Logan(narrating): The more things change, the more they stay the same. Boundaries shift, new players step in, but power always finds a place to rest its head. I, along with my cousin and comrade, were training alongside the warriors of Hadoria to protect her ideals. We fought and bled alongside the Essenan natives to do so. We shoulda known they'd hate us for said ideals. History is written by the victor. And here I am, thinking we'd won. But you bring down one enemy and they find someone even worse to replace him. Or in the case I have grappled with, her to replace him. Locations change, the rationale, the objective. Yesterday's enemies are today's recruits. Train them to fight alongside you and pray they don't eventually decide to hate you for it too.(To Dean)Same kind of work, different day. You know what I'm looking for cousin. Keep your eyes open.
Dean: Yeah. Hopefully, we can put an end to this, once we find Braddock.
(At the Spirit Ward)
Dean: Welcome to 'Spirit Beasts 101'. For the lot of you who are Spirit Beast tamers yourselves, this shouldn't be hard. No offense, but I see a lot of you everyday people with these things all the time. Now, I want to tell you all about how Logan gained his next two Spirit Beasts...
(Flashback)
Eric: Ah, perfection. These tea leaves are just divine. Quite the impressive selection, if I do say so myself.
Quinn: Eric, so this is where ya are.
Eric: Hello, Quinn. Lured here by the exquisite aroma, were you?
Quinn: Uh...no? I've got a thing for ya. It's a letter. Alright. Well, don't say I didn't deliver it.
Eric: A letter for me, is it? Curious. Let's see what we have here.(He opens the letter)Oh my...
Logan: So, who's it from?
Eric: Hello, Logan. It is a rare correspondence from my father, as it happens. Some difficulty with Argus, apparently. My father wishes me to return home and settle it.
Logan: Argus?
Eric: A young lord whose domain borders my father's. Do you know of the Great Bridge of Myrddin? It is an old bridge across the Airmid River. A key crossing between Alliance and Empire territory. Acheron controls the land on the northern side. Controlling such an essential location gives him quite a bit of clout, which he is ever so eager to deploy toward the purpose of stirring up trouble. This time, he is dredging up an old border dispute that was supposed to be settled some time ago. He has even begun to dispatch military force. It is best we rout his troops before they cause any damage to the surrounding villages.
Logan: Why does this fall to you, Eric?
Eric: To my father, Argus is insignificant in the face of far more pressing political matters. Other houses wield far greater power and influence: Goneril, Ordelia, Edmund, and of course, Riegan. To make his voice heard at the roundtable conferences, my father must keep up relations with them. That is simply the way the Evo Alliance works. It was, after all, founded with the goal of freedom from Kalos. We prize that independence highly, even if it occasionally hinders cooperation. There is often talk of mutual aid, but the truth is that each noble acts to maximize personal benefit. At the moment, the Riegan Dukedom is in no state to keep those conflicting motivations in check. So, while the Alliance may appear to be at peace, the reality is that internal conflict is a routine matter. Of course, this leaves me precious little time to sit back and enjoy a cup of tea. Alas, I must be off.
Logan: Sounds tough.
Eric: Since you are here, perhaps you would care to accompany me on this little errand? I have no fear of Acheron, but it could be valuable to experience these political nuances firsthand. The fate of the Alliance will someday rest upon my shoulders, so it is important to me that those I deal with understand its workings. What say you to broadening your horizons?
Dean(narrating): Like his siblings, Logan wasn't one to turn down a friend. So, he went ahead, taking Braddock and the others with him.
Eric: Far more enemies than I expected. I am glad you decided to come with us, Professor.
Argus: Oh? And here I thought Count Gloucester would be too busy to send his soldiers here... Ah, well, it doesn't matter. I'll just have to deal with you little meddlers swiftly and decisively!
Eric: That is Argus. If we can deal with him, that ought to scare the rest of these rats off. We need not actually kill him. So long as we cut his escape off convincingly enough, that should suffice. Incidentally, take note of those drawbridges. They can only be operated from one of the banks. We may be able to use that to our advantage.
Thief: Sir.
Argus: Ooh, have you found something nice? Go ahead and hand it over!
Eric: Thieves! Do not allow them to escape!
Dean: Will do!
(Everyone takes down the thieves, and Argus' warriors at every turn)
Braddock: I did hear that some good-for-nothing inherited this territory. I guess that's you, then.
Argus: Who do you think you are? I'm not a good-for-nothing! You are!
Braddock: If you were actually good for anything at all, I'd at least expect you to recognize who I am...
Eric: Give it up, Argus! We are in the right. If you try to remain here any longer...
Argus: What, you'll kill me? A tiny kid like you kill someone like me? Oh, that's too funny.
Eric: An animal like you cannot be allowed to run amok. We will settle this here and now!
Argus: If you think you're up to the task, then by all means. But it's not my fault if it ends badly for you.
Logan: Why that little...(A Spirit Beast armed with a sword and shield, and another which resembles a Viking Dragon materializes)Oh, you coming to help me?
Argus: Who are you? I'd appreciate it if you could just not get in my way!
Logan: Watch your mouth, lest you want to end up in the hands of Elysium.
(The sword and shield bearing Beast defeats Argus)
Argus: Argh! Wait! I lose, I give up! I surrender! Please don't kill meeee!
Eric: You have my thanks, Logan. Please go on ahead. I will clean up here and then report to my father. See you back at the monastery.
Logan: Will do. Spirit Beasts, return to me!
Eric: our assistance in this incident with Argus has proved most essential. Consider me in your debt. Thanks to you, the Alliance was able to nip this internal conflict in the bud.
Logan: What will become of Argus?
Eric: He has written a pledge to my father, swearing never to cause trouble about the border again. Of course, he is hardly the type to bind himself in good faith to anything written on paper. But Argus has many connections, both in the Alliance and in the Empire. To remove him entirely would cause more conflict. We will just have to watch him closely for now.
Logan: That is a prudent decision.
Eric: Indeed. I do plan to eliminate him eventually, however. He is nothing but trouble. Incidentally, there was one other benefit to embarking upon this errand. Have a look at this. The magic staff, Thyrsus. A Relic passed down through House Gloucester for generations. It seems my father has finally recognized my ability. Apparently, he had been considering entrusting this Relic to me for some time. He has had precious few opportunities to take to the field of battle personally, of late. Doubtless by giving this to me, he intends to send the message that I must work even harder. I will certainly continue to do my utmost. But I am by no means completely subservient to his will.
Logan: Is all not well between you two?
Eric: I would not go so far as that. But my father seldom thinks beyond the immediate benefit of our house. While that is important, I prefer to consider the greater good when I make decisions. I believe that is a noble's duty. Now, for the time being, may I trust you to decide how we may best make use of Thyrsus? For the moment, I think you are in the best position to apply it to the betterment of all of Fódlan.
Logan: Are you sure?
Eric: To be quite honest, I am not certain I feel ready to decide the fate of a Relic on my own just yet. Do me this favor, Professor, and I will be grateful. Now, to celebrate! Allow me to treat you to tea.
Dean: Thanks to his newest additions, Logan was able to bring a glimmer of peace to the Alliance. But only afterward when trouble struck again, was he to meet one of the most powerful Beasts.
(Flashback)
Jordan: So basically, we just gotta defeat their leader, right? Then why don't we approach from...ugh! That won't work at all! Horses won't fit through there! I can't figure this out! I give up.
Ligan: Try to calm down and think it through.
Jordan: But enemies never move how you want them to in a real battle, do they? I reckon I learn better on the battlefield.
Ricky: Logan! I need to speak with you.
Jordan: Ricky! You all right?
Ricky: I received a letter from my brother back home. There's some disturbing news.
Logan: What's going on?
Ricky: Monsters have been attacking merchants within the Alliance territories.
Jordan: That happens all the time. I mean, that's how my parents died, so...
Ricky: Ah, Jordan! I didn't mean to bring up such a sensitive topic in your presence.
Jordan: Hey, don't worry about that. C'mon, let's hear the rest of it.
Ricky: Very well. These attacks seem to be focused on specific merchants.
Logan: Like who?
Ricky: Those who are traveling from the territory of House Gloucester to the Riegan Dukedom. Merchants traveling in the opposite direction, from Riegan to Gloucester, don't suffer nearly as many attacks.
Jordan: That doesn't make any sense. Someone's gotta deal with those monsters though.
Ricky: Agreed. At this rate, my father and brother can't conduct business without risking their lives. Logan, could you assist me? I need your help exterminating these creatures.
Jordan: Now you're talking! I'm going too! I'm not learning anything in a classroom! You're gonna go, right, Logan? Don't you wanna help these folks?
Dean(narrating): Logan once again accepted the call, and he and the others couldn't even stomach the sight that awaited them.
Merchant: Aah! Monsters! Begone!
Ricky: Look! The monsters are attacking those merchants again.
Jordan: Looks like there are some humans mixed in there! Maybe they're controlling the monsters! If they are, do you think we just have to take out the leader?
Ricky: Let's get started, before it's too late!
Dean(narrating): With each blow, Logan knew that if his siblings could take down monsters, then he would be at the same level. And just to help him...
(A Dragon Spirit Beast materializes)
Logan: Hey.
Alliance General: What do you think you're doing? Don't get in the way of our duty!
Ricky: Your "duty"? You're letting monsters wreak havoc on innocent people!
Alliance General: Shut it! It's got nothing to do with you!
(The Spirit Beast and Logan help Ricky and Jordan deal with the corrupt General)
Alliance General: I'm not looking forward to telling the count...
Jordan: Looks like we took care of 'em!
Ricky: That man mentioned the count. What could Count Gloucester have to do with all this?
Merchant: Thank you so much! We're safe now and it's all due to your efforts! I can't bear to think what might have happened if you hadn't shown up.
Jordan: Yay! A happy ending for everyone!
Ricky: If you don't mind me asking... were you headed to the Riegan Dukedom?
Merchant: We were. We traveled around the Alliance selling our wares. I heard this route was dangerous, but...
Ricky: "Dangerous," you say. Are you referring to the recent cases of merchants being attacked on that route?
Merchant: That's right. We can't turn a profit without going to Derdriu. I don't know what Count Gloucester is thinking.
Logan: This is the count's doing?
Ricky: I had a feeling it might be. You're certain?
Merchant: Looks that way. I think he's unhappy with merchants contributing to House Riegan's wealth. It seems like he's been at odds with them forever. They say even the previous Duke Riegan's death...
Jordan: Was that the count's fault too?
Merchant: It's only a rumor, but it was Count Gloucester himself who lured the late Duke Riegan out. If I recall correctly...he invited the duke to his estate to strike a deal on some valuable art pieces. I believe the duke brought a pair of merchants with him to assess the pieces in question, but...
Ricky: Ergh...
Merchant: Alas, it seems those merchants lost their lives alongside him. A terrible misfortune. I wish these nobles wouldn't get us common folk mixed up in their feuds. You came from Elysium, right? I'll send a token of our thanks over later.
Ricky: Hmmm...
Logan: Those merchants who lost their lives...
Jordan: Yeah, that was my ma and pa.
Ricky: My parents received the request initially, but they had other business. They recommended Jordan's parents as substitutes. We could never have imagined...
Logan: And Count Gloucester, isn't he...?
Ricky: Yes, he's Eric's fath-
Jordan: OK, OK! That's enough of that! It's just a rumor, right? So, who cares? Even if it's true, that's our parents' business. It's got nothing to do with us.
Ricky: But you-
Jordan: You got no idea what really happened, right, Ricky? And I bet Eric doesn't know either! The way I see it, it was monsters that killed my parents. They died in an accident. I got no reason to hate anyone or blame somebody else for their deaths. I don't have time for that. I got my little sis to worry about instead.
Ricky: Jordan...
Jordan: Now that that's settled, let's head back! What do you think that merchant's gonna send us? I hope it's food!
Logan: Jordan, with you, everything should be food.
Dean: He helped out those who needed help and learned a lot more about the same things you know. Now before his father died, he said unto him...
(Flashback)
Janus: The church has changed a lot since my time. Sampson, Samuel, Julia, Andre, and many of the knights... None of them were around 20 years ago. Have you met Ava yet? Apparently, it was my influence that inspired her to leave her village. Sorry to burden you, but could you watch over her for me? She's the only apprentice I've ever had.
Dean: Heck, we were even invited to a special event!
(Flashback)
Braddock: You're going to receive the goddess's revelation at the Holy Tomb? That's news to me. I did not see that coming.
Samantha: Lady Irma's going too, right? I hear it will be well-guarded, but it is that really okay?
Ricky: If Dairou's allies are still around, it's certainly true that we don't know when or where they may appear.
Ava: I don't know what type of place this Holy Tomb is, but we should be cautious.
Jordan: If something happens, we'll have to take matters into our own hands.
Samantha: What do you think, Logan? Is it really okay for Lady Irma to attend?
Logan: It's encouraging.
Braddock: Leave it to our fearless leader to shrewdly factor in Rhea's fighting ability. You're bold, Teach. I love it. Well, the truth is, we won't know what's going on until it happens. All we can do is stay on our guard and play it by ear.
Eric: That's quite enough babbling, Brad. There is nobody more unfit for a holy ceremony than you.
Dean: Give the man some slack, we've all been invited!
Wallace: Yeah, so let's have a good time.
Dean: It didn't end well.
Logan: What my courageous cousin is pointing out is that after we went inside, the Shadow Knight and 'her' crew arrived on the scene. The reason I say 'her' in such a sense is because she was the newly crowned emperor of the Essena Empire. My brother joined up with her, and that's how this war started.
Devon: Sounds like you might need to go back to Elysium then, does it?
(An Aztec warrior, a magical Elf, and a bird are among his Spirit Beasts)
Sarah: I'll come too.
(Her spirit roster has twins and another woman)
Zora: And so will I.
Donnie: You're not leaving me behind.
(Their roster has two lizards, a witch, and several warriors. Just then, an explosion is heard)
Spirit Beast Warrior: The Ward is under attack! Brace yourselves!
Dean: Uh Logan, we got Demonic Beasts clawing at the door.
Logan: Who's leading them?
Wallace: That's the part I think you won't like.
(Logan and his new friends head out, only to see that Broadedge is commanding the Demonic Beasts)
Logan: It's Broadedge!
(The Aztec warrior Beast gestures toward the enemy as if to tell his fellow Spirit Beasts "Defend the Ward!" Which they do)
Zora: Your Beast has a point.
Dean: Charge!
(The twins and Lizards take on a few, while all of the warriors take on a bunch)
Logan: Should've figured you'd be behind this! What is this for anyway?
Broadedge: We're at war now Logan. I thought you and your cousin had already guessed it.
Dean: Oh yeah, we utterly forgot all about that.
(Some Spirit Beasts help the two defeat Broadedge)
Broadedge: Well, I guess it's time to further our own ambitions then.
(The Black Jaguar Beast roars)
Dean: Ooh, you got a point here big buddy. The jaguar says he can take us all to Elysium.
Devon: I figured he might.
Wallace: Then what are we waiting for?
Logan(narrating): After all the adventures I had, this was going to be one of them. Braddock... Wait for me, cause I'm coming back to the place I know.