Part 91: Welcome to the Mountains

Entry 83: Welcome to the Mountains

With Harena cleansed of Eternia's subterfuge, we can safely move on to the next continent. Two down, three to go.



Let's go say hi to Braev. Who knows, maybe we can stop the rest of the Eternians at the source.

*Some time later, in Eternia*



Boy, yeah, going straight from desert to glaciers is pretty extreme! You know what might help ease the temperature change?



Ahhh.



Eternia's native fauna are even more dangerous than last time.



Local science has lent a hand, too. Note in the battle shot above that the ice golem miniboss from the start of chapter 4 is now a regular encounter.



Of everything here, though, these round pint things are the deadliest. If you aren't paying attention, they can decimate your party within a couple've turns, provided they don't decide to run away.

If you manage to kill them, they reward a hefty 500 JP a pop, but because they're a rarer encounter, they're not optimal for grinding.



It's not surprising that Wa once warred in Eternia; evidently they lost. Wonder if there's any connection between this ancient invasion and the land of Wa's disappearance?

Alternatively, Wa did occupy Eternia for some time, until perhaps their homeland imploded, dissolving their hold over farflung colonies. Either way could explain Kamiizumi and Kikyo's lineage in Eternia.



There's an implication here that Eternia City is in fact under guard, even though we don't see any soldiers. It was implied last time as well; the party was trying to stay quiet and anonymous, which is why Edea was concerned about stumbling into an old classmate (the one staring a hole in Tiz's back right now).



Braev must have once again prepared for invasion when he got word of Grandship coming in. To be fair, seeing a giant floating city-ship enter your airspace would be pretty alarming, whether you know it's carrying the wind vestal or not.

Also, take note of that old man in the corner. He wasn't here last time we were in Eternia. This is the town's gossip. We'll be chatting with him shortly.



Since we've been poking our nose everywhere, we know the nurse's referring to Vincent S. Court, Victor's father. He was a master of magic and science, yet at some point in the past fifteen years he somehow died... I'm sure it was of completely natural causes.



We've come this far, so of course Edea wants to check up on Mother.

Never mind that; are you alright!?

Of course I am. You mustn't trust everything you hear. And I've been feeling quite a bit better since I came here.

The conversation goes down pretty similarly to last time.



Mahzer turns to Agnès.

So, you are the wind vestal?

...!

I am the grand marshal's wife, after all. I hear much to which others are not privy. And I am particularly well informed about the wind vestal's traveling companions.

Eternia's informants are great, so long as they aren't uncovering corruption within their own ranks.



Our talk with Mahzer is shortened this time, largely because Ringabel's spending less time being witty and more time listening in awkward silence.

Mother...

How wonderful to see you so full of vim and vigor!

I'm...I'm sorry if I worried you, Mother.

There's no need for that. There's no need to worry about me.



Forgive me, but this is where we must say goodbye. Please, do look after my daughter.

*nods*

Mother...

The party waits around until the exam is over, then visits Mahzer again.



How do you feel, Mother?

I am quite well today.

I see... I am glad.

That's one less worry on Edea's mind.

With that out of the way, let's go see what the new old guy in town had to say.



It goes without saying that the first is Braev the Templar, Grand Marshal of the Eternian Forces! The second is the Swordmaster, Nobutsuna Kamiizumi, greatest swordsman in the Land of Immortality! We are blessed to have not one, but two great heroes in a single generation.

Hm? You are the templar's daughter, young lady? And you are a disciple of the swordmaster? Well I never! Still, I'll wager you haven't heard the story of the one true love of the templar and the swordmaster! All those my age know the tale. Ask me anything!



Aw yeah, time to get some hot gossip. Someone tell Airy to pipe down about crystals so we can hear the guy.

How did they meet?



His counterpart, the swordmaster Nobutsuna Kamiizumi, was a top young swordsman at the city training hall. The two met here in the city, and became fast friends as they trained together, honing both mind and sword arm.

One day, the templar returned to his home village accompanied by his friend the swordmaster. However, when they returned to the city, it was clear there had been a falling out between them. Both refused to speak of it... They also all but ceased training together in the way of the sword. Word spread among the townspeople... We all had wondered what had happened between them.

When the templar later brought his betrothed from his home village to the city, the rumors started. Had the swordmaster and the templar become rivals over this beautiful young girl...?

What about their duel?



The year before the Great Plague, the two who had avoided each other so long suddenly engaged in a duel on the city outskirts! They fought for three days and night in a constant flurry of sword blows, their clashing blades ringing throughout the city. At my best guess...the swordmaster won by a narrow margin. In the end it took a score of the Orthodoxy's soldiers to stop the fighting.

There is no doubt in my mind that the two of them fought day and night over the enchanting Mahzer. It was an epic battle for all involved.

What happened after?



The swordmaster visited Mahzer alone. Soon after returning to the city, he set off on a journey to train in the art of war... Not long after, the templar traveled to his village, and brought his betrothed back with him. We all thought the swordmaster had confessed his love and been spurned, leaving him brokenhearted. The duel was most likely a deadly struggle to see who would have the chance to declare their love first.

Then the Great Plague descended. Amid the chaos, the templar and Mahzer were joined in marriage. I cannot recall how many years it was before the swordmaster returned... He took part in the templar's uprising that followed. Who can say what was in his heart at the time? It is beyond the comprehension of simple folks such as I.

Edea steps away from her father and master's biggest fanboy, returning to the rest of the party.



I had no idea. My father and Swordmaster Nobutsuna never spoke a word of it.

I don't think they ever would. Even I can figure that much out.

Well, heartwarming tales are fine and all, but the rest of me is freezing. Edea, what's good to eat in this town? Hopefully, it's something piping hot.

At this hour, you'll have to make do with food carts. How about that over there?

Beef stew and citrus stew... How's the stew around here, anyway?

Well, the Eternian version probably isn't what you'd expect.

We skewer daikon radish before cooking them in a special stock till they're tender. Then we dip them in beef or citrus sauces before eating them.

I have never heard of such a dish before. It warms my body just thinking about it!

Well, what're we waiting for! I'll have the beef stew!

Me, too!

I think I will try the citrus stew.

Why am I not surprised? And you, Ringabel?

Oh, me...? I'll take it clean and spicy!

"Clean and spicy"?

Right, hold the sauce, add mustard.

The stock is already so flavorful, it's perfect with just that!

How could you possibly know that? You haven't eaten it before, have you?

Nope, this will be my first-- Hmm, that is strange. How did I know that?

Ha ha ha, you probably read it in that journal or heard it from one of your lady friends.

Come on, let's hurry up and eat before it gets cold. Let's eat, let's eat!

Right...

After eating, the party goes to ask Mahzer about the gossip.



Excuse me, Mother...

What is it, child?

It's... Oh, never mind.

...And for some reason Edea feels awkward asking about her parents' sex life. Who would've thought?



The party leaves Eternia City. There's no fighting nor allies to be found here, and Braev's undoubtedly waiting for us.



The three passages leading to Central Command are unguarded this time, aside from the regular ground troops.



But at Central Command's front steps, a familiar, high-pitched, wrath-filled voice is waiting for us...





But unfortunately for you, you won't get any further if I can help it! Hee hee, I'll have you know I'm in top form today. Now you'll see just how helpless you are before me!

I bid you, Victoria, unleash your full power. Spare nothing.



Ah ha ha ha ha ha!

Before the party can react, Victoria casts magic...



...targeting Agnès and Tiz. It's not as painful as last time, but still not the sort of spells you want flung in your face.

Rgh!

Flee if you can, wretches! Off you go!

*magic*

Ungh...

Ah ha ha! Why so quiet? Teeth chattering too much? How ungainly.

Enough! You'll only hurt yourself at this rate!



Victoria's speech drops off.

...Ngh...ngah-agh.



...! It happened...



Victor! I...c-can't...b-b-breathe-- Aaagh!

Alas, you have grown more unstable than I had feared! We must seek treatment at once!

......

Victor takes Victoria and runs up the stairs, leaving the party behind. Again.



For those curious, you'll always trigger the meeting with Victor and Victoria at the front steps the first time you enter Central Command, no matter which entrance you use.



The party follows Victor and Victoria in. Maybe this time we can help?

Silence, if you please. She would likely perish if we were to disturb her now.

It's happening again...



Now's our chance! Victor's a smart guy who's studied the crystals, we can explain ourselves and--

Edea shakes her head.

Oh, I was just thinking out loud...

Allow me to tell you a story, if I may. Once upon a time in a place not of this land, there was an orphaned child suffering an incurable disease. Her name was Victoria.

We know this is a ruse to buy time, and the party knows, but they decide it's worth the risk to listen.



Huh? The Orthodoxy?

She was taken in and raised by the Orthodoxy soon after her birth.

This is new...

She simply waited upon her inevitable demise, all the while gasping in pain and despair. Then a chance meeting changed her life.

On death's door and abandoned, she was found by the grand marshal, who wandered the lands after renouncing the Orthodoxy himself. He took her to Yulyana, nursed her to health, then brought her to this realm for treatment.

My father did this?



He never spoke a word of this.

Were it not for His Lordship, her fragile life would have soon been snuffed out. I was pulled from my studies on the Earth Crystal to treat her.



But the treatment was not yet perfected, and she was left with terrible side effects. She suffers from periodic fits, which cause her body to writhe in pain. Her dread of these fits eventually caused her to lose all control over her emotions.

But perhaps the most significant side effect was the cessation of her physical growth. Since my father and I began her treatment here, she has always had the child-like form you see.

If she is in such pain...

How can you force her to use her powers!?

......

I do not need you to tell me that. After the death of my father, I took over his research, and have poured my heart into healing her body. But I could not relieve her agony, no matter how I tried. Each time her tiny form is wracked with pain, I ask myself: knowing the result, would I still have intervened as I did? But ever is my answer the same...

As long as I draw breath, I will see that she does, too. No matter how she suffers, I'll not allow her to die.



There's a splashing noise from the center of the room. Our storytime's up.

...What nonsense.



Forgive me, Victoria. How do you fare now?

Back to my old self. But I don't think I could take another one of those fits. Now, let's take care of these fools once and for all.

Stop it! What is the point of us fighting!?

The point, you ask? Hmm... Because you disgust me, Edea.

Wh-what?

That is reason enough to fight, no? I wish to see your corpses splayed before me, fools!



So close to having a reasonable discussion, yet so far. But after years of what amount to psychological trauma, neither Victor nor Victoria are really in their right minds.



I don't remember doing anything to you!



You have your health, and blood relatives that care for you deeply. You live a life of comfort, with many friends and teachers...

And yet despite these blessings, you rebelled. How can you display such arrogance, Edea!? I find your very existence offensive!

I...I fail to see how that is justified...

Is that right? You have no concept of the suffering of us have-nots! Justified or not, I despise you! Why don't you just roll over and die now!?

The battle goes quickly this time. The party focuses on taking Victoria and her deadly status spells down first.



Victoria fades out of asterisk space.

Victoria...? Victoria! Victoria... We have lost her... My sole reason for living, gone...



I shall end this miserable life...and take you all with me!

Victor takes Victoria's death even harder this time.



Luckily, on his own, he has no chance to take the party down.

Now Victoria...and I...shall be together...for eternity...

As before, there are multiple paths of dialogue for killing Victor and Victoria. Killing both at the same time gives the same dialogue as in Chapter 4.

But if you kill Victor first:



Nonsense! Open your eyes, Victor! I will not permit you to die before me!

As Victor dies, he has no choice but to fade away.



The next fit I have will be my last. So with the short time I have left...

I'd like nothing more than to crush you all!

She then proceeds to fail.



This time around, Victor and Victoria seems slightly more affectionate toward each other. We also came close to having a reasonable talk with Victor.



But 'close' wasn't enough to save them from dying again. Victor is obsessed with Victoria, but Victoria's entire self is based in hate. And as she said herself, pure hate can't be reasoned away.

The party continues up Central Command, all the way to the Council of Six's chamber.



It's shaping up to be another bad day for Braev.



But wait. His demeanor is completely different. He seems...calm.

So you have come, then. This is the wind vestal, I take it? Younger than I expected.

I am indeed Agnès Oblige, the Wind Vestal. I did not expect to face you again like this.



This time around, we haven't had a chance to wear down Braev's patience. Our coming here is so abrupt he isn't even sure whether we're coming with hostile or diplomatic intentions.

It does not matter. I do not intend to go against all the ideals you hold. But your hatred of the Crystal Orthodoxy and oppression of the Crystalists I cannot forgive!



Agnes's patience, on the other hand -- after seeing her best friend killed, armies destroyed, civilians abused, children enslaved, women tortured -- is pretty much gone.

Do your ideals include spreading the flames of war, causing many innocent people to suffer?

You did what you did to save Mother, right?

Enough, Edea. You clearly do not understand my motives.

I don't?

......I lost faith in the Orthodoxy twenty years ago. The same year that the Great Plague swept through all of Luxendarc.



But there was a way to stop it. By using the Earth Crystal to amplify the effects of white magic, the plague could have been eliminated! But my pleas to use this option fell on deaf ears, time after time...

Instead, the Orthodoxy sealed off the roads, letting the plague decimate village after village!



This is repeat information to us now, but it's the first time we've heard it from Braev's point of view.

So you took action, Father?

But the corruption of the Orthodoxy is trivial compared to the great secret of the crystals.

Secret...?

When I left the Orthodoxy, and met the sage in Yulyana, I was taught the secret of the crystals. If misused, the crystals could bring about the end of the world.

What!?

What are you talking about!? The crystals are the light of humanity, delivered through the prayers of the vestals through the ages!

You are not wrong, but that is merely one facet of the crystals, Wind Vestal. I could not entrust crystals with the power to end all existence to the Orthodoxy, whose only interest is self-preservation.

Then, my worst fears came true. Fifteen years ago the leaders of the Orthodoxy attempted the Grand Ritual, for the sole purpose of enhancing their prestige.

The Grand Ritual? Surely not...

This game has quite a few cutscenes that vary depending on what the player's done and seen. Unfortunately, not enough.



So we end up in strange cases like this, where Agnès is horrified to learn about the Orthodoxy's corruption despite this being... What, the third time she's heard about this Grand Ritual?

Our reports suggested the Earth Crystal was extremely unstable by that point. If the Grand Ritual were conducted, Eternia could have faced destruction.

So you attacked the headquarters of the Orthodoxy and the Temple of Earth to stop this Grand Ritual, Father!?

However, we were too late. By the time we got there, the Grand Ritual was already underway. Because of this, the Earth Crystal has been leaking power for the past fifteen years.

So you prevented a crisis by tapping its power for the medical arts!



He looks back to Edea.

But my feelings for my hometown and wife likely spurred me toward this solution.

Wind Vestal, your awakening of the crystals may have edged us toward the Harrowing.

You have it wrong! We awaken the crystals to save the world from the Harrowing!

That is merely the Orthodoxy's view. I do not know what deceit lies behind it. I cannot allow those who act without proper understanding to tamper with the crystals!

Speaking of not enough cutscene variations, Braev's dialogue in this scene is unchanged even if you have yet to awaken any crystals in this timeline.



Father!





Next: A crystal, a Braev, and a need for fixed fashion.

--

Event Viewer
Sub-Scenario:
A Chance Meeting
How Do You Feel?
The Gossipy Old Man
One True Love
Never Mind
The Arcanist's Ambush
The Arcanist's Agony
The Suffering of Have-Nots
The Templar's Ideals

Party Chat:
A Special Order