At the conclusion of the moon, You make your way to the cardinals' room. There, You find the Blue Lions waiting for You patiently. Seraphine speaks briefly before the others in the room can comment on your arrival.
Seraphine: Well… This is it. This should be the final fight of the war… So much has changed. I just hope that this is actually the end like we've been hoping for…
You turn your attention to the Blue Lions as Seraphine falls silent.
Magnolia: Alright, everyone. I've been checking to see where our informants believe the enemy is, and I'm pretty sure that the target can be found in Fhirdiad. They've made a mistake by trying to get into the capital city and believing that they can get away with it. We're going to be leaving to march on the city as soon as possible.
Reese: I guess this is really it… This is going to be the last time we charge into battle. Who would have guessed that we would come so far in such a short span of time?
Illona: At the very least, everything is about to be over. That's all that we can really ask for all this time, you know?
Falon: We're still going to have a lot of work ahead of us even after the final battle, but I'm confident that we'll be able to pull it off.
Nora: For now, we know what we have to do. We need to set out for Fhirdiad and make sure that our enemies don't get away with all that they've done.
Karim: As far as I'm aware, we should be ready to march out as soon as we're ready to do so. Everybody's been just itching for this final fight over the past few weeks.
Kyle: I can't say that I blame them. After all, we've been doing so much to make sure that everything will end soon.
Aestlyn: We've all been looking forward to the idea of peace. We just have to take it firmly into our hands after this fight.
Cassia: In that case, let's get to it. The world is waiting for us, after all. It would be best if we didn't keep it waiting for much longer.
Luciana: I'm glad that we all agree on the matter. I'll be looking forward to speaking once again after peace has come to our fair land.
You watch as the Blue Lions leave the room behind, and You glance to Magnolia. You tell her that You will stand by her until after the fight ends.
Magnolia: I had a feeling you were going to say that, Professor. I'm glad to have had you by my side all this time. I understand that we're going to be able to do this. Even if this isn't the outcome that I would have wanted… I know that I have to make sure that the flames of war don't completely ravage Faerghus. I'm going to make peace with Albinea no matter how unpopular it makes me with the other nobles or my own population. I'm going to stop this war even if it goes against the wishes of someone who I thought could be my ally. I'm going to make sure that nobody ever suffers this way again regardless of what happens in the future. This is where it all ends. That much I'm sure of.
You tell her that You are proud of her determination.
Magnolia: Thank you, Professor. I'm going to keep fighting until after I'm sure that peace has come to the entire continent. I'm glad to have had you by my side. All that remains is for us to finish off everything that remains of the chaos of war. From there, the recovery process can begin, and I'm sure that we'll be more than ready to facilitate such healing together.
You nod and say that You are ready for what's to come.
Magnolia: I'm glad to hear it. Now, let's go and finish this once and for all. It's what we've been looking forward to for all this time, after all.
You watch Magnolia leave the room, and Seraphine speaks to You.
Seraphine: She's right… This really is going to be it. Even if we don't know exactly what's waiting for us at the end of the war, I'm confident that we'll be able to take full advantage of the future and make sure that it's a bright one. There are too many people counting on us for us to fumble now. Let's go and make the world a better place!
You nod your agreement and move to the front of the monastery. The Blue Lions are waiting for You there along with the other troops of your group, and You start to move towards the capital of Faerghus to end the war once and for all.
When You arrive in Fhirdiad, You find that the city is in chaos. In the distance, You can see smoke spiraling into the skies. You glance over to Magnolia and ask her what You will be doing first.
Magnolia: We're just going to start fighting. We have to make sure that the people of Fhirdiad are kept safe above all else. Blue Lions, this is what we've been waiting for all this time! We can't back down after all the work that we've done to see peace one day! This is the day that the war ends, and I'm counting on all of you to remain by my side until after we've found that salvation!
Luciana: You have our blades, Magnolia. We'll do what we have to in order to end the war once and for all.
Magnolia: I'm glad to hear it. Now, how about we focus on fighting the enemies that are here? I can tell that the people are going to need our help as soon as possible, and the longer that we wait, the more people are struggling. Do what you must in order to save the residents of Fhirdiad!
The Blue Lions spread out throughout the city. You stay with Magnolia, and You hear something stirring nearby. You ask who is there.
Marcus: I was hoping for a kinder greeting than that, though I suppose that in your eyes, I lost that right a long time ago.
Magnolia: We meet again… This time, I trust that we both understand what will come from this encounter.
Marcus: I do know what's going to happen. One of us will leave this city as a corpse, and the other will be the official winner of this war. Who can say who it will be?
Magnolia: I will succeed for the sake of my people. Your crimes against innocent people will not be forgotten.
Marcus: Innocence… Such a strange concept. You speak of innocence, but there isn't an innocent person in your country. Faerghus is a broken machine, and it's only a matter of time before it falls to dust entirely. Nearly every single person in the borders of this nation holds issues with Albinea.
Magnolia: It's a difficult issue to navigate.
Marcus: Difficult doesn't even begin to cover it. Your father was thought of as one of the greatest kinds in the history of your nation, and yet, he was guilty of unspeakable crimes. Your people allowed someone so rotten to rise to power and be given the title of greatness. Tell me, is that innocence? Is standing by and allowing for others to be hurt and hated truly innocence? Is any person of your nation truly innocent for upholding such a dreadful system of hatred?
Magnolia: …
Marcus: There is no such thing as innocence in my eyes. We both have our own convictions, but if you truly wish to change Faerghus for the better, you're going to be fighting an uphill battle. This place has hated me and all the people like me ever since the war started. Your father was known for his brutality, and he was still labeled as an incredible king. That's what countries like this do; they ignore everything that's inconvenient as long as it will continue to make them look good.
Magnolia: I'm like you. I don't approve of what my father did in the slightest.
Marcus: It's a low bar to pass to not support someone like him, but it isn't going to be enough to keep me from engaging in this war. I know where I stand, and if we've both made our choices, then so be it. We're going to have to fight until one of us comes out on top.
Magnolia: Either way, I believe that Faerghus will eventually change in the way that we would have liked.
Marcus: One way or another, our goals will be accomplished… Tch. You can think of it that way all you want, but there are still fundamental differences between us that cannot be underestimated.
Magnolia: I see… We'll simply have to see what comes next then. I believe that this is going to be our final encounter.
Marcus: Only one of us leaves Fhirdiad alive… I wonder who it will be.
Magnolia: I welcome the challenge, but you had best understand that I won't be surrendering until my ambitions have been fulfilled.
Marcus: Of course not… Let's go on and get this over with. On with the show, I say!
Magnolia: If that's what you want, then fine! It's time for the battle to begin anew!
The battle gets ready to start in the minutes that follow, and You find your place near Magnolia as You turn your attention towards the fight at hand. You know that this is the final encounter with Marcus, and You glance around to see that all of the Malice fighters are scattered throughout the nearby streets of the city. In order to find victory, You will need to defeat Marcus.
When the fight begins properly, You watch as the Blue Lions charge forward with all the strength that they possess, and You find yourself incredibly proud of all that they have managed to accomplish. You move towards Marcus as their strength is shown off in full. You know that this is where it all draws to a close, and You cannot wait for the war to finally be considered a piece of the past.
If You initiate combat with Marcus, the following dialogue plays out.
Marcus: I still lack understanding as to why you insist on fighting for such a broken country, but I also know that there isn't a point to trying to convince you. This is where it all ends one way or another, and I understand that better than anyone else here. Draw your blade and show me what you're capable of. The least you can do is put on a nice show in your final moments.
If Magnolia initiates combat with Marcus, the following dialogue plays out.
Magnolia: I've fought through all of your other forces with the help of the Blue Lions. What do you have to say to that?
Marcus: You're stronger than I thought you would be… I suppose I can't fault you for that much.
Magnolia: This is our final encounter, so I figured that I would show you everything that I was capable of.
Marcus: Your hubris is noted once again. Now… How about we go on and finish this? We've spoken enough, and if neither one of us is going to yield, then we have no choice but to seal the deal.
Magnolia: Consider it done.
If Nora initiates combat with Marcus, the following dialogue plays out.
Nora: All these years of suffering have been because of you… The one who killed the previous king of Faerghus.
Marcus: I don't regret my actions, and if you wish to hold that against me, then it's your issue to resolve.
Nora: If you think that I'm upset with what you did, then you're sorely mistaken. I despise the memory of the man as well.
Marcus: And yet, you continue to fight for Faerghus, ignoring the sins of the past without a second though.
Nora: My loyalties are on this side of the battlefield.
Marcus: Disappointing… Oh, well. Let's get this fight over with, shall we?
If Aestlyn initiates combat with Marcus, the following dialogue plays out.
Aestlyn: I have to ask you… Is this what you call justice? Did you want this?
Marcus: I wanted Faerghus to pay, and I believe that I'm on the cusp of truly getting rid of this disgusting nation.
Aestlyn: Are you sure that this is what you want? Do you want to charge through this country and harm anyone who gets in your way?
Marcus: I've done what I found to be for the best. That's all that you need to know.
Aestlyn: If you insist that this is what you want, then fine… I'll just have to stop you with my own two hands.
Marcus: I welcome you to try.
If Illona initiates combat with Marcus, the following dialogue plays out.
Illona: You know… I don't think that this is how we should be. Why are we trying to go against each other when we both want peace for Faerghus? As soon as the war ends, our side is going to completely destroy those who approve of the war in Albinea.
Marcus: It's more complicated than that. You have to know what Faerghus is like. It's a terrible place for people like us. You were accessories of Brigid, after all.
Illona: Yeah… I do know. It's been a mess for me for as long as I can remember.
Marcus: Then why stay on your side of the battlefield?
Illona: Because… Because I know that this is where I'm meant to be. My friends are here.
Marcus: Disappointing. Very disappointing.
Illona: I wish that it didn't have to come to this.
Marcus: And yet, here we are, so we must fight until one comes out the victor!
If Kyle initiates combat with Marcus, the following dialogue plays out.
Kyle: I didn't think that we would wind up facing off against each other like this, but I guess that life knows how to throw all sorts of surprises at you if you aren't ready.
Marcus: You probably suspected that you had seen the last of me five years ago.
Kyle: Perhaps, but that matters little. We're here now, and I know what side of the fight I belong on.
Marcus: How unfortunate. I'll just show you what I've learned since we last saw each other!
Kyle: And I'd be more than happy to return the favor!
If Cassia initiates combat with Marcus, the following dialogue plays out.
Cassia: After your defeat five years ago, you retreated and began to plan for the war, didn't you?
Marcus: You're a bright one, I'll give you that much.
Cassia: I wish that we didn't have to fight against one another. We could have fought for the future together if the circumstances were different.
Marcus: But we're here right now, and that leaves us with only one choice for what to do next.
Cassia: I'm afraid so… Fine. If that's how you want it to be, then let's get to it!
If Karim initiates combat with Marcus, the following dialogue plays out.
Karim: You know, we should have been on the same side… None of us like the way that Albinea is treated either.
Marcus: I could never side with nobles and royals from Faerghus even if I wanted to. My pride wouldn't allow it.
Karim: And so we're forced to fight one another?
Marcus: That's what's happening now, isn't it? You should be able to put the pieces together easily enough.
Karim: I see… As disappointing as that is, I suppose that there's no other choice for us at this point. I hope that you're ready for what's to come!
Marcus: The same to you. I won't be holding back, and you shouldn't either.
Karim: I wouldn't dream of it!
If Falon initiates combat with Marcus, the following dialogue plays out.
Marcus: You… You're from House Goneril.
Falon: What does that matter to you?
Marcus: Your grandmother caused many issues for me and the rest of my people over the past few years.
Falon: That sounds like her alright… She's not someone that I am particularly fond of.
Marcus: She fought against the people of Albinea for years because she wanted to expand her reach of power. The things that she's done… They're nothing short of disgusting.
Falon: I won't deny that much… But I'm still going to fight against you. I know where I stand.
Marcus: Tch… How upsetting.
Falon: My grandmother's crimes were dreadful, and… I'm sorry that your people were hurt along the way. Still, I understand what I must do, and I intend to stand by my morality until the bitter end!
Marcus: So be it. That's your poor choice, and you're going to be the one who pays the price for it.
Falon: We'll just have to see who comes out on top. Without further ado, we fight!
If Reese initiates combat with Marcus, the following dialogue plays out.
Marcus: You're from House Schweighen… I remember that much about you.
Reese: Yes… I am.
Marcus: Working with your relatives and the other nobles for the sake of furthering my own ambitions was nauseating, let me tell you.
Reese: Yeah, I can only imagine. I'm not fond of what my uncle has done in the past either.
Marcus: At least you're self-aware. They only used me because they thought it would get them higher in the world. I was little more than a tool to them.
Reese: So you returned the favor.
Marcus: Anyone in my position would do the same.
Reese: You make a fair point… Still, we aren't here to discuss the past. We're here to fight for the future.
Marcus: That's true. Ready your sword and fight.
If Luciana initiates combat with Marcus, the following dialogue plays out.
Luciana: After all the grief you have given the country of Faerghus, all I can do is fight you here and now… But know that I am not deaf to your pleas. I understand why you fight.
Marcus: And despite claiming to understand, you continue to side with the crown.
Luciana: I do… But I was hoping that one day, we would be able to see one another as allies rather than enemies.
Marcus: Your hopes will end in failure, I'm afraid. I've made my decision, and it seems that you've made yours, even if it leaves you as little more than one of many pawns in the grand design of this terrible country.
Luciana: You may keep your reservations, but I believe that I'm fighting for what I think is right.
Marcus: Your mistake. Let's just get this over with, shall we?
If anyone else initiates combat with Marcus, the following dialogue plays out.
Marcus: You've had too many chances to change your mind, but you continued to refuse… As unfortunate as that is, I'm done trying to persuade you or anyone on your side. This is where it ends for one of our factions, and even if I must fight alone, I will make sure that I succeed!
When Marcus is defeated, the following dialogue plays out.
Marcus: You hit harder than I would have anticipated… Consider me impressed… But if you thought that I would surrender and bow to your whims so easily, then you have another thing coming…!
After Marcus is defeated, You and the Blue Lions stand around him.
Marcus: You fight well… I must confess that much.
Magnolia: It all ends here.
Marcus: Not so fast… One final duel. That's all I ask of you.
Magnolia: What?
Marcus: The two of us… Let's see who comes out on top as having the stronger ambitions for the future.
Luciana: Magnolia, you can't truly mean to…
Magnolia: I do.
Marcus: This is the final battle… Shall we see who succeeds?
Magnolia: I would be delighted to.
You watch as other Malice soldiers close in around You, and Seraphine's voice echoes in your mind.
Seraphine: This is going to be it… I can just feel it! We're going to have to do everything that we can to fight back, and we'll place our trust in Magnolia. She's more than strong enough to pull out on top, and we need to have faith that she'll succeed.
You nod and tell the Blue Lions that You will defeat the rest of the Malice forces while Magnolia defeats Marcus.
Luciana: Understood. You know what you must do, everyone! This is where the war ends! It's what we've been preparing for all this time! The time is now!
You nod your agreement before turning your attention to the fight at hand. This is where everything draws to a conclusion, and You find yourself unable to wait for what is to come after the battle ends. Your dedication leads You to You raise your blade and prepare to charge ahead as soon as the time is right…
Only one week remains!
-Digital