Ch 29: Denizens of the Abyss
Again I have taken liberties with adjusting Constance's, Dorothea's, and Hapi's backstories. I hope you will still enjoy these versions 😊 ️
Anette and Mercedes were upon Constance before the young woman could even lift her foot. Mercedes was the first to speak, "Constance, you must bring us up to speed with what has happened since last seeing you at the School of Sorcery!" She implored with her hands clasped together.
"Yes!" Annette piped up. "We all went on break from school, and then you never came back." The mage furrowed her brow as she recalled the memory.
"And our letters went unanswered…" Mercedes noted with worry.
"Then we heard about the fall of House Nuvelle…" Annette remarked in a softer voice.
The two gazed avidly at their old friend, their eyes shimmering with questions.
At first the blonde was taken aback by the flood concern, but she quickly hitched back up her charismatic expression. "Oh ho ho!" Constance cheered into her open fan, before wafting herself with a breeze as she continued, "Fear not my dear old comrades for all shall be revealed. However, first, I must show you something simply amazing, come, follow meeee!" Constance urged with a dramatic snap of fan and as she briskly strode away leaving the two Blue Lion students to exchange quizzical glances between each other, before hurrying after the blonde.
She led them down a torchlit corridor before making a sudden sharp left into a room. "Welcome to the Shadow library!" Constance proclaimed as she twirled to face the two Blue Lions. Both Annette and Mercedes peered about, their eyes widening for there was much more to the library than what first met their gaze. Levels upon levels of bookcases until the light would no longer reach upwards, or downwards. "There are forgeries, banned books, legends, spells, and…heresies!" Constance described in a scandalous tone. But then her expression became more thoughtful as she added, "And maybe through their knowledge I can find a way to return house Nuvelle to its former glory." Constance slowed in fanning herself as she recalled the event. "It fell, about five years ago in protection of the Empire. But, there are other rumors surrounding it…distasteful ones. I was there when it happened, when it came crashing down…" Her fan halted as the blonde was seemingly lost in thought.
"Is that why you suddenly left the academy?" Annette gently asked. She appeared to make a movement to reach out to Constance, but instead kept her hands clasped in front of her.
"Yes, I…" Constance closed the fan shut as she grew somber. "I was not well, I didn't know where to go and," the blonde mage paused, but at the beseeching gazes from her two friends, the young woman cleared her throat and confessed, "I didn't want to be a burden…"
"You a burden?!" Anette blurted out for she couldn't believe Constance's words.
"Please don't think like that for one second Constance, you are and never were a burden," Mercedes remarked kindly, though her tone was strong as a small frown creased her forehead.
"So true! I mean who was the one that looked after us! Who swatted bullies away like they were flies!" Annette exclaimed, her hands now tightened into fists. Constance had looked after them during their time at Fhirdiad School of Sorcery.
And before Constance knew what was happening, the blonde was surrounded by a warm group hug from her two old classmates. Her expression was hidden behind her fan, but her amethyst eyes were overbright. "You two are so dear to me, what fortune smiles upon me to be reunited with you two once more!"
Meanwhile, like the rest of her classmates, Dorothea began to explore the bustling market of the Abyss. Her verdant green eyes roved over the displayed goods, noting that most of the stock were utilitarian. There were only a handful of decorative items like jewelry. The young mage paused for she could feel heavy eyes upon her. "It's impolite to stare," Dorothea remarked before turning around to see that it was the brawler from earlier, Balthus, who had been watching her keenly.
He at least had the sense to look embarrassed as he rubbed the back of his neck with an apologetic grin. "Oh, heh, sorry about that, it's just that you look so familiar, but I just can't place it."
Dorothea wanted to roll her eyes as she had heard that pick up line too many times. Yet, the young woman paused as she could practically hear the cogwheels churning inside the young man's brain as he tried to figure out where he had seen her before. He seemed actually genuine. "No seriously, I mean it, have you ever been to Leicester Alliance?" Balthus asked earnestly as he rubbed his strong jaw. Then his light coffee brown eyes widened in an epiphany. "Ah! I remember! You are an actress, no musician, no wait…hold on I'll get it…I got it! Singer, right! I'm right, right? Woah I said 'right' alot, that word sounds weird now. Riiighhht..."
'What an odd boisterous man,' Dorothea mused, but confirmed, "Yes I am a singer."
"Ah Ha! It's all coming back to me, the Mittelfrank Opera, you guys played in the Leicester Alliance Opera House," Balthus remarked with a thunderous clap of his hands in joy for recalling the elusive memory.
"I'm sure we have," Dorotha noted noncommittally, the Mittelfrank Opera had played throughout Fódlan. They graced many popular venues with their sought after presence.
"Yeah, but I was there when the lead opera singer, Miss Manuela Casagranda, had to step down due to an illness, and the stand-in took her place. Wasn't that your first break?" Balthus added with a grin.
"I…yes, yes it was," Dorothea was now recalling the memory. She was also surprised that someone like Balthus would go to operas, recall the full name of the diva, let alone remember the stand-in years later. "Oh, I wasn't at my best yet," the songstress admitted, though why she had said so Dorothea couldn't fathom.
"Say wha?" Balthus exclaimed with a slack jaw. "You were amazing, if that wasn't your best than jeez louise!" The brawler roared in good humor, causing a smile to grow upon Dorothea's lips. "Hey, I know it's a lot to ask but, one day maybe, would you sing a song for the folks here in the Abyss? It would really raise their spirits!"
"I…" Dorothea began, mulling it over as she gazed about the bustling marketplace, taking in the denizens of the Abyss - from the elderly hobbling about with canes, to children playing with second hand dolls. The songstress returned her gaze to the avidly awaiting young man. "Yes, I shall," Dorothea decided firmly with a polite smile.
"Ya' will!?" Balthus beamed with joy. "That's great!" His energy was infectious as he pumped the air with enthusiastic fists.
Dorothea paused, reflecting that she used to sing for the rich and royal, yet upon joining the Blue Lions she now sang to raise the morale of her comrades and now to lift the spirits of the forsaken…
What other twists and turns would the path she was on make?
On the other far side of the marketplace, Sylvain avidly scanned the bustling crowd as Ingrid and Felix stood at his side.
"Who are you looking for?" Ingrid asked with an arched brow as she noted how focus her friend was.
"Uhhh, no one," Sylvain lied, though his warm cider brown eyes betrayed him as they resumed searching the passerbys. "I'm just going to take a stroll," the young man remarked as he set off at a brisk speed leaving both Ingrid and Felix to stare after him. One looking bored, the other quite suspicious…
Sylvain didn't think she would be this difficult to find, unless she was making it so. He searched through the market, then meandered down the alleyways, and even peeked into a few rooms, but there was still no sign of the bright crimson hair or brilliant ruby eyes. Sylvain was slowly becoming lost in the labyrinth like layout of the Abyss as he spun about, surrounded by corridors that all looked alike. Then a low humming echoed against the torch lit cobblestone on his right. Soft and melodious, it seemed to beckon to Sylvain, and he allowed himself to be swept forward by the sweet nostalgic tune. And as the young man walked towards it, a memory began to blossom in his mind. One of long ago and nearly forgotten…
The air of the old dense forest of Faerghus was cool and still, yet his cheeks were flushed as his heart fluttered like a trapped bird in his chest. Sylvain took no heed against the low branches, which were like gnarled hands that grabbed at him. The red-haired boy was spurned on with the burning desire to put as much distance between himself and the one who chased him. Sprinting deeper into the dark forest than he previously dared to go…
Then Sylvain heard it, soft humming, warm and melodious. The tune made him feel safe, that the one who sang it was helpful and trustworthy. Sylvain took a chance and leapt through the shrubs nearby, but his foot caught against a poking root and the boy tumbled forward until he came to a halt in a small clearing. There at the far end was a girl unlike any he had ever seen. Dark skin, bright crimson hair, and brilliant ruby eyes gazed back at him. She wore a simple tunic of earthen brown and leggings green, though her feet were bare. Yet most amazing of all was the assortment of critters that surrounded her; they must have been transfixed by her voice before he barged in.
"You are so dead Sylvain!" Hollered the voice of a teenage male seething with rage. "Just wait 'till I find you!"
Terror coursed through Sylvain's veins. He made to get up, but was tugged backwards as his cape was snagged by a branch. He looked back across the clearing, but the girl and creatures had vanished. Ohhh, he was going to get beaten up badly this time for sure!
"Where are you - you little twerp!" The voice hollered, and the boy could tell its owner was getting closer.
Suddenly something rustled from behind him; Sylvain nearly cried out in fright, but it was the girl and she pulled his cape free! Then before Sylvain could utter a word, the girl tugged him into a small hollow of a tree trunk. Tucked in, Sylvain turned to speak, but the girl pressed a finger to her lips, miming for them to remain quiet. Sylvain gulped, but slowly nodded his understanding. He held his breath, small body trembling as heavy footsteps drew closer. Then a warm hand held onto his, and Sylvain could feel himself calm down.
The footsteps paused on the other side of the tree. "Dammit…" the teenager cursed, then turned around and walked away. The two did not dare to move until they were certain that the teenager had left.
The girl released his hand and exited the tree first. Sylvain was happy to see that she didn't run off, instead just put a little distance between them before turning around. She tilted her crimson haired head before asking, "Who was that?"
"My brother," Sylvain sighed with a grimace.
"Your brother?! He wishes to hurt you?" The girl looked bewildered at the very thought.
"He…he's angry…at me," Sylvain added sadly as he rubbed his small hands. Then wanting to change from the distasteful topic, he decided to introduce himself properly this time. "I'm Sylvain, thank you, um…?" He inquired with a tilt of his own head.
At first the girl looked uncertain, her rubied eyes darted about their surroundings as if to double check that the coast was clear. Then she gazed back at him as she replied softly, "Hapi."
"Hapi," Sylvain repeated interestedly. What an odd name…
"Are you from the castle?" Hapi suddenly asked, her eyes wide with wonder at the prospect.
"Uh, well yeah," Sylvain answered, feeling a little confused for everyone he knew was from the castle. Then a thought struck him. "…you've never been?" The boy asked, feeling more curious about Hapi.
"No, I'm not allow…" Hapi halted in mid-sentence, before finishing with, "I've never been."
'Strange,' Sylvain thought for everyone has been to the castle. But then an idea came to the boy as he remarked with excitement, "Then I'll take you sometime to visit, as thank you for saving my life!"
Hapi paused at this, her eyes seemed to take Sylvain in, as if she was deciding whether to trust him or not. Then a small smile spread upon her lips, which bloomed into an excited grin at the prospect of finally going to the castle. "Yeah!"
Sylvain smiled in return. He had just made a new friend; one he would surely be friends with forever…
Back in the present, Sylvain turned the corner and spotted her, humming softly to a group of cats and dogs. Hapi's humming stopped as she looked up. Her countenance seemed nonplussed at his presence, such a stark difference from the girl Sylvain just remembered from the forest. Whose face was bright with wonder and alive with expression. What had happened to that Hapi?
Unbeknownst to either student, two more pairs of eyes were watching. Earlier, once Sylvain had left their side, Felix was tugged to follow by Ingrid, in hot pursuit of Sylvain.
Felix began, "What are you…" But Ingrid shushed him as they came to a stop, peering around the corner as Sylvain walked towards Hapi.
"Do you recognize her?" Ingrid asked in a hushed voice.
Felix appraised the Valkyrie they had battled earlier, but no memory of her otherwise came to mind. The young swordsman shook his head, yet frowned as he noted the intensity of Ingrid's gaze upon the other young woman. "What about you?" He asked.
Ingrid creased her brows together, willing memories to come forth, but they remained elusive. "I…she seems familiar. I can't recall why or where, but I can remember feeling afraid…very afraid."
(Author notes)
Alrighty! Some reunions and new encounters! I smudged some timelines, but hopefully it works out well. I get these Kronk vibes (from Emperor's New Groove) for Balthus! 😆
I also really hope you enjoyed Hapi's and Sylvian's memories because there is more to uncover - when the time is right of course. Though you gotta enjoy an animated Hapi before things went down.
Now onto introducing Aelfric!
(DISCLAIMER) I do not own nor claim to own any of the Fire Emblem Franchise and Ninetendo's work. It is from the team's own brilliance…my additions are from my own madness