Chapter 80: The Passage of Time
By SodiumChlouride12, derived from Fire Emblem, owned by Nintendo.
A/N: Y'all ever get sad drunk and commission art? No? Oh...
N: Parables are things Elibeans like to pass down from generation to generation. Sometimes, it's best to reflect onto one's own roots. Sometimes, it's best to reminisce on what we once called home.
"Settle down, and take a seat. Let this storyteller share a sayin' he heard his old man say to him once. Just cause fate says something will happen, it don't mean that it will. There are multiple...paths available to accomplish the same thing. Much like a river, that may branch off into smaller versions of itself. But inevitably, they all end up in the same body of water...right?"
"Sometimes, you're going to be confused by what you see. It might not make sense. But...in the end, all that matters is that you are you. You can take care of that...right? Don't spread yourself too thinly, otherwise you start problems you won't be able to solve. You might change into something you don't like. Or, you might see that you yourself...are your own worst enemy."
A long time ago?
Ugh...my head.
Samuel opened his eyes, feeling groggy from the lack of sleep in his system. He raised his head and knocked over a book he had placed over himself, a little shelter of darkness to keep himself asleep. He wiped his eyes and got a feel for his surroundings.
He was in Castle Caelin. They'd just defeated the vile Lundgren yesterday, but, instead of partaking in the festivities, Samuel decided to spend last night alone, holed up in this study area away from everyone. It was damp and dark, with moss growing out of the corners. The bookshelves that surrounded him formed an impromptu library, and a table laid at the center. It was at this table that Samuel plotted for a future he knew would come, but did not understand how to overcome.
Samuel sighed and fidgeted with the paperwork on the table. "Drat, I fell asleep again. How am I going to figure this out? How am I going to defeat Nergal without coming across as suspicious?"
The papers were scattered, but had an order to them. They were placed in incremental locations, representing data, character profiles, histories, and the like. Prominently portrayed were subject matters pertaining to Nergal, Ashera, and Yune.
Samuel took those bits of research and held them in his hands. He was careful while handling them, as it felt like it took many lifetimes to obtain this information. That last thought was more realistic than he'd like it to be.
"If I could, I'd tell the others this whole thing. What's going on. I'd tell them about Nergal, but I can't. That damn goddess keeps getting my way, holding my tongue and inflicting if I go too far. I need her to stop being so strict with her rules...and in order to do that, I need Yune."
Samuel slammed his fist onto the table. "But where the hell is that goddess? Finding Ashera isn't that hard, all I need to do is walk out of line. But her? She could be anywhere on this accursed continent. It's like looking for a needle in a haystack."
Samuel felt a sting of pain in his hand. He had applied too much force in his frustration. He shook his head and retrieved his pocket watch from his cloak. Observing it, it ticked with the same frequency it always had. For now, that meant everything was okay.
"I've already gone through this many times, but eventually, my opportunities will run out. Already, I can feel my body beginning to give out. Some of my scars aren't healing back, too. Oh, what am I going to do?"
!
Suddenly, Samuel heard a noise. It was that of the door creaking open. Acting quickly, Samuel gathered the papers and stuffed them in a drawer away from sight. He was in no mood to end this life with a heart attack, not yet, anyway.
"S-Samuel? G-Good M-Morning!"
It was Florina, and the sight of her made Samuel's heart flip. She was wearing delicate, purple pajamas that meshed perfectly with her hair and eyes. He noticed the effort she had put towards her personal care in the morning. Her hair was clean and straightened out. Her skin was fine and dainty. Even her shoes held a bit of femininity to them. But, it was her face that forced him to indulge his charismatic tendencies.
"Florina? Oh, hey! You...look amazing. Priceless."
Florina blushed, the hint of red spreading across her cheeks. She covered her face in a vain attempt to hide her emotions. "Y-You flatter me too much, Sam. I d-don't deserve this."
Samuel smiled, and for a moment, he forgot all about his troubles. He confidently walked over and swept Florina off of her feet. Her already flustered face got even redder, and she turned speechless. All she could do was rest her eyes on the tactician's, the glee in hers matching his. Her lips buzzed in anticipation.
Samuel said, "I don't deserve you as a girlfriend. You know, I think I want to marry you someday. You'd make a pleasant wife."
Florina giggled and rested her arms around Samuel's neck. "B-Be careful. Y-You know...I'm under the employ….of Lady Lyn. S-She...won't let y-you take me….away from her."
Samuel responded by bopping his beloved on the nose. "Don't you worry about that. I'll do anything for you. Remember that, always."
Samuel leaned in for a kiss, and Florina reciprocated. Their lips contacted for what amounted to almost a minute, but for them, it felt like a fraction of that time. Their hearts fluttered as they released from the embrace. They stared into each other's eyes again, utterly infatuated.
Florina leaned her head against Samuel's chest. She muttered, "I...was worried…when you didn't come with me…..at the party. But, you said you...had to make preparations. Why….are you leaving, Sam? Why….w-won't you….stay here with us, with m-me?"
A tear fell from her eye, and he felt one fall from his, too. He'd experienced this moment many times before, but it always brought with it the same sense of loss. It carried its own goodbye, both in a figurative and literal way. Brushing her hair, Samuel wished he didn't have to leave, but he had to. The six months between now and the day he gets recruited by Eliwood was the preparation time he needed to avoid a calamity that will inevitably end the world.
Choosing his words carefully, he replied, "I want to stay with you, but I can't. I need to continue my training. But, know this. The day when we reunite isn't far at all. I can see it happening in less than a year. Have faith in me, Florina, and I will have faith in you."
Florina sighed, "Ah...okay. If...you s-say so. But...at least share breakfast with me. T-The others….will be glad to see your face, too."
Samuel nodded, "Anything for you, my love."
Florina left, but not before giving him one final hug. Then she disappeared past the door. Samuel waited a moment to make sure he was alone and then continued with his scheming as he had before. He rubbed the bottom of his shaven chin, making sure to be well cleared of the scar on his right cheek.
"Now...about this mystery. I need to think long term..."
Present...
...Huh...
Lyn wakes up, but doesn't open her eyes. Wincing with pain, she takes a gasp of air. It's cold and dry, unlike the air above that she'd grown accustomed to. Her legs felt sore and bruised, a sentiment made worse by the abrasive, uncomforting constant of sandy ground. Oddly, it's much less coarse than sand, like it'd been hardened by centuries of pressures underground. Confused, Lyn's mind races, but a voice calls up to her, interrupting her thoughts.
"L...Ly...Lyn! Wa...Wake up!"
That voice, it sounds familiar. After a moment of repose, she realizes it belongs to Florina. Her shy, yet polite aura pushes Lyn to compose herself, and she slowly rises off the ground. She finally recoups her vision and comes to bear with the situation.
Florina, overcome with the emotion of her friend waking up, embraces her in a hug. "B-By Elimine, you're awake! I-I thought….y-you weren't going to wake up! I'm...so glad."
A little dazed, Lyn notices a few things under the dim light. She, Florina, and everyone else in their group are deep underground, with crystals, ores, and limestone visible on the walls. They are in a short field void of any vegetation, with a slight indentation into the ground. Nearby, a small lake of freshwater lies dormant, its liquid crystal clear. However, more importantly, something grand lays directly in front of them. It is an enormous temple constructed in a pyramid shape, with sandstone blocks composing its structure. In the front stands a small archway that leads deeper into its interior, though torches light up the path inside.
Lyn says, "Where...are we?"
Florina wipes a tear off her face and looks at her friend with an expression of shock. "What...do you mean?"
Lyn hears some movement behind her. Then a short cough. It sounds masculine, but a bit uptight. It can only belong to one person; Erk.
He says, "I think Lady Lyn hit her head on her way down here. Let me take care of this, Florina. You deal with the others."
"Uh huh..."
Florina stands up to leave, and Lyn turns around. Behind her, she finds the rest of the group sitting against the side of a limestone wall. Most of them are injured. Wil has a broken leg, Serra and Fiora are unconscious, Hawkeye bears a sling over his dislocated shoulder, while Erk is lucky to have escaped with severe bruises. All but Erk were fast asleep. The only ones to seem relatively unscathed are Lyn, Florina, and Pent, the latter of which is already busy tending to his allies' wounds despite having broken his foot.
Lyn's heart doubles its pace with a burst of adrenaline. "Oh my–"
"Lyn, listen to me. Just look at me, don't bother with them."
"But why? They're hurt! We have to–"
Erk straightens his voice. "There's nothing we can do. You're dealing with the symptoms of a concussion, and as our reigning lord, your welfare is paramount. Tell me, how do you feel? Any stinging pains?"
Lyn feels herself for a moment. She notices there are some stinging pains across her body, the most serious of which surround her head. Along with that, she also possesses a sense of nausea. "I...think I might have fractured something. I feel sick, too."
Erk frowns, "I see. I'm sorry but, you'll have to deal with these ailments until Serra wakes up. We lost most of our vulneraries and elixirs on our way down."
Lyn raises her brow, but then, a flood of memories comes rushing in. She recalls the battle they had in the desert, and the sinkhole that appeared underneath their feet. She comes to the realization that they'd taken a long fall on their way down here, and that this was the cause of their injuries.
"We...fell. It must've been for several miles, but...how did we survive? More importantly, why is none of the sand down here with us?"
Erk looks around, and sure enough, her observation is true. They had fallen for an undetermined distance, but none of the sand, which would have measured several metric tons, is below their feet. All that stands there is a thin film of sand over thick stone.
"Huh...interesting observation. I...do not know why. Erm...are you okay?"
Lyn nods and tries to stand up. After some struggling, she manages to accomplish the task, much to Erk's protests.
"Uh, you don't have to stress yourself. You might—oh, you have a cut near your stomach. You should sit."
Lyn winces again, and Erk helps her lie back down. She mutters, "I can...help. Just...let me..."
"You've helped us enough by staying alive. Give us a moment. We'll take care of everything. Just...let us take charge, okay?"
Lyn sighs, but doesn't say anything, conceding to Erk's request. With time, she passes out. Erk stands up and calls for Florina.
"Florina."
She turns around and removes a wet rag from Wil's scarring wound. "Y-Yeah?"
"We're going to have to move. Master, can you handle the wounded while we're gone?"
Pent nods, his hand grasping on one of the few elixirs that survived the journey down. His clothing is torn in some places, but intact. "I sure can. Where are you two going?"
Erk turns towards the pyramid that looms overhead. A bed of sweat drips down the side of his face. "Lyn suffered a major head injury, and I fear she'll die if we do not find an elixir. That pyramid is our only hope for that. There are torches that lead inside, and that suggests to me that there's people."
Erk takes a stop forward, Florina (without her steed) in tow. "May Elimine help us." He says. "Disaster has struck, and I have no idea how we'll get ourselves out of it."
Later...
"Eeeep!"
Florina screams as a rat runs by. The tiny mammal scurries as it dances between some debris and the knight's feet, eventually escaping into an open crevice on the wall. Its antics, alongside Florina's surprise, bring some irritation to the leader of the duo, Erk.
Erk lifts a finger to his lips. He whispers, "Florina. Be quiet. We have no idea what's lurking down here, and I don't care to find out."
Florina shakes with fear as she rests her hand against the sandy walls. Her fingers brush against the indentations between the bricks, the darkness matching the coldness of the air. Sweat drips from her cheek and falls to the dry floor below.
She replies, "I-I'm t-trying...it's s-so s-scary d-down here."
Erk sighs, regretting his decision to bring the nervous knight along. "Technically, we're in an elevated position from the base level, not down. But, you need to calm yourself. Take long, slow breaths. Don't forget to keep your sword off the ground, too."
Florina nods her head and lifts the light weapon off the ground. The sword is composed from a weaker grade of iron that makes it easier to wield, perfect for those who'd never trained with one before. Florina had found it during their journey through the inner chambers of the temple, the usage of a lance impossible because of the lack of clearance within the corridors.
"O-Okay." She whimpers.
Continuing on their path down the winding hallway, they find doors noticeably aged, leading to rooms with unknown contents. There are about half a dozen of them lined to their left and right, each with an identical bronze door knob.
Erk observes the door's handiwork. "...Despite their age, these doors are very well made. I wouldn't doubt if they lasted another century, if not more, under these conditions."
Florina steps forward to turn one of the knobs. Erk's eyes widen, and he yanks the pegasus knight away. "Get back!"
Florina, startled, looks back at him with her beating eyes. "W-What's wrong?"
"Your hand. Show me your hand."
Conceding to Erk's forcefulness, she shows him the bare palm that nearly contacted the metal. Erk stares at it for a moment, until taking a sigh of relief.
"I was just making sure you didn't touch it. Florina, we have to be careful. I'm getting very ominous feelings about this place."
"...W-Why?"
"Lyn pointed out something to me earlier that makes me think someone is down here with us. Someone...with an agenda. I don't know what that is, but I feel they may set traps for us." He looks back towards the knob. "Now...for my theory. Florina, may I borrow your sword?"
Florina obliges, and she hands it over. Erk uses it to tear off some cloth from his cloak, afterwards wrapping it around his hand. He presses down on the knob and pauses when he feels something abrasive brush against the fabric.
"Just as I thought..."
"E-Erk?"
Erk raises the cloth and uses the sword to unravel it from his hand. The cloth falls onto the ground. Florina gasps when she notices the tears on it, wincing as she imagines the equivalent effect on her skin.
Erk says, "The surface is rough, meant to gash the wearer's skin. I don't know what they intended to do with that."
He points towards the idle cloth. Other than the cuts on it, it looks normal. "If they wanted to kill us, they would have laced the knob with some poisonous substance, like cyanide or nightshade. But, as you can see, the cloth is clean. Either they botched the trap, or they're trying to send us a message."
A distasteful look appears on his face as he retrieves his fire tome. "Cocky son of a–– they might think they're smart for pulling this, but I am smarter! I am Erk, student of Lord Pent! Simple traps will not fool me!"
He points his finger at the door. Florina, recognizing trouble, immediately takes cover behind a nearby pillar. If there's one thing more dangerous than poison, it's mad, hormonal teenagers with access to powerful fire magic.
"Pulvis ex igni summam potestatem ades!"
The door explodes into dozens of pieces, leaving behind a lone pair of hinges. The door knob flies several feet into the air until harmlessly falling onto the ground nearby. Erk brushes some dust off of his cloak, content to blow off some frustration from his situation.
"All right, Florina. Let's check out this room. They clearly didn't want us to know what's inside, so..."
"Coming!"
Florina returns to Erk's side, her blade firmly at the ready. Likewise, Erk summons a small flame to illuminate the room, as no torches exist with the space. Together, they enter cautiously, eyeing the floor, ceiling, and walls for any further dangers.
The room is...an oddly ordinary sight to behold. Bookshelves stand at all four sides, alongside a series of steel cabinets of futuristic make. Cobwebs inhabit the corners, a sign that this area hasn't been disturbed for some time.
Erk says, "Is this some type of study area? No, there's no table or seating to read at one's own leisure. Perhaps, some sort of depository?"
Florina walks over to one of the bookshelves. Her eye had caught the text of something interesting. Peering through the luminous light, she recognizes a familiar name inscribed in graying ink. Matthew.
"...Huh?"
She takes the book, and despite Erk's earlier warning, she opens it. Her eyes scan over its contents, taking in its meticulous writing.
Matthew, The Enigmatic Thief
(For other inquiries, please read further for a deeper analysis on this character.)
Name: Matthew
Hometown: Swampmarsh, Lycia.
Appearance: A brown-haired, white male of slightly above average height (5' 8"). Brown eyes, and lean, athletic build. Approximate weight is around 160 pounds.
Age: 18-20 years of age.
Battle Tier (F-S): C
Summary: Matthew is a spy working under House Ostia. He ranks in the mid-tier of the spy circle, working under three other spies (one of which is Leila), and the spymaster himself (Uther). He lived an impoverished life in his hometown, Swampmarsh, but did so happily with his parents and younger sibling. It was here where he developed his cheerful and aloof personality. He will shed this part of himself and take on a more serious, colder side if Leila dies in the Isle of Valor (see Scenario 3.3).
Despite being rather carefree at times, Matthew is very dependable. Given time, he will develop into a rather useful asset, though it's best to keep his duties away from the battlefield...
Florina nearly drops the book onto the floor. She can hardly believe her eyes. Looking down on the book again, she realizes that she only read the first page of this seemingly complete profile of the Lycian thief. Florina flips over to the last page and notices that pages numbered up to 50.
Florina lifts her gaze and scans over the rest of the books on the shelf. From top to bottom, she notices the names of people of note, both from the forces of good, evil, and in between. Lyn. Eliwood. Nergal. Hausen. Zephiel. Then she glances at her own name. Florina.
Florina puts her earlier reading down and picks up her own. The first thing she notices is the near perfect portrait of her likeness. Her colored eyes, pale skin, short physique, and lavender hair. It captures everything down to finest detail. Despite her pounding heart, she flips the page and forces herself to read further. Eventually, she finds what she's looking for...
Florina, the Shy Pegasus Knight
(For other inquiries, please read further for a deeper analysis on this character.)
Name: Florina (Surname may be added if Scenario 2.1 or 2.2 is realized)
Hometown: Frostvarn, Ilia.
Appearance: A white female with lavender hair, and of slight above average height (5' 5"). Eye color varies between marine blue and emerald green. Of lean, athletic build, though small. Approximate weight is around 135 pounds.
Age: 17-18 years of age.
Battle Tier (F-S): A
Summary: A pegasus-knight in training of novice rank. Grew up in an impoverished upbringing in her hometown. She and her sisters were orphaned at a young age. Mother was killed in action while on a mission over Bern, while the Father died several months later due to alcohol poisoning brought upon by grief. Never really knew her parents...
Florina pauses and reads through the passage again. She's completely shocked at its accuracy. How...do they have this information about me? She thinks. I told no one about this...
Her most important relationships are towards her family and best friend. Her sisters, Fiora and Farina, share a special, close bond with her. They spent their adolescence alone with one another and toiled through adversity (See Section 1.12). As for Lyn, the two bonded over an incident several years ago (See Section 1.13). Within her family and Lyn, Florina always relied on a stronger soul to protect her throughout life. This is one of her biggest weaknesses, and if she ever finds herself in a situation where she cannot look towards someone for assistance, she will inevitably crumble under the pressure.
A very kindhearted soul, and incredibly loyal to a fault. Doesn't have very many friends, but holds the ones she does have very close. Qualities she desires most in friendship are genuine feelings, and honesty. Does not like being lied to, in part because of her low self-esteem. This and her chronic shyness around men are directly related to one another. Both originate from a single traumatic event that happened when Florina was four years of age (See Section 2.13)...
Florina feels her hands shake. There's no way they could know that about me. Flashes of that event appear in her mind, long suppressed by her growing mind. No one spoke to me about it. I never told anyone. Not even my sisters. Goosebumps form around her arms, and she searches the book for Section 2.13, eventually finding it past a section describing Huey.
Section 2.13
Author's Notes: This memory of the subject is suppressed. This comes as a defense mechanism instilled by her conscious, as otherwise the trauma would have been too much to bear. I take care not to trigger any flashbacks when I speak about this matter to the subject, as it still brings her much pain. I collected this memory following several months of coaxing, a privilege afforded to me because of our special relationship.
Florina wasn't always a shy, reserved human being. Long ago, she was an outgoing, adventurous young girl. But, one day, that all changed. Someone that Florina trusted, either a teacher or mentor figure (I never understood which), took advantage of the young girl in ways that were outright vile. This sexual abuse greatly affected her and stuck with her subconsciously even as her mind shut the memory away.
She never looked at men the same way. In her subconscious, every member of the male species represented a potential threat to her wellbeing, resulting in fierce, uncontrollable anxiety. Naturally, due to her inability to speak to half of the human population, her self-confidence fell to unfortunate levels, compounding her social anxiety. Unable to function in the world on her own, she grew to rely on the strength of friendly actors, whether it be her sisters, wing commander, or Lyn. If her current situation persists, she will never become solely self-sufficient...
Florina stumbles back, a headache taking hold. Flashbacks of that terrible event streak across her mind. She sees the hollowed interior of the schoolhouse, the white blanket of snow outside the cracked windows, and the chalkboard displaying simple addition. Although these sights give her an unforgettable sense of dread, it is the feelings of helplessness that truly toyed with her emotions. Her heart drenches itself in a sludge of despair, and tears well in her eyes. After lingering on her face like an icicle fighting gravity, it falls, landing onto one of the pages of her profile.
Although it would be easy to say Florina is doomed to forever be reliant on others, further analysis and experimentation reveals a brighter future for the Ilian knight. Unlike other subjects in similar studies, she has many things going for her. She's blessed with an impeccable support group in her family and Lyndis, possesses a work ethic standard among her class, and more importantly, a will to change. These gifts outweigh her inability to articulate her feelings, her social awkwardness, and mental trauma. If effort is efficiently afforded to her symptoms in the form of counseling and other aids, she can blossom into a more outgoing, confident version of herself.
A silver lining in the wave of bad news. Unable to stomach any more intrusive information on her life, Florina flings the book across the room. This shocks Erk, who was reading from a database detailing important geographical features across Elibe. He scurries over just as Florina collapses onto the ground.
"What's wrong?" He asks while consoling her. "There's so much knowledge here...what did you read?"
Florina stammers on her speech. "I...I-I...I..."
!
Suddenly, an unfamiliar voice appears behind them. It speaks with an antiquated accent, much like that shared by older nobles at court. "My oh my...that's no way to treat our literature, my guests."
Florina stops sobbing, and Erk is the first to rise from the ground. He makes for his tome, but their intruder acts quickly. The mage is violently forced onto the wall as a black tentacle penetrates through his shoulder. Florina can only draw her sword as she catches a glimpse of her opponent for the first time.
He's a butler, or at least a being with the form of one. A tanned, well-groomed male, his suit lacks a single wrinkle on its fabric. Likewise, his face possesses no blemishes, reminding Florina of a Bernese courtier that visited the castle long ago. All of these features come as a strong juxtaposition to the half dozen black tentacles extending from his back, of which possess a strength far superior to several men.
The tip of Florina's blade shakes, her nerves uncontrollable. Noticing this, oddly enough, the butler's expression softens. He says softly, "Oh, I see my behavior has terrified you. Forgive me, miss. I do not intend to kill Erk or hurt you, but I'm afraid his actions have sent me into a bit of a tizzy. Had I not subdued the mage, he would have engulfed me in a curtain of flames."
Florina calms her breathing, and although her shakes don't leave her, they dissipate to the point where she can grip her sword serviceably. She whimpers, "I...I-I don't know who y-you...are...b-b-but..."
The butler frowns, "Ah, you never overcame your stuttering issue, have you? Well, my master won't have that..."
"...huh? Eeeeek!"
A tentacle reaches out and wraps her tightly around her arms, forcing her to drop her sword. Another tentacle reaches over to grab a cloth from the butler's pockets. It presses it onto her face, and the knight's hit with an unshakable drowsiness...
She falls into unconsciousness within seconds. Upon realizing his success, the butler does the same with Erk, knocking him out as well. Content, the butler can only smile.
"Ah, the uses of chloroform. My master will be pleased..."
Some time later...
Florina opens her eyes, her vision catching little more than absolute darkness. She tries to move, but like her earlier situation, she's completely immobilized, but this time she sits on a chair. Her mouth is gagged with rope, though thankfully, her nose is free to take in air.
Fear encapsulates her heart again, but she swiftly gathers her bearings as she uses her other senses to get a feel for her surroundings. She notices the echoes that bounce off the walls at the lightest sound, the dry taste of the air, and the relative warmth on her skin.
I mustn't lose myself. She thought. Lady Lyn is counting on me! The others need me! I have to stay alive and get away!
"...The rivers...they flow free. Red roses...are everywhere to see. This world...is all of us. It's made...for you and me..."
That voice, Florina recognizes it as belonging to the butler. Her body tenses up in preparation.
"...La la...ah. What am I doing? You can never be a singer, Piret. Master would never let me leave on my own accord. It's a shame, really. I can easily pass off as a human, and my voice has the talent to springboard me to the most prestigious of theaters in the land. Yet, here I am, looking after my master's lost cause."
The lights switch on, catching Florina off guard. Her eyes blink once, and she's baffled. Despite her intuition telling her she is in a big room, in actuality, she's located in a small room, and it has a therapeutic aura around it. It's comfortable and pleasantly furnished, with a long, fluffy sofa, alongside a fireplace radiating warm light. The burning flame makes little sense to behold, as Florina hadn't seen it when the lights were off.
The butler appears in front of Florina, having stepped forward away from her field of view. He's wearing the same outfit he had before, with the noticeable difference of possessing no tentacles. He has a pot of tea in his grasp, alongside two cups standing on china.
He clears his throat. "Hello, I don't think we had the privilege of formally meeting. My name is Piret, esteemed servant to the master of this house. Please, relax while I remove your binds."
Piret puts the tea set down on a nearby table and clears through Florina's ropes in several seconds. Once he's done, he takes a step back and picks up the set again. Meanwhile, Florina stands idle in her newfound freedom, her confusion and fear taking hold.
"Please...sit. We cannot begin until you do."
"...W-w-where a-am I-I? W-Who...a-are y-you?"
Piret looks at Florina and sighs. "I was instructed to not answer your questions, unless your words are articulated without a stutter. I will answer anything with absolute liberty if you do."
He motions over to the sofa again. "Please sit. The faster you do, the faster you can leave. I have tea to settle your nerves."
Florina pauses for a moment, but the combination of her helplessness compounded by Piret's polite tone convinces her to oblige. She sits on the sofa opposite Piret's own chair and takes a cup of tea. The display causes the butler to raise his brow.
"A sudden burst of confidence? You didn't even ask if I poisoned the tea."
"...If...you wanted to k-kill m-me...y-you would've d-done it a-already."
A smile appears on his face. "A rather perceptive one, are you? Now, let's begin. I'm sure you're confused about your presence here?"
"W-Where am...I?"
Piret shakes his head and reveals a small mirror from his suit. "Bad attempt. Here, take this hand mirror. Slow your speech down. Focus."
Florina takes the mirror and looks at herself, focusing on the lips. It takes her several attempts, but eventually she succeeds. "Where...am...I?"
Piret claps his hands together, elated. "Technically, you're deep in the second level of this temple. But, in actuality...well, think of it like this. You're in a special realm located in a peculiar subspace. We call it the void."
The void...Florina thinks. I recognize that name from somewhere, but where?
"Now, to your next task. Please repeat to me this: Sally sells seashells by the seashore..."
"Why...a-am I...h-here?"
Piret lifts his finger to his lips. "Remember, I can't answer any questions for you if you can't say it to me clearly. Communication is a very important thing in society. Master it."
"Why...am I here?"
Piret nods approvingly. "My master has instructed me to put you and the other three guests through a test. For you, you pass if you can share a complete conversation, with me, a man. The others have a test as well, though of differing subject matters."
Three others?!
Piret looks over to his side at a single fire tome resting on a desk. "You should feel lucky. Unlike them, my master ordered me not to kill you if you fail. But, you and they do stand to gain something if you succeed. If at least three of you pass your tests, I will grant you enough medical supplies to heal your party."
His gaze rests back with Florina, his golden eyes cutting through her soul. "Though I don't want to pressure you, as of right now, only half of the guests have passed. You represent the last test needed to save the lives of your friends. Act wisely, and quickly. Otherwise, they may bleed to death. What a...massive waste of human life."
The pressure falls heavily on Florina's ability to speak, and her heart skips a beat. Her breathing intensifies, and her blood runs cold.
Piret says, "Oh? A panic attack. We can't have that. Here, take another cup of tea. Calm yourself."
Florina downs the beverage down in one gulp. She composes herself and pushes through her labor again.
"Why...do you people know so much about me? About...us?"
"Very good progress! You see, we've had some eyes on your group for some time. My master in particular, has a special interest in you. Besides that, he desires to stop Nergal just like you. But...I must admit. He's rather meticulous."
"W-Who...uhm...who is your...master?"
"My master? His name is Kishuna. I'd tell you more, but he'd kill me."
Kishuna! Isn't that...the name...bah! Why can't I remember anything right now?!
Piret chuckles, "Anything else? I've had my fun with you, I think we're just about done."
"...Do...I have a chance? A...chance to...be...strong?"
Piret shrugs his shoulders and gets up. "That's up to you, fair child of Ilia. One cannot achieve self improvement without effort. But, I'm rather impressed with you. You managed to scrape together a whole conversation with me. It wasn't pretty, but I think I'll pass you."
A door appears on the far side of the room. It flips open, revealing a window into the outside world. Piret motions over to it with his gloved hand.
"You are free to go. Keep that mirror close and throw it into the lake. You will find that the crystalline fresh water will transform into a usable elixir."
Florina walks towards the door, keeping her head down to avoid eye contact. There's a hint of haste in her step, her soul eager to be rid of this nightmare. Just as she's about to reach it, however, a tentacle rests its rubbery end on her shoulder.
Piret's voice morphs into a demon-like version of itself. "Don't rest easy for too long, Florina. This is only the first part of our time together. Your friends will soon see why they should never take life for granted."
He pushes Florina into the door, and all becomes black.
"...Florina!"
Florina opens her eyes and meets the face of her liege. She's concerned and smiles when she sees the life in her friend. Overcome with happiness, Lyn embraces her in a hug.
"Florina! You're okay! Thank Father Sky and Mother Earth, everyone is okay!"
Everyone is okay?
Still firmly under Lyn's grasp, Florina looks around. She finds herself in the same spot she had woken up earlier, with Pent, Serra, and the others resting by the limestone wall. They look noticeably healthier, and their wounds are nowhere to be seen.
What...happened?
Florina hears a voice behind her. To her relief, it's Erk. "Hey, Lady Lyndis. You mustn't give Florina too much of your love. You might kill her."
"Oh! My apologies!"
Lyn releases her friend, and she allows herself to get another look at her surroundings. Almost immediately, she notices the additional soldiers which were not there before. She sees Legault and Heath standing tall, on the lookout for any threats.
Erk says, "Heh, you're probably wondering how they got here. They were separated during our fall down. Like you and I, they entered the temple, though they did so in an effort to find answers." He sighs and stares down at his hands. "They were caught, as were we. We all sustained tests that tested our will. They had me duel a powerful shaman, while Heath dealt with a deadly sniper, and Legault a heavily armored knight. I'm glad to see you survived. We all did."
Florina raises her voice to interject. "W-What? The...b-butler...told me..."
Erk raises his brow. "Huh? Did you say something?"
Florina's face turns cherry red with fluster. Eager to avoid conflict, she shakes her head. I'm probably just imagining things. She thought. Piret said that someone failed the test. But...that's not possible! Me, Erk, Legault, and Heath are all here!
...huh?
Florina catches the eye of Legault, who smoothly returns his gaze towards the lake that had recently turned into a body of blue liquid. It happens within an instant, and Florina wonders if he'd even looked at her at all. She finds herself questioning her reality, or at the very least doubting her senses.
"Did...he...just..."
Suddenly, Lyn jumps up from her sitting position, breaking Florina's train of thought. She points her finger towards the temple's front entrance, catching everyone's attention. "There! Someone approaches!"
Florina spots a black figure appearing in the air, beginning to approach them. It's floating and wears the same suit she'd just seen on one man.
Florina mutters, "Piret..."
Piret stares at the group below, far too high for them to pose any danger. The bottom ends of his suit stand still in the absence of wind, as does his gray hair. Then, without warning, he cackles.
"Mwuahahaha! I see you've returned to a state of health, my dear guests! My, won't you let yourselves in? It's rude to keep a host waiting!"
Lyn steps forward to confront the beastly butler. "You! Who are you?! Why are we here?!"
"Who am I? Why, I'm Piret. I'm surprised Miss Florina didn't tell you my name, but I digress. Regardless, I'm not entitled to tell you anything! Know that my master requires...a bit of flavor in his meals."
A collective gasp echoes through the group.
Serra cries, "Meals?! They intend to eat us?"
Erk shakes his head. "No, I doubt that. But they certainly don't have our best interests in mind."
Fiora says, "We don't have to obey this butler's wishes. We can stay here and wait for our allies to retrieve us. From the sound of it, they find joy in playing with their food. We must hunker down and prepare for battle!"
Upon hearing that, Piret waves his finger. "No no...we can't have that. Perhaps you...need a little beckoning. Ah, yes. Let me tell you this."
A mischievous smile cracks through his lips. "The liquid you drank from the lake was indeed an elixir. But, what you don't know is that we laced it with a special poison that will kill you within three hours. If you don't come in here and retrieve the antidote, I suspect a great deal of you will die. All of those who partook, anyhow."
He laughs again, and then a cloud of black dust surrounds his body. A vortex of debris encapsulates his whole being, eventually dissipating into nothing. He vanishes with it, leaving the group to process what he had shared.
A bead of sweat trickles down Lyn's brow, as it does for most of her friends. Erk suddenly feels very guilty for distributing the elixir to begin with, to which Lord Pent responds by patting him gently on the shoulder. "You didn't know," he says.
Erk curses to himself. "I didn't, but I should have."
Lyn gathers her bearings and grips the hilt of her sword. She looks back towards her anxious subjects, of whom are waiting to be led. They have somber expressions, none wanting to leave the earth so soon.
"We'll have to enter the temple, then. Everyone, stay together. It'll be tough, but...I think we'll all be okay. Trust in me, and I will trust in you..."
