Let's try this again, shall we?

Jack blinked once, then twice.

A great blue sky greeted him, fluffy little clouds floating off into the horizon, with a great big sun slowly tipping down below the skyline.

"...Natalie?" Jack said, his voice sounding as if it was coming from a thousand miles away. "Natalie, are you still there? Can you hear me? Where…?"

Slowly but surely, Jack sat up, rubbing his forehead and closing his eyes for a few moments. It felt like he had just woken up from a long nap. Groggily, he stood up, his legs nearly failing him as he stumbled about, barely holding himself up long enough to lean against a tree.

A tree that shouldn't have been there, considering he had been in the middle of a college campus a few seconds prior, with no trees nearby. In fact, as he shook his head and looked up at it, even the colors were different. While the trees near his and his sister's college were dead and decrepit for the winter, the one he had found himself leaning against - and several dozen others - all had the same cool green hue, as if it was the middle of late summer or early fall.

"Ah, alright," Jack said, "the day just started, I haven't even touched the liquor yet, and I'm already in some place I don't remember going to. Good job, Jack. Excellent work, really. You couldn't have done better if you tried."

Sighing as he rubbed his forehead and got his bearings, he looked around a little farther, trying to get a sense for where he was. He still wore the same clothes, which was a good sign; a button-up plaid long-sleeved shirt, blue jeans, and converse. They didn't even look dirty, to Jack's admittedly poor eye for cleanliness.

"Alright, hang on- Natalie! Are you out there!?" Jack shouted, cupping his hands around his mouth. "If you're dead, just say so!"

There was no response, though his voice did carry decently far. He could hear it echoing through the forest - and a forest was what it was, though he had never truly been in one for comparison. It was trees, for almost as far as his eyes could see. Even so, he kept trudging along, trying not to slip on mud or stumble over branches like a moron. Eventually, however, the trees thinned out, and he could get a better look.

"I- Oh. Oh," whatever else Jack was about to say was cut off as he saw a giant castle in the distance. A distinctly familiar-looking castle.

Granted, he had only seen something like it briefly, during his time playing the game, but it almost looked exactly like-

Jack had to take a look again, and as he saw it in its entirety, the little cloud cover around it parting, his breath was taken away.

Marble-white towers held aloft large blue roofs stood sentinel over the pleasant landscape, like a scene out of a painting. The occasional tree or cloud cover only served to enhance the picturesque nature of the image. It was like Jack was looking into a painted world.

And it should have been a painted world, because he had played the chapter in which Lythos Castle was first revealed only a scant few hours prior.

Jack began lightly tapping his thigh as he began pacing.

"No. No no no no nooo my friend," Jack said, his voice breaking and shaking slightly. "That is not Lythos Castle. That is not Lythos Castle. You are not in Lythos. You are not in Elyos."

"But what if you are?" Jack replied, turning around. "You did just complete the game a few days ago. You saw the CG just a few hours ago. How do you explain that?"

Jack nodded before shaking his head and turning back. "That doesn't make any sense. It's crazy. Completely and utterly insane."

"A nice change of pace then. Maybe I should just be happy it's Elyos and not Tellius or Jugdral," Jack replied, scratching his chin.

Jack sneered. "Still a medieval place, you know. And Elyos isn't exactly where I wanna be."

"Diamant is pretty cool, though," Jack said.

Jack groaned. "Diamant does not a cool place make!"

"No, but it's better than nothing!" Jack replied, hanging his arms out to his side. "And besides, what else can this be? I was outside, walking through a college campus with my younger sister, then I just fell down without realizing it, closed my eyes without realizing it, and woke up in some field in the middle of nowhere, looking like it's summer? Get real, Jack! This ain't the U.S. of A anymore."

"Damnit, fine!" Jack exclaimed, turning around and looking at the ground, his hands tightening into fists. "We're in Elyos, then! Far away from civilization! Well, non-religious civilization. The game never said what kinda settlements are in Lythos."

Jack was silent for a moment, something snapping within him as he turned to Lythos Castle.

"You know what you gotta do," Jack whispered, "what you should do, at least."

"It's crazy, I know that," Jack continued, crossing his arms and taking a deep breath. "Hell, we might be days before, days after, or even years before or after Alear's awakening. What if the castle's abandoned? What if the people there don't allow you entry?"

Jack sighed. "Like we have any other choice. But it'd probably be a bad idea to stand on the sidelines, right?"

"What the hell am I even saying?" Jack said, closing his eyes so tightly he saw spots. "This is madness. If today is the day, there'll be a shit ton of people over there, with big swords and long spears. Maybe a few pegasus knights, if I remember correctly."

Jack took a deep breath. "Better to die quickly by someone else than stumble around this island for a week."

"Besides," Jack said, opening his eyes. "You're here now. No changing that unless this is somehow the most realistic dream you've ever had. Maybe we can make the most of this knowledge."

Jack snorted, "Do I really think I can do that? Eh, maybe it's worth a shot. I have no idea what I'll do when I get up there. If I get up there. Could die on the way there, who knows?"

"Only one way to find out," Jack said quietly, before marching forward toward Lythos Castle.

The sun quickly set over the land of Lythos as Jack moved forward. Lythos Castle was a lot farther away than he had anticipated, and his shoes weren't exactly meant for long climbs through rocky terrain. The only consolation was that it must've been Summer; even the night as warm and pleasant as it fell upon him. And above it all, an alien moon arose.

Jack looked up and squinted at it briefly. "...Why am I not surprised?"

Shaking his head, he continued onward. Soon enough, he came upon something that seemed vaguely familiar, if only because he remembered playing the first chapter of Engage only a few hours prior.

Weapons laid about a clear field, with a crescent-shaped scorch mark through the ground. Jack remembered that cutscene - if only faintly. It meant it was after the first chapter, which meant one of two other things. Either he was on the very night Queen Lumera would be killed by a mind-controlled Veyle, or it was long after, meaning he had missed his chance.

Jack grunted. "Might as well pick up something while I'm here. Not like I'll know how to use it, but it'd be better than nothing. Let's see…"

There were several axes, a couple swords - and Jack finally found what he was looking for. A spear stuck out of the ground several paces away from Lumera's scorch mark, tall and proud. He didn't trust himself with a heavy axe, or think he'd be able to wield a sword with much finesse. But what was to understand about stab-stab-stab?

The spear felt odd in his hands; he expected it to be heavier, but it was actually rather light. Just as well, as he had no place to store it. With that out of the way, Jack grunted and continued onward to Lythos Castle.

"Good Lord…" Jack cursed, coming to a stop at the broken gates of Lythos Castle. "I should've brought running shoes, something, anything… I-!"

An explosion from within the castle itself startled him out of his complaint session, as he held his spear close to him.

"W-was that Morse code for 'get the hell outta here, Jack'?" Jack asked no one in particular.

Another explosion rang out, somehow even more powerful than the last. The once beautiful blue tiles of the roof fell down around him as he heard the sound of fighting further within.

"I'll take that as a 'yes', but since I have the self-preservation skills of blind lemming, I guess I'll just…?" Jack whispered to himself, ushering himself into the castle gates and stumbling into the courtyard. "I- Oh, well then."

Bodies were around the courtyard, with twin statues of dragons facing away from each other still standing high above them. The ground was stained red with blood. Jack couldn't tell if they were the castle's defenders, Elusian soldiers, or a mixture of both. Queen Lumera could make Fabrications out of rocks and sticks after all, but the Elusians could have brought even more Corrupted with them as well. Anything could happen - it wasn't a game anymore.

That's what Jack would keep telling himself, at least. A part of him didn't want to believe what he was experiencing was real.

"I dunno, Jack," he hissed to himself, "the smell of blood in the air is a bit hard to fake."

Jack moved forward relentlessly, passing by countless bodies. It was any wonder Alear was able to sleep until almost the last minute when the sounds of fighting were loud even with Jack being so far away. He held his spear close to him, as if it was the only thing keeping him safe.

Nothing jumped out at Jack, even as he neared what must have been the chamber that held the rings. He didn't remember that map well; he could remember the narrow passage, but it was more like a bridge, with broken columns on either side blocking the way in multiple places. Then he remembered that there were pegasus knights on said map, and a moment later, he found one of the bodies. The creature looked exactly as he pictured; a white-furred horse, with wings attached to its sides. He felt himself shiver looking at the wounds on the poor thing.

It meant he was close, though, and so, he pushed forward, no matter how much his legs ached.

When Jack finally reached the entrance into the Ring Vault, he was nearly bowled over by a floating robed figure, who didn't even give him a passing look as she blew past. Even still, Jack heard the sound of something falling to the ground, delicate and crystalline.

He knew he was too late, and seeing the figures through the doorway, it was confirmed. He couldn't make out their features since he was so far away, but he could see-

"Goddamnit," Jack snarled, looking down at the ground to see a familiar object. The Draconic Time Crystal. One of the most useful items that Alear would have in their repertoire. He didn't know if it would work with someone who wasn't a Divine Dragon, or draconic in nature, but it was worth a shot.

Jack had nothing left to lose.

"Right! Well," Jack said, grabbing the crystal in his left hand and holding it up to his face. It felt oddly warm in his hands, and it pulsed like a heart. "How does this work? I, er, well-"

Jack shook it. Nothing happened.

"It cannot be difficult. Veyle somehow got it and she almost won that one time," Jack mumbled, shaking it again before moving his fingers around the red-blue crystal. "Is there something I'm not getting? Do I need to do-?"

Jack didn't know what he did, but something happened. It wasn't a conscious decision, but one that came from him nonetheless. He blinked, feeling vertigo hit him hard as he fell to the floor, trying desperately to keep his breakfast in his stomach.

After a few deep breaths, he hoisted himself to his feet and ran forward, his goal clear.

It wasn't too late. Not anymore. The Time Crystal had taken him back to his original position, but instead of gently walking, he began running. Jack could see them, so clear, illuminated by the unearthly light of dark magic. If his memory was correct, Alear was about to be struck by the magic before Lumera took the blow for him. He didn't know where the others with Alear were, but they weren't by his side, and they weren't close enough to Veyle to land a hit on her.

When he got to the threshold, he shouted.

"Hey!"

The hooded figure turned around, and Jack could just barely make out the red eyes beneath it, though nothing else. He had no experience with throwing spears or javelins or anything of the like, but what better way to test it out than in a life or death situation?

"Your never father loved ya, and he dresses ya funny!" Jack shouted, throwing the spear with all of his might.

To his credit, it sailed through the air reasonably far. If anyone had been to the far left of Veyle, it would have struck them dead on. Unfortunately, no one was there, and the spear clattered uselessly to the stone floor.

Jack blinked. "...Ah."

"If you wanted to die, you only had to ask, human."

Jack recognized that voice well, and hearing it so clearly sent a shiver down his spine. "W-well, I mean, when you wanna make an impression on someone, you really gotta hurt 'em where it counts- Oh, Jesus!"

A ring of dark energy swirled around him as he looked upward to see a smile that would live on in his nightmares for the rest of his life. The magic looked like black fire, and yet Jack felt strangely cold, as if all the life and fire was being drained out of him. He fell to his knees, holding his head and coughing.

It only lasted for a few seconds before a blast of pure, blue energy shot past him, and the spell dissipated. A few more seconds, Jack thought, and he'd be dead.

"Leave this place at once!" A woman shouted, her voice strange and flanged as he heard a grunt, and felt someone sail past him. He looked up briefly to see Veyle's red eyes staring down at him, before she vanished into the ruined night.

Jack looked down, his eyes firmly planted on the ground as he desperately tried to get his breathing under control. Sweat poured down his face and made his eyes sting. He was alive, and that was what mattered, but he could've done without the dark magic torture spell, or whatever it was.

"She's gone."

"I will sweep the castle, Queen Lumera. Just in case. Clanne! Framme! With me!"

"I'm glad he arrived when he did, but who is this?"

Jack raised a hand, looking to his left and right to see people walking past him as two others stood in front of him. He coughed.

"J-just a nobody! Just nobody," Jack said, "Nobody important, at least. Not like you."

"Do you need help? Here, take my hand."

Jack knew that voice. He'd heard it just a little while ago, though it was through the speakers of a Switch Lite, while he heard it in the flesh at that moment. He sighed and looked up, following the gloved hand to its source. Two-toned hair split down the middle, with individual strands of blue and red intermixed - Jack knew that it was unnatural, as no one within all of Fire Emblem had hair like that, and considering Alear's backstory, it made it more bearable when he had been playing the game. Jack had expected it to look like a wig, but the hair was too natural-looking to be even remotely like that. Despite the extravagant outfit, Alear looked exactly like a real person.

And Alfred was beside him, the blonde-haired prince with his circlet and fancy clothes - if it wasn't for the bloodstains, Jack would've thought he was attending a ball rather than going to battle. Which, considering what he remembered Alfred was there for, wasn't far off.

Despite himself, looking at the duo in front of him, Jack couldn't help but let out a humorless laugh.

"God!" he breathed out, "it really is you! And I thought I'd gotten used to the idea of being here, but here you are, and I… Oh, God."

"E-erm," Alear stuttered, "are you alright? I could hopefully get Framme back to heal you, if that's what you need."

Jack waved his hand before grasping Alear's out stretched one. "No. No, I don't think so. I'm fine, definitely better than what would've happened to your mother over there."

Alear raised a brow as he hoisted Jack up. "My mother? That attack was meant for me-"

"She would have-" Jack coughed again. "She would have pushed you out of the way, taken the blow for you, and died soon after."

When Jack saw Alear's skin pale to an almost unhealthy degree, and saw Alfred take a step back as if he had just been slapped across the face, he knew he had made a mistake.

"I-I don't mean to come across as absolutely crazy, I swear," Jack backpedaled, "It's- How do I put this? I have this stone right here, see?"

Jack held up the Draconic Time Crystal.

"I got here too late last time, so I used to turn back time. If I hadn't done that, Queen Lumera would have-!"

"I would have died?"

Jack felt the hairs on the back of his neck stand on end as Queen Lumera herself approached. She was slightly shorter than him, but the sheer grace and regality she was cloaked in made him feel like he should've bowed in her presence on principle alone. Jack took in a shuddering breath, feeling as if he would pass out at any moment.

"Yeah," Jack replied.

Lumera stood in front of him, eyeing the Draconic Time Crystal. "I had thought this lost forever. Where did you find it, young one?"

"She had it. The cloaked woman who attacked you," Jack said quickly, standing stock still. "She dropped it, I picked it up, and the rest is history."

"I see," Lumera said, closing her eyes for a moment. "Then it appears I should thank you for the distraction you provided. However, something else troubles you, yes? I can feel it."

"I… know more than I'm letting on, yeah," Jack said, looking to Alear, who had been pacing slightly ever since Lumera had stepped forward. "I know who you are, Divine Dragon. And I know you, too, Prince Alfred."

"Well, I guess that makes sense," Alfred said, hands on his hips and puffing his chest out. "Being crown prince, I'd be more surprised if you didn't know my name! And of course you know the Divine Dragon, too! Though I'm surprised you could get that just from looking at him."

"It's because I've seen you before. Both of you," Jack said, his voice wavering, as he held a hand over his mouth and wiped his face. "Y-you don't remember me, but I remember you."

"What do you mean by that?" Alear said, stepping forward. "I've been told that royalty visited me as I was sleeping, but you… no offense, but you don't seem like royalty."

"Well, because I was with you every step of your journey, of course," Jack replied, "as I was with Marth, with Alm and Celica, with Sigurd-"

Alear's eyes widened before raising his hand. Marth's Emblem Ring shined upon his finger, a golden band with a brilliant blue gem inlaid.

"Marth?" Alear called.

Jack jumped visibly when he saw a phantom merely burst into existence by Alear's side. It was Marth, alright - Emblem Marth, at least. He felt Marth's blue eyes zero in on him, analyzing him for a few seconds before turning to Alear.

"I do not recognize this man," Marth said, "and I doubt my memory is failing me now. I remember everyone who fought alongside me."

"Then how-?" Alear began, before being interrupted.

"Perhaps we should continue this conversation soon," Lumera said suddenly, clasping her hands together. "It is clear to me that you are near delirium; dark magic would do that to anyone. And as Lythos Castle has been compromised, we shall go to the Somniel."

"The Somniel?" Alfred asked, shocked. "I-I thought that we only visited that place for very specific-!"

"I understand your hesitance, Prince Alfred, but I see little other choice. We were able to repel these attackers now, but we should not wait around while they might be planning another assault," Lumera said stiffly, before giving the prince a warm smile. "Besides, the Somniel is now the safest place we can stay. And I would like to speak to our new friend here, away from any possible interruptions."

The way Lumera assumed such a commanding role, Jack didn't know whether he should admire her or be scared of her. He shook his head.

"W-whatever you want. Or need. Or whatever. I don't- You should know that I do not follow your religion. I'm not… I'm not from here," Jack finished. "So, I am sorry if an infidel like me treading on holy ground is offensive."

Alfred tilted his head. "Are you Elusian?"

Jack sighed. "No. I'm American."

Alfred hummed. "Uh huh. I've never heard of those guys before."

Waving a hand, Jack said, "You wouldn't. They aren't important."

"Whatever your religion is, I think you would be safest with us," Lumera said, "I can offer you protection in exchange for saving me, and for any information you have to offer us. Do you find this agreeable?"

Lumera offered her hand. Jack looked down at it, his heart thumping his throat as he finally returned to his senses, grasped it, and shook it.

"This is either the best decision I've ever made," Jack said, half to himself and half to Lumera. "Or the worst. And I don't think I'll ever figure out which."

Jack had completely forgotten how Alear and his army were able to occupy the Somniel. It was a floating island far above the land of Lythos, after all, and Elyos didn't seem to have air capabilities beyond wyverns, griffins, and pegasi, which were all mostly one-person mounts. Of course, in a world of magic, anything was possible.

By the time he stumbled out of the teleportation spell and looked around, he marveled at the state of the floating fortress. Exquisite brickwork and blue-tiled roofs, almost exactly like those at Lythos Castle, topped the fortress. And what a fortress it was - there was precious little that would be able to get through those walls if the Somniel was ever ground, Jack realized. The only weakness was that it was vulnerable to a combined air assault, although the likelihood of that was virtually nil, if the game was to be believed.

What happened next was all a blur in Jack's mind. He was guided to what would eventually become the cafe, and left on a chair as the others went about their business. He was thankful for that; he was liable to begin babbling if any of them got close. No doubt Alfred was going over his country's plight with Alear and Lumera. With her living, perhaps she would lead the charge instead of Alear himself, though somehow, Jack doubted that. If he remembered correctly, Lumera had very little of her power left, and she had even gifted her sword to Alear - Jack had seen it by Alear's side.

Jack couldn't tell if he had fallen asleep at some point, or if he had merely zoned out into his own world before the sun rose over the distant horizon, bathing the Somniel in its brilliant golden rays. Such a beautiful sight was welcome even as he yawned and stretched on the metal chair. His back hurt and his legs were sore beyond imagining, but his scatterbrained head had come under his control again.

"Ah, you are finally awake!" said a voice just in front of him. Jack turned and saw Queen Lumera in far less extravagant clothing than her usual Divine Dragon attire, adopting a conservative blue dress, but still wearing a crown on her head.

By her side stood Vander and Alear. Alear wore a stripped down version of his usual attire, while Vander was still in massive plate armor - and now that he had a good look at the wizened knight, Jack suddenly felt like what was going to be called an interview was more like an interrogation. Although Jack doubted they would hurt him, and perhaps he was misinterpreting the message, he couldn't help but feel threatened.

"Is something troubling you?" Vander asked.

"A-ah, no, no. Not at all," Jack stammered out. Vander's voice was deep, yet there wasn't a trace of hostility within it. "Just, uh, sleeping on a metal chair, not the most comfortable thing in the world, you know? Not that I'm complaining about a place to sleep. Especially a place like this."

"I could have offered you my bed, if you'd wanted it. I wasn't getting any more sleep last night," Alear said, bowing his head slightly. "Although before I could ask, you were already asleep."

"Divine One, that is…" Vander shook his head. "Whatever the circumstances, we do have questions for you."

"It would be prudent to get to that. Thank you, Vander," Lumera said, taking a seat in front of Jack. "Allow me to thank you once again for your intervention yesterday. Were it not for you, I would likely not be sitting here this morning."

Jack saw Alear looking down at that, a thoughtful expression on his face.

"Don't-" Jack said before coughing into his fist awkwardly. "Don't thank me. I don't deserve it. I made an absolute fool of myself."

"You do not have combat experience," Vander pointed out. "I can see that plainly, but nonetheless you took up a weapon and tried to save someone. That is admirable, if not foolhardy considering the power of our foe."

"It was foolhardy, but I guess I couldn't just let her die," Jack mumbled, leaning forward in his chair. "I knew what would happen the minute I got here. Her death would've been on my conscience. It was selfish, but I guess I couldn't help myself."

"The minute you got here," Alear repeated. "I spoke with Marth and Sigurd before we came here, and neither of them say they remember someone like you. I have to admit, I am curious. I will… I will always be thankful for you saving my mother, but I want to know more. We want to know more. Who are you? Where did you come from? How do you know all of this?"

Jack sighed and looked between the three people sitting before him, wondering how exactly he would be able to explain.

Lumera's eyes softened. "Is there something wrong?"

"I'm trying to think of a way I can explain it to you," Jack replied, hand on his chin.

Vander scoffed. "I hope you can find a better way to phrase that sentence."

"It's not a question about how smart or stupid someone is," Jack said, his brow twitching. "It's like… trying to explain and describe color to someone who has been blind their entire life. Without context, it's… difficult. I think I can give an example, though."

Jack looked to the side out into the outside world, and pointed. "Say that there are a dozen invaders in the Somniel, and you all go out to protect it. Let us say that you are not really people, more like… chess pieces on a board, with faces. I move you into position to repel the invaders, trying my best to keep the pieces under my control from falling in battle, and eventually succeed. The battle ends, and you all talk among yourselves like I am not even there at all. Do you follow so far?"

Lumera stared straight ahead, and Jack couldn't tell if it was because she was hopelessly lost or if she was parsing everything he had said. Alear seemed perplexed, tilting his head and looking to where Jack had been pointing as if visualizing it all still. Vander, meanwhile, shook his head and rubbed the bridge of his nose.

"It's like a story from a book, except I have limited control over the characters," Jack said, "and it plays out like a moving picture in front of me. That- that might be easier to comprehend."

"What sort of magical device would allow you to do such a thing?" Lumera asked, her voice low.

"A mythical device known as a Nintendo Switch, trademarked," Jack replied, "it's not really magic but, well, considering what it can do compared to what you all have, it might as well be."

"This is a lot to take in," Alear said, taking a deep breath. "I have had a lot of things happen in such a short few hours."

"You and me both, pal," Jack snorted.

"You mean to tell me that your country has the power to play games with people's lives?" Vander asked pointedly. "That sounds… ridiculous, and yet here you are."

Jack shrugged. "Until yesterday evening, I didn't even realize you all existed. When I found myself in front of Lythos Castle, I… I guess I had to do something. And here we are. Lumera was fated to die in that castle last night. And me making a fool of myself was enough to save her."

"You knew of that event, then, before it happened," Lumera said, placing her elbows on the table and laying her head in her folded hands. "And do you know of other events, before they happen?"

"Yes," Jack replied, "I do. After you died, Alear would take up your sword as the Divine Dragon, and work to gather the twelve Emblem Rings before Sombron. Or in the case of the five his daughter stole from the Vault, reclaim them."

"Sombron's daughter?" Lumera repeated, her eyes widening.

"Shit," Jack swore.

"...yes, that would make sense." Lumera murmured, "That was Fell energy coming from her. She was a dragon. I did not think any had survived except-"

Lumera shook her head. "That will be a conversation for another time. Though it is… concerning that you know so much, I see no reason why we should not work together."

Jack shrugged again. "It's not like I have anywhere else to go."

"Hang on just a moment," Alear said, moving his hands forward. "If you saw this entire war play out - Sombron's revival, mother dying - do you know me? Can you tell me what I will be like?"

Lumera looked from Alear to Jack, her gaze iron-clad. Luckily for her, Jack thought, he had no intention of giving away every secret.

There were some things that other people should say, when they were ready.

"You are stronger than you know," Jack said, "and a born leader. You will gather the Emblem Rings, and Sombron will be defeated."

Alear let out a shuddering breath as he slumped back in his chair, tapping the table with his fingers rhythmically. "That's… that's good. Good to know."

"It'd take a really long time to go over what I know," Jack continued, "but I have faith, and not the kind of faith that Vander or Framme or Clanne have in you. No offense."

Vander stared down at Jack with half-lidded eyes. "None taken."

"I have faith that you'll still grow into that role. Perhaps even less painfully than you did in the stories I saw," Jack finished. "You did it once before, and you'll do it again. I'm not sure if that'll help, but it's the best I can give you right now."

"I appreciate it, truly I do," Alear said.

"Before we conclude," Lumera said, "I must know… what becomes of Sombron's daughter? Where did she go?"

Jack pressed his lips tightly together before sighing. "I guess now's as good a time as any to nip that one in the bud. Her name is Veyle. Right now, she's probably hiding out in Firene, trying to find the Emblem Rings hidden there. There is one caveat, though."

"Do not keep us in suspense," Vander said.

"She's not herself. She's being mind-controlled," Jack continued, "the personality that would have killed you in Lythos Castle is not her true one. When you go to Firene to collect the rings from its royals, Alear, you will encounter her as she really is - a bright and cheerful young girl who is hopelessly out of her depth. You will avoid a lot of nastiness if you do not let her out of your sight."

"How will I know who she is? She was wearing a cloak," Alear said, "and she's frighteningly powerful, if she could… could kill mother. How will I get her to come with us?"

"By asking her nicely?" Jack suggested.

"If she is as kind as you say she is, that might work," Lumera agreed. "It is as good a plan as any, for now."

Lumera stood up, before freezing in place while looking Jack in the eye.

"It occurs to me that I haven't asked for your name," Lumera said, "I apologize for that. Here we are, asking so much of you when we do not even know what to call you."

Jack sighed. "The name's Jack, Queen Lumera. Just Jack."

"I see," Lumera said, smiling. "Thank you, Jack. And welcome to Elyos."

Vander and Lumera stood up, while Alear stayed.

"I want to stay and speak with him for a little while," Alear stated, "Can we talk later, mother? Alone?"

"Of course, my child, take as long as you need. Just… be careful," Lumera said, looking at Jack as she said the final part.

"I don't think I have anything to worry about," Alear replied, "at least, I hope I don't."

"You don't," Jack confirmed, "even if I wanted to hurt you, I couldn't. You're probably much stronger than I am."

Alear laughed at that. "I don't know. You look strong enough to me."

"Fighting isn't all about strength," Jack replied, snorting. Neither had noticed that Vander and Lumera had already departed, though Vander kept an eye on them while they remained seated. "I mean, I'm unarmed."

Alear tilted his head. "You look plenty armed to me."

"Is that- you did not just do that. That is illegal," Jack said, sitting up. "Illegal, even for religious figures."

Alear stood up. "Would you like to explore the Somniel with me? You told Alfred that you aren't from anywhere in Elyos, and I think I'd like to hear more about this- what did you call it? I believe you called yourself an 'American'."

Jack blinked. "Is there any reason why you want me to come with you, specifically? I'm sure those two twin stewards of yours would be better guides, or maybe even Alfred and his retainers would do."

Alear looked nervously to the sunrise outside. "Perhaps. But… well, I'll tell you about it as we explore. Does that sound alright to you?"

Jack looked from left to right, as if he was about to be accosted by the Divine Dragon fanclub. He didn't know what Alear was playing at, or if Alear was playing at anything at all, and he didn't know why that unnerved him a bit.

Jack shrugged and stood up. "Fair enough. It's not like I was going to do anything with the rest of my morning, anyway."

Lemme preface this by saying that this has nothing to do with my currently ongoing series also involving an SI of mine from a game farther back in the timeline lol. I cannot stress that enough. Don't bother asking if any of the characters from there will show up, because they won't.

Anyway, uh, yeah, I guess Engage kinda clicked with me, somehow? Which is weird because I was determined that I wouldn't get sucked in, but that game is so fucking genuine that I can't help but like it despite the obvious writing faults. And so, here we are.

Anyway, that's all I really have to say. I don't wanna go into too much detail about my thought processes because I'm liable to start talking about spoilers, so instead I'll leave you with a link to our Discord server, where we talk about games, fics, and all sorts of bullshit!

Here it is: discord. gg/u89gs745fn

With all of that outta the way, see you guys next time!