Interesting story! I like the characters, and enjoyed the writing. I highly recommend making the combat less difficult, be it an "easy" mode, or adjust the main mode or something.. You run out of "stamina" way too quickly from attacking, and it only gives you a half second to parry. Maybe give more items or something, but the combat.. it's just not fun. With the "knives" thrown at you towards the end, it doesn't explain how you're supposed to dodge them (the mechanic is never explained or shown once) and it's likewise the most unforgiving, with being hit once causing you to game over.
I would also suggest giving players the ability to save when they want, or autosaving at the start of every battle. Most checkpoints are a good ways back in dialogue, and it's just cumbersome to have to repeat over and over.