February: The Great Closing

Soleil tilted her head to read the printed letters on the team's map of the continent Zenith better. "I think it's up this way. What are we going to say to Veronica, anyway? We need you to slice open your palm and give one of us your power?"

Camilla affirmed, "Something to that extent. Leave the details to me. Veronica's awfully close with Xander. As his sister, I'm sure I can convince her to help us out."

Sophie stared up at the tall trees, towering over her as if they were about to prey on her. "Do you think we'll even make it to Veronica? From Alfonse's description, Embla seems pretty hostile. They probably won't want foreigners like us going right up to the palace."

Owain did a somersault and on the land, he proclaimed, "They shall remember Owain Ylisse's deeds and let us through quickly."

Shiro applauded. "That's so cool! I wish I was that flexible. Sophie had to help me learn some stretches to loosen up my body," he dropped his voice to a whisper, "I think that girl's made of rubber."

Everyone chatted amicably until they arrived at the border leading into Embla. A guard scrutinized the travelers. "What are you lot doing here?"

Ricken responded, "We're here to meet with your leader. Can you guide us to the castle where she lives?"

The guard curled his nose as if the group smelled like rancid mold. "What business do you have with Lady Veronica?"

Camilla flipped her hair over her shoulders, like she was flipping away his accusations. "We're friends. I'm Camilla of Nohr. Is there a problem, sir?"

The soldier blanched at the mention of Nohr. "N-not at all, Lady Camilla. I'd happily escort you and your companions to Lady Veronica. Right this way." He became rather squirrely and informed his fellow knights of his mission. Within seconds, they were granted entry to Embla.

Silas was in awe. "You really command power, Camilla. He was practically shaking in his boots."

Camilla smirked. "I have that effect on people. I suppose they can tell from my attitude that I mean business."

Owain shuddered. "Your angry side is terrifying. When we were pulled into Aytolis and you thought we kidnapped Elise, you were having fun planning our deaths."

Camilla giggled. "Oh Owain, that was just a silly misunderstanding! I could never harm you or your family and friends!"

Owain murmured, "You were scarier than Mother . . ."

Camilla kissed his cheek. "Dear, that was the past! I didn't know you back then. When I got to in Nohr, I knew that you were absolutely precious and sweet. Which is why when I heard that before we got married, Inigo threatened you when you took a three-day break from training, I went right up to him and told him all the delightful things Castle Krakenburg's dungeon had!"

Owain sighed. "He's my best friend, light of my life. Please don't harm him."

Camilla shook her head. "Not if he hurts you, darling. Being close doesn't excuse his behavior . . ."

The rest of the group was subjected to their marital disagreement all the way to the capital. The guard explained to the palace soldiers the situation, and the group was admitted inside. The guard cleared his throat. "Lady Veronica, some old friends request an emergency meeting of some kind."

A tiny girl on a ginormous throne swung her legs out and hopped to the floor. "Dismissed." The border guard left while she went up to the army. "Heroes from other worlds? What are you doing here? If you want money because I forced some of you against your will into contracts, I'm not paying."

Siegbert huffed, "Like we're going to give criminals a pass. But that's not why we're here. We need your help."

Veronica snorted. "Only you would call someone a crook and threaten them only to say within seconds that you require their assistance."

Morgan interrupted, "There are a group of people called the Twilighters who are attacking people across the worlds. We need your ability to close portals to stop them."

That caught Veronica's attention. "Truly? What do they want? Do they pose a threat to Embla?"

Azura went over the whole situation to Veronica, who listened intently. "So overall, yes, they do pose a threat to Embla, since it seems like they want to conquer all who oppose Belerager. Not to mention that they recruited Palla Whitewing to kill Alfonse and Sharena. There may be some after you as well."

A dangerous glimmer formed in Veronica's eyes. "Very well. I will accommodate your request. Who will get the power of Embla? I must warn you, there is something wrong with my blood."

Severa rolled her eyes. "Then transfer the power without using blood, duh!"

Veronica glared at the sassy swordswoman. "If there's another way, I'd be glad to hear it."

Brady intervened, "Is there a library we can go lookin' in or something that'll give us a hint? That's what those royal blokes did in Askr, and that was right helpful."

Veronica said nothing but allowed them entrance into Embla's esteemed library. The group got to work searching for any valuable tomes that would solve the answer to their conundrum.

Khalid opened up a promising book on the history of Embla, and much like its Askr counterpart, it mentioned the country's founder, Thrasir, who made a blood pact with the dragon Embla. He skimmed its pages for something new. When he got to the page about the pact, he carefully read what the passage said. "Hmm. I'm not getting anything other than what we already know."

Annette shared the book she was reading: an encyclopedia of promises and oaths. "As Alois would say, this seems like a promising find!" Everyone moaned at her joke as she searched. "Okay. It mostly mentions blood pacts, but it mentions that if two people have a special bond, they can transmit powers through that? But what's a special bond?"

Gerome remarked, "We'll have to do this by trial and error. We'll have to check to see if anyone here can somehow bond with Veronica."

Veronica pressed her hand against each member of the army, but any possible candidates were running. With two-thirds all taken up, Veronica turned to Severa. "All right you. You're up."

Severa bit back a biting comment as they pressed their palms together just like Sharena and Dorothea did. A red glowing light surrounded them, and as time passed, the aura grew brighter and brighter until it overpowered the room and was the only visible thing. It slowly dissipated. Severa's hand glowed red, a marker that it was successful.

Shiro was impressed. "That! Was! Awesome! What's the bond you guys have?"

Veronica stared blankly at Severa's palm. "I haven't the slightest clue."

Inigo suggested, "Stubborn personalities? Similar personalities? A passionate dislike for the other?"

Cynthia mumbled, "Who knew snarkiness could be a superpower?"

Severa looked away to the side. "Whatever. I guess that means you're okay in my book, Veronica. Just don't do anything stupid and get out of it."

Veronica crossed her arms. "Same to you."

Byleth bowed. "Thank you for your assistance, Veronica. It is much appreciated. We should go back to Askr to report our other friend of Zenith of our success."

"Not so fast." The group swiveled around to see a warrior clad in blue with matching short hair. "We must fight first."

Cynthia squeaked, "Catria Whitewing? One of the legendary Whitewings of old? Palla's younger sister?"

The warrior pointed her lance threateningly. "That's right. I challenge you to single combat, winner takes all."

Cynthia growled, "Accepted! I, Cynthia Ylisse, took down your older sister earlier this week! Just try me!"

The girls circled around each other, waiting to see who would make the first strike. The tension of the room was thicker than the largest novel. Catria thrust her lance forward, but Cynthia was ready and dodged. Cynthia launched an attack of her own, and brought her spear down above Catria's head with all her might.

Catria's lance sped upward to match it, and the girls pressed their weapons against each other, and they struggled to secure dominance. Catria broke free of Cynthia's grip and slashed at her breastplate, chinking some of the armor. Cynthia grit her teeth and withstood the pain as it screamed across her body and white spots danced in the corners of her eyes.

Cynthia stuck her spear in the ground for a moment to catch her breath. Catria saw the opportunity and lunged. Cynthia ducked and thrust her lance into her opponent's back, and then kicked her in the back of the knees to knock her off balance. It worked, and Catria fell to the ground. Cynthia pointed her weapon at Catria. "I think I beat you."

Veronica crossed her arms spitefully. "Are you done, Catria? I have more important things to do."

Catria stood up. "Yes. I'm sorry. But you know how these things work, Veronica. Once we're trapped into a contract, we can't escape it unless we're defeated."

Veronica snapped, "I know that! Just go back to wherever you came from!"

Subaki cried out, "Wait! Palla told us something interesting about the people who hired you. She said they were called the Twilighters. Can you tell us anything else?"

Catria shook her head. "Not really. The only notable thing I remember is how hateful they were. They really wanted me to beat and kill you. Is that in any way helpful?"

Khalid faked a smile. "That'll do. Thank you."

Sophie backed away from the frustrated Veronica, desperate to get away from her. "Right, then. We'll just be heading back to Askr! Bye!"