DISCLAIMER: I don't own the Kingdom Hearts nor Fire Emblem: Shadows of Valentia characters, Square Enix, Nintendo, and Disney are the owners.
Antex-The Legendary Zoroark: They indeed have similar weapons and traits to the said nobodies of the Organization XIII so it makes sense.
CHAPTER 12 – SAGE HAMLET
/
DOLTH'S HIDEOUT
Roxas and the whole party were hanging around the hideout as well as taking a break from their tiring journey to Duma's Tower to recover their energies
"You know? I remember when I first came here I thought I would not have a purpose or anything, but when I heard you guys needed help with the nobodies and offered me a spot in your team, I finally figured out that you gave me a purpose." Roxas said recalling the moment when he first arrived in Valentia.
"Did I?" Celica asked out of curiosity.
"Yeah, I have enjoyed my time with you and the others, it's been fun, Celica." Roxas replied expressing gratefulness of being part of the party.
"So when we reach the tower and defeat Duma… Are you going to leave?" Celica became a little melancholic as she spoke those words. "I think I will miss you, Roxas."
"Same… It will be time for me to go eventually. But let's not think about it for now, we should enjoy the remaining time we have together among the others." Roxas understood her words, asking her not to be sad and distract herself with those negative feelings.
"Yeah, you're right." Celica agreed.
Roxas had been thinking of leaving Valentia after defeating Duma and his henchmen, however, it would make him miss Celica and the others. Even though he enjoyed his time with them, sooner or later he had to leave for Fodlan and help his friend Sora and the others during the upcoming dark times.
/
THE LOST TREESCAPE
By the time they came out of the hideout, the whole party resumed their quest to Duma's Tower breezing through the hell swamp and came to put a foot on a beautiful grass filled with lots of trees around the place.
"This marks the entrance to the Lost Treescape." Conrad began. "The Sage's Hamlet—where Halcyon lives—lies within."
"I've heard it said a curious power is at work in these woods." Celica said recalling these commentaries. "And that the trees themselves conspire to hide the path to the hamlet. I'm grateful we have you to lead the way. So then, Brother—which way do we head first?"
"Er, yeah… See, this was actually my first time leaving the woods alone." Conrad express his own disdain of apparently not having any knowledge outside of the woods. "And I'm not exactly sure how to… you know. Get back? But hey, adventure! We'll just find the path together!"
"Ye-Yes, adventure!" Celica gabbled awkwardly. "…Shall we get started, then?"
Celica and the others proceed to breeze through the woods, however, as they were in the middle of the forest, Celica noticed how quite dark the woods were. "This wood is thick and dark, and plays havoc with one's sense of direction. Tall stone pillars stand as sentinels, keeping watch over our intrusion."
And then Roxas came to notice a pillar stone saying this message: "Follow the people to reach the hamlet…" he read the sign showing curiosity. "What is that supposed to mean?"
"No idea, man." Deen replied nonchalantly thinking about that puzzle. "We should stay frosty if there are some monsters in this area."
Just as he had predicted, they encountered few Terror fiends and nobodies getting on their way.
"Terrors! Didn't we have enough with these things?!" Boey whined seeing them again in fear.
"Stop freaking out, will ya?!" Mae spat giving a light slap on his back. "Pull yourself together! Come on!"
Roxas and Celica let out a sigh seeing those two argue due to his whining attitude and all, nonetheless, everybody went to face the monsters on their own way.
Roxas, Celica, Sonya, Nuibaba, Conrad and Mathilda went to take down the toughest Terrors alongside some Nobodies with their respective special attacks.
Catria, Palla, Est, Mae, Genny and Boey went to deal with few nobodies with the help of Saber, Deen, Kamui, Valbar, Leon, Deen and Atlas while dealing with few Terrors more.
"Take that!" Mathilda snarled as she slashed a nobody in half, finishing the monster in the process.
"Go to hell!" Sonya seconded killing the last Terror fiend with her Medusa spell.
"You're dead!" Nuibaba casted the same spell on few last nobodies.
Roxas and Celica slayed the last two nobodies clearing the area from these monsters thanks to their help to each other. "That's the last of them." He said putting his keyblades away.
"Never thought that we'd come to encounter those guys… come on, let's find Halcyon." Conrad asked them to continue their quest.
/
Just as they were walking towards the hamlet, Sonya decided to speak some trivial stuff… "Growing up, I had older sisters. The eldest was stern, but deeply kind. The middle one was smart and mature, and also marched to her own beat. The three of us were inseparable back at the priory. We waited for our mother to come get us, yet knew the day would never come."
"I'm sorry, Sonya." Roxas lamented her sisters' fate.
"It's ok, they are both gone a long time ago from now… anyway, I really despise everything Jedah and Duma have done to many people… my family, my sisters…" Sonya expressed illness towards these guys for their cruelty, showing desire to get her revenge on them.
"Sonya…" Roxas came to understand how she was feeling towards these evil men, as well as remembering the moment when he wanted to have a revenge on Xemnas for the disgraces he went through. "If you really want to avenge your family… let me help you fulfil your mission, because after all, we are after the same thing, am I right?"
"Roxas…" Sonya was at loss and amazement by his words, he was understanding her feelings. "Would you… do this for me?"
"That's right. Duma is messing up Valentia, and Jedah wants Celica's soul so we must take them down together, so you could avenge your family." Roxas was inviting her to accept his help to destroy Duma and Jedah.
"We'll get them, Sonya. I promise." Celica agreed with Roxas.
It was the first time that Sonya had compassion from her comrades, as well as she needed to trust someone like Roxas and Celica.
"Guys, thank you, I owe you one." Sonya smiled at them accepting their help she needed.
/
SAGE'S HAMLET
Roxas and the party finally reached the place named Sage's Hamlet, where Halcyon was living and whom they needed to talk to.
"This place is called the Sage's Hamlet." a female cleric spoke. "The great sage Halcyon's magic shields us from evil. If you wish to speak with him, you will find him at his home."
And then, Genny proceeded to talk as well expressing dismay towards the Rigelian army and everything else. "The Rigelian Empire is so cold! It's a bit unsetting. Let's hurry and save Mila so we can get back home. Then I can turn this adventure into thrilling epoch for the ages! It's the story of a plucky princess who overcomes tremendous obstacles. A princess who is reunited with her long-lost father in the end. All her life, she's carried a pendant—a memento of her departed mother. But it turns out that pendant was a gift from the princess's father, the king! In the end, the king tracks the pendant down in order to find his lost child. …What do you think? Isn't that great? I'm already brainstorming the sequel!"
"Seems good, I'm sure you could be an excellent story writer." Roxas praised her with a casual smile.
"You think? Thank you, Roxas!" Genny happily thanked him for his praise.
/
SAGE'S HOUSE
After exploring the village, they finally arrived in Halcyon's house, which resulted being a place filled with lots of books, making it see itself as a big library.
"Looks like someone loves the reading." Said Roxas checking the area. "Hello? Anybody here?"
"Oh, there he is." Celica noticed a tall man with a staff with purple clothes. "Er… Sage Halcyon? Sir? I'm—"
"Ah, Celica, child of fate. I'm glad you've come." Halcyon came to meet her face to face.
"Child of fate…" Celica remarked these words recalling the moment when Dolth called her that, did she have everything to do with that dark fate, that set her in a slight unsetting gaze. "You're not the first to call me that. But I have no idea where my fate lies. Please, Halcyon. Grant me guidance. Tell me what fate holds for me. I'm so lost… I don't know what to do!"
"I know you have suffered much along the path here, Celica." Halcyon said highlighting her movement on her journey. "But I fear I ken no more of anyone's fate than you do. What I do ken, however, is this: Three things exist to guide you. One is the Brand you bear. The other is your soul's pair with the selfsame mark. The last one is that boy he's been accompanying you this whole time."
"Roxas… Right, I had made him my bodyguard for a very long time now… Besides, the selfsame… Do you mean Alm?" Celica acknowledged she had made Roxas as her comrade and came to realize of what the sage had said about the second thing.
"Indeed." Halcyon affirmed her words before asking her few curious questions regarding her brand. "Why were you born with the Brand? And why are there two of you? These are the questions you must consider. And always remember that you are not alone."
Those were the biggest and mysterious questions that came to Celica's mind and had to answer herself, even thou she would have difficulties to find out the answer.
"…Right." Celica nodded with her head filled with many incognita questions dancing around her mind. "Thank you, Sage Halcyon."
"Of course, child." Halcyon smiled at the two. "But while I cannot read the future, my magic may yet assist you two. If there is anything you wish, tell me."
"I… I wish nothing for myself." Celica began speaking her wish. "But I'm worried about Alm. Please, if such a thing is possible, use your powers to help him."
"The other child of fate?" Halcyon looked surprised about her statement. "Yours is a generous heart, very well."
Then the whole room went white for a few seconds until the three could open their eyes. "Wh-what just happened?" Roxas asked.
"I sent my powers on to Alm." Halcyon explained to them. "With them, he will be able to draw new strength beyond himself. He will need will for it, just like you have done thanks to the boy's influence."
"Did I… make her stronger?" Roxas was surprised by the man's statement regarding his influence towards the girl, trying to prevent his cheeks from turning red.
"Yes, boy, thanks to your presence, Celica has become braver and has attained more strength than she thought. So I'm sure Alm can do it too."
"Oh, thank you, Halcyon." Celica thanked him for his help and giving Alm some help.
"Tell me Celica. Do you wish to see Alm?" Halcyon asked her if she wanted to speak to him, much to her surprise and Roxas's too.
"What?" Celica was astonished by his statement, she wanted to meet with Alm but then she came to remember the argument she had with Alm in Sofia Castle and how stern and harsher was to him, which meant she had acted as an idiot to Alm, she needed to think about a way to make up for that terrible reunion. "Well, of course I do, but… I doubt Alm is eager to see me. I was harsher and said too many terrible things to him when we last parted…"
"Heh heh. The fire of youth at work." Halcyon gave a commentary with some humor. "All the more reason to meet and speak again, no? I can send you both to him if you desire it. Not your physical forms, but a projection of your minds. Enough to speak, at least."
"Can you really do that?" Roxas spoke out of surprise of that possibility, if possible, he would finally come to meet Alm, through a projection of course for now.
"Is that really possible?" Celica seconded showing the same emotion as well.
"It is. Close your eyes, children." Halcyon commanded them close their eyes as he casted a spell on them in order to make them meet somewhere else through telepathy.
/
SOMEWHERE IN THE FOREST
Meanwhile, Alm and his army were resting in the woods when he came to hear Celica's voice. "Alm…"
"Hmm?" he said in confusion. "I heard my name…"
"Alm, it's me. It's Celica!" her voice resounded through his mind, making him search through the woods. "Celica? How are you here? Actually, where are you? Come out already!"
Alm proceeded to search around the forest until he finally came to see her dear childhood friend's projection figure, and not only this, he also noticed Roxas standing there with a smile on his face, implying his support to the couple.
"Alm! I can't believe I actually have this chance…" Celica grateful of seeing him again.
"Celica!" he expressed amusement upon seeing her again in joy. "Is this… an illusion? Is it really you? Wait a second. These black clothes… blue eyes… You must be the one who slayed a lot of dark and silver creatures and become quite famous, am I right?"
"I am." Roxas confirmed him.
"Yes, it's us. Sage Halcyon's magic is allowing us to speak with you. Alm, this is Roxas. Roxas, this is Alm." Celica assured him in joy too aside of introducing each other.
"Nice to meet you, Roxas. I'm glad to see she's okay, I heard you kicked a lot of these creatures' asses."
"Oh, I've missed you so much!"
"I'm happy to see you, too." Alm expressed his happiness of reuniting with her.
"Alm, listen, I…" Celica began sobbing, as she wanted to apologize for cruel things she said to him, fearing that he may had become upset because of it.
"Whoa, what's wrong?" Alm grew concerned of her. "… Celica? Did something happen? Are things not going as well as you'd hoped? Augh, I wish you were in person! I don't know what to… Please don't cry.
"Celica…" Roxas tried to calm her down with a pat on her back, as well as providing support for the two. "It's alright. I'm sure you two can make up for it."
"Y-you're not angry, Alm?" Celica had a heartwarming feeling after hearing Alm's words and Roxas's empathy. "I said such terrible things to you back at the castle."
"Huh? Wait, that's been bothering you?" Alm finally came to understand Celica's actions. "I mean, sure, I was sad you didn't seem to see my side of things. But I'd never get mad at you."
"Why not?" Celica asked him in curiosity.
"…Why not? " Alm lifted an eye brow in the same manner. "You sure do like putting me on the spot. Didn't we have a similar conversation years ago?"
"Ha! I suppose we did." Celica chuckled lightly remembering the moment. "You were always so nice to me, while I— While I'm always thinking only of myself. I'm sorry, Alm…"
"Celica? What's wrong?" Alm asked out of concern on her words.
"I've finally remembered why I left the island in the first place." Celica explained her true reasons of starting her journey. "We're going to see Duma.
"What? No!" Alm objected Celica's dangerous mission to meet with that monster. "Celica, the Duma Faithful are—it's too dangerous! There's no telling what they'll do to you!"
"It's okay, Alm." Roxas asked him not to worry about her, showing his will to make sure of her survival. "We have what it takes to take down anyone who stands in our way, and that includes Duma Faithfuls, I promise that I will protect her with my life and take down Duma and his henchmen altogether."
"Roxas, why are you…?" Alm was surprised by his face filled in determination in supporting Celica's mission.
"Mila wasn't in her temple, Alm." Celica seconded explaining the events, leading Alm to get intrigued by these events.
"Huh? What does that mean?" he made them a question.
"Rudolf attacked the temple and Mila is being held captive in Duma Tower." Roxas explained the situation. "And we're going there to rescue her."
"That must be the reason why Sofia's land has gone barren." Celica coincided with the keyblade wielder.
"No… The Emperor?" Alm became upset about Rudolf's atrocities against Sofia.
"And that's why Roxas and I must go— We have to free Mila." Celica recalled their reasons to go climb Duma's tower. "We are the only ones who can."
"Wait, guys…" Alm wanted to say something more, more specifically to Celica. "I finally figured out, Celica, but… you're actually… You're the princess of Sofia, aren't you? Princess Anthiese."
What?! Alm already knew Celica was Anthiese, but how did he figure it out? Well, the secrets do fly everywhere towards many people's minds.
"… I am." Celica affirmed his words smiling at him. "I guess my secret is out."
"Ugh, now I', cringing at what I said to you before." Alm felt embarrassed on the words he spoke to her back then. "Talk about thoughtless! Forgive me, Celica. But don't worry—I promise I'll get you kingdom back. Roxas, I want your word that you will make sure that nothing bad happens to her." he asked him to keep Celica safe during their dangerous ride. "Can I entrust her to your protection?"
"You got my word, Alm." Roxas accepted his entrust, now he had to protect Celica from every hardship they should face in Duma's Tower.
"That's nice of you. But just winning this wat isn't enough, Alm. Everything will become clear soon enough. We'll do everything we can here. Please just…be safe." She said before fading away along with Roxas.
"Celica? Roxas? Wait!" Alm tried to call them but it was the two disappeared from his sight. "I hope he keeps her safe, I don't care what happens to me..."
/
SAGE'S HAMLET
Finally, Roxas and Celica opened their eyes in awe after speaking with Alm telepathically with Halcyon's power.
"Alm seemed worried about you." Roxas said.
"He is… but so I am. I don't want him to be harmed if he is… oh no." Celica replied showing a lot of concern towards Alm. "Don't tell me we're thinking about the same thing?"
"It seems so." Roxas was also worried about Alm's wellbeing.
That's right, they had the idea that Alm was more than willing to risk his life to take back Sofia by facing Rudolf and possibly dying in battle, much to Celica's horror which was almost coming true.
"Guys, Duma Tower is just ahead, be prepared before you go." Halcyon gave the pair the address to where they had to go.
"Thank you, Halcyon." Roxas thanked him. "Are you ready for this?"
"Ready, Roxas."
"Let's go."
/
OUTSIDE HALCYON'S HOUSE.
Celica and Roxas left the house with their resort to head for Duma Tower to rescue Mila and stop the war, even though they would have to endure the hardships they might encounter inside the tower, especially when facing Duma or/and Jedah.
"So, what are we going to do now?" Kamui asked out of concern.
"We are heading to Duma Tower, we will get Mila out of there." Celica stated their next mission for everybody having her face written in determination.
Unbeknownst to everyone, the mysterious hooded woman had been following the party in the shadows, for the first time in her life, she started growing pretty concern of Celica's life being in jeopardy as she had made up her mind to go see Duma and rescue Mila, given the high risk the mission carried in.
"I have to do something… At this rate Anthiese will…" she said in a very low and quiet voice enough as to not be noticed while spying on the team through the woods.
She needed to move fast to help the team, even if that meant that she would have to put her hood off and blow up her cover if necessary.
END OF CHAPTER 13
A/N: FROM THIS POINT ON, THINGS ARE GOING TO GET UGLY AND OUR HEROES ARE GONNA JUMP INTO THE BIGGEST STRUGGLE FOR THEIR LIVES, BESIDES, SOMEBODY IS GONNA BE EXTREMELY INSANE AND BE BLIND BY VENGEANCE NOT ONLY AGAINST ALM BUT ROXAS AS WELL.
WE WILL ENTER IN THE FINAL ARC OF THE VALENTIAN COLD WAR SAGA: TOGETHER TO THE END, AND JUST LIKE THE ACTUAL ARC, WE SHALL DUB THIS AS "THE FINAL COLD WAR", AS THE NAME ITSELF IMPLIES.
ALSO, LET ME REMIND YOU THAT THE DUMA TOWER PORTION WILL NOT FOLLOW THE ORIGINAL SHADOWS OF VALENTIA PLOT BUT QUITE THE GAIDEN ONE, IF YOU KNOW WHAT I MEAN.
FINALLY, THE MYSTERIOUS HOODED WOMAN WILL PLAY AN IMPORTANT ROLE IN THERE AND EXPLAIN HER PAST ACTIONS.
PEACE OUT.