Part 13: Fort Zeakden

Zeakden is afortress sitting in a valley. Though its not as naturally blessed as Beltha Garrison in Limberry, it was still a vital location for repelling the Romadian invasion in the 50 years war. Now, it's officially abandoned though the Death Corps have taken a liking to its location. With their numbers so few, though, the Corps couldn't possibly repel the Hokuten...


I place Ramza in a comical location to emphasize how cutscenes affect his position.


Dirk Hardpec and Mme. Eldena cover the other flank and will do inconsequential nonsense as they are far away from the boss.


Golagros, holding Teta as a human shield, threatens the Hokuten. Present are Zalbag and... Algus?!

: And don't do anything funny! There's tons of powder inside the fort! More than enough to blow all of you to hell and back! Got it? Then, get out!



Negotiations, as much of a sham as they are, are going poorly. Then, Ramza and his troop arrive.



: Teta!!
: Delita!!
: Get out! Now!!


Wait what?! Algus fires an arrow from his crossbow and-


The arrow hits Teta.


She collapses.


Golagros is simply dumbfounded.


Wasting no time, Algus gets him with an arrow!


Despite the distance, Delita can her her voice weakening.

: Teta!!



: There are about 50 of them. I've been informed one of them resembles Wiegraf!
: Alright, I'll be right there. Take care of the rest, Algus.

Zalbag leaves.


Golagros crawls in the fortress. Delita doesn't seem to notice. He falls on his knees.

: Teta!

Then rises, fires burning in his eyes. Quickly he shoves Ramza out of the way.



: You want a fight? Fine then, let's go!
: Brother...why...Teta...?
: C'mon! Animals are animals! I'll prove it to you!!

Algus whistles.


More Hokuten troops arrive.


There's no excuse for what Algus has done. He must pay!


Teta's still there, though she's not alive. Even if you could get up there, she's got auto-dead so you can't revive her. Auto-dead is an inherent property of the Delita's Sis class. If I could somehow turn any of my characters into Delita's Sis, they would start the battle dead, too. Delita's Sis is immune to everything but dead. I mean everything. Charging, Performing, critical, unambiguously good stuff like Reraise and Haste too.

It has a description
Younger sister of Delita Hyral. Supported each other since their parents died at a young age.
though there's no way to see it.

I've now reduced the tragedy of Teta's death to a mechanical spectacle. I think I have issues.


Algus, the world's largest asshole, has a crossbow and auto-potion, though his low brave makes it barely any use.


As Dirk does stuff, Algus starts hitting Delita with arrows. Crossbows are comically bad at this point in the game.


Delita responds by swinging his sword wildly at Algus, his mind filled only with rage.



: It's your brother's orders. Please don't ask why. Besides, would you sacrifice the Hokuten pride, all for a common girl!?
: Teta is Delita's sister!
: It's about time you learned about 'difference'! Different birth, totally different life! It's fate! Neither should've been here! Should've been flower sellers somewhere!


If you couldn't tell, Algus isn't the danger here. It's the Wizards. They love to cast Ice spells in the snow.


Then again, I like to do the same thing.


Half of the point of Ramza hitting the wizard was that he was targeted by the spell. The wizard is slain by her own magic.


Dirk spews lightning on a knight for some experience.


A knight uses a potion on Algus, probably to piss me off because now he has more than 70 HP, and Norma de Sade's Ice hits for 70.



: Why are you arguing with me? You're a traitor to Hokuten!
: B...but, but, this is inexcusable!
: You're such a spoiled child! How could someone like you be a Beoulve?
: I didn't have a choice!!

Delita pays their conversation little attention.



: Angry, Delita? Angry because you're so utterly helpless? Know your limits! Commoners don't have power to change things! That's right, get angry! It's all you can do! Ha, ha, you deserve it!!
: Is that it? Is that all, Algus?!
: Don't be mad, Delita. You'll join her soon!
: You won't confuse me! Nobody uses me!!

Algus returns his attention to Ramza.



: Beoulves are leaders of warriors. You have certain responsibilities as a leader! There are many things that only you can do! You must do them for those who can't!
: I don't want to live life just being used by others!
: Just being used? Don't talk rubbish!! Beoulves are used because of who they are! We ourselves have survived under their wing, used their protection! That's right. It's a give and take relationship! That's how you survived! Just being used? You've been using your "best friend", Delita!
: Me? Using Delita?



: Leave me, Ramza! After Algus, you're next!
: Delita...


Algus actually uses Auto Potion here.

I think it's the third time he's ever done that to me.

: As a Beoulve, surely you know our mission!? Your mission took precedence even when I was attacked on Mandalia Plains!!
: Gmph!
: You saved me to use me.
: Ridiculous! I couldn't leave someone in trouble!
: Well next time you'd better! You never know if they'll be friendly or not!



As if to punctuate their words-


Algus gets hit with an Ice that ends his life.


Norma gets to 200 JP for that, as though the game is congratulating me for beating chapter 1 by giving me the stuff to beat up chapter 2.


After uttering these words, Algus falls to the ground, dead...


I kinda wish I wasn't paid for this...


After the Hokuten retreat, Delita goes to the body of his sister.



But a rumbling is heard - very close!


Ramza realizes Golagros was never finished off - and that the fort is full of gunpowder!

: Delita, it's dangerous! Come over here, quick!!



A huge explosion throw Ramza back! Delita yet stands motionless!




The the whole fort is engulfed in explosions! Delita can't be seen for the flames-!



Click the picture for a half-minute of music that plays over that narration by Ramza. With that, Chapter 1, The Meager, is over. Chapter 2 begins a year later with the kidnapping of Ovelia, so when we resume, it'll be time to pursue the princess.