A/N: Since recently playing through Tales of Vesperia, I was given the drive to continue the story in such a way as I saw fit. Now I know this isn't the first post-game story out there, and it most likely won't be the last, but it's a first for me since I mostly do in-game or in-movie remixes. I only hope I don't get anyone too out of character when they appear.

Disclaimer: I own no Tales property. All I own are the new characters in this story... and maybe the extended storyline.

Terca Lumieres has turned into a new world in the past five years. The loss of the blastia shook the very foundation of everyone's lives, making them resort to more crude methods of doing things… At least, that's what the nobles have said.

Life is indeed different, but a lot of people have made the best of it since the defeat of the Adephagos. Spirits roam the world just as freely as humans and the remaining Entelexeia, but even in the small amount of time they've been here, they help out humans as much as possible in big tasks, like controlling monsters, and even in the little tasks, like everyday life. They have truly become humanity's closest friends, but like friends, they give warnings.

According to rumors, the Spirits of the Elements have given word of a disturbance in the mana of the world. They believe something immense is about to transpire, something bigger than the Adephagos. However, none are sure exactly how soon this shall come. The Empire has taken action in searching the world for any irregularities, but life in the towns move on. No one really takes the rumors seriously, believing two catastrophes can't happen in such short a time.

But no one would have imagined just how strong this shall impact the world, nor would one girl have known that she would be the key to unlock these events.

"Kim?" I heard my name being called out in the darkness, but I tried to pay it no mind. I was comfortable where I was. "Kim," the same voice called again, but a tune played in their tone. "Kimberly Crais!"

"A-ah!" The sudden yell jerked me out of my slumber, making me shoot into a sitting position on the piece of ground I was temporarily calling my bed. "What? What happened?" I was answered by a familiar laugh right beside me, making me feel used for another's personal enjoyment. I turned my head, my eyes narrow to show my irritation. "Dora…"

My Spiritual friend tilted her head in an innocent manner as a chuckle escaped her lips. "I know it's warm out," she stated, her soprano voice a melody in the air, "but taking a nap on top of this hill isn't what I would call healthy."

Metrodora, or Dora as I call her, has been my friend since she first formed in front of the Great Tree in Halure five years ago. She's three inches taller than me, setting her at 5' 4", but is frailly built. She has tainted white hair, metallic silver eyes, and skin that is only slightly paler than a normal person, occasionally having people mistake her for a human. Dora's normal attire was usually a white shirt and tan shorts underneath a sky blue robe that exposed her left leg, showing she wore no shoes. At first, she didn't wear much, but she soon caught on to the lack of decency and dressed accordingly, like many of the other human-like Spirits.

I sighed in amusement at her comment and allowed myself to fall to the ground once more, keeping my hands behind my head in the process. "Well, the guards fighting off monsters and getting cuts and bruises isn't what I'd call healthy either," I retorted. "So compared to them, what's wrong with getting a little dirty and enjoying the cool wind?"

A smile appeared on Dora's features as she sat down beside me. "I suppose."

A silence fell between us as we both listened to the whistling wind. The tree behind us let a few leaves fall and swirl around until they either hit the ground or drifted out of sight. One, however, seemed to have found a path towards me as it made a perfect landing on my forehead. Dora giggled when she noticed, but I just picked it up and looked at it. Quite honestly, that was a first for me.

"It took 14 in a half years, but a leaf finally fell on my head," I openly remarked, making both of us laugh.

"Could it be a sign?" Actually, Dora's question did strike me as curious. Most people call it ordinary for a leaf to fall on them during this season, but I never had the pleasure to say it happened to me until just now.

However, I just shrugged as I stood up. "Not sure. But one could dream, right?" The wind picked up once more and I let go of the pink leaf, watching it drift off in the wind.

"Well, you should get ready." Dora's statement made me look at her, my confusion clearly showing. What did she mean by 'get ready'? "You don't remember? You are the one who volunteered to carry the monthly condition report to Zaphias this time."

"That's today? I thought it wasn't until tomorrow!"

Dora shook her head, a slight smile on her face. "I overheard the guard talking about the delivery. I also heard that the escort should be here in an hour."

"An hour? Oh shoot! I need to get ready!" I took off for my house, not even paying attention to Mertodora as I ran down the hill. If anything, she was probably laughing quietly to herself due to my procrastination. However, I quickly made my way through town, brushing past a couple of tourists that wanted to camp out on the bridge. I heard a couple of complaints, but they should know better than to block a roadway.

As soon as I entered the house, I immediately started changing my clothes to my usual wear. I pulled on my green shirt with sleeves that stopped at my elbows, black pants that hugged just above my knees, and black shoes. I added a couple of things like my tan traveling vest and my father's matching work glove that fit me thanks to its elasticity. However, there was always one thing that I could never put on right.

"Come on, tie already!" I screamed at my reflection while trying to tie a knot to a long, white piece of fabric. I wore it as a headband every chance I got, but those don't come often. The idea is hide the knot underneath my short, crimson hair and let the loose ends dangle freely, but I can never get it done right without some help. Of course that never stopped me from practicing, but now wasn't the time. In fact, I spent most of the hour trying to tie it up.

"Need help?" I focused my attention to the right of my mirror, noticing Dora leaning against the wall.

I sighed in frustration, but I knew I didn't have much time left to work on it. "If you don't mind."

"Of course not." Dora never did object a favor from me, even though I tried to ask little of her. As she worked on the fabric, another question escaped her lips. "Actually, isn't this supposed to be worn around the waist? Why do you choose to wear it as a headband?"

I chuckled. "Haven't you asked this question before?"

"I may have. However, why not refresh my memory?"

Another chuckle escaped me since I knew I explained it to her several times before. Apparently she just enjoys my explanation. "Well, the main reason is because the loose ends would drag across the ground if I wore it around my waist. I don't want to waste a good accessory." My eyes trailed back to the mirror and I gazed at my own violet eyes. "But there is another reason."

"Really?" Dora asked, acting interested. "What is that?"

"My father said it was my mother's. However, she didn't wear it normally either. She wore it like a scarf, always close to her neck. 'She wanted to do things differently,' as my father said. So, although I never knew my mother, I feel like whenever I have it around my head and I listen closely, I can hear her… singing a song as if to calm me."

Dora hands fell on my shoulders, both to comfort me and to signal her completion. "That's very touching, you know?"

I nodded slowly, thinking over what I said. "Yeah, I guess."

During the tender moment, a knock came from the front door and broke the comforting atmosphere. "Ms. Crais?" a voice followed.

"Yes?"

"Your escort is here. We assume you are ready?"

I took a deep breath, calming my nerves. "Yes. I'll be out in a few seconds."

"Understood, ma'am. We'll be waiting at the entrance of town." Finally listening, I heard the clanking of metal from the knight's armor as he walked off my porch. The Imperial Knights were much more pleasant under the order of Commandant Flynn, not abusing their authority around our town. Sometimes I wonder what it's like to be a knight.

"Are you sure you don't want me with?" Dora asked.

I smiled at her concern. "I'll be fine," I said while getting up and adjusting my now white headband. "I'm only delivering a letter. Besides monsters, what could be a problem?"

"Events have a strange way of showing themselves." Her serious tone somewhat worried me, causing me to turn around and look at her. Her eyes were cautious and her lips were straight; a sight that's rarely seen by anyone. "I just want my friend to be safe."

Watching her made me think twice about what could happen. It's true that anything could happen, but the Knights should've taken precautions to keep such a thing from happening. However, I guess I could use the familiar company. "Okay then. Let me speak to them."

Dora's serious expression faded and was replaced by her natural smile. Such a face is something I'm used to from her since knowing her for five years. "Thank you. I promise I won't slow you down."

"Slow me down?" I repeated as we headed out. "You're always the one who keeps me up to speed!"

She closed her eyes and chuckled. "Touché."