Humans reach out to the light, the flame of hope burning in their hearts.
But they're fated to only get so far.
They just don't know it.
Their ignorance guides this world toward destruction,
yet they don't realize it.
They're unaware of this tragic cycle that repeats itself
each time one of them is born into this world.
I almost pity them.
The Sword That Rends Darkness
How awful.
Our research on the artifact discovered in Maze Pass
revealed that it was engraved with a song that can rend evil asunder.
We're going to need your help, Songstress.
Then everything will be ready.
Ready?
Yeah.
We're preparing something incredible to take back the Imperial Capital.
Is that...
Is that an ark?
A dragon.
Hey!
Aram!
As you're aware, our situation grows more desperate by the minute.
No matter how many of the Black Army we defeat,
the fighting will not end unless we defeat the Black King.
The Black Element that engulfed the Imperial Castle after the last battle
has formed an even stronger barrier than before,
preventing us from getting anywhere near the Black King.
Therefore, we must first destroy the barrier
with the evil-rending song engraved on the artifact.
Magnificent!
With this, we can take down the barrier.
Are we going to have Musica sing at the barrier?
No, that wouldn't be effective.
The quickest way to take the barrier down...
...is to destroy it from the inside.
From the inside?
That's what the Ark is for.
A great legacy of the Ancients,
the "Ark" can teleport us anywhere instantly.
We'll have the Songstress board it, send her directly inside the barrier,
destroy it from the inside,
and open a path for the Suppression Army to strike.
Awesome.
Of course it is.
This Ark is the crowning achievement of my magic technology.
The once-in-a-lifetime magnum opus of the Sage of Might.
In order to put the Suppression Army within striking distance of the Imperial Capital,
we are currently marshaling our scattered forces at front-line outposts.
Also, we will have several people board the Ark along with Musica.
Including you, Phoena.
We'll need the power of the Chain Chronicle.
Yes.
Vorg and I, too.
Velnar, Yuni, Katya and Clauss will also be with us.
Rolo, Kiki, you'll be handling the ship.
That's reassuring.
And Aram...
You and the guardian dragon will also go along.
Got it.
Are we leaving right away?
No, not yet.
First, we need to restart the dormant Ark with this initializing magic.
But it's going to take a little longer to restart it completely.
We didn't have much time, after all.
It's mostly built using the junk that Melchior's been excavating.
You mean important relics.
This is all-out war.
Let's show the Black Army that the world isn't done for just yet.
Yeah!
The time has come.
This continent will fall.
Does your conviction waver?
Your former comrades are about to turn black, into ash.
How does that feel?
My mind is already made up.
I don't care if people turn to dust or ash.
If I can't protect them, I might as well crush them with my own hands.
Let's begin.
Okay.
There we go.
Sweet. The Hiramekimaru's squeaky clean.
Looks like you've gained some valuable experience.
I can see it in your sword.
I can see how you fought with this sword, how you thought,
and how you've lived your life.
You've made it into a good sword.
Aram.
Thank you.
What's that?
Aram delivered it to me.
We've lost many people we hold dear in this long war.
But we can't mourn forever.
Those of us who have survived must cast the light of hope upon the people again.
I don't know how long it'll take,
but we must start by defeating the Black King.
That's the first step.
We will prevail.
For the future of this land!
Juliana...
Velnar, you're back.
Yeah, I just returned.
You're getting on the Ark, too, aren't you?
We need to talk.
Come with me.
Say, Aram, could you kill Yuri if you had to?
If you can't, then stay off the Ark.
Well?
I'm going to bring Yuri back.
You're dreaming!
He's not Yuri anymore!
Velnar.
Remember what you told me before?
That once you look at the whole, you start to see things you couldn't otherwise?
Yeah.
Maybe I'm not seeing the big picture at all yet.
There's so much I don't know.
But I do know what I need to do.
All right. Give it your best shot, then.
Velnar!
I'll figure out the rest.
Velnar!
What?
Thanks.
Don't thank me until this is all over.
Phoena?
You're still awake?
I can't sleep.
Me, neither. I was thinking about some stuff.
You're nervous, huh?
Me?
I guess.
Maybe I am.
Even though he wouldn't show it, Yuri was always nervous before a big fight, too.
Oh?
So this is how Yuri always felt.
Hey, Phoena.
Do you love Yuri?
W-Well, I...
I washed up on Yggdra after my homeland was destroyed by the Black Army.
All I had left was this Chain Chronicle my father gave me.
I wandered aimlessly for a while,
but then Yuri took me in. He didn't ask any questions.
Ever since then, we traveled together, fought together,
laughed together when we had fun,
and cried together when we were sad.
Thanks to Yuri, I felt like I belonged here.
So...
So to me, Yuri is...
Same as me, then.
That's why I'm grateful that I met him.
I love the guy, too.
That's not what...
Did I get it wrong?
N-No, you didn't...
Phoena.
I'm going to bring Yuri back.
I'm going to smack that idiot around and make him come to his senses.
Sounds good.
I'll slap him around a bit with you.
What?!
Aram!
For my master.
Get away from Phoena!
Stay out of my way.
Run, Phoena!
Right!
You're not going anywhere.
Are you all right?
Aludra!
Get behind me.
Okay.
Why are you here?
I see no need to answer you.
Pay attention!
Let's go.
Crush them!
Damn it! Can't they see I'm busy?
Melchior, will we be able to launch?
Yeah, I'll have us good to go by sunrise.
We can't wait.
We're setting out immediately.
What?
Our surprise attack is a bust, now that they've seen us.
We're going to have to charge in.
I like it.
Can you do it?
Who do you think I am?
Are you serious?
Count me in.
Oh, jeez.
Guys, don't let them through here.
We've come under demon attack.
We're going to begin the operation early.
Please take the main force and head to the Imperial Capital immediately.
All forces, move out.
To the Imperial Capital!
How's the preparation coming?
Getting there.
All right.
In the meantime, we'll clear the deck of enemies.
Where's Musica?
Songstress!
Clauss, can you escort Musica?
I can't.
I have my hands full.
There're too many of them!
I told you to stay out of my way.
You're not getting past me!
Melchior, how much longer?
Almost done.
All right.
We're ready.
We're moving out as soon as Musica is on board.
Understood.
The Ark!
Hurry.
Prepare for teleportation.
Yeah.
The Black Element!
What?
We're losing power.
Can we supplement it?
Not possible.
There's no end to them.
My mana...
Aludra.
No, you don't!
Aram!
Use this!
What in the world is this mana?
With this power, though...
That Aludra sure is something.
It's turning blacker by the second.
Oh, no.
I'm not done yet.
I've got your back!
Prepare to depart.
But it's blackening.
Leave it to Aram.
Aram...
We're almost there!
Go!
Start already!
Launch!
The Chronicle!
You...
Perfect!
It's the Imperial Castle.
We did it, guys!
I'm counting on you, Furball!
Phoena!
The Chain Chronicle belongs to my master.
Phoena!
Live by the Sword, Die by the Sword
Fate is set in motion.