Chapter 21: Without a King (Script)

This content was originally provided by Generic Officer.

Main Story

Narration
During the battle for Talrega, Ike and the rest of his company come to a bleak realization. Wherever the Crimean army marches, the land becomes a battlefield. The damage is immense. Warfare and floodwaters claim homes, crops, and hope. Villagers seeking shelter and safety stumble blindly through the snow. To them, there is no doubt that the Crimeans are an invasion force.
However, the Crimeans have their own homeland to save. Focused as they are on that overriding goal, they cannot stop even to help the innocent victims of war. The only way they can help the people of Daein is to keep marching. The faster they reach Daein's capital of Nevassa and put an end to the war, the better for everyone.

Kasatai
What? Are you telling me that His Majesty has not yet returned?

Daein Soldier
Yes, sir! We've sent many messengers, but we have yet to receive any sort of official response.

Kasatai
The Crimean army is on our doorstep...What is His Highness thinking? If we want to protect the capital, we need a leader equal to one of the Four Riders. Just in case...

Ena
I'm sure the king has considered this.

Kasatai
Lady Ena! I don't understand how you're able to remain so calm!

Ena
Daein soldiers are the most elite warriors on the continent. In addition, our numbers are far superior to the Crimeans.

Kasatai
And, and yet they march on Nevassa! This is the Daein capital! If there's any danger of it falling into enemy hands, we can let nothing stop us from protecting it! No offense, Lady Ena, but as a general, I do not feel you're ready for such a vital command.

Ena
I...I think you are exactly right.

Kasatai
Th-then... When this command was given to you, why did you not firmly refuse?

Ena
Do you really think that wise, General? Would you refuse a direct order from the king?

Kasatai
Um...

Ena
...Let me tell you something that I've discovered. If we are...unable to hold the capital, I do not believe the king will be all that upset. Ashnard does not hold a strong attachment to the country of Daein.

Kasatai
What are you talking about? Do you...Do you understand exactly what it is you are saying?

Ena
Yes.

Kasatai
Ridiculous! There isn't a monarch in the world who would not be moved by the loss of his own country! Such a preposterous notion is beyond comprehension!

Ena
General Kasatai. Do not avert your eyes from reality.

Kasatai
Reality? Ha! What reality is that? All I see is your guesswork.

Ena
Then tell me...why did the king suddenly order the invasion of Crimea?

Kasatai
As...as...sanctions for that nation choosing to ally itself with those evil and treacherous sub-humans.

Ena
On the surface, that would seem to be so. But doesn't the action strike you as odd? To apply sanctions properly, it would be necessary to speak with Begnion first. Begnion is the suzerain state, and Crimea answers to her. We needed Begnion's leave to make a formal declaration of war. Daein's disregard for that process made us a pariah in the eyes of our neighbors, and opened us to attack from all sides. And yet, not only did the king not do this, but he chose to invade without warning. It was the worst possible strategy. Furthermore, once the king conquered Crimea through strength of arms, he seized the castle and set up residence. And now he uses it as a stepping stone for an invasion of Gallia. Which means, the king's goal was never to apply sanctions, or even to defeat Crimea. If Ashnard moves against Gallia, it's easy to envision Phoenicis, Kilvas, and Goldoa joining the conflict. And if that happens, Begnion would be forced to ally itself with Daein rather than side with the sub-humans. Look where that leads us...A continent embroiled in war. Is that not the true desire of the king?

Kasatai
If... If you consider it in that way, your words do begin to make sense. Yet...to accomplish that, the citizens of Crimea would have to be sacrificed. That would be an act of madness!

Ena
Let's return to the topic at hand. The king has gained himself a new castle, and I believe he considers whatever land he occupies to be his kingdom. Daein and its people are already behind him. He need not look back.

Kasatai
Pah! If the king wished to rule the world, he would want as much military strength as possible! To forsake even a portion of the strength he currently possesses willingly, why, it would be sheer folly...

Ena
That doesn't matter. What's important is that we recognize the chance which Daein has been given. We must stop the Crimeans here. If we do not show the king our value, we are doomed. Make no mistake about it.

Kasatai
This is complete lunacy...

Ena
We will receive no reinforcements. We must hold nothing back. It is our only chance of survival.

Kasatai
This...I cannot... Why is this--

Ena
Be strong. The king has provided us, and the capital, with one final measure. We will use it to weather this storm. However, to use it, I need you, General Kasatai. Your cooperation is imperative. If you want to win, you must trust me.

Kasatai
...Understood. In this time, let us cling to any hope we can find. Lady... No... General Ena, I place my trust in you.

Ike
So this is the Daein capital, eh? If we can just defeat King Ashnard, this war will be over.

Nasir
Ike... Here you are.

Ike
What is it, Nasir?

Nasir
Are you sure that you have enough soldiers to lay siege to the capital? Your opponent is called "Mad King Ashnard," after all. Who knows what sort of traps he has in store for you?

Titania
He may indeed have something planned. Surely they've received reports of our advancement. Yet it's so quiet...

Soren
It looks like every able-bodied man has been conscripted into the army, while women and children have evacuated the area.

Ike
We're not invaders. We wouldn't lay a hand on the citizenry...

Soren
There's no way for them to know that. They do know what their army did to the people of Crimea, however. If they fear they will be punished for that, I'm sure they decided to err on the side of caution.

Elincia
What? What happened to the Crimean people? Surely only the soldiers were imprisoned or killed...

Soren
...You truly have no idea how to rule a nation. Do you know what happens to a country that loses a war? Everything is destroyed. Homes, land, crops...everything. And the citizens... They're not even treated as human. Crimeans, especially those near the capital where Daein's presence is strongest, are treated worse than sub-hum...than laguz.

Elincia
That's... Why would they...That's horrible...

Soren
The people understand this, which is why they pay for protection in the form of taxes. For the royals and nobles who are charged with protecting the people, there is no greater sin than to be defeated in war.
It is the ultimate betrayal of the people's trust.

Elincia
Sniff... Ah, by the goddess, I am a fool......Sniff...

Ike
Soren! Enough!

Soren
...

Titania
Princess, be that as it may, the majority of people want to see the royal family restored to power. They believe that you will help them reclaim their old lives and restore peace.

Ike
Now it's time for us to throw down Ashnard and drive his army from Crimean soil. You're the only one who can do that. Do you understand?

Elincia
Yes...yes, I do. I... I will save the people of Crimea. This I swear.

Ike
As I've said before, I won't be turned away. If there are traps, we just fight our way through. This war ends here!

Titania
Yes! I'm with you all the way!

Soren
I hope it all goes as planned. I will do my best to make it so.

Nasir
...

Exit base

Begnion Soldier
General Ike! Sir, the castle gates are open!

Ike
That's not good. What are they planning?

Elincia
It must be a trap.

Soren
This is unexpected. Making us lay siege would be far and away to their advantage. I have no idea what they're playing at.

Titania
Even so, we will not back down. Right, Ike?

Ike
Right. If we can't tell what they're planning, it matters not how we proceed. Let's just fight as we go. Move out! Keep your guard up, everyone!

Daein Soldier
Enemy troops have entered the castle!

Kasatai
They're moving already? Such recklessness! Don't they suspect a trap? I can't believe they've fallen for it.

Ena
Crimea follows a general named Ike. Perhaps he follows no procedure. Perhaps he relies solely on instinct.

Kasatai
I don't know if he's brave or merely reckless. It's unbelievable...

Ena
Regardless, we continue as planned. Close the gate and seal off their escape route. This contest will be decided here.

Kasatai
N-now then, it's time for the final measure you spoke of earlier. Will you show us what His Majesty left for us? What could possibly allow us to destroy an army in one fell swoop...provided we can herd them here?

Ena
General Kasatai...No matter what I show you, do not be shocked. You must continue to trust me without question.

Kasatai
I swear it. On my name as a royal knight of Daein, I will not betray you, General Ena.

Ena
Thank you...
...

Kasatai
Ge-General Ena! You're...

Ena
...

Kasatai
Aaaaaaah!

Ena
General Kasatai! Have you forgotten your vow? No matter what happens, we will protect the capital, yes?

Kasatai
Ah... Ah... Yes, of course...I...understand. This is His Majesty's--Why he left you here...

Ena
Yes.

Kasatai
We will win this battle! A legendary dragon of Goldoa is on our side! It is a powerful omen! Daein cannot lose! The Daein army is indestructible! We will crush the dogs of Crimea and use their skulls as goblets!

Daein Soldier
Glory to Daein!

Daein Soldier
Victory to Daein!

Bengion Soldier
Sir! The gates have just closed behind us! Look out!

Bengion Soldier 2
We're trapped in this castle! Run! Ruuuun!

Bengion Soldier
Attack! We're under attack! They're going to kill us!

Ike
Stop, all of you! Get ahold of yourselves! You must not panic! No one has attacked!

Titania
Ike!

Ike
Titania! Where is Princess Elincia?

Titania
She's fine. She's with the supply convoy. They're all under very close guard.

Ike
Soren, is this the enemy trap?

Soren
...It could be...

Titania
If so, to what end?

Soren
Well, the goal obviously isn't to divide our troops and reduce our fighting strength. We're all packed in here together. Whatever they are planning, it appears that they want us all to experience it at the same time.

Titania
Daein must have something which they believe gives them an insurmountable advantage. Some kind of ultimate weapon.

Ike
So they're absolutely sure they'll win, is that it? King Ashnard of Daein...You'll regret underestimating us.

Soren
No matter what, we must be cautious. We can spare no efforts to protect the princess. We should put together an elite team and head for the throne room. Choose the members of this team with care. Everything will rest on their shoulders.

Ike
Understood.


Kasatai is attacked

Kasatai
For us there is no tomorrow. We cannot be beaten, nor can we withdraw! We must defeat the Crimean army and bring His Majesty back to us.

Kasatai is killed

Kasatai
I cannot...stop your march...But...we are not yet defeated...General...Ena...Protect...the...capital...

Tauroneo is attacked

Tauroneo
Ah ha ha! I will cut you down with ease and leave your corpse for the rats!

Tauroneo is killed

Tauroneo
Combat...was my life...Now...it is...my death...Ah, how fitting...

Ike is near the throne room

Ike
Ashnard! Show yourself!

[Ena
...
Ike
Huh? A Goldoan dragon?

Ena
I've been waiting for you. You are General Ike, are you not?

Ike
How did... Who are you?

Ena
My name is Ena. By the orders of the king, I am the protector of this capital.

Ike
Withdraw. I've no desire to fight a useless battle with you. It's Ashnard I'm after.

Ena
I regret to inform you that the king is not here.

Ike
What?

Ena
The king and the main body of the Daein army remain in Crimea, where they have been since it fell.

Ike
What are you saying? The king's abandoned the capital?

Ena
...I share your desire to see this conflict end. So rather than see you travel to Crimea to fight Ashnard, I felt it would be much faster for me to defeat you and your army here. Don't you agree?

Ike
That's one way to look at it. The problem is that I'll never let you do as you please with Crimea!

Ena
We cannot have it both ways. We both want what is in our own interest, and that is why we have conflict. If neither one of us will yield, our conflict will continue until only the stronger of us remains. I have my own reasons for fighting...And I will see you fall.

Ike
Hi-yaaaah!


[exit]

Ena is attacked

Ena
If you had wished to extend your short life span, then you should not have appeared before me.

Ena is killed

Ena
...

After battle

Ena
You are strong. I have lost.

Ike
Then calm yourself and surrender. There's no reason for you to die.

Ena
That I cannot do.

Ike
What?

Ena
I... I must go to him...

Ike
No! Wait!

Ike
Nasir! Good timing. Grab her, will you?

Nasir
...

Nasir
I'm sorry.

Ike
Nasir?

Ike
Urgh!

Soren
Ike!

Titania
Nasir! What are you doing?
o
Nasir
Go now. Hurry!

Ena
...

Ike
So you were the traitor?

Nasir
...

Ike
Someone's been giving information to the enemy. Was that you, too? And...Mist's medallion?

Nasir
...

Ike
Are you telling me you've been working for Daein this whole time? But you're a laguz! Why? Talk to me! Ah, this is useless. Get him out of here! His traitorous face is making me ill!

Nasir
...

Ike
Blast!

Nasir
...

Ike
Until this has been cleared up, you'll be held in custody.

Ike
I won't question you anymore. When you decide to talk, let me know.

Nasir
...

Ike
...

Nasir
...Go to Palmeni Temple.

Ike
What did you say?

Nasir
...

Ike
...


Ashnard
So the capital's fallen, eh? Ha! I knew it would come to this! Still...how disappointing. It doesn't matter how well you train an army--if they don't fight, they become weak. What's the life of a soldier without a
steady diet of war? Blood and pain are the foods of a true warrior!

Petrine
Suh-speaking of soldiers, Your Highness...The majority of our forces have been moved here--

Ashnard
I left more than enough soldiers! And yet they could not prevail... I may have overestimated Ena. Even if she is a dragon, I suppose that was the best she could do.

Petrine
I suppose...

Ashnard
But the important thing is the Black Knight. Where's he gotten to? Did you see him in the capital?

Petrine
I did. He bid me present this to Your Majesty...

Ashnard
Ah! It's found its way back to my hands at long last. Unwrap it! Quickly! Unwrap it and show it to me...

Petrine
V-very well--

Ashnard
Do be careful not to touch it, Petrine. It wouldn't do to have you go mad...I'd hate to have to kill you! Aha ha ha!

Petrine
H-here it is, Y-Your Majesty...

Ashnard
Behold... Ah, how wonderful! See how it reacts to the war I have brought to this pathetic land?

Petrine
Th-this is Lehran's Medallion?

Ashnard
Yes. And inside...inside is a dark god of immeasurable power and cruelty. It once caused a flood so great that all continents save Tellius were submerged in a watery tomb.

Petrine
That...blue light...

Ashnard
You... Me... Even this very castle itself...We all radiate various forms of chaotic energy, and the dark god is pure chaos! The light you see is that energy calling out to the chaos around us. That is why some scholars refer to it as the Fire Emblem.

Petrine
...

Ashnard
Heee! Heee har har! Look how you tremble! This light has the power to bewitch the human soul, you know? It calls to our chaotic impulses--like the urge to slaughter every living thing in sight... Do you feel its invitation? The permission to act on any base emotion that resides in your heart, no matter how unspeakable?

Petrine
I... My report...is not...finished...

Ashnard
Heee har har! Ah, Petrine...Guard!

Daein Soldier
Yes, Your Highness?

Ashnard
Wrap the medallion and place it in the vault.

Daein Soldier
At once!

Ashnard
...Go on. The report?

Petrine
O-of course... Yes...As Your Majesty ordered, the Black Knight moves to capture Princess Serenes. At last report, he was on his way to Phoenicis.

Ashnard
I see. So he's decided on the princess and not the prince, eh? Did he give any reasons?

Petrine
Yes, Your Highness. It was based on the findings of a group of scholars. Because the princess was isolated for over twenty years, they feel her magic will be stronger than her brother's.

Ashnard
Yet... Can the Black Knight outwit the hawk king of Phoenicis and steal her away?

Petrine
The hawk king is not always at her side. Plus, as you know, the Black Knight is in possession of warp powder. If someone of his might has the ability to appear and disappear at will, it may be that he is without equal...W-with the exception of Your Majesty, of course!! I... I mean...

Ashnard
Ha ha. I will have to test that someday...But not today. It's not often that one finds a tool as useful as he is.

Petrine
Well spoken, Your Majesty.

Ashnard
Now then, Petrine. My dear Petrine...You have made one blunder after another. How will you prove your worth to me...? If you wish to remain in my service, you must show me results. Unless you, too, wish to become food for Rajaion here?

Petrine
Y-Your Majesty! I will redouble my efforts! I won't... I won't let you down again!

Ashnard
You can be a general or you can be dinner. I don't really care which... But do try to show a little initiative, won't you?

Petrine
Yes, Your Highness... B-by your leave...

Ashnard
Hold. I forgot one thing. What happened to Ena when the capital fell?

Petrine
According to all reports, she escaped. Her current location is unknown. However... This is Ena we're speaking of. She will return to Your Majesty, will she not?

Ashnard
Kill her.

Petrine
What?

Ashnard
I've no further use for her. Oh, but if it's too much for you to kill her outright... Use her trust and stab her in the back.

Petrine
As...as you wish...

Base Conversations

Refugee

Jill
Um, General? Thank you.
Mist

Hm?


Jill
The people of Talrega were the enemy,
yet you treated them with kindness.
I don't know how to thank you.
Mist

Oh, the provisions? It wasn't enough,
but I wanted to do whatever I could.
It's nothing for you to worry about, though.

Jill
General Ike...

Unknown
My, my lady! Is that you? Lady Fizzart?

Jill
Huh?

Woman
Oh, it is you! Lord Shiharam's lovely daughter! Thank heavens you're still alive!

Jill
You're...from Talrega.

Woman
That's right. I'm Sophie, from the village of Luma! I can't live there anymore, so I brought my two sisters here to the capital. After that battle, I was sure that you'd been claimed by the Dark Angel, just like Lord Shiharam. But here you are!

Jill
...

Ike
...

Jill
Is this your bodyguard? Ooo, so strong! You watch out for milady, you hear? She's Lord Shiharam's precious little girl! You keep an eye on her, and don't let those nasty Crimeans get near her!

Ike
Um...

Jill
Actually... We're...

Woman
Please listen to me, milady! We understand all about those floodgates! Lord Shiharam would've never done such a thing if he had any other choice! We know it was those Crimeans that did it! Why, when he wasn't on duty, Lord Shiharam and his men used to help us with the plowing and the planting. And once when my sister got sick, he loaded her up onto his own wyvern and brought her to the capital to see a doctor. He's the only one who ever cared about us country folk. He opened his heart to each and every one of us.

Jill
He... He was a good man...

Woman
Those dirty Crimeans are to blame! If they'd never come to Daein, that battle wouldn't have happened. And Lord Shiharam would still be with us.

Girl
Sister... I'm hungry...

Woman
You're going to be all right. I'll find you something to eat in a little while. Just be patient.

Girl
That soldier over there gave me this. Can I eat it?

Woman
Don't be stupid! Throw that away right now! We'll starve to death before we take charity from Crimean killers!

Girl
Waaaaaa...Waaaaaaaaaaaa!

Woman
Milady! The Crimean army is nearby! Run! You must escape and survive. We're gonna live. Even if we have to eat mud and weeds, we'll do it. And one day we'll have our revenge on those bloodthirsty Crimeans. If I can't do it, my children will...And if they can't, then my grandchildren will! We'll get them someday! I swear it! I have to go. Promise me, milady. You must go on for Lord Shiharam's sake. You mustn't get yourself killed!

Jill
Um...

Ike
...

Jill
...S-sorry....Oh, I'm so sorry...

Ike
Don't be...

Mist

Mist
...Ike.

Ike
...Are you all right?

Mist
...We've come a long way, haven't we? Do you think we can beat King Ashnard?

Ike
Of course we can! We have to. If we lose, Crimea may never be rebuilt.

Mist
...What are we going to do, Brother? I'm...frightened... The medallion was my protection. Now that it's gone, my confidence has vanished.

Ike
Mist...

Mist
For as long as I can remember, I would talk to the medallion like I was talking to Mother. After Father died, I felt like I was talking to them both...Where could it have gone?

Ike
We'll find it. And even though it's gone, Father and Mother are looking down on us and protecting us.

Mist
... You're right... I'm sorry. Father and Mother are in my heart, and I've got you and everyone else at my side. So even without the medallion, I'm all right. Everything's going to turn out fine. I know it.

Ike
That's the spirit.

Nasir
Ike, Mist, if you're going to chat, why not go inside? Even if the snows are beginning to melt, it's still cold out here.


Mist
Oh, hi, Nasir.

Ike
You're right. I do feel a bit cold. Shall we go back to the tent?

Mist
Uh-huh! Let's go, Ike!  You, too, Nasir!

Nasir
...Forgive me.

Mist
Nasir? What's wrong? Hurry up!

Nasir
Oh... Of course.

Nasir
...