Part 13: Across Enemy Lines (1/2)

Very long update this time, and it's one of my favorite sections of the game. Sorry for no Viddler links yet, it likes to give encoding errors on my videos

Part 12: Across Enemy Lines (1/2)

(Before we join the campaign, there are a few optional events to do. So first, we go to Comsprings.)


: Charlone, come with me. We need to gather intelligence.
: Sorry Captain, I'm busy!
: Hmmm...where did she go in such a hurry?!



: Ah! There it is!
Store Clerk: Welcome to our store. How can I help you?
: Ever since I passed by your shop the other day, I've been thinking about the bird and dolphin pins you had on display. Which one do you think would look better on me?
Store Clerk: Oh! You have exquisite taste, miss. Both brooches are made by the craftsman, Kaishin.
: You're not making this any easier...both are so beautiful. I can't make up my mind.


: Charlone!
: W...Captain Wein...
: What were you looking at? Brooches, huh?
: Um...yes...brooches.
: Well, this is a very nice shop, and you deserve it. Have you decided which you'll buy yet?
: No, not yet...
: Hmm. Well, they're both quite nice, so you can't go wrong with either.
: Er, well...I'd like your opinion. Which do you think would suit me more, the bird or the dolphin? I just can't decide.


(You want to pick "This bird would look good on you" or "This dolphin would look good on you". It really doesn't matter; I picked the bird this time.)
: Really? Do you think so?
: Yes, its quiet simplicity will never go out of style. I think you'll get a lot of use out of it.
: I'll take this, then! No need for a bag, I'll wear it now.
Store Clerk: Thank you very much!


(This is the bird brooch...)


(...and this is the dolphin brooch)
: Oh, do you really think so? Thank you so much!
: Remember to take if off during tactical maneuvers, though! It would be a waste to lose it in the midst of a battle.
: Oh, right!


(Going to Burnstein Capital gets you this scene with Julia, who says she's going to oversee a training drill with the knights.)


(You can follow her by picking the option to Watch Military Drill.)


(It seems that Charlone has some jealous friends! That's it for optional scenes, so it's time to head back to Max.)






(CHOCOBOS! They even say kwahhh-eeehh!)
: Ah! I was afraid you wouldn't make it. The land has become very dangerous...Now that you're here, there is no time to waste. You need to deliver the supplies we've loaded on these transport beasts at once. A direct route through Grandshill is a suicide mission. The highway is heavily fortified with enemy troops. Therefore, I believe that an indirect approach, through the mountains, would be the best way to arrive at Fort Rargin. Of course, you will meet opposition, but we believe that it will be far easier to overcome than what you'd encounter on the highway.
: Understood.
: And know that, when you arrive at Fort Rargin, the enemy will certainly know how you did it and close off the mountain path. Therefore, once the goods are delivered, head towards the ocean by the Control Tower as quickly as possible.
: I shall do exactly as you say, but why the need to hurry to the ocean after delivering the supplies? I thought the naval blockade still prevented enemy reinforcements from arriving by sea.
: The naval blockade still stands; however...I believe that Wolfgang has already planned countermeasures to neutralize its effect...However, I am wasting your valuable time with these details. You should depart at once.
: Right. Let's go.




: Hey, this doesn't look all that safe to me! What was your friend Max thinking? I mean...look at all those rocks and thorny bushes! I mean, I bet we're all looking at some serious Lyme-time, or nasty fleabites at the very least! Why can't we just use the highway?
: You're a fool! I believe the minister when he said that the highway is heavily fortified. To travel it would be suicide.
: My only concern is that the boulders and bushes make it difficult to see the terrain completely. Ambush is a real possibility.
: Right. We must advance carefully, then.


Dailymotion | Viddler coming sometime
(The mission is considered complete by having no animals destroyed. Ambush isn't a possibility, it's a reality. It takes a while for any enemies to pop up, and the strongest appear right along the path. Your chocobos don't have the highest defense, either. Of course, the enemy spawn points aren't randomized, so you can just memorize where they appear and send your characters there. Still, casting Shield to raise defense and having a Cure waiting just in case is very helpful.)



: I think we've eliminated all the enemies. Quickly now! On to Fort Rargin...



General Bronson: With the goods you've brought, we can hold out here for a few more months. Thank you.
: Once the blockade yields results, we'll return and support you in attacking the enemies surrounding the fort.
General Bronson: I look forward to that time.
: Do your best to hold up until then.
General Bronson: We shall. The fact that you helped deliver the supplies was fortuitous as well. To have Carmaine, the Light Savior, deliver these goods in person is an incredible boost to troop morale.
: King Eliotte probably was counting on that.
General Bronson: Yes, it seems as if your young king is at last showing his ability to capture the hearts of his subjects with acts of compassion.
: Sorry to cut this short, but we must depart quickly.
General Bronson: Of course, but I must warn you...our scouts have reported that the route you used to travel here has been overrun with enemy troops.
: So we will have to head toward the sea as Max expected, then...
General Bronson: Go quickly, before that path is cut off as well!


(So we're trapped. Even with this little tiny area, there's some optional exploring to do, like speaking with Rivera here. She says she's thinking back to when she first met Wein, and says that it was really lucky that he didn't get captured back then from all the backtracking he did. She also says that Xenos used to be a Shadow Knight.)


(Not one of the missing manuscripts, but something else you can pick up at East Lost Forest. You can read this little thing at the Magic Academy.)



: I had no idea this is where you went. Does Reaves know you're here?
: Don't know, don't care. I haven't seen him around, that's for certain. But you didn't come here to chat. What's your business?
: I was just accompanying Wein. I didn't expect to find you here. He's the one that wished to speak with you.


: Sounds like the same sorry tune I heard before. It's last year's song. Give it up.
: I'll do no such thing while the lives of innocent citizens of Burnstein remain in danger! I need your help!
: I'm tired of being the pawn in someone else's political game. Go find yourself someone else to play with, I'm out.
: Pawn?
: You heard me.
: No! You've got it all wrong! I'm not trying to use you. I need your help to defend Burnstein Kingdom!
: ...
: You're one of the reasons I joined the Academy! I dreamy of fighting at your side as an Imperial Knight!
: Well, wake up, kid. That dream's over. I'm not an Imperial Knight anymore...



: If I can withstand your attack, you must join with us!
: Have you lost your mind, Wein? Lyell's strength is legendary, even amongst the Imperial Knights!
: I believe that! He's gonna clean your clock, Wein! Don't do it. Just say no!
: I have no choice. Failure is not an option!
: Then you're bound to be disappointed, or dead...or both.
: Don't underestimate my ability. Besides, you've lost your fire...your fury...and into that void has crept a quiet desperation that weakens you.
: Why you little...With one quick thrust of my sword, we shall soon see where desperation truly lies, runt!


: Riviera, this is between Wein and Lyell. We are not to interfere.
: But...
: Trust him. He knows what he's doing.





: Impressive...I never thought I'd hear the same thing again.
: What?
: You're the second one that has said I'm dead inside...that I've lost something. Richard said the very same thing.
: Richard?
: But perhaps there is a time for forgiveness and second chances...
: Yes...
: To see Burnstein Kingdom crushed would hurt me, just as it would you, or Richard. And besides...I left Burnstein a criminal...shamed in the eyes of all. Perhaps his will allow me to return to grace redeemed.
: It will, Lyell!


( )


(For being the strongest Imperial Knight ever, Lyell really isn't all that special. His sword really is dead. He's about equal to Carmaine, but comes with attack magic instead of support magic, moves faster, but attacks slower. That free Lv6 Hyper Attack is nice, though! Let's head for that tower now.)



Mercenary 2: Don't let the pigs escape!
: This is a nightmare! This place is swarming with enemies!
: It does seem so...
: What shall we do, Captain?
: We're not going to get away if we all retreat...I'll be a decoy and keep them busy while you escape. Go! I'll catch up to you soon!
: Are you serious?
: Yes, yes! I'll take care of them...go!
: All right, I'll lead the rest and meet up with you near the tower.
: Right. See you soon. Carmaine will take the lead. Follow him toward the tower!
: Please don't take any unnecessary risks!
: Don't worry.
: Are you sure you'll be okay?
: Why? Do you want to stay?
: Uh...no, just wondering.
: I'll be fine...go!


: Are you certain you can handle them yourself?
: Just trust me...
: ...
: Go!
: All right...
: I need to stop as many of these enemies as I can, then slip away to meet the others...But I better not let more than 5 enemies pass...Here goes nothing...


Dailymotion | Viddler
(Complete is to kill every enemy instead of taking the chance to run when you can. Cycle Up would have helped more here, but it's easy to survive without it. Attack Up, on the other hand, is kinda needed here to speed things up. There's no special order to take out the enemies in, just go from the closest ones back. Archers and Mages are weaker than the other troops, but it's not worth it to run around crazy trying to hit them first. I could've given Wein the Lv8 Hyper Attack instead of a Lv6 one...oh well.)



: That's the last of them! I'd better hurry and catch up with the others.


: What is it?
: It's just that there's something I always wanted to say to you, but didn't have the chance.
: Apologies make me sick. Don't embarrass yourself.
: Lyell...
: Look, it's too late to change what happened, so whatever it is you're going to say is pointless, right? The facts are the facts. I supported Venzern. You all opposed Richard. And they're both gone now. End of story. The part that I never understood is that even though you opposed Richard, you didn't cut him off...and he died as a human. I received no consideration...you all just shut me out of your world. But even though you never gave me a clue as to where our friendship really stood, I forgave you.
: Lyell...thank you. I had every reason to believe that you would never forgive me. I don't know that I would have forgiven you had the circumstances been reversed...I just...well, thank you...
: Well, I can't say that I would have seen that coming. A sensitive Light Savior...hmmm.
: ...