"Control your own destiny or someone else will."
James Welch
{-}
"We'll be starting with something simple." Hai said as she held her dragon stone, "This is your first time transforming in centuries so it can get a bit chaotic." She smiled when Flayn gave her a confident nod, "Focus your magic into your dragon stone. Then just like faith magic, let it embrace you."
"Hmm...Like a hug?" Flayn asked and Arisa snorted but quickly got smacked by Shade's fan to focus back on the task she was doing.
"Ow!" She glared at the mage, "Was that necessary?!"
"Unless you want dark and light magic to explode in front of your face, yes. It was necessary. And give the girl a break." Shade scolded her, " Anyhow, back to the task. On your right hand, focus your negative emotions on it. Then picture the ball and let that energy shape. For your left hand, repeat but positive emotions instead." She instructed.
Arisa took a deep breath and held out her hands. She closed her eyes, concentrating on her emotions. She needed to separate them. The one thing that was always considered dangerous about magic is how deeply tied it is to emotions. There are stories when one is driven into a corner, the emotions of survival take over and they gain the strength to fight back. Or when someone falls into despair, the magic in their body unleashes a curse to the area around them.
Or when anger takes over and they go into a rampage. Magic is always the culprit for that. It's also why so many fear it.
But…
Magic always comes with a price.
"Come on, you can do this. Just remember Sothis's first lesson." She thought as she felt the black energy forming in her right hand. A sphere of black magic, a sphere of white magic. The two glowed brightly but glitched.
"Focus, focus. Hold it." Shade pointed her fan at her, "Now release!"
Arisa threw the two balls of energy to the training dummy. Seeing light and dark magic clash, the result was the training dummy reduced to dust.
"Hmm...as expected." Shade said, "However, look closely."
Arisa looked closer and saw the formation of crystals. They were a mixture of black and white.
"Those crystals are a manifestation of Sothis's power." Shade said as Arisa picked one up, "The very same one she used to put herself to sleep and heal."
Sothis manifested and Arisa turned to her, showing her the crystal.
"Anything?" She asked and the goddess nodded.
"Years ago, in Archanea, there was a cave I used to rest in. The entire place was covered in crystals of different colors. The cave was connected to a magic vein." She muttered as she floated around.
Before Arisa could answer, a bright light filled the deck and disappeared in an instant.
"Yes!"
Arisa turned towards Flayn's direction, seeing the girl jumping up and down excitedly.
"Well, she managed that at least." Hai shrugged and Arisa saw beautiful white feathered wings with small little topazes on them.
"I manifested my wings!" Flayn jumped excitedly as she made her wings flap.
"Congrats!" Arisa clapped as she walked up to the girl, "You managed to manifest your wings. Try flying with them."
"I will!" Flayn grinned and carefully began to flap them. She didn't want to go overboard so hovering was the only thing she did.
"Wha!" And she fell on her behind.
"1 minute you lasted. That's a good thing." Hai said as she helped Flayn up, "This, this is progress. You have a long way to go to properly transform into a dragon. However, being able to just manifest your wings is a good thing. There will be times in battle where transforming into a dragon is not an option but only part of you. Take this with a grain of salt." She said.
After that lesson, the girls were made to go to a different variety of lessons with those onboard the ship. It felt strange to Arisa not to be the professor but the student instead. Then again, it was necessary. Her first lesson was with the Merfolk. Dancing was something she did not expect but it was interesting, to say the least. The reason Shade was having her take dancing lessons with them was that she needed to relearn to control her magic. They had her use magic while dancing, similar to how Azura used water magic when she danced. And that was a whole new level of difficulty.
"Easy, they say," Arisa grumbled and screamed when the water she had floating in the air poured down here like a bucket of ice water.
"Again." One of the mermaids said and Arisa began singing again to make the water float.
"Follow the flow. You're very stiff. You need to relax." The mermaid said and Arisa took a deep breath, trying to relax her body.
But it was very difficult. It's been so long she doesn't remember how to relax. Maybe a drink would help her but the Merfolk don't drink and don't allow alcohol in their presence. How Hai can drink, it's her dragon genes.
After that disastrous lesson, sword training was next with the Kitsune clan. Arisa has to change her style. It was a brutal harsh lesson she received. Yes, she's a great swordsman but pointing out her bad habits as well as stating to her face that she needs to rely on her strength instead of magic, well...the last time she received a beating like that was from Ili and Ares. Changing her sword style to get rid of the bad habits was going to be difficult. Not to mention the number of wooden swords she broke because of the strength of her right arm. The kitsune taught her that mediation would help her learn to control her strength. So now, she also has meditation lessons with them. Again, the main problem she had is that she couldn't relax. Not doing something left her all skirmish and one of them pointed out it was because she never let her guard down. While that is a good thing, it also harmed her. It's like she's waiting for someone to attack her. Arisa did confess there had been times where she had accidentally sent someone flying to the ground because she thought they were an enemy. Again, she needed to learn to not be so tense.
The one thing that caught her completely off guard was her lessons with Alice and Vajahel. Her number one weakness and she was scared.
Lances.
Arisa could hold a lance properly and do some decent thrust but to use the weapon? She was horrible at it. Tripping multiple times, accidentally one time went too hard and hit father between the legs (she was 13 years old), put to too much strength in thrusting, and has hurt herself multiple times. She looked at Alice, who smiled. Alice is a girl with a princess-like aura, long curly blonde hair, she wears a tiara, an orange-colored knee-length dress with puffy long sleeves. She has green-colored eyes and a terrifying glint in them as she holds her lance. The girl smiled at her.
"You know how to hold a lance but you are horrible in combat with it." It didn't help that the girl had a British accent and made Arisa feel like a kid getting yelled at, "We'll start with the basics. You WILL learn to use a lance properly. Maybe not as good as other heroes but decent." Alice muttered.
"But there is another reason why you need to go through these lessons." Alice looked at her seriously, "We're teaching you to act "human" again."
"Act human again?" Arisa looked at her confused.
"That's right. You've relied on the Progenitor God's power for so long to save people that you've forgotten how to act like a normal person. You have so many secrets that it is easy to tell that it is tearing you apart. Think about it." Alice said and Arisa thought for a moment.
A memory of her time Faerghus returned, when she broke down and told her uncle everything and who she is. She remembered how she cried on his shoulder, pouring her heart out. He listened. He was silent, letting her speak. But..she then remembered her father. Telling Jeralt who is, she wants to. She needs to, but it's always been difficult. Jeralt is her father and saw her grow up. He knows something is eating her up from the inside but she refuses to say. What would he do if he learns that his real daughter had passed away and another soul inhabited her body? What would he do if he learned of all the things she hid from him? That's what she is afraid of.
Rejection.
Arisa sighed and got into her stance. Alice looked at her shocked for a moment but nodded.
"Very well, I will be harsh. I will not show mercy. I'll beat the divinity out of you!" Alice grinned and Sothis screamed in terror.
"Just hide in the back of my mind," Arisa reassured the poor goddess who took her advice, seriously.
"Easy for you to say!" Sothis yelled and hid.
Alice lunged at her and thrust her lance at her like multiple needles coming at Arisa. The technique reminded her of Ferdinand's lance technique that was passed down in his family. The point of it was to thrust the lance at a rapid speed, to strike the shoulders, chest, and gut multiple times, to keep your opponent from recovering but most of all, keeping them in a defensive position. Arisa used the polearm to try to deflect the tip but it was becoming increasingly harder.
"Gha!" In an instant, she was sent falling to the ground, the tip of Alice's lance pointing at her neck.
"And you just died." Alice frowned, "We have a lot of work to do."
"Yeah...ow..." Arisa stood up, holding her shoulder, "We do. Ouch!"
[—-]
"Gha! Today was exhausting!"
Arisa flopped on her bed like a fish and wanted to pass out right then in there. Flayn had fun with all her lessons but she did express she felt sorry for her because she saw the beat down Alice gave her.
"I should have taken Alexandra's lessons seriously," Arisa grumbled.
Two months on the sea and taking these lessons every day was going to try her out but she knows it's for her own damn good. Sothis appeared in a shower of green dust and sat next to her.
"How are you feeling?" Sothis asked and Arisa groaned.
"Like a pile of bricks with a combination of boulders. I feel like shit." Arisa groaned and moved her head towards her, "Say...I know this may be difficult but...can you tell me about your children?"
"My children?" Sothis blinked, "My, this is out of nowhere. What brought this?"
"Some of your memories...I've seen them. I heard names I've never heard before. You know my family but I want to learn a bit more of yours." Arisa muttered and Sothis smiled sadly.
"Alright then. Hmm...let's start with my eldest children. The first child I created...her name was Parvati. She was a kind girl who loved helping people. She liked cooking. She was the Aegis Dragon, the original bearer of the Crest of Lamine." Sothis sighed, " My second eldest, his name was Farnir. He was the Lighting Dragon, the Crest of Charon. He had such an attitude that reminded me a bit too much of my old self but eventually grew out of the phase when he met his wife." She smiled.
"He got whipped." Arisa snickered and Sothis snorted.
"That's the best way to put it." Sothis snickered a bit, "They were the first generation Nabateans. The second generation were three children I created after 3 years. Their names were Orion, Tiamat, and Cyrus. Orion, was the Star Dragon, the Crest of Riegan. He loved flying high in the sky, making potions and he was sneaky. So sneaky that it was hard to locate him sometimes. He loved playing hide and seek, especially with those of the Ice tribe." She took a deep breath, "The next one is Tiamat. She was the Storm Dragon, the Crest of Maurice. She loved bringing rain and thunder to drylands. She loved sleeping in the forest, and would often be seen surrounded by animals. She could speak with nature. But...when angered, she was the definition of a storm." She chuckled.
"The third one. Cyrus. He was the Kalpa Dragon, the Crest of Goneril. To be honest, when I saw Hilda's personality, I thought I was looking at my son for a moment. Cyrus loved making clothing and planning events. He was a lazy head and took Serios and Cichol to get him off his lazy butt." Sothis pouted and Arisa began snickering.
" You know the regalia I wear, he designed that. Oh, and he made Flayn's hairpins." Sothis smiled, "Hmm...Should I tell you about Rhea, Seteth, Indech, Melody, Noa, Leraje, and Macuil?"
"Wait, I want to hear about my father when he was young!"
"Whoo!" Arisa yelled when she was thrown in the air when Flayn jumped on her bed with an excited look, "Wait, Flayn, you can see Sothis?"
"Ever since I started training to transform, I've been able to hear you talking to someone. The voice is faint but it is familiar. As someone, I have known for a long time." Flayn said and Sothis chuckled.
"I can't keep you waiting for long." Sothis smiled softly and gently patted Flayn's head, "My sweet granddaughter, you've grown so much."
Flayn smiled sadly and nodded.
"I missed you to grandmother." She muttered.
"Now, you father, Cichol." Sothis began snickering, "He was just like you when he was your age."
"That's a lie." Both Arisa and Flayn said and Sothis shook her head.
"Now, let me finish you two." She chastises them, "Cichol was a very curious boy. He would often get in trouble for wandering off! You are surprised he went through a rebellion phase." Arisa couldn't believe it.
Seteth, the most uptight, respectful, organized man, WENT THROUGH A REBELLION PHASE.
"Oh, Sandy is this definitely going to want to hear this when we get back." She quickly sat up and crossed her legs.
"Cichol would often sneak out of Zanado to meet with a young woman named Hana, your mother, Flayn." Flayn began squealing.
"This was after the war." Sothis said, "Cichol met her and it was love at first sight. Serious didn't approve at first because your mother used to be a pirate captain." A pin could be heard dropping, "But her taking your father out to a one-year journey, they fell in love, eventually married in the Empire, and then had you." She chuckled.
"Well, that explains why Flayn is so good at steering a ship! She got it from her mother!" Arisa chuckled and Flayn snickered.
"Oh, father is not going to be happy we've learned this, but who says he needs to know?" Flayn grinned.
"I'm telling Sandana." Arisa said and both girls began snickering.
"Arisa, I want my father to be happy. After so many years, I have finally seen him happy. I want to help him and Sandy to be together. I know their relationship is complicated but I do believe they can speak to one another and make amends." Flayn said and the girls held hands, "Will you help me?"
"I will. I want my aunt to be happy too." Arisa smiled softly.
"By the way, what exactly are we going to do about Hai?" Sothis said and they looked at her confused, "Serios."
"Oh.." The girls let go and Arisa rubbed the back of her neck, "I don't know. Rhea believes there are no more living Nabateans but that isn't true. There is one, well two now." Arisa sighed.
"What do you mean?" Flayn looked at her worried.
"This is complicated..." Arisa fiddled with her fingers, "Flayn...you have a living breathing cousin. He is Macuil's and Melody's son. His name is Kaimu and my family has been raising him since it he was a baby." So she began to explain what happened 4 years ago.
The faking of the Ordelia Massacre to her finding Melody's body. Flayn's face shifted from happy to horror once she learned that her aunt was dead and that Noa made the decision that her son should be raised in an environment that was different. Kaimu couldn't go back to Macuil because there was a huge risk of Those Who Slither in the Dark finding them. And it would have been worse if Rhea found out about the child and the woman would have him immediately taken away and raised in the church.
"We didn't have many options back then so in the end, Noa decided that Florencio should raise the boy in Remire Village. We all raised him together. He calls my dad Grandpa." She began snickering at the memory when Kaimu first called her father Grandpa.
The face Jeralt made was priceless.
"It's alright, I understand." Flayn nodded, "But, when can I meet him?! What is he like? Oh, and what's his name!" She asked.
"His name is Kaimu. He loves reading and has a knack for magic." Arisa smiled.
"Oh, you should have seen when he cast his first wind spell. He cut off her hair by accident ." Sothis snickered and Arisa's face became blank.
"Do not remind me." And Sothis burst out laughing.
The next two months were brutal and happy.
[—]
Time felt like it went by too fast. From brutal beat downs to scoldings, Arisa got whipped to almost a strict woman like Amir. But her greatest achievement, finally able to control the strength of her right arm. Yes, she still has some slip-ups (snapping lances in half) so now she understands very well how Dimitri feels. Still, she worried. She wore the original clothing she wore when she first arrived at the monastery but this time she modified her dress to look more like a soldier's uniform. Instead of the skirt, she wore long pants and her cloak. Underneath the cloak, she wore a long sleeve shirt with a ruffle collar. Under that shirt, on her right arm, she wore an arm cuff with a purple gem. Her arm and shoulder were wrapped in bandages along with seals. She looked out to the sea, seeing land coming closer. It's been so long since she had seen Fodlan. She was looking forward to seeing her family again and her students. Especially her companions, Blanca, Hersvelg, Red Hare, and Fae. But she was also worried about how much things have changed.
"It's The Wyvern Moon...The Battle of Eagle and Lion. I do wonder if the professors went through with my lesson plan." She muttered and then received a light tap on her head.
"Already thinking of ways to rack those kids little brains?" Shade chuckled as she walked and stood next to her, "I came to tell you that the sword has been repaired."
Arisa gasped and Shade led her to the captain's quarters where Poe was doing the finishing touches on the sword. Arisa saw a glowing sphere of green flames, Poe's eyes glowing as she chanted an incantation. The broken pieces of the sword, the metals, and staff melting together and repairing.
"Esperio dispro!" Poe yelled and the fire disappeared, leaving only a sword, but there was one difference.
"It's like veins," Arisa said as Poe placed the sword in her hand.
It looked like her original rapier version of the sword of the creator. But the difference was the green sand blue gem-like crystal veins that ran along the blade of the sword and stopped at the area where the crest stone should be.
"Well, that's because of the staff." Poe placed her hands on her hips, "The staff Hai gave you to use to repair the sword was originally a weapon created by the goddess to bring life to the land and sea. And now that that power has returned to "the body" it caused a change in the appearance. " she explained.
"Thank you, all of you. And I'm sorry for the way I treated you when I first met you Poe." Arisa gave her a polite bow.
"No worries! Besides, I did it on purpose!" Poe giggled, "But we should be arriving at Fhiriad's docks in three hours! Go have some fun in the meantime with the others on the ship."
[—-]
Walking around the ship, she greeted many of those that taught her and also became friends with them. The time she spent on the boat, she felt at ease. She learned so many things she wouldn't learn in Fodlan. She learned to control her strength as well as the new power she gained. She saw a flash of light as she walked up the stairs to return to the deck.
"Aw!" Flayn's whined was heard as she got up and saw the girl had summoned her wings and was flying around, "This is so frustrating! I still can't transform into a dragon even after two months!" Flayn pouted as she landed in front of her with her arms crossed.
She was pouting.
"It takes time dear." Hai walked up to them, "Believe me, it took months to even be able to transform. Don't worry little cousin, patience." She smiled.
"Easy for you to say," Flayn muttered and gasped when Arisa made two of her wings appear and gently had them folded over her.
" Just be patient. For me, I didn't have a choice. You do." She whispered.
[—]
"I'm going to miss you all." Arisa said as everyone gathered on the deck, "I want to thank you all for helping us. For putting up with our whining and sometimes even complaining." Many couldn't help but chuckle, "You all taught us valuable lessons and helped us in our darkest hour. Truly, thank you. I don't know how to repay you all." She smiled and many clapped.
Shade walked up and handed her a book. Arisa looked confused until she opened it and she saw there were more books in them.
"These are!" And shade just smiled.
"Books from Archanea, Nohr, Hoshido, Valm, Ylisse, and the list goes on. They will help you, more than you realize. Maybe one day I will be able to step into Fodlan again, but until that day comes, I look forward to seeing you grow." Shade smiled, "Break the dream of Eternity."
Arisa hugged her tightly and thanked her. Flayn smiled and hugged her also. During the two months, Flayn learned a variety of forms of Faith and Reason magic, expanding her horizons. Even Hai learned a few things. The woman had taken on her normal human appearance after she learned from the girls what Fodlan is like as well as the enemy that lurks in the shadows.
"And we are docking!" Poe yelled out and they gave everyone one last hug.
Arisa turned as she saw the wooden plank lower on Fhirdiad's dock. Flayn and Hai behind her nodding, taking deep breaths.
"We're home." She muttered and took the first step.
But not even halfway she arrived and already there were a bunch of murmurs in the crowd. Arisa quickly stopped Hai and Flayn, from stepping forward. Shade and Poe quickly ran to the rail along with the others to make sure they were alright but the minute their eyes landed on one of the causes, they were worried.
"Welcome back Lady Kiana."
A bed of sweat rolled down Arisa's cheek as her eyes focused on the woman 15 feet away from her. It has been four years since she saw Cornelia. The peach-haired magic smiled as there were knights and mages behind her, all with the symbol of House Keilmen. The woman gave her a polite bow.
"It has been four years! You've grown into a beautiful woman!" She said and many in the crowd began whispering.
"Lady Kiana! She's returned!"
"She's grown beautiful!"
"Is that why Cornelia is here?"
"No.." Arisa thought and instantly Sothis manifested and cast a barrier to protect them.
"When I heard that you would be returning to Fhridiad, I knew I had to come and greet you. House Kielmen welcomes you back and have come to invite you to rest after your long journey." Cornelia moved aside for two Black Knights to step forward, "Allow us to escort you to House Keilmen." Cornelia smiled.
"She did this on purpose!" Arisa gulped, "She did this publicly so we have no choice but to accept! But I can't! Flayn and Hai are here! They'll be in danger if I even go with her." She could feel Shade and Poe were getting ready to jump off the boat and bring them back in.
"KIANAAAAA!"
The sound of horses running quickly to the docks was heard as well as a familiar voice yelling out her name. The knights quickly moved out of the way and Cornelia's eyes went wide once she saw a parade of six horses. There was another group behind them and Flayn quickly covered her mouth once she saw who they were. The horses stopped a few feet from Cornelia's group and the riders jumped off, quickly running towards them.
"Pardon us for being late Lady Kiana!" Those blue eyes, that blonde hair, and warm smile, "We ran into a bandit attack on the way here. We welcome you back!" Dimitri smiled warmly.
"Flayn!" Seteth was behind him and Flayn quickly ran and jumped into his arms.
"Brother!" She wept and he hugged her tightly.
"Professor welcome back!" Ashe, Dedue, Mercedes, Lysithea, Ignatz, and Claude had come with them.
"Yo Kiana! Been a while!" The other group was Zander, Beleth, Shamir, Sandana, and Glenn, "Sorry we took a while! Since you are back, the royal family officially welcomes you to stay at the palace and rest!" Zander grinned.
Shade and Poe let go of sighs of relief but it wasn't over. They could sense Cornelia was furious.
"Prince Zander and Prince Dimitri!" Cornelia yelled out, "It is rude to steal someone's guest! Even if you are of the royal family!"
Dimitri and Zander glared at her and Dimitri spoke.
"Cornelia, Lady Kiana sent the royal family a message a month ago that she would be arriving. This was already planned. You arriving without trying to steal a guest of the royal family is not a good look for you. Also, how did you know she was coming? This information was not made public." Dimitri lied smoothly as Cornelia gritted her teeth.
" I heard rumors around the castle and decided to confirm it. Am I not allowed to welcome a fellow Holy Magus?" She argued.
"With all due respect Cornelia, while I understand you wish to greet an old friend (Arisa: Hell no.), you should have come to the castle to inform us and we could have greeted her together," Dimitri said and at this point, Cornelia was done.
"And why should I listen to little pompous princes like you?" Cornelia smirked at Dimitri as the prince gritted his teeth, "First off, you haven't done anything to help you people while you little sister and even that good-for-nothing older brother of yours has done more. You think I would listen to a weak prince who can't even properly speak of what he witnessed years ago?" She said.
"I can take on any words you have towards me but insult my family!" The prince snarled as he raised his hand a bit.
"Dimitri!"
The prince stopped and looked towards the ship wood plank. Arisa walked down with a calm face. She was pissed. But she has a surprise for the witch.
"It is ungentlemanlike to raise a hand against a woman." She said as his hand down, gritting his teeth.
However, Arisa walked past him and the sound of a fist meeting a cheek and teeth cracking could be heard. She used her right arm.
"Ooohhh!"
Everyone in the crowd, Poe and her crew, Flayn, and especially Dimitri gawked at what just happened. Cornelia was shaking like a mouse, unable to process what the heck just happened as her cheek turned purple and Arisa smiled. Her right hand was in a fist and had a bit of blood from one of Cornelia's teeth falling out.
"However, I am a woman so I can do it." She grinned gleefully.
She's been waiting 17 years to finally give Cornelia the punch she deserved. Zander was going to tell Emily about what they just witnessed.
"Cornelia, you are hereby under arrest for the murder of your husband, Lord Alexander von Aubin, and the incident of 5 years ago regarding the monster attack on Fhirdiad." Zander quickly said as his guards quickly got the woman up and put her in cuffs.
"What?!" The woman snarled and Glenn quickly stepped up with a scroll in his hand as he began to read out loud.
"For the past four years, the number of the citizens of Faerghus disappearing has increased. Investigators have tracked down human trafficking and we were able to make those we captured speak.
"That's impossible! The spells should have killed them immediately!" Cornelia thought.
"With help of the Church of Serios, we were able to find a way to undo the killing spell the slave traders had cast on them. With this, they spoke and said that you ordered them to kidnap our people!" Glenn glared at her furiously.
"What the hell is going on?" Arisa whispered, completely dumbstruck that this fight about her suddenly went to Cornelia's arrest.
"Your brother and I," Dimitri smiled softly to her, " we've been investigating Cornelia."
"Next, the king has declared to re-open the case of Lord Alexander! Traces of dark magic were found in his body and 15 years ago, the bodies of the victims of the fire, have been studied and have found they have been experimented on! Traces of your techniques and poisons have been found!" Glenn closed the scroll, "Anything else you want to add, Cornelia?" He hissed.
"These are all lies!" Cornelia roared, "You dare think I would murder my husband?! And my daughter?!"
"Why are you bringing your daughter into this?" Zander raised an eyebrow at her.
"Because it's obvious you think I killed her!" She roared and turned to Seteth, "This is all a lie! I made an oath as a Holy Magus!"
Seteth's gaze hardened as he walked up to the woman and stared down at her.
" I don't believe it is." He said and the woman looked at him shocked, "19 years ago, traces of dark magic were found in my friend's body. The same magic...that killed Lady Cira." Gasps filled the entire place.
Even Zander and Dimitri were shocked to hear that. This was new news to them.
"Who is Lady Cira?" Arisa whispered to the prince and he looked at her sadly.
"Emily's mother."
Arisa looked at him horrified and turned back to Cornelia, who was being judged.
"Oh, so this is personal now?!" Cornelia yelled and Seteth took a deep breath, his gaze cold.
"Cornelia Arnim!" He declared loudly, "Over the years, you have lost the trust of the Kingdom of Faerghus but most of all, the people of Fodlan. You have been accused of countless crimes thus the Church of Serios has decided to revoke your status of Holy Magus! You have broken the oath and have hurt the people of Fodlan! You are hereby no longer a Holy Magus!" He yelled loudly.
From the shadows, violet eyes watched with amusement as the color drained from the woman's face. A single spider crawled up their arms and squeaked.
"I know. I will let her stay in the dungeons for a while before I get her out. I have to report this to Thales first." They muttered and melted into the shadows.
"Take her away," Zander yelled out and his guards took the woman away.
Cornelia was yelling up a storm of curses as they took her away. The crowd began cheering loudly and she couldn't believe it. From the ship, they also were cheering loudly and Poe was passing around popcorn. Arisa nodded, she was glad Alexandra and her family were finally getting the justice they deserved.
Before she could say anything, she was suddenly hugged tightly by multiple people as well as Flayn.
"I'm so glad you're back!" Mercedes wept and hugged her tightly.
"Welcome back Professor!" Ashe grinned as Lysithea.
"You crazy woman! How dare you go face the death knight by yourself?!" Lysithea looked at her angrily even though there were tears in her eyes.
"Dammit, teach, maybe give us a heads up next time!" Claude laughed.
"We're glad you are safe Professor." Dedue smiled softly and she nodded.
She looked over to the one that hadn't joined yet. Dimitri shifted nervously but Arisa pulled him into the hug.
"Just give in." She smirked and the prince resigned to his fate, joining the group hug.
It was a wonderful moment and they let go, that was until...
"Aye, where's the kiss?!"
"God fucken dammit." Arisa cursed as she covered her eyes.
There was a loud smack and Arisa knew that Shade had smacked Poe to cut it out.
"Professor, who are those people?" Ignatz asked and his jaw dropped when he saw merfolk, kitsune, Laguz, and such on the ship.
"That, my dear Ignatz, is the one who brought me and Flayn back to Fodlan." She sighed and Poe was snickering.
"We'll see you soon! Take care of her, kids! She's reckless!" Poe yelled out.
"I can vouch!" Shade yelled back.
"SHADE YOU'VE BETRAYED ME!" Arisa yelled out and laughter filled the place, "But take care, everyone! I hope to see you all again one day!" Flayn waved.
"We will! At your girl's wedding!" Shade yelled.
Instantly Hai, Flayn, and Arisa turned red and suddenly Seteth looked ready to hunt down a man to kill.
"Haha!" Dimitri couldn't help but laugh as the boat left but suddenly jumped back like a cat when Hai was in his face.
"How strange..." Hai observed him up and down, "You have the scent of dragon essence on you."
"Um...Who are you?" Dimitri calmed down and fixed his cape, "Actually, that can wait."
"You guys have been a long journey. Come on, let's go to the place." Zander said and everyone nodded.
"Flayn who is this?" Seteth whispered as he helped his daughter mount his horse, "Her scent, it is like ours."
"Brother you see..." Flayn bit her lip, "While in Albinea...we found out that...My uncle Aubin and Aunt Zuna...had another child."
Seteth looked at her shocked and then looked back to Hai, who was riding with Arisa.
"She is family."
[—-]
"Welcome! Lady Kiana, it is a pleasure for you to return! Oh! Zander and Dimitri! You boys have grown!" A woman dressed in a blue gown smiled softly as she greeted them inside the palace and she hugged the boys.
"We're back Aunt Hira." Both boys gave her weak smiles, " Umm...where is Uncle?" Zander said.
Lady Hira's eye twitched and an aura of anger was on her.
"He's busy." She said with a sweet smile there was nothing but pure malice in it.
"Dammit, uncle." Both boys cursed and they knew he must be with their other aunt.
King Rufus has four concubines and Lady Hira, is number three.
"Anyhow, your rooms have all been set up and baths ready also! Lady Kiana, you must have had a long journey! Also, finally, that witch of Cornelia is gone!" The woman yelled out as she began to walk and followed.
"Aunt, have things been alright while we've been gone?" Dimitri asked as they made a turn to the right in the hallways.
"If you mean me and your Aunt Regina keeping your uncle in check, yes. But other than that, we've been preparing for your coronation next year. Reminding me, you and Lestia still need to pick the food from the menus the chefs have. Samples are also ready." She said and Arisa patted the prince on the back.
Hai looked around the place and frowned. It reminded her of her old home. But she froze when she felt the familiar aura of a dragon. She stopped in the left turn of a hallway and towards that direction.
"Are you alright?"
She jumped when she saw Dimitri had stopped to make sure she was okay.
"Y-Yes, just...I thought I sensed something." She said and Dimitri nodded.
"Do you have a crest?" He asked and she nodded, "You must have senses Areadbar, the royal family's relic."
"I see. I am still learning about crests. In Albinea, we called them Blood Runes." She muttered and Dimitri blinked.
"Blood runes...I believe I heard that term before." He thought and then Hai looked at him again and they smiled.
"Well, well. Who would have thought you have eyes on Arisa? So you're the infamous Dimitri who has two left feet?" She grinned.
"I beg your pardon?" Dimitri choked as they began walking down the hallways.
"Arisa told a lot about you and her students. I think the most adorable story I heard was a dance at a ball!" She giggled and Dimitri felt his soul leave his body.
[—-]
The servants brought food to the table and Lady Hira left them, on their own. The food from the palace was just as delicious as she remembered. The table was made bigger since there were a lot more people. Ashe and Ignatz were a bit nervous since they aren't used to being at such a fancy place. Arisa began to tell what happened, and how they ended up in Albinea. The faces of a mixture of horror, shock, and surprise-filled everyone. They also introduced Hai, who they found out is a relative of Seteth and Flayn. Of course, the real explanation would be told in closed doors. Flayn also spoke and then, it happened.
"Everyone, I want you to meet Shirou!" She took out the husky puppy and Seteth looked like his soul left his body.
Sandy and Beleth were desperately trying not to burst out laughing that they had to hold each other for support.
"That's not all!" Flayn grinned and took out the wyvern egg, "I will be a wyvern mother soon!"
"Bwhahahahah!" The two knights lost it while Seteth was done.
Shamir cracked a smirk.
"Whoa, I have never seen a dog like this before!" Claude said and Flayn let him hold him, "Well look at this fluff ball!"
"Can I hold him?" Ignatz and Flayn nodded.
"Flayn, the wyvern egg should be hatching in a few days," Arisa said and sparkles were suddenly in the girl's eyes.
"An Albinea wyvern...I wonder what it looks like?" Claude thought as he held his chin, " Hey Flayn, once the little one is old enough, want to race against me, Petra, Alexandra, and Ashe to see who's wyvern is faster?"
"Of course! You're on!" Flayn nodded enthusiastically.
"Absolutely not!" Seteth snapped out of it, "You are far too young to be riding a wyvern."
"You sure Seteth?" Arisa raised an eyebrow, "You should have seen when she was commanding the Snow Wolves in Albinea."
"What?!" Again, the life drained from his face.
"Oh, but the way." Mercedes turned to her, "I noticed you seemed...different."
"Different?" Arisa blinked, "You mean my hair? It changed color, like opals."
"No, no. Hmm...I can't put my finger on it." Mercedes mumbled and Arisa's smile remained the same.
"Don't worry about it. But the way," she looked at her students, "I brought presents but you won't get them, till the Day of Blessings."
"You're no fun, Teach." Claude laughed, " But in all seriousness, you do seem different. I was going to say your hair but your hair is always changing." He shrugged.
"Albinea wasn't all fun and games." She muttered as she took a sip of her wine and swirled the liquid, "I learned that the hard way."
Dimitri suddenly looked at her worried as did a few others. Flayn bit her lip and put up a smile. She needed to change the subject.
"Oh, guess what else we learned in Albinea?! Arisa doesn't know how to skate the traditional way!" And she just threw her under the bus.
"Flayn!"
[—-]
"I never thought I would be back to my old room," Arisa muttered as she walked out of the shower and looked around at her old room. The light blue bed sheets remained clean and pristine, the currents still the same, and flowers on the blanch have been taken care of over the past four years. She changed into her long sleeve nightgown and straight to her drawers. She knelt and saw the hidden drawer at the bottom of the other drawer was untouched. She carefully opened it and pulled out a journal. She sat down and looked at her old writings. It was a diary. One she wrote of the days here in Faerghus but also her plans. She rested her elbow on the desk and her cheek on the palm of her hand, a small smile graced her lips.
September 19th, 1175:
Today is the day I can finally advance on my lessons with Dimitri and Edelgard! They two have been struggling with dancing lately and I also noticed they aren't very flexible. Dimitri was struggling trying to do the splits while Edelgard was struggling to touch her toes. I think having them learn ballet will help. Yes, I know they will most likely complain about the clothing. Annette said it was cute. Ah! I had to get a picture of her with the tutu!
"She surpassed them all in ballet." Arisa chuckled as she went to the next page.
She burst out laughing seeing it was the one from December. A week before the ball.
December 16th, 1175:
He has two left feet! I knew Dimitri hated dancing but I didn't think it would be this bad! Edelgard has improved greatly but the fact I had bribed the boy with cheesecake just to make him come to my lessons...argh! Dimitri, I love you but come on! Help me out!
She snickered at the picture where she was holding him and the boy was tripping on his feet.
"Sigh...Brings back memories." She closed her eyes.
Today was just one surprise after another. Cornelia arrested, Alexandra finally getting the justice she deserved.
"The future...I hope it continues this positive direction."
- Dungeons -
Cornelia paced back and forth in the dungeon. The magic cuffs were preventing her from using any magic. Her cheek had turned purple and she was missing a front tooth.
"That bitch..." Cornelia hissed, "After all these years she comes back and greets me like this?! How...just how did those princes and churches find out about the slave traders and experiments? How?! Alexander...this is your fault...you still haunt me even though I made sure you were dead...Cira...Argh!" She roared furiously and slumped on the floor.
"I'll make them pay...all of them." She hissed as her hands balled into a fist, her nails digging into her palms.
She sighed and then noticed a red spider crawling on the floor and out the cell. She narrowed her eyes and outside the spell, suddenly hundreds of spiders began to gather together and build a human shape. Cornelia froze as her eyes went wide once only the half body was formed and the rest of the lower body remained spiders. The body belonged to one of the violet eyes, an individual who was greatly feared.
"Why are you here?" Cornelia growled, " Are you here to make fun of me ?"
The individual only chuckled as they lightly tapped their lips.
"Making fun of you would mean nothing anyhow darling. Oh Cleobulus, how you've fallen." They chuckled and with a flick of their hand, Cornelia's disguise became undone, revealing a woman with slick short peach-colored hair, glowing green eyes, a mark under her left eye, and pale blue skin.
"Again, why are you here? If you have nothing better to do, undo these damn things!" She held up her hands to show the cuffs.
"Hmm...No." the individual hummed and enjoyed the rage on Cleobulus's face, "I have a reason, darling. You have a trial in a month and we can't have you escaping when the two princes are in the country. You escape, and all of Fodlan will be on alert. Not even The Empire will save you." They chuckled.
"Then what?! Everything is ruined because of the prince! Not to mention my face was ruined by that girl!" Cleobulus snarled.
"Ufufufufu~" the individual laughed and their spiders moved a bit into the moonlight, revealing a woman, "And that girl is the one we need to get our hands-on. "
"I have been trying to get her for years." Cleobulus snarled.
"Ah, but there is one thing you didn't notice. Not that you can anyway. " the woman smiled.
" and what is that?"
"Corruption."
"What?" Cornelia looked at her surprised.
"That's right. That girl isn't exactly what she seems to like. This is corruption in her blood. Corruption caused by a relic. It's a miracle she isn't a demonic beast." The woman sighed as she rested her cheek on her palm, "I'm an expert in corruption so I was able to tell. And another thing," the woman frowned, "it seems we were wrong. There are two more living Nabateans." Cornelia sucked in her breath, "A child born from Macuil and Melody and...one just arrived here. Can you take a guess?" They said.
"The unknown girl of blue hair." Cornelia narrowed her eyes.
"Bingo." The woman picked one of her spiders and studied it, " Just because the current plan for this country had failed, doesn't mean we won't follow the original plan." They smiled.
" What are you saying?" Cornelia muttered.
The woman leaned back and put the spider and her mouth, then bit down, eating it. She ate slowly and let go of a blissful sighed as she rested her chin now on both hands. Her eyes began glowing an eerie yellow as two more eyes opened on her face. Her smile was wicked.
" I'm saying that the throne won't belong to them anymore once the plan takes action. All you have to do when the plan starts is put the royal family on a stake and burn them to the flames."
{-}
The countdown to Remire Village Begins.