At the start of the next moon, You rise to your feet and begin to speak with Seraphine. Her voice echoes in your mind.
Seraphine: This is going to be it, huh? This is the last time that we're going to need to fight if all goes according to plan… There isn't anything that we're going to be able to do that will make our enemy back down. We tried our best to get our foe to side with the concept of peace, but I suppose that it simply wasn't meant to be. All that we can do now is press on and hope that we're able to succeed in the name of our ideals.
You tell her that You are confident your forces will be able to succeed.
Seraphine: I hope that much too… For now, let's see the Blue Lions. From there, we should go and meet with Janae. I know that I'm looking forward to seeing her again after all this time. Our previous meeting wasn't nearly long enough as far as I'm concerned.
You nod your agreement. Seraphine falls silent as You arrive at the cardinals' room. The Blue Lions are gathered inside.
Magnolia: Alright, everyone… This is going to be it. We know what our mission is going to be, and we have to follow through with it. I'm confident that we'll be able to succeed together.
Luciana: We offered our foes the chance for peace, but… They made their decision, and it leaves us with no other choice but to fight them to the best of our ability.
Nora: The remaining members of Malice have been scattered since the previous encounter. That means that we're going to have to try to figure out where they'll be next.
Cassia: If we can defeat their commander, it should be much easier to triumph over everyone else. That's the first step to fixing everything, and we should be able to do it.
Karim: It seems to me like there's nothing else for us to do for now. We'll just have to be ready at any given moment to set out and defeat the commander as soon as he's found.
Reese: I hope that it isn't too long before we uncover the full truth of the situation. From there, it should be swift sailing to the end of the war. This is our final major roadblock.
Kyle: I'm going to make sure that everyone is as prepared as possible for the coming mission. As soon as we get the necessary information back here, we're going to be ready to go.
Aestlyn: It hardly feels real to say that the war is almost over, but… I know that it's true. We're going to defeat the enemy commander, and we're finally going to be free of this nightmare.
Illona: We've all done a lot to come so far. I'm sure that peace is going to be amazing for all of us when it finally arrives… We've waited for it long enough if you ask me.
Falon: You can certainly say that again… Well, we know what we have to do. That should be our cue to disperse for the time being. Isn't that right, Magnolia?
Magnolia: You know me so well, Falon. Be sure to stay safe out there, everyone. You never know when danger could be around the corner, and the last thing I want is to lose anybody so close to the final battle. I'll see you all soon enough. Do what you have to in order to get ready for the final fight. It's going to be coming sooner than we think, and the last thing we want is to be unprepared for it.
You watch as the Blue Lions exit the room and go their separate ways. You turn to Magnolia and ask how she has been feeling.
Magnolia: Hm… That's a good question, if I'm being honest. I didn't know how to answer that a few weeks ago, but… I've made up my mind. Both me and the enemy commander have made our own decisions. I understand that there won't be any persuading him no matter how hard I try. It's tragic, but… I suppose that nothing can be done about it. I won't bend to his wishes to hurt the citizenry of Faerghus, and he won't bend to my wishes to make peace.
You say that Magnolia will be doing what she must in order to make peace even after the war ends.
Magnolia: Exactly. In a way, that's the cruelest twist of irony behind this entire situation. Even if he perishes, I'm going to fight for what he would have wanted. He has been more than willing to tear apart the land in the name of his ideals. I don't support attacking innocent people in the name of what one believes is justice. My father was the primary perpetrator of these crimes, and I confess that he deserved to die after all that he did. Now… Now, all I can do is go against the policies and standards that he created in life. It's how I'm going to repair the world, and even if it seems like a paltry contribution to some, I'm going to make the most of it.
You tell Magnolia that You are proud of her resolve.
Magnolia: Thank you, Professor. I'm simply doing what I find to be for the best, and that's all there really is to it… But you should probably go and prepare for the final fight as well, yes? We wouldn't want you to be in anything less than peak condition.
You nod and wish Magnolia a nice day.
Magnolia: The same to you.
Seraphine speaks to You as You walk back to your room.
Seraphine: She's grown up so much… In the blink of an eye, it's as if she became a completely different person. We've seen her change a lot in the course of the past few months, but I don't think that's a bad thing. Look at how much progress she's made… She's going to find a way to make the world a better place after the war ends. That much I'm confident of.
You nod your agreement.
Seraphine: Let's go and talk to everyone in the monastery. From there, we can go and speak with Janae. I'm just itching to see her again.
You begin to explore the monastery after arriving back at your room. Your first destination is the Officers Academy, and You see Illona and Sofia in the courtyard.
Sofia: Well, Lonnie… This is it. We've finally reached the end of the line, and we're about to be free of the war.
Illona: It doesn't feel real, if I'm being honest… After so long, we're going to be able to live our lives the way that we want to.
Sofia: Do you have any plans on what to do after the war? I'd love to hear about them if you do.
Illona: I'm afraid not… Sorry about that.
Sofia: Well, if you ever find yourself wanting for company, all you need to do is find me.
Illona: Are you hitting on me?
Sofia: Perhaps.
Illona: ...I'll consider it. How does that sound?
Sofia: Like a promise from the goddess herself.
You find Zelhira and Liram in the Black Eagles' classroom.
Zelhira: Change is on the horizon for all of us. I know that we've all been able to sense it for quite some time, but seeing it put into motion is a different sensation entirely.
Liram: I'm going to continue doing what I find to be for the best. Nothing is going to stop me from aiding the Empire in its restoration.
Zelhira: I'll be doing something similar. I know that we have a lot to accomplish if we want to truly return the world to its former glory, but… Nobody said that anything in life was going to be easy.
Liram: It's nice to see you so determined over this.
Zelhira: You're going to embarrass me…
Liram: Maybe I want that, Zel.
Zelhira: Really? You shouldn't.
You see Adeline in the Golden Deer classroom.
Adeline: I have to wonder where the enemy commander can even be found at this point… It seems like there's a lot left for us to figure out. We don't know where he's going to be hiding out, and that makes fighting against him much hardre. Oh, well. I suppose that we'll figure it out one way or another. It comes with the territory.
You walk to the training hall. On the way, You encounter Piers.
Piers: With the war almost over, I'm left to wonder about how many lives have been sacrificed in total over the past five years. Battles have raged left and right whether we've seen them or not. Imagine how many civilians have perished… Pardon me for being so gloomy, but there's a lot to consider with the war about to end. We survived, but… Not everyone did.
You find Derric inside the training hall.
Derric: I'm trying to not get my hopes up regarding the coming battle. I don't know what I would do if my hopes were dashed and we weren't able to succeed. All we can do for now is see what happens… I'm confident that we'll win the war one way or another, whether it be tomorrow or a year from now. We've come too far to fail.
You also see Wynne in the training hall.
Wynne: I have to wonder if the monastery will ever truly go back to the way it was before. So much has happened, and I wouldn't be able to blame anybody for wanting to stay away given that it's been such a key place in the war. Oh, well. We'll see when the war ends and the citizens feel safe again. I guess it doesn't matter much now. It's just another beat in the grand timeline of history…
You make your way to the lower floor of dorms. On the way there, You find Florence.
Florence: My family is waiting for me… I've received a few letters saying that they want me to come back home. My younger siblings are borderline desperate to see me again. I'm going to have to fight doubly hard in this last fight so that I can reunite with them. They're counting on me… I can't let them down!
You see Adrian and Luciana speaking in the area of the dorms.
Adrian: It's so strange to think about how we came so close to being part of this class, huh?
Luciana: I agree. We were so close to being involved with the war so heavily, and yet, we escaped.
Adrian: Did we really escape? We're here just like everyone else who was a student at the time the war broke out.
Luciana: We came here of our own free will, and soon enough, we'll be able to leave for the same reasons.
Adrian: That's true. Imagine how great freedom is going to feel after all of this has been said and done.
Luciana: I don't even know where to start in imagining the potential that will come with the war's end… It seems like something out of a fairy tale…
You also find Aestlyn in the lower dorm area.
Aestlyn: Everyone is making plans regarding what they'll be doing next, but… I don't know where I'm supposed to go. I don't have a home to return to. What can I even do?
You suggest that she makes her own home.
Aestlyn: I'll certainly have to consider it… Maybe Fhirdiad will be the place for me. There's no way to tell until after the war is over though, I suppose. I should focus on putting one foot in front of the other for now. The present has to be our priority, after all.
You go upstairs to the second floor of dorms. You cross paths with Cedric once You arrive.
Cedric: The end of the war is going to push us all to disperse… We're on the verge of being forced into our separate directions. I wonder what's going to come of that… I must say that I'm going to miss everyone here. That's the one good thing that's come of the war, I suppose… We've all been together.
You make your way back downstairs. Inside the greenhouse, You find Morgana.
Morgana: I heard recently that you met my brother back in the days when the monastery was still hosting classes. Consider this a formal apology on his behalf. He wouldn't ever want to say sorry, but he's dead now, so I'm going to speak through his name instead. He's gone now. That's what matters most, so he'll never bother any of us again. Thank the goddess.
You find Nora standing outside the greenhouse.
Nora: This is going to be our final battle, huh? I don't know what's going to be waiting for us, but I'm going to fight with everything that I have. The world is watching us right now, and we can't fall to pieces after we've come so far. Our enemy is going to regret doing anything to stand against us in the first place.
You make your way to the fishing dock. You see Hegias in the area.
Hegias: It seems like we're going to be able to free ourselves of the battlefield at long last… Hm. How strange it is to think about… I'm going to do what I can after this final encounter to undo the damages of the war. I think that's what all of us have to do. After all, the war doesn't end perfectly when the final battle draws to a close…
You also find Saias there.
Saias: The people of Abyss are already preparing a festival for when the war ends. It's hit Abyss particularly hard because of how terribly we're treated on a regular basis. Maybe this is going to be a sign of change for the better for the people of Abyss… That's what I'm hoping for. We need a break from all of this.
Next, You cross paths with Gabriel.
Gabriel: I'm thinking of exploring the world after the war ends. It's something to think about at the very least. I've been forced to stay in Abyss for a long time because of my family's situation, but this is going to give me the chance to break free and see what's next. I wonder what all is out there… Is there even anything in the wake of this war?
You start moving towards the dining hall. You find Callisto along the way.
Callisto: Oh, I'm so excited that I feel like I could burst! I haven't felt this on top of the world in such a long time. It's a new experience entirely to finally realize that the end of the war is within our grasp. I'm going to have to start dancing just to get all of this extra energy out. Maybe I can convince a few others to join in… That would be fun for everyone involved, I think.
Inside the dining hall itself, You find Falon speaking with Cassia.
Cassia: I'm going to stay with the Knights of Seiros after the war ends. I don't care how much my parents want me to return home. I know where I belong, and it isn't with them and their ideals. If you ask me, the house is going to fall soon enough anyways. I'll throw it into the dirt myself if I have to.
You find Wolfgang inside the dining hall next.
Wolfgang: Everyone is so excited thinking about their plans for the aftermath of the war. This is going to be our final battle as far as I can tell, so I can't blame them for getting caught up in their own happiness. I don't know what I'm going to be doing though. I suppose fate is going to have to decide that for me. Heaven knows that I don't have any ideas regarding what's next for myself.
Finally, You encounter Kyle.
Kyle: I wonder if we're all going to come back together like this again in the future… I mean, the end of the war is going to mark our departure from the monastery, and that's upsetting to me. Maybe we'll be able to actually celebrate the anniversary of the monastery in the future. That would be amazing, huh?
You walk to the marketplace. There, You find Aquillus.
Aquillus: My brother and sister have been waiting for me in the capital of the Empire. I know that they're excited to see me return… It's been far too long since I last saw them. They deserve to be happy after all that's happened. The war has been hard on all of us. Imagine growing up in all of this… It would be terrible.
You find Raithius and Novalee in the area as well.
Raithius: Everyone's getting so worked up over what's ending with the war's final battle… I want to think more about the time we're going to be seeing each other again.
Novalee: That's just like you, Raithius. Even in the face of something tragic, you find a way to make it into something positive and enjoyable.
Raithius: It's part of my charm. It's one of many reasons that you care about me. I know you very well, Nova.
Novalee: You do… Alright, we're going to have to figure out a way to get everyone back together.
Raithius: I'll do it through sheer force of will if I have to.
Novalee: I know… And that implication is dangerous.
Raithius: You wound me, Novalee!
Novalee: Of course I do…
You make your way to the stables next. You find Lev and William engaged in deep discussion there.
William: It's strange to patrol around the monastery these days and think about how it could be one of the last times that we're here.
Lev: Yeah… I'm going to try and fly around as many times as I can to enjoy what's left.
William: Who would have expected us to actually find something good from this war?
Lev: Certainly not me… I guess that even the darkest of moments can have light if you look into them for long enough to find the hope.
William: I think it's a lesson that all of us could keep in mind.
Lev: I just wish that we had learned it sooner…
Your next destination is the knights' hall. You find Rodain inside.
Rodain: The Knights of Seiros are going to actually be able to go back into work after the war ends as far as I'm aware. We haven't been able to do much since the initial battle because of all that's been going on with the war. It keeps us from our regular duties, but we'll be able to go back to it soon. Imagine how incredible normality is going to feel after all this time… It almost makes me feel like I'm going to faint! ...Dramatics aside, we'll have to be careful for this final fight. Stay out of trouble until everything ends, okay?
You also cross paths with Miriam there.
Miriam: Everyone's buzzing like children at the idea of being able to do what they want for the first time in so long. The war has had a dramatic impact on everyone here, though I'm sure that seems pretty damn obvious. We'll just have to see where everyone ends up after this, wouldn't you say?
Finally, You find Cordelia.
Cordelia: I'm looking forward to being able to resume regular operations of the Knights of Seiros… Though I suspect it will be a while before everything truly goes back to normal. After all, we've got quite the restoration effort on our hands, and that's going to take ages to work with. At least we aren't wanting for determination and passion.
In the graveyard outside the knights' hall, You find Yuliya.
Yuliya: Magnolia seems so sure that she's going to end the war with Albinea after this conflict has been taken care of. Bold words for someone involved with the Faerghus court so heavily. She's got an uphill battle ahead of her, but if she says she's going to do it, I guess all I can do is pray she follows through.
You make your way to the entrance hall. You find Nesreen there.
Nesreen: The world isn't going to have a need for soldiers soon. Everyone is going to be looking for those who can create peace in their wake. It makes you wonder what's going to happen to all of us. We haven't known any other life in the past five years. I guess it's time for us to wake up and change then.
You also cross paths with Kaeta.
Kaeta: I wonder if the Officers Academy is going to open again after the war ends. I know that I would love to see what happens there when the chance comes. Nobody has said anything about it yet, but I think it would be nice to bring back. We could certainly use other bright minds after all this, huh?
You find Magnus in the area next.
Magnus: The world has become a dark place. It will take a long time for everyone to get back to what they were used to before the war. We can't just snap and skip the recovery. We all have to pitch in. It's going to be a lot of work, and I'm betting it'll take a long time… I hope everyone is ready for that kind of dedication.
You walk to the reception hall next. Inside, You find Tuncay and Polly speaking.
Tuncay: I can't wait to go home. I bet that my folks have missed me all these years.
Polly: I imagine so. Times have been difficult as of late, and the war hasn't been easy on anyone.
Tuncay: I take it that you're going to keep on with your duties to the Empire, huh?
Polly: I am… But if you ever find yourself needing work outside of your village, all you need to do is tell me.
Tuncay: You mean to ask me if I want to serve the crown… Interesting proposal you make, Pogy. I'll remember it at the very least.
Polly: That's all I ask.
You also find Karim in the area.
Karim: I have to say that I'm looking forward to being able to put my sword down after all this. It seems like we haven't been able to catch a break in so long. Maybe now is finally our time… You know, after the final battle ends. That's what I'm hoping for. I'm really getting tired of fighting… All of us are.
You cross paths with Grey last.
Grey: I'm going to have to do everything in my power to help Abyss recover after this is over. The people there aren't always able to freely leave, and the war, while fixing some matters, has only complicated others. I guess it comes with the territory. We'll just have to focus on doing as much as we can.
Your next destination is the cathedral. You find Conrad on the bridge along the way.
Conrad: I just got here, and we're already going to have to leave again… Maybe I'll return one day if the Officers Academy returns. I was meant to attend classes here one day, so that could be something for me to at least consider. I'll think about it, assuming that the Officers Academy is even put back into effect… I hope it is.
Inside the cathedral proper, You find Calypso.
Calypso: The religion of Seiros has suffered in the past five years. With the disappearance of the archbishop, many have turned to religion and prayer to try and heal their wounds, but others have turned against the church because of their struggles. It makes you wonder what the future of the faith could possibly involve…
Finally, You cross paths with Roy.
Roy: I've been considering returning to the stage after the war ends. It's not like I'm lacking for stories to tell, and performing has always helped me to feel better about the world around me. I'll have to think about it. Besides, for all I know, I'll still be needed here… Only time will tell, I suppose.
You move down to Abyss with your business on the first floor of the monastery taken care of. Your first destination is the tavern, and You find Tsubasa there.
Tsubasa: Theft has become common with the war and all that it entailed. I imagine that won't be changing for quite some time. Old habits die hard, after all. I know that I'm a hypocrite for pointing this out, but it's something to keep in mind. Lots of things go into restoration, after all. Ending the fighting isn't all that solves the problems of war.
You find Taiyin standing on Burrow Street.
Taiyin: I wonder where everyone is going to end up after the war… I don't want to split away from everybody, but I know that we all have different paths to follow if we want to be happy. Life is a cruel thing, isn't it? For all its giving, it sure does know how to take… The war has shown all of us that and then some…
You see Ansel in the area as well.
Ansel: I hope that the Officers Academy comes back after the war. I would love to see what we could teach everyone after the combat is over and done with… Yes, I know that I wasn't exactly a professor before the war, but I'm still curious. Give me the ability to wonder for a moment, will you?
Your next destination is Chrysalis Row. You find Eli in his room there.
Eli: I'm going to continue doing what I can for the sake of Abyss even long after this war ends. I feel like that's what the people here deserve. This is my home, and it's a place dear to the hearts of many others as well. It simply wouldn't feel right for me to abandon it after all this time. I couldn't do it even if I wanted to.
Finally, You go to the Ashen Wolves' classroom and find Quinn.
Quinn: I'm afraid that my plans for the aftermath of the war are rather simple… I want to stay with Eli and Abyss. Everyone needs assistance here, and I'm more than happy to provide. This is a place that I care for greatly, and I couldn't imagine myself anywhere else… I don't think any of us could.
You make your way to the second floor of the monastery next. You find Aisa in the audience chamber speaking with Jill.
Aisa: It seems that her recovery is going swiftly despite her previous complications.
Jill: You're right. Janae is already feeling up to seeing visitors, and I think that's certainly a nice sign.
Aisa: It will still be a while before she can function on her own, but this is an important first step.
Jill: I'll make sure that she's fine before we let her go. You know, assuming she doesn't want to stay here at the monastery.
Aisa: We will simply have to see where her desires take her…
You walk to Herwig's room next and find him inside.
Herwig: I think that I'm going to stay here at the monastery after the war ends. I want to help the students here in future generations of the Officers Academy. There have been questions about if it will be returning, but I think this war has told us that we need leaders like this. I'll fight for it to come back if I have to. We need the bright minds that it attracts now more than ever before.
Reese can be found in his room as well.
Reese: Raina sent me a final letter saying that she was wishing us luck in the final battle. I've been exchanging notes with her ever since she returned to Fhirdiad, and she's hoping that we come out on top. We're going to make up for lost time after the war ends… I don't think I'll ever need to worry about dreaming ever again after I meet with her once more.
Next, You walk past the infirmary. Inside, You see Chris and Janae are engaged in conversation.
Chris: I wanted to clarify a few things before the war ended. Is that alright?
Janae: Of course… What is it?
Chris: …I believe that we were already aware of this, but I am not your child. Even though I share a name with the one you care so much for, it isn't me.
Janae: I know… I've found Crescent on my own, believe it or not.
Chris: I'm glad to hear it…
Janae: ...I may not know what happened to your mother, but… If you need anything, feel free to reach out.
Chris: No. I can't do that. My existence took everything from you.
Janae: And yet, it brought me here where I found joy once again. Don't blame yourself for things that are out of your control. I mean it when I say that you can lean on me.
Chris: I… I'll keep it in mind. Thank you.
Janae: You're welcome.
You walk to the library. Niko can be found behind the desk.
Niko: The world is my oyster now that my parents are gone. I'm not forced to stay here to escape their constant overbearing presence. I can go wherever I want now… But part of me thinks that I'm always going to have a soft spot for the library here. It really has come to mean the world to me…
Ernst can also be found in the area.
Ernst: I've always specialized in magic as far as writing is concerned, but perhaps I could convince myself to write about the war after it's over. Future generations will want as much information as possible, after all. Who better to answer their questions than someone present during it all?
Finally, You walk to the cardinals' room and cross paths with Magnolia.
Magnolia: I know that the final battle isn't going to be easy, but I'm going to do what I must in order to save Faerghus. I was hoping that it wouldn't come to this, but if this is how it has to be, then… Then so be it. I know what I have to do, and I won't stop until the continent has been saved. That much I solemnly swear on my blade now and forever.
With your rounds of the monastery finished, You make your way back to your room. Seraphine speaks to You along the way.
Seraphine: If you ask me, we really are at the end of the line… I can't imagine there being much left to the war at this point. We're going to have to do what we can in order to succeed, but… I suppose you could say that I have confidence in our skills. I can tell that you feel the same way.
You nod.
Seraphine: We know what we have to do… I know that this isn't the outcome that any of us would have wanted in other circumstances, but we don't have much of a choice at this point. We're going to fight for what we believe in, and we'll simply have to remain faithful that this is the best choice. We've made our decision, and everyone else is in much the same position.
You tell Seraphine that You are going to make sure that the war ends in the coming battle.
Seraphine: I know you are… It's admirable to see how determined you are to keep everyone out of harm's way. I must confess that it's nice to witness firsthand. May our convictions lead us to victory as soon as possible.
You settle down for the night, and Seraphine's voice draws into silence. You think about the fight to come and all that is bound to come with it. You are determined to end the war once and for all, and nothing is going to stop You, Marcus or otherwise. You have made your choice, and You know that this is going to be for the best in the long run. All You can do for the time being is prepare, and when the final encounter arrives, You will show everyone how strong your ambitions truly can be when put to action…
I slept so much today you have no idea
-Digital