Crossing Destiny
Disclaimer: I don't own Dragon Quest XI! OCs in this story belong to Tibby-san and Raldozz. And myself, obviously.
Notes: If you have a Dragon Quest XI OC that you'd like to see appear in this fic somewhere, leave a comment~
Warnings: OCxcanon, plot modified to suit said OCs being utilized
Massive Story Spoilers. You have been warned. This fic starts at the beginning of Act II.
FIC START!
-Part 1-
Cobblestone didn't have to wait for the fall of Yggdrasil to be destroyed. That had been done under orders of the king. The people native of the village were more used to hardship than any other by the time society as a whole had fallen, which meant they were more open to those that hadn't been enduring as long as they had. Young and old, rich and poor, all of the people had heard there was a Hero roaming the lands to take on the monsters just enough for survivors to gather in what the people had renamed the Last Bastion. Turning from the ruins of a once peaceful village to a fortress that harbored every human that could make it there, the last remaining humans had gathered together. No longer did borders matter. Politics were a thing of the past. All that mattered now was survival.
There was only constant night now. Torches had to be lit all the time. Everyone lived in fear that this day would be their last. Some days a storm would come through, bringing with it dreary rain that didn't nourish the plants or clear out the sky. Many wondered if the sunlight would ever return to this once beautiful green land, but there were many that believed it would never return. The Dark One reigned supreme. There was nothing more to look forward to, and the heaviness of the environment only planted itself that much deeper into the hearts of the weary.
In one basic wooden cabin situated somewhere in the middle of what used to be Cobblestone, close to several crushed stone houses, a pink-haired girl that had come the same exact way as those survivors had been given a new place to live, thanks to the generosity of the one the people referred to as The Hero. Between his trips to assist the humans in coming into the fortress, he always stopped by to check in on her. To repay him, she made sure to take care of all his homely needs as there was no one else to take care of what he needed on a day to day basis. She cooked, patched up his clothing, and looked after his wellbeing when she could. Some days were more difficult than others.
She sat at the table in the center of the cabin with a blank envelope and parchment, holding up a quill with her left hand.
To my best friend:
I don't know how long it's been since I was able to send you a letter. I honestly don't know what the date even is anymore. I wonder if anyone keeps a calendar in these times at all, considering we all just live from the day to day... constantly afraid of being completely obliterated. Wiped out of existence. But now I don't even know if anyone delivers letters these days. I don't think anyone can get far enough now. Monsters were common before. I'm sure you remember that. Even you and I had been in a battle or two back in the day. These days, the monsters are everywhere. And they're far more vicious than they were before. They are not the same as when we used to take care of a random bunicorn or a slime passing through the Champs Savage. Either way, I wonder... did you ever tell the one you loved your feelings? I know I teased you a lot about it during school, but honestly I hope you were able to tell your crush your feelings before the fall. So many have lost family and friends, and it would be the worst shame if you didn't have that chance. You seemed to care a lot for the neighbor you told me about. And before you ask, I have met someone that inspires that sort of feeling from me. I can hear your voice in my head even now. 'Well, it's about time!' you would say. But this person, he's
"Mahina?" a voice outside of her own thoughts snapped her away from her thoughts.
She looked up from her pen and parchment on the table, only to see the Last Bastion's one and only hero standing in front of her door. "Ah! Hendrik!" she exclaimed, getting up to greet him. "It's so good to see you back, safe and sound." He towered over her in height. She looked right up at him before quickly wrapping her arms around his torso. He winced just a bit, but he didn't seem upset with the embrace.
"It is always good to return home," Hendrik answered quietly, stepping into the cabin. She could tell by his posture that he'd been through another few harsh battles. "I trust you have had everything you needed while I was away?"
"I'm holding myself together better than I had a few months ago," she said, wiping her hands on her skirt. "Lift up your tunic."
"Why?"
"You wouldn't have winced like that if you weren't wounded," Mahina said, smirking. "Come on. Show me your wounds."
"I dressed my wounds on my way back," Hendrik replied. "You don't need to-"
She glared at him.
"...yes, Mahina," he said, pulling off his tunic and lifting his shirt to show that he was covered with all sorts of claw scratches, all with different depths. Some, if left unattended, would have festered. She knew he was used to taking care of himself, but she wasn't going to let him get sick due to his stubbornness.
She placed her hands up to his skin, channeling all the energy in her body to create a healing force. It seeped into him, causing all of the cuts to seal themselves better than any stitches ever could. It did leave her a tad dizzy for a moment, and Hendrik held onto her to keep her stable until she seemed stable enough to stand on her own. "There..." she said. "...I hope you feel better."
"Rightly so," Hendrik smiled at her gently. "Mahina, if it brings you pain, you should not-"
"I won't get it back if I don't practice at it," Mahina said, standing back up. She reached to put her hands on his shoulders. "I know you said I shouldn't, but... while you were out, I was going to tend to the wounded soldiers daily. The King was grateful for my contribution, regardless of how small it was. Everyone has to help somehow. There aren't many here who can even manifest healing magic."
He nodded knowingly. "After months of being abed, it is nice to see you up and about."
"I'll say," she agreed. "Are you hungry? I could fix you something."
"I would not ask more of you."
"You aren't asking if I'm offering," Mahina said, letting out a little giggle. "So. Are you hungry?"
"Mmm."
"You like bullfinch stew," she said happily. "I'll go get what I need to make it, and-"
"Stop," Hendrik said sternly. "Please, Mahina." With that tone, she could hear that something was on his mind.
"What is it?" she asked, and he tapped the stool right next to his. She sat next to him, looking into his aquamarine eyes.
"You are aware that once we manage to take back the land for ourselves, I will be returning to Heliodor to assist in the reconstruction effort, yes?" he asked.
"Of course. You take your knightly vows more seriously than anyone else I've met here," Mahina answered.
"Do you like it here?"
"At first, I hated it. Just wished I hadn't decided to get on that ship in Gondolia. But now? I'm glad I did!" she said. "If I hadn't..."
"Mahina..." Hendrik was not the type to hesitate about anything. She'd never seen him like this before.
"I'm glad I wound up here. That I got to...!" she bit her lip before she nuzzled against his shoulder.
He blushed for a moment, turning the other way. "Would you do me the honor of coming with me to reconstruct Heliodor when it comes time?" he asked.
"Of course! Why wouldn't I?"
"But you like it here?"
"The reason why this tiny cabin is home for me is because you come home to it," she said. "Without you, this place would be too big for me. What would I do with the extra bed? What would I do with the extra spot at the table, or the spare wardrobe?"
"It would be for whoever you decide to make a home with," Hendrik answered, blushing that much harder.
"Sir Hendrik!" she laughed. "Who in the world would want to make a home with clumsy little me? I'm not wife material."
"Do not sell yourself so short," Hendrik turned towards her. He noticed how she was leaning into him, and he blushed a bit more. "Aside from that, you don't have to prepare anything to eat. Everyone in Cobblestone is gathering tonight. If you weren't asked to assist, you aren't required to."
"Then why have I not heard about this?" Mahina asked.
"You aren't the type to speak with any of the villagers unless you need something. I know how you are."
"I wasn't exactly popular back in Lonalulu. I learned from a young age not to try."
"Is that right?" Hendrik asked. "You never speak of your childhood, so-"
"I'd rather not, if it's all the same," she muttered. He respected her wishes. He didn't have the best young years himself, having been the sole survivor of the fall of Zwaardsrust. She cleared her throat before she spoke again. "There is something I'd like to ask you."
"And what is that?"
"Do you know if... any other villages survived the fall of Yggdrasil?"
"Are you asking for the sake of Lonalulu?"
"No. I just..." She sighed. "...Want to know."
"I have not ventured far enough to know. I have found survivors from all over the world that have all come seeking shelter from the monsters, but I have not seen other settlements with my own eyes."
"Fair enough," she answered.
"Can I inquire as to why?"
She stood up and went back to the table where she had been writing her letter and picked it up. "When you're gone... Every trip you take, I write a letter to my best friend that I attended L'Academie with," Mahina said. She pointed to a sack tied to the wall. "That bag of mine is filled with letters to her."
"I've heard of stranger ways of coping with being lonely," Hendrik said, kindly reassuring her. "Even if those letters aren't able to be delivered, it still helps you deal with all you've been through. I've written letters to those that have passed before." He remembered for a moment, his younger days as a squire. How a classmate suggested that he write a letter to the parents he missed, as that's how he coped with missing his mother that had passed away.
"She may not be..."
"She may not be," he repeated it softly, standing up. "I wish to report to the king before the village holds the event. Come with me."
"To meet the king? But, I-" Mahina shook her head as she began to stammer. "I don't think I could- I'm not- I-"
"You have no need to be nervous. You have met him before. You said so yourself."
"He came to thank me while I was working. It's different. You've known him a very long time, so it doesn't seem weird to you."
"Come with me, please," Hendrik insisted. "I... I don't want to have to come all the way up here again to retrieve you."
"All right," she agreed, letting out a sigh. She couldn't shake her anxiety regarding it, so she just leaned more against him. "I'll go with you. You are big enough that I can hide behind you, after all."
"If it makes things easier," he said. "I'll be your shield. Through battle and... social situations, too."
Suddenly she grasped around his waist tightly. It completely surprised him, but he didn't pull away from her. Mahina always seemed to have these moments where she was so unsure of herself that she was afraid of the entire world outside this cabin. Hendrik did not completely understand why, but he would never disregard her feelings. She didn't have to take care of him the way she did. He had saved so many survivors out there and didn't expect payment of any sort in return. It was only his way of contributing. Putting the skills he had been building up his entire life to some use in this world. He would never turn away from someone in need of help. Clinging to the knight's code was all he really had left these days.
"You will be safe," he put a hand on the top of her pink hair even though her face was hidden in his chest. Up against him like this, he noticed exactly how much shorter she was in comparison to him. "I swear this to you."
"Thank you," she whispered, looking up at him yet again. Mahina's eyes had begun filling with tears, which he didn't expect.
"There is no need for these," Hendrik said as he wiped those tears away. "It is just one meal out with other villagers."
"No, it's not... it's not that," she said. "I'm just so happy that... you'd protect me, even from things that don't scare others."
That made him have a genuine smile on his face. "I fear if we do not leave now, we never will."
"I... wouldn't mind being... right here instead," Mahina giggled.
Hendrik took a sharp breath, feeling his heart beat faster once he realized exactly what she meant, and led her towards the door. "Stop dawdling. You just want to put off having to do this."
"Haha..." she laughed again, this time nervously, "...Was it that obvious?"
"...yes."
The Champs Savage wasn't the most friendly place in the world to have a parade. The place had terrible footing, especially towards the north, with extremely narrow mountain passages that made it impossible for floats and things of that nature. But that didn't stop the Great Sylvando from putting on a parade of happiness regardless. With the fall of Yggdrasil, he saw it as his personal responsibility to stand up for all of those that were unable to do it themselves - a solemn promise he made the first time he saw someone cowering in fear, at the mercy of a Metal Slime Knight after waking up. Sylvando had no idea how he survived, but he didn't question it. After picking up a sword one again, he knew the truth more than he ever had known it before. He couldn't make people smile if they were in danger! Every young man that he saved from being eaten by malicious monsters, he ended up recruiting into his parade. Sylv even took the time to make them a uniform himself to suit the company - a beautiful, sleek purple velvet suit, with golden embroidery and elegant feathers that swished every time they moved, while he wore a display full of feathers that made him look five times his natural size to attract the eyes of every monster that might come prowling in the area. Each one had a talent of some sort, too. Instruments of all sorts, singers, dancers... And he took the time to change the routine to include them all. He eagerly listened to their personal stories and wished he could reunite them with their loved ones, but Sylvando didn't know how possible it was in this new, darker world.
Beginning the daily march from the lovely L'Academie de Notre Maitre les Medailles, the troupe headed south in the direction of Phnom Nohn. He snapped his fingers and the music started up, dancers alongside his huge float began to dance. He held large feather fans in his hands as he twirled about, hoping to draw the attention of any monsters nearby away from any civilian survivors. As the parade came closer to the bridge that united the Northern and Southern halves of the Champs Savage, he noticed a human surrounded by four weretigers. The man brandished a spear in both hands, trying to stand his ground, but he was wounded enough to be bleeding, and those claws were coming faster than he could counter.
"Ah, Sylv!" one of the performers called out in a high pitched voice. "Look at that!"
"There's a brave one," another said, entranced by watching him fight.
Sylvando reached for his sword and shield, leaping off the float and right into the fight without any hesitation. "Enter the Great Sylvando~!"
"...you didn't have to do that," the stranger said, planting the spear into the ground and using it to swing his body around to hit every one of the monsters in one motion. It didn't knock them all out, but it did take care of half of them. He breathed heavily, damn near collapsing out of exhaustion. He must have been fighting off hoards of them to get like this, especially if he could use his body as a weapon like that.
"Don't be a party pooper, darling," Sylvando retorted, pulling out his flute and playing a happy little tune. It seemed to boost the stranger's morale enough to take his mind off of his wounds. He couldn't help himself but to support his ally, regardless if he knew him or not. With that, he brandished his blade again, and ran at one with a heavy swing. Another dead.
His desperation couldn't be held back - the stranger's will to survive had manifested in a bright blue aura that enhanced his abilities. "The show must go on!" he shouted, concentrating all of his might into one attack. All of his body became like an arrow, and he rushed at the final enemy. His power seemed to be a bit too much for him to handle, however, as when the final monster had vanished into nothing, he fell back onto the bridge, unresponsive.
"Oh, sweetheart," Sylvando sighed, reaching into his pocket. He had been saving his last Yggdrasil Leaf for an emergency. This seemed more important right now. He used it quickly, frowning at the reckless use of power like that. But looking at the stranger's clothing, it was clear this man was used to being on stage. It wasn't for the circus, but he had seen actors wear these sorts of clothes. And that large brimmed feathered cap would only belong to a thespian or a bard. Most considered those hats a bit too flashy for their styles. He snapped his fingers, and several of the guys of his company picked the stranger up and carried him over to the space in his parade float that was specifically built to provide protection for any wanderers they found while on patrol.
"Wha..." the stranger started to sit up, bewildered at where he found himself.
"You'll stay there and rest now, darling, or I'll have someone cast Snooze on you. Don't think I won't!" Sylvando said directly. "I'll let you out once we reach the city. I won't have you hurting yourself in your condition."
"What are you lot doing out here?"
"Spreading happiness. There's not enough of it in this drab world."
"Ha," the stranger scoffed. "I hate to be the one point this out to you, carnie, but there isn't a place for the preforming arts anymore."
"I have to politely disagree with you, honey," Sylvando said, his hands on his hips. The stranger seemed completely baffled that he was unaffected being called a social slur like that. He must have heard that a million times to not show a reaction - everyone else he ever used that word with had lost their minds over it. "We need it now more than we ever have."
"Now there's an optimism I haven't seen in what feels like forever..."
Sylvando leaned in, smiling. "So, what's your name, handsome?"
"Surya," the stranger said, blushing a bit at being called that.
"Is that right? Now where have I heard that name before?" Sylvando asked. "Ah! You're a part of an acting troupe! I saw a playbill emblazoned with Surya Kala all over it a few times the last time I was in Heliodor~ You must be that Surya!"
"...was," Surya answered.
"I'll hear no more of that, darling. Rest up. Once we get this parade back to town, we can talk more~ It's so nice meeting yet another man of the stage!"
