Introduction:

In an age long past… Evil flooded over the land. Creatures awash in the dark ride ran wild, pushing mankind to the brink of annihilation. In its despair, mankind appealed to the heavens, and from a blinding light came hope. THE SACRED STONES These five glorious treasures held the power to dispel evil. The hero Grado and his warriors used the Sacred Stones to combat evil’s darkness. They defeated the Demon King and sealed his soul away within the stones. With the darkness imprisoned, peace returned to Magvel. But this peace would not last…

(Screen goes to world map)

The continent of Magvel. For some 800 Years, a quiet peace reigned in the absence of the terrible darkness. The Sacred Stones have been passed from generation to generation. Nations have been built around their power and their legacy. The Kingdom of Renais, ruled by Fado, the peerless Warrior King. The Kingdom of Frelia, ruled by Hayden, the venerable Sage King. The Kingdom of Jehanna, ruled by Ismaire, Queen of the White Dunes. The theocracy of Rausten, ruled by Mansel, The Divine Emperor. The Grado Empire, ruled by Vigarde, the stalwart Silent Emperor. These five countries house the power of the Sacred Stones. The are joined by the emerging mercantile republic of Carcino. In times of peace, tales of the past conflict has drifted into legend, and memories of the ancient dark arts have all but evaporated. It is now the year 803… In an instant, the whole of Magvel is threatened by an unexpected atrocity. The Grado Empire, the largest of the Sacred Stones nations, has invaded the kingdom of Renais under orders from Emperor Vigarde. A longtime ally of Grado, Renais is caught off guard, unable to mount any resistance. Grado’s forces move quickly, seizing one territory after another. Compounding kind Fado’s worries, his son, Prince Ephraim, has gone missing. Grado’s momentum carries its armies to the gates of Castle Renais itself. Renais will fall… It is inevitable.

(Chapter start)

(Renais Castle. You see a soldier running up to the king)

Soldier:
“Your Majesty, I bear bad news. The castle gate has been breached. Emperor Vigarde’s forces are within the castle walls.”

Fado:
“I understand.”

Soldier:
“The garrison has fallen. We’ve lost contact with Prince Ephraim and can expect no aid from his men. Your majesty, what are we to do?”

Fado:
“…What else can we do? Order your men to lay down their arms.”

(Eirika appears, soldier leaves)

Eirika:
“Father…”

Fado:
“Eirika. Are you wearing the bracelet I gave you?”

Eirika:
“Yes, I have it right here.”

Fado:
“Good. Seth.”

(Seth appears)

Seth:
“Yes, Your Majesty?”

Fado:
“Take Eirika and head for Frelia. King Hayden is an honorable man. I trust he will keep you safe.”

Seth:
“Understood. And what of Your Majesty?”

Fado:
“Me? I shall remain here. We have long held Grado among our dearest allies, yet now, they attack? I must know why. Am I somehow responsible for this? Have I erred in my leadership? Renais is mine to guide…How could I have failed her so?”

Eirika:
“Father, you can’t stay! You mustn’t! If you remain behind, then so shall I!”

Fado:
“Go now, Seth! Ride! Take her to safety!”

(Seth leaves)

Eirika:
“Father!”

Seth:
“Forgive me, your highness.”

(Seth and Eirika leave, a bunch of enemy soldiers come up to the King)

Fado:
“Ephraim, Eirika… You must survive.”

(Map changes to outside, with Franz talking to Seth)

Franz:
“General Seth!”

Seth:
“Franz, ride ahead and bring word of our coming to Frelia. A single rider has better offs of passing unseen by Grado’s men. Convey to the throne all that has happened here and petition for reinforcements.”

Franz:
“U-understood!”

(Franz rides away)

Seth:
“Princess Eirika, we must– Quickly! Behind me!”

(Valter and 2 of his follower appear)

Valter:
“You there, with the girl. Tell me, would that be the wayward princess of Renais? Well, this must be my lucky day. You’re a dead man. The wench goes with me.”

Seth:
“Never!”

(Valter and Seth enter battle screen)

Valter:
“I am Valter, the Moonstone, Grado’s finest general! And you’re just a corpse who does not know he is dead.”

(Seth attacks and misses, Valter stabs but does not kill Seth)

Seth:
“Ahhh… No!”

(Seth grabs Eirika and rides away)

Valter:
“Such terrible wounds, and still he holds to his duty? How entertaining. Fly away, little man. Fly away. Try to outrun death. More time to savor the hunt… and the kill.”

(Screen switches to another area with Seth and Eirika)

Seth:
“Princess Eirika! This way! I can see no more of Grado’s men. If we’ve made it this far, we’ve surely earned a moment’s rest. Please forgive my grabbing you so… brusquely earlier.”

Eirika:
“Don’t be foolish, Seth. If it weren’t for you, I would never have made it out of the castle. You are the reason I’m still alive. You have my gratitude. And who ever that man was, he was clearly after me… It’s my fault that you received such a grave wound. Allow me to treat it, I–“

Seth:
“Your highness, I can’t allow an injury like this to be an obstacle. We have more important matters to attend to. We must press on to Frelia. We must fulfill His Majesty’s wishes.”

Eirika:
“… I wonder how my father fares alone in the castle. Do you think he’s safe? And what of my brother on the Grado front? We’ve heard nothing from him for days.”

Seth:
“King Fado and Prince Ephraim are both valiant and brave men. I doubt even the might of the Grado Empire can hold them in check. More important to me, Your Highness, is that you look to your own safety. How sad the two of them would be if something were to happen to you. We must reach Frelia to ensure the day of your happy reunion.”

Eirika:
“Yes, of course. You’re right. Until I’m reunited with my father and brother, I must not despair. Come, Seth. Let us go.”

Seth:
“Once we cross that bridge, we will be in Frelia, near Border Mulan. Let us proceed, Princess Eirika.”

(Battle starts)

Tutorial:
Your training begins with movement. Place the square cursor on Eirika and press the A Button.

(If Seth is selected)

Tutorial:
Press the A Button to select Eirika.

(If Eirika is selected)

Tutorial:
You can move anywhere within the blue area. Move the cursor to the flashing space beside Seth and press the A Button.

(If Eirika doesn’t move next to Seth)

Tutorial:
You’ll now move next to Seth. Go ahead and press the A Button.

Seth:
“Your highness, I won’t lie to you. This will not be an easy ride. Please, take this rapier. If something should happen to me, you must continue to Frelia, alone if need be.”

(Eirika gets a Rapier)

Tutorial:
You’ve received a rapier from Seth. All weapons have a durability rating. The rapier’s durability is 40. Once the rapier has been used 40 times, it will break. Pay close attention to how many uses your weapons have remaining.

(3 enemy Fighters appear)

O’Neill:
“You there! Renais Dogs! Where do you think you’re going?”

Seth:
“Grado’s men.. Stand back, Princess Eirika.”

Eirika:
“It’s all right, Seth. My brother has taught me something of swordplay. I will stand with you.”

Tutorial:
Red units are enemy units. After all of Eirika’s party has moved, the enemy units will move. Each side takes turns moving and then fighting until the battle ends.

(When Eirika is attacked during Easy Mode)

Seth:
“Princess Eirika!”

Eirika:
“I’m fine. His axe was slow, and I was quick. Now it’s my turn!”

Tutorial:
On this map you need to defeat O’Neill, the enemy leader, to win. The objective is displayed at the corner of the screen. Your objective changes from map to map, which may change your approach. Check your objective before deciding your strategy. Now, attack the enemy!

(If Seth is selected)

Tutorial:
The cursor is now on Eirika. Press the A Button.

(If Eirika is selected)

Tutorial:
It’s time to attack the enemy. Place the cursor on Eirika and press the A Button.

(If you press A)

Tutorial:
Select Attack and press the A Button.

(If the Rapier is used to fight)

Tutorial:
This is the combat information window. You can see the combatant’s HP and the amount of damage you will inflict. Eirika should do 7 points, and the enemy should do 9. You see the x2 next to Mt, right? This indicates that you will attack twice. Eirika is faster than her opponent, so she can strike twice in one turn. So, with 2 attacks of 7 points each, Eirika will do 14 points of damage. Now press the A Button to attack the enemy.

(When Eirika defeats the Fighter in Easy Mode)

Seth:
“I’ll hold the rest of them here. Please, Princess–to Frelia!”

(Seth moves and attacks the next Fighter)

(When you kill 2 of the Fighters)

Seth:
“All that’s left is their leader…”

O’Neill:
“What was that? Do you think you can take me, wretched lording? Come! It’s time you high-and-mighty knights learned to respect a true warrior!”

(When you fight O’Neill)

O’Neill:
“You will be the first to die!”

(After Seth fights O’Neill in Easy Mode)

Seth:
“Urgh…”

Eirika:
“Seth! His wounds must be worse than he let on…”

O’Neill:
“Time to die!”

Eirika:
“Stop! Face me, if you have the steel!”

Tutorial:
Place the cursor on Eirika and press the A Button.

(If Seth is selected)

Tutorial:
The cursor is now on Eirika. Press the A Button.

(If Eirika is selected and/or Eirika does not move next to O’Neill)

Tutorial:
Move next to the enemy and press the A Button.

(If the Rapier is used to fight)

Tutorial:
The combat information window is open again. Do you see Hit displayed below HP and Mt? Hit is the likelihood that you will land your blow. Eirika’s Hit is 94, so she has a 94 percent chance of hitting the enemy. Crit, short for Critical, also appears in this window. This is the chance an attack will be a lethal strike. Eirika’s Crit is 14, so she has a 14 percent chance of landing a killing blow. Critical attacks do 3 times the damage of a normal attack. Press the A Button to attack the enemy leader.

(When you kill O’Neill)

O’Neil:
“What? How?”

(When Eirika Levels Up in Easy Mode)

Tutorial:
Eirika gained over 100 experience points and has leveled up. Gaining levels increases unit abilities and makes them stronger.

(End of battle)

Seth:
“Princess, are you injured?”

Eirika:
“What? Oh, no… I’m fine, Seth.”

Seth:
“But you look so pale…”

Eirika:
“I’m fine… Fine. …This is war, isn’t it? It’s not at all like the games I used to play with my brother or Lyon. I never thought– I didn’t know it would be this…savage. Are words useless? Is strength all that matters? It’s so sad… Why would the Grado Empire do this? To what end would they start a war?”

Seth:
“Princess…”

Eirika:
“…Don’t worry, Seth. I won’t give in to sorrow . Let’s get moving. I’m not broken, and I won’t stop until I see Renais restored. I won’t stop until I’m reunited with my father and brother.”

(Chapter ends)