Memories of Broken Melodies

by Sakura108645

The bell ran thrice. Three individuals are suddenly thrown into a new world. One who knew of it, two who did not. The three were separated and now desperately searching for each other. Accompany them are strange rings with the spirits of people like them. But, why were they in Elyos? Why were they suddenly in a place they had absolutely no connection to? Or...was there more?

9. Chapter 9: So it Begins

Wrapped in biting wind

Hearts will never bleed

Frozen and banished

Out of grief

In their restless dreams

They try so hard to breathe

Pulses flutter and sting

Within this bleakness

- Dream -

"I told you many times not to do that."

He turned to look behind him to see a woman whose face was blurred. Beside her stood a man wearing black, silver, and purple armor, his face also blurred. The man seemed to look at him in worry as blood dripped from the sword he was holding.

"Why are you here, (—)? You're supposed to be watching over my siblings." He said in a voice of no emotion yet it seemed the woman could hear irritation in it even if others could not.

"Don't scowl at me." The woman huffed, "I'm here because some fool chose to throw himself in battle!" She said and the man in armor sighed while his eye twitched.

"My lord, I understand about wanting to collect the rings but you must also worry about your well-being. You may have a strong body but even fell dragons need time to recover." The man said and he narrowed his eyes.

"OH, GREAT HEAVENS!"

A younger female voice cried out and ran to him, catching him off guard as she placed her hands on his chest.

"You're injured!" A young woman cried out and looked at him, her eyes...the colors...why could he not see the colors yet, something about those eyes was beautiful.

No...he shouldn't be feeling those emotions. He was not a defect. The woman in question's hand began to glow and the warmth of the magic felt nice.

"Alear...you idiot..."

Who...are you?

- End of Dream-

It had been now three months since Miguel had arrived in Elyos. Of those three, two months since his arrival to Lythos. Miguel adjusted well to his new role and life in Lythos castle. The duties of a dragon steward had been simple at the moment. Cleaning the Sommiel, taking take of the animals, and for him, being under Vander's apprenticeship. Learning how to use an axe and lance was difficult. It was completely new to him. He studied physical combat with the twins. Unfortunately magic decided to bite the dust with him.

"You have a magic defect. Unfortunately, it is something that only your clan has. Let me explain."

So Miguel learned that his ancestors fought in the war that took place 2000 years ago against a power-hungry demon. They defeated it and in return, the demon cursed them to be unable to use magic. His clan was able to find a way to reverse engineer the curse and transform it into a biological defect that could go away naturally as one grew up. Unfortunately, it's only three months since he arrived in Elyos and he would be 38 by the time the damn curse went away. Queen Lumera did say there is a way to help cure him but it would have to wait for a while because she needed to contact a person that could help him. Unfortunately said person was MIA and Lumera had to locate them.

At the moment, Lumera had encouraged him to use the royal library to his heart's context. To study at least the basics of magic and war tactics if he was interested. He was informed that his great-grandfather was the leader of his group in the past. Before him, it was her husband, who was Ermos's older brother. Learning this, Miguel decided the first thing he was trying to search for as much information as he could about his family. After two months of training, getting to know the people of Lythos, as well as socializing with them, somehow earned the name Lythos's Errand Knight because he was always helping at the city in his free time, and researching the royal library. Unfortunately, despite all his research, he barely found the minimum of information.

"By the gods!" Miguel slammed his book closed and stood up, frustrated as he ruffled his hair and then placed his hands on his hips, taking deep breaths to calm himself, "Nothing, nothing, nothing. Only the basic information of how they fought in the fell war, how Gardlon came to be, and very little information of the first war that took place 2000 years ago." He growled.

He really wished there was more information and the only source that could help him was his great-grandfather's journal that Nanami had in possession, and he still hadn't located her. Perla, he had an idea she was in Brodia but Nanami? It felt like he was back on Earth. Nanami unfortunately had the horrible habit of disappearing and couldn't be found for days. It all started after the death of their parents and it became worse after their grandparents passed away. And the other problem was that she had no memory of where she disappeared to. At least from the little she remembered was that she would go to someplace blue. And that he immediately understood, the beach, because they lived in the Bay Area.

"Sigh...you visit the ocean still." Miguel thought and stood up to put the books away.

He looked at Sitonia's ring. Since the day it was revealed she has sealed away, Sitonia has not said a word or even attempted to communicate. He did have a chance to see the ring vault, where the other Emblems were. Immediately he was greeted by the voices of spirits thinking he was his great-grandfather till they realized he wasn't and apologized. He said it was alright and Sigurd along with Lumera introduced him and the stewards to the rings. They were a colorful bunch, that was the best way he could put it is that they came from all walks of life. But there was one ring in particular that caught Miguel's attention.

"Your name is Byleth?" Miguel said as he spoke to The Ring of The Instructor.

"You have heard of me in your world?" Byleth said and it was a pity Miguel could not see him.

"I think?" Miguel's forehead creased, puzzled, "It's just your name sounded familiar. I think it was my younger sister that kept talking about a warrior named Byleth. I do remember her mentioning the names...what was it...?" He scratched his head, "Ed-el-gard? I hope I am saying that right. Dimitri. Claude. And someone named Jeralt, Shez, and Yuri. Something about...it wasn't fair that Jeralt died? I'm not sure what that is about but I remember her crying about it after she threw her phone on her bed." He said and noticed how silent Byleth became.

"...Edelgard, Dimitri, Yuri, and Claude are the names of my students. Jeralt is my father's name. As for Shez, the one I know is a female but in another world, I have also met her male counterpart. Just as I have met my female counterpart." Byleth said as Miguel's eyes widened, "I think your sister may know my story. Huh...so our stories transcend even beyond." He mused and Miguel could somehow feel the spirit was smiling.

Miguel hoped to talk to Byleth more in the future and Lumera had suggested that Byleth would be interested in Miguel being his wielder in the future. Unfortunately, Miguel was greeted with Sitonia's ring becoming hot, almost burning him. All the Emblems were shocked seeing the Seer's reaction, and Byleth said he would but at the moment it best not. He did not want to upset Sitonia. But for now, he needed to finish putting away his books and head to The Sommiel. After that was done, he went to his room to pick up his sword and strapped it onto his belt. He headed to the area Lumera told him to and warped to the place. Warping felt as if he had gone through damn turbulence on an airplane, gods he hated it. But at least he got from one place to another fast. A sigh left his lips as he got to the place and looked around. It was his turn to take care of the divine dragon.

[-]

Thank you.

That puts an end to my duties here.

"Whose voice is echoing inside my head?"

Perhaps if we can meet again...Please remember me.

Who fought alongside you...The twelve...

[—-]

"Sigh...Clanne and Framme are busy today." Miguel thought as he walked to the divine dragon's room, "This feels so wrong going into someone's room to clean it while they sleep." He said as he stopped in front of the door and went in.

He looked around the room and saw nothing needed to be fixed. Just some dust that need to be cleaned and the flowers near the bed stand needed to be changed. Alear was still asleep but as Miguel cleaned, he kept getting the nagging feeling he was being watched. And Sitonia had been silent as of lately. Most likely from the scolding Lumera gave to the ring but it was a good thing the queen did not understand Morse code…Sitonia cursed at her. As Miguel worked for a couple more minutes, he didn't notice how the young man on the bed stirred. Alear's eyelashes twitched before suddenly his eyes snapped wide open.

Without a sound, the young man sat up looking around till his gaze landed on the man's back. The man was humming a soft tune as he swept the floor, one that sounded familiar. But...a name left the divine dragon's lips, as the man's back looked familiar.

"Er...mos?"

Miguel quickly turned around to see who the hell called his great-grandfather's name to correct them but...Miguel froze. On the white bed, sat Alear, wide awake, and looking at him. The former soldier dropped the broom in shock, his mouth opening and closing like a fish, then quickly turned to try and calm himself

"Hello?" Miguel heard and slowly turned to look back, "Who are you?" The Divine One Alear asked, looking at him puzzled till...

CRASH!

Miguel quickly turned around to see a potted plant shattered on the ground and Framme with Clanne stunned then shaking as they hunched, and then it happened.

"THE DIVINE DRAGON IS AWAKE!"

Their screams of joy shook all of Sommiel and could be heard from below.

"Oh my goodness! Oh my goodness!" Framme squealed as she squished her cheeks, "I've been watching, waiting, for this moment for so loooonnnggg~!" Then she cheered.

"To see you move at last!" Clanne wailed, "Wonderful! It's too wonderful I can't even look!" The boy cried while Alear was just so confused along with Miguel.

Miguel knew they were fans of The Divine Dragon but "God damn...Isn't this too much?" Miguel thought he scratched his cheek and then quickly stood in front of Alear to keep the twins from getting so close to him, "Whoa! Whoa! Back up you two!" The man said in a warning tone.

"I understand that you are excited but god damn! The man just woke up! Let him breathe first!" He said as the twins pouted.

Alear didn't know why but he appreciated what the man did.

"Sigh," Miguel let go of a sigh and turned his head to look at Alear, "Kids. I apologize for the racket. And, even though this is our first time meeting, it is good to see you are awake, Alear." The soldier smiled.

"Geez! Keep it down, you all!"

The group looked to see Vander coming in with papers in his hands, plus a frustrated look.

"There's still a mountain of work to be done! Not only that, you screaming that the divine dragon is awa-" Vander then froze when he looked behind Miguel to see the Divine Dragon fidgeting nervously.

Thump

"The...Divine Dragon..." Vander passed out right then and there on the floor, his soul leaving his body.

"Oh no! Now we have to watch over Vander!" The twins cried out while Miguel scratched his chin.

"Is today a hectic day...?"

- Meanwhile at the same time in Northern Brodia -

"And a one! Two! Three!"

Perla's eyes snapped open after she took a deep breath, her catalyst growled brightly in her hands as it burst into flames and then she began to take graceful steps. Keeping her posture straight, making graceful hand movements as the flames followed her like ribbons. They then went onto her back and the flame went away, revealing blue butterfly wings of fire.

"And fly!" Martha yelled, pointing her staff up to the sky.

Perla's wings flapped and she flew, "Spin!" Martha yelled and Perla spun, "Good! Now, Engage!" She yelled and Perla raised her right hand, "Cure us! Emblem of Crystalized Flames!" And light engulfed Perla once more.

She was in her Emblem form but this time instead of a staff, she held two chakrams in her hands. The shape of them reminded her of flower petals, the colors were a deep red and had a stained glass design of a multitude of colors. The woman did a few movements, slashing at the air. She had never used Charkarms before in her life but it felt like, she had known how to all her life. The way she moved was graceful, like a dancer doing an ariel dance in mid-air.

"These movements, is this folkloric dance?" Perla thought and instinctively moved her skirt, noticing that the edges were sharp like blades.

The movements and dance, folkloric and salsa, combined with battle. Perla was now dancing with pride, death, courage, and rage. It felt as if Sophia was dancing beside her as she floated down. At this point, Martha unleashed human size wood golems and they charged at Perla. With the movements, Perla spun and twisted her body with poise and grace, jumping, spinning, and even doing back flips as she cut down...

"Oh, she got Sophia's habit of beheading people. I'm so proud!" Martha cooed as she watched the woman continue to behead her golems.

Martha had seen Sophia fight when she would train with her mother or show a demonstration against a training golem. The girl at young age noticed how Sophia always aimed for the vital points to deal a killing blow and then once she found the opening she needed, she would aim for the head.

"Master, is that really a good thing?" Oniyuri sighed as she crossed her arms and looked over to Perla fighting, "Still...the magic tool you created to temporarily nullified the curse Zephia put on Sophia." Her eyes opened just a tad bit, "Not bad."

"I have to thank your girls." Marth said as she looked at Oniyuri's necklace, "They still won't come out?"

"You know they prefer to be in peace." Oniyuri sighed and then both quickly snapped their heads at the flash of bright light to see Perla on her knees, gasping and panting for air.

They quickly ran to her, and helped her up, Martha instructing her to take slow and deep breaths.

"F-Five minutes." Perla choked out, "I was able to last five minutes in Enage before the curse kicked in. I think...that's exactly the amount an Engage form can last." She said and Martha nodded.

"You are correct. Now come on, time for a long break." Martha said as they helped her walk to the Northen castle.

The Northern Castle of Brodia was a place built in secrecy 400 years ago by the original royal family. It was built in secrecy as a place for protection for soldiers that were injured during the war but also to send the queen or any concubines that were sick to heal or to hide them away. At the moment, it was a place where Martha could have Perla train safely in mastering her Emblem, but it is also where Brodia's Queen was kept hidden because of her illness. The inside of the castle was built similarly to Firene Castle but its colors were mostly purple, red, and gold. They were currently in Martha's other office in the castle.

"Gulp, gulp...Ssiiigghhh..." Perla let out a long sigh after gulping down the sweet berry potion Martha gave her, "Am I going to have to drink this for every Engage I do?" She asked as Martha was preparing some staves.

"Yes." Martha said as Sophia appeared, "I'm going to get diabetes at this rate..." Perla sighed while the other two women just snorted.

"No, you won't." Sophia giggled, "I'm just happy that you can now use my power without being hurt gravely. When the time comes, and you become stronger, I will test you. So do your best." The woman cheered with a grin.

Martha smiled softly yet there was a distant look in her eyes. She wondered if this is what having a sibling is like. Happy and peaceful times that unfortunately, she could not have as a child.

"Before I forget," Martha spoke up, "you're going to meet Queen Opal today." Perla nearly dropped her drink in shock, "Listen, I'm going, to be honest with you. I'm...hoping that you and Sophia, with your advanced knowledge, can help the queen. I'll explain on the way to her room." She said and Perla nodded.

Sophia returned to her ring and the group walked through a maze of hallways till they reached a room on the top floor of the castle. As they got closer, Perla froze. There was tingling around her skin and Martha stopped, smiling with a half-lidded gaze.

"You were able to feel the barriers I've placed. Good. It means you're gaining control of your magic. And your best manifestation of it is those fairy wings you had it take shape." Martha said and they passed through the barriers and soon arrived at a burgundy door.

Martha waved two fingers, and a seal on the door unlocked before their eyes and allowed them to pass through. Queen Opal's room was simple yet luxurious. Light blue blankets and quilts of silk with pillows as well as a fireplace that kept the place warm.

"Excuse us, Queen Opal," Martha said and Perla noticed how sad her eyes had become as they walked to bed.

There, laying covered in silk blue blankets was a sickly pale woman with dark blue hair that was around shoulder length. She looked fast asleep had it not been for the dark circles under her eyes.

"Sigh..." Martha smiled sadly as she sat on the left side of the bed and gently placed her hand over the Queen's, "Queen Opal, my husband, Morion, Beryl, Albert, Adeline, and I...along with Princess Topaz, we were all childhood friends." She whispered, "Opal and Albert found me in the woods, injured. I had lost my memories. I remember who I am now but at that time, they were the ones that reached out their hands to me. It's why..." she gritted her teeth and Perla understood.

"It's why...I protected you...Y-You're important to me...I would do...anything to protect you..."

Perla gulped, her hand trembling as she remembered something from her past. She took a deep breath and then let it out as she went to sit on the right side of the queen. Martha nodded, giving her permission. Perla realized early on that Martha was looking at her as a last hope. She wondered if that was why the Court Mage was so quick to have her under her thumb because she was someone who had advanced medical knowledge. The knowledge that to her, was lost in time due to the war that happened 2,000 years ago. Perla took the queen's hand, almost reeling back at how cold it was but then she felt a weak heartbeat.

"I sense...some sort of magic encasing the queen," Perla said and Martha nodded.

"I...used a spell to freeze the queen's time. To prevent her illness from becoming worse. She has the same illness as Prince Alfred of Firene. But for her, it progressed rapidly four years ago. I and Albert have been searching for a cure not only for her but if we do find it, it will also be given to the prince. The prince is currently well but his illness has returned. He has five more years left to live." She said as Perla held her breath.

After that, Perla went back feeling the queen's magic flow, closing her eyes as she concentrated but her eyes shot wide open, her mouth opening and closing like a fish.

"Life...Is she...?" She pointed to the queen and Martha nodded, "How many?"

"Six months."

"Does King Morion..." Martha shook her head, "Queen Opal asked me to keep it a secret. If the worst comes to happen, she asked me to save it." Martha said as Perla looked back at the queen, "Focus on your task."

Perla nodded and closed her eyes once more. Getting a feel of the queen's magic flow, she could feel that it was weak and struggling but also, there was something foreign. Perla's forehead creased as she tried to concentrate more and an image began to form in her mind.

"Something in the blood flow...black spots..." she thought as the light in her hands began to glow brighter, "I need to take it out. Maybe..."

"So think of it like this." Nanami said as she drew a straw-like figure in her journal, "Blood flows through our veins. This is a blood clot. The body would naturally dissolve the blood clot. You can also take medications that help." She said as Perla scratched her head, "Are you understanding this?"

"Yes, I am." Perla said, "Okay...I got that down. Where's my anatomy book?" Miguel who was working on his studies held up the book and gave it to her, "Thanks. Anyway," she opened the book, "time to the bo—Nanami what the hell is this?" Perla took out a notebook paper from the book and on was written and drawn some sort of fancy medical method.

Visualize the blood flow and locate a foreign matter

See black spots in blood flow.

Make the black spots gather then extract.

Black sludge comes out of hand or is spit out.

The method in the real world is treated with antibiotics but in a world with no such medication, magic is used.

The method is painful.

Miguel looked over and blinked multiple times before looking at Nanami again.

"Are you writing fan fiction?" Nanami melted as she shyly nodded her head, "Huh. Not bad." The man nodded.

"I can't believe I'm about to do this..." Perla thought and once again closed her eyes, seeing the black spots in the Queen's blood flow.

She began to gather a few in one place, and then she felt it. The pain of it made her eyes shoot wide open but she didn't stop. Her grip became tighter as she began to absorb, she felt something bubbling in her hands. Perla quickly let go of the queen's hand and ran to the trash can, and slammed her hand in it. She fell to her knees, panting and gasping for air then felt a hand on her shoulder.

"What the hell did you do to Opal?!" Martha snarled, and it was the first time Perla saw her eyes turned to slits, but the older woman's gaze looked at the trash can, seeing the sludge that was there but most of all...

"M- Martha?! Come here!" Oniyuri called out and Martha looked at Perla before going back to bed.

Once she did, the woman froze seeing the queen's lashes twitch before they slowly opened, revealing pale violet colors eyes. The queen slowly looked around her gaze becoming a bit clear before she saw pink and looked over to her left, Martha stood.

"Where?" Queen Opal mumbled, "Mar...tha...? Wha...What is going on?" She rasped, "Oh...Why are you crying?" She smiled a bit meekly.

Martha fell to her knees and held her hand.

"I'm not crying..." Martha sniffed, "These are tears of joy...It's been so long since I've seen you awake." She smiled softly as Queen Opal looked at her puzzled.

"How long have I been asleep?"

[—-]

"What method was that?" Martha demanded as Perla sat in her office, three empty bottles of the berry healing potions, "You nearly gave me a heart attack. I thought you hurt Opal." She said as Perla shook her head.

"I...didn't create the method." Perla muttered as she looked down at her cup, "My sister did."

"Your sister is a medic as well?" Martha asked and Perla shook her head, "How did she come up with the method?"

"Umm...This is a bit embarrassing." Perla chuckled nervously as she scratched her cheek, "Well you see...Nanami is a chef but also a novelist." Martha raised an eyebrow, "She has a wild imagination and one of her favorite things is writing fantasy novels and creating her own magic systems and spells. The method I used is something she invented for one of her books. The method popped up in my head when I started to see images of the Queen's blood flow in my head. So...I decided to test it out. I didn't think it work." She said as a bead of sweat ran down her cheek.

Martha just stared at her, bewildered by what she was told. A young girl who isn't even a medic but has a wild imagination...Martha didn't know if she should be afraid or impressed. Then again, people that write novels are unhinged when it comes to their stories. She remembers when she caught her daughter searching for a book on how to hide bodies for a mystery novel she was writing. But the method Perla explained sounded similar to a medical method Klaus's Ancestor, one of the founders of Gardlon, invented. However, the method was deemed unsafe and not recommended because of the amount of energy it took from the caster and the dangers of the pain inflicted.

Martha pinched her chin between her thumb and forefinger, deep in thought. She's going to have to look through her family archives to search for it. For now...it is best Perla not to use the medical method again.

But one positive came from it. Opal looked somewhat better now. Not fully cured but enough that she now stays awake for a few hours and eats. And most of all, Morion and the rest of the family were about to have the biggest surprise of their lives when they learned that the queen was not only awake but something else as well.

"Do not use that method again. Your sister is creative, but unfortunately, she's...too creative." Martha said, "The method sounds similar to one in one of the archives I have. While useful, it is dangerous. However, the good thing about it is that the black sludge you threw out, I collected to study so hopefully I can create a cure that will save Opal and possibly Prince Alfred." She said as she handed Perla another berry potion.

"I'm starting to get sick of the taste..."

"Suck it up."

- At The Same Time in Solm -

Click, click, click!

Tick, tick, tick!

Wrrrrrrrrrrr!

Flashes of light shined brightly in the room Nanami was in. Had she not been wearing her goggles, she would go have gone blind. But that didn't stop her from working on her latest project. It had been now three months since she arrived in Elyos. Two months since she had become part of Sentinels and Rumba's apprentice. But most of all, since she started learning something she only dreamed of in her novels. The woman picked up a small gear that was on the tray next to her other tools and went back using her homemade soldering tool. A long breath she let out and picked up a marble size crystal that glowed light blue with magic.

She opened the back of the tool she was working on and inserted it. Hearing the click was a good sign.

"Alright. Now the final part." Nanami said as she reached into her drawer and took out her cell phone, and gently pressed the side.

She took out the small SD and picked up the cassette player-size magic tool. The tool itself had a glass screen, color green, and was a cassette player shaped. She inserted it, her hands trembling as she clicked the small button at the bottom of the screen. She felt it vibrate in her hand, the screen lighting up, and then...the first few images appeared, in color. Nanami then swiped and found what she was looking for.

"Okay...pictures are showing. Now...will you play my music?" She whispered and found one of her favorite songs and tapped it.

The silence felt like hours but then...

"Invincible smile destroys the media! Want to know her secret, mysterious! Even her flaws within her area! You perfect and a liar are like a genius idol!"

"YEEEEEESSSSSSSSS! YEESSSSS! IT WORKS!"

Nanami's scream shook Solm's palace and Rumba just rolled his eyes from his office as he continued to do his paperwork. Yet, he couldn't help but smile a bit as Nanami zoomed past his desk like a hawk. The only thing he didn't appreciate was that his papers were sent flying but the woman had quickly used wind magic to stack them back neatly on his desk. Like before, it had been now two months since Rumba took on Nanami as his apprentice and he was happy to see just how hardworking she was...even if she tended to procrastinate a bit. Still, after she did so well on her first week, he decided to fully take her in and teach her the Lycinth Clan magic arts.

He also noticed that Nanami had an interest in magical mechanics so he decided to nurture that interest.

And he was right to do so.

"Timerra! Merrin! Pannette!" Nanami yelled out as she ran into the training room and saw the women there had just finished their sparring session.

"Hey, Nanami! What do you get there?" Merrin said as her wolf, Liko, perked up.

"My MP3 player is done! It works!" Nanami jumped excitedly, "Look!" The girls gathered around and Nanami quickly swiped through her playlist and clicked on a soundtrack that she knew they would love.

Bright Sandstorm.

The music began to play, the sound of the xylophone, drums, the chants, Timerra was in joy listening to the song and began to dance along with the beat.

"Oh! I love it! Come on you three! Join me!" Timerra said it made them feel like they were dancing around a bonfire.

"Oh I don't—" and Pannette got pulled in by Nanami and Merrin joined.

The three danced together to the music, dancing and laughing, enjoying the beat of the song. And then it switched to the fiery mix. Timerra grinned and grabbed her training lance and threw one at Nanami, waving her free hand to come at her. Nanami couldn't help but grin as she handed her MP3 player to Pannette and lunged at Timerra. The fiery music and beat made her heart accelerated as she spun her lance and then thrust it at the Timerra. One of the main things Nanami asked is that they teach her self-defense. She swore it was too heavy for her, an axe sent her falling back. A bow snapped too easily in her hands, but a lance? It just felt right in her hands as she slammed the but of it onto the ground and then swung her body and moved her legs to kick the lance.

"Hey! When did you learn that?!" Timerra said as she jumped back and Nanami grinned as she landed back on the ground.

"Observing you!" Nanami said as Pannette handed her her MP3 player and she put it in her pockets, "I've been staying up late to practice. And not only that," she raised her purse proudly, "Rumba taught me how to cast the Extension charm! I have everything I own in here!" Finally, she can carry all her things without being worried about anything.

"Carrying so many things, isn't it too much?" Pennatte said and Arisa manifested.

"Not so much." Arisa said with a smile, "I would also carry all my belongings with me using a magic closet spell. Perfect for when my family and I would go out on our jobs as mercenaries." She said and winked.

Nanami had grown to trust the Solm cast and decided to tell them about Arisa. After the time together, treating her like one of their own and welcoming her with open arms, she felt safe enough to tell them about Arisa. Queen Seforia especially, reminded Nanami of her mother.

"Hey, Arisa, I've been wondering, did you have any mounts?" Merrin asked and Arisa smirked before she put two fingers in her mouth and whistled.

A loud neigh was heard along with a howl, a hoot, and a loud meow, before them in spirals of green and white dust formed a behemoth of a red pegasus, a white wolf, a white cat, and a white owl. The women were awed as the red pegasus snorted and the white animals stood close to their friend.

"This is Red Hare. I found him in the woods when I was a child. We've been together since we were both young. This here is Blanca. A wolf pup who I also took in. Hersvelg here," the cat, "I adopted here during the time I was a professor. And Feh here," the white owl perched on her shoulder, "has also been with me since I was young." She said and turned to look back at them.

"I have never seen a pegasus this big before," Merrin said as she carefully walked up and Arisa's partners circled her then the blonde couldn't help but giggle as Feh landed on her head.

At some point, after Nanami introduced Arisa, Timerra asked if maybe she could try to summon Emblem Ike. This was done with just her and Fogado in her room. Nanami wasn't sure it was even going to be possible but she said it never hurt to try. Timerra handed her Ike's ring and she put it on.

"Let's see..." Nanami gulped and raised her hand then balled it into a fist, "Fight on! Emblem of Radiance, Ike!" She yelled and...nothing.

Not a glow, not a buzz...nothing.

"Well..." Fogado rubbed the back of his neck, "You tried."

"Sorry..." Nanami said as she handed the ring back to Timerra.

"It was worth the shot."

"Hey, everyone!" The group turned to see Pandreo running their way, "Queen Seforia has summed us all! Looks like, something has happened." He said as the girls looked at each other worried.

Arisa returned to her ring and they headed off to the throne room.

- Lythos -

"You don't just go frantically introducing yourself and dropping information like that on someone that just woke up from a coma!" Miguel yelled as he stood in front of Alear's door to prevent them from going in.

Miguel had to stop Vander, Framme, and Clanne from frantically trying to quickly take care of Alear, introducing themselves to even making tea and food. Miguel ended up kicking all three of them out by force from Alear's room and told them all to calm down first before even setting foot inside. He rubbed his eyes, a tried sigh leaving his lips as he waited for the trio to breathe in and out. But also to allow Alear some time to adjust and to properly wake up.

"I live in a mad house..." Miguel mumbled and this time politely asked Framme and Clanne to prepare some tea, something that was slightly sweet to help Alear wake up along with a bowl of honey oatmeal.

He blamed Perla for the basic nursing skills he had. Once that was done and Alear was now awake, not too in shock, and now comfortably sitting at the table and chair that was set up near his bed, Miguel allowed the group to come in. The usual first came, Vander, Clanne, and Framme introducing themselves as Alear's guardians and caretakers and their names as well as a bit of history of The Dragon Stewards. From the first generation of dragon stewards to now, they have been waiting for the day that Alear would wake up. And that it had been 1000 years.

"PFFTT! A T-T-THOUSAND YEARS!? YOU'RE SAYING I'VE BEEN ASLEEP FOR A THOUSAND YEARS!?" Alear screeched as Miguel handed him a napkin to wipe his mouth, "Thank you..."

"Pardon me but have you forgotten who you are?" Vander said, a worried expression on his face as Alear nodded.

"I remember my name is, Alear. As well as a name called Ermos. But nothing other than that. Just...who am I?" Alear muttered, his eyes downcast as if ashamed that he had forgotten his past. "I apologize if I am quiet. This is...all so much for me" he said, "Have I...truly been asleep for a thousand years?" He looked up to them.

"It's alright." Miguel said, "You have been asleep for a long time. Naturally, your mind is hazy. Ah, before I forget," he stood properly and saluted him, "My name is Miguel Lycinth Sanchez. And Ermos is the name of my great-grandfather," the man introduced himself and Alear looked at him stunned.

Lycinth...it sounded familiar to Alear. But also, the name Ermos.

"If I may," Vander spoke, "Divine Alear, you are the Divine Dragon-A dragon of royal blood who is worshiped like a God in this world." The knight said and Alear stopped mid-way through his drink.

"Pardon?"

[—]

"You all gave the man an internal crisis!" Miguel said as he drew his head back, his left hand over his eyes as he let out a long breath, "Let Alear have time to process everything he is being told. Just dumping all that on a patient is too much. It could have caused them to enter a panic state or worse!" The fact that he was scolding the twins but Vander of all people said a lot.

"But, Miguel!" The twins whined but thankfully Vander understood, "Sigh, you are right Miguel. It was unbecoming of us to do such a thing. It seems the excitement blinded this old knight." Vander chuckled, "Still," the group looked out to see Alear tumbling through the grass, "I never thought I live to see The Divine Dragon wake."

"Ah...he tripped," Miguel said as a wave of nervously filled him seeing Alear stumble, trip, and...

"THAT DUMB ASS!" Miguel screamed seeing Alear was now falling off the the edge of the Sommiel.

"DO NOT CALL THE DIVINE ONE SUCH THINGS!" Vander yelled and Miguel apologized but he ran to the edge to see Alear falling, falling, and then, "What the fuck?" Miguel blinked multiple times to make sure he wasn't seeing things.

Some sort of strange power came from the ring Alear was wearing and managed to help him stop his fall and just stumble onto the ground. Sitonia's ring felt warm for a moment and began to blink a few times. Miguel studied the blinks for a moment before he spoke.

"Marth has awakened. That fool has been awake this whole time. He was just waiting for Alear." He said and looked back down to the ground, "Marth? Is that the name of the Emblem Alear has?" He asked and the response was "Yes."

[—-]

"Are you alright?" Miguel said as the twins were sobbing once they all came down but the sight they got was Alear mumbling to the ring, trying to get a response.

Unfortunately, now it looked like he had hit his head. Miguel sighed and walked up.

"Alear." He said and the prince jumped and looked behind him to see Miguel and the others, "O-oh...My apologies."

"I'm more worried about you falling. But looks like you didn't suffer any injuries." Miguel said as Vander nodded.

"But to fall from such height and yet not even a scratch on you! As expected of the Divine Dragon!" Vander said but Alear shook his head.

"No...That wasn't my power. More importantly, how did you all get here so fast?!" Alear said.

"It's because we can instantly warp to the ground level. Moreover," Clanne chuckled a bit nervously, "we have been watching you the whole time." He said.

"The twins thought you were about to die," Miguel said as Alear became pale from embarrassment.

"What?! Then...you all witnessed my embarrassing moments." Alear looked away but saw the group smiling.

"Yep! We watched every second of it!" The twins grinned, "We felt a kinship." Clanne said, "You can rely on us more!" Framme smiled.

"I hate to interrupt this, but we should head to the castle." Miguel said as they turned to him, "I don't know why...but something doesn't feel right." He said as Vander walked up.

"Do you sense something?" Vander said as Miguel's eyes narrowed a bit as he looked at the castle.

Miguel just felt something was...different. Of course, other than Alear was awake, he felt something else. As a soldier, he had to have a supper intuition and instincts. Only one time he chose to ignore and he regrets it to this day.

"Alear, there's someone at the castle waiting for you." Miguel said as the twins and the dragon walked up, "I doubt you will remember them but know they have been taking care of you for a long time." He said.

"Who?"

"Queen Lumera, your mother."

[—-]

When they arrived at the castle, Alear was unable to form words by just how big and beautiful it was. But most of all, when he shyly greeted the people, they all fell to their knees and prayed, excited and overjoyed to see him awake. They began to pray, some bards began to sing songs, and there were a few knights who sprinted out of the castle and began to announce that The Divine Dragon Alear was awake. Before Alear's eyes, he watched as people celebrated his return. A few brave ones even walked up and handed him flowers and there was a little girl that was about to trip but he quickly caught her.

"Are you alright?" Alear asked and the little girl looked up to him and grinned, holding up a lily to him, "Nice to meet you!" She said as Alear looked at her shocked and smiled softly accepting the flower.

Miguel smiled, seeing the peaceful moment. Despite only just waking up, it was nice to see so many people were happy that Alear was awake. But that nagging feeling that something was wrong kept growing, even after Queen Lumera appeared and went to greet Alear. He watched the interaction and snorted seeing the huge long letter that the queen pulled out Vander, Framme, and Clanne had to hold up to keep it from touching the ground because Alear was surprised to see she knew about him.

"Yes. I was writing a letter to give to you when you woke up." Lumera smiled bashfully, "My precision Alear"

"Umm...I think you should take it slow." Miguel said to the queen, who just gave him a playful glare.

"I have been waiting for you for a very long time...I'm truly so happy!" Lumera said, small tears forming in her eyes.

"Umm..." Alear looked hesitant as he rubbed the back of his neck, "I'm sorry but I don't remember anything...Not even the smallest details about my family..." he said, a look of regret and shame in his eyes.

"I see...You truly don't remember..." Lumera smiled sadly, "The battle from 1,000 years ago."

Miguel looked at them and then, the feeling came. Miguel became still and looked around, trying to pinpoint where the terrible feeling was coming from. Something dark and sinister was in the air and then, he ran to the nearest knight, took their lance, and threw it in the direction of the wall behind Alear. And right at that moment, an explosion happened. People screamed for their lives as they settled and revealed a group of Corrupted.

"Those are Sombron's minions! How did they get in?!" Lumera yelled as Miguel ran and stood in front of Alear and the little girl.

"I didn't think I see these bastards again." Miguel gritted his teeth as Vander began to order the knights to fight but also for a group to head immediately to defend the ring vault with Queen Lumera, and another group to help people evacuate, "Alear, are—" His eyes went wide.

Alear was frozen in place, eyes wide, hands suddenly clutching his face before falling to his knees, trembling and panting. Those eyes, the way his body responded, and the finding difficult to breathe. It was a traumatic reaction. Alear must have had a traumatic encounter with the corrupted in the past. The mind may not remember but the heart and body did. Miguel gritted his teeth and the queen had the little girl evacuated to safety then once again stood in front of Alear.

"Alear!" Miguel ran up to the prince, who was a shaking mess, "Alear, look at me!" He spoke in a slightly softer tone and that worked, allowing the young man to respond and look at him, "Alear, evacuate." He said and the prince looked shocked, "You're not in the right state of mind. Go." He said and stood up, picking up the sword that was on the ground.

"Wait, no! For me to just run away, what about the rest of you?!" Alear yelled but Miguel smirked as Vander and the twins went to stand beside him, weapons ready.

"I most certainly won't permit you to fight after you woke up from your slumber," Vander said, glancing back, axe ready.

"Please, leave it to us! Protecting the divine dragon is our sworn duty!" Clanne said, taking out his fire tome, "We have to put on a show by defeating them all!" Framme winked as Alear was stunned.

"Alright, follow my lead!" Miguel said and spun the sword he had in his hands before a knight nearby threw him back the lance he threw, "Framme and Vander, take the rear! Clanne, you're with me!" He yelled and they nodded, "Charge!"

The knights and group charged at the corrupted, and the battle against them began. Alear was frozen in place, eyes wide and shocked as he watched them all fight, he was afraid to move. But he couldn't just let them fight, it was wrong that he evacuated. Everyone was fighting. At that moment, even if the corrupted brought fear to him, Alear gritted his teeth and rose from the ground, and then spotted Miguel fighting a Corrupted. The young man felt familiar, he looked familiar but deep in his heart Alear knew he wasn't someone he knew. The young dragon charged and stopped the axe of a corrupted that was about to strike Miguel from behind.

"What the hell are you doing here?!" Miguel said as Alear greeted his teeth and then roared, pushing back the corrupted and then slashing at it.

The monster screamed in agony from a slash and crumbled to dust before Alear turned to Miguel.

"I'm sorry, but I can't just stand back and watch! I can't just run away!" Alear yelled as Miguel looked at him stunned but the soldier nodded, and the two stood back to back, "I'll watch your back."

"Alright. Kick those punks asses." Miguel smirked and the two charged fighting side by side.

Fighting beside Miguel felt new and familiar as if he was fighting beside an old friend. As they fought, the corrupt were starting to get her.

"They just keep coming." Miguel gritted his teeth, "Is this what it's like fighting them up close?" He thought and he was suddenly pushed back, only to see Alear sent flying to the wall, "Alear!"

The crash of the impact caused a wall to be destroyed but worst, Alear was injured and fell to the ground like a ragged doll. The prince gritted his teeth but then saw the ring he was wearing had come off.

"Grrr..." A corrupted growled and picked up but then it began to glow brightly, the light burning away the monsters.

Alear lunged and grabbed hold of it.

"I won't let you!" The prince screamed and then he heard it, the voice.

"Alear...remember."

"This power..." the prince whispered as the ring began to glow brightly in his hands, power swirling around him.

"If we can meet again someday...Please remember me. Remember the 12 Emblems that fought alongside you."

Power swirled and swirled in hues of blue, the wind became stronger and surrounded him as words began to fill his mind, and then...

"SHINE ON, EMBLEM OF BEGINNINGS, MARTH!"

Light exploded before Alear's eyes, light began to take form in the shape of a human. Before Alear floated a young man with deep blue hair and eyes, a gold circlet on his head with a red jewel. He wore a blue tunic, with shoulder and breast armor over it. A blue cape with the inside red, black pants and boots, as well as a sword in hand. Blue magic surrounded him as the spirit in the Emblem smiled.

"I'm glad we could meet again, Alear!" Marth grinned down at his old friend, "You're the voice I heard!" Alear said and Martha nodded, holding out his hand to him.

"Thank you. Because you remembered the incantation, I was able to materialize. Well then, let's fight together again! You can do it! I know you can!" Marth grinned and Alear, nodded, slipping the ring on his ring finger.

"Please, lend me your strength! Marth!" Alear roared as power shinned brightly, "Emblem Enage!"

White and blue light surrounded him and began to take form. Alear's clothing changed to pure white, a similar style to Marth's. The blue side of his hair turned a blue lighter shade of blue. Golden metallic wings with blue light formed on his back, and Marth's sword materialized in his hands. He raised the sword and got into his fighting position and lunged at the group of Corrupted.

"Lodestar Rush!" He roared and time seemed to become still as he emerged on the other side.

The corrupted fell to their knees and turned to dust, and the rest began to disappear one by one.

"Incredible...He wiped them out...haha..." Miguel laughed nervously as he saw the damage done, the entire wall of the castle destroyed, poor Lumera was probably internally crying seeing the place get wrecked, but still.

It was the first time Miguel was witnessing the power of an Emblem. He subconsciously touched his, wondering if he would be using such frightening power. The only thing on his mind at the moment was that he was glad such a thing did not exist in his old world. He watched as Alear floated down and turned back to normal.

"What on earth was that just?!" Alear said as he looked at himself and then at Marth, the prince chuckled.

"That's right. You don't know what it means to Engage. Only those with Draconic lineage can awaken the power of the rings. But also those who we Emblems grant permission to or chose." Marth said and looked around for a bit before turning back to Alear, "That is an Emblem ring." Alear looked to the blue gem ring on his hand, "It is your power that saved everyone."

"My power..." Alear awed and then looked up to the sky.

Miguel as well. He felt something big was going to happen soon whether he liked it or not.

- Brodia -

Martha sat in her office, her eyes closed as she was connected to the Dragon veins when suddenly her eyes snapped open.

"GASSSSSPPPP!" She gasp loudly before breaking into a coughing fit, trying to calm herself as a bead of sweat ran down her cheek.

"Alear has awakened...So has Sombron..." The woman's lips quivered before she rested her elbows on the table, and her forehead on her hands, "Mother...Mother...it's happening...It's just like you said. Alear and Sombron would wake up at the same time but also...them. I need to find their host...I need to find them and kill them before it's too late. Mother, please watch over us. Please..." Martha prayed.

"Please...I don't want to lose my family again..."

(—-)

Oniyuri let out a deep breath as she stood alone in the woods. She opened her eyes, finally to fully see in peace. Yet, as a faerie was about to land on her shoulder, she let out a shriek. Her eyes were suddenly glowing for a moment before she fell to her knees, panting and gasping for air.

"The...Divine one is awake...The Divine one is Awake... But...now, something else is coming...why can't I see it?"

- Firene -

"Ssigghhh...So it begins." A man said as he looked out to the sky, but also stood in front of Firene's Dragon Crystal, "The Divine One awaken along with The Fell Dragon. But also, them...The prophecy is becoming far too accurate." He said as he looked down at the pendant he wore, "Are you truly an Emblem...or did my family's suffering mean nothing?" He whispered and turned back, heading to Firene castle.

"May the flowers grow thorns and destroy the darkness..."

- Solm -

"You are to head to the Northern Fortress." Queen Seforia said as the group looked at her shocked as well as Rumba, "I know this is sudden but I have been receiving countless reports that monsters are now swarming the area. Locals that are not too far are worried that they may be attacked soon. I also worry that these monsters maybe after The Emblem that is hidden there." She explained as Nanami gulped.

"The Northern Fortress...Isn't it too early?" Nanami thought as the queen explained the details before Fogado and Timera nodded, saying they understood.

"Understood." Timerra said, "We'll head out tonight. It's easier that way we won't get caught up in the sun." Fogado said as the group nodded.

Nanami didn't know why but she had a bad feeling.

— ? -

"Eight chimes...The paths of time cross...Eight chimes...the eight-pointed star shall pierce the sky. Three chimes, the stars plucked and ripped from the sky fall to the earth."

After a deep breath, they let go as they stood in the woods. Behind them stood two others, the shadows covering their faces but their red eyes that glowed. But one individual their right eye was purple and the other had their left eye gold. And the one standing in front of them, their eyes a gradient red-green, gritted his teeth.

"Sigh...Alma's prophecy...Three Chimes were heard. So the bastard succeeded, he summoned and anchored them to this world." They said and turned to the two, "You head to Solm. Track the girl down and bring her." They said to the one gold eye, "And you go to Brodia. Same as your brother. As for me," they turned back to look in the direction of Firene, "I'll get this one."

"Don't worry...I'll send you all back to where you belong."

[-]

We made a choice to fight against your fate

We will come with the flame

We will wake up this despondent crowd In this dormant world somehow

Unsheath the sword not to kill

Unsheathe the sword to rend those clouds above the ground wake up,

It's time to gather now