Radiant Historia, Part 3
Welcome once again to "Let's Play Radiant Historia!" with your host Lady Nighteyes! Last time, a mission went rather less than optimally, resulting in two party members dead and our hero presumed so. If you have any trace of genre savvy whatsoever, you can probably guess about how long this state of affairs is going to last. So, let's see how Stocke manages to weasel his way out of this!
"Also, where the hell am I?"
Stocke: Raynie... Marco...
The screen flashes white
O hai, you guys.
The screen flashes again
Sorry this is so dark, but I wanted to grab it before dialogue started getting in the way so you could see the whole place. I also edited in a separator between the screens to make it line up right.
Stocke: Am I dead...?
Stocke: Who's there?
Girl: You've come, keeper of the White Chronicle.
Boy: Welcome, Stocke. We've been expecting you.
Stocke: A pair of children...? Who are you?
Girl: Yes... But we knew it would be thus.
Stocke: I asked a question.
"So if you could please stop being cryptic for a second and answer it?"
Girl: I am Lippti.
Boy: And I am Teo.
Stocke: And this is...?
Lippti: We are in Historia. A world in time's gulf, created by the power of Flux...
Teo: You were summoned here as the rightful holder of the White Chronicle.
Stocke: The...? The White Chronicle? What about it? ...What does this all mean?
Lippti: The White Chronicle is an ancient artifact imbued with Flux and given dominion over time...
Teo: The wielder of the White Chronicle has finally awakened. The door to Historia has been opened.
Stocke: ...None of this makes sense.
Teo: I didn't think you'd understand. Your confusion is only natural.
Lippti: Calm yourself and assess your current problems one at a time.
Stocke: Right... My problems...
"Well, my party members are dead, I have a massive stab wound, Alistel is about to be invaded and I appear to be hallucinating the Elemental Plane of Stairs. How's that for a start?"
Stocke: ...That's right! What happened to me? The last thing I remember is facing Palomides and...
Teo: ......
Teo: You failed in your mission. Your comrades are dead, and you fell at Palomides' hands...
Stocke: Yes... I remember now...I was powerless to save Raynie and Marco. This is exactly why I didn't want a command... I don't need any partners! It's all because I told them to head north... Dammit!
Well, that was... blunt.
Stocke: What?
Teo: But don't you see? Your crucial error was choosing to head north at that moment.
Lippti: That was the place and the time where history was decided. But you hadn't the strength to make the correct decision... That is why you came to such a tragic end.
Stocke: So... Had we fled south...
Teo: Yes! You begin to see.
Stocke: But what of it? There's nothing to be done now. Besides, there was a blockade to the south. Going north was our only real choice. It seems to me that our fate was decided already.
Lippti: Indeed, Stocke. You recognize the truth of your situation. Had you changed your assumptions, you would have found a way to survive.
Stocke: ...What are you getting at?
Teo: I'll skip to the end, Stocke, holder of the White Chronicle. The power has been given to you to decide the world's fate. You can change the past and rewrite history the way it should be.
Or make everything worse. Whichever.
Lippti: You must discern the correct decisions from the cornucopia of possibilities...
"And studiously ignore them until you've tried doing the wrong thing first."
Lippti: Create a chain of decisions that will guide history to its true conclusion.
Teo: Stocke... You can reenact the past with the White Chronicle.
Stocke: ......! ...Don't mock me... What's done is done! The past is fixed... What you suggest is impossible!
Someone didn't read the back of the box~.
Lippti: Maybe you'll understand once you've tried it for yourself.
Stocke: This... isn't a joke?
Teo: Quite the contrary. It seems seeing is believing for you...
Teo: Haven't you wished for something like this before? "If only I could go back and do it over again..." We sympathize with this devout wish and hope to grant it.
Stocke: ......
Stocke: Then I'll ask one more time... will this let me save Raynie and Marco?
Lippti: If that is what is meant to occur, then... Yes.
Teo: Now go, Stocke. Do what you must.
Stocke: Raynie... Marco... It won't be long now. I'll save you both!
A few seconds of M.C. Escher stairs later:
Stocke: Ngh... These wounds... are these the ones Palomides gave me...? Then I wasn't dreaming! Have I really returned to the past...?
Stocke: Where is everyone...?
Raynie: Which way? North, or should we try our luck down south? If you ask me, passing over the northern bridge would be the fastest way.
If this seems familiar, it's because we've already seen this part of the conversation before.
Messenger: No, we can't go north. The enemy will already be there in force. It may take longer, but we should pass through the south.
Marco: Then I suggest the path near the river.
...But then it deviates.
Our hero uses his Jedi-like reflexes to push the spy out of the way of the crossbow bolts; unfortunately, due to said Jedi-like speed, I missed the chance to get a screenshot.
Raynie: Huh!?
Marco: Bowmen! W-We're under fire!
Raynie: (to Messenger) Are you okay?
Raynie: Whew. All right, on your feet!
Soldier: F-Fall back! Let's leave the cleanup to the forces up north!
The soldiers, rather sensibly, run for the hills.
Raynie: Any suggestions, Stocke?
Stocke: (Well, not this time!)
Stocke: We go south! Follow me! I promise you, this time we'll make it back to Alistel together!
Raynie: "This time"...? Uh... well, aye aye, Stocke!
We can move again, but we've already grabbed all the treasure, so it's time to head south. Getting near the blockade sets off yet another cutscene.
Marco: I doubt even all of us working together could budge those. Maybe we should head north after all?
Or you could try climbing it...
Stocke: No! It's...!
Stocke: (We go north, and we're all dead men again. But how do we get past these barricades...? Is this really a dead end? Is north the only way?)
...or you could try climbing...
Stocke: (They're not tools! I'll bring them back at any cost!)
This is only the first of many examples of Heiss trying to get Stocke to do something, only for it to have the exact opposite effect of what he intended.
Stocke: (But...)
Suddenly, Lippti and Teo, making their usual screen-flashes-white-and-now-they're-here entrance.
Teo: Hello, Stocke. How does it feel to be back in time? Alas, you've reached a dead end on this side... Both histories are giving you trouble.
Lippti: But there is a way past the dead end. We'll give you the power to break through.
Stocke: ......!?
Real eloquent there, Stocke.
Stocke: What was that?
Lippti: We granted you a small portion of our power.
Teo: This is no longer a dead end to you. The other possibility that was once blocked... a different history is about to unfold.
Lippti: If you sift through the various possibilities, you'll surely find the means to survive. Let us meet again in a time beyond these possibilities.
The twins leave the same way they arrived.
Raynie: Hey, snap to it, Stocke. You drifted off there. What's wrong?
Do you want a list?
Marco: Did you come up with a plan?
Stocke: ...In a way. We move the barricades and press on.
I would love to see their expressions right now.
Raynie: ...What?
Marco: Huh...?
Stocke: Leave it to me.
So now we can push around heavy things. I suppose that's a practical superpower, if not a particularly exciting one.
...And, of course, there's a mob of soldiers waiting as soon as you go to the next screen.
Soldier: Wasn't the plan to drive them towards the bridge!?
Another soldier: They'll get away clean if they break through here! We have to stop them cold!
Uh, yeah. Good luck with that.
And Raynie finally learns a spell! Yaaay!
After that little beatdown, it's just a matter of continuing the way we were going before we were so rudely interrupted.
Stocke: (I'll be able to return everyone home alive...!)
One black-screen transition later, we start the next cutscene.
Marco: I recognize the landscape. Alistel is just up ahead!
Messenger: I can't believe I got out of there alive... it feels like I'm dreaming. I owe you three a lot. Thanks.
Stocke: No need for that. Just hurry... and get the intel to Heiss...
I wonder how long it's going to be until he remembers that he got impaled by a scary man with a lance?
Messenger: Will do. The information I got will finally let us mount a counteroffensive!
Raynie: Another one in the win column for us!
Marco: Sure enough. But more than that...
Marco: You saw right through the enemy's trap and even moved the barricade on your own!
Raynie: Yeah. If it wasn't for you, I doubt any of us would still be standing.
Stocke: Heh... I can hardly believe it myself...
Marco: Once we've reported in to Heiss, why don't we celebrate together?
Raynie: Ooh, great idea! Marc's buying!
Marco: Wh-What!? I never said--
Raynie: Hahaha! Got you!
Stocke: (I changed history... So... This is the way history should have gone...)
See, Stocke, this is the problem with wearing red. If they can't see you're bleeding, no one notices you're about to collapse from blood loss until you actually, y'know, collapse from blood loss.
Raynie: C'mon, Stocke. We should--
Pay more attention to the fact that your commanding officer has somehow acquired a gigantic stab wound while you weren't looking?
Incidentally, Stocke's "kneeling" sprite looks really weird. I blame the shield.
Raynie: H-Hey! Stocke!?
Marco: Did he protect us somewhere while we weren't looking?
Raynie: He's too far gone for a quick-fix spell... He needs a doctor!
Raynie: C'mon, Stocke. Take my shoulder! Marc, help us out here!
Marco: R-Right! I'm too short to lend a shoulder, but I'll do what I can!
Stocke: A-Are you two... safe...?
Raynie: Yeah, Stocke, we're fine. See? No holes in me. It's all thanks to you...
Stocke: Good...
Raynie: Stocke! Hey, hang in there!
...And, as the screen fades to black, our hero passes out cold.
Exposition time!
Yeah, they kinda explained that about fifteen minutes ago.
"Except for the part where you almost bled to death. That wasn't so great."
Teo: Because you altered the past, the course of history has changed.
Stocke: That's right... I did change the past. I have to thank you. It's because of you that I could save everyone.
Lippti: It was not our doing. It was the power of the White Chronicle.
I do have to give him some props for thinking to ask that question.
Lippti: You could call us guides of Historia. It is our duty to each the Chronicle's wielder the proper usage of the book.
Stocke: I'm not concerned with how to use it at the moment... What I want to know is, how did there come to be something that can change history? With this, I can go freely back and forth in time, changing history as much as I like. I'm not sure something like this should exist at all.
Another really good question. Kudos.
Teo: There's a slight error in your phrasing. Even the holder of the White Chronicle can't move "freely" around in time.
Stocke: Why not?
Teo: The points in the timestream that you are capable of returning to are fixed. The best way to describe them would be as pivotal moments in history. You can travel to these pivotal moments and get a second chance to act... but you cannot change any parts of history that aren't directly related to those moments. The White Chronicle's power is considerable, but it too has its limitations.
Stocke: Then it's not all-powerful.
Lippti: No. That would be much too dangerous.
But it's still enough to make everyone think you're some kind of freakishly hypercompetent prescient miracle worker, so that's something.
Lippti: If power on that scale were to be misused, there would be no means of stopping it. That is why the creator of the Chronicle placed restrictions on its use.
Stocke: Interesting. So... how will I know which moments I'm capable of returning to?
Teo: You won't have to do anything out of the ordinary. They'll appear naturally as you go about your life. We'll inform you as well when these moments occur.
Teo: There is one important principle, though. These moments will be born of your experiences.
Stocke: So I can't access a moment in history where I wasn't present.
Teo: That's right. We should also discuss your injuries. You changed history so that you never fought Palomides, yet your wounds did not disappear.
Except for gameplay purposes. He seemed pretty fine when he was hitting people with swords.
Teo: There is a reason for this. There are two types of time. One the whole world experiences, and one limited to you. Even though you alter the world's time, your own time will not be reversed.
Stocke: Ah. So the wounds didn't disappear because, from my perspective, they still happened.
Lippti: You are correct. You may redo a moment as many times as you like... but should you be slain, you will never be able to change things. Remember this well.
Stocke: I will.
Sorry about the lack of screencaps here, but it's pretty much just three people talking with very little movement. To break things up, here's a picture of a random line of dialogue:
Stocke: Yes...?
Teo: We ask that you not speak of the White Chronicle to anyone... no matter how close your ties to them may be.
Lippti: Nothing good can come of the Chronicle's existence being known.
Stocke: If people were to find out about this power, they'd fight over it... Is that what you mean? All right.
Stocke: But what about the original owner? I got the White Chronicle from my superior. It's hard to believe he doesn't know about this.
"ESPECIALLY him. Have you LOOKED at him? There's no way that guy's not evil."
Lippti: Even so, you mustn't speak of it. We... cannot tell you why.
Stocke: What are you hiding...?
Speaking as someone who's finished the game, would you like that alphabetically, or by topic?
Teo: I'm sorry, but... we can't tell you that either. There is a good reason for it. One of the restrictions on the Chronicle is that we aren't allowed to side with anyone.
Lippti: Some secrets must be kept in order to protect you... that is the most we can divulge right now. Though we will guide you, you must be the one who decides to change history.
Stocke: ......
My sentiments exactly.
Teo: You're understandably suspicious, but the world requires your power. Make no mistake about that.
Lippti: Please, Stocke... we'll do the best we can to guide you along the way.
Stocke: ...There's still a lot that's hard to believe, and you're still hiding something. But I'll play along for now. I'll use the White Chronicle to change history, and not breathe a word of it to anyone. How's that?
Teo: Thanks. I'm glad you agree.
Lippti: Well then, Stocke. Until we meet again...
And suddenly we're somewhere else, watching a cutscene. But hey, at least it's a DIFFERENT cutscene!
And now we know where we are, too. Cool.
The oppressive Queen Protea reigns over the people of Granorg from within. In her Audience Hall, she sits on her throne, enacting various policies at her whim.
Well, yes. Isn't that usually what kings and queens do?
The chaos and misfortune that transpires during the war... All of it had its origin in this chamber. What is the extent of the evil lurking in this gleaming palace? No one knows for certain...
Eruca: When shall I receive a response regarding the employment program I proposed recently?
Eruca, if you get macroeconomics in my fantasy RPG, I will be rather cross.
Protea: Ah yes, that... From what Selvan tells me, it is entirely too costly. The proposal is rejected.
Eruca: ......!
Eruca: But Mother, if you consider the nation's future, it can only be beneficial... Employment will be granted to the people who lost their jobs. Their lives will be enriched. Of course it will need funding, but that should be easy, if we cut back here in the palace.
Protea: Cut back in the palace, you say...? But everything here is essential to my eye.
Ah. So THAT'S what this is about.
Eruca: This palace was built on the sacrifices of the people. It's shameful to live here in luxury while the people give their lives to maintain it!
Eruca is surprisingly Socialist for a princess.
Protea: Child, you fail to understand. The citizens yearn to be in the presence of we exalted royals. That is why they toil so... Our lives of luxury are not a privilege, but a genuine duty of the Granorg royal family.
Yeah, keep telling yourself that.
Protea: Selvan says so.
...And this isn't even her own idea. Urge to slap... rising...
Eruca: Mother, please listen. The duty of the Granorg royal family is to save the world by performing--
Protea: How tiresome you can be. Personally, I couldn't care one whit...
Which is why you are not one of the protagonists. They pay attention to plot exposition.
Protea: But if you continue being such a nuisance on the subject, it could cause unrest in the people.
Yes, she just stated outright that the prince was killed for disagreeing with her and threatened to assassinate the only remaining heir to the throne. Protea is kind of an asshole.
Eruca: ......!
Protea: Prince Ernst never was very bright... if only he hadn't been so spoiled as to defy my late husband, the throne could have been his.
Considering what we've seen of Protea's intelligence and judgement so far, I think we can take that as a glowing recommendation of his bravery, morals, and intelligence.
Protea: Then again, that is what made it possible for me to become queen after Victor's death... the one respect in which your brother's actions worked in Granorg's favor.
Translation: He was an awesome guy who did awesome things but then he got killed, which led to un-awesome events.
Eruca: Mother... the Granorg throne comes with heavier responsibilities than you realize.
Translation: you are an egocentric idiot.
Protea: That is what makes it a position worthy of me! It is still far too much for you.
Translation: I am an egocentric idiot.
Eruca: (Then it is you who will be held responsible for your actions on that throne someday... You will be responsible for this nation's fate!)
As Eruca storms out of the room, she passes this guy:
Protea: Pay it no heed, Selvan. Gracious, but dealing with children can be vexing.
Selvan: Indeed, my queen. The fault lies not with you, Queen Protea.
That concludes our brief stop in Granorg. On to the next cutscene!
Onscreen text: Though the Lazvil Hills mission was a success, Stocke suffered heavy injuries. Raynie and Marco carried him to the infirmary inside Alistel Castle.
A few days later...
*sound of a door opening*
Stocke: Heiss... I didn't expect to see you here...
Heiss: They told me my best agent was in critical condition. How can I get any work done in my office while you're here in such a state?
Stocke: ......
Apparently Stocke isn't convinced.
Heiss: Much about our situation has changed while you slept. The Granorg army invading Lazvil Hills has been driven back. Not only that, but we even managed to take back the Sand Fortress at the border.
Stocke: Impressive progress.
Heiss: All of it thanks to the intel you brought back for us. We've finally proven our worth in the eyes of the military. It ought to keep our detractors off our backs for a while, at any rate.
Stocke: One can hope.
Heiss: Stocke, my boy! Can't you at least act a little happier? Or does it hurt too much to give so much as a smile?
Stocke: No... that's just how I am. You should know me by now.
Heiss: Ah well... as long as you have your health.
Stocke: ......
Again, my sentiments exactly.
Stocke: You have my next assignment, then?
Heiss: You catch on so quickly. There is a job I'd like to ask you to take on. Come around my office later.
Stocke: What about Raynie and Marco?
Heiss: I put them on leave. The last mission was rather a strain on them, after all. But they seem to have taken a liking to you, and they're looking forward to your return. I plan on assigning them as your subordinates on the next mission as well.
Stocke: I see.
Heiss: By the way, Stocke... did the White Chronicle prove useful?
Heiss: Well...?
Stocke: (He seems awfully curious about if I used the White Chronicle...)
Stocke: (......)
That's right, he even does this in internal monologues.
Stocke: (I was told to tell no one. I'll play dumb for now...)
Stocke: I suppose it was useful as a lucky charm, like you said. Heaven knows we needed luck. That's the only reason I can see for us coming back in one piece.
*pokerface*
Heiss: I... see. So nothing, er, happened?
Stocke: Such as?
Heiss: ......
*2XPOKERFACE COMBO!*
Heiss: All right. I'll let you hang on to the White Chronicle for a while longer. I'm sure you could use a lucky charm on your missions from here on out.
Heiss: If you'll excuse me, I have other matters to attend to. Once you're back on your feet, come around my office.
Stocke: It certainly saved us, but... is that why Heiss gave it to me? Or was there another reason...?
Stocke: ...Bah. I'm no mind-reader. I'll have to tread lightly... I may need to put some distance between us soon.
Heiss sucks at manipulating Stocke, ROUND 2!
We have control now, but there's nothing to do in here, so we head out to the hallway.
I am sure this will absolutely not be important later.
In the left-hand room, there's... this guy. As you can tell from the fact that he has a portrait, he'll be important later. But again, nothing to do, because the game is ridiculously linear at this point.
All I can do is go up the stairs on the right to trigger the next cutscene.
Stocke: Sonja...
Sonja: When Raynie and Marco carried you here, I thought you were done for. But of course not. You train too much for that to ever happen, hmm?
Stocke: ...You give me too much credit.
Sonja: You know, a lesser man in your condition wouldn't have pulled through! Honestly... you and Rosch both... Too many people in this army take too many chances with their lives. Doesn't it ever give you pause to think about all the people who worry about you?
Stocke: ......
Stocke: If I made you worry, I'm sorry. But this is the job. If we don't do it, Alistel will fall to Granorg.
"And that will mean having Protea as our ruler. I think death might be preferable in that case anyway."
Sonja: I realize that. Hmph... I may as well be talking to Rosch. You both say the same things.
The only difference is that Stocke says it quieter, in fewer words, and with more long, awkward pauses.
Stocke: Speaking of Rosch... Where is he?
Sonja: He's with Lt. General Raul. Rosch is going to be appointed commanding officer of a new corps formed from fresh cadets. If you want to see him, I think he said he would be here shortly to visit you.
...And then this guy runs in from up the stairs.
Stocke: ......
Sonja: Um... May I help you?
The guy pulls out a sword.
Um. Fighting?
Stocke: Sonja! Run!
It's hard to see here, but he's doing that weird black-and-purple-glow thing that happened with Palomides earlier.
Stocke: A black glow...!?
The soldier starts to move forward to attack, only to get a face full of flying spear that knocks him across the hall.
Sonja: Rosch!
Sonja: N-No... I'm fine.
Rosch: What about you, Stocke? You look like you're healing nicely.
Stocke: ...So I am.
Rosch: How dare you turn your sword against a fellow soldier!
Rosch: Huh? What was th--
The creepy pulsing black glow reappears...
...and the soldier dissolves.
Rosch: Whoa! What the hell just happened!?
Sonja: Did he... turn to sand...?
On that note, that's the end of this section, since it's at this next cutscene that the prologue officially ends. Tune in next week for the REAL beginning of the story, and maybe even our first bad end! Lady Nighteyes out.
"Also, where the hell am I?"
Stocke: Raynie... Marco...
The screen flashes white
O hai, you guys.
The screen flashes again
Sorry this is so dark, but I wanted to grab it before dialogue started getting in the way so you could see the whole place. I also edited in a separator between the screens to make it line up right.
Stocke: Am I dead...?
Stocke: Who's there?
Girl: You've come, keeper of the White Chronicle.
Boy: Welcome, Stocke. We've been expecting you.
Stocke: A pair of children...? Who are you?
Girl: Yes... But we knew it would be thus.
Stocke: I asked a question.
"So if you could please stop being cryptic for a second and answer it?"
Girl: I am Lippti.
Boy: And I am Teo.
Stocke: And this is...?
Lippti: We are in Historia. A world in time's gulf, created by the power of Flux...
Teo: You were summoned here as the rightful holder of the White Chronicle.
Stocke: The...? The White Chronicle? What about it? ...What does this all mean?
Lippti: The White Chronicle is an ancient artifact imbued with Flux and given dominion over time...
Teo: The wielder of the White Chronicle has finally awakened. The door to Historia has been opened.
Stocke: ...None of this makes sense.
Teo: I didn't think you'd understand. Your confusion is only natural.
Lippti: Calm yourself and assess your current problems one at a time.
Stocke: Right... My problems...
"Well, my party members are dead, I have a massive stab wound, Alistel is about to be invaded and I appear to be hallucinating the Elemental Plane of Stairs. How's that for a start?"
Stocke: ...That's right! What happened to me? The last thing I remember is facing Palomides and...
Teo: ......
Teo: You failed in your mission. Your comrades are dead, and you fell at Palomides' hands...
Stocke: Yes... I remember now...I was powerless to save Raynie and Marco. This is exactly why I didn't want a command... I don't need any partners! It's all because I told them to head north... Dammit!
Well, that was... blunt.
Stocke: What?
Teo: But don't you see? Your crucial error was choosing to head north at that moment.
Lippti: That was the place and the time where history was decided. But you hadn't the strength to make the correct decision... That is why you came to such a tragic end.
Stocke: So... Had we fled south...
Teo: Yes! You begin to see.
Stocke: But what of it? There's nothing to be done now. Besides, there was a blockade to the south. Going north was our only real choice. It seems to me that our fate was decided already.
Lippti: Indeed, Stocke. You recognize the truth of your situation. Had you changed your assumptions, you would have found a way to survive.
Stocke: ...What are you getting at?
Teo: I'll skip to the end, Stocke, holder of the White Chronicle. The power has been given to you to decide the world's fate. You can change the past and rewrite history the way it should be.
Or make everything worse. Whichever.
Lippti: You must discern the correct decisions from the cornucopia of possibilities...
"And studiously ignore them until you've tried doing the wrong thing first."
Lippti: Create a chain of decisions that will guide history to its true conclusion.
Teo: Stocke... You can reenact the past with the White Chronicle.
Stocke: ......! ...Don't mock me... What's done is done! The past is fixed... What you suggest is impossible!
Someone didn't read the back of the box~.
Lippti: Maybe you'll understand once you've tried it for yourself.
Stocke: This... isn't a joke?
Teo: Quite the contrary. It seems seeing is believing for you...
Teo: Haven't you wished for something like this before? "If only I could go back and do it over again..." We sympathize with this devout wish and hope to grant it.
Stocke: ......
Stocke: Then I'll ask one more time... will this let me save Raynie and Marco?
Lippti: If that is what is meant to occur, then... Yes.
Teo: Now go, Stocke. Do what you must.
Stocke: Raynie... Marco... It won't be long now. I'll save you both!
A few seconds of M.C. Escher stairs later:
Stocke: Ngh... These wounds... are these the ones Palomides gave me...? Then I wasn't dreaming! Have I really returned to the past...?
Stocke: Where is everyone...?
Raynie: Which way? North, or should we try our luck down south? If you ask me, passing over the northern bridge would be the fastest way.
If this seems familiar, it's because we've already seen this part of the conversation before.
Messenger: No, we can't go north. The enemy will already be there in force. It may take longer, but we should pass through the south.
Marco: Then I suggest the path near the river.
...But then it deviates.
Our hero uses his Jedi-like reflexes to push the spy out of the way of the crossbow bolts; unfortunately, due to said Jedi-like speed, I missed the chance to get a screenshot.
Raynie: Huh!?
Marco: Bowmen! W-We're under fire!
Raynie: (to Messenger) Are you okay?
Raynie: Whew. All right, on your feet!
Soldier: F-Fall back! Let's leave the cleanup to the forces up north!
The soldiers, rather sensibly, run for the hills.
Raynie: Any suggestions, Stocke?
Stocke: (Well, not this time!)
Stocke: We go south! Follow me! I promise you, this time we'll make it back to Alistel together!
Raynie: "This time"...? Uh... well, aye aye, Stocke!
We can move again, but we've already grabbed all the treasure, so it's time to head south. Getting near the blockade sets off yet another cutscene.
Marco: I doubt even all of us working together could budge those. Maybe we should head north after all?
Or you could try climbing it...
Stocke: No! It's...!
Stocke: (We go north, and we're all dead men again. But how do we get past these barricades...? Is this really a dead end? Is north the only way?)
...or you could try climbing...
Stocke: (They're not tools! I'll bring them back at any cost!)
This is only the first of many examples of Heiss trying to get Stocke to do something, only for it to have the exact opposite effect of what he intended.
Stocke: (But...)
Suddenly, Lippti and Teo, making their usual screen-flashes-white-and-now-they're-here entrance.
Teo: Hello, Stocke. How does it feel to be back in time? Alas, you've reached a dead end on this side... Both histories are giving you trouble.
Lippti: But there is a way past the dead end. We'll give you the power to break through.
Stocke: ......!?
Real eloquent there, Stocke.
Stocke: What was that?
Lippti: We granted you a small portion of our power.
Teo: This is no longer a dead end to you. The other possibility that was once blocked... a different history is about to unfold.
Lippti: If you sift through the various possibilities, you'll surely find the means to survive. Let us meet again in a time beyond these possibilities.
The twins leave the same way they arrived.
Raynie: Hey, snap to it, Stocke. You drifted off there. What's wrong?
Do you want a list?
Marco: Did you come up with a plan?
Stocke: ...In a way. We move the barricades and press on.
I would love to see their expressions right now.
Raynie: ...What?
Marco: Huh...?
Stocke: Leave it to me.
So now we can push around heavy things. I suppose that's a practical superpower, if not a particularly exciting one.
...And, of course, there's a mob of soldiers waiting as soon as you go to the next screen.
Soldier: Wasn't the plan to drive them towards the bridge!?
Another soldier: They'll get away clean if they break through here! We have to stop them cold!
Uh, yeah. Good luck with that.
And Raynie finally learns a spell! Yaaay!
After that little beatdown, it's just a matter of continuing the way we were going before we were so rudely interrupted.
Stocke: (I'll be able to return everyone home alive...!)
One black-screen transition later, we start the next cutscene.
Marco: I recognize the landscape. Alistel is just up ahead!
Messenger: I can't believe I got out of there alive... it feels like I'm dreaming. I owe you three a lot. Thanks.
Stocke: No need for that. Just hurry... and get the intel to Heiss...
I wonder how long it's going to be until he remembers that he got impaled by a scary man with a lance?
Messenger: Will do. The information I got will finally let us mount a counteroffensive!
Raynie: Another one in the win column for us!
Marco: Sure enough. But more than that...
Marco: You saw right through the enemy's trap and even moved the barricade on your own!
Raynie: Yeah. If it wasn't for you, I doubt any of us would still be standing.
Stocke: Heh... I can hardly believe it myself...
Marco: Once we've reported in to Heiss, why don't we celebrate together?
Raynie: Ooh, great idea! Marc's buying!
Marco: Wh-What!? I never said--
Raynie: Hahaha! Got you!
Stocke: (I changed history... So... This is the way history should have gone...)
See, Stocke, this is the problem with wearing red. If they can't see you're bleeding, no one notices you're about to collapse from blood loss until you actually, y'know, collapse from blood loss.
Raynie: C'mon, Stocke. We should--
Pay more attention to the fact that your commanding officer has somehow acquired a gigantic stab wound while you weren't looking?
Incidentally, Stocke's "kneeling" sprite looks really weird. I blame the shield.
Raynie: H-Hey! Stocke!?
Marco: Did he protect us somewhere while we weren't looking?
Raynie: He's too far gone for a quick-fix spell... He needs a doctor!
Raynie: C'mon, Stocke. Take my shoulder! Marc, help us out here!
Marco: R-Right! I'm too short to lend a shoulder, but I'll do what I can!
Stocke: A-Are you two... safe...?
Raynie: Yeah, Stocke, we're fine. See? No holes in me. It's all thanks to you...
Stocke: Good...
Raynie: Stocke! Hey, hang in there!
...And, as the screen fades to black, our hero passes out cold.
Exposition time!
Yeah, they kinda explained that about fifteen minutes ago.
"Except for the part where you almost bled to death. That wasn't so great."
Teo: Because you altered the past, the course of history has changed.
Stocke: That's right... I did change the past. I have to thank you. It's because of you that I could save everyone.
Lippti: It was not our doing. It was the power of the White Chronicle.
I do have to give him some props for thinking to ask that question.
Lippti: You could call us guides of Historia. It is our duty to each the Chronicle's wielder the proper usage of the book.
Stocke: I'm not concerned with how to use it at the moment... What I want to know is, how did there come to be something that can change history? With this, I can go freely back and forth in time, changing history as much as I like. I'm not sure something like this should exist at all.
Another really good question. Kudos.
Teo: There's a slight error in your phrasing. Even the holder of the White Chronicle can't move "freely" around in time.
Stocke: Why not?
Teo: The points in the timestream that you are capable of returning to are fixed. The best way to describe them would be as pivotal moments in history. You can travel to these pivotal moments and get a second chance to act... but you cannot change any parts of history that aren't directly related to those moments. The White Chronicle's power is considerable, but it too has its limitations.
Stocke: Then it's not all-powerful.
Lippti: No. That would be much too dangerous.
But it's still enough to make everyone think you're some kind of freakishly hypercompetent prescient miracle worker, so that's something.
Lippti: If power on that scale were to be misused, there would be no means of stopping it. That is why the creator of the Chronicle placed restrictions on its use.
Stocke: Interesting. So... how will I know which moments I'm capable of returning to?
Teo: You won't have to do anything out of the ordinary. They'll appear naturally as you go about your life. We'll inform you as well when these moments occur.
Teo: There is one important principle, though. These moments will be born of your experiences.
Stocke: So I can't access a moment in history where I wasn't present.
Teo: That's right. We should also discuss your injuries. You changed history so that you never fought Palomides, yet your wounds did not disappear.
Except for gameplay purposes. He seemed pretty fine when he was hitting people with swords.
Teo: There is a reason for this. There are two types of time. One the whole world experiences, and one limited to you. Even though you alter the world's time, your own time will not be reversed.
Stocke: Ah. So the wounds didn't disappear because, from my perspective, they still happened.
Lippti: You are correct. You may redo a moment as many times as you like... but should you be slain, you will never be able to change things. Remember this well.
Stocke: I will.
Sorry about the lack of screencaps here, but it's pretty much just three people talking with very little movement. To break things up, here's a picture of a random line of dialogue:
Stocke: Yes...?
Teo: We ask that you not speak of the White Chronicle to anyone... no matter how close your ties to them may be.
Lippti: Nothing good can come of the Chronicle's existence being known.
Stocke: If people were to find out about this power, they'd fight over it... Is that what you mean? All right.
Stocke: But what about the original owner? I got the White Chronicle from my superior. It's hard to believe he doesn't know about this.
"ESPECIALLY him. Have you LOOKED at him? There's no way that guy's not evil."
Lippti: Even so, you mustn't speak of it. We... cannot tell you why.
Stocke: What are you hiding...?
Speaking as someone who's finished the game, would you like that alphabetically, or by topic?
Teo: I'm sorry, but... we can't tell you that either. There is a good reason for it. One of the restrictions on the Chronicle is that we aren't allowed to side with anyone.
Lippti: Some secrets must be kept in order to protect you... that is the most we can divulge right now. Though we will guide you, you must be the one who decides to change history.
Stocke: ......
My sentiments exactly.
Teo: You're understandably suspicious, but the world requires your power. Make no mistake about that.
Lippti: Please, Stocke... we'll do the best we can to guide you along the way.
Stocke: ...There's still a lot that's hard to believe, and you're still hiding something. But I'll play along for now. I'll use the White Chronicle to change history, and not breathe a word of it to anyone. How's that?
Teo: Thanks. I'm glad you agree.
Lippti: Well then, Stocke. Until we meet again...
And suddenly we're somewhere else, watching a cutscene. But hey, at least it's a DIFFERENT cutscene!
And now we know where we are, too. Cool.
The oppressive Queen Protea reigns over the people of Granorg from within. In her Audience Hall, she sits on her throne, enacting various policies at her whim.
Well, yes. Isn't that usually what kings and queens do?
The chaos and misfortune that transpires during the war... All of it had its origin in this chamber. What is the extent of the evil lurking in this gleaming palace? No one knows for certain...
Eruca: When shall I receive a response regarding the employment program I proposed recently?
Eruca, if you get macroeconomics in my fantasy RPG, I will be rather cross.
Protea: Ah yes, that... From what Selvan tells me, it is entirely too costly. The proposal is rejected.
Eruca: ......!
Eruca: But Mother, if you consider the nation's future, it can only be beneficial... Employment will be granted to the people who lost their jobs. Their lives will be enriched. Of course it will need funding, but that should be easy, if we cut back here in the palace.
Protea: Cut back in the palace, you say...? But everything here is essential to my eye.
Ah. So THAT'S what this is about.
Eruca: This palace was built on the sacrifices of the people. It's shameful to live here in luxury while the people give their lives to maintain it!
Eruca is surprisingly Socialist for a princess.
Protea: Child, you fail to understand. The citizens yearn to be in the presence of we exalted royals. That is why they toil so... Our lives of luxury are not a privilege, but a genuine duty of the Granorg royal family.
Yeah, keep telling yourself that.
Protea: Selvan says so.
...And this isn't even her own idea. Urge to slap... rising...
Eruca: Mother, please listen. The duty of the Granorg royal family is to save the world by performing--
Protea: How tiresome you can be. Personally, I couldn't care one whit...
Which is why you are not one of the protagonists. They pay attention to plot exposition.
Protea: But if you continue being such a nuisance on the subject, it could cause unrest in the people.
Yes, she just stated outright that the prince was killed for disagreeing with her and threatened to assassinate the only remaining heir to the throne. Protea is kind of an asshole.
Eruca: ......!
Protea: Prince Ernst never was very bright... if only he hadn't been so spoiled as to defy my late husband, the throne could have been his.
Considering what we've seen of Protea's intelligence and judgement so far, I think we can take that as a glowing recommendation of his bravery, morals, and intelligence.
Protea: Then again, that is what made it possible for me to become queen after Victor's death... the one respect in which your brother's actions worked in Granorg's favor.
Translation: He was an awesome guy who did awesome things but then he got killed, which led to un-awesome events.
Eruca: Mother... the Granorg throne comes with heavier responsibilities than you realize.
Translation: you are an egocentric idiot.
Protea: That is what makes it a position worthy of me! It is still far too much for you.
Translation: I am an egocentric idiot.
Eruca: (Then it is you who will be held responsible for your actions on that throne someday... You will be responsible for this nation's fate!)
As Eruca storms out of the room, she passes this guy:
Protea: Pay it no heed, Selvan. Gracious, but dealing with children can be vexing.
Selvan: Indeed, my queen. The fault lies not with you, Queen Protea.
That concludes our brief stop in Granorg. On to the next cutscene!
Onscreen text: Though the Lazvil Hills mission was a success, Stocke suffered heavy injuries. Raynie and Marco carried him to the infirmary inside Alistel Castle.
A few days later...
*sound of a door opening*
Stocke: Heiss... I didn't expect to see you here...
Heiss: They told me my best agent was in critical condition. How can I get any work done in my office while you're here in such a state?
Stocke: ......
Apparently Stocke isn't convinced.
Heiss: Much about our situation has changed while you slept. The Granorg army invading Lazvil Hills has been driven back. Not only that, but we even managed to take back the Sand Fortress at the border.
Stocke: Impressive progress.
Heiss: All of it thanks to the intel you brought back for us. We've finally proven our worth in the eyes of the military. It ought to keep our detractors off our backs for a while, at any rate.
Stocke: One can hope.
Heiss: Stocke, my boy! Can't you at least act a little happier? Or does it hurt too much to give so much as a smile?
Stocke: No... that's just how I am. You should know me by now.
Heiss: Ah well... as long as you have your health.
Stocke: ......
Again, my sentiments exactly.
Stocke: You have my next assignment, then?
Heiss: You catch on so quickly. There is a job I'd like to ask you to take on. Come around my office later.
Stocke: What about Raynie and Marco?
Heiss: I put them on leave. The last mission was rather a strain on them, after all. But they seem to have taken a liking to you, and they're looking forward to your return. I plan on assigning them as your subordinates on the next mission as well.
Stocke: I see.
Heiss: By the way, Stocke... did the White Chronicle prove useful?
Heiss: Well...?
Stocke: (He seems awfully curious about if I used the White Chronicle...)
Stocke: (......)
That's right, he even does this in internal monologues.
Stocke: (I was told to tell no one. I'll play dumb for now...)
Stocke: I suppose it was useful as a lucky charm, like you said. Heaven knows we needed luck. That's the only reason I can see for us coming back in one piece.
*pokerface*
Heiss: I... see. So nothing, er, happened?
Stocke: Such as?
Heiss: ......
*2XPOKERFACE COMBO!*
Heiss: All right. I'll let you hang on to the White Chronicle for a while longer. I'm sure you could use a lucky charm on your missions from here on out.
Heiss: If you'll excuse me, I have other matters to attend to. Once you're back on your feet, come around my office.
Stocke: It certainly saved us, but... is that why Heiss gave it to me? Or was there another reason...?
Stocke: ...Bah. I'm no mind-reader. I'll have to tread lightly... I may need to put some distance between us soon.
Heiss sucks at manipulating Stocke, ROUND 2!
We have control now, but there's nothing to do in here, so we head out to the hallway.
I am sure this will absolutely not be important later.
In the left-hand room, there's... this guy. As you can tell from the fact that he has a portrait, he'll be important later. But again, nothing to do, because the game is ridiculously linear at this point.
All I can do is go up the stairs on the right to trigger the next cutscene.
Stocke: Sonja...
Sonja: When Raynie and Marco carried you here, I thought you were done for. But of course not. You train too much for that to ever happen, hmm?
Stocke: ...You give me too much credit.
Sonja: You know, a lesser man in your condition wouldn't have pulled through! Honestly... you and Rosch both... Too many people in this army take too many chances with their lives. Doesn't it ever give you pause to think about all the people who worry about you?
Stocke: ......
Stocke: If I made you worry, I'm sorry. But this is the job. If we don't do it, Alistel will fall to Granorg.
"And that will mean having Protea as our ruler. I think death might be preferable in that case anyway."
Sonja: I realize that. Hmph... I may as well be talking to Rosch. You both say the same things.
The only difference is that Stocke says it quieter, in fewer words, and with more long, awkward pauses.
Stocke: Speaking of Rosch... Where is he?
Sonja: He's with Lt. General Raul. Rosch is going to be appointed commanding officer of a new corps formed from fresh cadets. If you want to see him, I think he said he would be here shortly to visit you.
...And then this guy runs in from up the stairs.
Stocke: ......
Sonja: Um... May I help you?
The guy pulls out a sword.
Um. Fighting?
Stocke: Sonja! Run!
It's hard to see here, but he's doing that weird black-and-purple-glow thing that happened with Palomides earlier.
Stocke: A black glow...!?
The soldier starts to move forward to attack, only to get a face full of flying spear that knocks him across the hall.
Sonja: Rosch!
Sonja: N-No... I'm fine.
Rosch: What about you, Stocke? You look like you're healing nicely.
Stocke: ...So I am.
Rosch: How dare you turn your sword against a fellow soldier!
Rosch: Huh? What was th--
The creepy pulsing black glow reappears...
...and the soldier dissolves.
Rosch: Whoa! What the hell just happened!?
Sonja: Did he... turn to sand...?
On that note, that's the end of this section, since it's at this next cutscene that the prologue officially ends. Tune in next week for the REAL beginning of the story, and maybe even our first bad end! Lady Nighteyes out.