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Chapter 4: Point of No Return

Opening

(Kyra and Apate exit the prison to find the yard full of guards. Edward and Elias are outside the walls.)
kyra
Blast! Enemies all over...
I can't see Redbeard anywhere. Where in the world is he?
He said we'd meet up outside!
apate
Maybe he was caught. Or maybe...
kyra
I'm going to stop you right there, Apate.
apate
...Suit yourself.
guard
More escaping prisoners!
And they don't look nearly as tough as the last guy!
Mercenaries, to me!
apate
Tch! It didn't take them long to spot us...
kyra
The last guy? Could that be...
Redbeard! Redbeard, are you around here?!
edward
Kyra! Kyra, that your voice I just heard?!
kyra
(smiles) Redbeard! You made it out!
Edward
You thought chumps like these would be a problem for me?
Hah! Hey, Eli! Say hi to yer sister!
Elias
Kyra, you came to save me too... Y-You shouldn't have...
kyra
Redbeard, I owe you more than I can ever repay!
Edward
Told ya before, right? Repay me by getting away with yer life!
I'll disappear with Elias before they can give chase.
Good luck, Kyra! I believe in ya!
Elias
Sis... B-Be careful!

(Edward escapes into the woods with Elias.)

kyra
That's... such a relief...
All right! All we have to do now is escape from this place.
We can go through the gate, or breach the walls.
Anything works as long as we can leave the perimeter!
apate
......

(The camera moves to highlight the guards' commander.)

dion
Bahhh... What the heck's going on in that shoe box?
Here's hoping the warden didn't lose her head.
We haven't been paid yet...
guard
Chief, they're moving fast. What do we do?
dion
I don't know, maybe stick 'em where it hurts?
Send them back to their cells, or to meet their maker.
Either's good, you just make sure they don't set foot outta the yard.
guard
Aye, chief!
dion
Oh, and rouse the guys in the barracks.
Drag them out of bed if you have to.
These lunatics beat everyone inside.
We're gonna need all the help we can get!
guard
As long as they don't bar the doors, the guys will keep coming!
dion
Okay, what are you waiting for? Move out!

(The guard leaves.)

Hmph... Here I thought this'd be a nice, boring job.
Barely a week into our contract and everything goes to hell in there.
What's next? Help gonna come from outside too?

narrator
Seize the barracks to stop reinforcements and obtain items.

The situation will worsen in 20 turns.

Enemy Turn 1

Barracks

Nikolaos
...Zzz... Zzz...
guard
HEY!!

(Nikolaos jolts awake.)

Nikolaos
GAH!!
guard
Escapees out in the courtyard!
On your feet, layabouts! Grab your weapons!
Nikolaos
Y-Yeah, just one minute...
Let me wait for my head to stop spinning... Ugh...
guard
Idiot! Come out or the boss will have you flayed!
And me for letting you sit around on your butt!
Go, go, go! Armor on, lance up!
Nikolaos
[eyes drooping] Unnh... What time even is it? Sun's still down...
Today's not supposed to be my night shift...
What a pain in the neck!

Turn 5 (if Ioke survived)

(Ioke exits the prison.)
ioke
N-No... No, please! This can't be happening!
If that lot gets away with the heretic, I... I-I...
The things the Grand Inquisitor will do to me - to ALL of us for our failure...!

(She quivers.)

No! I can't allow it!
Come back here! Come back at once, you ruffians!
I'll kill all of you myself if I must!

Sandraudiga Arrives (Turn 20 or first unit escapes)

(Sandraudiga and Lorenzo exit the prison.)
Sandraudiga
Wow, the lackey did not lie. They really are getting away.
I hadn't figured that girl to be the type to take things lying down,
but this? This is bold. We may have struck gold, Lorenzo.
Lorenzo
Uh, right you are, Madame Grand Inquisitor.
Sandraudiga
Feeling restless, my dearest adjutant?
I can see your stache trembling like crazy.

(Lorenzo shuffles awkwardly.)

lorenzo
W-Well, it's-- pardon my insolence in questioning you, Madame, but...
I... have not received orders to give chase to the fugitives.
You simply ordered the men to continue their preparations...
Sandraudiga
Indeed, that truly is what happened but minutes ago.
lorenzo
If the hierophant learns that we let HER slip between our fingers...
Well, to be forthcoming with you, Madame, I am rather puzzled.
Sandraudiga
What does it matter if we have her here or elsewhere? We're in no rush.
Anywhere she goes, anything she does, we shall know shortly thereafter.
Why go through the hassle of playing cat and mouse with her?
On the contrary, it might be interesting to see what her next move will be.
lorenzo
You're right, Madame. Pardon my insolence!
Sandraudiga
I already pardoned you the first time you asked, my dear.
For now, let us bide our time. See if they all make it past the walls.
Are you willing to bet on their odds, Lorenzo?
lorenzo
By your command, Madame Grand Inquisitor!
...Let's say... 10 coins of gold on their successful escape.
Sandraudiga
Pah... It's not fun if we both make the same bet.

Pericles Arrives

[The trigger condition for this event is unclear. It is checked every turn, but only triggers if temp flag 01 is set.]

(A paladin, holy rider, and fighter appear from the south and break down the prison's front gate.)
hestia
...That might've been the cheapest lock I've seen.
Are you sure you wanna go in yourselves, though?
Sounds like a quick way to meet the Mother to me.
Quick, but not painless...
pericles
You have my thanks, Hestia. Please, leave the rest to us.
hestia
Hey, it's your funeral, man.
agari
(smiles) Don't worry about us, Hestia. We'll be fine!
We're just going to poke our heads in, surprise the gate guards,
and get out before the rest even notice we were here!
Easy-peasy, if you ask me.
pericles
Take this seriously, Agariste!
We stake our lives on this. Mistakes invite perdition!
agari
Yeah, yeah, I know...
What's so wrong with telling myself things will go well?
What, should I start thinking of a good epitaph for my grave?
pericles
...Not yours. Mine, if any.
I would never allow any harm to befall you, Agariste.
No matter what I may need to sacrifice to keep you safe...

(Agari fidgets.)

agari
Okay, now you're just being depressing, Dad!
(smiles) Raise that mustache! Everything will go swimmingly!
You're the best knight in Tartaros, after all!
hestia
She's got the right of it, Peri.
pericles
...Time will prove her right, or wrong. We shall see.

(smiles) You are correct, however.
One must go into combat with their head held high!

hestia
(grinning) Now you're talking, Peri! All right, I'll wait for you here.
narrator
If Pericles or Hestia die in this map, it is game over.
After Agari escapes, they will move to leave the map as well.

Agari Escapes

pericles
Agariste is leaving the field with the prisoners...
Hestia, heed me! We have done what we came here to do!
There is no sense in remaining any longer. Let us retreat!
hestia
You're the boss. Back the way we came!

Conversations

Kyra & Agari or Kyra & Pericles

kyra
...And who are you two supposed to be?
agari
(smiles) Oh, are you the leader of the escapees?
Fear not, for we are here to save you!
We are the Tartaran rebellion!
kyra
The what now...?
pericles
It is nothing so grand as that.
We have our... misgivings, with our governing figures.
But a proper rebellion isn't built in a day.
agari
So we came here looking for more friends!
We spotted you going in there all sneaky-like,
so we figured it was the right time to jump into action.
Clear the way out for you and stuff.
kyra
...Let's discuss this later.
agari
All right! I'll stick with you until we're back outside.
Is that all right with you, Dad?
pericles
Go. I shall draw the enemy's attention!

Pericles Death

pericles
I was a terrible parent, friend and husband.
I deserve... worse than this...

Hestia Death

hestia
D-Dammit... I can't keep swinging my arms...
Can't move my legs... Can't... feel... (closes eyes) ahh...

Ioke

Combat

ioke
Stop! Please, stop! I'm begging you!
I-I'll stop you by any means necessary!
Anything to keep MY head from the chopping block!

Death

ioke
Ahh, well... Dying in this... familiar darkness...
It is not... so bad, actually...

Dion

Combat

dion
Guess we can kiss the warden goodbye...
And our paycheck along with her.
Grrr! You'll taste my ice spear for this!

Combat w/ Nikolaos

dion
Great, that's all I needed.
On top of everything else, we got a traitor!
Nikolaos
Look, dude, if you didn't want me to desert,
you should've treated me a little better.
That's all I'm saying.
dion
[mocking smile] Ohh, of course! Why didn't you speak up sooner?
Shall I serve you breakfast in bed, Your Highness?
Shall I get you a crown and cape to wear?
King Rookie, the rookiest of the company!
Nikolaos
You know what? No need.
I'll just tag along with these folks instead.
dion
You'll die, that's what you'll do, you arrogant greenhorn!

Death

dion
I always hoped I'd die... a more dignified death...

Lorenzo

Combat

lorenzo
For the Grand Inquisitor! For the hierophant!

Defeat

lorenzo
Augh! Very... Very impressive...
But my faith empowers me! I find the strength to flee!

Sandraudiga

Combat

Sandraudiga
Oh, please. You can't be this stupid.
You'll make us lose our bet.

Defeat

Sandraudiga
Well! That's pretty good. My regards.
But I can't fall when there's so much left to be done!

Locations

Northwest Barracks

guard
Those brigands we picked up recently have a peculiar kinship.
Especially the boss and her two buddies, the smelly guy and the other one.
Wouldn't want to find myself surrounded by the three of 'em on the battlefield!
...What? Giving vague hints to random folks is one of my hobbies!
No matter who the folks may be. Comrades, passersby, even enemies.

...Heeeeeey, wait a minute... You're... You're an enemy!

visitor
...!

(The visitor leaves.)

guard
You coward! Get back here!
And... HEY!! Give me back my bow!
I bought it with my own salary, dammit...

East Barracks

(Nikolaos startles.)
Nikolaos
Ack!! Who are you?!
visitor
...Don't mind me...
Nikolaos
N-No, wait! Hear me out...

(Nikolaos moves closer.)

I'm part of this mercenary band, but uh...
I'm not really enjoying it. My boss is a jerk.
I'm okay with doing night shifts, but when I don't take them,
I expect to be allowed to get some decent sleep!
All that, and you've got to be strong to come this far.
So, uh. I'd like to switch. Go with you, I mean.
...Don't tell me you're not hired blades yourselves.
Any regular pickpocket couldn't be causing so much trouble.
So! Guess my first shift with you guys will be a night one.

Southwest Barracks

guard
Zzz... Zzz... Nngh...

(The guard startles awake.)

Huh, wha...?! Uh?!

visitor
......
guard
......
Yeah, you know what? It ain't worth it.
Let's say I'm still asleep, and you stole my sword.
Can't well go out and fight you guys unarmed, right?
'Kay, lock the door when you leave. Mmngh...

Zzz... Zzz...

Escape Dialogue

kyra
Out, everyone! We've places to be!
apate
I live through one more day...
phobos
T-That was horrible...
soter
(grinning) In excelsis!
hecate
(smiling) Fantastic.
kairos
(smiles) O Mother, thanks for not smiting me just yet.
Raleigh
And here I thought a mercenary's life would be easier than a knight's...
López
(smirks) So sorry I can't keep blessin' this battlefield with my good looks.
Begoña
I may run today, but make no mistake. I ain't gonna forget this!
fango
Outta my way! I'm getting out of here!
Nikolaos
(grinning) What a thrill! Let's never do that again!
agari
(smiling) Another day, another win. We're unstoppable!

Ending

(Dawn breaks as the heroes escape.)
kyra
Huff... Huff... Did everyone make it?
apate
I believe so.
...You are risking much in doing this.
You do know that, right?
kyra
Funny way to pronounce the words “thank you”, don't you think?
apate
You did this of your own accord, for your own reasons.
Gratitude is not what you need from me, is it?
kyra
Urgh...
Where's Redbeard? Dammit, I'd hoped he'd be around here...
elias
...Sis! Sis, over here!
kyra
Elias...!

(Elias appears and Kyra immediately rushes over to hug him.)

kyra
[eyes closed] You had me scared out of my mind, big guy...
elias
Kyra, I... W-Why is this happening...?
They didn't tell me anything. What's going on?

(Kyra steps back.)

kyra
(smiles) Don't worry. It's all good now.
It's... Everything is about to look up for us, Elias!
elias
What...?
edward
Hey, Kyra, I don't want to be a party pooper, but...
You do know we can't just go back home now, right?
They'll be waiting to send us right back to that hole.

If Begoña is alive

kyra
I already thought about it. It shouldn't be a problem.
Begoña
(grinning) We're goin' to my place!
edward
...Hey, Kyra, ain't that--
kyra
Long story. I'll explain later.
But yeah, we're going to the brigands' old fort.
We'll lay low there for a while.
Begoña
Deep in the forest, off the roads, easy to defend...
It ain't a luxury palace, but it gets the job done.
edward
Oddly magnanimous of ye, don't you think?
Begoña
Hey, least I could do! We're all in this together now!
Rogues oughta look out for other rogues, no?
kyra
Don't compare us, Begoña.
We only wanted to free innocents from wrongful imprisonment.
Begoña
Yeah, yeah... But ya got yer own reasons, doncha?
Don't lie t'me. I won't judge or anything.
edward
I can't believe I'm about to say this, but I agree with her.
When are you going to talk to me, Kyra?

If Begoña is dead

kyra
I already thought about it. It shouldn't be a problem.
We're going to the brigands' old fort.
It's out of the way and now deserted.
I believe it'll be a good spot to lay low for a while.
edward
That does seem sensible, but...
Kyra, when are you going to talk to me?
kyra
Talk to you about what?
edward
So much has happened in a handful of hours...
Please, Kyra. Help me to understand the situation.
kyra
...Not now. We need to get going.
Wouldn't do to linger here after sunrise.

(She leaves.)

If Begoña is alive:

Begoña
Here I thought she'd be more pleasant 'round friends.
At least she was open about how much she hated me!
Hoowee... Is she always like this with you lot?
edward
Um...
elias
...Sis...

If Agari survived

pericles
Hold!
kyra
Oh, you're the knight that helped us...
We owe you our thanks.
pericles
We have precious little time. Let us not waste it on pleasantries.
My name is Pericles. Behind me is Hestia.
hestia
A pleasure.
pericles
And that there is--
agari
(smiles) Call me Agari! It's great to meet you all.
kyra
So, what's your deal?
You're not the kind of people one expects to orchestrate a prison break.
pericles
As I am sure you have already deduced, I was a holy knight.
I once believed ours to be a beautiful nation, worthy of our pride.
But that beauty does not run deep. At its core, Tartaros is rotten.
agari
The inquisition tyrannically watches and lords over the people.
Daily, “heretics” are taken to the capital, never to return.
Ugly stuff. Once you open your eyes, you can never go back.
pericles
And go back we never shall!
We strive to reshape Tartaros for the better.
Until it is every bit as beautiful as it deserves to be!
kyra
...That's a nice speech. It'd probably work on the likes of Soter.
But none of that changes the fact that you're obviously desperate.
You were trying to break potential allies out of the dungeon.
pericles
Er, well...
hestia
On top of the inquisition breathing down everyone's necks,
there are a lot of true believers out there.
Folks just don't see much of a reason to go against the grain.
So, in so many words, yes. You're right. We're desperate.
kyra
For the time being, you can tag along with us.
We're going to hide for some time.
I hope we can fit all of you in the fort...
How many can we expect?
agari
Just the three of us, but you'll be real glad to have us!
My dad's the greatest knight in the realm,
Hestia's an awesome blacksmith, and I'm a quick learner!
We're going to be close like sisters before long, just you wait!
kyra
......
Very well. Can't say no to more help under the circumstances.
pericles
Fantastic. Let us be off, then!

If Agari died

hestia
Hey, you there!
kyra
Who are you?
hestia
I'm with the knights that helped you out back there.
Guessing you're the one calling the shots?
kyra
Yes... But where are your companions?
I owe them my thanks.
hestia
Pericles... That's the older guy with the stache...
Well, the young squire was his daughter.
He's... taking his time, right now.
kyra
O-Oh...
She... She fell during our escape, didn't she?
I'm so sorry... I didn't...
Is there anything we could do for you?
hestia
Truth is, we fancy ourselves a rebellion against the theocracy.
...Haven't had much luck finding more rebels, though.
The inquisition breathes down everyone's necks,
and there are a lot of true believers out there besides.
Folks just don't see much of a reason to go against the grain.
kyra
...So you got desperate.
You were trying to break potential allies out of the dungeon.
hestia
In so many words, yes.
kyra
For the time being, you can tag along with us.
We're going to hide for some time.
I hope we can fit all of you in the fort...
How many can we expect?
hestia
Well... It was just us three.
So two, now.
kyra
......
Very well. Can't say no to more help under the circumstances.
hestia
Don't worry about Peri. I'll take care of him.
Just... Give him some room.
kyra
Of course...
???
Wait! Kyra!
kyra
That voice... It's...

(Pheme approaches.)

pheme
Kyra... You're a pretty bad friend, you know that?
kyra
Pheme...
pheme
I told you not to leave me out of this!
And you lied through your teeth and did it!
That's too cruel, Kyra...
kyra
I didn't want to get you mixed up in this.
There was a good chance it all went wrong in there.
And now we'll have to go on the run... But you can still go back home.
Think of your brother! How will he feel if his little sister disappears?
pheme
And how would you know how my brother feels, Kyra?
kyra
W-Well, I... I'm assuming he'll--
pheme
For your information, he gave me his blessing to go to your side.
He said the neighbors can give him a hand while his leg finishes recovering.
He told me it's you that's going to need more help than him...
kyra
He really said all that?
pheme
Mmhmm. So please... Don't keep me away.
You're my friend, Kyra. I want to be there for you!
kyra
...I'm sorry, Pheme. You can come along if you want.
As long as you're careful. You're no fighter, and--
pheme
(smiles) Yeah, the first part was good enough.
Thanks, Kyra! You won't regret this!
kyra
...I better not... C'mon, we've dawdled long enough.

Character Descriptions

Agari
A Tartaran squire who absconded from the holy knights alongside her father.

Pericles
A disillusioned holy knight who is now rebelling against the theocracy.

Hestia
A blacksmith who once served the holy knights, now a rebel.

[Agari, Pericles, and Hestia all have C-rank support with each other.]

Nikolaos
A spearman-for-hire. Not the most spirited, but he'll get the job done.

Dion
A mercenary hired by the prison. An impatient and irritable boor.

Guard
A mix of soldiers and mercenaries tasked with keeping the prisoners imprisoned.