Emblems and Heroes

by Neutral Samurai Hunter

Upon seemingly being erased by Gullveig, Kiran Pathfinder is spirited away from Zenith to Elyos. Stranded in Elyos for the time being, Kiran must assist Alear in her quest to save Elyos from the dark forces that threaten to destroy it, using both the power of the 12 Emblems and the Breidablik's ability to summon Heroes.

22. Seashore Travels and Sacred Stones!

Welcome to the latest chapter of Emblems and Heroes!

The Fire Emblem franchise belongs to Intelligent Systems. I only write this crossover for the readers' fun, entertainment, and enjoyment.

Now, let us begin this chapter...

---

Two days later, in the warm embrace of sunlight streaming through the windows of Café Terrace in Somniel, the fellowship of heroes gathered around a large table, their laughter mingling with the clinking of cutlery and the aroma of freshly brewed coffee. Alear delicately savored her omelet, her gaze drifting thoughtfully over the assembled group before she spoke.

"Now that we've obtained Emblem Corrin," Alear said, her voice filled with satisfaction and anticipation. "I'm certain that all Emblem Rings have been collected."

Kiran nodded thoughtfully, his gaze sweeping across the group. "Yes, both our group and Sombron's forces have gathered all twelve Emblem Rings," he confirmed, his tone reflecting the weight of their accomplishment.

Alfred, Firene's crown prince, leaned forward, his expression serious. "No more Emblem Rings in the wild," he stated, his voice tinged with concern. "We currently possess five Emblem Rings, while Sombron's forces hold seven."

Alear frowned slightly, her mind racing through their history with their former allies. "Most of the Emblem Rings that Sombron controls used to be our allies," she observed, a hint of regret coloring her words. "Marth, Sigurd, Celica, Roy, Leif, Micaiah..."

Alfred's eyes narrowed as he spoke, his voice firm. "Don't forget there's another Emblem Ring that Sombron's forces stole from Lythos - the Ring of the Azure Twins," he revealed, his words hanging heavy in the air, stirring a sense of urgency among the group.

"And if I remember correctly," Alear surmised as she pondered. "The Ring of the Azure Twins holds two Emblems in one ring - Emblem Eirika and Emblem Ephraim."

"I see," Kiran muttered as he examined his Breidablik. "I did summon the original versions of Eirika and Ephraim, along with their alternate versions some time ago."

"If the situation needs it, you might want to summon the Hero versions of Eirika and Ephraim," Alear replied to Kiran as she clenched her right hand into a fist. "There will be no doubt that Sombron will eventually confront us. To gather all the Emblem Rings, we must face Sombron and his forces directly."

Diamant, Brodia's crown prince, broke the tense silence. "Are you implying that our forces will invade Elusia?" he said as his sharp gaze bore into Alear, awaiting her response.

Ivy, Elusia's crown princess, interjected, her voice laced with concern. "Divine One, we can't invade Elusia yet," she explained. "Sombron has seven out of twelve Emblem Rings. He has the clear advantage."

"Yeah, I agree with Ivy here," Hortensia said as she pointed out their group's disadvantage. "I'm sure Sombron has already taken full control of the remaining Elusian forces."

Kiran, the resolute Summoner of Zenith, stepped forward, his voice unwavering. "While Sombron holds seven Emblem Rings," he pointed out. "As the Summoner, I can summon countless Heroes from various worlds to help even the odds."

As she stared at Kiran, Alear voiced her reservations. "There's a risk of Sombron or Evil Veyle stealing our five Emblem Rings again," she admitted. "But, Kiran has a point."

Suddenly, a resonant voice filled the room. Baldraz, the spirit within Kiran's Breidablik, spoke with unwavering conviction. "Fret not," he assured. "Kiran's power to summon Heroes is something that Sombron can never, ever steal or take away."

A genuine smile graced Alear's lips. "That's good to hear," she replied. "So, any suggestions?"

"Hmm..." Diamant muttered as he thought up a suggestion to Alear. "Perhaps our group should strike first to minimize the risk of an ambush."

Before Alear could reply to Diamant, Vander, one of Alear's Three Stewards, approached the dining table, his expression grave. "Divine One," Vander said, inclining his head respectfully. "A fleet of warships have been spotted from several ports around the Queendom of Solm."

Alear furrowed her brow, concern etching her features. "I see," she inquired, her voice tinged with apprehension. "Vander, are they sailing under a kingdom's banner?"

Vander shook his head, his eyes scanning the room. "Judging from the symbols in their sails, the warships appear to be Elusian vessels," he informed them, his tone heavy with the weight of the news.

Ivy, the exiled Elusian crown princess, leaned forward, her eyes reflecting a mix of curiosity and unease. "Where are the fleet of warships heading?" she asked, her voice betraying her anxiety.

"Yeah," Hortensia added as she briefly glanced at Ivy. "I want to know too!"

As he visibly coughed, Vander hesitated before replying. "The Elusian warship fleet is heading towards the Kingdom of Firene," he revealed, his words hanging heavily in the air.

Alfred, a seasoned warrior in Alear's retinue, felt a chill run down his spine as the gravity of the situation sank in. "Firene is about to be attacked," he muttered, his eyes widening with realization.

"Our home," Celine muttered, her distress visible to both Alear and Kiran. "Mother will be in danger..."

Diamant's face became stern as he realized the implications. "And if Firene falls..." he muttered.

"Um..." Alcryst stammered. "T-then Brodia is likely what that warship fleet is going next."

To break the silence, Fogado, Solm's prince, stepped in and voiced his opinion. "Come on, guys," he said. "We can't just stand here sulking around while that big, bad warship fleet is sailing around!"

Timerra, Solm's crown princess, spoke up, her voice steady despite the situation's urgency. "I agree. We can't just stand here and do nothing! That doesn't suit me," she declared, her eyes glinting with determination. "We should head to the Azure Coast. It's near the border and has a clear view of the sea."

Alear nodded, her mind already strategizing. "We will go there soon enough," she declared, her tone leaving no room for argument. "We need to finish our breakfast and gather our remaining allies."

"Yeah," Kiran replied, drinking his coffee before standing up from the table. "Alear, I'll go to the other table where Fjorm, Seiðr, and Reginn are."

"Sure, we'll come along with you," Alear replied as she finished her omelet and drank her coffee. "And thanks for summoning Reginn to Somniel, Kiran."

"It's alright," Kiran replied. "Seiðr wanted to know why the ability of Reginn's Gullinbursti has the same name as her."

"You mean Seiðr Shell, am I correct?" Ivy inquired as she stared at Kiran pensively. "I admit that I'm also curious to know about that."

"Then, what are we waiting for?" Timerra grinned as she stood up from the table. "We should go to the other table and check 'em out!"

Alear and Kiran smiled at Timerra's enthusiasm as the group finished their breakfast and stood away from the table. Together, they went to the table where Fjorm, Seiðr, and Reginn were, hoping to piece together the correlation between Reginn and Seiðr.

---

Emblems And Heroes

A Fire Emblem Heroes x Fire Emblem Engage Crossover

Chapter 22: Seashore Travels and Sacred Stones!

---

On a particularly sunlit morning, the Café Terrace was abuzz with activity. Fjorm and Seiðr, two valiant heroes, were seated at a table, savoring their breakfast alongside Reginn, the spirited princess of Niðavellir. Seiðr, her gaze thoughtful, turned to Reginn and inquired.

"Child of Niðavellir, I could not help but notice that your Gullinbursti shares the same name as mine," Seiðr admitted as she asked Reginn. "What is the story behind that?"

Reginn, her eyes alight with amusement, replied, "Ah, Seiðr. By the way, you can just call me Reginn," she replied. "Are you referring to my Gullinbursti's signature skill, Seiðr Shell?"

As Seiðr nodded in confirmation, Fjorm chimed in, her voice gentle manner.

"That's precisely why Kiran summoned you for breakfast in Somniel, Reginn," Fjorm replied in Seiðr's stead. "Seiðr is eager to know that question, despite the two of you hailing from different parts of the Nine Realms."

A group of familiar faces approached their table before Reginn could respond to Seiðr's query. Alear, Kiran, Alfred, Celine, Diamant, Alcryst, Ivy, Hortensia, Fogado, and Timerra joined the gathering, adding to the lively atmosphere.

Alear's voice cut through the chatter as she addressed Reginn with a curious expression. "We couldn't help but overhear your conversation," she admitted, her tone thoughtful. "I'm also intrigued by the connection between Seiðr and your Gullinbursti."

Reginn's admission hung in the air, her words carrying a weight of history and legacy. "I didn't name Gullinbursti's Seiðr Shell after you, Seiðr," she clarified, her voice gentle yet firm. "It was Eitri who designed the ridable Gullinburstis and their abilities."

"I see. In all fairness, my name can mean 'magic'," Seiðr nodded as she replied to Reginn. "Specifically, my namesake is a form of magic related to the telling and the shaping of the future. "

Alear's brows furrowed with concern as she absorbed Reginn's words. "Reginn, is this the same Eitri who essentially put you on Niðavellir's throne at any cost?" she inquired, her tone tinged with skepticism.

Reginn let out a heavy sigh, a mixture of resignation and acknowledgment coloring her voice. "Yes, it's the same Eitri," she admitted, her gaze momentarily distant. "Despite her... methods, I can't deny that she played a significant role in making Niðavellir prosperous, even after her treachery and eventual passing."

With a sense of finality, Reginn rose from her seat, her gratitude evident in her expression as she addressed Kiran and Alear. "Thank you for allowing me to join you for breakfast here in Somniel," she said, her voice tinged with sincerity. "But duty calls, and I must return to Niðavellir to attend to my responsibilities as the realm's princess."

"Alright, Reginn," Kiran replied as he nodded at her. "Do what you need to do."

As she made her way towards the exit of Café Terrace, Reginn paused, her gaze shifting to Kiran with a sense of urgency. "Before I go, Kiran," she began, her voice carrying a note of importance, "I thought you should know that Dagr, the crown princess of Jotunheimr, will be visiting the Kingdom of Askr today."

As Reginn's figure disappeared through the doors of the Café Terrace, Alear turned to Kiran, her eyes filled with curiosity. "Kiran, who is Dagr?" she inquired, her voice tinged with intrigue. "You mentioned her back when you explained the Nine Realms of Zenith back in Lythos, but you never fully went into details about her."

Kiran pondered for a bit before he responded. "Yes, I did mention her," he explained. "Dagr is one of the Jotunheimr's twin princesses, her sister being the late Nótt."

A sense of melancholy washed over Alear's expression as she spoke softly. "I see," she replied with a crestfallen look. "Kiran, I had no idea Nótt had passed away."

"My condolences to Nótt," Ivy said to Kiran.

Kiran nodded, his gaze somber. "It's alright since that event has long since passed. After all, Dagr asked me to keep her twin sister's passing as discreet as possible," he explained. "Nótt sacrificed herself to protect Dagr from Fáfnir's rampage at that time."

Timerra, ever the voice of reason, interjected. "You know, there's no use dwelling on past events," she said to Kiran. "Although, I'd like to meet Dagr myself one day."

Kiran nodded in agreement. "After the events in Niðavellir, I did form a contract with Dagr, summoning her as a Hero," he said to Timerra. "Who knows? I might summon Dagr to help us out later on."

"Then, we should head for the Azure Coast," Alear suggested. "We've eaten our breakfast. So, we should have Kiran open a portal to Solm."

"Yeah!" Timerra grinned as she crossed her arms and nodded. "And just like with the Northern Fortress, I'll guide us all when we arrive!"

"Sounds good to me," Kiran replied as he unholstered the Breidablik from his side pocket. "I'll open a portal to Solm right away."

With their goal for the day set, Alear, Kiran, and the rest of their allies stood up from their table. Then, Kiran opened a portal to Solm using the Breidablik, and the group stepped forward, crossing the portal's threshold and disappearing into the swirling vortex of light.

---

On the deck of one of the warships slicing through the waves along the coasts of the Queendom of Solm, Marni's voice cut through the salty sea breeze, her tone sharp with anticipation.

"At this rate, we'll be the first to reach the Kingdom of Firene," she remarked, her eyes alight with eagerness as she addressed her companion, Mauvier.

Mauvier, lost in thought, offered a distracted response. "It would seem so," he murmured, his gaze distant as he watched the horizon.

Marni, undeterred by Mauvier's preoccupation, pressed on with determination. "Zephia's orders are clear," she declared, her voice tinged with excitement. "We go ahead and kill anyone who dares to stand in our way."

A gleam of anticipation danced in Marni's eyes as she continued, her voice tinged with a hint of sadistic pleasure. "I can't wait to tally up the number of foes we'll face," she exclaimed, her anticipation palpable. "Lady Veyle will be proud of our accomplishments! What do you think, Mauvier?"

Mauvier's response was curt, his tone devoid of emotion. "I have my orders," he stated simply, his voice flat and unyielding. "I will follow them."

Marni's frustration bubbled to the surface, her eyes widening in exasperation as she stomped her right foot in annoyance at Mauvier's indifferent reply.

Marni's frustration simmered beneath the surface, her words laden with exasperation as she turned her ire towards Mauvier. "This is exactly why I can't stand you," she declared, her voice edged with annoyance. "You never praise me, and you're no fun at all! Even Griss isn't that boring."

Before Mauvier could respond, their conversation was abruptly interrupted by the arrival of a male Elusian soldier. His urgent tone cut through the tension like a knife through butter as he delivered his news.

"Um, we have a situation on hand," The Elusian soldier began, his voice tinged with urgency, "Two soldiers have deserted the fleet. They've attacked the soldier that was guarding one of the Emblem Rings — the Ring of the Azure Twins."

Marni's eyes widened in shock, her teeth gritted in frustration. "Ugh!" she seethed, her anger palpable. "How dare they steal one of the Emblem Rings!"

Mauvier, ever composed, turned his attention to the messenger, his voice calm and collected. "Do you know the identities of these deserters?" he inquired, his tone measured.

The male Elusian soldier nodded solemnly. "Y-yes!" he exclaimed with a grim expression. "Their names are Rosado and Goldmary!"

As the names of Rosado and Goldmary, Princess Hortensia's retainers, echoed across the deck, Marni's features twisted into a scowl of fury. "Rosado and Goldmary... Those two are Princess Hortensia's retainers," she spat, her voice laced with venom. "Rest assured, they will pay dearly for their treachery, alongside their princess. If it wasn't for Kiran Pathfinder, we could've disposed of Princess Hortensia back then..."

Turning her attention to the male Elusian soldier, Marni issued her command with steely resolve. "Take this ship to the coast of Solm," she ordered, her tone brooking no argument. "We'll make sure those two traitors don't present the stolen Emblem Ring to the Divine One and Kiran Pathfinder."

The Elusian soldier nodded briskly, his expression reflecting the gravity of the situation. "As you command," he replied, his voice filled with determination. "I'll inform the ship's captain right away!"

As Marni stormed off to another corner of the ship, her frustration boiling over, Mauvier watched her go with a sense of resignation. His gaze shifted to the clear skies above, memories of his pact with Alear and Kiran flooding his mind.

"For Lady Veyle's sake," Mauvier muttered, his voice barely above a whisper, "I will do what I can as a liaison for the Divine One and Kiran Pathfinder."

With a heavy heart and a sense of duty weighing upon him, Mauvier braced himself for the challenges ahead, determined to honor his commitment to those who had trusted him.

---

Meanwhile, back at the Kingdom of Askr, as Reginn departed from Askr Castle, her form disappearing into the distance, Sharena's observation drew Alfonse's attention.

"Wow, look at her go!" Sharena remarked, her voice tinged with curiosity. "Reginn seems to be in quite a hurry after being summoned to Elyos by Kiran."

Alfonse nodded in agreement, his expression thoughtful. "Reginn carries a heavy burden of responsibility back in Niðavellir," he replied, his tone tinged with understanding. "Although, I'm glad she still visits Askr now and then."

Their conversation was abruptly interrupted by the sudden forceful opening of the castle's front door. In strode Dagr, the current crown princess of Jötunheimr, her presence commanding attention.

Dagr's words cut through the air like a blade as she addressed Alfonse directly. "Well, if this isn't the right time for a visit, I don't know what is," she remarked, her tone laced with a hint of amusement. "I hope this isn't a bad time for me to visit the Kingdom of Askr."

Alfonse offered her a warm smile, his demeanor gracious. "You're always welcome here, Dagr," he assured her, his voice sincere.

Sharena, ever eager to engage with their guests, chimed in with a bright smile. "Dagr! It's nice of you to come and visit Askr!" she greeted the Jötunheimr princess cheerfully. "Do you remember the contract you formed with Kiran?"

Dagr smirked, a playful glint in her eyes as she replied to Sharena, her voice laced with amusement. "Oh, I remember that contract with Kiran as clear as day. It seems my adventures in Askr are far from over," she said, her tone hinting at exciting prospects ahead.

Alfonse's brow furrowed with concern as he listened to Dagr's explanation. "I wonder why you visited here?" he inquired, his voice gentle yet probing.

Dagr met Alfonse's gaze, her eyes reflecting a mix of emotions. "Alfster, sorry not explaining," she explained, her voice tinged with regret for her delayed arrival. "Mom forced me to stay in Jötunheimr back then, which is why I could only make it to Askr now."

Sharena, ever the empathetic soul, interjected with a hint of surprise in her tone. "I had no idea you were facing such challenges, Dagr," she remarked, her voice filled with understanding. "It must be tough balancing royal duties with personal matters."

Dagr shrugged nonchalantly, a hint of frustration flickering in her eyes. "That's the thing about politics," she muttered, her voice tinged with disdain. "It always gets in the way. It makes me wish I wasn't always a princess, you know?"

Alfonse's gaze softened as he broached a more delicate topic. "Are you struggling, Dagr?" he asked gently. "With Nótt's passing?"

Dagr's shoulders slumped slightly, a heavy sigh escaping her lips. "Alfster, Nótt died protecting me," she admitted, her voice tinged with sorrow. "I've been trying my best to cope with her loss."

After a moment of contemplation, Dagr voiced a heartfelt desire. "But, still..." she admitted, her voice filled with longing for her sister's return. "I wish Kiran could bring Nótt back to life by summoning her as a Hero. It would mean everything to me."

Commander Anna's response was solemn as she delivered a harsh truth. "Dagr, even if Nótt were to be summoned as a Hero," she explained, her tone matter-of-fact, "She couldn't resume her role as a princess of Jötunheimr. Legally, she's already dead."

As Commander Anna's explanation sank in, Dagr's expression softened, her gaze turning introspective. "I know. Even if Nótt is gone," she began, her voice tinged with sadness, "Seeing her again as a Hero would bring me happiness, even if she can't reclaim her title as a princess of Jötunheimr."

Sharena, ever the optimist, chimed in with reassurance. "Don't worry about that, Dagr!" she interjected, her voice warm with encouragement. "Kiran has summoned Heroes who have passed on in their homeworlds before!"

Alfonse nodded in agreement, his tone earnest. "Heroes like Sigurd and more recently, Lumera, have been summoned after their deaths," he added, his words carrying a note of hope. "There's a chance."

Dagr's lips curled into a small, determined smile, a glimmer of hope flickering in her eyes. "Thanks, Alfster," she declared softly, her resolve firm. "I'll hold onto that hope."

Commander Anna, always practical, suggested to lighten the mood. "Why don't we all head to the Aether Resort for breakfast?" she proposed, her tone inviting. "That might cheer you up."

Dagr's eyes lit up with enthusiasm at the prospect. "Yeah, I haven't eaten since leaving Jötunheimr," she exclaimed heartily. "Cakes and pastries sound perfect right about now!"

Thus, Alfonse, Sharena, Commander Anna, and Dagr left the halls of Castle Askr and headed toward the Aether Resort. As Sharena and Commander Anna escorted Dagr, Alfonse couldn't help but think about a certain Summoner.

'I wonder how Kiran is doing in Elyos?' Alfonse thought. 'I hope he's doing alright.'

---

In the shadow of the looming mountains between the Kingdoms of Nifl and Muspell, a tense silence hung over the encampment of the Curse Directive. Ebony, the enigmatic Shadow Director, stood alongside Shade, her trusted lieutenant, observing a fierce confrontation. Before them, a young girl, no older than 17, faced a group of hardened Curse Directive soldiers while riding a black pegasus with unwavering determination.

"Shade?" Ebony's voice held a note of surprise as she turned to Shade. "Is that your younger sister, Angeyja?"

Shade's expression remained stern as he stared at his younger sister. "Yes, Shadow Director," he replied. "As annoying as she may be, Angeyja is relentless in battle."

As if sensing their scrutiny as she was riding her black pegasus, Angeyja waved cheerfully at Ebony and Shade before turning her attention back to the task at hand. "Hey, Ebony!" she called out, her voice carrying across the encampment. "Do I need to pass some kind of test to join the Curse Directive?"

Ebony regarded her sister with a calculating gaze. "You need to prove yourself in battle. Take down the soldiers in front of you," she commanded, her voice unwavering.

Angeyja's smirk was fearless as she readied her Eistla Staff, the glint of determination in her eyes. "That's not a problem at all," she declared, her voice carrying a hint of eager anticipation. "Watch me fight, Shade!"

Shade grunted in annoyance as Angeyja prepared herself for battle. The clash of steel and the crackle of magic filled the air as Angeyja faced her adversaries, her every move a testament to her unyielding spirit.

The Curse Directive soldiers lunged at Angeyja with a coordinated assault, their weapons poised to strike. As the Mage Infantry unleashed a searing fireball from their Elfire tome, Angeyja's reflexes kicked in. With a deft movement, she raised her Eistla Staff, deflecting the fireball with ease.

"That's not going to scorch me," Angeyja quipped confidently, her voice laced with determination.

Summoning her fireball by twirling her Eistla Staff, Angeyja retaliated swiftly. She launched the fiery projectile at the Mage Infantry with precision aim, sending them crashing to the ground with a resounding thud.

But Angeyja's attention didn't linger on her fallen foe for long. Spotting the Bow Fighter aiming, she knew she had to act fast. With a burst of speed, she closed the distance between them, her resolve unwavering.

"Burn to ash!" Angeyja exclaimed, her voice ringing out with fierce determination as she unleashed another fireball from her staff. The fiery projectile struck true, engulfing the Bow Fighter in flames and sending them tumbling to the ground, their body adorned with burn marks.

Amidst the chaos of battle, a Curse Directive Thief hurled their daggers towards Angeyja with deadly precision. However, Angeyja's reflexes were as sharp as her wit. With a swift movement, she deflected the daggers effortlessly using her Eistla Staff.

"Is that all?" Angeyja taunted, a smirk playing on her lips as she faced her assailant.

Summoning her fiery prowess again, Angeyja conjured a blazing fireball with a flick of her staff. With a determined glare, she unleashed the fiery projectile at the Curse Directive Thief, declaring, "Go to blazes!"

The fireball struck its mark with unerring accuracy, engulfing the Thief in flames and knocking them to the ground in defeat.

Witnessing Angeyja's impressive display of skill, Ebony stepped forward, her voice filled with authority. "That's enough, Angeyja," she declared in a firm yet approving tone. "You've proven yourself in battle. You've passed the test."

Angeyja's smirk widened into a grin of satisfaction as she turned to Shade, her victory evident. "Looks like I'm officially a member of the Curse Directive," she remarked, her voice tinged with pride.

Ever the stoic one, Shade sighed in annoyance, his irritation palpable. "Do as you wish," he grumbled, resigned to Angeyja's triumph.

As Angeyja gracefully dismounted from her pegasus, she turned to Shade with a hopeful expression. "Does this mean we'll spend the rest of the day together?" she inquired eagerly.

Shade rolled his eyes, his reluctance was evident, but he couldn't deny Angeyja's request. "Fine," he conceded begrudgingly, unable to resist her enthusiasm.

As Ebony observed the two siblings walking to another part of the encampment, Ebony let out a smirk. "Well," she mused. "I'm sure they'll have some quality time for themselves."

Then, a plan formed in Ebony's mind as she reached for her pockets to grab a black jewel as it leaked out black miasma. "Perhaps I should take this time to visit Kiran and his so-called Heroes," she mused. "I will find his weakness eventually..."

---

Meanwhile, as Rosado guided his weary wyvern towards the coastline of Solm, Goldmary clung tightly to his back, her gaze scanning the horizon for any signs of pursuit. As they touched down on the sandy shore, Goldmary wasted no time in disembarking and planting her feet firmly on the beach.

Rosado, his demeanor as elegant as his feminine attire, turned to Goldmary with a calm reassurance. "Now that we're in Solm," he remarked, his voice carrying a hint of relief. "We should start looking around for Hortensia."

Goldmary nodded in agreement, her eyes flickering with concern as she assessed Rosado's weary wyvern. "But, your wyvern looks exhausted," she observed gently. "She needs to rest."

Rosado's expression hardened with determination, his resolve unyielding. "No can do. We can't afford to rest," he replied firmly. "Soldiers are pursuing us, and we need to deliver the Ring of the Azure Twins to Hortensia."

Before they could formulate a plan, their attention was drawn to the sudden appearance of two Elusian soldiers. Goldmary's voice rang out with urgency as she alerted Rosado to their presence.

"We've been spotted," Goldmary grimaced, her tone filled with urgency.

Rosado wasted no time in springing into action, his movements graceful yet swift. "Let's get moving," he declared, his voice resolute as he urged Goldmary to follow suit. "I'm sure we'll meet up with Hortensia sooner or later!"

With a sense of urgency propelling them forward, they set off once more, determined to fulfill their mission despite the looming threat of pursuit.

---

At the same time, Alear, Kiran, and the rest of the group emerged from the portal onto the sandy shores of the Azure Coast, they were greeted by the gentle lull of the ocean waves and the warmth of the sun on their skin. Timerra, ever the welcoming host, spoke up first.

"Welcome to the Azure Coast!" Timerra announced with a smile, gesturing towards the expanse of beach before them.

Kiran took a moment to soak in the surroundings, a nostalgic smile tugging at his lips. "It's been a while since I've been to a beach like this," he remarked, his tone reflective.

"I remember we once visited a beach like this with Alfonse, Sharena, and Commander Anna," Fjorm remarked as she reminisced about that particular event. "I even met with a version of Ylgr and Gunnthra wearing summer attires."

Seiðr nodded in agreement, her expression thoughtful. "Vanaheimr boasts similar beaches to Solm's," she added, her voice tinged with reminiscence as she turned her attention to Alear. "And it seems Alear notices something in the distance."

Alear's sharp eyes caught sight of something in the distance, her expression growing serious as she pointed towards the horizon. "Look," she exclaimed, her voice tense. "That fleet of Elusian warships is indeed heading towards Firene."

"Great," Fogado muttered as he observed the Elusian warship fleet sailing from the distance. "Another wave of Elusian party crashers, here to ruin our beach day."

Timerra's gaze followed Alear's outstretched finger, her brow furrowing in concern. "That confirms it," she observed, her tone wary. "And there's a search party of Elusian soldiers combing the beach.'

Kiran's mind whirled with possibilities as he surveyed the scene before them. "The question is," he mused aloud, his voice tinged with curiosity, "What is the search party looking for?"

Amidst the group's contemplation of Kiran's question, as Ivy rode her wyvern, her keen eyes caught sight of approaching figures on the horizon. With a sense of urgency, she alerted Alear and Kiran to their presence.

"Divine One, Kiran..." Ivy announced, her voice tinged with concern. "A woman and a man riding a wyvern are approaching us."

Hortensia's eyes widened with recognition as she focused on the approaching duo. "Hmm," she remarked, her tone filled with curiosity. "I think those two look familiar."

As the woman and the wyvern-riding man drew nearer, Hortensia disembarked from her pegasus and stepped forward to greet them, her expression one of both surprise and relief.

"Rosado... Goldmary?!" Hortensia called out, her voice filled with warmth and familiarity. "Is that you two?!"

Rosado's smile was gentle as he guided his wyvern to a graceful landing, acknowledging Hortensia's greeting with a nod of his head. "Hortensia!" he replied, his voice carrying a sense of nostalgia. "It's been a while."

Goldmary's concern was evident as she addressed Hortensia, her voice laced with worry. "Are you hurt?" she inquired, her eyes searching Hortensia's face for any signs of injury. "I was so worried..."

Hortensia's smile was bright and reassuring as she shook her head in response. "Not at all," she reassured them, her voice filled with genuine relief. "I'm just happy to see that the two of you are still alive."

Upon spotting Alear and Kiran, Rosado and Goldmary became wary of the presence. Sensing their discomfort, Hortensia stepped forward, her voice steady and reassuring. "I'm with the Divine One and Kiran now," she declared in a firm tone as she gestured towards her older sister. "And Ivy, my sister, is with them too."

As both retainers stared at Alear and Kiran, Rosado's suspicions lingered, his doubts weighing heavily on his mind. Leaning in close to Hortensia, he whispered in a hushed tone, his voice tinged with concern.

"Are you being held against your will?" Rosado whispered, his eyes searching hers for any sign of coercion. "If so, please blink three times."

Much to Rosado and Goldmary's surprise, Hortensia did not blink her eyes thrice. Instead, Hortensia met his gaze with unwavering resolve, her voice steady as she addressed his concerns head-on.

"Remember when the Hounds attacked us?" Hortensia reminded him, her tone gentle yet firm. "I think it was after we fled from Destinea Cathedral."

Goldmary nodded in agreement, her expression solemn as she recalled their ordeal. "It's true," she confirmed, her voice tinged with regret. "We were separated from you, Hortensia, and forced to fight for Elusia."

A soft smile graced Rosado's lips as he looked at Hortensia, a glimmer of relief shining in his eyes. "That's why we deserted the Elusian army to find you," he explained, his voice filled with sincerity.

After hearing Rosado and Goldmary's replies, Hortensia took a deep breath and cleared her throat before speaking, her voice filled with a mix of relief and lingering pain. "When I was separated from both of you, I fell into the clutches of Zephia, one of the Four Hounds," she explained. "She brainwashed me, forcing me to fight against my will in Solm Palace."

As the weight of Hortensia's revelation settled over the group, Goldmary's expression twisted with horror at the thought of her friend enduring such torment.

"How awful," Goldmary murmured, her voice filled with sympathy as she struggled to comprehend the extent of Hortensia's ordeal.

Hortensia nodded solemnly, her gaze meeting Goldmary's with a mixture of gratitude and sadness. "I know. I was aware of my own body moving against my will," she admitted, her voice tinged with emotion. "But thanks to Kiran summoning me as a Hero, I was freed from Zephia's control."

Rosado's attention shifted to Kiran, his eyes searching for confirmation of Hortensia's words. "Kiran," he inquired, his tone firm yet respectful. "Is what Princess Hortensia said true?"

With a solemn nod, Kiran reached for the Breidablik, the artifact shimmering in the sunlight as he held it aloft. "What Hortensia said is true," he confirmed, his voice steady. "I summoned her as a Hero to dispel the brainwashing inflicted upon her by Zephia."

Rosado's expression softened with relief as he absorbed Kiran's words, a sense of gratitude washing over him. "In that case, thank you for what you've done to free Hortensia from a cruel fate," he replied sincerely. "I'll be sure to draw you a portrait later on, as a token of my gratitude."

Kiran nodded in acknowledgment, a faint smile playing at the corners of his lips. "I'll keep that in mind," he replied, his tone humble yet appreciative.

Hortensia's gaze shifted to her loyal retainers, her voice soft but resolute as she addressed them. "I've decided to stand with the Divine One and Kiran Pathfinder," she explained in a steady tone. "Question is... As my retainers and my friends, will you join me?"

Rosado's response was immediate, his commitment unwavering as he nodded in agreement. "If that's what you want," he declared, his voice filled with loyalty. "Then, that's what I want too!"

Goldmary echoed his sentiments, her determination shining through in her words. "Whatever banner you're under," she vowed, her eyes shining with unwavering loyalty. "I'll be there to defend you with all my might."

A smile of gratitude spread across Hortensia's face as she looked at her faithful companions. "I knew I could count on you both," she said, her voice filled with warmth and appreciation.

As Hortensia mounted on top of her pegasus, Rosado retrieved the Ring of the Azure Twins from his pocket and presented it to Alear. As he did so, a sense of solemnity filled the air. As he stared at Alear and Kiran, Rosado's voice was tinged with remorse as he offered his apology for the actions he and Goldmary had taken.

"Divine One, Kiran... We apologize for fighting against you and your allies," Rosado began, his tone heavy with regret. "That's why we stole this Emblem Ring from the ship we were on."

Alear accepted the Emblem Ring, her gaze shifting to inspect it closely. After a moment of scrutiny, she nodded, her expression thoughtful.

"The Ring of the Azure Twins," Alear observed, her tone measured. "Hmm... I don't detect any traces of Sombron's taint in it."

"That's good to hear," Diamant remarked as he stared at the Ring of the Azure Twins. "That means the Emblem inside that ring can be awakened right away."

Goldmary stepped forward, her voice filled with sincerity as she addressed Alear. "Divine One, even though we intended to give the Emblem Ring to Hortensia," she admitted truthfully. "We both know it rightfully belongs to you."

Alear's gratitude was evident as she looked at Rosado and Goldmary, a sense of appreciation shining in her eyes. "Thank you both for your efforts," she said, her voice filled with genuine appreciation.

With a sense of purpose, Alear held the Ring of the Azure Twins aloft, her voice resonating with power as she chanted the incantation.

"Restore calm," Alear chanted. "Emblem of the Sacred!"

As the Ring of the Azure Twins bathed in a radiant light, the air around them shimmered with magic. From within the glow emerged two ethereal figures, a young man clad in blue armor and a young woman clad in red armor and white skirt, their presence imbued with otherworldly energy.

As the ethereal figures materialized before them, the woman in red spoke first, her voice carrying a sense of grace and determination. "Finally, I am returned to your side," she introduced herself, her presence emanating an aura of strength. "I am Emblem Eirika. I raise my sword in hopes that peace will come to this world at last."

Her counterpart, the man clad in blue armor, followed suit, his voice resonating with authority as he spoke. "And I am Emblem Ephraim," he declared, his gaze steady and resolute. "My twin sister and I will guide you like we did before."

Alear nodded in acknowledgment, her expression reflecting a sense of determination. "Emblem Eirika and Emblem Ephraim," she replied, her voice filled with confidence. "I will depend on both of you."

With a sense of purpose, Alear returned the Ring of the Azure Twins to Rosado, her gaze steady as she addressed him. "Rosado, if you want to earn my trust," she stated firmly, her tone unwavering. "You need to do your part."

Rosado's smile was genuine as he accepted the Emblem Ring, a sense of determination shining in his eyes. "I won't let you down, Divine One," he promised, his voice filled with sincerity. "I'll do my part!"

Just then, Alfred's sharp eyes caught sight of approaching Elusian soldiers, prompting him to issue a warning to Alear. "Um, I hate to say this," he cautioned, his voice tinged with urgency. "But, we have company!"

"T-those are Elusian soldiers!" Alcryst exclaimed as he readied his Arcane Darkbow. "They must be the search party!"

Celine's gaze flickered to the horizon, where the Corrupted soldiers appeared alongside the Elusian forces. With a sense of foreboding, she alerted Alear to their presence. "The Corrupted are here too," she reported, her voice filled with concern.

Then, Baldraz, the wise spirit residing within the Breidablik, gazed into the distance and spotted two figures, Mauvier and Marni, emerging on the sands. "Two of the Four Hounds are nearby," he warned Kiran and Alear, his voice tinged with a sense of urgency. "Get ready for battle."

Kiran nodded as the Breidablik glowed in a soft, white light, allowing him to telepathically communicate with Alear. As Kiran's telepathic voice resonated through the Breidablik, Alear felt a sense of reassurance.

'Is that Mauvier?' Alear thought. 'He did make a deal with us yesterday.'

'Yeah,' Kiran thought back as he stared at Mauvier from a distance. 'Based on what Veyle has told us, he is trustworthy. We just need to play along for now, if you understand what I mean.'

After hearing Kiran's thoughts, Alear turned to Kiran, her expression resolute. "In that case, it's time," she urged, her eyes reflecting the determination that burned within her. "Kiran, summon the Heroes we need for this upcoming battle."

Kiran, the cunning tactician, smirked confidently as he prepared to wield the power of the Breidablik. "I know just the Heroes to call upon," he replied, his voice carrying a hint of excitement.

As Kiran pulled the trigger, four orbs of radiant energy emerged from the Breidablik, each pulsating with elemental power. One red, two blue, and one colorless orb descended gracefully onto the beach's sandy shores.

With a commanding voice, Kiran chanted the incantation, his words echoing across the battlefield. "Gathering stars to call upon the princes and princesses from Renais, Frelia, and Rausten who call Magvel their home!" he chanted. "Become the path its light shines upon!"

As the orbs glowed with ethereal energy, the anticipation among the group grew palpable. Suddenly, the air around them shimmered with magic as two figures emerged from the orbs' radiant glow.

"How adorable!" Rosado spoke as he rode on his wyvern. "The way that Kiran summons his Heroes is worth drawing later on!"

Emblem Eirika, her presence exuding grace and determination, materialized from Rosado's Emblem Ring alongside Emblem Ephraim, their forms solidifying before the group's eyes.

"This is reminiscent of how an Emblem like us is summoned," Emblem Eirika remarked, her voice carrying a sense of recognition.

"Renais, Frelia, and Rausten?" Emblem Ephraim muttered. "But, that means..."

As Kiran completed his incantation, the air crackled with energy, and the four orbs transformed into swirling light portals. With a determined expression, Kiran called out the names of the Heroes he summoned.

"Hero Summon!" Kiran declared, his voice echoing across the beach. "I call forth Eirika, Ephraim, Innes, and L'Arachel into the battlefield!"

As the portals stabilized, Eirika, Ephraim, Innes, and L'Arachel stepped forth, commanding attention amidst the chaos of battle.

"My name is Eirika, the Restoration Lady, the Princess of Renais and Ephraim's twin sister," Eirika introduced herself as she readied her sword, Sieglinde. "I'm not fond of fighting, but I'll do my best to support your cause.

"I am Ephraim the Restoration Lord, the Prince of Renais, and Eirika's twin brother," Ephraim introduced himself as he readied his lance, Siegmund. "So, point me at my enemy. I'll get to work."

"I am Prince Innes of Frelia," Innes declared as he readied his bow, Nidhogg. "Not that I care, but... I'm glad you summoned me alongside Ephraim."

"Friends of justice! Allies of righteousness and order!" L'Arachel declared as she reared her horse and readied her tome, Ivaldi. "Know that I, L'Arachel, the beautiful princess of peerless beauty, have arrived!"

As Kiran summoned the Heroes from the World of Magvel, Emblem Eirika turned to Alear, her expression filled with curiosity. "Alear?" she inquired, her voice tinged with intrigue. "What did Kiran do exactly?"

Emblem Ephraim, ever the stalwart warrior, nodded in agreement. "I admit I'm quite curious as well," he added, his gaze fixed on the unfolding scene.

Alear offered a brief nod of understanding before addressing the ethereal Emblems. "Kiran possesses the ability to summon Heroes from different worlds," she explained, her tone calm yet resolute. "Emblems and Heroes have a lot in common."

As Eirika stared at her, Emblem Eirika's eyes widened in astonishment as she regarded her counterpart with newfound respect. "I see," she remarked, a sense of wonder coloring her words. "So, Eirika, right? You are my true basis."

Eirika met her Emblem self's gaze with a smile of acknowledgment. "Emblem Eirika, I always suspected we would meet eventually," she replied, her voice filled with a quiet determination. "It seems my intuition was correct."

"Commander Anna informed us of Emblems like you two and how you both are based on our likeness," Ephraim explained as he stared at his Emblem counterpart. "Anyway, I'm glad to meet you, Emblem Ephraim."

"The pleasure is ours," Emblem Ephraim replied to his true basis. "Especially that we're on the same side."

Innes glanced between Ephraim and Emblem Ephraim, his brows furrowing slightly. "Despite being informed by Commander Anna, I must admit," he said, his tone carrying a hint of discomfort, "For me, it's awkward to see two versions of Ephraim standing side-by-side."

L'Arachel, ever the lively Princess of Rausten, chimed in. "Indeed, Innes. Remember that we have encountered various versions of ourselves along with Eirika and Ephraim back in Askr," she said thoughtfully as she stared at Emblem Eirika and Emblem Ephraim. "But, what makes Emblems Eirika and Ephraim so different?"

The mood grew awkward, the silence hanging heavily in the air as everyone absorbed the implications of their words. The tension was palpable until Alear stepped forward, breaking the uneasy quiet.

"Innes, L'Arachel... We can worry about the details later," Alear told them urgently. "Right now, we have a battle to win."

Kiran nodded in agreement, his gaze sweeping over the assembled group. "Alright, fellas. Focus on the battle," he instructed in a clear and resolute tone. "The Corrupted and Elusian soldiers are approaching our position. We need to be ready."

A palpable sense of determination settled over the group as they focused on the impending conflict. Ephraim and Emblem Ephraim exchanged a knowing glance, their bond as Emblems and Heroes reinforced their resolve. Eirika and Emblem Eirika did the same, their eyes meeting in silent understanding.

"We will fight if we must," Eirika declared as she raised her Sieglinde skyward.

"I concur," Emblem Eirika agreed as she stared at the incoming Elusian and Corrupted soldiers. "My brother and I will do our best to guide you all."

"Trust me," Ephraim said, his voice steady as he gripped his Siegmund. "I don't pick fights I can't win!"

"I agree," Emblem Ephraim echoed, his ethereal form brimming with confidence. "We'll guide you all in taking them on!"

"Hmph," Innes muttered as he readied his Nidhogg. "There is nothing my arrows cannot pierce."

"I will show you the splendor that is L'Arachel in action!" L'Arachel declared, her eyes shining with determination as she readied her Ivaldi tome. "Let these foes bear witness to our might!"

"That's the spirit, fellas!" Kiran interjected as he readied his Breidablik. "Let's show the enemies that we're not to be messed with!"

And so, Alear, Kiran, and the rest of their allies prepared for the clash as the Corrupted and Elusian soldiers drew closer. Once a serene landscape, the beach of the Azure Coast became the stage for a fierce battle where Emblems and Heroes would fight side by side against the approaching band of Elusian and Corrupted soldiers.

---

In an outcrop overlooking the beach of the Azure Coast, Ebony, the Shadow Director of the Curse Directive, manifested herself in Elyos using the black jewel. As Ebony got to look at her surroundings, she saw on one side of the beach, Alear and Kiran's group, and Mauvier and Marni along with their Elusian and Corrupted soldiers on the other side.

A devious smirk formed on Ebony's face as the two opposing armies were about to clash.

"Oh?" Ebony mused as she observed the two opposing forces about to clash. "This is going to be interesting."

---

Meanwhile, in the serene setting of the Aether Resort, Male Alear and Veyle sat together, enjoying their breakfast. The morning sun bathed the area in a warm, golden light, making the peaceful surroundings even more idyllic.

Male Alear took a sip of his tea, and then curiously glanced at Veyle. "Where were you yesterday, Veyle?" he asked, setting his cup down.

Veyle looked up from her plate of curry with a thoughtful expression. "Kiran summoned me back to Elyos to meet up with someone," she replied, her voice calm and measured.

Intrigued, Male Alear leaned forward slightly. "I see," he replied. "Veyle, who did you meet?"

Veyle hesitated for a moment before answering. "You see," she explained. "I met with one of the Four Hounds, Mauvier."

Male Alear's eyes widened in surprise. "Mauvier?" he replied. "I remember seeing him when I went inside your mind."

Veyle nodded, her gaze distant as she recalled the memory. "Yes, Mauvier has always been loyal to me," she replied. "At one point, I even asked him to be my knight."

Male Alear pondered this for a moment, his brow furrowing in thought. "In that case," he asked, a hint of curiosity in his voice. "Is Mauvier your unofficial retainer of sorts?"

A smile tugged at the corners of Veyle's lips. "Something like that," she said softly, her eyes twinkling with a hint of amusement. "Mauvier has always been by my side ever since I woke up from my long slumber, even when things were at their darkest."

Male Alear nodded thoughtfully, appreciating the loyalty that Mauvier seemed to embody. "I'm glad someone like Mauvier was there when you woke up from your deep slumber," he remarked. "It must be comforting to have someone so dedicated to you."

Veyle's smile widened slightly. "It is," she agreed. "Mauvier's loyalty has been a beacon of hope for me, especially when I felt most lost."

They continued their breakfast in companionable silence, each lost in their thoughts. The tranquility of the Aether Resort provided a perfect backdrop for their conversation, a moment of peace amidst the chaos of their world.

As Male Alear and Veyle savored their breakfast, their attention was drawn to the restaurant's front door. Alfonse, Sharena, Commander Anna, and Dagr entered the Aether Resort, their presence filling the room with lively energy.

Sharena was the first to speak, her voice cheerful. "It's been a while," she said, addressing Male Alear and Veyle with a warm smile. "I'll ask the Heroes in here to cook up food for us."

"Go ahead, Sharena," Alfonse replied. "We'll find a table for all of us."

As Alfonse, Commander Anna, and Dagr sat at a nearby table, Veyle observed the newcomer, her eyes lighting up. "It's nice to see the Askr trio again," she replied, her tone genuinely pleased as she stared at Dagr. "But, I've never seen her before."

Male Alear, however, found his gaze lingering on Dagr. "We both know about Alfonse, Sharena, and Commander Anna," he said, his curiosity evident. "But, even I don't know who she is."

As she heard Veyle and Male Alear talking about her, Dagr stepped forward to their table. "Yo, I'm Dagr, Princess of Jötunheimr," she introduced herself, her voice friendly yet commanding. "It's nice to meet both of you."

Veyle nodded, her expression welcoming. "I'm Veyle," she introduced herself. "Nice meeting you too, Dagr."

"And I'm Alear a Divine Dragon from the World of Elyos," Male Alear introduced himself. "But I prefer to be called Male Alear because of my female counterpart."

Dagr grinned broadly, her enthusiasm contagious. "I gotcha! I'll be off at the counter," she announced, already heading in that direction. "Alfster, I wonder why your sis is taking so long to choose our breakfast?"

Male Alear watched her go, then turned back to Veyle. "We're eating our breakfast too," he remarked, a hint of amusement in his voice as he saw Sharena returning from the counter. "And it seems Sharena came back just in time."

Just as Male Alear said, Sharena returned with two Heroes, Cherche, and Oscar, accompanying her, with all three of them carrying trays of food and drinks.

"Sorry for being late," Sharena sheepishly smiled as she gestured towards Cherche and Oscar. "Plus, I also ordered more food for Male Alear and an especially spicy curry for Veyle!"

"I see," Male Alear replied. "Thank you, Sharena."

"Thanks for the curry," Veyle replied as she received her plate. "I always love spicy food, after all."

"Aw, don't thank me," Sharena replied. "After all, Cherche and Oscar agreed to cook our breakfast."

"It isn't a big deal at all," Cherche replied as she placed the food on Alfonse, Sharena, Commander Anna, and Dagr's table. "I love to cook."

"The same goes for me," Oscar added as he placed the additional trays on Male Alear and Veyle's table. "After all, my skills lie mainly in... Hmm, let's see... I guess, cooking for everyone? Anyway, Cherche and I have to be somewhere else. I hope you all enjoy your meals."

As Cherche and Oscar left the area, the group ate their breakfast, adding to the sense of camaraderie. As they settled in and quickly ate their meals, the room buzzed with the sounds of their animated conversations and the clinking of cutlery against plates.

Sharena glanced at Male Alear and Veyle's plates. "So," she asked, curiosity piqued. "How's the food here?"

Veyle smiled when she listened to Male Alear's question. "It's wonderful," she replied. "I always come back here whenever a Hero can cook spicy food."

Alfonse nodded in agreement. "The Aether Resort never disappoints," he said, reaching for a piece of toast. "Especially if a Hero cooks the meals."

Commander Anna leaned back in her chair, surveying the room with a satisfied expression. "It's good to see everyone together like this," she said. "These moments of peace are precious."

Male Alear nodded with a thoughtful gaze. "They are," he agreed. "Especially with everything that's happening."

Dagr returned to the table, a plate heaped with food, which was comprised of meat and sweets. "Got to fuel up for the day ahead!" she declared, her grin wide. "I'm digging this breakfast already!"

As Dagr quickly ate her food, Veyle and Male Alear noticed how passionate Dagr was as she ate her breakfast. Her assortment of food and drinks meant that she wasn't that picky about what food she ate on the table.

Veyle chuckled softly. "Um," she stated. "You're certainly enthusiastic at eating your food, Dagr."

Dagr shrugged good-naturedly. "It's just how I am," she replied, digging into her meal with gusto. "After all, I'm heading towards the Training Tower to blow off some steam!"

"Sounds good," Veyle replied as she glanced at Male Alear. "Can we come along?"

"Sure!" Dagr replied. "I don't mind having you two with me to the Training Tower!"

"I'm glad we agree!" Commander Anna spoke. "After all, Alfonse, Sharena, and I have other duties to do for today!"

"We'll check up on you three once our tasks are complete," Alfonse added. "You three have a great time."

"So, don't worry!" Sharena exclaimed. "I'm sure you three will have fun in the Training Tower!"

The group continued their breakfast, their conversations flowing easily. It was a rare moment of tranquility, a brief respite from the battles and challenges they faced. At that moment, surrounded by friends and allies, Male Alear and Veyle felt a sense of belonging and camaraderie that strengthened their resolve for the days ahead.

---

Back on the beaches of Solm's Azure Coast, the tension was palpable as Marni and Mauvier patrolled with their squadron of Elusian and Corrupted soldiers. The midday sun cast long shadows across the sand, and the sound of the waves was a stark contrast to the impending clash. From a distance, they spotted Alear and Kiran's group, their figures distinct against the bright horizon.

Marni's eyes narrowed as she recognized the stolen Emblem Ring now in Alear's possession. "So, those good-for-nothing traitors handed over the ring," she spat, her voice dripping with contempt. "They will pay with their lives."

Mauvier glanced at her, his expression calm but wary. "I saw Kiran summon his Heroes," he noted, his voice steady and composed. "They've bolstered their ranks considerably."

Marni scowled, her frustration evident. "I don't care how many Heroes they have," she scoffed. "I still want to take back the Emblem Ring those traitors stole."

Mauvier shifted his gaze back to Alear and Kiran's army, assessing their strength. "We can attempt," he said cautiously, "But if our Elusian and Corrupted soldiers are routed, we must retreat. There's no point in a futile battle."

Marni sighed, her grip tightening on her Hurricane Axe. "Fine," she muttered, her voice tinged with resignation. "But I need to vent my anger. This will have to do."

Mauvier gave a curt nod, signaling their troops to prepare. The Elusian and Corrupted soldiers moved into formation, their dark armor glinting menacingly in the sunlight.

As they advanced towards Alear and Kiran's group, Marni couldn't help but feel a surge of anticipation. She wanted to punish the traitors, to reclaim what was stolen, and to unleash her fury.

---

On the other side of the Azure Coast, Alear and Kiran's group steeled themselves as the Elusian and Corrupted soldiers charged towards them. The clash of steel and the roar of battle filled the air, mingling with the sound of crashing waves. Kiran's eyes darted around, taking in the battlefield and the rising tide that partially immersed the sandy ground with seawater.

Kiran turned to Alear, his voice urgent. "Alear, be careful. The tide is rising," he warned. "Don't fight enemies while wading in the water; it will slow you down."

Alear, after dispatching a Corrupted soldier with a swift strike, nodded. "I understand, Kiran," she acknowledged. "Water can impede our movement."

Rosado, perched atop his wyvern, let out a confident grin. "Not to worry!" he exclaimed. "Water isn't going to be a problem for us flyers."

Hortensia, riding her pegasus, echoed his sentiment. "I agree," she replied. "Ivy, Rosado and I can fight in the water without any issues thanks to our flying mounts."

Ivy, reining in her wyvern, glanced over at them. "We must take advantage of this while we can," she said in a resolute tone. "We'll handle the enemies in the water."

Kiran nodded, grateful for their aerial support. "Then it's up to you three," he replied. "We'll hold the line here on the shore."

As the tide continued to rise, the battlefield became a chaotic mix of water and sand. Alear and the ground troops maintained their position on the shore, fending off the advancing soldiers with practiced precision. Meanwhile, Rosado, Hortensia, and Ivy soared above the waterlogged battleground, picking off enemies with swift aerial maneuvers.

Rosado swooped down, his lance striking true as he knocked an Elusian soldier into the surf. "This is almost too easy," he called out, his voice carrying over the sounds of battle.

Hortensia, using her magic from above, cast a spell that took out a group of Corrupted soldiers struggling in the rising water. "Stay focused, Rosado," she admonished, though her tone held a note of pride. "We can't afford to be careless."

Ivy, her wyvern gliding effortlessly over the waves, targeted a cluster of enemies with a well-aimed barrage of icicles. "They're struggling in the water. Let's keep the pressure on."

Down on the shore, Alear fought alongside Kiran, their coordination seamless. "They're doing great up there," Alear said, blocking an incoming attack before countering with a swift strike.

Kiran nodded, firing off shots from his Breidablik at an Elusian Mage Calvary that was about to attack him. "They are," he replied. "Let's make sure we hold our own down here."

The battle raged on, but with the combined efforts of the ground troops and the aerial fighters, Alear and Kiran's group began to turn the tide against the Elusian and Corrupted soldiers. The rising water that once threatened to hinder them now became an advantage, exploited by their quick-thinking and versatile tactics.

The determination and unity of Alear and Kiran's group shone through as the enemy forces started to dwindle. They fought with renewed vigor, knowing that victory was within their grasp.

A massive Corrupted dragon-like beast burst from the ground, its scales shimmering with a dark, ominous light. It joined the ranks of the Elusian and Corrupted soldiers, its roar shaking the very air around them as it menacingly advanced on Alear and Kiran's group.

Kiran's eyes widened as he took in the fearsome sight. "Alear," he wondered aloud. "What kind of enemy is that?"

"Kiran, from what I remember reading in the books back at Lythos, that's a Corrupted wyrm," Alear replied grimly as she stared at the Corrupted creature. "As the name implies, it was once a living dragon, brought back by Sombron's Fell Dragon magic."

Baldraz's voice echoed from within Kiran's Breidablik. "In that case," he replied. "We need to be careful. We don't yet know what its capabilities are."

Just then, Kiran noticed Rosado flying on his wyvern towards the Corrupted wyrm. Concern flickered across his face. "Rosado..." he muttered. "I hope he knows what he's doing."

Rosado, undeterred by the beast's size, swooped in with his lance at the ready. "I've got this!" he shouted, determination clear in his voice.

Riding atop his wyvern, Rosado zeroed in on the massive Corrupted wyrm. The Corrupted wyrm tried to swipe Rosado off his wyvern, but Rosado managed to dodge such an attack. The beast's dark presence loomed ominously, but Rosado's determination burned brighter.

"While our side's cuter," Rosado quipped. "The enemy's side might be tougher."

Just then, Emblem Eirika manifested from the Ring of the Azure Twins, her ethereal form radiating a calming, powerful presence. "Rosado," she began, "Since you are using my Emblem Ring, I can grant you the ability to pierce a portion of the enemy's defenses."

Rosado smirked, gripping his Steel Greataxe tightly. "That's good enough for me," he replied, his eyes gleaming with resolve.

As Rosado readied his weapon, the Corrupted wyrm launched a dark breath attack, the noxious fumes swirling toward him. Despite the weight of his Steel Greataxe, Rosado's reflexes kicked in, and he skillfully maneuvered his wyvern to dodge the deadly breath.

"Nice try!" Rosado shouted, adrenaline pumping through his veins. He closed the distance swiftly, the Steel Greataxe glinting menacingly in the sunlight. With a mighty swing, he brought the axe down onto the wyrm, the strike empowered by Eirika's magic.

The blade bit deeply into the beast's scales, sending a shockwave through its body. The wyrm roared in agony, staggering from the force of the blow. Though severely wounded, it remained standing, its eyes burning with rage.

As the Corrupted wyrm reeled from Rosado's powerful strike, Rosado tightened his grip on his Steel Greataxe and remarked, "That monster is tougher than it looks."

Suddenly, Emblem Eirika's voice cut through his focus. "Rosado, watch out!" she exclaimed. "An Elusian Bow Infantry is aiming at you!"

Before Rosado could react, the Elusian Bow Infantry, poised with a Silver Bow, was struck down by a swift arrow. Almost simultaneously, a brilliant orb of light obliterated the weakened Corrupted wyrm. Rosado turned quickly to see Innes and L'Arachel standing resolutely, the former lowering his Nidhogg bow and the latter closing her Ivaldi tome.

"Thank you!" Rosado said he breathed a sigh of relief. "You two saved my hide back there!"

Innes nodded, his expression composed yet focused. "You created the opening," he replied. "I just took advantage of it."

"Innes and I have arrived!" L'Arachel smiled brightly, a hint of pride in her eyes. "Together, we shall purge this beach of unsightly enemies."

Rosado returned the smile, his confidence bolstered by their presence. "Let's keep up the pressure and push these enemies back," he remarked. "The battle's just begun."

"We will guide you, Rosado," Emblem Eirika suggested. "Engage with me and my brother!"

"Sure!" Rosado replied as the Ring of the Azure Twins began to glow brightly. "Cuteness... combined!"

Upon doing so, Rosado jumped off from his wyvern as he assumed his Engage form, floating in the air in the process. Then, a Rapier appeared in his hands. Rosado took a moment to flourish the Rapier in front of Innes and L'Arachel.

"Hmph," Innes muttered as he saw Rosado's Engage form. "So, that's how you Engage with an Emblem."

"It's a work of art!" L'Arachel exclaimed as her eyes shone in excitement. "I sure hope Kiran can summon an Emblem someday! I wait for the day to have myself Engaged with an Emblem!"

"I'm sure you'll Engage with an Emblem someday!" Rosado cheerfully replied as he readied his Rapier against incoming Elusian and Corrupted soldiers. "Now, let's show these enemies how cute we are!"

---

Amidst the chaos of battle, Goldmary squared off against an Elusian Mage Cavalry and a Corrupted Sword Infantry, her Silver Sword gleaming in the sunlight. The Elusian Mage Cavalry raised their Thoron tome, a crackling lightning bolt surging forth.

Goldmary darted to the side, narrowly avoiding the deadly strike, but found herself immediately confronted by the Corrupted Sword Infantry, their Steel Sword descending with lethal intent. Goldmary barely managed to block the attack, the force of the clash sending vibrations up her arm.

"Hmph," Goldmary gritted her teeth. "Don't make me angry."

Just as she began to push back, a familiar voice rang out. "Coming through!" Ephraim charged in, his lance Siegmund poised for attack. With a powerful thrust, he drove the Corrupted Sword Infantry away from Goldmary, giving her the much-needed respite.

At the same moment, Eirika dashed towards the Elusian Mage Cavalry, her sword Sieglinde glowing with energy. "Now it's my turn!" she declared, slashing through the Mage Cavalry with swift precision, the foe collapsing in the beach sands.

Goldmary took a breath, nodding to the Renais twins. "Thanks," she said to Eirika and Ephraim. "I needed that."

"My brother and I are happy to help," Eirika replied. "I'm glad we arrived in time to help you."

"I'm glad we saved you," Ephraim reassured her. "Eirika and I will take care of them."

As Goldmary watched Eirika and Ephraim dispatch the Elusian Mage Cavalry and the Corrupted Sword Infantry with remarkable skill, a familiar sight caught her eye. Hortensia, riding her pegasus, swooped down gracefully beside her. With a flourish of her Arcane Charmer, Hortensia cast a healing spell, mending Goldmary's injuries.

Goldmary felt relief as she looked up at her friend and retainer. "Thank you, Hortensia. I needed that," she said, gratitude evident in her voice. "By the way, do you know anything about Eirika and Ephraim?"

Hortensia gave a slight shrug, her eyes glancing at the twin heroes who had just saved Goldmary. "I barely know them myself," she admitted, her tone thoughtful. "But because they are fellow Heroes summoned by Kiran, I trust them. If Kiran summoned them, they must be reliable."

Goldmary nodded, still processing the whirlwind of the battle and the new allies. "I guess I have a lot to learn about Kiran and his Heroes," she mused, watching as Eirika and Ephraim regrouped and prepared for the next wave of enemies.

Hortensia's gaze shifted, and her expression turned serious as she spotted another group of Elusian and Corrupted soldiers advancing towards them. "We need to regroup with Eirika and Ephraim," she said firmly. "More enemies are coming our way."

Goldmary tightened her grip on her Silver Sword, determination burning in her eyes. "Right, Hortensia," she agreed, following Hortensia as they moved to join their newfound allies. "I am prepared."

---

Meanwhile, Alear, Kiran, Fjorm, and Seiðr fought side-by-side, taking down any Elusian and Corrupted soldier that foolishly charged them. Amid the chaos, Baldraz's voice echoed from within Kiran's Breidablik, a note of urgency in his tone. "Everyone," he warned. "Marni and Mauvier are approaching shortly."

Sure enough, Marni and Mauvier came into view, striding purposefully toward Alear, Kiran, Fjorm, and Seiðr. Marni's eyes gleamed with a mix of malice and arrogance as she stared at Alear and Kiran.

"Well, well, well," Marni sneered. "While we did come here to hunt down the traitors who stole the Emblem Ring, I can't pass up the opportunity to take down the Divine One and Kiran Pathfinder for humiliating me back at Solm Palace."

Alear, Fjorm, and Seiðr narrowed their eyes, their stances growing more defensive. Alear stepped forward, her Libération sword glinting in the sunlight as she pointed it at Marni. "Insult me all you want, Marni," she warned. "But I will not allow you to harm Kiran."

Fjorm tightened her grip on her lance, Leiptr, her expression fierce. "I'll protect Kiran with everything I have," she declared, her voice steady and resolute.

Seiðr, her goddess-like aura radiating power, nodded in agreement. "And I will also protect Kiran with my powers as a goddess."

Marni scoffed, her eyes flicking dismissively over the group. "Such loyalty. It's almost touching," she said mockingly, raising her Hurricane Axe. "But loyalty won't save you from what's coming."

Then, before Marni could even attack, the skies above the Azure Coast began to darken ominously. Shadows twisted and pooled on the ground, and from these black pools emerged several Curse Directive soldiers, their malevolent presence adding a new layer of danger to the battlefield.

Kiran's eyes widened in alarm. "Gods!" he exclaimed, his grip tightening on Breidablik. "The Curse Directive is here!"

Marni's frustration boiled over. "I'm not done with you yet!" she shouted, glaring at Alear and Kiran.

Mauvier stepped closer to Marni, his expression grave. "Marni, we should withdraw from the area," he urged quietly, his tone brooking no argument.

Marni scowled, her anger barely contained. "But, Mauvier..." she retorted, her voice filled with venom. "We haven't even punished the traitors who stole the Emblem Ring from the ship!"

Mauvier's eyes hardened as he shook his head. "Marni, there is no more time," he replied sternly. "More of these Curse Directive enemies will appear. Since our survival is the highest priority, we must leave... now."

As she reluctantly listened to Mauvier, Marni shot one last glare at Alear, Kiran, Fjorm, and Seiðr, her eyes blazing with unspoken threats. "Next time, you won't be so lucky," she spat before reluctantly retreating. "I'll have our soldiers deal with you lot. Next time, though? You're all dead... Super-duper dead!"

As Marni and Mauvier withdrew, Mauvier glanced back at Alear and Kiran, a subtle but significant look passing between them. It was a silent reminder of the deal he had made with them the previous day, a deal that meant he was, in truth, on their side.

As Marni and Mauvier retreated from the Azure Coast, more Curse Directive soldiers emerged from the dark pools around Alear and Kiran's group, their sinister presence sending a chill through the air.

Fjorm, her Leiptr poised for battle, looked puzzled at the retreating figures. "Kiran?" she wondered aloud. "Why did Marni and Mauvier leave so quickly?"

Seiðr, her goddess-like aura shimmering with curiosity, nodded in agreement. "And why did Mauvier glance at Alear and Kiran as they retreated?" she added, her voice tinged with suspicion.

Kiran, firing magic bolts from his Breidablik, kept his eyes on the approaching enemies. "I'll answer those questions later," he replied, his tone focused and urgent. "Right now, we have to deal with three different enemy factions."

Alear, her Libération sword flashing as she struck down a Corrupted soldier, spoke up. "We have to deal with not only Elusian and Corrupted enemies but also Curse Directive soldiers," she reminded the group, her voice steady despite the chaos. "This battle has become a three-way fight."

Kiran nodded, his eyes narrowing as he aimed at another target. "Since the Curse Directive soldiers are here, it means Ebony or Shade is nearby," he remarked, his voice carrying a note of anticipation.

As the Curse Directive soldiers charged at them, Alear readied her sword and looked at Kiran. "Either Ebony or Shade will show up once we've taken down enough enemies," she said with determination.

Kiran, his Breidablik glowing as it unleashed another bolt at a Curse Directive Sword Armor, glanced at Alear and smiled grimly. "I couldn't agree more," he replied. "Let's clear the field."

Fjorm and Seiðr moved to flank Alear and Kiran, their weapons at the ready. Fjorm's icy lance, Leiptr, cut through the air, freezing and shattering Corrupted soldiers with each strike. "We'll hold them off together," she declared, her voice resolute.

Seiðr, her magical aura bright and commanding, nodded. "Yes, we'll protect each other and overcome this threat," she affirmed, casting powerful spells to decimate the Curse Directive soldiers.

The battlefield became a flurry of motion and magic as Alear, Kiran, Fjorm, and Seiðr fought side by side, their synergy and strength holding the line against the overwhelming forces. With each enemy they felled, they grew closer to facing the greater threat looming in the shadows, determined to stand united and emerge victorious.

---

On another side of the beach, Rosado was flying high above the chaotic battlefield in his Engage form, was a whirlwind of steel and determination as he struck down every Elusian and Corrupted soldier in his path.

Then, he felt his power fading away as he reverted to his normal form, with the Rapier in his hand reverting into a Steel Greataxe. Fortunately, his wyvern, Camille, was following him closely since he Engaged with Emblems Eirika and Ephraim earlier and Rosado was able to ride his wyvern in midair.

"That was exhilarating!" Rosado exclaimed as he stared at the Ring of the Azure Twins. "So, that's how Engaging feels like. Too bad it's only temporary."

"My apologies," Emblem Eirika replied as she manifested from the Ring of the Azure Twins. "Engaging with an Emblem puts a strain on your body. That's why it's only temporary."

"That's okay," Rosado replied as he steadied his wyvern. "At least we managed to take down the enemies while being adorable!"

As the tides flowed in the beach once again, Rosado's wyvern roared, cutting through the air with swift, deadly precision. Suddenly, Rosado noticed several soldiers clad in unfamiliar uniforms emerging from the pools of darkness spreading across the ground.

"Who are these guys?" Rosado muttered, his brow furrowing. "I don't recognize them as Corrupted or even Elusians."

As Rosado voiced his confusion at the new enemies, Emblem Eirika, her ethereal form shimmering in the sunlight, shook her head. "I have no idea who they are," she admitted, her voice tinged with concern.

Emblem Ephraim also shook his head as he materialized alongside Emblem Eirika. "Surely, they're not Elusian or Corrupted," he said cautiously. "Be careful."

"Wait, these enemies are familiar," Innes said as he stared at the enemies clad in black with gold outlines. "These are Curse Directive soldiers."

"I recognize them as well," L'Arachel said as she readied her Ivaldi tome. "These vile cretins started a fiasco between the Kingdom of Askr and the Emblian Empire some time ago. This is my first time fighting them on Elyos."

Then, the two Curse Directive soldiers, a Bow Fighter, and a Mage Infantry charged at Rosado, Innes, and L'Arachel.

The Bow Fighter acted first, setting their sights on Rosado and aiming at him with their Silver Bow. Having anticipated this, Innes readied his Nidhogg bow and fired an arrow at the Bow Fighter, striking their heart and slumping down on the beach sands.

"Thanks for the opening," Inne scoffed as he steadied his Nidhogg bow.

Meanwhile, the Mage Infantry conjured a fireball from their Elfire tome at L'Arachel. Letting out a smirk, L'Arachel conjured a bright flash of light from her Ivaldi tome, making the Mage Infantry lose their concentration and misfire their spell, sending the fireball careening into the beach sands. Sensing an opportunity, L'Arachel retaliated by casting a searing ray of light from her Ivaldi tome, disintegrating the Mage Infantry.

"I've passed my judgment!" L'Arachel declared as she reared her horse, having been victorious.

Then, several Curse Directive soldiers lunged at Rosado, Innes, and L'Arachel, their weapons glinting menacingly. The trio barely had time to raise their weapons when Diamant, armed with his Fair-Fight Blade, and Ivy, armed with her Icebound Tome and riding her majestic wyvern, swooped to aid them. Diamant slashed through one of the attackers with a decisive blow, while Ivy launched a flurry of magical attacks from above.

"For the pride of Brodia!" Diamant declared as his Fair-Fight Blade glowed red-hot.

"I'll make this quick!" Ivy declared as she conjured several icicles with her Icebound Tome.

As Diamant and Ivy took down the two enemies, Rosado approached them on his wyvern. "Thanks for the save!" he said to Diamant and Ivy. "Do you know anything more about the Curse Directive?"

Ivy, guiding her wyvern closer to Rosado, called out. "Yes," she explained. "The Curse Directive are enemies from Kiran's world, Zenith."

"We fought the Curse Directive several times before," Diamant said as he steadied his Fair-Fight Blade. "Their leader, Ebony, has a grudge against Kiran."

Emblem Eirika nodded gratefully. "Thank you for the information," she said, her voice calm yet appreciative. "So, these are the Curse Directive..."

Rosado, swinging his axe to fend off another attacker, glanced at Ivy. "Curse Directive soldiers, huh?" he remarked, his eyes narrowing in focus. "That explains why I've never seen them before."

"Be careful," Ivy warned, her eyes scanning the battlefield. "They're just as dangerous as the Corrupted, if not more."

"Stay on guard, Rosado," Emblem Ephraim added. "We'll guide you as best we can."

"And since Kiran summoned us to aid you all," Innes said. "L'Arachel and I will do our part."

"Fear not, friends and allies of justice!" L'Arachel declared bombastically. "As long as I, L'Arachel, still stand, we shall be victorious!"

Rosado nodded as he tightened his grip on his axe, steeling himself for the battle ahead. "Got it," he said resolutely. "Let's show these Curse Directive soldiers what we've got!"

---

On another side of the chaotic beach, Alfred, Celine, Alcryst, Timerra, and Fogado fought valiantly against the relentless waves of Elusian and Corrupted soldiers. The clash of weapons and the crackle of magic filled the air as they battled to hold their ground.

"Scatter like petals!" Alfred declared as he took down an Elusian soldier using his Arcane Qiang.

At the same time, Alcryst and an Elusian Bow Fighter were firing arrows at each other. But, Alcryst had the upper hand and managed to find an opening the moment the Elusian Bow Fighter fired their arrow.

"I hope this is enough!" Alcryst muttered as he fired an arrow from his Arcane Darkbow at the Elusian Bow Fighter, hitting its mark and striking down the enemy soldier.

Alfred, atop his trusty horse, reared back and expertly thrust his lance, Arcane Qiang, into a Corrupted soldier, felling the creature with a decisive strike. As the soldier crumpled to the ground, Alfred's eyes scanned their surroundings with unease. "Something is wrong here," he muttered, his voice tinged with concern.

Nearby, Celine unleashed a powerful blast from her Joyous Tome, obliterating an Elusian Mage in a burst of light. As the mage fell, she noticed the ominous pools of darkness forming around them. "These pools," she called out, her voice carrying over the din of battle, "They're surrounding us."

Timerra, her Silver Lance gleaming in the sunlight, readied herself for the next attack. "There's only one enemy faction that uses black pools," she remarked, her tone grim.

As if on cue, more enemies emerged from the inky darkness. Soldiers clad in the eerie insignia of the Curse Directive stepped forth, their eyes cold and determined.

Celine's eyes widened in recognition. "These are Curse Directive soldiers!" she confirmed, her voice filled with a mix of shock and resolve.

"Get ready, everyone!" Alfred declared as Curse Directive soldiers started fighting not only their group but also the Elusian and Corrupted soldiers nearby.

As the battle quickly became three-way, one of the Curse Directive Mage Infantry set their sights on Celine and fired a bolt of lightning from their Elthunder tome. Having anticipated the attack, Celine managed to deflect the lightning with her magic from her Joyous Tome. Then, Celine retaliated by casting a shock wave at the Curse Directive Mage Infantry.

"You need pruning!" Celine declared as her magic attack hit its mark, taking down the Curse Directive Mage Infantry.

Alcryst, perched at a vantage point, nocked an arrow to his Arcane Darkbow and fired, striking down one of the Curse Directive Bow Fighters with deadly precision. "This isn't good at all," he commented, his voice strained with worry. "M-more of Curse Directive soldiers keep showing up."

Fogado, ever the pragmatist, took in the scene with a quick, assessing glance as he readied his Killer Bow. "I agree," he said, his tone serious. "We're up against three different enemy factions in the same battle. This is going to be a tough fight."

---

As Kiran, Alear, Fjorm, and Seiðr fought off the relentless assault of Elusian, Curse Directive, and Corrupted enemies, the clash of weapons and the roar of battle filled the air. Suddenly, Ebony, a sinister figure cloaked in darkness, leaped from one of the rocky outcrops and landed gracefully on the beach sands before them.

"Kiran Pathfinder," Ebony taunted as she readied her Örmt tome. "How fortunate for me to find you on this beach."

Kiran, his Breidablik raised, responded with a mix of exasperation and determination. "Hello Ebony," he greeted her with contempt. "Don't you have anything better to do than try to kill me?"

Ebony let out a smirk, her lips curling in a cold, cruel smile. "As the Shadow Director, I've made it the Curse Directive's goal to see you die," she sneered. "I will not stop until you are dead."

With a snap of her fingers, multiple wingless and winged draconic women emerged from pools of darkness, their forms twisting and shifting as they stepped onto the battlefield. In an instant, they transformed into their true dragon forms, towering over Kiran, Alear, Fjorm, and Seiðr, their scales glistening ominously.

"These dragons..." Ebony explained, her voice dripping with malice, "They were once living Emblian manaketes that your Order of Heroes has slain over the years. Now, I have brought them back under the banner of the Curse Directive to have their vengeance."

Alear's eyes widened as she gripped her Libération sword tighter. "Dragons... brought back from the dead?" she muttered. "Just like with the Corrupted wyrms... This is... beyond vile."

Fjorm, steadying her lance, Leiptr, glanced at Kiran. "We have to be careful," she said, her voice firm. "These dragons will be powerful. Kiran, we've fought several of them back when Nifl and Muspell were at war."

Seiðr, her divine aura glowing faintly, nodded in agreement. "Their rage will make them formidable foes," she added, her eyes narrowing at the approaching dragons.

As their group found themselves surrounded by Ebony and her formidable manakete army, Alear turned to Kiran, her expression tense. "Kiran," she asked. "Do these manaketes behave like the ones we faced back at Lumera's Grand Hero Battle?"

Kiran nodded, his eyes scanning the battlefield. "Yes, Emblian manaketes use their breath weapons for their attacks," he affirmed. "Stay vigilant."

Ebony's chilling laugh cut through the air as she raised her Örmt tome. "Manaketes, in the name of the Curse Directive," she declared. "Kill Kiran and his allies!"

The dragons roared in unison, charging at Alear, Fjorm, and Seiðr, exhaling torrents of destructive breath. Alear dodged a blast of fire, her sword flashing as she struck down one of the manaketes. Fjorm's lance, Leiptr, glowed with icy power as she impaled another dragon, while Seiðr's divine magic obliterated a third.

Amidst the chaos, Kiran and Ebony engaged in a fierce duel. Ebony fired dark bolts from her Örmt, each one crackling with malevolent energy. Kiran retaliated with precise shots of magic from his Breidablik, their attacks clashing in a brilliant display of light and darkness.

"You and your paltry Heroes will be overwhelmed," Ebony sneered, her voice dripping with contempt.

Kiran smirked, noticing a bright white glow emanating from his Breidablik. "Unfortunately," he replied. "That's where you're wrong, Ebony."

Before Ebony could respond, Diamant, Ivy, Innes, L'Arachel, and Rosado rushed to Kiran's aid, cutting through the dragons with ruthless efficiency. Diamant's sword cleaved through scales and flesh, his movements swift and deadly. Ivy, astride her wyvern, rained down ice magic from above, her spells devastating the enemy ranks. Innes fired arrows from his Nidhogg while L'Arachel incinerated her foes with her Ivaldi. Rosado, with Emblems Eirika and Ephraim empowering his strikes, brought his Steel Greataxe down on the dragons, shattering their defenses.

Alear, still locked in combat, glanced over her shoulder and saw their reinforcements. "Hold the line!" she declared. "We're not alone in this fight!"

Fjorm, her breath visible in the cold air around her, nodded grimly. "I will not back down!" she declared. "For Kiran!"

"We shall not fall here," Seiðr's voice rang out, filled with divine authority. "Stand together!"

The tumult of battle raged on as Ebony's forces clashed against Kiran, Alear, Fjorm, and Seiðr. Amidst the chaos, a trio of reinforcements arrived swiftly to bolster their ranks. Diamant, Ivy, and Rosado stood tall, ready to strengthen the fight.

"Divine One, Kiran..." Ivy declared with her voice firm with determination. "We came as fast as we could."

Alear turned to greet them with gratitude. "Thank you all for coming in time," she acknowledged, relief evident in her tone.

Diamant nodded in agreement, his expression grim. "The moment Ebony showed up," he explained, his eyes scanning the battlefield for signs of their adversary. "We knew we had to rush in to help."

Ebony's rage burned hot as she surveyed the arrival of the reinforcements. "It matters not how many reinforcements Kiran has," she seethed, her voice laced with venom. "I will stamp out any resistance with my forces alone."

"I wouldn't think so," Rosado declared as he reigned his wyvern. "Your side may look rougher, but our side is cuter and tougher!"

Having heard what Rosado said, Ebony glared at Rosado, feeling insulted by his words. "You would dare insult me?" she spat, pointing an accusatory finger at him. "Your feminine attire is an eyesore to me. Manaketes, overwhelm him!"

As several Emblian manaketes unfurled their wings and transformed into their draconic forms, Rosado braced himself for the onslaught, his expression steely despite the impending danger, with Innes and L'Arachel defending him from the dragon attacks.

Baldraz, the spirit residing within the Breidablik, spoke out, his voice echoing in Kiran's mind. "Keep in mind that most wyvern riders like Rosado often have low magic resistance," he advised. "He will not last long against these dragons. Use a Golden Summoning Orb to summon Rosado as a Hero."

The moment Baldraz told him to summon Rosado, Kiran realized that Rosado could be summoned as a Hero. But, as he readied his Breidablik, Kiran hesitated as he stared at Ebony, knowing that she could be planning to intervene, like what she and Shade did before.

Kiran's mind raced with strategy as he weighed his options. "For that to happen," he replied in a determined tone. "Ebony needs to be distracted first."

As the intensity of the battle heightened, Alear, Fjorm, and Seiðr caught wind of Kiran's urgent need for assistance in distracting Ebony. Without hesitation, Alear turned to Kiran, determination blazing in her eyes.

"Kiran, we'll help you with your plan," Alear declared, her voice resolute. "Fjorm, Seiðr, and I will handle Ebony for as long as we can."

Fjorm nodded, her expression steely. "I'll occupy Ebony's attention," she promised, gripping her lance tightly. "After all, I am suited to fight against mages like her.'

Seiðr stepped forward, her eyes narrowing with focus. "I'll use my Future-Focused ability to predict Ebony's actions," she assured Kiran, her voice calm yet confident. "And if need be, I can momentarily distort her perception of time."

Before Kiran could reply, the trio charged at Ebony with fierce resolve, their coordinated assault aimed at buying Kiran the precious time he needed.

"I'm with you!" Emblem Lucina spoke through Alear's Ring of the Caring Princess. "Engage with me and we'll help Kiran in his plan!"

"Let's go!" Alear declared as she activated the Ring of the Caring Princess. "Emblem Engage!"

As Alear assumed her Engage form, Ebony's eyes widened in realization as she witnessed their advance. "Attack Kiran before he can enact his plan!" she bellowed, her voice laced with fury.

As Ebony was forced to fight Alear, Fjorm, and Seiðr, the remaining dragons under Ebony's command swarmed towards Kiran, their massive forms blotting out the sun. Kiran raised Breidablik, managing to shoot down a couple of dragons with precise shots, but the overwhelming numbers threatened to engulf him.

Diamant and Ivy arrived to bolster Kiran's defenses in the nick of time. Ivy's magic flared as she cast icicles from her Icebound Tome, while Diamant's Fair-Fight Blade cleaved through the draconic threats.

"Kiran, run to Rosado!" Ivy shouted, her voice urgent as she conjured more icicles from her Icebound Tome. "We'll cover you!"

Diamant swung his Fair-Fight Blade, cutting down another dragon with a powerful Bonfire strike. "Leave the dragons to us, Kiran," he urged. "Ivy and I will handle them."

Kiran sprinted towards Rosado with newfound determination, trusting his friends to hold the line. The chaos of battle swirled around them, but their unwavering resolve created a path of hope amidst the darkness.

---

With Ebony distracted and the remaining manakete dragons occupied, Kiran sprinted toward Rosado, Innes, and L'Arachel. The effeminate wyvern rider, the Frelian prince, and the Rausten princess were locked in a fierce battle with five dragons, their agile movements and sharp strikes barely keeping the beasts at bay.

"Kiran!" Rosado called out, his voice strained as he deflected a dragon's attack with his lance. "What are you doing here?"

"I'm going to attempt something. Hang on," Kiran replied as he readied his Breidablik. "Innes, L'Arachel... Cover me!"

"Dashing!" L'Arachel replied as she galloped her horse to protect Kiran.

"I'll keep you safe," Innes declared as he fired several arrows at most of the dragons.

Kiran didn't waste a moment with Innes and L'Arachel backing him up. As Innes and L'Arachel took down several dragons that were closing in on Kiran, he quickly loaded a Golden Summoning Orb into Breidablik. As the weapon began to glow radiantly, Kiran aimed the Breidablik at Rosado.

"Gathering stars to call upon Hortensia's effeminate retainer!" Kiran chanted as the Breidablik began to glow brightly. "Become the path its light shines upon!"

With precise aim, Kiran fired the Golden Summoning Orb at Rosado. The orb hit its mark, and a brilliant shock wave erupted from Rosado, knocking the two remaining dragons that were harassing Rosado away. The force of the blast sent the dragons reeling, giving Rosado a moment of respite.

As the tides ebbed away from the beach, Rosado's eyes widened in amazement as he felt a surge of power coursing through him. "Oh my!" he exclaimed, his voice filled with wonder. "I'm feeling something incredible! It's... similar to being Engaged, but different!"

From Rosado's Emblem Ring, Emblem Eirika manifested, her ethereal form shimmering with light. "Rosado, my brother, and I can sense what Kiran is doing," she said gently. "Kiran is attempting to summon you as a Hero."

Beside her, Emblem Ephraim appeared, his presence exuding strength and determination. "Accept Kiran's offer, Rosado," he urged. "As a Hero, you'll be much stronger. You'll be able to protect your friends and fight with greater power."

After listening to Emblem Eirika and Emblem Ephraim, Rosado looked at Kiran, his eyes brimming with resolve. "So, this is probably how Hortensia was summoned as a Hero," he declared, his voice firm. "I accept!"

Sensing Rosado's subconscious acceptance, Kiran raised Breidablik again and finished the chant."Hero Summon!" he declared. "Be inducted as a Hero, Rosado, the Adorable Artist!"

Upon completing the summoning process, Rosado closed his eyes as he and his wyvern glowed brightly. As the glow faded away, Rosado opened his eyes and he let out a smile.

"I'm Rosado, adorable royal knight of Elusia and retainer of the equally cute Hortensia!" Rosado introduced himself. "Kiran, I'll be in your care!"

Then, a radiant light enveloped Rosado, and his Steel Greataxe began to shimmer and transform. When the light faded, the Steel Greataxe had become a much stronger weapon, adorned with a pink ribbon tied to its hilt.

Rosado's eyes widened in amazement as he examined his transformed weapon. "Kiran, my weapon has changed!" he exclaimed, his voice filled with excitement. "It looks even more adorable and it's even lighter to wield than before!"

Kiran scanned the new weapon using Breidablik, a small smile tugging at his lips. "Your new weapon is called the Axe of Adoration," he informed Rosado. "That weapon grants you a decent amount of defense and it heals you a little bit after combat."

Rosado beamed, his smile radiant. "The Axe of Adoration?" he said, his tone brimming with pride and joy. "That's a perfect name for someone as adorable as me!"

Before they could relish the moment, the two dragons that had been knocked back retook flight, their eyes gleaming with vengeful fury. They swooped down towards Rosado, their roars echoing across the beach.

With his newfound strength as a Hero, Rosado met their attack head-on. He swung the Axe of Adoration with effortless grace, the weapon's power cutting through the air with a fierce pink glow. In a display of unmatched skill and power, Rosado effortlessly slayed the two dragons, their massive forms crashing into the sand and disintegrating into black mists.

"Picture-perfect!" Rosado declared as he steadied his Axe of Adoration.

Kiran watched in awe as Rosado stood victorious, the Axe of Adoration gleaming in his hands. He then looked at Innes and L'Arachel, who just defeated the enemies on their end.

"Well done, Rosado," Kiran said, his voice filled with admiration. "Not bad for your first stint as a Hero."

Rosado smiled, his eyes shining with determination and pride. "Thank you, Kiran," he said. "With this power, I'll protect everyone and bring cuteness to the battlefield."

Together, Kiran, Rosado, Innes, and L'Arachel turned to face more Curse Directive soldiers who had just recently spawned, ready to continue the fight with renewed vigor and hope. Although Kiran's goal was to rendezvous with Alear and the rest, he and the Heroes that were near him had to first take down the enemies that were in their way.

---

Meanwhile, at Solm's Azure Coast, Alear, Fjorm, and Seiðr stood firm, facing off against Ebony and her Curse Directive minions. The tension crackled in the air, the sounds of battle surrounding them.

Ebony glared at the trio, her eyes filled with malice. "You nuisances," she spat, her voice dripping with venom. "You three keep getting in the way of my mission to kill Kiran."

In her Engage form, Alear stepped forward, pointing her Libération sword at Ebony, her stance resolute. "You've made it clear you won't stop until you kill Kiran," she said, her voice steady and determined. "But I won't allow that to happen."

With a snarl, Ebony conjured an orb of darkness from her Örmt tome, firing it straight at Alear. "For a Divine Dragon of Elyos, you're a naïve woman," Ebony hissed. "You deserve to perish alongside Kiran."

Just as the dark magic hurtled towards Alear, Fjorm leaped in front of her, her Ice Mirror II activating in a brilliant display. A barrier of ice formed, absorbing the dark orb and shattering it into glittering shards.

"Princess Fjorm," Seiðr said, her voice filled with gratitude as she saw the ice fragments fall to the ground. "It was fortunate that you intercepted that attack."

Alear nodded, her heart pounding from the close call. "That was a close one," she admitted, glancing at Fjorm. "Thank you."

Fjorm steadied her breath, her eyes locked on Ebony. "We need to bide our time until Kiran comes back," she replied, calm and strategic.

Ebony's frustration was palpable, her dark magic swirling around her like a storm. "You can delay all you want," she growled, "But you three will pay for getting in the way."

Alear tightened her grip on Libération, determination fueling her resolve. "We will protect Kiran," she declared as she glared at Ebony. "No matter the cost."

The three women readied themselves for the next assault, their bond of trust and determination shining bright against the darkness that Ebony wielded. They knew their strength and Kiran's eventual return would be enough to stand against any foe.

Ebony's glare intensified, her eyes burning with fury as more Curse Directive soldiers, manaketes, and Gullinbursti Steam mechs emerged from pools of darkness around her. "You will pay for intervening with your lives," she spat, her voice laced with malice. "Minions, take these three down!"

As the dark minions swarmed towards them, Alear swung her Libération sword precisely, taking down a Gullinbursti mech. "We must stand our ground," she declared, her voice unwavering amidst the chaos.

Fjorm nodded in agreement, deflecting Ebony's magic attacks with her Ice Mirror II. "I believe in Kiran," she said, her voice unwavering. "I will not let him down."

Seiðr, casting powerful magic bolts from her eponymous staff, took down a manakete dragon with a determined expression. "Our contracts with Kiran still hold," she affirmed, her voice steady. "The best thing we can do is hold off Ebony until he arrives."

Ebony's minions pressed closer, their attacks relentless, but the trio fought back with all their might. Alear's swordsmanship, Fjorm's defensive prowess, and Seiðr's magical expertise created a formidable defense. The three held onto their hopes that Kiran Pathfinder would arrive to back them up.

---

At the same time, Kiran, Rosado, Innes, and L'Arachel were in fierce combat against a mixed onslaught of Elusian, Curse Directive, and Corrupted soldiers. The battlefield was a chaotic swirl of clashing weapons and magical blasts.

Kiran blasted one of the Curse Directive Mages with a precise shot from his Breidablik, the magical weapon glowing with power. "The enemy forces won't let up," he muttered, frustration etched on his face.

Stepping his Axe of Adoration gracefully and ferocity, Rosado cleaved a Corrupted wyrm in half. "It's getting out of hand," he said, glancing around at the melee. "Every side is fighting each other."

Standing tall with his Nidhogg bow in hand, Innes fired an arrow that struck down an Elusian pegasus knight with unerring accuracy. "Our side should have the advantage," he remarked coolly, "Since the three enemy factions are also fighting each other."

L'Arachel, her Ivaldi tome glowing with ethereal light, blasted a Curse Directive Mage Cavalry, sending the enemy tumbling from their mount. "I agree with Innes," she declared, her voice ringing with righteous zeal. "Elusians, Curse Directive, and the Corrupted—it doesn't matter what kind of enemies they are. They will all be struck down by my brand of justice!"

Kiran nodded, the resolve in his eyes mirrored by his allies. "Let's use their chaos to our advantage," he suggested. "Strike hard and keep them off balance."

Rosado grinned, twirling his Axe of Adoration. "Sounds like a plan," he declared. "Let's show them what true, adorable heroes are made of!"

Innes notched another arrow, his expression determined. "We'll cut through them and reunite with the others. Stay focused."

L'Arachel raised her tome high, the magical energy crackling around her. "For justice, and our comrades! Onward!"

Then, Kiran saw four familiar allies, Eirika, Ephraim, Hortensia, and Goldmary, running towards him through the chaos. Relief washed over him at the sight of their reinforcements.

L'Arachel smiled brightly, her confidence bolstered. "With Eirika and Ephraim here, our group now has the advantage," she declared.

Eirika, Ephraim, Hortensia, and Goldmary quickly joined the fray, their combined might swiftly take down the enemies surrounding Kiran, Rosado, Innes, and L'Arachel. The tide of battle began to turn in their favor. The remaining Elusian, Corrupted, and Curse Directive soldiers converged on the quartet.

One of the enemies, an Elusian Axe Flyer, lunged at Eirika with their Silver Axe at the ready. Fortunately, Eirika foresaw this and dodged the attack with her Sieglinde. As the Elusian Axe Flyer reeled their pegasus for having their attack thwarted, Eirika saw an opportunity to retaliate.

"I cannot allow this!" Eirika declared as she flourished her Sieglinde before striking down the Elusian Axe Flyer.

At the same time, Ephraim was fighting a Corrupted soldier wielding a Killer Lance. The two exchanged and parried each other's attacks, but Ephraim was more experienced and saw a gap in the Corrupted soldier's defenses, which he exploited immediately.

"Alright! Let's fight!" Ephraim exclaimed as he slashed through the Corrupted soldier with his Siegmund.

Meanwhile, Goldmary clashed her Silver Sword against a Corrupted soldier wielding the same sword as hers. Using her resolve to protect Hortensia, Goldmary mustered enough strength to break the clash and kicked the Corrupted soldier away. As the Corrupted soldier flinched from her kick, Goldmary took advantage of the opening.

"You can die now!" Goldmary declared as she finished off the Corrupted soldier with her Silver Sword.

Lastly, Hortensia reigned in her pegasus as she dodged the firebolt attacks that were conjured from the Curse Directive Mage Flyer's Elfire tome. As she gripped her Arcane Charmer, Hortensia saw an opportunity to strike back against the Curse Directive Mage Flyer and aimed her Arcane Charmer at the enemy. In mere moments, multiple heart-shaped frost bolts appeared around Hortensia and flew toward the Curse Directive Mage Flyer.

"How cute am I?" Hortensia declared that her heart-shaped frost bolts from Arcane Charmer had finished the Curse Directive Mage Flyer.

As the last of the immediate threats were dealt with, Kiran took a moment to catch his breath and addressed Hortensia and Goldmary. "I'm glad you're all okay," he said, his voice filled with genuine relief.

Hortensia smiled confidently, giving a nod to Kiran. "We'll manage," she replied, her tone light but determined.

Goldmary, ever poised, offered a graceful smile. "Thank you for your concern, Kiran," she said. "I'm glad to see you're safe as well."

Rosado, twirling his Axe of Adoration with a flourish, turned to Hortensia with a grin. "Look, Hortensia!" he announced proudly. "Kiran summoned me as a Hero!"

Hortensia's eyes sparkled with excitement. "Congratulations, Rosado!" she exclaimed. "That's incredible news!"

Rosado's smile widened, his eyes shining with newfound determination. "Since I'm now a Hero, I'll be an even stronger retainer for you," he promised.

Eirika approached Kiran with a relieved smile. "Thank goodness we arrived in time," she said, her voice warm with relief.

Ephraim nodded, his expression serious yet relieved. "I'm glad to see you're faring well in this battle, Kiran," he said, reassuringly touching Kiran's shoulder.

At that moment, Emblem Eirika and Emblem Ephraim materialized from Rosado's Emblem Ring. Emblem Eirika looked at her counterpart and spoke, "I feel the same way, Eirika. It's good to see you all safe."

Emblem Ephraim scanned the battlefield, eyes narrowing as he observed the unfolding chaos. "It's not over yet," he said, his voice grave. "The Curse Directive soldiers are taking down the Elusians and the Corrupted. Soon, we'll be facing only Curse Directive soldiers as the battle continues."

From within the Breidablik, Baldraz's voice echoed with urgency. "Kiran," he warned. "Alear, Fjorm, and Seiðr are fighting Ebony. You must aid those three before it is too late."

Kiran turned to his group, his expression determined. "In that case," he said, his voice steady, "I'm going to need help to reach Alear, Fjorm, and Seiðr."

Eirika nodded firmly, determination shining in her eyes. "We'll make sure you get there, Kiran."

Ephraim drew his lance, ready for battle. "We'll clear a path," he said "Let's move out."

Rosado adjusted his grip on the Axe of Adoration, his eyes gleaming with resolve. "I'll be right behind you, Kiran," he replied. "I'll take down any bad guy that hurts your adorable look!"

Innes notched another arrow, his expression focused. "I'll cover you from the rear," he calmly stated. "Do as you need, Kiran."

L'Arachel raised her tome, her voice ringing with conviction. "Justice will light our way!"

Hortensia and Goldmary flanked Kiran, ready to lend their support. "We're with you, Kiran," Hortensia said confidently.

"Let's show them what we're made of," Goldmary added, her eyes fierce with determination.

As the dust of battle began to settle, Alfred, Celine, Alcryst, Timerra, and Fogado arrived, their weapons still drawn and eyes alert.

Alfred, his face flushed with the exertion of battle, spoke first. "We've managed to rout our side of enemies," he said, his voice firm. "I overheard that you need help to reach the Divine One."

"Y-yeah," Alcryst chimed in. "We want to help out too!"

"Couldn't agree more!" Timerra exclaimed as she twirled her Silver Lance. "Fogado and I want to do our part!"

"As am I," Fogado nodded as he readied his Killer Bow. "After all, more party-crashers will be coming."

Celine, with her usual grace and calm demeanor, nodded in agreement. "Kiran, we all want to help you reach Alear in any way possible," she said, her eyes shining with determination.

Kiran smiled, gratitude evident in his expression. "Thank you, all of you..." he said sincerely. "All of your support means a lot."

Before he could say more, Diamant and Ivy appeared, adding to the group's growing strength.

Diamant, his sword still gleaming from the recent skirmish, spoke first. "Kiran," he reported. "Ivy and I have cleared our side of enemies."

Ivy, her eyes sharp and vigilant, added. "We should get ready for enemy reinforcements," she pointed out. "It won't be long before more Curse Directive enemies appear."

Kiran nodded, understanding the urgency. "We need to act quickly," he said, his voice unwavering. "Alear, Fjorm, and Seiðr are fighting Ebony and need our help."

The group exchanged determined glances, their resolve solidified by Kiran's words. "Let's go," Kiran commanded, conveying urgency and leadership. "We all have to do our part."

With a collective nod, the group surged forward, their movements synchronized by their shared purpose. Alfred led the charge, his lance ready, while Celine and Timerra flanked him, their weapons poised for any threat. Alcryst and Fogado brought up the rear, their eyes scanning for any signs of danger.

Diamant and Ivy moved alongside Kiran, taking down any enemy that dare stood in Kiran's path. As they advanced, the battlefield seemed to blur into a chaotic dance of steel and magic, but their focus remained unbroken.

Together, they pushed through the tide of enemies, their combined strength creating a path through the chaos. Each step brought them closer to Alear, Fjorm, and Seiðr. And as Kiran's heartbeat strummed with the rhythm of their united effort, he knew that with allies like these, they could overcome any challenge and bring hope to even the darkest corners of the battlefield.

---

Meanwhile, on another side of the beach, Alear, Fjorm, and Seiðr continued their desperate battle against Ebony and her Curse Directive soldiers, manaketes, and Gullinbursti Steam mechs.

Fjorm, her breath heavy with exertion, took down a Curse Directive Mage Infantry with a precise lance strike after the enemy shattered her Ice Mirror II.

"She's slowly overwhelming us with her minions," Fjorm panted, her eyes darting around for the next threat.

Seiðr, her staff glowing with magical energy, dispatched a Gullinbursti Steam Sword with a well-aimed bolt of magic. "We must not relent against Ebony's assaults," she declared, her voice steady despite the chaos.

Alear, determination blazing in her eyes, ran towards Ebony, cutting down every Curse Directive soldier in her path with swift, decisive strikes of her Libération. "You will be stopped, whatever it takes," she vowed, her voice ringing with conviction.

Ebony glared at Alear, her eyes narrowing in irritation. "I almost admire your persistence, almost,?" she spat, her voice dripping with disdain. "Yet, I grow tired of hearing your naivety, Divine One."

With a flick of her wrist, Ebony opened her Örmt tome, conjuring multiple orbs of darkness that she hurled at Alear. Alear moved with fluid grace, deflecting the darkness orbs with her Libération and dodging those she couldn't evade. She pressed forward, her focus unyielding as she closed the distance between herself and Ebony.

Fjorm, watching Alear's charge, called out, "Alear, be careful!" She knocked another Curse Directive soldier aside, her Ice Mirror II shimmering protectively.

Seiðr joined her, sending a flurry of magic bolts into the ranks of Ebony's minions. "We need to keep her off balance," she said, her voice tense but controlled. "If I can disrupt her focus with my Future-Focused ability, Alear can get through."

Alear, hearing her allies' words, felt a surge of determination. She sidestepped another orb of darkness and lunged forward, bringing her sword up in a powerful arc aimed at Ebony. "Your tyranny ends here!" she shouted, her blade glowing with righteous fury.

Ebony sneered, summoning a dark energy barrier to block Alear's strike. The force of the collision sent shockwaves through the air, but Alear did not back down. She pressed harder, her will unwavering. "Come on!" Alear declared, her eyes burning with fierce resolve.

Then, Seiðr activated her Future-Focused, briefly distorting Ebony's perception of space and time Sensing an opening, Alear leaped toward Ebony.

"Damn it!" Ebony gritted her teeth as she glanced at one pool of darkness behind her. "I will not go down so easily!"

As an enemy began to materialize from the pool of darkness, Emblem Lucina's voice echoed in her mind, speaking from the Ring of the Princess Exalt. "Alear, watch your back!" Emblem Lucina warned urgently.

Alear's eyes widened as she caught sight of a Gullinbursti Steam Lance charging at her with its Brave Lance poised to strike. As Seiðr's Future-Focused wore off, Ebony jumped out of the way, leaving Alear to face the automaton head-on. The Gullinbursti's rapid attacks forced Alear to parry frantically with her Libération.

"Grant me strength!" Alear cried out, summoning all her resolve. She counterattacked swiftly, and decisively, her blade slicing through the Gullinbursti Steam Lance with a brilliant flash. The automaton crumpled to the ground, defeated.

But Ebony seized the moment, unleashing several orbs of darkness from her Örmt tome. The dark magic struck Alear, enveloping her in smoke and debris. For a tense moment, silence reigned.

As the smoke began to clear, Alear emerged as she reverted to her normal form, her eyes burning with fierce determination. She had withstood Ebony's assault, her resolve unbroken. She glared at Ebony, her grip tightening on Libération.

Ebony narrowed her eyes, her frustration growing as Alear withstood her magic attacks. "You're a naïve lizard," she mocked, her voice dripping with disdain. "Fall, damn you!"

Alear glared at Ebony, unflinching. "Is that insult all you can muster?" she retorted, her grip tightening on Libération. "I've... been called worse."

The Örmt tome in Ebony's hands glowed a menacing purple. "Let's see if you can withstand this," she sneered, raising her hand to cast another dark spell. Fjorm and Seiðr, sensing the danger, tried to run towards Alear, but Ebony was faster. She unleashed a powerful beam of darkness straight at Alear.

Alear raised her Libération sword, bracing herself to block the attack. Just as the dark beam was about to strike, a beam of light appeared behind Alear, intercepting the dark magic. Alear, Fjorm, and Seiðr glanced back in surprise.

Kiran stood behind them, his Breidablik glowing brightly as he sustained the light beam against Ebony's dark magic. "I'm glad I made it in time," he said, his voice steady and determined.

Alear's eyes widened in relief and gratitude. "Kiran, you're here!"

Fjorm, still maintaining her defensive stance, nodded firmly. "Kiran, I'm glad you arrived!" she said to him. "We can push back now."

Seiðr, wielding her staff, stood ready. "Kiran Pathfinder," she declared. "With your guidance, we will overcome this battle."

As the beams of light and darkness continued to collide, more Curse Directive soldiers spawned around Ebony.

Kiran strained against the force of Ebony's attack, his light beam unwavering. "Alear, Fjorm, Seiðr," he said to them "Cover me. Don't let those enemies get any closer."

Alear's determination reignited, and she turned back to face Ebony and her minions, her resolve unshaken. "I understand, Kiran," she acknowledged. "We'll defend you with what we have."

Ebony's eyes flickered with anger and frustration as her dark beam clashed against Kiran's light. "You think you can defeat me?!" she spat, pouring more energy into her attack. "You must be jesting!"

But Kiran's light held strong, bolstered by the presence of his allies. "Ha," he declared. "I'm afraid I'm not jesting, Ebony."

As Kiran and Ebony traded hostilities, Alear steeled her resolve, her Libération sword gleaming with a radiant light. "For Kiran!" she declared. "For everyone!"

As the clash of light and darkness intensified, Alear Fjorm and Seiðr defended Kiran against the onslaught of Curse Directive forces that charged at him. The tide of battle was turning, and with Kiran's timely intervention, hope surged through their hearts.

---

In the Special Training: Melee portion of the Training Tower, Dagr, Male Alear, and Veyle fought valiantly against a swarm of imaginary enemies. The battle had been fierce, but now only one enemy remained—a Lance Infantry, charging at Dagr with a Silver Lance poised to strike.

Dagr grinned, her eyes alight with excitement as she readied her axe, Skinfaxi. "Get behind me!" she commanded, her voice confident.

Male Alear and Veyle quickly obeyed, darting past Dagr to position themselves out of harm's way. As they moved, Veyle glanced at Male Alear, concern on her face. "I hope Dagr knows what she's doing," she murmured.

Male Alear gave her a reassuring nod. "Just watch," he replied, his eyes fixed on Dagr.

The Lance Infantry thrust forward, but Dagr was ready. She dodged the attack with a swift and powerful movement, the clang of metal ringing through the training hall. Seizing the moment, she swung Skinfaxi in a wide arc.

"Smash and bash!" Dagr declared, her voice echoing with fierce determination.

Her counterattack struck true, and the imaginary enemy disintegrated into motes of light, scattering and fading away. Dagr stood tall, her breathing steadying as she lowered Skinfaxi.

"What a workout," she said, a satisfied smile spreading across her face.

Male Alear stepped forward, admiration clear in his eyes. "Impressive as always, Dagr."

Veyle nodded in agreement, her earlier worry replaced with awe. "You handled that perfectly. I see why you wanted us to stay back."

Dagr chuckled, wiping a bit of sweat from her brow. "Always trust your instincts and your allies," she declared. "Together, there's nothing we can't handle."

The trio caught their breath with the last enemy vanquished, knowing their teamwork and strength had seen them through yet another trial.

As Veyle noticed that she and Male Alear were slightly further from Dagr, she turned to him, her curiosity piqued. "Let's head over to Dagr," she suggested, walking towards their companion.

As they approached, Veyle asked, "Dagr, do you have some ability to let your allies move further?"

Dagr looked up from adjusting Skinfaxi and nodded with a smile. "Yes, I do. Skinfaxi has a unique effect called 'Pathfinder.' It allows any ally near me to move faster than usual."

Veyle's eyes widened in recognition. "Kiran has 'Pathfinder' as his last name."

Dagr grinned broadly, clearly enjoying the memory. "I remember Kiran having a similar reaction when he discovered that his last name is the same as my ability."

Suddenly, Dagr began to glow with a bright white light. She looked at herself in surprise before glancing back at Male Alear and Veyle. "Speaking of Kiran, it seems he is summoning me," she remarked. "I can't help but answer his call, ya know?"

Male Alear stepped forward, concern and support in his eyes. "Be careful out there, Dagr."

Dagr nodded, her smile reassuring. "Don't worry, I'll be fine," she grinned. "I'll tell Kiran that you both are doing well."

With a final, confident nod, Dagr disappeared from the Training Tower in a burst of glowing motes, leaving Male Alear and Veyle standing together.

"There she goes," Veyle said, her admiration evident. "Dagr's always so confident."

Male Alear nodded in agreement. "And she's right," he said. "I hope she arrives to help Kiran out."

---

Back at Solm's Azure Coast, the clash between light and darkness continued as Alear, Fjorm, and Seiðr defended Kiran Pathfinder from Curse Directive soldiers that were spawning around them.

As Kiran's light beam continued to clash against Ebony's dark beam, he felt a memory surfacing—an image of two familiar princesses from Jötunheimr.

"I'm going to be a GREAT queen. My reign is going to be a lot of fun for everyone!"

"Find a way...to be a great queen... I'm sure you will...be splendid."

During the battle, Baldraz, the spirit within the Breidablik, spoke urgently. "Kiran, two Heroes are attempting to summon themselves," he informed "Be ready for their arrival."

A knowing smile crossed Kiran's face. "I know who they are," he muttered under his breath.

Alear, standing nearby, overheard him. "Kiran, are you going to summon a Hero? Like you did against Evil Veyle?" she asked, her voice filled with hope.

As he answered Alear's question, Kiran's concentration never wavered as the beams of light and darkness continued to collide. He began to chant, his voice steady and clear.

"Gathering stars to call upon the two princesses that are akin to day and night!" Kiran chanted. "Become the path its light shines upon!"

The intensity of the colliding beams grew, casting a blinding light that seemed to pierce the very fabric of the battlefield. Ebony, hearing Kiran's chant, began to panic. "It can't be," she whispered, her confidence shaken. "You would dare… summon?!"

"Hero Summon!" Kiran's chant reached its crescendo. "I call forth Dagr and Nótt into the battlefield!"

The colliding beams of light and darkness dissipated in a spectacular explosion, prompting everyone nearby to shield their eyes from the intensity of the light emitted.

As the explosion faded away, and two figures began to materialize from within its radiance. As the forms became clear, who they were was evident—Dagr and Nótt, the twin princesses of Jötunheimr. The power of the summoning overwhelmed the dark beam, forcing Ebony to retreat a step.

Dagr, the day princess, emerged first, her presence radiant and powerful. "Kiran, it's been too long!" she called out, her voice filled with warmth. "It's me, Dagr, second of the twin princesses of Jötunheimr. Hope you're ready for a good time! Thanks for the invite, by the way!"

Nótt, the night princess, appeared beside her calmly and composedly. "I am Nótt, one of the princesses of Jötunheimr and a former queen candidate," she said, her eyes locking onto Ebony. "We sensed your need, Kiran, and we are here to assist."

Fjorm, her eyes wide with awe, turned to Kiran. "You did it," she said, her voice filled with admiration.

Seiðr nodded, her expression one of wonder. "A miracle has occurred on the battlefield," she added, her eyes fixed on the two princesses.

Alear, still holding her Libération sword at the ready, glanced at Kiran. "You mentioned Dagr and Nótt back at Lythos," she said, her voice filled with a mix of surprise and recognition. "This is the first time I've seen the Jötunheimr princesses being summoned."

Dagr, ever the radiant warrior, flashed a grin. "As much as I'm happy to see my sister summoned after her death years ago," she said, her tone both joyful and serious, "But, I kinda understand that we need to focus on taking down that gaunt-looking gal."

Nótt, her demeanor as calm and composed as the night, nodded in agreement. "Even if I have been summoned back from the dead, we must prioritize our mission," she said, her gaze steady and unwavering. "Ebony must be stopped."

Ebony, her confidence shaken but not broken, sneered at the new arrivals. "Do you think summoning two more Heroes will change your fate?" she taunted, her Örmt tome glowing with dark energy. "You are all destined to fall before me."

Kiran, feeling the strength of the twin princesses bolstering their side, stepped forward. "Dagr, Nótt, let's show her what we're capable of," he said, his voice filled with determination.

Dagr readied her axe, Skinfaxi, her eyes gleaming with fierce resolve. "With pleasure," she said, her grin widening. "It's time to smash and bash!"

Nótt, holding her lance, Hrímfaxi, positioned herself with graceful precision. "We will bring an end to this," she said, her voice as serene as the night.

Alear, Fjorm, and Seiðr gathered around the newly summoned Heroes, their spirits renewed by the miraculous events. The battlefield crackled with anticipation as they prepared for the next assault.

Kiran, his confidence bolstered by the presence of Dagr and Nótt, called out to his comrades. "Everyone, let's go!" he declared. "With Dagr and Nótt by our side, we can turn the tide of this battle!"

With a united cry, the group charged forward, their hearts filled with unyielding determination. Ebony's forces, sensing the power shift, began to falter. The battle for Solm's Azure Coast raged on, but the victory seemed within reach with the light of hope and the strength of their bonds.

---

Back at the Curse Directive encampment, nestled between the icy reaches of Nifl and the fiery lands of Muspell, Angeyja stood with a pout on her face. She glanced at Shade, her older brother, who stood guard at the entrance to Ebony's tent. The sun had barely risen, casting long shadows across the encampment.

"Why won't you let me visit Ebony?" Angeyja asked, her voice a mixture of frustration and curiosity.

Shade sighed, his expression stoic but weary. "I'm under the Shadow Director's orders to stand guard here," he explained patiently. "No one is allowed inside without her permission."

Before Angeyja could respond, they heard a faint sound inside the tent—a cup of water falling to the ground. Shade immediately stepped inside, his senses alert. Angeyja was determined not to be left behind and followed closely.

Shade bent down to pick up the fallen cup inside the dimly lit tent. As he straightened, he noticed Angeyja standing just a few steps behind him. He frowned, his tone a mix of exasperation and concern. "Why did you follow me inside, Angeyja?" he asked.

Angeyja shrugged nonchalantly. "One way or another," she replied, a mischievous glint in her eyes. "I'm going to get inside Ebony's tent anyway."

Shade sighed, running a hand through his hair. "You always were stubborn," he muttered, his frustration evident.

Angeyja's gaze wandered around the tent as she ignored her brother's suggestion. Her eyes fell upon Ebony's sleeping form, sprawled on a makeshift bed. Intrigued, she took a few steps closer.

Angeyja stood silently momentarily, staring at Ebony's motionless form on the bed. Finally, she broke the silence, her voice filled with curiosity. "Why is Ebony lying on the bed like that, Shade?"

"Shadow Director Ebony has used a black jewel to manifest a remote body in another world called Elyos," Shade explained sternly to Angeyja. "She transferred her soul into that remote body, causing her real body to fall into a deep sleep."

Angeyja's eyes widened with interest. "Aww," she declared with a hint of excitement. "I want to use a black jewel someday."

Shade looked at his younger sister, his expression softening slightly. "It's up to Shadow Director Ebony to decide if she wants to give you a black jewel to use," he said calmly, though the warning in his tone was unmistakable.

Angeyja frowned, her earlier excitement dampened by Shade's words. "I hope Ebony will come back," she said, her voice tinged with worry.

Shade placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder. "Ebony's soul will surely return to her real body soon enough," he said with conviction. "We just need to trust in her and continue to follow her orders."

Angeyja nodded slowly, her gaze lingering on Ebony's sleeping form. "I guess you're right, Shade. I'll have to be patient."

Shade smiled slightly at his sister's determination. "That's the spirit, Angeyja," he nodded. "Let us return to our posts until Ebony wakes up."

As they resumed their positions outside the tent, the siblings shared a silent understanding. They would do whatever it took to support Ebony and their cause, no matter how long it took for her to return.

---

On Solm's Azure Coast beaches, tensions were at their peak as Alear, Kiran, and their allies faced off against Ebony and her Curse Directive minions. Dagr stepped forward, her Skinfaxi axe gleaming in the sun, and fixed her gaze on Ebony.

"Are you the one who ordered the theft of the blueprints back at Niðavellir?" Dagr demanded, her voice filled with righteous fury.

Ebony scoffed, a smirk playing at the corners of her lips. "Yes, I did order the theft," she replied sarcastically. "And what of it?"

In response to Ebony's callous reply, Dagr pointed her Skinfaxi axe at Ebony, her eyes blazing with determination.

"As the living heir to Jötunheimr, Niðavellir is temporarily under my rule," Dagr declared at Ebony. "What you did was a grave crime to both Jötunheimr and Niðavellir."

Nótt, standing beside her sister, nodded in agreement. "Which is why I'm grateful Kiran summoned both of us," she said, calm but firm. "And I agree with Dagr. I won't simply let you get away with that heinous crime."

"And that's why, along with Kiran and his allies," Dagr grinned as she tightened her grip on her Skinfaxi Skinfaxi. "We will beat you senseless as punishment for your theft."

Ebony's expression darkened, her teeth gritting in anger. She snapped her fingers, and more Curse Directive soldiers spawned around her, their eyes glowing with malevolent energy. "If you want to take me down," Ebony snarled, "Bring it."

As more Curse Directive enemies spawned near Alear, Kiran, Fjorm, Seiðr, Dagr, and Nótt, Alear tightened her grip on her Libération sword, her eyes scanning the battlefield. She turned to Kiran, concern etched on her face.

"Kiran, what happened to Alfred and the others?" Alear asked, her voice steady despite the chaos.

Kiran quickly replied, his gaze never leaving the approaching enemies. "Alfred and our remaining allies are fighting off Elusians, Corrupted, and Curse Directive soldiers. They helped me reach here in time."

Fjorm, the Princess of Nifl, nodded thoughtfully. "That may be why Kiran is on his own," she said, her voice filled with understanding.

Seiðr, the Goddess of Vanaheimr, added, her tone confident, "With the twin princesses of Jötunheimr on our side, we now stand a chance against Ebony."

Kiran acknowledged their support but pointed out a significant concern. "The problem is that Ebony will use the minions she summoned to block the path towards her."

Dagr and Nótt exchanged determined glances and nodded in unison. Dagr, her voice filled with resolve, said to Kiran, "Don't forget that Nótt and I both have the Pathfinder ability."

"My sister and I can help open a path for you to reach Ebony," Nótt, with a slight smile on her lips, added. And Dagr can run faster than me."

As Alear saw the Curse Directive enemies charging at them, she readied her sword and said, "We need to be ready!"

Dagr gripped her Skinfaxi axe, her eyes blazing with determination. "Let's clear a path to Ebony together!"

Nótt, with a fierce look in her eyes, positioned herself beside her sister. "We'll carve a way through these minions."

Fjorm raised her lance, her Ice Mirror II shimmering in the light. "I'll provide support and protect us from Ebony's magic."

Seiðr brandished her staff and reared up her goat mount, ready to unleash powerful magic. "Let's not waste any time. We must strike swiftly and decisively."

Standing at the group's center, Kiran lifted his Breidablik, its glow radiating strength. "Everyone, move forward! We can do this!"

With a unified battle cry, they charged into the fray. Dagr and Nótt's Pathfinder abilities enabled their allies to move swiftly, precisely dodging attacks and cutting down Curse Directive minions.

On the other side of the battlefield, as Kiran, Alear, Fjorm, and Seiðr charged toward her while being aided by Dagr and Nótt's Pathfinder abilities, Ebony's eyes widened in realization, and she began to back away slowly, muttering under her breath.

"This can't be happening... I might lose this battle," Ebony said, her voice tinged with frustration. "But I won't go down without a fight!"

Using her Örmt tome, Ebony fired a barrage of dark orbs at the advancing group. Kiran swiftly countered, firing multiple magic blasts from his Breidablik to intercept the projectiles. Kiran's projectiles destroyed most of Ebony's dark orbs, but one slipped through.

Fjorm reacted quickly, her Ice Mirror II shimmering as it absorbed and deflected the dark orb. The mirror shattered, but Fjorm used the momentum to leap forward, her Leiptr lance poised for attack.

"Leiptr!" Fjorm declared. "Lance of Ice!"

Upon saying those words, Fjorm slashed at Ebony with her Leiptr, the blade biting into her flesh and causing her to flinch in pain.

"Agh!" Ebony cried out, stumbling back. Her eyes blazed with anger and desperation as she struggled to regain her composure.

Alear seized the opportunity, charging at Ebony with her Libération sword. She swung the blade with precision, aiming to end the battle. Ebony, however, managed to block the attack with her Örmt tome. Sparks flew as sword met tome, and Ebony sneered at Alear, but her confidence was short-lived.

Alear responded with a swift, unexpected kick to Ebony's face, sending her staggering backward. Ebony huffed in pain, blood trickling from the corner of her mouth. She glared at her adversaries, her eyes filled with rage and despair.

"Damn you, Kiran, and your so-called Heroes," Ebony rumbled as she gritted her teeth. "I can't believe I'm losing to you all again."

Kiran tightened his grip on Breidablik, leveling his gaze at Ebony. "Your obsession with killing me won't bring you success, Ebony," he calmly said to her. "You're clinging to shallow goals."

Ebony's face twisted in rage, and she tried to conjure an orb of darkness from her Örmt. However, as she began to summon her dark magic, her perception of time and space started to warp and twist around her. Her eyes widened in shock and confusion.

Seiðr, glowing with an ethereal mix of teal and gold light, stepped forward. Her Future-Focused ability had activated, casting a serene but powerful aura around her. "Your rampage ends here, Ebony," Seiðr declared, her voice firm and unwavering.

"I agree with Seiðr," Kiran declared as he aimed the Breidablik at Ebony. "Why don't you return to where you came from and stay there for a while?"

Kiran aimed at Ebony, who was gathering magical energy at the tip of Breidablik. The air crackled with power as he prepared to fire. With a determined expression, he pulled the trigger, and a bolt of pure magical energy shot forth, hurtling toward Ebony.

Ebony could only watch in horror as the projectile closed in. The bolt struck her with a brilliant explosion of light and magic, engulfing her in its devastating force. Then, she felt her cursed body breaking apart as she let out a howling scream. When the explosion cleared, the battlefield was eerily quiet.

Alear stepped forward, her sword at the ready. "Is it over?" she asked, her voice tinged with cautious hope. "Has Ebony been defeated?"

Kiran holstered his Breidablik, his expression thoughtful but calm. "Ebony used a black jewel to manifest a remote body here in Elyos," he explained. "I've only destroyed that remote body. She will return another day."

Fjorm nodded, her grip on her Leiptr lance relaxing slightly. "Then we've only bought ourselves some time," she said. "We'll need to prepare for her return."

Seiðr's glow began to fade, but her determination remained strong. "And we will be ready," she said, her eyes meeting Kiran's. "Together, we can face whatever Ebony throws at us."

Dagr and Nótt moved to stand beside Kiran, their expressions mirroring their companions' resolve. "She won't catch us off guard again," Dagr said, her voice full of confidence.

Nótt nodded in agreement. "I agree," she replied. "Ebony has much to answer since she committed those crimes against Niðavellir."

Alear sheathed her Libération, a sense of relief washing over her. "Let's regroup and plan our next move," she said. "We have much to discuss and prepare for."

Kiran looked at his friends, feeling renewed hope and unity. "Thank you all," he said. "Together, we will stand strong against any threat."

Kiran turned around and saw Diamant, Alcryst, Ivy, Hortensia, Goldmary, Rosado, Timerra, and Fogado approaching.

Diamant, the crown prince of Brodia, spoke first, his voice steady despite the recent battle. "Alear, Kiran," he reported. "We've cleared the beach of most Curse Directive enemies."

"Aren't we all cute?" Rosado declared as he steadied his wyvern. "We managed to stand adorably victorious!"

As Diamant and Rosado finished speaking, Eirika, Ephraim, Innes, and L'Arachel arrived. Eirika, her demeanor calm yet assertive, addressed the group. "We've routed the Curse Directive enemies on our end as well," she said, relief evident in her tone.

Ephraim's voice resonated with confidence. He added, "The rest of the Curse Directive enemies crumbled to dust." He turned to Kiran, his expression thoughtful. "Do you think it has something to do with Ebony?"

Kiran pondered momentarily, his eyes narrowing as he considered the situation. "It might be," he muttered. "Since Ebony was the one who spawned the Curse Directive soldiers into the battlefield."

Alear, standing beside Kiran, nodded in agreement. "Ebony's threat is taken care of for the time being," she said, her voice carrying a sense of cautious optimism.

Kiran glanced at Alear and nodded. "In that, I agree," he replied, his tone firm. "But we need to stay vigilant. Ebony will return, and when she does, we must be ready."

Fjorm, still gripping her Leiptr lance, spoke up. "We have a moment of respite," she said. "Let's use this time to regroup and strengthen our defenses."

"We all did our part," Ivy stated as she fanned over her wyvern. "But, I think some Corrupted are still on the beach. We may have missed some of them during the battle."

"I agree with Ivy here," Timerra replied as she leaned slightly on her Silver Lance. "We gotta make sure that this area of Solm is free from any enemy whatsoever."

"I am with them," Emblem Eirika said as she and Emblem Ephraim manifested from Rosado's Emblem Ring. "It's a given since the Corrupted can spawn nearly anywhere."

"I agree," Emblem Ephraim affirmed. "My sister and I will help you defeat the remaining enemies here."

Seiðr nodded at Ivy, Timerra, Emblem Erika, and Emblem Ephraim, her eyes meeting Kiran's. "They may be right. In that case," she said. "I suggest we scour this beach for any remaining enemy forces."

"That's a good idea," Kiran pondered. "Fjorm, Seiðr… Go with Diamant, Alcryst, Ivy, Hortensia, Goldmary, Rosado, Timerra, and Fogado, and scour the Azure Coast for any Corrupted or Elusian enemies we may have missed."

As Fjorm, Seiðr. Diamant, Alcryst, Ivy, Hortensia, Goldmary, Rosado, Timerra, and Fogado ran off with Kiran's orders.

Kiran turned to address the group, his voice calm yet authoritative. "Eirika, Dagr, Nótt, Ephraim, Innes, L'Arachel," he began, "I need you all to return to the Kingdom of Askr and submit a battle report to Alfonse, Sharena, and Commander Anna."

Dagr nodded, her expression resolute. "We'll deliver the report to them," she assured him, glancing at her sister. "You got it, Boss!"

Nótt sighed softly before speaking. "I wish I could return to my home realm," she said, a hint of sadness in her voice. "But I can't return to Jötunheimr since I've already passed on."

Dagr placed a reassuring hand on her sister's shoulder. "Well, sis… If you can't return to Jötunheimr, why not join the Order of Heroes?" she suggested with a smile. "We could use your strength."

Nótt shrugged, a faint smile tugging at her lips. "If you say so," she shrugged. "At least I'm back in the mortal realm, as long as my contract with Kiran holds."

Eirika stepped forward, gratitude evident in her eyes. "Thank you for summoning us, Kiran," she said. "It's been an honor to fight alongside you."

Ephraim nodded in agreement. "If you need to summon us again, we won't hesitate to answer your call," he added firmly.

Kiran nodded back, a sense of pride swelling in his chest. "Thank you, all of you," he said.

With a final nod of understanding, Eirika, Dagr, Nótt, Ephraim, Innes, and L'Arachel began to shimmer. Motes of light surrounded them, their forms slowly dissolving as they returned to the Kingdom of Askr.

Kiran watched them disappear, feeling a sense of accomplishment mixed with the weight of the ongoing battle. Alear, standing beside him, placed a hand on his shoulder. "They'll deliver the report safely," she said, her voice reassuring.

Kiran nodded, taking a deep breath. "We still have a lot to do here," he replied, determination in his eyes.

As the last motes of light from his dismissed Heroes faded, Kiran turned his attention to Alfred and Celine, who were staring intently at the shoreline. An Elusian ship was sailing away, carrying Mauvier and Marni, who had retreated from the battle earlier. Their expressions were tense and filled with worry.

Alear, noticing their distress, approached Kiran. "I noticed earlier that Alfred and Celine weren't with Diamant and the others," she suggested. "Kiran, why not we check on them?"

"Sounds like a plan," Kiran replied as he nodded in agreement. "They look troubled."

With that goal in mind, Alear and Kiran approached the Firene siblings.

"Alfred? Celine?" Alear asked, concern evident in her voice. "What's wrong?"

Alfred, the crown prince of Firene, turned to them with a solemn nod. "Divine One... Kiran," he replied to Alear and Kiran, his voice heavy with worry. "The fleet of Elusian warships is heading towards the Kingdom of Firene."

Celine, his younger sister, nodded in agreement, her eyes filled with concern. "Mother is in danger," she added, her voice barely above a whisper. "If the warship fleet reaches Firene's coasts…"

Alear exchanged a glance with Kiran, unsure of what to say. She gave him a slight nod, signaling for him to speak.

Kiran stepped forward, placing a reassuring hand on Alfred's shoulder. "We'll do everything we can to protect Firene and your mother," he said firmly. "We have faced great challenges and will face this one together."

Alfred's eyes met Kiran's, a flicker of hope returning to them. "Thank you, Kiran," he said. "Knowing that we have your support means a lot."

Celine nodded, her expression softening slightly. "We'll need all the help we can get," she admitted. "The enemies are relentless."

Alear stepped closer, her presence radiating strength and confidence. "We'll gather our forces and defend the Kingdom of Firene after a few hours," she promised. "I promise to you two that your mother will be safe."

"Let's prepare for the battle ahead since we have a few hours to recuperate," Kiran nodded in agreement. "We won't let Sombron's forces succeed."

With renewed determination, the group turned their attention to the seas beyond the Azure Coast, ready to face the impending threat together. They knew the road ahead would be challenging, but with their combined strength and unwavering resolve, they were prepared to protect Firene and all they held dear.

---

And there you go! This chapter marks the end of the most recent installment of Emblems and Heroes.

I want to thank everyone who offered advice in brainstorming this story from the bottom of my heart.

And here is a Stinger this time.

---

In the dimly lit tent of the Curse Directive encampment, Ebony woke up, her body drenched in sweat, a testament to the intense struggle she had just endured in Elyos. Her breathing was ragged, and she wiped her forehead with a trembling hand. The defeat at Kiran's hands had left her drained and vulnerable.

Suddenly, Shade and Angeyja burst into the tent. Shade carried a tankard of water, and his expression was one of urgent concern. "Ebony, you need to drink a lot of water," he said, thrusting the tankard toward her. "Inhabiting a cursed body is quite stressful."

Ebony snatched the tankard from Shade's hand, her grip shaky. She raised it to her lips and drank deeply, the cool water providing a brief respite from the oppressive heat and exhaustion.

Angeyja, her eyes wide with curiosity and concern, edged closer. "Ebony, I want to use a black jewel someday to help out the Curse Directive," she said, her voice eager and filled with determination.

Ebony paused, lowering the tankard. She studied Angeyja for a moment, her gaze penetrating. "I'll give you a black jewel when the time comes," she replied, her voice steady despite her fatigue.

Shade watched the interaction closely. "We should leave Ebony be," he said, his tone firm. "She needs to recuperate."

Angeyja pouted, her disappointment evident. "But I have more questions for her," she protested, looking up at her older brother.

Shade gave her a stern look, his patience wearing thin. "Shadow Director Ebony needs to rest," he reiterated, his voice leaving no room for argument.

Reluctantly, Angeyja nodded, her shoulders slumping. Shade gently but firmly guided her out of the tent, casting one last concerned glance back at Ebony before they left.

As Shade and Angeyja left her tent, Ebony sat on her bed, her thoughts swirling in a tumultuous storm. Her mind drifted back to the fierce clash of dark energies against Kiran on the Azure Coast, each moment replaying vividly.

Suddenly, a sharp pain shot through her head, and she clutched it, wincing as an image of a skeletal-looking woman wielding a scythe flashed before her eyes.

"For a mere mortal, you have some defiance in you," The skeletal-looking woman said. "For that, I will spare you, but I shall erase who you are, and you will be reborn... in darkness!"

"Was that... a vision?" Ebony muttered, confusion and intrigue mingling in her voice. "Who is that woman?"

She shook her head, trying to clear the lingering image from her mind. Rising from the bed, she walked to the table where the two stolen Niðavellir blueprints lay.

She moved aside the blueprint detailing the Gullinbursti designs, her focus narrowing on the second blueprint. As she examined it, her eyes widened in realization. "This... this is a schematic to replicate the Breidablik," she whispered, her voice barely audible but laced with awe. "Eitri... She must have been more clever than I realize."

Her thoughts drifted briefly to Kiran's Breidablik, the weapon that had bested her remote body in Elyos. "Why am I thinking about the Breidablik?" she muttered, shaking her head again, trying to dispel the intrusive thoughts. The significance of the blueprint before her began to crystallize in her mind.

As she stared at the schematic, determination hardened her features. "I... may have some uses for this blueprint," Ebony declared, her voice firm and resolute. "After all, having my own Breidablik can bolster the Curse Directive's forces immensely."

Her eyes gleamed with a mixture of ambition and vindication. She knew that with this knowledge, she could turn the tide in her favor and perhaps even gain the upper hand against Kiran and his allies.

Thus, Ebony began formulating her plan with renewed purpose, meticulously considering every detail. Although her defeat at the Azure Coast was a setback, the stolen blueprints could catalyze her following scheme.

---

Emblems And Heroes

A Fire Emblem Heroes x Fire Emblem Engage Crossover

Chapter 23: Hope Amid Ruinous Serenity - Part 1!

See you next time!