Part 19: (Part One, Endgame) It's a new Dawn, it's a new Daein
A figure thought to have perished in the Mad King's War, the blood-stained right hand of the king himself, the mysterious Black Knight.
Deprived of his chance to capture Micaiah, Jarod abandons all notions of retreat or negotiation. Instead, he makes plans for revenge.
From within the keep, he launches a savage barrage of catapult fire, all but destroying the castle town. The momentary peace that arrived with the Begnion emissary shatters along with Nevassa's walls, and the people of the city see their kin and their capital crushed under a rain of stone. This treachery proves too much for them, and their grief explodes into rage.
When this merciless attack begins, its brutality leaves them lost for words.
Shit just got real.
Yes, we were just told that. By an awesome-voiced narrator guy. His version was much better than yours.
No! My parents live there! They're far too old and frail to defend themselves!
My wife and kids are there, too! It's that heartless murderer, Jarod... He just wants us to suffer to the bitter end.---
Prince Pelleas! We have to do something. We must liberate Nevassa and save the people form this brutal attack!
People are dying, and Nevassa has already suffered more than enough. Do you really expect us not to lift a finger to help? If you will not help, we will go by ourselves. Again.
Wait! Where are you going?! You can't take the laguz and rush off on some harebrained mission again! Can't I? Of course not, you idiot girl. You've already been far too impulsive, acting without the prince's consent. And do you think I do not see what has happened? Your name has been raised to lavish heights among the Daein people--your name, and yours alone! Why, even our own soldiers heap their praise on you like sugar on berries, sparing not a thought for their prince! Oh...---
Hah! The prince! He's a sham, a travesty, a clod of mud no amount of polishing could shine. The real jewel--whose radiance attracts the people like moths to flame--is you, Priestess. And so I shall steal you and extinguish Daein's light of hope!!---
And then, even once their rightful king is crowned, the people will still await the approval of their precious Priestess of Dawn. Why, if we are not careful, some calculating wretches might decide they would rather see a priestess on the throne instead of a king! And once again, this country will be torn apart, all because of your glory-hounding disregard for our prince's command!
Please, Izuka... Come to think of it...perhaps our "Priestess" here has been planning this all along! Pretending to help the prince...when in truth she seeks to wear the crown herself!"Let me get this straight. Izuka?"
"What?"
"You suspect that the people of Daein, united in their love and adoration of me, might seek to instate me as a ruler instead of Pelleas. Correct?"
"Exac-"
"And the drive to rally behind a universally respected figure is going to… tear Daein apart?"
"How dar-"
Stop your tongue, worm, or my knife will stop it for you. The only one who seems too hungry for power here is you--
That's enough!!
Have her actions poisoned your mind too, my prince?! Since we met, Micaiah has led every battle, even joining the soldiers on the battlefield. Not so with me. I... cannot defend my people. How could our people not rally around her? They see her fighting, throwing her lot in with their own. They respect her. That said, things cannot remain as they are. Izuka is right to worry about my standing. I need to earn my people's respect. Therefore... Therefore, I must take action.---
Soldiers of the Liberation Army! Heed my-- No, no... Hear my words! I am Pelleas, true prince of Daein. Yes, we know who you are, milord! We ought to by now!Oh, lord. They're mocking him.
And so, uh... So... ...Is he...all right? Prince... Sir Knight?
The Black Knight gets results, as always.
...And so, beloved friends and comrades dear. With thanks to you, our capital lies close! And if we do not act, if we turn back, the war still ends with us the victors proud, and Daein's rule still falls back to our hands. 
…we may enrage the empire once again. Thus Daein's fortune turns to sorrow swift. But while I speak, Nevassa's hardship grows! Our brothers suffer, our sisters die, and... 
I cannot ignore this tragedy. No man can, and certainly no prince... I cannot look away when my people suffer. And so I ask... I ask you all. Please, will you join me?!…
Long live the prince!
Ah...Did you notice? Up until he hesitated about two thirds of the way through, Pelleas delivered that entire speech in perfect sonnet form. And it's all somehow thanks to the Black Knight. I… don't really get how that works, but whatever.
…and with that, we head to the Base.
Conversations!
Lady Micaiah. I'm sorry to bother you while you prepare for battle. May I have a word with you? Of course. What can I help you with? If my memory serves me correctly, you always use this type of tome, correct? Yes, that's right. Oh, I'm glad I remembered correctly. Then please, take this. For me? Are you sure? It's a token of appreciation for letting me--and Marado--join your army. We're lucky to have you. And thank you. I'll use this tome well. Listening to Prince Pelleas's speech earlier, I'm certain that Daein will exist anew. It will be a greater and more unified country than ever before! I agree. So many things have happened along the way, but I am glad to be here now. I feel happy... and very proud. I feel the same way, and I'm sure all the soldiers of the Liberation Army do as well. Daein will soon be free... Lady Micaiah, please lead us to victory. ...Yes. Together, we shall see victory![Received a Thani!]
In 99% of playthroughs, this is the only use anyone will have for Fiona. Less caring players than I will have had her killed at the first possible opportunity out of spite, but of course, if you did that, you wouldn't get this second Thani tome. Then again, once you do get it…
Y'know, I wonder if she knows what might have happened if she hadn't been forcibly voted into the team…
From the ruins of the desert? Oh, you got it when we were there before?
*Ancient language* No? Then... how? When? *Ancient language* What? It's for me? *Ancient language* Wait! Volug? Did he go back to the desert just to get this...?[Received a Blue Gem!]
Sweet! "Blue Gem" is basically a placeholder for "5000 Gold".
Did you know? The Ancient Language spoken by some characters in this game is basically just a code. Each of those little symbols is a letter, the large symbol at the start of the sentence denotes a capital letter. Usually, you can infer what characters are saying from how other characters respond (all laguz seem to know the Ancient Tounge, and all mages speak it by necessity since it's used to write magic tomes), but in cases where it isn't obvious, I'll provide translations from (where else?) Serenes Forest. Nothing of any real interest was said in that last conversation, although it's kinda notable that Volug refused to tell Micaiah how he got the gem, and Micaiah is just guessing in the last part.
That's all the conversations. Time for the Admin Phase!
First up, we're promoting Aran since he's half a level off promotion anyway.
Lookin' sharp! Halbardiers are not without a sense of style.
Yep, those are some numbers going up.
Next in line; Nolan! He gets a regular level with gains in speed, skill and luck, and then…
He gains spiked shoulder pads and changes his stance somewhat!
To the shops! We sell a few old weapons that we don't need, like a nearly broken Javelin, and our Fire and Thunder tomes.
I seem to have lost my screenshot of Aimee's Bargains today, but there was a lot of stuff! Besides the usual Wind Edge, Javelin and Hand Axe, there was a Recover staff (which we bought for Laura, it's a staff that fully heals one unit regardless of wielder's magic), a Master Seal, an Arms Scroll, and tomes of Arcwind and Arcfire, third tier spells.
Now, it has crossed my mind that if Ilyana were to suddenly depart our team and set out on a journey, she'd be unequipped and penniless, and completely unable to help any poor and underequipped mercenaries she might happen to befriend. Let's fix that! We start with a new Forge:
We could've made a Steel Sword with equivalent Mt for a few hundred gold less, but what we're paying for here is the 10 extra durability (and I guess the 5 extra hit).
Daniel spots our bag of Coins. You can use one coin per forged weapon, if you wish. If you accept…
You are presented with this screen. Pictured; a filthy filthy lie. Daniel will show you five cards, and then turn them over and shuffle them, and you must pick one. But no matter which one you pick, the result is always the same. I don't know how what card you get is actually determined, but the system can't be gamed with savestates or even by resetting your console. It seems to be hardcoded… somehow. (Anyone care to enlighten?)
In any case, we draw the Vine card, which does nothing. Goddamnit.
Pictured: Ilyana's inventory. We've loaded her down with the most expensive stuff we can bear to part with. We also set the Saviour skill on her, so she has that too (it's not very valuable though)
We also forge a Steel Lance and get a much better card this time; the Axe gives +2 Mt. Not bad!
This will eventually go to Fiona… when she earns the right to use a weapon that doesn't suck.
This is what she gets in the meantime. We also use Bonus EXP to push her to the brink of leveling up.
Skill management bulletins:
- Nailah: Pass, Celerity
- Nolan: Renewal, Shade
- Zihark: Imbue, Cancel
- Jill: Paragon
- Aran: Discipline
Let's move out!
My army is arrayed and waiting. Be well. And...no overly heroic risks, please.
Hey, who let Leonardo back in the group?
---
Mm. And a good thing too. What is more honorable than a death fraught with purpose?Look at Jarod, trying to pretend he's all "honorable".
Listen up, all of you. This is our last chance to die as we've lived. As proud soldiers of the empire. If we survive this fight, imprisonment and a hushed-up execution await us. If we run from this fight, dishonor and pursuit will dog our miserable days. So I say, let's give those Daein curs a fight to remember, and let the glory of our deaths light our way!
That shout...that's Jarod! For Daein's sake, this time I swear I will put an end to him.
As you can see, this mission is going to be a literal uphill struggle, but a simple one; our team is going to split into two and bludgeon, lacerate, puncture and generally murder their way up to Jarod.
Our team consists of our longtime favourite Dawn Brigadiers, plus Volug, plus the Black Knight, and, incredibly, plus Fiona. We are not leaving this hall until Fiona becomes viable, and I don't care if I have to make her break all of her lances against a goddamn statue if that's what it takes. Today, we Catch Fiona Up™.
Let's fight!