=== Chapter 24 Recollections === (Mountainous Region) Armed with a powerful artifact from Zephia, the party heads to a lake in pursuit of a sunken shard. --- OP --- [Alear] It's hard to believe that there was a mountain right here where this lake is. [Veyle] I sense a Fell Dragon Shard here. Zephia was telling the truth. It is out there─very deep at the bottom of this lake. [Alear] She said the enchanted crystal would bring that whole submerged area into reach. [Veyle] But it will last only a few hours. So, once it happens, I'll lead us to the shard quickly. [Alear] Thank you. [Veyle] OK. Here goes... [Alear] It's starting! But...wait, what's happening? [Veyle] The mountain is rising! Or...or the lake is draining! Everyone, stay together. [Alear] No, it's not safe here... [Alear] [Veyle] Brother! [Alear] [Veyle] Sister! [Veyle] [Alear] Veyle! [Alear] I must have been thrown far from the others. The lake is gone! The mountain is...here! I guess the crystal worked. Now, I'd better find the others. . [Alear] You there. [Alear] Huh? ... [Alear] How strange. Your face is my face. [Alear] No, what? That can't be...me. [Alear] Who are you? [Alear] Well, I'm... Uh... [Alear] I sense an Emblem. One I have never sensed before. If you have a ring, give it to me. I need to take it to Father. [Alear] Father? [Alear] Sombron. The king of dragons. [Alear] ... [Alear] I collect Emblem Rings. It is my duty. I have been taught to do what I must to fulfill that duty. We are currently at war with the Divine Dragons. I have collected many rings. [Alear] At war... Wait, if this is me...is this me during the war with the Divine Dragons? Zephia's magic put me in reach of the shard, all right─by throwing me into the past! I must be in Gradlon a thousand years ago, before it all sank, when the shard was near here. 2 [Alear] You are mumbling. I will repeat myself. If you have a ring, give it to me. Quickly. [Alear] I'm sorry, but no. [Alear] Your answer must be yes. I cannot let you go with that ring. If I disobey Father... I will be killed. Many of my sisters and brothers have been killed. [Alear] Killed? [Alear] One older brother was drowned. One older sister was burned alive. A little sister and little brother─they were cute─were torn apart by the Corrupted. Some siblings died in the war. Most were defects. Father disposed of them. [Alear] Disposed of? [Alear] The defects require disposal. But I am not a defect. I collect rings to prove that. Father must get his wish. Until then, I will collect rings. [Alear] And when his wish comes true, what then? What will you do? [Alear] What will I... Oh. Well... [Alear] What was that?! [Alear] That is an avalanche. They are common to this place. But I hear some of the Corrupted nearby. They are agitated. That is unusual. There are, maybe...intruders. [Alear] The others must be here somewhere... I'm sorry, but I have to go! [Alear] [Alear] The stranger with my face is escaping. I will prevent that. I must pursue them. I need your help... Marth. 敵マルス 2 敵マルス ... [Alear] There you are! [Alfred] Thank goodness you're safe! We weren't sure where to find you. [Veyle] Brother, I'm so glad we finally found each other─after the earth shook like that! [Veyle] Sister, I'm so glad we finally found each other─after the earth shook like that! I know where the Fell Dragon Shard is. It's a short climb from here. [Alfred] Unfortunately, we've been followed. You won't believe by who... [Alear] Huh? [Alfred] [Veyle] [Zephia] All of you! I insist that you tell me at once, exactly who you are. [Alear] Zephia?! [Zephia] Whom do you serve? Fighting the Corrupted as you did back there, defeating them with ease... No one on our side has reported seeing anyone like this. And surprises are not well received. [Ivy] What's going on? I thought she died. [Ivy] [Veyle] She did die. Zephia shouldn't be standing in front of us. She doesn't look like one of the Corrupted. But also, she doesn't even know us. [Alear] Everyone, this will be a shock, but that is Zephia, a thousand years ago. Because we are in Gradlon a thousand years ago, during the war. [Veyle] What?! [Alear] The crystal was supposed to put us in reach of the submerged shard. It did, in a way. But not by raising mountains or draining lakes. It sent us back in time. Believe it or not, I just met my past self. That's how I figured it out. [Veyle] [Alfred] Your what?! [Alfred] [Veyle] Oh, that can't be good... [Alear] I have found you. [Alear] ... [Veyle] Brother, that's... That's you! [Veyle] Sister, that's... That's you! [Alear] Yes, it is. [Veyle] Red eyes, red hair, but it's you! [Veyle] Red eyes, red hair, but it's you! That's what you looked like when we first met... [Alear] Zephia, please step aside. I will take care of this situation. [Zephia] Thank you, Your Highness. But I'm more than happy to assist you. [Alear] That will not be necessary. Go, inform Father what is happening here. Also, that I sense the presence of Emblems from them. [Zephia] They possess Emblem Rings? [Alear] It is possible. [Zephia] Understood. I'll head to the temple. [Zephia] [Alear] She's going to tell Sombron that we're here! We have to hurry! [Alfred] [Veyle] Brother...I can't bring myself to hurt you. And that's you in our way. [Alfred] [Veyle] Sister...I can't bring myself to hurt you. And that's you in our way. What should we do? We need to break the shard, but... [Alear] Is that what you're trying to do? Break the shard? [Alear] What if it was? Would you let us pass by? [Alear] No, that is stupid. I cannot return home without your rings. We will fight. If I win, I take your rings. If you win, you break the shard. Simple as that. [Alear] Then we can't avoid a fight here. [Alear] Stranger with my face, I am ready to battle when you are. You will fight me...and this Emblem. 敵マルス 3 敵マルス ... [Alear] Marth?! [Alear] This is my Emblem...now show me yours. [Alear] They'd never believe I'm an Emblem... And it's best to keep that to myself, so... Marth! [Veyle] [Marth] I'm here! [Alear] You have a Marth too? There should be only one of each ring. This is more and more interesting. [Alear] Everyone, ready yourselves! No matter what, we must destroy the shard! --- ED --- [Alear] Good. We broke the Fell Dragon Shard. I only hope the "old me" is going to be OK. [Veyle] We were able to provide some healing. The "old you" will awaken soon. [Alear] That's a relief. [Veyle] The "old you" saw us in the past though. Do you think that's...going to cause any problems? [Alear] It should be fine. I do forget everything... eventually. [Veyle] Oh, that's right! [Alear] It seems we finished just in time. [Veyle] I guess this is goodbye to the past. Land around us is starting to change... Now we'll really never see Zephia again. [Alear] But thanks to her help, we can keep fighting. And we will. She sacrificed her life to help us get here. We have to go on and stop Sombron. [Veyle] You're right. [Veyle] [Alear] Goodbye, my old self. When you begin your journey someday, I hope your travels are as wonderful as mine. [Sombron] You said these invaders were right here. And yet, they are not. [Zephia] That is very odd... Perhaps the battle moved elsewhere. [Sombron] I sensed an unexpected Emblem, and wanted to see it for myself. But I sense nothing now. [Zephia] I'm surprised you came, my lord. It's been some time since you ventured outside. [Sombron] I had to be certain...though I know that Emblem no longer exists. [Zephia] Hm? [Sombron] I will go back to the temple. After the battle concludes, my child will return with news. [Zephia] Your children are endlessly impressive. What I wouldn't do to have such loyal subordinates... [Sombron] If you require some of those, then just do what I do. Make children. [Zephia] Make children...of my own? [Sombron] Family is function and utility. You put blood in. You get loyalty out. My children owe me their lives, their love, their absolute dedication. [Zephia] Family, what a revelation. I would like to make one of these children...with you. [Sombron] You, have a child with me? [Zephia] Please, Lord Sombron. [Sombron] Now is not the time. But I will consider it after the war, after my ambitions are served. [Zephia] I understand, my lord. I swear to help you achieve your ambitions. [Sombron] I expect your utmost. [Sombron] [Zephia] A child, how intriguing... What would that be like? To possess fully through such unconditional love? How did my mother and father regard me? With this...love? If only I could travel to the past. A foolish, impossible thought... Now, perhaps I should find Lord Sombron's child. What was that one called? Oh, why bother? He disposes of them all. One must never, ever grow attached. That would just make me sad. [Alear] ... [Lumera] You there! Are you all right? [Alear] ... [Lumera] Oh, thank goodness. [Alear] I... I... [Lumera] I found you lying here. I was afraid you might have been dead... But what a relief, you were just in a terrible daze. [Alear] Was that...a dream? [Lumera] A dream? [Alear] I met someone who had my face. But who also looked like you. Your blue hair and blue eyes are beautiful. The one with my face had...that too. [Lumera] That sounds like a lovely dream. Say, it's chilly out here. I'd hate for you to catch a cold. Let's get you somewhere nice and warm. Do you think you can you stand? [Alear] Thank you. This is the first time for this, for me. You're being...kind. [Lumera] Really? I'm...sorry to hear that. What is your name, child? [Alear] Oh, my name... . Mother told me─this was before she died─that Father called me that name. Just once. What is your name? [Lumera] I'm Lumera. [Alear] I know that name. It's the name of the last Divine Dragon still alive. The name of Father's enemy. [Lumera] ... [Alear] If you are the Divine Dragon, then I have to kill you. If I don't, Father will call me a defect and dispose of me. But... You were kind to me. I don't want to kill you. [Lumera] Oh, ... [Alear] I am thinking a thought that doesn't belong. I guess I am what I am. A defect... Defect. Defect. Defect. Defect. Defect. [Lumera] Don't say that! There's nothing defective about you! [Alear] But I must do my duty...or else Father will dispose of me. He'll feed me to the Corrupted. That scares me more than anything... I want to live. To see tomorrow. And the day after that. [Lumera] Then let's keep today between us. I don't want you to die. How about this? Let's meet again soon for a nice, long, kind talk. No one needs to know. What do you say? Pinky promise? [Alear] ... All right. [Alear] We made it back. [Diamant] To think, we actually met Zephia and you in the past. It was, I have to admit, chilling. [Veyle] The barrier is weaker than before. It worked! Now, we just need to break the last shard. [Timerra] Let's demolish that thing! Where's it at? [Veyle] One moment. Let's see... ... [Alear] What's wrong? You look worried. [Veyle] Oh, it's...nothing. [Timerra] Don't tell me. We gotta go to some other weird place? [Veyle] No. It's right here in Gradlon. But... [Diamant] Yes? [Veyle] Sorry. I'm a little tired. Could I please be alone for a bit? [Alear] We've pushed you so hard, relying on your power to detect the shards... Please, take the time you need. We can delay a little bit longer. [Veyle] Thank you. [Alear] [Diamant] [Timerra] [Veyle] ... We'll be able to break the last shard. I know we will. How can I tell them who's there guarding it? Or why I'm able to sense...what's there. --- EV --- " [Alear] I make avalanches happen. Even when they don't want to happen. I just do this. [Alear] We've been pushed back! " [Alear] That works. I'll keep doing what works. [Alear] We have to reach the shard, but at this rate, we'll get nowhere fast! If an avalanche starts near you, take shelter! Stay safe until you can proceed! --- MOVIE --- --- BT --- [Alear] You made it this far? You're strong. You should be on my side. $ [Alear] I sense that you are looking and staring. You will not win that way. Or are you scared? [Alear] Yes, of course. I've been scared from the start of all this. It's only natural. Scared of losing battles, of losing what's important to me, losing people I care about! [Alear] I will admit...I am jealous of you. You have my face, but you say the things you feel...out loud. I am not allowed to show fear. If I say I am afraid, I will be labeled a defect. " I follow orders. I don't think. I am like the Corrupted. They are awful. [Alear] You really dislike the Corrupted too! [Alear] I hate them. They have killed many of my sisters and my brothers. $ [Alear] Serious If I lose to you, they will kill me. No... No, they will kill me, in time, no matter what. [Alear] ... [Alear] Relax But...you don't die. I'm proof of that. $ [Alear] What did you say? Never mind─let's finish. Come at me, or I will come at you. This is like looking in a mirror. What I see... bothers me. [Alear] Veyle? Is that you? [Veyle] What?! $ [Alear] No... Veyle is younger than you are. Forget what I said. [Veyle] Are you...related to Veyle? " [Alear] She is my youngest sibling and littlest sister. I had many sisters and many brothers. Most of them have been killed. In awful ways. $ [Alear] Serious Will Father dispose of Veyle too? If I think about that, it makes me sad. I would like to stand by my sister. Always. An ally. A friend. [Veyle] She's that important to you. " [Alear] You look too much like her. It bothers me. I'll defeat you now. Whoever you are, you are not my little sister. [Veyle] You're right. I'm not your little sister. Still, I'm glad I was here with you to...hear all of that. Thank you, Brother. Thank you, Sister. $ [Alear] Serious [Alear] Oh no... Now Father will...dispose of me. --- DIE ---