Chapter 27: Moment of Fate (Script)

This content was originally provided by Generic Officer.

Main Story

Before battle

Narration
Of all the battles in the war so far, the contest for Fort Pinell is the fiercest to date. And from this horrific clash of weapons and wills, the Crimean army emerges bloodied and exhausted, yet victorious. The prize of Fort Pinell is no small thing, but it is the promise of additional reinforcements from Gallia-- and the large Begnion army encamped in Castle Daein--that keeps the breath of hope alive in the soldiers' hearts. There is one other pivotal piece in Daein's defense of the former Crimean capital--the severely undermanned Castle Nados. As the day's end draws near, Tibarn's small force of hawks and Gallians cease their attacks and return to camp headquarters.

Tibarn
Ah, well met. From the looks of things, the battle ended in our favor.

Ike
We claimed victory. Yet Daein had more troops than we expected, and it was a hard-fought battle.

Tibarn
I don't have the best news to report, either.

Ike
What is it?

Tibarn
As the day ended, we withdrew as planned. But as we were leaving, reinforcements began flooding in from the capital.

Ike
Mmm... That's a piece of ill news.

Tibarn
The men that were originally guarding the castle were nothing special, but...There was one who appeared midbattle and crushed an entire unit by himself. He was so much stronger than the others, it was as if a wolf had appeared in a kennel of blind, newborn pups.

Ike
What did he look like?

Tibarn
He was covered from toe to tip in black armor. That made it difficult to judge his size, but I think he was bigger than me. If my intuition's right, he is the villian you've all been talking about.

Ike
The Black Knight... He's in that castle!

Bastian is alive

Bastian
General Ike! Please come with me. We're getting ready to have a war council and discuss tomorrow's battle.

Bastian was killed

Crimean Soldier
General Ike! Please proceed to that tent over there. We are having a war council on tomorrow's battle.

Conversation continues

Bastian and Geoffrey are alive

Bastian and Geoffrey are alive

Titania
So the Black Knight's in that castle, is he?

Ike
There's little doubt of it.

Ranulf
That beorc's a real handful. Even when I attacked him in cat form, I barely scratched him!

Ike
It's his armor. It's apparently blessed by the goddess. Ordinary weapons, natural or no, can't damage it.

Ranulf
Oh, that's just swell. So how are we supposed to defeat him? Angry looks?

Ike
Leave that to me. I've got a sword that should be effective against him...

Tibarn
I don't like it, but I suppose there's no choice. We don't use weapons or shields. Those are beorc tools for beorc alone.

Bastian
Very well, if the villain in question appears, we'll leave him to General Ike. Now then, shall we determine who among us storms the castle?

Mist
Ike... Can I talk to you?

Ike
Not right now, Mist. We're discussing battle strategy.

Mist
I know that. Even so... Please? It'll only take a moment.

Ike
Mist... I promise I'll make time later. Be patient and wait quietly.

Elincia
...Ah...um...

Bastian
What is it, O beauteous one?

Elincia
I feel...a bit dizzy. May I rest a moment?

Bastian
Oh, what foul deed is this that rears its head? The gods of war do charge a heavy toll. Bewitch us, and attack our very minds! The princess, she is faint and o'er tired. Forgive your humble servant this trespass.

Bastian
Hark, my dear, and bless me with your arm. Good folk, we shall retire for a spell.

Geoffrey
Of course. Princess, please rest and allow us to proceed with these preparations.

Elincia
Th-thank you. I'm sorry.

Geoffrey was killed

Geoffrey was killed

Titania
So the Black Knight's in that castle, is he?

Ike
There's little doubt of it.

Ranulf
That beorc's a real handful. Even when I attacked him in cat form, I barely scratched him!

Ike
It's his armor. It's apparently blessed by the goddess. Ordinary weapons, natural or no, can't damage it.

Ranulf
Oh, that's just swell. So how are we supposed to defeat him? Angry looks?

Ike
Leave that to me. I've got a sword that should be effective against him...

Tibarn
I don't like it, but I suppose there's no choice. We don't use weapons or shields. Those are beorc tools for beorc alone.

Bastian
Very well, if the villain in question appears, we'll leave him to General Ike. Now then, shall we determine who among us storms the castle?

Mist
Ike... Can I talk to you?

Ike
Not right now, Mist. We're discussing battle strategy.

Mist
I know that. Even so... Please? It'll only take a moment.

Ike
Mist... I promise I'll make time later. Be patient and wait quietly.

Elincia
...Ah...um...

Bastian
What is it, O beauteous one?

Elincia
I feel...a bit dizzy. May I rest a moment?

Bastian
Oh, what foul deed is this that rears its head? The gods of war do charge a heavy toll. Bewitch us, and attack our very minds! The princess, she is faint and o'er tired. Forgive your humble servant this trespass.

Bastian
Hark, my dear, and bless me with your arm. Good folk, we shall retire for a spell.

Titania
Yes, let's take a small break, shall we? Princess Elincia, this way please.

Elincia
Th-thank you. I'm sorry.

Bastian was killed

Bastian was killed

Titania
So the Black Knight's in that castle, is he?

Ike
There's little doubt of it.

Ranulf
That beorc's a real handful. Even when I attacked him in cat form, I barely scratched him!

Ike
It's his armor. It's apparently blessed by the goddess. Ordinary weapons, natural or no, can't damage it.

Ranulf
Oh, that's just swell. So how are we supposed to defeat him? Angry looks?

Ike
Leave that to me. I've got a sword that should be effective against him...

Tibarn
I don't like it, but I suppose there's no choice. We don't use weapons or shields. Those are beorc tools for beorc alone.

Ranulf
All right, we'll leave the toppling of the giant knight to Ike. Now we need to decide who's going to the castle in the first place.

Mist
Ike... Can I talk to you?

Ike
Not right now, Mist. We're discussing battle strategy.

Mist
I know that. Even so... Please? It'll only take a moment.

Ike
Mist... I promise I'll make time later. Be patient and wait quietly.

Elincia
...Ah...um...

Elincia
I feel...a bit dizzy. May I rest a moment?

Ranulf
Of course! My apologies! If something were to happen to you, all our talk of war would be a waste of time, wouldn't it? Why not step away for a while?

Geoffrey
A very good idea. Princess, please retire and allow us to proceed with these preparations.

Elincia
Th-thank you. I'm sorry.

Bastian and Geoffrey were killed

Bastian and Geoffrey were killed

Titania
So the Black Knight's in that castle, is he?

Ike
There's little doubt of it.

Ranulf
That beorc's a real handful. Even when I attacked him in cat form, I barely scratched him!

Ike
It's his armor. It's apparently blessed by the goddess. Ordinary weapons, natural or no, can't damage it.

Ranulf
Oh, that's just swell. So how are we supposed to defeat him? Angry looks?

Ike
Leave that to me. I've got a sword that should be effective against him...

Tibarn
I don't like it, but I suppose there's no choice. We don't use weapons or shields. Those are beorc tools for beorc alone.

Ranulf
All right, we'll leave the toppling of the giant knight to Ike. Now we need to decide who's going to the castle in the first place.

Mist
Ike... Can I talk to you?

Ike
Not right now, Mist. We're discussing battle strategy.

Mist
I know that. Even so... Please? It'll only take a moment.

Ike
Mist... I promise I'll make time later. Be patient and wait quietly.

Elincia
...Ah...um...

Elincia
I feel...a bit dizzy. May I rest a moment?

Ranulf
Of course! My apologies! If something were to happen to you, all our talk of war would be a waste of time, wouldn't it? Why not step away for a while?

Titania
A good idea. Princess, please retire and allow us to proceed with these preparations.

Elincia
Th-thank you. I'm sorry.

Conversation continues

Ike
What is it?

Mist
...Mmm...

Ike
Come on, Mist. You realize the princess was making time for you to talk with me, don't you?

Mist
...Well, um... I thought I could talk to you later, but then I changed my mind and wanted to talk to you now.

Ike
I've been hoping to talk to you, too. I haven't heard very much from you since the other day.

Mist
Yeah... I'm sorry. When you told us that story...I was so shocked...That's why.

Ike
The part about Mother's death...and about Father, right?

Mist
Uh-huh.

Ike
That's only natural. So, you have come to some kind of understanding with it all? Is that it?

Mist
At first, I couldn't believe it. The stuff about the medallion and the revival of the dark god and all of that? None of it... None of it sounded real. And everything about Father...That was even more unbelievable.
It was all I could think about. But...But I didn't want to think about it anymore. It made my head hurt. I didn't know what to do. I couldn't even sleep. I would just lie awake at night and stare at the tent walls.

Ike
Yeah, I was the same way.

Mist
I guess my body finally reached its limit. Last night, I fell asleep. And when I woke up this morning...I don't know. It was all gone. I only had one emotion left.

Ike
One emotion? What was it?

Mist
It's hard to say... Sympathy, I suppose.

Ike
For Mother?

Mist
Uh-huh. And for Father. I think more for him than anyone else... Father and Mother were in love, weren't they? And then the medallion, it made Father go...what did you say? Berserk?
When he returned to himself, he found Mother...When, when Father died, it hurt so much...I thought I was going to die. Father must have felt the same. No, he must have felt even worse.

Ike
I think you're right. And Father kept it all to himself, too. Mother, the medallion, being hunted...He never said a word to us. It was his burden alone.

Mist
The man who killed Father was that knight we saw in Port Toha. Right? The one in the black armor?

Ike
Yes.

Mist
You're going to fight him, aren't you. For Father.

Ike
Yes, I am. That's one thing I won't let anyone else do in my stead.

Mist
Trying to stop you is pointless. I know. If I were stronger, if I were a swordfighter, I'd be doing the same thing.

Ike
Mist...

Mist
But...you must keep your promise. You promised to lead the company in Father's place, and to protect me. If you go and get yourself killed, I'll never forgive you.

Ike
I understand. That's why I'm not going to lose!

Mist
...I know!

Bastian is alive

Bastian
How are you feeling, Princess?

Elincia
Um... It was a lie. I'm not feeling unwell at all. I'm sorry I fooled you.

Bastian
Ah, I knew it all along. It was all for Ike and Mist, was it not? It would appear, my dear Princess, that you care for them greatly.

Elincia
I witnessed the death of both my father and mother...Soldiers fell one after the other...And then I...I was separated from Geoffrey...It was Ike and his friends who rescued me. If not for them, I...I'm sure I would be dead now. My lord Ike and Mist, too, know the pain that I carry with me. The pain of losing one's parents in war. That may account for why the two of them, right from the beginning, were so warm and friendly. They gave me the support I needed to survive. Mist and I have continuously encouraged each other to go on. So...

Bastian
They rescued you and are your patrons. There are those among the soldiers who complain in jealousy of Ike's station, but...It is a trivial matter. We, the retainers of House Crimea, find this general very much
to our liking.

Elincia
...Ah, Bastian. I'm pleased to hear it.

Bastian
Enough plain speaking! I must ready my silver tongue anew! Shall we return to the council?

Elincia
Yes.

Exit base

Hafedd
Sir Knight. The Crimean army will renew their assault of the castle momentarily. The troops we face are not the half-breeds we fought yesterday. It is the army that bested General Bertram. They are not what one would call an easy opponent.

Black Knight
Hmph. Resolve it.

Hafedd
I beg your pardon?

Black Knight
Hafedd, you are in command. The castle defenses are on your shoulders. I have business with General Ena.

Hafedd
Understood.

Ike
Is everyone ready? The castle's strength has been bolstered with reinforcements from the capital. We must strike now, before any more can arrive. If the Black Knight appears, don't try to engage him. He is mine. I will take care of him!

Hafedd is attacked

Hafedd
If not for a whim of His Majesty, I would not be facing you here. For a warrior, meeting a powerful foe is a joy above all others... And for this I give thanks to the king! Now, let us enjoy the gift we have been given.

Hafedd is killed

Hafedd
It appears...this is the end...Gwaaa... Hurrrkkk... Aaahhhh...

After battle

Ike
The one I seek is behind these doors. Don't follow me. I'm going in alone.

Soren
Ike! Wait! I'm going with--

Titania
No, Soren. We have to let Ike go alone. The Black Knight is his. Defeating him is a crucial step that Ike must take in order to truly get over the death of his father.

Soren
Idiocy! I'll hear no more of this naive nonsense! What if something happens to him? What then?

Titania
I think Ike has gained the composure to keep calm and judge whether or not he can match an opponent. If, in fact, he can't...it means he's reached his full potential, and that's all there is to him. We just have to accept that. But I believe in Ike. I trust him. His life is not his alone any longer. I don't believe he's so irresponsible as to leave his companions behind by choosing to engage in a contest he cannot win. Please, Soren, you must feel the same way. Don't you?

Soren
...I don't like it. Sometimes, bravery and good judgment aren't enough.

Titania
Commander Greil... Watch over your son.

Base Conversation

Titania

Titania
Commander, can I speak to you for a moment?

Ike
What is it, Titania?

Titania
I have...something important to ask of you.

Ike
All right, what is it?

Titania
I want you to tell me...about the night Commander Greil was killed. I understand that it's difficult for you. However, I need to know. I have to. Just tell it once... It's all I ask. If you can't, I... His death will be something I'll never be able to face.

Ike
I feel I've done you a terrible disservice by not telling you earlier. It's just that... There was a lot I had to get clear in my own mind. I know I've kept you waiting.

Titania
So you'll tell me?

Ike
Yes. I think I've finally come to a point where I can face it.

Titania
All right. Whenever you're ready.

Ike
That night... I've already told you everything up to where I was on my way into the forest, right? At the head of the path, Father had told me to go back to the fort--but I had a bad feeling and followed him anyway. When I entered the clearing, he and the Black Knight were already fighting. They seemed to be evenly matched at first. Then they exchanged a few more blows, and suddenly Father was sent flying. They spoke to each other for a moment, but...I was so far away, I couldn't hear what they said. Then the Black Knight threw a sword at Father's feet. I think he wanted Father to pick it up and use it.

Titania
...

Ike
But Father didn't touch the sword. He just readied his axe again and charged.......It was over in an instant. I...I couldn't believe my own eyes. They...they looked like they were embracing...Just... Standing there. Frozen. But, I saw the Black Knight's blade...It was protruding from Father's back, and shining in the moonlight.

Titania
Oh, Greil...

Ike
When the knight pulled his sword out, Father sagged and fell backwards... I ran and tried to catch him, but I couldn't hold him, and we both fell to the ground. The wound Father had taken was terrible, but at that point, he was still alive.

Titania
...

Ike
The Black Knight approached and said, "Give it to me." I had no idea what he was talking about. I do now, though. He had been sent by King Ashnard to retrieve the medallion. Father told him he'd thrown the medallion away, but the knight didn't believe him. Then he tried to get Father to talk by threatening to kill me...and Mist. I was so angry, I leapt up and attacked him, but it was useless. I didn't give up, though. I didn't care what happened to me, and I attacked again.

Titania
Of all the stubbornness...

Ike
If King Gallia hadn't been nearby, I probably would have died that night, too.

Titania
...

Ike
After the Black Knight vanished, I simply...All I could think was that I didn't want Father to die. He... He was still alive. I thought if I could just get him back to the fort, we could save him. I clung to that...false hope...and started walking toward the light of the fort... I just kept walking...

Titania
...Thank you, Ike. It must have been so hard for you.

Ike
Titania...

Titania
Commander Greil died on your back. His last moments must have been...much happier than I had imagined......Thank you... Now I can finally...move past my grief...

Ike
...Titania.

Titania
Yes?

Ike
I, um... There's something else I haven't told you about.

Titania
...

Ike
I...met him... I met the Black Knight again.

Titania
What?

Ike
We fought.

Titania
You did well to keep your life.

Ike
I'm not the same boy I was on that night. I've grown a lot. I've worked hard. Yet, even so, I wasn't able to defeat him.

Titania
There's nothing you can do about that. Not even Commander Greil could defeat him. You're not ready to--

Ike
It's not that. It's not that my blade work wasn't good enough.

Titania
Then, what do you mean?

Ike
Titania, it's his armor. It's impervious to damage.

Titania
What? That's not possible. Even the strongest--

Ike
He said his armor had been blessed by the goddess. He said only weapons that were also blessed could hurt him.

Titania
Where are we supposed to get something like that?

Ike
I have one here.

Titania
Ah! Ike! That sword... Where...

Ike
The night after Father died, I went back to that clearing by myself. I'd hoped to...I'd hoped to find some clues that might help me hunt down the knight. The sword was still there. I brought it back with me, and I've been hiding it ever since. I wasn't thinking about using it. I believed that if I just carried the sword with me, I'd meet the Black Knight again.  And it worked.

Titania
So this sword will work against him?

Ike
It's supposed to. It was made to contest Alondite, which is the sword wielded by the Black Knight.

Titania
Do you think you have a chance?

Ike
...I'll win.

Titania
All right. I won't stop you. Use that sword to avenge Commander Greil. But listen, Ike... You must promise me one thing.

Ike
What is it?

Titania
When you meet him, you'll exchange blows. If, at that moment, you don't feel you stand a chance...you must flee. There are times when running away is not the same as losing.

Ike
Don't you believe in me, Titania?

Titania
Of course I do. One day, you will defeat the Black Knight. I'm sure of it. That's why I don't want you to lose your life on the first go-around. When the time comes, I promise not to interfere. And I won't let anyone else interfere, either. I want you to face him, one-on-one. And I want you to be calm and use your own best judgement. At times, withdrawing can be the key that
unlocks a future victory. Don't forget that.

Ike
...Understood.