Chapter 8: Incandescent Glow
Before Battle (Laguz Alliance)
Ike How are we doing for time, Janaff?
Janaff They're gaining on us. Their lead force is about...let's say...one day off.
Ranulf You've got to be kidding! How did they cover so much ground since yesterday?!
Ike They're definitely moving faster than we expected. At this rate, they'll catch us soon. Any ideas?
Soren ...With the enemy closing in so quickly, it would be unwise to use this secret passage. If Begnion found it, it would give them an open invitation to surge across Gallia. Your king would not be pleased.
Ranulf We can't expose our country to that danger. We have to think of something else.
Ike Well, we can't start a fight in the Serenes Forest. Besides the terrain disadvantage, the forest isn't fully healed, and we can't risk burning it down again. Soren, any ideas?
Soren Our options are profoundly limited, Ike. It appears our only other choice is those caves up ahead.
Ranulf Caves? Oh...yeah, those are the Kauku Caves. We don't want to go there. It's a complex maze, full of lava and ash. Not exactly a place you'd want to rest. The legends say that, through the caves, there's one exit that leads to Goldoa, and another exit that leads to Gallia. Whatever the legends say, though, the fact is that it's suicide to go in there. We don't even have a map!
Ulki However, the more you hens carry on, the closer the enemy advances on us. They're now less than a day away.
Soren If the enemy catches up to us in this forest, we will certainly die. The caves are known to be dangerous, so Begnion may not pursue. Even the most formidable natural hazard isn't as deadly as an intelligent, living enemy. We must go to the caves. Now.
Ike All right, Soren. I trust you. Let's move out for the caves.
Before Battle (Central Army)
Zelgius Are you sure? We have visual confirmation of the Laguz Alliance heading into the Kauku Caves?
Levail Yes, sir. The enemy must be desperate. Why else would they enter that forsaken death trap?
Zelgius We cannot go there without preparation. It would be suicide. Let's not follow them to their deaths. ...That ends our pursuit, then. Tell the men that this mission is over.
??? I cannot allow you to do that, my dear General.
Zelgius You're--!
Zelgius Senator Valtome.
Valtome Uwee hee hee. You're not even a tiny bit surprised, Lord Zelgius of Cador? What a frightful bore you are. I came here in secret just to surprise you.
Zelgius Oh, I am surprised indeed. What would bring a senator of your station to a place like this? Do you bring new orders?
Valtome Uwee hee hee. Oh, yes. I am here to deliver a decision handed down by the senate. In its wisdom, the senate has appointed me commander in chief of the Imperial Army. From this moment on, this army is mine.
Zelgius ...I see. Then I am at your command. Your orders, Commander?
Valtome Uwee hee hee. Oh, you are ever so serious! You haven't changed one bit, Zelgius. One of these days, I will catch you off guard. Well, I suppose that impassive face of yours is just part of your charm.
Zelgius ...Senator Valtome. Your orders.
Valtome Oh, yes, orders. Hmm, well, this battle is taking far too long for my taste. We will pull back and conquer Gallia by taking a different path.
Zelgius I see. Then I shall inform my men.
Valtome The northern force will stay here. Tell them to go inside the caves and search for bodies of dead sub-humans or something.
Zelgius What?! Sending them into those caves is the same as sending them to the gallows. I implore you to reconsider, Commander.
Valtome I gave my order, did I not? Get those men in those caves right this minute! And, Zelgius? Never question my orders again, or I'll have you killed. Is that clear? Besides, you should be happy. You're coming with me to finally wipe out those beasts. Come along now.
Zelgius ...
Septimus Why... Why do I always get stuck with these awful missions? I should have curried favor with General Zelgius! Then perhaps I wouldn't have had to step into these ghastly caves...
Before Battle (Caves)
Janaff Hey, Ike! We have company.
Ike Seems that way. What kind of numbers are we looking at? I can't see through all this smoke and heat.
Ranulf It's just like Soren said a token force.
Janaff As far as I can tell, Zelgius isn't leading them. That helps things.
Ike We have to keep the enemy away from Skrimir and the others while they look for an exit. Let's proceed as planned. We have enough people here to deal with these clowns. Everyone ready?
Ranulf We're set. Let's finish this and get out of here!
After Battle (Caves)
Skrimir Ike, Ranulf! This way! I found a way out.
Ranulf Excellent! Let's get out of here!
Ike You don't have to tell me twice.
After Battle (Goldoa)
Skrimir Yes! We did it! We made it through the caves!
Ike Looks like we finally lost the Begnion army, as well. We can finally rest a bit.
Skrimir I thought we were finished... I thought my rashness had killed us. But we've lived to see our land again!
Tibarn: Hey, Skrimir. Has all the heat gone to that shaggy head of yours? Look around. Is this Gallia?
Skrimir ...What?! No! We can't be in--
Goldoan Soldier 1 You! By whose authority have you entered this land?!
Ranulf Goldoa, the land of the dragons... By the goddess, did we mess up.
Skrimir The dragons... It is said they are the most powerful of all the laguz tribes. I've always wanted to fight a dragon, but I never expected it would happen like this... When our king finds out about this, I will have much explaining to do.
Tibarn: You've got to get home first, Skrimir. I guess we have to pay that stubborn old lizard a visit, don't we?
Reyson Let's go.
Tibarn: ...And there you have it. We never intended to violate Goldoa's borders. It was an accident.
Dheginsea: I see... I understand your predicament. However, your reasons neither justify nor change the fact that you trespassed on our territory. I order you to leave immediately. Go back the way you came, through the caves.
Skrimir You would have us go through Kauku Caves again?! Never!
Ranulf Stop talking, Skrimir!
Skrimir Many of my men are wounded! You're sending them to their deaths! I will not allow this!
Dheginsea: It is regrettable, yes. However, I cannot make exceptions. Your men will leave. Now.
Skrimir How could a laguz be so cold to his brothers? We are your people as well!
Tibarn: This isn't news, Skrimir. Goldoa and its lizards have ignored the suffering of their laguz brothers for centuries. They even looked the other way while we birds and beasts were enslaved by beorc! Isn't that so, Dragon King?
Dheginsea: ...Our country is neutral. It has been since time out of mind and will continue to be so.
Ike Then you might as well just kill us now. It'd be the same as sending us back to the Kauku Caves, and it saves us the walk.
Dheginsea: You are a beorc. I would not expect your short-lived kind to understand.
Ike I don't need to understand to see that it's a poor king who has so little regard for his fellow living creatures!
Dheginsea: Hmm...
Ena: ...Your Majesty! Please hear our plea!
Dheginsea: What are you two doing here?
Ena: Please allow my grandfather and me to guide the Laguz Alliance to the borders of Gallia. I beg of you.
Nasir: Prince Reyson of the heron tribe stands among these men. The dragon tribe owes him safe passage. Please, Your Majesty! He saved the soul of your son! Would you condemn them to die, despite the good they've done?
Dheginsea: ...Hmph. Do as you like. This is the only exception I will ever make.
Ena: Thank you, Your Majesty.
After Battle (Goldoa-Gallia Border)
Nasir: Well, here you are. I think you know the way from here.
Ranulf Thanks, Nasir. You really saved us back there.
Nasir: It's the least we could do. I will pray for your safety.
Ike Hey, wait up, you two! We haven't seen you in a long time. Don't you have some time to stay and talk with us for a little while?
Ena: A long time? What do you mean? We just saw you three years ago!
Ike Oh, that's right... Three years isn't all that long for you dragons, is it?
Ena: Oh, I'm sorry. I suppose three years would feel slightly longer for beorc.
Nasir: Ike. I would love to stay and talk, but now is not the proper time. In truth, we are not even allowed to speak with you at all. Now, please go.
Ike Why? Why do you isolate yourselves from everyone?
Nasir: ...I don't expect you to understand. But I want you to know that we obey our king's decision of our own free will. That's all I can say.
Ike Nasir...
Nasir: You should go. Many of your wounded need immediate attention. Head back to Gallia at once, and tell the lion king what happened.
Ike All right... I don't get it, but I'll go now. We'll see each other again?
Nasir: I certainly hope so. You are one of our dearest friends.
Ena: Take care, and be safe.