Before we begin, I just wanted to say "hello" \(^_^)/ and thanks for such a kind welcome to this beautiful site. I am new here and with that, this is my first fanfiction story (ever). I can't wait to hear what you guys think! Anywho, from the other stories I've read, I think I need to add a few notes before the story begins, just to help out :)
*This a CheriaXBailey story. Since Bailey wasn't listed in the character box, I decided to list it here.
*The story takes place from the battle with Fendel (the time of Lord Aston's death) to Cheria's departure for Barona.
*Pardon my mistakes here. I am still new and still learning so bear with me :P
*SPOILERS WARNING! (just for safe measure)
DISCLAIMER: I don't own anything but the plot. The characters, the setting and all other elements belong to the creators of the Tales of Graces ƒ.
Now without further adieu, the three-shot tale between Cheria and Bailey. Enjoy (^_^)
Part 1:
Cheria's POV:
"MISS CHERIA?! MISS CHERIA?!"
I frantically rummaged through the supplies in my home, looking for all the possible medicines and remedies for the increasing fallen bodies just outside the door. As I searched, I could hear the blood-curdling screams of men, women and children, trying to evade the offensive Fendelian forces and locate a place of security.
"MISS CHERIA! MISS CHERIA, PLEASE HELP—"
The beating upon my door soon stopped and was replaced with more horrific cries of dread followed by the clanking of steel hitting armor and flesh. The search was futile, as none of my personal remedies would be enough to help the weakening forces on the exterior. With a quick adjust of my black hair ribbons, I started for my door, determined to do my part for my beloved home.
The outside was a hellish nightmare. What was once a beautiful, confined village has now erupted into a haven of war, fire and panic. With a swing of my arms, I dashed from my doorstep to the main streets below. As I suspected, the Lhant militia was in all-out skirmish against Fendel's forces right in the middle of our main square. Each side clad in seemingly impenetrable armor, the opposing forces battled head-to-head in a violent frenzy of firearms and blades. As I watched at the horror occurring around me, I felt a strong hand on my frail shoulder. I turned around and found it to be Bailey, clad in his usual suit of armor and equipped with a steel sword in his free hand.
"CHERIA, YOU NEED TO GET TO SAFETY NOW!" he demanded, he bright, forest-green eyes bearing a look of serious concern.
I tore from his grasp, shooting back at him an equally serious expression.
"This is my home too, Bailey, and I WILL protect it!"
Unbeknownst to Bailey, a Fendelian solider was approaching behind him, attempting to strike a deadly blow. My expression went from serious to worry in a matter of seconds.
"Bear this name in judgment..." I began to recite, holding my hands close to my chest.
"Huh? Cheria?" Bailey looked at me rather puzzled.
!STRIKE!
A bolt of lightning ignited behind him, completely vaporizing the enemy soldier. Bailey looked behind him, just as the man started to fade away.
"Ch-Cheria, did you just—"
I had no time for his befuddlement. I ran past him and began to fight alongside my home forces, iron throwing knives at my immediate disposal. A Fendel soldier came rushing at me, flailing his saber from left to right in violent slashes. I took a few steps back in evasion, getting to a clear spot away from the mess. As soon as I felt relatively safe, I put my hands together once again,
"Carve out a ward in this name..." I began; the light radiating from my pale palms as I spoke.
!ERUPT!
A holy symbol emerged from the ground and within moments, several Fendelian troops dematerialized before me. I made a slight grin as I noticed Fendel's numbers decrease exponentially (whether it be from retreat or casualties, I did not know for sure). The remaining soldiers fought with their lives, violently attacking the Lhant militia with all their remaining strength. Their efforts were futile, however, as our men were able to wipe out the spare opponents with little effort.
A bittersweet victory was now upon us, but not all were in the position to be celebrating, I looked about the square, bodies of evil and good adorned most of the once-immaculate, concrete floor, the rest filled in with trails of blood, fire and smoke. I ran to the main deck below and fell to my knees just centimeters from a Lhant soldier. Outstretching my hands, I began to perform my new-found healing artes quickly. The man grimaced in excruciating pain, one of which I felt myself.
"Are you...healing me?" he asked in a choppy, raspy tone.
"Just hold still, sir." I replied, dripping with sweat as I tried extremely hard to concentrate on the healing enchantment.
The light that was being passed through the man soon ceased, as well as his expressions of pain. He sat up and rested his forearms on his kneecaps, breathing heavily, trying hard not to look at me, the woman who just saved him.
"T-thank you miss—" he muttered, taking off his iron helmet.
I nodded slightly and headed over to the other victims, both Lhant and Fendel alike. In a time such as this, disregard of the enemy was not an option for me. The incantations seemed to come quicker and healing seemed to produce better results as I went from person to person. I was really impressed that my power can do some good. But then, I heard the shouts of Lhant forces behind me. Upon successfully healing the last wounded man on the battlefield, I was approached by several high-ranking officials, who had been examining the work some civilians and I have been doing. The well-dressed men beckoned me over, with sorrowful expressions stained on their faces. I walked over to them and bowed slightly, acknowledging them with the highest regard.
"Are you Cheria Barnes?" asked one of the more elderly nobles.
I nodded again. I didn't want to say something incorrectly, so I spared my common words.
A proper, much younger noble stepped forward.
"We need your assistance immediately," he demanded, "There has...been an accident."
My fingertips touched my lips slightly, covering not much of my petrified expression. Within moments, I was escorted to the down the square toward Lord Aston's manor, a domain I've been inside only a handful of times, none of which include days after Asbel's leave. I was starting to fear the worst. Why did they personally need ME? Was Grandpa alright? Lord Aston? Lady Kerri? Nobody was closer to the high-ranking household than me and my grandfather, and as I stepped closer and closer, the pain in my chest got worse.
I entered the structure alone, only to be immediately greeted by my grandfather. The pains in my chest were somewhat lifted.
"Cheria, I'm so glad you are alright." He said, tightly clutching my slim arms.
"Grandpa, what's going on?"
He released me and hung his head.
"Lord Aston was gravely wounded in the battle."
My hands rose to my mouth again, tears slowly coming down.
"No..."
"He fought a great battle with a number of men right in front of the manor. Though he slew the enemies, it cost the lives of his soldiers and now...himself."
"Where is he?!"
"He is upstairs with Lady Kerri."
I took no time in heading to the master bedroom. Zooming past the maids, I banged on the lord's door. I heard a gentle "come in" from the other side and I barged in, making no effort to a proper entrance. I rushed over to the bedside.
"LORD ASTON, JUST HOLD ON!"
"Cheria..." he groaned, clutching his gauze-wrapped torso, which was growing increasingly red with blood as he fussed.
"Don't worry; you will be fine in no time!"
I was so scared. I outstretched my hands, quickly releasing the healing spell.
"Cheria...Cheria..."
"Don't fuss too much...you'll aggravate the healing process."
"Cheria..."
He raised his arm and held one of my hands in his, stopping my projection of artes.
"Lord Aston..."
"I'm never going to recover, Cheria, don't waste your healing artes on me."
"My Lord, it's not a waste. I want you to live. You...you are important to us."
"You have done much for the people today, so I've heard. You...you are part of Lhant's future."
"Lord Aston?"
"Please, grant me one last favor. I need my...my son back. He has an obligation to rule and...and we need him. Please..."
"No, please don't talk like that..."
"Asbel is very important to you, and you to him...If anyone can bring him back, it's you."
"My Lord, I can't promise...he probably wouldn't pay me any mi—I just...I just..."
"Please...just try. Help him understand..."
Lady Kerri was sobbing. Her dear husband's life was slipping before her and she couldn't do a thing about it. Before long, Grandpa walked in, his hands folded together in distressed manner. Aston turned his head.
"Frederic, you have been so faithful to me and this house. I...I cannot thank you enough."
"Lord Aston...please...the pleasure is mine."
"You...and your granddaughter have had a great impact on our lives...beyond which...I cannot repay but my humble gratitude."
"Sir—"
"You two may...inhabit the manor whenever you see fit. If there is anything you two need, don't hesitate to use my home as your aid."
"No, sir, a mere servant shouldn't have such an honor—"
"But you are NOT a servant, you are my...my family. Both of you..."
The dying lord let out a slight groan, one of which was saddening to witness. He turned to me and Lady Kerri again, tears of pain and sadness gushing from his bloodshot eyes.
"Kerri, when the time is right, you know what to do."
The blue-haired woman nodded, her makeup running down her face in a big, gloppy mess.
"Remember to...always...love the...flowers..."
With those final words, the good lord passed. His wife broke down at the table near her bed, sobbing uncontrollably.
"No...Aston...NO!"
I arose from the bedside with my hands gripped tightly on my chest. This was the fifth death I have witnessed in my life and like the other four, struck a terrible pain in her heart. Lord Aston has always been good to me and my family, and, in way, was like a third father to me, after my own and my grandpa.
My grandfather covered Lord Aston's lifeless body with a bed sheet and hung his head, the sight nearly unbearable for him as well. The pain in my body was increasing. The sorrowful expression stained on my grandfather's face and the overpowering wails from Lady Kerri, I couldn't stand to be there much longer. The butler walked over to me and rested a hand on my limp shoulder.
"I'm sorry I brought you here. I did not want this to happen. I—"
I couldn't bear my grandfather's words any longer. I jerked from his touch and left the room without a word. I flew passed the workers in the place, who were all hanging their heads after hearing the news. I trotted down the stairs, wiping the endless downfall of tears that streamed from my eyes.
I made my way out to the Lhant garden, which emitted an unexpected array of vibrant color despite the gloomy weather looming above me. As I reached the center of the yard, I fell to my knees, my heart aching uncontrollably. I couldn't save myself from sobbing uncontrollably. Little by little, everyone I knew and loved was slipping from my near-insignificant life. The good Lord Aston...my mother...my father...my dear grandmother...Asbel...Hubert...Sophie—they were all gone and I will never see them again.
My heart was hurting so bad.
"WHY? WHY? WHY?!"
I slammed my fists into the drying greenery around me, creating a small puddle in the soil with my heartbroken tears. All of the sudden, I felt a presence before me. I looked up and saw it to be Bailey. He outstretched his hand to me.
"Cheria, I'm so sorry for all this..."
I tilted my head, similar to how Sophie did whenever she was confused about something.
"You can't blame yourself, Bailey, I—"
"—I should have fought harder. I should have been stronger. Because of me, our lord is dead..."
He turned away from me, balling his gloved hands into tight fists and shaking them. I picked myself off the cold ground and brushed myself off. Pacing over to Bailey, I can see the tears rolling down his cheeks.
"Bailey, you can't beat yourself up about it. You could only do so much."
"Easy for you to say..."
That remark took me by surprise.
"What does THAT mean?"
"I basically sat back and watched you blow those guys down with your magic and your strength. I felt so...so weak compared to you, Cheria."
"Weak? Bailey, I literally discovered these powers not very long ago and you've serving the people for a while. I was a helpless weakling growing up. Now it's my turn to help. And plus, if it wasn't for my powers, you would have been seriously hurt. "
"See, there it is. Look Cheria, I don't like looking weak...especially in front of you."
"Bailey..."
"For years I sat back and watched you. Sad and alone, I didn't want to get in your way. You are such a special girl and...after he left...I didn't want you to hate me if I..."
"Bailey, you are not making sense..."
"Don't you get it, Cheria? I can never be him, and therefore, I can NEVER be happy!"
"Wait, Asbel? Why would you want to be a thoughtless brat who left everybody that loved him behind?"
"Cheria, I know how you feel about him. Deep down, you still really care about him."
"BAILEY, SHUT UP! I HATE ASBEL! HE BROKE MY HEART AND HE DIDN'T EVEN CARE!"
I started crying again, the memories of how he used to treat me came flooding back like nightmares. The way he left me out...the way he disregarded my feelings...the way he yelled at me the day before his departure. I hated that boy.
"Cheria, please...I'm sorry."
"No, it's not your fault. I just...I'm just so sad."
Before I knew it, I felt an icy embrace of cold iron surround my thin frame. I shot my brown eyes upward and met his beautiful emerald irises.
"Bailey..."
"Cheria, I been wanting this for the longest...you here in my arms. Cheria, I...I—"
"BAILEY!"
Bailey released me and swung around to my hastening grandpa. My face turned crimson with embarrassment, as I would have if...if it was him.
"Pardon me for interrupting you two, but now that Lord Aston has passed, I feel it necessary to start preparations for his funeral," my grandfather spoke, the pain still evident in his voice.
"Yes, where is he to be buried?" replied Bailey, whose overall sturdiness was somewhat off-putting.
"The memorial shall be in the courtyard beyond the gates by the windmills."
"Perfect! I'll help with the arrangements the best I can."
"Actually, Bailey, I would request that you retrieve the casket for the lord as soon as possible. We had it custom-ordered in Gralesyde, so it should be ready in a matter of hours. Will you journey there and pick it up?"
"Of course, Mr. Barnes, I will make arrangements with the Turtlez to use a Transport."
"Fantastic!"
And with that, the elderly butler made a bow and took his leave. I hung my head, unsure of these feelings inside me. In mere moments, I felt the soldier's grasp my hand, my bare skin intertwined with his metal grasp. He looked at me with a strong yet compassionate stare.
"Cheria, I would very much like to speak more with you."
"Bailey, I—"
"The trip to Gralesyde won't be a long one. Can we get together, say, tonight on the bridge?"
"The bridge? Oh, of course!"
Bailey bent forward and kissed the back of my hand. Despite his sturdy appearance, his lips across my hands were light as air. I couldn't help myself from turning red again; the gesture was...sweet.
"I'll see you tonight, Cheria."
And with that, he rushed out of the garden to the Turtlez on the side of the house. Within mere moments, he was out of view and his Transport was slowly leaving the village. Even though I knew he couldn't see me, I made a gentle wave at the reptilian coach.
"See you tonight, Bailey."
Notes:
*During the battle against Fendel, Cheria performs two "B-arte" attacks that she will learn later on in the actual game (the first being Seraphic Bolt and the second being Ethereal Rift, respectively)
*Lord Aston's line to Lady Kerri ("Kerri, when the time is right, you know what to do.") is in direct reference to the sub-event in the game (Aston's Diary) which is accessible during the Future Arc.
*His line after is in reference to another sub-event in which Frederic tells Asbel of the flower journal the lord gave Lady Kerri before the the events of the game (also accessible during the Future Arc).