Power Awakened

Defensive Event: Fire Emblem: Lost Heroes

Episode 4

Power Awakened

Previous Quest

Temptation's Call

Next Quest

The Reticent Princess

Summary

Veronica is seduced into receiving the power of black mana in order to regain her memory and immediately falls under its sway. In order to save her, the party is forced to take up arms against her.

Dialogue

You are most welcome indeed at our fortress, Lady Veronica. I don't need your welcome. Fair enough. My name is Harle, faithful attendant to the great Dyrenell Empress. Dyrenell is the name of the people who were chasing me. Why, that was just a misunderstanding! We only came to pick you up. You'll have to bear with us, I fear. Like any large organization, we have our fair share of bone-headed underlings. I will never forget how you chased me. Now now! There's no need for such chill. After all, the Empress herself has selected you for a most supreme honor. All I want are my memories. Nothing else matters. Can you restore them or not? But of course. Me? Trick you? I would never dream of it, dear! The true you has an unfathomable power. And right now, that power is sleeping within you—along with your memories. So if we restore your power, your memories should return with it. What do you want me to do? Nothing too onerous! I simply need you to agree to receive a certain power. What power? Tee hee! Oh, just a liiiiittle bit of the power the Empress entrusted to me! Ah! In our world, this is a powerful force known as "black mana". If you take some for yourself, it should resonate with your true power. And then...poof! Memories restored! My power...and my memories?

Princess Veronica and Loki came this way. If I am not mistaken, there is a Dyrenell Empire fortress just ahead. That's likely where they went. If we're looking to storm a fort, we must come up with a proper plan of attack. ...Uh oh. Look over there! It's smoke! And not the good kind! ...Wait, IS there a good kind? It's comin' from the fort! Let's go, everyone!

...... Veronica! I'm relieved to see you well! Wait, Alfonse. Something's not right. ...... Aaaagh! I must...kill you all... Perhaps her memory has returned... What the crap does that have to do with her taking a shot at Alfonse?! The Askran Kingdom is at war with the Emblian Empire. Supposing she has regained her memory, she'd likely view him as an enemy. There is more going on here than mere political quarrel. It's almost as if the princess is caught in a waking nightmare. All of you...must...die... All of you...must...die... Damn, she's just firin' at anyone she sees! She's surrounded by black mana! Why would Princess Veronica have black mana? Why, because she desired it, of course! Harle! Why are YOU here?! Because Princess Veronica is an honored guest of the noble Dyrenell Empire! Are you saying we were all brought to this world by YOUR doing?! Good heavens, no! I don't have the ridiculous kind of power that would take. However, I DO have something of a trusty collaborator on my side... Tee hee! This world is rather interesting... and the empress is SO wonderful. What are you scheming, Loki?! If I tell you, we won't have any fun. You'll have to waaaaait! We need to do something about Veronica before we worry about Loki. We've seen dragons that have gone wild from the effects of black mana. If Veronica is in the same state... Can we return her to her senses? Possibly, but we'll have to fight her and exhaust the supply of black mana. To think I must battle her in this world as well... Truly, fate is capricious! Your fate is to fight each other? That's terrible! She and I exist as light and dark. I suspect this is merely our destiny. Maybe it's like that in your world, but in THIS world, we can change it. You are correct—this is no time for succumbing to timidity. I made a vow to save you, Princess, and I will hold to that vow now! I...will kill...you all...