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Mirror Light Path Part 2
Elvis is in the Building!

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So, let's continue from before - 15A -> 16A, while 15B -> 16B. No matter what Imelda is dead, though the difference is between landing at Velzeria and finally, getting a fleet of fishing boats and travelling the Direth Straits.

Scenario 16A - Marionette Redux

Exact same prelude as in Real Light Path Scenario 15 - which makes no sense since it is Bernhardt who is dead. B?ser is alive and kicking... so a case of getting complacent translators? Oh well, maybe some other stuff is different. One other change, aside from the monsters & positioning, the turn limit is now 16 turns since it's a scenario later... so that change at least makes sense.



Same strategy as last time - charge charge charge. The secret tile is the same as usual. Alas, there's not much more to say about this map. I'll rush through it and see if anything changes.

Video: Pre-Scenario 16A

After some shuffling about and L?na being all "EXODIA OBLITERATE!!", I finally spot/remember something new to the mission - Elementals. I'll detail them shortly but first, the exact same dialogue is reused about B?ser being dead which again DID NOT HAPPEN in this timeline. Except this happens:



MAKE UP YOUR MIND WOMAN! EITHER AGREE ABOUT HIM BEING DEAD OR DON'T! ARGH!



Originally, Elementals were a whole buggy mess but now thanks to some fixes the fantranslators did, they are simply upgraded Ghosts who look like Will o' Wisps. They look nice, especially their idle animation when selected as they sorta 'pulse'. With an AT24, DF24 they are middle of the road in offense and defense for Fliers kinda like Grenadiers are for ground troops. When Lester gets off one attack on the beach:

I won't lose to some demon's bastard child! (CC:72)

But... we're not fighting Sonya buddy...







Keith & Cherie does some major damage and everyone pushes up except Scott & Aaron who hold steady on the ship. The turn is over.

You really should have been stopped far earlier than this. I guess we haven't taken you seriously enough. But no matter. This time we'll fight for real. Go FoRtH mY sErVaNtS!



Fiery fireballs by a fiery phoenixes. Hein heals up the affected parties and Keith/Lester go in for the kill.





Cherie follows up - this is going so much better then in the real world. Let's breeze through the rest of her forces until Faias decides to shows up. Rip, tear and burn everyone!





Two Angels get sent back to heaven. Let's finish her off and get Faias to spawn in.



Same death quotes as last time. Exact same speech from Faias and our group as well. Blah blah blah old score settled etc. etc. The enemy spawn points get moved a bit because our men getting in the way. A new mugshot for the generic Great Dragon:



Scott can finally draw some sweet octo-blood. The Royal Fliers march on as well.







Boom, now Faias will Rally rather then spells on his turn, which he does. Not much more to go on this one. Lester's up.





Only one more turn to kill the two remaining commanders and that'll be that.





And that's all. Exact same ending, so that's all for this one.


Scenario 16B - Raftfleet Strikes!



While the companions managed to secure a ship and take to the sea, it was not long before they came under attack by sea monsters. For such monsters to have appeared in this world, the seal on Chaos's Glory must have been dissolving. Unsure how much time was remained before the seal vanished completely, Fighter and his companions attempted to waylay the monsters.





The remaining unique map for Scenario 16 - I really like the difference between the Monster/Imperial warship and the fishing boat fleet. I believe there are enemy reinforcements that come in from the south but it remains to be seen. Shouldn't be too difficult - use Lester & the flying Royals to roam and take care of any major threats, whilst Fighter & everyone else holds their positions letting the enemies come to them. Faias is here so we can kill him again for vengeance.

Video: Pre-Scenario 16B



Moving around on the rafts, with one actual fight occurring on the first turn - much more annoying then the other boarding mission with Imelda, guh. Faias gives the exact same speech again - Fighter I am killed your father foster-father, blah blah blah, piss yourself at the sight of me, etc. etc. God, when will he learn that Fighter gives no shits about his bullshit. Scott gives us a friendly warning.

Watch out for enemy sea units! They have a superior defence while on water.

Hmmm... It'll be tough to lure them onto the boats.

Don't worry, some thunder magic will send them running to anything dry!
That spell really stings when they're in the water!

I believe Lester is referring to spell Thunder which of course, no one has so I feel very much like
Next path I can show the power of Thunder on units in the water! For now, let's just beat on them the ol' fashioned way.





Hein then heals up, since he's got a numbers disadvantage. Let's move on.





Fighter heals up after that combined front bloodbath. Everyone else just moves into position to lure these watery fiends onto the rafts so that they can take them out in glorious shipboard combat.





And now Scott is a Dragon Lord, aww yeah. Fighting crime, trying to save the world, here they come just in time - the Powerpuff Girls Dragon Trio! Ahem, let's carry on.



This one's a bit of a mess, but the important point is, they're all dead now and Keith is ready to strike at Faias next turn. Let's take a bit of a detour and look at what Aaron is doing.



Yup, the stalemate continues with these bloody chicken sea monsters. Back to Hein & Cherie now.





Nearly done now, Cherie & Keith should be able to finish off the rest in 2 turns and hopefully, Aaron's impasse will break on the next enemy turn. Lost 2 of Cherie's Angels though, so let's finish off that Great Dragon first.



Our Dragons are simply better then yours, Faias.



Bandits? More like Kamikaze with cool headgear. Their lack of defence and first strike is starting to show them up a bit, but c'est la vie. Time to finish off Faias and this map.



Obtained Swift Boots.

Ugh! M, Master B?ser! P, please forgive me!

Exact same ending sequence AGAIN! The only difference comes from Lester and it's so short, thus no video is necessary.

Land ho!

At last, Velzeria's just ahead.

Let's go straight for their headquarters.

The enemy has been quiet... I think we can expect an ambush. Let's stay focused from here on out.

Everyone... Velzeria is just ahead! Don't give up!

I like that they just know where the HQ/Temple of Darkness is this time - magical raft fleet does wonders for their navigational and cartographical skills, clearly. No Jessica to bail us out, so this is all us all the time. And as such I'll be using this save to move forward into the next scenario as I've tested it and there is no difference whatsoever to this mission or the ones following it because of the path you took prior. Kinda lame but it makes sense - Faias is still dead and so is Imelda.


Scenario 17 - The Paths Converge/Revival of the Sword Redux



The companions continued on to the Temple of Darkness to attempt to prevent the Dark Blade's revival. As Fighter drew near the altar of evil, he could make out the forms of Liana and L?na standing above. Before them, B?ser, the black-cloaked Prince of Darkness was muttering an incantation. Everything appeared as had been foretold in legend. Fighter knew - the seal of darkness would soon be broken.







Here's the Crown, ain't she a beauty? Better then a Necklace and going straight onto Lester. Part of the reason for wanting this particular path to be my canon mirror world one is because of this item. It is great - his aura bonuses are now A+18 D+12 and he can still hire Ballista so we can counter snipe them no problem. Also, here's the new map - it's the same but with different enemy placement obviously.



This map is harder then the one done in the Real World Light Path Scenario 16, which makes sense since it's 1 scenario later after all. The main problem is the increase of ranged mage units which are tremendously annoying as well as both Egbert AND B?ser are on the field. So this is going to be a bit of a slog, but Lester should help ease our initial assault. Also, for some reason Jessica is on the other side of the deployment zone... so yeah. Also new monster unit this time around, the Master Dino and his minions, the Bone Dinos:



They're just cavalry and should be a big deal to Fighter or our fliers.

Video: Pre-Scenario 17B

So some changes to the opening and it looks like Egbert has the respect of B?ser. Anyway, the first turn is just moving up so next turn, Lester can begin his artillery barrage against the enemy.

Well, well... It's those meddlesome children who think themselves an army. Sorry, I can't allow you to interfere.
Until the rites have finished, keep them at bay!

My Dark Dragon Sorcerers will make short work of these meddlesome curs. Concentrate on completing the ceremony.

Heh, if you insist.



A few meteors later and here's Master Dino's Fireball. Lester goes on the offense.



The rest fire off some potshots at the Bone Dinos. Here's their battle sprites under heavy fire.







Lost the screencap of the attack by Scott/Fighter/Cherie so here's the aftermath.



Soon... Soon Alhazard's power will return!

Another meteor comes in but the Ballista fire a bunch of ineffectual shots at our Angels. Could have killed a 1HP Phalanx.

Just a bit longer, and Alhazard will be reborn. Watch carefully, Lady Jessica.
This will be quite a sight.

I'm sure you're aware of how foolish it is to revive Alhazard. You're playing into the hands of darkness!

My concerns are nothing in relation to such monumental power...
In order to complete my objective, no action is too much.

So, Egbert has an objective that appears to be acquiring power... which means there'll be an inevitable double-cross shortly, I'm guessing. Anyway, let's take out that last ballista troop that's still harassing us.





Well, almost. Keith finishes off the last Master Dino. A lot of Ballista attacks follow and it leaves Scott at 1HP.



When everyone starts encroaching on the Temple itself...

B?ser! There's nowhere left for you to run! Hell has a special place for you!

Hmph, no, I'm afraid not. It seems you're too late. How pitiful.



Light's ward of slumber, who now binds this weapon, I implore thee...
Dissolve thy binding, and unshackle the hatred of this blade...





Oh, no! The seal!

Cough... wheeze... My sword... Alhazard... is mine-!

No! The sword's been taken!

Hmmm... Yes, it appears you are quite weary. This has all gone according to my design...

What do you mean by that, Egbert?

Yes, what indeed...

Egbert - still as as fuck.





Oh, my Alhazard! Finally, you've awoken, flesh of my flesh!

Heh heh... Looks like we're all done, hmmm...? Time and space, be one!
Weavers of reality... since time immemorial, I call upon thee! Align thy gates and rend them open!





I've never done this path either, so this is all new to me.

Yes, my liege!

What!? It's... Bernhardt!

Hah... You, you're still alive?

Heh heh heh... It seems you've met my doppelg?nger. Quite a spell.

So, it actually wasn't Bernhardt, it was still the illusion cast by Egbert - the timelines make sense and are consistent! Not a Schrodinger's Final Boss as I first thought...

B?ser... You were trying to use me, but I'm afraid the tables have been turned all along.

Hah... hah hah! I wondered why you Imperial scum buckets were so eager to join me.
What amusing fools... to have planned a trespass from the very start...
But, in the end, your ploy was quite moronic. Do you see this sword in my hand?
I'm about to rend you a new asshole with it! (CC:73)

Impudent fiend. It's quite obvious the ceremony has taxed you considerably.
I suspect you're weak as a kitten for the moment.

Men of the Empire, as of now, you will no longer pay heed to these drooling monsters.
Kill B?ser, and kill all he commands...

You rotten son of a...! You humans will end as piles of meat and pulp!

Now, B?ser - hand over Alhazard!

Nonsense! To relinquish it to a mere child...

Huff... They weren't kidding about how strong you are...

Bernhardt teleports next to B?ser...



It seems as if I'm done for. But you're a fool if you think defeating me... means you can wield this sword.

It's really a shame, isn't it? His Majesty has broken his contract with the ruling god of darkness.
But in doing so, he has proved he is worthy of Alhazard.

I won't lose! I will never lose to you filthy humans!

You sound like a petulant child, B?ser

It's over for you, B?ser!



Yes... I suppose I am fairly exhausted... Cough... Fine... I'll lend you the sword for now.
Do with it whatever you please... Hah hah hah...

Prince B?ser! U, ugh-!

Hmph... So this is Alhazard... Finally in my grasp!

What's going on? The enemy is fighting again... itself?

Egbert's been planning this for a while, it seems. He's always used B?ser, but now he's betrayed him outright.
With Alhazard's revival, Egbert was able to summon the Kaiser...
And with B?ser weak from the ceremony, they thought they could overpower him.
A well-thought plan, if I do say so myself.

Heh... However, it seems we're not yet finished. For you see, you're still alive...

Bernhardt, you say...? Alhazard alone is fearsome, but in his hands, doubly so. However, we shall not lose!
If things keep going as they are, then darkness will rule this world.
Even... Even working together, can we really defeat Bernhardt?

Everyone! I'm locking away Bernhardt forever! I need to be close... Cover me while I move in!

Lady Jessica, that sounds like an attempt at suicide.

We have no other choice. We cannot defeat Bernhardt while he wields Alhazard.

Lady Jessica...

Please, cover me!

She's right. Our options are limited here.

Very well. All right, let's do it!

So the real boss here is Bernhardt - switcheroo! Also, let's get Egbert. But first a lot of boring movement! So let's skip ahead.

Heh heh heh... With this, my objective will be complete.

But... Why, why are you doing this!? B?ser's death makes no difference!
You will merely take his place like that last man... Don't you see? He was once just as you are...

Enough of your babble. I will resurrect Alhazard, and I will have the strength to wield it. It will yield to me!

When we attack Bernhardt...

Fools... You have no respect for the value of life!



It takes 3 Angels to kill 1 of his Grenadiers... this is going to take a while.





Pretty good... However, you can't hope to kill me at this rate.
We'll meet again, ladies and gentlemen of the Light.

Aaron gets a level from a heal and also class change.





Going Sword Master with Aaron, since it all works out. Keith & Cherie kill the rest of the Grenadiers and so now, let's take a look at Bernhardt's stats.





And here is Fighter's for comparison. He is better then Fighter by 1 point of DF and he has no armor/accessory equipped. Alhazard and Bernhardt are just that good. Still, I'll try to kill him as good as I possibly can. Start with Scott and then, Fighter to finish.





Ugh, impossible-! Was I that careless...? These shallow wounds... won't do me in...!

Send Bernhardt to the other world, now! Time and space, be one!
Weavers of reality... since time immemorial, I call upon thee! Align thy gates and rend them open!



Video: Post-Scenario 17B Ends at the next image. So do watch it, it's quite good.



If Yes...

You're welcome to join us!
No one will look down on you for what happened while you were under B?ser's control. Let's go together!

Everyone, thank you very much.

If No...

Very well. Then I will do my best.

If there's anything with which you wish me to help you, call upon me any time. I'll be praying for everyone's safety.

They join up again here:

All right, first we have to get the Holy Rod. Once we have it, let's hurry and save Jessica!

That is all for this mirror world update.

So, big differences between this path and the real world -
1. Bernhardt & Egbert betrayed B?ser rather then letting him fall to our blades,
2. Jessica is gone after trying to seal Bernhardt away,
3. We got a choice between Aaron & L?na,
4. Next mission is going to be a carbon copy of Scenario 17 in the real world.

So my question for the thread, which one do you think is better out of the 2/3 Light Paths so far? I personally like the Raftfleet path myself cause Suikoden V was awesome and also, the Imelda village battle was a lot of fun for me. Anyway, next time we're back onto the real world to the end of the Light path, as I want to get it done and dusted with the last mirror world updates coming after that.