Hi everyone. Onto Odette's story arc. Enjoy!
Chapter 10: A Fable of Two Hearts
Once Upon a Time... In the year of 1400, in a chilly night of the Swan Kingdom on Dire Island, there was a baby who was abandoned near the edge of Swan Lake, wrapped in a blanket. Neither did the child cry or laugh. All she did was stared at the beautiful azure water as the wind gently blow on the soft, calming, soothing waves. She remained there until a woman coming back home from work took notice of her.
Rushing to pick up the baby, woman sympathizes, "You poor thing. Let's go before you catch a cold."
The woman took the child home, immediately to her husband.
"Noelle, where have you been?" Laurent, the carpenter, stressed. He went to give her a hug, "I was so worried about you."
"Sorry, dear... But someone needed me." she gestures to the baby girl in her arms.
"Is that..." the carpenter trailed off.
"Yes, dear. A baby girl. I found her near the lake. I almost didn't see her because of the dark." Noelle explained.
"Does she... Has a home?" Laurent asked, uncertainly.
"She was all alone, I think she was abandoned." Noelle assumed the possible scenario.
"It could be that her parents died..." Laurent suggested. In a hushed voice he added, "I heard rumors that some of the Harpies have escaped."
"Oh dear..." Noelle couldn't imagine the baby having no parents.
"The poor thing, she has no one to look after her." Laurent sympathized the child.
"Perhaps... There is a reason why I found her." Noelle began.
"Sorry?" the carpenter became confused.
"Maybe, the reason why she ended up with us isn't by chance!" the woman exclaimed with a hint of excitement.
"It's true that we've always wanted children of our own..." he trailed off.
"Laurent, she is our child, given to us by the Goddess Flora because of our prayers to her! She heard us and blessed us with this child!" Noelle happily concluded.
"Well, there is no one to take care of her..." the carpenter started to smile. "I guess, she is our daughter."
"Then it's settled!" the wife declared. Addressing to the child, she remarked, "You're a part of our family now."
"What should we named her?" Laurent questioned.
After a moment of thinking, the carpenter's wife has decided on a name.
"Her name shall be Odette."
It wasn't soon until Odette learned to walk. She presence has brought the couple full of joy. The girl would help her mother cook during her time indoors and her father with the chores outdoors. One day, the family decided to have a peaceful picnic nearby the lake. Ten year old Odette would stare longingly at the lake at the exact spot where she was found.
Mistaking the girl's longing at the lake for her birth parents, the wife concluded sadly, "She wants her real mother."
"No" said the carpenter, "She is in love with the water."
They would watch the girl as she simply stare at Swan Lake for quite some time until she finally ran up to her parents.
"Mother, how did you found me?" the girl questioned.
"Odette, it is because of the Goddess Flora that I found you that night." the woman answered.
"Goddess Flora?" Odette questioned with a hint of curiosity.
"Yes, she is the Goddess of Nature and Balance. Without her, life couldn't happen." the carpenter replied.
"So..." Odette looked around her surroundings. "She created all of this?"
"Yes. To her, everything she creates has beauty in them. From the simplest flower to the majestic Swan Guards." Noelle explained.
"Wow," Odette's eyes gleamed in wonder. "I want to meet her!"
The couple laughed at the girl's naiveness and innocence, leaving Odette confused.
"Oh, Odette." the girl's mother began. "I'm afraid you can't."
"Why not?"
"Because the Goddesses of the universe have their duties. Only on special occasion can a human communicate with one." the carpenter explained. "But perhaps, one day, Flora will make an exception for you." he teased.
"Father!" the girl exclaimed in a playful manner.
She started to chase him around, the family laughing from the fun. At the end of the day, the three returned home from their picnic. Odette would look at her parents and smiled. She may never knew who were her birth parents or the reason why they left her. However, she was very grateful for her adopted parents and she'll always love them.
As the years passed, Odette grew into a very fine, charming, young lady. Short brown hair tied in an elegant bun, blue eyes, wearing an elegant blue dress with white feather accents. At the age of sixteen, she joined the Swan Guards to dedicate her loyalty to the very Goddess she have always believed in since childhood. Upon taking the Swan Guard's Oath, she swear to serve Flora and to not let emotions get between her and her new duties. Now an official member of the Swan Guards, Odette was given a room to the right in the barracks. It was her very own room which nobody can enter. Although, she has been a bit curious as to why the other room from the far left was empty. However, that curiosity eventually fades when duty calls for her.
She was very delighted to know that the barracks wasn't that far from Swan Lake, in fact, it was very close by. The girl never knew why she was given a place that was near her favorite spot, but perhaps it was done since most of the inhabitants of Dire Island knew that she loved that moonlit lake. Everyday when Odette returned home from training, she would look at the surface, even if it was for a short time.
Even now, she still have a deep, mystical connection to the lake and those who inhabits it's water. Whenever she had the time, Odette would visit the lake to stare at it. However, since she would have to return to her duties eventually, she would leave, unaware of a small green amphibian who have set eyes upon her beauty.
Yes, the Frog Prince had arrive to Dire Island and after seeing the lovely young woman, James couldn't help, but started to feel a very familiar feeling. For thirty-seven years, he had inhibit the water of Swan Lake, hoping for it to heal his heartbreak from losing Naida. But now, he just cannot stop himself from falling in love again. This time, he fell for Odette's grace and elegance.
However, him being a frog and she a beautiful swan, they can't be together, right? During his time on Dire Island, James learn of the Swan Guard's Oath. Swans cannot fall in love since it will be like putting themselves first instead of their duties. That would be disastrous.
"Oh, if only I could see her again." James sadly thought out loud.
"Then perhaps, I can arrange that for you." a voice replied.
The Frog Prince looked up to see a young woman with long strawberry blonde hair in braids. She has pale green eyes and pale skin. Her attire consist of a dark green dress with white sleeves, a brown belt with a silver leaf-shaped buckle, and a white cloak.
"How?" James questioned.
"Trust me, Frog Prince. I foresee that you and the future Swan Princess will be together soon."
For three years, Odette trained with the other Swan Guards and excelled very quickly, eventually becoming a high ranking Swan Guard. She was given the Crown of the Swan after the Swan Princess before her had died, earning her the title of Swan Princess, although she prefers to be called "Swan Lake Princess".
Everything was peaceful in the Swan Kingdom until two of the guards came rushing into the Dire Tree one afternoon. They ran to the palace- to their Princess.
"Princess Odette, we have a problem!" one of the guards exclaimed.
"The Harpies, they're back!" the other one urgently replied.
"What?" the Princess was shocked. "How can that be?"
She knew that the Harpies have been contained in the wind prisons a long time ago by the previous Swan Princess. So how were they able to escape?
'It doesn't matter.' Odette shook her head from the question.
"Your Highness?"
"Bring me a horse, I'll be setting out at dawn." Odette command.
"Shall we come to assist you?"
"No, I shall be traveling alone." the Princess decided.
"But Princess! We-"
"No, I won't risk anyone's lives, including the Swan Guards! It's my duty as Swan Princess to keep you all safe." Odette explain with a hint of authority and compassion.
There was silence in the room until a figure approached them.
"I'll go with the Princess." a voice declared.
The Swan Lake Princess and the Swan Guards turned to identify the voice. It was one of the Swan Guards, the adviser to Princess Odette!
"Bradwr, you're coming with me?" Odette questioned the old man dressed entirely in red with a hint of gold.
"I know how the Harpies fight. You'll need me if you want to stop them." the man, Bradwr, replied.
Odette sighs as she walked to the gather some of her belongings, "Very well. We leave at dawn."
The next day, just as the sun started to rise, Bradwr meet up with Odette at the Gates of the Dire Tree. She was in her ornate Swan Guard uniform. Her silver armor has the Sign of the Swan that covered her upper half. The skirt of her dress under the armor is a royal blue color, however, it wasn't the kind a royal lady would normally wear. It was movable and it didn't completely reached the ground, all for the purpose to move more quickly and efficiently while in combat.
The two traveled on horses to a wooded area. Along the way, they've encounter some of the Harpies. Luckily, they manage to get to their destination without harm... Yet. After she dismounted from her horse, the Swan Lake Princess looked around her surroundings when Bradwr called out to her.
"Princess Odette?" the Princess walked up to him as the man informed her, "The Swan Kingdom is in grave danger, Your Highness. These savage Harpies must be dealt with! They are a foe unlike any I have ever seen..."
"How are we going to stop them?" Odette questioned.
"Perhaps here, in the Swan Archives, you may find something that will help us defeat them. But you must go alone, as only the Swan Princess can enter without angering the ancient one."
Immediately, he left, leaving Odette very confused.
'I thought he said that he was coming with me...' she thought.
After entering the Stone Temple, she found the Old Man of Stone, named Flow. Odette knew Flow when she met him upon joining the Swan Guards. Despite she was just a member back then, Flow had grown a soft spot for her. However, he was asleep and she had to wake him up to gain access to the Swan Archives. It took awhile, but she eventually woke him up.
"Is it time already? I wish I could tell the time down here. Greeting humans! I am Flow. I accept your offerings." after Flow took a another look, he added, "I humbly apologize, Swan Princess. I did not recognize you at first. I shall do my best to assist you. I sense a great danger surrounds you. I grant you entry, but beware. You are not alone in these halls."
Odette took the warning seriously and walk down the steps that Flow gave her. When she entered the Underground Complex, she saw a Harpy attacking a Druid. Acting quickly, she slay the beast with a sword she found before it could do any more harm.
Turning to the Princess, the Druid replied, "I have foreseen your arrival, Swan Princess! I have two gifts for you. First when we say hello, and again when we say goodbye. This is your first gift. A royal frog for a royal lady. Keep it close to your heart, and it will change your life forever. My second gift will be a glimpse of things to come. But, to show you this, I will need a mineral to place in my pool."
She then gave James in Odette's hand. The Princess stared at the Frog Prince in curiosity while James felt a bit shy as his heart was beating rapidly. He hoped she didn't hear or felt his heart thumping loudly. Luckily, she didn't and place him on her shoulder.
The Princess continued her search in the Swan Archives until she found the Ritual Mineral that the Druid needed.
Looking at the pool, the Druid exclaimed, "Yes! The pool will now reveal something to you! Beware, as it could be your future, your past, or simply your desires. Farewell, Your Highness!"
And just like that, she disappeared. Odette thought what she just saw in the pool. First the Swan Archives, then the Swamps, the Dire Tree, and what looks like a silvered-color circular item? What did those images mean? Not wanting to get distracted any further, the Swan Lake Princess continued her investigation on the Harpies.
While traveling with Odette, James decided to keep quiet. Unlike his previous encounters with his other love ones, he would seek their help. However, this time, he decided to pretend to be like an ordinary frog so he wouldn't frighten the Princess. Although, he doubts that could happen since Odette, herself, have seen many unusual things. Having a talking frog wouldn't be much of a difference, but still, he remained quiet throughout her mission.
Her search has led her to the Watermill Front. That was where James come to Odette's assistance. He helped her lower the bridge, giving her a path to enter the Watermill Interior. She picked James up and place him back onto her shoulder. She just have to think of a way to repay the loyal creature. When they entered inside, they saw a man who looked wounded.
"I thought those wretched beast would eat me alive! There was a man with them. He wore the Sign of the Swan, just like you!"
"This man, what did he do?" Odette questioned.
"I saw him release them from their prison! Please, could you heal my wound? Their claws are deadly..."
'One of my own guards did this? Why would they?' Odette thought.
Something wasn't right and she's going to find the culprit. After she found the plants required to create a healing powder, she gave it to the man.
"Thank you! That's much better. I am Ewan. That traitor caught me just as I was repairing the Wind Flute. He dismantled it and took a part. It's the only weapon that can defeat those harpies! The other parts are scattered on my desk. I destroyed part of the cliff to block off the passage to the harpies' lair."
"Is there are way to clear the passage?"
"Unless... Yes! That could work! We need to feed my mechanical horse a life potion. We'll need a Life Stone and an Energy Seed to brew it."
Ewan walked over to his desk and open the cover as Odette looked for the scattered Wind Flute. With most of the flute in her hands, the Swan Lake Princess set out to find the ingredients to create the potion. After she successfully found the Life Stone and Energy Seed, the Princess created the Potion of Life. She was ready to clear the passage way until she met with Bradwr outside.
"My Princess, what are you doing here?!" he questioned rather hastily.
"I'm here to defeat the Harpies, remember?" Odette reminded him.
Shaking his head, he told her, "You shouldn't be wandering about this dangerous place alone! Let me escort you back..."
"But-" Odette was about to protest when Ewan came outside.
"That's him! The one who released the Harpies!"
The Swan Lake Princess was shocked, but mostly angered. To think that he had deceived her all along and had endangered everyone's lives back at the Swan Kingdom! She drew her sword at him at sword point.
"Milady, please! I beg you! I am a weak man! The Harpy Queen forced me to do it!" taking out a piece of the Wind Flute, he asked for mercy, "Here, this is the part I stole from the flute. It will help you defeat them! Just please, spare my life!"
Odette lowered her sword, taking the last piece of the flute.
Glaring at him, she quietly spoke, "Your life shall be spared, but I won't forgive you for your betrayal!"
"T-Thank you, Princess Odette." he stammered.
"Princess?! Please forgive me for not realizing, Your Highness! Don't worry, I'll watch him while you defeat the harpies." Ewan told her.
Odette nodded as she continued. Once she reached the passage, she battled the Harpy Queen. When the Queen was weakened, the Swan Princess took this chance to slay her, ending her and her kind. The Swan Kingdom was now safe... For now. Odette then headed back down to the Watermill. When she got there, she saw Ewan tying Bradwr's hands to prevent him from escaping.
"Thank you, Ewan. For informing me of this traitor." the Swan Lake Princess replied.
"It was a pleasure to have help you, Your Highness." Ewan told her.
"I was wondering, why have you come to Dire Island?" Odette questioned.
"You see, I'm a craftsman. I've spent my life building many projects for many people." Ewan explained. "I came here after I found out that those Harpies were weak to the Wind Flute."
"Well, your inventions has been very well-made." Odette comments. "I'd like to welcome you to the Swan Kingdom as my guest."
"Oh no, Princess. I-" the inventor was cut off.
"Please, I insist." the Swan Lake Princess replied. "Plus... I think I might have a job for you."
And so that's that. After her adventure, upon returning home with Ewan and the traitor, Odette haven't forgotten about her friend. When she went to the lake, she found a way to repay the little frog that has helped her so much...
I hoped you like this chapter. I have to make up Odette's Swan Guard outfit since if you notice in bonus game, her reflection shows Agnes as well as her attire. However, if you notice her hands, she wore black sleeves which got me confused if we were playing as Odile. Anyway, I'll see you guys soon. Please review, I'd very much would appreciate it. Bye.