- ? -
Slowly.
Softly.
Down.
Down.
It felt like she was underwater. Slowly, she went down.
Down
Down.
Down.
Ripples of water, the sound of bubbles floating up the surface. Yet, the light of faint hues of blue looked so far away. The sound of the water's movement rippled in her ears. The light seemed to be getting farther and farther away. Her body felt heavy, almost light in a way. She reached out, she could see figures around her, but she could not see their faces. Soon, she seemed to reach an end. Her feet gracefully touched some sort of ground. Her vision started to become clear as she looked around. It was different. The land around her was covered in lush grass. The sky a beautiful shade of blue, never had she seen it so clear. The air felt refreshing, clean. Fog gently scattered all over the green land. Small droplets of water were on the leaves of trees as she walked. She looked around, seeing buildings made of stone, like the ancient ones of the time. Statues of people made of marble stone displayed proudly. The sound of a horn being blown could be heard all over. Yet, her feet seemed to have a mind of their own as she started to walk. The feeling of grass was cool on her feet as she walked up a hill. Carefully, as she reached the top, the view of the land took her breath away.
A beautiful ancient city of builds and architecture of long ago. Temples were built to worship. Humans, beings of other kinds, animals, fae, and such all talked happily to one another. The city was bustling with life as she walked to the edge of the hill. Yet, at the top of the hill, was a door like structure made of stone, yet there was no door. Instead, there seemed to be a translucent thin veil of magic. The stone for the frame had multiple blue gems, all with different symbols she recognized. In front of the gate, stood a woman. Her back was turned to her. She heard the woman sighed as she spoke.
"The gate...I pray we do not have to use it." The woman muttered and turned to her right as she heard footsteps approaching.
Two children. One, a girl of fluffy dark green hair and emerald-colored eyes, and the other, a boy with dark green hair tied in a ponytail.
"I want t to see your face." Arisa thought but seems the children and the woman don't know she is there or can't even see her.
"Mama, why did you call us?" The girl said as she walked up to the woman.
Carefully, Arisa walked forward and went around. Her eyes went wide as she realized who the woman was. Long jade-colored hair was straight and flowed to the ground like a river. A white long dress that touched the grass, with a hood she currently wore down. Flower lilies on her head like a crown. Jade colored eyes and pointed ears.
"Sothis..." Arisa whispered as she looked back at the two kids.
"Noa and Lejare, thank you for coming." Sothis smiled softly as she turned to them, "I am sorry I had you kids leave the festival."
"No worries. Parvati is helping Farnir set up the area." Crescent said as she nodded.
"I see." Sothis smiled and let go of a sigh as she turned back to the gate, "Tell me, kids, do you know what this is?" She asked.
"The Outrealm Gate!" Noa grins excitedly as she points to it, "It is the gate where the ancestors of the clans use to escape war from their homelands. It was built by the Agarthans!" She grinned proudly at herself.
"Ufu." Sothis chuckled a bit as a sad smile graced her lips, "Yes, they were built by them."
"But, what does that have to do with the gate?" Lejare, asked, confused.
"Let me tell you a story," Sothis muttered as she kept staring at the gate.
A long time ago, there was once a very mean dragon. The dragon was mean, bully, and made fun of humans. She saw herself above the world. The dragon had many brothers and sisters but she looked up a lot to her Elder Sister. The dragon did not understand why her elder sister cared about humans. One day, one of her elder brothers did something really bad and she supported it.
"Why did the dragon support her elder brother if it was a bad thing?" Noa asked and Sothis frowned a bit.
"The dragon thought along with her brother that humans were becoming too powerful and needed to be put in their place," Sothis answered.
"But humans are nice!" Noa pouted and Lejare snorted.
"Yeah right." He muttered and two kids were about to go at each other's throats when Sothis cleared her throat.
They stopped and went back to listening to their mother.
"Well, the dragon did not care if humans were nice or not. Because of this, her elder sister Naga was furious and banished the dragon from their home." And her children gasped.
"What happened to the dragon?" Noa asked.
"The dragon left, but not before she stole some important items. Years went on as the dragon traveled through the sea of stars. She missed her home but knew she could not return. As the years went by, she learned and recognized her mistakes. Eventually understanding why her Elder Sister loved humanity. Soon, the dragon found a new place. A home." Sothis finished and turned to her children, "That is the story of how the mean dragon learned her lesson."
"What happened to the dragon?" Noa asked and Sothis smiled sadly.
"Who knows. Some say the dragon was able to find a home here in Fodlan. Others that she chose to fly beyond the sea. We'll never know." The woman smiled as she turned to look back to the gate, "The reason I am telling you all this is because of how things are becoming."
Lejare understood. He was gifted with the ability to see snippets of the future because of the blood rune he was born with. He knows...war is on the way. Arisa was silent as Sothis picked up her children and smiled at them.
"Changing the subject, guess what?" She grinned seeing their confused faces, "You're both going to be big brother and sister soon."
"NEW SIBLINGS!? YAAAYY!" Noa yelled out happily while Lejare began groaning.
"Ma!? I don't want to share my room!" The boy wanted to cry as Sothis chuckled.
"Now now, do not worry. You won't be having new siblings yet. Just a few more years." She grins.
The world around them suddenly changed again but this time, the same gate, was now nothing but a pile of rubble. Sothis stood in front of it with a scowl on her face as looked up to the sky. What was once a beautiful blue, was now crimson. Footsteps approaching and she turned, this time, it was the adult versions of her two kids.
"Noa...Lejare..." Sothis whispered as the two adults looked at her worried.
Both were dressed in armor. Noa wore the armor of kinshi rider while Lejare wore that of a War Monk.
"Mother...Things...aren't looking well." Noa sighed as she looked at her brother.
"We tried negotiating again and Agartha is no budging. Those that were exiled or have fled we have taken in. Even the other cities are also being affected. They aren't budging. At this rate, all of the lands will be left demarcated." Lejare said and Sothis sighed as her eyes looked over Zanado.
"I know. If things do continue this way, I will have no choice but to wipe them off the map." And they looked at her shocked.
"Mother you can't be serious!" Noa argued, "I understand that the war is brutal but to go so far!?"
"Noa, you know very well the Javelins of Light will leave the entire land destroyed! Not even the Agarthans will be able to live on it! At this point, they are destroying the very land they want! Those have fled and we have taken in, we're running out of ways to protect them! Parvati, Orion, Tiamat, and Cyrus, are barely holding up the frontlines!" Lejare argued back and Sothis raised her hand, for them to stop speaking.
"How many of the Gates remain?" Sothis ordered and Noa sighed.
"They were destroyed either by the Agarthans to keep even their people from escaping...or they were destroyed during the war. The last one that remains is in the land that Rhenus and his wife entrusted to humans..." Noa finished explaining.
[-]
The world around her changed once more but this time she was in the throne room once again. However, this time on the throne, sat Sothis. The goddess was in her adult form but...
"I'M A MONSTER!" Arisa's eyes went wide as she walked up the stairs, her steps becoming faster by the second as Sothis wailed, her face buried in her hands.
"How could I do that to you?! How could I have been so cruel?! Bit and pieces and I saw how I destroyed an entire nation in my homeland!" The woman screamed as tears kept falling.
"I nearly made you become a demonic beast! I nearly took over your body!" She kept screaming as Arisa stopped in front of her, "Why won't you scream at me?!" Sothis suddenly looked up at her.
"...Do you want me to scream at you?" Arisa muttered as Sothis rose from her throne, looking at her angrily.
"I nearly killed you! I nearly took over your body! I made you channel my past hatred and rage! I...I...aaaaahhhhh..." Sothis broken down, falling to her knees, sobbing.
Arisa was silent as she knelt down and gently hugged her friend. The goddess froze.
"We are both at fault. We are no saints. We're both sinners..." Arisa whispered as Sothis wailed in her arms, holding her tightly.
It felt like she was watching herself break down. Even if Sothis and her were the same person in some way, both were also different. Yet they also had many similarities.
"A shoulder to cry on..." Arisa muttered as she is gentle as the goddess cried her heart out.
"Hmmm~ Hmmm~" Arisa began humming a tune as the world around her dissolved once more but this time, she was standing in a field of snow.
She knew this memory. The faint sound of music playing in the background as snow fell gently, the night sky, her hand holding another, it was warm. She was in the garden of the palace.
"That's right...this is..." she looked down at bright warm baby blue eyes that held nervousness but also were tender, "This my sweetest memory."
The dance that took place on Christmas 5 years ago. The dance that Dimitri confessed to her. She let go of a small sigh as smiled sadly as they danced and then they suddenly stopped, but, this time Arisa let go of his hand as she took a step back.
"Dimitri..." she began, "I can't be with you. Especially with what will come in the future." Even if she knows this an illusion and not speaking to the real one, she needs to let this out.
She feels her emotions are eating her away, she is desperately trying not to break into tears as she speaks.
"In my world...you were just a fictional character...I grew to admire you...I grew to care about you. You were also an inspiration for me...your story...Edelgard's...Claude's...Everyone's...you helped me live through the darkest times of my life. To me...you were my spark of light. And...you still are!" Arisa's voice cracked, "When I first arrived at this world...I was just so confused. I didn't know how to accept my reality and I kept being in denial. People that I once believed were fictional, were suddenly real! I had to learn to survive. But the biggest thing I feared...was to be lonely. I missed my old family, I never had a chance to say goodbye to them. Yet, when I passed away in my old world, I never expected to be reincarnated. I was reincarnated as Byelth, of all people. I felt guilty! I felt like I took over my life I shouldn't have! I felt like I did not deserve this chance that I was given. But...I knew this life...this second chance...I couldn't leave it. I swore to Byleth to would not leave her...our father alone, not our family. I learned to see them as my family and I soon grew to love them as my family. I love them all and I would do anything to protect them!." The tears were now falling.
She wiped as fast as she could and she smiled sadly at him.
"I soon met Felix...Ingrid...Sylvain. Then I met you...I don't know exactly how to describe it. Perhaps because I had the mind of an adult of a child, I was able to keep myself from wanting to spoil you and the others." She chuckled a bit as she placed her hand over her heart.
"I knew...perhaps at some point I would meet you but never expected it would be during an assassination. During that time, I saw you all little siblings almost. I wanted you all to be safe because I knew of the future. I knew there is still the possibility of us becoming enemies. That's why...I chose to erase your memories of me. I was so afraid...I didn't want to confront the truth. As time passed...as I experience hardships... met new people and create new bonds, I finally understood my mistake. I was such a fool in erasing your memories that didn't even think I was affecting you and the others negatively. Years passed, we reunited. I never expected you of all people to remember." She said as she looked a bit away.
"I ran away from you like a coward. I honestly had planned to never reveal myself at all. Then there was Lestia you revealed it all. Honestly, I still hold a grudge over that prank." She grumbled, "But...I guess because of her, we were to speak and talk properly. I didn't know how to speak to you. Maybe because I was ashamed of my actions in the past. But you were the first to make an olive branch to me..." she smiled softly to him.
"When I would teach you and you did well, I felt proud. I still do. When you would laugh and smile, I felt happy. When we would have times to ourselves like horseback riding, playing in the forest, I always had. I wanted our happy moments with our friends and family to last forever but...I know...eventually happy times come to an end. I wish I could have been there to stop it. I knew it was coming but I didn't know when. I did everything I could to at least lessen the damage but in the end, it took place. You lost your father...friends, and family. " she bit her lips, "Sadi...Glenn...they weren't supposed to survive but me and Amir interfering with the flow of time, changed fate. We denied it's flow. But...now I wonder...what the cost of it will be. I only pray...it doesn't involve you or anything or anyone I love to be hurt..." she hugged herself, remembering her transformation.
"You saved me that day when we were attacked." She looked up and saw his child self turn to his teenage version of the academy.
"I'm still growing...lost...you are growing. Sooner or later, the little cub I know will be a fierce lion." She smiled softly to him, "The ghost of our past follows us...the next upcoming months, will be very difficult. When I'm with you, I can't help but feel happy and safe. But I also feel I need to protect you. Maybe I'm being selfish. Maybe I'm not realizing that my actions have affected everyone around me. Whether it be positive or negative. For now..." she looked up once more and this time it was his time skip a version, " I know that my actions have helped you but they have also hurt you. Dimitri, I know you love me. I...know...what I feel towards you is more than just a friend. But right now...I can't be with you...I'm sorry." She muttered and closed her eyes in shame.
She's an adult. Why would she think this way? Her of all people? Arisa realized that her emotions evolved. When she was in her old world, they were feelings of admiration and a schoolgirl crush. When she was born in this world, when she first met him, they were feelings of wanting to protect him, as a guardian. But she was also afraid because she didn't want to hurt him. After all, she knew of his fate. She was afraid of the future. She was also in denial. In her teenage years when she went to Faerghus she was still afraid but eventually, she grew to care about him more. It felt like she was a mentor watching her student grow and she was proud. She treated him like a student but also a friend. It is something both desired. To be treated as equals. Then tragedy struck. The stress, fear, every single emotion she held back just took over her. She didn't care at that point. She just wanted to protect him and her loved ones. And within madness, it was his voice that brought her back to her senses. When they return to Faerghus she wanted to stay. She wanted to stay beside him to make sure he was alright before she headed back to Remire. But because of the circumstances, she and Amir were forced to escape.
She wanted to send letters but unfortunately, through Chris, she learned that Rhea's spies were intercepting the mail to try and track her down. She couldn't even send a letter to him because it would endanger not just herself but the others. Through the next four years, she didn't stop thinking about him. Worried. Asking herself if he was alright. She would pay close attention to any rumors. Then, when she reunited with him, he had grown. Now as a young adult, she found it wry difficult for herself to not treat him and the others like children. Part of her didn't want him to grow, and she hated that. She hated that there was a part of her that did not want him to flourish but also because she knew of the darkness that lies in his heart. She does not want that darkness to consume him but how can there be progress to help him grow if she's the one holding him back? Arisa opened her eyes and nearly jumped when Dimitri was in front of her, gently touching her cheek. The gaze on his face was unreadable but...it almost felt like he truly was there with her. She hadn't even realized that her tears were falling.
When he was about to speak, the world around her dissolved once more but this time, it was dark. A single spotlight showed seven mirrors. Each one had a different version of herself. The first one was her past self. The second one was her child self as Byleth. The third one was when she was around 8 years old. The fourth was her teenage 15-year-old self. The fifth was her current self and the last one was Byleth.
"A parasite."
Arisa took a deep breath she knew that voice. She turned and looked at another version of herself. Her fallen version. A version of herself created on the instinct to survive but also from the negative emotions she held back. Streak pure white hair, pale skin, rainbow-colored eyes that glowed red, the scales covered part of her cheeks and stopped just below her eyes. Her ears a bit pointed to her curled horns looked like tree branches. Her fingertips on her hands are covered in scales that stop to her elbows. Her nails are claws, two wings made of bones sticking out from her back. Her fallen self in the mirror grinned, revealing her fangs.
"A parasite we are. A parasite that must be a squash. Yet we shall destroy all that scares us. You've denied me for years and now I am born once more. Another part of you." The Fallen sneered as her hand reached out of the mirror, and caressed her cheek.
"Yes. You are another part of me." Arisa spoke coldly, "But..." she grabbed her wrist, "I will not allow you to destroy what I love."
The fallen burst out laughing as she stepped out and wrapped her arms around her neck.
"So, you're going to stop running?"
"I don't have a choice."
- End of Dream -
The voices were muffled but she could hear them. Her body hurt. Everything hurt as she felt something gentle almost hugging her. She opened her eyes slowly, her vision a bit of a blur but it was becoming clear.
"She's waking up!"
"She survived!"
"The toxins are almost gone! Do not stop the spell!"
The first voice she recognized was Flayn's. The second one was Hai's and the third one was Elder Mika. She could hear muttering, somewhat surrounded. Carefully she moved her head to the side and her eyes landed on a broken sword. Not just any sword. She closed her eyes again, guilt, and shame-filled her mind.
"I'm sorry Sothis." She thought because her sword was broken, shattered.
The hands of the three women were on her chest, glowing a soft mixture of green and blue. Elder Mika gritted her teeth as she instructed the other two on how to cast the spell, Purification. It had been years since she has seen the forbidden poison, Sothal. No antidote for it exists. The only way to get rid of it was through a specific type of spell, Anti-Magic. Flayn gritted her teeth because she never once cast an Anti-magic spell before. The only reason she is currently able to do it is because of the necklace Elder Mika is making her wear. Hai panted as the process was being difficult. The people of the caravan were worried as they watched the faint wisps of black smoke leave Arisa's body. The color was slowly returning to her skin but...
"What happened to her arm?" Lolo muttered as she looked at the strange no longer human arm.
"Black magic...She must have been desperate to stop Arash." Elder Mika sighed and looked at the girl with a bit of pity, "Just a bit more lass." She referred to Flayn.
Flayn nodded as she gulped, trying to focus on her friend as the black mist left her body. The veins were disappearing a bit, but those now left permanent scars. Her right arm has fully healed but it was a painful process. One of the women kept gently applying a soothing cream to help her.
"Aye, I have seen you all immortals heal similarly." The woman chuckled a bit, "Our tribe has deep connections to the spiritual realm. It's why you see so many of our stories if they speak to tell of us consisting. It's like a symbiotic relationship. We help each other in our times of need but also respect the boundaries. Yes, we have our disagreements. I'm not going to lie, there is discrimination. But, the question is if you will let it keep you under a rock? And there!" The woman finished applying the cream, "That should ease the pain."
"I do not understand." Flayn muttered as she saw the bit of black smoke leave Arisa's body, "Are you not afraid of me?"
"Afraid?!" Elder Mika raised an eyebrow at her, "Goodness child! You're only 15 years of human age. We have fae, merfolk, ancient spirits, and such walking around Albinea is a regular thing. Are you and the others of the supernatural suppressed in Fodlan?" The elder asked.
Flayn winced a bit.
"We...mostly have to hide our existence for our safety," Flayn muttered and quickly helped Arisa sit up.
The forest haired woman let out a violent coughing fit, her chest burning as she coughed. Elder instructed Flayn and Hai to keep using Purification on her. There was still a bit of the poison in her body. Everything ached, she tried to force herself to stand up, ignoring everyone telling her to take it easy. Black mist was leaving her body and she raised her right hand to use heal on herself but...
"GHHHHAA!"
Arisa snarled as her right arm suddenly felt like it was on fire and her head snapped to look at it but, it was no longer a human arm. Her smile became bitter as she gritted her teeth.
"I should have known...this was the consequence..." she was helped to stand up.
She felt Sothis's guilt through her body. The goddess right now could not face her and locked herself away in the deepest parts of her mind. It was too much for her to see. Arisa let her. She knows Sothis needs time to process what has happened. Carefully, she raised her right hand, studying it. Her once human flesh arm, it's flesh was a cinder black charcoal color with thin veins that glowed red. Her eyes trailed up slowly, taking in how the arm muscles could be seen. It still looked like humans but her nails were longer, like claws. Her fingers a bit longer. The more she looked up, she could see that on her right shoulder was that strange glowing red orb that was part of a Hegmon's body. The black flesh stopped midway her right shoulder, the rest looking like veins. Gently, with that hand, she touched her right cheek, she felt scales. Just a bit under her eye. Arisa took a deep breath, as the others looked at her worried. Especially Flayn. Shirou let out a small whine and at that, she quickly turned her back to all of them, storming off. She ignored everything and everyone calling out her name but she didn't care.
She didn't care.
The more she kept walking, the more she could hear them call out her name. She raised her hands to cover her ears. She didn't want to hear anyone. Right now, all she wanted was to be alone. Suddenly, she felt someone grab her wrist and she turned furious.
"Arisa, please! Stay! I know this a lot for you right now but being alone is not the best choice right now!" Flayn pleaded to her but Arisa did not care.
She pulled away from the girl furiously, turning her back. Arisa did not care right now how to hurt Flayn looked. She did not care about the calls for her to come back. She did not care.
All she wanted right now, was to be alone. To accept and process, she allowed the corrupted power of the relic, to take over her. The more she walked away, the more she did not care what direction she was going. The more she walked, her senses were out of control. Her eyesight and hearing were sharper. Her sense of smell was heightened. She could feel things that didn't know were possible. The more she walked, the sounds, everything was becoming too much for her.
"Annoying. Annoying. Annoying." She began to repeat multiple times as she kept walking.
The sound of the river and even a crunch of a leaf was far too much.
"SHUT UP!" She roared as she swung her right arm and usually she would be cussing profanities when she would punch a tree but...
BOOM!
"A...Aahh!" Fear filled every fiber of her being as the impact caused the tree to explode to smithers as she staggered back, her right arm trembling as she looked at it.
Her vision trembled as she crouched down, her hands now gripping her head as her eyes were wide and frantic. She was scared. Terrified. She was suffering an identity crisis. Her breathing was uneven and frantic. Her body trembled, she broke into a cold sweat as she began hyperventilating. Names. So many names she has been called. So many titles she has gone through. So many identify and personas she had to create to live. All of it crumbling down. All it falling apart. She was breaking.
"Byleth."
"Arisa."
"Mother."
'Sothis."
"Fell Star."
"Holy Magus."
"Saint."
"Manakete."
"Savior."
"Hero."
"Kiana."
"Cecilia."
"Professor.":
"Monster."
"Outworlder."
"AAAAAAHHHHHHHHHH!" Arisa unleashed a scream unlike any she let go before.
This scream instead of rage was filled with torment and years of pent-up trauma all unleashed. Years of listening to others, years of expectations, and experience all coming back. Every single mistake she made, she saw. She relived her regrets and now feels guilty. Years of being terrified of losing her humanity, just all came back. She saw her life flash before her eyes. Memories of her past life were becoming blurred. Precious memories she did not want to let go, all fading away as the years went by. She felt like a caged bird. Why was she in this world? Why did Byleth choose her of all people? She isn't special. She isn't a god or some famous person.
"I'm human! I'm HUMAN. I'M HUMAAAANNN!" Arisa screamed repeatedly as she suddenly felt arms wrap around her tightly.
"You're human..." Sothis wept as she held her like a mother would comfort her child.
Arisa wailed loudly as all the negative emotions she kept holding back, just let them go. She felt pathetic. She felt like a spoiled child throwing a tantrum for hearing the truth. Everything just poured out as she wished there were so many things she could do differently but knows the past can not be changed. What is done, is done. She can never go back, no matter how much she wished it. And what she is going through is nothing compared to what others are.
Forced to comfort the emotions she was growing towards Dimitri. Forced to confront her mistakes and errors. Forced to confront her stupidity of the past. Forced to be selfish. She knows she is. She can and will be cunning and manipulative when needed to. She can either be a blessing or a nightmare. She can either be someone's light or their darkness. She could be either someone's hope or despair. She had the power to alter fate but everything comes with a price. And she is afraid of that price. That is her fear. She is afraid of time. She carefully stood up and walked to the river. Sothis did not say a word and kept a distance to allow her space. Stopping on the bed, Arisa knelt, not caring how cold it was as she touched the water with her right hand.
"..." she was silent as her eyes watched the water stream then...she thrust her hand in to watch, catching something.
She stared at the fish she caught, flapping helplessly in her hand.
"I'm hungry."
Her hand balled into a fist, her claws pierced through the fish, killing it in an instant. Sothis's eyes went wide as she watched the woman just stared at the fish she just killed then.
"Ahh! Nom!" Arisa took a bite from the fish and began to eat it, just like that.
She ate it. Fresh and raw. Like a yokai or merfolk ate their fish. She used nails to cut it open and spill out the guts. Then dunk it in the water to clean it. She ate it, spitting out the bones as she ate.
"What?" She titled her head back, her face cold, "Are you disgusted to see me doing this?"
"..." Sothis did not respond but some else did.
"It's natural to crave what our dragons' instincts want."
Arisa stood up, silent as she saw it was Hai. The merfolk looking woman had a blank face as she remained around 5 feet apart from her.
"You should go back," Hai muttered and Arisa let go of a scoff.
"I am not in the mood to see anyone. Especially with the sorry state, I'm currently in." Arisa laughed a bit as she finished eating the fish and threw the head away.
Hai stared at her for a moment then spoke.
"How do you feel right?" Hai asked and Arisa's lips became a thin line.
"...Horrible." Arisa answered, "But now I have a question for you." Arisa turned to her fully, "Why does an Outrealm Gate exist in this world?" Her voice went cold.
Hai went silent and then spoke.
"...How...convenient that you know the name of the Gate. You know what it is, don't you?" Hai's fin ears opened like a lizard's, ready to attack her.
"I know very well about Naga and Archanea. As well as the purpose of the Outrealm Gate and what a dragon stone is." Arisa turned to her fully, "So get to explaining. WHY they exist in this world?" She hissed.
Hai sighed as her fins went back down but she walked towards her and stopped. The two were silent as they stood next to each other and Hai sighed.
"You won the round. You broke me free of my chains. I will answer the questions you have. Follow me."
[-]
Once more to the palace of ice they went, once more they walked towards the throne room. The faint outline of people dancing was still there as they walked and stopped in front of the stairs of the throne. They did not climb. Instead, Hai spoke.
"A long time ago, before the Divine Dragon of Time came to this land, the first species to live were animals. Life born from the sea. As the years went by, creatures called humans were. They held knowledge, and eventually became the first human civilization. They were...Agarthans." Hai muttered as she stared up to the throne.
"They were knowledge. Years passing by as their knowledge grew. However, eventually, they became curious. Wanting to know if there were others out there that were like them, somewhere in the Sea of Stars. Years went by and they studied the stars and the earth. They began to discover these things called planets. They were filled with different elements like the one here. They discovered forms of magic and such based on reality. Knowledge. They kept seeking knowledge and they lost after it. So much of the unknown out there. Then...suddenly thought occurred to one." Hai narrowed her eyes.
"What if we create a way for the different worlds among the Sea of Stars to connect?"
Arisa's lips became a thin line as she recalled some foggy memories of the multiverse theory that came to mind. Hai began to walk towards the stairs, up they went.
"They began to research ways to harvest energy. They began to research ways to advance their techniques. They began to grow. Advanced. Knowledge growing more and more. Blueprints were created and eventually, the prototype of a gate was created." Hai muttered and stopped at the door of the balcony.
"Tha Agarthans were eager but like all prototypes, some are fruitful." Her eyes narrowed, "And others are failures."
"The prototype...failed, didn't it?" Arisa whispered as Hai gave a small nod.
"The first person they tried to take a walk through the gate, was burned to cinders. The Agarthans, in particular, were looking for those that had similar knowledge as them. Countless trials were held and eventually, one was successful." Hair frowns.
"Where...am I?"
"Welcome!"
"Who are you?"
"Do...you not know?"
"The traveler that was brought said that he did not know. He had never heard of Fodlan or things such as a dragon and such. The traveler wanted to return to his home but unfortunately, that was the moment the first Outrealm Gate broke. The traveler could never return home. But," she glanced to her, "the traveler was hell-bent on returning. The Agarthans welcomed them with open arms. Of course, the traveler did hold a grudge against them but didn't blame them for their curiosity. Years went by and the traveler emerges himself in learning about the new world. In exchange for knowledge from the Agarthans, the traveler shared his knowledge." Hai sighs a bit.
"Did the traveler ever say what world he came from?" Arisa asked and Hai shrugged.
"I don't know much myself since this is a story from the Outrealm Archives written from the first Agarthan civilization." Hai muttered and pulled out a book from her bag, "This book is one written by the Agarthans years ago. Manged to preserve it will be using my magic. I took this from an agent that was sent here to investigate the Gate." She smiled.
"What happened to them?" Arisa muttered and Hai put the book away.
"Agarthans are born with the ability to shapeshift into the form they desire, however, there are certain requirements. Ivy put that ability to use." Hai frowned, "The person they stole their appearance from, they are killed and a portion of the soul is absorbed into them. This allows the body to change into the shape needed. Only those who have Agarthan blood in their veins can perform shapeshifting."
"You're only able to change your appearance using an illusion spell. That can easily be broken by a very skilled and advanced mage. But to shapeshift, you need to feed on the soul." Hai sighs as they began to walk down the hallways.
Mirages of the hallways filled with children running around, butlers and maids going room to room to clean up. Merfolk and fae were either running or floating. They soon arrived at the room Hai met Flayn in. The giant mirror's surface rippled as they stepped closer, revealing a thin outline of magic. But, the frames of the mirror became stone, and 23 stones with the Crest symbols on them appeared. However, 22 of the stones were cracked but one.
"The imperial year 1157." Hai muttered as Arisa stepped forward, "Imperial years 1159. And finally..." the magic ripples and showed the reflections of Chris, Theresa, and Arisa, how they used to look in their old world, "The imperial year 1160."
"Those are the years we were born." Arisa whispered as she leaned her forehead on the gate, closing her eyes, "How...?"
"The Outrealm Gate can no longer let those with a physical body pass through. It shouldn't have any power at all...but...it had enough power to activate three more times. It has been 1500 years since it was last active. And...it shouldn't activate ever again." Hai muttered as Arisa was taking small breaths.
"I always wondered..." Arisa whispered, "Why me? Why my brother? Why my friend? Why are we three the only ones who still have memories of the past?" She looked up a bit, seeing her old self looking back to her eyes, "I will always remember who gave this second chance."
Arisa closed her eyes as she recalled the time Byleth spoke to her. Byleth gave her her body because she did not want her father to be alone. Their souls were compatible. Arisa wanted to live and be with her family. Byleth did not want Jeralt and her family to be left alone. Their emotions aligned, they had and still have the same goals. And ever since that day, Arisa made an oath to herself that she would protect them. She would protect the people she loves and cherished. Not only for Byleth's sake but for her own. She opened her eyes as she looked back to herself and then to the others.
"A part of me will always belong to my old world but this world I am now in my home. And for the actions I have done, I will pay the consequences." She muttered and she took a step back and took out the broken sword.
"I'm sorry." Arisa muttered as she looked at the sword, her hand gently touched the space where the Crest would usually be, "This is your body Sothis. And I abused it with this fight..." she looked to her right arm.
"Hai." Her voice was neutral as the girl watched her back, "Do you mind if I take the left over power and channel it into the sword?"
"It's not much but I much rather you have it than Agartha get their hands on it." Hai sighed and pointed to her, "Hold the sword in the door frame."
Arisa nodded as she did as instructed. She held the sword with both her hands as the magic began to react. The magic of the Outrealm Gate began to swirl around her. Arisa's eyes went wide as she felt the warm energy around her. It was as if the galaxy was swirling around her. Colors blue red, purple and all kinds, the small lights of the stars. The Crest stone area Sword of The Creator glowed bright red and the magic pooled into it. The Crest Stone in her chest pulsed, nearly causing her knees to buckle but she managed to hold up. However, a bright light formed on her chest, and soon that light was absorbed by the sword. The spirit of magic faded away and Arisa's body felt lighter. Like if something was taken out. Her eyes noticed that some of the cracks in the sword had repaired themselves.
"Whoa!" She jumped back when the Outrealm gate suddenly crumbled and turned to dust.
Hai used Wind and the two watched the dust fly out the old window and scatter in the wind. She smiled sadly as she walked to the window, seeing the view of the once-proud kingdom she helped raise.
"With this, the final Outrealm Gate is gone." Hai muttered as she turned to the woman, "Shall we head back?"
[—]
"You're back!"
Arisa gave a small nod as she and Hai arrived back to the group. Flayn smiled softly but Arisa stared at her for a moment before she walked up to her.
"Your arm..." Flayn muttered as Arisa shook her head.
"I'm sorry." Arisa muttered, "I shouldn't have pushed you away. You were only trying to help me." She sighed as raised her right hand a bit, "Not sure how much this will affect me but I will try."
Flayn nodded and Dierte walked up along with Lolo and Hyde. In their arms, was wrapped in bandages the blade of the Sword of the Creator but also...
"The staff...please take it." Dietre smiled sadly as she looked at them shocked, "We have a feeling it's better off with you. Escesplly after everything you and Flayn did for us."
"Dietre...we can't take credit. You also helped save your people. If it wasn't for you, we wouldn't be able to get the answers we need." Arisa said and the man shook his head as he looked away from her.
"We...didn't get the answers we needed. Why...Arash chose to betray us." He muttered and Hai sighed.
"Some things are better left unknown." Hai muttered and looked to the staff, "How he obtained my father's staff after it was sealed away, I do not know. But one thing for sure." She walked up.
"May I?" She extended her hand and Dietre handed it to her.
Arisa observed how Hai smiled sadly at the staff and then suddenly snapped it in half. A pin could be heard dropping as everyone just processed what was done.
"Did you just snap a relic in half?" Lolo choked out and Hai nodded.
"It is for the best. Besides," she turned to Arisa, "it's made of the material you need to repair that sword of yours."
Arisa gave her a small nod and let go of a sigh as she looked up to the sky. It was getting late.
"As much as I hate to say this, we need to camp here tonight for all of us to recover. Would inside the castle be fine since it protects everyone from the cold?" She said and everyone nodded.
Everyone picked up their things and made their way to the castle. The Gaint White Wolves stood guard around the caravan to make sure everyone would be alright. A giant fire was started with timber that was collected, enough to keep everyone warm. For once, everyone could catch some shut-eye. Hai used a sleeping spell to make sure no one suffered nightmares as they slept. She sat on the old throne as she made the mirages of foxes and animals snuggle with the people to help them sleep. Flayn slept next to Isoka and Shirou and the wyvern egg in her coat. Yet, only one human was awake, choosing to keep watch along with the wolves. Hai stood up as she walked in the air as if it were a solid floor. Quietly opening the door, she walked out, and there she was.
Arisa stood on top of the broken pillar with a void face and blank eyes as she sang softly. The wolves were silent as they listened to the voice of the Wolf Star. Hai was silent as she stood next to one of the wolves. She could sense the animals of the caravan were listening.
[-]
Shall we take a single step?
A step back in time?
I have held for a thousand years
Haunted by this fate
Morning Light, a drop of sun
Head of clouds, I knew you were the one
When you called for me, I cursed destiny
My one and only, it was never meant to be
It was a song Sothis used to sing to her children in the old days. Arisa was only able to see fragments of her memories as she closed her eyes, humming the rest of the incomplete song. Her hands made movements as if she was playing the harp. A faint memory of Sothis played in her mind as she sang softly. Her fingers drumming strings as if they were there. The memory was simple. Sothis, when she was an adult. She sat on top of a giant boulder, the sky was dark but illuminated by the stars. There seemed to be a canyon. As Sothis sang and played the harp, the sound reverted through the place. There was a campfire. People of all kinds were there. Humans dancing and laughing with Nabateans. Agarthans drinking and playing instruments as Kitsune and Wolfskin danced with each other. There were Laguz helping serve food or fae pulling pranks. Children's of all kinds running around in joy. Merfolk in the lakes listening silently as Sothis played her harp.
"In time flows~ See the glow ~"
The place was filled with joy, love, happiness. There was peace. Arisa opened her eyes as she felt tears were falling as she took a deep breath. She looked up to the sky, seeing the shooting stars as she sat down and hugged her knees. She missed home. Not her old world. She missed Fodlan. She missed waking up in the morning or being woken up by the students. She missed teaching and seeing the students struggle but also helping them when they need it. She missed flying with Sandy or teasing Florencio. She missed playing with Jaden and Kaimu. She missed training with Amir and Alexandra.
And she especially...
"I miss Dad." Arisa buried her face in her knees as she closed her eyes, "I guess the saying is true. You truly appreciate what you have once you see your life flash before your eyes at death's door." Ahe sighed.
She opened her eyes a bit once she felt a familiar presence and raised her head, turning a bit towards them.
"What is it, Hai? Can't sleep?" Arisa muttered as Hai stood next to her.
"I'm fine. But I'm worried about you." The woman muttered, "You should be resting. Especially after today..." she bit her lip.
"I can't sleep. And I don't feel like it. Especially after today." Arisa said a bit coldly and Hai winced.
The was a tense silence between them till Arisa spoke again.
"Tell me, who was Arash? I saw how you recognized him after the mask came off." She said.
"Mind if I sit next to you?" Hai said and Arisa scooted a bit to allow the woman to sit.
Hai sat down and sighed as she looked up to the sky, a sad gaze she held.
"Arash...His real name was Tulok, The Fourth Prince." Arisa's eyes widened slightly.
She felt her right arm throb a bit as she continued to listen to Hai.
"He was a young boy full of curiosity and wonders. He always asked questions and searched for answers. I think I understand why he chose his dark path." She whispered as she made a Celica flower bloom in her hand.
She stared at her for a moment, a soft but sad smile formed on her lips.
"Tulok...was born sickly. Since the day he was born, he to be put on medication. He couldn't leave the castle or his room. He was very weak. Eventually...I stepped in." Hai sighed.
"He was like me," Arisa muttered and Hai raised an eyebrow at her.
"What do you mean?" Hai said and Arisa looked back to the sky.
"In my old world, I was born sick since the day I was born. I was put on medication and everything. I wasn't able to go outside or be with friends and family. I was cough blood and had to go through several treatments. The only thing that kept me going was books." Arisa answered and Hai chuckled bitterly.
"My, how eerie it is that you and he are similar. You wouldn't happen to get cured at age 13 and were able to live a normal life till age 23? Hahaha!" Hai laughed a bit and Arisa looked away.
Slowly, Hai's laughter died out and her eyes went wide once she realized why Arisa looked away. The woman turned to her with a small sad smile as she looked back to the sky.
"At age 13, I was cured. I lived a normal life till age 23. My sickness came back and I went back to the hospital where I stayed for my remaining years. Looking back, it wasn't too bad." She smiled sadly, "I had friends and family with me. There were days I was angry. Other days I just cried. But the majority of the time...I was happy."
"Now I see where the paths diverged." Hai sighs as she looked back to the flower.
One flower petal wilted.
"That's enough for tonight." Hai muttered as she stood up, "Go get some sleep. I'll keep watch."
Arisa gave a nod as she stood up and turned towards the direction of the castle. She glanced at Hai before she spoke.
"What will you do now...?" She muttered and Hai sighed.
"I don't know." Was Hai's response and Arisa jumped down.
Her feet met the ground softly as she looked at her right arm. She already had an idea that everyone is going to freak out when they return to Fodlan.
"Rhea's paranoia is going to rise tenfold after this." She groaned as she walked to the castle.
Quietly she entered and made her way towards Isoka. A few mirage animals snuggled against her as she laid next to Flayn. Isoka nuzzled closer to keep them warm. Arisa let go of sighs as she closed her eyes. Tomorrow, they will finally be arriving at the port and take the ship back to Fodlan.
"Good night."
[-]
Happy New Year! 2020 is over!
Everyone, thank you for being patient. 2020 was a rough year for all of us. Chapter 60 is in the works along with an interlude and Chapter 61.
During the months I was on break, I went back to re-reading my stories and there will many ghost updates during the next few days/weeks/months. I will be going back to do some heavy editing in fixing spelling and grammar errors that I missed during my earlier days. Sentence structures will also be fixed and there will be new cover arts for this story and A Dark Saint's Heart.
I want to thank everyone for reading my story and comments. I have read them all and all those who have left advice and criticism on how I can help improve my writing and story, thank you all so much, I appreciate it.
When I first started this story, I had just first entered the world of Fire Emblem. Throughout the months and years, I met many amazing people and learned much about the lore of Fire Emblem. My writing has improved and I have created new things. I do create fan art and post it on my Tumblr page.
The next upcoming chapters will be revealing more lore of this world as well as meeting new characters. More character development as well as a few surprises.
Here's a mini Preview of the Interlude. It's what is going on in the monastery.
Rhea: Bloodline Goes Thin
Chris: Path That Was Never Ment to Be
Dimitri: Bygone Days
Beleth (FINALLY): The Light Faded
Edelgard: The Blacken Heart
Upcoming Prologues:
Sandy: Part 2: The Wind No Longer Blows
Florencio: Part 2: Ashes! Ashes! We all Remain!