Part 73: Towards the Glorious Land

Last time, we chilled with the Dark Wings for a bit in their hidden city. We need to get back on track, but one quick sidequest first:



: “Colonel, if you undo the seal on the scroll, the stone will vanish. We should get permission from someone...”

: “This facility belongs to Father. I think it'll be okay. And Natalia's here too.”

: “But we can't just-”

: “Oh? Well in that case, 'The rainbow of the swamp doth illuminate those who seeketh knowledge.'”



: “Colonel!”

: “Oh, my apologies. I accidentally released the seal.”

: “...If you look up 'villain' in the dictionary, I bet you'll see Jade's face next to it.”





: “So it would seem. 'The sword of judgment is the wedge in the tides of the southern sea.”

: “So this place is the 'wedge of the southern sea', huh...”



: “Master Luke! Actually, we've found this rock...”

: “Whoa! That's a forbidden verse stone!”

: “Could we have that stone?”

: “Of course. It has Ancient Ispanian inscribed on it, so we imagined it might be somewhat valuable.”

: “Here, Jade.”

: “Right. 'And shines down with seven-colored light upon the mountain path.'”

: “A new fon verse has appeared on the scroll. It's... Prism Sword...”






Prism Sword is a very powerful fonic arte that hits in a large area for serious damage. Interestingly it has no element – Like Energy Blast – despite looking like it should be light based. Oh well.

Okay, that was it. Plot time at last.

Briefing



: “The Kimlascan and Malkuth allied forces began preparations for deployment the moment that Planet Storm stopped. All to support you.”

: “Thank you, but Eldrant still has strong anti-aircraft cannons. If we can't get past those...”

: “Hmm. Eldrant's anti-air fire takes approximately 15 seconds to reload between barrages.”

: “We could use that time to predict the next attack and get close... my brother could do it, but...”

: “Shall we find Asch and have Ginji take your place?”



: “I've had the same training as my brother. It's all right. I'll do it.”

: “We're counting on you.”

: “Sounds like that settles it, then.”

: “So, this is it.”



: “Jade, you have your military post defending Malkuth. And then...”

: “What are you saying after everything that's happened? I can't leave after coming this far.”

: “I have to make my brother... make Van take responsibility.”

: “If Ion were here, he'd tell me to see everything through to the end.”

: “When I met my sister's replica I realized. As a citizen of Hod myself, I can't allow the dead to be raised in such a manner.”

: “I'm under orders from His Imperial Majesty. And besides, you need a captain when deploying soldiers.”



: “Chief of Staff Sessemann, can we request support fire during the assault? We'll neutralize the anti-aircraft fire from inside Eldrant and head directly for Van.”

: “Very well, but eliminating Van takes priority. Even with the anti-aircraft fire neutralized, we have no means of flying.”

: “Understood.”

: “All right. All that's left is to find Asch and complete the Key of Lorelei.”

: “The allied force will await your arrival in Chesedonia. We're all counting on you.”

We need Asch then, but finding him turns out to be much easier than we first thought.

Accepting The Other



: “The Planet Storm has stopped.”

: “Oh, good! We were just about to go tell you!”

: “No, I could tell immediately. That's why I came to you.”





: “Why are you giving me this?”

: “I told you before. You're the original – you're the only one who can free Lorelei.”

: …

: “The rest of us will do everything in our power to get you to Master Van. Then you'll free Lorelei--”

: “Bastard!”

: “...What?”

: “You stupid bastard! Who asked you to do that?!”

: “What are you mad about? Are you saying you won't come with us to stop Master Van? Is me being a replica really that--”



: “...Asch.”

: “And even now you're still saying you're going to 'stop' him?! What can you possibly accomplish?! You’re so naïve it's disgusting!”

: “He is honestly trying to make a replica world. He believes it's the right thing to do.”



: “I was a fool. I thought perhaps, even though you're a replica, if we worked together you might be useful in helping to kill him.”

: “You're me! How can you just accept calling yourself inferior?! We're the same! Why don't you try to fight and prove who you are?! Why can't you say you're superior?! Why do you insist on putting yourself down?!”





: “I'm your replica. But I'm different from you. My thoughts, my memories, the way I live.”

: “...Shut up! You're an inferior, defective replica! I refuse to accept you!”



And there it is.



: “Asch! What are you doing...?”

: “How amusing. In that case, let's make it clear. Clear that you're nothing more than a copy!”

: “Asch, I have no intention of fighting you!”

: “Shut up! Are you going to run away after all that babbling? You are your own self, right? Prove it! If you don't, I'll refuse to acknowledge you! I'll refuse to accept you!”



: “Shut up!”

: “Asch...”

: “Hey. Don't take it out on Natalia, I-!”



: “Asch! How can you say such a thing?!”

: “I respected him. I wanted to believe in his ideal of rejecting the Score. I knew he just wanted to use my hyperresonance, but I didn't mind.”

: “If only he hadn't said anything about that idiotic idea of replacing everyone with replicas...”



: “Asch...”

: “Come to Eldrant! Defeating the master is the role of the student. We'll settle who the real student is there.”





: “Master Van accepted and acknowledged him from the beginning. I wanted Master to acknowledge me, too. I wanted to be his student...”

This scene shows pretty aptly how much Luke has grown and – conversely – how much Asch hasn't. Compare their positions now to back right after Akzeriuth. Asch is the same as he always was: a ball of pent up anger and sadness hidden by a wall of self-denial. Meanwhile, Luke's gone from not knowing who he is, to hating who he thinks he is, to finally accepting himself. Luke and Asch really are a well written pair of foils, up until the very end.

Skit: They Just Can't Get Along

: “Asch... why can't we cooperate? Is fighting the only way for us to accept each other?”

: “I've already accepted you. No matter what you say. You can't deny the fact that I'm here. I'm alive.”

Skit: Luke and Asch, Part 2

: “After all this time, they're suddenly in opposite positions...”

: “After all this time?”

: “Yeah... Asch is the same as always. I guess Luke's the one who changed.”

: “Yes... he saw death with his own eyes, and he grew up. But Asch doesn't realize that, and he's angry that his replica puppet has started thinking for itself.”

: “No, I think Asch does realize it. He just doesn't want to acknowledge that the puppet that took everything from him has become independent.”

: “Judging from his anger, that's probably the case. Though it could be worse. If he had simply ignored Luke and left, there would have been no hope.”

: “Now it's Asch's turn to become independent.”

: “Yes... to free himself from feeling victimized by a replica that pushed him into the shadows.”

Okay, to Chesedonia. Granted some skits fire immediately upon setting foot inside, so yeah.

Skit: A Great Resolve – Girl Talk

: “La la la la la...”

: “My, you're certainly putting effort into your preparations.”

: “Of course! This'll be our last battle, right? Let's go gorgeously! Beautifully!”

: “Aren't you nervous?”

: “Nope.”

: “Liar. Your fingers are shaking.”

: “They're trembling in excitement! Not shaking!”

: “Both of you put up such a strong front.”

: “So do you!”

: “Hee hee... I suppose we're all alike in that way.”

: “Yes, indeed. When I first met you, I thought I could never come to like you...”

: “Hey, that's my line!”

: “But now?”

: “You are very dear to me.”

: “That's my line, too!”

: “Let's do our best... together.”

Hey, look at that. This game passes the Bechdel Test.

A Great Resolve – Guy Talk

: “Eldrant, huh? Sure is huge...”

: “Well yeah. You've got a whole island floating up there.”

: “Attack large targets from the inside. That's one of the most basic principles of battle.”

: “It feels weird. When the three of us met, I never would have imagined that we'd be here, fighting like this.”

: “Hah hah hah! Yeah, really. Van wasn't our enemy at the time, either.”

: “And Malkuth was, I suppose?”

: “Heh heh. I thought you were pretty annoying back then, but now...”

: “...He's still pretty annoying.”

: “Yeah.”



: “...Heh heh. Well then, please bear with this annoying soldier for just a little while longer.”

: “Same to you. Jade, Guy, let's do our best.”

Futures



: “So we've got today for ourselves?”

: “Yes. Before any deployment, soldiers are given 24 hours of leave to do as they please.”

: “Then let's do that, too!”

: “That's fine with me, but please don't stray very far from Chesedonia.”

: “Yes, sir, no problem! Guy, Natalia, come on!”



: “No... not really... you?”

: “Nah, Chesedonia's in a desert, so...”

: “And it still doesn't feel real, you know? That tomorrow's the final battle.”

: “Then would you two join me for a little while?”

: “Me too!”

: “Sure. We'll all go together.”





: “Looks like you're waiting for someone to show up.”

: “I'm afraid there's little hope of that...”



: “I don't think he'll show. The next time he does...”

: “Will be when they fight. But why do they have to fight?”

: “It's not to hurt each other. It's to settle who they are. To recognize they're two different people now.”

: “I wonder what I should do when that happens?”

: “If you really care about both of them... then just accept the result.”

: “Will you?”

: “Well... that's what friends do, right?”

: “Asch is your friend, too?”

: “...I've put my past behind me as best I can. I think that's what Asch is trying to do now. When that happens, he will no longer be the son of my enemy, and I no longer his servant.”



: “I bet he's a pretty fun guy, without all his baggage.”

: “You're so mature. I don't know... I just...”

: “You see Luke as your friend, right?”

: “Yes.”



: “Once everything's settled, go with what you feel.”

: “...You're right. Some answers won't come no matter how much you think.”



: “I would have preferred somewhere a bit nicer than this, but... weren't you going to enjoy your free time, Anise?”



: “Hmm... that may have been cruel in its own way...”

: “Colonel, you're hiding something, aren't you?”

: “No, of course not.”

: “Oh well... what are you going to do after we defeat Commandant Grants?”

: “I'm a soldier. I'll return to my life in the military. But...”

: “But... what?”



: “To raise replicas to a status of something more than mere substitutes.”



: “You're going to reform the Order, aren't you?”

: “You noticed, huh? I'm giving up on marrying into money. I'm going to be the first female Fon Master!”

: “Excellent. But I think now it's about time you returned to the inn.”

: “Hey, you're going to stay here drinking, aren't you?”

: “This is grown-up time now. Time for children to go to bed.”



To the very end, Jade is Jade. All the other party members are getting together for heartfelt talks, and Jade beelines for the bar to get a damn drink.





: “Mieuuuu....”

Music: Happiness In My Hand





: “Yeah. I hope my body holds together until then.”

: “It will.”

: “Tear...”





: “What is it?”



: “...Ah, never mind.”

: “You're weird.”

: “...I am not!”



: “What's with you all of a sudden?”

: “You watched me this whole time, just like you promised.”



: “You're the idiot. I'm going to disappear...”



: “It's okay.”

: “It's weird... I'm really happy right now.”



: “This is probably the happiest moment of my life.”

: “...What?”

: “I mean, I wish I could think it wouldn't be...”

: ....

Equal parts and .

Commence Operations



: “They'll take longer to get in position than the Albiore. Standby in the Central Ocean beneath Eldrant and wait for our arrival.”

: “Understood.”

: “The artillery bombardment will begin as soon as the allied forces arrive. With that support, we will breach Eldrant from below, where there is less anti-aircraft fire.”

: “We'll destroy the anti-air facilities if possible, and then go after Van.”

: “Our final objective is the release of Lorelei. I think that covers everything.”



: “M-me?”

: “Well, you're more or less the leader now.”





Let's rock!





We're on the prowl.



: “I'm kind of nervous.”

: “The Commandant won't hold back. We have to fight with everything we've got.”

: “Don't get yourself so worked up that you wear yourself out before we even get there.”





: “Heh heh, yeah, you're the one we're most worried about.”

An alarm beings to sound.



: “Wh-what's that?”



Alternate thread title.



The Glorious Land: Fallen











One thing that doesn't translate well into screenshots here is that the camera is constantly moving around to simulate Noelle ducking and weaving laser fire. All of the character sprites move around with it too... except for Jade, who doesn't budge an inch.

: “I didn't expect them to come after us first... Eldrant was propelled into that dive by retrograde memory particle thrust. The Tartarus in the core must have been completely destroyed.”

: “The Tartarus is gone?! That means...”

: “There's nothing to neutralize the core's vibration. Of course, that's not a problem now.”

: “Yeah. Heh, I guess it's a good thing Lorelei was taken out of the core...”



: “It's just like Asch said. Trying to ram us with Eldrant... that's how much of a thread the Key of Lorelei is to Van.”



: “Eldrant's fall didn't seem to affect the anti-aircraft systems.”

: “No, wait a minute. On Eldrant's port side – the flat part on the left. The anti-air cannons are dead!”













We've arrived, I suppose.

Next Time: I most likely enrage you.

Synopsis:

According to Chief of Staff Sesemann, the Kimlasca and Malkuth forces have
already begun preparations for deployment. We were also able to confirm the
interval between Eldrant's cannons firing. Now we just need to complete the
Key of Lorelei and proceed inside Eldrant. The joint military force is based
in Chesedonia, so let's head there.

Asch was waiting near the entrance to Grand Chokmah. He held out his hand
to me, so I offered him the Jewel of Lorelei. After all, he's the original,
the one whose power is stable. But he didn't seem to like that, getting angry
at me "putting myself down." I know I used to be like that...no, maybe I
still am to a degree. But as a simple issue of ability, I thought that Asch
was more appropriate for the job than me. I don't think any less of myself
for that fact.

I'm me. I've finally realized that, after learning that I'm going to
disappear.
I'd always wanted someone to approve of me, to accept me, but that wasn't
what was really important.
Asch, please understand.

Asch said we should fight to determine who's Master Van's real student. If
that's what he needs, then I suppose I'll have no choice but to fight him.

I'll probably end up fighting Asch on Eldrant. Right now, we need to
prepare ourselves for going to Eldrant. Let's head to Chesedonia and arrange
things with the military.
We reached Chesedonia, and Jade told us that soldiers were given 24 hours
of leave before being deployed, so we decided to do the same, and split up.

Natalia spent time talking with Guy. Probably about Asch, I'd guess. She's
been through tough times, with me and Asch arguing and all, but I'm sure Guy
will be able to comfort her.

Jade apparently went out drinking. I wouldn't be surprised if Anise
followed him, too. The two may be separated in years, but they sure look like
close friends. I bet they're looking forward to after the battle, talking
about what they'll do next.

Noelle invited me and Tear to the Albiore, and took us out on the sea.

The nighttime sea was really beautiful, and so was Tear. I was about to
tell her my true feelings...but I decided not to. After all, I'm going to
disappear. But if she reads this diary after I die, I wonder if she'll
realize anyway? I've tried not to let them show through, but...

The next morning, we all met again in Chesedonia. We'll wait directly
underneath Eldrant in the Central Ocean for the joint forces to arrive, then
start the operation. Let's make sure we're fully prepared, and head for
Eldrant.
While we were waiting in the Albiore, we suddenly heard an alarm and saw a
huge object--Eldrant itself--flying toward us. We were nearly smashed, but
Noelle managed to avoid it and keep us safe.

Eldrant crashed into the Ispanian Peninsula, warping the land around it.
Even then, the anti-air fire didn't stop. We managed to locate a single area
with a dead cannon, and landed there.

Master Van must see the Key of Lorelei as a real threat if he's going to
these lengths to stop us. So as long as we have the Key, we have a chance to
beat him.

When we landed, we found the Albiore III, which had crashed into the
cannon and disabled it. It looks like Asch has already made it inside
Eldrant. Let's hurry in ourselves.