Fainaru fantajî XII

Balthier:
With each passing day, the world finds new and exciting ways to kill a man.

Fran:
The gods do not smile on us.

Balflear:
I like it better that way.

Vayne Solidor:
Your lives are forfeit, and your insurgence with them. Dalmasca will again know order. For good and all I shall bring your futile attempts at rebellion to an end.

Reddas:
I, the Judge Magister, condemn you to oblivion!

Basch fon Ronsenberg:
So you have lived?

Judge Gabranth:
I am Judge Magister. Even in disgrace. My just reward for aiding the empire that destroyed my homeland.

Basch fon Ronsenberg:
Gabranth, do not blame yourself anymore.

Judge Gabranth:
You confound me, brother! You failed Landis! You failed Dalmasca! All you were to protect! Yet you still hold onto your honour! How?

Basch fon Ronsenberg:
I had someone more important to defend. And defend her I have. How is it that you have survived? Is it not because you defend Lord Larsa?

Judge Gabranth:
Silence! All was stripped from me! Only hatred for the brother that fled our homeland remains mine! Tell me: why do you forsake that which you must hold most precious?

Basch fon Ronsenberg:
I do as I must, brother. Or is that not answer enough?

Gilgamesh:
Now we fight!

Vaan:
You can't have it! It's mine!

Balthier:
...And when I take it, it will be mine.

Balthier:
Quite a performance.

Vaan:
Who are you?

Balthier:
I play the leading man, who else? Fran, the magicite.

Fran:
Now then, I'll take that.

Vaan:
No you won't! I found it, it's mine.

Balthier:
And when I take it from you, it will be mine.

Vayne Solidor:
People of Rabanastre! Is it with hatred you look upon your consul? With hatred you look upon the Empire?

Crowd:
Spit on your empire! Go back to Archadia!

Vayne Solidor:
There was little point in asking. But know this: I hold no idle hopes of frustrating that hatred. Nor shall I ask your fealty. That is the due of your fallen King, and rightly so. King Raminas loved his people; strove to bring you peace. His was a rule worthy of your devotion. Even now, he remains among you, protecting you. His ardor for the peace and weal of Dalmasca falters not! I would ask only that you do your King honor. Together, let us embrace the peace His Majesty would surely desire. Two years now divide us from war's bitter end, yet still its shadow looms over all, stifling the infant peace, a pall only you may cast off! Achieve but this one thing, and your hatred of me and of the Empire will grieve me not. I will stand fast. I will endure your hatred, suffer your slings and arrows - I will defend Dalmasca! Here I will pay my debt. I swear it now. Though King Raminas and Lady Ashe be gone, they stand ever at the side of their people. In honoring peace, you do honor to their memory, and to Dalmasca. What I ask, I ask plain. My hopes now rest with you. [bows]

Crowd:
[cheers and applause]

Balthier:
[to Cid Bunansa] You made your Nethicite for this? You mimicked the Occuria's stone for what? To become a god *yourself*?

Balthier:
Exit stage right.

Balthier:
Bah. Forget it. Even if we could fly, the Ifrit's playing with fire and I'd rather not get burned. We'll go the old-fashioned way.

Vaan:
Pirates? You're sky pirates? So you have an airship?

Balthier:
It's Balthier. Listen thief - Vaan. if you ever want to see your home again, you'll do exactly as I say. Myself, Fran and you, we're working together now. Understood?

Vaan:
[holding the Fate's Jest] Don't even think you're getting this.

Balthier:
The thought never crossed my mind.

Fran:
[after Vaan catches Amalia] Our ranks grow by the hour.

Balthier:
And our troubles with them.

Ashe:
They think me a common thief!

Balthier:
Better than a common assasin.

Balthier:
[handing his handkerchief to Penelo] Hold onto this for me would you? Just until I bring Vaan back.

Balthier:
[to Vaan, after he jumps at a corpse] Relax, it's just a corpse. Jump at every little thing down here and you'll wear yourself out.

Balthier:
Remember what curiosity killed. Just a friendly word of advice.

Balthier:
Something stinks down here alright. I've changed my mind. This is no dungeon, it's a sty! I said *you're* the one who stinks hamshanks! Hear me now?

Balthier:
If you ask me, they're more executioners then judges.

Balthier:
Time for the hare to follow the fox.

Vaan:
How's going deeper into this place...

Balthier:
[interrupting] What's wrong? You don't trust her? Vierra's noses are sharp. If she says there's a way out, there's a way out.

Balthier:
Ah! The prison repository of wrested relics and raiments!

Vaan:
So our things are in here?

Balthier:
That's what I said.

Balthier:
There are more turnkeys than cutpurses down here. I've had my fill of chains. Lets thread lightly, shall we?

Balthier:
It's against my policy to speak with the dead! Especially when they happen to be kingslayers.

Basch fon Ronsenberg:
I did not kill him!

Balthier:
Is that so? Haa, glad to hear it.

Balthier:
Pirates without a sky.

Balthier:
Nice moves there, Captain.

Vaan:
You mean traitor.

Balthier:
So they say. But I didn't see him kill anyone.

Balthier:
[after the Faith's Jest glows] Oh now isn't that impressive?

Vaan:
Don't get any ideas. I told you, it's mine.

Balthier:
...I'm sorry but the jury is still up about that one.

Balthier:
Lights out, and it's worse in the dark

Balthier:
[to Basch] A twin brother... fancy that. But still the pieces fit, I'll give you that.

Vaan:
What's up with her?

Balthier:
You have a lot to learn before we even get started on your thievery.

Balthier:
[to Vaan] Believe what you want to. Whatever it takes to make you happy... [Turns to Basch] what's done is done.

Balthier:
A fine bloody banquet. Oh, now I've gone and soiled my cuffs. If a dungeon is our fate, I do hope it contains a change of wardrobe.

Fran:
I would say that you're more like a... 'supporting' role.

Balthier:
Fran, please.

Vaan:
What are we waiting for?

Balthier:
[holding him back] For *you* to calm down.

Basch fon Ronsenberg:
[about Vaan] So you were carrying it all along... the Fate's Jest.

Balthier:
Tell these fates of yours to leave me out.

Penelo:
Balthier, your handkerchief. I thought you might want it.

Balthier:
I shall wear it close to my heart.

Balthier:
Incidentally, what is the going rate for rescuing princesses these days? Food would be a nice start... the good stuff mind you.

Marquis Halim Ondore IV:
That can be arranged, in time.

Balthier:
Time enough for a bath I hope. Better set out a change of clothes as well.

Basch fon Ronsenberg:
Kidnapping royalty is a big offense. It won't help lower the bounty on your head.

Balthier:
How much is the bounty on your head these days I wonder.

Ashe:
This come in handy often?

Balthier:
It's tough being popular... wouldn't want any admirers dropping in while we're away.

Balthier:
At least we thought to bring entertainment.

Ashe:
[trying to rope Balthier into going in with them] But you must think about what lies within-the Dawn Shard, and Raithwall's treasure.

Balthier:
And here was I thinking this was going to be hard!

Balthier:
[while a sword is pointed at his neck] Well, at least your sword is to the point.

Balthier:
Call me old-fashioned, but I was hoping for a treasure whose worth we could measure.

Balthier:
[after Fran goes into berserk mode] I always knew Fran didn't take well to being tied up. I just never knew how much. How about you?

Balthier:
I'm only here to see how the story unfolds. Any self-respecting leading man would do the same.

Balthier:
Nothing couldn't be further from my mind. Should I swear by your sword or some such?

Balthier:
Empires walk through streets while refugees walk barefoot through the snow.

Ashe:
This is the sword... the nethecite destroyer.

Balthier:
Should it find its mark.

Balthier:
Getting there should be only half the fun.

Balthier:
The best intentions invite the worst kind of trouble.

Balthier:
So I ran. Free at last... Then I met you. All that running and i got nowhere.

Balthier:
It's time to end this - cut my ties to the past.

Vaan:
...Hey, you sure this rabbit hole's the way into Archades?

Balthier:
Better a hare unseen then a rat in a trap. Then again, if you'd prefer to go knocking on the front gates of the city, be my guest.

Penelo:
But what about once we're inside? Won't the city watch find us?

Ashe:
We'll do what we can to blend into the crowd. Our names may be notorious, but our faces are not far-known.

Vaan:
True, true. You're our princess, and we didn't even recognize you.

Ashe:
I noticed.

Balthier:
The mighty who have fallen and the fallen who would be mighty.

Basch fon Ronsenberg:
[when the party is brought to the Dreadnought Leviathan, Ashe turns and gasps, then she gets angry when she approaches Basch] Majesty!

Ashe:
[slapping Basch, angered] After what you've done! How dare you! You're supposed to be dead!

Judge Magister Ghis:
Come now, come now! Have you forgotten your manners? This is hardly the courtesy due... the late Princess Ashelia B'nargin Dalmasca.

Vaan:
Princess?

Judge Magister Ghis:
To be sure, she bears no proof of her former station. No different than any mean member of the insurgence.

Ashe:
The Resistance

Judge Magister Ghis:
His Excellency the Consul asks the Ministry of the Disthroned Royal Family in restoring peace to Dalmasca. Those who foster instability and unrest, who claim Royal Blood without proof... they shall meet their fate at the gallows. There are no exceptions

Ashe:
I will not play puppet to Vayne!

Basch fon Ronsenberg:
King Raminas entrusted me with a task. Should the time come, he bade me give you something of great importance. It is your birthright: The Dusk Shard. I will warrant with the quality of her blood. Only I know where to find it.

Ashe:
Wait. You took my father's life! Why spare mine now? You would have me live in shame!

Basch fon Ronsenberg:
If that is your duty: Yes.

Vaan:
Stop being so stubborn! Keep on like this and you're gonna get us both killed

Ashe:
Don't interrupt!

Balthier:
Oh to be sure. Archades reeks of a different filth. Let's be off! We can follow our noses to Draklor.

Jules:
Well, well, well... there's a sight for sore eyes. Didn't think I'd be seeing you again. Not here.

Balthier:
Oh wonderful. Enter the streetear.

Jules:
A pirate would do well to smile. Wouldn't want to sour his reputation.

Balthier:
Ah, a deal, brokered in true Archades fashion. Why, it's just like old times, Jules. Brings a tear to my eye.

Vaan:
Baltheir, are you and that Jules guy close?

Balthier:
Close enough for fistcuffs... driver! Faster, if you please. I would loathe to expend any of the violence of my present mood on my companions.

Balthier:
Passing strange. there are *supposed* to be guards here.

Vaan:
Maybe... we're just lucky huh?

Balthier:
Maybe *you're* just optimistic.

Balthier:
Consider your bones old man. You're out matched.

Balthier:
Treasure. What else would a pirate want? We'll take the Dusk Shard.

Balthier:
How could you do this? How could you fall this far?

Balthier:
Always hiding behind your toys. Pity if anything were to happen to them.

Balthier:
And I should have realized by now. He never came. He laid out the bait, and we bit.

Balthier:
I'd rather stay out of *that* sky pirate's debt, thank you.

Balthier:
Easy, Fran

Fran:
[Touches his cheek] Haven't you best be off? That's what a sky pirate does. You fly, don't you?

Balthier:
[Touches her hand on his cheek] I suppose you better hang on then.

Balthier:
Yes, the man's last great accomplishments I fear. And so it comes to me to put an end to this thing.

Balthier:
We're relying on you for fire support. Give them something to think about. We'll pick our moment, and make our move.

Fran:
[Talking about a ship] One follows.

Balthier:
Ah, you want to dance? [pause] Then lets dance.

Fran:
A new partner?

Balthier:
It's not easy being this popular you know.

Basch fon Ronsenberg:
A queen can always 'run away' with the help of a sky pirate who wishes to raise his bounty.

Balthier:
I doubt our queen will need the help of any sky pirates.

Balthier:
Hasty, aren't they? I think it's a little early to be throwing away our lives just yet.

Ashe:
Balthier! Do you understand exactly what it is you're doing?

Balthier:
Princess! No need to worry. I hope you haven't forgotten my role in this little story. I'm the leading man. You know what they say about the leading man. He never dies.

Balthier:
Lets fly! Fran! Power to the Glossair rings. [after no answer] Fran? [Sees Fran under some rubble and walks to her] Do I have to do everything around here?

Balthier:
Vaan! The Strahl is in your hands you hear? If there's one scratch on her when I get back...

Vaan:
Roger that. We'll be waiting for you.

Balthier:
What is the going rate for rescuing princesses these days? Food would be a good start. The good stuff, mind you.

Judge Gabranth:
Yes, it I was who wore Basch his face; who cut down the life of Dalmasca. Lady Ashe your fathers murderer is here.

Ashe:
You!

Vaan:
...and Reks!

Judge Gabranth:
I slew your king, I slew your country. Do these deeds not demand vengeance?

Fran:
The gods are toying with us.

Balthier:
...ugh...

Fran:
I do believe we can trust him.

Balthier:
No one knows men like Fran does.

Bergan:
Too late and to their sorrow do those who misplace their trust in Gods learn their fate.

Bergan:
[as he notices Ashe] Ah, our vagrant princess. Swift has your lust for revenge led you to the Sword of Kings. [Steps to the side and reveals Anastasis's dead body] You will surrender it to me. Too late and to their sorrow do those who misplace their trust in gods learn their fate. [as Bergan approaches, Venat appears behind him]

Vaan:
There it is again!

Balthier:
[as Bergan begins to radiate Mist] Fran, I don't like the look of that.

Fran:
This Mist-he holds a Stone! It controls him as it did Mjrn!

Bergan:
[Chuckles] No. No, the power of Manufacted Nethicite is the power of Man! A weapon forged by his wisdom... who would challenge the gods themselves! [holds up his sword] A fitting blade for a true Dynast-King! Raithwall did but pretend the title... a cur begging Nethicite scraps from his Master's table! Hark! Ivalice hails her true Dynast-King, Vayne Solidor! He shall defy the will of the Gods and see the reins of history back in the hands of Man! His time is Nigh! The new Ivalice holds no place for the name Dalmasca. [Draws his other sword] The stain of Raithwall's Blood shall be washed clean from history's weave!

Vayne Solidor:
Those decrepit, basking fools in Archades tie my hands, and look what happens! I tell you, this country's obstinancy knows no bounds.

Judge Gabranth:
The insurgents in Rabanastre operate alone at present. However, should they garner external support, the situation could worsen. We have found the counter-Imperial elements in Bhujerba to be conspicuously well-funded. No doubt Marquis Ondore is behind this. Ondore must be reined in.

Vayne Solidor:
By the way, the Marquis has written us a letter. He claims that he's recaptured our runaway. He's given him to Ghis.

Judge Gabranth:
...He will die by my hand.

Vayne Solidor:
Your fraternity is moving.

Gilgamesh:
Fools! You face the mightiest swordsman in all Ivalice! You face me! Gilgamesh! Long have I sought the blade of Legend... scoured have I the furthest marches, East and West! Now my search brings me here, to you! Your weapons are forfeit to me! [to the wolf Enkidu] Fly, Enkidu! Fly, my faithful companion! I said fly!

Gilgamesh:
[Second encounter] Ha ha ha! How long I have waited! Gilgamesh fights again! [after he is wounded] That was merely a test of your strength, mortals! A prelude if you will! The real contest begins now! I.E, your weapons are as good as mine! [Draws a new sword] Quake, mortals! You face the blade of Legend!

Vayne Solidor:
I bid you welcome to my sky fortress, the Bahamut. I must apologize for my delay in welcoming you aboard my ship. Permit me to ask: who are you? An angel of vengeance? Or perchance a saint of salvation?

Ashe:
I am simply myself. No more and no less. And I want only to be free.

Vayne Solidor:
Such a woman is not fit to bear the burden of rule. Weep for Dalmasca, for She is lost. Observe well, Larsa. Watch and mark you the suffering of one who must rule, yet lacks the power.

Vayne Solidor:
This crisis would not end were I gone. The Senate hates the very fact that House Solidor exists. By necessity, we must find reason to silence them.

Emperor Gramis Gana Solidor:
Necessity? Ah, yes, necessity. Does that word free you, I wonder? You show no hesitation to solve matters with blood.

Vayne Solidor:
The sword of House Solidor cannot be left to rust in doubt. It was you, Excellency, who tempered that sword.

Emperor Gramis Gana Solidor:
Is this your idea of vengeance?

Vayne Solidor:
It is my idea of necessity.

Balthier:
[regarding Marquis Halim Ondore] The men he's been funding bear little love for the Empire.

[regarding Captain Basch]

Balthier:
They won't be thrilled to discover that rumors of your death were, in fact, greatly exaggerated. If we were to raise a clamor to that effect, we might just get their attention.

Vaan:
Nothin' to it! I'll just go around town spreading the word. How 'bout this?

[Vaan jumps onto a stone railing. The player hits the "Square" button, triggering... ]

Vaan:
I'm Captain Basch Fon Ronsenburg of Dalmasca! [Civilians stop and stare. Vaan turns to the others] Well? Whaddaya think?

Balthier:
That certainly qualifies as a clamor. All right, Vaan, get to it. For the girl's sake, eh? Oh, and the more people around to witness your little performance, the better. If we're going to reach the Marquis, it's up to you. We'll be waiting here, if you need us.

[last lines]

Penelo:
[regarding Fran and Balthier] There's still plenty of time before the coronation, so Vaan's going to pay the two of them a visit. You should see him! He can hardly wait. I'll be going too, of course. Every good sky pirate needs a partner, right?

Ashe:
Lusting for ever greater power, blinded by the Nethicite. Is that how you see me?

Balthier:
That does sound like someone I know. He was obsessed with Nethicite. It was all he cared about. He'd babble nonsense, blind to aught but the Stone's power. He'd talk about some 'Eynah,' or was it 'Venat'? No matter. Everything he did, he did to get closer to the Nethicite, to understand it. He made airships, weapons. He even made me a Judge.

Ashe:
You were a Judge?

Balthier:
Part of a past I'd rather forget It didn't last long. I ran. I left the Judges... and him. Cidolfus Demen Bunansa. Draklor Laboratory's very own Doctor Cid. That's when he lost his heart to Nethicite, lost himself. And I suppose that's when I lost my father.

Cidolfus Demen Bunansa - Cid:
Ashelia B'nargin Dalmasca! Just how far will you go for power? Does your lust for Nethicite consume you?

Ashe:
[gasps]

Cidolfus Demen Bunansa - Cid:
Am I right? I am, aren't I? A worthy daughter of the Dynast-King! You would do well to go to Giruvegan. Who knows? You may receive a new Stone for your trouble.

Ashe:
Your words mean nothing to me!

Cidolfus Demen Bunansa - Cid:
The reins of History back in the hands of Man. I too make for Giruvegan. Give chase, if you dare it! [boards a hover drone and flies away]

Balthier:
Hate it when he does that.

Judge Gabranth:
You have grown thin Basche. Less than a shadow. Less than a man. Sentenced to death and yet you live. Why?

Basch fon Ronsenberg:
To silence Ondore. How many times must I say it?

Gerun King:
Ashelia B'nargin Dalmasca. We see your heart desires power, and power most holy shall we grant. Seek you the Sun-cryst, slumb'ring star. In tower on distant shore it dreams. The mother of all Nethicite, the source of its unending power. The Dynast-King, his fallow shards, coarse trinkets cut from Sun-cryst's light.

Ashe:
Such power exists?

Gerun King:
In times that are long passed away, we thought to save this Ivalice and chose Raithwall the Dynast-King. He took the sword and cut the Cryst. Three Shards he took from its gilt grasp. His words and deeds run through your veins.

Ashe:
That's why I was given it - the Sword of Kings.

Gerun King:
The treaty held with kings of old is but a mem'ry, cold and still. With you we now shall treat anew, to cut a run for hist'ry's flow. [the Treaty-Blade appears] Now take this sword, this Treaty-Blade. Occurian seal, mark of your worth. Cut deep the Cryst and seize your Shards. Wield Dynast-King's power! Destroy Venat!

Ashe:
But Venat... Venat is an Occurian. A being like you.

Gerun King:
[roaring] Venat is a heretic! The Nethicite is ours to give, to chosen bearer or to none. The heretic trespassed and set the rose of knowledge in Man's hand. With imitations they profane, it is anathema to us. We give you now the Stone and task. Administer judgment: destroy them all!

Ashe:
Judgment? Destroy them all? The Empire?

Gerun King:
The Humes ever skew hist'ry's weave. With haste they move through too-short lives. Driven to err by base desires, t'ward waste and wasting on they run. Undying, we Occuria light the path for wayward sons of man. Oft did we pass judgment on them so that Ivalice might endure. Eternal, we are hist'ry's stewards, to set the course and keep it true. The chosen is our hand, our fist, to let like some and crush the rest. Princess, you have been chosen. Take revenge against those who stole your kingdom. Fulfil your role as savior. Attain to your birthright!

[first lines]

Dalmascan Priest:
[conducting the wedding of Ashe and Rasler] In the name of the Father and in the presence of these holy relics... I hereby pronounce you man and wife from this time forth. May the blessings of the gods light your path to all eternity. Faram.