The Imperial City of Archades
The Senate

Gregoroth

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.

Senator A

Were Rozarria to invade, the battle would be hard – fought.
Had Lord Vayne not deployed the fleet so capriciously…we would not now find ourselves in such perilous circumstance.

Senator C

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 C

A most lamentable situation for us all.

Senator B

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 A

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 B

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 C

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.

Ashe…

The Royal City of Rabanastre
Four Days After the Sinking of LEVIATHAN

Basch

So it was the Dawn Shard that 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.
At the time of (During) the invasion, a division of Imperials entered the city – there was a mighty explosion.
Friend and foe died alike.
Something was there – on 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 this 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 –

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 menaces.

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.

Ashe

This?
Isn’t there something else?

Balthier

No one’s forcing you.

Vaan

What do you mean “something more valuable”?

Balthier

Hard to say.
I’ll know when I find it.

Vaan

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

Muthru Bazaar

Basch

The garif are said to dwell in Kerwon.

Balthier

So they do. We’ll need to head south, past the Giza Plains.

Basch

It is the Rains now in Giza – the wadis will be swollen with the deluge.
Passage may be difficult.

Balthier

But those same waters may also lay open new routes to us.

Ashe

Regardless, we must go south, yes?

Balthier

First things first. You’re eager to be on your way, I know…but we should see that we’re prepared before setting out.

Ashe

I made my resolve two years ago.
I swore to overcome any hardship I may face.

Balthier

Man cannot live by resolve alone, Princess.

Jahara – Land of the Garif

Banks of the Sogoht

Garif Warrior

Who are you? This is garif land. No place for hume-children to play at games.

???

They are wayfarers. They bring no harm.
I saw them cross the Ozmone Plain. They are warriors of great distinction. The fiends of the plains troubled them not at all.

Garif Warrior

You ventured upon the plains alone, War-chief?
Again?

Garif War-chief

…
…What business have you with the garif?
Let them pass. The responsibility will be mine.

Garif Warrior

If this is your wish, War-chief.
Then, you may pass. These days see many humes wandering through our lands.

Lull of the Land

War-chief
Supinelu

Ah, I have not made introductions. I am Supinelu, War-chief of this village.
We garif have been friends to all since long ago, however, lately the hume world is in much turmoil. We must protect our village, and our people.
As War-chief, and protector of our village, I ask you: Why have you come to this land?
Hmm…I see. So you too have come to ask about the nethicite. You must speak with the elders.
Though our masks may make it difficult for you to tell us apart, walk through the village and look with your eyes, listen with your ears.

High-chief
Zayalu

Oh? What is this? More humes come to visit us? A little bigger this time, but no matter.
You need not tell me anything. I know you have come to our village to learn of the Stones, the nethicite.
We garif have knowledge of this, passed down from father to son, mother to daughter. Some of it remains, some has been lost in history’s sands…
I…know nothing of the Stones.
You must speak to the Great-chief. He alone holds the deep knowledge of these things. He alone remembers all the tellings.
Cross the bridge to the north, and there you will find him. There are watchers at the bridge, so I think it best to speak with War-chief Supinelu.
…May I ask of you a favor? Give this to War-chief Supinelu, from me.
There is no rush. When you next happen to meet him, you may give it to him then.
May you find all the answers you seek.

War-chief
Supinelu

The High-chief has given this…to me?
I shall receive it. I thank you for bringing it to me. Now, did you learn what you wished?
No, do not tell me. It is written clear upon your face. So, even the High-chief could not help.
Then, you must meet with the Great-chief.

Vaan

I would meet this Great-chief.

War-chief
Supinelu

Yes…It is true. The Great-chief may know something that would aid you. Yet, arranging an audience may be quite difficult…

Ashe

I must learn more about the nethicite. I cannot turn back now.
Please, tell your Great-chief that I am of the royal line of Dalmasca, a direct descendant of Dynast-King Raithwall.
If the garif have passed down knowledge of the Stones, they must know of the nethicite that the Dynast-King once held.

War-chief
Supinelu

Do you have proof of your heritage?

Ashe

I…I do not.

War-chief
Supinelu

Hrm…
I have looked into your eyes and seen that you speak the truth, hume-child. I give you my trust. The Great-chief is ahead, across this bridge.

The Elderknoll

Garif Warrior

The Great-chief is ahead. Will you meet with him?

Vaan

Meet with the Great-chief.

Uball-ka

This nethicite –
You have used it.

Ashe

It was not I who used it.
Indeed I had hoped you could show me how. Thus I’ve come.

Uball-ka

You do not know the workings of the Stone.
Then we are no different.

Ashe

What?

Uball-ka

In ages past, the gods made a gift of nethicite to my people.
But the manner of its use eluded us.
Displeased by our failure, the gods took back their Stones.
They chose instead to give them to a hume king.
Called the Dynast-King, he used the nethicite’s power to bring peace to a troubled time.
It is a curious thing.
Though the blood of Raithwall flow through your veins, you cannot wield nethicite.

Ashe

Cannot wield it?
So then, am I to understand you can’t tell me how to use the Stone?

Uball-ka

Though it shame me so to admit.
Here before me stands a descendant of the Dynast-King himself…and I can accord her no help at all.
Still, even if you knew how to use the nethicite, you would find it of small avail.
The Mist collected in the Stone over ages past is lost, and with it the Stone’s power.
It will be your posterity who wield the Stone in ages yet to come.
This Stone is devoid of power.
Empty, yet full of thirst.
A terrible longing to drink the world dry.
The power of men, and of magick.
Of good, and of evil.
It is often those who desire nethicite whom the nethicite itself desires.

Ashe

Larsa?

Ashe…

Ashe

To Bur-Omisace?

Larsa

I say we ought leave tomorrow.
I was going to wait for my escort to return, but meeting you here presents a great opportunity.
This terrible war can be stopped, but I will need your help to do so.

Ashe

A war?

Larsa

You know the Marquis Ondore leads a group of insurgents –
Your pardon, he leads a large resistance force against the Empire.
Lady Ashe, neither of our countries can afford this now.
The Rozarrian Empire would stir.
They would aid the Resistance and use this aid as a pretext to declare war on Archadia…and Archadia would have no choice but to answer.
Lady Ashe, let us go to Bur-Omisace.
With the blessing of His Grace the Gran Kiltias Anastasis…you may rightly wear your crown, and declare the restoration of the Kingdom of Dalmasca.
As Queen, you can call for peace between the Empire and Dalmasca…and stop Marquis Ondore.

Ashe

For peace?
How dare you say that!
The Empire attacked us, stole all we hold dear…and you would have me save them from war?

Larsa

Dalmasca would be the battlefield!
What if nethicite were used on Rabanastre?
You know my brother would do this!
Forgive me, I presumed overmuch.
I could think of no other way to avoid bloodshed.
If you cannot trust me, then please, take me as your hostage.

Ashe

Rasler.

Vaan

You saw him, didn’t you.
Like at the king’s tomb.

Ashe

So you did see him, too.
But why?

Vaan

It’s strange.
Before, I didn’t even know what you looked like.
And the Prince –
I barely knew there was a prince.
Who knows?
Maybe the person I saw was my brother.

Ashe

Basch told me about him.

Vaan

He enlisted, right at the end.
But for what?
He knew we couldn’t win.

Ashe

To protect something.

Vaan

How can he protect anything when he’s dead?
Was it different for Prince Rasler?
Did that make sense?
Hating the Empire, getting revenge.
It’s all I ever thought about.
But I never did anything about it.
I mean, I realized there was nothing I could do.
It made me feel hollow, alone.
And then I’d miss my brother.
I’d say stuff like “I’m gonna be a sky pirate” …or some other stupid thing.
Just anything to keep my mind off it.
I was just –
I was running away.
I needed to get away from his death.
That’s why I followed you.
Know what?
I’m through with it.
I’m through running.
I’m ready to find my purpose.
To find some real answers – some reasons.
If I stick with you, I think I will.
I wish I knew.
I’ll find ’em.

Ashe

I will accompany you to Mt Bur-Omisace.

Larsa

I had hoped you’d say yes.
I am glad.

Ashe

My heart is not set.
I still have questions.
I hope to find answers along the way.

Larsa

I had other reason to invite you.
There is someone I’d like you to meet waiting on Bur-Omisace.

Ashe

Who is that?

Larsa

An enemy, and an ally also.
You will just have to wait and see for yourself.

Vaan

That Larsa likes his secrets.

Ashe

He does not mean ill by it.

Vaan

He’s not bad.
At least for an Imperial.

Basch

Holy Mt Bur-Omisace stands at the northern end of the Jagd Ramooda.
Once we’re in Jagd, we need not fear pursuit by their airships.

Balthier

Don’t get your hopes up.
You remember the Leviathan sailed straight over the Jagd Yensa, right up to Raithwall’s tomb.
Skystone that works even in jagd.
You know nethicite’s behind it.
Little wonder they’re so keen on the stuff.

Basch

And what is it you’re after, Balthier?
You’re a welcome hand, and a great aid, but why?

Balthier

Worried I’m out to steal the nethicite, eh?
Can’t say I’m unaccustomed to people doubting my intentions.
Nothing could be further from my mind.
Shall I swear by your sword or some such?

Basch

Apologies.
But I needed to know where you stand.
Her Majesty depends on you.
And you seemed to have an interest in the Stone.

Balthier

I’m only here to see how the story unfolds.
Any self-respecting leading man would do the same.

Lull of the Land

War-chief
Supinelu

So, you will leave.
Take this as a token of our parting.
If you would ride a chocobo, you may. I have spoken with the Moogle. She will not charge you for your first use of the chocobos.
Take care on the road ahead. Should it lead back to our land, you are welcome guests, Spirits of the land watch over you.

Ozmone Plain

Sunlit Path

Vaan

I guess this one was success.

Penelo

Wow, I’m impressed, Vaan.

Vaan

I got a good feeling.

Basch

And an alliance between Dalmasca and the Empire?

Ashe

Reason tells me ‘tis the only course. We must avoid war with the Empire at all cost.
Yet I fear I could not bear the shame.
Had I but the strength –

Basch

A shame perhaps for me and for you.
But for Dalmasca it is hope!

Ashe

And you can just accept this, can you?

Basch

After Vayne’s ruse I had abandoned hope for honor…yet never did I forget my knightly vows.
If I could protect but one person from war’s horror…then I would bear any shame.
I would bear it prouly.
I could not defend my home.
What is shame to me?

Ashe

My people hate the Empire.
They will not accept this.

Basch

There is hope.

Vaan

All right.

Penelo

Don’t encourage–

Basch

Hope for a future where we can join hands as brothers.

Vaan

Larsa, please, this is serious.

Larsa

Oh, oh, I’m ... I’m sorry.

Penelo

Don’t be Larsa, someone has to put him in his place.

The Imperial City of Archades
The Imperial Palace

Bergan

The Senate may play at intrigue, but Lord Vayne will not be brought down easily.
The entire military waits upon his orders, from the War Council to the rank and file.
What better blade than he to strike down the enemies of the Empire?

Drace

Your Honor reminds me of Zecht two years since.
He, too, put his trust in Lord Vayne’s strength, and what became of him?
Gone without a trace since Nabudis!

Bergan

I will not hear you malign Judge Zecht!
He was a noble warrior.
Or…do you think his trust in Lord Vayne ill-placed?

Drace

Vayne took two of his own brothers’ lives.
He is ruthless beyond contempt.

Bergan

Ruthless, you say?
Would he were more so!
He gives traitors no quarter, be they of his own blood!
How fitting for one who would bear the burden of Empire.

Drace

But could we bear him?
Zargabaath, what of you?
Surely you do not believe…his brothers were traitors.

Zargabaath

So found His Excellency, Lord Gramis.
You would do well to mind your tongue, Drace.
That matter is long past.

Gabranth

Your Honors, a summons!
Lord Vayne has arrived at the palace.

Zargabaath

We come at once.

Drace

Lord Larsa has left for Bur-Omisace.
He hopes to enlist the aid of the Gran Kiltias in stopping the insurgents.
I doubt this will be enough to deter Ondore…but even a slight hinderance to his operations would be welcome.
This will delay the Rozarrian invasion…and we will have bought much-needed time to shore up our defenses.

Gabranth

Just as His Excellency had hoped.

Drace

No matter the result, I am pleased with the young Lord’s progress.
I have (can) already seen the stunned faces of those mud-witted senators.
The fools think a child emperor’s strings easy to pull from the shadows…but they will find that Lord Larsa is no puppet.

Gabranth

Yes. The senators would be most pleased with a puppet for an emperor.
Recall, Drace, how the Senate fears and despises Lord Vayne’s ability?
When they realize the truth, that Lord Larsa is no docile a lamb to be shepherded…they will bare their teeth and devour him.

Drace

You’re right.
I shall speak on this matter with His Excellency at once.
Gabranth.
It falls to us to protect Lord Larsa.
Are we agreed?

Gabranth

Aye.

Golmore Jungle

The Needlebrake

Vaan

What is it?

Fran

The jungle denies us our passage.

Ashe

What have we done?

Fran

We? No.
I.

Vaan

What’s that mean?
How’re we supposed to get through that?

Balthier

Making an appearance?

Fran

I am.

Balthier

I thought you’d left for good.

Fran

Our choices are few.

Vaan

Fran? Balthier!

Fran

This is as much for you as it is me.

Balthier

Oh?

Fran

You are ill at ease.
The nethicite troubles you?
You’ve let your eyes betray your heart.

Balthier

Right.

Vaan

What are you doing?

Fran

Soon you will learn.
We go to seek aid of the viera who dwell ahead.

Penelo

I bet they’ll be glad to see you after so long.

Fran

I am unwelcome.
An unsought guest in their wood.

Eruyt Village

Road of Verdant Praise

Fran

In the village ahead you will find her: Mjrn.
Bring her to me.
She will know why you call her.

Fane of the Path

Vaan

Hey, Mjrn lives here, doesn’t she?
We’re here to see her.

Jote

You will leave at once.
It is not allowed for humes to walk on these grounds.

Vaan

We’ll go as soon as we’ve seen Mjrn.

Jote

If you can find her.

Vaan

We’re not leaving until you let us see her.
Fine then.
We’ll look for her ourselves.

Fran

I’ve heard the voice of the Wood.
She says Mjrn is not in the village.
Jote. Where has she gone?

Jote

Why do you ask?
The Wood tells us where she has gone.
Or…can you not hear Her?
You cannot.
Your ears are dull from hearing their harsh speech, I think.
Viera who have abandoned the Wood are viera no longer.
Mjrn, too, has left Her embrace.

Balthier

And you forsake them in turn?

Jote

It is the will of the village.
Viera must live always with the Wood.
So is the Green Word, and so is our law.

Vaan

We’ll let you worry about keeping your laws.
Just do us a favor and stay out of our way.
We’ll find her ourselves.

Jote

Our sister has left the Wood and gone west.
She wanders warrens among men who hide themselves in clothes of cold iron.
Thus to me has the Wood spoken.

Fran

The viera may begin as part of the Wood, but the wood (it) is not the only end that we may choose.

Jote

The same words I heard 50 years ago.

Road of Verdant Praise

Balthier

Not bad, Vaan.
Didn’t think we’d get any information out of that one.
So then, what was she saying about men in a warren?

Larsa

The Henne Magicite Mines – maybe that’s what she meant.
They lie in Bancour, south of the Ozmone Plain.
The entire region is a colony of the Archadian Empire.
They would be soldiers.

Balthier

Is that a problem?
Let’s move.

Vaan

Fran!

Fran

Yes?

Vaan

I was wondering – what Jote said, you know?
About how you said the same thing 50 years ago?

Fran

Your point?

Vaan

How old were you again?

Balthier

Nice, Vaan.

Larsa

Surprisingly rude.

Penelo

Try to grow up, please.

Ozmone Plain

Sunlit Path

Imperial

T-Traveler…have you a potion on you?
My friend is badly wounded…I fear that, untreated…he’ll die.
Please, just on potion…

Vaan

[Give him a potion.]

Imperial

Thank you, thank you! I’m in your debt…
Thanks to you, my friend’s life is saved.
We are in your debt, sir.
We fled here from the Henne Mines. We were attacked, you see…It was all we could do to make it this far.
We’ll rest here until my friend’s wounds have had a chance to heal. If you like, we could lend you the use of a chocobo until then.
There’s a lot of terrain around here which can’t be accessed without a chocobo. You let me know when you need one.
Need a chocobo?

Vaan

[Borrow one.]

Imperial

Right. On your way, then. Oh, and you do know that some paths are only accessible by chocobo, right?
A sure sign that such a path is nearby is the presence of chocobo footprints.
Keep that in mind, and you won’t go wrong.
The chocobo paths on these plains take you close to the entrance to the Henne Mines…which I’d stay away from, were I you.

The Shred

Larsa

Researchers from the Draklor Laboratory.
What were they doing here?

Balthier

Research.

Henne Mines

Staging Shaft

Larsa

Look at the magicite. These mines much resemble the ones at Lhusu.
Of course. Draklor must be searching for new sources of ore.
Should the Resistance forces move, the rich vein magicite in Bhujerba will be forever beyond their grasp.

Fran

Is it her?
What is this Mist?
Mjrn!

Mjrn

The stench of humes.
The stench of power.

Ashe

What’s wrong with her?

Mjrn

Stay away!
Power-needy hume!

Ore Separation

Vaan

That thing in side her.
What was it?

Mjrn

Is it you?
When the hume soldiers came to the Wood, the village took small heed of them.
So long as the Wood Herself is safe on harm, the viera give little care to goings on beyond her.
But in me an uneasiness stirred.
I had to discover why they had come.

Balthier

So you came here hoping to find something out, and got yourself caught.
You’re as foolhardy as your sister.

Mjrn

They took me then, and set close beside me a stone.
They said its Mist would be drawn into me, that the viera well suited this end.
I saw the light coming from the stone, and then –

Fran

We have seen this.
On Leviathan, the Mist from the Dawn Shard drove me, too, into such a rage.
She was taken not by the Dawn Shard.

Larsa

Manufacted nethicite.
Then that means – Penelo, the stone I gave you, do you still carry it with you?

Penelo

Sure, it’s right here.

Larsa

This is a thing more dangerous again than I had imagined.
I should never have given it to you.
Forgive me, I did not know.

Penelo

I’d always thought of it as a sort of good luck charm.
And even if it is dangerous, on Leviathan it kept us safe.

Ashe

There is a place for all things, even danger such as this.

Vaan

I hope you’re right about that.

Eruyt Village

Fane of the Path

Jote

I heard the Wood’s whispers.
Take it.
Lente’s Tear is a permission.
Pass through the Wood and leave.
To other places go.

Mjrn

That cannot be all!
I saw it when I left the village!
Ivalice is changing!
How can the viera stand and do nothing at all?

Jote

Ivalice is for the humes.
The Wood alone is for us.

Mjrn

But that is wrong!
How can we just hide here in the trees when all the world outside is on the move!
I, too, wish to live freely –
To leave this Wood!

Fran

Do not do this.
You must remain away from the humes.
Stay with the Wood.
Live together with the Wood.
This is your way.

Mjrn

But Fran – my sister!

Fran

I am no longer of you.
I have discarded Wood and village.
I won my freedom. Yet my past has been cut away forever.
No longer can my ears hear the Green Word.
This…solitude, you want, Mjrn?

Mjrn

Sister –

Fran

No, Mjrn. Only one sister remains to you now.
You must forget my existence.

Jote

I am sorry to make you do this.

Fran

She goes against the laws of the Wood.
I threw down these laws.
It is better that I do this.
Better I than one who must uphold these laws herself.
I have a request:
Listen to the Wood’s voice for me.
I fear –
I fear She hates.

Jote

The Wood longs for you.
For the child gone from under Her boughs.

Fran

A pleasant lie, that.

Jote

Be cautious.
The Wood is jealous of the humes who have taken you.

Fran

I am as them, now.
Am I not?
Good-bye, sister.