Elena's group gives their farewells to Fargus the boatman, and accompanies Eirika and Seth into the centre of the continent of Magvel, the country of Renais. There, Eirika and Seth are to participate in a meeting of rulers, much like the Circlet of Tellius in the future. Elena and Mist, who will be attending the meeting, have received a brief run-down of the eight rulers.
Eirika and Seth, who they have already met, rule over the south-western country of Grado. Neither have any biological claim, but the last such person died with no next-of-kin. Eirika was good friends with said person, and offered to take over its rule so that it may continue to exist as a country.
From the south-eastern country of Jehanna come King Joshua and Queen Natasha. Joshua was a gambling-loving swordmaster who left his kingdom to go on a journey, but eventually came back to take over from the assassinated Queen Ishmaire. Queen Natasha was a kind priest of Grado, before meeting Joshua and turning him to help Eirika.
From the north-eastern country of Rausten comes the Divine Empress L'Arachel, her title an artefact of times past, but she insisted on keeping it. L'Arachel was always known for being a bit… touched in the head, but when the going got tough, she was one of the first to get going.
From the north-western country of Frelia comes King Innes. Frelia was a country of great fortune, as it had largely escaped the chaos of war, especially in the Demon King's War. Innes was as steadfast as his country, a trait that had both helped and hurt Eirika, but he was a respected sniper regardless, and Eirika liked him. Seth respected him, but didn't like him as much.
Finally, the central country of Renais was ruled over by King Ephraim and Queen Tana. Ephraim was Eirika's older brother, and the rule of Renais was intended to be for both siblings. However, Ephraim respected Eirika's decision to head to Grado, and frequently accepted visits from her. Tana was once the princess of Frelia, but she was the lucky girl to snag Ephraim's heart, and accompanied him with an iron resolve.
Elena was wondering just how much like the average Circlet meeting these royals would be.
Eirika and Seth entered the room, and took their seats at the table. The table was conveniently designed for ten (Eirika said that was for if Innes and L'Arachel took on spouses), so Elena and Mist could take their seats near Eirika. Everyone else was present already.
"Well, let's begin this meeting. Eirika, if you'd introduce your friends?" Ephraim asked. Elena got to her feet.
"My name is Dame Elena, of the country of Crimea. This is my aunt, Mist. Crimea is located in a continent called Tellius. Our continent and your continent have never, as far as we know, even existed in the same world until now. However, today we see our two continents meeting, and I know who's to blame. A Spirit called Pyres, who seeks retribution on our continent for something the Emperor-Regent Tormod did in his younger years. We need to find him, and stop him," Elena said.
"If it's a revenge scheme, then why not just let him get it out of his system?" L'Arachel asked.
"Lady L'Arachel!" Eirika cried out.
"He plans to destroy Tellius completely, and is already responsible for the murders of the people closest to Tormod," Elena said.
"Ah… my apologies," L'Arachel stated.
"Do any of you know of any activity that suggests the arrival of Pyres on your lands?" Elena asked.
"Well… now that you mention it, Ewan was looking a little off when he visited Jehanna Hall before we left…" Natasha said.
"And there was a spot of trouble in the Frelia/Renais border…" Innes said.
"If you're talking about Lute-" Tana started.
"I've got an idea… Lute and Ewan both fought once, right?" Elena said.
"They were both fine mages," Ephraim said.
"That leads right into it. They're mages! Pyres must be after their Essence… it makes sense!" Elena said.
"No, it doesn't. Do you really think these two mages would just go along with Pyres? The Spirit was the nastiest thing I've ever had the misfortune to meet!" Mist said.
"…Ewan might…" Ephraim said.
"…Trickery… Pyres would've tricked them!" Elena said.
"Even if that's true, what do you suggest we do about it, brave dame?" Innes asked.
"Who's up for a coin toss? Heads, we help. Tails, we don't," Joshua suggested, pulling a coin, and preparing a toss.
"Heads," L'Arachel called confidently.
"T… nah, heads," Innes called.
"…Heads, maybe?" Natasha said.
"I refuse to dignify this with a call," Seth said. He then whispered something into Eirika's ear. Eirika giggled.
"I'll take you on that! I'll take heads, he'll take tails!" Eirika proclaimed, to Seth's embarrassment.
"Please heads…" Mist found herself saying. Joshua tossed the coin into the air, and it landed in Ephraim's palm. Ephraim pocketed it.
"We are not basing a decision as important as this on the outcome of a coin toss!" Ephraim said. Everyone looked between each other.
"…We both lose?" Eirika asked Seth.
"First time I've lost a coin call," L'Arachel remarked.
"Listen to you all! A girl needs Magvel's support, and here you are, bickering about the outcome of a coin toss! Are we strong rulers with the experience of a war on our shoulders, or are we children?" Tana asked.
"…Can I be both?" L'Arachel asked.
"I don't know, can you? Besides, you all called heads, so I think that means you want to help this girl after all. Because that's what we're going to do!" Tana said.
"Tana…" Ephraim said.
"This girl's continent is on the brink of ruin, and if this Pyres fellow is as big and bold as she claims he is, Magvel is not going to be far behind. After all, if he summoned us to Tellius, he's going to return us… and somehow, I don't see things ending well," Tana said.
"And I thought you weren't a good princess. You're serving Renais well…" Innes said.
"So you're maybe considering a queen of your own?" L'Arachel asked.
"Oh no…" Ephraim said, slowly sinking underneath the table. Everyone else went for stepping back.
"Possibly. If you're volunteering, then no thanks," Innes said.
"That's not what you said when we were having our special moments," L'Arachel said.
"You can't prove those happened," Innes said.
"Hey, L'Arachel… is it just me, or is your tummy a little… bigger than normal?" Tana asked.
"Thank you sister…" Innes said in an annoyed tone.
"This is your kid, Innes! This time, there's no way out of marrying me!" L'Arachel said.
"…Tana, you can't point fingers. Your tummy doesn't look much better," Innes said, trying to get the conversation back on his side.
"She's also married to Ephraim, and already has a daughter. Innes, this is one time you can't win!" L'Arachel said.
"…Which country are we going to take, then?" Innes asked.
"Why, Rausten, of course! That's the country Eirika said was better!" L'Arachel said.
"Ephraim said Frelia was better. Don't call that contest the basis of your judgement," Innes said.
"Well, you-" L'Arachel started.
"SHUT IT!" Elena yelled. Innes and L'Arachel turned to Elena.
"Girls, girls, you're both very pretty. But now isn't the time to argue about whose country is better, how you're going to get married, or who had whose babies. That last one, I really didn't need to hear. So, are you done?" Elena asked.
"How was it?" Livia asked Elena, as everyone exited the meeting room.
"…We might want to tone back the Circlet's arguing…" Elena said.
"Also, they're helping us," Mist said. This was met by cheers. Ephraim appeared behind Elena, and grabbed her shoulder. A blush shot up Elena's cheeks, as Ephraim looked across the Tellius group.
"We have decided upon the team layout. The Circlet of Tellius, as I hear it's called, will accompany me, Tana, Eirika, Seth and Innes to the Frelia/Renais border and Lute. The retinue, however, will accompany Joshua, Natasha and L'Arachel to Ewan in Jehanna. There, they will meet up with at least Ross and Amelia for aid," Ephraim said.
"Ah…" Aderyn said.
"Elena… you'd take the Circlet into the hands of Einherjar?" Astrid asked.
"Subconsciously, actually. Astrid, will us coming back from this prove to you we can trust Einherjar?" Elena asked.
"…I see… I think. Very well, Elena. I will defer to your judgement," Astrid said.
"Everyone, get prepared!" Elena said.
The Circlet was the first group to get moving. They marched in the direction of Lute's home village. Livia, Emilyn and Penelopy could feel the magic emanating from that direction- there was definitely something going on in that direction. While riding, Tana noticed Emilyn looking up nervously at Elena. She nudged her pegasus over in Emilyn's direction, and hauled Emilyn up onto the pegasus's back. She flew towards the back of the pack.
"What are you looking at Elena like that for?" Tana asked teasingly.
"Oh… I… well, this is… but I think… I think I like her… I am so jealous of Livia. She gets Elena serving as Commander of the Crimean Royal Knights. Put a pegasus between her legs, and she'd knock Sigrun and Tanith out of the water! I'd want her defending Begnion!" Emilyn said.
"Whoa… uh… I actually had something similar, I think. Ephraim… I had a massive crush on him when I was a girl… but no matter what I did, he'd never notice. He always paid his stupid rivalry with Innes more mind than he did me. But I got through to him in the end… it took a while, but he started appreciating me, and now I'm Queen Renais," Tana said.
"Wow… but Elena would never abandon Crimea. She's got too much of her father in her. She'd hate Begnion," Emilyn said.
"Well… maybe she's not the problem," Tana said.
"…I can't abandon Begnion! It's like your Renais! Well… it's also a theocracy, like Rausten…" Emilyn said.
"Either way, it's important. Hm… well, I'd wait until you found out how she thinks of you," Tana said.
"She treats me like a sister," Emilyn said.
"That's good!" Tana said.
"But she says that's how the Circlet should be," Emilyn said.
"…That's not so good, isn't it?" Tana asked.
"I… I just don't know whether to feel OK with this…" Emilyn said.
The villages beside Za'ha woods appeared before the Circlet and the rulers of Western Magvel. Elena stepped forward, and looked around.
"Hm… how curious… I was wondering when this might happen…" a voice said, echoing from several portions of the field at once. Finally, emerging from a pool of water, appeared a small sage. Lute opened her eyes, and looked across at her opposition.
"How piteous… Are you Tormod's worst? Or the group that he sent as a token force?" Lute asked.
"Tormod… what do you know about my father?" Emilyn asked, stepping forward.
"I know quite a bit, daughter Laguz. I know how he took the power of a Spirit, and discarded it when it no longer suited him. Pyres has helped me attain power I might never have thought possible. In exchange, I would be glad to help him take down Tormod Laguz," Lute said. She waved her hands, and appearing across the battlefield were a mixed bag of monsters. Lute spread her hands across the ground, and a web of gridlines appeared on the floor. She pushed down, and ten of the tiles Lute had created disappeared into nothingness. She focused, and flicked. The tiles slid across the ground.
"Well… this went bad quickly," Elena said. She began charging, only for the movement in tiles to send her into a mess of baels. Livia sighed, and charged to help her out. Aderyn and Tana flew about, trying to keep the gargoyles at bay. Everyone else simply prepared for a monster battle, trying their hardest to keep away from moving ground, a task that was easier said than done.
"I hope things go well for you, then," the kindly storeowner said. Artur thanked her for her time, and left the far village. He looked over at his home village, and the home village of Lute. He sighed, plucking up his courage, before walking. He felt a sharp jolt to the right, and collapsed. He looked around, and noticed the ground underneath his feet shifting. He started looking around.
"Hey… you're Artur, aren't you?" Ephraim asked, riding up beside Artur, making sure to stand on the same tile.
"Yeah… Your Highness? What brings you to this neck of the woods?" Artur asked.
"We're here on behalf of a group of girls from Tellius. Basically, there's a mess involving powerful Spirits… I don't understand it for certain, but based on reports Innes and Tana were giving, we think there is something about the Spirits here… has Lute been acting a little odd lately?" Ephraim asked.
"Lute? Yeah, a bit… I have just the thing to help her, though," Artur said.
"What are the odds?" Ephraim asked.
"Not that good… I say that in the 'I hope' sense," Artur said. Ephraim shot him a glare.
"Well, I didn't know about any Spirits!" Artur yelled, before rushing across the tiles. He watched their movements, allowing him to use the tiles to get closer. He had a hunch that that might've been Lute's doing, as well.
Artur arrived at the small lake, and Lute turned. She slid the lake underneath her away, and into a small effort Janiyah was pulling against a gang of gwyllgis.
"Hmm? Artur, is that you? It has been some time since I last saw you," Lute remarked.
"Was it? I suppose there was quite the span. Let me ask you this, Lute. What are you doing?" Artur asked.
"Simple. Someone requested my aid, and I provided it. In exchange for that aid, I have grown more powerful than you could possibly imagine," Lute said, sliding about the tiles again.
"But at what cost?" Artur asked.
"I'm afraid I don't quite understand that question, Artur. There is no cost. No penalty. Just power," Lute said.
"And what will you do with this power?" Artur asked.
"Does it matter? If you must know, I plan to use it to protect those I hold dear," Lute said.
"Really? And in the interim you will literally tear apart the very land you live in, and to what end? You summon monsters to fight innocents, and fill everyone's heart with nothing but loathing for you!" Artur said, looking around. The tiles had changed again- Artur was wondering if Lute was even paying enough attention.
"I see… And do you… feel that way…?" Lute asked.
"What? No! Even now you're the person I trust above all others!" Artur said.
"Very well, then… Come with me… I think you will find what I can tell you very…. enlightening…" Lute said. Artur stepped back, a little concerned.
"Artur…. Why are you staring at me like that?" Lute asked.
"That mark on your forehead…" Artur said, pointing. Lute brushed her hair out of the way, bringing the brand into greater prominence.
"This? Merely the mark of an… agreement I made, I suppose it is the source of my power," Lute said.
"Oh Lute… What have you done? Don't you understand? He will use you until you die and then take whatever power you have left!" Artur said.
"…What are you doing to me?" Lute asked.
"I haven't done a thing yet, magical or otherwise," Artur said.
"This feeling in my chest… I don't like it…" Lute said, clutching at her chest.
"I see…" Artur remarked.
"Where we stand is… hah… very simple. Get on board… or get out of the way," Lute said.
"I will do neither of those things… Lute, I will bring you back where you belong," Artur said.
"Then…. you will… die…" Lute said, or more accurately, choked out.
"Let us begin, then, shall we?" Artur asked.
"Why do you insist upon this? I'm superior in both skill and magic. You cannot win this. Please… surrender…" Lute said.
"I cannot, until you awaken from this folly! Let's see how much that pact has enhanced that power of yours. See if that pact can save you!" Artur said.
"Why does every inch of my being detest this… I don't like this at all," Lute remarked. Artur shot forward a light blast, and Lute began preparing her water magic.
"Ephraim!" Eirika cried out. Ephraim slowed down, and jumped onto Eirika's tile for a chat. Their horses had to pack close to get it, and the two were pushed together.
"How is this, Eirika?" Ephraim asked.
"…It's not my first fight since the Demon King's War… but it's still sending shivers down my spine," Eirika said.
"You could sit back, you know. You don't have to fight with us," Ephraim said.
"But what if you get overwhelmed? What if just one more sword could save your hide, like it did against the Demon King? Ephraim, I detest fighting. But I will always make sure you make it out of danger in one piece," Eirika said.
"Eirika… I couldn't ask for a better sister. You sure you want to stay in Grado?" Ephraim asked.
"I've told you countless times, brother. I will not leave Lyon's country to its destruction, especially after Duessel died. Just because of what the Demon King did, just because of its earthquake problem, does not mean that I will abandon it. You still have Tana, do you not?" Eirika asked. Ephraim turned to Tana, who was running three gargoyles through with a single javelin toss.
"…She's the better queen… but I will always rather you at my side," Ephraim said.
"Ephraim, remember what I told you about that?" Eirika asked.
"About what… oh. OH! Don't worry, Tana and Seth didn't hear," Ephraim said.
"No, that's not… oh, you're not going to get it. Oblivious as always," Eirika said, before charging to take out a bonewalker preparing an arrow-shaped demise for Tana.
"What did I do?" Ephraim asked.
"You are much stronger… than…. than I thought…" Lute said, breathing heavily. The pair had just finished a small spar, and needed to take a breather.
"Thank you… That means…. a lot coming… from you…" Artur said, equally winded.
"Why do…. You continue down this path… It will lead you to your destruction!" Lute said.
"Your path will fare you no better! Why? Tell me why you continue to fight for someone else's ambitions!" Artur said.
"I fight to right a wrong! If you would just come with me!" Lute demanded.
"You are being tricked, Lute," Artur said.
"I think not. And even if I am, I chose this path. I cannot unchoose it… Stop whatever foul curse you have on me before we continue!" Lute said.
"Curse? I know of no such thing!" Artur said.
"You have not struck very many powerful blows… And yet every move I make…. is painful… I don't know why… You must be doing something to me," Lute said. She pulled back, before launching a mighty Arctonitrus at Artur. Artur looked up in surprise, before dropping to the ground.
"Argh! N-No…. I cannot fall here… I refuse to allow you to follow this path…" Artur said.
"Artur! Stop moving! You'll kill yourself!" Lute said, in a panic.
"Isn't that what you want? 'Get on board or get out of the way,' right?" Artur asked.
"Yes… I mean… No! Stop it! Stop moving! Let me help you! I don't care if you will be angry with me later but you're coming with me. Alive," Lute said, waving her Physic staff. She didn't care it was a waste. She just wanted Artur alive.
"Why though? Why save me?" Artur asked.
"I don't know… whatever spell you cast compels me to. I feel as though if I don't help you… I will… be lost..." Lute said. A figure appeared behind her, and the Physic staff's light faded. Lute looked at it with concern.
What are you doing, Aquis? That one's a powerful enemy unit. Why are you attempting to save him? Pyres asked.
"He is strong. He has potential. I think he will listen to me he could-" Lute said.
Enough! You are to leave him to die. Is that understood? Pyres asked. Lute let out an odd sound.
"Yes…" Lute said nervously.
Good, Pyres said, disappearing from sight.
"Lute?" Artur asked
"I'm here, Artur…. Just rest and try to conserve your strength till the battle is over, then I can fix you," Lute said.
"I-I don't think so…. You messed me up pretty good there…" Artur said.
"You didn't do so bad yourself… Against my…. superiority…" Lute said.
"Just…. No matter what path you choose… Make it… Your own…" Artur told her. Lute nodded, and began humming a wordless tune. Artur smiled, and fell limp. Lute wiped away some patches of wetness from her eyes.
"Elena, are you doing all right?" Emilyn asked, rushing up to Elena's tile.
"Just fine. Squishing spiders twice my size… you know, the usual," Elena remarked, thrusting her sword backwards into a cyclops.
"Right, right… hey, listen, Elena… there's something I want to tell you…" Emilyn said.
"I'm a little busy… can it wait?" Elena asked, taking out a golem.
"Uh… sure, maybe… I guess it can… it can wait…" Emilyn said.
"Emilyn, I just want to remind you… you don't have to keep everything bottled up. I'm your friend, and I'll always be there for you," Elena said, holding out her hand.
"Always… be there for me…" Emilyn said, taking it. Elena threw her sword into the air, and smiled at Emilyn. She heard a shocked cry, and looked over at Lute. She grabbed her sword out of the falling harpy, and rushed at Lute, leaving Emilyn staring after her… until the tiles faced her with some mogalls.
"Y-You killed him?" Elena asked, looking down at Lute in shock. Lute jumped.
"Yes… I suppose I did…" Lute remarked.
"I can't believe you. He trusted you… And here he is lying dead. Because of you," Elena said.
"Shut up…. You don't know anything…" Lute said, trembling, emotions overpowering her.
"I don't know anything? All I know is I would never… NEVER stab one of my best friends in the back like you have here!" Elena roared, the Wo Dao at the ready.
"So many different sensations today… This one I recognize. Rage. You will die. Now. I will figure out these feelings later," Lute said. Elena levelled her sword, and focused. What looked like four other Elenas appeared behind her, all to disappear. One, two, three, four powerful slashes cut the air, and Elena jumped back to her standing position. Lute focused, and created a small triangle of glowing orbs. She pushed her hand forward, and created a large gust of wind. Her Excalibur spell, recited from memory, blasted Elena to the ground.
"That blade…" Lute said, in pain. Elena smiled at having dealt a lot of damage to Lute.
"Hey! You!" Yune cried out, running up beside Elena.
"Hm? Go home, thief… This is no place for you," Lute said.
"I'd normally be tempted to agree with you… but I know my place. I won't let you hurt my sisters!" Yune said, knife at the ready.
"So be it," Lute said. She fired an Ignis, causing an explosion in front of her. When the blast cleared, Elena was gone and Yune was covered in wounds.
"How did that effect you so? If such a weak attack hurt you so much… you don't belong on the battlefield, girl," Lute said. Yune began chuckling.
"No… That attack didn't hurt much… But there's one thing about the Circlet of Tellius… we look after our own… No matter… the cost…" Yune said, dropping to the ground, exhausted.
"Damn! The girl!" Lute cried out.
"Surprise!" Elena cried out, thrusting the Wo Dao through her spine. Lute dropped to the ground.
"Ah… Ha… I chose this path… I suppose this lead to its… natural conclusion…" Lute said. A red light appeared in her back, and she turned in shock. Elena jumped away from her. Light was being drawn from her body, until she was left a colourless corpse. Elena looked around in shock, only to look up. Pyres was above her, drawing in all the colour from Lute's body, as well as a tremendous amount of some odd blue substance, similar in appearance to Pyres's own material.
"Pyres… what are you up to?" Elena asked, her sword pointed to the sky.
I'd love to stay and chat, but this is too much power… I know what I need to do… Yune, when you wake up, you'll be a lot like your friend there, Pyres said, before vanishing.
"Be like me… how?" Elena asked, turning. In a glow of light, the tiles returned to their natural formation, with Yune close to Livia for healing. Elena was standing beside Lute's colourless remains, clueless.
Elena shook herself out of her reverie, to notice everyone had finished up the monsters Lute had left. From Livia's bemused expression, Elena had to guess either she had to bail her out, or she had been swording monsters subconsciously. She'd probably have to ask later. She went to join the group to set off to Jehanna, only for Yune to come running up to her.
"Oh, Elena… I was searching the corpses," Yune said.
"Yune?" Elena said.
"Yeah, yeah, I know, it's very impolite, and such, but you know me…" Yune said.
"…What is it?" Elena sighed.
"I found this on Artur," Yune said, holding out a ring.
"A ring, Yune? Wait… this is a guiding ring! Wait… You don't think?" Elena asked.
"I do…" Yune said meaningfully.
"Oh my goddess, Artur… well, better get this to Emilyn," Elena said.