(Updated: June 28th, 2022)
[Part 1 to The Sleeping Sand Legend]
How could she let this happen? Alexandra Xiang Aubin was somehow, well, now in Derdriu, with none other than...
"Hey, aren't you going to eat?"
Claude.
Okay, so she was sneaking out around a few days ago after fully interrogating those men from the Western church, getting the information she wanted, and had an entire case built from the knowledge she was going to use against Rhea, yeah. But learning what she wanted wasn't so easy. Two of the men spilled everything. Shamir was practically bored and yawning but wrote down everything that was said. Bless her. The other man was a complete bastard that she used magic to make him spill everything. Of course, not torture (Part of Shamir wanted to see it happen) but a different method that Cirina taught her that the pale woman would use in the old days. It was taught to her by Hades before he left for Almyra. Anyhow, Shamir asked if Alexandra was going to use her whip. Said girl shook her head rapidly.
"I'm not into BDSM!" Alexandra screeched.
"What's BDSM?" Shamir asked, curious, and unfortunately, that opened the forbidden door that Alexandra did everything in her power to avoid talking about.
Shamir was going to hunt her down to the answers.
ANYHOW!
"I can't believe this..." she muttered as she picked up her cup of iced coffee and began drinking it.
"Hey. You did this to yourself after I caught you trying to fly off with Zarha. Worst of all, your clothing was a sin." Claude smirked as he took a bite of his apple pie.
"Oh, come on! Fodlan is too hot during summer!" She sighed as she was now dressed in her usual clothing.
Let's go back to 5 days ago.
- Blue Sea Moon: July 28th -
"Sssiiigghhhhhh..."
"What's with the exasperated sigh?" Cirina grumbled as she walked normally beside the blue-haired girl who was dressed in her usual clothing.
Alexandra was slouching as she walked (dragged) herself down the pathway of the entrance to the Monastery to go get herself some breakfast. She was tried from the interrogation and finished last night. She turned into Seteth's office and left.
"By the way," Cirina spoke as she looked over at her dryly, "Rhea was looking over the case with Seteth, Cathrine, and Shamir, not to also mention the council, it was livid! Hahahahah! Boy, she was pissed when Shamir read out everything you gathered, and the council made the verdict that those three mages would be sentenced to 50 years in the dungeons! Hahahaha! She was pissed! Pissed, I tell you! Shamir had to hide her smirk through the whole trial! Cathrine was just in complete shock! Haha! By the way, I recommend not being here for a few days because I'm pretty sure the minute she or Seteth make eye contact with you, they will come after your head." Cirina giggled and Alexandra just groaned.
Her feathers slouched and then began twitching as she recognized a familiar voice once she made a turn.
"Is that...?" Her eyes widened when they landed on the two adults that were talking to Chris, Arisa, and the four lords.
A man with wavy dark blue hair and eyes and an upside-down U mustache, wearing dark blue clothing of the Kingdom, despite now looking older, she recognized him. And of course, she will always recognize the woman with a proud aura. She slowly walked up hearing their conversation. Judith and Rodrigue introduced themselves, both the twins and Claude were surprised that they arrived. It wasn't till Arisa noticed her.
"Morning Alex! Glad to see you!" Arisa grinned and the girl looked like deer in headlights when the group turned her way.
Rodriguez's smile turned one of shock when his eyes landed on her. Before he even had a chance to speak, Judith did first.
"Alexandra! It's been so long! Ha! Look at you!" Judith opened her arms wide and hugged the girl, "You've grown up to a fine young woman! To think you, Amir, and Arisa are the instructors to these kids! Ha!" Judith laughed.
"Hahaha...It's good to see you too Judith." Alexandra smiled nervously.
"How much trouble has the boy caused you? Arisa and Chris said plenty. And you?" Judith grinned as she gave Claude a look.
"Oh, plenty!" Alexandra was not going to waste this opportunity, "He set the Golden Deer classroom on fire two months ago! Ari here was stuck trying to repair the place." She pouted and Claude facepalmed.
"Well, at least it wasn't the Black Eagles classroom. Tell me, did Dimitri ever learn that it was you and Lestia that also accidentally set off that smoke bomb in Blue Lions classroom?" Edelgard smiled as she looked at the archer.
"Say what?!" Dimitri quickly turned to his sister, who hid behind Chris.
"Well, he just found out about it now." Arisa sighed as Rodrigue chuckled.
"Umm..." Alexandra mumbled as she turned towards Rodrigue, who smiled sadly at her.
"Alexandra...I am beyond grateful to learn that you are alive. I am sorry I couldn't do anything to help you all those years ago. You've grown. You look so much like your father when he was your age." Rodrigue said as she looked up to him with a sad smile.
"It's okay...Lord Rodrigue...times were difficult back then. All I can do now is continue forward." She replied.
"Sigh...now I understand what Sandy meant you were rescued." Judith spoke and Rodrigue turned to her, confused, "You're the last living member of House Aubin. Sigh, if I could, I fly over to Cornelia and bash her head! But unfortunately, I am not in the mood for war with that woman. House Aubin and House Daphnel in the past had amazing relationships with each other. We would trade metals in exchange for weapons. When the connection was suddenly cut, of course, worry came. It was worse when we learned of your father passing away." She explained.
"It's okay. Really." Alexandra sighs, "What happened in the past happened. Nothing could have been done. I do plan to bring my mother to court once all the evidence I need is gathered. For now, all I can do is move forward. That is all." She said.
"We understand." Rodrigue smiled and gave her bow, "House Fraldarius fully supports you. Do not hesitate to ask for help from us. Your father was a friend of mine as the king. And I swore to him that I would help you in the times of need." He said.
"Thank you, Lord Rodrigue. I am grateful." Alexandra bowed to him.
"I am glad. For now, Professor, Sir Christian, and Your Highnesses let us finish discussing your next mission. Take care, Alexandra. May the goddess protect you." He bowed and the twins and siblings waved goodbye, heading in the opposite direction.
Edelgard also went her own way and now it was Judith, Alexandra, and Claude.
"So, my theory was correct!" He grinned at her, " You are noble from the Kingdom. Well, Snow Princess? Got anything to say?" He smirked at her.
He already knew since he witnessed the whole ordeal last month. Alexandra glared at him while Cirina was groaning loudly. Judith chuckled and spoke.
"I'm glad you two are getting along. Right before you came Alex, I was telling the boy I have come to retrieve him." She turned to him, "Duke Reigan's condition has taken a turn for the worst." She explained.
"Are...you are saying the old man's on his deathbed?" Claude said, worried.
"No, it's not that bad. Edward has been monitoring him and keeping him stable. But it's the state he's in, and he won't be able to participate in the next roundtable conference. He wants you to go in his stead. I volunteered to play messenger." She smiled.
"Sigh...well thanks for that. Welp, you already know Judith is known as the Hero of House Daphnel. She used to be a big deal at the roundtable conferences, but it seems of late she's been reduced to a mere-" and he was lucky Judith wasn't going to knock his teeth for saying that.
"You had better shut that mouth before I put my boot in it, you tactless nuisance!" Alexandra didn't miss the fear that was in Claude's eyes at the older woman's words, "Now come on! Let's get going!" Judith grumbled.
Alexandra giggled a bit, but that was until Claude turned to her and spoke.
"What? You're coming too." He said.
"Excuse me?!" Alexandra gawked at him.
"Have you forgotten that I caught you trying to sneak off with Zarha the other day and didn't you say you also had business in the Alliance?" He smirked.
"Oh, you had business there?" Judith smiled, "Why didn't you just say so?! I don't mind you coming along. Besides, I think it does well. It has been quite some time since you have been to Derduie." She grinned.
"But...but! I have a seminar today!" Alexandra tried to come up with an excuse.
"No worries. I already spoke with Teach and Sandy has it covered for you. So, just go pack your bags and come! Also," he leaned in and whispered in her ear, "I saw Rhea and Seteth. They are in a foul mood today. I'm pretty sure you know why." He smirked.
He purposely brought the subject onto her. He found this to be the perfect opportunity to have some alone time with her and perhaps try to discover a secret or two. Also, to get back to Sylvain for trying to flirt with her.
"Damn skirt chaser...but he's honest with her..." he thought as he looked over to the female.
"Okay, okay! I'll go!" Alexandra pouted and turned to go pack her things.
Claude had a grin, but it was suddenly a frown when he saw that Linhardt had spotted her and the two were now talking. He saw her laughing a bit at a comment the green-haired boy made and he looked his way. Linhardt stared at him for 30 seconds and...
"Heh." Claude has never felt the sudden urge to throw someone out of a building.
And that is how Alexandra was with Claude, on their way to the Alliance.
- Verdant Moon: August 2nd -
"Welcome to Derdriu!" Claude grinned as he had his arms extended out to show off the aquatic capital.
Stalls, vendors, and citizens alike bustled around the place. Merchants yelling out the merchandise hoping to make a sale today. Children running around playing. A few pegasus and wyverns flying. Carts filled with livestock and even produce. The scent of sea salt filled the air as Alexandra walked around. She let go of a sigh and a small smile came on her face as she looked around. Memories of her days here came back. She remembered when Falco was still hatching that would climb on her shoulder all the time, hissing at Claude.
"The conference isn't till tomorrow so, why don't we have a look around? It's been a while since we've gone out like this. Also, maybe we can count this as a date?" He grinned her way as she rolled her eyes.
But the feeling was happy. She looked over to Claude and spoke.
"That's a rare sight..." she muttered as the two began walking together.
"What's a rare sight?" He asked.
"Your smile... it's genuine. That's good." She replied.
"Huh? Well, guess I just show that side of me with you." He smoothly says back.
She hummed at his words as the two walked through the market. The sights of food made her hungry but even more when her eyes landed on the stall of cold sweets.
"One Noa Fruit shaved ice please!" The girl had quickly gone to the stall.
"Sure thing, miss! Give me just a minute." The vendor said as he prepared it.
Claude walked up as he watched her pay and was handed the frozen treat. The vendor could not help but laugh at the squeal the girl did as she took her first bite.
"Goodness, how much I missed this!" Alexandra ate in bliss.
Claude chuckled as the two continued to walk around, him showing her different stalls, and then sometimes running around the place trying to find her.
"Looks like Alexandra never got rid of that habit of hers of disappearing." He sighed as he walked around, looking for her. A memory of when he was 7 years old and she was 9, came back to him. He chuckled at it. A distant memory it was.
"Wwwwhhhhaaaa!"
Claude let go a frustrated sigh as he found the blue-haired girl crying as she was sitting behind one of the bushes near a building. Alexandra would get anxious when she was separated from her friends and then turn into a crying mess. This was the 8th time this had happened, and he was getting a bit annoyed.
"There you are!" He says and the girl quickly turned to him scrambling up.
"Brat, there you are! Uh-huh! I was scared!" She hugged him tightly.
"Come on, Alex. You're older than me." Claude sighs as he held her hand.
The two began walking together through the streets and she suddenly stopped. He was going to ask her why as he turned but saw her staring at a Reigan tabby cat that looked their way. It mowed at the two, jumping from the wall it was sitting at. It walked towards her, and the girl squealed when it jumped in her arms.
"Lucky punk..." Claude thought a bit bitterly as the cat purred in her arms.
"Hmmm...what should I name you?" Alexandra thought for a minute and then grinned.
"I know! Your name is Khalid! Khalid the Reigan Tabby!" Alexandra giggled.
Back then, Claude had frozen when she said that name. Fear had crept into him as the girl kept calling the cat that name, unaware of what she was doing.
"Ah, Khalid you're so cute!" She smiled as the cat mowed at her and then jumped out of her arms, leaving.
She sighed and turned back to Claude, who looked afraid.
"Hey, are you alright?" She asked and he nodded quickly, putting on his charming smile.
"Yeah! I was just surprised by the name. Say, why did you name the cat like that?" He asked.
"Hmmmm...He reminds me of you." She answered truthfully.
"Huh?" He blinked multiple times.
"Yeah. The cat reminds me of you. That is why I named him Khalid. Also," she grins as she places her index finger on her lips, "Khalid means "eternal" or "to last forever". That is why I chose the name. Because he reminds me of you." She grinned.
Claude shook his head as the memory went away and continued to walk. He looked around seeing the citizens going on their day, he couldn't help but smile a bit.
"Ah." He spotted the only blue-haired person in the crowd, "There she I -!" A frown came on his face as he saw a hooded man talking to her and he knew exactly who it was.
To her, it may seem he may be hitting her, but Claude knew exactly who this person was. He walked closer to hear a bit of the conversation.
"(So, how about you and I hit the tavern? I buy you a drink.)" The man sent her a charming smile, thinking that the Fodlan woman could not understand him till she opened her mouth.
"(I'm sorry but I am here traveling with a friend.)" She answered back in Almyran and the two males froze.
Alexandra only gave the man a small smile as she spoke.
"(I can speak Almyran. I don't use it often but when I do, it surprises many.)" She tilted her head a bit.
"(Ah. I am impressed. Were you raised in Kupala?)" The man asked.
"(Uhhh...no? A relative of mine taught me how to speak and write it. Anyhow, since you spoke to me, you have yet to introduce yourself.)" She replied and the man chuckled.
He took her hand and kissed the top, the hood revealing a golden-colored eye.
"(My name is Mahatma. Pleasure to meet you, Lady Alexandra.)" The man named Mahatma smiled at her.
"Wait how do you...?" She was suddenly pulled back, an arm wrapped around her waist.
"Well, hello there!" Claude had a closed eye smile as Mahatma chuckled at what the boy did, "Getting friendly now, huh?" He said and there was just a hint of edge in his voice.
"Relax, boss." Mahatma chuckled, "I was just messing around." He said and Claude glared.
"Care to introduce?" They heard a female voice and turned to see a cloaked female, who grinned mischievously.
"Why are you here?" Claude said as she placed her hand on her hip and smirked.
"Oh don't be so cold, boss! A little birdy told us someone had their eyes on a Zarqa! Ah, and the blue eyes prove it!" The woman laughed as she walked up to Alexandra, a bit too close to her face.
"My, my...such beautiful eyes of sapphires and rubies...a rarity of all. Hmmm...you look 18 but you'll be 20 soon. Little Claude here is now 18. Hmm...not bad...not bad." The woman smirked, brown eyes looked to Alexandra's own.
"Inami! Enough!" Claude said coldly and the woman turned to him, a frown on her face.
"Yesh. You got soft." The woman named Inami sighed, "But anyhow, we gotta talk. We don't have good news." She said.
Claude was silent and nodded before he turned to Alexandra.
"Alex, I'm sorry to cut our date short." He smiled sadly at her.
"HA! I win! Hand over that gold Inami!" Mahatma laughed as the woman began cursing, handing him a gold coin.
"Alright, cut it out!" Claude grumbled as he turned back to Alex, "Head back to the mansion. I'll meet you up there. I promise." He smiled at her.
"Your smile is hollow. It does not reach your eyes." She said and Claude just kept it.
"I don't know what you're talking about." He replied and she let go of his hands.
A shaky breath she took and spoke in Almyra.
"(I will never hate you... but...I admit..you're dangerous. Take care.)" She turned and walked away fast, missing the shocked look Claude had.
Alexandra gritted her teeth as her steps became faster till she was full-blown running down the market. Cursing herself.
"Why did I say that?! Me and my stupid mouth!" She growled and Cirina only replied.
"Because you know how dangerous he truly is. A smile that does not reach the eyes is hollow. Watch your back...That one will use you when the opportunity arises." Cirina huffed.
[-]
On their way to a tavern on the not-so-good side of Derdriu, Claude, Inami, and Mahatma made their way through an alleyway. Those that lived in poverty were seen sitting on the ground, children starving. Some people drank to their heart's content. Prostitutes smoking, some even having sex there in public with no care win the world. A place of sin this was. Also known as the Red-Light District of Derdriu. Different shops were opened that sold a variety of illegal items. Judith would have Claude's head if she knew he was traveling in a place like this. He wore his cloak and even changed his clothing to blend in. He followed behind Mahatma and Inami as they made their way to a particular shop. Inami smiled as she took a key out of her breast and used it to open the door.
She motioned them to come in, which they did. Claude and Mahatma instantly took a step back as the scent of different essences hit them like a slap, covering their noses as they walked in, the woman closing and locking the door. Claude looked around and indeed, he called this place a sin. They walked past the living room which was just a table till they arrived in a room filled with different scented candles. The floor was littered with colorful pillows of different patterns from different regions. Blankets were set up neatly like a nest to make the place comfortable. A 2 feet table with crystal bowls, plates with snacks, a few bottles of liquor, and a hookah in the shape of a swan was there. Walls had papers all around, maps also. Some clothing changed on the walls.
"I welcome you to my room." Inami smiled as she walked to the main pile of pillows that were set up like a throne.
She removed her cloak, throwing it to the side, revealing her appearance. She was a dark skin beauty with long wavy brown hair that stopped at her knees, a small mole under her lip, and dark brown eyes. Gold hoop earrings she also wore. She wore a kaftan long sleeve black dress with gold embroidery. On her wrist were bracelets made of jade. Wrapped around her waist, was a light purple band, a kuntush sash, said to ward off bad luck. She sat down and used a bit of fire magic to light up her hookah.
"Well? What are you waiting for? Aren't you both going to sit down?" Inami says as the two men looked at each other and sat.
"So..." Inami laid on her side like a cat as she took a small puff of her hookah, "Little Khalid has finally met his match. Someone who could see right through him. Ufufu~ A rarity indeed." She chuckled.
"Inami, we're not here to tease out brother," Mahatma said as the two men removed their cloaks.
Mahatma was a man with a bit of muscle, around the same body type as Dimitri. He had dark tan skin like Claude, but black hair that he kept tied as a braid. He had golden-colored eyes and wore a dark blue tunic that slants on his left side, and black boots with burgundy stripes. He wore two gold earrings. On his waist, he wore a similar sash as Inami but his was colored red.
"Oh, hush now Mata," the nickname she would use on him, "it's been a while since we saw little Khalid. Live a little." She blew out a puff of smoke.
Claude coughed as he waved his hands to get the smoke out of his face. The smell of tobacco was disgusting at times.
"It's Claude. Especially here in Fodlan. Do not call me by my real name here." Khalid hissed and Mahatma frowned.
"A Fodlan name now huh...? My, a bit low, no?" Mahatma said while Inami laughed lazily.
"Enough." Khalid took a deep breath, "Why are you both here? I thought you both were back at the palace in Almyra." He said and Inami smiled.
"Oh, we just had to come after reading your letters. Mata here wanted to meet your Zarqa! Tiana gushed as she showed me the letters you have been writing. For once you sound alive." Inami mentioned his mother on purpose.
"A fine one she is." Mahatma smirked as he crossed his arms, "I can tell she is a warrior who has gone through much. I saw the scars. Not bad." He chuckled.
"Back-off." Khalid hissed.
"There it is." Inami smiled as they turn to her, "The eyes of the snake. Waiting in the shadows then strikes like a cunning man. Very like you. From what I saw...you've been using the lessons I taught you. How to read humans easily." She grinned coyly at him.
"I have...and you're bringing up bad memories." He said back coldly as she smiled sadly at him.
"My little brother...I am sorry I was not able to do more back then...now I see pride was what blinded me. When reality hit when I lost my ability to bear children...I finally understood why Tiana went through so much to protect you. Even if the methods of our parents raising us would be looked down upon here. Sigh...it took you saving me that day to realize the truth. Sigh..." Inami reminisced about an old memory when she was flying through the clouds with her wyvern and was suddenly shot down by an Assassin that managed to sneak in.
Khalid looked down to the carpet, gritting his teeth at the horrific memory from his childhood days when he witnessed her crash down. He thought she was dead when he ran up but she was alive, just barely. Even at that moment, despite the difference between him and his siblings, they all came together to help her that day.
"Watch." Inami's voice made him look back to her, "Listen. Observe. Dividing tics and false smiles like a seer. Who is lying? Who is honest? Who is crying but is not truly sad? Who is dangerous? Haha." Inami chuckled.
"Khalid." Mahatma spoke, "I'm honestly glad you left Almyra. If you would have stayed...you would have become more dangerous. So, tell us, how are things for you here? Better or worse? Or the same?" He said and Khalid sighs as he looked up to them a bit.
"Here... What did I find? That the people here view anyone who's an outsider as a beast of sorts. Despite the vast differences in our cultures...Our two lands have that much in common. But..." his mind wandered to the Three Houses and professors, "Not all...see us that way. I met people who are accepting. Some are even more cunning than I am. Yet..." he smiled softly, "It's strange but... I feel almost as if I belong with them." He said.
"A rarity indeed..." Mahatma smiled, which was rare.
"Little Khalid is finally growing up." Inami chuckled.
"If you have something to say, say it," Claude muttered.
"Right, right," Mahatma said as he went into his bag and pulled out a document, about to hand it to him but pulled it a bit back when Khalid was going to get it.
"What's the matter?" Khalid narrowed his eyes to his older brother.
"Isn't this... breaking the trust, you have with your professors? You're going behind their backs... investing them as well as... that woman Sandana." Mahatma muttered and Inami chuckled.
"Let the boy do what he pleases. But watch out little Khalid. If you are not careful, your choices can have many consequences. One that it could very well destroy what you hold dear." Inami warned.
"I am. Teach and the others have far too many secrets I want to know." He smiled as he was handed the documents.
Opening it, the first thing he sees is Arisa. Name, age, sex, the typical things. As well as information about her as a mercenary. He narrowed his eyes at the sentence that said her bloodline was unknown. That left a bitter taste in his mouth. No wonder the Professor replied that she doesn't know. It was frustrating that he couldn't read her at all.
"Called the Ashen Demon...never once had contact with the church..." he muttered and turned to the next one.
Amir's was the same except it said she was once a noble of Duscur, which he had no idea about. He grimaced reading about the massacre of her family and how justice was brought down on her uncle. She was also a survivor of The Tragedy of Duscur. Claude made a mental note to not even dare mention her past noble status.
"Now I understand why she went off." he muttered as he turned to the next one.
Christian's profile was literally... blank. Only his name, sex, and age were there. Their bloodline is unknown and just that he is a mercenary.
"That one is far too difficult and dangerous." Inami spoke, "There was no information about him whatsoever. So, he may be using a fake allies name. Any other name pop up in that mind of yours little, Khalid?" She said and she plopped a grape in her mouth.
"Chris von Hersvelg." Claude looked over to Mahatma, "Think you can do it?" He asked.
"You underestimate my skills, Khalid. There is a reason why father always has me looking into information." Mahatma said back.
The page was turned once more and he stopped, his hand gently touching the profile of Alexandra.
"That one..." Inami reached out her hand and pointed at it, "I stop if I were you." She frowned.
"Why?" Khalid argued back, "I already made it this far." He said back.
"I saw her eyes..." Inami had a sad look on her face, "They are storms...a storm of emotions she has yet to learn to control. She's honest... despite going through hell... her eyes still hold innocence and purity...something so rare in this time. Khalid...are you sure you wish to continue? She is...The opposite of you. Something protects her like a mother." She warned.
"I...sigh...I'm going to read it." He took a deep breath and was about to open the profile suddenly Inami lunged at him, hugging him tightly.
"AAAAAHHH!" The woman screamed as his eyes went wide, seeing a slash made of ice on her back.
"Inami!" Mahatma yelled and quickly stood up, looking around.
"Who goes there?!" His sword raised, "Show yourself!" He yelled yet nothing was heard
"Gasp...Gasp...Are you alright?!" Inami gasped as he looked at her shaken.
"No, I'm not! I'm worried about you!" Khalid yelled and she shook her head.
"You..." Inami slowly turned her head to look at the wall, "Who are you? How dare you take the face of my brother's Zarqa?!" She yelled as she was helped up, the slash of ice melted, leaving a burn mark.
"Oh, so you can see me?" Cirina giggled as she floated up, "His Zarqa? Haha! How hilarious. How dare you filthy humans investigate Alexandra behind her back?! Bloody Descendent of Reigan! Traitor! You are like him! You will only bring Alexandra to ruin! Everything you touch will turn to ash!" Cirina roared.
"I see...you are the spirit that protects her..." Inami closed her eyes as she had her hand-stretched, "But you are nothing but one of vengeance..." she snarled as Cirina just burst out laughing.
"Oh, if only you knew!" Cirina laughed as she looked over at Claude.
"Fine then, I'll keep quiet. But only because I want Alexandra to learn the truth on her own. To learn that the one she very much cares for will betray her...'' she pointed at his heart, "Just like Reigan...betrayed Cirina. I leave with this gift, Khalid of the Sands." And lunged at him.
"NO!" Inami quickly stood in front of him, but Cirna just went right through her.
Time slowed down as he watched his siblings turn to him in horror. Inami reached out to him, yet something cold touched the center of his forehead, a cold voice he heard before his world went black.
"A snake-like you...will only make those suffer."
- Dream -
A battlefield.
Swords, lances, axes, arrows, flames, and the scent of iron filled the air. The sky was a dark gray as the rain fell heavily to the ground. The mud made the place slippery, yet it did not stop the war cries that were going on. On his wyvern, he held a weapon that glowed fiercely in his hands. Enemies all around, he fired multiple arrows of light towards them, shooting them down one by one. War cries filled the battlefield but...
"The scent of the sea..." he thought as he had his wyvern fly higher.
"ROOOOOMMMAAAANNNN!"
He barely had time to use his bow as a shield as a blade clashed. He heard snarling and looked up to the one responsible, but his heart froze as crimson eyes with pupils at the Crest of Aubin, looked at him with complete rage and sorrow. Tears of blood fell from those eyes, yet...he could never confuse the slender face of someone she knew. Yet, the name Alexandra did not leave his lips, but a name that was filled with rage.
"CIRINNAAAAA!" He roared and his wyvern roared, spiraling down to shake her off.
They nearly crashed to the ground, yet he managed to jump off his wyvern just on time. He fired arrows at the woman who had the face of someone he knew, yet the feelings of guilt grew in his chest each time. He didn't understand why.
"How could you?! I trusted you!" The woman roared at him as she held her scythe, weeping tears of blood as she wailed.
"I trusted you! I thought you believed in me! I thought you wanted peace! I thought you...I thought...Aaaahhhhh!" She wailed loudly as thunder crashed in the air.
"I do love you! I do! I never betrayed you! Please!" He wanted to yell out those words to her, yet the opposite came out of his mouth.
"You're a fool Cirina. I only used you for my benefit. You were the key to Anacharsis to complete the final phase. A pitiful beast you are...you half-breed!" He spat back and the woman wailed furiously as she lunged at him.
"No, no! That isn't true! Why am I saying this?!" He thought as he jumped back multiple times and fired arrows at her.
She deflected each one and roared at him. When his soldiers came at her, she cut them down with not a damn in the world.
"Aaaaahhhhhh!" She wailed as her scythe clashed with the sword he managed to bring out.
"ROMAN!" A female voice yelled in his mind.
"Hurry, Mila!" He thought.
"Look out for the Swarm spell I'm going to fire! Use that opportunity to knock her out! How could Serios do this to her child?!" Mila answered back.
"Aaaahhh!" Cirina screamed as she was hit by a swarm spell and whipped her head furiously towards the one responsible.
A woman with long brown hair, a familiar face he knew. Yet the name Mercedes did not leave his lips nor Cirina's, the blue screamed furious when her crimson eyes landed on her.
"GIVE ME BACK MY AUNT NOOOAAAAA!" Cirina roared and lunged at her.
He pulled back his bow, yet every muscle in his body was against it. It was like he was being controlled.
"No...no! Stop!" He thought yet his bow, Failnaught, was brought up, the tip of the arrow glowing brightly as he aimed at her back.
"THIS ISN'T WHAT I WANT! STOP!" He mentally screamed yet nothing stopped him, the arrow fired, and he was supposed to knock her out.
Why was his body doing the opposite? It felt like someone had tied strings on him.
It was too late. She barely managed to turn her attention back to him yet, time slowed down through his eyes as he watched her eyes go wide. Blood trickled down her lips as her hand went over her chest, a hole was there, the heart no more. She slowly looked back up to him, silence befalling the battlefield as she dropped to her knees. Her face was heartbroken as she smiled bitterly at him, her tears falling once more.
"I...hate you..." were her last words as she fell to the ground, a pool of blood forming.
The soldiers stopped fighting, and his army and Mila's cheered at the fall of the leader of Serios army.
"Retreat!" A male voice yelled out and Serios army quickly began to leave.
"Do not go after them!" Mila yelled out to stop their armies from going after them.
He was silent as all he heard was the rain. He slowly walked up to the body of the blue-haired female, whose face was left blank of emotions. Whatever malice was possessing him, lifted off. He fell to his knees as he stared with wide eyes at the body. His and Mila's army cheered in victory, yet to him, it felt like a loss. Mila quietly approached him, gritting her teeth as she spoke softly...
"This battle...was a setup...I'm so sorry I could not see it sooner...Nor the spell that...Hugo cast on you..." Mila whispered, trying to hold back tears.
"What have I done...?" He covered his face with his hands, "Marcel will never forgive me..." he whispered.
The two leaders were silent as they only stood still...none noticed how one finger of the body...twitched...
Long...ago...buried...heart...
Right...away...torn...apart...
"EVERYONE GET BACK!" Mila screamed quickly and grabbed him, pulling back.
Horror befell all as a haunting song began to be sung by the corpse as it slowly began to rise, the relic in its hand glowing black.
"Till...I...draw one more...final breath...Across the land...bare...and dark..." the body slumped forward, blood pooling down from where the heart was once.
"What is this...?" He choked out as black energy began to pour from her relic and started devouring her.
"May...it...be...one for...all..." it grew and grew, it began to consume her.
He cried out to stop her, but it was too late as she took one final look at him with an insane grin.
Burning the horizon...out into none.
A flash of black, blue threw them all back, where a corpse was, it was no more, but a once beautiful beast of wings of ice, was now one of black, and black dripping down, its feathers cut as it roared furiously.
"What...is this?!" Mila gaped as she covered her mouth in horror, shaking at what they just witnessed.
The relic that Cirina held turned her corpse into a monster. The dragon roared as it rose to the sky and took off toward the north.
"Uriel! We must warn him! She's heading north!" Mila yelled.
Right when he was going to get up...
"YOU BASTARD HOW COULD YOU?!"
Their eyes quickly turned towards the other side of the once battlefield.
"Ashe?" He thought but a different name left his lips.
"What is Badrl doing here?!" He speaks.
Unfortunately, the dream came to an end before more could be shown.
- End of Dream -
He woke up in a jolt, panting and gasping for air. He quickly touched his face and looked around for a mirror. He heard soft humming and his eyes went to the door, to see it open.
"Oh, hey. You're awake!" Alexandra smiled softly at him, yet he bolted up quickly.
"Hey, are y-!" Claude suddenly hugged her tightly, as if his life depended on it.
He was shaking, that dream felt far too real. He thought he killed her yet...
He wondered if it was real. He had heard stories of those that bare crest may see memories of their ancestors that are passed down through their bloodline. He never believed in such things yet...
"Claude...?" Alexandra whispered, unsure of what to do.
She felt him shaking. Did he have a nightmare? Was it so bad? Also, Cirina had not spoken for the past 5 hours which was odd. She was worried when Mahatma suddenly brought him back unconscious. The cloaked man explained that apparently, Claude had decided to pull a prank on Inami, and well...she overdid it a little on the beating he got. They got him to his place and while she waited for him to wake up, she met with Edward once more. The doctor was happy to meet her again and glad she was doing well. She told him the same. A few of the servants remembered her and she was glad. Gregory had grown a lot more and the two greeted each other. She felt welcomed, which was rare.
"!" Alexandra stiffened when Claude placed his head on her chest, over her heart.
She was pretty sure he could hear it beating rapidly at how close he was to her.
"Claude...umm..." Alexandra muttered.
"Please...can we...stay like this...for a bit longer...?" He muttered.
She took a deep breath and nodded. She hesitated a bit but wrapped her arms around him, an old habit of hers. One hand on his head, gently stroking his hair, while the other was on his back.
"In time flows...see the glow...of flames ever-glowing bright..." she sang softly, a bit of magic to help him relax, "On the swift...rivers drift. Broken memories aligned..." she muttered.
A few m-
"Hey, kid! Yo-oh."
Gregory came through the door and a smirk quickly was on his face as he watched the two.
"I-It's not what you think!" Alexandra screeched and pushed Claude away with sudden force.
Unfortunately, they were near the bed, and well, Claude was pushed onto the bed.
"Oh! Oh! Well now!" Gregory laughed, "Don't mind me! Continue!" He laughed.
"Gregory, I hate you!" Alexandra yelled and ran out of the room, slamming the door shut.
"Way to ruin the moment," Claude grumbled as Gregory laughed.
"Well too bad. Anyhow, came to check on ya but looks like I didn't need to." He chuckled, "So I'm guessing you already confessed to her?" He said.
"What? No! It's no- is it obvious?" Claude muttered.
"Well, it is now!" Gregory laughed and Claude pinched the bridge of his nose.
"But seriously, it better happen soon. I heard from Hilda that Linhardt asked her on a date and that Marianne and she have been pretty close." He says.
"You forgot Ashe..." Claude muttered.
"Anyhow, the meeting is tomorrow. Prepare for a firestorm. Count Gloucester looks pissed. Brought you the papers on the topics that are going to be discussed." He pulled out a folder and handed it to him.
Claude let go of a sigh as he opened it and raised an eyebrow at the paper that had little notes and sentences either highlighted or underlined. The small annotations say ways that the ideas could be fixed. The flaw of the proposition and even a better version proposed.
"Hey Gregory, did you write on these?" Claude asked and Gregory looked at him confused.
"What? No. Let me see." Claude handed the papers to him, "Ah...I...uh...think I know who did this." He sighs.
"Well? Who was it? I must admit, I'm impressed. Based on what they managed to read they know politics pretty well as well as other methods of trade. Even ways to help the economy...'' Claude smiled.
"Ha! And she thought she was slick. Thinking I didn't catch her." Gregory laughed.
"Who are you talking about?" Claude said.
"Alexandra of course! She's the one that did this." Gregory said back and Claude looked at him with wide eyes.
"Ha! She thinks she's slick, but I see her reading books about politics, muttering to herself ways the system can be fixed. Picking it apart and such. She's smart. Knows how to handle things. It's a shame she hides it. She's scared." Gregory sighs.
"Did I tell you about what happened a few days ago?"
Let's just say Gregory was a laughing mess when Claude told him about Alexandra calling the archbishop's methods...barbaric.
- The Next Day -
"You want me to stand beside you?! No offense but wouldn't that...ruin your image?" Alexandra cringed as those words left her mouth.
Claude frowned at her saying that. Did she think he cared about his image? Please! He's been ostracized his whole life, shamed for his Almyran and Fodlan blood. Survived attempts on his life. Hated simply for breathing!
"Come on Alex. There's nothing wrong with that. Besides," he smirked as he saw her eyes move rapidly as he lightly waved the papers, "I recognize your handwriting anywhere. I'm impressed by how well you thought of these." He smiled and Alexandra was grateful she hid her feathers or else he would see them fluttering rapidly.
"Also, this is payback for pushing me on the bed." And he had to keep himself from bursting out laughing at the silent scream she did.
"F-Fine! I'll do it!" She huffed.
"Anyone ever tells you that you look adorable when you blush?" He smirked.
"Don't push it."
[-]
Claude was more than anything bored. The Roundtable is a war zone. Lorenz's father, Count Gloucester made things more difficult.
"He won't stop bitching about everything." Claude thought as he was desperately trying not to snap at the count.
Now he understood why his grandfather called this a war zone and why his mother would trash talk the nobility system of Fodlan. Things took a dramatic change 4 years ago with the Fire of the Ordelia Household. The letter that was found, the body that was seen cut in half, the house completely incinerated, no bones left. He remembered when news reached his house quickly, a sense of dread fell on not just him, but many. He remembered when he secretly snuck in to watch the roundtable meeting, the disaster it was. Judith at that time still had a place in the roundtable and expressed her anger towards not just his grandfather but the other lords for ignoring House Ordelia's countless times begging for help from them. Shame, guilt, and regret befell all. Judith was the only lord that did what she could to help them.
In the end, now the entire Ordelia clan was wiped out. Or so he thought. Lysithea was alive. Everyone believed she was dead, but no. He had many questions. The problem was that she stays clear of him when he wants to ask her about it. Back to the original subject. The Roundtable came together and admitted their guilt, and all came together to investigate the body that was found and the letter. Edward was put in charge of doing an autopsy. He remembered the faces of pure disgust and horror that fell on the Lords when they read the bloody letter that was found. The horrific things that were done to the children of the Ordelia Household, the declaration of it was a group called Those Who Slither in the Dark. He recognized the name because Arisa mentioned it in the nearly terrifying state she was in.
"Count Gloucester! Surely you are aware that this route you desire to make one for trade has been protected for generations because the fae lives there!" Margrave Edmund expressed he is against Count Gloucester's proposition.
"He's honest." Claude thought as he observed the Margrave.
The art of reading humans, he's surprised by how well the lessons his sister and mother have taught him have come in handy. He looked over to the new lord that had taken the seat of what was once Count Ordelia's 4 years ago. A young man with peach skin, dark hair, and eyes, a similar body structure to his own but taller.
"Count Gloucester, you must understand that I do not agree with either! House Adalbrecht has watched over these lands! You can't just say it makes a good trading route!" Balthus's younger brother, Duke Adalbrecht said as Count Gloucester rolled his eyes.
He looked over to Alexandra and flinched. He could see Gregory and Edward refusing to open their mouths because she looked ready to explode on the Count. Judith was much better at hiding her anger. The Count was being unreasonable. Claude wanted to bang his head.
"Lord Reigan." Claude instantly shivered as the female voice cut through the tension like butter, "May I speak?" Alexandra asked.
"What?! Does a retainer dare wish to speak?! Know your place!" Count Gloucester yelled across the table.
Claude witnessed everyone's single emotion that Alexandra had, leaving her face completely as she began to speak in a void tone.
"May I speak?" She said again and Claude nodded.
"Count Gloucester," she began, "I shall say this now. The area you wish to turn into a trading route is sacred land that belongs to the fae." She said.
"So what? They are lesser than us." He said.
"She's holding back." Claude thought as she continued to speak.
"On the contrary Count. I believe you do not understand because of your little knowledge of fae." Holst had to stop himself from snickering, "The land has been untouched for more than 2,000 years. A place that is sacred because the fae live there. Not only that, but if their home is suddenly taken over, the fae will not hesitate to place a curse. Worst-case scenario, The Queen and King of the Faeries, Titania and Oberon, will become involved. I believe you are all aware of what happens to those that anger them...?" She slightly narrowed her eyes and Holst coughed, knowing exactly what she was talking about.
"You mean when House Varley...upset them...150 years ago correct?" Claude muttered and she nodded.
"Perhaps Count Gloucester...you would like to see for yourself what I mean," Alexandra said as she cupped her hands together, a red magic circle appeared above them.
"Alex?" Claude slowly sat up straight as a small figure formed.
"Lady Alex! You called?" Fire, the Fire Sprite grinned.
"Hi, Firo...forgive me... it's been a few years." She smiled sadly at the fae.
"Doesn't matter! I'm just happy to see my master is well! Finally free from the hag C-?!" She quickly coughed.
"Please do not say that woman's name." She sighs, "Anyhow, think you can help me?" She said and he nodded.
The room became silent as Firo looked around the place.
"What happens to those when the sacred lands of the fae are violated?" She smiled like Cirina.
Claude shivered at her smile.
"She's dangerous." He thought and saw the fire Sprite snarl.
"Who dares try to violate our lands?! A curse shall befall all that dare set a foot. Only those we allow may enter! Have humans not learned?! What curse shall we put on them?! The worst one we have is cursing their lands to misfortune, taking away their blood of crest!" Firo yelled.
Instantly, the Lords in the room went pale.
"Oh? I did not know that. Fae can take away crest?" Alexandra said.
"No. We can take away future generations. We can make a child be born without a Crest. The ability to end a bloodline but making the parents be the last ones to bear those Crest. Their children and future generations will never be born with crests from there." Firo explained and Alexandra slowly turned to look at Count Gloucester, who became extremely pale.
"Hope this clears up everything Count. Firo, thank you." She smiled warmly at the fae and handed him a hard candy, "Your information is helpful. Rest well. And do tell Lady Titania I send my regards." The room went even paler.
"Aye! Take care!" And in a shower of red dust, Firo left.
Silence befell the room as she placed her hands down and smiled warmly.
"Hope you understand now, Count Gloucester. I say this because I worry about the safety of my students. Lorenz is a wonderful mage as well as a lance user. He is one of the top 5 lance users in my class. Marianne is an amazing mage as well and has an amazing talent to communicate with the fae and animals. Hilda has amazing strength and a keen eye for using the ax. She is an equal pair with Edelgard and Lestia. Claude here also has an amazing talent in flying as well as the ax in a bow. Even Balthus is an amazing War monk! His skill in Brawling and faith magic is amazing!" She praised her students and unexpectedly began gushing.
"She's honest." Claude thought as the girl began talking about each of the golden dears, and praising them for their talents and hard work.
"Cough! Anyhow," Alexandra snapped out of it when she heard Gregory snicker, "I worry more for the safety of my students and do not wish to see Lorenz's father, Count Gloucester, endanger his son!" She huffed as she crossed her arms, "Anyhow, I have a different proposition regarding that trading route, Count Gloucester. I recommend the mountain road between your lands and former Ordelia territory. The road there not only is filled with rich soil but is also well known for herbs. It makes a good trading source. Not only that, a river that connects to the ocean is there, providing nutrition to the land. It is perfect to raise livestock also because crystals of salt grow. That is why this land is also called the Salt Forest. Because the majority of the vegetation has a salty taste. And many of those are used in magic. Also, salt is very valuable, especially in the trading market. " She nodded her head with a proud smile.
Silence befell the place, while Claude and any stared at her.
"She's too damn honest and oblivious." He thought and instantly facepalms.
"Umm...Alexandra..." Judith whispered and Edward and Gregory quickly hooked their arms around her, sprinting out of the room fast, the door slamming shut.
"Pfft...pfft...ahahahahaha!" Duke Adalbrecht burst out laughing and turned to Claude.
"Lord Reigan! Who is she?! I am honestly impressed and the way she speaks of my older brother...I am happy to know he is doing well." He smiled.
"He's true." Claude thought then spoke, "She...is Professor Kiana Kalsana's assistant. Her name is Alexandra. She is also an instructor at the Officers Academy." He explained.
"K-Kiana's Kalsana...assistant?! Oh no..." Count Gloucester went pale.
"And you insulted her." Holst chuckled, "Miss Kalsana is not going to be happy about that." He smirked.
"Changing the subject!" The count quickly said to avoid the topic, "Let us...discuss the trading route she proposed." He coughed.
Claude couldn't help but chuckle and the rest of the meeting continued smoothly. For the first time, the roundtable did not feel like a war zone. Diplomacies and such were discussed. Perhaps a small squabble here and there. Claude did not miss the small smile Judith had and for once, Claude had a civil discussion with the Lords. He can already imagine his grandfather's great surprise hearing of this.
[-]
"Hahaha! Who would have thought there would be a day...cough...cough..that the roundtable was civil."
Claude smiled warmly at his grandfather. After the meeting, he originally was going to talk with Alex again regarding the meeting but it seems Edward and Gregory took off with her somewhere. Great. Because of that, he decided to visit his grandfather. The old man on his bed coughed a bit and smiled.
"I never thought you would meet the young girl again. One of blue hair and feathers. I'm happy to see you smiling so sincerely. It's been so long since I saw you have such a smile. Sigh...cough...reminds me of your mother when she was your age." Duke Reigan chuckled sadly.
Claude was silent as the old man continued to speak.
"Tiana loved sneaking out at night. She was terrible at making tea and your uncle always thought she was going to poison him by accident. A free spirit she is, like you." He smiled sadly as he turned to look at him.
"You have her eyes...verdant like the wind...filled with mystery and life." He muttered and Claude spoke.
"I'm sure...if mom was here...she would start gushing." Claude smiled a bit.
"Haha! I'm sure she would...and.." The Duke turned to him with the sake smirk Claude inherited from him, "I wonder when the wedding is." And the old man burst out laughing as Claude slammed his face onto the bed.
"You're never going to let this up now..." Claude groaned into the mattress.
It became a joke. A family joke because Gregory witnessed him kiss Alexandra and then the son of a bitch told Edward well...you know how things go. Which brought on the talk about the birds and the bees. Xina's lessons were traumatizing, Inami's lessons were on a whole different level because the books she used to teach him had pictures. At he knows about safe sex and such.
Yikes.
"Ah! I nearly forgot." Duke Reigan said as Claude turned his head towards him.
From under the pillow next to him, he reached out and took out a small box. Claude raised his head with a raised eyebrow, he waited for the Duke to speak. Fond memories filled the old man as he turned to the boy.
"This," he opened it, revealing a silver ring with a green emerald, "this used to belong to your grandmother. I used it to propose to her. Ah...bring back memories." He smiled and turned to the boy, "One day, this ring will be yours." He said.
Claude's eyes went wide at his words as the Duke continued to speak.
"I know you will give this ring to the person you love. And when that day comes, it will be the happiest moment of your life. Both of you will go through many hardships but I'm sure together, you can overcome them." The Duke smiled as he closed the ring box, "For now boy, just be you. Don't let those damn goons tell you what to be." He said.
Claude was silent as he listened and nodded.
"I will Grandfather. I will."
- Later at Night -
After that talk, Claude headed to the library to go see how Gregory was doing however, he didn't expect to hear this.
"So? What's going between you and Claude?"
And suddenly Claude wanted to punch Gregory in the face. He remained silent as he opened the door to the library just a tad bit. Gregory had a shit-eating smirk while Alexandra sat across from him, reading a book about...Almyran legends. The woman looked up at the man with a raised eyebrow.
"Nothing is going on." She answered, not raising her eyes from the book she was reading.
"Oh come on!" He nearly yells, "you two kissed! Yeah, you were kids back then but hey! Don't you feel anything for him?" He asked and Alexandra looked up to him just a tad bit.
"I do." Claude felt his heart stop, "But I can't...he's...an amazing person...but he is too dangerous at times." She said and Gregory frowned.
"Explain?" He said.
"Claude...I know he is a kind person. But...he's not genuine. His smile does not reach his eyes. He draws people in but there is a wall around him. He is dangerous to me especially since I am unstable because of my Crest. I don't want him to be held down by my condition and I don't want to be used." She explained, "But…I am also worried I could hurt him."
The shadows cast over Claude's eyes as a frown marred his face. She knew. She figured him out so easily just like the Professor.
"He's afraid." She continued, "He says he'll do anything to win but that isn't true. He is afraid to be hated." Alexandra and he felt she was tearing him apart.
"But...even so...I..." she closed the book and hugged it to her chest, a small smile on her face, "I still...hope...Maybe one day...I can stand by his side... When I am with him, I can't help but feel happy. This warm feeling in my chest...I know what it is...Love...Love is a dangerous thing but is also because...love...oh god!" She suddenly yelled while Gregory facepalmed.
"I like him! I like him! Oh, no,no,no,no,no,no,no! I can't, I can't, I can't! Gregory what do I do?!" She said and the man was laughing.
"You finally realized it, you love sick woman!" He laughed, "But yeah. Don't rush it, Alex. Confess to him when you are ready." He smiled.
"(No, no, no!)" She began talking in Almyran, "I...I...gaaaahhh! Why does this always happen to me?!" She wept and Gregory awkwardly patted her head.
"So um...say! You know the room that is at the end of the hall on the second floor right?" He says and she nodded.
"Yeah...what about it?" She asked.
"Just head over there a bit later okay?" He smiled.
[-]
Claude couldn't stop grinning as he walked out of the bathroom, a towel around his neck to keep the water dripping from his hair falling all over the place.
"She likes me!" He whispered excitedly to himself as he went to his bed and sat down.
He couldn't help but smile warmly at the thought. Now, he needs to tease her and get her to confess. He smiled once more as he flopped down, then...
"Just what one earth did Gregory mean to come to this room? I doubt there isn't m-!" The door to his room suddenly opened and Alexandra was grumbling as she let herself in and well…
"Yo." Claude grinned as the girl froze when her eyes landed on him.
The boy was shirtless, with a few scars on his body, he was wearing black baby pants for sleeping and his hair was still dripping a bit, down. He was enjoying how her face was turning redder and redder by the second and before she could run…
"Not running are you now?" He quickly stood up, wrapping his arms around her from behind, kicking the door closed.
"A-Aaaahh!" It was cute how she was screeching and appreciated how honest she was with her emotions.
Too honest at times but still, that was what he admired of her. She was honest, compared to him...
"She's flustered." He thought as he slowly began to walk back, not letting go.
"I'm going to kill Gregory..." she whimpered.
He chuckled as he made her sit next to him, enjoying her crimson face.
"What is possessing me today?" He thought as he smiled coyly at her, nearing her face a bit.
"You've been a bad girl today Alex..." he purred.
Her feathers were sticking up straight and he was trying not to laugh at her reaction.
"C-C-Cl-!" That's it, he couldn't hold anymore.
His lips were getting closer to her own. Ruby/sapphire eyes frantically look at his own. His eyes slowly zoomed to her lips. He wondered how they tasted and he wanted to be the first to taste her again. Right when her lips were just a few inches from hers…
"MEOW!"
"GHHHAAA!" Claude screeched as the cat he usually cared for finally showed himself out of nowhere and attacked him.
Alexandra could not help but laugh as she gently removed the cat, the little one purring in her arms as it nuzzled her chest.
"Grrrrr! Damn cockblocker..." Claude internally growled as the girl giggled.
"Thank you for saving me, Khalid!" She smiled.
Claude froze and as he slowly turned to her, holding the cat.
"What did you just say?" He whispered and she blinked.
"Khalid. That's the name of this cat. I remember I named it years ago. You were there, remember?" She smiled softly as she put the cat on the bed, and sat down next to him.
"Hard to believe it's been so long..." she sighed as she turned to him with a small smile, "I'm glad I met you back then. And I am forever grateful that you are part of my life, Claude. Thank you." She smiled warmly at him.
"She's honest. Truthful...I don't deserve someone like you..." He thought.
"Ah! Almost forgot!" She reached into her pocket and pulled out a small box, handing it to him.
"What's this?" He asked and she motioned him to open it.
His eyes widened as he pulled out a crescent moon necklace made of gold and green gems. He turned to her and she was fiddling with her fingers.
"Umm...I wanted to give you something that kind of represents you. Since your birthday passed and we didn't get a chance to hang out. Your Crest is also called the moon in a tarot deck. It means illusion, fear, anxiety, subconscious and intuition." She said and he was silent.
"But...in reverse...it also means you are working through your fears and anxieties, understanding the impact they have in your life and how you are freeing yourself from those limiting beliefs. Umm...I guess...what I'm trying to say is...to keep believing in yourself and your dreams. Umm...I hope you can one day face those emotions head-on in the future." She smiled nervously.
Claude didn't know what to say. He was silent as he stared at the necklace.
"She's honest. She's kind. But also...unaware of how her words are also dangerous. Innocent...yet like a storm." He thought and turned to her with a warm smile.
"Can you put it on me?" He said and she nodded.
It felt strange as she went behind and handed her the necklace. She undid the small lock on the back of it and he felt glad he wasn't going to assassinate him.
But...
"My you're an utter fool."
Pure killing intent was suddenly behind him and he pulled out the dagger that was on his pants. Like a snake, he quickly strikes yet...
"Claude?" Pure terror and fearful eyes met his own.
"I... can't..." his sharp eyes suddenly went wide when he realized he had pinned her down, the dagger at her neck, and a little trickle of blood fell.
He realized the voice he heard was not hers, but the one from that terrifying dream. He quickly got off her and dropped the dagger on the floor, hugging her tightly.
"I'm so sorry...I'm so sorry...I thought...I-" she placed her index finger on his lip, and she shook her head, a sad smile on her lips.
"It's okay. I know. It wasn't meant for me. You sensed her, didn't you?" She said.
"Her?" He was confused.
"The...spirit that protects me..." she muttered.
"A spirit of vengeance protects her."
Inami's words suddenly rang in his head. She smiled sadly as she properly put on the necklace on him, and hugged him.
"I'm sorry I cause you harm." She muttered and stood up, giving him one last small smile, "Good night." And with that, she left.
Claude sat still for a while and suddenly buried his face in his hands, groaning loudly but also angrily at himself.
"I'm a fool..."
- Dream -
A battlefield.
The scent of iron.
It was like he was staring at hell itself.
The sky was once more dark and gray. Thunder clapping loudly from the heavens. Smoke also filled the air. He couldn't move as the bodies in front of him were surrounded by the energy of pure malice.
"Dimitri...Edelgard...?" He could barely whisper as the two house leaders roared inhuman screams at him and charged. He couldn't move. What was going on?!
"CLAUDE, GO!"
He saw a male with dark green hair quickly kick Dimitri away, holding The Sword of the Creator.
"Teach!" He yelled out, "What-!" A pillar of white light fell, revealing a man with no face.
"DISAPPEAR WORSHIPERS OF THE FELL STAR!"
[-]
Claude was not the only one that had that haunting dream. No, the twins of Faerghus and the Adrestian princess, woke up nearly screaming and shaking.
All four questioned what that dream was.
- The Next Day -
"Who are we? How far have we gone?
Let us heal the misery and plant the seed we ever promised."
Claude was silent as he listened to Alexandra sing early in the morning out on the balcony. He did not sleep in peace at all but he let go of a sigh as he continued to listen to her voice.
"Time is up! Go grab your arms! No matter how hard we have been we shall fight for-E-ver! Oohhooo~" she sang.
"What song is that?" He suddenly spoke and the woman only did a side glance at him before returning to look back at the ocean.
"A song of change and realization." She answered back as he walked over to stand next to her.
"Huh..." he muttered, "Listen...I'm sorry about last night." He said and she nodded.
"Apology accepted but also understandable. Also, you've been investigating me and the others, haven't you?" She says without looking at him.
Claude looked down to the shore rocks and spoke.
"Not gonna lie...I have." He says, a bit of a loss of words.
"Understandable. You don't know much about us." She muttered as finally, he looked over at her, and guilt filled him when he saw the bits of betrayal in her eyes.
"She's angry..." he thought.
"I heard your conversation with Balthus before the mission." She says and his eyes widened a bit as she looked over at him, "Guess we both got our secrets huh?" She smiled sadly.
"I see." Claude says, "So, what do you think? Weary of me?" He asks.
"I would be lying if I said I wasn't." She muttered as she looked back to the ocean, "She was right. You did go behind our backs." Claude gritted his teeth as she continued, "I knew also but some part of me was in denial that you would do it. But then again...this is you. You have to do what you do to survive. I understand if you see me as an enemy or a pawn. Not the first I've been used and discarded." She says and without even thinking, Claude quickly held her shoulders, his expression pained.
"It's not like that!" He's surprised he didn't raise his voice, bit just tab bit. "It's not like that...I can...never think of you... as some pawn... I'm not...I'm not..." how is it that she is the only one that makes him express this side of his?
"It occurred to me the old world..." he looked back up to her as she sang softly, "It may have said no word. But I have to keep knowing: I hear it from no one. It occurred to me in the old world. It may have no word, but I have to keep knowing~" she smiled sadly to him.
His eyes went wide when she placed a tender kiss on his forehead and smiled sadly at him.
"I'll go on ahead. I'll see y-!" He shook his head as he suddenly held her hand.
"No. We'll go together. And...look...If you are still angry with me, then I accept it. But...I don't want this problem between us to remain. When you're ready, you can talk to me." He said.
"Claude...I...sigh...thank you..." she smiled sadly to him, "I... as you heard, I used to be a noble of the Kingdom. Not just...any noble. House Aubin served the royal family and was also well known across Fodlan for repairing precious artifacts like the Heroes' Relics. My mother...is Cornelia, The former Archmage of the Kingdom." She says as she lets go of his hand and looked back to the ocean.
Claude was silent as she spoke, her hand over her necklace, her relic, and continued.
"My father did everything to protect me and in the end...look where that led him. Killed by his wife. I still can't help but think it was my fault." She turned to him and placed her hand over her heart, "My crest... I was born with. But its powers were awakened by force. Claude...if I ever go out of control, please strike me down." She smiled sadly at him.
The image of the woman Cirina from the dream two days ago came up in his mind. She had the same face as Alexandra, the way she was shot down. Her face of pure sorrow...
"No." He said confidently, her eyes going wide in shock, "I'll find another way. If such a thing does happen, you go out of control, I'll find a way to help you. I promise." He said as he held her hand again.
"I sound like Dimitri..." Claude thought as she chuckled a bit sadly.
"Arisa...Chris..and Amir said the same thing. All four of us promised each other we would strike each other down if our powers go out of control. But...we also said we find another if possible to help us." She smiled sadly at him.
"Hey, if Teach and the others made that promise to you, then so will I. I'm not going to lose someone important to me." He smiles at her.
"Oh, so I'm important?" She smirked a bit and Claude knew where this was heading.
"So you want to play that game huh?" Claude thought and knew she was trying to tease him.
"Hmmm? I don't know? Maybe if the snow princess confesses to me that she wishes to be my queen then maybe?" He grinned at her.
"Ugh...I swear you two..." Cirina snarled in Alexandra's mind, "This pinning is terrible to watch! Ugh! The fact I can't exactly get away from this is agonizing!" She growled.
"Suffer." Alexandra mentally said back to her as Cirina screamed when the said woman wrapped her arms around Claude's neck.
"Oh my King of the Verdant Wind, do take this Maiden away from the cold and take me to your kingdom of unity. My soul shall forever belong to ice but my heart to you." She giggled but her face suddenly became red when the air around them suddenly felt heavy...some sort of energy that made her skin tingle.
"You're playing...a very dangerous game with me...Alex..." Claude almost growled as his hands were suddenly on her waist, pulling her close.
"Oh no...oh...no...you...AAAAAHHHH! SEXUAL TENSION! GHHHAAAA!" Cirina screamed and quickly sealed herself away in the darkest part of Alexandra's mind to keep herself from witnessing what may be about to go down.
"I...I...Ummm...I think this role play game has gone long enough? D-Don't you think?" She stuttered.
"You started this...And I'm finishing it." He muttered a bit darkly as his lips were slowly getting closer to hers.
Gods, he wanted to pin her onto the wall and take her lips right then and there but he wasn't going to rush it. Nope, take his time. Pick her apart bit by bit. Savor her, care for her, devour her...
"Boy! Where on earth a-! Oh my."
And immediately he was pushed away by Alexandra but unfortunately, the force was too much which sent him falling off the balcony.
"CLAUDE!" Alexandra screamed as the boy also screamed in horror as he fell but thankfully the balcony wasn't so high up.
At least 10 feet. A loud splash was heard as the Alexandra and the one that interrupted them was Judith, ran to the balcony. Claude gasped for air as he swam up and glared over at Judith.
"Hahahaha! Well, seems like a dip in the sea has cooled you off!" She laughed while Claude glared up.
"Sorry..." Alexandra muttered.
[-]
"Oh my! Little Khalid's Zarqa pushed him to the sea! I like her guts!" Inami laughed as she and her brother watched from afar.
Mahatma shook his head as the two watched Claude swim to the shore, getting a few funny looks from the locals. Still, Alexandra flew over there with Falco and took him back to the mansion, apologizing over and over again. Still, they worry.
"They have many hardships on the way..." he muttered and Inami smiled sadly.
"They do...I can see the wave of death over Fodlan approaching soon. Blood will stain the fields..." Inami closed her eyes as images flowed through her mind, "Promises will be broken…Bonds shall be tested...an eye for an eye. A tooth for a tooth. Evil for evil. Who is right and who is wrong? Only the heavens know..." she muttered as she fixed her cloak and began to walk away, her brown eyes had a slight hue of gold that faded away quickly as it appeared.
"Inami...what did you see...exactly?" Mahatma asked as she only smiled.
"Many, many things my dear brother. But who knows? Divine interference always has a way of changing the fate of many." She giggled.
"Inami, I worry. Not just for him but all of us. You and I are one of the very few who are loyal to our brother. Many are still after his life." He says and she smiled sadly.
"All we can do is watch. We can only do so much. We can only give guidance. There will be times when we must say harsh things to them. Whether they take the lessons we teach them to use in life, is up to them. If they fall, it will be up to them if they chose to rise once again from the ashes of their burden, mistakes, and demise." She looked and looked up to the sky, a distant look in her eyes.
"Only they can change their fates. Let them claim their birthright. Let them have their conquest. The rewards shall be the revelation."
Paralogue 3: Part 1: A Snake's Thoughts
[-]
This paralogue explores more of the darker parts of him as well as how Cirina is connected to him. Exploring how he has difficulty trusting others as well as hostility to his half-siblings.
Alexandra does know what Claude's real name is since she has some form of her past self memories. Fragments and snippets at most, that is all. Even as a child, she already had some sort of feeling for it. Out of respect to Claude, she doesn't bring up the subject with him. But, naming the cat, it's her indirect way of saying she cares about him, as well as teasing him sometimes. I'll show a little bit of that in an upcoming chapter.
Inami. She is the same age as Balthus, 26 years old. She has the same father as Claude but a different mother. Her mother is known as the seer of the royal family. Her personality is like Camilla minus her being all over her siblings and making others feel uncomfortable. Her mother was a talented seer, who caught the eye of the king. She is the second oldest of 14 siblings. 7 females and 7 males. Unfortunately, her mother died giving birth to Inami. Inami held resentment and jealousy towards her half-half siblings because they had a mother. Claude, especially his mother, was protective of him. She was one of those that made Claude's childhood miserable however never to the point of physically harming him or trying to take his life. What she yearned for was someone to love her like a mother. She wanted a mother figure. For the first 7 years of her life, she was cold and cruel with her words to Claude but eventually decided at age 8 that it would be better to ignore him. At age 13, she was flying her wyvern, and like in this chapter explained, the wyvern was shot down and fell on top of her, crushing her womb. The last thing she saw before her world went black was Claude running towards her, calling out her name. She muttered, "I'm sorry." Before she blacked out.
During her near-death state, she awoke her powers of a seer. Finally realizing the wrongs she has done, she bows to atone for them.
Her class is Magil Knight. Tomes and the Axe are her specialty as well as using a lance. The wyvern she uses is the wyvern that she was riding when shot down. Despite it nearly killing her, she still holds it dear to her because it made her realize her mistakes. She does know necromancy magic that was once practiced in Faerghus and used it to revive the wyvern. Claude and Mahatma and many others stay clear of her when she starts cackling because that's a red flag someone pissed her off.
Mahatma. is 1 year younger than Claude. He is 17 and looks like he's 20. His personality is a bit on the flirty side but mostly calm and collected like Dedue. He and Claude actually grew up together and got along. But a rift did form between them. Mahatma's mother tried to pin him against Claude, trying to earn the favor of the king. Mahatma did not want that and distanced himself from Claude. His mother has tried to assassinate Claude and also Tiana. Unfortunately, when he was 14 years old Claude was 15, and his mother tried to poison Tiana. It was in her wine. In front of everyone, he snatched the glass from her and drank it. Everyone witnessed how he instantly became pale and started shaking. His mother screamed at him that he was a fool. Unlike Claude, Mahatma did not have immunity to poison and almost died. Thanks to Claude's quick thinking, he barely managed to make an antidote. Mahatma's mother was sent to the dungeons. As for him, Tiana thanked him for helping her but asked why he did it?
"Because I don't want to see my brother cry anymore." Was his response and Claude was beyond shocked.
Over the years that Mahatma distant himself, he knew that Claude was hurting and didn't stand up for him. He blames himself as well as the cruel antics of his mother. That day of the poisoning, he already had plans to take his own life because he was tired of everything and felt the only way to atone for never standing up to protect Claude and for hurting him, was his life. During the time of recovery, he eventually confessed the real reason for doing it. Of course, Claude was pissed. Their relationship is still strained but has begun to be repaired over the years.
His class is Sword Master. The sword he wields is a relic that was discovered in an old ancient ruin in Almyran Ruin. The Sword is called the Blade of Koroghul. Inspired by a Persian Epic. Mahatma is also an expert in gathering information, that is why he commented that their father always goes to him to collect information. Like spying, infiltration, and such.
Mahatma and Inami will not be part of Part one of the main story. They will have a mention as well as flashbacks but that is it. They will make their full appearance between the time of the five-year time skip.