Valorous Roland: Difference between revisions

At the [[Dragon's Gate (location)|Dragon’s Gate]], [[Nergal]] demands that [[Ninian]] open the gate, though she says nor does anything in response. Nergal clarifies that he was not asking for her consent and attempts to force her to do as he wills; however, Ninian resists Nergal’s power and suddenly transforms into a large figure that overshadows her captor. Nergal taunts the girl as she flees towards [[Eliwood|Eliwood’s]] location, claiming that her true form will deny her the affections of her beloved as well as any place she could call home.

Meanwhile, Eliwood, [[Hector]], and [[Lyn]] have entered the shrine of the legendary [[Roland]] in pursuit of his famed regalia, [[Durandal]]. The cave is lined with lava and pillars of flame, leading the [[Lord|lords]] to doubt that a shrine could truly exist in a place so inhospitable to life. [[Athos]] matter-of-fact explains that the legendary weapons needed to be protected from those with evil hearts, meriting the extreme security measures. [[Athos]] warns Eliwood that the sword is guarded by those who fought in [[The Scouring]] and that due to the danger inherent to the trial, Eliwood cannot bring very many allies though he must approach the altar alone regardless of who accompanies him. Eliwood boldly takes to the battlefield with his chosen allies, thus, beginning the trial.

Once Eliwood manages to bypass [[Georg]] and approach the altar, Athos calls out the spirit of the hero Roland. Athos informs him of the group’s need for the legendary weapons used in The Scouring and asks that he bless Eliwood, one of his descendants, with strength enough to see their task through. Roland accepts Athos’ request and grants his blessing to Eliwood in the form of [[Durandal]].

Eliwood steps outside of the shrine, Durandal in hand and prepared to set out for the Dragon’s Gate when suddenly, Durandal begins to glow and an [[Ice Dragon]] appears in front of the group. Without hesitation, Eliwood, guided by Durandal, strikes the dragon down in a single blow. As the dragon lay dying on the ground, Athos notices something is wrong but is prevented from telling the rest of the group by Nergal’s sudden appearance. Nergal claims Ninian proved to be useless to him and has come to take [[Nils]] as a substitute. Before anyone can act, Nergal teleports Nils to his side and puts him to sleep so he cannot resist. Eliwood demands to know what Nergal did with Ninian. To the surprise of the lords Nergal responds that he did nothing; in fact, Eliwood disposed of Ninian for him as he, moments before his arrival, killed her with Durandal. When Ninian returned to her true form as an ice dragon, she lost her memories and wandered lost, though she still managed to retain her affections for Eliwood and sought him out to be reunited with him only to die at his hands. Fatally wounded, Ninian uses the last of her power to take her human form once again. Eliwood rushes to her side and Ninian with her dying breath tells Eliwood that she is glad he remains unharmed and to protect the land. Eliwood is beside himself with grief and regret and go nothing but cry over Ninian's body. Nergal, seemingly satisfied with shattering Eliwood’s spirit, attempts to depart with Nils, however, Athos attempts to block his departure with [[Forblaze]]. Nergal takes little damage from the powerful tome and boldly proclaims that his power has become so great that no legendary weapon can do him harm. Nergal then leaves without Nils, claiming he does so out of respect for the man Athos used to be and their long-since deceased friendship. Soon after, Nils awakens from his induced slumber only to see the dead body of his sister.