A mixture of jovial conversation and hearty laughter filled the tavern as the Order of Heroes merrily drank in celebration. Surtr had fallen, at long last, and the war against Múspell had found its conclusion.

Sharena herself had been particularly merry, flitting from one group to the next like the most social butterfly ever, as the Commander had put it.

While she was certainly overjoyed about the end of the war, she was also celebrating something far less grand, but still brought her joy to think about. Fjorm had decided to continue traveling with Kiran, which by extension meant with the Order of Heroes. While her motivations were that of repaying a debt, Sharena couldn't help but be elated to be able to spend more time with her favorite frosty princess.

"Hey, Fjorm!" She greeted, sliding into a seat next to the princess in question, who was lightly conversing with Kiran. "So what do you think of Askr? It's your first time here, right?"

"Ah, Princess Sharena, hello." Fjorm answered, "The landscape has been wonderful, but I'm afraid I won't be able to appreciate it properly until there's less of a...population around." She was always reserved to an extent, but Fjorm seemed particularly shy when in the presence of too many people.

"Oh gotcha!" Sharena nodded sagely, "That's totally fine, I used to be the same way, actually! I'd always be hiding behind my brother!" She laughed, putting an arm around Fjorm and putting a hand up to hide her mouth, whispering, "I can totally take you on a private tour sometime, but don't tell the Commander about it. She'll attempt to turn it into an opportunity for profit."

Fjorm chuckled, "Yes, I suppose she would. I appreciate your offer, thank you."

Sharena nodded again, flashing Fjorm her biggest grin. It may have been just a bit too big, but she doubted Fjorm had noticed. "Just let me know!" She replied, standing up and surveying the crowd, "Now, where is that brother of mine? I need to make sure he's celebrating properly!"

Fjorm chuckled again, and pointed towards a table in the tavern's corner. "I believe he was sitting in that general area, last I saw."

"Oh, thanks!" Sharena gave her a thumbs up in thanks before making her way in that direction. As she walked, her smile dropped a little, and she gave a soft sigh. While checking on her brother had certainly crossed her mind, it wasn't exactly her reason for ducking out of Fjorm's company so soon. If she were being honest, she had never been the best at small talk of any kind. She tended to overshare, and skip that phase all together. She liked to be personal with her friends, and affectionate as well. It'd led to many people keeping their distance from her in the past, preferring a more 'traditional' friendship, with those who were less 'overwhelming'. That's the last thing she would want to happen with Fjorm. Perhaps Fjorm would be fine with it, but Sharena reasoned that playing it safe and only interacting with her in shorter bursts would be the best way to be sure.

After grabbing a refill of her juice- she never drank alcohol- Sharena spotted Alfonse speaking with the commander, serious looks on their faces. She slid into the booth beside him, making herself comfortable, "Heya, what're you guys doing? This is a time for smiles and laughter, not serious mcfrowny faces!" she emphasised her point by giving an exaggerated frown at the end.

"Ah, Sharena. We were discussing the meeting with father tomorrow. Perhaps it isn't quite a light topic, but I'd rather get it out of the way." Alfonse gave Sharena a sympathetic smile as her exaggerated frown became a real one. "Don't worry, we intend to be as short as possible in our stay."

It wasn't that Sharena didn't want to see her family, she loved them, of course. She just...hated how they made her feel sometimes. Like she was invisible, had nothing to offer. They looked at Alfonse as if he were made of gold, but she was translucent. She never blamed Alfonse for their treatment of them, outwardly at least. There were times she wished he would fail so she could succeed, but they were thoughts she refused to give a voice. Until she joined the Order of Heroes, Alfonse was the only one who actually saw her. The only one who made her feel important, needed. He was always on her side, no matter what.

"Do we have to? I mean...isn't a written report from Feh enough?" She already knew the answer, but she asked anyway, praying that maybe it had changed somehow.

"I'm afraid we do. The Order hasn't checked in with him in a good while, and after fighting two extensive wars, he's specifically asking us to." The commander replied with a sigh. "I know I've said it before, but I hate how I can't properly stand up for you in his presence...In all other aspects I try my best to be a proper leader, but to talk back to the king...I don't have the luxury." The commander bowed her head slightly, looking up at Sharena with solemn eyes. "I really am sorry."

Sharena smiled and shook her head, "Oh, no I understand! I appreciate that you wish you could!" Perhaps her smile didn't quite reach her eyes, but Sharena was practiced at her masks. The only one who could read her properly, however, was sitting right next to her.

"Why don't we go out for a bit? Take a walk?" Alfonse suggested, gently nudging her out of the booth before she could respond. "It's stuffy in here, I could use the air."

"Alright, sure…" Sharena let him guide her out of the tavern by the hand, taking a deep breath of the night air once they left.

After a moment of taking in the calmness of the night, Alfonse broke the silence. "I understand your reluctance to return home...I feel the same." Sharena turned to look at him, observing how he kept his gaze on the ground as he thought. "I have yet to tell you of what happened between us, but I'm in a similar situation with our parents, I'm afraid."

Sharena kept quiet, urging him to continue. He took a breath, clearly recalling memories he'd rather not. "I wanted so badly to join you in the Order of Heroes. I wanted to make a difference for my kingdom. Father...well, he didn't agree." Alfonse swallowed, "I joined against his wishes. He r yelled at me, said he never wished to see me again, told me I was a failure of an heir."

Sharena frowned, "I had no idea...I thought he supported you joining, to be honest."

Alfonse chuckled sadly, "Yes, I purposely left out the part about his disapproval when I told you I was joining. I didn't want to think about it, honestly. I still don't. However, apparently his request to meet with the Order specifically included me as well, so it must be brought to light."

Sharena kicked a loose pebble on the ground. "Dad of the year, huh? Not…" Alfonse chuckled in amusement at her statement, but her expression remained solemn. Her brother was the hardest working person she knew, and one of the most caring as well. He deserved praise, not scoldings.

"Hey, Alfonse?"

"Yeah?"

"I'm proud of you."

Alfonse's eyebrows rose in surprise, but Sharena kept her gaze level with his. She wanted to make sure he knew she was dead serious about this.

"I...thank you." He smiled, "It feels nice to hear that, thank you."

She smiled back, a real smile this time, but a second later and the moment was shattered. A scream pierced through the quiet veil of night, and instantly both siblings were on their feet, moving to rally the Order to help. Just outside the village stood lines of soldiers, or at least what looked like them. They wore no real uniforms, but all seemed dressed for war nonetheless. They seemed to be vaguely translucent as well, which was...concerning, to say the least. As the commander approached, Sharena and Alfonse at her side, their ranks broke to reveal a tall figure. They were translucent as well, but tinted purple, and with various bones visible within. Their lengthy wave of pale hair rested on their back like a cloak, and various markings covered a face equally as pale. When they glanced at her, Sharena felt a chill, although their eyes reflected nothing. They looked through her, in a familiar manner. Their dark eyes became sharp and focused once they landed on Alfonse, however.

"Prince Alfonse…" they spoke, voice clear and reverberating, "I am death...and I come to all who live. Take my hand and slumber."

"What?" Alfonse spoke in disbelief, but he was hardly the only one who felt it. Sharena felt a sinking in her chest that made it hard to breathe.

"I am Hel, ruler of the dead. I curse in my name, in 9 days you will die."

"No…" Sharena's voice came out a whisper.

Alfonse drew his sword, a mixture of panic and fear in his eyes, "Doomed boy." Hel responded, and there was a flash as purple smoke seemed to consume Alfonse, choking him. As he fell to his knees, it dispersed as suddenly as it formed, and he gasped, drawing in a breath.

"Alfonse!" Sharena rushed to his side, holding onto him as if he would fade away.

"To the Prince's side!" The commander yelled.

"Useless." Hel stated. "Your fate cannot be changed. You cannot defeat death, for I am she." Hel turned, and the air split before her, purple smoke oozing through, "Count your days, mortals, and quake in terror. I will see you again."

Just like that, she was gone, and Sharena's world lay crumbled at her feet.