Scenario:Albert - A Legend Rises Again

A Legend Rises Again

Albert, Yurius, and Mina are bound and taken to the castle town where they are met by the treacherous Galia. Galia appropriates Albert's sword and whispers to him that all of his actions are simply political.

---

Albert, Yurius, and Mina are brought into the castle town like prisoners.

One man waits eagerly for their arrival.

Galia: Heh heh...

Albert: Lord Galia...

Galia: I see you're still kicking...

Galia: I bet even in your wildest dreams, you'd never have imagined to be here like this.

Albert: ...

Yurius: Humph...

Albert: You must be proud. Your enemies fell right into your trap.

Galia: Trap? Enough with the jokes...

Mina: Just stop pretending already. I know you're behind th—

Galia: Hold your tongue. It was you who attempted to pull the wool over our eyes, was it not?

Galia: You have let us all down.

Galia: We believed in you. We thought you were trying to rebuild Levin. But it was all a lie!

Albert: (What a ridiculous act... His smile betrays his words...)

Albert: (But Galia alone couldn't have arranged for all of this...)

Albert: (That means there are a number of powerful lords pulling the strings...)

Albert: (But... who would betray us like this?)

Albert is disappointed in the other lords. He believed that they had settled their differences amicably.

Albert: Lord Galia, will you give us an audience to explain ourselves?

Galia: I am not authorized to do any such thing. Try begging the new king.

Albert: ...

Galia looks upon the three with contempt and condescension.

Then he takes the stolen Skyblade and raises it into the air.

Galia: The late king believed in you, Thunderswift Lord. He bequeathed you with the Skyblade...

Galia: Yet, oh, how you have betrayed him!

Albert: ...

Galia: Take this to the royal treasury.

Galia's Trooper: Sir!

Albert watches in anger as his sword is taken away by Galia's troop.

Galia draws close to Albert and whispers into his ear.

Galia: Oh, Thunderswift Lord. I can only imagine how you must feel.

Galia: But... this is politics.

Albert: Bastard!

Galia: Bahahaha!

Galia: Take these sham heroes to the new king!

Galia's troops follow their orders and drag the enraged Albert away.

A Legend Rises Again: Scene 2

In front of Saint Lethan Castle, the people of Levin hunger for the truth behind the rumors surrounding Yurius and Albert. Without a proper trial, the two—along with Mina—are declared guilty and sentenced to death. Yurius loses control of the primal beast inside him and changes form.

---

Galia pompously leads the three toward the king's great hall.

But the group stops at the castle gates where they are met by citizens.

Gathered Citizens: ...

Boy: Everyone is saying you're a bad man, Captain Albert...

Boy: But that's not true, right? I don't believe it for a second! Everyone's lying!

Albert: ...

Man: Are the rumors true? Captain Albert... Master Yurius...

Man: If they are, you better be ready to pay!

Yurius: ...

Mina: ...

The citizens have gathered to find out whether the rumors are true.

Though many emotions cross, blind faith reigns.

The extremists thirst for blood, and their cries of outrage are louder than anything else.

Extremist 2: My king! Give them the guillotine!

Extremist 1: Ahaha! Kill the traitors!

Although words do not hurt them, the stones being thrown at them do.

Extremist 1: Traitors!

Mina: Agh!

Albert: Mina!

Albert: Agh... Mina, are you okay?

Mina: Yes... but, Captain... you're bleeding...

Albert: It's just a scratch. Forgive them.

Mina: I can't!

Albert: You must!

Albert is able to pacify Mina, who at that moment was making her way toward the extremists.

Albert: I thought once we explained everything, they'd find us innocent.

Yurius: That doesn't seem likely now.

Albert: No...

Yurius: I had prepared myself for the day they learned everything...

Yurius: But...

Albert and Yurius finally comprehend the danger they are in.

Just as they are about to enter the castle, the powerful Lord Mallow shows himself.

Mallow: ...

Galia: To what do we owe this honor, Lord Mallow?

Mallow: I bring news...

Albert: (Lord Mallow has always shown us favor... Maybe he can—)

Albert moves past Galia's troops and comes before Mallow.

Albert: Lord Mallow! I beg you, tell the new king we're innocent.

Mallow: Captain Albert... I'm very sorry, but there is nothing more I can do...

Mallow's eyebrows furrow together and sadness covers his countenance as he bows to Albert.

Mallow: The king has just delivered his sentence...

Albert: Sentence?

Gathered Citizens: ...

Galia: All of you! Silence!

Mallow waits for the public to calm themselves and then begins to speak.

Mallow: Albert, Yurius, Mina... You are accused of not only murdering the former king...

Mallow: But also conspiring against the crown to take the land for yourself.

Mallow: You have been declared guilty on both counts... And as traitors...

Mallow: You are sentenced... to death.

Extremist 1: Aye!

Albert: ...

Mina: How could...

Yurius: Tch! Not only a puppet king... but a fool as well...

Once the sentence has been given, Galia begins the second part of his act.

Galia: Oh my goodness... Who could have guessed that the new king would order your deaths...

Galia: But that decision... was correct. You never know when a traitor will try to stab you in the back again, do you?

Yurius: There will be neither discussion nor trial. We are simply given death...

Yurius: Is this what the kingdom of Levin has become?

Mallow: I sympathize with your anger, but this is what the new king has decided...

Mallow: I am terribly sorry that I could not do more.

Yurius: ...

Albert: Lord Mallow! Please! Grant us an audience with the new king!

Albert: This all began because the old king tried to murder Yurius! How is it fair, to decree death without—

Extremist 1: Kill them!

Extremist 2: Kill these traitors!

Albert's pleas are drowned out by the murderous voices in the crowd.

Galia: Heh heh...

Albert: (So Galia manipulated the new king...)

Albert: (All of this was planned. No matter what I do, nothing will change.)

Albert: (So this... is politics...)

Albert: (We're dispensable... Just pawns...)

Albert: (The other lords prioritized colluding against us instead of restoring the kingdom...)

Albert: The corruption...

Albert's blood boils as he contemplates the selfishness of the actions of the other lords.

Albert: We don't care about power!

Albert: We just want Levin to prosper again! That's all!

Albert: So please! Don't hurt us!

Yurius: ...

Yurius: Haha... Hahaha...

Yurius: Bahahaha!

Albert: Yurius...

Yurius: You are absolutely correct! No matter the reason, I am a kingslayer!

Yurius: If you wish for my head, come for it.

Yurius: But to punish those who only want what is best for this kingdom?

Yurius: What fools the masses truly are!

Yurius: Yes, you!

Galia: ...

Yurius: And you!

Mallow: ...

Yurius: And you!

Gathered Citizens: ...!

Yurius: You would kill those who devote their lives to your prosperity and instead worship at the altar of those who would enslave you.

Yurius: You turn off your minds, dance for your puppet masters, and you call that justice!

Yurius: This kingdom...

Albert: Yurius, stop!

Yurius: Should burn!

Yurius strikes back.

He breaks the shackles on his arms, sending Galia's troops flying back and onto the ground.

Galia's Captain: Agh!

Yurius: Hahaha!

Albert: Yurius...

Mina: Yurius...

Boy: Ahhh!

Man: Monster!

Yurius transforms and sends the crowd into a frenzy.

A Legend Rises Again: Scene 3

Albert wishes for the only thing that can stop Yurius—his sword. And from the clouds above comes a crashing light and with it the weapon Albert needs to subdue Yurius.

---

Some run. Others are paralyzed with fear. Some stand by and watch with awe.

Yurius's transformation ultimately spreads panic.

Yurius: Run if you like—there is no need to stay in a kingdom that will be brought to ruin!

Albert: ...

Yurius: Friend, why the face? Let us annihilate this kingdom and start anew.

Albert: This is our home! You can't just destroy it!

Albert: Yurius... Help me fix this place... That is what we were born for, right?

Albert: Right?

Yurius: Hahaha!

Yurius: After all that's transpired, you still hold onto to your silly ideals... A loyalty only a hero could have!

Albert: I am a knight of Levin! My loyalty is everything!

Yurius: Humph. Then...

Yurius: We have nothing more to discuss, Thunderswift Lord.

Yurius: Haa!

Albert: ...!

Yurius blows past Albert and sets his sights on the lords.

Yurius: Die!

Galia: Ahh!

Mallow: ...!

Albert: Ack!

Albert rushes to the aid of the lords and intercepts Yurius's attack.

Yurius: Protecting your enemies now...

Galia: This won't help you, Albert!

Galia: You've already been given a death sentence!

Albert: What does that matter!

Albert: I am the captain of the Sky Knights! I don't need any other reason to protect citizens of Levin!

Galia: ...

Mina: Lord Galia, Lord Mallow, please leave!

Mallow: Thank you, Albert.

Mallow: Lord Galia, we must not get in their way!

Galia: All right...

Albert and Mina hold off Yurius as Galia and Mallow flee the scene.

The crowd left watching is confused by Albert's actions.

Extremist 1: But... what about the rumors? He's supposed to be a traitor... What am I supposed to believe now?

Extremist 2: Does this mean that the Thunderswift Lord really is our hero?

Boy: I told you so! Captain Albert isn't a bad guy!

Extremist 1: ...

The citizens of Levin begin to change their view of Albert in that moment.

Just then, Mona and Mena make their way through the hysteria.

Mena: Come on! Move!

Mona: Captain Albert! Mina! You can't really protect anyone with those restraints on you, can you?

Mona: Haa!

Mona frees the two, allowing them to fight back properly.

Albert: Mona, Mena... Thank you.

Mona: Captain... Is Yurius possessed by the primal beast again?

Albert: Yes...

Albert: Mina, Mona, Mena... I need you all to get our people somewhere safe.

Mina: But...

Albert: Don't worry about me...

Mina: Let's go!

Mona: Right!

Mena: Okay!

The three go separate ways to lead the citizens out of danger.

Yurius: You would stop me?

Albert: Yes...

Yurius: Then this is goodbye...

Yurius: Gaaah!

Tentacles: ...!

Yurius: Haaa!

Tentacles begin sprouting from his body, grabbing things around him and destroying them.

Albert: Yurius...

Lyria: I don't know if it'll work right away, but I'll see if I can absorb the primal beast inside Yurius!

Albert: (This time I don't have (Captain) and Lyria to depend on...)

Yurius: Bahahaha!

Albert: (If I don't stop him there will be countless casualties... But how can I?)

Albert loses himself in thought. How will he protect everyone in Levin?

Then it hits him. Yurius has already given him an answer to that question.

Yurius: Should my measures fail me and the primal beast once again begins its rampage...

Yurius: I will need you, Thunderswift Lord... And your Skyblade.

Yurius: The Skyblade and the Astral Void Lacrima share the same power...

Yurius: There may even be hidden secrets in both that we have yet to awaken.

Albert: (Old friend... The only way to stop you is with the Skyblade...)

Albert: (I have to go get it from the royal treasury...)

Albert decides what he needs to do. But his plan requires time which the rampaging Yurius will not give him.

Tentacles: ...

Albert: Damn! One thing after another...

The vicious attacks, which Albert can only defend against, begin to take their toll on him.

Albert: Huff... Huff...

Albert: (If only I had the Skyblade...)

Albert's wish is heard.

A flash of lightning rips through the dark clouds above.

The sound of thunder follows the blinding light.

Once the light fades back into the dark, Albert takes a deep breath.

Albert: ...!

Like the sword of legend, the Skyblade has pierced the land and awaits its master.

Gathered Citizens: ...

Yurius: ...

Albert: (Could it be...)

Albert steps up to the blade and claims it with great force.

And from it comes a surge of lightning.

Albert: Humph...

The people of Levin look on at the events transpiring before their eyes and are reminded of the Legends of the Skyblade.

Extremist 1: Didn't the story go... that the Skyblade would come down from above and be used to beat the Celestial Eye?

Extremist 2: The legend is happening again right in front of us...

Extremist 2: Captain Albert really is our hero!

The tune of the masses quickly changes and now they claim that the man who summoned the Skyblade, Albert, is their champion knight.

Mina is relieved to hear the people have finally come to their senses.

Mina: ...

Mona: What good news.

Mena: Sure is! Now we just need to worry about Yurius!

Mina: All right, you two! Let's clear this area so our captain can fight without worry!

Albert smiles thinly and readies his blade to strike Yurius.

Albert: This time... I'll remove the last traces of that beast residing in you, Yurius!

Yurius: Hahaha! Show me your power!

Albert: Hyaaah!

Albert grasps the Skyblade firmly and begins his onslaught.

A Legend Rises Again: Scene 4

Yurius flees, and Albert is pardoned for his crimes against the crown. After the dust has settled, Albert begins to suspect that the primal beast inside Yurius did not take control, but that it was all Yurius's ruse to protect his friend. To learn the truth, Albert vows to find him one day.

---

Albert: Yaargh!

Yurius: Agh!

Albert: Huff...

Albert strikes with all his might, and Yurius collapses.

Slowly, Yurius begins to revert to his former self.

Albert: Yurius?

Yurius: Ghh...

Albert draws near his writhing friend.

Yurius: Stay back!

Albert: But...

Yurius: Agggh!

Albert: ...

Yurius: ...

Yurius lets out a cry that could part the skies and immediately begins to transform once more.

Yurius: Goodbye, hero of Levin.

Yurius throws a piercing stare at Albert, and then uses the last of his energy to flee the scene.

Albert: Yurius... Why...

Albert: We were supposed to rebuild Levin together...

Albert's whispers are taken by the wind and vanish into the void.

Just like his companion.

And so, Albert is pardoned by the crown for his heroic action against Yurius.

Some days have passed since Yurius's disappearance.

Albert is hard at work trying to rebuild the kingdom of Levin.

Albert: (Yurius... After you lost control...)

Albert: (The new king and the lords declared me a hero and even decorated me...)

Albert: (Humph... What nonsense. I'm no hero.)

Albert: (All we wanted was what is best for Levin. We just wanted to rebuild it...)

Albert reminisces over the man who left him behind.

Yurius: Die!

Galia: Ahh!

Mallow: ...!

Albert: Ack!

Albert rushes to the aid of the lords and intercepts Yurius's attack.

Yurius: Protecting your enemies now...

Albert: That's right...

Albert: When I protected the lords, Yurius was smiling just a little...

Albert: But why?

Albert: (Did Yurius... predict what I would do?)

Albert: (And... was it my imagination or was his rampage a bit too controlled?)

Albert's mind begins to fill with doubts.

Albert: (Did the primal beast even take control of Yurius?)

Albert: (If that power truly had taken him prisoner, there should have been more chaos.)

Albert: What if...

Yurius: Hm... Whatever I do, I do for the good of the kingdom.

Yurius: No matter what happens, that is what I've decided.

Albert: (What if he were trying to redirect...)

Albert: (All the hatred of the people to himself?)

Yurius: Goodbye, hero of Levin.

Albert: So... that was his plan all along... He wanted to make me a true hero of Levin.

Albert: Then... I...

Albert holds his head in defeat.

In a room with no one else in it, Albert lets out a small cry.

Some time passes, and Mina enters the room.

Albert doesn't notice her and continues to stare blankly into the air.

Mina: Captain, are you okay?

Albert: Y-yes... I'm fine, Mina.

Mina: You don't have to pretend with me...

Albert: Who's pretending? I was just taking a break.

Mina: Are you really... okay with not going to look for Yurius?

Albert: I can't say I am...

Albert: But for now...

A strong will and a great smile meet Mina's concerned look.

Albert: I have a promise to keep to a friend.

Albert: Things are going to get busy around here!

After his earnest words, Albert looks out the window at the grand blue sky.

He knows that someday, somewhere, he will meet Yurius once again.