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Chapter 16: Storming the Capital

To access Chapter 16x, Mordred must survive this chapter.

Opening

narrator
After defeating Perceval and the mysterious bard fighting alongside him, Zephiel's army marches on Aquileia.

The capital of Etruria, Aquileia is also the largest and wealthiest city on the continent.
As the Bernese Army looms ever closer to the castle, the last of Etruria's military, as well as her king, Mordred, steel their hearts for the final battle.
Guinivere is also in the castle, having arrived mere days earlier.

With both of the continent's great powers under his control, Zephiel's dream will be within his reach at long last.
As his quest draws near completion, a surge of emotions Zephiel thought himself incapable of feeling burns up in his heart.
A world of dragons... Soon, it shall become a reality.

mordred
Douglas... They are here.
You... You know what that means, don't you?
douglas
Perceval, and the prince... Neither will return.
My daughter's valiant sacrifice has been rendered pointless.
So many promising youths, gone...
mordred
And us old coots are left behind.
It's as if he never returned. As if he truly died that dark day...
And it was his ghost that I embraced days ago.

Last time, I was left in shock...
But now that I've lost him for the second time... I...

(Mordred quivers with rage.)

I am filled with rage unlike anything I've ever felt!
I will take them all down, Douglas. With my own hands...!

douglas
Y-Your Majesty! Surely you jest!
You are the king of Etruria. Leave the fighting to us sold--
mordred
Silence!

...Douglas, old friend... Forgive me.
But... What does it matter anymore? Etruria is doomed.
How many more years could I have in me?
Especially now, after this... terrible tragedy...
I will not live long, and I'll leave no heir.
But before I reunite with my son, once and for all...
I will avenge him!
Him, your daughter, Perceval and Cecilia...
And everybody else Bern has murdered!
This, I swear...!

douglas
Your Majesty... Sigh...
In spirit, I understand. I, too, wish to avenge them.
I too am filled with indescribable fury. Larum... did not deserve...

But I worry... It has been so long since you last swung a sword...

mordred
I used to be rather a terror with a blade in hand, remember?
I'm sure there's still some of that vigor left in these old bones.
Besides... I have the sword we took from that Bernese.
It is filled with forbidden magic... That I shall unleash upon them.
douglas
I see I cannot stop you...
Very well. Then let us ghosts of the past fight, and may Elimine watch over us!
mordred
Hear, hear, old friend...

...Oh, but there are promising youths that yet live, Douglas.

douglas
The boy from Pherae... And the princess...
mordred
He is Lycia's last hope, and she is Bern's only avenue of salvation.
I shall usher them out...
Before I leave to meet my destiny.
douglas
Godspeed, my king. Know that to the end...
(smiles) I am honored to be your servant.
mordred
(smiles) And I, to be blessed with your undying loyalty, Douglas...
(Mordred moves toward Roy and Guinivere, who are hiding in a side passage.)
douglas
All units prepare for battle. I shall protect the throne myself.

...Thus begins Etruria's final stand... Cecilia, Perceval, Prince... Larum...
Pray for us!

guinivere
King Mordred... What is happening?
mordred
Bern has arrived. Perceval... He could not defeat them.
roy
Has he been captured as well?
mordred
No, I'm afraid Perceval... He has fallen.
roy
...Hmph. Then Bern is responsible for one more sin.

Your Majesty, we shall assist in the defense of Aquileia.

mordred
No, my boy. You must escape this place...
roy
I will do no such thing!
Cecilia refused my help, and look what happened!
She was captured by the dastards!
mordred
...All the more reason for you to flee this place at once.
If they know you are here... They may threaten her life.
roy
What sense does that make?
They don't know I have any relation to her.
mordred
Yes... Q-Quite right...
Still, I am the king of Etruria. I order you to leave.
Through the hidden passages, you should be able to escape.
The stairs behind you will lead you to one.
guinivere
You won't come with us, King Mordred?
mordred
...Not I. I shall face them myself... and try to avenge the fallen.
roy
Why will you not accept my aid? Why does nobody...
If Cecilia had let me stay, she wouldn't have been captured!
If you let me stay, you may win! Why is it so difficult to understand?!
mordred
No, Roy! You are the only one who can restore Lycia!
Even if it is a faint hope, I would be remiss to risk it so pointlessly.
There is no victory to be had here... All you can do is save yourselves!
roy
I've abandoned enough people. Today, I refuse.
I stay here. I will not be swayed!
guinivere
Roy...
mordred
You must see reason, lad! Please! For Lycia's sake--
roy
Lycia is gone forever. It died with Lilina.
This burning fury in my heart is all that remains.
mordred
You would waste Cecilia's sacrifice like this?!
It was not for this that she d--
roy
......
What was that?
mordred
O-Oh, I...
As I was saying, it was not for this that she let herself be cap--
roy
No, that's... That's not...
...You were going to say that she died...
She's... She's dead... is she not...?
You lied to me...
mordred
......
roy
Tell me now...
(Roy runs up and grabs Mordred.)
roy
Tell me now, cur! TELL ME!
She's dead, isn't she? ISN'T SH--

(Roy is struck from behind.)

Guhh!!

(Roy falls unconscious.)
wolt
Sorry, Roy... I had to do it.
King Mordred, my apologies... We will take our leave now.
mordred
Protect him... For he embodies Lycia's future.
wolt
Yes... Thank you, Your Majesty!
(Wolt takes Roy and leaves.)
guinivere
......
mordred
As for you... Bern can still be saved, even now.
Be a ray of light in the dark storm, Princess Guinivere...
guinivere
Thank you for everything, King Mordred.
...Good luck.
(Guinivere leaves.)
mordred
No... Good luck to you, lass.
I expect the both of you shall need it...
zephiel
(grins) Aquileia... At last I stand before your gates...
Today shall be a historical day!
The day the world is liberated...
The day mankind's oppressive grip on Elibe is released!
idunn
Your Highness.
Will you require any more dragons to bolster your forces?
zephiel
(serious) Thank you, Idunn. I am satisfied with what we have.
We are the mightiest force in Elibe.
We are undefeated, and undefeatable.
On this day, mankind's mad reign ends...
And a new, glorious era begins for the world!
Today... My dream is fulfilled!!
idunn
Yes... Your Highness.
zephiel
Murdock!
(Murdock approaches.)
zephiel
This castle is large. Quite a few entryways for foes to flee.
The 11th regiment has waited enough. It's time to deploy the ballistae!
Have them cover the perimeter and allow none to escape!

...The ballistae ARE ready for deployment, correct?

murdock
Er... Well, there has been a complication, Your Majesty.
Missives were sent to the 11th regiment when we crossed the border.
Alas, it would seem that was too little time... None have made it here.
What shall we do, Your Majesty? Do we siege the castle and wait?
zephiel
No. Aquileia must fall today, before they can plan a proper counter-attack.
We shall do without the ballistae. We handle this as usual!
Charge inside, leave none standing. No survivors!
...Except for the king. If you can spare him, do so. He may have information.
murdock
Understood, Your Majesty!

NPC Turn 1

(The camera highlights Narcian, who is trapped in a cell.)
narcian
...Argh!

(Narcian fumes.)

The nerve! The gall! Curse those Etrurians!
If I am kept one more day locked up in this damp cell, I'll... I'll...

(Narcian fumes more.)

Balderdash!
I am a Wyvern General of Bern! The finest in all of Bern!
(smiles) I am strong. I am wise. I am beautiful.
And most importantly, I am right! Always!
...Me! No one else!

......

(Narcian flails.)

(scowls) Someone get me outta here already!!

Turn 2

(A Bernese ballastician arrives from the south.)
grigas
Hmph... Damnable slowpokes! The battle has already started!
Thank goodness I rushed ahead and left those snails in the dust.
The 11th regiment will contribute to this great victory yet!
Even if I, Grigas, need stand alone against the Etrurian Army!
In the name of Bern!

Take this!

Enemy Turn 2

ruud
What? The king himself has taken to the field?
Hold up! If the old coot gets himself killed, I won't get paid!

Wait, BOTH kings are on the field!?
...Perhaps I should negotiate with King Zephiel...
I'm sure nobody will remember me, or my desertion... Right?

Turn 7 (if Damas has not been recruited)

(Damas sneaks into the castle with another thief.)
damas
I can hear the riches calling to me! "Damas! Take us!"
This is the most extravagant palace in Elibe...
I bet the treasure's nothing to sneeze at, either.
Time to get rich! Hwahahaha!

When Mordred is killed

(Carlyle enters from one of the staircase passages.)
carlyle
The king has fallen!? No!
Blackhearts... You've ruined everything!
I will destroy all of you!

Conversations

Zephiel can advance Damas' recruitment chain if it was not completed in the previous chapters.

Mieu & Jahn

mieu
...Sniff... Sniff...
jahn
Little girl... You're still here...
mieu
Mister... It's you...
jahn
Why haven't you ran away yet?
mieu
Because... You'll hurt me...
You think I haven't realized?!
They're always looking at me... Waiting for me to try to run...
I-I think they're hoping I'll do it, so they can... they...
jahn
That would not happen. I would...
...Huh. I would...
mieu
M... Mister...?
jahn
...No. But you are correct.
I could never hold off the entire army alone...

In that case, there is only one thing you can do.
Watch well, little human.
Watch the injustices unfolding before your eyes.
See the worst the world has to offer, and draw strength from it.

mieu
......
I-I will try my best...
Thank you, mister... You're... nice.
jahn
...Heh. Once, I would've felt insulted by that...
Humans are truly incomprehensible.
...And I guess I am, as well.

Roartz & Martel

roartz
Grrrr... Uurrrgh!
I cannot believe this... That I should set foot here...
A lowly soldier, fighting to take what was mine for another!
This is an outrage! Orders or no orders, I should--
martel
What, Roartz? You should what?
(Roartz startles.)
roartz
Gah!

You...! Why are you still hovering over me?!
I'm not going to betray you lot. How long has it been now?
Why don't you go pester someone else?

martel
Because, unlike some others, you refuse to accept your position.
Your thinly-veiled seething is obvious to everyone.
And today, more than any other day, you need to be watched.
I can't imagine I need to spell out the reason, do I?
We don't want you making a mistake that might disrupt us...
Not when we face a foe such as General Douglas.
roartz
......
Douglas...

(Roartz bounces eagerly.)

Let me be the one to kill Douglas!

martel
Come again?
roartz
That wretch Douglas, it was he that grew suspicious of me...
He investigated into the matter of the Western Isles...
He singlehandedly uncovered the evidence he needed...
And before I knew it, I was being chased out of the castle!
They meant to detain me! Me, the High Chancellor of Etruria!
martel
You have none to blame but yourself.
You and your shamelessly two-faced schemes!
roartz
Hmph. So you say. I elect to blame Douglas.
Come now... I'm not asking for much now.
Just let me deliver the final blow. Let me watch him bleed.
Take the castle and the crown. I just want vengeance at this point...
martel
Bah... If it will help you sleep at night.
I shall see if the king will entertain your request.
roartz
Good...

Grrr... Douglas! You will regret your crimes against me!
I will see to it with my own two hands!

(Roartz shakes with rage.)

Douglaaaaas!!

(Roartz runs off.)
martel
(smiles) He moves with commendable speed for one of his age.
Rage is an even greater motivator than fear, isn't it?
Quite brilliant of me to egg him on like this, if I do say so myself.
Hahahaha...

Batta & Mary

batta
(smiles) ...I'll be. In all my years of raiding, I've never set foot in such a place.
This is it. The magnum opus of my career as brigand.
The royal castle of Etruria. My crowning achievement!
Yes, it was the right choice to join this lot, clearly...
mary
Are you the latest addition to our gallery of wrongdoers?
batta
(frowns) Excuse me? Who do you think you are?
mary
...Just another wrongdoer.
I've no right to call myself anything but that anymore.
batta
Hmph... You get used to the name-calling.
Trust me, no better feeling than being rid of scruples.
You do what you want, when you want, nothing more to it.
mary
That's not...

......

batta
Well? That's not what?
mary
...That's not so easy. I can't just give up.
Even if it's difficult, I can't simply... stop caring.
My brother never did.
And neither did... His childhood friend.
batta
And where are they now?
mary
...Dead.
batta
Figures. The good die young.
I didn't make it this far by fretting over the little details.
If the weak don't want to be crushed, they should grow strong.
I was small and powerless once, too. It isn't impossible to change.
mary
My brother and... Lot, they weren't small and powerless.
They were the strongest men I've ever known...
Stronger than you, the king of Bern and the rest of us.
But it didn't matter. They died anyway.
batta
Then they weren't strong.
What, you think there's more to it?
You think there's different types of strength?
Strength of spirit? Is that it, girlie?
That's just something the weak tell themselves to cope.
In truth, there are only winners and losers. Such is life.
Your brother and the other guy, they lost. You haven't yet.
I suggest you stop feeling sorry for yourself and grow stronger.
Then you will see, I am correct about everything.
mary
...Who can say.
I've been wondering about a lot of things, lately.
This castle is, after all, the last remaining bastion of good...
Once it falls, King Zephiel's evil will have triumphed.
Perhaps I truly am wrong. Perhaps virtue is just a burden.
batta
Save the "perhaps." That's the cold, hard truth.
mary
......

Glass & Randy

glass
Hey, you there!
I hear you're pretty proud of your sword!
randy
My sword is unmatchable. Choose your death.
Will you die by the blade... or by its light?
glass
Pah. What does the sword matter? A sword's a sword.
What matters is the wielder's skill! And in that regard, heh...
I am the one who is unmatchable!
randy
Don't be so quick to count me out.
I endeavor not to let my light brand down.
Every day I train, from dawn till dusk.
All that I may swing this sword as it deserves.
It is my duty to be worthy of my weapon.
glass
That's a pretty decent mindset, lad, I'll give you that much.
But you need more than a good attitude to be exceptional!
You need brains, genetics, even a tiny bit of luck.
...I didn't always have luck... Grrr. I still remember that day...
I should never have been defeated by that wee lass...
She got lucky! That's all it was!
randy
I do not need any of those things. I have this sword.
I can choose my enemy's death with it.
What more could I possibly want?
glass
Aren't you listening, boy? That's not enough.
Take it from someone who's been fighting a lot longer than you.
You can't be peerless without a bod like this.
randy
...You are so old though.
glass
And yet I could whoop you a hundred times over!
That's what it means to be peerless, kid.
randy
...If you say so.
I think I'm content with just my sword being peerless.
glass
Pah. So little ambition. Kids these days...

Zephiel & Ruud

ruud
Hail, king of Bern.
Please, lower your weapon. I do not mean to fight.
zephiel
Are you another of Narcian's lost lambs?
ruud
E-Eh? N-No! Whatever made you think that...?
zephiel
Hmm... You just look rather familiar to me.
As if I've seen you before... ...among Narcian's knights...
ruud
I-I assure you, any resemblance is coincidental.
Why, I have never even set foot in Bern!
zephiel
Mm... Well, speak.
ruud
I am a mercenary, sir.
I'm not in the business of dying for lost causes, however...
And this battle is looking to end with you as the victor.
I would like to be standing by your side when that happens.
zephiel
Of course you would.
Well, you do look like a decently capable cavalier...
ruud
(smiles) There are few like I, Your Majesty.
zephiel
Interesting... I will accept your proposal.
Our target is the throne room. You will assist us.
ruud
(serious) Oh, just one small detail...
zephiel
...I'm sorry?
ruud
Payment, Your Majesty.
Again, I am a mercenary, and glory does not fill the belly.
I was promised, er... 8000 gold for my services by Etruria.
If you could make that 10000, you would have yourself a deal.
What say you, my king? I, for one, believe it is a most reasonable sum.
zephiel
...Pah... Loathsome vulture...
ruud
F-Forgive me, I didn't... quite catch that--
zephiel
Silence. Allow me to ponder on your offer...

If you refuse

zephiel
I don't think so.
ruud
What?!
(Ruud steps closer.)
ruud
...W-Well, I guess I can take it down to 8,000...
zephiel
Hm...
(Ruud quivers insistently.)
ruud
(smiles) It is the same offer Etruria made. I am being exceedingly fair here.

If you refuse again:

zephiel
You can stop trying now.
ruud
S-Still no good?
Uh... Well, I guess 6,000 will do...
zephiel
You dare test my patience?
(Ruud squirms.)
ruud
I'm giving you the friends discount. I don't give it to just anyone.
I'm losing money here! Come now...

If you refuse again:

zephiel
......
ruud
......

(Ruud squirms.)

All right, all right! 5,000! That's my final offer!

zephiel
.........
(Ruud fidgets awkwardly.)
ruud
Come on, I'm begging you! Please hire me!
I'm basically gifting you my services at this point...
You'd take it if you had any sense!
zephiel
Does this imbecile not have any sense of self-preservation...?

If you refuse again:

(Zephiel makes to leave.)
zephiel
My patience is at its end.
I will give you the opportunity to run and prepare.
But afterwards... You will be only one more enemy.
And you will die like the rest.
ruud
...Please... I swear I'll be useful...
zephiel
I could kill you right now, if you prefer.
ruud
Argh!
(Ruud cowers and runs.)
zephiel
...Hmph...

If you accept (at any point)

zephiel
Hmph...

(Zephiel hands over the money.)

I expect great dilligence for this price.
Turn your back on me, and you will not live to spend this money.

(Ruud counts the money.)
ruud
Er... W-Well, all the money appears to be here...
Yes. From here on out, I shall be your blade and your shield!
(Ruud leaves.)
zephiel
......

Grigas & Zephiel

grigas
Your Majesty! Reporting for duty!
zephiel
Ah, Commander Grigas.
About time the 11th regiment caught up to us.
Have a squadron form up surrounding the castle.
I want nobody to dream of leaving the place unscath--

...Hold a moment.

grigas
Is something amiss, Your Majesty?
zephiel
......
...All right, let us address the elephant in the room.
Where is the rest of the regiment? There were dozens of you!
grigas
They moved at the speed of turned over tortoises.
I decided to hurry to the front on my lonesome.
Even a single ballista can wreak havoc on the enemy, however!
Please, let me know what my orders are!
zephiel
......
When did my army become this useless...
grigas
Excuse me? I did not quite--
zephiel
Fire at will. Exterminate all that you can.
grigas
At once, Your Majesty! It shall be done!

Zephiel & Carlyle

carlyle
Blackheart!!
zephiel
Hmph... If you wish to challenge me, I shall oblige you.
(Carlyle advances.)
carlyle
You killed him... You killed him! Monster!
zephiel
You would continue fighting in King Mordred's name, even now?
Your sworn liege is gone. There is nothing left--
carlyle
No! Not him! The prince!
My... My prince... Myrddin...!
zephiel
...The prince? I was under the impression he had died long ago.
carlyle
No! He was alive. General Douglas saw to it.
When he returned, I... I dared to feel blessed.
zephiel
Strong words. Your loyalty, if nothing else, is admirable.
carlyle
Loyalty? Far more than that. Love!
(Zephiel balks.)
zephiel
What?!
carlyle
Ever since I joined the castle guard, three years ago...
I was in the grips of an unforgivable desire.
His pale beauty far surpassed that of any flower.
He was the son of my king, to whom I'd sworn life and loyalty.
And yet... My dreams have driven me, all this time.
He was my purpose.

(Carlyle quivers with rage.)

Until YOU killed him! You, loathsome fiend!
I shall deliver you to the depths of the abyss!

zephiel
Very well. No more words. Have at you!
(Zephiel advances.)
???
Hold!
(Brunnya approaches.)
brunnya
Do you truly believe we would have wasted such a valuable hostage?
Come now. The prince is alive, of course.
carlyle
...He's... He's still alive?!
brunnya
Naturally. Now...
Lower your blade. Lest I lower mine, onto his neck.
carlyle
Dastards! If you dare harm him, I'll cut you to pieces--
zephiel
That's quite enough theatrics.
Should you so much as dream of defying us further...
I shall drag the prince before you, and let his head roll to your feet.
carlyle
I... I-I...
Please... W-What must I do?!
zephiel
You shall stand down, for now.
You will watch as we rampage through your precious capital.
If you are able to follow orders and stay out of it, I shall permit you to fight for us, and your prince will keep his head.
carlyle
......

I shall do anything to protect my prince.
Anything... Anything to have him!

brunnya
Good. Make one misstep, and I'm sure you can surmise what will occur.
carlyle
......
(Carlyle leaves.)
brunnya
...My apologies for seizing the initiative, Your Majesty.
Listening to him, I thought I might be able to fool him into submission.
zephiel
I have no complaints.

...But it's incredible. Love? For the prince he served?

brunnya
Such things... are not unheard of.
zephiel
Pah. He said love, but I could see it in his eyes.
In truth, it was only rabid lust.
Of mankind's many lies, love is perhaps the most revolting.
There is no such thing as true love.

Come, Brunnya. The battle rages on.

(Zephiel leaves.)
brunnya
......

Zephiel & Narcian

narcian
Ah, Your Majesty! I--

(Zephiel leaves without a word.)

Y-Your Majesty...? Your Majesty!
Come back! Please!
I can explain!

[Note: This does not recruit Narcian.]

Slater/Oates/Flaer & Narcian

speaker
Ge...

(The speaker starts.)

General Narcian!!

narcian
It's you! You're...
...Ah, I cannot remember you name. It doesn't matter!
What matters is that you're here, which means Bern is here!
Quick, give me a weapon! Those worms have a lot to answer for...
I will give them one cut for each day I've spent stuck in this hole!
They will learn to fear my name! Narcian, Wyvern General of Bern!
Hm hm hm...
(Narcian leaves.)
speaker
Wait! General! Your weapon...!
(Narcian comes back.)
narcian
Ah, too true. Reliable man! I was right to rely on you.
Yes... I was right! I am always right!

(Narcian quivers in delight.)

Me! No one else!!
Ha ha ha ha ha ha...!

(Narcian leaves.)
speaker
......
He just... forgot to take the weapon again...
Oh, the king is going to skin him alive...

Murdock & Narcian

narcian
S-Sir Murdock... What a pleasant surprise!
murdock
Enough of your squirrelly pleasantries, Narcian.
I want an explanation for this embarrassment.
(Narcian shrinks back.)
narcian
I-I'm sorry, Sir Murdock...
I don't believe I understand...
murdock
You don't, do you, Narcian?
Too busy looking at yourself with your hand mirror to think?
How many months has it been since the campaign started?!
narcian
Er, I believe--
murdock
I know how many months it has been, Narcian. You don't need to tell me.
What I need you to tell me is what you've been doing all those months!
narcian
I-I was captured, General Murdock! It's not my fault!
Those treacherous Lycians, they got me with a trick most underhanded!
They took me to Thria, then to Ostia... And before the fall of Lycia, they handed me over to Etruria! I've been passed around like a used--
murdock
Yes, yes, very interesting. But what I'm really curious to know is...
HOW were you captured? You are a Wyvern General!
A wyvern rider, as well! You're supposed to be Bern's finest, no less!
narcian
They caught me alone, deep in enemy lines, far from my mount!
Nobody could have gotten away unscathed from that situation!
murdock
Very well. That is reasonable.
narcian
Y-You really think so, General? Thank you... Phew...
(Murdock glares thunderously.)
murdock
Now pray tell, WHY were you alone, deep in enemy lines, far from your mount?!
narcian
I, uh, er, see, I... Verily! I was promised, uh...
I made an alliance with a Lycian lord, but then I--
murdock
Enough. I tire of this purposeless back and forth.
You will take to the field now. Fight hard today, and perhaps...
The king will find it in him to grant you a swift execution.
narcian
No...!

(Narcian flounders.)

G-General, hold a moment! I am unarmed! How am I to--

murdock
I care not. Distract an archer, perhaps.
That would be a good use for your life, in my opinion.
(Murdock leaves.)
narcian
...Gulp...

Mordred Death

mordred
Myrddin... Forgive... me...

Douglas

Combat

douglas
Etruria and I may be doomed to fall today...
But I shall take a few of you down with us!

Combat w/ Roartz

roartz
Douglas! Today is the day of my revenge!
douglas
Roartz... Contemptible snake!
Revenge for what?
You dare blame me for your downfall?
You had the king's trust, you fool!
All you had to do was not take advantage of it!
You brought your disgrace upon yourself!
roartz
D-Douglas... How... dare... y...

(Roartz quivers with rage.)

DouglaaAAAAAAAAAS!! DIE!!

douglas
Have at me, Roartz.
Let us see if you can best Etruria's Great General!

Death

douglas
Farewell, Etruria...
May you... rise from the ashes... some...day...

Ending

If Narcian survived

narcian
Your Majesty...
zephiel
......
(Narcian moves closer.)
narcian
Ahem... Your Majesty!
zephiel
...Ah, I thought I heard the buzzing of a loathsome flea.
narcian
A flea? I shall swat it for you, if you like--
zephiel
It's you, Narcian. You're the loathsome flea.
Is that clear enough for you to understand, or shall I clarify?
narcian
......
Your Majesty, I... I-I understand I've made some mistakes.
But rest assured, I shall redouble my efforts to please you and--
zephiel
You will need to do that, yes.
One doesn't climb the ranks by laying about.
narcian
C... Climb the ranks, sire...?
zephiel
Yes, Narcian. Climb the ranks.
Unless you intend to remain a rank-and-file soldier all your life.
narcian
Rank-and... FILE?! Me?!

(Narcian flails with indignation.)

No... No!! You can't do this to me!
Why, who would... Who will replace me!?
I am a Wyvern General, sir! Wyvern Generals aren't easily--

zephiel
Galle will do.
He has proven the more competent commander by a long shot.
narcian
Galle!? That foreign scoundrel!?
He's not even of true Bernese descent!
He's not a pure-blooded man of Bern such as I...
zephiel
And neither am I. My mother was an Etrurian, Narcian.
Are you implying you should be king instead of me?
If so...
(Zephiel advances menacingly and Narcian cowers back.)
zephiel
I welcome you to challenge me to a duel for the crown.
narcian
...!
zephiel
Go ahead. I shall relish the opportunity to crush you.
narcian
No, I... I-I think I'm content with my current station...
zephiel
You have no station anymore, Narcian. You now answer to General Galle.
Do not show your face before me again, lest I pierce it through with my blade.
(Zephiel leaves.)
narcian
......
N... No...

(Narcian trembles.)

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOO OOOOOOOOOOOOO...!!

(Galle and Murdock watch from afar.)
galle
Such a pitiful wretch...
murdock
Concern yourself not with him...
(smiles) Wyvern General Galle.

If Mordred survived

brunnya
Your Majesty, King Mordred has been captured.
zephiel
Ah, he still lives, does he. Let me see him.
brunnya
Right away, Your Majesty.
(Brunnya presents Mordred.)
mordred
King... Zephiel...
zephiel
You should count your lucky stars. I could kill you right now.
But I shall allow you to survive for a few moments longer...
Now, you are the king of Etruria. You must have valuable information.
Tell me... Is there anything you feel I should know?
mordred
You will get nothing out of me. I have nothing to live for.
Kill me, or do not. I care not.
zephiel
...Hmm...

Brunnya... The vaults have been cleared out, correct?
Did you find anything we could use to make this man more... cooperative?

(Mordred strats.)
brunnya
Well, we did find this... A berserk staff.
zephiel
Ah, just what we needed...
Brunnya. I'm sure you can hazard a guess as to my next order.
mordred
No...!
zephiel
Employ whatever means you need. I want this man following my say.
brunnya
Yes, my liege...
(Zephiel leaves.)
mordred
No, please! Anything but that! Do not...

(Mordred trembles.)

Do not force me to serve the ones who killed my only child...!

brunnya
I will not defy His Majesty's orders.
You should thank him for his mercy. This way, you might be allowed to live.
mordred
No! I beg of you! Please--
(Brunnya drags Mordred away.)
mordred
(offscreen)
EEEAAAAAAAARRRRGHHHH!!
brunnya
It is done, Your Majesty.
The staff has... It has destroyed his mind, but...
He has spoken.
zephiel
Excellent... What information did he have for us?
brunnya
He says we will find a legendary weapon at the Saint's Tower.
We can expect opposition from the church's templars there.
zephiel
Good. That wasn't so hard, was it, you old dotard?

We have no further need of him. Dispose of him.

brunnya
Yes, sire.
...There isn't much left to dispose of, anyhow...
(Brunnya leaves. After a moment, Zephiel notices someone in the shadows.)
zephiel
...Show yourself.
(Carlyle appears.)
carlyle
Blackheart!!
zephiel
Hmph... If you wish to challenge me, I shall oblige you.
(Carlyle advances.)
carlyle
You killed him... You killed him! Monster!
zephiel
You would continue fighting in King Mordred's name, even now?
Your sworn liege is gone. There is nothing left--
carlyle
No! Not him! The prince!
My... My prince... Myrddin...!
zephiel
...The prince? I was under the impression he had died long ago.
carlyle
No! He was alive. General Douglas saw to it.
When he returned, I... I dared to feel blessed.
zephiel
Strong words. Your loyalty, if nothing else, is admirable.
carlyle
Loyalty? Far more than that. Love!
(Zephiel balks.)
zephiel
What?!
carlyle
Ever since I joined the castle guard, three years ago...
I was in the grips of an unforgivable desire.
His pale beauty far surpassed that of any flower.
He was the son of my king, to whom I'd sworn life and loyalty.
And yet... My dreams have driven me, all this time.
He was my purpose.

(Carlyle quivers with rage.)

Until YOU killed him! You, loathsome fiend!
I shall deliver you to the depths of the abyss!

zephiel
Very well. No more words. Have at you!
(Zephiel advances.)
???
Hold!
(Brunnya approaches.)
brunnya
Do you truly believe we would have wasted such valuable hostages?
Come now. The king is alive, of course. See?
(Brunnya presents a vegetative Mordred.)
carlyle
...He's... He's still alive?!
And the prince?!
brunnya
Naturally, he as well. Now...
Lower your blade. Lest I lower mine, onto his neck.
And the prince's next.
carlyle
Dastards! If you dare harm them, I'll cut you to pieces--
(Zephiel kills Mordred.)
carlyle
No...! King Mordred!
brunnya
...!
zephiel
...That's for daring to point your blade at us again.
Should you so much as dream of defying us further...
I shall drag the prince before you, and let his head roll to your feet.
carlyle
I... I-I...
Please... W-What must I do?!
zephiel
You shall fight for us.
I can tell yours is a mighty sword arm.
A man ready to face me personally is a worthy addition to our forces.

Or, we can kill you, and the prince. Well? What will it be?

carlyle
......

I shall do anything to protect my prince.
Anything... Anything to have him!

brunnya
Good. You shall join us on our expedition to the Saint's Tower.
Make one misstep, and I'm sure you can surmise what will occur.
carlyle
......
(Carlyle leaves.)
brunnya
...My apologies for seizing the initiative, Your Majesty.
Listening to him, I thought I might be able to fool him into submission.
zephiel
I have no complaints.

...But it's incredible. Love? For the prince he served?

brunnya
Such things... are not unheard of.
zephiel
Pah. He said love, but I could see it in his eyes.
In truth, it was only rabid lust.
Of mankind's many lies, love is perhaps the most revolting.
There is no such thing as true love.

Come, Brunnya. We march.

(Zephiel leaves.)
brunnya
......
[Chapter 16x begins.]

If Mordred did not survive

galle
King Zephiel, we found these people trying to flee.
They took a secret passage, but they got lost in the tunnels.
zephiel
Oh?
(Galle presents Roy and Guinivere.)
guinivere
Zephiel...
zephiel
My sister... Well met.
Back in Ostia, I gave you a chance to return to me, Guinivere.
And you spat on my kindness...
guinivere
...Is this it, then? You will execute your own sister?
zephiel
You have committed high treason against Bern.
Stealing the Fire Emblem, running with it to the enemy...
It is fortunate they never made it to the Shrine of Seals.
guinivere
...?
zephiel
Nor will they ever. That boy behind you is my final enemy.
guinivere
Zephiel! Do what you will with me, but I beg of you...
Do no more harm to Roy!
zephiel
Galle! Incarcerate them all!
The boy and his cadre shall be publicly executed as soon as possible.
That should destroy the morale of any who still dream of defying us.
As for Guinivere... I have not yet decided what her fate shall be.
Do try not to hurt her on the way to the dungeon.
(Zephiel leaves.)
galle
Yes, Your Majesty...

Your Highness. This way.

guinivere
......
Roy... Come, we must go...

Roy?

merlinus
There is no point, Your Highness...
He has not spoken a word since he learned of General Cecilia's death.
We... may have to drag him along.
galle
Do so. If the king finds us tarrying, he may kill him right here and now.
guinivere
......
Sir Marcus, I hate to ask this of you, but... If you may...
marcus
...Grrrr...
galle
Sir, for his own sake--
marcus
I'm on it! I'll carry him to your dungeons for you, if I must.
Bernese scum...
???
That's far enough. Let them go, Galle.
galle
...!
(Melady approaches and holds Galle at spearpoint.)
galle
Melady?! You point your spear at me...?!
guinivere
Melady...
melady
Worry not, Your Highness. I am here to rescue you.
I have prepared some wyverns. Enough for us, and the Pheraens.
...Quickly, before we are discovered.
guinivere
Melady, no...
I did not want to get you involved...
And now you will be branded a traitor, just the same as I...
melady
I do not care what the greatest traitor of all brands me.
Zephiel is no king of mine. Now and forever, I serve you, Princess.
Now let's go!
guinivere
(smiles) ...Melady... Thank you so much...
marcus
(smiles) It's not all lost yet... Hurry, Lord Roy!
wolt
(smiles) This is why we must never lose hope.
Even in the darkest times, there's always a way out!
bors
...Hmph...
merlinus
It could be a trap... And yet...
I suppose it could well be our only chance...
melady
You as well, Galle. Come with us!
We can build up a new Bern with the princess!
A greater, brighter Bern!
galle
...Melady...
I am one of the Wyvern Generals now.
The king and General Murdock have placed their trust in me.
I cannot betray them like this. Don't ask such a thing of me.
melady
You... Again with this?!
Is your loyalty more important to you than your values?
galle
My values compel me to remain steadfast in my sworn duty.
melady
Galle...
...How could I be so blind? You are no better than them...
galle
I will not allow this!
melady
What?!
galle
Haa!
(Galle disarms Melady, forcing her back.)
melady
No! My lance!
merlinus
Careful--!
(Merlinus runs to Melady and takes a strike meant for her.)
merlinus
...G.. Guuuhh...!

Cough... Cough...

melady
Galle, no! What have you done?!
galle
...Such a waste... Hngh!
(Galle and Merlinus scuffle. Merlinus staggers back and collapses.)
marlinus
Urrrghaaaaahhh!
Ahh... Haah...
(Marcus rushes to Merlinus' side.)
marcus
Merlinus! Pull together...!
merlinus
Marcus... Forget me... Escape now...
Lord Roy is... Lycia's last... H... oogh...
(Merlinus dies.)
marcus
Merlinus!!
You... Heartless fiend!
I'll kill you with my own hands!
melady
Sir Marcus, stop! Galle is one of Bern's greatest warriors...
galle
......

(Galle flinches.)

Urk...! Blast... The old man had a dagger...

marcus
...!
(smiles) Hah! Merlinus... You brave old fool...
(scowls) Very well. Galle, was it? Come if you dare!
Unarmed as I am, old as I am, I shall defeat you!
galle
...This is not the end. You will not make it far.
(Galle retreats.)
melady
...That drove him away, but it won't be long before he raises the alarm.
Come now. We must hurry.
My brother Zeiss awaits with the wyverns.
If we hurry, we might still have a chance to escape!
Guinivere
Sir Merlinus...
This is all my fault...!
(Everyone leaves.)
roy
......
M... Merlinus...
You... as well...
Like Cecilia, and Father, and Li...li...
I've failed them all... I've... let everyone down...
I... I-I...

(Roy trembles.)

(vacant smile) .................Hah...

Character Descriptions

Grigas
A Bernese ballistician. Not very amiable, but reliable.

Ruud
A highly greedy mercenary who was once a knight of Bern.

Narcian
A Bernese ballistician. Not very amiable, but reliable.

Carlyle
A swordsman who lost himself for love of his liege.

Roy
The next heir to Pherae. The antagonist of this story.

Guinivere
The princess of Bern. Noble and self-sacrificing.

Mordred
The king of Etruria. Seeking vengeance for his son.

Douglas
The Great General of Etruria. A respected veteran.

Etruria
Soldiers from the western kingdom of Etruria.

Thief
Thieves hunting for treasure to pilfer.