{-Alfonse-}

"We're here!" Enn announced enthusiastically, practically twirling around the forest clearing. She had another lollipop out today and victoriously put it back in her mouth. "Dad gave up pretty much right at this spot."

This wasn't exactly a place that looked giving up worthy. It wasn't hard to get to, they didn't encounter anything besides wild animals (none of which were even harmful), and being so close to where Enn said her father was supposed to be going, it didn't quite make sense to Alfonse why to stop here. Or maybe he was just overestimating how little the excuse had to be for some people to simply give up.

Still, he chose to voice his thoughts. "Did your father ever say why he stopped here?"

"Nope! Just that he did," she replied brightly. "I guess Mom could've called him back or something else caught more of his attention, though. He didn't actually tell me about this until recently, which is kinda weird since he's always telling me new stories and several others had to be cancelled for one reason or another so it's not because he technically 'failed' it."

"I'm the only one having a bad feeling about this, aren't I?" Alfonse didn't even need her to reply to know what her answer was.

"Just you! I'm actually really excited. It's not every day I get to finish something Dad started, after all! He's done all sorts of awesome things. Like, it's kinda amazing just to think that he stood right here."

Alfonse knew who Enn's role model was, at least. Then again, she made it sound like the two of them spent quite a bit of time together.

"Now come on! This is no time to chicken out! The place he was supposed to go to shouldn't be too far." Enn didn't check the map or even looked around; instead bounding straight ahead. Alfonse somewhat reluctantly followed, knowing that it really would be a waste to turn back now (not to mention he still didn't have much of an idea on how he was going to explain his absence to Anna).

"What do you think is there?" Alfonse asked, if not just to avoid silence. He couldn't help the feeling that he shouldn't be here. Or at least wasn't supposed to be.

"I hope it's something exciting. You think there's treasure? Or, like, this really pretty but probably cursed pendant that we won't know is cursed until one of us puts it on or something?"

"The probability of running into either of those things are…practically impossible. Any treasure there might've been is likely gone by now, and there's not much reason to curse a random pendant."

"You're seriously the exact definition of 'no fun.'"

"Then you wouldn't be surprised if you knew how many other times I've been called that."

"Please tell me they were all from Sharena."

He shrugged. "Most of them at least—all of them at most. I've honestly lost count."

They walked through the forest for a while longer before coming to another clearing.

The clearing was obviously man-made, nearly a perfect circle marked by a shallow ditch. A small structure stood in the center, clearly in disrepair. It took Alfonse a moment to realize the whole area was decorated with statues of the artistic representations of the dragon gods Askr and Embla, whether it be painting on the structure or stone placed into the ground.

"I'm taking a closer look," Enn decided firmly.

"That might not be the best—"

And she was already going, completely ignoring him. He sighed and followed her.

Enn poked her head inside the structure. "It is really freaking dusty in here. It's also a lot bigger-looking on the inside." She stepped in cautiously and looked around. "So…what if I told you I recognized this kind of architecture?"

"I'd both be mildly surprised and extremely impressed," Alfonse answered honestly. "Because I do not."

"You wouldn't," Enn replied casually. "You look like the type of person who hasn't stepped a foot into Embla before."

"Well, you wouldn't be wrong."

"Also being the daughter of a pretty hard core historian has it's perks. I didn't just pick up stories from him, you know." She lightly traced one of the designs, brushing the wild plants that had made the abandoned structure its home. "Pop quiz time. How much do you know about Emblian religion?"

He was about to question her, but decided to just answer. "It's generally centered around the relationship of the dragon god Embla and the empire's first ruler, Thrasir. It builds on the belief that those descended from her line are direct links to Embla, resulting in most subjects' compliance to whatever the emperor or empress orders. The initial practice died out decades ago but the fundamentals are, theoretically, still followed by Emblians today."

"Must be why they like Veronica so much. Askr would never agree to putting someone her age on the throne." Her remark was off-handed and probably not meant to be spoken aloud. She was shuffling through some papers she must have found as she continued, "Either way, I think this is one of their old temples. Carvings and decorations match up." Enn turned to him, handing him one of the papers. "Can you make this out at all? I, despite having pretty sucky handwriting myself, cannot read it. You more or less grew up with Sharena so you're able to decipher awful handwriting, right?"

Alfonse gently took it from her. "Where did you find this? It's oddly well-preserved for being in a place that likely hasn't been touched in years."

"It was in a case under the floorboard." She shrugged.

He nodded, turning his attention to the paper.

"Is it legible?"

"Yes and no. Most of it just looks like someone compiled letters and claimed it was a word with meaning." He tilted it so then she could see, pointing to the words that made sense. "Did you find more like this?"

Enn handed him more papers. "Dozens. They all look generally the same, though."

"I'll send these to my friend and see if he can make out any of this." After all, Zacharias was Emblian—he'd have a better chance at knowing what it was than Alfonse did. "It might not particularly be what he's looking for, but it might still be able to help nonetheless."

"I'd make copies if I were you, too," Enn remarked. "Who knows what might happen to them. Plus, Dad could probably figure out something. With any luck you and your friend can get things done twice as quickly!"

"Yeah… Let's start back. It doesn't look like there's much else here."

(A/N: Hey, Sharena has good handwriting 50% of the time! It just depends who she plans on seeing it...)