Chapter 81: 1181:Part 1: Coronation of Ruin
[-]
The fresh smell of water in the air meant that the winter snow was melting away. Spring was close by as the carriage passed by some trees with small flower buds. Yet, despite it soon being spring, life in Fodlan was not joyful. A month had passed since the fall of Garreg Mach and the students had scattered or returned to their homes. Bernadetta had failed each time trying to sneak out of Varley territory, only to be returned to her home. Caspar had attempted the same but a yelling from his father made him run back to his room. Hanneman was stuck in his home and Doctor Robert was in the same position. Velouria, Forrest, and Siegbert, all returned to their homes and have not been heard of since then. It was the same for Linhardt and Petra.
But as of now...
"I said no."
"Please Aunt, I beg you! Let us go!" Forrest had his hands intertwined together and begged along with Velouria and Siegbert, "Please at least let go to the coronation of Prince Dimitri! He is our friend!" Siegbert said.
"Mother, please! I understand you are worried about the war but-" the entire room went silent when Velouria's mother slammed the butt of her staff onto the floor, her back facing them.
"House Nohr will not meddle into any affairs regarding the Empire, Alliance, and Faerghus. I am the head of this house as well as The Wolf-Skin! You will listen!" The woman said as they hung their heads.
"Is this right...Mother...Is this the right thing to do?!" Velouria yelled, "Our friends and family are in danger from the Agarthans!" She said and her mother gritted their teeth.
"Even The Exiles have refused to join this war, my daughter. Now, enough." And the woman began to walk away but Velouria gritted her teeth.
"YOU'RE ALWAYS LIKE THIS! ALWAYS!" The girl screamed and stormed away, her cousins following her.
The head of House Nohr let out a small sigh as the door to the room slammed shut. The woman stopped for a moment and looked at the portrait of her family that hung on the wall. She remained silent as she studied the family portrait before crimson flashed before her eyes and reeled back. Deep breaths she took to calm her heart before she turned her back and whispered…
"I'll avenge you all...I will...I promise..."
— Fhirdiad -
The road to Fhridiad was a long and quiet one. Jeralt and his team made sure everyone arrived at their homes safely as well as had Ares take Mercedes and Lysithea to Zoltra Territory in secret. So now the only ones left arriving at Fhirdiad were Dimitri, Lestia, Felix, Sylvain, Annette, Ingrid, Sadi, Dwyer, and Dedue. Zander, Glenn, and Kuza arrived much earlier at the place than intended but it was better than nothing. The gates of Fhirdiad were opened by the guards and let them in. The lively city that once held a happy atmosphere now felt cold and tense. The news spread quickly about the death of Kiana Kalsana, that she died in battle protecting her students beside Byleth Eisner who also lost her life. But Dimitri knew they were talking about the same person. The prince looked at the cracked stone in his hands and subconsciously looked to his pin.
"Looks like Zander has already stationed soldiers around the walls." Sylvain muttered as he looked up the windows of the carriage, "Even some of Emily's and Erik's soldiers are here."
"I wonder if my father is here as well..." Annette whispered and her friends looked at her sadly.
She had been worried about Caspar since he was taken and prayed that he was okay.
It was a few more minutes till they arrived at the gates of the castle. The gates opened as they went, and the carriage stopped about 15 feet away from the stairs. Jeralt and his team remained silent as the parents of the children ran to them. The only parents not present were Annette's.
"Oh, Dwyer! Lord Felix! Thank goodness you are both alright!" It had been a long time since Jeralt had seen Jacob and Felicia but most of all, his former students he used to work with.
Jacob and Felicia were retainers to Rodrigue and Romea, being part of The Ice Clan that protects the mountains of Faerghus. Rodrigue and Romea, looked somewhat the same from the time he met them again in 1164, having aged a bit. Felix didn't have it in his heart to not accept his mother's hug, and Rodrigue had patted his shoulder. Margrave Matthias Gautier walked down the stairs and looked at his son, giving him a nod to show he was glad he was alive. Matthias was a tall bulk strong man with short spiky slightly combed red hair and wore silver armor.
Still, Jeralt knew the relationship between the two was very much nonexistent. Matthias unfortunately never grew out of the traditional thinking that Crest was needed and very much supported the Crest System. Which explained why Rufus and he never got along. Count Huston Galatea ran to his daughter, beside him were Ingrid's brothers, all hugging her tightly, glad that she was alive. Finally, walking down to greet the twins was Zander, Rufus, and the four consorts, Sara, Clara, Hira, and Regina. Rufus looked like he was tried. He was a short-haired blonde-haired man, his hair combed back neatly, and wore silver armor. His blue eyes had dark circles underneath them.
"I'm glad you two—" the twins just ran into Zander's arms as Rufus smiled sadly and looked towards Jeralt.
"Jeralt, it's been so long," Rufus said as he walked up and shook hands with the man.
"It has." Jeralt said, "Clara, Sara, it's good to see you two." He said and the two women bowed.
Clara was a blonde-haired woman with silver-colored eyes and wore a light-yellow dress. And Clara was dressed in the robes of a Female warlock, her purple hair tied in a bun. Hira was a brown-haired woman with tired eyes, she hadn't been the same. Two years after the Tragedy of Duscur, she gave birth to a son. But on her way back to Fhirdiad, her carriage was attacked, and the child was stolen. Jeralt remembered Sandana being hired to track down the attackers. She succeeded but they killed themselves before she had any chance to get the location of the child. The only thing Sandana was able to report was that the child was alive. To this day, Hira still searched for her child, it's why the spy networks of Faerghus were so reliable. Jeralt still had connections. The woman of black hair wearing a Sreng-styled dress, Jeralt never met her, but he learned that she was the first princess of Sreng.
"Thank you for watching over the children. And...I am sorry about your daughters." Rufus said and Regina looked at him shocked.
"I don't think they are gone."
Jeralt's words stunned the group. The mercenary didn't know why but...he just felt that the girls were alive. Something told him he needed to be patient and wait.
"Denial is one of the stages of grief." Sara said as she closed her eyes and turned back to head up the stairs, "But since they are your daughters..." a small smirk formed on her lips, "I'm pretty sure they take after Lady Sitri. They'll be back." She said and left.
"I see Sara as cocky as ever," Jeralt grumbled as Hira pinched the bridge of her nose.
Rufus just made the face "You get used to it."
"Is Emily here? I wanted to speak to her." Jeralt said and Rufus spoke.
"She's getting the last preparations for the coronation ceremony ready. Busy as always."
[—]
The Blue Lions didn't waste any time going straight to Emily's clinic because she was the one person, they all wanted answers from. Glenn knew what was coming as Zander joined them along with Kuza. They first went to her office; it was locked but there was a note saying she was at the clinic. Dimitri was in no mood because of what they had been through. How did Emily find them? Was she truly the leader of the organization Sirius that had been secretly helping them? And most of all, what was her connection to Rhea? And what did she mean her real name was Noa? The faster they walked it felt like they were just farther away but finally, they reached the clinic.
The prince gulped as the slide doors opened and they walked in. The place was busy as ever, Sophia had made it on time and was frantically filling documents as best as she could with her workers. All of them went back and forth between their desk and the communication crystals. But they all froze once they saw the group stop in front of Sophia's desk, but the woman was still frantically filling out documents.
"Apologies but Doctor Emily is not taking any meetings now! But if you are here for an appointment you have scheduled over time," she picked up a wooden clipboard and placed it on the counter, "please fill out your form and then hand it to one of my staff. They will be with you in 30 minutes." She said and continued to write.
"Sophia." Dimitri said coldly and the woman froze, slowly looking up and feeling her soul leave her body seeing the Faerghus royal siblings, along with their friends and Glenn, "I would demand an answer how you got here before us but get Emily to see us...Now." The woman hung her head in defeat.
"Yes..."
Sophia got out of her desk and asked them to follow her. To the elevators, they went (the entire group still hated the feeling it gave) till they reached the final floor where the offices of all the staff members were. Sophia led them to Emily's office but right when she was about to knock, they stopped, hearing voices.
"What do you mean ANACHARIS IS ALIVE?!"
Emily roared furiously and they all stopped to listen. Inside the office, her husband, Erik, was trying to calm her down. No, Emily was having a full-blown panic attack as the woman was on the floor, curled in a ball, her hands digging into her hair and scalp. Her body trembling, shaking, crying, her heart rating increasing and the plants she had hung on the ceiling were all withering away.
"She can't! She can't! The woman can't be alive! She can't! She can't! She'll kill us! She'll kill us! She can't be alive! She can't be alive! You're lying! You're lying!" The woman screamed and cried hysterically.
"Noa, please! I know this is hard to hear but please!" Erik said as he knelt and quickly hugged her.
"She killed us! She killed us! She killed mom! She killed everyone! She can't! She can't! She killed our unborn child! She ate my eyes! She can't be alive! Not again! Not again!" The woman cried, "She can't... She can't...Not again..." the woman sobbed and wailed loudly.
None had ever heard Emily so frantic, broken. The image they all had was a prideful, smug, and smart woman but the one they were hearing now, was like a terrified child. Everyone in the room knew that Emily was Lady Cira's adopted daughter but what about before she was taken in? Emily refused to talk about her past other than that she, Mercedes, and Jeritza were cousins and originally hailed from the fallen House Martritz.
But now...
"I don't want to lose you again..." Emily sobbed, "I don't want to see you die again...The future that we worked so hard on...Finally showing everyone the truth of who the true enemy is...I don't want to lose everyone again..." The woman sobbed as her husband hugged her tightly.
"I won't let that happen. I swear..." the man whispered.
From the outside, everyone at that moment decided to leave. It was not the moment to speak to Emily after hearing all that. No, they shouldn't have heard it all. Yet, Dimitri stopped for a moment as did the group before he looked at Sophia, who had an unreadable expression.
"Who...is Anacharis exactly? And... who truly is Emily?" He said as the blue-pink-haired woman turned to him fully with a half-lidded gaze.
"Emily is your friend and ally," Sophia said and the prince gritted his teeth.
"That is not what I meant."
"I know."
Dimitri stopped and looked at her shocked as the woman cocked her head, looking at him like a mother who was about to scold her child, but her gaze remained the same.
"It is not my place to speak to you about Emily's identity. Nor is it my place to tell you what her relationship with Rhea is. But what I can tell you is that Emily will never betray you and your family. She will always have your back and will always bear the consequences. There will be a day when Emily will tell you everything. But until then, all we ask...no... we of Sirius ask is that you trust our Master and friend." Sophia smiled sadly as she closed her eyes and bowed to them.
At that moment, she truly looked like someone her age.
"I... I'll try." Dimitri sighed, "But, please, who is Anacharis? All we know is that she is called The Sage of Purgatory." He said and Sophia frowned.
"I will answer that question."
The group quickly turned and saw it was Erik. The count usually wore his tailcoat but today he was in normal wear, wearing a dark green long-sleeve button-up shirt as well as pants. The man crossed his arms and looked down at the group with a judging gaze.
"I am not a fool. I know you all heard everything earlier." The group cringed, "I just chose to not say anything at that moment because I knew Emily would have done something reckless in the state, she was in." He said and sighed, "Alright, my office. We'll talk there."
[—-]
Erik served everyone tea as Sophia stood to his side and he sat down. The group had huddled together on the giant couch and Erik sat on the other leaning back and legs crossed. His expression is unreadable. The silence was tense, uncomfortable, almost suffocating till he spoke. Erik's office was painted a light cream color with a black maple desk with shelves, filled with books, trinkets, and paperweights with flowers, crystals, and animals. He had a desk near the window that was filled with fragments of glass and a small torch, he was a glassblower who made small pendants and charms as a hobby. The man stared at them for a while before he let a sigh and spoke. He honestly didn't know where to start.
Of course, he wasn't going to say everything because too much information would put them in danger. But what he can reveal is some of the information about his past as well as the history of his people. Arisa revealed to them who the Agarthans are as well as Those Who Slither in The Dark. As well as how Agartha's society is run, which was revealed to them by the two twins they met. It had been so long since he had spoken of the War. He was born during the time the war was coming to end and was part of the people that had been Exiled and watched Sothis bring down the great flood upon Agartha. A sigh escaped his lips and he spoke.
"Years before The War of Heroes started, there was a nation that was known as one of the first civilizations in Fodlan. They created cities and helped reshaped the land. Their works and technology allowed people from different lands to come to Fodlan and populated it. Humans, fairies, non-humans, and such all lived in harmony. One day, an entity from the stars descended. She was a being who had wandered the sea of stars for over a century after being banished from her world. This entity is known as the Progenitor God, Sothis." He said and again, the name Sothis came up.
The twin's mind instantly went to the spirit that had temporarily possessed Arisa during their time in an Abyss.
"Sothis came to the landing during the time of great strife. The land was dying, food was scared, and hardly any water. Sothis traveled across the land and used her power to bring back life. She shared her power and wisdom with the people of the land. Especially the first Kingdom Civilization is known as, Agartha." He said as a bitter smile formed on his lips.
"But like all humans, eventually the people became greedy, built weapons of mass destruction that would destroy entire civilizations and the land. They began to claim themselves as gods. And declared war against the Goddess and her children." He muttered, memories of the past resurfacing.
"But there were those in Agartha who spoke out against fighting against the goddess. That it was wrong. That the land was being destroyed and lives lost. Yet, such voices fell to deaf ears and those that spoke against the war were cut down." He said as he remembered his family.
"They were shunned, kicked out of the city. Eventually, they were branded with the names, Exiles. The Exiles of Agartha. They were called traitors of humanity simply because they were against the war. And the ones who brand these people as such were The Sages of Agartha." He let out a shuttered breath, his mind going specifically to Chilon.
Thales: Sage of Ideals
Solon: Sage of Gomorrah
Pittacus: Sage of Evolution
Odesse: Sage of Progression
Cleobulus: Sage of Construction
Bias: Sage of Illusions
Chilon: Sage of Forgery
Anacharis: Sage of Purgatory
Periander: Sage of Sodom
Myson: Sage of Life
"But the cruelest of all was Anacharis. She took joy in bloodshed and killed hundreds if not thousands with her bare hands. Those she killed that had great power, she would eat their flesh and drink their blood. She did not hesitate to kill the one who inherited the power of a former sage named, Epimenides. They even went as far as killing the consciousness of the founding sage to have full control of it." Sylvain gagged as the others were pale and green.
"Bias, I understand her deep hatred towards the Goddess and her children. Her daughter and husband were killed during the war. Before she was a sage, she was a merchant who specialized in illusion magic. As for Chilon...he was an ordinary citizen. A blacksmith who was proud of his work. But when the war started, if he did not join, his family's life would be forfeited." He said as he closed his eyes.
"You sound as if you knew them personally," Felix said as Erik opened his eyes again, and just for a moment, they were gold with specks of black before he blinked again and they were deep green, the same color as Catherine's eyes.
"To an extent. I've had my fair share of battles with them. If you are wondering who I despise with all my heart, it would be Anacharis. That woman is the one that killed The Goddess and ate her flesh and drank her blood. As for what you heard...She did kill our first child." He said as they looked at him shocked.
"I hope this answers your questions. Also, this is information all those of The Clans know." Sophia said and the group looked over to Dwyer, who flinched at their stares.
"You...knew all of this?" Felix said as his retainer hung his head.
"... Yes..." the boy whispered, "We clans...are under the contract of the Church to not speak of this history at all." He spoke.
Everyone would have asked more questions but one look from Erik shut them all up.
"Did Arisa know of this?" Lestia said and Erik shook his head.
"No. She had only just recently found out who was responsible for killing Sothis. As for the history of Agartha, she only knew a certain amount. Like that they were the ones responsible for the war and The Tragedy of Duscur. However, there are things she could not talk about, like The Clans; her situation was more complicated. If she spoke, her life would be forfeited. One example is the bruises on her chest." The horrible purple bruises suddenly came to their minds, "And the other...would be..." he went silent.
"Outwolder."
Sophia's eyes went wide as did Erik's as Lestia gritted her teeth and spoke.
"Anacharis called Arisa an Outworlder...speaking of all this now, I finally remembered where I heard the names Mesuline and Xeno." She said and looked at her friend.
"Xeno, The Father of Medicine, The First Holy Magus, and husband of Mila Lamine. And Mesuline, called The Dragon Knight, Saint Serios's Champion, and wife. The two were foreigners who were said to have received a revaluation from the goddess and fought beside Saint Serios and the Ten Elites." Lestia said as she looked at her brother, "Anacharis called them Outworlders as well."
"That..." Erik's lips parted but let out a sigh, "Unfortunately, I cannot tell you." The group was about to sit up to protest, but he raised his hand, his way of letting them know to let him finish speaking, "Because only Outworlders can tell you who they truly are. If you force them to speak, they will isolate themselves and disappear. If you discover their identity, a horrible death awaits them. Let's be real, it's a miracle that they even survived. They are outsiders. Completely foreign to everything in the new land they come to. And the unlucky ones... well, their soul find peace in the afterlife." The man said as the group looked at him worried.
"Are...Outworlders, special?"
"...They are people that should not even be here. They are Outsiders. But they aren't anything special. They are just...ordinary people. Sometimes they find ways to return to their homes. Others chose to stay, and then... some have no luxury of ever returning to their homes because that path no longer exists. Others are brought to other worlds against their will. Some chose to come on their own and then some were caught in an unfortunate accident and have no idea how they got here. And over the years...the memories of their former lives fade away." Erik explained and silence befell the room.
"...I think that's all for today. Your Highness Dimitri, I wish you well on your coronation. Know that Sirius will always help and aid you. This is the organization that Lord Alexander entrusted to Lady Cira, Emily, and me." He said with a sad smile.
"Thank you for your time."
[— —-]
Two days passed like a blur. Knights went back and forth all around the city to make sure everything was secured. Jeralt wasted no time in commanding the Knight of Faerghus, many who held a deep respect for him followed his orders. The Royal Consorts made sure that the food, decorations, seats, clothing, and such for the coronation were perfect. The entire city was cleaned and the nobles of Faerghus had arrived at the city. Guards were on high alert. Gilbert had also arrived with Annette and Mercedes. Lysithea as well had come with Erik and those of House Zoltra. Everyone, nobles, and common folk alike gathered at the plaza where the balcony of the palace could be seen.
Yet...
The day did not feel joyous for the second prince as he stood in his room, dressed in royal grabs fit for a king. Dimitri wore a dark blue dress coat with golden shoulder pads with small tassels. A white-collar shirt underneath along with black pants and black leather slip-on shoes as well as a blue cloak with The Crest of Blaiddyd on it in silver. The top part of the coat that was on the shoulder was black and white fur. He wore an eyepatch that was custom-made for him with The Crest of Blaiddyd engraved in gold. On his coat over his heart was pinned his Blue Lion's brooch. His hair was combed back but most of all, he stood still as he looked at the jade earring in his hand.
"I want you to hold onto this one. On the day when we can finally be together, then you can give it back to me. Until then, this is my promise to you. No matter how apart we are, I will always love you. I will always be with you even if I am not there physically."
"Huh. I was wondering why Arisa was only wearing one. She gave you the other one."
Dimitri turned and saw his older brother and younger sister had come in. Lestia had her blonde hair curled and tied up in a ponytail, wearing a dark blue fascinator's hat. She was dressed in an aquamarine blouse, tights, and skirt with a short cape. On the small pocket of her blouse was pinned her Blue Lion's brooch that was gifted to her. She wore black boots. Zander was dressed similarly to Dimitri except his was black and without the fur cape, instead, he wore the cape of Giffron Riders, the ones that serve and protect the King.
"Right..." Dimitri muttered, "I... I know this is supposed to be a happy day but all this...it doesn't feel the same without...her here. Without Father...Chris…mother...and with everything that had happened...Am I even worthy of being king?" He said as his siblings looked at him shocked.
Yet...
"Dimitri."
"Little brother."
The prince looked up to his siblings as they rested their foreheads on his.
"We miss them, too. But dad, mom, and Chris wouldn't want you to have a frown on your face today. And Arisa would probably crack some bad joke to make you laugh." Zander chuckled as did the prince, "Today is your coronation. Today you will be crowned King of our nation and we will stand by your side to stop The Empire. To stop our step-sister and make her see her wrongdoings." He said and Lestia nodded softly.
"And if El still refuses to back down, I'll pull out my dance moves on her." The princess smirked and the three laughed.
"But what if I'm not good enough? What if I disappoint our people? W—" he stopped, and he felt a light smack on the head.
"Then we'll pull you by the reins to get you back on track!" Zander grinned, "Now come King of The North! Oh Wolf King, howl into the sunset and let your rule be known through all!" The man dramatically spread his arms as if he was on stage.
The twins couldn't help but laugh but Dimitri still didn't understand why he felt something wasn't right. There was this strange sensation in the air as if a dark cloud was coming. The sinking feeling in his stomach only seemed to grow as the seconds ticked by. Today was his coronation. Seteth being the second-highest authority would be present to crown him with Edward and Emily to bless him. His friends and family were going to be present.
Then why... does it feel like something horrible is going to happen?
"Oh, by the way." Lestia went to his drawer and pulled out a needle, "I can piece your ear if you want. You can wear the earring." She said and Dimitri thought long and hard, nodding.
Carefully, Lestia walked up with a cotton swab, placing it behind Dimitri's ear lobe. She helped the needle horizontally, making sure she could see the front and back of thr lob. Once that was done, she pushed the needle through in one deft motion. Once that was done, she cleaned the bit of blood that spilled and insert the earring, using a bit of magic to make the pain go away and heal the skin, now leaving the hole.
"All done." Lestia said as she threw the cotton swab into the trash can, "Hm... Jade looks good on you." She smiled as she held her chin, "Now come on, let's go!"
[—-]
"Are they ready?"
"You mean those hidden traps? Of course."
"Good...I will burn the Royal Family and this city to the stake."
[—-]
The banners of Faerghus with the crest of the main houses waved beautifully in the air as knights, nobles, people, and common folk alike gathered at the plaza to watch the crowning ceremony of the new king. Seteth along with Flayn, Catherine, Alois, Shamir, Celica, Alm, Xina, and a small group of the Knights of Serios was given sanctuary in the kingdom. Yuri and Hapi had also arrived. Crescent said he would stay to protect the Abyss along with Castor and Hai.
"I never thought I will be back here again." Hapi sighed, grateful for the stone pendant that Crescent had given her, her relic hidden by the gloves she wore, "It feels nice to sigh properly again." She said and saw Annette from far away waving at them to join their group.
"Brother, we're going to go join them," Flayn said, and she and the Ashen Wolves went to join the Blue Lions.
"Has Edward arrived?" Seteth said and Xina nodded, "Alright, let's head up." The man said and up they went towards the castles.
[—-]
"Everyone!" Annette grinned as she waved and the trio arrived, "You guys made it! Now, all we need is Ashe and Castor!" She said but Yuri smiled sadly as he spoke.
"Unfortunately, Ashe and Castor are unable to make it. But they send their regard to you all." He said as the others looked at him sadly.
The sound of trumpets suddenly burst through the city, people began cheering as the musicians playing the trumpet on the balcony walked forward and bowed, making way for Rufus. At the balcony seating, were the nobles' heads of the main nobles' houses: Gautier, Galatea, and Fraldarius, seated on the right with Princess Lestia. And Charon, Dominic, and Zoltra are seated on the left with Prince Zander. On the right, behind the Princess, sat Consort Sara, Regina, and on the left behind Zander, sat Consort Hira with Clara. And behind the two sections, stood the retrainer's royal family, Sadi, Kuza, Glenn, and Dedue. Knights were stationed all around the city. At the plaza was stationed Jeralt with his people, he was checking on reports. Back at the balcony, cheers died down as Rufus arrived and raised Areadbhar, he was using gloves. The people quiet down, some trying to get close to the palace square to get a better look at the king. From there, the Blue Lions watched along with the Ashen Wolves and Flayn.
"We gather here today on the Great Tree Moon, to witness the rise of a new King. Today, my nephew, Dimitri Alexandre Blaiddyd will inherit the crown. Today shall be the end of an old era and the rise of a new." Rufus said as he moved and the crowd roared as Dimitri made his way towards the balcony, steps fluid, regal and confident.
The Noble Heads stood up and clapped, watching the prince walk forward. Dimitri was nervous, stunned that so many people were cheering for him, a man that rarely showed his face. He could see the smile and cheers of men, women, and children alike. Even, people, even those of The Clans had come to witness such a day. Merchants held up their drinks and clicked their mugs together, Anna was making a fortune. Mages raised their staffs, catalysts, and wands to create confetti, fireworks, and doves made of water, releasing them into the air, creating a beautiful scene of colors. Dancers sang their tunes alongside bards. Yet, while that was happening, Dimitri could not help but instinctively search for a head of forest-colored hair. He took a deep breath and nodded to himself.
"Calm. Dimitri." He thought and raised his fist in the air, and then balled it into a fist, an action he would watch his grandfather and father do.
The cheers and laughter quiet down. So many were excited. The prince turned to see Emily and Edward. Emily looked ready to burst into tears as Edward smiled and nodded his head. In Emily's hands, she held a silver specter with the top shaped into The Crest of Blaiddyd adorned with blue and green jewels. And Edward, in his hands was a blue pillow with a sphere made of silver, around it was engraved the crest of the main houses and the top had The Crest of Blaiddyd. The two nodded and the prince stepped forward and carefully grabbed the two items that have been passed down through the Blaiddyd Household since the era of King Loog. The prince was nervous and let out a shuttered breath. He turned back to the balcony, the people waiting for him.
"Dimitri Alexander Blaiddyd." The prince turned back and there stood Seteth with the crown in his hands, "Are you willing to take an oath?" He said and the prince nodded firmly.
[-]
Tick.
Tick.
Tick.
Tick.
[—-]
"Hissss..." Flayn hissed suddenly as she placed her hand over her left ear, "Ugh...what is that horrible sound?" She said, looking around.
"Hey, Flayn, is everything alright?" Sylvain said as the girl gritted her teeth, and suddenly looked pale, her knees felt weak, "Whoa! Whoa! Flayn!" He said and the girl near-collapse had Yuri not caught her.
"What's wrong?" Yuri said, noticing how pale the girl became.
[—-]
Tick.
Tick.
Tick.
[—]
"Do you, Dimitri Alexandre Blaiddyd, swear fealty to The Holy Kingdom of Faerghus?" Rufus said as the prince knelt and nodded.
"I do," Dimitri said as Rufus nodded in approval.
"Do you solely swear to protect and govern the Kingdom, and protect the people and land for all days and fortitude?" Emily said and Dimitri handed her the silver sphere, nodding firmly before he balled his hand into a fist and placed it over his heart. A gesture he learned from Chris, a gesture that soldiers do to swear they will serve to protect and defend the people of the land.
"I do."
"Will you uphold the mantle of the king? Will you uphold yourself to the art of truth and chivalry?" Edward said and was handed the silver specter, the prince nodding firmly, looking at him right in the eyes.
"I do."
[—-]
Tick.
Tick.
Tick.
[—-]
"It's getting louder...It's getting louder!" Flayn groaned as she covered her ears, everything suddenly felt like it was spinning, and her power suddenly felt like it was being drained.
"What's going on?!" The group looked up and saw it was Jeralt, who ran to them and noticed Flayn. "Kid, what's wrong?"
"There...this sound...I keep hearing it..." Flayn managed to muster out.
"Where? Where do you hear it?" Jeralt said as she signaled his men.
"Everywhere...but..." the girl weakly opened her eyes and pointed to an ally way, "That place...it sounds the loudest."
[—-]
"Will use your power for cause Law and Justice, in mercy, to be executed in all your judgments?" Seteth said and Dimitri nodded.
"I do." He said and Seteth moved, allowing Rufus to stand in front and speak.
"Will you uphold your beliefs of the Holy Kingdom of Faerghus? Will you defend and protect the holy land until your final breath? Do you swear to be good, just, and a noble king, who shall place the will of your people and the heavens first, and foremost in your mind?" Rufus said and Dimitri looked up, the Crest of Blaiddyd in his eyes, nodding firmly.
"I do to all."
[—-]
Tick.
Tick.
Tick.
[—-]
"This is where Flayn said the sound was coming from. But I don't see anything." Sylvain said as he, Felix, Ingrid, and Jeralt looked around.
"No... There's something here." Jeralt said as they quieted down and listened.
"Wait...is it me or those the ground feel...warm?" Ingrid said and the group looked down to where they were standing.
[—-]
Tick.
Tick.
Tick.
[—]
"Dimitri Alexandre Blaiddyd. I hereby declare you..."
Tick.
"The new king..."
Tick.
"Of Faerghus."
Boom.
[—-]
"EVERYONE RU—!"
Explosions.
Explosions left and right, all around. The very foundation of the city shook as the four drawbridges of north, south, east, and west exploded along with different areas of the city. People screamed and ran for their lives, the first area to explode was where Jeralt, Ingrid, Felix, and Sylvain, were. Magic circles began appearing suddenly all over the plaza, mages dressed in black poured out along with strange metal monsters.
"Attack now!" That voice, and familiar mask.
Dimitri gritted his teeth, he felt sick to his stomach as crimson painted Faerghus as bodies lay all around. People ran for their lives, the knights summoned charged at the enemy, and others helped evacuate the citizens.
"Your Highness! Get-!" Rodrigue didn't even get time to finish suddenly the left side of the castle exploded, and the balcony began cracking.
"Go!" Yelled Dimitri and grabbed Areadbhar, pushing his family inside, "RODRIGUE GET THEM TO SAFETY!"
"I think not!" Lestia and Zander roared and jumped out of the balcony doors on time with their weapons out, "Let's GO, WOLF KING!" They roared and Dimitri nodded, all three jumping down to the plaza as the balcony gave away.
People screamed as The Agarthan Mages got into the formation but most of all, the strange huge metal monsters that roamed all over destroyed everything in their path.
"Lestia, find our friends! Zander, with me!" Dimitri yelled and his older brother nodded, both charged forward as Lestia ran on the opposite side of them.
[—-]
"J..."
"Je..."
"JERALT!"
Jeralt's eyes snapped open, and he abruptly sat up, panting, and gasping as he looked around, seeing he was surrounded by a few knights as well as Mercedes, Flayn, Annette, Yuri, and Hapi.
"What?! Where?!" The man frantically looked around and noticed not just the kids, several civilians were around and all of them were what looked like being in the forest.
"Thank goodness I made it on time..."
Jeralt got up and noticed a man wearing a hood but recognized the voice as the others suddenly got in defensive positions, but he shook his head.
"I've returned my favor." The man said and disappeared before they all even had a chance to move.
"That was..." Annette whispered, "Hubert..." Mercedes finished and everyone screamed as the explosion was heard and they finally realized that they were all out of the city.
"Sylvain, Ingrid, and Felix! Where are they?!" Jeralt said and heard footsteps approaching.
"We're here!" Sylvain said as he and the other two came closer, "What happened?! Did Hubert just save our necks?!" He said and Felix spoke up.
"Not just him...I sensed someone else." Felix said as Ingrid nodded but was hugging herself.
"I... I thought we were goners. I could have sworn we were all about to be swallowed by fire." Ingrid shuttered.
"Jeralt!" Jeralt turned and saw Catherine running to him, "All the draw bridges have been destroyed! We can't get into the city! Even the gates have been sealed off by magic!" The Knight yelled, "It's a full-on invasion! And it's not the Empire!"
"It's Those Who Slither in The Dark." Felix gritted his teeth, "We have to go back—"
BOOM!
[—-]
"Kleiman, Gideon, Rowe...You traitors!" Rufus yelled furiously as knights stormed into the smoke-filled palace and were accompanied by Dark Mages.
They surrounded them, their weapons are drawn, as Count Kleiman, Viscountess Gideon, and Count Rowe lead them.
"After all these years..." Matthias snarled as Count Kleiman gritted his teeth, "After all we have been through."
"Silence." Kleiman spat, "None of you will ever understand. Lambert wanted to reform everything. It would have changed everything in Kingdom. Ha! Giving the people a chance to voice their concerns?! Commoners allowed rising?! Such foolishness! Lambert's death was the steppingstone..." the man grinned, "Cira and Alexander on the other hand...were the start of all."
"What did you just say?" Emily's voice dropped as the shadows covered her eyes.
"Don't worry, Emily. You'll join her soon. After I cut out your heart and present it to Cornelia." Kleiman said, "KILL THEM ALL!" And the knights all yelled, Rufus ran and hugged his wives to shield them.
Seteth summoned the Spear of Assal. The family heads took out their weapons to fight. The retainers prepared themselves to fight but there were far too many soldiers and Emily knew they were all going to die at the rate it was going. Yet at that moment, all she felt was nothing but rage. Her heart pounded, her breathing became frantic, perhaps she was being dramatic but at that moment when Kleiman opened his mouth...
"Kill every last one of them."
All she wanted was to see red.
The knights screamed and lunged at them, but magic suddenly burst around the group, sending flying the knights. The group was too stunned to speak, the knights backing away and others screaming as vines and plants suddenly began to grow all around the walls, the windows breaking—the chandeliers shattering as another magic circle formed in front of Kleiman, Gideon, and Rowe.
"I see the little girl is finally showing her fangs." Peach-colored hair cut short, pale blue skin, dressed and red, purple, and black gremory dress and a tome glowing purple in her hands, Cornelia, Cleobulus stepped out, her hand on her chin with a smirk.
"You..." Emily hissed and raised her hand, "I should have known... Ever since that day...You just had to come...your pride destroyed." Emily spoke in a tone no one had ever heard.
"Hm... This forestland land has no use to me. All I want is you all dead. It's a pity, Rufus...you could have lived. We could have made your king, yet you let those four hussies sink their claws into you." Cornelia laughed as Rufus gritted his teeth.
"I would never betray my family..." the man hissed yet the woman smirked.
"Oh? But you would for your son." Cornelia laughed and at that moment, Emily raised her hand.
"NAGA!" The woman roared as her eyes turned to slits and before the group knew it, they were warped away, yet only Emily remained.
Standing by her side was a woman dressed in the uniform of an assassin, but they wore a fox masks that covered their faces. But what made Cornelia suddenly fear her life was the aura they gave. It felt familiar yet foreign. The masked woman leaned down and placed her hand on Emily's shoulder, speaking in a tone that Cornelia recognized.
One she thought was long dead.
"Master, leave this place. You must get the others out." The woman said as Emily gritted her teeth, "Do not worry, the others are safe...Lord Erik is as well. Not yet." She whispered and Emily took deep breaths and the power faded away.
But before Cornelia could react the woman let out a piercing scream as suddenly a vine stabbed right through the left eye and Count Kleiman let out a blood-curdling scream. Blood splattered on the floor, and the count could barely believe his eyes as he looked at his legs, his knees and lower half of his legs, were gone. Slithering away from them were thorny vines covered in blood and returned to Emily.
"Gasp...Gasp...Gasp!" Cornelia panted as she held the right side of her face and saw nothing but pure evil on Emily's face as magic had surrounded her and the one called Naga.
"A parting gift. May you live with your sins, Count Kleiman, Viscountess Gideon, and Rowe! Hahahahahahahahaha!" Emily laughed and disappeared.
"You...WITCH!" Cornelia roared and used magic to wrap bandages around her face, "You three!" The woman turned to three of her Mages, "Get those three to safety! The rest of you, capture the Blaiddyd Siblings!"
[—-]
Blood was everywhere as the three siblings gritted their teeth, as now they were also surrounded by Kingdom Knights that were glowing with dark magic and Agarthan Mages. The prince gritted his teeth as Areadbhar glowed darkly in his hands. Zander was using their father's second lance, Gradivus and Lestia had inherited their mother's sword, Mercurius.
"I managed to find Seteth. He said the others were teleported away. Looks like this invasion is led by Cornelia and The Western Lords." Lestia said and slashed at a soldier that lunged at her.
"So, Cornelia's supporters finally showed their true colors." Zander gritted his teeth, "Looks like they destroyed and sealed all the entrances to the city. No one can get in or out." He said as Dimitri's crest appeared in his eyes.
"Traitors...all of them. We'll hang their heads at the gates once we take care of these fools. They will regret ever betraying The Family of The Wolf King." Dimitri spat and grinned, a crazed look in his eyes as the other let out small laughs, and the same grin formed on his siblings' faces.
"They shall." Zander and Lestia cackled, and the trio roared and lunged.
Left and right, in all directions, blood spilled as they cut down the traitors. Knights kept charging at them non-stop, the screams of the people running for safety, and soon ally knights joining them to fight off the invaders and traitors.
"Look out you three!"
The trio turned and was about to be stomped down when the earth cracked underneath the giant metal golem cracked and crumbled, making it sink into the ground. They began to fight violently and came down on the Agarthan mages, slashing them to smithers.
"You three! Hurry!" Clara and Sara yelled as the trio ran to them, "Thank the Goddess you three are alright!"
"Aunts, what are you doing here?!" Lestia yelled as another explosion happened.
"Emily managed to warp us all away but when they suddenly got attacked by a woman with golden purple hair. Emily just...snapped. I had never seen her so angry and the two got into a bloody battle. Erik managed to grab everyone else on time and we chose to stay behind to find you three!" Sara explained as they all got back-to-back to continue fighting the horde of traitor knights and mages that kept coming.
"We also confirmed Cornelia is the one behind this! She launched a full siege!" Clara yelled as she launched Meteor at the demonic beast.
Before the siblings could make another move, a horrible, screaming ringing sounds that only those with crest could hear boomed through the place. Lestia and Dimitri screamed out In agony. Covering their ears but the sound was becoming louder with each passing second. Everything suddenly became disoriented, and Dimitri managed to see Zander was covering his ears as well. They fell to their knees in pain, their heart rate increasing by the second as well as their trashing. Clara and Sara ran to them, but Lestia and Dimitri grabbed their wrist. Zander should not be able to hear such a sound. Why was he hearing it? It did not make sense. But at that moment, it did not matter.
"C-Can you...muster one last extreme warp?" They managed to choke out and they nodded, "Zander...Use it on Zander!" They pleaded and their older brother heard.
"No! All of us are leaving...argh...Together!" Zander hissed but the older woman gritted their teeth.
"Capture them all!" Cornelia yelled and her tome glowed brightly, launching a fire spell.
Dimitri turned to hug his family but in flash, before his eyes, all he saw were arms spread out, and a fire spell hitting the owner. The explosion took place, time felt like it froze now when the fire went away. Skin burned, head, raised, singed, and covered in ash, Zander stood in front of all of them.
"Ah...Ah..." Dimitri's hand reached out, his injured eye stung, and his vision was in and out of focus.
"Are...you..." Zander turned to them and grinned weakly, "Okay?" Down to the ground, he fell.
"ZANDER!" Lestia roared as Cornelia burst out laughing as she walked towards them, and the Mages quickly pushed down the remaining four onto the ground.
"Well, Rufus and the others may have gotten away but this is the best day! The stupid prince!" Cornelia cackled as she kicked him to flip him onto his back, "You were always a bloody eyesore! Your investigations!" She stomped on his chest, "Your speeches! Knowledge!" She kept stomping repeatedly, "LIKE A FILTHY BUG YOU WOULDN'T DIE!" And one final stomp, the heel finally pierced through the chest.
Dimitri and Lestia watched as blood oozed and stained the clothing red.
"Don't bother trying." Cornelia smiled as she walked towards them and leaned down, "The sound you hear is one that only those with crest could hear. Strange how your brother could hear it. Hmm...his corpse would be a good test subject to dissect and have as a spare blood bank." She chuckled and looked over to Clara and Sara.
"You witch." Sara spat but was slapped brutally by Cornelia, with three claw marks on her cheek.
"Oh, you especially I'm going to enjoy killing. Slowly. Oh, I think you would be perfect for a sacrifice." The witched laughed.
But...
"WARP!" Clara roared suddenly; before everyone knew it, Zander's body glowed and disappeared.
No one could speak, they were too stunned. Till finally, Cornelia turned to beat red and stormed over to the woman, grabbing her by the neck and holding her up.
"What. Did. You. Do?!" Roared Cornelia as Clara smirked, the grip fighting.
"I...Only..did...what my king...order me...to do!" Clara chocked, her face turning blue by the second, "Saved...Zander...Long... Live...the KING!" The woman roared one final time and…
SNAP!
Her body became limp, and her head hung. Sara, Dimitri, and Lestia, all they could do were watch Cornelia let the woman's body drop onto the ground before stomping her heel on her head, a disrespect to the dead.
"Lady Cornelia, that means Prince Zander is alive." A mage said and Cornelia scoffed.
"He won't live long. Now then..." the woman grinned wickedly as she saw the most hateful glares aimed at her, "The twins, lock them up in the dungeons. As for Sara, have her tongue cut off. As for this one..." she looked down to Clara's lifeless face, "Have her body locked away. She'll be useful at some point."
"CLEOBULUS!" Roared Dimitri as he was dragged away and Lestia trashed, "I'LL KILL YOU! I SWEAR TO THE GODS ABOVE AND UNDER I'LL KILL YOU!" He roared and the woman made the guards stop.
"Hold his head. Same with the girl." Cornelia said as the Mages used black magic to chain the two like animals.
Cornelia removed Dimitri's eye patch and smiled seeing the milky white eye. Carefully she touched it, before plunging her fingers in and ripping it out. Dimitri unleashed a blood-curdling scream along with Sara and Lestia as Cornelia laughed and held the eye in her hand.
"Sigh. Now, this is a wonderful replacement for my eye." Cornelia laughed and opened her mouth, letting the eyeball drop into her mouth like a piece of candy before swallowing.
Her face stung and before everyone's eyes, the skin and eye healed, now her right eye was healed and blue.
"Hmm...I think now understand why Anacharis ate the flesh of the Fell Star. Hmm...I wonder how that woman...Arisa will taste when I find her body?" She grinned as she turned back.
"You...You..." Lestia growled and the last thing she and Dimitri saw was Cornelia's wicked smile before they were hit on the back of their necks and their world faded to black.
Cornelia looked up to the sky, crimson as blood. Smoke, ash, blood, she smiled as she raised her hands to the sky.
"VICTORY TO AGARTHA!"
[—]
Hey, y'all! Holy mother of God, the amount of Lore that dropped from Three Hopes. I will be incorporating the lore from the game here however, there will be major changes.
First, Rufus, in this story is not! Responsible and part of the Tragedy of Duscur. That role I long decided in 2020 will fall onto the Western Lords, Count Kleiman, Count Rowe, and Cornelia.
Second, holy shit, for three years I head cannon that Cleobulus was Cornelia's real name. I am so glad I got it right.
Second, will Shez and Arval, appear in this story?
Shez along with the female version will appear however they will be taking the role of two characters I never gave names to. Plus, I grew to love them as I played the game. Now, I'm sure you guys remember I have Chris have spies. I originally did have the spies be nameless and faceless. Now, I will be giving those roles to Shez and his female version. Arval/Epimenides will appear. Funny enough, before Three Hopes was even announced, I already had a character named Epimenides that would be mentioned in this story and have a connection to Anacharis. Epimenides will appear as a flashback and name-drop character and only have a very, very, small role.
You guys are always welcome to comment and ask questions about this story. Any questions will be answered and posted on my other story, Shards of Memories and Songs.
As for information on Inami and a few other upcoming characters, please refer to my book Shards of Memories and Songs.
Also, heads up. I'll be going back to some old chapters to do some name updates on them.