The Archadian Senate & Rabanastre, Four Days Later

[The Imperial City of Archades – The Senate]

Senator 1: The Rozarrian Empire assembles a vast host under guise of martial exercises. It is our belief they wait for the proper pretext… the sooner to make their strike against Archadia. The loss of Leviathan and her fleet at such a time comes as a most grievous blow. Were Rozarria to invade, the battle would be hard-fought. Had Lord Vayne not deployed the fleet so capriciously… we would not find ourselves in such perilous circumstance.

Senator 2: Lord Vayne shall be made to answer for his actions. It is the will of the Senate. Excellency, though he be your son, justice must be served.

Gramis: A convenient thing, justice. And so I must now make a choice… between my throne, and my son.

Senator 2: A most lamentable situation for us all.

Senator 3: Oh? For Lord Vayne, perhaps, yet surely Lord Larsa will make for a fine emperor.

Gramis: Larsa so adores his brother, and he is yet young.

Senator 1: But he will not remain young forever. Already he busies himself unraveling Lord Vayne’s tangled skein. Lord Larsa has found his role to play, and pursues it with some enthusiasm.

Gramis: Ah, yes… And who would set him at such tasks?

Senator 3: What matter? Lord Vayne himself once saw his elder brothers brought to like justice, did he not? At Your Excellency’s behest, as I recall.

Senator 2: You may put yourself at ease, Lord Gramis. So long as the Senate watches over her… Archadia’s well-being will ever be ensured.

Gramis: By your will. I shall bid Vayne return to Archades. 

[In a location we've previously not seen - the Nabreus Deadlands - Ashe stands on a dock looking out over the water. She turns to see Rasler's apparition again. He approaches her, and places the Dawn Shard in her hands. She watches as he fades away once more. When he is gone, Vaan appears, and they share a glance.]

[The scene changes once more to show Ashe, Basch, Balthier, Fran, Penelo, and Vaan all gathered together in a room somewhere in Rabanastre.] 

[The Royal City of Rabanastre – Four Days After the Sinking of Leviathan]

Basch: So it was the Dawn Shard which brought down the Imperial fleet.

Balthier: You know your stuff.

Basch: Destructive power of such force – I’ve seen it once before. Lady Ashe, you know of what I speak.

Ashe: Nabudis.

Basch: The capital of Old Nabradia – Lord Rasler’s fatherland. During the invasion, a division of Imperials entered the city – there was a mighty explosion. Friend and foe died alike. Something was there – one of the Dynast-King’s relics. The Midlight Shard was in Nabradia.

Balthier: More nethicite. Well, no wonder they invaded.

Ashe: That ridiculous war, the trap at the treaty-signing – all because Vayne wanted power. He must not be allowed to claim the nethicite. The Empire must never hold it.

Balthier: Oh? They already do. The Dusk Shard, most likely the Midlight Shard, too. Besides, can’t they manufact nethicite now?

Ashe: Very well, then the path set before us is clear. We’ll use the Dawn Shard to fight them! Dalmasca does not forget kindness nor ill deed done. With sword in hand she aids her allies. Sword in hand, she lays to rest her foes. This nethicite I hold must be my sword. I will avenge those who have died. And the Empire will know remorse.

Vaan: You even know how to use it?

Ashe: I – 

[Ashe sighs in frustration.]

Fran: The garif may know. The garif people live by the old ways. Magicite lore is a part of their culture. They may hear it. The cry of the nethicite’s power. Whispers of the Stone’s menace.

Ashe: Dangerous though it be, what we need now is power. Should we declare Dalmasca free without the means to defend our claim… the Empire would crush us. You must take me to meet with the garif.

Fran: They live beyond Ozmone Plain.

Balthier: Not exactly close.

Ashe: Compensation – is that what you want?

Balthier: Straight to the point, aren’t we. I like that. Compensation? How about the ring. 

[He points to the wedding ring on her finger.]

Ashe: This? Isn’t there something else?

Balthier: No one’s forcing you. 

[Grudgingly, Ashe turns to set the Dawn Shard on the table so she can take the ring off. She drops it into Balthier's outstreteched hand regretfully.]

Balthier: I’ll give it back to you. As soon as I find something more valuable. 

[Ashe turns away sharply at his words.]

Vaan: What do you mean “something more valuable”?

Balthier: Hard to say. I’ll know when I find it. What is it you want, Vaan? What are you looking for? 

[Vaan stands and wrings his hands as they all file out the door.]

Vaan: Me? What am I looking for? Well, I guess – well, I – you know…