(Images of Ashnard, RM, and Elincia appear.)
RM, supreme commander of the Crimean army, and Elincia, princess of Crimea, have completed their battle preparations. Now, they spend a tense morning waiting for the decisive battle that will conclude their yearlong odyssey. They wait for the beginning of the end.
(RM heads into the current base and prepares for the next battle. A few minutes pass. RM exits the base.)
Bastian: Princess? It's time.
Elincia: It's right there... I can see the capital...Father, Mother, my lord Uncle...Your Elincia has returned...
Lucia: Our soldiers are in formation and awaiting your word, Princess. For good or ill, this will be our final battle. Before they march, would you...speak to them?
Elincia: What? Y-y-you want me to...address the troops?
Geoffrey: This fight will determine if Ashnard falls and if we can all return to our beloved homeland. Today, Princess, we risk all. Giving men the courage to fight is the duty of a leader.
Elincia: I...I don't know how well I'll do, but...I will try.
(Scene change.)
Elincia: ...Ahem!...Hear me! Brave fighting men of Crimea! Much have you lost in service to your land. Hear me! Beloved friends of the laguz! You, too, have given all for our fair cause. Hear me! My trusted company of old! You men of Greil did see me to this day. I stand before you made of flesh and bone, alive because you risked your lives for me. A word cannot my thanks express in kind...We march today into the jaws of fate; our enemy lies in wait o'er this hill. If on the 'morrow, Ashnard lives no more, my fondest dream is to among you walk and give you each my heartfelt thanks anew. Let not this dream dissolve into dispair! We will defeat the dreaded king of Daein! We will reclaim this land we hold so dear. Lend me your strength! Lend me your weary hearts! Today we make our fate for good and all. One life can make a mark upon this world. One life can move the wheel of history. Be that one life! Fight well! Fight brave! Fight true.
(Scene shifts to Ranulf and RM.)
Ranulf: ...Where did that come from?! That was magnificent! It seems the princess, too, has grown stronger.
RM: It's said we grow into the roles we're given, isn't it? Elincia will make a splendid queen.
Ranulf: ...
RM: That's... That's just what Nasir said! What? It's true! Stop it! Don't give me that I-can't-believe-what-I-just-heard look.
Ranulf: Nasir said it, right? Whew! That's a relief! I thought the world had gone mad.
RM: ...Stupid cat.
(Scene change.)
RM: All right, let's go! This ends today!
Titania: I'm ready.
Soren: I have everything I need.
RM: Very well, we're ready-
Titania: Say, RM! This is the end of the end, you know? So...rather than just giving orders... Why don't you say a word, too?
RM: I think Princess Elincia said enough!
Mist: I want to hear what you have to say, Brother! Father always did it, didn't he?
RM: You want me to say something...like Father would have done?
Mist: Uh-huh!
(RM decides to speak to the army.)
RM: Um...hey there...Before this final battle, there's only one thing I want to tell all of you...I don't want any of you dying on me! Remember-you only have one life! At a time like this, it doesn't matter what our blood ties are. We are family. That's what my father always used to say. And today...for the first time... I understand why he said it... Because we are a family. So if you don't want to cause your family any grief, then live! Don't drop your guard! Don't turn your back! Use every drop of your strength! Our road has been long, but it ends today! Let's liberate Crimea and free our friends...and our families...from Daein's tyranny! Men of Crimea...Laguz of Tellius...Greil Mercenaries...MOVE OUT!
(CG of RM and his audience, which roars with approval, appears. Scene change; at Crimea Castle.)
Unknown: Attack! We're being attacked!
Daein Soldier: The castle gate has fallen! The Crimean army cannot be stopped!
Bryce: ...It appears the end is near. Your Majesty, please use the rear gate and withdraw. We will cover your retreat.
Ashnard: I am not leaving.
Bryce: But if... If we lose Your Majesty, the Daein royal bloodline itself will be lost!
Ashnard: Are you saying I will lose? Hm? Is that what you wish to say?
Bryce: ...Of course not! However, our army is in dire straits. It is merely an act of prudence, Your Majesty. I humbly ask that you consider the continuance of the bloodline above all else. Of course, your judgment-
Ashnard: The value of the thirteenth generation of Daein's royal family is not so high as to warrant your pathetic display. I AM Daein. If I am to be destroyed, then let Daein be destroyed with me.
Bryce: Your... Your Majesty... That is-
Ashnard: I have no need of inconstant retainers. You are an obstacle. Away with you.
Bryce: ...B-but, Your Majesty...
Ashnard: My sole desire is to rule through strength. The weak perish, and the strong live on... This is the law of nature. It is the law the goddess herself created when she forged this world.
Bryce: ...It appears that further conversation would only be a waste of time. Though even if His Majesty desires it not, I will remain and protect him. I cannot allow the legacy of Daein to end here!
Ashnard: Tell me, Bryce... You were my father's retainer, were you not?
Bryce: ...From the fifteenth year of my life...and for twenty more years until his death... I did serve him faithfully.
Ashnard: The thing that killed my father was not plague, nor was it another illness. It was me.
Bryce: Wh-what?
Ashnard: Oh, but it doesn't end there. There was my stepmother, too. And every brother who stood to be a legitimate heir... All of them died by my hand.
Bryce: ...
Ashnard: Are you still determined to protect me? Knowing this truth?
Bryce: ...I am...Even knowing now as I do...you are still your father's son. The blood of Daein's kings flows in you. You are all that remains. ...By your leave.
Ashnard: Such loyalty to a corpse... In truth, there is nothing in this world more humorous than a knight.
(Scene change, at Crimea Castle's courtyard.)
RM: Hey! Look out!
Elincia: Is... Is that...
(Elincia gets enraged.)
Elincia: ...
RM: Elincia, what are you doing?! Get back!
Elincia: ...Ashnard...
RM: Wh-what did you say? THAT is the king of Daein?!
Ashnard: Heh heh heh heh...It's been a long time, Princess Crimea.
Elincia: ...
Ashnard: You look quite different than you did the day that I cut your father and mother down like cattle... I can hardly believe you're the same little girl who did nothing but tremble and stare at me.
Elincia: You... You craven- I've returned to see you defeated! I will no longer allow you to treat Crimea any way you please!
Ashnard: Haaa haa haa! How brave and noble of you. However, you are not the one I seek.
(Ashnard shoves Elincia away.)
Elincia: Aaah!
RM: Elincia!
Ashnard: Are you the one they claim is the son of Gawain?
RM: King Ashnard of Daein! Your treachery dies on my blade!
Ashnard: Oh ho? Ah ha ha ha haaaa! I see that blade in your hand... It is a sacred blade, is it not? The only type of blade that can pierce my armor. Hm. It matters not how famous the blade. If the wielder lacks skill, the greatest sword is nothing but blunted steel.
RM: Don't worry. You will see for yourself how blunt it is.
Ashnard: I expect good things from you, son of Gawain. What you see before you are my elite, handpicked soldiers. How will you deal with them? I'm looking forward to watching you. Don't disappoint me!
RM: Hold!
(Ashnard flies away to the main balcony.)
RM: Any of you whose arms remember what it is like to battle, step forth! I would take of your strength now!
(A Battle begins.)
Elincia: ...
RM: Are you nervous?
Elincia: Yes. And you, my lord RM?
RM: No. I'm actually pretty calm, in a strange way...Now that we're finally here, I can focus on defeating King Daein. Nothing else seems to matter.
Elincia: I wonder if we shall win...
RM: We will win. I didn't come this far to lose. You've come all this way as well, so believe in yourself!
Elincia: ...You're right!
(A few minutes pass. Oscar approaches Bryce.)
Bryce: I am Bryce, general of Daein!
(Oscar and Bryce fight. A few minutes pass. RM approaches Bryce.)
Bryce: So you're the enemy general, eh? You're much younger than I had imagined.
RM: My age matters not. The palace will be ours this day.
Bryce: We will not relinquish it so easily. But allow me to introduce myself as befits a warrior. I am Bryce of Daein.
RM: And I am RM of the Greil Mercenaries. Now let us begin.
(RM and Bryce fight. A few minutes pass. Ena approaches Bryce.)
Bryce: Ena... You, too, have had your fate warped by the king. You should pray that you at least know peace in your final moments.
(Ena and RM fight. A few minutes pass. RM defeats Bryce.)
RM: Your name was Bryce, was it not? You fought...a good fight.
Bryce: As...did you...RM. I...commend you... Your style of fencing...is unique... Who was your teacher?
RM: My father, Greil.
Bryce: I thought...I recognized that style. You truly are Gawain's... I see it...now... The resemblance...is strong...
RM: Farewell, knight.
(9 minutes pass. Ashnard starts moving.)
Ashnard: Will you not come to me? In that case, I will bring the fight to you.
(A few minutes pass. Oscar approaches Ashnard.)
Ashnard: One blow. For nameless wretches like you, one blow is more than enough.
(Oscar and Ashnard fight. A few minutes pass. Lethe approaches Ashnard.)
Ashnard: That is not the extent of your might, beast tribe warrior! I will not allow you to die while the great power within you still slumbers. Release your rage! Release your hate! Show me the fury you keep inside!
(Lethe and Ashnard fight. A few minutes pass. Janaff approaches Ashnard.)
Ashnard: Hawks of Phoenicis! How strong are you that Begnion should fear you so? I trust I may expect good things from our battle.
(Janaff and Ashnard fight. A few minutes pass. RM approaches Ashnard.)
RM: ...
Ashnard: Heh heh heh. I remember that stance well. So your father taught you swordplay, did he? How very happy that makes me.
RM: Mad King Ashnard! I will cut you down with this blade and end your reign of terror!
Ashnard: You? Cut me down? Heee... Good. If you possess the strength to do so, then so be it. That process is the principle on which my ideal world operates.
RM: What are you talking about?
(RM and Ashnard fight. A few minutes pass. Mist approaches Ashnard.)
Mist: As long as you're alive, this war can not end. How many lives have you stolen with your selfishness?
Ashnard: You ask that of me? You? A girl? Pah! Trivial. You're not worth the effort it would take to kill you.
Mist: Give me back my medallion! You aren't supposed to have it!
Ashnard: Are you... Gawain's daughter?
Mist: I am! And like my father and mother before me, I will protect the world from your madness!
Ashnard: Heh heh... Hwah hah hah hah... Wheeee haaa haaa haaaaaarrr! Perhaps I'll kill you after all! If you are their child, you get special privileges! Show me your might!
(Mist and Ashnard fight. A few minutes pass. Elincia approaches Ashnard.)
Elincia: Ashnard!
Ashnard: What? You again, Princess Crimea? I told you, you are not the foe I seek.
Elincia: You may not think so... Yet my purpose here is to defeat you. In the name of my father, my mother, my lord uncle, and the countless citizens of Crimea... You murdered them all! And I will never forgive you that!
Ashnard: In the world I am creating, only those with power will be allowed to live. Hurry and die, weakling!
(Elincia and Ashnard fight. A few minutes pass. Ashnard approaches Reyson.)
Ashnard: Galdr singer, did you come here today so that I might take ownership of you?
Reyson: I have something to ask you. Were you the one who stole the medallion and my sister, Lillia, from Serenes Forest?
Ashnard: You know that already, do you not? Why would you come all this way to ask something you already know? Do you wish me to deny it?
Reyson: If the dark god is awakened, the world will once again be flooded. And this time, even our continent will fall. You will not survive that event... Do you truly desire such an end?
Ashnard: I do. Oh, how I do... It's true. The world may be destroyed by the coming of the dark god. Then again, it may not. I question the way in which our society is designed. No matter what strength a person has, it is the station he is born into that controls his destiny. And you cannot control where you will be born. Do you believe that a person of low birth should simply endure the curse of his station? I think not. If you are stronger than those around you, you should benefit from your strength. This is why I will use my strength to remake this world. Class and rank will not matter. Human and sub-human will not matter. The strong will possess everything. The weak will submit to their will. Is this not the meaning of peace?
Reyson: Are you saying that the lives of those without strength have no value?
Ashnard: That is the natural order. The only way for the weak to survive is to cling to the strong. Our discussion is over. Tell me, frail little bird who cannot fight; which do you choose? Submission? Or death?
Reyson: ...Life proffered to me by your hand is something I would never accept!
Ashnard: Very well... Then I will give you the alternative! You will be a weight around my neck no more!
(Reyson and Ashnard fight. A few minutes pass. Ena approaches Ashnard.)
Ashnard: Heh heh... Heeee heeee heh... So you're still alive, are you?
Ena: ...
Ashnard: Do you really want to do this? Do you believe you can defeat me?
Ena: I... I was mistaken. You are truly mad... ...Even so... I wanted to be near you. If I could have been near you, it would have been all right...
Ashnard: Did you think I would allow that? Whaaaa haa haa haaaaa!
Ena: King Ashnard of Daein. You will die at my hand!
(Ena and Ashnard fight. A few minutes pass. RM defeats Ashnard.)
Ashnard: ...Do you think you can defeat me? Ggrrraaahh haarr haaarr haaaarrrhhh... GGGRRAAAAAGGGGHHHH! It's not over yet. I haven't seen all you are capable of.
RM: What...are you doing?
Ashnard: Now is the time to use this!
RM: NO! You blind, stupid fool!
(Ashnard uses the Medallion.)
RM: Flee! Get away, everyone!
Ashnard: GGGRRAAAAAGGGGHHHH! GGRRAAAHH HAAA HAAA HAAA!...It...feels...so...GOOOOOOD...
RM: He's touching the medallion! But he's still sane...
Ashnard: YAAARRRRGGGHHHH! GGGWWAAARRRHHHHHH!
Ena: Master RM! We cannot win without aid. Please petition one of the other battalion commanders for help!
(RM decides to not call.)
Ena: ...A-are you sure?...I understand. If this is the road you choose to travel, I will not try to dissuade you.
(A few minutes pass. RM approaches Berserk Ashnard. RM and Berserk Ashnard fight. A few minutes pass. RM defeats Berserk Ashnard.)
Ashnard: Heh heh...excellent...Excellent! So good! More...more, I say! At this time of ascension, it's not enough...not enough...
(The defeat of Ashnard causes the battle to end.)
RM: Now...it is truly over.
(Scene change.)
Ena: ...Rajaion...
Leanne: (Say, Brother...)
Reyson: Leanne? What is it?
Leanne: (That dragon with the big wings… I wonder if he's a laguz?)
Reyson: A laguz... No, it can't be. Ashnard's mount was a wyvern...Wasn't it?
Leanne: (I can't tell for sure, but it feels that way.)
Reyson: (If he is a laguz, the transform galdr may restore him to normalcy.)
Leanne: (Then let us sing.)
RM: What are you doing?
Reyson: Be patient, please. There's something we want to try.
RM: Huh?
(CG of Reyson and Leanne singing the galdr appears; they restore Rajaion's true form.)
Rajaion: ...
RM: Reyson...that's...
Reyson: Leanne told me that dragon's true form had been warped. So we sang the galdr of rebirth...
Ena: Ra...Rajai...on...
Rajaion: Err...aah...
Ena: ...Rajaion? D-do you know who I am?
Rajaion: ...E... Ena?
Ena: Yes... Yes! You recognize me!
Rajaion: You were made...to suffer...because of me... I'm sorry.
Ena: ...Sniff... Rajaion! Rajaion! Oh, Rajaion...
Rajaion: ...Ena... Let's return to Goldoa. The two of us...together.
Ena: I will go anywhere, my love, as long as it is with you.
Rajaion: Ena...from this day forward...Forever...
(Rajaion dies.)
Ena: ...Sniff... ...sniff...Ah, Rajaion...
RM: He was one of the dragon tribe?
Reyson: Yes.
Leanne: (Poor thing...)
(Time passes.)
Mist: Hmm... Hmmm... Aha! Is that... Nope! Dang... Hmm... Ah! Here it is!
RM: What is it, Mist? Did you find something?
Mist: The medallion, RM! The medallion! I finally...have it back...
RM: Mist, that medallion is-
Mist: Yeah... I know. Reyson! Leanne!
Leanne: (Hm? What is it, Mist?)
Reyson: What?
Mist: Here.
Reyson: ...Oh!
Leanne: (The medallion.)
Mist: The medallion belongs in Serenes Forest. My mother...was only holding it for Lillia.
Reyson: ...Leanne, you take it.
Leanne: (Thank you, little Mist.)
Mist: ...
RM: ...
Reyson: Thank you, daughter of Elena. In the memory of my departed sister... I accept the medallion from you.