=== Chapter 21 The Return ===

(Lythos Castle)
Having learned a harsh truth from
Griss, the party pursues the Fell
Dragon to Lythos Castle.

--- OP ---


[Mauvier]
Our ship is docked here.
[Alear]
Thank you for escorting us.

[Marni]
Mauvier! All ready, like you asked! Feel free to
tell me how great I am! Wait a minute.
What's the Divine Dragon doing here?!
[Alear]
Marni?
[Marni]
What do you want?! We don't have any
more rings!
[Mauvier]
There are circumstances that require we travel
together to Lythos.
[Marni]
Huh?!
[Mauvier]
Divine Dragon. After Marni and I lost the rings,
Zephia disciplined us...to an unjust extreme.
So, on my honor, I will not betray you once
at sea. I will deliver you safely to Lythos.
Will you trust me?
[Alear]
I will. Take us to Lythos.
[Marni]
What?! Why would you help them?! They're
not our friends. They're enemies!
[Mauvier]
The Divine Dragon should meet with
Lady Veyle.
[Alear]
We have no reason to fight. As long as you
don't start trouble.
[Marni]
I know a threat about not threatening people
when I hear one. Mauvier! What's happening?!
[Mauvier]
You will hear details once we're aboard. If that
is unsatisfactory, then you may remain here.
[Marni]
Hey! What?! Fine! Fine. OK?
Temporary truce until I get back to Zephia
and the others in Lythos.
[Mauvier]
So be it. Let us go, Divine Dragon.
[Alear]
OK.



[Marni]
You're Lord Sombron's child?! What?!
[Alear]
Yes.
[Marni]
So that means...you're the sibling Lady Veyle
has been looking for all along?!
And that's why we're headed to Lythos...
Hang on. Does Griss know about this?
[Alear]
He's the one who told me.
[Mauvier]
Griss picked a fight at Elusia Castle to verify the
truth, even surrendering a ring to do so.
[Marni]
What?! Nobody told me that was the plan!
[Alear]
Why are Sombron and Veyle going to Lythos?
[Mauvier]
It's about Gradlon, the Fell Dragon's land lost
under the sea. He intends to restore it.

[Vander]
To restore that unholy land?! My word.
[Alear]
What more do you know about this, Vander?
[Vander]
Gradlon sank beneath the waves one thousand
years ago.
It was, of course, Sombron's land.
Gradlon was a wicked place─one as much
as Lythos is holy.
[Vander]
[Mauvier]
To raise and revive it, Sombron needs to
destroy the Divine Dragon Shard in Lythos.
That shard is what chains Gradlon beneath the
waves. Lord Sombron finds it...problematic.
[Alear]
So, you're saying that Sombron's greatest
desire...is to restore Gradlon?
[Mauvier]
Far from it. His desire─if such a word is fitting
for Lord Sombron─is to invade other worlds.
[Alear]
Other worlds?!
[Mauvier]
The continent of Elyos is only a stepping-stone.
He plans to extend himself─everywhere.
[Alear]
There are other worlds, and he wants to rule
them all. How is that even possible?
[Mauvier]
I'm well beyond what I know for certain. Lord
Sombron has shared little of this with me.
I can say Lady Veyle is a pawn in service of
his greater ambitions.
[Alear]
Please, tell me anything more you know.
I've heard that Veyle's called a defect. What
does that even mean?
[Mauvier]
Well, as a start, dragon royalty should be able to
summon Emblems. She cannot.
Lord Sombron learned this recently, soon after
his revival, when reunited with Lady Veyle.
His children all fought in the war. But she, his
youngest, never saw battle─or any Emblems.
[Alear]
She told me we met once, all that time ago.
[Mauvier]
You were among her many siblings. They all,
in time, died fighting in the war.
All...save for you.
[Alear]
...
[Mauvier]
Then Sombron was imprisoned and Lady
Veyle's mother died, leaving her alone.
She could find no friends in an age when it was
rumored a last Fell Dragon child had survived.
Lady Veyle lived in hiding, knowing that─were
she discovered─she would be killed.
[Alear]
A thousand years, living like that... All alone
that whole time?
[Mauvier]
Not exactly. A few centuries ago, she came into
contact with worshippers of the Fell Dragon...
In their care, she slept in a hidden temple─until
Lord Sombron's release.
She had been, long ago, close with those in
that temple. But when she recently awoke...
[Alear]
They were all dead, weren't they...
[Mauvier]
So, Lady Veyle was relieved, even overjoyed,
to find herself reunited with Lord Sombron.
He detested her and proclaimed her a defect
lacking a Fell Dragon's abilities and character.
Sombron required her obedience, however, so
he ordered Zephia to tamper with her nature.
Lady Veyle may have thought she was no longer
alone, but she's never been more so...ever.
[Alear]
How awful...
[Marni]
...
[Mauvier]
What is it, Marni? Is it the waves? Are
you seasick?
[Marni]
No! I'm trying not to cry! But...I never knew
Lady Veyle's life was so sad.
I thought I was the one with the tragic story.
I should've maybe been nicer to her, probably.
[Mauvier]
You have never told me of your past, Marni.
[Marni]
I mean, you know, happens all the time... I was
just abandoned by my mom, that's all.
I had a lot─a lot─of brothers, and she decided
she didn't need a girl.
Which is weird since I was way superior to
those useless jerks, even back then...
I mean, I was better at helping her, but she
never said thank you or good job...or anything.
The first time we went for a walk, just us, was
so she could find somewhere to dump me.
Imagine, my hand in hers, and we're strolling
from place to place. She left me at a church.
[Alear]
I can't believe it...
[Marni]
It's fine! The priest was nice. Long as I helped
free Lord Sombron, I got lots of thank-yous.
Eventually, I met Zephia and joined the Hounds.
See? Lady Veyle's story is so much sadder.
[Mauvier]
Zephia filled out the Four Hounds with devout
followers of the Fell Dragon.
[Alear]
Did that include you, Mauvier?
[Mauvier]
Yes. I was there at the hidden temple where
Lady Veyle slept. When she awoke...
I was there to speak with her. She, a royal
dragon, asked me to be her friend.
I said it was impossible. Lady Veyle then asked
if I could offer my service to her as a knight.
[Alear]
And you accepted.
[Mauvier]
That I could not refuse.
[Marni]
It's a big deal to be hand-picked like that,
by royalty. Who woulda thought!
You, made her knight? That's just cool. I mean
that, Mauvier. That's really cool.
[Mauvier]
Should you wish, I am sure Lady Veyle would
also accept you as her knight.
[Marni]
What? No way. I don't wanna work with you
that much. No praise, no thank-yous. I hate you.
[Mauvier]
Is that so?
[Marni]
Besides, I already belong somewhere. I need to
get back to Zephia.
Since you're helping the Divine Dragon, you're
probably gonna get kicked out of the Hounds.
[Mauvier]
I expect as much.
[Marni]
Yeah, well, I like being one of the Four Hounds.
As soon as we're off this boat, we're enemies.
[Mauvier]
You do hate me, after all. So surely, you'll
be happier.
[Marni]
Right, so... Yes. I'm done talking. This is a
waste of my time.
[Marni]

[Alear]
Mauvier, thank you for telling us all of that.
When we find Veyle, I hope you will do what
you think is best for her.
Even if that means we'll cross blades again.
[Mauvier]
I shall.





[Alear]
What's happened to Lythos? The land─it's
fallen to rot and ruin.
[Vander]
A sure sign of Gradlon's return, or that our foes
are now destroying the Divine Dragon Shard.
[Alear]
We have to stop Sombron. Where is the shard?
[Vander]
It's in the castle─Queen Lumera's home.
[Alear]
Who would have thought we'd return here
to see everything...come to this.



[Alear]
I know you're here, Sombron! Show yourself!

[Zephia]
Ah, the Divine Dragon has arrived.
Or should I call you the "Divine Impostor"?
[Alear]
...
[Zephia]
You've arrived earlier than expected. How did
you know where to find us?
My other two children haven't even caught
up to us yet...
[Alear]

[Mauvier]
I assume you mean us.
[Griss]
Why are you with them?!
[Zephia]
You two brought them here? And betrayed us?
Unbelievable.
[Marni]
Please, no! You have it wrong!
[Griss]
Wrong?! Tch, looks pretty clear to me.
[Mauvier]
This is my doing. I want Lady Veyle to meet
with the Divine Dragon.
I might have even forced them to come. But it
wasn't necessary. Marni had no part in this.
[Marni]
Mauvier...
[Mauvier]
Return to the Hounds, Marni.
[Marni]
B-but...
[Mauvier]
Do not hesitate. Go. Now!
[Marni]
[Zephia]
Marni, welcome back. But, Mauvier, what will
we do with you?
I'm willing to forgive and forget, if you can
explain yourself. We are family, after all.
[Mauvier]
What nonsense. I know you're going to punish
me. But Lady Veyle will see the Divine Dragon.
[Zephia]
You rude, self-serving...
[Griss]

[Veyle]
I don't mind. I was just thinking I'd like to talk
to the Divine Dragon myself.

[Marni]
HYAAAH!
...
[Veyle]
Marni, that was simply pathetic. An attack like that
couldn't put a scratch on Father's gift.
[Marni]
I swung with all my strength, and it did nothing?
[Veyle]
I take it you were trying to free me, fool that you are.
But as it turns out, you have failed in your attempt.
[Marni]
No...
[Zephia]
I ordered you to stop, did I not?
Such a bad girl.
[Marni]
I...

[Alear]
...
[Zephia]
You are a very naughty child. If only you had
done as I had said...
[Marni]
Ze...phi...a...
[Marni]

[Alear]
[Mauvier]
Marni!

[Marni]
Mauvier...
I'm sorry... I tried to save her, but...in the end,
I guess...I wasn't strong enough.
If she's...ever her old self again...will you tell her
something for me?
Please tell her that...she's done...so well, huh?
...
[Mauvier]
Don't go... Please! Marni!
[Marni]
...
[Marni]
[Zephia]
Aw, did she die in your arms? How very tragic...
[Veyle]


[Griss]
What a waste. Got killed for nothing.
[Mauvier]
AAAH!


[Veyle] 黒 悪 1

[Alear]
Veyle? What's happened to you?
[Veyle] 黒 悪
Hehehe... It's good to see you again.
[Mauvier]
What did you do to Lady Veyle?
[Zephia]
I told you about Lord Sombron's enchanted
helmet. My spell has now truly taken hold.
[Alear]
Veyle, do you know who I am?!
[Veyle] 黒 悪
Why, you're my dear long-lost brother.
What a happy reunion.
[Veyle] 黒 悪
Why, you're my dear long-lost sister.
What a happy reunion.
[Alear]
...
[Alear]
[Mauvier]

[Marni]
What the... This is what you've been trying to
do to her? Can the other Lady Veyle return?
[Zephia]
No, never. Not as long as that helmet remains
attached and intact.
That other side of her is dead.
[Marni]
D-dead?
[Zephia]
Oh, please. You should be delighted. You don't
have to talk to the defect anymore.
[Marni]
Zephia, I know about Veyle's past... Do you?
You were alive way back then...
[Zephia]
What?
[Marni]
I mean, I didn't know...when I helped you with
all of these awful things.
Lady Veyle was all alone for so long. And she
was so excited to see her family again.
She never got to enjoy it. And now she
never will. It's all so terrible...
[Zephia]
What is this, Marni?
[Marni]
Zephia, I loved it when you gave me praise.
I loved it when you said we were family. I loved
belonging somewhere. I loved the Four Hounds.
But this has gone too far.
I have to do what I know is right, praise
or no praise.
[Zephia]
Marni?!
[Marni]
I'm going to free Lady Veyle! I'm going to break
that helmet to pieces!
[Zephia]
No! Stop!



[Alear]
Marni was just...trying to restore Veyle.
And all this...for that?
[Mauvier]
I will never stand by you again, Zephia. Save for
the moment my blade pierces your heart!
Divine Dragon, I beg of you! Allow me to fight
at your side.
To avenge Marni, and to save Lady Veyle.
[Alear]
Mauvier, of course.
[Griss]
[Veyle] 黒 悪 1
[Veyle] 黒 悪
So, you're just going to betray me? Leave me
sad and lonely again?
And you, Brother. I thought you'd be happy to
be reunited with me after...so long.
And you, Sister. I thought you'd be happy to
be reunited with me after...so long.

[Alear]
You are not our Veyle.
[Veyle] 黒 悪
This must be about my new look. Then you're
not going to like this look either.
[Zephia]

[Alear]
Marth.
[Veyle] 黒 悪
His fellow Emblems, stolen away. You turned
your back on him. Oh, lonely thing.
Just like me. But I'm here for you, little Emblem.
I'm all you need.
Now, had I known I had a sibling who survived
the years...I would have killed you.
I'd like to make sure I'm my Father's one
and only child.
[Alear]
You want to be alone forever?
[Veyle] 黒 悪
Yes, that's right. I have no need for this sort of
family, or friendships, or bonds of loyalty.
I do appreciate you bringing the rings to me,
but that's where our relationship ends...
Now, goodbye, Brother.
Now, goodbye, Sister.

[Alear]
Veyle...


--- ED ---


[Veyle] 黒 善 1
[Veyle] 黒 善
What... What's happening?
Why are you here, ?
[Alear]
Veyle? Veyle! It's really you, isn't it?!
[Alear]
[Veyle] 黒 善

[Zephia]
This doesn't make sense. Her changing back
wasn't supposed to be possible...
The enchanted helmet... It's cracked!
[Zephia]

[Mauvier]
Marni's attack worked?
Marni... Such bravery.
[Mauvier]

[Veyle] 黒 善 1
[Veyle] 黒 善
Where...are we?
[Alear]
Lythos Castle. You've been under Zephia's
control.
[Veyle] 黒 善
My head hurts...really bad. And─ Wait a second.
What am I...wearing?
And...where did I get this ring?
This is yours, right? I remember... We were near
the cathedral. You said it was important to you.
Here. Please, take this.
[Alear]
Thank you, Veyle.
[Veyle] 黒 善


[Sombron]
I will not allow it.
[Alear]
...

Default



[Veyle]
Why did you do that?! You shouldn't have
jumped in front of me, !
[Alear]
I did what I...had to do...to keep you out of
harm's way.
I wanted to make up for all the times I couldn't
protect you. All the times I wasn't there for you...
I'm so sorry...Veyle...for all those awful things
I said.
[Veyle]
I don't care! I don't care about that! Please, don't die!
[Alear]
It'll be all right... There's still so...much I have to do...
[Alear]
I can't die until I've told you everything...
There's still...too much left unsaid... Who I...am.
Listen, Veyle, I'm your...

[Alear]

[Veyle]
? Huh? No, you can't...
Don't leave me!
Don't leave me, !


[Sombron]
Now there is nothing to stand in my way.

[Vander]
The Divine Dragon...is gone. That I should see this day...
[Vander]
[Alfred]
But how... How could this...
[Alfred]

[Veyle]
Wait, the dragonstone!
[Alfred]

[Veyle]
But why would...
[Sombron]
This wayward creature was another of my children.
[Sombron]
The one you've been searching for all this time.
[Sombron]
Your brother.
[Sombron]
This wayward creature was another of my children.
[Sombron]
The one you've been searching for all this time.
[Sombron]
Your sister.
[Veyle]
Huh?
[Sombron]
The Divine Dragon took the traitor in after the
events of the last war. Thus the fool did survive.
No child of mine should live as a Divine Dragon.
Death was this one's inexorable fate.
[Veyle]
No... But the stone shouldn't break... The stone
shouldn't shatter unless...
All that time...you were my brother...
I found you... I finally found you!
All that time...you were my sister...
I found you... I finally found you!
Please, don't be gone─I need to talk to you! I don't
understand why you would sacrifice yourself for me!

[Sombron]
Such pathetic children. All 12 of the rings are
finally in my possession.
[Veyle]
No! Give them back! Now! Those rings belong to
my brother!
[Veyle]
No! Give them back! Now! Those rings belong to
my sister!
Their friends fought so hard even to make it here!
[Sombron]
Yet, for all of that...I control the Emblem Rings.
Together, their power is so great... Granted once
every thousand years!
And now, that unrivaled power is mine!


[Veyle] 黒 善 2

[Vander]
Impossible. Gradlon...restored...
[Veyle] 黒 善
Papa, where are you going? You've destroyed
everything. You killed your own child.
This is what you wanted?
[Vander]

[Zephia]
Looks like it's over for you all, hm?
[Veyle] 黒 善
Zephia!
[Zephia]
Lady Defect. You survived here only because
of all those who came to your aid.
What a shame...because now it's time for you to
say farewell.
[Veyle] 黒 善
Farewell?
M-my head!
[Mauvier]
Lady Veyle?!
[Veyle] 黒 善
I don't...want...her to have control!
[Mauvier]
But Marni broke the helmet!
[Zephia]
Oh, Mauvier. Simple, simple Mauvier. It was only
cracked. That certainly weakened it...
But with Lord Sombron's elevation to power,
the helmet works far better than before.
[Mauvier]
...
[Zephia]
Lady Veyle? Come on out. Join us, if
you would...
[Veyle] 黒 悪 2
[Veyle] 黒 悪
Ngh... Ah!
Hahaha!
[Mauvier]
No!
[Veyle] 黒 悪
Father! Hahaha! What power! You've finally
done it.
I wanted to kill the Divine Dragon myself, but...
oh well.
[Zephia]
Lady Veyle... Lord Sombron will gladly welcome
you as his daughter now.
[Griss]
Good to see you back. Would've had to kill
you otherwise.
[Veyle] 黒 悪
Zephia, Griss, return to Father. I'll catch up
with you soon.
[Zephia]
Of course.
[Griss]
Yeah, I figured you'd say that.
[Zephia]
[Griss]
[Veyle] 黒 悪
[Mauvier]
[Veyle] 黒 悪 1
[Veyle] 黒 悪
As for all of you. Death is inevitable. But I'd like
this mess dealt with now.
Clean this up for me. Leave no one alive.

[Diamant]
The Corrupted! And more than we can handle
on our own!

[Timerra]
We don't even have our rings...
[Veyle] 黒 悪
Rings? They'd be useless to you. The Divine
Dragon is dead.
None of you have the ability to
summon Emblems.
[Diamant]


[Ivy]
This is the end... We have no way out.
[Veyle] 黒 悪
So, who wants to die first? There's no need
for any of you to squirm or struggle.
You're all about to join your beloved
"Divine Dragon," .
[Ivy]

[Alfred]
Are we all going to die here?
There must be something we can do!
Please, !


--- EV ---

[Mauvier]
Divine One... I am with you from this
day forward!


--- MOVIE ---

[Sombron]
Heed me well, O defective daughter of mine.
[Veyle]
Papa...
[Sombron]
My goal is so close I can taste it, but their kindness
makes you weak.
[Sombron]
Now go, and reclaim my Emblem Rings at once!
[Veyle]
I won't!
[Sombron]
So I see. That is a shame.
Well, then...there is nothing more you can do for me.
And I have never been in the habit...of keeping
that which has no value.
[Veyle]
Ah!
[Alear]
Veyle!
[Veyle]
...
[Alear]
Aaah! Ngh... Ugh...
[Veyle]
No!
[Sombron]
My foolish child.
Twice now have I struck you down.
But I promise you...no amount of sleep will bring
you back from this moment.
This time...
your defeat is final.

[Sombron]
Heed me, Emblem Rings... Grant me infinite power!

Gradlon, rise up... Rise up once again!
Hahahaha...


--- BT ---

[Griss]
Death means no more pain. And who
needs that?

[Veyle]
Who are you looking at? The me in front
of you? Or the me from before?

[Veyle]
Oh, how I wanted to find you. How I wanted to
kill you.
Queen Lumera's pet. The whimpering, pathetic
worm. You are not my sibling.

[Alear]
And you're not mine. Veyle is. Give her back.
[Veyle]
I am Veyle! And I'll prove it─here and now─by
destroying you!

[Veyle]
Ah! My loyal knight, Mauvier. Aren't you going
to protect me anymore?
[Mauvier]
My time with the Four Hounds is behind me.
I will not protect you.
[Veyle]
Same as ever, Mauvier. You won't acknowledge
me. You won't even say my name.
Well, don't worry, I haven't forgotten your
reward. How about a swift death?

[Mauvier]
I will sacrifice anything─everything─to save
Lady Veyle from you.
Give me strength, Marni!

[Veyle]
I... I...

[Zephia]
It's nothing personal. I'm merely following
Lady Veyle's orders.

[Zephia]
It is a sad day that I must fight you, Mauvier.
And here I thought we were family...
[Mauvier]
Family?! You killed Marni!
I should have stepped in sooner. Then Lady
Veyle and Marni might have had a chance...

[Zephia]
Perhaps you do have what it takes...

[Griss]
Relax
[Griss]
Two hounds or four, doesn't matter to me.
I'll fight, and that's that.

[Griss]
If it isn't the traitor. Don't worry, you'll see
Marni soon.
[Mauvier]
How dare you speak her name!
I will kill you quickly. You'll be buried before
you feel any pain.


--- DIE ---