- Dream: ? -
"No, no, no!"
Her screams pierced the heavens with uncontrollable sorrow as she ran back to Zanado with her husband and the rest of the survivors. Her sorrow and shock only heightened at a new level when they all came across the body of her beloved sister in law, hunched over, with a forever closed eye smile on her lips, yet that smile also showed that blood seeped through it. She fell to her knees, the place she once called home, was nothing but a blood-stained canyon. The place covered in the crimson red of blood. Her sister in law's body was penetrated by swords and arrows, yet her heart was missing. Ripped out.
"Oh Noa..." she wept as she walked to the body.
But...
"Big...sis..."
Her eyes instantly went wide as she noticed that Noa was...
"SERIOS!" She screamed in shock as she noticed a young 15-year-old girl underneath Noa's body.
Now she understood. Noa shielded the girl, even if it meant her death. She carefully moved Noa's body, revealing a young girl with straight mint green hair and eyes, her clothing was bloody yet, the girl sat still in shock, her eyes widened. She could barely speak. She could barely move. She cried as she hugged the young girl to her chest, knowing her pain.
"We found another survivor!" She heard her husband yell out as she quickly picked up the girl in her arms and ran towards the tower where once the Progenitor God slept.
"Macuil!" She cried out and her husband's eyes went wide as he saw the young girl in her arms.
"Serios survived! Who else!?" The woman said as she had the girl to her chest.
"Cirina...the girl is...beyond shelled shocked." Macuil said as she looked over to see Cichol looking down at the girl with deep blue hair and green eyes. She had little feather like antennas on her head, yet, the girl looked like a doll. No emotions in her eyes as she looked down at what seemed to be a pile of ashes in front of her.
"Daddy...mommy..." the 5 year old muttered as her eyes just stared at the pile of ashes.
"Cirina!" The woman turned as she saw Indech run up to the girl and hug her quickly to his arms.
"Is Cethleann safe?" Cichol asked and Indech nodded.
"She is. She's under Titania's care." Indech said as picked up the girl but got punched in the face by her.
She scrambled back quickly to the ashes and tried to hug them to her chest. Tears finally began to fall from her eyes as her mind was forced back to reality.
"I'm not leaving mommy! I'm not leaving mommy! They took daddy! They took daddy! I can't leave Mommy!" The girl screamed as she kept trying to pick up the ashes.
"Oh no..." the older woman wept as she realized what the young girl's mother did.
She burned herself to ashes to keep Nemesis's men from taking her away and protecting her daughter. But Aubin...he...
"Please Cirina! Calm down!" Indech said as he tried to pull his niece away but...
"LET ME GOOOOOOOOO!" The girl screamed at the top of her lungs, and everyone barely escaped the wave of ice that came at them, the symbol of Aubin's power manifested in the air, as the girl wept loudly as she hugged the ashes of her mother to her chest.
"S-She inherited..." the woman could barely choke out the words and then finally noticed that Serios was no longer in her arms.
The 15-year-old girl stormed over to the little girl who cried loudly and...
SLAPPED!
Cirina became silent as she slowly looked up to the furious girl.
"Aunty..." the little girl mutter and Serios snapped.
"LEAVE AND NEVER SHOW YOUR FACE HERE AGAIN YOU HALF BREED!" Serios boomed at her and Cirina looked at her stun.
"YOUR PEOPLE MURDERED MY FAMILY! MY MOTHER! DISAPPEAR FROM OUR SIGHT!" Serios screamed furiously and Cirina stared in shock.
"Enough Serios!" Macuil yelled as his wife quickly went to hug the young five-year-old in her arms, to protect her from Serios's wrath.
"It isn't her fault! How could you that to her! She's just a child and all of us suffer heavy losses!" The woman yelled and Serios kept glaring at the girl in her arms.
The 15-year old turned and stormed away. Furious and enraged. She will have Nemesis head.
- Months later -
Silence was all the girl ever sat in. Even if her aunt and uncle took her in, she did not speak at all. Serios's words stung deep and etched themselves into her mind. Currently, she was living in a temple far deep in the desserts of Sreng with her aunt and uncle. She sat on her bed, and stared at the wall, her green eyes void as she just kept staring.
"Cirina dear...please come out." She heard a muffled voice from the other side of her bedroom door and frowned.
"I made your favorite dish. Grilled salmon with salty sweet sauce." The woman said and Cirina was just silent.
"..." the woman was just met with silence.
The woman sighed as she turned to leave but hope returned to her when the door opened, and the young girl stepped outside.
"Aunty...am I curse?" It had been months since the girl spoke and these were her first words.
The woman could not help but cry as she hugged tightly the young girl to her arms.
"No, you're not Cirina! You're a blessing! Your mother, father, I, and your uncles and cousin, we all love you. I know things are difficult right now but it's not your fault. It never was." The woman wept and the girl was silent once more.
Cirina all she could do was stare at the woman hugging her. She felt numb. She felt nothing. All she felt was... emptiness.
- 5 years later -
Bitter.
She felt bitter.
"Cirina dear! Please be careful!"
She turned to look down at the woman from the palm tree she was climbing up to get some coconuts. It was a rare day that there was no sandstorm and she could finally see the damn sky. She loved sweet fruits and going to the oasis was one way to escape the suffocating silence. Her aunt, she thought she was annoying. The only thing the woman gained from raising her was silence. She questions why they treat her so nicely? It made her want to vomit each time affection was shown to her. She missed her mother. She missed her father. She missed Noa. She missed Cethleann.
"Alright." Was all Cirina said as she jumped down and landed in front of her.
"Were you excited because there was no sandstorm today?" The woman smiled at her kindly and Cirina nodded.
She never smiled. She never laughed. She never asked for anything. She never spoke unless it was when someone spoke to her. The woman was worried for her. She cared. She loved this girl as if she was her own daughter. Her husband, despite being a bit of a cold man, did care for this girl. Cirina's mind was different. Serios's words never left her mind.
"Stop such fake smiles and affection towards me."
The girl thought each time she saw her aunt and uncle. She hated it. She knew deep down they all hated her because she was half Agarthan. She turned to head back to the temple. She was tried and had enough of this fake atmosphere of a family. She needed to get away. Away from everything that connected her to her bloodlines. She hated this weight on her shoulders. She despised it.
Free...she wants to be free.
- 5 years -
5 years. It's been 5 years since she left (ran away) to Sreng and traveled aimlessly all over Fodlan, now, she finally felt at home. Free. In peace. She lived in the icy mountains of a cold and bitter dry land yet, she felt it was home. She met so many through her journey. Young and old, ancient. She met others that cared. She saw so much. Even if she saw both good and bad, the world was beautiful. She finally understood what her grandmother's teaching were. She looked up to the gray sky as she let the snowflakes fall onto her. Her green eyes, no longer void of emotions, looked around at the snow-covered forest with warmth. The cold didn't feel cold anymore. It felt like a warm blanket to her. She smiled softly as she heard footsteps and turned.
"Cirina! Come on! Dad is waiting for us!"
"Coming!" How long has it been since she truly felt joy?
How long has it been since she felt she was home? How long? She was taken in by the Ice tribe 5 years ago when they found her injured and since then, they have taken her in. She helped them and taught the people how to defend themselves and they in return let her live with them. She felt home. Her powers she could control them thanks to their guidance and love. She knew none of them judged or hated her for what she was. They knew her origin, yet they still accepted her. Home, this land truly felt like home to her.
"Hold on Ui! I got some maple sap and we can turn it to syrup later!" Cirina giggled excitedly as she carefully walked over to her friend.
Her mouth was watering thinking about the cold sweets she could make. Maybe she should gather some wild winter berries to cook and make jam? Oh, when she gets back, she'll prepare the tools needed to make the sweet water she loves so much with ice!
"Again, with the syrups?! Cirina, you need to cut it out on the sweets." Ui said and Cirina dramatically place her hand over her heart.
"Ui you wound me!" Cirina giggled as they ran back together to the village.
Home.
Did she miss her old family? No. Not one bit. Well, except Cethleann. The rest never accepted her. They never cared for her. They never even tried to defend her when Serios bared her fangs at her.
"Huh? What's going on?" Ui said as she saw the villagers huddled together into a crowd and she heard her father speaking to someone angrily.
The two girls looked at each other worried and walked their way through the crowd. The villagers looked at Cirina worried, making the girl raised an eyebrow. Once up front, Cirina's blood ran cold. The bucket of maple sap dropped onto the snow with a loud CLUNK, making the two adults talking turn their way. The person talking to the Tribe Chief, was someone she wished to never meet ever again.
"Cirina?" It has been 10 years since she had seen Serios.
The woman was older, regal and more elegant yet Cirina knew deep hatred and sorrow plagued the woman like a sore thumb. Cirina could see nothing but waves of death over this woman.
"Why are you here...?" Cirina said monotone as she picked up her bucket and looked at Serios, void of emotions.
The older woman walked up to her with a soft smile and spoke.
"I am gathering an army to defeat Nemesis. I want the help of the Ice tribe, but seeing you are here also, join me. This is perfect. We could avenge our brethren together." Serios extended her hand to her, a kind smile on her face.
Yet Cirina always knew, that smile was hollow. She has finally been able to move on, live in peace and Serios thinks she can just come offer her hand to join her and take revenge?! No! She knew her mother and father would never want this! She knew her grandmother would have never wanted this either! Serios dare twist Sothis's words?!
"No." Cirina said and the smile on Serios instantly disappeared.
"What?" Serios could barely say as Cirina spoke once more.
"I said no. That is your fight not mine. The people of the Ice tribe have lived in peace for thousands of years. They do not wish for war nor do I. Your sight has long been lost Serios. I will not join you. Irony isn't it?" Cirina said as she saw Serios's fist shaking.
"Your mother and father were massacred along with the rest of our people and you dare not avenge them?!" Serios said furiously and Cirina frowned.
"Revenge huh? Yes, that once was in my mind, but these past five years made me realize many things Serios." She spoke as the older woman shook with anger, "It goes against the teachings grandmother showed me. It goes against everything my parents taught me. You have long lost sight of what is truly important. I will not be walking to my death. Besides, I thought you hated a HALF-BREED like me?" Cirina said and everyone in the Ice tried suddenly glared at Serios angrily.
The older woman took a step back as the Chief of the Ice Tribe spoke.
"We are sorry Serios but we will not help you. I know the fae and the other clans have done the same. It was only a matter of time till you came to our home. But, please leave. We will not involve ourselves in war." The man said and Serios glared furiously at Cirina, who was hugged by her friend.
"You...you..." Serios took a deep breath and spoke," Very well then. If you change your mind, you know where to find me. I'll be in Enbar." And with that, she left.
10 minutes passed and Cirina was silent as she stared at the wall of her room. She sat on her bed with blankets of fur. She was angry.
"Cirina, are you alright?" She heard the voice of her friend and sighed as the door to her room opened and in came Ui.
"Hey..." Cirina muttered with a bitter smile as her friend walked up to her and sat down next to her.
"Is this about...your aunt?" Ui asked and Cirina nodded.
"I'm finally...able to move on...live in peace with all of you and she... she...Serios just appears declaring she is creating an army to fight Nemesis and take revenge...? No...I don't want any of that. I just..." Cirina buried her face in her knees as she hugged them to her chest, "I just want to live a peaceful life. I cut ties with everyone in my previous family because I knew they all hated me. The only ones who ever accepted me were my parents, my aunt Noa, my uncle Erik, my cousin Cethleann and...my grandmother." She muttered and Ui hugged her.
"Will...you be going...?" Ui said and Cirina grunted.
"Knowing Serios...the shadow that hangs over her is thick...ha...Ui..." Cirina turned to her friend, "If I go and don't ever come back, I want you to search this room. I'm going to leave something here for you." Cirina smiled sadly.
Funny how she knew she wasn't going to come back alive...
- 10 years later -
10 long years...and Cirina never came back. Ui had learned that the war ended two years ago and the fate of her friend. Anger was all she felt towards Serios and the last survivors of Sothis's children. How dare they make her friend a sacrificial pawn and tarnish her name with...with lies! Ui was now the leader of The Ice Tribe and she looked at the old home her friend used to live in. She never let it become old and took care of it. She walked towards it and entered. Feelings of warmth filled her as she looked inside. The living room where she and Cirina would play games and read books. The kitchen where they would cook meals and sometimes experiment with food. The bedroom where they would sleep together sometimes and tell stories of old. Ui looked around the room and noticed something under the bed. The woman bent down pulled out a chest. She remembered the key necklace her friend gave her 10 years ago and used it on the chest. Opening it carefully, she raised an eyebrow as she noticed around 12 potion bottles that had strange talisman on them and were filled with crimson liquid in it. There were also several journals along with books, other trinkets and a letter. Ui carefully opened it and read its contents.
Ui, if you are reading this, then it means I didn't survive and come back. I'm sorry for breaking my promise. You will probably most likely despise my former family and I understand how you feel. But...at least spare Cethleann... I understand she does not know of the tension between me and the others. Maybe one day...you can forgive them. Changing the subject, I'm going to get right to it. These potion bottles are filled with my blood. Knowing Serios, she wants me gone and to make sure my bloodline is gone too. So, as my way to tell her that even if I am gone, I still live on, I trust you to choose 6 non people of the Ice tribe to drink my blood and inherit my power. The other 6, if you chose 6 people of your clan to drink my blood, I trust they will be people we know. One of those 6 bottles I want you to have also. You.,,were an amazing friend and you and your people did so much for me. Ui, I pass down my power to you and 11 others that you chose.
Thank you for everything my friend. - Love, Cirina
"Cirina...you idiot...I promise..."
- End of Dream -
Her eyes slowly opened as she sat up and felt tears as she gently touched her cheek. These weren't Sothis's memories. But, why was she having a dream that belongs to someone else? And she knows for a fact she did not drink Alexandra's blood, so why? Arisa shook her head and let go of a sigh. She needs to speak with Dwyer and ask him about his clan. The girl looked around her room and let go of a sigh as she was going to get off her bed but she felt some strange weight around her waist. She looked to her right and moved the blanket, her heart froze.
"Zzzzzz..." sleeping peacefully with a slight blush on his cheeks, and his hair a bit frizzy, Dimitri slept like a baby as he held onto her waist.
"Oh my." Sothis appeared as she looked at her friend worried as both stared at the sleeping prince.
Arisa wanted to scream. She wanted to scream so loud and run off the balcony.
"Hmm..." Dimitri began stirring and opened his eyes slowly.
They first saw his arms were wrapped around someone's waist and his eyes slowly looked up to see a beat red Arisa, who looked like she just saw a ghost. Her eyes were wide, and her hair was a mess, let us not forget her nightgown had partly slid off, exposing her right shoulder. Everything came back to Dimitri like if a carriage ran him over. He quickly let go of her waist and fell off the bed. Standing up quickly as he could, eyes wide as he stared the girl and then bolted.
"I-I'm sorry!" He cried out and ran out the door, slamming it shut.
Arisa could hear Lestia cackling like a mad woman and Zander and Chris came out their rooms asking what the hell was going on and why Dimitri screamed.
"Dimitri slept with Kiana! Dimitri slept with Kiana!" Lestia cackled and Arisa quickly changed her appearance as she grabbed her cloak, wrapped it around herself as she jumped off her bed and bolted out her door.
"What?! My brother Dimitri finally became a man?! Awww! I am so proud of you!" Zander wiped a tear from his eye.
He was dressed in a black shirt with blue pajama pants. Chris was literally shirtless and wore black pajama pants also. The boy wasn't exactly happy being woken up so early in the morning since he went out to drink with Glenn and Christophe last night. Damn…he shouldn't have done that shot challenge.
"It's a misunderstanding! Lestia locked me in her room last night!" Dimitri said and Lestia laughed.
"Oh!" The princess smirked as she saw Arisa already in disguise with a beat red face as she was hugging her cloak around herself, "Hey Kiana! How did you sleep last night?" Lestia snickered and the boys instantly turned to her.
"I'm sorry! I swear it's a misunderstanding! Lestia locked me in there!" Dimitri yelled desperately as Chris just sighed.
"It's too early for this shit..." he muttered softly and wasn't exactly pleased hearing what his step sister did.
"Awww! I can't wait to tell Sylvain! He'll be so proud of you as I am!" Zander said and Dimitri looked at him horrified.
"You will tell no one!" Dimitri cried.
"ENOUGH!" Arisa yelled making everyone shut up and then to her.
"Sigh...no...I'm sorry..." Arisa sighed as she ran her fingers through her hair as she looked up to them, "I should have noticed when you two came in." She said and Sothis appeared.
"Why are you the one apologizing?! It's clear the princess wanted to play a prank on both of you!" Sothis said and Chris raised an eyebrow.
"Sothi." Chris said as he walked up to them, "So let me get this straight," he crossed his arms and Sothis turned to him, "Lestia unlocked her door and once she and Dimitri were in, she locked the door on him, forcing him to stay the night in Kiana's room, correct?" He finished and Sothis nodded.
"Correct! I don't see why Arisa must apologize! Well, it's a habit of her's but that is not the point!" Sothis sighed as she saw the other three confused, "The point is, Arisa is a heavy sleeper, she heard nothing of what went down and was completely shocked to find the little one in her room." She said and Chris turned to Arisa.
"Hey Chris, who are you talking to?" Zander said.
"There is a fae here who witnessed the whole thing." Chris said and Zander's eyes went wide as he looked over to a frozen Dimitri and Lestia who just shrugged.
"Kiana, I apologize for my sister's behalf. Also, I know well Dimitri meant no harm. As punishment for Lestia, make sure to work her to the bone in your class and she forbidden from eating her favorite food for the whole month." Chris said and Lestia looked at him horrified.
"What?! But it was just a prank!" Lestia tried to defend herself but one glare from Chris shut her up as he turned to his siblings.
"Sorry Lestia," Zander sighs as he turned to her, "but I'm with Chris on this one. What if she was sleeping naked?" He said and poor Arisa just hid her face.
Only during summer, she sleeps naked. Whoops.
"Zander, you're not helping." Lestia bluntly said because poor Dimitri had turned to a tomato at this point.
"My point is!" Zander huffed, "You need to apologize." He said and Lestia pouted as she walked up to Arisa.
"Fine...I'm sorry. I shouldn't have done that. I just didn't want to witness a soap opera and decided to get it over with." Lestia grumbled as she crossed her arms and pouted.
Arisa just stared at the girl and looked over to Dimitri, who couldn't look her in the idea.
"Lestia," she spoke, "apology accepted but you're not escaping my wrath during class." She said and Lestia pouted.
"Fine..." the princess sighs as everyone went to their respective rooms.
"I'm too old for this shit." Chris muttered as he went back to his room and Zander just yawns.
The Adrestian prince wasn't happy hearing that his little brother shared a bed with the girl. The feeling of jealousy wasn't what he was feeling. It was more towards what he feels when boys try to get close to his little sisters. There. The feeling he was feeling was protectiveness. He groans into his hands.
"Why do I feel this way with her?" Chris muttered to himself as he went to his rest room to bathe.
[-]
"And that concludes what our vocabulary for this month will be. Reminder, next week I'll be showing everyone a demonstration of a modified version of Abraxas and Aura! I'll demonstrate how exactly the direction of the sun comes to play to amplify it!" With her second day of class done, Arisa watched her students leave as nodded and talk to one another.
Some of the older students were preparing for a magic tournament that was happening in two weeks. Those entering need to speak to their professors and turn in an application at the office. She fixed her documents and made her books warp into her purse with a flick of her wrist.
"Umm...Professor?" Arisa blinked as she turned her head to see Annette walking up to her with a document in her hand.
"Oh Annette. Is everything alright?" Arisa smiled kindly as she finished putting away her materials and was taking out her medical supplies for the next class soon.
Annette shifted a bit nervously as she showed the poster to her.
"You want to enter the magic tournament?" She said and Annette nodded.
"I do! I really want to test myself how much I have grown and...I was wondering if... you could prepare me?" She said a bit nervously and Arisa smiled warmly.
"I am more than happy to train you." Arisa said and Annette was brimming with joy, "Does the poster specify what magic you are using?" She said as Annette handed her the poster.
"It says Reason and Faith magic. But...faith magic isn't my specialty. Reason is but..." Annette said and Arisa spoke as she placed her hand on her chin and thought for a moment.
"If I remember correctly...Axe is your third one...hmmmm..." Arisa hummed softly as she looked at the girl up and down.
"Annette," she said getting the girl's attention, "how about we train you for a bit in Faith magic to have you prepared for the Mage class?" She said and the girl blinked multiple times.
"Eh?" The girl was trying to process what she just said.
"Hmmm...I have lessons with you and the others later on so I don't mind making some extra time to train you. Hmm..." Arisa said as she opened her notebook and looked inside it.
Written on one of your pages, was a reminder to teach Gale and Blizzard to Sylvian and Felix. She smiled and closed it.
"Thank you, thank you so much!" Annette said as she jumped a bit excited.
Arisa patted her head and smiled. This girl was just too cute.
"No problem." She chuckled and waved the girl goodbye as she-!
Crash!
"Ow! Who put this stupid barrel here?!"
Yeah...Arisa needs to keep an eye on her...
[-]
"Now, the heart as we know it is the main body organ that keeps us alive as well as the brain." Second day of her medical classes and it was a roller coaster.
Well, a seminar, it was the same case with her earlier class. She could have had the day off today but no, she can't relax, and she didn't want to see Lestia one bit. She thought the princess was going to let her take her time, build a friendship with Dimitri before she revealed her identity but noooooo! Lestia straight up went "fuck it!" And showed Dimitri who she really was.
"Now, how exactly does the brain also determine one's death? It can be declared dead if the brain has ceased all functions. Death of the brain can occur from accidental injuries or illnesses. High blood pressure can also cause bleeding in the brain and result in death. A brain infection, a brain tumor or a traumatic injury may cause the brain to swell and lead to death as well." She said as she projected a 3d image of the brain as it rotated in the air.
Many were writing down notes as she continued her lesson. Once more, Mercedes had decided to join her seminar, which Arisa was surprised by. There was just this strange feeling that wouldn't stop bothering her when she would see Mercedes. She noticed the girl would stare at her at times and seemed to be lost in thought. Sothis yawned as she floated around and decided to see what the students were up to. The first one she flew up to be that young man from Duscur, Kuza, and circled around him. Seems Arisa and all the students are too ingrained into the lecture because of all this knowledge. What's more, all the students here are beyond fascinated that such information like this was never in any of the textbooks they have read before. She didn't blame them. From what she has learned over the years, The Church of Serios had surpassed many, many, many advancements. Sothis looked back at the boy's notes and raised an eyebrow as he was writing in another journal.
"Speak with Lady Amir next week." Sothis muttered as she read the sentence and sighed.
She moved onto to the next student, which so happened to be Mercedes. She remembers the young girl well from those years back then. She had grown quite a bit, a mature young lady, age 17, but still a bit of a scatter brain.
"Unfortunately, during these situations when a person is declared brain dead. Fodlan does not have the tools and technology to help these people. Once brain dead...they...can no longer live and the family members of the individual decided if they will disconnect them from life support. And worst were to come and they have no family members or friends that claim them...you have to make the choice." Arisa said bitterly and many in the class frowned or weren't happy with that answer.
But they understood why it had to be done. Sothis heard Mercedes sigh as she propped her elbow on the desk and rested her cheek on her hand. Mercedes was honestly enjoying the class since her specialty was faith magic, healing but also Reason. She listened to Kiana's lecture, or should she say...Arisa. How did she find out it was her? Only one person in the entire world wears a purple stone ring on their left hand on their index finger. The ring was unique, and she had gifted it to Arisa 5 years ago during The Day of Blessings. It was a one of a kind ring. She wondered how Sir Jeralt was doing, who treated her and her mother kindly. Who welcomed them like family to the village.
"Arisa...why did you change like that?" Mercedes muttered and Sothis stumbled back a bit but sighed as she floated back to the older girl.
The look of sadness, the look of tiredness, the look of solitude and hurt, they were in this girl's eyes despite the smile she wore. Sothis gently stoked Mercedes's head and smiled softly.
"You've done well young child. Do not lose hope. After all, you're family too." Sothis said and Mercedes blinked multiple times as she felt warmth over her head.
"Hmm...strange..." she thought and returned to listening to the lesson Arisa was speaking.
"Thus, that ends the seminar today. If you would want a far more advanced approach to these studies, I recommend reading Emily Zoltras's medical books." Arisa said as the bell rang, and the students began to walk out.
Mercedes could hear the conversations as she walked down the stairs. She was happy to see so many positive responses from her fellow students. Many were enjoying the class as they took down notes and listen to the lessons. She was near the door and looked back to her friend, who seemed to be in a sour mood today. She could just tell. Mercedes waited till everyone was gone and then walked up to her friend.
"Good evening Professor. Is everything alright?" Mercedes said kindly and Arisa turned to her surprised.
"Oh, Mercedes! Sorry...I'm just a bit tired, that's all. Sorry if I made you worry." Arisa smile to her kindly as she fixed her papers.
"It's alright. We all have bad and good days. If it be alright, would you like to join me? I am going to eat a local cafe that just recently opened not too long ago. I heard its tea ice cream is divine." Mercedes chuckled.
Thankfully, Arisa didn't teach the children till tomorrow and she was in no mood to be in the palace.
"I'll take you up on that offer."
[-]
"One sweet caramel cake with a honey ginger tea and one triple milk cake with a green tea milk. Alright. Your orders will be out in 10 minutes. Thank you for coming out to the cafe." The waiter smiled kindly as he took the ladies order and left.
Mercedes smiled warmly as she saw Arisa looking out the window, her eyes looked lost in thought. The cafe the two went too was on the second floor of one of the buildings near the palace. It had a beautiful view of the lake and forest, not to also mention you could see different fae flying around. The two were sitting at a corner away from prying ears and eyes, also, it had the best view. Mercedes smiled softly and decided to play a little trick on her friend.
"Arisa, how is Sir Jeralt?" Mercedes said.
"Hm...? Dad is doing alright. He had been busy lately with j-!" The girl quickly turned to Mercedes in shock as a blush began to cover her face and the older girl giggled playfully as Arisa groans and buried her hands into her face.
"How..." Arisa looked up to her a bit nervously, "did you know?" She said and Mercedes smiled softly.
"Your ring." Mercedes pointed to the ring on her right hand, "I gave you that ring 5 years ago." She smiled and Arisa sighed as she gave her a warm smile.
"If it be alright, can I see how you actually look like?" Mercedes asked and Arisa nodded as she undid her spell.
Mercedes's eyes went wide as she looked at the once young girl had now grown to fully mature woman and was growing more. Arisa kept her eyes down as she felt Mercedes's gaze on her.
"You...you grown so beautiful!" Mercedes was finally able to say as she put her hands together happily, "Look at you! I remember when we were kids you used to say you wanted a bigger chest." She said and Arisa slammed her face on the table while Sothis had burst out laughing.
"Why did you have to bring that up?!" Arisa said as she looked up to her and Mercedes was giggling a lot.
"Well, there is actually another reason how I was able to find out." Mercedes said and cupped her hands together.
A small green small sphere formed and then it transformed into a young girl with pointy ears, and a pink dress made of rose petals and curly brown hair. But she looked more like a child. The little girl had her eyes closed and opened them, they revealed pink orbs that sparkled at the sight of Mercedes.
"A pixie child..." Sothis muttered softly as the little pixie raised her hands.
"Arisa, this Hymn. She's a fae I saved two years ago. Since then, I've taken her in, and she has been with me every sense." She said the little pixie named Hymn giggled happily as Mercedes gently touched her with her index finger and Arisa and Sothis could not help but coo at the cute sight.
"Hmmm...if I remember correctly, Pixies are a type of fae. Frequently take the form of hedgehogs. They're naughty fairies who love playing practical jokes on humanity and оthеr Fae folk. Thеу lіkеwіѕе love to steal horses to ride. They live in flower gardens and are attracted to all types of flowers." Arisa said and Mercedes blinked.
"I did not know that. I guess I learned something new today." Mercedes giggled as the little pixie flapped her wings a bit.
"But, how did you find her?" Arisa asked and Mercedes smiled sadly.
"I usually tend the garden here in the academy. I was watering the hydrangeas because lately they haven't been growing and saw a group of aerials and wooly bugs huddled together in a group near the rose bushes. I walked over and saw they were protecting something." She explained as Hymn turned a bit to look over to Arisa and giggled happily when she saw Sothis.
"This little one's mother...unfortunately did not make it." Mercedes said sadly remembering how she desperately tried to save the mother of Hymn and the other fae also tried to help her, "The other fae explained to me that they were attacked by a hawk and the mother tried to protect her child. Also...they usually don't trust humans but a selected few have. I happen to be one of them because I tried to help Hymn's mother." Mercedes smiled sadly as the little pixie squealed at the sight of the tea and cake a waiter brought. Even the waiter could not help but chuckle at the sight of the little one.
"Wait, we didn't order this." Arisa said as she noticed a cup of warm cream.
"It's alright. On the house. The manger saw the little fae and included it as a gift." He smiled as he placed their food down and smiled as he left.
Arisa and Mercedes nodded as the older girl gently put Hymn on her left palm and with her right index finger, touched the surface of the warm cream, creating a tiny droplet that floated and gently fed it to Hymn, who happily drank it.
"Oohhh! She's so cute!" Arisa squealed as Mercedes fed her.
"Back to the original topic," Mercedes said, "I noticed something strange whenever I tend the garden." She said and Arisa looked at her worried, "Usually the fae are there, enjoying being in the garden but the minute the director, Lady Cornelia, shows up, they immediately hide, leave or disappear completely. If it's anyone else, they stay but if she comes, they always leave." She said.
Arisa frowned as she looked over to the little one then Mercedes.
"Mercie, fae have the ability to sense positive and negative energy. The fact that the minute that woman shows up shows means that they sense she is filled with nothing but malice despite the kind smile she displays." Arisa said and Mercedes looked at Hymn worried.
"Just...please be careful." Arisa sighs and Mercedes nodded.
[-]
After eating together, Mercedes and Arisa decided to hang out together around the Magic District. It was honestly Mercedes favorite place to be at. During the time in the cafe, the two caught up with each other. The older girl told her that she was adopted by a merchant here in Fhirdiad and Arisa knew what she meant. She asked her if her mother was doing well and Mercedes informed her that Miss Charlotte was living in a church here, unfortunately. Her adopted father didn't want to take the older woman in, only Mercedes. The older girl literally had to hold Arisa back from running off to kill the son of bitch of her stepfather.
"Mercie, how would you feel if your mother came to live in Remire Village with us?" Arisa said as the two girls were walking through a garden road towards a cottage near the woods.
"Oh, Arisa! Are you serious? We can't possibly do that to you!" Mercedes said and Arisa shook her head.
"The people of Remire village would be more than happy to welcome her and you also. If you ever think of cutting ties with your stepfather, just say the word and I'll gladly take you home." Arisa smiled warmly as they reached the cottage.
"Oh Arisa...thank you." Mercedes smiled and saw her friend knock on the door, "Umm, what are we doing here? Is there someone you are seeing?" She asked and Arisa grinned.
"Yes actually and I think they will be glad to see you too." She said and the door opened, revealing Florencio, who was not in his Gremory dress but lab coat and hair tied up.
"Uncle!" Arisa grinned hugged him.
"Haha! If I knew you were coming to visit, I would have set up some mint green tea for you!" Florencio laughed and noticed Mercedes.
"Well, I'll be! Mercedes!" Florencio grinned the older girl hugged him.
"Florencio it's been so long!" Mercedes grinned as he let them come in and closed the door.
Inside the cottage was like the living room in her home except there were a couple of plants and once more, cats sleeping peacefully on the pillows on the floor.
"Take a seat you two. The Flufftruts are already bringing the tea along with snacks." Florencio smiled as he sat down across from them.
"It's good to see you again Mercedes! It's been 5 years. Look at you, you look just like your mother! How is she these days?" He asked as the Flufftruts set down the tea and snacks.
"Actually, uncle..." Arisa said and she turned to Mercedes who nodded and spoke.
Let's just say, both women had to hold back Florencio from going to murder Mercedes's stepfather.
[-]
"Well...at least that is solved." Arisa sighed as the two girls were walking back to the city.
Mercedes chuckled as she took a bite out of the muffin Florencio had given her. She had never seen nor heard Florencio curse so many words before!
"I'm sorry about that. Florencio usually goes into curse mode only when something really upsets him. But I'm glad it worked out." Arisa said.
"It's alright. Once again, thank you for allowing my mother to live with you all in Remire village. I'll have to talk to her first before she makes the decision. And...also, thank you. Your classes have been helping a lot. Also, out of curiosity, are you seeing anyone?" Mercedes giggled and Arisa did a double take.
"As in, do I have a lover?" Arisa barely choked out as they arrived at the closet gate, the Magic District.
They walked through the path, seeing the usual vendors and such. Mercedes actually wanted to buy a staff, so they stopped at a wand/staff/grimoire/magic tool shop. Inside they went, the placed filled with hundreds if not thousands of materials. Also, a couple of wooly bugs flying around. The scent of herbs filled their nostrils as they looked around. There were other people there also.
"Yes. I recall you saying you hope to find a boyfriend or girlfriend when we were making wishes 5 years ago?" Mercedes teased and Arisa's ears had turned red and Sothis was "ooohhh la la~".
Arisa quickly karate chopped the goddess before she answered her friend.
"Mercie! That was 5 years ago! But no, I'm not seeing anyone. But I admit...I do have a crush on someone. Well, three people actually." Arisa admitted and it was for a split second, but Arisa did not see that Mercedes's smile fell, just a tad bit.
"Ohh! Any clues?" Mercedes smiled as she picked up a grimoire and opened it, the stupid book forcefully shut itself closed, scaring both.
"Ummm...let's look at the staffs." Arisa said as the older girl nodded quickly and they two shifted to the next ally quickly.
"Well...I'm still sorting out my feelings with this person but I feel I have met them before." Arisa said referring to Chris.
The older boy had this relaxing atmosphere but just something felt familiar. Too familiar in fact and it was really bugging her, a lot.
"The feelings I have towards them is very conflicting. But not in a bad way!" She said as she saw Mercedes look at her worried.
"Oh my. Hopefully you get it sort out. It may take some time but eventually the answer will come to you." Mercedes smiled as she picked up a staff with a green crystal in the center.
It curled in like a moon. Basically, they just found Mercedes's staff from FEH. The green gem hummed softly in the older girl's hands, and one of the store employees saw.
"Would you look at that." A young man said as he walked up to them, "It's rare to see a staff chose it's Master. That staff was made by Zoltan, the legendary blacksmith." He said and both girls looked at the staff, shocked.
"I'll get it wrapped up for you." He smiled as Mercedes nodded and handed it to him.
The employer went to the counter and began to wrap the staff nicely in a box.
"We're going to look around for a while more!" Arisa yelled out and they nodded.
The two girls moved onto the magic tool section and Arisa spoke.
"Hopefully I do. It's been bugging me a lot lately. Regarding my second crush... they are...a bit younger than me, and worse, they are my students." She said referring to...Dimitri and Edelgard.
Once again, Sothis went "oooooh la la~" as she floated around her and Arisa smacked her on the head.
"Umm...Arisa? Why are you hitting the air?" Mercedes asked since she could not see Sothis holding her head in pain after the smack she got from her friend.
"Oh right...I'm contracted to a fae. Unfortunately, you can't see her, only I can." Arisa said and Mercedes blinked.
"So that explains why Hymn was giggling so much at the cafe. Your friend was playing with her." She said and Arisa nodded, "But back to the subject, ohhhh my~ Arisa, quite the scandal!" Mercedes teased and Arisa pouted.
"Yeah..." Arisa sighs as she picked up goddess ring along with a prayer ring.
"I'll be buying these two along with a new grimoire for wind magic." Arisa thought as she made a quick grab of a green book with emerald on the center of its cover.
The two girls went to the counter, about to pay for their items when they suddenly heard screaming and many turned to look outside the shop window, citizens running for their lives and...
"SHIELD!" Arisa suddenly screamed as she slammed her hand down onto the floor as she saw waves of flames on the verge of hitting the citizens and shielded them.
"All mages that can fight, follow me!" Arisa suddenly began ordering as she ran out of the shop and many others also ran out.
"Arisa!" Mercedes said but the girl was gone.
The girl ran out of the shop and was followed by her fellow mages, the look of shock as she saw what had gotten inside the city.
"Those are vestals!" A female mage yelled out as they spotted around 13 of them.
Vestals are female humanoid entities, their bodies made of pure flames, a bit similar to efreets.
"How did they get in the city?! They shouldn't be able too!" A male mage yelled out.
"Well, it doesn't matter right now!" Arisa yelled out and took out her wand, "Formation! Kingdom magic corps! Group Ice!" Arisa yelled out as she stood in front of the group, and the mages nodded as they got in a circle formation behind her.
"Why are we following her orders?" A Male asked and a female on sneered at him.
"Idiot! Don't you see that glass card on her neck?! She's a Holy Magus!" She said and the man paled.
"On my single..." Arisa raised her hand as the vestals finally spotted her and screamed as they charged.
"NOW! GROUP ICE!" She yelled and the mages began chanting an incantation.
Spears of ice began to form above the vestals and came crashing down. Arisa quickly changed her appearance as she heard the vestals scream as the spears came crashing down, luckily from the 13, 5 were immediately finished off.
"Professor Kiana!" One of the female's mages said as she quickly ran up to her and Arisa glared.
"Remain in formation!" Arisa yelled and the woman nodded.
"What happened to that other girl?" Another mage said and Arisa sighed.
"I sent her to go get the Kingdom knights! For now, we need to hold off these things!" She yelled out.
"Everyone weapons up! And follow my instructions!" She yelled as the surviving vestal roared furiously at them and charged.
Unfortunately, the Magic District wasn't the only place being attacked.
[-]
West Gate:
"HYAAA!" Zander yelled as he brought down his lance on a giant wolf beast, splitting its skull in half as lighting charged through it.
It fell down limp, but the first prince did not let down his guard down as he pulled out his bloody lance.
"Evacuate the citizens of this area!" He ordered out as the priest and monks were doing just that.
"Your Highness!" A knight ran up to him quickly.
"Report!" Zander ordered and the knight nodded.
"Have confirmed Lord Glenn is at the East gate with his soldiers fighting off the demonic Beast and vultures with Lord Sylvian. On the South Gate, Lord Chris along with Lady Gina are fighting off a demonic Beast and at the North Gate, Lady Kiana along with other magicians are fighting off vestals!" The knight reported quickly, and Zander nodded.
"Thank you! Have a Magus inform my father of the situation!" He said and the knight took off.
Zander charged at an incoming vulture and whistled. A loud howl alerted the vulture and its eye was suddenly ripped out by a pair of talons. Beautiful brown feather shinned in the air, a griffon roared out, Zander ran, jumping into the air, and perfectly landed on its saddle.
"Let's go Fireheart!" He yelled out and the griffon named Fireheart yelled out loudly.
Flowing behind the prince, his battalions of pegasus knights followed behind him.
Only one question currently occupied the prince's mind. How the hell did they get into the city without the guards noticing?
South Gate:
"Quake Σ!" Gina yelled out as waves of black and string like words left her body and warped around the demonic Beast that dare come.
They howled in agony as their bodies were ripped apart to pieces. Gina's eyes glowed a blood red as she put away her glasses and undid her hair, letting it loose. Now she really did look like the female version of Hubert as the woman smirked as she took out her staff. It was carved of black wood and a green colored stone sat in the mouth of the eagle it was carved on.
"Gina, take care of the beast wolves." Chris said as he charged at the main demonic Beast with his steel gauntlets.
"Of course, my king." Gina bowed to him and turned towards the wolves, cackling like a mad woman as she casted Excalibur.
A tornado cutting winds slashed at the wolves, howled in agony. The woman cackled as she cast spell after spell, killing the beast, enjoying it. Chris cringed at her calling him "King." God, he hated that tittle. He charged magic into his gauntlets as he brought them down on the demonic Beast.
King.
Emperor
Prince
Your Highness
My Lord
He hated these titles with a passion. It was the very reason his father was ruined by those bloody nobles of traitors minus Mary, Zika and Urus. He had no crest and was honestly perfectly fine not having one because he could live how he desired. But he despised the burden it brought down on his sister. The two were raised differently despite being born of the same blood. Edelgard was raised to be the future Emperor of the Adrestian Empire while he and his other siblings were raised like normal royal kids. Yet, their father and mother treated and loved them all equally despite them having a Crest or not. Gina was six when she was assigned to serve him. The poor girl was shy, and rarely spoke. Chris unfortunately during that time was just barely learning to control his magic and accidentally saw Gina's memories when he held her hand to take her to the rose garden, hoping she would open up. Instead, his magic went out of control and he saw her memories. The girl was the second born child of House Vestra and went through horrific traumatic lessons that scared the girl for life, creating a second persona of hers. She would take on hits to protect her little brother, Hubert, from their father's wrath. Her own magic causes her to go out of control since she could not control it at the time but now...
"Gina, that is enough." Chris hugged the girl from behind.
His arm had warped around her waist, he had removed one of his gauntlets to intertwine his left hand his hers, using an anti-magic spell to make her stop. The girl had stop cackling as her eye colors had returned, and her expression turned to shock as she looked up to see her lord holding her.
"W-Wha?! Did I go out of control again?!" The girl screeched and Chris shook his head and smiled softly to her.
"Almost but I got you. But I told you not to call me King." He smiled at her and she gulped.
"A-Ah...sorry." she stuttered, and he chuckled.
"Its alright. For now, we got the South Gate secured." He said as Gina finally registered the sight of a completely massacred demonic beast.
She saw a distant look in his eyes again as she saw the demonic Beast turn to ash before their eyes, only human skeletons remaining. Gina knew why her Lord hated being called King. Edelgard was raised to be Emperor yet he secretly took all the lessons that were taught to Edelgard. He hopped he could try and make the burden less by standing by her side. He had proposed new laws and ideas that to many sounded that they came from a mad man yet, those like Lady Mary, Duke Zika, and Count Urus were impressed and agreed with him. Chris was leader in her eyes, but also far too kind. He held some unknown burden that not even she or he knew about. He was searching for something unconsciously.
"Come on Gina. Let's meet with Kiana." Chris said and she nodded as the two ran towards the direction of the South gate.
Something changed within Chris when he met Kiana. Everyone around him saw an instant change with her. Even Edelgard noticed it. Chris had become more open. Before, he had this barrier he had put around himself, keeping his distance from everyone, even her, except his siblings. Especially Edelgard. He was always much gentler and kinder with her, like if she would break at any moment. That invisible wall had immediately collapsed when he met Kiana. Even if for a while, Gina hated to admit that she was jealous of the young girl. Yet, the relationship the Holy Magus and Adrestian prince reminded her of her relationship with her brother. The relationship between the Blaiddyd siblings. The relationship between him and his siblings. It felt, like Chris met had reunited with a long-lost sister.
"Just who truly are you...Kiana?"
- South Gate -
"East gate Clear!"
"North Gate, clear!"
"West Gate! Clear!"
Arisa nodded as she created another barrier around the magicians helping her. The vestals were tougher than they looked and thankfully only two remained and were killed swiftly by her wind magic. A messenger from Zander had just arrived, informing her that Glenn, Sylvian, Zander, Chris and Gina have taken care of the other gates and they were cleared. But out of safety measures, they still had knights stationed there.
"Kiana!" Mercedes finally ran out of the store and was running up to her.
"Mercie, stay back!" Arisa yelled to her but...
Time seemed to slow down as Mercedes eyes went wide and Arisa's eyes widen as sudden beam of fire came out of nowhere and shot right through Mercedes chest, her right lung. The older girl could barely register as she saw the look of shock that fell upon her friend.
"Not...like this..." Mercedes thought as her hand reached out.
The girl dropped down to the ground, her eyes wide as they became void of life. Up in the air, the main leader of the vestals, put its hand down and only stared.
"Ahh...ah..." Arisa's voice began to come to her throat as she processed everything that just happened, "AAAAHHHHHHHHH!" She screamed at the top of her lungs, time pulse activating that spilt split second, reversing time.
Once again, the scene played but this time, Arisa quickly lunged at Mercedes and pushed her down, dodging the beam of fire. At the time Mercedes was originally killed, Chris was running towards their direction when he saw the world turn purple.
"What the?" The boy said as he saw he was suddenly back near the signs when they were originally halfway across the street.
"Lord Chris?" Gina stopped as she looked at him worried.
Wait...weren't we...you know what? Never mind." He said and the two bolted again towards the magic district.
"Arisa, Arisa! Calm down!" Arisa was shaking uncontrollably and could barely register Mercedes voice calling out to her, the girl was hugging Mercedes to her chest, her eyes wide, and shaking.
Arisa's eyes were flickering between mint green and brown as her grip around Mercedes only tighten. Years...it's been many years since she witnessed the death of a loved one- and used-time pulse. Her chest burned as her mentally was currently scattered.
"We're here!" Mercedes turned as she saw a young man and woman running their way and the woman quickly casted barrier as another fire attack came at them.
Above them, floated a female vestal witch. Her body made of red and orange flames, yet her face was a blur. Her hair was long and straight, her bangs stopped just below the eyebrows. It tilts its head a bit, as if studying the magicians. It started at shaken girl yet could see the one with brown hair trying to calm her down. Then its eyes landed on...
Chris.
It began twitching uncontrollably as it's human like hands clutch its head, it curled its knees together as it floated, as if it was in agony.
"Aaahhhhh!" Its scream sounded like a possessed female, Chris ordered the other mages to head to the other gates to heal others.
The scream was enough to make Arisa let go of Mercedes and stand up, her eyes flickering once more as they turned to look at the witch, pure rage was in them. Thankfully the magicians were gone and the only ones that remained were Mercedes, Chris, Gina and her. Her disguise spell shattered, revealing her true appearance. Gina was beyond confused at who she suddenly turned to. Arisa raised her hand, making the bow, The Inexhaustible, appearing in her hands, and lunged at the witch, firing arrows at it.
"She's pissed." Gina muttered as Chris quickly went to Mercedes.
"What happened?" He asked her and Mercedes shook her head.
"I don't know. I was on the verge of being attacked and she pushed down just on time yet..." Mercedes said and Chris finished her sentence.
"She's acting as if you were killed." He finished and Mercedes looked at him shocked.
"Gina!" He yelled out and the girl nodded, "Please take her to a safe place. I'll take care of Arisa." He said as he looked over to the raging girl firing water attacks at the witch, who only kept dodging them.
"Please, let me stay! I can help her!" Mercedes tried to protest but Gina shook her head.
"I'm sorry but it's my Lord's orders." She said and warped away with her.
Chris let go of a sigh as he made his gauntlets disappear and replaced them with black gloves, yet a green stone was on the top. He quickly jumped up and saw Arisa baring her teeth, like a feral beast.
"Please stop her!" Sothis stormed over to him, "My voice won't reach her! It's like she shut me out!" She said and both quickly jumped back as an explosion happened.
"Cutting gale!" Arisa screamed furiously as she sent another wind attack at the witch, who kept staring at her, despite dodging attacks.
The witch stared and stared, and then suddenly lunged at her, it's face only a few inches from Arisa's, making the girl lean back as fast as she could but single name made her movements freeze.
"Ed...el..gard..."
That was enough to cause the witch to scream once again and sent her flying towards a building but was quickly caught by Chris.
"Yo!" He said, as his right arm had wrapped around her waist to catch her, and Sothis floated to them, worried.
"You fool!" Sothis yelled at Arisa, who was now barely recovering from the frenzy state she was in, "How dare you lock me out?! If Chris wasn't nearby you would have gone completely out of control!" Sothis yelled furiously at Arisa, who had placed a hand over her eyes.
"Sorry...sorry...I...saw...I snapped...Mercedes...killed." Arisa could barely choke out, Sothis hugged her, the girl's eyes had turned back to normal, thankfully.
"I know dear...I saw it too. We'll talk about this later, for now...we need to focus on that witch." Sothis said as the three turned to the witch, who clutched its head and screamed.
"I noticed it wasn't fighting back." Chris spoke as he took a step forward.
"Arisa, head to the East gate. Make sure to change back to your appearance. Also, I sent a telepathic message to Gina to not say a single word of what she witnessed about you." He said and she looked down to the floor.
"Also, introduce me to that friend of yours." He smirked and barely dodge her water attack on him.
"Hands off Mercie." Arisa said as she changed her appearance again.
"Chris...one more thing..." she said and he stopped, "the vestal witch... said Edelgard's name." She said and Chris's went wide, and she warped away.
He had narrowed his eyes as he turned to the witch that kept clutching its head, screaming, its voice was that of a young girl. He walked towards it, he could tell its face was a blur.
"Aaahhh! Aahhhh! Noooooo!" It screamed and launched a fire attack once more, but Chris used the shield he had to protect himself.
Whispers, whispers. He could hear the souls that others could not see whisper to each other. He could see the ghosts of those who have passed on still hiding in the shadows and a few looking at the witch in pity and others worried.
"Help her." A little boy floated up to him and Chris nodded as he turns back to the witch.
"Who are you?" He spoke, the witch turning his way despite clutching her head.
"Argghh...stop...stop...I want to go home..." the voice was now far more clearer, it's blurry face now becoming much clearer.
"Aaahhh...ahhh..." it's hand reaching out to him, lava like tears seem to fall from its eyes.
"C-Chris...Ris..." he froze at the name "Ris."
Only one person in the entire world called him that nickname.
[-]
"So, tell me exactly what these experiments cause the victim." He said to Arisa since the two were alone in the cafe.
He could not believe what he was hearing as he was doing everything in his power does not stand up and walk away at the ridiculous story, he was hearing but he somehow knew she was not lying. Arisa had taken out a document and handed it to him. He began reading it and frowned more.
"From what I managed to find, the results would obviously be death, turned to a demonic beast, another thing I found is that some of the victims have been sacrificed for some time ritual spell to try and make the process of implanting Crest less painful. The results are turning into some type of monster. One I read is that females' victims have turned to vestals." Arisa said and Chris was taking deep breaths.
"So you're saying...my siblings...every single one of my siblings...are being turned to test subjects by those damn bloody traitors 7 nobles?!" He roared furiously as he looked at the list of names, his hands shaking.
[-]
"Oh Heather..." the face of the witch had now become clear, revealing a young woman who wept.
Heather von Liya Hersvelg, the oldest and first princess of the Adrestian Empire, age 25, was sacrificed for ritual and the result was her turning to this. The witch cried as she wanted to hold his hand but did not wish to hurt him.
"Chris...chris...home...I wAnt...to...go..HoMe..." she cried as she retracted her hand, yet her eyes went wide as he quickly held her hand, despite the burning sensation he was feeling.
"Oh sis...what have they done to you...?" He whispered and the unexpected happened.
"My...who would have thought I see this happen."
The boy quickly summons his axe and pointed it at the white-haired girl who looked like a walking corpse, floating in the air.
"Unlike Sothis, I can travel wherever I wish. Though I am surprised you can see me." The girl said and saw some strange symbol in her eyes.
"Who are you...?" He growled and Heather hissed at the girl.
"You can save her." The girl said and he narrowed his eyes," Its east really. Form a contract with her and she will be at your command." The girl smirked as Chris looked at his sister then back to her.
"My sister...is no slave...nor servant." He growled furiously at her.
"Hmph. Then do you want her to be killed by your fellow knights?" The girl said and he hesitated.
"Listen here punk." The girl hissed, "At this rate, your little vestal sister will be killed because she was part of the group that attacked the Kingdom. Do you want that? Or do you want revenge on those who have harmed your family?" She smiled and he looked at her shocked.
"You know who did this?" He muttered.
"One name." The girl smirked, "Cornelia." Was all she said and disappeared in a shower of snow.
Chris fist shook a he processes everything that just went down and turned to Heather, who blinked as he extended his hand to her. He will save his siblings.
"Let's go home."
[-]
"Arrghhh...Rrraaahhhhh!"
Her body was in agony as she felt the shift of magic again. Not only she felt it, but she could see Sothis was in pain also. Thankfully, she had warped into an alleyway near the gate, her back slid down the stone wall, she sat down, panting as she held her stomach, her knees spread out in a W. The scene of Mercedes killed played before her again and she gritted her teeth. The last time she lost control like that was 5 years ago. But that was her own emotions and it was like that again. The first time she witnessed death when she was 4 years old. The memory of when she nearly killed that bandit never left her mind. Then when she made her first kill was on the way to Dadga. The first time she witnesses the death of someone she cares was Ili. That was the first time she had officially snapped. The second time she witnessed death was with Anna. She never forgot how the sword came down on the red-haired woman and used Time pulse to save her. Now, seeing Mercedes be killed...
"Haha...I really am starting...to lose it..." Arisa sobbed as she closed her eyes and Sothis disappeared in a shower of green dust, leaving her alone.
She undid her spell and just stared blankly at the bit of sky that could be seen. Now that she remembers...it was near the time when the rain comes. The sky was gray, and the first drop of rain fell. All Arisa did was stare as the rain kept falling, and then turn to full downpour. The girl sat in silence till she heard running footsteps. She assumed it was a cat and closed her eyes, letting herself drown at the sound of the rain falling, and soaking her wet. She was silent and let herself wept. She hated these changes. She was just so out of control of her emotions lately and she hated that. It felt like she was in the hospital again. She hated hospital rooms yet, looking around, she felt she was in one again. Again, she could hear small footsteps and thinking it was a cat again.
How very wrong she was.
She felt a warm hand on her cheek, opening her eyes and seeing baby blue ones looking at her worried. She hadn't fully registered who it was but...she reached out, touching their cheek, caressing it gently like a mother would. She smiled softly and spoke, just barely a whisper.
"How...can fate be so cruel...?" She muttered softly as she stared at those eyes.
Those innocent eyes. How can fate hurt them? How could fate harm them?
"On...an...ocean of stars..." she sings softly to those blue eyes, their owner was silent as they wept, "lo an angel they see...untouched by the war...that they waged..." she kept singing weakly.
[-]
"Dimitri!" Edelgard ran through the city, yelling out the prince's name.
The boy had run off when Zander and Glenn said that Kiana could not be found anywhere and was last seen fighting a vestal along with her brother.
"Dimitri where are you!?" She yelled out once more, the rain pouring down hard.
She ripped off her wig, revealing her white hair. She was sick and tired of wearing that damn thing! She kept running around, calling out his name yet nothing.
"Edelgard!" She turned when she heard footsteps heading her way and could not help but jump into their arms.
"Big brother!" Edelgard yelled out as he caught her and hugged her tightly.
"I'm alright El. I'm alright." He whispered and she looked at him worried.
"It's Dimitri...he ran off. I can't find him." She said and he nodded.
"I can find him." Chris said and closed his eyes, hearing the voices of the spirits speak.
He ran with his sister in his arms towards an empty alleyway and there, they found Dimitri but also, Edelgard blinked seeing the unfamiliar girl with forest colored hair and eyes.
"And though I am gone...just ash in the wind..." her heart dropped as she heard the older girl singing so sadly as she gently held Dimitri's cheek.
It was clear she was injured even if she was doing what she could to hide it.
"One life surrenders...so yours may begin..." the girl kept singing softly as Dimitri wept as he held her hand.
"Dimitri..." Edelgard whispered as she walked up to them with her brother and looked at them worried.
"Arisa...please...it's going to be alright..."Dimitri sobbed as she kept singing, her eyes turning hazy yet she could not hear his voice.
"Courage my children...this is your song..." Arisa sung and Edelgard was shocked to learn this was the girl that Dimitri admired so much.
She looked so...broken... Did she get injured while protecting citizens? She also noticed the streaks of white hair the girl had, and her heart stopped. Was she a victim just like her? Chris walked up and knelt, placing his hand on her forehead, applying some healing magic he knew.
"I am the earth...I will make you strong..." she finished, and her dazed eyes looked at Dimitri then to Edelgard and lastly Chris.
Arisa could not help but cry and laugh softly as she stared at Chris and muttered softly.
"Christian...you're here...how much...I missed you..." she smiled softly and Chris's eyes went wide as he suddenly backed away.
"Arisa...you...how do you..." only he knew the name.
It was a name that kept coming to his mind all these years, yet he did not know why. It was a name that sounded too familiar yet when it left her lips, he could not help but cry. For some reason, a feeling of happiness rose in his chest when she called him that.
"Stay with us Arisa!" Dimitri suddenly yelled as her hand suddenly went limp and her eyes closed.
"Don't die, don't die!" Dimitri cried as he touched her cheek and a smile was on her face despite how pale she looked.
Chris quickly picked her up and ran towards Emily's clinic, his siblings following him.
For the rest of the week, classes at the academy were put on hold for repairs since it was closer to the North gate. The damage on it was seriously bad and many had their work cut out.
- Palace: Cornelia's Office -
"So you're saying..." the woman was doing everything in her power not to snap the necks of her personal magicians, "That the ritual was a success but the result was that vestal witch to go out of control and set free our monsters and failed test subjects?!" She said furiously and the mages bowed their heads as she slammed her hands on her desk.
"The first princess put up a fight none of us ever expected. Literally managed to RIP out Solon's left eye with her hands." One mage said and Cornelia took in a deep breath as she sat back down and glared.
"You realize...all those subjects were killed by the knights and had valuable information?! Now they are gone!" She yelled.
"We were able to confirm that the first princess had become a vestal witch. Her original power had transferred to the spell needed for the second phase to implant the Crest of Flames into the Adrestian princess. The witch is alive." The other mage said.
"Good." Cornelia huffed, "Capture her and lock her up. Her heart will be used for the Forbidden Spell of Zahras when the day the Fell Star is found." Cornelia said.
"That's a bigger problem." One mage said and Cornelia looked ready to murder them as he skin had turned a pale blue, nearly undoing her spell to reveal her true appearance as a person of Those Who Slither in The Dark, "The witch has formed a contract with the prince, Chris." The mage said and Cornelia appeared in front of the mage, her hand on their neck, choking, her spell completely undone, revealing a woman with pale blue skin, orange pale hair, black makeup on her eyes she wore, her lips a red color.
"What did you just say?" The woman growled furiously.
"The vestal witch...has formed a contract...with the fourth prince...becoming...his familiar..." the mage barely managed to choke out.
Cornelia was pissed. Everything was going wrong. But...
"You two may have failed but we still have two very useful pawns..." she smirked as she walked up to her crystal ball, letting go of the mage, and it showed the image of Kiana and also Lady Patricia, "The girl of knowledge I will personally take care of. In the meantime, I'll keep building up my friendship with the foolish queen who so desperately desires to see her family." She said as her eyes zoomed in on Kiana.
"That girl knows far more than she is letting on. I will have her...one way or another. It is not a secret that she loves the children. I could blackmail her but unfortunately, I do not have enough information on her. Seems I'll have to investigate her background." She huffed and turned back to her mages.
"Let the prince keep the witch. It's only a matter of time till he returns to the Empire and will become out newest test subject. Hmph...he may even survive because the blood of anti-magic users runs within his veins. Sadly no one in his family inherited but him." Cornelia said.
Unknown to her, the very same girl that suggested that Chris form a contract with the witch was watching her.
"My my...so she still wants to bring hell even after Alexandra messed up your face." It was Cirina.
The only reason she can travel this far is because Alexandra was currently asleep as she was traveling with Jeralt in Empire territory and Amir will be arriving on Friday rather than next week. Cirina chuckled as she floated around and listened to what the woman was ordering to her men. Once more, Cirina giggled and...
CRACK!
Cornelia quickly took out her staff to attack but only saw her crystal ball had cracked to pieces and saw what seemed like frost forming on it. The woman had narrowed her eyes as she looked around, her magicians getting to position to defend her yet...
Her eyes went wide as she felt like someone had covered her eyes, a whisper in her ear.
"Everything is a liar~"
The horrible sensation was at the back of her neck again as she whipped her head yet saw no one. Fear was something she as an Agarthan should not feel. It was unnecessary to feel, yet this human emotion she felt. Fear. Fear.
[-]
Cirina floated above the Kingdom, looking down at it with her crimson colored eyes looked down at Capital. She could see a strange brown-haired boy carrying Arisa to Emily's clinic, that was already packed with people. The two younger children looked worried also. He explained to her what happened, and that girl Mercedes was there also, worried as Emily had Arisa rushed to a room. She was silent as she watched this and had already informed the king that "Kiana" was sent to the village that was attacked by demonic beast by her orders. Cirina scoffed as she recognized the damn older woman despite hiding her true appearance.
"Aunty Noa..." Cirina muttered as she turned her attention to different sides of the city and spotted Cornelia's men moving in the shadows.
She looked towards the palace and saw King Lambert giving orders to his staff and knights to tend to the citizens and distribute supplies. He was getting report after report of what happened. His older son, Zander and his daughter, were also helping distribute supplies. Knights were stationed at the gates to make sure no more attacks came.
"Hphm...foolish humans...The Day of Ruin has yet to come. 6 more years and hell will break." She said and turned to fly away but froze as she looked at the spirit of an older woman.
Someone who deeply locked themselves away deep in her vessel's mind.
"Listen you bitch..." the see through older woman growled furiously," how dare you open the forbidden door in "my" mind?" The woman said and Cirina mockingly rested her hand on her cheek.
"Your mind? Please, you locked yourself away to protect your "former" friend as well to save Alexandra. Now then...Theresa...why won't you come out already?" Cirina said coyly to her.
"I have no place in this world. I shouldn't even be here, yet I live within Alexandra because she is me and I am her." Theresa said and Cirina snorted as she floated past her.
"Well, make up your damn mind because the first crack in Arisa has taken place. After all, like a joker says, "Madness is just like gravity. All it needs is a little push."
Chapter 25: Flicker: Part 1: The First Crack
[-]
So, the first crack of Arisa's mentally is finally happening. This chapter I wanted to focus on specific spots on Arisa's relationship with different people. First, we have her mentally. Second, how it's starting to affect her. We see her interact with The Palace children, next Annette, then we have Mercedes, who she had not seen in five years. Arisa had not used time pulse since the time she saved Anna and as we saw, it put a huge strain on her body because she reversed time a full 5 minutes back. She had yet to reach its full potential. Next, we have her reaction at seeing someone she deeply cares about being killed before her eyes. That made her nearly snap. When the Tragedy of Duscur chapters come, we will see the full and actual damage that has been done and how everything affected her throughout the years.
The next Chapter we will focus on her relationship with Edelgard, Linhart and my newest OC, Kuza. Also, surprise, surprise on Cornelia's part. But seriously! Nintendo, why didn't you give her a Shambhala form like you did to Kronya, Solon, and Thales!? Also, if the link did not work, look up rougemagi on Tumblr because that is where most update notices will happen as well as art for my OC's. Please note, I am not a professional artist. Lastly, I literally looked up the monster list for Three Houses and I'm like...wtf?...WTF is this?! So little choices! Like seriously, Nintendo you could have added more! The vestals from Valentia, or the Faceless from Fates, or the Risen from Awakening! Like come on! Yeah, I get there are Demonic beast and such but add mmooorrrreeee! Hoping the DLC adds more new enemies. But hey, that's what fanfiction is for right?
The concept of the vestals is a bit similar to Shadows of Valentia, but a bit different. Instead of being sacrificed to a dark god, it is more towards being sacrificed for a spell or ritual so it can be successful when doing the blood reconstruction surgery that Those Who Slither in The Dark, do. It is to increase the success rate or make the pain more bearable. In this case, if the sacrifice was a success, the victim will either die, turn to a demonic beast, or if female, turn to a vestal. And if the emotions of that female are stronger than what anticipated, they will turn to a Vestal Witch.
Questions asked now will be answered:
SilverWolf227:
Arisa is already doing that. All I will say is be patient and you will see the results. I want to build up the story and not dive into the problem immediately. That was a huge mistake I would do in my past stories and thankfully I learned from those mistakes. It is better to build up then to just dive in.
Stormtide Leviathan:
AAAHHHHHHH! Thank you so much! It's an honor you are reading my story! Your story is amazing and is a huge inspiration! I hope you continue your amazing story too!
Blaze2121:
Arisa meeting Catherine takes place before the Tragedy of Duscur. Meaning she isn't labeled a criminal yet in the Kingdom. She had just recently graduated before meeting Arisa and is working as a knight to serve Lady Rhea, since she did save her life. Eventually there will be tension between her and Arisa when the Tragedy hits but not enough that there will be straight murder between them.
Question two:
Both Dimitri and Edelgard are interested in her. Dimitri because she did save his life and the memories, she erased of herself when he was younger (she still regrets it to this day), had come back the day Hana accidentally caused Arisa to awaken the Crest of Flames, making the Hero's Relics react.
Edelgard is interested in her because Dimitri talks about her...A LOT. He has this deep attachment to her. Puppy love in a way. The other...well I'll let you figure that out as the story continues. Now, back to Edelgard, she and Arisa's relationship will build up in the next chapter.
And yes. I know how you feel when it comes to reading fanfics XD it always happens.
ArashiGodess:
No, Arisa had never killed in her past life. So, her nearly killing that bandit was a huge slap from reality that she would have to learn survival skills since she isn't in the 21st century anymore. As for hurting people when it came to fencing in her past, it only happened once but it was nothing serious. She added a bit too much force when she did a trust to the chest on her opponent. She tries to be careful because she can be competitive at times.
Also...SHHHHHHHHHHHH! Don't talk about my husbando here XD
Well that's all! Also, the character profile will be updated over time so keep a lookout on it!