Script of Xenoblade Chronicles 2 - Chapter 3

The third chapter of Xenoblade Chronicles 2, Our Own War, takes the group through a submerged Titan as Rex learns just how serious the matters he's stepped into are.

This page is divided into sections based on the Events Theater. Scenes not in the Events Theater (such as story quests or unvoiced dialogue) are shown as italic headers and given unofficial titles.

Well Met by Akhos

Somewhere deep in the Cloud Sea, the Monoceros pulls into an underwater hangar, surfacing in a fairly featureless room. Presumably this is the Torna headquarters.

♫

A Portent Crawling Over

Jin walks off the ship onto the dock. Someone unseen is waiting for him.

Offscreen man

Welcome home, Jin.

Malos and Sever become visible following Jin.

Jin

Hey, Akhos.

Akhos is a guy with glasses wearing a similar-looking outfit to Jin and Malos. He speaks like he knows too much and likes bragging about it.

Akhos

I hear the Aegis awakened. Nasty shock for you?
Or was it...?
Of course, my script showed how everything would play out from the start.

A moth-like Blade floats down from the ceiling. She speaks like a punchable face.

Moth Blade

Sure, you say that once it's all over and done with.
It's easy to act smug when hindsight's on your side!

Akhos

Shut your mouth, Obrona!

Obrona
(quick and sarcastic)

I'm shaking to my core.

Akhos swats at Obrona. She's likely his Blade.

Malos

Where are the other two?

Akhos

Mikhail's inspecting the Ardainian "factory"...
And my beloved sister is out hunting, as always.
I'm sure she'll have found plenty of Drivers to chew up and spit out by now.

Malos

She likes to hunt, all right.
Not sure we can use all of those Core Crystals though...

Jin

Do we know where the Aegis is right now?

Akhos

Have no fear, Jin!
Of course we know her whereabouts!
Obrona?

Obrona

Yeah, yeah...

Obrona holds up a cluster of yellow light that expands into many motes that surround the group. Visible in the cloud are Titan shapes - Gormott, and two others. Akhos points at the big goat.

Akhos

Hm! It seems they're currently traveling away from the urban area of Gormott.

Malos

Leaving the town? But there's nothing out that way...

Akhos

Perhaps they're on their way out of Gormott itself.
Oh, and...

Jin

What?

Akhos

It seems a certain shipment has set out.

Malos

The Core Crystals heading to Indol for cleansing, huh? How pious of them...
Shall we handle them?

Jin

I can deal with that myself. You concentrate on the Aegis.

Akhos

Understood.
Well, I am looking forward to clapping eyes on the Aegis...
By the way...what of Nia?

Jin

You know where she is?

Akhos

Yes. Look. This dot here.

He points to a blue light shining more brightly than the rest. Also bright near it are two red ones and a yellow one.

Akhos

Without a doubt, this is Dromarch's wavelength.
It seems they're traveling together with the Aegis.

Jin

With the Aegis?

He emits a small "huh" as he gives it some thought.

Jin

Do as you see fit.

Akhos

Understood. You don't need to ask me twice.

Jin turns and starts to walk away.

Malos

Right then. We're gonna take the Monoceros.

Jin

Hm. As you wish.

Malos

Hey!
Don't do anything too reckless.

Jin pauses for a moment, but doesn't respond and keeps going. The ether map fades as everyone else boards the ship.

It's morning in Gormott. The party of Rex, Pyra, Nia, Dromarch, Tora, and Poppi are getting ready to set out. Rex pulls a round device out of his pocket.

Tora

What is that?

Rex

A Cloud Sea compass.
A must-have for salvagers. It's sort of a map of the Cloud Sea.
If you do this... And this...
What's the date today?

Pyra

Um... Amathatober 5th, 4058.

Rex

OK! So now we put the date in...
See?

Tora

This is very clever.

Gramps

Looks like Gormott is the closest country to the World Tree right now.

Rex

All we need is a ship...

Dromarch

The army has every ship in town in its grip.

Nia

*sigh* We're kinda stuck...

Pyra

Seems that way.

Gramps

Sorry I'm no use now...

Rex

I know, I know. But I'm all out of ideas.

Tora

Rex-Rex need ship? Tora have good idea!

Rex

You do?

Tora

There is ship builder living at Gormott Titan's bum-bum!
Old friend of Tora's Grampypon. He called Umon!
Maybe he help if we tell him what's what!

Rex

Sure, it's worth a shot! Let's get going.

Thought of a Long Rest

Rex has a thought before they take a step.

Rex

Hey, Tora... The place where this Umon guy lives isn't affected by the Cloud Sea tides, is it?

Tora

Hmm? Why Rex-Rex ask?

Rex

Well, I noticed the Cloud Sea's been pretty low ever since we went off to save Nia. It's still low now, right?
I was worrying that depending on the situation, we might be forced to find a different route.

Gramps

Rex has a point. The Cloud Sea tides can have a marked effect on the areas you are able to traverse.
Sometimes the Cloud Sea may allow you to swim to places that were once out of reach...
But equally it can submerge previously reachable areas, halting your progress.

Rex

Exactly. So I was wondering whether we need to worry about any of that where we're going now.

Tora

That make sense!
But is no problem. Path to shipyard of Umon not affected by Cloud Sea at all!

Rex

That's good to know.
If it was somewhere we could only reach at high tide, we'd have to rest up somewhere until the clouds rise.

Gramps

That doesn't sound so bad to me.
Frankly, I'd welcome a well-earned rest at an inn while we wait for the tide to change.
No offense, Rex, but your helmet isn't always the most comfortable abode!

Rex

Yes, yes...you can always have a stretch and a lie down next time we visit the inn at Torigoth.

Tora

For now though, we go to shipyard of Umon!

Umon the Shipwright

Without much trouble, the gang gets to a cabin built on the edge of the Titan and let themselves in.

Tora

Hellooo! Umon! Umon?! Where is Umon?

A Nopon appears. No one elsee is around, so it's probably Umon.

Umon

Who is that? Who is noisy while I do my work?
Tora! This big surprise!

Tora

Long time no see, Unclepon!

Umon

Yes! Long time! About one whole year?

Tora

Yes, about that!

Umon

You became very big in one year, Tora!

Tora

Yes, Tora not littlepon anymore.

Umon

And Tora have lots of sidekicks!

Tora

Rex-Rex and friends are not Tora's sidekicks! They are real friends, Umon!
Rex-Rex! Meet Unclepon Umon!
He did great research with Grampypon! He is great builder of ships!

Rex

Hello!

Pyra

Greetings.

Dromarch

At your service.

Umon

I see! Tora's friends! Tora has lots of friends. Very good!
Tora has become fine biggipon.

Tora
(slightly embarrassed)

Hehehe!

Umon

Well, Tora. Did you need Umon's help for something?

Tora

Well, we wanted to borrow a ship. From Unclepon Umon!

Umon

A ship? But there are lots of ships in Torigoth!
Why hike all the way to bum-bum to see me?

Tora

Oh...erm...well...

Umon

Tora run out of gold, hmmm?

Tora

Umh... Yes! Tora spend all the gold on artificial Blade!
Tora flat broke, like penniless pancake.
I wanted to go on a little boaty-jaunt to, ah... nearby place. But no money to go on boat!

Nia
(quietly to Rex)

Hmmph. I hope Tora can keep track of all of these fibs he's telling...

Rex
(same back)

There's no other option.
We can hardly tell him what happened in Torigoth, can we?

Nia

Yeah, I guess you're right...

Rex

So long as we get a boat out of this...

Umon

Artificial Blade, eh? Was this what Tora's Grampypon was working on?

Poppi α

My name is Poppi. Pleased to meet Unclepon.

Umon

Yes! This it!
This pretty mighty! Tora take after Grampypon indeed!
Oooh, well... How can I refuse Tora now?
Tora may use Umon's ship but there is problem.

Tora

Wh-what is problem?

Everyone turns towards the ship in the dock: a whale-shaped Titan about as large as Gramps once was, with a wood-and-metal hull built on top of it.

Umon

You see, ship not quite ready just yet.
Not much left to do! But work stop, because no building parts.

Rex

That's the only problem?

Umon

Correct! But that is big problem. Big like sea or mountain.

Rex

You mean, all you need is some parts, then you can finish the ship?

Umon

It just as you say, friend.

Rex

So, if we go and find the parts, then you'll...

Umon

Of course! I make ship ready. Then you borrow!

Rex

Thank you! Come on everyone, let's go!

Tora

Yay! Let's go find ship ingredients!

Umon's Ship

Main article: Umon's Ship

Eventually, the boat is ready.

Umon

Latest and greatest Umon vessel is ready and raring to go!
Feel free to depart any time!

Set sail for the World Tree?

Set sail

Umon

Have a good trip, friends! Take care, Tora!

Not yet

Umon

No need to rush. Take all time you need with preparations. This ship will always be waiting for friends.

Depart for the World Tree

Umon's ship is complete. The party has already boarded.

Tora

So now we borrow Unclepon's boat!

Rex

Thanks, Umon! We owe you!

Umon

Indeed! Enjoy your boaty-jaunt!

The ship heads out.

♫

The Towering Yggdrasil

The ship sails across the Cloud Sea.

Rex

So that's the World Tree...

The camera looks up to see the trunk of the World Tree, which looks like a collection of conjoined trunks and several side branches. It isn't touching the Cloud Sea around it - the sea instead appears to descend out of sight, leaving a hole.

Nia

Wow, I've never seen it so close before...

Rex

Me neither, to tell you the truth. But it's just as awesome as I'd hoped.

Seen from lower down the trunk, the Cloud Sea descending around it looks like a waterfall.

Nia

The current's really strong... Fall in that, and you're a goner.

Rex

It's great that we made it this far... But how do we get over there?
Any ideas?

Pyra is staring forward with some concern.

Rex

Pyra?

♫

The Beginning of Darkness

Pyra

We...

Rex

Huh?

Pyra
(urgently)

Rex! We need to leave! We can't stay here!

Rex

What, why? What are you talking about, Pyra?

♫

Ophion

The sea shakes. The head of a giant purple robotic serpent appears from the sea.

Pyra

Ophion!

Ophion looks down at the puny boat below it (maybe that cyan light on the head is an eye?) and "roars".

Rex

Ophi-who?!

Pyra

Quick!

Rex flings the wheel hard starboard.

Rex

Uh? Gotcha!

The ship turns around and speeds away. Pyra looks back with some...sadness?

Pyra
(quietly)

Ophion! Stop this!
What's wrong? Can't you hear me?
It can't be!

Ophion slaps its tail on the sea's surface, sending the ship away at higher speed. It decides this is a good enough scare and turns away, arching up and down across the sea as it goes back to the Tree.

Rex

What was that? Thought we were done for!

Rex then goes "?!" as he realizes no one was looking where they were going: a country-sized Titan has appeared in front of them, its toothy mouth rising up from the waters and coming towards them.

Rex

Is that...

Gramps

Uraya's Titan!

It's already too late; the ship is caught in the cascading sea going into the giant whale's mouth.

Rex

This is NOT good!
Ack! Here it comes!

The ship loses contact with the sea and tumbles.

Everyone

Aaah!

Uraya disappears back under the surface.

Everyone

Aaah!

It's dark. The light through Uraya's teeth is visible in the distance. Rex grumbles and gets up. He can make out a pool of water with some wreakage in the darkness. He takes out a light, turns it on, and attaches it to the front of his belt.

Rex

Pyra! Anybody!

Pyra

I...I'm here.

She is indeed over there.

Rex

You hurt?

Pyra

No, I'm fine.

Nia and Dromarch are over to the left.

Nia

Ach, ow.

Tora and Poppi are somewhere on the right.

Tora

Meehh...

Rex

Looks like we're all OK...

The group convenes.

Gramps

Except for the fact that we now find ourselves in the belly of the beast.

Tora

The beastie's belly?

Gramps

This is the inside of the Urayan Titan.

♫

Heart in the Fog

Tora

Meh meh!

Gramps

Look.

He points them towards the distant light through the teeth, and the junk sitting in the pool nearby.

Tora

Tora think this not nice place.

Rex

Is that how we're gonna end up?

Nia

Hey, Rex! Don't jinx us!

Dromarch

Everyone. Shouldn't we try to get out of here?
If I recall, the Urayans live towards the beast's back.
There must be a way up there.

Nia

Yeah. Can't hang around here, for sure.

Poppi α

Over there.

Nia

Huh?

There's a tunnel across the cavern, away from the pool.

Poppi α

Poppi see something over there. Someone coming this way.

Nia

For real? Maybe you're just seeing things.

Poppi α

Poppi is certain. Something is flickering over there.

Rex

Flickering...you say? Some kind of ghost maybe?

Nia

S-shut up! There's no such thing!

Rex
(too smug)

Nia! You're not scared, surely?

Nia

D-don't talk nonsense, Rex! I'm not a kid!

Rex
(way too smug)

You're scared! At last. Something Nia's scared of.

Nia

Just you watch... Hey! Where's Pyra?

The astute viewer will have noticed that Pyra's been absent since before Tora said "this not nice place".

Rex

What?

Nia

Pyra's missing.

Rex

Uh... But she was right here. Pyra? Pyra?!

Pyra appears out of nowhere right next to Rex with a fireball in her hand.

Pyra

Hey, what's up?

Rex
(WHOA)

Aaah!
H-hey, what's the big idea?! Don't wander off like that!

Pyra

Nothing really. I was just taking a look around.
What's the matter?

Nia
(yeeesss, revenge)

Heheheh.

Rex

What's so funny?

Nia

Oh, nothing...

Rex
(growling)

Titan's foot!

Pyra takes her fireball, makes it bigger, and hangs it in the air. It's much easier to see now.

Gramps

Oh! Things are looking brighter already.

Poppi α

Poppi can help too.

Poppi activates her hi-beams (white lights shooting out of her eyes).

Tora

Now even more brighter!

Nia

You two are certainly earning your keep.
*Sigh* I wish I could say the same for old Dromarch here!

Dromarch

Apologies, my lady.

Rex

See? Not so scary when you can actually see. Let's find the exit!

Tora

Poppi α

Yeah!

♫

Womb Center

The tunnel towards the Kingdom of Uraya is no brighter than the first cavern.

Enter Vandham

The party reaches Jebbas Cavern. It's notably lighter in here than the previous tunnels.

Nia

There's some kinda dim light...

Gramps

If I remember, the Urayan Titan has a translucent hide...
I bet that'll be the light filtering through.

Rex

So the Titan must be above the clouds now?

Gramps

I dare say!

Pyra

If we can make it to the source of the light, maybe we'll find a way out of here.

Gruff voice

Hold it!

♫

Irritation

Looking up, there's a group of Urayans and Blades on higher ground. In the middle is a very large man with a cross-shaped scar on his face and way too many pouches on his armor. He jumps down from the high ground with too much ease for his body type, quickly followed by his bird-like Blade, his two pals, and their two Blades. His name is Vandham.

Vandham

Looks like a bunch of mushes I ain't seen yet.
You gotta have pretty damn bad luck, ending up in a Titan's guts like this.
...Huh? That Blade...

He's spotted Pyra. At this point we can guess what happens next.

Vandham

An emerald Core Crystal!

Rex gasps. He's figured it out too.

Vandham

Bwahahahaha! So the rumors are true!

Rex

Huh? What rumors?

Vandham

The tale that every Driver worth his salt knows. The legendary Aegis.
Folks been saying she just woke up from a 500 year nap.
Wouldn't have thought she'd show up with a pencil-neck shrimp like you for a Driver, though.

Rex

You think I don't have what it takes?

Vandham

Nah, I mean... Maybe you could handle a normal Blade.
But a greenhorn like you with a beaut like her? Don't kid yourself.
C'mon boy. Hand her over to a grown-up.

Rex

This crap is getting old.
Leave her alone!

Vandham

Y'got heart, kid. I like that.
Yew, Zuo, you take care of the others. I wanna squash the kid.

Yew is on Rex's right. He takes out his spear.

Yew

Heheh. Leave it to us, boss.

Zuo has an axe.

Zuo

We'll take real good care of 'em.

Vandham takes up his weapon, a pair of scythes.

Out of Juice

♫

Ophion

The fight is ongoing. Vandham is advancing on Rex.

Vandham

What's the matter? Are you the Aegis or aren't ya?!

Pyra blocks a strike for Rex.

Pyra

Huh?
Something feels different...
This man, he's...

The two push away.

Vandham

That all ya got, mate? Pathetic.

He motions to bring it on.

Rex

We'll show you! We'll show you what me and Pyra are made of!

Rex flings a projectile at him. He sidesteps it without effort.

Rex

He dodged?!

Vandham

Course I did, kid. Any slower, you'd bore me to death.

Rex

How about this then?

He fires some more.

Vandham

Hmph.

Vandham steps back while dodging every shot.

Pyra

Rex, wait! I can't supply power this fast!

Vandham steps back into the cavern wall. Rex is not listening to his partner.

Rex

Nowhere left to run! Eat this!

Rex readies another attack. Pyra looks beat. Vandham smirks. Rex's sword shorts out and goes inert. He lets out an "Uh?".

Vandham

Playtime's over. Take this!

Vandham lunges at Rex. Rex just stands there.

Rex

Ah!

The screen goes white as the scythe gets to Rex's head. When it fades, Vandham is still.

Vandham

Hah! If you're a Driver, you're a new one for sure.
Drivers, see.

Vandham has stopped his weapon just short of Rex's neck. He could've killed him right there and didn't.

Vandham

We borrow our Blades' energy... channel it into our weapons...
And let rip with an Art!

He steps back.

Vandham

But you gotta be careful - there's a limit to it.
If you go in all bull-headed like that, kid, even that Aegis of yours...

He points out that Pyra is resting on all fours and panting heavily.

Vandham

is gonna run out of energy before long.

Rex
(wait but aren't we fighting)

W-what...?

Yew and Zuo have also stopped fighting.

Nia

H-huh?

Vandham

The name's Vandham.
I run a little firm out of the nearby village.

Rex

A..."firm"?

Vandham

Come on!
I'll treat you to some grub as thanks for letting me take a whack at the legendary Aegis!
Bwahahahaha!

He's turned and started to walk away, presumably to lead them onward. Pyra is up beside Rex.

Pyra

Just then... I realized while we were fighting...

The rest of Vandham's group has rejoined him in moving on.

Pyra

I sensed from the very start that he didn't mean us any real harm.

Rex

Hm, he sure is a strange old goat, that one...

Justice Busters

The group passes through an open gate in a narrow passage.

Vandham

Helluva story.
So you headed to the World Tree to reach Elysium, but got swallowed up whole instead?
You got some crazy luck.

Rex

So, er, what were you doing back there, then?

They stop moving. Some buildings can be seen about.

Vandham

Y'know, this Titan... It ain't too fussy about what it eats.
I went down there to see if anything we might need in the village washed up.
But mostly I only found your sorry mushes.

Rex

Yeah, sorry about that...

The view steps back to more widely see the village.

♫

Garfont Mercenaries

Vandham

Here we are. Welcome to Garfont. Ain't much but it's home.

Pyra

The village has a lot of children.

Tora

Lots of Drivers and Blades here too!

Vandham

We're in the business of dispatching Drivers and Blades all across the world.
Most of the kids are war orphans. Took 'em in while on the job.

Dromarch

So you're saying that you take them under your wing.

Yew

Just till they're able to make it by themselves.

Zuo

Some of 'em might grow up to be Drivers, like ourselves.
...But then others might become tailors.

Vandham

It doesn't matter what they wanna do with their lives. We leave it up to them to decide.

Yew

Aye. Us "Justice Busters" just wanna help.

Nia

Good eggs, huh?

Vandham

You said it. I've been called worse.
Come on. Let's eat! All this egg-talk is making me hungry.

He leads the group onward. Rex stays back a bit. He seems to like the idea of this place.

A Meal at the Tavern

The group gets to Vargel Tavern.

Guldon

Hey, look who's here!
Food's on the table. Don't you worry about the cost. Eat as much as you like!

The Driver of the Aegis

The party has sat down to eat. The near table hosts Rex, Pyra, Gramps, Vandham, and Vandham's Blade Roc, while the others sit at the far table.

Pyra

I'm going to get some water. Vandham?

Vandham
(already with nine empty mugs)

Cheers love! Gimme a beer!

Pyra

Beer? Coming right up!

Rex isn't eating like everyone else. Instead, he looks concerned.

Vandham

What's up? The grub don't suit you?

♫

Elysium in the Dream

Rex

So do you fight in wars too, Vandham?

Vandham

You got a problem with mercenaries?

Rex

Are you trying to get us to join up?

Vandham

Hah! Shrimps like you? We're not THAT desperate.
Relax.

Rex

OK. Good to know.

Vandham

Hmmm...
Rex, you're a salvager, ain't ya?

Rex

Yeah.

Vandham

You musta fished out your share of military supplies, right?
You fine with that?

Rex

Nah. I don't wanna get involved with it.

Vandham

It's all the same.
Compasses, valves for ether stoves... Armies need all these things.
That bread you're eating? It's made from ruska flour. Supplied by the Ardainian government.
This world's full of war.
Don't matter if you're a soldier or not. As long as you're alive...
...you're in the war, some way or another.
Don't you think?

Rex

Um, I...

Vandham

Life can be cruel. Crueler than you know.
That's why I set up this little band, so I could protect the people I care about.
Rex. You're the Driver of the Aegis.
The whole world's gonna try and scalp you, you realize that?
How ya gonna live, when you got everyone gunning for ya?
It'd be easy to run. All you'd need to do is ditch that girl.

Pyra is over there, presumably out of earshot, working the beer barrels.

Rex

...

Vandham

Hmmm...

Vandham gets up.

Vandham

C'mon! Gotta get ready!

Rex

Wh-where are we going?

Vandham

Just follow me, kid!

He and Roc head off. Rex doesn't know what to make of it.

A Stay in Garfont

The rest of the group has gotten up.

Nia

He said to follow him, but I'm not seeing him anywhere...
What an annoying old guy.

Pyra

Where do you think Vandham went?

Rex

I guess we just explore the village and hope we run into him?

Pyra

Good idea. It's always best to get the lay of the land when you arrive in a new place.

Dromarch

Besides, didn't he say we should "get ready" for something?

Nia

He's not exactly big on explaining himself, is he?

Rex

There's quite a few shops around here, so let's stock up on anything we need while we look for him.

The Only Blade You Need

Vandham and Roc are waiting by the Garfont Rear Gate.

Roc

You sure know how to keep a guy waiting, rookies.

Poppi α

Very sorry for wait!

Tora

Is fault of Vandham for rushing off ahead...

Vandham

Hahahah! Sorry 'bout that.
I guess you've already seen him when we fought earlier, but let's introduce ourselves properly, shall we?

Roc

I'm Roc, Vandham's Blade.
Pleasure to meet you all.

Rex

The pleasure's all ours!

Pyra

I noticed you used an unusual style of weapon?

Roc

Yeah, they're called Dual Scythes. Even around here, I never met anyone but Vandham who can use them.

Tora

Wow. Big man very amazing!

Vandham

Hahahah!

Roc

Don't flatter him too much. He'll let it go to his head.

Poppi α

Vandham only have one Blade then?

Vandham

Yeah, pretty much.
I know most Drivers have a few, so they can change up their strategies in battle, but me, Roc's all I've ever needed!

Tora

Big man really is amazing...

Vandham

Hahahah!

Nia

Sounds to me like you just can't be bothered to think up more than one strategy, eh, old man?

Vandham

Gahahah!
Well, now that we all know each other, let's get down to business.

Dromarch

He just dodged the question...

Gramps

An expert dodge, to be sure...

Bound for the Blowhole

The scene starts with everyone oddly further from the gate than before.

Vandham

We just got a job to go check out some kinda crazy energy effect. Somewhere up around the blowhole.
Whaddya say? Fancy bein' a mercenary for a day?

Rex

Um, OK? But, I mean, we don't work for free...

Vandham

Don't worry, kid, you'll get paid.

Everyone starts heading towards the gate.

Roc's Power

Past the Cleansing Spring, the party encounters some sort of storm of wind ether occupying the passage forward. Rex gasps at the sight of the weird obstacle.

Vandham

An ether miasma. Take it this is your first one.

Rex

Ether miasma?

Vandham

It's a load of poisonous waste products spewed from the Titan's guts.
Y'know when you get gassy? Kinda like that.

Nia

Erm, is there a way through this thing?
I can't see any way round it.

Vandham

Hey. No fear.

Vandham draws his weapons.

Vandham

Roc, mate! You're up!

Roc uses his Miasma Dispersal skill. The miasma vanishes.

Rex
(oh huh cool)

Miasma's died down!

Vandham

Heheheh!
Yup, nothing to it. Let's roll!

Ardun Situation

The group approaches the Great Blowhole. There's a lone Ardun standing around.

Vandham

An Ardun... Just what we need.

♫

Battle!!

Vandham

Rex, any good with that anchor?

Rex

Yeah, I get by.

Vandham

Hand that here.

Rex nods and takes the device off his forearm, handing it to Vandham.

Vandham

Now watch.

He smirks, takes aim, and fires. Just before the shot reaches the Ardun, he yanks the reel up. The anchor spirals around the beast's hind leg. Vandham pulls it back and the animal is tipped over.

Rex

Awesome! I never thought of using it that way!

Vandham

The trick is to pull it taut at just the right moment.

He tosses the anchor back.

Vandham

Now you try!

The Ardun is sensibly angry at them now.

Driver's Duty

They've gone and killed the Ardun. That was really necessary.

Vandham

You got it after seeing it once. Not bad, kid.

Rex
(both proud and sheepish)

Heheheh.

♫

A Place in the Sun

Vandham

Listen up, kid. Drivers use Arts.
But that doesn't just mean using the powers your Blade gives you.
There are Arts that use your own strength, or take advantage of your enemy's.
There are all sorts.
A Driver's job is to be smart with his Arts, and protect his Blade.

Rex

Protect my Blade?

Vandham

Yeah. It's a two-way thing, kid.
You gotta be aware of the power comin' out of her.
Don't waste it, channel it through your Arts, and protect her.
If you can do that, then you're a true Driver, kid.

Rex

'A true Driver'? I don't know... Am I ready?

Vandham

'Course you are.
That thing from before? Took me five years to learn that.

Rex

Five years?!

Vandham

Yeah. But you saw it once, then you aced it like it was nothin'.
And, you got Nia and Tora in tow. Those guys are pretty handy.
Kid, you got a bright future.

Nia

I think I'm gonna spew.

Tora

Biggipon has scary face, but he very nice!

Vandham

Bwahahahaha! Sussed me out, furrypon!

Strange Biology

At the Soulcrown Summit, the party finds a dead Titan, much like the one of Umon's ship.

♫

The Beginning of Darkness

Vandham

Like I thought...

Rex

A Titan?
So that weird power effect they clocked... Maybe this is the cause?

Vandham

Yeah, sure looks like it.

Gramps

I'll hazard it wasn't death by old age, either.
Might have been an accident... On the other hand, it might have been attacked...

There's a noise off to the side.

♫

Monster Surprised You

An Arachno approaches. It's accompanied by a demonic-looking humanoid with a Core Crystal - a Rare Blade.

Vandham

Hey, look! Seems like this Titan dying off has stirred up something else!

Burden of Memory

The Arachno is dead. The Blade alongside it glows blue and fades away, leaving behind a Core Crystal, black and dull.

Rex

The Blade returned to its core...

Pyra

So that monster was in resonance with the Blade...

Tora

Tora cannot resonate, stinky monster can resonate. Not fair!

Poppi α

But Masterpon have Poppi...

Tora

Oh, Poppi!

♫

Where We Used To Be

Vandham

If a Blade loses its Driver, it winds up like this.

Rex

So, is it, like...dead?

Vandham

Nah! The crystal'll start glowing again after a bit of time. Then a new Driver can resonate with it.
But...

Rex

There's a but?

Vandham

Its memory will be totally zapped.
It'll be reborn as a new Blade. Won't remember a thing.

Rex

Yeah? That's pretty rough...
To have all of your past wiped out like that...

Pyra
(looking off to the side)

But memories can be...painful as well. They can be a terrible burden.
And, a Blade can live forever, as long as the crystal exists.
It's just as well. Eternity is a long time to collect bad memories.

Rex

Pyra...

Pyra

I'm sorry.
I was just thinking, sometimes being able to forget is a...blessing.

Vandham

C'mon! Let's get finished up here!

Vandham goes over to the dead Titan. He sticks his arm in as it starts to glow blue and fade. When he comes back, he's got a fresh Core Crystal in his hand.

Rex

That's...

Tora

A Core Crystal!

Rex

What?!

Vandham

Well, that where they come from. Out of Titans.
This one's brand new and ready to resonate. Like a big steak, right before you take that first bite.
It'll probably end up buddying up with a bunch of Drivers...
Every time the Driver dies, it'll forget everything and return to its core. Eventually it'll resonate with a new Driver.
Drivers dyin', Titans dyin'... The Blade just keeps on livin' through it all...
It's a never-ending cycle. An eternal history.
As mortals, we'll never be able to understand.

Rex

It's incredible.

Pyra steps over to the fading Titan, clearly sad for it. Rex then thinks about how he arrived in the room where Pyra was sealed on the Ancient Ship.

Rex

But... Pyra already had a body when we found her...
Could her old Driver still be alive somewhere?
Perhaps...

Pain Shared, Destiny Entwined

The party has returned to Garfont and is resting in the Training Ground. While Tora is having Poppi help him practice punching with his tiny hands for some reason, Vandham is deep in thought.

♫

Friendship

Rex and Pyra are both holding what's implied to be cotton balls on a stick dipped in some sort of medicine, and are trying to help each other apply it to their wounds.

Rex

Owowowowow...ah...

Pyra

Hey, hold still. I thought you were a tough salvager, Rex!

Rex

Gimme a break. Pain is pain, isn't it?
How about you? Are you hurt?

Pyra

Don't worry, it's just a scra—

He pokes her arm with the swab.

Pyra

Ouuuch!

Vandham gets up and approaches.

Pyra

That was on purpose! You were hurting me on purpose, weren't you? Well?

Rex

I wasn't, honest! I was just rubbing the lotion in...

Pyra

Rex! You rubbed it too hard! It hurts, see!

She retaliates halfway through speaking.

Rex

Waaah!

Vandham

Hey, you two!
Gimme a look at that!

He takes an inspection of them. They both have cuts on their left arm and right thigh, both in the same place and direction.

Vandham
(baffled)

What is this...
Haven't seen this before...
Dunno why a Blade would be stuck with a bunch of wounds...
And they're exactly the same as Rex's!

At this point, it comes out (presumably, since it's offscreen) that Pyra gave Rex half her life force and Core Crystal.

Vandham

Incredible. Never heard of such a thing.

Rex

It's all true.

Vandham

I just thought it was an accessory.

Rex

Vandham, that's not my style.

Vandham

Blades are supposed to heal up right away, no matter what the wound.
If the crystal's in one piece and the Driver's alive, nothing can touch 'em.
So why's she all bashed up?

Rex
(unconcerned)

That's just how the chips fell. It is what it is.

Vandham

What it is, is a problem.
It means, if one of you kicks the bucket, you both do.

Rex

You told me that a good Driver always protects his Blade.
So that's what I'll do. I'm gonna protect her.

Vandham

Easier said than done, kid.

Rex

Listen.
Pyra... She saved my life, brought me back from the dead. So I won't die again!
I've got to live, for her sake! Until we get to Elysium, at least.
We can make it together.

Vandham

Rex, you mean...

Akhos

Going to Elysium? I can't let that stand.

Everyone looks over halfway through the line to see that Akhos and Obrona are both suddenly here.

♫

The Beginning of Darkness

Akhos

It won't do. A bunch of amateurs stealing the show?
The script exists for a reason!

Nia

Akhos!

Rex

!

Akhos

Please speak only when you're spoken to, traitor.

Obrona

Traitor traitor traitor!♪
Nia, you're one of the baddies now. You villain!
Teeheehee!

Nia

I didn't betray anyone!

Akhos

Then why do you stand with them? You think that is where you belong?

Nia

But, I...

Vandham

Hmph. Who are these goons?

Rex

Torna. They're trying to get their hands on Pyra.

Vandham

Torna?!

Nia

Akhos! Just tell us what you're here for!

Akhos

Well, the Aegis, of course.
I just had to come and see the leading lady with my own eyes.

Nia

Jin put you up to this?

Akhos

Well deduced. Oh, by the way...
His orders were to deal with you in whatever manner I see fit.
So you know what that means.

Nia

He wouldn't... You're lying!

Akhos

Why the surprise? Did you think he would still care about you?
Oh, to live in your reality...

At this point the subtitles would say "Grrr!", but the noise Nia emits is so cat-like they chose to hide it, for it could not do the sound justice.

Akhos

Well, well. Your part in this play is coming to an end.
So! Time for you to shuffle off the stage.

Vandham

Hnngh!

Rex

What's wrong?

Vandham

I know the name Torna. They've taken the lives of too many Drivers.
Including some of my crew. Good people.
Rumor says it's because they're collecting Core Crystals. So, if this Akhos is one of them...

He turns to the side and yells at Yew and Zuo, who have been there for some time now but not done anything.

Vandham

Yew! Zuo! Get everyone out of the village!

Yew

Zuo

Yes, sir!

Vandham
(back to Rex)

You ready?

Everyone draws their weapons.

Rex

Ready!

Pyra

Got it!

Nia

Thanks for this.

Rex

No problem!

Nia

It'll be tough. His Blade, Obrona... She can manipulate the ether in the air.
It lets him counter elemental attacks by generating fields of the opposing element!

Vandham

Finally, a decent opponent for a change! Let's go!

Too Many Bit-Players

The fight is presumably ongoing, though there is yet no indication of it.

♫

Crossing Swords

Akhos
(starting calm but becoming manic)

Such an honor! Sharing a stage with the legendary Aegis!

He lunges forward and knocks Pyra into the wall.

Pyra

Argh!

Rex is sitting on the ground over there.

Rex

Ugh!

Akhos looks over, confused.

Akhos

Huh? Why would the Driver...

Obrona

It seems...that they're taking each other's damage, somehow.

Akhos

Ah! So that means that the Aegis...
Is a mere mortal right now...
In that case, a little more damage, and she'll be easy to deal with!

He chases her along the wall a bit, then spins around and smacks her. He then makes a cross-slash with his blades that should really be causing visible damage but doesn't.

Pyra

Aaaaaah!

She slides down the wall.

Rex

Pyra!

Rex tries to get up but fails and flops onto the ground. Akhos smirks before bringing an attack down at Pyra's slouched head, but a wind-like shield blocks it and pushes him away.

Akhos

Hnngh!

Vandham

Kids these days, I swear! Can't leave you alone for a minute!

Vandham walks into frame with one of Roc's scythes held up.

Rex

Could use a hand!

Vandham

Leave it to me. I'll take this dog down!

Vandham spins and produces a cyclone, but it doesn't visibly do much to Akhos before vanishing. He passes the scythes to Roc, who does a more continuous and effective job.

Obrona

Gyaaaaaah! What's happening?!

Obrona, not anchored to the ground, starts to spin around in the cyclone.

Akhos

What? The ether flow's disturbed!
Gah. How am I supposed to deflect now?!

Vandham

You and your fancy moves. You lack grit.

Akhos tries to advance, but Dromarch leaps at him and forces him back.

Akhos

Urgh! Just too many of these bit-players...
My interest has waned. Obrona! Perhaps it's time for another tale.

He turns away. Obrona mumbles and follows.

Obrona

Sure, sure...

The two leap up the cliffs and easily get away.

Vandham

Tch.

♫

A Faint Hope

The group generally glares at the exit. Pyra staggers forward and collapses.

Rex

...
Pyra!

He hurries over to her.

Rex

Pyra! Pyra!

He lifts her a bit. She's unconscious.
The scene skips ahead. Pyra has been placed in a bed in the Harghalgh Inn. The rest of the party is huddled around. Rex steps outside the room; Vandham is in the next one.

Vandham

How is she?

Rex

She's not badly hurt. Dromarch thinks she just needs rest.

Vandham

That's good to hear.

Rex
(downcast)

Maybe...I used too much power again...

Vandham

Hey, Rex...

Rex looks back up and goes "Hmm?".

Vandham

Know what the difference is between me and that Akhos fella?

Rex

Well, he's a bad guy, trying to get Pyra...and you're...not?

Vandham

Hehe! Thanks for the vote of confidence, kid.
What if I told you that we weren't that different?

Rex

Huh?

Vandham

My crew at the village, we think we're fighting for justice.
But, a just fight? I'm tellin' you now, there's no such thing.
What people call justice? It's just an excuse to fight. War is war.
The more you stand up for yourself, the more people wanna fight you.
Before you know it, you're in a war.
Listen. All I'm saying is, we got our fight, and he's got his.

Rex

But what he's doing is-

Vandham

Yeah, it's bad. But war ain't about right and wrong. Power. That's all it is.
And power can take many different forms. It depends on the heart of its wielder.
If we don't use our power, just 'cos we're scared of it, we're done for.
As for who's right and who's wrong... No one knows for sure.
So, all we can do, is protect what's important.

Rex

I think I understand.

Vandham

We all got our own war, kid.

Rex

My...war?

It is now the next morning. Having slept in separate rooms, the girls' half of the party reconvenes with the boys' half in the lobby.

Pyra

Good morning!

Rex

Pyra! Feeling better?

Pyra

Yeah! I slept so much!

Rex

Good. Glad to hear.

Pyra

Also...Nia's got something to talk to you about.

Rex

She does?

Pyra

Yeah. Go ahead, Nia.

Nia

Ah, erm...
I... Rex...I want you to come help me.

Rex

Erm, come where?

Nia

To Vandham. I need to tell him about my past with Akhos and all that lot.

Rex

Ah, sure. If you'd like me to, I will!

Nia

Thanks...

Pyra

Nia originally said she was going to go alone.
But I said maybe it'd be better if you went along too.

Nia

Er... Maybe I should explain... Vandham... He kind of scares me a bit...

Rex

Haha... I get it!

Difficult Conversation

Vandham is out at the Training Ground. The party approaches. The time is still exactly 7:00am (no matter how long it took the player to get here).

Vandham

Oh, it's you guys? What got you out of bed so early?

Rex

Nia?

Nia

Thanks for yesterday. You saved our skins.

♫

Loneliness

Nia

That guy, Akhos, I mean... I wanted to tell you about him, you see...
Thing is, we used to be...

Vandham

Being a mercenary... You meet all kindsa different folks.

Nia goes "...Huh?". This is not going as expected.

Vandham

Your country, family, money... People got plenty of reasons to fight.
Like fightin' for a special girl. I see that a lot. Though not every girl has a strange crystal in her chest, eh?

Rex

Y-you mean Pyra? W-we're just...

Vandham

Nia, you're with these guys right now. That's what matters.

Nia

But...aren't you...

Vandham

Anyway. Rex, weren't you saying you wanted to get to Elysium?

Rex

Yeah... But we hit a snag...
With a monster like that in the way, it's impossible.
No Guild ship's getting close to it without going down.

Vandham

Well, I've got an old mate. In the Urayan capital.
Got a feeling he might know a way through.

Rex

Really?!

Vandham

Yeah. I gotta go there anyhow. So I could introduce you.

Rex

Vandham! Thank you!

Vandham

Nah! It's destiny or something. Don't sweat it.
Get your stuff together and meet me by the village entrance.

Vandham and Roc head off.

Setting Out for Fonsa Myma

The party rejoins with Vandham at the gates.

Vandham

Just letting you know, it's a good way to Fonsa Myma from here.
Plenty of monsters out there on the road. Make sure you've got yourselves all kitted up before we head out.

Are you ready to depart?

Yes

Vandham

All set? Then let's get our backsides over to Fonsa Myma, pronto!

Not yet

Vandham

Take your time. Just gimme a shout whenever you're ready.

Watching from the Shadows

The group readies to leave.

Vandham

Time to head out. Yew! Zuo! Take care of this place, yeah?

Yew

Nae worries. Leave it to us, Boss!

Zuo

Boss. You're in a good mood somehow!

Vandham

Hehe, I guess so. Well, take care!

They exit the gates.

♫

The Beginning of Darkness

Cleverly hidden behind a nearby rock, a pair of hooded figures watch the party pass by.

Aboard an Ardainian Titan ship, alarms are blaring. Soldiers are firing their rifles at Jin, but he casually strolls forward, destroying them all without visibly moving. He turns a corner to see a group of Drivers and Blades, which he also teleports through without apparent effort, killing the Drivers and causing the Blades to revert to inert cores. Jin reaches a door and slices it open, revealing a room full of glowing Core Crystals. Explosions rock the Titan ship as it falls into the Cloud Sea.

Bringer of Chaos

The party reaches the Cobalt Cliffs. It isn't long before a voice echoes out from nowhere.

???

Ha ha ha! Looks like all the chat about the Aegis was true!

Rex

Who're you?

♫

Eye of Shining Justice

The two hooded figures from the previous scene appear in front of the group. The one with a comically large sword on his back is the speaker, while the one with the big round glasses stays silent.

???

That's a heavy burden you have there. Sure you're up to it, pipsqueak?
See sense, step aside and let the big boys take charge.

From this point forward, it is assumed that every line by this diabolical masked man is accompanied by a dramatic pose (which his partner perfectly mimics) and matching sound effect.

???

C'mon. Yield the merchandise!

Rex

Huh? What? Vandham, do you know this guy?

Vandham

Never seen him in my life.

???

Bah!

The two assailants throw off their hoods.

Everyone

!

The man has a patch over his left eye, while the woman must be a Blade because her shoulders are lightbulbs.

Rex

Wait...are you...

???
(yep, they got it)

Heh.

Rex

...Uh...

The man is clearly hurt by no one immediately recognizing him.

???

You really are a bunch of rinky-dink, bogus, two-bit, no-mark Drivers, aren't you?

He approaches the camera dramatically.

???

Behold the mighty...
Zeke!
Von!
Genbu!
Bringer of Chaos!

At this point he's spitting on the lens. He eventually pulls back.

Zeke

Mostly known as Zeke. And often addressed as...THE ZEKENATOR!
Behold my Blade! Pandoria!

He takes up his sword and brandishes it appropriately.

Zeke

And this is my sword, the Purple Lightning Dreamsmasher! If you want a taste, come and get it!

The music pauses while Rex contemplates this information.

Rex

We're good.

He starts to keep on walking. The rest of the party follows.

Zeke

Good?! No?!
W-wait...

The music continues as Zeke and Pandoria dash back in front of them with superhuman speed.

Zeke

Wait! You barbarians!

Nia

This guy... I'm tired of him already.

Zeke

Gah! You think you lowlifes can lick the three of us?

Nia

Three of you? I count two. Lost someone?

Zeke

Huh? Oh, get a load of this...
Our beloved mascot...
Turters, reveal yourself!

He reaches into his open coat to pull out...nothing.

Zeke

...Huh? Turters? Turters?! Turters, where are you, boy?
Turterrrrs!

Pyra looks down to see a small turtle at her feet, approaching her.

Pyra

Oh!

She picks him up. He fits right in her hand.

Pyra

Hello, little guy! How are you? What are you doing, out here all alone...?

Zeke is on all fours searching for his companion. He spots what Pyra's doing.

Zeke

Ah-ah-ah! Turters!

He skedaddles at her and stops.

Zeke

Handling a man's turtle!

He snatches Turters and skedaddles right back to Pandoria's side. With their mascot rescued from Pyra's clutches, they fawn over him.

Rex

...He could have just grabbed Pyra there. Why'd he go for his turtle instead...?

Nia

Ugh. What an idiot.

Zeke

Gah...!

Zeke puts Turters back safely away.

Zeke

Listen, whatever.
She'll be mine soon enough!
Got a problem with that? Then come at me! And don't hold back!

He gives them a confident smirk.

Nia

What! Is this guy for real?

The party prepares to fight. zekes_super_cool_battle_transition_effect.mp4

Watch Your Step

The party has succeeded in not being immediately defeated by Zeke von Genbu, Bringer of Chaos, the most evil Driver in Alrest. He gets pushed back.

Zeke

*pant* *pant* *pant* G-good try. Not bad.
B-b-but!

♫

The Beginning of Darkness

Zeke

Wipe yourselves down and get ready for my super-ultra-mega-move!

Nia
(completely disinterested)

We're waiting with bated breath. For your super-duper-whatever.

Zeke
(yesssss)

You asked for it!
Hyaargh!

The Purple Lightning Dreamsmasher is charged with lightning. Rex grunts at the power. Zeke holds it aloft as the effect intensifies.

Zeke

Bringer of Chaos!
Ultimate Lightning Fury Slash!

He leaps into the air and strikes the ground, the electricity forming a 極 across it. No one is within the attack's reach. Zeke makes a derisive snort that says "so, you understand my true power now?". Then the ground starts to shake.

♫

Wanted Nia

Pyra

Erm...

Zeke

Whoa-!

The ground fragments under Zeke and Pandoria's feet before completely giving way; a big chunk of cliffside shatters and collapses.

Zeke

Whoaaaaaaa...!

Pandoria

Gyaaaaah!

The two fall down to the ground way below. No one is particularly concerned about it. Rex goes "whoa".

Rex

Wh-what just happened? They...

Nia

Ugh. What an idiot.

Vandham

Don't see that everyday...

Nia

Come on. That's enough nonsense.

Nia starts to lead the party onward.

Dromarch

Indeed.

Rampant Tensions in Fonsa Myma

The party reaches Fonsa Myma. As they approach, they take note of a Titan ship docked at the Gwendle Repair Dock.

Dromarch

War with Mor Ardain is looking more and more likely by the day.

Vandham

Looks like they've expanded the military program. That's a lot of warships...

Poppi α

These ships look different to normal ships.

Vandham

Yeah, we don't muck about with our Titans much. No need for it.
Urayans like things pretty natural.

Rex

I've seen Urayan ships before, back in Argentum.
It's like the total opposite of how the Ardainians use them.

Dromarch

That could be one reason they're always at each other's throats.

Gramps

They've been like cats and dogs for a long time...

Nia

Well, from where I stand, the Ardainians are worse. All that metal's just bad taste.

Gramps

It's easy to think that way, but you're not considering how the Titans themselves feel.

Nia

Huh? Don't all those modifications hurt?

Gramps

When Titans live with humans, that's just the way it is.

Nia

Hmmm...

Gramps

I used to have a hut on my back, and a crane stuck where the sun doesn't shine.
I never complained, not even when Rex fired up a grill on my shoulders.

Rex

Hey, you used to like that!

Gramps

Mm... Well, yes, I did like that...
In fact, I miss it...

Rex

If I did that now, we'd end up with roast Titan!

Gramps

Indeed!

Pyra

Teeheehee!

Spoils of War

In the streets, the party finds a lineup of people in front of a table staffed by soliers.

Rex

What's that?

Vandham

It's a distribution center. The government tries to ration out what little resources they have.
In practice, it's just first come, first served.

At the head of the line is a young girl.

Distributor

OK. That's the last one for today.

She reaches out to take the offered item (it's not exactly clear what it is), but some jerk shoves her aside.

Pyra

Ah!

Pyra decides to get involved. The jerk rationalizes himself to the child.

Domko

Come on! I'm a soldier! Been busting my gut for this country!
That should be going to me. Not the likes of you!

The girl looks all sad.

Domko

Uh? Don't look at me like that! Respect your elders, you snot-nosed brat!

Pyra steps in between them. Rex follows.

Pyra

Are you OK?
What do you think you're doing? She's just a child!

Domko

What?!
H-huh? Who the hell are you?

Nia

Rex... This isn't our business. Leave it!

Rex grumbles and ignores her.

Rex

Being an adult isn't just about barking orders. Sometimes you need to help someone weaker!

♫

Battle!!

The assailant's beast-form Blade arrives to back him up. He's determined to fight.

Domko

Shut your face! You don't know what the hell you're talking about!

Mister Vandham

The jerk is summarily beat up.

Domko

*pant pant* Wh-who are you?

He then finally realizes who he's looking at.

Domko

Th-the color of that crystal! You're...! Waaaaah!

He turns and runs. Presumably in fear, but Gramps seems to think otherwise.

Gramps

Not good. He'll be bringing others before long.

Vandham

The rumors about Pyra must have traveled pretty far. Even grunts like him have heard 'em.

Pyra

Sorry... I guess I should have used the cloak...

Poppi α

But who spread rumors?

Vandham

From what I hear, it's some fancy-pants Nopon merchant.

Rex

A Nopon merchant...?

The girl they stepped in to defend walks up.

Girl

Excuse me, Mister Vandham?

Vandham

Uh? Oh! Well, if it isn't Iona!
You grew a fair bit! How's Grandpa Cole doing?

Iona looks at the ground.

Vandham

Ah... Not too good, then.

Rex

Who's this?

Vandham

Uh? Ah, this is Iona. That old friend of mine takes care of her.

Pyra steps forward and leans down.

Pyra

Hi, Iona. Great to meet you!

Vandham

C'mon. Let's beat it before those soldiers show up.

Trip to the Theater

Vandham brings the party to the Mymoma Playhouse.

Dromarch
(interested)

Hmmm.
Is this some kind of theater?

Vandham

Yup, it's a theater, all right.
The guy we're here for leads the troupe here.

Rex

Ahh. Actors, eh.

Vandham

...And right now...

Vandham leans in to read a poster on the wall.

Vandham

...they're in the middle of a show... Well? Wanna take a quick peek?

Dromarch

"The Heroic Adventures of Addam." Might be interesting.

There is a subtle worry on Pyra's face.

Rex

I've never been to the theater before.

Tora

Neither has Tora!

Vandham

Let's do it! Nice and quiet though. Looks like it's pretty packed today.

Rex

OK!

The caption for Tora's "Meh meh!" is hidden for some reason. The party heads inside.
It's not that packed inside really, there's enough stools for everyone to sit in the back row.

♫

The Heroic Adventures

An Ardainian man is serving as the play's narrator.

Narrator

And I saw at that time that the powers of darkness had engulfed almost everything!

The stage comes onscreen. The front half of a boat sits on the left side, with strips of white material billowing across it representing the Cloud Sea.

Narrator

People and Titans alike were drawn into the abyssal vortex!
The apocalypse was upon us! The end was nigh!
But then! Despite the wounds all over his body, the great Addam stood...

"Addam" appears on the boat, dressed in spiky white-and-red armor covered in randomly-colored mosaic tiles. A low-quality thunder sound plays.

Addam

O Architect! Grant me power!

He holds up a sword in the same style as his armor.

Addam

Power to banish the dark! Power to illuminate the world!

More storm sounds play. After a cut, the clouds are gone, replaced by a trio of scarecrow-like monsters with glowing eyes making vaguely threatening motions. Addam hops off the boat and readies to fight. An actress dressed like a stereotypical angel, blonde with a white dress, is then lowered from above, hanging above the boat in center stage.

Addam

Lo! Loyal servant of the Architect! The Aegis!
O Aegis! Bless me with your power! Bring light upon the world!

The Aegis scatters a handful of yellow confetti. The monsters moan and fall down, surrounded by paper flames.

Narrator

Thus, they defeated the darkness.
But at a terrible price!
Three great continents sank beneath the sea of clouds forever.

The boat is gone, and a backlit door is now center statge. The Aegis is lying on the ground, with Addam behind her.

Addam

Servant of the Architect! By thy power, the world is saved!
For the gift you have granted us, we are eternally grateful.
I shall spread thy legend far and wide! May your name live on for eternity!

He picks her up and walks towards the door as the curtain comes down. Applause. Pyra is not applauding. Rex is somewhat concerned about this.

Minoth

Vandham is taking the party backstage.

Nia

Hey.

Rex stops and turns to her.

Nia

Kind of awkward, right?

Rex

What was awkward?

Nia

I mean, that play...it was about Pyra. Must have been kinda bizarre for her, eh?

Rex

I dunno... I guess?

Nia

Maybe you should go and make it right.

She continues on.

Rex

Make it right? How?

Nia

Idiot. Figure it out yourself!

Rex

Huh? What am I supposed to-?

He turns around to see Pyra right there.

Rex

Err, umm...so the theater...

Pyra
(clearly fake enthusiasm)

Wasn't it incredible?
They had the cloth moving just like real clouds! How do you think they did that?

Rex

Huh? ...Ah... Yeah! The clouds were pretty cool...
They were so...cloudy?

Gramps punches him in the back of the head.

Rex

Ow!

Gramps

What are you saying, bonehead?

Rex

There's no need for that! I don't know what to say in a situation like this!

The scene moves to a room filled with books and boxes. A hooded man is there. Presumably, this is the Cole that Vandham brought them to see.

Vandham

Comin' in, old fella!

The whole party enters at once.

Vandham

Crikey! Still collecting the junk, are ya?

Cole turns to show that he's an older man. He speaks with the same accent as Jin and Malos.

Cole

Watch it, you bruiser! Don't make fun of a man's hobbies!

Vandham

Some greeting for your old comrade!

Nia

Comrade?

Vandham

Yeah, I was a freelancer, before the firm got going.
Believe it or not, me and this old fella tore up a good few battlefields in our day.

Cole

We sure did. And thanks to that bleeding heart of yours, we almost never got paid!

Vandham

Hahaha! Says the guy in the theater troupe! You can't be raking in much dough either.

Cole

Hmph. Well, what can I do for you, friend?

Vandham

Cole, you're old, ain't ya?
Old enough to know...how you cross over to the World Tree... Get to Elysium, I mean.

Cole

Elysium? But why? Why would you want to go there?

He takes a closer look at Pyra.

Cole

That Core Crystal! You... You're...
So, the Aegis is back amongst us... Who is your Driver?

Rex

I am.

Cole

You? But you're so young...

Vandham

How about it, old man? Do you know the way or not?

Cole

Hmmm...
I dare say if you've trekked all the way here to ask me, you've already tried going yourselves?

Rex

Yeah... But we couldn't make it.

Cole

No wonder. No one can get to the tree while that thing's guarding the way there.
It won't let anyone past.
But...a long time ago, there was a man who went up the tree. Met the Architect, too.

Rex

There was...? Really?

Cole

Yeah. I'll wager anything he's got an idea how to get there again. You should try asking him.

Rex

Who was it?

Cole

...

Rex

Please, tell us! I've got to get to Elysium, no matter the cost!

♫

Contrition

Cole

Well, I can tell you. But first I'd like to have a word with her, if I may.
With the Aegis, I mean.

Rex

With Pyra?

Pyra

Of course.

Cole

Please, through here.

Cole takes Pyra into the next room. It's presumably his bedroom, with its bed and many filled bookshelves.

Pyra

Mister Cole, right? You wrote that play, didn't you?

Cole

I hope it didn't stir up any painful memories...

Pyra

No... Some of them are...good memories.

Cole

Heh. You know, you're not very convincing. I'm sorry, I really am.
I just wanted people to know about that time.
Show people how we were back in those days... Really get it across to them...
Will you be using it again? That power...

Pyra

I don't know yet.

Cole

I just don't know if this world can take it a second time.

Pyra

I know that. I'd never use it if there was another way.
This is what I hope for... But...

Cole

That man's the only one who knows how to get to where you're going.
Do you think you can make it to him?
I just wanted to make sure.

Pyra

We can. I mean, it's my destiny.

Cole

Yeah...
That boy who's with you...

Pyra

His name's Rex. He's a good person. With a kind heart.

Cole

Reminds me of a certain someone...

Pyra

Heh.

Cole

OK then. I'll help you out.

Pyra

Thank you... Minoth!

Cole

Minoth... I'd almost forgotten that name...

They return to the room with the others. Cole goes to his desk.

Cole

Now then, where did it get to...?
Cough! Hargh!

Iona
(concerned)

Grandpa!

Vandham

Old man! You OK?

Cole
(coughing constantly)

I'm fine... I'll be fine in a second...
Seriously, don't mind me...

Vandham

Nah, we'd better call it a day, old timer.

Rex
(sighing nod)

...

Vandham

I'm sorry, fella.

Cole
(still coughing)

Yeah, OK. But come back again tomorrow, will ya?
There's something I want to give you.

He bends over in another coughing fit.

Vandham

Come on. I know a place we can rest.

Rex looks concerned for Cole as they leave.

For Old Time's Sake

The party reaches the Folmarie Inn.

Dellin

Well if it isn't Vandham! It's been a while.
Today's stay's on the house, for old time's sake. Now get yourselves some rest!

Rest here?

Yes

Dellin

Make yourselves at home.

No

Dellin

Off for a wander? Well, come back whenever you're done.

Surprise Visit

♫

Misgivings

It's late at night. Cole has gotten over his cough and found what the was looking for: some sort of edgeless dagger with a gem or crystal in the hilt. He then realizes that Malos and Akhos have appeared in the room.

Cole

Well, I'll be... It's just one blast from the past after another today.

Malos

You probably guessed, but we're not here for a reunion.

Cole

Just as well. The Aegis's gone already.
How disappointing for you, "comrade".

Malos

Hmph. Still an asshole.

Akhos

...Despite the years taking their toll.
I'll wager all the doctors in this town are quacks, and all the Blades are blunt.

Iona is not in bed. Instead, she is listening at the doorway.

Akhos
(trying to be a smooth talker)

Obrona and I... We could fix that stagnant ether flow with a minimum of bother.
What do you say? You could still have a lot of good years ahead of you!
I mean, I won't deny there'd be a certain quid pro quo involved.
But old man, just think of the benefits!
Come, can't you lend us your expertise here?
Do so, and you could live for a long, long time.

Cole

You know, friend, I'm not as attached to my life as I used to be. Maybe I've had enough!

Akhos

Your little lost souls will be simply inconsolable.

Cole

The kids? No, they're strong.

Akhos goes "Tch." and decides to lose his cool.

Akhos

This is becoming a farce. A horrendously clichéd one at that!
Break a leg!

The two leave. Cole considers the dagger again.
Malos and Akhos exit the theater. They're about to go elsewhere when Malos notices something.

Malos

Hm? What's that?

They turn around. No one is visible, but presumably they've spotted Iona.

Akhos

Hey, don't be shy. You heard everything we said, didn't you?

Iona comes out to meet them.

Iona

Can you... Can you really help Grandpa?

Akhos

Why of course.
We can help. That is, if you can help us. Can you do that, for your grandfather?

Over in the inn, Pyra and Nia are asleep. Pyra's having her dream of Elysium.

♫

Heart in the Fog

Pyra
(bothered)

This is... You can't come here.

Malos is leaning against the tree.

Malos

Charming! So you're making the rules now, huh?

Pyra

You didn't come here to talk about the old days, did you?

Malos

Heh.
We've snatched Minoth's little brat.

Pyra

No!

Malos

Meet me at the place of your awakening. You remember it, right?

Pyra

...

Malos

Oh, and come alone.

Nia wakes up to see Pyra's bed empty.

Nia

In the loo? I guess?

She makes to go back to sleep, but someone knocks on the door.

♫

Irritation

The whole party rushes out of the inn to find an exhausted Cole with the inn's proprietor, Dellin.

Vandham

Old man! What happened?

Cole

Iona... She's gone! It must've been...them!

Rex

Who's "them"?

Cole

After you went, Malos...and some other guy paid me a visit.

Rex

Malos was here?

Nia

Who was the other guy?

Cole

Didn't catch his name. But he had red glasses.

Nia

That's Akhos! But what would he want with Iona?

Rex

Wait! Nia! Where's Pyra?

Nia

Sh-she wasn't there when I woke up...
What? No one's seen her?

Rex

Pyra... Maybe she realized what was going on with Iona?

Cole

Well, knowing those two... It's not unthinkable.

Nia

That girl! Trying to save her on her own?

Rex

Where's she gone? Didn't she leave a note?

Nia

No. I'd have noticed!

Cole

I know where... I think it could be Olethro Ruins.

Rex

Olethro Ruins?

Cole

It's where Addam led his army of resistance from. Five hundred years ago.
It's the place where the Aegis woke up, too.

Rex gasps; he seems to think this makes sense.

Cole

It must be that Malos is trying to lure her down there! I'm sure of it!

Rex

Cole! Tell us how to get there!

Cole

It's at the top of the Great Stairway.

Rex

Vandham!

Vandham
(to Dellin)

Hey! Fella! Take care of this old man for us.

Dellin

Y-yes!

Rex

Let's move! If we go now, maybe we can catch up to her!

Confrontation

♫

The Beginning of Darkness

It's still midnight. Pyra arrives at the great stone amphitheater of Olethro Ruins. She sees Malos and Sever waiting for her.

Malos

So lame. How long are you going to stay in that form?

Pyra

That's none of your concern! I am who I am! Where's Iona?

Malos

Akhos is the meanest son of a bitch I know.

He nods his head towards a point behind Pyra. She turns around to see Iona unconscious on one of the upper benches. Akhos and Obrona are watching from a different direction.

Obrona

Heeheehee! Son of a bitch!

Akhos

Hmph. I still think we should have sent them a finger or something.
But you know best.

Malos

You know what we're after, don't you?

Pyra

Jin...
Is he on your side too?

Malos

I exist for his benefit. That's all I'm gonna say.

Pyra

Really...

She glares intensely at him.

Malos

Let's end this. Now.

With Sever's blade in hand, Malos starts to swipe wind projectiles at Pyra. She blocks them, but each one breaks her barrier and she has to conjure a new one.
Rex, on his way, feels Pyra's pain in his shoulder.

Rex

Agh!

Gramps

Rex!

Rex

I'm OK. But Pyra's fighting alone!

He looks up the rest of the long stairway.

Rex

She's close, though! Really close!

He resumes running.
Pyra is running out of breath.

Akhos

Well, well. I see I'm not the only son of a bitch.

Malos

Still defiant, I see. Just give it up, girl!
Think you can do it alone?
Handle that power?

Pyra finds some reserve focus.

Pyra

I won't use that power! And I won't let you use it either!

She conjures a fireball about five times her height.

Akhos

Hmmm? You seem to be doing nicely without your Driver.

Malos

Hmph. It's like you don't know who you're dealing with!

Malos steels himself. Pyra throws the fireball at him, but he easily breaks it before it arrives.

Pyra

...

Malos

You can't beat me like that!

Rex

...But maybe I can!

Rex appears from above ready to strike.

Malos

The kid?!

Sever blocks the attack and pushes Rex off.

Pyra

Rex!

The rest of the party arrives.

Pyra

Everyone!

Rex

Vandham, take Iona!

Vandham is already holding her.

Vandham

Gotcha!

Rex

We'll take care of these guys!

Malos growls.

Akhos

Well, it's come to this.
...Hmph! Needs must!
Obrona! Do them in!

He leaps to Malos's side.

Obrona

Thought you'd never ask!

♫

Incoming!

Exit Vandham, Enter Mythra

Regardless of how long the player spent on the fight, it is still the middle of the night.

Akhos

I must admit, I've enjoyed playing my part in this hackneyed tale, but...

♫

Drifting Soul

Obrona

Teehee! Time for the final act?

Obrona swirls high into the air and releases a red wave of energy, leaving the air full of red particles.

Rex

Uh? You're bluffing...

He runs in.

Pyra

No! Rex!

He swings at Akhos, but he catches the sword's casing.

Rex

What?!

Akhos

You see, Blades draw their power from atmospheric ether energy.
They send their power to the crystal, where it manifests...
But...what if we were to interrupt the flow?

He closes his fist for very necessary dramatic effect. The affinity link between Rex and Pyra turns red and breaks.

Vandham

Shit...
Don't look good!

Nia

Damn! The power's draining out of my weapons!

Dromarch

It's no good! I can't transfer power, my lady!

Poppi α

Masterpon! Poppi feels funny!

Malos lunges forward.

Malos

Hah!

He cuts a slice of wind at the group. Dromarch takes most of it as they scatter.

Rex

Why won't you guys leave Pyra alone?

Akhos

Isn't it obvious? We want the power of the Aegis for ourselves!

He gives Rex a lazy whack.

Akhos

It's Jin's desire...
...to erase all of humankind from the world!

Nia

What?!

Nia steps in front of Rex and starts fighting Akhos herself. Pyra looks sad at what Akhos said as she blocks Malos' attacks.

Nia

Did Jin seriously say that? "Erase all of humankind?"

Akhos

My, my. Surely you knew. Better than anyone.
You know what humans are really like.

Nia

Uh?!

She's sufficiently surprised that she just kinda stands there.

Vandham

Nia! What're you doing?

Vandham grabs her and pulls her out of Akhos' way, with Roc also stepping in.

Akhos

You've seen the capital.
You've seen the ships, weapons, soldiers... All poised to invade Mor Ardain...

Rex is still dueling Malos over there. Tora is nowhere in sight.

Akhos

Doesn't it make you want to laugh?
Every corner of the world is defiled by such vermin.

Malos

But that's nothing new. They haven't changed a bit in 500 years!
No wonder Father abandoned them!

Pyra pushes Sever away as Rex does the same to Malos. Rex is looking out of breath.

Pyra

No. The only thing that hasn't changed is you.
Father didn't want us to wipe out innocent life!

Malos

Why did he make us then? Get real!
That's what we're for. To descend on the world and eliminate these pests!

Malos shouts and brings forth a huge dark aura around himself, like the small one he made in his hand a few times before. Sever's a wind-type Blade, and everyone is still in Obrona's anti-ether field - clearly something else is going on.

Vandham

What...?!
Is that power coming from his Blade?

Nia

It's too...

Malos either runs out of juice or gets himself back under control.

Malos

Playtime's over. Let's end it! Akhos!

Akhos

Agreed!

Malos smacks Rex and Pyra into the wall. Poppi flies out of the smoke and tries to hit him with Tora, but Sever blocks it and sends them into the wall.

Tora

Poppi!

Obrona

Teeheehee!

Obrona fights with Roc. Akhos smirks at Nia.

Akhos

How very noble! Next!

Dromarch flies in from the side and takes the hit.

Nia

Dromarch! Bastards...!

Obrona

Over heeere!

She appears behind Nia and punches her out.

Nia

Urgh!

Rex

Nia! Tora! Damn!

Rex runs back into the fight.

Gramps

Stop, Rex! It's no good!

Sever gets in the way and smacks him back down.

Rex

Waaaaaah!

Pyra

Rex!

Malos casually steps into frame and punches her in the gut. She crumples.

Malos
(big sarcasm)

Hmph. Hitting girls isn't as much fun...

Akhos

Malos, you're the icon of chivalry.

Pyra

M-Malos...

Vandham

You're not getting her!

Vandham is about halfway up the stands, presumably outside the anti-ether field. Above him, Roc sends a barrage of feathers at the enemy.

Malos

Urgh! An attack from the outside?!

He has little trouble cutting down the few shots that get near him.

Rex

Vandham!

Akhos
(also blocking everything)

Ah! The lunk is back.
But, that peashooter won't help you.
Even if you hit, it'll barely register.

Vandham

Bloody idiot!
Think I don't know that?

He leaps back into the fray, taking Roc's scythes on the way by.

Vandham

Are you ready, Rex?! Another lesson for ya!
Something else you can do with a Blade!

Vandham takes the two scythes and stabs himself in the torso with both of them. Rex gets out half a "wha?".

Vandham
(fighting the power)

Guaaagh!

Malos

What...? Bastard!

Akhos

He's channeling the energy from his weapon through his body...

Vandham
(getting used to it)

Yeah! Nothin' you can do to stop this ether flow. Nothin' at all!
HYAAAAAAH!

Wielding Roc's power in his hands, he runs forward and throws a cyclone at the foes. Akhos and Obrona get pushed away.

Malos

Gah!

With shadow power in hand, Malos trades fisticuffs with Vandham. Sever tries to join, but Roc steps on him. Nia gets up to see what's going on, and starts to run forward for a moment before stopping, grabbing her chest with uncertainty.

Rex

Vandham!

Vandham

Move it! Take Pyra and scram, kid!

Rex

I can't... I can't just leave you here!

Sever slams Roc into the ground like a breegull. Malos continues to duel Vandham.

Vandham
(more and more urgently)

Rex! Don't go dyin' on me here! You gotta make it!
You gotta get away from here now!
Live! Live for her! You gotta make it to Elysium!

Rex remains lying on the ground, gasping.

Malos

I won't allow it...

He kicks Vandham in the gut.

Vandham

Gyaaaaaah!

Malos

Give it up!

♫

Walking With You

Vandham charges one more wind attack, but Malos uses his shadow hand to slap it down before it starts. It's clear he's running out of steam.

Vandham

Just go, Rex!
Remember to fight your war!

Malos makes one final attack. Vandham flops down, dead. Roc's scythes disappear.

Rex

Vandhaaaaaaaaaam!

Roc, who was in Sever's grip, fades away. His Core Crystal clatters to the ground and dims.

Akhos
(I'm going to ruin this moment >:))

Oh please. What a cliché.

Rex

Guaaaaaaaaargh!

Rex gets up and haphazardly runs in.

Pyra

R-Rex!

She struggles to get up.

Rex

Groargh! You're gonna pay for this!
For Vandham!

Pyra

N-no... We have to go...

Malos

You're a pain in the ass. Little shit!

He kicks Rex back where he came from.

Rex

Groargh!
Ugh...I can't...do it...

Give him some credit, he gets right back up.

Nia

R-Rex!

Tora

Rex-Rex...

Rex

Can't let you do this...

Malos

So long, kid.

He goes in for the kill.

Pyra

Reeeex!!!

Pyra's Core Crystal and tiara start to give off a blinding glow.

♫

Counterattack

Somewhere in the darkness, a heartbeat begins, and two red eyes light up within a mechanical head.
Malos is distracted by the flash of light.

Malos

What?!

Within a swirl of light, Pyra's body disappears, and is quickly replaced by another that's more white and yellow with long blonde hair.

Rex

Pyra?!

Rex looks down as the red Aegis Sword closes up.

Rex

What is this?!

The sword transforms into a white sword, with the same general appearance as whatever's happened to Pyra. She then appears onscreen a bit less obscured, showing that her outfit is both the same and different, with similar ideas but different parts exposed. She appears focused and ready.

Akhos

Y-you can't rewrite the act now! It's too late!

He runs at her. She turns and glares at him, her crystals glowing.

Malos

Hey, idiot! Look out!

Akhos

Uh?!

A beam of light comes down from the sky and explodes on the ground. Akhos avoids the brunt of it but still gets shoved.

Akhos

Guagh!

Obrona

Akhos!

Yellow lasers continue to rain down as Akhos tries to dodge them. The biggest one yet strikes the center of the ampitheater, blasting Akhos inward while breaking off the entire outer half, causing it to collapse into the Cloud Sea.

Malos
(finally)

You awoke! At last!
Mythra!

Suddenly looking satisfied, Malos attacks Rex. He and his partner hold it off.

Rex

Mythra?! Pyra! You're...

Mythra

I am not Pyra.

It's the same voice, but harsher and more forceful.

Rex

Uh?

Mythra

I am Mythra.
Pyra... She's a different self that I constructed.

Rex

A different self?

Mythra

No time for that!

Rex

O-OK!

He pushes Malos off.

Mythra

Now focus!
You need to focus! Or I can't transfer my power to you!

Rex repels both Sever and Malos.

Akhos

No, it can't be! My powers are useless?!
Wh-where is that energy coming from?

Malos

Wake up! She's not drawing from the ether, it's something else!

Akhos

Not...ether?

Malos
(now this is the good part)

Mythra... Looking good. Things are heating up.

Malos and Akhos run at Rex in a criss-crossing pattern.

Mythra

Let's do it!

Mythra casts a golden light over the battlefield.

Rex

What is this?!

Rex sees the world with a yellow-green-ish tinge. As Malos and Akhos run at him, they leave opaque afterimages.

Mythra

It's called Foresight.

Rex

I don't...

Mythra

A prediction of what will happen in the immediate future.
Read their movements to find an opening, then counter!

Rex

I get it!

He watches the two attack him before the world returns to normal, with them several steps behind. Armed with the foreknowledge, Rex easily dodges and counters both attacks.

Akhos

Gah! He... How did he dodge that?

Malos

Who cares how? Just get them!

The sky lights up again as Mythra rains many smaller beams of light from above. The bad guys are forced to defend.

Akhos

Guagh!

Rex

Piece of cake!

Rex flips over Obrona's shield around Akhos to the undefended back side.

Akhos

Ugh! You little...

Rex whacks him. He falls to one knee.

Akhos
(officially worried)

Th-there's no way! There's no way to break their link. I don't think we're going to beat them.

Malos

This is it... The true power of the Aegis.
Takes me back. I've waited so long to see it again.
Mythra! Welcome back!

♫

You Will Recall Our Names

Man Down

♫

Desolation

Rex and Mythra hold up the white Aegis Sword.

Rex

Mythra

Sacred Arrow!

The night sky glows bright as many beams of light rain down from above, assaulting the enemy.

Akhos

Guaaagh!

Sever's and Obrona's barriers break from the relentless attack. Sever disappears.

Obrona

Wh-what is this...? Akhos...!

Obrona also fades away.

Akhos

Obrona!

Malos scowls as Sever's weapon vanishes from his hand. Rex pants from exhaustion but is not done.

Akhos

I don't...

Akhos drops to his knees in disbelief, looking at Obrona's fallen Core Crystal. Blades aren't supposed to vanish as long as the Driver is still alive, right?

Malos

Hmph! We gotta retreat! Akhos!

Obrona's Core Crystal is not only dark, but has a large crack running down it.

Akhos

Obrona...

Malos

No time for that, Akhos!

Malos punches the ground, producing a huge windstorm and lagging the console. When it ends and Rex looks up, both Malos and Akhos are gone. The battle is over. Everything starts to sink in. Rex takes a few steps towards Vandham's body.

Rex

Vandham...

Mythra decides her job is done, and turns back into Pyra. She immediately collapses. As Nia goes to prop her up, Rex breaks down crying and pounding the ground as the sun rises.

Chapter Three:
Our Own War