Script of Xenoblade Chronicles 3 - A Deep-Seated Scar

The following is the script of dialogue used in Ashera's ascension quest, A Deep-Seated Scar.

This page or section is incomplete. In other words, yes we know it's unfinished; we just didn't want to leave it blank in the meantime. You can help complete it. The editor who added this tag elaborates: Needs more accurate cutscene splitting

The Forgotten Past, Part 1

Ashera stands and stares at the ruins of a Flame Clock, then closes her eyes. She opens them to a vision of a Consul speaking to a kneeling Kevesi soldier, in front of a platoon of other Kevesi soldiers. She winces in pain and touches the back of her neck.

Eunie

Hey... Ashera.
Ashera!
Hey, Ashera!

Ashera opens her eyes to the real world.

Eunie

What're you doin' here?
We thought you'd disappeared!

Ashera

Ahh... Sorry, sorry.
I just wanted to see this.

Sena

The golden Flame Clock?

Ashera

Our lives can shine like gold, but scatter them to the wind and they still end up like this.
In spite of that, people are drawn to honor and glory... Like moths to a flame.
I wonder why.

Lanz

Um. I hope you're not looking to me for an answer...

Taion

Perhaps it's just human nature...?

Ashera

Perhaps... Though if that's true, then there's no saving us.
We couldn't possibly hope to escape the lure, destined to be caught in the fire, and die.

Eunie

Thanks for that pep talk.
So. What are you trying to say?

Ashera

I'm saying that's really not how I wanna go.
...Oops, I'm getting a call. Won't be a minute.

Zoren

This is Zoren from Colony 11. Come in.

Ashera

Yes, hello, this is Ashera from Colony 11. You'll have to call back, I'm busy.

Zoren

Hmph, seriously, Ashera?
And here I thought I'd give you some good news.

Ashera

Oho? Something's got you in a good mood, Zor. Guess I will make time for you, then.

Noah

Don't ask why...
But I don't think we're gonna like this.

Mio

Yeah... Agreed.

Zoren

A short while ago, Colony 11 received a declaration of war.

Ashera

Is that all? Come on. What else is new? You know as well as I do, we get those almost every other day...

Zoren

What if I tell you it's from someone you've been just itching to see again? ...Need a clue?

Ashera

(gasp) Are you serious? She's back...

Lanz

So? Don't keep us in the dark.

Ashera

Heheheh... Time to rejoice, comrades!
A certain Madam Consul has finally deigned to pay a visit, hoping to get her revenge!

Lanz

Wha...! That freak's seriously come back?

Taion

She did strike me as the vindictive type...

Ashera

Allllll righty. So, Colony 11's in great danger. We have to head over and provide aid.

Eunie

Ugh, what rubbish. If you wanna go on another rampage just say so!

Ashera

Hahaha, good old Eunie!
A typically astute observation.

As Eunie speaks the next line, Ashera activates her Iris, holding her fingers to her temple.

Eunie

(sigh) Listen. Just finish the job this time, OK? No cutting her loose, please.

Ashera

I read you.
This time I'll put her down, I promise.

Zoren

If you're finished deliberating, where are you now?

Ashera

Let's see... The Fornis region, near the Old Kana Battlefield.

Zoren

Ah! That's convenient. Approach from the Maktha Wildwood side.
We'll head out from Colony 11, catch them in a pincer and crush them in one fell swoop.

Ashera

Oh, nice! Let's do that, it sounds fun.
Oh, and leave the leader's head on her shoulders. I just promised I'd come to collect it.

Zoren

Hmph, I can't guarantee that.
Just make sure you're not delayed having some extra "fun".

Ashera

Ah, wai-
Sparks!
Have to hurry or there'll be trouble.

Eunie

The only trouble is you, you psycho.
Ahh, whatever. Let's go and tear R a new one.

Ashera

Too right! Get ready for battle!

Sena

I can't tell if they're about to hug or throttle each other, those two...

Ashera

Let's take the fight to the enemy!
Battle awaits!

Noah

I knew you'd say that...

Noah

Not good... The battle's already started.

Lanz

Hey, look.
It's not a colony they're fighting.
It's a mix of Kevesi and Agnian troops!

Taion

R's very own private army.
I don't think she cares about the optics of this any more...

Sena

We're not gonna know who's friend and who's foe... What do we do?

Ashera

I have a cunning plan.
We'll just round them all up and-

Eunie

Bzzt! Nope! Not doing that.

Ashera

That was a joke, dear.
For now we can rendezvous with Colony 11's main force.
We'll follow Zor's plan - push for the bridge and catch the baddies in a pincer. All right?

Noah

Yeah... Roger that.

Lanz

You're starting to sound awfully normal...

Ashera

Well, you could also summarize it as "rush 'em down and start the carnage".

Noah

...When you put it like that...

Ashera

Prepare for a suici- er, I mean a charge!

Eunie

Was she gonna say "suicide attack"?!

The seven dodge explosives on their way to the rendezvous.

Ashera

Sorry to keep you, ladies and gents! The star is here. How's it looking?

Easel

Finally, you're here. Things are trickier than we thought.

Noah

You're being overrun?

Zoren

...I hate to admit it, but that's about right.

Ashera

Come on, try not to sound so miserable. You're making the Three Ravens look bad!

Mio

But seriously, if you're saying that, it sounds like something big is going down...

Zoren

Indeed... R, that blasted carrion bird... Queen only knows where she got her claws on a trump card like that...

Noah

What card? What do you mean?

Zoren

You'll find out soon...
After we take care of these!

Lanz

Hah! Trying to swamp us with grunts? They'll need a better card than that to...

The bodies of the defeated soldiers seem to lie still.

Noah

...Hold that thought, Lanz! Something's not right here.

The bodies of the defeated soldiers pull themselves off the ground, shrouded in a purple mist, and draw their Blades.

Sena

No way... We gotta beat 'em again?!

Zoren

R's little trick at work.
They keep popping back up, no matter what we do.

Ashera

Neat idea, that. Throws a bit of a spanner into the works.

Eunie

Whatever! They've pushed us this far. We've got no other option.

Ashera

Actually...
We'd better fall back to Colony 11.

Lanz

It's not like you to get cold feet...

Ashera

I just have a bad feeling about this. Times like these, it's better to follow your gut.

Zoren

What's the plan?

Ashera

You lead the retreat of the main force. We lucky few get to guard the rear.

Zoren

Acknowledged. Don't die on us yet, Ashera.

Zoren, Easel, and Clad run towards the Colony.

Noah

Here they come, guys!

Taion

Don't chase the enemy down! Let them come to us. Remember, we're retreating too.

Eunie

Snuff! What is with these mudders? Why won't they just die?!

Lanz

Look, what do we do? There's nowhere left to run!

Ashera

Hmm...

Consul R

Truer words were never spoken!
Looks like it's curtains for you, scum.

Ashera

Well, well, well! Madam Consul. You look in good health.

Consul R

I'm very well, thank you. How about yourself, you filthy animal? You're looking a tad rough, if you don't mind me saying.

Ashera

Ah, we're a little tied up here. Would you mind making this quick?

Consul R

Oh, enough of these exhausting charades... I don't think you understand the gravity of your situation.
If I were to order my army to fall upon you, as Antols on a fresh carcass, what do you think would happen...? Shall we see?

Taion

If you wanted to do that, you could have done it from the start. You obviously want something.

Consul R

Indeed. And so, to the matter at hand. Foul and wicked traitors, listen to me well.
Accept my demand, and I shall order my troops to withdraw this instant.

Ashera

Oh?

Noah

You'd pull back your troops? In this situation...?

Eunie

Hah, I'm sure Her Worshipfulness would love nothing more than to "show us mercy"... Yeugh.

Consul R

Wrong. I know a better way to settle things. One that won't leave behind any grudges.
Former Commander Ashera, and you, mutinous Ouroboros whelps.
I challenge you...to a duel!

Ashera

Errr... Excuse me?

Eunie

A duel? What, is that like a skirmish?

Consul R

You ignoramuses... Ah, but no. I suppose it's only natural you wouldn't know.
A duel is a concept from the bygone world. Call it a specific method of waging warfare.
You and I will battle under a strict set of rules, in order to settle matters once and for all...
The winner of the duel will determine how this war ends.

Noah

So then, you're saying we can finish this thing right now, by ourselves?

Taion

This is nonsense! What would you stand to gain from this?

Consul R

A duel is staked upon one's honor, not one's life. Trivial things such as gain or loss have no bearing here.
Ashera! With this duel, I will erase the shame you inflicted, and restore my due dignity!

Ashera

Hmm.

Consul R

I think you understand. Now give me your answer.

Ashera

I'm just making sure, but...what if I refuse?

Consul R

Then the war is back on. My invincible army will crush your whole colony, and you along with it.
Of course, the same will happen if you renege on your word.

Ashera

...OK, agreed. I'll accept your "duel", or what-have-you...

Consul R

Most wise. You always were quick on the uptake, I must say.

Ashera

Huh, thanks. So what happens now? If we're going to have it out right now, then...

Consul R

Don't be so hasty. I will send you an invitation with the location of this duel. For now, I shall withdraw my forces.

Lanz

Huh? Do we need all this beatin' about the bush? Why not just tell us where it is now?

Consul R

Hold your insolent tongue! I told you, these things have rules.
This is a formal engagement, and as such there are procedures to follow.

Ashera

Before you go - a question.
Those troops behind you that you're so proud of... What in the world have you done to them?

Consul R

I'm under no obligation to tell you. Truly it has nothing to do with you.
More importantly, this will be our final battle. You would do well to prepare yourself.

R and her puppets disappear.

Sena

Um, anyway... Does this mean we made it?

Eunie

Looks that way. Not what I'd call satisfying, though.

Noah

Ashera, what will you do?

Ashera

Oh, I'm sure I'll think of something.
Hm. For now we'll go back to Colony 11 and wait for this invitation.

Noah

We should start by checking on Zoren and the others.

Ashera

Hm.

Lanz

Yo! How are you guys?

Zoren

It appears we've pulled through...for the moment at least.However...it's certainly a strange turn of events.

Noah

True. R's withdrawn her troops. But I'm still uneasy...Everything's going exactly how she planned it.

Eunie

And what were those soldiers, for Queen's sake? I thought I was goin' crazy!

Easel

Fighting them one-on-one, you might as well be fighting a doll. But the numbers... They just wouldn't die.

Mio

...No. It's not that they won't die. I think from the start, they never had life in them at all...

Noah

If Moebius can do something like that, how come they haven't used it before?

Taion

Whatever R's plan is, if we're forced into a war of attrition, we stand absolutely no chance.
Ashera knows this. That's why she's accepted R's terms... Conceivably.

Eunie

You reckon? I think she just did her usual, just doin' anythin' to see if it's fun.
Well? What're our chances of winning, Ashe-
Uh...

Noah

Ashera?

Zoren

I...don't think she was here in the first place?

Eunie

What the...? Did she just up and disappear on us again?! I'm losing my patience with her!

Sena

I'm pretty sure she wouldn't have left the colony...

Noah

Say, do you know where she's gone?

Zoren

No.

Easel

No clue.

Clad

...

Eunie

Queen's spleen, I hate that maniac...

The Forgotten Past, Part 2

Ashera stands alone at the edge of Colony 11. She rubs the back of her neck, in the same spot as before, when Eunie woke her up.

Ashera

Ugh...!

The same vision. The same Consul, the same kneeling soldier, the same platoon. The vision is further out, now: they're on a strange, floating stone platform.
The Consul draws a Blade, a one-handed Kevesi sword with a squared end instead of a point.
Ashera's neck throbs, and she winces in pain.
Ashera is kneeling in front of the Consul. The Consul raises the executioner's Blade and swings it at her head.
Cut to black.

Ashera

Nghh...

The real world.

Eunie

Ashera!

Ashera

Ah! Eunie?

Eunie

Ugh, don't tell me I have to look after you too? You've caused enough trouble for us, don't give me any more!
Hm? Hey. You all right?

Ashera

Wh-what do you mean?

Eunie

Wha- You're looking awful. Are you feelin' OK?

Ashera

N-no... I'm fine. Just great.

Eunie

Well, I sure hope so. We've still got R's stupid duel thing. You better keep it together.

Ashera

Uhh... Sorry. I suppose I'm not feeling too great.

Eunie

Don't just lie about it then! Queen's sake! You're the one who said you'd beat R.

Ashera

I mean, yes. That I did. It's just...I can't get into this.
To me, this duel rubbish just sounds like playing at war. It's not the battle I'm after.

Eunie

This again... Then why did you agree to what she wants?

Ashera

Why? Well, I don't mind dying myself, but that doesn't mean I'm fine dragging you all down with me.

Eunie

Oh, you're too kind. Let me remind you though, we wouldn't be in this mess if it weren't for you!

Ashera

Ahaha... I might have made a serious miscalculation, I'm ashamed to say.

Eunie

...
Hey. There's something I've wanted to ask you.
Ashera... What do you really want?

Ashera

How do you mean...?

Eunie

It's just... What is this "battle" you're looking for, ultimately? What will it take for you to be satisfied?
If all these meaningless fights aren't it, then why not just say it straight?

Ashera

...

Eunie

What? What is it? You're just staring at me.

Ashera

Eunie.

Eunie

Y-yeah?

Ashera

This is just hypothetical.
But if I asked you, here and now, to kill me... Do you think you would?

Eunie

You what?! Are you for snuffin' real?
You're telling that same tired joke? Or maybe you really have lost your mind!

Ashera

...

Eunie

D-don't just clam up, say something!

Eunie's Iris notifies her of something.

Eunie

Huh? A message...?

Ashera checks hers.

Ashera

Oh dear. That'll be a summons from our favorite lady Consul.

Eunie

This is...a set of coordinates? Wait, this points to...
These are right below Keves Castle! Is this some kind of mistake?

Ashera

Hm, I wonder... I suppose we'll know when we get there.
Well, we'd better make tracks. If the job's a bad one, it's best to get it over with all snappy-like.

Ashera turns and begins to walk away.

Eunie

Ah! Oi, wait!

Ashera

Oh yes, what I was saying before... It was just a joke, like you said. Don't pay it any mind.

Eunie

Disappear on us again and I'll thrash the life out of you.

Ashera

Not that that would be a bad- Ahem. Nothing. I'll bear it in mind.

Consul R's Scheme

The seven Ouroboros arrive at the edge the dueling arena: a strange, floating stone platform, attached to the bottom of Keves Castle.

Noah

I can't believe it.
Who knew there was a place like this beneath the Castle?

Sena

There's nothing here at all...

Eunie

Right... But, ugh, what's going on?
It feels like...the skin on the back of my neck's crawlin'...

Ashera

This place... It's...

Ashera's vision. The Consul facing her kneeling form, executioner's Blade at the ready.
The real world. Ashera's neck throbs. She winces.

Noah

Ashera? What's up?

Ashera

It's, ah... It's nothing.
Nothing at all.

R appears as the seven walk further into the middle of the arena.

Consul R

Welcome to the bottom of the world. I've been waiting for you.

Ashera

Yeah! I'm finally here.
What's the next step, self-introductions?
Or maybe...
we can just get down to the killing.

Consul R

Hmph. No need to be so impatient.
After all, this might be the last time we two will get to clash with one another.

Ashera

Hmph. And does it say anywhere in your rules... that we have to chew the fat down in the arse-end of nowhere?
R. Do you think I'm playing around?

Consul R

Don't get so bent out of shape.
Is this place not to your liking?
Observe. I've prepared this very special stage, for our very special battle.
I can't think of a more appropriate place for our duel than this, the "ass-end of nowhere" as you so aptly put it.

Ashera

Ah!

Consul R

What's wrong?
You're very quiet. At this point you'd usually have something glib to say. This isn't like you, my dear.
Ahh, could it be...
your "neck injury" is troubling you? Something along those lines, perhaps?

Ashera looks into R's eyes for a moment, searching for something.

Ashera

You and I... We've met "before"?

Consul R

Incorrect. This is, in fact, the first time.
However...I know what it is you remember.
I know...everything...about...you.
Didn't I say before?
There's nowhere more appropriate for our...duel.

Ashera's neck pulses.

Ashera

Ngh...

Consul R

Don't tell me. Did you truly think that you could hide it? You didn't think we'd know?

Eunie

H-hey! The spark is she blabbing on about here?

Consul R

Oh, come on now. You haven't even told your friends, Ashera?
Hmm, well I suppose you couldn't have. Right?
You're a coward.

Consul W appears behind Ashera and stabs her in the lower back. She gasps in shock.

Noah

Ashera!

Lanz

Wh-what the spark?!
Wh-when did they-?!

Consul R

Ahahahahaha!
I got you there! You imbecile!

W leaves. Ashera drops to her knees.

Eunie

No, Ashera! You've gotta hang in there!

Ashera, now shrouded in purple mist, stands, draws her Blade, and faces the six Ouroboros with lightless eyes.

Sena

No way...Ashera's...!

W appears behind R.

Consul R

Expertly done, W!
Everything is going exactly as I'd planned!

Consul W

Can play...with doll?

Consul R

Oh, yes! Be my guest! Play with your little doll to your heart's content!

Consul W

Yay!

Taion

So that was it. Those soldiers weren't R's doing at all.
They were being controlled by this other Consul instead!

Eunie

That bitch! This is what she wanted all along!
And we fell for it! Duel, my arse!

Consul R

Actually, that's where you're wrong.
What follows next will be a duel, plainly and unmistakably.
Only, your opponent might be a little...
closer to home! Bwahahahaha!

This Isn't Where I Die

Noah

Not good... At this rate...

Lanz

If we hold back, she'll wipe the floor with us. But we can't-
Snuff, what do we do?!

Consul R

Hahahaha! Excellent! Marvelous!
Each move so steady, so precise, so certain!
Oh, I do love a good game of chess!
I knew it would be worth the trouble I went to, putting this glorious stage together!

Consul W

...Kill?

Consul R

Not yet! Play with them a little more!
This appetizer isn't nearly enough to satisfy me!

Consul W

Play...

Ashera charges the group, and all but Eunie stand totally still. Eunie, without hesitation, shoots Ashera in the chest before she can reach them, knocking her to the ground on her back.

Consul W

Oh?

Lanz

E...Eunie! Wh...what do you think you're doing?!

Eunie

Hey, Ashera. What was it you told me?
Something about there being no friends or foes when fighting each other to the death, or whatever.
That's why, I just had to take that shot.
You should be happy with that, right?!

Consul R

Oho! Now this is unexpected! Caught a taste of her lust for battle, have you?

Eunie

Belt up! You just shut your ugly trap!

Consul R

What?!

Eunie

Hey! You're satisfied with that, right?
So come on... Wake the spark up, right now!
There's no snuffin' way this is the death you were looking for!
Am I wrong, Ashera?

Ashera

No, no, you're not wrong.
But anyone else would be dead right now,

Ashera opens her eyes. Light's returned to them.

Ashera

you fool.

Noah

Ashera!

Ashera

Gah...
Been a real while, since I took a hit like that...
But, I owe you one.
I'm back, and I've never felt more alive!

Eunie smiles.

Consul R

Damn it!
W! What are you playing at?!
Seize her again!

Consul W

I can't. She put up barriers around her psyche.
Anything more than a lifeless husk and it's too hard.

Consul R

Cease your bellyaching and do it!
Just do it now! Do it do it do it!!!

Consul W

I told you, I can't.

W begins to walk away.

Consul R

W!

W stands still.

Consul R

I've come too far for you to muck this up now!

Ashera

Oh dear, oh dear!
Having a fall out? Is this part of your duel's rules too?

Consul R

Shut up! I'll tell you what I think of our shitting duel!

Consul R transforms into Moebius R.

Moebius R

If I just murder the lot of you here, then it's all the same to me!
W! Bring out all the husks we have!
And don't even think about abstaining yourself!

Consul W

Okaaay...

Consul W transforms into Moebius W.

Eunie

Ashera! Don't forget - remember what you promised!

Ashera

Uh-huh. I remember!
How about we end this once and for all!

Moebius W

Ohh...

W dies.

Ashera

That brings our business to a close, Madam Consul. Any last words?

Moebius R

Yes, gloat! Maniac! I hope you lose your mind, writhe in agony...
You can run from your "pain" all you want, it'll only happen again!
No matter how much you fight... No matter how many lives you take...
Ahaha! Hahaha! Ahahahahaha!!!

R dies.

Ashera

Even if it works out the same,
I have to fight against it... This pain... However many times.

Eunie

...

Later. Back at Colony 11. Ashera sits, staring into the nothing over the edge.
Eunie sits down next to her.

Ashera

The look on your face tells me you want to ask something.

Eunie

You...knew about all this from the start?
About Moebius, about how the people of this world are born, all that...
Since before you even met us... All along...

Ashera

Can I...tell you a story?

Eunie

...

Ashera

It's from a ridiculously long time ago, a time all but gone from memory.
Today soldiers fight and scrabble to survive for ten years, all to be blessed with the honor of the Homecoming ritual...
But once, there was a time when there was no such thing as a Homecoming ritual.

Eunie

You what? I've never heard this before.

Ashera

I did just say. It's all but gone from memory.
Even so, there was a ceremony for those soldiers who reached Homecoming age. Do you know what would happen?
A Consul would end them personally. No off-seers to be seen. In other words...
...an execution.

Eunie

Wha... Execution... What the spark for?!

Ashera

It sounds better if you call it a ceremony to offer up the light of a person's life...
But really, all that awaited them was a death much more humiliating than if they'd fallen to an enemy's Blade.

Eunie

But...that doesn't make any sense! And why do you know any of this?
(gasp) Wait... No way... You don't mean...

Ashera

...This scar on my neck. I didn't always have this, you know.
It starts appearing as I get older... Along with memories of that day... and the pain.
Each time, I remember thinking one thing. "This isn't how it's supposed to be."
"I didn't go through all this fighting for it to end like this."

Eunie

...

Ashera

And another lovely gift - the pain keeps getting worse and worse.
It'll become unbearable as Homecoming nears...until finally I go mad from the pain, and then...

Eunie

I didn't... How many times have you had to go through this? Do you know?

Ashera

...Eunie. I know to you it must've seemed like I just spout nonsense and try to look cool...
But really... I just want to escape. Escape the feeling that death is wrapped around my throat, ready to take me.
So there you have it. All I want is to die in the time and place that *I* choose.
That's basically it. Maybe I really am just a coward.

Eunie

Ashera...
Well, now I get why you asked me if I'd kill you.

Ashera

Heh. You must've thought I was a fool. But you see, Eunie...
It would mean more to me... Much more than any of the deaths I've gone through until now.

Eunie stands.

Eunie

...I'll do it. No need to convince me any further.

Ashera

Thank you. This way I can finally move on without any regrets.

Eunie

However, under one condition.
If I'm gonna kill you...
I go too. You gotta take me with you.

Ashera

...Huh? Erm... Sorry...? Run that past me again...?

Eunie

Argh, just forget it, shut up! I know I'm sounding like an idiot.
But...guess there's no helping that.
You're... I've sort of realized you're the same as me.

Ashera

I'm the same as you...?

Eunie

So you won't hear any crap like, "you gotta tough it out, you gotta live on"...
...or "anything's better than dying". Not from me, of all people.

Ashera

...

Eunie

I'd just rather...help you find the right place where you can end things.
And if I mess that up... I'll just have to kick your bucket myself.
But you've gotta do the same for me. And I'm not takin' no for an answer. Deal?

Eunie

Eunie... Do you remember...?

Eunie begins to walk away.

Eunie

But, Ashera...
Both of our lives... They don't belong to just us, you know.

Ashera

Ahahaha, you've got me there...
You put me in a bind... Guess I can't go dying just yet.