(A man is walking in a cave. He is followed shortly by a young boy, far enough behind not to see the man. The boy stops and speaks.)
???: Come on, Dad... Where are you...?
(The boy walks further in to the cave. He stops again and looks around.)
???: Not here either... Dad... Where did you go? Brrr.... It's creepy in here... alll alone.... I wish Lasswell were here.... Huh? What's that light?
(He walks into a chamber in the cave where the light is coming from.)
???: Is this... a crystal? It's... it's beautiful! I've never seen one so big...
(The boy approaches the crystal. A woman appears inside of it.)
???: Huh? Agggghhhhh!
(The crystal shines bright as the boy screams and the man enter the room.)
(The memory ends. We see Rain laying face-down on a beach. The others aren't near by.)
Rain: Sniff.... I'm so glad... I found you...
(Rain stands and looks around.)
Rain: I had no idea... Leviathan attacked the ship, and...
(Rain gets a ! over his head as he hears a sound. The scene shifts to show Lasswell laying nearby.)
Rain: Lasswell! Can you hear me? Open your eyes!
Lasswell: Ngh... Rain? So you made it...
Fina: Aaahhhhh!
(Rain and Lasswell get ! over their heads at this.)
Lasswell: What was that!?
Rain: That sounded like Fina! Come on! We need to hurry!
(They rush towards the sound and find Fina being attacked by sahagin.)
Rain: Fina!
Fina: Rain! Lasswell! Thank heavens you're both safe!
Rain: We can talk after. First, Let's take care of these fiends!
Rain: Fina! Are you okay!?
Fina: I'm fine! Not a scratch on me!
Lasswell: ... That is a relief.
Rain: Anyway! It's time to make monster casserole!
(Wave 1 of battle commences, and progresses to wave 2.)
Rain: You must have been lonely on the beach all by yourself, huh?
Fina: Not at all! From the moment I woke up, I had all these monsters to keep me company!
(Wave 2 commences and leads to wave 3.)
Fina: Unnnngh....
Rain: Fina! What's the matter!?
Fina: I... I'm fine. My head just hurts a bit....
Lasswell: Don't strain yourself. If you're in pain, leave the fighting to us.
(Wave 3 commences, and proceeds to a boss fight against a Black Shark.)
Rain: Just one to go. Fina! Stay strong, okay?
Fina: Y-yes.... Unghhhhhhh....!
Lasswell: Something's wrong with her.... Rain, we must hurry!
(The fight commences. There is no dialogue afterward.)
Rain: Fina? How's your head? Is the pain gone?
Lasswell: Wait, Rain. Something's not right....
Fina: ......
(Fina starts to glow.)
Fina(...): ... Heh heh. It's been a while... hasn't it, Rain?
Rain(?): What...
Fina: So the sniveling baby is now a man grown...
(Rain takes a step towards Fina.)
Rain: Wh-what are you talking about!? Fina?
Fina: if you would continue to fight at my side, then choose. Aldore or Hess... Which will it be?
Lasswell: Aldore...? Hess?
Rain: Fina, what is this crazy talk!? You're not making sense!
Fina: I hope you don't start sniveling again. When you learn the truth, that is...
(The glow surrounding Fina stops,. She gets a ! over her head and crouches down.)
Fina: Ngh.... Aghhh....! My head.... It's like it's splitting in two...!
(She collapses onto the ground!)
Rain: Fina!
Lasswell: She's out cold, it seems. It couldn't be... Is her... memory returning?
Rain: (...)
Lasswell: So you don't remember anything?
Fina(grumbling): No... I'm sorry... It's as if I had a dream.... A dream I know was very important, but... I can't remember anything else about it.
Rain: Well, don't beat yourself up over it. It'll come back to you before long.
(Lasswell looks around.)
Lasswell: Meanwhile... Is this the Dirnado mainland we stand upon?
Rain: It sure is! ...Er, I think?
Fina(!): Look, a cave! And all those supplies... Could someone be inside?
(The three approach the cave.)
Lasswell: This is no mere cave. It's a tunnel.... and it leads somewhere.
Rain: If someone is making tunnels, this place might not be the no man's land we thought it was. Well, there's only one way to find out!
Rain: I'm sorry, Fina. We didn't mean to leave you on these strange shores all alone.
Fina: Please don't worry. I'm fine.... truly. Besides... I knew the two of you would come for me.
(Wave 1 of battle commences, and leads to wave 2.)
Lasswell: Clearly, Fina's lost memories hold some secrets.... Whatever could they be...?
Fina: 🎵Secret memories inside of me! Oh, Whatever could they be?🎵
Lasswell: ...At least someone's in a good mood today.
(Wave 2 commences, and leads to wave 3.)
Lasswell: Aldore and Hess...
Rain: The names that Fina mentioned... I've never heard them before.
Fina: To tell the truth... neither have I.
Lasswell: And yet... you said them. Curious indeed.
(Wave 3 commences, and leads to a boss battle.)
Rain: Aldore and Hess. This stuff is gonna keep me awake... What's Veritas really up to? Who are Aldore and Hess? Our journey is just one puzzle after another.
Lasswell: That's why we can't let fiends like these get the better of us!
Rain: You said it! I want answers so badly, I'm pretty much unstoppable until I get them!
(Battle begins! Afterward...)
Rain: Heh... That was a tough one...
Lasswell: I achingly concur. Talk about a backbreaking fight...
Fina: Oh, Lasswell! You've broken your back!? We must get you to a healer at once!
Lasswell: ........Rain, it's your turn to explain. I'm too tired to bother.
Rain: If this really is Dirnado, we should make for the shrine... and quickly.
Lasswell: Indeed. We cannot let Veritas get the jump on us again.
Fina: But why...? Why is he trying to destroy the crystals? What will become of the world if they all shatter?
Lasswell: That... I do not know. I know the crystals are sacred... but that's all I know about them.
Rain: We have to protect them. There's this voice inside me... quiet, but I hear it loud and clear. It's telling me that we can't let the crystals be destroyed. Wait, could it be....? From that dream....
Fina: Rain? Is something the matter?
Rain: It's nothing... Let's hurry and find our way through these tunnels!
Fina: There it is again! A strange wind is coming from in there.... Why, it's almost as if... it's calling us.
(Wave 1 of battle commences, and progresses to a boss fight against an antlion. After the battle...)
Lasswell: Wind, you say?
Fina: Yes. You feel it too, don't you? You were saying just before...
Lasswell: Hm? That... that was nothing. Forget about it.
(The trio exit the tunnel.)
Fina(🎵): Finally! I thought we'd never see the sun again!
Rain(!): Fina, over there. Look to the sky!
Fina(!): Ah! Why, there's something...floating!
(Airships float by in the sky.)
Lasswell: Behold! Those... are airships.
Fina: Air... ships?
Lasswell(🎵): There can be no doubting it now. We have reached Dirnado.
Fina: What makes you so sure?
Lasswell: Only in Dirnado do they possess the technology to put such great vessels in the sky.
Fina(🎵): Oh, what I wouldn't give to see one up close!
Rain: Then let's keep going! We can't be far from the capital of Dilmagia!
(The three enter Dilmagia.)
Lasswell: That must be the shipyard. Perhaps they'll allow us to borrow a vessel.
(They approach a person in the shipyard.)
Lasswell: I would speak with the person in charge here. We have need of an airship.
???: Then I'm afraid you're fresh out of luck. These airships are military property. We can't lend them out to just anyone.
Fina(grumbling): B-but, why not!? You have so many of them here!
Rain: Might I ask to whom I'm speaking?
???: The name's Lid. I'm in charge here, and for good reason. I'm the best engineer Dilmagia's got.
Lid: Why, they'll be calling me Cid in no time flat!
Fina: "Cid"...? Why would they call you that?
Rain: It's a name they bestow on all master engineers. The tradition dates back for generations.
Lid: Heh... you know your history. Not bad for a sword-swinger.
Lasswell(...): So even the future Cid doesn't have the authority to lend us one little airship?
Lid(...): H-hold on... It's like I said... I'm no Cid yet.
Rain: Too bad for us, I guess... Looks like we're hiking our way to the Wind Shrine.
(Lid gets ! over her head as Rain says this.)
Lid: H-hold your chocobos! Did you just say... the Wind Shrine?
(Rain gets a ? over his head as Lid continues speaking.)
Lid: That sigil on your armor... You're knights of Grandshelt, aren't you? In that case, I'm going with you!
Rain: Coming with us...? What are you talking about!?
Lid: The crystals I need to get my latest masterpiece off the ground are in that shrine. If you'll fight off any nasties, I can show you the quickest route there!
Lasswell: If we're going to travel on foot, we could use a guide...
Rain: Fair enough. Very well, Lid. You show us the way, and we promise to keep you safe.
Lid: Sounds like we have a deal.
Fina: Um, Lid? About that... creature with you...
Lid: This little fellow? Ain't he adorable? This is Mechabo, my very own mechanical chocobo. I built him myself!
Fina: You built it from scratch!? Why... that's amazing!
Lasswell: So what you're saying is... you built a toy chocobo.
Lid: A toy!? Mechabo! Let's teach him a lesson!
(The metal chocobo pecks Lasswell!)
Lasswell: O-ouch! Watch where you stick that beak! Aaaaahhhh!
(Lasswell backs up, then begins to run as Mechabo chases him.)
Lid: Well, I think somebody's learned their lesson. Make fun of my dear Mechabo, and you're in for a world of hurt.
Lasswell: I... I am sorry. It is no toy. It is... an impressive technological achievement.
Lid: You bet he is! All right, Mechabo. You can forgive him now.
(Mechabo pecks Lasswell again. Lasswell backs up.)
Lid: Wh-what's this? Oh dear, we seem to have a...malfunction.
(Lasswell begins running again as Mechabo chases him.)
Lasswell: Bah! I take it all back! Get this confounded contraption away from me!
Lid: This is the forge. This is where the dwarven artisans craft the parts for our airships.
Dwarf: Lali-ho!
Lid: Lali-ho to you too, friend!
Dwarf: Good to see yeh, Lid! Pickin' up some stock, eh? Or is it to be a new order?
Lid: Neither, I'm afraid. We've got business in the shrine.
Dwarf: Then yer out of luck. Ain't no way through all these damnable monsters blocking the path.
Lid: Monsters!? Why would there be monsters here?
Dwarf: Yer guess is as good as mine. What's more, some of me good friends are trapped on the other side.
(Lasswell and Rain look at each other and nod their heads.)
Rain: All the more reason to let us pass! Just watch: we'll free your friends. I swear on my honor as a knight of Grandshelt!
Dwarf: Yeh know not what yer saying, boy. These ain't no ordinary fiends. They'll eat yeh up and spit yeh out.
Lasswell: A knight who shirks his duty in the face of danger is no knight indeed. Besides... Rain is not one to listen to common sense. Or even comprehend it.
(Lasswell and Rain enter the forge, leaving Lid and Fina behind.)
Lid: Whoa! Talk about hitting below the armor. You'd think knights would be a bit more... well-mannered.
Fina: You would think so, but you'd be wrong. That's about as civil as they get.
(Fina gets 🎵 over her head and enters the forge.)
Lid: You can't be serious! Crystals give me patience! I think I'm going to need it...
Lid: Okay, so you two are knights of Grandshelt, right? Does that mean you're loyal to your king above all else?
Rain: Of course we serve our king, but... Above all else? It's not that simple.
Lasswell: The most important vow a knight makes is to himself. To carve one's own path... That is our creed.
(Wave 1 of battle commences, and proceeds to wave 2.)
Lid: So your duty as a knight... It's more about what you believe?
Rain: Right. If our king were a tyrant, it'd be our duty to turn against him.
Lasswell: Fortunately, the king we serve is a noble and kindhearted man.
(Wave 2 commences. There is no further dialogue.)
Rain: Phew! He was a fiery one, huh?
Lasswell: Can't you be serious for once? That was no ordinary fiend we just faced...
(A dwarf comes up, excited.)
Lid: What's the matter, friend!?
Dwarf: Me comrades! That armored bastard grabbed 'em and stole off before me very eyes!
(The party gets ! over their heads at this news.)
Rain: Armor? Could this be the work of the Veritas?
Dwarf: He wasn't so kind as to introduce 'imself. Just muttered somethin' about puttin 'em to work in Ambel Village, wherever that be.
Fina: Work? What sort of work?
Lid: When it comes to making airships, even a single dwarf is worth his weight in gold. There are plenty of parts that no one but a dwarf would know how to make.
Dwarf: But that armored knave... He kidnapped me friends and disappeared with them! Like the very wind, he did!
Lid: Like the wind? You mean he just... vanished?
Rain: In any event, we'd best hurry to this Ambel Village!
(The party rushes out of the forge.)
Lasswell: I think we may have an inkling... of who attacked the dwarves.
Lid: Wha....
Lasswell: I expect they were the same villains who attacked Grandshelt Castle.
Rain: Their goal appears to be the destruction of the great crystals in the shrines.
Lid(!): They wanna destroy the crystals!? Why in the heck?
Lasswell: We do not know why. That is what we journey to find out.
Rain: Whatever the reason, we'll stop them. And we will save the dwarves.
Lid: ...For real you will? You ain't just trying to sound big?
Rain: We will. You have my word.
Rain(thumbs-up): As a knight of Grandshelt, I'll do my duty!
Lid: All right, then I'll hold you to it! You hold up your end, and I'll give you something worth the trouble. A reward, see?
Rain: A reward?
Lid: Sure! Once I'm done building my airship, I'll let you come for a ride on it, see?
(She gets a gold gil symbol over her head.)
Lid: I'll even give you a discount rate!
Fina: Lid, may I ask you something? How exactly do airships stay up in the air?
Lid: Well, primarily, it's crystals that keep 'em up.
Lasswell: Yes; the same goes for the ones we have in Grandshelt.
Fina: Wow, crystals can do a lot, can't they?
(Wave 1 of battle commences, and leads to wave 2.)
Lasswell: Lid... You said the crystal we need to get our airship working is located in the Wind Shrine... but surely your government provides you with crystals, for shipbuilding?
Lid: Yeah, that's true... but it's a bit more complicated than that.
(Wave 2 commences and proceeds to wave 3.)
Lid: Killing monsters must be like flicking boogers for you, O mighty knights of Grandshelt! Still, if you find yourselves needing a potion or two, I'd be more 'n happy to sell you some.
Rain: What do you mean, sell?
(Wave 3 commences, and leads to wave 4.)
Rain: You really like money, don't you Lid?
Lid: Hey now, you got me all wrong. I don't like money... I LOVE it!
(Wave 4 commences, and leads to wave 5.)
Lid: But the friendship of the dwarves is one thing money can't buy...
Lasswell: So there are things you value more than money, after all.
Lid: Of course there are! Jeez!
Rain: All right then, it's time to save your friends.
(Wave 5 commences. There is no further dialogue.)
Rain: You know, Lid... You're pretty strong yourself. Stronger than your average airship engineer, I'd say.
Lid: Well, that's 'cause of my older brother! He's trained me since I was a kid, see?
Fina: Oh! So your older brother was... a knight, like Rain?
Lid: Ha! Wouldn't that be something! No, no, no. He's just an airship engineer like me. But even an engineer has to travel all over, is the thing. Getting parts, doing maintenance...
Fina(!): I think I understand. That's why an airship engineer has to be strong enough to travel on his or her own, right?
Lid: You got it! And boy, when I find the jerk who kidnapped one of my dwarves, I'm gonna deck him good! Right in the kisser!
(Lid heads off, followed by Fina.)
Lasswell: She intends to... "deck" Veritas?
Rain: Well, why not? I can get behind that kind of spirit.
Lasswell: Well, naturally. You never hesitate to get yourself behind any woman.
Rain: Huh? What was that last part?
Lasswell: Nothing, nothing at all...
Fina: So, Lid... Won't you tell us more about your brother?
Lid: What about him?
Lasswell: Is he as money hungry as you are?
Lid(!): Oh, you bet he is! Boy, let me tell y-- Heeeyyy! Money hungry!? Me!? So we both like to make a few gil, who doesn't? You don't need money, mister Grandshelt Knight? I suppose you got that fancy armor for free, huh? Just found it in a treasure chest in some back alley, did you? Sure you did! I'll bet.... I'm nothing like my brother, okay!?
Lasswell: ...I seem to have spoken thoughtlessly. Forgive me, Lid. I did not mean to make you shout.
Lid: Wha... Who was shouting! I wasn't shouting! This is just the way I talk! So EXCUUUUSE me, mister perfect breeding! Mister... blue eyes! Mister hairdo!
(She heads off.)
Lasswell: What in the world...? Can someone please explain to me what I said wrong?
Lid: I love, love, love money.... But I'd never through away my dreams to obtain it,, see?
Lasswell: I... I see. I do see!
Lid: And that's why I ain't nothing like my big brother!
(Wave 1 commences, and leads to wave 2.)
Rain: You're telling us he gave up his dreams in pursuit of wealth?
Lid: ....That's right. He found out he could make a whole lot of money as an airship technician with the military, so up he signed. Now all he does is make war machines. But I'm different from my big brother. I'll never give up on my dreams.
(Wave 2 commences, and leads to wave 3.)
Rain: Sounds like quite a lot happened between you and your brother.
Lid: Oh, so you wanna hear all about my brother and me, huh? Well, it ain't gonna be cheap. It'll cost the equivalent of a knight's yearly salary. How about it?
Rain: That's a bit rich for my blood. More to the point, why would a story even cost money?
(Wave 3 commences, and leads to wave 4.)
Lid: My brother wanted to become a Cid.
Rain: Cid...The name bestowed on only the most outstanding airship technicians.
Lid: We used to go to the Mobreeze airship factory all the time together. They had displays there for all the Cids from previous generations...
Fina: ...Lid looks so sad when she talks about her brother.
(Wave 4 commences. There is no further dialogue.)
(Rain runs into the village, followed by the others. A dwarf is laying on the ground near the windmill.)
Lid: Are you okay!? Hold tight! We'll get you help!
(Fina gets (...) over her head.)
Lasswell: We should all be on guard. The enemy is among us.
???: There is a truth that only those who gaze down upon the earth from the heavens can know. That is the ridiculous ugliness of the monsters who crawl in the dirt.
Rain(?): Who's there!?
(A man flies by, destroying the top of the windmill with his speed. He comes to a rest off the cliff, floating in mid-air.)
???: I am one of the Sworn Six of Paladia. Veritas of the Heavens.
Veritas of the Heavens: The earth exists to serve the heavens. And so, I will be having that dwarf back.
(Lid rushes forward.)
Lid: You've got to be kidding me! He's a living person, not... not a teapot your wife took when she moved out!
Veritas of the Heavens: Is that so? Well, if it belongs in the earth, perhaps I should see that it stays there... permanently!
(He rushes towards the party! Battle begins!)
Rain: Veritas of the Heavens! What is it you Sworn Six are after?
Veritas of the Heavens: The Heavens need not answer the earth. It is the earth's place to heed the word of the heavens.
Rain: Is that so! Then I guess we'll have to force you to listen!
Veritas of the Heavens: I wonder if you have it in you, denizens of the earth.
Lid: You're gonna lose for sure! After all, you're facing me, the one and only future Cid!
Veritas of the Heavens: ...Cid.
Veritas of the Heavens: So there is some sport to be had in toying with such lowly creatures as you.
(He turns his back on the four.)
Veritas of the Heavens: I shall let you live another day. We have already waited 700 years, after all. I have little difficulty delaying my pleasure.
(He flies away.)
Rain: Damn it... He just brushed off our attacks like... crumbs on his dinner jacket!
Lasswell: It is a little odd... He did not appear to regard us a serious threat.
Lid (talking to the dwarf): Don't worry. See? We drove that bad guy away. You'll be safe now.
Dwarf: Ugh...
(Lid gets a ! over her head and the party turns to look at the dwarf.)
Lid: Oh! Look, he's waking up! Thank goodness...
(She approaches the dwarf.)
Dwarf: Ugh....nghhh...ah...ah...ahhh....
Dwarf: AAAAAAAAAAUGH! GYAAAAAAAAAAAA!
(The dwarf begins running around in shock.)
Lid(!): What's wrong!? What is it!?
Dwarf: I saw it, I did! I saw under the mask! I saw his face! Veritas! I saw him! How could he!? How could he do it to us!? AAAAAAAAAUGH!!!
(The scene shifts. Lid comes out of another windmill.)
Rain: How's the dwarf doing?
(Lid shakes her head.)
Lid: Not good. He's still in complete shock.
Lasswell: I had hoped to ask him more about the true identity of Veritas... But that appears to be out of the question for now.
Lid: You're darn right. I can't imagine what must have happened to put a dwarf into shock like this....
Lasswell: Well, at least we do know where Veritas will be headed next. Doubtless his target is the crystal in the shrine.
Fina: But, Lid, you must want to stay here with your friend.
Lid: No... Me staying here can't do any good. Whatever this is, I can't help him with it. (She turns to the three.) And anyhow, you jokers would be helpless without a guide to show you the way, right?
(She runs around the party to the stairs leading out of town.)
Lid: So let's hit the road! We're off to the Wind Shrine, lickety-split!
Rain: I understand now, Lid. Why you're bent on making money any way you can. You want to build airships without the army's involvement, isn't that right?
Lasswell(...): I admire your passion, Lid, but I wonder if you realize how difficult this path is that you have chosen.
Lid: Doesn't matter how hard it is. I'll do it. And I'm gonna earn every gil myself, see? Airships shouldn't be used for killing and destruction. They're the key to unlocking human potential...
Rain(...): When you put it like that, it makes me wish I could do something to support you... It's a beautiful dream.
Lid(🎵): Heh heh... well, if you wanna put your money where your mouth is... I ain't gonna stop you!
(She gets a gold gil sign over her head.)
Lid: What's one year's income for a knight? A small price to pay for a bright and peaceful future for humankind, wouldn't you say?
Rain(grumbling): Er... I was thinking more of... moral support, to be honest. Good for you, Lid! You go, Lid!
Lasswell: So you want to make a ship on your own terms, without the help of the military. And that's why you can't ask your government to supply a crystal.
Lid: You got it. I don't wanna make my living building death machines, like my brother.
(Wave 1 of battle commences, and leads to wave 2.)
Fina: The airship factory you went to with your brother... What was it like?
Lid: It's everything an airship maniac could ever ask for and more! If you're a technician yourself, they let you watch up close, so me and my brother would stay all night! My brother's completely lost the sense of wonder he had back then, though.
Lasswell: It sounds as though you had a very happy childhood together.
(Wave 2 of battle commences, and leads to wave 3.)
Lid: My favorite place in the whole airship factory was the room decorated with portraits of all the old Cids. It's really something, seeing all of them together, going all the way back to the founder. Naturally, I've memorized the names and faces of everyone from the founder up to Cid number fifteen! The first Cid, let me tell you! What a cool-looking guy! He was a good-looking, middle-aged man with a tough-looking scar on his left cheek.
Rain: You really did memorize every detail about him, didn't you?
Lid: Naturally I did! Me and my brother wanted to be just like him.
(Wave 3 of battle commences and leads to wave 4.)
Lid: Every time I think about the Cids of the past, it makes me feel like I need to do something important too. After all, it's my dream to become one of them myself.
Fina: Does every airship technician dream of becoming a Cid? What about your brother, Lid?
Lid: My brother... He had the same dream as me, once upon a time.... We used to make airships for anyone who wanted to fly, no matter their status, or what country they came from.
(Wave 4 of battle commences, and leads to wave 5.)
Lid: And it wasn't just airships; I even made a mechabo with him. But then one day, he just... changed. Just outta nowhere. Said he was done making toys. That's when he volunteered to become a technician for the military.
Lasswell: I see. Lid, I called one of your creations a toy myself. I feel I must apologize.
Lid: Don't let it get you down, Lasswell. Hey, if it'll make you feel better, you can compensate me financially!
(Wave 5 of battle commences. There is no further dialogue.)
(The party enters the airship factory.)
Lid(🎵): *whistle* Boy, this takes me back! I've got so many memories in this old place...
Fina: But... there's no one here.
Lid: Yeah, this place was abandoned a long time ago.. The Mobreeze factory's duties were all taken over by the shipyard in Dilmagia, see?
Lasswell(...): Lid. I don't think that I need to tell you that we have no time for diversions...
Lid: I know, I know! Don't you worry about it, hairdo. If we cut straight through this factory, we'll come out way ahead of our enemies. Like I told you, lickety-split! Take it easy and let me lead will you? I know this place like the back of my glove!
Lid: Hey, look, look! Here it is! This is the room I told you about. Where they keep the portrait of the first Cid!
(The other three step closer to the portrait as Lid moves out of the way to let them approach.)
Lid: What do you say to that? What a sight, huh!
Fina: Oh, it really is amazing, Lid!
Lid: It's just like I remember... No, even better'n that...
(They stop in front of Cid's portrait.)
Lid(♥): He's the coolest... the toughest... the ultimate..... the very first Cid! There's a lot of old stories about the first Cid. He was the father of airship technology, and the first human to ever befriend the dwarves...
Lasswell: Lid, I truly am loath to intrude on your recollections, but... if we tarry much longer, this shortcut will hardly qualify as a shortcut.
Lid: Ah, gee! You're right, Lasswell; I'm sorry.
(The other three leave. Lid steps in front of Cid's portrait one last time.)
Lid: Well, Cid... I gotta be going. Wish me luck!
Lid: What the heck is this!? What is this airship doing here? This place was decomissioned forever ago!
Rain: I've never even seen an airship like this one...
Lid: What is... going on here?
(The scene pans to show dwarves working on the airship. The party approaches.)
Fina: And there are dwarves here. I wonder what they're doing!
Dwarf: .....
(Lid steps forward and looks around at the dwarves.)
Lid: I don't recognize him from the forge... He must be from some other village.
Dwarf: .....
Lid: Hey, what's the deal with the airship?
Dwarf: .....
Lid: Why are you building something like that in this old place? Hey... did someone bring you here? Did they force you?
Dwarf: Nothing like that. I work here of my own free will. For the sake of that great man. This ancient airship, the Invincible... We unearthed it from the ground here. It is powered... by the Heart of Babel!
Lid(!): The Heart of Babel!? No kidding, the Heart of Babel? .... I don't know what that is, actually, but it sure sounds powerful!
Dwarf: And it may be, but the blasted thing won't move. We've never gotten the Invincible off the ground. The Heart's power is sealed by a crystal.
Rain: Sealed by a crystal?
(Warning sirens sound!)
Dwarf: Ah, that'll be the security systems, then, since you lot are trespassing. This place is about to give you everything it's got. I'd run for it if I were you. Just my opinion.
(Lasswell gets a ! over his head.)
Rain: Ahhh... point taken, but it looks like it's already too late for that.
(Battle begins!)
Lid: Aw heck, this shortcut of mine turned out to be a real turkey. I'm awful sorry, guys!
Lasswell: Lid, this is no time to be offering discounts! We must focus on getting out of here safely!
Lid: Y-you got it! I'll guide us to the exit and that's a pr--Heyyy, who said anything about discounts!?
(Wave 1 of battle commences, and leads to wave 2.)
Lid: What was up with that airship just now? Seemed like it was called the Invincible... some airship from forever and ever ago! But did they even have airships back then? Boy, is my curiousity every piqued!
Rain: Let's worry about that later, Lid. We have enough on our plate for now.
(Wave 2 commences. There is no further dialogue.)
???: Well, well, well... I'd assumed some unusually large rats had gotten in and triggered the security system.... But it was you? Lid.
Lid(!): Evan!? What are you doing here?
Evan: You took the words right out of my mouth, kid sister. (...) Don't tell me... it's you and your friends here? You're the ones causing so much trouble for Lord Veritas?
Rain: ... LORD Veritas? So you're working for him, are you?
Evan: Oh, no, pal. You can only answer questions with questions when you're the guy in charge. Anyway, your presence here tells me all I need to know. I will not let anyone interfere with Lord Veritas's plans. Come, guardian!
(The scene shifts up to show a tank rolling out of the hangar.)
Lid: Wait! Evan! You don't have to do this!
Evan: Have to? Ha ha ha! Of course I don't have to. I choose to serve. You could join me, Lid. Working for Lord Veritas... to help achieve his goals... It's the greatest honor any true airship engineer could dream of.
Lid: Wh-what are you talking about, Evan? What happened to you?
(Mechabo enters from the west.)
Evan: Ha... Don't tell me... you're still stuck on that childish fantasy of mass producing airships?
Lid(irritated): It is not childish! You go to hell, Evan!
Evan: So that's how it is. I guess that's that, kid sister. This is where we part ways for good.
Rain: Damn it! Everyone.... we've got no choice but to do this!
(Batttle begins!)
Guardian: You shall not pass! Defensive protocol, activated.
Lasswell: W-what is this thing!?
Rain: Watch out, everyone! It's differently equipped from the others we've taken out so far!
(You take the Guardian down to 1%.)
Guardian: Count 1...
Lid: This guy doesn't look like he's messing around!
(The scene drops out of battle. The gun on the machine is glowing.)
Rain: Here it comes!
(Mechabo dashes in front of the gun, taking full brunt of its charge!)
Lid: Eeyaaah! Mechabo!
Fina: No!
Lid: It... it protected us...
Lasswell: We have Mechabo to thank for our lives. It was truly a worthy creation.
Lid: Mechabo... Thank you.... I'll fix you up in no time, see? ...I promise.
Rain: Lid...
Lid: I can't forgive this. Even if he is my own brother, this is too much! In fact, he ain't my brother anymore! Next time I see him, I'm gonna punch him halfway to the Farplane!
Guardian: Target detected: Time to recharge cannons: fifteen minutes and counting.
Lasswell: Lid, it appears as though we ought to move on from this place.
Lid: Then follow me!
(They run forward.)
Rain: Is that a mining cart?
Lid: Climb aboard! I'll have us out of here in a blast, lickety-split!
(Battle occurs on the mining cart! The astute will recognize the song from Final Fantasy VI's similar scene.)
Rain: Just when we thought we were safe.... It seems we won't be allowed to leave so easily.
Lasswell: .....
Rain: What's wrong, Lasswell? You don't look well.
Lasswell: No, no, don't you worry about me. I'm not afraid.
Rain: I didn't say you were afraid. Are you suggesting I'M afraid!?
(Wave 1 of battle occurs.)
Lasswell: Come on now, Can't we slow this thing down just a little bit!?
Lid: Sure; pulling that lever oughta slow us down some.
Lasswell: It's no good! The brakes are shot!
Fina: Oh no!
Rain: Watch out, everyone! If this rail car gets attacked, it'll send us flying!
(Wave 2 of battle occurs.)
Fina: Wheeeeee! Faster, faster, faster!
Rain: Fina! This is not supposed to be fun!
Lid: OK, all set! The brakes are fixed!
Lasswell: Take care not to fall off, everyone! We should be out of this very soon.
(Wave 3 of battle occurs. There is no further dialogue.)
Lid: All right! Let's go! Let's split those licketys!
Lasswell(...): Go... to where, Lid? You cannot mean to pursue your brother?
Lid: Cid created the first airship because he loved the skies. he didn't make airships to be used as weapons of war. Technology is supposed to help people, not kill them. That's why... I am gonna beat Evan. But I'm gonna beat him my way, not his, see? I'm gonna perfect a mass production airship model and prove him wrong! Which is just another reason we need to get to the Wind Shrine on the double! Besides... I promised to be your guide, didn't I? And I ain't no kind of guide if I don't get you where you're going! Although, I gotta say... this has turned into a bigger job than I originally signed on for. An ordeal, I'd call it.
(She gives a thumbs-up.)
Lid: So when we do finally get to the Wind Shrine... I'll be expecting a big fat bonus for all my trouble, you got that?
Rain: I'm sure we can manage something. After all... we are getting a private escort from none other than the future Cid herself.
Lid: Rain...
(He nods at her, and the party sets off.)
Lasswell: Lid, are you absolutely positive this will lead us to a shortcut?
Lid: Sure it will, and a heck of a shortcut too! No one ever comes this way.
Rain: No one except for the odd horde of monsters, you mean.
Lid: I dunno what to tell you about that. We just have to take care of them as quick as we can, and get to the Wind Shrine lickety-split!
Rain: You seem to be in quite a rush, Lid.
(Wave 1 of battle commences, and leads to a boss fight.)
Rain: Look, that crane's coming over toward us!
Lid: Aw, heck! It must think we're junk!
Fina: So that means...
Lid: It's all set to flatten us like a heap of trash!
Lasswell: Then we've no choice but to destroy it. Prepare for battle, everyone!
(You destroy the crane! There is no further dialogue.)
Lid: The Wind Shrine should be just beyond this barrier.
Lasswell: Surely, Veritas of the Heavens will be waiting for us there.
Rain: I don't know who he is or what he wants, but I do know that we have to put a stop to him.
(Wave 1 of battle commences, and leads to wave 2.)
Rain: You don't need to involve yourself in this fight, Lid. Go ahead and search for the crystal you need.
Lid: What are you talking about? We came here together, so we're sure as hell gonna take on this Veritas together.
Rain: but Lid...
Lid: Don't worry your pretty little head about it, Rain. Good company makes the road shorter, right?
(Wave 2 of battle commences, and leads to wave 3.)
Lid: You gotta understand, I wanna find out who this Veritas is, too!
Lasswell: That dwarf said he saw the villain's face under his mask, isn't that right?
Lid: He sure did. I can't imagine what could have made him so terrified...
(Wave 3 commences, and leads to a boss battle!)
Lid: It couldn't be... This... this ain't the typhon, is it!?
Rain: You know about this thing?
Lid: It's the legendary monster that attacks airships! All technicians know about it! The first Cid dedicated his life to protecting the Wind Shrine, to try and appease it, see?
Lasswell: Legends are only stories. Right now we must focus on the real enemy before us, whatever it is!
(Battle commences! There is no dialogue afterward.)
(The four are standing outside the barrier. Bodies lay strewn across the ground.)
Fina: This is... terrible... How could anyone...
Veritas of the Heavens: Wretched fools.
(The party gets ! over their heads!)
Veritas of the Heavens: When those who crawl upon the earth dare to reach for the heavens... death is the only suitable reward.
Rain: That's enough! Just... enough out of you! Who the hell do you think you are, anyway!?
Veritas of the Heavens: Must I repeat myself? You should look upon the heavens with awe... Lowly creature of the dirt that you are.
(Rain looks around in all directions, searching for Veritas.)
Rain: Well you're a coward; that's what you are! Stop hiding and show yourself!
(The four run forward. Rain draws his sword.)
Rain: I'll bring you down to earth, you thug! You're lower than dirt, you hear me!? And that's where I'll put you!
Lasswell: Rain! Calm yourself!
Rain: You expect me to stay calm in the face of this butchery!? These damn people... A human life is worth no more to them than an insect beneath their feet! Isn't this why we're hunting them!? To stop them from destroying more lives!? So why... Why do we have to witness a scene like this again...
(Rain bows his head.)
Lid: So that's what all this was about, huh? That's the reason you're all on this journey?
(Lid paces back and forth a few times.)
Lid: I guess that settles it, then. I hope you've got some deep pockets, 'cause I've just made this a long-term engagement. I'm sticking with you guys! And... when I finish my airship, I'll take you on it anywhere you want, see?
Fina(!): You will? Really, Lid!?
Lid: You bet. So listen, Rain... pull yourself together! We're gonna stop them, ain't we? Ain't we?
Rain: Then what are we waiting for!?
Lid: Then we can't go falling to pieces here can we? We'll settle this once and for all at the Wind Shrine!
(Lid has joined the party!)
Lasswell: So this is the Wind Shrine?
Rain(...): Lasswell, wait...
Lasswell: What is it?
Rain: ...
Rain(!): There!
(Veritas of the Heavens floats up from a hole in the floor!)
Veritas of the Heavens: ...
Lasswell: Veritas!
Rain: Was this some kind of test?
Veritas of the Heavens: If it was, then you failed. You took far too long to notice me.
Rain: What!?
Veritas of the Heavens: If it had been the Darklord that I faced, he would have been aware of me in an instant.
Rain: Darklord? You mean.. the Veritas of the Dark?
Veritas of the Heavens: You will not be able to defeat me. You lack sufficient power to join the ancient battle of Aldore and Hess.
Lasswell: Aldore... and Hess...?
Veritas of the Heavens: Should you value your trivial lives for some reason, I will permit you to withdraw.
(Veritas of the Heavens disappears in a cyclone of wind.)
Rain: Like hell we will! We're not turning back after coming this far!
Rain: Lid, I'm sorry, but we shall have to put off looking for the crystal until later.
Lid: Well, naturally! We gotta take out this Veritas first! We can look for the crystal after that.
(Wave 1 of battle commences, and proceeds to wave 2.)
Rain: Curses! Where is that scoundrel Veritas!
Fina: I don't sense his presence at all.
Lasswell: He has likely progressed much further than we have...
Rain: Curse it all. We don't have time to be messing around with monster all day.
(Wave 2 commences, and leads to wave 3.)
Fina: Wait, wait! I can feel him! Veritas is close!
Rain: I can feel it, too. Looks like it's time for our showdown.
Lasswell: Everyone focus! Don't allow yourself to be distracted for even a moment!
(Wave 3 commences, against fodder. The real battle against Veritas is yet to occur.)
(Battle begins against Veritas of the Heavens!)
Veritas of the Heavens: It would seem you place little value on your own lives. Very well. As promised, I accept your challenge. Have at you, denizens of the earth!
Lasswell: Rain, let's do this!
Rain: Right! There's no way I'm gonna let us lose to this pompous windbag!
(You take Veritas of the Heavens down to 1%.)
Rain: What now!?
Veritas of the Heavens: It cannot be... How could you contemptible, dirt-sniffing, worm-kissing lowlifes... have such power... I simply... cannot... believe it...
(The scene drops out of battle.)
Veritas of the Heavens: Ngh....!
(His helmet falls off!)
Lid(!): Wha...?
(She backs up a few steps and turns her back on Veritas of the Heavens.)
Lid: B-but... you can't be... You can't!
Rain: What is it, Lid?
Lasswell: Do you know this man?
(Veritas of the Heavens begins to float.)
Veritas of the Heavens: Though you may have bested me here.... I will not fail to do what must be done!
(Rain gets alarmed with a ! over his head at this.)
Rain: No!
(Veritas of the Heavens floats towards the crystal and destroys it!)
Fina: The wind crystal!
Lasswell: What have you done...?
Rain: This is bad! It looks like it's going to collapse!
(Indeed, the shrine is shaking, and debris is falling down from the rafters.)
Lasswell: We must get away from this place!
(Lasswell, Rain, and Fina begin to run, but Lid just stands there. Rain stops and goes to her.)
Rain: Lid, come on!
(He takes her hand and the two run away.)
(Veritas of the Heavens reappears!)
Veritas of the Heavens: If the crystal is destroyed, so too will Aldore's seal be broken. The heart of the Invincible... shall beat once again.
(The scene shifts to the airship factory. Sirens are sounding. There is a heart beating in the Invincible! Fires engulf the factory.)
(The scene shifts again to show Rain and Lasswell standing outside.)
Rain: Hah... We somehow made it out with our lives....
Lasswell(!): Rain. Look up.
(The scene pants up to show a giant airship sailing by.)
Rain: Is... is that it? The Invincible? I suppose that means the seal on it has been broken....
Lasswell(...): Do you remember what the Veritas of the Heavens said, Rain? He mentioned two names. Aldore and Hess.
Rain: That's right. The same names Fina mentioned, back when we arrived on this continent.
Lasswell: I had been wondering about those words ever since that day. I was sure that I had heard them somewhere before.
(Rain gets a ! over his head. Lasswell walks a few paces away.)
Lasswell: And then I remembered. I heard those names in a story when we were children; a story that Sir Raegen told me.
Rain: A story?
(Lasswell turns to look at Rain.)
Lasswell: The story of the ageless battle wages between Aldore of the light and Hess of the dark.
Rain: My old man told stories like that? I never heard any out of him.
Lasswell(...): (That is likely true. Sir Raegen never even attempted to tell such stories when Rain was present.) (Why was that so? Why did he tell such things only to me?)
(The scene expands to show Lid. Fina walks up to her.)
Fina: Hey, Lid... Who was the Veritas of the Heavens really?
Lid: (...)
Lasswell: Indeed. Thank you for reminding us, Fina. Lid, from your reaction it seemed clear that you recognized him... did you not?
Lid: ....He was... the first Cid.
(The others get ! over their heads at this news.)
Rain: Hold on, now. Didn't the first Cid live generations ago?
Lid: You think I don't know that! But... but I know that face. I'd recognize him anywhere! I stared up at his portrait in the Mobreeze shipyard more'n you could ever imagine... It was the face of my hero, see? The man who represented everything I wanted to accomplish... There's no way I'd ever mistake that face....
Rain: So Veritas... was the first Cid. Is that even possible?
(Lasswell, Rain, and Fina are walking into the Wicked Peaks. Lid runs up behind them, sweating.)
Lid: Hey, wait, wait! You're not seriously thinking about going into the Wicked Peaks!? Don't you know there's a scary demon sealed up in there!?
Lasswell: I would have expected a mechanically minded person to be skeptical of such tales. Do you fear this demon?
Lid: I...I... I'm not afraid! It's just that no one who lives around here sets foot in that place, all right? There's gotta be a reason!
Rain: You know, the "demon" this mountain is named for might just be an esper. I'll bet we can convince it to lend us its strength. Let's go and find out!
Lid: Seriously...?
(The party approaches Diabolos.)
Rain: So... that's the fabled demon. Do you suppose it really is an esper?
???: It has been long; long indeed... since I last heard the voices of men.
Diabolos: I am called Diabolos. I am the great equalizer, welcoming the weak and the powerful. For in death, all men are the same. But if you are not ready to accept my invitation... then you have come here desiring to enter a covenant with me?
Rain: Something like that.
Diabolos: Yesss... Then do not withhold your true strength, for neither shall I. You challenged an esper, so an esper you must defeat!
(Battle occurs! Afterward....)
Diabolos: Interesting; most interesting.... Swords, visions, magic... and even machinery. I too shall be one of your weapons, warrior. You seem not to harbor the same evil desires as the humans who once used my power to wage war against one another.
Rain: I don't know what was happening in the world when you were sealed away... But there are men right now trying to destroy our world, and we need the power to stop them.
Diabolos: Hmmm... That is good. Very good. Yes, this should prove most entertaining. I will grant you my power to fulfill this need of yours.
(Diabolos turns to stone. You obtained the esper Diabolos!)
(Rain approaches Diabolos' statue.)
Rain: I heard... a voice calling me. Is that... Diabolos?
???: Oh? You were able to hear me?
(Diabolos' statue turns flesh once more!)
Diabolos: I do enjoy fighting together with you. Truly I do. But do you not feel a certain... human... deficiency? Do you not hunger for more power?
Rain: I don't think I enjoy fighting in quite the same way that you do, but... I do need more power.
Diabolos: Good. That is good. I like honest men. Though I cannot simply give you more power. That is not, alas, how our covenant works.
(Rain draws his sword.)
Diabolos: Come! I will show you the true joys of battle!
(Battle occurs! Afterward...)
Rain: How about that?
Diabolos: Good! Humans are indeed amusing. No... Rain. You are the one that is amusing. You are more powerful than I ever would have expected!
Rain: Is that... a compliment?
Diabolos: It is the truth.. Take it as you like. I know that humans do not think the same way we espers do. But you have fulfilled your part of the covenant. My power will now be even greater. Now the fun should really begin.
(The esper Diabolos evolved! Diabolos turns to stone again.)
Rain(...): You... really are an add one. I suppose it's up to me to keep your "fun" from getting out of hand...