Part 37: (Bonus Update) Words aren't the greatest weapon, and that's why we missed these conversations
That chapter just now has a lot of optional dialogue. It's like, they had to do something with all the time they would have spend writing support conversations, so they used it to make a load of conversations in a few specific chapters such that 90% of players will never see 90% of the conversations.In this Bonus Update, we'll go over the more interesting of the dialog that we missed.
First up, Zihark. You can talk to him with Mordecai or Lethe, and get him to join up with the Greil Mercenaries. Alternatively, if Zihark had an A-Support with Ilyana or Brom, they can recruit him too.
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Zihark!
Lethe... You defeated me last time, but this time it'll be different. Prepare yourself! You won't surrender? I am a soldier. I will fight to my death. ... I knew you'd say that. Then I'm coming with you. I'm at your service, Lethe. Just like old times, yeah? What?! Why? The Daein soldiers call this war "the sub-human hunt." You know I hate that word. I believed that Daein would change. Or at least I used to. But now... I just can't stand by. This war is the last straw. I can't fight for Daein anymore. ... You may not have claws, but I think your soul is more laguz than beorc. Welcome to our tribe, Zihark.---
You, I know... Mordecai... I never expected us to meet like this, on opposite sides... Ah! Zee... eehark! Hm... No, that not it. Sorry, Mordecai says your name not right. Not right yet. But... Zeehork? Zeeehar-ack? Zi...hark? Ahh! That is good! Zi-hark! Mordecai... Don't you understand? We're now-- I know. Mordecai is your friend. Allies we are. It does not matter who we fight for. But-- You have no fang or tail, but you are a beast brother, Zee-hark! Hmm... No. Mordecai forgets again. Sorry. Hey, don't worry about it. I've got it! I'll go with you. That way, you'll get my name right in no time. Ah! Good idea! Mordecai likes this idea.
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Sir Zihark. It's not too late. Let's not fight. I can't do that... Daein has just freed itself. I can't betray it now. Even if you have been ordered by Daein to hunt down laguz? I-I just... But this isn't you! When I met you, you were so nice, and you never doubted yourself or your friends. You even risked your own life to fight on behalf of the laguz. And now you're throwing it all away... ... Ilyana. Yes? Thank you. You've opened my eyes. Pardon? I will leave the Daein army. My friends in Daein are dear to me, but I refuse to take part in any "hunt," or lie to myself any longer. Oh, Zihark, I'm so glad...---
Huh? Well, hey there, Zihark! Long time no see! Brom... Ah, it sure is great to see ya! You're looking mighty fine. Seem a bit sad, though. Oh, I'm all right, Brom. How's the family? Oh, they're doin' great. We had ourselves some troubles, but Queen Elincia took care of it. Ah, speakin' of my family! About your engagement to one of my daughters... Have you given it any extra thought? All my daughters are eager to marry. Just say the word, now! What? All of your daughters? You told all of your daughters about me? Ah, they're all such dears! I can't favor one over the others, can I? So, what do you say? My second daughter is startin' to look a lot like me! Nice, soft cheeks. Um, well, I thought I was pretty clear on this the last time we went over it... She left for Daein to see you. Have you run into her yet? Her name's Meg. Nice girl. She looks a lot like me. You haven't changed at all, Brom. You're still the same good man that I remember from three years ago. I'm really glad I ran into you, Brom. Now I remember what I was fighting for back then. And now I know what I have to do. Hm? What're you goin' on about, son? I'm leaving the Daein army. My friends in Daein are dear to me, but I refuse to turn my sword against the laguz any longer.(riiiight.)
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If you attack Zihark with Ilyana (I think you can do this whether or not they had a PoR support, since the other option is a Talk conversation...), you get this instead.
Hello, Sir Zihark. Ilyana... You're on their side, too? And you stand with the enemy... I don't know why, but it feels like you've been in my life longer than the others. I couldn't handle it if you got hurt. Ilyana, please pull back before something awful happens. I beg of you. Oh, Zihark...Zihark will not attack Ilyana.
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Once you recruit Zihark, you can have him talk to Meg;
Meg.
Sir Zihark? Wh-what's wrong? What's going on? I'm sorry, but I'm joining up with the alliance. I don't want to betray you, but I can't fight for Daein any longer. No! Wh-what are you saying? I know this is a horrible thing for me to say, but listen. Please leave the battlefield. I don't want to see you get hurt. Sir Zihark! But... you can't leave me here alone! I wanted to tell you that. I have to go. I'm so sorry, Meg... Sir... Zihark...---
Finally, if you attack Zihark with Kysha, Lyre, Ranulf, Janaff or Ulki, you get one of these lines:
What am I doing? Why am I helping these bigots in their hunt for laguz? I use my sword for Daein... But am I really fighting for Daein here? What am I doing...Zihark will not attack Ranulf, though he will attack any of the others.
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So Zihark is generally a pretty regretful dude. This is in keeping with what we already know about Zihark; he's generally sympathetic towards the laguz, so of course he's not okay with suddenly going to war with them, especially with motives as unclear as Pelleas'.
Next up, Jill. Jill can be recruited by Haar, or by Mist if they had a PoR A-Support.
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Sir Haar! Why are you fighting for these people?!
Hey, you stole my question! Why are you fighting in the Daein army? There was a war to liberate Daein while you were gone. So I joined the army again. Well, it looks like you did a good job. Daein has been liberated. So why are you still with the army? I can't just leave! These people are my friends! Oh, stop with the sentimental nonsense, Jill. In case you haven't noticed, you're fighting your friends, too. What about you, then? How did you end up in this fight? Well... Somehow, I got mixed up in putting down uprisings in Crimea. And then I ended up with the Laguz Alliance because...you know, being old friends with Ike and all that. What?! That is hardly a cause worth fighting for!! You're unbelievable! All right, enough debating. What do you want to do now? Do you want to fight me? Of course not! I could never... Then join me. Easy for you to say! You're full of doubt. How do you live like that all the time? Is that how your father wanted you to live? Afraid to trust your own instincts? But... Daein has no business in this war. You know that, right? But...what about my comrades? What about my friends? Is dying how you show loyalty? If you're really their friend, then fight alongside us! Maybe that will get them to think about what they're doing. Oh, Captain... Come with me, Jill. We both know that we should follow our hearts, even if it makes us traitors. We know that better than anyone. For the sake of your father, live your life without shame. Y-you're right, Captain Haar! I've been so foolish. Just as before. I would be proud to serve with you. And...Captain Haar? Thank you. Thank you so much...Neither Jill nor Haar will attack the other; if you move one next to the other, the option to Attack doesn't even appear.
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Jill! I can't believe it! It is you! Oh, Mist... I'm so glad to see you! Wh-what? Well, I was wondering about what to do if I saw you here with the Daein army. I had it all worked out, you see? And, well, here you are! It's great! Mist. We're enemies now. No, you have to listen, Jill. Let's not fight. There's a really easy solution to this whole mess! But... what? Just listen! It's so simple! Since Daein shouldn't be in this war, they shouldn't be here right now, right? And you and I are friends, right? So we can each pretend that the other one of us isn't here! Isn't that great? Mist, that makes absolutely no sense. Besides, that's no the issue here! You're a mercenary. You know how th-- We're not fighting. That's final. Mist?! Jill, you'd never turn your weapon against me. I just know it. I trust you, because you're my friend. Oh, Mist... All right, that's it. I've had enough of this. Jill? You made my last doubts fade away. I've made my decision. I'm not fighting in the Daein army anymore. I'm joining back up with you. Jill! I knew you'd come around! I feel bad for my comrades in Daein, but I'm going to stand by what I believe. I will not be ashamed anymore. That's the Jill I know and love! Thank you, Mist!---
Somewhat unsurprisingly, there's a lot of dialog involving Ike.
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When Ike enters Sothe's attack range, you get this:
Commander Ike!
Look at you, Sothe. You've grown a lot. I almost forgot... You're originally from Daein. I'm glad you remembered. I hope it helps explain why I'm here. Did you find the person you were looking for? Yes. She commands this army. The Maiden of Dawn? Please don't call her by that ridiculous name. Her name is Micaiah. I see. Commander, I... I didn't want to see you like this. But you don't intend to retreat, do you? That's right. Sothe, before you challenge me, you better be ready never to see that girl again. Can you handle that? Wh-what?! If you can't, stay away from me. You'll get no mercy, despite our past. I'm sorry, Sothe, but the choices we've both made have brought us to this. There's no turning back now. I understand, Commander. And to answer your question... Yes, sir, I can handle that. Whenever you're ready, Commander.This conversation confirms what a lot of people believe but can't prove; Micaiah was the person for whom Sothe was looking in Path of Radiance. So, yeah.
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If you attack Micaiah with Ike:
You're... Hello.
You must be Ike, of the Greil Mercenaries. And you're the Maiden of Dawn, Micaiah? I feel like I know you already. Maybe it's because Sothe has told me so much about you. I hate to do this to Sothe, but if you stand before me as my enemy, you'll get no mercy from me. ...Good. I prefer it that way. Prepare yourself!(could this be the origin of Ike's needlessly meme-fied "You'll get no sympathy from me!" line?)
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If you let Ike get killed by the Black Knight:
Ugh! No... I--
No! I misjudged, and now Gawain will never live again. I have failed.---
Conversely, if you (somehow) defeat the Black Knight using Ike:
Impressive. You have indeed begun to walk in Gawain's footsteps. Do you admit defeat, then? No, but I have finished taking your measure. You have made great progress, but still fall short. The next time we meet, it will be for the last time. I will avenge my father! Continue to train, Ike, son of Gawain. We will meet again.---
Alternatively, if you defeat the Black Knight using someone else:
Impossible... I've been defeated? Sir Knight! Do not be alarmed, my maiden. I won't die so easily... I'll heal you right now. That won't be necessary, though I am afraid I must retreat. I apologize, my maiden. I will pay back the debt another time. ...Please be safe.---
Speaking of the Black Knight, if you engage him using Ranulf, you get an extremely enlightening piece of conversation. In fact, it's so enlightening that I've abridged it slightly because I think it gets a little bit ahead of the game...
Oh, I thought I smelled you earlier. We just have to stop meeting like this. ... I don't know about the others, but I can tell who you are. You have one heck of a stench. ...Enough talk. Prepare yourself. Still won't own up, huh? Fine. If that's the case, I'll just tear your mask off and show everyone myself!Ranulf and the Black Knight have, of course, met before: once on the outskirts Gallia around the time of Greil's death, and once in Port Toha in Crimea, where they actually fought. Ranulf also happens to be only the second character in the game to raise the issue of the Black Knight's identity (the first being Jarod).
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Finally, Reyson has some conversations here. If you're feeling particularly suicidal, you can send him to talk to Micaiah;
Micaiah, the Maiden of Dawn ... Is that what they call you? Who are you? Your wings look just like Rafiel's! I am Reyson. My brother told me about you. This is why I'm here. Please pull back your troops. Our enemy is not Daein. This is not your fight. Am I not correct? I know how you feel... Though I owe a debt to Rafiel, I cannot do what you ask. It's not that I don't want to! I think this whole war is madness! But I must keep fighting. Why is that? This fight is my king's will. I cannot stop fighting just because I don't agree with him. If we don't pull together under our new king, Daein will fall apart again, just as it did before its liberation. I believe in King Pelleas. I believe that our king will lead the people of Daein to happiness. ...I see. I understand your position. Please accept my apology for asking the impossible. What? What do you mean? You are fighting to protect your beliefs. I understand that now. But remember that we also cannot, and will not, pull back. We both carry a heavy burden. that's why we're here. Yes...---
And, of course, he can talk to Janaff and Ulki. Ulki holds out, but Janaff slips up and is summarily busted.
Janaff? What are you doing here?
H-hello! Nice to see you, Prince! What a coincidence, huh?! I'm just, um, taking a flight. At night. In a battlefield. ...Oh? I assumed Tibarn might have sent you to protect me. Oh, no, no! Nothing like that! Janaff. Do you really think you can hide anything from me? It... It was Ike! Ike asked me to help out the Greil Mercenaries! Really! Mm-hm. You see, Your Highness, the enemy might get suspicious if there were no birds among the force! Ah, that's a good point. Now I understand. My apologies for jumping to conclusions. No worries, Your Highness... Ha ha...ha... Then let us go together to Ike and seek his next command! What?! Whoa, hold up there! What's the problem? I thought you were here to help. Oh, hey, no problem at all, Your Highness. No problem whatsoever! Excellent. Let's go. Perfect... Tibarn's gonna have my beak for this...---
So yeah! Lots of conversational fun!