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Chapter 2: The Brigands' Fall

Opening

If Soter, Phobos, and Hecate are alive

hecate
Well, here we are. Lady Begoña's grand estate.
Not much to look at, is it?
soter
This fort was built during one of the old wars with Glamorgan.
Its purpose, to defend this once vital point, so close to the border.
...With the years, however, it fell into neglect and disrepair.
kyra
And now it only serves to give lawless thugs a roof to cower under.
phobos
S-Still, a fort's a fort.
There's a reason we've not been able to take out Begoña for good...
What makes you think we'll win this time, Kyra?
kyra
This time, I'm really angry.
I'll climb the walls if I must. I'm taking her down.
She'll rue the day she ordered the town where I grew up razed!
hecate
Sheesh... Never seen this side of you before, Kyra.
If Begoña's not quaking in her boots, she's a downright idiot.
kyra
Jury's still out on that one.
soter
Please, my friend, please! Let us temper our nerves!
I completely understand your fury. This I swear.
Yet you must let it haunt you not, lest it cost you dearly!
What we do today, we do for justice, not vengeance!
kyra
...Yeah. Right... You're right.
phobos
(smiles) Phew... I was afraid Soter's pompous nonsense would just make you angrier.
(Soter harumphs.)
soter
W-What?! Pompous, me?!
hecate
(smiling) Ahahahaha! What, are you going to deny it?
Even the knights I knew back in the capital weren't as uptight as you.
kyra
All right, that's enough! Get in there before they have a chance to react.
hecate
Aye aye, chief!
soter
(grinning) Bravery abounds!
(Pheme butts in.)
pheme
Don't forget about me! I'm ready to fight too!
kyra
Pheme--
pheme
“Watch yourself, Pheme! Don't be reckless! No heroics!”
I know, I know. You don't need to keep repeating yourself.
hecate
(smirks) ...Pretty good impression, girl.
soter
(smiling) Hah, I'll say...
kyra
If you're all done having fun, we've got a fort to clean up.

If any of the above characters are dead

apate
This is where those brigands take shelter?
It looks rather... derelict.
kyra
Soter told me once that they built this fort during a war with Glamorgan.
The forest wasn't so dense at the time. It was important to keep them at bay.
...But it's been a long time since then. No one's used it in decades.
No one but these loathsome thugs...
apate
Nevertheless, it is still a fort.
This building was designed to stop armies - what is our plan, Kyra?
kyra
Get in there and drag Begoña out of her stolen throne.
apate
...That is not a plan, Kyra.
You would do well to calm down before we start.
kyra
Sigh... I know, I know.
Still, we can't well let her roam free if she's growing bolder.
We'll figure it out as we go. Let's do this!
apate
...Good enough, I suppose...

Enemy Turn 1

(Begoña fidgets.)
Begoña
Drat! Drat, drat, drat... A thousand times drat!
She's HERE?! Banging on MY doors?! Walking up MY steps?!
Brigand
A-Actually, boss, it's more like dashing rapidly.
Begoña
Grrr... Normally I'd bet on our odds. We're the ones holding the fort.
But this time... Our bunch's never been in such bad shape...
brigand
S-So what do we do, boss?
Begoña
The doors should at least buy us some time.
Keep 'em locked no matter what! No one gets in!
And what are those southern deserters up to?
brigand
Helpin' to defend, for the time being.
But if we live, I imagine they'll demand more gold...
Begoña
Who cares? At least we'll be alive!
How about the stubborn one? Any progress?
brigand
Nope. Said, “I'll happily starve in this room before I lend you my aid!”
Scared me a mite, despite the locked door, so I... I just left.
(Begoña twitches.)
Begoña
Gahhh! You useless dung-for-brains!
(The underling backs away.)
brigand
S-S-So sorry, boss! I-I'll go back and try again--!
Begoña
In the middle of an invasion?!
On second thought, dung's too good for you... you, you...!

(Begoña shakes with rage.)

Get outta my sight NOW!!

(The underling rus off.)

......
It's... It's all fallin' apart...
(closes eyes) López, Fango... Why'd ya hafta go and get yourselves done in...?

Turn 4

kyra
Blast! They've locked everything up tight, the cowards.
None of the outer guards have keys we can use, either...
Solid stone doors... Curses! How will we get in?
Maybe we should retreat and try to find another way...
apate
...Leave the doors to me.
kyra
Wait, what?
apate
I can open them with this staff.

(Kyra starts.)

kyra
Y-You can do that?!
apate
...It's really not that impressive.
Just focus on fighting the enemies behind those doors.
That, I cannot do for you.

(She leaves.)

kyra
...Just how many things can you do with those sticks, Apate...?

(Apate gains an Unlock staff.)

Conversations

Kyra & Kairos

(Kyra starts.)
kyra
What?!
kairos
Hmmm? Oh, you finally noticed me.
kyra
Father Kairos?! The heck are you doing here?
kairos
Helping, obviously.
kyra
...Why?
kairos
Well, the previous scuffle proved I have a knack for swashbuckling.
A knack I'm going to put to use by cracking some brigand skulls.
The scallywags have done enough harm. 'Tis the right thing to do.
kyra
......
kairos
...What, are you going to tell me to go back, now?
kyra
I damn well should! I can't just make a sellsword out of the town priest!
kairos
(smirks) Too late for that. The ways of the Mother are truly inscrutable.
So, dames first or shall I lead this dance?
kyra
W-Who ordained you? What were they thinking...?
kairos
(smiling) A mystery for the ages, no doubt.
All right, then! Onward and upward!
kyra
...No, seriously, who was it? I want a word with them...

Raleigh

If freed by Apate

Raleigh
What was that?
I see no key in the lock, and no tools for picking it in your hand...
apate
Will you stand there and question your newfound freedom?
Raleigh
Not at all.
Would I be correct in assuming you're with the local militia?
I've heard a lot about you in the past few days.
Mostly cursing from my lovely hosts.
So you've finally come to give them a serving of just desserts, eh?
apate
Indeed...
raleigh
(grins) Fantastic. I've been itching for some payback.
From them, and from my dearest defecting compatriots.
You saved some leftovers for me, surely?

If freed by a thief

raleigh
What's this? You're freeing me?
I suppose you're expecting me to say “thank you,” right?
You'll be disappointed, I'm afraid. In fact...
I think I'll join those guys who are currently beating you up.
Now, will you make way, or shall I remove you myself?
thief
...Why the heck did I do that? Am I stupid?!

When Begoña's door is opened

If opened by Apate

Begoña
Ahh! What?! How'd you do that?!
You didn't break down the door! I didn't hear you fiddle with the lock!
You just... It just... opened for you! On its own! What sorcery...?!

(Begoña shakes.)

A-All right, you know what? That's it, I'm done.
It's been fun, playing bandit queen. Had my kicks.
But you win. Go ahead. Take the fort and everything I've built from me.
J-Just don't open me up like you did that door...!

(Begoña relinquishes her throne and becomes a neutral unit.)

If opened by a thief

Begoña
Wha-- What the absolute heck are you doin'?!
You fool! What'd I say?! Doors stay locked!
Dammit! Now they're gonna storm in and murder me!
...Fine! 'Fore that happens, I'm just gonna give up!
Have fun tryin' to stop 'em on your own, jackass!
thief
...Shit! I'm an idiot!

(Begoña relinquishes her throne and becomes a neutral unit.)

Ending

Begoña
Ow! Ow, ow! Not so tight, you miserable little...
kyra
I don't want to risk you running.
Begoña
......
kyra
......
Begoña
...Well? Don't just stand there! Say something!
kyra
Do you really want me to?
You've tested my patience enough for one lifetime.
If I start, I may not be able to stop.
Begoña
...Bah... Well, I ain't gonna apologize. I regret nothing!
kyra
I would've expected no less.
Well, let me just put this in your mouth and we'll get going.
Begoña
Hey--

(Kyra gags her.)

Mmph! Mmph...!

kyra
Hmph...

If Raleigh survived:

raleigh
(smiling) Very impressive, if I do say so myself.
My name is Raleigh. Pleased to meet you.
kyra
I'm Kyra, but... What's one of the dark knights of Glamorgan doing here?
Raleigh
Good question! I think it goes without saying, but I wasn't here willingly.
I finished my training and joined up with the knights not so long ago.
I was assigned to a brigade and told big words about the station's glory.
...Well, my squadmates differed. By quarter's end, they decided to desert.
kyra
And you with them?
Raleigh
They dragged me along! Threatened me!
And then they go and cast their lot with cutthroats?
Small-time, utterly witless cutthroats, at that!
kyra
What, you weren't immediately drawn in by Begoña's charming personality?
Raleigh
(smirks) Hah! Well, they had to lock me in a storeroom, so...

Say, you're mercenaries, correct?

kyra
Sort of, yeah. Feel free to come back home with us.
We can discuss your future, if you like.
Raleigh
I have nowhere to go and nobody to rely on.
I'd be remiss to refuse your kindly offer!
kyra
And I would be a fool to pass up a chance to add your might to ours.

If Phobos, Soter, and Hecate are alive:

kyra
At last... We did it!
Begoña and her cronies won't cause trouble for anyone any time soon.
pheme
(smiling) Way to go, guys! That was so awesome!
They barely stood a chance! Are you always this impressive?
Man... Kyra, you need to let me join your group for reals!
kyra
Er... Maybe in a year or two.
soter
......
kyra
Why the gloomy expressions, though?
I thought you guys'd be happier. This is one big problem dealt with.
phobos
...T-The heretic's powers... They're truly terrifying...
hecate
She opened up that fort like an angler guts a fish...
kyra
A little gratitude wouldn't hurt, you know.
We wouldn't have managed this if she hadn't been with us.
Heck, we might have all died back in Percote without her!
soter
And yet, I cannot help but ponder upon the cost...
kyra
The cost? C'mon, Soter... Really?
What are you even talking about?
phobos
S-She's a heretic, Kyra.
Don't come crying to me when she--
kyra
All right, I think I've heard enough!
She's my guest, and I'll hear no more insults against her.
Consider that an order. You got me, everyone?
soter
I-I'll say... Perhaps we are all simply beset by exhaustion.
It has been a most hectic dayspring, truth be told...
Let us return to the comfort of our beds, and then...
hecate
Sounds good to me.
kyra
......

Back in Percote...

kyra
......

(Apate approaches and she jumps to attention.)

W-What does it look like to you, Apate?

apate
How long did you say Elias has been sick?
kyra
Four years... I don't know how it happened.
He was fine, then he wasn't. Then he wouldn't get better...
And just when we needed them the most... Our parents died.
apate
And you have been living here ever since...
kyra
Redbeard stumbled into town very soon after Mom and Dad passed.
He's been kind to us. Kinder than he needed to be...
apate
Hmm.

Well... The good news is, I do believe... I can cure him.

kyra
(grinning) Truly?! Oh, thank you! Thank you so much...!
Do you need anything? Tell me and I'll bring it to you!
apate
Are you certain, Kyra?
Indulging so in the work of a heretic can invite... trouble.
kyra
What do I care? I've never been particularly religious, anyway.
To hell with the Mother. You're the one who can save my brother.
apate
Strong words.
...Tell me, how do you feel about Hierophant Dolus?
kyra
The hierophant? Nothing much, to be honest.
We're small folk living in a small town.
The hierophant exists in a different world from ours.
apate
......
I can save your brother, yes... But it won't be easy.
The illness plaguing him... It is a most grievous one.
It has ravaged his body so much, for much too long...
Strong, plentiful energy is needed to extend his time on this plane.
kyra
...W-What does that mean?
apate
Are you worried I will ask you to find innocents to kill for their essence?
kyra
Er...
apate
No... I need only the bountiful lifeforce of one singular man.
A man who has earned a gruesome end a thousand times over.
kyra
What are you getting at--

(Kyra starts.)

No.
No, no... Tell me it's not what I think it is...

apate
Kyra... In order to save your brother...
I require you to kill the hierophant.

Character Descriptions

Raleigh
A former Glamorgan knight. Their platoon deserted, but they themself aren't the disloyal sort.

Begoña
A boastful and brutal thug who leads a gang of criminals.

Purloiner
A small-time ne'er-do-well following Begoña's say.