=== Chapter 18 The Cold Voyage === (Route to Elusia) Having learned the truth about Veyle, the party heads to Elusia, where the Fell Dragon waits. --- OP --- [Sombron] Veyle gave the Ring of the Holy Knight to the Divine Dragon... [Zephia] Apologies, my lord. [Sombron] The Ring of Azure Twins lost as well. Twice my Four Hounds failed me. You do understand the gravity of all this. [Zephia] Yes. [Sombron] And Veyle? [Zephia] Still in a deep slumber. No matter how much I amplify her draconic impulses, she won't awaken. [Sombron] She refuses her true nature... In that case, take this. [Zephia] Ah... What is it? [Sombron] An enchanted helmet. It will strengthen the spell you cast on her. My power, with your spell, will correct what is wrong with Veyle. [Zephia] I see. [Sombron] Keep it safe. Use it when the time is right. [Zephia] Of course. As you will it. There is...something else I would like to discuss. [Sombron] What? [Zephia] Pardon me, Lord Sombron, but... Lady Veyle is your only child, correct? [Sombron] My only living child. [Zephia] Yes. [Sombron] That is correct. [Zephia] Of course. I was speaking from fear, not fact. Forgive me. [Sombron] Why ask such a thing? [Zephia] Veyle believes one of her siblings is alive. I thought it best to raise with you. She spoke of an unbroken dragonstone. [Sombron] Hmm. [Zephia] But she must be mistaken. We both know the truth. Your children were killed in the war a thousand years ago. All but Veyle. I remember one who stood above the rest, with hair and eyes like fire. What was the name again? Something like... [Sombron] Zephia. [Zephia] My lord. [Sombron] I do not remember all my children's names or faces. But that one I killed myself. [Zephia] Yes. [Sombron] Moments later, I was imprisoned. Did you collect the body? [Zephia] I... I did not. [Sombron] Then I rescind what I said. [Zephia] ... [Sombron] The answer is no. And if you find that offspring...bring me a corpse this time. [Zephia] Yes, Lord Sombron. As you wish. [Alear] Thanks for arranging this ship for us, Alfred. [Alfred] Thank my mother, not me. When I said we were headed to Elusia, she got one of the fleet's finest lined up. [Alear] How was everything at the capital? [Alfred] Well enough. There haven't been any attacks since we left for Brodia. [Alear] What a relief. [Alfred] I told Mother what the other side's been up to. How they're after "sovereign blood." She was shocked, of course, to hear about King Morion and King Hyacinth. [Alear] Understandably so. [Alfred] As for the destruction at Florra Port, the royal family will spare no expense on aid. Though it may be years before the harbor is returned to its original beauty. [Alear] We must defeat the Fell Dragon so that such horrors never happen again. [Diamant] What's our plan? When we arrive, do we head straight for Elusia Castle? [Alear] First, we should try to learn what we can from the Elusian people. Rings or no rings, if we don't know what we're up against, we could lose everything. Besides...there's something I need to find out. [Diamant] And what's that? [Alear] Whether Veyle is all right. [Diamant] Hm. From our vantage, the Hounds certainly didn't seem pleased. [Diamant] [Ivy] They may attempt to erase her personality. If anyone can do it, that woman can. [Alear] I know Veyle killed my mother. Nothing we've learned changes that. But I can't help but worry about her. I hope she's not hurt. [Alfred] Yes, I suppose she's a victim in this too. And she did risk her neck to give us the ring. [Alfred] [Timerra] Or it was all an act, and she's just gaining our trust to stab us in the back. Again. [Ivy] [Diamant] That's worth considering. We don't know enough to rule anything out. [Alear] Still...I want to trust her. [Vander] Divine One, excuse me. Two ships flying Elusian colors approach from ahead. [Alear] Any sign of the Hounds? [Vander] None. However...it appears the enemy intends to attack us. [Alear] Then we've got no choice but to fight them on the water. Prepare for battle, everyone! [Lindon] Since the king's death, my country has become something unrecognizable. Elusia's armies serve Elusia no longer, but the Hounds... Is this truly what I'm meant to do? [Alfred] We're fighting on two fronts. Good news is, the ship's got flame cannons that'll set fires and slow down the enemy. Be careful, though. Wouldn't want our allies to get caught in the blaze. --- ED --- [Alear] Elusia is in sight. [Ivy] So...I've returned. [Alear] Are you all right? [Ivy] Whatever has become of Elusia, I'll still do what I must. Givre Port is a little farther north. I suggest sailing there. [Alear] Understood. [Ivy] It's near the castle and the cathedral, so we should be able to gather intel there. I will inform the others of our destination. [Ivy] [Hortensia] [Alear] ... Marth, Celica, Micaiah, Roy... We've returned without you. But we'll get you back this time. Just hang on. [Sigurd] Elusia... A return, then, to the land where we were separated from our fellow Emblems. [Lucina] If reunited, we can at last grant the power we offer once every thousand years. [Sigurd] We should discuss our...other option. That is, the far greater power only we know about. [Lucina] [Eirika] Yes, of course. The miracle. We could use that power at long last. I would suggest...Lumera. [Sigurd] [Ike] I don't like this idea. We shouldn't perform the miracle. We have to think of the future. [Eirika] [Lyn] I agree. The whole future. We can't favor anyone with it now. [Ike] [Leif] Favor someone? We're talking about Lumera. We can prevent a tragedy. [Lyn] [Corrin] Please, those of us who were scattered in other lands are still learning all that's happened. [Corrin] [Byleth] Some of us were at her castle. Some were not. It's natural to see things differently. So, we are not all in agreement. At least, at present. [Leif] [Lucina] Using our power every thousand years is one thing. The miracle, we've never used it before. Never in all of existence... [Byleth] [Sigurd] The cost of doing so is not small. Perhaps we should never, ever use it. Hmm... Of course, we are not all here. What might the others think? What might they decide? --- EV --- [Thief] Hehehe, they're nice and distracted. Don't mind me, chumps─I'm just here for the treasure! --- MOVIE --- --- BT --- [Lindon] Death does not frighten me. I know my wife awaits me on the other side. " [Elusian Soldier] * [Elusian Soldier] [Elusian Soldier] [Boss] I have my orders. You will not survive this battle. " [Elusian Soldier] 0 [Elusian Soldier] [Elusian Soldier] [Boss] You betrayed us! [Lindon] I fight to restore Elusia. You fight for its decline. Which of us is truly on the wrong side? " [Elusian Soldier] ( [Elusian Soldier] [Elusian Soldier] [Boss] I deserve...no less... --- DIE --- [Lindon] Perhaps my fighting years are behind me. Time to retreat. [Lindon] This life was more than enough... My love... I am on my way...