Chapter 15: Face to Face With Another Past

The group would make their way to Gradlon Castle, as there was someone waiting outside… which made Siege do a double take and fall upon his rear in absolute shock.

Standing right before him… before all of them. A young girl. Roughly 10 to 13. Blue hair, not very tall, a soft smile on her face with blue eyes. The epitome of all of Siege's worst memories.

"S… S… S… Sapphire…." Siege said in absolute shock.

"Hello, brother. It's so nice to see you again." Sapphire said in the sweetest and most innocent of tones.

"Of all of the low blows…" Richard muttered under his breath.

"...Siege, that girl… she looks like she is related to you…" Veyle remarked, before she then realized what was happening. "Wait, this is your own sister…"

"...And from the looks of it… she's not someone that you expected to see." Alear remarked, before she grimaced. "And with Sombron's powers, this could only mean one thing…"

"...That's Sapphire's body reanimated as a Corrupted." Geina growled, angered that Sombron went for Siege's weakness.

"She's supposed to be dead…" Siege spoke in a low tone. "But Sombron… He…"

"Brother? Are you okay? You don't look well…" Sapphire spoke as she looked genuinely concerned, despite the fact that she was Corrupted, before suddenly looking at Richard. "Oh. I guess he's here too." Sapphire growled.

"What do you mean?" Richard asked, before he then realized, as his expression turned solemn. "...Sapphire, don't go there. He didn't use me as a crutch to forget you. He's been longing for you since the day you were gone. I was merely there to ensure that he wouldn't crumble. He lives on for your sake, what I do is-"

"Oh, how easy you seem to forget." Sapphire remarked, before turning to Siege. "He never told you, huh?"

"What do you mean…?" Siege asked.

"The reason I'm dead… was because of him and one of his stupid rampages." Sapphire stated. "And what's worse, he laughed about it. I heard him."

"What the hell are you talking about?" Mokou exclaimed, walking forward. "Sure, Richard is rough around the edges, and killed a fair few people. But he never-"

"Don't you all know? Hasn't he told you about his days as a monster? A scum that walked the universe?" Sapphire asked with a scowl upon her face. "Well, as a monster, he often had his outbursts of rage. That's what got him such a reputation as a destructive monster who kills everyone and everything he sees. And on one of his outbursts, cleverly placed where Siege simply believed it was from other forces attacking our world. You clever, clever… bastard. I shouldn't say that word, but that's about as nice as I can call you." Sapphire spat at Richard with venom.

"Monster… Wait, the reincarnation…" Richard remarked, before his eyes shrank, as panic bubbled in his throat. "Then that means… the me in the life before… ended up right here, and…"

Richard's tome immediately dropped to the ground, as he was catatonic.`

"Richard…? Richard!? What's wrong!?" Alear exclaimed, as Richard began to hyper-ventilate.

"I… I was the one who killed her in the past." Richard remarked. "Before I was even a criminal, in a past life, when I was someone driven mad by the things that I have lost, not much different to what I am. But I had a lot more power back then, and I was even more mad than I ever was right now. It was a conflagrating anger that destroyed everything, and by cruel fate, one of its victims was Siege's own sister… I was the reason… I was the reason that Siege went mad… Oh gods…"

Everyone was left stunned at the revelation, especially Siege, who couldn't even speak for a moment.

"Brother. You need to leave a man like this behind." Sapphire said in a tone of genuine concern. "I've got a surprise waiting for you inside. Why don't you come on in? I'll treat you all as my honored guests!" Sapphire beamed before turning back and walking into Gradlon Castle. The damage had been done, Siege and Richard both mentally shattered yet again from the stunning revelations.

"...Richard… you…. You were re…responsible… f… for?" Siege could barely get the sentence out. And it wasn't difficult to figure out his struggle. He just learned his own brother in arms was the reason his sister was six feet under to this day! All brought back because of Sombron, and he knew how to hit a low blow, for damn sure.

"That moment, when Magina told me what happened in my past reincarnation, I didn't tell you… but I felt a chill fall down my spine, as if what I did back then was something unspeakable, something truly unforgivable." Richard remarked, after he took a few deep breaths to control his voice. "Now I understand… Now I understand what that feeling was. I ended up killing your sister because my past self couldn't control himself in his immense grief. Billions dead, and among them particularly is your sister… the reason you told me that you wanted the world to pay… How cruel fate turns us against each other at times…"

Richard then fell onto a knee. "I can't fight her…. I can't fight her, knowing that those eyes glare back at me." Richard remarked, as his voice was completely hollowed. "...I… I know that Sombron is doing this to shatter our spirits. But… I cannot allow him to get what he wants from me. Siege, I don't think that you would want to fight her as well… We both have our own pains in trying to fight her. I truly don't know what to say about this, Siege… I… I can't even comprehend in what way I could fix this situation even the slightest."

"...Every part of me wants… Wants to tear you apart… here and now…" Siege spoke, his voice riddled with venom, but was convoluted in so many other emotions. "But… at… at the same time… I… I know you weren't yourself… I… I… how… how can I attack my own brother…" Siege finally admitted as he looked at Richard, kneeling down to the same level. "...Richard… I… I… I want… I want to destroy you… knowing… knowing it was you… I can't ever forgive you…. Not for this… but…" Siege stated as his conflicting emotions became worse. "...Richard… I know that wasn't the true you… the real you that killed her… perhaps one day I might get to… exact my revenge upon you… the variant of you that killed my sister… on that day I will strike… but… but here… seeing you… how far you've come… I can't bring myself to hate you or forgive you… I can only sit here and be baffled at how fate tries again and again to pit us against one another…" Siege stated, lowering his head. "...So just know… you won't feel my wrath… not today. Nor ever… just… I need a few moments… to… to…"

Everyone had been so focused on Richard and Siege and trying to find the words of reconciliation for the other, that the moment Zephia took her eyes off for a moment, her eyes widened.

"...Wait… Alear, and Veyle… they've-!" Zephia exclaimed.

"What!?" Siege suddenly exclaimed, snapping back to reality and seeing both Alear and Veyle gone. "They…! Did they just…!?" Siege exclaimed as he ran up to the door of the castle, only to find it was locked shut by a spell. "ALEAR! VEYLE!" Siege yelled, banging on the door.

Meanwhile, inside the Castle…

Veyle had just finished locking the door behind herself and Alear, as Siege suddenly banged against it, making Veyle jump slightly before she sighed.

"The door's blocked, just like you asked, sister." Veyle told Alear.

"...Forgive me for this, dear. I can't allow you to have to fight your own sister, after I learned that her fate was a cruel one." Alear remarked. "...A brother cannot slay his own sister, especially one so pure…"

"Sapphire… we wish to talk." Veyle stepped forward, facing Sapphire.

"Oh, my brother's betrothed and her sister! Good. I don't have to see that eyesore that caused me to separate from my brother. Surely you two understand, after all, how long have you both been separated for?" Sapphire asked Alear and Veyle.

"Centuries." Veyle answered back. "Centuries, and if it wasn't for the fact that Zephia told me the truth, I would never have known."

"I want to know about how your brother cared for you." Alear answered back. "Surely, there is a way that does not need to end in blood spilt. I know that while you bear an immense hatred for his brother… the rest of you are untainted."

"You don't ever refer to that wretched man as my brother's brother! He is no brother! And I will not be recognizing him as such! Ever! You two, separated for centuries from each other! The pain you must have felt being so alone, so isolated! Death is such a cold, cold, cold… cold place." Sapphire said as she sobbed slightly. "And my brother, frolicking about with that… that… GENOCIDAL MANIAC! I don't care if he's changed! I don't care! I just want my brother! I want to apologize to him! He cared for me so much… even after our last words we shared… oh how heated they were, how sorrowful I feel… Oh God… he must feel so terrible…" Sapphire cried, clutching her heart in pain for Siege.

"I understand your pain." Veyle answered back. "...But that genocidal maniac learned what it means to lose things as well. Siege told me about it. I know that you'll never forgive him. Sombron promised you eternal vengeance against him, didn't he?"

"I wish I could help you. Sombron wants you to believe that hatred inside you is yours alone." Alear declared. "But while it is yours, he has amplified it so that you would never be able to stand even a sliver of that man's presence. I can mellow that down. You won't even have to face him and look upon the man that killed you. I promise you that you'll be with your brother, in a way that does not involve you having to die again. Your lifeforce is tied to that Shard… if you let me help you, I can start by unbinding that same tie and giving you your own life to lead."

"You… You two are just as bad as that man." Sapphire spoke darkly. "Such kind promises and words, yet backed up by wanting to hurt Lord Sombron! I've been given my life because of him! And now you wanna destroy the only thing keeping me up!? You want to destroy my only chance to be in my brother's arms!? To apologize to my brother!? NO. I WON'T HAVE IT!" Sapphire yelled, as her aura erupted, as she summoned multiple magical circles, spell cards all around her as she was preparing to duke it out, not in a classic Fire Emblem duel… but a Touhou Spell Card battle. "DIE, YOU PATHETIC DEFECTS!" Sapphire yelled, Sombron's wishes coming out in her.

"Sapphire, stop! Sombron only wishes to-" Alear tried to plead.

"It's no use, sister. She will not listen." Veyle answered back. "It seems that Sombron embedded her with a fanatic loyalty to him. No matter what we tell her, she will not allow the Shard to be destroyed, much less letting Richard walk out alive. We need to defeat her, even if it means…"

"I understand…" Alear remarked with a grim expression. "...Siege, I hope that you'll forgive me for what I must do. Your sister… she's hurt too much inside to let any of us live."

SPELL CARD DUEL

Sapphire: 100% - 100% - 100%

VS.

Alear: 100%

Veyle: 100%

BEGIN!

Cue BGM: Distorted Flash of Light (Fire Emblem Engage)

Sapphire would unleash a torrent of corrupted danmaku magic bullets upon the duo of sisters, intending to rip and tear into them both with the dark magic, as they both were forced to dodge the spreads of danmaku being thrown around, as Veyle used various tomes to try and hit Sapphire, who dodged the attacks in return, as well as Alear's slashes, that cut through the air.

Sapphire Declares a Spell!

Shadow Sign: Dancing Puppets!

Danmaku magic suddenly forms into a quartet of shadow puppets, with varying weapons. One held a sword, another a spear, another, an axe, and yet another, a bow, as they danced on their strings towards Veyle and Alear, the archer shooting spray bullets of danmaku magic at the two of them to attack, while the sword puppet began to fire slash waves with the swing of its blade.

Alear tried to dodge the dispersing arrows, only to get hit by one of the slash waves, before Veyle quickly fired a distant Thoron Spell that damaged the puppet considerably, before Alear used a bow to finish it off, as it faded into shadowy particles.

Alear: 90%

Veyle: 100%

"Are you okay, Alear?" Veyle asked.

"I'm alright, although I don't think that I can take more hits like that-" Alear remarked, before the axe puppet rushed forward, before smashing its axe with a loud quake, creating fissures that spewed orb-like danmaku into the air, as they fell like droplets.

Suddenly, from outside, Alear suddenly heard Siege and Richard on the move, as they seemed to be trying to get warped in through one of the windows.

Siege and Richard join in 10 minutes!

"Why won't you just DIE!?" Sapphire yelled.

Sapphire declares a Spell!

Target Sign: Celestial Arrow!

Spell circles formed around Sapphire and shot up, firing roughly 8 arrows, before they split open into a spiraling barrage of thousands, perhaps millions, of danmaku bullets shaped like little arrows.

"Alear!" Veyle remarked, before Alear quickly began to wield the blade into her hand, as she then began to cut through the arrow danmaku, while Veyle began to charge up a Meteor spell right where the rest of the puppets and Sapphire was.

Alear took a few scratches from the attack, although they were fairly negligible, even adding up to each other, as Veyle finished her spell, creating a massive meteor that hit Sapphire and her puppets, as Sapphire was knocked back, breaking her Spell Card and pausing her arrow assault, and her puppets were incinerated.

"Now!" Veyle exclaimed, before Alear rushed forward, going for a rapid set of blows, trying to get as much damage in before Sapphire recovers, as the moment she did so, she forced Alear back with a pulse of dark energy that flung her away, as she quickly recovered in the air, and skidded across the ground.

Sapphire: 70% - 100% - 100%

Alear: 85%

Veyle: 100%

"You little…! RAGH!" Sapphire would yell, pulling out a spell card combo!

SPELL CARD COMBO!

Freeze Sign: Winter Hellish Land

Blaze Sign: Omega Heat Wave

Danmaku magic began to freeze the entire arena. Veyle and Alear, if not reacted in time, would soon find their feet and ankles frozen to the ground, immobilizing them, before Sapphire summoned a massive ball of blue flames, sending it crashing towards Alear and Veyle!

"Alear!" Veyle exclaimed, before she then overcharged her own magic to create a equally large ball of dark flames, as it strained her, before she then managed to throw it, as the two colossal balls of fire collided, as flames doused the both of them, more so for Sapphire than the two. The balls of fire Exploded, causing both sides to be damaged moderately as opposed to severely, as Sapphire took the worse brunt.

Sapphire: 30% - 100% - 100%

Alear: 65%

Veyle: 80%

Siege and Richard arrive in 5 minutes!

"Insolent… you are nothing in the face of Lord Sombron!" Sapphire yelled.

Sapphire Declares a Spell!

Fell Dragon Sign: Corrupted Mega Laser

A large dragon like Corrupted was spawned, as it began to charge up massive amounts of dark danmaku energy to fire in a large singular beam.

"Oh no!" Veyle remarked, before Alear moved in front of her. "Alear, don't-"

Alear then immediately steadied herself, before she then drove her blade right into the attack, as it engulfed her entire body, while Veyle was safe from it splitting, although by the time the beam disappeared, Alear was smoking from the damage, and hurt badly.

Alear: 5%

"Sapphire!" Veyle growled, before she then immediately used a empowered Thoron to land a critical hit right on Sapphire, which sent her flying once again, knocking out the rest of her bar.

Sapphire: 0% - 100% - 100%

Sapphire groaned in pain, before she growled and stopped herself. "I… WON'T LOSE TO YOU!" She yelled, transforming into her Super Saiyan form, which had a corrupted look to it thanks to Sombron, as Sapphire glared at Veyle and Alear in anger.

Sapphire: 100% - 100%

Phase 2: Super Saiyan - Danmaku damage increased by 25% from last phase

"You damn defects! Hand me the head of Richard, and you just might live!" Sapphire roared in defiance.

"I can't allow that." Alear answered back. "I know that killing him would seal Sombron's victory. That's why we can't give up here. Because this isn't what Siege wants, and this is not what I want!"

"We know how much you have suffered. But that doesn't justify killing one of the two people who worked so hard to ensure that there are lives like yours that will not have to suffer!" Veyle declared.

"SHUT UP! AND DIE, ALEAR!" Sapphire yelled as she aimed a danmaku magic bow right for the weakened Alear, right at her chest.

"SAPPHIRE!" Siege yelled from a distsnce.

"Wha-!?" Sapphire suddenly exclaimed, as Siege charged in, and struck her with a blow right across the face, sending her into the wall.

"I said I wouldn't strike you… but the minute anyone, even my own family, threatens someone so close to me… I can't allow them to live on. You might be in there, but all I see is Sombron's hatred in you. I would rather see you die again as a peaceful soul, than let Sombron control your body as his husk!" Siege exclaimed.

Siege and Richard have joined the battle!

Sapphire: 95% - 100%

Alear: 5%

Veyle: 80%

Siege: 100% - 100%

Richard: 100% - 100%

Sapphire emerged from the wall, glaring at Siege. "So that genocidal maniac has plagued you too, brother? Then all the more reason I need to be rid of him… AND YOU!" Sapphire yelled.

"Richard… this isn't Sapphire. Not in the slightest. Not the same one you killed." Siege said to Richard. "...This is Sombron's incarnation of her… she would never have this much hatred."

"I know, but it'll hurt you the same." Richard answered back. "Yet, you're right…"

"It will hurt worse if I stand idly and let her kill my beloved Alear, and let Sombron plunge this world into chaos." Siege told Richard bluntly, before seeing Alear. "Alear needs help, Richard. I'll hold Sapphire off until you get her back up."

BGM Switch: Metal-esque Lunatic Eyes - Touhou Lost Word OST

"Come on, Alear." Richard remarked, before he pulled out a Recover staff. "Let's get you patched up."

"And the others…?" Alear asked weakly.

"They're fine. It seems that it's just her for real." Richard answered back. "Magina's working on cracking the spell Veyle placed on the door."

Veyle felt reluctant to kill Sapphire, but at the same time, she couldn't forgive Sapphire for almost killing HER sister, as she readied her tome.

"Siege, I know that you feel like that that you need to help. But if you can't finish it, I-" Veyle offered.

"No need. I'm capable of fixing this. It's my duty as her brother to free her from this torment." Siege declared. "Let's do this, Veyle."

"You wretched, wretched brother of mine!" Sapphire yelled.

Sapphire declared a Spell! (Left: 10)

Super Sign: Omega Azure Raze

Danmaku flames colored blue began to form and shoot towards Siege and Veyle, growing further in size and power as the spell duration went on, as Veyle began to dodge the flames, firing several fireballs in order to slowly wear down Sapphire, while Siege deftly dodged the flying flames, and even cut a few of them down.

Alear: 35%

Siege could tell Richard was getting closer on getting Alear back up, so Siege needed to stall, before he brought out some spell cards for Veyle, made by Magina in respects to both her kind soul and her Fell Dragon status.

"Veyle, catch!" Siege exclaimed, tossing the 15 Spell card deck to Veyle, as she caught it.

"What's this?" Veyle asked.

"Spell Cards. Magina tailored them especially for you. You're gonna need them for this fight." Siege told Veyle.

"I see…" Veyle remarked, before she then used one, as it created lances of darkness that streaked towards Sapphire, and drilled into her for good damage. "So this is what Spell Cards do…"

Veyle declared a Spell!

Fell Sign: Umbral Lance

"Yep. Though they carry more oomph like this!" Siege exclaimed.

Siege declares a Spell!

"Declare Spell! Jötun Sign: Giant Smasher!"

A large amount of danmaku magic collected into a sphere of power, as it shot right into Sapphire, dealing more damage than Veyle's Spell had done.

Sapphire: 20% - 100%

Alear: 70%

Veyle began to wait for an opening, as she fired more magical spells right towards Sapphire, while Richard kept on healing Alear, who was already getting better, while Siege was forced to beat down on her own sister to stop her from harming his own people.

"I will never forgive any of you for turning my own brother against me! NEVER!" Sapphire yelled.

Sapphire declared a Spell! (Left: 9)

Omega Sign: Sparking Megablast

A large spell circle came up, before splitting into multiple spell circles that fired massive beams of danmaku magic at the entire group of four, as Richard immediately used a barrier to block a incoming beam, before grabbing Alear and dodging the blasts, while Siege and Veyle dodged the beams.

Alear: 95%

"Is Alear able to get back in the fight yet!?" Siege called back to Richard, as he fired danmaku blasts at Sapphire.

"Almost." Richard answered back, as he swapped out his Restore Staff for a fresh one.

"Good, because we're gonna need her. Until then!" Siege exclaimed, whipping out another spell.

Siege declares a Spell!

"Declare Spell! Blazing Sign: Omega Ragnarok!"

A massive wave of flames crashed into Sapphire from the attack, finishing Phase 2.

"No… I… I can't…! I won't…!" Sapphire was crying. "I just… WANT MY BROTHER!"

Sapphire roared with power, entering a state that shocked even Siege.

"You gave her the ability to ascend beyond gods…? You really wanted her to dismantle us, huh Sombron…" Siege remarked.

BREAK!

Sapphire: 100%

Super Saiyan Blue: All attack damage increased by 100% from last phase

Alear: 100%

"Well, guess we're going to fight seriously." Richard sighed, before helping Alear to her feet. "Hopefully, you can fight well."

"I'm alright now." Alear nodded, before looking at Sapphire. "...That aura of hers, so rageful, and yet so pained. She needs to be defeated, before her rage consumes what remains of her reason."

"Then use what I gave you." Siege told Alear. "When I granted you my power, you too got your own deck of Spell cards. We need to end this. Here and now." Siege told everyone after reminding Alear of her own spells.

"I know." Alear remarked, before she then raised her hands, as a pair of spell circles appeared around her, one red and one blue, before they then began to fire spreads of blue and red orbs, while firing lasers across the entire battlefield.

Alear declared a Spell!

Duality Sign: The Fell and the Divine

Siege would then start charging up a Master Spark, rainbow energy collecting into his spell circle.

Siege declared a Spell!

Master Sign: Omega Master Spark

Richard immediately began to summon a large magical circle above him, before it then produced several smaller magic circles, that fired flaming orbs of fire, sharp spike-like earth projectiles, wide scythe-like wind projectiles, and a barrage of bubbles.

Richard declared a Spell!

Elemental Sign: Power of Four

Veyle then concentrated her energy, before the visage of a dragon formed behind her, as it then opened its mouth, beginning to fire off a spewing barrage of dark projectiles, with claw-like rings shooting outwards, curving around the battlefield like boomerangs.

Veyle declared a Spell!

Fell Sign: Tainted Enlightenment

The four attacks collided with Sapphire, who yelled in agony and pain as the attacks finished her off properly, as she collapsed onto the ground, reverted to normal form.

BGM Switch: By Lake Surprise - Peter Sandberg

"...I… I… just… Siege… Siege… I… need you…" Sapphire groaned, feeling Sombron's corruption leaving her in her final, fleeting moments.

"Sapphire? Is… is it really you?" Siege asked, hurrying up to Sapphire and taking her in his arms.

"Yes… yes… I feel… I… I don't feel anger… anymore… Did… did Sombron… make me hurt… Richard…?" Sapphire asked in genuine concern.

"I'm sorry. It was the only way to stop you." Richard answered back solemnly, before he tipped his head. "It may sound hollow, but you didn't deserve to die the way you did. You had a life ahead of you, and my past life took it from you without a single care. I promise that one day, you'll be with Siege, and there will be much to catch up upon."

"Richard… now you sound… so kind… oh… oh how sorry I am… that Sombron made me… attack all of you…" Sapphire cried. "Siege… before I go… I want… to tell you something…"

"That is?" Siege asked, holding Sapphire's hand tightly.

"Our argument… about… me… being safe… I…" Sapphire cried as she started to fade and doze away. "I… I'm sorry… I forgive you… I should have… listened… to… you…"

"...I love you… Siege…"

Sapphire spoke those final words, before she vanished away in corrupted particles, Siege having tears well in his eyes as the door to the castle was finally opened, and the Fell Dragon Shard shattered, and Siege began to cry.

"Sapphire…." Siege cried in a tone of absolute agony, as Richard walked over, and embraced him.

"Let it all out. Seeing her and having to put her back to rest must have been a lot for you." Richard told Siege softly, with the care of a brother. "It's fine to weep and cry. She at least went on her own terms."

Taking his advice fully, Siege began to cry and wail, holding on to Richard tightly, as everyone witnessed the broken soldier, holding on to comfort as he mourned for his sister once again.

"Siege…" Alear remarked with concern in her voice, as she felt terrible for helping Siege put his sister to rest.

After a long while of crying, Siege finally composed himself, soon looking at everyone.

"I'm sorry everyone… I'm sorry you had to see me like this. Broken, shattered… in despair." Siege apologized. "Some Radiant Savior I am. To have such a glaring weakness…"

"Radiant Saviour… No, son, you've been carrying a lot of burden on your shoulders." Morion remarked, with genuine sympathy. "No one will hold it against you if you grieve and mourn like any other human would. Such a loss to you is something that couldn't be healed easily… Much like my own life lost would have…"

"Father, we won't let that happen again." Diamant declared.

"I see the man that the Radiant Saviour came from." Alfred answered back. "There is nothing to apologize for. I would tell you that you can take your time to grieve… but you already have before you told us, so I'm glad that it didn't hurt you too badly."

"I don't see how that would change our opinion of you." Ivy calmly stated. "While it could be seen as selfish for trying to fight your own Corrupted Sister by only the four of you… I suppose that it's in the best interests of our collective safety, and the right to free your own tortured sister from the misery that Sombron chained her to."

"Nothing more from me. It's fine to be sad. But don't forget…" Fogado remarked, before he smiled, and pointed at Siege's heart. "She's always right in there, and that's all you need. It's not right to blame yourself when you did what was right for everyone here. So cheer up, we've almost got this war wrapped up."

"That's right, Sombron awaits us, and once we defeat him… We will be able to free Elyos from the despair and destruction he has plunged it into." Lumera declared with determination.

"Everyone…. Thank you." Siege said with a soft smile. "Now. Let's end this. Once and for all." Siege declared firmly. "Sapphire… this one's for you."