[Chapter 23: A Clash of Forces]
- 1,013 years Ago -
The young girl hummed a tune as she made a small black hole float in her hands. She smiled, watching it suck up a pebble as she sat close to the ground. Then with her other hand, she made an ice shard and slammed her two hands together, the ice shards were now a dark red, and the magic inside of it felt like emptiness.
"Lady Martha." Martha blinked and turned, she saw Zephia looking at her with a perplexed expression as she saw what the girl was doing, "I do not mean to be rude but...what is that?" She asked.
"A new spell!" Martha said excitedly as she turned to the woman, "Look! Void Ice!" And she threw it at a tree.
With a loud "THUNK!" It lodged itself into the trunk, then exploded, and Zephia watched before her eyes a chunk of the tree was now missing, from where the shard had it. The mage dragon blinked multiple times before the sound of someone running towards them reached their ears.
"Martha! I told you not to do that!" Ruby yelled, arriving at the scene, "Gasp! Gasp! Give me..." she raised her hand, "A moment..." she panted and finally recovered, "What did I say about using your powers like that?!" The woman said angrily.
Martha hid herself away as Zephia turned to her mother.
"My Queen," Zephia despised calling Ruby that but she had to obey Sombron's orders, "I do not see anything wrong with the princess using her powers at the moment. She is in a safe location where no one can be harmed." She said, yet Ruby shook her head.
"That is not it." Ruby said, pointing behind her, "Do you remember the mountain in the east?"
"Mount Athena?" Ruby nodded, "Yes, if I recall it was obliterated two months a—" Zephia suddenly paused, then slowly turned to look at Martha, who pulled her hood on to hide, "Oh...So it was you."
"My...power went out of control...it's...difficult controlling fell and void at the same time." Martha mumbled as she nervously fiddled with her hands, "Papa said I can take off my necklace three times a week to practice controlling my powers." She said, "I need to master my powers quickly so I can open the Outrealm gate." She mumbled.
"Rushing too much will do you no good." Ruby said as she walked up and knelt, "Sweetheart, I understand you want to help your father but running yourself dead will do you no good." She patted her head.
"If she cannot control her power, then she is weak," Zephia commented.
Ruby snarled at the woman, "She is a child! And it is thanks to me Gardlon Castle has not turned to ashes yet because the other mage dragons don't know how to control their damn jealousy!" She spat, Zephia's nostrils flared.
"With my time here," Ruby stood up, Martha quickly hid behind her mother, "I have rightfully proved my place as the queen mother and put those who have crossed lines in their place. I watched, trained, and took care of the children when those who should done, failed." She said firmly, her aura becoming visible, "The reason so many children have not died so fast like in the past is because of me. You do well to watch your tone with me and the children, Zephia." She coldly.
On her right hand, the ring she wore gleamed. Zephia gritted her teeth and bowed before she left. Ruby stayed like that for a few seconds before her aura disappeared and she let out a deep breath.
"Ow..." Ruby whispered, "I'm still adjusting to my Fell powers..." She turned to look at Martha, "Sweetheart, are you alright?"
"Yes, Mama." Martha said as her mother let out a sigh of relief, "I wanted to try combining my magic..."
"Martha," Ruby fully turned to her, "I understand that you want to learn to control your powers quickly but overdoing it can kill you." She said, "My powers of Fell and Void are unstable because I was not born with Fell blood naturally. When I met your father, he gave me his blood, a declaration of his trust in me." She said but Martha bit her lip.
Father didn't trust anyone. The only reason he gave his blood to her mother was to form a chain to him. She overheard one of her father's generals that the reason he gave her mother his blood was to ensure she would be strong when she was born. Even mage dragons, despite being powerful, have died giving birth to her siblings. Yet mother, who is a human, gave birth to her, the most powerful Hybrid Dragon in existence.
A living Outrealm Key.
A key that can open the doors to countless worlds. The blood of void fell, and divine, three powers that should be fighting each other, naturally came in harmony, thus creating a power that was said to have been lost thousands and thousands of years ago. Ruby should have died giving birth to her, yet she didn't. She lived, which was the most shocking and strengthened her position as Queen Mother, yet such a title was empty. No one outside of Gardlon knew that she was made queen. Only that sge was a prisoner of Sombron.
No one knew that her mother made a deal with Sombron, that she would give birth to a child of his in exchange he sparing the survivors of her army. Ruby made sure the survivors were warped back to Lythos's and erased their memories of the deal she made with the Fell Dragon. The only one who stayed beside Ruby's side was her friend Maria, who refused to leave her friend behind. So another deal was made, to prove she would not betray Sombron, she would accept his blessing. In exchange, Maria lives and stays beside her as an aid.
"Mama," Martha spoke up, "Do you love Papa?"
Ruby stared at her for a long time, the feeling sent a shiver down Martha's spine as the woman closed her eyes, tilted her head up, and opened them to look up to the gray sky.
"I don't know." Ruby said with a sad look in her eyes, "Now," she looked to her daughter, "let us stop talking about that. You have more studying to do. Your Elder brother was looking for you." She said, which Martha immediately hid.
"Elder brother is scary..." Martha whispered, "He smells so much of blood..."
"I know sweety...You have to endure it..." Ruby smiled sadly as she patted her head, "Do you want me to tell you stories about The World of Steel?"
"Yes! Yes! I love those stories!"
Yet, as Martha observed her mother telling her these stories, she noticed that there was always a look of longing in her eyes when she looked up to the sky. As if she was looking for a way to go to it...
- Present Time: The Day Before The War against Elusia -
Music played as Brodian soldiers drank and cheered before they went to war. It was a tradition to throw a banquet before they went to battle, no one knew if today would be their last day, so they chose to spend it having fun and drink their hearts out. Natalie, having drunk her fifth mug of Brodia Mulberry Wine...was not drunk. She played the violin she made in Solm, and danced as the soldiers cheered, at this point, she thought of herself as a bard. As the night continued, she went on to tell ancient stories from her world as well as myths and fairy tales for entertainment. Even some comedy ones. It was nice seeing Jade listen peacefully.
"Out of curiosity, you got any scary stories?" One lady said and Natalie paused for a moment.
"Well..." Ah right...she never got to tell anyone her own story, "I have ones that are a mix of tragedy and horror." She said, "You okay with that?" In the form of an allegory...would she feel better if she told it that way?
"Sure!" Go on the head, the soldier said.
"Everyone gather around," Natalie said as she strummed the strings of her violin, "For here is a tale of hope, tragedy, betrayal, and revenge." She begun.
"There once was a little baker who brought smiles to all~ The food she made and sweets she baked touched the hearts of all. She used her talents and magic to bring out the best of her ingredients to create the most delicious foods in the world~" Nanami sang as she played her violin.
The people around the fire cheered as she did small steps for a dance, then spun as she continued to play. Drunk she may be but music and songs were the only way she could properly express herself without the shame of being looked out weirdly.
"One day a great hero and his party came to the village. The Hero, a mage, a priestess and priest, a knight, an archer, a hunter, and a bard. The Hero heard stories of the baker who made amazing sweets with her magic and asked her if she would join his party." She said and then titled her head back as she played a sweet tone.
"Baker, I heard stories from afar! Your magic is so bright and knowledge beyond, please join us in our quest to defeat the evil dragon who threatens our home!" She grinned a did a jump, "In return, she shall be rewarded glory and gold!"
"Oh, Great Hero! I thank thee! I shall bake and cook for you all as we journey together to protect our home from the evil dragon!" She said, "Together they traveled through the lands, fighting against monsters and dark forces! The Baker used her skills to create foods and drinks that gave great strength to the hero and his party. The Hunter taught her how to survive. The priest and priestess taught her how to pray. The Mage taught her how to create, the archer taught her wisdom, and the bard taught her how to sing. Lastly, the Hero taught her how to fight!" She said as more people gathered around.
"Baker, your skills and techniques have improved so much! I have a feeling that in no time you will become more than just a baker!"
"Thank you, knight!"
As the group traveled far and wide, the knight and the baker became closer but also...
"Baker, I need help preparing this spell, can you help me?"
"Baker, the horses are hungry! Can you please make some for them the us?"
"Bakery, you should watch your weight. You haven't been eating a lot these days."
"Baker, please, I beg you to this! It will be the last time, I promise!"
"Baker, you should watch yourself. Talking to anyone else but it is not good. And do not say you are a baker when we are in public."
"Baker!"
"Baker!"
"Baker!"
Time went by and the people kept asking the baker for favors. The barker was happy, believing that she was doing good. The favors and chores increased over time, the knight was always happy and said he loved her but always asked for a favor. The baker again, accepted but then one day the knight asked for something...else.
"Baker, I truly am happy for everything you have done for us. As my final favor, I want to ask you this, can I kiss you?"
"The smile on the bakery disappeared." Natalie said as she began to play in a low tone, "You want...a kiss?" She said, "Yes, the knight said. "Baker, you have done so much for us, you are my lover now, and my future duchess, yet we have never kissed, a symbol of our love. So please, kiss me," the knight said.
The baker blinked, letting go of the knight's hand as she took a step back.
"Knight, I am happy that you want to kiss me but..." the baker gulped, "I don't feel ready."
The smile on the knight slowly fell as she continued to speak, "I love you, Knight. But lately it feels like you and everyone are asking me for so many favors, even constantly asking for my recipe book even though I have said no. Knight," the baker intertwined her hands together, "Please understand that while I am your lover, I do not feel ready yet to give you a kiss, which is part of my heart. Please wait till I am ready." She said.
The knight remained silent before he turned away and left. The baker looked at him sadly but it had to be done. She loved the knight but a kiss is not something she could give so easily. Though it has been a long time since she has traveled with them, she did not feel ready to give her love to the knight.
Time passed and the group traveled again. But the atmosphere was tense. Her team no longer asked for favors and only spoke to her on certain occasions, some even whispered to each other, giggling and smirking, only glancing at her. They ignored her when she spoke or never paid attention. Even the knight rarely spoke to her. As they traveled through the land, the baker noticed the people who once greeted with joy now looked at her with disdain.
Others disgust or ignored her. Some even turned her away or told her to leave and never come back. The baker did not understand why everyone was being so cruel to her. Again, as time passed, things became worse, and now even her team members but the knight refused to speak or even cursed at her. Finally, the destination was the lair of the evil dragon. The brave heroes fought the dragon, a bloody and gruesome fight it was. The baker used her skills to heal and protect her team. Bravely they fought.
The hero finally struck the dragon down, and all cheered!
"Baker, we need you to take the dragon's heart. Are you able to?" The knight said and the baker nodded.
She walked up to the dragon, and blinked, seeing it still partly alive. The baker whispered a prayer, that it may find peace in the afterlife but...
STAB!
"Huh?" The baker froze, slowly looking down to see a sword going through her stomach.
"Sigh, you took too long." She heard the voice of the knight as she turned around to look, "It was nice traveling with you, baker. But now it's over." And he ripped his sword out.
The baker fell to her knees, blood pouring from her wound, she looked up to the knight, and the rest of the party, all smirking and laughing except for the bard.
"Why?" The bakery said as the knight smiled.
"Baker, your skills and knowledge have brought us glory. Without your help, we would have never located the dragon and the treasure he owns. Now to unlock the seal that holds the treasure, we needed your kiss. A kiss filled with pure love." The knight smiled.
"Why...? I don't understand! You used me?! Why? I did everything not just for you but everyone!" The baker cried out to them.
"Baker, baker, so naive!" The mage chanted as she walked up to the knight, "Did you ever ask yourself why the world suddenly looked at you with scrutiny?" She giggled joyfully.
"That's because we told them to." The hunter joined them, "You are too pure for this world." The priest smiled gently, "Such naivety is not needed. You will not survive in the real world." The priestess said.
"When people talked about our group, they always talked about you. They always talked about how kind you are, and how much you have help, but they never talked about us." The archer said.
"Glory and fame should only belong to us who fight. Glory and fame do not belong to you who came nowhere." The hunter said.
The bard said nothing. The knight smiled, happy to see the bakery's tears, and collected one.
"Now with your tear, we shall be rewarded what is rightfully ours," H said.
"All this...because I did not give you my kiss?" The bakery cried and as the knight smiled the group but the bard all raised their weapons.
"You should have just listened and obeyed."
The mage, priest, and priestess, unleashed their magic. The hunter threw his sword, the archer released an arrow, the bard closed their eyes, and the knight stabbed his sword through her one last time. They laughed and celebrated, throwing her body over the ravine. The evil dragon turned to dust and the party left. The baker now lay at the bottle of the ravine. Motionless. The knight and his party return to the city, the people declare them heroes and celebrate but one child asks them what happened to the baker.
"The baker jumped in front of the evil dragon and died, saving our lives!"
"What?!" The soldiers yelled, "You can't be serious!"
"Wha..." A woman cried, "That's not fair! The baker did not deserve that!"
"This...story took quite a dark turn." Jade said, "I feel sorry for the baker. She did everything and sacrificed so much yet they betrayed her in the end." She sighed but...
"Who says this is the end of the story?" Natalie hummed and when Jade looked up, a shiver went down her spine seeing just how void of life the woman's eyes were as Natalie kept playing her instrument, "I told you all, that this story is also about revenge." The tune turned dark and haunting as she began to sing.
The baker is betrayed, lost, and alone. Her body is down in the darkness, rotting on stone. The baker stared at the sky, wondering why, she was betrayed by all. Her joyful laughter no longer singed. Her smile, too washed away. The baker wept in silence, no longer alive or full of joy. But...
"Baker...I feel sorry for you." A voice said in the darkness, "Look at what they have done to you. They have tarnished your reputation. They have destroyed your body. They have taken away everything." They said, "So many favors, so many sweet honey words were told, only for them to use you then discard you when they needed you no more." It said.
"I don't understand...Why did they do this...?" The baker whispered, "It hurts...Why do such a thing? I don't want to die..." she cried.
"Then destroy them." The voice said, as the baker's hand twitched, "They ruined you. They have destroyed your soul but not your heart. How can they get the glory and gold if it wasn't for you, they would never reach where they are. Make them pay, make them suffer, they must receive a hell far worse than you!" The voice said as magic began to swirl around the baker.
"They always asked me for favors...but never said thank you. They always told me their problems but never listened to mine. They never tried to get to know me, only said lies with smiles. The knight left me because I did not kiss him. They have been using me...they never cared. I was just a pawn to help them rise."
The baker's hands balled into fists, and magic swirled around her as she sat up. The voice smiled and laughed, as the baker now changed, her appearance no unrecognizable but now a beauty of darkness as darkness seeped into her body.
"Rise baker, I give you my power. I am the dragon, you were the only one who showed sensitivity and remorse when I was killed. Take revenge, feel no remorse, no guilt, no pain, destroy them, and make them live in agony for the rest of their mortal lives."
The baker rose from the dead, no longer the same, she no longer looked at the world with love and joy, only with hatred and rage. The baker's appearance and now name changed, she was no longer known as the baker but as The Duchess. She returned to the world, her only goal in mind was revenge. When she returned, she found out a few years had passed. The knight was now a Prince, he married the princess. The mage was now the Mage Master, the hunter was now a Hutsmen, the archer a duke, and the Priestness and Priest, were Archbishop and Head Priest, but there was nothing about the bard. Still, The Duchess did not care.
"All have wronged, all have used me, all shall know despair. All shall know my pain." The duchess cried as she smiled and raised her hands, "Dragon, thank you! I shall do what I must! I don't care if the world burns! I don't care anymore, I will make them regret ever betraying me! They shall never know death and live in agony for eternity!" She screamed and wailed, her tears no longer pure but black.
"Hey!" The music cut off and everyone turned to look at the doors to see one of the older generals, "It's getting late! I know you all want to continue but we can't have you all be drunk! To bed!" He yelled.
"Aawww booo—" the crowd booed but, BANG! One of the general mages shot up to the sky, sounding like a gunshot.
The people groaned but listened, and began to clean up. Natalie couldn't help but snort but went to help out, Jade was next to her as they cleaned.
"Natalie, I must ask," Natalie blinked at Jade as the knight did not look her way, "did The Duchess get revenge?"
"She did." Natalie said as she cleaned, "She waited patiently, her plan unfolding over time." She said, "I won't go into full details but..." She smiled to herself yet her eyes held no joy, "the Duchess destroyed their lives. The only one the duchess spared was the bard, because they were truly remorseful and to pay for their sins of not standing up for her. They helped her achieve her revenge." She said as Jade remained silent.
"How did...The Duchess ruin them?" Jade asked as Nanami paused for a moment.
"The Priest and Priestess, the Duchess exposed their lies and their darkest secrets, destroying their relationships with their families and the church. Thus, they were exiled and shunned by the public, forced to move to a completely new place." Nanami said as she placed her index finger on her chin and looked up to the sky as snow fell, "The Archer she exposed his corruption and exploitation of the innocent. He was dragged away to The Shakaling Prison where he would be tortured for life."
"For the Hunter, before she became The Duchess, the hunter would often speak to her and tell her his problems. Only the thing she learned was that The Hunter had left his family in a neighboring kingdom and refused to acknowledge them. The Duchess used this information to locate The Hunter's ex-wife, and during that time she also discovered that The Hunter was running away from debt. The duchess took on another identity, pretending to be a powerful tradesman. She convinced the hunter to invest in her new product. When that was done, she disappeared, leaving the hunter in debt but also, now forever on the run from debt collects and all his fortune and property now belonging to his wife and children for running away and abandoning them." Natalie said as Jade looked at her stunned, the two unaware that others had stopped to listen.
"The mage...hmmm..." Nanami hummed, "The Duchess learned that the mage and the knight had conspired together since they met. The mage wanted the baker's kiss because the baker did not know that she had powerful magic. That her kiss could reverse the curse placed on the mage's clan. The knight and mage were lovers, having an affair behind their partner's back. Even as a prince now, the knight was still having an affair with not just the mage but multiple other men and women. Not only that, the knight had anyone who knew his secrets disposed of and was even planning a coup to become the new king of the nation. With all this information, the duchess launched her plan." She smiled warmly as she turned to Jade.
"The duchess decided to expose them both. She first ruined their business, then their reputations. She then exposed their affairs and crimes. Their crimes were so horrible, that the news even reached the neighboring kingdoms by that wasn't the best part. She even exposed not just them but the priest's, priestess's, archer's, and hunters' crimes against the baker. She cleared the Baker's name, and the knight screamed in rage, confessing everything and why he did such things to the baker, all because she didn't give him her kiss. Selfish and cruel, the king gave the duchess the right to lay judgment and rewarded the bard for choosing to do the right thing." Natalie said as her smile remained the same.
Something was haunting about Natalie's smile, as if she was on the verge of crying yet her voice never flattered as she continued the final part of the story.
"After this, the mage was expelled from her position and forever banished from the magic tower. Her magic veins were cut so she could never use magic ever again. The knight was stripped of his position, titles, fortunes, and lands, and the two were sent to the shaking prisons, the coldest and darkest where they will spend the rest of their lives in torture for eternity." She said as she stopped sweeping.
"...The duchess went on to see the two in their cells. She laughed and giggled seeing the once proud and ignorant being now nothing but lowly mongrels. Oh Mage and knight, look at where you have fallen." She laughed.
"You, who are you?! What have we done to you?!" The knight cried out but gasped when he now saw her up close, "it can't be..." the mage whimpered, "Baker...?"
"Indeed it is I." The baker smiled, "It's been so long, how does it feel to have everything taken away? Everything destroyed." She said.
"You!" The mage growled, "You ruined everything!" Knight growled, "We killed you! We threw your body away! How are you—?!" And the Duchess raised her hand, the shadows instantly wrapped their hands around their throats, "The...dragon...how?"
"The dragon has blessed me." The duchess said, "Despite walking a path of revenge and letting everything burn around me, I still protected those who truly care and love for me." She said, "Mage and Knight, today I place a curse on you." She watched them as they screamed in agony.
"I place this curse of eternal life. You will never know death. You will forever suffer. In the shackling prison, you will be ripped apart, tortured, and put back together every single day and night for the crimes you committed. You will never be forgiven."
"With that, The Duchess left with a smile on her face but her heart would never heal and forever grieve. She returned to her hometown not as the duchess but as the baker. The people who once spoke ill and looked at me with distance, all apologized and expressed their regret. The baker only smiled and said she would forgive them but never forget their wrongdoings. The baker now having completed her revenge, went to the grave of the dragon."
"Dear dragon, thank you for your power. I have come to return it so you may rest in peace." The baker said.
"Dear child, you have done well. You are tired, I see you no longer believe in life or the world. Do you wish to rest for eternity?" The dragon said and the baker smiled as she held out her hands to the sky.
"Yes...I wish to rest and never return..." the baker said, "As you wish..." the dragon whispered and the baker closed her eyes as she fell to the ground, a smile on her face as her heart stopped beating and turned to dust, finally resting for eternity.
"The end." Natalie said as some people cheered, and a few cried, yet Jade only looked at her with wide eyes, "Well, what do you think? The baker got her revenge and she finally got to rest in peace." She smiled with her eyes closed.
"Did...the baker die in peace?" Jade said when in reality the words she wanted to say were, "Why does the story feel like it's about you?"
"Who knows?" Natalie shrugged, "Rumor is that baker's soul still wanders the world blessing the good and helping the ones who have been wronged get revenge. As for the bard, they made it their mission to spread the truth to the world to atone for their sins. As for the others, they have been cursed to die and be reborn then die again in agony for eternity in purgatory." She said a few soldiers shivered.
"Hm.." Jade hummed, "I wonder...does the baker truly feel happy that she got her revenge?" Natalie's smile flattered a little.
"Who knows."
That was the thing...Natalie got her revenge. From what she read about the curse, Lycinth should feel no guilt or remorse towards the ones they destroyed. Yet, she feels guilty. Not for the ones she destroyed but for the ones affected by her revenge. She shouldn't feel guilt or remorse towards them either, she should only feel emptiness. Yet she did feel guilt. The group all went back to clean and once done, Nanami curled up in her bed, hugging her dragon plush.
"The dragon..." Nanami whispered, "The dragon in my story...was the voice that told me to get revenge. But it didn't let me rest in peace...it still haunts me...telling me to destroy everything..." and she closed her eyes, "It was only in my shadow that I'd finally found a friend, Till the light that bound us let go and the devil took my hand~" Natalie sung softly, "As she closed my eyes, remind me once again, What's the dreamer's lie? Every nightmare has an end~ Beware the dreamer's lie, every nightmare has an end~" she said and looked to the wall with a blank gaze.
"Or you'll be where the dreamers lie, some nightmares never end..."
- Present Time: The Next Day -
"SOLDIERS, FORMATION!" The soldiers yelled King Morion yelled as his soldiers all got into position and stood in front of lead them.
The barren land of Elusia at the border was a frozen wasteland. The temperatures were dropping and the snowstorm was only getting worse, yet Alear and Miguel stood with Prince Diamant at rear guard.
"Was King Morion given Lief's ring?" Alear asked as his eyes remained on the army, "Yes." Diamant said.
"Just like the information Nanami gave us..." Marth appeared along with Roy and Sitonia, "King Haycinth has Emblem Lyn. But also...I'm sensing another Emblem here but I can't pinpoint where. It feels weak." The prince said.
"Wait, Marth," Roy said, "you shouldn't have the ability to sense Emblems. The only ones that had such abilities were Emblem Arisa and Emblem Byleth." He said a Marth smile bitterly.
"Emblem Arisa gave me some of her power...I only hope we find her and her master soon." Marth said as Miguel gulped seeing the army.
"You alright?" Alear asked, "I'm fine." Miguel let out a shuttered breath, "I already adjusted to using one eye. Hopefully, after this battle, I'll get a proper eye patch." He said and waved his hand to make his gun appear, "I got your backs."
"What is that thing?" Diamant said, "I've never seen such a weapon before...there's an unsettling feeling coming from it." He said as Miguel grinned nervously.
"Well, you heard what Alma said earlier. I'm not from this world. I was a sniper in my old home this," he looked at the gun with a loud, CLINK CLUNK, "is called a sniper rifle." He then touched the two other pouches on his waist, "This one has one called a handgun and the other a small musket. I also got a dagger," he touched the other side of his waist, "if anyone gets too close. I was a soldier in my word's military before I retired and left." He sighed and looked out to the field, "It feels odd to be back in war again..." Alear internally cringed.
Alear felt guilty. Miguel nor his siblings shouldn't have been dragged into Elyos's problems yet here they were, entangled in a war that had nothing to do with them. Alear could see guilt and remorse eating away at his friend, the shine in his eye was starting to leave, and what stood before him was a tired soldier. Alear swore when the war was over he was going to give Miguel land to re—?!
Miguel and Alear instantly felt it, a shiver going down their spines. Both spun at the same time in the direction of south towards the hills, their weapons drawn.
"Divine One, Miguel, what's wrong?" Diamant said, seeing them both alarmed.
Miguel gulped and looked through the telescope of his riffle. There at the hills was what looked like a cloaked woman, standing there with a staff, staring right at him.
"Great." Miguel lowered his riffle, "looks like one of Alma's friends has arrived." He said and knelt a bit to let Alear look through, "It's a woman."
Alear closed one eye to see and despite the woman wearing a hood, he saw her smile and wave at him. The dragon shivered as he moved, and Miguel let Diamant look through the telescope as well.
"She waved." Alear shivered, "Considering who else remains, I think that woman may be Ruby." He said.
"Ruby..." Diamant whispered as Miguel put his rifle down, "I have heard stories of her. They say she was one of the most powerful mages one thousand years ago and also that she was the last member of the noble family of Lycinth that ruled Gardlon." He said as he narrowed his eyes, "If she is one of the people The Demon and Fell Dragon have resurrected, we need to be on guard." He turned back to look at the army.
"But something doesn't feel right." Alear said, "Why isn't she attacking? It feels like she is waiting for something." He bit his lip, "But what?" He thought.
brrrROOOARRRRRP!
Miguel quickly snapped back his attention to the battlefield, which was the sound of the war trumpets being blown.
"It looks like the battle has begun..." Alear said as they saw the soldiers ready for their weapons, "Everyone get ready!" He yelled and...
"CHARGE!"
[—]
"The battle has begun." Ruby said as she made puddles of mud form next to her and out crawled out two figures made of dark magic, "Go my children, carry out my will!" The young girl and boy unleashed mournful screams before they ran to the field and engaged in battle.
"BRING ME MIGUEL LYCINTH ALIVE!"
[—-]
Soldiers clashed with monsters and the corrupted. Sparks flew in the air when their weapons clashed. The scent of blood and rotting flesh filled the air, the scent of death was strong. For each monster slain, a soldier dropped dead. Natalie kept a calm and composed face as she decapitated and massacred each monster in her way. She needed to get to King Morion, so she made herself disappear with the wind.
"HYAAAH!" King Morion roared as he kept striking down Elusian soldiers, corrupted monsters that came his way.
Emblem Leif fought beside him.
"More coming on the left!" Lief yelled and struck another monster down.
It felt like hours as the king slashed and hacked his way through the army till he spotted King Hyacinth and ran towards him. Morion couldn't help a grin now that he was face to face with King Hyacinth. The Elusian king only smiled as he raised his hand, and made Emblem Lyn appear beside him. The once kind emblem now had a lifeless gaze as fell magic was poured into the ring.
"Your invasions of my country come at a very high price," King Haycinth said coldly, before it turned into a cackle of mad laughter, "And now you will pay it!" He roared.
"Ha! Hahaha!" King Morion laughed as he pointed his sword at the king, "Do you really think you can withstand the might of Brodia?" He yelled, "A pity I am not fighting the real King Hyacinth." He shook his head, "You're nothing but a resurrected corpse who was made to kill my sister and your own wife." He said, the Elusian king suddenly had an enraged face, "So King Haycinth," once more he raised his sword, "Today is your last day. It's time to free your tortured soul."
"You dare insult me?!" King Haycinth roared, "It is you barbarians that murdered my wife, killed my daughter, and now you have killed my other two daughters!" And the two charged, "My army is blessed by Lord Sombron himself! You will die here!"
Leif summoned his bow, and it parried with Lyn's attack. Strike after strike, blow after blow, and clash after clash, each one sent a shock wave that shook the very earth that it could be felt. Alear gulped, watching from afar as he cut down an Elusian soldier...
The two kings weren't even in their emblem forms, the strength the two were unleashing plus the emblems was beyond anything anyone ever imagined. Even their soldiers were doing what they could to stay away from the bloody and ferocious battle the two were engaged in.
"Ack!" King Morion coughed blood when King Haycinth's fist met his chest, forcing him to stumble back.
But the Brodian king was quick to recover and slashed at him, King Hyacinth was barely able to bend back, and the tip of the relic he wielded grazed his cheek. That cut alone, red magic seeped from the cut.
"HYAH!" The king slashed at him again then used his shield to slam him, causing the Elusian king to spin and fall to his knees, wheezing.
King Morion pointed his sword at his throat, gaze cold.
"It's over. I have the high ground." King Morion said but...
"Hahah...Hahahahah!" King Hyacinth laughed, "What's so funny?" King Morion growled.
"Did you...cough!" King Hyacinth coughed, a trickle of blood at the edge of his lips as he looked at him with a crazed smile, "Did you really think this was the only place my army has attacked?" He laughed.
"What the hell are you saying?" King Morion growled before King Hyacinth's ring glowed.
"It's only natural that revenge would fall not onto you but your most precious thing in the world..." the King looked up to him, eyes glowing red.
"A rose for a queen..."
"A rose for a..." King Morion looked at him confused then, his eyes went wide before roaring, "WHAT DID YOU DO TO MY WIFE?!"
"What?!" Alcryst yelled from afar, "Diamant, Mother, and Perla are in d—Gah!" The prince was suddenly knocked back but the powerful force of a hammer and looked up to see a blonde-haired girl with a smile.
"Not so fast, Prince." Marni giggled, "Your opponent is me." And they lunged at each other.
BAM! BAM! BAM!
Miguel unleashed three rounds, each one head-shotting the corrupted Wyvern riders that flew in the sky.
"Son of a bitch!" Miguel yelled as he quickly reloaded using magic, "How the fuck are more reinforcements coming?!" He yelled and saw Diamant get into a bloody fight with Griss, "Fuck!"
King Hyacinth laughed and quickly grabbed King Morion's sword.
"The blood of the child in her womb.., your blood...the blood of The Fire Sovereign will be used for the ritual..." King Hyacinth tried to pull back but failed no matter how much he tried, "The one by which we shall reignite his true glory!" He yelled, pulled King Morion to him, and slammed his fist into his chest, throwing him back.
Lyn quickly appeared beside King Haycinth, her bow raised and pointed at King Morion and she released. Time seemed to slow down as the arrow came closer and closer but...
Chluck chink!
BOOOM!
[—]
High in the air Natalie flew, her cloak made her invisible as she watched the fight. She saw Miguel shooting down the enemy flying units every second, and Alear suddenly getting into a brutal battle with two strange corrupted teens. Diamant battled Griss and Alcryst fighting Marni. She didn't see Zephia or Mauvier, let alone Veyle. Still, there was a sinking in her stomach.
"Boom!" She heard and turned to finally see Zephia, but the witch was locked in a bloody battle with what looked like...
"Nel?" Natalie blinked seeing a woman with a golden blue-black lance locked in a bloody battle with Zephia.
But Nel shouldn't exist, at least in the world she was in. Now that she had a slightly better look, Nel in question had long platinum blonde straight mid-waist hair with streaks of purple, "It's not her. Then who?" Natalie whispered.
"HEADS UP!" Arisa screamed and finally, she saw the scene that she was going to prevent, she quickly flew closer, cringing at how the king was thrown back.
Namami loaded the magic cannon and aimed right between King Hyacinth and King Morion, Lyn had her bow raised, an arrow shot, and...
"FIRE!"
Boom!
As if time slowed down, Natalie watched the magic blast get closer and closer, the magic dissolving Lyn's arrow, the spell King Hyacinth had on Morion shattered. Both kings sent flying back from the impact, thankfully King Morion wasn't injured. The magic blast was only to separate them. Nanami flew quickly and appeared in front of the king, her arm cannon in her right hand and her sword in the other. King Hyacinth coughed violently as Lyn let out a snarl, her crimson eyes glared but then gasped seeing the girl. Something suddenly snapped within her and Lyn let out a blood-curdling scream as she grabbed her head and trashed.
"What?!" King Hyacinth coughed as he looked at the emblem shocked as it screamed in agony, "Lord Sombron's influence is-!" The king barely had time to jump back as Nanami lunged and slashed at him.
King Hyacinth screamed and jumped back, his arm fell to the ground, and black blood poured. Natalie realized what she had done, but...she was numb. She had just officially struck a human yet...she felt nothing. She gulped as King Haycinth growled, grabbing his arm and reattaching it.
"King Morion, are you alright?" Lief said as the King nodded, but groaned feeling the arrow on his shoulder.
"As much as I hate our battle being interrupted," the king coughed then ripped the damn thing out, "If that girl hadn't saved me, things would have gotten worse." Lief nodded and noticed Lyn was struggling and thrashing.
The crimson around the Emblem began to glitch between red and blue, and she screamed in agony.
"LYN!" Natalie screamed, "I know you can do it! You can break free!" She yelled as the Emblem looked at her with a painful expression, "COME ON, LYN! HECTOR AND ROY ARE WAITING FOR YOU!" She yelled.
"H...Hec...Hector...Roy!" Lyn croaked but King Hyacinth growled and began pouring dark magic into the ring.
"You! You dare interrupt my battle?!" He roared but all Natalie did was rip off her mask and throw it to the ground as well as her cloak, revealing her clothing and armor.
She wore a black long-sleeved shirt with sleeves that were loose at the end, breast armor that was similar to Byleth's, a short cape that was elbow length, her hair was now loose and messy, and specks of blood on her face. Her white hair was short, black pants with knee armor and boots. Arisa's ring was on her right hand.
"Wait, that's Nanami!" Miguel yelled, "What the hell is she doing over there!?" He yelled and Sitonia appeared beside him.
"She's trying to change the future."
"Kid, while I'm mad you jumped in, thank you." King Morion said as Natalie remained silent.
"Wait," Lief appeared quickly, "this power...you-"
"The Starfarer..."
Their attention quickly turned back to King Hyacinth and Lyn, who unfortunately reverted to an emotionless doll. The Elusian king began laughing and cackling as he slowly stood back up, his hand raised towards her.
"Finally you have arrived! Finally! The ritual was a success!" The mad king laughed, "Who knew you would have walked right into my hands." He grinned, "Your blood along with King Morion's will be used to bring forth my lords." He said.
"That isn't going to happen." Natalie said coldly as The Sword of The Creator formed in her right hand, "I'm here to purify your sinful soul." She said.
"Hahahahaha!" The Elusian king burst out laughing, "My sinful soul?" He pointed at himself, "When your very existence is now sin. You destroyed the lives of not one, but five people from your world. You got revenge on all of them. Your very existence, the way you were brought here, is sin." He said as Natalie looked at him with emotionless eyes.
"Now, how about you-" King Morion and Natalie lunged.
Both swung their swords at him, slashing and hacking, Lyn released multiple arrows at them only for Arisa to briefly appear and block their attacks, and Leif attacked back.
"The Emblem of Shattered Songs!" King Haycinth yelled, "How on earth did you get your hands on that Emblem?! That Emblem is a monster and one the most powerful, second to Marth!" He screamed and Natalie gritted her teeth as she came crashing down on him, her sword sparked flames on his barrier.
"DON'T CALL ARISA A MONSTER!" She roared and threw him back.
"Got you!" King Morion appeared behind him and, "YOU BASTRAD!"
STAB!
King Hyacinth screamed, the relic went through his chest, and fell to his knees.
"No...I...can't..." King Haycinth croaked, and finally fell to the ground, "I can't lose...Rose..." he whimpered as Natalie stared at him with void eyes.
Natalie knelt and took Emblem Lyn, warping it to the person farthest from where she was, Alear.
"You...You..." King Haycinth croaked, pointing her cannon right at his face, "You will be branded...a monster..."
"I don't care," Natalie said and magic began to gather in her arm canon.
"You sure about this kid?" King Morion asked her.
"You got your victory..." Natalie said, "I'm just...here to set his soul free..." the king said no more.
"Goodbye, King Hyacinth." Natalie said as the magic was now ready, "Be fr—" In that instant, pink eyes with golden slits were now suddenly looking at her own.
Natalie didn't even have time to react when a fist filled with magic socked her in the stomach and sent her flying.
"GAH!" Natalie screamed as the force was so strong, that she collided into the ground, creating a crater.
"Kid!" Morion yelled but he too met the same fate, the woman appeared, in front of him and sent him flying. Then she appeared again, grabbed them both but the necks, and began repeatedly slamming them into the ground.
"FATHER!/NATALIE!" Miguel and Diamant screamed, quickly running towards them but were suddenly forced to a stop by a wave of corrupted that crawled out of the ground, "MOVE!" They screamed as they hacked away.
Natalie desperately clawed at the woman's hands but the woman slammed her harder and harder into the ground. The grip on her neck tightened so much, that her eyes rolled back as she kept being slammed into the ground. Finally, she and the king became still, their hands dropping.
"Finally." Ruby said, as King Hyacinth was warped away, "Took too long." She huffed and dropped them, both cold onto the ground.
A black magic circle appeared underneath them and hands crawled out, dragging them both down.
"Natalie! Natalie!" Miguel screamed, "FATHER!" Diamant yelled, the two were finally able to get through as Alear joined them.
"I still need you." Ruby said and raised two fingers, creating another corrupted child that charged at them, "Bring them to me." She said and disappeared in a shower of golden dust.
"You bitch!" Miguel roared, "Come bac—SHIT!" And the corrupted child lunged at him.
Its hands turned to claws, and before their eyes, it turned into a wyvern-sized dragon.
The one Alear fought, something in his heart cried as he saw the corrupted children. He jumped back, then...
"MIGUEL LOOK OUT!" Alfred screamed making Alear turn, only to see the biggest demonic wolf in the air, its jaws now only a few inches from Miguel.
Miguel was trying to jump back, trying to get away but the wolf was faster but...
It happened in an instant. A crimson magic circle appeared high in the air, and balls of fire began to rain down but closer and closer a blood-curdling scream came, and like a meteorite, it collided with the wolf. But closer, Miguel could see a woman in white, in an emblem form, her hair on fire with her sword pointed downwards, penetrating the skull of the monster.
"RRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHH!"
BOOM!
With a loud and powerful impact that shook the earth, a crater was left, and a burnt body turned to ashes the second the wind blew. The woman panted and gasped for air, and slowly she rose, Miguel was too stunned to speak as he had fallen back, he looked up at the woman. Bloody tears poured from her eyes, her skin cracked like glass, and her clothing, he recognized was an Emblem form, was also cracking. But, her eyes...despite they were a different color...
"Perla?" Miguel croaked and the woman's eyes looked at him.
Her eyes went wide and fire from her hair disappeared in an instant. The world became still as Griss and Marni yelled to retreat and the remaining corrupted soldiers and monsters began to turn to dust. Before Perla could even say anything, another person fell from the sky and landed next to her.
"Perla, are you alright!?" Nil yelled and Miguel scrambled to yet up and lunged at his sister.
He hugged her tightly, so tight, refusing to let go after everything that had just happened. Perla was still too stunned to speak, unaware that her emblem form had finally faded away, still the cracks on her face remained now as fresh pink skin. Nil was silent then turned, looking up, seeing people arrive.
"Miguel are you-" Alear froze when he looked down, his eyes were first on the two siblings before they landed on Nil.
His dragon instincts were instantly on alert, and Nil felt the same but Nil only looked at him a shock.
"Perla!" Diamant yelled but got no response from the woman.
"Miguel...?" Perla croaked, her body rigid and tense, "Is this...an illusion?"
"No...No it's not..." Miguel whispered, Perla felt wetness on her shoulder, "It's me...It's really me...it's been...almost seven...eight...I don't even know anymore..." Finally, her hands moved and wrapped around him.
"Ah...A-Ah..." tears began to form as her lips quivered, "It's really you..." She closed her eyes and finally collapsed.
"Perla! Perla!" Miguel screamed and looked up, "GET ME A MEDIC!" He roared.
Before the others could move, Vander came running to them.
"Prince Diamant! Divine One!" Vander yelled, "I just got a message from Queen Lumera! She said that Queen Opal, Brodian soldiers, and many others have appeared in Lythos's courtyard!" He said.
"What?!" Diamant said, "A few of the soldiers are injured. Looks like they managed to escape a gruesome battle." Vander said and stepped back seeing Miguel jump out of the crater with Perla in his arms, Nil joined him.
"Diamant!" Alcryst came running to them, "All enemy soldiers have retreated and the remaining monsters are banished." He said, the corrupt that Alear was fighting Alear had let out a wail before turning to dust, "I don't think we can after Father at the moment...too many injured..." he whimpered.
"Dammit..." Diamant growled, looking out to the field, "Father I promise we will get you back..." his hand shook.
Miguel remained silent, his eyes devoid of emotions as he looked down at his pale sister.
"You." Nil flinched because he knew Miguel was talking to him, "What happened for Perla to end up like this?" He demanded.
Nil was silent for a moment before he let out a small sigh.
"Brodia's north was attacked." Diamant and Alcryst were now paying attention, "We have been fighting the monsters for an entire week. Today, one of The Demon's and Sombron's General launched a full-out assault." Nil explained, "We managed to last for 40 minutes before Miss Perla activated the warping crystal. She got everyone out but right when she was going to go with them, the enemy general dragged her back." His voice cracked, "I jumped out of the magic circle before everyone was warped away and helped her fight. After that, I used my magic to warp us out of there. And well...she saw a monster in her sight and you saw what happened earlier." He said as Miguel remained silent.
"Thank you." Miguel whispered but never moved his gaze from his sister, "Alear...You and Prince Diamant have some work to do here...I'll take my leave." And he began to walk away.
"Miguel, wait." Alear called out and the soldier stopped, "We're going to save King Morion and your sister. I promise." He said, but Miguel let out a bitter chuckle.
"Alear...don't make promises that you aren't sure you can fulfill," Miguel said as he looked up to him with a tired expression.
It stung. Miguel's words felt like needles were being stabbed into his skin. The soldier walked away with the one called Nil behind him.
Today's war was a win but also a loss. Lives are forever changed and forever gone. The battle that was soon to come, would change everything for the better or the worse.
— ? -
King Morion was thrown into the underground dungeons of Destinea Cathedral, along with Natalie. Zephia tried to take Emblem Arisa since they took back Emblem Lief but unfortunately, the ring refused to come off.
"Do not touch her." Ruby said as she had Zephia walk out of the dungeon and close the cell, everything she owns, leave it."
"Look, River, Ruby, whatever your name is." Griss said, "I can easily torture her to get information but how come you don't want that?" He said as Ruby only smiled.
"That's because the girl needs to mature."
Instantly the room felt dred as it walked in the form of Princess Celine. It smiled seeing Natalie in the dungeon. After so long, its prize was finally in its grasp, just a bit more and everything would be in place.
"I want that girl to form a bond." Shax said with a smile as its form glitched to look like Zephia, "I want her to gain one final spark of hope before it is all shattered to pieces by her own hands. I want her to go through bliss and hell. I already put her through hell with what little power I had in the world of steel, now it's time to conclude the final act here." It smiled as she raised its hand and pointed at Natalie.
"The final act shall be done by you and you alone."