The air was heavy with the familiar scent of incense. While the other participants didn't seem to be too bothered about it, it took Morgan every ounce of her willpower to not start coughing uncontrollably. She would never get used to that blasted smoke.
The Voice of Naga was seated at a throne that appeared to be shaped from a huge oak tree. It did not bear any indication of being carved; it was as if the tree itself had just naturally grown into its current form.
As for the Voice herself, she was a true beauty with the appearance of a young woman no older then the bluenette herself. Not unlike Lady Nah, the Voice too had light green hair and pointy ears that marked her as a manakete. Her composure was calm and relaxed as if the presence of the Ylissean delegation was nothing more then a casual visit of old acquaintances.
Libra was in the process of holding his formal speech.
''Voice of Naga! Blessed be your mother who gave this land life! Blessed be you who shepherd us since time immemorial! We beseech you once more to judge us and see if the Exalted line is worthy of your mother's blessings!''
The voice rose from her seat and took her time to observe all the those present before kindly gave her own reply.
''Peace Libra. We are all children of Naga here. No, need to be so formal, we're well pass that.''
Libra bowed towards the voice as one might expect of a servant towards their master.
''Your honour me with your kindness your holiness. But you're a true daughter of Naga and it's only fitting that we speak to you as such.''
The voice gave a resigned sigh.
''As you wish but do refer me by my name. It gets tiring to hear that title after a few hundred years.''
The Voice then yawned. It was clear that she had not fully awakened from her slumber. Eager to move on, she turned away from Libra and towards the rest of the delegation. Her gaze quickly fell on Morgan, who in her royal attire was not hard to spot. The Voice smiled at the sight of her and began to approach the younger woman.
''My…Princess Lucina! Last time I saw you, you were but a little girl! My…my you have grown into a fine and beautiful woman…No wait something is…''
The Voice stopped. She stared intently at Morgan as if trying to read the bluenette's every feature before mumbling.
''No…You're not princess Lucina…and yet I sense something…''
Her grandfather interrupted the Voice mutterings.
''Tiki, may I present to you my granddaughter and heir: Princess Morgan. We have come to seek your blessings in matters of her being my successor.''
The Voice seemed surprised at this before quickly collecting herself.
''Pardon me, I afraid I have yet risen from my slumber. Chrom, it is good to see you again, but forgive me for asking I had expected princess Lucina would be your heir?''
Her grandfather's expression grew dark. He leaned towards the manakete whispering.
''Tiki please, can we speak about this latter in a more private environment?''
Remembering their current formal setting, the Voice quickly readjusted herself and returned her attention towards Morgan. Her expression unreadable and her composure guarded.
''You must excuse me I mistook you for someone else, but I believe that I'm not far off since you're the granddaughter of the Exalt. But I sense something else…''
Whatever the manakete meant to say she quickly dismissed it and changed the subject.
''Sorry I'm talking to myself. My name is Tiki, the so called ''Voice of Naga'', feel free to refer to me by my name princess Morgan, any family of Chrom is a friend of mine. But tell me, how may I be of service?''
Morgan hesitated. This was a bit more informal than she expected. She kneeled before the Voice and presented the heirlooms.
'' H-hear me, Voice of Naga. I bear proof of our sacred covenant. In the name of the exalted blood, I ask for the divine dragon's power. B-baptize me in fire, that I may become your true daughter.''
The bluenette's rehearsed sentence seemed to amuse the older manakete.
''My, my…So formal…did I not just tell you to use my name? But very well…By the grace of Naga, I acknowledge you as a child of the divine dragons. Rise and bear the proof of our covenant with…um…honour.''
Morgan felt a bit embarrassed by the Voice's casual disregard of the formalities. Nevertheless, she remembered her grandfather's request as she rose.
''Th-thank you your holi…I mean Tiki. But I have not just come to ask for your blessings. My grandfather has with great toil and effort gathered the five gemstones of the Fire Emblem. We ask you to complete it and unlock its true power.''
Tiki seemed surprised and impressed as Morgan presented the bag containing the stones.
''Those stones have been lost since the great sundering. I'm glad that they are finally found. It would be my pleasure to place them in their proper place, so that the seal might be strengthened, and the great devourer remain undisturbed.''
The manakete took the stones from Morgan and proceeded to carefully place them in their respective sockets. She mumbled a few words in an unknown language for each one, as she did each stone briefly shone before making an audible click. As the last stone was placed, Tiki took the shield and made a motion to return it to Morgan but stopped as the shield began to glow.
''Strange…This had never happened befo…''
A sudden light erupted, blinding everyone present. Morgan blinked several times to regain her vision, but as the darkness receded, she noticed that she was not at the mountaintop anymore. Instead, she was alone in a misty area with no end in sight. Confused she looked around to find anyone but was unsuccessful. She then looked at herself, she was still clad in her ceremonial outfit and had both shield and the sword at her side.
''Fellblood…''
Startled, Morgan turned around to localize the source of the voice but was unable to see anyone.
''Fellblood…Why have thou come? Far away are thou from thy birthplace and thy kind are my foes of old. Why have thou come to my resting place? The heart of my domain?''
Morgan began to feel nauseous. It was as if the voice caused her pain and discomfort. Instinctively she felt a great anger within her swell and lashed out in unintended rage.
''Who are you!? Show yourself!''
The mist in front of her began to swirl and slowly take shape. Morgan could vaguely see that it took the form of a woman.
''Are thou not the one who is in my domain? Is it not custom for the guest to state their name first? But very well…I'm Naga, first of the Divine Dragons and Goddess of this land.''
The mist had now taken a clearer shape, and a woman not unlike Tiki in appearance now stood before the bluenette. Morgan could feel herself calm down. Part of her knew that she should throw herself down in submission before the literal deity of Ylisse, but there was an inexplicit defiance that burned within her that made her stand her ground.
''And I'm Morgan, granddaughter of the current Exalt Chrom.''
Naga did not seem to take offence of the bluenette's insolent behaviour. Instead, she merely looked at the young mortal with a neutral expression before it changed into one that was laced with pity.
''And thou are also a daughter of the Fellbloods. I know thy heritage. I sense it within thee. Thy very being rejects my presence. Thou are unnatural, the union of opposites.''
''I did not choose to be born like this.''
''No…Thou did not…And neither had thy mother much to say in that matter. By malice thou had been conceived and I fear with malice thy life's purpose shall be…''
Morgan could feel herself growing angry once again at the unfair accusation.
''I intent no such thing! All my life I have been treated different because of my blood. Ylisse or Plegia! Whatever my origins may be, it should not define me! I'll make my own purpose and my own fate!''
Naga looked sadly at her, as one might look at a cripple with no hope of recovery.
''Yet thou stand before me with defiance and unjust anger. Thy blood compels thee to this. I do not fault thee for that. My brother's hate runs deep among his chosen.''
''Your brother?''
''Aye…The one known as Grima. Headstrong that one always has been and slow to accept one's place. Yet I care for him still even if he might not remember it. Yet the path he has chosen is one of death and destruction, and so I remain his eternal foe…''
''Then allow me to help you! My grandfather intents to end this cycle once and for all!''
Morgan intended to elaborate her grandfather's plans but was interrupted.
''I know of thy grandsire's designs, and I judge them unwise. My brother's influence does not merely encompass his chosen. Had thou not wondered why Plegia is but a desert? He feeds on the land itself and shapes it according to his pleasure. It's not within my power to destroy him nor is it his to completely undo mine.''
''Is there no way that we can truly end him?''
''That force only exists within himself.''
Morgan did not really understand Naga's meaning but decided to let it slide.
''Then help us keep him sealed. Help us destroy his pawns, so that no one would ever attempt to awake him for another thousand years!''
Naga looked strangely at Morgan.
''And what about thee Fellblood?''
Any animosity Morgan felt about the Goddess, she forced them away from her mind.
Just the influence of my blood.
She knew what she needed to say to free herself.
''I forsake it! I forsake the heritage of my father! I forsake any obligation towards it! And I accept my heritage from my mother!''
She kneeled and presented the Fire Emblem and Falchion to Naga before continuing.
''Hear me, Naga! I bear proof of our sacred covenant! In the name of the exalted blood, I ask for the divine dragon's power. Baptize me in fire, that I may become your true daughter!''
Naga went silent, her expression unreadable before she gave the bluenette a sad smile.
''Bold words…Although it is not within my power to strip thee from Grima's blood. I acknowledge thee as a child of the divine dragons. As the first Exalt in times immemorial, rise and cleanse this land of evil!''
As Naga said the last words a strong wind engulfed Morgan. Unable to keep her eyes open, she was forced to close them and as soon as she opened them again, she was back at the mountaintop. Everywhere she heard frantic voices.
''Naga! Naga!''
''Blessed be! She appeared!''
Dumbfounded, Morgan turned towards Tiki, who appeared just as confused.
''I can't believe it…She appeared! Although I couldn't hear anything…Mother appeared! This hasn't happened since the time of the first Exalt!''
Morgan then turned towards her grandfather, who seemed lost for words.
Their entourage however couldn't stop shouting over each other.
''Exalt! Exalt! Long live Exalt Morgan!''
''The heirlooms! Look at the heirlooms!''
Morgan looked at Falchion and the Fire Emblem. Both items glowed with an unnatural light.
Something compelled her to take a few swings with the sword. Making a bit of distance from her grandfather and Tiki, the bluenette begun to swing the sword. It felt as light as a feather as did the shield, yet she could feel the power within the weapons.
Finally, she had been accepted.
Alright! Things are going forward now! Hope that you enjoyed reading this chapter ^^ I estimate maybe 4-5 chapters more before we reach the end.
As always thank you for reading ^^