Update 10 - Everybody Hates Prosper
Last time we met Olan, a random guy who some thieves were trying to kill. Then we visited Lesalia and talked to Zalbag, who told us to go back to
Russia Igros. After that we talked to Alma but were ambushed by the Spanish Inquisition. Now we're going to Orbonne monastery where Alma tells us another zodiac stone is waiting.
And we're off to a great start.
*sigh*
U, ugh...Alma...Why are you...here?
What happened?
It's dangerous...here. Hurry...run. They...came for the Holy Stone 'Virgo'...
Holy Stone!? Then Alma was right...
The stone's been a royal treasure for generations...When Princess Ovelia came here, they gave it to us as proof of her status.
Who are 'they'? Who's trying to get the stone?
You're Alma's older brother Prosper, aren't you? Don't get any more involved. You'll be killed.....
"Wait! It must be here somewhere! Look for it!"
"We can go underground from here. Let's go!"
I'm a fugitive, branded by the church as a 'heretic. Is it because of the stone? Please tell me. Who are they?
I think it was because we killed that cardinal, Prosper. The stone was there, sure, but the murder is probably what they're pissed about.
High Priest and his sect are trying to regain power. First, they're reducing Larg and Goltana's military power by causing in-fighting. If the war drags on, it not only reduces their power, but trust in the royal family.
This is useful exposition.
What's the real reason for collecting the stones...and reviving the Zodiac Braves?
To gain the people's trust, of course.
But the Cardinal's already joined Lucavi. If it's only the stone's power, it'd be strong enough to replace the military. Funeral wants that power?
Again, the High Priest is named Funeral. And it turns out he's evil. Someone probably should have seen this coming.
You're different from your brothers. More like Balbanes. Perhaps you might be able to destroy their ambition.
We can't leave Simon alone. Hide in a safe place!
....OK, I will.
Oh for fuck's sake Prosper don't leave the zodiac stone with Alma. You're leaving a completely defenseless girl with a wounded old man alone in a place that's being invaded by an unknown number of enemies. You moron.
If I don't come back, make sure to throw it in Burgrosa Sea. OK?
I regret I can't help you. I wish I were born a man...
OK, I didn't expect to find some Codexian fetish material in this game. Seriously. Even after the gay joke earlier, or a tentacle rape joke I couldn't make because the screenshots didn't come out.
Don't be silly. You're the only one I trust.
Brother...
Take care of Simon!
Battle 29
The fuck? I'm pretty sure the Onion Knight is exclusive the the PSP version of this game. But for some reason we get one on our team in this fight.
OK, so basically this fight didn't go very well.
This time we pulled everyone back and made the lancers come to us. Hopefully we can do them enough damage that they die before they can rape us.
One of the lancers has Hamedo and a really high brave, meaning attacking him in melee is basically suicide. But he can't counterattack Andhaira's throw ability.
And with the lancers dead, we can take out the time mages.
This fight wasn't too difficult.
Uh oh.
Underground! Let's go!
Battle 30
Heretic Prosper, hand us the stone!
No, why don't you give me yours? Do as I say and I'll let you live!
You think you can beat us?! Then I'll take it by force!
OK, this is going to be a problem.
Yeah, I'm not even sure how we're going to win this fight.
Ugh. This fight was seriously fucking brutal. I don't have many screenshots either. Most of them would just have been the party being slaughtered, though. So, skipping to when I finally beat the fight...
Though you're a Beoulve, you don't obey your brothers. Why?
Because they're assholes.
It's because I'm a Beoulve that I don't obey them! The name shouldn't be used for self-gain, but rather for divine 'justice'! During the War, my father fought and died to save the people from invasion...Beoulves must not fight for a defunct royal family, but only for Noble rights.
Then, let's fight together! Our goals are the same! Listen well, Prosper! The Glabados want a world where all people are equal! St. Ajora's ideal world, is 'God's world'! You know people don't trust the royal family or nobility! We must do something with Ivalice before it is ruined!
You started this war! Was that the will of God?
Certain sacrifices must be made for the revolution! Decadent royalty and nobles must pay! For the people! Now, cooperate with us. As Delita did!
I guess we know who Delita is working for now.
but what you really want is...a stronger army than the Knights, and the evil power to control the people.
'Evil power'? No, the stone is 'holy'!
Is that why it turns people into DEMONS?
We want to guide people by God's miracle! Never "evil power"!
You know the Cardinal joined Lucavi, right? If that's not 'evil power', I don't know what is!
What do you mean? You killed the Cardinal and took the stone from him!
After he turned into a fucking DEMON.
But he died because he was secretly collecting the Holy Stones for us.
I can't die...I must bring the stone back! Prosper, The next time I see you, will be your last! Remember!
Wait! Izlude!!
Battle 31
Oh look. We left Alma alone and she got captured.
Oh hey, it's our old friend Wiegraf. He was the leader of the Death Corps all the way back in chapter 1.
You, come this way!
Help me! Brother Prosper!
Kidnapping count: 5
Here's Prosper! It would be a fatal mistake to underestimated them! Don't let your guard down!!
Finally I can avenge Miluda's death.
So Wiegraf opened this fight by killing Cleve, our only healer. Yeah.
And he has Hamedo so we're not going to touch him in melee. Fucking hell.
After a few more attempts, Cleve didn't die to Wiegraf's opening move.
Been a long time, Prosper. Glad to see you again!!
You've become a dog for the church and have forsaken your ideals!
You don't understand how hard it is to fulfill your ideal. Even if your ideal is great, it's just a dream if you can't fulfill it! So how can you fulfill it? You need power! That's the politics of the world! I can see it clearly now! You can't fulfill your dreams without power! You say I'm a dirty dog of the church! Go ahead!! I don't care! You can despise me, but I'll be laughing at the end. You'll all submit to me!
So it turns out Wiegraf has basically completely abandoned his principals. Which is too bad, he was a pretty cool guy.
Since the objective of this fight is to kill Wiegraf, the plan here is basically to murder the shit out of him.
Even if you couldn't fulfill your dream, your people wouldn't have forgotten you. Your ideals and actions inspired your people and even stirred up the old Noble customs! Your actions have meaning only if they hold true to your ideals. Miluda and your old comrades would be disappointed with your current choice of actions.
Probably not smart to bring up Miluda, Prosper, since you're the one who killed her.
If you need someone else to fulfill your dreams, it loses its value. Wouldn't you agree?
You say you are different? You say you depend on no one? You'll never know the feeling of the 'Meager'! You may think you know it, but you've never lived it! You'd never know! 'Reality' is far harsher than you can possibly imagine. Why do you blame me? You have no right to blame me!
We've managed to drop Wiegraf to half health already. This is actually going pretty well.
Oh FFS.
With a little help from Andhaira, Volourn takes out Wiegraf.
I'm...a member...of Zodiac Braves... with 'Aries'... I... can't... lose... like this!
Where are you! Wiegraf!
Wiegraf isn't in very good shape.
Don't worry...about me...Just...go!
Go....Izlude....
Uh...why are you even kidnapping Alma? Why not drop her and take Wiegraf?
Sorry, Wiegraf!!
Wait! Izlude!!
Damn...I can't die here. I can't face my dead allies without avenging Miluda...No...I don't want to die...
Oh shit.
What....? The stone...spoke...?
Is this the stone's secret?
God dammit.
Wiegraf.......!
Prosper, its power is magnificent! No, not just the power. Centuries of knowledge ingrained into my brain.
Hya, ha...superb...Superb power........!
Well at least we didn't have to fight him one on one. I'm glad that will never happen.
What is this book?
Germonik, a disciple of St. Ajora wrote it....It had been missing...till I found it in the underground library....It explains in detail about the Zodiac Brave Story...
Please don't try to talk!
That's all right.....I'm a sinner...I knew of the church's wrongdoing...but said nothing...You can bring them to justice with this book!
Well, that's convenient.
You can bring Alma back with this book...
Simon!!
Whew, now I can finally rest. Take care of the rest...Prosper......You're just like Balbanes...when he was young.
Simon!!
Well, Simon's dead, Alma's been kidnapped, and Wiegraf has turned into a fucking demon. So all in all, it's been a good day. Might as well go to Dorter and see if there's some new shit we can buy.
God dammit Prosper, we can't take you anywhere.
Where is Alma?
If you want her back, come to Riovanes Castle. But you must bring the 'Germonik Scriptures' given to you at the monastery.
Oh come on, we just got those!
What does it mean to you?
Haven't you read it?
Prosper can't read.
Oh, that's hilarious. They give you a choice.
No, not yet. Is it an important book?
A blissful ignorant. Your life's in danger, and yet you don't even realize the importance of the book. Well...no matter. You've been warned.
That's it for now. Next time we'll make our way to Riovanes, and that will take us to the end of chapter 3. Some fun fights in Riovanes.