Chapter 22) Answers

We have taken Conote. We… we actually seized Conote, in battle. It wasn't like the other cities, which were abandoned by the enemy. We actually conquered it. Yes, there were a lot of advantages to it, but it was, in many ways, the first outright victory of our rebellion. It is so… strange, really. We had talked so much about it, worked so hard for it, but to actually begin was strange. It would only get stranger from here as well. For one thing, we had Loptyrians on our side. That was going to be interesting to explain to the others…

Ah, so much had happened already and we still had at least two or three more cities to visit before we even reached Darna and the desert. What more was to come?

Lethe hadn't been joking when she said that there were a lot of books in the archives here. There were thousands upon thousands, and some were so old, we had to wear gloves to handle them. Then there were others we handled with gloves because for some reason, they were bound with human skin instead of animal skin. One of those books was actually a list of all those who became deadlords, starting from the ones the First Emperor himself made, and the very detailed procedures done to turn their corpses into such things. It even included failed attempts, which were… disturbing.

"I'm going to regret asking this, but curiosity hasn't killed this kitty cat yet," Lethe drawled from where she sat at a desk. I stood off to the side in a little nook to read through the records of deadlords. "But what has you grimacing this time?"

"There were experiments on turned children into deadlords," I answered, frowning as I skimmed over the pages. The theory was that despite their small size, people would be hesitant to fight them and, thus, they would be able to strike. "Apparently, it didn't work."

"Well, of course not! Children are tiny!" Lethe sighed gustily, and I looked up from the book to frown a little at her. "Ah… sorry… I was always taught that bodies are just husks once the person has died. I mean… we eat dead animals. Though, I think eating dead humans is a line I can't cross. I think." She paused and shuddered. "Oh, I hope I haven't eaten human at least! Ugh… gross, gross, gross!"

"That… well…" Now my stomach was turning for a different reason. "Why did you even bring that up?"

"It was a logical leap!" She shook her head roughly, hair flying all over the place. "Anyway, I'm assuming you're also upset by the whole 'messing with the corpse of children' thing."

"Ah, yes, I am." I also didn't like… "But the creation of deadlords apparently involves calling back the spirit of the person to trap them in the body."

"They what?!" Lethe's jaw dropped at that and she waited for something. Perhaps she waited for me to say I was joking. But when I simply stared in return, she turned the air blue with very elaborate curses. "Wasn't taught that at all! We were always taught that it was like puppeting! But with bodies instead of dolls, making them more fluid and autonomous!"

"I wonder why Hezul and I weren't taught the belief about bodies simply being 'husks'."

"Macaria wasn't taught that either, so I think it's just taught to the priestly class, like Charon and me, so that we don't balk at how sacrifices are disposed of." Lethe cursed a great deal more and I decided for my own sake to not ask what she meant. "Well, I feel bad for never questioning that. Wonder why, considering nothing else made any damn sense!" She groaned and sprawled across the top of the desk, almost knocking off some of the books she was studying. They were more arcane than the ones I researched, though not solely focused on that. Those that were only about the arcane arts went with Charon, Gaia, and a few of the others to Manster in the hopes they could provide a solution there. "So, I'm really going to regret this, but why didn't it work?"

"Ah, why did children not work as deadlords?" I returned to the book, flipping the page to find the answer again. "It seems that the process of dying and coming back drove the children mad and they attacked anything and everything."

"How do children attack? Kick your shins really hard or something?"

"According to this record, they actually jumped on the priests and 'ate' them."

"...Wait, so the dead children they transformed into deadlords ate them?" Lethe looked up again, smiling in wry amusement. "I feel like that's an allegory for something."

"I use 'ate' loosely since their digestive system didn't exactly work." So, the deadlord-children apparently ruptured their stomachs and intestines by overfilling them. I refused to read more of that passage, though, as it was very detailed. "But not even binding them with ropes or magic worked because they went after each other as well. So, the idea was discarded."

"So, we're just going to have to deal with living children with their memories gone and thrown into arenas to slaughter each other for food. Got it."

"I imagine we can also lead many of them away with the promise of food." But she did have a point. No matter how much I would wish otherwise, the fact of the matter was that the Empire had no qualms with fielding children, so long as it was children they had pushed into the arenas or army. "Have you found anything interesting?"

"Well, there is actually something to the whole 'sacrifices to strengthen Loptyr' thing?" Lethe straightened and held up one of the books, flipping to a page. "Supposedly, without them, the power of the Sacred Tome would slowly fade until it was nothing more than a particularly powerful spell. Still devastating, but not as it is. Not something that can obliterate a city."

"What a tragedy that would be." I supposed there was a chance we could simply 'outlast' the tome, in that case. But how long would that take…?

Loud laughter caught my attention and, deciding I needed a little break, I set the book down on a shelf and headed to the window to peer outside (Lethe returned to her readings). I smiled when I saw the source of the laughter of Noba, who had finally gotten her horse. In fact, Hezul was also there, teaching her how to ride. Baldur and Vala were nearby, with Vala helping Baldur learn. No small part of me wanted to head outside and join them, but I had promised Lethe I would help her today. Besides, Dain threatened to lock me in a room if I practiced today, since I apparently overdid it yesterday.

So, with a sigh, I went back to my own stack of books on the shelf, and decided to flip through a different book before diving back into the Deadlord Records. So, I picked one at random and opened it up. To my surprise, though, a torn and half-burnt note fluttered out and I automatically caught it. The edges of the note crumbled a little even from that, but not enough to ruin the writing that remained, thankfully. After all, it was something handwritten and the words were… intriguing...

'Everyone said that it was an honor. Everyone said that things would be glorious under my brother's reign. I didn't believe them. Their smiles were twisted and their eyes glint with greed. I begged Galle to not take the tome. To simply leave it. After all, we live in relatively peaceful times. What need was there for such power? But Galle said that he didn't want to disappoint Father. So, he took the tome and my brother died. The brother I had known all my life died that day. A sacrifice to Loptyr, just like those poor children. But while the children lose their lives, my brother's soul disappears in chunks, I think. I don't know why, save that it must serve to strengthen Loptyr. Replacing the missing pieces with power… and as each piece disappears, so does reason. So does sanity. So does morality.

Why does Loptyr need more power? Why must we pay that price for Him? Why could He not just take my brother's life at once? I have no answers. I've tried to find them in the decade or so since my brother died, but there's nothing. All I can think of is to rise up in rebellion… it'll fail. I know it will. But perhaps it can inspire others, others who will not fail? I don't know. I only know that I can't stand this anymore. My words don't resonate with the remnants of my brother any more. If I do nothing, then I can only watch until there is nothing left at all.

So, I think I will raise my rebel flag and, when it fails, hide and provide sanctuaries for others. I can only hope my meager attempts will be enough…'

I read through the words again and again, and I felt like crying when I realized just who had written this. There had only been one major rebellion in the history of the empire and it had been lead by...

"Seems like Lord Maera had many of the same questions you did," I whispered, passing the note to Lethe. She skimmed over the words and smiled sadly, her eyes filling with tears. "It really does seem like the Archbishop is the one who gets all the power, doesn't it?"

"At the least, Father's one 'sacrifice' that I've seen is my brother," Lethe murmured. She set the note on the desk and pulled out a piece of paper to copy it. "And my brother chose it. Not my Father." She sighed and leaned back in the chair, tilting her head back. "I'm not really finding answers to my questions, though. Besides, you know, power. Power for Loptyr. Power for the priests. Power, power, power. Everything is dictated by it. The strong survive. The weak die. What utter bullshit."

"With luck, we can change that." It would be nice, at least. It would be nice to see a world where children were not sacrificed. "Shall we continue after you finish copying or do you need a break?"

"I need Macaria. I need my daily dose of kisses. I am drained of my energy and need to recover."

"She's out for now, but you can have some sweets as a substitute."

"Wah!"

"Ugh… I ache…" I whimpered, sprawling out on the bed and hiding my face in a pillow. Somewhere behind me, Hezul was badly muffling laughter. "Who's idea was it that I learn all the weapons and riding?"

"Clearly, someone who had great faith in your abilities," Hezul replied. While he mostly sounded calm, his words wobbled slightly. "And you agreed to it."

"I think I just went along with it out of shock." I whimpered again and lifted my head when I heard him laugh again. "Am I so amusing to you?"

"You always make me smile." Hezul stopped bothering to hide his laughing, since he was doing a poor job anyway. "But I do recall warning you to stop long before you actually did."

"Don't make sense while I'm in pain!" I scowled and he just kept on laughing. "Hmph… mean."

"My apologies…" Though he still laughed, he sat on the bed next to me and leaned down to kiss my cheek. "Is there a way I can help?"

"Mmm…" I pondered for a moment and then reached up to pull him down in a hug. "Hee… you are warm."

"Uh… you sure this is helping?" Still, he gently hugged me, rubbing my back and kissing my hair. "I mean…"

"Of course it is." After all, his being near always made things bearable for me, even back in Belhalla. "My…" My mouth went dry and panic clawed at my mind. But, for the first, time, I… I could… "My feelings for you have always been my most cherished thing, and one of my few choices." It was strange I could say all that, but not the simple phrase. Perhaps it is because I grew so used to talking around things in Belhalla. "So, being near you always helps."

"Ah." That was all he said, but when I glanced up to look at him, I saw he was blushing deeply. He quickly pulled me closer to hide my face in his chest and prevent me from seeing just how red he got. "Well, I'm glad to assist. But next time, listen to the person who has gone through training longer than you."

"Yes, yes. I shall."

I wasn't sure how long the two of us laid there. Certainly, long enough for me to doze off and long enough for Hezul to relax. Sadly, though, we couldn't just stay that way for the rest of the day. No matter how much we wished to rest, things continued moving forward and for us, that always meant trouble.

"Oh, damn, are you two asleep?" Baldur's quiet voice dragged me from my slumber, but I didn't actually wake up until Hezul pushed himself up to look at the door. "Sorry, but there's a messenger from Alster," Baldur explained. I reluctantly pushed myself up as well, and stilled when I saw just how serious Baldur looked. It wasn't just serious, either. I could see quiet terror hiding just underneath the seriousness. "I don't know what the message is, but I know it's bad. Best to hurry."

Knowing not to even pretend to argue, Hezul and I got up and I splashed some water on my face to make sure I stayed awake. Then, Baldur lead us to the main hall, where everyone else had gathered. While Lethe, Macaria, and Lynceus kept their distance, Dain, Noba, and Vala worked on comforting the young and frazzled messenger who stumbled so badly over their words that they might as well have been speaking gibberish. But I could see immediately why Baldur thought it was bad; the messenger was caked with dried blood, having apparently been in such a hurry to get here that they hadn't tried to wash it off.

After a few more moments of trying to explain, the messenger finally gave up and blurted, "Alster's been obliterated!" They sobbed, tears streaming down their face. They instantly turned 'pink' due to the blood. "It's been… absolutely… obliterated…" Their words, however, brought shock and confusion. Obliterated? Was that hyperbole or was it fact? "I don't…"

"For right now, why don't we get you washed up?" Noba suggested, helping them stand and walk. Noba glanced at us, silently asking for help, and Hezul went with her, actually carrying the messenger after a few too many stumbles. "There, there… it's going to be okay…" Of course, even after the trio disappeared down the hall, all the rest of us could really do was look at each other in silence. We didn't know what to say or… anything.

Finally, though, I couldn't stand the quiet any longer. "Assuming it was no exaggeration, I wonder if their experiments in Manster, Mease, and potentially here in Conote were attempts to recreate the devastating power of Loptyr's tome?" I whispered, thinking. I knew well the power of the tome, after all, and I also knew that it was why the Empire had maintained its stranglehold on Jugdral for so long. Rumors of its disappearance had to be spreading like a wildfire by this point… "If that is the case, then Alster's might have succeeded?" That wouldn't be good for a number of reasons.

"Looks like the best thing to do will be to go to Alster and gather information," Dain pointed out with a little sigh. Vala hugged him and he leaned into her. "So, that's what we'll do."

"With the horses, the journey should be quicker."

"True."

"I'll be coming along with my forces," Macaria volunteered, standing straight and tall with determined dignity. The effect was dampened by her scowl when she noticed our surprise. "I said I would assist and-"

"We're actually surprised because it's kind of the first time more than one or two people have come with us," Baldur quickly interrupted, bringing his hands up in a pacifying gesture. Macaria immediately softened and even smiled sheepishly. "The closest before would've been Thracia's resistance group to Mease, but that was more us accompanying them."

"W-well, best get used to it, since you're planning and leading a rebellion." Macaria looked away, blushing slightly. The blush deepened when Lethe playfully poked her side. "What about you, dear?"

"I…" Lethe began. Then she sighed and made a face. "I'd best stay here, both to continue to do more research and in case Charon needs more assistance in Manster. But I'll be sending some healers with you all. I don't want poor Gwyneth and Vala to bear the brunt of the injured." That… that was also a surprise. I actually glanced at Vala to see if I had heard correctly; her dropped jaw hinted that I had. "Lynceus? What do you want to do?"

"Huh?" Lynceus replied, blinking slowly. His eyes were wide and he curled a little into himself, hesitating. I could only smile sympathetically because I could guess what was going through his head right now. "I… all I know is fighting, really. I might as well go where there is potential fighting. The others will… make their own choices?" Each word sounded more hesitant than the last, softer and frailer.

But Lethe smiled warmly at him, nodding. "I think that's an excellent plan! So…" Lethe then turned her attention to all of us and clapped her hands. "Let's make sure you have everything you need before setting out, okay?"

Well, I wondered what answers waited for us in Alster. I wondered if they would be as surprising as having a small army with us. Oh, goodness...

Our Family

Gwyneth

21 years old

Class: Master Knight

Skills: Paragon, Critical, Pursuit

Was dubbed a 'Master Knight' by one of the soldiers after they saw her training, declaring that there could be no other title for her since she had mastered everything a knight should learn. She's… not quite sure of the accuracy of that statement, but it's caught on quicker than dry tinder catches fire, so she's rather stuck with it

Hezul

23 years old

Class: Paladin

Skills: Ambush, Wrath, Pursuit

Hasn't fought on horseback in years, due to the numerous gladiator matches Galle put him through, but surprisingly, finds himself falling back into the old habits with relative ease.

Noba

20 years old

Class: Lance Paladin

Skills: Adept, Nihil, Pursuit

Excited about finally getting a horse, since she's joked and dreamed about it for so long. She's not too certain about fighting on horseback, because she doesn't want to see such beautiful creatures injured or killed, but she has to admit she enjoys the thrill of being on a charging horse

Baldur

22 years old

Class: Paladin

Skills: Pursuit, Charisma, Adept

Decided to learn how to ride horses to make sure he could keep up with his family on the battlefield, but now wonders if it'll be enough. An entire city disappearing? That was a bit beyond them, wasn't it?

Dain (and Freya)

24 years old

Class: Dragon Lord

Skills: Nihil, Adept, Pursuit

Not exactly in a hurry to head towards Alster, given the state that messenger had been in, but knows they don't really have a choice. And if the Empire really has recreated Loptyr's power… then they were in a lot of trouble.

Vala; Fjalar

19 years old

Class: Mage Knight

Skills: Wrath, Miracle, Pursuit

Decided to fight on horseback because she remembered how her brother and father had done so, and she thought maybe it was time to start honoring their legacies. ...And she thought she'd look cooler.

Our Allies

Lethe

21 years old

Class: Druid

Continues looking through the records and with each page, finds herself saddened and sickened more and more. So much suffering while she was ignorant to it all… and now, she can only pray that she can try to fix things. But she's not sure she can, especially since she no longer knows who to pray to.

Macaria

Uncertain age, between 17-23; Appears 20

Class: Arch Knight

Got defensive over the others' surprise because she knows well that as a noble of the Empire, she'll have to prove her resolve again and again. She, after all, benefited quite a bit from the torture and sacrifices of others, a fact that sickens her

Lynceus

Uncertain age, between 20-25; Appears 24

Class: Yasha

Didn't realize until Lethe asked that for the first time since he was Hunted all those years ago that he actually has the freedom to choose things. The thought frightens him, as he has no idea what to do with freedom, particularly since fighting really is all he knows, save for some shreds of memories.

Author's notes: Promotions, promotions! Bit of a short chapter, mainly just the others getting a brief break? Aha? Noba's promoted class of 'Lance Paladin' is taken from the Tellius series as the Jugdral equivalent (Duke Knight) just feels odd since Noba isn't a noble. Removed weapon levels from this point forth since… well, I figured everyone more or less knows. xD Just assume their weapon ranks are maxed out at this point. As for the whole 'strengthening the tome' thing, that's a nod to how in FE13 (canonically like… 3000 years after the Jugdral games), the Holy Weapons appear again, but they're much weaker and are able to be used by anyone. And I think there's some mention of something similar during the ending/epilogue of FE5.