Chapter 9: Trial of the Tomb

When Melia left for the High Entia Tomb the next morning, a strange feeling of calmness had settled over her. She was mildly surprised by how well she had slept the night before – perhaps it was simply because of her fatigue after returning from Makna Forest. But her heart did not race and her stomach did not drop when she stood beside her father on Sky Terrace, listening to his announcement of her trial as she looked out over her people.

Followed by Minister Lorithia and two palace guards, Melia stepped out of the transporter in front of the Tomb, stopping when she heard them come to a halt.

"Your Highness. As agreed, you will face the ritual alone."

"I thank you for escorting me."

"We wish you a safe return," said Lorithia. "As history has proven, all who stake claim to the throne without merit will spend eternity as fallen spirits."

Melia dipped her head. "I must prove my worth as the next ruler. And I am no less prepared to sacrifice my life than those that have fallen before me."

"Most wise, Your Highness."

That is all there is to it, really, thought Melia. My task is simple. She continued towards the Tomb, Lorithia's next words barely registering in her mind. The doors slid open before the princess, who walked so briskly that she was out of sight a moment before they closed again.

Kallian hurried into Whitewing Palace, his guards Darrin and Ikarus close behind him. One of the imperial guards had informed him of a group of strange-looking masked High Entia on the bridge from the transporter to the room. Those High Entia were currently sprawled on the floor, unconscious. Alvis was kneeling to examine them while the Homs who had arrived with Melia were simply watching him.

"What is this?"

Spotting Kallian and his guards, the Homs moved into defensive positions.

"Wait. This is His Highness Kallian. Brother to Her Highness Melia."

"Melia's… brother?"

Alvis turned to Kallian. "Do not concern yourself, Your Highness. The matter appears to have been resolved."

"Seer Alvis…"

"I foresaw the danger. I rushed here but seemed to have missed the fun."

They seem to be wearing a sort of uniform. "They do not look like mere thieves."

"I am presuming they are Inquisitors of the Bionite Order – a group of assassins long devoted to the imperial family."

"Ridiculous. The Bionite Order are a mere –"

"Myth," interrupted Alvis. "The order existed before records began. I, like many others, believed they had long since died out. Yet here they are before us."

"Is Father aware of this?!"

"I suspect he knows very little. He may not even be aware of their existence. They live amongst the shadows, never revealing their true faces."

"But that does not explain why they would attack these people." Looking again at their uniforms, Kallian remembered a High Entia kneeling behind Yumea, wearing the same clothes and mask.

"Their removal will deprive Melia of some powerful allies."

"For how long must I suffer these Homs?! Do your duty, Tyrea."

"Wait, could that have been… No! There's no way…" Mother couldn't have been behind this, could she?

Shulk stepped forward. "Kallian! Melia is in danger! She'll be killed at an altar if we don't find her soon!"

Kallian froze, a cold feeling in the pit of his stomach. "Killed?! How can you be so sure?"

"Shulk and I share the same gift."

"Another seer? Which would mean that… you can see the future?!"

Shulk nodded urgently. "That's why we have to find her! Now!"

Kallian could feel Shulk's pleading gaze almost boring into him. The young Homs' words were still echoing in his mind, as was Alvis's passive confirmation of his declaration. Alvis was rarely – no, Alvis had never made mistakes in judgement before. If what Shulk had said was true, his sister was going to die.

But Melia could no longer turn back. She had chosen to risk her life in the Tomb and only the ancestors could judge her worth. Her people were waiting for their verdict. He could only hope that the spirits would change their minds and let Melia live. So, despite the cry of his own heart to save his sister, Kallian shook his head and spoke as much to convince himself as to convince Shulk.

"Unacceptable. Those who enter the Tomb must do so alone. Her life, or death, is in the hands of fate. Those not worthy of the throne are exactly that!"

"You can't seriously think that?" This time, it was the red-haired one who spoke. "This is your sister! This is Melia!"

"Easy, Reyn." Another Homs stepped forward. He had long, dark hair and an air of experience about him. Keeping his gaze on Kallian, he continued, "This ritual holds a special significance. It is wrong for us to interfere."

Reyn gritted his teeth. "I don't like it!"

"But am I right in saying that the rules of this ritual affect only High Entia? And if some strange Homs happened to get involved, it wouldn't cause a problem? Or is there some rule that prohibits Homs from entering the Tomb?"

"No… I suppose not."

"Then look at it this way. I don't need to know how big a deal this ritual is to your people. What I do know is that your sister's life is at stake. Cut us a break," he smiled, "and we'll save her."

He perceives much. Kallian took a few steps closer to the Hom. "Who are you?"

"My name is Dunban. I'm sort of the protector of this Mechon-bashing band of Homs."

"Dunban." The name brought forth a clear memory. "I know you. At the Battle of Sword Valley, you held back an entire wave of Mechon with the Monado."

"You know a lot about a battle you never showed up to."

Kallian was at a momentary loss for words. He had never expected to be spoken to that way, by a Homs no less. "My apologies. We do not concern ourselves with the wars of others, be it against the Mechon or otherwise."

"I was only joking! You had your reasons." There was a hint of a laugh in Dunban's voice. "I can see that with all these defence systems you don't really need to fight."

"Then it is decided." Alvis finally spoke. "You can reach the Tomb by transporter from the Centre Gate. Her Highness has already entered. Shulk, you should hurry."

Kallian watched the Homs rush out of Whitewing Palace, Alvis with them. What was more important, their laws or their lives? Sorean had always told him to consider their laws first. Dunban, however, had challenged the law and found a loophole in order to save Melia's life. Whoever had been correct, Kallian could not deny his relief that his sister's chances had been improved.

Now that the problem had been somewhat taken care of, Kallian could shift his focus to the matter of the Bionite Order. Indicating the five Inquisitors with a wave of his hand, he instructed Darrin and Ikarus to stay with them. He would return with a few imperial guards to bring them to the Tower of Investigation before he reported to the Emperor at the Audience Chamber. Yumea's involvement would also have to be further verified.

The High Entia Tomb was quiet save for the sound of air rushing through ventilation shafts. Each step Melia took echoed down the long, dim passageway. The deeper she went into the Tomb, the more she felt the presence of ether spirits. Perhaps the last faint imprints of her ancestors were already appraising her.

The ancestral altar lies deep beneath the seals. What trials await me, I wonder? I must not lose focus! Melia could see a large chamber before her with what looked like a verification device. She hurried forward and stood before it, waiting for the Tomb's artificial intelligence to detect her presence.

"2512 cycles since last visitor. State your name and purpose."

"Melia Antiqua. I have come to be judged on my legitimacy to the throne by the ancestral spirits."

"Permission granted. Commencing analysis of genetic data."

When the green light from the AI faded, the door before her faded to reveal a brightly-lit corridor. Melia gritted her teeth and entered.

After passing through the first corridor, Melia entered the Hall of Spirits. A path of light appeared the moment she stepped on the High Entia Emblem, connecting the platform she was on to the next. A multitude of stone tablets covered the high walls. On some tablets, names were written in Etherscript. Luna Argentis. Taquin Osias. Minthe Sephros. She stopped in surprise. So, this was where her birth mother's tablet had been placed.

Snapping out of her awed reverie, Melia continued to the next platform and defeated the Nero Andos waiting for her without much trouble, carrying on through the tomb.

The next hall she entered was the Hall of Trials, with two Hover Astas on the middle platform. Putting the first one to sleep with a quick Hypnotise, Melia dodged the other's Quarto Laser and engaged it in battle. Both were finished off without much difficulty, and before she knew it, she was standing before the Ceremony Hall. Dusting herself off and straightening her attire, Melia walked in as calmly and gracefully as she could, kneeling before the ancestral altar.

After a few seconds, a voice came from a blue orb on the altar. "You have done well, my descendant."

The princess lifted her head in surprise. "Descendant? Are you the progenitor of Antiqua?"

"Think of me as a recreation of said ancestor, possessing his thoughts and speech."

"But he passed away thousands of years ago."

"Do not mistake me for a living being. I am a replica of your ancestor. I am merely a projection of what he would be, if you were to meet him now."

If I were to meet him… now? "I do not understand. But… I do not suspect any falsehood in your words."

"It is beyond doubt. If I could feel, I would feel joy. I am not real, but I do not lie."

"Joy? What do you mean?"

"The results of the gene analysis show Homs gene integration of 80%. Estimates suggest evolution within eight generations. Our wishes are almost fulfilled."

"Wishes?"

"Our purpose, as decreed by the Bionis, is linked to our genetic sequence. We have spent millennia analysing sequences to free ourselves from the curse. Only a certain gene set will unlock the mechanism and set us free."

Purpose? Genetic sequence? A curse? Melia bowed her head. "I still do not understand…"

"It is of no consequence. I grant you this seal."

Melia rose. A beam of light shone towards her from the blue orb and she felt a warmth on her forehead. It was as if her mask did not exist. "Is this…?"

"It is you who will rule the High Entia, and likely be their last."

"Revered Ancestor… I…"

"Go forth and rule, my descendant." Her ancestor's final words carried a hint of pride.

Melia stood transfixed as the light from the orb faded. My ancestors have approved my leadership. I am to be the next ruler of the High Entia!

"So, the spirits look favourably upon you."

Melia whipped around and let out a gasp. A masked High Entia – non-imperial, by the design of her clothes – faced her, twin knives in her hands.

"Explain yourself. Only imperials are permitted to enter this place!"

"I am the subject of Her Highness the First Consort. I need no permission!"

"Mother's… subject?"

"No impure child of the Second Consort has the right to refer to the First Consort as 'Mother'."

"I…" Melia could almost hear the derisive comments Yumea herself had directed at her since childhood. If not for Sorean, I would have had you thrown out of the palace. You are worth nothing. You should never have been a part of the imperial family.

"A filthy Homs half-breed has no right to the throne!" In one fluid movement, the assassin lunged at Melia, knives aimed at her heart. She raised her staff to defend herself, the force of the blow causing her to stumble back. My attacker is a melee fighter. If I could just… get away from her…

"Melia!"

"Shulk?!" Melia's heart leapt as she turned to see the seven Homs (Alvis was with them, for some reason) and Nopon sprint into the Ceremony Hall. Just as she was about to run to them, a Solidum Telethia descended from the ceiling, cutting her off.

"A Telethia – in the Tomb?"

The assassin gave a snort. "Why should you care, when you're about to meet your death?"

"Monado Purge!" Shulk froze the Telethia with a familiar green blast. "Reyn, Dunban, Sharla, take care of the assassin. Melia, Riki, Alvis, this Telethia won't stand a chance against us!"

Melia nodded. Quickly summoning two bolts and a flare, she began to attack the Telethia. "Alvis," she shouted above the noise, "what are you doing here?"

"Your friends would have taken far longer to get here had it not been for my help. Watch out!" He pushed Melia out of the way of an Ether Storm and struck the Telethia with Lost Ray as her fire elemental inflicted Blaze on it.

By the time her enemy's health had been reduced by about 60%, Melia was back in the familiar pattern of battle. Summon elementals, release elementals, keep an eye on the party, summon more elementals. Suddenly, the Telethia dived at Shulk, knocking him to the ground. Melia rushed to his side. "Take my hand!"

"Thanks, Melia." He swayed slightly as he stood, clearly winded. Shulk had kept the Telethia's aggro for quite a while, taking the brunt of most of its attacks. It is because of me that he is in this state. I will not let this Telethia do any more to him!

Melia summoned a wind elemental, a bolt and a flare in quick succession, launching the last two and entering Element Burst. The rest of the battle was a blur until her final Mind Blast, which brought the Solidum Telethia crashing to the ground. The assassin, too, had been soundly defeated, lying dazed on the floor of the Ceremony Hall.

The Telethia rose into the air with a roar. Ether particles emitted from its wounds as it writhed in its death throes. Its tail struck the assassin in the face, knocking her mask off. She covered her face with a hand. "It's not over! Telethia, kill as many of them as you can!"

Melia moved back. "Keep clear! The Telethia is destroying itself!"

Reyn raised his shield driver in a bid to protect them from the blast, but Alvis rushed forward and held up a hand. The explosion of ether seemed to be blown back at the assassin, who disappeared into the light.

When the last of the ether finally faded, Reyn exhaled. "Almost bought it."

Shulk turned to the seer. "Alvis. Thank you."

"My pleasure, Shulk."

Melia got to her feet, asking the question that had been on her mind the whole time. "Why did you come?"

Shulk raised his sword. "The Monado gave me a warning that you were in danger." Melia could almost feel the warmth of the smile he sent her. "I'm just glad we made it."

"Hey, Shulk!" Reyn waved at them from across the hall. "Whoever that was, is gone."

"So they escaped." Melia removed the mask from her face, relief filling her. Even if her attacker had slipped back into the halls of the Tomb, she had completed her trial. The assassin and her Telethia had been defeated. And, best of all, her friends were with her.

"Shulk. Everyone." They shifted their gaze to her, some concerned, some questioning. "I thank you. You saved me."

Shulk beamed. Dunban nodded in satisfaction. Reyn raised a fist in triumph. Sharla and Alvis smiled. Riki took Melia's wrist and bounced into the air. "Riki smiley smiley! Melly all safe! All thanks to Heropon!"

Reyn caught him by his fur. "That's not how I remember it, cheese ball." He gave Riki a small shake as Alvis hid a chuckle. Riki struggled to free himself from Reyn's grip but found an unexpected saviour in Melia, who took him into her arms. Holding the (unbelievably cuddly) Nopon close, Melia looked up at her friends and felt that she had never been happier.