Posting this author's note here in advance to prevent confusion. The cast of characters you are about to see are from my own series. Consider it a sneak peek for what's to come. I'll look forward to your thoughts on them~
"It feels weird to be back." Takumi admitted as the Askrian castle came into view.
He'd gotten the hang of flying now, so a particularly embarrassing scene he'd dared not mention nor think about was far behind him. He'd miss the cabin, and the freedom to just be alone with Robyn without interruption. The progression of their relationship still made his heart fluttery when he thought about it. In a good way, and he could tell Robyn felt the same.
"It's still early. Looks like no one's up yet." Robyn observed.
"Good. We should be able to land right in my room then." Takumi responded, hovering near the window.
Can't be too careful.. the prince thought, closing his eyes briefly to concentrate.
When he opened them, they were overtaken by a light green glow. "Search" was a magical skill both he and Robyn had picked up, although his worked a little differently. When people, animals, or objects moved about, it shifted the wind currents. By focusing his mind on each individual current, he could tell if someone was nearby, or if someone had passed by recently. He could also trace those individual currents to find someone nearby and pinpoint their exact locations, and eavesdrop on conversations.
While Robyn had the same skill, her's worked differently. Regardless of movement, she could detect if someone was in the same room or area, even if they were hiding or completely still, and could also find specific objects. In addition, she could track people much further than him, the stronger her bond with them, the further she could track.
"No movement detected in the room or hallway." Takumi reported, and Robyn giggled softly, earning a head tilt. "W-what's so funny?"
"We sound like ninjas on a secret mission." she chuckled as her husband used the breeze to gently open the window, landing them safely inside.
"I mean, we kind of are." Takumi laughed softly in response.
They closed the window, then gazed at the familiar sights in the room. His bed had been neatly made, looking even more welcoming with the tapestry hung above it. Takumi's heart fluttered again as he recalled the night they spent together after the ball. It had been sheer bliss, and in that moment, all awkwardness he'd ever felt around Robyn had melted away like morning dew. It wasn't just Takumi's skin that had been laid bare under the moonlight, but his soul. Ever since, he'd shared a special, unbreakable closeness with Robyn that he'd never felt before, and it left him feeling oddly content with himself, and he knew she felt the same. Next, they made their way to to Robyn's room, where they hung the second tapestry over the fireplace. An appreciative smile made its way to the prince's lips when he saw the fresh stack of firewood neatly piled up beside the fireplace. It was a nice feeling, knowing someone was considerate enough to anticipate their return.
"I wonder how Gaius and Caledori are getting along." Robyn commented mischievously as they closed the door behind them.
Takumi chuckled, deciding to humor her a bit.
"Let's go ask them! They teased us nonstop so now it's payback time!"
Still laughing, they made their way to the staircase, and unable to resist, Robyn called
"Let's slide down the banister, for old time's sake!"
"Careful, don't fall." Takumi responded, launching himself off the railing after her.
Robyn reached the ground before him, and hurried off into the main room, and shaking his head in amusement, Takumi went to follow her, but his wife's panicked cry made him freeze in his tracks.
"Takumi, come quick!"
"Whats wrong?!" Takumi broke off in surprise, his eyes widening when he saw Robyn cradling Caledori's unconscious form in her lap.
The other heroes were no better, all seeming to be in a sleep-like state, and no matter how hard Robyn shook her friend, Caledori wouldn't wake. Takumi knelt down beside Cherche, touching her cheek gently, but she showed no reaction.
"They're suffering.." Robyn whispered, placing her hand over Caledori's as her friend's face furrowed in a look of distress, her chest fluttering rapidly.
Who would do this..?! she thought in dismay.
"They got Alfonse too.." Takumi muttered, his face grim. "Everyone in the castle seems affected."
"So we're the only ones awake.." Robyn murmured.
"Those Emblian dastards!" Takumi hissed, rage sparking in his gaze. "We should attack now and demand answers!"
"We don't know if it was them. They could be affected too." Robyn protested. "Let's not do anything rash, and try and find some answers first."
The fury and sadness in her husband's eyes eased a bit and he nodded.
"If we ride my wind currents, we could probably sneak over to Embla and investigate-"
There's no need. They've already been affected too. You must make haste. There's no time to waste.
A voice interrupted, and the pair spun around to see the spirit standing behind them, a somber expression on her face.
"Your friends and Embla have been put under a deep sleeping spell." she continued. "You will need your powers to infiltrate the dream and rescue Askr and Embla."
"Wait.. we have to help Embla too?!" Takumi scoffed. "But they're the enemy!"
"Things are not all that they seem. Cast aside your foolish human rivalries. Gods and goddesses must stand above those."
"Fine.. but I still don't trust them, or you. How are we getting into this dream anyways?" Takumi inquired suspiciously, and the spirit's gaze shifted to Robyn.
"It is not I that holds the key, but the one who controls fate. Your powers allow you to not only enter others dreams and memories, but to alter them as well."
Alter memories?! Why would I want to do something so awful?!
As if she'd read her mind, the spirit added
You may need this power to protect your identity from future enemies. Now, take Takumi's hand and focus your mind on Caledori's, as if you were mentally reaching out. You should be able to reach her in dreams.
Hesitantly, Robyn took the prince's hand in her's, and concentrated.
Hang in there Caledori.. I'm coming to help, I promise!
There was a strange pulling sensation, like she was falling into a deep trance. There was a rush of wind, shadows flitting rapidly across her vision, then all was still. Robyn dared to open her eyes a slit, and at once, they flew open in surprise. A warm breeze played with her hair, and pure lavender flowers swayed gently, a few small cabins here and there. Robyn frowned. They looked nothing like a nightmare. Takumi's back was turned to her's, and she couldn't help but admire the way the sun dappled his hair as he turned towards her.
"Are you sure this is the right place- whoa!"
The prince stopped and stared, wide-eyed, causing Robyn to frown.
"Is.. there something on my face?"
"N-no! You uh.. here."
Takumi pulled her over to a clear puddle in the ground so she could gaze at her reflection.
What..
A skin tight, full body black fabric adorned her figure, decorated with dark green wire that covered the top and her right arm. Translucent ribbons hung from her waist, but what drew her attention was the purple and dark green wings that glimmered, along with the outfit, in the warm sunlight.
"I-I'm a fairy?!" she stammered out in disbelief, but before Takumi could reply, her necklace glowered and the spirit's voice rang out.
For this world, you will need to focus on utilizing your magical abilities. Your sword is still there, however, it is unusable in this form. Instead your magical abilities are heavily enhanced.
"I see.."
Robyn fluttered the wings gently, but she didn't feel anxious about not using her sword. Instead, excitement filled her as Takumi looked over curiously.
"Do they work?"
"Yes!" Robyn replied, fluttering harder, letting out a small gasp as her feet lifted off the ground.
"Whoa.. you're flying!"
"I know!"
The trees look so much better from this height!
The Summoner reached out to touch one of the glittering leaves.
"Don't fly too high!" Takumi warned, and Robyn glanced down to see the prince staring at her with wide eyes.
Oh..
She had flown rather high.
"Alright, I'm coming down!"
Robyn started to flutter down, but very quickly she was seeing why Takumi had to practice so much, and too late she recalled the spirit's advice to slow down as she neared the ground, closing her eyes as she braced herself for the impact, but a strong pair of arms caught her.
"E-easy there."
She opened her eyes to see her husband holding her in the sky, his hair rippling in the breeze.
"You okay?" She nodded in confirmation, and Takumi smiled as they floated a little higher. "I want you to hold onto my hands, okay? We're going to practice together. Ready?"
Warmth filled her as Takumi shifted back slightly, then spin them, slowly, gently.
"This is our sky dance." Robyn murmured, recalling how they'd danced at the cabin.
"Yes. And now you can do it with me."
Round and round they went, until fluttering her wings felt.. natural.
"Okay.. I'm going to let go now so you can try flying on your own."
The prince's hands left her's, allowing Robyn to float on her own. While flying with Takumi's wind powers had been thrilling on its own, doing it by her own power was even more exciting.
"Do you think we could touch the clouds?" she asked, gazing longingly at the white fluff, and Takumi chuckled softly, indulging her.
"Let's find out!"
Higher and higher they flew, until the air grew cooler, Takumi joking that perhaps they'd accidentally fly out of the dream. They rested on one of the clouds, which felt soft and fluffy as they overlooked the world.
"I wasn't expecting this place to be so.. lovely." Takumi mused. "And I can't see the others from here.."
"Perhaps not with sight, but with wind currents!" Robyn suggested, and her husband's eyes lit up.
"Good idea!"
He closed his eyes to concentrate, while Robyn let her eyes sweep over the fields.
I hope Caledori and the others are safe..
"I think I sense movement in the forest over there." Takumi said, pointing to the expanse of trees in the distance. "Let's check it out."
The forest looked dark and forbidding as they approached, the tops of the trees so tangled together, they seemed to block out the sky.
"This seems more like a nightmare.." Takumi muttered as they landed, and Robyn nodded in agreement.
They'd originally planned to fly over and scout the area, but it was far too dark to see.
"I can barely see past the first row of trees.." Takumi murmured, then held out his hand, which Robyn accepted. "Stay close."
They stepped into the dismal gloom, picking their way carefully over tangled vines. If their friends were trapped in a dream, it certainly made sense to keep them in here, as it would be very easy to get lost, the pair quickly discovered.
"We're not even that far in, but I can't even see the entrance." Takumi grunted, squinting, then his gaze darted past her.
"Robyn, look out!"
"..!"
Robyn spun around and dodged just in time as a shadow lunged at her, claws outstretched.
"My.. shadow..?!" she whispered in disbelief as in one smooth movement, they were surrounded.
"No time to question! We have to fight!" Takumi said, his back to her's.
"Right!"
Let's see what our new powers can do!
While training with the spirit, she'd discovered that because she was the Goddess of Fate, Robyn was what was considered an "impossible element," both light and dark, and already, she could guess which one would be best for this fight. Channeling her holy magic, she sent a blast through the wall of shadows, evaporating them right through the middle. Behind her, she could hear Takumi firing wind infused arrows from the legendary Fujin Yumi, so he too could hit multiple enemies at once. Her triumph at eliminating the first wave was short lived as rows upon rows replaced them.
"Gods.. they're endless!" Takumi exclaimed. "They're not very strong by themselves, but things could get ugly fast if they keep coming like this!"
"Whatever called us here.. wants us to remain here!"
As if they'd read their minds, the shadows began to merge together to form a massive shadow that loomed over them with vicious sneer.
This is getting out of hand.. Robyn grimaced, raising an arm to summon a light shield.
But before she could finish her spell, several vines manifested, wrapping around the creature's arms and legs. It snarled, straining furiously against the restraints, but could not break free.
"No.."
She heard Takumi whisper in disbelief, causing her to frown. Why did he sound so shocked? Following his gaze, Robyn felt her breath hitch in her throat.
No.. it can't possibly be you!
Long forest green hair blew gently in the slight breeze that dared to penetrate the trees. Light green and pink wings fluttered, the body adorned with light green wire, decorated by leaves at the waist and skin tight glittering pink outfit, just like Robyn's. An achingly familiar forest green gaze met her's, eyes full of gentleness and serenity. A gaze she'd dreamt nonstop of being reunited with since she's first arrived in Askr.
"Leafa!"
Robyn couldn't keep the joy out of the cry that escaped her as she flew to embrace her sister so tightly it send both of them spinning.
"Where have you been?! I missed you so much!" she sobbed, burying her face into her hair.
"..What do you mean?"
The confusion in her sister's voice froze Robyn's tears in her tracks as she continued.
"We weren't separated for that long, maybe a few hours at most! You had us so worried though, we thought that awful spell Freyja used sent you and Takumi really far away!"
That's right.. it's all just a dream.
Takumi was gazing up at them, confusion in his eyes. Robyn gave him a pleading look and he nodded in understanding. He'd play along, for her sake.
"Sorry.. I was just worried you wouldn't find me." Robyn apologized. "Where.. are the others?"
Please let Kiyoshi be with you!
The leaves rustled, and three more girls emerged.
"Maizono, Rina, Serah!" Leafa greeted each girl in turn. "I found Robyn!"
The trio she greeted were all in fairy forms of different types. Maizono's skin tight outfit was blue, decorated by light pink wire matching the big bow that held her tied back hair. Rina's was black, her's matching the bow that held her ponytail and red wings. Serah's was yellow with black wings, her black hair braided in the back. None of these names seemed to ring a bell. Friends of Leafa's perhaps? And where was Kiyoshi? As if on que, a man with dark grey tied back hair, who they called Hisashi emerged, followed by a dark brown haired, scarf wearing man named Asahi.
"Looks like everyone is here. Kiyoshi should catch up in a minute-" Asahi broke off as the shadow finally broke though the vines with a snarl, lunging at Robyn.
"Robyn, look out-"
The words had barely left Takumi's lips before a large scythe with a blue rose on the blade shot through the darkness with deadly precision, sending the shadow flying into the trunks with a sickening thud. The scythe spun back around like a boomerang, its owner, a man with jet black hair and piercing blue eyes catching it easily.
"Y'know," Kiyoshi said, twirling the scythe casually, his tone nonchalant. "I was gonna say 'Hey, get your filthy claws away from my cousin!' But then I decided slamming you into the nearest tree trunk sounded a lot more fun. Now then.."
Robyn's cousin gave the weapon another spin before taking a battle stance, blue eyes narrowed in mischief.
"How does round two sound?"
From his place beside her, Takumi seemed to be taking everything in with quiet fascination.
"Do you know these other people?"
She shook her head.
"No.. but they think they know us. Probably due to this being in a dream world. It would be best to play along for now."
"Soo.. it's a fight you want, is it? Be careful what you wish for!" Asahi was taunting the shadow, who struggled to its feet.
The three boys didn't seem to have fairy forms like the girls. Kiyoshi had his scythe, Asahi had a feather shaped dagger, while Hisashi had two smaller twin swords.
"Take this!" Rina called as it launched another attack, a red glow surrounding its body.
The creature slowed, panting, as if it was overheating. Leafa took the opportunity to bind it in her vines again.
"You're done!" she said sternly as Maizono struck it with a ball of water.
It strained against the restraints, then snickered, causing the girls to hesitate in confusion. The massive shadows began to separate into countless smaller ones, surrounding the group effectively and forcing them into a tight circle.
"Uh-oh.." Leafa muttered uneasily, while Serah let out a whimper.
"Damn.. I can't even see the forest anymore!" Rina exclaimed, flames beginning to rise from her hands.
"No!" Leafa gasped. "You'll burn down the forest! Again!"
"I have an idea! Cover me!" Robyn ordered, fluttering up before anyone could protest.
A few shadows tried to grab her, but were quickly subdued by Takumi's arrows.
If they're made of darkness, they should be attracted to light because they'll want to snuff it out. I just hope this works! Robyn prayed, summoning a tiny ball of light.
The shadows all immediately flocked around her, wrapping themselves around her in a tight ball.
"ROBYN!!"
She heard Leafa shriek in panic.
Now!
Reaching deep into her heart, Robyn summoned the light from deep within her, glowing brighter and brighter until the beams of light pierced through the ball, melting the shadows away with a hiss. Robyn emerged unscathed, the group cheering as she fluttered down to join them.
"That was amazing!" Takumi exclaimed, eyes shining, embracing her as she smiled sheepishly.
"Now we just have to beat Freyja!" Asahi exclaimed.
"If you even make it to her alive!" a voice taunted, causing the group to whip around as the trees parted to reveal a man with long, greasy black hair and a mask that covered half his face.
He was dressed in a dark mage outfit and carried a purple and gold tome, his face twisted into a hideous sneer.
"Ugh, not you again!" Asahi groaned. "Look buddy, that relationship with King Garon just ain't gonna happen, so why don't you can it and beat it before I make that ugly half-melted troll doll you call a face look worse."
"W-who the hell are you?!" the mage spat, earning another eye roll.
"Nice to meet you too, Iago. Name's Asahi. I'd ask myself the same thing if I had to wake up with your face every morning. That is.. if I could even sleep at night between questioning my existence as an emo abomination. Ever hear of a bath? You know.. baaaaaath? B-A-T-H?"
Robyn would have laughed, if it weren't for Takumi quaking with rage beside her.
"You!" he spat, and the mage snickered as he tried to gain the upper hand again.
"Ah yes.. if it isn't Prince Takumi. How lovely it is to see you.. again. You should have been driven to despair by those lovely nightmares I infected your mind with, if it weren't for her!"
He jabbed a furious finger at Robyn, who frowned as confusion filled her.
"Wh-what?!" Takumi stammered as Iago cackled wickedly.
"Fool! I was the reason you were plagued with all those nightmares of your mother's death! Garon chose you to be our perfect pawn because you were the weakest, but thanks to that wretched woman-"
"..If you lay one finger on my husband ever again.. I'm going to be wearing your guts like a Hoshidan kimono…."
Heads all turned to stare at Robyn in shock as she glowered at the mage, practically oozing fury as flashbacks of all the nights she spent consoling Takumi from nightmares filled her mind. The prince had admitted while he's always had nightmares, they'd grown worse since his mother's death, and they'd assumed it was due to trauma. But knowing the man in front of her had deliberately made these dreams more frequent to torment him infuriated her beyond words.
"E-excuse me?!"
"Oh I'm sorry.. did I stutter?! I said if you so much as touch Takumi, I'm going to be wearing your guts like a Hoshidan kimono!"
The rage in her voice began to steadily increase, Iago starting to look increasingly more unnerved.
"I'll find a recording tome so I can record your screams as my bedtime song every night, and then I'll have your head mounted on my wall as a godsdamned HALLOWEEN DECORATION!!!"
"Y-you should hear h-how absolutely insane you sound right now!" Iago blustered, struggling to regain control over the situation again. "A-as Nohr's finest mage, you would do well to address me properly!"
"You're absolutely right, how rude of me." Robyn responded, her tone dripping with sarcasm. "Why hello my good bitch, whatever seems to be the fuck-"
"ENOUGH!!!" Iago screeched, eye twitching as Takumi sputtered out a laugh and the mage drew his tome. "Any last words?!"
"You were a mistake!" Asahi called from somewhere behind her. "Lose the cult reject outfit and maybe we'll take you seriously!"
"GINNUNGAGAP!"
Beside her, she heard Takumi gasp as the mage fired a ground shaking ball of dark energy at her, but a sly smile made its way to Robyn's lips, freezing Iago's features when he caught sight of it. Being the impossible element meant that Robyn was both pure holy element and pure darkness element, so neither could affect her. And Iago was about to find that out first hand as she absorbed the attack, leaving a puff of smoke. As the smoke started to clear, Robyn stepped out from behind it, calling to the now petrified Nohrian.
"Unlike you.. I don't need fancy incantations for my spells. Go back to school…" A warm glow surrounded the fingertips of her outstretched hand. "DIMWIT!!!"
The force of her spell hit faster than they could blink, sending Iago slamming into the trunk so hard, the whole tree came crashing down onto him as he slumped to the ground, his tome falling from his hands. Asahi let out a low whistle while Kiyoshi put away his scythe.
"One down, now for-"
"It's not over yet!" Takumi hissed, floating up as Iago struggled to stand, reaching for the tome. "I'll finish him."
By some miracle, Iago managed to stand as the furious Hoshidan prince landed in front of him.
"Many say Gods are supposed to show mercy.. but this one is fresh out of it!" the prince deadpanned, hitting the mage with a branch shaking wind blast that sent his cloak flying clean off.. leaving the mage in his small clothes.
"Tch.."
Takumi's head lowered, his eyes hidden in shadow as he blushed furiously, too flustered to speak.
"D-don't look Leafa!" Robyn heard Serah whimper.
"Y-you too!" her sister replied as they covered each other's eyes.
"Oh my gods!" Maizono gasped as her and Rina covered their mouths, giggling uncontrollably.
"Damnnnn buddy.. when I said to ditch the cult reject outfit, I didn't mean like that." Asahi muttered, shielding his eyes with one hand as he peered through his fingertips.
"Still better than what he was wearin' before.." Kiyoshi mumbled back, cheeks tinged pink. "Talk about second hand embarrassment.."
Even Robyn had nothing else to say, and throughly humiliated, no one stopped the mage as he made a hasty retreat.
"I can't believe you recognized him!" Rina gasped out between laughs as Asahi shrugged.
"Well you described him to me, didn't ya? It was pretty easy to recognize someone who dresses that obnoxiously."
Takumi remained silent throughout the whole interaction, his face still crimson.
"Dude.. is he okay?" she heard Kiyoshi ask, and Asahi started to snicker.
"Looks like Takumi learned a new move for the bedroom-"
"SHUT IT!" Takumi and Kiyoshi yelled at the same time.
Robyn went over to stand beside Takumi, leaning her head on her husband's shoulder, feeling him relax instantly. A faint, mischievous smile made its way to her lips, and as soon as the attention was off him, she leaned in to whisper impishly in his ear.
"I wouldn't mind if you tried that~"
"Nnn.."
Takumi's face turned scarlet again, and he refused to look at her. It wouldn't take a detective to figure out that the prince's mind was clearly in the gutter.
"Ugh.. why did we have to get separated from Alfonse and the others? We'll never find them if we can't get out of this dumb forest!" Asahi complained.
No matter which way they turned, there was no sign of an exit. Suddenly, Leafa stopped with a gasp.
"I've got it! I'll ask nature!"
"Ask.. nature?" Takumi inquired, tilting his head, and Leafa nodded enthusiastically.
"If I talk to the forest, maybe it'll show us the way out! One moment please.."
Leafa fluttered down to rest a hand on the earth, a light green light emitting from her as she closed her eyes and concentrated.
That makes sense! Since Leafa's the fairy of nature!
While they'd been exploring the woods, Robyn and Takumi had cleverly managed to find out the group's powers and weapons without actually giving away the fact that they didn't actually know them.
Leafa was the fairy of nature, Rina was fairy of fire, while Maizono controlled water, Serah was a light fairy who specialized in strengthening spells and illusions. Kiyoshi controlled darkness and the moon and wielded his scythe, Hisashi controlled time, his weapon of choice two twin swords, and he could replicate other's weapons and summon a weaker version of it. And lastly, there was Asahi, a dagger wielder who controlled the earth and had an entire army of bird familiars at his disposal, which he seemed to really enjoy sicing on Kiyoshi. Robyn had a feeling he and Henry would get along quite well.
The green glow that was surrounding Leafa began to expand and grow, and the vines began to unfurl, the trees parting to reveal a path.
"Brilliant!" Takumi exclaimed.
"Thank you nature, for showing us the way!" Leafa said, giving the trees a quick bow and the group continued on.
"Ugh, finally!" Asahi groaned as they exited the trees. "Any longer and I'd be kissing the ground."
"That I'd like to see." Kiyoshi teased, earning a playful shove.
"Come on, let's find Freyja and give her a piece of our minds!" Rina declared.
Robyn and Takumi exchanged puzzled glances. They'd managed to glean some information, but still drew a blank when it came to Freyja. Hesitantly, Robyn spoke up.
"She can't be all bad.. right?"
"What?!" Rina exclaimed, while the others just looked shocked. "Have you forgotten? She kidnapped Freyr and trapped the Order of Heroes in a nightmare! They were on the run but Alfonse told us to come find you!"
"Robyn's just being optimistic. Like she always is." Takumi asserted, and she gave him a grateful look.
The sounds of fighting up ahead drew their attention.
"Soooo.. how much we wanna bet on them being up there?" Asahi drawled, and Rina's eyes narrowed.
"Let's check it out!"
The group took off at a run (or flight) towards the noise, just in time to see the Order of Heroes facing off against-
"Dream King Freyr?! What are you doing?!" Maizono exclaimed in horror.
The ethereal looking man with what appeared to be butterfly wings across his chest gazed at them sadly.
"Do not interfere. Freyja has taken my powers. My death is the only way to stop her." he replied, sounding resigned.
"Like hell I'm gonna listen to that!" Rina fired back. "Thinking that dying is the only answer is just plain stupid!"
"Why are you all trying to take my brother from me?!" a beautiful woman with long snow white hair and crimson eyes shrieked.
"Great.. Freyja's here too.." Kiyoshi grumbled. "And if what Freyr said is true.. she's unstoppable now. This is the hardest choice we've had to make, but if we can't think of anything else then.."
"W-we can't kill someone!" Serah cried out in horror. "Courtesy Call was formed to save others! Killing Freyr goes against everything we stand for.. right Robyn?!"
Robyn froze as all eyes suddenly turned to her.
Why me?!
"Well, Robyn? You're our leader. It's your call." Asahi said.
Even Takumi's eyes were calmly expectant. He believed in her. They all did. Robyn slowly turned her gaze back to the fight raging below her. Her purpose was to help others.. right?
But how can I help someone I know nothing about?! I doubt she'd agree to a friendly conversation! Unless..
The realization hit her like the ocean's grey waves. Maybe there was another solution!
"I have an idea, but there's not much time to explain. I just need you to get me close to Freyja so I can talk to her!"
"Get you close to Freyja?!" Kiyoshi echoed. "But she'll attack you!"
"Not if Leafa restrains her." Takumi spoke up. "You can do that, right? Just like you did with the shadow?"
Robyn's twin nodded earnestly.
"What about the alfr?" Asahi inquired, pointing to the two dark fairies fighting beside Freyja. "I doubt Tirandra and Plumeria are gonna sit still and look pretty while we tie up their precious queen."
"Leave that to us." Maizono asserted. "Now let's hurry!"
The little group charged, and as predicted, Tirandra shouted
"What the hell are you doing?! Get away from her!"
"Such persistence." Plumeria sighed, shaking her head as if she were dealing with naughty children. "Isn't it time for you to die?"
"Fat chance!" Rina shouted, knocking them out of the sky with a fire ball.
"You're done! Time to cool off!" Maizono chimed in, blasting them with a tidal wave of water large enough to drown a small Askrian village.
"Ugh!" Tirandra sat up with a groan, her companion doing the same, too weak to fly as she glared up at them. "If you're going to kill us, just do it already." she growled.
"Hard pass. Even though you're really annoying." Asahi replied loftily, and Serah formed a powerful light cage around the pair.
"Look out!"
Robyn heard Takumi shout, and they heard Freyja's shriek of rage, and looked over to see her making multiple copies of herself to attack them. Asahi let out a low whistle.
"Damnnnn.. that's a new one." He turned to Hisashi. "Looks like we're up now."
"And me." Kiyoshi asserted, his eyes glowing brilliant blue.
He touched the ground, shadowy soldiers rising up from the darkness. Hisashi faced a group of clones cooly.
"Your weapon may be stronger." he deadpanned. "But mine.."
Reaching towards the skies, he summoned a massive sword that towered over them, freezing their adversaries in place with a time spell.
"..is bigger."
The sword came crashing down, crushing over half of them. The sky darkened abruptly, and they looked up to see Asahi grinning like a madman.
"And now for the grand finale!"
What seemed to be dark clouds turned out to be birds as they dive bombed towards the remainder of the clones. A gap in the ranks opened up.
"Now!" Robyn called, and flanked by Takumi and Leafa, they broke through the gap.
The Queen of Nightmates looked shocked as the trio propelled towards her, lifting a hand. But Leafa was faster.
"Nature, come and help us!" she called, a pale green glow spreading to the plants around them.
The trees sprung into action, grabbing Freyja from all sides as the vines snakes around her, securing her into place.
"Go!" Leafa urged. "I'll hold her as long as I can!"
"Right!"
Her fingertips glimmered pale gold as she touched the furiously struggling queen's temple.
Show me her memories!
The Summoner closed her eyes, letting the glow wash over her.
Darkness greeted Robyn when she opened her eyes. Her hair and wings looked even more luminous in the dismal black. Takumi was beside her, and she guessed the prince must have followed her in.
"Where are we?" Takumi asked softly, looking around.
His voice echoed as if they were in a cavern.
"This is Freyja's memories." Robyn responded quietly, offering him her hand. He took it and they floated up. "Killing her just feels so.. wrong. Like there's more to this. So I came to find out for myself."
A single door remained stagnant, and Robyn reached to open it. The couple shielded their eyes at the brilliant flash that emitted from the door, and when it cleared, they were standing in a field of flowers. A younger version of Freyja was sitting on the ground, surrounded by three male fairies, their cruel laughter filling the air.
"Why do you have that mark under your nose?" one jeered. "It's so ugly!"
"And you stink!" the second taunted.
"No wonder you have no friends!" the third chimed in.
"L-leave me alone! Please!" Freyja whimpered, tears rolling down her cheeks as she tried to hide her face behind her hands as the jeering continued.
"She can't even fight back!" one scoffed.
"That's enough!" a stern voice interrupted, and they looked up to see Freyr towering over them.
"It's King Freyr!" the second yelped. "Let's get out of here!"
The three fairies booked it, and Freyr scooped his sister up, spinning her around, causing her to giggle.
"Pay no mind to them, Freyja. You are always beautiful in my eyes." he consoled her.
"Okay big brother, I love you!"
Takumi and Robyn observed silently as the background shifted, then cleared, showing a now older Freyja and one of the male fairies.
"W-well it's just that.. you're so beautiful and-"
"So now you'll accept me? Because I'm beautiful? That's pathetic reasoning. You sound like a mortal." Freyja scoffed, storming off.
While she did not speak them out loud, they could still hear her thoughts.
I don't need love from others, only Freyr!
She paused by the castle window to gaze outside at her brother as he comforted a small girl who had fallen and scraped her knee, and Robyn could feel Freyja's rage as if it was her own, filling her veins and consuming her to the brink of madness.
Those horrid humans just want to take my brother's love away! Freyja's thoughts seethed. Well I won't let them. I'll kill them all!
"..Is that really what you want?" Robyn asked gently as a dark aura rose around the girl, and she spun around, crimson eyes smoldering.
"Of course it is!" she hissed. "They want to take his love away from me! And.. and then I'll be all alone!"
"Freyja.. that's not how love works."
Robyn reached out to brush away the stray tear that dared to fall down the girl's face, and she looked at it in dismay. Their surroundings began to shift again, Freyja's childhood field of flowers manifesting. Robyn held her hands, spinning them slowly, and floating in the sky beside her, she could see Takumi's eyes soften as he recognized the sky dance they'd done countless times.
"Freyja.. love isn't like a single flower with limited petals. It won't run out of you pluck them. Instead, they grow and expand. Like a whole field! Just because Freyr shows love to others, doesn't mean he loves you any less!"
"B-but he's the only one who will ever accept me!"
"That's not true!" Takumi chuckled, and Robyn materialized the images of Tirandra and Plumeria.
She joined their hands to the circle, and the sky dance continued.
"They were willing to give their lives for you." Takumi asserted. "If that's not love, I don't know what is."
"There's thousands out there, millions even who'd be willing to accept you, if you'd just let them in. And want to know a secret?"
Robyn leaned closer and whispered.
"Takumi has a mother he loves. And a father. Sisters and brothers too. But that doesn't mean he loves me any less, does it?"
"That's right. My love only expands. Never lessens." her husband confirmed as Freyja's eyes darted between them uncertainly.
"But.. but I've done such awful things.. No one will accept me after what I've done.."
"So make amends."
There was almost a fatherly quality to Takumi's voice now.
"If you prove to them you've changed, they'll have to accept you. And if they don't, then you don't need them."
"Okay.."
The madness in the queen's eyes had vanished, replaced with calm resolve.
"It's time to wake up now.." Robyn whispered gently. "We'll see you on the other side.."
Robyn opened her eyes, Takumi at her side. The fighting around them had stopped, both sides staring uncertainly at each other. Freyja stood calmly.
"..Stop the fighting." she ordered.
"What?!" Tirandra exclaimed, and Plumeria looked on in silent shock.
Alfonse, Sharena, and Commander Anna with the rest of the order looked baffled.
"I'm sorry, brother. I now understand why you love these mortals so much. I know these words are not enough to mean the pain I have caused you and them.. but I promise I will make amends. Starting by releasing these mortals from this nightmare."
With a wave of her hand, Alfonse and the others closed their eyes and vanished, and when Robyn looked up, Leafa and the others were frozen in place, as if time itself had stopped. When she fluttered over to touch her sister's cheek, she didn't move. Pain pricked in Robyn's heart.
"Can't we take them with us?" she pleaded softly, but Freyr shook his head.
"I'm afraid not. But they are out there. Fate will bring you together again." he promised.
I'll wait for you.. Robyn vowed silently as she placed a gentle kiss on Kiyoshi and Leafa's foreheads, before fluttering back over to land beside Takumi.
"Ready to go?" he asked, and she nodded.
"Before you leave.. a strange spirit gave me a gift earlier. I believe I know now who it's for." Freyja began hesitantly, and Robyn and Takumi exchanged surprised glances.
Freyja placed a hand gently on Robyn's stomach, and a strange warmth began to resonate through Robyn's body.
"This is my first step to making amends." she murmured. "You'll understand soon."
Before they could ask questions, Robyn was blinking awake with Takumi, Caledori sitting up beside her.
"Oh, Robyn you're back!" she exclaimed in relief. "I just had the craziest dream! You were a fairy, and Takumi had wind powers! And there were others too, but I can't remember what they looked like. It was amazing!"
"Ah, is that so?" Robyn chuckled, trading glances with Takumi.
As Gaius approached, and Caledori hurried blushingly to greet him, Robyn caught Alfonse's eye.
"I won't ask too many questions.. but I doubt all of us having the same dream was a fluke.. was it? You saved us from something, didn't you?"
Robyn nodded once, and he understood.
Robyn lay in Takumi's arms, her head resting on his bare chest as he stroked her hair gently, his skin against her's warming her own. Their shared intimacy that night had left her with an almost tired like feeling.
Must be the effects of the dream still. And we were more intense than usual.. Robyn mused, closing her eyes with a contented sigh.
Takumi opened his eyes to a cliff top, the moon shining brightly down on him. For a moment, he wondered how he'd gotten here, but a familiar presence by his side made him turn his head joyfully as he realized he was dreaming.
"Mother!" he gasped, embracing her tightly.
A chuckle shook Mikoto's shoulders as she returned the hug, then stepped back.
"My dear son.. I couldn't be more proud of you. But that is not why I have come to you tonight. I have a message for you."
"A message?" Takumi tilted his head curiously at the happiness that filled her gentle gaze as she pointed up.
Beside the moon, three stars shown brightly.
"My sweet Takumi.. your path was never meant for two.. but for three."
Mystified, Takumi turned to ask her what she meant, but Mikoto was gone. The prince turned his hazel gaze back up to the stars. It wasn't fear that filled him.. but warmth and love.
AN: So what do you think the three stars mean? Find out in the next chapter: which will be released February 14th in celebration of the couple's first Day of Devotion together! Can't wait w