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Chapter 27: Guardian of the Woods

Opening

narrator
According to legend, the Sacred Stones have sealed evil away from the world.
Four of the five stones have been destroyed, leaving only the last stone intact.
Morva, the late leader of the manakete tribe, was once the guardian of Darkling Woods.
According to legend, he, alongside the original possessors of the Sacred Stones,
defeated the Demon King in these woods.
Legend says the Demon King's corpse lies there still, not dead but dreaming.
Dreaming of when the last stone is crushed, and he will rise from his bed of rocks and worms and return to the surface.
Within Darkling Woods, a somber army of fiends quietly gathers, as if responding to some unheard call...
But it is not the Demon King's call. Someone else's...
myrrh
...They're coming...
I can sense the Demon King's fury... He rages against his shackles...
He yearns for freedom... And he will have it, no matter the cost...
I need to buy them time to call upon the Sacred Stone's power...

Watch over me, Father.

selena
It's... eerily quiet here.
I feel like we've wandered into lands forgotten by time itself.
riev
Heh heh heh... Quiet, but not empty.
Oh no, I sense many creatures ahead...
fomortiis
...Morva's spawn...
selena
Hmm?
(Lyon jolts.)
lyon
Ah... I think it's... I think it's a manakete.
We faced one before, alongside an army of monsters... Uh, not you two.
Us... Glen, Caellach and me, in the mountains of Carcino...
glen
Yes... I've spotted them. There's a lot.
Fiends, much like the ones unleashed upon us that night...
lyon
One more setback...
I suppose I should have expected this.
riev
Heh heh heh... Courage, my liege.
These are but the throes of the dying beast that is our opposition.
One last desperate gambit to halt our advance.
lyon
Yes, I doubt they have any sort of real plan here.
We'll just have to fight our way through.
selena
...At your command, my emperor.
glen
......

Conversations

Bone & Zabba

bone
Look at this place... It's so pretty!
zabba
This place? Pretty? That's a new one.
I only see a dreary forest filled with dark creatures.
bone
Yeah, but it's fascinating! Look at these trees!
They look so old... I'll bet they have so many stories to tell!
If only we could talk to them... What a shame.
zabba
......
bone
Er, Zabba? Something wrong?
zabba
You had the same glint in your eyes when you told me about the sword...
bone
The one I gifted to ya?
zabba
Yes, when you told me the story of how you found it.
You had this same look. This... adventurous look!

(Zabba perks up.)

(smiles) That's it, Bone! That's your thing!

bone
My... thing?
zabba
You told me long ago you had no idea what to do after the war.
But don't you see? You have the mind of an archaeologist!
bone
An arachnophobic? But I like spiders. They're cute.
zabba
(serious) An archeologist! Researchers that investigate old places and stuff.
Then they figure out ancient history from them!
bone
That's... Oh, c'mon, Zabba. Really?
I didn't go to school! I didn't even know about the Five Heroes!
How'dya expect me to do these smart things?
zabba
Well, you told me yourself, right?
You said exploring that place was one of your happiest memories.
There's plenty of ruins in this world no one's entered in ages.
You could be the one to make all sorts of incredible discoveries in them!
bone
That... That does sound real nice...
zabba
And there's money to be made in this gig.
I've been hired often as a bodyguard by these types.
They always pay handsomely and in advance.
bone
B-Bodyguard? It is really a dangerous job?
zabba
Ancient temples and their ilk tend to be filled with traps.
bone
That's...

(Bone perks up.)

(smiles) That sounds awesome! Trap-filled dungeons...!
It'd be an adventure just walking around such a place!

zabba
(smiles) Look at you! You're already so giddy about it!
It's settled. This is definitely what you need to do next.
bone
Yeah... Yeah! But, wait...
If it's so dangerous, I'll need a bodyguard, myself.
And I don't got the money to hire any...
zabba
I'm coming with you, of course! Duh!
bone
What?!
zabba
Yeah, I'm a bit sick of being a mercenary, honestly.
This sounds way more fun. I'd like to work with you full time.
Getting lost in ancient temples and crypts... Finding treasures...
A new adventure every day. Sounds just fine by me.
bone
......
Thanks, Zabba... You're a true friend.
zabba
You too, Bone. I'm glad you beared with me before.
bone
Same to you... No one's ever wanted to be my friend before...
zabba
Hahaha... Wow! This is... This is great!
Now we just have to make sure we both come out of this alive!
bone
Right on!
[Bone and Zabba's support increases to rank A.]

Valter & Medusa

medusa
So... How did you enjoy your first trip home, my new pet?
Was the underworld all you had hoped it would be?
valter
...This world seemed so... sprawling to me once.
Becoming a wyvern rider was my childhood dream.
I wanted to soar the skies... Let no place be too far...
Now it seems like naught but a tiny oyster.
medusa
That is exactly what it is. An oyster... Fomortiis's playground.
Each of us in the Court is assigned a realm to preside over.
Some try to be benign entities. Others toy with its denizens.
I like giving a select few a taste of my power, and see what they do.
But Fomortiis was always... prone to outbursts.
He already destroyed one realm, you know.
Wiped it clean of all living beings and left it completely empty.
He had to be granted a new realm... That being this one.
valter
And now he's trying to do the same thing here...
But we proved to be made of sterner stuff.
medusa
You didn't, boy. Your ancestors did, eight centuries back.
But for all their efforts, they could only contain him.
And now he's on the verge of escaping his confinement...
Perhaps. He can still snatch defeat from the jaws of victory.
I would not put it past him... He can't even destroy one human soul.
valter
That human soul is Emperor Lyon.
medusa
Still you hold such reverence in your tone for that human child.
You have realized how lowly the rest of your world is, but he...
How come you still hold him in such high regard?
valter
How could I not? This, all of this, I owe to him and him alone.
It was not Fomortiis that did this to me. It was him.
He let Fomortiis take over, then forced his hand from within.
medusa
(smirks) I had figured as much, but... Wow, I can hardly believe it!
Fomortiis lost control to his own human puppet? My goodness!
Loptous is going to die laughing when I tell him...
valter
Oh, you should have seen it. Now THAT was an outburst.
When I awoke, Fomortiis was furious enough to sunder the earth...
But the emperor simply forced him back to the deep recesses of his mind.
Then he looked back at me with cold eyes, as if nothing had happened.

I see no use in shame any longer, so I shall just admit it to you, Lady Medusa:
Even now, the emperor scares me. More than Fomortiis ever could have.

medusa
...Hmm... Well, I thank you for being forthcoming with me, Moonstone.
Go now. Feast upon the lambs that are being fed to us.
valter
Ahahahahaha... You need not ask twice, Lady Medusa.
(Valter leaves.)
medusa
Hmm... The one called Lyon... How curious.
Perhaps I should be more careful who I grant my power...
Who knows if I'll ever pick the wrong human, and end up like this as well...

(smiles) ...Bah, I have no reason to worry. I am not Fomortiis, after all...

[Valter and Medusa's support increases to rank B.]

McGregor & Lyon

mcgregor
Emperor. I... I wish to have a word.
lyon
...McGregor.
Can it not wait? We are in danger here...
mcgregor
It cannot wait, no.
lyon
......
mcgregor
I risk much. I may not survive this conversation.
But... At this point, I cannot bring myself to care.
I must ask you directly, my liege.
...Natasha. What happened to her?
lyon
Natasha? Last we met was at the beginning of this war...
She came to my father, to persuade him to cease hostilities.
I spoke to her personally, and made her see our side.
mcgregor
...That is not true, Lyon, and we both know it.
lyon
......
mcgregor
Silence me after if you must.
I have lived a long life, and as my sun sets, I can only feel...
Hopelessness, for what I have allowed you to become.
...I only beg that you will tell me in truth. What did you do to her?
lyon
......
May I... make a confession, Father McGregor?
mcgregor
A... confession?
lyon
You are an ordained priest, are you not?
You've heard a few in your day, I'm sure.
...I'd like to make one.
mcgregor
......
Go on, my child.
lyon
For the power to protect my people...
For the power to make this world a better place...
I have sacrificed everything I held dear.
And your pupil... She is among the sacrifices I've made.

I... did not wish to harm you, Father McGregor.

(McGregor starts.)
mcgregor
W-What?!
Wait! Then you mean... What you did to her...!
lyon
One of you had to go. Ideally, both.
I knew you would never see things my way...
But, I always respected you. Admired you, even.
My old mentor... I did not wish to dispose of you.
So... I sacrificed Natasha, to be able to manipulate you.
mcgregor
And you would just tell me this... With such cold, unfeeling eyes...
lyon
Tell me, Father. Is there salvation for me?
mcgregor
......
Do you truly care to know?
lyon
...Hmm...
No.
It does not matter whatsoever.
mcgregor
Then we have nothing further to discuss.
I thank you for your confession, Lyon.
...Do what you must.
lyon
I shall do nothing, Father.
You have no fight left in you, do you?
I can't grant you an easy escape. You'll have to do it yourself...
mcgregor
......
Prince Lyon... I am so sorry.
That I allowed you to fall so low...

(closes eyes) ...Sigh...

(McGregor leaves.)
lyon
...Is this truly the same man who used to terrify me so?
Truly, my former weakness knew no bounds...
[McGregor loses 2 Resistance.]

Caellach & Ismaire

caellach
Still around, eh, Queenie?
ismaire
......
caellach
C'mon, there's no need to give me the silent treatment.
I ain't the one you should direct your rage towards.
ismaire
Aren't you? I'm in this situation because of you.
caellach
Yeah, and without me, both you and Josh'd be dead.
So what gives? I saved your lives! If anything, I deserve some thanks!
ismaire
Let us not argue about this.
It should be plainly obvious why I won't thank you.
Even one such as you should be able to understand it.
caellach
...Yeah, guess so...
ismaire
Why speak to me, then?
I am doing as you demanded. I am fighting for your masters.
At least have the decency to leave me be.
caellach
My masters, huh...
ismaire
That is what they are, and let me tell you what we are, Caellach.
Filthy lapdogs, barking at the beck and call of Emperor Lyon.
Only, you seem convinced you'll ever be able to bite his hand...
(Caellach fidgets.)
caellach
Nngh... You...!

Sigh... Look, Queenie, I'll just come out with it.
I'm not all that popular with "my masters" these days.

ismaire
Truly does my heart go out to you.
caellach
Yeah, yeah, I'm not trying to fish for sympathy from you.
But I need more people to call friends. Glen's not gonna cut it.
And... Guess what? I've an inkling you'll need friends too.
ismaire
So you wish to ally yourself with me, is that it?
That you may hide behind me and let me suffer Lyon's wrath when the time comes?
I'll pass. You can face the consequences of your mistakes on your own.
caellach
That's not it at all!
C'mon, Queenie, don't deny it.
You still burn with fury against our good emperor.
If Josh wasn't a factor... You would fight.
What better thing to have in a fight than allies?
(Ismaire fumes.)
ismaire
How dare you invoke my son's name!
You are the one who made Joshua into "a factor!"
Now you turn around and feed me this drivel?
Perhaps I should fight YOU, just to shut your mouth.
caellach
......
What if I told you... Josh is already not a factor?
ismaire
...!
caellach
I had a weird feeling before, but knowing the things I know now...
I've a bit of a theory about him. If I'm right, we could--
ismaire
I spit on your theories.
I would sooner die alone than rely on a duplicitous snake like you.
caellach
......
Fine, then. But at least let me stick around in battle, 'aight?
No harm in having someone watching your back.
At the very least, you oughta live this thing through, right?
ismaire
...Do what you will.
caellach
Very well. Good luck out there, Queen Ismaire.
(Caellach leaves.)
ismaire
......

He shows such uncharacteristic desperation...
Fool. I cannot save you from your fate.
You earned it when you cast your lot with them...

[Caellach and Ismaire gain C-rank support with each other.]

Myrrh

Combat

myrrh
I've got to beat you... I've got to fulfill my destiny...

Combat w/ Morva

myrrh
...Urrgh...
I'm...sorry...

Combat w/ Dara

myrrh
Elder Dara... Even you have been transformed...
dara
...In a way.
myrrh
I can tell. It's still you in there...
So why? Why would you help him...?
dara
......
Where were you, Great Dragon?
Where were you when your father fell?
Where were you when your followers were destroyed?
Where... were you when my life crumbled to dust...?
myrrh
...I-I... I was with...

I-I'm so sorry... I couldn't...

dara
Sigh... You had best be ready. I am not going to back down.
If you wish to survive... Grant me death.
myrrh
......

Combat w/ Lyon

myrrh
The Demon King...
lyon
......
Yes. It is I. I am the Demon King.
myrrh
...No... It's...
Listen to me! You have to stop this!
lyon
Stop? Why would I stop my own plans?
This is all my doing, and I am about to win.
I am about to achieve all I've dreamed about...
I am about to gain the power to save...
myrrh
Think! Are you really the same man you once were?
Are these the choices you would have made before?
Can't you see? The Demon King whispers into your ear...
lyon
You're wrong. It's me. All me.
I am going to save... everyone...
Urggh... Guuhaah...!
(Lyon spasms.)
myrrh
...Ephraim told me so much about you...
He said you were a kind, gentle soul...
Please... Try to reach back into yourself...
Find the great person Ephraim told me about!
fomortiis
(smiles) Why would I? All is right as I want it...
Well, all except for you, heir of the manakete.
Shall I show you what I did to that worm, Morva?
...Shall I show you what I did to your true parents,
all those centuries ago?
myrrh
...!
...All right... Like my father before me,
I shall send you back whence you came, Demon King!
May you forgive me, Lyon of Grado...

Combat w/ Boudica

myrrh
B-Boudica?!
No... He corrupted you too...
boudica
...Proteeeeeect... Chiiiiiiild...
But... Oooother... Chiiiiiild...
What to dooo... What to dooo...?!
myrrh
Don't worry, Boudica...
I'll always cherish you as a wonderful friend.
Kind and loving...
(closes eyes) Let this be nothing more than a brief nightmare.
boudica
Proteeeect... Chiiiiiild...
Whiiich... Whiiich... Proteeect...?!

(Boudica flounders.)

(closes eyes) G-Growwwwwl!

Death

myrrh
Eph...raim... Help... me...

Locations

House

old man
Beyond the peak behind my humble abode is Darkling Woods.
It is not a place for humans to wander, believe me...
I've tried! Monsters nearly lopped my head off every time!
Lousy grandfather... Who in their right mind builds a house here?

Anyway, go on ahead. Go and get murdered.
It's what you deserve, after all the atrocities you've committed...
What? The news reaches me here! I'm not a hermit!

Ending

riev
Heh heh heh... This is it, my lord.
The apex of our journey. The Black Temple.
lyon
What does it look like? Any enemies within?
(Selena approaches.)
selena
None have been spotted, Emperor Lyon.
The place is as quiet as a crypt.
riev
That would be because it is one...
But not for much longer. Heh heh heh...
Shall we perform a miracle, my emperor?
lyon
...That is what we came here to do, isn't it?
riev
Heh heh heh... I can hardly contain my excitement!
selena
Is there anything I can do to help with preparations?
lyon
Go with Riev and do what he says...
(Riev and Selena leave.)
lyon
......
Everything is in readiness.
The Stones have been destroyed. The Demon King's power swells.
The Black Temple possesses all the demonic power I will need.
The rites can begin.
The disaster will be averted.
A new era will begin...

All that remains is for me to sacrifice my life...
And begin anew, as the Demon King of yore.

Character Descriptions

Myrrh
A young, pure-hearted girl from Darkling Woods. She tends to be shy.

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