Chapter 44: Ogres' Last Stand: Song of the Sacred Sword

Okay, Baron, you know what to do now.

Fine, fine, I know. Raise the gate... The gate to the Dominion Spire. I just pray it doesn't become your grave.

It's open!

And with that, I take my leave of this place.

Farewell! Just try not to get eaten in along the way!

Hey! Baron, wait!

Let him be, Aldo. We should concern ourselves with the wellbeing of Thunder King and the others. If that Baron's tale was indeed true.

You're right Let's get moving! We're getting closer to Zennon, keep your guard up everyone!

We're coming for you, Altena!

......

So, humans, you came!

We've finally cornered you Zennon. Now it's time to end this!

Well, I commend you for making it this far.

Zennon, this day will be the ogre clan's last. Steel yourself for death!

Insolent fools! Do not make me laugh. This place will be your grave! Come, Thunder King! Let us at last decide which will be triumphant--ogres, or humans!

Exactly why I slew so many of your ogres to get here! I will show you no mercy!

He does not fight alone, Zennon!

It matters little to me! Taste the power of the Elemental Greatsword!

Graaaaaah!

Zennon, you---

Ngh!

Such a sad sight to behold. Was that the last of your strength? Muahahaha! The holy blade of Palsifal is nothing more than spent steel now!

How dare...

Silence! You walking corpse! Graaah!

Nrgh!

Thunder King!

Zennon, you despicable-- How dare you mock the valiant struggle of we humans! Take this!

Ugh!

Grh!

This light?

The two regal swords weep for their soon-to-perish masters. It would appear the hour to finally end this has arrived. Our mere presence in this era has signaled the rewriting of history. Now, in this moment, I feel the change of winds in my bones as the ogre clan lives on, triumphant!

Hmhmhmhm... Muahahahaha! It is time to weave a new dream upon this planet!

I would not be so sure.

You!

Aldo, you made it!

A sight for sore eyes!

Hope we aren't too late!

The knights of Miglance, while a little late, are also here and at your service!

Leave this to us! You two, get back to safety!

My thanks. Do not let your guard down!

Zennon! We're here to put a stop to this. We won't let you change history!

Listen to the Gyre Melody, an orchestration of we three blades in resonant harmony!

Wretched ogre, I will tear that elemental sword from your cold claw and get Altena back!

Hang in there Altena! We're coming to save you!

In the black sky--stars. Upon the green earth--flowers. Caressing my blade--dew drops of mercy!

There's no place in this time for you! Looks like I'm gonna have to teach you that with my fists!

It is imperative that the distortion in spacetime is dispersed!

Let's end this sooner than later. We don't have all day, you know!

So, it finally begins! Who will the day favor, I wonder. Lord Zennon, or Ogre Rancorem? Whichever way fate swings, this fortress seems destined to return to its original time...

Rancorem! If it is indeed true, that you are the remnants of ogrekind, why do you so insist on battling us?!

Do you not hear it, Zennon? The holy blade's song, it calls to me. It tells me to guide the ogre clan to their fate! Leave not one alive; complete and utter annihilation!

Gree! You have your reasons as much as I have mine. Very well, humans, Rancorem, show me your mettle! Let me show you just how utterly powerless you all are! I will cherish your wails as you are destoyed!

Grah! Despicable blade! How long must you insist on resisting the inevitable!

Fool! My existence relies on the complete destruction of the ogre clan! Do you not remember my words? "No life be sacred to this blade in search of subsistence." "Be that even the blood of mine own kin, it matters not!" Accept your inevitable fate, and die knowing your death is in a righteous cause!

Greeeh! Baseless arrogance!

Since you must be so persistent, I have no choice!

Wh-What?!

What is it?!

Zennon Ogre?!

Think yourselves fortuitous, for few have witnessed the glory of my true power! Now spend the rest of eternity in the scolding flames of remorse!

Okay, everyone, get ready! We can take down Zennon together! Let's end this fight once and for all!

Zennon, you are defeated! Yield now! The Thunder Lion Soldiers and Miglance's knights will have all but wiped out your army by now!

Insolent cretins! Graaaghhh! Not yet... I am not yet defeated! The mighty ogre clan will never fall to the likes of pathetic humans!

Whoa!

Aaaaaahh!

Ngh!

Urgh!

Thunder King! I will see your lifeblood spilled, even if I must shed my own! Witness the full might of the Elemental Greatsword! Graaaaaahhh!

I don't think so!

Ngh! Can you hear me, Altena?! Just you wait, I'll save you! Just one last push!

Stop your pathetic struggles! Is this truly the behavior of the king of ogres?! Accept defeat graciously and relinquish your sword!

Geh! More impudence! Sing while you still can, Rancorem!

Hmph! How can you even expect to resist me with such feeble, insignificant bodies?! Against the Elemental Greatsword-- bequeathed of this star's own power!

Urgh!

Zennooon!

Greee?! Thunder King, what now?!

It is as you say; the power in my body is all but depleted. Almost... But not completely!

I still have enough strength left to destroy you, once and for all! You have taken much from me; things that I held dear. My people, my friends, my son! However, no longer shall you take that which is not yours!

Aldo, Guildna. You have my eternal gratitude. Thanks to your labors, it seems I may finally fulfill my duty.

Zennon, behold! Proof of that I live still!

Nrgraaargh!

Y-You insolent... Thunder King! Wrenched human filth! No! Nooo! Naaoooo! Gather! Come hither brethren, relinquish to me the pain, agony, and hatred you suffer here!

Wh-Whoa! What's that black cloud?! Is that...the spirits of the dead ogres?! They're being sucked into the sword!

Never! I won't allow it! In exchange for our subsistence no life is sacred! Shred and rip--all shall perish! Do not think us done! We ogres are eternal. We will thrive on the back of retribution until all life is spent!

No good will come of this... Ngh! The Thunder King's sword?!

Ogre Rancorem? Another one?!

Curses! I did not actually believe Lord Zennon would fall to the humans... How can it be?! That thing... That thing has not just Lord Zennon's, but all of ogrekind's animosity and hatred sealed within it!

The end of Lord Zennon's reign... I cannot linger here any longer. Time to take my leave.

The holy blade of Palsifal... Now the cursed blade, Ogre Rancorem.

Exactly as the people of this time have long held.

And yet, the holy blade that I bear has not changed in the slightest... If the ancient holy blade becomes the cursed blade, then wouldn't the same blade that I hold also change? Is the sword that I hold in my hand, that has passed through my family for generations, not Palsifal's?

King Miglance, that blade you hold is none other than Palsifal's holy blade, make no mistake. However, while it is the genuine holy blade of Palsifal, it is not the one that you have held up until this day.

I... I do not follow. What do you mean?

Do you still remain unaware? Held in your hand now is the holy blade brought to this present by the Thunder King.

What?! How it that possible?

The holy blade driven through Zennon's chest is the very same sword that Miglance will one day come to possess.

You mean to say that King Miglance and the Thunder King's swords had been switched?

It all makes sense! Even if the holy blade of this era were to become cursed, it would have no effect on the one from 3000 years ago.

But when would they've got switched around?

......

There are still so many questions. Yet, Rancorem passing through to this present is still a truth. Thusly, I should bring this blade back with me, to my own time. Together with my blade, the sword which will pass down eventually into King Miglance's hands.

And with that, history remains unchanged. What was one blade, can now exist without conflict as both holy and cursed.

Indeed. That cursed sword may lie dormant now, but will inevitably awaken as Ogre Rancorem. And over the span of many millennia, will once again reach the village of Baruoki.

......

Thunder King, I believe this is yours to...

What's happening to the fortress?!

Registering a dissipation in the resonance between Zennon Ogre, and the holy and cursed blade! The fracture in spacetime is starting to close at an increasing rate.

This fortress is returning to its original time. I think we should leave sooner than later, non?

Agreed, let us leave! Gather the injured and help get everybody out of this place! They all have somebody waiting for them back home, we cannot leave even one soul here!

Understood!

What are you waiting for? Move, now!

Okaaay. C'mon everybody, time to go home!

Check the condition of our troops! Save any injured and bring them to safety.

Right away!

Aldo! We've gotta get out of here too!

I am in debt to you all. Be wary on your way, it is still dangerous!

Okay, Your Majesty, I've got to go now!

Be careful on your way back!

This is farewell from me!

Altena...

Let us go home, Altena. I'll get you back to normal soon enough.

King Miglance, Aldo... I am eternally grateful for your actions.

Thunder King, remain vigilant until the last, and be sure to take care of yourself. I pray that you may find a way to unbind yourself from that dastardly curse upon you.

And yourself; stay tenacious and just. Farewell, King of Miglance.

Thunder King...

Aldo, it has been my utmost honor meeting you and your band in this era, so far from my own. Now go, Aldo... Farewell, I wish you a long and prosperous life.

Alfaldo, at long last, it is done. Zennon has been vanquished, with that my final duty as king is concluded.

Now sing! Let me hear your song, holy blade of Palsifal. Stars above, hark! The song of our prayer!

Looks like Ogres Spike is going back to its own time, 3000 years ago... The Thunder King and all his troops are going too...

Now to break apart the Elementals Arms and return them to their separate forms.

Hear my voice, Altena. Come back to us!

Altena!

Altena?

There is no need for concern, she is merely unconscious.

Phew!

Then let us hasten back to the capital. We will leave as soon as the wounded have been tended to. Aldo, might I suggest you and your group rest up for the time being, as well.

It has been another long adventure... Okay, let's head back to Unigan. Together with everyone who fought!

I'm just so glad you're as lively as ever you were. Really, Altena, it is so great to have you back!

Thanks, Feinne! Thank you, all of you. I'd still be trapped if it wasn't for you all. Although, I don't really remember anything from when I was surrounded in light up until when you guys rescued me.

Well everything's back to normal now. That's good enough for me.

Yet, there is one thing I have still not fully understood about this whole episode. At just what point was it that Thunder King and King Miglance's blades were swapped over?

Yeah, now you mention it...

Altena! So, this is where you were?! I am so glad you got back safely! Just knowing you are safe again... Oh! Do forgive me! I am just getting quite emotional.

Oh, Vares, you're here too, are you? Actually, I was kinda thinking, who was it that suggested sharpening the holy blades?

Ah yes, that mysterious elderly gentleman that you met previously. He came to me with the idea. He did not seem a bad sort. After all, he returned the swords, and in pristine condition.

Now you mention it, he gave back the swords directly to the kings himself as well. You don't think he swapped them, do you?! But why would he...?

Does it really matter? Everything has been restored to normal, there is no use worrying over the details now. We should all take a page from Master Guildna's book and just keep everything in our stride.

It hasn't bothered me in the slightest who exchanged what and where. What I am more concerned with is you, Rancorem.

......

You said the sword of the king would become cursed, did you not? However, at that time, you did not specify which sword exactly. It wouldn't be that you were wise to the whole matter from the start, would it?

Is that right?!

And if that were to be true?

Hmph... It's just a hunch, but I reckon I've grasped your intentions... If the holy blades weren't swapped, the holy blade of Thunder King becoming cursed in this time, would mean that the holy blade held by Miglance now would cease to exist. If you did not speak out about this, history would have been rewritten right before our eyes. That was your scheme, was it not? All you had to do was feign ignorance.

Hmm... Curse that devious old meddler! If that wretch had not tampered with the course of what was supposed to be, I would have awoken to a world free of that holy blade!

Well I... That's quite a chilling tale.

So the Gallery Master switched the swords to stop that from happening? Even if he did, how could he have known that history would change if he didn't? My head's going to start hurting if I think anymore about this.

I can't help wondering, who that grandpa was...

That's insignificant right now. Vares, you cur, you had just as much a hand in this! I will have my vengeance!

That is, uncalled for... I was just doing as I was told.

I wouldn't concern yourself, Vares. As the blade said itself, it will gladly end all life in order to continue its existence. A small grudge against you will not make much difference in the grand scheme of things.

Let's hope so. I just get the feeling that he is the reason that I keep getting involved in ever weirder fights...

Hmph... Perhaps, it is time that I slept for a while... But know this, that slumber will not be for long. She will return soon. And, if I am to destroy the Goddess of Time, Aldo, you are necessary in my machinations...

Goddess of Time? What are you talking about now?

You will understand soon enough. Once the time is upon us...

......

King Miglance, is something bothering you?

Hmm? Oh no, nothing to fret about, Aldo. I was just pondering something is all...

Is it about the Thunder King by any chance? I really hope he finds a way to get rid of that curse too... Am I right?

Yeah, knowing him, the Thunder King will still be going strong! Oh, and, Your Majesty, about losing your sword, the holy blade...

Ah yes, my sword, what about it?

This sword, Ogre Rancorem... Would you, err, mind if I held on to it for a bit?

Mind? Aldo, that sword has been, and always will be, yours. It has chosen you as its master. There is nothing I can say or do to change that fact.

I guess you're right, but knowing that this is a royal Miglance heirloom, I really don't think I...

Hah! You need not worry yourself with such things. But, of course, if it is of such great concern to you, I can officially grant it to you. Would that put you at ease?

Yes, thanks, Your Majesty. In that case, I gladly accept your offer. I'll look after this sword until the curse is lifted and Rancorem is changed back to the holy blade!

Excellent. Then I shall leave the holy blade, heirloom to the Miglance family, in your capable hands, Aldo.

Along with this magnificent tree, I will hold my soul for a while longer, to bear over the ebbing of time. There is one, in the far distant future, that I wish to look over before we are unified once more.

You will forgive me for this delay, will you not? Feiona... Alfaldo... Besides, what are mere millennia to those for whom eternity beckons?

Wakey wakey, big bro! Aldo... Wake up, Aldo!

Ngh... Wha...

C'mon, Aldo, it's morning! Get up already!

*yawn* I guess you're right. Mornin', Feinne.

Don't you "mornin'" me. The sun has already passed its lateral alignment with the Pekari trees!

Wha?! Riica?! Where's Feinne?

I synthesized recordings of Miss Feinne's voice from my data banks. I thought this would allow you to rise from your sleep cycle in the most pleasant, and optimal way possible.

Huh? Sympathized voicey what now? But, right, thanks for thinking of me...

Analysis tells me that, there is no time like the Present. So let us seize the day!

I also advise caution if you foresee possible napping. I have no snooze functions currently installed.

Eh? A what-function? Well, whatever, guess it's time to start a new day, and another adventure!