Vayne Solidor

Larsa also seems to be viewing Vayne's actions as he wishes to see them. The Senate points this out to a reluctant Gramis, though the wording can be taken in several different ways. Most plausibly, Larsa, construing Vayne's orders and ideals in a certain light, is actually creating a hero he can look to for guidance. This is probably one of the reasons that the Senate tips Larsa off to Draklor Laboratory's activites.

Clearly, wee Larsa was a little bit misguided at this point in the game.

Yet even as Vayne manipulates the events of the game in his favor, he seems to genuinely care for Larsa. It’s hard to tell at first if he wants Larsa to remain "innocent" simply so he will never have a rival in his brother (a common threat posed in history - the power-grabbing younger sibling!), or if he truly wishes for Larsa to be a happy, carefree child who never has to experience the darker side of governing. The game leans heavily on the latter interpretation. While Vayne is more than capable of conducting numerous cruelties in the name of House Solidor, he at first believes that Larsa is not and should not follow his path. Vayne is a complicated character; he could be protecting Larsa, himself, and the empire - after all, someone who can’t do the job the proper way should never have it.

Farther into the game, Larsa begins to see that his goals do not match up with Vayne's own. When Larsa firmly informs Vayne that he doesn't believe a war is necessary, Vayne chides him almost derisively. A few moments later, when Cid remarks that it's hard to believe Larsa and Vayne are related because the younger is "so sweet", Vayne adds something to the effect of, "And that's how I want him to be". Clearly, for whatever reason, Vayne has decided that Larsa will not fall prey to the corruption and tragedy that haunts most leaders -- in particular, the Machiavellian Solidors.

While Larsa does remain sweet, he slowly begins to stand up to Vayne. A crucial moment that illustrates this comes while both are aboard the Sky Fortress Bahamut. Despite Larsa's desperate pleas, Vayne fires on the Resistance Army; a devastated Larsa tells Vayne that it was the wrong move, and that he has a dream of countries at peace. Vayne, perhaps finally realizing his brother's burgeoning power, says, "Then you need the strength to set me straight." This is a very important moment for the two brothers - they finally seem to realize that in the end they will stand opposite each other, and it is impossible for both to have their individual dreams realized as long as the other stands in the way.

Shortly after, Vayne takes Larsa to the upper floor of the Bahamut. The Main Party finds them here, and at first Vayne openly mocks Ashe. He finally instructs Larsa to witness the fall of a "powerless monarch".

Here is where the true shift in their relationship comes: Larsa draws his sword on Vayne, fearlessly saying that even powerless he will never give up.

Of course, even after defeating Vayne with the party, Larsa runs to his brother after he falls. Unfortunately, there is something of a trap around him - and he, too, falls unconscious to the floor. While it's tempting to think that Vayne wouldn't care at all for Larsa after this, that kooky dictator proves us wrong; moments later, when Judge Gabranth joins the battle ground, Vayne instructs him to look after Larsa. Even while possessed and clearly nuttier than a nutter bar, Vayne has Larsa's well-being in mind. These are not the actions of a callous older sibling - Vayne truly believes in his goals, his actions, and Larsa's safety and incorruptibility. And Larsa, who finally realizes he has to take Vayne down or let Ivalice suffer the consequences, appears to have loved his brother -- or what his brother could have been -- to the end.

For the rest of the Vayne and Larsa story, check out the FINALE.

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