A few weeks after your reunion with the Blue Lions, You stand in the cathedral, admiring your handiwork.
Magnolia: We were able to work far faster than I anticipated… It's good to know that we have the same teamwork power as always.
Karim: This place was a wreck when we got here, but it certainly looks like a place that we could actually live in now.
Reese: Of course, we can't get stagnant now. We have other matters to take care of. What are we planning to do next?
Luciana: There have been quite a few troops of Malice forces on the move as of late. They appear to be moving towards a specific target, but we aren't sure what it could be yet.
Illona: I get it. Our first mission is going to be about gathering information so that we can find out what they want.
Kyle: That makes sense… I hope that the Malice forces don't wind up being too problematic from here on out. That would be absolutely dreadful.
Nora: Considering the fact that they've been up to so much in the past few years, we really shouldn't expect anything from them.
Aestlyn: I think that we'll be able to handle it… That's what I'm hoping for, at the very least.
Cassia: It will be a while before we're ready to actually march on the Malice forces in question. We have a lot of preparing left to take care of first.
Falon: That's true… We're going to have to get all of that out of the way first before we even consider setting our sights on Malice.
Luciana: I'll work with Magnolia to ensure that we come up with a proper strategy to carry out our mission successfully. Until then, I feel the best course of action would be to focus on settling in.
Kyle: That's right. It's been years since we were last here, so we're going to have to make sure that we're up for what's to come next.
Karim: A few other people have arrived at the monastery since we first got here. Maybe we should do what we can in order to help them get settled in too.
Illona: Sounds like a plan to me. It's not going to be easy because of all the time that goes into something like this, but… We'll find a way to pull it off.
Falon: The monastery hasn't been at full occupancy in five years, but we'll make do with what we can for now.
Cassia: I'm sure that our movements here will attract the notice of Malice. We'll have to be careful to ensure that nothing goes wrong should they catch us.
Aestlyn: We'll have to try and remain as covert as possible until after we've established a notable following.
Nora: We can do that. I like to think that we've all grown in the past five years and know to not make stupid choices.
Reese: Perfect then. We've all got our missions, so there's no reason for us to waste time standing around here.
Magnolia: Perfect. I'll see you all around the monastery. Let's be sure to give Malice's forces hell.
After the conversation ends, You decide to look around the monastery and see who all has shown up once again. Note: from here on out, character dialogue around the monastery will only take place if the character was recruited during Part One. Any characters not recruited will not be found on the map.
In the cathedral, You find Kyle and Cassia engaged in conversation.
Kyle: You know, I think that we've really made this place look nice… You know, aside from the gaping hole in the cathedral ceiling.
Cassia: That's a bit beyond our skill levels to fix. Clearing away rubble is one thing, but repairing something like that would take too many valuable resources we need elsewhere.
Kyle: At least the statue of the goddess is still standing. It's an incredible work of art, and I would hate to see it fall to pieces.
Cassia: It's also a sign of what once was and will never be again.
Kyle: Yeah… I guess you're right.
You also find Reese standing in the cathedral.
Reese: It sucks that we're reuniting under such dismal circumstances. I understand that I couldn't expect a party after all that's happened, but… It's still unfortunate that we have to meet this way. Then again, I suppose that the war doesn't care about what we think. It's just going to keep pressing on, keep taking lives, until the entire continent has been run bone dry… There's no glory in this conflict. Only suffering.
You leave behind the cathedral and see someone on the bridge. While You do not recognize him at first, You realize belatedly that it is Hegias. He has grown much paler, barely seeming human. You recognize his skin tone as matching Evenor's after a moment. His hair is longer and tied half-up at the back of his head. He wears white robes with red designs scattered about and matching trousers. He has a black necklace on, and matching black armor is scattered around his body.
Hegias: It took you a minute to recognize me, huh? That's understandable… A lot has changed for me in the past five years… But don't let me scare you or anything. I'm still the same person as before, even if I don't look like it… Oh, well. That doesn't matter much right now. I'm glad you're still alive.
You make your way to the reception hall. Inside, You see a variety of figures. First, You cross paths with Cedric. He is wearing white armor with silver highlights, giving him a noble and regal aura. He wears black gloves and a green cape. The Crest of Gloucester can be seen sewn into the fabric. A sword sheath hangs from his hip, and he rides a horse just as he did in the days five years prior.
Cedric: It's such a relief to see that you're still alive and well. There were many who lost faith in a reunion like this being possible after the Battle of Garreg Mach, but… I never gave up hope. It's good to see that my confidence wasn't misplaced. It's nice to see you again, Professor.
You move deeper into the reception hall and find Adrian. His hair is longer, and a thin scar runs across his face. On his right shoulder is a golden plate of armor, and a red sash falls across his chest. The rest of his torso is left exposed. He wears brown and green trousers as well, and black gloves are on either one of his hands.
Adrian: Professor! It sure has been a long time since we last saw each other, huh? So much has changed in the past five years… Everyone was so sure that you had died, but I wanted to stay optimistic… I'm glad to see that hope was not in vain. Welcome back to the land of the living, even if it is a little depressing right now.
You approach the final person in the reception hall, Yuliya. While only five years have passed, she seems much older. Her hair now flows wildly around her, and she wears a black dress over transparent tights. Her shoes are black as well, and she has a lengthy cape on as well. A golden locket hangs from her neck.
Yuliya: Another place, another war… I'm so tired of all this. No matter where you go, there's no way to catch a break. I want to impale Argades von Doroftie on my damn sword for causing this. Anyone else who's significant in Malice will get the same treatment. It's just sickening and annoying.
You move to the entrance hall. Inside, You find Zelhira. Her hair has become silvery blue, and her eyes are a piercing crimson. She is wearing dark brown lace-up boots that reach her thighs and a burgundy dress. Black tights cover her upper thighs. A dark red cape hangs around her shoulders with golden details at the edge. She completes the look with black fingerless gloves beneath silver gauntlets.
Zelhira: Your hair…! It's so much paler than it was before… What happened?
You say that You simply woke up with the shift.
Zelhira: I see… Good. I'm glad… Ugh, I feel like a mess. Everything has changed these past few years, but I'm happy you're still alive. I mean, we already lost Lady Aisa and Chris five years ago, and we really didn't need to add your name to that list… Even if your hair has changed, you're still the same person, and that's what matters most.
You ask Zelhira what she means.
Zelhira: It's nothing. Forget I said anything. I hope you're having a nice day now that we're back at the monastery.
You also encounter Miriam in the entrance hall. She wears a turquoise dress underneath plates of blue armor. Her waist bears a light blue sash, and two segments of fabric extend downwards to her knees. The Crest of Seiros is stitched in silver on the fabric. Her golden curls fall over her back, layered above her pink cape.
Miriam: I can't say for sure what brought me back to the monastery… Perhaps it was fate, assuming you believe in things of that nature. Maybe fate was what brought you back from the maws of death… It seems as if we're all just barely escaping… But barely breathing is still breathing at the end of the day.
You walk towards the final person in the entrance hall, Piers. His black hair is left long and loose. He wears brown and white armor, though it has faded from use over the years. A knife is attached to his waistband in a small sheath.
Piers: This war has done nothing but take from us already… I'm going to put it to an end for the sake of all the people who have died. It's the least I can do to honor the memories of those who are no longer here… It's what they would want.
You head into the knights' hall next. There, You find Aestlyn and Falon deep in discussion.
Aestlyn: The Malice forces who are consolidating… This is an issue that's been prominent for a while. It's not new in the slightest. Magnolia mentioned it a few times when I was in the capital.
Falon: You went back to Fhirdiad after the Battle of Garreg Mach… That's right. I remember seeing you there a few times.
Aestlyn: It's not like I had anywhere else to go… There were no other options for me. I've lost everything, but I refuse to let this war take anything else.
Falon: I'm sorry.
Aestlyn: ...Thank you, Falon.
You also find Kaeta in the knights' hall. Her hair is rather short, and half of it has been shaved off. She wears a white shirt with dark blue leggings black boots. Her gloves are turquoise, and a dark teal jacket is wrapped around her waist. A sword is attached to her belt, and the Crest of Seiros is stitched into the fabric on her right calf.
Kaeta: Long time no see, huh? It's good to see you again after all this time. I've been training as much as possible to prepare for hopefully coming across you again, and it's good to see my efforts weren't in vain. I just hope you're ready for whatever is going to come next. I know that I am!
You move to the stables next. Inside, You find Lev standing alone. His hair has become longer, and a green headband tied to the side holds it away from his face. He wears deep blue armor highlighted with silver and gold. The Crest of Daphnel is carved into a guard on his arm, and a green sash is tied around his waist.
Lev: Professor! It's so good to see you again. You have no idea how concerned all of us were… I was honestly convinced that the war had taken yet another innocent life. I… I've seen so many soldiers die in this conflict, and… I'm just glad that you weren't one of them. Please do your best to stay safe… For all of us.
You move to the marketplace with your business in the stables finished. You approach Herwig upon arriving. He has a scar running from his cheek down to his neck now. He wears a white shirt beneath simple yet effective armor. He wears black trousers and leather boots as well. A sword is strapped to his hip.
Herwig: Oh, Professor… After five years, everyone's all grown up, and yet, you look nearly exactly the same. If not for the hair, it would appear as if you haven't aged in the slightest… I suppose it's comforting to see a reminder of the past in this hellish present. I'm glad to see you.
You move to the dining hall next. You find Karim and Nora talking there.
Karim: We really don't have as many provisions as I would have liked… Then again, I suppose the war is to blame for that.
Nora: We'll simply have to make do with what we have. I'm sure that we'll be able to arrange everything so it works out in some way with a bit of effort.
Karim: I'm going to take care of that as soon as possible. We don't want to blow through our rations too quickly. That would be an upsetting way to fail.
Nora: You can say that again…
You also find Jill in the dining hall. She wears a blue jacket over a white shirt, and a brown satchel hangs over her shoulder. Potions overflow from the bag. She wears black legs and worn-down boots clearly intended for combat. A dagger is strapped to her leg, hiding within a deep purple sheath.
Jill: I didn't think that the reunion of the classes was even going to be happening given the situation, but I'm glad that I decided to check in. It's not as if I had much else to do… Lots of people need medicine these days, but there's only so much you can get done while wandering aimlessly. I think I'll be far more productive here.
You walk towards the final person in the dining hall: Nesreen. She has taken to wearing her hair in a high ponytail. She wears a brown shirt that is cut low, and embellishments line the hem. Her shorts are brown and mostly hidden behind an orange skirt. An orange gem hangs from a chain around her neck. Her shoes are so worn out that You cannot help but wonder how they are still held together.
Nesreen: Lady Aisa went missing after that last battle… I've been trying to figure out what happened to her for years. Others seem intent on believing that she died, but I'm not going to give up. There was no body found… There was no corpse from you either, and here you are. Can you blame me for being hopeful?
You move towards the fishing hole area next. You find Illona standing on her own looking out over the docks.
Illona: I've spent the past few years working as a spy, you know. I've been trying to track down all the information that could possibly be helpful to ending the war, but that's a lot easier to do than you would expect… What can I say? Times are hard, and information is somehow even more scarce than before…
You head towards the greenhouse. There, You find Rodain. His hair is tied in a ponytail at the base of his neck. He wears black armor with white highlights. A red scarf is wrapped around his neck, and a navy cape trails behind him. Both the scarf and cape are heavily torn, barely being held together.
Rodain: We spent so much time searching for you… All the knights who stuck around for a while did. I was here for a while before leaving to go back home, but after how much we looked, I would have thought you dead. For once, I'm glad that I was wrong.
You move towards the second floor of dorms. There, You find Sofia. Her hair has grown longer and is tied back by a pink ribbon. She is wearing a white frilled shirt and dark trousers. She also wears brown boots with noticeable heels that give her a few extra inches of height. Her signature smile is on her lips.
Sofia: You have no idea how happy I am to see you here, Professor! The continent has been in pure chaos these past few years, but… At least you're still here. I've seen a lot of people lose their lives lately… It's terrible. In a way, I'm almost glad you didn't have to see how brutal everyone's become.
You head back downstairs and set your attention on the bottom floor of dorms. You find Wolfgang there. Her hair is now white and cut close to her face in a bob. Her body is muscular and toned, and scars riddle her skin. She wears a gray shirt with rolled-up sleeves and black trousers. Her shoes are dark and gleam in the limited light of the monastery.
Wolfgang: Would you look at that? Not only are you here, but you're looking better than ever… Your hair sure has changed a lot though. I guess I'm not one to talk though. We're going to have to discuss that later when you aren't quite so busy. Let's just say that we have a lot to talk about, Professor.
You find Florence further down the row of dorms. Her hair is tied into a braided bun that rests at the base of her neck. Her dress is a navy color, and she wears black tights beneath it. Silver armor dots her outfit, and a charm bracelet hangs from her wrist.
Florence: Look at this place… It's still the same monastery we knew so many years ago… And you're the same professor as well. After so much panic and instability, it's good to be able to root ourselves in something familiar. It's such a relief, I must admit…
You move to the training hall. Inside, You find Derric and Niko engaged in conversation. Derric's hair has grown longer, and a red cape falls behind him. He wears armor that is mostly silver with highlights of gold and green. Shoulder guards rest on his upper arms, and both have the Crest of Dominic carved into them.
Niko now wears a black coat that seems far too large for him. The fabric contains gold and silver designs. His shirt is yellow and blue, though it is partially hidden behind a white chest plate bearing the Crest of Indech. His trousers are black and rather baggy with leather boots. A satchel hangs from his shoulder containing a large number of books.
Derric: Who would have ever guessed that we'd find our way back here…?
Niko: I suppose we shouldn't be too surprised… The best years of our lives were spent here.
Derric: And then it all had to come crashing down at the very end… I wish things could have been different, but I suppose there's no way to fix the past.
Niko: All we can do is work towards the future being better. We can totally face whatever the world has to throw at us.
Derric: I hope you're right…
You leave the training hall and find Wynne standing outside of it. He is wearing brown, blue, and green attire that You recognize vaguely as belonging to Almyran culture from your battles before the war's beginning. Gauntlets are on his hands.
Wynne: Of all the people I thought I would see here, you most certainly were not at the top of the list… Still, I'm sure as hell not complaining. It's good to see things go our way for the first time in ages. I'm glad that you're still alive. Be sure not to croak anytime soon, alright?
You move to the Officers Academy. There, You find Aquillus standing in the courtyard. His hair is tied into a ponytail at the back of his head. He wears a red shirt with white trousers beneath a black robe bearing the symbol of a double-headed eagle on the back. A golden locket hangs freely from his neck.
Aquillus: I shouldn't even be here, but… I simply had to take the chance to see if you survived. Try to keep my involvement here quiet if possible, alright? I'll explain everything later, but… I don't have the time right now. Please understand.
You find Callisto standing in the Black Eagles' classroom. Her hair is tied into a low ponytail by a blue ribbon. She wears a dress with a blue bodice covered in silvery swirls. The dress' sleeves are loose and made of a transparent white fabric. She wears white shorts underneath a skirt of the same color that flows gracefully behind her. Blue and purple swirls are stitched into the hem, and purple shoes with ribbons attached wrap around her feet.
Callisto: Professor… It's so good to see you again. Look at how much we've all changed. I mean, the shift should be clear as day if you just stare for a moment… Even in the face of all this though, at least you're back. That's something I'm certainly willing to consider a victory.
You decide to head down to Abyss next. First, You move towards the library. Inside, You find Gabriel. He is wearing a maroon cape over a black shirt. His pants are a blue color, and his boots are black and rather tall. Silver pads of armor rest on his shoulders and knees.
Gabriel: Hey… It's been so long since you last came down here. Last we all heard, graduation went wrong, and then… Yeah, enough of that. We're happy you're safe. That's the least that we can ask for given the hell that waits outside of Abyss. It's something.
You also find Ansel in the library. Rather than wearing a modified uniform like before, they now wear a simple brown vest over a white shirt. Their trousers are brown and rather basic, and red gauntlets can be seen on their hands.
Ansel: Hey… Are you real? I've seen this sort of thing over and over in my head for ages, but it never happens legitimately.
You nod.
Ansel: I guess that counts for something. My wishes never speak back to me. Carry on as you were then. I'll still be here.
You go to the Wilting Rose Inn next. Inside, You find Saias. His armor is jet black, and he wears a helmet atop his head, though the visor has been pushed up to allow you to view his face. A green scarf is wrapped around his neck loosely.
Saias: It's been so long since I've seen a new face down here… Far too long if you want my opinion. All of that aside, it's good to see you again.
You ask how he has been doing.
Saias: Alright, I suppose… Things have been a bit rough down here since Eli set off with Quinn a while back. Abyss is still recovering from losing him, but… If you were able to come back, I'm sure that they'll do the same.
You leave and head to Burrow Street. There, You cross paths with Ernst. He is wearing navy armor over an all-black outfit. His ensemble bears silvery highlights. His right arm is encased in a silvery gauntlet, and a short blue cape falls over his shoulder.
Ernst: A lot has happened since we last had the chance to speak, huh? The world has shifted, and then there's your hair… The sudden change in color doesn't seem natural, so perhaps I can study it when we get the chance… Ah, I shouldn't let my curiosity get the better of me so soon. Forgive me.
You go to Chrysalis Row and enter the boys' room. You find Grey standing inside. He wears a black jacket with red highlights over a hooded gray shirt. His trousers are black to match his shoes, and a gray piece of fabric is wrapped around his waist.
Grey: Professor… It's good to see you're still alive. So much has changed since you were last down here, but I suppose that's a given. So much can happen within the span of five years, especially when those years are spent at war. I guess we should be relieved you were even able to head back here… Small blessings, I suppose.
You find Taiyin in the girls' room nearby. She is wearing a green vest over a white shirt with gray pants that hang loosely around her thighs. Her boots are black with golden laces. Her hair is tied into a low ponytail by a green ribbon, and gray gloves obscure her hands from view.
Taiyin: Ack! I didn't see you there… Wait… Professor? No, it can't be you… This is all ridiculous. I was so sure that you had died, but… I guess that life does throw unexpected twists at you from time to time, so I really shouldn't be all that shocked. Oh, well. Still, it's good to see you.
Next, You move to the Ashen Wolves' classroom. There, You cross paths with Magnus. His hair has grown much longer, and he wears a pitch-black cape over his shoulders. His clothing beneath is purple and black, seeming to resemble a physical fighter more than his previous ensemble.
Magnus: You've returned… I wasn't sure if buying into the rumors was a good idea, but I guess I should have known better than to doubt myself… Everything fell apart after you left, but at least you're back. Maybe we can finally put things back together again.
Finally, You go to the Pagan Altar. You find Tsubasa there. She is wearing the same purple scarf as before, though it has grown worn over the years. A bandanna of the same color ties back her hair. Her sleeveless black shirt matches the color of her leggings. She has tall white fingerless gloves on, and her boots are deep purple. A knife is strapped to her upper leg.
Tsubasa: Who would have guessed that we'd see someone like you here again? I know I certainly didn't see that coming, but to be fair… It's not like any of us could have predicted it. Life is hard to judge at this point. There's only one constant: death. It's merciless, and it follows you everywhere.
With your business in Abyss finished, You head to the second floor of the monastery. You find William standing in the audience chamber. His hair bears more spikes than You remember it having. He wears a silver breastplate over a yellow jacket with no sleeves. The Crest of Maurice is embroidered into the back. His gray trousers have a golden pattern of tilted squares, and he wears boots that reach his ankles.
William: Professor! It's nice to see that you're here again. I feel like it goes unspoken that all of us assumed the worst when we couldn't find you after the last battle, but… I guess this just goes to show you that you shouldn't believe everything at face value. It's good to have you back.
You also find Adeline in the audience chamber. Her hair is halfway tied into a bun with a notable purple feather sticking out of it. She wears a dress with a black bodice and a purple skirt. Her tights are white, the same color as her gloves, and her shoes are a dark purple hue.
Adeline: I don't know what possessed me to come back here… I guess I've been sort of craving the good times that came with the monastery ever since we had to leave. You were responsible for all of that, so I'm glad that we're able to see each other again. Be sure to stay safe out there, okay?
You move to the commons room next. There, You find Tuncay. They are wearing armor known for belonging to the Imperial army. The armor itself is silver with red highlights. A shield can be seen hanging from their arm, and a red band wraps around their waist. Upon closer examination, You see that the names Adil, Umut, and Ayberk are carved into the fabric.
Tuncay: The Battle of Garreg Mach took countless lives years ago… First it was the archbishop, and then Chess… I'm just glad you weren't counted among the ranks of the dead. Maybe we're all finally catching a break after all this time. It's good to have you back at long last.
Finally, You stop at the cardinals' room where Magnolia and Luciana stand together over a map of Faerghus.
Magnolia: The previous patterns have placed their target as being about here, so I think we should march through there.
Luciana: After that, we can march towards the current destination of our enemies. It seems to me like something big is happening there.
Magnolia: Either that or somebody in particular is causing problems in that region… We'll simply have to see.
Luciana: Hello, Professor. We're still drafting a plan for the coming fight, but I promise that we won't disappoint.
Magnolia: It's good to see you making the rounds through the monastery, especially after you were inactive for so long. I'm looking forward to seeing what comes next for us.
Luciana: I feel the same. I'm sure that we'll be capable of great things together.
Your conversation with Magnolia and Luciana ends there. You move back to your old room, and a sigh leaves your lips. Between the cleanup and your exploration of the monastery, You have grown rather tired. You sit on your bed after shutting the door.
Seraphine: I'm glad to see that some of the students kept the promise we made five years ago… I'm glad we were able to make it, even if they assumed us dead the past half-decade. It's something, I guess… I wish everyone was here, but I suppose that's simply not possible. All we can do now is sleep. I get the feeling you're exhausted anyways.
You nod and lay down on the bed. You think of all that has happened over the past five years and how much everyone's lives have changed. You vow to finish the war that has caused so much grief as soon as You get the chance to do so for the people who are no longer alive to see the fighting end. Exhaustion claims You quickly, and You drift into a dreamless slumber…
Update good
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