Episode 1: Wind and Thunder (Script)

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Wind and Thunder

Opening

Narrative takes place in a room with books and a single candle

Khadein, the city of magic... Once ruled by the Dark Pontifex Gharnef, these lands were liberated by Marth during the War of Shadows. However, rumors say the Dark Pontifex still holds mysterious rituals in the ruins that litter the surrounding desert. Following the orders of his teacher Wendell, Merric, wind mage of Khadein, leaves to investigate those ruins...

Scene fades to the desert at night

Merric:
So here we are... I can feel an ominous presence inside. Elrean...

Elrean:
Hmph. You didn't even need to mention it. I already noticed it long ago. However, what is the meaning of this? Didn't Gharnef die in the previous war?

Merric:
True. But according to Master Wendell, Gharnef's subordinates--the heretic bishops-- are on the prowl.

Linde:
Gharnef... Even after his death, he still tries to bring disaster to this world.

Merric:
Linde... Are you fine with coming here? It's dangerous inside. Maybe you'd better return to Princess Nyna...

Linde:
We've already talked over this. I'm an experienced mage just like you. And besides... We're friends, right? And friends always help each other.

Merric:
Alright. Then I'll borrow your strength. Thank you, Linde.

Etzel:
This is most unusual though. An all-mage party... Will we be alright? I'm lending you my strength because I owe Khadein, but... this is going to be a difficult battle.

Merric:
You speak truly, Sir Etzel. None of us can withstand many enemy attacks. We must proceed with caution.

Start Battle

Turn 2 ends, Michalis and Feena emerge from top right of the map

Feena:
Hey, where are we? I don't know why, but this place gives me the creeps...

Michalis:
...

Feena:
Hey, don't ignore me!

Michalis:
Woman... I have no time to waste with you. I have to go and save my sister. Dig yourself a hole and hide or whatever takes your fancy.

Feena:
W-wait, you don't have to be so mean! Well, I'm grateful because you saved me when those barbarians tried to kidnap me. But, how am I supposed to get back to town if you just leave me here? You're a man, so you have to take responsibility until the very end. If you do, then I'll...

Michalis leaves

Feena:
Ah, wait, waaait! Don't leave me behind! Meanie. I bet you've got a terrible relationship with your sister!

Michalis returns

Michalis:
...

Feena:
Oh... bull's eye?

Michalis:
...As if. More like you missed the mark completely. But, what gave you the idea?

Feena:
Oh, that's easy. You may be pretty handsome, but you don't understand a girl's heart at all.

Michalis leaves

Feena:
Understand? You know, girls are... Hey, w-wait!

If Merric and Elrean talk

Merric:
Elrean, are you well?

Elrean:
...Is it not obvious? These foes are hardly a match for me.

Merric:
That's Elrean for you. This is your first real battle, yet you're as cool as a cucumber. I'm amazed.

Elrean:
Naturally.

Merric leaves

Elrean:
As if I would falter and commit a mistake in front of you...

Merric returns

Merric:
Huh? Did you say something?

Elrean:
...No, I did not. It's time we got back to the battle.

If Merric and Michalis talk

Merric:
You're... Prince Michalis...! So you survived...

Michalis:
...The wind mage, is it?

Merric:
Why did you come to these ruins...?

Michalis:
I don't need to answer.

Merric:
Ah, please wait. If you aren't our enemy, then I wonder if you could help us? If we could fight together...

Michalis:
I refuse. I'm not like Prince Marth. I don't intend to rely on others. But, indeed... If you don't get in my way, then I suppose I could lend you my strength.

If Elrean fights

Elrean:
Look well, Merric. This is the power of my magic!

If Etzel fights

Etzel:
Fighting doesn't fit my personality, but... I'll lend you my strength, for Khadein.

If Feena fights

Feena:
Eee-eeek! I-I can't fight!

If Merric fights

Merric
...

If Michalis fights

Michalis
...Scram. You are not my enemy.

If Linde fights

Linde:
I won't lose. I'm fighting for my friends.

If Elrean dies

Elrean:
Damn... How humilliating... Do I have no choice but to retreat in disgrace...?

If Etzel dies

Etzel:
Sorry, they got me... I'll fall back while I'm still alive...

If Feena dies

Feena:
I-I'm dying... Sorry... I need to hide... quickly...

If Merric dies

Merric:
I'm sorry... everyone...

If Michalis dies

Michalis:
This can't be... I... Guh... I can't afford to die in a place like this...

If Linde dies

Linde:
I'm sorry... Merric... I'm... just a burden... I'll... fall back...

Post-Battle

Merric:
Elrean, it seems we've vanquished all the enemies in the ruins.

Elrean:
Merric, look.

Merric:
Hmm? This magic circle... Apparently, the heretic bishops were planning to hold some sort of ritual here. Not only that, but this is Gharnef's... forbidden magic...

Elrean:
Bah. Is that all you've noticed? Look at this offering and the pattern of the circle... I'm sure Master Wendell has taught you what they mean.

Merric:
Ah! I see. This is... Dark magic to raise a dead body back to life... Were the heretic bishops trying to resurrect Gharnef's body?

Elrean:
What fools. There's no point in resurrecting the body if the soul is no longer here. Although, had they suceeded in this ritual, they might have given birth to a monster taking Gharnef's appearance...

Merric:
Indeed. But it seems we managed to avoid that. That's because we worked together. You too, Elrean.

Elrean:
...Hmph. Don't misunderstand. I didn't fight for your sakes or anything.

Merric:
I still want to thank you. Because you're helping me. Right now.

Elrean:
...Bah You've always been a nutter. But ever since the War of Shadows ended... You've been acting nuttier than usual. Is it because of Prince Marth?

Merric:
You're correct. Ever since I was a child... I wanted to protect those precious to me. I studied hard, here in Khadein, because I really desired that power. However, being together with Prince Marth, and fighting that war by his side... I learned something. That the key to success, more than pursuing power alone... is to join forces with your comrades.

Elrean:
...

Merric:
Elrean, you always rejected me when I asked you to be my friend... But, I hope we'll be able to fight side-by-side again, like we did this time. If we join forces, even Gharnef would be no match for us. That's what I believe.

Elrean:
Merric... ...Hmph. I'll think about it. There might still be enemies hiding. Merric, let's split up and search around.

Merric:
Got it!

Scene fades from throne room to a dark corridor

Elrean:
Gah, that damn Merric... ...Comrades, huh...?

Garnef enters as an illusion

Garnef:
...Comrades...? Mere fiction...

Elrean:
Wha!? Who's there...!?

Garnef:
...Don't let yourself be deceived. Everyone else is an enemy trying to trick you... Envy, hatred... That's the source of your power... Just as it is mine...

Elrean:
You... Don't tell me you're...

Garnef:
Heh heh heh...

Garnef leaves

Elrean:
Disappeared... huh...? Damn... Is it because of the battle...? My vision feels hazy... Was that... an illusion? Or was it... Envy... Hatred... That's... my... Merric... I...