A/N - Hello! My name is barely-miracles, but you can call me Mira if you'd like. This is my first fic in the Xenoblade fandom, so I'm really nervous. Please let me know what you think! (I'm open to constructive criticism). Anyway, please enjoy this chapter. I hope you'll review, favorite, and follow!

Melia knelt down in the grass, closing her eyes as she felt the gentle green blades tickling her shins. It had been too long since she had been able to simply relax. Telethia terrorizing her people, her increased royal duties, it all seemed to pile up unbearably. A faint sigh freed itself from her lungs, allowing - if only for a brief moment - an outward expression of her internal turmoil. Guilt and woeful longing built up within her, enough to create a dreary palace in which she could store such negative emotions.

Sometimes it seemed as though she did little else those days. She hid everything she could manage realistically, but her feelings especially. Perhaps it was merely the way she had been trained to behave. Endless lessons replayed themselves in her mind, reminded her to be silent unless spoken to. Not to mention the barked reprimands - stand up straight, be charming, eat the food even when it is far from delicious and not even mildly tasty.

Yet she always obeyed.

Though, perhaps that was only because she had not known that she could have refused. She had wanted to be the best heiress that had ever lived, however, and very few held the power to change her mind. It would have taken years to reverse the effects of such rigorous training - time she did not possess for the world was crumbling around them.

The Bionis deteriorated beneath her floating utopia, the decay more noticeable as the days wore on. And she merely watched from her shelter, through thick glass panes and wisps of fragmented cloud.

There had to be something she could do for them - those little people who always seemed so far away. Who were they, she wondered. What dreams did they have? Her mind invented question after question as she stared ever downward, still unable to see them through the veil that was the Eryth Sea. In all her years of royal training, she had never formally learned about those beings called Homs. There had just been her mother - the only one she had ever laid eyes upon. And yet, her father expected that one day, she would break the rules of isolationism in order to take a Homs man as a consort.

She knew nothing about their race, nothing concretely factual anyway. Only the things her mother had told her when they were both much younger. She had never seen a male Homs before. All she had been told since her training began was that she would eventually be required to produce a child with a creature that remained completely unknown to her.

And she couldn't help but feel afraid. It was an emotion with which she was well-acquainted, meaning that, by now, she knew exactly how to force it down. But, this time, she couldn't quite manage it, no matter how tightly she hugged her knees to her chest. She longed for her mother's embrace, knowing full well that it was forever gone. Her mother had died decades ago, left her alone with emotions that overwhelmed her on a daily basis. Now, she had no one to confide in. Except Kallian.

As if on cue, she heard the telltale footsteps pounding down the pathway to the Imperial Villa's entrance. She briefly entertained the idea of remaining seated. Perhaps he would not notice her, pass her by. Then her feelings and royal duties could be kept at bay until she was better equipped to take care of them. But she knew that such behavior was unacceptable.

"Good morning, brother," she greeted as she stood and brushed stray blades of grass from her clothes. "Did you need me for something?"

Kallian turned to face her, smiled warmly. "I wish that I did not. But, yes. Father has requested your presence in the throne room." He approached her cautiously, as if he thought that she might lash out if he drew close too suddenly. "Perhaps we may eat together first. You know that I must soon depart for Valak Mountain. I had hoped to spend time with you before I left."

"Yes, of course," she replied, walking past him to head into the villa. Except, she had not been aware of her brother's impending departure. She tried not to let him see her disappointment or her curiosity. Why had she not been informed? And what was the purpose of Kallian being sent away?

"Melia."

She stopped mid-stride and turned, slightly cocking an eyebrow at him.

He laughed softly, almost too gentle to hear even from such a short distance away. "There is a new restaurant that opened in the commercial sector mere days ago. I thought it would be nice to try it. Just the two of us. Don't you think so?"

A small smile invaded her lips. She could not prevent herself from being slightly more expressive when Kallian was around. He always brought out the best in her. Briefly, she wondered how she would manage in his absence. If she could not drop her guard every few days... She cleared the thought from her head and found herself nodding.

"That sounds like a lovely idea."

The royal siblings sat down at a small table in the back corner of the restaurant. The nearby window had a decent view and Melia stared out of it idly, watching a merchant sell his wares across the street. She carefully studied each object he had to offer but she gave special attention to a rather expensive looking locket. What did it hold within? She wondered if it was burdened with as many secrets as she was.

Her brother followed her gaze, found the delicate piece of jewelry. "That is a beautiful necklace there." His eyes darted over to Melia's face, seeking a reaction. However, she refused to award him one. "Would you be happier if I bought it for you?"

"What do you mean by that?" she demanded. Despite her best efforts to disguise it, her tone was clearly defensive. A slight cough rattled her lungs as she regained her composure. "Brother, I am perfectly happy."

He nodded once, agreeing with her and letting the matter rest. Not long after, the food they had ordered was brought to them. They ate in absolute silence. A comfortable silence, Melia noted, in which they did not speak because they felt no need to. It was not for a lack of subjects, as the two of them surely had years of topics to discuss. But perhaps, they did not talk for the simple reason that it was more relaxing to enjoy good food and better company without the stress of a meaningful conversation.

As they finished their meals, the talking inevitably began again. Kallian set down his utensils then cast another glance out of the window. Melia knew he was looking at the locket again, but told herself not to say anything about it. Although, she did wonder why her brother took such exaggerated interest in the object. Surely he knew that she did not want - or deserve - gifts from him. Especially not expensive gifts.

"But if I did purchase it," he said, breaking the peaceful quiet, "would you like it?"

Melia thought on that question for a while, kept her brother waiting for as long as she considered to be polite. "I would," she said at last, catching the small glimpse of relief that relaxed her brother's usually tense features. "Yet, I do not think I should ever wear it."

His face took on a disappointed expression, but he did not press further. And she was not inclined to tell him the reason if he did not ask for it. Besides, she was reluctant to share with him the full truth. That she could not trouble him in such a way. That she could not wear a locket that only ever reminded her of how delicate she truly was. A locket that would forever remain empty because there was no room in her heart for sentimentality.

When they returned to the palace, Kallian walked her up to the transporter. They said swift, curt goodbyes then went their separate ways. Melia felt a slight pang of loneliness resonate within her as she watched him go. It was foolish, of course. But truly, she was saddened to see him leave for she had wished to ask him to speak further on his expedition. She shoved that thought aside; he would be home soon enough and she could discuss the journey when he had had time to rest.

She stepped into the transporter. Within seconds, she entered her father's throne room. The glass staircase always amazed her when she was a child. Surpressing a smile, she walked up the shimmering steps in a state of serene remembrance until she came face to face with her father and four knights.

Their names popped into her head immediately: Aizel, Hogard, Garan, and Damil. She knew them well by this point in her life as they had been charged with guarding her whenever she was sent to the Frontier Village on official business. Not that they were necessarily needed, but she allowed herself to feel safe if she knew they were nearby. It felt like nothing could touch her when they watched over her. She was invincible.

"Father..." Melia forced herself out of her head and curtsied elegantly. "You requested my presence? How may I be of service?"

"My dear daughter, I sent Kallian to bring you over an hour ago," Sorean replied, shaking his head slightly. But she caught the twinkle in his eye and knew he was not angered by the delay. Perhaps he found it cute - though Melia resented such a description. "No matter. I am afraid that I have an urgent quest for you. It may not wait any longer, which is why you must personally see it through to its completion."

"Of course, Father," she agreed. "What must I do?"

"Kill the Telethia that has been rampaging in Makna Forest."

She felt a wave of dread wash over her, turn all of her internal organs upside-down. A Telethia... But it was her first real mission on her own and she allowed her determination to override the sense of misgiving. So she merely nodded, briefly, decisively. Her father's grim smile was her only reward, the only goodbye she received before her and the four knights set out.

The journey was barely over two hours long, but it felt like days had passed by the time the five travelers arrived in Makna Forest. She meant that in the best way possible because every extended moment she spent with her four friends was a blessing. Even when Hogard and Damil argued the entire way about who was more handsome. Even when Aizel started to sing drinking songs in the wrong keys. Garan would try to help from time to time, though he soon gave up. Aizel was unteachable.

They wandered about in the forest with no real plan. Carry on as usual... Which meant horrible singing, playful arguing, and casual discussion. Melia had only just began a conversation about how curious Nopon traditions were when a monstrous shriek ripped through the air. Much closer than they had been expecting.

Aizel's voice cut off, all idle chatter faltered. The knights drew their swords and Melia's grip on her staff tightened. Despite the hour of day, their sight was impaired for the dense trees allowed very little sunlight to filter in. They circled around, sometimes managing to catch a glimpse of a dark shadow as the beast flew in closer. Hogard grabbed Melia's arm, pulled her into their defensive formation in order to protect her from most angles of attack.

"Do not worry, Princess," he assured, though his voice sounded strained. "We shall keep you safe."

That was when hell broke loose. It happened too fast to be certain of what truly occurred. One moment, her dear friends were telling her that they could protect her. Then the next, she was alone. Only corpses remained of the four men. Disfigured, bloody corpses.

She knelt down beside one of them, her knee sinking into the warmth of recently spilled blood. The fingers of her left hand brushed against his face - unrecognizable due to the number of gashes ripped in his flesh. Perhaps this one was Garan. Sweet, quiet Garan who was meant to go home before nightfall to be reunited with his pregnant wife.

Or it was Aizel whose voice should have still been singing as they made their way home after successfully completing the quest. And Hogard could not stray there too long for his ailing grandmother needed him to care for her. Melia shook him gently, tried to remind him of his relative. But he would not listen.

The one thrown just apart from the other three... It was undeniably Damil. His face untouched by the devil's claws and his grey eyes merely stared. She was drawn in by them. She took comfort in staring back even though she could see nothing but fear in those irises. Fear and the telltale glaze of death. But it was not possible for such a man to return to the Bionis. Not when he had unfulfilled dreams. Not when he had already chased them so far. He had wanted to retire from the army one day, become an artist. Dead fingers cannot paint...

Melia stood, knocked out of her thoughts by the Telethia's shrieks. Staff outstretched, she summoned element after element. She launched a few, summoned more. One last look to the men she had failed. Then she ran.

It was her fault. Four men were dead and her own shortcomings were responsible. She had deprived good families of their sons, brothers, husbands, fathers. She selfishly believed that they could protect her. She had not tried hard enough to protect them. She had thrown precious lives to the ground, stomped on them until they were ragged and broken. A ruler did not do such wretched things. The ruler she wanted to be would have never acted so carelessly...

Without her consent, a strangled sob ripped through her lips. She pressed her free hand over her mouth, attempted to force her own emotions into submission. But she could not manage it - she briefly wondered if she would ever be able to do so again. However, the presence of the Telethia prevented any further thoughts.

She brandished her staff in treacherously shaking hands, called upon the elemental spirits in screaming and unsteady tones. Tears flowed out of her eyes, far beyond even the slightest hope of control. And she continued screeching, even when her words lost meaning.

The Telethia leaned in close enough that she felt its breath upon her bloodless, sweat-soaked skin. Hot, damp breath that sapped her strength like a gaseous parasite. Her auras vanished without warning, her knees buckled. She felt an impact, saw strange lights and colors dance across her view of the forest canopy. Then nothing. No sensations - a sable blanket smothering her eyes, nose, mouth, and ears.

Everything was gone, consumed by that dreadful nothingness.