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Chapter 24: White Lie

The clear condition for this chapter reads “Put an end to Dolus's centuries-long reign.”

The base camp is not accessible this chapter.

Opening

kyra
...Another empty corridor...
edward
What the heck is this?! The citadel's deserted!
barlowe
Incomprehensible... I cannot untangle the strategy.
The troops outside were not all that remained. This is fact.
It would have made the most sense to bar our path in the courtyard.
Though an ambush in the halls was within the realm of possibility.
Instead, we are practically being allowed to gallivant to the throne room...
Why, is there even a strategy? I am beginning to think there might not be!
kyra
I hate to even bring the idea up, but is there any chance he escaped?
edward
We surrounded the citadel, and Pericles had every exit from Amnisos watched.
Unless the hierophant can teleport, I can't see how he could've...
He... can't teleport, right, Apate?
apate
......
kyra
Apate? Please, what do you make of this?
apate
It doesn't make any sense. Something is clearly wrong.
kyra
Anything else?
apate
...I am afraid, Kyra.
kyra
Afraid, you? Oh, that's reassuring...
barlowe
Hold a moment... There's a person collapsed ahead!
(Pericles starts.)
pericles
But that is--!
(They come across Dolus V's body.)
pericles
No...!
Scion Dolus! Scion! Speak to me!
apate
You waste your breath. He has expired...
kyra
Did the hierophant...?
apate
Yes... I can sense the invisible marks of lifewringing magic.
This child has joined his forebears in Dolus's long list of murders...
pericles
Mother have mercy...
kyra
......
apate
...He has not been dead long.
Furthermore, if the quantity of energy is high enough, the process of binding it to one's own can be lengthy and arduous.
kyra
Meaning?
apate
The hierophant cannot have gone far.
kyra
We are pretty close to the throne room now, aren't we...
All right. Let's keep going.
pericles
What are we to do with...?
kyra
Leave him. We'll come back for him when we have time.
pericles
...Very well...
(They press on.)
apate
We are almost at the throne room, and still no resistance...
barlowe
...No, wait! Enemies ahead!
edward
They were holed up this deep in the place all along?
I know they say not to look a gift horse in the mouth, but...
kyra
Don't you realize what this means? The hierophant must be in the throne room!
We've almost got him! We can worry about the finer details later!
apate
Yes... Kyra has the right of it. Assemble the troops without delay!
edward
(smiles) Ahh, yeah, you're right! You got it, boss!
barlowe
...Hmm... Let us pray it will truly be as simple as that, my friends.
edward
(frowns) Oh, can it, you worrywart. That doesn't help.
(smiles) 'Sides, improvising out of tight spots is our specialty, ain't it?
If they've got anything weird in store, we'll just figure it out as we go!
barlowe
(smiles) Well, I must concede that point. That is indeed our specialty.
kyra
Stop bickering and get into position! They're starting to notice us!
(They advance.)
apate
...At long last...
Justice is served today, Dolus.
For both of us, perhaps...

Battle Start

(A trap raises a wall in the throne room, dividing Kyra's army in two.)
kyra
Blast! What is this?!
apate
This is new. He must have had this done recently.
kyra
What qualifies as “recently” for you, Apate?
apate
...Does it matter? Let us not lose our heads.
We may be separated, but not for long.
Further ahead, we should find a pair of passages.
They both reconvene at the throne room.
kyra
All right. I'll see you there, then.
apate
Be careful. Cornered beasts are dangerous.
kyra
You don't need to tell me twice!

Enemy Turn 1

dolus
...Without my staves to stabilize it, my son's energy will dissipate before long.
At the latest, I... I will be dead by sunrise...
(Dolus shakes.)
dolus
No! No, no, no, no, NO!
This cannot be the end! I refuse to accept it!
My efforts through the centuries cannot have led up to this...
This pitiful, ignominious end! It cannot be!
I... I don't want to die!

...No, but there is still something that I can do...
Apate is coming. If I can kill her and take her staves for myself...
I can still salvage the situation. I am not defeated yet!

(Dolus shakes his fist.)
dolus
Do you hear me, you loathsome traitor?! I am not defeated yet!

Conversations

Hestia & Holy Guard

This unit is a White Dragoon on the right side of the room.

hestia's
father
W-What mockery is this?!
I knew you were a disgrace, but this!
What have you done to your hair?!
hestia
...Oh, it's you...
Where's Mom? I'm surprised you aren't together...
hestia's
father
Unlike you and unlike those other knaves, she and I know something of loyalty!
...She was killed by those traitorous mongrels...
hestia
......
I don't wanna do this, you know.
hestia's
father
Trying to slink away, ingrate?!
You are a stain on our family name!
A stain I shall cleanse here and now!
hestia
Yeah, figures...
(closes eyes) Sigh...

Dolus

Combat

dolus
Begone, yokel! You have no idea what you are doing!

Combat w/ Kyra

kyra
Do you know who I am, Dolus?
dolus
Just another of Apate's pawns.
Bold of you to presume I would know you.
Do you even know what you're doing here, lout?!
kyra
I know more than you do, clearly.
I'm the leader of the rebellion, and I'm going to kill you.
For Apate, for my brother, for my friend...
For all the kids you've killed, and for all of Tartaros.
Enough reasons, or should I keep going?
dolus
...You... You're the one... You're the leader of...
(Dolus shakes with rage.)
dolus
No! I will not accept... I will never accept this!
She has set so many upon me, each mightier than the last...
Renowned generals, seasoned sellswords, prolific assassins!
She has set my own followers, my own KIN against me...
I survived it all. None of them could even face me.
And in the end, the one who managed to come this far...
is naught more than some vulgar nobody?!
No! It cannot be!
kyra
I'm so sorry I'm not all you had hoped I'd be.
But hey, you're not the only one with problems.
I fear no death I can give you would be painful enough.
But don't worry. I'll give it a shot nonetheless.

Combat w/ Apate

dolus
No more games, Apate! This is the end!
Only one of us will live to see the light of day!
apate
What is happening, Dolus?
You have never been so desperate before.
And where are the rest of your knights?
dolus
The dead need not wonder about the living's affairs!
apate
...Yes, Dolus. You are absolutely right.
We have greatly overstayed our welcome.
Let us take our leave now, old friend.

Combat w/ Tiresias

dolus
That thing in your hands...!
tiresias
Yes, Dolus. It is exactly what you think it is.
dolus
Give it to me.
Give it to me, and I shall name you my scion!
I will give you a seat of power next to me!
Anything you want will be yours!
tiresias
My, aren't we desperate?
Sorry. My answer has got to be no.
You have long held this power captive.
I wish to set it free, and let it do good once more.
Face it. Your stranglehold on this world has ended.
dolus
Grrr... No matter!
I shall simply kill you and pry it from your hands!

Combat w/ Pericles

dolus
Pericles... You have returned.
I remember a time you were one of our most stalwart.
It is not too late yet. I can pardon your crimes.
Return to my side, and you shall be Grand Inquisitor.
That is what you always yearned for, is it not?
pericles
I know what your problem is, Your Holiness.
Eternal life or no, you are incapable of changing.
You've been stuck in this rut for centuries.
But I am not like you. I am not the man I once was.
Keep your titles. I have no need of them.
Everything I want is right here!
dolus
Imbecile! You have nothing, and soon you'll lose your life!

Combat w/ Eupraxia

dolus
You...
eupraxia
My liege.
dolus
Sandraudiga never sought you out to finish you?
Surprising. I had thought her more thorough.
eupraxia
She probably tried. I would not know.
Sandraudiga's wiles have been no concern of mine.
I swore off humanity the day I left Amnisos.
I have lived in complete isolation ever since...
dolus
Until the chance to exact revenge on us lured you back.
But do you still have the power to do it?
eupraxia
Not revenge, my liege. Redemption.
As for whether or not I have the power...
There is only one way to find out, isn't there?
dolus
Indeed. Let us begin, Eupraxia.

Combat w/ Telemus

telemus
My lord hierophant... Long has it been.
dolus
State your name, traitor.
telemus
You do not remember me?
You ordained me general yourself, years ago.
It was the brightest day of my life...
My new title symbolized my dedication to our people.
Or, at least... So I believed.
(closes eyes) ...If only I had known then... The ill that hid beneath.
dolus
Not only a traitor, but sanctimonious as well.
Who do you presume you are to chastise me?!
telemus
However... Even now, I still believe in Tartaros.
Our people, our country, even our faith...
They will survive your despicable actions.
We will rise from the ashes, as the phoenix of legend.
To that end, I would gladly give my life.
dolus
As you wish. I sentence you to death!
telemus
I would give my life, yes... If it comes to that.
But I shall do all in my power that it does not!

Combat w/ Nicaea

nicaea
......
dolus
Another turncoat...
Why are you not moving? Face me, you coward!
I am ready for you!
nicaea
How... How do you live with yourself?
dolus
What?
nicaea
The things you have done... Your scions...
dolus
I suppose Apate revealed the secret, did she not?
Hmph...
nicaea
I killed my own sister, Your Holiness.
Both of my sisters are dead now, and...
I was so certain that was the fate they deserved.
Even so, I... I cannot bear it. This pain inside me...
How can you live with yourself, Hierophant?
With the blood of your own children on your hands?
dolus
When the butcher is done flaying his pigs, he gets up and moves on with his day.
Do you question how he lives with himself, too?
nicaea
......
I know I have no right to speak of justice.
...But you deserve what is coming to you.
Through and through.

Combat w/ Kairos

kairos
O Hierophant... You don't know me.
I am Kairos, a priest of the church.
dolus
A priest and a traitor, clearly.
Do you believe your sins will go unpunished?
The Mother detests those who betray Her!
kairos
Spare me the sermon.
I know full well you don't believe a word you preach.
dolus
......
The masses are gullible, Kairos.
They flock to any they fancy to be a shepherd.
Ultimately, the only truth in this world... is power.
I needed power to create a better world, thus I took it. My purpose is just!
kairos
A better world, eh... My goodness.
That, you truly do believe, don't you?
You have the audacity to call people gullible,
when you're the one who's swallowed your own lies.
dolus
You dare insult me, lowly nobody?!
kairos
Oh, I'm going to do a lot more than insult you.
May the Mother have mercy on your soul!

Combat w/ Fiadh

fiadh
So, you're the guy we've done all this to take out, huh?
You're just how I'd pictured you.
Angry, shrivelled and pathetic.
dolus
An insolent Glamorgan, judging by your accent.
Hmph... I will admit one thing and one thing alone.
Your meddlesome nation's role in all this mystifies me.
What manner of lies did Apate spin to rope you up in this?
fiadh
Apate? How little you know.
The gal in charge is friends with a guy, who is friends with the margrave. Simple as.
dolus
...Surely a whole country could not be moved by such a...
feeble connection! It is inconceivable!
fiadh
I wouldn't call it feeble. They're pretty good friends.
But well, no, that wasn't all.
Certain vultures were moved by brute force.
But mostly we just all agree you need to be put down.
dolus
You do, do you? Ignorant runt...
fiadh
Say, where are you hiding Sandraudiga and the rat?
I'm a bit more interested in getting at them.
They've done mean things to someone I consider a friend.
(Dolus shakes with rage.)
dolus
Don't you DARE to say that name in my presence!

Grrr... Enough! This incessant chatter is meaningless!
Have at you, miscreant!

fiadh
Yeah, you know what? That's absolutely correct.
(narrows eyes) Why waste time talking when I could be hurting you?
Thanks for pointing it out. The rest won't get the pleasure.

Combat w/ Dahl

dahl
So this is what it entails...
To truly be ready to do anything for power.
dolus
And just who in the world are you?
dahl
Nobody of consequence, as of yet.
And if this is what being somebody looks like?
That may not be such a bad thing, after all.
dolus
Grrr... Enough pointless words!
I have no time to mingle with a wastrel like you!
dahl
...On the other hand...
I'm sure there's a middle ground to be found here.
There ought to be a fair gap between “nameless nobody”
and “heartless kinslayer.”

(smiles) Yes, I think for the time being, I'll settle for “tyrant slayer.”

Combat w/ Nikolaos

nikolaos
...W-Wow... This is...

(Nikolaos shakes with excitement.)

This is insane!
I-I'm going up against the big guy himself?!
Me?! Lil' ol' Nikolaos?!

(Nikolaos bounces.)

(smiles) Holy crud, it's absolutely incredible!

dolus
What in the world are you blabbering about?
nikolaos
(still smiling) Man, this is gonna do so much for my reputation!
I'm gonna be the world's most famous mercenary!
“Nikolaos, the great hero who defeated the evil tyrant!”
I can't wait! C'mon, c'mon! Let's do this already!
dolus
What do you think this is, child? A joke?

Combat w/ Demeter

demeter
You're such an interesting one.
Irony's the name of the game with you.
dolus
What are you babbling about?
demeter
You claim to be the defender of the natural order.
He who protects the sacred Mother's ways.
But you are the one who defies all that is natural.
dolus
Oh, please. I will not be lectured by some--
demeter
Never wondered what this deity of yours thinks of you?
Maybe she considers you her most disappointing child...
Maybe she thinks you're long past your time.
dolus
...Who... Who are you?!
demeter
You'll know soon enough.

Defeat

dolus
Unnh... Graaahhh!

Ending

(Dolus staggers back, mortally wounded.)
apate
Dolus...
dolus
Rrrrgh... Grrr... Nngh...!
kyra
Clear the way, Apate! I'll make sure he's done!
apate
No need, Kyra. It is over.
His life ebbs away as we speak.
His final moment has arrived.
dolus
...What are you looking for, Apate? An apology? A rebuke?
I regret nothing. For centuries, I tried to shape this land into a utopia...
But how could I do that, when mankind likes it just the way it is?
You may keep your cesspool of a world. Do as you will with it.
kyra
A utopia? That's rich.
The only thing you created was a nation with a reputation for warmongering.
A nation that's going to be way better off without you.
dolus
...Hmph... You know nothing, girl. But what does it matter now?
I have been laid low by a fiend of my own creation.
Everything is ruined. Nothing matters anymore.
apate
......
dolus
Farewell, Apate.
I suspect we shall meet again soon.
Perhaps in the next life, we will do things differently...
apate
Or perhaps so shall our wickedness be reborn.
dolus
We shall see...
(Dolus dies.)
kyra
...That's that, isn't it?
I almost can't believe this is real.
We have killed the hierophant of Tartaros...
apate
......
kyra
......
My brother cannot be brought back... Can he?
apate
You knew?
kyra
Of course I did. That was the most unconvincing lie you've ever told.
But it reminded me I wasn't fighting just for my brother or myself anymore...
I could not curl up into a ball and cry yet. First I had to see this through.
apate
......
It wasn't the only lie I've told you, Kyra.
kyra
You don't say.
apate
There is one lie, the truth of which you might still not know...
The very first I told you, the night when it all began in earnest.
kyra
What...?
apate
...Your brother's illness... It was grave, yes... but...
I did not need particularly strong energy to cure it. That is not how it works.
I could've used a sliver of your lifeforce, or my own.
Or even that of the poor fools we killed in our many battles.

I could've cured your brother any time I wished. But I did not.
So that I could string you along, and coerce you into doing my bidding...
I toyed with his life, and ultimately, sacrificed it for my own designs.

kyra
......
apate
You have accomplished the goal I've chased for centuries, and yet...
I cannot offer anything to you but the right to end my life.
Grant me whatever death you see fit for my sins.
I can only pray... It will bring you some solace.
kyra
......
(Kyra leaves.)
apate
...Kyra...
(Kyra stands on the citadel balcony.)
kyra
......
(Thyone approaches.)
thyone
The rebel commander... Kyra...
kyra
......

(Kyra starts.)

A-Ah... Sorry... Who are you?

thyone
I am called Thyone...
kyra
The hierophant's consort...

...I'm so sorry about your son.
If we'd been faster, who knows if we could have...

thyone
Please, don't blame yourself...
We have all lost people precious to us in this dreadful conflict...
I should apologize for what became of your brother, as well.
kyra
But my brother... was sick. This was always going to happen.
I have had years to prepare, and I have people to fall back on.
I... will be all right. That's what he would've wanted, I'm sure...
thyone
Even so...
kyra
Your son was murdered by his own father... Your duplicitous husband...
It's... awful. I can't even begin to imagine what you must be going through...
thyone
Is sorrow truly something to be compared, Commander Kyra?
I look upon you and I see a woman grieving, just the same as I.
Your feelings are no less valid than mine. You should not deny them.
kyra
......
thyone
I will not trouble you long.
I only wished to ask... What will happen to me now?
kyra
You? You're just another victim in all this.
If anything, I'm hoping you might take up the reins...
thyone
No, Kyra. Tartaros as we know it is not sustainable. The people know the truth.
They will demand retribution, and I am the only one left.
There is nothing I can do but resign myself to my fate.
Whatever that fate might be, as the wife of the man behind all these horrors...
kyra
......
I will not allow anyone to hurt you.
I'd be spitting on your son's memory if I did.
thyone
That is... gracious of you, Commander Kyra.
kyra
......
Tell me something, Thyone...
thyone
Yes?
kyra
Do you know where the Grand Inquisitor is?
thyone
Ah... Yes, I meant to tell you about that.
After my son's death, I... My mind went blank.
I wandered the halls in a sort of daze, with no destination in mind.
Until I was brought to my senses by a familiar, yet loathed voice.
I hid behind a pillar and listened...

It was the Grand Inquisitor, leading her men down one of the hidden passages.

kyra
Hidden passages? Pericles said nothing about that.
thyone
Sir Pericles would not have known.
This was a last resort, known only to us in the royal family... and her.
I could not hear much, but I know she took something from my husband.
She ordered her men to make their way to the Tower of Creation...
There, she's going to do something with whatever it is that she stole from him.
Forgive me. I fear I cannot be any more specific...
(Kyra starts.)
kyra
Oh... Oh, no...
thyone
Commander?
kyra
Back to the throne room! Quickly!
(Kyra and Thyone run back to the throne room.)
apate
Kyra...?
kyra
Apate! Stay your hand! This is far from over!
apate
What?
kyra
Sandraudiga has Dolus's healing artifacts.
She has taken her army to the Tower of Creation.
No doubt she let Dolus live so he'd stall us. Buy her time...
There's only one thing she could intend on doing now.
(Apate starts.)
apate
She plans to...!
kyra
Take his place, as Tartaros's new undying despot.
thyone
That woman has caused so much grief in her short time on this earth.
She revels in it... To her, there is no sweeter treat. She is a monster.
I dare not imagine how much havoc she could wreak with eternal life...
kyra
Apate, please. We still need your help.
apate
What need have you to tolerate my presence? My powers?
You don't need them. I have no doubt you can finish this without me.
You have a rare strength, Kyra. Of body and spirit.
And you have gathered many allies with great strength of their own.
Leave this wicked blackheart in the past where she belongs...
kyra
Apate... I forgave the man who killed my parents.
What makes you think I can't forgive you?
(Apate balks.)
apate
...!
kyra
You have wronged me less, and done more for me.
For me, and for the entire world...
apate
What are you saying?
kyra
I'm saying that, for all the lies, you did tell me one great truth.
What you asked of me... What we have done today...
It was the right thing. You have done the right thing, Apate.
apate
......
But... The way I went about it...
Kyra, I... I do not deserve your forgiveness...
kyra
I'm giving it to you anyway.
apate
......
(smiles) As I said... A rare strength. I can only admire it...
kyra
Now pull yourself together. We don't have time to waste.
We have to stop Sandraudiga before she can get her way!
apate
...Indeed... I would not want you to live with the regrets I have.
kyra
Consort Thyone, could you handle things here while we're away?
thyone
As a matter of fact... I was hoping to accompany you.
Like I said, the people will not accept me, the hierophant's own wife.
Furthermore...
I am a spellcaster of some talent, and I have my own grudges to bear against Sandraudiga.
I would assist you in finishing this grim affair, if you would have me.
kyra
...I won't say no. But don't do anything reckless, all right?
Your son would not have wanted you to die now.
thyone
Neither would your brother.
So let us help each other come out of this alive, shall we?
kyra
I can agree to that.
apate
...All of my power is at your disposal.
Sandraudiga shall not prevail.
kyra
No, she won't. We're going to see to that!

Character Descriptions

Dolus
The hierophant of Tartaros. Less a man and more an abominable, heartless monster.

Bishop
A practitioner of searing light magic, today known only to a select few.

Legendary Weapon: Wrath
Hallowed weapon that expunges sin.

Holy Guard
One of the few holy knights still loyal to Hierophant Dolus.