Prologue: Hidden Tensions

It's been about 2 years after the crisis in Magvel dealing with the Demon King and his forces. Magvel has been busy rebuilding after the war, with Ephraim overseeing Grado as a memento to his late friend, Prince Lyon. During this time, Ephraim, Innes, Joshua and L'Arachel have taken the thrones of their respective nations. Together, they hope to unify Magvel into a nation with a long peace that will last for generations.

Overseeing the current development in Renais, Ephraim looks over from the balcony of the Castle, thinking about all that has happened during those last two years, dealing with Grado, which seemed like an ordinary war but turned out to be just the curiosity of his dear departed friend, Lyon, wanting to make the world a better place, but soon got corrupted by the darkness, yet eventhough being in a right state of mind, it was too late for him anyway.

Ephraim thinks back to the last time he and Lyon fought against each other, about how Lyon was jealous of him for so many years, and that envy just about culminated into Lyon risking his own life just for the fact his father was dying, and ended up creating a mere puppet that only did the bare minimum to ease Lyon's heavy heart. In the end, Lyon's good intentions yet rash decisions almost cost the world its very existence.

But knowing Lyon did all this, Ephraim still can't help but miss his old friend, and wonder to himself if he could find a way to reverse time to give Grado the ruler it truly needed AND deserved.

Ephraim thinks more on all this, the memories flooding his mind constantly, unable to find an end through it all

Seth approaches from behind Ephraim and says, "King Ephraim. It's almost time to begin the knighting ceremony."

"Yeah, it is." says Ephraim. "Don't worry, Seth. I'll be down there soon."

"Are you sure you'll be focused enough?" asks Seth. "You do seem distraught, but these days, when are you never?"

"Yeah, I tell myself not to think about the past so much, but the more I do that, the more I continue to do so. Curse the guy who came up with the term, irony." says Ephraim. "Sure, stopping the Demon King was a top priority at that point, but what was it really worth in the end? So many lives lost - both allies and enemies - and I don't think Grado is going to forgive me, thinking my rule over them to be salt on the wound. What else is new?"

"Yes, it's a burden I'm glad only you're having to experience, if I'm to sound a bit selfish" says Seth. "I don't think this matter has a right or wrong answer in any way, shape or form. I think the best we can do is move forward, and just try to grin and bear it."

"If only it were that easy." says Ephraim. "I'm willing to look after Grado, but... it almost feels like to some I'm just doing this out of sheer pity. Maybe I am, even if I really want to do this for both Lyon and Vigarde. People appear simple in groups, but are more complicated individually. I've had to learn that after becoming king, and I'm still discovering things I was never ready for. It's human nature to constantly learn, I suppose. But with our short lives, we'll truly never understand it. And perhaps... We're never meant to.

"That's about the wisest thing anyone can say." says Seth. "I know you always fancied yourself more of a warrior than a king, but if your father could see you right now, he would be more proud of you than you might be willing to believe. Perhaps you'll never believe it, but that's not really important. Really, I don't know why I'm even lecturing you about this, because I'm still a commoner compared to you and Eirika, so I really don't have a say in the matter. I guess... It's merely my two cents."

Ephraim smirks and says, "Well, for someone who 'doesn't have a say', you certainly can talk pretty big about such things. I'm honestly impressed. I'm really impressed actually. And don't try to defend yourself by saying you're nothing more than a commoner, because you're to soon be wed to Eirika, so if anything, you'll more than likely be more involved in the politics than you'll assuredly be ready for. I hope you got a strong stomach for it."

Seth goes, "Well, maybe you'll be there with a bucket for me... Brother-in-Law."

Both Ephraim and Seth laugh.

"Anyway, I guess I'm ready for the ceremony. Let's go see the new knights that will be joining our forces." says Ephraim, and Seth replies, "Indeed. And rest assured, I've only picked out the best ones. You'll have nothing to fear."

"Ever and always the reliable one, Seth." says Ephraim. "Let's head down."

And with that, Ephraim and Seth leave the balcony.

- A New Agenda -

In the Black Temple in Darkling Woods, a mysterious figure in black robes seems to wander the area in search of something.

The person says in a somewhat raspy male voice, "Ah, look at this mess. All because of a little lordling wanting to play god, and things go so far south. What made anyone think they could control the power of the Demon King? Humans will never cease to disappoint this world, no matter if they're fighting their own or against greater forces."

The figure then continues to search until he sees a bright purple glow of miasma. His face shows a small smile as he goes to the glow.

Soon, picking up the object, the figure says, "Jackpot. No need to hang here any longer."

And with that, the figure teleports out.

The scene changes to that of a mansion that's barely lit, and the figure approaches another that's staying in the shadows, only showing a faint bit of their clothes being of white with green trim.

"So, my student, I can only trust that you were successful" asks the figure in the shadows in a male voice, to whit, the robed figure responds, "Here."

The robed figure hands the shadowy figure the glowing object, which was a large stone of black and dark purple.

"So much potential this one object has. And to say the fool that led to its creation didn't even scratch the surface is gross understatement." says the shadowy figure. "This land has suffered too much for 500 years, too many self-righteous fools wanting to stop something incredible only out of simple fear. It's both amazing and tragic what kind of damage that being afraid can cause. Well, not like it's going to matter for long. Come, my student. There is much preparation to be done."

"Yes, my master." says the robed figure before they head off.

- Mysterious Maiden Lost to Time -

A group of Gradoan treasure hunters are exploring a mysterious cave in the middle of nowhere in Grado.

"Funny that his cave just appeared here after all this time." says a treasure hunter. "But I'm not going to question it. What's really the point?"

"I'd be lying if I said I myself wasn't a little concerned." says another treasure hunter. "Maybe we'll find out the reason the further in we go? Or maybe not, I guess I'm just waxing dramatic."

"You're definitely do that, and then some, Keith" says the third and final treasure hunter. "Right now, the only thing I care about is getting whatever is valuable here, and never thinking about the hows or whys."

"Yeah, you've got a point, Doug." says the second treasure hunter answering to the name, Keith. "Anyway, let's keep going. I pray to whatever power is out there we have enough oil for this trek."

The trio of treasure hunters continue on their way down the cave.

Soon, the group come into what appears to be a surprisingly well-lit room a large mural in the back, a couple of statues - one on each side - and in the middle, what looks to be a large stone coffin that is elegant with a gold coloring and intricate designs with what appear to be black roses on the top with a red, round, perfectly-spherical crystal right in the center.

"Wow, get a load of all this." says Doug.

"Definitely has the look of a treasure room." asks the first one. "It's about as elaborate as elaborate gets."

"Either that, or it's a tomb." says Keith. "Still... Surprisingly well kept up. Makes you wonder how long this has been down here, because goodness, it looks like someone comes here to polish this stuff day in and day out.

"Hey, Keith, Doug!" says the first treasure hunter. "This mural kind of catch your fancies?

They look at the mural in its ominous majesty, the design being of a woman with a dark tan complexion, white hair, purple eyes and gold angel wings while wearing a regal-looking outfit while there are two spherical objects on either side of her, with her right side having a red eye from the looks of it floating over her right shoulder and blue orb over her left. There are more creatures and beings on her sides from the looks of things, such as several various creatures in female form (most with the woman's complexion and hair color) on her right and a few more that look very inhuman, while her left side has some others that resemble ones that are more godly, while others are kind of adorable while surrounded in different colored angel wings (though appear to be smaller in number than the creatures on the right side), along with various weapons and armors from the looks of things. And above the girl are what look to be different dragons while a picture of what looks to be sun is also over her. The mural is obviously ancient, but it also has an air of advancement about it, like from a civilization that knew about the world than today's scholars. It just about looks too attractive to alter in any way, or at least that's how most art snobs would look at it.

"Heh, this girl supposed to be some kind of goddess?" asks the first treasure hunter. "Or just some pretentious garbage?"

"Never mind that! Let's open this casket, and see what's inside!" says Doug. "Good lord, I hope this excavation wasn't for nothing, because gods damn do we need to get an actual score of loot."

"Tell me about it." says the first treasure hunter. "After the war, my family has really been struggling to find enough money to try to get by while Grado is still rebuilding."

"Yeah, you told me Gwen and the kids are lucky enough to get any kind of food these days." says Doug. "Still, Derrick, you've at least got a wife and children. Me? I'd have to pray to Saint Latona before any girl would give me a glance."

"I don't know." says Keith. "This mural might be a warning of some kind. I don't want to jinx anything, but... Jinxes kind of come with the territory when it comes to such places."

"Hey, don't be the proverbial black cat, Keith." says Doug. "We won't truly know what we're getting ourselves in if we don't take the plunge at least a tiny bit."

"Yeah, let's open this thing!" says Derrick.

"Our funeral, I suppose." mutters Keith.

"Now, what to do, what to do, what to do." says Derrick. "Definitely locked from the looks of it. But... That doesn't mean permanently."

As he says this, he runs his hand over the red crystal on the top of the cover, and it begins to glow, soon followed by a clicking sound, and the top comes up a bit.

"Okay, that could NOT have been that easy." says Derrick. "Whatever. Let's push the cover open.

All three men push open the cover, and soon, being revealed inside the casket is a woman that looks unclothed while having most of her body covered in roses that are surprisingly still fresh.

"Hello. A woman." says Derrick. "Was honestly not expecting that. Then again, I don't know what I was expecting."

"Well, at this point, I don't care about any gold shillings or whatever." says Doug. "We just scored us a REAL treasure! Oh yeah, the thoughts I'm now getting."

"You've got problems, Dougy." says Derrick. "You do know this woman might be dead, right? Or are their some truths I've yet to learn about you?"

"If she were dead, she'd smell it." says Doug. "And trust me, I can smell a dead skunk a mile away."

"Guys! Look at her, and then the mural!" says Keith. "Notice anything similar?"

Soon, all three take notice, the woman in the casket has the same complexion and hair color as the woman on the mural, the three men getting this odd chill down their respective spines.

"She's... They're the same." says Derrick. "More or less."

"And so the story gets even deeper." says Doug. "Yup, definitely worth something big."

Soon, the girl in the casket gives off a glow of soft white light.

"Okay, that's not normal." says Keith.

As the girl stops glowing, she begins to rise up to her feet out of the roses, showing she's completely naked (though we're not able to see anything specific from the angles if this were animated), and though she doesn't appear to have any wings like the girl in the mural, she does show she has purple irises as she opens her eyes.

"Oh mama, what a body!" says Doug. "This might be kind of creepy right now, but I'm pretty sure I'm in love."

"You're definitely right about the creepy part." says Keith.

"Okay, if we're done with the witty repartee, let's find out who she is." says Derrick He then says to the lady, "Milady, who are you?"

The woman says nothing, but soon, her irises begin to glow a bright, brilliant red.

"Okay, new rule of survival: newcomers with glowing red eyes are immediate bad signs." says the first treasure hunter as he draws his sword, the other two doing the same.

Soon, in a split second, the girl vanishes out of existence, and appears in front of Derrick and uppercut him so hard, he gets sent into a wall, knocked out cold as he falls to the floor.

"Derrick!" shouts Keith. Soon, the lady appears in front of him, and with little effort, tosses him towards the mural, crashing into it back first as he too goes limp while falling to the floor.

She then looks at the third treasure hunter with those same red, expressionless eyes.

"Okay, I was joking about the body remarks and other potential innuendo." says Doug, truly fearful for his life. "Can you... Let me go, please?"

The girl walks toward him, and he goes to attack her with his sword, her catching the blade in her bare hand, followed by breaking it effortlessly.

"Well... This sucks." says Doug.

The mysterious woman grabs the treasure hunter by his collar, and opening her mouth to reveal a couple of long fangs, she goes to bite his neck, soon drinking his blood with ravenous hunger. The treasure hunter tries to scream, but can't do so, the words unable to come out of his mouth, and as the girls drinks enough of his blood, the treasure hunter's eyes roll into the back of his head and the life leaves his body, the girl dropping his corpse to the floor.

Soon, the girl's eyes change back from red to purple. Eventually, she comes to her senses as she gasps, not knowing what happened. She rubs some of the excess blood off of her chin to see to her personal horror what happened, and especially the bodies strewn around, with the one she just drank from.

Realizing what she did, yet not fully knowing why, her eyes well up with tears, and she falls to knees, breaking down and crying.

- To Be Continued in Chapter 1 -