The Fiery Queen of Nohr: Part 22 – In the White Light
Author's note: Hey, I'm back! 3 months, I hoped I would never get to that long without updating, but no one can control that stupid disease going on right now and messing everything up. I'll be so happy once this is over. Anyway, let's answer your reviews!
Foul Steak: Indeed, she will be dejected to hear that the swords are lost. Azura do have the gold ring, but Mikoto won't allow it to be used on Corrin, she is way too wary about it. And Lora would have to know that Corrin is in Hoshido in the first place.
pt1oef: As always, thanks you for beta-reading this story. Cute isn't always the way, sadly. Ninja and serious go hand in hand, the job isn't very fun. The next honeymoon/vacation?… Uh… With war on the horizon, it might be pushed back to indefinite times… The Invisible Kingdom and Lothric do have some points in common, true.
osterreicher97: We all know how the road to hell is paved, especially when someone is stubborn about it.
Dcraus: I already told you I won't ever write that and even explained why. Write it yourself.
Spartastic 4: Chapters without Lora may happen more in the future, since she is just one person and many event will happen far from her. That confrontation is something I think wouldn't have happened in Canon,, but in this story it's an important element. Thank you for your encouragement.
Imperial Warlord: Tanks.
Guest: Redoing the chapter 2 is something I'm more and more considering, as more time pass I see all the more how clumsy it is. Xander did went on an information gathering, but everything led to dead end. Only Garon knows the whole truth, and Xander isn't confident confronting his father on this subject.
Guest: In the past, surely.
TheLostLordOfCinder: To answer quickly, no, there won't be any other Dark Souls characters in this story.
Krionik: That's somewhat incredible to hear, but I know for a fact I did invested in some books because I've seen cool crossover with them! I'm glad to see you like this story and the way I'm handling the world of Fates, and I hope you will continue to like it in the future.
Why: Because in her mind, Lora is taking her siblings away from her.
And as always, enjoy the story! Please leave a review to tell me what are your thoughts and critics, it's always appreciated.
The Fiery Queen of Nohr: Part 22 – In the White Light
Corrin tried to open her eyes, but she met blinding lights instantly and retreated inside the sheets to shield herself. The soft mattress was so warm under her…
"Ah!"
A searing pain in her left shoulder stopped Corrin just as she tried to wrap herself in the sheets. Straightening but still eyes closed, the princess palpated the sore shoulder with her right hand and felt bandages. Around her stomach and back too. How did she got hurt here…The ambush! Gunter! Everyone! A bed? Where was she? What happened? She tried to open her eyes again, only to suffer another flash of pain due to the flood of light.
"Please don't move abruptly, Princess. You just woke up."
The voice was faintly familiar. Yet she couldn't remember from where or when.
"You aren't used to so much light. Keep your eyes closed a little bit more before opening them slowly."
Furiously trying to remember to whom the voice belonged, Corrin heed the advice and slowly raised her eyebrows, accustoming as best as she could to the light. Little by little she started to see the room, an uneasy feeling setting in. The walls made of decorated wood instead of stone, and a large window let the sun flow freely inside, with a bit of sky visible. A blue, cloudless sky. And by the side of the mattress, which was directly on the ground and not elevated like she always knew, was a figure whose sight cleared her foggy memories: a green-haired ninja, kneeling aside her bed at a somewhat respectable distance. He was just the same as her memories of that day.
"You're the ninja from Hoshido…"
"Yes, I'm Kaze, the one you fought in the palace of Nohr. I'm glad to see you awake at last."
Despite his reassuring words Corrin gripped the sheets harder. The princess noticed with a bit of embarrassment and discomfort that she was barely clothed beyond white garments and bandages. Neither her armor nor weapons were anywhere in view. Corrin tried to discreetly flex her left arm and hide the resulting wince. And she felt so tired…
"Don't move, Princess. You just woke up, and your wounds aren't entirely healed yet."
"…Where am I? Why are you watching over me?" Asked Corrin, despite her instinct already shouting the answer.
"My apology, Princess Corrin." Said the ninja, lowering his head in a… respectful bow? "You must be confused by your surroundings. We are inside Castle Shirasagi, far from danger."
Far from danger? In the heart of Hoshido? Corrin shuddered, trying to understand what had led her to the present catastrophe. Her last memories… She was falling. Falling into the Bottomless Canyon after being stabbed in the back as she tried to make her escape with Gunter. Was it some nightmare? No, it was all too real. She was defenseless in the capital of Hoshido, no, in the royal castle at the center of said capital. Why? What did they want of her? Was Gunter still alive? Where was her weapons and armor? All those questions and thoughts came tumbling out of her mind, and the Princess could barely say a word:
"How?"
The dark green-haired ninja rose his head and met her eyes before moving. Corrin almost jumped, ready to defend herself with her bare hands, but he only took a pot from a nearby table and poured something, tea, Corrin smelled instantly, as the ninja slowly approached and offered the goblet, watching her all the while. She took it after a brief hesitation but didn't bring the liquid to her lips as the man knelt in is previous spot.
"It's a long story, Princess, and I apologize in advance for not being a good storyteller."
All ears, the princess listened. How he had come back to the Bottomless Canyon to cross the border again, and found the fort devastated, rotting bodies of Hoshidians and Nohrians alike in the open and the bridge destroyed. How at the insistence of a small bird, he followed the Canyon for a short while until he had found her near the cliff, bleeding and unconscious.
"Was there anyone dead near the broken bridge like me? An old knight with gray hair?" Asked Corrin, hopeful and anguished in half.
"… I don't think so." Said the ninja after an instant of thinking.
Maybe Gunter managed to run away, tried to think Corrin, however her heavy heart traitorously whispered that he would have never left and probably fell in the Canyon trying to protect her. But the ninja said he found her nearby the cliff, so clearly someone caught her as she fell down. Perhaps Gunter did, and fended off the phantasmal horde before succumbing to his wounds… The princess stopped thinking about it before tears could come up, and she listened the ninja finishing to explain how he carried and kept her alive until reaching the Hoshidan capital – Castle Shirasagi, whereas he entrusted her to the best healers and watched over her until her awakening.
"I can hardly believe I was unconscious for so long…" Whispered Corrin, scenting her still untouched hot tea before turning her gaze back to Kaze. "So, what's going to happen to me? Will I be executed, or kept as a bargaining tool against Nohr?"
Even if it was just a front, Corrin would not show them weakness. She had been raised and taught better than to cower and plead. She would not falter. She was not going to.
"… You must be still under the shock of what happened at the Canyon. I'm so glad to have found you at last, after all these years. Everyone is happy to see you back, Princess Corrin."
The expression of concern and worry of the man in front of her confused Corrin, as much as his words. See her back? What was he playing at? Or was there something else entirely? What was she missing?
"… Princess, how far do your childhood memory goes? How much do you remember?"
Corrin didn't expect that question. Something wasn't right. Was he trying to confuse her? To coax her for information? Anyway, that was something she could speak about.
"I remember nothing about being in Hoshido. I've been sheltered in the Northern fortress for as long as I can remember. Father put me there very young to protect me from the court's plots and Hoshido's reach."
"… I see. Princess, please listen to me. One day, King Sumeragi went to Cheve for a diplomatic visit. And he took with him one of his daughters, who desperately wanted to see the Opera. But the king of Nohr ambushed Sumeragi, slaughtered his escort and assassinated him. Kidnapping his infant at the same time."
"Father wouldn't… What are you talking about?" Said Corrin, perplex.
"King Sumeragi only took a small force, and left behind his divine weapons, confidant in Cheve neutrality. I was among his escort, a young ninja destined to eventually become the Princess' bodyguard. I couldn't do anything as the King was assassinated and you were taken. All I could do was training, and infiltrate Nohr again and again for the slightest chance to bring you back to Hoshido."
"No, that's wrong. I'm a Nohrian princess. What you're saying makes no sense." Protested Corrin, but Kaze continued.
"When I saw you in the throne room, I wasn't sure. You had grown so much since that time, even if those events will never fade from my mind. However, when they said your name, I knew it for sure. You were alive, and I still had a hope. So, when that samurai raised his blade behind your back, I had to warn you. To see you die, so soon after meeting you again would have been too terrible."
"No, no that's not possible. I don't know why you are telling me this…"
"Did you try to look for me, after the fight? Like you said you would?" Asked the ninja, stopping the Princess in her tracks.
"I… yes I did, but Mother refused. She said it would be too dangerous after what happened." Said Corrin without much assurance, having herself doubted the argument at the time.
"Maybe. It was more likely to prevent you from hearing the truth."
"I can't be true…"
"Do you truly remember nothing? Not a single memory?"
"… No. Honestly, I have only memories of the Northern Fortress and… Nothing before… I never thought about it too much…" Observed the princess despite herself, holding the now cold goblet so strongly her fingers went white.
It was all lies. It must be. It could only be lies to make her drop her guard. But why save her then? Why would he have made so much effort? No, it didn't make sense. But he couldn't be saying the truth. Or he was taking her for someone else. Maybe he remembered wrong and took her for the princess he searched for so long. But… Corrin drank the tea in a single gulp, but the sweet taste didn't help at all. Why feed her such an elaborate tale?
"My apology for making you so distraught, Princess. But you need to realize the truth. I hope seeing Queen Mikoto will rekindle your memories. She is awaiting the new of your awakening with…"
The door opened, and someone entered the room. A tall girl around Corrin's age, with crimson hairs and clad in white and red lightly armored clothes.
"Kaze! Is she…"
The red-head words died down when she locked gaze with Corrin. The princess had to stop herself from shrinking back inside the sheets when the girl almost jumped on her and cupped her cheek with a flustered expression.
"Finally…after all these years… I…"
The red-head buried her face against Corrin's chest, hugging her with enough strength to hurt.
"I've missed you so much!… You're here…" Sputtered the girl between sobs, tears running down.
Awkwardly, Corrin held her. She didn't understand. Who was this person? Why was she crying like she had just found… the princess couldn't put either a name or a face on that person. She was feeling no familiarity. But she felt those tears were genuine. Her instinct just screamed it at her. But why? Unless… No, it couldn't be true. They wouldn't lie to her. Neither Mother nor Father. Xander, Camilla, Leo and Elise… No they wouldn't. After what felt an eternity, the red-head loosened her embrace and sat on the mattress, wiping her tears.
"I'm sorry, Corrin. I'm not usually this emotional. But I'm just so happy to have you back. Take that, Nohrian scumbags! We win, you lose!" Rejoiced the girl before picking up the conflicted expression of Corrin. "Are you okay? I didn't touch your wounds I hope."
Have I met you? Was the question the princess wanted to ask but couldn't bring herself to say, until the ninja spoke up.
"Lady Hinoka, it appears Princess Corrin lost all memories prior to her kidnapping. Due to shock or foul sorcery I cannot say, but she does not recall anything of her life in Hoshido."
"What? Corrin, you really don't remember anything?" Asked the now named Hinoka with disbelief.
"… No, I don't, sorry."
"Those bastards! They weren't satisfied with taking you away, they had to do this? They'll pay for all the suffering they've caused one day, I swear." Spat Hinoka furiously before Kaze cleared his throat.
"I will report your awakening to Queen Mikoto, Princess Corrin. Please excuse me."
In an instant, the ninja was gone. Leaving Corrin alone with the one claiming to know her in an awkward silence. Hinoka was looking at her intensely, as if trying to find a way to make her
"You really remember nothing? Nothing at all? You don't recognize me?" Finally asked the red-head once again.
"No, sorry. I don't even think I have seen you before."
"It's unfair. I spent so many years imagining our reunion. And now you're right in front of me, but we couldn't be further apart."
"Why don't you tell me about yourself then?" Asked Corrin, the gloomy and frustrated expression of Hinoka leaving her with an awkward feeling. "It may help me… remember."
"Not a bad idea. It'll be our first heart to heart between sisters since you left."
"… Sisters?"
"Hehe, you still make the same face when you are at loss for words." Said Hinoka with a smile. "I'm your older sister, though not by much. Ryoma is the eldest and Takumi is our younger brother. Sakura was barely a year old when you disappeared, but she is the most adorable little sister I have ever seen."
One older brother and sister, one younger brother and sister. The faces of Xander, Camilla, Leo and Elise popped up in her mind. How eerily similar were the two royal families claiming her as their own? Corrin's hears twitched as she noticed the sound of footsteps outside the room. She didn't hear when Hinoka came in before, maybe because she was feeling more awake now?
The door slid, and the ninja, Kaze, entered the room, followed by a woman with long black hair. After an instant, it occurred to the Princess that this person had to be the Queen of Hoshido: her white and gold robe adorned with a cape, the golden circlet holding a stylized sun behind her head as a sort of a crown. But for some reason, Corrin could only look at her face. Mikoto looked at her in turn, a serene expression on her traits before it morphed into a smile. A warm, radiating smile so full of affection Corrin was entranced.
"I cannot believe it's really you. Corrin, my sweet child!" Exclaimed the woman with elation, kneeling and pulling the Princess into a deep embrace.
She smelled of flowers, sweet and soft. Mikoto's hands were gentle as she broke her embrace and held Corrin's face between them.
"All this time, I didn't know if I would ever see you again. I've missed you so much! Once you feel better, we will get you your old room. We couldn't bear to touch a thing inside after you've been taken, so you will find everything just as they were before."
The Queen stared at Corrin, brushing her white hairs to the side behind the pointy ears with ease. Looking at Corrin with a beautiful smile, a smile that pinched the Princess' heart.
"I just don't know how to respond. I can believe I could be your child, but… I don't remember anything. You're like a stranger to me."
"I understand, Corrin. Kaze explained your amnesia to me. And it looks like you and Hinoka started to make up for lost time already. Even if you don't remember me now, I could not be happier." Said Mikoto with kindness before seeming to realize something. "Oh, I wanted to show you this! Look."
From under her robes, Mikoto took out a small hand mirror, putting it so both Corrin's and her face would appear in it. And to Corrin's disarray, she could only see how much their figures shared similar traits…
Lora put down the report heavily as she found herself unable to keep reading it. The ceremony of yesterday had been a success. Xander was now in command of the royal army, with Camilla and Leo acting as commander in second. The court was bound hand and foot, without any possibility to intrude directly into the now approaching conquest of Mokushu. Alongside the liberation of Khoga, both helped by the thief, Shura, whom they were now certain was genuine, they would expand Nohr's reach… but all of this could not make the Queen's thoughts drift from her growing anxiety. Especially not with the latest report she received… the Queen sank down in the sofa of the royal apartments. The soldiers found nothing. No signs of Corrin anywhere around Nohr, despite the best efforts of her scouts and spies. According to the reports, the only place left would be the Bottomless Canyon, but it would be just the same as confirming what she feared. The last bet was to call on the cabal of royal sorcerers for a divination ritual, but the Queen was wary of such magic. All the more since if… if Corrin was in Hoshido.
Pushing away that train of thoughts, Lora tried to think of a way to occupy the free time she found herself saddled with until supper came. A way to focus her mind on something else than these recurring anxiety. Garon was still solving the latest litigation about who had the privilege of cutting down the Tearing Woods. Xander, Camilla and Leo were surely occupied with their newfound duties. The young Elise was most likely still in the training hall, sharpening her healing talent on any soldiers clumsy or unlucky enough to find themselves badly wounded.
The Queen wondered about the three foreign retainers but swept the idea aside. She sufficiently pressured them lately and was still considering how much of the truth they were still hiding, as well as how much interest there would be in insisting further. As they requested however, she did not as much as whisper anything about their revelations to anyone but Garon. In all honesty, their situation couldn't be described as too far from her own in many ways. Leaving a devastated land to reinvent oneself was something she was understanding far too deeply. As Lora considered making a detour to the royal library, the butler guarding the door approached, explaining Prince Leo wished to come in. Lora promptly accepted, welcoming the visit and curious about the young Prince's motivation.
"Queen Lora. I hope I'm not disturbing your duties at the moment."
"Your presence does not bother me, Prince Leo." Answered Lora, eyeing briefly the two retainers at the room entrance. Odin seemed uncharacteristically nervous, while the thief, Niles, was unashamedly and with delight watching his comrade squirm. "For what purpose do you come seeing me? I would have thought you occupied with the war preparations."
"I have been. But I also have important matters to talk about with you. First of all being…" Said the blond boy before putting a scroll on the table, a parchment she immediately recognized. "I have finally mastered the Great Heavy Soul Arrow."
The Queen looked at the scroll, then the smiling Leo. A smile of pride he deserved entirely. In only a few years and with only her occasional guidance, he had managed not only to learn how to read Lordran's sorcerers' language but also reached such a quick mastery of the Soul Sorcery. She may have doubted about someone else with a divine artifact like the Brynhildr to assist them, but Leo's efforts and intelligence were irrefutable. Something came back to her, when she finally managed to cast the Great Soul Arrow, Orbeck…
"Well done, Prince Leo. A reward is in order for your progress and diligence. Give me your hand."
With a curious head tilt Leo extended his open hand to Lora. In a crackling of sparks, she materialized a small blue ring adorned with the image of a crouching dragon and dropped it in his palm, the enchanted jewelry quickly changing size to accommodate its new owner.
"This ring was given in Vinheim to those who mastered the Great Soul Arrow, ordaining them formally as fully fledged sorcerers. You have crossed that line already by learning the strongest Soul Arrow, and thus more than deserves to possess it."
"… Thank you, Queen Lora." Said the Prince, examining the ring with his usual sharp and focused gaze. "I presume it is supposed to improve my spellcasting?"
"Yes, this ring will improve the potency of your sorcery. In the Dragon School, a young dragon presages the great length of the journey to mastery, a reminder that talent must be nurtured to bloom. But this is something you know already." Added Lora, realizing how easily the boy could interpret words in self-deprecating ways. "I assume Pyromancy does not attract you anymore than before."
"It doesn't. Though I understand it's not as brutish and simple at it looks, nothing you have told me justify scattering my efforts when my time is becoming more and more precious. And also… there is something I would like to confirm with you, your Majesty."
The Queen gestured him to sit down, but he didn't. Leo was recomposing his calm and careful attitude. A very serious matter then, one he wasn't entirely comfortable bringing up.
"Do you remember the time when you told me about the separation of magics in your land? You later mentioned there were exceptions to the rules, and some you witnessed. For example, priests using their faith to cast sorceries."
"You remember correctly. They were heretics to the clergies and all orders of sorcerers alike, and their knowledge has always been a well-kept secrets."
The clergy of the Deep had been such a vile assembly, killing them to the last for the sake of their countless victims had been one of the few things she actively took pleasure in. Lora did find one of their divine tomes and learned how twisted its content was through the witch Karla, but the source of their irritating ability to use sorceries with the power of faith was not present inside it.
"I have developed a, theory. To explain how such thing could be possible."
"… Very well. I trust you to have thought this over. I will hear you."
Leo inspired softly, but deeply.
"Queen Lora, I'd like to confirm whether or not those clerics you saw actually used actual Soul Sorcery, and were not casting miracle resembling it."
Lora nodded. She had felt it, there could be no doubt.
"I see… What I've theorized is that the separation between sorcery and miracle is artificial. The source of their power is the same, the caster's ability. It's only channeled differently."
Ridiculous. Utterly ridiculous. The Queen almost crushed the absurd supposition on the spot. How could this smart boy have given birth to such preposterous idea. To even suggest a heresy that had been rejected centuries after centuries… Yet, she did not, as each of those thoughts rang hollow even to herself.
"… Continue." Said Lora with a blank voice.
Heresy. Against who. Against the clergy, who could deny neither the Angelic faith, nor the powers of the bishops of the Deep? The gods who deceived humanity from the dawn of time, whom have hidden the truth of the Dark Soul, and perpetuated the lie of the linking of the Fire? Unaware of her internal conflict, Leo developed his reasoning meticulously.
"The fundamental difference between Soul Sorcery and miracle, as you described it, is supposed to be the source of their power. Sorcery takes shape from the soul of the caster, and miracle borrows the power of the gods to be reenacted. In that case, the faith of the caster supposedly determinate how much power he is granted by the gods. But if it's true, something like a cleric using sorceries without the intelligence, studies and power of soul shouldn't occur. However, you have confirmed those impossibilities to have occurred, which mean there is a falsehood somewhere in the assumptions about sorcery or miracle. I have worked with Soul Sorcery, and I'm certain it works exactly as you told me. This leaves only miracles as suspect."
The Prince stopped talking for an instant, looking at her slightly leaning toward him before continuing with a prudent tone.
"This is purely hypothetical. But if one can cast sorceries with their faith, and no gods would grant their cleric power to do so, then it means the faithful do not call upon the power of the gods to use miracles. Instead, their faith is the way they express their own magical power. The tale of the miracle, the prayer, is the medium by which the casters focus their own willpower, and by using a catalyst they refine the effects they seek to obtain. By using their faith, they entirely disregard the magical theory behind sorcery and force the spell into existence. This is what I guess, at least."
"Let us imagine you are right. Anyone with enough magical capabilities and willpower should be able to realize a miracle or sorcery. Their number would have been much greater than what they were." Said Lora, tapping absentmindedly on the table with one finger.
"I don't think it is so far-fetched, Queen Lora. You said yourself only devout were able to use even the simplest miracles. I think that because miracles are inherently less structured than sorcery, the focus and belief someone would need to manifest them would be beyond most people ability. Even more so if they need magical abilities in the first place to channel, and that using faith to use sorcery was considered heretical."
"… Your reasoning appears quite thorough, Prince Leo." Admitted the Queen, feeling the words fall out of her mouth as if they were lead bars.
A numbness was engulfing her mind, a thick fog of conflicting disbelief and doubts in front of a theory where there were far too many hints of truth. If it was true, then… Then what? Lora couldn't say the words, not even in her own thoughts. However, it would be easy to verify, isn't it? She would just have to see Leo out, and test his theory by herself until she was certain he was wrong… From the depth of her heart, Lora knew Leo could be right. He had often been right about many things… Why was she hesitating?
With a snarl, Lora extended her hand and called upon the Fire. In a crackling of flames, a familiar weight rested in her closed palm. Ignoring the surprised jump of Odin and the brief quivering of Leo at her sudden action, the Queen delicately put down the long sword on her laps: An old yet well-crafted steel sword, the many scratches upon its surface showing how much it has been used. The sword of a knight of Lothric. Her sword.
"Your Majesty, what do you intend to do?" Asked Leo carefully.
"I will put your theory to the test."
Touching the blade with her palm, Lora tried to recall the miracle she sought, the words by which she would call upon the miracle. She silently repeated them, correcting herself two time on the turn of phrase, recalling Irina's voice to better grasp the prayer. Has it been so long? So long since she last pronounced those words? The pommel was still as worn out, the blade as chipped as when she let it go for the last time. Lora ground her teeth and banished the stray thoughts, focusing on the miracle she had to accomplish. Searching for the comforting warmth of the prayer, the serene gentleness of the blessing, the wonder…
Hollow. Hollow memories of a sickening deception. Frayed and faded, leaving naught but a gaping wound, festered with rancor, bitterness and disappointment. Broken faith never mended. The gods were gone. The world was gone. And yet…
"Farewell, Ashen One. Mayst thou thy peace discov'r."
There was something, a faint glow. Tiny flames, flickering. Like precious embers amidst worthless ashes. A mysterious, enticing glint from ages past, precious beyond all Fire. Her Soul. The undeniable proof of her existence. Lora opened the eyes she didn't remember having closed. On her laps rested the sword, a gleaming white light dancing around the gray steel. A gentle and familiar heat was spreading through the weapon, the healing power of the miracle.
"Another lie. And still I am surprised." Said Lora, running her fingers along the blessed blade, an uncontrollable, bitter laugh crossing her lips.
"Another?"
Straightening herself, Lora rose her eyes to cross the inquisitive stare of the Prince, who had just muttered the word.
"Do not think of it." Commanded Lora more harshly than she intended, resulting in Leo averting his gaze. "You were right. Once again I am impressed by your intelligence. How long have been thinking and pondering?"
"… For about a year, since the last time I sought your help. I only came to a conclusion a few weeks ago, in between the war preparations."
In just a year… Finally taking a decision long in the making, the Queen took out four different scrolls from within her Soul: the first's parchment was strangely colored blue, but was visibly well maintained and covered in orderly thick writing. The second was much older and in a far worse state, with the edges damaged in multiple places and strings looking like they would break at any moment. The third one was made of an almost golden material, with neat and elegant writings. The last was the strangest of all, covered in many parts in small crystals and the few writing that could be seen shining with faint blue hue. Eyes widening, the Prince watched as Lora put down the scrolls and extended them toward him, while in the back Odin audibly gawked.
"These are…" Muttered Leo, grasping instantly what the parchments were.
"They should belong to a sorcerer, someone who can understand, study and teach their content. And a sorcerer, I am not. In skill and knowledge of Soul Sorcery, you have already reached the limits of my guidance. Take them. You will make good use of them."
"Queen Lora…"
"Take them. Now." Cut Lora forcefully. "And please leave me be. I have many things to think out."
The blond boy looked at the scrolls pushed to his side of the table with a frown, before conceding and taking them.
"Thank you, your Majesty. I promise I will meet your expectations."
The Queen nodded, dismissing him with a final gesture. The door closed gently and once again, she was alone, the white glow of the blessed sword luring her gaze. For how long she lost herself in its light, she didn't know, until the spell ran out, darkening the room with its absence. Lora ran her fingers along the blade, vision of Fire in her mind. And the blessing came back, shining and strong…
Faith. How strange of such thing was, to have blinded her to the truth, yet to be found again in a new clarity. And with it… A power she long thought lost. Maybe Leo was right. Maybe giving him the scrolls, without taking the time to look for their content again, was a mistake. Maybe she could learn how to harness the power of the stronger sorceries through the power of faith.
But it didn't feel right. The knowledge they contained deserved to subsist beyond herself, if only for the efforts of all those who thrived to perfect Soul Sorcery. The Prince deserved them. Closing her eyes once again and making her sword disappear in the Flame, Lora followed its presence to the Fire inside her. The remnant of the Soul of the Lords. What was left of the power of the gods. Maybe she could… No, she could do it.
Closing her hand, Lora found nothing. Recalling the old tale, she mustered her focus, only for her fingers to grasp on tattered flames. The Queen inspired deeply, carefully reaching for the warmth… And her fist closed on crackling power. Opening her eyes, she looked at her creation. It was small, very small, unfit to be called even an arrow. But in her hand was indeed the lightning of the lords.
"Lora, are you feeling well?"
The sudden voice of Garon troubled her focus, and the sparks dispersed into nothing. Lora didn't hear him coming at all. Had she been so lost in her efforts, that it was almost time for supper already? Apparently, very much so, as the large figure of her King was clearly present at the entrance of the room. But why was there such a worry in his tone?
"I am fine. Your son… have a very keen insight. I think I have realized something with his help."
Garon didn't answer and walked toward her with a surprising haste, taking her hand and touching her forehead, as if checking for a fever.
"My king, what is taking you? There is no need to worry, I feel perfectly fine." Said Lora, gently pushed his calloused hands away.
"Lora, you are glowing as if you were about to set yourself ablaze! Can you not see it? Look in the mirror."
The words hit her like a cold bucket, and Lora stood up to the look in the mirror standing on the wall to see herself. But even before she found her own gaze sent back by the glass, the orange tint moving across her arms caught the corner of her eyes. Streaks of gold and orange slowly shifting upon her skin and armor, a sight she had come to become intimately familiar with in Lordran when she used embers to increase her strength. For a brief instant, her mind devolved into panic. Was she losing control of the Flame? Was she going to burn on the spot? But immediately after Lora calmed down, feeling the Flame peacefully kindling within herself.
"It is not spreading. I feel fine. I am fine." Lora whispered, before repeating to herself, "I am fine."
She wasn't in pain, she wasn't burning. It was as if a small bonfire ignited, instead of the raging inferno Lora always felt she had to control. Had the Fire faded enough to be limited to this manifestation? No, it couldn't be. It was still present, the embers too warm inside her Soul. Warmer than before. Did she fan the flames somehow? Lora tried to cool down. To seal the Fire inside, as she had done time and time again. And slowly, frighteningly slowly, the glow died out. But not the kindle. With just a whisper of desire, she felt it ready to warm again. How did it happen? Because… because she tried to use the power of the Lords? Did she fan the flames of her Soul, without meaning to? Was she…
"Are you alright, love?"
Her king was holding her, tightly, worryingly. Lora didn't fight his embrace, taking comfort in his steadfast presence.
"I do not know. I do not know." Admitted Lora. "The Rainbow Sage told me… He told me I had many years to wait until the Fire dies. Until I would become wholly human again. But it is not fading. Somehow, I feel as if I just fanned the flames. As if I filled the hourglass with more sand, even as it seems already so deep. I…"
She squeezed his hand on her shoulders.
"I am not sure if the Rainbow Sage told me the truth anymore."