ffbe_script | Entries tagged with ffbe script

Previously...

DARK CONTINENT GRONOA -- FROZEN EDGE -- DUGGLE VILLAGE 1

(The scene pans over the town of Duggle Village. Villagers are gathered in small groups. Two townsfolk near the entrance of the village were standing with an older man, but they quickly leave. Four members of our party enter town: Jake, Lid, Lasswell and Fina.)

Lid: What could have happened? The people seem pretty unsettled around here...

Lasswell: Why don't we ask some of the villagers?

(Lasswell approaches the old man. As he does, the rest of the party enters town.)

Lasswell: What is going on? Did something happen here?

Old Man: I never... How could this have... The god... The wrath of our god...

(The man walks away.)

Lasswell: God?

Fina: What does that mean? Maybe we should try someone else?

???: It's no good. It won't change, no matter who you ask.

(A pink-haired woman has approached the party.)

Lid: Who're you?

???: I'm Camille. This town's bodyguard.

Jake: Hey, hey... Are you okay? You're bleeding. Here. Use my handkerchief.

Camille: Thanks. And sorry.

Jake: Not at all. I should be thanking you. For giving me the chance to gaze upon such a strong, beautiful woman.

(Jake gets a ♥ above his head.)

Jake: What do you say? If you're not busy this evening, maybe you and I...

Lid(irritated): "Maybe you and I..." will do what now?

(Jake gets a ! over his head as Lid swings her hammer menacingly. Jake backs away.)

Jake: Nothing. We'll do nothing. Not a blessed thing.

Rain: Camille, right? What happened? How did you get hurt like that?

Camille: Someone hit me from behind. And when I woke up, things were like this. Apparently the village's god disappeared.

Nichol: Their god? What does that mean? Did they worship some sort of idol here?

Camille: I guess? It was some weird suit of armor or something...

Rain: Armor?

Sakura: It must be...

Lid: What!? S-snow!?

(Indeed, a flurry of snow fills the screen.)

Camille: No... no way... What the heck is this...?

(Camille has been partially encased in ice.)

Camille: How can this be...?

(The ice now covers her completely!)

Jake: Camille!

(The snow has stopped, but the camera pans to show the rest of the villagers encased in ice as well.)

Fina: Everyone... everyone is frozen...

Sakura: This power... There is no mistaking it. Frost. This is the work of the Veritas of the Frost.

Rain: What!?

Lid: But... Frostlord died 700 years ago!

Sakura: Over there! I can feel him!

(Sakura rushes off, the rest of the party following.)

DARK CONTINENT GRONOA -- FROZEN EDGE -- DUGGLE VILLAGE 2

Sakura: I thought the Frostlord was dead, too. That is to say, I haven't felt his presence over these past 700 years. However, no one ever saw his remains. That means the Frostlord... He could have just been asleep for these past 700 years, for some reason.

(Wave 1 of battle commences and leads to wave 2.)

Jake: So if the Frostlord's been asleep this whole time, it means you don't know everything that's happened up until now?

Sakura: That's fair to say.

Jake: If so, then just like the villainous Veritas you so eloquently explained about to us... We could just recruit him into our group and have him fight alongside us!?

Lid: Yeeeah, I dunno if that';d go over so smoothly.

(Wave 2 of battle commences. There is no further dialogue.)

DARK CONTINENT GRONOA -- FROZEN EDGE -- DUGGLE VILLAGE 3

(The party approaches the armor of a Veritas.)

Rain: So this is the Veritas of the Frost.

Sakura: ...Frostlord. It really was you.

Veritas of the Frost: ...Sakura? ...It's been a while. 700 years, I suppose.

Rain: It was you, wasn't it? The one who covered all the villagers with ice.

Veritas of the Frost: Yeah. That was me. I was asleep for 700 years, after all. I needed a bit of a warm up before the real show could begin.

Rain: A... warm up? You've got to be kidding! Turn those people back to normal!

Veritas of the Frost: Certainly. If you can defeat me, I would be happy to release them from the ice.

Rain: Oh, I'd be more than happy to beat you. I'll take you on this instant.

Veritas of the Frost: Are you the strongest?

Rain: What?

Veritas of the Frost: I am asking if you are the strongest among your ragtag group.

Rain: What does that have to do with anything?

Veritas of the Frost: I do not bother with meaningless battles without any value. In other words, I have no interest in battling anyone who cannot face me on even footing.

Rain: Then what do you expect us to do!?

Veritas of the Frost: What to do at a time like this... I'm sure Sakura knows.

(Sakura moves forward.)

Sakura: Frostlord... You can't mean...

Veritas of the Frost: I will wait for you in the valley that lies ahead. Come find me there. But come ready.

(He teleports away.)

Rain: Sakura? What does he have in mind?

Sakura: That man... loves battle. Both taking part in battle and watching it. He loved battle so much he had his own private arena back in the old days.

Rain: You said he likes watching battle.... You don't mean...?

Sakura: Yes. He wants us to fight. To decide who among us is the strongest. So that he can battle against the one who makes it through till the end...

Next Entry

Previously....

DARK CONTINENT GRONOA -- AWAKENING OF POWER -- GRONOA SHRINE INTERIOR 1

(the party is in the shrine.)

Rain: So this is where the last crystal is? We're here at last, Lassell.

(Lasswell has his back turned to the party. He gets a (...) over his head.)

Lasswell: (What was that yesterday...? What happened during that training session?)

(He bows his head.)

Lasswell: That feeling... as though a great door had opened within me.) (Ever since that moment, I've felt my body flooded with power.)

Rain: Hey. Lasswell, what is it? What's wrong?

(Lasswell gets a ! and turns to face Rain.)

Lasswell: What? Ah... Yes. As you said. The final battle at last.

Fina: Do you think we'll be able to protect the crystal from the Veritas?

Rain: Of course we will. We've gotten so strong during our journey.

(Dark Fina gets a ! over her head.)

Dark Fina: This feeling.... Looks like there are monsters gathering in the shrine. They were probably drawn by the negative aura that Dark Elf projected.

Lid: So... I guess we'll warm up for our final battle with a bit of good old-fashioned monster clean up!

Jake: Yeah? I guess I could get behind that. My future wife should be good at cleaning up messes. My lovely Lid. You're going to take such good care of me, aren't you?

Lid: Sure. You can count on me.

Jake: Wha... Y-you mean you'll....

Lid: Of course. I'm gonna take re-e-eal good care of you. And those insane fantasies of yours!!!

Jake: What!?

Nichol(...): Come. If you're done with your usual act, I believe there are some monsters that still need cleaning up.

Lid: Our usual "act?" What do you mean by that, Nichol?

Jake: That's right. There's no acting here. Our love is real.

Lid: Whose love!?

(She hits Jake with her hammer.)

Jake: Gurk! Uuuunh. Just as real as this pain is...

(The party moves on.)

DARK CONTINENT GRONOA -- AWAKENING OF POWER -- GRONOA SHRINE INTERIOR 2

(There is the sound of a katana being wielded, and a purple streak lights the screen. When the scene appears, Rain and Lasswell have just dispatched a monster. Lasswell turns to Rain.)

Lasswell: What's wrong, Rain? It's not like you to move so slowly in battle.

Rain: Huh?

Lasswell: Don't let your guard down simply because we';ve defeated Dark Elf. You always let your guard down too soon. It's a dangerous habit.

Rain: Y-yeah... You're right.

(Lasswell turns his back to Rain.)

Lasswell: Of course I am. Not that you ever seem to learn.

(Lasswell walks off. Rain gets a (...) over his head.)

Rain: (I never let my guard down, though. I was fighting with everything I had that whole time.)

(Rain bows his head.)

Rain: (But Lasswell thought I was moving slow? What is going on...?)

(Nichol and Sakura approach Rain.)

Sakura: All right. It looks as though we're done cleaning up the monsters.

(Nichol turns to Sakura.)

Nichol: So... shall we ready an ambush here for the Veritas?

Sakura: Yes, we probably should...

(Sakura gets a ! and walks a few steps in the direction Lasswell went.)

Sakura: No... This feeling is... But it can't be. How could he...

Rain: Sakura? What is it?

Sakura: There's something I need to check. There is a small village up ahead. Rain. I need to go there.

Rain: But... but we don't know when the Veritas will strike...

Sakura: This has to do with them. I will hurry.

(Sakura rushes off.)

Rain: Hey! Wait! Sakura!

(Rain and Nichol rush after her. The scene shifts to the Invincible. Flamelord stands at the railing on deck. Darklord approaches him.)

Veritas of the Dark: Flamelord. I'd been looking for you. What are you doing in a place like this?

Veritas of the Flame: Oh... Darklord... I was just thinking about Frostlord, that's all.

(Darklord joins him at the railing.)

Veritas of the Dark: Frostlord...

(A flashback begins. Frostlord stands before Flamelord and Darklord.)

Veritas of the Frost: The Eight Sages of Hess are near. Why don't you move?

Veritas of the Flame: Just working out the final details of my plan. So wait for Darklord's sign.

(Darklord gets a (...) over his head.)

Veritas of the Frost: What's there to decide? If you're having that much trouble with it, why don't I go take care of all eight on my own? You won't need any plan that way.

(Frostlord begins to leave, but stops and turns back as Darklord speaks.)

Veritas of the Dark: Frostlord. Taking such actions alone will not be forgiven. You will wait for your orders.

Veritas of the Frost: Forgiven? Who do you think you're talking to?

(Frostlord glows.)

Veritas of the Frost: I do not fight meaningless battles. I do not fight the unworthy. I'm not interested in fighting anyone who is not equal to myself in strength. So what about you, Darklord? Are you strong enough to be able to stop me?

Veritas of the Dark: ......... Do as you will then. I will not stop you.

(Frostlord stops glowing.)

Veritas of the Frost: Coward.

(Frostlord leaves. The scene returns to present day.)

Veritas of the Flame: Was it because you knew what kind of battle was waiting for us? Was that why you didn't take part?

Veritas of the Dark: Yes. That's right.

Veritas of the Flame: I wonder what would have happened... if you'd taken part...

Veritas of the Dark: I don't know. But it seems impossible to think that we would have both walked away unharmed.

Veritas of the Flame: Too bad that we'll never get the chance to fight again. It's been 700 years though. There's no way Frostlord could still be alive, right?

Veritas of the Dark: ......

(Darklord moves as if to leave but stops as Flamelord speaks.)

Veritas of the Flame: Nevermind all that. What did you need from me? You said you were looking for me, right?

Veritas of the Dark: The preparations are complete. We're heading for Lazarov's lab now.

Veritas of the Flame: Right... So the time's finally come to use that thing, huh?

(They walk on, and the scene ends.)

Next entry...

Previously...

DARK CONTINENT GRONOA -- BETTING ON BELIEF -- GRONOA SHRINE ENTRANCE 1

(The party rushes into the shrine.)

Sakura: Sister!

(They rush forward to Lightlord, who is crumbled into a heap on the ground.)

Veritas of the Light: Hah... Looks like our roles have reversed...

Sakura: I told you.. that you wouldn't be able to defeat him alone.

Veritas of the Light(...): Sakura... Kill me. If I can't destroy the crystal myself, then there is no point in living. So go ahead. Do it. If you stab me through the heart, even our "immortality" won't be enough to save me.

Sakura: I will not...

(Sakura has turned her back on her sister and taken a few steps away.)

Sakura: I cannot kill you, sister.

Veritas of the Light: Then you, Rain.... You kill me.

Rain: Why would I?

Veritas of the Light: Because I was the one... who killed your mother. Sophia.

(Rain gets a ! at this.)

Veritas of the Light: ...You look surprised. So Raegen never did tell you the truth of that day...

Rain: You.... killed my...

Veritas of the Light: You hate me, don't you? Then kill me. Kill me, and get your mother's revenge.

Sakura: Sister....

Veritas of the Light: Revenge has been my entire life. It seems fair enough that it should also be revenge that ends it. So do it. Rain. Kill me.

Rain(..): I see.... So it reallly wasn't him... who killed her. Lightlord. Thank you. For telling me. Now I can finally fight Darklord man to man. I'm really grateful to you for that.

Veritas of the Light: You're... grateful? What the hell is that!? I'm telling you that I killed your mother! How can you say that you're grateful!?

(Rain walks around Lightlord, as if to go further into the shrine. He's got his back to her as he speaks.)

Rain: My mother is dead. Getting angry or crying over that fact isn't going to bring her back now.

Veritas of the Light: And that's why you take revenge! Is that really all the anger you feel for your mother's death!?

(Rain gets a (...) and turns back to face her.)

Rain: ...I've decided that I'm not going to fight you all out of anger.

Veritas of the Light: What?

Rain: You Veritas... I first met the Sworn Six at Grandshelt Castle. ...Back then, I had no idea what any of you were thinking. You were just a bunch of murderers. But... the more I've learned about you all, the more that has changed. You're all so... human. You get angry. You feel pain. You're not really any different from us, are you?

Veritas of the Light: ......

Rain: I can't accept what it is you are trying to do. But I can understand why you would want to. If we're going to fight then let's fight properly. Not like this.

(Rain turns and walks a few steps into the shrine, before turning back one last time.)

Rain: Come on, everyone. Let's go. Dark Elf can't have gotten that far.

(The others follow, Sakura last. Sakura comes to a stop as Lightlord gets up on her knees and calls out.)

Veritas of the Light: Wait! Rain!

(Lightlord stands.)

Veriras of the Light: Maybe that's good enough for you, but.... But I.... I....

(Lightlord draws her weapon. Rain gets a (...). He's still got his back to her.)

Rain: Lightlord..... If you hate me that much, then you can strike me from behind as I walk away.

(Lightlord gets a !, and Rain a (...). Rain and Sakura leave.)

Veritas of the Light: Hah... You really are Raegen's son. I never thought I'd have to hear a line like that again. Like I could ever do that.... To you or to him.

DARK CONTINENT GRONOA -- BETTING ON BELIEF -- GRONOA SHRINE ENTRANCE 2

(Dark Elf shambles along.)

Dark Elf: It's here... The crystal... Freedom... Destruction...

(The party rushes up behind him.)

Lid: There he is! We caught up!

Sakura: The crystal is right before us. If we lose here, everything will be over.

Lasswell: We should be on the lookout in case it seems he will release his magic fully oncfe more.

Nichol: Yes. But we will not be so careless again.

Jake: That's right. This time we've gotta win.

(Dark Fina turns to Fina.)

Dark Fina: Hey! Weak Fina! You'd better be ready for this, too!

Fina: I am! Don't worry!

Rain: All right! Everybody, this is it!

(They rush to Dark Elf, and battle commences.)

DARK CONTINENT GRONOA -- BETTING ON BELIEF -- GRONOA SHRINE ENTRANCE 3

Rain: Did... did we do it?

(Dark Elf starts to glow.)

Dark Fina: Not yet! Watch out! He's planning to use the same attack as last time!

Nichol: Everyone! Use your magic to cancel out Dark Elf's attack!

Lid: Got it!

(The party glows. The glow around Dark Elf gets stronger.)

Dark Fina: Huh!?

Sakura: Blast! It's een greater than the last time!

Dark Fina: This is more than just his magic... He's expending his very life energy to attack us!?

(The screen goes white as Dark Elf releases his magic. It's powerful. When the scene reappears, the party lies on the ground. There is no sign of Dark Elf.)

Rain: Ugh..

Lid: Oooh... I feel like I've been blown to bits....

(Lasswell gets up on his knees.)

Lasswell: If we hadn't been prepared this time, you probably would have been...

Nichol: ...And what about Dark Elf?

(The camera pans up. Dark Elf slowly approaches the party.)

Dark Fina: No way... I was so sure he was using up his own life energy... He had to have been... so how is he still standing?

Jake: Th-that is one tough mother...

Dark Elf: Guh.... uuuuuuuurgh... Cry.... stal... Must... dest...roy....crys.... Free...dom...

Lid: He... He's targeting... Rain...

(Fina stands and takes a few steps towards Rain, who hasn't stirred.)

Fina: R-Rain.... run...

Lasswell: Rain... I have to... get to him...

Rain: Damn it... I can't.. move...

(Dark Elf is slowly approaching. He summons a ball of darkness, but as he throws it, Lightlord appears before him, blocking it.)

Sakura: Sister!?

Veritas of the Light: Aaaaaaaauuuuuugh!!!

(Lightlord has fired at Dark Elf, who flickers and disappears.)

Lid: She did it!

Dark Fina: Now it finally ends....

Rain: Lightlord.... Thank you.... But why save me...?

Veritas of the Light: You said it yourself... That if we're to fight, we might as well fight properly. And if that is the case, then I can hardly let you die here before we've settled things between us. The next time we meet will be the last.

(She walks through the party to leave, but stops.)

Veritas of the Light: Rain... I did love your father. Long before your mother ever did... But Raegen chose her instead. It's taken me this long to understand what that meant. Rain.... Life really doesn't always work out the way you want it to, does it? But... that's what makes it worth living. I finally understand what he meant now.

Rain: Yeah. I think I do, too. Lightlord? Can you just tell me one last thing? My old man left the Sworn Eight once, right? So why is Darklord back with the Sworn Six now?

Veritas of the Light(...): You'll understand soon. When the final battle comes...

(She leaves.)

Rain: The final battle...?

(The scene shifts to the Veritas' airship. Darklord is standing on deck, as Flamelord approaches.)

Veritas of the Flame: Only one crystal remains. It is time that we settle things with Rain and his little friends.

Veritas of the Dark: ....Indeed.

Veritas of the Flame: Thought it's a shame Boltlord did go over to his side. It almost seemed like we'd finally have all Sworn Eight back together again. If Frostlord hadn't had to go and die on us, he could've joined in, too. It's going to be the greatest battle ever seen.

Veritas of the Dark: Frostlord...

(Darklord moves to the railing.)

Veritas of the Dark: Do you really think a man like that would die so easily?

Veritas of the Flame: What do you mean by that?

Veritas of the Dark: No one ever found his armor after that battle ended. My gut tells me that he is still alive out there.... somewhere.

(The scene shifts again. A suit of Veritas armor stands on a platform. Its eyes glow red.)

DARK CONTINENT GRONOA -- BETTING ON BELIEF -- GRONOA SHRINE ENTRANCE 4

(Nichol walks alone. There is a rhythmic sound.)

Nichol: That sound... Is Lasswell training again? No matter how hard we might fight on a given day, he still never neglects his training. He is a true knight.

(There is a different sound, and Nichol gets a !)

Nichol: What was that!?

(Nichol rushes forward. Lasswell is enveloped in a purple glow.)

Nichol: Th-this... Did Lasswell do this?

Next entry...

Previous entry...

DARK CONTINENT GRONOA -- DESIRERS OF DESTRUCTION -- DESOLATE LANDING 1

(Dark Elf is shambling along. He looks around, and walks some more. The party hurries up behind him.)

Sakura: There he is! Dark Elf!

Dark Elf: Freedom... Destruction... Crys... tal...

(The party hurries to Dark Elf, who turns as they approach.)

Dark Fina: I'm not eager to fight a former comrade, but... it doesn't look like I've got much choice.

Fina: Yes. We have to protect the last crystal, no matter what!

(Rain readies for battle.)

Rain: Let's go, everybody!

DARK CONTINENT GRONOA -- DESIRERS OF DESTRUCTION -- DESOLATE LANDING 2

(Dark Elf backs a few steps away from the party.)

Lid: Did we do it!?

(Dark Elf glows!)

Lid: Um... Does he seem... a little weird to anyone else?

Dark Fina(!): No, no, no! Everyone, get down!

(There is a sound, and the screen fills with light emanating from Dark Elf. When the light retreats, the party is laying on the ground.)

Dark Elf: Crystal.. Destruction... Freedom...

(He walks a few steps forward as he speaks, then walks off screen. Lasswell gets up on his knees.)

Lasswell: How... How can he be so powerful?

Jake: I know, right? I can't even move my body...

(Nichol gets up on his knees.)

Nichol: How careless of us... Dark Elf was storing up magic the entire time we were battling.

Sakura(!): No! Not now... Not when we're nearly--!

Lid: Sakura! What's wrong?

(Fina and Rain get up on their knees. The only one still laying prone is Dark Fina.)

Sakura: My sister... She's close.

Lid: What!?

(Lightlord enters.)

Veritas of the Light: Hmph. I saw everything. You truly are naive. Dark Elf won't be defeated by moves like that.

Lid: This... this is bad. Why did she have to show up now?

(Lightlord steps closer to Sakura.)

Veritas of the Light: ...I can't believe how lucky I've been to get this chance.

Sakura: Sister...

(A halo of crystals surrounds Lightlord, and she disappears.)

Sakura: What!?

(Lightlord reappears behind the party, next to Rain.)

Veritas of the Light: You. Raegen's son. Rain. You should be the first to die.

Rain: Ugh!

Sakura: Sister. Wait. If you want to kill someone, then kill me.

(Lasswell stands.)

Lasswell: Stop! You will not lay a finger on Rain!

(Fina stands.)

Fina: We will protect him!

(Lightlord gets (...) at this.)

Sakura: Sister?

Veritas of the Light: There is no thrill in killing those who can't even fight back.

(She turns and begins to walk off.)

Veritas of the Light: You all can just keep lazing about here. I will defeat Dark Elf. I won't let anyone else destroy the Dark Crystal. I will destroy it with my own two hands.

(She walks a few more steps, but stops as Sakura speaks.)

Sakura: You think you can take Dark Elf on your own, sister? It's impossible. Even for you. You'll die.

Veritas of the Light: I'll die? Don't make me laugh. I've already died twice. First when Aldore betrayed me. Then when you did.

(She walks away.)

Sakura: Sister....

DARK CONTINENT GRONOA -- DESIRERS OF DESTRUCTION -- DESOLATE LANDING 3

(The party is hurrying along. They all come to a stop with a ! as they hear something.)

Fina: What's that noise?

Jake: Is that the sound of Lightlord and Dark Elf fighting?

Dark Fina: Probably.

Lasswell: She's a fool... Trying to take on Dark Elf alone? She could have all the visions in the world, and it would still be suicidal.

Fina: Why do you think it is... that Lightlord wants to destroy the crystal herself?

Sakura: Because she has nothing else. No other reason left to live for.

Rain: She really is hopeless, isn't she... The Veritas of the Light.

Sakura: ...Yes. She is.

Lasswell: Let's hurry. It doesn't matter to us which wins. It will not change what we have to do.

Nichol: Yes. We must protect the last crystal.

(They hurry on. The scene shifts to Lightlord and Dark Elf.)

Veritas of the Light: Hah...hah...hah...

(She slowly walks towards Dark Elf.)

Veritas of the Light: You... beast...

(Dark Elf moves towards her.)

Veritas of the Light: Don't... Don't stand in my way!!!

(Lightlord rushes Dark Elf, who casts his devastating magic spell again. The scene ends as the light fills the screen.)

Next entry...

Previously...

DARK CONTINENT GRONOA -- THE DARK ELF -- GIGANTIC UNDERGROUND RUINS 1

(The party, including Fohlen and Illias, are walking in the underground ruins. They come to a stop as Dark Fina gets a ! over her head. There is a figure standing nearby.)

Dark Fina: That...

Rain: Fina? What is it?

Dark Fina: That is one of Hess's Eight Sages. Dark Elf.

(The camera centers on Dark Elf, who walks further into the ruins.)

Dark Elf: Freedom.... Destruction...

(Dark Elf appears to cast some magic, perhaps Ultima, as a large circle of light appears around him.)

Dark Fina: So it's true... they are all damaged.

Illias: Wh-what extraordinary power.

Fohlen: I've never seen anything like it....

(The camera centers on Dark Elf again.)

Dark Elf: Death... Death is freedom...

Sakura: (It's as I suspected.... Being trapped in crystal for so long has left its mark upon them.)

Dark Elf: Destruction... is freedom.... Crystal... Destroy the Crystal...

(Dark Elf glows, then disappears. The camera pans back down to the party. Lid gets ! over her head.)

Lid: Hey... Did he... just say something about destroying a crystal?

Nichol: This might become rather inconvenient. We should follow Dark Elf at once.

(The party walks on, but Jake stops Fohlen and Illias.)

Jake: Fohlen. Illias. I want the two of you to return to Zoldaad.

Fohlen: What are you talking about? We've come this far. We'll fight, too.

Illias: We won't get in your way or hold you back. I swear that we can be of help.

(Jake grumbles.)

Jake: I'm not saying that you wouldn't be. I know you'd be a help to us. But.. that's why I... ...You're not going to listen no matter what I say, are you?

Fohlen: Pretty much. I will not retreat.

Jake: Then... fine. Don't fall behind. We've got no time to waste.

DARK CONTINENT GRONOA -- THE DARK ELF -- GIGANTIC UNDERGROUND RUINS 2

Fohlen: Jake is just as I imagined, given all the rumors. To believe that womanizer is the brother of Emperor Shera...

Illias: Still, his skill is undeniable.

Fohlen: True, and the former emperor was a bit of a ladies' man himself, too, wasn't he?

Illias: Great men have a taste for the sensual pleasures in life. So they say!

Fohlen: ...Well, promise me they won't say it again. Once is enough.

(Wave 1 of battle commences, leading to wave 2.)

Jake: ...It's a bit awkward, isn't it.

Illias: What is, exactly?

Jake: Until not long ago I was part of the rebel army, and your enemy, more to the point.

Fohlen: The actions you have taken thus far speak volumes of your feelings for Zoldaad. That is why we have come here. There is nothing to be concerned about.

Illias: You are a lot more delicate than I had imagined, Jake.

Jake: More than you imagined...? That's a beautifully phrased insult, Illias. But right back at you.

Illias: Insult!? No, no, I'm sorry! I didn't mean it like that!

(Wave 2 commences, and leads to wave 3.)

Lasswell: Fohlen and Illias are quite the pair of veterans, it seems.

Nichol: Yes, they make a dependable attack and recoup combo.

Jake: That's for sure. And that's why...

Lid: What is it, Jake? What's with the serious face all of a sudden?

Jake: Sorry everyone. I have something to say. But allow me to tell you after we deal with these guys.

(Wave 3 commences. There is no further dialogue.)

DARK CONTINENT GRONOA -- THE DARK ELF -- GIGANTIC UNDERGORUND RUINS 3

(Fohlen and Illias are walking along, alone. They come to a stop. Illias looks around and gets a !, while Fohlen looks at him with a ?)

Illias: Fohlen! We have a serious problem! Jake and the others are gone!

(Fohlen gets a !)

Fohlen: What!?

(Fohlen turns and looks in the direction they came.)

Fohlen: They couldn't have.. meant to give us the slip?

Illias: We've got to go after them at once! If we go back to the path we took here...

Fohlen(...): No... we're done here. Jake felt he had to do this. That is plain enough to see. We will go back to Zoldaad. And pray that they are successful.

(The scene shifts to the main party, which comes to a halt.)

Lid: Jake... Are you sure we did the right thing?

Jake: They really are the good sort. Which is why Zoldaad will need them, even ore than we do.

Sakura: They are both true warriors, as well. I imagine they will understand why you insisted on this, Jake.

Rain: If it hadn't been for those two, we would have been done in by that miasma. They've already done enough for us.

Fina: There are so many people who have supported us along the way.

Rain: That's right. We'd better not let them down. Come on. We should get a move on. We've got to protect that crystal from Dark Elf.

(They hurry off.)

Next entry...

Previously...

DARK CONTINENT GRONOA -- MESSENGER FROM ZOLDAAD -- SWAMP OF NO RETURN 1

(The party is walking in a swamp. They come to a stop as Sakura falls to her knees. One by one, the rest follow except for Dark Fina.)

Dark Fina: Hey... What is wrong with you all?

Sakura: This would appear to be the effects of the miasma. It may have seemed thin, but of course such a long exposure...

Lid: You don't feel any ill effects?

Dark Fina: No... I'm perfectly fine... (...) (But that's odd... Why am I the only one unaffected?) (Because I'm from Hess? But then Sakura should also be unaffected. She's from Paladia, too.)

Jake: But what should we do? If we stay here, we'll just keep being exposed to the miasma.

Lid: I know... But my body just won't listen to me...

Rain: Damn it... I've got to do something...

???: Are you all right?

(The whole party get ! over their heads as a man on chocobo rides up, accompanied by another person with a large chest strapped to his back.)

Lasswell: You're...

Illias: I'm Illias. A salve-maker.

Fohlen: I'm the chocobo knight Fohlen. At Miss Amelia's behest, we have come to rescue you.

Rain: Amelia.. Wasn't there an Amelia in Zoldaad who...?

Jake: Yes. A main serving the imperial family.

(Illias steps forward.)

Illias: This is our way for thanking you for saving Zoldaad. Now then, take these leaves and hold them in your mouth. No chewing. They should help with the miasma.

Rain: Thanks. I hope you're right.

Jake: Hey, Illias. Did Amelia say anything about me?

Illias: No... Nothing in particular.

Jake: That's impossible. She must have mentioned how she could never forget me. Or how she counts down the hours till my return. That is what she said, right?

(Lid hits him with her hammer.)

Lid: Why would anyone say something that stupid!?

Jake: Augh!?

Lid: Illias. No need to waste yur medicine on this one.

Jake: What!? My lovely Lid! Y-you're planning to just let me die?

Lid: Nothing seems to get through your thick skin, you idiot. I'm sure the miasma won't either.

(Illias turns to Fohlen.)

Illias: ...Are these really the heroes who saved Zoldaad?

Fohlen: Yes. As difficult as it may be to believe by looking at them now...

Next entry....

Previously...

DARK CONTINENT GRONIA -- THE EIGHT SAGES OF HESS -- UNDERWORLD GABERADA 1

(The party is walking along when Dark Fina stops with a ! over her head. The rest turn to look at her.)

Dark Fina: No... I know this feeling...

Rain: Fina? What is it?

Dark Fina: I felt the presence of one of the Eight Sages of Hess. Heading this way.

(Lid gets a !)

Lid: The Eight Sages!?

Dark Fina: I recognized it... it felt like Dark Elf. I'm sure of it.

Sakura: Dark Elf.... The creature sealed away in the Water Crystal.

Lid: Hold up. Why would one of the Eight Sages be heading here?

Jake: Maybe it's coming after the crystal?

Dark Fina: I don't know... Dark Elf isn't exactly... predictable. And the vibe it's giving off now... It's dangerous. Tense and aggressive and... unsettling.

Sakura: I don't know what Dark Elf is after, but it seems that we should hurry to shrine at once.

Rain: You're right.

(They walk on.)

Next Entry...

Previously...

DARK CONTINENT GRONOA -- DURING THE TRIP -- SOCIETAL RUINS 1

Nichol: Sakura, there's just one thing that doesn't make sense after what you told us. If the Darklord truly was Sir Raegen, why did he change back into a Veritas?

Sakura: ...Not even I know that. It isn't as though we were always together after I separated from my sister.

(Wave 1 of battle commences, and leads to wave 2.)

Lid: Ruins on a continent covered by miasma... who in the world could've put them there?

Sakura: This place was built by the people of Paladia, which fell to Lapis. Protecting the crystal, they lived together with the people of Lapis... The temple here is an expression of that determination.

(Wave 2 commences. There is no further dialogue.)

DARK CONTINENT GRONOA -- DURING THE TRIP -- SOCIETAL RUINS 2

(The scene opens on Lightlord, laying in a heap at the bottom of the cliff where she fell. It begins to rain, and she gets a ! over her head.)

Veritas of the Light: So I'm.... still alive... (...) Is it raining? I hate the rain...

(The scene flashes white, and a flashback begins. Lightlord stands before Raegen in the midst of a thunderstorm.)

Raegen: It's been a long time. Hasn't it, Lightlord?

Veritas of the Light: Just five more years, and the shooting stars will be back for the first time in a century. The Invincible's construction continues without issue. Everything is going according to plan...

(She steps closer to Raegen.)

Veritas of the Light: So, Raegen.... Come back to us.. We will need your strength.

Raegen: I can't do that. My journey has no ended yet.

Veritas of the Light: Your journey? What journey? Since you set aside your armor, what have you done? Found a woman, had a child, lived like some simple human... What part of that is a journey?

(Raegen walks a few paces away from her, his back to her.)

Raegen: I don't know if you would understand even if I tried to explain it to you... but... I'm trying as hard as I can to live as humans do. To me, that might just be the greatest journey and adventure.

(Raegen turns to face Lightlord again.)

Raegen: Lightlord. It is a good thing to live a free life. Things never go the way you think they will.

(He steps closer to her.)

Raegen: But... but that is exactly why it is so enjoyable. That is what I think.

(Lightlord gets (...) over her head.)

Veritas of the Light: I cannot understand that. I cannot understand such thinking. And I do not intend to discuss it any further with you. If you resist, then I will take you with me by force. Do you really think you can stand against me without your armor?

???: Please stop this!

(Raegen turns as his wife comes rushing up.)

Raegen: Sophia...

(Sophia moves to stand between Raegen and Lightlord.)

Sophia: We live a quiet life. We don't bother anyone. Please, just leave us in peace.

Veritas of the Light(...): Raegen. If you won't return to us, I will kill this woman.

(Raegen gets ! and Sophia (...) at this. Sophia turns to Raegen and steps closer to him.)

Sophia: Raegen... Don't hesitate on my behalf. I knew when I married you that this day might come. if it is going to fill you with such pain and hatred again... then I would rather...

Raegen: Sophia... (...) Lightlord... I will not help your cause. Not even if you kill my wife.

Sophia: Yes. That's right, Raegen. That is the only answer for you.

(Lightlord gets a (...) over her head again.)

Veritas of the Light: What... what is it with you two... Do not trifle with me!

(Veritas of the Light knocks Sophia aside!)

Veritas of the Light: Raegen! Fight me! If you really want to keep living the way that you have been, then defeat me in battle!

(Raegen draws his weapon. Lightlord casts balls of light at him, but he deflects them, until one forces him to his knees.)

Raegen: Grgh...

Veritas of the Light: You're weak now. Too weak. if you won't return to my side...

(Lightlord glows with energy. She prepares to unleash it at Raegen, but Sophia gets up and puts herself in front of him. Sophia takes the full force of Lightlord's energy.)

Raegen: Sophia!

Sophia: R-Raegen...

Raegen: Sophia...

(Lightlord slowly backs up.)

Veritas of the Light: Raegen... I-I didn't...

(Raegen kneels and picks up Sophia, with a (...) above his head.)

Raegen: Let's go home, Sophia. Rain and Lasswell are waiting for us.

(Raegen walks slowly past Lightlord, who moves to let them pass. There is a flash of white light as the flashback ends.)

Veritas of the Light: Sophia. That woman won't ever disappear from Raegen's heart, will she? I have been beaten. I'd thought I was the only woman who could be worthy of Raegen, and still she.... My sister... The man I loved... They've all left me behind... Why did things have to end up this way? Where did I go wrong?

(She gets a (...) over her head, then stands up.)

Veritas of the Light: this is no time for rest. If I don't destroy the crystal... My revenge is the only thing I have left now...

Next entry...

Previously...

DARK CONTINENT GRONOA -- WAY TOO LONG -- MIASMA PASS 1

Jake: Sakura? Can I ask something?

Sakura: Certainly. I don't mind. There's little point in hiding anything after all we've been through. However! But I'm warning you, if you ask any asinine questions, I'll blast you back to Zoldaad in an instant.

Jake: Why are you looking at me? Why do you all assume that I'll do something inappropriate?

Lid: We don't assume. We know.

Jake: Urk... M-my lovely Lid... I understand. You are so harsh because you love me and want to see me be the best I can be. Mm-hmm.

Lid: What!?

(Lid makes a shrugging motion, while Sakura grumbles.)

Sakura: So, Jake. What was it that you wanted to ask me?

Jake: Sakura... Why did you and the other Veritas go your separate ways? I can't imagine that it was a simple falling out that did it. You all seemed to get along just fine in Fina's memories.

Sakura(...): Yes. We were very close. Things were different back then.

(The scene flashes white, and a flashback begins. Lightlord and Boltlord approach Darklord, who's standing at the cliff overlooking Aldore Tower.)

Veritas of the Light: Finally comes the final showdown against Hess's Eight Sages.

Veritas of the Bolt: Yes. We must seal them in crystal so the peace negotiations can begin.

Veritas of the Dark(...): Lightlord, Boltlord... What do you want to do when this war is over?

Veritas of the Bolt: What? Where did that question come from all of a sudden?

Veritas of the Dark: I just wanted to ask while I still had the chance. Who knows if we'll all be working together after this?

(Lightlord gets a ! and steps closer to Darklord.)

Veritas of the Light: Wh-why not? Why wouldn't we be working together? The Sworn Eight will always have more work to do! We could meet every single day, if you want to!

Veritas of the Dark: When this war ends, I plan to set aside my armor and travel the world.

Veritas of the Light: What..?

Veritas of the Dark: Once Hess has its independence, this entire world could change. And I want to see how it does.

(He turns around to look out over the cliff again.)

Veritas of the Dark: This war has taught me... that there is still much I don't know. What is right, and what is wrong... I want to find the truth to that for myself. And until I do, I have no plans to return to this place.

Veritas of the Light(...): I understand... I know you, and I know that you won't change your mind once you've made it up. Fine. Take your little journey then.

(Darklord turns around again to look at her.)

Veritas of the Light: However! You won't take it alone. You're only going if I go with you.

Veritas of the Dark: You...

Veritas of the Bolt: Heh.... You know me, as well, Darklord. And you know that I also don't change my mind once I've made it up.

(Darklord moves to stand in front of Lightlord, and Boltlord turns too look at them both.)

Veritas of the Dark: Yes. I do. There is no point fighting you over this. Come with me then, Lightlord.

Veritas of the Light: What!? R-Really?

(She turns from him.)

Veritas of the Light: I-I hope you appreciate this! You'll have the journey of your life with me along, after all.

(The flashback ends.)

Lid: So that's what happened...

Sakura: As you all must know, there was no way we were ever going to be able to complete that journey anyway. We will walk and I will tell of what split the Veritas apart.

DARK CONTINENT GRONOA -- WAY TOO LONG -- MIASMA PASS 2

Sakura: After we were sent to Lapis, we had nothing to live for but our dreams of revenge on Aldore. But... 700 years is just too long. Eventually our hearts started longing for different things... So when we learned about the gates at the Magic Library...

(The scene flashes white to another flashback, this time in the Magic Library. Lightlord walks in, alone.)

Veritas of the Light: Darklord! Boltlord! Where are you!? I told them about the gate! Flamelord and Heavenlord and Waterlord! They all agree that we should destroy the crystals! We can finally go back to Paladia! We'll finally be able to get our revenge on Aldore!

(She gets a ! and walks forward. Sakura and Raegen are standing there without their armor.)

Veritas of the Light: Hey... You... Why aren't you two wearing your armor? This is no time to be relaxing! The battle is about to begin! The battle to take back what we deserve!

Sakura(...): Sister.. Hasn't it been enough?

Veritas of the Light: ...Enough? What are you talking about?

Raegen: We will not battle. We have no desire to take part in such meaningless bloodshed.

Veritas of the Light: Meaningless!? Darklord... What happened to you!? You cannot have forgotten! You can't have forgotten what those bastards in Aldore did to us!

Raegen: No. Of course not. I could never forget that. But... if we destroy the crystals, the blood of innocents will flow once more.

Veritas of the Light: Who cares!? Who cares if it lets us get our revenge at last!?

Sakura(...): Sister. People change. They have to change. Either for the better or the worse...

Veritas of the Light: Sakura. Stop talking such nonsense. You sound like one of these Lapis idiots. You're fooling yourself if you think you can ever be one of them! People do not change! The strong-willed do not change. They uphold their sworn oaths through to the bitter end!

Raegen(...): You're right, Lightlord. I agree completely. Which is why I am doing what I swore to do. I told you once. Long ago. I told you I would remove my armor and embark on a journey. That wish has never changed.

(He turns around so his back is to her.)

Raegen: That's why, Light... This is good-bye.

(He and Sakura begin to walk off, but stop as Lightlord calls out.)

Veritas of the Light: Wait! Raegen, wait! You're betraying us? Even though you must know I... I... If you still insist on going, then...

(Raegen speaks, his back still to her.)

Raegen: If you want to attack me, then attack me. You can strike me from behind as I walk away.

Veritas of the Light: Ngh!

(Raegen and Sakura leave.)

Veritas of the Light(...): Like I could... Like I could ever attack you...

(She kneels.)

Veritas of the Light: I... Waaaaaaaaaah!

(The scene returns to present day.)

Fina(...): Veritas of the Light always loved Darklord, didn't she?

Lid: Yes... I believe she did. She must have.

Sakura(...): My sister is pure at heart. Much purer than I ever was... And that's why I....

(Sakura gets a ! over her head.)

Sakura: Wait! This feeling...

(Rain steps closer to Sakura, who has turned away from the party.)

Rain: Sakura, what is it?

Sakura: My sister!

(The scene pans right. Veritas of the Light rushes up.)

Veritas of the Light: Sakura! So we finally caught up to you!

(She walks up to Sakura, pointing her weapon at her sister.)

Veritas of the Light: visions! Lend me strength! The strength to punish this traitor!

(A boss battle starts with Veritas of the Light and two Aldore Soldiers, but doesn't commence yet.)

Lid: I can't do it... I can't go on to fight with the Lightlord...

Fina: Yes... I feel the same.

Dark Fina: Don't be so weak. You have to do it, so you will.

Sakura: regardless of what I've told you all of the past.. Even if you know everything... I still foresee us fighting with the various Veritas.

Rain: Yeah, we got it. I've already made peace with it.

Veritas of the Light: What are you all murmuring about!?

(Battle finally commences! There is no dialogue after winning.)

DARK CONTINENT GRONOA -- WAY TOO LOING -- MIASMA PASS 3

(The party stands before the defeated Lightlord, who takes a few steps back, near a cliff edge.)

Veritas of the Light: Why... My blood is pure Aldore... How could I be defeated by the visions of these mongrels?

(She backs up some more.)

Veritas of the Light: You.. Rain. You're the reason. So this is the power of Raegen's son. (...) Raegen... Won't you ever stop making me suffer...?

(She's at the very edge of the cliff now, and falls. Sakura takes a step forward towards the cliff edge, and gets a (...).)

Sakura: I told you before that we are immortal. My sister will not die from wounds like these. I expect... she will go on hating me until the end.

(Sakurqa begins to walk away.)

Sakura: My sister won't be able to move until she recovers. We should use this chance to hurry to the shrine.

Fina: I can't help feeling sorry for them. Both Sakura and her sister...

Dark Fina: It would be nice if she would just accept the superiority of our power and give up already. I doubt it, though.

Lasswell: As do I.

(The scene shifts. Bodies lay on the ground, fires around. One person stands in the midst, their back to the camera.)

???: I'm free... I'm free! So this... is freedom!

(The person paces.)

???: It's not enough... I'm still not free enough. More... I must be more free... I must be completely free to do as I want...

Next entry...

Previously...

DARK CONTINENT GRONOA -- THE DOOR AND THE SEAL -- ZANTON DUNES 1

(Fina stands alone, the rest of the party approaching.)

Fina: What is it? This awful feeling...

Dark Fina: It's miasma. If you breathe too much of it, it can be dangerous. Dangerous enough to kill.

Fina: What!? R-really? Are we sure about this?

Sakura: Gronoa is a dangerous land. It is covered with such miasma. And turn your eyes up to the heavens. The miasma fills the sky as well.

Nichol: The wind currents are pushing it up into the atmosphere? So that is why you told us that an airship would be little help.

Lid(...): Hey, Sakura... About what you said before... This world really used to be a part of Paladia?

(Sakura turns her back on Lid and walks a few steps.)

Sakura: Yes. The leaders of Aldore banished the warriors of Hess, the Veritas, and even the very land they stood upon to this world.

(Lid gets a ! over her head.)

Lid: "The very land"? Is that kind of thing even possible?

Sakura: Aldore had the technology to create "gates" using dimensional rifts. You have seen the Veritas appear and disappear instantaneously, haven't you? They are still using that same power now.

Lid: So a piece of Paladia came through one of those gates to end up here?

Sakura: Exactly. But the gates' power is limited. It is not a permanent solution.

Lid: What does that mean? If it's not permanent, do you mean everything will go back to Paladia someday?

Sakura: Aldore put a seal upon the land to try to keep that from happening. You saw it in Fina's memories, didn't you? Those eight huge crystals coming down from the sky. They formed the seal fixing the land of Paladia here in this world, and they remain buried deep within the ground. They are the key to this seal and to imprisoning the people of Hess.

Nichol(...): So the Veritas are destroying the crystals in order to remove this seal from the land?

Sakura: That's right. Everything will return to Paladia, and they can get their revenge on Aldore for betraying them.

Lid: Hm?: Hold on a sec...Even if they did remove the seal, where is the gate that'll take them back to Paladia?

Sakura: Ah, that? Yes, about that. That will have to wait. It will be easier to explain once night falls.

Lid: When night falls?

Jake: Okay, then I'll ask a different question. Why did the leaders of Aldore betray you all?

Sakura: We had too much power. The Sworn Eight became heroes for our actions during that civil war. The people loved us. It seemed obvious that the Sworn Eight could play a major part in shaping Aldore's future after the war. And those already in charge must have felt threatened.

Jake: I guess I get that.

Sakura: For the leaders of Aldore, the Sworn Eight may have been just as much a threat as Hess's Eight Sages.

Lid: So they just left you marooned here? After having you fight on the front lines for them? How could they just use you like that? It's terrible!

Sakura(...): Yes... It was terrible. But now we must focus on the future, not the past. And if we spend too long in this miasma, we will have no future at all. There are many fearsome monsters around here due to the miasma. It will be a very difficult path.

DARK CONTINENT GRONOA -- THE DOOR AND THE SEAL -- ZANTON DUNES 2

Sakura: The upper echelon prepared the crystal that sealed away Hess. And if that was the key to materializing the seal... That means they've been planning to betray us this entire time.

Lid: Really.... Yeesh, what a horrible thought.

(Wave 1 of battle commences, and leads to wave 2.)

Lid: Can people walk through places where there's miasma?

Sakura: It depends on how dense it is, but as long as you are careful... Well, let's just say it wouldn't kill you.

Lid: What was that pause for? You had to think about it, didn't you?

(Wave 2 commences. There is no further dialogue.)

DARK CONTINENT GRONOA -- THE DOOR AND THE SEAL -- ZANTON DUNES 3

(The party is walking along, Lid in the lead. She comes to a stop.)

Lid: Um... hey, guys? After hearing Sakura's story, I think I realized something really, really bad.

Fina: Something bad?

Lid: Hess's Eight Sages were sealed inside the crystals, right?

Lasswell: INdeed.... The Earth Crystal held Fina. The Wind Crystal sealed Babel. The Fire Crystal held Bahamut, and...

(Lid rushes forward, towards the rest of the party.)

Lid: Exactly! You see? You do see, right? The number of crystals that have been destroyed doesn't match up with the number of sages from Hess! Even if we ignore the Ice Crystal and the Lighting Crystal, which were apparently destroyed long ago... Where did the sages go that should've been in the Water Crystal and the Light Crystal!?

Nichol: Lid, you have indeed noticed something crucial.

Lid: Right!?

Nichol: I have also been concerned about the discrepancy, so I asked Sakura about it...

Sakura: ho ho! And I brushed you off, didn't I? Telling you that it was still too early to talk of such things.

Lasswell: I received much the same treatment.

Rain: Me, too.

Lid(...): W-wait a sec! Does that mean that you all noticed ages ago!?

Jake: Don't feel bad, my lovely Lid. I didn't realize until now either.

(Lid backs up, away from Jake.)

Lid: *sniffle* I... I really hate this.. I can't believe that I'm seriously on the same level as Jake!

Jake: Ha ha ha! And what should be wrong with that? Like attracts like, after all.

Lid: I will never be attracted to you!

Nichol: So, Sakura, what do you think happened to them> The remaining sages, I mean.

Sakura: Well.. To be perfectly frank, I do not know. I imagine that the Eight Sages of Hess might want revenge against Aldore, just as the Veritas do. In which case, I would think they might make some move, but... the fact that we have not seen any sign of them...

Lid: Maybe they're waiting for the Veritas to break all the crystals first?

Nichol: That is certainly possible. Either way, there is only one crystal left in existence. We should be on alert for the Eight Sages as well as we move forward.

(The party continues walking, except Sakura.)

Sakura(...): (I've heard that being sealed away in crystal for so long can have a variety of effects on the living...) (There was nothing left of Babel but its heart. And Bahamut, as fearsome as he was, had not regained his full power...) (I can only assume that Fina being divided was also due to the crystal.) (In which case... it seems unlikely that any of the remaining sages walked away from being imprisoned with no side effects.) (But whether those effects will be good for our cause or bad... remains to be seen.)

(Sakura follows after the others.)

Next entry...

Previously...

Chapter VI
Dark Continent Gronoa

DARK CONTINENT GRONOA -- IN THE RAIN -- DARK CONTINENT GRONOA

(The scene opens in Mysidia Town. It is raining. Rain stands alone in the middle of town.)

Rain: Seeing the rain... always makes me remember.

(He bows his head, and a flashback starts: Child Rain stands in a house. Only he is in color--the rest of the scene is black and white.)

Rain: Mom... sure is taking a long time...

(He walks a bit in the house, as if pacing.)

Rain: Where is she? It shouldn't take this long to do some shopping...

(He turns and gets a ! over his head as Raegen enters, carrying Sophia, limp, in his arms.)

Rain: Mom! Dad!? You're back? And what's wrong with Mom? Is she sick or something?

Raegen: ... ... ...

Rain: What is it? Say something!

Raegen: ...She's dead.

Rain: Huh?

Raegen: Sophia is... Your mother is dead.

(Rain backs up.)

Raegen: And I killed her.

(The scene returns to present day. Rain still stands with his head bowed, rain coming down on him.)

Rain(...): (Even I don't really think that he was the one who killed my mother...) (There's no doubt that he did have something to do with her death)

(He picks up his head.)

Rain: (But I never saw him again after that. After that rainy afternoon.) (He never even tried to explain why she had died...) (Lasswell doesn't know about what happened that day, though. How could I tell him? (He was Lasswell's hero... That useless old man of mine...)

(The rain stops. Rain turns with a (...).)

Rain: The rain has stopped?

(The party, minus the Finas and Sakura, walks up.)

Lasswell: Rain? What are you doing? You'll catch a cold if you let yourself get soaked to the bone.

Rain: Don't you worry about my bone. I was just thinking about some things.

Lid: Thinking, huh? There sure is a lot to mull over lately.

(The others turn to look at Lid as she continues speaking.)

Lid: We still don't even know the real reason why Fina or the Sworn Six are here in our world, for instance.

Rain: Mmm. Though I think I've got some idea about that, actually.

(Lid gets a !)

Lid: What? You do!?

Nichol: Yes. It seems quite obvious, after a little thought.

Lasswell: I have to agree.

Rain: Right? From everything we saw in Fina's memories, it's the only possibility.

(Lid turns repeatedly to look at everyone.)

Lid: What! Wait, seriously? A-am I the only one here who hasn't figured it out!?

Jake: Don't you worry, my lovely Lid. I have no more idea what is going than you do.

Lid: Ughhh... So I'm on the same level as Jake? That's just depressing.

Jake: Ha ha ha! What's wrong with that? Like attracts like, isn't that what they say? Surrender to your destiny, my fated one!

Lid: The thought of settling for you is even more depressing.

(Sakura and the Finas walks up.)

Sakura: Rain. So you've found your way to the truth, have you?

Rain: This world that we live in now... It's Paladia, isn't it?

Lid: What!? What does that even mean? How can this be Paladia?

Nichol: To be more precise, we should probably say that it is a part of Paladia.

Sakura: Mmm-hmmm. You could say that. The final crystal... The Dark Crystal is in Gronoa. It is a long road, so I will explain things to you along the way.

(Sakura walks a few steps.)

Sakura: Come. We will first need to find a ship.

Lid: Another ship? We should have just borrowed an airship from my brother in Zoldaad...

Sakura: No. An airship would not be suitable in this instance.

Nichol: Why not? It does seem that traveling by airship would reduce the likelihood of being attacked by the Veritas enroute.

Sakura: You will understand... once we get to Gronoa.

Next Entry...

Previously...

MAGI NATION MYSIDIA -- VARIOUS RESOLUTIONS -- MYSIDIA TOWER TOP 1

(The party is laying on the ground, except Sakura, who's standing. They are back at the top of Mysidia Tower.)

Rain: Nnnng...

(The party gets to their knees as Sakura turns to them.)

Sakura: Oh? You're back, then?

Rain: (What was that? Where did those crystals come from?)

(Rain gets a ! over his head.)

Rain: (Never mind that... what matters now is Fina.)

(The party stands.)

Rain: Fina! Fina! Where are you!

(The camera pans down slightly. Fina, the light one, enters.)

Fina: Rain....

Rain: Fina! Thank goodness.... You're back!

Fina: Y..yeah.

Dark Fina: What's this? Were you that eager to be rid of me?

(The party, except Sakura and the Finas, get ! over their heads.)

Rain: Wh-what the--!?

Lid: There are two Finas now?

Rain: Sakura... What is going on here?

Sakura: I don't really know myself. I didn't except us to end up with two Finas... (I thought that Rain and the others' actions in Fina's psyche would bring back the other Fina... and I suppose that did happen....) (But I assumed the dark Fina would disappear, while this Fina would return to her former state. Did something happen in her psyche that I failed to predict?)

Rain: Well, if even Sakura doesn't know the answer, I guess that's that.

(Rain turns to the Finas.)

Rain: I for one am happy that I get to see both of you again.

Fina: Rain...

Dark Fina: Heh. Well, I'm flattered to hear you say that.

(The tower shakes. Fina falls to her knees for a moment, then stands again.)

Fina: Argh!

Rain: Wh-what was that!?

(The tower has stopped shaking.)

Dark Fina: I'd say someone is attacking the tower!

(The camera pans to the right to show two Veritas coming up the stairs.)

Sakura: Lightlord and Earthlord... But how did they know where we were?

Veritas of the Earth: That was simple enough. If you needed more power to enter Fina's psyche, this place was really your only option.

(Dark Fina steps forward.)

Dark Fina: Honestly... You have GOT to learn to give up when a woman turns you down.

Veritas of the Earth: I can't give up... Not until I understand why you did what you did.

Dark Fina: What I did?

Veritas of the Earth: Why did you defect to Hess? I've asked you so many times, but why have you never given me a real answer? Why?

Dark Fina(...): Aldore feared Hess's visionary magic. And that was why they refused to let Hess declare independence... And Hess thought that if they just had their visionary magic, they could somehow handle things with Aldore. But... once it came to war, it was obvious that Aldore held the upper hand. Their armies dwarfed Hess's forces. Hess would lose to Aldore. Everyone knew that from the start.

Veritas of the Earth: That is true. Which is all the more reason that you should have joined us! Can't you see that?

(Dark Fina bows her head.)

Dark Fina: No. I can't. It was exactly because Aldore had the advantage that I joined Hess.

Veritas of the Earth: What?

(Dark Fina lifts her head and turns back to face Earthlord.)

Dark Fina: Challenging the strong. Making the impossible possible, Winning the losing battle. As far as I'm concerned, that is what a warrior does.

Veritas of the Earth(...): But if that was why... If you'd just told me... we could have understood each other...

Dark Fina(...): Did we need to talk, to understand each other? Haven't we always understood each other best when we exchange blows? Not words.

Veritas of the Earth(...): You are a true warrior. You have never so much as wavered, have you... I see. Yes, I understand now. The only one who lost their way.... was me...

Dark Fina: What are you mewling for in that broken voice?

(Dark Fina readies her whip.)

Dark Fina: You know what I want. It is the one thing we have always desired from each other.

Veritas of the Earth: ...To fight to the death.

(Earthlord readies his weapon.)

Dark Fina: Yes, Earthlord. Exactly. Rain. This is between he and I alone. We will settle this at last. I'll leave Lightlord up to you all.

Rain: All right, Fina.

Veritas of the Light: Hmph. Then I guess we should settle things as well.

(Lightlord jumps and lands before the party.)

Lid: I thought we settled things pretty well the last time, personally.

Veritas of the Light: Fool. Surely you don't think it was my full power that I showed you then.

Lid: Wha...?

(Lightlord takes a step forward.)

Veritas of the Light: Sakura. And you... son of Raegen. Rain. Your dying screams will be the overture in the great tragic opera of our revenge!

MAGI NATION MYSIDIA -- VARIOUS RESOLUTIONS -- MYSIDIA TOWER TOP 2

Veritas of the Light: Sakura! You and Raegen possess neither conviction nor even pride. You are but cowards! That is why you turn your gaze from anger and hatred, pretending not to see!

Sakura: No, we turn our gaze to look for a different path.

Veritas of the Light: A different path? Hah! Is there any path that doesn't lead to revenge on us?

(Wave 1 of battle commences against fodder, and proceeds to wave 2.)

Sakura: I was betrayed 700 years ago. But humans cannot live on hatred. That is not the true of the human condition.

Veritas of the Light: Nnngh! Acting like you kn ow what you're talking about!

(Wave 2 commences against fodder, and leads to wave 3, which is a boss battle against Lightlord. Battle begins, and you take her down to 9%.)

Lid: We won! We are the champions!

Veritas of the Light: I should inform you. I have yet to unleash my true power. You don't think you're the only ones who have the power of visions, do you?

Lasswell: What the--!?

Veritas of the Light: Behold!

(She summons what appears to be two Aldore soldiers.)

Veritas of the Light: Now, the battle truly begins!

(Battle commences once more, Lightlord restored to full health. There is no further dialogue after you win.)

MAGI NATION MYSIDIA -- VARIOUS RESOLUTIONS -- MYSIDIA TOWER TOP 3

(The scene opens on Dark Fina and Earthlord. The latter is kneeling.)

Dark Fina: Earthlord...

Veritas of the Earth: It's been 700 years.... since I last battled you... with such abandon...

Dark Fina: You're right. It was a fine battle.

Veritas of the Earth: You said you went to Hess... because you wanted to fight against the strong...

Dark Fina: That's right.

Veritas of the Earth: So... what did you think... after all these years... Was I... strong...?

Dark Fina: I'm glad I had you as an enemy, Earthlord. As a warrior, I really am.

Veritas of the Earth: I'm... glad.

(Dark Fina turns her back to Earthlord, perhaps as if to leave.)

Veritas of the Earth: I suppose I've been waiting.... 700 years to hear you say that...

(Dark Fina joins the rest of the the party, who are standing in front of a kneeling Lightlord. Sakura steps forward.)

Sakura: Hey, sis... The battle is over. We're done here.

Veritas of the Light: We're done? How like you to say that. I... We... have lived the past 700 years for one reason and one reason only! But you and Raegen... with all your talk of compromise and your selfish desires! I will only be "done" when I've had my revenge against Aldore!

(The party, except Sakura and Dark Fina, get ! at this.)

Lasswell: Revenge against Aldore?

Rain: The crystals that we saw falling from the sky in Fina's memories... That was an attack from Aldore, wasn't it?

Lid: Then... that means... the Sworn Six were betrayed by their allies?

Sakura: ... ... ...

Veritas of the Dark: So you have finally caught a glimpse of the truth.

(Rain gets a ! as Darklord enters.)

Rain: Darklord!

Veritas of the Dark: Lightlord. Earthlord. We're going. This is not the place for you to throw your lives away.

Veritas of the Light: Darklord...

Veritas of the Earth: I understand.

(Darklord casts a spell, and Lightlord and Earthlord are teleported away.)

Veritas of the Dark: Rain. The time must come when you all will learn the full truth of things. But until then, there is one thing you should know... When we get our revenge at last, this world will end. Everything you care about--the people you love, the places you have lived--it will all be gone.

(Rain walks forward.)

Rain: Get serious... Do you really think I'm just going to let that happen?

Veritas of the Dark: ...That is some nice, heroic glowering you have there. We shall fight it out, with our lives and our hopes on the line. The time for our final battle draws near.

(Darklord takes a step back and teleports away. Lasswell moves closer to Rain.)

Lasswell: Rain...

Rain: Listen up, Lasswell. We've come this far. It doesn't matter at this point who Darklord might or might not really be. I am going to beat him. No matter what. I will defeat the Veritas of the Dark.

(Rain bows his head.)

Rain: You have my word as a Grandshelt knight.

Next entry...

Previously...

MAGI NATION MYSIDIA -- FALL, ARROW OF LIGHT -- FINA'S PSYCHE RAVINE 1

(Rain, Nichol, and Jake are standing in a ravine. A Veritas walks up to them.)

???: So... you managed not to lose to that imbecile Earthlord. Most impressive, I'm sure!

(The trio get ! over their heads.)

Rain: That voice...

Jake: Indeed. More derisive than ever, but... that's definitely Sakura.

???: Oh? And how would you know my name? Ah. Is that it? Did my sister tell you? Still... when I am wearing this armor, you should refer to me as the Veritas of the Bolt.

Rain(...): (So Sakura was one of the Veritas...) (But then the Lightlord called Sakura a traitor...)

(Veritas of the Dark walks up.)

Veritas of the Dark: Listen well. The Frostlord isn't going to be able to meet us here. He fell along the way.

Veritas of the Bolt: Frostlord... fell? I never thought he would be defeated that easily...

Rain: (I guess that explains it. Sakura left the Veritas, and Frostlord fell in battle... leaving only six sworn where there had been eight.)

Veritas of the Dark: Hess is not holding anything back. If the war continues much longer, both sides' losses will be too great.

Rain: Darklord, what do you plan to do? You said there was some way to resolve things with Hess, didn't you?

Veritas of the Dark: Yes. It requires that we seal away Hess's Eight Sages. The Eight Sages are the pillars that hold up the entirety of Hess. If we can seal away their power, Hess will have to abandon this attempt to seize independence by force, and then, perhaps, we can finally talk.

Nichol: But Aldore will obviously be in the position of strength then. When you hold all the advantage, what is to stop Aldore from dismissing Hess's wish for independence outright?

Veritas of the Dark: Some may wish to do so. But if we do not lend an ear to Hess's wishes, then the seeds of war will simply lie in wait for the next chance to bloom. And the powers that be in Aldore truly do want an end to the war.

Nichol: I see. If you believe that their bid for independence would not be dismissed out of hand, then...

Veritas of the Dark: I do. But if such an injustice were to somehow come to pass... Then I would simply pose a choice to our leaders. They can choose to have the Sworn Eight on their side.... or on the side of Hess.

(The trio get ! at this.)

Nichol: Ah. Indeed. Such an ultimatum would probably get the attention of even the most stubborn of leaders.

Rain(...): That's a pretty bold plan you've come up with. You really are... kind of amazing.

Veritas of the Dark: If we can come to acceptable terms for Hess's secession, we will remove the seal from the Eight Sages. Then we can finally have peace.

(Rain nods.)

Rain: All right. I've heard enough to decide. I'll help. What can I do?

(Darklord steps closer to Rain and gives him a crystal.)

Veritas of the Dark: You can take this crystal with you. If you use it, you can seal away the Eight Sages of Hess. I have seen how strong you are. You can challenge the Eight Sages, and beat them. I trust I can count on your help.

Rain: ...You can. We'll do our best.

MAGI NATION MYSIDIA -- FALL, ARROW OF LIGHT -- FINA'S PSYCHE RAVINE 2

Lid: Uh, um....

Veritas of the Heavens: We are in the midst of battle! Leave the talk for later.

Lid: I get that, but I don't have much time, see? I dunno when this world will revert to its former self....

(Wave 1 of battle commences against fodder. It progresses to wave 2.)

Veritas of the Heavens: Revert to its former self? What are you talking about?

Lid: It'd take too long to explain, so I'll leave it at that for now. Cid, thank you! You have realized my and my brother's dream!

Veritas of the Heavens: Dream? Beyond that, how is it you know my name?

Lid: Heh heh, that doesn't matter now.

(Wave 2 commences, and leads to wave 3. There is no dialogue before wave 3 commences. After defeating wave 3....)

Rain: Is this it?

Jake: That's it! Fina's on her way!

Lasswell: What do we do, Rain?

Rain: We need to seal Fina with the crystal we received from the Darklord! That's our best option right now!

(Battle progress to wave 4, a boss fight against Dark Fina. There is no dialogue after winning.)

MAGI NATION MYSIDIA -- FALL, ARROW OF LIGHT -- FINA'S PSYCHE RAVINE 3

(The party stands before Dark Fina, who is crouched down.)

Fina: Again? You really just keep insisting on bothering me, don't you?

(Rain takes a step towards her.)

Rain: Fina, please. Won't you even listen to us?

(Fina has stood again, her whip ready.)

Fina: If you've got energy enough to talk, then fight! I'm not finished yet!

Rain: Ugh.. fine! Then we will fight you until you are satisfied enough to listen!

(Rain readies his sword, but Lid takes a step forward.)

Lid: What!? Come on, Rain--are you serious!?

(There is a flash of light. After the light fades, we are on the battlefield, just Fina and Rain facing each other.)

Rain: Tell me, Fina. Why do you fight?

Fina: Do you even have to ask? I fight for my own pride, and for an independent Hess. And why do you fight, stranger?

Rain: That's... a bit complicated...

Fina: It shouldn't be. You fight to protect something. Are you saying that you don't even know what you want to protect?

Rain: No! That's not what I'm saying! There are plenty of things I want to protect. There are so many different things that it's hard for me to give a simple answer. But if I had to pick just one reason.... them the thing that I want to protect most right now is...

(There is a flash of light as they clash together. When the light fades, Fina is laying on the ground, Rain crouched next to her.)

Rain: A girl. One girl in all the world.

Fina(...): Ridiculous. That is a ridiculous reason to fight. Yet... perhaps it is a true one.

Rain: Fina. The Darklord and the others want to talk things out with Hess, so that Hess can be independent without all this bloodshed. But the Eight Sages can't interfere, so... will you let us seal you within this crystal long enough for those talks to happen? Upon my word, as soon as the terms are agreed upon, we'll release you.

Fina(...): I used up all of my strength in the last battle. If you want to seal me away, do what you will. I can't stop you.

Rain: Fina...

Fina: Before you do, though.... tell me her name. The girl you want to protect.

Rain: I suppose I can do that much.

(Rain readies the crystal.)

Rain: Fina.

(There is a flash of light, and Fina has disappeared. The crystal held by Rain dances with light.)

Sakura: ((Rain!))

Rain: That's Sakura!

Sakura: ((You did it! It worked! The sweet Fina just appeared here!))

Rain: She did!?

Lid: We did it!

Sakura: ((But...))

Rain: What? Did something happen?

Sakura: ((You'll understand when you return. You should hurry back.))

Rain: Right....

Lid: Let's go back, Rain. I've got a bad feeling about this.

Rain: I know what you mean.

(Rain gets a !)

Rain: Hold on... something doesn't make sense. If this really brought an end to the war, then why are the Sworn Six still looking for vengeance 700 years later?

(Seven Veritas approach.)

Veritas of the Dark: You sealed away Fina? You did well. I knew you wouldn't let me down. Now Hess should finally abandon this fight. I will begin making arrangements at once for our talks to begin...

(There is a loud rumbling sound as he speaks, and the ground shakes. Our party get ! over their heads, but the Veritas do not.)

Jake: Whoa! Hey! What's going on?

Lid: What in the...!? Is the ground... floating?

Rain: Darklord! What's the meaning of this?

Veritas of the Dark: No... It can't be... Have they turned their backs on us?

Lasswell: Look to the sky! Something is coming!

Rain: Arrows of light? No... not arrows... They're crystals! Eight huge crystals!

(The scene shifts to show the crystals streaming across the sky. The scene ends.)

Next Entry...

Previously...

MAGI NATION MYSIDIA -- TO END THE FIGHTING -- FINA'S PSYCHE BATTLEGROUND 1

Veritas of the Flame: Your blade... It looks like Purple Lightning, the sword I once forged.

Lasswell: What?

Veritas of the Flame: The sword is good, but so is your skill. You seem to wield it well.

Lasswell: I see. I suppose I'm glad to hear that.

(A battle occurs against fodder, and progresses to wave 2.)

Lasswell: I will devote myself to upholding its name.

Veritas of the Flame: Keep that determination. Keep that devotion, that one day you may stand face-to-face with the Darklord. His blade is truly powerful.

Lasswell: Yes. I know.

(Wave 2 commences. There is no further dialogue.)

Next entry....

Previously...

MAGI NATION MYSIDIA -- FINAL BATTLE WITH HESS -- FINA'S PSYCHE RIVERSIDE 1

Lasswell: It seems he have arrived intact.

Jake: Can we just pause and address the obvious for a moment? Namely, where--where in the very heck--is Paladia? I've never seen a place like this anywhere in our world.

Fina: Paladia is not part of your world. It was part of an entirely different world.

Lid: R-right. Totally. That's gotta be it. But then... what are all these mystery folks like Fina and the Sworn Six doing in our world?

Fina: Perhaps you'll find that out soon enough. It should all be here in my memories. Now don't mind me disappearing again.

(Fina glows, then disappears.)

Rain: Come on. Let's just stay focused on finding Fina for now!

MAGI NATION MYSIDIA -- FINAL BATTLE WITH HESS -- FINA'S PSYCHE RIVERSIDE 2

(The party is walking along a riverside. The camera pans up to show the Veritas. Earthlord gets a ! over his head as he spots them.)

Veritas of the Earth: You!

(He walks to them.)

Rain: Ah... right. The last time we came here, we were fighting with the Earthlord, weren't we?

Veritas of the Earth: So are you ready to settle things now?

(Lightlord walks up to Earthlord.)

Veritas of the Light: Enough, Earthlord. As if you weren't worried about them until a moment ago.

Rain: Worried? About us?

Veritas of the Light: You disappeared rather suddenly, you know. Earthlord here was all shaken up about it.

Veritas of the Earth: I-I don't know what you're talking about, Lightlord! I wasn't shaken up about anything!

Veritas of the Waters: Ho ho ho... Is that so? Then who was the one tearing his hair out and wailing about how it was all his fault?

Veritas of the Earth: Even you, Waterlord?

Nichol(...): You're...

Veritas of the Waters: Ah, forgive me for not introducing myself. We haven't met before, have we?

Lasswell: Nichol....

(Rain and Lasswell are looking at Nichol, concerned.)

Nichol: I know... I know that directing my anger at this Waterlord here would be meaningless...

(The scene pans up a bit to show Darklord approaching.)

Veritas of the Dark: Enough idle chatter. Our final showdown against Hess is about to begin without us.

Rain: Darklord.... Are you sure you want us taking part in your final showdown?

Veritas of the Dark: And why not? Join us. Rain... somehow I cannot believe that you are a stranger to me. It's an odd thing. I'm quite sure this is the first time we have met, and yet...

Rain: ...I have no idea what you mean.

Veritas of the Dark: Hmph. Right. Never mind, then. But Rain. The armies of Hess are strong. Stay near me, and do not fall behind. You can do that, can't you?

Rain: Yeah. I can do that. Of course I can.

Next Entry...

Previously...

MAGI NATION MYSIDIA -- WHICH? -- MYSIDIA TOWER 1

(The party enters Mysidia Tower, led by Rain. The camera pans across the scene to show monsters lurking within.)

Jake: Hey... What's up with all these monsters?

Lid: If there are monsters around, we can't go into Fina's psyche.

Sakura: It will be fine. I will place a barrier around the top of the tower.

Nichol: So we make for the top of the tower, taking out as many monsters as we can along the way.

Lid: Okay. Can do.

(The party starts to move out. Rain stays behind to ask Fina a question, Jake nearby.)

Rain: While taking out as many monsters as we can? Fina... are you gonna be okay?

Fina: Who are you really worried about? Me? Or the other Fina?

Rain(grumbling): Are you asking that again? I tld you that you're both important to me!

Fina: Of course. Right. Thanks. For caring.

(Fina leaves, passing Jake.)

Rain: She's qating strangely, isn't she? Normally this Fina seems so aloof and in control....

(Jake walks to Rain.)

Jake: Rain. Remember that Fina can't use her magic well right now. She's probably feeling uneasy.

Rain: Right... Yes, I see what you mean. It's no wonder that she's not quite herself. Well, not quite one of her selves.

Jake: Any member of the fair sex wants the calm reassurance of her man, in times of distress. Even if she is the Demon of Hess, she's still only a woman.

Rain: Wha...

(Jake bows his head.)

Jake: But look, old man, coming out with lukewarm babble like, "Oh, you're both important..." Well, that's not gonna do you any favors. Listen up, tiger. A woman wants to be the only one her man cares about.

Rain: But.... but it's true thwat I really do care about both of them! So... what am I supposed to do?

Jake: Rain... As a man experienced with matters of the heart, to say nothing of the body, let me offer some advice. It's fine to like both Finas. But! You've got to tell each of them, "You're the only one I truly love!" That way, everybody's happy!

Lid: DIE, DIE, DIE!!!

(Lid comes flying at Jake, hitting him with her hammer, sending him flying off screen.)

Jake: Gyaaaaargh!

Lid: Rain! If you listen to anything this sleazebag tells you, I'll knot your crotches together.

(Lid gets an irritated symbol over her head.)

Rain: R-right... Got it.

(Lid walks off. Rain watches her leave, then turns in the direction Jake went flying, getting a single sweatdrop over his head.)

MAGI NATION MYSIDIA -- WHICH -- MYSIDIA TOWER 2

(The party is gathered around the book at the top of the Mysidia Tower. Sakura walks up.)

Rain: Sakura? How about that barrier?

Sakura: It's in effect. There should be no way any of those monsters will reach us at the top of the tower now.

(Sakura turns to face Fina.)

Sakura: So, Fina... are you ready?

Fina: I am. Let's do it. I can't stand up to the Sworn Six if I can't use my magic properly.

Rain: Are you staying here again, Sakura?

Sakura: You'll want to have someone here to watch over your bodies in case the worst should happen.

(She turns back to Fina.)

Sakura: So, Fina, once again I'll ask you to think back on that war 700 years ago.

(Fina steps forward and places her hand over the book.)

Sakura: You will all be going into the world of Fina's psyche and acting within her mind. The things you do may stimulate the other Fina and help to bring her back.

Rain: We understand.

(A ball of light appears near Fina's hand, and the book pulses.)

Fina: Then let's go, everyone. I'm counting on you.

(The book opens.)

Next entry...

Previously...

MAGI NATION MYSIDIA -- REASON TO LEAVE -- MAGIC TESTING GROUNDS 1

(The party walks into the Magi Training Grounds. Mages lay dead on the floor. Lid looks around.)

Lid: Wha... What is this?

Jake: This is horrendous. They've killed every last one of them.

Sakura: Not many could defeat such a large number of Mysidia's mages at once... except the Sworn Six. Looking at this destruction, I would say that the Earthlord must have come through here looking for us.

Lid: You... You mean all these people died in our place?

Nichol: Quite likely so.

Lid: But why? Why do this? They say they're so full of hatred, but... for what? What do they hate wso much that they do things like this!?

Sakura: ... ... ...

Fina: It's all because...

Veritas of the Earth: That's right. Fina. You know the true answer, don't you?

(The whole party gets ! over their heads as Earthlord steps out of the training grounds' building.)

Veritas of the Earth: Then consider this. Fina. This time... join forces with us. Work together with the Sworn Six.

(The party, minus Fina, gets ! again.)

Fina: Well, that's so sweet of you to offer. But no. I have no intention of working with any of you.

Veritas of the Earth: Don't be too quick to reject this offer. Things have changed in the past 700 years. We both share the same enemy now. The other Sworn Six would accept you as an ally. If it were you, Fina.

Fina: That's quite all right. I really don't need your approval.

Veritas of the Earth(...): Then, why? Why refuse my offer? Tell me the reason.

(Fina walks a few steps back, causing Nichol to move to the side to allow her to pass. Fina stops, looking at Rain.)

Fina: The reason? Hmmm...

(Rain gets a ? over his head.)

Fina: I'd rather stay by the side of the man I've fallen for. How does that work for you?

(The party, minus Fina and Jake, get ! over their heads at this. Jake, instead, gets a ♥ over his.)

Jake: Oh snap! Confessing her feelings at a time like this? I knew she wanted me, but... Even I didn't think I was THAT irresistible!

(Lid turns to Jake.)

Lid: Are there unicorns in that fantasy land you live in? Maybe you can tame one, since... Well, you know.

Lasswell: Fina. You cannot expect me to let a statement like that pass without comment. Who is this man? Depending on your answer...

Nichol: I don't think this is the time for such drivel. We should withdraw. If we waste time posturing now with the Earthlord and Lightlord happens to show up, we may end up in serious trouble.

Sakura: He's right, as usual. It's time we run!

(They run away. Earthlord takes a few steps forward, but doesn't follow.)

Veritas of the Earth: Run if you want to,. I already know where you are going....

MAGI NATION MYSIDIA -- REASON TO LEAVE -- TESTING GROUNDS 2

Rain: ...How strange. I wonder why the Earthlord isn't following after us?

Fina: That is strange. I mean, he sure was persistent.

Lasswell: Could there be something we missed?

Jake: Look, if he's not following us, that's good, isn't it? We're better off losing him while we can anyway.

(A random battle occurs. There is no further dialogue.)

MAGI NATION MYSIDIA -- REASON TO LEAVE -- MAGIC TESTING GROUNDS 3

Rain: Sakura? Where are we?

Sakura: My hideaway. They won't easily find us here.

(They walk further in. Sakura takes a place behind a table near a large cauldron. Cherry blossoms are strewn on the floor.)

Sakura: So let us hurry back into Fina's psyche at once.

(Sakura summons the book, which falls open on the table. The others surround it.)

Sakura: We'll use the book we acquired at the Magic Library, and...

Lid(...): Sakura? What's wrong? Nothing's happening.

Sakura: It's... I can hardly believe it, but I seem to be out of magic. Is age finally catching up with me? It seems I used up too much energy on the way here... If I just rest awhile, it should recover, but we don't have time for that now!

Rain: Then what do we do?

Sakura: We have to go to Mysidia Tower.

Rain: Mysidia Tower?

Nichol: I have heard of it. It is a tower that mages built from stone, and the top of the tower supposedly brims with magic power.

Lasswell: Ah... So we will borrow some of that power to use the book's magic.

Sakura: Quite so. So let us hurry. We don't have any time to waste dragging our feet here.

Next entry....

Previously....

MAGI NATION MYSIDIA — DISAPPEARING FINA — MYSIDIA UNDERGROUND 1

(The party enters the underground passages.)

Jake: Hah... Looks like we managed to lose those mages.

Lid: If we want to clear up this misunderstanding, then we need to defeat the Veritas of the Light.

Sakura: It is a shame, but... at this point in time, Earthlord and Lightlord are too dangerous for us to fight.

Jake: Sakura? What's wrong? We've got Fina here on our side! The Demon of Hess, with her full power restored to her! Beating those two should be no problem now.

Sakura: It may be true that she has regained her true power... However...

Jake: What is it?

(Fina bows her head and gets a (...)).

Fina: That is no guarantee that she can control that power.

Nichol: Is that the reason then? Why her magic failed when we were fighting Lightlord?

Lasswell: But why?

Fina: I would guess... that it has something to do with the fact that the other Fina is disappearing within me... My mind is teetering further off balance as she fades...

Nichol: It is indeed the mind which controls magic... Meaning that if the other Fina were to disappear entirely...

Fina: I'll probably be unable to fully control my magic ever again.

(Lid sweats.)

Lid: For real? That’d be a major problem for us! Sakura! We've really gotta save Fina!

Sakura: Yes... But to do so, you will need to enter her psyche once more.

Lid: But where can we do that? We have to be able to hide our bodies somewhere safe. Lightlord has gotta come looking for us again.

Sakura: There is a raining ground near here that the mages use for practicing their arts. I should be able to set s barrier there.

Lasswell: Good. Then let’s head there at once.

(The party begins to move out. Fina stops Rain before he can leave with the others.)

Fina: Rain. There’s something I need to ask.

Rain: Huh?

Fina: The Fina that you want to save... Is it me? Or the other one?

Rain: I want to save you both. You and the other Fina.

Fina: Right. How predictably dull of you.

(Fina walks away, leaving Rain, who grumbles.)

Rain: Wha-What’s that supposed to mean? "Predictably dull"?

(Rain hurries to catch up with the party.)

Next entry....

Previously...

MAGI NATION MYSIDIA -- BLOOD OF PALADIA -- DOWNTOWN MYSIDIA 1

(The scene opens in downtown Mysidia. Flashes of light appear as the party is teleported into town one by one.)

Lid: Wha.... Where are we?

Sakura: Would you rather have stayed there and been blown to pieces? I brought you back to the town of Mysidia.

Lid: You can move from one place to another instantaneously? That's the same thing Cid did to us...

Fina: Sakura... Thank you. For saving us.

(Sakura turns to Fina.)

Sakura: We will undoubtedly need your strength when the final battle comes against the Sworn Six. I cannot let you be injured before then. We have a battle to fight together.

(Sakura has joined the party!)

(The camera centers on Nichol, who gets a (...)).

Nichol: (Fina should have regained all of her former power thanks to the Earthlord.) (But... that spell seemed to fail earlier... So does she truly have her power back or not?)

(The camera pans further west, to Rain and Lasswell standing some distance from the party. Rain looks like he has his head bowed.)

Lasswell: Was it a shock? To realize that the Darklord was in fact Sir Raegen.

Rain: ... ... ...

Lasswell: To be honest... I think I already knew it on some level. When Darklord saved us, I felt some of Sir Raegen's warmth from within that armor...

Rain(...): The Darklord is our enemy, but he was a man worthy of respect. I can admit that much. But it's like Lid said. We don't even know for sure who is inside of Darklord's armor now.

Lasswell: That is true...

(Rain turns from Lasswell, gets a (...) over his head, and walks off.)

Lasswell(...): (...Rain. That is not the only issue to consider here.) (If Sir Raegen truly was Darklord once....) (Then that means he was originally from Paladia.) (Meaning... that Rain... You too have the blood of Paladia running through your veins.) (Perhaps that explains... the glow in your arm that time...)

(The scene shifts. The party is walking elsewhere in downtown Mysidia. A black mage spots them and gets a ! over his head. The party comes to a halt, and Lid gets a ? as the other black mage also sees them and gets a !. The second black mage speaks.)

Rebel Soldier: There they are! Those are the criminals that destroyed the Magic Library! You have destroyed the cornerstone of all our hard-earned wisdom! This cannot be forgiven!

(The whole party gets a !, and Lid steps forward.)

Lid: What!? Hold on just a minute! We didn't destroy the library or anything!

Rebel Soldier: Do not try to deny your crimes! We know that you were in the library!

(Sakura gets a grumble symbol over her head.)

Sakura: Even if we try to explain, it doesn't look like they're going to listen.

Nichol: We seem to have no choice but to use force, for now. We will have to fight our way out of this trouble without harming any of the townspeople.

Sakura: Then we should consider using the underground paths. Follow me.

(The party hurries away, followed by a pack of black mages.)

MAGI NATION MYSIDIA -- BLOOD OF PALADIA -- DOWNTOWN MYSIDIA 2

(The scene opens inside a building. Earthlord walks in and looks around.)

Veritas of the Earth: It looks like she's not here. That demon, Fina.... (...) (Before Paladia was split into Hess and Aldore...) (Fina and I would always battle to test our skills as warriors of Paladia.) (When you fight until you can fight no more, something strange happens between you and your opponent. You understand one another in a way you can't any other way.) (But... when war broke out, she went instead to Hess...) (I'd just assumed... she would join Aldore and fight alongside me...)

(Two black mages enter.)

Mage: Who are you? No one is allowed in here but the mages of Mysidia.

(Earthlord gets a (...) but doesn't answer.)

Mage: Answer me! Who are you?

Veritas of the Earth: Why introduce myself to someone who is about to die?

(The mages get ! at this.)

Mage: Intruder! There's an intruder!

(The two mages flank Earthlord, and three more mages enter to stand before him.)

Veritas of the Earth: How amusing. Yes, call as many of your fellows as you can. Then try to stay alive long enough to entertain me! If you succeed, I may let you live. But if you fail...

(He glows.)

Veritas of the Earth: I will kill every last one of you.

(The mages cast spells, enveloping Earthlord in lightning. The scene ends.)

Next entry...

Previously...

MAGI NATION MYSIDIA -- NEW TRUTH, MORE MYSTERY -- MAGIC LIBRARY 3

(The party stands around the green book.)

Lid: Isn't this...? We're back! Right?

(They all get ! over their heads and walk a few steps forward. Sakura is standing facing west, a barrier between her and a monster.)

Rain: Sakura! What happened!?

(Sakura turns east, and puts up another barrier to stop the monster approaching from that direction.)

Sakura: Sorry about this. My barrier failed, and monsters attacked. That is why I woke you all. I'm afraid even I cannot take on this many monsters alone. Lend me a hand, would you?

Rain: Of course!

(The party gathers behind Sakura.)

Sakura: But these monsters... They are not the monsters that live in this library.

Veritas of the Light: That's right. I brought them. To make you suffer.

Sakura: Lightlord...

Veritas of the Light: You cannot escape from us! You should know that better than anyone!

(Rain takes a step forward.)

Rain: Wait, Lightlord! Why are you targeting Sakura?

Veritas of the Light: ...

Rain: You may not believe me, but... I know you. I know something about the people you used to be. The Veritas of the Dark was once a great man. And you weren't bad either.

(Rain takes another step forward.)

Rain: What happened 700 years ago? What filled you all with so much hatred?

Veritas of the Light: Rain.... So you are Raegan's son.

Rain: Huh?

Veritas of the Light: He betrayed Paladia. He ran roughshod over my heart. If it weren't for your mother... If only Sophia hadn't been there...

Rain: Hold on... What are you saying?

(The scene shakes as Lightlord speaks angrily.)

Veritas of the Light: I have no words to spare for you of all people! Your very existence is salt in my wounds!

(Battle begins!)

MAGI NATION MYSIDIA -- NEW TRUTH, MORE MYSTERY -- MAGIC LIBRARY 4

(Battle has ended. Lightlord backs up a step.)

Veritas of the Light: Ugh...

(Lightlord's armor shatters, revealing a pink-haired woman.)

Rain: Huh?

Jake: Another one!? We're just drowning in lovely ladies lately... I-is it really okay for one man to be so blessed?

Lid: Do you even understand what's going on? Could you focus on what really matters here!?

Sakura(...): It's been a long time... sister.

(The party gets ! over their heads at this.)

Rain: Sister?

Veritas of the Light: Sakura... You are no sister or me!

(Lightlord casts a spell as she says this, crystals circling around her. A ball of light is thrown towards the party, but is stopped as Sakura puts up a barrier to block it.)

Veritas of the Light: Ungh!

Sakura: Give it up, sister. The wounds that Rain and the others have dealt you aren't healing, are they?

Veritas of the Light: Wounds? These little scratches are nothing! What are such physical pains compared to the humiliation they have heaped upon me!? Come to me! My armor of light!

(She glows, the glow blinding her from view. When it fades, she stands with her armor restored.)

Rain: Lightlord, wait! Why do you know my mother?

Veritas of the Light: You haven't heard anything at all from Raegen, have you? Then shall I be the one to tell you? Your father Raegen.. is one of the Sworn Six of Paladia. He is the Veritas of the Dark.

(The party gets a ! over their heads.)

Lasswell: Darklord... is Sir Raegen?

Rain: ...

Veritas of the Light: Raegen.... Darklord was led astray by that wench Sophia, and he turned his back on us. I will never forgive that traitor!

Lid: Wait...what? I don't get it! So Darklord is Rain's dad... and a traitor? B-but... that doesn't make any sense!

Nichol: I'm impressed that you actually noticed that, Lid. Darklord stood against us as one of the Sworn Six of Paladia. He certainly appeared loyal to their cause.

Lid: So is the person inside Darklord's armor really Rain's dad? Or is it someone else? I don't understand!

Veritas of the Light: It's not anything you need to know!

(Lightlord begins to glow, and Sakura gets a ! over her head.)

Sakura: Blast! She's been gathering up magic power to unleash it all at once!

(Fina moves to the front of the party.)

Fina: It's fine! I can handle this!

(Fina holds up her rod, as if to gather energy, but it just sparks.)

Fina: What?

Sakura(!): Leave this up to me! Fina, you stand back!

(There is a big ball of light emanating from Veritas of the Light, obliterating the scene!)

Next entry...

Profile

Althea Valara

January 2024

S	M	T	W	T	F	S
	1	2	3	4	5	6
7	8	9	10	11	12	13
14	15	16	17	18	19	20
21	22	23	24	25	26	27
28	29	30	31

Syndicate

Page Summary

FFBE Script part 130: Frozen Edge
FFBE Script part 129: Awakening of Power
FFBE Script part 128: Betting on Belief
FFBE Script part 127: Desirers of Destruction
FFBE Script part 126: The Dark Elf
FFBE Script part 125: Messenger from Zoldaad
FFBE Script part 124: The Eight Sages of Hess
FFBE Script part 123: During the Trip
FFBE Script part 122: Way Too Long
FFBE Script part 120: The Door and the Seal
FFBE Script part 119: In the Rain
FFBE Script part 117: Various Resolutions
FFBE Script part 116: Fall, Arrow of Light
FFBE Script part 115: To End the Fighting
FFBE Script part 114: Final Battle With Hess
FFBE Script part 113: Which?
FFBE Script part 112: Reason to Leave
FFBE Script part 111: Disappearing Fina
FFBE Script part 110: Blood of Paladia
FFBE Script part 109: New Truth, More Mystery

Style Credit

Base style: Dusty Foot by timeasmymeasure
Theme: Monochrome Purple by krja

Expand Cut Tags

No cut tags

Page generated Aug. 28th, 2025 02:57 pm

Althea Valara

Entries tagged with ffbe script

FFBE Script part 130: Frozen Edge

FFBE Script part 129: Awakening of Power

FFBE Script part 128: Betting on Belief

FFBE Script part 127: Desirers of Destruction

FFBE Script part 126: The Dark Elf

FFBE Script part 125: Messenger from Zoldaad

FFBE Script part 124: The Eight Sages of Hess

FFBE Script part 123: During the Trip

FFBE Script part 122: Way Too Long

FFBE Script part 120: The Door and the Seal

FFBE Script part 119: In the Rain

FFBE Script part 117: Various Resolutions

FFBE Script part 116: Fall, Arrow of Light

FFBE Script part 115: To End the Fighting

FFBE Script part 114: Final Battle With Hess

FFBE Script part 113: Which?

FFBE Script part 112: Reason to Leave

FFBE Script part 111: Disappearing Fina

FFBE Script part 110: Blood of Paladia

FFBE Script part 109: New Truth, More Mystery