Part 92: A Quiet Moment

Entry 84: A Quiet Moment

Last episode, on Bravely Default:

The Orthodoxy's evil and I don't want the world to be destroyed. Therefore genocide, child slavery, chemical warfare, etc. are A-OK!

We won't ignore your trashfire strategy of world domination, but we will conveniently forget how corrupt the Orthodoxy was! Let's also accidently sequence break and know the meaning of a term we've never heard before!

Complications are hard. I hate using my brain! Let's fight instead, that'll solve everything!



And then we defeated Braev in combat.

Braev!



Mahzer runs past the party and to Braev.

Mother...

So you have come...

I am sorry, Braev. This is all my fault.

Do not...be absurd... This is hardly...your doing.

Braev...

Wind Vestal... With these wounds...I shall never...wield a blade again.

DeRosso is too busy sipping wine or something to help out, but luckily Braev's taken a medical crash course this time around.



I entrust the crystal to the vestal... I have said my piece. Now it is for the vestal to decide. I trust...you will make the right...decision.

Less than two minutes after trying to kill his daughter and her friends, Braev is ready to trust us. What he won't do, however...



Is be more specific about why we shouldn't do what we're obviously going to do.

You must...not...

He faints.



Ringabel checks Braev over.

It's okay. He has lost consciousness, but swift treatment should save his life.

Braev is taken away to be treated at the medical facilities. After that's settled:



Come to think, the party's likely been aging even with time reset for everything else. Considering their journey in Chapter 1-4 took months according to D's Journal, Edea should be slightly older than she's supposed to be (especially if you go with her Japan-version age of 15).

......

I do not blame you, you know. You must follow the path you believe is right. Just as your father has done.

Wind Vestal...

Yes?

You are not bound by the words of my husband.



You are the last surviving vestal. You are the hope that guides our people. Do not follow one belief blindly. Hear what others have to say before making your decision.

...I will take your words to heart.

Thank you. You should go, then.

Look after Father, Mother.

I will, of course.

We've gotten as much info as we can so far. The Orthodoxy's done terrible things, Braev has done terrible things, and both are biased against each other. What's the right thing to do? It's impossible to say for sure.

For now, all we can do is keep Mahzer's words in mind: no matter what anyone else says, the choice is ultimately up to us.



That in mind, we have the same goal as before: awaken the crystals.



Eternia's defenses weren't prepared, so the way to Everlast Tower is open.



As expected, there are new, stronger monsters here.



This includes what looks like a failed alchemical lifeform. It was likely created during the experiments of Victor's father.

At the top of Everlast Tower, the party enters the Earth Crystal's chamber to a familiar sight.



From this point on, the crystal-related cutscenes are almost all repeats.

This crystal has also reverted...

Should we perform the Rite of Awakening?

I think so...

*ROOOAAAAR*

Wait, something lurks nearby!

Ah!? That's...Gigas Lich, the Propagator of Doom!

Another creature back from destruction!

Here they come!



Anyway, remember how there's an easier method to kill this boss using Bravely Second?

Using Bravely Second to go over the damage cap...



Makes for the quickest battle in Bravely Default.



For once in the history of Square games, an Elixir finally feels worthwhile to spend.



For whatever reason that three second fight took a lot out of the party. After they recover:



We can get on to crystal awakening.



The ceremony works as planned.



And we're careful to not mess up and cause the destruction of the crystal. Or, hell, maybe the world.



But once Agnès recovers and goes to get changed, Edea stops her.



After awakening your second crystal in chapter 5, the vestal garb's had all it can take.

Huh? Oh... What should we do?

It has seen a lot of use of late.

Let's go and ask the sage to repair it.

This works out for us. Braev mentioned learning about the crystals from the sage. Maybe we can find out more about dangers of the crystals, or even the Harrowing.



Progress so far. We'll visit Vampire DeRosso later; repairing the garb is first priority.



At this point, no matter where you are in the world, Airy is preoccupied by the garb.



And as you might expect, you can't attempt to awaken the other crystals without getting Agnès's gear fixed.



So without further delay, the party goes to the sage's hut.

And who might you be?

Agnès walks forward and bows.



Ho ho! Little Agnès, is it? My, how you have grown, child! You were scarce more than a little sprout when your predecessor brought you here.

Now look at you! A fine woman you've become.

......

Why the long face? If there is anything this feeble old man can do for you, name it.

He hasn't changed a bit.

Sage, Agnès's vestal garb has become threadbare.

Hopefully the fact we've come here on vestal business will keep the sage from getting distracted by...other things.



Edea hands over the dress and the Sage examines it.

Hmm... Yes, this should be easy to patch up.

Sage... Do you remember me at all?

Hmm...

......

Yes, I remember you well. This is the third time, after all. But perhaps you might call it the first.

Still, I remember you all too well.

The third time? Wh-what do you...?

Of course... Let me put it this way.



Just in case we needed more confirmation the time reset wasn't all in the party's heads. But 'another world'? That's a way to phrase it...

...!?

What...?

Yulyana sighs and shakes his head.



The party hurries in after him, hungry for some tasty, tasty exposition.

Now, then. I was about to pour some tea for us... But I fear this may not be the time for sitting quietly with a hot brew.

Sage...

Are you aware I was a founder of the organization that became the Duchy of Eternia?

Yes...

Then you know of Lord DeRosso?

...We do.

And are you familiar with the circumstances that led Lord DeRosso and me to build that organization?

......

Not to worry. Well, then, Agnès.

...Yes?

You must decide who is your most trustworthy ally. Then, travel to the nearby cave with them. You will find it to the southwest of here.

Once inside, I will tell you all I know. I will also give you your vestal garb there. You should understand your situation better once we are done. I shall go on ahead. I would advise you to heed my words.



Let's pause here for a moment to clear something up.



Because the party visited DeRosso's Castle earlier, this scene was shortened slightly from the version in the Event Viewer. If you haven't completed Vampire Castle at this point, there are a few extra lines after Yulyana asks:

And are you familiar with the circumstances that led Lord DeRosso and me to build that organization?

No...

No!? Hmm, I see. Then my counterpart in your world has been very lax.



......

Aside from this, the events in this segment are unchanged whether you've listened to DeRosso ramble or not. Keep that in mind for later.

After the sage leaves, the party gathers in the middle of the house.



But why can only two of us go?

Who knows what that old man is thinking?

Who do you think I should choose?

Well, I guess...

You have to make your own choice, Agnès. Remember the sage's words. You have to decide who you trust most, Agnès.

Do I count as well? I'm going with Agnès either way.

Wait, I think it should be me. You need a man who knows how to look after a woman.



Ah, Ringabel. You can practically feel the awkwardness in the room.

Hmm...

Of course, I would die for you, too, Edea.

So I play second fiddle to her, huh? Whatever.

The jealousy of a woman spurned is so endearing.

Oh, shut up, Ringabel. I'm not jealous at all.



Agnès dismisses any idea she had of taking Ringabel and keeps thinking.

What am I to do?

Like I said, just make the decision yourself, Agnès.

Hm-hmmmm...



Nothing...

Can I see you outside, Tiz?

Huh!?

Oh, sure...



There isn't much animation in this game, but they did add Edea elbowing Tiz here.

What? Stop giving me a hard time!

What about me?

......

Man, how could we ever turn down a tiny voice going "Hey! Listen! Crystals! Hey! Hey! Crystals! Listen!" constantly?

Not long after dark, Tiz goes to meet Agnès outside.



The boy's feeling shy.

It's all right, Tiz! There's a reason Agnès chose you!



Agnès doesn't answer right away. She's deep in thought, staring up at the night sky.

Do you remember what I said to you right around the time we met, Tiz? I said I would like you to join me.

Yes, I remember.

And you have stayed at my side this whole time, through journeys far and wide.



Will you do it?



Huh?

I remember the promise I made! I'll never forget it! Not till my dying day!



Jeez, look at these cuties.

Tiz...

Tiz awkwardly shuffles around.



I'd be honored to go with you!

......

Thank you. It seems I have come to trust you more than any other since that day.

Romance in video games is rarely written well, but Bravely Default does a good job. It's never a main plot thread except right here, but throughout the game, Agnès and Tiz have had a sweet, quiet budding relationship going on in the background. They're both honest, unassuming yet strong-willed people who want to do right by the world. By this point they've seen each other at their best and worst, sticking together and supporting each other through it all. It's easy to see why these two would choose each other.



Agnès's decision is made, so the party gets some rest.



Shiba Inu.

The next morning, the party heads out to the cave entrance.



Ringabel makes a good wingman, and not just because he makes Tiz look good by comparison.

Tiz, I am counting on you to escort Agnès with the utmost care.

I don't think he needs any advice from you, Ringabel.

It's not fair! I thought I was your perfect partner, Agnès.

And now you're leaving me behind? How could you? After all we've been through?

I am sorry, Airy. I hope you can understand.



I think Edea has the highest rate for saying lines based on what the player's thinking (followed closely by Tiz).

Go on, get going already!

We'll be back soon.

Take your time!



Tiz and Agnès head down into the cave. How many milliseconds will it be before Edea gets sick of Ringabel and Airy and goes off monster hunting?



Once Agnès and Tiz enter, there's no turning back until the quest is over. If you try to exit, the sage's disembodied voice pipes up:

Why do you turn back, Agnès?



Surely your resolve is not so easily shaken! Continue on, and do not look back.



But really, there's no reason to leave. Just run through, ignore the weak enemies, and find the sage at the very bottom.



Ah, so this is the one you have chosen. I envy him. You make a fine pair.

Were I a thousand eight hundred and eighty years younger, I would gladly have taken your hand in his stead, Agnès.

A thousand eight hundred and eighty...?

Y-yeah, yeah, beside that! Please tell us what you know.

Yes, that is why we have come to you, Sage.



Agnès and Tiz glance at each other.

......*a-HEM*

You are not originally of this world. That is why we meet for the first time.

Yes...

Another world, another time, or both? Will Edea have to punch Ringabel before Tiz and Agnès return? Will Airy ever forgive Agnès for leaving her behind? Find out:


Next: The Harrowing?

--

Event Viewer
Main Scenario:
The Vestal Garb Wears Thin
Visitors From Another World
The Most Trustworthy Ally
Make Your Own Choice
Come With Me
Perfect Partners
A Fine Pair

Sub-Scenario:
The Templar's Gift
The Path You Must Follow