Author's note: sorry it took me so long to post this. I had finals this month. I'm debating whether to do a side story next or the next chapter. And to answer the person who asked the question "will I be singing other songs then hymns" yes I will and if anyone has any request I'll happily oblige. Heck I could use the help lol. Anyway ENJOY!

Chapter 6 - My Castle

It's been a few days since I arrived in Hoshido and even though I hate to admit I have gotten used to the way people live in this nation compared to Nohr. Despite being a time of anarchy and death, these people still manage to keep up a lively and welcoming environment (the complete opposite of Nohr) including most of the soldiers that I have encountered in my time here.

"I don't like this feeling. I don't like that soon, the day I have dreaded for so long, is coming, and coming soon." I thought, biting my lower lip.

Being here was bringing back to many painful memories. So, I decided to go My Castle in the Astral Plains. Maybe seeing my old friends and Lilith again will help me clear my head. I had a full-length mirror in my room, and with that, I could open a portal to the Astral Plains. When I walked to it I chanted the incantation.

"Mirror Mirror that I see! Take me where your master pleas! Blackest nights and fiercest flames! MIRROR TAKE ME TO THE ASTRAL PLAINS!"

With that, the mirror glowed bright, and I walked through it. Hoping to leave all my painful memories behind.

When I glowing white light died down, I opened my eyes and found myself in front of my throne. When I turned around I saw two familiar figures rushing to me. When they came up they greeted me with warm smiles and hugs.

"Welcome back Lady Sapphire!"

"It's good to see you again. We really missed you!"

It's was my two throne guards. Octavia, a blonde hair female Paladin, and Arrietty, a violet hair female Malig Knight. They were always the first people to greet me when I came here.

"So what brings you back here Lady Sapphire?" Octavia asked.

"I was under a lot of stress, so I decided to come here and clear my head," I answered.

"Well, that's good! Our relaxing hot springs are second to none!" Arrietty said. "I'm sure you'll be stress-free in no time!"

I smiled, it was good to be back here again. Here in my castle, I didn't have to worry about me being Nohrian or Hoshidan. I was just Sapphire, no more and no less.

I thanked Octavia and Arrietty for taking good care of the throne while I was away. They said they were honored to do so, and their quite pleased with my return. Everyone had missed me and were quite worried about me, and the things that were going on in my world. I told them what happened so far, and what was to come. They told me that they would always have my back, and I thanked them for their support. When we were done talking, I looked around. My castle was a Nestrian style castle, a castle that floats on water (which I adored). I immediately saw my assistant Lalani, the white hair maid. She was the best maid and an even a better friend. Lalani was always there when I needed help and when I need to fix something.

"Good evening Milady." Lalani curtsied. "It's a pleasure to see you here again. I hope that your castle is to your liking."

I bowed in return. "It always is Lalani, and I thank you for taking extra good care of it."

Lalani was very formal and very polite. I would always find her here, in the exact spot, watching everything that was going on in my castle.

When I looked around, to my left, the Dusk armory, and the Staff store. To my right, the Dawn armory and the Rod shop. In front of the Dusk armory was the Nohrian Round, and in front of the Dawn armory was a Hoshidan square.

I went to the Dusk armory and the Rod store to make sure that supplies were fully stocked. Octavia and Arrietty followed right behind me.

I knocked on the door and went inside. Serena the Nohrian sorceress was there to greet Octavia, Arrietty, and I.

"Welcome, my friends!" Serena said, with open arms. "Oh! And welcome to you Milady."

Serena had short wild black hair, with a black hair band. She was the one who ran the Dusk armory and took care of the supplies. She also has a twin sister who looked like exactly like her (which was kinda ironic, because the pair of twins I've seen, were nothing alike).

"I've seen you've taken very good care of the Dusk armory Serena," I stated, looking at some of the Brave swords. "And also having top quality weapons always in stock. That's very good."

"Your praise honors me Milady." Serena curtsied.

"The Dusk armory is in capable hands," Octavia said with a smile. "I can promise you that."

Serena's face glowed with pride as she waved goodbye to us as we left the armory.

Our next stop was right next down. The Staff store. But before we entered the Staff shop, I saw Serena's twin, Serene, grooming her black pegasus.

Serene was a Dark flier. She ruled the skies with her dark magic. Serena's and Serene's family were known for their mastery of dark magic and curses. Their family name struck fear in the hearts of many. But, even though their magic was scary, they were actually quite nice, and very kind and loyal.

"Hey there Serene!" I hollered.

Serene turned around to see who called out to her. When she saw me, a smile appeared on her face.

"Hello, how far are you all?" Serene asked.

"We're fine," I replied as I walked up to her. "How are you?"

"Never better Milady. Never better."

"I see DarkFeather is looking great."

"Yes, I'm grooming him right now."

"Oh, ok then I'll let you get back to it then. Goodbye, Serene."

"Goodbye, Sapphire."

I turned around to join Octavia and Arrietty in the Staff store. Lucille was the caretaker of the Staff shop, which I found kinda of ironic because Lucille was a Berserker, and I didn't exactly picture a Berserker being a Staff shop's caretaker.

"Hey there Sapphire. I'm glad you finally came in. I need to ask you something." The blonde Berserker hollered.

Lucille was a blonde Berserker, who

wore a white outfit, and a white bow. And if you tick her off, she really will go berserk.

"What is it, Lucille?" I asked.

"Well you see, we need some more Bisfrost and some Physics as well."

Lucille explained. "They're missing."

"Seriously! They're missing?!" I was shocked.

"Sadly yes, I honestly don't know how, though. It's the same way at the Rod store as well. There all out of Rescue and Sun festival." Lucille explained.

"Great! Just great!" I thought furiously.

"Well thank you for telling me this Lucille. I'll see that to it." I replied. "Now if you'll excuse me, I have to go to the Rod shop to see about the missing things."

Then I stormed out, and head straight to the Rod shop.

I slammed open the door. "Ok! What's this I hear about some of our products missing!"

"Lady Sapphire!"

The caretaker of the Rod shop was Boreal, a long silver hair priestess.

"I guess you heard the news huh."

"You bet I did! What happened?! HOW did this happened?!"

"I don't know, I turned my back for a second and then it was gone."

Ok, this is bad. Apparently, someone else has access to my castle besides me. This isn't good.

"Boreal I'll see you later." I walked out.

Something was brewing in my castle and it wasn't good. Next time the person might hurt someone, instead of taking some stuff. I walked up to my throne to leave, but then I saw something dark on the throne. I went over to see what it was. My blood froze, it was a black rose. A black rose can symbolize many things. Its meaning can differ significantly, depending on how they are perceived. But, mainly, a black rose symbolizes-death.

"Octavia! Arrietty!"

Then both came rushing forth at lightning speed.

"Listen to you two. Tell everyone to stay alert, apparently, there's someone else who access to my castle. And something tells me there's not friendly."

Octavia and Arrietty nodded firmly and ran off.

"LILITH!"

A ball a light came forth and manifested into an astral dragon. Lilith was the true guardian of my castle. She was an astral dragon, but to me-she looked like a beta fish with legs and hitching a ride on a floating ball.

"You summoned me, Lady Sapphire."

"Yes. Something is very wrong here. I have a feeling that something bad is going to happen and happen soon. Stay alert and warn me if anything happens."

Lilith nodded in response and headed back to her shrine.

I looked at the black rose once more. My heart was racing as fear entered my mind. My instincts were telling me, someone wanted to get my attention. And they got it.