Story Notes: This story intends to cover much of the game's over-arcing narrative, so a general spoiler warning, one that is all-encompassing, is in effect. For those who want specifics concerning any immediately pressing spoilers, the early points of this tale will cover Cyrus' Chapter 3 and H'aanit's Chapter 2. To give you an idea of what to expect from this narrative, you will see many attempts at world-building, particularly through endeavors to explain how game mechanics work in-universe. Rated 'T' primarily for descriptions of violence, though the sensitive topics of both depression and suicide will also be touched upon as the story progresses.

Chapter 1: Shiro, the Wanderer

A warm day sporting a cool breeze graces the city of Atlasdam within the Flatlands of Orsterra. A myriad of young students garbed in scholarly robes can be observed making their rounds about the city, carrying with them all manner of supplies ranging from tomes to simple stationery. One such scholar, a young woman of 18, is at present divorced from the bustle of her colleagues. Though likewise making her own rounds through the commercial district of the city, she does not boast the same air of urgency as her peers; she moves at a brisk pace, though the serious look in her green eyes suggests that she is burdened with some matter of import.

A stiff breeze finds itself blowing through the somewhat cluttered collection of buildings composing the street through which she walks, sending the young woman's platinum blonde hair into minor disarray. She is quick to straighten this out, returning her hair to its rightful place behind her back while also adjusting the horizontal braid that wraps around the back of her head. Her white scholarly robe is managed in turn, as is the blue cape draped around her shoulders. She takes a look through her belongings to make sure nothing was blown away by the gust that has now passed. She sighs in relief as it becomes clear that her belongings fared the winds better than she did. With herself secure, she continues her trek.

Having purchased a collection of medicine and various healing salves, she nods to herself, satisfied with her preparations. 'With this, I'm ready to search for Professor Albright.' Just as she prepares to set off, a male individual passes her by, drawing her attention for a few reasons. A head topped with messy disheveled hair caused her gaze to shift; though this hair appears black at first glance, the light of the sun beams down upon the man in such a way that it reveals his hair is actually brown. 'Wait, was that…' Her stunned countenance allows the man a moment to gain some distance before she calls out to him. "Professor Albright?"

The man continues to walk, yielding no response. An older man elects to call out to this stranger in turn, suggesting familiarity as he chooses to use a given name. "Are you lost in thought again, Cyrus? Therese just called out to you!" The man turns around, revealing more of his features. "Hold a moment…you're not Albright."

Standing before them is a young man of 21 years garbed in a primarily black kimono sporting white and navy blue accents. A black sash is tied around his waist, with a katana resting at his side. Neither Therese nor the scholar who stepped up to her aid recognizes these garments, nor are they familiar with the type of sword resting at the man's hip. In turn, the two are ignorant to the man's curious choice to wear black boots with the ensemble; these boots reach just below his knees and cling to his frame. From what Therese can discern, they were well-worn, but likewise well maintained.

The man's left arm is wrapped in pristine white bandages, suggesting an injury of some sort. His right arm is clad in an ebon gauntlet that reaches the half-way mark of his forearm. Emblazoned upon the gauntlet where the back of his hand would be is the visage of a golden eagle armed with a short sword in one talon and a spell tome in the other. The tips of his fingers and thumb are exposed, another oddity to add to the list. It is the man's face that cements the notion that both individuals were mistaken. Though this man's facial features are indeed similar to the Professor Albright they mistook him for, his eyes are heterochromatic; the right eye is brown while the left is red and harbors what appears to be a black circular runic pattern that is engraved within.

Looking to Therese, the man offers an apologetic bow. "Pray forgive my rudeness, young lady." His speech pattern, notably his style in articulation, is akin to the Professor Albright he was mistook for, but his tone of voice is notably deeper; the softness is similar in turn, though this man speaks with a notable distance that Therese and the scholar beside her find difficult to describe. He continues, "My given name is indeed Cyrus, but Albright is not my surname." He places a hand over his chest to bow once more, this time formally introducing himself. "It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance; I am Cyrus Coelistis."

Therese's face goes red as the realization of the matter dawns upon her. "Oh, no, this was my mistake! M- My name is Therese; I hope I haven't held you up…" Seeing that the manner is fit to resolve itself, the scholar excuses himself, bidding the two a good day before returning to his own duties.

"Not at all. I am a traveler, new to Atlasdam…to Orsterra as a whole, to be true." He eases into a casual posture, donning a softer visage as he follows, "Do I bear that much of a resemblance to this professor of yours?"

She nods to him, her blush deepening. "Very much so. Your face was so similar that I didn't even notice how differently you two dressed. And for you to share a first name; for a moment I thought you his brother."

He chuckles at this. "An interesting prospect, but I only have a single older brother; a professor, he is not." Looking to the bag the young woman carries, Cyrus makes note of the supplies within. "Might you be an apothecary?"

"Huh? Oh, no." She then notices that her healing salves are within view. "Ah, you mean this? I'm about to head on a journey." Her features take on their serious visage once more, putting the strangely garbed man on alert. "My professor's life is in danger; I must make haste to Stonegard to warn him."

"Are you traveling with any companions?" She shakes her head. "That…is troubling. Bandits are on the rise, young lady; are you truly so confident in your martial skill?"

"I- I know not the ways of combat I'm afraid, but nor have I the luxury of paying for a guardian."

He nods to this. "Then I shall take up the endeavor."

"What? But I cannot pay you…"

"Payment will not be necessary. As fate would have it, I, too, am en route to Stonegard. The Shrine of the Thunderblade is located near there." Therese tilts her head at the notion, silently putting forth the question of why he would seek the shrine. "After perusing the library of this city, I learned that praying to certain shrines will grant you the blessing of the deity tied to them."

"Oh, so you seek the blessing of the Warrior." She raises a finger, her features softening as the current subject redirects her thoughts. "The Shrine of the Sage is just north of the city; would you like to pray there before we set off?"

A small smile forms on Cyrus' expression in turn. "I visited that shrine on my way into the city, actually; I arrived here from Stillsnow." Therese's face lights up in surprise at the notion. "You have probably guessed from the weapon at my hip, but I am no stranger to combat." He rests his left wrist upon the hilt of his katana, his eased posture suggesting a comfortable familiarity with this sort of explanation. "I've escorted plenty of people to safety in my time; I shall protect you in turn." He removes his gauntlet from his right hand before extending it before Therese. "I look forward to working with you, Therese."

She grabs hold of his hand, shaking it firmly. "Likewise Cy- er, Mr. Coelistis."

"Hm…I imagine using the given name of your professor must be awkward." Therese giggles sheepishly at the notion, but makes no effort to refute. "How about you refer to me as 'Shiro' instead?"

"Wait, you don't need to change your name on my account."

"It's no trouble, really."

"W- Well, if you insist…by chance, are you already set to depart?" He nods to her. "That's great news; I just finished making my purchases, you see. Once I grab my things from my dorm we can set out." To this end, she requests that Shiro wait for her at the city gates, to which he agrees. She meets him at this location less than half an hour later, armed with luggage. Without a word, Shiro offers to carry the heaviest of the luggage, an offer which Therese accepts sheepishly. "T- Thank you, Shiro. Let's get going, shall we?"

The pair steps out into the eastern flats of Atlasdam. The guards bid the two a safe journey before watching their forms gradually disappear from view. The sun has reached its highest point in the sky, notifying the traveling pair that the time is now midday. The two walk beside one another in silence, with Shiro paying close attention to the map in his hands. Curiously, there is a marker on this map, which moves in tandem with the pair's location. Therese inquires about this, her interest piqued.

"I called upon the power of a wind spirit to guide me." He gives a wry smile, though involuntarily. "A map is only useful if you know how to read it. Orsterra is incredibly foreign to me." A look of guilt takes over his countenance as he delivers a shameful admission. "Had you told me to exit Atlasdam from the east while I was looking at this map, I'd have no idea how to get to Rippletide." Therese giggles in response, quickly apologizing. Shiro chuckles in kind. "No, you have the right of it."

"Might I ask where you're from?" She puts on an affable expression as she follows, "I'm a student at Atlasdam, studying the history of Orsterra under Professor Albright." Her eyes take on a wistful gleam as thoughts of her professor flow through her mind. "He is…a well-learned gentleman, always willing to devote extra time to furthering the studies of both Princess Mary and myself." The longing tone of her voice is not lost on her companion, though she can do little to hide it. "I worry for his obliviousness, though."

"He's lucky to have a student so concerned for him." He falls silent for a moment, pondering the best way to answer Therese's inquiry. "A thousand pardons for answering your inquiry with one of my own, but you wouldn't happen to be familiar with my attire, would you?" She shakes her head. "I thought not…"

"Your robes are curious, as is that sword at your hip." She gives him another once over, still unable to place his origins. "Orsterra has a history of fallen kingdoms and the like, but the only one that comes to mind is Hornburg, which fell to ruin eight short years ago…your garments and weapon are nothing like that kingdom's products…"

"Aye, Therese; you may find it difficult to believe, but I'm not from any region you'll find in any atlas from your world." Her inquisitive expression shifts to convey confusion instead. "An understandable reaction, to be true." He ceases his march, prompting his companion to do the same. She stands slightly ahead of him on the path, turning to grant him her attention. "I hail from a realm known as Erdboden; it exists in a universe different from your own."

"W- What?" She was certain that she had misheard him. He repeats himself, granting her the clarification she sought, but only bringing more questions. 'Who in the world did I trust to travel with me?' Not wanting to alarm the man who may very well be hazardous to her well-being, Therese maintains composure as she gives a reply. "Suppose your claim is true; you do realize that no one could possibly believe it, yes?"

He nods. "Of course." She is taken aback by his honesty, even more so by the sincerity in his gaze. "You have every right to be both wary and cautious of me, given how strange that must have sounded." He adopts a contemplative stance, his brow furrowing as he sinks into thought. "To be true, I haven't encountered this problem in the World of Odyssey; after journeying through Etria's Yggdrasil Labyrinth, the people of the world took my status as an interloper at face value."

"So this isn't the first world you've visited?" He shakes his head. 'Am I seriously humoring him?!' Her questioning continues, "So why did you come here? To Orsterra, I mean."

"I sought a destination different from the World of Odyssey; I just completed another journey there, you see, and wished for new sights before returning to Erdboden." His soft smile returns, putting Therese at ease despite herself. "There was no real goal in mind; I just wanted to observe the beauty of a world that wasn't my own."

Therese adopts a contemplative stance of her own. "Hm…can you return to Erdboden whenever you wish?" He nods to her. "OK, that makes this easy." She proudly places her hands upon her hips, donning a haughty expression as she says, "Show me something that exists in your world, but not in mine."

He thinks on the matter for a moment. "A katana is still a sword so that will not suffice. Do you know what a 'firearm' is?" Therese adopts a confused expression before shaking her head. "Another name for it is 'gun'; might that be familiar instead?" She shakes her head again. "Very well. Please wait a moment."

Shiro snaps his fingers, creating a portal of darkness a short distance off to his side. Therese's eyes go wide as she watches the man willingly step through the portal; he is gone for less than a minute before he re-emerges with something held in his left hand. The object is a weapon of a make Therese has never seen before. Shiro describes it as a musket rifle, an early design of Erdboden's firearms before improved models were drafted. As he explains the rifle's function and how one would properly go about utilizing one such firearm, Therese finds herself fascinated. Shiro's explanation enthralls her, captivating her attention in a way she once thought only Professor Albright could boast.

'This must be how the professor feels when a new tome arrives…' She presents a few questions, all of which Shiro answers, serving to pique her interest even more. The explanation reaches its conclusion as Shiro steps through the portal of darkness again to return the rifle to its proper place. When he returns, the portal disappears. "Thank you for sharing that with me, Shiro. You know…it would have been easier to just take me to Erdboden."

Shiro dons a dubious expression, as if silently questioning if Therese truly understands what she just suggested. "There's no way you'd willingly step through a portal of darkness with a stranger. Even the gods of your world wouldn't know where it would take you." He places a hand to his forehead, shaking it as he says, "The only way things could possibly be more suspicious is if I had donned a hooded black cloak, spoke in Latin…backwards, and offered you a plate of cookies."

"…yeah, that does sound bad." She steps over to hook her arm in his, donning a grin all the while. "How about I cut you a deal?" Shiro remains straight-faced, but makes no effort extricate himself from her hold. "We can keep traveling together so long as you keep telling me about your home…and yourself, if you're willing."

"I was expecting something more nefarious, what with the way you grabbed me."

"Oh, perish the thought! A sweet young lady like me?" She giggles in her usual manner, though this causes a shiver to run down Shiro's spine. "Why would a warrior such as yourself be afraid of an innocent girl?"

"Because unlike most people, I recognize that the pretty ones are often the most dangerous."

"Oh, so you think I'm pretty?"

Ignoring this, Shiro tries to motion back towards their path. "We should get going; night falls sooner when you pay it little heed." Therese puffs out a cheek at his effort to change the subject, but complies all the same. The journey truly begins in earnest, with the pair proceeding through the eastern flats at a respectable clip. A few short hours pass before they reach what the map notes as North Rippletide Coast. The scenery has changed, with the flats having now transitioned into craggy coasts lined with palm trees. Looking to the northeast, the ocean is more readily visible. Taking in a deep breath, Shiro dons a smile. "The familiar sea breeze…it reminds me of Armoroad."

"You sound well-traveled for your age…or are you actually older than you look?" When he comments that he is only 21, her face lights up. "Wow, you are young. I mean, you're older than me, my senior by three years, but still!" She nudges his arm, donning a smirk as she asks, "I bet you have stories to tell, yes?"

"I do, though I know not what sort of tales you're expecting."

"Why, adventures of romance, of course!" Shiro tilts his head at the notion, adopting a look of confusion. "Professor Albright is perhaps the most charming man I've ever met; considering the resemblance you bear, I'm willing to bet good leaves that you attract a similar amount of attention from women." Shiro remains silent. Straight-faced though he may be, his refusal to give a concrete answer is telling all its own. "Come now, Shiro, we're friends, aren't we? I promise I won't get mad if you turn out to be a shameless flirt."

"Admittedly, I am. My mother and older sister always told me that honesty was the best approach in all walks of life." He shrugs. "I took their teachings to heart, even when it became clear that being openly honest with compliments can lead to trouble." He rubs the back of his head as his expression conveys embarrassment; the sight of this causes Therese to giggle again. "I'll not withhold a compliment of someone's beauty if the subject is broached. Many people assume I'm a skirt-chaser, but I usually just mean to give the compliment and little else."

"Are you aware of how the women you're talking to might take those compliments?"

"Painfully so." His countenance shifts to match his claim, bringing surprise to Therese's countenance in turn. "I've been working on my level of tact, Therese; a broken heart is not easily mended, and though I am certain I have not caused such yet, I do not wish to run that risk in the future."

"Well I suppose that's one thing separating you from the professor. He's…more than a little clueless."

"That must be quite taxing on you." Therese expresses surprise at this claim, to which Shiro shakes his head. "Your feelings for the man are clear as day; I first noticed it when you took a good look at me." He adopts a sad expression, his voice sporting undertones of guilt. "You looked so disappointed; I saw but a glimmer of bright hopes that were completely dashed as you realized I wasn't the man you thought I was."

"Perhaps, but it's not your fault…"

"Even so, I'm sorry for bringing you that sort of distress, however brief it may have been. I-" He stops himself as he holds out an arm ahead of his companion. As Therese turns to get a proper look at him, she can see that his features have changed considerably. His once gentle eyes have hardened into a focus as they scan the area for nearby threats. His left hand clutches at the sheath of his weapon. His voice is suddenly harsh, filled with notable agitation as he barks an order towards the path ahead. "Cut the charade; I am full privy to your presence."

Heeding this command, four men armed with scimitars emerge from varying forms of cover. Therese takes a step back, a look of fear plastered on her features. 'I was none the wiser…'

Closing his eyes, Shiro calls upon his left eye, using magic to get a read on the immediate vicinity. The only enemies to concern himself with are the four directly ahead. He opens his eyes, returning his focus to the enemies ahead. 'Just the four of them; I suppose I could use the practice since I'm not acclimated to this world's rules yet.' He motions closer to the enemy quartet, prompting them to step towards him in turn. 'They have the look of pirates about them.'

One of the men elects to speak. "Fancy lookin' robes yehr wearin' lad; we'll be taking them and yehr girl." Seeing Therese take another step backwards, undoubtedly intimidated by the ruffian, the man barks a laugh. "No need for fear, lass; we'll take good care of yeh." Another laugh escapes him, though this time he is joined by his friends.

"You'll need to go through me if you seek to harm the young woman in my care."

"Hear that, maties? The lad fancies himself a knight!" He motions to twirl his scimitar in his hand, showing off his dexterity. "You knightly types fancy honorable deaths and whatnot, aye? Well, laddie, yehr in luck; I'm feelin' generous today." He notices a blue shimmer overtake Shiro's form, though only for a brief moment. "Dunno what you just did, but it won't save you, laddie. Boys, get 'im!"

The ruffian in charge is the first to take a swing at Shiro, finding his blade barred by that of his quarry, despite neither seeing nor hearing Shiro draw his weapon. Performing a casual sidestep, Shiro swiftly moves his blade to put the ruffian back into sudden motion, leaving the target open for a strike. He slashes at the man's wrist, cutting a vein open. A scream cries from the man's throat as he drops his weapon and falls to his knees, clutching at his bleeding wrist; his allies take a step back, wary of their foe. Shiro sheathes his blade, much to Therese's horror; the ruffians charge, believing this to be an opening.

Their efforts are met with disappointment, for Shiro parries their attacks in turn. The first ruffian is jabbed in the gut with the end of Shiro's sheath before receiving a punch to the jaw that sends him rolling along the ground. The next ruffian has his thrust evaded as Shiro shifts his body to the side. As a follow-up, Shiro hooks his right foot behind the right foot of his assailant, pulling it forward to cause his quarry to trip backwards. The falling ruffian can let out nary a yelp before a fist backed by both speed and gravity slams into his face, causing the back of his head to collide with the ground in a manner so sudden that it renders him unconscious. The final ruffian is likewise rendered unconscious as he suffers a spinning kick to the side of his head, though this goes unnoticed by Therese since she blinked and failed to see Shiro's motions.

Her companion exhales as he returns his katana to his waist. As he steps over to grab her hand, she can see that his previously serious and somewhat frightening expression now conveys concern. "Let us be off; needs must I see you to safer ground." She nods to him, unable to find the words to reply to what she just witnessed.