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Part XX: The Light of a Star
Gentle rest
The malevolence. It's vanished.
*gets up* Yeah...
Well! That was my exercise for the year.
*clutches fist to chest* Yeah.
*does the same* But we made a difference. Let's treat ourselves to a break. How about our old hideout?
...
We managed to stave off the worst, somehow. Let's just be grateful that we're alive. Yeah?
That is a good point. So before we head back to Tintagel, let's check out that "something" I mentioned during the Tiamat fight, when it did that "thing" and nothing seemed to happen.
This, I believe, was the reason. At some point during the fight (although it said we acquired it at the end), we acquired this orb, which prevented the dragon from taking in malevolence to heal itself, as it had done in a cutscene during the fight. I *think* it was trying to heal itself in the same way during the third phase of the fight, but was prevented by us having this thing. Weird thing to do but alright, it's fine.
And yep, that poor green-haired seraph who was in the middle of the battlefield, who had gotten turned into Tiamat...we straight-up killed him. Between everything else that's happened, we certainly haven't found any way to reverse a dragon transformation, but from everything that's established in either Berseria or Zestiria, it appears this is impossible. Even that supposed method Zaveid came across during the previous game, there's absolutely no confirmation it would have, or ever did, work.
You stopped a war. You did everything you could, and it saved tens of thousands of people from suffering. I was right there with you. If anyone's to blame, it's me.
Place seems so much quieter without the Scattered Bones or Mayvin around. Another place that will likely be lost to nature in due time.
In the ruins... Slumber in the ruins
Asleep OR awake.
*sighs*
No need to worry. Sorey's got it together.
Yes, I know. But...
He's almost TOO together, eh? Sounds like something a mother would say.
Can't it be "sister", at least? Although I AM far older... *looks in Sorey's direction again*
All right, sister. We oughta rest up, too.
Yes. I'll just tuck both of them in.
Mornin'.
Not even. You've been sleeping for three days straight.
You're kidding! I was wondering why I was so famished.
Let's go get something to eat.
Indeed. Sorey woke up just before you did.
After we're done, let's head on over to Lastonbell. I gotta check on how everything wound up.
Sheesh, workaholic much? Though I guess I shouldn't talk.
Aren'tcha curious?
Well... Yeah! If anyone's warmongerin', I got some killin' to do.
Maybe we should just leave her here.
*chuckles*
Rose's sense of humor DOES take some getting used to. Before we head on over to town, there is a save point skit between Lailah and Sorey about what all happened back at Glaivend. If you missed the seraph woman standing on the hill when we first went to Glaivend the last update, you definitely wouldn't know how Tiamat begat itself, but yeah. Heldalf's got a real twisted sense of fun.
A bit of gameplay discussion, since this update will be almost entirely plot, is that, as I mentioned before, there are two ways titles level up. Both in terms of just using them while earning Grade, which is a go-to measure of leveling things up in this game, and at plot or sidequest specific moments when titles are upgraded. For example, "Master Sword Danseur" used to be "Sword Harrier", which is the title I was mostly using at the start of this LP. Titles colored in gold have a level cap of...15, 20, something like that, whereas the cap for lower titles is, obviously, lower. Peace process
Looks like we're just in time for some action.
Sorey, look!
*everyone runs over*
As a messenger of the Kingdom of Hyland, I am here to discuss terms of a truce. I would like to meet with a representative of the Rolance Imperial Army.
We honestly wish we could allow you to pass, but Hyland and Rolance are still officially at war...
This is a decision that has to be made at the top. I'm afraid, as mere rank and file, we, uh...
Alisha! Lucas!
Sorey!
Haha! I knew you were alive!
You're meeting with Rolance?
I hope. It seemed like this might be the last chance for diplomacy.
A Hyland princess wandering all the way here with no escort? You're a trooper!
Whaddaya mean, she's got the best guard in the world!
If there's a chance we can stop the war, it's a small price to pay. But we're running into some, uh, jurisdictional issues...
*steps forward*
Shepherd...
You're with the Platinum Knights, right? Do you think could contact Sergei for us? Tell him that Sorey's friend, Alisha, has come to visit.
If it's a meeting between friends, then the knights have no need to interfere.
Not their fault. I hear they work under a very rigid captain.
Haha! You got me there.
*steps forward*
So you're Alisha. I am Sergei, a friend of Sorey. Well met. *offers hand*
*takes it* I'm Alisha. My sincere thanks for helping us the other day.
Not at all. Would you like to join me for some tea?
Certainly. *turns to Sorey* I'm thankful for this opportunity.
We won't let it go to waste.
*nods, Alisha and Sergei leave*
Damn peaceniks, puttin' good mercenaries out of jobs. This calls for booze. Whaddaya say, Shepherd? *follows them*
Hey, drinking laws are important.
Well, as long as it makes you happy to believe that.
Of course, this little impromptu peace conference is happening in the sanctuary, and, seeing as how Sorey had a key role in the process, I think he can invite himself in. Lucas is sitting next to those bottles in the lower left, and he tells us much the same about where to go next. Through his drunken hiccups, of course. The first step
Yes. Thank you for all your help.
Aww, it's over already?
The first meet-and-greet. I've received an invitation to Pendrago Castle.
By yourself?
*nods* In exchange, His Imperial Majesty of Rolance will allow me to meet for direct negotiations.
*nods*
Not bad for a bottom-rung princess, huh?
We are comrades who battled the dragon together. The empire will have the decency to acknowledge that.
Neat.
Guess the peace talks are in good hands.
*nods*
And here I thought the war would be "dragon" on and on.
Oh no! That was a pretty good one! I'm jealous!
Is it a competition?
Always was.
Sorey, would you be interested in coming to Pendrago with us? You're a key figure in bringing our two nations together.
Thanks. But... That's a dream that you should be the one to fulfill.
I suppose. Best to you on your journey.
*nods* You too, Alisha, Sergei.
*nods*
Not to mention our plastered buddy out there.
*giggles*
1,000 gald for 10 minutes. My best price!
Hey, payment for services rendered.
A nice sky as the day ends. I always like seeing JRPG towns in different contexts than how they normally appear. Gives a different side to them, y'know?
Everyone is certainly of one mind about Sorey's prospects with the ladies. The man himself doesn't seem to have spared a second thought about it, though, so interpret that as you will.
Well, the job isn't done yet, but we have time to kill, right? No sign of Heldalf, no conflict to stop, no powers to gain...I'm sure we can afford one quiet night. Their Night
She sure is. If only a certain layabout would follow her example!
*gasps*
My doggie's happy, too! She hates war!
You and me both, puppy. You and me both.
Anything to get out of this armor!
Our departure can wait a day.
Huh? But...
*fake yawn* So sleepy all of a sudden...
Argh! My back! I gotta lie down.
Get us a nice room.
C'mon.
*nods*
*nods*
Thanks, Lailah. For hanging out with me.
Don't mention it. I was thinking of coming up here and watching the city anyway.
So this is where Sorey's guidance has led us.
Indeed. I'm sure he is doing much the same, watching them and thinking about how far we've come.
Hahaha! Kinda like us, huh?
Well well, Edna coming to see me? Should I be scanning the skies for pigs?
I want you to tell me. Why were you killing hellions?
Heh. Where'd this come from? And why now?
Is it to save them? Did you make up your mind that it's something you have to do in order to save them... Like Sorey did?
Oh... I get it. You still haven't quite wrapped your head around the idea of death as a form of salvation. And so every time you've put it into words, it's been to convince YOURSELF.
*sighs, continues following Zaveid around town*
Edna is a smart woman. I imagine right now she's busying sorting out her feelings before we face our final battle. No doubt she's consulting Zaveid for guidance. He's seen more of the world than any of us. The good AND the bad.
You're really a good study of people. You shoulda been a schoolteacher!
*laughs, sits next to her* Oh! But, Rose, you had something you wanted to ask me, didn't you?
When the dragon appeared, Sorey found his answer right then and there, didn't he? It was that he didn't want that battlefield to see any further killing or bloodshed.
Yes. And then he immediately took the actions he deemed necessary in order to achieve that.
He's incredible.
Yeah.
I forget who said it. That there are as many emotions as stars in the sky. I can totally see that.
A metaphor for how each emotions sparkles in its own way, huh? Must've been a romantic who came up with that one.
But you can also sense his insecurities about that, can't you, Rose? Like he's constantly on edge, worrying that if he let his guard down even a little bit, he'd lose his way again.
I think Sorey himself might be the only one who doesn't see that. I mean, you know how little it takes for a taut string to go "snap", right?
Are you worried?
*shakes head* Mmmm... Not "worried", really. Whatever happens, whatever the future brings, I hope I can make it work somehow. No, I KNOW I can.
So that's your answer.
I guess so. But I've always been like this, ever since I was a kid.
I'm starting to understand why you don't generate malevolence.
So I want everyone not to worry, and to just go do what they need to do, pow! But I don't mean like "See ya! Have fun! I'll be over here!" I promise, I'm with the rest of you guys for the long haul!
*laughs* Don't you think it would be better to tell that to everyone, not just me?
Probably true...
Sheesh. You womenfolk sure are complicated. But then, that's part of the appeal!
Ugh... Are you just stupid?
Yup. Big ol' stupidhead. The type who can't do anything but believe in the one way he's found to get stuff done.
What makes you believe in it?
I just have a need to protect the pride of my friend and fellow seraphim. No one becomes a hellion because they want to. But when you turn into one... You know what that means, right? So that's why I end it for them. For the sake of their pride. *playfully nudges Edna's face*
And you think that saves them?
*begins walking away* Who knows? That's something they get to ponder after death, in their own personal afterlife.
Hmph. How gallant of you. So that must be what makes you so...
Ow, hey! Knock it off! Don't you all have one more thing you need to brace yourselves for?
It'll depend on what Sorey does with Maotelus after we take down Heldalf. But, you know what? That's all right. I'm prepared. No matter what he decides, I'm willing to accept it.
Gotta say, I think your resolve wins out over mine. I don't even know if I could do that. Just look on silently, while one of our own suffers in agony...
Well, I wouldn't worry too much about that. We're all in this together till the very end.
So if Zaveid's quivering in fear, you'll be there to give him a gentle hug, right?
Heh. *continues following her*
Well, if my saying something is enough to cheer those two up, it might be worth it after all.
It's enough to have someone to lend you a kind word... After all, that's what friends and comrades are for. But Rose, if you don't mind, may I ask what prompted you to bring all this up?
Hmm... I just kinda thought you and I might have been thinking about stuff along the same lines. I just wanted to tell you, you don't have to carry it all by yourself.
*gasps*
Huh? What? Did I say something funny?
We commit to things, we decide on what role we're going to play, without really consulting with anyone else...
Ohhh, now that you mention it... So that's why I felt like we might be sharing the same thoughts... We're the same! Independent women!
*laughs*
Rose, I must thank you. I feel like a great load has been taken off my mind.
Really? Hey, cool beans.
Awwww! Rose!
Hahahaha! All right, c'mon. We got some friends to cheer up!
Some stars you can't see. And because you can't see them, you think they're not shining. But they are.
It turned out there were a lot of stars that we couldn't see from our home in Elysia.
Once people notice the stars, they start to understand just how brilliantly they shine. Just like how Alisha finally got a sense of what seraphim were truly like the first time she heard your voices.
That was a trip. You should've seen your face.
I was really excited back then. It gave me hope that one day other humans might be able to talk to the seraphim.
But even then, you had to cut off your senses and hold your... *pauses* Oh, I see. You were actually contemplating what you'll do after the last battle.
Yeah. If I let myself become a vessel, for Maotelus, and shut off all my senses, we might be able to spread that power throughout the entire continent of Glenwood. If it works--and that's a big if--the Squire ought to be able to wield power like mine, even if she doesn't possess natural ability on par with a Shepherd.
So long as you entrusted all of your senses to the Squire, it's not out of the question. And we might be able to grow the ranks of Squires who could help us. Just think of Alisha. It's arguably a more constructive approach than just waiting for another Shepherd to appear.
Exactly.
But... You understand the implications, don't you?
*taps Mikleo on the shoulder* Yeah. Until the Squires can quell enough of the earth's malevolence to let Maotelus' natural purification take over... I would need to wait, and sleep.
By bonding with Maotelus, you'll be abandoned in time. It could take years... It could take centuries. And even if humans appear who can see and talk to seraphim... There's no guarantee they'll choose the path of coexistence.
I believe in them.
What about your dream? Weren't you going to go off exploring ruins around the world?
My dream will live on, so long as I don't forget.
You're, like...PROTOTYPICALLY stupid.
It's not so much that guys are stupid. It's just that the ladies are too smart.
What's that? Your philosophy?
Huh. Looks like the gang's all here.
I suppose you were all listening to us, then?
Yes.
I may not be Edna, but you really are...
Totally.
Huh? We're not waiting till morning?
No farewells to Alisha, or anyone?
So that every time I gaze up at the night sky, I can remember this very day.
Guess we've got our own romantic right here.
You think so?
So what's up? Are we going?
Yeah.
To the last battle.
Yeah.
All right then! No doubts! No regrets!
There's a skit at the save point that spawns outside Lastonbell, when you get dumped into Volgran Woods after that scene, but I didn't wanna kill the mood, y'know? See you next time, in the final act.