- A Fragmented Memory -
He can't remember the last time they were able to call a place home. He can't remember the last time they only stayed in one place. They were moving. Always moving. Always a new land. Never in one place. He misses seeing the princess. They would wake up around the same time and meet up at the stables. They would see Aunty Lysithea feed the pegasus along with Aunty Sumia. Aunty Sumia would trip sometimes and Uncle Gaius would catch her. He let go of a sigh as he looked out the window of the cottage they were staying in. The sky was crimson today. It is as if the sun was choosing to no longer show itself. Today and many more weeks, he and mama will live in the mountains of Plegia.
"[-] come help me set up the dishes." He hears and he walked back.
He is the second eldest of the children. Mother says more children will be born. He does not know when. He walked inside and sees the little manakete helping his mother cook. The other boy, Inigo? is reading a book on the couch. The twins are drawing in their journals. It used to be just his mother and him moving. Now there are four more. Not that he minds. It is lonely with just his mother and him. [-] misses seeing General Cordelia riding on her pegasus high in the sky. Or scaring Sir Stahl when he appears suddenly like a ghost. Oh! It was always fun sight seeing King Chrom be scolded by Lady Robin! He made a huge hole in the wall!
"[-] have you finished setting up the dishes?" Nah's voice made him snap out of his thoughts.
He turned to the girl and carefully took the leftover plates from her hands.
"I'll finish it." He smiled and walked to the table to set them up.
"Hmm?" They hear his mother look out to the window and see a messenger owl fly in.
The woman stretches her hand out and lands on her arm. Carefully, she removed the small scroll tied onto its feet and unraveled it. The neutral look on her face became one of shock and horror as she was reading its contents. The woman gritted her teeth and flinched when she heard one of the twins speak.
"Aunty, is that a letter from Ylisse?" One said and the woman took a deep breath and nodded.
"Yes." She answered as she was not allowing her emotions to show.
[-] knew what that face is. It meant his mother was upset. The twin, Bernie looked confused.
"Is it from Mama and Papa?" She asked and the woman shook her head.
"Not today. Also, everyone." She turned and the children looked to her, "I will be leaving for a few days tomorrow. I will have you all stay with Henry and Olivia for a while. Alright?" The woman says and Inigo grins.
"Yay! Mom and Pa!" Inigo cheers as he does a spin.
The woman gave a small smile as she turned back to the owl. With a wave of her hand, she made a blank scroll appear and wrote in it. With that done, she tied it to his foot, the owl took off to the sky. She let go of a tired sigh. It had been a while since she heard anything from Ylisse. The war against Grima has been gruesome and it especially had been hard keeping the children safe because their parents would either fight in the frontlines or were part of royal courts. Henry became an official in Plegia and she also took part in it to help out. It was sad seeing the children not able to see their parents due to all the damn politics going on and war. Now...
"No. Calm down. Do not show weakness here." She thought and saw the children began to seat themselves at the table.
As much as she wanted to gush, she did not. Her son was now 10 years old and has unconsciously made himself the leader of the group. He was the second oldest. The first one is the Ylisse Princess (11 years old). The second one is him. The third one is Inigo (9 years old) along with Cordelia's daughter (9 years old) and Lissa's son (9 years old). The woman picked up the pot and began to serve the kids. The twins are 8 years old, little Nah is 6 years. They all have grown well but unfortunately during a time of war. She sat down next to her son after she finished serving them their meals and began to eat. [-] glanced at his mother and then to Inigo, who nodded.
"Ms. [-]." Inigo spoke and the woman turned to him, "We wonder when will we be able to go back to Ylisse? It's been a while since I have seen Owin and Severa." He says.
The woman's lips became a thin line and she let go of a sigh.
"No use in hiding it." She thought and spoke, "Severa is coming to live with us." She took a bite of her bread.
A pin could be heard dropping as she continued to eat, allowing the children to register the information she just dropped. The twins looked at each other worried and Nah blinked multiple times, her ears twitching a bit to show she was nervous. Inigo couldn't form words and her son spoke.
"Why is Severa coming to live with us?" [-] asked and she looked at him a bit worried but spoke.
"War. I will not shield you children from the truth of this. General Cordelia and Swordmaster Lon'qu...have passed away." The was the safest way she could say it.
Of course, she wasn't going to straight up say that the woman was killed during the mission to defend the Ylisse borders and was killed by a Risen Berserker. And that Lon'qu was killed in helping evacuate the citizens. The air became tense and filled with dread as she watched the two oldest of the group become pale as paper.
"Is...Severa...fine with this arrangement?" Nah asked shyly and the woman closed her eyes, shaking her head a bit.
"I will be finding that out in a few days." The woman muttered and [-] looked at her with wide eyes.
"You're going to Ylisse?" He gasped and she nodded, "Take us wi-" and he instantly became silent the minute she turned to him with cold eyes.
"No. None of you will be coming with me." She turned to look at the others, "Period. I will not allow any of you to be in danger. Even if I travel using my pegasus, there is a risk. You will all be staying with Henry and Olivia in The Garden. That is final. No questions asked." And the look she gave them said to finish their dinner.
[-]
He couldn't sleep. [-] could not sleep. He sat up from his bed as he looked over to the giant one his friends liked to sleep in together. The way they were sleeping peacefully but he knew they were scared. Because of the war, they have to live away from their parents. It was for their safety. He wished things weren't like this. He hated it. He stood up carefully, making sure the bed did not creak. He carefully walked out of the room and to the back room of the kitchen, where his mother would usually be. [-] was silent as he watched his mother reading letters with a tried expression but also...she was almost ready to break down. The woman picked up her mug and took a sip of her coffee, trying to keep herself from falling asleep.
"I know you're awake." She suddenly spoke and [-] flinched a bit, "You should be asleep." She kept writing.
"Ma, you should also be asleep." He says back and her quill stopped.
She turned to him with a raised eyebrow and he had a cheeky grin. The woman chuckled a bit and spoke.
"Getting bold huh? If your father were here, he would scold you." She chuckled and the boy blinked.
"Mama."
The woman turned to the young boy and looked at him with a blank face. She let go of a tired sigh as she gently let him climb on her lap. She gave him a small smile as she gently patted his head, and put her quil down. A small break would not hurt.
"What is dad like?" The boy asked and the woman smiled a bit bitterly but spoke.
"He is a knight. Strong and chivalrous. He is strict but kind. He is the number one strongest knight in all of Ylisse." She says and the boy grinned.
"Papa sounds amazing! But when is he coming home? I only ever heard of him." He asked as the woman smiled sadly.
"I'm sorry but...your papa...sigh...one day." She sighs as she stood up and held him in her arms as she looked out the window.
The desert stretched out to the horizon. The sun setting showing hues of orange, red, and yellow.
"[-] you have three homes." The woman muttered as she pointed to the mountains.
Beyond Plegia, is Ylisse." She says and then pointed to the ocean, "Beyond the sea, is Valm." And lastly to the sky "and beyond the Sea of Stars, is a home beyond our reach.
"Is it the Deeprealms you told me about?" The boy asked and the woman shook her head.
"One day, when you are older, I will tell you." The woman smiled softly.
"Then, if papa is in Ylisse, why are we here in Plegia?" The boy asked and the woman sighs as she looks back to the mountains.
"Because...I made a promise." She muttered.
"Promise?" They looked at her confused.
"...We are still fighting Grima. Right now," she looked back into their room, "It's my job to protect you kids. Sigh...I swore I will and if anything else happens to the other children's parents, I will take them in. No questions asked." The boy was still confused.
"Mama, did...dad ever hold me?" He asked suddenly and her face became warm.
"The day you were born, was the day I saw your father burst into tears. It was the happiest day of our lives. I held you in my arms, you were so tiny." She smiled softly as she looked out to the sky.
"When your father held you, he was a crying mess. Overjoyed. That he is proud that you are his son." She smiled softly at him.
"Then...why do we have to move so much?" [-] asked and she looked at him concerned, "I miss Ylisse. I miss Lucina. I miss everyone. I never got to see papa because he is busy."
"[-]." She hugged tightly, letting his head rest on her chest, "I miss him too. More than anything in the world. I want us to go back home but with the danger going on, we can't. Hold on my dear. I know how you feel. He wants to be here with us but he can't." She muttered.
"Why?" He asked.
"Grima. That's all I can say. But I promise you this." She kisses his forehead gently, "Even if I were to turn to dust one day, I will always love you. No matter what."
[-]
Days passed and his mother left them with Uncle Henry and Aunty Olivia.
Aunty is amazing. She likes dancing and she teaches the children when she has free time. Uncle Henry has to be in the Plegia Courts a lot. He banned the bad mages from out Plegia. It is strange seeing the others a lot. Bernie loves the library and Ryo likes swinging his sword. He had to scold Ryo because he was being reckless. He glared at him. He does realize he looks a lot like Uncle Felix?! [-] let go of another sigh as he took a bite from the sugar cookies Aunty Olivia made.
Then...
It happened. The door to the garden was kicked open and he immediately knew Uncle Henry had come to visit! He ran from his room to the balcony, excitement in his eyes as he waved from above.
"Uncle! Uncle!" He jumped off the balcony and Olivia screamed, her eyes rolling up as she fell.
Poor Nah was the closest to her and had to catch her. Henry just laughed as he quickly caught the boy and spun him around. He had a cheeky grin but made a glance at his wife to make sure she was okay.
"Well boy! You're already giving ladies heart attacks!" Henry laughed as he put him down, "So, ready to commit a little hersey?"
Everyone could have sworn Olivia passed out for the second time after hearing her husband make that comment. [-] grinned and gave him two thumbs up.
"Let's do heresy!" Henry knew that the boy's mother was going to kill him the minute she returned.
[-]
Days passed, and well, Henry knew it was coming when his friend returned.
"Mama! Ready to do hersey?!" The boy grins and his mother looked like she had turned into a stone statue.
"..." his friend slowly turned to him with the little redhead behind her was confused, "Henry...I'm going to kill you." The snarl that left her lips terrified the children while the man just burst out laughing.
[-]
A week. Perhaps a month. Severa has been adjusting to living in Plegia along with him and the rest. The girl is snappy, like a crab. But cute and huffy like a kitten. Well, that's how his mother describes her. Never actually met Severa. He has heard stories of her from his mother and Inigo. He's seen her from afar, but talking to her he has never done. Currently, he was up in the trees, resting, munching on an apple as he watched the red-haired twin tail from afar.
"Someone's in trouble." He chuckled to himself when he saw the wooden training lance in her hands.
The girl thrusted viciously but unfortunately not in the proper way. He snickered when he saw his mother walking up the hill and towards the girl. The woman held a broken lock and stopped a few feet from the girl.
"Severa." The woman spoke in a calm tone yet the girl flinched because she recognized it.
Her mother used to use the same tone also when she was in trouble.
"Severa."
Crimson-colored eyes looked at her with a scowl on her face. Despite being a child, she already had that feisty personality. The woman let go of a sigh as she knelt, the little girl only glared from where she stood.
"Were you the one that snuck into the storage room and took the wooden lances?" The woman asked gently.
[-] just watch from the trees. There was amusement in his eyes as he watched his mother most likely about to ground the girl for a week. The woman waited patiently for the twin tail girl to answer but all she got were puffy cheeks with an adorable glare.
"Hmph!" Severa crossed her arms and looked away, all huffy.
"Severa, answer my question." The woman said with a slight edge in her tone.
Sevara just huffed and looked away. The woman pinched the bridge of her nose and spoke.
"If you don't answer my question, you will get no pudding dessert." And instantly the girl turned to her with a horrified look, "Oh, so now I have your attention." the woman smirked a bit.
"That's not fair!" Severa pouted and the woman patted her head.
"Neither is breaking into the storage room. If you wanted to learn to use a lance, you could have just asked." The woman said bluntly and the girl huffed again.
"But you are terrible at using one! Mama always made sure to teach me about them and Papa would teach me about his sword!" Severa said and the woman sighs.
"I know I am not as skilled at using a lance-like your mother but I do know the basics. Tell you what." The woman stood up, "If you learn to use the lance and properly block one attack from me, I will teach you how to ride a pegasus."
"Hmm...What's the catch?" The girl asked, a bit nervous.
"Easy, you eat your vegetables and help me cook dinner."
"But I hate broccoli and spinach!"
"Oh? Is that so? Well looks like you aren't going to be tall."
"Grr!" Severa huffed and the woman chuckled a bit, gently patting her head.
"Now, Severa." The woman knelt again, "I know it has been...difficult for you to adjust to this new life. It's not easy for anyone. But right now, what is important is that we all stay together. I will take my time and train you and the others. But, I want you all to also put in equal effort. Alright?" she smiled softly.
"Okay...But," The woman raised an eyebrow at her, "can you tell me about Mama and Papa about their glory days?" the girl asked.
"Alright." The woman smiled softly, "Since you asked nicely, is there something else you want?"
"Two puddings for tonight!"
"Absolutely not."
"WHY?!"
- The Present Time to search -
Alm was silent as he let go of a sigh. He never got rid of the habit of climbing trees and sleeping in them. His mother would tell him, his grandfather used to do that, and also his great-great-great-grandfather, whoever they were. Still, he let go of another sigh as he looked up to the sky. The colors of cool light blue and white clouds made him appreciate the skies. In the future he was born, the skies were dark, black with hues of orange and red. The scent of smoke always lingered in the air with a foul taste. The peaceful sounds of birds chirping in his presence did not exist in the future. Instead of running from boars when hunting, they had to run away from Risen and bone walkers. A peaceful day like today is a blessing. One he will always be grateful for. He secretly prayed a Thank you to the Divine Dragons. The sudden thought of the Divine Dragons made him miss The Voice. She was kind and lovely. She took care of them for a while before-
"Stop." He muttered to himself and heard footsteps approaching.
He recognized who it was by the sound of how quickly they were heading towards him with a bit of click in the heels.
"Alm!"
He quickly sat up and saw it was Lucina. The girl was panting, looking at him with wide eyes as he jumped down.
"What's wrong?" He quickly said as he walked up to her and she shook her head.
"Sophia. She's gone." Lucina panted and Alm frowned as he handed her his canteen of water.
"I figured as much. She's a coward after all. " He muttered and Lucina shot him a glare.
"You know very well she wouldn't just leave without a reason." She said coldly, " But...that's not the other reason I am upset."
"Oh?" Alm raised an eyebrow at her as she looked back to the camp with a slightly frustrated look on her face.
"It's Morgan. He has decided to stay with the Ylisse army." She muttered and Alm looked at her shocked.
"What?! Why would he..." he didn't finish when she turned to him.
"He doesn't recognize me." Lucina smiled painfully, " I thought he would recognize me but when I said who I am..."
"Who are you?"
"To him...I am a stranger. Of course, no one would want to go with a stranger." Lucina let out a bitter chuckle, "After all this time, we finally found one of my siblings but he doesn't know who I am."
"Most likely amnesia." Alm sighed as she leaned on his shoulder, "I remember Tiki warning us that magic can have some side effects. I'm guessing this is one of them when we were brought 23 years into the past." He sighed as he gently rubbed her arm with his hand.
"What now?" He muttered and Lucina sighed.
"We look for Sophia. She has answers to questions we have and just letting her go would do us no good. Severa should track her down." Lucina said as they walked back to their mounts.
Alm petted his horse and sighed. His emotions have been conflicted for a long ever since he met Sophia. The version of this time was similar but so different from the version he knew. The Sophia of this time seemed so much happier and livelier compared to the future version. The future version of Sophia, the one he knows, was a woman who had long lost her ability to feel emotions yet was protective of them. He grew up seeing life slowly fade away from her eyes. He took a deep breath. They need to find her and speak to her.
Especially him. After all, she is-
- Dead Man tells no Tales -
"Huff...huff...gulp...Gasp!"
The war field that once held a bloody battle, was now a field filled with the corpses of Plegain, Feroxi, and Ylisse soldiers. A sole survivor who survived the fiery blast of a manakete. Her armor was burnt off. She panted and gulped for air as she limped and used her ax as support to walk. Her body was covered in burns, a gash on her back. She was covered in blood but the pain she felt was nothing to the burning rage and hatred she felt towards the group that betrayed Plegia.
"Damn you...damn you, Derrick...Damn you Tharja...Damn you Henry...and most of all..." she raised her head towards the sky, "DAMN YOU SOPHIA!" She screamed.
Arca.
The one who turned Sophia in. Here she is, barely alive in a valley filled with nothing but corpses. She laughed to herself, knowing how horrified she looked. Yet that did not stop her to keep on walking, reaching the capital, and take control. Yet, such a desire of hers to get revenge will not happen. She gasped when she suddenly heard movement and fear filled her body when the corpses began to rise. She began running as fast as she could. Even if her lungs burned like fire, but she did not care. She screamed and thrashed when the Risen got her but all they did was hold her down.
"Damn you pieces of meat!" She screamed but she felt her blood run cold when the sky suddenly turned crimson blood. Slowly a diamond-shaped portal opened from the sky and emerging from it, was the Deadlord that destroyed the capital. The Risen Queen stood still in the air and then let out her roar. Arca could not stop shaking. All the anger and hate she had disappeared in an instant. It was now replaced by fear. Tears fell from her eyes as her body shook with fear. The Risen Queen flew down and stood before her. Looking down at her. The veil hid her face yet all Arca could do was keep quiet. The queen was silent, staring at her when she suddenly grabbed the woman by the face and held her up.
Arca this point was desperate but...
"Ufu.."
A giggle. Arca slowly looked back and saw the Queen shaking, no, laughing.
"Ufu..Ufu...Hahahahaha!" A burst of laughter unlike any other, as if she were underwater or possessed by some demon, that is how the Risen Queen laughed as she held her up.
"Look at you." The queen grinned, "All that anger and hatred...gone in an instant. Seeing you now as nothing but a useless worm...Hahaha! Oh no...I have a job for you Arca. You so much more...but..." she pulled her to her face and the wind moved the veil enough to reveal The Queen's face.
"!" Arca was stunned to silence and then screamed when she was thrown back to the Risen.
"Devour her. Rip her apart. Then put her back! Keep repeating my dolls!" The Risen Queen screamed.
"No..No..Please NOOOO-!"
Screams of horror and terror filled the entire field as the Risen tore apart Arca like a broken doll and then sewed her back together like a ragged doll. The screams never stopped because the Risen Queen was keeping her alive on purpose. To make the woman feel nothing but despair and agony. Arca's pleas could be heard but they were ignored as the Risen Queen flew through the field in search of another body. Then she spotted what she wanted. She flew down and found the decapitated body of King Gangrel but the head was missing.
"Found you~" she cooed as she picked up the head that was kicked away.
She began laughing as she held it in her hands, seeing how pale the skin was but also how the king's final words, the facial features he made as he spoke them, remained on his face. She set the head on fire along with the body, for they will serve their purpose in two years. She turned back to the field, so many corpses remain, so many to build a new army. She can feel the emotions that remained on the corpses and began laughing as she turned to look at the sky.
"Greed. Lust. Deception. Hatred. Rage. Infidelity."
Each step she took up the staircase of glad, the Risen Queen spoke words filled with malice as she raised her hand. Each droplet of rain that fell became still as a stone in the palm of her hands. Her veil covered her eyes as she looked up to the starry sky.
"Love. Joy. Sorrow. Precious love slips away like time's sand. Death. Empathy."
The glass staircase shattered yet she kept walking in the air as if it was still there. Each step she took resonated as her lips curved up a bit.
"Humans, their existence is a mistake. War. Jealousy. Deceit." She stopped and turned to look down at the once raining battlefield, darkness spreading.
Bodies of Ylisse, Ferox, and Plegian soldiers rising one by one, letting out monstrous roars as she raised her arms.
"Human beings take everything away from themselves. They are nothing but worms and insects that infect and spread. But not for long." She chuckled as the army of risen grew.
"Today, we shall let those pathetic living humans relish their victory. But when the time comes..."
The wings on her head grew out as her arms were fully raised to the sky. Her teeth became fangs as she relished roars and cries of the risen. Her smile became wicked as she broke into a mechanical laugh. The crimson sky turned red as blood as the night was filled with roars of death.
"We shall devour them! For we are the will of Grima!"
- The Witch's Faith Cracks -
"Ugh.."
Everything was in pain. Her head pounded as if drums were beating right beside her. She felt she was on something soft, sleep wanted to take over her but she needed to wake up.
"Why...help...?"
"Injured...not.. leave..."
She could hear voices speaking. That was more than enough to make her wake up. Carefully she opened her eyes, yet she could feel her left side was bandaged so unfortunately, she could not to see anything from there.
"Hmm...urgh..." she grumbled as she could hear the voices shushing each other, "Tch." It stung trying to sit up and she heard someone quickly approach her.
"Careful. You just woke up." She felt someone help her sit up and even placed a pillow on her back.
Aversa blinked multiple times to help clear her vision and once it was cleared up, she looked around. The scent of herbs and essences filled her nostrils as she looked around. There were multiple shelves with books and jars filled with herbs. She could see a table with a tea set and a few pastries. But the majority of the room was lit up by magic crystals that were scattered around. Finally, her eyes landed on a young woman that seemed cautious of her. The woman had brown-colored hair with a single streak of mint. She wore the dress uniform of lower rank Grimleal mage. Her eyes then landed on the man that was making sure she was comfortable. The man looked around her age. Dark blue-colored hair tied to ponytail, light-colored skin, he wore round glasses and wore the uniform of a warlock. But was noticeable was the scar on his neck as if the guillotine had fallen on him.
"There, that should do it!" The man sighed as he finished fixing the pillows and blankets for her, "I'm glad you are awake Lady Aversa." He gave her a warm smile.
Aversa could barely comprehend what had just happened but quickly snapped out of it.
"Who are you? And where am I?" Her voice was cold but the man sighed and nodded.
He motioned the young woman to bring food for her.
"Lady Aversa, I am Edward. I am an intermediate Grimleal mage and as of currently, you are in my home." The man now known as Edward said and Aversa raised an eyebrow.
"Your home?" Aversa muttered, "How long have I been out?"
"Two weeks." The young woman came in with a tray of food, "I'm Sina, Edward is my elder brother. I brought stew and some fruits. I hope it is to your liking." She placed the tray in front of her.
Aversa stared at the food in front of her. A bowl of stew with some pieces of meat, a bowl of grapes and strawberries, and a cup with tea. Aversa sighed and carefully picked up her spoon, but winced a bit. She noticed that her entire body was wrapped in bandages. Just how badly injured was she? Nonetheless, she took a spoonful and hummed. If she has been asleep for two weeks, then that explains why the food tasted so good.
"Do you like it?" Sina asked nervously and Aversa nodded.
"It's perfect." The woman said and Sina let go a sigh of relief.
"Lady Aversa, I am sorry to ask you this but do you remember anything?" Edward asked and Aversa placed her hand on her left eye gently.
She remembered everything alright. The war, the battles, and especially her battle against Sophia. She should be angry, even screaming but a small chuckle left her lips as she ate.
"I do...The fight battle I fought, I lost." She muttered, "But somehow I am not angry. But...perhaps satisfied should be the answer." She took a bite from a strawberry.
"I see," Edward muttered.
"And what happened after the war? As well as the Grimleal?" She said and Edward answered.
"After the war, right now, the people of Plegia are working to restore the capital after the immense damage. To be honest, I'm happy to see Plegai being repaired." Edward said as she listened, "As for the Grimleal, all have scattered. Some have even chosen to quit and help restore Plegia."
" That is expected." Aversa closed her eye, " With the war lost as well as the Grimleal leaders have called as well as King Gangrel, it was a matter of time for members to choose to quit."
She let go of a sigh, as faint memories buzzed in her mind. Especially the ones where she is a child, running from...someone. But who? The thought made her skin crawl and shiver.
"What do you plan to do now Lady Ave—!"
"Aversa."
The two adults blinked as she finished her food.
"Just Aversa. I am no longer a general of the Grimleal." She looked at them, " I believe that is also the case with two, isn't it?"
The two were silent but Edward nodded.
"...It is better if you leave Plegia." Aversa said and the two looked at her surprised, "Validar is alive, and it will only be a matter of time till he regroups Grimleal and has Plegai under his thumb." She gritted her teeth.
"Aversa...you..." Edward sighed, "Even if we left, Validar always has his ways of finding traitors."
"I know." She muttered.
"But not this time. My faith in him...has finally cracked."
—- Forest of Leichen -
A few weeks have passed since Sophia left. And during those few weeks, Alm and Lucina were reunited with their friends. Not all but a few. But right now, they had to search for herbs for medicines. Unfortunately, the job could only be done by Severa and Alm. Severa gritted her teeth as they walked through the dark forest. The path was wet and muddy, not to mention the strange sounds she has been hearing. The environment around them didn't help either. Alm looked around as he searched for a specific flower. They weren't supposed to be difficult to find. He let go of a sigh as they stopped. They need to find the lantern flowers. So far, they've only seen nothing but snapdragons, lilies and at most, glaze lily or two. Perhaps he should make Severa sing.
No, that would spell his funeral.
"You know...it doesn't hurt to have a little fun." He thought as he looked around and saw Severa was scared.
"Yo Severa, remember the ghost stories Aunt Mercedes used to tell us about?" Alm chuckled at how pale Severa turned at the mention of the ghost stories.
"Now isn't the time for that!" The girl hissed under her breath, "The environment we're in really isn't helping!"
It wasn't. They were in an abandoned village that was near the Forest of Leichen on the northeast side of the peninsula of Ferox. The story is that this land was where the first undead was born. Where once the ancient Kingdom of Valla stood and fell. There are hundreds of stories that revolve around the abandoned piece of land but the most common is that during the Jugdral era, this forest is where the first Child Hunt began. Some say that the souls of the children killed in those onslaughts gather here. And when an unfortunate individual is lost, they latch onto them and drag them deeper, never letting them go.
"I was just trying to lighten up the mood." Alm chuckled but Severa could see it, he was also terrified.
"Just shut up. We need to gather the lantern flowers and get the hell out of here! Gawd! Why couldn't Nah and Eden do this job?!" She grumbled as they carefully stepped over mossy rocks.
"Because Eden's body isn't exactly a normal human like ours. He's a homunculus. More sensitive to negative energy. Second, the air in this forest is filled with anti-magic particles. It's poisonous to manaketes." Alm said and Severa huffed a bit.
"Fine. Yo-"
Snap.
Alm had never seen Severa jump so fast into his arms. Then again, the environment wasn't helping.
"I hate this!" Severa growled and suddenly realized she was in his arms, "Let go."
Alm just shrugged and let go of her.
"GHA!" Severa landed hard on her bottom and she just snickered, "I meant normally! Not drop me!"
"Sorry but y-" he suddenly pulled out his sword and the girl scrambled up with her daggers out.
About 15 feet away, they could see three blue glowing orbs coming closer and closer. The leaves of the forest began swaying suddenly and the wind picked up a bit. Suddenly whispers could be heard all around, the children's voices. Alm gritted his teeth as the light came closer and closer. They readied their weapons to attack but...
"Oh my!"
They began blinking multiple times.
"What are you children doing in these woods?" The voice of a woman spoke as the blue light they realized came from the flowers the woman was holding.
The light of the flowers illuminated the area they were in, revealing a woman with short brown hair, pale blue eyes, a brown-colored dress of a Valm priestess. She held a basket filled with blue-colored bell-shaped flowers that glowed a bright blue. But what was more intimidating was the black scythe that she carried behind her back. Severa spotted a few questionable red droplets on the blade but did not say anything.
The woman smiled sweetly as her eyes traveled to Alm and then to Severa.
"Are you children looking for lantern flowers?" She held up her basket, "These I picked from the field not too far from where we stand."
"...yes." Severa muttered and realized who this was, "We are looking for them."
"May I ask why?" The woman asked, her smile remaining.
"We need them for medicine," Alm said and the woman nodded.
"Lantern flowers can not be picked unless you sing to it. Aha, wait, those are glaze lilies." The woman chuckled.
"...What are you doing in this forest?" Alm said, not putting his sword down.
"I live here. I help the spirits of the children here pass on. A few are standing behind you." Never had the two wiped around so fast.
It was terrifying. Seeing hundreds of translucent figures of children from ages 5 to 13 stand there and staring at them. The woman walked past the two and spoke to the children.
"Now, now. It's alright. They are not from Grimleal. It's okay." The woman said softly and the children were silent, "For now, why don't you all return to the flowers? I'll keep an eye on them."
And like smoke, they all disappeared.
"I think I'm going to be sick." Severa gagged a bit.
"Severa, this is...Aunt Mercedes." Alm whispered to her.
"I know...no wonder Pa swore to never tell her about the ghost stories of Chon'sin."
[-]
Severa muttered a Thank you as Mercedes served her tea along with Alm. They were currently in a small cottage house. The inside smelled like herbs and pastries as well as the place felt welcoming. There were flower vases around the place yet...there was also something strange. Mercedes sat down between them and smiled softly as the scent of sweet apple blend tea filled her nostrils. She spoke, her voice was airy and relaxed.
"What is your children's story? It is rare to see people in the forest and much less children. If you children did not have a strong mind, there could have been consequences." She said and they gulped.
"We..." Alm began, "We came here in search of the lantern flowers for medicine but also...for a potion." Severa looked at him with wide eyes but Alm knew lying to Mercedes there would be consequences.
One does not simply lie to a Dark Knight.
"A potion?" Mercedes said and Alm nodded.
"We heard that the lantern flower was a key ingredient to a potion called Fliatri." And Mercedes frowned, "We know the potion is dangerous but we need it. There...have been some serious problems going when we fight the Risen and we believe the potion can help us. As for medicine, we know that lantern flowers enhance the abilities of vulneraries as well as white magic." He finished.
Severa was ready to kick him under the table till Mercedes sighed.
"You both are bold to try and recreate that potion." She muttered, "That potion is from the Jugdral Era, created by Queen Deirdre to fight the Deadlords, however, if not used correctly, it could kill you. Thus the potion was deemed forbidden by the council and still is." She looked at them both, "Are you both ready to face the consequences should word of it get out?"
"We are!" Severa said, "After everything we've been through, we can not just stop. We already lost ut families and if this a way to create the change we want to save those we love...we'll do it!" She slammed her fist on the table.
Mercedes was silent as she closed her eyes and stood up.
"Very well, if that is your choice..." she walked over to a vase with lantern flowers but also glaze lilies, "Then you will need these."
She handed the vase to Severa with a sad smile.
"Thank you...Mercedes." Alm smiled softly and the woman patted his head like a child.
Severa began snickering at the face he was making and then her laughter was cut off when Mercedes began petting her head. She became a blushing mess and now it was Alm's turn to laugh.
But even small happy moments don't last forever.
BAM! BAM! BAM!
Mercedes quickly whipped towards her door, someone was banging on it. Severa quickly put the flowers away in the magic bag and had the dagger out and Alm his sword.
"Shhhhh..." Mercedes hushed them as she walked to the door and opened it.
The children's faces immediately darken at the sight of a Grimleal elder mage. Mercedes motioned them to put their weapons down. She turned back to the mage with her smile.
"Can I help you?" She said.
"May we speak outside?" The mage said and she nodded.
The other two did not trust the mage so they decided to follow after her. Alm stiffened at the sight of two more Grimleal mages as well as Severa. The girl gulped and saw the mage speaking to Mercedes. Their tones were hushed but even though Mercedes kept a calm face, they could see the mage become visually frustrated. The ghost children were watching from afar. The smile on Mercedes never left her lips as a Grimleal mage and two of his lackeys were behind him. A bead of sweat rolled down Severa's cheek as well as Alm. The tension in the air was becoming suffocating.
"The place is surrounded," Severa muttered and Alm gulped yet Mercedes only extended out her arm a bit, her way of saying for them to stand back.
"Why have you come?" Mercedes's sweet voice rang through the place.
"We once again have come to offer you to join the Grimleal." The high-rank mage said and the woman tilted her head a bit.
"I have said many times and I shall say it again." Her eyes squinted just a bit, "I decline your offer."
"On the contrary Miss Mercedes." The mage chuckled, "We offer you an audience with our leader. He has had his eyes on you for some time."
"I decline," Mercedes repeated, as her eyes became half-lidded.
"Declining isn't an option." The mage snapped his fingers and the others were surrounded.
"Sigh..." Mercedes sighed as she closed her eyes, "I see." She slowly began to reach back, "I may be a healer but..."
SLASH!
The mages of the higher up began screaming when the head of their leader was gone and blood was squirted all over. Alm quickly covered his mouth because he wanted to throw up as Mercedes held her scythe with her left hand. But in her right hand, she held up the head of the mage as if it were a basket. Severa was too stunned to move as the woman opened her eyes and smiled.
"Even my patience has its limits. I said to leave. I have declined. Goodbye."
"Get them!" The mages yelled and the battle began.
Alm and Severa had never once seen Mercedes in combat. They have head stories from their parents but now they are witnessing the woman fight and they were terrified. Mercedes sounded her scythe gracefully and then brought down on the enemy, their necks sliced off cleanly. Their bodies falling to the ground. Droplets of blood were on her face and clothing but she did not care. Her eyes were wide and no longer a smile on her face as she fought. Alm yelled as he slashed at another Grimleal lackey and kept cutting them down.
But...
"You...had your chance." The final Grimleal breathed his last words.
"What do you-!" The forest burst into flames along with the cottage.
"NO!" Mercedes screamed as she ran to her home and went inside.
"Aunt!" Alm yelled and went after her.
"[-] YOU CRAZY BASTARD!" Severa yelled as she was trying to put out the fire.
Alm coughed as the inside of the cottage was burning. Everything was on fire and he couldn't see anything clearly because of the smoke. Yet he could hear footsteps running around quickly. Finally, he spotted Mercedes and she managed to fill her bag with quite a few of her belongings that survived as well as tome she held tightly to her chest.
"Come on, we need to go!" Alm said and Mercedes wept but nodded.
He helped her manage to grab a few more things and especially the lantern flowers. The fire was just everywhere and they were going to escape unscathed.
"Oh!" He quickly picked her up, kicked the door, and jumped out of the building on time.
"Guys!" Severa yelled and ran to him, pulling our vulneraries and pouring them on them.
All they could do now was watch as the forest burned down.
[-]
Hours passed and all that remained of the once haunted forest was a pile of ashes along with her former home. Mercedes had a dazed look as she looked at the once dark forest, now reduced to ashes along with the abandoned village she lived in. Alm bit his lip as he walked up, placing a hand on her shoulder.
"I'm sorry..." he muttered and flinched when ashes began to take on the figures of children walking up to them.
Mercedes knelt as gently held the hands of a young boy, who shook his head but smiled softly.
"Tha..nk..you..."
Her breath hitched at the ashes and was blown away as she stood up. The light of the sun's rays barely peeked through the dark clouds.
"What happened to them?" Severa whispered as the woman closed her eyes, letting a few tears fall.
"This forest was once a beautiful place filled with joy." Mercedes muttered, "The village itself has been abandoned for 200 years. But 20 years ago, the Child Hunts were revived by the Grimleal. Even if Loptous no longer lives, there are still those who worship the fallen dragon through the Grimleal." She clenched her fist.
"Were you...?" Alm whispered and she shook her head.
"No. But I lived in this village with orphaned children and a brother of mine. I was the eldest. I assured them that I would be back on time for the shooting stars but when I returned...Only their charred bodies remained." Mercedes held up her scythe.
They moved it just a tad bit, her eyes reflecting at her.
"The Grimleal...They will s̷̡̗̏u̴͍̲͐f̵̙́͘f̸̼̅̄ě̷̢̹͋r̴̺̈̕͜."
Severa suddenly felt terrified as well as Alm when they heard her voice become disorientated just for a moment. But one thing for sure they understood. Mercedes had every intent to make the Grimleal suffer.
"What will you do now?" Severa asked, worried as she planted a few of the surviving flowers on the ground.
Mercedes gave her a small smile as she spoke.
"Perhaps I shall wander around for the time being." The woman muttered and turned to them, "But...thank you for speaking to me. It has been years since I have spoken to someone."
"Come with us!" Alm suddenly said, "I know we don't look like much but you could be safe. The Grimleal will be hunting you down and it will be difficult to keep on hiding. Please." He said.
"I can not." Mercedes shook her head and gave them a sad smile as she stood up, "My role has yet to come." She began to walk away and gave them one final smile, "Goodbye. The next time we meet, I'll have some rosehip tea and some sweets." And left.
Severa was going to go after but was stopped. Alm shook his head.
"It's not our place." He muttered and she glared at him but nodded.
"Come on..." she muttered, "We need to find Sophia."
[Interlude 1: End ]