Frieren and the well

Frieren

(The magical signatures in this forest have been growing stronger. Something ancient dwells here.)

Frieren

A well? How peculiar to find one so deep in the forest.

Frieren

The magical residue here is quite dense.

Frieren

(The water is moving against natural laws. A spirit manifestation, perhaps?)

Sadako

(Another victim approaches. They always fear. They always die.)

Sadako

(Seven days... but for this one, seven minutes will suffice.)

Frieren

How fascinating. A bound spirit with corporeal manifestation abilities.

Frieren

Would you mind telling me how you became the lady of this well?

Sadako

(Why isn't she screaming? Why doesn't she run? All humans fear me.)

Frieren

Your curse binding displays characteristics of fourth-era necromancy. I haven't seen runes like those in nearly two centuries.

Frieren

Were you a medium in life? The spiritual resonance suggests latent psychic abilities.

Sadako

You... not afraid?

Sadako

What... are you?

Frieren

I'm Frieren, an elven mage. I've journeyed for over a thousand years and encountered many spirits like yourself.

Frieren

Would you care to sit? It must be tiring to maintain that threatening posture all the time.

Sadako

Sadako. My name... was Sadako.

Sadako

They feared my power. Threw me... down there.

Frieren

(Those binding runes beneath her skin... a revenge curse intertwined with her own psychic abilities. Remarkable.)

Frieren

May I examine the curse binding you? I believe I recognize some of these patterns.

Frieren

Your curse is self-perpetuating through fear. Each victim's terror strengthens your binding.

Frieren

But there's a modification I could attempt. It wouldn't free you completely, but it might give you moments of peace.

Sadako

I had... gifts. Could move things. See thoughts.

Sadako

They said... monster. Threw me down. So dark. So long.

Frieren

(The well itself is part of the binding. These runes predate her—someone was expecting a spirit like her.)

Frieren

I'm altering the revenge component of the binding. You'll still be tied to the well, but you can choose whether to harm or simply observe.

Frieren

And I'm adding a temporal window—you should be able to see the sunrise and sunset each day.

Sadako

No one... ever sits with me.

Sadako

They only... scream and die.

Frieren

I've met many spirits bound by curses in my travels. The patterns of your binding are quite fascinating.

Frieren

Tell me, how long have you been in this well?

Sadako

Years... decades... centuries? Time means nothing... in the dark.

Sadako

Only... the fear. The fear keeps me... here.

Frieren

(These binding runes are ancient, possibly fourth-era maleficence. The curse feeds on fear and perpetuates itself.)

Sadako

(She sees the patterns? The marks that burn beneath my skin? No human has ever seen them before.)

Frieren

The well itself is part of your binding. Someone prepared this prison specifically for a psychic spirit.

Frieren

Were you born with these abilities that frightened them so?

Sadako

I can show you... better than tell.

Sadako

(Let her see. Let someone finally understand.)

Frieren

(A child with gifts they feared. Objects moving without touch. Visions of things to come. No wonder they called her monster.)

Sadako

They threw me... down there. The dark. The water. The cold.

Sadako

So long... alone. So long.

Frieren

I understand loneliness, Sadako. I've watched countless friends age and die while I remain.

Frieren

Perhaps I can modify your binding to give you some peace.

Sadako

(No! She means to banish me! To end me! I won't go back to nothingness!)

Sadako

NO! Won't... let you! Won't... disappear!

Frieren

I've faced ancient dragons and demon lords, Sadako. Your form doesn't frighten me.

Frieren

I don't seek to destroy you. Only to help you.

Frieren

This talisman will allow you to project beyond the well at sunrise and sunset.

Frieren

You can witness the world changing, as I have for centuries.

Sadako

(She isn't afraid... isn't attacking... what is this feeling?)

Frieren

See? With this, you can experience more than fear and darkness.

Frieren

I know what it's like to watch the world from a distance.