Lufia II Script Version 1.2

    Transcribed by RHuse12345 {Robert W Huse} [r_huse@hotmail.com]

                    Part VII: The Reign of Terror

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 [The group left the tower and returned to Durale.  The first person they talked to said Iris headed west to Chaed.  They also met an old man]

Old Man: I see your ship can submerge.  You may be able to reach the phantom submarine city with that.

Maxim: What's the submarine city?

Old Man: Well, I only heard about it from someone, but there are people who live under the sea.  If you wish to know more, ask the elder in Chaed.  Go west over the sea.

 
 [The party took his advice and sailed west to the city of Chaed.  The people there were very nervous.  According to them, the dragon that slept inside the southern mountain had awakened, and the mountain was about to erupt.  The elder had already gone to try to stop it.  The group made its way southwest to the Dragon Mountain.  They climb up the mountain, then down into the lava-filled caverns.  In the heart of the mountain, they met an old man standing by a lava pool]

Old Man: I don't know who you are, but this is a dangerous place.  A dragon's coming, so go home.

Guy: That's what I should say to you!  It's dangerous for an old man to hang around here.

Old Man: Don't think of me as an ordinary person..

 [At that moment, a huge dragon appeared in the pool]

Selan: Maxim!

Maxim: So this is the dragon!?

Old Man: Go quickly!  Go!

Guy: Don't worry, old man!  We are not ordinary people either, right Maxim!?

Maxim: Yeah!


 [The group fought the Fire Dragon.  It seared the group with its flames, but the party rallied to extinguish it forever]


Old Man [in awe]: You...you folks.  Who are you anyway?  And these energy waves...

Maxim: You can sense the energy waves?

Old Man: I told you I'm not an ordinary person.  I see you are the warriors fighting the Sinistrals.

Maxim: Yes.

Old Man: I thought so... Then you should go to Preamarl... Well, it's not possible for humans to...

Maxim: What's wrong?

Old Man: Well, alright.  If you happen to come to Chaed, would you come to my place?

Maxim: Yes, we could do that.

Old Man: I may be able to help you.  Let's talk about it more at my place.

Maxim: Alright.

Old Man: I'll go back to Chaed.  Actually, I hate heat.  I just can't stand heat!


 [The old man left the mountain, and so did the group.  They returned to Chaed and rested.  The people were relieved to see the old man, who was undoubtedly the elder, had returned alive from the mountain, and that the dragon threat was gone.  The group found the elder at his house in the northwest part of town]

Elder: Oh, there you are.

Maxim: So what was it you wanted to talk about?

Elder: Yes...uh...it's about Dual Blade.

Maxim: Do you know something about it?

Elder: It's only a legend passed on in my family, so I do not know if it's true, but...

Maxim: That's ok.  I want to know everything, anything at all about Dual Blade.

Elder [great sigh]: Alright.  The Queen of Preamarl knows where it lies.

Maxim: Preamarl...?  How can we get there?

Elder: North by northeast is a crescent-shaped island.  The entrance to Preamarl should be under the island in the sea.  Preamarl is a land of mermaids, you see.

Maxim: A land of mermaids.

Elder: Yes.  Inside Preamarl is a submerged shrine.  I hear there is one sword in the shrine.

Maxim: You're saying that is Dual Blade?

Elder: That's right.

Guy: I just can't believe what you said about the land of mermaids...

Elder: Well, most folks feel that way.  But I have proof that Preamarl exists. [The elder went to the desk and returned with a strange jewel] This jade is proof.  This jade will be your key to Preamarl.

Maxim: This jade?  The key to the land of mermaids?

Elder: Take it with you.

Maxim: What?  Are you sure?  This must be very valuable to you...

Elder: If the legend is true, I want you to have it.  You can really use it.  It's no use to me anymore.

Maxim: Ok, I understand, and I thank you.


 [Maxim received the Jade of Mermaids.  He led the group out of Chaed and back to Excerion.  They followed the elder's directions and found an underwater cave.  The jade opened the gate in the back of the cave and the group proceeded into Preamarl.  The mermaids there were surprised to see humans in their city.  One spoke of strange things happening under the sea.  Another spoke of a citizen who long ago sought to become human.  If he'd succeeded, he'd be an old man presently.  Yet another was looking for a young mermaid who was missing.  The group went into the palace to speak with the Queen]

Queen: I am Marla, Queen of Preamarl.  I never expected human visitors.  How did you manage to open the door of the Submarine Cave.

Maxim [showed the jade]: The elder of Chaed gave us this ball.

Marla [look of recognition]: From the elder in Chaed?  So, how is he doing these days?

Maxim [surprised]: Huh?  Well, he's living with his granddaughter and seems very happy.

Marla [smiled]: Is that so?  Good, good.

Maxim: Do you know about the sword called Dual Blade?

Marla: Dual Blade...I see.  Now I understand why I've sensed some form of energy ever since you arrived.  Are you the ones fighting the Sinistrals?

Maxim: Can you tell?

Marla: We have an ability that you do not possess.  Anyway, it was about Dual Blade, was it not?  I know of a legendary shining sword in the Submarine Shrine.  This may be Dual Blade.

Maxim: Where can I find this shrine?

Marla: North of here lie three small islands in a circle.  The shrine's entrance is at the circle's center.  But nobody knows who made that shrine, or when or why.  Nothing is known about it.  You are still going, are you not.

Maxim: Yes.

Marla: I see.

 [At that moment, a merman soldier rushed inside the throne room]

Soldier: Your Majesty.  The sea current around the cave connected to the shrine has...changed.

Marla: The current?

Soldier: Yes.  There had been some sign that it would happen, but it suddenly changed today.

Marla: So what is it like?

Soldier: The current is extremely fast.  Once you are in, it's impossible to come back.

Marla: I see.  Well, this will stop anyone from getting close to that cave.

Soldier [grave look]: Th...this is not confirmed, but...

Marla: What is it?

Soldier: Well, Princess Piara seems to be missing.  She loves to swim around that cave so we are wondering if...

Marla [horrified look]: Piara!?

Soldier: I will put together a team immediately and send it to the cave.

Marla: No, I cannot allow that.  If the current has changed, it's too dangerous to get close.

Soldier: Bu...but...

Marla: Also, I hear the ghost ship appears there. [pointed her finger in his face] Listen carefully.  Never go near that cave. [pointed at him with each word for emphasis]

Soldier: I understand, Your Majesty.

 [The soldier left the throne room]

Maxim: Who is Piara?

Marla: My daughter.  Pardon me, but I have something to do.  I must excuse myself.

Maxim: Are you thinking about going to the cave?

Marla: No.  That would be suicide now.  Besides, we don't know if my daughter went to the cave.  My daughter will come back soon.  Please excuse me now.

 [Marla left the throne room very hastily]

Selan: I know she's going to the cave.  I just know it.

Guy [to Selan]: But she said she's not going.

Selan: There is no mother in the world who wouldn't worry about her own child.

Maxim: The changed current concerns me more.  Something may have begun moving under the sea.

Selan: You're right.


 [The group left Preamarl and boarded Excerion.  They returned to the open sea and proceeded north.  They found the three islands and dived.  In the middle was the cave that had caused such commotion.  The ship got caught in the current and is pulled to a small patch of land.  The group got out to find Queen Marla and a young mermaid who looked just like her also trapped in the current.  The party deduced that the young mermaid was in fact Princess Piara]

Marla: This place is very dangerous!  Please go back to your world right away!

 [Energy flashed in the cave.  The group turned around]

Artea [looked behind]: I don't think we have time to go back now.

Guy: I guess not.  It's coming!


 [The Ghost Ship sailed in and attacked.  It summoned monsters to fight for it.  The group beat the monsters and soon reduced the Ghost Ship into burning toothpicks.  Once it was defeated, the current relaxed]


 Selan: The current of the sea is back to normal now.

Guy [confused]: That ghost ship was the reason for all this?

 [A team of Preamarl soldiers rushed from outside the cave to the Queen]

Soldier #1: Oh, Your Majesty!  Are you unhurt?

Marla: You!  I thought I told you not to come here!

Soldier #2: We are not such cowards as to obey such an order.

Soldier #3: We can't do anything when the Queen and Princess are gone.

Marla [up in arms]: You people are so...stubborn... [Marla relaxed] But I...uh...appreciate it.

Piara [to the party]: Thank you for helping me. [The group goes to her] I was always told that all humans are selfish.  I now think that I was wrong.

Artea: Please don't judge so quickly.  It is true that there are many selfish people in the world.

 [An offended Guy turns to Artea]

Guy: Thanks a lot, Artea!  So you saying there are no selfish elves, huh!?

Artea [cocky]: A lot fewer than humans.

Guy [just as cocky]: That's because the absolute number of elves is fewer!  Simple math, you see.

Piara: Please stop arguing...

Maxim: It's alright.  They're not seriously arguing.

Piara: Really?

Maxim: They can argue with each other because they're as equals.  If not, they wouldn't do it.

Piara [surprised]: I did not know that humans could be so interesting.

 [Marla moved to face Maxim]

Marla: You are so strong.  I can understand why the elder of Chaed trusted you with that ball.

Maxim: Was that ball such a precious item?

Marla: Well, it is like the life of...

 [Before Marla could finish, the cave began to shake]

Guy: Th...the current!!

 [Numerous whirlpools pulled the nearby mermaids under.  Only Maxim and the others were safe]

Artea: I guess that ghost ship wasn't the reason for the abnormal current of the sea.

Selan: Come on, we have to save them!

Guy: Hey, calm down.  They're mermaids.  They're not going to drown.

Maxim: But we've got to do something.  Besides, our real purpose, Dual Blade, lies ahead.


 [The group returned to their ship and dived into the whirlpool.  They go through another underwater cave to reach the Submarine Shrine.  Outside the shrine were Marla and the others.  The group docked Excerion and climbed out to them]

Maxim: Are you folks alright?

Marla: Yes, seems so.  We were pushed down by the current, and the next thing we knew, we were here.

Selan: In any case, I'm glad you're all ok.

Marla [dubious]: Well...I wouldn't relax yet.

Selan: What do you mean?

Artea: Don't you feel it, Selan?

Guy: That's not like you, Selan.

Maxim: Concentrate, Selan.  It's that energy form.

Selan [concentrates]: This energy form... [Wide-eyed in fright] Maxim!

Maxim: Yeah, it's one of the four Sinistrals.  It's stronger than the Sinistrals we've seen so far.

 [Evil energy began to pulsate through the shrine.  The soldiers scattered]

Soldier #1: Queen Marla.  Let's leave this place right away.  We'll look for the exit.

Marla: Don't move about so carelessly.  I sense something very...terrifying!

Soldier #1: Then we should look for the exit even quicker!

Soldier #2 [pointed to the large building before them]: That building might be it.

Soldier #1: Alright.  Let's go.

 [The soldiers go towards the doorway of the building but are decimated by dark lightning]

Marla: Oh no!!

 [The voice of the unseen Sinistral boomed throughout the shrine]

Sinistral: Only a select few can get close and you do not deserve to be among them!

Maxim: Who are you!?

Sinistral: If you wish to know, come.  But only if you wish to be destroyed like those mermaids.

 [A path extended into the building]

Marla [enraged]: Ho...how could you do such an evil thing to my mermaids?  I will never forgive you!

 [Marla headed for the structure, flush with fury]

Maxim: No!  Don't go there!  Selan!

 [Selan cut the Queen off at the pass]

Selan: Drowsy!

 [Marla's anger faded as she falls under the spell.  Piara rushed to her side]

Piara: Mother!

Selan: She's ok.  She's just sleeping.

Piara: Are you sure?

Selan: Yes.  Please find the exit and leave this place right away.

Piara: What about you and your people?

 [Maxim rushed to Piara]

Maxim: We'll go inside.

Piara: But I thought only those who were selected could enter there.

Maxim: We're the ones.  We are the ones with the power to fight the Sinistrals.

Piara: The power to fight the Sinistrals?  But isn't that power given to you by the super beings?  All power comes from them.  But then, why would they create such power that could destroy life?

Guy: That's true, too.  I've never thought of it that way.

Selan: Why were we born with such power? [Selan turned to Maxim] Especially you, Maxim...?

Maxim: If I could meet one, I'd ask that myself.


 [The group entered the building.  They stepped on a portal and were warped into the vast inner sanctum.  Though there were no monsters in the sanctum, the ominous presence of the group's unseen enemy kept them on their toes.  In the center of the room was a raised platform surrounded by four stairways.  On the platform was a small altar above which floated a powerful shining sword]

Maxim: Is this Dual Blade?

 [Maxim stepped toward the sword, and its glow brightened and pulsated.  A mystical sound emanated from the sword]

Selan: What's that sound?

Artea: Dual Blade.  It's ringing.

 [Maxim stepped back]

Selan: It's stopped.

 [Guy stepped towards the sword.  Its glow dulled a bit]

Guy: It wouldn't ring for me. [stepped away from the sword]

Selan: Maxim.

Maxim: What?

 [Maxim stepped toward the sword, and it resonated once more.  The ringing echoed throughout the sanctum.  At that moment, the booming voice of the Sinistral spoke in awe]

Sinistral: Unbelievable.  Sir Arek told me of this, but I had to see it.  A human making Dual Blade ring!

Maxim [stepping back, ready to fight]: Who are you!?

 [The enemy appeared before them on the other side of the altar.  He towered imperiously over the group, a long bright-colored robe concealing his armor.  Megalomania rippled from his blood red eyes]

Sinistral: I call myself Daos, Master of Terror who stands atop the four Sinistrals.

Maxim [in awe]: The boss of the Sinistrals...

Daos: 'Tis I.

Maxim: Why are you trying to destroy the world!?  Why do you kill without reason!?

Daos [pointed to the sword between him and Maxim]: Because of Dual Blade.

Maxim: What?

Daos: Dual Blade belongs to us.  But Dual Blade has begun to ring.

Maxim [angry]: What does that have to do with anything!?

Daos: It means a human with the power to fight against us exists!  And we...cannot allow that!

Maxim [outraged]: What an excuse!

Daos [full of himself]: The strong were meant to rule this world!  And yes!  We are the strong, and we shall rule.

Maxim: Don't be a fool!  I will defeat you with this Dual Blade!!

 [Maxim went to claim the sword, but it wavered and disappeared before him]

Maxim: Dual Blade's vanished?  But why!?

Daos [triumphant]: Ha, ha, ha!  I see you are not worthy of wielding Dual Blade!

Maxim [felt futile]: N...no...

Daos: You are no enemy without Dual Blade!  Watch as we reign over all with terror!!


 [A second later, the somewhat demoralized group found themselves at the edge of Chaed]

Selan [looked about in shock]: Is...is this really Chaed?

Artea: I guess Daos warped us here.

Guy: What for!?

 [A little girl runs to the party]

Girl: Oh, you people back again?  Did you find the mermaid country?

Selan [still in shock]: Ye...yes.
 
 [At that moment, night seemed to fall]

Guy: Huh?  Getting dark.

Girl [pointed up]: Look!  There's an island in the sky!

Guy: Wha...what!?


[High above, an enormous island flew across the land and stopped nearby Chaed.  Inside his shrine on the island, Daos bellowed out in a voice for all to hear]

Daos: Listen to my voice, people of earth.  I am Daos, Master of Terror, leader of the four Sinistrals.  You who are too accustomed to peace have forgotten the faith.  Now taste real terror!


 [Several beams of evil energy fired from the island onto Chaed, destroying it utterly.  Only Maxim and the others were spared]


Selan [surveying the destruction]: Oh no!

Guy [greatly appalled]: Did he bring us here just to make a point!?

Artea [righteously angry]: I won't forgive him for this!  He won't get away with this!

 [Daos called out from above]

Daos: Do you understand now how powerless you people are?

Maxim [shouting to the island]: Daos!  If you want to fight, fight us!  Only a coward attacks powerless, innocent people!

Daos: Ha, ha, ha!  You have something to say?  Come up here!  We will talk then.

 [The island floated away from the ruined city]

Maxim: Be sure of it!  If I could only...

Artea: Maxim.  What shall we do?  The island's in the sky!

Guy: Man!  Can't we do anything!?

Maxim [grasping for any hope left]: What...what shall I do...?


 [The greatly demoralized group left the ruins of Chaed.  In a last ditch effort, they warped back to Portravia to seek Lexis' help.  They found him in the basement of the lab]

Lexis: Oh, Maxim.  I thought you'd come.  It's about Doom Island, isn't it?

Maxim: Doom Island?

Lexis: I thought it better to give it a name, so I came up with Doom Island.

Maxim: I see. Anyway Lexis, I must go to this Doom Island.  I have no choice!

Lexis: I knew you'd say that.  I'm planning to remodel Excerion into an airship.

Guy: What?  So you're saying that a ship can fly in the air?

Lexis: Not fly.  It floats.  I'm going to put a big balloon onto Excerion.  The plan isn't difficult, but...

Maxim: But?

Lexis: We need another engine.  We don't have enough power with the engine we have right now.

Maxim: Can you make another engine?

Lexis: It took me years to make that engine.  I can, but not right away.

Guy [frustrated]: So we can't really do anything, can we!?

Lexis: Not exactly, but there is a way.

Maxim: What do you mean?

Lexis: North lies Gratze Kingdom, a militaristic land with no relations to other countries.  I hear their technology is ahead of ours.  Especially tanks.  They have powerful engines.

Maxim: But would such a kingdom lend us an engine?

Lexis: Absolutely not.  You see, it is rumored that the kingdom is trying to conquer the world.

Guy: I thought only the Sinistrals would be so foolish.  Pity.  Humans, too, eh!?

Selan: But then how are we going to get the engine?

Artea: If a friendly way fails, the only other choice is to...

Guy [got Artea's drift]: Smart thinking, Artea!  Yep, there's only one thing left to do.

Selan: Do you know how to get it?

Guy: Borrow it without...uh...permission.

Selan [outraged]: That's stealing!  Besides, what are you going to do if we get caught?

Guy [raised a cocky finger]: Then we just have to force them to let us have it for a five-finger discount!

Selan [sniffed disdainfully]: That's not what I call borrowing.

Guy [justifying the shady plan]: The kingdom is trying to conquer the world, for heaven's sake.  This is for world peace.

Maxim: Well then, Lexis.  How can we get to Gratze?

Lexis: The fastest way is north through Dankirk Kingdom, but it seems both land and sea are out.

Selan: Then how are we going to get there?

Lexis: People say there's no way to get there, but there must be a secret path somewhere.

Selan: Yeah.  As I think back, isn't the North Cave in Dankirk linked to some other place?

Guy: Oh, you mean when the Ruby Icon was stolen?

Maxim: We should check it out.


 [The party left the lab and warped back to Dankirk.  They headed north to the cave and fought their way down.  They reached the room where they encountered James, Klaus, and the four Gratze soldiers only to be greeted by a broken bridge]

Selan: The bridge is down.

Guy: I guess those guys who took off destroyed the bridge.  We can't even jump this stuff.

 [Artea looked to the water running under the broken bridge]

Artea: By the way, where is this water coming from? [Artea took a sniff] And the smell... It's the smell of the sea.

 [The group turned to Artea]

Guy: Yeah, you're right.  It looks pretty deep, too.  I can't see the bottom.

Maxim: The sea water... I've got it.  This might be linked to some kind of submarine cave.


 [The group left the cave and returned to Excerion.  They warped back to Narcysus and sailed around the northern coast of the Ustark Continent.  They found a large island totally surrounded by mountains.  They dive to find a submarine cave.  The group went through the cave and emerged in the bottom room of Dankirk North Cave, on the other side of the broken bridge.  They got off the ship and proceeded through an opened door.  They made their way up to find themselves in Gratze Kingdom]

Maxim: This is...

 [At that moment, four soldiers surrounded them]

Soldier #1: Who are you?  You strangers there.  Don't move!

Soldier #2: Let's make them sleep!

Soldier #3: Alright.  Drowsy!


 [The group awakened in a prison cell.  A prison guard locked the door to their cell]

Guard: Too many sneak thieves these days, you know.  We're going to run out of cells soon.

 [The guard left them to their fate]

Maxim: Mmm... Hey, are you guys alright?

Selan [to Maxim]: I'm fine.

Artea [held his chin thoughtfully]: Very interesting.  I never thought we would come out in the center of the enemy castle.

Guy [to Artea]: You really surprise me sometimes! [stifles a laugh]

 [A voice called out from the back of the cell]

Voice: Hey, new people!  Be quiet!

 [Standing behind the group were two shady figures from Maxim's past, Berty and Bart]

Berty [disappointed look]: Kids these days just don't know how to behave, you know.

Bart [to Berty]: True it is, true it is, Berty.

 [The group turned and sees them.  They headed over to the thieves]

Maxim [aghast]: Aaah!  You guys!

Berty [really shocked]: Whoa!  You were the dude underground!

Selan [to Maxim]: Maxim, do you know these two?

Maxim [to Selan]: They took the crown in Alunze Kingdom.

Selan [incredulous look]:  You're kidding!?  That incident!?

Berty [gave Maxim a dirty look]: Thanks to you we didn't get the crown!

Maxim: Do you think I could just turn a blind eye to thievery!?

Guy: What in the world are they doing here, anyway?

Maxim: Indeed.  They must have pulled some stupid stunt.

Berty [sneered at Maxim]: You wish!  We chase only big game.  After all, we are the bros Berty and Bart!

Bart: Righto!  We went for the King's crown!  So there! [Bart razzed Maxim]

Maxim [shook his head]: The crown again!?  Don't you ever learn?

Berty [arrogant]: We have wily ways.  The harder the target, the more exciting the job.  It's an art.

Selan [hands on hips]: But you got caught, didn't you?

Berty: My crimey calculations went awry, is all.  Anyway, why are you do-gooders here?

Maxim: Well...let's see.  You know the engine?  Well, we miscalculated also.

Artea [turned to Maxim]: Maxim, no time for small talk.  We have to think of how to get out of this place.

Maxim: Absolutely.  Selan, do you think you can cast Escape?

Selan [shook her head]:  Nope.  It's blocked.  It's a prison.  They cast some spell to prevent escape.

Berty:  You see?  You pretty people only know how to fight.  You can't even open locks.

 [Guy got in the thieves' face]

Guy: And why are you still here?  Go ahead and escape!  You can't unlock the door either, can you?

Berty [smirked]: I can unlock it with my eyes closed!

Guy: Then why aren't you escaping?

Berty: The four foul soldiers in the room ahead are watching us.  I can escape whenever they leave.

Bart: Artists of thievery that we are, you see, we abhor violence.

Guy: So you say.  But isn't it rather that you're puny and weak in battle?

Berty [hot]: What did you say!?

Guy: If I'm mistaken, unlock the door and rid us of those soldiers! [Guy folded his arms and tapped his foot impatiently] I'm waiting...

Berty: Welly, well, well.  I guess we have to prove ourselves.  Out of me way!

 [The group moved aside so the thieves can go to the door.  They followed Berty and Bart]

Berty: This lock.  It's a piece of crumblin' cake, it is!

 [After a few seconds, the lock was picked and the door opened]

Guy: Hmm.  I guess you speak some truths sometimes.

Berty [smirks again]: If we choose, there's nothing we can't do.  Later, losers!

 [Berty ran out of the cell with Bart, leaving the door open behind them]

Selan: They took off with the door opened.

Guy: They're men of simple minds.

Artea: In any case, now we can get out of here.  But will they be ok, I wonder?

Maxim: As far as I know, the word "ok" is not in their vocabulary.


[The group left their cell and entered the next room, where they encountered two prison guards, four soldiers and a badly beaten Berty and Bart]

Prison Guard #1: What the...?  More would-be escapees, I see!

Guy [to the trounced thieves]:You didn't get far!

Berty: Shut up!  We know what we're doin'!

Prison Guard #1: Escape is a serious crime.  We'll rough you up like we did these two.

Guy: Don't be sure of that, my friend!


 [The Gratze soldiers attack the group but are quickly defeated]


Berty: I see you know how to fight after all.

Guy [looks incredulous]: Still talking after that beating!?  Can you still walk?

Berty: Of course!  I told you we know what we're doin'!  This is nothing!  Gone!

 [Berty and Bart headed upstairs]

Selan: Well, they're pretty tough.

Maxim: They've always been that way.


 [The group fought their way through the treacherous basement.  Horrible monsters blocked their path but they were beaten.  They ascended from the basement to the castle courtyard.  The group found Berty and Bart surrounded on both sides by Gratze soldiers.  In front of the thieves was Prince Klaus and a huge golden tank]

Soldier #1: We found the two who escaped from jail.

Klaus: Humph!  Silly people!  Did they think they could escape?  Fine.  I needed some target practice.  I'll show you the power of this latest tank!

Guy: Seems like they're back in jail.

Selan [to Maxim]: What are we going to do, Maxim!  We have to save them!

Maxim [to Selan]: Yeah, we've got to do something!

Guy: Let's throw these folks our kind of party, shall we?

Artea: That might destroy this country.  We're talking about people here.  Let's make it a small one.

Maxim: Well, shall we?

 [The group moved in behind the first row of soldiers]

Selan: Get your hands off those two!

Soldier #2 [unimpressed]: And just who do you think you are?

Selan: I'm not talking to you.  If you don't want to get hurt, stay back!

Soldier #2: How dare you..!

 [The soldier attacked, but Selan brushes him aside.  The group moved in between the tank and the thieves]

Klaus [looked at Selan with wide eyes]: You...you are... You are the "Magical Lady", Magical Selan!

Selan [pained look]: Stop it!  I hate that stupid name!

Guy: I thought I had met him before.  We met in the cave when the Ruby Icon was stolen.

Klaus: Thanks to you, I messed up that time! [Klaus gave Selan a dark look] Magical Selan, you're going to pay for it now!

Selan: I told you, don't call me that.  It's so embarrassing!

Klaus: I never expected to see you here.  What do you want in this country?

Maxim [pointed to Berty and Bart...]: First, we want you to let those two go. [...then the tank] Second, we want the engine from that tank.

Klaus [amused]: What did you say?  Ha!  Ha!  Ha!  Did everybody hear that?

Soldier #3: They don't seem to be aware of the situation they're in right now.

Soldier #4: It's probably the fear.

Klaus [full of himself]: My Gratze Army is the strongest in the world.  This tank is invincible, stronger than any monster!  I'd forget about it if I were you.  There's just no way, you see.

Artea: Guy.  Did you hear someone talking in his sleep?

Guy: Nobody seems to be sleeping, though.

Selan: So, that wasn't someone talking in his sleep.  Then what was that we just heard?

Maxim: Just someone talking nonsense, that's all.

Klaus [flew off the handle]: Shut up!  Get them!  Get them all!


 [The surrounding soldiers moved in, but they got wiped out]


Maxim: See, that was just someone talking nonsense!

Klaus: Alright you!  I'll take the tank to your face so you can see up close what it can do!


 [Klaus moved the tank in to attack the group.  Magic had little effect on it, so the group had to resort to brute force.  After a long fight, they scrapped the tank and took its engine]


Klaus: This can't be...arrgh!  You just wait...

 [Klaus ran into the throne room, followed by two guards.  The castle shook and began to explode.  Berty and Bert ran off]

Guy: Wha...what the...!?

Artea: He's trying to destroy this whole castle and himself as well!

Maxim: Selan!

Selan: Warp!

 
 [The group was instantly warped to Portravia]

Selan: I had to warp us to Portravia.

Artea: That was really close.

Guy: I wonder if those two escaped, alright?

Maxim: They aren't the kind of people to go down without a fight.


 [Back at the Dankirk North Cave, Berty and Bart stood by the broken bridge]

Bart [faced Berty]: Whoa, boss, that was sizzling close!

Berty [faced Bart]: Yeah.  Even I got fairly freaked...a wee bit, that's to say.

Bert: Hey, boss.  Why did they help us anyway?

Berty [looked away]: You got me there.  Can't say, can't say.

Bart: They're ok, don't you think?

Berty: Seems that way.  But one thing for sure, mate.  They're not cut out for thievin'.

Bart: What are we going to do now, boss?  We didn't get the crown and we got no money.

Berty [turned to Bert]: How long is it going to take for you to totally understand me, Bart?

 [Berty displayed the Gratze Crown]

Bert: Bo...boss!  That's the...but how?

Berty: When those guys were fighting, I took it.  This is my strong point, don't you see.

Bart [exhilarated]: Boss!  You're the greatest!  I mean the master mover!

Berty [smug look]: Tell me something I don't know!  What say?  It's party time in the city tonight!

Bart: Sounds serious, so delirious!

Berty: Yeah! [Noticed the ruined bridge] But what ho?  How we going to cross here?  Fly?  The bloomin' bridge is down.

Bart [looked to the bridge]: Well, look.  They had to come from somewhere.  Me thinks it must be a secret path or something.

Berty: Yeah, yeah!  Blimey you're right!  Whoa!  Look out city lights!


 [Meanwhile, back in Portravia...]

Artea: Well, we've got the engine now.  Let's go to Lexis.

 
 [The group went to meet Lexis in the basement of the lab]

Maxim: Lexis, we've got the engine.

Lexis: Good!  We've finished the remodeling plans for Excerion.  Mabel, come over here please!

 [A lab assistant answered Lexis' call]

Mabel: Yes?

Lexis: Would you bring Excerion to the dock?

Mabel: Yes, right away. [Mabel headed upstairs]

Maxim: How long will it take to remodel Excerion?

Lexis: With minds like ours working all out on it, it won't take too long. [turned to the dock] Here it comes! [The Excerion docked] Let's get on with it!

 [Lexis and Kirmo entered the ship and began work]

Selan [dubious]: They're really remodeling, right?  Nothing else?

Guy [just as dubious]: They're not trying to tear it apart, are they!?

 [After some more tinkering, Lexis and Kirmo emerged]

Lexis: Alright, it's done.  How about a test cruise?

Selan: My goodness!

Lexis: Now, Excerion can fly in the air and swim in the sea.  It's a dream ship!

Maxim: Thank you all so much.  I'll take good care of her.

Lexis: Don't worry.  Use it as you wish.  If you break it, I can repair it right away.  Besides, I think that you are probably the only people who can defeat Daos.

Maxim: We'll beat him alright, and come back!  I promise!

Lexis: I knew you'd say that.  Go on.  Press the "A" button whenever you want to fly.

Maxim: Ok.

 [At that moment, a strange ringing sound traveled through the lab]

Selan: Maxim, what's that sound?

Maxim: Is it Dual Blade ringing!?  No...it seems different.

Selan: But very similar.

 [An assistant came downstairs]

Assistant: Doom Island stopped above Narvick!

Lexis: What?  Above Narvick?  Why Narvick...?

Maxim: What do you mean why?

Lexis: Narvick's a village on Shuman Island.  It's surrounded by mountains, cut off from others.  No one knows what kind of village it is or what kind of people live there.  There are two other islands around Shuman, Strahda and Kamirno.  Each has a spooky tower.  We never get too close.  But why would Doom Island stop above such a village?

Assistant: And this sound.  It seems the sound is coming from the tower on Shuman Island.

Lexis: From the tower on Shuman Island?  Hmm.  Could Doom Island have something to do with it?

Assistant: The winds around Doom Island are really gusting up a storm.

Lexis [suspicious]: Turbulence, huh?  Only around Doom Island, huh!?

Assistant: Yes.  This can't be a natural thing.

Guy: It's Daos!  It's got to be him!

Artea: He's trying to stop us from going up there.  Well, I didn't expect a warm welcome.

Lexis: Hmm.  If that's the case, Excerion may not be strong enough.

Maxim: In any case, we'll go to Narvick.  We just can't sit around and worry about it all day long.  That ringing sound troubles me, too, because it comes from the tower on the same island.

Lexis: You're right.  There's no time to worry.  Let's head west by air to Narvick.


 [The group took the remodeled Excerion and flew west to Narvick.  The people there were devoted to the super beings, but they couldn't understand why evil super beings like the Sinistrals had appeared and not good ones.  The party was referred to the elder's house in the north part of town.  They found the elder on the second floor]

Elder [to Maxim]: You, young man.  What do you call yourself.

Maxim: My name's Maxim.

Elder: Maxim... [the elder turned to the closed door to his right] Lisa, Marie, Clare.  Would you come over here, please?

 [Three young women come from the room behind the door to meet the elder]

Elder [to the women]: What do you think?  Do you feel anything?

Lisa: Yes, I feel a very strong energy flow.

Marie: The one I have been sensing since the other day is indeed his.

Clare: This person...he might be able to break the seal of the super beings.

Elder: I see. That's exactly what I thought.

Maxim [clueless]: What are you talking about?

Elder: Listen to me, Maxim.  We have spent all our lives devoted to super beings, been so for generations.  They gave us armor, shields, and helmets.  We put them in the three towers.  One tower here on Shuman, one on Strahda northeast of here, and one on Kamirno to the northwest.  The super beings sealed the items.  It's said that only he worthy to wear them can break the seal.  With that island parked above, I imagine Daos or his henchmen want those items.

Maxim: Does that mean those items have already been unsealed?

Elder: No.  Not yet.

Guy [surprised]: Daos is a super being.  Not even Daos can break the seal?

Elder: In order to unseal the items, you must have something.

Maxim: What is it?

Elder [gestured to the young women]: These girls.

Maxim [shocked]: What!?

Elder: These girls inherited the power to resonate certain energy waves.

Maxim: You mean those energy waves...

Elder: Yes.  They are the key to breaking the seal.

 [Lisa stepped forth to Maxim]

Lisa: It's ringing...

Maxim: ......

Lisa: Maxim, my name's Lisa.  Please take me to the top of the tower.  I am the first key.

Maxim [protesting]: Bu...but...

Lisa: You are kind to be concerned about me, but please do not worry.  I inherited this power to save this world...

Elder: Would you go, Maxim?

Maxim: Yes.  Yes, I will.


 [The group took Lisa and left the Narvick.  They proceeded to the Shuman Island Tower.  Inside, they fought incredibly powerful monsters.  After a long fight, they reach the top.  A large stone slate stood before them.  Engraved on the slate was a symbol resembling a suit of armor.  In front of the slate was a portal.  As Maxim approached the portal, dark energy began to form.  Maxim stepped back to see an imposing figure appear before him, one he thought he'd slain two years previously in the Ancient Tower - Gades]

Gades [evil smile]: I thought you would come.

Maxim [greatly distressed]: Ga...Gades!?

Selan: Wh...why?

Gades: Thanks to Erim's landing on the island, my energy has been totally restored.

Maxim: Erim?  She's a Sinistral!?

Gades: Mm hm.  Amon, Erim, Daos, and your truly. [Raised his huge fist in the air] The time has come for us to rule the world!

Maxim: Don't be ridiculous!  I won't let that happen!

 [Gades attacked with two years of anguish behind him.  The group fought hard against him and eventually defeat the mad destroyer]

Gades [flustered but not beaten]: Don't think this is the end!  As long as Erim lives, we can revive anytime.  Ha, ha, ha, ha!

 [Gades retreated back to Doom Island]


 [End Part Seven]