Episode 1: Fall of the Palace (Script)

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Fall of the Palace

Opening

Narrative takes place in a room with books and a single candle

During the War of Shadows... The royal palace of Archanea, the largest kingdom in the continent, was in a truly hopeless situation, under the merciless onslaught of the Dolhrian army, led by the Shadow Dragon Medeus. As the footsteps of the imperial soldiers started resounding through the palace walls... King Archanea, with no other alternatives to consider, gave a secret order to the bishop Boah.

Scene fades to castle interior

Boah:
Princess Nyna, we have mere moments before the millennial palace falls to the enemy. We must escape from here at once.

Nyna:
But, what about my father...? I cannot just leave him.

Boah:
Princess, this is His Majesty's order. If you manage to escape, we will be able to restore Archanea at a later date... So, please, Princess. For Archanea's future...

Nyna:
Even if it's my father's orders, I refuse to escape alone. I shall remain in the palace, together with my father till the very end.

Boah:
Princess Nyna... Please consider His Majesty's feelings. We are fighting against time, now.

Nyna:
No. No matter what you may persuade, I shall remain here.

Dolph enters

Dolph:
Bishop Boah! Princess Nyna! There you are! The enemy is fast approaching. Please make your escape, quickly!

Boah:
I see... It cannot be helped. Dolph, Macellan. Take Princess Nyna away from here.

Macellan:
Yes sir.

Nyna:
No, Boah! Father! Father...!

Nyna leaves

Boah:
...Forgive me, Princess. Now, everyone, hurry!

Scene switches to Gouber

Gouber:
Hwahahaha! So that's where you were hidin', ghosts of the Archanean army. Why don't you jus' give up? I'll spare your sorry lives if you submit to us.

Scene returns to Boah

Boah:
Oh dear... So is this it...?

Nyna enters

Nyna:
Bishop Boah, where are we?

Boah:
In a chamber inside the palace. I'm sad to say... we're completely surrounded by imperial soldiers... It seems it was poor judgment from my part. Princess, I brought you here in such a rude fashion... What I did was truly unforgivable.

Nyna:
Not at all. I was behaving like a spoiled child. I am the one who should apologize. Either way, bishop, what is our recourse now?

Boah:
Unfortunately, at this point... We have no choice but to surrender. I shall negotiate with the enemy so they won't lay their hands on you.

Midia:
Bishop Boah! Are you telling us to surrender without a fight? I refuse! I will not accept the possibility of surrendering to the likes of them!

Boah:
Midia, don't be selfish. Do you intend to involve Princess Nyna in this battle? The princess is the last hope of the people of Archanea. What would you tell them, should anything befall her?

Midia:
I... I see... Forgive my rashness.

Nyna:
Bishop. I agree with Midia. No matter what grim fate awaits us, I want us to hold our heads high with pride until the very end. If Midia and the others say they'll fight for me, then I want to entrust them with my final desire. Bishop, please allow my wish to become true.

Boah:
Princess... If you're ready to go that far, then there is nothing I can say. Everything shall be as you wish... May our guardian deity Naga protect us.

Nyna:
Thank you, Bishop Boah.

Boah leaves, Midia enters

Nyna:
Midia, please do what you must. I'll burn the image of your valorous figure in my mind.

Midia:
Princess...

Nyna:
Dolph, Macellan, Tomas. Please assist Midia. I shall never forget any of you.

Dolph:
Yes m'lady!

Midia:
Alright, let's go! Let us show those imperial soldiers that Archanea still has true knights! First, we should all move towards that small treasure room nearby. If Dolph, Macellan and myself guard the entrance, the interior will be safe. Let us hurry there!

Start Battle

If Nyna and Boah talk

Nyna:
Boah... How is the battle going?

Boah:
Hmm... We are at quite a disadvantage. I'm afraid I'm getting too old for this.

Nyna:
Bishop... Please rest here for a moment. I shall take care of everyone's wounds in your place.

Boah:
But, Princess...

Nyna:
I cannot just do nothing when everyone else is in danger. I shall fight, too.

If Nyna and Midia talk

Midia:
Princess!　Are you safe?

Nyna:
Yes, I am fine. Midia, should anything happen to me... Forget about me. Just escape with everyone.

Midia:
But...

Nyna:
I don't want to lose anyone. Not a single one of you. Midia, listen to me! You are still searching for Astram, correct? So, don't worry about me. Escape by yourself!

Midia:
There is no worse disgrace than to abandon you and the palace, Princess. Please be patient for a little longer. I shall defeat every enemy, without fail. You have my word.

If Boah and Midia talk

Boah:
Are you doing well, Midia?

Midia:
Yes, of course. There is no way I'd fall before we bring Princess Nyna to safety. Bishop Boah. We paladins fare well against magic. I'll take care of the enemy mages.

Boah:
Very well. I'm counting on you.

Vs. Gouber

Gouber:
Ahahahaha! More fools tryin' to resist? Then let me show you my power!

Gouber defeated

Gouber:
H-how... disappointin'...

If Boah dies

Boah:
I cannot die here... I must live and fulfill the king's order...

Nyna:
Bishop! How are you!?

Boah:
Princess, please forgive me... I'll be a burden like this... I shall fall back to the rear...

If Midia dies

Midia:
Guh! It can't... end like this...

Nyna:
Midia!?　No! Please fall back. For Astram's sake, too, please...!

Midia:
Princess... I'm so sorry...

If Macellan dies

Macellan:
Ugh... Forgive me... Princess Nyna...

If Nyna dies

Nyna:
So... this is the end...

If Tomas dies

Tomas:
Princess Nyna... Sorry for... being useless...

If Dolph dies

Dolph:
Ugh... Forgive me... Princess Nyna...

Post-Battle

Soldier:
Princess Nyna is 'ere! We need reinforcements! Bring the entire battalion 'ere and surround 'em! Don't let 'er escape!

Midia:
No! This can't be... Even more reinforcements!

Nyna:
So... is this the end?

Soldier:
Listen well, Archanean scum! You cannot 'ope to win. Surrender or suffer the pain of death.

Nyna:
......

Scene changes

Camus:
Oh, it seems I've arrived just in time. Alright, that's quite enough. Both sides, lower your weapons.

Soldier:
You're... General Camus! Why are you 'ere...?

Camus:
I hear that the princess of Archanea is in this room. Is this true?

Soldier:
Yes sir! They are but few in number, yet, some knights are 'ere with 'em. They gave us some trouble, but the princess's capture was inevitable.

Camus:
I see. Good job. But you've done enough, you may leave the rest to me.

Soldier:
Yes sir!

Camus:
Listen well, Archaneans. I am Camus, captain of the Grustian knights. I respect your prowess in battle, but further bloodshed is of no value to you or I. May I request that you lower your weapons? I wish to speak with you. I have no weapons on my person. I swear upon the honor of Grust that I will not deceive you.

Scene changes to Nyna

Nyna:
Camus of Grust... The one they call Camus the Sable. He brought about the downfall of Archanea, and is responsible for the deaths of many...! Bishop... He is a hated enemy! I shall never forgive him!

Midia:
Princess, please leave it to me. I shall kill Camus. He killed my parents. Nothing would make me happier than to do battle with him, as my final stand.

Boah:
Wait, Midia, don't be hasty. Do you know what tragedy would befall the princess should you do that? Camus may be our enemy, but I hear he is a proud, exceptionally strong knight. He may even be able to protect the princess...

Nyna:
Bishop! I do not wish to be protected, especially by that man!

Midia:
Shh! Camus has come!

Scene fades out, then in

Midia:
Diiiie!

Camus:
Hah...!

Camus:
...A woman? It happened so sudden, I couldn't hold back. My apologies. However, I see Archanea's paladins are fond of dishonorable tactics. To think they would ambush an unarmed foe. Not only is the Archanean army thoroughly disappointing, but even the knights have no pride? No wonder your kingdom has fallen.

Midia:
Damn you! You're one to talk! I would not resort to such means if my opponent were anyone but you! Pride, you say...?　Surely you jest! Your country betrayed Archanea and degraded itself as Dolhr's slave! What are you!? The captain of Dolhr's dogs, that's what! ...Enough of this. Kill me! You don't need to hold back!

Camus:
I have no intention of killing you. More importantly, Princess Nyna...

Nyna:
If it has come to this, then...

Boah:
Princess, what are you doing!? Please stay your hand!

Nyna:
Bishop, don't stop me! Now that Midia has failed, I have no desire to live...

Camus:
You are Princess Nyna, I presume? Not only your knight, but you as well... are all Archaneans this irresponsible? In Grust, this kind of behavior is reserved for spoilt children only.

Nyna:
Insolent cur! On what grounds are you calling me irresponsible? And what do you mean by spoilt!?

Camus:
You are a member of royalty. Now that your king has passed away, you must shoulder responsibility of Archanea. Wishing to throw away your life without considering the consequences... Please spare me of this selfishness. ...Dying is easy. However, what would become of the people you would leave behind? Do you truly intend to throw away your responsibility as royalty?

Nyna:
How dare you try and lecture me! Y-you drove my father to his death...!

Camus:
Forgive me for what I am about to say... But your father was a failure of a king. He drowned in pleasure, neglected politics, and ultimately abandoned his people. Archanea's miserable defeat was his doing. The one who led your people to the abyss of despair was none other than King Archanea himself. It is the king's duty to protect his people. King Archanea may have been a good father to you, but he was an incompetent king to his people. My words may be harsh, but I only speak the truth.

Nyna:
...I feel pity for my people. I warned my father time and time again, but he never listened. However, Archanea has already fallen. What do you suggest I do at this point!?

Camus:
At the very least, Emperor Medeus currently does not wish to kill you, Princess. So, you must continue to live on, to your fullest, and bring hope to the citizens of Archanea... I hear your citizens love you. To them, you embody the hope of Archanea.

Nyna:
Ohh...!

Camus:
Princess, this unfortunate war is now over. I must now return to Grust, but, in a few months, I shall return as the commander of the occupation army. I am no politician, but watching this desolate land brings pain to my heart... I wish for the kingdom of Archanea to become the verdant land it once was, as soon as ideally possible. Princess Nyna, may I ask for your assistance? Would you deign to rebuild Archanea, together with your people?

Nyna:
...Very well. I shall give you the benefit of doubt. However, don't think my hatred towards you has disappeared.

Camus:
If you wish to take my life, you can have it anytime. If that's what it takes to satisfy you.

Nyna:
No. I shall endure for now, for my motherland, Archanea. However, one day, I shall lead the Archanean League's army and fight Dolhr. Should you stand in my way when that time comes, I shall display no mercy. Remember that.

Camus:
Understood. ...Princess. I thought your people adored you because of your beauty, but it seems there's more to it than that.

Nyna:
...You speak rather impolitely, but I'll accept your praise graciously.

Camus:
Hahaha, please excuse my rudeness. As but a soldier from the borderlands, I can only manage this rustic manner of speaking, so please forgive me.

Nyna:
No, it is fine. I, too, must become stronger.

Nyna:
Bishop, Midia, everyone, please heed me. I have made my choice. No matter how thorny that path might be, one day, assuredly, I shall take back our motherland Archanea from the empire. I know it'll be difficult for everyone, but for now, please endure. So that one day, we may reunite in this very palace!

Boah:
Princess...

Midia:
Hail Princess Nyna...!

Scene returns to the dimly lit room

And this was the story of how the greatest palace in the continent fell under the Empire's control. Would Nyna's promise ever be fulfilled? The answer to that question would only be known years later.