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Chapter 21: Eternal Truth

Scymerius returns this chapter and brings 600 gold with him.

Opening

pericles
One more day's march and we will be in the Amnisos province.
edward
Nearly in the lion's den... So far, so good.
Toppling a regime is provin' a mite easier than I woulda imagined.
kyra
All the better. The sooner it's over, the sooner I can hug Elias again.
The sooner we can put all these horrors behind us...
edward
(smiles) Not too long now, lassie. Have courage.
barlowe
I suspect we will be unable to escape this canyon without trouble.
According to the maps, a fort blocks the northern pass.
Also, the valley gets quite narrow between it and our current location.
It is the ideal spot to set up an ambush.
kyra
I guess we can expect airborne troops aplenty.
barlowe
That we can, and the terrain will work against us.
We will be mercilessly harried from both sides.
Be ready, Kyra. We will have ample need for your bow.
edward
What if we try to simply outmaneuver them?
kyra
No, I don't think that'd work. We can't leave them to give chase.
The battle in Amnisos will be brutal enough.
Last thing we'll need is get struck from behind.
barlowe
We have no choice but to put the flying corps, especially their leader, in the ground.
Only then shall we clear out the fort's garrison and claim it.
edward
Sounds good to me.
pericles
I think I can see them perched on the mountains.
The time has come. Draw steel!

Base Camp

Hestia

hestia
Hey, Kyra, quick question... Uhh...
Are we going to take too long to get through the mountain pass?
kyra
...You tell me? You're the one who's from the capital.
Heck, you must've had to go through there already to get to the south.
hestia
Oh yeah, you're totally right. I had suppressed that memory.
kyra
Are you going to tell me a tragic story having to do with mountains now?
hestia
Nothing of the sort, I assure you. I'm just, uh... see...

(Hestia fidgets.)

I-I'm afraid of heights, okay? I can't handle it, dammit!

kyra
Hestia, we're not climbing the peaks. We're crossing through the valley.
It only gets lower at the bottom of the ocean.
hestia
Yeah, but look! Look at those towering summits!
kyra
I would, but there's a wall on the way.
hestia
Just looking at them I picture myself standing up there, looking down, and...

(Hestia shivers.)

Ooo, it's enough to make me tremble all over!

kyra
(smiles) Well, if you plummet down, don't worry, I'll catch you.
hestia
(smiles) Oh, is that a promise?
kyra
(serious) ...J-Just tell me what you have for me, Hestia.
hestia
What makes you think I have anything at all?
kyra
You get a little twinkle in your eye when you do.
hestia
(smiles) Good catch. Yeah, I can hardly contain my excitement when I make something cool.
This isn't the coolest thing I've ever made, but working conditions haven't been ideal.
kyra
I mean, to my untrained eye it looks like the fanciest sword ever.
hestia
Eh. Only third or fourth, at best.
kyra
I'll be sure to find her a good home. Thanks as always, Hestia.
hestia
(smiles) Any time, as always.

[Hestia gives Kyra a Silver Blade.]

Tiresias

tiresias
So the hierophant was once a heretic, eh...
(smiles) Hah! The irony is palpable, wouldn't you agree, my friend?
(frowns) ...It is also rather terrifying. Do you think he, too, could be...?
kyra
A lifewringer? I'd say it's quite likely at this point.
If he and Apate worked together...
tiresias
It stands to reason they should be possessed of similar powers.
kyra
Tiresias, back in Percote... The way Apate fought...
If the hierophant is capable of such feats as well,
we're in for one hell of a fight when we corner him.
tiresias
Maybe so, but ultimately, he is only just one man.
One dying man, lest you forgot.
kyra
I wonder about that...
tiresias
I'm more worried about someone else, personally.
We haven't seen hair nor hide of Sandraudiga since Percote...
kyra
Any guesses as to what she's been up to?
tiresias
Well, before it was pretty clear. Plotting our bloody demise.
But now... I don't know, and that scares me far more.
kyra
She'll face us sooner or later.
And then she'll pay for her crimes, just like the rest of them.
We'll turn this into a world where you don't have to hide, Tiresias.
tiresias
(smiles) There's a dream I had never dared to dream.
I'll keep working as hard as I can to bring it about.

Ziying & Lost Child

child
(smiles) Hi!
kyra
(smiles) Um... Hi?
What exactly are you doing here...?
OpenLeft
I wanted to say bye to the nice man before he left!
(frowns) I realized I didn't know his name, since he can't say it...
(smiles) So I brought him paper and he wrote it down! Look, look!
kyra
Ziying...
Hey, that's actually very helpful. Thanks, little friend.
(frowns) ...Please don't run off on your own, though. You'll get lost again.
I'll have someone bring you back home before it gets dark.
child
Hurray! I get to play with Ziying until then!
(frowns) But... After that... We'll see each other again one day, right?
Ziying
......
(The child jumps with excitement.)
child
(smiles) Yay! Did you see that, miss? Ziying said yes with his head!
kyra
(smiles) Hahaha... You're just a little bundle of energy, aren't you?
(frowns) But listen, I'd like to have a word with Ziying.
Just a word! Won't take me more than a couple minutes, all right?
child
Oh, oh! I know! We'll play hide and seek!
I'll hide while you talk to the nice lady, okay, Ziying?
All right! Here I go! Wee!
(The child runs off excitedly.)
ziying
......
kyra
As I understand it, you were one of that colonel's lieutenants.
Our intel says you've been through hell and high water together for years.
Forgive me if I don't so readily believe your change of allegiance.
It was so sudden, after all... Too sudden.
ziying
......
kyra
...Sigh... I've got to admit this feels rather unfair.
I want to have an argument, but you can't argue back.
Should I get you some paper so you can write, or...?
ziying
......
(Ziying pulls back his cowl.)
kyra
What are you--

(Kyra starts.)

Ah! Oh-- Oh, my goodness, that's... Is that your neck?!

ziying
......
kyra
What... What happened to you? It's all... The scars...
ziying
......
kyra
...I have no idea what you're trying to tell me.
But... You went out of your way to help that child.
You refused to let her be harmed in our battle, and...
Well, like I said. You did flip sides surprisingly easily.
You... must have your regrets, isn't that right, Ziying?
ziying
(closes eyes) ......
kyra
...All right. I won't keep you.

Well! That's it! That's all I wanted to talk about!
I'll be off now, so ready or not, here he comes!

child
(offscreen)
...Teeheehee... O-Oh!
ziying
(opens eyes) ......

Agari & Nicaea

narrator
You overhear a conversation between your allies...
nicaea
...Hey.
agari
......
nicaea
How much longer do you intend to avoid me, Agari?
agari
What do you want me to say, Nicaea?
nicaea
I had hoped at least you wouldn't give me the cold shoulder.
Where's the Agari with whom I shared so many grievances with the church?
There was a time I considered you to be my only friend...
agari
Yeah, and I felt the same way.
But now I can't bear to look you in the eye.
nicaea
......
You know as well as I do that she deserved it.
agari
No, you've convinced yourself that I do, but I don't.
All I really know is that you killed your own sister in cold blood.
nicaea
Is that truly so different from what you would've done to her on the battlefield?
Or what she would've done, for that matter. She would've gleefully killed you as well.
She would've even thanked the Mother for it. That's the kind of wretch she was.
agari
So what you're saying is that people can't change.
Aura was a zealot, and that's all she could ever be.
Until the day she died. Brutally murdered by her twin sister.
nicaea
I can't believe this. You, of all people, are going to lecture me?
You hated the inquisition as much as I did! Why is this such an issue?
agari
There you go again. People can't change.
I have to be the same person I once was. Someone who's on your side.
Just like Aura was always going to be the same person you loathed...
nicaea
Aura never would've changed. She made that very clear.
agari
She certainly won't change now. She's dead.
And you'll go the rest of your life telling yourself you're right.
People can't change. If they can... That means you were mistaken.
That there's a chance you killed her before she could change...
nicaea
......
agari
I'm sorry, Nicaea. What happened to you and your family was...
Well, it was awful. I can't even imagine how it must've felt.
But you only killed Aura to sate your own thirst for revenge.
You accomplished nothing with it. I just can't condone that.
nicaea
...Agari... Do you think there's any chance of salvation for me?
agari
Salvation from what?
nicaea
I don't know. Hell? The Mother's wrath? Myself?
agari
That's not something I can tell you.
All I can say is that I've only grown happier since I tried forgiving instead of hating.
nicaea
......
Do you think... you could ever forgive me?
Do you think Aura could...
agari
You've done nothing to me. I have nothing to forgive you for.
And again, Aura is dead. She can't forgive anyone for anything now.
You're the only one who can forgive yourself.
That'll have to be enough.
nicaea
And if it isn't?
agari
You make it be. You don't want to hear the only alternative.
I... almost saw that happen too, once.
It was then that I realized, if I kept on hating...
I would only destroy those I cared about, and myself...
nicaea
Agari...
agari
But it was also then that I realized people can change.
You see, you may need to believe the contrary...
But it's the opposite for me. If people can't change, then my life is a lie and so is my happiness.
I'm sorry, I'd rather just believe you're wrong.
(Agari leaves.)
nicaea
......

[Agari gains 1 Defense.]

Ofelia & Telemus

narrator
You overhear a conversation between your allies...
telemus
...Hmmmm...
ofelia
(smiles) Oh, my... My, my! What an unexpected surprise!
telemus
Ah, good day to you, er...
ofelia
Call me Ofelia, good sir. And how shall I address you?
telemus
My name is Telemus. Pleased to make your acquaintance.
ofelia
A perfect gentleman too! What a far cry from the rest of these boors.
telemus
I am... not certain I quite understand...
ofelia
I was not aware we had inducted a fellow artist into our ranks!
telemus
(smiles) Oh, this? Ahaha, no, no, the adjective of “artist” ill suits me.
I paint, 'tis true, but merely to pass the time.
ofelia
(serious) Mmhmm... Go on, then. Let us not be coy.
You may paint me. I give you my blessing.
telemus
Eh? Oh, uh... Do pardon me...
ofelia
Is there a problem?

If Polonius is present

ofelia
If you have ran out of paint, that should not be an issue.
I shall have my brother purchase more for you.
telemus
Please, you need not go so far.

If Polonius is absent

ofelia
Did you run out of paint, perhaps?
telemus
No, I'm doing fine on that front.
telemus
It's just...
I only paint landscapes.
ofelia
What's the point in doing that?
Landscapes can't appreciate their own beauty.
telemus
(smiles) Well, perhaps not, but I can.
Direct your gaze, for instance, directly ahead of me.
What do you see, I wonder?
ofelia
That's just the mess hall, the storeroom and a shoddy dirt path.
telemus
Indeed, but I glean more still.
I see the stories of the many who have tread upon that path,
written in the prints of their boots and the trails of their carriages.
Above I see birds, journeying to greener pastures whither build a new home.
And all around us, our comrades, each with tales of their own to tell.
We are all small, yet significant details in the grand landscape that is life.
It is this tiny whole before me that I wish to capture upon this canvas.
I am boring you, am I not?
ofelia
...No, actually... That's beautiful.
I cannot speak for your skills with the brush, but as a wordsmith, you are a prodigy.
telemus
(smiles) Hahaha... I only voice my thoughts.
(frowns) I am sorry I cannot provide the service you require...
ofelia
(smiles) Don't worry about it.
As compensation, however, would you mind if I remained by your side?
I would watch you paint, if you would have me.
telemus
(smiles) It would be my pleasure.
Now... Which of these colors do you think best represents the shoddy dirt path?
ofelia
Ahaha, well... I think I'd have to say...

[Ofelia and Telemus gain C-rank support with each other.]

Hecate & Coronis

narrator
You overhear a conversation between your allies...
hecate
......
coronis
Hello, young lady. Can I help you?
hecate
I'm not sure, but... I think I know you.
It's me... Hecate.
(Coronis starts.)
coronis
My word! Truly?! Do you remember me?
hecate
(smiles) Small world, huh, Teacher?
coronis
(smiles) Unbelievable... I could never have foreseen this turn of events.
The worst troublemaker I've ever had to contend with, now a fellow fighter in the insurrection against the powers that be.
hecate
Come now, Teacher. I wasn't THAT bad... Was I?
coronis
Worse than bad, if anything. But your heart was in the right place.
That I could tell, as well. And now I am proven right.
hecate
(frowns) ......
I don't know...
coronis
Hecate? Is something...?
hecate
......
coronis
At risk of overstepping my bounds... You can confide in me.
hecate
...Yeah. I know.
I've been with Kyra since before she was a rebel.
It was just a handful of us. A close-knit group...
coronis
I recall you had trouble making friends back in the day.
I'm glad to hear that changed.
hecate
It didn't really. I never let them get close enough.
Maybe if I did, I could've... I would've...

One of them betrayed us, Teacher. I knew this.
I couldn't warn the others. I couldn't stop him.
I only... watched, as he stabbed Kyra in the heart...

coronis
...I see...
If you wish to hear my opinion, I think you're wrong about one thing.
You really have changed. This isn't the Hecate of old.
Remember how you reacted when I asked you to get along with the other kids?
hecate
(smiles) I said a bad word, didn't I?
The kind a kid that age shouldn't have known.
coronis
Haha, I will not repeat it, but yes, that's exactly it.
(serious) But now you cherish the bonds you have made.
So much so that the idea of letting your friends down tortures you.

Nobody said bonding would always be a walk in the park.
I, too, have suffered my share of betrayal and disappointment...
But we can't let that keep us from trusting, Hecate.

hecate
......
You know something funny, Coronis?
The traitor... He, too, was an old timer noble from the capital.
A knight. Well, formerly... And now reinstated, I suppose.
Anyway, the point is, he's the worst person I have ever met.
You cared even for street urchins like me. Let us into your class.
If only more of your ilk were like you, instead of him.
coronis
You give me too much credit.
hecate
I don't, and you know it.
coronis
(smiles) Hmm, well... In any event, it has been nice to catch up.
hecate
(smiles) Yeah, likewise. See you around, Teacher.
(Hecate leaves.)
coronis
(frowns) ...A former knight from the capital...

[Hecate and Coronis gain C-rank support with each other.]

Jingyi & Glaucus

narrator
You overhear a conversation between your allies...
jingyi
(smiling) ...Mmmm...
glaucus
(smiles) Drinking something nice there? Mind some company?
jingyi
(frowns) Oh...

If Xinyi is alive

(Rats, here we go. Where's Xinyi when you need her?)
(Ahh, where did I put the dictionary...)

If Xinyi is dead

(Rats, here we go. Where's my dictionary?)
glaucus
(If you don't find it, I can do its job.)
jingyi
(smiles) (Oho! You speak Zhulite?)
glaucus
(Sure I do. I studied to be a courier. International level.)
(I actually aced the foreign languages course.)
(frowns) (...Only thing I aced. I suck at sitting down and studying.)
jingyi
(Ha ha ha! Well, I'm glad to have met you, friend!)
(It gets tiring, talking to the same two people every day.)
glaucus
(So, what're you drinking there? Spirits of the homeland?)
jingyi
(Mmhmm. Baijiu. My last flask, in fact.)
(Hard to procure more in Tartaros.)
(Go ahead, help yourself!)
glaucus
(I've never tried that... But are you sure? If it's your last...)

If Xinyi is alive

jingyi
(Go ahead, go ahead! I can always steal Xinyi's flask.)
glaucus
(Bahahaha! All right. Let's see...)

If Xinyi is dead

jingyi
(Go ahead, go ahead! Something to look forward to when I return.)
glaucus
(All right. Let's see...)
jingyi
......
glaucus
(Hmm. Not bad. Stronger stuff than I usually have.)
jingyi
(frowns) Huh...
glaucus
(Disappointed?)
jingyi
(smirks) (Hah! A bit. Usually this hits people like a fist to the gut.)
(I was looking forward to watching you double over...)
(Ahh, that's too bad. Ha ha ha ha ha!)
glaucus
(You're a pretty cheerful chap, for what looks to be a grizzled veteran.)
jingyi
(frowns) (Hmm, well... Warfare is ugly business.)
(Zhu may have made a culture out of it, but it is no less ugly for it.)
(After all these years, I've found it is all too easy to lose oneself.)
(I needed to find a way to uncloud my mind of the darkness.)
glaucus
(And that way was...?)
jingyi
(smiles) (I latched on to my inner child!)
(The part of me that stares wide-eyed at unfamiliar things, and likes pulling silly pranks on people and watching them react.)
glaucus
(Oh... Huh. So it's not the alcohol.)
jingyi
(frowns) (Naaah. That's a pitfall on its own right.)
(Of course, this approach isn't without its downsides.)
(smiles) (People back in the homeland look at me as if I'm stupid.)
(Maybe it's a good thing nobody here understands me! Ha ha ha!)
glaucus
(smiles) (Well, I, for one, am glad I can understand you.)
(In fact, I think I'll keep your advice in mind.)
jingyi
(Delighted to have been of service!)
(But please, there's enough left for a toast. Shall we?)
glaucus
(Cheers to that!)

[Jingyi and Glaucus gain C-rank support with each other.]

Xinyi & Fazang

narrator
You overhear a conversation between your allies...
xinyi
Fazang?
fazang
(Xinyi... I wished to speak.)
xinyi
(...In Zhulite? That's going to look rather suspicious.)
fazang
......
I merely do not wish for this to be heard by those whom it does not concern.
xinyi
Fine, I'll indulge you, but...
(Fazang, I hope this isn't about what I think it is...)
fazang
(I am... worried, Xinyi.)
(We have been stuck with each other for weeks now.)
(It has become unbearable. I wish to ask you directly.)
(Are you... comfortable, with my presence here?)
xinyi
(Oh, take me now, it IS what I thought it was...)
(Fazang, I thought we cleared the air before we set out.)
fazang
(But this wasn't supposed to be the way events transpired.)
(I sent my request for reassignment a day before that fateful evening...)
(By now, I should have been far away from here. From you...)
xinyi
(You didn't tell me you requested to be reassigned...)
fazang
......
xinyi
(Fazang, since you want to be direct, let's be direct.)
(I don't mind that you're here. On the contrary, I'm glad you are.)
(I consider you a friend. No matter how things ended.)
fazang
(You need not lie to me, Xinyi.)
xinyi
(I do not. I like you, Fazang. It's just...)
(Sometimes it feels like you're made out of stone.)
(I know you care, deep down. But it makes you hard to love.)
(Or, at least... I am not good enough to pull it off. It's not only you, see?)
(It just wasn't to be. That doesn't mean I want you to go away.)
(Unless... It is you that wants to be away from me.)
(Fazang shifts awkwardly.)
fazang
(N-No! That's not it at all. I... I am merely concerned...)
xinyi
(smiles) (Ahahahaha! Look at you blush! Now there's a sight to behold!)
fazang
......
Forgive my moment of weakness, Xinyi. I...
xinyi
Hey, weakness is only human.
Honestly, I'm rather happy to see this, if anything.
fazang
How so?
xinyi
Sometimes you seem so stoic, you don't even feel human.
It's heartening to see it is possible to rattle you...
And, frankly? Rather flattering to know I hold such power still.
fazang
(smiles) Hah, well... I may be made of stone, but what I felt for you was real.
xinyi
And it's precisely for that reason that I want us to stay friends.
I don't want to lose you, Fazang. Even if you're hard to love.
fazang
...That will do. Thank you, Xinyi.

[Xinyi and Fazang gain C-rank support with each other.]

Alonso & Polonius

If Polonius is present

narrator
You overhear a conversation between your allies...
polonius
Lowly worm!
alonso
Forsooth! Mine eyes spy, one lord of darkness run amok.
Come to meet thy maker, have thee, prithee?!
polonius
Nay, my insufferable little goody-goody.
I present to you an offer. A truce!
alonso
What! Darest thou insult me, great knight Sir Quijano!
Our quarrel shalt fiercely burn evermore, with the flame of hatred!
Quintessential hatred between good and evil that can never be bridged!
Evermore we shalt fight, I say! Evermore!
polonius
I agree wholeheartedly.
You are a loathsome tripwire on the stairwell to ultimate power.
However! We stand against a power far greater.
Villains and heroes standing together against a common foe...
'Tis a trope as ancient as storytelling itself!
alonso
Glean I what thy meaning entails, foul villain.
Though ashamed am I of giving the chase...
Our fair commander, bravest Kyra, needeth our combined mettle!
polonius
Arm in arm, hand in hand, Tartaros shall fly to the heavens!
We'll claim victory and arise victorious, winfully!
(Alonso bounces.)
alonso
(grins) Ha ha ha! It would be my honor to win for our great leader!
polonius
(grins) Mine as well, and if the price I must pay is allying myself with your likes...
So be it! I will lay my dignity to rest and see our rivalry postponed!
alonso
United our power shall reach the heavens and greet the Mother!
And back She shalt smile, proud of us, Her greatest children!
polonius
Eeheeheeheeheeheehee!
alonso
Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha!
polonius
Eeheeheeheeheeheehee!
alonso
Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha!
(The two continue cackling.)

[Alonso and Polonius gain C-rank support with each other.]

If Polonius is absent

alonso
My liege! My leader! Speaketh a word, might we?
kyra
Nngh--

(Kyra readies herself.)

Y-Yeah, sure... What's up, Alonso?

alonso
Picture thee, a picture mine words shalt paint.

Foul fiend, run amok. Terrorizing good friends!
His cackle inspiring fear upon the hearts of all!
Eeheeheeheeheeheehee!
...Soundeth something like this, perchance.

kyra
That's bringing back some unpleasant memories...
alonso
Indeed! Unpleasant is just the word, lady mine!
Unpleasant demon in human cloth! A menace!
Yet... Come this juncture, I suspect we should be allies.
For great plight oft bring friend and foe together in understanding!
Forces of light and armies of dark, facing danger untold, arm in arm!
kyra
Are we going somewhere with this, Alonso?
alonso
...Alas... Lack I such an element. Such a beast to bicker with!
Surrounded by peaceable allies, most agreeable, most kind...
Lack I the push of a rival. 'Tis a sorry state of affairs...
kyra
No one's forcing you to stick around, man.
If our little “stop the tyrant and save the country” thing is boring you,
you could just tell me and go do... whatever it is you do.
(Alonso balks.)
alonso
Mine ears be playing tricks upon mine mind!
Or could it be, thine tongue casts such ignominious insult?!
Commander! I beg thee recant!
kyra
Yeah, I thought it wouldn't be that easy...
alonso
I am a knight. Loyal to the end!
Order I lay down my life for thine cause, and I shalt!
'Tis the right thing to do. This I know, that I swear!
kyra
Right... Sorry I doubted you, Alonso. I guess.
alonso
(smiles) My most valorous peer. There is naught to forgive.
(frowns) Alas... If only reformed villain could by my side stand.
It is the missing piece, lacking in our perfect tale.
kyra
If you want, I can hire a guy to act the part.
(Alonso becomes agitated.)
alonso
No! No! It has to be genuine!
Match my brazen candor, mine rival must!
'Tis not something cold gold can conjure! Never!
kyra
......
alonso
Alas... Forsooth! Only one path before me!
Sir Quijano, sworn knight, must redouble his efforts!
Miraculous light of righteous fire lit in my lonely heart,
that it may burn bright enough for two! Yes!
(grins) Gaze upon mine soul, Mother above! Gaze with pride!
I shalt be thine strongest! Thine most dedicated!

CHAAAAAARGE!!

(Alonso charges off.)
kyra
......
I have no idea what just happened, but...
(eyes droop) My head hurts all of a sudden.

[Alonso gains 1 Strength and 1 Magic.]

Scymerius

kyra
What the...?!
scymerius
Ah, Commander. Making the rounds, as per usual?
kyra
...What the heck is your problem?
scymerius
You know, you still have not said “hello.”
(Kyra becomes agitated.)
kyra
Don't act coy! You thought we wouldn't notice your disappearance?
scymerius
Admittedly, that did take a little longer than I'd have liked.
Still, I am here, am I not? I'm ready to get to work.
kyra
So you're just not going to explain.
You suddenly vanish now, when we're headed into the heart of Tartaros.
And you don't think there's any need to explain at all.
scymerius
I had some business to handle in the area.
I figured, as long as we were passing through...
Don't worry. Nothing to do with you, and it's all settled now.
kyra
......
I'm guessing there's no chance you'll elaborate on that point.
scymerius
By now you should be used to that.
kyra
......
scymerius
You know, Commander, a little gratitude would not be uncalled for.
kyra
E...Excuse me? Gratitude?
For what? Abandoning your post? Being insufferably secretive?
scymerius
......
Actually, perhaps you should try being more attentive first.
kyra
...What...?
scymerius
Well, I'm just saying. I could've chosen not to share.
But I'm nicer than you give me credit for, and I do support this cause.
So you know.
kyra
......
I think I'm just going to leave you to it now.
scymerius
Marvelous.
kyra
(Yeah, “marvelous.” That's exactly the right word, you damned--)

[Note: Scymerius is referring to the 600 gold he silently adds to the war chest at the start of this chapter.]

Edward

kyra
You know, there's one part of the story I can't wrap my head around.
edward
(smiles) Hoo, boy. All right, Kyra, let me have it.
kyra
So the margrave turned into a good guy, you got away with your crimes, and the two of you became good friends. Happy end for all, it seems.
edward
It really was! And look how it panned out all these years later.
Where'd we be if it hadn't been for our beautiful ol' friendship?
kyra
Honestly, we'd probably still be in Glamorgan trying to amass troops.
The part that baffles me is that... Well, you and I met at all.
edward
(frowns) I see... You're wonderin' what drove me to leave Glamorgan behind.
Yeah, guess it's about time I told you that...

See, the “dashing rogue of justice” shtick went so well with Barlowe,
I went from cynicism straight to feckless naïvete.
Years later, I tried to pull the same stunt in another margravate...

kyra
Oh, goodness. Did you tangle with Zaccheus or Simeon's parents?
edward
Nope. Worse, if anything.
I tangled with Delilah's mama. A delightful old crone.
You thought Delilah was bad? That woman was way nastier.
Her people had a moniker for her. The Witch of the Merciless Winds.
kyra
I wonder if Sandraudiga would've been jealous that it's longer than hers...
edward
(smirks) Hah! Now there's a fight I'd love to see.
(serious) Well, the moment she got a whiff of dissidence's stench from us, she spared no expense to see us not captive, but dead.
kyra
Oh, no, don't tell me that's how you...
edward
My boys were panicking and deserting me in droves.
Of course, I didn't blame them. I gave 'em my blessing, even.
But just when the remaining half of us were making plans to flee...
kyra
They caught you.
edward
Mine was a sinking ship, and a good captain is the last to abscond.
I fought the good fight so my guys could escape with their heads attached.
To answer the question on your mind, yeah, that's when I lost my eye.
The chunk of my ear, too. That wasn't my finest showing...

If Delilah is alive

kyra
Remind me to punch Delilah in the face next time I see her.
edward
(smiles) Meh. If anything, I find her rather endearing compared to her ol' matriarch.

If Delilah is dead

kyra
Dang. This'd be when I punched Delilah in the face. Too bad she's dead...
edward
(smiles) Meh. If anything, I found her rather endearing compared to her ol' matriarch.
edward
(serious) On the other hand, for all we know, she might've killed her herself...
kyra
...So why did they call her “Witch of the Merciless Winds”, anyway?
edward
She liked to publicly execute her detractors with wind magic.
kyra
Right...
edward
Anyhow, I barely got away with my life and ran all the way back to Wrexham.
Barlowe hid me for a while, but the harpy was very persistent.
Eventually she got the other margravates involved.
And well, since I was kinda sorta actually a criminal...
They decided she was justified, and gave Barlowe an ultimatum.
kyra
And that's when he smuggled you out to Tartaros to start over.
edward
More or less. Officially, I broke out of Wrexham Keep's dungeon on my own.
He gave me a bit of food, some coins and directions.
That's all I was willing to let him risk for my sake.

And the rest you know. I crossed into Tartaros, wandered about, did stuff.
Until eventually, I found myself in a quaint lil' village near the border.
(smiles) Just in time to stumble into the bravest boy in the world,
and his impressively strong sister in their time of need.

If Delilah is alive

kyra
(smiles) You know what? I think I'll spare Delilah that punch.

If Delilah is dead

kyra
(smiles) You know what? Maybe I would've spared Delilah that punch.
Much as I hate to say this, her mom did us a favor.
edward
Heh... I don't know if I'd thank either of 'em for it, but...
I ain't got no regrets. These last few years with you,
they've been the most joyous of my life.
(frowns) Even though I know it's been a tough going for you and Eli...
kyra
Would've been way tougher without you, Redbeard.
edward
Awww, lassie...

[Kyra & Edward's support increases to rank B.]

Battle Start

If Vasiliki was not recruited

nestor
You there.
vasiliki
Y-Yeah?
nestor
They have arrived.
Stay here and guard the fort. I will overlook the pass from the peaks.
We will swoop down on them and pick them off as they approach.
Take care of any stragglers that come through.
vasiliki
Wait-- What?! Are you kidding me?!
I'm the last person who should be guarding the fort!
P-Pick someone else, please! I just can't--
(Nestor leaves.)
vasiliki
Hey! Come back! We're not finished talking!
...Are we? Oh, c'mon...
(Vasiliki huffs.)
vasiliki
Awww... What a load of bull feces!
But... They pay so well... It would set my parents for life...
(smiles) C'mon, Vasiliki... Smile through the pain... Smileeee...!

If Scymerius was not recruited

nestor
You there.
scymerius
What is it?
nestor
They have arrived.
Stay here and guard the fort. I will overlook the pass from the peaks.
We will swoop down on them and pick them off as they approach.
Take care of any stragglers that come through.
scymerius
Got it. But I have a question...
(Nestor leaves.)
scymerius
...All right, then. Goodbye to you too... Sheesh.
I'm just glad to have work at all, but still...
I have to wonder if I haven't made the wrong choice, joining these zealots. I guess only time will tell...

If Fructuoso was not recruited

nestor
You there.
fructuoso
Ack! W-Whaddya want?
nestor
They have arrived.
Stay here and guard the fort. I will overlook the pass from the peaks.
We will swoop down on them and pick them off as they approach.
Take care of any stragglers that come through.
fructuoso
I-I guess that makes sense. I'm the guy with the heavy armor.
Although, if I might ask...
(Nestor leaves.)
fructuoso
...Uh... Okay! No problem! I'll just... sit here, and...
W-Wait for them to come and...
(Fructuoso shifts nervously.)
fructuoso
D'ohhh, get it together, Fructuoso! This is it!
I'm almost free... I do this, and I can finally turn a new leaf!

(Fructuoso psyches himself up.)

I ain't dying here! Ain't no way! C'mon, bring it on!

Conversations

Vasiliki

Combat

vasiliki
I-I may be no match for you...
B-But you won't see me beg!

Combat w/ Scymerius

vasiliki
Sniff... S-Scymerius... You're here...
Y-You're here to fight with me...
scymerius
......
Why don't you just run off, kid?
vasiliki
...No... If I desert, they won't pay me...
My parents need... They need the money...
scymerius
Family... Ever the crippling weakness...
But don't be foolish! If you die, they'll get nothing!
vasiliki
Actually... They will. If I were to fall in battle...
They promised they'd send my payment to them.
I won't give up, Scymerius, s-so you better fight back!
scymerius
Bah... How irritating.
Even my heart isn't black enough not to hesitate.
Guess I'll close my eyes before I...

Combat w/ Fructuoso

vasiliki
Sniff... F-Fructuoso... You're here...
Y-You're here to fight with me...
fructuoso
I... I don't wanna do it any more than you do...
Is there no chance you'll just... go?
vasiliki
...No... If I desert, they won't pay me...
My parents need... They need the money...
fructuoso
They won't get the money either if you die here!
vasiliki
Actually... They will. If I were to fall in battle...
They promised they'd send my payment to them.
I won't give up, Fructuoso, s-so you better fight back!
fructuoso
Vasiliki! No...!

Combat w/ Jingyi

jingyi
(Oh, dear me! W-What is this...?!)
(I know Tartaros does not fool around, but...)
(Children in the frontlines! Inconceivable!)
vasiliki
I-I don't know what you just said... Sorry...
jingyi
(Wait! Hold it! I don't wish to do battle with you!)
(Leave this place! Leave it now, girl!)
(Please, understand... Go! Go! Leave...!)
vasiliki
I don't know what you're trying to tell me...
But I won't give up. I'm staying right where I am!
S-So you'd better give me your best shot!
(Jingyi becomes agitated.)
jingyi
(No!)

Death

vasiliki
(smiling) Smile... through the pain... Ma... P-Pa...

Scymerius

Combat

scymerius
No, no! I can't fall in a place like this!
Back! Back, I say!

Combat w/ Vasiliki

vasiliki
Scymerius!
scymerius
It's you, girl...
I'm shocked you're still at it.
vasiliki
I believe in what we're fighting for.
I want to do all I can for it, even if it's not much.
scymerius
So idealistic... So noble...
So brave, too. You're quite something, Vasiliki.
vasiliki
Scymerius... Y-You won't give up, will you?
scymerius
Sorry. If you want to live, you better kill me.
But don't worry. Nobody will shed tears over me.
I'm a blackhearted fiend. No reason to hesitate.
vasiliki
That's not true. Someone'll cry.
...I-I will, because... You're still my friend, Scymerius.
scymerius
......

Combat w/ Fructuoso

fructuoso
Dammit...
scymerius
My thoughts exactly.
For as much of a clumsy oaf as you may be, you're well equipped to deal with me.
To think, I may be killed by you, of all people...
It's so annoying.
fructuoso
I-I don't want to kill you, Scymerius.
I know we weren't exactly friends, but...
I don't know. Can't you just stand down?
scymerius
You don't know anything about me, Fructuoso.
But I can tell you this: No one will shed tears over me.
I'm a blackhearted fiend. No reason to hesitate.
fructuoso
I know what it is, to have a checkered past.
You try so hard to escape it, but it always comes back.
It's a curse. I feel sorry for you. I really do.
scymerius
......
Aye... But of the two of us, you're the one who deserves to live to see the curse lift.
So fight, Fructuoso. Fight to survive!
fructuoso
Scymerius...

Combat w/ Beatrix

scymerius
......
Dammit. Of all people to face here...
Today's just not my day.
beatrix
You have me at a disadvantage.
scymerius
Even you can't tell, huh?
Guess I should be proud.
beatrix
I'm guessing I know you from somewhere, then?
scymerius
Well, if you survive this skirmish...
You can ask your old boss.
beatrix
What?
...Oh... I see now...
In that case... Let us do this.

Death

scymerius
What a way to die... After all I've been through...

Fructuoso

Combat

fructuoso
They're here?! Ahh! Help! Someone, help me!
...D-Don't come any closer, or I'll... I-I'll...!

Combat w/ Vasiliki

vasiliki
F-Fructuoso!
fructuoso
...I was... hoping I would not see you here...
vasiliki
I-I don't want to fight, Fructuoso!
These people, they're doing the right thing!
Why don't you come over to our side?!
I know you want to do the right thing too!
fructuoso
I... I can't. Tartaros knows my past.
They swore to wipe the slate clean for me...
It's the opportunity I've been looking for all these years.
Finally, I might leave my past behind...
If I betray them, I'll be a filthy criminal the rest of my days.
vasiliki
B-But you don't need to do that!
You're a good person! Who cares what people think?
fructuoso
(smiles) Hahaha... You're young and pure, Vasiliki.
You can't possibly understand. And that's a good thing!
You have a bright future ahead of you...
(frowns) Don't let what's about to happen make you sad.
I'm not worth it...
vasiliki
Fructuoso, I...
(closes eyes) I'm so sorry.

Combat w/ Scymerius

fructuoso
Oh, no... It's you...
scymerius
I guess there's no chance you'll stand aside.
fructuoso
I... I can't. Tartaros knows my past.
They've sworn to wipe the slate clean for me...
It's the opportunity I've been looking for all these years.
Finally, I might leave my past behind...
If I betray them, I'll be a filthy criminal the rest of my days.
scymerius
Too tempting an offer, wasn't it...
I would kill to see my sins buried forever.
Heck, I HAVE killed to that end.
fructuoso
I thought you probably had.
I don't know what you did before, but...
I know you, too, are trying to escape your past.
...I hope you succeed. I really do.
scymerius
......
I'll try to make this quick. Sorry I can't do more.

Combat w/ Begoña

Begoña
The heck...? What's one o' mine doin' here?
fructuoso
I know how I look, but... I'm a mercenary.
Begoña
Ahh, taken Tartaros's bloody money, huh?
fructuoso
...Not really. The money's whatever, honestly.
It's the pardon I'm after... They promised.
Do a good job... And my crimes are forgotten.
Begoña
......
Dammit. I can sympathize there...
You're not gonna move outta the way, right?
You can't... If you do...
fructuoso
I-I'll be a criminal for the rest of my life.
Forgive me... I have no choice.
Begoña
Yes you do. You're just not lookin' for it.
fructuoso
......
I won't move. Y-You can stop trying!
Begoña
Baaah... Consarnit all...

Death

fructuoso
Is this... Is this truly... the end I... deserve...?

Nestor

Combat

nestor
You may not have many breaths left.
Don't waste them on pointless pleas for mercy.

Combat w/ Teresa

(Rouncey bucks wildly.)
teresa
Ahh! R-Rouncey, knock it off! You're gonna throw me off!
nestor
......
teresa
(smiles) S-Sorry... He doesn't see other green wyverns very often.
They're not very common, you know?
I'm afraid he's gotten a little too excited, heh...
nestor
Focus. Or will you let the ground below be your grave?
teresa
(frowns) Ah, c'mon! Seriously?
Our wyverns want to be friends and you still want to fight?
That's kinda heartless, man...
nestor
......
teresa
...Sheesh, it's like he can't hear me at all--
nestor
We are prisoners of our past and our future.
But when we die... Our steeds become free.
When I die... Marina shall be free.
teresa
W-Whoa... Where'd that come from?

...Is Marina your wyvern? It's a pretty name...

nestor
Come. Set us free, fellow warrior of the skies.

Combat w/ Ziying

nestor
Ziying... You have finally turned against us.
ziying
......
nestor
You have no voice with which to make excuses, and I could not hear them even if you did.
There is only one language we both understand.
Prepare yourself, Ziying. I won't hold back.
ziying
......

Death

nestor
I can only hope... you fare better... Marina...

Locations

Ruins

Default

visitor
...Hmmm... Nothing...

(The visitor jumps.)

Whoa!

(Someone appears in a bright flash.)

If Ziying is visiting

ziying
......

(Ziying jumps.)

...!

(Someone appears in a bright flash.)

Default

demeter
O traveler... I sense a righteous aura within your heart of hearts.
I shall confer my blessing upon you, in the form of a tool of war.
Which would you have?

If you visited all the previous ruins

demeter
(smiles) You're such wonderful people. All of you.
Sure, some of you have your flaws. Some of you are quite nasty, even!
But, who's perfect? No one's perfect. I sure am not!
Ultimately, each and every one of you has come together for the good of all.
You'll be the ones to save this land in peril. I believe in you.

I'd like to keep contributing in my own small way.
Why don't you tell me what you'd like this time?

choices
A sword of cutting gale!

A lance of ice!

An axe of thunder!

A bow of dark!

Default

If you select a weapon you chose previously

demeter
You already took one of those before...
But I suppose there's nothing wrong with repetition.
demeter
(smiles) Keep on being awesome.

(The visitor receives either a Kestros, an Ice Lance, a Bolt Axe, or a Fell Bow depending on their answer.)

If you visited all the previous ruins

demeter
(frowns) ...Mm... You know what, actually? I think not. Not this time.
I've been feeling so ashamed of myself lately.
You're all out there, risking your lives, fighting this war...
Even so, you've taken the time to keep visiting me.
And all I ever do is give you a little toy and some nice words...
I have to do more to help you. It's clear what I must do...
(Demeter retreats to another room.)
demeter
...Ohh, it's been so long, though... Where'd I put the left pauldron...
Give me just a minute! Just a minute now!
Yoohoo, tome! Where are you, lil' tome...?
Ahh, here you are!

(Demeter joins the battle as a Malig Knight who can use light magic. She carries all four of the magical weapons she can give plus an Aura tome, which cannot be obtained anywhere else in the main campaign.)

Ending

apate
Kyra...
kyra
Give us a moment, would you?
edward
Sure. I better go help the others search the fort anyway.
(Edward leaves.)
apate
......
Kyra, before I continue...
kyra
What?
apate
I must ask that you keep an open mind.
kyra
Well, I'm already worried.
apate
The hierophant and I researching arts long lost, the secret I referred to...
Did you not find my story... strange? Did it not seem to make little sense?
kyra
Well, yeah. I was hoping I'd be the one asking the questions.
But I figured you two just worked in secret to rediscover the lost arts.
Kinda like Tiresias did, you know?
apate
......
They were not lost when we studied them, Kyra.
They were as commonplace as any other magic, at the time.
Tartaros did not exist. The Church of Anima did not exist.
kyra
......
Poor time for a jape, don't you think?
apate
The knowledge we unravelled, Kyra...
It was the ability to extend one's lifespan. Indefinitely.
kyra
......
apate
Dolus IV and Dolus III were one and the same.
So was Dolus II. So was every hierophant that did not share their name.
Dolus, founder of the theocracy... The man to whom I granted eternal life.
kyra
But... But... That doesn't...
(Kyra balks.)
kyra
That's insane! Someone would've noticed at some point!
apate
Would they? Time worked against everybody, except for him.
And in any case, who would believe such an outlandish claim?
Trust me, there was a time I told the truth to anyone within earshot.
All I accomplished in doing so was being deemed mad.
kyra
I may not know much history, but even I know that every hierophant had an heir!
What about them? Did they just vanish into thin air or what?!
apate
That's exactly it, Kyra! That's the crux of the matter!
We did not find a way to produce life out of nowhere.
What we discovered was a way to affix new lifeforce onto one's own.
Thus delaying one's natural passing by as long as the added energy allows.
But this lifeforce has to be taken from somewhere.
From someone...
(Kyra starts.)
kyra
No... No, no, wait, don't tell me he...
apate
It took me a long time to discern the pattern in his behavior.
Every few decades, the hierophant's health would worsen.
And then he would pass away, and his scion would inherit the throne.
Humanity was none the wiser... But I could tell.
Each time, it was him, with renewed youth and vigor.
kyra
...What about the scions, Apate...?!
apate
For centuries, Dolus has been raising children as a farmer raises livestock.
Cattle to the slaughter, whose lives for him to steal, in every sense of the word.
The glorious history of Tartaros is written in their blood.
(Kyra staggers back.)
kyra
T...That's... monstrous...
apate
Soon, he will murder Dolus V. Consort Thyone, as well. He always does that.
I suppose a mother cannot be so easily deceived when her son is replaced.
He will pretend to be the same kind and caring person his son purportedly is.
Our rebellion will lose all support if we continue to oppose that new ruler.
And then he will just... keep going, as he has been doing for centuries.
I know not what his goal is anymore. I only know that his reign needs to end.
kyra
......
I better go rouse the troops before I get too lightheaded to do it.
Apate... We're going to stop him. That fiend's going down, you hear me?!
(Kyra leaves.)
apate
Perhaps it would have been better had you not heard the truth...
But I feel as though a terrible weight has been lifted from my shoulders.
(smiles, closes eyes) Thank you, Kyra. Thank you for sharing this selfish hag's burden...

[Kyra & Apate's support increases to rank B.]

Citadel Alétheia

lorenzo
......
thyone
Sir Lorenzo.
lorenzo
Oh, Consort Thyone! To what do I owe the honor?
thyone
I wished to thank you.
lorenzo
What for?
thyone
(smiles) I had not seen my son look so happy in a long, long time.
He was brimming with joy as he told me about yesterday.
It may have been a simple gesture, Sir Lorenzo, but he is truly grateful for it, and I am as well.
lorenzo
Oh... Well, you have no reason to thank me.
I did it primarily for young Elias's sake.
thyone
(frowns) ...It weighs heavily on you as well, does it not?
It does not feel as though we stand on justice's side.
No matter how much we may try to convince ourselves otherwise...
lorenzo
......
thyone
Worry not. My son's era shall be different from his father's.
Young Elias's plight shall not be repeated.
This darkness will soon be replaced by a bright new day.
lorenzo
I can only pray you are correct, Madame Consort.
thyone
In the meantime, we must ensure--
(A soldier barges in.)
soldier
S-Sir Lorenzo, there you are!
lorenzo
What is happening, soldier?
soldier
You need to come quickly. W-We don't know what to do.
lorenzo
What about, soldier?!
soldier
H-He just suddenly... He started to...
(Lorenzo starts.)
lorenzo
...!

Character Descriptions

Demeter
Nothing more than an airheaded roaming priestess, it would seem.

Vasiliki/Scymerius/Fructuoso
A down-in-the-dumps mercenary who has been hired by Tartaros.

Nestor
One of Colonel Alastor's lieutenants. A man with an uncanny ability to drown out the world and focus solely on his foe.

Inquisition
Knights of Tartaros, standing tall against heresy and insurrection.

Sellsword
Blades-for-hire looking for monetary opportunities.