On the battlefield, there are no noble battles. When people fight for a cause, all that happens is different ideals pitted against each other. All sides believe they are right. They are prepared to end someone's life in a battlefield for their own purposes. Who is to say it is righteous? An old question that can speak over thousands of words. Because there will be a point where one must choose what to fight for. Will you be decisive and make the choice consciously? Will you steel yourself for what comes after? Choices always bear consequences.
And you will want to be ready when those consequences come. - Quote by artist DiaDoesComics.
[-]
A pleasant surprise this all is. Even I have yet to remember what exactly went down those years during Remire Village. At times memories felt like the winds current that gently took me away. Sigh...gaining divinity is not something to take lightly. It is something that comes with responsibility. How much I remember was blurry when I saw nothing but grief and anger cover Arisa's eyes when she saw the death she never wanted to come. But fate took the cruelest form ever on that day of the death she never wanted to happen. To save one life, another must be lost. That is the cost. For I remember when the cold grip of death took over the warmth of my slumber. Perhaps in the past, if I were given the chance to have a body of my own, I would have accepted with no hesitation. But as the years went by, alone in the cold grip of the void, I was able to have some time of my own.
I saw the mistakes I made in the past when I first arrived in this land, Fodlan. I cannot go back to the past to change my actions, but I must move forward and not look back. Perhaps that is why Edelgard and Serios clashed blades in ideals. My daughter, despite wanting things to return the way they were, it was not possible. Grief, sorrow, rage blinded her, and she created the Crest System to prevent another war from starting. But look where it led to. War. It felt like I was looking into the past once again. Edelgard, like my daughter, did not wish for anyone else to suffer the crudity and fate she did. Yet the methods she chose to pursue those ideals brought many consequences. It was almost as if the two women were mirrors fighting each other.
Once upon a time, perhaps I would have judged poorly. But through the years I lived as one with Arisa, I learned what the human heart is. Why humans cause war. How they can bring themselves up when they are beaten down. How they can work and come together.
Love and Kindness. Like the Azure Moon
Acceptance and Courage. Like the Verdant Wind.
Strength and Integrity. Like the Crimson Flower.
Forgiveness and Sincerity. Like the Silver Snow.
Truth and Humility. Like the Cindered Shadows
These are things I learned from all 5 house leaders. What it meant to be human.
Diary Entry: Imperial Year 1187: Blue Sea Moon: July 1st
[-]
"Ughhh...What's taking so long?" Zander let out a loud groan as he had his arms crossed and stood with Kuza and Glenn at the gates of his town.
"Zander, I get you hate Beleth but you really need to shut up." Glenn looked ready to smash his head on a brick wall.
"Come on! They said they were here today!" The prince whined and Kuza let go of a sigh.
"Anyhow, you are right. They should have been here. L-!" There was suddenly a loud neigh was heard and the three quickly got on guard.
Three horses came into view in the distance, frightened. On the back of two, were slumped two bodies.
"Glenn!" Zander ordered and at lighting speed, Glenn quickly appeared in front of the horses, forcing them to stop.
The third one that had no body ran past him and was quickly stopped by Kuza. Glenn noticed the bodies were slumped and bloody, battle wounds.
"Please tell me you are alive!" Glenn growled and quickly pulled them down onto the ground.
His eyes went wide when he recognized the first one. It was Beleth. Kuza had run quickly to the second, as he began checking for a pulse. It was Shamir. She has a deep slash wound on her back, bloody cuts on her arms and on her cheek. Her nose was bleeding a bit but there was a small gash on her forehead. As for Beleth, it was a miracle he survived a cross slash on his chest as well as his back. But his wounds were deeper, and he was barely hanging on by a thread. Glenn noticed puncture wounds on his arms and one on his neck.
"Both are alive!" Kuza yelled and Beleth stirred, despite how gravely wounded he was.
"Hang on Beleth!" Glenn yelled about and the knight was barely able to whisper.
"S...Sandana...help...her...please..." Beleth was barely able to choke out and then passed out.
"KUZA!" Glenn yelled and the man immediately began working his healing magic.
"Glenn and Kuza!" The two looked up to the air and saw Zander riding Skylar, "Get them to the clinic immediately! I'm going ahead to check what happened!" He yelled and went on his head.
"No, you idiot!"
Too late. Zander already was flying Skylar as fast as he could to reach the area where the horses came from. He was a bit in a dark area of the woods, which he usually stood clear of but that is not stopping him right now.
"Land!" Zander ordered and the closer he got hear could hear blades clashing.
"GHYAAAA!" A woman's scream was heard and now he had a better view.
Sandana was thrown back at a tree trunk and cough out blood as the air in her lungs was knocked out. She panted heavily as she held her dagger with her right hand, glaring murderously at her enemy. She multiple cuts all over her body, bleeding but she did not care as they were slowly healing themselves. Gods, at times she hates her extended human life span, but right now, she is grateful for it. If she was a normal human, she would be nothing but a dismembered body on the ground.
"You have a lot of guts looking at me like that." A male voice sneered as they took a step forward.
"Be...quite..." she snarled despite fear filling her body.
He took him.
He killed him.
He killed Jade.
He killed my child.
Child...child...childchildchildchild!
"RAAAHHHHH" Sandy roared an inhumane cry as she lunged at him.
Her eye filled with nothing but fury, rage, sorrow, and despair as the memories came flooding in. The male only chuckled, raising his arm use Thron however..no one ever expected for a knight and a griffon to suddenly ram into them, and send them flying out to the ground. Sandy was too damn shock at what she just witnessed and was suddenly pulled the waist up into the air.
"You alright?!" She looked up and saw it was Prince Zander and his griffon had saved her.
Skylar had his claws around her waist as she dangled from him. Thankfully the griffon flew away quickly, and they made it to town. The man that attacked them was pissed but decided to let it go. He got what he wanted. He warped away. As for Zander, he ordered Kuza to quickly take the three knights to the clinic and get immediate treatment. To Glenn, to immediately contact the Church of Serios and report what happened. As for him, he took about 14 knights with him to quickly search the forest.
"No one dares harm anyone on my territory!" Zander snarled as he mounted his griffon and went off to search with his squad.
- Albinea -
The 2-hour walk ended in silence as the strange fog cleared away revealing beautiful blue colored ruins. Once towers and buildings that were like Fhirdiad's were broken and destroyed. Pieces of dark blue ice that were once statues were shattered. Buildings made of ice that most likely once housed people. The old, abandoned castle reminded her of the Kingdom of Nifl. The caravan moved forward and soon arrived at the center of the Kingdom, where Mika had a smile on her face as they stopped a few feet away from a giant blue marvel statue.
"That is Zuna, The goddess of the Sea." She pointed to the statue of a woman dressed in water like clothing, her right arm over her stomach while her left arm was reaching out, a sphere floated over her hand.
"And the man next to her, is her husband, Aubin, God of Ice." Mika smiled as she then pointed to the man.
The man wore a tunic like toga, he held what looked like a sword made of ice. It looked a bit like Alm's version of Falcion. Which Arisa would personally call, Mila's Fang. Aubin's face was stoic, like Seteth's, his hair was tied up in a high ponytail. Zuna looked like a much more mature version of Cirina except she had long hair that surrounded her like wings.
"That's them..." Flayn whispered as she was trying to back tears, a smile on her face as she looked up to the statues, "My aunt and uncle..."
Arisa decided to take a few pictures and show them to Cirina once they get home. She walked up to Flayn and patted her head, a soft smile on her face.
"I'm glad I got to meet them." She smiled softly and Flayn nodded despite her lips quivering a bit.
It had been so many years since she saw the faces of her family. She was glad that time had preserved their memories in some way. Arash was silent as he watched them move along to head to the area that was once a Church. Carefully, they opened the old wooden doors, inside what was once a cathedral, old wooden benches were destroyed. A broken statue of an angel was there at the end.
"We'll set up camp here." Dietre said, "In the meantime, why don't you two go and explore?" He smiled.
"The place is huge! I'm worried we may get lost. The place has a feeling of familiarity and comfort despite it being cold." Flayn smiled as she looked around the place.
"No worries. If anything happens, make sure to shoot a ball of fire in the air and we'll find you." Dietre gave the thumbs up.
[-]
"Seeing my son and daughter in law after so many years, I cannot express the wave of emotions I felt. It is like how I first reunited with Noa." Sothis smiled as she floated besides the girls.
Arisa gave her a small smile as they walked through the different stone pathways. Buildings that once houses family and friends, the entire place reminded them of a ghost town.
"Look." Flayn pointed to a stone wall with different colored stones.
Some had fallen off, but they were able to see an image made using the colored stones. The first one looked like a portrait of a young girl who looked around 15 years of age. A warm kind face but there was mischief in her eyes. Her hair color was painted a dark red with streaks of pink. The next one was a much older woman who had a serious face. The images contained and showed what seemed to be a field of wheat ready for harvest. The people celebrating in joy as...
"Aww..how sad, whoever they were worshiping, the color of the stone wore off." Arisa muttered as she gently touched where an image should be.
"Indeed." Flayn muttered as she looked around, "A bit hard to believe this was once a kingdom. The language unfortunately is different from Fodlan's. We cannot read it." She sighs and then looks out to the castle.
"How about we explore the castle? We may find more clues there?" She asked and Arisa nodded.
"Quick question." Arisa says and pointed to Flayn's chest, "You brought Shirou and the egg, didn't you?" She bluntly says and Flayn chuckled a bit nervously.
She opened her coat a bit, revealing Shirou and the egg that were very comfortable.
"Just be careful with them and summon your staff just in case." Arisa said and Flayn, nodded summoning her staff.
Through the old broken castle gates, they walk through, the inside was more breathtaking. The walls made of ice held a shine that were like jewels. The ancient carvings and drawings were like the arctic tribe ones. Fallen stones were on two staircases that led up to the other door, which allowed them to enter deeper into the castle. Carefully they walked up the stairs, making their way in. Old portraits made of Ice were carved onto the walls. Some of them had cracks or unfortunately obliterated. Giant claw marks were on the floor, a battle most likely. Stains what she believed was once blood, littered the floor everywhere. The scent of water filled the place, and there was a small hint of a mint scent.
"The place." Sothis muttered as she floated high to have a better look, "It was once a home. Filled with love and joy. Yet these is also deep regret, anger and sorrow in these walls." She looked back to her, "But I sense something. It is strange. Like the feeling when we went to Tailtean lake." She muttered as she floated back down.
The more they walked, it seems they arrived in what was once a ballroom. Glass like walls reflected the place as the broken roof allowed some light to come in. The more looked like it was made with patterned tiles. Somewhere broken off. Others were shattered and there also missing pieces. Most of the floor was frozen over.
"Whoo!" Flayn yelped and was quickly caught by Arisa.
"Careful. It's slippery." Arisa chuckled and gently froze the bottle of their boots, that way they could have an easier time to walk and not slip.
They split up a bit, Arisa went to the left side while Flayn to the right side of the room to check the mirrors. Gently touching them, Arisa could see Sothis floating behind her, which was comforting. But she could faintly feel some traces of magic coming from them.
"Hmmmmmmmmmmmm..." Sothis stared deeply at the mirror with narrowed eyes, "I've aged." And Arisa snorted.
"Isn't that obvious?" She mentally said back and looked at her own reflection.
She jumped a bit. There were dark circles under her eyes, her hair was a bit of a mess. The skin was a bit pale, but her eyes were still the same shades. But the main difference was how her hair was still brown but faded to an opal color. She still had that streak of mint hair though.
"Well I looked like I'm going through my emo phase all over again." Arisa groaned and turned to check on Flayn but...
"Flayn?" Arisa said out loud, her voice echoed through the place.
"Flayn?!" Arisa frantically began to look around, "Where did you go?! Flayn!" Arisa yelled and quickly dashed to the other end of the room that led to another hallway.
While Sothis was worried, she took one last look at the mirrors, narrowing her eyes then went back to go after Arisa. The thing is Arisa's reflection did not go away. Instead, it turned back to the front and blinked, staring to where the woman ran. It suddenly stepped out of the mirror and let out a small chuckle.
"Well now. I didn't think I'd ever meet more of my kin before."
[-]
"Ohhh! Great, now I am lost!" Flayn huffed as she was walking through one of the hallways, hoping to find the way back to the ballroom.
"Arf!" Shirou barked at her and Flayn petted him gently.
"I know, I know." She sighs and continues walking on her head.
The place brought a feeling of familiarity. Like during her days in Zanado when her aunts and uncles were alive. When her cousins would play together. The humans and those of the clans would dance. The fae would sing their songs along with their own. Her mind began to return to the memories of when she lived in Enbarr when she was a child. How her mother would take out to adventures in the woods. Teaching her about herbs and music. When her father would teach her how to properly transform to a dragon. The memory was a blur. Flayn remembers she would wake up every morning and turn to her dragon form to fly across the sky to stretch her wings.
"But those days will never return." She muttered as she stopped at another door at the end of the hallway.
She gently pushed it open, her eyes slightly narrowing as she saw what the inside was. It was a huge mirror that was surrounded by many crystals of different colors. The room had a few old stone shelves that had shattered over time. Ancient clothing laid on the ground. Flayn gently picked up a bracelet made of blue sapphires. The symbols on the stones, she recognized one was the Crest of Aubin. Yet the other was a different symbol. It was the shape of an oval with two pointed tips. The center is also an oval. Between the two, were lines that fanned around like a halo.
"I have never seen this symbol before...strange." she muttered and looked back to the giant mirror.
Flayn walked towards it, observing her own reflection as she gently placed her hand on the surface. The surface rippled like water; her own appearance suddenly changed. She was dressed in the holy clothing of a saint, veil, and all. She held her staff, yet the look in her reflection's eyes were dull. Tried. As if...
"I am still in the war..." Flayn muttered.
"We are still in war."
The reflection suddenly spoke and Flayn jumped back, her staff ready to defend herself.
"Why do you jump?" The reflection gave her a sad smile, "The ones who took everything away from us are still at large. Mother's killer is alive. The war we thought was over still lives on in the shadows. Are you not tired of it?" It said.
"..." No response and the reflection frowned.
"Silence. Just like you were whenever someone spoke badly of Cirina. Shelter you remain. Naive of the world." It saw a reaction from Flayn, the grip on the staff tightened.
"..." No response once more.
"Be quiet." Flayn muttered and the reflection shook their heads.
"No. Silence is all you have chosen to live in. Yet anger also lives deep within. You never once defended Cirina when we were at war. You would hear those sneer behind her back, they would degrade her. Serios treated her poorly for something that was not her fault. You turned your back and pretended to never hear those words, yet you still comfort her. Why did not ever speak up? Why did you choose to remain silent? Why were you so angry when you learned the truth of what they did to her history when in a way, we still had a hand in it?" It said.
"ENOUGH!" Flayn yelled, panting as she glared at the reflection.
The image rippled once again, and it showed this time what seemed to be an adult version of herself but this one's eyes held rage. Hatred.
"They live! They live! Bias lives! Avenge mother! Avenge our family! They hurt those we love!" They yelled and Flayn backed away, terror in her eyes.
"Stop running! You're naive! Stop living in silence! This is reality! This is the real world! Death will always shadow behind us! Kill Bias! Avenge mother! Where is the anger you had when you decapitated her?!" The reflection snarled, "Where is the anger you let be seen when we saw her again?! We're monsters! Beast!"
"Stop it! We're not monsters! We're not a beast!" Flayn glared, "They are the beast! They are the monsters who took our home!" She yelled back.
The reflection smirked.
"Who are they? The Agarthans? Is that what you always thought of the people who were once our friends? Do you look down on them and humans also? Do you see all Agarthans as evil? Did you hate our aunts, uncles, and cousins who were half-bloods?" They smirked and Flayn gasped, shaking her head as she took another step back.
"N-No...that isn't what I meant...I'm not...I'm not..." she whimpered, clawing her eyes shut.
"Okay, that's enough out of you."
Flayn's eyes snapped open as she heard a female voice. It sounded much more mature. Wiser. She slowly looked up to see their hand lightly tap the mirror, the reflection screaming as it was forced away. The mirror itself became covered in frost.
"The Mirror of Emotions reflects what is deeply hidden within oneself." The female spoke, "Your past self represents your sorrow and regrets. Your future self represents the anger and hatred deeply buried in your heart. Your current self represents your naivety. Closed off from the world." They said.
Flayn was looking at a humanoid water figure that spoke and pointed to a different hallway.
"Come to the throne room to know the truth."
[-]
"I hope Flayn and Arisa didn't get lost. This place can be a maze sometimes." Dietre said as he finished setting up the fire circle.
"Same." Lolo answered, "Actually, now that I think about it, Arash is pretty late, isn't he? He should have been back by now." She says and puts down the lumber she cut.
"Should we go check on him? The woods aren't far from here." Hyde said and suddenly stopped.
The wolves suddenly began growling, getting into a defensive stance. Hyde suddenly raised his hands with needles, aiming at the door. The people began to back away, the animals quickly made a circle to protect them. Lolo raised her axe and Dietre his crossbow. The door snapped open; smoke poured in like a thick fog. It was so thick you could barely see your hand.
"Guys!" Dietre screamed and the animals were suddenly whining and growling.
Screams of the people could be heard.
"Run! Ru-Ghaaa!" Lolo screamed but suddenly went silent.
No one could attack, not one could figure out what was wrong. But Dietre knew for a fact not breath in the smoke. His vision was becoming drowsy but suddenly he was pulled back the back of his coat. Isoka threw him on her back and stormed out of the old ice window.
"Go! Get! cough! Help..." Hyde barely managed to yell as he fell to the ground on his stomach.
"Oh, my. Sigh...two managed to get away. Shit."
Hyde could barely keep his eyes open as the fog cleared. His eyes landed on the figure of a woman, who only smirked his way, before his vision went black.
[-]
Ivy chuckled as she looked around the old cathedral, all animals and humans knocked out. Put to sleep. Too bad she could not kill them.
"Are they all asleep?" She turned and saw her dealer walk in.
The man looked around and stopped.
"Where are Dietre and Isoka?" He asked and Ivy frowned, pointing to the shattered ice window.
"Punks escaped. But I have a pretty good idea they are heading to the palace. To where those beasts are after all. Especially that woman." Ivy frowned as she lightly kicked Lolo's body.
"You put everything into its place. I'm personally going to deal with the guardian and the other four." The dealer said and turned to walk away.
"Piece of shit." She whispered and turned to order the fortyde to round up the people and animals.
[-]
Arisa let out frustrated brown as she ran her finger through hair, licking her lips. No sign of Flayn and she was getting worried. No, anxious was the better word to describe how she was feeling. She kept walking through the hallways, searching for any kind of sign but nothing.
"Where are you?" Arisa closed her eyes and knelt, placing her hand on the icy floor.
Slowly she combed her breathing, allowing her body to relax like before. Small glowing veins began to slowly brow on the ground. She was using Albinea magic.
"Please tell me where Cethleann is." She muttered.
1
2
3
"Found you." Her eyes slowly opened and stood up, a wearily look on her face.
"What is wrong?" Sothis asked, "Do you sense something else?"
"I did." Arisa muttered as she began to walk, quickly equipping the hand relic onto her right hand along with a critical ring on her left, "She isn't alone."
Sothis looked at her shocked and quickly made herself disappear for her safety. The two agreed they were going to communicate that way for now. The more they walked down the hallways, the place seemed like it was alive. Her own reflections giggled and smiled, some even sneered. Something was here, and Arisa did not like it. They kept walking and soon arrived at a giant door made of Ice. Carved on it were the symbols of Aubin and another one she had never seen before. Arisa gulped as she stood still for a few seconds and slowly pushed the doors open. Her eyes slowly went wide as she was able now to see the whole room.
"What is this?" She gasped as she slowly walked in.
Transparent male and female figures danced together in pairs as if in a ballroom. Music played lightly like a broken track record as she walked. Transparent animals also were in this room playing with children.
"Some-hold me- warm"
"Silver-Figures-grace"
The music kept repeating as she kept walking. Looking around, she could see children running around in joy. A few rabbits were held by girls that talked happily to each other. Everyone went on like if she wasn't there. All the "people" had blank faces except their mouths. Slowly she made her way to where the throne would be. It looked similar to Sothis's own throne, but it was made of blue marvel stone. A staircase made its way up and there...
"My, my, my."
Arisa stopped as she looked up. Her eyes slowly going wide as was Sothis.
"Ufu~ My, is this how humans still react when they are in shock? Quite cute, I admit!" The person sitting on the throne smiled as they had their elbow propped on the side of the throne, their cheek resting on the palm of their hand, "Yet I am still here. I am not a ghost or demon, child. Come. Let me have better look at you." They beckoned as they slightly raised their hand, crooking a finger.
"THOSE ARE MY LINES!" Sothis suddenly appeared and boomed, "How dare you copy my speech when I first met her?!"
The person on the throne went silent and frowned.
"Now this is something..." They stood up from the throne, and looked down at Sothis with cold eyes, "You dare speak to me that way in my kingdom? Ha! You spirits should learn your place! I speak to the girl with the Crest in her heart! Now you foul spirit who should have passed on years ago!" They pointed to Sothis, angrily.
"And this spirit is ready to fight to defend her CHILD!" Sothis yelled back and the person scoffed as they began to slowly walk down the stairs.
"Is that so? Hmm...this child found me as the other. They have business here." They said.
Crimson slit eyes that held authority and coldness as they looked down. Cream colored skin with a small petite body. Wavy aquamarine colored shoulder length hair with bangs that stopped just above their eyebrows. Ears that spread out almost like thin silk, like fins. They wore a dark pink color top with ruffles that were made of thin silk, a long tail skirt that was cut on the sides. Arisa felt like she was looking at a walking mermaid. The woman's height was the same as Mercedes's; she soon reached the bottom. She wore a pearl jewel necklace. A crown made of sea seals with sapphires. The stone on the belt on her waist had the Crest of Aubin and the one on the palm of her had was the other one Arisa saw.
"Move spirit. I speak to the child. Not you." The woman said coldly and waved her hand, forcing Sothis to retreat to Arisa.
"Sothis!" Arisa yelled, worried that her friend was hurt.
"I'm alright..." the goddess said weakly but still mentally shot a glare at the woman.
"Sothis...Sothis..." the woman's eyes turned half lidded, "A name I had not heard in millennia." She looked back to Arisa, "Welcome to my home. Now," she gently cupped her cheek with her right hand, "What is your name?"
Arisa couldn't move. It's not that she didn't want to, it's that she literally couldn't. The woman before made her authority known on purpose as she smiled. It was too similar to Rhea's.
"Arisa..." Arisa muttered and the woman smiled.
"There, that wasn't so hard." The woman smiled as she walked around her slowly, "You have a particular scent. It is like mine but different in a way. Ancient yet new. Rare but like a newborn." The muttered as they stopped back in front of her, "This scent...you're an Outworlder, aren't you?"
"I don't know what you are talking about." Arisa suddenly said in a defensive tone and took a step back.
"Hmmm...It is impossible to lie to me." They smiled and took a step forward.
Each time they did, Arisa took one back.
"I am also called The Truth. Lies are useless in my presence. But you may also know me as...The Guardian." they gave her a closed eye smile and kept walking forward.
"Come on~ It's okay. You need to be honest~" they cooed and unfortunately Arisa got backed up to the wall, "Would it be better if I took on..." they appearance suddenly waved like water, changed to one that was taller, the voice deeper, " this form?"
It was cruel. The same baby blue eyes that Arisa first met 17 years ago. The same warm smile that brought warmth to her heart. The blonde locks of hair that had the light scent of chamomile. The voice of her innocent boy...
"DON'T TAKE ON HIS FORM!" Arisa roared suddenly, forcing the fake male to back away, looking rather with shocked eyes.
"This scent..." it was too cruel, they even spoke in his voice, "Why do you have the scent of my father?" They muttered, "No...it's similar..but different. Strange..." they looked at Arisa up and down.
Arisa painted, clutching her heart as was trying to keep herself from hyperventilating. Her eyes narrowed as she gasped for air, she managed to speak.
"Get out his form...Are you the one that sent the fortryde to attack me?!" She snarled and the guardian narrowed their eyes and returned back to their original form.
"No. I do not have the power to control malice. But answer my question Outworlder. How on earth are you still alive when you have a Crest Stone in your heart? You should feel no emotion. Let alone your heart should be beating...wait.." their eyes slightly widened, "I understand now! Your body was born here in this world, but your soul is from another!"
"JUST SHUT UP!" Arisa boomed, and glared furiously at her.
"..." the guardian went silent and just stared as Arisa stood up straight despite how pissed she was.
"I don't give a damn anymore." Arisa snarled, "I wasn't born in this world! This body was given to me! This soul carried guilt! This soul carried burdens! My heart beats because I am human!" She slammed her hand on her chest to prove her point, "And I will not allow some so-called God mess with my mind and question me! I may be an Outworlder, but this land is my home! And it will always be!" She screamed.
Only gasps for air were heard as the guardian looked at her stun, her eyes wide as she looked at the woman before her.
"You've been through a lot." They closed their eyes and sigh as they ran their fingers through their hair, "I overdid it. I apologize." They sigh and looks back to her, "Hai."
Arisa blinked multiple times at the woman's sudden change of attitude.
"My name is Hai. Meaning sea. So, I was right. You and the other girl were the ones I sensed. Father's family..." Hai looked at her sadly and began walking back towards the throne.
Arisa was silent as she followed her will Sothis was fuming inside of her mind.
"Ohh! How dare she suddenly change her attitude suddenly?! Worst she took on HIS form! Little brat!" Sothis fumed while Arisa was just silent.
"I can hear you, old hag!" Hai yelled and Sothis screamed.
"HOW DARE YOU?! I AM NOT AN OLD WOMAN! I AM VERY MUCH YOUNG!" Sothis yelled and Arisa put her hand over her mouth to keep herself from laughing.
"Oh, sush grandmother." Hai says she stood on the third step, "Sothis. The name of the mother of Aubin and mother-in-law if Zuna." The other two females froze.
Hair smiled as she turned to them fully and spoke.
"I know what you are here for. You keep running away from your own emotions despite how much you've grown. You refuse to follow the path that fate has written. History of the future has changed so much that cracks of the corruption of time have formed.. Those cracks will not close till the final battle takes place in six years. But they will cause great changes but at a horrible cost." Hai looked at her seriously, "I do hope you are prepared for the consequences of your actions of these past 17 years Outworlder. But for now," she turned back to the throne.
It glowed brightly and Arisa had to cover her eyes for a moment. When the light disperses, sitting on the throne is Flayn. She was holding tightly something to her chest, her eyes closed as tears fell. Hai smiled as she walked up and extended her hand out to the girl. Flayn opened her eyes but they weren't childish anymore. They were the eyes of someone who has lived on for years. Has seen both the beauty and horrors of life. Fit for her age.
"Now you know the truth you have been searching for. What was kept from you for all those years? What happened during the years of your 900 years of sleep? What happened to you aunt. What happened to your father and survivors of your family? As well as what truly went down during the battle between Cirina and Reigan." Hai says as Flayn closed her eyes once more and nodded, "Do you hate them? Do you wish for revenge?"
"No." Flayn muttered as she gently took Hai's hand, "I know my mother and father would not want me to blind myself from such a thing. Yes, I am angry. Yes, I angry also at myself for being so closed off. Not seeing the real world works as well other things." She stood up and looked down to Arisa, "Arisa...please live as who you are. Do not let your fear of losing yourself consume you." She smiled warmly to her.
Arisa only looked at her with wide eyes as her lips remained a thin line. A fear she has is that she is scared she will lose her own identity as the visions she has of Byleth have become frequent. At times she feels she is them when she walks around the monastery. Different areas felt familiar to her as she got closer to them. At times, she wanted to cry. Other times she felt angry. The only reason she hadn't gone insane at this point is because those around her. But she knows she can't always rely on people. There will be times she must be on her own. Where she needs to face her own darkness alone. That is the reality of things. Arisa took a deep breath as she climbed up the stairs. Each step, a vision passed through her eyes. One vision she knew was her own. A scene from the past when she isolated herself, refusing to see her family and friends. The next vision was Byleth, holding Jeralt's body in their arms. Wailing loudly to the heavens as the rain fell heavily that day. The third vision was of Flayn, happily surrounded by children with hair color similar to her own. The person she fell in love with, holding her with so much love and joy.
3 steps.
4 steps.
6 steps.
10 steps.
15 steps.
Each step held a vision till she reached the top. Hai walked up to her and turned her head to the throne.
"I am The Truth." Hai spoke with authority, "Sit on the throne if you wish to face your lies. For soon you will sit on the throne of time when four moons pass." She says and Arisa only stared at the throne.
She took a deep breath and walked to it, to sit down. She did. It was a strange feeling as she felt the throne reacting but unfortunately, the moment did not last long.
"Get off that throne you faker."
"GHAAA!" Hai's scream filled the entire room when black like vines grew throughout the entire place.
The blue hair woman quickly spread her arms out to create a barrier around them, while Arisa stood up abruptly. Flayn quickly summoned her staff and the three looked down to see a male walking towards the stairs.
"Arash...?" Arisa whispered and her eyes quickly looked around the room to see multiple people dressed in black as well as a woman standing next to him.
The man only smiled as she stood up, her eyes held worry as she now recognized who the woman was. Ivy was an Agarthan. Similar to Kornya. Her frown turned to scowl as she giggled.
"Why are you here?" Arisa asked and Arash frowned, pointing to her.
To be more specific, the throne.
"I came to take back what is mine." He says and Hai snapped.
"You dare try to take this throne you human filth! Darkness swirls around you like a plague!" Hai snarled as her ears fanned out like wings.
Arash only smiled as he looked up to Arisa and Flayn. He pointed out the window as a smirk appeared on his face.
"Let's do this the old school way. I demand kampstadion." He said and Hai's blood ran cold.
"You...how do you know about that?" Her voice shook as he only smiled.
"I have my sources. And you know you can't refuse once it is demanded. If you even, try to refuse..." Ivy grinned as she held her right hand up into the air, a projection was made, showing 12 people all tied up, all seated in a circle formation.
"What have you done?!" Flayn gasped as she saw the mages in black drawing symbols on the ground.
"What needs to be done." Arash replied with a smirk as Arisa stood up.
"You."
Her voice became cold as ice as her eyes glowed a faint red. The man only smirked as it seems she realized something. The woman stood up from the throne, only raising her hand to point down at him with cold eyes. She should have known. The passive aggressive behavior towards her was becoming more frequent ever since she was able to do some form of Albinea magic. But to Arash, it was almost like an insult to him. How could this...outsider...see the tree? It made his blood boil as he saw her lips open to speak.
"That day where you showed me how to cast magic on Albinea...you saw fragments of my memories...didn't you?" Arisa hissed and the magic around her flowed, almost making her hair look like snakes.
"Perhaps I did. I warned you, didn't I?" Arash smiled, "That Albinea magic is part of one's soul. Got to be careful when there is someone around you..." he grinned.
Hai noticed the rage in Arisa only growing more that even Sothis was starting to feel it. It made the hybrid shiver. Long ago, she felt this sense of rage. Her father would compare it to the Wrath of the Progenitor God when she was alive. How she sunk down whole islands and nations. Hai rubbed her elbow a bit nervously.
"Even if they were illusions...you made me kill those I love..." Arisa snarled, her grip on the Sword of the Creator tighten.
Sothis winced a bit, because for some reason it felt like someone dug their nails into her chest.
"You made me kill someone I love."
"Arisa stop!" Flayn yelled but too late, for Arisa had already jumped down to the floor, her eyes glaring at the two individuals.
"Awww~ Angwy that you kiwlled ya little brats?" Ivy mocked her in a baby tone as they slowly began to circle each other, "Ah, honey, that's just the reality of things. You-can't-save-everyone." Her grin only widened when Arisa gritted her teeth.
"Stop! If you engage in battle here, the entire palace of mirrors will be active!" Hai yelled and Arash chuckled.
"Good, you're smart." Arash smiled, "Now then Hai, take use to the Arena of Mirrors, where the true battle will take place."
Hai gritted her teeth as Flayn looked worried but gave a small nod.
"Fine. We shall do kampstadion." Hai let go of a stranger's breath but looked down at him, "Shall I explain the rules...?"
"Not yet. Waiting for one more person." And at the moment, the ceiling cracked open.
"You son of bitch! I trusted you!" Dietre's voice roared with rage as the ceiling crumbled and Isoka landed in front of Arisa.
The Albinea warrior bared his teeth as did the wolf, glaring furiously at the two enemies who only smiled.
"How could you?! We've known each other for 11 years and you pull this shit?!" He yelled and Ivy just smiled.
"And you! What happened to Ivory?!" He yelled and Ivy smiled.
"Oh, that girl? Well, she was quite a handful before I silenced her for good. Her body is long gone. Don't worry. Once this fight is over, you and your people can join her on the other side." Ivy cackled and the man gritted his teeth.
The past five years he believed the woman he loved had become a monster but now...finding out she was murdered...and her murder...her...
"Don't worry." Arisa stepped forward, "Like the saying that an old friend of mine says..." she closed her eyes and pulled the sword out of its sheath, pointing it at the Agarthan woman.
"The Dead will have their tribute."
Chapter 57: Reito-Chi:Part 4: Mirrors
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Hi everyone! Sorry for the late update! My classes just started so unfortunately updates will be slow. Like before, an update will either be once a month or every two 2 months. Hope you all understand. But for now, I'm giving you guys a small preview for the upcoming chapters.
For SSoF (Shattered Songs of Faith)
Chapter 58: Reito Chi: Part 4: Rage
Chapter 59: Reflection: The Wave of Consequences
Chapter 60: [-]
Chapter 61: Return: Battle of the Four Houses
Chapter 62: Flames of Damnation: Part 1
Chapter 63: Flames of Damnation: Part 2
Note, the title of the chapters may change or instead be removed and be changed with a different number. This preview is a prototype. Thank you everyone for reading this story. Also, come join the discord! The group has amazing writers. Discord code is: Discord .gg/9XG3U7a