[Authors Note: Okay so there was some confusion on the previous chapter. Arisa only has HALF of the Sword of the Creator(see chapter 17) and has it welded into her rapier. But she still called it The Sword of the Creator because it's easier to remember. But most of the time she just calls it a rapier. It did manage to keep some of Arisa's sanity intact, that's why she was barely able to speak with Dimitri. ]
[-]
"Sing with me a song...of birthright and love...conquest and fate...silence and blood…"
Falling.
Falling.
Falling...
"Ah...I know this feeling..." she muttered softly as the heavy feeling from her eyelids began to go away ever so slightly.
This gentle feeling, she felt a long time ago but she does not remember when. Such a feeling almost as if a fleeting dream. The fall made her feel light as a feather and she knew she was safe. She didn't feel this fall was dangerous. Yet the feeling of the back of her mind was there. She felt she forgot something but what?
Slow.
Slow.
Slowly
Slowly she fell and slowly yet gently her feet touched something wet. Her eyes began to open as she looked around. It was the haunting lake from her dreams, yet the water was not black like boiled blood. Quite the opposite, it was clear. Pure clear crystal blue water as movements created small ripples on the surface. She could hear very faint singing as she looked around. Honestly, confusion is what filled her face as she began to walk. The song that she heard sounded familiar, yet she couldn't put her finger quite to it. She felt gentle hands hold her own, she turned, she was dancing with someone. The music became softer and more majestic. She hummed softly and wanted to look around yet.
"Focus. Do not break contact. Concentrate." The voice sounded familiar.
Childish, haughty, yet stern and wise. The song repeated, yet different this time. The figure in front of her changed to that of male, whose face was a blur, yet she could tell they were looking at her with tender eyes. Again, the two danced slowly and gently. This person was being gentle, as if she would shatter in his arms.
"Who are you?" She asked and they shook their head, gently kissing her forehead, whispers in her ear yet she could not understand it.
She felt safe. Happy even. Someone or many wanted her to be safe.
Day after day, the same dream would repeat itself again. The familiar songs, the familiar childish voice. The beautiful lake. Yet each time she danced, it was always the same person with the childish voice, telling her to focus, and then it was a new person present. It was sometimes a man, sometimes a woman, and at times she could not tell if it was a man or a woman.
"Focus. Do not break contact. Concentrate." It was always those same words when the dream repeated itself.
She did not mind. She kept singing. Humming to the songs. This felt real yet not. The lake never turned muddy again. She wondered why. But she knows she is forgetting something but what.
"Focus. Do not break contact. Concentrate." They repeated and she nodded. The blue waters of the crystal-clear lake would wrap around her body like a warm blanket, healing her.
The dream repeats once more.
[-]
"What on earth...?" Emily could barely process everything as she was examining the young girl in her clinic.
It's been a week since everyone was rescued in the Keilman mountains and the others were making a recovery. Yet, she could not believe her eyes as she, Sophia and Gregory had their hands hovering over their friend, who despite being in the worst condition of the group, was... recovering at a regular pace.
"I-I...never seen...someone so...feeling at peace. "Sophia could barely chock out as Tharja was monitoring the girl's condition.
"Then it was a good thing she went rouge." The dark-haired woman smirked, and Emily glared at her.
"Excuse me?! Arisa here nearly lost her humanity if it wasn't for Dimitri's influence keeping her sane!" Emily said angrily and the woman shook her head.
"I don't think you understand Emily." Tharja said as she was grinning at the pissed off red-haired woman because someone was challenging her knowledge, "I am a dark mage. I know the dangers of the dark side of humans like the back of my hands. What happened here is simple. The girl was building up not just any kind of magic, dark magic. Negative emotions." She said as she projected a glass cup.
"Oh...I get it." Gregory said as Tharja had the glass cup slowly filled with water, "Arisa's emotions have been building up. She rarely ever expresses her own anger or her own frustrations. What's more...with the years passing by and her and Sothis becoming one, forcing her to adapt, means there was bound to be excessive magic that did not properly change. Combine that with her internal conflict, it was only a matter of time, " he saw the glass cup overfill, " till that power over flowed, making her snap." He said.
Emily looked at the two stunned and then back down to the girl, who's two streaks of white hair had become mint green, yet her brown hair that faded to teal, remained the same length.
"Then you're saying..." Sophia could barely process the conclusion.
"Yes!" Tharja clapped her hands, "The girl has purified herself! She kept holding herself back for far too long and now she will be able to properly wield the power of The Divine Dragon!" She grinned, "However, the girl will make a recovery. It'll take a while for her to fully adjust to change but she'll adapt. Emily, you know what this means." She said.
"I do." The woman said as she shook her head, a soft smile on her lips, "Her growing phase is over. She's still human, thank goodness for that, but now, the agony she was suffering through is over." She said as she walked to the door, "You guys keep watching over her, I'm going to see how the others are doing." She said.
"By the way," Sophia said as the woman slightly turned to her, "Rensen said those prosaic arms for Glenn and Zander will be ready in a few days." She said and Emily nodded as she left the room, closing the door.
The woman let go of a long sigh as she walked down the hallways of her clinic. This whole week was a complete utter nightmare. First, the rescuing of the kids. Next the trial that was put on Count Keilman, all three royal children denied the crown. Followed by them learning that the same day the Tragedy of Duscur occurred, there was an attack at the Empire and Chris and Gina did not survive. Rufus has fallen into depression and has ascended to the crown, things going downhill fast. Despite it being proved that the people of Duscur were innocent and victims, about half the people of Faerghus still blamed them for the death of their king. She had to put down mob groups that tried to attack Kuza, Amir, Dedue and Sadi. She was grateful that there were people that did try to defend those children and shamed the ones that attacked them. What's more, one of her spies learned that a victim of Cornelia's magic experiments managed to escape the woman. Hapi was the name of the young girl, the same age as Alexandra. They helped her escape to Lord Lonato's territory, and she found refuge at a Church there.
"What's more...if Zander's testimony is correct...the woman that tried to force Arisa to drink from a strange bottle..." she muttered as she stood in front of room 10, Dimitri's room.
She knocked on the door like usual and heard a soft 'come in'. Opening the door, she went in, closing it softly. There on the comfortable bed, the room that was the splitting image of his own, the young prince sat silently as he watched the older woman walk up to the desk, grab a chair, and sit next to his bed.
"How are you feeling?" She asked and the prince spoke.
"How is Arisa?" It was always his first question to her.
"She's doing well. Dimitri...you saved her. She's going to make a full recovery." Emily said and the boy felt tears of joy fall from his eyes.
"I...I'm so happy...I'm glad...to hear some good news...after...everything we went through..." he wept an Emily smiled sadly, "First...mother...father...the knights...then being hit with the news that Chris and Gina...also..." the boy's hands balled into fist, hitting his teeth, "WHY IS THIS HAPPENING?! WHO DID THIS!?" He yelled furiously and even Emily was taken back by his outburst.
"Sigh...you have every right to be angry." Emily sighs, as she crossed her legs, "It's alright to cry. It's alright to hate. To be angry, but do not let those emotions control you. Dimitri, you said you heard a voice." The boy looked to her and nodded
"I did. It was after Arisa pushed me out of the way. I... know I was out cold for a bit, but I heard the voice of a girl. She was screaming, begging for that woman dressed in white to stop. When I said who was there, she was surprised I could hear her, even if for a few minutes. She said to stop the woman or else Arisa would be gone forever..." He said as he looked down to his lap.
"Dimitri..." Emily took a deep breath, "What you heard, was the voice of the fae that watches over Arisa." She said and he looked at her shocked, "It was only for a few minutes, but Arisa had unconsciously sent some of her power into you when she pushed you away, to protect you. It enabled you to not only hear the voice of that fae, but also use Tempest Lance, which is a highly advanced move. After using it, she said her last words to you, thanking you. After that, you cannot hear her anymore." She said as the boy smiled sadly.
"I...wish I could thank her...the fae." Dimitri said softly and Emily nodded.
"Sadly, you have to wait till Arisa wakes up. Also...could you describe the woman?" She asked him, "If his description matches everyone else, then..." she thought, and Dimitri nodded.
"The woman was dressed in white, her hair completely covered and a veil over her face. Even in my furious state, I managed to see she wore a ring on her right hand." He said.
"What did the ring look like?" Emily asked.
Dimitri was silent for a moment then spoke.
"I know for a fact...only higher up officials of the Church of Serios wear a ring with the Crest of Serios on it." He said and Emily closed her eyes, her hands bawling to fist.
"So, I'm guessing, you're not exactly a fan of the Church of Serios..." she said and his eyes were void of emotion as he spoke, "No, I'm not." He said and Emily spoke.
"Dimitri, for everyone's sake and yours...you are not to say one word about the woman you saw." She said and he was about to protest but her eyes made him freeze, they were the same eyes Arisa had when she was in her chaotic state, "Not one word. I already gave the warning to everyone else also. I understand you do not agree but right now, we do not need a war over heads. Not now." She said.
"Emily...you...you have the same eyes..." he said as he noticed they faded to red to a mint green.
"I do." Emily said carefully, "And if the church learns, we do not need the wrath of the sky dragon on us." Was all she said and left the room.
"Grrrr...Rhea...you...you...messed up big time..." Emily growled furiously as she stormed down the hallway, furious.
What the hell was wrong with her sister?! Was she that desperate for the return of their mother?! But at the same time, Emily could not blame her. She prays that one day Rhea will realize her mistakes and atone for them. But for now...
"I need to pay my family a visit..." Emily huffed as she ran her fingers through her hair, "Sophia and Gregory, both of you oversee the clinic. I'll be back in a few hours." She sent a telepathic message as she began to walk to her office in the clinic.
"Emily please tell me you aren't going where I think you are?" Sophia responded as the woman slammed her door shut to her office.
"I am. It's been 5 years." The woman said, her appearance changing to that of an adult, her clothing of a kinshi rider, her hair grew to mid waist, turning to a dark emerald green, her bangs curled as they covered her pointy ears.
She warped herself into the village near the Cathedral, behind in an alleyway. Once she was clear, she walked out, looking like one of the knights. Honestly, it's been a long time since she walked around freely like this. She felt many people began muttering as they stared at her, yet she continued forward as if nothing. She was a proud Nabatean and she was going to fight back if Rhea even tried anything on her. She kept walking till she reached the Academy. Many began whispering when they saw her as she continued to walk. She could hear mummers that she was beautiful and had a powerful aura.
"Is she Seteth's wife?" And that instantly made her want to vomit.
The woman rolls her eyes, giving everyone the message that she wasn't. And fate likes to strike her where it hurts at times. From down the hallway, she spotted Seteth and Flayn carrying a few books, also they were speaking with the boy named Beleth. They were caught up in their talk till Flayn turned her way, her expression morphed into shock, dropping the books she was carrying.
"Flayn what's w-!" Seteth said as he turned to the direction his sister was looking at and he froze.
Beleth was confused as he looked back and forth between the three. Flayn was the first to make a move, her footsteps soon turned to fast pace ones as she began running towards the woman, and the said woman had a small smile as she opened her arms, the girl jumping to them.
"AUNTY!" She yelled out so loud that many turned their way.
Emily chuckled as she caught the girl and spun her around, holding her up in the air like a child. Many watched in shock at the scene as the woman gently put the girl down, patting her head.
"It's been five years Flayn. I see my little fish has grown." Emily said as Seteth slowly walked towards them.
"Is it really you? Is it?!" Flayn said and Emily chuckled.
"It's me." Was all she said with a small smile as she looked up to Seteth, who could barely speak.
"(We need to talk. Get Serios.)" Emily said in a chilling tone that all those present except Seteth and Flayn, flinched at her sudden change of tone.
Emily spoke in their ancient language, the language of the children of the goddess.
"(Serios...is in no state to-!)" Seteth was interrupted but the sudden growl of the woman, whose eyes became furious.
"(I know very well EXACTLY why she is the state she is in.)" She growled.
Seteth had no choice but to listen before things went south. And when things go south when Noa is present, it means hell was coming.
[-]
"And this is called a whale. Adorable isn't it?" Amir said to the young girl Sadi who nodded at the picture book the older girl was reading to her.
A week has been since their rescue and things just haven't been the same. Surviving angry mobs, then the cold glares she was getting from half the lords that voted Duke Rufus to the throne, followed by the news that Chris and Gina have been killed too. This week was just a walking nightmare. Amir has yet to hear any news from Emily regarding the condition of her friend. Thankfully she can speak with Zander and Glenn, who are recovering. Even more that she has yet to report that both her and Arisa just committed taboo on Zander and Sadi, aka, blood transfusion, making the two-gain crest. Worst of all, they were Major Crest.
"(Star, are you alright?)" She looked down to Blanca, the little wolf pup who grew deeply attached to her friend, and slightly shook her head.
"(Don't feel sad.)" Blanca said, "(Mama protected us. I'm sure she would scold us all if she saw you all sad. Hessian has been watching over Justice. Though Justice is sad also that he lost his mama, we hope he will be okay. But, will The World be okay?)" the little wolf pup said as Sadi looked at her sadly.
Amir looked over to the next-door bed, where Dedue was asleep and then the bed next to his, where Kuza was asleep also. Emily decided to keep them all in the same room for their safety just in case anyone tried to assassinate them. Where was that woman anyway?
"Sadi, I'll be back. I'm going to check on the others." she said and handed her Blanca.
The young girl nodded as she watched her friend leave, gently closing the door behind her. As far as Amir knew, things...have become strain between Ingrid and Glenn. She was wondering if she should check on Zander first as she was a few feet from Glenn's door. And right when she was about to knock, she could hear a heated argument inside between Glenn and Ingrid.
"And Zander it is." The woman instantly turned and went two doors down, knocking.
Hearing the usual come in, she opened the door, revealing a living like bedroom that was warm and comfortable. She had to admit Emily knew how to keep her patients comfortable. She looked over to the bed, where Zander sat. His left arm was bandaged and was wrapped in healing bandages to help heal the internal damage that was done. The prince turned and smiled softly as Amir came in, closing the door behind her
"I was going to check on Glenn but hearing him and Ingrid argue, I decided not to. Is that wrong?" she asked as she made her way to his bed and sat on the edge next to him.
"Well, it's not." Zander said as he shook his head, " I get Ingrid is tense, but she really needs to stop it. The people of Duscur are not to blame. As much as even Lestia wishes to pound it into her, it will take time for her to learn. You can't force someone to change in one night. The realization will come to her. By the way, you should have seen the way she reacted when she ran into Sadi the other day. She couldn't bring herself to say no to the girl when she asked her about horses." He chuckled as he saw his friend smile sadly.
"Zander, listen." Amir began, "Arisa and I will most likely stay for at least till the end of this month or when she wakes up. After that, she and I must leave the Kingdom, even if we don't want to." She said and Zander sat up straight.
"Amir, what is going on?" He said and the girl looked up to him.
"Arisa...suspected that there was foul play involving the death of one of Edelgard's siblings. That it may have a connection to the assassins that were sent to kill us but also...Chris and Gina..." she said and Zander frowns at her words.
"Sigh..you two never been the type to sit quite huh?" He sighed frustrated and nodded, "I suspect foul play too. But...are you really leaving?" He said to her.
"We have no choice. At the rate it's going...it's only a matter of time before Cornelia finds out that Arisa and I were the girls that cussed her out 7 years ago for publicly humiliating Alexandra." She explained.
"Okay, that is understandable." He nodded, "I'll inform Rodrigue to set up a horse for you and Arisa. But for now...umm...maybe you could sleep next to me?" He said playfully but Amir's answer made his soul leave his body.
"Sure." She said as she light pushed him to the side a bit for her to lay down next to him, on his chest, "You kept sleeping on my chest why we travel so return the favor. Zzzz..." her eyes closed and she fell asleep.
Zander felt like he had died and went to heaven. He has had a crush on her for quite a while. Great...now he understood how Dimitri felt.
- 2 hours later -
Emily had returned, warping back to her office, beyond furious with her verbal battle with Rhea. Even people on the second floor of the monastery could hear the furious roars of anger coming from the two women, thankfully they were speaking in their native tongue. Everyone was terrified. No one could believe the huge family dispute that was going on. Flayn told the others that her aunt, Rhea's older sister, has come to visit and discuss something personal. Look how that turned out. The doctor spat out angrily in front of Seteth that Rhea literally just caused the royal family of Faerghus to declare them enemies because of what the woman did to the child. Seteth confused at what was going on, asked for Rhea to explain and Emily just kicked him out, saying this problem was between Rhea and her.
"I HOPE YOU REALIZE THE DAMAGE YOU HAVE CAUSE SERIOS!" Emily roared furiously in her office as she slammed her hands on her desk.
She turned back to her human appearance, her hair back to normal as well as her eyes. The woman slumped onto her chair, pissed. She grabbed her wine bottle she always had hidden underneath her desk, popped that lip open, and began gulping down the wine like no tomorrow. Thankfully she had a high alcohol tolerance. It takes at least 4 wine bottles to get her completely drunk.
Knock knock
"Emily?" And the woman instantly put the bottle away because that was Sophia's voice.
"Cough! Come in." The woman said as she wiped her lips, confusion crossed her face as she saw it was her and Amir, "Can I help you two?" She said as the two women walked over to her desk and sat down on the chairs.
"It's regarding...Sadi...Dedue's little sister." Sophia said while Emily raised an eyebrow, "So uh...you know the stories of the Four Lost Saints right?" Sophia began with a nervous smile, her hands intertwined but shaking.
"I do. One of my apprentices I gave my name to along with my blood. I did not want my bloodline to end should I have been killed; my Crest would continue on. It was the same with my brothers Aubin, Timotheos and Chevalier. Wait, Chevalier gave his blood to both Melody and an apprentice of his. What about it?" Emily said.
"W-Well...you know the method of blood transfusion, right?" Sophia said and then it clicked.
"Amir...you did not..." Emily choked and Amir burst into tears.
"I'm sorry! But I had too! I was so desperate during that time and did not want Sadi to die!" The girl wailed and Emily pinched the bridge of her nose.
"Don't worry...I already had plans to take in Dedue and Sadi along with Kuza. Dedue wishes to serve Dimitri as his retainer as a thank you for saving his life. Sadi will be serving Lestia. Those two girls have become friends. I'll modify Sadi's earring so it can hide her now new crest...ugghhhh...anything else I am supposed to know?" The woman said,
"Zander." Amir said and Emily snapped her head up.
"Arisa gave him your blood...to save him." Emily went out to the balcony and screamed profanities that the people outside ran for their lives, covering the ears of the children.
"The only other ones that should have my blood are House Nuvelle!" The woman boomed as she stormed to her office, slamming the balcony doors shut.
"And House Nuvelle is dead technically because the stupid Lords of the Empire." Sophia hissed back and Emily just glared.
"Look..." the older woman sighed, "Did she seal away the Crest?" Amir nodded, "Good! Then me sacrificing two rib bones was worth it!" She said.
"Excuse me what?!" Both females yelled out while Emily had her arms behind her back.
"The Crest of Noa along with the Crest of Timotheos are the only Crest that does not have Heroes Relics in the past. So...naturally we make one for them. Rensen still had left over material from the bones he used to make yours Amir. So naturally, I instructed him to use that left over. It is enough to make two more Relics compatible with your Crest. However, I will need to harvest some of your blood to make two new Crest stones." She said, and Amir's face turned to a scold, "Hey, I hate the method of making Crest Stones also, but this will give us an advantage. One will be for Sadi and the other...will be for someone else." The woman said.
"Then explain you sacrificing two rib bones!" Sophia said, mortified.
"One of my ribcage bones was used to make Zander's prosthetic arm. I had requested Rensen to make it so it can turn into a lance in a way. It is called Airgetlám. Named after the sword wielded by Sir Bedivere of The Knights of the Roundtable. Catch my scheme?" Emily giggled, "Lastly that second rib bone was made into a ring. That will be locked away for another five years till I find someone worthy if it." The woman said.
"Sometimes I wonder if I made the right choice..." Sophia groans into her hands.
"Too bad! You're too deep in already!" Emily cackled as she turned to Amir, who was just shaking her head.
"I question your sanity right now." Was all the woman said as Emily cackled proudly.
- Days Later: February 7th -
- Dream -
The flames of hell were in her eyes as she danced. The flames of hell danced as she jumped in front. The flames of hell danced as she wailed loudly, holding onto tightly to a boy.
"I..." even as these Flame of hell dance, memories began to put into her as she held the hands of the one dancing in front of her.
"Focus." The childish voice repeats but this time, she fully looked at them, as realization hit her face.
"This is a dream." She said.
The entire place began cracking like glass, yet the shattered pieces did not leave a terrifying sound, instead, fragments of glass floated gently all around them, each piece replayed a different memory of her own. Both from her past and present life.
"Phhheeewww! Thank goodness! You finally remember! I was begging to get worried!" That's right, that voice belong to the little gremlin that has been with her all her life.
"So...this?" She muttered as the familiar name rolled slowly on her tongue.
"That's right...you are..." What was the word again?
"Friend." Sothis said with a matter of fact voice.
"Friend. And I am..." Sothis finished her sentence "My friend."
"Correct." She said and Sothis smiled.
"Arisa, you're okay. Dimitri is okay. Zander, Glenn, Kuza, Amir, Sadi, Dedue, they are all okay." Sothis smiled kindly to her as she held her hand.
That's right, she was starting to remember words. Even people. Language.
"That's right...that's right...that...WAIT IS EVERYONE OKAY?!" And everything and every memory came crashing down on her like a tsunami.
Sothis began groaning and nodded.
"Yes the children are safe! Everyone is!" Sothis said and a wave of relief fell on Arisa.
"What...what happened? The last thing I remember is...I screamed after seeing Dimitri stabbed and...that's about it." She said and floated to a green glass shard that was replaying the battle between her friend and Otto.
Arisa raised an eyebrow as she walked over to it and eyes went wide as it showed her...
"I'm no longer human..." she muttered as she watched herself rampage killing those men and then defending her friends, but...
"Wait...who is this?" She said confused as she watched the woman dressed in white trap her in chains and tried to force her to drink something but then Dimitri came out of nowhere.
"HOLY CRAP!" Arisa screeched as she backed away, witnessing the boy literally go partly time skip mode as he used Areadbhar at the woman, slicing off her left hand, saving her from nearly being forced to drink whatever it was.
Sothis nodded her head as she had her eyes closed then opened it.
"Worry not my friend, you are still human despite going half dragon mode. Even if you could fully transform to a dragon, your human and Nabatean blood would no longer clash and coexist with each other." Sothis smiled as she saw her friend watch Dimitri thrust the stone Elder Bara had gifted her to her chest.
"Okay first off!" Arisa began as Sothis raised an eyebrow at her, "Just how much damage did I take?! And what do you mean I'm still human?!" She said.
"You heard me Arisa." Sothis uncrossed her arms and floated around her, "You're still human despite you and I have partly become one. Thank Dimitri and half of my body kept you sane. You had so much magic builds up, also because of the results you did not properly express your emotions, you snapping saved us both." Sothis said as she stopped in front of her.
"Meaning?" Arisa said and Sothis began groaning.
"And I thought you were the wise one! Did the fall on the snow destroy half your brain!? Unbelievable! I shall explain then!" Sothis huffed as he floated to another glass shard and touched it, showing a memory of Arisa playing Fire Emblem Fates with Female Corrin, Azura explaining to her what a dragon stone is. "Real pieces of useful information you have in this find of yours. So much history also!" She giggled mischievously and Arisa holed her eyes.
"So, the stone Elder Bara gifted me...was a dragon stone. And Dimitri thrusting it into my chest...caused it to become in tune with me." Arisa muttered as Sothis floated to another glass shard that glowed blue.
"Correct!" Sothis beamed like a child that won a piece of candy, "By the way, this memory is interesting." She looked and Arisa instantly went pale because it was a YouTube video her Theresa and her brother watching.
Poor Theresa turning beat read while her and her brother began howling in laughter.
"YOU'RE ALWAYS A SLUT FOR MEN (CLAP) GETTING (CLAP) PE-!
And she instantly punched it, shattering it. She does not need Sothis to know what that means, not the shit she and friends would do back then. Theresa had a huge crush on Claude back then. Can't blame her though, she had a crush on Dimitri and Edelgard and her brother had a crush on Marianne.
"Oohhh! It was getting interesting!" Sothis pouted.
"Believe me, you don't want to know that one." Arisa said embarrassed as she covered her face with her right hand, shaking her head, "Anyhow, I need to wake up. I just hope...things haven't gone downhill." Was all she said as the world around them began to turn to different colors of dust.
Sothis smiled softly as she held her friend's hand. It was time to wake up. They face the world, together.
- End of Dream -
"DIMITRI! DIMITRI!" Sadi yelled out down the hallways as the girl was running, trying to find his door.
"Whoa!" The girl yelped as she ran into Glenn and Ingrid was next to him, "Sadi is everything alright?" He asked as the blonde girl made a bitter face.
He and Zander were given the okay to leave the clinic, now having fully recovered but they would come to visit Dimitri and Arisa since the other two weren't cleared yet. The girl jumped up and down and it was starting to annoy the older girl.
"Arisa is gone from her bed! Emily has everyone searching the entire hospital and no one can find her!" Sadi said and shock filled the two.
"Amir is literally in panic mode! That's why I was yelling out to see if Dimitri has seen her!" Sadi said.
"It's not just Arisa missing!" The three turned to see Sophia, "That little white wolf is missing also!" Sophia panted, "Where the hell is, she?!" The woman yelled out as she ran down the hallway and accidentally slammed into a wall.
"How long has she been missing?" Ingrid said.
"Umm..." the girl began counting her finger and then grinned, " 2 hours!" And Ingrid passed out right there on the floor.
[-]
"Hmmmm...hmmmm..hmmmm in time flows~ see the glow ~ of Flames ever burning bright ~ "
"Oh my~ you have a beautiful voice. Have you considered joining the opera in the Empire?" The sound of snippets was heard inside a shop as a young woman cut forest colored hair to mid waist length and using a brush the removed the knots carefully.
"I like singing but in front of a big audience, no thank you." The girl chuckled as the woman curled her hair a bit and braided part of her hair like a headband.
After 20 minutes, her hair done, she paired and thanked the woman, heading to the next shop, wearing clothing that could be ordered.
"This is the last dark green mage dress. Say girl, I must say, you look well. You seem happy." The female shop vendor said as the girl smiled to her a bit mysteriously.
"Let's just say...I'm happy to have made a recovery." The girl said.
"And you should have left a note! I bet you 2 silver that the entire hospital is in a panic right now!" And she ignored the angry yell of the goddess that was right by her ear.
"Enough Sothis." Arisa let go of a sigh she used her magic to change into her new clothing, and paid the lady, before she left the store.
She wore the stone Elder Bara gave her on her chest like usual but used magic to hide the Crest of Flames on it.
"Enough? Of course not!" The goddess said as she saw the wolf pup Blanca barking happily to them.
Arisa picked her up and smiled sadly at her.
"Are you sure you want to come with me? What about your friend?" She asked and Blanca barked.
"(Don't worry Wolf Star! Hessian may not look like it but he's tough!)" Blanca said and Arisa hugged her gently.
Just when the girl was going to start walking around, running footsteps headed her way, she turned when she felt a hand grasp her own. Once more, like when the two reunited, blue eyes investigated her own. Arisa smiled sadly as she saw who it was.
"F-Found you!" Dimitri panted, completely out of breath as he held her hand.
She looked like she was about to disappear. Arisa turned to him and bent down a bit, the boy letting go of her hand as she patted his head gently. She really did miss everything. All that mattered to her right now, was that her friends are alive and well.
"I'm sorry I kept you waiting Dimitri." Arisa smiled warmly as the boy looked ready to burst into tears, "I'm back." Was all she said, and the boy hugged her tightly, turning to a sobbing mess in her chest.
"YOU BITCH!"
And the sweet moment was ruined when Amir began storming over to her like a raging storm. For once in her life, Arisa really did fear for her life.
"I need to run." Arisa said and tried to make a run but Dimitri's arms around her tighten as he looked up to her with a frown.
"You brought this upon yourself." Was all he said, and Arisa felt betrayed, Sothis was howling in laughter.
"HOW DARE YOU LEAVE THE CLINIC WHEN YOU AREN'T CLEAR DAMMIT!" Amir roared furiously and everyone could see hot tears streaming from her eyes.
Arisa let go of a sigh, closing her eyes, waiting for Amir's punch to come at her but it never came. Instead, she locked in a tight and warm embrace from her friend, who became a sobbing mess on her shoulder. Dimitri smiled sadly as he let go, allowing the two to be together.
"I thought we lost you...I thought you died...after what you did saving us..." Amir wailed as Arisa gently patted her head.
"There there..." Arisa said softly, "It's alright...Its alright...I'm back." She said and her friend looked down at her, Arisa wiping her tears with a small smile on her lips.
"Hey, what happened to the stoic and blunt face you usually have?" Arisa teased her a bit and Amir sniffed, and sent her a small glare.
"Let's go back to the clinic. I'm sure we all have questions."
[-]
"YOU'RE LUCKY YOU JUST RECENTLY WOKE UP OR ELSE I WOULD HAVE GIVEN YOU AN ASS WHOOPING!"
And Arisa felt like she was being scolded by her past mother. Emily was beyond furious the minute she saw the girls along with Dimitri return to the clinic. Arisa with a fresh haircut and new dress (temporary) until her original clothing is fixed.
"Yeah yeah I get it." Arisa waved it off easily while both Sothis and Amir face palm at the rather blunt answers.
"You sure have gotten bold all of a sudden..." Emily said coldly with a dangerous look in her eyes that reminded her when Sothis was angry.
Unfortunately for everyone else, she was already using it.
"Sigh..." Emily flipped down on her chair, "At least let me update you on everything that went down these past weeks." She said and Arisa twitched.
"Rufus is now the new King of Faerghus and things were going downhill but thankfully a slap from one of his concubines (Girls: How many those the man have?) made the man snap out of it. He's going to go through with the political reform King Lambert was going to do." She said and Arisa slowly uncrossed her arms.
"What...?" She could not believe what she was hearing.
Lord Rufus, despite fucking up big time with poor rules and such, is actually...going to...hold his ground?!
"Yeah. Even I'm shocked." Emily admitted, "It's going to be a ugly battle these next few years but...to think the man will do what he can...in honor of his brother. I...I'm happy." She said, "Zander had been officially made Duke Alphonses of Aubin territory and the King has ordered to start sending supplies to help the villages that have been damaged. Zander has his work cut out but, he's doing very well. The people of the land see Lord Alexander in him. He is communicating with his people and helping. He has my full support. Also, good news. Your herbal shop is ready. It is fully stocked, and you hereby now have your own territory." Emily said and handed the documents to her.
Arisa quickly took them, her eyes scanning the papers rapidly, but one question left her lips.
"Emily, what happened to Christophe and Cassandra?" Her heart pounded rapidly waiting for the news.
Emily frowned as her eyes casted down to her desk, her voice grave when she spoke.
"Christophe has been executed by the Church of Serios...Cassandra turned him in. It was rumored that...he was involved in the Tragedy of Duscur." She said and Arisa stood up, too quickly.
"What?! But...but...but!?" She could barely speak.
"I know, I know!" Emily gritted her teeth, "I presented evidence after evidence in my investigation that he was innocent, but he was still executed! Zander is beyond furious towards Cassandra and Lord Lonato...is grieving..." she said, "Rhea right now is in a very tight situation...this basically was her way of showing what will happen to those that challenge the church...Arisa...the day you were nearly forced to drink...whatever that was...it was someone from the Church of Serios..." she said.
"Who was it?" Arisa said coldly.
"Unfortunately, that information I cannot tell you. And because Glenn decided to say it, the relationship between The Holy Kingdom of Faerghus and The Church of Serios, has become strain. Just like the Empire...just like with the Alliance..." she said, and Arisa slumped down on her chair.
"Another thing..." She looked up to Emily, "You and Amir need to leave." She said the girls were confused, "And I mean you need to leave like in two days. Rhea is sending Church officials to come and bring you girls to join (force) the knights of Serios. You heard of Abyss, right?" She asked.
"I have." Amir raised her hand while Arisa lightly shook her hand to show she knew a little bit.
"Good. Well basically they plan to lock you girls down there. Seteth will be arriving soon along with Beleth. Make sure to get everything you need." She said and the two nodded.
"Amir wait," Arisa said to her friend, "You head back to Remire Village. I have some business to take care of at the Empire." She said and Emily looked over to her confused, "Dimitri told me what happened...about Chris and Gina. Also, my plans to Shambhala are ruined. I'll be killed in an instant if I set foot there, but I know for a fact if I can sneak into...Aegir's territory..." she muttered.
"Why Aegir territory?" Emily said.
"Duke Aegir works closely with Those Who Slither in the Dark. I have a hunch and, I'll be taking on a different persona." She said that was all that was needed.
- 2 days later -
Dimitri was silent as he and the others watched the church officials walking through the hallway of the clinic towards Arisa's room. Beleth was put in charge to collect Amir. However, the boy along with many were barely able to hide the smirks they had on their faces when shock filled Seteth when Emily opened the door and revealed no one was in there.
"What?" Emily said in horror.
Glenn had to admit, she was a good actor.
"W-Where is she?" Seteth said and Emily shook her head.
"I do not know...she must have snuck out." Emily said and was internally smirking.
"Seteth!" They all turned as Beleth ran up to him.
"No running on the hallways!" Emily said angrily and the man quickly gave her an apology.
"I am sorry, but back to the matter at hand. It's the other girl, she's gone also." He said and Emily passed out right there on the floor, sending Seteth and Beleth in a panic state as they tried to revive the woman.
"Wow." Zander chuckled as he and the others were way down the hallway where they could not be heard, "Emily is a really good actor. Well, we know why they had to leave. I'm glad we got to say our goodbyes to them. Won't be seeing them for a long time." He said and the others snickered.
"So," Kuza said as he turned to the young prince, "Did you say what you wanted to Arisa?" He said and Dimitri smiled sadly.
"As much as I wish she could stay, I know she can't. Maybe one day, I'll confess to her again, and hopefully, she will accept my feelings." He said and Lestia snickered mischievously.
"Which also means you want to court her!" She giggled happily while Dimitri sent her a glare.
"Oh, shut up." He said to her and Lestia could not believe what she just heard.
"EXCUSE ME?! DID YOU JUST TALK BACK TO ME?!" She screeched and he smirked at her.
"Yes. I believe I made myself clear." He said and Hessian in his arms, barked in approval.
[-]
"So basically, Florencio is now taking care of Kaimu. Along with the update Emily gave us regarding what we did in Ordelia territory, The Alliance found the letter that was left on the body you cut in half, and have been forced to acknowledge their mistake of turning their backs on House Ordelia. With that, even the Church is trying to cover up evidence that Those Who Slither in The Dark were involved. Hahah! Things are only getting even more messy!" Amir said cheerfully as she and Arisa rode through the sky in their disguise of Himeko and Mei.
Emily lent her wyvern to head back home.
"Emily told me what happened with Lysithea. Thanks to the Crest surpassing spell you taught her, the girl's life span has been partly restored. For now, she'll be able to live till she is 40 years old. And! As a bonus, her new name is Lysithea von Zoltras. Emily really took a liking to her. Dedue, Sadi and Kuza will be under her protection if anyone tried anything on them, they'll suffer her wrath." Amir said.
"I'm glad things worked out." Arisa said as they stopped at a waypoint in the sky, "Head to Remire just like I said. You've been gone long enough and I'm sure dad is getting worried." She said she handed her friend a letter to give to her father, "I'll be back soon. I promise. After all," she smirked as she closed her eyes and then reopened them, raising her right hand as her nails grew long, "I'm not alone anymore." She smiled and Amir grinned at her.
"Be careful out there my friend. And Blanca," she looked at the wolf pup in her arms that nodded, "Watch over her." Amir smiled.
"HYAA!" Both girls yelled as they snapped the reins of their wyvern and pegasus, Amir to the west and Arisa to the east.
"(Wolf star! I'm looking forward to our time together!)" Blanca said and Arisa nodded to her.
"I'm looking forward to it also. I swear to your mother I will take care of you." Arisa said and Blanca licked her cheek.
Feh and Red Hare nodded to each other, welcoming the newest addition to their team as they flew through the sky. Arisa undid her disguise, revealing the clothing she was wearing, the original clothing that Byleth wears and her hair was put in her usual ponytail. The clothing was going to be temporary but for now, it will do. She looked over to her sheath rapier on her waist and the new relic in her hand.
"I do wonder..." she looked at the hand like a skeleton relic with the Crest stone of Serios on it, "where did Emily get this? I don't remember such relics existing..." she muttered.
What Arisa did not know at that time, was that she was wearing Rhea's left hand that was cut off, made into a relic by Rensen(not even he knew). During the rescue, Emily found the cut off hand buried under the snow. The flesh was burned off but like always, the bones of the children of the goddess were much stronger than any material in the world. So, Emily's way of cursing out her sister in the most indirect and coldest way possible, turned the left hand to a relic like the Fetters of Dromi. Plus, the woman went through Arisa's belongings and removed the Crest Stone on the girl's bow that was gifted to her by Claude and Judith. It was modified so it can work with the Crest of Flames.
"Hmmmm..." she thought as she flew through the sky, "What else changed? Just how much damage did we really cause?" Arisa muttered as she looked up to the sky.
"Just what happened exactly while I was asleep?"
-? -
Hungry...
Angry...
Hate...
Kill...
Devour...
Envy...
"ARRRGHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!"
"Incredible! He...he survived the second phase!"
Chained like an animal to a stone bed. Needles after needles after needles penetrated his skin. Injection after injection. Cut after cut. Agony only grew more and more. He had to endure. He had to endure. He won't allow harm to come to his sister. To his beloved also. He won't allow harm to fall on them. No now. Not now.
"Arghhh...are...we...arghh! Done?!" He growled out as his right eye began flickering between two different symbols.
"Tch." He heard the voice of that disgusting pig, Duke Aegier, "If he managed to survive...that means he will become worthy of the throne!" The man growled as he chewed his nail.
"Now now Duke Aegirs," Solon, oh that's right, that was his name, "We have yet to see if he survives the the final phase. If he does, then we have achieved our goal but if not, the experiments will continue to the other girl." He said as his men moved the boy back to his cage.
"I much rather him die! This boy is far too dangerous if he survives!" The Duke said and the boy began snarling at him.
"You must...want me to kill your...son when I get the chance..." the boy laughed angrily and anger filled the Duke.
"YOU SCUM! DON'T YOU DARE LAY A HAND ON MY SON!" The Duke roared angrily.
"I'm joking...that boy...is far too innocent..." the boy in the cage said weakly and the Duke's fist shook, "But I do wonder...what will happen...if he learns what you done...to the Imperial children...?" He smirked and Solon had to kick out the Duke before the man murdered their test subject.
Solon frowned as he turned to the cage where the boy no longer looked in pain, as a matter a fact...something, changed in the boy. His attitude...even...
"You're staring." The boy's tone went cold, "What? Aren't you happy that your little test subject survived? If I make it through the third stage, you'll have your goal." He said.
"Hahah, that may be so. But you sound arrogant boy. What makes you think you may live?" He said the boy's aura shifted to...almost that of...
"I will. I must. I will not allow any of you to continue experimenting on my sister and my wife." He said coldly.
"We'll see boy. We'll see." Solon said as he left the room.
The boy was silent and waisted a few minutes before his soft laughter became one full of insanity.
He won't allow it. He won't allow it. He won't allow it!
"I WILL NOT LET YOU WIN! EVEN IF IT COST ME MY SANITY!"
Chapter 32: Aftermath: Results of Change: End
[-]
Hopefully this chapter cleared up a few things and you all saw the aftermath of everything. Also, I'm sure many of you want to know what exactly went down between Emily and Rhea, but that part will not be shown fully till in the future for various reasons. Also, the fact that Rhea ordered the girls to be locked up in Abyss was to make sure they did not escape her. So, I'm sure you can imagine how pissed she's going to be when Seteth and Beleth return with the news that they are gone. And Emily turning Rhea's hand to a relic, yes I'm a cold bitch at times (oooooohohohoho!).
The dream loop Arisa was trapped in was inspired by the story The Lost Heir of Serios by tee_cup angel on AO3 (Archive of Our Own). So credit for the original idea goes to her. By the way, I highly recommend that story. Also, the joke of the YouTube video is an actual video on YouTube, basically saying what your fire emblem ship says about you. My friend and I were howling while watching it.
Also, yeah I can be cold as heck times. But I'll clear up a few things. I honestly really do love Rhea and Edelgard. As later chapters come, I decided to take the route where I slowly have them reveal their true personality. Just because right now Rhea is on the enemy list, does not mean she is actually an enemy. The same case is with Edelgard. I love those two, they need a hug but seriously need to talk things out.
Next chapter or two takes place in the Empire so do expect some surprise meetings soon!
Till next time!