WAXF Script
< Act 1-6 >
[The act opens on an illustration of a blue and white mansion.]
-Brenton Mansion-
[Levin stands before a bearded man in regal armor inside a red-painted room of the mansion. Levin appears angry.]
Levin: --Then what do we even have the Royal Knights for?!
Levin: You just don't get it, Father. You can't protect Elesius just standing around!
[His father yells back.]
Captain of the Royal Knights: You're the one who doesn't understand, Levin.
Captain of the Royal Knights: You need to give more thought to what it would mean to mobilize the Royal Knights!
Levin: We both want to protect this country! So why are you being so stubborn?
Captain of the Royal Knights: To mobilize the Knights without a royal decree would be treason! What you're advocating is nothing less than a coup d'etat!
Levin: ...
Levin: Father... Surely you understand what's happening in this country.
Levin: Our ailing king is powerless to stop the Council of Elder Statesmen from running the country as they please.
Levin: Now squads of thugs calling themselves the Martial Guard are terrorizing the people they're supposed to be protecting!
Levin: But the princess has survived her accident! She's returned to us!
Levin: There's still some good left in this country. There's still a chance to save it! But we have to act!
Levin: As a scion of House Brenton, I have a duty to stand up and fight this injustice!
Captain of the Royal Knights: And as the lord of House Brenton, I cannot condone any man who would defy the will of the Kingdom of Elesius.
Captain of the Royal Knights: ...
[He closes his eyes.]
Captain of the Royal Knights: One day, you too will understand... Stoically unduring the things you cannot change is another way of fighting for your country.
[Levin stares at him, then clenches his teeth.]
Levin: ...We're as far apart as ever, aren't we, Father...
Levin: We often argue when we speak, but I always thought our hearts were on the same side...
Captain of the Royal Knights: ...
Levin: ...
Levin: Well, that's that. I'm leaving now.
Captain of the Royal Knights: ...
[He opens his eyes and looks at him.]
Captain of the Royal Knights: The men of House Brenton have pledged their swords to the kingdom since time immemorial.
Captain of the Royal Knights: If you leave now, you will never be able to pass through our gates again.
Levin: ...I pledge my sword to the princess!
Captain of the Royal Knights: ...
Captain of the Royal Knights: ...Then I disown you, Levin. From this day forward, you shall have no affiliation with House Brenton.
Captain of the Royal Knights: You may go where you want and do as you please...
[Levin turns and leaves. The captain closes his eyes again.]
Captain of the Royal Knights: Foolish son of mine...
Captain of the Royal Knights: ...
Captain of the Royal Knights: ...
[Slowly, he opens his eyes.]
Captain of the Royal Knights: ...Protect your princess well.
[The scene switches to outside the mansion, where Levin is.]
Levin: We often argued when we spoke, but at least you always heard me out, right until the end...
[He smiles and places a hand on his heart.]
Levin: Thank you for raising me to be the man I am today. The gratitude I cannot convey with my words, I will convey with my deeds.
[He turns and runs out of the mansion's territory. The scene then switches back to Poliasha, where Clarissa and Felius are confronted by the blue-robed man.]
Clarissa: ...
Clarissa: ...So you're saying that the Council desires domestic stability as much as we do?
Robed Man: Of course, Your Highness.
Robed Man: Lord Charlton is well aware that, due to unfortunate procedural deficiencies, the Martial Guard is not fully under control. Such matters pain him deeply.
Robed Man: His desire is to work hand-in-hand with you to resolve the issues, Your Highness.
Clarissa: ...
Clarissa: Then I will meet with him.
Felius: Clar--
[She turns to him and smiles reassuringly.]
Clarissa: It's all right, Felius.
Clarissa: Where does he intend to meet?
Robed Man: He will await you in the Guardian Shrine, in the mountains north of here.
Robed Man: It is Lord Charlton's hope that the divine Guardians of Elesius will bear witness as the future of our nation is written before us.
Clarissa: Very well.
Clarissa: ...
Clarissa: I cannot stand lies. I expect the Council to make its true intentions clear at the meeting.
Robed Man: I am quite certain that it will, Your Highness.
Robed Man: I have relayed the message from my master in its entirety. If it please you, Your Highness, I shall now take my leave.
[The robed man turns and leaves. The player now regains control of the party.]
(Shop)
Shopkeeper Brown: The Council wishes to see you...? I would exercise extreme caution, Princess...
Shopkeeper Brown (Talk): If you're going on a long journey, you'd best bring an ample supply of Heal Berries and Antidotes. An ounce of prevention, and all that.
---
Borhath the Drifter: The people of Elesius have a religion based on Guardians.
Borhath the Drifter: These animal spirits are embodiments of the power that guides the world. You can't see them, but they're supposedly all-powerful.
Borhath the Drifter: All of the things that exist in the world have Guardians for them--a water Guardian for the oceans, a fire one for the flames, and so on.
Borhath the Drifter: There's also a spirit for every human emotion, from love to bravery...even fear, too.
Borhath the Drifter: It's all a bunch of gobbledygook to me, though...
---
Foreign Traveler: Those men in blue robes... I heard a rumor that they're part of the Council Chairman's private force. Creepy, isn't it?
(Synth. Shop)
Alejandro: If you're going to the Guardian Shrine, you'll need to pass through Fallen Fowl Swamp.
Alejandro: The water over there was contaminated with minerals from the earth, turning it into a large, poisonous swampland.
Alejandro: You'd best be doubly sure you have enough Antidotes to make it through there before venturing off.
---
Gilliam the Drifter: Any monster you run into is dangerous...powerful enough to outclass any human in brute strength. However, they all have their weaknesses, too.
Gilliam the Drifter: Discovering and exploiting these weaknesses allows us to fight on an even keel. So observe your enemy closely before striking.
(Inn)
Ellen: This is a Council trap. I'm sure of it. I won't stop you if you think you know what you're doin'...but promise me you'll come back in one piece!
Ellen (Talk): Don't worry. I'll keep everything to myself until the time is right to tell the truth.
Ellen: I feel bad putting all of this on your shoulders... but our country is counting on you.
---
Jim the Drunk: Don't take your eyes off 'em! They've got to be up to some kinda scheme... I dunno, I've just got a feeling they are!
Jim the Drunk: I'm sure the Alcohol Guardian is blessing his biggest follower with his deep insight! I...I think I might be his Chosen One! Oh my gosh!
---
Krelia: From here, you'll need to go over the mountains to the north to reach the Guardian Shrine.
Krelia: I hear some ancient ruins lie there, built back when Elesius was still a young nation.
(Plaza)
Brandon: Do you believe, Princess, that the Council is serious about holding discussions with you?
Brandon: You do remember that they tried to execute everyone in the village, right?
Brandon: I apologize, Princess, but I can't help but fear for your life...
---
Fellman: Princess, it's just too dangerous! You've only just come back to us! There's no need to expose yourself to such peril...
Fellman: ...Why don't you ask Master Levin from his support again?
[When the player leaves the town, a line forms from the Bandits' Forest leading to a red ! on Fallen Fowl Swamp. Two more greyed-out places are linked from there, and the links from Poliasha all the way to Port Atraige are restored. When the player enters the Swamp, there's a group of Elementalists in red and a single Geomancer standing on the other side of the map, braced for battle.]
Bandit El Jackson: Eee hee hee hee hee... Well, if it isn't a squid with an ear o'corn in its mouth!
[The Geomancer turns to El Jackson, the head Elementalist.]
Bandit Samille: I think the expression is "squirrel with an acorn"...
Bandit El Jackson: Hey, "squid with an ear o'corn" works too!
Bandit Samille: Right, whatever. Either way, they got something good!
Clarissa: Are those...more Guardsmen?
Labyrinthia: They seem awfully careless. I can't imagine the Council would use their troops in this way.
They're probably nothing more than bandits.
Bandit El Jackson: Eee hee hee hee hee... You sure talk nasty for a girl.
Bandit Samille: I think she's a bit long in the tooth to be called "girl"...
Labyrinthia: How would you like to handle this, Princess?
Clarissa: ...We'll fight them. Poliasha is behind us...and they're heading straight for it.
=D.E.R=
Labyrinthia: Let's take a look at the Tactical Map we'll be fighting on.
Labyrinthia: We'll be starting here...
Labyrinthia: And the enemy line looks like this.
Labyrinthia: Our mission here is to wipe up all of these bandits...but that poison swamp is going to be a major hassle.
Labyrinthia: Any unit that blunders into the swamp will be immediately inflicted with the "Poison" status ailment.
Labyrinthia: Poisoned units lose a certain amount of HP with every turn they take. We should prepare a way to cure ourselves of poison, just in case.
Labyrinthia: The bandits are just as aware of the swamp as we are. I doubt they will abandon their higher position without a fight...
Labyrinthia: We'll need units with long-range attacks to deal effectively with these people.
Labyrinthia: Another idea is to take some high-MOV units and have them act as a wedge for the rest of the party.
Labyrinthia: If we could combine the two, building units with high movement range and long-range attacks, I think that'd be the best option.
Labyrinthia: The right combination of classes and skills can make a party many times more effective than otherwise. Try out some setups and see what you discover.
Bandit El Jackson: Eee hee hee hee hee! We didn't get into this business just yesterday, y'know!
Bandit Samille: Never give up! Keep on keepin' on! ...That's the credo I live by, and today it's gonna spell your doom!
[The battle ends when every enemy has been defeated. The two bandit leaders kneel wounded before the party.]
Bandit El Jackson: Damn it all to hell! Just when I thought we'd bask in the limelight!
Bandit Samille: Hey...you don't remember this happening before, do you?
Bandit Samille: I can't recall it all too well... Something about pretending to be the Founding Knights...?
Bandit El Jackson: Eh, who cares about the past? Not me! Even if it was a beautiful age of glorious, gleeful abandon...!
Bandit Samille: Well, you can act as unflappable as you want, but we're still gonna run away, right?
[El Jackson stands up.]
Bandit El Jackson: Eee hee hee hee hee hee!
[Samille stands, and the two run off.]
Labyrinthia: When a government begins to falter, its people descend to pitiful depths...
Perhaps this is what the fall of a nation looks like from ground level.
Clarissa: They're as much victims as anyone else... Victims of the twisted chaos in this kingdom.
...
We've got to finish this task... And I'm ready to do whatever I can.
-Council Chamber-
Edna: What is happening out there, that my eyes cannot see, and my influence cannot reach?
Edna: This Alexia who claims to be the princess is an imposter--it is the only possible explanation!
[She clenches her teeth and holds up a balled fist.]
Edna: Unless... Could this be a scheme of Charlton's to discredit me? To topple me from the Council?!
[She screams.]
Edna: Gyaaah!
[Charlton shows up behind her, holding up a cigarette and has a smirk on his face. Edna holds a hand up.]
Charlton: Is there something you wished to share with me, leaving the door wide open like that?
[She balls her fist again.]
Edna: I...I'm just talking to myself! And how dare you question me--it's no business of yours!
Charlton: Then I shall be on my way. But next time you have a conversation with yourself, I'd appreciate it if you would lower your voice.
Charlton: It's only natural for my interest to be piqued when I hear my own name.
Edna: Grrrrrr...
Edna: Charlton! What's going on with that imposter princess?!
[He folds his arms.]
Charlton: "Imposter princess", indeed...
Charlton: ...
Charlton: The situation is being taken care of.
Edna: Why are you dragging your heels on this?! Hurry up and kill that swindler!
Charlton: It's not quite that simple...
Edna: --!
Charlton: Why are you so certain she's an imposter?
Charlton: Why won't you entertain even the slim possibility that the real Alexia has survived to oppose us?
[Edna puts a hand on her hip and looks sideways.]
Edna: That...that's...
Edna: ...
Edna: Because...I did it. I disposed of her... Killed her, myself...
[She clenches her teeth at him again.]
Edna: Yes...I was the one who got rid of her! I buried her alive under a mountain of rubble!
Edna: That's how I know!
[Charlton folds his arms again, this time with a smirk.]
Charlton: Heh...that's right. It was you, wasn't it?
Edna: ...
Charlton: You're a frightening woman, Edna. Or perhaps it's not just you. Perhaps all women have a side like that...?
Edna: ...
Edna: Mock women all you want, pig. You'll swallow those words soon enough. For now, let's see how you're planning to "take care of" our little imposter!
[Edna walks past him and leaves the chamber.]
Charlton: Heh...
[Back on the world map, a line forms between the Swamp and the Path to the Shrine. The line continues up to the Guardian Shrine, which is marked with a red !.]
-Guardian Shrine-
[A cut-in shows the dark entrance to the shrine. Clarissa and Felius stop in front of it.]
Clarissa: So the Guardian Shrine is in here?
Felius: We've arrived a bit early.
Felius: It seems no one from the other side is here yet.
Clarissa: ...
[Clarissa smiles a little.]
Clarissa: We came to a place like this with Mother a long time ago.
Felius: ...
Clarissa: Do you remember, Felius?
Felius: Yes... Of course I do.
[Felius stands back a little and looks into the palm of his hand distantly.]
Felius: ...I will never forget it...
[The screen flashes white for a moment, and three illustrations are briefly shown. First is Felius down on the ground with a little girl kneeling next to him as a woman slashes through monsters with a large sword; the second shows him and the girl kneeling around the woman who's holding up a dandelion, and the third is two men in odd clothing facing off in a technologically-advanced room. The screen turns black.]
Felius: ...I shouldn't have come here...
[The screen goes back to Felius holding his hand up, but with his eyes closed.]
Clarissa: ...Felius! Felius, look!
[Felius runs over to Clarissa, who's holding up her gun - it's glowing a pale blue light that fades quickly.]
Felius: What happened?
Clarissa: I don't know! It just started glowing...
[A cut-in shows the entrance to the shrine again, with the glyphs on the wall and ceiling lighting up with the same pale blue glow.]
Clarissa: Hey, look! The shrine is glowing, too!
[The light pulses three times before finally fading.]
Clarissa: It stopped...
Felius: ...
Clarissa: What was that? It was like the shrine was whispering...
Felius: Let's ponder on that later. The meeting with the Council is supposed to start soon. We must prepare.
Clarissa: Yeah...you're right.
[The screen turns black and the player is prompted to save.]
[The act opens on an illustration of a blue and white mansion.]
-Brenton Mansion-
[Levin stands before a bearded man in regal armor inside a red-painted room of the mansion. Levin appears angry.]
Levin: --Then what do we even have the Royal Knights for?!
Levin: You just don't get it, Father. You can't protect Elesius just standing around!
[His father yells back.]
Captain of the Royal Knights: You're the one who doesn't understand, Levin.
Captain of the Royal Knights: You need to give more thought to what it would mean to mobilize the Royal Knights!
Levin: We both want to protect this country! So why are you being so stubborn?
Captain of the Royal Knights: To mobilize the Knights without a royal decree would be treason! What you're advocating is nothing less than a coup d'etat!
Levin: ...
Levin: Father... Surely you understand what's happening in this country.
Levin: Our ailing king is powerless to stop the Council of Elder Statesmen from running the country as they please.
Levin: Now squads of thugs calling themselves the Martial Guard are terrorizing the people they're supposed to be protecting!
Levin: But the princess has survived her accident! She's returned to us!
Levin: There's still some good left in this country. There's still a chance to save it! But we have to act!
Levin: As a scion of House Brenton, I have a duty to stand up and fight this injustice!
Captain of the Royal Knights: And as the lord of House Brenton, I cannot condone any man who would defy the will of the Kingdom of Elesius.
Captain of the Royal Knights: ...
[He closes his eyes.]
Captain of the Royal Knights: One day, you too will understand... Stoically unduring the things you cannot change is another way of fighting for your country.
[Levin stares at him, then clenches his teeth.]
Levin: ...We're as far apart as ever, aren't we, Father...
Levin: We often argue when we speak, but I always thought our hearts were on the same side...
Captain of the Royal Knights: ...
Levin: ...
Levin: Well, that's that. I'm leaving now.
Captain of the Royal Knights: ...
[He opens his eyes and looks at him.]
Captain of the Royal Knights: The men of House Brenton have pledged their swords to the kingdom since time immemorial.
Captain of the Royal Knights: If you leave now, you will never be able to pass through our gates again.
Levin: ...I pledge my sword to the princess!
Captain of the Royal Knights: ...
Captain of the Royal Knights: ...Then I disown you, Levin. From this day forward, you shall have no affiliation with House Brenton.
Captain of the Royal Knights: You may go where you want and do as you please...
[Levin turns and leaves. The captain closes his eyes again.]
Captain of the Royal Knights: Foolish son of mine...
Captain of the Royal Knights: ...
Captain of the Royal Knights: ...
[Slowly, he opens his eyes.]
Captain of the Royal Knights: ...Protect your princess well.
[The scene switches to outside the mansion, where Levin is.]
Levin: We often argued when we spoke, but at least you always heard me out, right until the end...
[He smiles and places a hand on his heart.]
Levin: Thank you for raising me to be the man I am today. The gratitude I cannot convey with my words, I will convey with my deeds.
[He turns and runs out of the mansion's territory. The scene then switches back to Poliasha, where Clarissa and Felius are confronted by the blue-robed man.]
Clarissa: ...
Clarissa: ...So you're saying that the Council desires domestic stability as much as we do?
Robed Man: Of course, Your Highness.
Robed Man: Lord Charlton is well aware that, due to unfortunate procedural deficiencies, the Martial Guard is not fully under control. Such matters pain him deeply.
Robed Man: His desire is to work hand-in-hand with you to resolve the issues, Your Highness.
Clarissa: ...
Clarissa: Then I will meet with him.
Felius: Clar--
[She turns to him and smiles reassuringly.]
Clarissa: It's all right, Felius.
Clarissa: Where does he intend to meet?
Robed Man: He will await you in the Guardian Shrine, in the mountains north of here.
Robed Man: It is Lord Charlton's hope that the divine Guardians of Elesius will bear witness as the future of our nation is written before us.
Clarissa: Very well.
Clarissa: ...
Clarissa: I cannot stand lies. I expect the Council to make its true intentions clear at the meeting.
Robed Man: I am quite certain that it will, Your Highness.
Robed Man: I have relayed the message from my master in its entirety. If it please you, Your Highness, I shall now take my leave.
[The robed man turns and leaves. The player now regains control of the party.]
(Shop)
Shopkeeper Brown: The Council wishes to see you...? I would exercise extreme caution, Princess...
Shopkeeper Brown (Talk): If you're going on a long journey, you'd best bring an ample supply of Heal Berries and Antidotes. An ounce of prevention, and all that.
---
Borhath the Drifter: The people of Elesius have a religion based on Guardians.
Borhath the Drifter: These animal spirits are embodiments of the power that guides the world. You can't see them, but they're supposedly all-powerful.
Borhath the Drifter: All of the things that exist in the world have Guardians for them--a water Guardian for the oceans, a fire one for the flames, and so on.
Borhath the Drifter: There's also a spirit for every human emotion, from love to bravery...even fear, too.
Borhath the Drifter: It's all a bunch of gobbledygook to me, though...
---
Foreign Traveler: Those men in blue robes... I heard a rumor that they're part of the Council Chairman's private force. Creepy, isn't it?
(Synth. Shop)
Alejandro: If you're going to the Guardian Shrine, you'll need to pass through Fallen Fowl Swamp.
Alejandro: The water over there was contaminated with minerals from the earth, turning it into a large, poisonous swampland.
Alejandro: You'd best be doubly sure you have enough Antidotes to make it through there before venturing off.
---
Gilliam the Drifter: Any monster you run into is dangerous...powerful enough to outclass any human in brute strength. However, they all have their weaknesses, too.
Gilliam the Drifter: Discovering and exploiting these weaknesses allows us to fight on an even keel. So observe your enemy closely before striking.
(Inn)
Ellen: This is a Council trap. I'm sure of it. I won't stop you if you think you know what you're doin'...but promise me you'll come back in one piece!
Ellen (Talk): Don't worry. I'll keep everything to myself until the time is right to tell the truth.
Ellen: I feel bad putting all of this on your shoulders... but our country is counting on you.
---
Jim the Drunk: Don't take your eyes off 'em! They've got to be up to some kinda scheme... I dunno, I've just got a feeling they are!
Jim the Drunk: I'm sure the Alcohol Guardian is blessing his biggest follower with his deep insight! I...I think I might be his Chosen One! Oh my gosh!
---
Krelia: From here, you'll need to go over the mountains to the north to reach the Guardian Shrine.
Krelia: I hear some ancient ruins lie there, built back when Elesius was still a young nation.
(Plaza)
Brandon: Do you believe, Princess, that the Council is serious about holding discussions with you?
Brandon: You do remember that they tried to execute everyone in the village, right?
Brandon: I apologize, Princess, but I can't help but fear for your life...
---
Fellman: Princess, it's just too dangerous! You've only just come back to us! There's no need to expose yourself to such peril...
Fellman: ...Why don't you ask Master Levin from his support again?
[When the player leaves the town, a line forms from the Bandits' Forest leading to a red ! on Fallen Fowl Swamp. Two more greyed-out places are linked from there, and the links from Poliasha all the way to Port Atraige are restored. When the player enters the Swamp, there's a group of Elementalists in red and a single Geomancer standing on the other side of the map, braced for battle.]
Bandit El Jackson: Eee hee hee hee hee... Well, if it isn't a squid with an ear o'corn in its mouth!
[The Geomancer turns to El Jackson, the head Elementalist.]
Bandit Samille: I think the expression is "squirrel with an acorn"...
Bandit El Jackson: Hey, "squid with an ear o'corn" works too!
Bandit Samille: Right, whatever. Either way, they got something good!
Clarissa: Are those...more Guardsmen?
Labyrinthia: They seem awfully careless. I can't imagine the Council would use their troops in this way.
They're probably nothing more than bandits.
Bandit El Jackson: Eee hee hee hee hee... You sure talk nasty for a girl.
Bandit Samille: I think she's a bit long in the tooth to be called "girl"...
Labyrinthia: How would you like to handle this, Princess?
Clarissa: ...We'll fight them. Poliasha is behind us...and they're heading straight for it.
=D.E.R=
Labyrinthia: Let's take a look at the Tactical Map we'll be fighting on.
Labyrinthia: We'll be starting here...
Labyrinthia: And the enemy line looks like this.
Labyrinthia: Our mission here is to wipe up all of these bandits...but that poison swamp is going to be a major hassle.
Labyrinthia: Any unit that blunders into the swamp will be immediately inflicted with the "Poison" status ailment.
Labyrinthia: Poisoned units lose a certain amount of HP with every turn they take. We should prepare a way to cure ourselves of poison, just in case.
Labyrinthia: The bandits are just as aware of the swamp as we are. I doubt they will abandon their higher position without a fight...
Labyrinthia: We'll need units with long-range attacks to deal effectively with these people.
Labyrinthia: Another idea is to take some high-MOV units and have them act as a wedge for the rest of the party.
Labyrinthia: If we could combine the two, building units with high movement range and long-range attacks, I think that'd be the best option.
Labyrinthia: The right combination of classes and skills can make a party many times more effective than otherwise. Try out some setups and see what you discover.
Bandit El Jackson: Eee hee hee hee hee! We didn't get into this business just yesterday, y'know!
Bandit Samille: Never give up! Keep on keepin' on! ...That's the credo I live by, and today it's gonna spell your doom!
[The battle ends when every enemy has been defeated. The two bandit leaders kneel wounded before the party.]
Bandit El Jackson: Damn it all to hell! Just when I thought we'd bask in the limelight!
Bandit Samille: Hey...you don't remember this happening before, do you?
Bandit Samille: I can't recall it all too well... Something about pretending to be the Founding Knights...?
Bandit El Jackson: Eh, who cares about the past? Not me! Even if it was a beautiful age of glorious, gleeful abandon...!
Bandit Samille: Well, you can act as unflappable as you want, but we're still gonna run away, right?
[El Jackson stands up.]
Bandit El Jackson: Eee hee hee hee hee hee!
[Samille stands, and the two run off.]
Labyrinthia: When a government begins to falter, its people descend to pitiful depths...
Perhaps this is what the fall of a nation looks like from ground level.
Clarissa: They're as much victims as anyone else... Victims of the twisted chaos in this kingdom.
...
We've got to finish this task... And I'm ready to do whatever I can.
-Council Chamber-
Edna: What is happening out there, that my eyes cannot see, and my influence cannot reach?
Edna: This Alexia who claims to be the princess is an imposter--it is the only possible explanation!
[She clenches her teeth and holds up a balled fist.]
Edna: Unless... Could this be a scheme of Charlton's to discredit me? To topple me from the Council?!
[She screams.]
Edna: Gyaaah!
[Charlton shows up behind her, holding up a cigarette and has a smirk on his face. Edna holds a hand up.]
Charlton: Is there something you wished to share with me, leaving the door wide open like that?
[She balls her fist again.]
Edna: I...I'm just talking to myself! And how dare you question me--it's no business of yours!
Charlton: Then I shall be on my way. But next time you have a conversation with yourself, I'd appreciate it if you would lower your voice.
Charlton: It's only natural for my interest to be piqued when I hear my own name.
Edna: Grrrrrr...
Edna: Charlton! What's going on with that imposter princess?!
[He folds his arms.]
Charlton: "Imposter princess", indeed...
Charlton: ...
Charlton: The situation is being taken care of.
Edna: Why are you dragging your heels on this?! Hurry up and kill that swindler!
Charlton: It's not quite that simple...
Edna: --!
Charlton: Why are you so certain she's an imposter?
Charlton: Why won't you entertain even the slim possibility that the real Alexia has survived to oppose us?
[Edna puts a hand on her hip and looks sideways.]
Edna: That...that's...
Edna: ...
Edna: Because...I did it. I disposed of her... Killed her, myself...
[She clenches her teeth at him again.]
Edna: Yes...I was the one who got rid of her! I buried her alive under a mountain of rubble!
Edna: That's how I know!
[Charlton folds his arms again, this time with a smirk.]
Charlton: Heh...that's right. It was you, wasn't it?
Edna: ...
Charlton: You're a frightening woman, Edna. Or perhaps it's not just you. Perhaps all women have a side like that...?
Edna: ...
Edna: Mock women all you want, pig. You'll swallow those words soon enough. For now, let's see how you're planning to "take care of" our little imposter!
[Edna walks past him and leaves the chamber.]
Charlton: Heh...
[Back on the world map, a line forms between the Swamp and the Path to the Shrine. The line continues up to the Guardian Shrine, which is marked with a red !.]
-Guardian Shrine-
[A cut-in shows the dark entrance to the shrine. Clarissa and Felius stop in front of it.]
Clarissa: So the Guardian Shrine is in here?
Felius: We've arrived a bit early.
Felius: It seems no one from the other side is here yet.
Clarissa: ...
[Clarissa smiles a little.]
Clarissa: We came to a place like this with Mother a long time ago.
Felius: ...
Clarissa: Do you remember, Felius?
Felius: Yes... Of course I do.
[Felius stands back a little and looks into the palm of his hand distantly.]
Felius: ...I will never forget it...
[The screen flashes white for a moment, and three illustrations are briefly shown. First is Felius down on the ground with a little girl kneeling next to him as a woman slashes through monsters with a large sword; the second shows him and the girl kneeling around the woman who's holding up a dandelion, and the third is two men in odd clothing facing off in a technologically-advanced room. The screen turns black.]
Felius: ...I shouldn't have come here...
[The screen goes back to Felius holding his hand up, but with his eyes closed.]
Clarissa: ...Felius! Felius, look!
[Felius runs over to Clarissa, who's holding up her gun - it's glowing a pale blue light that fades quickly.]
Felius: What happened?
Clarissa: I don't know! It just started glowing...
[A cut-in shows the entrance to the shrine again, with the glyphs on the wall and ceiling lighting up with the same pale blue glow.]
Clarissa: Hey, look! The shrine is glowing, too!
[The light pulses three times before finally fading.]
Clarissa: It stopped...
Felius: ...
Clarissa: What was that? It was like the shrine was whispering...
Felius: Let's ponder on that later. The meeting with the Council is supposed to start soon. We must prepare.
Clarissa: Yeah...you're right.
[The screen turns black and the player is prompted to save.]