Paramina Rift

Fading Vale

Kiltias (on left): Beyond this rift you’ll find the holy mountain. Take each step one at a time, and you shall reach your destination.

Kiltias (on right): Mt. Bur-Omisace is to the northeast. Should you go south you’ll enter the rift… take care. Gods guide your path. Faram.

Refugee (talking with seeq): The Kiltias of Mt. Bur-Omisace took us in and treated us warmly. Thanks to their aid I’m well enough to return home now.

Refugee (blue seeq): When newcomers what can’t walk on their own arrive, I carry them up the mountain. I’m glad to help the Kiltias, any way I can.

Freezing Gorge

(As the party climbs the mountain, they see the refugees also make their way to Mt. Bur-Omisace.)

Balthier: Empires parade down city streets, while refugees walk barefoot through the snow.

Larsa: And so I sue for peace to stop short war and ease their suffering. My father will choose peace.

Balthier: Will he now? You sound sure of yourself. You can never know another, even your father.

[Balthier and others walk away; Vaan is left with Larsa.]

Vaan: Don’t take it the wrong way, okay?

[Larsa doesn’t respond.]

[Scene changes to Emperor’s audience room in Archadia.]

Vayne: This crisis would not end were I gone. The Senate hates the very fact that House Solidor exists. By necessity, we must find reason to silence them.

Gramis: Necessity? Ah yes, necessity. Does that word free you, I wonder? You show no hesitation to solve matters with blood.

Vayne: The sword of House Solidor cannot be left to rust in doubt. It was you, Excellency, who tempered that sword.

Gramis: Is this your idea of vengeance?

Vayne: It is my idea of necessity.

[Gramis grumbles frustratedly.]

Vayne: If we do not act now, it is not only our future you imperil.

Gramis: So you would dirty your hands, to keep his clean?

Vayne: My hands are stained with blood. I see little reason to stay them now.

Gramis: So they are. And so House Solidor lives on.

[Back to the party at Paramina Rift.]

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…

Travica Way & Ondore's Estate

Travica Way

Bhujerban Sainikah: His Excellency has given orders that you are to be granted an audience. You are prepared?

>Take me to him.

Then please come this way, bhadra.

>Decline.

Then, please come back when you are prepared.

Ashe: When Vossler learned my father had been killed the night of the treaty-signing, he returned to Rabanastre to aid my escape. There was still time before Vayne’s reach extended too far. We thought that you could protect me.

Ondore: However, when I made the announcement that you had taken your own life… I must have seemed a model citizen of the Empire. The announcement, you see, was Vayne’s suggestion. At the time, I was reluctant, but I could not perceive his reasons. Now it is clear: he meant to drive a wedge between us.

Ashe: Halim, we are past all this. Bhujerba must stand with us. We can stop Vayne.

Ondore: I once knew a girl whose only wish… was to be carried in her uncle’s arms. Your Majesty is a woman grown now.

Ashe: Then Bhujerba will aid me?

Ondore: Suppose for a moment that you were to defeat Vayne… What then? You cannot simply rebuild your kingdom with the only proof of your birthright stolen. The Gran-Kiltias on Bur-Omisace cannot recognize you as the rightful heir without it. You may yet be a princess, but without proof of your identity, you are powerless. You will remain with me. We will do nothing till the time is right.

Ashe: I cannot just wait!

Ondore: Then what does Your Majesty propose we do?

Ashe: Uncle Halim –

Balthier: Incidentally, what is the going rate for rescuing princesses these days? Food would be a good start – the good stuff, mind you.

Ondore: This can be arranged, though it will take some time.

Balthier: Time enough for a bath, I hope. Dirty business, you know. Ah, best bring a change of clothes too.

[As Balthier lists his demands, Ashe walks away as if in a daze, disappointed. The scene fades to black. Fade in again on the Strahl docked in the Marquis’s private hangar. The camera switches; we are looking from the point of view of someone seemingly sneak up on someone else who is sitting at the controls, messing with the buttons.]

Vaan: What are you doing? This is Balthier’s ship.

[Ashe, in the pilot’s seat, turns her head in his direction.]

Ashe: I’m going to retrieve the Dawn Shard. It’s the proof that I need. I know where it’s hidden. I’ll return his airship later.

Vaan: Are you crazy?

Ashe: This is something that I have to do! For myself and all those who have fallen. I will not be made to hide! I’ll fight alone, if I must.

Vaan: You still have Basch, right? Besides, you can’t just go around stealing people’s ships. What are you trying to do?

Ashe: I’m trying to concentrate!

Ondore(?): That’s quite enough, Your Majesty.

[Ashe and Vaan turn. Balthier stands in the doorway with a device, like a microphone of some sort, held up to his mouth.]

Balthier: What do you think? A bit over the top? In my line of work, you never know when something like this might come in handy. [in Ashe’s voice, over the device] I’m trying to concentrate!

[Pause, as Balthier approaches the two.]

Balthier: I’m leaving you with the Marquis.

Ashe: You can’t.

Balthier: Trust me, you’re better off staying here.

[Balthier turns to leave, but Ashe’s next words stop him in his tracks.]

Ashe: Suppose you kidnapped me instead? You’re a sky pirate, aren’t you? Then steal me. Is that so much to ask?

Balthier: What do you have that I would want?

Ashe: The Dynast-King’s treasure. The Dawn Shard is but one of the riches that lie waiting in King Raithwall’s tomb.

Balthier: [whistles and turns to face Ashe again] King Raithwall, you say?

[Suddenly Basch enters the bridge.]

Basch: Kidnapping royalty is a serious offense. It won’t do much to lower the bounty on your head.

Balthier: How much is the price on your head these days, I wonder?

Basch: [to Ashe] Allow me to escort you in Vossler’s place.

[Fran and Penelo also appear in the doorway.]

Fran: [to Vaan] Will you be joining us?

Vaan: What, are you kidding? I don’t wanna stick around this place.

[Penelo runs to take a seat immediately behind Vaan.]

Penelo: Then I’m coming too.

Vaan: Penelo?

Penelo: Don’t leave me here!

Vaan: [sighing] Of course not.

Fran: [to all] Then it’s settled. We should leave before the Marquis realizes she’s missing. Like proper kidnappers.

[The scene fades to black, then fades in again on a grand city.]

[Archadian Empire – The Imperial City of Archades]

[The view switches to a grand drawing room draped in the colors and insignia of the Empire. Emperor Gramis is having an audience with the same Judge in the horned helm who interrogated Basch and spoke to Vayne earlier.]

Gramis: Doctor Cid does this at Draklor?

Judge: I have confirmed he receives funds from Lord Vayne. His agency in the fall of Nabudis is also certain… yet, with Judge Zecht, who led the assault, missing… the truth remains difficult to ascertain.

Gramis: The long, cold years have clouded my eyes. I cannot see my own son’s heart.

[Suddenly, Gramis is taken by a coughing fit. The Judge appears concerned.]

Judge: My Lord.

Gramis: [recovering] This illness will claim me. So then, who is to be my successor? The Senate fears the capable peregrine Vayne. They prefer a young, fledgling emperor. [Pause] Gabranth. Once in the past, I laid siege to your homeland.

Judge Gabranth: The Republic of Landis is long since gone. My allegiance lies wholly with the Empire.

Gramis: Perhaps, but what of your brother? He did not accept us as you did. He fled to Dalmasca. Did you never think to follow him?

Gabranth: I follow his every move. He is an enemy of the Empire. He will be cut down.

Gramis: So you would kill even your own brother for the Empire. Be that as it may, Gabranth. Your ruthlessness is not without merit. But it must not become this way with Larsa. You must ensure that it does not.

Gabranth: So then, you ask me to be his sword, to strike where he might not?

Gramis: Rather be his shield. Gabranth, keep your close watch on Vayne. His is the keenest blade of all.

Gabranth: My Lord.

Gramis: Do this for me, Gabranth. I could not – I could not bear… to see my sons war with each other again.

[Scene fades to black.]