A Story Untold

Campaign: Resurgent Despair

Chapter 10 / 3-1

A Story Untold

Previous Quest

Following the Darkness

Next Quest

Impending Disaster

Summary

Further in the ruins, the prince encounters his brothers Phares and Emile. Together, they learn about Alberius and Morsayati's battle that occurred 300 years prior. But that knowledge is only the beginning, so the brothers proceed ever deeper into the ruins.

Dialogue

Clave Loy'elune Urk! You people! Emile?! Is that you?! And wait, is that...? It has been some time, Brother. Phares! How did the two of you come all this way without an escort? The best attendant to deep thought is but perfect solitude. And I DID bring guards, but the pathetic weaklings all got themselves killed on the way down here! Who do they think I AM, summoning me into a festering scrap heap like this?! Now I understand what Harle meant when he said he'd sent invitations. Yes, I received one I couldn't well ignore. It bade me come here to witness the Other—Morsayati—regain the strength he possessed in ancient times. He wrote that in a letter?! EXCUSE me, but the invitation I received bore no mention of any such thing! And I can hazard a guess as to why. Hmm... It seems a part of this may yet be tied into my own research. If you know something about this, Brother, I beg you to tell me. I simply have doubts as to the accuracy of the tale that has been handed down. Did Alberius TRULY seal away the Other? What nonsense! We've had 300 years of peace precisely BECAUSE His Majesty King Alberius sealed the Other away! The concept of sealing the Other is hardly so inextricably linked to "peace." On the contrary, those concepts are held together by the most gossamer of threads. I ain't much for riddles, pal. What say ya start talkin' plain? It is a danger to come so readily to a safe, tidy conclusion. Fortunately, it seems the entirety of the mystery will be laid bare in this place, so let us press on to the truth together. Hey! It's another monument thingie! O memory of the king! By the oath of our bloodline, awaken! ROOOOOOAR! ROOOOOOAR! ROOOOOOAR! ROOOOOOAR! ROOOOOOAR! Urrrrrrgh! You foul, impertinent dragons! You dare interfere with me again?! This is the end, Morsayati! The goddess has honored me with this holy blade, and I shall wield its power to bring about your ruination! Haaaah! Urk... Urrraaaugh! Is it over? ...No. I feel it. The villain yet lives! Your intuition is sharp, hero. You are a benefit to the name. Wh-what is this?! Be honored, mortal! You are the first to look upon this form since Ilia herself! If this is your true form, then I need but to slay it in order to consign you to the dustbin of history! Haaaaaaaaaaah! Pointless. Ah! I hail from another world; a being of pure, refined power itself. My flesh is no more than a husk. Strike at the vessel as you will, mortal. Brandish the blade to your heart's content. It matters not, for my soul is inviolable! Try as you might to seal me away, you WILL know your place in the end! Hrk! Was that what truly happened during the War of Binding? King Alberius was unable to seal away the Other? ...N-no! Impossible! Heh... Aaaaah ha ha ha ha! What a joke! The Founder King? More like the FLOUNDER King! What did you say?! That's your own ancestor you're trashin' there, pal. So what if he is?! I understand it now! I understand why you all refuse to acknowledge me! You're just as incompetent as our ancestor, and you don't understand a person's worth! Good to see you're as annoying as ever. It seems he learned nothing at all from the incident at Saint Lotier. We let him slide back then, but this time I'm gonna— You would raise a hand against me?! Try it, then, if you think you are able— you will see just how strong an opponent you face! In the form of my brother, Phares! *sigh* What a lout. That's enough, Emile. ...Pray forgive him. I know his mouth runs like a mighty river, but in the end, he is harmless as a meadow brook. BUH?! Family holidays must be MURDER at your place, Euden. Tell me what you're thinking, Phares. At this rate, all of Alberia will fall under the control of the Other. It will become an evil, chaotic empire whose people suffer like no other. Are you truly willing to let that happen? Good and evil hold no interest for me. Fate will run whatever course it will. I seek only to watch and observe. I can't believe you! Are you truly so certain that a nation ruled by the Other would be a wicked one? How can you even ask that?! I suspect the answer to that question lies just ahead. Let us be off. Phares still serves the Empire. We can't possibly trust him! If you're worried I'm here to capture you or relieve you of your heads, I was told nothing of the sort. Maybe so, but who knows what schemes ya got cookin'. Our destination is likely one and the same, so there is no point in acting separately. However, I will not force your hand. Phares, wait! WAAAAAIT! To think of a world ruled by the Other... Brooding over it will get us nowhere, Your Highness. You're right, Elly. Let's get moving.