Chapter 6: The Youngest Sister/What Makes a Leader
The party arrived at the aforementioned base Richard told them about, and were making preparations to attack the bandit camp along the Brodian border.
"It seems that we made it to the bandit camp… but there is no sign of this Anna you're talking about." Alear told Richard.
"...Odd…" Richard remarked. "I would have thought that she would have decided to strike right now. Perhaps she's hidden herself away… or she's not here right now."
"I think I have a feeling it's the former." Quency piped in.
"What makes you think that?" Alear asked.
"It's gotta be a thief's intuition, duh!" Yunaka would say.
"Call it an escapist's intuition." Quency answered back.
"Or that. That works too." Yunaka shrugged.
"In any case, let's split up to find her. And oh yeah! Take out the bandits." Mirai suggested.
Victory: Defeat Mitan
Defeat: Siege, Alear, Richard or Anna fall
PLAYER PHASE
The group then began to split themselves on the two entrances into the base, with Richard and Lumera leading the eastern team, while Alear and Siege led the western team.
Alear immediately rushed forward, as she cut down an axe-wielding bandit with a single stroke of her blade, before Siege moved after her, as he leapt up and cut down one of the bandit's similarly-armed compatriots.
On the other side, Lumera used her blade to cut down one of the bandits guarding the way forward with a double-slash of her blade, while Richard moved behind her, as the rest of the groups bundled behind their leaders, as they positioned themselves to be able to move with minimal interference
ENEMY PHASE
The bandits near the groups began to charge at them, as Alear dodged a fire spell from one of the mages, while a thief tried to take a stab at Lumera, only for her to miss, as Lumera landed a direct hit on the thief, while she was attacked again by an axe-wielder, which she cut down in return with her own blade, while dodging the bandit's strike.
At the same time, both groups noticed that there was a group of thieves that were heading towards the treasury towards the center of the base.
PLAYER PHASE
"The bandits seem to be trying to secure their ill-gotten goods, as if they plan to flee the coop after they can get away with enough to keep their banditry going…" Alear remarked.
"You know… I think I can understand where Quency is going." Yunaka stated. "Somehow, the closer I get to that place… The more I feel that there's someone else in there."
"So you're saying that Anna is in the treasury somewhere?" Quency asked, as Yunaka nodded. "Hm… that means we gotta get there first before one of those bandits pops open her hiding place."
"And then figure out where she's hiding." Mirai added. "Let's move!"
The groups began to move forward, clearing out more bandits along the way, as Alfred, from the eastern side, decided to go for the treasury himself, expecting that his mount would get him there faster than the rest of the group, while Chloe did the same from the western end, as the rest of the group covered their advance, even acting as a human barricade between them and the bandits.
ENEMY PHASE
Noticing the aggression that the group was showing, the bandits were lured in as a result of their fighting, as some of the thieves heading for the treasury decided to assist the other fronts, leaving a lone thief who continued towards the treasury.
Despite the bandits targeting the royals, they seemed to be capable of handing the attacks, as Celine managed to dodge a thrown axe from one of the bandits, before using a thunder spell to shock him to death, while Alcryst side-stepped an arrow, before head-shotting the enemy archer with his bow.
PLAYER PHASE
Zendara, who had been moving to the treasury from the start, soon busted down the door to the treasury, and saw a good amount of treasure chests.
"Oooh! Loot!" Zendara joyously smiled before taking a Chest Key one of the fallen bandits dropped and heading to a chest to open one, as she went from the center chest, which actually was wriggling around.
As soon as the wolf-eared berserker opened the chest, the world's Anna popped out, as she barely seemed to be a year or two older than Jean himself, dressed in a red and white dress with a short skirt, and a pair of black boots, and a brown scarf around her neck.
"Dang, you found me…" Anna remarked, as she looked towards Zendara. "Wait, you're not one of the bandits…"
"Huh!?" Zendara exclaimed in shock. "Okay, kid, that was clever. I thought I was opening a chest full of goodies!"
"Well, I had to find somewhere to hide, don't I?" Anna asked back. "Well, since you're not one of them, mind keeping me safe?"
"Not a problem. Just let Zendara the Fierce be your bodyguard, kiddo! Nothin's gonna hurt you!" Zendara declared proudly.
Anna then immediately proved her worth, as she fished out a chest key of her own, before she then opened one of the chests, revealing a Master Seal inside.
"Here, something that you might be looking for!" Anna stated. "Or something for your friends, at least."
"Nice find, kiddo!" Zendara smiled.
Alear, noticing that Zendara managed to reach Anna first, decided to head for the top room, where she assumed that the bandit leader would be, as the rest of the allied force began to push their way up, cutting through the enemy forces.
ENEMY PHASE
The remaining bandits tried to go for an offensive, as they tried to attack the group, as one of the bandit berserkers tried to go for Chloe, only for her to dodge their thrown axe, before she then prepared her attack.
"Hungry for more!" Chloe declared, before she then twirled her spear, and landed a thrusting blow that pierced right through the enemy berserker's armor, killing him quickly. "A right and proper end!"
"Excellent strike, Chloe!" Celine complimented her retainer.
"Always glad to do well." Chloe answered back.
PLAYER PHASE
Quency decided to confront the enemy boss herself, she was a woman wearing a black and yellow bandana, with a great-axe in her hands.
"Damn you for playing us for fools! You'll never get your hands on that treasure!" The leader, Mitan, growled.
"Sorry, but we already picked that treasury of yours clean." Quency remarked. "Unfortunately, you're going to have to fall here. Can't have you cause more problems."
Quency then prepared Sol Katti, as she held it in a sun-rise stance. "I'll sweep through you!" She declared, before she then backflipped, and went for a series of rapid slashes, before finishing with a powerful falling slash that sent Mitan flying, and her blood spilling across her ground.
"I guess… today could get worse, after all…" Mitan bemoaned, before collapsing dead.
Stage Clear!
MVP: Chloe
The rest of the group began to scour the base's premises, as they managed to pick up another tonic along the way from the other chest in the treasury.
"Here's hoping that this is the end of this band of bandits…" Alear remarked. "The local authorities should be able to handle what remains… if there is any."
"You guys are really strong, huh? Do you have any room on your team for me?" Anna asked the group leaders.
"...Huh, I'm surprised that you're the first to ask us to join." Richard remarked. 'And pretty small as well, the other Anna would never hear the end of this.'
"First of what?" Anna asked with curiosity.
"We met a sister of yours." Richard answered back. "It's how we pretty much recognised you from first glance. Your name is Anna, right?"
"Oh, that's a real surprise! You actually know about my family!" Anna stated. "That means if I travel with you folks, our paths will cross someday!"
"Well, since Siege and Richard vouch for your prowess, I have no other objections." Alear declared, stepping forward, and putting a hand out. "I am the Divine Dragon Alear, looking forward to working with you."
"Hang on, what!? You're the Divine Dragon!? My sales… they're gonna go through the roof!" Anna remarked with awe. "You can call me Lady Anna. Pleasure to be in business with you!"
"Um…" Alear remarked, before Siege patted her shoulder.
"Don't worry, it's a quirk of her family." Siege answered back.
"Now then, we should head to the Brodian Border. After all, we agreed to meet Diamant over there, and watch over King Morion's battle." Richard stated.
"Right. Let's go." Siege nodded as they headed to the Brodian-Elusian border, where they met up with Diamant.
The Somniel returned to Brodia, just as Siege, Alear, Mirai, Lumera, and Richard rejoined up with Diamant, as they were before a snowy field.
"Just in time. I was beginning to wonder if you would be late." Diamant told the group.
"Eh, we made a small detour to make sure no Elusian soldiers were going to attack the castle from other sides. Ended up meeting a bandit stronghold a bit too close to Brodia instead." Mirai explained.
"We managed to get a few treasures, and returned the safety of the people back to them." Richard answered back. "We even got a good and reliable ally to come with us."
"I see. Father has headed for the front-line. Our orders are to wait here with the rear guard." Diamant remarked, gesturing to the Brodian regiment with him.
"And let me assume that he didn't take the ring, did he?" Lumera asked, before Diamant held out the Ring of the Young Lion.
"I tried. He wouldn't take it." Diamant sighed.
"And for the better." Richard answered back. "I doubt Hyacinth would be a fool enough to make some simple trap for someone as fearsome as King Morion. Leaving his Emblem Ring behind is smart, since we can't afford to lose an Emblem Ring to Elusia… let alone to Sombron himself."
"Indeed, the king was of the same mind." Roy stated.
"Wait, how do you know of Sombron? No one of the countries knows you. You are but a traveller of the lands, yes?" Diamant asked Richard.
"Let me ask you this, do you know of the Great Goddess, who has worked alongside the Divine Dragon Empress, Lumera?" Richard asked back. "She was the one who told me of the threat at hand, and the reason why I sought Alear in the first place. Sombron's cruel deeds have been told to me clear and true, and I know what he aspires for."
"So it's safe to assume you, and the Radiant Savior as well, are warriors picked by the Great Goddess herself? Incredible." Diamant remarked in awe. "However, that doesn't explain the thief that was with you."
"I think it's safe to assume Quency and Richard met while he was searching for Alear and I. I feel that's explanation enough, yes?" Siege asked.
"Of course. Forgive me, I merely want to understand more about you warriors of legend, considering how the Great Goddess picked you." Diamant apologized.
"Apologies not needed, Prince Diamant. We're happy to clear up any discrepancies." Siege said, before noticing the battlefield. "Looks like the battle's beginning, let's watch."
Alear nodded, before the entire group began to watch the battlefield, as the two forces began to clash, before their eyes fell upon King Morion himself, as he was wielding a greatsword in his hands, roaring as he cut a path right towards King Hyacinth himself, as nothing could stop his onslaught, as Corrupted and Elusian alike fell to his blade like wheat to the scythe.
"Such strength…" Alfred remarked. 'This is the demon that you spoke of, Diamant…"
"He's almost made it." Richard stated, before he then pulled out a Warp staff, getting several eyes aimed at him. "Don't worry, I'm merely making sure that I can get everyone on the field as soon as we can, on the first sign of distress."
King Morion then stopped right before King Hyacinth, who was a wizened old man with white hair, and black robes, and purple eyes, as well as a spiked golden collar
"Your invasions of my country come at a very high price." King Hyacinth, before he smiled cruelly, pointing a finger at King Morion. "And now you will pay it!"
"Hahaha! Do you really think you can withstand the might of Brodia!?" Morion boasted.
"Yes. My army is blessed by Lord Sombron himself." Hyacinth responded back with confidence.
"Heh, we'll see what his 'blessing' shall do for you then!" Morion exclaimed, before he then rushed forward, as King Hyacinth began to use a tome to fire several dark orbs right at Morion, who dodged them.
Morion then charged forward, as his blade fell down, missing Hyacinth, who quickly used a dark pulse to send King Morion skidding back, as he scoffed loudly.
'Damn you!" Morion exclaimed, before he then charged forward, before he then went for a quick slash which grazed Hyacinth's cheek, before landing a horizontal slash that cut across his body, as Hyacinth began to spin around, before collapsing onto a knee, while Morion walked over, and pointing his blade at him, triumphant.
'Don't be a fool, finish the fight!' Siege thought to himself, glaring at Morion.
"Well then! Is that all the power your dragon's got?" Morion mocked.
"He is not yet at full strength…" Hyacinth remarked, before pulling out a thin golden ring with a purple glowing spherical gem. "Not until the ritual…"
"Ritual…!?" Morion remarked, as his grip on the blade tightened.
"The one by which we shall reignite his true glory." Hyacinth remarked, as he slid the ring onto his hand. "And for that, we need a sacrifice of sovereign blood!"
Morion immediately sensed the danger, as Hyacinth's eyes glowed red, as Morion immediately went for a thrusting blow, only for it to hit some sort of magic barrier, which staggered the Brodian King enough for Hyacinth to grip the blade with his ringed hand, as a dark aura began to rush through his arm, and up through Morion's blade.
"The blood thus offered… will be yours!" Hyacinth declared, as Morion tried to let go of his own blade, only for some sort of unknown force to stop him from attempting that.
"Damnit, damnit, damnit, he should have finished the fight while he had the chance!" Siege exclaimed as he saw the peril Morion was in.
"Damn you!" Morion remarked, as he tried to punch Hyacinth with his own hand, only for the same barrier to repel his own efforts, as Hyacinth slowly rose up, as he summoned a Dark Emblem of Lyn, who held a bow in her hands, pointing it at Morion's head.
"We have to help him!" Siege exclaimed.
"Father, no, we were ordered to stay back!" Mirai exclaimed.
Hyacinth then struck Morion with a dark-infused fist, which sent Morion flying back, at the same time that Lyn released her arrow, as it launched a red stream that cut right through Morion's chest, as he cried in pain, with darkness flooding from the wound, as he fought to remain standing, before collapsing on the ground, as his own consciousness faded away.
"Hahaha…" Hyacinth chuckled maliciously, seeing his foe defeated before him.
"Father!" Diamant exclaimed.
"Alright, we're moving!" Richard remarked, before he then began to charge the Warp Staff.
"Damn you, Hyacinth!" Siege yelled, half tempted to rush to the fight himself.
"You have lost this battle, former King of Brodia!" Hyacinth declared, before two figures began to appear before him, as one of them was a green-haired man with a red tattoo over his left eye, both of which are red, a large torn gray robe that left his own chest bare, with leather shoulder-guards, and the other was a girl with curly blonde hair under a pink frilly hat, and a flowery pink dress, and armored boots, with blue eyes.
"Well, he's not getting any lighter." The man remarked, as he walked towards Morion. "Come on."
"We know what to do, your Majesty. See you later." The girl remarked, waving at Hyacinth.
"My father! They're trying to take him away!" Diamant exclaimed.
"Unhand King Morion!" Siege exclaimed as he and the others were warped thanks to Richard's Warp Staff.
"Huh, that was fast. I thought that Warp staves do not reach this far…" The man remarked.
"I wouldn't assume that if I were you." Richard remarked, as he warped in himself, holding a Rewarp Staff, as he stowed it away. "Now then, I do believe we made ourselves clear."
"That will not be happening." A solemn voice said, as Princess Ivy stood between them once again.
"Ivy…!" Siege growled, before Ivy then pulled out a certain staff, as it created a massive ice barrier that was high and wide enough to prevent the group from reaching Morion and his captors.
"Well, thanks a bunch for that, crown princess." The man remarked with a smirk. "Almost had us, but shame you didn't think that one through. I can't wait to see how you're going to tear me apart when we meet again."
"Hope you make it through, Princess Ivy!" The girl remarked, before both began to retreat from the battlefield.
'Whatever the cost, you will hold them here, child." Hyacinth told Ivy, as there was a lack of warmth in his voice. "Oh, and Ivy? Don't forget that ring was given to you by our Lord Sombron. Your failure to protect it was a grievous one. It is your duty to reclaim the ring now. I take my leave to Elusia. Do not fail me again."
Hyacinth then turned away, retreating behind the Elusian lines, as Ivy merely moved back, and watched as the ice barrier began to slowly crack away.
"So, you want me to buy time for you as I die here…" Ivy remarked. "Very well, I die for you… Father."
"That's… that's so cruel…!" Mirai exclaimed as she saw and heard this. "What father would do that!?"
"Worst father of the year here." Richard remarked. "But with Ivy here, and Morion down for the count, if we don't settle this fight here and now… Brodia could lose here. We have to win this battle, as blunt as it sounds."
"Then let's make sure we have this formation down pat. Lumi, take some of our forces and secure the North. Mirai, take some more and go South. Alear, you and I will confront Princess Ivy… and Richard, I leave it for you which front you'll be on." Siege ordered.
"I will take care of your daughter, Siege, Alear." Richard remarked. "Whatever she will face, I will make sure she makes it through in sound state."
"Then go." Siege stated as the forces divided up evenly.
Victory: Defeat Ivy
Defeat: Siege, Alear, or Richard fall
PLAYER PHASE
Siege squinted his eyes, as he thought he saw someone up ahead. "Prince Diamant… is that a… border guard I see up ahead?" Siege asked, seeing a blonde pony-tailed woman in silver and red armor.
"I can answer that, that's Jade! My best sparring partner! Haha!" Hitomi laughed a bit. "...And she's surrounded by the Corrupted. As tanky as her defenses are, she's no good trying to be one versus an army… we need to get over to her." Hitomi suggested.
"Right. We'll make sure we rendezvous with her then." Siege stated firmly.
The group began to advance through their fronts, as they began to spit on their fronts, with Alear's and Siege's group taking a northern detour to reach Jade, due to the fact that there were more enemies over on that end of the battlefield.
Meanwhile, Mirai and Richard's force engaged the Southward Corrupted forces, clearing them out to a great degree, with Mirai seeming stronger due to some training she and Siege had been sneaking in during time between fights. Since she had Saiyan blood in her from Siege, it was only right for her to learn unarmed combat, and she was learning it well, taking on the toughest of foes with ease using her Battle Arts, and when utilizing a weapon, she was even deadlier.
"Wow, father's training is paying off!" Mirai giggled.
"I'm sure it is. I can see Siege in you." Richard remarked, before he then used a Wind spell to cut down one of the enemy Corrupted fliers.
ENEMY PHASE
The Corrupted began to shamble towards the group, as both groups were attacked, as Mirai managed to avoid getting hit by an axe swing, while Richard took a hit from one of the archers, which made him back up a few steps, while Anna was targeted by one of the lance wielders, as she managed to dodge the attack, and land a decent chop in return.
As for Jade, she managed to hold her own against the ax-wielders, as they managed to chip away on her armor, and deal some damage on her.
ALLY PHASE
Jade immediately took down one of the wounded Corrupted, which opened a path for anyone else to regroup with her.
PLAYER PHASE
The group continued to advance, cutting down several more foes along the way, through the icy plains, as Siege managed to reach Jade first, while Richard began to move ahead, to get in range of being able to advance on Ivy and her retainers within the next period of time.
"Hey, you're a Brodian Border guard, right?" Siege asked Jade. "Are you all right?"
"Oh yes, I was meditating before this attack." Jade answered back. "Who are you? A new border guard?"
"No, I'm the Radiant Savior, Siege. Nice to meet you." Siege introduced.
"Ah, how rude of me!" Jade exclaimed. "I am Jade, a royal knight of Brodia. Prince Diamant spoke of you and the Divine One both. May I join your ranks?"
"Absolutely. Now show us how well your defenses are." Siege said with a smirk.
"Of course. Let me show you why they call me the 'Iron Wall.'" Jade smirked back.
ENEMY PHASE
Zelkov noticing that Richard is heading for Ivy, rushed over to engage the magician, as the two of them confronted each other.
"I could have run, but I remained. Now, I must fight." Zelkov remarked.
"And you shall, and you will be defeated." Richard remarked, as he got hit by Zelkov's attack, before firing a lightning bolt that hit Zelkov. "Hm, it seems I overestimated myself. But no matter. My allies will finish this fight off for me."
At the same time, Kagestu engaged Alear, as the two of them prepared to fight.
"If Princess Ivy stays, I stay!" Kagetsu declared firmly.
"You don't understand. King Hyacinth has left Princess Ivy to die. This entire battle is pointless!" Alear argued.
"It does not matter! Face me, Divine Dragon!" Kagetsu roared, before he then went for a swing that Alear barely grazed, before Alear managed to counter back with a critical blow, which forced Kagetsu onto a knee. "I cannot fall here… I must protect Princess Ivy."
Kagetsu then retreated, as the Corrupted with him were defeated from afar thanks to the team's mages and archers.
ENEMY PHASE
Ivy then began to move forward, as she was out of range of Richard, although the Corrupted around her weren't, as Richard took some hits from their attacks, which wounded him fairly, while the northern side fared better, as Jade handled the attacks aimed at her well, while Siege took down anyone who tried to attack him.
PLAYER PHASE
"You're wounded! Let me heal you!" Jean remarked, before he then used a Recover Staff to heal Richard's wounds.
"Much appreciated, Jean." Richard remarked, before he then moved forward to engage Ivy herself, as the rest of his group locked themselves in combat with the Corrupted, as Celine took the chance to take out Zelkov.
"Princess Ivy… I cannot take anymore." Zelkov remarked. "I will retreat."
Siege would then charge at Ivy, being in range to attack as he engaged in combat.
"Princess Ivy! I implore you, please surrender!" Siege exclaimed.
"I shall not." Ivy stated. "My father's orders were plain. You will not pass as long as I stand here and now."
"Then I will take you down, for your own good." Siege remarked. "Taste my power!" He yelled, leaping up and striking Princess Ivy right off her wyvern with a critical blow, as the defeated princess tumbled across the snow.
Stage Clear!
MVP: Siege & Dezna
Ivy slowly rose up, before she found that Alear, Siege and Richard were standing before her, as she bowed her head.
"You've won… Please, kill me." Ivy relented.
"No. I will not take your life, simply because of this battle." Alear shook her head.
"Don't be naive. If I live, what's to stop me-" Ivy argued.
"Because you've been forsaken, Princess Ivy." Richard answered back. "This battle was your last possible chance to be able to slay us on the field of battle. Without the support of your father, any attempts you make will not work. You're alone with only your loyal retainers by your side. Elusia will not take you back, and your 'father' did not attempt to make your death meaningful. He cared more about the Emblem Rings than your life, if he refused to hand you one to even try to delay us properly."
Ivy could only let out a drawn out and stifled hiss in response to Richard's words, as if his words were the harsh truth itself.
"Ivy… we don't want to kill you. But your country doesn't want you. Please. Help us. Help us fight against Sombron." Siege answered back.
"So, you will not grant me the release of death… But you are deities… and I can only respect your will." Ivy stated. "In exchange, I offer you information… about what Father intends to do with King Morion and where you will find him."
"Well? Out with it!" Diamant impatiently declared, pushing past the group to face Ivy.
"My father intends to perform a ritual that will restore the Fell Dragon's power." Ivy answered back. "You see, though the Fell Dragon has been freed, his abilities are diminished. Imprisonment exhausted him. He is exhausted and can't transform into a dragon. Ideally he would have all 12 rings, but securing them will take time. In the interim, Sombron decided to temporarily regain his powers through an ancient ritual… in which he consumes sovereign blood."
Diamant could only seethe, as his hands were clenched.
"Where is the ritual?" Richard asked.
"Destinea Cathedral. With the time I have bought, there is very little time before Sombron regains his powers." Ivy answered back. "And do be careful. Since the Fell Dragon's return, Father has not been himself. That is the extent of what I know."
"Thank you, Princess Ivy. Your information is valuable." Siege said with a smile.
Ivy nodded, before turning to her retainers. "Zelkov, Kagetsu. Let us leave." She declared.
"What are you going to do now, Princess Ivy?" Alear asked.
"I do not know… but if we meet again, Divine Dragon and Radiant Saviour. I pray it is not as enemies." Ivy stated, before she walked into the snowy field ahead.
"You heard Princess Ivy, we must make haste to stop this foul ritual!" Diamant declared.
"Indeed, we cannot allow Sombron to regain his powers!" Lumera exclaimed. "If such a thing happens, then defeating him will become a far greater ordeal than even Alear and Siege can safely handle!"
And thus, they were off to the Cathedral to save King Morion and stop the ritual before it was too late. However, as they were approaching, Dezna suddenly appeared to Siege.
"Siege, if I may." Dezna would say as she appeared. "I feel it unwise for us to make a move on our enemy like this…"
"Dezna, we have no choice. King Morion is in danger." Siege stated firmly.
"Nnh… Marth, please, help me here." Dezna called out, since she doubted Siege would stop at her words alone, let alone the others.
"I feel the same…" Marth stated, before turning to Siege and Alear. "I beg of you both… if the ritual has been completed, we must retreat. And even if it hasn't… I think we had best escape at the first sign of danger."
"And leave King Morion behind… after what we promised Diamant?" Alear asked back.
"Both Dezna and I are worried about all of this. We shouldn't stay any longer than we have to." Marth answered back. "Whatever we do, we must avoid a direct encounter with the Fell Dragon."
"...As long as we defeat King Hyacinth's forces, and stop the ritual, Sombron will be incapable of threatening us." Alear stated. "And the Emblem Rings we have can help to at least ensure that none of us will end up dead from any retreat we make. Our allies, strong as they are, can at least give me a safety net."
"Siege… recall what your overconfidence got you last time…" Dezna said, looking at Siege with worry.
"Don't worry, Dezna… I have a plan." Siege remarked. "I just hope it plays out well." Siege said with a huff.
As the group were on their last few minutes from reaching the cathedral, they noticed that there was someone in the bushes nearby, as everyone immediately perked up.
"Who's there!?" Diamant demanded, before Veyle appeared out of the bushes.
"Hm? Is that you, Siege and Alear?" Veyle asked gently.
"Veyle. Hey, you're alright." Siege said with a soft smile before his eyes turned to her leg. "...Veyle, your leg! What happened!?" He exclaimed, seeing a wound on her leg.
"I was just trying to take care of the Corrupted nearby… somehow, there seems to be a lot of them." Veyle remarked. "This kind of thing happens all the time.
"But we can't let you have this kind of wound on you." Alear remarked, before she then pulled out a roll of bandage, using it to patch Veyle's bare leg. "It looks pretty deep. There, that ought to hold it for a while."
As Alear was patching up Veyle, Siege leaned in to Richard, in a low whisper. "I need you to do something for me." Siege whispered.
"I figured." Richard answered back, already noticing the dark aura surrounding Veyle. "Let you and Alear keep her distracted. I'll do a magic search to see if there is a way I can remove, or at the very least, weaken it to a level that she can suppress it."
"Exactly as I need." Siege whispered firmly, walking up to Alear and Veyle, Mirai walking up as well.
"Thank you, you're quite kind to help a complete stranger like me." Veyle stated.
"You're not a stranger. You helped us back in Florra Mill Village." Alear stated. "That makes us friends, as far as we're concerned. And friends help each other."
"Yes. It's because we're friends I still need to apologize for my words I first spoke to you, Veyle… That was uncalled for from me." Siege spoke apologetically.
"No, no, it's fine! I'm just so happy to have someone I can call friends! It's like a dream. So please, don't feel horrible for what you did before." Veyle answered back, fairly flustered by Siege's apology.
Siege then noticed a red gem dangling from Veyle's dress, as he tilted his head. "Let me ask you this then… what's with the dragonstone?" He asked, hoping to keep conversation up long enough for Richard to complete his task.
"Oh, this?" Veyle asked back, before showing it to Siege. "This is my good-luck charm, from someone that I have been looking for. I know as long as I have this, we'll be reunited someday."
"Who is that someone, Veyle?" Siege asked.
"My sibling." Veyle stated, before she became melancholic. "I don't even know what face to look for. We've been apart since I was very young. And they were the one who gave me this dragonstone."
"Your sibling…" Siege said as he sighed. "...I know what it's like to lose a sibling, Veyle. I understand the pain you feel from separation, trust me…"
"Oh… I'm sorry to hear that." Veyle answered back.
"Perhaps, to ease the pain some, maybe… you can call me your big brother for now?" Siege offered. "It's… the least I can do for someone who shares my pain."
"Oh, I wouldn't mind. But you looked so worried when you're about to go to the cathedral…" Veyle remarked. "Is there something wrong?"
"Truth be told, I'm… a little scared, to be honest." Siege said to Veyle. "We know Sombron wants the Emblems, and here we are, walking in with every single one we collected… I'm worried about losing them all. And worse, lives on the field of battle."
"Sombron? The Fell Dragon?" Veyle asked. "Well, I hope that you'll defeat him. But I worry that you might not be able to face him… he's very strong…"
Veyle's eyes then trailed down to the several rings that the group were wearing. "Huh… were you wearing those rings before, Siege and Alear?" Veyle remarked.
"We've always had them on. Pretty, aren't they?" Siege said, proudly holding his up.
"Pretty, yes… Really… pretty…" Veyle remarked, as she entered some sort of trance. "Emblem… Ring…"
As Veyle was going into her trance, Siege's eyes darted to Richard quickly, who quickly pulled out a Sleep staff, before covertly using it to make Veyle fall asleep, as she fell onto the snow, gently snoring.
"Hold up, everyone. I need to converse with Richard." Siege stated.
"Yeah, and I'll make sure that young Veyle doesn't get cold from sleeping on the snow." Richard stated, picking her up in a bridal carry. "Wouldn't be safe for her to sleep around here."
Richard and Siege moved a distance away from the group, as Siege looked at Richard. "What did you find?" He asked.
"It's direct influence, Siege." Richard answered back. "I'm surprised it's the advanced kind. She's literally running on a split personality, with memories that are mutually exclusive to either persona. My suspicions were right… I can't remove it completely."
"Is it possible to split the personalities apart? Or at the very least shatter the control?" Siege asked.
"Shattering the control is a no-go. But what I can do is make it so that her 'good' side is empowered enough to keep herself on our side." Richard answered back. "But this runs the risk that she will eventually have to relapse back. I'm sorry, this is the best I can do, without causing undue damage to her… I believe that there is more to her than I believe."
"I know… I have a spell card I could use to probably help… but… I intend to use it on Morion first…. Should it recharge the opportune moment we see Veyle again, I think it will work, in the sense her personalities will harmlessly split. Which will lead to another Android 21 fiasco, as you recall." Siege remarked.
"...It's the best choice we have." Richard answered back. "If we're lucky, we can force an absorption scenario where the reformed Veyle will be able to consume her darker half, and become the dominant personality."
"Do as you will then. I need to break this news to our allies about Veyle, so no one kills her before we get the opportune moment." Siege stated.
Richard nodded, before Siege then walked off, as Richard then pulled out a tome in his hand.
"Poor young child…" Richard remarked, staring down at Veyle's sleeping form. "The reason why I cast the Sleep spell, is to spare you the agony of feeling your two sides being torn apart. I can sense something within you… a connection right to Alear herself… and to Mirai herself as well. This can only mean one thing…"
Richard then raised his hand, as a blue light appeared above his hand, turning into a glowing star.
"You will suffer no more evil." Richard answered back. "With the power of Starlight, converted into a purification spell… Sombron's influence will no longer force you to fight against your own flesh and blood."
He then held the star in front of Veyle's chest, as he closed his eyes.
"Now then… be purified, dragon-child. And live a life that you will cherish." Richard answered back. "I have yet to atone for my own folly… and I will not allow anyone to fall down the same path as I, or anything close."
Siege returned to the group, as he folded his arms and looked at the group. "Attention, everyone. There's something I must tell you all about Veyle." Siege spoke.
"What is it?" Mirai asked.
"...Brace yourselves, please… because what I'm about to tell you is all truthful, thanks to the findings of me and my brother in arms." Siege stated. "...Alear. It is true that Veyle is our friend… but Veyle is also our enemy, the one who stole the rings and gravely wounded Queen Lumera." Siege added.
"What? But… not her… she's-" Alear was about to say.
"Oblivious to it all." Siege added.
"What do you mean?" Alear asked.
"What Richard and I discovered is among the worst cases of split personality disorder. One moment, she is as we found her, cute, charming, innocent little girl with no intentions to harm anyone. Another moment… and she's among Sombron's most trusted pawns, complete with a spell that amplifies her Fell Dragon Blood. The memories of each, completely distinct and distant from another." Siege answered.
"I…" Alear remarked. "...Then she is not truly to blame for all of this."
Lumera could only remain silent, as her eyes were filled with a sense of melancholy in them.
"I ask that in this battle ahead. Should Sombron take control of her again… do not strike her lethally. The minute she turns, we have to run, for there will be nothing we can do to stop them at that point. Richard and I have a plan to free her of this unwilling bond. In order for that to happen… she must survive until we encounter her good side next." Siege ordered.
"We understand." Alfred answered back. "If that is your wish."
"I shall do as you say… for you have proven to be wise on these matters." Diamant relented. "But Hyacinth must be made to pay for what he has done… unless Sombron himself truly has regained his full might… in which case, I will concur that retreat is the only choice."
"Hyacinth is not one we should spare, no. That will be done in full, Diamant." Siege promised. "Should Sombron be fully awake, however, then yes, we must retreat. Now then…" Siege would say, hearing Richard approaching from behind, turning to see if Veyle was with him or not.
"I have done what is needed." Richard answered back. "She is safe where she is, although I have a feeling you know that we will meet her very soon."
"We do." Siege said with a firm nod. "...Let's move on, to Destinea Cathedral."
"Is everyone ready?" Alear asked everyone. "It's time to put a stop to this ritual and bring King Morion home."
With a resounding affirmation, the group moved onwards, soon arriving at Destinea Cathedral.