The second to last chapter is on. Well, second to last bonus chapter that is. The epilogue should be after this one, and maybe I'll have Arianna and Trent get married at the beginning of the sequel if I come up with one. I have a few other fics that I ought to try to finish before I attempt to do a sequel, though.
Some of the details here may not be canon. And there are spoilers for the post-game side quest: When a star wishes upon you.
Disclaimer: The Dragon Quest series is created by Square.
Chapter XXXIII: When A Star Wishes Upon You...
While sleeping that night, Arianna began to have a strange dream. One of the stars in the sky shone brighter than the others, and in the dream, she swore she heard a voice calling to her.
This lasted until she woke early. Puzzled at what she just heard in the dream, she walked down to the lobby. Trent had woken early to go train a bit with his sword a few minutes prior, so she simply walked towards the exit when the Celestrian heard a voice"Arianna."
"Hm?" The Celestrian turned to see a winged woman with short silver hair and green eyes. She wore a black top with two black detached sleeves starting at the upper part of her arms, a choker and a skirt followed by a violet waist cape underneath.
"Arianna, can you hear me?" asked the winged woman.
The Violet-haired Celestrian nodded and asked quietly"Who are you?"
The older being replied"I am Pavo, a Celestrian. You appear to be the same being as I... Yet with no halo or wings. Ah. Pardon me, I have a request for you, will thou lesson?"
Arianna nodded"I'll do my best, what do you want me to do?"
"I have sensed it, you must have sensed the same thing in your dreams, I can feel it. A star has glistened in the sky, more so than the others. I ask that you seek the mythical Prayer Pearl and go see Lady Celestria. Can I ask this of you?" inquired Pavo.
Arianna thought for a moment"I would love to help, but I'm trying to help King Zenus at present. I must go to the final grotto, the Water Crypt of Glee. After my business is complete, I will take care of your request."
"And I would be grateful, but that very grotto is where you may be able to find the Prayer Pearl. I cannot explain how I know, I just sense it. Good luck" spoke Pavo, withdrawing into the shadows.
Arianna shrugged, not knowing what to think of what she had just heard and walked outside. Trent was finishing his early-morning training when he saw her"Hey, good morning."
"Morning, there's something we need to do" said Arianna.
"What's that?" asked the blond swordsman.
The Celestrian replied"While we must find the Water Crypt of Glee, I got a request from someone called Pavo to seek a treasure called the Prayer Pearl, and I have to bring it to Lady Celestria. Supposedly, the pearl lies there as well."
Trent was puzzled"Who's Pavo?"
"She is a Celestrian, but I don't know how she's still here since all the other Celestrians became stars in the sky. Anyway, let's get the others" said Arianna, heading back inside with the Gladiator.
Conad, Sasha, Raymond and Alicia were in the parlor talking while Erinn and Patty were making breakfast. Sellma was reading a book at a table opposite of the seasoned Adventurers.
"Hey, what's the plan for day?" asked Conrad, seeing the pair.
Trent replied"We'll look for the Water Crypt of Glee. We learned there is something some called the Prayer Pearl, which could be found there."
"Sounds like more adventure for us" grinned the brunette Ranger.
The group talked until Erinn came over to their table"We thought you guys would like some fruit salad for breakfast. How's that? Patty, Sellma and I will be eating with you."
"Oh, morning. That sounds great, Erinn" smiled Arianna.
Patty came over with a huge plate of salad and the group got separate dishes to put a portion of salad on for themselves. As they ate, there was little small talk, save for Arianna explaining to Erinn what she'll be doing.
The innkeeper smiled"Well, good luck. I will stay here at the inn, this time. I need to keep up with my work."
"Me too" chimed Patty.
Trent addressed Arianna"Guess its the same old gang, then."
"Yes, and I wouldn't have it any other way" acknowledged Arianna.
The group finished breakfast and returned to the lobby. Arianna studied the treasure map and was surprised to learn that the location for the water crypt was only a short distance from Angel Falls.
"So we need to head for the hill near Angel Falls, again" mussed Sasha.
Trent nodded"So how will we go this time?"
Arianna squared her shoulders"Let's just use a Chimera Wing."
The group teleported away from Stornway after going outside the inn and landed outside Angel Falls. Heading up the hill to the left, Arianna headed straight until she sensed a invisible flight of stairs and stopped.
"Is this it?" asked Alicia.
"I think so" replied Arianna, heading down.
The group came to an underground cavern with water streams and platforms. Trent glanced around"This place looks like some kind of underground waterway, guess that's why its called a crypt."
"All right, let's stay alert" said Arianna, leading the way.
The group proceeded down the underground cavern, across the platforms which took them across the streams of water. As they headed to the far side of the chamber, several skeleton soldiers and a prime slime awaited them.
Trent drew his sword"Monsters just don't know when to quit."
"Let's show them what we're made of" Sasha charged and stabbed a Skeleton soldier. Two more slashed at the Paladin, who barely managed to dodge. Conrad shot one skeleton soldier long enough for Sasha to stab it. Raymond took down three more with a Kaboom spell.
Trent turned his attention to the Prime Slime, a slime knight on a yellowish giant slime and used Falcon Slash. The monster retaliated with a swing of its blades, which Trent barely managed to dodge. Arianna focused magic power into her blade and finished the Prime Slime with Gigaslash.
"I think there's a staircase up ahead" pointed Conrad.
Arianna nodded and led the way, heading down the staircase. The next chamber contained only two Cyber Spiders, which they easily bested before going down the corridor. Trent addressed Arianna"These guys are just mostly small fry, huh?"
"So far, but that all the more makes me suspect the grotto guardian will be even more formidable" acknowledged the Celestrian.
The journey through the next couple passageways took them to a large chamber with water on either side of the room. A cat-like humanoid stood guard there with a sword, looking similar to Goresby-Purrvis, only with a darker color scheme.
"What the heck?" Trent took up a stance and reached for his blade.
The monster sneered"I am Excalipurr, once an essence of the Almighty before we were split into different beings such as Nemean, Equinox, Fowleye and Hammibal. Do you dare challenge me?"
"If that's what it takes" quipped Trent.
However, even as they spoke, several Cybercrabs and a Prime Slime emerged. Trent readied himself"I'll get Excalipurr while you guys take the rest of these monsters."
"You're not fighting him alone" protested Arianna.
"I care not" snarled Excelipurr, unleashing a flurry of slashes at the pair. Trent and Arianna dodged and rushed to counter, only to be forced to jump back to avoid a horizontal slash.
Conrad shot a Cyberspider, while Sasha stabbed another and Raymond cast spells at the encroaching monsters. A Cyberspider narrowly bit Sasha when she dodged and countered with her lance. Conrad darted around a Cyberspider and shot it in the side. Alicia held back to heal her allies when needed and occasionally cast an attack spell whenever a monster got to close.
Trent darted forward and stabbed at Excalipurr. The monster jumped back and slashed at Trent, only for Arianna to slash Excalipurr in the side. The humanoid hissed and jumped back to counter with multistrike. The pair jumped back and darted at the monster from two sides. Excalipurr jumped over them and brought his sword swinging downward.
Sasha wiped out another Cyberspider before being harassed by a Prime Slime. The Paladin blocked each of its sword strokes as best she could before rolling out of the way of another sword strike. In a desperate move, Sasha hurled her lance at the slime's rider, knocking it down. Conrad helped finish the slime before going to retrieve the Paladin's lance for her.
Alicia blasted the other Prime Slime before having to dodge a sword slash. Raymond turned and cast Crack on the Prime Slime, which countered by leaping up and attempting to slam down on the male Sage, who quickly jumped out of the way.
Trent deflected the blow from Excalipurr and countered with a Falcon Slash. The monster stabbed in retaliation, only for Trent to dodge that and attack with another Falcon Slash. Arianna swung her sword from behind Excalipurr, who jumped over and countered with a Multistrike.
"Kaboom!" Raymond cast his strongest spell at the Primeslime, causing the creature to melt into thin air. Sasha and Conrad worked together to eliminate the remaining Cyspiders, taking minor hits in the process.
"Multi-Heal!" Alicia healed Trent, Conrad, Sasha and Arianna before jumping back to avoid a stab aimed at her just from Excalipurr. Trent took the opportunity to slash at the monster's chest. Excalipurr staggered and thrust at the blond Gladiator.
"He's not playing around, that's for sure" remarked Conrad, shooting an arrow at the monster. The Grotto guardian jumped over the arrow and slashed downward at the Ranger. Arianna caught him off guard with Falcon Slash, prompting Excalipurr to retaliate with Multislash.
"That does it" Arianna channeled energy into her blade"Gigaslash!"
The wave of energy pierced Excalipurr, stunning him long enough for Trent to stab him. The defeated Grotto Guardian collapsed.
"Man, I wonder what's on the far side of the chamber, this time. That was too close" breathed Trent.
Arianna walked over to a treasure chest and opened it, revealing the contents to be purplish-white pearls. Trent walked over"This was the last grotto, I guess. But what are these pearls? Are they what we're looking for?"
Arianna nodded as she took the pearls and put them in her pocket"Yes, let's go see Lady Celestria."
The group used Evac to leave the grotto and summoned the Starflight Express to transport them to the Realm of the Almighty. As soon as they disembarked, the group walked to the Palace where Celestria waited.
"My lady, I have something I need to show you" Arianna curtsied as she took out the pearl.
Celestria glanced at the item in the Celestrian's hand"Ah. This is the prayer pearl, correct? I can sense its power."
"Pavo told me to get it to you. And we defeated the last of the Grotto Guardians" acknowledged Arianna.
Celestria smiled"You did well, King Zenus's essences will eventually regain their sanity and transform into a single being once more. It may take some time for that to occur, but perhaps my father's view on Mortals has changed due to your actions. You have released the Almighty's energy by vanquishing those monsters. There is one more task to be done, should you accept."
"What must we do?" asked Arianna.
The Goddess replied"I will transport you to the Realm of Memories. There, you can change one of your fellow Celestrians' destiny through the mystic power of the prayer pearl. Perhaps there is something the spirit in the star glistening above is yearning for. The pearl's power can even work miracles."
"I accept" nodded Arianna, thinking back to her deceased master and only father figure she had since her real father had vanished.
"I'm going with you, Arianna. If that is okay" piped the Gladiator.
Celestria nodded"Very well then, only the two of you may enter the realm of memory. The rest of your companions may wait in the Starflight Express. Take due care, for by altering the past, you affect the present."
Trent nodded and stood by Arianna as Celestria cast a spell on the pair, transporting them out of sight. Alicia addressed the Goddess"Will they be all right?"
"They will, just wait for them" replied Celestria.
Alicia nodded, and went with Conrad, Sahsa and Raymond back to the train.
Trent and Arianna had been engulfed in a golden light and materialized in the Observatory. Arianna led the way, holding Trent's hand as she helped guide him through the invisible-to-his-eyes realm. They eventually saw two familiar Celestrians talking. One had blond hair and the other was bald.
"Master, I don't understand. Why do we help the mortals? Even the Almighty doesn't care for them due to their evil" said the bald Celestrian.
The blond replied"I have faith in the Mortals, but it is up to you what to believe in, Aquila."
As the blond Celestrian left, Arianna walked over to the bald winged man"Master Aquila."
The bald Celestrian turned, startled to see the purple-haired girl"Who are you? How did you get in? And how do you know of me? Mortals don't usually come to this sacred place. This is impossible..."
The purple-haired Celestrian spoke"I am your apprentice from the future, Arianna. This may seem a little far-fetched, so I don't blame you if you don't believe me."
Aquila hesitated as he thought to himself'Could this be just an illusion? Did I not sleep enough, last night?'
Trent stood back while Arianna handed the pearl over to the bald Celestrian. Aquila was puzzled"What is this?"
The purple-haired Celestrian replied"I've been told it is the Prayer Pearl, a sort of miracle item. It can change your fate if you want through the simple power of a prayer, or so I've heard."
Aquila was silent for a moment as she shook his head to clear his thoughts and put the pearl in his pocket"I shall have to take your word for it. I... have great difficulty with accepting my master's thoughts on Mortals, so I cannot claim to believe what you say. And if I ever do have a pupil, I will teach him or her the way of the Observatory before all else."
Arianna nodded before she and Trent were teleported away by another ball of light. The pair returned to the present and found themselves in front of the Starflight Express. The blond addressed the Celestrian"How long ago was that?"
"My guess is that was the last time Corvus and my master talked, three-hundred years ago. Corvus was Master Aquila's teacher, as I am sure you already know" replied Arianna.
Celestria approached"You have successfully altered the future a bit, the change should be most noticeable if you go back to Angel Falls. The Prayer Pearl has worked its magic, go and see for yourself."
Arianna nodded and boarded the express with Trent to return once more to Angel Falls. As the group headed into the town, they found a familiar bald-headed man with a celestrial outfit standing near the guardian statue.
"Isn't that...?" Trent trailed off.
Arianna knew who it was and addressed the man"Master Aquila?"
The man, who had been standing before the statue, turned to face the group"Arianna. I owe you this time."
"Master? Are you referring to the prayer pear? Your wings and halo are gone too, aren't they?" Arianna asked, astonished.
Aquila nodded"When I faced King Godwyn and we stabbed each other, I remembered the Prayer pearl. I prayed using that gem's power that I wouldn't bring any more sadness to those closest to me. My life was spared, so I was able to defeat the Gittish King and still live. After you defeated Corvus and the other Celestrians became stars in the sky, however, Lady Celestria told me that due to my sins, I am to live the rest of my life as a mortal."
"Whoa, Celestria sounds kind of harsh, there" remarked Trent.
"Be that as it may, I now understand why my master was devoted to the mortals before he lost himself in his anguish, having spent the last few days living here as a mortal. I realize that the strange travelers who gave me the pearl three-hundred years ago was you and Arianna, for that I'm grateful" acknowledged the older Celestrian.
"Um. Hey, why don't you join us as a fellow adventurer? Patty's place could always use more adventurers and warriors to hire to help people" suggested Arianna.
Aquila pondered for a moment"I've nothing better to do, so I will take you up on your offer."
"Thanks, master" smiled Arianna.
"I cannot call myself your master any longer, you are allowed to call me by my name from here on now" spoke the older Celestrian.
The group, accompanied by Aquila, headed for the Quester's Rest. Erinn, Pavo and Patty were waiting for them. The innkeeper smiled"Good to see you again, Arianna. Who is this?" she asked, referring to Aquila.
"He's my teacher, Aquila" spoke Arianna.
"Pleasure to meet your acquaintance" acknowledged Aquila, going to speak with Pavo.
"Brother?" The dark-haired Celestrian addressed him.
"Yes, Pavo. It is I" replied Aquila.
"You two know each other?" asked Trent.
The male former Celestrian turned"Pavo is my twin sister, but we were opposites due to our beliefs."
"But we are no longer opposites, are we? Arianna, you may rely on my brother and I for help anytime" smiled Pavo.
Arianna smiled back"Thank you."
Aquila addressed the group"I will remain in Stornway until my services are required. Arianna, you've truly grown stronger."
"Thanks, master" acknowledged the purple-haired Celestrian.
That's it, the chapter before the last. I'll post the last chapter, tomorrow. I know the post-game in Dragon Quest IX itself is endless, but I needed to end this fic somehow/someway.
Please review if you'd like.