying at Nagi's to research plant cultivation? Sarasa: Yes, but the area isn't very suited for it... Sarasa: I'll have to set up some irrigation. Tatara: You're very earnest. Tatara: Hey... have you heard? Tatara: Ships from another land are coming to this country. Tatara: It seems that they're anchored in a nearby sea. Sarasa: Yes, I've heard. P.42 Tatara: This land will most likely not be able to deal with them, considering our primitive forces. Tatara: There's a possibility that we'll be invaded. Tatara: We're planning on joining forces with other villages, Tatara: and so I may be leaving the village soon. Tatara: Sarasa. Sarasa: Yes? (Tatara places his hand on Sarasa's head) Tatara: When I am not here, you must protect our parents and the village in my place. (Sarasa smiles) Sarasa: Yes, Sarasa: big brother. Kakujii: Tatara-sama, it's time for sword practice. Tatara: Coming. (Tatara waves goodbye to Sarasa) Sarasa: He's become a very fine young man, hasn't he Nagi? P.43 Sarasa: .... Nagi? Nagi: The wind... Nagi: An ill western wind is blowing... Nagi: I hope this does not portend some bad event... Sarasa: How are you able to see the future, Nagi? Nagi: Well... It is not that I can see it exactly... Nagi: My eyes are sightless, however... Nagi: Humans are also living things in nature. Nagi: There is nothing unconnected with the nature's flow. P.44 (Nighttime. Sarasa and Nagi, sitting in Nagi's hut, look up as they hear loud noises coming from outside. The Red King's troops are riding into the village once more.) P.45 general: The people of this village are guilty of treason against the king! general: Hand over "the destined child" and the sword "Byakko" immediately! general: We're not accepting any imposters this time! general: If you don't obey, we'll kill everyone! P.46 vilager: It's the Red Army! general: Give us the head of Tatara! Sarasa: Nagi! (Nagi blows out the candle in his hut) Nagi: Sarasa, hide yourself! They won't show any mercy to women or children! villager: Please spare us. Please... Sarasa: Where's Tatara?! Nagi: Most likely he is hiding in the underground warehouse with your parents. P.47 soldier: We found him!! soldier: He's hiding underground! general: Bring him out! father: Tatara! [uwaaa, kyaaaa] villager: Tatara-sama! Sarasa: Tatara... (Tatara is being held, bent over on his knees, by two soldiers) general: Residents of this village. general: Watch closely! Sarasa: Brother!! (there's a spurt of blood) P.48 (the general holds up Tatara's decapitated head) general: Behold! Sarasa: Bro- Sarasa: ther!! general: The head of "the destined child" now belongs to General Kazan. villager: Tatara-sama! Kazan: We'll be taking this head and the sword Byakko with us. Kazan: Set fire to the village. (the village chief tries to appeal to the young king) father: Your majesty! I... beg of you! father: Please spare the villagers! P.49 Sarasa: Father... (the Red King cuts down Sarasa's father) Sarasa: The boy... mother: [kyaaa!] Dear! villager: The chief is--! Uaaah! Sarasa: from that other time... P.50 Sarasa: The Red King! general: Burn it all! general: Surround the village! Don't leave a single person alive! Kakujii: Get up! We have to flee! village woman: No! It's over already! village woman: I'm going to follow Tatara. Kakujii: You musn't! P.51 village woman: Let me die here! Kakujii: No, get up! (Sarasa is still hiding behind the wall in Nagi's hut) Sarasa: Nagi. village woman: Let me go! Kakujii: You must live! Sarasa: Nagi. Sarasa: What should I do? Sarasa: What? Kakujii: Live! You musn't die! Kakujii: Live! Even if one person makes it, it matters! Run away!! ~Tatara: Sarasa. Sarasa: Brother. Sarasa: Brother. P.52 ~Tatara: When I'm not here ~Tatara: you must protect the village in my place. Sarasa: Yes, brother. Sarasa: Yes. P.53 Nagi: I'm going to try to talk to the villagers... Nagi: Sarasa, you stay here... Sarasa: Nagi. Nagi: Sarasa?! (Sarasa picks up a knife) Sarasa: I'm going. (she places the knife against one of her braids and cuts) P.54 Kakujii: Come on! Get up! village woman: No! village woman: The village is surrounded. village woman: We're all going to die here... voice: I won't allow you to die! (Sarasa, dressed as Tatara, stands amongst the smoke and ashes) villager: ...... villager: Ta... villager: Tata... villager: Tatara-sama!! P.55 Sarasa: The one who was killed Sarasa: Brother, Sarasa: was my sister Sarasa. Sarasa: protect me! Sarasa: You must live, Sarasa: if you want to witness the death of the king. Kakujii: Nagi...-sama. Is-is that? Sarasa: Follow me! Sarasa: We'll break through! P.56 Nagi: She has realized it unconsciously, Nagi: that she is not merely taking Tatara's place. Nagi: Sarasa. You are- Nagi: You are "the destined child"!