"Gramps? What are you doing here?"
The ancient seraph took Sorey's surprise in stride; he huffed as if disinterested, though his erstwhile ward could see the miniscule upturn of his lips behind the well-groomed beard. "I was waiting for you," he admitted freely. "Elysia has been devastated when the three Empyreans clashed. Everyone left before that happened," he assured Sorey without missing a beat, the sudden surge of worry subsiding before it could even be expressed. "Although it is sad to lose what possessions we had there."
"Yeah." Instead of worry, a sense of loss now settled in Sorey; Mikleo hung his head as the same feeling assaulted him, too. "Where is everyone else, then?"
Zenrus merely shrugged. "Who knows? They stayed with me because they so wished, now many have taken the changing times as an opportunity to move on and travel, or seek another place to belong. But I believe this is not what we should discuss right now, hm?" he coaxed the boy gently. Sorey's expression fell, though he did not speak immediately; Zenrus gave him the time to order his thoughts.
"You're right," he began after a while. "So Velvet and Laphicet... and the other Laphicet, I guess. What do we do about them?" He felt more lost than ever before, to the point he missed Zenrus' arched eyebrow at first. Once Sorey became aware of that, he scrambled to elaborate: "I mean, it's just... can we just let them do what they want? We've seen a bunch of things on that expedition and they're both not good people."
"Ah, yes, young Edna explained that matter already," Zenrus mused. He tapped his pipe against the table they sat around, brow creased in a thoughtful frown. "Though we can not be certain that it was Empyrean Maotelus who revealed to you bits of his past, I am inclined to believe this is the best we will get." Sorey nodded slowly, soaking up the new information; he even marvelled at it for a moment, but ultimately pushed back his wonder in favour of seriousness. Zenrus appeared to think the same. "Unfortunately, the first question you should ask yourself is 'what can I do', not 'what should I do'. You are not just dealing with two Empyreans and a former one, but several of the finest hellions and seraphim alive."
"It's still not right," Sorey muttered at once, though any back-and-forth was cut off by Mikleo.
"You make it sound like you agree with them," his brother interrupted, which stumped Sorey for a moment. Zenrus inclined his head, however. "Why is that?" Mikleo inquired immediately, which drew a soft chuckle.
"You have become more attentive still, my boy," the old man praised, expression softening. "Sorey. Mikleo." Both men sat at attention immediately, recognising the severity in Zenrus' tone. "I have lived over fifty thousand years, children. Of the malakhim, those of us who descended from the heavenly realms so long ago, only six yet remain. Myself, the guardian Zui Fuu, and the elemental Empyreans." He left a pause there to meet their gazes evenly, both of his adopted grandsons listening with rapt attention. "I witnessed the rise of Innominat, a malak born here on Desolation. I witnessed Malevolence and dragonhood ravaging our kind and mankind alike. Through it all, I learned many a lesson. The most important of them is to trust those close to me. Fifty thousand years, boys. More civilisations have crumbled before my eyes than either of you numbers in years. Yet mankind remains, and us malakhim remain, because when in need, us six would work together regardless our own feelings on the matter.
"Today, I know that Empyreans Minkkubi and Innominat arrive with the blessing of not just Zui, but all four of the elements. Hyanoa, Eumacia, Musiphe, and Amenoch all welcome them as kin, just like they welcomed Maotelus a thousand years ago. As of right now, I know that they know better; while I stayed on my mountain looking after you two, they saw the danger and acted on it. So regardless of any misgivings I might have, I trust they know what they are doing. And I ask you to trust my judgement in this matter."
They sat in silence for a long time after that. Sorey knew Zenrus was old of course, but he never realised just how ancient a caretaker he had. He understood what the old seraph asked of him and he desperately wanted to trust, but at the same time inaction felt like the worst course of action. "So that's it?" he finally muttered, "just do nothing and let it happen? I just..." he made an uncertain motion before letting his hand drop. Zenrus hummed in thought.
"Well, I never said we'd do nothing, now did I?" He chuckled again at the flabbergasted looks this earned him, dispelling the severe air and his ancient disposition. "I ask again, Sorey: assuming you trust me and won't run to fight a threat that is none, what can you do? And consequently, what should you do?"
Sorey had no response this time. His mind was blank. Mikleo fared little better, he noticed with a glance to his side; they always expected to one day fight the Lord of Calamity, who turned out to have died already. Zenrus himself assured them Velvet and Laphicet were no threats, so the entire foundation of their expectations crumbled away. Unable to find anything worthwhile to offer, he hung his head.
"I don't know."
The words bypassed the lump in his throat and were soon echoed by his brother; when Sorey dared look up however, he was not met with disappointment. Rather, Zenrus smiled ever so softly. "And that is alright," he soothed them. "You can not always have an answer, or know a way out. The beings who can and do are few. Take your time to come to terms with all these changes. Survey the realm, eat hearty meals, and consider your options. The important part to remember is that the time of action is over; there is no immediate threat to face anymore, only the road to improvement. Take your time and work out a plan, then make it a reality."
Sorey took these words to heart and began to ponder that same day. Over the next weeks however, he remained at the Crowe's Nest to speak with the Crowes and Alisha on Mikleo's suggestion. The more he saw and learned, the less he felt an actual need for drastic action. Sorey remained convinced there was a better way, but the calm did his frayed nerves well.
The pivotal point of Sorey's stance, however, was the sermon. Velvet invited him to partake about a month after his arrival in Lastonbell, and so he followed her and several others to Pendrago; the shrinechurch's vast courtyard was filled to the brim even when they arrived an hour early. All around, Sorey heard expectant muttering, comments about some kind of announcement; among those present was a detachment of knights guarding an elderly man in elaborate, dark robes. The crown on his well-groomed head made quite clear just who was in attendance.
"What's going to happen?" he asked the former Calamity, who only threw him a mysterious smile. Edna appeared as lost as Sorey and Mikleo, so she was not in on it either. Thinking of that however, he realised that several faces were absent. "Actually, where are Margaret and Alisha?" Or their seraphic companions, for that matter.
This time Velvet answered: "They are busy in Hyland today. Something similar to this." Unfortunately, her response left much to be desired; Sorey swallowed his burning curiousity however, well aware he would find out soon enough. Not that it stopped making every minute feel like an eternity, to the point he sighed in relief when the choir began to sing. Cardinal Forton arrived in a flurry of pristine white robes, her sharp gaze trailing over the people gathered as she descended wide stone stairs.
Then however, she cleared the stairs leading up on stage in a single leap. Her robe's hem fluttered, but the cardinal paid that no mind as she faced the flabbergasted faitfhul. The choir fell silent, though Sorey did not know whether out of shock or on cue; gentle, golden light began to glimmer behind Runette Forton, who bowed toward the people.
"Today is a day of celebration!" she announced, every sharp line in her regal expression softening. "For this is the dawn of a new age. A better age!"
She paused there to wait out the murmuring her claim incited, though the buzzing noise would not quite subside on its own. A flash of golden light, however, did. Runette held a gentle smile as she continued: "I understand the excitement, but there are several matters which need to be revealed today, before we can truly enter this new age. His Majesty, Emperor Doran is present today by my own invitation." A sweeping motion indicated the man himself, who nodded regally and received bows from those standing closest. "As today, we are all but men before those greater than us. Let me speak to you of that which our eyes have never seen yet which exists in the world."
What followed was a concise explanation of resonance and Malevolence that had Sorey with wide eyes; the truth was never revealed to the public like this before, he knew that for a fact. A glance to Velvet told him the goddess of darkness approved; chances are she had come up with the plan to begin with. The audience hung on Runette's every word.
"Now," she ended her explanations after discussing the origin of hellions, "do not condemn your fellows for having fallen. We are all but human and our hearts are fickle things indeed. While the darkness overwhelms many, some may just persevere. And in his kindness, the Great Lord Maotelus brought his silver flame of purification to those who can not. Among us is also Shepherd Sorey, who has tirelessly worked to cleanse many of our countrymen."
Sorey stiffened upon being called out, but beside some speculative glances and excited whispers from those who he helped before, attention thankfully remained on Runette. Her smile had grown a fraction. "And to put proof to my words, the Great Lord Innominat has graced us with his presence today." The light flared once again, longer this time as a domain spread over everyone. Runette spread her arms. "Fear not His magnificence, for He is benign!"
Sorey saw it first, the giant, golden arte circle floating behind Runette. It was held in a square and revolved around itself before becoming static, turning into a pitch black void from which a gargantuan head slid forward. Awestruck gasps rang from the people who saw him too, and Sorey could not help but stare at the impossibility before him. "W-What, how?" he whispered, unable to raise his voice in the presence of a god.
Innominat's golden scales glistened in the afternoon sun, his head slowly moving as he beheld Pendrago as a whole; had he lowered it, he could have covered most of the square. Warm breaths came like gales, making loose clothes and hair flutter.
When he spoke, it was with calm certainty and a light tone, not the droning bass one would expect of such a magnificent dragon: "Today is indeed a day of change," he began, his words reverberating over the entire city. "By my blessing, all of Desolation shall receive a resonance powerful enough to see the world for what it is. But in time, in time. As I speak, Maotelus will address the kingdom of Hyland in a similar manner, and I hereby declare that the Empire's feud with their neighbour is over. The wars you have fought, the lives that were lost, the hearts that were broken, all they accomplished was to breed Malevolence. This is not acceptable."
Another breath washed over the captivated audience on the last word. Innominat angled his head so as to peer down at Runette. "My and my sister's prophet has already implored you not to fear the darkness on its own, and I shall do the same. Runette?" The unspoken command was heeded and right before their eyes, the cardinal lost her human form; legs merged into a singular tail, dark green scales grew out of her skin until she was covered all over. Even Sorey stood dumbstruck by the revelation while Innominat gave a miniscule nod. "Runette Forton has tirelessly worked for the betterment of Rolance and Glenwood, before and after she turned. Not even the silver flame will cleanse her, for she is content in this state."
He never knew. The woman he spent days discussing ancient history with was a hellion all along, yet Sorey never even suspected. He believed more and more that leaving Alisha a hellion had been the right choice, but today he finally put the question aside for good. It was evident not everyone needed to be purified.
"My domain will fade soon," Innominat continued after the pause he left for everyone to behold the cardinal on stage. "The changes we bring are manifold, so we will not expect you to just accept them and adjust in a day. Within ten years however, it will be erected to stand eternal, and henceforward humans, hellions, and seraphim shall live together in harmony, or so is the ideal we strive for. It will require for us to transcend the possible however." He lowered his head somewhat, this time eyeing the aged ruler. "To ascertain our success, I request the Empire's assistance."
Emperor Doran held his silence for but a moment; despite the vast amount of people present, one could have heard a pin drop. Then however, he inclined his head. "And you shall have it, oh Empyrean. But if We may inquire about a matter of curiousity?"
"You may."
"Far out to Lastonbell, there is a certain tavern that advertised with the sight of seraphim for a short while now. Would this have been your doing as well, oh Empyrean?" Sorey blinked as the murmuring started back up; the crowd fell silent again when the dragon huffed.
"Yes, indeed," Innominat responded with a note of humour. "It was a first step toward change, and it shall remain so for the foreseeable future." His head rose afterward, receding from Pendrago. "Step by step, we shall move toward a better future. Today is merely the beginning, and it requires all of you to make the difference. Rejoice, people of Rolance, for I declare a new beginning. Henceforward, the Age of Chaos is over, and the Age of Harmony shall begin!"
His domain faded just as the dragon pulled his head back through the portal, leaving an awestruck populace that soon devolved into a thousand excited conversations. Sorey had trouble picking his jaw up from the floor, even when he heard Velvet's quiet chuckle. "A knack for dramatics seems to run in the family," she quipped while watching Runette revert to human form. "Hopefully things go just as well on Alisha's end."
"W-Wait, but Maotelus is-" "Don't worry."
Velvet grinned at Sorey, tapping a finger to her lips to signify silence. He sighed in response, but ultimately let it go. Whatever was going on in Hyland, Alisha should have a handle on it.
. .
. .
Around the time Sorey arrived in Pendrago, the sovereign of Hyland beheld what his half-sister had wrought.
He was informed of her arrival the moment she passed the gate, as of the fact the populace greeted her with overwhelming cheer. Moreover, Hyaci Maltran herself followed the wayward princess; even the knights hesitated to arrest her as they should have. Alisha Diphda passed toward the royal castle unmolested, then requested an audience at court. Intrigued, he received her immediately, only to be confronted with what sounded like madness. Madness that, to everyone's surprise, Alisha backed up. She received three blades to the throat on her own request without so much as a scratch, then spewed a plume of flame into the room.
Seraphim, resonance, Malevolence, hellions, a new age. Alisha spoke at length of all these matters; her companion, the self-proclaimed Shepherd Margaret then bid one of her bonded seraphim to grant them sight. And for the first time, the king beheld one of the spiritual beings. They were an odd group indeed, a child and a towering man; moreover, everyone at court could see Princess Alisha's tail now.
"This is certainly more excitement than I expected today," he mused wrily. "Regardless, a question: what if We were to refuse your 'new age'?"
The quiet conversations fell away in an instant; no one missed the question's nuance, least of all Alisha herself. His half-sister's severe expression was broken up by an undignified sigh. "I believe we both know the answer, your Majesty."
Her response carried with it quite a few implications as well. He could not help but arch an eyebrow. "You do not desire the throne?" The subtle change in her posture told him otherwise, but she made no motion to act on such desires.
"Truth be told, I spent much time pondering how to approach this matter. As a hellion, I stand eternal and will thus abstain from the crown for the time being. Should I find that the royal line strays from a path of goodness and law however, my disposition may yet change."
He nodded in response. The message had been received loud and clear. Then again, perhaps this new doctrine was preferable; as much as his majesty trusted his advisers, he knew well Alisha's reputation as an upright and honourable warrior. Regardless of her lacking favour in court, she now made that up through force of arms and a force of will honed by years of struggle. He could not help but favour her with a smile. "You have certainly risen beyond all expectations, dear sister. Very well, it shall be as you desire."
The princess bowed her head in acquiescence, to renewed whispering from those surrounding them. The political climate of Hyland had just shifted considerably and they all knew; in the following address to the populace however, Alisha and Margaret quelled most opposition when a beautiful silver dragon made his appearance. Maotelus himself spoke to the people, requesting the crown's assistance in a bid he would never know was a nearly verbatim mirror of the golden dragon who appeared above Pendrago that same day. Neither would anyone ever realise that the dragon was an illusion, strainingly provided by the lady seraph he would not meet for another decade.
And so, almost anticlimactically, the Age of Harmony began. Of course not all strife would vanish overnight, however.