- One Thousand Years Ago -
"Please, Ermos! This isn't right!" Lumera said as the man was on the floor writing a magic formula on a scroll, "Do you realize what you are doing?! We will never see you or anyone again!"
"That's the point!" Ermos yelled and stood up, turning to her angrily, "After everything we've been through for the past 20 years, I refuse to even let a one percent chance happen again!" He roared, "I will make sure that thing that gave the demon power to destroy everything, will never again come here or touch me and my family! FOR ONCE I PUTTING MYSELF FIRST!" He screamed as Lumera's heart shattered.
Ermos gasped and panted, "My wife...and I...along with the children of my friends and our son, are the ONLY remaining Lycinths that remain. A population that once 5 million in Gardlon, has now been reduced to only fourteen. Fourteen LUMERA! 14, that's including me and Maria, the only remaining originals of a nation that was destroyed in 20 years!" He growled.
"Ermos..."
"I'm done. I'm just done." Ermos said, the first tears he had shed in a long time, "I should be a 40-year-old man...I should be enjoying my remaining life with my wife. It's been only six months since the war has ended and the fact that we already encountered another problem that involves not just us but the entire Outrealms!" He turned away, "I'm done...Elyos will be where I was born but...I don't think I can ever call this place my home anymore. I'm just...beyond detached. I'm sorry..." the man wept, "I'm sorry...But I can't stay here anymore. I just can't..."
"I...also feel the same way."
Lumera turned and saw Maria. The black-haired woman let out a sigh as Lumera couldn't believe what she was hearing. Maria walked to her husband and stood beside him, quickly holding his hand tightly.
"Lumera...we can't stay here anymore." Maria said, "The children are safe because they love this world but us?" She shook her head, "We're the only ones capable of serving the link to the Outrealms to prevent anyone or anything from attacking this world ever again. The knowledge we have...it will end with us." She said as Lumera stood still, shaking.
"After everything we've been through..." Lumera looked up to them, crying, "Is there truly no other way?! Is Elyos truly no longer a place you can see as your home?! What about the sacrifices our people have made?! What about the children?! What about me?! If you leave...If you leave..." she wept, "I'll truly be alone..." was unsaid.
Elyos was still recovering, Alear had fallen into a deep sleep, and the eldest of the children of the court mages Elyos were doing what they could to fulfill their new roles, except Martha. Martha was in Elyos, helping take care of Alear. But...
"Aunty?"
The trio gasped and quickly turned to see Martha at the door of Ermos's magic lab. The young girl, only fourteen, looked at them with her void pink eyes before hiding again.
"I...heard everything..." the girl meekly said, "Elyos...isn't your home...anymore?"
"Martha, this is a conversation between ad-" Ermos did not get to finish when the girl fully came into the room and nodded.
"I can help...cut the link." Martha said, "Mom...gave me all her knowledge before...she passed. She had it sealed for a long time. I can help you...put an end to all this." She said sadly, "I...must atone...for my sins. I am...blood of fell...so...I must help." She whispered, "So..." She walked up to Maria and Ermos, holding their hands.
"Let's do it! Let's protect this world as your final act to your story!"
- Present Time: Elusia -
Magma Cavern was just as hot as Nanami imagined. Hotter than she anticipated but the only reason she hadn't passed out right then and there was because of the change of clothing she was in. A tank top, shorts, and some protective armor that was similar to Shez's. Her hair tied back into a bun and she had The Sword of The Creator on her waist. Her eyes held no emotions as she kept walking, looking around. Molten rocks spewed from the ground. Lava as well.
"This place feels too much like The Valley of Torment." Arisa appeared, "Sigh...that's because it is The Valley of Torment in a way..." the Emblem thought and looked at Nanami.
"...It was stupid, wasn't it?" Nanami whispered, "In that heat of the moment...I felt like I was betrayed again. Then again, I was high on adrenaline because that damn...stunt." She sighed, looking to the side.
"It wasn't a mistake. You know very well those people don't care about you."
The voice on her head...she hadn't heard it since...she took revenge on her ex-lover. Nanami let out another sigh as the voice kept whispering nothing but insults, slurs, threats, and lies about the people she had met. Perhaps it was because of that moment, she gave the emblems she had found to that spy to give them to Timerra. She even told them Camilla's location.
"At least Corrin will be reunited with her family." Nanami let out a small breath as they started walking for a long while.
She never really had the chance to talk to Shez, Lestia, and Yuri. Shez she especially wanted to get to know because she was an Outworlder like them. Nanami stopped and looked up to the crimson ash-filled sky, her eyes saddened as she thought back to Ivy and her family. Hortensia has been sent to Brodia and is going to fight Alear and the others. Soon Ivy would follow. She only hoped that the person in her dreams would inform Alear of what she told them.
"There others out there..." Nanami whispered, "Then...that means Miguel and Perla are too." She ran her fingers through her hair, "Are they even looking for me? Are they even worried about me? Everything has changed since they came back two years ago...I could tell something happened to them." She muttered and closed her eyes.
"They took revenge on those who wronged them...just like you did..." the voice whispered, "Just admit it...you wish you had a close relationship with your siblings like Timerra, Fogado, Ivy, and Hortensia have." Her eyebrow twitched, "You wish you had a close and trusting relationship like them."
Was it wrong to crave warmth? Was it so wrong to want to have a close relationship with her siblings?
Was it wrong of her to wish they stopped shutting her out each time something happened?
Nanami took deep breaths and a few hours later they arrived at what looked like a ruined shrine. But she quickly hid behind some boulders before peaking out her head. Her eyes went wide seeing men and women dressed in black robes and a few corrupted with them. What bothered her was that...
"Oh my god?!" She quickly covered her mouth in horror as she realized who was leading them.
"Is there no way to remove the barrier?!" Zephia said angrily as a man dressed in white robes stood beside her, "Ugh! Search the perimeters again!" The dragon said frustrated as her soldiers did just that.
"The barrier around it isn't normal." The white robbed man said, "It feels...similar to a divine dragon's magic but it's not at the same time." He said, "I'll look around again."
"And here I thought you would be able to break it," Zephia said, shaking her head but the man only snorted.
"You know that's not possible anymore. I am no longer able to use White Magic since I was resurrected." The man said as Zephia scoffed, "I must admit, it feels odd now being your alley. Still, are you sure Ermos has returned? Based on how much time had passed, he should be dead along with Maria. I wonder if it's possible you saw their descendent." He said as Nanami became still.
"So that's what The Demon meant by The Forsaken, The Empyrea, and Starfarer." Zephia said with a smile on her face, "The ritual was a success. The sacrifices made to bring the three Outworlders to this world. Sigh...I still remember watching Queen Rose fight so hard to protect her daughter. How easy it was to pin the blame onto Brodia." She chuckled joyfully, "A pity I couldn't get my hands on her daughter. I took a liking to her. Erase her memories and I would have raised her as my child." She smiled as the man just hummed.
"Be glad I'm the one here. Alma would have ripped you to pieces if she heard you." The man said and sighed before turning his back to her, "I'll be back in a bit."
Zephia nodded the two went their separate ways before Nanami quickly used concealment magic and ran straight to the shrine. She didn't know why by somehow she was able to go through the barrier without anyone noticing and went in. The woman made sure to go in deep so no one could sense or see her, but only Arisa could see the tears streaming down her eyes as she walked.
Nanami realized that Zephia and that man were talking about her and her siblings. As she walked, she thought back to Ivy and Hortensia, their siblings as well as the queen. She thought back to the tragedy that she learned occurred seven years ago. She thought back to the things that have changed since her arrival and most of all...she stopped and looked up the ceiling.
"...People were killed..." she croaked, "just to bring me and my siblings here. We ended up here...because of Sombron and the Demon. They brought us here...So many people...were hurt because of me!" Nanami cried and Arisa hugged her tightly.
"Did you know?" Nanami asked and Arisa shook her head.
"All I know is that I was awakened. That is all." Arisa whispered as they kept walking, "Nanami...you are not to blame for their deaths." She said.
"That's a lie..." Nanami chuckled bitterly, "People were killed...sacrificed...all just to bring me and my siblings here. Why? Why did they do it? What do they want from us? We're not special. We're humans. We can't give them anything." She said and then Arisa paused.
The girl was confused until she looked at where Arisa was looking. Right there, in front of them, was altar, and on it, was the Emblem they were looking for.
"The Bracelet of Strategist," Nanami said and walked up the stairs that led to the altar.
She gulped as she studied it bracelet. She thought back to the other emblems she found. Shez, Lestia, and Yuri were ear cuffs. Arisa and the original Emblems of this Elyos were rings. And the others were bracelets. She does recall that in Veronica's paralogue, Robin mentioned that it's possible that in another world, The Emblems could be necklaces.
"Hey. Arisa." Nanami wiped her tears away, "In the early days of Emblems, were there any other kinds?" She asked as Arisa looked at her confused, "You know, other than rings?"
"Oh!" Arisa said, "Yes. In the past Emblems took the shape of what benefited the wielder the most. Some were bracelets, others staffs, some even necklaces, and so on. I'm guessing you're asking this now because of what we have encountered." She said as Nanami nodded.
"Will the barrier collapse the minute we take the bracelet?"
"Sadly, yes. It's the only thing at the moment protecting us from Sombron's henchmen."
"Hrm..." Nanami grumbled and looked at the Emblem, "Can you cast extreme warp?"
"I can. You don't have to worry about that." Arisa said, "I'm going to start right now. The second you pick up the Emblem, the barrier will collapse and they will come. Are you ready?" She said and Nanami gulped but nodded.
Arisa floated above her and took deep breaths before raising her hands as if she were about to present herself and began to sing.
"Aaaaaaahhhhh...Ahhhhhh~ Ahhhhhh...Ahhhh..." Nanami recognized the melody, it was the spun Rhea would sing.
The Emblem's eyes glowed mint green as did her hair.
"This is it..." Nanami whispered as she turned back to the altar.
She picked it up and held it to her chest tightly, feeling the barrier around the place start to collapse.
"Arisa...I've made my decision. I'm going to save King Morion." She whispered as Arisa kept singing and the circle appeared underneath them. A few seconds later she started to hear footsteps and she quickly put on Soren's bracelet.
"I don't know if you can hear me." Nanami said to the bracelet, "But please help me. In return, I promise to reunite you with Ike." That was enough to make the green gem glow on the bracelet and the invocations enter her mind.
The footsteps came closer and she raised her hand she yelled out.
"ADVISE US, EMBLEM OF ACUMEN!"
Green magic burst from the Emblem along with winds. The magic swirled around her as Arisa's singing became louder. Zephia, the man, and her army arrived, only to witness Soren appear next to Nanami. Soren was a pale-skinned young man with black long hair tied loosely, dark green robes, red eyes, his brand on his forehead, and a tome in his hand as he floated next to her.
"Wretched vermin! How did you get in here?!" Zephia roared as the winds picked up and the hood of the man came off.
"That's the Emblem of Shattered songs!" The man was revealed to be albino, with short white hair, and golden eyes with black specks, the clothing underneath the white robes was that of a bow knight.
"Arisa, are you ready?" Nanami said and Arisa nodded.
Nanami turned to Soren, who studied her expression before he spoke.
"You look...younger." Soren said as her eyes widened a bit but he sighed, "Do keep your promise." He said as she nodded and raised her wrist.
"Stop her!" Zephia yelled and the corrupted lunged.
"EMBLEM ENGAGE!"
Magic swirled around her body and her clothing changed to a similar version of Soren's her hair became a dark green and her eyes red. Soren's tome floated in her hands before she began to move. The closer they came, the magic around her became stronger as red, green, and yellow orbs floated around her and then became one in her hands. She floated high in the air and screamed.
"CATACLYSM!"
And she unleashed an explosion of magic down at Zephia and the enemy. At that moment, Arisa activated extreme warp and they were warped away. Zephia coughed violently because she and the others were barely able to protect themselves. Ice crystals, broken boulders, craters, everything around them looked as if a magic bomb had dropped on them.
"That was The Starfarer." The white-haired man coughed, "I recognize that power anywhere. Sebastian was the previous Starfarer before Ermos had to put him down." He chuckled darkly.
"Can you locate where they went?"
"Somewhere in Elusia where there is an external blizzard."
- Lythos -
Miguel told Lumera what happened and what he learned as he cried. That the tragedy from seven years ago was a ritual performed by Sombrom's and The Demon's followers to create a link to The Outrealm and bring him and his siblings here. That every tragedy that ever felt his family was done by those monsters to "nurture" the darkness in their hearts so that the curse of the Lycinth clan would take over them one day. The worst part for him was the fact that the monster that showed itself took on the form of his sisters and revealed part of the reason why he went down the path of revenge, it was to avenge his lover because the one he trusted drove them to take their own life.
As to why they took their own life, Miguel was not ready to speak of it. Not yet. Lumera remained silent the whole time as she listened to him. The queen felt her heartache as once again she was reminded of the past, this time not Ermos but her husband, Sebastian. He was a kind man who had a serious and stern personality but showed his soft side to his close friends and family. Ermos was his younger brother. Before the war took place, Ermos and Sebastian had six other siblings and their parents and grandparents. All of them lost their lives during the war. Sebastian hid his pain so well that many thought of him as an emotionless and rational person but only those close to him knew how much he mourned his people.
And Miguel was like that in a way. Kind and adventurous like Ermos but hid his pain like Sebastian. Now learning how they were brought to Elyos, pained Lumera. Miguel was blaming himself for the pain and suffering Sombron and the demon had caused to the people of Elyos. He was blaming himself for the tragedies that have transpired over the years. And it was possible that his sisters would blame themselves as well when they learned the truth of their arrival.
"Hm?" Lumera felt someone enter Sommiel and stood up, "Wait here. I'll be back." Miguel nodded weakly and she left.
She walked out to the courtyard, looking around for a bit before she spotted that it was her son that arrived.
"Alear!" She waved at him and the boy came running to her, his face looked ghastly, "I have a feeling I know why you are here," Alear looked at her confused, "Miguel is here."
"How did he-"
"Sitonia."
"Of course..." Alear sighed, "Then...do you know what has happened?" Lumera nodded.
"How are the others?" Lumera asked and Alear smiled bitterly.
"Klaus and Luna are...conflicted but after they talked with Syrus, they have come to understand that what happened to their parents is not Miguel's or his family's fault. They should not feel guilty or responsible for something they had no control over." Alear said, "Can...I talk to him?" He asked and Lumera nodded.
Alear quickly ran to Miguel's and came to slow down once he saw the door open. He slowly walked to it and went in, seeing Miguel sitting silently on his bed. His eyes were void of any emotions, red, and his cheeks tear-stained. He blinked and looked, seeing Alear before he looked away. The prince looked around a bit and noticed the closet was empty well as the things Miguel originally had on his desk were gone and the case he had packed away was next to him.
"Miguel...you..." Alear whispered and from the ring, Marth hung his head, remembering Syrus.
"I think...it would be better for us to part after..sigh..." Miguel stopped and sighed again, "I don't know how to take all this. I...haven't been this out of control of my emotions since..." he paused, then hit his lip hard.
"Do you...truly want to part?" Alear whispered as Miguel's lips parted a bit before he hung his head again.
"...I...don't." Miguel whispered and Alear went to sit down next to him, "I don't know how to take all this. I don't know how to process all this. I...I feel guilty. I know I'm not responsible for everything that happened but I still feel I do. I feel responsible for everything that has gone wrong before I arrived here." He said, "I know everyone is feeling conflicted right now. After all...they just learned their loved ones were sacrificed to bring me and siblings here." He whispered and slightly looked up at Alear, "Sorry...you have to see me in such a state..."
"None of what has happened is your fault." Alear said, "You accepted me even when you learned I am the son of Sombron. You stood beside me when I struggled to speak to my mother and our friends. So, like you did to me, I will also stand and support you." He said and Miguel sucked in his breath.
Alear watched Miguel and then bit his lip. The creature that attacked them, was the same sensation he felt when he first saw the corrupted and the mysterious dragon. Why did it want Miguel and his sisters? Just what was it after? But most of all, the creature took on the form of the woman in his dreams. Miguel called her his sister, Nanami. Then...that meant that Alear was somehow connected to Nanami through their dreams. It was most likely due to what Arisa did. He heard Miguel take another few deep breaths before he spoke.
"You sure you still want me on the team?" Miguel asked.
"Of course."
Miguel chuckled softly and nodded before he waved his hand to make his snipper gun disappear into his magic closet.
"Alright..." Miguel whispered, "Not sure how the others are feeling." He said.
"Give them some time." Alear said as Miguel nodded, "This is...a sudden change of topic but...that thing...we're going to take it down. That's a promise." He said.
"I'm surprised you're not asking me about...my revenge," Miguel said and Alear sighed.
"I know better than to ask someone who doesn't want to talk about it." Alear said, "You're not ready to speak of it yet. That thing had no right throwing it out there." The young man felt angry for Miguel.
"Sigh...sooner or later I'm going to have to talk about it. Just not now. Do you mind if I go back tomorrow?"
"Take your time."
The Next Day: Firene -
"So, what did he say?" Klaus said as Alear walked beside him.
With him were Vander and Alfred. Alear explained to them when he arrived back at the camp that Miguel was in the Sommiel and to not ask how he got there. Everyone but Alfred, Klaus, and Vander, were to stay behind and rest for a few hours before they continued. For those he called, they were going to the location Nanami told him to possibly retrieve an Emblem. Alear wasn't sure yet if he should tell Miguel that he and his sister were speaking to each other through his dreams. He didn't know how his friend would react. For now, Alear decided to put the topic on hold.
"He needs space. And..." Alear sighed as they walked, "He was planning to disappear." Marth Sigurd, Lucina, and Syrus all quickly appeared.
"Reminds me of what my mother-in-law did." Lucina said, making the men raise an eyebrow, "I do not remember her face but I remember her voice. She was an outworlder like Miguel. When I was young, we went through a great time of strife and war. Many believed she was a cold-hearted woman because she never once had tears, even if loved ones died. It was when the last of shepherds, her husband, died that broke the camel's back. She disappeared into her tent for days, not even for meals did she come out. Only when...it was time to leave for our final destination did...I realize it was our final goodbye." She said as she closed her eyes painfully.
"It's a good thing Queen Lumera managed to find him on time." Syrus said, "He wouldn't be here if she hadn't found him."
"Sitonia could have easily made it so that not even Lumera could detect her." Sigurd said and Alear paused.
"You're saying...Sitonia could have made it into the Sommiel without ever being detected?" Alear said and Sigurd nodded.
The group went silent till Alfred's eyes went wide, "She purposefully didn't hide her presence!" The prince yelled.
Syrus let out a small chuckle and looked at Marth. The prince nodded. Sitonia may act cold to all but she was a kind woman. Her actions spoke louder than her words. A few minutes later the group arrived at the location. Klaus looked and sure enough, there was a floating island in Southern Firene.
"I sense an Emblem," Marth said and Klaus waved his staff, making everyone all float.
"You've mastered the floating spell you told me about when you were a child." Vander chuckled as Klaus's ears became a bit red, "I'm impressed. You've grown so much."
"Alright gramps..." The mage grumbled and soon they arrived on the island.
The air of the place felt crisp and clean but there was also a hint of sadness. Trees as far as the eye could see as well as hills. If anything, the place looked similar to the giant fields that Firene would use for practice battles to train their soldiers. At the far end of the island, the group spotted a gazebo surrounded by blue, red, and yellow flowers, and at the entrance of the gazebo was an altar.
"There it is," Marth said as they walked up to the place in a few minutes.
There on the altar was a bracelet. The bracelet was silver with a black and gold pattern. Alear carefully picked it up and studied it.
"So, the mysterious voice in your dreams was right." Alfred, "I'm curious, did they tell you anything else?" Alfred said as Alear kept studying the bracelet.
"First they helped us locate Yunaka and Anna, now this bracelet. I don't think that's normal." Klaus said.
"Divine One, forgive me for asking this but have you heard of Dream Spirits?" Vander asked as the group looked at him, "They are said to be the spirits of loved ones to have passed on or someone asking for help, enter an individual's dream to communicate with them. Perhaps this voice is such?" He said and Alear shook his head.
"I don't think so. The individual I spoke to also holds an Emblem." Alear said, "I met the Emblem in my dreams as well. The called they called themselves Emblem Arisa." He said and at that moment, suddenly the bracelet in his hand glowed warmly, an invocation appearing in his mind.
"It reacted..." Sigurd said and the group took a step back as Alear put on the bracelet.
"There's an Emblem inside this bracelet, alright." Alear said, "The presence feels...complicated. But I think I have the invocation." He nodded and raised his fist into the air.
"Lead us, Emblem of Rivals!"
Blue, red, and yellow magic burst from the bracelet, and each color took on a human form. The blue one turned to a young man with fair skin, blonde hair, blue eyes, and a strange black and blue uniform with a cape. The red one turned to a fair-skinned young woman with white hair and purple eyes wearing a similar uniform but red. Lastly, the yellow one also turned into the young man but he had tanned skin, green eyes, brown hair, and an altered yellow and black uniform. The trio let out sighs of relief before looking down and floating towards the group. They all smiled in relief.
"Finally we are free." The purple-eyed one smiled, "I am Emblem Edelgard." Edelgard introduced herself.
"Please to meet you. I am Emblem Dimitri." The blue one, Dimitri said as he politely dipped his head.
"Guess that makes me Emblem Claude. Hey there." The yellow one, Claude, winked, "Up until recently we were the guardians of another world. How we ended up here, who knows?" Edelgard said as the other two nodded in agreement.
"Three people in one Emblem?" Alfred gasped, "Wow, it must have been pretty cramped in there." The trio chuckled a bit.
"We should introduce ourselves." Alear said, "Hello, I am The Divine Dragon Alear."
"I'm Prince Alfred of Firene."
"Klaus, Court Mage of Firene.
"Vander. Dragon Steward of The Divine One."
"It is good to meet you three." Marth spoke as he floated forward to stand beside Alear, "I am Emblem Marth."
"I am Emblem Lucina."
"It is a pleasure to meet you three. I am Emblem Sigurd."
"I look forward to working with you three. I am Emblem Syrus."
Claude and Edelgard smiled and nodded but Alear noticed Dimitri looked distracted. The emblem kept looking around as he had a conflicted expression on his face as he looked to the side, and the other two noticed it as well.
"Hey, Dimitri, you good?" Claude said and Dimitri snapped out of it.
"Sorry...it's just..." he closed his eyes as he placed his hand on his forehead before looking at Marth, "I'm...sensing a familiar power from you. It's...hiissssssss!" His head suddenly hurt, "I...feel like I'm forgetting something. No...Someone important to me." He whispered as the group looked at him worried.
"Oh, I think I know who you're forgetting!" Claude grinned, "You're forgetting...Forgetting..." The smile on Claude slowly faded away and Edelgard tried to speak suddenly she also noticed chunks of her memories missing as well.
"Looks like you all have the same situation as the rest." Syrus suddenly spoke up and floated forward, "I'm going to ask you three a few questions. This is regarding your memory loss." The man said as the trio looked at him concerned, "How many people are you missing memories of?" He asked.
"Four," Edelgard answered.
"Are they Outworlders?" It was as if a light bulb was switched on and the trio gathered together and started whispering to each other frantically.
"Well, this explains a lot! I can't remember my wife's face!" Claude hissed but his voice was full of worry.
"It is the same with me. I can not remember my wife. I don't remember your wife or Edelgard's brother. There is also someone else...a mercenary who is a friend of ours." Dimitri muttered and Syrus nodded.
"It's best we put the topic on hold for now." Alear said and walked up to the trio, "But I promise you as the Divine Dragon, I will find a way to help you all regain your lost memories. I won't let you down." He said as the trio nodded, "Back to the original subject, I have a feeling you're to give us some sort of test." He said.
"No need." Edelgard shook her head with a smile, "You were able to summon us. That is enough. And your timing was excellent, we were growing weary of each other's conversations." She said as a frown came on her face.
"Geez, I wonder why?" Claude snorted and received glares from Edelgard.
From there, the trio proceeded to bicker with each other, causing the others to chuckle. Alear couldn't help but smile at their conversations, it brought a nostalgic feeling—?!
Suddenly images flashed before Alear's. In front of him stood a blurred figure, a man, and his face was similar to Miguel's but he had spiky black hair that was shoulder length, wore the armor of a mage knight and he was laughing. There in the memory, Alear saw he was laughing at two other individuals. One looked like himself but with crimson hair and the other was a young woman that pinched his cheeks, trying to make him smile. The feeling was nostalgic and warm before it faded away in an instant. Alear's lips parted for a bit before smiling bitterly then spoke to the trio.
"Anyhow," Alear said, "I can tell that you three seem to be comfortable with each other despite your differences?" He said and then noticed Klaus looked like he was in deep thought, "Klaus, is everything alright?"
"Huh?" The mage blinked and snapped out of it, "Oh, yes. Sorry, it's just...their names sounded familiar but I can't figure out where?" He sighed, "Well, anyhow, you three should stop your bickering. Don't need a war to start in that bracelet of yours." The man snickered.
The trio suddenly hung their heads, a wave of shame coming down on them before Dimitri cleared his throat.
"Of course." Dimitri said, "Divine One, thank you for finding us. We will lend you our strength and support. And...thank you for helping us recover our lost memories." He said as the other two nodded in agreement.
"No problem. Now, I think I already know who to pair you three up with." The trio was curious, "But I must ask, is it possible for you to share your power equally with two individuals?" Alear asked.
"Divine One, who are planning to pair them with?" Vans asked as Alear turned to him with a grin.
"I believe Framme and Clanne would be the perfect choice for these three!"
— Brodia —
Her time in the north was worrying. Other than she and a few maids and guards, she was the only other one who could protect the queen and the people of the frozen land. Queen Opal has been recovering thankfully to the healing method Nanami created. Perla spit into the trash can next to the bed before she could turn back the queen. But the queen looked at her worried and placed her hand on the girl's hand.
"Dear, Martha told you to not use so much magic. Do not strain yourself! I can see the dark circles under your eyes!" The queen said yet Perla just smiled.
"No worries, your majesty. I'll be alright. We should be worrying about you and," she gently poked the woman's tummy, "this little one right here." The queen whined but nodded, defeated, "Out of curiosity, have you and King Morion thought of names yet?"
"We have." Queen Opal smiled fondly as she laid back on her bed and placed her hands on her stomach, " Amethyst Topaz." Perla blinked, "Morion and I agreed that Topaz should be our little girl's middle name, in honor of his sister and my friend." The queen smiled sadly.
"Good choice," Perla said as she stood up and went to the table to clean up her tools.
"What about you?" The queen asked, making the woman look at her with a raised eyebrow, "Do you want to have your own one day?" She asked.
Perla's hand came to a still before she looked back to her tools. She just stared at them for a bit before a bitter smile formed on her face as she closed her eyes and her hands began moving again.
"I did. In the past. It is...still difficult for me to get in a relationship. I...still mourn but...I know...the one I once loved...wouldn't want to see me the way I am today. But, I don't think I'm ready to take a step forward. I hope you can understand..." Perla said as the queen looked at her sadly.
Queen Opal can see that Diamant looks at Perla differently. At first, it was confusion, then admiration. And now that look was becoming similar to how her husband would look at her. A warm and gentle gaze that he would only give to her and his family. She was watching her eldest son become a man.
"One day." The queen nodded and just when Perla was about to speak again...
Whistle~~
"Huh?" Perla came to still and looked around, "Did you hear that?"
"Hear what?" The queen blinked, confused as the woman started to look around and then looked out the window.
All she saw was snow, the guards at the gates, and a few snow spirits playing in the trees.
Whisssssttlllee~
"There it is again." Perla said as she walked around the room a bit, "I keep hearing a whistle." And she kept hearing it.
The tune of the whistle sounded more like the sound of some sort of wooden flute. She kept hearing the tune, it sounded still calm but she couldn't help but feel something ominous about it. She looked at the queen, "Are you sure you don't hear anything?" Perla asked again and the queen nodded.
"This tune..." Sophia suddenly spoke in her mind, "Martha taught you how to fortify the defenses around the castle, correct?"
"Yes?" Perla thought as she walked back to the window to look out, "She also left me in charge of everyone in the North. Why?"
"Call everyone back into the castle and start fortifying the defenses. Evacuate all nearby villages. Get ready...There's a war coming." Sophia said and Perla immediately knew what that meant.
Five minutes later all the guards were called into the hall along with the brownies. The queen was confused as to why everyone was gathered in the hall but they looked up the stairs to see Perla.
"I apologize for the sudden call but everyone starts preparing for battle." Perla said and raised her hand, "Forgive me Diamant for hiding this...but right now...I'm going to do everything I can to protect your mother and your people...Sophia, do I have your permission to reveal you?" She thought he heard a soft chuckle.
"Of course."
"Raise your voice, Emblem of Crystalized Flames!"
Sophia's ring burst with fire magic and manifested herself before everyone. Many gasped and the queen could not believe what she was seeing till she spoke.
"It's you..." Queen Opal's hands trembled and tears began to form as Sophia looked her way with a kind smile and a nod, "It's you...the one who appeared in my dreams and...protected me from the monsters in them." She whimpered as Sophia floated to her and gently held her hands.
"Yes..." Sophia spoke softly, "My name is Emblem Sophia, and I have come to aid you all." She said and turned to everyone else in the hall along with Perla.
She could hear the crowd whispering to each other, all amazed to see before their eyes an Emblem of legends but now they were asking themselves who truly was Perla. But right now, Perla needed everyone to focus.
"The reason I have called you all year today is that I just received a report from the snow spirits that an army of monsters is headed this way!" She announced and quickly the soldiers straightened themselves, "Court Mage Martha has left me in charge of this land and its people! We have five days before that army of monsters arrives! Soldiers, your orders are to evacuate the nearby villages immediately! Mages fortify the defense barriers! Archers, prepare the ballistas! Mage knights, prepare the magic cannons as well as once the mages are done, help each other to create," she held up a small pouch Martha gave her, "Extreme warp magic circles."
"Here." Martha handed Perla a small pouch.
Perla was confused as well as Sophia. The doctor opened the pouch and saw there were yellow diamond-shaped stones with runes engraved on them. Martha noticed her confusion and spoke.
"There are magic crystals." Martha began to explain, "I engraved runes used for warping on them. Should things turn for the worse, they will warp the queen, you, and the soldiers to Lythos. I am leaving you in charge of this land and its people while I and the rest are gone." Perla looked at her shocked, "You told me you were part of the military of your world, I trust you know what this means, right?" She crossed her arms.
"I was a medical doctor on the front lines! I've never done orders before or managed an entire territory!" Perla said as Sophia picked up one of the crystals.
"The magic advances here are far ahead of what exists in my home. I never thought I would see extreme warp in the shape of a crystal." Sophia said, "Then again, this is expected of you since you're the best Alchemist in all of Archanea in my world..." she thought and looked back at Martha.
Unlike the Martha of her world, Elyos Martha showed empathy towards people and kindness, and she especially saw the main difference because in this world her husband Albert was alive.
"But you know how to read a situation." Martha said as she tilted her head to the left, "Another thing, do you remember all the studies I made you do about all four nation's military tactics, magi's history, Brodia's history, and territory?" Perla nodded, "I was preparing you to become the leader of the north." The woman's eyes widened the size of saucers, "I already spoke to King Morion and he approved. And...I have another reason." Her gaze became half-lidded, "The one that will inherit my role as Court Mage of Brodia will be you."
"EXCUSE ME, WHAT?!" Perla screeched and even Sophia was beyond shocked, "I just arrived here a few months ago?! Do you want me to inherit a title that belongs to either Ethan or Oniyuri?! I-I'm a medic and soldier! N-Not a noble o-or mage!" She screamed frantically but Martha just did a sad closed eye smile.
At that moment, Perla froze and Sophia dropped her crossed arms. The Emblem knew that smile. She knew that damn smile...
"My role as Brodia's Court Mage will soon end. Oniyuri will return to her place of Origin and Ethan will soon become the next Head Master of The Magic Tower. And you, I see a long and thorny path but at the end of it, you will find the peace you seek. All these years, I have been preparing for when the moment arrives." Martha said and turned to walk away.
"Wait, Martha, what do you mean?!" Perla called out as Martha was up the stairs.
The mage smiled and pulled from her pocket a crimson stone with a strange symbol.
"It's time I meet my little brother: The Divine Dragon Alear."
The hours felt an eternity as Perla received reports back and forth, constantly being updated be the situation that was going on. She didn't dare sit down and even went on to help the soldiers set up the barriers and prepare their weapons. Queen Opal's room was fortified as well as an evacuation room for everyone where they would run should things turn south.
"All nearby villages have been evacuated!"
"General Perla, the gates have been closed and the defenses fortified!"
"General, the mages are in the towers and have the magic canons ready! Archers have the ballistic at the top of the castles ready!"
"All guards are in position!"
"The forest spirits are ready as well!"
Perla took deep breaths as she made her way to the top of the castle where a mage knight and archer waited for her. The queen was right beside her as well.
"We spotted an army in the distance heading our way." The archer said as they handed her a telescope and Perla looked into it, "I've never seen anything like it before...Those things are the ones that had been attacking all over Elyos."
Sure enough, she spotted an army of corrupted and the one leading them was a man dressed in white robes, riding on what looked like a corrupted bull.
"Tch." Perla clicked her teeth, "If things become too much, make sure you and the rest of the soldiers head to the evacuation room." She said to the rest.
Some of the soldiers at first protested because they would gladly give their lives to ensure they win the fight but Perla shut them up along with the queen.
"You all may be soldiers but you are children of Brodia!" Queen Opal boomed, "You are my people and I will not allow you to just throw your lives away! People are waiting for your return home! Do you wish to see their tears spilled?!" She roared as the soldiers gulped, "We will be victorious! FOR BRODIA!" She raised her fist in the air.
"FOR BRODIA!"
The soldiers roared and cheered. Perla ordered everyone to get to their positions. She looked out the field once more as the spirits of the forest scurried to the castle many helping strengthen the barriers. Deep breaths she took as Sophia stood by her side.
"For my family...I'll swear I'll make sure we get out of here alive."
[—-]
"Sigh." A young man with fair skin, white hair, one red eye, and the other purple, wearing strange armor and a giant hammer strapped onto his back, let out a sigh as he entered the castle with other non-humans that scrambled to get in, "I'm supposed to take you away but..." he turned to look back at the horizon with narrowed eyes, "But I'm helping you today."
"Demon Servant...I won't let you get your victory."
— Elusia —
It was as if a sudden wave of darkness poured over them all. Nanami coughed and coughed as she kept scratching her throat as she fell to her knees in the snow. Arisa desperately tried to use healing magic and Soren had a bead of sweat rolling down his cheek as he did the best he could to help. The woman coughed violently, the feeling of agony in her throat felt as if needles were being injected into her. It hurt and ached so much, that her scratching was starting to break the skin.
"This magic..." Soren said, "This The Devil's Kiss..." he looked up to Arisa, "I don't know who you are but it's clear that you have been trying to surpass the curse as much as you could. But there's a limit, and that limit is starting to show on her and you." He said coldly as Arisa's eyes went cold as well.
"I'm doing what I can to prevent it from spreading any further." The Emblem growled but Nanami looked up at her, her eyes fearful but also pleading.
"A-Arisa, cough! Just give it to me straight! That damn snake that bit me a few months ago, it was some sort of familiar, wasn't it? Cough! Cough! Urgh!" And that was when Nanami froze when she saw the splotches of blood drop into the snow.
The taste of iron was so overpowering in her mouth, that she gritted her teeth, grabbed a handful of snow then shoved it in. She waited for it to completely melt then slushed it around before spitting it out. She panted and gasped before another shiver went down her spine. Slowly she stood up and looked out to the distance.
"What's wrong?" The two Emblems asked before Nanami turned and sprinted towards the direction of the castle.
"We need to evacuate everyone!"
[—-]
BAM!
With BAM! The door of the castle burst open, scaring the daylight of the Sumia who was in the hall with the children. They all turned and Sumia nearly screamed seeing the blood spots on Nanami's shirt. The Emblems had returned to their ornaments as the head maid scrambled to her.
"W-What happened?!" Sumia screeched up and froze when Nanami grabbed her shoulders tightly.
"We need to evacuate everyone from here...One of Sombron's generals has discovered this place." The maid's eyes went wide, "Get everyone to pack their things. Get queen Thyme and Bernadetta." The woman growled, "Is Ivy's office open?" Sumia nodded, "Does it have a magic lab?" Another nod, "I'll meet you and everyone here in three days. I need to use the lab to create our escape routes." And Sumia nodded as Nanami let her go.
The woman stormed over to Ivy's office, slamming the door open, going in before locking it again. She panted and gasped before Soren and Arisa appeared again.
"Nanami what are you planning?" Arisa said as Nanami turned to them.
"With the way things are, something reckless." Soren said as he crossed his arms, "I never introduced myself but based on how you acted," he looked at her, "you already knew who I am, don't you?" He said with narrowed eyes.
"I do." Nanami coughed and went straight to the drawers and opened them.
She was pretty sure Zelkov also used the lab because the number of poison bottles she found made her eyes pop out. But that wasn't important. The woman dug through the drawers everywhere until she found magic stones. She quickly went to the table and lit up the cauldron.
"What are you doing?" Arisa asked as Nanami quickly pulled out the book she got from the cave.
The girl remained silent for a long time before she spoke in a whisper.
"That cave..." Nanami whispered, "That was...Abyss...wasn't it?" Arisa froze, "Or, what used to be the Abyss. Elyos is…." Nanami turned to her fully, tears streaming from her cheeks, "Soren said that I'm cursed by something called The Devil's Kiss. You never once even asked or attempted to Engage with me, only letting me use a part of your power that allowed me to wield The Sword of The Creator and inherit some of your knowledge in magic craft and swordsmanship. You've been using yourself to suppress the curse...to protect me." She whimpered.
"Nanami..." Arisa hesitated to reach out to her but Nanami smiled sadly as she closed her eyes.
"You're...the second person outside my family who has genuinely cared about me. I...feel like I've only caused chaos here since I arrived." She wiped her tears and looked at Soren, "How much time do I have left?"
"...One week..." Soren whispered as Nanami's lips parted before she smiled again.
"I see...then..." she turned back to the cauldron, "sigh...in the end...I cause trouble in the end. I only hope that my siblings will be okay." She whispered, "Arisa, I need you to guide me through making Extreme Warp crystals. One that will warp everyone to Lythos, two that will warp to Brodia, and one to Solm." She said as the mage looked at her surprised, "Soren, I need you to help create the runes needed for this."
"This is dangerous." Soren said, "Creating Extreme warp crystals requires your blood to create. You will give some of your life force. Arisa told you the truth as did I, yet it was disturbing to see you give up so easily. I expected to see a human like you at least try to find a way to free yourself from the curse." He said but all he got was a smile with not a single hint of emotion in her eyes.
The light that was in them...was gone. Soren didn't know how to act or feel. His memory was hazy but...there was someone like Nanami in his world that shared the same eyes as her.
"I have one week." Nanami said, "I might as well use the last of my life to save those I care about and inform the others. It's the least I could do." She said.
"But-"
"What do you want me to do Arisa?!" Nanami exploded at the woman angrily, "I'm cursed! I'm cursed and only just found out about it! I only just found out that I have one week left to live! One!" She held one finger up, "ONE WEEK! Ever since I've come to Elyos it's been shit storm after shit storm! First, me being brought here! Then I found out I could never return to my world! Next the damn dragon attack! Then suddenly being in Elusia! Then I revealed what happened and Rumba told me to stay out of Elusia's business! That I'm an outsider! Now fucken Zephia is coming after this place!" She roared and the pain in her throat increased, "Cough! Cough!"
"Nanami!" Arisa bolted to her and Soren was becoming increasingly worried.
He noticed his hand was shaking, and slightly transparent, as if the magic was being sucked out of him. Soren knew what was happening. Arisa hugged the girl tightly in her arms.
"I don't want to die..." Nanami whimpered, "I just want to live...I'm so tired of constantly having to try and survive...I don't have much faith or hope anymore...I'm just...so done..." she cried, "I keep losing people important to me. I kept being betrayed by those who I thought genuinely cared about me...My own siblings shut me out when our family members passed away...and the only other individual: my baking mentor...passed away last year...I'm just so tired..." She slid to her knees as Arisa hugged her tighter.
"I always put on a happy and smiling face to hide my pain. Everyone calls me a saint because of how patient I am. I'm just trying not to snap...I'm just trying to hold it together." Nanami whispered, "I give...but never get anything in return...Is it so wrong of me to want something? Is it so wrong of me to be greedy, selfish, egoistic, smug, proud, and numb when I achieve and want something? Is it so wrong of me to choose me for once in my life?" She whimpered as Arisa shook her head.
"It's not wrong..." Arisa whispered as Nanami closed her eyes and smiled.
"You're...the only other person who has shown genuine love to me..." Nanami whispered as Arisa chuckled softly.
The mage gulped his Draconic instincts on high alert. He knew the aura the woman had. An aura that dragons would use to show their strength that they would tear anyone apart who dared harm their children. Nanami carefully stood up and wiped her tears.
"Soren, I've never been to Lythos so I need you to input the location on the first warping crystal I am done with. Arisa, can help me do Brodia?" The two nodded as Arisa turned back to the table and gently traced the page of the book.
"This is the least I could do...with the little time I have left..."
- Brodia's Border -
Alear had nearly forgotten to give the dragon stone given to him by Elder Noa to his mother. Thankfully Marth was able to remind him on time before he returned to Brodia with Miguel. Lumera was shocked to learn that the Elder had created a dragon stone for her. When the queen touched it, it felt like a portion of her power was suddenly sucked out of her but it also felt like a dark fog that clouded her mind, and her shoulders were lifted. Not only that, it a was quick reaction and she noticed some of her magic and strength was recovering, the barrier around Lythos suddenly became stronger, similar to her youth.
"..." Miguel kept silent the whole time, never once speaking to anyone but only short one-word answers.
Once in a while, he would talk gently with Veyle but that was it. The glint of life in his eyes was gone...
"Brodia..." Miguel muttered as he looked around, "Crimson sandstone..." he pinched his chin between his thumb and forefinger, "bleak land...Is Brodia going through famine or a drought?" He said out loud.
"Not that we know of." Klaus said, "Brodia has always been like this. It is a kingdom that was built on rugged mountain terrain. Even so, the people of Brodia have survived and lived for generations, even after the rebellion 300 years ago." He said and suddenly Miguel looked very interested, "Oh, so now you're talking?"
"Look, after all the shit that went down three days ago, of course, I'm going to be silent." Miguel said coldly, "Let's just drop the topic. Just tell me about what went down 300 years ago." He grumbled.
"I'll take it from here." Vander spoke up as Alear walked up to listen, "300 years ago, Brodia was under a tyrannical rule by the original royal family of that time. The family that was once benevolent and proud became greedy and slothful over the years. The king executed anyone who dared speak against him, the queen took fun in spending on gold and jewels, and their three sons were cruel to the people. And their only daughter, she was a kind but timid soul. It said the rebellion fully rose when the princess was slain by her own family because she was rising to power." Alear and Miguel were stunned to hear this.
"She was...planning to take the throne, wasn't she?" Alear said as Vander nodded.
"To take the throne, the princess of that time planned to fully reform and destroy the corrupted nobles. The Lycinth clan which also once stood by the royal family, had chosen to serve the princess instead of them. And well..." Alfred rubbed the back of his neck nervously.
"No..." Miguel's eyes slowly went wide as did Alear's, "They...met the same fate as the princess."
"There...were survivors but they scattered all over Brodia after that. The rebellion was led by a young knight who used to serve the royal family. Rumor is that he and the princess were lovers." Chloe chimed from above them, "Oh, the tragic lovers! One is a princess and the other a knight! Love at first sight only for the fate of one to end in tragedy!" The pegaus knight dramatically sighed as she placed on hand her forehead and leaned back, "And the mage that stood beside them helped the knight but also met a tragic fate! They sacrificed their lives to destroy the Evil Queen and Princes who turned themselves into a monster to fight against them and the people!" The woman cried out.
"By the way," Boucheron spoke up as he walked up to Miguel, "there is a novel based on the events that happened all years ago if you are interested." He said and Miguel nodded.
"But to the original subject," Vander sighed, "The Court Mage of that time did just as Miss Chloe said, they sacrificed their lives to stop those three. The rebellion was the bloodiest in all of Brodia's history. The young knight took the position of king and with the help of the people, rebuilt Brodia. He did not marry right away, it till 10 years after the rebellion had passed did he married and had children. Today's royal family are his descendants." He explained.
"But, how is the magic tower open today?"
"That would be court mage Martha." Klaus snorted, "She appeared 30 years ago and rebuilt the magic tower with Princess Topaz. Martha searched for the descendants of the survivors of our clan and brought them together. Because of this, she became their leader and the new head of the Lycinth clan. She also proved that she is a Lycinth. A really...really...powerful one." The mage shivered, "But I'm not going to lie. Alear, forgive me for what I am about to say but Martha is a bitch."
"Klaus!" Luna, Alfred, and Celine screeched.
"What?" Klaus glared at them, "You know damn well it's true! She's a prideful and egotistical woman who likes to show off her knowledge of the ancient arts and all types of lost magic! Plus, she's rude sometimes! And crazy!" Vander pinched the bridge of his nose along with Celine and Alfred.
"Queen Eve told me that Martha has an interesting personality." Alear said as the siblings all sighed, "Just what type of person is she exactly?"
"We'll have to wait and see."
As they continued moving forward, Miguel noticed that Alear kept looking for something.
"Hey Alear, are you waiting for something to happen?" Miguel said with a raised eyebrow.
"Apologies." Alear said, "The woman in my dreams said that we would meet the second prince of Brodia here along with his retainers." He said as the others nodded and then, Miguel froze and slowly looked back at the Lythos prince.
"Woman?" Miguel said, which made Alear freeze and it was soon followed by...
"Woman?" Alfred and Klaus said together.
"Women?" Celine, Luna, Chloe, Veyle, and Eite suddenly had smiles on their faces.
"The one appearing in your dreams is a woman?" Vander said as the twins were suddenly together.
"Oh dear," Louis chuckled as he and Boucheron watched Alear's ears turn crimson and the Emblems all quickly appear with smiling faces, "It seems someone is in a predicament."
"Oooooohhhhhhhhh~" Yunaka cooed with Anna as Jean was just confused.
"Uh, ooohhh~" Claude sang, "Are we about to witness Dimitri 2.0?" He snickered.
"Claude!" Dimitri screeched while Edelgard snickered, "Not you too, Edelgard!"
"My dear brother, did anyone ever tell you just how down bad you looked for your wife before you two courted?" Edelgard teased as the Faerghus prince was turning as red as her cape.
"Ooohhhhh!" Chloe squealed, "A fair maiden sending messages to the Divine One, the two in love but they can not be together due to not knowing where she is and she who hides her identity! She finds a way to communicate with her loved one, and guide him through the darkness! She!" She raised her hand as if she was about to sing an opera, "is his guiding light!" Edelgard along with Lucina and Celica couldn't help clap.
"A-Alright, please stop!" Alear said right before he said anything else Miguel saw something glint in the distance.
"Get back!" Miguel suddenly yelled, jumping in front of Alear, summoning Fujin Yumi, and releasing an arrow quickly.
The group watched as another arrow came out of nowhere and Miguel's clashed with it, causing both to disintegrate. The one that launched it was beyond stunned as well as their retainers.
[—-]
"Someone was able to par Alcryst's arrow?" Citrinne gawked as well as Lapis.
Alcryst was completely stunned until the one with red-blue hair stepped forward and placed his right hand over the left side of his chest.
"Third Prince of Brodia!" Alear yelled out, "My name is The Divine One Alear of Lythos! I know you are there along with your retainers! We are not your enemies!" He yelled and the trio was stunned.
"I am Alfred, Crown Prince of Firene- and your ally!" Alfred yelled out as well but they were met with silence.
"T-The Divine One?!" Alcryst whispered screeched and before the girls even had the chance to speak, "W-Wait, the blonde one beside him...That's Prince Alfred!" Now the man was in complete and utter horror.
"Oh boy..." Citrinne pinched the bridge of her nose, "This does not look good."
"Other than wondering how the Divine One knew we are here..." Lapis said as her eyes landed on Miguel, "How on earth was that man able to parry your attack..."
"Hey, Alcry-" Citrine looked to her right and saw it was empty, "Alcryst?"
"I AM SO, SO, SORRY!"
And the mage quickly looked back only to see Alcryst jumping in the air then dramatically landing on his knees, bowing his head.
"I threatened the Divine Dragon and the crown prince of Firene! I'm begging- please find it in your hearts to forgive me!" Alcryst cried out in shame while Alear and Alfred were stunned as they looked at each other and then back at the Brodian prince.
Miguel scratched his head.
"So...Alear...did the woman tell you the prince was going to be this dramatic as well?" Alear nodded, "Well shit. The chick must be a seer or something."
"Well..." Alear chuckled a bit embarrassed, "She did tell me she is a seer." Miguel choked, "She told me that The Second Prince and their retainers would confuse us as bandits before the prince would apologize for mistaking us...dramatically as you all said." He said as Alcryst was helped up by Alfred and soon the other two arrived.
The trio began to introduce themselves to the group. The young Brodia's prince was named Alcryst, the second prince of Brodia. Beside him were his two retainers, Citrinne and Lapis. Introductions were short as well and Alcryst explained that they had been tense for quite some time due to the recent events that had been happening at the border. Bandits, some people claiming to be nobles, and with the recent news that arrived of what happened with Count Luavillte, Brodia was on high alert.
Alear and Alfred said they understood but Alfred made sure to lecture the Brodian prince that there would have been dire consequences if the arrow hit Alear.
"This is the kingdom of warriors. If you can't dodge one arrow, you're not worthy to enter.
Here, the weak serve the strong. Maybe we should give you a little test, hm?" Lapis said but suddenly felt a shiver down her spine, and quickly turned to look at Miguel, who had a cold look on his face, "What?"
"The weak serving the strong is just another way of displacing a form of power. You are an individual who has power, someone who is supposed to protect the weak and those who can not fight. Dodging an arrow at that speed is something only those who are trained in the battle can do. A normal human can not." Miguel said and the entire army went silent.
Lapis's face was suddenly burning with anger as her hands balled into fists.
"Are you criticizing Brodia's way?" The pink-haired woman growled.
"Yes. Yes, I am." Miguel said, "And I'm going to say this once, kid." His eyes turned dark, "I despise the mindset that the weak should serve the strong. You have power, don't abuse it. That mindset will get you hated and despised by your people. I know very well what it's like to be abused by a person of power. And let me tell you, I ended that person, making them regret everything they ever did. Keep that tone down, you still have a lot to learn, kid." He said in a tone that was dangerous and cold.
Everyone was just completely stunned as Miguel walked away from them. His head hurt so much that he needed to sit down. The way that girl Lapis talked triggered harmful memories. Miguel had a feeling he wasn't going to like his time in Brodia, that mentality was going to be the end of him. He closed his eyes tightly, putting his hand on a tree truck to try and balance himself.
"Miguel, are you alright?"
She opened one eye and saw Veyle looking at him worried. But, something felt different for some reason. The girl glitched in his eyes, her worried and kind face changing to one of pure insanity before it went back to normal. Her eyes changed from purple to red then back to purple.
"I-I'm...fine..." Miguel whispered, "I just have...a really bad headache." He said.
"Miguel, the way you acted..." Veyle said and carefully took a step towards him, "Is everything alright?"
"...Sorry, it's just...the way Lapis spoke about the weak serving the strong triggered me. I'm sorry. You guys shouldn't have seen that." Miguel whispered and finally, the headache went away, "I should apologize."
"No...You don't have to." Veyle said which shocked the man, "I...the fighting. I...also am not fond of such way of thinking..." she whispered as she grabbed her wrist.
Her hands were shaking. Miguel wondered if...some point in time Veyle went through a similar experience as him.
"But um...I do think you should apologize for the tone you used on her. I um...think you might have scared the trio. Especially Prince Alcryst." Veyle chuckled nervously.
"Sigh," Miguel sighed and walked up to her, "Alright, let's go." He said.
Veyle chuckled softly and right when she was about to take a step, she felt a sharp pain in her head. The girl hissed, holding her head a bit. Miguel stopped because he noticed she wasn't following him. He looked back and saw her skin had become a bit pale but then looked down to her feet, noticing the chains and that she was bleeding. He walked back to her and knelt, taking out his first aid kit, and started treating the wounds.
"Y-You don't have to do that!" Veyle stuttered but Miguel shook his head.
A few minutes later he was done and both of her ankles were wrapped in bandages. He didn't even give her a second to think when he swooped her off her feet and took her to his horse. There, he sat her down as he gently pulled the reins.
"M-Miguel, I can walk!" Veyle said but again Miguel shook his head, "Sigh, alright." She smiled softly, "Thank you." He nodded.
He arrived back to the group where the others were. He spotted Alear, Alcryst, and Alfred talking, seriously about something till he felt an intense glare. He looked his left then down to see Lapis glaring at him. Another sigh he let before he looked at Veyle, who nodded to reassure him.
"Lapis, right?" Lapis glared but nodded, "I apologize for my rudeness earlier." The girl blinked multiple times shocked, "I still stand by that I don't like the way Brodia treats the weak." He gave her a light glare, "But I know arguing with you and your people won't solve anything. You have your beliefs and I have mine." He sighed again, "Just...don't get yourself killed...you're young...a kid like you where I come from would be going to school or preparing for a dance to go with her friends. Just...take care of yourself and...protect those you care about." He whispered the last part as he looked down to the ground.
Lapis was stunned and didn't know what to say but looking at the young man, it felt like...
"Are...you related to someone named Perla by any chance?" Lapis asked and Miguel's head snapped up quickly to look at her.
"...Perla Lycinth...that's her name." He said and Lapis's eyes went wide.
"Everyone I hate to interrupt!" Alcryst spoke up, "But we need to head to Great Crossing now!"
"I know this is sudden but we need to get there quickly! Elusia's soldiers are there and the one leading them is The Third Princess of Elusia who has an Emblem Ring." Sitonia quickly appeared.
"She's either going to have The Ring of The Instructor or The Ring of The Azure Twins! Originally she was supposed to have Lucina but thanks to Miguel, that didn't come true." Sitonia said as the man nodded.
"Everyone, move out!"
[—-]
Hortensia was bored as she waited at the top of the towers of the Great Crossing. She kept looking at her nails and then the ring on her right hand. She felt a shiver go down her spine each time she looked at it but she was already told the invocation she needed to summon the one in the Emblem. Hortensia did not know why but she had a sinking feeling in her stomach that something terrible was coming and she didn't know why. The princess took deep breaths to calm herself.
"Hortensia, look!" Rosado's voice made her snap out of it, "Those are Firene and Lythos soldiers, all being led by them." He said and pointed to the group in front of the army.
Sure enough, Hortensia spotted them.
"Took them long enough," Hortensia smirked and jumped on her pegasus before they flew down, Rosado and Goldmary joining her.
Gracefully the group landed in front of Elusia's army with a smile. Hortensia jumped off her pegaus and ran up. She was excited! If she killed them all and took their Emblems, Father would be proud!
"You must be the third princess of Elusia." Alear said which made Hortensia reel, "And the ones beside you must be your retainers." Goldmary's and Rosado's eyes went wide.
"How did you know who we are? And who are you?" Hortensia narrowed her eyes.
"I am The Divine Dragon Alear. I was told you be here." Alear said which made Hortensia quickly whip around to yell at her army.
"Alright, who was it?! Who was the snitch?!" She yelled at them and turned back to him, "Whoever it is, I'll take care of them later. I always thought Lumera was the only Divine Dragon. You could've knocked me over with a feather when I found out there was another one! Wow... Those mismatched eyes of yours are something to see..." Hortensia said with a grin.
"Get away from him you Elusian! You wicked Elusians aren't worthy to approach the Divine Dragon!" Alcryst said angrily but Hortensia scoffed, waving her hand dismissively at him.
"Wicked?! Hahahahah!" Hortensia laughed before her cute demeanor suddenly became cold, "That's rich coming from you Brodian scum!" The girl said angrily, "Do you have any idea the amount of suffering and terror your people cause?! Your soldiers have killed not just our soldiers but also innocent and regular people. Your nation has been trying to invade ours for hundreds of years! All with the stupid excuse of expanding your land or keeping us so-called Fell Worshippers in check!" She said furiously and the gemstone on her ring glowed faintly.
"Hortensia?" Goldmary said, shocked because Hortensia never displayed this much anger in public at all.
"Wait, something doesn't feel right," Rosado said and slightly lowered his weapon as he and Goldmary decided to observe a bit longer.
"There are regular fell worshippers too, you know! The normal people who just pray regularly but you stupid Brodians just associate every fell worshipper with the extreme!" Hortensia yelled, leaving the group in front of her in shock, unable to speak.
"You think you Brodians deserve our sympathy?!" Hortensia screamed, "Elusia is a cold land! We have nothing to give you! You're nothing but damn warmongers. Your people are the ones that drove The Queen Mother, Queen Rose to her death! It's your fault! It's your fault!" The girl roared, "But no more!" She raised her hand and the ring now glowed bright red.
"That's an Emblem!" Vander said but Sitonia quickly appeared along with Sigurd.
"No way...It can't be..." Sigurd said and Sitonia was shaking.
"T-That's not Byleth's or Erika's ring..." the woman croaked as Hortensia laughed and then screamed with a mad smile on her face.
"INCINERATE US, EMBLEM OF SACRIFICES, ARVIS!"