"So the capital is named 'Kering'?" Jack asked, walking alongside Etie as the rolling fields of Firene stretched out before them.

Etie nodded, jostling the bow slung across her back slightly. "Yeah. Biggest city in Elyos if you can believe that. That just means there's more of it to patrol, though. Not that I'm complaining."

Jack wiped the gathering sweat from his brow. "And it's all on an island, too? Kinda reminds me of the Imperial City."

"Thought you knew all about Elyos already," Etie said, crossing her arms briefly. "But you don't know the name of the capital? What, did those stories of yours or something just not get into it?"

Shrugging, Jack replied, "Think of Elyos as… as a big, highly detailed miniature. I could see the broad strokes like how the continent is shaped, and occasionally I'd get glimpses of what some places look like, but beyond that? Nothing."

"You have some pretty selective powers," Etie remarked."What's the 'Imperial City'? Sounds important."

Jack waved a hand. "It's not really important. Just a city in… another story I read. What're the names of the other capitals?"

Etie whistled. "I wasn't expecting a quiz today. Am I really the only person you could be asking this?"

"You're the only one willing to talk to me right now," Jack pointed out. "Alear's still giving me the silent treatment, Prince Alfred and Princess Céline are up at the front, and Veyle's still at the Somniel. I guess I could ask Louis or Chloé, but you're here right now."

Etie tilted her head. "What about Boucheron?"

"I don't even know where he is- do you not know? If you don't know them all, then I'll stop," Jack offered.

"No, no, you asked. You're not from around here so it can't hurt to tell you," Etie said, "Well, Brodia Castle and Brodia's capital are separate - you know, all that fighting they do up there. I think the capital itself is called Geod, but I've never been there. For Elusia, you have Horticul, but obviously I've never been there either. And for Solm, keep with me now, alright?"

Jack nodded, paying close attention.

"It's pronounced 'Serenissima', got it?" Etie said.

"Right. Serenissma," Jack replied.

Etie shook her head. "No, you said it wrong - Ser, e, niss, ima. Got it? Try again."

Jack wiped the sweat from his forehead again. "Ser-e-niss-ima. Serenissima."

Etie clapped. "There you go! Working out the brain's just as important as the body."

Rubbing the back of his neck, Jack mumbled, "Why do I get the feeling you're mocking me?"

"Because you've spent too much time with people who like mocking others," Etie replied, snorting. "I'm serious, that name is half the reason Solm is so secretive even at the best of times. They don't want foreigners mispronouncing it all the time."

"Have they thought about renaming it?" Jack asked, brows furrowed.

Etie bellowed a laugh that was almost unbelievable coming from her slight figure. "Yeah, and erase over a thousand years of history. Well, to them, it'd be like that. It's named after the last name of the first royal family, I think? That's about all I know, though."

"Hold on, first?" Jack repeated. "First royal family? There's been more than one?"

"Well, yeah. Did you really expect there to be a royal line that lasts a thousand years?" Etie asked back. "Even Firene has had more than a few rebellions, though it's pretty peaceful around here most of the time. You'd probably run out of fingers if you counted how many times Brodia has overthrown their royal family. The guys up there now have only been around for around a hundred years, I think."

"You know a lot about this; why were you so hesitant to tell me about it?" Jack said.

Etie shrugged. "Because I'm not a teacher, I guess? Like I said, exercise your mind like you exercise your body and life'll be a lot easier. Maybe you should find a book while we're in the capital, read up on things around here, 'cause it's clear your future vision isn't gonna get you through day to day life."

Jack nodded along. "I think I understand, yeah. Thank you, Etie. I didn't realize there was so much to everything. It's so much more different when you're actually there, I guess."

"Kinda like getting trapped in a book for you, right? Don't tell Chloé that; you'll never peel her off you again," Etie commented.

Jack shivered. "...yeah."

When Jack saw Firene Castle for the first time, his jaw nearly dropped to the floor. Memories of his time living in Germany in particular came to the forefront - except he had only visited ruined castles back then, crumbling away into dust. This was the first time he had seen one in its heyday.

The castle itself was in the middle of a large, sloped island, like a crown atop a head. The city of Kering itself surrounded the castle, with walls on all sides that protected it. A great bridge from the shore led to the island, with the surrounding countryside still as scenic and lovely as ever. Old, white fences lined the shoreline, and with the great blue sky above, the picture was complete.

"The castle and capital seem pretty quiet," Alear noted, his hand on Libération's pommel. "Did we get here before the Elusians did? Jack?"

"No, that means they're already inside," Jack said, turning to Alear. "I don't know how they managed it in the story, but you said almost the exact same thing there."

"It must have been our knights, or the lack thereof," Céline noted, her hands turning white due to her harsh grip on her tome. "A good portion of them are out in the country fighting the Corrupted hordes. Kering and the castle would only be left with a skeleton garrison at the most."

"They want the Emblem Ring, which you already have," Jack pointed out, "so long as they think it's in the castle, they won't kill Queen Ève. And since the entire capital hasn't erupted in bloodshed, I'd say we're right on time."

"Or we're too late and they've already left- no, that's not what's happened here. Let's just get in there before they get a chance to figure it out," Alfred ordered, "If what you said is true, then we should have a clear shot at the castle regardless. Let's go."

The city of Kering was no doubt beautiful, but without it bustling with people, it looked wrong. The stonework, so similar to Lythos Castle the closer they got to Kering's center, had its own artistic and utilitarian flair to it. It made sense that, being such a religious country, that even the architecture would be inspired by Lythos, but even then Jack half-expected to see rolling fields of blue-green grass, or perhaps Queen Lumera would pop up out of nowhere with an army of Fabrications at her beck and call.

Though the city was bereft of activity, that did not mean there were no signs of struggle. Slashes against the walls, discarded weapons, signs of spellcraft - all of them were present, though oddly enough, there was not a single body. It was as if the dead simply vanished. Jack knew, according to Céline, that there was only a small garrison still maintaining the security of Firene Castle and Kering, but even then, he expected there to be something.

The clear question was definitely getting to the heads of the group; Alear, Alfred, and Céline were at the head of the charge into Firene Castle. Though the great doors into the hall were already burst open, Jack had little doubt that had they not been, those three would have torn them down with their bare hands.

Jack gasped at the scene before them, once he had entered.

Blood stained the great hall, with the bodies of Firenese soldiers being collected near the doors that led further in. Between the group and the doors, however, stood a dozen Elusian soldiers, clad in plate mail featuring the Kingdom of Knowledge's emblem.

Zephia, Queen Ève, and the Elusian general that Jack had forgotten the name of were nowhere to be found.

"Firenese stragglers! Gut 'em!" Jack heard one of the soldiers shout, and before long, the battle was on.

Jack finally had some experience with combat - enough to keep himself alive, at least. He'd even killed two Corrupted by himself. But he knew, deep down, that there'd be a world of difference between a strong but stupid Corrupted, and a fully capable and well-trained human soldier. That difference became immediately apparent once he fought the first Elusian soldier to challenge him.

She wielded a sword, and was wearing plate mail with leather padding. Jack didn't bother to look at anything else about her; she was an enemy soldier, she signed up for it, and she was invading another country.

Thinking about it would only make it harder, after all.

Jack had the advantage from the onset; the soldier wielded a sword, and he, a spear. It didn't take long for Jack to put his training to use. He kept her from charging at him with the sword, feinting strikes against her to keep her from getting a read on him - it almost resembled a dance, in Jack's mind. They were even spinning around each other as the others battled nearby, trying to make headway on the door further into the castle.

Finally, Jack struck. He charged forward after one more feint and drove his spear into the soldier's shoulder.

The soldier yelled out in pain as Jack pushed with all his might until they struck a wall, whereupon Jack yanked the blade of his spear out and shoved it forward again, hearing the horrifying sound of muscle, cartilage, and bone tearing apart. Jack hadn't realized where he was stabbing her - directly in the face.

Whatever struggles the soldier was putting up after that immediately stopped once the blade of Jack's spear pierced through her head, and when Jack ripped it out, she fell to the floor completely limp, her sword clattering to the ground uselessly beside her.

Jack didn't have time to internalize what he had just done; there were other soldiers about, and they weren't going to wait around while he had a crisis in the middle of a high-pitched battle. The look on the soldier's face when he-

Another Elusian soldier with an axe came at him, then, and he had no other choice but to fight.

The axe fighter was a bit trickier; he was much larger and bulkier than the slim sword user he had fought just a moment prior, and Jack was nearly bowled over and left struggling on the floor with the soldier. Jack may have had a decently athletic body, but the man he fought against was trained well against people like him, it seemed, as he didn't let Jack even have a chance to zone him out. The two circled each other until the axe fighter swung again, and Jack barely had enough time to block the blow with the shaft of his spear. If it had been made of wood, the spear would have broken instantly.

It was only through quick-thinking that Jack survived that. He shot his hand out, letting go of one half of his spear for a few precious seconds as he jabbed his thumb into the soldier's eyes. Jack bit back a cringe at the squishy, gelatin feeling as he kneed the poor bastard in the stomach and knocked him off after that. Not wasting any time, he grabbed his spear again and shoved it into the squirming soldier's shoulder, in between one of his pauldrons and breastplate. The next was just below the back of said breastplate, and the man didn't move after that.

Jack only had a moment to breathe before another soldier was upon him. He fell to the ground from surprise, baring his teeth in a defiant sneer. He held up his spear again, waiting for a blow to come. But nothing did; the soldier stopped moving and fell to the ground in a heap, an arrow sticking out of the back of his head. Etie was nearby, and bowed her head with a slight smile as she moved forward.

"Need a hand?" she asked, holding said hand out.

Jack let out a breath. "You're funny, Etie, anyone ever tell you that?"

Etie shrugged. "Nah. Just you."

"Shocking," Jack commented, taking a few moments to catch his breath before rejoining the others nearby.

The doors further into the castle were barred, and Alear slammed his fist into it before turning around.

"Céline, could you blow these doors open?" he asked, "I think your mother would be alright with the cost if it means we save her life."

Céline nodded. "It is a shame, but it must be done. Stand back!"

It was the first time Jack saw someone Engage with an Emblem first hand.

"Emblem, engage!"

Celica appeared by her side, and a moment later, they were both enveloped in a bright white light. It was over in less than two seconds, and the woman that floated slightly above the ground barely looked like the Céline that Jack knew. Her hair was a layered pinkish-red, long and flowing as before. With the fantastical visor around her eyes, and the wings floating above her back, she looked like a sci-fi god come down to earth.

Fire gathered in her hands and she pushed it forward in a giant ball of flame. The door buckled and groaned at the force, and the flames licked at the carved wood and metal, charring it until they finally gave way and blew off their hinges, crumbling to the marbled floor in heaps of charred wood and broken hinges.

Two enemies jumped out of the smoke, only for one to be blown apart by Céline 's fire magic, while another found Libération's blade through his chest as he was sent to the ground in a heap. Alear screamed something Jack couldn't hear, but Jack could get the general gist of it.

Charge.

Jack followed, spear raised as he ran through the broken doors and into the other half of the main hall. He found his target nearby: a straggler near the side of the broken door, dazed by the explosion. He slammed his spear into the soldier's chest as he squawked like a bird, falling to the ground as Jack ripped the spear out and stabbed him again.

The battle began anew, and Jack looked forward to see if he could find the Elusian general hiding among the crowd. He couldn't remember the general's name, but he remembered his appearance: a fanciful dark hairdo with a mustache. Enough to spot him in the ranks of the enemy, but he saw no sign of the general.

Wasting no more time trying to find someone who might have already fled, Jack charged forward once again, driving his spear into the nearest enemy soldier.

"This him?" Alfred asked, pointing at one of the many corpses in the main hall of Firene Castle. "I think that's a mustache, or it could be, er, something else."

Jack shook his head. "No, not him. Trust me, you'd know this guy if you saw him. Your mom could probably tell you more; far as I know, she had the most experience with the guy. He was all flamboyant and exaggerated."

Alfred tilted his head. "Doesn't really sound like an Elusian general to me, then."

"Oh trust me, he was. Guess if he's not among these bodies then he got away. Crap."

Firene Castle was bustling with activity again after the end of the battle, with the remnants of the garrison coming in and helping Alear's group do a clean sweep of the castle. As far as he knew, there was no sign of any Elusian general fitting the description Jack gave. Even Zephia, if she had even been in the castle at all, left no clue.

"You know, Prince Alfred," Jack said, rubbing the back of his neck as he looked away from the bodies and toward the stained glass windows of Firene Castle. "In the timeline I saw, you and Alear had words with Zephia and the Elusian general. She threatened your mother, than she threatened you once she realized you had the Emblem Ring - you know, typical villainous stuff."

Alfred crossed his arms. "Well, mother definitely was threatened, though it looks like they all ran away once we broke that door down. She did talk about a woman named Zephia, the one with the horns you spoke about."

"So she was here, at least," Jack said, nodding. "I guess it wouldn't make much sense to have dialogue with her here and now. Makes me feel bad about recommending we keep Veyle at the Somniel until this battle was over, though."

"She's been through a lot; it was better to let her rest," Alfred said, "by the way, are you… okay?"

Jack's brow furrowed as he turned to Alfred. "Huh?"

Alfred pointed to Jack's right. Jack followed where he was pointing and saw that his right hand was shaking, his fingers constantly tapping against his thigh.

"A-ah, that," Jack stammered out. "Just after battle jitters, I think? Is that what they're called?"

"There's probably a more proper name for them, but we'll settle with that for now," Alfred said, "This… this was your first time in a real battle, with real people, wasn't it?"

Jack's lips thinned before he nodded again. "Yeah. I… I'm trying not to think about it too much. I actually- I actually don't feel that bad, you know? It's weird. These were real people, with lives and families and friends and, well, some of these poor bastards, I'd be surprised if their family would even be able to recognize them anymore."

Jumping in surprise, Jack saw Alfred's hand rested on his shoulder.

"I'll admit, I'm not the best person to talk about when it comes to this kinda stuff," Alfred said, "but if you need someone to talk to, well, we're all here to talk. Most of us have taken a life before, too, but those were mostly bandits or the Corrupted."

Jack took a deep breath. "And how was it for you, the first time?"

"Honestly?" Alfred began, "a lot like you right now."

Raising a brow, Jack replied, "Really? I find that hard to believe."

"I'm being serious," Alfred said, and despite saying that, a small chuckle escaped his lips. "For a long time, I didn't really feel anything, which was strange to me because of all the shell-shocked knight-errants that would visit Kering sometimes. Sometimes it takes a while for it to really get to you, you know? There's no real rhyme or reason to it."

Jack started out smirking, but it quickly fell away as Alfred kept talking. Once he was done, Jack looked down at the floor.

"That's… really insightful of you, Prince Alfred. And here I thought you were nothing but a musclehead."

"Ah, well, I'm definitely that, too," Alfred laughed, "but, well, when you're the crown prince of a nation like Firene, you have to know how people operate. I've had plenty of time for introspection, believe me."

"I believe you," Jack replied, "I'll keep what you said in mind. And hopefully this shaking goes away sometime soon. Or maybe it'll spread and I'll be jitterbugging down Kering's streets come sundown. Whatever happens, happens."

"I'll be sure to send Boucheron out to get you if it comes down to it, friend," Alfred said, "ah, and, you think you could start just calling me Alfred? The whole 'prince' thing is starting to feel a little too formal."

"What, and disrespect your royal standing?" Jack said, holding his arms out to his sides. "Think of the scandals, Prince Alfred! I already call the Divine Dragon by his name only, doing the same to you would be pushing my irreverence quota."

"You started out meeting that quota when you kept calling the Divine Dragon by his name, what's a few more points?"

Jack bowed his head. "Alright, you've convinced me, Alfred. No more honorifics. But only because you've been nice to me."

Alfred snorting, crossing his arms. "This better not become a regular thing."

"Don't worry, I lost my drive for theatrics when the theater kids took all the seats at Waffle House and wouldn't shut up," Jack admitted, "anyway, I think I need some fresh air. Is there any balcony or anything like that nearby? Just a few minutes is all I need, I promise not to make a mess."

Alfred pointed his thumb behind him. "There should be one or two down the great hall a little ways. Hopefully those Elusian soldiers didn't destroy it."

"And ruin a perfectly good view? Those scoundrels," Jack grunted. "And… thanks, Alfred. I mean it."

Waving his hand as Jack moved past him, Alfred said, "Don't think too much of it. Enjoy the view!"

Most of the time Jack had spent in Elyos had been nothing but clear blue skies, discounting a few days on the voyage to Firene where the heavens opened up. Overall, though, Jack had been treated with a brilliant sunrise and sunset across either the picturesque Somniel or the rustic Firenese countryside. The point was, Jack had seen nothing but natural beauty everywhere he looked in Elyos.

The view he got looking out from the Firene Castle balcony outstripped every single spectacular sunset he had seen in his life. Jack would have spent the entire time looking at it thinking about how it wasn't his sunset, or about the men and women he had killed during the battle, but all thoughts cleared from his mind, with the only reminder being the shaking that occasionally wracked his body. They were manageable, though, and before long, he barely noticed them.

A cool breeze swept over the plains, reaching Jack and ruffling his hair like an older brother or father would. The sunset was a range of golds and pinks stretching into the sky and past the horizon for as far as he could see. He took a deep breath, letting all the aching thoughts and tremors out.

"I think this is the most relaxed I've seen you since we met."

Jack opened his eyes and turned to see Alear standing at the balcony's threshold, leaning against the doorframe.

"Not giving me the silent treatment anymore, I see," Jack replied.

Alear shook his head. "I apologize if I offended you, but I… needed to get my head on straight."

"Get your head straight, huh?" Jack repeated, "What, and me telling you that your life is a story wasn't enough to give you a crisis?"

Alear stood up straight and moved forward. "It wasn't, because there are around a dozen rings in Elyos that have their own stories about them from other worlds. It took me a minute, but it makes sense that the same would be the case here."

Jack pursed his lips and nodded. "You know, when you put it like that…"

"It's still very strange, Jack," Alear said, leaning on the railing and looking down into the city of Kering, still eerily quiet despite life returning to the castle. "But, no stranger than anything else going on here when you get down to it."

"Well, you are a dragon, and that's already weird, so I guess you're right," Jack admitted, shrugging. "Remember when I said just… stop thinking about it? That's what I'm trying to do right now. I was actually succeeding, believe it or not."

"Until I showed up," Alear finished.

"Well, yes, but also no? I don't mind talking to you. You and Alfred, really. I daresay we're friends, but that definitely can't be the case."

Alear raised a brow. "And why can't it?"

"Well, because I am a black hole of charm, clearly," Jack said, crossing his arms and pacing in front of Alear. "I am also lacking in intelligence and good looks, and am all around a bit of a loser. In case that wasn't obvious to you."

"Is this some sort of… bizarre attempt to get a compliment out of me?" Alear asked, eyes narrowing.

Jack placed a hand against his chest. "Are you calling me a liar, Divine One? That's cruel. You are a cruel god, Divine One."

Alear stared at Jack for several moments, the latter fidgeting under the heterochromatic gaze before finally giving up.

"Fine, you win. Asshole," Jack snickered, "for someone who looks so soft, you have a surprisingly intimidating stare, you know that?"

Alear blinked. "I do?"

"Oh yeah, it's weird. Maybe it's the way your hair frames your face? Or how it's crossed like that? I dunno. Anyway, uh, there anything in particular you wanted to talk about, Alear?" Jack finished, coughing into his fist.

"Nothing much, just wanted to know where you were," Alear said, "and I wanted to apologize if I gave you the impression that I didn't want to be around you anymore. You are an important part of this army now, but you're also…"

Jack snorted. "Important? You would've been fine without me."

"Maybe, but not in the same way," Alear replied, "I wouldn't have mother with me. I wouldn't have Veyle with me. It's… a lot to take in, yes, but somehow, I doubt I'd be happier in this other timeline you speak of."

"Maybe," Jack muttered, looking out to the fading sun. "Well, I'm here still. Haven't keeled over and died yet."

"Why didn't you try to talk to Queen Ève, if you don't mind my asking?" Alear said.

"Just casually walk up to the queen of an entire nation and ask her for a spot of tea before the sunset? Yeah, an excellent decision on my part, that would've been."

Alear tilted his head. "I'm sure she'd like to hear about what's going on with you, and what's happened since her two children left."

Jack shrugged. "Listen, Alear, it's better for everyone outside of your army to think of me as just some conscript you peeled off the side of the road. Not only do we need to keep that knowledge to ourselves, but let's not overstate my importance here, alright? I'm just some guy who can barely use a spear-"

Alear crossed his arms. "And extensive knowledge of the future."

"-a future that will never happen, Alear," Jack added

"A future that has been important to at least two people, who happen to be very close to me," Alear continued. "Maybe it hasn't changed entirely yet. Maybe it will be a while until the changes you've made really become obvious, but whatever your actual importance is, you're important to me, alright?"

It was Jack's turn to blink as he took a deep, shuddering breath. "Goddamn, you really know how to make a guy feel special, don't you? If I didn't know any better, I'd say you have feelings for me."

"Let's… not get ahead of ourselves," Alear said hesitantly. "I value you as a friend is what I'm saying. Do you understand what I mean?"

Jack took a deep breath and nodded. "Yeah. I think I do. Friends with Jesus, then, huh? Never expected that in my life. Then again, I never expected to be here in general, so this whole experience is just full of surprises. It's like a Jack in the Box."

"Is that what you were named after?" Alear asked, scratching his chin.

Eye twitching slightly, Jack replied, "No. No it is not. I think my parents just liked the name 'Jack'. Not much more to it, honestly."

"Heh. I understand. Since we're here, is there anything on the horizon that we should worry about?"

Jack rubbed the back of his neck, looking out toward the horizon. "Besides the setting sun? Maybe a night full of stars. Unless a storm rolls in. In which case, prepare for lightning."

Alear frowned. "I'm being serious, Jack."

Chuckling, Jack said, "Yeah, yeah, I get it. If the queen hasn't already told you, there's another Emblem Ring, here in Firene. The Emblem of the Dawn Maiden. Of course, if we can spare the time, afterward we should make a bit of a detour…"

Nelucce would never consider himself a particularly smart man - good-looking and charming? Certainly, but he'd always known he wasn't the sharpest sword in the armory. Most of his 'general' duties were off-loaded to his most capable soldiers as he pranced about the aristocracy, flapping his tail feathers like the peacock he was.

Such thoughts were most unwelcome in his mind as he fled from Firene Castle and Kering with a sword wound. It was superficial, but he was bleeding and lightheaded. On the upside, he had lost his pursuers, if any had deigned to chase him at all. All he had to do was avoid Zephia's wrath.

"If you keep going that way, she'll kill you."

Nelucce had no weapon, but he made a good show of having one regardless, pointing his imaginary axe at the woman who had accosted him. She was shorter than him - then again, not many women could reach his godly stature - with fairly plain features; tanned skin, freckles, brown eyes and curly brown hair. She was no Zephia, but perhaps she would've made a decent tavern wench as an 'exotic' beauty in taverns back home.

"I don't who you are, girly, but you better keep your trap shut 'less you want me to close it permanently!" Nelucce threatened.

The woman laughed. "Really? That the best you could come up with? I know you're on a short schedule but please, come up with something better. I'll give you one more shot."

"I…" Nelucce said, his bravado failing him for a moment. "Don't make me do this. You know what they say about cornered animals!"

"A bit better, I guess. 'C' for effort, if nothing else," the woman stated, stepping forward. "Now then, I have a proposition for you, Nelucce-"

"H-how do you know my name!?"

The woman snorted. "I know a lot about this place, believe me. An… old friend of mine talked about it alot. Doesn't matter. I know for a fact that if you keep running this way, some horny lady will spear you through with magic, and I don't think you want that, do you?"

Nelucce didn't know what it was, but something about the woman's words made… sense? It was a strange feeling, as if he was being lulled to sleep. He dropped his stance and stood up straight.

"Keep talking," he stated.

"Oh, you can drop the tough guy act," the woman said, placing a strand of stray curly hair behind her ear. "It doesn't impress me, and groveling won't either. I just need you to come with me. I'm trying to go back home, you see, and I need help doing so."

"Oh, yeah? And what's in it for me?" Nelucce asked, crossing his arms and pouting, though he didn't know he was doing the latter.

"Are you really giving me lip about payment when the only other choice is death? Huh, now there's something I'm impressed with," the woman said, before laughing. "But I can promise you one thing - a world with riches and benefits the likes of which you have never seen. All you need to do is come with me, now, to… ah, what was it called? Solm? Yeah, Solm. Come with me to Solm and when we break through to my home, you'll have everything you want and need. I guarantee it."

Nelucce grit his teeth as he looked down the road he had just been running down. As much as it pained him to admit, killing him for failure sounded like something Zephia would do, and he doubted the Firenese knights would look kindly on his occupation of the castle and capital. With a heavy heart, Nelucce bowed his head.

"Fine," he spat out, "not like there's anything waiting for me out here. If you decide to kill me, just make it quick."

"Oh, I don't wanna kill you, don't worry," the woman said, waving a hand as she turned. "You're gonna be more useful to me alive than dead anyway. Now, come along. We don't have a lotta time before that horny chick decides to come looking for you."

"Wait a sec," Nelucce called, causing the woman to turn around. "Who are you, anyway? What's your name?"

The woman stopped, before turning her head.

"My name's Brianna. Remember it, 'cause it's the only name that matters around here."

The day I posted this, Elden Ring DLC was finally announced and this isn't the first time that game has nearly derailed an FE fic of mine lmao.

Anyway, I really like this Chapter. I've liked most of the chapters I've put out for this fic, which is a rare thing nowadays. Haven't felt this good since I wrote Fallen Leaves!

Anyway, here's a link to our Discord Server: discord. gg/u89gs745fn

See you guys next time!