[A/N: This is a short chapter. I wanted to start light. Enjoy!}
- Time: ? Date: ? Location: Unknown-
The world was unknown to her. Everything around her was not what it should be. The world around did not look like a comfortable bedroom. There were no shelves. There was no kitchen. There was no sink. There were no candles and a table of sweets.
"What happened...?" The woman muttered as she sat up carefully.
Her body felt like a brick yet she forced herself to stand. Her left arm had a deep gash but the sight of blood does not make her freeze.
"Tch." She clicked her teeth and quickly took out the pocket knife she always carried.
Quickly, she used it to rip part of her coat and quickly tied it around her arm. Making it was nice and tight, she looked around.
"A forest...?" The woman muttered, "How the hell did an earthquake send me to a forest?"
She looked around, hoping to find a few of her belongings and she found a few scattered around.
Her bag that she uses to store her medical tools, a book about herbs, unfortunately, she found one of her guilty pleasures, an erotic novel. Around 20 minutes passed and the only other things she finds are her pencil box, a music box she inherited from her grandfather. A photo album, a small box of watercolors, a notebook, and finally, the sword she always had displayed on her wall.
"That's it...there's no more..." the woman sighed as she looked around.
The forest gave off a gentle feeling as if she was safe. She looked for her belongings she was able to recover but the one thing her eyes never left was the sword. It used to be her grandmother's and she took great care of it greatly.
"I need to find civilization." The woman stood up and strapped the sword onto her back.
With her things packed up, she began to set out.
[-]
It's been 2 hours at most that have passed and she was starting to feel tired. She's found some berries to eat, keeping her energy up but it was only a matter of time till it disappears. She sighed as she kept walking. She could tell the sun was starting to set. The woods at night aren't pretty so she needed to find civilization. She kept walking till in the distance she spotted a small fire.
And people.
She began walking quickly towards it. She saw a group of three men and yelled out.
"Hey!" She yelled as she got closer and they turned in her direction.
The closer she got, the smile she had faded as she noticed their appearances as well as clothing. The blades they had on their waist are what caught her attention the most. They greeted her and she winces at their ill intentions. She tried to excuse herself but when one tried to force themselves...
STAB!
The sword she carried, she stabbed it through their stomach. The other two yelled and charged to attack her. The sword lessons her grandmother taught her, took over and she fought. She slashed, she stabbed, she fought in self-defense. And when it was over, shock and fear took over when she saw the bodies of the three bandits. The woman shook like a scared child as she looked at the blood in her hands. The body in front of her now cold as the ice was motionless.
"It had to be done. It had to be done. It had to be done. It had to be done!" She frantically screamed as she looked at the bloodied sword in her hands.
If she didn't fight, she knows she would have been killed. She slowly looked around, seeing the other two bodies of the bandits she killed. Her eyes slowly landed on their belongings. She wanted to hurl. She did hurl. She ran to the nearest bust and spilled her guts. She whimpered as she used her sleeve to wipe her lips. She coughed a bit and forced herself to search through the bodies.
"I need to survive until I find some sort of town." She thought, "I'm supposed to save lives...not take..." she gritted her teeth.
She found money, the coins looked like the ancient coins from the early eras of Japan. But these were made of gold. Some silver and copper were also mixed in the pouches she took. She entered the tent and frowned. Nothing but men's clothing in the bags as well as a few more bags of coins. She gawked when she found a few bottles of poison and let go another sigh of relief that she found some food. Even if it was dried meat, it was something.
"Huh?" She found a flask and opened the cork, and took a sniff, "Sake?"
It was a sweet smell. The only reason she recognized the scent because one of her family members loved drinking it. Especially the peach flavor ones. A bitter chuckle left her lips as she grabbed an empty bag and stuffed it with what she will take. She used an old rag she found to clean the sword and frowned. What would her grandmother think if she saw her beloved sword covered in the blood of another human? What would her grandfather think of seeing her kill to survive? The only things she has killed were deers and geese when she would go hunt.
What...
"What would Sophia think...?" The woman sighed and began to walk, leaving the bodies.
But she took one last look at them.
"I'm sorry." She whispered.
Throughout the walk, she had found herbs and mushrooms she recognized could be used as medicine. 7 days passed and she was starting to become frustrated. She has at least encountered 3 more bandits and all of them were killed. She wanted to go home. But was she even in the United States anymore? Did the apocalypse finally hit and did the world have to go into survival mode?
"A hill!" Joy filled her when she finally spotted a hill she could get on to get a good view.
She ran as fast as she could, even if her legs burned from walking so much. She panted and finally reached the top but the smile she had was wiped off once she saw the scene.
Buildings of wooden structures, elevated slightly off the ground, with tiled or thatched roofs. Sliding doors were used in place of walls, the patterns repeated over and over as far as the eyes could see. Her eyes soon landed on the biggest structure that was built similarly.
"Wha...How in the hell did I end up in Japan?!"
- Present Time -
Laughter and music filled a tavern at night. The scent of food and alcohol was in everyone's mind for the night. But at the far corner of the table, sat a woman with a mug of ale, a set of five cards in her hands, and a man sitting across from her.
"So, you put your cards down?" The man has spiky dark blue hair, he wears a headband and armor of bone white and blue.
The woman, shoulder-length orange-red-colored hair, wore the uniform of a Valkyrie, red glasses, and her ruby emerald eyes narrowed at the cards she was holding.
"Sigh...you win." Sophia placed cards down on the table, "It is my first time playing this card game so it makes sense I lost." She sighed.
"It's alright." The man said, "Ah, never introduced myself. The name is Priam, nice to meet you. What's a lady like you doing here in the outskirts of Ferox?" Priam asked.
"His name sounds familiar...where have I heard it again?" Sophia thought but spoke, "Name's Sophia. I'm a traveler. As for your question," she leaned back a bit on her chair, "The village I'm temporarily living in is not too far from here."
"Wait...Sophia...this the chick that!" Priam suddenly remembered a certain conversation from a year ago.
It's been a month since the war between the three nations. Sophia had left Plegia and was traveling around Ferox. She was temporarily living in the mountains of Ferox, watching over Emmeryn. For now, she wanted some time away from the village she was staying in and some free time. Thus, why she is in the tavern. As for how she met Priam, he tried to hit on her.
"Yawn~" Sophia yawned, "Hmm...Sigh... it's been a month since the war and my sleeping schedule is still messed up." She muttered.
"Ah, the war." Priam nodded, "You're a veteran? Guess that explains the scars." He pointed to his cheek.
"Yeah..." Sophia sighed and then paused for a moment, "You mind listening to this lady's tale?"
"Nah, I don't mind. Everyone's got a story. Have at it." Priam said.
And so Sophia spoke. It felt strange to tell a stranger her story of how she got to Archanea as well as her being in Plegia, the Grimleal, meeting the Shepherds and the war. Priam was silent as he listened and maybe had to stop her a few times from over drinking. Okay, multiple times.
"So now, here I am, trying to figure what exactly to do with this freedom earned and also emotions of conflict!" She said as she put her mug down, " Sometimes I feel me temporarily leaving was a coward move. Like if I'm the weakest in the world." She sighed.
"I wouldn't say that." Priam said, "Humans are fragile creatures. Sometimes we can be the strongest in the world or the weakest." Priam took a long sip of his Ferox gin as Sophia was silent, "You still got doubts even though you're now free of the Grimleal. To be more precise, you don't exactly feel free." He pointed to her.
"You could say that." Sophia sighed and took a giant gulp of her ale, "I'm technically hiding someone from the royal family till they get better." She placed her mug down.
"Huh." Priam said, "Then you might as well start preparing yourself for drama." He shook his head, "By the way, do you ever recall speaking to Anna about the Radiant Hero, Ike?"
"Yeah, what ab-Wait..." she narrowed her eyes at him, "How the hell do you know about that conversation?" She asked.
"Well," he finished his drink and smirked at her.
It didn't help that his fang tooth was showing.
"I was there. Who the hell do you think you are calling me cute and a puppy?" He smirked and suddenly Sophia remembered the entire conversation with Anna and Lysithea.
"Oh...that was your group behind us..." Sophia chuckled nervously, "Oh, don't be offended."
"Oh, I'm not offended." Priam chuckled, "How about I show you that I'm not a puppy?"
"Sparring match?" Sophia's smile became coy, "Oh, that sounds lovely."
"Ha! Didn't think you were the type to go for a sparring match. So, tomorrow, midday?" He grinned.
"You're on." She grinned and clinked their mugs together and drank.
"By the way, I'm curious about why you know so much of my ancestors. Did in your country books about Ike were handed out or something?" Priam asked and Sophia snorted.
"Not really." She answered as she leaned back on the chair, "More like, it was a story that was born."
Priam raised an eyebrow at her, confused.
"In my home...We had many different stories. From fairy tales to new stories born every day. One of them was that there were different versions of The Fire Emblem. Stories from the Jugdral Era, to Valentia. Stories from a land called Fodlan to the stories of the battle against the First Dragons. People of all ages read them, create art and music based on those stories. The stories of Heroes from different worlds...they inspired so many." Sophia muttered softly.
"For me...I grew up being told stories of Queen Celica and King Alm. My grandmother would speak of them often as if she knew them. She...urgh..." her head began to hurt for some reason.
She was trying to remember something but no matter how much she tried, she could not.
"Hey, you alright?" Priam looked at her worried, "Maybe you should stop drinking for tonight. Too much, and you're going to have a horrible hangover." He carefully took her mug away.
"I'm alright." Sophia took a deep breath, "My memory is fuzzy. Ugh, maybe I should stop drinking tonight. Anyhow, thanks for listening to my rambling." She smiled a bit.
"Don't mention it." He grinned, "Anyhow, I'm going to head for sleep. See ya tomorrow." He got up, "Oh, and I paid for your tab." He winked and left.
"Huh. Damn pretty boy."
- The Next Day -
She had rented a room at the inn next door and she was not happy with the headache she woke up with.
"For fucks sake, why does ale always do this to me...?" She carefully sat up and also realized she was just in her bra and underwear.
She tended to sleep in her undergarments when drunk.
"Ugh."
So much for an easy morning.
- noon-
With her charms strapped onto her hips, a training tank top, pants, and her dagger, she headed to the tavern. Sure enough, Priam was waiting for her and so was his team.
"Aye, what took you so long!" The man waved as she arrived, "Didn't get much sleep?"
"More like a hangover." Sophia groaned and he laughed.
"Told you. Anyhow, you ready?" He smirked and Sophia rolled her eyes but nodded.
"Let me warm up a bit. Anyhow, what weapon will you be using?" Asked as she began to stretch.
She cringed hearing her bones pop as did others.
"Isn't it obvious?" Priam unsheathed his sword and stabbed the point to the ground, "I will be fighting you with Ragnell." Her eyes went wide.
"Whoa, boss!" One of his men yelled out, "Are you sure?! That sword of yours is a bit too much."
"I can handle it." Sophia said as she finished, "I've survived being tortured, burned alive, curses, spells." She walked up, "The force of a sword, bring it."
"Alright Red, you asked for it, I won't hold back." Priam gave her a firm nod.
Both walked to the field in front of the tavern and a crowd was gathering. Some were placing bets on which would win while a few others were preparing first aid should things go haywire. Sophia took out her two chakarms, the sound of the blade resonating sent a shiver down the audience's spines as Priam took his stance, holding Ragnell with both hands.
Both lunged at each other, however, the force of Ragnell colliding with her charkarms was something she did not expect. She felt it. Its power, its strength. For just a moment she saw a vision of a man using the same blade in a battle.
"She still standing after that first one!" Someone yelled out as Sophia jumped back, a bead of sweat running down her face but most of all...
"My arms are shaking because of the amount of force." She looked at her arms, they were shaking.
She gritted her teeth and the two charged again. She spun, striking when she spotted a weak area but Priam was faster. With the use of gorilla force, he knew how to control it and use it to his advantage. Unlike her, she is not an expert on the sword, she had to figure out her way.
"Gha!" She yelled out when she was thrown back but to keep herself from landing on her back, she twisted her body and landed on all fours.
"Give up?" Priam yelled out but one final lunge, she thought she had him but...
"BAM!"
Her charkarms were thrown out of her hands, flying into the air, and landed straight to the ground. All sound around her disappeared as she kind of was registering what had just happened. The sun beating down and the light in her eyes. Priam pointing Rangell at her and the force of the blade still resonated in her arms.
"Gasp...gasp!" Sophia dropped to her knees, "Wha...what!"
Priam grinned as he put the tip of his sword under her chin, making her lift it a bit. She looked up with a shocked expression. She had never felt such force and power come from such a blade. The sword Priam wield unleashed a force one did not expect. It was her first time she went against such a legendary blade and she really shouldn't have underestimated it. Fear wasn't what filled her but excitement. Part of her wants to study the legendary sword.
"I win." Priam's voice made her snap out of it, "And since I won, don't call me cute anymore. Or a puppy."
She shook her head and nodded, a grin on her face. Even if she lost, she still had fun.
"Alright-Ulp!"
It was like someone suddenly punched her in the gut. She had suddenly slapped her hand over her mouth and she could hear others saying if she was alright. But everything sounded muffled. The only thing she could concentrate on was the taste of copper in her mouth. She quickly spits and saw the crimson liquid on the ground. Her eyes became half-lidded and she could hear someone running towards her.
"Here!" One of the maidens from the taverns shoved a vulunary into her hands, "You fought in the war, didn't you!? You haven't fully recovered!" She scolded.
"Not that it matters. Cough!" Again she coughed out a few red specks, "Internal injuries take longer to heal."
"Red, if I knew you were injured, I wouldn't have fought you," Priam muttered as he helped her up.
"A war I don't want to talk about." She sighed as she gulped the medicine down, "Huh...Honey and berries."
"Still, not bad Red!" Priam gave her a light pat on the back, "You help up longer than any of my men! Not many can withstand Ragnell's force. Most people drop after the first blow." He explained.
"Figured." She sighed and took out her canteen, " Well, pretty boy!" She turned back to Priam, "You won, so I owe you favor. So, name it."
"Now Red?" Priam chuckled and then he saw she wasn't joking, "Wait, you're serious?!"
"Come on Priam." Sophia sighed, "You won. Is there something you want me to do or something you need?"
"How about a kiss?!" Someone yelled out and then suddenly the ladies started chanting, "Kiss! Kiss! Kiss!"
"I'll do anything else except a kiss and sleeping with you." Sophia said loudly and the audience went "Awww!" Or "Boooo!"
"Hahaha!" Priam couldn't help but laugh, "Alright. How about you cook me and the team a meal? How does that sound like it?" He said.
"That I can do." She grinned, "But I got to take my medicine first."
"Just what exactly do you take for medicine?"
[-]
She took out a small bag from her purse and Priam looked at her confused for a moment. He saw her clean her hands and when she opened the small bag, never before has she seen so many people become pale.
"Needles."
If there is one thing that Sophia knows, it is that half the world is afraid of needles. And in this case, when she pulled out four syringes to inject herself with the medicine she needs to heal, she saw how pale Priam and his team became.
"Hey Red...um...what the hell are you doing?" The man asked and flinched when she picked up the first syringe with a red liquid.
"Taking my medication." She said naturally and pricked the needle into her wrist and injected the medicine.
Her veins glowed a light red as she felt the potion taking effect.
"But um...don't needles hurt?" Priam chuckled a bit nervously and even more when she picked up the second syringe and injected the medicine.
"Not really. I feel no pain on my right arm." Sophia said as she picked up the third one.
"How in Naga's name are you not creeped out by those things?!" Priam yelled and cringed seeing now with the third syringe.
"Because I'm a doctor and we use these all the time on people!" And she injects.
"You're not gonna use that on me are you?" He says and Sophia smirked as she picked up the fourth one.
"I could...only when you are at death's bed." She put the needle on her wrist, "But I won't. Not yet at least." And the last one was injected.
"What do you mean not yet?!"
"I'm not saying ~"
Sophia couldn't help but chuckle as she finished and put the syringes away. But it was true. At some point, she is going to use it on him and the others.
"Now that's done," she stood up, "I'll go cook that meal you all want. Anything in mind?" She asked.
"Nope. Have it. Surprise me." Priam smirked.
"Okay. And by the way," she smiled, "I had fun today."
And off she went to the kitchen. Priam was stunned to silence till at least a few of his men walked up along with a tavern maiden. All of them were looking at the man with knowing looks and smirks.
"He's smitten." The tavern maiden said.
"Aye, the boss is smitten." One of the wyvern riders said, "GO GET HER BOSS!" They all yelled out.
"AYE, ENOUGH!"
Sophia just shook her head. Priam's cute but not really someone she is into. More like a friend. Still, seeing the rowdy bunch and him having fun with his team, the thought of the Shepherds and a certain knight came into her mind. As much as she doesn't want to admit it, she felt lonely. She missed the others but with what she needs to do, she can't return to them yet.
"Well, no use gloating." She thought and tied on the apron, "Alright ladies!" She turned to the tavern maidens, "Ready to tackle the meal?!"
"YES!"
[-]
The tavern was just as live during the daytime just like nighttime. Music filled the place as well as a few tavern maidens dancing on the small stage. There was singing, others making bets and playing games. But most of all, everyone is drinking and eating.
"Ah!" Priam took a bite from the spicy pork Sophia made and he loved it, "Damn Red, this is divine!"
"Glad you like it." Sophia said as she took a sip of her wine, "Recipe from my homeland."
"Haha!" He laughed, "It's an amazing one. Thank you."
"You're welcome." She smiled and the tavern maid and the group were groaning that moves weren't being pulled.
"What do you plan to do here?" He asked and Sophia carefully put her mug down.
"Other than taking care of you know who, I think I will travel a bit more," Sophia said.
"Then I propose those," Priam began, "Why don't you join my team?"
"What?" Sophia looked up shocked, "Priam are you serious?! We just met yesterday!"
"True." He chuckled, "But today's spar, I got to experience first hand that you're a frightening woman with those blades of yours. I honestly thought I was going to lose my head a few times." He admitted.
"Well..." Sophia thought for a moment, "thank you. Unfortunately I have to decline. I still have a job to finish. And..." she sighed, "I have people waiting for me."
"I understand." Priam nodded, "But if you ever change your mind, you're always welcomed."
"Thank you." She smiled softly.
"Now," he slammed a deck of cards on the table, ready to play?"
"You're on!"
- Days Later -
It had been a few days since left the tavern and since she met Priam. She honestly is going to miss the man. It had been a while since she had so much fun and as well as the sparring match. She had packed some food and Priam had informed her of the latest jobs going on for mercenaries.
"Even if the war is over, there has been a demand for villages to be protected. Looks like the Grimleal is still around and has been kidnapping people."
"Even if the war is over..." Sophia muttered as Ingrid was nearing the snowy mountains.
It was February and the chilly air was a reminder of how cold it got in Ferox during this month. Compared to her old world, this type of weather was a bit refreshing. She still hated the cold but it was better than summer from her old world. She sighed as the hours passed and finally, she arrived at a small cottage in the woods. She took Ingrid to the stables and also had placed plenty of food for her. After that was done she headed to the cottage. Opening the door and shutting it, she let go a blissful hum feeling the warmth of the place. There was a fire still alive in the chimney. The inside of the cottage was nice and cozy. A warm couch, a table with food, a few shelves with books.
"I'm back!" She yelled out and waited.
Fast approaching footsteps she heard and saw a head peek out from the door. The familiar emerald eyes looked back at her.
"Welcome back." It was Emmyren.
The woman was dressed in a simple winter dress with winter boots. Her hair was still curly but she wore a headband to cover the Brand of Naga on her forehead. Yet, she had no memory of who is. Sophia smiled softly and approached the woman.
"How were things while I was gone?" Sophia asked as they sat down at the table.
"Things were...okay." Emmyren had difficulty speaking, "I...followed the recipes you showed me! I can...make beef stew now!" She grinned.
"I'm glad." Sophia smiled softly, "By the way, I brought some pastries. I hope you like them." She opened the parcel and in it were pastries she bought on her way here.
"This one..." Emmyren pointed to blueberry puff pastry, "I have seen it before. I will try this one..." and she picked it up.
She took a bite.
"It's sweet."
Sophia smiled softly as the former Exalt ate pastries she brought. She didn't know how to explain to Emmeryn that she has a family. True to the original story, Emmyren lost her memories and has difficulty speaking. She has almost forgotten it has been a month since she left the army. Those that do know, it is because she left them a letter. Robin, Lysithea, Henry, Derrick, and Tharja. She wondered if Frederick read her letter. On the way, through the winds, she heard whispers that they'll be waiting. Morgan witnessed her leave and told her to take her time. So here she is, in a village deep in the snowy mountains. No one recognized them. Sophia just said she is a War Cleric who is helping one heal.
"S...Sophia?"
Her attention returned at the sound of Emmyren's voice, looking up to the former Exalt. Emmyren looked at her concerned and opened her lips to speak but unfortunately, was struggling to make words. It was rare to see her with more emotions.
"Take your time," Sophia muttered and she nodded.
"Do...you miss your family?" She asked and Sophia nodded.
"I do. But even the most patient person needs time to themselves, too." Sophia muttered to mutter but it was more towards herself.
"I have one person." Sophia muttered as she rested her elbows on the table, "But I can never see them again. Her name is Iris. She's my cousin. My father had a twin brother, my uncle. My uncle and father were great men. My father used to be a teacher and would teach self-defense to children but most of all, he loved sword fighting. My uncle was a bit more reserved but he loved cooking and also reading. As for my cousin, she's a bit like me. We're both doctors but she's a bit more outgoing." She sighed and for some reason the thought of having a family came into her mind.
"Your family...they sound lovely." Emmeryn smiled softly, "They feel warm, kind."
"They are." Sophia smiled, "Iris told me that if she ever had a child and if it was a boy, she would name him after her father. Sigh...I had the same idea." She sighed.
"What are your family members' names?" Emmyren asked.
"I never did say their names..." Sophia thought, "My grandmother's name was Cecelia. My grandfather was named Marcus. My uncle...His name was Ray. And my dad..." she smiled softly, "His name was Erick. I promised to myself that if I ever had a son, I would name him after my father." She smiled sadly.
Her eyes went a bit wide when she felt Emmyren wipe her cheek a bit. The older woman smiled softly at her.
"Don't...cry," she said and Sophia smiled sadly, now trying to hold back tears as she remembered her family.
"Family..." Sophia muttered as she looked out the window.
The snow seemed to fall slower but more gently as the seconds ticked by. She observed the trees as well as the few birds that flew.
"Family...perhaps one day in the future."