Part 47: Drawn Back In

Welcome back. Last time on Exit Fate, we defeated Ash at St. Reinard, liberating the city and removing Almenga control in its entirety from Kirgard. We did this with the help of General Tarlia, who defected from Almenga after getting fed up with Ash's barbaric nature. Tarlia is sure to provide us with some information about what has been going on in her former country, but now that we've taken back Kirgard, it's unclear what our next move is. So let's start finding out.

Music: Aftermath - Xenogears, "Shattering Egg Of Dreams"



In fact, he played an essential role in the invasion. It's because of his help that we were able to swarm across northern Kirgard so quickly.
But why? What possessed him to do such a thing?
Ugh... I can't believe it. Leonius was closer to the royal family than any of us, and yet he... Was he not the person we thought he was?
I can't tell you. I didn't have any contact with him until we captured St. Reinard, and even then he mostly associated with Ash.



It must've been planned in advance. His request to return to the capital in my stead, it was all a set-up, a vile trick. He just wanted me to leave Kirgard. For how long has he been in contact with you!? Tell me!
Before the attack on St. Reinard, that's all I can tell you. Even I wasn't told about it until the actual preparations began.
If there's been contact between Leonius and Almenga for a long time, that means the invasion itself must've been planned long in advance too. How long ago did all of this start?
Again, I can only tell you so much. Most of it was prepared in the utmost secrecy. I don't know exactly who was involved besides the emperor and Lady Brunhild, but I definitely wasn't. If I had to guess, I would say they started planning the invasion not long after your new war with Zelmony began.
Not long after that...



What, you think they were psychic?
No no, I mean... I'm just trying to figure out where Almenga really stood in this conflict. Surely you remember a certain event early during the war that had a dramatic effect on how it turned out?
The Kelsinger incident?




Could he really have been responsible for the Kelsinger incident?
I can't know for sure of course, but it's the only plausible theory I have. If Leonius's really been in contact with Almenga for that long, he could've told them about our plans in advance.
I don't know if that's true or not. I was never told anything regarding that.




She first appeared at the emperor's side about six years ago. She just came out of nowhere, and nobody had ever heard of her before. The emperor had her study under many of the best teachers, and she learned extremely fast. Her tactical and strategic abilities are all at an expert level. Just two years after she first appeared, she took over Gudrun's position as supreme commander of the imperial army. To this day, the reason why Gudrun was demoted is still a mystery to me, and even to Gudrun herself. She was highly experienced and respected. What makes it even stranger is that the reign of our current emperor has been one of the most peaceful in our history. Since he ended the war with Kirgard there had hardly been any military activity... but then suddenly he prepared us for a major invasion.
Is it really true that this man murdered his own father?



His determination to continue the war with Kirgard beyond our limits was threatening to bring down the entire country. The murder was generally condemned at the time, but in secret, almost everyone welcomed a new leader. What's more... some saw it as evidence that Prince Siegfried was not as weak a man as he was considered to be.
A weak man?
Well... I should explain it from the start.



It was a disgrace to the family, but Sigmund, stubborn as he was, chose to marry the mother, and so the child became heir to the throne. But of course, that meant Siegfried was only sixteen years younger than his father. It was expected that he'd be an old man himself by the time Sigmund were to die.




He seldom appeared in public too. On many days, he was unable to even leave his bed. That's why it came as a surprise to everyone that it was the feeble prince who put an end to Sigmund's life.



I have not seen him leave the palace in years.
So that's what he's like...





Music: Suspicion 2 - Suikoden V, "Standing Firm"

Under attack!? Will they never give up!?
They're trying to break through the main border at the Jormundgand mountains. The border guard needs backup fast!
They're not giving us any time to rest... All right. We should push them back once and for all. We'll be there as soon as possible.




It's your own choice. If you don't want to follow me, you're free to quit.
No, wait! Uh... This isn't just about you. Look, I trusted General Leonius more than anyone, so much that when I saw him with the Almengans I didn't want to believe it at first. I don't want to make that mistake again. I guess I'm just not a good judge of people.




Sure it is, Bruce.

Well then, let's go.







Bruce! Buddy. Pal. So yeah, all those mean things I said about you over the course of this LP? I take them all back. Didn't mean any of them. We're friends, right?

It's been a while since we had our last party vote. You know why? Because I was waiting for this guy right here. With a higher STR than Bast, some of the best SPD you'll see on a frontliner, and great PDF, Bruce is arguably the best all-around warrior in the entire game. This guy became a staple of my party as soon as he joined in my first playthrough, and I see no reason why that shouldn't be the case this time around as well. And speaking of which, now that we've got Bruce, it's finally voting time! As usual, the end of this post will have the details.





To put things in perspective, Bruce is doing roughly the same damage as Jovian, despite being a weapon level behind and lacking the double relation boost that Jovian is currently enjoying. And he's faster. What more could you ask for?




Anyway, the game isn't giving us a break here, as we're about to be thrown into another war battle. We can talk to all the people hanging around the hall, but as usual, most of them don't have anything important to say except for Bast, who will allow us to change our army formation. We've got a couple of big changes to make.




In particular, we've picked up two fantastic subcommanders in Bruce and Tarlia. Bruce (50 men, +2/+0) goes into Bast's unit, keeping the +2 attack bonus Myst was originally granting while removing the -2 defense penalty. He also adds 40 men.




Oddly enough, despite being a general, Tarlia doesn't get her own unit, but her stats as a subcommander are still top-notch. Tarlia (50 men, +0/+2) goes to Griever, since she's been doing a lot of frontline work during her tenure with us and we might as well give her more defense if she's going to continue in that role.



Instead of talking to Eander to get things started, we begin the battle this time by walking out the door. Let's do this.

Music: War Battle - Final Fantasy IX, "Consecutive Battles"






Brunhild!
Daniel! I can't let you go any further! It's time to end this once and for all!
Be careful. Don't underestimate their strength.




We begin this battle with a 2-to-1 advantage in manpower, but that doesn't mean it's going to be a walk in the park. The Imperial Elite Guard may only have four units, but they're definitely not the kind of units we're used to facing.



That becomes obvious as soon as we look at Brunhild's personal unit and realize that it's a goddamned wrecking machine. Brunhild will effortlessly swat aside every unit we have, and even long-range units aren't that effective on her because her skills will raise her defense to even higher levels against them. However, we do have one bright spot in that she is a cavalry. While this would normally grant her a terrifying range, most of the center of this map is covered in forests, which will drastically slow her down. We're going to need to abuse that fact if we want to stand any chance of winning this battle with a minimum of casualties.



Her generic units are no slouch either, outmatching at least half of our units in stats. So we're definitely going to be playing this one carefully.



Our primary strategy is going to be to confine the fighting to the large forest between us and Brunhild. So we start the battle by moving towards it.




The Elite Guard follows suit.




I want to make sure that everyone gets into the forest by the time the Elite Guard arrives, so that our sorcery units, who are slowed down by forests, will have as little trouble as possible choosing a target. Griever is also reprising her role as a frontline fighter, her Forester skill making it much easier for her to move around.




Almost there.




All right, everyone's jammed in. Daniel takes the lead to bait over the closest infantry.




I chose Daniel as bait because I figured Regenerate would keep him in fighting shape, but this works too, I guess.



Brunhild continues hanging back to end the turn.








Well, the Elite Guard was kind enough to hand us a unit without any backup, so we quickly take him out. It takes quite a few attacks, though.



Once again Daniel steps up as bait as the turn ends. Here, we're going to be taking advantage of an AI quirk that I mentioned last update, which is that enemy commanders always move last. Brunhild can only attack Daniel from the north, and the infantry beside her is going to get there first.




And he's going to miss.



That said, Brunhild is now covering her allies quite well. Let's see what we can do about this.






Merrick and Shiro get things started by attacking the southern infantry.




Paris and Outsider follow suit with the other infantry.




Then Jovian steps up, but it's not quite enough to take the southern infantry down.




Ljusalf takes care of that.




Bast, on the other hand, doesn't need any further support.



As the turn ends, I get Daniel out of the way. Brunhild is now in range of quite a few of our units, but even though she's the most powerful unit we've ever seen, she still is limited by the fact that she can only attack one unit at a time. So who's our sacrifice going to be?









Brunhild was also kind enough to move smack-dab into the middle of our formation. So let's finish this.









First, our long-range units soften her up...





... Nashal and Jovian bring her into killing range...




... and I would be remiss if I let anyone but Daniel strike her down.




Music: War Battle Won - Suikoden V, "Cry Victory!"





This was honestly not a battle I was expecting to get an A-rank on when I started it. Just got lucky, I guess.

For the A-rank, we land ourselves a pair of Pointed Shoes, which grant +5 PDF and +10 ACC for just 1 weight. The B-rank reward is a copy of Lightshield, while the C-rank reward is a copy of Lightstrike.

Music: None






You want to attack Almenga itself?
I'm not sure yet... Would you disagree?



If this is the way it's going, it may be what's best for the country...
People like Tarlia are proof that the few at the top in Almenga are just following their own agenda. All right. Eander, I will entrust the Elysium army to you for the time being.
What are you talking about? Do you intend to go somewhere?



That is madness! She's long gone from this area by now!
No, she isn't...



Fine then, I couldn't stop you even if I wanted to. But one condition: don't go in by yourself. At least take a few others with you.
You're right, it's safer in a group.
Allow me to come with you. I know the area on the other side of the border quite well.



The party selection screen comes up here, and we load in the regulars.




Fade to black...



Right then, we've got ourselves our next objective. Before we head back across the border, though, there's a whole bunch of minor things we can do now that chapter 8 has begun. So let's take care of those first.



First up, we can stop by Tal Gren and speak to Rashnu.



Oh... and please have this. Consider it a token of gratitude for the little match we had.




Battle Plan #17 is Pereious's Revenge, involving us attacking the mountain warlord on his home turf.




Similar to the Forest Raiders battle we saw earlier, this battlefield is covered in mountains and every enemy to a man has Mountaineer. Unsurprisingly, Pereious is the commander, with Rashnu backing him up.



Next, we head back to Elysium Castle and head upstairs to speak to Erin. She occupies one of the rooms on the third floor.



Aw shucks.

I want you to have this, as a token of my gratitude.




Battle Plan #19 is Knights of Matrech, a three-pronged battle at... well, Matrech.



This battle has Merrick coming at us from behind...



... Bast leading an advance guard...




... and Erin and Jasper protecting the city.




Also, we can stop by Levier to visit Eliza again.

I know I can't do much, but I decided to make something for you. It's not much, but I want you to have it. It's a token of gratitude because you're still thinking of this old woman.




Menu Set #8 is the Wood Set, which looks exactly how you'd expect.



And for our last errand, we're going to be bringing Avelion along.




Music: Reinard Castle - Suikoden V, "Fortified Castle"

Now that Kirgard is free, it's time to drop by St. Reinard.



I wanted to make a Loose Change joke here, but apparently I'm not creative enough to come up with one.




Our first stop in the city is the blacksmith, who is level 13. The weapon upgrades are becoming mighty expensive, though. I hold off for now, since I'd rather save the money for our next party.




In another house, we run across an old acquaintance.



What's wrong with him?
Hmmm...



Dragonfear? But the rest of us weren't affected at all.
It seems the experience was extraordinarily traumatic for him. Perhaps he had been close to Tiamat while she was in human form.
Is there anything you can do about it?
Hmmm...




...
Th-That hurt!
Good, you're talking sensibly again.
Wh-What is going on?
Feeling better now?
Huh...?



Well, yeah, I...
Don't leave me here! Take me with you!
What?
S-She comes back for me every night! Every time, I see that beast again! Please, don't leave me alone!
Well, I guess it's okay...









Ice is a bit of a hybrid character, though he's more focused towards magic than strength. His MAG and MDF are both pretty great, and he has high ACC and a little better STR than Daniel. Nothing about him particularly stands out, though.





Ice's weapon of choice is his rapier, but don't expect a lot of damage out of him.




Lastly, if we want to we can enter the castle...




... and return to where it all began. It seems a treasure chest has mysteriously appeared here, as well.




Battle Plan #20 is Royal Defense, returning us to the site of our first failed attack on the capital.



This battle has us facing the full might of the Kirgard Royal Army in a gauntlet of sorts. Jovian is first, leading an advance guard.



Leonius is behind him, leading a bunch of long-range units...




... and Eander and Keyser can be found defending the capital.

Music: Jormundgand - Final Fantasy Tactics, "In Pursuit"



Now then, I believe we were pursuing Brunhild.




Jormundgand is another linear dungeon without any fancy tricks. As usual, our only objective is to get to the end.



And it wouldn't be a dungeon without monsters.




The Frost Giant up front is a straight physical attacker fond of using Knockdown in an attempt to stun our warriors. He's fairly slow, though, so his damage is manageable.




Also around are Flying Fish, who only have a weak and inaccurate physical attack, but who are also very difficult to hit themselves. Their HP is quite low, however, so magic can usually make short work of them.





We also run into a turtle.




Needler Tortoises are long-range attackers, capable of using their spines to attack anyone on the field. But their damage is low enough that they're generally not worth worrying about.




We grab ourselves a Golden Vest along the way, a light armor that grants +21 PDF for 10 weight.




A little further in, the game abruptly fades to black as we reach a fork and Tarlia appears.



... Let's go this way for a moment...



Fade to black...

Music: Destiny - Xenogears, "Bonds of Sea and Fire"





Eight years ago, there was a Kirgard camp here. I was stationed in this place. I was just a nobody back then, like everyone else around me. And now... now I've come back here, and suddenly I'm the one in charge. I'm making the decisions.
I was here too, at the time. On the other side. I was just a low-ranked officer myself.
Yeah, I thought you'd have been. For most people our age, that was our first experience with war, and...




I don't want it to end up like that again. That's why this is a hard decision for me. People will die, maybe even ourselves... but I can live with that, as long as it serves a purpose. But... that might not even be the reason I'm doing this.



She and I are bound to each other. It's not just for the sake of the Elysium Army. I have personal business in this land. Perhaps the main reason I decided to do this was to find out exactly who I am. Maybe this war was all for my selfish reasons. But, well...



Fade to black...

Music: Jormundgand - Final Fantasy Tactics, "In Pursuit"



The end of the cutscene spits us out on the previous screen. But we don't want to head north just yet...



... because if we head back to the former campsite, there's a Cure-All hidden away in a corner.




We continue onward. We're now traversing the area we saw in our dream way back when.



We also run into some Drow Fairies along the way, but...




... well, they're not exactly threatening.





There's a bit of treasure squirreled away in a side path, and then...




... a little further in, we run into another scene.

Music: Destiny - Xenogears, "Bonds of Sea and Fire"




We were ambushed by Almenga forces... and we would've surely died here, if I hadn't lost my mind and killed all of them myself. I remember little of what exactly happened here, but seeing Jovian's expression when I asked him about it was enough to know.
This is what you spoke about, isn't it? The... force that's inside you.
That's right. A "thing", a force...



It's been eight years since the massacre here. For eight years it had been "dormant", so to speak. Then Brunhild came back. She forced it out intentionally.
Are you afraid she will try to do it again if you find her here?
No, that's not it. Even she doesn't know everything. She brought it out to demand answers herself. But she can't control it either. She was forced to flee when I tried to attack her. I don't think she will try again.
Then why are you so apprehensive?



If Brunhild and I are really children of the emperor, why am I here now? Why is she fighting against me? I have no idea, and it's making me feel uneasy.




Fade to black...

Music: Jormundgand - Final Fantasy Tactics, "In Pursuit"





There isn't much further to go after the scene ends. We run into a save point almost immediately, and after that...

Music: None




We're already at the end. That's strange... She's definitely here somewhere. I can feel it.




Music: Levier - Xenogears, "October Mermaid"
(I'm not sure why it starts playing the Levier theme here. Doesn't Brunhild have her own theme? Was this intentional, SCF?)

Lady Brunhild!
Tarlia... so it's true that you went over to their side.
I'm sorry, but I was left with no other choice. I just couldn't let Ash lead us all to our deaths.



You were waiting here for me, weren't you?
I knew that you would come.
I already figured the attack was meant to draw me out. It's not like you to make such a desperate move.
Hah... You know nothing about me.



I need answers, Brunhild, and it's about time you gave them to me.
What would you do if you had the answers?
I don't know, but this is something personal. It's about me alone. Whatever happens, it will not change how I lead the Elysium army.



Oh come the fuck on

What else is there, then? I already know that Siegfried is our father. Those two commandos told me.
They... How did they know that?
They said you created them. What on earth are they?
What are they? They're no different from you and I.
That's a lie. They're no longer human.
It's not important. They're merely weapons.



My reasons are the same as before.
Don't tell me you're looking for a fight again...



But why? Why do you insist on fighting me?
Because I refuse to accept my destiny! If I have to, I will take yours by force!
I don't understand this talk about destiny. No, rather... I don't care. I make my own choices.



What are you talking about? The way you set up the Kelsinger incident? Or do you mean... the thing inside of me!?
Enough talk. I have to finish this before -she- returns.
Wait, who is this "she" you're talking about?



Mother? Who is our mother!?
Who do you think? Siegfried's wife, of course.




Well now.



It's a shame, Tarlia. You could've made it far, but instead you'll die as a traitor here.



Hang on, who's that behind the dialogue window?



Music: Banisher - Final Fantasy VII, "Turks' Theme"



Clint? You're... helping us?
Don't get the wrong idea here, buddy. I discovered she's my target just as much as you are.
But that means you...



Say hello to my gun, darling. I think it wants to say hello back to you.
Who do you think you are?












Welp, now that we've started a new chapter, it's finally time for us to pick a new party. And that means it's voting time! Here's how things are going to work this time:

1) Please vote for five characters to accompany Daniel in our next party. Unfortunately, like the previous vote, the majority of this upcoming chapter will be spent with two characters required besides Daniel, so we're still stuck with him. Sorry

2) As before, there are no restrictions on character categories. Vote for whichever five characters you want. My recommendation is that you vote for a party including two warriors, two mages, and a thief, but you're free to disregard that if you so desire. I would appreciate it, though, if you didn't vote for an obvious joke party like five mages or whatever.

3) Finally, if you want to see a certain character but don't care about the rest of the party slots, you may choose to leave your unused votes to me, and I will use them to balance the party if it ends up being too lopsided in terms of strength or magic. I'll try not to defy the will of the goons too much, but it's hard to say what I'll want to use the votes for without seeing the results first.

Here is our current list of characters and the categories they fall under. There is a list of each character's relations in the character list in the second post, for the curious.

Warriors
Ayara, Bast, Bruce, Derek, Eander, Erin, Griever, Jasper, Jovian, Keyser, Mike, Outsider, Petra, Rock, Shin, Shiro, Tarlia, Tong Wu

Mages
Beau, Darwin, Deus, Ljusalf, Mai, Marian, Midian, Myst, Naja, Orlando, Ryan, Yan Angwa

Thieves
Joe, Marcello, Reod, Rorschach

Other/Hybrid
Alex, Angel, Avelion, Bartolli, Carson, Cid, Col, Deke, Fitch, Francesca, Harvey, Hawk, Ice, Johnny, King, Klaus, Mandala, Meiko, Merrick, Nashal, Nikolai, Nomad, Paris, Richard, Royston, Sally, Sef, Shadfork, Sormaus, Soth, Stromgaard, Teej, Tiffany, Venkal, Wilona

Please bold your character votes. I'm going to leave the voting open for 48 hours. Interviews and interview requests will be suspended while the vote is going on so that interview requests and party votes don't get confused with each other.

Next time: We face an enemy even an army can't take down.