Part 14: Across Enemy Lines (2/2)

Part 12: Across Enemy Lines (2/2)



: Perhaps we can use reflective signaling to attract the attention of the blockage so they'll pick us up...
: In light of what Max said, giving our position away may not be wise.
: What do you mean, Captain?
: Max didn't believe that the naval blockade would succeed.
: Right. Maximillian Schneider is not a rash man; he must have had good reason for expressing that doubt.
: ...
: What's wrong?



: It's...Arieta? Wait, no! Gevas!
: Why does she seem to cross our path so frequently? I wonder what terrible plot she's hatching this time...
: ...
: I don't like this, not one bit. In fact, my feet are getting sweaty, and that always means trouble! What'll we do?
: I believe she has come to interfere with our mission again. If she tries to stop us...
: That's a definite possibility, especially when you consider her past actions. We need to find out for certain what she intends to do.
: I agree.
: It's not my place to offer an opinion...but I always err on the side of caution. That would suggest removing the cause of our anxiety.
: There's definitely more going on here than we know.
: I guess that means we're following her.



: Anything to report?
: Nothing concrete, but something is definitely happening here. There're traces of repair materials everywhere.
: She's right, the signs are everywhere.
: If only Ariost were here! He could interpret this and give us much more information. The whole tower's shaking!


: Do you feel that? We're floating...I believe the tower is levitating!
: Levitating?!


: Ugh...
: Carmaine!
: Shh! Quiet! I don't want the others to notice. I...I'll be all right.
: Mmmm...I'm not so sure.
: Part of the darkness inside me...I was just surprised by the same swell of evil from a year ago...
(It seems that Carmaine's VA had a bit of fun adlibbing this part. The voiceover says "Part of the darkness still remains...I felt the same swell of evil as I did a year ago...")
: Same swell of evil? Could it possibly be?!
: It's...different this time, but...
("Yes...it's...slightly different this time, but...")
: What's the matter?
: He just...lost his balance temporarily.
: Ahh...I see. Okay then, let's see what's going on upstairs.


(A soldier arrives to report, and as Max predicted, the blockade is under attack by the mercenaries. I don't know what would be worse though, fighting through them, or heading up this tower.)


Narrator: As they approached the peak of the tower, they discovered the device that controlled the fusion of time and space.


Reaction Device: Core reaction volume reduction initiated. Stop point at minimum value.
: That seems to be the maximum setting...


: I've spent more time in this body than planned...It's been more than 200 years now. But of course you were in suspension for half that time. But it's time for your wake up call...


: How did you find me again?!
: I don't believe what I'm seeing...
: It's Gevel?!
: It certainly looks like Gevel, but it can't be!
: Don't act so surprised. In that black corner of your heart, you knew this day was coming. Gevel weakened my physical being to a state where it can be controlled by a human.
: A human can control it?
: What do you think you're doing, Gevas?!
: Isn't it obvious? I'm returning to where I belong.
: And the cycle of pain and calamity brought on humanity will begin again, at your hand.
: You babble without knowledge! This world...this place...it was all mine originally. Your kind stole it from me when you came here.
: But, if that hadn't happened, none of us would have been born!
: Exactly. You did what you had to do for the survival of your species. And when you came, your strength allowed you to prevail. To the strong go the spoils...it has been that way since the beginning of time.
: It just sounds like you're a sore loser, buster!
: You are weak. You're all weak now. And therein lies my opportunity...


: Sounds simple enough, but all battles are easily won in the minds of the delusional.
: Knowing what you plan to do, we can't allow you to return to Gevas' body!
: Ha! And, how do you plan to stop me? Will you destroy this innocent girl's body?
: Ahhhuhhh...
: Stop! Stay right there, if you value the life of this girl. Once I have re-entered my body, I'll return her to you.
: Really? Somehow I find your words less than reassuring!
: Don't worry. I have no lingering affection for a body like this. I will return it to you.


: It's time...




: Dahhh...Freedom will soon be mine once more!
: Arieta...Arieta! Open your eyes!
: ...
: Arieta...please...open your eyes!
: ...
: Why won't she wake up? That...thing left her...
: Let me see... ... ... Oh, no!
: Okay, lay it on me. Our day's going to get a lot worse, right?
: She's...gone. There's no lifeforce, no...spirit left within her! My revival magic has no effect!
: Heh, heh, heh...Did you really think that I would surrender her that easily? I took her with me during the transference.
(Well, he certainly didn't lie to us about giving her body back...we just got the body, no spirit )
: You're holding her hostage?!
: Her spirit won't survive long outside her boy. If this continues, she'll surely die.
: Well then we just have to get it back, and FAST!
: It appears that we'll have to defeat Gevas to get it back.



: That's what you say...
: Wait! I have an idea. Perhaps we can use the device Ariost reproduced to get Arieta back. The only problem is how would we make it work with her spirit, her...essence.
: Perhaps the device at the top of this tower will make that possible. It's a transmission device that is said to be able to mirror the soul of humans. I don't know if it will work with Ariost's device, but it's worth a shot.
: Captain you must go! We'll keep the enemies here distracted.
: My plan won't work if we don't attack the transmission device to Gevas...
: Leave that task to me.
: Sereb...no...
: I must do this...for Arieta. Cover my approach to Gevas.
: Let's put this plan into action.


Dailymotion Part 1, Part 2 | Viddler
(Also for Complete we have to defeat every other enemy, which isn't as bad as it sounds. This battle is really long, twice as long as most previous missions. Most of that time is waiting for Wein to do his stuff upstairs while you're beating up the Yungs. Splitting the party up to take on the two areas prevents Gevas' big flaming breath attack shown at the beginning of battle. Hans snipes everything from his position while the others whittle down health, and Riviera and Charlone provide magic support.
This video includes the scene with Wein at the top of the tower, and the scenes after the battle before you leave the tower that I've transcribed below.)


(A really long trip up the stairs later...)


: This must be the device. Hmm...effective range? I'll set it to cover the tower. I just hope this is strong enough to reach Arieta! Here goes nothing...
(Arieta...Arieta! Arieta, can you hear me?)
: (Who is it? Who's there?)
: (It's me...Wein! I'm using a device to communicate with you directly!)
: (Wein! Please...forget about me. You must defeat Gevas before it's too late!)
: (I will do that, but I must get you out first!)
: (Wein, it's no use. Our consciousness is...is the same now.)
: (Don't give up yet, Arieta. You must believe that the return to your body...your life...is possible! Think back, Arieta, to the days we enjoyed together in the grasslands...)
: (Memories...we...shared...)
: (Listen!)


: (That...melody...it's...it's so...f...familiar...That...the grasslands. I...I want to go there again.)



: Am I...dreaming?
: Whoo hoo! You did it! You did it, Wein!
: Thank you so much for working to save my life. I'll join your battle to destroy Gevas now!


(Major ! Arieta is a mage, a bit better than Riviera. After a bit more time, Wein comes back, everyone's happy, and I let Arieta get the killing blow on Gevas.)




: With your help we were able to defeat Gevas instead of just containing him.
: The fact that the Growsians who came before contained his spirit helped in his defeat. If he hadn't been weakened, we would not have been able to defeat him.
: Sereb!
: Arieta, I'm relieved you survived unscathed.
: It was with your help we were able to save her, Sereb.
: She is your companion now. I leave her in your care.
: What will you do now, Sereb?
: I have been weakened from my time inside the magic circle. I shall rest here for a while.
: Oh, Sereb. I'm so sorry you suffered so much for my sake.
: It was my...duty. Wein, there is still much left to accomplish. Do not be concerned with my fate. You must leave at once to guarantee that the insurgence is crushed.
: Right. Farewell, and take care, Sereb.
: Farewell...


Narrator: However, the tower had moved across the kingdom while airborne. Perhaps prevailing winds or other forces were responsible, but the tower was quite obviously in Burnstein Kingdom now. It was situated next to the grassland where Wein first met Arieta...
(How convenient!)


(Exploring the tower gets you some points with Lyell.)


(And these are Arieta's stats.)


: It was here that we first met, remember.
: Ten years have already passed, but it seems like yesterday. Unfortunately, I have nothing but regrets about that day. I...I still regret failing to meet you as we had agreed. I've replayed that day in my mind, over and over.
: But...you did return. I know that because you have the ocarina I left for you.
: Arieta...
: I am so grateful for what you did for me. When I was under Gevas' control, it was a very dark time. I had given up all hope. That day we first met, you brought a ray of light that helped me hang on.


: I wanted to help you! Once I knew you were in danger, I had to help. There was no choice.
: Oh, Wein...
: I'm just glad you're still here...What do you plan to do now?
: The era I came from is completely different than the one now. So much has changed. If it wouldn't be too much trouble, may I accompany you?
: Well, I don't have a problem with that, but...since we're soldiers in the service of the king, you might be putting yourself in danger unnecessarily.
: Oh, I understand, and that's quite all right. It's only fair, since you risked your life to save mine. I'll help you in any way I can.
: Arieta...
: Besides, since I'm a Growsian, I'm certain my skills will be quite useful.
: Well, I'm willing to let you try. Let's go.
: Really! Oh, thank you.


(We just saved the world from a giant monster! Maybe Lord Claudius will like us now.)


(Or not.)
: Father...I...
: I have nothing to say to a child that disrespects my word!
: But, Father, I...
: There is nothing more to be said. You know how I feel. It is not the place of a woman to go off fighting wars.


: But that's prejudiced! Your daughter is a talented soldier! She's been a great help to me.
: Of course...a soldier of your ilk can do nothing without help from others...even women.
: You're impossible! How can I convince you of my ability?
: If you were to rise to the top as an Imperial Knight, I may reconsider my assessment of you.
: Father! You achieved the rank of Sleeping Lion Knight, and yet you will accept only a higher rank from him?
: Imperial Knight is the greatest honor in this nation. There can be no greater proof of a man's worth than achieving that rank.


(And talking to the Innkeeper's Daughter in Valmie gets us this story because we have Lyell with us. We can also speak with Lyell afterwards, who finds the whole thing rather annoying.)

Anyway, since we're back in Burnstein, we should report to the king and show him that we're still alive, even though we floated in on a giant tower.)

Next update: Can Wein become an Imperial Knight?

Current Relationship Status
, , , : 10
: Still at 9
: He joined us at a rather low 6 and is now at 8.
: She loves us soooo much for saving her, that she joined at an automatic 10.