WAXF Script
< Act 3 - Echoes of Days Past >
< Act 3-1 >
-Mt. Urartu-
[The Royal Knights arrive in a high-tech place.]
Royal Knight Gordon: Captain... What in the world is this place...?
Royal Knight Herschel: I thought we were supposed to be searching for Weisheit, the Death Merchant...
Royal Knights Captain Eisen: Hmmm...
[A cut-in shows mechanical arms and test tubes.]
Royal Knight Louis: Captain! Come take a look at this, sir!
[Eisen sees a large test tube filled with a light blue liquid, with the remains of Asgard wired up inside it.]
Royal Knights Captain Eisen: Is there no end to the dark secrets that lie at the heart of Elesius...?
[Weisheit warps in.]
Weisheit: Well, well... It seems you're as busy as ever, Captain. Do you fancy yourself a spy now?
Royal Knights Captain Eisen: Weisheit...
Weisheit: I had heard that someone was trying to sniff out my ARM distribution channels...
Weisheit: But I never imagined they would find this place so quickly.
Weisheit: Between this and your interference with the Council, you seem to have quite a talent for backdoor tactics.
Weisheit: I imagine that nose of yours will serve you well once the Royal Knights have been disbanded.
A well-bred spaniel like yourself should have no trouble finding a new master to feed you, hmm?
Royal Knight Gordon: That's enough!
Royal Knight Herschel: Shut your mouth or we'll shut it for you!
[A slash motion flashes on the screen and a knight falls face-first to the ground.]
Royal Knight Louis: How...how could he be so fast?!
Royal Knights Captain Eisen: Men?! Report!
Weisheit: Don't worry. I won't be taking your lives. I have another fate in mind for you.
Royal Knights Captain Eisen: You took them down without killing them...? How could a merchant know how to do that...? No--you're more than that...
Weisheit: Please, do spare me the trite "who are you really" questions.
Weisheit: At this point, you should be able to draw your own conclusions from the things you've seen here.
Royal Knights Captain Eisen: Then I shall! You are Weisheit, enemy of Elesius! And to protect this nation, I will have your head here and now!
Weisheit: To protect this nation...? Heh heh heh heh. You're thinking much too small, Captain Eisen.
Weisheit: I expect I shall be making an enemy of the entire world before long.
[Eisen rushes towards Weisheit. A series of slashing motions flash on the screen and the sound of swords clashing, then Eisen backs up; Weisheit has drawn a familiar black and purple sword. Eisen charges again and more slash motions flash on the screen. Weisheit sheathes his sword as Eisen falls to the ground before him. Weisheit frowns.]
Weisheit: You are a dangerous man, Eisen Brenton. And perhaps even as powerful as Hrathnir was in his prime?
Weisheit: ...
Weisheit: How fortunate that it will be I who puts that power to good use, instead of Chevalet Blanc.
-Sundome Abbey Ruins-
Labyrinthia: Now that Her Highness, Princess Alexia has returned to us, I would like to propose a new phase of our campaign.
Levin: You mean rescuing Princess Katrina, right?
Labyrinthia: Yes, I do. But at this point, merely rescuing Her Highness would not be enough.
Labyrinthia: Perhaps you understand what I mean, Princess Alexia?
[Alexia closes her eyes and brings her hand to her chin.]
Alexia: The Rite of Divine Coalescence...
Alexia: We have to save her before the rite is complete... That's what you mean, isn't it?
Labyrinthia: Yes, Your Highness.
Alexia: If we can't rescue her in time, then it is all but certain that Princess Katrina will successfully complete the rite and be recognized as a princess medium.
Levin: And if that were to happen, she'd become the successor to the throne of Elesius, right?
Felius: Which would cause Chevalet Blanc to lose the legitimacy that comes from having the strongest claim to the throne...
Alexia: We stand to lose even more than that.
Alexia: If Katrina becomes Princess Medium of the Guardians, she'll display her new powers as part of the ritual.
Alexia: And if that were to happen...
Alexia: It would be a simple matter for Charlton to establish her as the proper successor to the throne.
Labyrinthia: We must rescue Princess Katrina before the Council can set her up as a puppet ruler to disguise their own terrible ambitions!
Alexia: I beg of you all... Please, for the sake of Elesius, lend me your strength!
Ragnar: ...
Ragnar: I see...
Ragnar: In that case, I must ask... What will you do with Elesius once you've wrested it from the hands of the Council?
Alexia: ...
Ragnar: I've only been fighting with Chevalet Blanc because I believed that it would help destroy Elesius.
Ragnar: If you, too, will be fighting with Chevalet Blanc, then I'd like to know how you intend to rule.
Alexia: ...
Alexia: I have no desire to see Elesius return to the warlike policies of its past.
Alexia: At the least, I must see to it that the current form of government is changed, so that none can wield power at their whim and force suffering upon the people.
Alexia: Would that be enough to fulfill your goal of destroying Elesius?
Ragnar: I'm sorry. That was a most ill-mannered question indeed, and you have my thanks for answering it. But if I might be so bold...
Alexia: ...
Ragnar: I understand well the difference between the way things are now and the way they used to be.
What I'm asking about now is the future. Will you pursue the same policies that King Hrathnir did?
Alexia: ...
Alexia: The future... I will consider the future as the future arrives. Is that not good enough?
Alexia: But I can say that I am my own person, and the future that I desire is different from the one my father desired.
Ragnar: So in order to know your future Elesius, we must first destroy the present Elesius, by putting an end to the Council's rule.
Alexia: That is one way of putting it, yes.
[After a moment, Ragnar unfolds his arms and smirks.]
Ragnar: Fair enough. Then I renew my pledge to fight for the goals of Chevalet Blanc.
Labyrinthia: Then let us march to the Guardian Temple, where the Rite of Divine Coalescence will be performed.
Labyrinthia: Do you agree with this course of action, Clarissa?
Clarissa: Yeah...sure. That's fine...
Levin: ...
[On the world map, a link from White Devil Plains forms to Lonely Waterside, marked with a red !.]
-Lefas Corner-
(Shop)
Smiling Lady (Talk): You two young ladies look so similar that I couldn't tell you apart if you were standing next to each other! Are you twins, by any chance?
Ah yes, speaking of twins...
The legends say that of all the world's Guardians, the first two that were born, the Guardian of Hope and the Guardian of Desire, were twins.
Oh, there I go again, babbling like a brook. You'll have to forgive me.
---
Farmer Returning from the Fields: The rites surrounding the Medium of the Guardians, as well as Elesius' important national ceremonies, are conducted at the Guardian Temple.
You could say it's the spiritual center of all the shrines scattered across the country.
---
Upset Young Man: P-Princess Alexia, is, is that you...?! I'm sorry, but...are you really her?!
D-do you mind if I pinch your cheek to make sure you're real?!
Though I have to say, being able to touch the cheek of Princess Alexia is in itself an incredible honor...
...Oh man, I'm so flustered...
(Synth. Shop)
Matthew the Forger: *Yaaawn* Welcome to the shop. ...Sorry, how rude of me.
Matthew the Forger (Talk): Sometimes I wake up and realize I've overslept, and I get so bummed about it that I just curl up in bed and go back to sleep. That ever happen to you?
---
Matthew's Assistant: Back when my boss was running his shop in the capital, occasionally someone would come in with a strange machine that they wanted us to look at.
Well, this has to do with artifacts of the lost technology of past civilizations, but...
You see, there's no real evidence that any technologically advanced civilization ever existed on Filgaia in the first place.
No matter where on the planet you look, it's impossible to find any archaeological sites from prehistoric societies.
That's why experts say there were no advanced civilizations before our own.
And yet, machines that can't be explained by our current technology seem to appear out of nowhere on the black market every now and then...
So where do they come from? Is this the evidence of advanced civilizations in the past that everyone says doesn't exist?
There have been rumors about these mysterious pieces of technology for generations...
People have taken to calling the source of this technology--the ruins that they say don't exist--the "Legacy Ruins."
This is one of the Seven Wonders of Filgaia, and is still hotly debated by those interested in mysteries and the occult.
---
Troubled Villager: A long time ago, I went all the way up to the northern edge of Elesius.
The snow-covered paths over there are mighty hard to walk on. You just keep slipping and slipping!
Isn't there a skill that the Drifters use to walk on any sort of terrain without problems?
Something like that sure would have been useful for me back on those snow-covered roads.
(Pub)
Bookworm Barkeep: Ah, welcome. It's good to see you. ...Oh my, who's that lovely young lady with you?
Bookworm Barkeep (Talk): ...Is that so... Lady Alexia was cooped up in abandoned ruins for a whole year?
She must not have been able to read many books at all during that time. I can hardly imagine how horrible that must have been... You poor, poor girl...
---
Olaus the Drifter: Have you ever fought against a group of people that wear monster masks on their faces? I've seen those guys countless times out in battle.
Do you know who I'm talking about? They're mercenaries, just like me. Only these guys are really hardcore...
It seems that hundreds of years ago, the kingdom of Elesius drove their tribe out of their homeland and left them without a place to live.
They're a roaming nation of mercenaries. They say that everyone in their tribe apart from children is a solder--women, old men, all of them. Scary, huh?
Supposedly, all they care about in life is success in battle...and they've even used forbidden techniques to control monsters to do their bidding!
Maybe that had no choice but to give up some of their humanity in order to keep their nation together. Such a sad story...
(Shrine)
Shrine Priestess: Welcome back, Lady Alexia. I'm so glad that you were unharmed.
The gentle voices of the Guardians, which permeate the sweet air that sustains us, foretold the events of today.
...So, Lady Alexia... Do you plan on stopping Lady Katrina from going through with the Rite of Divine Coalescence?
Of course, I see...
Once the rite has finished and Lady Katrina gains the right to succeed the royal throne, the Council of Elder Statesmen may try to take advantage of that.
And it is doubtful that they would vote to make you Queen instead of Lady Katrina, were there two claimants to the throne...
You must hurry. However, I warn you that disturbing the ceremony may incur the Guardians' wrath. Please be careful.
After all, Lady Alexia, you are a princess medium who is deaf to the voices of the Guardians...
[Upon entering Lonely Waterside, the group stands around, and Tony gets on his guard.]
Felius: What is it, Tony?
Tony: ...!
Levin: Wait a minute. I know this pattern... It's them again, isn't it?!
[Sure enough, all over the map are more kinsmen with their monster companions.]
Levin: I knew it!
Alexia: Who are they...?
Ragnar: Council minions who've been pursuing us. They can control monsters, too... Crazies, the whole bunch.
Alexia: My father told me about them...
A group of monster tamers, able to connect in mind and body with their charges!
[The kinsman on the cliff points at them with his claws.]
=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: A Tarasque, Fairlights, and Marchosias... All under monster tamer control.
We'll need a well-balanced party to handle these three monster types... Each one has its own strengths and weaknesses.
Labyrinthia: I'd like us to pay particular attention to the Marchosias.
Their "Bloodsucker" HP-recovery skill is a menace, so we should concentrate our high-damage attacks on them before they have a chance to heal themselves.
Labyrinthia: Cutting down the enemy's numbers, then concentrating all our firepower on the strongest units, will be the quickest path to victory.
[The battle ends when all enemies have been defeated. After the battle, two kinsmen in red robes step sideways to show Piedras Blancas with Chelle standing behind him.]
Piedras: ...
Labyrinhtia: This is not good.. We were too distracted by our immediate enemies to notice the rest of them...
[Levin and Ragnar look at them from afar.]
Levin: Hey, check out that weird guy... Do you think he's the boss of all these monsters?
Ragnar: And that woman...
Ragnar: ...
Ragnar: So that beauty and I meet again... Alas, it is not a particularly pleasant reunion under the circumstances.
Ragnar: We should arrange to meet someplace a little more formal...
Levin: This is no time to be checking out girls!
[Ragnar folds his arms.]
Ragnar: Let me give you a piece of advice to file away for the future.
Ragnar: Women aren't only attracted to a man's appearance and personality. There's one other significant factor.
[Ragnar unfolds his arms, looking absolutely determined as he yells this out:]
Ragnar: And that is maintaining a gentlemanly nonchalance!
Levin: "A gentlemanly nonchalance"...?! What, are you serious?
[Ragnar pauses before folding his arms with a smirk.]
Ragnar: Well, I won't know for sure until we get through this and I can try it out for myself...
Levin: Hey! I'm asking a serious question here!
[Piedras groans.]
Piedras: ...
Chelle: "I am Piedras Blancas, Chieftain of the Zortroa."
Chelle: "Die, Chevalet Blanc, so that our tribe's most fervent wish may be fulfilled."
Piedras: ...
[The wind suddenly picks up and blows up the snow.]
Levin: Wha...what's going on? Where did this blizzard come from? Is this 'cause of that strange cry of his?!
Ragnar: Stay focused. Don't let them get to you. Now might be a good time for you to work on your nonchalance.
Ragnar: And when we have a little more time, perhaps I'll teach you how to use your nonchalance to win over the ladies.
Levin: Seriously?! There're tricks to that sort of thing?!
Ragnar: Don't get so excited about it, Levin. Have you missed my point entirely...?
=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, but...?
Labyrinthia: The Zortroa Kinship is a tribe of monster tamers... And yet they've brought no monsters along with them. That disquiets me.
Labyrinthia: There is the possibility they have some sort of tactic--or special power--that's taking the place of their monsters this time.
Our only option seems to be to fight them and see what they have up their sleeve.
If we cut out as much risk as possible beforehand, that'll help us stay safe on the field. We'll need to get a grip on their abilities as quickly as we can.
Labyrinthia: Before an unknown enemy, we must prepare for anything. Physical offense, magical offense, defense, healing... We may need all of it.
[The battle ends when all enemies have been defeated. The blizzard rages on and Piedras groans.]
Piedras: ...
[The blizzard finally ends.]
Piedras: ...
Chelle: "I am Piedras Blancas, Cheiftain of the Zortroa."
Chelle: "We are through playing. The sorrows of our kinsmen that permeate this land have hardened our resolve."
Chelle: "We will make an offering of your flesh in order to redeem the crimes of Elesius."
Alexia: The crimes of Elesius?!
Piedras: ...
Chelle: "Correct."
Chelle: "Do not claim to be unaware of what your nation has done to us!"
Chelle: "The Zortroa Kinship is but one of the many nations and tribes that have been destroyed by Elesius!"
Alexia: --?!
Piedras: ...
Chelle: "We have been forced into a nomadic lifestyle, despised and ridiculed wherever we go.
But that humiliation is about to end, with the blood offering we shall make of you."
[Alexia clenches her teeth.]
Alexia: What do you mean?
Piedras: ...
Chelle: "That is the agreement we have made with Charlton Blunt. When we destroy Chevalet Blanc, our former holy land will be returned to us."
[Ragnar runs up to them, fists clenched.]
Ragnar: If that's how you're getting it, what value will your country have?!
[Chelle's eyes widen.]
Chelle: --?!
Ragnar: No matter how badly you want it, once something is lost, it can never return to the way it used to be!
Ragnar: Not a country, nor the people who live there! Don't you understand that?!
Ragnar: Answer me, Piedras Blancas!
Piedras: ...
Chelle: "only those who have had their homelands torn from them could possibly fathom our pain. I would not expect the likes of you to understand."
Ragnar: You're wrong! I do understand!
Ragnar: You lost your homeland to Elesius's warlike ways, and now you're employing the same methods to reclaim it?!
Ragnar: You've tipped your hand, Piedras Blancas! You are no tribal chieftain! You're a conqueror no different from those who ruled feudal Elesius!
Piedras: ...
Chelle: "You speak with the folly of youth, but you intrigue me nonetheless. I wish to know your name."
Ragnar: Ragnar Blitz Lebrett. A man who now fights for the Elesius that once stole everything from him!
Piedras: ...
Chelle: "I gather that, like us, you have lost your homeland to Elesius."
Chelle: "We share a bond as two men in the same predicament. We shall withdraw for now... But do not expect to fare as well the next time around."
Chelle: "Know that the Zortroa are a proud people. A thousand deaths will not repay the humiliation you have caused us."
[They withdraw. Ragnar punches into his palm.]
Ragnar: You never answered my question, Piedras! Do you honestly think that if you reclaim your country, you'll reclaim all you've lost?!
Ragnar: If that were true, then I... I would never...!
[Alexia walks up to Ragnar.]
Alexia: ...Ragnar...
Ragnar: ...
[The screen turns black as Clarissa talks to herself.]
Clarissa: (It's not just us...)
Clarissa: (We have adversaries who fight with a zeal equal to ours, if not greater...)
Clarissa: (The foes we face now are people just like us...)
Clarissa: (If we fail to match their resolve, there's no way we'll be able to beat them...)
-Elesius Castle: Courtyard-
[A carriage arrives.]
Rupert: ...What's this...?
[Rupert walks up to see Edna climbing down from the carriage, clenching her teeth.]
Edna: Dammit! DAMMIT! How did this happen?! I can't believe this! If I don't do something, this...this could--
[Rupert walks up to her. She holds her fist up.]
Edna: Wh-what do you want?! I don't recall summoning any mercenary thugs to meet with me!
Rupert: And I don't recall you summonin' me neither. I don't got no business in particular... Just wanderin' by.
Edna: Then maybe you should be spending your ample free time learning how to speak properly! Or better yet, you could do your damn job!
Aren't you supposed to be reorganizing the Martial Guard?!
Rupert: Yeah, that's lurchin' along. Bit by bit.
Edna: I am surrounded by idiots!
Edna: I won't stand for having my ambitions dashed after all I've done for the Council! Just you wait--I will have the last laugh!
[Edna walks past him. Rupert smirks and closes one eye.]
Rupert: Always comin' or goin', that one.
Rupert: She left the capital with a whole train o' coaches, but she came back with just one. Little missy musta given her one hell of a whoopin'.
[He frowns.]
Rupert: But still...
Rupert: ...
[He turns.]
Rupert: I don't like the way the winds have been blowin' of late...
Rupert: I thought I was joinin' the winning side here, but suddenly a storm seems to be gatherin' all around us...
Rupert: ...
Rupert: In fact... I got a feelin' that the storm's already raging. Wish I knew what the hell I was s'posed to do about it...
[Over at Weisheit's lab--]
Weisheit: Heh heh heh. I knew I could lure Felius here if I set Rupert out as bait.
Weisheit: I have enjoyed this little play of ours. But for the sake of my true objective, it is time that I take my bow and put an end to this bit-player part.
Weisheit: Good people of Elesius--and all of Filgaia--I do hope you continue to enjoy yourselves.
[The screen fades to black and the player is prompted to save.]
< Act 3-1 >
-Mt. Urartu-
[The Royal Knights arrive in a high-tech place.]
Royal Knight Gordon: Captain... What in the world is this place...?
Royal Knight Herschel: I thought we were supposed to be searching for Weisheit, the Death Merchant...
Royal Knights Captain Eisen: Hmmm...
[A cut-in shows mechanical arms and test tubes.]
Royal Knight Louis: Captain! Come take a look at this, sir!
[Eisen sees a large test tube filled with a light blue liquid, with the remains of Asgard wired up inside it.]
Royal Knights Captain Eisen: Is there no end to the dark secrets that lie at the heart of Elesius...?
[Weisheit warps in.]
Weisheit: Well, well... It seems you're as busy as ever, Captain. Do you fancy yourself a spy now?
Royal Knights Captain Eisen: Weisheit...
Weisheit: I had heard that someone was trying to sniff out my ARM distribution channels...
Weisheit: But I never imagined they would find this place so quickly.
Weisheit: Between this and your interference with the Council, you seem to have quite a talent for backdoor tactics.
Weisheit: I imagine that nose of yours will serve you well once the Royal Knights have been disbanded.
A well-bred spaniel like yourself should have no trouble finding a new master to feed you, hmm?
Royal Knight Gordon: That's enough!
Royal Knight Herschel: Shut your mouth or we'll shut it for you!
[A slash motion flashes on the screen and a knight falls face-first to the ground.]
Royal Knight Louis: How...how could he be so fast?!
Royal Knights Captain Eisen: Men?! Report!
Weisheit: Don't worry. I won't be taking your lives. I have another fate in mind for you.
Royal Knights Captain Eisen: You took them down without killing them...? How could a merchant know how to do that...? No--you're more than that...
Weisheit: Please, do spare me the trite "who are you really" questions.
Weisheit: At this point, you should be able to draw your own conclusions from the things you've seen here.
Royal Knights Captain Eisen: Then I shall! You are Weisheit, enemy of Elesius! And to protect this nation, I will have your head here and now!
Weisheit: To protect this nation...? Heh heh heh heh. You're thinking much too small, Captain Eisen.
Weisheit: I expect I shall be making an enemy of the entire world before long.
[Eisen rushes towards Weisheit. A series of slashing motions flash on the screen and the sound of swords clashing, then Eisen backs up; Weisheit has drawn a familiar black and purple sword. Eisen charges again and more slash motions flash on the screen. Weisheit sheathes his sword as Eisen falls to the ground before him. Weisheit frowns.]
Weisheit: You are a dangerous man, Eisen Brenton. And perhaps even as powerful as Hrathnir was in his prime?
Weisheit: ...
Weisheit: How fortunate that it will be I who puts that power to good use, instead of Chevalet Blanc.
-Sundome Abbey Ruins-
Labyrinthia: Now that Her Highness, Princess Alexia has returned to us, I would like to propose a new phase of our campaign.
Levin: You mean rescuing Princess Katrina, right?
Labyrinthia: Yes, I do. But at this point, merely rescuing Her Highness would not be enough.
Labyrinthia: Perhaps you understand what I mean, Princess Alexia?
[Alexia closes her eyes and brings her hand to her chin.]
Alexia: The Rite of Divine Coalescence...
Alexia: We have to save her before the rite is complete... That's what you mean, isn't it?
Labyrinthia: Yes, Your Highness.
Alexia: If we can't rescue her in time, then it is all but certain that Princess Katrina will successfully complete the rite and be recognized as a princess medium.
Levin: And if that were to happen, she'd become the successor to the throne of Elesius, right?
Felius: Which would cause Chevalet Blanc to lose the legitimacy that comes from having the strongest claim to the throne...
Alexia: We stand to lose even more than that.
Alexia: If Katrina becomes Princess Medium of the Guardians, she'll display her new powers as part of the ritual.
Alexia: And if that were to happen...
Alexia: It would be a simple matter for Charlton to establish her as the proper successor to the throne.
Labyrinthia: We must rescue Princess Katrina before the Council can set her up as a puppet ruler to disguise their own terrible ambitions!
Alexia: I beg of you all... Please, for the sake of Elesius, lend me your strength!
Ragnar: ...
Ragnar: I see...
Ragnar: In that case, I must ask... What will you do with Elesius once you've wrested it from the hands of the Council?
Alexia: ...
Ragnar: I've only been fighting with Chevalet Blanc because I believed that it would help destroy Elesius.
Ragnar: If you, too, will be fighting with Chevalet Blanc, then I'd like to know how you intend to rule.
Alexia: ...
Alexia: I have no desire to see Elesius return to the warlike policies of its past.
Alexia: At the least, I must see to it that the current form of government is changed, so that none can wield power at their whim and force suffering upon the people.
Alexia: Would that be enough to fulfill your goal of destroying Elesius?
Ragnar: I'm sorry. That was a most ill-mannered question indeed, and you have my thanks for answering it. But if I might be so bold...
Alexia: ...
Ragnar: I understand well the difference between the way things are now and the way they used to be.
What I'm asking about now is the future. Will you pursue the same policies that King Hrathnir did?
Alexia: ...
Alexia: The future... I will consider the future as the future arrives. Is that not good enough?
Alexia: But I can say that I am my own person, and the future that I desire is different from the one my father desired.
Ragnar: So in order to know your future Elesius, we must first destroy the present Elesius, by putting an end to the Council's rule.
Alexia: That is one way of putting it, yes.
[After a moment, Ragnar unfolds his arms and smirks.]
Ragnar: Fair enough. Then I renew my pledge to fight for the goals of Chevalet Blanc.
Labyrinthia: Then let us march to the Guardian Temple, where the Rite of Divine Coalescence will be performed.
Labyrinthia: Do you agree with this course of action, Clarissa?
Clarissa: Yeah...sure. That's fine...
Levin: ...
[On the world map, a link from White Devil Plains forms to Lonely Waterside, marked with a red !.]
-Lefas Corner-
(Shop)
Smiling Lady (Talk): You two young ladies look so similar that I couldn't tell you apart if you were standing next to each other! Are you twins, by any chance?
Ah yes, speaking of twins...
The legends say that of all the world's Guardians, the first two that were born, the Guardian of Hope and the Guardian of Desire, were twins.
Oh, there I go again, babbling like a brook. You'll have to forgive me.
---
Farmer Returning from the Fields: The rites surrounding the Medium of the Guardians, as well as Elesius' important national ceremonies, are conducted at the Guardian Temple.
You could say it's the spiritual center of all the shrines scattered across the country.
---
Upset Young Man: P-Princess Alexia, is, is that you...?! I'm sorry, but...are you really her?!
D-do you mind if I pinch your cheek to make sure you're real?!
Though I have to say, being able to touch the cheek of Princess Alexia is in itself an incredible honor...
...Oh man, I'm so flustered...
(Synth. Shop)
Matthew the Forger: *Yaaawn* Welcome to the shop. ...Sorry, how rude of me.
Matthew the Forger (Talk): Sometimes I wake up and realize I've overslept, and I get so bummed about it that I just curl up in bed and go back to sleep. That ever happen to you?
---
Matthew's Assistant: Back when my boss was running his shop in the capital, occasionally someone would come in with a strange machine that they wanted us to look at.
Well, this has to do with artifacts of the lost technology of past civilizations, but...
You see, there's no real evidence that any technologically advanced civilization ever existed on Filgaia in the first place.
No matter where on the planet you look, it's impossible to find any archaeological sites from prehistoric societies.
That's why experts say there were no advanced civilizations before our own.
And yet, machines that can't be explained by our current technology seem to appear out of nowhere on the black market every now and then...
So where do they come from? Is this the evidence of advanced civilizations in the past that everyone says doesn't exist?
There have been rumors about these mysterious pieces of technology for generations...
People have taken to calling the source of this technology--the ruins that they say don't exist--the "Legacy Ruins."
This is one of the Seven Wonders of Filgaia, and is still hotly debated by those interested in mysteries and the occult.
---
Troubled Villager: A long time ago, I went all the way up to the northern edge of Elesius.
The snow-covered paths over there are mighty hard to walk on. You just keep slipping and slipping!
Isn't there a skill that the Drifters use to walk on any sort of terrain without problems?
Something like that sure would have been useful for me back on those snow-covered roads.
(Pub)
Bookworm Barkeep: Ah, welcome. It's good to see you. ...Oh my, who's that lovely young lady with you?
Bookworm Barkeep (Talk): ...Is that so... Lady Alexia was cooped up in abandoned ruins for a whole year?
She must not have been able to read many books at all during that time. I can hardly imagine how horrible that must have been... You poor, poor girl...
---
Olaus the Drifter: Have you ever fought against a group of people that wear monster masks on their faces? I've seen those guys countless times out in battle.
Do you know who I'm talking about? They're mercenaries, just like me. Only these guys are really hardcore...
It seems that hundreds of years ago, the kingdom of Elesius drove their tribe out of their homeland and left them without a place to live.
They're a roaming nation of mercenaries. They say that everyone in their tribe apart from children is a solder--women, old men, all of them. Scary, huh?
Supposedly, all they care about in life is success in battle...and they've even used forbidden techniques to control monsters to do their bidding!
Maybe that had no choice but to give up some of their humanity in order to keep their nation together. Such a sad story...
(Shrine)
Shrine Priestess: Welcome back, Lady Alexia. I'm so glad that you were unharmed.
The gentle voices of the Guardians, which permeate the sweet air that sustains us, foretold the events of today.
...So, Lady Alexia... Do you plan on stopping Lady Katrina from going through with the Rite of Divine Coalescence?
Of course, I see...
Once the rite has finished and Lady Katrina gains the right to succeed the royal throne, the Council of Elder Statesmen may try to take advantage of that.
And it is doubtful that they would vote to make you Queen instead of Lady Katrina, were there two claimants to the throne...
You must hurry. However, I warn you that disturbing the ceremony may incur the Guardians' wrath. Please be careful.
After all, Lady Alexia, you are a princess medium who is deaf to the voices of the Guardians...
[Upon entering Lonely Waterside, the group stands around, and Tony gets on his guard.]
Felius: What is it, Tony?
Tony: ...!
Levin: Wait a minute. I know this pattern... It's them again, isn't it?!
[Sure enough, all over the map are more kinsmen with their monster companions.]
Levin: I knew it!
Alexia: Who are they...?
Ragnar: Council minions who've been pursuing us. They can control monsters, too... Crazies, the whole bunch.
Alexia: My father told me about them...
A group of monster tamers, able to connect in mind and body with their charges!
[The kinsman on the cliff points at them with his claws.]
=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: A Tarasque, Fairlights, and Marchosias... All under monster tamer control.
We'll need a well-balanced party to handle these three monster types... Each one has its own strengths and weaknesses.
Labyrinthia: I'd like us to pay particular attention to the Marchosias.
Their "Bloodsucker" HP-recovery skill is a menace, so we should concentrate our high-damage attacks on them before they have a chance to heal themselves.
Labyrinthia: Cutting down the enemy's numbers, then concentrating all our firepower on the strongest units, will be the quickest path to victory.
[The battle ends when all enemies have been defeated. After the battle, two kinsmen in red robes step sideways to show Piedras Blancas with Chelle standing behind him.]
Piedras: ...
Labyrinhtia: This is not good.. We were too distracted by our immediate enemies to notice the rest of them...
[Levin and Ragnar look at them from afar.]
Levin: Hey, check out that weird guy... Do you think he's the boss of all these monsters?
Ragnar: And that woman...
Ragnar: ...
Ragnar: So that beauty and I meet again... Alas, it is not a particularly pleasant reunion under the circumstances.
Ragnar: We should arrange to meet someplace a little more formal...
Levin: This is no time to be checking out girls!
[Ragnar folds his arms.]
Ragnar: Let me give you a piece of advice to file away for the future.
Ragnar: Women aren't only attracted to a man's appearance and personality. There's one other significant factor.
[Ragnar unfolds his arms, looking absolutely determined as he yells this out:]
Ragnar: And that is maintaining a gentlemanly nonchalance!
Levin: "A gentlemanly nonchalance"...?! What, are you serious?
[Ragnar pauses before folding his arms with a smirk.]
Ragnar: Well, I won't know for sure until we get through this and I can try it out for myself...
Levin: Hey! I'm asking a serious question here!
[Piedras groans.]
Piedras: ...
Chelle: "I am Piedras Blancas, Chieftain of the Zortroa."
Chelle: "Die, Chevalet Blanc, so that our tribe's most fervent wish may be fulfilled."
Piedras: ...
[The wind suddenly picks up and blows up the snow.]
Levin: Wha...what's going on? Where did this blizzard come from? Is this 'cause of that strange cry of his?!
Ragnar: Stay focused. Don't let them get to you. Now might be a good time for you to work on your nonchalance.
Ragnar: And when we have a little more time, perhaps I'll teach you how to use your nonchalance to win over the ladies.
Levin: Seriously?! There're tricks to that sort of thing?!
Ragnar: Don't get so excited about it, Levin. Have you missed my point entirely...?
=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, but...?
Labyrinthia: The Zortroa Kinship is a tribe of monster tamers... And yet they've brought no monsters along with them. That disquiets me.
Labyrinthia: There is the possibility they have some sort of tactic--or special power--that's taking the place of their monsters this time.
Our only option seems to be to fight them and see what they have up their sleeve.
If we cut out as much risk as possible beforehand, that'll help us stay safe on the field. We'll need to get a grip on their abilities as quickly as we can.
Labyrinthia: Before an unknown enemy, we must prepare for anything. Physical offense, magical offense, defense, healing... We may need all of it.
[The battle ends when all enemies have been defeated. The blizzard rages on and Piedras groans.]
Piedras: ...
[The blizzard finally ends.]
Piedras: ...
Chelle: "I am Piedras Blancas, Cheiftain of the Zortroa."
Chelle: "We are through playing. The sorrows of our kinsmen that permeate this land have hardened our resolve."
Chelle: "We will make an offering of your flesh in order to redeem the crimes of Elesius."
Alexia: The crimes of Elesius?!
Piedras: ...
Chelle: "Correct."
Chelle: "Do not claim to be unaware of what your nation has done to us!"
Chelle: "The Zortroa Kinship is but one of the many nations and tribes that have been destroyed by Elesius!"
Alexia: --?!
Piedras: ...
Chelle: "We have been forced into a nomadic lifestyle, despised and ridiculed wherever we go.
But that humiliation is about to end, with the blood offering we shall make of you."
[Alexia clenches her teeth.]
Alexia: What do you mean?
Piedras: ...
Chelle: "That is the agreement we have made with Charlton Blunt. When we destroy Chevalet Blanc, our former holy land will be returned to us."
[Ragnar runs up to them, fists clenched.]
Ragnar: If that's how you're getting it, what value will your country have?!
[Chelle's eyes widen.]
Chelle: --?!
Ragnar: No matter how badly you want it, once something is lost, it can never return to the way it used to be!
Ragnar: Not a country, nor the people who live there! Don't you understand that?!
Ragnar: Answer me, Piedras Blancas!
Piedras: ...
Chelle: "only those who have had their homelands torn from them could possibly fathom our pain. I would not expect the likes of you to understand."
Ragnar: You're wrong! I do understand!
Ragnar: You lost your homeland to Elesius's warlike ways, and now you're employing the same methods to reclaim it?!
Ragnar: You've tipped your hand, Piedras Blancas! You are no tribal chieftain! You're a conqueror no different from those who ruled feudal Elesius!
Piedras: ...
Chelle: "You speak with the folly of youth, but you intrigue me nonetheless. I wish to know your name."
Ragnar: Ragnar Blitz Lebrett. A man who now fights for the Elesius that once stole everything from him!
Piedras: ...
Chelle: "I gather that, like us, you have lost your homeland to Elesius."
Chelle: "We share a bond as two men in the same predicament. We shall withdraw for now... But do not expect to fare as well the next time around."
Chelle: "Know that the Zortroa are a proud people. A thousand deaths will not repay the humiliation you have caused us."
[They withdraw. Ragnar punches into his palm.]
Ragnar: You never answered my question, Piedras! Do you honestly think that if you reclaim your country, you'll reclaim all you've lost?!
Ragnar: If that were true, then I... I would never...!
[Alexia walks up to Ragnar.]
Alexia: ...Ragnar...
Ragnar: ...
[The screen turns black as Clarissa talks to herself.]
Clarissa: (It's not just us...)
Clarissa: (We have adversaries who fight with a zeal equal to ours, if not greater...)
Clarissa: (The foes we face now are people just like us...)
Clarissa: (If we fail to match their resolve, there's no way we'll be able to beat them...)
-Elesius Castle: Courtyard-
[A carriage arrives.]
Rupert: ...What's this...?
[Rupert walks up to see Edna climbing down from the carriage, clenching her teeth.]
Edna: Dammit! DAMMIT! How did this happen?! I can't believe this! If I don't do something, this...this could--
[Rupert walks up to her. She holds her fist up.]
Edna: Wh-what do you want?! I don't recall summoning any mercenary thugs to meet with me!
Rupert: And I don't recall you summonin' me neither. I don't got no business in particular... Just wanderin' by.
Edna: Then maybe you should be spending your ample free time learning how to speak properly! Or better yet, you could do your damn job!
Aren't you supposed to be reorganizing the Martial Guard?!
Rupert: Yeah, that's lurchin' along. Bit by bit.
Edna: I am surrounded by idiots!
Edna: I won't stand for having my ambitions dashed after all I've done for the Council! Just you wait--I will have the last laugh!
[Edna walks past him. Rupert smirks and closes one eye.]
Rupert: Always comin' or goin', that one.
Rupert: She left the capital with a whole train o' coaches, but she came back with just one. Little missy musta given her one hell of a whoopin'.
[He frowns.]
Rupert: But still...
Rupert: ...
[He turns.]
Rupert: I don't like the way the winds have been blowin' of late...
Rupert: I thought I was joinin' the winning side here, but suddenly a storm seems to be gatherin' all around us...
Rupert: ...
Rupert: In fact... I got a feelin' that the storm's already raging. Wish I knew what the hell I was s'posed to do about it...
[Over at Weisheit's lab--]
Weisheit: Heh heh heh. I knew I could lure Felius here if I set Rupert out as bait.
Weisheit: I have enjoyed this little play of ours. But for the sake of my true objective, it is time that I take my bow and put an end to this bit-player part.
Weisheit: Good people of Elesius--and all of Filgaia--I do hope you continue to enjoy yourselves.
[The screen fades to black and the player is prompted to save.]