Chapter 1: Call of the Journey

## Scene 1

*The scene begins on a bright and sunny day on Novis, featuring Valerie and Noel sparring with wooden swords.*

Valerie: Hyah…!

Noel: Heh!

Valerie: Starting strong today, huh?

Noel: You know it, the record’s going in my favor today!

Valerie: Are you sure? Last time I checked, I still have one win on you!

Mina: Gods, you two are early yet again…

Phira: My, I hope you two got enough sleep last night…

Noel: Of course we did, you two just slept in.

Valerie: Besides, how else are we gonna sneak in a match before the test today.

Mina: WHAAAAT!? Seriously!? That’s today!? Val, you’re supposed to tell me these things!

Valerie: Uhh… I mean, I did… just now…

Phira: Oh, Mina.. I also told you yesterday..

Mina: Y-You did!?

Phira: Uh-huh. Three times, in fact.

Noel: Sheesh, you’re thick.

Mina: I am not! It's just early!

Phira: With that in mind, you two should really save your strength.

Valerie: Thanks, Phira, but we’ll be fine. It’s how we warm up.

Noel: That’s right! The old man won’t know what hit him!

Valerie: Speaking of Bernie, here he comes.

Bernadotte: Girls, I have urgent news from my contact in the mainland.

Valerie: What’s up?

Bernadotte: To be succinct, the situation has become dire. I’m afraid we will have to cancel our plans for today.

Valerie: Wait, are you saying…?

Bernadotte: Yes, milady. The time has come.

Noel: Seriously!? We’re finally leaving this rock!?

Bernadotte: That’s correct, Noel. We’ll leave for the docks as soon as possible. Ensure that you are all prepared for the voyage.

## Scene 2

*The girls are now in their standard gear in front of Phira’s house, with Phira’s parents, Euphemia and Nikolai, seeing them off while Bernadotte is checking the gear.*

Euphemia: Take care, sweetheart. I’ll be praying for your safety.

Phira: Thank you, Mother. I will be praying for yours as well.

Nikolai: Same goes for all of you girls. Keep each other safe, alright?

Valerie: You can count on us!

Nikolai: Oh, Val, that reminds me…

Valerie: Oh…?

*Nikolai presents Valerie with a cake garnished with orange slices.*

Nikolai: Happy birthday! I made your favorite.

Valeries: Oh gods… you didn’t have to...!

Euphemia: On the contrary, everybody should have their favourite cake on their birthday.

Valerie: Thank you! I love it!

Bernadotte: We shouldn’t delay ourselves any further. Nikolai, Euphemia, I wish you all the best while we are gone. Take care of yourselves.

Nikolai: Heh... you should take your own advice.

Euphemia: You too. Keep the girls out of trouble, will you?

Bernadotte: Hah, I’m afraid such a feat is impossible when they’re trouble themselves, but I’ll see to it that no harm befalls them.

## Scene 3

*The group has arrived at the Novis Greatport.*

Valerie: Mmmh… Phiruh…  ruhmymb ghee teh rait a rettah tuh yurr Ghad…

Bernadotte: Manners, milady…

Valerie: \*gulp\* Right, sorry… Phira, remind me to write a letter to your dad. That cake was delicious.

Phira: Heheh… I definitely will! Glad you liked your birthday present.

Bernadotte: Girls, I must go and arrange transport to the mainland. Stay here in the marketplace. And for the love of the gods, don’t wander off.

Mina: Sure thing, you know us.

Noel: Yep, we’ll be here… with the fruit.

Bernadotte: Hm…

Mina: Now that he’s out of our hair, where do you wanna go?

Noel: I don’t know, but we might catch some strong and tall sailors in action if we hit the docks.

Valerie: What? You looking for a boyfriend or something?

Noel: Well, I’m sure as hell not finding one back home…

Phira: Pfft, I’m not really sure if finding a soulmate should be a priority right now, dear.

Valerie: Yeah, and even if you find a nice boy here, chances are he’s not going to be on the crew Bernie hires.

Asch: YOU! RANDOM TRAVELLERS!

Mina: Speaking of boys, there’s one.

Noel: Yeah, but he’s not a man...

Valerie: Guy, cut it! How can we help?

Asch: Weeeeell! I am the amazingly awesome Asch, light mage extraordinaire! I have...uh… befallen a terrible fate, for I have been cursed to be at the mercy of the seas!

Valerie: Uhhh…

Phira: Umm…

Asch: I humbly ask, oh Azure Warmaiden, for your assistance in returning me to my humble abode in the glorious land of Valm!

Mina: Umm… I think he’s talking to you, Val.

Valerie: Me…?

Asch: Of course! The intent of my words is bound for the Lady of Viri...viridi…eh, Greenliness! ...W… Whoa!

Valerie: W-What?

Asch: Those marks on your hands! I've seen those before. No way, are you...branded by destiny!?

Valerie: Oh these? They’re… just decorations.

Mina: Come on Val, we can trust him with the truth.

Phira: Mina…!

Mina: O-Oh, right! Uhh… f-forget what I said!

Asch: Hehe… This must be the work of the gods!

Valerie: What?

Asch: I can tell you are no imposter, so I suppose I can reveal this to you... I am heir to the legacy of the legendary Kliff, close ally and friend of the Saint-King! (BLAM! Didn't that sound totally cool?)

Valerie: Huh!?

Mina: What!? No way!

Asch: ‘Tis a truth my family has kept for generations!

Noel: Small world… we’re all in a similar boat...

Asch: Then it's by, like...the hand of fate that we meet on these crossroads! Or something!

Phira: Um... we should stop talking about this… who knows who could be listening?

Valerie: Right… So, Asch, was it? If I heard you correctly, you’re looking for a way back to Valm, right? We’re headed in that direction.

Asch: Aye, then please allow me to join my personnage to thee (or was it thou? Geez, I forgot), O Scions of Noble Heroes!

Valerie: Of course!

Noel: Val, are you sure about this? Bernadotte’s not gonna be happy.

Valerie: But he needs our help.

Phira: Mhm! We can’t just leave him alone like this..

Mina: Let’s take him with us!

Bernadotte: Good news, I’ve found an able and willing crew. They’ve gone ahead to the docks to prepare their vessel. We’d be wise not to keep them waiting.

Valerie: Great, thanks, Bernie.

Bernadotte: I should also mention that it was for a mutual benefit that they agreed to take us, as the ship is but a supply vessel. We’ll be expected to serve as their protection.

Valerie: Sounds easy enough.

Mina: Yeah, we’ll be ready kick butt!

Bernadotte: Ah… who is this boy?

Valerie: Oh, this is Asch. He’s quite a ways from home and I was hoping we could help him.

Bernadotte: Lady Valerie… I thought I had made clear that our journey is for anything but pleasantries… this is no place for children.

Valerie: I know, but he needs our help and we can’t leave him on his own here.

Asch: I am not just a child! The holy light of the gods is at my beck and call. In fact… I am the best light mage of the decade - no, the CENTURY!

Bernadotte: \*sigh\* Be that as it may, someone as young as yourself doesn’t belong on a battlefield. Alas, it would be unprofessional for a knight of my station to act against the wishes of their sovereign...

Valerie: So that means we’re bringing him with us? Welcome aboard, Asch!

Asch: Thanks! This’ll be fun, heh~!

## Scene 4 - Battle Preamble

*The ship has been at the open seas for a couple hours, with land long out of sight.*

Noel: Maaaan! All these guys on board and not a single one is either cute or available!

Phira: Better luck on the trip back, I guess…?

Noel: Only if I’m desperate enough then.

Valerie: I’m sure there’ll be plenty of cute boys in the mainland.

Noel: I’m holding you to that.

Bernadotte: Captain, if you don’t mind me asking, how long will the trip be from here?

Jeremiah: About three days, perhaps two and a half if the winds are kind to us.

Crewman: Cap’n! Cap’n! Ship fast approaching on our stern!

Jeremiah: Gods… this can’t be good news.

Bernadotte: Pirates?

Jeremiah: For certain… nobody friendly gains on a ship like that… Afraid we can’t outrun them. You and your kids are going to have to fight.

Bernadotte: Very well. Head down into the cabin, we’ll take care of this.

Jeremiah: Thank you, I’m counting on you.

## Map Dialogue

### Map Start

Davide: Greetings, crew of this fine vessel, I am Captain Davide. We’re here to relieve you of your supplies, and if you cooperate, you can be on your merry way in with your lives all intact.

Valerie: That’s not happening, pal.

Mina: Yeah, get lost!

Davide: I used to be so young… so full of mercy… Let me make myself clear: this is your final chance to hand over your goods or I will take them from you... but not before I’ve taught you why I am feared in these waters.

Bernadotte: We're above associating with curs like yourself, but if you insist on standing in our way, then it seems we have no choice but to cut you down.

Davide: Hmph… what happens next is your own doing. Men, board the ship! Show these whelps the fate of those who would challenge my authority!

Bernadotte: Prepare yourselves, girls, this is your first true test.

Valerie: Alright… let’s do this…!

**Objective: Rout the Enemy**

### VS Davide

Davide: In all my time faring these seas, never has there been anyone able to stop or sway my wrath. Make peace with your gods, for I shall make these waters your grave!

***List of replies depending on the unit chosen to engage with him first:***

Valerie: Hate to ruin your streak, but I can’t be stopped here!

Asch: As if a simple pirate or three can stop a light mage extraordinaire! The gods themselves are on my side - O wrath of the heavens, descend upon the earth! Err… or seas… whatever, same thing!

Bernadotte: A bold claim, but I have been training these children almost all their lives. They won’t lose to mere pirates!

Mina: You’re just the first pebble of many in Val’s quest for greatness!

Noel: If people lost their lives fighting you, they either were bad fighters or they took one look at your ugly mug & dropped dead!

Phira: N-No! No one shall ever suffer from your terror again!

***Upon defeating Davide:***

Davide: No… not like this…! I...I don’t want to go...

### Map End

Valerie: \*sigh\* Alright… that should be all of them.

Bernadotte: Indeed, and a job well done. Your training has served you well.

Noel: Heh, no need to thank me.

Phira: Is everyone alright?

Mina: Yep.

Asch: No complaints here!

Valerie: Yeah, looks like we’re all okay.

Bernadotte: I will let the Captain know the coast is clear.

## Scene 5 - Chapter End

*The rest of the day was peaceful and uneventful. The gang is now under the night sky towards the bow while Bernadotte shares some small talk with Jeremiah at the helm.*

Phira: Ahh... the stars are so pretty tonight. They definitely manage to calm the nerves, especially after such a rough day.

Mina: Yeah… it's really peaceful out here.

Asch: So, if you don’t mind me asking… what kind of mighty, heroic quest are you on?

Valerie: Well… long story short… we’re going to reunite Valm.

Asch: Reunite Valm?

Valerie: Yeah, Bernie’s told me that there’s been a huge civil war since my grandfather died. I’m going there to end the war and reclaim the throne.

Asch: Wow…

Mina: Of course, she’s not gonna do that without help. That’s why I’m here.

Phira: Yes! We’re also here to support you as best as we can!

Valerie: There’s also a whole army waiting for me.

Noel: Wait, really? I didn’t hear that!

Valerie: I may have… read some of Bernie’s letters…

Asch: That sounds incredible… A whole army? A journey to unite the entire continent? It's just like the legends I grew up on!

Valerie: Thanks… it’s kinda nerve-racking, to be honest.

Phira: That’s understandable, dear.

Mina: Mhm...

Noel: ...So, Val…

Valerie: Yeah?

Noel: When we meet up with this army, what should we call ourselves?

Valerie: Hmm…

Noel: How about the Deliverance? Continue their legacy and whatnot?

Asch: Ooh, or better yet! How about the Re-Deliverance!? The rebirth of an old and noble cause! Scions of noble blood returning to perform the duties of the past! Something like that!

Valerie: Mmm… not feeling it. But don’t worry, I’m working on an idea… but that’ll be a surprise for later.

Mina: Awww, that’s no fair!

Valerie: Trust me, it’ll be great.