An End, The Start,

By WickedSong.

This started as a bit of a joke, as I kind of wanted Father Yggdra to be like: 'hells yeah, my gambit to get my ship back together actually worked' re: reviving Kara. But no, it actually turned into something I'm really proud of and wanted to post. God, you know you've reached a new height (low) when you're writing about a fictional tree.


The journey back from Balandor is tiring for both Miu and her soldiers, but as exhausted as she is, she is determined to visit Father Yggdra immediately upon her return to her homeland.

The battles has been long and bloody. Years of civil and international unrest have been settled, as well as a war that has raged for ten millennia. Miu finds, in moments like these, she needs the kind wisdom of Faria's most revered figurehead.

When she enters the Numenshrine, Ban Lorias welcomes her back with a relieved smile, and comforting hand on her shoulder. She can hear her people cheer for the peace she has helped to wrought for the world, and knows that their celebrations will last well into the coming days.

"Your grandfather would be very proud, little one," Father Yggdra tells her, and while it would be silly to say that he is smiling, the young Archduchess is sure she can hear one in the tone of his voice.

Miu feels her heart lift at this statement. She is still mourning the man she lost not once, but twice, thanks to her dalliance in the past, but to hear such affirmation does much to alleviate her of her sadness - at least for the time being.

Father Yggdra sighs contently, as a cool breeze flies through the air.

"Perhaps, with this evil defeated, it is time for my eternal slumber."

A small gasp escapes Miu at the statement. Quickly, she looks to Ban Lorias, who shares a similar look of distress.

"But Father Yggdra-"

"I have lived for so long, Ban Lorias," Father Yggdra interrupts, sounding as serene as ever. "Some may say too long."

"But Faria needs you, Father Yggdra," Miu counters, stepping forward in an appeal to the timeless tree that has stood against war and destruction for thousands upon thousands of years. In any other circumstance she would find it unbelievable for such an entity to exist. "Faria does not exist without you."

Father Yggdra laughs, happily.

"I am touched, little one," he comments. "But nothing can last forever. The people no longer need me; not when they have you, Archduchess Miu."

Miu wants to say something else; anything to sway his mind. While she wishes she could, she has to admit; she understands. Still, she feels a pang of sadness in her heart when she thinks of a time when she will be unable to commune with he who stands tallest.

"I will not disappear overnight," assures Father Yggdra. "And when the time comes, you will barely notice my disappearance at all." Miu has her doubts about this, but she nods, as if telling him to continue. "I will be in the wind, and in the hearts of Faria. That will be reward enough, when my time finally comes."

Ban Lorias steps forward to stand beside Miu, and place a hand on the young leader's shoulder. Miu clasps her hands together, and closes her eyes, as if in prayer. When she opens them once more, and looks up to Ban Lorias, she nods to the older man.

"If you think it wise, Father Yggdra," she concedes, with a low bow to show her respect. "Your tree shall forever be your monument."

Again, Father Yggdra laughs, but this time it sounds sadder.

"You bless me so," he says. A slight breeze blows through the air, and he sighs once more. "Now, tell me of your friends. I trust they all made it out alive."

And so Miu recounts the story, sure to include everything that might be of interest, even as minuscule as it is, to Father Yggdra. As she tells the story, however, she has the slightest inkling that Father Yggdra already knows everything she is telling him.

"I trust Queen Cisna shall continue to be a great and benevolent leader," she says, as she reaches the end of her tale. "She has offered us aid in rebuilding the Archduchy, and we have returned in kind to help with the damages to Balandor."

Ban Lorias smiles. "It appears peace has finally come to our nations."

"It is wonderful to hear of such friendliness," Father Yggdra notes. "I would like to meet with Queen Cisna, at least once, before I decide to go."

"I am certain such a visit could be arranged," Ban Lorias agrees, looking to Miu, who nods eagerly at the prospect.

"She expressed such an interest, as did the current ruler of Greede," she adds. She'd already spoken to the Count about improving channels of trade and distribution, especially now, in the light of the peace between Balandor and Faria.

"Hmm," muses Father Yggdra, "Young Count Caesar, am I correct?"

Miu nods, and tilts her head at the tone of Father Yggdra's voice. "Is there something wrong?"

"Oh no, little one," he assures her. "I have just one more question; you extended our invitation of welcome to Lady Kara, did you not? I note that she did not arrive back with you in Faria this night."

Ban Lorias blinks and then nods, eyes lighting up in recognition. "Oh, you mean General Scardigne."

"I believe she will no longer be using that particular moniker," Father Yggdra says, "but yes, our former General. I wonder where she has decided to plant her roots."

Miu smiles, fondly, as she remembers the smile on Kara's face when she had informed her of her plans. She had very politely declined the offer of returning to Faria, as Miu had believed she would.

While she had only ever known General Scardigne, she felt as if she had known the woman behind him too. And Miu had never seen her happier than when she had departed Balandor only a few days after the final battle.

"Greede," Miu answers. "I believe she will be quite happy there."

Father Yggdra hums his approval.

"Our Lady Kara has decided to follow her heart, it appears," he murmurs. "I am happy to hear it."

Miu shares the sentiment. She hadn't known much of Kara's past, before she became Scardigne, until Yulie had deigned to fill her in on the blanks.

To say she'd been shocked would be an understatement. There were things Kara had done, while under the lull of the Yshrenian Empire that shocked the young Archduchess. Very quickly, however, she had decided she trusted in Father Yggdra's infinite wisdom in bringing her back to life.

After all, from that day on, Kara had devoted her life to the greater good, even at the expense of her own potential happiness.

Miu couldn't imagine the conflict that she'd went through; hiding behind a mask for a year, atoning for her sins by protecting her, while knowing that the comrades she had come to grow quite fond of fought without her.

"You didn't want her to choose Faria, did you, Father Yggdra?" Miu asks, with a smile on her face.

"Whether she knows it or not, Lady Kara still has a role to play," Father Yggdra replies, again, sounding like he's smiling at her. "I did not just mean in the final battle. In due course, I believe she will make a fine ruler."

Miu smirks, remembering what Yulie had told her of the close and sometimes heated relationship between Kara and the young ruler of Greede. She almost laughs, when recalling Yulie teasing them about getting married when Kara had announced her intention to return to his city with him.

"I believe our nations will prosper together," Miu agrees and Ban Lorias nods.

"Indeed."

"Now rest, little Miu," commands Father Yggdra. "There is much work to be done, but it cannot be done without some sleep and reflection."

Miu nods. "Of course," she decides. She turns to Ban Lorias. "I shall address the soldiers briefly before turning in, however. It has been a long couple of days and I must thank them for their efforts."

The Archduchess bows, first to Ban Lorias, and then to Father Yggdra before exiting the Numenshrine, Ban Lorias following suit after paying his respects.

Another breeze flows through his branches, and Father Yggdra sighs contently. This will not be his last rest; that may not be for a good few years yet, but it will be a far easier one than all those that have come before it.

Peace will never be ever-lasting, but he feels as if this will be a long one; a time of great prosperity for the world.

Celebratory fireworks light the Farian sky, as he thanks his withered branches that he will be around to witness it.


How cute is Miu though? 10/10 the best addition to the sequel, and I wish she'd been properly playable instead of just a guest character. Would've also helped my frustration and stress levels during the Balandor Dungeon level because frickin guest characters and their tendency to die when the rest of your team is fine is freaking annoying.