Kujira no Kora wa Sajou ni Utau (Children of the Whales)

We follow the birds, gaze at the stars, and measure the heavens to foretell the fates of our transient lives.

You now guide the birds, stand among the stars, and move the heavens.

As a spirit, forevermore shall your soul illuminate the sands upon which the very world is built.

You will remain in the hearts of those left behind on this castle-ship of mud.

Become our guiding light.

93 Sand Era. Second day of the seventh month.

A funeral was held for Benihi, one of the Marked.

Age 29. She worked as an instructor.

Our tradition is to drift the dead out into the sand ocean.

Those who see the departed off are not allowed to shed tears.

Any who do will be quickly taken in by the countless souls sleeping beneath the sands.

So our people believe.

Chakuro, you're not supposed to cry!

Don't cry! The dead will beckon you down!

Now, lace your fingers!

Hold it in. Hold it in, Chakuro!

Hold it in, hold it in!

Dummy...

I did it again.

I am Chakuro, a 14-year-old male.

I serve as the archivist of the Mud Whale.

Every time I see a dear friend off, my urge to record grows stronger.

My late Unmarked grandfather said I was inflicted with an illness that forced me to chronicle everything.

Five hundred and thirteen people live on this drifting ship,

sailing the boundless sand ocean on the Mud Whale.

Our lives were bound to the sand, the wind, and the light of the sun.

Concentrate! Now let it down easy!

Let it down easy...

Yes, like that! Good work, everyone!

Looks like the kids have improved a lot.

Chakuro!

I guess it's thanks to their great teacher.

Guess so.

They're all already better than you.

That's harsh.

The archivist usually isn't a Marked, you know?

Thymia doesn't help with that job.

So being appointed means you suck at using thymia, right?

Forget sucking—they called me the "destroyer".

Should you be laughing at that?

Come to think of it, this was where Benihi taught us how to use our thymia too.

Chakuro, let's just forget about Benihi.

If we try to shoulder the burden of each person's death, we Marked won't be able to live in peace.

You're right.

The "Marked" are those with the superhuman ability to control thymia with their emotions.

Ninety percent of people on the Mud Whale are Marked.

We Marked are short-lived, like Benihi whom we sent off yesterday.

Chakuro!

Cut us some leaves from those large sand bamboo!

They're for food preservation, so grab five or six of the youngest ones you can from the top!

What?

Use this!

Five or six... five or six!

Chakuro! Who the hell said to chop the whole thing off?!

Hey! Don't run, Chakuro!

Get back here!

What's all the noise?

Who knows.

Hide me!

What'd you do this time?

Uh, nothing really...

Shut that before sand gets in.

Oh, sorry!

What's that?

We're making goggles for you guys.

For sand protection?

Remember that acrylic plate we got?

It's a prototype, but you can have it.

Really?

So cool! I love how hefty they are!

We like elaborate designs in this workshop, but they're not functional.

In exchange, next time you find something at sea or on an island, bring it right to us instead of turning it in.

I can't wait to show these off to Sami.

Oh, hello Chieftain.

That's quite the stylish item you're wearing.

Are you going to sea?

No, I was just on my way to see Suou.

Bringing your records, I suppose.

Is that for Benihi's funeral service? It looks like you overdid it.

Try to keep it in check. Paper is a valuable resource.

Oh, what's the harm? Chakuro's records are incredibly helpful.

Though they read more like diaries than official records.

I just can't keep myself from writing.

I don't think I'm suited to be an archivist.

However, I find myself wishing that our predecessors of the Mud Whale had left more of their history.

Like, why did they decide to live on this island?

Or for instance, why doesn't the Mud Whale sink?

If they had left more thorough records, we might have answers to those questions.

So I write for the future.

Keep at it, then.

I will.

The Chieftain and those on the Council of Elders are "Unmarked", and lack the ability to use thymia.

Unlike the Marked who pass away in their twenties and thirties, the Unmarked are long-lived.

They are the leaders of the Mud Whale.

Come in.

Hello, Suou.

Hey, Chakuro.

I brought the records.

Thank you.

Were you crying all night?

No, um...

I was crying as well.

Don't tell anyone else.

Benihi was a good person.

Your writing does not contain a hint of emotion.

Even so, it is very touching.

The rules say we aren't allowed to put our emotions into words.

Chakuro, forgive me for making you write such painful records.

I can't do anything myself.

Wh-Why are you apologizing?

You're doing research to figure out a way to extend the lifespans of the Marked!

You grieve for our short lives more than anyone else!

I know you've shed far more tears than I have.

I'm not too bright, so all I can do is throw myself into my writing.

But you're smart and long-lived!

You can unravel the mysteries of the world and bring a greater happiness to the people of this ship!

Thank you,

Chakuro.

When the people here feel as though their emotions will show, they lace their fingers like this.

They restrain their feelings.

I hope that even after my death, these records will be of some use to you in the future.

It's a driftland!

The first driftland in half a year has been spotted.

We should be able to search it for supplies for roughly five days.

After that it'll be dangerously far away.

Prepare a scouting party to send tomorrow.

If it proves to be safe, we will send a scavenging team.

Please select people for the scouting party by tomorrow, Suou.

I leave it to you.

Understood.

The next morning, we set sail while the waves were still calm.

Why's Chakuro gotta come too? He better not make a mess of things.

I'm surprised Suou included you, Sami.

It may be dangerous.

My brother has great faith in me!

Let's go!

When traveling the sand ocean, thymia must be used to prevent the boats from sinking.

The thymia used to float and propel the bamboo boats requires as much energy as a full-out sprint.

As a result, our sailing range is limited.

Listen up! No going solo!

Also, we're only here to scout, so don't take anything back with you.

Okay.

Sami.

Thanks.

Sure.

How romantic!

We're not like that!

Wait, Sami! He said not to go alone!

It's fine.

Still, this looks pretty different from the usual drifting islands.

A human tool!

It looks like a weapon.

There have been several islands with tools left by past civilizations before.

Despite that, we've never seen a single soul.

The workshop guys are going to love this.

Right, Sami?

Huh?

Sami?

Oh no...

Hey, Sami!

What are you?

Hey!

Wait! Get back here!

What's this?

Food?

Um...

Are you okay?

Tears.

What's wrong? Are you hurt?

She was the first human I ever met outside those on the Mud Whale.

That is, if her condition at that moment could even be considered "human".

However...

Stop!

Her power weakened.

As I thought... she's hurt.

Was she washing these?

H-Hey, you're coming too?

Are you her pet?

Huh?

Where's Chakuro?

We got split up along the way.

Masoo!

Hey, Chakuro! I told you not to go it alone!

You even picked something up!

No, she's not a thing.

She's a person! A person!

S-Seriously?

What should we do, Captain?

She's really weak! She might even die if we leave her!

We withdrew from our scouting mission immediately, and decided to bring her back to the Mud Whale.

She's pretty.

Sami, could you put these clothes on her? I think they're hers.

Sure.

This looks like a really old scar.

I should probably keep her attacking me with thymia to myself.

It's rain.

But the sun's out!

It feels great!

Rain is an indispensable part of our livelihood on the Mud Whale, as it helps to fill up our reservoirs.

It is said that rainy weather is a good omen.