!DOCTYPE html>

Chapter 21: The Binding Blade

To access Chapter 21x, the chapter must be cleared within 30 turns.

Opening

narrator
After conquering the entirety of Elibe, Zephiel finally returns to his homeland.
He guides his troops to the Shrine of Seals.
In their way stands Melady, Guinivere's newly appointed Wyvern General.

Bern, home to the greatest military force in the continent, enters a civil war.
The sun rises as the bloodiest day in the history of Elibe dawns...

soldier
Dame Melady. All troops are at their posts and ready for battle.
melady
Good. Thank you.
(The soldier leaves.)
melady
Zeiss. It begins...
Did the Pheraen lord acquire the sword?
zeiss
He did. He departed not long ago.
But, Melady...
melady
You seem worried, Zeiss.
zeiss
That boy seemed... wrong.
I understand the queen trusts him greatly.
She says he is a virtuous, brave young man.
But that's not the person I met today.
He seemed... unstable. And the way he looked at that blade...
Between that and Zephiel approaching at speed...
I will admit it. I am afraid, Melady.
melady
...I am afraid as well, Zeiss. Deathly so.
But Queen Guinivere is counting on us.
We must protect the border. We have to stop Zephiel.
Not just for the queen, but for all of Bern...
Nay, for the entire world's sake!
zeiss
Make no mistake, Melady.
I am ready to do whatever it takes.
Fear be damned.
melady
Thank you, Zeiss.
I'm glad I can rely on you in these harrowing moments.
zeiss
So, you'll take cover and ambush them in time?
melady
That was the plan, yes.
zeiss
In that case, I shall remain here and protect the shrine.
(smiles) If the unthinkable happens... Know I love you, sister.
melady
(smiles) I as well, little brother... Thank you for everything.
jahn
Hey, Zephiel... Mind if I ask you something?
zephiel
Well?
jahn
I never did wonder, until now, but...
What made you this way?
zephiel
What way?
jahn
Well, you know. Like this.
Someone who wants his entire species dead.
zephiel
......
My own father tried to kill me. Out of petty jealousy.
I only survived due to Murdock's intervention.
My father died by my hand. It was well deserved.
With the years, I've learned that they are all like that, in the end.
Is that enough, or would you like more details?
jahn
All? What about Murdock, then? Did he not save you?
zephiel
Murdock saved me because it was convenient to him.
Look at him now. Head of the Wyvern Generals.
His just reward for a life of service.
But give it time. Humanity will receive a truly just reward.
A reward for their many evils.
jahn
......
zephiel
Jahn... If there is something you wish to tell me...
Now may be a good time.
jahn
Nothing. Nothing at all.
zephiel
Then stop bothering me. I haven't time for such nonsense.
I have a usurper to drag out of my throne.
(Zephiel leaves.)
jahn
Classy exit, as always...
Ahh, Zeph... Is it really humanity that's the problem?
Or is it you, and people like you?

Enemy Turn 1

Village

trimier
...The time is near...
The king must come. He must have these...
Without these... He cannot unlock the truth.

Melady's Ambush

(Melady descends from the mountains with a platoon of wyvern knights.)
melady
Knights of Bern! We strike now!
We fight true, for the betterment of Bern!
Bring down the despot! For Queen Guinivere!!

Turn 31

(Elen enters from the south.)
elen
Apocalypse is no more...
Now that we've ensured it won't fall into their hands, it's time to lend our aid to General Melady! Quickly now!

Conversations

Jahn & Mieu

jahn
Little girl. There you are.
I've been looking for you.
mieu
Mister?
jahn
I must warn you.
Your behavior has changed of late. It's been noticed.
mieu
......
jahn
Your eyes are no longer filled with paralyzing terror.
In its place now burns a flame. Yet small, but bright all the same.
The flame of one with a purpose. Someone determined...

Some believe you intend to turn your bow on us.

mieu
...I know.
But I'm not afraid.
jahn
Don't think they're above hurting childr--
mieu
I know that too!
But I'm not scared. They're the ones who are scared.
...They're scared of what you'll do to them if they hurt me...
jahn
......
They are right to be scared.
Your killer's end would be slow, gruesome and painful.
It might not even be an end. I would leave them to suffer...
None will hurt you. I swear it.
mieu
(smiles) ...Mister... Thank you.
You've always been so nice to me...
Despite everything. You saved me.
Thanks...
jahn
No, don't... D-Don't thank me!
It's because of me you were forced to fight.
And besides, I am... I...

Sigh... No, you don't know the first thing about me.
It's me. I'm the one responsible for all this.

mieu
(frowns) ...?
jahn
When Zephiel awoke Idunn... I went to him.
I guided him, helped him. Every step of the way.
Without me, he could not have come this far.
I thought it was my chance, at long last.
To watch humanity burn. To rectify the Scouring.

Then I met you, and... I thought of young me.
1000 years ago. Watching everyone around me die.
Cursing the humans for so callously persecuting us.
It hit me... How is this any different?
All this destruction... For what? My wounded pride? My hatred?
Or worse... My fear, of those who are different from me.

mieu
......
jahn
You shouldn't say I'm nice. I'm a horrible person.
mieu
...Maybe it's because I'm just a stupid kid, but...
I think you're wrong.
(smiles) I like you. I'm glad we're friends.
(Jahn balks.)
jahn
Friends?!

If only you'd been born 1000 years ago.
If there had been more humans like you...
Maybe the Scouring wouldn't have happened.

mieu
(serious) Y-You think so...?
(Jahn gives Mieu a Recurve Bow.)

Zinque & Legance

zinque
Blast.. To think I hoped to escape servitude by joining Bern...
At least with Douglas I had a modicum of leeway.
These madmen will kill even their own for looking at them wrong!
legance
Tell me that... I thought Bern would show some gratitude.
After all the help I provided in seizing Ostia...
But they won't even give me a small brigade to command!
This is a complete waste of my military prowess!
zinque
Aye... 'Tis a deplorable state of affairs.
Noblemen such us ourselves shouldn't sully our hands like this.
legance
Alas, it's not easy having blue blood in one's veins these days.
The peasants, they have it easy!
They just flock to the powerful, follow orders and get their fill!
They simply cannot understand the terrible plight of their betters.
zinque
(smiles) Yes, yes! You speak only truth, my wise friend.
What is your name, pray tell?
legance
(smiles) Legance. Formerly, the lord of a high house of Ostia.
One of the greatest commanders of its army, too.
Truly, I was meant for greatness. Alas, King Zephiel just won't see it.
zinque
King Zephiel is a blind fool.
But one day we'll get what we deserve. It's just a matter of time...
Exalted bloodlines always receive their due, in the end.
Such has been the way of the world since time immemorial.
This is not the mainland. The Isles are ruled by might.
legance
Er... Well, I didn't quite get that last part, but... Yes! Aptly put.
You know, I even heard this rumor about the king...
He's not even of pure Bernese descent!
zinque
What?!
legance
'Tis difficult to believe, but it's as true as the sky is blue!
King Zephiel is a half-blooded Etrurian!
zinque
Hah... Almost makes me feel his sister does deserve the throne.
Ahh, but the princess is doomed to fail, I'm afraid.
Zephiel is gifted in the art of war. That, I have to concede.
legance
Yes... It is no wonder he managed to conquer the entirety of Elibe.
Being under him may not be rewarding, but it is safe.
I am happy to have my life, if naught else.
zinque
Perhaps it is for the best to bide our time.
One day we will once again be granted our birthrights.
Until that day comes to pass... Let us stay alive, friend.
legance
A toast to that!

Brunnya & Galle

(Galle fidgets anxiously.)
galle
No...! No, this cannot be!
This can't be happening... It has to be a nightmare...
Melady... Zeiss... Must I... Must I truly face you...?!
brunnya
......
galle
I... I cannot fight you... Not you...
Please...!
brunnya
General Galle. You are making a scene.
galle
G-General Brunnya...
brunnya
...Not that I do not understand how you feel.
To duel the one you love to the death... It is an unimaginable torture.
galle
Then...
brunnya
Then, what? There is nothing to be done.
They stand in our way. His Majesty orders their deaths.
...I am willing to look the other way if you stay back, however.
Let another deliver the final strike.
galle
But... But if I do that, I'll watch them die regardless!
I have to convince them... Somehow, I must sway them...
brunnya
Dame Melady and Sir Zeiss have picked a side.
They have chosen to fight for what they believe is right.
We, in turn, must respect their decision, and hold nothing back.
galle
Do you believe what we are doing is right?
brunnya
...Much too late to be asking those questions, Galle.
In fact, I seem to recall Melady posing a similar question to me...
Before she betrayed us.
galle
You accuse me of--
brunnya
Of being blinded by your emotions.
I understand. I mean it. I would be, too.
Perhaps you should simply fly away from this battle.
Worry not. I will make up an explanation for the king.
galle
Again you tell me to run away!
That will lead to their deaths all the same!
Their souls will forever haunt my bloodstained hands!
brunnya
......
I will warn you once, General Galle.
Do not do something you will regret.
galle
Enough thinly-veiled threats! I will not turn on the king.
I owe much to him, and General Murdock.
I will not reward their kindness with betrayal.
brunnya
I am glad to hear it, Galle.
galle
You have it easy, Brunnya. Your beloved is not a traitor.
You need not fear ever having to strike him down...
(Galle leaves.)
brunnya
...Perhaps not.
But I fear him, which is a hundred times worse...

Sigune & Peggy

sigune
Still alive, are you?
peggy
Ah, Captain... Y-Yeah, guess I am.
I suppose I've gotten better somehow...
sigune
Your form could still use improvement.
You aren't diligent with your training.
You also have not worked on your defenses enough.
...But you really have come a long way. I'm impressed.
Most rookies do not last, much less in a war like this.
peggy
T-Thanks, I guess.
sigune
Keep alert, now.
It would be a shame to fall now, so close to the end.

Say... What do you plan on doing after this boils over, Peggy?

peggy
Me? I think I'll keep fighting for Bern!
(smiles) They're amazing employers. Pay well, keep me fed...
I don't even have to find my own equipment! It's great.
sigune
Huh...
You don't have any reservations about what they're having us do?
peggy
(frowns) Er... Not particularly? It's just a job.
(smiles) Any Ilian merc's dream job! Can't believe it's only my second!
sigune
Are you not at all disturbed by all this savagery?
peggy
(frowns) Savagery...? What?
I kill for coin to survive. That's all there is to it.
That's the first thing they teach you at the guild!
sigune
Heh... How amusing.
I'd expected a wide-eyed rookie like you to be far more... idealistic.
Yet you showcase a cold pragmatism befitting a true mercenary veteran.
There's some irony there. I am the one thinking like a starry-eyed fool.
(Peggy balks.)
peggy
Captain, you aren't considering turning coat, are you?!
Ilian mercenaries never betray their employers!
sigune
I know the code, Peggy. Thank you very much.
Besides, turn coat for whom? Who remains to oppose King Zephiel?
This rabble won't prevail... And then there'll be none.
peggy
G-Good! I don't wanna fight you, Captain.
I really do admire you. My dream is to be like you one day!
(smiles) And hopefully get a moniker as cool as Ivory Devil, heeheehee...
One day you've gotta tell me how you earned that title!
sigune
...Mm.
peggy
(serious) Ah, but enough talk. Duty calls!
Let's go kill all of Bern's enemies and get our reward! Hie!
(Peggy flies off.)
sigune
No, girl. You don't want to end up like me.
I'm a mess... I bring shame to the Ilian mercenaries.
Because, against all odds... I do have what they call a heart.

Zephiel & Trimier

trimier
......
zephiel
What--?!
Who are you?! Where did you come from?!
trimier
I have obtained these weapons. Powerful ones, second to none.
You will need them. They are the keys to unlock the truth.
As long as you have gathered the rest...
zephiel
Answer my question, woman! State your name or die!
trimier
You cannot kill me, for I already am your ally.
zephiel
Cease this nonsensical prattle. Your riddles are void of meaning!
I can just kill you and take those weapons for myself.
trimier
But you will not. The cogs of fate are turning as we speak...
zephiel
......
Fascinating... I must admit I respect your boldness.
Let's have it, then. Who are you, and why do you help me?
trimier
There is no time to waste. In 15 hours (30 turns)...
zephiel
What happens in 15 hours?
trimier
...We have to hurry. Lest the truth be lost.
And be careful not to allow me to vanish.
If I took the keys with me to the abyss... 'Twould be terrible.
zephiel
Sigh... You know what? So be it.
I see speaking to you any further would be pointless.

I shall give you one chance. Let your weapons do the talking.
Prove yourself worthy of the Bernese Army!

trimier
......

Zeiss

Combat

zeiss
You've made it all the way here...
Melady, what is happening out there?
Please, tell me you're safe...!

Combat w/ Galle

galle
Zeiss...
zeiss
Ah, Galle. So good to see you.
I used to look up to you, you know.
To admire such a cowardly rat...
I am rather embarrased at myself.
galle
Zeiss! It's not as simple as that--
zeiss
Oh, no? For my sister and I, it was that simple.
We turned our backs to that insane tyrant Zephiel, and chose a worthier liege to serve.
If you cannot do the same...
Then we are enemies, and this is where we fight!
galle
...No...

Death

zeiss
Melady... Sister... I...

Melady

Combat

melady
For Princess Guinivere! For a better Bern!

Combat w/ Galle

galle
Melady... I don't want to fight you!
Please, it's not too late yet...
I will speak on your behalf! You don't have to--
melady
You'd like that, would you not, Galle?
For me to kneel and give way to your beloved masters?
I'm afraid not, Galle.
I fight for a just cause and a leader true.
What do YOU fight for, Galle?
A despotic maniac and the vague concept of loyalty!
galle
M-Melady... I...
I-It's all true... And yet--
melady
You're too cowardly to fight back.
Fair enough. Then you are our enemy...
And you will fall today, alongside your masters!
galle
Melady, no!

(Galle desperately reaches out to Melady.)

Melady!!

Death

melady
Queen Guinivere... Please...follow your heart...
Virtue can still... prevail...

Elen

Combat

elen
Those who have forsaken the light...

I shall guide you to it.

Combat w/ Perez

perez
Dame Elen. I am surprised.
elen
Sir Perez... General Murdock's lieutenant...
perez
I never dreamed I would one day fight you.
You are no combatant. Why are you here?
elen
I'm doing my part for the new Kingdom of Bern.
The queen lacks options.
None of us can afford to rest on our laurels now.
perez
So you fight out of desperation.
That explains why you would use that tome.
I thought you were a believer of Elimine.
elen
I am. But I cannot kneel and pray for salvation.
Not now. Not here. We must earn our salvation.
No matter the cost...
perez
Your ilk usually turn up their noses at the elder arts.
You think power of this magnitude is easily wielded?
You may have the power to cast this magic, but you lack the knowledge, the training to tame it.
Before long, it shall spiral out of your control, and...
elen
...I know what this tome will do to me.
No matter what, by day's end, I shall lie dead.

But I can at least ensure the future of our new Bern.
If I succeed at that much, to pass will be a small price.

perez
I admire your resolve and courage, Dame Elen.
I shall grant you a swifter, less painful end.
That is all I can do for you. Pray forgive me.

Death

elen
Princess Guinivere... Please...
Don't give up...

Locations

Village

trimier
Bernese soldiers.
You have done well to come to this hamlet.
Most would not stop here, normally.
Is it my presence that has beckoned you here, I wonder?
Or do you make a point to visit,
insignificant though the reward may be?
visitor
...!
trimier
Please, do not be alarmed. I am an ally. In fact...
I bring the keys for you to unlock the truth.
As long as you have gathered the rest...
Now all that remains is to win the day.
Before 15 hours (30 turns) pass... Lest the truth be lost.
And be careful not to allow me to vanish.
If I took the keys with me to the abyss... 'Twould be terrible.

(Trimier joins with the Saint's Staff and whichever of the Ilian or Sacaean legendary weapons the player did not acquire. If Zephiel is visiting, their Talk conversation plays out here instead.)

Ending

If the chapter was cleared within 30 turns

murdock
My liege, noise can be heard coming from underground.
Some of Guinivere's men must be searching for Apocalypse.
zephiel
Ah, that's true. That tome also resides here...
We could certainly use its power.
Plus, we cannot allow any of Guinivere's wretches to live!
murdock
It's settled, then.
Troops! We head underground!
[Chapter 21x begins.]

Default

zephiel
Curses... The Binding Blade...
It's gone! We were too late! They ran away with it!
Grrr... Filthy, loathsome thieves...
idunn
Your Highness... There is another...
zephiel
Another?

Oh, it's true... Eckesachs is still here!
I wonder why they didn't take it as well...
Perhaps they simply could not lift it. It is a heavy blade.
Or they decided with the Binding Blade, they didn't need this.

(smiles) ...Whatever their reasons, they made a grievous mistake.
With this, I can challenge even the Binding Blade's might!

idunn
...Your Highness...
Will you... need... dragons...?

Ah...

zephiel
(frowns) Idunn? What's wrong?
idunn
I... This place... it's bringing about...
Memories... of...
...A warm breeze...

(Idunn spasms.)

Ahhhh!!

zephiel
Idunn!
(Idunn enters a trance.)
idunn
...What... are these images...?
Are they... my memories...?
(Idunn sees a vision of herself with her hood down.)
idunn
!

Who was that?

I don't understand what I'm feeling. It's very...

(Idunn comes out of her trance.)
zephiel
Idunn! What's wrong with you?!
Idunn! Without you, my dream... it...
No!

(Zephiel shakes Idunn.)

Idunn...!

idunn
Your High...ness...?
zephiel
(smiles) Oh, thank goodness. You're all right...!
Come, let's leave this wretched place.
idunn
I'm... I'm tired, Your Highness...
zephiel
(serious) Don't worry, Idunn. It won't be long now.
Soon, all of our enemies will be vanquished...
(smiles) And then, the world shall be yours to rule.
To rule perfectly, for you are the most perfect of beings...
Hahaha... It will be a grand thing to behold!
Come along now. We mustn't delay any longer!
(Zephiel leaves.)
idunn
......
Doubt...?
Is... doubt... what I'm feeling...?
And... power... Terrible power...
I-I...
(Zephiel receives Eckesachs and Idunn receives Dark Breath.)

If Melady survived

melady
Zeiss... They bested you...
It's all over... The battle is lost...

...But as long as I draw breath, I shall continue to serve!
Don't worry, Zeiss. You won't wait long...
In your name, I will massacre them all!

Character Descriptions

Trimier
A highly skilled markswoman. Shrouded in mystery.

Lady Knight
An honorific bestowed upon the most skilled horsewomen.

Zeiss
A wyvern rider of Bern. Melady's brother.

Melady
The leader of Guinivere's personal guard. Unbendingly loyal.

Traitor
Turncoats answering to Guinivere.