"So how are things so far?"
Arisa's eyes drooped as she smiled as she rode through the air with Red Hare, Blanca running on the ground besides Dimitri and Hessian. Feh flew next to Bernadetta and Lysithea. Lysithea rode on her black pegasus while Bernadetta rode on her beautiful pink and white cherry blossom-colored kinshi. On the ground, Dimitri, Felix, and Linhardt rode on their stallions. Arisa sighed as her eyes looked to her side to see the glowing blue gem on her earring.
"Well, other than stopping Florencio from nearly killing Bernadetta's father, I found some things..." she muttered.
She flew ahead a bit so that she could talk to Chris, Amir and Alexandra. Chris whistled while Arisa already knew Alexandra was frowning and Amir most likely was planning something.
"You shouldn't have stopped him." Alexandra said, "That man deserves judgment. And I mean, execution in the most painful way ever." She hissed and Cirina giggled evilly.
"As much as I agree with you my friend, he can't. The relationship with the Church of Serios is already strained. For now, unfortunately, we need to maintain peace." Amir said.
"How are things on your guys' side?" Arisa asked as she looked down to the ground to make sure the others were well.
"Well, we just arrived at Enbarr." Chris smiled as he was looking around the city, "We got the mission of retrieving two relics. Sandy is with us since Balthus was an idiot for trying to sneak into the Black Market." He sighed.
"I heard that!"
The group chuckled as Chris smirked.
"We'll be retrieving the Fetters of Dromi from Duke Gerth and as you know...you know who is showing up. Same with Vajra-Mushti. Sigh, I'm having the class split up since the Black Eagles are with us. Working with Hanneman should work out. Oh, and Caspar joined my class." He said and the girls nodded.
"Congratulations." They said.
"I'm working with Jeralt and the rest of the company along with the knights." Amir sighed, "We got a report from Faerghus. Cornelia has escaped."
"WHAT DO YOU MEAN THAT BITCH ESCAPED?!" Arisa and the other two screamed so loud that everyone heard them.
"Yes." Amir bit her lip, "Zander sent a message to the church to inform them that, if anything happened once we were gone. It feels like Cornelia planned to escape during the time everyone was excited for the battle of the Eagle and Lion. I can't reveal any more details since Zander requested it. But do keep a lookout for her." She finished.
"Cornelia escaping...the rise of villagers going rampage. No...that bitch wouldn't make a move so soon." Arisa said, "It's possible either Solon or Odesse since Pittcatus was reduced to a core." She and Chris cackled proudly.
"Alex, things on your side?" Chris said and the woman bit her lip.
"We're in Goneril territory." Alexandra said, " It's honestly a surprise by how close it is to Ordelia territory. About 5 hours apart. Our mission is to help House Goneril with a new shipment from Almyra." She said.
"Wait, seriously?" The other three said and Alexandra nodded.
"Yes. I'm working with Hilda and Holst as a translator. I don't know if I should be telling you this but Claude made a face when he spoke with a woman named Inami and a man named Mahatma." She scratched her cheek, "I did meet them before but it was brief. Maybe they work for him since...you know...he is..." she sighed.
"We know." Arisa sighed, "Just keep an eye on him for now. Also, I'll pay you 50 gold if you get me a crate of Almyran Lotus gin." Her eyes glinted.
"Got it." And they all said goodbye and hung up.
"Unbelievable..." Arisa closed her eyes as she placed her hand on her forehead, "Cornelia of all people...Dimitri and Lestia are not going to be happy about this." She whispered and had Red Hare dive down to hover next to the prince.
"Professor, is something wrong?" She noticed he seemed nervous but for some reason was avoiding eye contact.
Hai was going to have a field day telling Sylvain and Claude what happened.
"I just got a message from Amir. It's not good." The prince looked at her concerned, "Cornelia has escaped."
"WHAT DO YOU MEAN THAT BITCH ESCAPED?!" Well, that was first hearing Dimitri curse so loudly along with Felix, her poor ears were ringing.
"My ears..." she whimpered and Dimitri gasped and quickly apologized.
"I am so sorry Professor. I didn't...mean for you to hear me..." he looked away, ashamed.
"It's alright. Christian and Alexandra had the same reaction. So did I." She said and looked over to Felix, "Glenn is most likely to be sent out with the Assassins in search of traces. Emily for sure is being summoned, most likely to investigate and find evidence of traces of magic." She said and Felix nodded.
"It will happen." Felix said, "Glenn is the best-known tracker in Faerghus and Emily is the most talented mage our country could ever ask for. I have confidence those two will get that witch." He growled.
"You sound like you have a grudge against her." Lysithea flew down along with Bernadetta.
"Well, considering you Cornelia is, I have a pretty good idea why." Linhardt spoke, "Cornelia has a much more obsessive behavior when it comes to Crest. More specifically, the Crest of Aubin and Crest of Fraldarius." Felix went silent, "Did you know that Major Crests are extremely rare? If you are born with one, your powers are greater. And it is theorized that a Minor Crest can evolve into a Major Crest. Theory by Tactician Robin von Reigan from her book, Crest of the Age of the Gods. Highly recommend that book." Linhardt smiled as they passed through a narrow road.
Arisa looked around, seeing overgrown plants and rocks but what threw her off was the lake. The water specifically.
"Why is the water of the lake black?" She had the group briefly stop and Bernadetta gasped.
"Did the oil vein leak?" She had Mila, her kinshi, land and quickly jumped off along with the others.
She knelt and looked at the water. The water was murky, black, almost to the point you could not see the lake bed. It didn't look like oil and had a strange smell of rotten meat. What's more, to her, something inside her screamed that it was suffering, like if it was in pain. She reached out her hand to touch it but...
"DON'T TOUCH THE WATER!"
They quickly whirled around to see a young boy dressed in a white shirt, black pants, but what was most noticeable was the fluff brown tail on his back and ears. Blanca and Hessian immediately were making small happy barks as they ran to him, and jumped. The boy was giggling as they licked his face.
"Whistle!" Both Arisa and Dimitri whistled and looked at each other shocked.
She did not expect that from him. He always calls Hessian by his name. Meanwhile, she trained Blanca to respond to a variety of commands. The wolves quickly ran back to their sides as the boy walked up.
"Thanks. What are a bunch of humans doing int—-" the boy froze once his eyes landed on Bernadetta, "You!" He pointed to her angrily.
"Eh? Me?" Bernadetta pointed to herself as she looked at the boy confused.
"You're the daughter that bloody count!" The boy growled, "The hell is wrong with you?! Why haven't you used your ability of the Lady of the Lake to purify and cleanse the lakes?! Huh?!" He yelled.
"Lady of th—I don't know what you are talking about?!" Bernadetta screeched and the boy's glare intensified.
"Of course...of course, you wouldn't know. Maybe if you weren't too busy rolling in your riches and pay attention to your land and people, you would have an idea!" He growled.
"Knock it off, kid!" Felix growled, "You have no idea what she's been through!" He yelled.
"I do—-!"
"Daymond!"
The boy flinched and turned around. It's been years since Arisa saw Doctor Robert. The man looked older, with more gray hairs and dark circles under his eyes. He wore the clothing of empire warlock and sighed as he stopped behind the boy. He had a belt with multiple potion bottles with glowing liquid in them.
"I sincerely apologize for my Grandson's behavior. It's been difficult these past few months here in Varley territory. Lacuna village is his home." He sighed, "Daymond, apologize."
"No way, Grandpa!" The boy turned to him, "That girl should be able to purify the lakes! She's decent of Indech!" He yelled.
"Daymond, just because she is a descendant of Indech, does not mean she inherited his daughter's abilities! You've met Hanneman and you know very well that even I don't have special abilities even if I too have the Crest of Indech!" He scolded the boy and Daymond pouted.
"Sigh, it's alright Doctor...he has a point..." Bernadetta mumbled as she looked to the ground, "I haven't been able to do anything to help my people...stupid Bernie. Useless!" She shook her head.
"Bernadetta..." Felix gave her a concerned look.
"Maybe you should start listening to the voices of the water and pay attention." Daymond huffed And smacked on the head but his grandfather.
"Now now." Arisa sighed and walked out to the Doctor, "It's nice to see your Doctor Robert. It's been four years. If I may ask, what are you doing here?" She asked and the doctor motioned them to follow as they began to walk up the road.
Their units followed behind them.
"My eldest son is the chief of Lacuna Village and my daughter is also the Village Chief of Syfon. By the way, Edward is over there. Florencio requested our help to check the villages." He said and Arisa was surprised.
"Florencio..." Bernadetta mumbled.
"I see. Can you tell us the situation?" Arisa said and Robert looked at her for a moment and then back to the road.
"Corruption." He said and Arisa felt her right arm sting, "Around three lakes in the area have been contaminated. I've never seen anything like it before. The water has become poisoned and if it is touched, your skin would burn off. Like acid." Bernadetta squeaked because she nearly touched the water.
"Thankfully we were able to build a dam to keep it from contaminating any more water but some fields have been affected. About half the harvest of this fall had to be thrown away because the produce was affected too. Many are starving." He sighed as they arrived at the village gates.
Lacuna village had a much different look. The colors of the village varied from purple to more exotic colors like red, yellow, green, and such. But what was more eye-catching was the statue of a woman at the center of the village.
"What incredible statue." Linhardt gasped as he took a closer look, "This seems to date back around 500 years." He said.
The statue of the woman she held a lance diagonally across her body, she wore a veil that covered her face, a dancer dress with a halo on her head. What was intriguing was the stone carvings at the bottom of her feet, made to look like water ripples.
"This statue is 1000 years old." Robert chuckled, "This is a statue of Saint Mona, she was the daughter of Saint Indech." He said, "The other name she went by is Lady of the Lake."
"Oh!" Lysithea clapped her hands together, "I remember reading stories of Lady of the Lake growing but um...I think the version I read was the Faerghus interpretation." She said.
"I grew up reading the Empire version." Bernadetta mumbled, "Maybe once we return to the mansion, we could check the books in the library?"
"I think you might have better luck finding information about her at Indech's shrine." Daymond said as he crossed his arms, "For a Saint, he sure had that shrine built like an introvert. Maybe that's why you're so timid and cowardly." He looked over to Bernadetta.
"Daymond..." Robert spoke slowly and the juts shrugged.
"Sigh, let's meet your son Robert. I want to hear from him what is going on. Maybe I could try to purify the lakes." Arisa said and Robert looked at her shocked.
"You purify lakes?! That's impossible. You have the Crest of Serios. The only ones that could purify the lakes are those with the Major Crest of Indech and the long lost Crest of Flames." He looked at her like she went crazy.
"Hmmm." Arisa groans and flicks her wrist, projecting the Crest of Flames.
"I faked that I have the Crest of Serios." Arisa said and Robert's jaw hanged.
"Sometimes I wonder if you and Emily are long-lost sisters." Arisa could help but laugh as they arrived at the Chief leader's house.
[—]
"These are the reports we have been sending to Count Varley."
The Chief village was a kind man in his mid 30's as he handed Bernadetta the documents and his wife, a wolfskin woman, served tea to everyone. His name is Jorge and his wife, Lila.
"Oh, goddess..." Bernadetta mumbled, "So many people going missing...Human trafficking, water contamination, villagers going on a rampage, famine, starvation, oh gods...Father...why?" She whimpered and couldn't believe everything that was happening.
"So you weren't aware, were you, Lady Bernadetta?" Jorge sighed, "Then again, knowing who your father is..." he sighed again.
"You know my father?" The girl blinked.
"We both were students at the Officers Academy. We clashed a lot. He hasn't changed one bit." He pinched the bridge of his nose, "Welp, it's better to be enlightened. Ignorance is bliss is just a way to escape reality. Think of reading these letters as a way to prepare you for when you take over the House when you turn 18." He smiled a bit.
"And the sad thing about this is that she's going to have to clean up her father's mistakes." Sothis sighed and saw Bernadetta looking around, confused.
"Something wrong?" Arisa asked and scratched her head.
"I thought...I sensed the presence of someone. It felt familiar." She muttered, "Must have imagined it." She thought.
Sothis was silent as she made herself manifest and decided to look around the house.
"Has anyone gone near the lake or possibly noticed anything strange? Suspicions, people, or anything else?" Arisa asked.
"We recently managed to save a child from being kidnapped." Lila spoke as she took a sip of her tea, "The child managed to injure the perpetrator and getaway. Thankfully we managed to save the child in time because they were being chased. Of course, our hunting team fought back but those scum escaped. I did manage to get a glimpse of their face. I never thought I see Agarthans again." She sighed.
"Agarthans?" Dimitri looked rather confused and Arisa stiffened.
"Wait seriously, you children don't know?" The woman looked at them surprised, "Good God, what has that woman of a snake been doing? Rhea still hiding their existence." She huffed.
"What are Agarthans?" Lysithea asked and Lila sighed.
"They are people skin pale as a corpse. Sometimes they have regular colors of human eyes. Others, they are born with the scleral colored black." Arisa saw Dimitri's and Lysithea's eyes went wide, "But I know from experience, not all Agarthans are evil. There are two clans. Those that live in the shadows peacefully, they are called Exiles but the second clan, who call themselves Those Who Slither on the Dark, are like a cult." She whispered.
"Should I stop her?" Arisa thought.
"No." Sothis said firmly, "I think it's time they learn what we're dealing with."
"Can...you tell us more of them?" Dimitri took a deep breath yet his hands balled into a fist.
Lila's eyes became half-lidded as she looked to her husband and father-in-law.
"May I be left alone with the children?" She said and they nodded.
The two males stepped out along with the boy. Lila sighed as a rueful smile was on her lips as she looked to the fire.
"Agarthans are said to have inhabited Fodlan before the Goddess or any of the clans came. They were the first humans to walk this land. In ancient times, all of the clans including the goddess and her children lived peacefully. But as you know, peaceful times don't last forever." She sighed and looked at them.
"Miss Esiner correct?" She said and Arisa nodded, "You work with Sirius, don't you?"
"..." Arisa started rather and closed her eyes, "I do."
"Then you know of them?" Dimitri's voice was timeless.
"To a certain extent." Arisa sighed, "I learned of them when I was 13." She lied, "One of the targeted...my father and nearly killed him. I took the hit to the chest." Everyone looked at her shocked except Lila.
"I survived and was scolded." She chuckled, "You seem to want to say something, Miss Lila." She looked at her with half-lidded eyes.
"You're smart. But you have stuck your nose far too deep. TWSITD will hunt you down. You bear the Crest of the Progenitor God. Yet you are not descendent of Nemesis. Tell me, do you know why Rhea won't do anything?" She said.
"Fear." Arisa sighed, "The number one thing all living creatures in the universe have. It's fear." She looked to the fire.
"Based on your body language, you only knew about TWSITD. But you didn't know about The Exiles." She said.
"I did learn from a trusted resource that there were Agarthans that fought against their people during the War of Heroes." She said.
"Hmmm..." the woman hummed as she drummed her fingers on the side of her chair, "Correct. Agartha was once one nation and split in two. Some began to ignore the warnings of the goddess and turn against her. They turned their blade at her even though she gave them wisdom, help their people. They began to become ignorant and see themselves as gods. And those that did heed the goddess's warning, tried to stop their people from bringing bloodshed to the land. They were shunned, exiled, or taking the side of the clans, the goddess, and her children. The nation split, creating The Exile Clan and TWSITD. Sigh...even to this day, TWSITD hunt down The Exiles and kill them because they believe in the goddess and wish to live in peace with humans and the clans. They are seen as traitors and heretics. TWSITD has eyes and ears all over the land. An old saying from my ancestors who hailed from the land of Nohr. "Watch the spiders that crawl, for the ears of the devil hail in different forms." She said.
A bead of sweat rolled down Arisa's cheek as the others became deathly quiet.
"Rhea is afraid. That's why she denied the investigation of the House Ordelia Massacre. The perfect little world she has created where she is in control is shattering. She's in denial. Agartha is rising. They already achieved what they wanted. Cause the divide of Fodlan. The Death of Godfrey von Reigan, with the help of Count Gloucester, was their doing." She said in a dead tone, "Sigh, being alive for 300 years, you see a lot of things." She hummed.
"Wait what?" Everyone blinked except Arisa.
"Wolfskin, Laguz, kitsune, fae, and such, we have a life span from 500 to 1000. Ah! But if you meet manakete, they are immortal." She said and Sothis was screaming.
"What's a manakete?" Felix asked and again, the woman raised an eyebrow at them.
"A manakete is a human who can transform into a dragon."
[—]
"Sigh, not liking this." Arisa muttered as Bernadetta stood by her side, looking over the blackened lake, "At least this trip is serving as a lesson. Just make sure to not even talk about what we learned from Lila at the academy. I already warned the others for their safety." She said and Bernadetta nodded.
"Professor, how much do you know about these Agarthans?" Bernadetta turned to her with a rare serious face, "Because of my archer training and lance, my eyesight has improved and I noticed you became stiff during the conversation." Arisa sucked in her breath.
"...Seem you kids are learning too well..." she let out a small bitter laugh as she looked back to the water.
"You haven't been the same since you've returned. Flayn also is much more mature. Professor, what happened? I'm worried about you." Bernadetta mumbled and right when Dimitri
"To be honest..." Arisa muttered, "I guess Florencio checking me upset me greatly." She smiled weakly, closing her eyes, "In Albinea, I lost my right arm."
The girl's eyes went wide as she looked to her right arm and back to her. Unknown to them, Dimitri was hiding behind a tree. Arisa had sent them all to speak to the villagers and to make sure they were okay. He was going to report to her his findings but finding Bernadetta and her speaking was a bit surprising. As well as the conversation that was done earlier.
"We had an encounter with an Agarthan. Cornelia sent them to capture me and Flayn." Arisa said and the prince was silent, "She worked with another enemy and well, we got overpowered. Do you remember what happened to Miklan? Sylvain's brother." She muttered and Bernadetta nodded.
"I can never forget such an event..." Bernadetta mumbled as she shivered at the horrific memory of Miklan transforming into a demonic beast.
"That is what happened to me." Arisa said as she looked straight ahead, Bernadetta looked horrified as Dimitri shook, "I became a demonic beast."
"I managed to survive but I didn't escape unscathed. My right arm, the reason I avoid using it now a days when we are training is because of what the dark power of the hero's relic did to me. Dark magic infects my arm. Corruption." She sighed as opened her eyes a bit, "The same magic that is destroying the lakes."
"Are you...dying?" Bernadetta shook.
"Oh goodness, no!" Arisa quickly turned her head towards her, "Yes I'm suffering the effects of a curse but I'm not dying. I learned how to deal with the pain." She said and looked back to the lake.
"Professor...can I ask you this?" Bernadetta turned to her, "Pr-no...Arisa do you...think I can move forward like you, even if I am in pain?" She asked.
Arisa stopped for a moment and looked at her.
"Bernadetta, do you feel guilty for the actions of your father?" She said and the girls sat down on the lake bed.
"I do..." Bernadetta slumped, "Growing up, I was always used as bait. I would be beaten for not obeying. I would be yelled at for running away from suitors. My mother would take beatings to try and protect me. Eventually, she became an empty shell of herself. That's why I was surprised when I learned she had me kidnapped to the academy. Some part of me thinks she did it to get me away from my father." She whispered, "My father wouldn't tell me anything. He only wanted me to be a good submissive wife. But...then Florencio's came." She smiled a bit.
"I still remember that day. He healed me. He protected me along with the fae. For once in my life, I felt safe. I was so happy when I learned he chose to make me his apprentice. But...I was also scared. What if he was like my father?" Arisa had to keep herself from making a face when she said that, "Three times a month he would see me. Three times a month I got to know him. He was patient with me. Kind slowly and carefully would explain steps. I may not look like it but I do not look like it but last month I passed the potion master exam!" Her eyes sparkled.
"Florencio recommended me to take it! Claude also took it along with Hubert. It was honestly very stressful since I stayed up late studying. Mercedes and Lindhart helped me study since they want to take the Holy Magus exams in the Ethereal Moon. But all three of us passed!" Arisa chuckled at her excitement, "My father received the news and only berated me. Saying that a woman should know her place in the household and that I shouldn't be doing such a thing or not many would marry me. But Florencio...he congratulated me. He said he was proud of me. I guess what I'm trying to say is...I see Florencio, as a father. Am I allowed to?" She asked and Arisa nodded.
"You are Bernadetta. You are. You heard what Florencio said. To him, you are a daughter and that will never change. We love you Bernadetta. And I'll tell you what, once you graduate, I have a pretty good idea what Florencio is going to do." Arisa said as she looked back to the lake, "He's going to expose your father's crimes."
"To be honest, I'm hoping he does." Bernadetta mumbled, "I'm tired. I'm tired of seeing my people suffer. I want to make things right. And if it means my father is sent to prison, so be it." She stood up and dusted herself, "A-After all, I c-can't just stand back and w-watch my people suffer anymore! I'm tired of living in the past! I need to stand up for myself! I want to move forward! I-I can no longer stay ignorant of what is going on around me!" She looked to the lake, her face serious.
"I NEED TO BECOME THE LADY OF THE LAKE!"
Arisa was stunned to silence as well as the prince. Bernadetta panted and her eyes went wide as plates as she slowly looked to Arisa, her face turning red with embarrassment. The girl screeched and quickly curled into a ball.
"I'm so sorry! F- Forget what I said! Stupid Bernie! Why did you say Lady of the Lake!" She yelled at her.
"...pfft!" Arisa quickly covered her mouth but unfortunately she couldn't hold it in.
She held her stomach as she laughed while both students looked at her shocked as she stood up.
"L- Lady of the Lake!" Arisa laughed and wiped tears, "I'm not making fun of you! I think you made a great choice." She calmed down and walked up to the girl.
"As your professor, I will teach you. But I am also your friend, and I support you." Arisa held her hands, "I know you'll be an amazing person. You already are." She grinned and Bernadetta looked at her with tear-filled eyes.
"Arisa...Thank you!" Bernadetta lunged at her and hugged her tightly, "You're the best sister anyone could ever ask for!"
"Sister?" Arisa raised an eyebrow and Bernadetta just realized what she said.
"I- I mean! Ouch!" She suddenly covered her forehead when she felt a flick and whined but the smile she saw on Arisa was one she would never forget.
"I love you too my cute little sister." Arisa grinned, "Now, since you wish to be Lady of the Lake, how about I teach you a song?" She said.
"Wait, we're starting now?!" Bernadetta screeched as Arisa chuckled.
"Don't worry. It's only me and you." She smiled and did the girl.
"And Dimitri."
"WHAT?!"
"Sigh..." the prince sighed as he stepped out from behind the tree, "I've been caught." He smiled a bit nervously.
"How much did you hear?" Arisa asked since she knew she was proudly going to her earful at some point.
"All of it." Arisa patted the poor girl on the head as she slumped, "But the Professor is right Bernadetta. I think you have the capacity to be an amazing Countess in the future. You have my support." He smiled.
"Really?" Bernadetta was awed and Arisa felt was being blinded by his princely aura, that damn smile.
"Of course! Perhaps in the future, we could discuss trading routes. I also spoke with Ferdinand and a few others who also agreed with opening trading routes between our nations." He said.
"O-Okay. Thank you, Dimitri." Bernadetta smiled and turned to Arisa, "Um, can you show me that song?" She fiddled with her fingers shyly.
"Of course." Arisa smiled and pulled out two potion bottles with gold lettering.
"Professor..." Dimitri looked at Arisa with a disappointed look, "Those are Holy Waters."
"Please!" Arisa rolled her eyes, "This is called Holy Water?! The only prayer is said and it's used for baptism and communions! Real Holy Water has magic properties!" She grinned.
"So you're saying that the church is selling...fake holy water?" Both said and Arisa sweat drops.
"Pretend you didn't hear that." The two students just looked at each other then at her.
"Anyhow, here." Arisa handed her one bottle, "This song...is sung by the son of the Lady of the Lake." Now Arisa understood why the statue looked familiar, in this world, Azura was the daughter of Saint Indech. But in this world, her real name was Mona. Azura must have been her second name, like Flayn's.
"Gently hold the bottle in your hands, like this." She showed her and Bernadetta nodded.
Arisa took a deep breath as she closed her eyes, letting herself relax. Sothis smiled as she embraced Bernadetta from behind, the girl suddenly felt calm, she kicked what the Professor did and Sothis began to whisper the lyrics to her ear. The air around them became still, calming. The sound of the animal nearby died down and became silent. The wind blew gently. The prince noticed a shift in the environment and his eyes went wide as he witnessed what was happening. Both girls began singing in sync.
You are the ocean's gray
waves, destined to seek
Life beyond the shore just out of reach
Yet the waters ever
change, flowing like time
The path is yours to climb
Their hands, held the bottle as if they were praying. Their voices were in sync. Sothis smiled warmly as a memory from long ago resurfaced. She recalled when her son came to her excited and nervous, asking for advice on how to propose. She remembers jumping from her throne and congratulating him. Cichol looked at him shocked as well as Leraje. Noa along with Parvati and her daughters scream in joy and made plans to help Indech make the proposal romantic. The face of her daughter-in-law...it's a blur...who was she?
Dimitri took a step back as the light in the bottle of water began to glow brighter as they continued to sing. Their crest flared brightly above them, their heartbeats beating as one.
In endless dreams,
countless realms collide
Hope falls only to rise
like the changing tide
But all dreams come to an end,
Just whispers on the wind
Just a tad bit, Arisa opened her eyes and smiled softly. Bernadetta looked so peaceful and calm as she sang along with her. She sang softly and saw the water in the bottle was starting to turn blue and glow. Creating Holy Water was an easy task. It required a lot of concentration but also faith. And by having faith, you can channel it into the water. Shade taught her how to do it and it was very difficult at first. It still is since Arisa doesn't have a lot of faith in the Church of Serios, but her faith is strong with Sothis.
Sing with me one last time,
for light's sacrifice,
Endless dawn came but
not without a price,
Lost in the waves there
glimmers, a pale blue stone.
I think of you, all alone
"You are the ocean's gray waves~" they finished softly and Bernadetta opened her eyes.
Just for a moment, Arisa saw her eyes flickering with her crest and —
"You two..."
And the amazing moment was interrupted by Felix's unexpected appearance, causing Bernadetta to scream in shock. The holy water flew out of her hands and dropped right at the edge of the lake. The bottle shattered and the holy water dripped into the lake.
"The holy water..." Bernadetta whimpered and Felix sighed once he realized what he caused.
"I...I'm sorry I scared you. It's just...this is the first I have seen you so relaxed." Felix muttered and Arisa saw that pink smudge on his cheek.
One look to Dimitri and the prince quickly gave a thumbs up. One few things Arisa enjoyed, the prince was getting bolder.
"My Felix, how could you scare her? Perhaps you should accompany her as an apology." He smiled warmly while Arisa thinks that perhaps that was a bit too bold.
"Sigh, fine." Felix sighed and Arisa can't believe what she just witnessed.
"He agreed!" Sothis screeched as the boy walked up to Bernadetta and extended his hand to her.
"Come on. Let's go." He said and Bernadetta started his hand for a moment but nodded.
"Yeah." She smiled warmly and Felix felt his face heat up.
"Have a nice trip," Dimitri smirked and if looks could kill, Felix's glare would have sent him six feet underground.
Sylvain and Zander would be proud to see him being bold. The two walked away and Arisa smiled and saw the soft look on Felix's face as Bernadetta talked with a bright smile on her face. She was glad that the two found happiness in each other. Once they were gone Arisa felt herself sway, energy drained. Her vision clouded and about to fall, but she didn't.
"Are you alright?" Dimitri caught her on time, and she nodded.
"Yes...just a bit tried." She smiled a bit and her eyes went wide when his arms wrapped around her, resting his forehead on her shoulder.
"I swear...every day you are full surprises. How are you faring? If you're not feeling well, I'd strongly recommend some rest. Please..." he muttered and Arisa sighed, a small smile on her lips as she patted his head.
"Your words back at you." She chuckled and he gave her a slight glare but smiled softly.
"Can you let go of me? There's something I want to give you." She said and he nodded, carefully removing his arms.
She went into her bag and pulled out the blue-colored cape he lent her. Dimitri chuckled softly as she held it out to him.
"I washed and cleaned. Sorry, I kinda stole it from you. And, also for troubling you by taking me to my room." She said and Dimitri chuckled a bit nervously.
"You and I will be talking soon."
Jeralt's words rang in his head as he accepted his cape back. He put it and Arisa stared at him for a moment.
"You know, the scarf I gave you a few years ago, goes well with your uniform." She smiled and he nodded.
"Thank you." He smiled and both turned to look back to the lake but their eyes went wide at the sight.
"T-The water!" Dimitri couldn't believe it as Arisa walked to the edge and knelt to touch it.
Sothis was silent as the once black water was blue and clear. You could see the bottom of the lake, even the plants that were killed but the toxic water was alive again. She dipped her in a frown. A glint caught her eye and looked at the bottle that Bernadetta dropped. Carefully picking it up, she observed it.
"This isn't my magic nor yours." Sothis appeared as she flew over the water and studied it, "Holy Water shouldn't be able to do this." Arisa stood up as Dimitri stood next to her, "Holy Water is mainly used for healing. Do you think...it was Bernadetta?" She asked as she flew back to her.
"I do." Arisa bit her lip as she looked at the shattered bottle in her hands.
"Professor!"
They turned and Lysithea was running towards them, with a terrified look.
"Something happened to one of the villagers! It's Lila!" She yelled and the two quickly sprinted across the forest.
[—]
When they arrived, the villagers were screaming and running for their lives. There were houses destroyed and the guards were pointing their weapons at a giant wolf skin. A teen adult skin was the size of a kinshi bird but a full adult wolfskin...
"Mother!" Daymond screamed as the huge female wolfskin roared viciously to the sky.
"What happened?!" Dimitri yelled and froze as he saw the fires and houses destroyed.
"Haha... Hahaha... Hrngyarhh!" Lila snarled as drool dripped from her mouth, her eyes wide and crazed, glowing red.
"She went to get water from the near but when she returned, she started screaming and telling us to get away from her. That someone attacked her!" Robert yelled and he and his son dodged a punch that was swung at them.
"Momma!" Daymond yelled and was held back by Felix.
"No don't! She doesn't recognize you!" He said but the boy trashed around and Linhardt also had to help to hold him back.
"Let me go! Let me go! I can help mama!" The boy yelled and screamed when Robert launched a magic attack at Lila to make her back away.
Not strong enough to kill her but still enough to somewhat wound her to knock her out. Still, I'm the eyes of the boy, he was attacking his mother.
"MOM!" He screamed and unleashed a howl.
Lila froze and her snarls became worse as she turned in the direction of the boys. Daymond froze and it was at that moment he realized that was not his mother. His mother was kind and gentle and would teach him how to use his beast stone. He had no power but...he caught a whiff of an unknown smell.
"Someone is watching us from the trees." The boy suddenly said and Linhardt yelled out.
"LYSITHEA! THE TREES!" He roared and the girl quickly got on her pegasus to check.
She gritted her teeth as she saw the hooded figure warp away.
From the rooftops, Bernadetta shorted two arrows at Lila's knees, hoping to make her fall. Unfortunately, while the arrows did not stop her, they still angered her greatly. Lila roared towards the house Bernadetta was in and began charging. The girl wasn't going to make it even if she jumped. Bernadetta screamed because she was not expecting her to move so fast considering her size. Lila raised her fist, the claws coming out and slashed, demolishing the house.
"Got you!"
Bernadetta blinked when she saw Arisa was holding her, princess style, and was at another rooftop. Lila's roar could be heard as Dimitri and Lysithea finished evacuating the villagers. No one was killed, only minor injuries but still. Arisa placed Bernadetta down as she saw Felix use his Leviathan sword, Lysithea unleash a Silence on the woman, hoping to cancel the magic in the beast stone. Linhardt healed as many people as he could and attacked Lila at the same time. Daymond was evacuated with his father and Arisa forced Robert to go with them. The woman quickly took the small box out and motioned Bernadetta to hand her one of her arrows. Remove the cap, tie the syringe to the arrowhead, the needle pointing out.
"Bernadetta, listen to me." Arisa turned other and held out the arrow, "When you find the perfect opening, shoot this."
"What?!" Bernadetta screeched, "From this distance?!"
"AAARGHHHHHHHH!"
A human scream agony tore through the air. The sun was already setting and in a few more minutes it was going to be dark. They need to move now. Lila was heading towards the outside gates of the village where all the villagers were evacuated.
"Yes, you can." Arisa said, "I trust you. We believe in you Bernadetta." She said and the girl gulped and took the arrow even if her hands were shaking.
"Sothis, stay with her." Arisa thought and the goddess nodded and flew to the girl.
Gently wrapping around her neck to comfort.
"Bernadetta, I want you to listen to me." Arisa smiled as she took out her dragon stone from her shirt, "Shoot, and I mean only shoot Lila. Alright. And...if you...see I look like I might go crazy, don't hesitate to shoot me with one of the medicines too." She said.
"As much as it pains me, it's best you avoid using your dragon stone."
"Why?"
"First, the corruption you have is based on Sothis's dragon form. This isn't the first time you have been corrupted. You have the day you saved Dimitri. You have the time of Pittacus. You have your time in Albinea. You suffer a magic shift because your body is changing. All these are because of Sothis's heart. Now with corruption, there is a chance you may become feral."
Arisa ran on the roofs and jumped from one to another. Her stone in hand as she jumped in the air and gritted her teeth. The demonic beast in her soul screamed howled as she saw Lila was getting closer. Her students backed up, ready to defend the villagers with their lives. The bright light engulfed and her human scream...
Turned to the roar of the mother dragon.
"RRRRAAAAHHHHH!"
Lila didn't even have time to defend herself as Arisa's claws pinned her down. In her dragon form, she roared furiously at the wolf skin. The villagers, students, and Robert were stunned to silence as they couldn't believe their eyes.
"M-Manakete!" Daymand yelled excitedly and everyone quickly backed.
Arisa jumped back and used her wings to blowback the wolf skin. Yet as they tackled and wrestled each other, she wanted to do more. Her blood screamed, the feeling exhilarating, her blood her body, craved bloodshed. Her bloodlust was growing by the second but a part of her knew that Lila was not an enemy.
"AAARRHHH" Arisa screamed as Lila clapped her jaw on her shoulder, the fangs managed to pierce her scales.
Her nostrils flared as she took deep breaths, taking a step back.
"Come on Bernadetta..."
[—-]
The young girl was shaking and her mouth almost frothing when she witnessed her Professor turn into a literal dragon when she jumped up in the air. Too many things happening at once and she felt she was going to pass out. She watched as the four-winged jewel-colored dragon wrestled Lila and raised her bow, aiming. Her hands trembled as her eyes kept searching for an opening. They were moving so fast and she was afraid she would hit the Professor and not Lila. Her breathing grew rapid, her heartbeat increased. Her eyes wide, trembling. She was scared. What if she made a mistake. What if...what if...
"You are the ocean's gray waves..."
"It's alright," Sothis muttered as a gentle hand was placed where she held the arrow end.
A calming sensation filled her as she looked to her side. Just for a moment, she saw a woman with dark green color hair and gentle eyes. She smiled softly, her arms wrapped around the girl's neck, like a mother embracing her child.
"Believe Bernadetta. You can do it." Sothis spoke in a soft tone that smooth the girl.
"Focus." Sothis muttered, "Calm yourself. Take a deep breath. Listen to the wind around you. Feel it." She said felt Bernadetta relax.
"Feel the vibrations of the world around you. Watch their movements." Sothis said and Bernadetta opened her eyes.
Her expression turned calm and relaxed as the crest of Indech appeared in her eyes. She took a deep breath and stood up, pulling the string. Her eyes scanned and finally found the opening she needed.
"Release!"
The crest of Indech flared bright above her as she released the arrow. She watched as it sped through the air, and into Lila's neck. Lila released a roar that was a mixture of pain and agony.. She howled and trashed as the medicine began to take effect. Her body burned as her sanity return, a scream of agony ripped from her throat.
[—]
Arisa was stunned as she jumped back as the wolf skin roared. Many turned to look in the direction where the arrow came from, seeing the Crest of Indech fade away. Lila began trembling as she fell to her knees, her body glowed orange, returning to human form. The needle right at the neck, the medicine injected. Her husband, son, and father-in-law quickly ran to her, screaming until they froze as the dragon walked to them.
"She is fine." Arisa purposely made her voice deeper, "The one that shot the arrow, I instructed her so." She said and many heard footsteps approaching.
Arisa couldn't help but smile even if her dragon form did not show it when Bernadetta arrived. The girl walked up to her with Sothis in tow. The goddess had the proud look of a mother as she was still hugging the girl. Bernadetta's eyes returned to normal as she looked up.
"I did it. I was able to inject the medicine." Bernadetta mumbled and Arisa nodded.
"You did well. I'm proud of you." Arisa said and Bernadetta was now holding back tears.
"You..." she turned when she saw Robert walk up to her as Linhardt and Lysithea were making sure Lila was okay, "You...why are you here?"
Everyone was silent as Arisa only stared at him. This was the first time many were looking at a dragon. She's nothing compared to The Immaculate One. She's the size of the Silent Dragon.
"Even if my people are gone and few of us walk this land...I am still the guardian. That is my role as a Child of the Goddess." She muttered.
She was about to speak again when a magic attack suddenly blasted through the air. Hitting Bernadetta thought the chest instantly killed her. Time slowed down Felix's scream ringing in her ears, people crying, the life leaving the girl's eyes. Arisa screamed as she unleashed a time pulse. Her blood boiled with anger and sorrow as time turned back. The scene replayed once more and Arisa quickly grabbed the girl and put her behind her, she roared, a barrier-forming around them. The villagers screamed as this time a tornado fire surrounded them and quickly went away. Arisa kept the barrier up around them as she walked out, still in her dragon form as she glared furiously at the warlock that walked out of the forest.
"Incredible..." Odesse awed as he stepped out, he still wore that bloody half-mask of a plaice doctor, "I thought only that woman and the other five were left but to think...Ha!" He laughed, "You definitely can not be allowed to live. I should kill you now...The incarnation of the Fell Star." He glared.
"It was you." Arisa hissed as she stood protectively in front of her barrier, "You are the one that attacked Lila!" She yelled as her wings stood up, unleashing a gust of wind.
"Ah yes, the wolfskin. I'm surprised by how well our experiment worked. The results were fascinating." He chuckled and the students gritted their teeth.
"Odesse...you dare toy with life?! You are just like Cornelia!" She roared and though they could not see it, the smile on the mages was whipped off.
"Do not compare me to Cleobulus." He pointed to her, "That bitch messed up so bad it took weeks to clean up her mess." He growled.
"A...Agarthan.."
Arisa glanced back and saw Lila waking up a bit.
"Please lay back down," Linhardt said as the woman was gently pushed back down.
"Him...Agarthan..." she kept saying and the man began laughing.
"Even if you say what I truly am, the Church won't do anything against us!" He laughed and looked over to the prince, "Just like they didn't do anything to save your father, your highness."
"RRRRRRAAAHHHHH!" A roar of pure rage and a hatted ripped through his throat his eyes darkened almost filled with nothing but rage.
The voices of the ghost screamed to avenge them as he charged, ignoring his friends. It scared Arisa, even more, when he broke through her barrier, the crest of Blaiddyd flared brightly. Her tail quickly wrapped around his waist and helped him up.
"Let go of me!" He yelled and Arisa shook her head, "They are the ones responsible for this madness! It's clear what must be done!" He laughed darkly, "Kill them all. Don't let a single one of them escape. Sever their limbs and crush their wicked skulls!" He roared.
"If you do that..." Arisa turned to look at him, "Then you are no better than them."
The pang of guilt went through her chest as she saw the hurt look on his face. She turned back to Odesse, who was enjoying the show.
"This village isn't our only one." He chuckled, "The other two were hit as well." Arisa and everyone were horrified.
"Well, I must be going." He turned and stopped, "By the way, are you still recovering when you let me use your body to protect that girl Flayn?" He smirked and Arisa laughed bitterly.
"You make it sound like we slept together." She grinned wickedly, "I warned you Odesse. Tell Thales I will have his head." She hissed and his eyes went wide.
"Thales...You're worried about Thales? Bwhahahaha!" He laughed at her confused face, "Thales is the least of anyone's worried. The ones you should be worried about...is the rise of King and Queen." And he disappeared into the darkness.
Arisa put Dimitri down and sighed as she turned to him. He was gritting his teeth and glared furiously at her.
"Why did you stop me?!" He hissed, "That man and Cornelia are responsible for the death of my parents and everyone involved! We could have stopped him! Finish him off right then and there!" He growled.
It honestly amazed her how he wouldn't raise her voice with her.
"So he finally showed his true colors..." Felix muttered as they watched the argument unfold.
"Do you want to know why I stopped you?" She whispered, still keeping up her disguised voice, "Because...if you had continued forward...you would have been killed along with Bernadetta."
The girl fainted and Dimitri couldn't believe what he was hearing.
"I saw Odesse kill you. Your lance was used and it went through your heart. A magic blast went through Bernadetta's chest and killed her immediately. Tell me...do you want me to watch you die again like four years ago?" Her voice cracked as many were stunned.
"What...?" Dimitri chuckled out.
"We are done." Arisa suddenly said and turned to look at the others, "Children of the Elites! Your Professor is safe. She found another group of attacks were nearby and went to take care of them." She began to flap her wings and hovered above them, "May we meet again in the Silver Snow."
She flew towards the forest, knowing she needed to get far enough to be able to transform back to human safety. She sighed once she made sure she flew far enough to land. As she landed, her dragon body dissolved and returned to human form. Her hair once again had grown longer, to her mid-waist. She gently landed on the tip of her toes and sighed.
She fell back but didn't care as all her energy was drained. But she needed to get up to return to the others. She sighed as she reached into her bag and pulled out the holy water from earlier today. She uncorked the bottle in the battle and gulped the liquid down. Her injuries healed and she felt some of her energy returned. She wobbled a bit as she stood up. She needed to get back.
"Owwww..." she sobbed, she quickly unbuttons the top of her shirt, and hissed as she saw the purple skin and veins, "It hurts.."
[—-]
An hour or two passed as she walked through the hills and woods. Her chest was bruised and she could feel her arms stinging as if knives were being stabbed into her. Her mouth tasted the copper and she kept spitting to make the taste go away or she swallowed. She was starting to stagger as she arrived at the village gates. She sensed everyone was asleep except two people. What...?
"I put them to sleep." Sothis appeared before her with a frown, "But the only one not affected was..."
Arisa raised her hand for her to stop.
" I know...after all...some my magic went into him when I pushed him away." She whispered and heard footsteps approaching.
Dimitri's stone face morphed to concern once he saw the opening of her shirt. His chest was bruised and purple, the memory from long ago resurfaced. He quickly ran to her and pulled her into his arms, holding her tightly as he shook, he was afraid.
"Why are you shaking?" Her voice sounded dazed, "I didn't mean to...you're not like them..." she began mumbling.
"I should be the one apologizing!" His voice cracked as they slid down to the ground, "I shouldn't have yelled at you (Arisa: Yelled? You didn't yell at me.). Professor... I...I'm sorry you saw that side of me here. It must have been quite a shock to you and the others. I'm mortified by my behavior. When I saw the chaos and violence...what was done to Lila...hearing what you did to protect Flayn...Odesse...my mind just went dark." He whispered and she smiled sadly.
"I know...I know...I agree with you...they shouldn't be forgiven. They need to pay for their actions." She muttered.
"The flames we saw today...they...reminded me...of Duscur." He whispered, "How do you do it...? How do you still stand after all this pain?" He said and looked at her.
"I have you." She smiled softly and his heart froze, "And Bernadetta, Mercedes, Felix, Ashe, Dedue, Sylvain, and the list goes on." She had to keep herself from laughing at his slightly disappointing face.
"But..." she smiled softly, "I guess what I'm trying to say is that I know I have people I can trust and care about me. And you're one of those people who are important in my life." She said.
"You're important to me too." He whispered, "More than you'll ever know." He thought.
"Let's get you to bed. You need rest." He picked her up princess style and suddenly Arisa was very aware of her surroundings.
"Umm...I can walk." She said and Dimitri kept looking forward as he walked.
"Nonsense." He said, "Your chest is bruised. You are swaying. Don't think I didn't notice the injuries you suffered from fighting Lila. Wolf skins are known for their strength, almost equal to the House Blaiddyd." He stopped and looked to her, "So no, I'm not putting you down even if you are embarrassed." He smiled.
"Oh, my~" Sothis cooed as she was enjoying the show.
"Dimitri Alexandre Blaiddyd the 3rd, put me down. Now." Arisa felt her cheeks burning from embarrassment.
"My answer again is no. Think of this as your punishment for scaring the life out of me and every single one of your students." He said firmly.
"Punishment?! Please put me down! I'm not used to being carried like this!" She pleaded, " I'll never live it down! I'm a warrior!" She buried her face in her hands.
"Well, today you are, Your Grace." He smirked and Arisa was just dying of embarrassment at this point, "Forgive me, Your Grace. But I can not obey such orders. Once we arrive at your room, you shall rest and I shall stay by your side to make sure you do not leave the bed." He smiled and it felt like this was his way of small petty revenge.
"You wouldn't..."
"I would."
He stayed true to his word.
Chapter 67: Withering Flower: Part 2: Agarthan