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Chapter 6: Lost Heart

Opening

narrator
Putting Serafew behind them, Lyon and his army continue in the direction of Renvall.
Now deep in Grado territory, the prince allows himself some moments of relief.
The army travels swiftly through a sparsely populated part of the country.
However, Lyon is about to discover that nowhere in Magvel is safe for him.
His designs have caused much grief, and many would see him pay for it...
lyon
I can barely see past my own nose...
Curse this fog! We could be walking straight into an ambush...
duessel
An ambush by whom, my lord? We are in Grado territory now.
lyon
I know that, and yet... I don't know.
After what happened in Serafew, I don't feel safe. Not even here.
duessel
Hmm... I'll admit, I myself feel uneasy.
Usually one finds more travelers along this road, even with weather like this.
lyon
......
duessel
Is something on your mind, Prince Lyon?
lyon
Duessel...
Do you think I'll make for a good emperor?
duessel
Excuse me?
lyon
You know. When my father... When my father passes away.
Do you think I'll be as good a leader to our people as he's been?
duessel
......
You are His Majesty's sole heir. Grado's future lies on your shoulders.
Whether or not you will be a good ruler is not a question. You must be.
You owe it to all the citizens of Grado, who trust in you to lead them well.
lyon
I see...
And yet, I fear I am not nearly the man my father was-- is.
I don't have his strength, his wisdom, his temperament...
It's all I can do just to keep up with my studies.

Duessel... Do you think it'd be better if... I wasn't the prince of Grado?
You trained Ephraim yourself. You always speak so highly of him...
What if he or Eirika had been born here, in Grado...
And I simply did not exist? How much better off would everyone be?

duessel
...You should not let your mind dwell on such depressing thoughts.
Know that your lord father is not without faults, himself.
(smiles) Why, I remember one time, we went to meet with Jehanna's queen...
They were to discuss a trade accord, but the Emperor lost the documents!
lyon
(smiles) What? That's impossible...
duessel
Hah! And that was precisely his reaction, as well.
Fortunately, I was able to find them on the steps entering Jehanna Hall.
He was red with embarrassment. I feared he'd just burst into flames!
lyon
Hahaha... That's... That's rather amazing, General.
duessel
(serious) What I'm trying to say, Prince, is this.
By the time you were born, your father had already been emperor for years.
You should not feel that you need to become his equal immediately.
In the meantime, you'll be surrounded by advisors and retainers.
They will assist and guide you on the way, just as they did for your father.
lyon
(serious) ......
Thank you, Duessel.
duessel
...Which is why... I would like to ask you something.
(Riev approaches, interrupting him.)
riev
(smirks) Heh heh heh... Quite the vexing weather, is it not?
Would you like to see more clearly, Prince Lyon?
lyon
Ah, Riev... Well, certainly.
But it's not like we can control the wrath of the skies, right?
We'll just have to buckle up and endure it...
riev
(frowns) You need to use your imagination more, my dear prince.
Few are the limits of a Sacred Stone's hallowed power...
lyon
Wait, you mean...?
riev
(grins) Heh heh heh... Observe!
(Riev casts a spell that disperses the fog, revealing enemy troops lying in wait. They are led by Knoll.)
knoll
...I was afraid of something like this...
Fall back, everyone! The element of surprise is lost!
(Knoll warps away and the other troops fall back.)
lyon
No... That was...!
glen
By the look of his robes, a court mage of Grado.
duessel
Traitors to the crown...
lyon
......
selena
With the emperor so far in Renais, and the prince traveling in secret...
Those who disagree with the war effort have seized their chance.
I would not be surprised if the capital itself is in turmoil...

Prince... Why are we not in the capital? Surely you don't need all of us with you.
Let me return to the capital. I would be happy to assuage the populace's...

lyon
......
selena
Prince Lyon? Are you listening to me?
duessel
My prince, I understand you are our liege, and your say is final.
However, we are your father's most seasoned retainers.
You would be wise to heed our advice in this.
glen
Indeed... I agree with Selena. We should make for the capital.
Capturing the prince of Renais is not nearly as important as--
lyon
Silence!

We exterminate the traitors and keep up the pace towards Renvall.
Well? You have your orders, Generals.
What are you waiting... for... Uuurrgh...

(Lyon spasms.)

(closes eyes) Gaahhh...!

selena
Prince Lyon!
lyon
Not to worry... My eyes, it's... It's already passed.
riev
Generals... I do believe we have received our orders.
(smiles) Is it not time to obey, now? Heh heh heh...
glen
Yes, of course, but...
valter
If you've any qualms, I would be happy to take point in your stead.
More fun for me that way... Hahahahaha!
glen
Fine! Enough.
Duessel, Selena... We have our orders.
(Glen leaves.)
selena
It is certainly true that we are under attack, and we must defend ourselves.
But I believe we should continue this conversation after the battle.
(Selena leaves.)
valter
Hahahaha... Finally. I thought the yapping would never end.
Let us bathe in the blood and entrails of these filthy turncoats! Ahahahaha!
(Valter leaves.)
duessel
Prince Lyon... Are you certain about this?
These people are, or rather were, servants to the crown. To you!
Should we not attempt to parley and seek out the reason why--
lyon
(lidded eyes) Do not... provoke me, Duessel...
duessel
...!
(The camera focuses on the southern village.)
melina
They've started... The prince must be nearby.
If only I knew for sure who is in the right here...
What should I do? Should I even do anything?

General Duessel... What I wouldn't give to be able to speak to you...

(Lyon's eyes are closed.)
riev
(smiles) Heh heh heh... My prince!
I understand this may not be the best time, but I beg a moment of your time.
lyon
......
riev
Since the cat is out of the bag, so to speak, I believe it is time.
We should summon a powerful monster to bolster our forces...
Only one, for multiple would be weaker and unpredictable.
Heh heh heh... Heed me, as I present these options four!

The Bael! A gargantuan spider with venom-ridden claws!
For a spider to squash terrified human vermin beneath its talons...
Heh heh heh... Quite the amusing role reversal, is it not?

The Mauthe Doog! Undead hounds as swift and furious as a whirlwild!
Our foes won't even have time to scream...
Before this fiend's fangs are sinking deep into their necks! Heh heh heh...

The Tarvos! Proud warriors of Hell itself, mightier than any man!
Its battleaxe will cut its prey into tiny, bloody chunks with ease! Heh heh heh...

With me so far, Prince Lyon? Last, but certainly not least...
The Bonewalker! Warriors of another era, brought to ours to do our bidding!
Master of all weapons, this skeletal soldier will do the work of three men!

Heh heh heh... The choice is yours, my lord.
What creature shall we bring forth to terrorize our enemies?!

lyon
......

Bael

djieien
Skreeeeee!!

Mauthe Doog

penelope
...Grrrrrr...

Tarvos

erkki
......

Bonewalker

wyatt
*Rattle rattle*
riev
(grinning) Heh heh heh... Fantastic choice, my prince!
Oh, I do quite look forward to watching this new ally in action.
Heh heh heh... Heh heh heh heh heh!
lyon
......

Enemy Turn 1

knoll
Here they come... Stay alert, everyone.
It will be more difficult now, but I think we can still win.

No... We HAVE to win. We have to stop Prince Lyon...
Before he plunges our world into chaos without end.

When Knoll is approached

knoll
Blast... It's all over. We're done for.
...I cannot fall here. I would be taking the truth to the grave.
I suppose I'll leave them something to play with and flee while I can...

(closes eyes) Prince Lyon... Just... why...
Why did we not see our folly for what it was, before it was too late?

(Knoll summons a Mogall and warps out of the battlefield.)

Turn after Knoll retreats

(Garcia enters from behind Lyon's army.)
garcia
......
I have finally caught up to you...
You killed my son... You killed his friends...
The fathers and mothers of Ide shed tears enough to fill a well.

And for each tear, a drop of blood shall stain my axe!

Conversations

Saar & Bazba

saar
You there! Halt!
bazba
Eh? Whaddya want with the mighty Bazba?
saar
State your name and rank!
bazba
I already told you, man. The mighty Bazba!
saar
That is not a rank! You are no soldier!
Drop your weapons and surrender quietly!
(Bazba balks.)
bazba
What?! You're kidding, right?
I'm on your side, you idiot!
Joined up with the prince before you did, even!
saar
Hah! That is laughable!
I have served in this army for decades!
Moreover, I know who you are.
The leader of the aptly named Bazba's Bandits...
Us in the border guard had been keeping an eye on you!
bazba
All right, and...?
saar
You are under arrest for the following crimes:
Grand larceny, kidnapping, assault and murder!
bazba
...No, seriously, this has got to be a joke, right?
Take it up with the big man! I'm with you!
(Saar trembles with fury.)
saar
The army of Grado would never take a lowlife like you!
What would you even do to serve us?!
bazba
(smirks) Heh... Same things you listed, but to your benefit.
C'mon. Prince's a piece of work. That's plain to see.
You're one heck of a blind fool if you can't.
saar
...Hmph...
Very well. I shall believe that you have had a change of heart.
But I expect you to work to the bone for your redemption!
For starters, deliver a list of all your associates to me.
I will see to it they face justice for their crimes.
bazba
(scowls) You want me to snitch on my guys now?!
No way. Shove it, old man!
saar
Hmph... I will keep a very close eye on you!
Put one toe out of line, and I swear--
bazba
All right, all right, I hear you, man...
Look, watch my back and I'll watch yours.
Much better way to look at this, right?
We're stuck with one another anyway...
saar
...Your crimes are neither forgiven nor forgotten.
Rest assured of that, brigand scum!
(Saar leaves.)
bazba
...Great. Guess I made a new "friend."

[Saar & Bazba gain C-rank support with each other.]

Valter & Riev

valter
Riev!
riev
It is not often I enjoy the pleasure of your company, General Moonstone.
Please, do not leave me in suspense! Tell me what you wish to discuss.
valter
I'd rather not waste my time with a disgusting old man like you.
Especially when there's so much butchery to be done...
But curiosity is eating me up inside like a woodworm.
riev
Heh heh heh... Oh, this sounds promising so far.
valter
The others might've been content to eat up your sorry excuses...
But I know there is more to this than what you and the prince claim.
riev
I would be correct in assuming you mean the monsters, would I not?
Please. Both myself and our liege are exceptional users of magic.
We have put our faith and knowledge to our research. This is the result.
Miracles that gods alone could not make reality.
Advancement that mere scholars could not make possible!
That is all there is to it. Mighty magic at work. Heh heh heh...
valter
Yes, yes. Spare me the speech. It does nothing but bore me.
Come now. I am a fellow general, am I not? I am trustworthy.
Would you do your colleague a favor and tell me everything?
riev
This is a dangerous avenue of inquiry, Valter...
You would be wise to let sleeping demons lie.
Heh heh heh...
valter
A mystery it is, then?
That's fine. I can be patient. Hahahahaha...
riev
Whether you can be or not, I care not.
Follow your orders obediently, Valter.
Our liege can be remarkably wrathful... Heh heh heh...
valter
Emperor Vigarde? Don't make me laugh.
That man has always been sickeningly merciful.
riev
You insult him before another general?
You are even more reckless than I thought...
valter
Well, will you intercede in his defense, Riev?
riev
...Heh heh heh. The battlefield calls on us.
Let us focus on the violence now, shall we?
Ta-ta for now, Valter...
(Riev leaves.)
valter
...Just the reaction I expected. You have no loyalty to Vigarde, do you?
What binds you to our good prince, Riev? What drives the two of you?
Hmmm... Ah, well. I suppose I shall just have to watch you closely...

[Valter & Riev gain C-rank support with each other.]

Garcia

Combat

garcia
Murderers! I will usher you to the gates of oblivion myself!

Defeat

garcia
Impressive... I didn't think this possible...
But this is not my place to die.

Locations

Village

Default

melina
There are none who would fight you in this village.
Please, just leave us in peace...

If Duessel is visiting

(Melina starts.)
melina
G-General Duessel...!
duessel
Melina... I had wondered if I'd meet you today.
It is good to see you again. Are you well?
Have you remembered anything more since I last visited?
melina
My apologies. My mind is still enveloped in a dark fog...
Not unlike the one that blanketed this entire area this morning.
I hadn't even noticed it lifted already...
duessel
Mm... That is a shame. Well, there is no rush.
You'll recover the rest of your memories eventually. I'm certain of it.
melina
General Duessel... Let's not avoid the issue at hand.
You are under attack by your own people...
They told us to stay inside and not interfere.
That mage, he said the prince is... corrupted, somehow.
I didn't understand everything he said, but it sounded... dire.
duessel
Corrupted somehow...
Did he not explain it in more detail?
melina
I'm afraid not...
duessel
...Well, please, stay inside where it's safe.
I would be devastated if you were harmed, Melina.
melina
Actually, I've been thinking...
I owe you a debt, General Duessel. A debt I have yet to repay.
Would you allow me to... join your army?
I can wield an axe. Well enough not to drop it, at the very least.
(Duessel balks.)
duessel
What?! You...? An axe?
melina
What? It's not so strange.
The war saw most of this village's men conscripted into the army.
Someone had to cut wood. Might as well have been me.
After all, I also owe the people of this village...
duessel
Please forgive my outburst. It's just...
When I first met you, it was an ordeal just to get you to eat.
Look at you now! You have more grit than most men I've met.
melina
(smiles) Only thanks to you, General. You are an inspiration to me.

(serious) So, what say you? Will you have me?
All I wish is to repay you however I am able.

duessel
...You also believe you might find your daughter if you set out.
Am I correct?
melina
Well... I have imposed upon you long enough.
It's about time I looked for her myself.
I cannot remember her name, and her face is a blur, but...
Perhaps all I need is to find her, and my memories will be unlocked.

And, of course, like I said, I owe you, General.
Let me aid you in what little way I can. Please.

duessel
......
I can see your heart is set... I will not be able to stop you.
I only beg that you be certain you won't regret this choice later.
melina
If the prince keeps you at his side, he can't be so bad.
And I've borne witness to the depravity mankind is capable of...
As you are well aware.
If nothing else, I can now rely on the comfort of my axe's handle.
Trust me. I will prove more than a match for the horrors of war.
duessel
You put many soldiers I've met to shame with your bravery, Melina.
May fortune always accompany you, my friend.
melina
And you as well, General Duessel.
The world would become a darker place if you were lost to it.
duessel
...Bah...

Ending

duessel
Has anyone found the enemy commander yet?!
caellach
Not me...
If you ask me, he saw the writing on the wall and ran for the hills.
duessel
That does make sense...
Hmm. I had hoped to apprehend him alive and question him.
caellach
There's always next time. I doubt this'll be the last we see of him.
duessel
Verily...
Prince Lyon, I trust you are uninjured?

...Prince Lyon... Is something...?

caellach
Er... Prince? You feeling all right?
You look, uh...
fomortiis
(grins) What's wrong? Why such an unusual expression on your face?
I'd rather you didn't look upon me as though I were some horrid beast.
caellach
...Right...
Well, looks like the battle's all done.
fomortiis
(frowns) Capture any of those worms that are still breathing.
Then make them stop breathing. Am I understood?
duessel
What?!
caellach
...Yeah. Sure. You're the boss.
I'm on it.
(Caellach leaves.)
duessel
Prince Lyon, I must object!
If we can, we have to take them alive!
We need to interrogate them. We don't know why they--
fomortiis
Don't worry. I can hazard a guess as to their reasons.
We don't need their testimony, and their crime of treason is clear.
I'd say death is a reasonable sentence for such a heinous crime.
Would you not agree, Duessel the Obsidian?
duessel
...We were talking about your lord father before...
Shall I tell you a different story about him?
fomortiis
Ah, why not. I'll humor you. What is it?
duessel
The captain of a small town's fort was arrested one day.
He was found to be working with a local brigand band.
The villagers and his former men both wanted to see his head roll.
But the emperor simply said, "explain yourself."
The man claimed his family had been taken hostage by the bandits.
The emperor himself led a force into their hideout. He risked his own life!
It was true. The captain's family was found and they were reunited.
He is still in the army today. His loyalty has never wavered again.
fomortiis
...And your point is, Duessel?
duessel
My point is that your father would never approve of this!
This... pointless bloodshed! You cannot do this, Prince!
fomortiis
Can't I? Who'll stop me, then? You?
duessel
......
fomortiis
(smirks) Heh... Tell me something, Obsidian.
Who was it that ordered this war? Was it me?
Or was it, perhaps... Your beloved emperor?
Tell me. How can a man that orders a war on a grand scale...
Be against such small-time violence as this?!
duessel
......
fomortiis
(frowns) Duessel... What was the question you wanted to ask me before?
duessel
...Never mind, my prince.
Never mind.
(Duessel leaves.)
fomortiis
......
(Riev approaches.)
riev
(smiles) Heh heh heh... Welcome, my lord.
How shall I, your humble retainer, serve you on this day?
fomortiis
Let us keep going to Renvall.
I must have the bracelet that Renais rat wears on his wrist...
riev
Heh heh heh... Thy will be done, my lord.
garcia
Blast... I lost them! Curse this forest!

(Garcia shakes with rage.)

Raaaaahhh! Grado! Where did you go?!

(Knoll appears in front of him.)
knoll
......
garcia
What?! You there! Where did you come from?!
(Knoll steps forward.)
knoll
Tell me, warrior. What did Grado take from you?
garcia
...My son. He tried to protect our village while I was away.
I did not return fast enough. They killed him in cold blood...
Him, and every one of his friends... Every young kid in the village...
knoll
Revenge will not bring them back.
garcia
It will keep those monsters from repeating the atrocity elsewhere.
...Or perhaps that is just what I'm telling myself.
A convenient excuse to bring my axe to the necks of Ross's killers...
knoll
Ross, eh... A fine name.
It sounds like your son was a brave lad.
garcia
What's it to you, sorcerer?
knoll
...I am one of the men responsible for this calamity.
The war... The fiends... The change in the emperor of Grado.
I am the one behind it all... Among others.
garcia
......
(Garcia lunges for Knoll, but he teleports to avoid the blow.)
garcia
...Where?! Where did you go, you... despicable...!
knoll
This way.
garcia
Go on, keep warping away. Try to tire me out.
I don't care if I have to keep swinging for days on end.
My axe will meet your flesh. It's just a question of when...
knoll
And it would be the end that I deserve.
A slow, agonizing death, befitting of my crimes...
garcia
...!
knoll
But not yet. Not while Prince Lyon roams freely...
Prince Lyon threatens the entire world at this moment.
Once he is stopped, I will lay my neck at your axe.
Until then... I would beg for your aid.
garcia
...I have no reason to trust you...
knoll
...Go ahead, then. Kill me now.
I will not move this time. This I swear.
All I ask in exchange... is that you take up the reins.
Stop Prince Lyon in my stead...
garcia
...You...
knoll
Well?
garcia
I can chop your body to pieces, but I can never kill you.
You already died a long time ago... Didn't you?
knoll
The day I and my brethren tried to play with powers beyond our ken.
That is the day I died. The day... Prince Lyon died.
garcia
But... If I decided to help you... What would you have me do?
knoll
I lack the combat prowess and the guile to oppose Prince Lyon.
This has been proven today. I know not how to lead an army.
...You, on the other hand, clearly have some military experience.
garcia
I used to be a commander for Renais...
knoll
There are many in Grado who wish to put an end to this disaster.
Will you take up command and lead them to victory?
garcia
......

My name is Garcia... And yours?

knoll
...Knoll.

Character Descriptions

Djieien
A Bael grown by Riev and groomed into a fearsome war machine.

Penelope
An undead hound given life by Riev to fight for Lyon.

Erkki
A powerful warrior from the underworld, with whom Riev sealed an unholy pact.

Wyatt
A warrior who died 500 years ago, whose remains have been weaponized by Riev.

[All monsters have C-rank support with Riev.]

Melina
A Grado woman. She lost her memories in a traumatic incident.

[Melina and Duessel have C-rank support with each other.]

Knoll
One of Grado's royal mages. He knows the riddle of the Dark Stone.

Garcia
A villager from Renais. He was once a feared military leader.

Traitor
Renegades from the Grado army who wish for the war to end.

Monster
A creature akin to those of the Demon King, but summoned by another.