Empress of Birds
"Camilla!"
The Malig Knight looked up and saw her sister-in-law rush over to her.
"Hinoka!" Camilla sighed in relief as she spoke, "Where's Xander and Leo?"
"They're speaking with the front desk right now." Hinoka replied hurried, "How's Suki?"
"According to the doctors, her fever spiked." Camilla replied, "I don't believe this happened before, right?"
"No!" Hinoka shook her head.
Worried, Camilla led her to a seat as Hinoka sat and said, "Just why is all of this happening now? She's never had any problem till now."
"The doctors are assuming that it's the change in climate. The academy is cooler than Presia." Camilla grimaced, "It should be fine. Dr. Rogers is here too."
Hinoka looked to the door. It wasn't long before Xander and Leo arrived that one of the doctors came out. Xander and Hinoka hurried over.
"Doctor Rogers." Xander called out to him, "How is Suki?"
"Her fever just broke. She should be coming too in a bit." Rogers said with a sigh of relief, "I haven't seen such a temperature since the last time Adrian caught a fever. We'll put her in the patient's room. For now, let's talk about this somewhere else."
They followed the doctor to her empty hospital room as he sat down on the swivel stool and began, "Her condition is good now and everything is going to be all right. She may lose a few memories in regards to recently because the temperature was so high, but what I'm concerned about it how she got such a fever. I've had a few patients in Tasogarekan academy before Suki and her friends attended the school, so I know that it couldn't be from the lack of hygiene. The climate change could be the problem, but it's unusual for her temperature to be up so high."
Hinoka nodded, "I know that Suki is a responsible child and won't take anything that she feels like could be problematic with her health."
"That's right." Camilla nodded, "She always spoke with the lunch ladies and made clear of whatever she could and couldn't take. They also know her really well and are good friends."
"Then, there's the library." Leo frowned, "I was talking with Inigo about the reunion when I heard her coughing in the library. But, I didn't even know that she was in there till it happened. I do know that she was in the corner of the library's first floor. There has never been any cases of problems in the library that I've known of till now."
"I'll try talking with Suki about what happened yesterday." Doctor Rogers said with a frown, "I'll check on her condition again so that nothing weird starts happening, but I don't think there's much you should be worried about now."
"Thank you." Xander nodded as the doctor nodded back and left the room.
He then looked to the papers of Suki's profile for a bit before Leo frowned in thought, "Suki… never really had any problems till this month, though. What could be the problem? The temperature in Tasogarekan isn't as cold as Presia either."
Camilla frowned, "There hasn't been any problems between her and the other students either. I kept an eye on that. I've also kept a close eye on her since she arrived."
Xander was quiet in thought as the diagnose of the puncture would came to his mind. He frowned and pulled out the object from his pocket. Hinoka's eyes widen, "That's…"
It was her mother's compact. The one she had given to her son. Xander nodded, "I asked Seigbert to let us borrow it. I got the feeling that we would need it."
"Xander…" Hinoka grimaced, "Suki…"
Xander nodded with a sigh, "If this goes on, we won't know what could happen next either."
"Wait." Leo spoke up, "Brother, I don't know what's going on. But, let's first bring Suki back to Presia a little bit and see if the situation changes there first. If she still ends up showing signs of problems, then we'll see what we can do."
Xander looked to Hinoka, who slowly nodded.
"All right." Xander nodded, "We'll bring her back to Presia and see the situation there."
So, after the next couple of days, they brought her back to Presia under the guise of an early holiday vacation. He then also explained everything to his siblings afterwards. Leo took the compact for a bit and tried to do some studies on it. After some thought, Xander has decided to bring the child to the reunion as well. Of course, she would have to be with her cousins. The next day, Xander decided to bring her to patrol one of the areas in the outskirts of the town. He only knew that the child had become strong enough to pass the exam with high scores. Not much else. It was a first seeing her arrive with a sword on her belt. Out of precaution, Leo came as well after finding substitutes for the other classes.
"Did you bring your pendulum too?" Leo looked to her.
"Yes, Uncle." She nodded.
"Pendulum?" Xander raised a brow, "The one she got for her birthday?"
Leo nodded, "That's the one, brother. She used it as her main weapon during the exam and then showed us that she could use the sword during training too."
"Really?" Xander looked to her in confusion, "A pendulum?"
Leo then handed him the compact, "Here. I couldn't find anything unusual about it, though."
"Really…" Xander frowned, "Well, if you can't find anything on this, then we can only just wait and see."
"A compact?" Suki looked up in confusion.
"It's something important that your mother gave me." Xander nodded with a chuckle, "A little secret."
As he patted her head, he raised a brow, "Have you grown again?"
"I think so…" She frowned in confusion.
Xander chuckled again, "Is that so? Well, now. Let's get going."
"Right!" Suki nodded and hurried after him.
In their group was also Inigo, Cordelia, and Sakura. It wasn't often that the priestess would join their little patrols, but sometimes she and her retainers would take part in these patrols. Not to mention, it would be quite lonely now that Forrest was no longer in Presia. As they walked around the forest surround the town, Suki couldn't help but notice the numerous plants surrounding the town and held a small conversation with her aunt over them. Leo sighed in relief and said, "So, it's true that she's suddenly gotten better."
Xander nodded, "We don't know how or why, but Elise said that everything looks normal."
"Huh?"
Xander looked back as he saw his daughter looking to the distance, "Suki?"
The girl looked to him and frowned, "Dad? I hear something in the distance… Is it wolves?"
"Huh?" Morgan frowned in confusion, "But, I heard that the wolves aren't here anymore."
Xander frowned, "Perhaps. Be on your guard, everyone…"
As they look to him, they all nodded knowing what he meant as Xander looked to Suki. He silently cursed the perfect timing of the situation as he said, "Suki, stick close to us and don't wander off."
Suki nodded quietly and hurried to their side. It was a rare chance for him to bring her along to work, but it was slightly frustrating that it had to be ruined from the possibility of an attack. As they continued walking, Suki finally came to a halt, "Uh, Dad… I'm getting the feeling that someone is watching me…"
Sakura looked slightly agitated and turned to Leo who narrowed his eyes. Xander grew worried as well and pulled her to his side looking back once, then to Leo who nodded. They were on to them. Xander silently thought of the steeds that they should've brought had he not though that this route would be the safest. With Suki on his priority list, he made sure that she was next to him as they treaded deeper into the woods. He looked to Suki who seemed preoccupied looking around her surroundings. He wasn't certain if it was one of these paranormal things at first, but now he was certain that it wasn't. She was actually able to sense the enemy from afar! He just hoped that she cou-
Suddenly, he noticed her reaching for her hilt. He immediately looked around before the sound of rustling came to his ears. They're here! He looked to Leo who called out, "Morgan!"
His brother opened his tome and brought many branches to life around the catching creatures around them. He pulled out his blade and quickly cut one of the monsters in half.
"Suki!" He turned around, "Suki?!"
The girl was gone! He quickly searched for her as he cut his way through the enemies. He then saw the girl strangling a monster back with the metal string on her pendulum so Sakura could get away fast. With swift motion, she hurled the monster back and jumped on its back before cutting the head off with her silver blade. He turned back in time to bring down a monster approaching him from behind. It was then that he noticed a slightly large monster with a bigger frame in the back. Xander looked to his brother, "Leo give me a hand!"
"Right." Leo nodded as he saw the large monster.
Branches sprouted from the side of the monster knocking it to the side as it screamed. Xander took this chance to bring it down in one swoop. However, his eyes widen as he saw the monster grabbed ahold of his blade as if it as a branch. He tried to pull it back, but failed to as the monster screamed from the flames of his blade. Suddenly, a line came across his eyesight and wrapped around the monster's arm. He looked back and saw his daughter on the other end. As she pulled on it hand, the wire gave way as it cut off the monster's arm and freed his blade. The monster was then shot in the eye by one of Sakura's arrows as he took his chance and cut its head off. With the head off, the monster fell to the ground motionless. As he made sure that the monster was gone, he turned to see that the others had retreated as well. He sighed in relief and turned to Leo, "Was that the-"
"Xander, behind you!" Leo shouted with wide eyes. Xander spun around with his blade when he saw something flew across and hit the head of the monster follow to him. It was pinned in place as the body hissed in green smoke finally vanishing like the others. He looked to the blade and saw that it was a silver sword.
"Dad, are you all right?!" Suki rushed over to him.
He pulled the blade out of the ground and looked to her with a raised brow, "Uh… Did those in the academy taught you to throw your sword, Suki?"
"Uh…" Suki grimaced, "No. My apologies, father. It was out of instinct. I won't do it again."
Xander nodded and gave her back her blade, "Though it did save me, you always need to have your sword by your side."
"How about we just give her some throwing knives? Or daggers?" Inigo strained a smile, "This could be the start of another weapon she could master?"
Xander looked to his retainer who immediately took a step back and saw with a grimace, "Or, not…"
Leo nodded, "Let's just not do that again."
"Okay…" Suki nodded quietly.
Xander patted her on the head and smiled, "Good work. I'm glad that you're all right, though."
She smiled back with a nod before she frowned and asked, "Dad? What are that?"
Xander was quiet as he hesitated before he finally spoke, "I… don't know…"
His daughter looked confused, but there was nothing he can do to clear it up if he doesn't want her involved in it any further too. As they began to leave the area, a bright light shined behind them. Xander looked back to see that a bright blue glow surrounded them as a strange image appeared a very familiar image. Before them stood a large tree where a Celestial and another man in a blue mask appeared before her with a Katana in hand.
"I'll ask you again…" the Celestial's voice echoed in their mind, "Why did you do it?"
The man was quiet as he stood his ground.
"The mortals are looking to you for aid, so why did you do it?" the woman spoke again, "I understand that you can understand the weight of your actions now, but to break a taboo? What is going through your mind right now, Yun? These are mother's beloved creations too. Why did you break them?"
"The mortals needed help. I helped them to the best of my abilities as a Celestials." He replied curtly.
"By breaking them?" the woman questioned, "The taboo you've done… the consequences… are for you to hold."
The man turned around and walked away quietly.
"Yun?" the woman called out to him.
However, he never looked back.
Suddenly, their surroundings vanished as the land returned to normal. The light was absorbed into what looks to be a crystal lily sticking out from the ground. Xander turned to the crystal plant, "Leo…"
His brother nodded, "We're going to have to keep this place prohibited till we can find better solution to this."
So, they returned home with the flower. Inigo brought Suki home to Hinoka as Xander filed a report to prohibit entry to the south forest temporarily. That night as Suki slept, Hinoka brought out the tea she and Sakura made as he and Leo sat around the table.
"The Lost Ones…" Xander frowned.
Leo nodded, "What is it that they're doing is still unknown, but I bet they already know where we are…"
Sakura shuddered, "So, they'll be back?"
Hinoka frowned, "And right before Suki too…"
"She didn't question me about it after, but it must be on her mind." Xander said with a frown, "Children are curious about things and even more as they grow. Perhaps there will be a time when we would have to tell her about them… But for now, it's best that she doesn't. It was a really bad coincidence that we encountered them with her today too."
They nodded quietly.
"Still, this is the first time those things have a leader." Hinoka said.
Leo frowned, "It's possible that the enemy is starting to send them out more over time."
Xander nodded, "Soon, we might have to send Suki back to the Academy…"
"What?" Sakura looked to him in confusion.
Hinoka was quiet before she sat down and nodded, "I see… the academy might be the safest place for her now. Away from Presia…"
Leo sighed, "You could be right, Xander. Camilla, Hisame and I will be there too… Even though she was doing so well here…"
Xander said, "But, the Lost Ones in this area is starting to increase over time. Today, being the most. I'll need to send a scout and track them down when the retreat. After the reunion, we'll become very busy with these matters. It would be difficult to keep watch over Suki as well."
"She already has future goals." Leo said with a nod, "She'll soon be able to make her own decisions as she did when she began training for the examinations. As long as she remains in this world, she won't have to worry about the problems the human realm would do to her not when she's here."
It was a decision they didn't want to make, but it was time and Suki would only be in more danger from here on should she take part in it. Doing this, the couple soon came to realize the weight of the fact. Their child just isn't a part of their world and, as a resident of this world, she too have her own life to live, even if it means that they would never see her again.
It wasn't till the next morning when he arrived in his office to see a panicked Inigo speaking with his father through the orb.
"Inigo?" He called out to his retainer, "What is it?"
"Oh!" Inigo's eyes widen in surprise as he saw him, "W-Well…"
Chrom looked over and saw him, "Ah, Xander. There's something I need to speak to you about."
"Yes?" Xander replied as he took a seat behind his desk.
He noticed his retainer struggling to stay still next to Peri who couldn't hold back her laughter.
"Did something happen?" Xander raised a brow.
"Yes. Well, we did come across your son yesterday. However, there was a problem in the village and he offered to take the problem from our hands. But, well…" Chrom grimaced, "It turns out that it was a test from one of those spirits and, well… Soliel was chosen."
"What?!" Xander's eyes widen as he glanced over to his retainer with Peri cracking up.
Now, he could understand why the mercenary was in a panic.
"Where are they now?" Xander asked.
"On their way to Modure Kingdom." Chrom replied, "We told them not to go through Crimea Kingdom was the Civil War going on."
"I see." Xander nodded, "I'll contact them in a bit. There's something I need to discuss with you."
"Hm?" Chrom raised a brow, "Did something happen on your side too?"
"Brother?"
He looked to up in surprise, "Leo? Come in."
As he entered his brother entered them room with a large orb in his arms. On it was someone he didn't expect for a while.
"Ryoma?"
After meeting, Shigure walked into the room with Forrest as the prince sighed in relief, "That was some risk you took there, Shigure."
"It's the first time we've ever given the truth to anyone." Shigure grimaced, "But, it was my fault for telling him that we came from Presia."
"It isn't." Forrest shook his head, "We couldn't have known that the town had contact with Okeanos once either. I'm just glad that the king didn't push us aside after we told him the truth."
Shigure nodded, "The problem now is finding his daughter."
Forrest sighed as he sat down on the bed, "Right. The fact that they couldn't find her for the last seven years makes things harder for us too."
Shigure nodded, "Still, we can't give up. Everyone is counting on us."
"But, what do we do now?" Forrest frowned, "We agreed that if we find his daughter then they'd allow us to look through the chronicles they have."
"Well, let's speak with the prince. Maybe he'd know a little bit more of the situation." Shigure suggested, "He's also well aware of our situation. So, we won't have to worry about getting the information out of him."
Forrest hesitated for a bit before he nodded, "Fine."
As they left the room, they looked around in search of either the maid, the retainer, or the prince himself. He then saw some people walking by eyeing them with strange looks, looks that reminded him a bit of Nohr's castle during a banquet once. It reminded him much of the time he went with his mother to a banquet held in Hoshido once when he looked back to see some of the nobles looking to their with strange looks. Those looks. Forrest patted his shoulder, "Let's go, Shigure."
He was then dragged across the hall to their cousins' room much to his confusion. When everyone was brought together, they went to see the prince whom they finally found in the library.
"The island where she was?" the man raised a brow.
"We want to see if we can find some information about the place before we go check on it." Shigure said and turned to Forrest.
"There must be something there or else why did the pirates go for the island in the first place." Forrest said with a frown, "I want to make sure that it was really just a coincidence before we move to that place."
Fay sighed, "So, you're saying that they knew she was there and went to kidnap her? Her whereabout are a secret here."
"But, I know from experience that even the most well-kept secret can't be hidden for long." Forrest said, "I don't doubt the security of your kingdom, but I know that not many secrets are hidden for that long. It's possible that someone had overheard it and used it to their advantage. I'd like to see if it a possibility that the secret was discovered by someone else."
Fay was quiet and narrowed his eyes as he listened. Finally, he sighed, "The island is called Aspido. It's located far out in the oceans from Okeanos. It takes a long time to get there. About three nights and four days sailing. There are many legends in accord to the place and its location is thought to be unknown since the place is known to always be on the move just like the legends."
"It moves?" Kiragi frowned in confusion.
"Oh!" Ophelia gasped, "Could it be?! The island is on top of a fish and moves along with the stars!"
"No…" Fay sighed, "And I have no clue where you got that from unless that's from your world."
"We don't have anything as weird as that." Nina sighed and pulled back her collegue, "Please excuse her…"
Fay shrugged, "The place is named after the Aspidochelone. A giant sea turtle that carried a land on its back. As you can assume, it's only a myth. However, over time, our kingdom have successfully tracked down the location. Since then, the location is known all but its travel route, which only the royal family knows about. According to Father, he hired a couple to care for her there. They were a fisherman family who follows a long tradition of catching fish as according to their culture. Why father sent her there, I don't know, but it was important that she shouldn't be here in the castle. You must've seen the nobles passing through here, right?"
Shigure shuddered as he recalled those eyes aligning to those that he had once seen in Hoshido and Nohr. He had yet to see it in Valla but the idea of it is stuck in the corner of his mind. He didn't want that to happen, but those kinds of people are out there too…
Forrest nodded. Fay sighed as he closed his book, "According to the royal families, this generation is the generation of the fight for the throne. It's been happening everywhere."
"But, since you're the eldest, shouldn't you put a stop to this in your own kingdom? What about his majesty?" Shiro asked.
Fay sighed as he placed his chin on his knuckles, "If only it was that simple."
Shiro frowned, "What's stopping you?"
However, they were only met with silence as he only sighed.
After they gathered their information, they walked out to the open streets. Shiro sighed, "Aspido, huh? It would be difficult to get a hold of more information than that."
Nina sighed, "Not necessarily."
"Huh?" Kiragi raised a brow, "You know something?"
Nina nodded, "When there's a legend, there's bound to be treasure hunters. It's just that simple to us thieves. We always have to check if there are any treasure in regards to the legends. How about you just leave the information gather to me. Since that guy is still stuck in the stables, I'll just have to do all the work myself. I'll be right back, Sir Forrest."
As she walked off into the crowd, Forrest looked to Ophelia, "Help Nina, Ophelia. We're in a place we're not familiar with. Anything can happen."
"Right." Ophela mimicked a salute and rushed after her collegue.
As she rushed after her, Shigure looked about in confusion as he saw a strange figure rushing through the streets. A figure with green hair…
He shook his head, "Nah, that can't be right."
As they traveled on the road under the sweltering sun and high winds, Soliel groaned, "Two villages and no tea…"
"Well, it is your fault for acting without permission." Caeldori sighed.
Ignatius nodded, "That's right."
"Aw. Come on, Ignatiuis." Soliel strained a smile as she was about to pat him on the arm.
Seigbert gasped, "Soliel, wait!"
"Ow!" Soliel grimaced as she waved her hand around, "So hot!"
"It's because of the armor." Seigbert sighed before taking out an instant ice pack, "Here. But, don't use it for anything else, but the burnt area."
"Right…" Soliel grumbled and took the bag before crumbling it to start the chemical reaction, "This world is just that advance, huh? An ice pack in the middle of a desert."
"It is an interesting world." Ignatius nodded.
"Are we there yet?" Soliel groaned.
"Really, Soliel?" Caeldori sighed, "Aren't you suppose to be the retainer here?"
"Yup!" she grinned, "I'm strong too!"
"Just as you are stupid."
"What was that?" Caeldori raised a brow.
"I heard that too." Ignatius said with a grimace.
"H-Huh?" Soleil raised a brow, "But, I didn't hear anything?"
Seigbert raised a brow and looked around before he nodded, "Let continue push forward. They'll show up on their own."
Saying this, they could nodded dully and continued after the prince. After a few more days of traveling, they finally came to large village just on the outskirts of the desert surrounded by palm trees and plains. They were also greeted by large gusts of wind smacking right into their faces. Caeldori grimaced, "These winds… they're so strong…"
Seigbert nodded, "One of Modure Kingdom's infamous trademark.
Upon entering, they looked around seeing that all the buildings were made of wood and the tan clothing of the people with tan skin.
"They remind me of the Fire Village back in Hoshido…" Caeldori noted quietly.
"Yeah…" Soliel nodded quietly.
Seigbert nodded with a sigh, "We're finally here."
"Huh?" Soliel looked up to him.
"This…" Seigbert looked about, "Is Modure Kingdom."
"This place?!" Soliel's eyes widen.
Seigbert nodded, "Oh and don't try to change in public again, Soliel. This place is mostly about modesty. So, don't leave my side. Or you could get thrown out."
"Yes, sir…" Soliel grumbled.
Caeldori tilted her head in confusion, "But… I don't see a castle, anywhere…"
He continued, "This kingdom is said to try their best to live with the world. They never use many things for permanent uses. Hence, why they don't look like Goud Kingdom. So, they don't have a castle."
"Oh." Soliel looked about, "So, what's the color of this village's flame?"
He strained a smile, "Gray. It's said that they came from the citizens of both Wyscun and Osius, but those are just myths."
"I'm going to look for a place for us to stay the night." Caeldori said with a smile, "The Shepherd's place doesn't have enough room for all of us right?"
"That's right." Seigbert nodded, "Do you need any help?"
She shook her head, "No. I'll be fine, though. Thank you."
After leaving the group for a short while, Caeldori quickly got them an inn and two rooms. When they finished settling in, Seigbert walked out of the Inn with Soliel who looked to him, "So, you're just going to leave Ignatius here too?"
Seigbert nodded, "I know Modure Kingdom is safe, but just in case. Now, let's go find the Shepherds here and see what they've found."
Soliel nodded with a chuckle, "Sure… Actually, why don't we find go to the information desk?"
Seigbert raised a brow, "I would, Soliel, but they don't have that here."
"Oh…" Soliel struggled a chuckle.
Seigbert frowned in confusion before shaking it off. As they passed by the small shops and markets, Soliel once again turned to one of the stores looking through the window. Seigbert sighed and walked over to her, "You know… if you want one of the stuff that bad, you can always go inside and get it."
"N-No! I-I mean, it's fine." Soleil replied with a chuckle.
Seigbert sighed, "Okay, Soleil. What's going on? This isn't the first shop you've looked at since we left the Inn."
"Nothing, milord!" Soleil replied with a curt smile.
"Is that? Soleil?"
The woman jumped and slowly turned around as did he. Seigbert's eyes widen as he saw a woman with short gray-blue hair and green clothing. Around her shoulder sat a quiver of arrows and a silver bow. In her arms was a basket of bread. Soleil strained a smile and waved nervously, "A-Ah… Hey, Aunt Noire…"
"Oh! Y-you're already here…" the woman strained a smile and approached them.
Seigbert smiled, "Oh, Ms. Noire. You're stationed here as well?"
Noire strained a smile, "Well, for now… I heard from Chrom that you were arriving soon, so I thought that I should prepare a meal. W-w-would you care to join us for dinner?"
"That'd sound great." Seigbert nodded, "Thank you. Is there anything we can help you with?"
"N-No! It's fine, really." Noire strained a smile, "I need to be able to do at least this much myself."
"Well, all right. But, don't hesitate to ask us for help." Seigbert replied.
Noire nodded, "Our building is right next to the General store."
"Okay." He nodded.
After they departed, Soleil sighed in relief. Seigbert raised a brow, "So, it has something to do with Noire?"
Soleil strained a smile, "S-Sort of."
"Why?" Seigbert frowned in confusion.
Soleil frowned, "She can be really scary when she gets mad… And… I may have gotten her mad once."
"But it wasn't on purpose, right?" Seigbert raised a brow, "I know you for a while now and you don't normally get people mad on purpose."
"No. Of course not!" Soleil shook her head fervently, "It's just that one time Caeldori and I may have accidentally grabbed a hold of her talisman and damaged it. She was so mad that day even when Tharja made her a new one. That was probably the scariest moment of my life…"
As she shuddered, Seigbert strained a sigh and shook his head, "I see now… Well, did you apologize?"
"While dodging arrows? Yes…" Soleil replied nervously.
Seigbert wanted to sigh against, but once or twice is already enough. He was only surprised that there was something that could make her shake in her boots. Seigbert nodded, "Well, if you're still worried, why not just get her something as an apology?"
"But, what would she like?" Soleil grimaced, "It's not like I can just ask her out for tea, like my father."
"Well, do you know about anything she might like?" Seigbert thought curiously.
"Hmm…" the woman thought carefully, "She does seem obsessed with gold sometimes. Like the one time, I saw her find a bag of gold with Percy. It took a while before he could make her give it up, but she wasn't particularly obsessed with it in an unhealthy way."
Seigbert thought quietly, "Gold huh? A jewelry?"
"Bracelet."
"Huh?" Seigbert raised a brow, "Who-?"
"U-um… That was me!" Soleil strained a smile, "I was saying that maybe a bracelet would do or some earrings! Y-Yeah!"
Seigbert nodded with a smile, "That's a great idea! It doesn't really need a gem as long as it's gold. That's what she likes, right?"
"Yeah." Soleil smiled, "Then, let's go to the nearest Jewelry store and take a look!"
His eyes widened, "Huh? Me too?"
"Well, duh!" Soliel grinned, "Who else?"
Before he could say what he needed, Soleil had grabbed a hold of his arm and pulled him along. He sworn his face was completely red by the time he left the nearest jewelry store. The sun was already close to the other side as the night sky chased after it.
"Next time, how about you go into the jewelry store yourself?" Seigbert grimaced.
"Eh?" Soliel tilted her head in confusion, "Well, it was your idea to get something for her."
"No. It was." Seigbert sighed, "But it was your idea to go to the jewelry store. Also, do you realize the misunderstandings we kept getting when the shopkeeper looked at us?"
Soliel grinned, "Well, what about it? It's not like we're getting something for myself."
"That's not the point." Seigbert sighed as he knew that it'd be useless to explain it all to her.
At least, she didn't make him pay for it like the last time they went for lunch.
"Ah, there they are! Seigbert! Soliel!"
They looked up to see Caeldori and Ignatius making their way to them.
"So, did you find them?" Caeldori smiled.
"Yes." Seigbert nodded, "They've also invited us to stay for dinner."
"Really?" Ignatius strained a smile, "They really didn't have to…"
"Well, it's not like I can turn down her invitation either." He replied.
"Her?" Caeldori frowned, "Ah… Could it be Miss. Noire?"
"Yup…" Soleil sighed.
Caeldori smiled, "Well, that's good. There was something I wanted to speak with her too."
"Really?" Soleil's eyes widen.
Caeldori nodded, "Yes. I got an apology gift for her back in Goud. Since I thought that we might have to avoid Crimea, I went and bought her a gift as an apology for the last time we caused trouble during the last reunion."
"Really?" Soleil frowned in confusion, "I got her a gift just now too."
Seigbert sighed, "Let's just go see the other Shepherds before it gets late."
"Okay." Soleil grinned.
It took a short while before they found the building. Like the others, it was a wooden building with pots of flowers on the steps. After knocking, they were greeted by Say'ri who looked to them in surprise, "Oh, Sir Seigbert and Soleil! Good even to you. Please, come in."
"Good evening, Say'ri."
As they entered the room, they saw that it was decorated similar to that of a house than a garrison, like the one back in Goud. They were then brought to the dinning room where there was already food plate out on the dining room. Seigbert took a seat with the others as he turned to Say'ri, who sat next to Soliel, "So, it's just you and Noire here?"
The swordmaster strained a smile, "Aye. Afraid so. Sir Virion and Lady Tharja are currently on a mission ever since they came back. They won't be back for a little bit."
"I see." Seigbert strained a smile, "I'm glad to hear that. I was worried after I heard from my aunt of the incident."
"Yeah…" Noire nodded nervously as she brought in the salad, "I was worried sick that mother and father wouldn't be back."
"My apologies, Lady Noire." Seigbert strained a grimace, "I wasn't able to focus during that time and had to hand my responsibilities to my aunt."
"It's all right." She nodded with a smile, "I don't know what happened, but, at least, they're back. I mean, you must've been busy with something more important, right?"
"Y-Yeah…" Seigbert nodded hesitantly.
After dinner, they sat around the table with a slice of fruit cake Noire had made. Say'ri turned to him, "Lord Seigbert, you've passed by my brother's town, yes? Tell me. How was he? Well, I hope?"
"Yes." Seigbert nodded, "But, I do have a question. Is he usually… withdrawn from us?"
"A little, perhaps." Say'ri sighed, "He came from a parallel world where we failed to stop him and Valm all together. To stop us, he had to go through us."
"Was it any different for you in our world?" Ignatius questioned curiously.
"Aye…" Say'ri nodded solemnly, "He… I was the one who cut him down… Not the other way around…"
"Oh…" Ignatius grimaced, "I'm sorry for running my mouth…"
"No, it's quite fine, sir." Say'ri smiled, "The question was bound to come. After I came across him around my brother's grave, he seemed to have vowed to protect me. The one thing he tried to do for his sister. We believed, after the war was over, he would return to his world and rule over Chon'sin. However…"
"It didn't happen." Noire finished with a downcast, "We've tried to find ways to bring him back to his realm, but even the Voice couldn't figure out anything to help us. So, he's been with us for years now and works in Prince Chrom's militia. He wouldn't be found that way."
Say'ri nodded, "However, he continues to say that he would return one day and attempts to keep his distance till the day she came."
"She?" Seigbert raised a brow.
"That person we called Robin for two long years." Say'ri sighed, "Thinking back to the past, I never saw him so alarmed in my life. He have always kept a calm composure to the day I recall my own brother's passing. Yet, around her, he made it clear to all of his distrust for her."
"Wow…" Soleil said in awe, "I used to spar against in once and he's never became mad or frustrated in battle before. So, did grandfather and aunt took his words?"
Say'ri shook her head, "We could not. Even more when we thought she fell in the final battle against Valm. As irony would have a way, when he tried to keep away from her, he then tried to find her, but never once found her… till the day Grima returned."
Caeldori set down her fork on her empty plate and frowned, "I've heard about the Plegian-Ylissean war, the Valmese war, and the battle against Grima all from my grandmother and mother, but, if grandfather risked his life to put a complete end against him, why did he return but my grandfather vanished?"
"Aye. I don't know." Say'ri sighed, "We all assume that he and his sister were taken by Grima before it was confirmed and there has been to reason how the monster returned before us. What me and my brother could finally agree on is that this Robin really is on our side."
"Do you miss her?" Soleil frowned.
Say'ri hesitated before she sighed, "I suppose… In truth, I don't know."
Noire nodded, "A-All- I-I mean, many of us felt that she was one of us. I am one of them, but it was a little harder to get close to her because of the mask. Still, Lucina and Prince Chrom seemed to get along with her really well and understands her."
"But, the mask?" Caeldori frowned.
"We've tried everything which came to mind." Say'ri frowned, "From accidents to dark curses. None worked."
Noire nodded, "I was just scared that she might lose herself since she looked to have gone a little crazed when she thought of ways to take it off. It was just… stuck there. It was also really, really painful for her."
Seigbert grimaced, "I could imagine."
Say'ri nodded, "If not for Lord Chrom and Lady Lucina, we feared that she would really lose herself."
"Right about that." Seigbert frowned, "Pardon my words, but there are people I know who still are suspicious of your tactician. So, my question is how is it possible for all of you to have so much faith in her? I've heard that she was also mute, correct? These are traits that are crucial in recruiting a tactician. How did she do it?"
"Aye. She was mute." Say'ri nodded again, "But, she was also a powerful mage in her own right. For the lack of a voice, she replaced it with magic to speak to us directly through our mind."
Noire nodded, "It's a little uncomfortable at first, but we get use to it later. I don't know how Lucina and her father could trust her in the beginning either, but I only trusted her in the first place before Lucina did. Inigo and I have always followed whatever Lucina said because we all trust her that much. So, if she says that we can trust this tactician, then we'd all do it."
"Wow…" Ignatius noted in awe, "Talk about loyalty and trust."
"We're not as bad as Gerome's father, though." Noire chuckled nervously, "Really."
Seigbert nodded quietly and placed his fork down, "So, have you began looking for clues to the chronicles as well?"
"Aye." Say'ri nodded with a grimace, "But, we found nothing. We try to search their archives, but it was not found."
Noire nodded, "Mother thinks that it could be enchanted with magic to hide from people."
"Huh…" Seigbert frowned, "A type of magic?"
"None of us are mages, though…" Caeldori frowned.
"I know some dark magic, but my skills isn't as good as my mother." Noire said with a frown, "But she thinks the result might be different if Soleil was there. It was the same when Forrest passed through the forest outside of Goud, right? We thought that we might as well give it a try."
He looked to his retainer who shrugged, "I could give it a try. Why not? But, will it really work?"
"I-It should… hopefully." Noire replied.
"That doesn't sou-"
"Let's give it a try first." Caeldori said with a strained smile cutting off Ignatius, "It might work, right?"
"R-right." Soleil nodded.
"Well… Okay?" Noire nodded back slowly.
Seigbert bit back a sigh as he could tell what was going on in their minds. He just hoped the knight wasn't too bothered by this.
"Well, has there been anything going on here?" Seigbert asked, "Like the time of the lights incident back in Goud?"
Say'ri shook her head, "No. None that I heard of."
"Really?" he raised a brow.
"That's because the people here usually keeps quiet of any trouble and only tells them where they can and can't go." Noire replied, "That's why mother and father are out on patrol right now."
"Will your father be all right?" Ignatius asked nervously, "He's an archer right?"
"An archer knight." Say'ri corrected, "He's taken up swordsmanship for the past few months and got a steed recently. He'll be fine."
"Oh." Ignatius smiled, "Looks like he's gotten stronger too."
"Oh, that's right!" Soleil jumped, "There's something Caeldori and I needed to talk to you about, Aunt Noire!"
"Huh?"
After leaving the place, they returned to the Inn. However, thoughts of the Shepherd's recent "tactician" remained in his mind as he pondered of the mysterious "Robin" in this entire problem. Their deity did tell them that this is also her world where she came from. So, why haven't they found anything on her for ten years? Surely, ten years would be enough for them to find the string to the needle in the haystack. His uncle was right. Even if it was proved that she didn't cast any sort of dark magic on them, it was strange with how much trust they have in this woman. Perhaps they would have to take a closer look into this as well.
Sounds of screams filled his ears as he opened his eyes. Before him was a large slope down into an open plain surrounded by large hills. The scene before him was just like that of fairytales brought to life… or the war he faced. Young men and women were on the battle field fighting against beasts of enormous sizes. From those to your waist to those as tall as the hills themselves. Monsters screamed and cackled. Some placing bets while others smile in satisfaction as blood flood from their lips. There were people who lost an arm, a leg, Some left limping to fall back. Where was this? It was a battle. A battle for survival. He felt himself watch unflinching but with a beating heart as the carnage proceeds before he finally felt his legs move forward and his voice come out of his mouth in a firm tone, "Fall back!"
Almost at once, all the humans began to move back as some helped their comrades flee. He continued to move forward as his left hand reached for the hilt on his right side. It felt unusual to grab a blade from the right side. He wasn't a left handed swordsman. But, he didn't draw it out. 'Not yet' ran through his head. Not yet…
As the monsters began their advance forward, the humans continued fleeing dodging the rocks that were flung from above. Soon, it would be time… for what? Suddenly, an image ran through his mind. The image of a woman with tangled brown hair tied into a bun and warm brown eyes. He felt a heavy chest as this came with many more images of other people. Soon, he noticed that all the monsters froze before him. With a pounding heart, he stood in the center silently as monsters muttered incoherent words to one another. He could barely make out of it. Words such as "Fool", "Snack", "Entertainment", and… "Traitor"…
Traitor? The word threw him for a loop. However, he felt his hand move to the latch of his sheath and released it. Startled, he panicked, but his face wouldn't show it. It didn't felt like it was showing it. Instead, he raised the sheathed sword like a fool… a black blade sheathed sword. The sheathe was a blade? He raised the blade and looked to the monsters wondering why he called the others back. What it was that he was trying to do even he wasn't certain of it. However, as he watched, he saw the monsters inching closer. Finally, it started. They came at him in a sprint as he stood there. Not yet. He felt something warm in the hands and watched the blade radiate in white mist. Suddenly, he heard footsteps next to him.
"Hey! Leave some fun for me at least."
Huh? But he didn't respond. Instead, he sighed and shrugged before watching movement to his side and an red katana was brought next to the blade. He was surprised, but was quiet when something flew next to his face.
"Didn't I tell you not to do things on your own? By the virtues…"
The femine voice caught him by surprise as he saw a dozen arrows pierced through the monsters front line. Still, he showed no sign of acknowledgement. Instead, he saw a young boy possible not much older than ten jump out behind him a lance in hand when his body suddenly reached forward and grabbed his collar pulling him back behind him. Suddenly, he raised his sword arm and brought it down in one swift motion. Seconds later, the monsters that were only feets away fell to the ground in a burst of ice. He was stunned speechless as the ground shook violently and cracks formed in the earth bring down more monsters to the depth with their fallen comrades. Minutes later, screams filled the air followed by a humid red glow. Despite the pounding of his heart and ears, he remained in place. He was disheartened when he saw more monsters appeared on the other side. That was when he felt it. A huge gust of wind against his ears as he called out, "Pull back."
He raised his free hand as a hand grabbed it and pulled him up. Thundering flaps of wings echoed his ears as he watched the monsters swarmed where they last stood. As the vision of the field grew wider, he saw large bodies of waters rise from the side and wash into the trench plains drowning the monsters under the tidal waves. Suddenly, a bright light flashed from above and he opened his eyes as a pain rang through his back.
"Agh!"
He heard another tumble as a voice called out, "What? What? Sir Seigbert?!"
"Right here…" He groaned as he got back up rubbing his back, "Ow. Ow… Sorry for the false alarm."
From the morning light, Ignatius poke his head out from the corner of his bed and raised a brow, "Are you all right? Sounds like you fell pretty hard."
"I'm fine." Seigbert grumbled, "It's been a long time since I last fell out of my bed…"
"It'd be better if we find Sir Forrest soon." Ignatius noted, "It won't be any better without a healer amongst us."
"Though I don't think this requires a healer, I think you're right." Seigbert nodded, "But, first, we need to find the scroll."
As they got ready and left for the library on the paper Say'ri gave them, he described the dream to his retainer who raised a brow, "Did you talk with Sir Shigure or your cousins?"
"Not yet." Seigbert shook his head, "Also, just because the sword is black can't mean that it's the same blade, right? We've seen a lot of unusual blade since arriving to this place. And, those monsters… I don't recognize any of them. They're not the Lost Ones."
"We're here." Caeldori called out to them as they found themselves before a wagon with a couple of brown horses.
"It's small…" Caeldori tilted her head in confusion.
"I've heard of some libraries on a wagon before…" Seigbert said as he greeted the owner with a short wave and a nod, "But, this is the first time I've been to one before."
"Guess it's the same for all of us." Soleil shrugged.
He nodded and stepped onto the wagon followed by his retainer, "Ignatius, wait outside with Caeldori. Let me know if something happens."
"Right." He nodded in response.
The room in the wagon was no where as big with enough room for at least three people. There was chests and small shelves of scrolls as Seigbert did as he remembered. To look through the chests and shelves. Tell the owner that they were looking for some books on spells and magic. He wasn't certain why he had to do this, but Noire was unable to tell him why either. So, he just did as he was told. Soleil did the same and looked through the scrolls as she grumbled, "Human's Amendments. Right of Lufure citizens… The life of a Crimean woman? And here I thought only the nobles of Crimea learn how to read or right."
Seigbert frowned, "Feel anything?"
"No…" Soleil sighed before looking through the scrolls again, "So many scrolls… Why don't they use books here?"
I believe that books would require more materials to create…" Seigbert recalled his studies in the Academy's library, "Modure is a kingdom that tries to live amongst the mortals. That means they need to lessen use of things that they see would take away life than to leave them be. Books needs a cover, binding, and the papers in between. Scrolls only require the paper and the metal or wood binding them."
Soleil grumbled, "Really? That's going a bit far, right?"
"With different values comes with different customs and culture." Seigbert replied, "That's why each of the kingdoms here are so different."
Soleil sighed, "I wonder what kind of place Wyscun is, then? Weren't they once considered the best of the best?"
"I've heard that they were second to the smallest kingdom in this world before Osius attacked the place twenty years ago." Seigbert frowned, "It wasn't too clear what their kingdom was like, but that they were strong despite their numbers and were feared by Osius for years before they took action. That was it. Nobody knows much about them after. Rather unusual since it was only a couple decades ago."
"Yeah…" Soleil yawned.
"Tired of the history lesson?" Seigbert strained a smile.
"No. just couldn't sleep for a bit last night." Soleil grumbled as she looked at the scrolls, "Something about Aunt Noire's reaction to our gifts didn't seem right…"
"Oh…" Seigbert raised a brow, "Well, she seemed rather pleased by it."
"I don't know." Soleil frowned in disappointment, "I was hoping for more of a 'Wow!' or… or a 'This is incredible!' stuff."
"Soleil…" Seigbert sighed in exasperation, "Not all gifts would mean that the other people would react the way you want them to react. Noire looked really happy receiving those gifts. Wasn't that what you intended for them to do? She did forgive you in the end, right? It didn't even sound like she was holding a grudge against you either."
"I guess…" Soleil pouted.
Seigbert bit back another sigh as he wondered which of them is the retainer. After searching for a bit, Seigbert frowned as he placed a scroll back on the shelf, "Still nothing."
"You sure that it's not with the royal family?" Soleil frowned, "I mean, if the others were with the royal family, why isn't this one the same?"
"Because, the royal family of Modure aren't allowed to hold books or scrolls in their resident." Seigbert answered, "The books and scrolls of literature are said to be a treasure that is meant to be shared amongst the kingdom and that none can be allowed to keep one amongst their possessions. Even their writers are seen on a similar standing to that of a noble. It's more difficult to find prized writers in Modure. They were the last of the kingdoms to follow with the times and settle down from being Nomads. So, if there's a scroll we need we can only find them amongst the libraries."
"This stinks…" Soleil groaned, "I'm going to miss my afternoon tea…"
"Did I not say that you are not allowed to leave for tea for two weeks." Seigbert frowned, "So, regardless you won't be able to have it till another week."
"Seriously?!" Soleil groaned as she sat down on the wagon, "No way…"
Seigbert bit back another sigh. It was one of the only few times she would listen to his orders anyway. It was a mystery how his father was able to restrain hers when they are so similar and have caused similar problems. After searching a couple more hours, they left the wagon and came to another led by a black and brown horse. The owner looked a little more intimidating this time, but Seigbert greeted him the same and entered the wagon. They searched hours after hours, wagons after wagons, but there was nothing. Finally, they returned to the Inn and had a meal around the table. Caeldori looked to them with a frown, "So… nothing, huh?"
"Yeah…" Soleil grumbled as she poked at the tomato with her fork.
"What about we try asking the librarians later." Ignatius asked, "There's still a chance that they'd know about the scroll we're looking for."
Seigbert thought for a bit before he felt a pat on the shoulder. He looked up and saw an elderly man peering at them with a blue eye.
"You say there's a book you couldn't find in a place where there are knowledge everywhere?" the man raised a brow.
"Sir?" Seigbert's eyes widen in confusion.
"Tell me about what you're looking for and perhaps I maybe of help." The man said before gesturing over to an empty seat, "May I sit here, sir?"
"Of course." Seigbert nodded and scooted to the side, "Would you like some water or-"
The man raised a hand, "No, no. I'm just fine. Thank you very much… So, tell me about this book you're looking for."
Seigbert glanced over to his team, who only looked back to him in confusion. Finally, he sighed and nodded, "We're looking for a legend."
"A legend?" the man raised a brow, "There are plenty out here, though."
"A specific one." Seigbert clarified, "One of the Celestials."
"The 'Celestials', you say?" the man glanced about before he nodded, "This is some business you're looking into, boy. Now, I see why you can't find the scroll. Are you all travelers per se?"
"Yes." Caeldori nodded.
"Well, now." The man sighed, "There are no knowledge regarding the Celestials here. Nobody here likes those fellas."
"Does it have to Ri's younger sister?" Seigbert raised a brow.
"All of them." The man sighed, "I'll make this clear. Nobody in the kingdom likes these Celestials. Therefore, we don't keep records of them. Not when we already have a tale on them."
"Huh?" Soleil frowned, "What is it?"
"Young Lady, you and your friends have experienced the winds of our land, yes?"
They nodded as he continued, "That is all due to the Celestials' fault. Thousands of years ago, it was said that the one who crafted the skies, Yun, who brought upon our winds. All because he fell for a woman of our realm."
"Oh! A love story." Soleil grinned.
The man sighed, "It all began when the Celestial Yun passed by our kingdom, that had once been just a tribe then. Due to some matters with the head of the tribe, he decided to rest in the tribe as he discusses matters with the leader. However, amongst them, a young Frian woman caught his attention."
"Frian?" Seigbert raised a brow.
"It's what we call ourselves. As I thought, you really are humans…" the man sighed, "Well, he became captivated by her voice and her beauty that he fell for her. When he tried asking her for her hand in uniting as our Frian traditions, she steadfastly rejected him. This went on for months and a few years. Then, one day, she suddenly gave her consent."
"What?" Caeldori raised a brow, "What happened?"
"We don't know." The man frowned, "However, it seemed even more unusual when the Celestial did not question her change of mind. In fact, it seemed as though he did not care. A Celestial of his status!"
"Well, pardon us for asking, sir." Seigbert began with a raised brow, "But, what is his standing?"
"He works with the Twin Celestials as their equal in standing." He replied with a sigh much to their bewilderment, "If only he was as knowledgeable as either of them…"
"What happened after?" Caeldori asked.
"They got along really well, supposedly. However, before the day of their wedding, he caught her with another Celestial and was furious. She pleaded for mercy which he did not give, and brought about gusts of wind onto our lands ripping our trees and forcing us to leave our lands in search of constant shelter. Even now, the winds blow as his anger still exists in him."
"What about the woman?" Caeldori grimaced, "Did she really-?"
"We don't know for certain." The man sighed, "According to my grandfather, she was the daughter of the head. Ever so faithful to her people and her father. For someone like her to betray her fiancé was unheard of, but the Celestials would not think of it and casted her out of their lands down an abyss."
"What?" Soleil frowned, "But, they haven't decided if it was really true or not!"
The man frowned, "We do not understand the entire tale around it, but we could not believe that such a devoted woman would do such a thing as to use the Celestials. That day as well… Lord Yun broke a taboo."
"A taboo?" Ignatius raised a brow, "What is it?"
The man looked to them, "Are you familiar with reincarnation?"
"Reincarnation?" Seigbert raised a brow.
"It's said that when a soul leaves the mortal world. Lady Ri and the Celestials of life and death forged the path for their soul to follow so that they would return to the living with a clean slate or imprisoned with her into the darkness." The man replied, "Though the child could've gone to either, Lord Yun's anger did not subside in the least."
With a breath, he continued, "After falling into the abyss, Lord Yun went down to the bottom and shattered her soul so she could not be reincarnated or sent to the darkness."
"But there's no evidence that she could've done it either." Seigbert frowned, "Why go so far for her and break a taboo?"
"It's unknown." The man sighed, "However, after that day, our people could not trust the words of the Celestials unlike the others and gave the other kingdoms all of our scrolls regarding them. We want nothing to do with them, but the life around us."
"So, it's like that…" Ignatius frowned, "No wonder there aren't anything on them here…"
"Yes…" the man sighed, "So, if it's books or scrolls that you are searching for you should look to other kingdoms instead."
"I see…" Seigbert nodded slowly.
After some more talk about the kingdom itself, they then helped the man back out where a young man rushed up to him in great relief with light scoldings. Regardless, it was all finished with and they returned to their rooms. During the night, he sat by the window was a frown as the wind blew against the window pane. Finally, something dawned on him. Just then, he heard a knock on his door and opened to see that it was Caeldori!
"Caeldori?" He raised a brow.
"My apologies, sir." Caeldori said with a frown, "But, there's a place I'd like all of us to go. I-I think I've figured out what's really going on here."
Seigbert's eyes widen in surprise before he nodded, "I was thinking about the same thing just now too. Okay. Go get Soleil up. Ignatius and I will be down stairs soon."
After getting the other two up and going, they walked out to the quiet street. Silently, the slipped into an alley and out to the forest. Seigbert raised a brow, "Caeldori, this part of the forest."
"Yeah, I know." She frowned, "But, I believe that there's more than just that out there."
"Really?" Soleil grumbled rubbing her eyes, "Dang it. If only Fenrir didn't…"
Seigbert raised a brow, "What?"
"N-Nothing! Haha…" Soleil strained a smile.
He frowned in confusion, but the growing wind caught his attention as he looked up to Caeldori, "Caeldori! Are you certain about this?!"
"Yeah!" She called back against the wind.
As they feared, he could see the black tunnel not too far away in the distance. Though he could already assume what was going on, he was hesitant of it, especially for Caeldori who was their only flier. However, with each step, they grow uneasy as the wind roared in their ears. He thought he heard screams or it was just the wind as Caeldori's voice shouted, "Whoever you are! We're here to learn what really happened with the story of the one who crafted the skies, Yun!"
The wind seemed to have picked up as they started grasping to the ground with their steeds lowering themselves closer to the ground than to run. Soleil shouted, "Whatever you're doing, keep shouting! I think it's working!"
Though Seigbert wasn't certain, Caeldori nodded against the dust and small debris. This time, she pushed herself forward and closer to the tornado, "Please! I just ask you to stop! I wish to talk this out! There must be something going on! A-A misunderstanding, perhaps!"
Suddenly, the wind died before them leaving an open calm field before them.
"Huh?" Soleil frowned, "Nothing?"
"Be careful." Ignatius frowned, "Anything could happen."
As if a jinx, something shot from over their heads as they looked up before finding a feathered woman with large bird-talon limbs, a three large pair of wings and long yellow-green feathers for her tail and hair. On her face was a partial mask decorated in black and silver above her green lips. The woman frowned as her voice echoed, "A misunderstanding, you say? What could be misunderstanding for a woman's dishonesty and lust. It's the Frians who should be punished for her ways and her actions."
"But, just because she was with another Celestials, did she really try to go with them for any means?" Caeldori spoke up, "The people here have passed down stories of her relation and their confusion with the tale. If they trust her so, can there be proof that shows that she is truly guilty?" Caeldori responded, "The story itself is just as vague. Anything can happen within the passages of time."
"So, you say that it was not her fault." The woman said with a look of curiosity, "Why do you say that? Speak, lest you wish for me you eat you alive."
Hesitant, Seigbert looked to Caeldori with concern of their safety, but she steadfastly continued, "First, she suddenly accepts a proposal the woman rejected for years, then her soul was shattered even though the Celestials threw her down into the abyss, and, finally, to blame the entire people on this land for one person's act. Wouldn't a simple curse to her family work better than the entire village? Even after all the knowledge and scrolls were tossed, you still didn't attempt to attack them for her actions, but destroy the land that the Celestials created. That's why too many things that isn't making sense, isn't it?"
The beast hummed for a bit before she questioned, "Child, what's your name?"
"Caeldori!" she replied.
"Caeldori… I see." The woman smiled wider revealing her sharp teeth, "Then, Caeldori, tell me. What do you think really happened? If you claim that all of these were loop holes, what is the real story?"
"It…" Caeldori grimaced, "It was to protect her, correct?"
Seigbert's eyes widen as he heard this. Like her, he came to the same conclusion, but he could not understand the reason why.
"In some parts of the human realm, it was said that a relationship between humans and gods are taboos or looked down upon. I know this as I've read numerous tales of those lands." Caeldori grimaced, "So, I've come to believe this. It was all a set up because the other Celestials did not accept the relationship and tried to stop her. Lord Yun wanted to protect her and, to do so, he wanted to protect her from leaving his side by shattering her soul."
"And, my activities?" the woman grinned, "Why was I brought here?"
"I-I…" Caeldori grimaced, "I don't know…"
"A bold move…" The woman pierced at them with a smirk.
"But," Caeldori spoke up firmly, "I'm correct, aren't I? It was a misunderstanding."
The woman was quietly humming in thought before a gust of wind blew to them, "Perhaps. But, you could not give me the entire truth. As given, I will have to consume you here and now!"
Caeldori grimaced and pulled off her jacket as they got on their steed. However, right away, her steed's wing got caught against the current and was pulled into the skies.
"Caeldori!" He shouted in horror as they could see the beast come down for her.
But, the woman swung her naginata and the Pegasus quickly regained its stance. After a couple more swings, she moved up higher into the skies. It must be difficult for her since they've never really attacked another being bigger than a soldier, aside for the one time they brought down Anankos. IT would be more difficult since she's up there along too. As he thought, it would've been better if he brought an archer with them after all.
Just as he said this, he noticed something shot out into the sky missing the target entirely followed by roars of anger. It was Noire and Say'ri!
"You guys!" Seigbert's eyes widen.
"Oh! Seigbert!" Say'ri's eyes widened as well, "Why are you- Of course, since Caeldori is here as well. But, what is that?"
"I think that she's a beast a Celestial brought over here to create these winds. She's the reason why the people have restricted routes to here." Seigbert explained before quickly explaining the situation and the tale.
"So, that's what's going on." Say'ri frowned, "I thought it was an old wives' tale. To think it was true and that it was a Celestial."
"Foolish humans!"
Suddenly, a gust of wind swept them off their feet and onto the plains.
"Oof!" Seigbert grimaced as he looked up to see Caeldori battling against the monster.
He grimaced and got to his feet again. There had to be something he could do. Noire called out to them, "Say'ri! I still can't find my mother and father!"
"Huh?" Seigbert raised a brow as he heard Say'ri curse under her breath, "What do you mean?"
"Lady Tharja and Lord Virion have been missing since last night. Neither have returned after you left." Say'ri grimaced, "We can assuming they've let their curiosity wander."
"What?!" Seigbert frowned and looked up to the beast, "It can't be…"
He quickly looked around before he grimaced, "Ignatius! Get ready!"
He looked up, "Caeldori! Bring her down!"
"R-Right!" Caeldori grimaced as she circled around the beast only for her to outfly the sky knight, "Woah!"
"Elthunder!"
A bolt of lightning left Noire's free hand and struck the beast on the wing forcing her to turn around in anger before Caeldori smacked her on the back. Seigbert rushed up to him followed by Ignatius both wielding a lance in hand. They just need to pin her down. However, just before they could make it, the bird quickly got back up again and sent a gust of wind that blew them all off their steeds! Seigbert fell to the ground with a thud before looking back up to see Caeldori falling as well!
"Caeldori!" he shouted in shock.
"I-I got her!" Soleil called out as they rushed over to her.
However, she was landing so far away that he worried they wouldn't make it! Suddenly, a flash of light rushed past him as he suddenly heard and yelp before seeing Caeldori crashed into Soleil!
"Caeldori! Soleil!" Seigbert shouted in relief.
As he rushed over, Soleil and Caeldori slowly got up as Soleil groaned, "Ugh… what happened…?"
Caeldori shook her head, "I don't know, but thank you, Soleil. Still, we have to stop her. At this rate, she could harm the town!"
Suddenly, there was a bright light coming from the ground as they looked down. Seigbert looked to her retainer seeing that the lights came from her foot. Soleil frowned in confusion, "Now? Can't you pick a better time to do things…"
Sheh sighed with a shrug and revealed her ankle showing the elegant curved anklet wrapped around her with a glowing blue gem.
"Could it be…" Say'ri gasped, "I've heard it for Chrom, but to actually see it…"
"Fenrir, what now?" Soleil sighed, "Isn't cracking up bad jokes good enough for you already?"
"Quiet!" the voice growned, "Garuda has taken this too far. You have to stop her before she starts losing her self-control completely."
"Garuda? And self-control?" Caeldori frowned, "What do you mean?"
"Garuda is the Goddess of the Storms." Fenrir spoke in a deep voice, "She was once under Lady Ri as her messenger, but fought back one day. As a result, Lord Yun subdued her and made her his messenger instead. However, it was said that her powers once granted her the title 'Fiends of the Wicked Winds'. She normally keeps her ability in check, but, with Lord Yun's orders, she has been using her ability non-stop. It's possible that she no longer has it under control anymore."
"You just tell us this now?" Soleil groaned exasperately as he rubbed her ribs, "Caeldori could've died there… So, you got a plan?"
"Call out your chains."
"Huh?" Soleil raised a brow.
"Just take out your paw and bring out my chains." The beast groaned.
"I don't have paws…" Soleil replied deadpanned.
"You know what I mean!" Fenrir growled.
"Right. Right. It's only a joke. A joke. So, chill." Soleil sighed and brought out her palm.
As she pondered how to bring out chains, a long white satin ribbon appeared. Soleil handed it over to Caeldori, "We can't fly and I'll only get in the way if we ride with you. I got the feeling you'll need all the space you need for this."
Caeldori raised a brow and looked to satin, "A ribbon?"
Recognizing it, Soleil nodded, "Just give it a go."
"Get close to her and use the chain." Fenrir said, "Then, bring it to her and let it go."
Caeldori looked to Seigbert in confusion, but he nodded. It would make sense since Fenrir was also chained back by the cloth. She nodded, "All right…"
"Be wary." Fenrir warned her with a growl, "Garuda was given many names for a reason. She lives up to them as well."
Caeldori grimaced, "I understand."
"Are you certain about this?" Segbert frowned, "Doing this on your own."
Caeldori nodded firmly, "I understand. I know that I can do this, but I might need back up just in case."
"In that case, we'll lend our hand in this."
They turned around and saw two familiar figures he hadn't seen in a while, "Virion! Tharja!"
"Mother! Father!" Noire looked away from the bird and saw the two to her relief, "Eek!"
A dark sphere shot across the plain and hit the beast aside before she could grab a hold of the mother's daughter.
"Caeldori, go!" Say'ri ordered with a slight push to her Pegasus, "While, she distracted!"
"R-Right!"
After jumping on the steed, the sky knight took to the skies again. She tied the ribbon to her left wrist and rushed into battle again. With her silver naginata in hand, she rushed from around the spirit avoiding the large wings. The woman noticed her as Caeldori raised her blade. She tried to bat her away with her talon arm, but Caeldori ducked under it barely in time as she pulled the ribbon off and threw it before her face.
"Nice!" Soleil cheered.
Shocked, the bird tried to fly back, but the ribbon swiftly wrapped itself around her arms and her wings. Suddenly, she crashed down to the ground as Caeldori hurried back down. Once she landed, they hurried to her side as Ignatius grimaced, "Is it over?"
"She wasn't thinking straight during the battle right?" Noire said nervously, "Maybe she'll calm down now? Caeldori?!"
Caeldori was already making her way over to the spirit before Seigbert could stop her.
"Caeldori, was it…" the spirit muttered before looking up to her from her restraints, "I see that what you say is the truth…"
Caeldori grimaced, but spoke, "Thank you. But, if possible, can you tell us what really happened?"
The woman was quiet as a voice spoke, "After all that happened, you still refuse to follow your promise… Typical."
"Mad pup…" Garuda growled, "Seal you mouth or I shall take it from you."
"Hah! I'd like to see you try, Stupid turkey!" the voice snarled.
"Enough." Soleil sighed as she flicked the gem, "Isn't it enough for you to help us tie her up?"
There was a bit silence before the spirit sighed and finally began , "My master fell for a Frian millions of years ago and it felt like an eternity to him to win her affection. She was the child of the tribe's leader. During the time, the tribe head's daughter was cursed with a spell that would retain her memories after death and burdened her with nightmares."
"A curse?" Tharja hummed quietly.
Garuda nodded, "Day and night, she would recall the days of her previous life leading her to live her life away from other younger generations of her kind and spent her days with the shaman of her village. However, no matter what they did, nothing was able to break her curse or lighten her burden. Despite this, she greeted each passing day with a smile on her face and worked tirelessly by her father's side. Back then, the Celestials saw this as a sign of ignorance and were angered for her not to acknowledge her dire situation and pray to them for help. However, the day Lord Yun saw her, he praised her for her strong personality and chose to propose to her as those of her kind would. However, it would be four long years before she would finally accept and give her hand. Three nights before, her curse had reached its limit and all her memories of her past came together in one massive blow to her mind. She was left in a deep slumber. By the second night, Lord Yun returned and absorbed her curse instead. As a celestial with no past life, the curse would have no effect on him. when she heard word of this, she was guilt ridden and came to undo what could potentially harm milord's mental state. He refused as he knew the curse would have no effect on him. Instead, he calmed her before proposing to her again, like a fool. This time, she saw reason to accept it because she realized the person he is."
It was just like ones of fairytales that Seigbert had once read in the books and scroll his mother brought for him when he was young. There was a sigh before she frowned, "However, the Celestials could not accept this. They would not accept a Frian into their ranks and schemed to frame her for dishonesty and betrayal. Then, tornment her for eternity with the same curse. The day before their wedding, she was led out by a Celestial under the pretense to speak with another Celestial. However, when they arrived, they framed her for using her fiancé to move amongst their ranks with corruption. Milord saw this and knew it was a lie, but he knew that, even with the Twin Celestials' help, it would not be enough to save her. After they threw her into the bottom of an abyss, he hurried down and shattered her soul in hopes of sparing her from experiencing it all over again. Then, he sent me to summon the winds and protect the tribe from the Celestials' wrath and envy. He then was forced to bear punishment for breaking the taboo and was made to experience her pain and suffering through her curse and memories forever."
"And no one knew of this?" Caeldori grimaced.
"It was milord's orders." Garuda nodded, "None but the head's family can know the truth."
"So, it's like we thought." Seigbert frowned, "He wasn't in fault here."
"But, how can the Celestials do this?" Say'ri frowned, "He's their superior, correct?"
"Sometimes, without the support of the other Celestials, you can't decide things on your own." Fenrir grumbled, "This is one example."
Garuda sighed as she shook her head, "Yes."
"So, you've been here for a years creating this storm." Seigbert frowned.
"Until the day Lord Yun releases me from my task, I shall continue to shield this small kingdom of hers." Garuda said firmly.
"But, not telling the people is another problem." Caeldori said with a frown.
"Is it?"
Suddenly, a spiral of wind appeared revealing a small pink hair manakete girl before them looking to them with a small frown. After seeing her, Caeldori's eyes widen, "Your ears…"
Seigbert's eyes widen as he muttered quietly, "You're… The Wind Dragon…"
"The Wind dragon?" Caeldori looked to him in surprise, "You mean, the deity Rhajat's family worship?"
"One of your deities?" Virion frowned and looked to them, "Then that would mean…"
"Are you here to help us?" the child called out to them, "To stop those mean creatures?"
Seigbert nodded, "Well, yes… We're here to stop those monsters too. My name is Seigbert. What's your name?"
"Fae!" the green eyes girl smiled innocently, "People like to call me the Wind dragon, though. Huh?"
She looks to Seigbert in confusion, "Mister, do you know Roy?"
"Roy?" Seigbert looked to Soleil who only looked back to him in confusion, "My apologies, I don't know him personally. I've heard of him."
"Oh…" Fae frowned, "C-Can I also ask you for help too?"
"Huh?" Noire tilted her head in confusion.
"I… I want to see everyone one more time…" Fae grimaced, "Bantu, Gotoh, Idunn, Sophia, Xane, and Anankos. I… I want to see them one more time… Please?"
As the ribbons loosened itself, Garuda frowned, "That wish is not likely to be granted. Is memory truly not enough for you, Child?"
Fae shook her head, "I haven't seen Roy for a long, long, long time now… Sophia told me that he might be gone with the stars and I can't see him until I go too, but I haven't seen Sophia and Idunn much, much, much longer. I miss them a lot…"
Caeldori looks to Tharja, "Is there anyway we can help her?"
The sorceress sighed in exasperation, but hummed in thought, "Perhaps, if you carry her soul in a vessel as well… Yes… yes, now that would be interesting. Hehehe…"
Caeldori frowned, "A vessel? As in a living vessel? But, won't that be dangerous?"
"Who said that it has to be living?" Tharja frowned, "As long as the child has a vessel, she would be fine… Hm… A vessel for a lost soul… Oh well… that's something that would be difficult for me to tread through…"
Caeldori looked to the child before looking back to Seigbert, "Is there some way we could help?"
"Well, I already have Fenrir to supervise." Soleil frowned.
"You speak as if I am a child." The wolf huffed.
"Well, you keep acting like one!" Soleil grumbled.
"I do not!" the voice snapped, "Who was it that talked in their sleep late at night about tea and girls."
"Agh! Quit it already!" Soleil shouted, "No one said it's a bad thing. Besides, you talk in your sleep too! Last night, I heard you howling in your sleep and talk about roast pork all night. Did you even have pork that long ago?"
"Of course!" Fenrir huffed, "Lady Yue was the best hunter and cook."
"A Celestials who does housework?" Ignatius raised a brow.
Irritated, Garuda sighed and looked to Caeldori, "Fine… Heaven's little robin… give me your hand."
As she stretched out her talons gingerly, Caeldori looked to her in confusion, "M-Me? O-Okay?"
"Caeldori?!" Seigbert's eyes widen.
"Caeldori, wait!" Noire called out in horror.
But, the woman had already placed her hand on the center of her bird-like claws. A gust of glowing green wind blew around the two as the woman's red hair flowed with it. Garuda gingerly picked up Fae in the other and looked to the human with a small smirk, "Never had I thought that I would be able to fulfill my master's last request. I bear the name of the Goddess of Storms. I am Garuda, the Empress of the Birds. Together with my master, I shall bring the winds of dawn to your world's twilight."
Suddenly, the winds gently lifted her off her Pegasus and into the air as the winds around her grew stronger. Bewildered, the sky knight looked around as the spirit continued, "From this day onwards, I shall gift you the ability to bring the crosswinds to your side when you beckon so. Be cautious, Heaven's Robin, for great power can come with great responsibilities."
The green winds begin to gather to her chest and wrapped around her neck. She looked down as a faint light shined to reveal a silver ornament pressed against her skin from the center of her chest to the back of her neck. On her chest sat a dazzling green jewel. A flicker of green appeared by her eyes as she touched it to find a long green feather tied to a lock of her red hair. The beast before she smiled, "May luck always be on your side, young robin. Though my winds will always protect the kingdom from dark gazes, this child and I shall always remain by your side through your journey."
"Really?" Fae's eyes widen as the beast nodded, "Okay! Thank you, Garu!"
As she hugged the beast's talon with giggles, the two became a green light and vanished into the jewel before Caeldori was carefully brought back down to her pegasus' saddle.
YueTian: Hey, guys! I hope you like this chapter! So, some of these spirits may have come from other games (okay, not may), but I was starting to run a bit short on ideas as I want the spirits to be special. Sure, taking existing spirit names isn't exactly creative, but I get to decide what to change them into. I hope you all like this chapter! Also, the poll is still going on, and I've figured out since last week that this website won't let me copy and paste links into our chapters. So, you're just going to have to go to my bio by typing "YueTian" into the search for Authors. The poll button should be just above my bio as the option "Vote" or "Poll", I believe. About a week have passed, so the poll will continue for another 4-5 weeks. I hope you all got the chance to vote before then! I'll get to work on the next chapter tomorrow morning. I've decide to also put aside FE Fates of the World till I find more inspiration for it. For now, I have ideas for this chapter and will be on here for a while. See ya!
Roger Schwanard
Roberts, Presia's only human doctor and the only doctor they have, Suki's primary doctor
Age: 37
Weapons: None
Warm, fun, modest, and very forgetful. He would sometimes even cause trouble for his coworkers and staff. Sakura and Libra are always there to give him a hand or he would've lost his job much sooner for multiple reasons outside of finance and skills, which is what he's best at.
Currently back in Presia after taking care of the files in regards to Suki's conditions.
1/25/2019 1:28 AM