Destiny exalts a chosen few, but even heroes break.
-Hero's Downfall
[-]
The air in the room was tense as Arisa finished explaining her part. Both Hai and Flayn were stunned to silence as Arisa was also surprised but she did not show it. For her, it was the first time learning about the War of Heroes from Flayn's perspective. Tears were streaming down her eyes but they were a mixture of her own but also Sothis. The goddess manifested and hugged her granddaughters, even if one could not see her. Flayn could feel warmth surrounding her as she wept, and also Hai. Arisa knew it would be difficult for her to recount what she learned just...completely baffling her.
"I understand if neither of you wishes to do nothing with me once we reach Fodlan. If you wish to forget this conversation ever happened, just say the word and it never will." Arisa said and before she knew it, both girls lunged at her.
Not to hurt her but to embrace her. Arisa was beyond shocked as they held her tightly, she could feel her shoulder becoming wet because of their tears.
"How could you say that?!" Flayn sobbed, "You who has held onto this for so long as well as enduring so much pain?! Even if you knew about me long before we met, how could you say we don't want anything with you?!" She glared.
Arisa was at a loss for words. She thought that the girls would possibly scream at her but this she never expected.
"I still need so much time to process everything but...now I see the main difference between you and Arash..." Hai sniffed and Arisa closed her eyes as she hugged them back.
Sothis smiled sadly but what Arisa suddenly said made her whirl around quickly.
"Flayn, would you like to speak to Sothis?" Flayn looked at her shocked and Sothis began shaking her head.
"No! No, No Arisa! I refuse to possess your body after what happened!" Sothis yelled and Arisa shook her head.
To the girls, she looked like she was talking to a wall. She stood up, gently letting them go as she walked up to her. The silence was tense as the goddess looked away from her.
"I...hated when you took over me that day."
Sothis gritted her teeth as Arisa continued.
"I hated that it was taken over by hatred. I hated that I was taken over by anger. I hate what has happened to my body because of that takeover." Arisa said with a neutral face and the others were stunned as they listened, "You hated humans. You looked down at them. You supported Duma when he annihilated Thabes. That is why Naga banished you. That is the conclusion I have come to based on the fragments of your memories." She looked at the goddess with void eyes.
Sothis all she could do was keep her head down in shame as the silence became even tenser. But Arisa let go of a sigh and petted Sothis's head, which surprised the goddess.
"Didn't I say this before?" Sothis looked up and saw the woman smirking.
"We're all sinners. Regardless if we are from the divine or mortal realm. And we will atone for our sins. Even if it takes years." Arisa smirked and before she knew it, Sothis had thrown herself into her arms.
The goddess wept loudly as she buried her face in her chest, letting go of the emotions of guilt and sorrow she had been holding inside. While she can never forgive herself for what has been done to Arisa, she will gladly atone for the sins she has done.
"I'll let you rest. When you're ready to speak to Flayn, just let me know."
[-]
The dining hall was built similar to that of Vikings. There were multiple long tables where people sat with their group as well as in the center of the room, and you can eat buffet. The variety of foods ranged from raw meat to fruits, vegetables, cooked meals, and such. As well as there is a variety of drinks like tea and rum. Arisa would call all this a sailor's dream come true. Unfortunately for her and the girls...they only eat a selected variety of food because of the changes in their bodies. Right when she was about to pick up a tray, someone suddenly jumped on her from behind.
"Hey!" Poe grinned, "Fancy seeing you out here!" She said and Arisa glared at her.
"Was it really necessary to jump on me?" She grumbled and Poe just shrugged.
"Figured you could use some positive energy. You've been grumpy." Poe said, "Anyhow, Shade wishes to speak to you later on during the festival."
"Wait, festival?" Arisa looked at her confused.
"Hehehe! Well, since this is your first time on Akanos, how about I explain on the way to Shade's office? Oh, and sorry about the other day. A bit too much to drink. Hehe." Poe smiled.
"What do you mean "hehe?!"
[—-]
"So the festival is like a ritual. It was a way to thank the sea gods and sea spirits for blessing the ship and making sure all the people are returned to their homes safely." Poe explained as they walked down the hallway, "We then make a grand fire and throw food into the ocean for the spirits, gods, and merfolk to eat."
"Why would you make a fire on a ship?" Arisa raised an eyebrow at her.
"Don't worry! The ship is protected by my magic and Shade's. We also throw fairy dust." Poe hummed as they arrived in front of a door, "Anyhow, we're here~ Have fun!" And with that, she left.
Arisa just let go of another sigh and knocked. She heard a soft "Come in" and the door opened by itself. Carefully she walked in, seeing the inside. It looked like a magic workshop, similar to her uncle's. There were shelves filled with books and jars. A table with a magic cauldron and ingredients. The only difference was the huge windows and the desk. She spotted a woman, her back facing her, and could see her mixing things.
"Hello, umm...Poe said you wanted to see me?" Arisa said and the woman stopped.
She turned her head a bit and then fully turned to her with her mysterious smile.
"Hello there. I am glad you came. Once again, my name is Shade. I have been interested in you for a while Arisa." Shade smiled as she walked up to her, her hand extended, "May I see your arm?"
Sothis was shaking her head rapidly while Arisa was confused but nodded. She extended her arm bit and Shade got a hold of it. The purple-haired woman observed it, looking it up and down, as well removed one seal. She removed the bandaged and frowned once she saw the skin.
"I thought so..." Shade sighed, "This is the same corruption demonic beasts have, "Part of your blood has become like poison and the worse part is that the corruption is still spreading." She put the seal back on.
"Can it be cured...?" Arisa whispered and Shade looked at her sadly.
"It can. But it is a curse cast onto you by The Sword of The Creator. The only way this curse can be broken is if you died." Shade said and Arisa looked down to the ground.
"So I have to die for this to be cured? Of course..." She placed her hand on her forehead, "I should have known. The death curse of life. Some curses require the person to die for it to be removed. I would have to die once." She laughed bitterly, "And that's the thing! I don't even know if I'll survive the first death! This is my second life!"
Shade sighed and shook her. Curses from relics have always been difficult to remove or nearly impossible. Some have killed their victims when they tried to remove the curse. And others, it takes years to find a cure. Arisa turned away from the woman and back.
"Is there a way to slow down the process?" She asked and Shade smiled sadly.
"That's why I called you here." Shade motioned her to follow her to her table.
On the table was a purple-colored gem as well as wootz steel, arcane crystals, the staff Hai gave her, and umbral steel.
"It will take some time for me to repair The Sword of The Creator due to just how damaged it took." Arisa winced, "For now, just try to rest up. I am also working on a seal that will help your arm."
"Thank you," Arisa whispered.
" I have my reasons. I do expect payment since this isn't free." Shade said as turned back to mixing, " I will name my price after the festival tonight. For now, just go have some fun. Ah! I do recommend speaking to the Laguz and merfolk. They can help you in controlling your powers." She smiled.
[—- ]
"Oh! Arisa, are you..." Flayn was going to ask Arisa if she was alright but just seeing the gloom all over the woman, she quickly backed off.
"Well, she looks like over churned seawater." Hai said, "Flayn dear, it's best to let her rest for a bit." She stood up, "Arisa, if you wish to see us later, we'll be at the festival. Alright?"
"Alright," Arisa muttered and the girls left.
Flayn wanted to comfort Arisa but she knew that isn't what Arisa wanted. For now, all she could do was watch her friend and hope for the better. Arisa laid down on her bed and looked to the ceiling, her mind just too cluttered. First, the curse, now learning that it won't be possible to remove unless she "dies".
"This trip is fucking me up. But I'm already mad anyway." She sighed and closed her eyes, " Please, if we are closer to Fodlan, even if just for a moment, let me connect with Chris. I just want them to know we are safe."
- Fodlan -
"Look, I get that but unless you want to draw suspicions, you need to be careful. What happened to the spies you sent?" Chris said as he and Dimitri walked together to the Blue Lions classroom.
"Margrave Gautier along with Erick helped us investigate. Other than that, they found that the number of people disappearing has increased." Dimitri said, a worried look on his face.
"I'm assuming Kuza has been keeping tabs?" Chris muttered as they entered the classroom.
" Zander reported that there was an attempt of human trafficking in his territory. Thankfully Shamir recovered enough and helped them take down the slave traders however those scums killed themselves to pervert them from knowing who their leader is." Dimitri gritted his teeth as he saw Derick place the stacks of papers on the desk.
"Most likely a kill spell," Chris muttered and the prince blinked.
"Kill spell? I have never heard of such a thing? I assume dark magic is involved?" He asked and Chris nodded.
"Yes. You see, the spell is placed on the tongue. It a—Ngh!" A sudden headache filled his head.
He could hear Dimitri asking him if he was alright but all he heard was a voice. It was faint, weak. But it was one he recognized.
"Chris.."
Chris snapped, his eyes opened. That was his sister's voice. But...
"Why did it sound so hollow?" He thought and shook his head, "Sorry Dimitri. Just a little headache."
"Perhaps you should see Professor Manuela?" The prince suggested and Chris rapidly shook his head.
"No, no, no! I am fine! I don't need to see Manuela!" Dimitri just gave him a blank look, "Anyhow! Did you do that essay?"
- Night -
Arisa yawned as she sat from her bed. She looked around, seeing the room was dark.
"Looks like I fell asleep. Yawwwwwnn~ Sothis, your sleeping habits are getting out of control." She stood up carefully and went to the restroom to wash her face.
" My sleeping habits are not that bad." The goddess argued back.
" Sothis." Arisa smiled ruefully as she splashed water on her face, "March 8th, 1172. We were in Jutika Village in the Alliance and we were supposed to meet father on a hunting trip. Someone decided to use their magic the day before and resulted in me sleeping till the afternoon." She said.
"In my defense, we fell into the middle of the mud." Sothis huffed.
"And down memory lane, we are about to go." Arisa chuckled as she finished drying her face.
She felt the walls vibrating a bit which usually meant music.
"Poe did mention there was a festival today. Shade also said I should talk with the Laguz and Merfolk. I'm not in the mood for it..." she sighed.
"Ehhhhhhhhh?!" Sothis manifested herself faster than anyone has ever seen, "You love festivals?! Are you sick?!"
"No, but..you know what, I have no excuse. Let's go."
"That's what I thought!"
[-]
It was interesting, to say the least. There was a fire on the deck, a table with different foods of all kinds. Some of the passengers were playing instruments and many were dancing to the music. She spotted Flayn talking to a blonde-haired heron who looked oddly familiar but she didn't remember where she had seen her. Hai was drinking with the Merfolk and kitsune and a bit too much. She went to the balcony after picking up a drink. She couldn't help but stare out at the ocean. Seeing the waves move so calmly on this noisy night. Compared to Fodlan, seeing the ocean so vast and free, it had been years since she felt at peace. The ocean always helped her calm down, rest. She closed her humming a song.
"Hmmm~ Hmmm~ Life just out of reach~ Yet the waters ever change, flowing like time, the path is yours to climb." She sang softly.
"Good and evil." Arisa muttered as she took a sip of her drink, "Sometimes one side is no better than the other." And down she gulped the drink.
"My my, you have such a strange view of the world."
She quickly turned and saw Poe sitting on the rail. Her feet she kicked around like a child. She opened her eyes as she turned to her. They glowed a faint pink and her smile.
"Hmmmmm..." The Gremory light tapped her lips as she thought for a moment, "You humans are the definition of good and evil. You can either do things to make not just you but the world around you a better place. Or, you can do things that make the world horrible and destroy it. So, what's the problem with using The Sword of Creator's forbidden power?" Poe smiled.
"What?" Arisa choked out, "Poe...I nearly gave into that corrupted power. The same power that NEMESIS and the Agarthans used to kill Sothis and her family. On top of that!" Arisa slapped her right arm.
"My right arm isn't human flesh anymore! I nearly fell to a whole new level of fallen!" Arisa growled furiously.
"Ah. But that's the thing." Poe smiled as she put her index fingers together, "Nemesis used that power to conquer. For liberation. Pride. You used that power to protect Cethleann and Dietre. You wanted answers to why the Fallen Prince went to an extreme to try and take away your Crest."
In her right hand a ball of black flames was created and on her left a white one. The gremory smiled as she presented the two.
"Power must be balanced. In this case, it has almost come to a point where you rely on divine intervention a bit too much. Say, do you still believe in the power of humanity?" Poe asked and Arisa nodded.
"Of course I do." Arisa raised an eyebrow at her.
"Then why don't you believe in your humanity, Byleth?"
"What?!" Arisa laughed bitterly, "I believe in my humanity! I'm human, I will always be a human even if my body changes! Even if I become one with God, my heart will always remain human!" She growled.
"You say that but that isn't true." Poe frowned as she flicked her wrist to make the balls of energy disappear, "You believe in the potential of everyone else. You believe in your friends. But will you do it once the change doesn't go the way you want?" She stepped closer, "You've endured so much to the point some of your normal human thinking has diminished."
Poe started her dead in the eyes, looking into the depths of her soul.
"Arisa, you're afraid of the future."
"Stop, just stop." Arisa pushed her away, "Yes, I'm afraid." She sighed and slumped onto the rail.
She looked out to the ocean again.
"I'm afraid that my actions have hurt people. I'm afraid that the changes I want to happen will only make things worse. Everything that I've done..." She looked at her hands.
Her expression was one of pain.
"Just how much have I changed the future? I don't even know if the events that were supposed to happen, will happen. Those Who Slither in the Dark, hurt so many people I care about. Rhea isn't able to cover up their tracks anymore and it will only be a matter of time till they come out." She muttered as she held her hands together, and rested her forehead on them.
"I just don't know what to do anymore..." she sobbed, "The man I love...my family...my friends...especially my father...I have to keep hiding this knowledge, and it's tearing me apart. I have to keep these secrets hidden till the time is right. I'm just...so tired. I'm always the hero. I'm always the one saving. But...who will save me when I fall?" She finished.
Poe looked at her with pity and lightly patted her back.
"As much as selfish as it sounds, there will be times you will be seen as the antagonist. People will disagree on many things. Why do you think there are many stories about the hero becoming the villain?" Poe said as she too looked out to the ocean, "Because no one ever chose to reach out to the hero." She muttered.
"They always ask "where's the hero", But never "how's the hero" Poe sighed along with Arisa.
"Come on." Poe patted her back, "You need to get hammered. When was the last time you got wasted?" She asked.
"At the beginning of the year during a mock battle with my students." Arisa sighed as the two walked back to the deck.
"Yesh! Almost 6 months! Yeah, you need it." Poe said as they arrived at the table.
[-]
"You have too much!" Hai laughed, drunk along with Poe.
So much for the talk, things turned out worse. Arisa didn't know if she was ready to snap Poe's neck in half or scold Hai. Right now, she wasn't in any mood to start an argument with anyone. Please, if she were given the legal opportunity, she would throw Hai off the boat! Hai, to suddenly declare she was coming to Fodlan with them, was madness. First off, the demi-immortal would walk around Albinea with her aquatic features show, proudly displaying she was not ashamed of her heritage. Arisa has nothing against it but considering Albinea is very different from Fodlan, there are many reasons why she was worried. Perhaps agitated should be the better word.
"Fuck...my negative emotions are just visible..." Arisa cursed in a whisper as she saw Flayn chatting happily with one of the crewmates of Poe's boat.
The people of Albinea accepted that there were other beings besides humans. After all, they were a tribe and their culture was connected to the spiritual realm. That's why fae or even some merfolk could walk around like normal people if they wanted. Even some of those born into the wolf skin tribe have human mates. Those of the supernatural was more accepted. However, in Fodlan, they have to hide from human eyes.
"I need a drink," Arisa muttered as she gently touched her right arm.
"You will become an alcoholic at this rate." Sothis's voice rang in her mind.
Too bad no one could see the semi-adult goddess sitting next to her, looking like she hadn't had a good night's sleep in over one thousand years. Sothis looked like a walking disaster. Her usual bright green hair looked dull and all frizzy. There were dark circles under her eyes and even her emerald eyes looked dull. Arisa didn't blame her. After all, Sothis regained a portion of her memories that were horrific. Sothis admitted she was deeply ashamed of her actions of the past. How she was so ignorant. How she once looked down on humanity and that her elder sister was right.
"How are you holding up?" Arisa asked as she took a sip of her water and grimaced a bit.
She wanted sake but Shade doesn't allow it. Sothis let go of a frustrated sigh and gave her a dry look.
"Ashamed." That was all Sothis said and Arisa did not ask anymore.
"And you?" Sothis muttered and flinched when she saw Hai giving Flayn instructions on how to properly transform with her newly acquired dragon stone.
"Scared. Terrified. Also ashamed." Arisa answered back as she looked at her reflection in her glass of water.
Arisa didn't know anymore. The fact that the slap of the past as well as Arash's brutal words made her realize that she was still very much ignorant. She had become cocky. The feeling of once being ahead of everyone because her memories of her past life perhaps (it did) inflated her ego. She began to think back to her reckless behavior and gritted her teeth. The battle forced her to look back to it. She didn't think about how much her behavior was possibly hurting others. She didn't think about the consequences. Once upon a time when she was just a fresh new soul in the world of Fodlan, she was a stuck-up, over a paranoid girl who just wanted to make sure everything was right. She would think ahead and was ready to accept the consequences of her actions.
"Look at me now," She muttered and took a sip, Sothis looking at her confused, "a bitter fool that now reaps what she sows for her actions. I've been playing fucken hero and I'm getting tired of it. I still want to save my students. I know I may have to kill them, but I want everyone to be well. And my actions have either helped others but have also hurt them. I feel...like my past self and I hate it." She growled as the grip on her cup tightened.
The battle also forced her to face the one emotion she didn't want to admit she was developing towards Dimitri.
Love.
She loves Dimitri. The simple girl crush she had in her past life, and also growing up, developed into the one thing she wanted to avoid. Falling in love. She always had a special place in her heart for the prince because his route was the first she chose. And through the years growing up, her mentality grew. She grew out of the denial she was imposing on herself and eventually accepted her reality. Arisa learned to everyone as people. Real people that she loves and cares for. Real people that some she hates and others she loves. Real people, she has formed bonds with and real people she would never forgive herself if something happened to them. Poe was right. She was relying too heavily on Time Pulse and she was now reaping the consequences. She closed her eyes and let her silent tears fall.
Arisa was glad she was sitting in the dark corner of the ship while she silently watched the celebration that was going on. Magic was used to create an illusion bond fire on the ship's deck. Hai was showing Flayn how to do the ancient dances of the merfolk tribe while members of the crew cheered them on. Poe was clapping along with a grin on her face while Shade allowed alcohol to be served. Randel was drinking calmly as Yuzu was dragged into the dance by Emma. The silent knight Valjean served tea to his lord, Alice. The girl was then suddenly also dragged into the dance. A joyous beautiful moment, only ruined by the silent weeping woman in the shadows.
Arisa let out a shaky breath as she stood up and climbed up the rope ladder to the crow's nest. She didn't want to join the celebrations right now. She sat down as Sothis faded away, most likely to rest. Things were going to be different once they returned to Fodlan. Flayn, now has gotten the true taste of the outside world but will play innocent when needed. Seteth is going to have a meltdown when he learns his little girl has been "corrupted."
"I hate how I'm looking forward to seeing it." Arisa snorted as she pulled out her flask and popped it open.
A big gulp she took, letting the liquid smoothly go down her throat. Arisa knows things aren't going to be the same especially with how she was forced to face her feelings. Dimitri loves her and she loves him back. She knew already that at a young age he had a crush on her. It was their first official meeting. Her saving his life had a huge impact on him. Those eyes of him, when they first met her own, made her realize he was a real person. At this point, now in the present, Arisa knows that everything she knows is useless. Yes, certain events from the game she once played have happened but at this point, her knowledge was useless. Everything has changed.
Arisa realizes she still has acted like a child. She doesn't want to be alone. She has been enabling behavior that should have nipped in the bud when the first signs appeared. But being the idiot she is, she didn't take action. Reasons?
"My, you look dreadful." Arisa looked up a bit and saw Shade had chosen to climb up and stand next to her.
She didn't even sense her presence. Arisa was silent and looked back to the deck, letting go of a tired sigh.
"I don't why, but for some reason, I was expecting words of encouragement," Arisa muttered and Shade gave her a slight frown.
"But words of encouragement are something you do not want to hear right now, correct?" Shade frowned and Arisa just closed her eyes shaking her head.
"See." The violet-haired woman motions her hand a bit towards her, "Words of encouragement are not what you want to hear. "Get up." "Do not give up." "You must." "You can't give up." "Stand up." "You can do it." In the eyes of another, they may seem like they are encouraging you or bringing your spirit up. But in reality, it is quite the opposite." Shade turned to her with a grin.
Arisa looked at her with a raised eyebrow.
"In reality, it is also a form of bullying." Arisa didn't know what face she was making but by the way Shade was looking at her, it most likely wasn't good.
"When a person is down, they seek words of comfort. Like "It will be alright." "Take your time." "Rest." At times they even seek solitude or someone to hear them out. However, there will always be those that tell that person something different. At times, the thing they want to hear is something to comfort them, not encourage. When that person is constantly told, to "Do not give up." Or "Keep trying." The cycle continues. Yes, words of encouragement are necessary for one's life, but they should be given at a time when they are ready. If they are constantly told that they shouldn't give up, it is also as if they are being pressured by the world around them. The world wants a hero. But while the world is saved, what about the person that saved it? Everyone will act as if everything is alright. Happily ever after. But what about the aftermath? How was the Hero affected? What does the hero do now that the world is saved? What do they do with the trauma and new things they covered? How do they deal with it? Will the Hero be told to now to finally rest? Or will the Hero be told that everything that happened in the past no longer matters because the world is saved?" Shade finished as Arisa just looked at her with wide eyes.
Arisa was struggling to form words. She didn't know what to say.
"Also, fun fact." Shade smiled, "I am banned from ever setting foot in Fodlan by Rhea. The Sky Dragon wasn't happy that I was teaching magic arts from different nations to the students at the academy. I was teaching how to properly use the dark arts with my knowledge from Nohr along with helping the children expand their knowledge beyond Fodlan. Magic books from Almyra and Sreng were very helpful to them and they advanced. I am strict but even I know when I see wasted potential. Honestly, the academy's teaching curriculum is a joke compared to those beyond the mountains! Ha! Sreng and Almyra have magic far more advanced than the people of Fodlan. A pity that so much potential in the children is being wasted away. Darling, if you get the chance to return to teaching in Fodlan, have no shame in committing heresy in teaching because it's something those kids seriously need." She smiled.
"...Pfft!" Arisa covered her mouth with both hands, desperately trying not to burst out laughing but she was failing miserably.
She burst into full-blown laughter as she held her stomach, and rolled onto her side. From the deck, it seemed Poe and the others heard her and a smile came on Flayn's lips as the woman was still howling.
"It has been a while since I heard her laugh like that," Flayn muttered and Poe smirked.
"Looks like Shade helped her. Let the two be alone for now." Alice says as she takes a sip of her tea.
"Changing the subject." Shade said as Arisa finally calmed down, "How are the seals? Do you feel any discomfort?"
Arisa let go of a sigh as she looked over to her right arm. The bandages she wore wrapped around her right shoulder and trailed down all around her right arm. Even to the tip of her fingers. The hieroglyphs on it were not visible to the normal human eye and there was even a talisman wrapped around it. Arisa could move her right arms normally like a normal human but if she were to remove the bandages...
"Is my arm permanently inhumane?" Arisa whispered as she looked over to Shade.
"..." the Dark Priestess was silent for a moment but spoke, "I do not know. I do not blame you for willingly allowing the dark power of The Sword of The Creator to take over you. You were in a desperate situation. At the rate it was going, Arash would have ripped the Crest Stone out of your body and killed Flayn to turn her to a weapon." She let go of a sigh.
"...Will I still be able to use my arm normally?" Arisa asked and Shade shook her head.
"Like writing, eating, and such, yes. However, for combat, you should avoid using it. That arm of yours can no longer produce white/faith magic. If you even attempted to, it would feel as if it was on fire. However, you can still use the dark arts with it. But if you wish to use it for swordplay..." Shade threw her an apple and Arisa used her right hand to catch it.
CRUSH!
The apple exploded in her hand and became mush. Arisa just looked at her hand with wide eyes as she saw the sweet juice dripping down along her wrist. Ummm...
"Well..." Arisa let go of a dry laugh, "Now I know how Dimitri feels."
"You do know how to use your left arm to fight, correct?" Shade asked and Arisa nodded.
"My right arm is my dominant one but my father trained me to be able to use both of my arms for combat should...something like this happened. Well, technically if I lost a limb but you get the picture." Arisa sighs and looks out to the ocean.
"The strength that arm of yours has is like the Crest of Blaiddyd..." Shade muttered as she held her chin for a bit, "However because you allowed me to take a sample of your blood...I say it is more towards...traces."
"Traces?" Arisa blinked.
"Yes. I do recall being told this by another Outworlder like you. While a Major Crest is superior, a Minor Crest can evolve into a Major one as time passes by. However, there is a much weaker version of a minor Crest. In this case, because you bear the Fire Emblem (Crest of Flames), it is trying to form a self-defense mechanism. You also mention you allowed an Agarthan to experiment on you. You drank samples of the blood of the true children of Sothis. And their "Mother" is in trouble. So, the blood you drank is reacting to the calling of their mother." She explained.
"Please tell me I am not becoming "Sothis."." Arisa croaked as the color drained from her skin.
"Oh goodness no!" Shade quickly said, "You and Sothis may become one in the future but that does not mean you become "her." Artificial Nabatean may inherit the traits of a true one but that does not mean you are "one." You are a homunculus. An artificial being that should not even have a soul. Let alone a "heart". The supposed purpose that those closed-minded ignorant pricks like Rhea and Thales, created beings like you was to be groomed to their image. You, Beleth, and Sitri along with her past subjects were supposed to be groomed into the image she wants. But look where that leads. The "Doll" is rebelling. You have a "heart". You have a "soul." Your mother and cousin have souls. And Rhea..." she pointed to her, "is losing control."
"I will be honest with you." Shade gave her a worried look, "Even if you chose to not side with Edelgard, there is a high chance Rhea will want you dead. One, you mention you will be refusing the position of Archbishop. Two, it will eventually come to light that Sothis awakened before the time she was supposed to. In the eyes of Rhea, it will look like you "corrupted" Sothis. Rhea wants her old life to come back. She was never given the proper time to grieve. Three, you know the truth of what happened in the past. It's also another reason why Rhea has banned me from Fodlan. And, should you live not as a ruler but as someone of power and influence, you will very much be involved in the reconstruction of the church as well as tearing down the Crest System that she created. To Serios, you have become the very thing she never wanted. You will not become the "Progenitor God'' that will rule over humans and make them bow down at her feet. You will not become the one that will bring back her perfect little world. You are the one destroying the world of lies she has created to maintain humanity on a leash. You along with the four houses and your allies are destroying the chains. That it is time humanity gets back on its feet. Humanity and divinity will always exist, regardless of the form. And Rhea can not accept that. If Sothis is The Beginning, then you and her chosen champions are The Ends. Rhea is Eternity. And...Eternity." She pointed to The Sword of the Creator, "Must not be allowed to last any longer."
Eternity.
What is eternity? In a dictionary, eternity means a state in which time has no application. In a dictionary, eternity also means infinite or never-ending time. A moment that repeats on, forever and ever. A never-ending loop. The blissful moment, whether it is filled with joyful memories or hell, repeats. Endless. The loop continues in circles, constantly repeating. Like a cycle. One stage begins and soon it reaches the final one. But instead of ending, it repeats again and again. Indefinite, for it lasts for who knows how long. The never-ending loop eventually becomes corrupted, sullied, and marred by the passage of time. The rule of time is that it continues forward. A new moment. A new second. Always change. It does not end. It is always something different. The everlasting refuses to change. Eternity does not change. Eternity is to remain the same. Wish of bliss that keeps repeating over and over, regardless if it is tainted and corrupt. The blissful wish that keeps them in an illusion. And when that illusion of bliss is destroyed, despair that was held within leads to destruction. Nothing matters. The mind is fractured, the one that made the wish, only their wish matters and nothing more.
To stay in a world of eternal bliss, or continue forward regardless of the pain and suffering that will be brought upon? Sothis is The Beginning. Arisa and Chris are The Ends. Rhea is the one that wishes for bliss. For she is Eternity.
"Life is like a boat, sailing on the sea." Arisa muttered as she remembers a quote that she was told a long time ago, "One day it will disappear at the end of the sea." She looked out once more to the ocean, her eyes becoming glassy as she gritted her teeth.
"Everything comes to an end." She closed her eyes once more and the fear that filled her melted away.
"Isn't that right..." She opened her eyes and they were the color brown, "Byleth?" she whispered.
Arisa stood up as she watched the peaks of the first light of the sun, slowly rising above the horizon. The night sky became illuminated by its rays, bringing light into the darkness. The life in the ocean that was asleep, waking up to float with the ocean waves. A look of uncertainty was still in her eyes as she looked back down at her opened right hand. Though wrapped in bandages, she can feel the unnatural power flowing within it. She looked down at her broken sword and took a deep breath as she made her right hand into a fist. Arisa turned to Shade, though she was hesitant, she needed to do it.
"Can...you and the others train-no. Can you and the others teach me how to be..."human" again?" That was the best way Arisa could say it.
Arisa is still human even if she knows her origins, Sothis and Byleth. Leaving the monastery made her realize she felt like a caged bird. Even if she wants to help those she loves, she does need some time to take care of herself. The fact she had to learn this the hard way still stung, but it was needed. As for Dimitri, she'll give him a chance. When he is older of course. For now, she will maintain her professional image and the number one thing right now, she needs to focus on herself, but also...
"You will have to re-learn the basics of using dark magic as well as light. And," Shade looked down to the deck, "You will have to relearn how to use a sword. To control your strength. Because this the season where the ocean currents are difficult but...magic also affects our surroundings.." She grins, "Two weeks on the mainland is two months in the ocean."
Arisa looked at her shocked but nodded as she turned to look back to the ocean.
"I guess it's time for me to be the student." Arisa chuckled a bit as she gently touched her dragon stone, "Will Flayn also be receiving lessons?"
"Of course." Shade nodded, "See Hai there?" She pointed to the blue-haired woman, "You and Flayn will also be taking lessons from her. While you do know how to wield the power of your crest, you do not know how to wield it properly. And I speak from personal experience because there was this one Outworlder in Nohr who needed a serious lesson." Arisa could not help but snort at that comment.
"Are Outworlders like me common?" Arisa asked and Shade nodded.
"You will be surprised how many worlds are out there. You people that come from The World of Steel are common. But you are also very difficult to track down or to spot. Some willingly chose to leave their homeworlds. Others were taken by force. Some have no clue how they ended up in another world. Others are born through reincarnation like you and retain their memories or at least till a certain time. Eventually, the memories of their past life fade away." Shade muttered.
"Makes sense..." Arisa whispered as she looked at her hand, "The memories of my former life are still there but I know they are fading. I do not remember the names of my past siblings or parents. Their faces are slowly becoming nothing but a blur. But...I always will remember my brother Chris and my friend Theresa. Is that strange?" she turned to her, concerned.
"Not at all." Shade smiled, "It is because you three had the strongest of bonds. That is why the memories never faded away." She turned to look back to the ocean, "So, what now is your current goal?"
"Isn't it obvious?" Arisa muttered as her eyes became clear, "Focus on me first but most importantly..." She turned to her with a firm look.
"I'm going to save my father. It's time his cycle of constant death comes to an end."
Chapter 61: Muddy Waves: Part 2: The Faltering Prayer: End
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Hey guys, it's me. Sorry for the late update. I was hit with Covid in February and I am currently recovering. Thankfully my health has gotten better but still, the aftermath of the virus is brutal. I will still be updating and chapters will be shorter since during the time I was sick I realized I made the chapters a bit too long.
To the Guest that commented on the $500 rent, if you live in California, in the area I live in, rent can be from $500-$1000 up. And yes, I have been updating my chapters and fixing up the grammar/typo errors. It's a slow process but getting there.