Epilogue I: Many Paths Traveled
Lystihea, Blind Archmage: After staying a brief time in the Alliance after the great war, Lysithea relocated house Ordelia at the insistence of Dagdan King Getafe, as she took up the empty mantle of Eastern Archmage. Eventually betrothed to King Getafe to help foreign relations, the two eventually grew close as their love of scholarly pursuits prevailed in connecting them, and in turn Fodlan and Dagda. Getafe tirelessly worked with the top magic officials in Dagda to normalize Lysithea's crests and thus extend her life to normal length.
As Archmage, she would spend her years researching the vast mysterious of unknown magic in the world traveling as far as the secluded Eastern mountains of Almyra to the far-reaching City of Illusions located at the heart of the desert nation of Morfis. A steadfast ally to her friends from her days at Garreg Mach, she would live her days championing for magical progress and innovation.
Felix, Pragmatic Overseer: With his father, Rodrigue, taking the crown to the new principality of Faergus, Felix found himself at a crossroads. Eventually, after years of mercenary work, Felix settled into Kleiman territory as the stern Duke of the land that would help safeguard the Dagdan colony from would-be invaders and public dissent.
Those close to Felix would always say he only smiled when fighting bandits or pirates, as the man was cold and abrasive most of the time. Still, even in his twilight he always made a point to aid his friends, uphold his country's sense of honor, and never back down from a fight. Though he never officially took a wife, many speculate about the reclusive man's private affairs with a well-renowned pegasi rider.
Claude, High King of Fodlan, and Almyra: Soon after his decisive victory at Gronder Field and the Adrestian surrender, Claude with the aid of Rodrigue Fraldarius and the Almyran nobility was named High King of Fodlan and Almyra. He quickly went about reforming the public laws and rules to improve the lives of the common folk, as he delegated the most important duties to his closest and most capable allies.
Aware of the potential Agarthan scourge is persisting, Claude continued to investigate both the Nabateans and Agarthans, as the High King would be well known for his love of mysteries. He would marry his long time friend Hilda Goneril after establishing his empire and would live to be a kind and understanding ruler that would strike down corruption when possible and lend an ear to those in need.
Balthus, King of Grappling: Brash and boisterous, Balthus would quickly decline any political offers and escape the new Fodlan scene. With his sights set on fortune and fame to help distance him from the eerie realities of war, he would make a name for himself as an international adventurer and brawler. He was never known to turn down a good bar brawl, nor lose; drunk or sober.
Occasionally he would drop in on his old friends of the Ashen Wolves, but he sought to meet new people from all over. He was renowned for having a poor grasp on learning new languages, and would often consult his dear friend, Constance, about how to learn and adapt. While her tutelage was steadfast, many of the letters they exchanged tended to be of a more sultry nature as opposed to actual learning.
Ingrid, Cavalier of Justice: With House Galatea absorbed by the Alliance after the great war, Ingrid was not content in living her days as a simple lord. Instead of grabbing fine utensils and ledgers, she armed herself and took flight. She would go on to establish an international task aptly named 'The Blue Lions'; a task force modeled after the late Knights of Seiros that would be staunch defenders of the weak and champions of virtue.
Lady Galatea was fierce on the battlefield, but most respected her for her sense of mercy and redemption. She would never take a spouse, but many rumors circulated through the years as to her relations with Lord Fraldarius.
Yuri, Spy Savant: After sabotaging Edelgard's political foundation by orchestrating a mass exodus of her military forces through a combination of bribes, promises, and propaganda, he settled into the political environment of Fodlan quite easily. As one of High King Claude's chief advisors, the two clever schemers worked in tandem to secure public order; Claude in the public light, and Yuri in the shadows by cloak and dagger.
Always the intermediary for friends and foreign relations, he would keep meticulous tabs on the old Ashen Wolves activities, occasionally joining in certain adventures when free or bored. As for relations, Yuri never took a long term partner, cycling through many men and women over the years, though some of his close friends would speculate if he had a soft spot for a sleepy green-haired Adrestian scholar.
Edelgard, Vengeful Exile: After being left behind by her conscript army that desired to return to their humble lives devoid of war, Edelgard begrudgingly left Fodlan at the new ruling class's behest. With her faithful retainer, Hubert, they would travel to the land of Morfis and beyond searching for a new purpose.
Unbroken and resolute, Edelgard spent her time currying support and creating a new empire. Though successful in her new ventures, she never would let go of the resentment and betrayal she felt in Fodlan. She expected the nobility to turn against her, but not her own civilians. A lesson that would harden her until her end of days.
Constance, Diplomat of Innovation: With Nuvelle territory partially restored due to the rebel Adrestians, she took time after the war to rebuild her province as the once economical haven it had been in years past. Continuing her work as court mage to High King Claude, she would continue to pioneer unique magical applications and seek to integrate the normality of magic into Fodlan society.
Constance after several years of serving as court mage to Claude would settle into a position as Archmage of the Faergus Magic Academy, helping the next generation of mages achieve and innovate. While bossy and overeager sometimes, she never let a good idea go unheard when striving for progress in the arcane arts.
Dimitri & Hapi, Wandering Pair: With Dimitri stepping down and relinquishing his claim to the throne of Faergus, Hapi was quick to recruit the aimless and out of time former noble. Persuaded to travel and explore the world, Dimitri and Hapi would grow close and eventually romantic as they'd chase mysterious and natural wonders. Always eager to see and surprise their friends, they served as an intermediary between their spread out allies.
Carefree and kind, the two would always find time to display kindness to the weary of heart, provide strength to the weak, and a voice to the silent. Dimitri's mind would never fully recover from the influence of Sothal, though he would find a way to manage as Hapi would share how she coped with her sighing curse. Their weaknesses would tighten their bonds until their final days, where it is said they were never happier.
Kronya, The Lonely Vigil: Frozen during the last battle with Sothal, Kronya berated herself for her weakness and disappeared into the wilderness amongst the chaos. Still harboring implanted emotions and purposes from her former ally, Santos, she saw fit to pay respects to him by being a silent guardian of Santos' final resting place; Zanado, the Red Canyon. It is said those who dare desecrate the place are never seen again.
Quiet and reclusive, Kronya would spend her days contemplating the fate of Agarthans and dreaming of the day when the reborn Goddess would return. Perhaps then she might have her answers, but for now, she waits patiently in the shadows.
Shamir, Noble Mercenary: Once a wandering small-time merc from Dagda, her first major assignment would turn out to the strangest and most rewarding. Guardian doctor Capetillo would eventually lead Shamir to become a respected high ranking member of the Knights of Seiros, and also a life long friend to her former guard objective, Santos.
Helping her allies through Dagdan culture and building up a war front against Sothal, Shamir never spoke much about helping others and claimed to be in it for the money. Perhaps at one point, she was, but her closest allies and friends all knew better and could see the truth underneath her rough exterior. She died believing in her friends, and Archmage Ordelia commissioned a monument to the fallen soldier in Dagda, as she knew her master would have wanted to do.
Byleth, Vessel of the Progenitor: The mercenary known as 'Ashen Demon' joined Garreg Mach in the fateful year of 1180 and forever changed the sequence of events that would lead up to the great war over Fodlan in 1184. Once the vessel for Sothis, the beginning thanks to circumstances surrounding her birth, she rose above and became her own person through the tribulation.
Little is known about her end days and schemes with the odd doctor, but what is known is that their sacrifices are spoken about and spread by their allies. A monument at the request of High King Claude was built amongst the ruins of Garreg Mach, as a reminder of her bravery and a testament to the friendships she helped cultivate in the brief time she was there.
Epilogue II: Faith Unbroken
10 Years later…
Sera
Mother always has me weeding the garden during the morning. Up before dawn, and I'd have to go investigate the fence to make sure no bunnies or other critters had snuck through, and then I'd check the long lines of vines, our sprawling vegetable patches, and the corn stalks that are nearly as twice as tall as me! Mother says it's something unique to Albinea and should be treated with respect as others don't have as much food.
I dig my hands into the damp soil, colorful songbirds chirping in the distance with their pretty tails and silly-looking feathers coming out the sides of their beaks. I think they look silly and are rather annoying, sounding like someone getting squeezed too hard. Lady Hapi says their good luck. They'd be better luck if they didn't try to eat all the corn Mother likes so much.
"Sera," I hear Mother's melodic voice carry out. Soft, yet the wind carries it with a certain clarity and strength. "Did you clean out the turkey pen?"
"Yes, I did that yesterday!" I shout back, yanking a large root out of the garden. Why do the plants in Albinea grow so fast? That definitely wasn't here yesterday.
"Come inside when you are done, I've something to show you," Mother calls out before heading back inside the cabin. It can't be lunchtime already, so what is it? She usually doesn't have anything around this time unless-
A visitor!
I immediately drop the fistful of weeds in my hands, wipe my hands off on my overalls, and hurdle over a row of onions. Silly weeds can wait! Just gonna grow back tomorrow anyway!
Kicking off the dirt from my boots on the backdoor rug, I practically sling them off. My dark green hair flops out of its ponytail, obscuring my vision. I groan and quickly retie my hair with the cotton ribbon. Mother insists I keep my hair long, but when I'm out working in the yard I'd rather cut it short and not have it touching the middle of my back.
I burst through the doorway, and skid into the kitchen, just barely catching myself on the countertop. Just beyond the countertop, I see everyone seated in the small dining area. Lady Hapi and Sir Dimitri are present, both smiling and wearing matching green and blue leather outfits; Dimitri's having more metal parts to it while Hapi's looks a bit more...ladylike. Lady Lysithea once called it 'whorish' but I'm not sure what that means, other than Mother not wanting that word repeated.
Lady Hapi looks similar to me, as when I was little I asked Mother if she was my sister or cousin. Thankfully she didn't take offense. Near the entryway, I can see Dimitri's large glaive propped up, made out of some black shiny metal. He won't let me touch it no matter how many times I've asked. Still, as mother says 'perseverance is a virtue of the Goddess' so I think I'll keep asking. Annoying people seems to work for Lady Hapi.
Mother is still in her work clothes, with her hair tied up and her white apron still on. I still don't understand how she never gets messy. I mean, it's supposed to get messy, and usually does when I cook. It's like the food refuses to stain her.
Lastly, next to Mother is Lady Lysithea. She's a stern woman that scared me when I was smaller, but I've gotten over it. Mostly. I still think it's weird she wears a headband over her eyes but never bumps into anything. I've asked her to teach me, but she says it's not something she can teach. I still think she's lying, but I'd never tell her that.
"Hey, if it ain't little ole' Spitfire," Hapi says warmly.
"I'm hardly little, I'm nearly ten!" I reply, a bit louder than I intended. I can feel Mother's sighing already coming. I quickly fold my hands across my body and bow as Mother taught me. "Um, greetings everyone."
"Greetings, Sera. How is the garden?" Dimitri asks.
Mother sends me a glance saying 'use your proper langauge'. "The garden is splendid and quite prosperous," Mother smiles and turns in her seat, "but the bugs are ridiculous." Mother sighs lightly. It's true though!
Hapi snorts and sends Mother a silly look. "Still can't believe you chose to live in a place where mosquitoes are the size of someone's head."
"It's quiet and out of the way," Mother cooly replies. "Not to mention the harvests are wonderful."
"Shall we get down to business?" Lysithea tersely suggests. Even though she intimidates me, I do like that she doesn't like nonsense and is always to the point. "I've got to be back in Dagda within the month. I'd rather not be idle."
"You can say you miss me," Hapi says with a smirk. "It's okay you know. I'm sure his Majesty won't get jealous. Hell, he might even be-"
"Dear," Dimitri interjects, holding Hapi's hand tightly. He nods toward me. "Perhaps now isn't the time for that, considering the current company?"
"Thank you, Dimitri," Mother states before turning back to Lysithea, gesturing for her to continue.
The stern lady fidgets with her grey and purple eye covering the band. "Appreciated, though I've grown quite immune to Hapi's poor attempts at riling me up over the years." She clears her throat with a cough. "Anyways, the reason we've stopped by, Seiros, is to discuss what we found since I finally collected the materials necessary for the runic necromancy ritual, thanks in no small part to Hapi and Dimitri gathering the obscure materials."
Mother sits up more straight in her chair. "And?"
"It was a failure, but something was strange," Lysithea sighs. "I wasn't able to find Santos, though I was able to find someone else. Seteth."
I can feel my heart race slightly, pounding within my chest. Mother usually doesn't like to talk much about Father. She gets really sad when she does, but I've heard from the visitors much about him. Mainly how Lady Hapi tells me I'm funnier than him, and how Lady Constance thinks I have his magical aptitude. But nothing ever about what he was actually like. I don't even know what foods he liked, besides knowing Mother tried one day to try and make a 'taco' from memory and fail spectacularly. I don't think I've ever seen her so flustered since that day. All I know is if I ever get to talk to him, that's going to be my first question.
"What did Seteth say?" Mother asks in an unusually desperate tone. I've heard that name before too. One of her old comrades from long ago.
Lysithea shrugs and shakes her head. "He said he was gone. He saw him at one point, but he had disappeared shortly after."
"He faded away?"
"No, like his spiritual aspect was completely absent," Lysithea says, leaning over the wood table. "Even those who have moved on have some sort of essence of energy left over. Residual effects. There was nothing. Void. And yet, Seteth was absolutely certain he saw him."
"So, what's that mean?" Hapi inquires, propping up her face on her hands with her elbows resting on the table.
"It means Santos knew something about the spiritual realm that he didn't let any of us in on," Lysithea laments. She pulls out a small notebook from her inner robe pocket and holds it up. "It took Constance and me nearly seven years to translate his notes on magical theory, as there was no analogous langauge script anywhere in recorded history. We had to purely go off of second-hand interactions and our own memories to build a key."
Lysithea slides the notebook to Mother who picks up the small leather book in a tender and almost reverent fashion. "Did you figure out what he did? What happened to Byleth or-"
"Absolutely nothing," Lysithea groans, shaking her head. "It was all on unrelated things, like trying to use magic to solve hangovers, replenish blood supply through Faith magic, and something about using modified fire magic to dry clothes. Interesting, but ultimately a dead end." Lysithea stands up from her seat and 'looks' around the room. "I've concluded that he refused to write anything important down out of fear of Sothal."
Mother shivers at the mention of that name. Sothal. She's rarely spoken of it, as it's taboo in our house. Says it's of a past long forgotten and a smear against the name of the Goddess, Sothis. Still, something isn't making sense to me.
"So, I'm confused," I say, all eyes in the room locking onto me. I shift nervously from side to side and look away. "So, what exactly has happened, and what's this got to do with my Father?"
"Your old man was paranoid, Spitfire," Hapi chimes in. "And now it seems that he's duped the rest of us as he's no longer resting in the spiritual realm."
"So is he a ghost?" I ask, still genuinely confused.
"No, because that would still insinuate a connection to the spiritual realm," Lysithea counters. She turns to me with a thin yet forced smile creeping across her lips. "Sorry, I shouldn't be so harsh with a child. Apologies. But, what I've surmised is that your father, Santos, has in some fashion cheated death. To what extent? I do not know."
"It would appear we are out of options to figure out what had happened that day and have instead found more questions instead of answers," Mother muses as she stands up from her seat. "Sera, follow me to the garden. We should fetch a snack for our guests."
That's her 'I want to talk alone' excuse. I nod and follow her out the back door, not bother putting my boots back on. The ground is soft here and I can always wash my feet later. I follow Mother into the corn stalks where she begins to shuck some of the corn.
"Sera, my dear, I was hoping to tell you this around your birthday when you became of age, but the others arrived earlier than anticipated," Mother says as she tosses me an ear of corn. "I know you must have questions, but I've wanted to wait until the time was right to tell you what had happened. Who we are, and who your father was."
I simply nod along as I catch another ear of corn, bobbling it in my arms. Why must these things be so heavy?! Also, I've had my suspicions but hearing Mother be so precise is startling. She usually avoids questions like this, but now she is attacking it head-on like a starving turkey.
Mother takes in a deep breath, pausing from shucking the corn. "My sweet daughter, the truth is we are children of the Goddess."
"Yes, like you taught me that all those who live here are children," I repeat, as she's told me time and time again during her scripture studies. "I understand that Mother but how-"
"You are her granddaughter," Mother softly says. The words hit me like a sack of bricks, with my eyes widening. "You are a direct descendant of Sothis, as she is my Mother."
My lips tremble as I try to form words. of the Goddess? Is Mother insane, or just that devout? No, that can't be. This sounds like one of Lady Hapi's strange phrases, but I know in my heart that Mother isn't lying. She doesn't lie when she speaks directly. Avoid a question? Plenty of the time, but she's never someone to make things up like in storybooks.
"Okay, I think I follow," I slowly reply, my mouth feeling dry. "Who was my Father, and why are you looking for him still? Even now that he's dead?"
Mother turns to me, placing a hand on my shoulder. She crouches down with her bright green eyes looking into my hazel colored ones. "We believe your Father along with the ascendant vessel killed God, and the Goddess was reborn." She leans her forehead up against mine. "It is not a burden I wished to place on you, but it is your destiny. The land has changed in the years since, and I fear I may not see the day that is to come."
"What are you t-talking about mother," I whisper, unsure of my own voice. Why couldn't I have just stayed in the garden? Why did guests come today? I hear the colored birds screech in the distance, and somehow they're just a little less annoying than early.
"The Soul of the world shall return, and you are to be its herald," Mother says. "I'm sorry young one, but as the last Nabatean, it is your destiny. That is why I have been so strict in your teachings."
"To teach others when the Goddess returns?"
Mother smiles, wiping a tear from her cheek. "No, child. They will need an intermediary. Someone who can bridge the gap. Be what I could never truly be. Be a saint."
Epilogue III: Requiem
Santos
"Fuck, that hurt."
I grunt as I place my hands on the ground, and my eyes flutter open. Wait a moment…
Hands? As in plural? I snap out of my daze and look down, and sure enough too slightly incorporeal hands greet my eyes. Yup, I'm super dead. If it wasn't the blood loss or Soul magic, then it was sure as hell the explosion from when Byleth harnessed the full power of the Goddess. I have no idea if it was successful, but I'm sure if the others start popping in down here I'll have my answer.
I look around my surroundings which reflect a shadowy version of Fodlan's Gronder Field, though everything from the trees to the sky is lacking color by being some shade of gray. As I spin around, the hills around me seem to change every time I glance back at them. Right, this is the underworld, and perception and intent is everything. Luckily, I've had a little practice.
I begin to walk toward the peak of a nearby hill that's filled with dead trees, briskly making my way there. Why am I rushing, I'm dead? Yet I still feel an urgency to get somewhere or find someone. I remember what Seteth warned about this place, 'People either find purpose or fade away.' So, I hustle up the hill.
It's strange not feeling fatigued as I make my way to the top, and overlook the vast dead expanse. Large clumps of shadows and shades moving in the distance, most likely fallen soldiers as the twisted landscape vaguely reflects the geography of Gronder Field. Murky swamps fill the landscape, spread across the land like pits of tar that seem to hold a foreboding feeling as I stare at them. Perhaps those who lost the will to carry on?
"Fascinating, isn't it?" A coarse and stern voice says from behind me. I suppress a groan and try not to frown.
"Zahras," I neutrally reply without turning around. "You wasted no time in finding me."
The ashen colored Agarthan steps up next to me on the hilltop, looking much like he did last time with his pitch-black eyes and lavish red and black Agarthan robes. "You weren't hard to find. I've been keeping a close eye on current events. A pastime many down here neglect."
"Funny," I cooly respond. "I'm guessing sucking people's souls out is losing its entertainment value?"
He balks at my response and chuckles. "Hardly. A variety of hobbies keeps a man sane; especially down here." He strides in front of me and lets out a short huff. "While I do enjoy our chats, I'm not here for a social visit. I presume you remember our last meeting and what was discussed?"
"Vaguely. I know you're planning something, and I doubt I want any part of it."
Zahras waggles his index finger, clicking his tongue as if chastising a foolish child. "I figured as much, but even the greatest artists are subject to the tools at their disposal," He pauses sending a chilling smirk my way, "No, I've come because your knowledge of the arcane and moral flexibility should make quite the adequate combination in-"
"Santos! Stop right there!" I hear from another familiar voice. I turn around to see Seteth rushing up the hill dressed in his usual monastery uniform. "Step away from that creature."
"Sothis's little boy scout, right on schedule," Zahras muses, crossing his arms.
"Disregard whatever this fiend has been whispering in your ear, Santos," Seteth announces, sending a glare toward the nonchalant Zahras. "The effects above have been felt down here. Something has shifted."
"The Nabatean is correct," Zahras affirms. "Oddly enough, we are both in agreement here. Sothis' reformation has been completed, and now the Goddess of Eternity slumbers. For now."
"That's...good. Glad my longshot plan worked," I say, trying to hide my disbelief. I thought I was crazy for cooking up that plan, let alone not having the luxury to run it by anyone. I half expected Sothal just to twist off my head and be done with me.
"Wait, what are you saying?" Seteth asks.
I shrug. "Basically I went in firing at the hip and got lucky. Bad news, I died but at least I got two hands now," I flex both my hands, testing my astral fingers, "Gods, I forgot how convenient two of these babies are."
"Regardless, we are getting off track," Zahras states, stepping in between Seteth and me. "Before I was so rudely interrupted, I was going to suggest you work with me in escaping this damnation."
Seteth guffaws at the suggestions. "You must be mad. This is the last stop. The end of life, and all soul's final rest. You cannot escape back to the physical world. It's impossible."
Zahras raises an eyebrow and nods, pretending to be impressed. "You are correct in your analysis, as you've wandered this place far and wide. But you misinterpreted what I said."
He's not talking about escaping to the Physical realm. That'd just make us ghosts at best. I raise my hand to my chin, but it simply passes through my incorporeal form. How am I supposed to brainstorm when I can't be idle properly?!
"You're talking about a loophole," I say to Zahras, who nods approvingly. "Your goal isn't the physical realm at all. You're thinking about something else."
"The cognitive realm," Zahras states. "It's where some of the Gods reside, and it's how they can cheat death. I've been observing their methods, but lack the power to do so."
"It's a trick. A lie," Seteth spats out. "Don't listen to him."
"Even if it is, what have you really got to lose? You're already dead."
I furrow my brow and grimace. "I don't trust you."
Zahras chuckles. "Good, that means you've learned something. I'm not asking you to trust me, simply be a business partner in this little venture. Don't you want to have a chance to see your family again?"
"Wait, family?"
What?
"Oh, it seems I've let a detail slip," Zahras coyly says, beginning to walk away. "The choice is yours, Santos. I could always wait for another."
Seteth steps next to me and looks me in the eyes. "Don't do it," He softly warns. "You're better than this."
I grit my teeth and shake my head. "But I'm not. I'm really not," I say in exasperation, almost laughing as I do. Mostly at myself, as I should know better. I do know better. "I have to go. I have a chance to see my family again. I missed out once, so you can bet I won't miss out a second time. I'm sorry."
Seteth doesn't reply, simply nodding and looking down at the ground as I begin to walk down the hill, following Zahras. I don't know how he plans to escape, but I intend to find out. Betrayal is expected, and I'll have to be more careful than I've ever been.
"Don't wait too long for me, Seiros. I'm coming home."
"It worked! Clear the way!"
"Indeed, we did it Mark!"
I feel an intense throbbing in my head as I'm facing down on a hard cement floor. The air smells of sulfur and waste, and as my eyes crack open I see dim light emitting from torch sconces along the wall.
Well, it seems that bastard Zahras was correct about how to get into the cognitive realm. He didn't say anything about a large dragonkin waiting for us with nigh incomprehensible power and magical prowess. I fear we interrupted whatever slumber they were in as with one large tail swipe and a lot of arcane fire, we separated and grabbed a stream of something. The scholar in me is curious, yet the more rational part of me is telling me that I should get off the ground and not meddle in affairs I shouldn't comprehend.
"We did do the ritual correctly, right?"
"We followed Lord Excellus' specific instructions. This is a vaunted deadlord of legend."
"Looks more like a pale naked guy. They all look like this?"
"How should I know, Mark? The Grimleal doesn't exactly share these kinds of details. Though I was expecting something more...menacing."
"Oh, look he's getting up!"
I groan as I place my hands on the floor and push myself up, feeling my bones ache and muscles strain as if I'd not used them in ages. Still, net positive having two hands. So far, so good. Seems I was able to hijack a summoning ritual of some sort in my panic to escape that astral dragon.
I stand up wobbly, holding my hands out to balance myself. Yeah, definitely going to need to take it slowly. I look down at my hands and instead of my natural rich brown hue, I see an ashen pallor. Well, that can't be good.
"How should we address him? He just follows our commands, right Zane?"
"Uh, I think so," The one I believe is called 'Mark' says.
Both men have about average builds and are dressed in deep purple and black robes with large leather books in their hands. I don't recognize the insignia on the robes, but the colors remind me of Dagda. Did I manage to get back to Dagda? Maybe it wasn't just luck. This time though instead of being the confused man from Earth, I'm now technically their boss, er, former boss considering Lysithea took my position as Archmage.
"Alright, great deadlord," 'Zane' says in a slightly theatrical manner. I try not to roll my eyes and be professional and ignore the fact that I'm butt naked. "What is thy name?"
"Santos of Dagda, but you should already know that," I reply as I take in the other sights of the room. Yup. Seems like a pretty run of the mill summoning chamber with a few candles scattered around and some etchings on the floor. Real original.
Both men look at each other briefly and whisper something before Mark steps forward and bows. "Of course! Of course! We've heard plenty of our great exploits! Grima has brought you back to serve us, his faithful servants the Grimleal in conquest. With the ritual complete you are bound to our magic, o' faithful lord darkness."
That doesn't sound right at all. The fuck is a Grimleal? Not to mention who is Grima? Doesn't sound Dagdan in the slightest.
I exhale and stare down the two mages. My weariness makes holding an emotionless stare a bit easier as both of the middle-aged men seem to be waiting on bated breath for my response. By their posture, I'd guess they're in either fear or awe of me, but by their instructions, it would appear they want me to be compelled to follow their commands. I only feel compelled to take a nap, but maybe I can use this situation to my advantage. Something I wish I had done when this happened the first time so many years ago.
Both men seem to jump slightly as I stride forward, my joints stiff and the cold floor sending a chill through my feet. I stop in front of Mark, as he seems a bit more intimidated by my presence as he almost leans away from me as I come face to face with him.
"I need your robes, your boots, and your horse," I say in a raspy voice that sounds like a ball of sandpaper is stuck in my throat.
"Uhhh-"
"Now."
"Of course!" He says, beginning to immediately strip down to his underclothes. He shivers slightly as his doughy body is now exposed to the elements.
"Good. Now leave," I state as I gesture toward the door.
"But, Lord-" I glare at Zane, which manages to get the message across. Both men scuttle out of the room immediately, leaving the chamber to myself.
I breathe out a sigh of relief and begin the laborious task of putting on the robes and boots. Not a perfect fit, but it's better than going commando. Once the loose robes and stiff boots are on, I walk over to a torch sconce to try and see if the slightly polished stonework can give me a reflection, and unfortunately, it does.
"By the Goddess, I look like a damn Agarthan," I mutter as I'm able to make out my midnight black eyes and graying skin. No wonder those two mages were so ready to give up their clothes for me. Thankfully, I still have all my usual facial features and my body seems to be shaped the same, plus an extra arm. Give and take I suppose.
Now I just have to figure out where the hell I am.
[The End]
A/N: Wow. That's it! Cue the montage where I shoo everyone out! Haha. I'm kidding of course, and big thanks to anyone who has stuck with the story this far. A completed long fic, in under a year no less? Sheer madness is what I'm experiencing, with a mix of euphoria and relaxation. So, let's kick off the end credits properly! Brief aside; still finishing the last of the master edit, so it'll be finished and 'complete' by October at the very least.
First, the usual bit-
Review Response:
InterestedUser: You're goddamn right, lol.
drjfaust4: Your review is incredibly humbling and inspires me to keep pressing on to be better. Thank you, sincerely.
Dandaman5: Thanks for tagging along, more answers will be down below!
Abrams1559: Yes. And yes it's hard to fight with one arm, lol.
Cavik: glad my cheesy romance dialogue is appreciated haha.
TheBobcat18: Hopefully the final showdown was everything I hyped it to be. Thanks bruddah.
Guest: About time I gave more screen time to the tagged pairing, am I right? Also, thank you :)
Eizeneers: Don't you hate it when that happens?
Hahasalt: Yeah, it was his intention to break Santos and try to take him over easier.
Cyan Sung-Sun: I'm also glad you stuck around! Thanks for reading! :D
Boy Knight: Glad you've liked the build-up, so hopefully this ending was rewarding and interesting. As for the comparison, kinda? I guess? I need to read up more on Awakening lore and stuff, but I can kinda see it even if they aren't perfect parallels.
That's it for the last of the review responses for this story!
For any future reviews in response to this ending and story in general, I'll do my best to reply in PM's to help clarify anything.
Magic System
Here's my silly little explanation of the 'Soul' magic system I created in parallel to the existing magic to FE's base system. The original cause for this was seeing Kronya disguise herself as another person and then later seeing Solon use 'The Forbidden Spell of Zahras' to banish Byleth to the pseudo-shadow realm. I wanted to expand upon this and make the fic feel more unique, so here are the 9 spells that have shown up throughout the fic (some explicitly explained, while others I only alluded to their use). 4 spells I associated with Sothal, and 4 with Sothis with the final spell being a fusion of the two's power, and basically everything wrapped up into 1 plus more mysterious qualities.
Aspects of Identity: -Sothal: Visage (Being able to change one's form, aura, and spirit signature) / -Sothis: Judgement (Able to read thoughts, detect lies, and see-through illusions).
Aspects of Power: -Sothal: Harvest (To devour another's soul and convert it into energy) / -Sothis: Sacrifice (To offer up one's soul to another, converting it into power)
Aspects of Perception: -Sothal: Wander (To enter a ghost form and astrally project, with the ability to enter other's dreams) / -Sothis: Repose (Close off senses or thought for a period of time while preserving one's physical form)
Aspects of Mind: -Sothal: Soothe (Able to erase another's memories or replace them, banishing them into dreams) / -Sothis: Innundate (Able to transplant one's memories, desires, pain, urges into another)
The Aspect of Divinity: -Sothis, Goddess of Beginning & End: Shape (Alter Time and Space as one sees fit, distort fate, create and eliminate paradoxes)
Acknowledgments
I'd be a poor liar to say that I did this all myself with no support. It couldn't be farther from the truth. I've grown and adapted as a writer over the course of this story, and I cannot express the amount of gratitude I feel for everyone. But I'm sure as hell gonna try.
First, to the readers and reviewers of this story. Through all the suggestions, appreciation, and criticism, I happily accept it all. It's helped inspire me, be critical about myself, and motivate me. Writing for all you has evolved from a little hobby I'd do on the side, to something I look forward to each and every week. Thank you all.
Next, I'd like to give special thanks to everyone on the Fanfiction Treehouse Discord server! Since joining I've been able to step up my writing game and have some great conversations that have expanded my considerations as a writer. You all rock!
I'd like to also shoutout to the fine folks on the Fanfiction Treehouse Podcast, where a few members have dared to venture into the nitty-gritty of fanfiction. You've all tolerated my ramblings and insane ideas, and you are all wonderful for it. Big thanks to RedXEagl3, TheBobcat18, Narwhal Lord, and MixedValance.
Lastly, I would like to talk about my faithful Beta reader/editor through all of this and the person who encouraged me to start and finish this story. Not to mention, they're also my beautiful wife which counts for a lot haha. I highly doubt you'll read this as you don't even go on FFnet, but this is here for you. To all the hours of listening to me ramble and talk nonsense at you about fictional characters, I love you, and thank you so much.
What now...?
Good question! So, being involved in writing fanfiction consistently for nearly a year and with all my works in this time somewhere close to a total of 500k total words, I'm goddamn tired. First on the agenda is some rest and catching up on other fiction. After that, I'll be working on some random one-shots I've had bouncing around in my head but that have been pushed off to the side. Now I have time. My other long(ish) fic planned which is somewhat started, A Wyvern's Tale, will eventually receive monthly updates come December (posted one recently as of 10/15/20). My other writing focus will be on developing original content for a novel I'm working on.
Future for Stolen Remedy? I left it a bit open-ended on purpose. If there is a demand for a sequel, I have an outline ready and an idea of how it would go. It all depends on the demand for it and my own motivation. For the time being, I'm going to let the story sit on the shelf for a bit. It deserves some time to rest. If this is something you'd like, drop a review or PM. Don't let me stand in the way of a fun story ;)
Finally, if you'd like to directly ask me you can find me chilling on the Fanfiction Treehouse Discord Stormtide_Leviathan on discord . gg / 9XG3U7 or just PM me on here. I respond to either easily enough, and I'll happily answer any question about the story and whatnot.
Thanks for the ride folks, it's been fun. Have a wonderful day and thanks for reading.
