Chapter one: Reunion of old friends

It's been about a month since the Restoration of Alrest. Rex, Pyra & Mythra were living in a previously unused house in Fonsett, Mórag & Zeke had gone to help in there respective nations & Tora, along with Poppi, went back to Torigoth to see how they could help out there. Nia was staying with Corinne, still unsure of where to go herself. She didn't want to go back to Gormott because of all the painful memories. It once crossed her mind to settle in Garfont as the village medic, but she figured that they already had that covered.

"I just don't know what I'm gonna do with meself"

"Well, there's plenty of new land out there, why don't you go exploring. Who knows, you might find a nice place you can call your own", Corinne replied

"Oh, sorry I didn't notice ya there. Good point by the way, I hadn't thought of that. I think I might just do that".

"It's still early in the day, why not head out after breakfast"

"Sure. That'll still give me time to say goodbye to everyone. Thanks Corinne".

"No problem at all".

After saying her goodbyes to everyone, Nia went on her way.

"We're gonna miss you Nia", Rex said, hugging his friend with the twin Aegises

"Remember that if things ever get out of hand, you can always count on us", Mythra said

"And I'm sure that Zeke, Mòrag & Tora would would be happy to help as well", Pyra added

The thought of their undying support pushed her forward to begin her journey

"I wonder what I'm gonna see", Nia said as she and Dromarch took the first step on their new path.

Night soon fell and Nia made camp for the night under a small cluster of trees. She sighed to herself as she tried to start a campfire.

"Where's Pyra when ya need 'er?" She mumbled to herself as she tried for what seemed like the fiftieth time to get a fire going.

"Indeed, this truly is a pointless task for two water blades."

"Oi, shut it an' try helpin' will ya."

"Need some help?"

The voice was very deep, as if modified somehow. Nia turned around and saw a very large... being(?) in front of her. Whatever it was looked menacing. They wore all black with cloth tails off of each shoulder and hip. The mask they wore had some sort of cloth fringe at the bottom to hide their chin, and there was a thin golden rod starting at the tip of the raised mouth and nose area and making a diamond shape tho the forehead. They had what looked like dual bladed daggers on each shoulder held in a special sheathing mechanism. Suddenly, Nia began to chuckle softly.

"There's only one idiot I know who would dress like that. Isn't that right, Tull"