[A/N: I'm not very good writing fighting scenes so please bear with me.]
-Flashback: Imperial Year 1164 -
With an eye of baby blue and an eye of brown, she was often called special by her siblings and father. They always treated her kindly, filled with love and care, treating her like an equal. She was the little girl that lived her perfect life with her family, not a care in the world till one day, her first slap of reality came. She was 2 years old; it was 7 months prior before the 1st anniversary of the First consort. The girl was dressed in her favorite dress of pink with ruffles and ribbons, skipping happily through the hallways of the palace but unfortunately bumped into a noble lord. Like always, she greeted them with a toothy grin and said hello. But this noble, only looked at in disgust. As a child, they did not know the difference between right and wrong. But even a child knows when it sees evil. It is said that children from infants till they reach a certain age, can see and sense different things around them that adults cannot. Some are more connected to what others call "The other side". The princess, carefree and all, felt the first wave of evil as the noble looked at her coldly, like an insect that needed to be squash. Even she knew evil when the noble's words his mouth. Never had she heard such words filled with tone that felt yucky, scary and strange.
"What disgusting colored eyes!"
[-]
"Felix, watch out for Dorothea on your right! Dedue! Ignatz and Lorenz coming your way! Lorenz is disobeying Claude's orders so take advantage! Lysithea, watch his back! Sadi, Hubert on your left! I'll take care of Ferdinand!"
Arisa could hear the mental orders the princess was giving her each of her classmates as they charged forward to the battlefield. Confusion befell many as she only stood at the altar she was defending and only the war cries of her students was heard.
"She really meant it...that she would not be giving commands." Ingrid said as they saw Arisa was only standing at the altar, not a single move made.
Lestia jumped back to dodge Ferdinand's thrust at her, then spun to counterattack, her axe met the center of the lance as Ferdinand moved it to the front of him to defend himself.
"I see you saying no commands then how your team is getting the advantage?!" Ferdinand said then yelped when Lestia suddenly swooped and did a low kick at his feet, sending him falling to the ground on his back, the axe at his chest as she startled him.
"Get off him Lestia!" Dimitri yelled, clearly not liking his sister on top of the boy, and Sylvain whistled.
"One down." Lestia said as she quickly got off him, the orange head was red.
"To answer your question." Lestia smiled as she placed her index finger on his lips (Dimitri: LESTIA!) ,"That's a secret only I know." And then ran the other direction while Ferdinand was left to stun to move.
Alexandra was a laughing mess as she warped the boy off the field and to the hills where the others were, he was still in shock and Sylvain was holding back Dimitri. While Lestia ran a different direction, Sadi and Hubert were locked in what people would call a war of magic that even Dorothea wouldn't even go near them. The older man was impressed that the 15-year-old was keeping up with him at an extraordinary pace but what was annoying him was how the girl only dodged and defended herself.
"Hehehehehe! Fun this is fun!" Sadi giggled like a child as she danced around then spun, she was quickly equipped on the bow and fired, Hubert managed to dodge.
"Nice Sadi! He's getting angry!" Lestia's voice rang in her mind as Felix was locked in a battle with Lorenz and Dedue managed to come up from behind on Ignatz, getting him on the back.
The boy was warped out of the field and applied a healing spell by Amir.
"I am...so confused." Hilda gawked from the forest they were hiding in as Claude was silent as he kept staring over to his Professor.
"She hasn't made a single move." Edelgard thought as she saw Professor Hanneman considering aiding Hubert, however Arisa suddenly pulled out her sword as someone came up from behind her, the swords clashing.
"I KNEW YOU HAD AN ACE CARD!" Lestia yelled out as she was now dodging Dorothea's fire attacks and Lysithea was trying to hit the woman.
"What is Jertiza doing here?" Edelgard was shocked to see the man appear out of nowhere.
"They are fighting quite fiercely." Heather said in her brother's mind as he saw how violently the sword of the two adults clashed.
[-]
Flashback: Imperial Year 1164 -
"Big brother? Are my eyes disguuuu?ting?"
Zander dropped his toy wooden horse as he froze at what his baby sister just said. Despite him being only seven years old, he knows things better than he should.
"Who told you that?" Zander said as his little sister played with her doll.
"A man with a bushy moustache that looks like a goat." She said and Zander burst out laughing at her way of describing Count Rowe, "He said my eyes were disgusting. That I am strange and should even be present." At times, Zander questions why his sister was born so brutally honest at such a young age.
But then again, even adults know children could be brutal with the truth. Not even bat an eye when they say the truth. Why do the words of kids sting more? The boy put down his toy as he walked up to his sister and patted her head.
"You're not disgusting Lestia. Your eyes are pretty. You know, they say Grandma had eyes like yours." He said as she looked up to him with confused eyes.
"She did?" He said and he chuckled.
"Yeah. Though Grandma Himera had one green eye and one blue eye. They say it was because her Crest was special. Maybe you have the same Crest as her?" He said.
"The Crest of Blaiddyd? The Justice?" Lestia said.
"Yeah. I got an idea." He quickly ran to the bookshelf and took a book with a female knight on it, "You can't read yet but how about I read you the story of the Luna Knight?" He said and Lestia pouted.
"You always read me that book! Same with Dimitri! Is there anything new?" She pouted.
Knock knock
"Come in." Zander said and the door opened, revealing it was Flora.
"Forgive me for interrupting you two. But Lord Zander, your father wishes to see you along with your brother." Flora said.
"Sigh..." Zander sighs as he puts the book back, "I'll be back in a bit Lestia. Don't cause Flora too much trouble." He said as he patted her head then left.
There was a bit of silence till the princess sighs.
"Is everything alright Lady Lestia?" Flora looked at her worried.
"Flooraaa, do you have any stories that are different from the ones of knights?" The princess said the maid chuckled as she walked up and sat down next to her.
Her hands glowed a faint blue as she made figures of ice dance in the palms of her hands. Lestia's eyes sparkled as one of the figures bowed to her.
"I don't have many stories but, I think I have one for you." Flora smiled warmly as the figure changed to that of a female, dancing happily in the winds.
"This is the story of Vernata, The Maiden of the Storms."
[-]
He could tell Jeritza was very much enjoying the fight while Arisa wasn't exactly happy. Nope. No one expected the man to appear and charge right at the woman. The woman's blade clashed with his, to the point it created sparks. No one even dared go near them because it looked like they were fighting to the death. It almost looked as if the two were in a sword dance together.
"I thought these movements felt familiar." Jeritza thought as Arisa spun at him to counter his sword, "The hair color also matches...so this is the woman I fought a month ago. The Goddess of Death." He muttered and saw her eyes widened ever slowly slightly.
"He knows! He knows!" Sothis screeched as Arisa did a backflip, and nearly kicked his sword off his hand if the man hadn't leaned back.
"Should we go help her?" Dedue said as he...unfortunately got hit by multiple arrows.
"BULLSEYE!" Claude yelled out from somewhere in the forest, but the celebration was short-lived when they heard a yelp, Felix did an upper cut on the said man, his nose broke.
"Another of the Golden Deer down." Felix smirked as Lorenz was warped away to the hills.
"Alright." Chris walked up to him and physically straightened his nose, sending the boy howling and then applied a healing spell on him.
"You could have just used healing magic!" Lorenz yelled at him.
"Snarky punk." Heather said, "If I would have used healing magic, your nose would be crooked." Chris said and Lorenz muttered "Never mind...".
"Lysithea, back up Sadi because Edelgard is coming their way!" Lestia order.
"Got it!" The violet eyes girl said and quickly warped their way.
"No, you don't!" Dorothea yelled as she tried to run her way but quickly jumped back at a slash.
"Felix! How could you?!" Dorothea pouted at him and the man just rolled his eyes.
"The Professor and Jeritza are still fighting." Lestia thought as she jumped then rolled behind a boulder, almost got hit by Hilda's hand axe.
"Not bad Lestia! Using telepathic communication spells huh?" Claude yelled out as the princess knelt, a smoke bomb in her hands.
"Maybe so!" Lestia yelled out and her eyes looked over to see Sadi mange to knock out Edelgard with Dark Spikes, but unfortunately Lysithea got taken out by Dorothea.
The two females got warped to the hills where the others were. Now it was just Professor Manuela, Professor Hanneman, her, Sadi, Felix, Hubert, Dorothea, Hilda and Claude along with...
"Wait, where's the Professor?!" Sadi yelled out in their minds and saw Arisa had disappeared then they all turned when they heard Manuela's screech, Arisa had the wooden dagger at her neck, the woman raised her hands in surrender.
"Then where is Jer-found him." Felix said back as they saw the man shaking his head, his mask unfortunately got cut in half, showing he lost.
"EMILE?!" And that was Mercedes screech as she began crying tears of joy seeing the unmasked man.
Christian knew drama was going to happen the minute Alexandra warped him to the hills. Mercedes ran over to Emile with tears of joy, not even giving him a chance to run as she hugged him tightly.
[-]
Flashback: Imperial Year 1164: Pegasus Moon -
Did you hear?! The child of Lady Cira passed the Holy Magus Exam!"
What?! That's impossible! How can a mere child pass such a difficult exam?
I heard the child has buried herself in books since the death of Lady Cira.
Red and fluffy, cute sweet. What are girls made off?
Sugar, spice and everything nice.
That was her first impression when she met Lady Cira's adopted daughter, Emily. A girl the older woman took in before she was even born. When her eyes first landed on Emily, she felt something strange about her. Nothing evil thank the goddess but something old? about her. Sweet and fluffy, cute and graceful. Smart and a doll-like figure Emily looked like. Fluffy, fluffy red hair that reminded her of fluffy feathers. She wore a cute mini version of a warlock dress that was the color of a deep crimson with white flowers around her waist. The girl was only 8 years older than her but like the rumors said, she was buried in books. Lestia was curious about this new Holy Magai? who would work in Lady Cira's place. Dressed in a puffy cute dress with sparkles, Lestia made her way to the table of the infirmary where Emily was reading.
"Hi hi!" Lestia said and Emily looked over to her, "What are you reading? Want to play dolls with me! Ohh! Maybe even play dress up?" She said excitedly.
Emily stared at her till she looked over to a coworker and pointed to Lestia. The minute Emily opened her mouth, Lestia's first impressions of the red head were shattered like a glass window that Milkan shattered and got an ass whooping from his father.
"Who let this small child in?"
Sweet, spicy, fluffy. NOT!
Emily was snarky, prideful, sour, bitter and spicy.
[-]
"Not bad Arisa." Sothis giggled as Manuela was warped away to the hills.
"Yeah. For now,..." she turned it look over to Hanneman, who got in position for a magic battle, "Let's take him out." She said and began running at him with her palms glowing blue.
"Eat this!" Leatia yelled and threw her bomb at the forest, and Claude...shot the arrow, letting the smoke bomb explode and Hilda became a coughing mess.
"WHY DID IT HAVE TO BE CHILLY POWDER?! MY LUNGS! AAHHHHH!" The pink hair girl screamed while Lestia cackled like a mad woman.
Dimitri shook his head but couldn't help but laugh as they saw Claude bolt with Hilda to the field coughing for fresh air. Lestia knew she was going to get a yelling from Seteth because she could already see the vein throbbing in his forehead despite being so far away from the hills. At times, she curses her eyesight of a hawk she has. On the other side, Dorothea screeched when she was nearly hit by lightning.
"Since when do you know magic?!" Sadi said as she jumped back, dodging Hubert's Fire spell.
"The Professor taught me!" Felix yelled as he held two fingers up, "Thron!" Unfortunately, Dorothea also had the same plan, and both ended up electrocuting themselves out cold.
"Warp for me Amir...I'm getting tired." Alexandra panted as she gulped down a water bubble she made.
Now she was starting to feel the effects of so much warping and healing others. Thankfully Amir agreed and wrapped the knocked-out Dorothea and Felix to where they were. Each house ran to their fallen classmate and their healers began their work. Amir crossed her arms as she saw the few only ones left were Claude, Hi-and the girl got shot down by Hubert and was warped to the hill, the only ones left are now Claude, Hubert, Lestia, Sadi, Arisa and Hanneman. It didn't surprise her that Claude had found his way to stay on the field while Arisa and Hanneman looked like some fight between Anakin Skywalker and Dark Vader, well that's what Christian calls it.
"Ah." Christian said as he raised an eyebrow as he saw Hubert and Claude share a 10 second stare then their attention turned back to the girls, "So truce to take the girls down." He said and Edelgard shivered for some reason.
"Sadi." Lestia finally spoke out loud as the two girls stood back to back as Claude got his dagger out and Hubert's hand sparked blue, "Ready to dance?" She chuckled as the girl's eyes sparkled.
Everyone's eyes snapped over to the altar where Arisa pinned down Hanneman, her sword at his chest. The man could not help but chuckled and said he was impressed before he was warped to the hills with the others. Arisa stares from where she was and only stood still, watching to see what would happen.
"I trust you know what to do?" Arisa's voice rang in the girl's mind as the woman bent backwards to dodge the arrow that Claude shot at her, then got back up, crossing her arms with a raised eyebrow at the boy.
"Of course." Lestia said as she summons her lance and Sadi giggled.
"Hubert, got a plan?" Claude said as he saw Arisa just staring down at them.
"You take on the girls. I go-!" Birds suddenly flew at him and began packing him.
"No, no, no! I make you go boom boom!" Sadi giggled as she wiggled her index finger.
Lestia could not help but laugh as the two charged at the males as they did the same to them.
[-]
Flashback: Imperial Year 1167 -
"C-Crest of Reigan?!"
It was an accident.
It was an accident.
She didn't know.
She didn't know.
It was just supposed to be a playdate with Ingrid and Felix. Kidnappers managed to sneak past the guards and made their way to their rooms. Ingrid cried loudly along with Felix, the two hugging each other, as the girl had grabbed the nearest thing, a wooden training sword, and had swung it at the kidnapper with the most force she could muster. The children's scream thankfully caused Lord Rodrigue to locate them quickly along with Lord Galatea, but they came right when no one expected. Lestia was a late bloomer of her Crest awakening. Dimitri had awakened his Crest at age one when he accidentally pulled his father's beard a bit too hard. That was sight to behold, her father groaning in pain while Lady Cira had burst out laughing. The woman had assured them that in time, those that were born with Crest would awaken that power when the time was right. But it was the worst time to awaken her Crest. Lord Rodrigue along with Lord Galatea could not believe their eyes as the moon manifested itself brightly as her eyes glowed dimly as power shrugged through her as the wooden sword shattered at contact with the spine of the kidnapper, hurting his back gravely. Assassinations, poisonings, kidnappings and such were nothing new to the nobles and royal families. But for Lestia, this was the first she had ever experienced it. It was terrifying. That was the first time she ever felt fear. Now she understood what her twin brother went through years ago.
"Huff...huff...huff..." Lestia's panting was ragged as she held tightly the wooden handle of the sword despite it being shattered.
Lord Galatea's men quickly got the kidnappers arrested and taken away. Lord Rodrigue looked at the children worried, especially his soon as he ran up to them. Ingrid and Felix had burst into tears in his arms as he turned to the princess, who looked at wide eyes as the symbol of the moon faded to dust. She slowly turned to Lord Rodrigue, who could see the shock and bewilderment in those heterochromia eyes.
"Why do I have The Moon and not the Justice?"
[-]
"What-the-hell?!"
Everyone stared in complete shock as the Reigan Heir and Blaiddyd princess daggers clashed like mirrors, but even more when their Crest activated, manifesting over their heads. Two moons facing opposite sides as they wooden blades clashed. Only Arisa knew of Lestia's secret but even she was surprised that the princess was not hiding it anymore. Claude could barely contain his shock as both jumped back, then saw the look of...relief the princess had.
"For 17 years...you hid your Crest." Claude began as he spun the dagger in his hand then grabbed it by the handle, "Now you are letting it display. You're from the Blaiddyd bloodline yet...you were born with the Crest of Reigan." He said as the princess nodded her head.
"Yeah. Dad and... Uncle Rodrigue and Lord Galatea along with Emily, were the only ones who knew I was born with this Crest. I hid it for so long...for my safety. Less than 1% for someone of the Blaiddyd bloodline to be born with. Well...I'm the second. My grandmother was the first. It's the same case with the Reigan blood since the Luna Knight did marry into your family." Lestia grinned and both turned when they saw Hubert and Sadi warped out.
Looks like they knocked each other out, again. Arisa only watched from afar as the two bearers of the moon clashed with their wooden blades. The Blue Lions began cheering out loud for the princess to win while the Golden Deer began to cheer for their leader. Half the Black Eagles cheered for Claude and the other half cheered for the princess. Lestia chuckled as she spun her axe once more and spoke.
"Why now?" Claude said, "Why now are you revealing this?" He said and Arisa could see the hidden fear in his eyes as the princess spoke.
"Because..." Lestia looked over to Dimitri, her older brother who was still in shock and she smiled, "It's time I break down the walls." That was enough for Lestia to gain the upper hand.
The words the princess said shook the Alymran prince to the core as she lunged at him, he barely managed to bend back a bit, she let go of the dagger and he knew another one was coming when he saw the other strapped on her right but...
CLAP!
Arisa instantly uncrossed her arms as her eyes went wide, her jaw dropped as several others witnessed the event that just happened.
"Years of experimenting finally paid off..." the princess thought as she looked at the shell shocked Reigan heir in front of her.
His whole body was still, his eyes wide, only a bit of twitching as he could barely make a sound. This is the lowest form of this technique she created, still, it causes quite an effect on the boy.
"A-Ah..." Claude was paralyzed as he began to fall back then Lestia finally grabbed her wooden dagger strapped onto her leg and struck him from behind.
Claude dropped on all fours, panting rapidly, not able to process what had just happened. D-Did he just get out done by another schemer?!
"I did not think that technique existed here." Chris said a bit two out loud that made everyone turn to him for questioning.
"What technique was that?! I never seen such before?!" Sylvain said and turned back to the field as Lestia had looked over to Arisa with a grin worth more than any gold in the world.
[-]
Flashback: Imperial Year 1167 -
"The Crest of Reigan...Sigh...I should have known..." King Lambert let go of a tried sigh as Lord Rodrigue stood in front of his desk accompanied by Emily, who blinked multiple times.
"My mother had been born with eyes similar to my daughter's and only so few people knew of the Crest she was born with." He said and Emily spoke.
"Your majesty, do you...plan to hide away Lestia?" The girl said.
"Goodness no! I would never do that to my daughter but...if people find out about her Crest, many more will target her. I don't want a repeat of today's attempt kidnapping." He said.
While that conversation was going between them, Lestia had wandered off to somewhere in the kitchen, hoping to eat something sweet to make her forget everything that happened today.
The events of that day forevermore made her start seeing the world differently. She and her siblings survived poisons, assassinations attempts, kidnappings and such. Even her friends have survived such things. Yet for Lestia, she noticed certain things as she would sometimes wander off to the training grounds and watch the generals train the knights. But she always went late at night when the Kingdom's team of Assassins would train. She always watched silently, making sure not to make a peep as she watched them clash their blades as they sparred with one another. This went on for 4 years.
- Imperial Year: 1172 -
One day, she had gone like usual to go watch them, silently mimicking their movements, hoping to do the same thing as them till she noticed only the general of their team was there, sitting on the bench.
"Good evening princess. I see you're up quite late." Damn, she had been caught.
"Um...sorry." she said shyly as she stepped out of the pillar she was hiding behind, "Have I...been causing you trouble General Kaze?" She said and he shook his head.
"No, it is alright princess. I know for these past 4 years you have been watching me train my comrades. They noticed too but chose not to say anything." The man said as the princess pouted at him.
"Can I no longer watch?" She said as he walked up to her and knelt, patted head like she does to his own daughter.
"You may continue to watch but..." he saw her look up to him, "I spoke with your father. He has allowed me permission to train you. But of course, I wish to hear if you desire it your highness." He said and the princess shook her head rapidly.
"Yes! Yes please! I'm impressed by your swift movements and techniques! The sword is nice but it's so boring! I feel better with an axe and a dagger!" She said excitedly and Kaze chuckled.
"Very well then." He pointed to a wooden target, "Let's start with something basic." He handed her a strange pointed star shaped metal piece, "It's called a shuriken. They are a bit like daggers, but these work more as weapons to throw from a distance. Try throwing it at the target." Kaze explains calmly as the princess stared at it.
Pink fluffy.
Graceful. Pretty. Obedient.
Sweet. Sugary sweet.
That is what a princess is but...Lestia...
She raised her hand through the shuriken like the way her instructed, the man's eyes went wide as she struck close to the center of the target. He looked over to the princess who had this look in her eyes. He knew it. It was the look that he had only seen so few have. Those who must fight for survival.
Pink fluffy cute.
Lestia was breaking down the wall.
[-]
"VICTORY TO THE BLUE LIONS!" Jeralt yelled out and The Blue Lion house yelled out in a victorious cry.
Claude panted as Lestia sat down next to him, leaning on his shoulder, laughing joyfully as the boy shook his head and gave her a grin.
"I can't believe...you actually outdid me." He chuckled as Lestia laughed but he suddenly panicked when she had become a sobbing mess, "Whoa whoa! Are you alright?" He said as he debated if he should comfort her.
He suddenly felt warm arms hug him and Lestia to a warm chest, Arisa grinned to them as she warped them to the hills, where everyone else was.
"We did it!" Sadi and Lysithea yelled out and Felix smirked over to Lestia.
"Not bad Demon. Not bad." He said as he helped her stand up.
Clause chuckled as he made his way towards his group but not before he turned to the Professor, with a smirk.
"Never once did you take command. You really left it to them. Got to admit, Teach, you're something else." He said and returned to his group.
Lestia wiped her tears and spoke proudly as she turned to her fellow classmates, Arisa standing behind her with a proud grin.
"This victory is the result of everyone's hard work! With you all, we would have never made it this far! All of you! Thank you for believing in each other and...in me also." And she turned to Arisa, "Especially you Professor...I...at first I was furious that you chose me over my brother...no one...has ever done such a thing. But...I thank you, my teacher, for believing in me. I...ugh...whhhhaaaa! NO ONE HAS EVER BELIEVED IN ME LIKE THIS!" And she went into full out blown wail.
"Lestia!" Dimitri said worried and ran over to his sister, the girl ended sobbing in his chest, but they were happy tears of joy.
Arisa chuckled as she patted the girl's head.
"I am proud of all of you. The team today you all demonstrated your skills and leadership. Though I gave no commands in this fight, there was a reason for that. In a way, I took advantage of this mock battle made in a test of some sorts. You all did well. And not just you, " she turned to look over to the Golden Deer and Black Eagles, "You all did an amazing job!" She finished.
Jeralt chuckled as he walked up to his daughter and ruffled her hair, earning a pout from the smaller woman.
"I can't believe you decided to do that on them. You're cruel sometimes you know that kid?" He said and she laughed a bit.
"I could say the same to you dad!" Arisa said as she hugged him tightly and Jeralt turned to the group.
"Welp, since you kids won, might as well all of you head back to the monastery. Knowing my daughter, she's going to cook you all a meal of celebration!" He said and turned to the other houses also, "You kids and Professors are to come join also! It isn't a celebration with you all." He said and Manuela cheered.
"Yes Manuela, I got wine." Arisa rolled her eyes and the said woman hugged her to her chest, sending the 20-year-old screeching.
Lestia could not help but laugh with many as they began walking towards the monastery, but she couldn't help but look up to the sky and smile sadly.
"I hope you're watching over us...Kaze."
[-]
Flashback: Imperial Year: 1174 -
"General Kaze...has fallen."
She was 11 years old, still a child and adjusting to the new addition of a sibling as well as her new stepmother, which she honestly thought was kind and loving. She wasn't supposed to hear this. She wasn't supposed to hear this news. Where was she when she heard this? Lestia at times would sneak into her father's office and hide quietly. Being trained by Kaze and his team along with his daughter and son were the best moments in her life. Her brothers knew she was being trained by one of the Kingdom generals, but they did not know who. Lestia had chosen to not say anything. I was her own little secret.
"Reports have come in that his group was ambushed by an unidentified battalion. Confirmation is that dark magic as well as physical damage was done. Unfortunately...only his hand remained from the incineration. It was a trap." Emily said to King Lambert whose face was filled with anger but also disbelief.
"Whoever set up the trap somehow knew Kaze's group was on their way to investigate the bandit hideout in Connad Tower. Sigh...Honestly I'm still surprised that tower is still standing but...even the bandits inside were incinerated with the Assassin group. The only survivor that barely made out alive because Kaze needed him to deliver the report was his eldest son, Kyo. Thankfully I was able to heal him, but he'll have to adjust to listing again because he lost his left ear, not to also mention the burns he suffered." Emily sighs.
"Thank you Emily...oh...How is his wife and daughter going to take the news? Lestia also!" He said worried as he ran his fingers through his hair.
Lestia listened to the entire conversation, the reason why Kaze was sent to investigate was because Kingdom Soldiers were sent about a few weeks ago and never came back. Worried by this, the King ordered Kaze and his team to investigate. From what Kyo reported, they found when entering the tower, they found the corpses of the Kingdom soldiers that were sent weeks before, dead. However, the most odd thing was that the bodies rose from the ground and began moving, attacking them. One of the assassins who also knew magic senses a strange disturbance in the bodies they managed to recover and found some type of magic involved. Emily has given a name to the corpes that came back to life with this strange magic, Risen. Further investigation will be done as the result of this as well as the woman writing down everything that Kyo reported as well as a single book he managed to nab before he was forcefully wrapped out to the tower by his father. Lestia silently slipped out of her father's office and went straight to the infirmary where Kyo was. When she entered, the man was dressed in the usual blue clothing of patients, but his body was wrapped in badges as well as around his head, especially the left side, where once his ear was and his left eye covered. The 18-year-old turned to her and smiled a bit bitterly. He had dark circles under his eye, and it was clear he must have been crying.
"Your highness..." he said as she walked up to him, "I am sorry but now is not a good time to speak." He said.
"Kyo...I know..." she said weakly and he was silent, "I snuck into my father's office and heard the entire conversation and report." She looked up with this strange look in her eyes.
Only those who were trained to kill know it. Kyo chuckled lightly, knowing exactly what she wanted. He trained her along with his father and little sister. He knows the princess is better than her looks. If there was another term to describe her at times, Demon would be about right but also schemer, trickster perhaps also. The princess has changed so much since that first negative encounter years ago. Add that with meeting and becoming friends with Emily, the multiple assignation attempts, kidnappings and such on her life and siblings, the day she learned to bare her fangs, her innocence was lost and could never return.
"Tell me everything. Down to the smallest detail you can remember." Lestia said and Kyo chuckled.
"I get why my father chose to train you." He sighs as he patted her head, "I, Kyo Hinarame, as the now the new leader of the Hinarame clan, pledge my loyalty and services to you. Princess Lestia, I hope you have a full empty book." He said and the princess looked at him in shock but nodded as the conversation began.
Two months later passed since the death of her teacher and unfortunately the rise of bandits has been increasing more and more. Even if King Lambert has done what he can, there have been villages that have been affected. Kyo is still in recovery and it has been difficult for him to maintain leadership now that he has been made the new head of his house. Thankfully his sister and mother have been helping him as well as a close friend of his.
Crack
Lestia blinked multiple times at the glass cup in front of her. She was currently in her room studying a few music notes because it was homework left by her music instructor. She had a habit of clapping the rhythm of the beat to try and understand the music notes. She was so frustrated she wasn't getting it right despite clapping the rhythm and out of anger, she slammed her hands together, creating a loud CLAP!! What she did not expect was to see her glass of water, a crack forming at the rim of the cup, and then stopped mid-way. Lestia stared at the cup and clapped her hand again but less forcefully. The crack did not spread. She did it again, but just a tad more force. Once more, nothing. More force, nothing. Another level, nothing.
CLAP!
The crack spread once more and Lestia could not help but let a grin begin to spread across her face as she quickly got off her chair and ran straight to her bookshelf where one of the "taboo" books for the royal archives she managed to sneak away from Cornelia.
The Use of Echolocation
Thankfully she always locked the door to her room as she began reading the first paragraph a bit out loud. Doing it helped her memorize things better.
"Human echolocation is the ability of humans to detect objects in their environment by sensing echoes from those objects, by actively creating sounds: for example, by tapping their canes, lightly stomping their foot, snapping their fingers, or making clicking noises with their mouths. Animals also such as bats, dolphins, whales and other mammals use echolocation. Echolocating animals emit calls out to the environment and listen to the echoes of those calls that return from various objects near them. They use these echoes to locate and identify the objects. Such to know where walls are at, for to find food. For humans, it is more complicated." Now she understood why Clause loved this "science" books.
She wondered why Cornelia has this locked away but Lestia then noticed something particular as she continued to read.
"Humans have a wavelength:" she was grateful the books also had pictures, "The higher the peaks the more sensitive one is to simulation. So, when a foe's consciousness is at its most sensitive peak, you strike with your most powerful soundwave. The impact won't just temporarily spook your opponent- Okay how did a book on the usage of sound suddenly become about about how to paralyze someone?" Lestia said with a raised eyebrow but continued to read, "It will paralyze their nerves, immobilizing them for a while. Huh." She muttered as she looked back to the glass cup.
"Kaze spoke of the usage of sound before...especially during his missions." She muttered to herself.
She needs to speak to Kyo's sister, Sera. She began to experiment. She began to test the strength of sounds. She began to look forward to the assassination attempts because she would end up using the assassins as her guinea pigs. Too little force used she was beyond grateful she slept with a dagger next to her bed. Too much force and the assassin would be left with bleeding ears. Medium force left her attacker surprised but enough that she was able to take them out. She kept experimenting repeatedly till finally. She got the force she wanted. Just enough to paralyze her enemy and Claude ended up being her guinea pig for that experiment in the future.
[-]
"A toast!" Chris held his cup up high, filled with peach cider as he looked over the tables, "To the Blue Lions for their magnificent display of leadership and teamwork! As well as to the Golden Deer and Black Eagles!" He said and the dining hall cheered loudly as it filled with the laughter of many.
Arisa sat next to Manuela and Hanneman as the two professors talked to her and it looked like she managed to stop another argument between them.
"The Professor...cooked this?!" Ingrid squealed in absolute bliss as she ate the dish called a "hamburger" that Arisa made just for her, along with fries.
Lestia chuckles as she took a bite of her own hamburger, her eyes lighting up as the juicy meat, tomatoes, lettuce, onions, cheese and the red sauce called ketchup, melted all together in harmony in her mouth. Dimitri was sitting next to Claude as the two talked along with Edelgard, who then turned bright red as Selkie hugged her from behind and wanted to play with her. Arisa laughed happily as Blanca pounced at her and then the woman bolted up chasing after the white wolf who ran off with a piece of steak. No one knows what Arisa yelled in some foreign language that only Chris and Alexandra partly understood but by the sound of it, it was obviously a curse she yelled. Blanca had run out happily with Hessian behind her, who managed to steal a pheasant, the two wolves ran out the dinning to somewhere. Lestia chuckled as she took a gulp of her drink and felt someone sit next to her, their arm wrapping around her shoulder.
"Welp." It was Claude, "Congratulations once again to the Storm Princess of the Blue Lions, who for once, actually beat me at my own game." He teased and Lestia chuckled.
"Hey now, I say you put up a pretty good fight. It's not everyday someone managed to make Sadi sneeze." She said and the said girl sneezed, groaning.
"The chilly power..." Sadi said and Hilda was still pissed about that.
"Never do that again. Seriously. I already got in trouble last month during the practice mock battle. I used flour on Dorothea, and she had to have her eyes flushed out. The yelling I got from Manuela." He said and Lestia snickered.
"I remember. But you had to admit, Dorothea looked hot in those glasses." Lestia took a sip of her drink and Dorothea yelled out, "Thank sweetie!" To her, sending the two schemers to a laughing fit.
"All serious...wow. To think you have the same Crest as me. The Crest of Reigan, also known as The Moon by other cultures." He said and Lestia smiled at him, "But...I'm glad you said what you wanted. You look...relieved, like something has been lifted off your shoulders." He said and she nodded.
"It has. More than you realize." Lestia said as she closed her eyes, her face, her soul, finally felt at peace.
[-]
Flashback: Imperial Year 1164 -
A long, long time ago, during the War of Heroes, besides Cirina of The Ice, stood 4 warriors that represented the Ancient Tribes of today. One of those warriors was Vernata, who was said to be the maiden of the wind. But when angered, her name would become The Storm Maiden. Vernata was fae who loved to travel around Fodlan, helping the people. She blessed the fields with gentle winds that made many smiles. But like all fae, Vernata loved pranks. Small ones, nothing too extreme. But she was one of the few friends that Cirina trusted. For many years, Vernata loved the people of Fodlan but then tragedy struck.
War began to plague the lands of Fodlan. Fields that flowers and crops grew trampled by the feet of soldiers. Forest burned to the ground. Once beautiful blue rivers and oceans, now red with blood and pieces of debris of wood from ships destroyed. Bodies covered the lands everywhere you looked. Humans, animals, people of the tribes and fae alike slathered like insects. The sky wept for days, months and those months turned into years.
Vernata used her power to fight besides Cirina to protect those she loved. To avenge her fallen people, Vernata began to push her powers to new heights. She began to change the gentle winds to raging storms. It said that the weather during the War of Heroes was her doing. Vernata always made sure to control the winds.
"Flora, did Vernata create storms to fight the 10 Elites?" Lestia said as she looked over the blue haired maid's shoulder.
Flora chuckled as she changed the page of the book to the next one, where it showed a young woman with bright green hair, butterfly like wings, a dress that looked like it was made of the wind itself, her arms spread out as strange like mirror floated in the center of her chest, glowing brightly.
"She did." Flora answered and Lestia pointed to the mirror.
"What's this then?" She asked and Flora turned to the next page, showing the mirror flowing above the woman.
"The relic is called the Mirror of Zephyros, it said the mirror could tell Vernata who friend was and who was foe. It is said the mirror was created by the Queen of Faeries and The Goddess of Fodlan, a relic to symbolize the peace between the two worlds. Through time, when the War of Heroes continued, the Mirror of Zephyros played a great role till...the day Cirina vanished from this world. The 4 warriors were devastated by the betrayal done to Cirina by her own family. The four chose to leave. Ui returned to her homeland in the Mountains of Faerghus. Vernata was said to disappear into the sky, one to the flames of the Valley of Torment and the other beyond the sea." Flora explained as Lestia smiled at her.
"I want to be like Vernata!" The princess stood up proudly as she managed to make herself float just a few inches from the ground, "I am now Lestia, the Princess of The Sto-oof!" And she fell on her behind.
Flora chuckled as she picked up the two-year-old in her arms, and rifled her hair.
"Well then, I, Flora of the Ice Tribe is here to support you Storm Maiden!" Flora chuckled as she spun the girl around, making her squeal.
[-]
"Ugh. I think I ate too much. Arisa sure knows how to cook a meal." Lestia grumbled as she made her way to her room.
The party ended an hour ago and now it was mostly the adults left at the dining hall. The students all returned (forced) back to their rooms. Lestia smiled softly as she arrived near her door but was surprised to see her brother there. Dimitri was leaning on the wall with arms crossed, looking lost in thought. Once he heard the familiar footsteps, he turned and Lestia had walked up.
"Hey. This is a rarity to see you here." Lestia said and Dimitri smiled a bit sheepishly.
"True. Um...could we talk? This is about..." Lestia nodded as he pulled out the key to her door and opened it, welcoming him in.
She walked up to her magic tool and touched it, lighting up the room. Compared to Dimitri's that was simple and clean, Lestia's room was a bit more on the chaotic side. Where her desk was, she had "the chair". It had pieces of clothing, books and a couple of other things. There were a few books scattered on the floor and near her window, was another desk that was filled with glass containers, bottles, a mini grinder as well as herbs on it. She sat on her bed while Dimitri grabbed the chair that wasn't piled with things, sitting across from her. He had his elbows propped on his knees as his hands were intertwined, his lips resting behind them. There was a bit of silence till he spoke, looking up to her, serious yet unsure.
"How many people knew? How many knew about you bearing the Crest of Reigan?" Dimitri said and Lestia sighed.
"Father," she began, "Rodrigue, Emily and Lord Galatea. They were they only ones that knew." She said he looked at her surprised, "Along with...Kaze." Lestia closed her eyes as she continued, "If word got out that I was born with the Crest of Reigan, our safety would have been endangered far more. We already have enough to deal with the attempted assassinations and such while growing up." She explained and Dimitri shook his head.
"I understand that our safety was their priority back then but why didn't you tell me?! Or Zander at most about this? Even Arisa knew and she did not say anything! Did you not trust us?! Your own brothers?!" He said and Lestia spoke honestly.
"No. I did not trust you or Zander." She said and Dimitri felt betrayed, "But that was because I began to distrust everything and everyone around. Let's be honest Dimitri," she crossed her legs and slightly raised her hand, "the innocent boy I knew died 4 years ago. The innocent princess you knew since birth died when she was 7 years old. The innocent older brother of ours died even before we were born. Since children, our innocence was stripped. The day we truly bared our fangs, is when our innocence was taken from us. What remains of us now, "She pointed at him, "is the result of that innocence taken. Like Arisa said, we aren't children anymore. But even if we are no longer children, there is still a child inside us. I wanted to tell you. I wanted to tell Zander. I wanted you all, but I couldn't. There was part of me that did trust you all but there was all the part of me that didn't. I did not want any more trouble on you all." Lestia finished as Dimitri looked at her with understanding.
"I understand. But..." He smiled softly, "I can tell what happened today, you seem...almost relieved. Still, I am confused. I do not recall Rodrigue nor Arisa teaching you such techniques of those of the Assassin class, as well as...that strange clap that paralyze Claude." He said and Lestia snickered.
"Dimitri are you serious? You really haven't figured it out! Kaze is the one that trained me along with Kyo and Sera! Dad allowed me to be trained by the Assassins of Faerghus. Thus, why I have my own battalion." She said and Dimitri groaned.
"That explains why Sera and you were so close..." he sighs, "But I'm glad for you Lestia. Also...I apologize if I offended you earlier today." He said and she shook her head.
"Don't be. I was upset that Arisa had chosen not to take command, much more that she left me in charge of such responsibility. You always been the leader of the Blue Lions. So why? She chose me instead of you, that caught me off guard. Even more when I knew our friends had very little faith in me except Sadi. I love that girl." She giggled but, "But...I am forever grateful for the chance Arisa gave me. Guess you can say it was "eye" opening." She said and Dimitri snorted and then began laughing a bit.
Lestia chuckled as she looked out the window of her room, smiling as she looked up to the stars. The moon was full today, just like she was. The winds blowing slowly as the trees swayed, Lestia, truly felt like the wind.
[-]
Flashback: Imperial Year 1178 -
Name of The Wind
Name of the Wind
I am breathing to answer your peace
Wind name is
Wind name is
Run through the ground and treat everything
Lara Lara
Lara Lara at the end of the storm
Drunk away and leave it as is
Laralarala Good and Evil, injustice
Lara Lara at the end of the storm
I will leave nothing but the reason of the wind
After the blown out rough and then
Light will illuminate the sky
We have shown hope
After the blown out rough and then
Light will illuminate the sky
Wind blows away the wind
"Oh! Lady Lestia, I had no idea you could sing." She eyes of different colors, she turned once more, to see her friend Kyo walk up.
He noticed the opened book in her hands as the girl sat at one of the benches in the gardens. Though it was summer, the winds can be cold sometimes. Kyo raised an eyebrow as he noticed the page the book was opened to. It showed a fairy like woman singing up to the sky.
"I had no idea you like reading." He said and the girl pouted at him.
"This is a book I asked Flora to acquire for me. I wanted something different from the ones we have here in the Kingdom. Besides, this is my favorite story. The song I was just singing was said to belong to the Maiden of the Storms. It is called "The Song of The Wind." According to the book, many people in the past, including Fodlan, believed that each human had their own song. A song that represented them." She turned back to the book and smiled softly, "Maybe I have a song of my own? People called this lost type of magic, "Lost Song." Even the godess of Fodlan would sing to bring life to the land." She said as Kyo chuckled.
"Who knows? By the way, come on. It's time for training. Jacob is here to help out." Kyo said and the girl put the book away into her purse.
"Lost song...interesting."
[-]
- The Next Day -
"Okay, for today, I'll be assigning two students for Group Task next month." Arisa said as she began writing down on the chalkboard and a few of the students began groaning, "Felix along with Bernadetta will be in charge of the stables." She said and Felix groans, "No complaining unless you want me to make you go clean the sauna." Which made him shut up, "Dimitri and Dedue are to pull weeds. Lestia and Edelgard will oversee Sky watch, while Annette along with Marianne will be in charge of gardening. Mercedes and Silque are on kitchen duty for this week." She turned to the class and let go of a sigh, "For now, we'll do a review of yesterday's mock battle." She said.
Lestia listened to the speech as she was reading her book once again. No matter how many years have passed, it was always her favorite. She smiled softly as she closed her eyes, ignoring the argument that Ingrid and Felix were getting to about hiring battalions and Arisa pinching the bridge of her nose. She couldn't help but chuckle a bit as she looked up and grinned.
"I am Lestia Flora Blaiddyd. The Princess of Storms"
Chapter 38: New Start:Part 2: The Storm Princess: End
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And that wraps up Lestia's back story! She is honestly really fun to write so look forward to more. Also, this is a bit of set up for a future chapter. Next up…..Zanado. Oh boy, time for the taste of real battle and flash backs of during the time the Nabataea were alive.