Shattered Songs of Faith

by Sakura108645

Now, one does not expect to wake up in another body when they die. She did not expect to come to such a world that she had only read and played through technology. What's more, that she wakes up as Female Byleth during her childhood days. "Come and see the world in different ways from the River of Time before it all shatters away!" (SI OC) (AU)

41. Chapter 40:Memory's Whisper:Part 2:

- 1,000 years ago -

With mischief in her eyes, the young girl grinned as she managed to sneak a book away from her uncle Cichol as she ran to the forest near the waterfall. The forest of lush green, colorful fishes swimming in the waters, a few fae nearby as well as the merfolk who loved to swim. She sat on a fallen tree log as she took out the book from her purse. The girl giggled as she looked at the cover, the book just waiting to be opened and her to explore new things. She opened the first page and blinked.

"This isn't the language of Nabateans...grrr..." the girl pouted as her feathers fluttered a bit frustrated.

"Chirp chirp chirp!" She looked over to her right to see a little blue tarantula with blue patterns and its little 8 eyes.

The girl smiled as she extended her hand to it, it crawled up her arms and made itself comfortable on her shoulder, it began squeaking or chirping yet to her it sounded like human language. She smiled as she looked up her head with joy in her eyes.

"Speedy! You're back! Did you find the herb I was looking for?" She said.

"(Of course, I did Cirina! You can count on me!)" The tarantula called Speedy said as it proudly lifted one leg.

"Yay! I want to try out a new potion! Hmmm...think Aunty Noa could help out?" Cirina said as Speedy thought for a moment.

"(Well, you could always ask Cethleann...?)" He said a bit unsure and Cirina shook her head.

"Bad idea! I don't need Uncle Cichol scolding me. But..." she looked back to the book, and could understand a bit of the language, "We could try this." She pointed to sentence that spoke about voices, "Let's try making our voice, big!" She extended her hands in a circular motion, "Let's make our voice lllooouuuuddd! Very loouuuuddd! S-Sonikkk? Scream I think the book says?" Cirina muttered as she looked over to the waterfall.

"(Sonic scream. That's how you properly say it.)" Speedy sighs as he patted her head with leg or arm.

"Say Speedy, you'll always be with me, right?" Cirina said suddenly.

"(Of course, I will! I'm not about to leave you behind squirt!)" Speedy said as Cirina cupped her hands together and he jumped onto then, turning to face her, "(After all, you're the Queen of Spiders! And I am your loyal friend and servant!)" He said to her.

"Whoa whoa. Since when am I the queen of spiders?" Cirina blinked multiple times at him.

"(Well, since the day you saved me from nearly getting turned to a pancake by Serios and Cethleann.)" Speedy chirped happily and Cirina rolled her eyes at him.

"Okay, okay. But I don't like the title "Queen of Spiders". How about...The Spider Whisperer?" She said with sparkles in her eyes.

"(Really? How about Lady Arachne?)" He said bluntly to her.

"You know what? I like that better." The girl giggled happily as she picked up a small meal worm from the dirt and gave it to him.

Speedy chirped happily and began to eat it in bliss.

- Present time: Harpstring Moon: May 29th -

"Perfect timing Professor! We just received words from the knights. They have located the bandits." Edelgard said as Arisa and the others arrived at the auditorium early in the morning.

A few students were still partly dozy since it was 6 in the morning, the sun just barely at its peaks, yet many were confused at why Arisa wore her full covered cloak as well as her hair was tied in her usual high ponytail.

"Just as planned, they are in Zanado." Ingrid said and Arisa nodded to her.

"It's bandit time? That sounds like real knight's work! Let's get going!" Raphael said excitedly and Selkia shook her head.

"Time to get those pesky bugs away from that place! Zanado is respected by the clans and seeing someone disrespect it is messed up!" She hissed.

"Remember everyone, you are to stay in formation. It'll be a two-day ride to reach the mountain so make sure you all have your things packed." Professor Hanneman said as the students nodded.

"I'm itching to put my skills to the test as well. We have to win so Captain Jeralt can see how much I learned!" Leonie said and that made Arisa frown.

"When will you stop obsessing about Jeralt? Seriously, that obsession is going to get you killed." Boey said as he shook his head, the orange haired girl glared at him.

"Alright, can it you two." Alexandra said as she walked through the doors, with Chris following behind her along with...

"Balthus!" Arisa grinned as she spotted the bulk of the man with a smirk, as they walked up to the group.

"Balthus...Balthus...that name sounds familiar..." Hilda muttered as the two adults began to speak.

"Hey Professor! Came just on time! Have you known you made a great choice hiring the King of Grappling to accompany you all! The mountain terrain is my specialty so leave it to me!" Balthus grinned as he jabbed his thumb at himself.

"If we fight as well as we chatter, we'll be fine. But I do have questions who this person is." Claude said.

"We're just fighting common thieves, right? Not much of a challenge." Felix huffed.

"Aren't you a spoil sport? I'm quite excited myself. Who knows... there may be some c-Oooowowowowowowo!" And Alexandra pulled his ear like the old days when they were kids.

Dimitri couldn't help but chuckle as the others left and only the house leaders, instructors, Professors and one Balthus stayed behind.

"Perhaps we are all a bit excited but remember that we have the knights on our side. All should be well." Dimitri said.

"I'll say." Lestia snickered, "By the way, heard your dad is Captain of the Knights of Serios again along with Sandana. Maybe one day we'll get to see you two fight side by side. Also, to knock Leonie down a peg. Seriously." She groans a bit.

"Lestia, be nice!" Manuela said to her.

"Don't worry Professor. I'm sure Lestia's just jealous that Leonie can hold a lance properly." Claude teased her.

"What was that punk?!" Lestia snarled at him.

"Calm down you two. Anyhow, give us our orders, Professors. It's time to move out." Edelgard said to them.

After that entire meeting, everyone went to get their final things ready as well as Christian introducing Balthus to the Professors though the man had to back away a bit from Manuela who fluttered her eyelashes at him.

"Nice to meet you. Names Alexandra. Good to have you on the team." Alexandra shook hands with him.

"Names Amir. Good to see a fellow man of the mountains." Amir smiled at him as Balthus smirked.

"With the King of Grappling here, no need to worry your pretty little heads! I'll lead us to victory!" Balthus boomed proudly.

"Yeah, yeah, King of Grappling we get it." Chris rolled his eyes as Kuro and Feh landed on his shoulders, "You got everything? We'll be bringing our own wolves for this. I'll be flying ahead with Skylar to make sure the road is well. You're riding with them. Lastly, you got that herb I asked you for?" He said and Balthus threw him a small pouch.

"You better keep your end of the deal." Balthus shook his head as they began the carriages.

Dimitri was speaking with Hessian to follow orders. The said wolf nodded to him as Blanca came into view, who also nodded to him.

"SCKKKAAAAWW" Skylar landed nearby, Chris quickly went to him and climbed on, with Feh and Kuro.

"I'll be going on ahead! Blanca! Puka! Let's go! Hyaa!" Chris yelled as he snapped the reins, the griffon took off flight to sky's as well as the birds.

"Awhoooooo!" "Kiheheheheheh!" Blanca and Puka laughed and howled as they began to run down the road.

"Hessian! Accompany them!" Dimitri ordered and the said wolf also did his proud howl and went on head.

"You raised him well." The prince turned to the voice of his Professor and his eyes instantly went to her exposed part of her chest, where it was opened from her armor.

Arisa was wearing the Assassin class uniform. Golden double layered shoulder plates that stuck out, the two long cloths that looked like wings on her back, her thighs exposing the different patterned black tights she wore, her haired tied up in a high ponytail, her staff and sheath rapier strapped onto her waist and unfortunately for many, their eyes instantly went to the open part of her chest, one of those was Dimitri. Arisa was well aware where everyone's eyes went and thankfully the females began covering the eyes of the boys. Thankfully Professor Hanneman respectfully turned his head while Manuela was thinking she had competition on...their "assets".

"Hessian I'm assuming was trained like a hunting dog. Not bad Dimitri. You raised him well. Still, he has much to learn. Perhaps getting trained by Nuke would do him good." Arisa said as she patted his shoulder and went to the other carriage where the Professors and instructors went. It would take four carriages to bring everyone since unfortunately the report from the knights said that more bandits gathered. Dimitri let go of a sigh as he went to the carriage where the Blue Lions were in and was a bit surprised to see Alexandra with them.

"Wait, why are you here?" He asked as he sat down across from her.

She was sitting between Ingrid and Lysithea. The blue haired woman had her eyes closed; arms crossed as well as her legs. She was silent for a few seconds then spoke as the carriages began to move.

"Awfully rude to say that to your instructor. But I'll answer anyway. Sadly, they ran out of room in the fourth carriage because of Manuela's battalion. Arisa offered to sit with you kids but I told her I'll do it. Besides, it a good way to interact since you kids hardly come and talk to me other than the seminar." Alexandra spoke, her eyes still closed as her feathers twitched.

"Actually, you know what." Ingrid said, "This is the perfect opportunity to ask you a few questions. What's your relationship to Sylvian?" She said to her.

"Whoa there Ingrid!" Sylvian said as the woman glared at him, "Don't tell me you think she and I are..." he said and Lestia rolled her eyes.

"Childhood friends..." Alexandra muttered as she slightly opened her eyes, "I am a childhood friend of Sylvian...I went by a different name in the past. A name that my mother gave me...not the name that my father gave to me..." she touched the necklace on her neck.

"You had a different name?" Lysithea asked as she noticed the woman had her hand over her chest, "I know it is none of our business but...you...wouldn't happen to...suffer damage to...gaining power..." she spoke carefully.

Lysithea knew first-hand what it cost. Her own two Crest put a huge strain in her body. Yes, her second Crest was starting to manifest because the part that faded to a pastel purple were starting to turn white, but she also subconsciously touched her wrist, where the scars of those inhuman experiments remained. Alexandra looked over to Lysithea for a moment then spoke.

"I...I...I nearly killed Arisa and Amir because that power went out of control." Alexandra said as she closed her eyes once more.

"What?" Lestia said, Alexandra hugged herself tightly.

"Do not speak to me princess...Just don't...you bear the Crest of Reigan...I'm trying to surpass my hostile behavior towards you...My crest...is...a curse...it makes me become hostile to specific Crest bearers." She said and quickly took out a pill from her purse and swallowed it dry.

"How does your Crest affect your behavior? I hope you keep your distance from her Highness and Sylvian. We don't need another accident to happen." Ingrid glared at the woman.

"Ingrid, don't be so cold to her!" Sadi said, "I know that feeling...the pain...the burning sensation...it's like fire." She said and Dedue looked at his sister worried.

"Another accident huh?" Alexandra chuckled as her eyes narrowed at Ingrid, "Funny coming from the brat that has discriminated against the people of Duscur who have been proven innocent. I don't tolerate such behavior and I'm sure Arisa had made that very clear with you." Her eyes flickered red and Ingrid flinched, remembering the lesson the Professor gave her.

"You..." Ingrid growled at her as Alexandra stood up and looked down at her.

"Children should learn to judge better. The only truly mature ones in this carriage are Mercedes, Lysithea, Dedue and Sadi along with Sylvain. We who have suffered because of this damn system that Serios created." Her voice began to change to a possessed one, "Honestly Daphnel, you're still the same as you were during the War of Heroes. But that is always like you," one eye closed, "Maybe I should ki-hhiiiiissss!" She suddenly hissed as she placed her hand on her forehead and forced herself to still back down, "Sorry! Sorry! This is why I avoid arguments...hissssss!" The woman hissed in pain as she began to force Cirina back to the back of her mind.

"Alex are you alright?" Sylvain said as Annette switched seats with him, she looked in pain.

"Yeah...Yeah...I'll be alright. You kids just witnessed first-hand what my Crest does to me. Ugh...sorry Galatea, just... seriously next time don't go hostile in front of me. Gautier donot get so close to me, seriously." She partly hissed at him.

"Wait, you're calling us by our last names. I say that's a big improvement! Better than punk." Sylvain smiled at her.

"Please Gautier...but I agree...it's better than calling you punk...still...something doesn't feel right...something...Blaiddyd Prince." She looked up to Dimitri, "Think you sense magic?" She said.

"I'm not the best but I'll try." Dimitri said as he closed his eyes and sensed the area around him.

"Wait, why not Annette, Lysithea or Mercedes?" Felix said.

"I'm putting some training on you all. All of you closed your eyes. If my theory is correct...we're being followed. Lysithea creates a mental link to the Black Eagles and Golden Deer. I'll create one with the adults." Alexandra said and her eyes glowed purple while the other did as she ordered.

"Arisa..." Alexandra muttered mentally and her friend responded.

"I know. It's been around an hour since we've left. Amir has warped to the Black Eagles Carriage and Hanneman to the Golden Deer. But, we only sense one person. They aren't even trying to hide they are following us...it looks like they really are just watching." Arisa muttered to her.

"Linhardt over here is half asleep but seems he can sense the person. They aren't posing any danger, so it seems like you said. We'll keep things -Kyyyaaaa!" Amir's screech made the Blue Lions eyes snapped open, a few others stuck their heads out of the windows.

"MY CHEST IS NOT A SLEEPING PILLOW!" Her yell was loud and clear unfortunately and Claude's laugh could be heard from his carriage, they all cringed when they heard a smack, and poor Linhardt groaning.

"I can just see Edelgard pinching her nose." Lestia snickered.

"Anyhow, we'll be stopping later tonight. So, y'all get your hunting skills ready." Alexandra smirked.

"By the way," Mercedes said, "Is it true that Arisa has a crush on someone?" She smiled happily.

"MERCEDES DO NOT SAY ANOTHER WORD!"

The said woman looked out of the window with a smile on her face while everyone else in the other carriages suddenly had their interest peaked.

"Speak Mercedes speak!" Dorothea and Hilda cheered.

"Ahhhh! Professor do not worry! My lips are sealed! But you and I are talking about it soon ~" Mercedes cooed back at her.

"THIS IS BLACK MAIL!" Arisa yelled back and many could not help but chuckle at the exchange.

- Hours Later: Night -

Tents began to set up with the help of battalion and Balthus helping out with the heavy work. Dedue, Petra, Ignatz and Edelgard were assigned to go hunt. Mercedes, Annette along with Arisa were on cooking duty. Dimitri, Claude, Hubert, Leonie and Boey were put on watching duty while the rest helped set up the camps.

"Selkie, Casper and Raphael! Go search for firewood please. I'll be looking for a few herbs. Marianne please help me." Amir said and the ones she called nodded and left to go to their jobs.

"Hmm... ~ they burn to ashes and fade to gray..." Arisa sung softly as she was cutting vegetables, unaware that some of the girls went silent listening to her, "Here I am...still awake...living this like a dream...Sing to me...the song...of life...why my must heart still trapped...inside this cage of the past...aahhh..." she sang softly.

"Hey Ladies!" They looked up and saw Claude heading their way, "Just got a message from Amir. Looks like Petra and Ignatz managed to shoot down a nice boar. Dedue found a couple edible mushrooms and Edelgard a couple herbs. Stew sounds like it's on the menu tonight!" He grinned at them.

"We'll see how we'll prepare it. Just make sure to have Dedue or Petra gut it before they arrive." Annette said as she was getting them pans ready.

"Got it. Say, Teach?" He said as Arisa looked up to him, "So what's this about your crush?" He smirked and Arisa had a closed eye smile with the kitchen knife ready in her hand.

"Speak about it again and I will fail you in your Archer test." She smiled menacingly at him, the knife glinting.

"Come on Teach. Don't be shy. Your secret will be safe with me." He teases.

"Claude, do you want me to reveal to everyone who your first kiss was?" She smiled, instantly everyone that was within earshot turned their heads.

"Hey now..." he narrowed his eyes at her, "No need to say that. Besides, that was years ago. We were kids." He said and Arisa chuckled.

"That may be so but how can I forget the face you made. But then again, you're still a bit of the same boy I knew back then." She said.

"A bit? Teach, I'm the same as ever. If anyone has changed, I say it be you. And I don't mean physically. You that mysterious aura of yours still and it's only grown more." He said to her.

"Claude, can we change the subject?" She suddenly said and seemed her face went void of emotions as she was cutting vegetables.

Claude wondered if he struck a nerve. But alright, he'll let her off the hook for this round. Still, she was still so difficult to read, and it was frustrating. Not that he thought about, something about her wasn't adding up. It was like, her emotions were fading away for some reason. He shook his head a bit and spoke.

"Alright then. Chris said he went on a head to make sure the road was safe. This is regarding the rumor of the Demonic beast being sighted correct?" He said and Arisa nodded.

"Wait what?!"

The two instantly turned to see Ferdinand looking pale as paper.

"I'll take on bandits, wolves, vultures but absolutely not demonic beasts! Just anything but that." He said.

"Aww, Ferdie. Scared of some little lizard?" Dorothea said to him as she and Noire were setting up the table and plates.

"Afraid? More towards I do not wish to walk to my death! You wound me Dorothea." Ferdinand said and the woman had a raised eyebrow at him.

"Alright, can it you two." They turned as they saw Amir with the group she was with.

Raphael had a big smile as he carried the boar that was caught along with a wild pheasant, "We got the animals gutted for you girls. Ferdinand and Caspar, think you can butcher these?" She said and the two boys nodded as they went to the table to do that.

Amir let go of a sigh as she looked around and then looked high up at one of the trees where Alexandra was sitting down, reading a book. For some reason, the night felt it was going to be long.

[-]

It was a rare opportunity for her to have some peace. It's been a few hours since everyone went to sleep. The only ones awake were the ones assigned for guarding yet here she was, awake. Alexandra sighs as she sat high up in the trees, her back leaning on the tree trunk. She could see in the tents that the girls were sleeping in. She could see on the ground Dimitri awake along with Hubert, Leonie and Boey, but where the hell was Claude? Alexandra mind began to wander around till she noticed Cirina appear in a shower of blue dust, thankfully she was in the mode where only she could see her. She was grateful she was way too far up to make sure no one could hear her talking to the bitch of Cirina.

"Ahhhhhhhhh~" Cirna moaned as she twirled around happily, "The night is my territory! Finally, the cool of such! Hahahaah!" She said as she turned to Alexandra, the woman glaring at her, "Oh come now? Still angry that I nearly lashed out at the Galatea girl like you so wanted to? Please Alex, I know you wanted to punch that girl." She smirked at her.

"That maybe so but I am a Professor and I will not lay a hand on her!" Alexandra hissed at her.

"Yeah yeah." Cirina waved her off easily, "But this time is perfect! Finally, the perfect opportunity to teach you something you need." She said.

"And why should I trust you? First off, all you did for me is cause me pain. Still, you look out for me even if you don't admit it." Alexandra said as her feathers fluttered.

"I'll ignore that comment." Cirina huffed as she floated a bit above her, "You remember how to sing right?" She smiled and Alexandra instantly put her hand on her throat.

"No. I will not sing. Not after that accident 3 years ago." She said fearfully.

"Oh, seriously when will you get over it! Those magicians of black had it coming for trying to assault you. You took down that entire black-market building in the Alliance! I say you did well." Cirina hissed at her.

"But you remember the damage I caused! Innocent people were also hurt!" She said a bit too loudly.

"Keep your voice down." Cirina said and the woman's feathers limped, "Look, let's just go to some place no one will interrupt us. You will sing Alexandra. Now let's go." She said as she began to fly to the direction of deep into the forest.

Alexandra took a quick look back to make sure no one would notice she was gone and followed after Cirina, carefully jumping from tree to tree. Unfortunately for her, during that time, Ingrid woke up along with Linhardt.

"Did you see that?" Ingrid whispered to him.

"I did..." Linhardt yawns, "An I sense...someone else is with her...strange..." he muttered and put on his slippers, "I'm going to follow her. I have been wanting to ask her about her Crest and this be the perfect time." He said as he began to walk the direction the woman went.

"Wait, I'll go with you. I don't trust her, and I do not wish to see you get hurt." Ingrid said and he nodded to her.

Unknown to the two, Claude was following right behind them.

[-]

The wind softly blew through the trees as the leaves softly swayed with its tune. The crickets chirped in sync as the two females made their trip. Flowers that were in bloom during the day had their petals closed, waiting for the sunlight to return yet the flowers whose petals were closed during the day, were ones blooming during this night. For many years, Alexandra always felt the coolness of the night was comforting as she would look to the stars above. She landed with a soft thud on the grass, walking at normal pace as she follows Cirina, who seemed to be quite chipper.

"We're here." Cirina suddenly said as she stopped in the center of a large field of grass yet there, it looked like something was covered by moss.

Taking a better look around, Alexandra didn't remember this area in the forest at all. The giant large field seemed to be circular, around 40 feet with. There were stone-like stairs on the right and left sides that surrounded the circle but had two 10 feet openings that people could walk through. The steps were also covered in moss, some were cracked or falling apart, on the other side of the opening she could see a giant pound with crystal clear waters.

"Cirina...where are we?" Alexandra said as she had her killer lance in her hands, "Also, how were you able to manifest yourself a few weeks ago in front of everyone?" She said as she took a few steps into ancient ruin.

"Not that it matters." Cirina said as she turned to the girl with what everyone would call impossible, "I welcome you to my stage." She had the happiest of grins anyone had ever seen, her arms spread wide as she widely presented the place, "This is where the founding of the Lost Magic, "Lost Song" was created. My mother is the one who created "Lost Song"." She said as she began to look around the place, memories coming back to her mind.

"Lost song...?" Alexandra was confused.

"Of course, you humans of this era never heard of it because Serios made sure to erase its existence along with the "Anti-Magic" Arts. You know what Faith Magic is. It is the very emotions you humans conjure into power. Love, trust, kindness, these are examples of faith magic. Your very will/desire to heal someone is what powers your faith magic. In another way, Faith Magic is your very emotions. Reason magic is more of what you imagine you turn it to reality. Anima, Dark, Black, the usage of intellect and imagination to construct the spell you desire. It's almost at the spiritual level. You heard of commands. Reason magic spells all each have hundreds if not thousands of commands for every single movement done. For example, you want the wind spell to cut. The shape of the blade, the color, the movement, so on and so forth. Now, "Anti-magic" Cirina grinned "Is the opposite of the two. It uses physics. Reality to erase what is called fiction such as Faith and Reason. It was an art invented by a human clan that were half breeds like me. The clan was also known as The Village of Half Demons." Cirina smiled sadly.

"What does this have to do with "Lost Song"?" Alexandra says as she walks closer.

"Lost song...it's first concept was created by Sothis. She was able to fuse magic into her voice. However, my mother wanted to explore it further. My mother loved to study the unknown. She was an Agarthan who only desired knowledge. Nothing more. She was able to discover that the emotions within music could very much be used in many ways. To heal, to hurt, to protect, to create, to give life. She began to fuse magic. She also had help from the Laguz clan who had a similar concept of using their voices. The earlier name of this new magic was "Sound magic" but my mom hated the name so she changes it to "Lost Song". Even more when she discovered each human has their own "song" that represents their souls. A song can heal or hurt. Now, Alexa..." Cirina smiled, "Arisa already had mastered the Lost song without even knowing it. The only problem is that hers is incomplete because she has yet to find the song of her heart. Amir is somewhat." She said.

"You...you want me...to search for my song..." Alexandra said as she placed her hand on her throat.

"Yes. But now, let us practice here. No one will hurt here if you over do it." Cirina floated over to her and lifted her chin a bit, "Come now...Theresa. I know you're in there." She smirked and was pushed away.

"I am not...I am not..." Alexandra and Cirina chuckled as she made herself manifest physically.

"You want to know how I am to do this? It's by my own will. By taking some of your own power to do it. Sing Alexandra...Sing...sing to your hearts contents I'm this very stage!" Cirina said as the place began to glow a bit.

"No...no...I can't...I..." Alexandra began trembling, "I can't I can't!" She yelled.

"It's okay."

She froze. She knew that voice. A voice that once protected her. That gave her warmth. That gave her hope.

"It's okay." It repeated once more, and she began to relax a bit.

"Fine...I'll do it...what do I do?" She let go of a sigh as Cirina smiled at her, took her hand and gently took her to the center of the stage.

Meanwhile that was happening, Ingrid and Linhardt were silent as they watched exchanging of the two females. The two were hiding on behind the benches, Ingrid on the right and Linhardt on the left, the two were at a safe distance but unfortunately could barely hear what Alexandra was saying to the figure of ice.

"Lost Song...hmm...I heard of the word before...no wait...I think Flayn mentioned it once." Linhardt muttered as Ingrid looked his way.

"Explain." Ingrid said to him as she looked back and then suddenly looked up to one of the trees, where she put her hand over her mouth to keep herself from gasping.

Claude smiled and waved to the two but quickly put his index finger on his lips to show to be silent. Alexandra gulped as she opened her lips, yet Cirina's smile grew as she slowly, the girl's eyes were becoming hazed, a small glowing like ring appeared on her tongue as Alexandra began to sing softly.

Can't forget...the night we met...

That girl saw me...in ecstasy...

But her stare, her eyes, her hair

Looked just like me...

Something about it began to put the students on edge as the ice figure nodded in joy. To Claude, it almost looked like it was smirking. Cirina caressed her cheek and began to sing yet to the others, the voice sounded muffled, static, almost a whisper. Oh, how she longed for this moment. This was the perfect night for the two to become one. Alexandra also known as Theresa in her past is holding herself back from embracing the true power of her Crest. Oh, how she despised Serios for trying to keep this girl on her watch. She knew that keeping this girl with her grasp she would be bending to her will.

Silly girl, a Precious Pearl

You'll decorate a shelf perfectly

Let me break, your chains away

And set you free

Claude began to ready his bow. Something was very wrong as the figure of ice began to crack and change shape. Its hands lifted Alexandra's chin, it sung louder and even now Alexandra's voice was starting to match it. Ice began form around the two and that's when Claude knew, he didn't make a move now, they were going to lose thei-

"HAAAAAARRRHHHH!"

"NO INGRID!"

Cirina's screamed filled the entire place as Ingrid's lance came down on her and destroyed her body of ice in a flash, the spirit roared furiously now that it had no body, Linhardt quickly ran and caught the dazed Alexandra in his arms. Multiple arrows came her way as she looked up and saw the Reigan boy with eyes narrowed.

"Whoever the hell you are, I know you're still there! Trying to hurt the instructor...we'll put you in your grave!" Claude yelled as he quickly jumped down, and ran to stand besides Ingrid, his arrow pointed towards the distance as Ingrid had her lance ready.

Cirina growled furiously as the shattered body began to fix itself and forced it to manifest her appearance, taking the three students by surprise to see the splitting image of their instructor but looked more like a corpse version.

"Filthy Descendants of the 10 Elites! How dare you interrupt us?!" Cirina roared as she flew a few feet away from them.

"Interrupt? I say we did a good job doing that! You tried to do something to our instructor..." Ingrid narrowed her eyes as Cirina floated around.

"Oh, so now you care about her! Please!" Cirina scoffed, "I am no fool! Boy of Reigan you only intend to use Ymir to achieve your goal and then throw her away! Girl of Daphnel, your pride has been injured by my words because I spoke the truth! And Boy of Cethleann..." she growled as she looked down at Linhardt, who hugged Alexandra tighter, "You have the same eyes as her..." she muttered and turned to the two, "I'm not letting a single one of you leave here alive...not after you witnessed this. HYAAARRRHH!" She raised her arms quickly.

Pillars of ice quickly covered all forms of exists; they took on the forms of dragons that growled viciously down at the students. Cirina meant every word. She would kill these children with no damns given. Her anger boiled as she looked at the blonde girl who tried to hide her pain behind so call chivalry. The boy of green colored hair that despised fighting, stood up despite fear was in his eyes, and the damn boy of Reigan.

"Hoooooooooo...why are you just like him?!" Cirina screamed furiously down at them, "Why are you like him?! Why?! Why?! All you do is betray! All you do is use others to your advantage then throw them away once you finish your use of them! I SHOULD HAVE TAKEN OVER ALEXANDRA'S BODY ALL THOSE YEARS AGO AND KILL YOU!" She roared down as spikes of ice began to form in the air, ready to be brought down at them yet...

"STOP IIITTTT!"

Two more dragons of ice formed and quickly circled around the students, protecting them and Claude's eyes went wide as he saw what had happened or to be more precise the transformation that Alexandra went through. Hot tears were streaming down her eyes as she once more took on the sick form, she hated from all those years ago. The sickly pale blue hair, the light pale skin, the blood colored eyes that held the Crest of Aubin as pupils.

After all these years, Alexandra hated that she was still a crybaby. She cried easily at sometimes the smallest of things. She remembers when she was small, her times in Derdriu that she would often burst into tears during their jobs, or when she had to hunt down an animal. She remembers when she would play with Ingrid and would trip on her own feet, then burst into tears. Felix would then start crying with her and Ingrid and Sylvain would try to calm them down.

"Leave them alone...leave my family alone..." she wept as she hugged herself, Cirina ceased all fire as she looked down coldly at her.

Ingrid, Claude, Linhardt looked at her with wide eyes as she walked towards her floating self, "Just stop this...you tried to trick me again. You tried to force me and you to become one again...you're so damn on us fusing...why? You never told me why!" She sobbed.

"Because if we don't, this world that my Grandmother, Sothis, will be damned!" Cirina said.

"STOP MAKING EXCUSES! I KNOW THAT ISN'T TRUE! HAVE YOU FORGOTTEN I'M YOUIN A WAY!" Alexandra roared back to her.

"This is stupid. I won't kill those children but know this Alexandra..." she pointed to Claude, "That boy, will stab you in the back, just like his ancestors did to me." Were her final words before she disappeared in a shower of blue dust.

The ice that grew around the entire place began to disappear in streams of glitter of blue, making it look like blue fireflies were around the place. Alexandra's ice dragons disappeared the same way, the girl fell to her knees, sobbing loudly as her appearance returned to normal, Claude quickly running to her side, hugging her tightly to his chest. It was something he would always do when they were children. Ingrid looked at the woman wearily as she approached them, Linhardt as well but he was interested in what he just witnessed.

"Alex...it's alright...shhh..shhh... it's alright. It-What are you doing?!" He yelled when her hand suddenly flew over to cover his eyes, Ingrid and Linhardt screamed as he could barely see through the small peaks of her fingers.

His eyes went wide as he heard two loud thumps, seeing that his two classmates dropped to the ground, out cold. He felt Alexandra startle him yet could feel hot tears falling on his cheeks as he heard her choke out words.

"You...I can't...have...any of you knowing...about this!" She sobbed loudly, "None of you can ever know about this side of me!" She said and Claude gripped her wrist with both hands, trying to remove her hand but no luck.

"Please Alexandra! What do you mean?! What did you do to Ingrid and Linhardt?" He tried to flip them over, but his strength was being drained.

Alexandra tried to speak clearly but only sobs with words came out.

"I'm erasing your memory of tonight! Don't you understand Cirina will kill you...if you learn more about her...about me..." she sobbed.

She knew his eyes went wide at the mention of Cirina's name, "Goodbye Claude...no...K-" this time for sure, Claude felt his heart freeze as the forbidden name was spoken by her lips.

His consciousness began to fade as she removed her hand from his eyes, the verdant green last view of the beauty of blue and crimson, was a face filled with nothing but pure regret, sorrow and despair as he felt warm lips kiss his forehead.

"Good night..." she muttered softly as his eyes closed, his body going limp.

"Alex! Alex!"

She looked up and saw Arisa running her way, her steel rapier out, not even noticing that the hours had passed, that the sun was barely at its peak. Sothis followed behind her along with Amir. Alexandra only sobbed loudly as she got off Claude, Amir quickly ran to check Linhardt and Ingrid's pulse, both were alive yet out cold.

"What happened...?" Sothis said as she floated over to the sobbing child.

"Cirina that's what happened!" Alexandra yelled angrily, "She tried to force us to become one! I learned what "Lost Song" is! I hate myself for falling for such! They saw me!" She wept loudly, "They saw me! I had to erase their memory! I had to! I had to..." Alexandra choked out as Sothis hugged her tightly to her chest.

Arisa was silent as Amir picked up the two students like they were sacks of potatoes and wrapped away with them, but not before she gave her friend a worried look. Arisa let go of a sigh as she picked up Claude, and Alexandra was helped up by Sothis, who turned to her adult form.

"Oh dear...shh...shh...for now, let's head back to camp. Thankfully they others aren't waking up yet in another hour." Sothis said softly as Alexandra began to walk back to the camp slowly, letting her tears fall.

Once more, Arisa looked down at Claude in her arms, who was out cold yet, he looked in pain.

"Alex...don't..." he muttered, and she let go of another sigh.

"Things are already becoming difficult..."

[-]

6 Hours have passed since the morning and Alexandra had wrapped a black cloth around her eyes to hide that they were red and puffy from crying. Linhardt and Ingrid had no recollection of what had transpired and to them, it felt like they had a long night. Claude on the other hand, was in deep thought, like something was missing. Currently, Arisa was in the carriage with the Blue Lions, chatting normally with them as well as giving them the idea of the layout using the map Chris had drawn for them all. It was the same case with the Black Eagles and Golden Deer, their Professor's reviewing the map with them.

"Now, Lestia, I'm having you take charge of Sadi, Sylvain, Ingrid, and Ashe. Dimitri, you're in charge of Dedue, Felix, Mercedes, Annette and Lysithea. We'll taking the front." She pointed to an open area that had on bridge on the north side and the other led to the west, then looked over to three crystal balls that were given to her many years ago by Emily, "Manuela, Balthus and Hanneman, you three heard that, right?" She said.

"Of course, we did." Manuela said as her image and the rest of the Black Eagles were sitting on the benches, "Still, I'm worried about Christian. He hasn't sent word yet. We're about 3 more hours away from Zanado." She said and Balthus's laughter was heard in the third crystal ball where he, Manuela's battalion, Amir and Alexandra were sitting in, "Don't worry about him. He'll most likely just interrupt our meeting right about...now." and sure enough, the crystal ball in the center had a static sound then went clear.

"Yo! I got bad news!" Chris said in an alarming tone that had everyone on edge, "Right now thank the goddess all Three Houses came because there is a total of 70 bandits all together! As for the rumors of Demonic beast and such, it true...the bandits have been barely able to fight them off. Thankfully it's just one along with a vulture but there have been casualties. Blanca and Hessian have secured a safe path for us and Puka has been spying for us. Arisa...this is basically...hard mode...you know what I mean." Chris said and Arisa's face became grim.

"I do... Christian, keep me updated on the situation. We'll be there in few hours. As for everyone else, get ready. This is the real deal and unfortunately blood is going to have to be spilled. Mages get ready for formations. Archers, support. Lancer, Axe, Sword users, along with brawlers, we'll be doing the heavy damage. " she said grimly.

"One more thing." Chris said, "Are you still being followed?" He said and Edelgard spoke.

"Yes, we are. But like before, it seems this person is only observing us. If I had to put in comparison, it is like a child's curiosity peaked." She said.

"Interesting way of putting it princess." Claude smirked, "Still, we need to be careful. We don't need our necks getting slit in our sleep." He said.

"Claude." The said boy turned to look at the crystal ball with Alexandra, "Watch your back...all of you" she muttered and turned away from them.

"I know Alex. I know." He smiled and just heard her sigh.

"Speaking of watching our backs," Chris voice said, "Balthus, ready to prove them fist?!" He said excitedly.

"You're on Chris!" Balthus yelled back and Edelgard, Hubert and the Blue Lions froze.

"I told you a million times not to call me Chris! It's Christian or Kay!" Chris said back and Arisa could not help but chuckle.

Alexandra sighs as she speaks in a different language. In Arisa's old world, the language would be called Persian or Arabic, but in this world...

"(Honestly you guys act like kids.)"

Thankfully no one noticed that Claude quickly turned to look her way, a frown had come on his face and he saw her lean her back on Balthus's shoulder, her legs up and crossed, her voice lightly humming as she crossed her arms. Balthus didn't seem to mind one bit.

"Well, with that out of the way," Hanneman said, "Why don't we tell a couple stories for the past time?" He suggested.

"I have ghost stories." Mercedes raised her hand happily.

Poor Ashe and Lysithea, the color of their face began to drain.

"Ooohhh~ go on Mercie!" Lestia snickered.

"I have one of Valentia." Silque said and they turned to her.

"I've heard of Valentia. It's from that Fire Emblem Series, right? I haven't picked it up but, hey, let's hear it." Caspar said and Silque nodded.

As she told the story, Arisa could only imagine if Seteth was present, he would not be happy hearing the stories being told of the Manakete. The stories of Mila and Duma, then the one of Naga that Amir told. Seigbert and Forrest spoke of the legend of Akanos that was passed down through their family. Oh! Then Noire spoke of the Fallen Dragon Girma, which by the way, got Hubert's attention. Noe nope. Arisa made a mental note to keep the fobbiden magic books hidden. But was most interesting was seeing Edelgard's different reactions to these stories. Sometimes pity, sorrow, joy, even empathy apprear on her features as she listens to these stories. The same case was going on with Lestia, Dimitri and Claude. Hearing the different ideals and views of the people of the legends being told was interesting. Like Arisa told them many years ago, legends and myths always have a lesson to teach.

"Zzzzzzzzzzz..." Everyone turned to see Linhardt and Alexandra had both fallen asleep and much to Claude's charging, her head rested peacefully on Balthus's shoulder.

"Make a move on her and I'll hurt you." Amir threatened him and he put his hand up in defense.

"Wait!" Hilda yelped, "Balthus! Balti! Holst best friend!" She clapped her hands joyfully.

"Wait...you're...oh no." And that's when Balthus realized who Hilda was.

Quite the show to see the two talking on the way to Zanado.

- 3 Hours later -

"70 bandits. Number fallen. Now 60. Total killed by Demonic beast. Confirmed. 10."

Like before, the hooded male watched from far away to make sure not even his presence was known. He already got caught and he was following the carriages but thankfully he warped away on time before the one called Hubert saw him. Still, he could not help but be fascinated by the stories and gossips the humans were speaking to one another. His master calls his interest in human legends complete bullshit, that still didn't stop him from coming to the surface world to study humans. It was a strange subject but suppose he must learn. Still...

"Confusion...why did Master Solon order me to give the bandit a defective Crest stone?" He muttered as he looked at the book in his hands, a tome with the mark of Hades Ω.

"Ne ne nenenene! Brother you okay?" He turned as he saw a female the same height as him and the same cloak, sitting down next to him, an excited tone in her voice, "Ooh~ watching humans again? Subject 1459, you should know Master Solon and Lady Kronya do not wish for us to observe the beast of the surface." The female said.

"Subject 1460, do be silent. Besides, do not think I do not know you sneaking out to buy human food." The one known as subject 1459 said.

"Look 59," Subject 1460 pouted, "Human food is delicious! Far better than what Master Solon and Lord Thales gives us. At least Lady Kronya lets me do what I want." She said.

"Affirmative 60," 59 said to her with a small smile, "Do take me to eat some human food some time. Tired of bugs." He said as he took out a different book, this time the title on it was, "The Maiden of the Sea."

"Again, with the books of Sailors! Lad you really ought to learn!" 60 laughed as they looked back to the entrance of the canyon, her eyes narrowed, "59...who is that?" She pointed to where the carriage arrived, humans getting out their eyes instantly zoomed in on the female with forest colored hair.

"What the...she looks like the profile picture Master Solon has. Aye, she is a beauty like the rumors say. But her other name is The Ashen Demon. Still, hmmmmm...oh 59! I saw her somewhere besides the profile but where?!" 60 pouted as she crossed her arms, frustrated.

"We'll figure it out 60. For now, let us just watch the humans." 59 sighs and the two returned back to watching the humans climb up the ancient stairs.

"Say 59," 60 said as she turned to him," Let's get a closer look. I want to know what those Crest stones do because Lord Solon keeps forbidding us from such knowledge." She said she got up and jumped from tree to tree in the shadows.

"60 wait!" 59 called out to her sadly he ended up following her.

[-]

"Uurrrghhhhhh!"

Many students turned away from the gruesome sight of mutilated bodies they found on their walking through the road up to Zanado. A couple of them even vomited at the sight of blood. Caspar gently patted Linhardt's back as he helped him walk. By that time, Alexandra had removed the cloth over her eyes and grimaced at the sight.

"Manuela..." Arisa muttered as she turned to her fellow physician, "These corpses are a day old..." she said grimly.

"They are..." the older woman muttered, and they all turned as they heard wings flapped and they heard running.

"Awwwwhhooooo!"

"Kihehehehe!"

"Blanca/Hessian/Feh/Puka!" Amir, Dimitri and Arisa yelled out as their friends went to them.

Blanca jumped happily, licking Arisa's face and the same case was going on with Dimitri and Amir.

"(Chris is already in battle! We need to hurry!)" Hessian barked.

"Everyone, weapons ready! We're going in! Stay in your formations!" Amir yelled out as they began heading towards the bridge to cross.

[-]

The scent of blood and the sounds of screams filled the air as he swung his faint sword at the wings of a vulture that was occupied using its beak to stab bandits through the guts. Chris snarled as he could see Kotas far away at the altar where he stood watching in horror. He licked the blood that was on his hand and then charged using his Devil Sword at the vulture once more, at its neck, barely able to slice off the head.

"Gasp...gasp..." fighting two vultures and fucken red wolf beast took a toll on him not to mention also fighting off the bandits that came at him.

"50...left...gasp..." he gasped out as he saw he was getting surrounded and smirked, "I'll take you all on you son of a bitches!" He yelled then...

"FIRE!"

"ARRRGHHHH!" Multiple arrows flew down from the sky, striking down that wave of bandits down.

"I don't care if they're stealing?! Can I go home!" Bernadetta whined while Ignatz, Noire, and Ashe were modified by what they just did.

"If I hesitated...that could have been me..." Ashe whispered.

"I'm sorry...I didn't have a choice..." Ignatz said mournfully.

"Oh Naga...please protect us..." Noire muttered as she hugged the charm she had to her chest.

"Don't worry guys. But I guess this is what you expect of bandits." Claude said as he saw the Blue Lions being led to the north bridge while the Black Eagles to the west.

Bandits kept coming at each person and had to be cut down. Dorothea wasn't exactly keen with such while others like Lorenz and Ferdinand said it was their duty as nobles.

"Selkie!" Velouria yelled to her classmate and the girl nodded, both took strange colored stones from their pockets.

"Not yet!" Chris yelled out to them and the girls nodded.

Dimitri's eyes went wide as he watched Blanca commanding Hessian to rip apart the archers that were hiding in the buildings. He made a mental note to ask Arisa where he could acquire similar armor for his friend.

"Hyaa!" The sickening sound of a skull crushed by a hammer was heard, a drop of blood fell on Lestia's cheek, as she looked over to her brother.

"This never gets easier..." she snarled as he spun his lance and slashed at a bandit mage.

"I know they are just thieves...but like you said...it never gets easier for us.." Dimitri muttered and turned, only to see a mace fly straight at Lysithea.

"LYSITHEA!" Annette and the mace struck the girl in the back.

Then he felt it. A spike in magic and he quickly turned to see the Professor's eyes wide with horror. Time began to turn back once more, the scene replaying before her eyes again.

"LYSITHEA!" Annette screamed again and the white hair girl turned, the mace on the verge of getting lodge ok her back again but it was shattered on impact in midair by iron gauntlets.

"Watch you back Little Lady!" Balthus said as the two stood back to back along with Annette.

"I'm not able to get close and my magic is running low!" Annette said as she used a bit of healing magic to heal Felix from afar.

"Concentrate your faith magic into your fist! It uses a low amount of energy, then send that magic flying!" Balthus said as his iron gauntlets began to glow and the magic from them was released, almost like a wind attack, it struck down a bandit.

The girls looked at each other than nodded, closing their eyes to concentrate then Annette unleashed her war cry as she unleashed her magic, taking down two archers.

"I did it!" She said happily.

For Dimitri, it felt like he had seen the scene before for some reason. He shook his head and focused on the battle, then saw Felix cut down another mage, a clear frown on the Fradarius face because he wanted a better challenge. Yet his eyes were focused on his Professor, who moved with grace as she jumped upside down in the air, and fired multiple arrows, sticking down the bandit that nearly stabbed Sadi.

"Sadi are you alright?!" Dedue yelled as his axe cut down his enemy.

"Brgh..." Sadi covered her mouth, trying not to vomit nor look at the woman she just killed, "I hate this..." she choked out.

Over on the black Eagles side, bandits yelled in agony as Hubert used Swarm Z, black like insects began to surround the bandits and eat them away.

"I shall clean this up for you Lady Edelgard!" He said and the girl nodded as she threw her mace like a boomerang at a brigand, slicing the head off clean then it flew back to her, she caught it quickly.

"Ugh...so much blood...I'm going to be sick..." Linhardt gagged as he was healing Forrest.

"Only a few more!" Alexandra yelled as she used her lance, thrusting it right into the chest of a female mage.

"Ferdinand on your right!" Hanneman yelled and the boy turned, only to be thrown like some ragged doll away.

He froze. Fear filled his body as his eyes landed on the horrific creature. Flashbacks of the fire 4 years ago, the terrifying screams of the beast. The demonic red eyes. Fear began to consume him. The demonic beast had not made a single sound, but it was too late, its claw slammed him away, his body collided with a ruined building, it was an instant kill. The screams of many were enough to make Arisa use Time Pulse again, Dimitri feeling that spike of magic once more. This time, the scene replayed, she warped herself in front of Ferdinand, barely on time and pushed him back, she roared furiously as she brought down her rapier at the claws of the beast. It roared furiously at her.

"AMMMMIIIRRRR!" Arisa screamed loudly and the said woman appeared above the demonic beast with MjoInir, held by both hands.

"COMBAT ART: STORMBREAKER!" Amir roared as black lighting surrounded her, her Crest burned brightly in the sky for all to see as she brought down the hammer violently, with every intent to kill the Demonic beast, "RRRAAHHHH!"

The beast roared in agony as the hammer contacted it, Arisa quickly picked up Ferdinand bridal style, and jumped to the other side, the rubber band holding her hair up came undone, but he did not care. It was hideous for all as the eyes of the beast exploded its body scorched, the scent of rotting flesh was horrible. Amir was quickly caught by Skylar in the air, the woman panted as she looked over to her friend, who nodded.

"Are you alright?" Arisa said to him as she helped him up, he was shaking.

"Y-Yes...I'll be alright." He gave her a shaky smile.

"No, you're not okay." She told him to his face and thankfully Marianne was the closest, "Watch him." She said and the blue haired girl nodded as they saw her run towards the bridge.

"Argh!" Claude, Edelgard, Lestia and Dimitri had Kotas surrounded as Arisa started running towards them

"Not again...I WILL NOT LOSE TO YOU SNOT NOSED BRATS AGAIN!" He roared as he took out the Crest stone from his pocket.

"No...no! Stop!" Arisa yelled time slowed down before everyone's eyes, Kotas rammed the Crest stone to his left shoulder, the burst of green glow, it felt like she was watching the scene of Miklan being turned into a demonic Beast.

The malicious power of the Crest stone crawled out like octopus hands and began to devour Kotas alive. He screamed in pure horror and agony as his body began to transform.

"What the hell?!" Claude yelled as even Edelgard could barely process what she was seeing.

She never gave Kotas a Crest stone. That was for sure a fact. It must have been Thales or Solon that met with him after she had left. Chris could see that Edelgard honestly had no idea how Kotas obtained something so dangerous, and quickly sent the message to his sister. Everyone stared in horror at the once human was now a beast. It roared furiously; its roar shook the ground to its core. It looked like the typical Demonic Beast, yet its claws were like hawks. The house leaders began to back away as Arisa had no choice now but to use her relic. Not the sword but she took out the one Emily gifted her 4 years go and quickly put it on. She named it Nuada's Grief because the color of blue air would release when she used it. Her strength seemed to be amplified as she ran towards what was once Kotas, her rapier she trusted at its leg, slashing at its ligaments.

"MANUELA NOW!" Arisa roared and the woman nodded.

"FIRE NOW!" The older woman yelled as she put her hands together, her battalion made it rain fire down at tur Beast.

"TIME TO TAKE IT DOWN!" Selkie and Velouria yell as the stones they had glowed, their bodies transforming.

Selkie transformed to a beautiful golden furred fox, red peaks. Velouria transformed into a huge wolf with a buffed body, the two females roared at the beast and everyone was completely shocked witnessing firsthand the transformations of the Kitsune and Wolfskin clan members.

"Wrestle him Velouria!" Arisa yelled and the girl charged at the beast, the two locked, "Dimitri, Lestia! Aimed for the right back leg! Claude and Edelgard, left back leg! Magic and Archers users aim above but be careful not to hit us! Sword users forward!" She ordered.

Alexandra charged forward and jumped up, her hand went back as she threw her lance like if it was a javelin at the beast, it roared, it pierced threw its left eye. Selkie used her tail to whip lash it, creating a gash on its skin. Chris jumped down from the sky and managed to stab his sword into its shoulder blade and twisted it to cause more damage.

"On your left Leonie!" It was worse that there were still bandits but only a couple ten left that were taken care of quickly, Leonie twisted her body as she spun her lance, a move that Alexandra taught her 4 years ago, then trusted it right at the pulsing stone in the center of the chest of the beast.

"FORMATION! CURVE SHOTS! BERINIE, NOIRE, ASHE, AND IGNATZ!" Arisa yelled, "CLAUDE! CURVE SHOT AT CENTER OF ITS FACE!" The ones she called all crouched down and unleashed power shots of arrows at the monster.

"MAGIC USERS! FORMATION! THUNDER!" Amir yelled as the magic user's, Dorothea, Linhardt, Silque, Mercedes, Annette, Lysithea, Hanneman, Manuela, Sadi, Hubert, Forest, Marianne and Boey, began chanting together, the clouds began to form to a dark gray, the pillar of thunder crashed down at the beast, scorching it but it was still moving.

"SWORDS! FORMATION: SUNDER!" Chris yelled as he jumped back to dodge the claws.

Felix, Ingrid, Ferdinand, Henry and Siegbert roared loudly as bent down then brought up their swords, cutting deep into the flesh.

"LANCE, BRAWLERS AND AXE USERS! COMBAT ARTS TEMPEST LANCE, DRAINING BLOW AND SMASH!" ARISA as she grabbed a lance from one of the corpses and began charging it with energy.

Edelgard, Dimitri, Sylvain, Hilda, Lorenz, Leonie, Raphael, Caspar, Dominic, Dwyer, Balthus and Lestia all roared as they unleashed their attacks at the beast, it roared at it was close to death, it began to thrash around, Velouria was sent flying but was thankfully caught on time. Arisa screamed as she and the group charged forward, landing the killing blow but...

"LESTIA!" The prince's eyes went wide as he saw the giant claws come for his sister.

As the giant claws came her way, right when she was on the verge of getting slashed in half, she was pushed out of the way by Arisa, the princess's went wide as she saw her dear Professor cut to pieces.

Or so that would've been the case if Arisa had not used Time Pulse. The scene once more replayed and Arisa managed to push her back but the claws managed to slashed the front of her uniform, ripping the clothing open, thankfully it only ripped it open in the center but still, it was enough for her chest scar to be seen. The beast roared one last time as it dropped dead to the group, the rain began to fall hard. Its corpse began to turn to ashes, the only thing left was Kotas's mutilated body and a Crest stone that shattered. Arisa panted hard as the bruise was now forming on her chest from using a time pulse. It's been a couple years since she was last used it, so it was natural it was going to take a toll on her. She began to stagger and was quickly caught by Dimitri's back.

"Arisa are you alright?!" He said and she nodded, "Hold on, I'll carry you." She shook her head to protest but one look from him made her freeze, "You are unwell and need rest." He said in a matter of fact stone that he would use on her when they were kids, because she would lock herself in her room studying, and at times would overdo it.

"Haha...you win Dimitri..." she chuckled a bit but honestly, she could feel his heart pounding rapidly since her chest was directly on his back.

Well not directly since he is wearing his jacket but still. Should she tease him? Would it be wrong for her to flirt just a tad bit? Actually, it would. She could just feel Sothis face palming in the back of her mind.

"He'll be legal soon! It doesn't hurt to make a move! This boy has been basically brought to you on a silver platter!" And Arisa sent her a mental glare.

He began to walk with her arms wrap around his neck, the prince walked towards the others that began gathering.

"Puurrrr!" Skylar purred as he his chin was scratched by Chris, and the said man looked over to see his sister getting carried by the prince.

"Damn punk." Chris chuckled as he saw Alexandra helping Claude since his leg was injured and Amir was helping Lestia.

He saw Edelgard limping and had Skylar run to her, swoop her onto his back. It was a cute yelp the princess let go as she sent a glare at the griffon, who just purred at her.

"Hey, he likes you." He said as Skylar walked up to him, yet the princess just glared, " Aw, come on Edie, still angry after the swimming lesson?" He teased, "By the way, you're not escaping my lessons. You're going to learn how to swim. It'll be beneficial." He said and could feel Hubert's murderous glare.

"I hate you." Edelgard said and he just smiled.

"Yeah I love you too El." He said and her eyes went wide.

"What did you just call me...?" She said slowly.

"Nice way if screwing up." Heather said in his mind and he quickly recovered.

"I called you Edie. A show, we-!"

"Brughhh!"

"Professor!" Dimitri yelled horrified as she vomited blood on his clothing, and quickly set her down.

Manuela ran to her along with Silque and Marianne, the fours eyes went wide as they saw the purple bruise on her chest. Chris quickly ran and knelt, asking the question only the two understood.

"How many times did you use it?!" He said to her and she raised her hand, 3 fingers up yet she smiled.

"I used it...3 times. I haven't used it in 4 years..." she chuckled as the women were using a healing spell on her.

"Well whatever the hell spell you use, is this result of it?! Well?!" Manuela sounded like a mother scolding her child.

"Yes. This is the result. I throw up blood and my body get drained." Arisa rolled her eyes, "What? This is normal." She said.

"IT IS NOT NORMAL!" The 5 yelled at her as Chris' face palms along with Dimitri.

"Dimitri, be a dear and carry her." Manuela said and he nodded.

"Nearly forgot." He said and took off his cape, warping around her chest to cover her.

"My brother! So bold that you dressed her!" Lestia yelled out and that's when the prince released what he just did.

"I-I am so sorry! I did not mean-I swear! " he shook his hands frantically at her.

"Relax Dimitri. Seriously." She slightly huffed at him, "I would have done the same if it was you, Edelgard, Claude or anyone else was hurt. It's alright." She patted his head a bit, "But seriously...I need to...sleep..." she sighs, as she was helped back up yet...

"I sense something." Sothis said and Arisa nodded.

"Hanneman and Manuela." She spoke and the two Professors turned to her, "Keep on eyes on the kids. Alexandra and I...sensed something." She said and Professor Hanneman gave them a thumbs up because he knew they must have found something.

[-]

"This place...sigh...Sothis...your memories...this used to be filled with so much peace." Arisa muttered as she hugged Dimitri's coat close to her.

"The memories are fuzzy, but...we...no...Cirina once called this place home." Alexandra muttered as the two females looked around.

Ancient like buildings that were a bit like Ancient Roman ones. The one that were broken and fallen, had ancient scriptures that were like English. As a matter of fact, Chris did tell her that the language of Fodlan that appeared in the magic circles was English, a little like medieval scriptures while that of the Agarthans was Russian. It was honestly fascinating. She spotted a few broken gardens, a decimated stone statue that was mostly likely modeled after one of the Nabetean children. The greenery here seemed to be fresher and more alive also as if they were welcoming them home.

"As I can recall, this is your first time here. For both of you." Sothis said as she manifested herself along with Cirina, who looked to be on the brink of tears.

"Even if your hearts are in us, to us, this all looks familiar." Alexandra muttered as they two kept walking deeper into the ruins.

They could hear whispers of sorrow, images of children running through them on the very paths they walked, laughing and cheering.

"Very..very odd...somehow...I can feel my memories stirring..." Sothis muttered.

"Let us keep walking...I think you need to see this." Alexandra muttered as they continued.

The rain seemed to only add a solemn effect to the place as they walked, the two females used at spell to illuminate the place.

"I must admit, I am unsure. A rarity from me. However, beyond the name and this strange feeling of familiarity, I cannot remember anything about this place. It saddens me. A great dept of emotions is tried to this sense of familiarity. Like joy and sorrow. Pain and love. And all things in between...If I was somehow here...I wonder what took place. Cirina, could you tell me now, after all these years?" Sothis turned to the pale woman, who only looked as if she was trying to hold back her tears as they continued.

"This...place...was once our home..." Cirina choked out as she stopped, "Sothis and Arisa, you two continue ahead...Alexandra and I will go a different path. She said.

"Alright...I'll go. But I swear if you do something, I swear I will have Elder Bara seal me away." Alexandra huffed as they went the opposite direction.

"I swear that child. Even if this place I once called home, just what won't she tell me. Arisa, you have some idea, do you?" Sothis said as the two continued.

"I do. But remember, if I tell you, there is a chance that the flow of time could be corrupted, and we don't need chains on us." Arisa and Sothis pouted to her.

"Just like a body is spilt, there is a good chance that may have been the case with Sothis corpse." Her brother's voice ran in her mind as they walked through a path that led to building.

The stone was crumbling, yet thankfully it was still stable enough that she could go in.

"The Sword of the Creator was most likely created using the spine. And I mean when Sothis would turn into her dragon form. All the Relics looked like they came from a different body part. Aymr looks like it was created from a jaw. The Aegis Shield from the skull of a dragon, well the top part." His words echoed in her mind as she climbed up the stairs.

Inside was like a stone version of a home, vines covered the walls, ancient like images on it. Yet, images passed through her eyes as she continued to walk. A pale colored woman being chased by her beloved, who caught her and spun her around. Two young boys arguing with each other. A woman holding an infant in her arms as the child giggled. An old man who smiled fondly. She passed by an empty room, and she could see a man sitting at his desk, surrounded by scrolls, a little girl speaking to him about fish and the sea.

"The Rafail Gem and the relic Emily gave you. The Gem could have been made from the heart of Nabetean. The relic Emily gave you looks like it was made from a hand. Failnaught, created the ligaments and tibia. You get what I mean. Then what about the rest of Sothis? We possess the spine but what if other parts of her body were made into Relics? Or...sadly whatever was left of it." Chris said as she continued deeper and she was unaware, she was being followed.

[-]

"Where are we going Cirina?" Alexandra said as they made their way through the old ruins.

Cirina was silent as they walked yet images of people walking through this place played before her eyes. She could see those of wolf skins playing with children, little girls singing and dancing yet, she could not see their faces at all.

"We've arrived." Cirina said and before them, was a huge stone tablet, covered in vines, but blue flowers grew on them.

Now that Alexandra had a better look, she noticed there were wisteria flower trees, as well as bushes of blue roses. White lilies grew around the place, yet when she took a closer look at the stone tablet, names were engraved onto them in the Fodlan language.

"Before I went to the war," Cirina finally let her tears fall, "I came back to this place...my home... I created this...to remember everyone. The names of everyone who were killed by Nemesis and the 10 Elites...I made sure to engrave them here. To never forget them. My mother...died protecting me...my father died fighting against Gautier...gasp..hic.." she wept loudly as she placed her hand on the stone tablet.

"There is never a day...I stop thinking of my family! Serios blames me for their deaths...

She kept saying it was my fault that our people were killed. That Sothis was murdered in cold blood. I was half breed. I am the daughter of a Nabetean man and Agarthan woman." She wept as she touched the flower buds that had yet to bloom, the flower began to emerge from them.

"Mom...dad...I'm home...I missed you." Cirina smiled sadly as she wiped her tears.

"Cirina..." Alexandra muttered softly.

"Other than visiting my family...we're here something else." The pale woman motioned her to come closer, and had her place her hand on the stone, yet it went through.

Alexandra began to pull out some type of book. Confusion filled her face when she studied. The symbol of Aubin was on, yet at the center of the cover, there was no Crest stone. The book had a similar look like the Heroes' Relics, yet it felt lighter, but was still a decently thick size.

"That book...was made from the ashes of my mother and the remaining bones of my father." Cirina muttered and Alexandra looked at her completely horrified, "This Grimoire was used by your ancestor Ui. After my death, she returned to place the book here. Now, it's time it finds a new owner." She said.

"I'm assuming my necklace is their key?" Alexandra sighs as Cirina nodded, "What is it called?" She asked.

"Book of Chengjing." Cirina smiled softly as the two looked at the book.

Unknown to both, someone crept to them from behind, not a single sound was made as the person was now right by Alexandra's ear and smirked.

"Boo!"

"AAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!" Alexandra screeched so loud, she ended up throwing in the air the book, "No, no, no!" She yelled and the book was caught, but not by her.

"So," with a smirk on his face, the rain still falling hard, the two soaked to their bones, Claude lightly waved the book, clearly enjoying the situation, " sneaking off huh? Really Alex, quite the discovery you made." He said and Alexandra let go a sigh of sigh.

"Wait...did you follow me? No, are you stalking me?" She said and he looked at her offended.

"Why would I stock you?! You wound me Alexandra!" Claude said and the woman tried to take the book from his hands, but he only held it up high in the air with a smirk, "Nuh! I got a lot of questions regarding this." He kept high enough for her to struggle to reach it.

That was until the woman pulled down his face to her bosom and snatched the book out of his hands. She wasn't embarrassed and she did not care, because she had a victorious smirk on her face as she saw his face with a shade of red.

"I win. But seriously, let's go." She said and the two saw Edelgard jogging their way.

"Found you two! Claude, how dare you leave me behind?!" Edelgard growled while Claude laughed.

"No worries princess! Did...Dimitri and Lestia come with you?" He said.

"What? Wait, I thought Dimitri was with you? Lestia stayed behind with the rest of the class!" Edelgard said and Alexandra quickly put the book in her purse.

"We need to find him! Arisa also!" She said and the 3 quickly ran to find the Professor and the prince.

[-]

"This place..." Arisa muttered as she looked around the giant room, a stone coffin in the center yet it's top was missing, "Sothis...I saw this in my dreams a few years ago." She said as she held Dimitri's cloak close to her, despite her being soaked to the bone.

There was still water seeping in thanks to the broken holes on the stone roof yet an empty space up high, must have been a window long time ago, letting the moon's rays show through.

"Something is here." Sothis said as the two looked over to the coffin and nodded.

Slowly they approached, the dagger she carried unsheathe, ready to strike if anything dared attack her. Arisa began to look over, her heart thumping loudly in her chest as she looked over both females let go a sigh of relief to see nothing nor a body was in there. Yet, the two still sensed something. Arisa bent down and touched the floor; she could feel a bit of wind coming from the edge. She decided to do a little bit of testing and sent magic to it. The Crest of Flames appeared above her and nearly fell into the hole that opened if it wasn't for a pair of arms that wrapped around and pulled her back.

"Arisa, are you alright?!" She looked up surprised to see it was Dimitri and Sothis was giving her a look with a smirk.

"He followed you." She snickered and she sent her a glare.

"Why did you follow me Dimitri? I thought I told Manuela and Hanneman to keep an eye on you kids!" She said as he shook his head.

"Arisa please." He narrowed his eyes, "With the record you have of passing out in the strangest places as well as entering in deep slumbers for many days, I believe at this point I have earned the title of Watcher (Babysitter). To make sure you do not pass out again." He said and she rolled her eyes.

"Alright Alright. Also, I told you to call me Professor! Not Arisa! Also, could you please let go of me?" She said he had his arms wrapped around her waist, tightly.

"Right...I am sorry about that." He said as he let go of her, "But you cannot possibly be thinking of heading down there?! What if there are more demonic beasts? We are still recovering and...what we witnessed..." his voice became a whisper at the mention of Kotas's transformation.

She smiled sadly to him and patted his head, like always did when they were younger.

"Dima..." his heart fluttered at the nickname she would call him when they were children, "Everything will be alright. Have some faith in me. Now let's go. Watch my back. I'll watch yours. Like the old days." She smiled at him warmly.

He let go of a sigh and chuckled a bit, giving her a warm smile as he fixed a strand of her hair behind her.

"You've always been like that." He said to her and Arisa nodded to him then turned.

"Let's go." She said and he nodded

Down the ancient stairs they began to descend. The scent of rain filled the air as Dimitri managed to grab an unlit torch and Arisa lit it because she knew he was a terrible magic user. At least he got some basic healing magic down. Down they kept going and she used wind magic to dry the two, but she began groaning loudly when her hair became a frizzy mess. Dimitri could not help but laugh a bit at her situation and the woman sent him a glare. Her ears perked up a bit as the two heard running water, their steps came to a halt as their eyes went wide at the beautiful sight. Crystal clear water that had emerald green glow to it. The symbol of the Crest of Flames in the center. The two walked down, the water was ankle deep, yet Arisa continued a bit head. Something was calling to her and Sothis.

"Where are you?" She spoke out loud.

"Arisa, is everything alright?" Dimitri said.

No way was he going to stop calling her by her first name, only when it was the two of them, he would address her that way. She could hear whispers, almost voices. No, these whispers also seem to...be human voices. She walked head, a bit too fast for Dimitri's case but...a blur of what seemed like gold was barely caught by her eyes. It went straight at Dimitri and she pushed him away. His eyes went wide, as he witnessed something go right through her chest, inside her.

"Arisa!" He yelled as her eyes went blank, she began to fall back to the water, the woman was out cold.

"Dimitri!"

"Professor!"

The prince turned and heard footsteps running down the stairs, the two other house leaders along with Alexandra arrived, their faces filled with worry as they saw the Professor was out cold.

"What happened?!" Alexandra yelled as they ran up to him.

Cirina looked around and felt her spine shiver, not liking this place. Not even she knew about it.

"We need to leave. Something doesn't want us here." Cirina said to her.

"Do you all feel that... something..." Edelgard did not get to finish because a sudden roar filled the place.

Nope, nope! Dimitri quickly scooped up the professor all of them bolted for their lives, poor Alexandra screaming for her life. Whatever it was, none of them wanted to come back. Ever.

[-]

- One Day Later -

- Dream -

"In time flows

See the glow

Of flames ever glowing bright

On the swift, rivers drift

Broken memories align

Daylights pass, through colored glass

"Mother! Noa did it again! One of her experiments failed again and exploded!"

Emerald colored eyes looked back to a young man with darker than green hair, tied up in a high ponytail, dressed in a dark black toga, with a red sash wrapped around his waist, wearing shoes made of straw, and mint colored eyes as he looked quite annoyed. She smiled softly and chuckled as she turned to him the scenery of her home she watched over. Her long emerald green hair touched the ground as she made her way to him, her bangs just stopped a bit below her eyebrows. Her elongated ears made her have a majestic aura as well as the flower crown of white lilies she wore. Her pure white long dress with gold stitches and patterns, the dress sleeves were a bit puffed out as well as a hood she did not wear. The man was grumbling as she now stood a few feet in front of him and chuckled.

"Now, Leraje," she chuckled, "what did Noa, her apprentice and Zuna do this time? Surely you spoke with them correctly?" She said.

"I did mother...for the 20th time! Please speak with her because my words nor Cichol's are getting through to her. I need my peace and quiet for my research!" Leraje said as she chuckled once more.

"Very well. I shall speak with her now. Honestly, you and she may be twins but quite the opposite the two of you are." She chuckled.

Down the stairs the two began to descend, she was greeted many times by her children, young and old. Some of the fae loved to fly through the village, she could not help but laugh as she saw her son Macuil get run over by a herd of wooly bugs. His wife, Melody, giggled as she was nuzzled by a few of them. She and Leraje continued to walk till they reached a cottage near the forest, the scent of smoke hit her nostrils and she let go of a sigh as the two walked past the cottage and to the forest. The lush green was seen around till they could hear water splashing and, the sound of two little girls singing.

"Fishy fishy! Swim free free!

Oh fish fish, how tasty can you be!

Sweet and delectable, tasty for my tummy

splash! splash! you swim freely!

The itsy-bitsy spider

Climbed up the water spout

Down came the rain

And washed the spider out

She could not help but smile fondly as she saw Cethleann and Cirina singing joyfully as Erik's sister Zuna and Noa's apprentice, Zafia lightly waved their hands to the little girls that sung happily, and their songs turned to squeals of joy as a fish made of wind was created by Cethleen's song and a spider made of ice was made by Cirina's.

"We did it! We did it!" The girls cheered while Zuna and Zafia nodded in approval.

"My theory was right! Songs and Magic can work together!" Zuna said as Zafia shook her head.

"Thou ought to learn to be patient. They're so stubborn like the bulls of the herds." Zafia said in a strange speech pattern.

" Good Afternoon all." She spoke and the two adults quickly turned to her in shock and horror as they saw Leraje with a smirk.

"Lady Sothis!" The two females screeched and quickly bowed to her.

"Granny!" Cethleann and Cirina ran up to her and each time Sothis felt she was punched in the gut being called "Granny".

She wasn't that old...

"Guess what?! Mama was teaching us a new type of magic she discovered! She calls it Lost Song!" Cirina giggled as she was picked up by her mother.

" Where is Noa?" Sothis asked and the two females pointed west.

"She went to put out the fire as well as regrow the plants." Zafai said as horror befell Lejare.

"MY WISTERIA GARDEN!" He yelled loudly and pulled his hair.

"Uncle uncle!" Cethleann grins as she was picked up by Sothis, "Do not worry! Aunty Noa is the Bloom Dragon after all! She'll make the flowers bloom in no time!" She giggled.

Lejare felt like he lost 1000 years of his life.

[-]

"Noa you seriously need to stop! How many explosions have happened this week?!" Lejare said as he stormed into her library that was much deeper in the forest.

"No yelling in the library." She whispered hissed at him as she was floating up at one of the shelves to organize the scrolls, "For the record. Only the one today. Honestly, no need to get so worked up about it. I fixed your garden as well as planted a couple of my own flowers." Noa said as she floated back down.

"Noa that's not the point." Leraje said as he shook his head, "What I'm saying is why are you still researching human cultures?! As well as Agarthan technology and magic. Also, what did Cirina mean by "New magic"?" He said to her as he followed.

Noa let go of a sigh as she reached the fountain in the center, as she sat down on the edge of it.

"Because humans are fascinating! They possess a will we Nabateans do not! Their cultures, the gods many worships. The ancient clans they have coexisted with for many years. The languages. Their literature. Music! Does it truly not fascinate you?! We are immortal but they are not! Death will come to them quickly, yet their stories continue to live on till the ends of time. They yearn for knowledge. To evolve. To grow. Yes, I understand if they are left alone war could happen again, but our roles should not be ruling over them! It should be guiding!" Noa said as she referred to the amount of power their mother used to restore the land of Fodlan.

"That type of thinking will get you killed." He bluntly said to her.

"Oh, and what?!" Noa stood up as she looked up to him, "Mother taught us that we should guide humans! That is why she had many of our brothers and sisters scatter throughout the land to help the humans affected by this feud between the Agarthans and us. Yet look at the bloody land of the north that is close to Sreng! Our brother who rules that land is fucken tyrant!" She hissed, "We do not need him to be compared to the other dragon gods known as Duma, the ones the different lands worship!! I know some of you still hate humans and I know my way of thinking can get me killed even banished. But our roles as the 4th oldest of the Children of Progenitor God is to watch over. Just like mother once did. Though she is in deep slumber, she still projects a small portion of herself to see we are doing well." Noa said as Lejare sighs.

"Noa you're mad. I swear." Lejare said and she frowned at him.

"I may be mad, but I am also the one that listens to logic and reason." She said and turned, "If you're just here to berate me like usual, please leave." And with that, she warped away.

Lejare sighs as he turns to leave but not before a strange scroll caught his attention.

He went to the shelf and took it out, opening it.

"Strange..." he muttered as he looked at the drawing of a weapon.

Without missing a beat, he shoved that scroll into his bag and left.

20 days later, Lejare left Zanado, only to be never heard of again.

- End of Dream -

"Hmmmm..." she began to stir slowly as her hand began to feel around her, the ground felt soft, a bit warm to the touch.

"Blankets..." she muttered as she slowly tried to sit up but...

"Zzzzz..."

And once more, like many years ago, she wanted to throw herself off a cliff because like many years ago, Dimitri was holding her waist, she was facing him, his face close to hers.

She could see the features on his face. Those thin eyebrows, she was mentally cursing because why were men born with the genetics of longer eyelashes than women...?, his face was a bit of a triangular frame, the scent of chamomile tea fill was faint, his golden locks were a bit of a mess, are those dark circles under his eyes?

"!" His hold on her only tightened and thankfully she learned that spell that can make pass through things like a ghost.

"Wait. Edelgard you can't go in."

Arisa froze as she looked over to the tent doors that were a thick piece of blue cloth, she could hear Edelgard and Lestia speaking with a little bit of Claude mixed in there.

"El, do you really want to see the Professor naked?" Lestia teased.

"What?! How dare you say such inappropriate things! You could have just told me that the Professor is changing her clothing! And when did she wake up?" Edelgard said fluster and Claude could be heard laughing.

"10 minutes ago (Arisa: That's fucken lie.)" Claude said as Edelgard sighs.

"Very well. By the way, have you seen Dimitri? Forrest said he saw him go in the tent." She said and Arisa held her breath.

"Yeah he was here for a moment to check on the Professor but that was it." Lestia answered and Arisa was getting ready to use the spell till the arms around her tightened.

She looked up and saw Dimitri looking at her with a red face, but his eyes were telling her to be silent. He slowly glanced back to the door, listening to the conversation.

"Then where is he now?" Edelgard said.

"My~ my~ my ~" Sothis cooed in Arisa's mind and she could tell the goddess had a fucken smirk even if she couldn't see her, "Quite close are you now. I do wonder when the wedding is?" She snickered.

"I saw him heading towards the river nearby." Claude said and Dimitri saw a hand sticking in through the door.

Arisa's eyes widened in complete horror when she released that tan hand was Cladue's and he was holding her camera, facing their way. While no click was heard, and she quickly hid her face in Dimitri's chest, she knew that damn thing snapped at least 4 photos.

"Sigh. Alright. I'll go see if I find him there. Professor Hanneman wanted to speak with him if he got a chance to see the Professor's crest. I swear..." Edelgard grumbled as she walked away, the two made sure their footsteps.

Unfortunately, the footsteps were cleared, Lestia looked inside and gave her wolf whistle.

"Not bad, not bad. Bold of you Dimitri to already embrace her so passionately! Kyyaaa!" Lestia squealed as she hugged herself to tease the two.

Arisa out of instinct ended up slowly pushing him away and got up quickly.

"Lestia and Claude burn those pictures!" Arisa snarled and Claude answered from outside.

"No way Teach! Ohohohoho! Wait till Amir and Alex see this. By the way, we're keeping a copy." His cheerfully tone made her know he had a shit eating grin.

"Professor." She turned to see Dimitri was up, trying to fix his hair, but bowed to her, "I apologize for my inappropriate behavior. I...should have not held you like that. However, I am glad you are alright. You're not hurt anywhere are you. After...whatever that thing was that attacked you." He said and now the two leaders looked in.

"Wait, something attacked you guys down there?" Claude said and Arisa turned to Lestia.

"Men out! Lestia, go get Alexandra and Amir along with Manuela." She ordered and Lestia quickly went to do just that.

A few minutes passed as the men were kicked out and the women came. Arisa had Manuela do a physical exam to make sure no strange changes happened to her while she was asleep.

"Well," Manuela said as she took off her stethoscope, "your heart sounds normal and I am not seeing any strange abnormalities. You do have a few bruises and the one you had on your chest is healing thanks to the Mercedes and Silque. But this has been bugging me for a while..." she said, "Had...you ever suffered magic shifts or have entered into a magic comatose before?" She asked as Arisa had finished changing into her usual dress and cloak but kept her hair in her high ponytail.

"I have...I suffered magic shifts, for 5 years. And have entered comatose states many times before." Arisa said and Manuela looked at her horrified.

"How in the goddess's name are you still alive?!" Manuela said a bit too loudly.

"Is everything alright?" Claude was about to peek in but the sight of Alexandra's boot heading his way quickly made him retract his head.

"Professor, you're a Holy magus and to think you've yet to take of yourself?! Woman, you need to put yourself first for once!" Manuela said loudly and Arisa felt like running.

"Sigh...I'm sorry." Manuela sighs as she placed her hand on her forehead, chuckling dryly, "I don't have happy memories of people who have suffered magic shifts and entered those comatose states. Throughout my years as a Professor, I've seen students suffer through those phases...some have not woken up for months, even years. Others...passed away. But seeing you still in one piece...alive...despite the amount of scars you have...I...sigh...look," she turned to her with her index finger up, "when we get back you will contact Emily and have her share your medical records to me." She said and Arisa was about to protest.

"No." Manuela said in a cold tone that a mother gives to their child when they were in deep trouble, "I am not having you protest against me on this. You will do exactly what I just said when we get back. End-of-discussion." She said and Arisa gave up.

"I have never heard Manuela so angry before." Hanneman said as everyone was near the tent, trying to hear some of the conversation.

"Shh!" Boey said and the others strain their ears.

"Alright, I will." Arisa sighs and gives her small smile, "As an apology for worrying you, do you mind if I buy you a drink? It's on me the next time we go to the tavern." She said.

"Alright. After all, I can't say no to you paying for our drinks." Manuela chuckles, "Come on, we better get dinner ready for everyone." She said and Arisa nodded.

- Unknown Area in the Forest: The day before -

"Urggghhhh! Cough! Cough!"

59 rubbed his sisters back as she threw up badly on the ground. What they witnessed yesterday was the most horrifying they have ever seen. 59 did not think the defective Crest stone would do such a thing to the human Kotas. After he watched those human children leave, the knights called The Knights of Serios, came to clean up the place. The bodies were cremated by mages and bishops that came; they gave a few prayers for the souls to find salvation with the goddess. 60 coughed and then wiped her mouth, gasping her air, barely able to choke out her word.

"W-What...L-Lady...Kronya...never mentioned the Crest stones...do that! What...just...are humans supposed to turn into such a beast?!" 60 said as she helped up by 59.

"Surprise. I am as surprised as you 60. Not even I knew about it." He said as he handed her his canteen of water.

"And none of you should have ever known."

The two siblings froze and slowly, against every fiber in their bodies, turned their heads towards the mist in the trees. Slowly footsteps walked through the mist with an eerie click of heels, the owner of them hummed happily as they were out of the mist. A woman with short orange colored hair, the bangs that covered her left eye, pale blue skin with a small black tear under her right eye that was the color of red. She wore a strange fitted version of the Assassin uniform that exposed her skin a lot. Yet behind her were three strange jagged blades that she could control with ease.

"Lady Kronya!" The twin said and instantly knelt, their heads down.

"Good to see you two bow. Ah! Subject 1460, my little pet, escaping to places you shouldn't be going now huh? Atta girl! In no time you'll make a fine Assassin!" Kronya said then looked over to 50, "Subject 1459, didn't Solon say to not stay behind in Zanado to watch the bandits?" She hummed happily.

"Yes. Confirm, Master Solon said that..." 59 muttered.

"Look, I'm not Solon so I'll say this. If you both tell what went down at Zanado, I'll only let this one slip. Once." Kronya said.

"Alright." 60 said, "We have confirmed that the Flame Emperor is beginning to make his first movements as well as the signal that the Fell Star is alive. Unfortunately, we were not able to confirm who the vessel is but...two new Relics have been discovered." She said.

"Wait what?" Kronya said as the smile she had instantly disappeared.

"Positive." 59 said, "The Book of Chengjing was found as well as the unknown relics made by the Nabatean, Lejare." He said and Kronya growled.

"Dammit. Both of you!" She said and the two flinched, "Keep an eye on the church from the distance. The fact that the Book of Chengjing and that damn relic has fallen in their hands is already a blow to us. Thankfully Solon almost had the location of the two other relics of the warriors that served Cirina." She snarled.

"Lady Kronya, we actually have more news." 60 said.

"Hoooooo? And what is it? Spill it" she said.

"Sandana is making her way back to the Church. Shall we intercept her?" 59 said and Kronya shook her head.

"Nope. Leave her. She'll get herself killed by Serios soon. For now," she threw 59 a pouch, "1459, headed to the Empire and informed the Flame Emperor regarding the relics. As for you 1460, you and I will be returning to our killings. Let's go!" And with that, Kronya ran back the mist.

The two siblings let go of sighs of relief as they stood back up and turned to each other.

"Will you be alright?" 59 asked 60 and she nodded.

"No worried 59! I'm strong as a steel axe and flexible like a jellyfish! The next time we meet, I'll take you to try human food!" She grinned at him, "Bye Bye!" She said and disappeared to the mist.

At times, 59 wonders why he was even born. It was a strange feeling that he did not know about whenever he saw his sister leave to work with Lady Kronya. The unknown emotions, were they the emotions humans felt?

"Enough 59." He lightly clapped his cheeks, "Do not compare yourself to the Beast of the Land. You are Agarthan. Remember." He said as he looked over to a puddle of water, his reflection showing yet...

Only a single eye was seen from his hood. The color of pale gray that faded to green. His pupil had the symbol of a crest.

"You're Agarthan. Not human. Remember."

Chapter 40: Memory's Whisper: Part 2: Zanado: End

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I welcome you all to my Zanado chapter that ended with mysterious memories and such. We had the introduction of a few new characters. As well as using a bit of the lore that was revealed during the Japanese Nintendo interview. Link to that translation is on my Tumblr page.

The twins. I had them planned since December last year. They do play a significant role. For now, it is a small one and eventually they will appear more and more. Next, we finally have a name for Cirina's mother and one of the four apostles. Saint Noa, for this story, was the name that Emily said for Zafai to use should she ever be killed, for her bloodline to live on along with their knowledge. Fun fact, House Zoltras was founded by Saint Noa/Zafai's descendants. A few Family members left House Nuvelle and settled in the Kingdom and did help find it. More information on that will be revealed in the future.

Lejare. His role will not be revealed yet, but there is a small clue at what happened to Arisa, to be more precise, what went inside of her. Also, more of him will be revealed in the future. And yes, he is named after one of the demons from The Lesser Key of Solomon. Funny enough, the list of the demons was like this.

Beleth

Sitri

Lejare

The Next chapter will be more towards the people that were close to Alexandra when she was a child. So, her role with Ashe, Catherine, and Lord Lonato will be painful as well as start seeing strains in relationships.

Oh my. Well, anyhow, we also had some Arisa and Dimitri time. Look forward to the next chapter!