The road trip down the path from Ferox to Ylisse was going to take a while. It had been a while since Sophia or anyone in the group had taken a nice relaxing trip like this. It also worked as an opportunity to take a look at the sights that many missed during the war. For those like Emmeyren, it was her first time seeing the peaceful countryside since the war. Yune flapped her wings happily as she flew above them, not going too far because there was the possibility of bandits. Also, the occasional poor eagle that Yune would eye and try to fly after to eat.
"Yune, no." Sophia sighed as the girl was eyeing a toad near the pound they decided to stop at rest.
"Hmph. By the way, how long has it been since we stopped here?" The girl huffed as she saw the sleeping bags being set up in the tent.
"Two hours." Sophia sighed as tried to make herself comfortable on the tree stump she was sitting at.
"Can I just throw some bombs into the lake and catch the fish that fly in the air?" Yune grumbled as she glared at the fish that were swimming at the far side of the lake.
"Excuse me, what?" Sophia looked at her daughter shocked, hearing that she had explosives on her.
"Yune, no. We're not having you blow up the lake like last time." Alm's voice was heard coming from the tent.
"What do you mean last time?!" The girl pouted and crossed her arms, "I'm hungry! Fishing is boring!"
"Do you want me to make you skin the deer Severa caught?" Sophia's eyes had a glint in them that made her shake her head quickly, "Good."
"Can I at least start the fire?" Yune mustered up the most adorable eyes she could at the older woman, but unfortunately, Sophia wasn't falling for it.
"No."
"But Ma!"
"I said no." Sophia sighed and turned back, ignoring Yune pouting for attention.
It's been two weeks since their departure from Ferox and the cold weather was finally beginning to change to a perfect warm one. They decided to rest near a lake that was a popular spot for merchants and mercenaries. There were supply boxes left and always refilled by merchants and mercenaries for the next group. Severa and Inigo were tasked with hunting and gathering herbs. Owain and Alm were put in charge of cooking. Lucina was setting up that large tent. Sophia looked back to the wagon where Emmeyren and Oliva sat in, the dancer was teaching the former exalt embroidery. Feroxi designs consisted of patterns, dark earth tones, designs inspired by nature and winter. It was interesting watching the two women chat. Olivia didn't look so tense as before. Sophia turned a bit towards the forest, where Severa and Inigo were arriving.
The twin tail went towards Alm and Owain to drop off the rabbits she caught, but Inigo stayed a bit behind. Sophia knew that look in his eyes as he was watching Olivia giggling and helping Emmeyren correct the mistake she made.
It was longing.
Inigo wanted to talk to his mother, to get to know her better, but he was just as shy like her. Sophia asked herself if her future self caused a rift between the children and their parents. Or they did not get to see them much. From what she has learned so far, she helped raise them. That they would move around all over Archanea for their safety. One of the main reasons was if their parents were killed on the battlefield.
"Oh!" Suddenly there was a tug on her fishing line and she was muttering out curses as she stood up and began to pull her fishing rod.
The fish was a big one. She reeled the rod in and yelled as she pulled hard. She could hear Yune cheering as the fish was thrown up in the air and Sophia quickly stabbed the tree branch she carved into it. The fish was Ylisse Stripped Salmon, in her world it would be known as a Chinook.
"Oh, it's a big one!" Yune purred happily as she skipped up to her mother, "Do you think it'll be enough?"
"Considering the deer we caught and this, I think we need one more considering the appetite your kids have." She said and Owain and Alm quickly avoided eye contact with her.
Owain and Alm had the stomachs of black holes and so did Yune. Sophia, to no surprise, knows the girl inherited that from her. Alm and Owain, from their fathers. She walked up to the table and placed the fish there.
"Um..." Alm gulped when he saw the tree branch had gone right through the brain of the fish, "why is the stick stabbed into the head?"
"Instant kill." Sophia said as she pulled it out, "I'll have you guys fillet this one. I need to cat—!"
A loud splash was heard coming from the lake and Yune was cheering loudly as she had flown out of the water with another big salmon in her arms. The girl had decided to take a dip to catch fish instead of waiting for hours. The others couldn't help but chuckle as the girl flew up to them and set the fist on the table.
"Now we can have a big dinner! A feast!" Yune gave the, all a goofy grin then suddenly looked up to the sky when a familiar bird screech was heard.
Claude had arrived and dove down, landing on Sophia's shoulder. Three letters were on his leg and the second the future kids saw a black envelope with brown lettering, they went pale.
"What?" Sophia looked at them, confused as she saw their eyes were all zoomed in on the black envelope.
"That's a howler..." Inigo gulped along with Owain.
Sophia was surprised to hear Howlers existed in Archanea but then again so did truth serum. But the biggest question she had was why was she receiving a Howler? Was it from Lysithea or possibly Tharja? Why Tharja came into her mind, she did not know. Still, it would be rude not to open it. And if it was true that the Howler would explode and unleash a raging voice, she better open it.
"I'll be back in a bit," Sophia said and quickly warped about 3 miles away from everyone in the wood. She gulped as her hands shook, removing the seal of the royal family. The letter began shaking, making her drop it into the ground as a female voice roared from it.
"HOW DARE YOU HIDE THAT SHE IS ALIVE?!"
"Oh shit." Sophia cursed the letter began to float, up and turn into a robin-shaped origami with red eyes.
"ALL THIS TIME WE THOUGHT EMMEYREN WAS DEAD AND YOU WENT SO FAR TO FAKE HER DEATH?!" Robin's voice roared furiously as the letter paced in the air, "I OVERHEARD LYSITHEA SPEAKING TO HENRY AND NOW I HAVE LEARNED EVERYTHING!"
The letter turned to her and shook its tiny head.
"You are lucky I have decided not to inform Chrom or the others of this. Now the private meeting makes sense. You WILL give me a full explanation once you arrive at Ylisse! I expect also a full report of what exactly went down in Plegai! What the hell were you thinking?!" Again, it shook its tiny head, "You are lucky I am the one that overheard Lysithea. Anyhow, I must return to my paperwork. And if you run into Anna on the way, do ask her if she has the painting supplies the royal painter as asked for." And the letter stuck its tongue out to her before it ripped itself to pieces.
Sophia just stared at the shredded papers with a blank face and then looked back up to the sky.
"Good luck." Bryhildr snickered.
"Shut it."
[—]
"How did it...go..." Lucina's voice trailed off as Sophia returned with a basket of berries but also tried face.
"Your mother knows," Sophia said and Lucina smacked her forehead, and quickly turned around, groaning loudly.
"Did something happen?" Emmeyren called out from the tent.
"Nope." She said with a pop, "Everything is just fine. I did gather some berries though. I'm going make a sweet sauce for the deer meat and salmon." She smiled as she went to join the boys in cooking.
"So what went down?" Alm whispered to her as she was washing the berries.
"My funeral," Sophia said in a dead tone and that was enough for him not to ask anymore.
She was going to have a long talk with Lysithea and Henry when she arrived and needed to work on that report. They had at least another two weeks till they arrived at Ylisse. And seeing that Robin mentioned Anna meant that they were going to meet the merchant along the way.
"Say, Lucina," Sophia looked over to the girl that was starting the fire, "who is the royal painter of the Lowell Family?"
"That is an odd question." Lucina scrunched her eyes a bit, "But if you are curious, there are two royal painters. Mr. Ignatz Victor and Lady Edelgard von Hersvelg of House Hersvelg. rose to fame just recently for his paintings of the Plegai War and his travels across the sea. Ms. Hersvelg is well known among the female nobles for her portraits and is commissioned a lot. Mr. Victor will be painting Exalt Chrom's portrait along with the wedding one. And will be painting the Queen's portrait along with the portrait of the Shepherds for the wedding. Why the sudden question?" The Princess looked at her suspiciously.
"Well...at least Edelgard was born with normal life here in Ylisse." Sophia thought as she finished cooking the rice and salmon.
"Didn't expect to hear miss princess be living a normal life..." Einherjar spoke in a bitter voice in Yune's mind, "At least Ignatz is living his dream." What Sophia said next, made him freeze.
"By the way," Sophia and looked over to Owain, "I heard Lissa and Lysithea liked wild berry cakes. Which do you think they like most? Oh, and any cakes that can be made with less sugar? I'm asking this because I know Felix isn't a fan of sweets." She said as she started mixing some flour, eggs, and butter.
"A cake with sweetness like bliss. Like the goddess has blessed it an—" Owain deflated once he saw the blank face Sophia was making, "Um...My mother liked the wild strawberry ones and Lysithea was a big fan of the wild raspberries. As for Sir Felix..." He thought for a moment as he held his chin, "perhaps a four-spice blend cake? It has less sugar and perfects to have as a snack." He grinned.
"Huff.." Sophia gave him a small smile, "For some reason, I can tell you love baking." She chuckled a bit, "Not sure if the others taught you how to bake but when we get to Ylisse, I'll teach you how to make wedding cookies." She chuckled softly as she poured the mixture.
Einherjar was silent again as Yune's head popped out of the water and blowing out the water.
"Fresh! Fresh! Hey, is dinner almost ready?!" She yelled out.
"10 more minutes!" Severa yelled, "Get out of the water and dry up!"
"Okay Pepper!"
"It's Severa!"
"Red Hot Chilly Peppers Red Head Tsundere!" Yune yelled back and Severa was screeching, debating if she should jump in and drown the girl.
"What's a Tsundere?" Alm asked and Sophia only looked away.
"I'll tell you, kids, when you are older." She chuckled but in reality, she was never going to reveal it.
"Get over here so I can drown you flaming bird brain!" Severa roared as Yune cackled as she sat on a boulder.
Einherjar chuckled and Yune felt a phantom pat on the head.
"Say, why was your voice bitter when you heard Lady Edelgard's name?" She asked and she frowned a bit.
"Do you believe in other worlds? Or different realities?" He asked and Yune nodded.
"Of course I do. Mama would tell me stories about different worlds. That there is more out there than we know. I do remember there was someone else she would tell." She closed her eyes as she tried to recall an old memory.
The royal library of Ylisse, filled with books of old and new. There a certain spot that was made for children, where the shelves were filled with books of fairy tales. She was the youngest of all the future children. She began to recall the carpet of colors of blue and gold. A portrait that hanged at the top of the fireplace. Some toys and stuffed animals. A music box sat on the shelf. Giggling and laughing as she clapped her hands along with Morgan and the younger children. Her mother, sitting on the chair with a strange instrument with strings, she was playing as she sang a song. There...there...
"Hmmm..." Yune began groaning as her head suddenly felt like it was pounding.
The memory began to glitch, flicker, black, and white. The faces of two others that came into the library, their faces were a blur. Their voices muffled. One she could tell based on the size, a young man and the other an older man. The word, father, left her lips as the older man walked up and picked her up. She was cheering and giggling, yet his face was blank. She could not see his face. The other one, the young man, was laughing as he stood next to her mother, who gave them a soft smile.
"These people...they're important to me..." the girl gritted her teeth, the pounding in her head becoming worse, "Why...why can't I remember your faces? Why can I remember everyone else and mother? Why...who are you? Who are you?!" Her nails dug into the boulder, cracking it a bit.
"Stop."
Yune blinked multiple times and looked down to the water as she felt Einherjar gently patting her head.
"I know you want to know who they are but forcing your memories will do you no good," Einherjar said softly to her.
"I just want to remember..." her lip trembled as she kept looking at the water, "I have more family. I know I do...I just...want my family to be together again."
"I know, I know. Be patient." He sighed and she could see his faint reflection.
Yune held out her hand and mumbled a spell. A gentle sparkle formed and soon revealed two cards in her hands. Both had strange symbols, one belongs to him and the other belongs to another Einherjar but the card markings of chains on them.
"Don't worry." She looked back to the water, "I'll find a way to break Grima's curse, and then you can be with your friend again. Okay, big brother?" She smiled sadly.
"Yune! Dinner is ready!"
"Coming!" The girl flew up, using wind magic to dry herself and comb her.
"Get over there and eat your fill Germlin." Einherjar chuckled and she blew a raspberry at him.
[—-]
"I am here!" Yune plopped down next to Sophia, her plate already had food.
Salmon, deer meat, vegetables with herbs, a serving of rice, and a cup of freshly squeezed orange juice. The girl began munching down happily and Severa grimaced but then again, it was expected. While they ate, Sophia opened up the second letter she had received with Claude.
Greets Sophia,
I am glad you responded. Hope things are well. I heard from Felix that you will be arriving soon. I think this would be a good opportunity for you to meet properly the shepherds. Also, I read that you wish to know about Martha. Martha is...an interesting woman to say the least. She has been a bit special since we are children and is family. Is my elder cousin but also like an older sister, despite her personality. She may seem cruel at times but she means well. The best way I could describe her is that she is similar to Tharja but she giggled a lot.
"Oh great. A ghost girl." Sophia thought as she continued to read and took a bite of her food.
But as I said before, she is the most reliable and trusted woman in Ylisse. Her research has saved many lives and has brought closure to many families. When you arrive, I will introduce her. I do think you and her will get along. As for how things have been going on here, it has been hectic. Lord Chrom's Coordination was recently and the work is non-stop. I do wish you would have been there. As much as there have been times Lord Chrom along with Lady Robin have tried to escape their work. I have made sure everything is in order. Lady Sumia and Cordelia have been amazing help keeping everything in check. I have been training the recruits and the new corps made we have seen amazing improvements. As for those you will be teaching, it will take place in the Magic Academy. I do wonder how your classes will be.
I must end this letter short but as before, I leave a small poem. The cold is finally lifting so a poem of the spring is fitting.
Winter has come to an end
The sky, the sea, the fields.
Life renews a new.
Flowers bloom to the songs of spring.
The red flowers bring forth new songs.
- From Frederick von Don Albright
Sophia smiled softly as she took another bite of her food.
"How romantic." Bryhildr snickered in her mind and Sophia told her to suck a lemon.
For the past two weeks, she and Frederick have been exchanging letters. Honestly, she enjoyed it. It had been a while since she enjoyed writing to someone. She used to write to Iris all the time but of course, Grimleal happened. Some part of her still writes as if she could still speak to her cousin. She kept the letters in her jewelry box. Lately, exchanging letters with the knight has been bringing her some peace of mind. It had been a while since she felt excited. A little jump in her soul. Still, she frowned as she closed it and put it in her purse.
"Better not get too excited." Sophia thought as she saw the others are chatting with each other.
Why was she telling herself this? She knew that there was a possibility that the small trust she has with the man and the others would be broken once she revealed Emmeyren was alive. She was used to being looked at with distrustful eyes and with rage. She should be used to it. She should accept that she could be rejected. But why did her heartache at the thought of it? Perhaps she had grown too comfortable around people.
For once, she felt safe. She felt safe in Archanea, unlike her previous world. Did she want to return? No. This land had already become too important to her. Far too important. She was far too involved. She had a daughter. She sighed a bit as she and the others finished eating. She went to help out Severa clean the dishes and for them to get ready for bed. She began to think about how things could go down. Chrom she knew would forgive and thank her. But there was always that chance he wouldn't. She always wondered how the prince knew others better than they knew themselves. She blinked a bit when something fell out of the envelope and she picked it. A Celica pressed flower bookmark.
"Nice." Severa smirked as she looked at the flower, "Not bad. A pretty one too. Celica flower grows in northern mountains of Ylisse, in the Territory of House Albright."
"I see..." Sophia muttered as she stared at the bookmark and put it away in her purse.
A few hours later, everyone was asleep except one. Sophia just couldn't sleep as she sat on the boulder near the lake. She re-read Frederick's letter and sighed.
"You keep sighing." Bryhildr muttered as she manifested herself in the shadows, her reflection was shown in the water as it rippled, "Are you dreading going to Ylisse?"
"I am." Sophia muttered, "I feel I shouldn't be feeling joy. I'm going to be looked at the same once they learn I hid her. And for some reason...the thought it makes me feel...almost sad." She placed her hand over her heart.
"Fool. It's obvious you care." Bryhildr scoffed, "A part of you now cares about what others think. You want to feel alive and accepted. You're afraid to be rejected." She explained and Sophia bit her lip.
"I don't know how to feel. I never cared what anyone thought of me growing up. You know my story. I was someone people feared because I rarely showed emotion but they were suddenly grateful when I did something for them." She took out the bookmark and stared at it, "I get excited when I receive a letter from the knight. Yet that trust that is growing between us will break once he sees Emmeyren. I ought to prepare for the worse." She muttered.
"I swear, you're being over paranoid!" Bryhildr spat as she disappeared back into her shadow.
"Maybe." Sophia sighed as she placed her right hand over her heart, "Perhaps I still need some growing up to do. This enjoyment I am feeling, it's only a matter of time till it's gone." She whispered.
"Hey, Bryhildr...do know why I never cared about my life? Why I would act as a cold woman with no heart or emotions? Or why I rarely snapped only when pushed to my limits?" Sophia muttered and there was only silence.
She chuckled bitterly as she plucked a water lotus and held it in her hands. She stared at it as her eyes became cold, just they were all those months ago.
"I knew the only way I could survive was to be alone. My eyes opened of the reality of my world." And she crushed it.
[—-]
The next few days were calm ones. Not too loud nor too quiet. The best way Sophia described was the perfect atmosphere to relax in. However, they had an unexpected run-in at one of the villages they were staying at to rest. Farfort Village was lively as the spring was finally taking over the land. Fields were being plowed to prepare for farming. Cattle were being fed well and new homes being build. The mercenary guild was a resting spot for many. The village was about a week away from Ylisse. It was also Donnel's hometown. Owain while was smiling as he made his performance speech and the children cheered, there was a sad look in his eyes as he looked around the village.
"This place has been destroyed in the future." Sophia thought as she took a bite from her chicken then snorted, as Yune was bothering the friend they ran into.
"So cool! Is that the amazing sword Ragdoll (Priam: Ragnell!) that was wielded by the Hero Ike?!" Yune's eyes sparkled as Priam was just trying to keep the girl from grabbing his sword.
"I'm honestly surprised to see you here!" Sophia chuckled as she pointed to Yune to play with other kids, which she did, "Heading to Ylisse?"
"We're heading to the ocean borders of Ferox. We've been hired to take out monsters that have been terrorizing the ports." Priam explained as he took a sip of his ale, "Things have been tense as of late with Archanea and Valm."
"Monsters? The most I heard are of are Bone Walkers." She said and Priam shook his head.
"You've heard of Vestal Witches or Baylors?" He asked and she nodded, "Well, those monsters have been attacking the ocean ports and villages."
"What?!" Sophia looked at him shocked, as in the background a bunch of children were surrounding Lucina, listening to her stories of knights, "But those monsters are native to Valm. What are they doing here?!"
"We don't know." Priam sighed, "We're going to be investigating for a while. And, you? Been nearly two months since we've seen each other. And um...who's the girl?" He asked as he looked over to Yune.
Yune was happily dancing with the village children and even showing off her wings, which she was proud of.
"She is...my daughter," Sophia said and Priam choked on his drink and his mercenaries that were nearby all decided to buy drinks for the man because looks his chance just got shot down.
"Since when are you married?!" He gasped as she gave him a hard slap on the back.
"Not married! And no, I haven't given birth! I found out she is a distant relative of mine recently. Her parents were killed by the Grimleal so I took her in. When I said she's my daughter, she's like a daughter to me." Sophia half lied.
For now, the distant relative lie was the cover story she and Yune were going with.
"I see...You know, I was surprised to learn her name is Yune. Named after Goddess of Chaos. Interesting choice, whoever her parents are." Priam chuckled as he saw the little girl running away from a group of birds chasing after her.
Alm quickly followed to make sure she didn't get hurt while Severa was speaking with the merchant to buy supplies.
"Hey! Uncle Priam!"
"Kid, I am not old!" Priam yelled out as Yune landed next to Sophia, "I'm three years older than your mom."
"So you're old." Yune snickered and the others have burst out laughing at the face the man was making.
"Yune be nice," Sophia smirked a bit and took a sip of her drink but...she suddenly felt an overpowering taste of copper in her mouth.
She spits out her drink, coughing and panting. Her chest felt like it was burning as she slowly looked up to Priam and Yune. Blood spilled from her lips and she could hear muffled screaming. The look of shock on Priam and horror on Yune's face as her vision tipped. There was ringing in her ears as the screaming calling out her name was muffled. The coppery taste invaded her mouth as her vision was becoming blurry. Emmeyren was running to her, terrified along with Olivia. Her vision was becoming dark but the last thing she felt was someone pick her up and her eyes meeting crimson emerald ones like her own. She was healed. She was supposed to be healed. She didn't understand why she was suddenly coughing out blood. All her internal wounds should be healed. She didn't understand.
[—]
The dream was repeating. She was swimming in darkness but this time she was wide awake. She walked and walk but a path never appeared until a single headlight illuminated the place. A young girl standing in the center. Her eyes were terrified as Sophia quickly knelt to her. The girl had orange crimson-colored, a gold crown, a sword on her waist, gold and green colored clothing, her eyes a crimson emerald. Her hair was put in a high ponytail, eyes wide with fear.
"M-M-Mom..." the girl could barely say and the world around Sophia changed suddenly.
The place suddenly looked like an underground ancient temple that sent every nerve in her body screaming to run for her life. She could hear swords clashing, grotesque sounds. Creatures of undead fighting against others.
"STAND TOGETHER!"
Two swords held by two kings, they stood together, the swords glowing brightly as she turned. Dread and terror-filled her as 6 glowing red eyes looked down at them all. It slowly raised its head and unleashed a terrifying roar. Sophia suddenly felt small, as if she was the child. No, she was seeing things through the child's eyes. The little girl saw it turned away from her looked towards an injured woman who had the same colored hair like her and a boy with green colored hair with streaks of red. The monster roared and lunged at them. A blue-haired Pegasus knight screamed along with the blue-haired king and the green one. The little girl, now Sophia, screamed as she ran towards the woman and boy and...
Threw herself in front of them.
The last thing she saw was claws slashing her before everything came dark, and her loved ones screamed her name.
"CECELIA!"
[—]
"GASP!"
Sophia shot awake, quickly sitting up as she felt the pounding of her heart was rapid. She felt as if all the joy and happiness were sucked out of her. She was trembling as gritted her teeth, clutching her chest.
"It...hurts! Grrrr!" Her blood felt like it was boiling, like if something was ripping her apart from the inside out.
She screamed as the pain was becoming unbearable and fell off the bed, curling into a ball she felt her veins bulging all around her skin. She was crying the silver tears again, the ringing in her ears. The door to the room she was in slammed open and Emmeyren quickly rushed to her side along with Owain.
"Make...it...stop!" She could barely whimper out as she felt them using white magic on her but it felt like it was setting her on fire.
She being ripped apart.
She was being ripped apart.
It felt like she was being tortured again.
Make the pain go away.
She hyperventilating at this point, someone was screaming to do anything to help her.
Copper.
A muddy taste invaded her mouth as she choked, spit dropped from her mouth as she felt her airway was cut. Her insides felt like mush. Her body in flames, her blood boiling, her eyes rolling back. Her back was arching as she was screaming in agony. She could hear her daughter crying, begging someone to help her. Her blood should be red. Not a mixture of black, red, and silver. It looked like she was vomiting paint. The coppery taste turns more of an acid, it burns. She wanted it to stop. She could hear screaming yet also laughter. As if someone was mocking her. The shadow, the voice, it laughed and laughed. Yet it snarled as other voices tried to coax her. It felt like the hands that tortured her wrapped around her next. A single strand of her hair came into her vision and she felt her blood run cold. It was white. So...
She shut down.
[—]
"Ma! Mama! Mama!" Yune was wailing loudly as she clung onto Sophia, who suddenly stopped moving, her body becoming limp.
"MOVE!" Alm roared and quickly ran into the room, picking up and placing her on the bed.
He ripped her shirt open and began to do chest CPR, anything to make her respond. He could hear her heart beating as she placed his ear on her chest. He let go a sigh of relief but Inigo's shaky voice made his blood freeze.
"Why...is her hair white?" He said and Alm quickly looked up, the color draining from his face.
"At some point in my life, my hair turned white. It's not a moment I like to talk about but it was painful. I felt like...never mind. I think it's better you don't know."
"This was the moment..." he whispered to himself, "The only difference is..." he looked back to the others and then to her, "she's not facing this alone."
"Kid, is she going to be alright?" Priam's voice was heard as he was at the door, looking at him worried.
"She'll...she'll be fine Uncle...just...I don't know." Alm muttered as Emmeyren and Owain walked up and began using healing magic again.
"Sigh...You know, it's interesting you kids call me uncle. We only just met today." Priam chuckled and Yune pouted.
Severa rolled her eyes as Lucina has a small smile along with Owain and Inigo. Alm just chuckled a bit as he stood up.
"Well, I can tell you're important to m-ahem! To Sophia. Figured we give some sort of nickname. Had to stop Yune from naming you Mr. Blueberry." Alm said and the man raised an eyebrow at the redhead.
"In my defense, your hair is blue." The girl grinned then screeched when her hair was ruffed.
[—]
Night.
Alm just couldn't sleep as he rolled on his bed and then sat up. Lucina was fast asleep next to him and the others were in the other shared room. Yune was sleeping next to Sophia. The man sighed as he stood up, for his coat and left. The town was quiet and peaceful at night when there weren't any others around. There were very few up in the morning, mostly only those that were arriving into the village, mercenaries. There was a stall of fruits that was left open for anyone to take. He grabbed a small stoke of grapes and put on his coat. He removed his mask, feeling relieved that his skin could breathe. How Gerome managed to wear the blasted thing for so long, he didn't know. He opened his eyes, using magic again to change them to the color brown. If anyone saw the original color of his eyes, they would immediately recognize who his mother was. He didn't want that. He didn't want those of this timeline to figure out who his mother is. The man sighed as he walked out of the village and into the woods. The forest had always a place of peace, now...it also a reminder of pain.
Looking at Sophia haunted him. They witnessed her hair turn white right before their eyes. The episode she suffered, was just one of many he witnessed during his years growing up. The look of pain and agony, he gritted his teeth as he recalled the look on her face. Growing up, he remembered how terrified he was when he witnessed her first episode. Nah screaming and Bernadetta running out the door to her help. Her hand reaching the door and slamming it shut. Him and the other children banging their hands on the door, begging her to open it. But no. Looking back, he realized she didn't want them to see her suffer. He recalled the screams and grunts. She was examined by Martha but they could not figure out what was going on.
"Why is everything so difficult?" He huffed as he climbed up a pine tree and laid back in the trunk.
Then there was Yune. He thought she was dead. They thought she, Morgan, and Margret were dead. Lucina was beyond happy to learn that her siblings were alive. For Alm...Yune and he shared a relationship, one that stung when he thought she was dead. The girl wasn't an idiot.
"Your scent. I like it. I don't know why but it makes me feel warm."
"I can't...I can tell them...not yet." He gritted his teeth as he looked up to the start sky, "Oniyuri...what would you do if you were here?"
He sighed and narrowed his eyes once he saw a faint light in the distance. He began jumping tree to the tree as he got closer and quickly put back his mask on. He stopped, using magic to hide his presence as he looked down, seeing a fire was made along with a few tents.
" Yyyaawww~ I'm tried." He recognized the people in the camp anywhere.
"Nowi, go to sleep. Cordelia, Kellam, and Gauis are on watch duty tonight." Lissa said as she was getting her sleeping bag ready.
"This dark atmosphere...it's the perfect location to collect some poisonous mushrooms." Tharja muttered as she wrote in her grimoire, "We should be arriving at Fortfar Village in the morning."
"I wish Donnel came with us. But Frederick made him his squire." Lissa sighed as Lon'qu sat across from her, taking a sip of his drink.
"He'll survive. He's a good kid. For a Paladin Knight, that boy hits pretty hard enough to shatter boulders." Lon'qu muttered.
"We've been keeping watch in this area. I'm glad we haven't seen any reports of Risen but there are still...those Valm Monsters. Are they common in Valm?" Lissa asked and the man's lips became a thin line.
"We're lucky we haven't run in Vestals or Bonewalkers. Rumors are they are the Risen Versions of Valm created by Duma. But if we do run into a Necrodragon, allow me to collect the body because the scales can be used and Martha wants to study the corpses. She's been requesting bodies of Risen to be collected." Tharja said and Lissa looked disgusted along with Lon'qu.
"Vestals and Bonewalkers are only seen in underground ancient temples or rare cases, the old temples of Plegia." Lon'qu sighed.
Alm was silent as he finished eating the last grape. It was interesting to hear of Valm. He had never been there but he knew it was uncle's homeland. He was about to stand up till his eyes went wide, feeling the tip of a blade at the back of his neck. His eyes looked a bit to the side and saw the familiar brown-colored scruff.
"Gaius. It's been a while." Alm muttered and Gauis only narrowed his eyes.
"Yeah, it has kid." The assassin sighed and put his blade away as he made himself stand next to him, "What the hell are spying on my team?"
"I swear, it's not what it looks like." He looked towards the village direction, "Came from the village. Couldn't sleep so I snuck out. Heading to Ylisse."
"Nymph with you?" He asked and Alm nodded.
"How is she?" Gaius chuckled quickly noticed how silent the boy became, "Kid...she is alright...right?"
"I need to speak to Lissa."
"Phew!" Cordelia wiped the sweat off her brow as her Pegasus, Yura, landed next to their tent, "Skies clear and so are woods!" She said as Kellman arrived.
"Where's Gaius?" Kellam asked and at the moment, two individuals had jumped down from the trees.
"Yo!" Gaius grinned and the others were surprised to see Alm.
"Where did he come from?" Lon'qu stood up, narrowing his eyes.
"Found him in the woods. He and his friends are staying in the village. And...not so good news." Gauis muttered as he gave Alm a nod and the boy nodded.
He walked up to Lissa and bowed to her.
"Please Lady Lissa, please help Sophia."
[-]
Three days passed that she was asleep and she woke up to a warm feeling surrounding her. She slowly opened her eyes and met a familiar warm smile.
"This is the second time you saw me in this state," Sophia muttered as Lissa gave her a sad smile as she finished up using the Book of Naga to heal her.
"Been a while." Lisa chuckled as she helped the woman sit up, "Your hair...it's like Robin's."
Sophia nodded and looked towards the window.
"How long...?" She asked.
"You've been asleep for three days. Alm found me and the others in the woods. We've been tasked to scout this area." Lissa explained.
"She met Emmeryn," Bryhildr said and Sophia froze.
"I spoke with my sister." Lissa said and Sophia sighed, "I want an explanation. So do the others."
"Gather the rest. I'm going to go wash up." Sophia sighed and went to the bathroom but Lissa handed her a bottle.
"Alm said to give to you. It's hair dye." She said and the girl stepped out of the room, closing the door behind her.
Sophia locked the door to the bathroom and went straight to the mirror, her reflection looking back at her was not one with red hair, but silver. Her eyes were still crimson emerald but her hair was white. Sophia gritted her teeth as she still tasted the faint copper on her tongue, the faint pulse of her veins. She ripped off the bandages on her left and snarled at the Brand of the Defile. It almost felt like Grima looking back at her with a gleefully and mocking expression.
"I hope you're fucken happy. You won this round. When I get my chance, I will kill you." And slammed her fist into the mirror.
1 hour had passed and she existed out. Her hair was dyed her original hair color and her clothing clean, as well as her. She wore black gloves and long black boots as she went into her drawer and picked up a 200-page document she had written over the past few days. She left the room and went downstairs where the others were. Priam, unfortunately, had to leave early due to he had to reach the ports at a certain time. She saw a few people were sitting down at the table while those like Kellam and Lon'qu stood up. Lucina had her and her friend temporarily leave. Emmeyren was hugged by Lissa yet she looked at the girl confused.
"Who...are you?" Emmeyren spoke and Lissa froze as she slowly looked up to her.
"She is your sister." Sophia's voice ran through the room and they immediately looked her way as she came down the stairs.
"Emmeyren, do you remember when I told you you had a family?" Sophia said as stood next to her and Lissa was along with the others were processing what was going on.
"I do." Emmeyren smiled softly and looked back to Lissa, " Then you must be Lissa." The said girl took a step back, "It's pleasure to finally meet you. I apologize if I do not recognize yet I feel we know each other."
"What...?" Lissa whimpered and Sophia sighed as she walked up to Cordelia and handed her a document.
"What is this?" Cordelia asked as she looked at the woman coldly.
"Read it," Sophia muttered and the Pegasus knight took out the magic glasses that Miriel lent her for paperwork.
200 pages and Sophia made sure not to leave a single detail out. Also, her form of being petty. Cordelia flipped through the pages, words appearing on her lenses, her expression changing from confusion, from shock, horror, and a whole array of emotions. She looked up to Sophia as Tharja sighed.
"Short story. Derrick, Henry, Morgan, Sophia, and I planned to rescue Emmeyren during the time of execution. However, all plans were ruined because of the Risen Queen. No one predicted a DeadLord appearing. However...the rest Sophia will explain." Tharja said as the red-haired woman gave her a nod as Cordelia handed her glasses to Kellam to read the document and then to Lon'qu.
"Emmeyren suffered life-threatening wounds." Sophia sighed as she looked at Lissa, "She lost all her memories, her ability to speak. I had to reteach her how to walk, talk, help her with her movements and monitor to health." She explained.
"Why didn't you say anything at the camp?" The princess mumbled.
"War." Sophia pinched the bridge of her nose, "If Grangel, Aversa, or any of the Grimleal learned she was alive, they would have come after us and they would make sure to finish the job. The worst part about this was that already a few run-ins with Grimleal. Of course, I made sure to get rid of them and left no evidence behind." She sighed as she looked over to the Exalt.
"I...do not remember much. I am...still partly numb from my left hand. But I am recovering. I am learning how to defend myself." She looked to Lissa, who was on the verge of tears.
"I wish...I..could remember more. But...it is difficult. But...maybe one day, I will recover my memories." Emmeyren smiled softly and the two women hugged each other tightly.
"That explains the private meeting." Lissa sighed, "How many know?"
"Well, that's the reason I was going to Ylisse. To return your sister to her family." Sophia sighed and Cordelia was still a bit angry.
"Do you have any idea how much pain Lord Chrom and everyone went through?" Her hands balled into a fist as Sophia looked at her with emotionless eyes.
"Alright, Hussy," her voice became cold, "let me give an image. Imagine learning your brother is dead. Then you find out he is alive. You are beyond overjoyed but, to him, you are a stranger." She said and everyone became silent, "They have no memory of you. They do not know you. They see you as a stranger they are meeting you for the first time. Do you, A, start telling them everything of who they at once, and overwhelm them to the point they enter into a mental breakdown, into shock, hyperventilating, denial, and so on?" Cordelia gulped, "They are so overwhelmed they began to suppress their memories to keep the pain away. They could harm themselves. Became a danger to themselves and others. Or B?" She stood with her hands spread out and her hands curled like claws.
"Take your sweet time getting to know them." She took a step forward, "Having them slowly relearn who you are. Having them earn your trust. For them to feel safe. To make sure their health is well. To let them have opportunities they did not have when they originally had their memories." She now stood in front of Cordelia, crimson emerald looking deep into crimson ones, "For them to learn to love and trust you again. So which one is Cordelia? Which one?" Sophia hissed.
"...I...I chose B." Cordelia mumbled as she looked down to the ground as she gritted her teeth.
"That's what I thought." Sophia huffed as she stepped away from the woman and turned back to Lissa as the two males finished reading the document.
"My real worry is how the Ylisse court is going to take it." Lissa nodded as understood what Sophia meant, "There will be those that will suddenly want Chrom to step down even if he just recently became Exalt. Even worse we have those that will want to take advantage of Emmeyren's condition." She muttered.
"I..do not follow," Emmeyren said and Lissa bit her lip and Nowi looked at her friend worried.
"Emmeyren...it's alright. For now, why don't you go join Marth and the others?" Sophia gently led the woman out.
"Sigh, very well." Emmeyren smiled sadly, "I have a feeling this will be a heavy topic." She turned to Lissa and gently held her hands, "Lissa, I know we just met but...I am glad we did. I may be frustrating at times but I want I get to know you again. Learning that you are my younger sister, I can't help but feel joy." She smiled softly, "I look forward to getting to know you and our brother."
"Yeah." Lissa smiled softly and hugged her sister.
Once Emmeyren was gone, the room silence became tense as Sophia turned back to them.
"I'm going to make this clear. When we get to Ylisse, not a word that Emmeyren is alive." Sophia said and those like Cordelia narrowed their eyes.
"I get where you're coming from but wouldn't it be better to tell him once we arrive?" Kellam said and Sophia shook her head.
"If we arrived with Emmeyren with us, all of Ylisse will go into full panic. And I am not about to witness everything that Chrom, Robin, and you all have done, crumble down." Sophia sighed and looked at them one by one then at Lissa, "You all been informed that war is coming."
Lissa nodded as a bead sweat down her's and everyone's cheek.
"Many of you will most likely despise me after I say this but Ylisse would be far better if Emmeyren was not made Exalt again." And the room exploded except Tharja.
"What do you mean Ylisse would be better if my sister was not ruler?!" Lissa yelled and Nowi was trying to hold her as Lon'qu was doing the same with Cordelia.
"How dare you say such a thing?!" The redhead snarled and Sophia rolled her eyes then crossed her arms.
"Let's take this from a very realistic approach." Sophia said as she stared down at the women, "Realistically, not everything could be achieved with peace. Emmeyren strived for peace but there are always those that ruin it. Many see her ideals as foolishness. Naive even. That she needs a reality check. And let's be honest here," she looked at Lissa specifically, " how many of the so-called nobles of the Ylisse Court were actually on her side? What about that old man that betrayed her? Don't try to deny it. Some made fun of her fall."
Bryhildr had become deathly silent in her mind Sophia said each brutal truth. Lissa wanted to deny it but unfortunately, it was true. There were those, like this war-loving nobles that despised Plegai with a passion that they were glad Emmeyren had 'died' and they could finally finish the previous Exalt's job. Some called her sister a fool. Of course, those people never said those words in front of her and Chrom's faces but they have heard the whispers.
"I understand that Emmeyren's ideals can bring peace and prosperity, but they can also backfire." Sophia continued then looked to Cordelia, "There are those that insist peace and those of good nature can be taken advantage of." She took out a gold coin and held it up, "There are two sides of the coin. One, peace and prosperity are brought to the world. But peace and prosperity do not last forever and there will always be conflict. Human nature is something that can be predictable but at the same time, it isn't. Some desire peace and those that desire war." She said and then her eyes sharpened.
Just like before, her arms spread and her hands curled like claws upward.
"Peace can not be achieved without conflict." She looked to her left hand, "And conflict can not be settled down without peace. Ylisse prospered under Emmeyren's rule while Plegai suffered under Gangrel's. Do want to know why I was made the Shadow Exalt of Plegai?" Sophia hissed.
They were silent as she felt Cornelia's cold gaze and Lisa's conflicted emotions.
"Because the people of Plegia...were suffering the aftermath of the first war. Plegia never recovered, it only kept falling. And it became worse when Gangrel allowed Validar power. Human emotions cause conflict. The same thing happens when politics are involved. You are walking on eggshells. Some give into demands just to maintain peace. Even if the demands are unfair. They do it to maintain peace and just to be over with it. Some refuse those demands because they do not match up with their ideals." Sophia muttered as she put her hands down.
"War is ideals pit against each other. Each side believes they are the only ones right and the others are wrong. But the thing is, all sides are wrong in a way. There is no chivalry and honor in war. You all should know that. You all witnessed it." She sighed and looked out to the window where the children were playing.
She walked up to it and gently placed crossed her arms as she leaned on the wall, looking out. Yune was playing tag with the village children. Inigo was dancing along with Olivia and trying to teach Emmeyren the steps. Lucina was chatting with Alm as Severa was scolding Owain over something. She smiled bitterly.
"Look what happened between Naga, Mila, Duma, and Sothis. Ylisse and Plegia...Emmeyren and Chrom...You all...the people of this land...we're all victims of our choices but also the ones did in the past." She turned her head to them a bit as she smiled sadly, "Anything else to say?"
"Is that how you view the world?" Nowi whispered as Sophia nodded.
"Sophia...just...why do you view the world in such a way?" The wind dragon asked and Sophia chuckled as she pointed to her right eye.
They now noticed the milky color and the scars on her face.
"Because I learned from a young age the world is cruel."
[—]
Gauis was silent as he saw Sophia walk out of the room and closed it. She turned in his direction, eyes void of emotions, but he looked at her with the same eyes.
"You're pretty cruel Nymph. You went all out in words Huh?" He said and Sophia only looked to the wall.
"What I said, was nothing compared to what I said to Aversa." She muttered, "But it had to be said. I'm most likely going to get slapped once we get to Ylisse." She chuckled bitterly and handed him a thick envelope with two letters.
"The thick one and black envelope are for Robin. Information I obtained from Plegia. The second one is for Frederick." She said and Gauis was silent as he took the letters.
"Say Red, how exactly do you see the world around you? And people?" He asked and Sophia was silent.
"Do want an answer?" She asked and he nodded.
"...The world is beautiful but it also cruel. I, like many others, chose to be alone to survive. I didn't form relationships with people because, in the end, they all ended in tragedy. Do you want to know why I'm so brutal with my words? Why I don't care if I die?" She said and his eyes suddenly went wide at her last question.
"Because in the end..." she pointed to her heart, "even if I have friends and family and people I love, and they love me back, I'm just another human who walks this earth and will die."
"Do you even care about what others think...do you even value your own life?! JUST BECAUSE YOU'RE STILL STUCK IN THE PAST, DOES NOT MEAN YOU MEAN NOTHING!" He yelled.
"...Gauis, what do you see in me?" She asked and the man glared at her.
"Right now, I'm just seeing a cold-hearted bitch who doesn't give a damn about the world around her. Who doesn't care about her life and is a reckless idiot despite being a medical professional? You keep pushing people away and closing yourself off. You're afraid." That last sentence stung.
Sophia was silent as she stared at him and Gauis saw her eyes become glazed, she was holding back tears.
"It's better...than watching everything you care about destroyed before your eyes." Her voice cracked and she turned away and quickly walked out of the building.
[—-]
She had walked into the woods, furious as she stopped at the river, running her fingers through her hair. She wanted to curse and yell but she was just angry. Angry that she has been called out for her stupidity.
Yes, she was afraid.
Yes, she has formed relationships and bonds but she still maintains herself at arm's length. Perhaps she was being selfish. Perhaps she was being an idiot.
"Harsh words. But they needed to be said." Bryhildr appeared as looked down at the girl, her appearance was becoming clearer, "You're acting like a coward. Running away from the truth told in your face? That you are afraid of forming relationships with others. You've formed bonds yet you still keep at arm's distance. This isn't The World of Steel, Sophia. This is Archanea and not one here will turn your backs on you. This world...is not as distrustful as yours." The DeadLord narrowed her eyes dangerously at her.
"You say that but I don't believe it. You never know when people will turn their backs on you." She looked back to her, "Bryhildr, I'm afraid." Her voice cracked, "I've grown to care so much for the people here. I've grown so much to care for this land. I came from a world where all this," she spread out her hands, "was a fantasy. And the thing I'm scared of...is that going to lose everything I care about again. That my old history is just going to repeat. That's why I keep almost everyone at arms distance." She turned to look back to the forest.
"You know what the most terrifying day was for me? The day I found out Yune is my daughter." She chuckled bitterly, "I have a daughter. I never saw that coming. I never expected to be a parent. I'm terrified Bryn..." she looked to the DeadLord with so much pain, "I'm scared."
[—-]
Einherjar was silent as he listened to the two women. He made sure this time that the DeadLord is not sensed his presence as he crossed his arms. That woman knows things. She was from another world like he was. When he heard the names, Lysithea, Felix, Ignatz, and Edelgard, the pang in his chest grew. They were names he was familiar with. There suddenly was a loud neigh and looked up to the sky to see the Pegasus named Ingrid. He almost laughed at the irony as he held out a card and smiled sadly at it.
"We'll free you soon. Just a bit longer."