Part 77: Alone at the Top, in the Dark

Entry 74: Alone at the Top, in the Dark

The game's villains have been defeated. Their armies have been decimated, their plots have been foiled, their leader has been crushed.


Four young adults now stand triumphant against evil, with nothing left to keep them from saving the world.

I mean, there is Alternis, but let's be honest -- even if he challenges the party, it's not like he'll be able to stop them. Right?



As the party exits asterisk space along with the gravely wounded Braev, an unexpected visitor arrives.

Braev!



Mahzer runs past the party to Braev, supporting him with all her strength.

Mother!?

You should not have come...



This is all my fault.

What is this foolishness you speak? You are ever the strength that keeps me alive. And I love you and Edea dearly.

Father?

Braev collapses, with Mahzer still holding on to him.



Derosso strolls up behind the party.

Do not fear. He is merely unconscious.

At DeRosso's direction, the party steps aside to let Braev be taken away by medics. Mahzer and DeRosso follow the procession, leaving the party alone.

A short time later, DeRosso and Mahzer return.



And he may never wield his sword again.

...

Mother, I... I took up arms against Father. I told myself I was ready to fight him, even if it meant shortening his years...

Then surely you will not stray from your path, so long as you hold that feeling near and dear.



It was for the best.

...Mother, we now go to awaken the Earth Crystal.

I see.

Forgive me.

There is no need to ask my forgiveness.

Oh, but there is, Mother. For if we awaken the crystal, your treatments will no longer be possible.

We will no longer be able to keep what ails you at bay. What sort of daughter does that to her mother?

Oh, Edea, you truly are your father's daughter, and that is what makes you even more dear to me.

Mother...

How very touching. I beg pardon for my interruption, but your fear is misplaced.

And you are...?



But you may address me as Lord DeRosso.

...What do you mean our fear is misplaced?

It appears you have underestimated the templar's great deeds--deeds for which he risked life and limb. For he has advanced science and medicine in this land by a hundred years.

While complete cures may not yet be possible, sickness and disease can be prevented from further progression. Awakening the crystal shall not rob your mother of such mortal life as she has left, Edea.

So, then...!

We're free to awaken the crystal!

Dear...



DeRosso's lording over the fact he knows more than the party. Wonder if he'd be open to explaining things?

I can see purpose unwavering in your eyes. 'Tis as if I gaze upon Braev the Templar in his youth. And yet, there is still much that you cannot fathom...

I have seen years measuring in thousands. Hope and sentiment intertwined with right and wrong, good and evil. The rise and fall of the Orthodoxy, the restoration of Eternia, the two conflicting beliefs concerning the crystals... So much may happen in a life immortal.

Before the party can grill DeRosso, however, he disappears in a poof of smoke.

Mahzer leaves shortly after to resume her treatments. The party, alone once again, returns to the locked door on the ground floor.



Where Edea uses Braev's key, finally unlocking the way.

The way to Everlast Tower is beyond this door!

Let's go!




Eternia Central Command is now completely open to the party.




The Council of Six's chamber are empty. Their leader was incapacitated, two were killed, two stood down, and the last was sent off to do who knows what.

Back at the door to Everlast Tower, Tiz and Agnès halt to check over the group's supplies. While they wait, Edea catches Ringabel staring at his journal.



I may as well. The thing's stopped coughing up prophecies.

Just who was the author in the end? I can't help but wonder...

Did someone in the past foretell what the four of us would do?

Or are the "us" in the book actually other people who lived in the past?

Other people whose doings perfectly overlap with our own?

Both theories are equally hard to believe.

According to the text, you've met the book's author before, Agnès. Any recollection?

No. I am not entirely without my suspicions, but... I feel they must be wrong...

After all...you don't recall writing it, do you, Ringabel?

Me? I'm afraid not.

And the author claims to have saved your life, Tiz. Do you remember anything?

No, nothing. I'd always just assumed it was Owen who rescued me.

And Edea, the author claims he's madly in love with you. Any ideas? ...So I can pummel him?

If I said no, I'd be lying.

What!?

I'm saying I have my suspicions where boys in love with me are concerned.

But the facts don't add up. For either of them.

Either!? I suddenly find myself twice as angry.

Regardless. To the extent its words can still be trusted, the book says...

It says you three are going to meet the author if we keep pressing on.

I see little point in fretting over someone we may or may not meet.

The Earth Crystal awaits us. This much is fact. So let us hurry to the Everlast Tower.

Seconded! Awakening the crystals has to be our top priority!

Then let us hurry on.

...Right...

Poor Ringabel now has not only the journal mystery, but two mysterious rivals to deal with. Should've taken that hot date when it was offered, buddy.

But before moving on to Everlast Tower and the final crystal, there are things to cover.

First up are a couple of alternate scenes. Previously, Einheria the Valkyrie and Kamiizumi "Enigma-sensei" the Swordmaster both spent their dying moments asking Edea to speak to her father. But if the party had waited and defeated them after fighting Braev, they'd have had some different choice words.



First up, Kamiizumi.



This time, Kamiizumi does the same monologue to himself, then says this new line as soon as he turns to face the party.

It seems you no longer need any instruction from me when it comes to mastery of the blade. But tell me, why did you not have faith in your father?

Do you not realize you have chosen a path of carnage, and even now bring the world to the brink of destruction?

Master... I saw with my own eyes, and made up my mind. My father is wrong. This is the only way the world can be saved.

I spoke with my father, but he did not see things my way... I had no desire to fight him... But I refuse to bend to his will!

...You are just like your father. I suppose this outcome was inevitable...

......

And what of your beliefs, Master? I spent seven years studying the sword under you. The man I know would never support starting a civil war in another realm.

The man I know would never condone assassination! He would never allow the use of vile weapons of mass murder!

I heard about you and my mother on the streets of Eternia...

Did you stray from your beliefs for the sake of my mother...and for my father who doted upon her!?

You may have honed your skills in combat, but you are still a child after all.

What do you mean by that!?

I staked my life on the ideals held by Braev. On his ideals, and the future he envisioned. That is all.

All things beyond that resolve, my values, pride, and sentiment, are mere trifles. Know this, Edea. You may be his beloved daughter...

And my disciple of the blade whom I hold dear...but I will stop you at any cost! For Braev the Templar, my old friend, and the husband of the one I loved...

This references some gossip we can't actually hear about yet, perhaps because this conversation was meant to be gotten later on. But surprise! There was once a love triangle between Kamiizumi, Braev, and Mahzer.

After the battle, Kamiizumi collapses as before, and Edea runs over to him.



Even I could not stop you... It is an honor to be outdone by my own disciple. What I foresaw became reality. Well fought...

With my dying breath, I beg of you, Edea. Do not awaken...the Earth Crystal... It will only cause you...

Kamiizumi's vision fades to black.



And he passes away.

Master... I'm afraid that's one wish I cannot grant you. My mind is made up... I cannot turn back now.

I am sorry... Forgive me, Master...

Kamiizumi knew a lot for not being on the Council of Six. He was likely offered a position and declined it, but still lent Braev an ear on sensitive matters. Anyway, he still chooses to use his time admonishing Edea for what she doesn't know rather than trying to tell her what's going on. Truly, Enigma-sensei to the end.


Kamiizumi's death journal entry is altered as well.

Next, let's check with Valkyrie Einheria. The lead-in to meeting her begins as before.



Why are you doing this? This isn't--

I've warned you not to speak!

I'm afraid I cannot keep silent. Agnès is my friend.

......

But after Edea insists on sticking up for Agnès, Einheria has a new response:



You and I learned the sword under the same master. We shared a vision. A dream. We swore our blades to the service of Eternia, and pledged to fight for her future.

......

Yet you've defeated your own father...destroyed his armies. You betrayed him. His ideal world. The dream our master saw. The path I believe in!

You've betrayed all of it... Crushed it underfoot, and for what!?



I knew nothing before. I was innocent... Ignorant.

But no longer. I've seen the world with my own eyes. Judged right from wrong for myself. And now I can say with all confidence, the path I've chosen was the right one.

Were those the words with which you denied your father?

He had his own ideals. To me, they were anything but...

The world he dreamed of could not have made the people happy!

What have you been looking at this whole time? Do you see ideals in the vestal's lies!?

I know what I've seen. I'll let no one deny it. Not even you.

Then that is your answer...

Einheria hesitates, then shakes her head.

The grand marshal's orders...were to eliminate any obstacle.

Father...!

Though his dream may lie dead, I will follow his orders to the grave!



After the battle:



Einheria!

Edea runs towards Einheria.

Come no closer!

Einheria sounds afraid, the opposite of her normally stoic voice. Edea stops where she is.

...Stronger even than... I'd expected... Lord Marshal... Forgive me... I...could not...preserve...your dream...

......

Einheria slumps over. Her death this time isn't at all peaceful, as she's too distracted by Braev.



Again, no new information, except to show Braev's closest followers believe in his ideals so passionately they uphold them even after their leader's defeat.

Now that these two alternate paths're covered, let's get back to the party's current time and space in Eternia.



Before going through the door to Everlast Tower, the party decides to take one last stab at getting information.



C'mon, DeRosso, let us in so you can explain in detail how many millenia you've lived through!

After a pause, Derosso's disembodied voice echoes:

If you wish to pass this gate, seek you the six keystones throughout the lands.

Keystones?

Keys of stone? Stones that are keys?

Though the way is barred, six number the holes to be filled. I trust you can figure out the rest. The time is ripe to prove yourself worthy. I shall say no more.

Edea turns around, looking for the voice's source.



I said I shall say no more. Now, off with you. I shall await your return.

DeRosso sounds slightly amused in that last line. Surely he's realized by now the party has a very, very difficult time taking 'no' for an answer.

The party leaves the area, but at Edea's insistence immediately go back and try the door again.



Edea pounds at the door, completely ignoring Tiz.

Mrgrgr...

No, it's going to take more than brawn to open.

Six indentations in the door, six items the party needs to find. That isn't much of a lead, but we've already seen the answer. It's something we've seen six of altogether since nearly the beginning of the game, spread throughout the world.



Eventually, the other three manage to drag Edea away and get back to the ship.



Our first stop is back in the Caldisla area, near the Villa.



Unlike earlier, these obelisks can now be inspected. Doing so...



Triggers a battle.



Here it comes!



This dragon is a simple mini-boss, but can easily kill you if you're not prepared.



Most of its attacks are dark elemental. With proper prepwork, the damage goes from this...



To this.



With a holy knight on our side...



The dragon eventually goes down.



From far off, DeRosso's voice echoes:

Why, you have mastered my contrivance and defeated its guardian. Very well, I shall grant you the dark keystone.



Agnès looks around.

That voice! Lord DeRosso!?

This stone must be one of the keys to Vampire Castle! Alright, five more to go!



Luckily Excalibur was a suitable substitute for a vorpal blade.



The party returns to the castle and tests the first keystone in the door. Sure enough, it fits in the indentation.

Edea looks pleased at first, then frowns once the door refuses to budge. She gives it a good shove.

Hrgh! Mrgrgr...

You don't know when to give up, Edea.

...You know what they say... ...If at first you don't succeed...

Edea continues throwing her weight against the door.



Because the keystones can be gotten in any order, the cutscene will change slightly depending how many and which keystones you have. The bulk of the dialogue remains the same, though.



The second obelisk is in the Harena desert, north of the oasis, near the thieves den.



This dragon is wind elemental. Otherwise, it's very similar to the last fight.



It debuffs resistance to its element, then strikes with that element.



After its defeat, disembodied DeRosso acknowledges the party's success once again and throws another keystone at them.



Six keystones, six dragons, six elements. I'll be going through this quickly since it gets repetitive.



The third keystone is in Yulyana Woods, northeast of Sage Yulyana's cabin.



This is the holy dragon. Notably, it has feathery wings instead of bat wings.



Holy is white like a pearl.



Shinryu is the Japanese name for the dragon god Shenlong from Chinese myth. It's also a recurring boss in Final Fantasy.



Halfway there.



Next dragon is on the largest island northeast of the Florem area.



Water/Ice this time.



DeRosso's gonna have the prettiest front door in Eternia once we're done.



Mizuchi is a terrifying dragon or serpent, possibly also a god, connected to water in Japanese myth.



Fifth is in central northern Eisen.



As you might expect, Eisen's local dragon is fire.





In ancient times, salamanders were known in the West for their love of, or at least immunity to, fire. They were often assumed to have a magical nature, such as being born of flames.

In reality, salamanders are amphibians who love nesting in dark, damp places like old logs and prefer not to be set on fire.



The last dragon is on an island southwest of Eternia.



This dragon differs by using a ground pound instead of a breath attack. Look at those stubby little arms!



...And the earth keystone makes the sixth.



Ladon is a serpent/dragon from Greek myth who guarded a tree bearing golden apples. While it was minding its own business, it was defeated by Heracles (Hercules) during one of the latter's feats.


Next: What awaits within the vampire's lair? DeRosso's feeling chatty!
--

Event Viewer
Main Scenario:
Braev's Love
The Final Crystal

Sub-Scenario:
Swordmaster Kamiizumi - B
The Swordmaster's Fate - B
Cheerless Reunion - C
Valkyrie Einheria - C
Einheria's End - D
The Quest for the Keystones
More than Brawn
A Stubborn Persistence

Party Chat:
Let's Press On