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Chapter 20Ax: The Blizzard Spear

Opening

narrator
After taking back Castle Edessa, Zephiel turns his troops toward the ancient ruins on the outskirts of the town.
A legendary weapon is said to be hidden within...
soldier
Oh, no... They're here!
Edessa must have fallen!
wallace
......
Huh? You say something? You'll have to speak up, sonny!
soldier
Bern is here, Wallace! Bern!!
wallace
Eh, Bern? Ah, they've come to play, have they?
(grins) Ha ha ha ha ha haa... Oh, they're in for it now!
soldier
Well... We have finished patching up the walls.
But it's a temporary measure, and there is no longer a way out.
wallace
Hah! Then it's all set! It's a fight to the death!
I doubt they'll just leave. Either we beat them, or we die trying!

(serious) Say, where's that fancy lance we're supposed to protect?

soldier
Maltet? It's there, behind the throne.
(Wallace immediately pulls it out.)
soldier
H-Hey!
wallace
Wow... Never saw a lance quite like this, I'll give it that much.
soldier
Put it back! If you drop it--
wallace
Eh?! My hearing may be bad, but my grip is firm!
In fact... I think I'll take this thing for a walk.
soldier
What!?
wallace
You stay here and keep watch over the throne!
If they make it this far, I shall meet them, Maltet in hand!
soldier
Hold up! You can't do that. It's too risky.
wallace
What, you're worried about this old geezer now?
(grins) Ha ha ha! That's rich! I am General Wallace!
The boldest knight in all Caelin (wherever it is)!
This land's treated me well. Today, I fight in its defense!
The deplorable king of Bern shall know the bitter taste of dirt!
(Wallace marches out.)
soldier
...He's out of his mind...
But he's a good man.
zephiel
So... What do you know about this place, Murdock?
murdock
Only what I was told by a peasant of Edessa.
I believe that Maltet, the Blizzard Spear, lies in these ruins.
Barigan the Holy Knight used it during the Scouring.
zephiel
...This building seems to have walls everywhere.
Is there a way inside?
murdock
The Ilian forces most likely blocked the pathways to cover their tracks.
They must have built these barricades in a hurry.
I suspect there will be plenty of weak spots for us to exploit.
zephiel
What a pain... But fair enough.
Come, Murdock. We go to battle!

Conversations

Maggie & Rose

(Rose drifts.)
rose
We sure have come far, haven't we, Maggie?
(Maggie drifts.)
maggie
Oh yes, Rose, very far indeed.
(Rose drifts.)
rose
Aren't you afraid we'll die before the end, Maggie?
(Maggie drifts.)
maggie
Only afraid of dying alone, Rose.
(Rose drifts.)
rose
I understand. I could never bear to lose you, Maggie.
(Maggie drifts.)
maggie
That's why... I... I have something for you, Rose.
(Rose drifts.)
rose
Truly? Please, don't leave me in suspense, Maggie.
(Maggie drifts.)
maggie
Take a look at this, Rose.
(Rose drifts.)
rose
What a pretty axe. For me?
(Maggie drifts.)
maggie
For the most important person in my world.
(Rose drifts.)
rose
I-I don't know what to say, Maggie!
(Maggie drifts.)
maggie
I can only hope you'll say yes.
(Rose drifts.)
rose
Of course! Of course! How could you ever doubt me?
(Maggie drifts.)
maggie
I never did, but still... This is such a relief!
(Rose drifts.)
rose
Oh, Maggie!
(Maggie drifts.)
maggie
Oh, Rose!
(Maggie and Rose dance together. Rose receives the Axe of Love.)

Lim & Denning

lim
Denning. You still cannot talk?
denning
......
lim
Of course. You have not talked since our master died.
You were created for one specific purpose.
You fulfilled your purpose, but you survived.
And now you have none. Much like I.
denning
......
lim
I remember your creation.
The master was injured. He needed a message delivered.
Since he could not deliver it himself, he made you.
I do not believe you have more than the essential features.
You could speak your message. You could follow orders.
You can move and you can fight, if need be. But nothing else.
I wonder if the rest of your body even resembles that of a human.
That must be the reason for the cloak...
denning
......
lim
I would never dare to look.
It is easier pretending, if I do not know for certain.

You have not talked since our master died.
But I needed to make sure. Because...
You are the only one left. The only one like me in the world.
I need to believe one day, you and I can be friends.
That we will be able to laugh and cry.
That we can become real... More than mere constructs.
It is an irrational thought.
He called me perfect. He was wrong.

denning
......

This is a message from Lord Nergal.
"I await you on the Dread Isle."

lim
......
Those are the first words you have said in 20 years.
The only words you are capable of, and yet...
(smiles) I believe I understand.

Let us move on, Denning. There is more to be done.

denning
......
(Denning nods.)

Kel & Carlyle

carlyle
All this time, and still I've seen neither hair nor hide of him...
Not good. I want to believe he's alive, but... It's becoming hard...
I should firmly demand they let me see him!
...But I'm afraid of what I'll find... What a terrible dilemma...!
kel
Do they have someone you care about?
carlyle
...Leave me.
kel
Hey, maybe I could help.
I've been with this army longer than you.
Long as they pay me, I don't ask questions, but...
Well, I could be convinced to answer some questions.
For a price. Tell me, what's he look like?
carlyle
......
Blond. Pale. Skin smooth as the finest silk...
About yea tall... He's... such a beautiful thing...
kel
Ahh... I see.
Well, I'm afraid I haven't seen anyone like that.
And I've been made to guard the prisoners a few times.
carlyle
They do not let me anywhere near them...
Likely they suspect I'd try freeing him, had I the chance.
kel
You sure they didn't just lie to you?
carlyle
If they... T-The alternative is that he has died.
I refuse to believe it! He has to be alive.
They have him, and if I fight hard enough...
They'll give him back. They have to. They have to!
kel
Tch...
You know, it may not be my place to say, but...
It sounds like you should try to let go. I know it's difficult, but...
Well, there's always a bigger fish.
(smiles) I, for one, think you're a very handsome man.
carlyle
...What are you getting at?
You dare test my devotion to my prince!?
I will rip your unsightly face off your skull!
kel
(frowns) No need to get violent. Have it your way.
carlyle
Hmph...
Well, what are you still doing here?
I'll pay your coin. I care nothing for money.
But first, give me results. I want to see him.
You will take me to him. Then, you get paid.
Until then, we have no reason to speak further.
kel
Fair enough. Good luck out there, sir, er...
What is your name? You never did tell...

(Carlyle leaves.)

...me. And off he goes.
Of course. Only I would think to try flirting among this pack of lunatics.
I'm lucky I didn't have to draw my sword. Sigh...

Flaer & Dory

dory
Nngh... Dangit!
Nobody told me dancin' could be so painful.
Argh, my poor ankles...
flaer
...Hey... Er...
dory
(smiles) Hey there! Flaer, right? What can I do for ya?
flaer
You know my name?
dory
'Course! I know everyone's names.
I want to know the folks I'm helping out.
flaer
Is that so? You are a good man, dancer.
dory
(serious) Name's Dory. Try to remember if it you like!
So, what did you wanna talk about?
flaer
...W-Well...
dory
C'mon, no need to be shy! Out with it, man!
flaer
......
Your dance. I am... rather fascinated by it.
Do you think you could teach me?
dory
Teach you?
flaer
F-Forgive me! It was a stupid idea.
I'll just be on my way--
dory
(smiles) Bwahahaha! There's nothin' wrong with that!
I was just a bit surprised that a hardened soldier would ask me that.
flaer
Yes, that's what I kept telling myself.
A man like me has no business learning how to dance...
I kept trying to forget these thoughts, but then I'd see you dance again...
dory
(serious) How long have you been thinking 'bout this?
flaer
...A while.
dory
(smiles) Hehe, well, no problem!
Dancin's all about goin' with the flow.
Or at least, that's what my own teacher told me.
She said, "don't be afraid of what others will think."
"Your goal is to put smiles on people's faces."
"If they laugh, you've still achieved that!"
flaer
(smiles) An admirable resolve. You truly are a good man.
dory
Aww, don't say that. That ain't true.
So, let's try somethin' simple!
Try to follow these steps. Hup! Hup!
(Dory dances.)
flaer
(frowns) O-Oh, I don't know... With my armor and all--
dory
(serious) C'mon, don't chicken out on me now! Try it!
flaer
Er...
(Flaer dances, but fumbles the last step and trips.)
flaer
Gwaaaah...!
dory
Oh, dear... You okay?
(Dory helps Flaer up.)
flaer
Unnh... Yes, that went about as well as I expected.
dory
Don't get discouraged! I did far worse my first time.
Yer a natural! You could go a long way, my friend.
Just keep practicing when you can. You'll see!
flaer
(smiles) ...Thank you, Dory. This means a lot to me.
Please, stay safe out there.
dory
(smiles) You too, Flaer!
Would be a shame if ya died before reaching yer full potential.
flaer
...My full potential, eh... Heh... Thank you.

Wallace

Combat

wallace
Bwah ha ha ha! Be warned, Bernese fools!
My hearing's not good enough to hear you beg!

Death

wallace
So, I'm to die in battle, am I?

I regret nothing!
Ha ha ha...ha ha...

Ending

zephiel
It ends.
murdock
The enemy leader had the lance.
He tried to wield it against us.
It did not end well for him. He lies dead.
zephiel
Excellent... One less for them to get their hands on.

[From here, the default ending of Chapter 20A plays out.]

Character Descriptions

Wallace
A farmer with a military past who has donned his old armor to protect Ilia.

Ilia
Knights of Ilia.