GAH! So I just reached the scene in Mantaic where Estelle figures out what Yuri has done... I totally forgot that the song "Full Moon and Morning Star" plays here, too! Ring a Bell is totally about them saving each other, dude. Hands down! And the scene is just as cute in Japanese... Yuri's tone of voice is so sweet when he thanks her. One of my favorite scenes, most definitely! There's nothing more sweet than a tough guy who can't express his emotions getting vulnerable! ...Slightly, I may be sadistic? Hm.

Tales of Vesperia: Lights and Shadows

Chapter 20 – A Treasured Possession

Brave Vesperia shone down brightly during the darkest hour of the night. Other stars twinkled all around it, filling the deep blue sky with a vibrant display of lights. A gentle breeze rustled leaves, and crickets and critters sang their nighttime melodies.

Estelle found herself in a beautiful forest blanketed by starlight, yet the princess paid mind to nothing at all. A small campfire burned before her, and though her eyes were locked firmly on the lapping flames, she did not perceive its light. Sitting with her knees bent to her chest and her arms wrapped around her legs, she remained motionless in her own quiet world.

Repede was lying on the ground beside her with his head down. He, too, was in a faraway place. He had spent his entire life with his human partner, Yuri. Had things been different, the dog would have been utterly lost without the swordsman, but even without Yuri, the canine had a purpose. His human partner had chosen to guard the young woman and had even tasked Repede with protecting her in his absence—though the dog was somber, he still had a job to do. So, despite anything that happened, Repede would stay at her side.

Riddick came forward out of the darkness of the forest then, holding a shining crystal in his hands. He paused at a distance and inspected the two who looked as though they had lost the will to live, and then he rejoined them at the campfire.

"I found the crystal that fell from the tower," he said, parking himself by the fire opposite Estelle. He tucked the crystal in his pouch with the other two. "One to go."

Estelle did not respond in any way and simply maintained her focus on the flames. Repede, however, snorted and turned his head slightly, eyeing the man.

"You going to cry some more?" asked the mercenary, sitting with his knees bent and arms resting over the top of them.

"No," Estelle said, barely above a whisper. "I will not cry anymore. It will not solve anything."

Silence followed. The pink-haired princess said nothing more, and the mercenary did not push her. Riddick sighed and pondered what else could be done. There were many things that could be said and possibly needed to be said, but where could they begin? Finally, he offered her some measure of control.

"You want to ask me about things?" he inquired, knowing that a lot had been dumped upon her and Yuri the previous day on the tower.

"No," answered the princess, closing her eyes. Though she rejected his offer for inquiry, her words and expression were soft. "You want to keep your secrets. I have no right to demand them. Only…"

Estelle hesitated, then raised her head and met eyes with Riddick. He waited patiently, and so she spoke again.

"Your name is Rolan, is it not?"

"Once, I was called by that name," answered the mercenary. "That person is no longer living."

"I see…"

Estelle tilted her head forward again and diverted her gaze back to the fire. Riddick also turned his attention to the flames. Sighing, he leaned back on both arms, and then he shifted positions and flopped down onto the ground on his side, propping his head up in one hand.

"So, we're heading for the final tower then," he began. "We should get some rest."

"I have to go to Zaphias," Estelle said. She did not move.

"Why's that?" questioned Riddick, closing one eye but keeping the other set on her.

"I have to retrieve something," she explained. "In order for all of this to end…"

"That woman in white tell you something?"

"I believe so," Estelle answered, though she was not certain of it. Whether it had been whispered to her or if she had realized it on her own, she did not know.

"We're close," Riddick said. He closed both eyes. "We'll set out in the morning."

"Yes…" Estelle agreed.

Riddick went to sleep as he was. Repede shifted on the ground and curled his tail partially around the princess before going to sleep. Estelle glanced down at the dog in surprise—he did not particularly like her but was being so kind to her. Somehow, that only bothered her more. Had not the canine just lost his human partner as well? Should she not be offering him comfort, too?

No matter where she looked or what she did or how she thought, she was undeniably selfish and the cause of great burden. The visions dancing through her mind of violence, growing stronger every moment she allowed herself to dwell on them, had already told her as much. But now she definitely believed it.

Everyone was gone, and it was her fault. She had left the castle, she had released the monsters, she had been targeted, and those around her paid the price. She had been protected, but those she held most dear suffered.

The Entelexeia Belius had once told her that it was her compassion that was her greatest strength. Yuri, Rita, Judith, and even Ba'ul had tried to confirm those words. But Estelle did not believe it. What good was compassion that never made a difference? Of what use was a pure heart when cherished allies were taken and destroyed in an attempt to protect such a thing? How could such a thing have any value in their world?

More than anything, she wanted to be strong enough to protect those who meant everything to her. As she sat before the fire, she dwelled on these thoughts while drifting off into haunted dreams of a world destroyed by her own two hands.

Zaphias stood in the sunlight, tall and bright as it always was. Estelle approached the entrance to the city via the lower quarter—she had grown accustomed to coming and going that way, for more often than not, Yuri was with her or being met by her there. Things were different this time, though she did not realize it until she was entering the city and Riddick stopped a ways off behind her.

"I'll meet you at the castle," he said, causing her to turn.

"Oh," Estelle started, eyes widening.

The princess hastily recalled his unusual history with the lower quarter. He was not simply avoiding it because they would recognize him as one who used to live there but because he had vanished and left behind a child there. Hanks had spoken very highly of the mercenary who had left the sword Claiomh Solais behind—and had he not spoken of him as though he believed him to be alive?

"R-right," Estelle finally murmured, shaking herself from her thoughts. "I should be up there shortly."

She received a frown from Riddick but nothing else. Turning, the mercenary parted ways with her and aimed for another entrance to the capital city. Estelle, accompanied by Repede, entered the lower quarter. The princess was on a mission; she had to do something there before she even considered leaving the capital.

At first, Estelle hoped everyone would be too occupied to be bothered by her. If that had been the case, she would slip through and move on to her next task without troubling anyone. But it was not so, for as soon as she entered the lower portion of the capital, she was greeted by a cheerful smile as Ted called out her name and approached her.

"Estelle, guess what!?" exclaimed the brown-haired boy. As he drew closer, he caught a glimpse of her blood-soiled clothes. His enthusiasm failed immediately. "What happened?! Are you okay!?"

The boy began to flit around her, worriedly. Estelle stood still and did not bother stopping him. Of course, she had already healed herself and her companions. There was not a wound to be found on her. The boy's anxious calls drew Hanks over to them, causing Estelle's heart to race. The older man had his hands folded behind his back as he approached. He, too, looked very worried.

"Are you all right?" Hanks asked her, concerned.

Estelle nodded at him but kept her mouth shut. If she spoke, she believed she would break down and not be able to do what she came to do. Their concern for her only made her feel worse; these people should not care for her. Most certainly she did not deserve their compassion.

"What happened, Estelle?" Ted asked. He immediately looked at Repede who was with her. He set his hands on his sides, then frowned. "Repede, did you abandon Yuri for a girl?"

Heart racing and needing to hurry along lest she became too fearful to move forward, Estelle immediately turned and pulled Yuri's belt from her bag. As soon as the object was visible, both Ted and Hanks grew still, the boy becoming confused and the elder man very somber. Tears formed in her eyes as the princess offered the bloodied belt to Hanks, and she immediately bowed deeply so as not to have to look at him. It was all she could do to keep from crying.

"I am so sorry," she uttered, her voice wavering. "He was protecting me. It's my fault."

"Yuri is…" Ted began to speak, but words escaped him at that point.

"The shadows took him away because of me," Estelle hastily said, trembling. "I am so sorry…"

Hanks watched the princess who refused to rise from her bow before casting one last grim look at the belt covered in blood. He carefully extended one hand toward the item as if to take it, and then the old man quickly clasped one hand over the belt and the other under both of the princess' hands, holding her steady. Immediately, the young woman looked up in surprise.

"He would never regret it," Hanks told her.

This only made Estelle want to cry more. She met eyes with the old man briefly before bowing more deeply than before.

"I'll bring him back," said the princess, her voice quivering. "Him and Flynn both. Even if it's the last thing I am able to do, I will bring them back to you."

"You stay safe now, you hear," Hanks ordered her, his voice stern.

Estelle was once again caught off guard. Hanks was regularly calm, collected, or teasing. Very rarely had she heard him speak firmly to Yuri, but never had he used such a tone with her. She straightened and met eyes with him. Though she should have been shaking, he was still clutching her hands between his own.

"If you were the price that had to be paid to set either of those boys free," continued Hanks, gravely, "They would surely consider it too great a cost."

Though she wanted to believe him, Estelle could not. Hanks did not know who she was or what great evil she had caused. If the circumstances were different, perhaps she could agree, but she was the one who had caused all of this. There was no one else on whom one could pin the blame.

"If Yuri did this to protect you," Hanks said, more firmly than before. He realized she was not in agreement. His hands squeezed hers just a little. "It was because he believed you were worth it."

Tears threatened to slip from turquoise eyes. Estelle immediately bowed again, pressing her forehead to the top of Hanks' hand. As she did this, she spoke, trying to steady her voice as she did so.

"I have to go," she told him.

If she did not flee, she would surely cry, and tears were of no use then. Quickly, Estelle began to slip her hands from his, leaving the belt in his grasp as she did. She turned at once to leave, whispering to them again as she went.

"I am so very sorry…"

Hurriedly, she headed up the path that would take her toward the castle and away from the lower quarter. As she was going, Hanks and Ted turned and watched her. The old man remained firm as he spoke one last time.

"You come back," he said. She paused. "When all is said and done, you come home."

Estelle brought a hand to her mouth, withholding a sob. And then she continued on her way.

Hanks and Ted were not alone watching as she fled. Standing not far off was the leader of Fortune's Market in bewilderment at what she saw play out before her eyes. Kaufman frowned at once and then turned to leave the capital.

After taking some time hiding within an alley in the citizens quarter, Estelle collected herself before heading for the castle. Repede had trailed behind her and whined at her in agreement with Hanks, but the princess paid him little mind. She found Riddick waiting at the gates of the castle, hands on his sides and looking all around. Knights guarding the castle gates were leering at him, then, wary of the muscular man lurking nearby.

Riddick saw Estelle approaching and stood straight. Her red-rimmed eyes did not go unnoticed by him, but the man did not bother bringing it up.

"Do what you needed to do?" he asked.

"Yes," she told him. "Now we need to enter the castle and collect one last thing."

"What are we collecting?" questioned Riddick, watching as the princess passed by him and went to the knights at the gate.

"We will be entering," she told them.

The knights glanced at each other before standing straight.

"Y-Your Majesty!" one of them exclaimed.

"Th-thank you for returning," said the other knight, trying to maintain his composure.

Estelle recalled that she was being hunted by the knights for fleeing the castle when they were currently without a member of the Imperial Family to occupy the throne. Shaking her head a bit, she proceeded inside the gates. Riddick glanced around and then cautiously followed, realizing she was the princess but still expecting some sort of fuss about his presence there. Princess, mercenary, and dog entered with nary a struggle.

"You never said what we're after," Riddick commented.

He followed her into the vast and elegant Zaphias Castle. Estelle had her destination set and did not waver. Her pace quickened the closer she got to her point of interest; there was a sense of urgency in her steps. If she was caught and held there against her will, then all of it would be in vain. No matter what, she would see this through to the end until everyone was returned safely.

Riddick and Repede tagged along after her and did not interrupt her focus.

"We have to get something hidden deep within the castle," she explained after careful consideration.

The princess led them downstairs and into the prison of the castle. It was currently unoccupied, so there were no guards present. Estelle stood in the center of the floor and looked around at the various cells, and then she frowned. Sighing, she turned to her elder comrade.

"Underneath one of the bunks, there should be a secret door. We need to find it."

"A secret door in the jail?" Riddick mumbled, rubbing the back of his head. "That's an interesting place to hide a treasure."

"Clever, is it not?" Estelle breathed, turning and heading into a cell on the opposite side of the prison. She knelt and looked underneath the bunk, eyes scanning the stone floor beneath it. "It's the last place a thief would look."

"Sounds about right," Riddick agreed.

Riddick and Repede joined Estelle in her search, each heading for a different cell to inspect. The mercenary was crouching down and leaning far enough to peer under a low bunk when he heard the clattering of metal and Repede barking. He straightened but kept on one knee, glancing back. He was on his feet in an instant when Estelle slid across the floor and slammed the prison door shut on him, sealing him inside. He gripped the bars and gave a shake, but she locked it before he was able to do anything else.

"The hell-!?" he started, giving the prison door another rattle.

Estelle took a step back as if afraid of him reaching for her, but her expression was resolute. Repede was also locked in a prison on the other side of the jail, barking and leaping at the bars in fury.

"What the hell are you doing, kid?" Riddick yelled at her, gripping the bars tightly.

"I could never face Yuri if something were to happen to either of you," Estelle began, meeting eyes with the mercenary before glancing back at their canine companion. Then, she closed her eyes. "I will finish this myself."

"Stupid!" hollered Riddick, angrily. "What do you hope to accomplish on your own?"

"Whatever it takes," Estelle quietly said. Turquoise eyes met dark eyes again. Her voiced faltered only slightly as she added, "I refuse to be the reason anyone else has to suffer."

"What if you die?" Riddick growled. "What if you die, and there's no one else willing to fight those things?"

"The knights will release you when they realize what has happened," Estelle explained.

She glanced at Repede one last time, then flinched her eyes shut. She felt like crying again. How weak, she thought to herself.

"When that happens, I know you will find me. But please…" Finally, she turned to leave. "Please stay far enough behind me that you are not destroyed by me."

At once, she headed back for the stairs. Riddick shook the bars violently one last time, yelling after her.

"They're doing this to you on purpose!" he snapped, but she did not stop. "You're playing into their hands!"

"At least it's me and not any of you," Estelle answered.

Leaving, she could hear Riddick shaking the prison door and Repede howling and clawing at metal. But she would not waver and would not look back. There was only one place to go now, and it was as far from them as possible.

Moving on from there, Estelle turned her attention to elsewhere in the castle. She did come for a purpose other than to leave her comrades behind in the care of the knights. There was something she needed in order to end the mess that she had caused, but there was no easy way to reach it. And so she diverted her movements temporarily to the knights' portion of the castle.

Because of the current circumstances, there were actually very few knights present. Those that were she hastily dismissed and left confused in her wake. The princess found a storage room that was unoccupied. She slid inside unnoticed and began rummaging through gear that was no longer in use.

After some effort, she pulled out a blue uniform suited to a female knight. She knew vaguely to what unit this uniform had previously belonged: Niren corps. As the commanding officer of the unit had perished, out of respect, the uniforms were hastily retired.

Hiding around a corner, Estelle removed her soiled clothes and replaced them with the knight's uniform. It was a perfect fit from the shoulder armor straight down to the tall silver boots. There were a few strings in a case nearby, and so she pulled her hair back and tied it in a ponytail, keeping it firmly out of her way. Turning to leave donning her new uniform, the princess spotted an old helmet as well. At first, she thought nothing of it, but then she gave it a second glance and eventually a third.

Lifting it and plopping it over her head, the princess snatched up her bloody clothes and tore them apart, keeping together a part of the dress that was recognizable and stained with blood. Clenching her teeth and with a racing heart, she turned and exited the storage closet.

Her aim was a treasure room then, one set apart from all the others. The door was guarded by two knights, both armed but neither on high alert. At least not until she arrived. She was crying out to them from a distance and staggered before them. At once, they approached and were alarmed.

"We need reinforcements!" shouted Estelle, attempting to toughen her voice just enough to not sound so much like her. "The princess!"

"What happened?" questioned one of the knights, concerned.

"The princess is fighting those shadows!" Estelle said, crouching and feigning breathless exasperation. At once, she thrust the garment out to them. "She's badly wounded and in great danger! Several knights are fighting as well, but with numbers as they are—"

"Impossible! Those barriers should be protecting us!" one of the knights gasped, taking the bloody garments from Estelle's hand.

"We have to go at once!" Estelle insisted, turning to lead the way.

"Where are they!?" cried one of the knights, rushing ahead of her.

"In the field just beyond the city gates!" answered the princess disguised as a knight.

She started to lead them, but both knights made haste beyond her, quick and eager, filled with concern. Estelle pursued them until they rounded a corner and disappeared, and then she stopped. Though it was necessary, she felt awful for deceiving them. At the very least, there was no actual danger and she knew they would be safe.

Removing her helmet and tossing it aside, Estelle returned to the door the knights had been guarding. It was unlocked because, in truth, there was nothing of interest inside. The princess entered the room of elegant design and intricate beauty, and she turned her attention to the farthest wall, clean and white and undoubtedly solid. Nevertheless, she approached and found a small circle pattern designed into the wall. It was in this place that she set her hand, calling upon her own energy to flow from her fingertips into the cool wall. The circle flooded with light, and then markings all along the wall erupted with glowing energy.

Estelle took a step back and folded her hands together in front of her as the wall flickered and shifted before her very eyes. It opened at a place where there had been no seam, creating a large door out of the white wall. Just beyond the door was a room, elegant as all the others but small. Resting on a pedestal within it was a single object, and it was for this item that the princess had bothered coming to the capital.

Dein Nomos, a powerful violet sword that had the power to manipulate aer and mana in such a way that made it an incredibly powerful weapon. Powerful, and very dangerous.

Estelle approached but hesitated before taking it. She had seen others wield this sword but had never used it herself. Duke and Yuri had used it during their travels a year earlier, and Ioder had received his new role as emperor upon brandishing the sword. But she had never felt the need to even lay her hands on it. Now, however, it was precisely what she needed.

Lifting it from the pedestal, she carefully tested its weight. It was heavier than the swords she was accustomed to wielding. Regardless, Estelle did not intend to use it as her primary weapon. Taking it and securely tying it to her belt alongside her rapier, the princess then turned to leave. She closed the secret door behind her in an effort to cover her tracks, and she also closed the treasury door for the same purpose.

Having achieved all that she intended to do at the castle, the princess immediately headed for an exit. Having fled the castle once with Yuri, Estelle knew of a way out that would keep her hidden enough from the prying eyes of knights guarding the exit. As she was heading for the angel statue that concealed another way outside, a voice called out from behind her that stopped her dead in her tracks.

"You there," called the familiar voice, a strong and commanding voice that had often scolded her when she was young but also inspired in her great strength. Drake Dropwart, an aged knight and her teacher, spoke again, "Are you the one spreading rumors about the princess?"

Estelle did not turn and face him, but she did position her body in such a way that the sword she had just taken was relatively concealed from his line of site. Her heart was pounding in her chest as she considered the implications of being found out. Would he stop her? Would the knights trap her in the castle again? What about her companions? All of these thoughts clouded her mind and made it impossible for her to think of a fitting reply.

"No one wears those uniforms anymore," Drake commented, his eyes narrowing on the young woman. "Princess."

Only a moment of silence passed after the word slipped from his mouth before Estelle ran. She ran from the room and away from the man she had looked up to and desired to earn the respect of for so long. Losing his respect was hardly a concern then—being kept from doing what needed to be done was all that troubled her. Never once did she look back to see if he was following—he was not—and she hurried to the angel that was blocking her escape. The route was still accessible, and she hastily moved the statue and climbed down into the tunnels below.

Drake did not follow after her, though she did not bother questioning why. In haste, she fled the castle, exited from the royal quarter, and escaped Zaphias altogether. Fixing her eyes ahead of her, she pulled out Ba'ul's horn and summoned the Entelexeia to her. Unyielding, nothing would stop the princess now.

Ba'ul arrived, and before the creature had much time to consider her solitude, Estelle hopped on board. She set her eyes on the horizon. In a strong and steady voice, she spoke.

"Let's go, Ba'ul," she said. "To rescue Judith… and to rescue everyone else those monsters took from this world."

Ba'ul released a gentle cry as if in concern, though she could not understand him, and then the Entelexeia lifted himself and his rider to the sky. Estelle closed her eyes as the wind brushed across her face and feathers flapped in the breeze all around her. Lowering herself in an effort to not be blown away, she stared straight ahead.

"It is time we finish this." With absolute certainty, she added, "Once for all."