Script of Xenoblade Chronicles 3 - The Wrath of Ashera

The following is the script of dialogue used in the hero quest The Wrath of Ashera.

Ashera

Walking, Noah notices some Levnis wreckage.

Noah

Something's made a fine mess of them.

Taion

It appears the fighting wasn't all that long ago.
There might still be enemies nearby.

Levnis ambushes the party. A thrown Blade strikes it down before the party can react.

Noah

Wha...?!

Ashera

The absurdity of battle never ceases to amuse me.

Eunie

What's her deal?
She a Kevesi soldier?

Sena

Uh, she's coming this way...

Ashera retrieves her Blade while walking toward the party.

Ashera

Lives are so easily lost.
And in service to all manner of nonsense.
Truly, this is why...
we'll never be able to stop fighting.
Wouldn't you agree?

Mio

Erm... Can we...?

Noah

So, then... Did you, er...?
Did you help us out just now?

Ashera

Oh-oh, we're not out of the woods just yet.
Seems we have some new guests coming.

Eunie

Eh?

More Levnises fall from the sky, surrounding the party.

Mio

We're surrounded!

Lanz

Tch. Only one thing for it!

Noah

Yeah. Get ready!

Ashera

Ahaha! Aww, aren't you all just adorable?

Eunie

This ain't the time for jokes!

Ashera

Hah, I guess you're right.
It's way too early to start laughing.
Because...
The fun's only just getting started!

Defeat the 7th Levnis Troop

Noah

Just now... Those were Kevesi soldiers...

Ashera

Ahh, well spotted. They're forces from Colony 11, up ahead.

Taion

And going by your appearance, I'd say you're also a Kevesi soldier.

Ashera

Mm? Who, me?

Taion

Tell us who you are. What colony are you from?

Ashera

Hmm, well then. If you absolutely must know,
I'm the commander of Colony 11, whose soldiers just attacked us.

Sena

Wow, cool!
...Wait, what?!

Mio

Huh?!

Eunie

Their *commander*?!

Lanz

Hang on, back it up! If you're the commander of Colony 11...
Then you're...Ashera, the Undying Blade!

Eunie

"Undying"? What in the Queen's name? She meant to be some kinda celebrity?

Lanz

There ain't a Defender worth their salt in all of Keves who hasn't heard of her!
She's the commander of a Silver-rank colony... In the running for the strongest person in Keves!

Taion

Getting back on topic... You're telling us you were attacked by your own colony?

Ashera

Hm. I suppose I am telling you that.

Mio

But why? What for?

Ashera

Well, I guess I have given them a couple of reasons. These things happen, y'know.
Anyway, I'm going to remove Colony 11 from the equation. You guys wanna come with?

Sena

Huh?! "Come with", why...?

Eunie

Er, sorry? Now it's open season? This is all kinds of stupid!

Lanz

But you're talking about your own colony! Your mates! You'll just go off and fight them?

Ashera

Sure. One rarely gets to enjoy a battle such as this. Also, I have my own reasons for killing them.
Besides... Sitting back and letting them keep taking swings at me is not my style.
It's just...no fun that way.

Lanz

I don't think you're meant to say that part out loud...

Noah

Well, but... Why are you inviting us to join you?

Ashera

Huh? So you're telling me...you're not the great and terrible Ouroboros?

Mio

Huh?! You knew...?

Ashera

Come now, I've heard this personally from the Queen. Every commander alive knows about you lot.
As I hear it, you're some kind of rebels, going around wrecking colonies' Flame Clocks.

Eunie

That's outrageous! ...Well, it's also true, mostly. But we don't do it just for the fun of it!

Noah

It sounds like you're not everyone's favorite person right now, either. What's your goal?

Ashera

Hahaha! Surely it's self-evident, no?
On the battlefield, you have one of two options.
Fight and live, or fight and die.

Noah

Uhh...

Ashera

When considering the pure act of trading life back and forth, there's no separation into enemies and allies.
Not for the killers, nor for the ones being killed.
That's something you soldiers should get. More so now you've rebelled, and made sure everyone wants your heads...

Eunie

Like I keep saying, nobody here did that on purpose...!

Ashera

I'm sure. Everyone has their own way of thinking. I'm not trying to say otherwise.
In any case... There's a place for you on my battlefield, if you feel like joining.
I'm sure Colony 11 will give you a warm welcome... Though maybe not the one you'd wish for.

Eunie

What IS her problem? What in the Queen's snow-white wings does she want from us?

Noah

I don't know... But she certainly seems to be after something...

Follow Ashera to First Ixia Bridge

Ashera

Oh! Don't tell me... Have you actually decided to accept my invitation?

Noah

Well, you know... We do owe you for helping us before.

Ashera

Ahaha! I've never heard of anyone entering the Volff's den just because they owe someone!

Taion

How were you even planning on fighting a whole colony alone? Charging at them head-on?

Ashera

Ah, you must be the tactician. Got it in one, poindexter.

Taion

...You're insane.

Ashera

Oh, come now. We live in a world of strife - of constant, unending war - and you question *my* sanity?

Eunie

Know what? Just sounds like suicide to me. Maybe you really have lost it.

Noah

Eunie, that's too far. Even for you.

Eunie

OK, but you did hear her, right...?

Ashera

My colony, Colony 11, guards the Castle, and it's rightly hailed as being impregnable.
Not a single Agnian soldier has ever broken through, not even once.
I've fought long and hard to defend this colony. And now I'm going to bring it down... Just one woman.
Can you think of anything more satisfying than that? I know I can't!

Eunie

You know what else you're not thinking of? The moment they open fire and turn you to mincemeat. How's that for a punchline?!

Ashera

If that happens, I'll do my soldierly duty and turn into a lovely corpse.

Eunie

Oi!

Ashera

Ahahaha! I'm touched by your concern, but they won't be killing me that easily.
All of you. I'm sure you've overcome your own share of hairy situations. We can do this.

Eunie

Pfft, what would you know? You don't know a thing about us.

Lanz

Don't be such a worrywart, Eunie. We can do anything if you've got our backs.

Eunie

You're awfully enthusiastic about this, Lanz.

Lanz

Y-you reckon?

Sena

Now I think about it, you've known about Ashera since the start. Do you maybe...

Lanz

Sh-shut up! She's the best Defender in Keves!
I'm just some nobody. If somebody told you you'd get to fight alongside a legend, wouldn't you jump at the chance?

Ashera

Ahahaha, what an awfully nice thing to say. I'll be looking for some great things from you, uh...Lanz, was it?

Lanz

Wuh, I, uh, er, um, er, eh...

Eunie

Ugh... Gimme a break!

Ashera

Well then, my dear Ouroboros fellows! What say we sally forth?
The battle awaits us, one that's sure to prove a most thrilling distraction! Ahahaha...

Ashera has temporarily joined the party.

Ashera

It's always good to have a few good battle buddies.

Eunie

Says the woman who leaps into the thick of it by herself.

Defeat Team Zoren

Ashera

No wonder your little gang is causing waves. You were completely ruthless with my lot!

Eunie

Do you have to talk about us like that?

Sena

Just so you know, we actually were trying to go easy on them...

Ashera

Oh, no need to hold back. You can wipe the floor with them! That's me giving you the green light, as their commander.

Eunie

I heard of some terrible commanders before, but this one takes the biscuit, hands down...

Lanz

You know, there's rumors that some soldiers in Colony 11 are crazy tough.

Noah

Is that right?

Lanz

Yep. Way I heard it, they have snipers who can shoot you from behind a mountain, or specialists who can read your mind...

Eunie

Bollocks... Those aren't even good rumors.

Ashera

Ooh, now this sounds interesting. Is there anything they said about me?

Lanz

Huh? Oh, um. Yeah? I mean, they might have mentioned...some...things...

Ashera

Go on, try me. Even though I can probably guess...

Lanz

...They call you "Ashera, the Undying Blade". A heroic commander famed throughout Keves...
Another name they use is... Uhh...

Ashera

Mmm-hmm, mmm-hmm?

Lanz

..."That suicidal maniac".

Ashera

(sigh) OK, I see.

Eunie

Wow, that kinda sucks.

Ashera

Oh, definitely... I was prepared for anything, but this...it's...
It's just so bland, so boring! I was hoping for something with more zest, more bite!

Eunie

*That's* what you're hung up on?!

Taion

...If you're finished chatting, I'd like us to get moving.
Don't forget, we're smack dab in the middle of enemy territory.

Ashera

Oops, you're right. Not much time until reinforcements come.
I'm feeling a little miserable, but I can take it all out on my men, no problem.

Eunie

Yep, it's official. We found the worst commander...

Ashera

Ooh! Heads up. Second wave.

Defeat Team Easel

Ashera

This bloodlust... Here comes trouble.

Defeat Team Clad

Ashera

Now we're here, Colony 11 is only a stone's throw away. The final battle is nigh, ladies and gents!

Taion

Before that, there's one thing I want to confirm. Who is leading the enemy?

Ashera

A type of person you should know very well by this point. Care to make a guess?

Taion

...A Consul. I knew it.

Ashera

That idiot has delusions of being a tactician. She's the very definition of a narcissist.
I'm sure right now she's drunk on the feeling of controlling the soldiers like puppets.

Noah

So those soldiers... She's just flinging them at us against their will, trying to beat us down?

Lanz

Ugh, what a snuffing creep. Makes me wanna hurl.

Ashera

I wouldn't pay that too much attention. My guys are enjoying themselves regardless.

Eunie

Oh really? And how exactly do you figure?

Ashera

Can't you tell from how much of a fight they've been putting up so far?
They're seriously coming for blood. Well, mostly mine, of course.

Taion

So...what? The Consul doesn't even need to force Colony 11 to attack us?

Eunie

Seems like a stretch, even considering our current company...

Ashera

I couldn't say for certain. They're the same as I am, after all...

Eunie

The more you say, the less I understand. Are you just gonna keep skirting around it?

Ashera

Whoa now, no need to sweat the finer details. All you need to do now is enjoy the fight for what it is.
The next battle will be even tougher. Which is to say, that much more fun!

Ashera

Alright, eyes up front. The enemy's right ahead!

Eunie

You're talking about your own colony...

Head for Colony 11

Consul R

So, the traitors have arrived. Or perhaps I should call you beasts, driven by my hounds!

Noah

So you're the Consul for Colony 11!

Consul R

Ouroboros scum. Have a care for how you address me.
With a single order, I could have you creatures crushed this instant!

Noah

Ghh...!

Consul R

It appears you understand. Now stay right there. I will dispose of you later.

Noah

...What?

Consul R

First, I'll deal with you, *former* Commander Ashera. Step forward.

Eunie

Hey! Rude...!

Ashera

With all due respect, Madam Consul, you called us traitors just now.
If I, never mind them, am to be accused of the crime of treason...
...I'm afraid the great Consul will have to enlighten us as to the reason, beasts that we are.

Consul R

You are as impudent as ever... But I will explain to you, this one time!
You engage in battle without orders! Use deviant tactics in battle! You openly violate military regulations!
And your worst crime of all... Multiple unforgivable slights towards a Consul!
Don't bother trying to deny it! All of the soldiers here have witnessed this!

Ashera

And as a result, we have brought many victories for Keves.
Aren't glory and military success what the Consul desires?

Consul R

And when did I hand out such orders? Never forget that all of you are pawns.
A pawn acts as it is placed on the board! A pawn that acts on its own has no more worth than the mud under my boot!

Sena

Jerk! Talking to her own soldiers like that...

Consul R

However... Well.
Throwing away a Silver colony, no matter how rotten, is hardly the action of a wise woman.
At present, bringing Colony 11 under my direct control is the more pressing matter.

Ashera

So you have no further use for me?

Consul R

Tch. I should think a "suicidal maniac" like you would cherish being destroyed by her countrymen.

Lanz

You... Shut your rotten mouth!

Ashera

I see. Then it seems you have been laboring under several misconceptions, Madam Consul.

Consul R

How foolish. You'll use this chance to spout more drivel?

Ashera

Until now, Colony 11 would rush off to battle wherever you waved your hand.
But you see, we did it because we wished to.
If there was a battle we felt was worthy of us, we soldiers would give our lives fighting it.
That's all we ever wanted. My soldiers...and myself.

Consul R

Hmph. What are you driving at?

Ashera

Looking at it another way, nothing else matters to us but that.
Not even fighting against people who were our allies until only yesterday...
...and not even obeying someone who isn't worthy of being our master. Is it dawning on you yet?

Consul R

What?! What are you blathering about?

Ashera

The pawns you thought were faithful to you were truly worth less to you than the mud under your boot...
...since the very beginning.

Consul R

C-cease your confounded blathering! This instant! How dare you?!

Ashera

Ughh... This is getting on my nerves. If it's all the same to you, I'd really like to drop it now.
So...come and kill me. If you can.

Consul R

...

Eunie

...

Consul R

Hah!
Hahahaha... Hahahaha!!!

R transforms into Moebius R.

Moebius R

If death is what you seek, I'll be delighted to grant you it, you worthless scum!

Ashera

Wow! She turned into a monster! Now I've seen everything!

Eunie

Hmph. Gettin' scared, are you?

Ashera

Do I look scared?

Eunie

No, you really don't. ...Just forget it.

Noah

Ashera, don't underestimate her. She's not like anything else you've fought.

Ashera

Yeah, I'm getting that impression. Well then, Ouroboros!
Time for the fight we've all been waiting for!

Defeat Moebius R

Consul R

You creatures... You're all pawns! Nothing but pawns!!!

Eunie

She's still alive?!

Ashera

Hmm...

Consul R

What's wrong? Go on, kill me! Isn't that what you want, you animal?!

Ashera

Hmm... Nope.

Eunie

Wha...?!

Consul R

What?!

Eunie

Queen's wings, have you lost the snuffin' plot?! She's Moebius! She's the enemy!

Ashera

Yeah, but...ending it like this... How should I put it? ...Oh. I know.
It's a waste.

Consul R

...

Taion

Are you insane?
...In fact, never mind. Forget I asked.

Ashera

There you have it, Madam Consul.
You can make a strategic retreat, do whatever, I don't mind.
If you're planning revenge, by all means pay Colony 11 another visit.

Consul R

You... You bitch!

Ashera

Or, if you actually definitely *do* want to die, I have no qualms in speeding you along.

Consul R

...Oh. You will pay for making me look a fool... You'll pay dearly!
Grraaaagh!

Consul R retreats.

Noah

The Consul... Moebius... She's more dangerous than you know.

Ashera

Oh, I know that. That's why I'm expecting big things from her.

Mio

Wow. I don't know what to say... This woman is something else.

Ashera

Right. A victory needs fireworks.
Make it something big! You came all this way.

Sena

Uhm, is she saying what I think she's saying...?

Lanz

She does have a point, I suppose.

Noah

You guys are a Silver colony. You sure about this?

Ashera

Didn't you hear my speech? I said nothing else matters. Not to us. So?

Noah

Got you.

Colony 11 Liberated

Noah

Here we go!

Flame Clock destroyed

Noah

There. You're all free now.
No need to fight, no need to take life from others.

Ashera

Hmmm. I wonder if you can really call that freedom.

Taion

Hm? Care to explain?

Ashera

My soldiers and I, we were never fighting for the sake of earning life in the first place.

Lanz

Back up, back up... Surely you had to be, right? I mean, that's the usual setup...

Ashera

True, true. Normally you'd fight to keep the Clock fed. Only natural. Otherwise you're dead.
But for us, we live so we can fight. It's how we've lived our lives.

Sena

Living to fight...sounds kinda awful...

Ashera

You must understand now that you've crossed Blades with my troops.
They didn't follow the Consul's orders because they were frightened for their lives.
We were using the situation we're in to our advantage.

Eunie

Eh? What's the point of that?

Ashera

I should think it's obvious.
We hope...that someday we can have a proper fight to the death, with mighty warriors like you.
I've taken part in all these battles to make that dream real. That's all.

Sena

I... I see.

Eunie

No, not "I see", Sena! Just think about it for a sec.
These guys've been killing each other, having their own little murder party! It's crazy!

Ashera

Yep. If you're gonna be blunt about it, then that's exactly what it was.

Eunie

That doesn't make it any better! All this "living to fight" crap...
How many lives will you need to take before you're satisfied? Or maybe you wanna die, is that it?

Ashera

Yes. I want to die.

Eunie

Pff, good try.

Ashera

...

Eunie

...Wait. You ain't serious?

Ashera

Is it that surprising? A soldier like you should-

Eunie

...Grow the snuff up.

Ashera

Hm?

Eunie

Grow up, I said!
So you wanna fight, you wanna die. What the snuff is your problem?!
You come out with all this highfalutin crap, but really, that Consul was right about you!
You're nothing but a bloodthirsty beast, aren't you?

Sena

H-hang on, Eunie!

Eunie

You listen. You ain't gonna involve us in your stupid suicidal quest!
Just leave us alone, all right?!

Taion

Eunie! That was out of or-

Ashera

Poindexter.
Wow, I am pretty exhausted after all this. I think I'll take a load off somewhere.
Oh. You can all make yourselves at home. Consider it a thank-you for joining the fight.

Noah

Ashera, shouldn't we...

Ashera

Well then, I'll be off. What you do is up to you.

Noah

Eunie. That was not cool. I want you to apologize later.

Eunie

...Please tell me you're not taking her side.

Noah

Everyone should be free to choose how they want to live their life. Wasn't Ethel the same?

Eunie

Oi, she's nothing like Ethel, got it?!

Lanz

Well, that's for sure. But you did kinda go overboard there.

Mio

Eunie... I know how you feel, but... Could you...try?

Eunie

Tch.
Fine, you win, whatever. I'll talk to her. Will that do?

Noah

Sure.

Eunie

...'s sake.

Find Ashera

Eunie

Hey!

Ashera

Hm?

Eunie

Erm. I mean... Well, I-I wanna talk about before.
...I'm sorry. I went too far.

Ashera

...
Ahahahaha!

Eunie

Wh-what are you laughin' at?! I'm bein' serious here!

Ashera

Ahh, no, sorry, sorry! It's just... You surprised me.
And I don't think you went too far. What you said was the unvarnished truth.

Eunie

...And that stuff about wanting to die?

Ashera

Even without Flame Clocks, people die at some point...be it sooner or later.
So before that happens... I want to leave my mark on this world.
Some kind of proof that we were here... In the short time we've been given.
For me, *that* is what I want to achieve by dying.

Eunie

...Sorry, I still don't get it.
It seriously just sounds like you want to destroy yourself.

Ashera

Dying to fight and fighting to die are different, though they might sound the same.
If I can make my death mean something, then I can finally prove my life had value.
"Live fiercely, die spectacularly"... That's how I want the battlefield of my life to be.

Eunie

...

Ashera

...Well, all that said, looking from the outside, all people see is the "suicidal maniac".
And Colony 11 is the last refuge for people like us. Isn't that funny?

Eunie

I don't see the joke. You really are insane...

Ashera

Hahaha, how many times have you said that today?

Eunie

S'pose. But, you know...

Ashera

Mm?

Eunie

At least now I get that you're not enough of an idiot to throw yourself off the top of here.
And your life really is yours to do with as you see fit. It's not my place to go off on you just because we don't see eye to eye.
Besides... The way you fight, fearless and fierce and all that...?
Honestly, it's kind of awesome.

Ashera

Yeah...? Think so, eh?

Eunie

What? Revvin' up for another dig?

Ashera

No... How do I put it... No one's ever talked that way to me before.
I guess...I'm happy? Maybe?

Eunie

You ain't embarrassed, are you? You?!
Ha ha ha! This is priceless!

Ashera

Yeah? Couldn't you tell I was joking?

Eunie

...I really, seriously hate you.

Ashera

Aww...! That hurts! And here I was taking a liking to you!
I mean...from now on we're all fellow rebels. So, you know...
You and I should be friends, Eunie.

Eunie

...!