Chapter 28: Twisted Tower (Script)

This content was originally provided by Generic Officer.

Main Story

Before battle

Nasir was not recruited

Didn't recruit Nasir

The Black Knight, cold-blooded murderer of Ike's father, has disappeared within the collapsed castle. However, Nasir has been lost with him. In the end, he did not reveal the contents of his heart, but instead left another mystery with his enigmatic parting words. What was he trying to tell Ike? What did he hope to gain in this war? What was he searching for? With yet another memory to shoulder, Ike must fight on. The Crimean army and its laguz allies have passed the trial of Nados Castle. At last, they've arrived at their final destination: the Crimean capital. Yet the opponent that awaits them is none other than Ashnard, king of Daein. If they lose here, all of their hardships will have been for naught. Preparations for the attack proceed with the utmost care. The final battle is approaching. An air of exaltation pervades the camp, but Ike remains focused on the road ahead, readying himself for what is to come.

Ena
Master Ike. The heron princess is being kept a little ways south of here, in a place called Gritnea Tower.

Ike
How do you know that?

Ena
I was searching for information, and that search led me to a troop of Daein soldiers who had been assigned to the tower. That was the extra knowledge I needed.

Ike
You won't tell me any more than that, will you? No matter how important it might be to our upcoming fight.

Ena
...I'm sorry.

Ike
I figured as much. I've already decided to trust you, so all that's left to do is move out.

Ena
...

Ike
Titania! Soren! At daybreak, I'll be taking a small force south to Gritnea Tower.

Titania
For what purpose?

Ike
That's where they're holding Leanne.

Reyson
Are you certain?

Ike
Fairly certain, yes.

Titania
All right, then I'll go with you.

Reyson
As will I.

Ike
Of course.

Soren
And the main army? Have you thought about what it will do?

Ike
Yes, I have.

Ike
Princess Elincia, may I count on you?

Elincia
Naturally. I will remain here and see to it that preparations for storming the capital continue as planned. However, you must promise to return. And to bring my lady Leanne with you.

Ike
I hear you.

[i[]Exit base

Ike
That's Gritnea Tower, right?

Ena
It is.

Ranulf
Say, Ike... There's something...really odd about that tower... Sniff...I mean REALLY odd...

Ike
What is it?

Ranulf
I sense several of the beast tribe, but...what is that? ...Sniff... Ugh! Something smells terrible!

Ena
The tower holds laguz who have been given toxins, foul potions that warp their true shape.

Ike
Are you talking about the laguz that can't change forms? Like the ones we fought in Begnion?

Ena
...Yes.

Ranulf
Do you know how many and what type are in there?

Ena
As far as numbers...a conservative estimate would be thirty. Types? There are tigers and cats from the beast tribes, hawks and ravens from the bird tribes, and...dragons...

Ranulf
There are some from the dragon tribes as well?

Ena
No more than ten. Er...Probably no more than ten...

Ike
We have to fight ten dragons like you?

Ena
They are not like me, Master Ike. They are much stronger.

Ike
...That's hardly encouraging...

Ena

Tibarn
Regardless, we must hurry. It's going to be dark soon. It's rather embarrassing, but we of the bird tribes don't move well in the dark.

Reyson
Sad but true. Of course, the same can be said for those on the enemy side as well.

Ranulf
On the other hand, darkness means next to nothing for my kind. Depending on who we face, it could prove to be a significant--

Ena
There are more of the beast tribe than any other. It is because we are close to Gallia.

Ranulf
Listen, you... Are you sure you want to be on our side?

Ena
...Hm? Yes, of course. That is why I provide accurate information.

Ike
So once it gets dark, we're going to be at a disadvantage. Right? All right, as long as we know that, we can plan for it.

Ranulf
You're too calm about this for my tastes. This is going to be a--

Ike
Enough, Ranulf! We don't have time for complaints. We need to find the entrance to the tower.

Ranulf
Yeah, yeah. I'm coming.

Nasir was recruited

Nasir was recruited

Ike has avenged his father by defeating the Black Knight in single combat. That night, he sleeps until well past dawn. It is the first time since Greil's death that he has done so. The crimean army and its laguz allies have passed the trial of Nados Castle. At last, they've arrived at their final destination: the Crimean capital. Yet the opponent that awaits them is none other than Ashnard, king of Daein. If they lose here, all of their hardships will have been for naught. Preparations for the attack proceed with the utmost care. The final battle is approaching. An air of exaltation pervades the camp, but Ike remains focused on the road ahead, readying himself for what is to come.

Nasir
It appears that Leanne is being held in Gritnea Tower, to the south. That's right, isn't it, Ena?

Ena
Yes. That is correct.

Ike
How do you know that?

Ena
I was searching for information, and that search led me to a troop of Daein soldiers that had been assigned to the tower. It was the extra knowledge I needed.

Ike
You won't tell me any more than that, will you? No matter how important it might be to our upcoming fight.

Ena
...

Nasir
...I beg your pardon.

Ike
I figured as much. I've already decided to trust you, so all that's left to do is move out.

Exit base

Ike
That's Gritnea Tower, right?

Nasir
I believe so.

Ranulf
Say, Ike... There's something...really odd about that tower... Sniff...I mean REALLY odd...

Ike
What is it?

Ranulf
I sense several of the beast tribe, but...what is that? ...Sniff... Ugh! Something smells terrible!

Ena
The tower holds laguz who have been given toxins, foul potions that warp their true shape.

Ike
Are you talking about the laguz that can't change forms? Like the ones we fought in Begnion?

Ena
...Yes.

Ranulf
Do you know how many and what type are in there?

Ena
As far as numbers...a conservative estimate would be thirty. Types? There are tigers and cats from the beast tribes, hawks and ravens from the bird tribes, and...dragons...

Ranulf
There are some from the dragon tribes as well?

Ena
No more than ten. Er...Probably no more than ten...

Ike
We have to fight ten dragons like you?

Ena
They are not like me, Master Ike. They are much stronger.

Ike
...That's hardly encouraging...

Ena

Tibarn
Regardless, we must hurry. It's going to be dark soon. It's rather embarrassing, but we of the bird tribes don't move well in the dark.

Reyson
Sad but true. Of course, the same can be said for those on the enemy side as well.

Ranulf
On the other hand, darkness means next to nothing for my kind. Depending on who we face, it could prove to be a significant--

Ena
There are more of the beast tribe than any other. It is because we are close to Gallia.

Ranulf
Listen, you... Are you sure you want to be on our side?

Ena
...Hm? Yes, of course. That is why I provide accurate information.

Ranulf
Nasir!

Nasir
What do you think, Ranulf? My grandchild is impressive, is she not?

Ranulf
That's not what I was going to say, Grandpa--

Ike
So once it gets dark, we're going to be at a disadvantage. Right? All right, as long as we know that, we can plan for it.

Ranulf
You're too calm about this for my tastes. This is going to be a--

Ike
Enough, Ranulf! We don't have time for complaints. We need to find the entrance to the tower.

Ranulf
Yeah, yeah. I'm coming.

Conversation continues

Tibarn
Look at this, will you? What a glorious mix of birds, beasts, and dragons we have to greet us.

Ranulf
King of hawks! This is no joking matter! They--

Tibarn
Hold on, my brothers. Just a little longer. Soon, I will grant you all release.

Ranulf
Oh...

Reyson
Tibarn is not the only one who is filled with rage. To warp the gift that the goddess has granted us...This crime shall not go unpunished! Yaaaaa!!

Ranulf
Prince Reyson...

Ike
Come, Ranulf, let's join them. We must rescue Leanne as soon as possible...for Reyson's sake as much as anything else.

Ranulf
Those poor laguz... Someone will die for this today!

Ranulf was killed

Tibarn
Look at this, will you? What a glorious mix of birds, beasts, and dragons we have to greet us.

Ranulf
King of hawks! This is no joking matter! They--

Tibarn
Hold on, my brothers. Just a little longer. Soon, I will grant you all release.

Ranulf
Oh...

Reyson
Tibarn is not the only one who is filled with rage. To warp the gift that the goddess has granted us...This crime shall not go unpunished! Yaaaaa!!

Ranulf
Prince Reyson...

Ike
Ranulf, will you do me a favor and wait someplace safe?

Ranulf
Those... Those poor laguz...

Ranulf
Ike! One thing...

Ike
Yes?

Ranulf
My brothers are out there...If there is no way to heal them, would you please...

Ike
I understand. You can count on me.

Ranulf
Thank you.

Reyson was killed

Tibarn
Look at this, will you? What a glorious mix of birds, beasts, and dragons we have to greet us.

Ranulf
King of hawks! This is no joking matter! They--

Tibarn
Hold on, my brothers. Just a little longer. Soon, I will grant you all release.

Ranulf
Oh...

Reyson
Tibarn is not the only one who is filled with rage. To warp the gift that the goddess has granted us...This crime shall not go unpunished! Yaaaaa!!

Ranulf
Prince Reyson, it must be difficult to not be able to fight on your own...

Ike
Come, Ranulf, let's join them. We must rescue Leanne as soon as possible...for Reyson's sake as much as anything else.

Ranulf
Those poor laguz... Someone will die for this today!

Reyson and Ranulf were killed

Tibarn
Look at this, will you? What a glorious mix of birds, beasts, and dragons we have to greet us.

Ranulf
King of hawks! This is no joking matter! They--

Tibarn
Hold on, my brothers. Just a little longer. Soon, I will grant you all release.

Ranulf
Oh...

Reyson
Tibarn is not the only one who is filled with rage. To warp the gift that the goddess has granted us...This crime shall not go unpunished! Yaaaaa!!

Ranulf
Prince Reyson...

Ike
Ranulf, will you do me a favor and wait someplace safe?

Ranulf
Those... Those poor laguz...

Ranulf
Ike! One thing...

Ike
Yes?

Ranulf
My brothers are out there...If there is no way to heal them, would you please...

Ike
I understand. You can count on me.

Ranulf
Thank you. Prince Reyson and I await your return.

Conversation continues

Leanne
(...Ahh? ...Where am I...)

Izuka
Whee hee hee! It appears that she's finally coming around!

Izuka
We brought this girl here on direct orders from His Majesty. Simple stuff, yes? Very easy, very nice. Then he gives all these special commands! Don't let her escape. Don't let her get sick. Don't let people kill her...More than anyone else, His Highness should know how hard it is to keep one of these birdies healthy...

Daein Soldier
Is there a problem?

Izuka
Eh? Who do you think you are? Why is it you disturb my meditations! I'm thinking here!

Daein Soldier
Um... I'm here to relieve you on guard duty.

Izuka
Standing guard, eh? Don't see much reason for a guard in this place. But armies always have all their rules and regulations and appearances and hullabaloo...Ah, no way around it, I suppose.

Daein Soldier
I believe that guards and watches are important.

Izuka
Wheee! In other places, yes. But Gritnea Tower is currently overflowing with veteran soldiers. Not to mention those repulsive beasts...Those Feral Ones, you know? Trying to escape from this place is the same as committing suicide! Not that I've tried, mind you.

Daein Soldier
So a watch is necessary.

Izuka
Hmmm? Wheee! What's that now? Who said that?! Oh, it's you. Important, eh? Why's that?

Daein Soldier
Weeell...if the girl were to leave her room, we would be unable to stop her from getting killed.

Izuka
Ooo! You found a blind spot! That's the problem with us scholars! We concentrate on one thing and miss something as fundamental as--

Izuka
Blast! They're getting riled up again... Listen, you! You stay right here and stand guard. Don't let that heron girl take one step outside this room! Do you understand me? Wheee! I told you we needed guards!

Naesala
...Sigh... Don't worry. I'll take care of everything.

Izuka
Bah! Always when I'm in the middle of something... Snaggle-toothed, cheese-stealing...

Naesala
Finally! Methinks that guy fell a little far from the nest...Hello, little heron girl. There's nothing to be afraid of. I won't hurt you. Just sit there and be quiet, all right?

Leanne
(Where is..this place? Who are you.....?)

Izuka
That took longer than I'd expected. Cursed sub-humans...flea-bitten wretches...Huh? Where's the heron girl? And the...guard? Helloooo? Guard? Bird girl? Wheeeeee? This can't... NO! I've been had! Nooooooooo! What do I do? If this is discovered, His Majesty will... He'll hang me up by my thumbs! Oh, no... Oooooh noooo...! No, no, no! I will not report this!Um... Uh... Think, Izuka, think! Hmmm...If I can somehow divert attention from myself...

Unknown
Master Izuka!

Izuka
Gyaaaa!

Daein Soldier
Master Izuka! We've got trouble! A strange group of insurgents approaches the tower! They are well armed, sir!...Master Izuka?

Izuka
Eh? Insurgents? Wheeee-- Um... Ahem! Did you say insurgents have appeared?

Daein Soldier
Yes, sir! A mixed group of sub-humans and humans.

Izuka
Ah... I see, I see. Then we must give them a warm reception, no?

Daein Soldier
General Heddwyn's mages have engaged them, but they're not nearly enough. We must apply to the capital for more reinforcements to--

Izuka
Release the Feral Ones.

Daein Soldier
Th-those monsters? But...

Izuka
No need to worry. I have just given them their medication. They've all been trained not to attack any Daein soldiers.

Daein Soldier
V-very well, I--

Izuka
Do it now! The enemy must not be allowed inside the tower.

Daein Soldier
Y-yes, sir!

Izuka
...Feh feh feh! Wheeeeeeee!!! What fortuitous timing. Now then, I will take this moment and prepare to make my escape.

After a certain amount of turns

Daein Soldier
...Whew. I thought as much when I first snuck in here, but this really is an unbelievable place. What in Ashera's name is going on? Why are all these crazed laguz creeping about?

Leanne
(I hate this!)

Daein Soldier
Hm? Oh, you don't like this, eh? Neither do I. This helmet and armor are horribly restrictive, you know?

Naesala
How's that, Leanne? It's been twenty years, but I'm still quite an eyeful. Don't you agree?

Leanne
(You're very handsome, Naesala.)

Naesala
Yeah, I haven't changed much, eh? And you knew it was me back there right away, didn't you? Ah, I'm glad you survived. It's very good to see you again.

Leanne
(Yes..I am also pleased.)

Naesala
Now, on to the problem at hand. We went to the trouble of escaping that tower, so I'd hate to end up a meal for one of our insane cousins. Our objective is to rendezvous with Nealuchi. Here we go, Leanne. Hold on tight.

Leanne
(Yes I will!)

Several turns later

Naesala
What's going on? They're all looking the same direction.

Leanne
(Naesala! Over there!)

Naesala
Tibarn and friends, eh? Oh, very good. This will work out nicely...

Nealuchi
Ne-nestling!! We've found you at last!

Naesala
Nealuchi! You're here sooner than expected. You pushed your old wings to the limit, didn't you?

Nealuchi
I couldn't be late to the rescue of the dear lady Leanne, now could I?

Leanne
(Nealuchi! You came for me, too?)

Nealuchi
Oh! What a glorious sight...You look so much like your dear, departed mother...Sniff...

Leanne
 (Don't cry, Nealuchi!)

Naesala
Hey, save your tears for later. While Tibarn and the others take care of the enemy, we must
escape.

Nealuchi
Y-yes, of course! This way!


Heddwyn is attacked

Heddwyn
This is not good... They're closing in. There are not enough Feral Ones. Someone! Anyone? Haaaalp! Go find Master Izuka at once!

Jill or Haar attacks Heddwyn?
Reinforcements at last! No, wait a moment...Could that be...

Heddwyn is killed

Heddwyn
Master Izuka... Call...him...

Tibarn is killed

Tibarn
Oof! I can't believe I'm saying this, but...I must withdraw.

After battle

After battle

Nasir was recruited

Nasir was recruited

Ranulf
Ike! Any sign of her?

Ike
No, I don't see her anywhere.

Reyson
Leanne... Where have you gone?

Naesala
Hello, everyone. Are you having some sort of problem?

Reyson
Naesala!

Ike
Oh. King Kilvas. How nice.

Naesala
I believe I have what you seek right here.

Leanne
(Brother! Oh, my brother!)

Reyson
Leanne! You're safe!

Leanne
(Brother! Brother!)

Ike
...You? You rescued her?

Naesala
Listen, and listen good. I don't want there to be any misunderstandings here. It was Tibarn! He forced me to do this. It wasn't any sense of charity or anything. It was a sort of...payment for the debt I had incurred.

Tibarn
I knew choosing you would pay off. Excellently done.

Naesala
Flatter me all you like, hawk king. You'll get nothing in return. As promised, the Duke Tanas account has been completely settled.

Tibarn
Yes, as agreed.

Naesala
Well then, I take my leave of you.

Tibarn
There's no need to rush off. Is there? Since you've come all this way, why not stay and help us with King Daein?

Ike
What a splendid idea.

Naesala
What? Enough of your nonsense. I prefer to keep my life intact, thank you.

Leanne
(Naesala, are you leaving?)

Naesala
Listen to me, Leanne. I have no good reason to fight the king of Daein.

Reyson
No good reason? And what about your fellow Kilvans? King Daein has taken their natural identity and warped it beyond repair!

Naesala
They left Kilvas of their own accord. How far should my responsibility for them extend?

Reyson
You...

Nasir
I hate to interrupt, but...

Ike
What is it, Nasir?

Nasir
I have something I want to show you all. Will you please come below?

Tibarn
This tower has a basement?

Nasir
We just discovered a hidden staircase.

Ike
Let's go.

Ike
What is that smell?

Nasir
...It is...corruption.

Ike
It's too dark to see anything. We need light...

Ranulf
...What, what is this? Oh, by the goddess...

Nasir
...
Ranulf
W-what is this...?! Nasir! Answer me!

Ike
Ranulf?

Ena
Laguz... At one time, they were...laguz...


Elincia
I hope Ranulf and the others are all right. They behaved as if nothing had happened, but...I could sense they were in pain.

Ike
That dungeon was the most vile thing I have ever seen. I'm glad you weren't there.

Elincia
Was it that bad?

Ike
It was barbaric beyond description... There were more laguz corpses than we could count...They had been tortured. Twisted and warped beyond all recognition.

Elincia
Ah...such horrors...

Ike
Why would Ashnard do such things? What could be his purpose here?

Ena
...The king called powerful beorc to his cause. But he had to see if they were worthy. He would test them by pitting them against those laguz. Ashnard considers laguz to be tools in service to his own mad ends. Nothing more. They are instruments to be used as he sees fit. I heard that he  ordered his scholars to perform all kinds of experiments...They used elixirs to drive them mad and keep them locked in their changed states...Their life spans were much shortened, but for a brief time, they became extremely powerful...they...

Elincia
...

Ike
...Thank you for telling us. Thanks to you, we found Leanne. You're free now. You can do whatever you like.

Ena
...I will go to the capital. Please accept me into your army.

Ike
You don't have to do that. Fighting against your former companions could prove difficult.

Ena
Take me with you. There is something that I have to do. Please, Master Ike.

Nasir
I ask it of you as well. Please.

Ike
...Very well. Let's fight together.

Nasir was not recruited

Nasir was not recruited

Ranulf
Ike! Any sign of her?

Ike
No, I don't see her anywhere.

Reyson
Leanne... Where have you gone?

Naesala
Hello, everyone. Are you having some sort of problem?

Reyson
Naesala!

Ike
Oh. King Kilvas. How nice.

Naesala
I believe I have what you seek right here.

Leanne
(Brother! Oh, my brother!)

Reyson
Leanne! You're safe!

Leanne
(Brother! Brother!)

Ike
...You? You rescued her?

Naesala
Listen, and listen good. I don't want there to be any misunderstandings here. It was Tibarn! He forced me to do this. It wasn't any sense of charity or anything. It was a sort of...payment for the debt I had incurred.

Tibarn
I knew choosing you would pay off. Excellently done.

Naesala
Flatter me all you like, hawk king. You'll get nothing in return. As promised, the Duke Tanas account has been completely settled.

Tibarn
Yes, as agreed.

Naesala
Well then, I take my leave of you.

Tibarn
There's no need to rush off. Is there? Since you've come all this way, why not stay and help us with King Daein?

Ike
What a splendid idea.

Naesala
What? Enough of your nonsense. I prefer to keep my life intact, thank you.

Leanne
(Naesala, are you leaving?)

Naesala
Listen to me, Leanne. I have no good reason to fight the king of Daein.

Reyson
No good reason? And what about your fellow Kilvans? King Daein has taken their natural identity and warped it beyond repair!

Naesala
They left Kilvas of their own accord. How far should my responsibility for them extend?

Reyson
You...

Ena
Master Ike, I am sorry to interrupt, but...

Ike
What is it, Ena?

Ena
I have something I need to show you. Will you please come to the basement?

Tibarn
This tower has a basement?

Ena
We have discovered a hidden staircase. What lies below is...unsettling.

Ike
Let's go.


Ike
What is that smell?

Ena
...It is...corruption.

Ike
It's too dark to see anything. We need light...

Ranulf
...What, what is this?

Ena
...

Ranulf
W-what is this...?! Answer me!

Ike
Ranulf?

Ena
Laguz... At one time, they were...laguz...

Ike
Oh, this is...so horrible.

Elincia
I hope Ranulf and the others are all right. They behaved as if nothing had happened, but...I could sense they were in pain.

Ike
That dungeon was the most vile thing I have ever seen. I'm glad you weren't there.

Elincia
Was it that bad?

Ike
It was barbaric beyond description... There were more laguz corpses than we could count...They had been tortured. Twisted and warped beyond all recognition.

Elincia
Ah...such horrors...

Ike
Why would Ashnard do such things? What could be his purpose here?

Ena
...The king called powerful beorc to his cause. But he had to see if they were worthy. He would test them by pitting them against those laguz. Ashnard considers laguz to be tools in service to his own mad ends. Nothing more. They are instruments to be used as he sees fit. I heard that he  ordered his scholars to perform all kinds of experiments...They used elixirs to drive them mad and keep them locked in their changed states...Their life spans were much shortened, but for a brief time, they became extremely powerful...they...

Elincia
...

Ike
...Thank you for telling us. Thanks to you, we found Leanne. You're free now. You can do whatever you like.

Ena
...I will go to the capital. Please accept me into your army.

Ike
You don't have to do that. Fighting against your former companions could prove difficult.

Ena
Take me with you. There is something that I have to do. Please, Master Ike.

Ike
...Very well. Let's fight together.

Conversation continues

Crimean Soldier
General Ike, the army has arrived at the outskirts of Melior. We await your deployment orders, sir.

Ike
Very well. Tell the men to stand down and await my command.

Crimean Soldier
...At last, we face the king of Daein.

Ike
Yes... The war is coming to an end.

Crimean Soldier
It appears so.

Ike
Hm? Is there something bothering you?

Crimean Soldier
No, of course not. It's nothing like that. But...

Ike
But what?

Crimean Soldier
Some... Some of the soldiers are saying that when the war's over, their chances for promotion will dry up.

Ike
They want to continue fighting? Even though Crimea--and Daein, too-- have suffered so much?

Crimean Soldier
No, that's not what I mean...I apologize. I will go inform the men.

Ike
...

Base Conversation

Holy Knights

Tanith
Well done! You've improved dramatically in a very short period of time.

Elincia
Do you think so?

Tanith
I do not know how to lie or offer false praise. I am deputy commander of the apostle's
bodyguards. If you were not destined for greater things, I would petition the apostle herself for your enlistment.

Elincia
Oh, thank you! I can't believe it myself. If not for your instruction, Tanith...This would not be possible.

Tanith
Training new recruits has long been my duty. And yet...I believe this is the first time anyone has been so appreciative. My other pupils commonly referred to me as the Great Demon. Isn't that so, Marcia?

Marcia
Great Demon? Mutton chops, no! D-don't be silly! We all adored our sincere and devoted deputy commander. Great Demon. Pfff! More like Great...uh...Angel...Lady...

Tanith
Ha! Sure. Seriously though, you've improved so much, Princess... Perhaps we should try something special...

Marcia
What? N-not that! She's not ready for that! You're crazy!

Elincia
Tanith, I...I'm not sure that I'm ready...

Tanith
Listen to me, Princess. The foes we are facing are Daein's elite troops, led by King Ashnard himself. How do you expect to fight them without at least one killing attack under your belt?

Elincia
...

Marcia
You do it, Deputy Commander, and we'll keep practicing. Right, Princess Elincia?

Elincia
I... I will try it.

Marcia
Whaaaaat?!

Elincia
I want...to grow stronger. To reach that goal, I will do whatever it takes.

Tanith
Well spoken! Now then...to match your desire, I will fall back on the methods I used while training the apostle's bodyguards.

Elincia
All...right...

Marcia
Oh, horsemeat...

Tanith
Come, we have little time for niceties. Both of you, follow me! Now!!! Come on, maggots, do you want to live forever?!!!

Elincia
Y-yes, ma'am!

Marcia
Ugh... She really is a demon.

Ike
Hmm... The three of them look...busy...I think I'll wait until later to talk to them.