Part 74: Interviews with a Vampire

Entry 71: Interviews with a Vampire

Victor and Victoria have been waiting for this moment.



A rematch between killers and...other killers. But this time, no one's escaping.



As before, Victor uses high level white magic and buffing abilities, while Victoria uses status effects and offensive magic.

Poison immunity is still a must to counter Victoria's poison -> insta-kill combo.



Two chapters and many levels later, the party is much better equipped to take on these two.



A short time into the battle, Victoria speaks up.

Your early years may be tragic indeed! But I cannot forgive what you've done! You stole the life of a dear friend from me!

Hmph, vengeance? I can relate to that.

I've no interest in the grand marshal's fancy ideals. But we do agree on one thing--the need to crush the Orthodoxy.

Total annihilation would be too easy on them! They'll all pay for what they did to me!



Victoria loves casting Corpse in this fight, which will automatically bring the target to 0 HP after a few turns. Salve-maker's improved Phoenix Down compound makes it easy to pick downed members back up and carry on.



Once Victoria's health gets lower, Victor attempts to keep Victoria healed...



But Agnès isn't having any of it.



Vengeance for Olivia is served.



Victoria...? Victoria!

Victor and Victoria give dialogue once one or the other are dead.



After Victoria's defeated, Victor starts whacking people with his staff. He's not out of MP, so this may actually be him raging over Victoria's death.



Victor is weak to dark, so this dark attack compound does extra damage. This gives Tiz something to do now that healing's not a concern.



Not too long after Victoria's defeat, Victor follows at Edea's hand.



You grant me the gift of death. I now go to be by Victoria's side. Ha ha ha... Sweet Victoria. Sweet, sweet Vic...

Victoria and Victor are finally defeated.



But that's not all.

Depending on who you kill first, Victor and Victoria's lines change accordingly.

Here's what happens if you kill Victor first:



Victor vanishes from the arena.



And when Victoria is downed afterwards:



Not that I was fond of him, but I did need his treatments.

It's better this way. Now I can finally die...finally.

Once again ending the battle on a grim note. Even Victoria doesn't like Victoria.



But there's also a third way to get dialogue: kill both at the same time.

This requires some coordination, but with an overleveled party it's not too difficult:



R-right here...by your side.

I just wanted to say...I really hate you. You wouldn't let me die, though I suffered so.

But now, finally, I'm free. Free of this pain.

No, I will not let you go. If I'm to die, my soul... It shall join you.

Fine, I suppose there's no getting rid of you.

Th-thank you, Victoria. Sweet Victoria...

The two fade away, at least this time dying with some twisted measure of peace.

Victoria's story further highlights that the Crystalists failed many people when they were in power. That part shouldn't be a surprise to us or the party at this point. But the church's past misbehaviors are no excuse for Victoria and Victor's present misdeeds, nor Braev allowing them such power abroad given their clear lack of self-control.

Anyway,



Doot doo doo dee doo doot doot DOO!




Look at that happy camper! Tiz never lets story pathos get in the way of fun gameplay time.



Agnès took breaks from stabbing Victoria to steal two good items.



The Council of Six members get access to the best government-confiscated relics.




There's something familiar about this room. The medical tank is likely the same one mentioned in the Enigmatic Writings of D's Journal.

The Writings stopped being accurate before that point, so I suppose the point is moot, now.



As the party turns to leave, Agnès pauses.

What's wrong, Agnès? Why did you stop?

Edea approaches Agnès, but Ringabel holds out a hand.

Wait, Edea. Agnès needs a moment...

But we're almost to the Earth Crystal. We should hurry and awaken it!

Everlast Tower is just ahead once we push through Central Command!

......

Edea, my heart aches... I know what this must be like for you. I am sorry...

Agnès...

Agnès, hurry! If we don't awaken that crystal, the whole world will get swallowed up in darkness!

We didn't come this far just to stop now, did we?

There's only one to go! Awaken the Earth Crystal and it's all over!

......

Let's go, Agnès. Together. The world is waiting for us to awaken this crystal.

I know I must go... I know, but--

Right! Everyone else in?

...I'll go.

Of course we're coming.

Agnès finally agrees, though not happily.

It's not clear whether her hesitation is due to killing Victoria and Victor or her earlier misgivings, but it's more reassuring to think that someone in the party was affected by Victoria and Victor's deaths and their story. At the very least, Agnès is still coming to terms with her church being more tarnished than the unassailable perfect image from her childhood.



The exit to Everlast Tower is at the northern end of the building.



Past the Adventurer, it should be dead ahead.



Just beyond that closed door...



But as they approach, a deep, calm voice stops the group in their tracks.

Who's there!?

A petulant daughter's act of rebellion against the father who neglected her.

What?

The naive vestal's sense of justice as dictated by others, unquestioned as it is unflinching.

Huh?

An orphaned existence, ignorant of himself and alone in this world.

Rgh!

Has playing as the trusty friend filled your hollow soul, boy?

Show yourself!

A giant bat suddenly appears in front of them.



The party turns to look.

Wha...?







The man turns away from the party's bodies.

I am done here. I leave the rest to you, Alternis Dim.

The door behind the man opens.



Your cooperation is much appreciated.

Cooperation? No, it is simply a matter of friendly concern. My interest lies in the templar's-- the grand marshal's daughter.

You may cast the remaining three into the dungeon if you so wish.

Alternis bows.

Yes, m'lord!

The two newest members of the Council of Six have perished at the hands of the vestal.

Tis such a pity. I never had the chance to meet them.

......

A short time later...



Yes, Lord Marshal.

A tragic end to tragic lives.

Indeed, but the vestal and her fellow conspirators have been captured.

Though the toll was heavy, we have them at last! Well done, Alternis, well done.

No, this was not my doing. It was his.

I see...

There was one more matter, Lord Marshal. Your daughter, Edea, is in her room.

And...?

I simply thought you'd wish to know.

Braev turns away.



And walks off without another word.

The scene changes to a different part of Central Command.



Edea slowly stands up.



In a child's bedroom.



Fit for a princess.

!?

Is this... Is this my room? Where is everybody?



Wherever they are, it probably isn't as pleasant as here.




But it's a gilded cage if there ever was one. Small but important touch: this room isn't Edea's, it's the Grand Marshal's Daughter's. Technically they're one and the same, but in spirit? Not necessarily.



Edea's not going to let some measly guards stop her from busting out!

As she's about to open the door, a voice speaks from the other side.



Braev!

Edea gasps and steps back to let Pops, the Templar, leader of the Council of Six, etc. enter the room.



The door shuts loudly behind Braev. So much for the exit, but maybe this is the chance we've been waiting for.

...

You never learned to knock first, no matter how many times I asked.

It seems like ages.

What have you done with my friends? Where have you taken them?

Your fellow conspirators are held in the dungeon.

The dungeon? I'd feared that... So they yet live?

As for the wind vestal--

Agnès!? What will you do with her? You'll bring ruin upon Eternia if you harm a hair on her head.

You speak of ruin? It is you and your conspirators who nearly brought ruin upon this land.

Crystalism is a cult--a tool for deceiving the masses. We can trust them with the crystals no longer.

The wind vestal shall never again see the light of day. And should she persist with her uncooperative attitude...



Selfish, you say?

Well, they are, aren't they!? You send big men to chase down and capture one little girl.

You wage war far and wide. You ravage nature. You bring suffering upon innocents. Are those your ideals, Father? What is it you're trying to do!? I don't understand!

I just don't understand...

I did not raise you to be such a shallow little fool!

Father! Why do you say such things?

The Earth Crystal is now the last of the crystals here upon Luxendarc to retain its normal state.

All who seek to awaken the crystal--whether the vestal or my own flesh and blood--shall face the wrath of my blade!

......

You shall remain here while you regain your senses.

And just how long am I to be your prisoner?



So much for the talk between father and daughter.

Braev leaves the room, locking the door behind him. From the other side, we hear him speak to the attendants:

Redouble the guard. My daughter poses a greater threat than you might think.

......

It's as I feared. Father does not understand.

Edea has matured enough to question the ideas she grew up with, but the other Eternians continue to treat her as a child. Her father is no exception, especially considering his investment in this whole train wreck.

Maybe we'll get another chance to clear the air with Braev, but for now, talks are over. Time for action.



Edea looks across the room, towards the window...

As we switch to Braev reentering the Council of Six's meeting room.



He glances up, noticing someone already in the room.

After hesitating, he walks forward and begins speaking to the man who OHKO'd the party.



DeRosso looks around.

Fifteen, you say?



For an immortal such as I, fifteen years seems but a fleeting moment in time.

Do you recall that day? It was dreadfully cold by your reckoning, though just the sort of weather in which I delight.

Upon ceding the head councilor's seat to you, I retired to my castle and partook of a goblet of steaming wine.

And now, fifteen years have passed since you rid yourself of me by naming me archduke. But I ask you, are you content?

......



And you brought the crystals under the dominion of men, exploiting them to build your ideal society.

...All great deeds we failed to accomplish. You should be proud.

I did it not for pride.

I would have you accept my words as true, for there is no veiled reproach therein.

Indeed, you have acted most valiantly, unlike we who have long done naught but watch from the shadows.

......

And yet...you have been too hasty, Braev the Templar.



You just know this guy brags about his age every few minutes. No wonder Braev sent him away.

But I understand the reasoning therein. And it is from such understanding that I say you have been too hasty.

Though fifteen years have passed, you have changed not one bit. However, if I might respond...

In keeping with Bravely Default tradition, the scene shifts away just as things might get explained.


Next: Can the party escape? Can the competence of one vampire-like man make up for the tactical failings of the rest of Eternia?

--

Event Viewer
Main Scenario:
Nescient Children
The Capture of the Vestal
Edea Alone
Father and Daughter Reunited
The Archduke & the Lord Marshal

Party Chat:
Let's Hurry