RM: …Father. This isn't a dream, is it? This… This is all real. Mist. The sun's going down, and it's getting cold. Come on. Let's go.
Mist: …
RM: Mist?
Mist: Oh…Oh, RM…sniff…
RM: Mist…
Mist: …W-why…Why?
RM: I was at his side, but…I couldn't save him. I'm sorry.
Mist: …Sniff…
RM: It's… It's so unreal…
Mist: Dad's gone… He's gone, RM. Sniff…And…I…don't…I don't know what to do…
RM: Don't worry. I'm here.
Mist: Bro-Brother…
RM: I'll lead the company…In Father's stead…And I'll protect you all. You, the princess…everyone. I'll protect you. You'll see.
Mist: Brother…RM… No…
RM: Mist?
Mist: I won't allow it… I can't lose you. Don't you see? If you go, then I'll be all alone…I won't allow it.
RM: I'm not going anywhere. I promise you, Mist…
Titania: Commander…Greil…Why is this happening? Why is any of this happening? Why now? First, Crimea…And now you…
Soren: … RM…
Titania: Oh, RM! Where's Mist?
RM: She's resting in her room. Rhys and Rolf are with her.
Titania: That's good…She needs to sleep. She's been through too much. We all have…You should rest too, RM.
RM: I'll be all right. Grief won't bring my father back to life. I know I've been a burden on the both of you. Titania, Soren, I just need to thank you both for staying here with me.
Soren: Not at all…
Titania: There's no need. Don't trouble yourself.
RM: So…where is everyone?
Titania: RM, to tell the truth…
RM: Yes?
Oscar: Boyd and I are back.
Titania: How did it go?
Boyd: I can't believe it! They just left, and they didn't take one look back! Heartless scum! I'll never forgive them!
RM: Boyd? What's going on?
Boyd: RM! Are you all right?
RM: I'm fine. Tell me what's happened. Start talking.
Boyd: Well, uh, it's…What I mean to say is…Uh…
Soren: Shinon and Gatrie have left us.
Boyd: Soren!
Soren: What? There's nothing to hide, is there?
RM: They left? Both of them? Why did they–Oh, I see. They left because of me, didn't they?
Titania: RM…
Boyd: Titania told us you were going to be the new commander. Shinon just about exploded…He and Gatrie left not long ago.
Oscar: We went after them. We tried to talk things out, but it was a waste of time.
Soren: We all knew that RM was going to inherit command of the company, didn't we? It just happened sooner than we wanted. It was Greil's decision. If some of us aren't satisfied with that, there's no reason we should stop them from leaving. As far as losing fighting strength is concerned, we can solve that by adding new members.
Boyd: How can you say that? After all the battles we've been through together, how can you say that?
Titania: Forgive me, RM. I wasn't able to stop any of this…
RM: It's not your fault, Titania. They did what they felt they had to do. They didn't want to lose their lives to an inexperienced commander.
Titania: RM! Don't talk about yourself like that.
RM: I'm not saying that to gain anyone's pity. It's the truth. But even so, I have no intention of giving up command of this company.
Titania: RM? Then what will you–
RM: I'm going to follow my father's wishes. I'm going to assume command. If everyone will accept me, that's what I'd like to do.
Titania: Of course!
Oscar: I'd already made up my mind. That's what I was going to do all along.
Boyd: What, so now you want me to start calling you Boss? Is that it? Well, I can do that. Boss it is!
Rhys: I'm in, too.
RM: Rhys!
Rhys: Mist's asleep. I know I missed most of the conversation, but I have a good idea of what you've been discussing. Commander RM…Yes, it does have a nice ring to it.
RM: What about you, Soren?
Soren: …RM. I'm not sure what help I could be to you. What place is there for me in a mercenary company, anyway?
RM: You are so weird…I've always depended on you, haven't I? I need your tactical knowledge. I need your objectivity. You're not going to leave me, are you, Soren?
Soren: Don't worry. I'll be here, watching over you.
RM: Thank you. I know I'm not as experienced as most of you. I'm going to make some mistakes, but I'll try not to let you down.
Titania: Well, you're going to have a lot to learn about being commander. I'm glad you're serious, because it's a lot of work.
RM: Tell me everything.
Titania: First, you'll need to understand company expenditures. Then we'll talk about ensuring that everyone is properly outfitted. And we can't forget the need to gather good intelligence. Oh, and you'll want to know everyone's abilities and relationships.
RM: Uh-huh…
Titania: Earlier, I spoke with a merchant caravan that's taken refuge here in the castle. They fled Crimea at the same time we did. I told them who we are, and they asked if they could travel with us. I think they're worried about protection from Daein. In exchange, they've offered us a good rate on items and weapons. They'll also buy items and forge weapons for us.
RM: Uh-huh…
Titania: They also said we could use their wagons to store our goods. That's one more worry off our minds.
RM: Uh-huh…
Titania: So anyway–
RM: Titania!
Titania: Yes?
RM: I know I said tell me everything, but…This is too much. I can't keep up. Maybe I shouldn't learn everything in one sitting. Can you show me the ropes along the way? Is that all right?
Titania: Oh…yes, of course. Sorry. I got a bit carried away.
RM: I'll take over for now. Why don't you get some rest?
Titania: I'm all right…
RM: You worry too much. Get some rest. That's an order. I'll do my best to manage.
Titania: Yes…Commander.
(RM goes into the current base and gets prepared for the next battle. A few minutes pass. RM exits the base.)
Titania: Good morning, RM. How are things going? Does everything look good?
RM: Titania. Did you get enough rest?
Titania: Enough as could be expected, given everything that's been going on. But now, we've got some business to deal with. First, we need some new recruits. Oh, but our audience with King Gallia comes first. Any word from the palace?
RM: No, nothing yet. According to the laguz who brought our food, we should be receiving word sometime soon, but…
Soren: RM, I've got bad news! Look out the window!
RM: That's not what I think, is it?
Rhys: If I'm not imagining things, that's a squad of Daein soldiers. Why do they have to show up now?
Boyd: What gives? We're inside Gallia's borders, aren't we? They must be out of their minds to pursue us this far!
Oscar: If they've come this far, I'm sure getting out of here alive was never one of their priorities.
RM: …
Soren: We're in trouble. They have us completely surrounded. We cannot escape.
Titania: So many of them…and so few of us…It doesn't look good, does it?
RM: Doesn't matter. We have to fight. Greil Mercenaries, ready yourselves!
Titania: Yes, sir!
Soren: I'll begin formulating a strategy immediately.
Mist: RM! Brother!
RM: Mist! I want you and Rolf to go in the back and hide!
Mist: But, RM…
RM: Just do it now! Everything will be fine, but I need you to do this, all right?
Mist: Mm…All right. Be careful… …It's happening again…My medallion's glowing. Mother…Father…If you can hear me, please watch over RM. Please. Will you protect him?
(A Battle begins.)
RM: All right, everyone, are you ready? Greil Mercenaries, move out!
(A few minutes pass. RM approaches Ilyana.)
Ilyana: …
RM: Huh? Who are you?
Ilyana: I…I…I'm a traveling mage. My name is Ilyana. This castle…Oh…
RM: Hey, are you all right?
Ilyana: I'm sorry…This rain is so c-cold. I feel like I'm f-freezing…
RM: You don't look too good. Are you sick? Do you need medicine?
Ilyana: You're awfully kind, aren't you?
RM: You know, you don't look like any Daein soldier I've ever seen. Are you really one of them, or have they press-ganged you into service?
Ilyana: I was traveling with some merchants, but we got separated. I came here to escape this rain, but some soldiers in black found me. They thought I was a Crimean refugee.
RM: Oh?
Ilyana: I tried to tell them who I was, but they wouldn't believe me. They said they would put me to the sword if I didn't help fight you. I'm…very sorry…
RM: Don't apologize. You didn't have any choice. If it had been me, I'd have done the same. But listen, I think I've seen the merchant convoy you were traveling with in the castle! There was a weapons vendor named Muston, and I think a woman named Aimee sold items…
Ilyana: That's them! Oh, that's incredible! Are they all unharmed? Where are they?
RM: They're fine, they're fine! In fact, we've all come to an agreement, and they're traveling with us now. I don't see any reason we should go on fighting. If you're with them, we can protect you from Daein.
Ilyana: You're right! Yes, would you please allow me to join your company, too?
RM: That sounds fine, Ilyana. This is a dangerous place. Go ahead and seek safety within the castle. We'll hold off the enemy troops.
Ilyana: No…I'll fight, too.
RM: But you're sick…You'll need some help.
Ilyana: This isn't the full force of Daein soldiers. More of them are waiting in the forest. You need me.
RM: …Well, I wish you weren't right, but it sounds like we will need your help.
Ilyana: I'm just glad to get away from those awful black-clad soldiers.
(A few minutes pass. Oscar approaches Kamura.)
Kamura: What? They still resist? Impossible! Fight, dogs! ! Focus and press forward!
(Oscar and Kamura fight. A few minutes pass. RM approaches Kamura.)
Kamura: You fool... What are you doing on the front line? This is no place for an officer! If you die, your army loses. Soldiers fight; officers lead. That is the foundation of war!
RM: Hate to tell you this, but I'm not an officer, and I'm not in the military. I fight with my men, and I bleed with my men. I lead the Greil Mercenaries. If I can't fight, I've no right to lead.
Kamura: Bah! This is war, not some child's game! The only thing that matters here is who fights and who dies.
(RM and Kamura fight. A few minutes pass. RM defeats Kamura.)
Kamura: Urgh…aaa…Glory to…to…Daein…
(8 minutes pass. The battle ends.)
RM: Haa…There are..still more of them…Haa…Everyone, fall back to the castle! Regroup! Regroup within the castle! Haa…haa…Ah… Blast! Not yet…Not yet…We will not fall!
Mist: Brother!
RM: Mist? You're not supposed to be out here! I told you to stay–
Mist: I don't care!
RM: Mist?
Mist: There's no way we can escape! This is it, isn't it? We're all going to die here, aren't we?
RM: Don't be foolish! No matter what happens, I'm making sure you and Rolf get out of here alive! Once you're out of danger, you go straight to the palace and stay with Princess Elincia.
Mist: No! I'm not going anywhere. I'm staying here with everyone! I'm staying with you!
RM: …
Mist: As long as I'm with you, I'm not afraid to die. We'll see Mother and Father. We'll all be together again. So, please…Stop telling me to leave you. I can't. I can't leave any of you again. All right?
RM: All right Don't leave my side.
Mist: Thank you, Brother.
RM: But one thing…you're not going to see Mother just yet.
Mist: What?
RM: I'm going to protect you. I'm not going to let you die. I gave Father my word.
Mist: RM…
RM: …Haa…haa…
Mist: …
Daein Soldier: So few soldiers, and yet you managed to defeat our general? You have fought well. But it all ends here. Prepare to die!
Mist: …
Daein Soldier: Aaah! Noooo! Wh-what happened? What was that? Filthy beasts…So strong…It's incredible…
RM: Is that why people fear the laguz?
Daein Soldier: Glaaarr…blasted…stinking…beast…
Mordecai: …
RM: So, uh…Are you two from the palace? Did the king of Gallia send you?
Mordecai: He did. I am Mordecai, warrior of Gallia. Your hair is blue. You are RM. Is this correct?
RM: That's right–I'm RM. You saved us back there. Thank you.
Mordecai: Ranulf told me RM is not a bad stranger. Mordecai and RM…We will become friends.
Lethe: You don't know that. You don't know if we can trust him. It's too soon to tell. He's a beorc. A human. You know all humans have two faces.
Mordecai: Lethe!
RM: Beorc? What's that?
Lethe: That's what you are. We with the power are laguz. You soft, hairless things with no power at all, you are called beorc.
RM: What did you say?
Mordecai: Lethe! You are being bad. The king forbids this. We cannot fight with beorc!
Lethe: Most beorc call us by hated names, look at us with eyes filled with scorn. Sub-human? Hss! Is that how beorc treat their friends? Is that how beorc treat their allies?
RM: You're right…Some of us use that name far too readily. I guess if we had thought about it, we'd have realized it's not a polite term, but we didn't know you by any other name. I'm sorry.
Lethe: You knew no other name for us? Are we really so little to you, human? You, who forced us into slavery? How easily you forget. But we laguz! We remember. We remember how we have suffered at your hands. The king can say whatever he likes, I will not trust you. I warn you now…never speak to me in such a way!
Mordecai: Lethe…
Soren: What's your point? Did you come all this way to complain to us? Ha ha…Typical sub-humans.
Lethe: Scum! Those who use that name are enemies of Gallia!
Mordecai: Grrr, grraa, sub-human…Enemy…He is enemy…
Soren: You think you're humans? The only thing human about you is your conceit You filthy, hairy sub-human!
Mordecai: Graaaaoooooooow!
Lethe: Mordecai! Kill him!
Soren: … RM!
RM: Ow…
Lethe: What?
Mordecai: R…RM… …RM, I'm sorry…I have hurt you…I did not intend to hurt you.
RM: Mordecai, this injury is nothing. I'm fine.
Soren: You're nothing but a beast.
RM: Soren! Stand down!
Soren: Why did you stop me? He hurt you! He could have killed you! We can't let him get away–
RM: If you hadn't provoked him, none of this would have happened. Right?
Soren: But–I only… I'm sorry…
RM: Mordecai, Lethe, I apologize on behalf of my company. Please forgive Soren. It's a poor excuse, but we recently lost…some companions. We're tired, and we're not thinking clearly.
Mordecai: RM forgave Mordecai. So now I forgive Soren. No one need be angry.
Lethe: I apologize as well. My behavior has been unkind. I forgot our mission, and I have blundered terribly.
RM: Mission?
Lethe: The king wants to see you. We are here to guide you to the royal palace.