One thousand years ago...
Alear, the red-haired child of Fell Dragon Sombron, lies in a bed in the holy place that is the Somniel. Watching over him is his adopted mother Queen Lumera, who is in the process of transferring her Divine Dragon powers to him in order to heal his wound, which was caused by an attack by Sombron. Alear had defeated him and struck him to near death, which allowed Sombron to launch one final magical attack in an act of revenge. Lumera, who was there to witness the sudden attack, wastes no time using her own power to heal him.
One strand of Alear's hair turned from red to blue, signifying the Divine Dragon magic that now courses through his blood.
"That should be enough for now," said Lumera. "I'll return tomorrow, my child."
"You call him your child."
Lumera turns around and faces the other remaining Divine Dragon in the world - her daughter, Princess Raela. She did not seem pleased about Lumera referring to a child of Sombron as her own child.
"I knew you'd react like this," said Lumera.
"You've been meeting with a child of Sombron behind my back," said Raela. "Did you not trust me?"
"I was gonna tell you one day, but I wouldn't dare risk his life," said Lumera.
"It is, I suppose, fortunate he and I never met in battle," said Raela. "But, mother, he is Sombron's child. How could you call him one of your own?"
"He was unloved and miserable. I couldn't just let him return to his father," said Lumera. "I looked into his eyes and I could see a child in pain who just wants to be loved. The least I could do was give him the love he desired."
"But transferring your powers to him... it'll shorten your life," Raela said worriedly.
"I know," said Lumera. "But it's the most a mother can do for her child."
"You would dare leave me alone with a Fell Dragon's child after you depart," Raela said, upset. "I already lost Father to this bloody war. I don't want to lose you, too."
"I'm sorry I didn't consult you, but I had to make this choice quickly," said Lumera. "Alear would be dead if not for me."
"The thought that I would have to call him brother," Raela tensed.
Lumera attempts to calm her only daughter with a hug. Raela is still unhappy with the current arrangements, but she did not reject the hug. Her mother is the only family she has left. Any hug from now and forward is not to be wasted.
"I know you're not pleased with what I am doing, but I have made my choice," said Lumera. "I hope that, one day, you can understand."
"I just... I know it won't be for thousands of years, but I'd hate to wake up one day and not see you there with me," said Raela.
Raela can feel tears about to escape her eye. She wipes her eyes dry, not wanting to shed tears during a moment like this. She stops hugging her mother and faces the doorway, her back turned on her mother.
"With any luck, Alear will wake up before my time is up and we can be a family, all three of us," Lumera hoped.
"I guess I have no choice but to trust you," said Raela. "You told me that he was the reason Sombron is in a severely weakened state. Imprisoning him would not have been possible with his own child's actions."
"At least you believe he is on our side," Lumera smiled.
"But what would Father think?" Raela questioned.
"I don't meant to disrespect your father," said Lumera. "I only wish to save Alear."
"I will... I need time to think about all this, Mother," Raela said, still uncertain of how to feel. "We are the last of the Divine Dragons. We lost our entire family to Sombron and his children. And yet, one of them defected to our side. To be forced to move on, to be forced to call him my brother... I don't... I can't... how am I supposed to feel, Mother?"
"I am sorry, Raela," Lumera apologized. "I don't mean to disrespect the dead. Even now, I still mourn them. But I can't afford to regret the choice I have made."
Raela looks at her mother, just to see the conviction on her face. She then looks at Alear, who lies asleep and will not wake for who knows how long. To be asked to accept these circumstances after losing almost every single of her family... it's not an easy adjustment. It'd be a miracle if she would be happy about this.
"By the way, I don't know if this is the right time to mention this, but I took the Pact Ring to where you asked me leave it," said Raela.
"Thank you, my child," Lumera replied.
"To think that I will no longer see Father wear it," Raela said, her voice cracking from sadness. "So much blood has been spilled in this war, and all we have to show for it as the Fell Dragon imprisoned."
"Revenge will not satisfy you, Raela," said Lumera.
"Father told me, in his final moments, to one day give the Pact Ring to someone I cherish," said Raela. "But I can't. I'm a Divine Dragon. I can't just... I've already lost too much to make that promise."
"I can understand your reservations, but you can't close your heart to the rest of the world," said Lumera. "Yes, it may hurt to think about, but I'm sure he said that because he wanted you to be happy."
"Well, time will tell what I do with it," said Raela. "Until then, I must serve Elyos as the Divine Dragon Princess, as I have always done."
Lumera sighs with concern. Her daughter has become hardened from the war. Her compassion and bravery remain, but those parts of her co-exist with this icy demeanor she has developed from so much loss and grief.
The Divine Dragons' forces have just returned to Somniel after retrieving the Pact Ring - a ring that the Divine Dragon can give to the person they share a very deep bond with. Princess Raela refused to take it for herself, so she gave it to her "brother" Alear. Now the question that's on everyone's mind...
Who is Alear going to give the Pact Ring to?
Every single one of the Divine Dragons' allies assemble in the Café Terrace to rest and discuss the object in question. There was an awkward silence for the first few minutes, as everyone just looked at one another without saying a word.
"So, who do you think the Divine One is gonna give the Pact Ring to?" Alfred started.
"I don't know," said Diamant. "It's up to him to decide."
"Ooh, the suspense. Who does the Divine Dragon cherish the most?" Yunaka said with anticipation.
"Well, there are two ways he can use the ring," said Céline.
"One is to announce who is officially his closest ally, his best friend," said Kagetsu.
"Wow. Imagine being the official best friend of the Divine One," Amber imagined.
"I would not get my hopes up. It could be any one of us," said Jade.
"And what of the other way?" Zelkov asked.
"He can ask for one of our hands in marriage," Goldmary guessed.
"Um, marriage?" Ivy reacted.
"Marriage seems a little too much," said Timerra. "Maybe he'll use the ring to confess, but marriage can come another time."
"Ooh, isn't it exciting? The Divine Dragon is gonna confess and maybe propose to someone!" Framme said excitedly.
"Whether he does it before or after the final battle against Sombron remains to be seen," said Vander.
"Why do you guys think the princess didn't want anything to do with it?" Fogado asked.
"I think I know why," said Veyle. "She's afraid of getting too close to someone, and that's probably because she's an immortal being. I should know. I made friends before I slept, and they were long gone when I woke up."
"And yet, the Divine One himself wishes to give it to someone," said Mauvier. "I suppose that means he wishes to cherish one bond for as long as time allows it."
"So, any guesses on who he's going to give it to?" Fogado asked.
"I think I have an idea," Citrinne said with a sly smile. "But I'm not gonna say who."
"Aww, come on. That's no fun. Tell us," Rosado pleaded.
"I wouldn't want to spoil the surprise, Rosado," said Citrinne.
"Maybe it's you, Céline," Alfred teased. "You two do look a little too comfortable drinking tea together."
"Oh, don't tease me so, Alfred," Celine said, shaking her head.
"Hey, Citrinne, maybe it's you," Hortensia guessed. "Don't think I didn't notice those flowers you gave him. Maybe he fell in love."
"Oh, trust me, I'm not the one," Citrinne said confidently.
"I have seen the Divine One take a liking to you, Merrin," said Panette.
"Oh, don't assume so, Panette," Merrin blushed. "We were just both apologizing for how we behaved towards each other."
"Ooh, the suspense is killing me," said Clanne. "Who is it going to be? Maybe it's you, Framme."
"Me? Um, I don't know," Framme blushed. "I mean, it would be an honor, but... I'm not sure if he likes me that much. I mean, he does care for me."
"He cares about all of you equally," said someone.
Entering the café is Princess Raela. Everyone now feels a little awkward because they were just talking about her brother just now. Silence fills the air as Raela looks at everyone. Raela's smile says that she's been listening, which makes everyone feels more awkward. This was meant to be a conversation between them and not with the Divine Dragons.
"Hey, Your Divineness, has your brother told you who he's gonna give the Pact Ring to?" Framme asked, eager to know.
"I asked him not to tell me," said Raela. "I wouldn't want to spoil the surprise."
"You and me both," said Citrinne.
"I have consulted the cards, although I am afraid I would spoil the surprise if I revealed the result," said Seadall.
"Ooh, the anticipation is exciting, isn't it?" Chloé said. "The Divine Dragon gifting a precious ring to the he cherishes the most. Oh, it sounds beautiful."
"I have my guess, but it would be rude to spoil the mood," said Louis.
"Well, as soon as he breaks the news, I'm throwing a engagement party," said Pandreo.
"And I will be sure to cook the most delicious of meals for such an occasion," said Bunet. "That is, if the Divine One trust me to prepare it. I should probably consult him on the food."
"But, wait, what if the person the Divine One wants to give the ring to already has a someone special?" Clanne brought up.
"Ooh, right. That would be a problem," said Lapis. "Imagine how heartbroken he if one of us rejects the ring."
Citrinne giggles.
"Citrinne, why are you laughing?" Lapis asked.
"Oh, don't mind me," Citrinne whispered.
"This makes me hope he waits until after the battle. It would do us no good to be led by a heartbroken leader," said Alcryst.
"What about you, Your Divineness?" Etie asked the divine princess. "Who would you give the ring to?"
"Oh, I'm not one to spill something so willingly," Raela teased.
"You are all really eager to know, aren't you?" Saphir commented.
"Perhaps it could be you, Saphir?" Lindon teased.
"Don't kid yourself, Lindon. I don't think I've been here long enough to form that deep of a bond with him," said Saphir.
Boucheron sniffles and says, "Just imagining the Divine One confessing his love to one of us using the ring, it brings tears to my eyes."
"Well, nothing we can do but prepare for the next battle while we let the Divine One decide," said Citrinne.
"You seem really confident about your guess, Citrinne," said Fogado.
"She probably thinks she's the one," said Goldmary. "You may have charm, Citrinne, but the Divine One has a better option if he seeks someone charming."
"Well, I'd hate for anyone to be disappointed if they're not chosen," said Citrinne. "But it's not up to us. And, please, let's not mention this to him. We don't need him feeling pressured."
Citrinne shoots a knowing smile at Lapis before leaving the café with most of everyone. Lapis was confused at first, but she is slowly starting to understand why Citrinne gave her that look.