Intermission: Hot Spring Relaxation
Ylisstol. A shining beacon of stone atop a grassy plain. That is how the people who lived here have ever known it. For the Shepherds and Guardians, a bastion of light to stand against the Darkness threatening to consume Archanea. For Chrom, Lissa, Sumia and others, it was home.
But for others, they could not help but see a different sight.
Ash-filled smoke filled the skies, shrouded in darkness as lightning fell from above. The homes raged with fires as wood and stone crumbled under the flames. Heartless-Risen swarming the streets, murdering anyone in their way. Soldiers, women, children, and elderly, no one would be spared as their hearts were torn from their bodies and used to create more Heartless-Risen, along with their freshly killed corpses. Their screams echoed in all directions.
And that shadow…that dark, foreboding shadow that engulfed the sky, with those glowing eyes—
"Lucina? Are you alright?" Chrom asks, snapping Lucina out of her vision. She looks at her father before looking back out to the city, its peaceful vista once again filling her vision. "You've been staring at the city ever since we returned. Is aught amiss?"
"I would be lying if I said no." Lucina replies, looking at the city. "I was remembering how my home looked in the future, the smell of ash and death blanketing the air. It's not something you would ever forget."
"I see." Chrom replies, saddened. "And I suppose the news we had received earlier did not help as well?" Lucina nodded as her mind returned to when they had returned to the city with a surprise waiting for them all.
Flashback
Night falls over Ylisse as the Guardians and Shepherds make their return. It was lucky they arrived at night, for the last thing they needed was the crowds swarming them in cheers when they only wanted to rest.
"Prince Chrom!" One of the guards calls out in relief. "Thank Naga, you are here. Something needs your attention in the throne room. It's urgent."
"Not even back, and already there's something else." Chrom laments. "Let me dismiss everyone first." The guard looks behind Chrom nervously before leaning in to whisper.
"Actually, my lord, it requires everyone's attention. Both your Shepherds and the Guardians. That's all I can say." Chrom raises an eyebrow at the guard before sighing mentally. This was something they did not need.
"I understand." Chrom replies before turning around. "Everyone, there is an urgent matter in the throne room that requires all of us. I know some of you would rather go to bed, but I'm afraid you cannot." He could hear groans from several of the Shepherds and Guardians around him, and Chrom easily sympathised with them. But whatever this was, it was too important to wait. As the guards moved to take the horses and pegasi away, Chrom led the Shepherds and Guardians to the throne room, questions swirling around their minds.
"What do you think it could be?" Sora asks as he and Kairi walk on Chrom's left. Chrom shrugs his shoulders before looking to his right past Sumia as Robin and Tiki walk alongside. Robin picks up on the look as he glances at Chrom, giving his own unsure look.
"I don't know. If anything, it could be something from Plegia. They have the final Gemstone, and they should have heard about us picking them up by now." He says with narrow eyes. "Although if it is, the timing is more than coincidental." Everyone thinks on Chrom's statement as the throne room doors comes into view, two Armoured Knights standing guard outside in Ylissean blue. The recognise Chrom as they salute him before opening the doors for them. Stepping in, they find it, to their puzzlement, empty.
"About time you arrived!" A voice suddenly echoes from above. Glancing up, everyone was surprised to see a small glowing orb of light circling around before touching the ground. In a gentle flash, the orb vanished as a stuffed cat-looking creature takes its place. Grey and white with black stripes, blue lines for eyes and a pouch with a star suspended from its neck while a cape flowed behind it. "Do you know how long I have waited for you to arrive!?" It asks in annoyance towards Sora and the Guardians. Chrom and the Shepherds looked at them confusedly, while Lucina and the future children glanced at each other in similar confusion.
While Oceania, Cynthia and Gaia restrained themselves from running over to pick up the creature.
"Chirithy? Why are you here?" Ventus asks as he walks up to the familiar.
"Do you know this thing, Sir Ven?" Frederick asks, unsure of how to gauge the being before them. Although his words were not the correct ones to use if judging by Chirithy's reaction.
"I am not a 'thing'! I am a Dream Eater. Created by the Master of Masters to act as dedicated companions to Keyblade Wielders." He says hotly before catching himself. "I… shouldn't have said that…."
"Don't worry. It's okay." Ventus says as he picks up Chirithy. "Everyone here knows and are sworn to secrecy." Chirithy gives him a look before Ven's face turns serious. "Now, what is it that you need to tell us? And how did you get here anyway?"
"Oh, right." Chirithy facepalms itself with his tiny arms before shouting in alarm. "The Princesses of Hearts are being kidnapped!" The following silence that filled the room was only matched by the building anger and shock from the Guardians of Light.
Flashback Ends
"I admit, it was not something I was expecting to hear. Then again, it's something no one wanted to hear, if what Sora and the others have told us about the Princesses anyway." Chrom admits with a frown as he stands next to Lucina. "Did this happen in your timeline?"
"No." Lucina shakes her head with a sigh. "Chirithy never appeared in our time. I can only assume that the kidnapping of the Princesses happened much slower than now. I suppose we are lucky that Kairi is with us, but…." Chrom places a hand on her shoulder to calm her nerves.
"I know. I cannot help but feel for Zack." Chrom remembers the look of anger and shock on the man's face as he heard that Aerith was the first to be kidnapped. If it weren't for the fact they had no idea where she was or that they were trapped here, he would have taken off to find her last night. "As it stands, we have been doing nothing but fighting and marching. Everyone needs time to rest and relax. I only wish that we had such facilities in abundance here."
"I might be able to help, my lord." Anna's voice echoes behind them as the trickster makes her presence known. "You didn't hear this from me, but one of my sisters has a hot spring resort not too far from here. It's in the mountains and only we Anna's know where it is. If you like, I can lead all of us there for some proper relaxation. Free of charge, of course!" Chrom and Lucina look at each other as they consider the idea. A chance of relaxation did sound tempting to them, and if judging by everyone else, they would agree. But there was one thing that bothered them.
"That sounds like a wonderful idea Anna, but how does your sister own a hot spring?" Lucina asks. Anna places her hands on her hips before giving off her merchant smile.
"Live your life as a merchant, and you can buy anything. In fact, one of my sisters actually owns a beach resort on the east coast of Ylisse. But since it is over the mountains, I don't think it would be an ideal spot to take a rest."
"A fair point." Chrom admits with a nod before a smile adorns his face. "In any case, a trip to some hot springs will be best for everyone. Thank you, Anna. I'm sure they will agree to a trip to your sister's establishment."
"Just doing my part, Lord Chrom." Anna replies with a bow before leaving the room with a smile. She had a message to send out.
To say the Shepherds and Guardians were surprised by Anna's offer was an understatement. Greater still was the collective excitement and interest in visiting the hot springs, especially on the future children's side. So here they were, a group of heavily armed people walking up a mountain trail to a secluded spring led by a red-haired Trickster. Not the strangest of things they have seen or done, by far.
That being said, the mountain area they were in was a peculiar one, to say the least. They had left before dawn earlier in the day, and yet the sky remained in the early hours of dawn, leaving the mountainside in a light blue hue. By now, it should have been midday, yet it seemed no time had passed. Chrom wondered if he should not have left the Fire Emblem in the Vault in Ylisse before Anna's voice called out from the front.
"Okay, everyone! We are here!" She says, an open hand pointing to a wooden building. Coloured in hues of red, brown and blue, its style reminded them of the buildings they saw in Say'ri's homeland. Complete with stone idols of dragons sitting outside the front. Anna walks up to the entrance before knocking on the wooden door. A few seconds pass before the door opens, revealing another identical Anna standing on the other side. Only this one wore a red and white Yukata with circle-like patterns running down it, with small squares inside the circles. The new Anna's face lights up when she sees Trickster-Anna before enveloping her in a hug.
"Anna! So good to see you!" She says with a grin. Trickster-Anna reciprocates the hug with her own while everyone behind her looks on. Roxas and Ventus both look at each other before shrugging in acceptance. They were told of this, but it was another to see it in person.
"Good to see you too, sis." She says before breaking apart to face Chrom and the others. "Everyone, this is my older sister. Anna." Yukata-Anna bows before them gracefully while wearing a smile.
"Welcome, everyone, to the Secret Hot Spring." She greets before rolling her eyes at everyone's dumbfoundment. "Yes, I know. We look completely identical." That seemed to snap everyone out of it as they quickly regained their composure.
"Forgive us. We meant no ill." Chrom says before Yukata-Anna waves him off.
"Its fine. You're not the first and you won't be the last. Anyway, enough about that. You came here to relax and that's what your going to get." She says before ushering them all inside. The interior was as large as the Shepherds barracks, while also having two more levels above with the central floor in each floor gone. There was even an interior stable for the horses and pegisi. Walking past a stone garden in the centre, Yukata-Anna points to a map detailing the plans of the hot springs.
"Before you head outside, there are a few rules that need to be followed. Annoying, I know, but it's needed." She says after hearing some groans from some of the Shepherds. "First rule: Wear a Yukata. Before you even step outside, you need to change into a Yukata, like what I am wearing now. Don't worry. We have changing rooms, and more Yukata's here than you can imagine. Second rule: No weapons. This is a place of relaxation, not a training field. Third rule: Enjoy the atmosphere." She finishes with a smile before pointing to her left. "Boys are on the left, girls on the right. That is all, and enjoy the springs." With a final bow, Yukata-Anna dismisses everyone, who begin to move to the separate changing rooms while Trickster-Anna stays behind. "And what about you, sis? Are you joining them?" Trickster-Anna thinks about it before shaking her head.
"Not today. Besides, if I were to change into a Yukata, they would not be able to tell us apart. I'd rather not do that to them." She giggles. Yukata-Anna rolls her eyes but smiles anyway.
"Ah, well. Maybe next time."
The hot spring area itself was as breathing as it was soothing. Bamboo shoots sprouted from the ground creating natural pathways, smooth stone rocks piled up into pillars nestled amongst them. Waterfalls falling into pools that stream into rivers flow gently across the area, steam gently lifting from the water. Smaller, similarly designed buildings like the front were placed around the area, not disturbing its natural beauty, while small hills gently rolled up and down.
While some of the Guardians and Shepherds chose to bathe in the waters, others chose to walk along the bamboo paths. Others instead chose to stay inside the main building and enjoy the peaceful view. But some couldn't relax, no matter how they tried.
Sitting in what was called a Zen Garden by Yukata-Anna, Zack tried to enjoy the peaceful atmosphere. But he couldn't. His mind drifted back to Aerith every single time. About what had happened to her, what was being done to her. Every fibre of his being told him to go out and find her, but his mind told him he couldn't. Not while he was trapped. It was a never-ending spiral, and it was starting to make him mad.
"Zack? You doing alright?" Sora's voice echoes behind him. Turning around, he finds both him and Ventus standing there with concerned looks.
"Sora? Ven? When did you get here?" He asks, surprised he didn't hear them coming.
"We got here a few seconds ago and saw you sitting by yourself." Ven replies as the two walk up and sit next to him. "But are you okay? We saw how you were when Chirithy told us what was happening outside back at the castle." Zack looks at the two before heaving a sigh.
"No. No, I'm not." He reveals. "It's just, all this time, I had thought she was safe, that Leon and the others would look out for her. It helped me keep my mind at ease as I looked for a way to leave and get back to her. But now, hearing that she was captured after someone came and backhanded everyone, it's tearing me apart." He shakes his head. "I just want to get out there and find her, no matter what. But I know I can't. None of us can leave. Even if what your friend has said is true, that this world is about to rejoin the others, none of you have any of your ships to leave." He looks at Ven. "Well, you, Terra, and Aqua may be an exception." Ven gives a small smile before looking away with a deep thought. Before he could speak, Sora beats him to it.
"I know how you feel, Zack." He says, looking at the ground. Zack looks at him with curiosity as Sora speaks. "I've been in your spot twice. The first was when my world first fell to darkness, and I began my journey. I wanted nothing more than to reunite with Kairi and Riku. So much that me and Donald got into a fight early on in our journey about skipping a world or not, even though we should have gone down to seal the Keyhole. Tunnel vision was bad for the both of us." He gives a chuckle at the memory, joined by Ven, who has faint memories of that experience.
"The same thing happened again during my second journey. At the time, I thought Kairi was safe back on the Destiny Islands. Until Hayne, Pence, and Ollete told me, she was captured by Xemnas's Organization XIII. I felt that same desperation you feel, Zack. It was so bad, I even got on my knees and begged Isa, who was Saix at the time." He looks back at Zack with an understanding smile. "That's why you can't give up. No matter what, we will find her. If they are only targeting the Princesses of Heart, then whatever they have planned for her won't happen until they get Kairi. And considering the rules of this world, it won't be easy as it was in others." Zack seems to straighten out a little as though some weight had been lifted from his shoulders as he sighs.
"Right. You're right. Sorry, guess I was tunnelling a bit too much." He admits. "Doesn't change the fact I'm worried as hell. But at least I have some hope that she's still alive. Thanks for that." Sora gives a smile at Zack before looking up at the stars above, taking in the peaceful atmosphere. Until Ven broke the silence.
"You know, I've been wondering about that sword you use." He says suddenly, surprising Zack. Apparently, the question got Sora's attention too.
"I've been wondering about that as well. I saw Cloud use it during my first journey, but during my second, he was using a different one. How did you get it back?" Zack gives a fond smile as he leans back a little
"Now that's a story I'll gladly tell." He says with a nostalgic grin. "During my time in Traves Town, teaching Squall and Cloud how to fight, I encountered a soldier who had the Buster Sword on his back. He was a war veteran, one bound to a code of honour. The sword on his back was made by his family and acted as a reminder for both them, his dreams and his honour." He gives off a smile as he continues. "He may have been a bit strict, but he was good. Even in his ageing years, he gave me a run for my munny. Taught me a few extra moves as well. But age finally caught up to him one day. Just before he passed away, he gave me his sword with all his hopes and dreams alongside it." He looks to the sky with a nostalgic look. "Angeal was a good mentor and a great role model."
"He sounds like a great guy." Sora says. Zack nods at him with a sad smile.
"Yeah, he was. Never found out where he came from, but seeing how he was in Travers Town, his world was probably eaten by darkness. As for how the Buster Sword ended up in Cloud's hands, I lost it in that fight with Maleficent when she sent those Neo-Shadows on me. Cloud must have picked it up when they came looking for me. As for how I have it now, I don't really know. It just showed up one day without warning."
"Maybe, it was sent there by Cloud?" Ven asks, unsure of himself with that question. Sora and Zack shrug their shoulders at each other, unsure of the answer themselves. It was a mystery.
Kitai couldn't rest. He couldn't stay in place. He knew he should be relaxing, but he couldn't. They knew what was coming next, what fate had in store. But could they change it? Fate still took away Emmeryn even though they got so close. And while he was dead, his research could always be started again. His thoughts always drifted back to Lucina. Seeing her interacting with her parents reminded him of the vow he had taken. That he would do anything to see her happy again.
But his mind would always flash to his parent's death. How he charged in full anger, throwing years of training to the side. An act of foolishness that cost him his parents' lives. Even now, he couldn't help but ask if he could regain that. How could—
"Kitai?" His father's voice echoes behind him, snapping him from his musings. Turning around, he sees Terra walking up to him, holding a book. "Why are you here? I thought you would be with Lucina and the others."
"I was." He replies with a sigh. "But I needed to be alone for a bit." Terra narrows his eyes at his future son before closing the book in his hands.
"Are you thinking about what is to happen?" He asks. Kitai doesn't answer, only continuing to look out to the vista before them. "Talk to me, Kitai. Keeping things to your chest never works out."
"How can you say that?" Kitai asks with some bitterness. "How can you even talk to me? I'M the reason you died in the future, me. If I didn't charge, you would still have been alive. Instead, I threw away all those years of training you gave me over a stupid insult!" A single tear falls down his cheek as he looks at Terra. "Why are you still trying to talk to me despite that?"
"For two reasons." Terra replies. "First, it's because I know what it's like to make mistakes." He looks out to the vista with a heavy heart. "Did I ever tell you about Xehanort and what he did to us?"
"A little. You never really told us much other than he was evil." Kitai replies.
"Evilly misguided." Terra corrects. "The things he did all came from a misguided path, but it's what he did to us that stays with me." With a sigh, Terra leans on the railings before them. "I was like you when I was young. Always wanting to prove myself to my father, Master Eraqus. Ven and Aqua like to make fun of my thinking sometimes, but I never hated them for it. Until the day of the Mark."
"The Mark?" Kitai asks. Terra nods before looking back to the sky.
"Yes. The Mark of Mastery. All Keyblade Wielders take it one day to obtain the rank of Master. Aqua and I were no different. We had both trained for that day, with dreams of us obtaining the rank at the same time. But it was not to be. During the test, darkness appeared on my left arm for the briefest of moments. Even though it was for a few seconds, it was still more than enough for Master Eraqus to fail me on it. He had an old way of looking at Light and Dark, and so Aqua became a Master, and I didn't." Terra lets out a sigh before looking back at Kitai.
"It was then that Xehanort made his moves. I became side-tracked, fixated on conquering the Darkness inside me, that I listened to what Xehanort told me without question. It got so bad that I started pushing Aqua and Ven away without even thinking. It all came to a point when I returned home." Kitai watches on, as Terra breathes heavily. "When I got back to the Land of Departure, I saw Eraqus trying to strike down Ven. I didn't know why he was doing it or how it got to that point, but I didn't care. I jumped between them, forcing Ven away into a portal of light while I fought him. My father was consumed with light, forcing me to fight back with darkness. But it was all a trick. Just as my father came back to his senses, Xehanort struck him down from behind."
Kitai's eyes widen at the reveal. He was never told about this. He stands in silence as Terra continues.
"And that was only the beginning. His real plan was to grow the Darkness within me so that he could use my body as a vessel. A puppet. And even though we tried to beat him, he still succeeded in that. Because of my mistakes, I brought the pain that Sora, Kairi and Riku faced. All because of my desire to please my father." Releasing a heavy breath, he turns back to Kitai. "That's why, Kitai. That's why we are still here for you even after what you told us. Because we know what it's like to face those mistakes and live with the guilt. I only wished you never had to live with it in the first place."
Kitai looks on in silence as Terra looks back outside. He lets his father's words echo with him, relieving him of a weight that had rested on his shoulders since the day they died. Yet, a part of him realised that was only one reason Terra gave him. "What was the other?" Terra looks at him with a raised eyebrow. "You said there were two reasons, and you only gave me one. What is the second reason?"
"You don't know? I thought it was obvious." Terra replies with a small smile. "We're family. And family never abandons family. Even if they come from the future." He puts an arm around Kitai's shoulders as the young man glances down with a tear falling from his eye. "I guess that's something I need to work on communicating?"
"More like something for me to recognise rather than push away." Kitai says, a soft smile adorning his features. "I really am like you."
"With your mother's smarts. Even if you do get tunnel vision, but I'm just as bad." Terra replies before the two give light chuckles at each other. Unaware that they wear being watched from the entrance.
"You could have told me, Kitai. I would have listened." Lucina says softly as she and Aqua look on. Aqua looks at Lucina before gently patting her on the shoulder.
"There are some things that even best friends struggle to say. Kitai is like Terra was during those times. All he needs is someone to keep him level." Aqua gives her a wink before leaving her alone. Lucina watches her go before casting one last look at Terra and Kitai before dismissing herself.
There was no need to disturb them.
The stars shine gently down on Ylisse as its people sleep. Torches gently glow against the white stone as guards make their usual rounds. Birds could be heard chirping in the trees as the wind gently flowed over the fields. In a secure palace wing, two guards stand in front of a large ornate door emblazed with patterns of a man and his friends facing off against a dragon.
Beyond these doors lies the royal armoury. With weapons and tomes adorning its walls. A sword with golden handguards and a hilt with deep brown leather. A red gem encased in the hilt while resting in a deep blue sheath.
A black blade edged in gold, with red straps encasing its handle.
Another black sword, this one a katana, with red wraps surrounding a handle made of jade. Red rope hangs from the pommel as it rests on a stand.
A decorative spear covered in cobalt and gold, with a sharp pointed tip, rests on another stand. Two small wings extend from the sides as it glistens beneath the moonlight.
A long axe polearm hangs from a wall, its silver axe blade glistening against the decorative embroidery of red, gold and black.
Resting inside a glass case, several tomes lie in a row. Two are silver-white, and the others are red, yellow and green. These weapons, carefully placed and cared for, are the greatest weapons ever made in Archanea, awaiting the day they are called upon again. And resting in the centre, laying on a stone table, was the Fire Emblem. The four gemstones glisten gently under the moonlight and starlight.
Until a shadow falls over from one of the light holes. A lone figure who, after dropping a rope into the room, slowly descends into the hidden armoury. Moving as quietly as they could, they stand above the Fire Emblem, taking in all its glory, before pulling out a bag.
Before long, they were climbing the same rope to leave, ensuring no trace of their being here remained. Leaving behind a room undisturbed, the weapons laying where they stood.
And the Fire Emblem lay untouched, its Gemstones glistening under the stars.