Part 21: The Legend of the Zodiac Braves

Ha! Moogle. Norma gets Moogle now of all times. I'll use Summon, like, twice, and then leave it behind for Norma's true purpose.

Anyway, Princess, it's too dangerous, you should go somewhere else.


Well then, don't come crying to me if someone blows us up.


Taking Agrias's stuff. We're at Lionel!


See? I can't help but wonder, what dangers await us there?


None at all, actually. Just some friendly Gryphon knights.



: I came from Orbonne to save the son of God, St. Ajora. Open the gate!
: Saving the St. Ajora is the will of the high priest. The gate will open for he who would save the high priest. Open the gate!


That they show you how the gate opens means you should remember it.

I don't think it's dramatic enough.



There we go.

Anyway, the party goes in to meet The Cardinal Draclau.



: Moreover, I'll send a man to the High Priest in Murond. We'll do something to expose Larg's scheme, and keep the Princess from danger.
: Will High Priest Funeral help us?
: Don't worry, Agrias. I'm with you. You must be strong to make the Princess feel at ease. Make yourselves comfortable in this old castle until word comes from the holy land.
: Thank you for your kindness.
: St. Ajora is with us. There's no need to worry. Young mechanic. I heard your wish too. I'll send troops to Goug, to destroy Bart Company.
: Thank you.



: That's all right... Is this it?



Cardinal Draclau reaches into his robes to reveal...


A red crystal, branded with the sign of Scorpio, that gleams with a ethereal light.

: What is that crystal?
: Have you ever heard of the 'Zodiac Brave Story'?
: You mean that fairy tale, we used to hear in church?
: Here now! You mean the church lied?
: N-no, I didn't mean that...



: 12 brave warriors fought against the Evil Lucavi who ruled the land. After a desperate battle, they sent Lucavi to Hades, and the land was peaceful. They each had crystals with zodiac signs on them, they were called "Zodiac Braves". Ever since then, whenever humans are attacked, the Braves come to save us.
: You're quite learned, Princess. Just as I expected.
: Mr. Simon taught me at the Orbonne Monastery. He also said St. Ajora and the Braves saved Ivalice from chaos.


Keep these lines in mind.


They're important, if only because the game uses the two terms interchangeably.

: I didn't think it really existed.
: They say its 'Divine Power' surpasses Lucavi's. I feel strange power, but it looks just like an ordinary crystal to me.

Mustadio has been silent the whole time, quietly fidgeting. Ramza notices.



: You saw the same stone underground?
: Many broken machine parts are buried there. But if the stone gets near the machines, they start to howl.



: But Rudvich wants to use its power to make weapons. My father told me never to give the stones to him. So they abducted him.
: Don't worry Mustadio. The church will see to his safety. While our men fight, we'll get the stone back.
: Y, yes, sir.



: Thank you, Ramza.



: I wish I could've been more help. Please be careful.
: That's very thoughtful. Don't worry. We'll be fine.

Ramza and Mustadio leave the castle, ready for the trip to the Machine City...