CHAPTER II: CARDINAL DRACLAU AND THE HOLY STONE

[Ramza's company approaches the gates of Lionel.]

LIONEL CASTLE KNIGHT (Male): Who are you? What do you want?

AGRIAS: I'm Agrias Oaks of the Lesalia St. Konoe Knights. I came from Orbonne to save the son of God, St. Ajora. Open the gate!

KNIGHT: Saving St. Ajora is the will of the high priest. The gate will open for he who would save the high priest. Open the gate!

[A knight opens the gate to the castle.]



[Inside the castle, the party meets with Draclau.]

DRACLAU: I understand your situation, Agrias. Moreover, I'll send a man to the High Priest in Murond. We'll do something to expose Larg's scheme, and keep the Princess from danger.

AGRIAS: Will High Priest Funeral help us?

DRACLAU: Don't worry, Agrias. I'm with you. You must be strong to make the Princess feel at ease. Make yourselves comfortable in this old castle until word comes from the holy land.

OVELIA: Thank you for your kindness.

DRACLAU: St. Ajora is with us. There's no need to worry. Young mechanic. I heard your wish too. I'll send troops to Goug, to destroy Bart Company.

[Mustadio bows.]

MUSTADIO: Thank you.

DRACLAU: But, would you explain why they're after you two?

[Ramza turns to look at Mustadio.]

MUSTADIO: I...can't...

[Mustadio's head drops.]

DRACLAU: That's all right... Is this it?

[Draclau sets a red stone on the table before him. It glints in the light.]

AGRIAS: What is that crystal?

DRACLAU: Have you ever heard of the 'Zodiac Brave Story'?

AGRIAS: You mean that fairy tale, we used to hear in church?

DRACLAU: Here now! Are you saying the church lied?

AGRIAS: N-no, I didn't mean that...

OVELIA: Long ago, when the land was much different, 12 brave warriors fought against the Evil Lucavi who ruled the land. After a desperate battle, they sent Lucavi to Hades, and the land was peaceful. They each had crystals with zodiac signs on them, they were called "Zodiac Braves". Ever since then, whenever humans are attacked, the Braves come to save us.

DRACLAU: You're quite learned, Princess. Just as I expected.

OVELIA: Mr. Simon taught me at the Orbonne Monastery. He also said St. Ajora and the Braves saved Ivalice from chaos.

DRACLAU: We call the crystals, 'Holy Stones'. This very stone, is the legendary secret stone, the "Zodiac Stone".

[The red stone glints again.]

OVELIA: I didn't think it really existed.

DRACLAU: They say its 'Divine Power' surpasses Lucavi's. I feel strange power, but it looks just like an ordinary crystal to me.

[Ramza turns to Mustadio.]

RAMZA: What's wrong, Mustadio? You look pale.

[Agrias turns to look towards Mustadio as well.]

DRACLAU: You saw the same stone underground [sic] Goug?

[Ovelia also turns.]

MUSTADIO: Many broken machine parts are buried there. But if the stone gets near the machines, they start to howl.

DRACLAU: Bart Company's after the stone, right?

[Mustadio looks up.]

MUSTADIO: I don't know what power the stone has... But Rudvich wants to use its power to make weapons. My father told me never to give the stones to him. So they abducted him.

[He looks once more to the ground.]

DRACLAU: Don't worry, Mustadio. The church will see to his safety. While our men fight, we'll get the stone back.

[He lifts his head to look at him again.]

MUSTADIO: Y, yes, sir.

[All the others turn to Mustadio.]

RAMZA: I'll go to Goug with you.

MUSTADIO: Thank you, Ramza.

[Agrias steps forward.]

AGRIAS: We made it this far thanks to you, Ramza.

OVELIA: I wish I could've been more help. Please be careful.

RAMZA: That's very thoughtful. Don't worry. We'll be fine.