The night had always brought back sour memories of the old days when she and her mother would run from her father. Bitter feelings of sorrow that they had no choice but to leave her brother behind. Anger towards her stepfather for treating her mother horribly. Hate towards herself for not being able to do anything. But most of all, helpless. Once more, she felt helpless. Mercedes looked up to the night sky of the Blue Sea moon with a distant gaze as she watched soldiers return to Aubin Territory.
The gates of the county opened, allowing the knights to come in. Soldiers hobbled and used each other for support as they were led to the medical tents that were set up. Mercedes hastily made her way there and saw Annette had arrived as well as Ingrid, Lysithea, and Sophia. Soldiers were taken to the tents and Mercedes made her way to her own but stopped for a moment to speak to Annette. The girl looked concerned, dazed. It was expected. After all, Caspar was recently found.
"Annie, how is...?" Mercedes kept her voice low as Annette smiled sadly at her.
"Caspar is stable now. He should be waking up soon. I hope..." Annette whispered as Mercedes looked at her worried.
"Don't worry." They two looked up to see Sophia winking at them from her horse, "All he needs is his songstress to sing. What was that song again...?" She thought for a moment, "Ah!" She grinned and clapped her hands together, "Oh, how I just love to clean. Clean the library room! Just takes a flash of light, and then it all goes boom! " she sang.
"AHHHHHHH!" Annette screamed as Mercedes chuckled with a flowery aura as her friend tried to strangle the doctor, but Sophia just giggled mischievously as she rode away.
Mercedes smiled and for a moment, Arisa's smile flashed before her eyes, and then Dedue and Sadi. And then Amir and Alexandra. The woman's light laughter slowly came to a stop as her gaze became distant again.
It was the year 1182 of The Blue Sea Moon. Today would have been Alexandra's birthday. Earlier that morning, as she quietly made her way through the hallways, she saw Rensen praying to the small statue of the goddess. He had whispered a small prayer and wished Alexandra a Happy Birthday.
"Oh! I nearly forgot!" Annette's voice brought her back to reality, "Rensen said that we needed to bring our relics in for repair shop soon!" She said and right at that moment a knight burst through the crowd, panicked.
"King Zander! King Zander! You need to hear this!" A kingdom messenger knight screamed as everyone was confused by what had suddenly happened.
"What is going on?"
The knights moved out of the way as a tall man of 6 feet and 2 inches, made his way forward. He has unruly blonde hair tied in a messy bun, cold brown eyes with some dark circles, and wore a silver-blue armor of a Blaiddyd Wolf Knight with the cape of a griffin rider. In his right hand held the lance, Gradivus, and on his waist was the sword, Mercurius. But what was most noticeable was his left arm. It was a prosthetic arm with rune carvings on it, and on the shoulder had a dark blue gem with vine-like carvings. Beside him stood Glenn, dressed in the armor of Mortal Servant, and Kuza on his left, dressed in his white lab coat, a purple and red scarf with embroidery patterns of Duscur. He held a twisted staff with a dark purple stone and Duscur runes craved on it. The knight scrambled to King Zander and bowed.
"My King! I-I bring shocking news!" The soldier said and Zander scowled at being called king but didn't say anything about it.
"What has happened that has you all shaken?" Zander said and from the side arrived Seteth with Flayn and the Knights of Serios.
"I-It's the Empire!" The knight said, "Are we under attack?" Zander said and the knight shook their head.
"No, your majesty! I-It's! Gerth, Ochs, and Nuvelle Territory have been taken over by a group calling themselves, The Black Flames! A new resistance group has formed to rebel against the emperor!" The knights and Zander looked at him shocked as well as everyone.
"Are you sure about this?!" Zander said, and the knight nodded frantically.
"Yes! They say the one leading this new group is a man claiming to be The Former Fourth Prince of The Empire, Chris von Hersvelg!" The knight said and Zander felt he was just slapped along with everyone else, "Beside him stands a man wielding The Sword of The Creator!"
"Wait, then that means..." Mercedes muttered then gasped, "That means Christian is part of the new rebel group!"
"... Have one of our spies checks." Zander said and turned to face everyone, "I am glad to hear that people are refusing to kneel to the emperor, but we must not celebrate yet! Mages and healers focus on treating the wounded. I need to make a call." Zander said and walked away with his friends.
"I remember Dimitri and Lestia telling us that Chris was alive but now hearing it..." Kuza said as they made their way to the watch tower not far from the gate and then to the war room.
"This should be a good thing though. If it is Chris and that man Christian is standing beside him, that means we have a chance now against The Empire." Kuza said as they made their way through the hallways.
"I'm glad to hear that but let's not keep our hopes up." Zander sighed, "I'm pretty sure the news of such a fleet spread like a wildfire all over Fodlan already. I can only imagine how angry Edelgard must be right now." He said and they finally arrived on the top floor and opened the door to the war room.
"I'm telling you, Sylvain, Claude is ecstatic hearing all this!" That was Hilda's voice coming from the crystal ball on the table, "Look! How do you expect me to react to that news?! It means my theory was right!" Claude chimed as Sylvain just sighed.
"Hey, why are you all leaving me out?" Zander and Sylvain jumped as those on the other side went quiet.
"Ah! Your majesty!" Sylvain quickly turned around with a smile, but Zander just sighed.
"I told you not to call me that." Zander thought but spoke, "I see you got the news already, Claude." He said and walked up to the crystal ball, "Word travels fast."
"I mean, The Empire just got dealt a massive blow. Of course, the news is traveling fast." Claude said, "But I'm more interested in the person standing beside your friend. The last I heard of Chris was that he was in Nuvelle territory. So, chances are Ferdinand, Dorothea, Dominic, Constance, Balthus, and Pollux are also there with him." He said as Zander raised an eyebrow.
"If that is true then that means we have possible allies." He said as Claude nodded.
"Ugh! All this heavy talk is exhausting." Hilda said and Zander couldn't help but chuckle a bit, "Changing the subject, how are you all? It's been forever since we have spoken." The woman smiled.
"Other than fighting wave after wave of monsters almost every day, we are all tried." Zander sighed as he sat down, "The clue that gave us a leading to Dimitri led to a dead end." He said and Claude smiled bitterly.
"It's like we're chasing a ghost." Glenn sighed, "Part of me is starting to think he doesn't want to be found." He said and Zander took a deep breath to calm himself.
"How are things at the border?" Kuza asked and Claude frowned.
"The monster waves aren't bad here, but they have been increasing lately. Thankfully we hadn't had any attacks from Almyra recently so we should be fine for a while." He said as Zander nodded.
"More like they are also defending their borders." Hilda chimed, "The monster waves are also affecting them." That wasn't good.
"How's Doctor Robert and Edward?" The king asked and Claude smiled.
"Both are doing f—"
"HE'S OVERWORKING US!"
Zander covered his mouth to keep himself from laughing at the face Claude made as the archer turned to look to the right. He can imagine it already. Edward with a smug look as Robert shook his head. It's been a few weeks since Naga helped Hanneman and Robert escape the Empire. For their safety, Robert was taken to his father's home and Hanneman was with them.
"My friend, if ever need to quit, you can come work for us," Zander smirked and Claude looked as like if he just committed murder.
"HEY! Don't go trying to steal my employees!" Claude yelled as Hilda burst out laughing at them.
"But in all seriousness, how do you think Edelgard is taking this?" Zander said as Claude let out an amused chuckle.
"The only thing I can say is that I think she is fuming. One moment you think you are in victory and suddenly it is announced all over Fodlan that a rebellion has occurred, and they successfully took over not one but three territories! And it's the sibling that the entirety of Fodlan thought was dead. Add that a Champion of The Goddess is working beside them, and well, we're in for quite an interesting time, don't you think?" Claude smiled.
[— ]
Leaning back on his chair with his hands intertwined, an amused smile had formed on Claude's lips as now the stand-in King, Zander Alphonses Blaiddyd, gave him a displeased look.
"You almost sound like if this is a game..." Zander sighed, "Anyhow, I got some news from Leonie and Castor recently." Hilda, who sat on Claude's left scooted in a bit closer, "They noticed recently that an unknown individual has been going to the Frost Forest for some time." He said as Claude sat up a bit.
The Frost Forest.
A forest that has remained frozen and covered in ice, glaciers, and snow since the age of The War of Heroes. It is said that when Cirina was killed by Reigan, she transformed into a demonic dragon and flew to the skies. She flew north, where she unleashed an ice age on the land and cursed it before landing in the mountains between The Eastern Church and Edmond Territory. There, she breathed her last. The forest became frozen and life there ceased to exist. It is also where Lamine, Roman, and Blaiddyd built a temple and laid her to rest. Since then, the forest has always been a frozen land. Many who have gone there say it feels as if someone is watching them and they are suddenly overcome by an overwhelming emotion of grief, rage, and sorrow. Only those who were descendants from The Aubin House, Vernata, Hades, Maurice, and Baldr are not affected but the concentration of magic was there.
But the reason many people have tried to go into the forest was because of an old myth that Cirina left a treasure there. Ancient myths but no longer people even tried to go near it because those that dared with ill intentions were never seen again. Those who are not from those bloodlines, if they are lucky to return, are said to have gone mad. Plagued with nightmares and cursed till their final days, where they experience an agonizing heart attack and die painfully.
"An unusual amount of ice magic had been gathering in that area. It's a similar case to the Black Lake." Zander explained, "There have also been reports of strange sightings. In the words of Leonie, "Strange sightings of a place-skinned woman with sickly blue hair screams and chase out intruders out of the frost forest." He said and Hilda crossed her arms, with a skeptical look on her face.
"Should we have Marianne check it out?" Claude thought for a moment before he spoke again, "Thank you, Zander. I'll keep this information in mind." He said as the king nodded.
"I'll let you all know if we find anything else. Oh, and Claude." The Alliance leader raised an eyebrow, "You and the Deer...be careful." He smiled sadly as Claude was silent for a moment and nodded.
[—-]
The crystal ball shut down and Zander leaned back on his chair, rubbing his eyes. When Dimitri and Lestia disappeared, Zander took on the mantle of being the leader of the resistance. And with what Claude reported to him a year ago, Zander is now the stand-in king until Dimitri was found. Now he understood everything his father and grandfather went through when it came to doing the duties of a king, but it was a responsibility he would not run away from. During the past year and a half, he and The Leicester Alliance secretly allied to work against The Empire. Claude had been causing trouble to Empire from the shadows. Help from the Abyss has saved them so many times and it wasn't easy to get visuals of the kingdom due to Cornelia closing off the city. The war had just been in a stalemate and now hearing that resistance has formed in the Empire...Zander only prayed that it was his stepbrother that caused it. They haven't received any news from Ashe either. Now they had another situation...
Leif.
Leif was the second grandson of Chief Oleg who was sent to House Gautier as a political prisoner along with his brother Ivar, who was their youngest. The only difference between the two was that Leif had gone missing and Ivar was still with them. Leif had been showing hostility since the day they were sent to House Gautier. Despite being treated well and taught the Fodlan language, Leif was just not having. Not even Regina's presence would make him stop. Ivar at least understood the situation. Speaking of him…
"Has there been any news from Ivar and Lady Regina come yet?" He said as he looked up at Sylvain.
"They will be arriving back in a few days." Sylvain said and the group heard a knock on the door, "Enter."
"Hello." Sophia poked her head in, "I just wanted to let you all know that Caspar has woken u—-whoa!" She had never moved out of someone's way so fast.
Annette bolted out of the room and down the hallway, to the right, left, nearly crashing into a few maids, and finally arrived at the infamy gasping for air. Tharja raised an eyebrow seeing the little mage but just clicked her teeth as Noire as changing the bandages on Caspar's arm. Caspar looked up and his eyes went wide, unable to form words as Annette slowly walked up to him.
"A-Annette?" He said and before he knew it, Noire moved out of the way, and mage pounced on him.
"Caspar you're okay! Wwhhhhhhhhhaaaaa!" Annette wailed as she hugged him tightly.
Caspar didn't know what to do as the woman cried on his chest. The last memory he had was being swept by the mud and...Linhardt's face of despair and his hand reaching out to him.
Wait…
"Wait...Annette? W-Where am I?" He said as the girl let go of him, "Wait...I-I... the last memory I have was..." he placed his hand on his forehead and then, "LINHARDT! What happened to Linhardt and the others?!" He yelled and looked around frantically.
"Caspar, shhh!" Annette hushed him gently, "I know you are confused but try to calm down a bit. You have some pretty bad bruising on your left shoulder and back." She said as Noire nodded.
"Had I not cleaned up the blood I would have thought you were slashed by a sword." The archer said, but Caspar was just confused.
"I was!" Caspar yelled, "I was cut by a sword! A-And then there was a landslide, and I was swallowed by it! A-And... And!" It was hard to describe, "I SWORE I HEARD THE PROFESSOR'S VOICE!" He said looking at a nearby mirror and turning his back to face it.
Where he was cut by the assassin was now a thin scar, but the bruising was horrible as if rocks were thrown at him.
"Hmm...Not surprising." Tharja said as those in the room turned to look at her, "The Professor has always been... someone overly protective of those she cares for. It's a good thing you carried the pin she made with you." She held up a Black Eagle brooch with two cracked gems, "She placed quite a powerful protection charm on it." She grinned.
"Are you saying the brooches the Professor gave us are...protection charms?"
Tharja turned towards the door to see Ingrid, Mercedes, and Sylvain along with the rest. The woman only clicked her teeth as she picked up the syringe and walked up to Caspar. The man didn't even get a chance to say anything when she injected the medicine into him.
"Ow! You could have given a warning!" Caspar said as Tharja chuckled darkly and walked back to the table.
Zander watched as the former students started to chat among themselves but unfortunately, the moment had to be interrupted as he knocked on the doorway wood. Everyone turned to look at him as he walked in.
"Hello, you're Caspar, right?" Zander said and the boy squinted to look at him.
"You're...Are you related to Dimitri and Lestia?" Annette smacked her forehead as well as Sylvain while the others were just gobsmacked, except Zander.
"We didn't get to meet properly at the ball a year ago. But I'll introduce myself." Zander said and smiled a bit, "My name is Zander, the current regent of Faerghus. You're probably still confused but I'll clear some things up for you." He said, "Annette found you outside of the north gate of Aubin County covered in blood and mud. Can you explain to us what happened?" He spoke.
"I...I don't know how I got here. But...Ashe, Petra, Linhardt, Bernadetta, and I had escaped from Gerth territory." Caspar began to explain his story and Zander became still as everyone listened, "W-We planned for months. Waited for the right moment to break out Petra from the tower and...and we found a temporary solution to purify the contaminated water. T-Then we broke out and we were all attacked by assassins!" He said as Zander nodded slowly.
"The last thing I remember is that Linhardt was about to get cut down and I jumped in front of him, taking the hit. And...it was raining, a landslide came down and I pushed Linhardt away, and... that's when everything went black." He whispered as he hung his head and Zander nodded.
"Thank you. Caspar, you are in Aubin County of the Tailtean Plains. I'm sure you know what that means, right?" Zander said and Annette looked at him horrified.
"Oh, don't worry!" Caspar said and pounded his fist on his chest, "I've already branded a traitor of the Empire anyway because I and the others ran away! Also, I can't stand by Edelgard. Not after everything we've been through." He said and Zander let go a small sigh of relief.
"Oh! Umm..." the young man scratched his cheek, "While we were there, we found out Lady Rhea is being held prisoner In Enbar." A gasp filled the room instantly, "Also...we think...Lestia may be there as well." Zander sucked in his breath.
"I heard they are being kept in a place called, The Towers of Solitudes."
[—]
Hai drummed her fingers on the table as she looked at an old text of The Scripts of Serios. There were many things she wanted to spit at but there were some points given. Still, a lot of the words said made her cringe. Still, she didn't blame Rhea. But of course, that doesn't excuse her actions. But right now, she was just bored. Of course, her wandering didn't stop her from traveling around Fodlan, helping its citizens. Unfortunately, it has now spread a new rumor that a new Saint has been born and she is being called, Saint Micaela, which was ironic because that was her Nabatean-Agarthan name. It had been so long since she had been called her old name.
"Sigghhhh..." She sighed and heard thread and needle being moved.
She looked to her right, and about a table away was the mysterious dragon named Naga. She's not the Divine Dragon Naga, but whoever the woman was, it was interesting seeing her use the name. Naga hummed a small tune as she sewed away. But the tune, Hai smiled slyly as she stood up and walked up to Naga then sat in front of her. Naga stopped and looked up.
"It's a pity I can't see her face. She always wears that mask." Hai thought as Naga stared at her.
"Can I help you?" The woman asked and Hai smiled as she rested her elbows on the table and then her chin on her knuckles.
"So...A Hel Dragon." Hai began, "I haven't seen one of your kind in 2000 years."
"I don't know much of my origins. All I know is that Master Emily found me in the woods and took me in." She said and Hai raised an eyebrow.
"Huh...Well, since I can tell you are a chickling, I'll enlighten you a bit." Hai said, "Hel Dragons originate from the realm of the dead, the underworld. They come to guild the souls of the fallen and bring down judgment on those who ran from their sins." She said as Naga listened closely.
"But I sense Nabatean blood runs through your veins...as well as the blood of someone who was blessed by The Death Sovereign." She said as Naga rolled her eyes behind the mask.
"Right." Naga sighed as she went back to see but suddenly froze for a bit.
The door to the library opened and in came Flayn, running to Naga with an excited look on her face, but most of all, a letter in her hands.
"Ignatz'a letter finally came in!" The girl said excitedly and sat down next to Hai, "I have been waiting for ages!" She said as she began to peel off the wax seal.
Hai leaned in a bit as Naga continued to sew.
Hello! I hope you are doing well, Flayn.
During these past two years, I have been working as a knight in Gloucester territory with Raphael. Things have been slow lately. Other than traveling back and forth delivering messages, it seems as of lately many have had their eyes on The Frost Forest. We have had our fair share of running into Agarthan and Imperial Soldiers. Many have tried to infiltrate the place and some even tried to burn down the wheat fields. Thankfully we have been able to put a stop to them, but it hasn't been easy. I hope you and everyone are okay. We have been keeping a lookout for any signs of Dimitri, Dedue, Sadi, and Lestia. Unfortunately, the only ones we have found are camps of imperial soldiers destroyed beyond recognition. Being near the place, Lorenz and Marianne can sense some sort of dark magic behind it. We all thought at first it was a mage but that doesn't seem to be the case. I'm sending some pictures of the markings left in the hope they can help you all.
I hope you are doing well Flayn. Be safe.
-Ignatz
Flayn smiled bitterly as she finished reading the letter and her smile turned sad seeing the dried pressed flower the artist had centered. It was a dried tulip. Naga stopped and looked at the flower, cocking her head a bit before she spoke.
"If my memory serves me correctly, that flower means love." She said and Flayn's ears turned red, "I may not have much memory of the past, but I remember there was someone who used to gift me tulips." She said as they looked at her, "I hope you and the boy become closer."
"Thank you, Miss Naga." Flayn smiled shyly.
Naga didn't know why but she suddenly patted the girl's head. This shocked Flayn because the kind gesture reminded her of... she stopped herself from thinking more.
"Apologizes." Naga said as she removed her hand, "You remind me of someone. Someone...No... you..." The woman suddenly felt a sharp pain in her head, for a moment, the images of three young girls and a young boy passed through her eyes but she could not see their faces at all.
"Pardon. I must leave." Naga quickly stood up and scurried away, but Hai's eyes became half-lidded as she covered the small smile on her face.
"A scent of wild dandelions and pine tea...Fate sure has a way of bringing miracles to the world..."
"Oh, she forgot her handkerchief," Flayn said as she picked up the light green cloth piece and blinked seeing the half-sown pattern on it. It was a beautiful pattern that she had seen in a few of the doodles Claude would do during class. Plus, there were a few flowers she had never seen before on it. The wild dandelions she recognized but the others. Hai just smiled and did a little tap on the table to grab her attention.
"Say Flayn, why don't you finish it?" Flayn looked at her puzzled.
"Let's just say, she will appreciate it."
[—-]
Naga staggered to a corner and took deep breaths to calm herself. Her breathing was haggard, and a bit frantic after that sudden flashback. She hadn't had one in a while. Began to count to herself, "One, two, three. Three, two, one. One two three." A few times till finally, her breathing calmed down. She composed herself and stood up straight before she decided to head to the training grounds. Only fragments of her memories returned. She remembered she had a family, a family she knew as a child but what happened to them, she did not know. She had an older brother and an older friend. She would travel a lot but did not know where she would. And that she originates from beyond the borders of Fodlan. That was all she remembered until now she remembered the blurred faces of three young girls and a young man. She felt...empty. Like, there were fragments of her missing. Naga let go a sigh as finally made it to the training room and stopped.
"Alright, put your back into it!"
Jeralt had not changed over the past two years despite everything he and his people had been through. The former knight was currently training the ones called Felix, Ingrid, Sylvain, Glenn, and Zander. The group charged at the knight but despite his old age, he wiped the floor with them. Naga leaned on a pillar and watched them. From the benches, sat Mercedes, observing them, and the young boy called Henri (Jonathan), who was now twelve years old. The boy cringed at how strict Sir Jeralt was, even stricter than his daughter. Sylvain charged at the knight and then spun his lance only for Jeralt to turn his body and raise his leg, kicking the training lance out of his hands before punching him in the stomach. With Felix, the sword user roared, jumping in the air, and brought it down on the man. Jeralt had managed to jump out of the way on time before using that opportunity to lunge at Felix and pin him to the ground. After Felix was forced down, now Ingrid and Zander remained along with Glenn.
"Whoa...Has Sir Jeralt always been this brutal when training?" The boy, Henri Jonathan Hersvelg, gulped as Ingrid was taken down along with Glenn.
Only Zander remained and he was putting up a pretty good fight against the former knight. But then Jeralt used the combat arts, Frozen Lance. Jeralt's lance made an impact on Zander, who had quickly put it into a shield position to protect himself. The regent grunted and gritted his teeth, taken by surprise by just how strong Jeralt was as he was pushed back. Jeralt grunted and stepped back as Zander stabbed the lance into the ground and kneeled, gasping and panting for air. His arms were trembling from the amount of force that was used. Jeralt looked at everyone that was on the ground, groaning.
"You and you." He pointed his lance at the regent and Ingrid, "You two fight too chivalrous. You're gonna get yourself killed quickly at this rate. And you three, " he turned to look at Sylvain, Glenn, and Felix, "You tend to rush in too quickly. But one thing for sure," the knight flicked his wrist to make his lance disappear then crossed his arms, " you all have strong teamwork. Honestly, I'm impressed." He said as they managed to groan out "Thank you."
"They taught you all well." Jeralt said as he helped them get up, "Zander, the way you fight, it's similar to the way your mother did." He said and Zander paused.
"That's a complaint, boy." Jeralt said, "Your father was brutal, but your mother was a different story. You take a lot after her..." He sighed and looked up to the sky with a distant gaze.
"Could you...tell me about her?" He said as Jeralt looked at him and nodded, "She was a griffin rider. A feared woman in the skies and someone who knew how to work in the shadows. She was the head of the Faerghus Assassins after Lady Cira and before your sister." He said and the group was too stunned to speak.
"The late queen...was the one in charge of the Assassins?" Glenn choked as Jeralt smirked.
"Your mothers worked with her, just to let you all know." He said and left, leaving the group stunned.
"WAIT, WE WANT TO KNOW MORE!"
"What do you mean our mothers worked with her?!"
"Interesting way of talking to them." Naga said as she managed to catch up to the knight, "Giving those kids a good whooping." Jeralt couldn't help but chuckle at her words.
"My daughters and son taught them well. Sigh..." Jeralt sighed, "It's rare seeing you here. You're usually in the woods." He said as the two stopped in front of the door that led to the kitchen, "Did you need something?"
"No. I just wanted to, you know, chat." Naga said, "You feel familiar. Perhaps we met at some point in time, and I don't remember." She said as Jeralt raised an eyebrow.
"Who knows? By the way, it's been bugging me but why do you keep your mask on?" He said and Naga touched it for a bit.
"Hmm...Emily said to No to reveal my identity till the day I truly remember who I am."
"How's that going for you?"
Underneath the mask, Naga frowned. "Difficult. I do remember I once had a family and a man I once considered an older brother. As well as a friend. I just recently remembered there were these three girls and a boy I used to know. Unfortunately for everyone I mention, I cannot see their faces." The woman sighed as they opened the door and went in.
The scent of food brought a pleasant feeling to the two, but they were a bit surprised to see Seteth there along with Xina. Xina looked up from her meal and waved.
"Good afternoon, you two! It's rare to catch you here." Xina said as Jeralt nodded and ruffled her hair a bit, making the woman try to smack his hand away but still giggled.
"When did you get here?" Jeralt said as the two sat down and Seteth sighed.
"This morning." Seteth said, "I went to Lake Teutates to meet a sibling of mine but looks like they want nothing to do with the war." He said and Naga looked at him puzzled.
"I was not aware you had siblings. I thought Flayn was your only relative, considering she is your daughter." Boy was Jeralt glad the servants and maids had left when she and he had walked into the place.
Xina managed to spit out her drink back into her cup as Seteth looked at the masked woman shocked. The advisor didn't know what to say as he was struggling to form words. He never once said anything other than to Jeralt and Arisa. Not even Xina knew so this must have been shocking news to her.
"If you are wondering how I figured it out, Flayn has the scent of earth, wild dandelions, and lilies. But you have a mixture scent of coffee and ink while Flayn has vanilla and cake. Also, you are very protective of her. And despite you having a different crest, I can smell your blood running through her veins." She said so casually that Xina was struggling to process what was just said.
"Naga, I highly recommend you do not say that out loud." Jeralt said and the woman looked at him confused, "Seteth has his reasons for pretending to be Flayn's brother." He explained and Naga just blinked.
"I see..., I understand." Naga nodded slowly, "She's a good kid. I like her. But I feel I have met her before..." the woman hummed and then looked at them all again, "Maybe I have met all of you at some point in my past. You all feel familiar." She muttered.
"I'm still over the fact that Flayn is Seteth's daughter!" Xina said and looked at the man, "You've known me since I was a child! Did you and Flayn not trust me enough?" Her lip quivered a bit.
"Xina, I understand how you feel but please understand that this was for our safety. Now that it has come to light that Rhea is The Immaculate One, as well as Crescent, is The Steel Dragon..." he sighed heavily.
"But only the main class and the professors know as well as Jeralt. Everyone else doesn't." Xina huffed, "But fine. You don't have to worry about me. Your secret is safe with me." The woman stabbed into her food.
"Wait." Xina suddenly stopped, "Rhea is a dragon and so is Crescent, so does that mean...?" Eyes were on Seteth now and the man put his hands in a praying position, rested his forehead on them, and took a long deep breath.
"Do not say anything about that either." He said and Naga let a small "Pfft."
"There's nothing wrong with being ashamed of being a dragon," Naga said as Seteth pinched the bridge of his nose.
"If you are wondering, I can no longer turn into one. Neither can Flayn." The advisor sighed, "We...have long lost that ability years ago." He said and underneath the mask, Naga smiled sadly.
"I think you should believe in miracles more."
— Empire: Enbbar —
CRACK!
Count Leopold von Bergliez and Count Waldemar von Hevring, had grave expressions on their faces along with the others as Edelgard trembled after slamming her fist onto her desk. A decent crack formed on it, most likely from holding back but even so, she wanted to destroy it. It's only been a few hours and word that Gerth, Nuvelle, and Ochs were taken over by her brother. Now that the Fourth Prince of The Empire was alive quickly spread like a wildfire and more so ever that a Champion of The Goddess was by his side.
"So the boy is alive..." Count Bergliez crossed his arms, "I must admit, I am impressed by his spirit. All these years he remained hidden till it was time." He said as Count Hevring sighed.
"The news that Gina is alive as well. They must have been gathering an army in the shadows. They wouldn't have been able to take over Gerth and the others without help." He said as Edelgard took deep breaths to calm herself.
"Henry, take your army to Gerth. You know what to do." Edelgard ordered as she kept taking deep breaths, "It is a small army."
"Yes, that small army should have been nipped in the bud years ago."
Everyone but Edelgard quickly pulled out their weapons and pointed them toward the door where Anacharis stood with a smile. All the woman did was raise her hand and touched the tips of Beleth's and Henry's swords, moving them a bit away from her face. Yet, she couldn't help but snort seeing the sword Beleth had. A bastard-styled sword modified into a relic so it may be compatible with the Crest of Serios. They used the last of the leftover bones of Parvati and Njord to make it. The sword seemed to almost hiss at her. Yet, even if he used the relic, The Sword of Serios was on his waist.
"What are you doing here Anacharis?" Edelgard said coldly as the woman walked up as the others lowered their weapons a bit.
"Why, I came to scold you." The Queen said as the Emperor raised an eyebrow, "You see, Edelgard," Anacharis walked up and placed her hand on the desk, leaning in with a half-lidded gaze and a frown, "You didn't listen."
The Emperor gritted her teeth as the Agarthan Queen pulled away and turned her back on her, then raised her hands and began to move them as if she was conducting an orchestra. She closed her eyes and spoke as Hubert, Henry, and Beleth placed their hands on their weapons. The other two counts were getting ready to fight yet the woman did not flinch one bit at the murderous intent they all had.
"I told you that if you ignored even the smallest detail, you would regret it. Now, look what has
happened." Her hands stopped mid-air and she simply glanced at her, "The Outworlder and your brother have become allies and now a rebellion has sparked."
"They are only a small army."
"Ah, but you see," Anacharis turned to her fully, "Even a small army can grow. That's why you should have killed that man when you had the chance. You had many opportunities while in the academy. Why didn't you?" Edelgard remained silent, "I do wonder if it was because there were too many eyes or something else?" The woman hummed.
"It is none of your concern."
"Is it now?" Anacharis hummed, "You see, this is why you humans are so fun." She smiled, "It's so interesting watching you all become emotional messes to pick apart." She laughed and pulled out a small book.
"You see Edelgard, what better way to destroy an Outworlder than to bring in something from their world." She said as Edelgard gritted her teeth, "I can unleash the pillars of light on them when I want."
"You dare do such a thing, you will kill us all. Fodlan can not be unified if it is destroyed." Edelgard said and right when Anacharis was about to speak...
"Oh, Persephone!"
The woman froze. The woman slowly turned around and looked out the door to see out in the hallway a maid and another knight talking to one another. The maid was holding a small book as the knight had his hand dramatically on his chest.
"Oh, Persephone my love! I wish to be with you! For I shall walk through the gates of hell and over to be with you once more." The knight said as the maid burst out laughing.
"Goodness! I didn't think you play along with me!" The maid laughed as the knight handed her back the book, "I'll be going now. Sorry to bother you."
"No, it's fine. I think I needed that small break." The knight chuckled and noticed the stack of books, "Taking them to the towers?"
"I feel sorry for the two women. They at least deserve something to do a thing to do after being locked up 24/7." The maid said and left as the knight waved.
Anacharis may look composed but that was the first time Edelgard saw any sort of crack in the woman's mask. It seems Hubert will have to investigate the name, Persephone. The Queen clicked her teeth and turned back to them with her usual smile.
"Anyhow, I'll hold back my warnings. For now." She empathized, "But you should know the moment the Sothis returns, I will be entering this fight. I'm going to sit back and see how things turn out. Bye, bye." And Anacharis's waved her hand, walking through a black portal.
The silence remained tense till Henry spoke.
"When can I kill the bitch?" He said and Beleth couldn't help but snort at the comment.
Not that he minded, he wanted to kill her too for trying to have one of her spies attempt to kill his mother. Hubert pinched the bridge of his nose as well as Edelgard, they were tried.
"Seeing that woman with Princess Claudia's face is unnerving." Count Hevring said, "Your Majesty, I must ask, is there any news on my son and Caspar?" He said and Edelgard shook her head.
"As of now, no. They have disappeared along with Petra, Bernadetta, and Ashe." She sighed.
"Not so." Henry spoke up and they all turned to look at him, it was rare to see him with his eyes open, "Fernindad and Dorothea are with your brother along with Petra, Ashe, Bernadetta, and Linhardt. The others there are also Constance, Balthus, Dominic, and the girl called Kama. Pollux, and Castor. The only one I did not see was Caspar." He said and the Count took a deep breath.
It may not look like but the count hoped nothing had happened to his son.
"I see." Edelgard muttered, "Henry, prepare our army. I shall go there myself. Beleth and the rest watch Enbarr." The remaining three bowed and Edelgard left with Hubert and Henry.
The silence was tense and Count Hevring spoke.
"Do you think our sons are well?" he said and Count Bergliez remained silent.
"They are strong." Beleth said suddenly, "Unfortunately...it seems they have chosen to take a different side." He said and walked past them, leaving them in their silence.
- Kingdom—
"Three."
"Two."
"One!"
"Argh!"
CRACK!
The earth around split into two yet the caster that caused it groaned in agony and fell to their knees. Seteth gasped for air hugging his stomach as the light brown scales on his cheeks dissolved to dust. He took a deeper breath yet each one felt like he was swallowing salt water. The burning sensation of even trying to use the spells he would use in his youth as a dragon felt like a hot iron was being burned into his veins. Seteth coughed and slowly looked towards the water puddle near him. The veins that were supposed to be recovering glowed a faint green around his neck. The man gritted his teeth and slammed his fist into the ground.
"Dammit!" The man cursed, which was rare, "I don't have time to wait..." he needed to heal.
He needed to recover. He...
"Rushing will do you no good."
The man suddenly snapped his head up and saw a familiar person walking towards him. Naga walked towards him in a swift motion, not a single sound left her steps as she made her way and soon stopped. She looked down, seeing the faint glowing of the veins on him. Naga had no business helping him. She only just started to speak to him. Even in the past almost two years they have met, she rarely spoke to him. Perhaps because the reality was that she was avoiding him and Flayn. Something about the two brought forth a strange feeling in her chest and always a sharp pain in her mind. It's why she voiced that she felt she knew them yet both told her they never met her. Naga crouched and studied the man as Seteth was trying to regain control of his breath. Her hand twitched, and she raised it, carefully towards his face. She stopped, looking at him as he looked back at her.
"Her eyes...they look familiar. Jade and...Sapphire." The man thought and flinched at her touch but she moved his head to the side a bit to look at his neck.
"...You have at least another three years till you properly heal." Naga muttered, "I'll help you a bit." And she leaned in a bit and placed her index finger right where she could feel his pulse.
Her eyes glowed and a crest symbol he had never seen before appeared. It looked similar to a flame but it had some sort of halo with seven points in it. Naga then pushed her finger on a pressure point, making Seteth scream in pain as his veins bulge. A faint trail of magic comes out of the tip of her finger and entered his body, making the veins glow faintly the same color as her eyes. Some sort of black smoke came out of his body. Seteth then pushed her away, making her look at his shock.
"What are you doing?!" He growled the woman blinked quickly before she got up, dusting herself off.
"I used some of my magic to burn away the remaining poison." She said and the man looked at her shocked, "Try turning your hands into claws."
Seteth looked at her like she was crazy but eventually did agree to it. He closed his eyes, took a deep breath, and let it out. He held up his right hand, imagining scales forming on his hand and his fingers enlarging, and his nails becoming longer. Naga watched as the faint glow of magic surrounded the man's hand and such actions he thought began to happen till it was completed. He opened his eyes and gasped, trembling to see his hand had turned into claws. It has been so long since he saw his scales, he had forgotten what they looked like. No, the fact that he could recover his dragon form...
"Your scales..." Naga's voice made him snap out of it, "Golden Black...they remind of a stone called Tiger's eyes." She said and held up her wrist, showing a bracelet made from said stone, "It will take another three years for you to fully recover your dragon form." Naga said as she cocked her head and Seteth made his hand return to normal.
"I must ask...just...what exactly are you?" Seteth said, "Hel Dragons once roamed the earth during the time of The Age of The Gods. During the War of Sun and Moon, a young man...he was my mother's friend, was thrown into the depths of Hel trying to avenge his lover. It was thousands of years after, during The War of Heroes, that he re-emerged. He was blessed by The Death Sovereign and was named the king and commander of The Hel Dragons. His name was Hades." He explained as Naga listened.
"Hades...the last time I saw him was when I was a child. And to see him again after so long, he refused to speak of what had transpired. I asked him about his lover, what had happened to her. He refused to answer. But he chose to follow my niece. After the war...he left Fodlan with a friend of his to Almyra. I know he founded the Illac clan and his friend's child married into the Almyran Royal family." Seteth sighed and the woman just cocked her head.
"So you are saying, I may be of his bloodline," Naga said and Seteth chuckled.
"It could be possible. There was...a woman that I knew who was his last descendant. She was...an amazing person. And...it was my fault I pushed her way. I admit, what I said to her...my distrust of her simply because she used to work for the Agarthans...sigh.." he sighed and looked away, "Apologizes for rambling...I should not burden you with this."
"I don't mind." Naga said, "You look like you are carrying a burden that is not your own. Perhaps speaking can help." She said and Seteth looked at her shocked.
Arisa had once said something similar in the past. By speaking and communicating with one another, people come to an understanding.
"If I may ask, what was her name?"
"Her name was Sandana."
[— Two Weeks Later —]
"Alright! Looks like we located a monster's nest. Or one of the lairs that they are coming from." Glenn said as pointed to the map Caspar drew, "Sacre Gwenhwyvar, the mountains separating Kleiman and Aubin territory." He explained, "I went out with Sophia and Tharja, and we confirmed that that is where the monsters are coming from. Some sort of dark magic nest was created to keep reproducing monsters." He explained and pointed to a specific area.
"If my theory is correct," Tharja spoke as she held her chin, "a dark magic core or nucleus was most likely created. We have to get to it and destroy it if we want to get rid of those monsters. Hmph. I haven't seen a magic core in years." She sighed.
"What are they?" Ingrid asked and Tharja hugged herself, gritting her teeth as the memory of her husband came into her mind.
"They are balls of dark magic condensed into the form of a stone. They use human and animal sacrifices to create a core that will endlessly reproduce monsters. Many years ago...My husband was a victim during a battle against the Agarthans. He was killed in battle. Months later during one of the missions to destroy a monster core, I learned he was used as the vessel to create it. I will never forget seeing him in such a state...I destroyed him myself so he may rest." She let out a shuttered breath as the heavy silence had befallen all.
"I'm sorry for your loss…"
"There no point in dwelling in the past…"
"For this group, I have decided that Sylvain will lead." Zander spoke, "Annette, Mercedes, and Caspar will join you." He said and they nodded.
"Wait, Caspar?" Noire said as she turned to look at the man wearing Fighter Armor, "It's been two weeks since he arrived."
"Think of this as a test to see how he works with the group," Zander said and ignored the glare Annette had given him.
"I don't mind!" Caspar grinned, "I'm more than happy to show you guys I'm here to stay! Still...I wish I could tell the others that I'm alive." He sighed and Annette looked at him sadly.
"I'm sure once we get in contact with Ashe, I'll let him know," Zander said as he dismissed the group.
"Are you sure about this?" Glenn said, "Wouldn't it be better for me and the army to go along with Felix?" He said as Zander rubbed his eyes.
"I have faith. I know they can do it. I would have sent Felix and Ingrid with them but I'm having them stay here for the next wave." He explained and Kuza sighed.
"I know this is a sudden topic change but I managed to get in contact with my friend of the Hydrangea clan." Kuza said as they turned their attention to him, "Looks like Kleiman has been trying to get into our over sea lands. It hasn't been successful thankfully but we don't know how long they can keep his men out. And looks like a wave of monsters has also been coming at them." He said Zander slammed his fist onto the table.
"That witch..." He growled, "Kuza, see if you can get into Duscur. I know you're worried about your family. Honestly, you shouldn't even be here. You're supposed to be the head of the clan in charge of Duscur." He said and Kuza smiled bitterly.
"And it's because I am the Head of my family that is precisely why I am here. After you and your brother proved the innocence of my people along with Emily, you all worked tirelessly to restore my lands and help my people. You all even went as far as paying compensation to rebuild the homes and help my people. Kleiman would have tried to chase them out of their homes but it was futile. He was only made temporarily in charge till Lestia would take over those lands. You all helped us. Now, it is our turn to help you. Do not be stubborn." He said and Zander let out a heavy sigh.
"But I must ask, what will you do should Dimitri be found?" Kuza asked, making Zander stare at him, "I'm sorry but this has to be asked."
"...I will return the throne to him."
"I'm sorry but that is a stupid reply." Glenn said, not caring that Zander glared at him, "Right now, the Faerghus Resistance looks up to you. You have been the one commanding our army, giving orders, and even going out of your way in your free time to listen and be with the people. Dimitri is my friend and like a brother to me," He said as he placed his hand over his chest, "But you are also my friend and family. I chose to follow you. I chose to be your retainer. The people of our land look up to you." He said and the regent looked down to the ground.
"Zander, I know you despise speaking this topic, but...will you really just give up the throne?" Glenn said and the first prince's jaw clenched.
"Glenn...I...Haaaa..." Zander chuckled bitterly, and rested his forehead on the palm of his hand, "I honestly don't know. I am a Crestless son of the late king, my father. The right to the throne has never been in my grasp because I was not born with a crest. It's now been nearly two years since the start of this war. And it's like you said..." he paused for a moment.
"The people look up to me."
"Then wh—"
"But what about the support of the nobility?" Zander blurted, "I may have the support of the main houses but what about the remaining nobles? What about the Church? They won't allow a Crestless man to sit on the throne. They only allowed my uncle to rule because I and the others were too young. No matter my achievements, I will still not be acknowledged because I do not have a Crest," He said and looked at him with a bitter gaze, "Are you telling me to fight my brother for the throne?"
"That is not what I am saying!"
"Well, it does sound like it!" Zander yelled as he abruptly sat up, "What the hell am I supposed to do?! I don't want to fight my brother! But being now the position of king, the position my Grandfather and Father used to sit on, made me realize things I wish I didn't!" He turned away furiously and looked out to the windows.
He watched as the citizens of Faerghus all gathered around on the sides, cheering and waving goodbye as the army led by Sylvain, Mercedes, Annette, and Caspar marched through the city to the gates. Women waved goodbye to their husbands as their children cheered with bright smiles. Mothers gave their sons and daughters handkerchiefs or scarves as good luck charms as they muttered a prayer. As the ones leading the army waved with smiles, people yelled out their words of encouragement. It was a beautiful scenery, a happy chapter before the story would take a turn for bloodshed. How many soldiers would return alive? How many would lose their husbands, sons, and daughters to monsters? How many people would they be unable to be recovered and forced to leave behind their bodies? What will their sacrifices mean?
Would….they be pointless?
"I wish to lead my people to a new dawn."
Amir's words suddenly rang in his head. He remembered a sad yet beautiful memory that happened during their time together in the Kleiman Mountains. The white snow looked like a blanket over the forest of winter birds chirping. The slow fall of snowflakes as she danced in the snow. Her bright smile as she sang a tribal song of her home. She stopped and turned to him, extending out a hand.
"Even if I no noble. Even if I have no crest. Even if I am alone. I will fight for all that is beautiful in the world. So Zander, just watch! I'll become stronger and stand beside you as your equal!"
"Even if you are not in line for the throne, you still have a duty you must do. And that is, protecting Faerghus."
"I realized what it means to be king." Zander said, "I questioned why I do not have a right to be king because I do not have a crest. I questioned why we have to follow a system that was created. I questioned what was it that made my father so passionate. I asked them questions I shouldn't have to my uncle regarding his relationship with my father. I...asked myself...why can't I have a chance?" His lip trembled as his friend looked at him shocked.
Zander gritted his teeth and looked at Glenn bitterly.
"I am questioning...should I really give up the position I am in, just because I wasn't born with a crest?" He said and Glenn looked at him shocked.
No, there was something about Zander that suddenly did not feel right. Kuza must have felt it too because he instinctively put his left hand behind him. The dark look that swirled in Zander's eyes reminded Glenn that his friend was Blaiddyd. Even if he had not crested, the inhume surge of power that would ignite when they were emotionally unstable, was still there. Glenn looked to his right and narrowed his eyes to a potted plant near the window. It wilted...as if the life was drained out of i—
"COUGH!"
Zander suddenly coughed, quickly covering his mouth with his hand but no sound would escape the ears of a Faldarius. A single "drip" sound made the man suddenly appear in front of his king, and grabbed his wrist. His pupils had turned into his crest, making Zander look at him in shock as he forcefully removed his hand. There, he saw it. Zander's lips were covered in blood as well as his hand.
"How long?" Glenn said in a low tone as Zander looked away, "How. Long?" He repeated.
Zander reminded silent but could feel Kuza's and Glenn's glares boring into his soul. He took a deep breath and motioned his head to be handed a napkin. Glenn clicked his teeth and grabbed it, then handed it to him.
"1180 on my birthday." Zander muttered softly, "I told Emily to keep it a secret." Glenn was about to yell at him but Zander raised his hand for him to stop, "She told me..."
"Just hold on a little longer. Soon you'll learn why."
"That's it?" Glenn raised an eyebrow, "That's all she said?"
"You know how Emily is. She's always been the mysterious type." Zander sighed as he wiped his lips, "I've been taking medication since that day." He said and waved his hand to reveal a small glass potion bottle with pink pills inside, "She made a supply that would last me five years."
"That far ahead, Huh." Kuza sighed, "But in all seriousness, Zander, what will you do?"
"I always saw myself as someone that would stand by Dimitri's side when he is king." Zander muttered as he turned to look out to the city, "Now, I don't even know if he or my sister is alive. Caspar said it is rumored that she is imprisoned in Enbarr. Dimitri, no matter how many leads we have, they all lead to a dead end. And now...if he truly is alive, a divide will occur. Those that support me and those that do not." He said and looked over to the gates of Aubin opening.
"Everyone...please come back alive...Please..."
[—-]
Two weeks had passed since they left and they would be arriving in the woods. The roads that were once clear were now muddy and filled with creators from the constant battle against the wave of monsters. Black mud would sometimes seep from the cracks left. Rufus decided to join last minute. Mercedes rode her horse, dressed as a Holy Knight, yet she subconsciously looked up to the sky. Her gaze became half-lidded as if she was expecting Arisa, Amir, and Alexandra to be flying above them. Hyper was gone. Red Hare, Puka, Falco, Blanca, and Heresvelg all disappeared after the academy invasion. Feh was with Ashe, she hoped they were okay. Even her brother Emile was gone. Where had he disappeared to?
Was he safe? Was he okay? Was he eating well? Did he feel guilty for what had happened? Did he impose himself on a self-exile? So many thoughts and emotions wandered through Mercedes's mind but what made her hold her arm in nervously was...the image of Mila Lamine. Sylvain and Mercedes were still haunted by that day two years ago. The day they met their ancestors in battle. It was the most frightening experience she had ever felt. The aura and magic power flowing through Jose Gautier and Mila Lamine were beyond anything they ever felt. It felt suffocating as if their very being was choking them. The way Jose Gautier used The Lance of Ruin to call forth balls of fire that turned everything to ash. Mila Lamine raised an army of the dead with a snap of her fingers. It was...as if they were witnessing the true power of a Crest.
No...they have witnessed the true power of a crest before.
Amir when she commanded the shadows and they embraced her.
Alexandra when ice and snow flourished at her command.
Flayn's light magic healed an army of soldiers.
Chris destroying magic at a touch.
Emily, nature obeying her at a call.
Glenn, moving at an incredible speed.
Dimitri when broke the chains that had trapped Arisa.
Lestia, the winds becoming thunderstorms.
Arisa...as if she could see all. As if she could see the future, unleashing the power of the goddess.
Bernadetta, in her lowest moments, unleashed the magic of water, unlike anything anyone had ever seen.
And...recently Felix has been showing signs as well.
"Mercie?"
Mercedes' jumped a bit and let go a sigh of relief as Annette rode on her left. The orange-haired girl looked at her worried. Strapped on her back was Crusher. Count Dominic sent her the relic of House Dominic before he had to close off his borders to protect his lands. Annette's mother thankfully made it to Aubin's territory on time and safely.
"Are you alright? You seemed..." Annette pressed her lips together as she glanced at Sylvain and Caspar riding in front of them, surprisingly they were getting well.
"I'm alright. Just...sigh..." Mercedes looked up to the sky with a half-lidded gaze, "It feels strange without seeing them up there." She said and Annette smiled sadly.
"I know what you mean. I kinda miss how chaotic things were in the academy." Annette said but truthfully she wished they could go back to those days.
Edelgard despite being a bit distant, always set up a tea party for the ladies of the academy to meet up. They all enjoyed the moments but..why did she declare war? There was something the others knew that would not say. But what was it?
"Whoa!"
Sylvain suddenly pulled the reins of his horse and everyone stopped.
"What's wrong?" Mercedes called out and the two women had their horses move around.
But the sight that came into view, made them sick. Annette's hands trembled as she raised them to cover her mouth. Her eyes were wide and her pupils trembling as her body shook in terror seeing the carnage before them. Bodies of soldiers decaying, the skin pale and eyes sunk in, as if all the blood, was drained. Animals, birds, deer, dogs, cats, and others, only their skeletons remained. Demonic beasts were ripped to pieces and their bodies were scattered around. The ground was black and charred as if someone had set it on fire. The scent of rotting flesh was so overpowering that they had their army step back. Some sort of black smoke was around their area, Sylvain could feel them as residues of dark magic. The four leaders and Rufus got off their horses and quickly wrapped their scarves around the lower half of their faces.
Mercedes dug into her bag and pulled out a white orb. With a whisper, it began to glow and emilite Light Magic. It felt like they could breathe again, even if for a short while.
"Keep this magic tool with you. It's a floating purification device. It can purify the air from dark magic contamination. However, it won't last forever. It's only a temporary solution."
Carefully they all walked through the area, looking at everything that had happened. It felt as if a weight had been put on their shoulders. Yet, the bloody trail led to their destination. The forest of the Kleiman mountains. Sylvain gulped as he raised his hand to instruct the army to go around the area they walked. He knelt, placing his hand on the ground, and pinched some of the charred sand between his fingers.
"This wasn't a normal battle. Based on the armor of the soldiers..." he glanced at a body nearby, "I don't think these are our own. They don't look like Imperial or Alliance either. Nor Knights of Serios." He said and carefully stood up.
Caspar walked up to the body and took a closer look at the armor. It looked similar to that of the Assassin class but it had a more...of a similar style that a strange mage called Pittacus had. The armor fully covered the body and had some strange glass-like veins on it. And the body not far from it looked to revenants of black mage clothing.
"Whoever they are, the battle looked pretty bad," Caspar said.
"Let's keep going."
[—-]
"These are candy drops."
"Eh?"
Mercedes blinked as the young girl grinned mischievously as she stood next to the stove, mixing sugar till it became a thick consistency. Once that was done, Deira helped her pour it onto a cool marble table. Arisa smiled proudly as she waited for the liquid sugar to cool down a bit.
"I'm making a few hard candies for the kids in the village. It's too expensive to buy in the counties so I asked Diedra to teach me how to make some. The recipe she is showing me is one from Duscur." Arisa said as the older woman near the oven chuckled.
"My grandmother would make these back when I was a kid your age. My favorite flavors are a fruit called mango, lychee, and dragon fruit. Of course, she would make some of the more traditional ones, like strawberry, grape, and Noa fruit." Diedra said and continued what she was doing, hand-pulling sugar.
"Here!" Arisa didn't even give Mercedes a chance to speak and plopped a green candy in her mouth.
The girl froze but suddenly squealed in delight at the sweet, tart, fruity flavor of green apple.
"It's so good!" Mercedes was awed as Arisa grinned.
"It's so sweet!"
"...It is..." Mercedes muttered as she held in her hand a pocket size wooden box.
On it was a poorly carved heart and multiple stick figures on it. She slid the top open and pulled out a small green hard candy from it.
She stared at it. It was a green apple flavor, one she liked. And also, some of the last batches of candies Arisa made. The woman thought of Dedue, who she had shared some with. The image of his surprised face when she did the same thing Arisa did to her. But also, how the man covered his eyes to hide the tears that formed at the taste of the sweets.
"Apologies...it's just...the taste brought some fond memories."
A memory of his father and grandfather, who would give him and his sister sweets when their mother and grandmother were not looking. Moments shared, his family was gone, only he and his sister remained but their memories still live on. Mercedes plopped the candy in her mouth and a small smile formed on her face.
"Mercie." Annette's voice made her snap out of it and saw her looking at the small wooden box in her hands, "Are those...candies?" The woman said a bit hungry.
"Hahaha!" Mercedes chuckled softly, "Yes. The professor made me this batch for my birthday. Would you like one?" He said and Annette nodded her head excitedly.
"Oh, is okay if I could try one?" Caspar said and Mercedes nodded, handing each one, "Sylvain! Would you like one?" She called out and the knight looked her way and nodded.
"Sure," Sylvain said and held his hand out, there Mercedes handed him a red-colored one.
"Huh..." Annette savored the taste, a sweet, tart, acidic flavor, "Oh! This is orange flavor!"
"I got a blackberry one," Caspar said as Sylvain stared at the sweet before plopping it in his mouth.
Sweet, smooth, a cherry grape flavor. The red-haired knight sucked on it as he looked out to the forest. What was once green, was now all covered in fog. Some of the plants had regrown but they glowed an eerie red, swirling with dark energy.
"Be careful with those!"
Sylvain was quickly pulled away from the crimson magic flower bud by Arisa. It was a short team mission the Blue Lions were teamed up with the Ashen Wolves to investigate a demonic beast sighting. But the area they arrived in was similar to what was reported by the Blue Lions encountered in Varley territory. However, this time it wasn't the water but the land itself.
"I've never seen anything like this." Arisa muttered, "Even I don't know about this."
"I do." Chris said as he walked up, "The Magic Vein in this area has been corrupted. Instead, the vegetation here is killed them revived, filled with corruption. Should it spread, it could be catastrophic." Chris sighed and glared at the corrupted plant, "Let's call zones like this, Twilight Zones."
"Is there a way to heal it?" Sylvain said and the man nodded.
"There is. What you have to do..."
Sylvain jumped off his horse and spun his lance, slamming the butt on the ground. The Lance of Ruin twitched, almost excitedly as it was being presented a meal. Sylvain grimaced seeing it twitch so much but shook his head. He must not get distracted.
"All those with crest, let this event today be a lesson." Chris said as he pulled out his Sword of the Creator and held it up in front of him, the way knights do when in formation, "This is a minor Twilight Zone so it will be easy to clear." He said and took a deep breath.
The breeze that blew became silent and the world around him became still. Sylvain watched in amazement as a magic circle with The Crest of Flames began to appear under him. Thin light strings began to float out of the circle and everyone gasped seeing them connect themselves to Chris. The man slowly opened his eye, his pupil had turned into the crest of flames and his crest blazed above him.
"Terra et umbrae, vita omnia, ad iter, perdidit in nebula." Sylvain began chanting as a crimson magic circle with The Crest of Gautier formed underneath his feat.
"Sylvain that's-" Annette yelled out, "You shouldn't be doing that spell! Professor Chris didn't get to train us on it!" She yelled and suddenly the ground began to shake.
They knew what that meant! They were in the location of the Twilight Zone Nucleus!
"PREPARE FOR BATTLE!" Caspar roared and the soldiers got ready.
"My team! Cover me!" Sylvain yelled and his Battalion of Gautier Dark Knights roared and quickly surrounded him to protect him.
Monsters and undead began to come out of the woodworks, and with the forest being trampled down, they could see it. Near the center of the forest, dark black crystals sprouted from the ground like spikes, in a circular formation. At the center was a strange giant purple orb about the size of an adult wyvern. Scale-like veins wrapped around and the most haunting part was a half-human figure that was attached at its top. It was slumped over until it raised its head…
"T-T-That's!" Sylvain could barely say a word when the purple-skinned woman with glowing red eyes and a tattered dress unleashed a roar.
"Consort Clara!" Annette screamed and Rufus could not believe his eyes.
Her body was covered in black vines that glowed red with corruption. Her lower half was gone and replaced with a webbing-like flesh that was attached to the dark magic orb. Her once beautiful skin and blonde hair were matted and dried now with patches of it falling off. Her hands had turned to claws and her eyes glowed red. She unleashed another roar, it almost sounded like a mournful wail. No one could believe their eyes but it was in front of them.
The monstrosity she had been turned to…
"What had they done to you?" Rufus clenched his jaw as his grip on his lance tightened, "That witch will pay…" the grabbed his lance and spun it, "I may not be a relic holder and old, but you kids cover me! I will take care of her!" He yelled, "CHARGE!"
"RAAAHHHHHHHH!" The army roared and charged, hacking and slashing at the monsters that came their way.
Soldiers swung their swords, and Pegasus knights in the sky dove down and plunged their lances into the bodies of their enemies. Mages unleashed waves of magic. Fighters punched and more to come. What were minutes that would feel like hours as they fought? Annette roared as she jumped in the air and spun her body as Crusher glowed brightly in her hands. Caspar covered her back and punched at a risen. Mercedes raised her staff and chanted a hymn, the orb began to glow and the monsters screamed in agony as they were burned by the holy light. Sylvain gritted his teeth as his soldiers unleashed fire spells at the enemies.
He had to stay focused. The next part of the spell was the most crucial. He needed to fully connect to the dragon vein and command it.
"Urgh!" Chris gritted his teeth as purple veins began to spread all around his body.
The corruption of the dragon vein began to gather where the crest stone of his relic was. It swirled and glitched till it formed an orb. His hands were trembling but he kept going.
"S-Spirt Dias, Spirit Star, purify the filth and cleanse my sight." He snarled and the veins in his body started to disintegrate.
"Lord Sylvain!"
"Gha!" One of his dark knights screamed, quickly jumping in front of him to protect him.
The demonic beast slashed and Mercedes managed to jump in on time and launched Gale at it. The monster roared as its hand was cut off. Sylvain panted as the black veins were spreading all over his body after finishing chanting the second part.
[—-]
Rufus remembered when he first met Clara. She was a maiden and nun in trading in the monastery. She was a young woman who loved to drink tea, make jewelry, paint and sing church hymns. But she hated the sight of blood with a passion yet she was studying to become a priestess on the battlefield. Being the daughter of a fallen noble house, she still had some pride left. Both were students at the officer's academy when they were young. And that is where things started.
"Keep skirt chasing and you'll end up with a sword through your chest," Clara said one day after he was slapped by another female student.
"I didn't think you care." Rufus grumbled as the girl sighed and handed him a handkerchief, "Thank you."
"Ha." The woman snorted and turned around but stopped for a moment, smiling wistfully, "Perhaps if you stop trying so hard…you would see that you already have someone who wants to be with you." She said as she closed her eyes and walked away.
"Hyyyaaa!" Rufus roared as he ran towards Clara with his lance glowing brightly with ice magic.
The monster roared as swiped her hands up, unleashing a wave of black crystals his way. He jumped as his soldiers fought off the monsters that kept coming his way. Clara snarled and slammed her hands onto the black crystals, making them sprout, aiming toward Sylvain.
"Dammit!" Rufus yelled and started to run towards the young man but…
"DON'T!"
Rufus stopped as Sylvain glared his way, The Crest of Gautier blazed above him. Sylvain was in agony, in pain, but he couldn't stop.
"Focus on destroying the nucleus!" He roared and Rufus nodded, storming back to Clara.
Mercedes went back and forth, raising her staff and healing their soldiers. Her battalion was putting up a fight despite being supported. The woman unleashed Dark Spikes at a demonic wolf that lunged her way. She watched as the dark spikes pierced its body and ripped it to shreds. On Annette's end, she and Caspar along with their soldiers were destroying everything in their path.
Chris raised his sword and screamed as the dark orb swirled at the tip of the sword. He turned. The strings around him disconnected painfully as he turned towards the small nucleus.
"CLEANSE THIS LIFE!" He roared and brought down his sword, its slash shattering its orb, and sending a magic attack at the nucleus.
A horrible scream came from the things as it was obligated by its one power. Only shards and dust remained in its place.
"CLEANSE!" Sylvain raised The Lance of Ruin high in the air, his soldiers quickly moving out of the way as black flames burst around the relic.
Clara screamed and roared as Rufus struck her with Frozen Lance, then the man jumped back, "THIS LIFE!" Sylvain roared and slashed down, the flames and dark magic aimed straight at Clara.
Clara swiftly turned and raised her hands to create a shield but Rufus was faster. At the final second, he raised his lance and screamed a spell. A spell that Clara taught him. At that moment, the woman froze for a moment and looked over at him. The man was crying, his eyes filled with sorrow, and just at that moment, her left eye turned human again. Rufus roared and threw his lance, it glowed with light magic and pieced through her chest, breaking the shield.
"WHHAAAAAARRAAHHHH!"
Clara's inhuman scream turned to that of a human woman as the blast finally struck her. Rufus fell to his knees as he watched. Her hands were raised as her body began to crumble bit by bit and the nucleus cracked. The woman managed to turn his way a bit and smiled softly. He gasped, his hand reaching out to her as she did a soft closed-eye smile. Her final words…
"Thank you…"
The blinding light and flames fade away. All left in its wake were ashes. Sylvain dropped to one knee, using his lance as support as the strings disconnected and his crest faded away. He panted and gasped for air, then looked up to see the orb had shattered to pieces. The dark magic that remained swirled together the exploded, and the ground began to turn green with small flowers and trees and plants dying lived once more. The soldiers were silent for a moment before they all broke into cheers. But was such a celebration really a good thing? Mercedes ran up to Sylvain and began to perform healing on him. The dark knight coughed blood and the woman looked at him worried as his hands hovered over him, glowing a faint green.
"You're a fool." She said and Sylvain snorted, smirking a bit.
"That's the first seeing you angry." He said and looked over to see Caspar and Annette helping tend to the wounded.
He then saw Rufus walk over to where Clara was, a few of his soldiers also joined him, kneeling to pay their respects. Sylvain smiled bitterly. But Mercedes suddenly froze.
Ring~
Ring~
She slowly began to stand up and turn. She ignored the calling of her name as the ringing in her ears was becoming louder and louder. A sinking feeling began to form in her stomach as she started to look around. Something…she felt something was out there. Something was hiding and waiting….
She looked to her army. Nothing.
Waiting…
To Caspar's. Nothing.
Waiting…
To…Annette.
Ring~
"Hmm…H—" Annette was barely able to comprehend when she was suddenly violently shoved away.
She turned, her eyes widening as she saw it was Mercedes looking at her with a fearful expression, and then…
"Hiss…."
SHUNK!
Drip…Drip…Drip…
"Gasp…Gasp…Gasp…"
Annette sat on the ground, eyes wide, pupils dilated, mouth trembling, her whole body trembling as drops of blood dripped down from a large stringer. The thing that hissed, the thing that aimed for her, hit a different target.
"M-Mercedes?" Annette's croaked as her hand reached out to Mercedes, who smiled softly as blood dripped down her lips.
The stringer belonged to Bael. A monster spider that would always obey Anacharis. Its abdomen had a metasoma. From the hills high above, Anacharis smiled gleefully as the young woman's scream was unleashed as her pet roared and raised its stringer to the sky. Soldiers and relic holders alike all scrambled to fight. The young man, Caspar, pulled Annette back in time before its fangs got her. Anacharis watched with a smile, entertained by it all.
[—-]
"I have to get up!"
Mercedes pushed Arisa back onto the bed, and Arisa insisted on getting up.
"You are running a fever! It could get worse if you don't stay put!" Mercedes said angrily.
They were 17 and 20 years old. Arisa had gotten sick and her father was out on a job. Her mother was in the kitchen preparing some medicine. But why did Arisa want to get up so badly?
"Get Sandana! We need to head out!" Arisa yelled and stormed out of her room.
She grabbed her cloak and rapier. The doors to Amir's and Alexandra's rooms opened, and both women came out yawning.
"What's wrong?" Alexandra yawned and Arisa turned to them, a frightening look in her eyes.
"Bandits! They are hiding in the road dad and the others are at!"
"I…think I understand now…Arisa." Mercedes whispered as she looked down to the ground, the life leaving her eyes.
Annette was screaming her name as she was fighting the Bael. Everyone was trying to get to her but the monster was too strong. So many were injured from the previous fight, they wouldn't make it. They would all die. No…she didn't want them to die. They had suffered enough. Why was…fate so cruel? This shouldn't be happening. Why was tragedy falling upon them each time? Why can't they all live peaceful lives?
Should she…just accept her fate?
Run.
No.
Go back.
Must help.
Coward.
Pain.
I can't leave them behind.
You must go.
You don't understand.
"I can't...LET THEM DIE!" Mercedes cried and suddenly the world came to a halt.
She gasped seeing the world around her become still. Yet, a warm light suddenly formed before her eyes, taking on a shape of a woman. She could not see her face but the woman's gentle hands cupped her face.
"Child born from the blood of the one who wields my bones…you truly are a kind soul." The woman's voice was so warm and kind as she wiped her tears away, "You have endured so much. Suffered so much. Yet, here you are, even if impaled and a string away from death, your soul burns brightly." She made Mercedes look up into her eyes.
Beautiful jade slits eye full of warmth and love.
"Child of my blood, nurturing soul who is kind to all, I shall grant you my power. Use it. But know a price must be paid. Will you do it?" The woman said and Mercedes wept and nodded.
"I've…had enough of not being able to do anything." Mercedes sobbed, "I couldn't protect any of them! My brother! My mother! My family! If I have to give my life to protect them, I will!" She wailed and the woman smiled softly.
"You are she who bears the blood of the Aegis Dragon. You bear the blood of the first Child of The Goddess. Take their pain…take their sorrow. And show them love and hope. I, Parvati the Aegis Dragon, grant you my power. Use it well."
"RRAAHHHHH!" Mercedes'screamed and light burst from her body.
The Bael screamed in agony as the woman gritted her teeth and slammed her hands onto his stinger. The Bael screamed and trashed, with her on its tail, impaled in the stomach, its poison spreading through her body. It should have killed her. It should have. But it didn't. The ground began shaking as her crest blazed brighter and brighter, her pupils had turned into her crest.
"The only way they can live…is if I take it down with me!" Mercedes thought then screamed again, pulling out the dagger that Arisa gifted her.
She put the rest of her magic into it and stabbed it into the head of the monster once it brought its stringer closer. Cracks began to form on its body and the ground beneath it began to give away.
"No! No! MERCEDES!" Annette screamed and ran towards her and the monster.
"DON'T COME HERE!" Mercedes screamed and panted, trembling as she looked up at her friend, the poison had spread and become visible on her face, "T-The only way to kill it…is if I take it down with me." Mercedes gurgled.
"No! No! Please!" Annette wailed and the ground began trembling again.
Mercedes smiled softly and closed her eyes, taking out the dagger once more. The ground began cracking and shaking, it was going to give away completely and fall into the ravine. Sylvain tried to her closer but he wasn't able to, same with Caspar.
"Annette…you…thank you." Mercedes choked out, and raised the dagger, "I'm sorry."
STAB!
The world became silent as Mercedes plunged the dagger down into the bael with the last of her power. Annette screamed as she reached out to her. No matter how much she ran, Mercedes got farther and farther away. The Bael unleashed a blood-curdling scream as the ground finally completely gave away. Down she and the monster fell, her body detaching itself from the stringer. Her eyes opened just a bit, watching as Annette screamed and reached out, but she would never be able to take her hand. Mercedes smiled sadly as she closed her eyes. She heard the boulders fall and crush the Beal and…she plunged into the water.
Deeper…
Deeper….
Deeper….
"Ah…" Mercedes thought as she opened her eyes a bit, seeing the rays of the moonlight penetrate the surface of the water and shine down on her, "The moon…it's beautiful…" and she closed her eyes falling deeper into the water.
[—-]
"MERCEDES! MERCEDES!" Annette screamed and fell to her knees, "Ahh…AAAHHHHHH!" She wailed, her hand slamming onto the ground as she dropped Crusher on her side.
"You promised….you promised you…always be…ulp!" Annette cried and Caspar knelt, gently placing a hand on her shoulder.
Sylvain gritted his teeth, lip trembling as Rufus didn't know what to do or say. It was war. They were in the war. They never knew if they were going to come back alive or not. But in today's battle…they may have won but…what was the point if they lost someone they loved? Sylvain made his way over to Annette, who sobbed quietly.
"We…won't let her sacrifice be in vain." That was the best he could say.
Any more and it would hurt her. But the moment….
"Lord Sylvain! The monsters are back!" A soldier yelled sure enough, around four more demonic beasts appeared.
"Dammit!" Sylvain growled and readied himself but suddenly, a shiver went down his spine.
Annette's sobbing suddenly came to halt, the shadows hid her gaze as she glanced the monster's way.
"More of them?" Annette whispered as Caspar gritted his teeth but when he turned to speak to her, she was gone.
"Huh?" Sylvain blinked to make sure he wasn't seeing things but the next thing that happened, no one was prepared for it.
One second, Annette was next to them, crying and the next, she was suddenly in the air, right in front of the first demonic beast, unleashing a furious blood-curdling scream as Crusher glowed furiously in her hands. As if it was sharing her rage. The young woman spun her body and right when Crusher was about to make an impact on the head of the beast…
"DUST!"
Annette screamed and slammed Crusher onto the head of the monster. The impact was so powerful that the monster was slammed down onto the ground and the impact destroyed its head. When Annette landed, a headless body dropped to the ground. The remaining demonic beast trembled and whimpered as the woman that had slumped forward, now stood with her feet apart, the blood of the beast staining her clothing and relic. The Crest of Dominic blazed over her and her eyes as the monster roared and charged at her. Annette screamed in rage as she charged at the beast. No one could move, no one could say anything.
All they could do was watch as the woman screamed and wailed as she repeatedly jumped and spun her body, obliterating the monsters till they were nothing but puddles of slime. With one left, Annette kept slamming her relic down on it, no matter how much the monster twitched even after it no longer moved. Finally, she noticed it stop, and she stopped, panting and gasping for air as she slowly put her relic down. The crest in her eyes faded away and fell to her knees, horrified but what she had just done. But…the woman raised her hand, trembling as she looked at them before she burst into tears and buried her face in them. All everyone could do was lower their heads in silence but….
"ANNETTE LOOK OUT!"
"Eh?" Annette looked up and saw a smile and a hand coming down.
Sylvain roared and his crest manifested in his eyes. He managed to get to Annette and grabbed her, pulling her back just barely as the hand coming down cut the tips of his hair. He rolled on the ground with her in his arms, growling as he coughed and looked up. Soldiers were all on guard and Rufus pointed his weapon the one that stood where originally Annette was, was Anacharis.
"Quite the show I must say." The Agarthan Queen grinned, showing her fangs, "Congratulations. You awakened the power of the crusher dragon." She chuckled and crossed her arms.
"It was you…It was you!" Annette roared furiously but Caspar held her back, "You killed Mercedes! You killed them! You killed them!" She wailed and Anacharis let out a breathless laugh.
"Me? Oh, I only watched. It was quite fun turning that woman Clara into a DeadLord Core. Even more, entertaining watching Mila curse at me as I forced her to do the process." She laughed and looked around.
"Is this all a game to you?! I bet you're the one that ordered to assassinate me, Linhardt, Petra, Ashe, and Bernadetta!" Caspar roared and Anacharis just shrugged.
"Witch! Faerghus will destroy you!" Rufus spat as everyone prepared themselves for battle but suddenly again, that aura from the day of the academy invasion.
It felt like they were all being physically forced to kneel. A fear unlike any other filled their bodies as Anacharis walked towards them and spun her dagger. She stopped in front of Sylvain, and grabbed his chin, forcing him to look up at her. Every fiber in his body screamed to get away and her touch felt disgusting, bringing back horrible memories of the times his brother locked him in rooms with older women. Her smile, her scent of iron, it was disgusting. Anacharis smiled with a half-lidded gaze as she caressed his cheek and her lips hovered over his. She studied him, taking in his facial features before she slowly pulled away with a satisfied grin.
"So you are the one that girl calls out. I think her name was…Sadi?" Sylvain froze, "She cries out your name. She cries out the name of someone called Dedue. Then we chain her and cut her open. She then mentally shuts herself away. Now she is shell waiting for you all." She smiled, enjoying the bubbling rage brewing in the man.
He wanted to kill her.
Sylvain wanted to kill her and that brought her joy.
He had the same look in his eyes as Luis, Jose Gautier's eldest and first son.
A look of pure hatred.
"Hmm…Yes. You look like Jose Gautier's son, Luis. The boy chose to betray Nemesis and run away from his family to escape his power-hungry father. And the one who stood beside Serios to prove his loyalty by killing his father." Anacharis muttered and let go of him.
Next, she turned to Annette, grabbing her by the hair and pulling her up. Annette whimpered and cried. But no matter what she did, nothing changed. The girl froze when Anacharis put the time of her pointed nail over her throat. The queen swirled it slowly, enjoying how thin drops of blood dripped. The fear was written all over Annette's face, just like Vega Dominic's daughter, Shelly.
"Let go of her!" Caspar yelled but the queen ignored him.
"Yes. Now I know who you look like. Vega Dominic's daughter, Shelly. Another girl who chose to betray Nemesis." And she dropped her and walked away, back to where she stood.
"Listen well, all of you." Anacharis smiled, "Struggle all you want. Fight. Make this show entertaining for me." She chuckled and spread her arms out, spinning as she enjoyed the groans and pains of everyone.
"A dream within a dream."
She started dancing…singing.
"Now, let's forget everything else. To stand upon this stage of corpses. We only need each other." She began to spin and then…
"Hehe….hehehe…." She started giggling.
They were frozen in fear and finally…
"HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAH!" The woman cackled mechanically and disappeared into black dust.
The pressure was finally gone, they could breathe again. Caspar quickly went to Annette and hugged her tightly to his chest. The woman trembled as everyone struggled to get up. Rufus coughed and helped Sylvain stand up. The two turned to look over to where the nucleus once was and Sylvain grabbed his relic and unleashed a furious roar and a blast of fire at it. No one could blame him or anyone for the anger he was feeling. He gritted his teeth and looked up to the sky, pointing his lance at it.
"JUST WAIT! YOU WILL REGRET MAKING AN ENEMY OUT OF US! I SWEAR! I SWEAR!" He roared and gasped for air, gritting his teeth, and covering his eyes as a sob escaped his lips.
"Dammit…"
They had to win…they had to win the war. For everything… for everyone.
Chapter 88: Victory of Sorrow
