A/N: A few quick notes before we start.
First of all, expect massive spoilers for both Tales of Zestiria and Tales of Berseria, beginning in this very chapter. If you mind spoilers and still want to play one of the games, do that first and return here later.
Secondly, I will be making some adjustments to the world as portrayed in Zestiria based on information learned from Berseria, plus a few other things to improve the mess that is Zestiria's lore. I guess this technically makes this an AU.
The sun stood high in the sky when an odd pair of travelers made their way through the forest. Blood red leaves crunched weakly under the woman's boots, neither of the two caring for what was a normal sight in these parts. The younger boy trailing after her wore a beaming smile as he spoke, uncaring for the backpack that weighed on him. "I can't wait to have some of Celica's cooking again!"
His companion glanced back with a sly grin and shoved his shoulder playfully. "Why now, isn't mine good enough for you anymore? Is that how it is, Laphi? My own brother betrays me for my sister's cooking?" They both giggled at that and the boy weakly slapped at her offending hand, his eyes glinting mischievously.
"It's not my fault you're the middle child, Velvet. Celica has years of experience over you, so you just don't compare." He put a hand over his heart and offered a half-solemn expression; half mainly because he was still grinning. "But you are my sister, so I love you anyway, even if you're the worse cook."
"Why, you brat!" Velvet swatted her little brother's shoulder again and turned around to keep walking. Yet she, too, was grinning. "You better not say that to any girls you bring home." The boy's laughter died. "Don't think I didn't see how well you got along with that Kamoana girl."
"Velvet, she's seven!" Laphi whined, taking longer steps to catch up with his sister.
"And you're eleven, that's not much of a difference when you get older," Velvet chided him immediately, though with a grin even meaner than the one he had before. "I mean, look at Arthur and Celica. They're almost ten years apart and I haven't seen a more loving couple."
"It's still creepy at my age. Or yours." Despite his complaints, all Laphicet got in response was a tinkling laugh.
"Velly!" As so often, the first one to see them coming was their nephew; he rushed out to meet them on the path up to the house and ended up stumbling right into Velvet's arms with a happy noise. She picked the child up and twirled him around.
"There you are," Velvet cooed as she held him. "You get bigger every time I see you; you're already four now, aren't you?" Laphicet just smiled indulgently and waved at the little boy, who waved back with a big, toothy grin. The young woman took that time to greet their family, roused by the earlier shout: "We're back, Arthur, Celica."
Both of them had made their way over by that point; Arthur arrived from the backyard, dressed in his usual grey pants and shirt though smudged with brown earth, his deep blue eyes darting over the two siblings. "So I can see. Welcome home." His smile was small, but that did not diminish the warmth he greeted them with; one could see how the little one in Velvet's arms inherited Arthur's pale blond hair, though it was a few shades more yellow instead of being almost white.
"It's good to see you two still in one piece," Celica added while slinging a rag over her shoulder; both husband and wife had their hair bound in ponytails for their chores. With them standing next to each other, the deep black of Celica's longer tresses stood out even more than it normally did; the same shade Velvet had, if a good bit shorter.
While Velvet was busy holding her nephew, Laphicet stepped forward to embrace his sister and brother-in-law. "It's good to be back," he greeted them as well. "How have things been?" In comparison to his two sisters, the boy appeared more like he was related to Arthur with his bright blond hair, though he had the same amber eyes as Velvet and Celica.
His oldest sister gave him a gentle pat on the head. "Oh, the same as always. You know how it is, nothing ever happens in Aball."
Everyone was seated around the table with several large bowls arrayed on it. Velvet and Celica had gone all-out for their meal, the two sisters chatting about the goings-on in the village while Arthur and Laphicet discussed one of the older man's many books.
The entire family sat outside to watch the sunset. It was a tranquil evening, interrupted by nothing but a few chirping birds and buzzing bees. Velvet felt at ease being home, content. She leaned back against her big sister's side and ruffled her little brother's hair; both women chuckled over his indignant squawk while the little boy on Celica's lap giggled at the sight. Arthur just shook his head with a faint smile, one arm wound around his wife's shoulder from the side Velvet did not occupy.
Then the sinking sun flickered. Once, twice, thrice. Velvet blinked as the light dimmed, the horizon greying out. "What the hell?!" She shouted and surged to her feet together with her brother, but there was no enemy. The world simply began to fade and darkness steadily approached them. She had no idea what was going on, panic and dread bubbling in her gut. Nonetheless, she made to usher her family to safety.
"Get in the..." She trailed off, seeing that her nephew was gone, not a single trace of him left. Arthur and Celica began to fade as well, both of them displaying sad smiles.
Then, suddenly, Velvet remembered. Her eyes turned to her brother, the only thing that remained solid in this ending world. His expression was downcast, but he understood; from one moment to the next, the boy stood clad in pristine white, finer than they would ever be able to afford. His hair changed tone toward the tips, growing ever more white where it reached his shoulders.
She turned back to her fading family, eyes prickling but still smiling. Arthur sighed and lowered his head as he vanished, but Celica remained moments longer. "I loved every minute of it," she told them quietly even as she, too, became nothing.
"I loved it too," Velvet told the void and Laphicet. "Our dream." Her brother just silently took her hand and squeezed it, having no need to voice his agreement. They stood and watched the void envelop them.
Then Velvet woke up.