This is slightly off topic, but does anyone else see the whip holding female miqote near the warrior and monk? <.<
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Also, while were on this picture... Isn't this Ingus from Final Fantasy III!!!! Ingus to be playable class!!!
https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-0...203-no/arc.JPG
http://img1.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb2...75px-Ingus.jpg
It's definitely a whip. Take a look where her hands are grasping it right under the monks feather.
http://www.videogamesartwork.com/sit..._monk_hyur.jpg
Now look your picture again
http://cdn.dualshockers.com/wp-conte...V_JP_Cover.jpg
the whip IS the monk part
See it now?
It's definitely part of the monk AF. It goes over the axe meaning it's in the foreground and it isn't the lower opacity that the background characters are.
If you look, the 'whip' isn't greyed out like the other background people. Also, no background people have weapons.
OP, as far as the picture you posted of 'not a bow'; the bard relic now folds in half when not drawn and stays folded until fully out and ready for use. Maybe that's what you're seeing.