Chapter 5 – Divine's Return

The trip back would, fortunately, pass without incident. Throughout, Ivy dwelled on the events just moments prior.

Why were there Corrupted here? She wondered in disbelief.

The idea that their ilk would step on hallowed ground would've been inconceivable if she hadn't seen it with her own eyes. Most concerning, they had attacked the Divine One and his stewards. That couldn't be a coincidence... could it?

No, that can't be, he just woke up, Ivy reminded herself.

Nevertheless, their presence here was a sign things were already in motion, making the princess worry.

I can only pray I wasn't too late in coming here...

Soon, the castle would come back into view.

"Look, Divine One, that's Lythos Castle!" Framme called out.

Snapped out of her thoughts, Ivy glanced over. Alear stare off with awe in his face.

"Lythos Castle… it's beautiful," he said.

"Yes, it's quite magnificent," Ivy nodded in agreement, glancing back front.

Even if it had only happened the better part of an hour ago, or perhaps because of it, the sight of the castle had not yet lost its appeal.

"I'm glad you two think so," Lumera spoke out. "Alear, though you may not remember, nevertheless I've long wanted to bring you back here. To your home."

"Home…" Alear repeated.

"Yes. Welcome Home, my child."

Despite the sentiment, Alear did not looked as enthusiastic.

In any case, they would soon reach the castle, where Lumera and Ivy's wyvern would land back on the courtyard. Their passengers would disembark, and right afterwards Lumera would assume human form once again.

Their arrival did not come unnoticed. A small crowd had assembled, not unlike the last time. The earlier departure of their Queen must've piqued the people's interest.

Another welcome committee, I see, Ivy mused.

However, unlike the previous one, their gazes were not on her, or even Lumera. Instead, they were quick to fixate on Alear. They were looks of confusion and curiosity, but slowly realization was dawning on the crowd.

Then it happened.

"It's the Divine One!"

The cry came from a woman, staring in shock towards the group. Gasps were heard, and the crowd began to murmur. Lumera took a step forward.

"Yes, it is as you see," she announced. "The Divine One, Alear, is once again among us!"

Immediately after, the crowd went wild.

"The Divine One, he's back!"

"Oh, what joyous day this is!"

"It is a miracle!"

"Bless be this day!"

"I can't believe I'm seeing him, here, with my own eyes!"

Looks and clamors of happiness, awe, and adoration. Some even knelt and bowed. Yet, in spite of the merry atmosphere, there were exceptions. Despite the Divine One's presence, a few were staring in Ivy's direction instead. Looks of disbelief at best, actual glares at worst. Evidently, there was some degree of disapproval that an Elusian would stand so close to the Divine One.

Regardless, through this Alear simply stared back at the adoring crowd, stunned.

"They're really... revering me," he spoke in disbelief.

"Of course they are, you're the Divine One!" Framme exclaimed.

"The people of Lythos, nay, of almost all of Elyos have long waited for your return," Vander said. "It is no surprise then that they'd be overjoyed to finally see it come pass.

"Just like we did!" Clanne added.

"Even Elusia would not consider this a trivial matter," Ivy said. "Despite that it would not be as... jovial to them."

"I understand, though it still feels very... unreal," Alear frowned.

"Don't worry, my child," Lumera said. "It may take time, but you will get used to it. That said, we do have to cut this short."

She then turned to face the crowd once again.

"I'm afraid there are important matters that must be tended to, so we have to take our leave."

The crowd was visibly disappointed at the announcement, but nonetheless began to disperse. Even so, they left still in a jovial mood, blissful in the fact that the Divine One had finally returned from his long slumber.

"Now then," Lumera turned back. "There is much to discus, but I'm afraid this place isn't the most proper. Let us retreat into the castle."

"Understood, Your Majesty," Vander nodded. "We shall depart immediately."

"Before we do that-"

Lumera turned to face Ivy.

"Ivy, would you want for your wyvern to be taken to the stables?" She asked. "It would be better than leaving her here."

"I'd appreciate that, Queen Lumera," Ivy replied.

"Excellent, then I shall have someone fetch for her. Let's be on our way, then."

With that, the group began to make their way towards the castle.

"It's been so long since we last were here," Framme said as they walked through the castle hallways. "Isn't that right, Clanne?"

She turned towards her brother.

"Absolutely, Framme," Clanne nodded.

"You don't come here often?" Alear asked.

"Our duties as stewards means we seldom leave the Somniel, Divine One," Vander explained.

"Yeah, it can be up to weeks between any trips to the surface," Framme added.

"Really?" Alear was surprised. "So you don't see your parents often?"

At this the mood of the twins faltered slightly.

"Yes, that's true, Divine One…" Clanne trailed off.

"But! We do write them often," Framme said.

"I see, that's good at least," Alear smiled.

"Well, since you are down here, it would not be a bad idea for you to pay your parents a visit," Lumera said.

This shocked the twins, to the point they actually stopped walking, making the others do the same.

"Eh!?"

"Really, Queen Lumera!?"

"Yes," Lumera nodded.

Despite so, they looked unsure.

"But, what about our duties as stewards?" Clanne asked.

"Yeah! We can't leave the Divine One's side!" Framme cried out.

"It's alright, I don't mind," Alear said. "Don't let me be the reason you can't visit your parents."

The two stared at him, before-

"Thank you, Divine One!" They both chorused in unison.

"Oh, I know! You should come with us!" Framme said.

"Yeah, I'm sure our parents would love to meet you, Divine One," Clanne said.

"Oh, uh… sure," Alear said, feeling a bit overwhelmed, but still sporting a smile.

"Alright!" The two cheered.

Though she had remained silent through the entire exchange, Ivy watched over with a small smile of her own.

Even without your memories you are kind and considerate, Divine One, she thought. I guess there was nothing to fear, then.

She could not feel any gladder to have the privilege to be here.

"Alright, settle down you two," Vander said. "Do remember we still have important matters to deal with first."

"He's right," Lumera said. "Maybe not today, but perhaps tomorrow you can go."

"Okay, it's a deal!" Framme nodded.

With that, they continued on their way.

Soon they reached their destination: the throne room. They walked all the way towards the base of the stairs before finally coming to a stop. Lumera turned to face the group.

"This should be a suitable place to discuss things," she said. "Now, before we begin-"

Her gaze settled on the stewards.

"Vander. Clanne. Framme."

Upon being mentioned, the three straightened out and stood at full attention.

"For the past thousand years you and your predecessors stood vigil over my son, until the day he would wake. For that, you have my eternal gratitude."

"You are most kind, Your Majesty," Vander placed a hand over his chest and bowed, his face solemn.

In contrast...

"Aw yeah, praised by Queen Lumera herself. Go us!" Framme punched the air.

"Ah, I'm feeling woozy. This is too much," Clanne looked overwhelmed.

"You two sure are... very excitable," Alear noted.

"It is to be expected, perhaps," Ivy said. "In light of their age and the importance of their duty."

"That shows the strength of their conviction," Lumera said. "Which means I have little to fear as they continue to serve Alear as Stewards of the Dragon."

"O-of course!" Clanne nodded.

"You can continue to leave the Divine One in our care, Queen Lumera," Vander said.

"Yeah! You can count on us!" Framme added.

"I'm glad to hear that," Lumera smiled. "Now, I believe there is one last person I must thank."

Before any of them could ask what she meant, there was a sudden flash of light, and a young man was left in its wake. His sudden appearance elicited some gasps, especially since he had blue wisps in constant motion all around him, like an aura. In addition, he was actually floating, his feet not touching the ground as he bobbed up and down a foot off the floor. Lumera was unfazed with his sudden appearance, and while the others were more in awe or stunned, one in particular had a very different reaction.

It had taken one look at the young man for Ivy's body to suddenly tense up, freezing in place. Inside her emotions raged, as a sense of dread was bubbling within.

Is that a… a… a…

Her mind was having a hard time piecing together a coherent thought. Still, she was able to process what her eyes were seeing. The sudden appearance, the ethereal glow, and the fact the young man was floating. There was only one conclusion the princess could draw from it.

Ghost!?

"AHHHHH!"

She couldn't help it.

In any other circumstance, her fear would've led to her leaving the area as quickly as possible, in order to get away from the specter. However, her cry caused everyone, including the 'ghost', to look at her. It wouldn't have mattered, but with the Divine One present, she was instead put on the spot.

"Princess Ivy, are you alright?" Alear asked, concerned.

She was quick to focus her gaze on him.

Focus on him, ignore the ghost. Focus on him, ignore the ghost.

"Ah, f-forgive me, Divine One," Ivy said, trying to regain her composure. "I was… startled, that's all."

"Startled?" Framme rose an eyebrow. "More like spooked."

"Framme! Stay your tongue!" Vander scolded her.

Ivy closed her eyes, fighting the urge to sigh in frustration.

Was I really the only one that averse to the apparition of the specter? She thought.

"Princes Ivy, was it?"

She opened back her eyes, to see it had been the apparition addressing her. She tensed up again, but managed to refrain from shouting again.

"I beg your pardon, Milady. I did not mean to frighten you with my sudden manifestation," the young man said.

Hearing the apology did allow for Ivy to relax, if slightly.

"I… understand," she managed to say.

Lumera turned to the specter.

"It's good to see you haven't change one bit," she said.

The young man glanced over.

"Queen Lumera, it has been so long," he said.

"Indeed it has," Lumera smiled. "A thousand years in fact, Emblem Marth."

Gasps were heard.

"Ah!" Clanne suddenly exclaimed. "It's you!"

He nodded.

"Of course, you emerged from the Divine One's ring before!"

If Lumera's address of the young man, Marth, as 'Emblem' hadn't spell it out yet, then the young steward's words would clinch it. None would be more shocked at this revelation than the Elusian princess, however.

He's one of the Emblems! Ivy's eyes were wide open, mouth slightly agape.

She was quick to glance at the Divine One, specifically to his hand. There it was, a ring wrapped around his finger. Whatever dread she was still feeling would quickly evaporate… only for embarrassment to take its place.

I mistook him for a ghost, Ivy thought as her cheeks went red. I made a fool of myself... in front of the Divine One, no less.

Still, it had made the Divine One to be concerned about her. Perhaps it could be a worthy trade-off.

She shook her head.

Now's not the time to… dwell on such things.

Fortunately, everyone was now focused on the specter, or rather, Emblem Marth, to pay her any attention. So Ivy decided to follow suit.

"I thank you, Marth, for having aided my son," Lumera said.

Shortly after, however, she frowned.

"Which brings us to the main point. I commend you all for supporting Alear, but it is the fact you got attacked that is cause for concern."

The atmosphere in the room quickly plummeted.

"Just who were those creepy-looking guys?" Framme asked.

"Yeah, when we struck them down, they dissolved into nothing," Clanned shuddered.

Alear frowned.

"I don't like them," he said. "The mere sight of them… I felt my blood run cold."

A pained look briefly flashed on his face.

"It's also concerning they were in the middle of the grasslands if they had such hostile intentions," Vander said. "How could they be that deep into Lythos?"

"I agree," Lumera said. "It is troubling to see the Corrupted in Lythos."

"The Corrupted?" Alear asked, confused. "Who are they?"

"It's not a matter of who, but rather what," Lumera said, now looking stern. "They're corpses, reanimated with evil power."

Once again there were gasps.

"W-what!?" The twins cried out.

"So we were fighting the undead?" Alear asked.

Lumera nodded.

"They were used extensively by the Fell Dragon back in the war, as his main force."

"Which makes their presence here and now a worrying sign," Marth said.

"Wait, hold on!" Framme said, looking increasingly anxious. "Are you saying that the Fell Dragon is... back?"

Lumera simply nodded again.

"It can't be..." Vander trailed off.

"I see," Marth went pensive. "My awakening, as well that of Alear's... it can't just be a coincidence."

"I agree," Lumera said. "It must be the ripples of Sombron's own."

"But, how?" Clanne asked. "What about the seal?"

"I'm afraid that was my country's doing," Ivy admitted.

"Of course..." Framme muttered with a frown.

Whether it extended to her personally, Ivy wasn't sure.

"Be as it may, we must prepare for battle," Lumera said.

"Fight against the Fell Dragon…" Alear shook his head. "I can't begin to imagine that."

"Don't worry about it, Divine One, I know you can do it!" Clanne said.

"Yeah! You defeated him once," Framme added. "Of course you can do it again!"

"I will gladly lend you my strength," Marth said. "Just like a thousand years back."

"As your stewards, we are ready and willing to assist you, Divine One," Vander said.

"I would be honored to assist as well, if you allow me to," Ivy said, joining her hands and bowing slightly.

"Everyone…" Alear looked at them for a moment, before smiling. "Thank you."

"Excellent," Lumera smiled. "Now, let's have a practice battle. Alear, I know you already fought the Corrupted, but I would like to gauge your prowess personally."

"I understand," Alear nodded.

"Before we do that, however, there's something I must show you first."

Lumera then glanced to the others.

"We will regroup in the main garden. Be sure to bring everything you need. Is that clear?"

She received nods in reply.

"Good. Then we shall reconvene within the hour."

With that, they began the trek out of the throne room.

Author's Note: Is it believable that Ivy managed to not run away? It's easy to say that with Alear there it could be possible. Still... well, it's what I decided to go with. Wish I could say I thought that idea of her mistaking Marth for a ghost on my own, but I actually saw it in a fancomic (forgot where I found it, sorry), and thought it would be funny to include something similar.