Chapter 32: Embers of Yore
Author's note: Well... sorry for the wait. On the other hand, I assure you the next one will come up quickly. Also if the Elden Ring DLC could please stop to siphon my sanity, it's too good!
Let's answer the reviews!
Guest: If there is one thing I hate absolutely, it's contrived miscommunication. And you nail it of course, making peace between two nations out for blood is daunting enough of a task as it is. Hehe, let's see what you can infer from the prophecy.
Imperial Warlord: Thanks.
Johnny Raine: Glad you liked it that much. It was one of the chapter I wanted the most to get right.
Kazuka746: Hahaha, sorry for the cliffhanger. It's going to be juicy, in fact it's so big it will be going on for more than one chapter. There is just so much to unpack, and it's such a personal affair for Lora. Though, Lora is not as close as the divine as she could be. Or, maybe that she will be. You'll see.
naufalrakha0104: It will be a huge Revelation for sure! Don'tkillmeplease. Stay tuned for what's next!
pt1oef: As always, thank you for your continued support and beta-reading. Sadly, Lora doesn't have much left of anything in term of food after feeding Corrin (and the royal kitchen of Nohr have spoiled her enough she doesn't really regret the food of Lothric). Glad you appreciate Corrin's more childish side.
With all that said, I hope you'll all like this chapter! As always, please leave a review if you liked it, or if there is something you want to critize. I read them all, they motivate me, and I always answer!
Happy reading!
POV Corrin
"Do you remember?"
"I think I do. Most of it at least."
Corrin's mind was full of the many new names and explanations she received the night before. In the past, the princess always thought Lothric was simply a faraway kingdom. Far enough not many heard of it before, so far only a few would imagine a journey could be made at all. And apparently, that was what everyone else thought except Garon. Only the King of Nohr knew explorers could have walked or sailed to the end of the world and never found any trace of such place. Even her siblings remained ignorant of what the princess just learned. The Queen of Nohr hailed from another world altogether. A strange land where Fire birthed everything, where dragons were never gods, where the Dark wasn't just an absence of light but the foundation of humanity itself. A land whose existence was intimately linked to that First Flame, waning time and time again only to be rekindled by uncountable sacrifices…
"I'm still having a hard time wrapping my head around it all." Admitted the princess as she put on her boots. She felt much better after a good night and half a day sleep, as well as yesterday's meal in her stomach. "Didn't you think about telling my siblings? At least Xander?"
"Your brother has better things to think about than my origins. I would not burden him with the memory of a long-gone past."
It made sense, thought Corrin, but at the same time, she couldn't help but shiver at the prospect of the terrible loneliness Lora must have suffered. To keep so many secrets for so long, giving only half-truths to any question asked… Had Corrin been in her place, she would have given in quickly.
"… It did weight on me. It was only when I finally told Garon the truth that I realized exactly how much it did." Admitted Lora when Corrin voiced her thoughts. "Though it was less than the shame I felt about the lies you were living in. I suppose that despite everything I have done, I did not wish to contemplate how far I could bear my own aptitude for treachery."
Despite everything… Corrin wasn't sure how to interpret that. It was likely more about what happened in Lothric, which she was still not privy to. The story of Mother's homeland already took a long time, and she had been left sleeping with promise of the rest in the following day. She helped her mother strap vambraces from a much lighter set than what the Queen had worn the day prior. A different suit of armor more adapted to travel, doubled with a fur coat and heavy cape. As for Corrin, Lora plucked what she called a repair powder from within her seemingly infinite reserve of equipment and sprinkled it on the damaged Dancer's armor, instantly and magically restoring it to pristine condition. Now Corrin was once again wearing this gifted armor, alongside a cape Lora gave her to avoid the cold.
"Not yet." When the princess was about to stand up, Lora stopped her. "We do not know yet what awaits us in those strange lands. I would rather not have you armed with only a sword, no matter how legendary." Lora seemed to ponder for a moment. "Did the Hoshidan give you new trainings, or did you only keep up with your usual exercises?"
"I mostly trained by myself as usual. I also spared a bit with Ryoma. Oh, and Reina too!" The scarred visage of the retainer flashed in Corrin's mind. "She said you gave her these scars?"
"Reina… Cross-shaped scars?" Inquired Lora, to which Corrin nodded. "I did. Does she still yearn for battle?"
"I think she mostly regret not being able to fight you anymore." And try to kill you, silently added Corrin. "Still, why do something like this?"
"A lesson. She attempted to kill me in what was supposed to be a duel to the first blood. I did not expect her to come back afterward for more duels, though I appreciated it. Few are as bold and dedicated to killing as her." Corrin winced at the unusual praises directed at Reina, remembering how bloodthirsty the Hoshidan retainer was when mentioning her desire for a rematch. "Very well. If you were not trained any differently, then I know what to give you."
A puff of flames later and Corrin looked with wide eyes at a large assortment of throwing knives, most straight, some larger and curved and even some with a dangerous looking purple tint.
"Since you never trained with the bow, these should be better. The curved ones are made to cut, the purple colored are poisonous. The rest is standard. Take as many as you feel comfortable carrying." About a dozen projectiles on her belt later, Corrin watched the rest disappear and replaced by round black spheres. "Black firebombs. Throw them with enough strength and they will detonate with the force of a fire spell. Do not worry, they won't ignite if merely cut open."
Corrin only took two, unsure if she wanted to have those on her despite the reassurance. Wouldn't using magic be less dangerous? Thinking a bit more about it, she realized the advantage of needing neither a tome nor the delay her less than stellar spellcasting would create. She could just throw those bombs like vastly more dangerous rocks. The sudden image of having a full belt of those strapped on her while she was transformed and flying, dropping them far below on the ground when needed, made her pause. Would it be more, or less effective than a magical bombardment? Though if the materials needed to make those bombs were rare, a spellcaster capable of firing at will would be much easier to have on hand.
"If Azura's pendant still gives you power when you transform, it stands to reason magical talismans would do the same." Said Lora, and Corrin tentatively nodded. "Then these should be the best ones for you."
"You're giving me more?" Asked Corrin incredulously. When the Queen opened her hand, revealing four different rings on her palm, Corrin felt her cheeks heat in embarrassment. "That's too much…"
"I would never forgive myself if you were hurt by my negligence." Severely said her adoptive mother.
"Sorry…" The princess could only nod sheepishly, picking up the four rings one by one. "What do they do? I'd rather know."
"Of course. This is the Ring of Steel Protection. It will harden your flesh and make you more difficult to harm." Corrin looked closely at the metallic band. If not for Lora's words, she would have thought it a cheap, if finely engraved ornament. The next one was decorated with a howling wolf. "The Wolf Ring, increasing its wearer balance and resilience. It belonged to one of the four Knights of the Lord of Sunlight, and its power has not waned since."
"The Lord of Sunlight? You mean, from the beginning of Lordran? How old is this ring? How did you get it?" Questioned Corrin incredulously.
"During my travels, and very old. Perhaps one of the most ancient objects in my possession, now that I think about it." Said Lora casually, as if she never really considered it that way… or that it had become normal to her. Now Corrin was even more curious to hear about her travels, even as she held an engraved gold ring ornated with a small shield. "The Lloyd's Shield Ring. As long as you are unharmed, it will greatly reduce the strength of the blows you sustain."
"Why only as long as I am unharmed? Would it not be better to work all the time?" Asked Corrin, puzzled at the practicality of the ring.
"I would guess it is a sacrifice for a much stronger effect. From my own experience, the certainty of surviving the first wound is invaluable. Do not underestimate it." The princess nodded, picking up the last ring. Unlike the others, it didn't look like it was made of metal, not entirely. Upon it, enshrined like a jewel, rested a grey scale whose contact made Corrin shiver.
"Is this?..."
"A dragon scale, yes." Confirmed Lora, her expression sombre. "Should a blade, claw or fang reach deep into your flesh, the ring will bestow upon you the solidity of the ancient dragons. Though perhaps it will grant you greater protection, given your lineage. I do hope you will not have to test it."
"It's still incredible. Thank you, Mother." Slipping each of the rings on her fingers, she felt something indescribable course through her body. Was it their magic taking effect? "I assume you have more for yourself?"
"Indeed." Sure enough, four of Lora's fingers sported different rings that were undoubtedly magical. "Let us depart. Do not worry." Mother's somber expression turned into a small smile. "As long as you promise not to lose track of your surroundings, I will continue my story along the way."
Corrin happily nodded when they both stood up and departed their small camp, the fire long extinguished and its traces hidden. The travel plan of the day was simple. First reach the cliff-like inclination of their patch of land to verify how exactly gravity worked here. Then, move on to the edges and verify if travel between one floating island to the next was possible. Lastly, look out for any traces of human or animal presence. Even though they would certainly find edible plants somewhere on their path, eating some meat would be so much better.
"If I recall, I stopped at the beginning of Lothric civil war." Corrin nodded. Even with the few words of last night, it was obvious how deeply it still affected her adoptive mother. "The Fire was fading, and Prince Lothric refused to follow the duty he was imposed. Thus did a few among the knights loyal to the princes decided on a plan."
"What sort of plan?" Asked the princess with apprehension, remembering vaguely that the Prince Lothric was supposed to let himself burn alive. To be honest, she understood why he wouldn't want to, even if the world was supposedly at stake.
"We did not want to see the kingdom torn apart. Loyal as we were to the princes, we felt his decision was selfish. So… we elected to offer ourselves to the First Flame. We hoped in our sacrifice, we could push back the fading of the Fire and relieve our lord of his duty." Mother's voice was openly bitter, charged with more emotion than Corrin had seen apart from a mere handful of times. "We were naïve and foolish. For all his strength and accomplishment, Prince Lorian was judged unfit. Our mighty lord, strong enough to defeat the Demon Prince, was too weak to rekindle the Fire. What did that make of us, soldiers and knights of little renown?" A terrible premonition looming in Corrin's mind. "We found Firelink Shrine, one of the most ancient and sacred places where heroes of old sacrificed themselves. And at once, we hurled ourselves into the Fire. Too scared to go one by one, that our courage might be lacking seeing our comrades being burned alive. Too desperate to renounce and return alive and in shame to the kingdom. That, is how I met my first death."
The cracks of fallen branches they walked on echoed in the following silence. Corrin remembered Lora's explanation about the undead. How death wasn't always the end in Lordran, especially when the Fire faded. It was difficult to believe, that a land could have even exist with such a messed-up cycle of life in the first place.
"How… how did it feel?"
"I assume you mean death, not burning alive. Though I have firsthand accounts of both." Corrin shivered at the casual tone. "The closest comparison I have is a sleep without dreams, thoughts or sensations. A slumber where there is no self. Or at least, that was how it was for me back in Lordran. This world is very different, and I know not what happens to the soul of those who pass on here. I have certainly no intention of finding out for myself yet."
Despite everything Corrin recently lived through, it still was surreal to hear, her mind struggling to conceptualize the very fact that her adoptive mother died. She died, and she was still here, living and breathing as if it never happened. The very idea of throwing herself into the Fire was almost too much to bear for the princess, and she focused on the trail, or at least the semblance of trail they were following. Hoping to find something, anything to help distract her mind from the heaviness of the topic.
"But you came back, right?" The stupidity of the sentence struck Corrin only after the words left her mouth. "Sorry, I mean, how did it happen? Why? How long were you… how long did it last?"
"… Far too long." Ambivalently said Lora, deep in thoughts as she crouched near a patch of bushes.
The plants were dotted with small reddish berries. Many were rotten and produced a faint but sweetly disgusting smell, and Corrin counted barely a dozen that could still be counted as edible. Not enough to count as anything more than an appetizer for anyone. Wait. Corrin looked closer, squinting. Not all of the berries were rotten and full. Some looked like something munched or pecked at them, leaving the rest of the small fruit hanging.
"There are animals here!" Exclaimed Corrin happily.
"Small birds or rodents. A good sign." Nodded Mother.
"I don't see traces on the ground here… aren't bird more likely?"
Her guess was welcomed by an appreciative humming, followed by a short black bow and a quiver of arrows materializing on Lora's back. Deciding to keep an eye on the sky as well, they continued in the small gathering of trees, quickly facing the reality that this patch of vegetation was unlikely to contain anything else of value.
"I was taken out of the torpor of death by the Bell of Awakening, when my sarcophagus opened. Waking up like this, in one of the countless tombs littered around Firelink Shrine… I am not sure if I was more surprised or disappointed to learn my sacrifice amounted to nothing. Fortunately, Unkindled like myself were not resurrected by the Dark Soul, but the Fire itself. We would not rot and become hollow." Lora scrutinized the sky and failing to find a prey, kept going on ahead. "And I was quickly given a goal. You see, the Fire did not summon us Unkindled first, or even by choice. It first brought back the Lords of Cinders. Those who successfully linked the Fire, the legendary figures of old. Or rather those that were left, everything else having burned down already."
"Did they refuse to burn in the Fire again? Like Prince Lothric?" Guessed Corrin, acutely observing the bitterness of Mother's face had not faded in the slightest.
"They did, each for their own reasons. And us Unkindled were tasked with bringing them down and gather their ashes at Firelink Shrine. One my comrades of misfortune had some choice words about that." Lora changed her tone, obviously imitating a man's voice. "We Unkindled are worthless. Can't even die right. And they'd have us seek the Lords of Cinder. But we're talking true legends with the mettle to link the fire. We're not fit to lick their boots." She scoffed angrily. "Not that he was wrong. And by the time I woke up, most Unkindled either renounced or went mad trying."
"That's terrible… I'm sorry." Said Corrin. "We could stop. I mean, sorry, you want to tell me, and I'd like to know more, but if these aren't good memories…"
"I should be the one controlling myself. Do not apologize for your kindness." Gently rebuked Lora.
Corrin didn't press further for some time, finding herself struggling to keep pace with the rhythm Mother imposed by habit. She looked everywhere, taking especially care to look for the telltale purple glow she had come to loathe. If the invisible soldiers did came from this place as she suspected, then perhaps they would find them on their way. Though, given their attitude, what would they be doing? Farming? They didn't even look alive when she cut them down. Standing guard?... to guard what, exactly? As far as the eye could see, there were only nature and some barely distinguishable ruins on some of the faraway islands. The princess racked her brain with any sort of conceivable situation they could find the invisible soldiers in. Only renouncing when she realized she was more and more ending with "standing around doing nothing" as the most probable possibility.
"I went first to the High Wall of Lothric." Lora restarted the tale at her request, when Corrin realized her mind was running in circle. "I wanted to reach Lothric Castle, see what had become of my liege, of my people, but the entrances I sought one after the other were destroyed or blocked. However, I did meet a familiar visage inside an abandoned church I knew contained a secret pathway: High Priestess Emma, the highest member of Lothric clergy at the castle."
"Did you know her?" Asked Corrin, seeing Mother soften when she mentioned the name.
"I did, though more in passing than in person. She was already High Priestess when I departed to kindle the Flame. Undeath had taken her early, and she survived through time with laudable tenacity." A little flame emerged in Lora's hand, becoming a gold and red ring engraved with a white robed figure. The High Priestess' ring, surely. "By some miracle her memory was not too damaged by her condition, and she remembered me. She knew I was Unkindled of course, and confirmed Prince Lothric and Prince Lorian were still alive, barricaded within their chamber. However, she urged me to not go to them yet." Lora closed her hand. "Emma hoped Prince Lothric would eventually change his mind, that he would not need to be put to the sword. I did too, and so I accepted to first search for the other Lords of Cinder."
"What of the city? Its people?"
"Dead or undead." The dreaded and expected answer came swiftly. "The civil war tore apart the kingdom until only a few sane souls were left. I could only pray that… that my brother, my sister and our parents died peacefully, before it all degenerated. Died without being touched by the brand of the Dark Soul."
Siblings? Parents? Corrin was almost stumped. It was such a simple and obvious thing, and yet she never considered the subject. In her eyes, Lora just… was. Like the sky or the walls of the Northern Fortress. She was the Queen of Nohr, the Arms Master, and Mother. Now that the princess was thinking about it, of course Lora would have parents. Or even siblings. It just… never crossed her mind. At all! She heard about Lothric a few times from her siblings and Lora, minus the part about it being in another world. But never about Lora's family at all! Garon was her husband, Corrin their daughter, the other her stepchildren, everything had been so simple that she never questioned it…
"Would you tell me about your family once your tale is over? I'd love to hear about them." The princess was dead set on correcting that mistake.
"If you want to." Lora nodded. "I did meet some sane souls out there though, outside of Emma. The first was a thief by the name of Greirat, lock in the cells of the High Wall. With the jailers hollowed he was safer within than without, and I felt little compulsion to free him. He did not request freedom as I thought he would, but to bring this ring to an old woman named Loretta in the settlement below the High Wall, that I could recognize thanks to a particular ornament." She produced another ring, decorated with a blue gem.
"It looks valuable." Corrin looked at the dark blue tint of the jewel closely. It really was pretty. "How did he get it?"
"He certainly stole it. I never asked." Shrugged Lora. "I accepted his request. I had nothing to lose as the Undead Settlement was directly in my path. Unfortunately, the place already fell to heretical preachers conducting purges and slaughters. One of the hanged corpses was that of Loretta, which I recognized thanks to the bone collar her corpse was still wearing."
"Oh no…" The story hit far closer than Corrin felt comfortable. At least she had the occasion to see Mikoto before they were separated, and this Greirat didn't even had that chance. "Did you tell him?"
"The news left him distraught, and from his words I understood the woman was in fact his old mother. I suspect she did not approve of his occupation, but he nonetheless loved her as any son should." She twirled the ring pensively, the gleaming gem catching sunlight beautifully. "I took pity and gave him a homeward bone, so he could find safety in Firelink Shrine. There, he urged me to keep the ring when I wanted to give it back. Later, he also proposed his services."
"Did he accompany you during your journey? Also, isn't Firelink Shrine where you started your journey? Why send him so far?"
"Let me answer in reverse order." Tempered Lora. "Unkindled could reach Firelink Shrine by using the bonfires as mean of magical transportation, and vice-versa. It was the safest place I had access to, and one where I would often come back. Lastly, I would not have him accompany me. Remember he was a thief, not a soldier or knight."
"Isn't Niles a thief too? I mean, he was one. Leo still made him his retainer and have him at his side." Pointed out the princess. "Or was it because Greirat was a thief you didn't want him at your side? Also, what services?"
"You, daughter, have grown bold in questioning your elders." Chided Lora, her smile lightening the apparent reproach. "I would have refused for that reason at the time, though he did not propose that sort of deal. What he meant was resume his usual pillaging. With nary a sane soul left, would what he finds not be more useful helping my journey? Despite my reluctance, I ended up yielding to that argument and did not regret it. The supplies he gathered proved a great boon in the upcoming trials."
"Like those throwing knives and the firebombs?" Their weight on her belt was telling.
"As well as many weapons and armors, stocks of arrows, useful trinkets and the likes." Nodded Lora. "I met a few others on the way to the first Lord of Cinders. Cornyx, an old pyromancer who would become my teacher in the art, as well as the maiden Irina, who would do the same for Miracles despite the hostility of her bodyguard Eygon. Ah, and a one who would become a dear friend." Her smile turned warmer. "Siegward, a knight of Catarina, land of good living people. Not too bright but with courage aplenty. Also, the inventor of the drink I gave you last night."
"I'm sure half of my tongue went numb at the first taste!" Corrin made a face remembering the awfully strong taste of yesterday's drink, prompting a chuckle from Mother. "Don't tell me you like it, it was awful!"
"I forgot to tell you. Undead and Unkindled alike had very dulled senses. Siegward's feat was to create a beverage so potent even they could appreciate it. Still, I had a taste myself when I came to this land after noticing I had returned to true life. It was delicious."
"Now I'm feeling bad for the brewmaster of the castle. He doesn't know you can't differentiate between his best efforts and the cheapest one from the markets." Mumbled the princess.
"Well now, I am surprised by your expertise on the matter. Which one of your siblings smuggled alcohol to you at the Northern Fortress?" Corrin tried to keep an innocent face and failed miserably, prompting the amused look of her mother to turn inquisitive. "… Corrin, my dear daughter. Whichever of your siblings smuggled alcohol to you?"
"… Can I tell you after we've gotten out of here?"
Thanks to all the gods, Mother decided not to pursue the inquiry and Corrin mentally apologized to Camilla. She was going to hope it would be all forgotten by the time they got out of this weird place. Probably. Maybe…
"The first Lord of Cinders I hunted were the Abyss Watchers." Lora continued her tale after a moment of silent walking. "An order of warriors dedicated to fight the Abyss and honour the legacy of Artorias the Abysswalker. Once resurrected by the First Flame they deserted to return to their ancestral home of Farron afflicted by the Abyss in their absence. They attempted to purge it, only for some of them to succumb to the taint as well. I found them locked in endless fratricide and triumphed over the last one standing, who had absorbed the remaining power of his brethren."
"That's awful. Being forced to kill their own comrades…" Corrin went so far with the very purpose of not losing her siblings, from either side. The idea of a sinister force that could make it a foregone conclusion was horrific to think of. "What was it like to go through the swamp? We avoided them during the expedition to the Canyon, so I've no idea if it's as bad as Chloe claimed. I vaguely remember her swearing about wet boots, terrible smells and hordes of insects."
"It is rather accurate. I distinctly remember how elated she was when I promoted her from scouting the Wood of Forlorn to entering my service in the castle…"
Corrin heard it before seeing it: a hustle in the vegetation far away from their position. Lora stopped talking and halted at the princess' signal, following the direction with her gaze then nodding. In quick succession she took the bow from her back and swapped one of her rings for another before drawing the string, aiming, and shooting two projectiles. Faint cries echoed in the air and Corrin winced, ears twitching. To her relief, all sound fainted before they made their way to where the arrows went, revealing the quarry to be two hares soon attached to Mother's belt. Now they had something solid to eat for dinner.
"Your hearing is sharper than ever." Corrin smiled at the compliment. "You know, for as much as I detested the Swamp of Farron, it is here I found some of my most dependable allies. It is there I found Anri of Astora and Horace. Two Unkindled who like me sought the Lords of Cinders. We joined forces and ventured together toward the next Lord of Cinders, the monstruous man-eater Aldrich."
"Man-eater? Wait, I thought it was only those who believed in linking the Fire who sacrificed themselves? Good people who wanted to end the curse of undeath?"
"The First Flame did not discriminate for its fuel. Though you are correct, it was not a voluntary sacrifice. Aldrich was once a man who devoured so many and grew so monstrously powerful his followers locked him up before feeding him to the Fire."
"Uuugh." Corrin grimaced. "I can't imagine how someone can become like that."
"Some are born monsters or have none but themselves to blame." Severely stated Lora. "I would have helped Anri slay that creature even if he did not happen to be a Lord of Cinders. We went to the Cathedral of the Deep but it quickly became apparent Aldrich went elsewhere. To reach him, we had to progress through the ancient Catacombs of Carthus, but Horace fell down a slope while we ran away from an army of walking skeletons. We lost a lot of time searching in the depths, but Anri refused to abandon his comrade. I agreed too. We found him, but… I think he died one too many times down there, searching for a way back. He was still conscious, but barely, and didn't even recognize us at first. It was there that Anri… revealed their secret to me. His secret." Lora breathed deeply. "Anri and Horace were not Unkindled. They were Undead. They were Undead, and they already Hollowed partially."
For a minute Corrin was confused, until she remembered. Each death robbed Undead of their memories, of their sense of self, until they became shambling corpses, the Hollows. Or until they simply laid down, mindlessly waiting for a true death that would not come until someone linked the Fire. Or… if they become fuel for the bonfire. Burning until there was nothing left but ashes, with even their souls consumed.
"How many times did he die? How… how many did you, together?" It was so easy to forget. To think it was just another journey where the hero survived against all odds…
"I was less skilled than I am now, far weaker. And the abominations of Lordran are more deadly than anything I have met in all my years here." Mother put a hand on her flank, where Corrin knew the scar of her first war resided. "Anri and Horace were not from Astora. They were once children destined to be sacrificed to Aldritch, the last survivors who managed to escape by pure luck. The hunt of the Lord of Cinders was not their true goal. It was bringing the monster who killed their friends to justice, even if it cost them their life and sanity. Anri took upon the name of Astora, inspired by the tales of the great land renowned for their knights, to give himself a new start."
"So he was never a knight?" Corrin felt cheated. Alright it was stupid, but the story was so much like a fairy tale despite its bleakness, hearing the dashing companion in arm wasn't a knight made her irrationally disappointed.
"Even if he was not one in title, he was as brave and honourable as any knight I have met." Defended Lora firmly. "He was kind and compassionate, not relishing in battle like I was. Even though the duty he imposed upon himself was heavy, he would not abandon it. I should have been angry at his deception, but… I…" Corrin's ears perked. Did Mother's voice just change? "I think it is when I realized my feelings for him were not merely ones of friendship."
Her previous disappointment was instantly washed away seeing Lora's wistful smile. So it was true that people fell in love by fighting together! She had been sceptical hearing it from Laslow because… well it was Laslow. Big sister Camilla also talked a lot about courtly romance and love at first sight, and it looked more like something that could happen. But if it happened to Mother, then it must be true!
"We finally made it to Irithyll, city of the Boreal Valley. And it was here we fell into an ambush led by Sulyvahn, the so-called Pontiff." Lora's voice turned harsh, her eyes burning with long-held pain and anger. "I knew him by name. He had been a known visitor of Lothric Grand Archives, a powerful foreign sorcerer who became closer to Prince Lothric than many in the clergy thought wise. And he was the one controlling the Church of the Deep, who directed Aldrich path of carnage. He learnt of our coming as we slaughtered his forces to reach for Aldrich, and the bastard ambushed our group in a grand cathedral with a squadron of his elite knights. I was separated from Anri and Horace and forced to contend alone with the knights. When they claimed their noble, the Pontiff, that rat, gloated how he would correct the 'mistake' who escaped Aldrich's hunger himself!"
Mother's voice was full of anger before, now she was downright murderous. Her posture, her tone, everything about her made Corrin wish she was as far away as possible, even knowing the subject of that wrath was long dead and gone. Even the venom she reserved for the sorcerer Iago was nothing compared to the scorn she hurled at the memory of the Pontiff.
"I had my hand full with the boreal knights and their cold blades, but I hoped Anri and Horace would defeat Sulyvahn. I thought the Pontiff would be like all the other sorcerers I met; weak, arrogant, too confident in his sorcery to expect a fight on close quarters. I was wrong. He was stronger and faster than I thought possible, wielding two massive blades of fire and sorcery."
The weapons appeared in her hands and Corrin's eyes widened. The golden greatsword was bigger than any sword she has seen before, making the silver one look like a normal blade by comparison. And the Pontiff wielded both at once? Not even Xander or Garon would be able to!
"What happened then?" She asked tentatively, dreading the answer.
"Horace was the first to fall, protecting Anri with his body despite having nearly lost his sanity. Anri… Anri was strong. I knew he was. Even after Horace fell, he kept fighting on, he didn't lose hope. While I was finishing off the boreal knights Anri managed to wound Sulyvahn. I thought he could…" Something broke out in Mother's voice, a pain that never entirely faded, a wound that never truly healed. "And then Sulyvahn conjured a pale copy of himself with sorcery, as quick and strong as he was. He never took the fight seriously until Anri wounded him. I was too slow. Too slow, to eliminate the last knight in time. I could not even watch Anri's death, my eyes focused on my own opponent. All I saw was the bits… the bloody bits and pieces slowly fading away."
Bile crept up Corrin's throat, the description bringing back vivid images. The fortress of the Canyon. The pile of Hoshidan corpses. Her own men hacked to pieces by the invisible soldiers. Her mare, sweet Horizon… She clasped her hands on her mouth, forcing it back down, looking at the sunny, fragmented sky for something to distract herself, listening all the while.
"I… I do not remember the rest well. I was furious. Maddeningly so. My entire being was consumed by that rage, by the frenzy of that desperate battle. But when I came to my senses at last, my sword was embedded right within the crowned head of the Pontiff. I claimed his Soul. I was victorious, though I did not savour my victory for long. My wounds were too severe even for an Unkindled to survive. But what hurt the most, when I returned to life at the bonfire… was Anri's absence. I knew Horace would not come back. That this death would spell the end of whatever remained of his Humanity. Anri… I did not know. I hoped the death of Horace, his defeat at the Pontiff's hand would not break him."
The weapons in Lora's hands disappeared, and the princess was left to wonder. If she had been in this situation… if her soldiers could have come back from death… if Gunter…, what would she have done? Searched for them, or continued forward? No, she would have hoped too. She would have gone far and wide if there was the smallest chance.
"I searched for him. I went back to many of the places where we fought together. I ventured toward the Cathedral of the Deep and found Anri roaming there, not too far from the bonfire, and he… he did not answer my call."
"No…" Mother didn't look at her, didn't look like she heard her as she walked at an ever-increasing pace, her coarse voice floating in the wind.
"I defended myself and I offered him to the bonfire. I could not… I could not bear to kill him even once more. I could not bear to imagine him wandering until he simply laid on the ground, awaiting the end of the world. When I killed Aldrich, I did so with his sword. It was weaker than many of my other blades, it cost me many deaths, but I did so anyway. It was only right. It was only right I made it up for letting him die!"
"Mother, wait!" Corrin ran to catch up as Lora stopped in her tracks, apparently only now realizing she was leaving her adoptive daughter behind.
"Forgive me, Corrin. I thought by now it would hurt less, or that I would have grown stronger." Lora looked sorrowfully at the cliff-like path stretching before them, the fractured ground forming a senseless angle where everything should be falling in their direction. "I never told him. I never told Anri what I felt for him. And even now… I almost lost Garon before I could confess my feelings. I could have lost you too without ever telling you how precious you are to me. Even here, I cannot help but keep making the same mistakes."
"Mother…"
Corrin was keenly realizing she have never seen her adoptive mother as anything less than an indomitable figure. An invincible warrior, inflexible sovereign, and near infallible if severe parent. Even after last night and seeing firsthand her hidden vulnerability, that view didn't really change. Until now. Until finally acknowledging she wasn't always the person in front of her. That she was perhaps, in the end, just another person. It was at the same time reassuring and weirdly frightening.
"Why not take a break, Mother? It's not like we are pressed for time. And we still have this weird geography to get through." Suggested Corrin hopefully.
"Of course. You are right, we have time. I should not attempt to rush through to try and occult the pain. It is clear I cannot ignore it anyway." To Corrin's relief Lora's expression softened as she examined the rising land further, taking care not to approach the angled ground too closely. After a few minutes of silence, she spoke: "I think I have just the thing."
"Is there anything you don't have in your pockets?"
"More food, for once." Said Lora as she produced a handful of faintly colored stones. She threw the first with great force and it hit the ground with a clear sound, as if the stones were made of glass. To the princess' surprise it didn't shatter. Now the pebble was also shining a gleaming blue, sticking as if it wasn't supposed to roll down. "It did not break. Good. I will…"
"Let me go first." Interjected Corrin before Lora could move. "It'll be alright, I can fly. If anything happens, I'll just come back. Look!" She deployed her wings briefly, the muscle of her back trembling in anticipation. "Trust me, it'll be fine."
Her enthusiasm seemed to win Lora over, who nodded after a brief hesitation. Corrin breathed in deeply before putting her foot on the rising ground. Nothing happened. She walked back a bit before jumping forward… and promptly yelped as the direction of gravity suddenly changed, changing her forward jump into a straight fall. The surprise dulled Corrin's reflexes and she fell flat on the ground with a resounding thud.
"Are you alright?"
"Just my pride…" Groaned the princess, rising her bruised nose from the grass. "Whoa, that's really weird to look at."
She was sitting on the ground now, looking at Mother who stood almost at a perpendicular angle compared to her. Now from her point of view it was the other who should be falling down on the ground. Absently picking up the shining blue prism, she threw it high and watched fascinated as the angle of its fall abruptly changed to fall near Lora… who then jumped and rolled mid-air. She landed mid acrobatic and continued her roll perfectly to stand in a fluid movement, a satisfied smile on her lips.
"That's just showing off." Complained Corrin, dusting off the dirt and grass in her long white hair.
"Perish the thought. I am simply reminding you the proper way to soften your fall." Said an amused Lora, who clearly relished in pushing her mind away from the previous heaviness. "We can now assume each patch of land has its own little gravity. That will make it easier to travel once we have finished to explore this one."
"I hope we'll find someone soon." Mused Corrin, looking at the floating islands as far as the eye could see. "Azura and I came from here not too long ago. There must be people somewhere still… right?"
Lora said nothing. She simply looked forward, toward the edge of the floating land they walked on. Where ruins of what had been civilization rested undisturbed, unmoving and silent…