?: Um... Hello? Are you awake? Come on. Open your eyes for me.
You are alone in the darkness. You cannot see anything, but You do not believe this is real life. You open your eyes and sit up, still cloaked in darkness. You look around, searching for the source of the mysterious voice. Eventually, your eyes settle upon a young girl. She has long green hair and a golden tiara sitting atop her head. She is wearing a pink and white dress with purple highlights. A golden veil falls on top of her hair and covers much of her back side.
?: Ah, you're up! Took you long enough. Any idea what's going on? I wish I could tell you.
You tell the mysterious young woman you do not know what is happening.
?: Perhaps I'm getting too far ahead of myself. What is your name, might I ask?
You tell the mysterious girl your name.
?: That's an odd name... Hm. Oh well. I guess I'm not one to judge.
You ask the girl what her name is.
?: Me? Hm, good question... Do I know...? I suppose not. But that's not important right now. Do you know how to get rid of this cursed darkness?
You tell the girl you do not know.
?: Odd...
You see an orb of white light appear near the odd girl. You turn to face it fully.
?: Why don't you investigate that light?
The light grows in volume.
?: Perhaps that isn't necessary after all... Oh, well. I trust you'll see what lies on the other side of this shine for me. Go on.
The girl fades away as the light consumes your sight. White is all You can see... When you next open your eyes a few moments later, the white is gone. Instead, you are on the ground at dusk. The sun is setting in the distance, casting orange light across the grass. It seems You had been there for a while. You got to your feet and looked around. You could see nothing but trees as far as the horizon. The mysterious girl was gone. You were alone. You begin to wander around, unsure of where You were. It takes You a moment to realize a sword is at your hip in its sheath. Were You once a fighter? What could have happened to You? There don't appear to be any clues nearby...
?: AAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!
You glance around furiously to find the origin of the scream. Your gaze catches a stream of fire off in the distance. Before You know what you're doing, You find yourself running closer. In a matter of minutes, You are at the village. Sure enough, flames pierce the sky. People appear to be running every which way. Some are bearing weapons and torches while others lack possessions at all. You do not know how to respond to the sudden onslaught of chaos. However, your shock and confusion is cut short when three people approach you. They all bear uniforms of black and gold. The first one to speak is a girl of about seventeen years. She has dark blonde hair in a ponytail reaching the small of her back and green eyes. A blue cape hung over one of her shoulders. This is Magnolia Václav Josefa.
Magnolia: Hey! What are you doing here?! We have to get all civilians out!
The second person is a young man with blue hair. His eyes are a similar sapphire shade. He had a yellow cape on instead of a blue one. He seems a bit older than his companions. His name is Raithius Origo.
Raithius: Magnolia, that's a sword! We could use your help. This village is under attack by bandits. We need to fight them off.
The final person of the three appears to be Magnolia's age. She has honey blonde hair in a long braid falling down her back. She has blue eyes and bronze glasses. Her cape is red. She seems on the pale side, as if she's sick in some way. This is Chris von Faixnoye.
Chris: They must be here because we are. I can't think of any other explanation.
Raithius: If you've got a sword, then you're with us. Fight off the bandits so the townspeople can escape!
You don't know exactly what is going on, but it is clear to You that some people are in danger. You find yourself removing your sword as the others prepare their weapons. Magnolia has a lance while Raithius shows a sword. Chris holds no weapon but seems prepared regardless. They all head towards a group of bandits, You among them. They seem to know what they're doing, so following them seems to be the best option. When you arrive in front of the bandits, the leader speaks up.
Nash: There you kids are! You're going to fetch a pretty penny when this battle ends!
Raithius: If you think you're going to take us down, you've got another thing coming!
Magnolia: I don't know who you are, Stranger, but we'll be counting on you for now. Show us what you can do. We'll talk later.
Chris: Let's take care of this as quickly as possible... I don't like this one bit.
The battle begins before You know it. You can't describe what your body is doing throughout the battle. It's almost as if You are moving on your own without any input from your brain. It is an odd feeling, but You do not wish to dwell on it when people's lives hang in the balance. When You strike a bandit down, an odd symbol appears in the air behind You. It is strange, but You have to ignore it to keep fighting.
You decide to approach Chris and talk with her.
Chris: Um... Thanks for the help. I know this isn't any of your business, but your willingness to reach out is much appreciated. Try and stay safe until this is over, okay? It wouldn't do for you to fall like this.
You decide to speak with Magnolia next.
Magnolia: Thank you for coming to our aid. There isn't much time to chat, but I'd like to hear from you again after this is over. Let's get to it!
Finally, you walk to Raithius.
Raithius: Thanks a million for your help on this. We wouldn't have been able to fend them off on our own. I can already tell you know more about battle than any of us. We'll follow your lead.
If you initiate combat against the boss, Nash, he says the following.
Nash: I don't know who you are or where you came from, but you have no place being here! It's time for you to die!
If Chris, Magnolia, or Raithius initiates combat against Nash, he says the following.
Nash: You three will fetch a lot of money after tonight is over! All I have to do is beat you down and take what's mine!
When Nash is defeated, he says the following.
Nash: This can't be happening... No!
After the battle, You and the three teenagers are standing together. The fire in the village has been extinguished. The bandits seem to have been taken care of.
Raithius: Phew... I'm glad that's over.
Magnolia: And it looks like we managed to save all the townspeople from the brigands. That's a relief.
Chris: The fire has been put out as well... Thank the goddess...
You and the teenagers do not notice Nash slowly rising to his feet from nearby. It appears as if the final blow only left him disoriented rather than dead.
Raithius: Tell us, what's your name?
Nash comes closer before running full speed at You.
Magnolia: Hey, look out!
Nash swings his weapon with a fierce battle cry. His axe is embedded in your back. Time freezes as your vision fades to black. When You open your eyes again, You are in the darkness You started in once again. The mysterious girl stands before you
?: What in the world was that?! How could you not see that coming?!
You ask her what has happened to You.
?: He stabbed you in the back. That means you're not long for this world.
You go pale in surprise.
?: There has to be a way to fix this... But it seems like I'm only in your head... Hm... Any ideas?
You shake your head. You still do not know where You are, but since the odd girl was missing after you woke up the second time, You wonder if she exists only inside your head. She only seemed to appear when You were unconscious.
?: Hm... If only we could reverse time... That's it! I'll try and turn back the hands of time!
The odd girl is surrounded in a glow of yellow. She closes her eyes as light once again consumes your vision. You see echoes of the past, of your being stabbed, appear in your mind's eye. When You open your eyes again, You are back in the village after defeating Nash. The three teenagers stand before you.
Raithius: Tell us, what's your name?
Nash comes closer before running full speed at You.
Magnolia: Hey, look out!
You pull out your sword as Nash gets nearer. You swing it at him to send him flying backwards. When he falls down this time, he doesn't get up. You sigh in relief and put your sword away before turning back to the three teens.
Raithius: Wow! That was amazing!
Magnolia: You sure showed him!
Chris: Is he really down this time? He's not going to get back up and attack again, right?
You watch Raithius approach Nash. He kicks the brigand in the side. Nash doesn't move in response.
Raithius: I'd say we're good.
Magnolia: Business has been taken care of, which means it's time for us to help this town out like we should have been doing all along.
Chris: Um... What's your name, if you don't mind my asking?
You tell the trio what your name is.
Raithius: Awesome... Where did you come from? It's not normal to find warriors in a village like this.
Magnolia: Don't get me wrong, we're glad you were here. All these townspeople would have been hurt if not for you. We can only do so much.
Chris: This attack was our fault anyways... I'm glad we were able to help make amends.
You ask what she means.
Chris: Oh... Um... Well...
Raithius: We're students at the Officers Academy. To say the least, we fetch a high price to bandits. I guess you could say we're valuable.
You ask him what the Officers Academy is.
Magnolia: Wait... You seriously don't know?
Chris: The Officers Academy is a school in the Garreg Mach Monastery. It's for the future leaders of Fódlan. We're all students there.
Magnolia: We came by this village to help out the people who live here. You see, they had a bandit invasion a few days ago, and the houses and businesses are in shambles. We were going to make sure everyone got back on their feet.
Raithius: Of course, all that changed after we got here. I guess the bandits figured it was wise to come back for round two. Luckily, we were able to fight them off... Well, with your help. Thanks again, by the way.
You tell them you only wished to help.
Raithius: Either way, you did a great thing tonight.
Magnolia: Do you live in this village? As far as I was aware, no warriors were around to help the townspeople at the time of the first attack.
You explain that You woke up in a field shortly before the most recent attack. You have no home nor any place to go.
Magnolia: If you ask me, you really did prove yourself in that fight. Maybe you could come back to the monastery with us.
Chris: Yeah. It's not uncommon for refugees or other homeless people to go there to seek asylum. I don't see why you'd be any different, especially after you helped us get out of that fight.
Raithius: We really were in a sticky situation. Thanks.
You see a small squad of soldiers appear nearby. They run up to You and the trio of students. The leader is a young man with green hair cropped close to his face. A single lock hangs down on one side. He has blue eyes and was wearing white armor. A red cape hung from his shoulders. This is Derric Leon Lavellan-Indech.
Derric: Hey! Are you three alright?!
Raithius: We're fine. No need to worry.
Magnolia: What are you doing here?
Derric: We heard there was an attack on the village you were visiting, so the captain of the knights sent me over to make sure you were alright. You're all unharmed, right?
Chris: We're fine. The bandits are gone now.
Derric: That's good... Say, who's your friend?
You tell the knight who You are.
Raithius: Without the help of this stranger right here, we never would have been able to win that battle.
Magnolia: We were just saying that maybe the four of us could all go back to the monastery together.
Derric: I guess it wouldn't hurt too much... You did save their lives, which is a point in my book.
Raithius: Awesome! In that case, let's get going!
Derric: The knights and I are going to do a quick check of the area. Stay here, away from the wreckage. We can't have you getting hurt. Letting you fight so soon was dangerous enough.
You watch as Derric and the knights leave before focusing back on the students.
Raithius: Well, I guess you are coming back with us!
Magnolia: I don't know where you came from, but I hope the monastery is a good next destination.
Chris: I don't think I can thank you enough for what you did earlier... I'm sure the townspeople would agree with me.
Raithius: Hey, Chris, are you feeling alright? You look kind of pale.
Chris: M-Me? Oh, no, I'm fine. No worries.
Magnolia: I can't blame you for being a little shocked. None of us were supposed to be fighting tonight. It was meant to be a simple charity thing.
Raithius: I guess they thought kidnapping an heir to a nation would fetch a high ransom price. All we wanted to do was help the people out, but I guess we wound up doing more harm than good.
Chris: Now I just feel bad...
Magnolia: We couldn't have known this would happen. Besides, nobody was hurt as far as I know. The people were scared, but no one died. That's a positive.
You see Derric reappear nearby.
Derric: Alright! The area is clear. It's time for us to get going. Let's move out!
You watch as Derric walks away. The three students follow after him, leaving you standing alone.
?: Well, aren't they an odd bunch?
You jump. The mysterious girl from before has somehow spoken to You outside of your mind's eye.
?: I didn't know I could talk to you when you were conscious. It appears I can hear your thoughts as well. I can experience what you do without actually being there... I guess you learn something new everyday... Anyways, those three students are rather strange. They're so different, but they're all here together.
You do not think about them, but instead, focus your attention on the odd girl. What could her name be?
?: My name? I suppose I do need one... I don't know of what it really is yet. I'm afraid I don't remember... A placeholder will do for now. How about... Seraphine? That sounds nice enough. Seraphine it is.
You nod.
Seraphine: Back to those kids. They're unique, but they seem to agree that you're a strong individual. I suppose you managed to impress them with your fighting prowess.
You think about Chris, the girl of red, first. She seems to look at the world with a hesitant gaze. On top of that, she appears to fear conflict.
Next, there is Magnolia, the girl of blue. She seems a bit more sure of herself. It is as if she wants to reach out to everyone she can with her demeanor. She has a kind aura.
Finally, there is Raithius, the boy of yellow. He has an outgoing air about him that draws others in. His optimism is something special for sure.
You snap out of your trance and see that the group is already walking away. You walk quickly to chase after them. You can't help but wonder what the future could bring if they are part of your life. Nothing is set in stone yet, but You are curious... What is this monastery? You have never heard of it. Perhaps it is only a matter of time until the answers are revealed to You...
MY KIIIIIIDS
It's plot time, baby! We haven't gotten to the big choice yet for house, but there's a bit of a twist there. The house choice isn't exactly a large choice until the end of part one. Instead, you get to pick your house of choice between each chapter. The order for the houses switches since I had the community that created the characters vote on the order they wanted each house's version to go up for each chapter. It'll make more sense when you see it in action, I promise.
Anyways, I hope you enjoyed!
-Digital