Opening
kyra
......
So... Is this when I laugh and you
tell me what you actually need?
apate
Do I look like the kind of person
that jokes around?
kyra
That's what I was worried about...
You do realize just how insane your
request is, right?
It's not like my heart's filled with love
for the guy, but...
I mean, suppose I decided to follow
through with it!
How many times have people tried to
murder the hierophant?
That kind of news reaches even this
tiny corner of the world.
Almost as if they want to make sure
that everyone knows,
to harm the hierophant is impossible
and trying only invites death!
apate
I am aware.
But I cannot mix and match
the weak energies of many.
It is not so simple.
There is but one way.
His is the only lifeforce that
will suffice.
kyra
Why?
Why the hierophant?!
Explain yourself! What does he
have that's so special?!
Or do you just hold a grudge?
Want me to do your dirty work?!
apate
If you refuse, I shall take my
leave and disturb you no longer.
But be warned, without my
intervention, soon your brother...
(Pheme barges in.)
pheme
Kyra! Here you are...
I think you'd better
come out!
kyra
Oh, for goodness'--
What's happening now?
pheme
I-It's better you see for
yourself... and fast.
apate
...Go. I shall await your
return inside.
kyra
......
(Kyra exits to find the Inquisition waiting outside. Edward, Hecate, Phobos, Kairos, and Raleigh are standing on the sidelines, if they are alive.)
What's going on here?
Edward
...Better ask yourself.
Buckle up, though. This
one might get hairy...
kyra
Who...?
If Hecate is alive:
hecate
The last visitor we needed,
that's who.
(An inquisitor approaches.)
Sandraudiga
Greetings.
Would I be correct in assuming
that you are the famous Kyra?
kyra
Depends on who's asking,
I guess.
sandraudiga
Do you not recognize the
crest upon my breast?
kyra
An envoy from the inquisition...
You're not the usual guy.
Sandraudiga
Oh, I was in the area on unrelated
business. I figured I'd pass by.
I've heard that this town is home to
quite the fascinating sights.
I am the Grand Inquisitor of Tartaros,
Commander-in-chief of her armies,
and a couple more titles that I won't
recite. I don't want to bore you.
(Kyra starts.)
kyra
T-The Grand Inquisitor?!
The one they know as
Heaven's Scythe...
Sandraudiga
Hahaha, I do rather enjoy
that moniker.
Sandraudiga's the name.
Charmed, I'm sure.
kyra
Well, uh... Er, it's not much,
but we got a little alehouse...
You can have lunch on me.
The porkchops are quite--
Sandraudiga
Thank you for the offer! I hope we have
time to try those porkchops... later.
But now, all I wish is to walk around.
Take in the sights of this quaint village.
The capital may seem so grandiose and
opulent, but it gets old, you know?
This will be a welcome change of pace.
kyra
...Would you please stop that and
just tell me what you want?
Sandraudiga
Ohh, touchy! Fine, I will get straight
to the unpleasant part.
In the capital all I see are sprawling
cathedrals and tacky palaces...
Today I think I'd like to see what a
mercenary guild looks like inside.
What kind of people it houses...
Things like that.
kyra
......
Now's not a good time.
Sandraudiga
Isn't it?
Let's try something else, then...
I am looking for a friend.
She's a bit of a scatterbrain.
Got lost on us.
Elderly lady, about yea tall,
ebony hair, white robes.
Ring a bell?
kyra
...No.
Sandraudiga
You hesitated for a brief moment,
my friend.
kyra
I'm shy. I get stuttery
around strangers.
Sandraudiga
[narrows eyes] Are you sure?
kyra
Positive.
Sandraudiga
Positive positive or “I'm lying to the
nice inquisitor woman” positive?
kyra
......
phobos
S-She's inside.
She's inside!
We've got nothing to do with
her, she just... showed up!
kyra
Phobos!!
Sandraudiga
Good boy.
That's much better.
Lorenzo, be a dear?
Sandraudiga
So... If I order my men to bust the
doors of your little guild down,
they won't find anybody resembling
that description within?
(Kyra starts.)
kyra
You have no right to do
such a thing!
Sandraudiga
Lorenzo, be a dear?
Lorenzo
At once, Madame Grand Inquisitor!
(Lorenzo shoves Kyra aside and enters the guild. He exits a moment later with Elias and Apate.)
I found her, Madame!
The information was correct!
apate
......
Sandraudiga
Thank you, Lorenzo.
Anything else?
Lorenzo
The only other person inside
was this child...
Elias
Unnh... P-Please...
I-I don't wanna go...
Kyra
Elias!!
Let him go!
Let him go or I swear--!
Sandraudiga
Oh, that's just perfect.
Lorenzo, take both of them to
the local jailhouse, would you?
Her under charges of heresy,
naturally, and...
Let's say the boy tried to steal
my satchel.
What's in it, again... Oh, dear,
a thousand gold coins!
Not good, not good. Tsk tsk...
Lorenzo, would you mind?
Elias
K-Kyra...
Lorenzo
Move, both of you!
(Lorenzo grabs both of them and leaves.)
(Kyra approaches Sandraudiga.)
kyra
Lying sack of filth!
How dare you!
edward
Kyra, you forgot who
you're talking to?!
Relax...! She's not gonna
hurt your brother!
...Are you?
Sandraudiga
Nah. I'm sure this is all one
big misunderstanding.
You see, I, too, can be quite
scatterbrained.
I must have simply misplaced
my bag...
I'm sure the boy will be declared
innocent in a couple days.
kyra
...And in the meantime, Apate vanishes,
never to be seen again...
Sandraudiga
I am glad we have an understanding.
Now, then! Where's that alehouse you
mentioned?
(She and the other inquisitors leave.)
kyra
......
Hey... Pheme?
pheme
Y-Yeah...?
kyra
Would you do me a favor?
Keep an eye on them.
Don't say anything and
don't let them spot you.
Just follow them and see
what they're up to.
pheme
Kyra, what are we going
to do?
kyra
Please, Pheme.
Just do as I ask.
pheme
Ohh, okay...
B-But if we're going to do something,
you better not leave me out of it!
kyra
Yeah, yeah...
C'mon, just get going.
(Pheme leaves.)
...Forgive me, Pheme...
I can't involve you in this.
kairos
I'm really sorry, Kyra...
I tried to intercede, I really did,
but it was futile.
A country bumpkin priest like
me is but an ant in her eyes.
edward
She clearly knew what she
was looking for here.
Kyra, what are we gonna
do?
kairos
The inquisition is cruel, but
not stupid.
They won't just murder a
child for no reason.
If we do nothing, I believe
she will keep her word...
edward
She clearly knew what she
was looking for here.
Kyra, what are we gonna
do?
kyra
......
edward
I doubt the inquisition would stoop
to killin' a kid for no reason.
She'll probably be true to her word
if we just stay put...
kyra
...We wait for the sun to set.
Let's catch some sleep meanwhile.
I'm exhausted.
And then we break in there and
save them.
(Edward starts.)
edward
What?!
That night...
(The group aproaches Percote's prison from the back.)
kyra
All right. Nobody should expect
us to come from the forest...
edward
Still got time to turn around,
lassie.
Soon that ship'll sail, though.
Best make our choice now.
kyra
Our choice is already made. We're
not abandoning Elias and Apate.
edward
Sheesh, you really took a likin' to that
woman in a few hours, did ya?
kyra
You... could say that.
edward
Well, I want you to know,
I'm on your side as always.
Goodness, you're gonna need me
this time...
kyra
(smiles) One of these days I really ought
to start repaying you, Redbeard.
edward
You can start by not gettin'
yourself killed tonight, hmm?
kyra
Of course...
If Phobos is alive
phobos
...So... How are we going
to get in, Kyra?
All doors are locked tight.
We aren't just going to knock
and ask politely, right?
kyra
...Why are you here, Phobos?
I told you. You could stay.
I don't need you here.
phobos
I-I know.
...Look, I... I'm sorry something
terrible, Kyra...
I panicked. I... I shouldn't have
done what I did.
But that's why I'm here! I want
to help make things right.
kyra
......
soter
Come now, Kyra, cease directing
those harsh glares at the boy!
The inquisition would have found her
with or without his aid.
All deserve a chance at redemption,
would you not agree?
kyra
...All right, Phobos.
Just be careful, okay?
Don't make me have to go back
to your mom with bad news.
phobos
(smiles) T-Thanks, Kyra...
And thank you too, Soter!
soter
What are friends for?
Yet the question remains,
and it is a fair one.
Shall we break a window,
something to that effect?
kyra
No, that'd make too much noise.
Hmm...
edward
C'mon, Kyra, the boy obviously feels
terrible 'bout what he did.
There's no need to give him the evil
eye too.
Give him a shot to make up for his
mistake, won't ya?
kyra
...All right, Phobos.
Just be careful, okay?
Don't make me have to go back
to your mom with bad news.
phobos
(smiles) T-Thanks, Kyra...
And thank you too, Edward!
edward
Ahh, what would you lot do
without me?
Anyway, going back a bit...
Ya made a fair point, kid.
You think we should break
a window or something?
kyra
No, that'd make too much noise.
Hmm...
If Phobos is dead
edward
So, on to the big question:
How do we get in?
Do we holler until someone
comes out to greet us?
kyra
Good one, Redbeard.
Hmm...
(The prison's back door opens.)
If López is alive
(López emerges from the prison.)
López
Dammit, this is just the
back door...
(He startles upon seeing Kyra.)
Gaahhh!
You...!
kyra
Begoña's bald guy...
(López backs away.)
López
W...Why are you...
How could you have known...?!
kyra
You sounded almost disappointed
to find the exit.
I can't help but wonder why that
is.
López
......
(López moves closer.)
López
I ain't leaving here without my mates.
...What? Don't gimme that look!
I know somethin' of loyalty!
We may've been robbers and worse,
but we had nothing else.
Nothing but each other... Me, Fango,
Begoña, everyone else...
Far as I'm concerned, they're my pals.
I'm not giving up on 'em!
kyra
...Huh.
You surprise me.
López
Yeah, well. Who cares, anyway.
You're just going to beat the snot
outta me and send me back...
kyra
Not at all. Your presence here
is quite convenient for us.
López
What...?
Wait... Wait, wait! Don't
tell me... You're here to--
kyra
Yes. We also have someone we
cannot leave in there.
If you help us, maybe we'll let
you and the rest go.
...AFTER you promise never to
go back to your old ways.
López
......
(López bounces with glee.)
(grinning) Geheeheeheehee!
Oh, it's enough to make me cry!
After all that time you spent trying
to land us in cells,
now you're gonna help us get out
of 'em?! That's rich!
kyra
Save the mockery.
I'm in no mood.
López
Heh... Well, I for one am eager
for a change of pace.
So, sure.
I'll agree to those terms.
Who knows, maybe I'll enjoy
working for you better.
López, rogue extraordinaire,
is now at your service!
kyra
Excellent.
Just... Could the rogue extraordinaire
stand a bit further away?
The stench is driving me nuts...
López
...Bah...
If López was killed
(A female artificier emerges from the prison and startles upon seeing Kyra.)
Beatrix
Whoa!
You startled me...
Weird place to be taking
a nightly stroll, huh.
kyra
Who are you?
beatrix
Oh, nobody that matters,
trust me.
Well, I'll get out of your hair.
Toodles!
(She runs off.)
Kyra
Nobody that matters, eh...
Something tells me that
was a bold-faced lie.
edward
(smiles) Can't fault the gal for being
uncourteous, though.
Left the back door wide open for
us!
Better invite ourselves in before
a patrol comes by and locks it.
kyra
Quickly, everyone!
Prison
(The Purloiners are locked in various cells. Sandraudiga and Lorenzo stand outside Apate's cell. Sandraudiga has taken the Unlock staff.)
kyra
So far, so good...
No alarms raised.
Let's keep it that
way, and...
edward
The heck's going on here?
The guards are already up in arms!
(Begoña has broken down her cell door and is fighting with the guards.)
Begoña
...And I'm tellin' you, I ain't
standin' down for nothin'!
I'm gettin' outta here with
my mates, or I'll die tryin'!
So shut yer pieholes and
raise yer lances!
guard 1
Have it your way, criminal!
Run her through, lads!
guard 2
Careful, everyone! She managed
to tear down her cell's door!
Don't let her get hold of you!
Stick her from a safe distance!
Begoña
(smirks) Hah! Lil' squirrels afraid of gettin'
a hug from Big Bad Begoña?
C'mere! I'm gonna destroy you all,
weapon or no weapon!
kyra
Of course it's Begoña.
It's always something with her.
edward
Listen, Kyra. They wouldn't have
left Elias with these reprobates.
Way I see it, he'll probably be
somewhere less crummy.
How's about I sniff around for him
while you raise hell down here?
kyra
Yeah, you're probably right...
Good luck, Redbeard.
Don't get caught.
edward
Hey, you're the ones divin'
headlong into the lion's den.
'Aight, we'll meet up outside!
I better see you there!
(Edward leaves.)
narrator
Escape with all units to
the tiles marked by the
blue flames.
The situation will worsen
in 16 turns.
Turn 2
sandraudiga
How are you liking your temporary
accommodations, my lady?
It's the best I could procure for you.
I hope you're satisfied.
apate
I will warn you once, child.
You know nothing, and you
are well out of your depth.
sandraudiga
Oh, I have no doubt about that.
His Holiness has been out for your
blood for years, you know.
A likeness of your face is one of the
first things he showed me,
back when I ascended to my current,
lofty position.
In the capital, you are a well known
heretic. Legendary, even!
And yet, never one word about why
he so doggedly hunts you.
apate
You will get no answers from me.
You can stop trying.
sandraudiga
Shame...
Well, the night's still young.
In a handful of hours we'll be ready
to depart for Amnisos.
However, it's a long journey back to
the capital.
Long journeys can be uncomfortable,
especially for travelers who prove...
recalcitrant, so to speak.
Ponder it over for me, will you?
apate
Do as you will. I have
survived worse odds.
sandraudiga
Oh, this is going to be good...
Warden!
Ioke
O-Ohh, yes, my lady
Grand Inquisitor?
sandraudiga
My troops and I will be busy
preparing for our trip back.
Do a girl a favor and keep an
eye on things, please.
Ioke
I have guards posted everywhere.
She shan't set a toe out of her cell.
Sandraudiga
Remain on watch personally.
We wouldn't want any unfortunate
accidents to happen, mmm?
(Ioke fidgets.)
ioke
O-Of course not!
I'll look over her myself!
I'd just like to ask that you
recall what we discussed...
Sandraudiga
My memory is sharp, thank you.
Simply tell anyone who asks the story
we outlined earlier,
and you may find yourself lording over
a far less dreary castle soon.
ioke
(grins) Hehehe... Then I'll stand guard
here as long as you require!
Sandraudiga
Very good.
Let's see how the boys are
doing, shall we, Lorenzo?
lorenzo
Yes, Madame Grand
Inquisitor!
(Sandraudiga and Lorenzo leave.)
Ending
If all Purloiners were freed:
Begoña
You... You freed ALL
of my guys?!
And you kept us all
safe...!
kyra
And now you'll go right back
to pillaging.
When I catch the one who
went around opening cells...
Begoña
What?! That ain't happening!
Not on my watch, it won't.
We've had enough trouble
with the law, I reckon.
In fact, think I'm gonna stick
with you for a bit.
(smiles) You could use someone as
strong as me, right?
This could be the start of
a beautiful friendship!
kyra
You've got to be kidding me.
Begoña
As for the rest of my boys,
pay 'em no mind.
They'll find their own way out.
They're good at that.
But ain't not one of 'em that's
gonna forget this!
(smiles) Chin up, girl! I'm sure this'll pay
off for you some day.
kyra
Hmph...
I wonder.
kyra
Is everyone here?
Let's take a breather.
Only for a moment, though.
We've got to disappear fast!
apate
......
kyra
...Hey, why are you giving
me the evil eye?
We just broke you out
of prison...
apate
That woman. She knew.
kyra
Er, knew what?
apate
My staff that can pry locks open.
She took it from me, so that I could
not break myself out.
How could she possibly have known
to do that,
were she not warned by someone who
witnessed its power firsthand?
kyra
...The brigands?
No, wait, that's stupid. They
had no idea what hit 'em...
Wait, but that means--!
apate
You betrayed me, Kyra.
...Either you, or someone
close to you...
(Kyra starts.)
kyra
T-That cannot be!
Surely that's not it, Apate!
She's the Grand Inquisitor. No doubt
she's privy to many secrets.
She was probably just already aware
of your stick's existence.
apate
Hmm.
That is possible, yes.
In any case, we have not the time
to argue over this.
...I merely wanted to ascertain that
I could still place my trust in you.
kyra
You've no reason to doubt us.
We came for you, see?
Now c'mon, we've breathed
enough. Time to move!
apate
...After you.