At the conclusion of the moon, You make your way to the cardinals' room. Seraphine speaks to You along the way.
Seraphine: Here's to hoping that this is one of the last times that we have to actually engage in combat… I'm starting to get exhausted of all the fighting, though I know that I'm not the only one. We're getting closer to the final battle. Who can say what will wait for us there? Will we be able to find peace, or will the last encounter end in war? There isn't a way for us to say quite yet, I suppose…
You arrive at the cardinals' room, and Seraphine falls silent. The Blue Lions are inside already just as You anticipated.
Magnolia: Alright. Our informants have passed on a message that the enemy's troops are already marching closer to the monastery. That means that now is our best chance at striking back.
Nora: If we wanted to go for a defensive route, then we would want to stay here, but that isn't our aim today. We have to defeat the troops once and for all if we want to truly end the war, and this is our chance.
Reese: This right here should mark the point where our two groups come to clash against one another. It's an open field with very few terrain advantages, so we're going to have to rely on our own natural strength.
Illona: Luckily for us, it seems to me like we have more than enough power at our disposal, so we shouldn't need to worry about what the enemy is capable of… That's what I'm hoping for, at the very least.
Kyle: I suppose that we won't know until after we get to see the enemy up close and personal, though that's to be expected. I take it that all of our preparations are already finished. We've had more than enough time to take care of business.
Cassia: And we shouldn't linger for any longer than we already have. If we mean to truly make contact at the marked point, then we have to move out as soon as we can manage. We can't have the enemy getting the upper hand on us, after all.
Karim: I'm glad that I spent all that time focusing on inventory then. It certainly spares us a few minutes. If we head for the main gates now, everybody should be prepared. I can't imagine that they'd have gotten too distracted.
Aestlyn: Let's go on and take that as our cue then. There's not much left to the war, and I want to get this over and done with as soon as possible, let me tell you. If we can wipe out all of the enemies who are in this area, it should be smooth sailing from here.
Falon: We shouldn't get too distracted by our own thoughts of strength though. We have to be as careful as we can to make sure that nothing too bad happens. Let's go and see what our foes have to offer us.
Luciana: Without further ado, we march for Faerghus. Time is of the essence, and we can't afford to waste more than we already have. Do your best to stay safe and out of danger, everyone.
Magnolia: Exactly. Let's get to it!
You watch as the Blue Lions stream out of the room, and You trail after them quietly. As soon as You arrive outside of the monastery, You begin your march in the direction of your destination. The Blue Lions lead the way, and You focus primarily on making progress for quite some time afterwards.
When You finally arrive at your destination, You glance around and see that, just as You were told previously, the battlefield is an open field with few truly notable traits. You can see a mass of dark figures moving on the horizon, and You immediately come to suspect that they are your foes.
Magnolia: It seems to me like our predictions were right on target. We know what we have to do. Fall into position, everyone!
Luciana: I don't believe that I see anyone notable among the enemy faction. We're a great distance away, so details are difficult to glean, but…
Magnolia: If the man himself just so happens to show his face, I'm going to be ready. I know exactly what I need to say, and I intend to give my piece regardless of if he wants to listen to me or not.
Luciana: Your determination is admirable, Magnolia… Just do your best to stay as safe as possible. We can't have you getting hurt in a battle as crucial as this one.
Magnolia: I understand… Regardless, that's enough standing around and talking. We know what our mission is, and the enemy is going to spot us at any moment. Blue Lions, the time is now! As soon as our enemy is in sight, we charge!
You glance around at the battlefield and do your best to examine the area before the enemies are able to get into formation. You can see easily that there are no notable features of the land, meaning that the coming encounter will be based on the strength of your armies alone. There are no places that You will be able to hide behind either, and You note that you will have to maintain a strong defensive front and offensive charge.
As soon as the enemies begin to fall into place, You note that Marcus is among them. At the start of the battle, You glance up as Marcus and Magnolia begin to speak.
Marcus: You came to face us directly… I must say, young queen, you are not lacking for confidence.
Magnolia: I know what I came here for. I'm going to stop you, and there's nothing that you can do to stand in my way.
Marcus: Your eyes say that you have other interests in this fight. Tell me, what catches your attention so?
Magnolia: We need to speak. I want to make peace with you. Give me a chance to-
Marcus: No.
Magnolia: What?
Marcus: I said long ago that I was going to get my revenge against Faerghus, and I will continue to uphold such a goal. If it means that I must cut down royalty, then so be it. I know that it certainly wouldn't be the first time.
Magnolia: …
Marcus: Prepare yourself. This battle will not be won easily, but I'm willing to do what I have to in order to succeed.
Magnolia: I'll say the same to you. We've won in the past, and we're going to triumph again here.
Marcus: I'll allow you to maintain your confidence if that's what you so choose. It doesn't matter much to me. When the fight is won in the name of my side, you'll see how foolish you were to believe that you could win.
Magnolia: We'll simply have to see how this goes… As soon as the battle ends and your sword has been laid down, I'm going to make sure that you listen to me. That much is a promise.
Marcus: You'll have to earn the right!
The battle begins soon afterwards. You and the Blue Lions begin to charge forward through the enemy lines, and You find that even without any bonuses from the terrain, You are impressively close to victory after a short period of time. There are no reinforcements since the entire army of troops came in at once when the battle began. While covering for your weaknesses, You and the rest of your team are able to press towards Marcus, leaving him as one of the only remaining foes on the field. You can sense Magnolia's quiet determination to get through to him despite his previous resistance.
If You initiate combat with Marcus, the following dialogue plays out.
Marcus: You've sided with the wrong team here. If you had any sense of wisdom or self-preservation, you would have come over to my side. Faerghus is a broken beast, and you shouldn't bother getting close to it. Still, if you won't listen to reason, I'll do what I have to in order to fulfill my goals. Step aside or face the consequences that come with standing by in the face of their disgusting deeds!
If Magnolia initiates combat with Marcus, the following dialogue plays out.
Magnolia: If you want me to defeat you so that you'll listen to what I have to say, then so be it. Even if I have to hold you down, I'm going to make sure that you listen to reason.
Marcus: What do you know of reason? You don't understand the strife that my people go through on a daily basis. Your country has done so much damage that will never be reversed. The lives taken can never be counted.
Magnolia: I don't hope to do any such thing. I simply want you to understand that there is another way for us to reconcile with one another.
Marcus: You speak of reconciliation, but you could never hope to truly accomplish such a thing.
Magnolia: I know more than you understand when it comes to matters of this nature. Allow me to reach out and listen to what I have to-
Marcus: Best me in combat first. I laid out my terms, and you will listen regardless of if you want to or not.
Magnolia: Fine. Continue to insist that. I'll do what I must!
If Luciana initiates combat with Marcus, the following dialogue plays out.
Luciana: There is a way for us to take care of this battle and leave it in the past. We don't need to treat one another with such distaste. If you will simply take a step away and listen-
Marcus: The king never listened to my people when we asked for him to stop responding to our actions with violence. I know what I'm doing, and I won't be backing down regardless of what you tell me to do.
Luciana: If that's the case, then forgive me for needing to resort to combat. I know what my ends are, and I'll accomplish them no matter what!
If Yuliya initiates combat with Marcus, the following dialogue plays out.
Yuliya: So… You're the one who did it. I've heard quite a bit about you… The man who killed the previous king of Faerghus.
Marcus: I had no other choice. If I didn't end his life, he would have ended mine.
Yuliya: He killed too many people for anyone to hope to quantify… You made the right choice in my humble opinion. I would have done the same had I been in your position.
Marcus: I imagine that many would have… But I don't understand why you fight on that side of the battlefield. We're of the same nation, and we must have similar objections to the way that Faerghus is run as a whole. Why don't you stand by my side?
Yuliya: I have my other reasons to stand on this side of the war. Pardon me for having my own path in life.
Marcus: Do you not hate Faerghus the way that I do?
Yuliya: I do, but I'm not here to debate my sense of morality with you. I've made my decision, and you've done much the same.
Marcus: Fine. If you continue to stand against me, then I'll do what I must to stop you.
Yuliya: Such is the way of war. Ambitions against ambitions… Who can say who will succeed until our blades cross paths? We'll simply have to see.
If anyone else initiates combat with Marcus, the following dialogue plays out.
Marcus: You fight for a lost cause and a broken nation. There is no salvation for you or the country that you intend to defend. If you continue to raise your blade against me, then I'll have no choice but to eliminate you. This is your decision to make.
When Marcus is defeated, the following dialogue plays out.
Marcus: Tch… You may have bested me this time, but this will not be the last time that I stand against you and the forces of Faerghus!
After the battle ends, You stand with Magnolia and Luciana as You watch Marcus carefully.
Magnolia: I won, and your troops have been defeated. That means that I'm the one who gets to make you listen to what I have to say. You had best open your ears and step down at once. I'll repeat this as many times as I have to regardless of how painstaking it is for you to listen to.
Marcus: Fine. I made a deal, and I intend to stand by it… Even if I object to listening to someone who shares blood with such a vile man.
Magnolia: I also share blood with the people of Albinea. My mother was born in Faerghus, but she is half of your land.
Marcus: I never anticipated that the king would engage in relations with the people who he claimed to despise so openly.
Magnolia: You can put the pieces together regarding my existence. It matters not to you. I intend to stand behind the concept of equality between our nations. I don't want you to engage in combat this way. We can find peace. I want to allow us to bridge the gap between our cultures and create something beautiful. I will not lie and say that my father's acts can be forgiven. I know that he did despicable things to your people. Still, I want to extend a hand to you and say that I want to make peace. Albinea is not something to be hated. I don't care who stands in my way. If I need to fight against the nobles of my homeland to make peace, then that's what I'll do. My dedication has made me a target for my supposed allies. My issues may not be the same of your extent, but I want to do what I can to make alliance an option for all of us.
Marcus: A child of Albinea and Faerghus sitting on the throne… Who would have imagined that such a day would come?
Magnolia: My father deserved to perish for the sins that he enacted against your people. I'm not going to beat around the bush and say that he should have survived your encounter with him. He deserved everything that came to him after the awful things that he did. Still, I am not the same as he was. If you will work with me to create peace, then I'll stand by your side. Consider all past crimes forgiven if you choose to move to our side now.
Marcus: ...No.
Magnolia: What?
Marcus: Faerghus as a whole is too broken to fix. Not even someone like you can completely undo the damage of the past. It's part of your society. The only way to solve this issue is to tear the land until nothing of its old culture remains. As queen, I know that's beyond your doing. Sometimes, revolution and bloodshed is the only way to make sure that people understand that you're serious.
Magnolia: …
Marcus: Your noble wishes are admirable, young queen, but they won't sway my allegiance. I've made my choice, and if I need to come to battle against my own people in order to show them how disgusting and brutal Faerghus is… So be it. I know where I stand, and it seems that you've made the same choice. Your wish for peace is nice in theory, but it isn't going to work out in practice. Consider this my warning that your dreams will never come to reality as long as Faerghus lives as its current incarnation.
Magnolia: No matter how many times I say it, you aren't going to change your mind.
Marcus: Your Albinean blood is incredible, I must confess. You shouldn't exist at all, and yet, you sit upon the throne. If only the crown that you bear wasn't soaked in the agony of others… Perhaps we could have united in another life. For now, I'll make sure everything changes, even if that brings us to blows against one another.
Magnolia: If that's the decision that you've made… Then so be it. I'll defend the innocent people of my nation who have nothing to do with this war… And then I'll prove you wrong. I'll make sure that society isn't the same way that it is now. One day in the future, Albinea and Faerghus will see harmony.
Marcus: It's just a shame that I won't be alive to see your ambitions either thrive or crash and burn… This is the last time I speak to you in peace, young queen. Your bravery is a breath of fresh air, but it won't stop the clock forever. I'm extending my treaty of kindness for one moon longer… When we next meet, it will be as enemies in a final battle for the sake of Faerghus and Albinea. The victor will decide the fate of the continent and the people found both within and outside of its borders. I won't tolerate anything less than your best. Prepare yourself for everything destined to come your way. You'll need every benefit that you have at your disposal.
You watch as Marcus walks away, and You turn to face Magnolia and Luciana. You ask if Magnolia is alright.
Magnolia: I… I will be. I did my best, and he chose to continue down his current path. Fine. So be it. I'm going to be ready for our final encounter. For the sake of Faerghus, I'll press on, and… I'm going to make sure that he understands that there are other ways to find peace than destroying and rebuilding. I've torn apart the system quite a bit already… From the ashes, I'll do what I can. Our ambitions are leading us in different directions, but I did what I could, and no matter how this ends, I'll be able to press on with the knowledge that I tried with everything that I had.
Luciana: I'm proud of you for everything that you've done, Magnolia… History will remember your actions, and future generations will look back on your work for peace across Faerghus with pride in their hearts. That much I am sure of without a shadow of a doubt.
Magnolia: I'm going to do what I can, and at the moment… That's all I can truly hope for. Come on. Let's go back to the monastery. The battle is done, and we know what's going to wait for us. Next time we cross paths… The war will end. One way or another, the battle will draw to a close after five years.
You nod to yourself and watch as Magnolia and Luciana walk away. Seraphine speaks to You as they vanish from sight.
Seraphine: That couldn't have been an easy decision for her to make… Magnolia has been trying so hard to make peace with our enemies, but that isn't going to be possible anymore. I think that I understand the man a bit better now… He has his goals, and we have ours. Even if our fates aren't meant to cross as friends… We're going to show who has the stronger ambitions and desires through battle. I know that it's a strange way of thinking about things, but… This clash of ideals will decide the future of Faerghus. I'm sure that we're going to be on the winning side. Who knows? Maybe we'll learn another few things along the way. It certainly wouldn't surprise me given how everything has gone so far… We'll simply have to see.
You nod and begin to make your way back to the monastery. Over the next few hours, You travel with the Blue Lions. Night has fallen by the time that You return, and You are preparing to return to your room when none other than Aisa appears before You.
Aisa: Professor… You need to report to the infirmary at once. Something has changed, and… You simply need to see what has taken place. I will leave you to your evening, but you must go and investigate the matter at once.
You watch Aisa in confusion as she walks away, and You make your way to the infirmary.
Seraphine: Does this have anything to do with Janae…? Please, please tell me that she's awake…!
You make your way to the infirmary, and when You arrive, You see Janae there. She has awoken, and tears rise to her eyes when she sees You have come to see her.
Janae: It… It's you… You're alright…
You feel tears forming in your eyes, and You nod slowly.
Janae: I'm so glad…
You ease Janae into a sitting position, and as soon as she is upright, she throws her arms around your body. You return the gesture, unsure of what to say. However, You soon realize that words have no point, as the quiet speaks volumes more than any sentence ever could.
Janae: It's okay now… I'm here… And I'm not going to leave you ever again.
You nod slowly to show that You understand.
Janae: It's going to be alright from here on out… I'll make sure of it.
You allow the quiet to cover You in the seconds that follow, and when You finally do pull away from Janae, You can see that she is smiling with tears in her eyes. She looks so much older than the last time You saw her awake five years before, and You feel a pang of sadness at the realization that she has missed out on so much of her life.
Janae: I don't think I could ever tell you in full how happy I am to see that you're still here… You've changed so much since I last had the chance to see you, but it's incredible that you're alright.
You tell her that You are relieved she is alright as well.
Janae: Thank you so much for your kindness… Soon, we'll be together without any worries of fighting ever again…
You say that much has happened since she fell asleep.
Janae: I can tell… Your hair is…
You offer to explain everything to her.
Janae: That would be incredible. Thank you.
You tell Janae about everything that has happened since You last saw her. She listens intently, and after You are finished, she frowns to You.
Janae: I'm sorry that you have suffered so much in my absence… I'll do what I can to prevent that in the future. When the war ends… We're going to have to get to know each other better. Time has taken so much from us, but we can still enjoy a second chance. It's rare that you get another opportunity to make up for past regrets, but I believe that the goddess gifted us this on purpose… She knew that we needed it, and I'm glad that she recognized such.
You say that You feel the same.
Janae: Ah… It's getting late. You should get some rest of your own. I wouldn't want anything bad to happen to you because you were exhausted from speaking to me. I'll still be here when you awaken. I promise. I'm not going to leave you ever again.
You tell Janae that You are thankful she is alright.
Janae: I feel the same to you… Until we speak again… My child.
You get to your feet and leave the room. You hear her whisper as You walk away.
Janae: At long last… My dear Crescent has returned to me…
You hear Seraphine speaking to You as You make your way back to your room.
Seraphine: She's awake… And we know what the final battle is going to entail. I believe that today has ended rather well… I don't know what could even be said. It gives us more of a reason to fight hard… We have to make sure that we survive for her sake.
You arrive back at your room.
Seraphine: This coming moon… That will be our final battle. I'm sure of it. We have to be ready… The world itself is waiting for us.
When You lay down for the night, You find yourself lost in thought over all that has taken place. You are going to fight with everything that You have in the coming moon in the name of ending the war. You also think about the truth of Janae being awake, and You resolve to visit her again as soon as possible. You dream of her navy hair and smile, and You know that the end of the war will be beautiful for You both. Not even Marcus will be able to stand in the way of the peace that You seek, and You know such a fact to be true regardless of what is destined to come…
Moral gray is amazing
-Digital