AN: Ohh, I've been meaning to get back to this story for a long time, but just haven't been able to. But now I've got a little time, I'm replaying Legend of Legaia, and I can finally finish this fic. The first two chapters will also be revamped to allow for the new story layout changes keeps installing, and for any previous errors that made it through spellcheck and grammer check.

The Replacement Bride

Chapter One: Realization of Emotions

"Jeez! What's wrong with him?" Noa fumed as she, Vahn, and Gala walked down the steps of Saryu's castle.

It is more than likely that the influence of that Seru he has on. Terra said.

"But we banished the Mist! Shouldn't have Saryu been released from it's clutches when the Mist vanished?" Gala asked.

Something is not right here. Meta spoke. There are too many questions and too little answers.

Let's go back to the town. Maybe we can find some answers there. Ozma suggested. The trio passed through the gates, back into the city proper. As they started to walk away, a young woman approached them.

"Excuse me…are you the people who drove back the Mist?" Vahn nodded.

"Yes we are."

"How could you!" This completely floored the three teens, and all they could do was stare at the woman.

"Huh?"

"Why did you get rid of the Mist! We were so happy, and now you've ruined it for us!" Crying, the woman ran away, leaving behind three very puzzled humans and Ra-Seru looking after her.

"Why did we get rid of the Mist?" Gala echoed.

"What's wrong with her?" Noa wondered.

That's the first time somebody actually wanted to stay inside the Mist. Meta said, speaking for all of them.

"Let's walk around. Maybe we can find out some more information." Vahn said.

Ratayu was a very calm and peaceful place. Normally, Vahn would have allowed himself to relax, as the trip through the Sebuccus Islands had been rough, and all of them could use a breather. Instead…

"Vahn, that's the third person who's been talking about the Seru brides!" Noa said as they left a house. "What do you think it means?"

"I don't know." Vahn replied. His eyes rested thoughtfully on the red-haired girl. She certainly didn't act like it, but Noa had matured quite a bit from when they had first met at Mt. Rikuroa up until to now. Behind those green eyes intelligence burned, clear and steady as a flame.

It's just that she's never been around people long enough…and traveling with us, fighting all the time…How does she really feel about all of this? About Meta, Terra, Ozma, Gala…and me? How does she feel about me?

"VAHN!"

"Whoa!" The older boy jumped and stumbled forward, promptly falling flat on his face in a flower bed.

"Oww…"

"You ok?" Noa asked, helping him up. "C'mon, it's almost time to meet Gala at the inn!" She ran off, red hair waving like a banner behind her.

You have feelings for her. Meta stated. Vahn blushed, and quickly shook his head.

"No I don't! It's just friendly concern, that's all!" The blue-haired youth said, hurrying after Noa. The Fire Ra-Seru smiled silently to himself.

Oh, he'll figure it out sooner or later…

Gala met the duo at the entrance to the Inn.

"Find anything?"

"There's a house down the street that had all three of their daughters taken up to the castle to be Seru brides." Vahn said, his tone grave.

It seems like whenever any young woman reaches the age to marry here, they're whisked off to Saryu before you can even say Happy Birthday. Terra commented.

"I'm afraid it may be more serious than that." Gala said, crossing his arms.

We heard that the evil Sim-Seru Juggernaut may be here. Ozma added.

"Juggernaut?" Vahn, Meta, and Terra all said at the same time. The evil Sim-Seru was legendary, and also very dangerous. In fact, Vahn had been the only one out of the trio so far to actually see the monster, it having attacked Rim Elm prior to the blue-haired teen meeting Meta for the first time.

"But isn't that a bad thing?" Noa asked, raising a hand to her mouth.

"Yes, and it gets worse. Some people believe that the young women taken from the town are being used to provide energy for Juggernaut. Somebody else also mentioned seeing him rise from the castle one night." Gala finished.

"We need to find out what Saryu is up to, not to mention we need that key for the western gate! The Mist Generator has got to be behind there!" Noa said. Vahn nodded and pushed open the door.

"Let's get some rest and…" He fell silent. Wondering what had happened to their friend, Noa and Gala followed behind. A boy standing behind the counter looked up as the Ra-Seru bearers came in.

"What's going on?" Gala asked.

"My sister Eliza's been chosen to be a Seru bride." The boy pointed at a girl, no older than Vahn, dressed in a dark purple gown with a veil covering her hair.

"If she goes up to the castle, we'll never see her again." A man, possibly the father, said mournfully from the corner. Vahn's gaze was torn away from the sad scene to Noa tugging on his shirt.

"Noa, what?"

"Look at this!" She said, holding up a note. "I found this on that desk over there. It said something about Saryu and the Seru brides when I glanced at it!" Gala took the note and read through it quickly.

"The guards are coming for her tonight." He said, looking up from the paper.

"We have to do something!" Noa whispered. Her gaze landed on the girl in the corner. "Hey, maybe that's her!"

"Noa, no!" Gala hissed, but Noa had already made her way over to the girl. Sighing, Gala shrugged while a smile played over Vahn's face.

"Oh well..." He said. The two followed Noa over to where she was standing. Eliza looked up as the three friends approached her.

"Are…are…are you the Ra-Seru heroes?"

"Yes we are." Noa replied.

"I…I have a favor to ask of you. As you already know...I've been chosen to be a Seru bride. I don't want to go…but all my friends are up at the castle, so…" She looked down at the ground, and then back up again. "Could you just…please check in on my parents…once in a while…when I'm gone?"

This isn't right… Noa thought as Eliza explained her situation to Vahn and Gala. This has to be stopped! But how? Her eyes widened as an idea hit her.

"Wait!" Eliza, Gala, and Vahn suddenly turned to face Noa. "That's it!"

"What is?" Vahn asked.

"A way to find out what Saryu's up to! I'll take Eliza's place as the Seru bride!"

"What?" The blue-haired teen gasped. Noa continued.

"If I take Eliza's place, then she doesn't have to go and leave her family behind! I have Terra with me, so I'll be alright!"

"It sounds crazy, but it just might work." Gala said, a thoughtful look crossing his face. Vahn looked at Noa.

"It's too dangerous! You don't know what Saryu has in that castle; let alone what would happen if you were discovered!" He said. Only Meta, Ozma, and Gala caught the underlying fear in his voice.

"But Vahn, if I don't do this, Eliza'll die! It's better for me to go because I have a higher chance of staying alive! And it's the only way to get to Saryu again!" Noa bit back, anger in her eyes. Then she straightened, voice gentling. "I'll be okay Vahn, I promise." The boy looked at Noa, releasing a heavy sigh.

"Alright, then." Noa turned to Eliza.

"Just give me several minutes, and I'll be right back!" The red-haired girl hurried out of the Inn. Gala went over to question the Innkeeper and his wife, leaving Vahn alone. The teen leaned against the wall, head bowed.

You don't want her to go.

"It's too dangerous for her."

That's not the only reason, and you know it.

"…" Noa came back in.

"Ready!" Eliza walked up to the trio.

"Is…is it okay if Noa does this?" Vahn pushed himself off the wall and forced his eyes to meet Eliza's own, which held a restrained glimmer of hope.

"Yes, it is." At this, Eliza blinked, and tears ran down her face.

"Bless you! Bless you all!" Noa wiped away Eliza's tears, and lead her into a room where Eliza could change out of her wedding dress.

Night fell, and the lamps in the Inn were turned on. Noa stood in the corner, clad in the dark purple gown, the sleeves adjusted so as to hide Terra, her hair pinned up and hidden underneath the veil. Terra, for the most part, was more silent than usual, knowing that if this plan was to work, she could not reveal her presence. If something were to happen to Noa and her however, Meta, Vahn, Ozma and Gala would be at the gates, waiting for her signal. Vahn looked over at Noa.

I don't want her to do this…what if something happens to her?

Vahn, what's wrong?

Nothing.

A sudden BANG had everyone's heads snapping up.

"We're here for the Seru bride! Open the door, don't disobey!" The door was forced open, and two soldiers dressed in the navy-blue armor of Saryu's guards and wielding crossbows for weapons, strode into the room.

"Eliza, we are here for you under the orders of Lord Saryu!" Silently, Noa walked out from her position near the wall. Eyes set forward; she started to follow the first solider out of the room.

"No!" The softly uttered word betraying how he felt, Vahn started to move forward, only to be blocked by Gala's arm. The second solider looked around to make sure that he wasn't being followed, and then followed his counterpart and Noa out of the Inn. Silence reigned for several minutes, and then was broken as the large cabinet doors opened, and Eliza came out of her hiding place.

"What have I done?" She cried, turning to face Vahn and Gala, hands clasped together, and her eyes full of fear. "I let Noa take my place!"