It was late at night already. The sky would usually feel natural but today, in Sophia's eyes, they just felt empty and void. That is how she is currently feeling. The arrival to the Plegia Castle was quick as they were transported to a building behind it. It looked like a miniature version of the castle. It was straight up the size of house of 5 rooms. Aversa smiled coyly as Validar turned to her.
"Make sure our Lord's Hierophant is comfortable." He says and turned to walk the other direction but stopped, "Ah. Before I forget," he glanced at Sophia, "You will assign two guards of your choosing and one that one of our Generals will pick. For now, I shall grant you to speak who are the two of Grimleal you chose to be your retainers."
"Henry and Tharja." Sophia did not even look at him as she turned away, and just looked on ahead, void of emotions.
"Very well. I shall see to it." And with that, he left.
Aversa smiled as she had the woman follow and they walked towards the wooden door. Sophia wanted to run but she knew if she did, she would be dead in an instant.
"Stop. You chose this." Sophia thought as she let go of a sigh as they entered the castle.
The first room was like a ball room. The floor was made of a reddish tile with different patterns but the Grimleal symbol was huge on the floor. The windows were like shutters, the curtains made of black silk. There was a stairway that led to the second floor.
"This room is built for you to train." Aversa smiled as she turned to her, "You will be given three days to settle down here."
"Why am I here?" Sophia muttered as Aversa frowned at her.
"Because you chose to." She answered and Sophia gritted her teeth.
"That's not what I meant...You said I come from a lost bloodline...How...am...I here in Archanea?" Sophia growled and suddenly Aversa held her jaw tightly.
The woman's crimson eyes became predatory as she looked down at her.
"You were brought here by Lord Grima's magic, Summoned one. Be honored that you have been chosen to stand beside him." Her grin was wicked, but Sophia pushed her off, glaring.
"I'll figure out everything myself here. Get out." Sophia said coldly as Aversa's smile only grew.
"Do not worry Little Bird. All will be revealed in time to you. Now," Aversa turned to walk out, " we shall have our magic lessons soon. I hope you are ready; you're going to need it." She smirked and left.
The door closed with loud "BANG" as Sophia shook with rage. The woman, finally alone, let out a piercing scream that one would describe belonged to a weeping banshee.
Sophia panted heavily as she swiftly turned to the stairs and stormed towards it. Up she went, ignoring everything that was in her sight. Ignoring the decorations and trinkets. The hallways had at least six other doors that led to different rooms. But the one at the end of the purple colored hallway, was obviously made for her. The Symbol of Naga was on it and over it was the symbol of Grimleal. A sign to show that Grima was superior in this land. To the door she stormed and slammed it open. The room was huge. The bed was king side, surrounded by translucent fabrics of colors of purple, blue and red. The bed sheets were made of silk, different color patterns of purple, black and gray. It was the same with the pillows. The tiles were a gray colored marble that were cool to the touch. Shelves of black maple and red wood filled with books, magic supplies. There was a table filled with tools for making magic tools, tomes, and other things. Lastly, there was a closet filled with clothing. That she went to and made a face because it was obvious Aversa or some other person of Grimleal chose them.
"Horrible fashion taste." Sophia sighs as she slammed it shut and looked around the place.
There were so many things and there were also a few other rooms to explore. One of them she figured out was a library. The other rooms were bedrooms, most likely for her..retainers. Henry was her first obvious choice. Tharja...was a somewhat good choice. Whoever this third retainer is, she at least hopes they are decent. Sophia opened her bag and pulled out her blue tome, letting the pages fly open as the dog size portal opened. There was one pet she chose to keep with her because they blend in easily. A fast swoop out of the portal and flew around the room, then back to her as she extended her arm.
"Claude." She smiled sadly as the green-eyed owl landed on her arm and chirped happily at her.
Claude nuzzled her cheek and suddenly had a gleam in his eye that made her smirk.
"Coming up with a scheme?" She chuckles, "I know it will work. But for now, we need to wait. As much as I hate it, we need to get accustomed here. And..." she looked over the room, "To make sure there aren't any spells or magic tools watching me." She thought.
His head turned when she heard the castle doors open and she walked out of the room, down the hallway, and to the balcony of the stairs. She looked down, and saw Henry along with Tharja had come in. Sophia jumped down, with Claude flowing behind her. Landing knelt, she stood up, walking towards them, her face void.
"Thank goodness you are alright!" Henry smiled even though it was obviously strained, "Listen...I'm sorry this happened. I..." he stopped when she raised her hand.
"It's alright." She muttered and turned to look at Tharja, who had a frown on her face.
"I'm going to be blunt, why did you choose me?" The woman spoke a bit coldly.
"...Because..." Sophia let go of a sigh, "I know...I can trust you. You and Henry can help keep me informed. Knowing how Aversa is...they are going to try and keep me in the dark." She explained.
"Hmm." Tharja just gave a low hum, "Interesting thought. Very well. But...I know you have questions. We will do what we can to answer them." She gave her a nod.
"Thank you..." Sophia gave her a small smile as she covered her eyes, her lip quivering a bit.
"Still...They called you, Summoned One..." She muttered as she placed her hand on her chin in a thoughtful manner, "If I recall correctly...two years ago, Validar and the higher up mages of Grimleal performed some sort of ritual. Henry and I were not given the details, only to locate some sort of relic in the lands of Ylisse." She muttered.
"Wait, Ylisse?" Sophia looked at her confused.
"Oh! That excavation mission! Fun times!" Henry laughed.
"I think we should head up to...my room..." Sophia cringed calling that room hers, "And talk there. It's...kind of awkward just standing here." She talked about the ballroom.
"Point."
[-]
Sitting at the table that was made of amethyst, the trio had set up some food and tea for them to drink. Sophia was glad to find that one of the rooms on the first floor was a full kitchen. The shelves were filled with food and everything needed to make a full dinner. But she didn't have much of an appetite tonight. Though Henry kept insisting she at least drink or eat something small. Sophia made scones and found black tea on the shelves.
"Now," Henry smiled as he saw Sophia nibble on a scone, "two year ago, Tharja, a few other members of Grimleal and I were sent to an island not too far from Ylisse. We were part of an excavation team to recover old relics that were said to be hidden away there. Not just any kind. They say these relics belong to a famous mage that once lived in Thabes." He says and Sophia froze.
"Thabes...As in Naga's resting place? As in, the birthplace of the founder of Grimleal, Forneus?" She says and both just stared at her shocked.
"Yes..." they muttered, and Sophia gulped.
"I remember you said that in your homeland, there are legends and myths of Archanea and other countries. I'm assuming you know a bit about Thabes?" Henry asked and Sophia nodded.
"I know a bit...but not too much." Sophia said as he gave her a small nod.
"Back for the subject." Tharja quickly spoke, "It is said that the wife of Forneus lived there before she moved to Thabes after she married her husband. Her name unfortunately has been lost to history but there was a particular relic she wielded." She made a projection with her hands and displayed the image of some sort of lantern.
"A lantern?" Sophia raised an eyebrow as she looked at it.
The "lantern" looked like something out of a fairytale. It looked like a flower bud that has yet to open. But because it is ancient and most likely hadn't seen the light of day in over thousands of years, it was a grayish color with rust.
"Very interesting...it looks like a flower yet to bloom." Sophia muttered and Tharja made the picture go away.
"That's the thing." Henry frowns, "No matter what magic was used, the flower does not bloom. Validar did try to make it open but well...that resulted in the death of 12 mages. Boy, that scene was amazing! They turned to stone as their veins became visible and then shattered like glass! Sadly, no blood but it was still amazing!" He laughed and Sophia felt her blood run cold.
The way Henry describes the way the mages died was exactly how Harvest killed the Grimleal mage in Themis.
"Anyway, you need to get some sleep." Henry smiled at her, "Tharja and I don't have many things anyway, so we already have our things. And yes, she and I are moving in to live with you." He says as she nodded.
"I'm sorry..." Sophia muttered and Tharja waved her hand lazily.
"Worry not. I really don't care as long as I don't have to fight out in the field. I much rather work on new hexes. But...tomorrow I shall bring records of the recorded heroes here in Archanea. See if we find something there of lost bloodlines." Tharja says and the two nodded.
Sophia waved to them goodbye as they left and said goodbye. Claude had perched himself on her bed stand. For her, she's going to take a bath. The bathroom in the room was huge, carved smoothly from amethyst crystals, the floors and sinks made of white marble. The mirror itself was a huge human size one, its edges made of black and white gems. Sophia just didn't care at this point. She stripped and turned on the shower, she was surprised to see indoor plumbing. The water filled the tub, yet, she sunk in and sat, despite being in warm water, she felt cold. She hugged her knees and finally let herself break down. Her voice filled with sorrow and regret as she cried her heart out.
For once in her life, Sophia wished she wasn't alone.
- The Next Day: Ylisse -
The next morning Lysithea woke up, everything came crashing down to her as she realized where she was. But for now, she looked around the room she was in. It was very different to the room she had in the cottage, yet it somehow felt homey. The Ylisse castle felt warm and welcoming compared to Plegai. She looked around, the place reminded her of her old room in Valm, when she was once a noble. Lysithea sat up from the bed she was in and noticed Sophia's and her own pets were in the same room, sleeping peacefully. Ingrid and Opal, she recalls were taken to the stables. Looking at her hands, she tried to cast a simple fire spell, but nothing was happening.
"What the heck...?" Lysithea grumbled and again she tried to cast magic but no luck.
She heard the door to her room open and in came a red-haired mage dressed like a witch. Lysithea's eyes looked at her frantically and then noticed the woman was carrying a tray of food. Pancakes with honey and scrambled eggs, a cup of warm tea and a few scones.
"Good to see you are awake." Miriel gave her a small smile as she walked in and closed the door behind her, "I brought you some food." She placed the tray down on the table.
Lysithea was silent as the woman motioned her to come and sit at the comfy looking chair.
The purple haired woman carefully stood up, walked over to the table, and sat down. The scent of sweet apple blend made her mouth water, but she just stared, unsure if she should eat.
"I remember you." Miriel spoke calmly as she fixed her glasses, "You're the girl that sat on the balcony of the West Khan. It was you, Felix, Lon'qu and a blue haired woman. Lysithea, correct?"
"Yes..." Lysithea muttered as she finally decided to take the first bite.
The food was good. She liked it. Miriel let a rare smile come on her face as the woman in front of her ate.
"I am Miriel. I am the head of Ylisse Magic Academy and part of the Magic Research Team of the Kingdom. I am also part of the Shepherds." Miriel introduced herself and Lysithea nodded.
Her guard was up but she spoke.
"My name is Lysithea von Ordelia...former Duchess of House Ordelia..." Lysithea muttered as she nibbled on a scone.
"It is good to meet you Lysithea. I have heard a bit about you from Virion, along with Felix and Lon'qu." Miriel saw Lysithea's eyes turn cold at the mention of Virion and decided to quickly change the subject.
"Do you remember anything? Like how exactly you got here?" She asked.
The door to Lysithea's room was knocked and Miriel said to come in. The door opened and in came Felix along with...
"Commander, Felix, and Robin. Good to see you three." Miriel says as they come in.
Commander is Chrom.
"Good morning." Robin smiles as the trio comes in and take their seats.
It was honestly awkward and a bit strange, but for today, it must be talked about.
"It is a pleasure to meet you Lysithea. I am Prince Chrom of House Ylisse. This here is Robin and looks like you are already familiar with Felix." Chrom introduced himself along with Robin.
"Are...Ingrid and Opal safe?" Lysithea muttered and Felix spoke.
"They are in the stables. One of the pegasus knights is taking care of them." He replied and Lysithea nodded.
"We are glad you are safe but, we need you to explain to us what happened last night." Robin spoke as she lightly tapped her fingers on the table, "Miriel and our second mage, Ricken, were able to figure out that a Warping spell brought you here. Extreme Warp. However, such spells cannot be performed unless the location that the caster desires has something or someone, they have a connection to. And it drains them of a significant amount of magic." She explained.
"I don't understand how the Flame was able to get you all the way here." Felix said referring to Sophia.
"Flame?" Chrom raised an eyebrow him.
"The one that warped her here. Her name is Sophia. But I refer to her as Flame because of her anger issues." Felix grunts and Lysithea just rolled her eyes.
"Unfortunately for all of you, even I don't know." Lysithea sighs but did look over to Robin, "But...I know for a fact I never taught her Extreme Warp. Sophia became a mage only just 6 months ago." She explained.
"Interesting..." Miriel was taking notes, "So she is a beginner mage."
"Not anymore." Lysithea muttered, "Sophia and I were going to settle down together in Plegai and live peacefully in a village. Every day, along with another friend and I, we would watch her train herself. We had to stop her multiple times from overworking herself because the few times we didn't, she would pass out or overuse her magic." The woman's mind travelled back to those days of peace.
"Settle down in Plegia..." Chrom narrowed his eyes a bit, "Are you both Plegian citizens?" He asked.
"No." Lysithea shook her head, "I fled from Rosanne, Valm. I used to be a noble, but war took the lives of friends and family there."
"My condolences." Chrom looked at her a bit sadly.
"Thank you." Lysithea muttered.
"What about your friend, Sophia? Is she from Valm also?" Robin asked.
"Actually...no. She's not." Lysithea muttered, "She explained to me that she comes from a country beyond Valm...she's a foreigner."
"Foreigner..." Chrom muttered, "Does she have skills that have never before been seen? Is that why Grimleal was after her?"
"..." Lysithea went silent as she looked down to her lap, "Yes..." She whispered.
"What...skills are we exactly talking about?" Miriel asked as the interest was now very peaked.
"She...can heal others without magic. She...possess the ability to make medicine that have saved many lives...She's...a doctor..." Lysithea whispered softly as she was now scared that these people (except Felix) were going to go after her friend.
"By any chance...did she used needles to help someone before?" Miriel asked as she kept writing down notes.
"Umm...I think she called it acupuncture. She did tell me she helped a knight using them. Why?" Lysithea looked at them concerned and Miriel suddenly had a glint in her eyes as she fixed her glasses.
"I feel like a kid being interrogated by her parents and family members..." Lysithea thought as the red-haired mage looked excited to hear more.
"Anything else? Any other reason why Grimleal wanted her?" Robin asked, since Lysithea saying that just confirmed their suspicions that Sophia was the mage that healed them, in Ferox.
"They asked her, Summoned One." Lysithea spoke and the group looked confused, "Before I was warped away, one of the leaders of Grimleal called her The Hierophant of Grima. And the one named Aversa said she comes from a lost bloodline. Sophia honestly had no idea what they were talking about." She explained.
"Summoned one...Lost bloodlines..." Robin muttered as a bead of sweat ran down her cheek, "Chrom, does the Ylisse royal archives have records of past bloodlines?" She asked and the prince was a bit unsure.
"Not all of them." The prince looked at her concerned, "Some records are in Plegai. Others are in Ferox and I believe there are some in Valm too."
"If you need records of the family bloodlines from Valm, I have them." Lysithea suddenly said and they quickly turned back to her.
"Wait...That's right." Felix thought for a moment, "House Ordelia were one of the last three houses that worshipped Mila and Duma. They oversaw keeping records of the bloodlines throughout all of Valm. But..." he looked back to her, "weren't the records lost in the war?" He asked.
"House Gai and House Alia, all their members were killed. However, they possessed copies of the original records." Lysithea had a smug look in her eyes, "However, House Ordelia, we possess the original ones. Before...my family was killed, my parents made me use magic to store away the records! I have them with me right now!" She excitedly said and waved her hand.
Except...
"Why is my magic not activating?!" The girl growled then pouted as she kept waving her hands up, nothing was happening.
"Ah, yes." Miriel spoke, looking at her concerned, "That's the other reason I called His Highness, Felix and Robin, today. I recall last night you are screaming about your magic not activating."
"Miriel...is something going with her?" Chrom asked and the woman nodded.
"Lysithea." Miriel turned to the girl, "Your magic...it has been cut off. You can't use it."
The world seemed like it crashed down on her.
"My...magic veins are...gone?" Lysithea gulped and the woman shook her head.
"Gods, no. You still have them. What I am saying is that you have been temporarily disabled to use magic. I don't know what spell was used on you but for the most part, you won't be able to use magic for at least a month." Miriel explained and Robin looked at her surprised.
"Is that even possible?!" Robin gasped as she saw the color drain from the violet haired girl's face.
"There are magic tools that can weaken a mage but to shut it off... That shouldn't be possible." Felix muttered and Miriel nodded.
"I do have a theory." Miriel looked back to her notes that she and Ricken wrote last night, "This, Sophia, wanted you to be safe. She knew you would try to go back to her. However, what she didn't know that her desire to keep you from returning to her, cut off your magic system temporarily. It may also explain that strange magic circle you came from." She explained.
"Sophia willed it. She wants you safe. To not return back to her." Chrom muttered softly.
[-]
"I cannot believe this! For once I am stumped! This may be some never discovered magic and it is nothing like we have seen before! I've seen magic be weakened! I've seen it create wonders! I've seen it bring life to infertile land yet to see it completely shut off one's magic! And for a month! This a new discovery that I'm going to enjoy but also know I'm going to be beyond frustrated when researching it!" Miriel ranted loudly in the magic workshop that was built in the palace for the mages.
Those inside like Ricken, just shook their heads as he used a syringe to take a blood sample from Lysithea's arm. The purple haired girl just had a confused face as the red-haired woman kept ranting.
"Is she...always like this?" Lysithea asked as she and Ricken watched the woman zip around from aisle to aisle of books.
"We both stayed up all night trying to find the magic circle that appeared. I got it memorized and drew it, but no luck so far. Name's Ricken by the way." Ricken is a brown-haired boy with light brown eyes and was dressed as a mage.
"I'm Lysithea. Nice to meet you." Lysithea smiled a bit as he used a bit of healing magic on the area where he drew blood.
"WHERE IS THE BOOK OF MAGIC CIRCLES?!" Miriel's frustrated tone made the two just shake their heads.
"Anyhow," Ricken turned back to her, "We're going to be studying you for a bit due to...your situation. We're hoping we can find a way to reverse it, but the magic formula is different." He says.
"Any idea of how it is?" She asked as she pulled back her sleeve.
"Here's what I got written down so far." He said and showed her the magic circle drawing.
The center of it took on a shape that was like a flower lily. The characters inside the magic circle were in the language that Sophia wrote. English, she called it. Yet the three small magic circles that create a triangle format, the symbols inside of it were unknown.
"FOUND IT!" Miriel's voice made the two mages screech as she came running over to them.
She slammed a book down on the surface, causing the table to shake and nearly causing the potion bottles to fall. The woman pointed to page number 550 with a terrifying look in her eyes. The magic circle wasn't like the one Ricken drew but the characters in it were.
"These characters..." Lysithea muttered, "Wait...I know these...They appear in archives of The Mila and Duma Faithful! But...why does Sophia's magic spells have those characters?"
"The woman Aversa said she came from a lost bloodline." Miriel muttered, "I know there at least a few bloodlines that have these characters in their magic circles. Let's start with this book." She placed a green colored book on the table.
"What's this?" Ricken asked, suddenly very worried because of how fancy the book looks like.
"The royal family archives of House Ylisse." Miriel bluntly said.
"DOES LADY EMMEYRN KNOW YOU TOOK THE BOOK?!" Ricken yelled in a panic tone.
The royal archives were only allowed to be accessed by the royal family.
"No, she does not. Not even Prince Chrom knows I took this." Miriel said as the other two mages quickly stepped away.
They do not want to get in trouble.
- Plegia Castle -
The minute Sophia's eyes shot open, it felt like she had been struck by lightning as waves of pain filled her entire body.
"Ahhh! Ah-Ah!" Her back arched as her fingers and body twitched as the pain was felt through her nerves.
She wanted to scream but all she could do was make distressful sounds. She could hear Claude screeching frantically and the faint sound of her door bursting open. The voices were muffled but she could see faint colors of white and black but also...the blurry color of a deep orange colored hair.
"Hold her down!" The Plain Wyvern rider quickly ordered, and the two mages held their friend down.
While the man wasn't good at magic, he knew just enough to help just in case of emergencies. He made the tips of his fingers glow green and then placed them on her shoulders. It was a technique his father taught him that allowed the muscles of the body to relax. Sophia began to calm down slumped onto the bed, panting.
"This is why you don't use Extreme Warp if you still do not know the limit of your magic." Henry smiled above her, and Sophia just answered with a loud groan.
"Anyway~" Henry sang and turned to the orange haired rider, "Thanks for the help Derick. Didn't know you could do that." The mage smiled.
Sophia carefully sat up on her bed and looked up to see a man standing next to Tharja.
Spiky orange colored hair and wore the armor of a wyvern rider in the colors of deep shades of red, orange and gold. Brown colored eyes that held kindness and goofiness in them. The man grinned and saluted her.
"Nice to meet you Miss Water Nymph! Names Derick! Wyvern Rider number 65! Part of General Heriot's unit! I've been assigned by King Gangrel and Validar to help guard you!" The man grinned proudly and then screeched when Claude went at him.
"Oh, come on! What's up with owls always attacking me?!" He tried to swat the owl away.
"(Click! Tick! Tick!)" Sophia made clicking like noises with her tongue, the owl quickly looked her way and flew to perch itself on the headboard.
"Thank you. Cough!" Derick coughed and spoke up again, "As I was saying, I heard about you a bit from those in General Mustafa's army and from Henry. I help him out with his experiments."
"Experiments?" Tharja scoffed, "More like helping him with his cursed pranks! Don't think I haven't forgiven you for that accident 2 months ago!" She pointed at him and then at Henry like she was going to execute them.
"Explain." Sophia bluntly said and Henry laughed.
"We put a Risen hand under her pillow!"
SMACK!
"Ow!" Henry got smacked on the head by Sophia, something she would to her siblings and cousins when they would do something stupid.
"Refrain from doing pranks here. However, if you're doing it to any of the higher ups of Grimleal..." Her smile became wicked that Tharja felt pride rise in her chest, "Let those sons of bitches suffer."
"Yes Ma'am!" The two males saluted, and Sophia had to stop herself from snickering.
"Anyhow," Tharja spoke, "we have orders to familiarize you around this place.
[-]
Unfortunately, Sophia had to change into the clothing Grimleal had already set up for her. Thankfully, Tharja found a decent dress and modified it to fit her. The ones that were originally these, she confirmed that Aversa chose them. Currently, she walked down the hallway with the others and Claude perched on her shoulder. The dress she wore was has long hooped sleeves, the belt was made to look like crimson flowers, the color of the dress itself was black. She was basically dressed as a female warlock. Looking around, they walked to a door made of maple wood and opened it. It was a library. Small, still a decent size.
"Interesting." Sophia muttered as she walked in along with the others, "Do you three know exactly why I'm brought here?" She asked.
"Again, we don't know. All we know is that Grimleal wants you for SOMETHING. The fact that you are being put in the position of higher up while still a prisoner is...concerning." Derick says as he throws her something and she quickly catches it.
It was a bottle of black hair dye.
"I overheard one of the mages complain about your hair color. You're exactly able to leave but figured I get this and a few other colors for you." He gave her a sad smile and she nodded.
She walked to a bookshelf and pulled a random book. It was a book about the Jugdrali saga. This one was the story of Sigurd and Deirdre. She opened it and the first page was a fairy tale like a picture of Deirdre in the forest, holding her staff as she was praying up to the sky.
"Hmm..." Tharja was at another aisle and muttered, "These are books on advance magic arts. Specifically, the dark ones. From what I recall what Henry said, your best attributes are Wind and Earth..." she held her chin and thought, "Have you ever tried casting Dark Spikes or Miasma Δ?"
"Does Fire count?" Sophia replied as she was reading through the book she picked earlier.
"It's something..." Tharja grumbled, "What about light magic?"
"Got it down. Currently working on mastering Elwind." Sophia replied as the other two were looking through the books.
"...Can you cast magic without a tome?" Tharja muttered and Sophia looked up from her book, and looked over to the shelf, Tharja was on the other side.
"...I can cast Heal and Fire...without a tome." Sophia muttered and Henry frowned.
He walked up to her and handed her a book. The title of it read, " The History of Magic: Volume 1".
"I think you ought to read up on this. It'll be helpful. Also...I think it's best we hide you can cast magic without a tome or staff. For now, try to adjust yourself to using a tome." He said and she nodded.
"Actually, now that you and Tharja are here..." she touched her bag, "A few months ago I took a tome from the library in the castle. During my time in Ferox, I learned that when I take it out, mages specifically start feeling that they are in pain. I want to see if you and Tharja will have the same reaction." She explained.
"Do you mind if I'm here too?" Derick asked and she shook her head.
Tharja came out and Sophia pulled out the black tome. Instantly, Tharja started having a reaction and quickly ran out to the room. Derick had no reaction, but he did say he felt a bit lightheaded. Henry was...
"Ooohh! It's like ants are crawling all over me! Nyahahahaha!" Henry laughed gleefully but suddenly covered his mouth, "Cough!"
"Gha!" Sophia screeched when she saw the drops of blood he coughed out and quickly put the book away.
"I'm fine." Henry smiled at her Sophia just started using Heal on him again.
It was strange seeing someone cast magic without a staff or tome. Henry and Sophia did talk about the subject when he first introduced her to the magic arts. He recalls telling that there are people that can cast magic with those, but it is extremely difficult to do. Here, watching her, it seems that her will is what is fueling her ability to cast magic with a tome or staff.
He does recall there was one mage in Grimleal who can cast magic without a tome, however, that person left 21 years ago. He was not present of course, but rumor was that they were Validar's lover.
"Hopefully, this helps you feel better." Sophia finished and they saw Tharja had come back, after taking some medicine.
"That tome! It came from the restricted section, didn't it?!" The black-haired woman growled, and Sophia whistled, a bit guilty.
Tharja just shook her head but spoke as she walked in.
"I just got a report." She says and the other perked up, "In two days you will be presented as the Hierophant of Grima. As well as introduced to King Gangrel. I also received news that after you are introduced, Validar and a team of assassins will be leaving to Ylisse." And Sophia's eyes went wide.
The pink haired woman covered her mouth as she looked down to the ground, worry was in her eyes despite her blank face.
"They are going to go assassinate the Exalt..." she muttered, and Henry's smile grew.
"Don't worry~" He cooed, which earned him a creeped outlook from Derick and a look of disgust from Tharja, "I got my connections~" he sang.
Sophia knew who he was talking about.
Panne.
[-]
The next two days were uneventful. Sophia wasn't allowed to go outside the building or even go explore the courtyard. The only ones that could enter and exist were Henry, Derick and Tharja. As much as she wanted to go and investigate the place, he was in position to do such a thing. She felt anxious, nerves, like a bird trapped in a cage. Technically, that is what she is right now. A bird who had been captured and put in a cage. Allowed to sing their songs within the bars that trap them in. The windows are left open to let fresh air in. Being in the castle made her feel like she was in the hold house she used to live in with her mother and half siblings. Sophia didn't inherit the dojo her grandmother owned till she turned 18. The old house she lived in with her half siblings and mother was in terrible conditions, not to mention the abusive environment. Her mother would have mental breakdowns and Sophia would quickly lock her siblings away in their room to prevent them from taking the brunt of their mother's mental breakdowns. The woman would scream and trash. Destroy everything in her sight. She would punch, kick, bite, beat Sophia with whatever she got her hands on.
It's the reason why she can't feel any pain on her right leg. The woman managed to get a hold of the knife and stab Sophia's right leg multiple times. Once the woman realized what she had done, she ran away and disappeared for weeks. The police never found her, unfortunately. Meanwhile, Sophia witnessed her younger siblings, ages 5 and 7, break down crying as they had a neighbor drive them to the hospital, where she was treated. It's that event that caused Sophia to want to become a doctor. The original reason was to make enough money to move out and take her siblings with her. She didn't care about saving lives back then. All she cared about was the fat check that would come with the job.
It was survival.
Sophia wanted to survive and protect her siblings. That was all. She nearly lost her right eye one time because her mother nearly assaulted her little brother. Sophia kept pacing around in her room as she had her arms behind her back. Claude looked at his master worried. Suddenly, the door to the castle opened and Sophia quickly went to the ballroom to see who had come in. From the balcony of the second floor, Sophia saw Aversa come in along with a row of 10 servants. Aversa frowned as she saw only Derick, Henry and Tharja greet her. She smiled when she heard shoes clicking as she saw Sophia walking down the stairs. Though Aversa was surprised to see the woman's hair how black, she didn't care.
"Greetings, Summoned One. How are you faring so far? Are you comfortable?" Aversa asked despite knowing how upset her question made Sophia.
Sophia put on her void face and spoke in a monotone voice.
"It is well." Sophia replied and Aversa chuckled at her void face.
"Anyhow," she motioned to the maids to walk forward, "they shall prepare you today."
The maids quickly took Sophia back upstairs and began to clean her. They even bathe her. They brought a new set of clothing that she would wear. The clothing was like a Hoshidan Priestess, except the colors of dress and armor were black and purple. Her cape is a dark blood red that stopped mid waist. Her hair was combed nicely, and they placed a crown behind her head. It was like the Exalt's crown except this one was made into the symbol of Grimleal. They also made her wear a thin black veil that covered her face. She also wore black boots.
Quickly, she was escorted outside the castle and to walk. It was strange. Aversa walked in front of her, while Derick, Henry and Tharja walked behind her. The 10 maids walked behind the trio. The hallways of the palace began to quiet down as they entered. Guards and mages alike of Grimleal bowed as she walked in. The place was silent, you could hear a pin drop in the distance. They soon arrived to the giant doors that led to the throne room. Sophia braced herself as she and the group walked in. Chairs were near the walls, filled with Grimleal mages. Their eyes bore into her soul as they looked at her as if she was a valuable piece of jewelry. Sophia steeled her nerves as they continued to walk, each person watching her every move as they stood before the throne. Validar stood next to the black marble throne where the Mad King Gangrel sat and on the left was someone she did not expect.
"Arca?" Derick narrowed his eyes as he saw his companion wearing better quality amor.
Her face was cold but there was still a cocky look in her eyes.
"King Gangrel, I present to you The Hierophant of Lord Grima. She is the one that has made the Kingdom of Plegia heal from war and famine. Medicine distributed to the people. The mortality rate dropping throughout the land." Aversa listed the things she has done while Sophia started to curse internally.
"Before you continue." Gangrel's voice irritated her but she maintained a calm composure, " Arca, confirm it is the woman you reported."
"Of course, my lord." Arca said as she walked down the stairs and walked towards Sophia.
Meanwhile...Sophia saw red. The closer the woman got, the more her pulse quickened as she registered the words that were said.
"Confirm it is the woman you reported." Kept repeating in her mind as Arca and Aversa were five feet away, yet her body shook.
Blood pounded in her ears as her hands twitched and she could barely hear or pay attention as her vision was red as Arca pulled off the veil yet...the woman suddenly took a step back. Sophia's eyes were wide, almost looking as if they were slitting her pupils shook with fury and rage. It had been years since she felt such anger and when she raised her arms towards Arca, her voice was colder than any ice in the world.
"It was you."
Arca or anyone barely had time to register what happened. Sophia's soulless eyes were now only a few centimeters from Arca's own. Hands wrapped around her neck and when she fell onto her back on the marble floor, it cracks under so much pressure.
"IT WAS YOOOUUUUUUU!" Sophia's screams were filled with nothing but pure rage as her magic in her body was now going out of control.
The glass windows in the palace shattered as vines suddenly began to grow on the walls, covered in thorns and poisonous flowers. Arca screamed and coughed blood as Sophia's grip. Arca clawed at Sophia's hands, her nails ripping the skin and causing blood to gush but that did not stop the older woman. King Gangrel was fully entertained, watching the woman snap like a twig. Arca's face was starting to turn blue, her eyes rolling up as foam started to form from her mouth. The mages and soldiers alike were in a panic as the vines were growing thicker. Sophia's eyes were like the devil's in Gangrel's eyes. Never had he seen such monstrosity of cruelty and rage. It was a beautiful sight for him and one of joy for Validar.
"Sophia!" Henry yelled as he ran to her but the magic around her made him freeze.
It was so vicious and cold. The woman's breathing was rapid as her nostrils flared with rage. Her eyes held not a speck of the woman he knew. The magic aura around Sophia was taking on the shape of a human. It could not be seen by normal human eyes. Yet, when Henry and now Tharja tried to get closer, they felt fear. A vision flashed before their eyes as they kept trying to get closer to the woman.
A young girl using her body to protect the younger kids. An older woman cursing and rampaging, holding a knife (a kitchen knife) and began stabbing the girl all over her right leg. Despite pain the teenager felt, only tears fell but no scream or whimpers left her lips as they kept shielding the younger kids with her body. The woman suddenly stopped, and dropped the knife, running away. Once gone, the teenage girl let out a scream that rivaled a weeping banshee. Her tears fell like a river as the younger children wept and one ran to some sort of device, screaming for help. Yet the teenager only smiled as her shaky arms hugged the children tightly.
"I'll keep you safe. I won't let anyone hurt you."
Sophia's hair seemed to grow longer, almost looking like wings as her grip never flattered on the girl's neck. There seemed to be some sort of sick twisted joy at how blue the girl under her was losing life. The humanoid figure that could not be seen by anyone else in the room wrapped their arms around her gently and covered her eyes as her mouth was opening to scream in rage again. But it didn't. Instead, the figure muttered whispers of comfort in her ears as Tharja and Henry ran to her. The figure only gave them a glance as their hands held her's and gently removed them from Arca's neck.
"This isn't you." The figure whispered and disappeared back into her shadow as the two mages suddenly pulled the woman off Arca.
Her bloody arms dangled as her eyes were still wide and void, her hands shaking as the two mages painted, her hair had grown long. It dragged on the floor; it was surprising to see it still black. A Grimleal mage quickly went to remove Arca and took her quickly to the infantry.
CLAP! CLAP! CLAP!
Gangrel stood up, claiming proudly as his eyes landed still on the shell-shocked mage.
"Bravo! Incredible! For all my years, this is an absolute delight, eyes the rage of someone fully coming into display." He smirked as Validar walked down with him.
"To think the Summoned one had suc-!"
WHOOSH!
Something zipped past Validar's cheek, just barely grazing him. He turned to look balc and saw some glass like a spear flew past him then shattered. He looked back to the woman, who's left hand was up, pointed at him. Sophia's eyes still wide and crazy as her hand went down.
"Hahahah! She openly just tried to kill you! I'm starting to think this woman would be perfect to send to war and finish off the prince." Gangrel grins.
"Sorry your Highness but that we cannot do." Validar states clearly, "For this woman is the future [-] of Lord Grima. Her blood and his can produce a powerful heir. We cannot afford to lose this woman." He glared.
Sophia was too in shelled shock to hear anything. But those present were made to keep their mouths shut about what was revealed today. Validar narrowed his eyes and noticed the woman's palm was still glowing, while the other was folded over her chest. Most likely a tome she had secretly brought.
"Take her back to the Garden. It's clear she is no state to speak." Validar ordered and the group quickly took Sophia away.
Gangrel hummed as he looked around the palace. Mages were working to remove the poisonous plants to have them stored away for future uses, yet there was this strange and unsettling feeling. For now, they need to focus on the assassination of the Exalt.
[-]
"Breath."
Gods, she felt like a broken wreck now. Her breaths were becoming rapid, her heart sounded like it was pounding in her ears. The sounds around her were distraught as beads of sweat ran down her face. Her body shook, her heart thundered in her chest, yet hot tears spilled from her eyes as she was made to sit on her bed. Her eyes were becoming alive again. The empty look in them was fading away, replaced with the look of a human.
"Here you go." Henry handed her a chocolate he snagged from her purse, and the woman gladly took it.
She began to nibble on it like a child, the tears still falling. Her body was still shaking as she felt the sweetness tak-!
"I can't taste..." Sophia dropped the chocolate in shock as her eyes were back to normal.
"Uhhh...Tharja!" Derick yelled nervously for the mage, which she had quickly come back to check on her.
"Try this apple slice." Tharja handed her an apple slice and Sophia took a bite, shaking her head.
"I can't taste it..." The woman muttered and buried her face in her hands, "I lost it...I lost my sense of taste...the shock...it was too much...It was too much..." she kept mumbling over and over again.
The tears would not stop. She hadn't felt this way in many years.
Anger and Resentment.
Hate and suffering.
Null of emotions.
The tears kept falling but her soul remained still in one piece. Tharja used a bit of magic to investigate her soul yet, the woman felt something that wasn't Sophia, push her out. But...
"Stay out."
The humanoid figure from before suddenly had a grip on Tharja's soul. Glaring at her furiously. Tharja trembled as the figure spoke.
"Stay out."
It let go of her soul and disappeared. The mage was silent as she watched Henry use sleeping magic to make Sophia go to sleep. Something wasn't right. Whatever strange feeling she was feeling, only seemed to intensify.
[-]
For hours at night there was always something that was welcomed, but for tonight, something had to be done behind one's back. Derick walked through a shady alleyway as he wore a cloak to hide his identity. He wore regular clothing so he could blend in. Making a turn, he arrived at a specific area that was hidden. He looked around and saw it was empty, or so that was what others would believe.
"You there?" He muttered and heard someone land next to him.
"Yup." A male voice spoke as they walked a bit, the moonlight making it look like their hazel colored eyes glow a bit.
The two males stared at each other and then smirked as they shook hands.
"Been awhile Gaius. Glad to see you're still alive." Derick grinned at the thief in front of him.
"Good to see you two, Breaker." Gaius grins, "But why did you call me out here? I got to head out to Ylisse in a bit. We're breaking into the Ylisse castle to steal gold."
"That's the thing..." Derick sighs, "The information you've been given is false."
"Is this about how Arca got her arse whooped this morning? I wasn't there but I heard she nearly got killed by some high up." Gaius muttered.
"Honestly, she deserved it. Especially since her snitching nearly got an entire village killed." Derick huffed.
"...Whoa...uh...no comment on that." Gauis shook his head, "Anyhow, what's this about being given wrong information?"
"Right. The real reason you and the others are being sent is to assassinate the Exalt."
"Whoa, whoa, WHOA!" Gauis shook his head and took a step back, "Did I hear that right?! We're going to KILL the Exalt?! I'm just going there for plunder! You know, line my pocket with some royal goods. The exalt's such a sweet lady...Yeah I rob her blind, but I'd never harm her!" He says shocked and Derick sighs.
"I know. Figured I warn you now since you know...before you make the wrong move. Look..." Derick pinched the bridge of his nose, "I got a message from Anna."
"Oh, so you finally married?" Gauis smiled and barely dodged the punch Derick threw at him, "Okay! Okay!" His hands were up in defense.
"She's decided to join The Shepherds of Ylisse. We've been trading information back and forth. So..." he looked back to him.
"You want me for communication." Gaius muttered and his friend nodded.
"Get yourself hired. Join the Shepherds, and we should be able to communicate properly. I don't know what Grimleal is planning but it's something big. And unfortunately, it's going to involve the woman Arca turned in. And human sacrifices." Derick explained and Gaius nodded.
"Alright." Gaius nodded and Derick handed him a bag.
"200 gold coins and four boxes of those top-quality candies that the nobles hate sharing." Derick grins as he saw the look of joy in Gaius's eyes.
"If you get caught...Are you sure you want to do this? You're basically betraying your country." Gaius looked at him worried.
"I'm not from here anyway." Derick muttered.
"Alright." Gaius put the bag away and was handed a letter.
"Make sure Anna gets it. And be safe."
Chapter 11: Not So Alone