Scenario:Reinhardtzar - Battle of Wills
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Battle of Wills
Abel repeatedly attempts to convince Reinhardtzar to abandon his Rekki training for his own safety, but Reinhardtzar continues because he wants to be needed, and the army needs his power. Over time, the two men open up to each other. When Abel realizes Reinhardtzar cannot be swayed, Abel instead invites Reinhardtzar to join his unit, since the young soldier has grown on him.
As a young recruit in the Torhid Kingdom's army, Reinhardtzar was put through grueling training in order to unlock his potential as a Rekki user.
His training was supposed to be conducted in solitude, but along the way, he acquired a frequent, clandestine visitor.
Reinhardtzar: Back again, huh? Do you understand how military regulations work?
Abel: Of course I do. That's why I only come when your instructors are looking the other way.
Abel: You're looking pretty ragged. Are you ready to call it quits yet?
Reinhardtzar: Pfft. Keep dreaming.
Reinhardtzar: By the way, the two of them came clean about what Rekki is recently. Of course, I told them I'd keep training.
Abel: For crying out loud... I don't know what they're playing at, but you need to come to your senses.
Knowing the dangers inherent in the use of Rekki, Abel has been trying to convince Reinhardtzar to desert the army and save himself.
Reinhardtzar: I had a day off yesterday, so I went down the mountain into town. I saw you at a restaurant.
Abel: A restaurant? Oh, that's right. I did go out to eat yesterday. I didn't notice you. Why didn't you say hello?
Reinhardtzar: It looked like you were on a date. I didn't want to intrude, so I left before they seated me.
Abel: Haha! How thoughtful of you!
Abel: I feel bad making you go to a different restaurant though. How about I treat you to a meal to make up for it?
Abel: I bet you were there because of all the buzz about their steak dinner, huh? You'll love it, it's—
Reinhardtzar: Uh, no... I wasn't. I was there for the cake.
Abel: Cake?
Reinhardtzar: Yeah, their cakes are pretty decent too. I bet you'd like them.
Abel: Oh... Yeah, sure. So you've got a sweet tooth, huh? More of a milkshake guy than a beer guy then?
Reinhardtzar: Beer's fine... Might take a swig every so often.
Abel: Got it. Well, I'm sorry you didn't get your cake yesterday. Next day you have off, let me buy you a slice.
Reinhardtzar: No need. It's not like you chased me off.
Abel: Don't be like that. I can't picture you eating cake—I wanna see it for myself now.
Reinhardtzar: Tch... You've got weird taste.
Since there is no sign of the instructors returning, the two continue their chat.
Reinhardtzar: That woman you were with... I couldn't tell for sure, since she was sitting down, but she looked unusually tall.
Abel: Ahhh... She really wouldn't like that if she heard you.
Abel: She's my fiancee. We've been busy lately planning the wedding.
Reinhardtzar: Oh yeah? Congratulations.
Reinhardtzar: Seems like a bad time for you to be risking court-martial.
Abel: That has nothing to do with this. Both things are important to me, and I'm not going to give up on either one.
Abel: Although it'd really save me some trouble if you gave up on awakening your Rekki.
Abel: Still sticking to your guns?
Reinhardtzar: You bet I am. I'm going to bring this beast to heel.
Abel: Geez... Just what I needed—another little brother who doesn't know what's good for him.
Abel: The one I have is a talented kid, but he really takes some looking after. I don't know where he gets it from...
To Reinhardtzar, who grew up with no family at all, Abel's talk of fiancees, brothers, and wedding plans might as well be a fairy tale.
And yet, this mundane, peaceful addition to his daily life is somehow soothing.
Abel: Hey, Reinhardtzar... When you're done with this training, will you join my unit?
Reinhardtzar: What?
Abel: If it were up to me, I'd rather you quit the training right now, but I can tell you have no intention of doing so.
Abel: So be it. At least if you're by my side, I can look out for you.
Abel: Besides, Rekki or no Rekki, you've grown on me.
Reinhardtzar mulls it over for a long moment.
Reinhardtzar: I'll think about it.
Abel: All right. I'll get out of your hair then. Your torturers are probably due back any minute now.
Abel: Don't get yourself killed, Reinhardtzar.
Reinhardtzar watches in silence as Abel makes his way down the mountain, until he disappears from view between the trees.
Battle of Wills: Scene 2
Having discovered Reinhardtzar's friendship with Abel, his instructors use it to destabilize him mentally, causing his slumbering Rekki to go berserk. Abel appears on the scene and attempts to help. To quell his own rampage before he can hurt Abel, Reinhardtzar gouges out his left eye. Abel punches one of the instructors and ends up taking the punishment which would otherwise have fallen on Reinhardtzar for assaulting the second instructor during his Rekki rampage.
For the last three days and three nights, Reinhardtzar has trained without sleep or even a moment's rest, until he is bloody and bruised from head to foot.
Despite the abuse to which his body has been subjected, the light in his eyes never wavers.
Reinhardtzar: All right... What's next? Gimme my... orders, Major.
Major Payne: Not a word of complaint from this guy... I've never seen anyone this tenacious.
Captain Dufresne: Tch... He's dedicated, I'll grant you that. But he needs to learn some damn respect for his superiors.
Captain Dufresne: Is all this special attention going to his head?
Major Payne: Well, cut him some slack. If he masters Rekki, we'll have a genuine super soldier on our side.
Captain Dufresne: I don't know about that. He's hardy enough physically, but what about his psyche?
Reinhardtzar: Hey, what's the holdup? What are you chattering about over there?
Captain Dufresne: Shut it! At ease, recruit!
As the two instructors mutter to each other, Reinhardtzar allows his exhausted mind to wander.
Reinhardtzar: (Got a day off tomorrow for the first time in a while... Made plans to meet up with Abel.)
Reinhardtzar: (I really don't get that guy. First he wants me to quit training, then he wants me to join his unit...)
Reinhardtzar: (Still, I don't hate the idea.)
Reinhardtzar: (When I see him tomorrow, I'll—)
Captain Dufresne: Hey! Are you listening?
Reinhardtzar: Eh?
Captain Dufresne: I asked you about Lieutenant Abel! He's been coming here to see you, hasn't he?
Reinhardtzar: You know about that, huh?
Captain Dufresne: Pfft. It was never a secret. He's your third instructor.
Reinhardtzar: What?
Major Payne: Didn't sniff that out, huh? Zero points for perspicacity, Reinhardtzar.
Captain Dufresne: What, did you think he was really your friend?
Captain Dufresne: He was here on orders. To make sure you had the commitment to see this training through.
Major Payne: If it looked like you were wavering, he was supposed to buck you up and encourage you, but it looks like that wasn't necessary.
Reinhardtzar: I don't... believe this...
Abel: Okay, I want you to listen closely. You need to get out of here immediately. If you don't, it may cost you your life.
Abel: You're looking pretty ragged. Are you ready to call it quits yet?
Abel: Still sticking to your guns?
Abel: If it were up to me, I'd rather you quit the training right now, but I can tell you have no intention of doing so.
Reinhardtzar: He came to convince me to quit.
Reinhardtzar: (So he said... But what was the result? Rather than quit, I actually...)
Reinhardtzar: No... No, that was my own decision. And anyway, Abel isn't that kind of person.
Reinhardtzar: (But he said he was coming here in secret.)
Reinhardtzar: (If the instructors knew about it, then why hasn't Abel been disciplined?)
Reinhardtzar: (Was he really in league with them from the start?)
With Reinhardtzar hovering on the brink of collapse from exhaustion, this is too much for him to process.
Captain Dufresne: What are you whining about? Did you really think you'd found someone who understood you? A friendless orphan like you?
Captain Dufresne: Your only loyalty should be to your country! That's what it means to be a soldier! If you can't manage that, you're no use to anyone!
Reinhardtzar: No use... to anyone?
Abel: For Pete's sake... You'd think I'd have mastered this trail by now, but no...
Abel is on his way up the mountain to visit Reinhardtzar.
Abel: Tomorrow is Reinhardtzar's day off... We made plans to get that cake, but the two of us doing that alone might be a little awkward...
Abel: I wonder if Leona and Cain would be free to join us...
Captain Dufresne: G-g-get back! How dare you turn on your superiors!
Abel comes to attention at the sound of panicked screams from further up the mountain.
Abel: (Oh no. Don't tell me...)
Captain Dufresne: Gyaaah!
Major Payne: Aaah...
Reinhardtzar: ...!
Abel: Are you all right? What's going on here!
Major Payne: That recruit knocked out the captain... More importantly... He's gone berserk! His Rekki is out of control!
Abel: I knew it...
Reinhardtzar: Abel... Is that you?
Abel: Yeah, I'm here! I'm standing right in front of you!
Reinhardtzar: I can't see you... Your voice sounds so far away... I feel so... hot... Am I on fire?
Abel: Get a hold of yourself! You're not actually burning—it's just an illusion caused by your Rekki!
Reinhardtzar: Abel... Where are you? I can't... hear your voice anymore... Where...
Reinhardtzar: Where are yooouuu!
Abel: ...!
Abel barely evades Reinhardtzar's punch. Reinhardtzar's fist hits the ground and the shock wave radiates outward, rattling Abel's bones and shaking the trees all around them.
Abel: Ngh! That's crazy!
Abel: (His Rekki can't be fully developed yet, and it's already that powerful?)
Reinhardtzar: What the hell... is happening to me... I feel like I'm dipping in and out of consciousness... I can't think straight...
Abel: Reinhardtzar!
Reinhardtzar: Damn it... This can't be it... This can't be what I worked so hard for!
Reinhardtzar slams his fist into the dirt. The very mountain quakes.
Reinhardtzar: This power doesn't control me. I control it. I have to.
Reinhardtzar: This isn't the power I've been working for!
Reinhardtzar: I won't accept that!
Reinhardtzar jams two fingers into his left eye.
Reinhardtzar: Aaaaggghh!
Abel: Reinhardtzar!
Reinhardtzar falls to his knees. Abel rushes over to him.
Reinhardtzar: It's fine... I... I have it under control.
Abel: What the hell did you go and do that for?
Reinhardtzar: I thought everyone knew... Pain is the best thing... to sharpen you up when you feel like you're gonna lose consciousness...
Abel: You didn't need to take it that far! Hold still, all right? I'll do what I can as far as first aid, and then we're getting you off this mountain.
Reinhardtzar: Wait... Before that... there's something I need to know.
Reinhardtzar: Tell me... the real reason why you've been coming to see me.
Abel: What?
Abel: They said I tricked you? Why the hell would I do something like that?
Abel: Coming to talk to you was insubordination pure and simple. I didn't have any ulterior motives.
Abel: I just didn't want to see the army exploit a new recruit who had no idea what he was getting into.
Reinhardtzar: Yeah... That's what I figured. I was an idiot to doubt you even for a second.
Reinhardtzar: I guess that moment of weakness was enough for the Rekki to take over. It really looked bad for me for a minute there.
Abel: No, it's not your fault. Someone was doing their best to mess with your head.
Captain Dufresne: Urrggh... What are you trying to say, Lieutenant Abel?
Abel: You found out I'd been visiting Reinhardtzar and decided to use that for your mind games.
Major Payne: Calm down, Lieutenant. Mental training is as much a part of a soldier's education as physical.
Major Payne: Reinhardtzar was unprepared and let his emotions run away with him. That's not a luxury a Rekki user can afford.
Abel: Even so, there was no need to lie to him.
Captain Dufresne: What do you know! It was a perfectly valid method of instruction! In fact, I think we were being too soft on this waste of skin!
Abel: ...!
Abel makes a lunge for the captain, but Reinhardtzar's hand on his shoulder stops him.
Reinhardtzar: Let it go, Abel. It was my fault for being so gullible.
Abel: The hell it was. If you're not going to pop them one, I'll do it for you.
Reinhardtzar: The only one I'm mad at is myself. Just the thought that you might have been manipulating me made me completely lose my cool...
Reinhardtzar: I acted like an idiot child. I won't make the same mistake twice.
Abel: ...
All right. If that's what you want.
All right. If that's what you want.
Abel turns his back on his two superior officers, his rage seemingly cooled. Reinhardtzar lets his hand fall from Abel's shoulder.
Abel: So this isn't for Reinhardtzar—just a heartfelt gift from me!
Captain Dufresne: Bwagh!
Abel spins around and punches the captain square in the face, knocking him to the ground.
Reinhardtzar: Abel!
Major Payne: Are you insane, Lieutenant? Do you know what you're doing?
Abel: Oh yes. Couldn't be plainer.
Major Payne: You... You'll be court-martialed for this! I'll see you in solitary!
Abel: Sorry, Reinhardtzar... I probably won't be able to buy you that cake tomorrow.
Reinhardtzar: Why the hell would you go this far?
Abel: Reinhardtzar... Someday, someone's going to need you. And I'm not talking about your duty to your country.
Abel: Remember this: when that day comes, you won't be alone.
Abel was sentenced to forty days of solitary confinement for insubordination.
When Reinhardtzar finally finished his training and mastered Rekki, he headed to the army's personnel division.
He applied to join Lieutenant Abel's unit, but his request was denied.
It wasn't hard to guess what had influenced the brass's decision.
Battle of Wills: Scene 3
After relating this story about Abel to Leona and Cain, Reinhardtzar feels he has repaid his debt to Abel and announces his intention to leave Idelva on his own. He coldly rejects Cain's invitation to travel with him and Leona, though in truth Reinhardtzar is only afraid of losing control of his Rekki and hurting his friend. When he attempts to leave the country the next day, his way is barred by Cain, spouting excuses about military information security.
Reinhardtzar: Now that I think back on it...
Reinhardtzar: Abel was disciplined for hitting that instructor, but the opportunity he gave me to stop him first was crucial.
Reinhardtzar: It's the only reason I got off without serious punishment. He came out there to protect me, and he never stopped.
Reinhardtzar: I ran into him a few times after that, but I ended up in charge of my own unit... We were both busy.
Reinhardtzar: We never really got more than a few words with each other. I always thought I'd have another chance to repay him for his kindness...
Cain & Leona: ...
Leona: Yeah... I do remember him getting court-martialed and tossed in solitary out of the blue.
Cain: He said something about clocking a superior officer who pissed him off, but who'd have thought that was the full story?
It is the evening after they sent home the drunk senior citizen—who was still yelling about the restoration of the Torhid Kingdom.
Reinhardtzar asked Cain and Leona aside and has been telling them about his past with Abel.
Cain: So what do you think about what the old man was spouting?
Reinhardtzar: I don't miss the Torhid Kingdom. The only one I feel like I owe anything to is Abel.
Reinhardtzar: But that's settled now too.
Cain: ...?
Reinhardtzar is silent for a moment before he continues.
Reinhardtzar: Cain, Leona, I'm going to leave Idelva on my own. This is where we part ways.
Cain: What?
Cain: Hey, wait a minute! Where's this coming from?
Reinhardtzar: I've been thinking about this for a while.
Reinhardtzar: Cain, you've helped stabilize Idelva, and you're planning to leave soon, right?
Cain: That's right! So come with me!
Reinhardtzar: Why? You're giving up your position in the army. You won't need my services as an officer anymore.
Reinhardtzar: My obligation was to you as a general... and Abel's brother.
Cain: You're saying you only stood by my side to repay your debt to my brother?
Cain: I thought... I thought for sure you'd come with me...
Reinhardtzar: My duty is discharged. There's no other reason we should stay together.
Reinhardtzar: It would just be...
Reinhardtzar: ...
Reinhardtzar: I've told you my plans. That's all I have to say.
Cain: ...
All right, fine!
All right, fine!
Leona: Cain!
Leona makes to follow Cain, then pauses and turns back to Reinhardtzar.
Leona: If it isn't duty, it's just friendship. That kind of sentimentality might make you lose control of your Rekki. If that happens, you could hurt Cain.
Leona: Is that what you wanted to say?
Reinhardtzar: ...
Leona: Why didn't you then? For crying out loud!
Cain and Leona disappear from view, leaving Reinhardtzar to reflect. He's done everything he feels he needs to do in this country.
Leaving the pair of them with that memory of Abel will serve as his parting gift.
The morning of his departure, Reinhardtzar cuts through a meadow on his way to the port.
Two familiar figures come into view ahead of him. Once he's within hailing distance, Reinhardtzar comes to a halt.
Cain & Leona: ...
Cain: Reinhardtzar... Are you really going to leave?
Reinhardtzar: It's time. For a lot of reasons.
Seeing Reinhardtzar has no intention of changing his mind, Cain draws his sword.
Leona: Cain, what—
Cain: Reinhardtzar... You know too much classified information for Idelva to just let you walk away.
Reinhardtzar: Hah... Beat around the bush much?
Reinhardtzar drops his luggage and raises his fists.
Reinhardtzar: You know, I'd forgotten we had that one score to settle. Let's do this.
Reinhardtzar: But once I pay you back for Merkmal Island, that's it.
Leona: Hey, stop it! There's no need for all this!
Reinhardtzar: Yeah, there's not a lot of logic to this.
Reinhardtzar: We can't back down, so we're going to fight. That's about the size of it, right, Cain?
Cain: Good to see we're on the same page. I'm not gonna hold back then.
Reinhardtzar: Looks like that one taste of victory has gone to your head.
Reinhardtzar: But in a contest of pure strength, I'll always come out on top.
Cain: Went to my head, did it? My brother said something like that to me once.
Reinhardtzar: Sounds like him.
Reinhardtzar: Let me give you another piece of advice—once you draw your sword, you lose the right to change your mind.
Cain: You're absolutely right. I'm done talking.
Cain: Here I come, Reinhardtzar!
Reinhardtzar: Let's go!
Battle of Wills: Scene 4
Reinhardtzar and Cain fight until they are both on the verge of collapse, but only stop when Leona steps between them. At Leona's urging, Cain reveals his true feelings: that he wants Reinhardtzar with him wherever he goes from now on, not as a Rekki user or an officer, but just as himself. Realizing that his long-held dream of being truly needed has come true, Reinhardtzar agrees to join Cain and Leona on their journey.
After a furious battle, Cain and Reinhardtzar fall to their knees at almost the same instant.
Cain: What's wrong? Worn out... already? I could... do this all day...
Reinhardtzar: Hah... You can't even stand. What're you gonna do to me from over there?
The two glare at each other, ready to crawl over and resume grappling on all fours if necessary, but Leona steps between them.
Leona: All right, that's enough! Are you trying to kill each other?
Cain: Leo...
Leona: Cain. Use your words like a big boy and tell him you'll miss him.
Cain: ...
Leona: You too, Reinhardtzar.
Leona: You should've just said before that you're afraid of losing control of your Rekki and hurting him.
Reinhardtzar: ...
Leona: There might be some things you can't communicate with words...
Leona: But wouldn't you know it—we have language for a reason.
Cain looks from Leona to Reinhardtzar, suddenly and utterly disarmed.
Cain: You said there was no reason for you to come along with us...
Cain: But there is.
Reinhardtzar: Oh yeah? What's that?
Cain: The ruler who inducted you into the army is gone.
Cain: Sure, the whole reason I got so used to having you by my side was because we were comrades in the military.
Cain: But from now on, it'll be a different story.
Cain: I need you, Reinhardtzar. I don't need a Rekki user, or an officer of Idelva...
Cain: Just you. Wherever I go, I want you there with me. Isn't that reason enough?
Reinhardtzar: ...
Leona: To be honest, Cain's a lot for me to handle on my own. I could really use your help keeping him in line.
Leona: Besides, you can tell me more stories about Abel.
Reinhardtzar: Abel...
Abel: Reinhardtzar... Someday, someone's going to need you. And I'm not talking about your duty to your country.
Abel: Remember this: when that day comes, you won't be alone.
Reinhardtzar: I guess that day is finally here.
Cain: Did you say something?
Reinhardtzar: Yeah... I said I'm canceling my trip today. I'll come along on yours instead.
Cain: Ohhh! You will? Really?
Reinhardtzar: Yeah... If you need me, that's plenty reason enough.
Cain and Leona exchange a look, wide smiles stretching across their faces.
Reinhardtzar: (Now that I've repaid my debt to Abel, there's nothing telling me what I have to do.)
Reinhardtzar: (From now on, I'll live my own way.)
Cain: Well, let's get going then!
Leona: Oh yeah. The restaurant should be open by now.
Reinhardtzar: What are you two talking about?
Cain: Cake, of course! Abel promised you some, and you're gonna get it.
Reinhardtzar: ...
Cain: The place you liked back then closed, but there's one Leona recommends pretty close to here.
Leona: I just remembered I haven't had breakfast yet. As long as Cain's paying...
Cain: Wait, I'm treating you too?
Reinhardtzar: Haha! All right... I could go for a slice of cake.
The trio heads back into town shoulder to shoulder.
Sooner or later, they will leave Idelva behind, choosing a new path between the clouds.
A path which will reunite them with (Captain) and the crew.