Shining Force II: The Ancient Seal
Shining Force II: The Ancient Seal (シャイニング・フォースII 古えの封印, Shainingu Fōsu tsu: Inishie no Fūin) is a strategy role-playing game developed by Sonic! Software Planning with assistance from Winds., R.I.S., and Rit's.[1] It was published by Sega for the Mega Drive in October 1993 in Japan, July 1994 in Europe, and October 1994 in North America. The game's English releases are branded without the subtitle.
Japanese Manual Story
The following story is translated from the Japanese Mega Drive manual.
To the west of the Parmecian continent lies the island of Grans, on which reside the two closely allied countries of Granseal and Galam.
パルメキア大陸の西に位置する大きな島、グランス島。この島にはグランシールとガラムという２つの国家があり、その関係はきわめて友好的であった。
Long ago, on Grans Island, there existed three devil kings. One was the fallen angel Lucifer, whose strength was magical power. Another was the skillful general Dark Sol, who possessed great wisdom. The third, the fierce devil Zeon, excelled in both. It is said that a deadly battle unfolded in the place called Ark Valley, near present day Granseal Castle, where the devil kings fought to obtain the wicked power that gathered there. However, though Zeon had been prideful of the advantage that had carried him from beginning to end, Dark Sol sealed his magical power within a gem. With his power lost, Zeon sank into the sea of fire in Ark Valley. The two remaining kings, exhausted, were cast out of Ark Valley by the gods.
その昔、グランス島には、悪魔族の３人の王がいた。ひとりは魔力に秀でた堕天使ルシファー、ひとりは英知に長けた智将ダークソル、そしてそのどちらの力についても優れた、荒ぶる悪魔ゼオン。彼らは、現在のグランシール城の辺り、アークバレイと呼ばれていた場所で、そこに集まる邪悪な力を手に入れるために死闘を繰り広げたという。だが、終始優勢を誇ったゼオンは、ダークソルによって魔力を宝石に封じられ、魔力を失ってアークバレイの火の海へ没した。残った２人の王も疲れ果て、神々によってアークバレイから追い払われたのだった。
The wicked power gathering in Ark Valley was sealed in the Ancient Tower to the northeast of Granseal Castle. It was said that if the tower's seal were to be undone, the evil power would resurrect Zeon at once. At the tower was an ancient shrine housing two gems—the Jewel of Darkness, symbolizing devils, and the Jewel of Light, symbolizing heroes—both maintaining the seal.
アークバレイに集まる邪悪な力は、グランシール城の北東にある、古えの塔に封じられた。もし、この塔の封印を解けば、その悪しき力はたちまちゼオンを蘇らせるという。塔は、古えのほこらにある２つの宝石......悪魔を象徴する闇のジュエルと、勇者を象徴する光のジュエルによって封印されていた。
However, the gems were pried loose, breaking the Ancient Tower's seal. Dark clouds gathered over Grans Island and lightning struck the Ancient Tower as an enormous storm broke out. And then the shadow of a demon slipped into Granseal Castle . . .
しかし、宝石が暴かれたことによって、古えの塔の封印が解かれてしまった。グランス島に暗雲がたちこめ、古えの塔に雷が落ち、すさまじい嵐が起こった。そして、グランシール城に魔族の影が忍び寄っていた......。
North American Manual Story
The following story is written in the North American Genesis manual.
The Secret of Granseal
The citizens of Granseal kingdom are hard at work. Inside the castle grounds, the centaurs concentrate on jousting and target practice while the spellcasters compare teleportation and healing spells. Granseal isn't at war, but there has been trouble with monsters on the outskirts of the kingdom, and the king has ordered his troops to sweep the area and drive the creatures away.
All notice the thunderheads that gather above the castle. Not only is rain unusual for the season, but the storm does not look to be an ordinary one.
The storm is a harbinger of coming events—events which will change Granseal and its neighboring kingdoms forever. An ancient evil has broken free, and is spreading over the land of Rune, devastating all that it touches. Is there anyone, or anything, that can stop it? Start the adventure and find out!
Game Title
Shining Force II was released without a subtitle in regions outside Japan. The original Japanese subtitle, 古えの封印 (Inishie no Fūin) translates to "Ancient Seal" in English. The word translated as "ancient" is 古え (inishie, "antiquity") plus the possessive marker の (no). The literal sense is "seal of antiquity". The word translated as "seal" is 封印 (fūin) and is the Japanese noun meaning "seal".
The word 古え (inishie) and the same construction of 古えの (inishie no) is used in the first Shining Force in reference to the Ancient Castle, as in 古えの城 (inishie no shiro) and the Ancient Gates. The ancient people known as the Ancients are referred to as 古代人 (kodaijin, "ancient people"), a different expression that contains the kanji 人 (jin, "person").[2]
Japanese does not use determiners analogous to the English definite article ("the") or indefinite article ("a"). The choice to give the subtitle in English as The Ancient Seal rather than just Ancient Seal is a matter of style. Within the context of the story of Shining Force II, the Ancient Seal is a reference to a singular specific seal—the one that traps Zeon—and so the definite article "the" is appropriate in English. Presenting the title as Shining Force II: The Ancient Seal sounds more focused and subjectively more sonorous.
English Translation
The table below shows the original Japanese game script followed by an English translation. The translation given in the original English release is provided for comparison.
Mithra on Ark Valley
| Mithra | |
|---|---|
| JP | ・・・ ありがとう！ グランシールの方よ みなさんの おかげで こうして 地上にもどれました |
| TL | . . . Thank you! Honorable people of Granseal. It is thanks to you that I was able to return to this place. |
| NA | Welcome! Thank you. I've finally returned to this world. |
| Astral | |
| JP | あ あなたは・・・ ミトゥラ神・・・ ですな？ |
| TL | Y—You're . . . the god Mithra . . . aren't you? |
| NA | Goddess Mitula? |
| Mithra | |
| JP | ホホホ そうですわ アストラル賢者殿 |
| TL | Hohoho, that is correct, Master Astral the Sage. |
| NA | Oh, nice to meet you, Sir Astral. |
| Astral | |
| JP | おお！ なんと 私を！ 知って おいでなのですな！ な ならば こたえてほしい！ われわれは これから どうすれば よろしいのでしょう？ |
| TL | Oh! How! How do you know me? I—if you really do, I would like an answer! What should we do from here on? |
| NA | Oh, you know my name? Gee.... Please tell us, what should we do now? |
| Mithra | |
| JP | さあ・・・ |
| TL | Well . . . |
| NA | I don't know. |
| Peter | |
| JP | さあ・・・って・・・ あなたは 神様でしょう？ ぼくらが どうしたらいいのかを きめて もらわなくっちゃ |
| TL | Well . . . Um . . . You are god, right? We need you to decide for us what the best thing to do is. |
| NA | What?! But, why? You're a goddess. You know our future, right? |
| Mithra | |
| JP | 私は ボルカノン様のように 命令することなど できなくてよ 命に かかわるならば よけいに！ |
| TL | I cannot give orders like Lord Volcanon can. Even if it's a matter of life and deathǃ |
| NA | I'm not Volcanon. I never tell people the future, even if it could prevent them from death. |
| Astral | |
| JP | 命に かかわる！ ですと？ |
| TL | Did you say, "even if it's a matter of life and death"? |
| NA | Death?! Not ours I hope. |
| Mithra | |
| JP | ゼオンは それは恐ろしい悪魔です ゼオンが 力をとりもどしたら 私どころが ボルカノン様さえ・・・ |
| TL | Zeon is an extremely dreadful devil. If Zeon retakes his power, then neither I nor even Lord Volcanon . . . |
| NA | Zeon is an unimaginably strong devil. If he attains full power, I, even Volcanon, would not be able to stop him. |
| Peter | |
| JP | だったら その前に倒せばいいさ |
| TL | If that's true, then we should defeat him before that happens. |
| NA | So we have to defeat him before he revives completely. |
| Mithra | |
| JP | ゼオンの うしなわれた力は 悪魔のジュエルに ふうじられて いるのです！ |
| TL | Zeon's lost power is being sealed in the devil's jewel! |
| NA | His power is sealed in the Jewel of Evil. |
| Astral | |
| JP | なんと！ それでわかった！ ゼオンが 悪魔のジュエルを あれほど ほしがるわけが！ |
| TL | What! Then I understand! That's why Zeon wants the devil's jewel so badly! |
| NA | So, that's why he wants the jewel! |
| Peter | |
| JP | それじゃ 悪魔のジュエルさえ 渡さなければ いいのかなあ？ |
| TL | Then as long as the devil's jewel doesn't get to him, that'll be good, right? |
| NA | Then, why don't we keep the jewel forever. |
| Mithra | |
| JP | アークバルーは はるか古代から じゃ悪な力が あつまるところ ゼオンを ほっておけば いつかは 力を とりもどすことでしょう |
| TL | Ark Valley is a place where a wicked power has gathered since a long-ancient time. I believe If we ignore Zeon then sooner or later he will retake his power. |
| NA | Arc Valley is the place where evil power gathers. He will recover his power if he stays there long enough. |
| Astral | |
| JP | ア・ア・ク・バ・レ・イ ですと？ |
| TL | A—r—k—v—a—l—l—e—y, what is that? |
| NA | Did you say, Arc Valley? |
| Mithra | |
| JP | あなた方には 古えのとう・・・ グランドシールと いった方が ずっと わかりやすいかしら？ とうに かかれたグランドシールは 地上をふういんする といういみなの |
| TL | The ancient tower . . . Or would it be easier to understand as the place you all call Granseal? It refers to the grand seal written in the tower that seals off the surface. |
| NA | You call it Ancient Tower or Granseal. Granseal is named for the symbol in the tower. It seals the ground. |
| Astral | |
| JP | なんと！ そうだったのですか！ 地上のふういんですか・・・ ミトゥラ神！ どこに 行かれるのです！ |
| TL | What! Is that really true? A seal of the surface . . . ? God Mithra! Where are you going? |
| NA | I see. Goddess Mitula, where are you going? |
| Mithra | |
| JP | 地上へ！ 地上の者を たすけに！ |
| TL | To the surface! To help the people of the surface! |
| NA | Down to the surface. To save the people. |
| Astral | |
| JP | そんな せっしょうな！ あなたも ボルカノン様のように われわれを 見すてるのですか！ |
| TL | That's cruel! Are you going to abandon us just like Lord Volcanon? |
| NA | Are you going to abandon us, as Volcanon did? |
| Mithra | |
| JP | ・・・それを いわれると弱いわ グランス島に 行くのなら かたりべの伝説を きいておくこと！ それが きっと やくになつはずです ゼオンを倒すことは でくないわ やつの力を 弱められたら 私たちが 力をかしましょう それと・・・ボウイ！ あなたは 光のジュエルに それを持つ者として えらばれたの ゼオンを 弱めるのには あなたの力が ひつようよ せいなる剣を おさがしなさい |
| TL | . . . When you put it that way, I sound weak. If you are to go to the island of Grans, listen to the legend of the storytellers! I'm sure that will be useful to you. Defeating Zeon is not possible. If his power were to weaken, we could lend our power. Even so . . . Bowie! The Jewel of Light chose you to be the one to possess it. In order to weaken Zeon, it will be necessary to use your power. You must search for the holy sword. |
| NA | Well . . . no. I'll give you a hint. Listen to the storytellers before you go to Grans Island. You can't kill Zeon, but Volcanon and I will help you if you weaken him. Bowie! You are the chosen one. You have the holy jewel. We need your help to reseal Zeon. Find the holy sword. |
| Astral | |
| JP | せいなる剣は どこにあるのです？ どうやって みつけるのですか？ |
| TL | Where is the holy sword? How do we find it? |
| NA | Where is it? How can we find it? |
| Mithra | |
| JP | ・・・グランス・・・島に ・・・光の・・・ジュエルが 教えて・・・くれ・・・ |
| TL | . . . Grans . . . Island . . . Jewel of . . . Light will show . . . you . . . |
| NA | It's on Grans. Your jewel will lead you to... |
| Astral | |
| JP | ミトゥラ神！ ミトゥラ神！ |
| TL | God Mithra! God Mithra! |
| NA | Mitula, Mitula! |
| Peter | |
| JP | アストラル様 ボウイ！ ミトゥラ神は いっちゃたね これから・・・どうしよう |
| TL | Lord Astral, Bowie! God Mithra left. What do we do . . . from here? |
| NA | Bowie, Mitula has vanished! What should we do now? |
| Astral | |
| JP | なにがあろうと 行くしかない グランス島の アークバレーヘ！ さあ ボウイや！ かたりべを みつけようぞ！ |
| TL | We must go to Ark Valley on Grans Island no matter what! Come, Bowie! Let's find those storytellers! |
| NA | We have to go to Arc Valley on Grans Island. Bowie, find the storytellers first. |
Tristan Storytellers
| Statue No. 1 | |
|---|---|
| JP | アークバレーは けがれしところ! 悪しき力を あつめるばしょなり アークバレーを おさめる者こそ 悪魔族の 王の中の王となろう |
| TL | Ark Valley is a vile place! It is a place where evil power gathers. The one who rules Ark Valley becomes the king of kings of the devil race. |
| NA | Arc Valley is a dark place where evil gathers. He who rules Arc Valley is the King of the Devils. |
| Statue No. 2 | |
| JP | ルシファー・ダークソル・ゼオンは アークバレーを ほっして戦いたり 悪魔の王の戦いは そうぜつをきわめ 地をやき うみをそめ そらをさいた |
| TL | Lucifer, Dark Sol, and Zeon coveted Ark Valley and fought one another for it. At the climax of the war of the devil kings, the land was burned, the sea stained, and the skies torn. |
| NA | Dark Sol, Dark Dragon and Zeon fought desperately to obtain Arc Valley. The fighting of the Devil kings created a mighty storm. |
| Statue No. 3 | |
| JP | 戦いのはて しょうりしたゼオンを すべての悪魔が 王の中の王とよぶ ねたんだ2人の王は ゼオンをおそい その力を ほうせきにふうじたり |
| TL | The war ended with Zeon the victor, and he was named king of kings among the devils. The two jealous kings attacked Zeon and sealed his power within a jewel. |
| NA | Zeon won. And every devil named him the King of the Devils. The other two kings envied Zeon. They sealed his powers inside the Jewel of Evil. |
| Statue No. 4 | |
| JP | 力を うしなったゼオンは アークバレーの ひのうみにのまれる ゼオンのなげきは 山をくだき たには ゼオンとともにうもれる |
| TL | Zeon, who lost his power, is swallowed by a sea of fire in Ark Valley. Zeon's lamentation destroyed the mountain, and he and the valley were both buried. |
| NA | When Zeon lost his powers, he fell to Earth, and created a giant crater when he hit. His moan destroyed the mountains and the crater was buried by the debris. |
| Statue No. 5 | |
| JP | 賢き神は 悪魔の戦いをかなしみ ただしき力を つくり上げる ただしき力は 貴い人をえらび 貴い人は 賢き神の山で剣をきたえる |
| TL | The war of the devils saddened a wise god, who created a righteous power. The righteous power chose a noble person. That noble person forged a sword on the wise god's mountain. |
| NA | Grieving over the fight, the God of Wisdom created the Jewel of Light. The Jewel of Light chose a brave man and gave him a Holy Sword. |
| Statue No. 6 | |
| JP | 賢き神から 力をうけし貴い人は 2人の悪魔王に きたえし剣をふるい つるぎの力は きよき光をはなち アークバレーから 悪魔をはらうなり |
| TL | The person who received the power wielded the forged sword against the two devil kings. The power of that sword emitted pure light that expelled the devils from Ark Valley. |
| NA | With the Holy Sword in hand, the brave man fought against the two devil kings. The Holy Sword contained holy power. Thus, the two devil kings were defeated. |
| Statue No. 7 | |
| JP | アークバレーのけがれたるばしょは 古えのほこらで ふうずるものなり 悪の大王を よみがえらせたくなくば なんぴとも これをおかすことなかれ |
| TL | In Ark Valley's vile locale is an ancient shrine containing sealed objects. No one should trespass upon this place, for the great king of evil will be resurrected. |
| NA | Evil Arc Valley was sealed beneath the Ancient Tower. Never open the door to this tower. A great evil sleeps inside. |
| Statue No. 8 | |
| JP | まんがいち 悪しき力はたらく時 神の力 また貴い人をえらばん ただしき力を しんじるがよい! 剣をとり 悪魔のくちにくらわせよ |
| TL | In the unlikely event that a time comes when the power of evil is at work, the power of god will again choose a noble person. You must believe in the righteous power! Take the sword and deal a blow to the devil's mouth. |
| NA | In the event of Zeon awakening, the power of light will choose another. Believe us. We lie not. Attack the devil at his mouth with the Holy Sword. |
Resources
References
- ↑ "Special Thanks", Staff Credits, Shining Force II (シャイニング・フォースII 古えの封印, Shainingu Fōsu II: Inishie no Fūin, "Shining Force II: The Ancient Seal"). Sonic! Software Planning. Sega, 1993.
- ↑ Japanese Script, Shining Force: The Legacy of Great Intention (シャイニング・フォース 神々の遺産, Shainingu Fōsu: Kamigami no Isan, "Shining Force: Legacy of the Gods"). Climax Entertainment, Sonic! Software Planning. Sega, 1992.
Game Directory
| Shining Games | |
|---|---|
| Mega Drive | Shining and the Darkness・Shining Force・ Shining Force II・Shining Force CD |
| Game Gear | Shining Force Gaiden・Shining Force Gaiden II・Shining Force Gaiden: Final Conflict |
| Saturn | Shining Wisdom・Shining the Holy Ark・Shining Force III Sc. 1・Shining Force III Sc. 2・Shining Force III Sc. 3・Shining Force III PD |
| Game Boy Advance | Shining Soul・Shining Soul II・Shining Force: Resurrection of the Black Dragon |
| PlayStation 2 | Shining Tears・Shining Force Neo・Shining Force EXA・Shining Wind |
| Mobile | Shining Road to the Force・Shining Road 2 |
| PlayStation Portable | Shining Hearts・Shining Blade・Shining Ark |
| Nintendo DS | Shining Force Feather |
| Arcade | Shining Force Cross・Blade Arcus from Shining |
| PlayStation 3 | Shining Resonance・Blade Arcus from Shining EX |
| PlayStation 4 / Switch | Shining Resonance Refrain・Blade Arcus from Shining Rebellion |
| Related Games | |
| PC-88 | Fangs: The Saga of Wolf Blood |
| Mega Drive | Land Stalker: The Emperor's Treasure・Ragnacënty |
| Super Famicom | FEDA: The Emblem of Justice・Lady Stalker |
| Saturn | FEDA Remake!・Dark Savior |
| PlayStation | Alundra・FEDA 2: White Surge the Platoon・Alundra 2 |
| Dreamcast | Climax Landers |
| Game Boy Advance | Golden Sun: The Broken Seal・Golden Sun: The Lost Age |
| Nintendo DS | Golden Sun: Jet Black Dawn |