"So, all the free Emblems are gone now," Jack said, walking around the podiums that held the Emblem Rings, as well as Chrom's Emblem Bracelet toward the back. "We're dealing with a war on two fronts: Sombron in Elusia, and this mystery bastard with Corrin's Emblem Ring who's hiding somewhere beneath Solm. Sombron's still got the Hounds, the Corrupted, four Emblem Rings and six Bracelets. The underground asshole has one Emblem Ring, but an unknown number of Husks and Valentian monsters hiding beneath the sand."
Jack rubbed the back of his neck as he looked at the podiums, and then back at the people who stood before him. The Emblem Chamber had become something of a war room; the Somniel didn't have anything dedicated to that task. It served its purpose.
Before him stood Alear, Ivy, Diamant, Alear, and Timerra. The other royals were busy down in the ruins of the Northern Fortress, coordinating further healing and making sure they would be ready to set out as soon as they were done with preparations above.
"Yeah, I got nothing, guys," Jack said, "we're so far out of my territory now, it's like a shining star on the horizon. But, hey, if you want me to keep being the summary guy, I'm all for it."
"Your input is appreciated and you have helped us greatly thus far. Surely there is still more you may tell us at some point," Diamant said, "Do not put the value of your knowledge down. As far as I know, you still know of other worlds than Elyos, correct?"
"Well, yes," Jack replied, "but let's focus on what we're going to do next, right?"
"There's two routes we can take, from what I see," Alear said, rubbing his chin before turning to the others. "We head north and attack Sombron and the Hounds directly, and take as many of the Rings and Bracelets as we can, or we try to find this Outlander below the ground and… ask a few questions."
Timerra laughed. "You're funny, Divine One! So polite, too! I was more thinking about execution, myself."
"I… suppose such a punishment would not be remiss considering they kidnapped a princess and took scores of Solmic people," Ivy said, looking at Timerra from behind her fascinator. "But what intrigues me the most is the Emblem that Archfiend had on. Emblem Ike barely looked like Emblem Ike."
"I've been thinking about that too," Alear admitted.
"Only Divine and Fell Dragons can awaken Emblems, right?" Alfred asked.
"With the caveat that sometimes they can deactivate them as well, yeah," Jack said, turning back to the Emblem podiums before standing in front of Ike's. "Considering what Ike looked like, I doubt what happened was… pleasant."
Timerra snorted, hands on her hips. "You're telling me? I had to watch them rip that Emblem outta my hands! And then the Husk that took it went underground. Just like that. Listen, I've been all around my country. It's basically my duty to get to know my land and my people - and believe me when I say this, alright? I have no idea where they could be going. And I killed those bandits so they won't be very forthcoming either."
"A shame. We could have learned much from them if taken alive," Ivy said, eyes closed.
Timerra shrugged. "They were in the way and it's very hard to think carefully in the middle of battle. I was terrified that Merrin didn't get to mom in time, so I had to take whatever chance I could get."
"We understand, Timerra. I don't think Ivy was blaming you," Alear interrupted. "That does mean that we have a better idea of where Sombron is rather than this Outlander."
"Invading Elusia right now would be suicide," Ivy said, "As much as it… pains me to admit this, I was not able to evacuate everyone. There could be thousands of Corrupted troops waiting for us, and that is not even getting into where the Hounds may be."
"Or my sister," Jack mumbled.
"They could be traveling through Solm right now, or mounting an attack on Brodia or Firene," Alfred said, his brow furrowing as if he was getting ready to kill someone. "I don't like this. There're too many unknowns, too many things that could go wrong."
"What's life without a risk of failure?" Timerra asked. "Whatever route you decide to go down, Divine One, I'm with you. But you ought to know what my input is. Solm has its army, and we'd be willing to go to Elusia with you if you help with this Outlander or whatever you wanna call them."
"Why do you call us Outlanders? If it wasn't me who came up with that title, that is," Jack asked, crossing his arms. "I mean, doesn't Outworlder make more sense?"
"I do not think that is an actual word, Jack," Ivy replied.
"It should be," Jack mumbled.
"Firene still has an army too," Alfred said, stepping forward and giving Timerra a withering stare. "And I'm sure Brodia has more than enough soldiers for an assault."
"Well, yeah! Obviously. Sorry, I misspoke," Timerra admitted, "I was more talking about our spy network, you know. Heh, it's funny, I really, really shouldn't be talking about this right now, but considering that this dastard has been stealing my people and destroying villages, I don't really care anymore! Scratch my back and I scratch yours, deal?"
"We can't fight a war on two fronts like this," Diamant said, "Both sides present downsides: we can either mount our forces and attack Elusia, without the help of Solm's spy network - I have not forgotten what you have said, Princess Timerra, but for the sake of our continued alliance, I will ignore it for now - or, we try to find an entrance deep into the underground of Solm to find where the Outlander that set the Husks upon you is. Something which could take us weeks, months, possibly even years."
"The desert is a big place, I'll admit," Timerra nodded. "Buuuuut, here's the thing… I'm not entirely clueless on where this all might be coming from. And, uh, well, it's incredibly worrying. It took me a while to figure it out but that thing that attacked you all in the Northern Fortress really cinched it."
Jack tilted his head as Timerra continued.
"There's… something underneath the capital," Timerra said, "like we weren't the only ones to set up a city in that exact spot. I didn't really think about it until recently because they're so old and crumbly - barely able to be called ruins, really, but it's the closest lead I think we might have. Besides, it'll be easier to get back to Serenissima than trying to invade Elusia."
"Do your archives have nothing on these ruins?" Ivy asked.
"Nope. Nothing. And trust me, I looked. And Fogado looked. And Panette looked, and destroyed a few bookshelves when she couldn't find anything. There aren't any big doorways into them, either - like I said, old and crumbly," Timerra said, "and… look, I'm really sorry about everything I've said here today. Our whole 'spying' thing is really kinda benign; you know, mostly just making sure that Brodia and Elusia don't get too ornery. But I'm willing to throw away secrecy if you'll help my kingdom with this problem."
"Given Elusia's unsavory history, I shall overlook this serious breach of national security," Ivy replied, "for now, of course. When Sombron is destroyed, there will be reparations, Princess Timerra."
Timerra nodded. "Yeah, I thought so. Divine One knows I'll be hearing an earful from mom, but I think she'll let me off the hook once I explain everything. Oh, but Fogado - I'll never hear the end of this, haha!"
"I see," Diamant said, nodding his head. "Then, for the time being, I suggest we follow Timerra's lead. As has been said, invading Elusia right now, with so little information being available - it would likely only lead to disaster."
"Another trek through the desert? At least the capital's a nice place! Plus, a lotta dry heat. Great for running in the evening and morning," Alfred said, and a transparent attempt to lighten the mood, in Jack's eyes. Not that he didn't appreciate it.
What little levity Alfred brought to the table, however, was summarily kicked to the curb as the doors to the Emblem Room burst open. Jack's eyes widened as everyone reached for their weapons, only for everyone to immediately relax their stance as they realized who it was.
"My child!" Lumera gasped out, moving forward and placing a hand on Alear's shoulder. "Where is it? Where is the Ring of the Radiant Hero?"
Jack blinked as Alear pointed toward the podium that held said ring, glowing faintly blue.
"It's just over there, mother - are you alright? You're shaking!" Alear said, worry entering his voice. "Please, tell me if something's wrong!"
Lumera wordlessly rushed past him and stood before the podium. She held up the ring to her eyes and inspected it like she was shopping for jewelry. A moment later, and Ike appeared before her, looking down on her with a placid expression as he crossed his arms.
"Hello to you, too, Queen Lumera," Ike said. "Long time no see, though I don't think we're so close that you need to fret about me as if I'm your son."
Jack couldn't help but let out a snort at that, prompting Ike to stare at him for a brief moment before returning his attention to Lumera.
"I know. I know… it is good to see well and able, Emblem Ike," Lumera replied, sighing with a hand against her chest. "I had heard what happened to you from the others - I had assumed the worst, but I see that my child was able to safely bring you back to us."
"I'd like to think I've gotten pretty good at awakening Emblems, mother," Alear replied, smiling.
"Indeed you have! Why, it is almost as if- but, no, now is not the time for that," Lumera said, placing Ike's Emblem Ring back on the podium, but Ike didn't disappear; he simply stared on with a dispassionate gaze, though Jack could tell the Radiant Hero was ready to re-enter the conversation at any moment.
"Word has spread so quickly, I see," Ivy murmured.
"Well, we haven't exactly been very secretive, have we?" Alfred asked.
"I dunno, Alfred," Jack said, rubbing his chin. "You could always scream it from the mountaintops. I'm sure even Sombron would hear you doing that. And you'd probably only completely level one mountain village."
"Oh! Could I join too?" Timerra asked excitedly, "I'd love to see snow again! Don't tell mother this, but I've always liked snow more than sand - it's so much more pretty!"
"Alright, everyone," Diamant said, his voice deep and commanding. "Be quiet for a moment. I believe Queen Lumera wishes to tell us something."
"Look at you all," Queen Lumera said, a warm smile on her face as she looked at everyone gathered in the room. "You have all come such a long way. If I did not remark upon it before last time, then allow me to say this: you have all done your ancestors proud."
Lumera's gaze shifted back to Ike's podium, her expression shifting until she was completely emotionless.
"I heard of what happened in the Northern Fortress, about the beast you killed there. And the Emblem it had on it. Such a thing… why, such a thing is blatantly impossible, by the very nature of these Emblems."
Alear tilted his head. "How so, mother? I'll admit, I don't know a lot about how the Emblems work…"
Lumera shook her head. "Because you do not need to know how they work to use them. Their origins - their creation was such a distant thing, even to me."
"And this is very much news to me," Ike said, his arms at his sides. "I can hardly remember anything before I went to sleep again, and I wager the other Emblems are the same. My life, I can remember it so clearly, but my time here…"
Frowning, Lumera said, "I had thought as much. Memory is such a fragile thing."
Alear looked down, his hands clenched into fists.
"The Emblems can 'awake' but they cannot manifest themselves without the help of a Divine Dragon," Lumera said, turning to everyone. "This is because they are intrinsically tied to us - we created them. Twelve Divine Dragons sacrificed their dragonstones in order to forge the twelve rings, and through them we were granted the path to our salvation."
"I feel like I read about this somewhere," Ivy whispered. "Or perhaps that I might have heard it."
"That does not surprise me," Lumera said, "as they are a part of the holy scriptures, though wreathed in allegory and mysticism. I could go on and on about the dragons that sacrificed their power to create them, but my words, over time, no matter what I do, would be misinterpreted. And so, I penned their origins as you might know them so that they may not be forgotten - even in a corrupted form."
"Pandreo is gonna freak out when he hears about this," Jack whistled.
"Such sacrifice was necessary with Sombron's onslaught - or, perhaps they were created for some other distant threat, in the past. As I said, I was not there when they were created. The Divine Dragons were strong, then. But now… only we two remain, my child."
Alear shrugged. "And I wasn't born one. An entire people, gone. How did Sombron even do it? I haven't learned much from Veyle, almost like she doesn't want to remember."
Jack moved to speak, for some reason. He knew Sombron's 'reasoning', such as it was, but that wouldn't help, and so he shut his mouth. Unfortunately, this motion did not go unnoticed by Lumera, who raised a brow.
"Is there something you know, Jack?" she asked. "I do not mind sharing the stage, as it were. If there is something you learned from your stories, by all means, share them."
"It just hit me that I never told you guys why Sombron is doing this," Jack muttered.
"I had always thought his intentions were conquest, complete and utter," Lumera replied.
"His actions don't speak to anything else," Diamant concurred.
"He is most certainly a tyrant. I shudder to think what might be happening in Elusia under his and the Hounds' 'reign'," Ivy said.
"Nothing our scouts say shows what he might be thinking, yeah," Timerra added, "He doesn't care about his power base - almost like he considers himself to be all the power he needs, and whoever he can convince to come to his side."
"In the wars a thousand years ago, he convinced the Mage Dragons to join him, right?" Alfred asked.
"Convinced? Yes, I suppose he convinced them. The same way a shark might convince a fish to enter its gullet of its own free will rather than allow itself to be eaten involuntarily," Lumera replied.
"You're all on the right track," Jack said, pacing before the Emblem Rings. "I didn't mention it before because, honestly? It doesn't matter. The atrocities he's committed demand he be brought to justice. But, well, it can't hurt to say it. He wants to reunite with an Emblem. The Zero Emblem, he calls it."
Lumera blinked as she turned to look at Jack. "The Zero Emblem? I have never heard of this."
"Nor have I, but that's becoming a fairly common thing," Ike commented.
"Well, because it's not from around here. Queen Lumera, did you ever find out where Sombron came from?"
Lumera shook her head. "No. It is as if he appeared from thin air one day, with an army of his progeny at his beck and call, and the Mage Dragons supporting him. That was a terrible day."
"Yeah, that makes sense. It's because he basically did show up outta nowhere," Jack said, rubbing the bridge of his nose as a humorless chuckle left his lips. "He's an Outlander. Like me. Like Lionel. And like my sister. Where he came from, there's not much info. The world he came from had Emblem Rings, just like this one, and he was the sole survivor of a massacre, clutching this Emblem Ring to his chest as he landed in Elyos. He recalled that they did it as an act of mercy."
"Seems more like an act of damnation to me," Alfred muttered.
Jack snorted. "Yeah, it does. Safe to say, all he had to talk to was that Emblem for years until it faded away. He was taken in by a human village at the time, and when he connected the disappearance of the Emblem to being taken in by that village, he killed them all."
"What!? Why?" Alear asked incredulously.
Jack held his arms out to his side. "Because he's a fucking maniac, Alear. That's why. Somehow he convinced himself that the Emblem left him because he - I dunno, because he thought that connections make a person weak. And because of that, he decided to march on a genocidal campaign, father tons of 'expendable' children with the Mage Dragons, and now we're here. Cleaning up his mess."
"My, and I had thought him to be such a threat, even a thousand years after the war's end…" Lumera whispered. "When his motivation is laid before me, it feels so pathetic of him."
"I was about to say the same thing," Alear said, crossing his arms as he looked down at the floor, mirroring Jack's movements as he paced. "If Veyle doesn't know this - Jack, does Veyle know this?"
Jack shrugged. "Can't remember. Sorry."
"It's no issue. I just- no, maybe she has the right to know what we almost died for," Alear continued. "Thank you for telling us this, Jack. Even if I feel like we should've known this a while ago..."
"I doubt he found a sufficient opportunity to explain it, Divine One," Ivy said, "I myself have a hard time wrapping my head around it, either way."
"Did he even try to have a good time? Maybe all he needed was a good roast," Timerra wondered aloud. "But, maybe not the kinda roast he gave those villagers. That would be bad."
"...Yes, it would," Diamant said. "Such a strange thing to think - that all of this was caused because Sombron wants to reunite with an old friend. All of this death, all of this destruction, and all for something that may not even be attainable. I almost pity him."
"Don't. He doesn't deserve it," Jack said, "Make no mistake, I didn't tell you all this because I wanted you to feel sorry for him. He's a monster, through and through. I'm just glad I could mitigate what he does a little bit."
"And I am grateful to be alive to hear it, for however long that remains true," Lumera said, bowing her head slightly as she looked in Jack's direction.
Jack coughed into his fist. "Uh, yeah. So, um, we've had a good long talk now. We all know where we're going. How about some lunch?"
Alear looked at Jack for a few moments before turning to everyone else. "I wouldn't mind. Everyone else?"
The decision was unanimous.
Jack hummed to himself as he brought out two plates, both filled with a bed of rice with beef kebabs on top.
He never fashioned himself a proper chef. A home cook would be the closest he'd come to admitting that he liked to cook in general. It was a relaxing experience, one he'd almost completely forgotten about since coming to Elyos. The kitchens were always open - he just never thought about cooking a meal for everyone.
Seeing their faces light up upon seeing what he was bringing out did make Jack's day, though. And then watching them chow down - all royalty, Queen Lumera included - he would be lying if he said that he wasn't moved that they seemed to be enjoying it.
"How'd you know?" Timerra asked.
Jack tilted his head. "How'd I know what?"
"That I was in the mood for meat skewers!" she said, taking another bite and sliding a piece of meat off the wooden stick in her hand. "Look, if you wanted a way to influence the crown princess of Solm-"
"Or a way to influence Firene. I should have our chefs in the castle add this to the menu! You know, when we're not at war," Alfred added, leaning back. "Good protein, too. All that beef and rice - excellent way to get some good calories after a run!"
"You know, we're not technically at war," Diamant mused, "Brodia never filed a declaration of war against Elusia, nor vice versa. Unless one of you was thinking of trying your luck?"
Alfred raised a hand. "I'll try!"
"Don't let Céline hear you say that, Alfred," Alear laughed. "And Jack, you know you didn't have to do this. Not that I'm complaining! It just seems like a lot of work to feed six people."
Jack's expression fell. "I'll be dead and buried before I let someone like Yunaka into the kitchen again, Alear."
Alear shook involuntarily. "Point taken."
"A surprising showcase of your skills, Jack," Lumera said, "I'm shocked you did not tell us sooner that you were such an able cook."
Jack rubbed the back of his neck as he looked away. "Well, it's not something I like to shout from the rooftops, you know? What if someone heard?"
"Hmhm, do you think of it as a less 'manly' activity or some such nonsense?" Lumera said, a coy grin spreading across her face.
"What? No, I just-" Jack sighed, rubbing his face. "Just didn't wanna raise people's expectations, I guess? Besides, I've been wanting to cook for a while now. Never had the chance until now, and why not? Just remind me to do the same for your younger siblings, alright? Don't wanna leave them out."
"And the apron?" Timerra asked between bites.
Jack looked down. It was a simple white apron - nothing special.
"It just seemed right. What, don't think I look handsome in this? Eh?" Jack said, his hands behind his back. "You're breaking my heart, Princess Timerra. I come from a long line of apron-wearing men, known for their culinary skills."
Timerra raised a brow. "That so?"
Jack shook his head. "Nope."
She snorted. "Thought so! You're a funny man, you know that?"
"No, I don't know it. I have no idea what you mean, I- Ivy, are you alright?" Jack said, walking to the side of the table.
Ivy was completely still. Only half of her plate had been eating, with a single meat skewer still having anything on it. She didn't meet his gaze, or answer his question; she merely held her head in her hands as she looked down, barely acknowledging anyone.
"Is the dish not to your liking, Princess Ivy?" Lumera asked.
"I-" Ivy looked up, her eyes wide. "No, it is not that. I just…"
Ivy looked down. "It's really, really good. I was expecting… something else."
"Did you think it'd be terrible? I'm hurt," Jack said.
"No! No, that is not to say I…" Ivy sunk further into her seat as she mumbled something.
"What did she say?" Alear asked.
"It sounded like 'thrt wrss best freed er'. Or something like that," Timerra answered.
"It was some of the best food I've ever tasted…" Ivy finally admitted. "I feel unworthy to continue."
"I- what? Alright," Jack said, laughing awkwardly. "That's… some pretty high praise, but alright! Thank you very much!"
Ivy looked up, and Jack could have sworn he saw the most subtle of smiles on her face. "You are welcome, Jack."
Jack hastily cleaned up the kitchen - he had to make the sauce from scratch, and then left a lot of pans around with the remnants of said sauce still inside, so he took it upon himself to leave the kitchen as spotless as when he arrived. Just because Vander was busy down below in Lythos didn't mean the old knight wouldn't give him hell for it.
And that wasn't even getting into what the twins would do.
Still, there was something zen-esque cleaning up, Jack supposed. He hummed to himself - one of the few songs he could think of from Earth. Everything else had merged together into something completely other, but somehow, not Fallen Kingdom.
The fact it was a parody of another good song he couldn't remember the lyrics to did make him feel bad about it, but the thought of Minecraft or anything he used to play on Earth was comforting.
"There you are, Jack."
Jack put down the wash cloth he was using to wash the dishes, standing stock still and looking forward until he turned around.
"Princess Ivy," Jack replied, "please don't do that. You scared the shit outta me."
"My apologies. It wasn't my intention to frighten you," Ivy said, bowing her head slightly. "I just needed to make sure none of the others had reached you before I."
Jack blinked confusedly at that. "What? Why? Who wanted to reach me? I've just been cleaning up."
"I can see that. Your diligence is noteworthy," Ivy said.
"Okay, let's cut to the chase. What do you want? Did you just wanna see me in an apron again?" Jack asked, crossing his arms while his eyes became half-lidded.
"I-I haven't the faintest idea what you mean! This is not about that," Ivy replied quickly. "I came here to offer you a position. A job, if you will."
Jack raised a brow. "A job?"
"Did I slur my words? Yes, a job. Considering your noteworthy talents, I wanted to invite you to become one of Elusia Castle's cooks," Ivy finally said. "If not, perhaps, the head chef - I have no idea as to what your abilities to lead a kitchen are, but it is clear that you have a great deal of passion, and I want that at my side."
Jack felt his heart skip a beat.
"You're sure about this?" Jack asked.
"Indeed. Why? Did I not sound serious enough?"
Jack shook his head. "It's not that. I've only cooked for you guys once. Not really enough to get an idea of how good I am at cooking. I never really saw myself as good for royalty - but, well, then again, everyone seemed to like it."
"Perhaps a few more meals are required for me to extend this position to you, yes, but consider this an investment of sorts," Ivy said, her hands behind her back. "It will be some time until I am able to return to Elusia Castle in any meaningful capacity, so I am sure I will have plenty of time to ascertain your abilities further."
"Well, I, uh," Jack turned away, rubbing the back of his neck. "Damn, I really made an impression, huh? Maybe I should've cooked for Veyle when she attacked Queen Lumera. Would've made much less of a fool of myself."
"I doubt that would have worked, unless you had thrown spicy food at her," Ivy theorized, "That may have sent her into a frenzy and resulted in your death."
Jack shrugged. "Probably still would've saved Queen Lumera. Would've been worth it."
"I would not place such little value on your life, Jack," Ivy said, "Even if you do not, you have people now who value it. It would be… a terrible thing to take yourself away from them."
"You're right. I can't leave Alfred to the crows like that. I'm sorry." Jack bowed. "It'd also be a horrible thing to keep you from seeing me in an apron again."
"Yes, it would - I-I mean, how dare you! This is an entirely inappropriate discussion; I was offering you a much exalted position," Ivy quickly said.
Jack laughed, nodding his head. "Yeah, yeah, I get it. For what it's worth? I think I'll accept it if the offer is still open by the end of the war." Jack looked away. "Hey, can I tell you something?"
Ivy nodded. "You may, if you wish. We still have an hour until we teleport back to the ruins."
Jack took in a deep breath. "I don't think I'll ever be going back to my old world."
Ivy blinked confusedly before comprehension dawned on her. "To be completely honest, and I do not wish to mean this in a bad way, but I had completely forgotten that you originate from another world."
Chuckling, Jack said, "The Emblems all come from another world. Sombron comes from another world. The Bracelets themselves came from another world - sometimes it feels like half of the army comes from another world. Can't blame you for forgetting I guess. Sometimes I forget myself. Explains why you asked me that, though."
"In that case," Ivy said, "why do you believe you will never return?"
"Lemme clarify: I don't think I'll stay there. I might go back at some point to let everyone know I'm alright, maybe drop Nat off if she's willing to go once we save her, but… I really don't think there's a future for me back home anymore." Jack grimaced as he pointed up to the scar along his cheek, its roughness still almost as stark as the first time he felt it. "Not with something like this on my face."
"Surely it is not such a terrible thing. True, it might be a bit unsightly, but surely there are those who might look past that," Ivy insisted.
Jack let out a humorless laugh. "In corporate America? Not a chance."
"Excuse me?"
Waving a hand, Jack said, "Nothing to worry about, really. What matters is that I'm probably staying for the long term, no matter what. So, uh, thank you for giving me job security in the future. It's good to know I might have a way outta the line of fire by the end of this. Only thing that sucks is that I'll be in close proximity to Goldmary but that's neither here nor there."
Ivy scoffed. "She is not as terrible as you make it out to be. You merely met each other terribly."
"She broke my nose," Jack replied airily.
Ivy crossed her arms and turned away. "And your point is?"
"I don't wanna be friends with people who break my nose."
"Would you still wish to be friends with me if I broke your nose?" Ivy asked pointedly.
Jack snorted. "You wouldn't break my nose."
Ivy raised a brow. "Oh? Would I not?"
"I certainly hope not!" Jack exclaimed before bursting into laughter again. "You can take a swing if you want, but I'll defend myself."
Ivy hummed, looking Jack up and down before turning away. "I think not. I have more important things to do."
"Like what?"
"Such as… preparing for our return to the capital, and then for a horror-filled adventure into the depths of a dangerous and haunted ruin. Oh, by the Divine One, what have I gotten myself into…?"
Jack let out a breath. "Yeah, good luck with that. Maybe I'll join you."
"You are welcome to, but until then…" Ivy trailed off.
Jack nodded. "See you later, Ivy."
"So, Seadall is located somewhere in this village?" Alear asked.
"Yeah. Unless he decided to leave while I wasn't looking," Lionel replied.
It was dark out and everyone within the army had set up shop in the village - setting up tents around it for the night. Funnily enough, Jack thought the villagers would be up in arms about it, but no such thing happened. Perhaps it was because they had the prince and princess of Solm with them, and the royal family seemed to be beloved to some degree.
The terrain of the village was green and lush, a stark contrast to the surrounding dry desert. Jack felt as if his skin would start resembling sandstone before long if he had to go one more day in the heat. It was a quaint little village, he'd give the place that. He had no idea how they'd discover Seadall within, though.
"I see. It's worth a shot, especially if Emblem Corrin spoke to him," Alear said. "Would you like to come along, Jack?"
"I-"
"He wouldn't. Me and him have been meaning to talk," Lionel said.
Alear narrowed his eyes. "Is that so?"
"Yeah, it's so," Lionel confirmed.
"It is not so," Jack seethed, "Lionel, what are you-"
"Jack," Lionel said, looking at Jack with half-lidded eyes. "Trust me on this."
Jack crossed his arms and grumbled.
"...Alright then," Alear said, looking at Jack and bowing his head slightly. "We have a long few days ahead of us, so get some rest, my friend. You've earned it."
"Not as much rest as you, considering how much you ate," Jack snorted.
Alear coughed into his fist. "I-I have no idea what you mean, Jack. The lunch you made was delicious, yes, but- Oh, you're just so funny, aren't you?"
Jack smirked. "It's what I'm known for."
"Alright, go on, git! Skedaddle!" Lionel said suddenly, causing Alear to back off. He turned to Jack one more time and Jack shrugged in response. Before long, the Divine Dragon was gone, and only Jack and Lionel remained at the village center.
"What are you doing, Jack?" Lionel asked pointedly.
"Could ask you the same thing, Lio," Jack replied through clenched teeth. "Why're you talking to Alear like that? Why're you talking to everyone like that?"
"Something about them just doesn't sit right with me, Jack," Lionel admitted. "The reason we're here - the reason you're here, it's all too convenient."
Jack blinked before he leaned forward. "Lio, how much of your medication did you bring with you?"
Lionel snorted and turned around, his arms still crossed. "I didn't have it with me when we got here. I think the doctors were wrong; I feel fine."
Jack frowned. "Paranoid Schizophrenia doesn't just 'go away', Lio."
"Actually, they call it 'schizophrenia with paranoia', Jack. Get your terms right you philistine," Lionel snapped. "I'm fine, I feel fine - I just don't like this, alright? I don't like these new people you've surrounded yourself with. Just a few months ago they were nothing but a few 3D models on a Switch screen, and now you're talking to them like it's the most natural thing you can do! And you've helped them? You've helped them because you don't have a choice. And now I'm helping them because I don't have a choice."
"There's always a choice, Lio, good lord," Jack replied, facepalming. "You pushed yourself into this, don't you remember? Listen, this isn't good. I don't know what you think of these guys - hell, think of them what you want, but while we're here, might as well help them, right?"
"Like how they helped you, Jack?" Lionel said, pointing to Jack's left cheek. Jack turned away. "They're the reason you have that nasty scar, aren't they?"
"What happened was not because of them. This is just the world we live in now. And you're definitely - we need to find a supplement, something, anything," Jack said, rubbing his forehead. "Fuck, Lio, if you could listen to yourself right now. What are those antipsychotics made of? Fuck it, we'll find something in the capital."
"I'm telling you, Jack. I'll play along for now but something's not right-"
"You keep saying that. You keep saying that but you aren't explaining what 'isn't right', Lio. These guys have been my friends since I got here, and you're my friend too. Hell, you're already better off than Nat. But we just - we just need to find something."
Lionel shrugged. "Fine. Fine, I'll play along. Maybe I- maybe I do need it. I dunno, Jack. My head's been foggy, like it's all filled with cobwebs and shit. I-"
At that moment, there was a deep rumbling beneath the earth, and Jack and Lionel readied their weapons, looking down to see any fissures. None arrived, and the rumbling became more and more distant until it was nothing more than a distant tremor, which also eventually faded.
Jack and Lionel exchanged glances.
"Something's wrong. The hell was that?" Jack hissed.
Lionel grunted.
As Queen Seforia was heading to bed, the entirety of Serenissima and her palace erupted and shook as if the moon had fallen in their front yard. She wasted no time - donning her armor - it was a gorgeous thing of bronze and leather, at once ceremonial yet still practical - and grabbing her country's sacred lance and moved to the main hall of the palace to assess the situation.
"My lady!" one of her guardsmen said. "The streets have cracked open! Husks overrun the populace, dragging them back into the ground!"
"The ruins," Seforia hissed. "Of course, it would have to be our only blindspot that these dastards come from. Evacuate as many of the civilians as you can, gather what guardsmen and soldiers you can find, and form a line around the city to prevent these Husks from getting out."
The guard bowed. "At once, Your Grace!"
Seforia had to admit, it was a cunning plan. Whoever was behind the Husks certainly had a good head on their shoulders - wait for the crown princess and the prince to be away, knowing they could not reach the innermost parts of the ruins that were beneath Serenissima, and then striking with overwhelming force while most people were getting ready for bed.
The floor was slanted, Seforia realized, as if the entire ground beneath the palace had become unstable and uneven. She wanted to go outside to assess the damage to the city, but as she approached the double doors leading outside, something bashed against it.
A faint gray light slithered through the crack underneath the doorway, as Seforia backed away. Aside from the commotion outside, the main hall had become awfully quiet. Her royal guards were by her side, and she held the Venomous lance beside her, waiting for whatever blitzed through the doors.
And blitz they did - a pulse of gray light sent the two halves of the doorway flying, crashing against the ground. Husks marched in two lines, their movements unnaturally formal, as if they had been practicing that march every day they had existed.
And at the center of the formation was a woman. She was pale, with dark brown hair that reached her midsection, and a black robe that trailed behind her. Her eyes glowed with that same pale gray light, and she looked forward as if she could not see Queen Seforia or just didn't care that she was standing in front of royalty.
"I assume this is the palace, so one of you must be some kinda king or queen," the woman said, pointing forward. "Tell me which one of you it is, and the others can go."
Seforia stepped forward. "I'm Queen Seforia of Solm, and who in the Divine One's name are you?"
"Doesn't matter," the woman said, rolling her shoulders. "Now, are you gonna come along quietly, or am I gonna have to take you by force?"
Seforia laughed. "I thought you must've been a genius, planning an attack like this! But, nah, I don't think you are. I'm not going anywhere, and my knights here will prove more than a match for those Husks."
"Husks? Yeah, they're kind husky, you're right," the woman mused. "But fine. Who am I to question a 'queen'? God, this entire thing is just pathetic when you think about it. Pathetic."
Seforia's eyes widened as an apparition appeared beside the woman - but no, not an apparition. An Emblem. And she could recognize the sword in its malformed hand.
"What have you done to that Ring?" Seforia whispered.
"Doesn't matter," the woman replied. "Not much more now. Not much more. Just this city and this continent and then I'm done - and then I'm done."
The same sword that had appeared in the Emblem's hand then appeared in the woman's.
"Come on, then, Queen Seforia. Let's dance."
Been working on this again with the little amount of free time I have and yet I was still able to get almost 7k words out in a week. Is it showing that I really enjoy writing the fic or what lol
Anyway, here's a link to our Discord: discord. gg/u89gs745fn
See you guys next time!