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Chapter 8: Bitter Parting

To access Chapter 8x, Henning must survive this chapter.

Opening

narrator
Ostia's military primarily consists of soldiers in heavy armor.
With them, Castle Ostia has always been famously secure.
For countless years, the castle has been said to be impregnable.
However, the rumors are about to be proven wrong by Zephiel...
lilina
...They're inside? What of Barthe?
soldier
I caught a glimpse through one of the windows.
He has fallen, Lady Lilina. I'm sorry.
lilina
...Barthe...
Very well. Notify all troops.
Anybody who wishes to surrender may do so.
I don't know if the Bernese are willing to show mercy, but...
soldier
And abandon you? Milady, I can give you their answer now.
You are the marchioness of Ostia. We are all at your disposal.
lilina
...I... No, I don't... I'm just a useless little girl.
I couldn't do anything for Lord Eliwood...
Roy lost his father because I was too weak to protect him.
I need you. All of you. Alone, I am powerless.
soldier
We will gladly lay down our lives to protect you and the castle.
lilina
Of course. You are my father's loyal soldiers...
soldier
No, we're doing this because we believe in you, Lady Lilina.
We were proud to serve Lord Hector, but his death... It disturbed us.
Some even considered joining that rat Legance's rebellion.
It was you that gave them the courage to remain true to their oaths.
Your return, and your promise to fight for Ostia yourself if need be.
To be so brave and stalwart at such a young age...
You are an inspiration to us all, Lady Lilina!
lilina
...I... Oh, I... Sniff...

A-All right. This is it, then.
We stand against them. Until we cannot stand anymore.

soldier
Yes, Lady Lilina!
(The soldier leaves.)
lilina
...Father... Lord Eliwood... Wherever you are...
If you can hear me... Please...
Let a miracle happen today...!
zephiel
Idunn.

(Idunn approaches.)

Is the dragon ready?

idunn
The dragon is ready, Your Highness. This way...
(She reveals Ein.)
ein
......
zephiel
(smiles) Ahhh... A war dragon.
A machine of flesh and blood. A being devoid of useless feelings.
A perfect being...
idunn
...I call him Ein.
ein
...Hello...
zephiel
With this dragon, they will not stand a chance!
Forward march, everyone! Burn this castle to the ground!
ein
...Burn...
(Jahn butts in.)
jahn
I really don't get why you've any need of Idunn's little puppets.
You count a TRUE dragon among your allies. Simply deploy me...
You will behold a power greater than this inferior being could ever muster.
(Zephiel leaves without another word, causing Jahn to balk.)
jahn
Hey... Hey! H-How dare you ignore me?!
Foolish human filth! Get back here this instant!
ein
(smirks) ...Hah...
jahn
...! Why, you little... What happened to "devoid of useless feelings"?

Enemy Turn 1

flaer
Mmph... So much noise... What could be happening?
Could it be the king...? I don't know if I should be happy or worried...

Turn 6

(An armor knight, general, and mercenary enter from the northwest tunnel.)
henning
...Well, chief? What now?
There's no way through!
legance
There is no way until we MAKE a way!
This part of the wall is weak. Our blades will make short work of it!
henning
Huh... How come this wall is chipped, anyway?
We're right in the heart of Ostia. What could've happened here?
legance
It's an old castle! It is not so strange!
debias
Haa... Haa... Guuh... Oof...
legance
Ah, Debias, there you are.
Knock down the wall with your spear. Get to it, now!
debias
S... Sir... G-General Legance... Give me a... moment to...
catch my... breath... Haa... haa...
legance
Time is of the essence!
If the rumors are correct, the king of Bern will assault Ostia soon!
We must make ourselves useful, otherwise they'll never recruit us!
debias
But sir... the rebellion already failed... what more can we... possibly do...
legance
Oh, shut your piehole, you bloated imbecile! Leave thinking to the thinkers!
Just get working on that wall already!
debias
Haa... Sorry.... so sorry... Haa... A-At once, sir...
(Debias moves ahead.)
henning
...You're a real charmer, you know that?
It's a wonder you only got that buffoon to follow you...
legance
Hush. I did not hire you to make smart remarks.
I hired you to kill everything between us and that general...
Narshen, or whatever his name was.
We've done so much for Bern. He has to make good on his end of the deal!
Our luck will turn once we are on Bern's side. You will see!
henning
Long as you keep payin' me...
Beats being a brigand hiding in a volcano, lemme tell you that much.
legance
Okay, okay, spare me your life story.

(Legance fidgets impatiently.)

Debias! What's taking so long?! I ordered you to break down the wall!

debias
(offscreen)
It's... It's too sturdy...
legance
Oh, in the name of-- Useless idiot! Get out of the way...
(Legance runs after him.)
henning
...On the other hand, at least the volcano was nice and warm...
(Damas and a thief enter from the southern stairwells.)
damas
'Nother day, 'nother plunderin'. And what a plunderin' this'll be!
Ostia! The largest city in Lycia! While they're distracted fightin' off Bern...
Think I'll help myself t'some o' their treasure.
Not like they'll need it when Bern's done with 'em. Hwahahahaha...

Turn 11

soldier
They have advanced so far in such a short time...
But they shan't come any further!
Their beasts will cower in terror of this blade!
Come to me if you dare, dragons!

Turn 14

soldier
My sword will cut through their heavy armor like butter!
Press onward, everyone! We must win this battle!
For Lord Hector! For Lady Lilina!!

Conversations

Arcado & Erik

erik
Ahh... Castle Ostia.
The very image of fortitude, on the surface...
In stark contrast to the people it houses.

(smiles) It's about time justice was served.
Today, this place is reduced to ruin. And, with that...
Laus takes its rightful place as Lycia's greatest house!

arcado
If it continues to exist at all...
erik
(scowls) Who are you? How dare you spew such nonsense?
arcado
Trust me, sir. I've been under Bern's thumb longer than you.
They dangle your every desire in front of your eyes.
They make it look so easy. And thus you follow along.
Moths to an all-consuming flame... That was I. That is you.
erik
Please. You think I'll just roll over and let them forsake me?
I will have my just reward. I will have it, or else--
arcado
Or else what? Will Laus declare war on the Kingdom of Bern?
Your name would vanish from the pages of history within the day.
erik
...That's mere conjecture.
arcado
Based on personal experience.
I used to be Etruria's second most powerful man.
erik
Second only to the king?
arcado
...Oh, no. Not the king.
Well, it hardly matters now. It's all gone.
And it's because we allied ourselves to Bern.
If only we'd stayed loyal to Etruria...
It wouldn't have been convenient for them to expose us.
They would've needed us against Bern... We would not be here.
Instead, we were casted out as traitors...
And this is the gratitude Bern showed us for our sacrifice.
erik
Come now. There is no hope for those who oppose absolute power.
If you had stood against Bern, you would've been destroyed!
arcado
Mayhap. But I'd rather have died than suffer this disgrace.
erik
There's still time to take the easy way out.
Me, I will not give up. I know what I'm capable of.
I will see Laus rise to the top. Nobody will stop our ascent!
Not even the king of Bern himself...
arcado
Sigh... Is this what I sounded like, before?
Such folly... I should never have followed the Chancellor...

Oates & Martel

martel
Well, well! What have we here.
Another medic at last. It's about time!
oates
Medic? Loathsome whippersnapper, shut your wailing piehole!
I am no "medic," I am a sage! One of the best in Bern!
martel
Ah, yes. I'd forgotten about your legendary bad temper.
Pray forgive me, Oates. Now if you'll excuse me--
oates
You think I'm just going to let this stand?!
Endure this insult, by a lazy whelp who doesn't even fight?!
martel
Sigh... Old fool, I meant no insult against you!
I truly am glad to see you, believe it or not.
The king's legion has grown considerably.
Too many injuries for a single healer. Your aid is appreciated!
oates
Do you want me to tell you where you can shove your appreciations?
martel
I'm trying to be nice to you, you decrepit old fossil!
This is the reason everyone stays away from you!
oates
Good! Let them! And you join them already!
I'll just be overhere, finishing your shoddy work.
And when that's done, I'll go and scorch some worms!
You keep doing your thing, whatever that is.
martel
More work than the likes of you could do, that's for sure!
You should retire already, you old codger!
oates
The likes of me?! What does that mean, boy?!
Think I can't keep up, is that it? Think again!
Kids these days... No respect for their elders, none at all!
Back in my day we were taught manners and discipline!
We knew how to behave, unlike this new generation of layabouts!
Even though I'm here to help you, you sling slight after slight!
martel
And I'll sling more if you don't leave me be!
oates
And what are you going to do about it?
Whack me over the head with that fancy stick?
You'll be ashes before you can get within reach!
martel
You...!

...No, Martel. He's not worth it.
A brilliant man like you should waste no time on such a loon...

oates
What did you say?!
Just because I'm old, you assume my hearing has gone?!
(Martel leaves Oates floundering.)
oates
Why, you-- You dare walk away from me?!
Get back here this instant! I'm not finished, you... you... child!

Zephiel & Damas

zephiel
You...
damas
Ugh, you again... Er, fancy meeting you here!
Hwahaha...
zephiel
Luck was on your side last we met.
Not this time, however. Nothing shall distract me now.
Your end is nigh. I suggest you say any final words you may have.
damas
I... I uh... I know! I'll let you have my latest haul!
Here. It's all I have. Take it with you!
zephiel
I can take that after I kill you. Now lift your axe and fight me.
damas
N-No! Wait! Waaait!
(Damas backs away as Zephiel advances.)
zephiel
Hmph...!
damas
E-Eaagh...
(As Zephiel comes within striking distance, Damas runs away.)
Damas
(offscreen)
Aiiiiiiiiieeeeeeeeeeee!
zephiel
Dastard!

...He runs swiftly, I'll give him that.
Bah. This is not worth the effort.
Run, little man. Run for your life.
You only delay the inevitable.

Flaer & Zephiel

flaer
(smiles) My king!
zephiel
...Are you not...
flaer
(frowns) S-Sir...
zephiel
Narcian's lieutenant...
flaer
Right you are, sir. I, uh...
zephiel
...Would you explain to me why you were sitting in an Ostian cell?
flaer
Well, you see... General Narcian took off without warning.
He said something about a... a girl, and that was the last I saw of him.
That was some time ago. I've been trying to rejoin him ever since.
Unfortunately, I was found by an Ostian patrol and apprehended.
zephiel
You are a...
......
flaer
Y-Your Majesty?
zephiel
Excuse me. I had to take a moment to compose myself.
So... You are a wyvern rider.
flaer
Uh, well, yes.
zephiel
...How were you apprehended? Why did you not simply fly...
flaer
Ah! Oh, the truth is... They caught me in a...
compromising position.
zephiel
Dare I ask what that means?
flaer
My bowels, Your Majesty.
I'd eaten this fiercely spicy stew the prior night, and...
zephiel
......
All right. Join us now, if you will.
flaer
B-But sire, I am unarmed! What could I--
zephiel
Grab that spear lying by the dead soldier over there...
flaer
Y... Yes, that would make sense. Thank you, Your Majesty!
I won't let you down again! This I swear.
Phew...
(Flaer leaves.)
zephiel
...Uurrrrrghh...

(Zephiel shakes his head.)

Why is it that every time Narcian's name comes up, I get a killer headache...
The world's liberation cannot happen quickly enough.

Legance & Zephiel

legance
(smiles) Ah, the king of Bern! Perfect timing.
zephiel
And you are?
legance
Legance, Your Majesty. A general of Ostia.
Unlike my peers, however, I am a sensible man.
I understand that the future lies with Bern.
Thus, I rose in rebellion! All in order to help your cause.
zephiel
...My cause.

(to himself) What do YOU know about my cause?

legance
(frowns) I'm sorry, come again?
zephiel
Pay it no mind. You wish to join us?
legance
(smiles) Indeed I do, Your Majesty!
I discussed it at length with your general, uh... Narcis, I believe?
Therefore, I'm sure you've already heard of me and all I have to offer.
zephiel
...Narcian...
Tell me, do you know where he is?
legance
(frowns) No. Should I?
We spoke some time back. I assumed he had returned to your side.
zephiel
......
Fall in line.
(Zephiel leaves.)
legance
Understood, sir! I shall... I...
Ahem... Hmm. Well.
That was... rather anticlimatic. I expected more of a welcome...

Lilina

Combat

lilina
I am the daughter of Lycia's greatest warrior...
I am the marchioness of Ostia! You will not see me beg!

Combat w/ Erik

lilina
Lord Erik!? You betrayed us?
erik
You fools shackled down by useless oaths are doomed.
I will not be swept up alongside the rest of Lycia.
I have survived Hector and Eliwood, and I will most certainly survive you!
lilina
You deplorable... Wretched...
I'll not fall to the likes of you, Erik!

Combat w/ Debias

lilina
You, you're... Debias, right?
debias
Ergh... I, uh...
lilina
Debias, it's not too late yet. Rejoin us, please!
Help us drive off the Bernese Army!
debias
I-I'm sorry... I'm just not strong enough.
I don't want to die! Fighting Bern is suicide!
F-Forgive me...

Combat w/ Legance

Lilina
Legance... Why?
legance
Times are changing, milady.
I won't be left in the dust.
I'm not like Lord Hector.
He was too foolish to accept the obvious.
lilina
Hush yourself!
I will not let you insult my father!

Combat w/ Brunnya

brunnya
Lord Hector's daughter, are you not?
lilina
Yes... Who are you?
brunnya
Brunnya, one of Bern's Wyvern Generals.
I see potential in you. Your magic is powerful...
Why not join us? There is no future in opposing us.
lilina
I will never do that!
I won't betray all my father worked for his entire life!
Much less to cast my lot with the ones who killed him...
brunnya
...I see.
Then... I suppose we had better fight.
lilina
You... You don't like this, do you?
You don't agree with your king about this war...
brunnya
......
It doesn't matter.
Forgive me... Forgive me for what I am about to do.

Death

lilina
Useless... I was useless... to the end...
I can only hope... you'll do better than I did... Roy...

Ending

brunnya
It has ended, Your Majesty. Ostia is no more.
Her young marchioness's corpse lies where it fell.
Alongside the bodies of the men that fought with her...
zephiel
Is that something resembling sorrow I perceive in your voice, Brunnya?
There is no reason to pity these deplorable beings.
They were every bit as petty, jealous, greedy... Human, as the rest.
brunnya
Your Majesty...
Might I be granted the honor of asking a single question?
zephiel
...Well?
brunnya
What is the end goal of this war, Your Majesty?
You always were a strict, firm, yet fair monarch.
I was... I was honored to serve you, until the end of my days.
But now... No matter how much I think about it...
I cannot fathom what we hope to accomplish with this... this carnage!
zephiel
......
What did I tell you before, Brunnya?
Your duty is not to think, but to follow orders.
So follow them. Do not vex me with these insidious questions.
brunnya
V... Very well, Your Majesty... King Zephiel.
I believe I shall take my leave now.
zephiel
Do that.
(Brunnya leaves.)
zephiel
...Hmph. There is nobody I can trust.
I must watch my back, even around my Wyvern Generals.
Then again, when even a father would betray his own child...
What human could possibly be considered trustworthy?

If Henning survived

murdock
King Zephiel, a man working for those Ostian rebels wishes to see you.
He claims to have information of import to us.
Shall you grant him audience, my liege?
zephiel
I will allow it.
(Murdock moves aside to let Henning approach.)
henning
Right... Uh, hello. 'Tis an honor, and all that.
zephiel
Forego the pleasantries. Get to the point.
henning
No nonsense, huh? I like that.
So. Before I was hired by those rebellious clowns, I was a bandit.
Did rather well for myself. Had this base at a volcanic cave nearby.
murdock
There is a volcano in the outskirts of Ostia?
henning
Active, too. There's lava in there and everything.
murdock
They built this city next to a volcano?!
henning
Yeah. Don't ask me, this city's older than my grandma's bloomers.
Anyway, moving on. There was always something odd about that cave.
There was this fancy construction, almost like a chapel inside the cave.
Had a throne and everything. And behind the throne...
Some kind of weirdly shaped rock. Looked like a container of sorts.
zephiel
Did you never think to open it?
henning
Of course I did, but the thing was impossibly sturdy.
Had my strongest guys try it together. Didn't budge.
On top of that, just a couple days ago some Ostian knights came 'round.
I'd thought they'd be busy preparing to fight... well, you guys.
But they still spared some troops to kick us outta there.
They couldn't have been there for us. We ain't big-time criminals. So...
My theory is that there's something incredibly worthwhile in that place.
Something they thought would be of use against you lot.
zephiel
I am inclined to agree. And if the knights are still at this cave...
Yes, I believe we should look into this. Tell the troops, Murdock.
murdock
Yes, Your Majesty.
[Chapter 8x begins.]

If Henning died

murdock
Sire! An unknown force stands before the gates of Castle Ostia!
zephiel
An unknown force, you say?
...There is no house in Lycia left standing.
Those who have not fallen, have joined us.
Who could this be...
murdock
Shall we engage them in combat, my liege?
zephiel
Let us go.
...But first...
murdock
Yes?
zephiel
There is something I wish to retrieve from Ostia's throne room.
It may prove... of use, during the confrontation...
murdock
M-My king...?
(Zephiel exits the castle to find Roy's forces amassed outside. Roy approaches him.)
roy
King Zephiel!
guinivere
...Zephiel...
zephiel
Guinivere.
You were here, all along...
You would cast your lot with Bern's enemies?
guinivere
Zephiel, heed my words!
You must cease this pointless bloodshed!
Think, Zephiel! What will be left for Bern, even if you were to succeed?
We will be despised by people all around the world...
How long until revolutions arise, and you are deposed?
Zephiel, please... You must return to your senses!
I want the kind-hearted, brilliant brother I once had back...
zephiel
...Hmph. How little you understand...
This is more important than you could ever fathom.
It's not about Bern... It's about the world.
I will liberate the world, no matter who I may have to hurt or kill.
...Even you, my sole surviving blood relative.
guinivere
Brother...!
At least explain what you mean by "liberating the world"!
I want to understand your vision, Zephiel! I really do!
But from where I stand... It looks like naught but mad violence!
zephiel
I have nothing to say to a traitor like you.
That being said... You are, after all, my only living family.
I shall grant you pardon, if you return to my side now.
...With the Fire Emblem, naturally.
guinivere
......
roy
Stand back, Princess Guinivere! I shall protect you!
(Guinivere falls back.)
zephiel
And who are you, exactly?
roy
Roy of Pherae!
You killed my father, and Lilina's... You will pay for that!
zephiel
Lilina...? Ah, you must mean the young daughter of Hector.
Your voice quivered a certain way when you pronounced her name...
roy
...Zephiel! Do not provoke me!
I will not allow you to lay a finger on Lilina! Where is she!?
zephiel
.....

Right here.

roy
...! What is--
(Zephiel presents Lilina's body.)
roy
...L... Li...

(Roy staggers towards Lilina in a daze.)

L-Lilina...?!

zephiel
This is what will become of all who oppose me.
Mangled, bloodied corpses, lying at my feet!
marcus
What a mortifying sight... Barbarians! How could you?!
wolt
Lord Roy! Give us permission to attack! I will shoot them all down for this...!
bors
How could I let this happen... Lord Hector, I...
guinivere
...Zephiel, no...
roy
No... No...!

(Roy staggers back.)

LILINAAAAAAA!!

(Perceval and Cecilia enter from the south with Etrurian soldiers.)
cecilia
Stop!
murdock
Etrurian forces... What are you doing here?
cecilia
By decree of King Mordred, Ostia is now under Etrurian protection.
Retreat now, or you will hereby be at war with Etruria!
brunnya
Murdock, what do you think?
Our forces are about evenly matched, I'd say.
murdock
Were we to fight here, it is true that there would be no clear victor.
However, we have the castle and all of Lycia under our control.
Even should they take Ostia, they could not keep it for long.
We would need only retreat to Thria and regroup.

Am I wrong?

perceval
...He is not, Cecilia.
We were too late. There is nothing we can do now.
Not without pointlessly getting many of our men killed.
cecilia
No, there is something. We can still save Roy.
perceval
...Fair enough. Let the boy go.
brunnya
Do as you wish with him.
But you will turn back now, or face the wrath of Bern.
murdock
You have one minute.
(Murdock and Brunnya withdraw.)
cecilia
Roy, this way!
...Roy?

(Cecilia starts.)

O-Oh, my goodness! It can't be!
Is that... Lilina?!

perceval
Cecilia!
cecilia
...Yes... You there! Sir!
marcus
...You speak to me?
cecilia
Take Roy and come with us! Quickly!
marcus
But... What about the young lady--
perceval
Leave her. There is no time.
marcus
...Forgive me, Lord Roy...
(Roy and the Etrurians retreat.)
zephiel
...Hmph. How disappointing.
I expected more out of two of Etruria's finest generals.

Remember this day well, boy.
Remember the sight of your fallen friend.
For this is the fate that shall befall you, as well...

Character Descriptions

Ein
A war dragon created by Idunn. Incapable of emotions.

Flaer
A wyvern rider of Bern. General Narcian's lieutenant.

Debias
A knight who deserted from Ostia. Supported Legance's rebellion.

Henning
The leader of a group of bandits that roams around Ostia.

Legance
A deserter from the Ostian army. Led a failed rebellion.

Damas
The former leader of a Pheraen group of bandits. Now, a lone thief.

Lilina
The daughter of Marquess Ostia. Gentle and kind-hearted.

Ostia
Soldiers in service to the Ostia territory of Lycia.