Note: Though Angela is next, the order won't be like how it was last time, as there's something of an order in which things happened. Granted, maybe Duran and Angela's events are interchangeable, but Hawkeye's happens before Riesz's, and Charlotte's happens after the others'. There's Ferolia to consider as well, as the game mainly exposes them and their tactics. With that said, there will be some changes and alterations to some things that happened, yet it's done to make everything make a little sense, as while this is a fantasy universe, suspension of disbelief is still a thing.

Also, while Duran took an entire chapter, I'm going to try and maybe test by combining some characters to speed up the story. So, again, I will attempt, but it's yet to be seen.

I tried to draw the small scene with Angela here, yet I only got to the second part, as I could get the first to look right.

Here's Angela's portion, and I hope you enjoy it!

Angela's Escape and Riesz's Dilemma


Altena

She lay in the golden bathtub in the shape of a ship in the front, the crafted visage of a mermaid on the front while a rising wave was crafted on the other end, carvings of various fish lined the exterior of the tub, hot water filling it. She was more than clean enough by now, yet she did not care much. Frankly, the water could've been ice cold, and she still wouldn't have been motivated enough to come out immediately.

All she had requested was an audience with her mother. She even had to do such a thing at all still tore at her, yet all she wanted to say was just a few words, nothing more! All she wanted to tell her was that things were beginning to feel a little colder as late as in, unseasonably cold. It was something that warranted looking into, indeed! And AS Princess, as Victor and Jose always saw fit to remind her, she would have to take upon such responsibilities one day. Yet what did she get for her efforts?

"The Queen has a message for you." one of the Altenian guards told her plainly, her voice as direct and cold as the winds she had been feeling for some nights. "Come to her when something of actual value needs to be said."

Thus, she was, attempting to wash away those words, yet she doubted it'd do anything. Eventually, she exited and slipped on the nightgown she had brought in with her, a sleeveless, flowing dress of lilac with gold trimmings on the chest, a robe of pink coming on after. She made her way to her bedroom yet felt far from tired. She sat by the window that peered out in the courtyard, the blooming trees able to be seen, their blossoms fat as ever. Maybe...maybe she just imagined things. As her mother said, or rather, had someone say for her, she was putting importance on the wrong-

"AHH!" Angela was rattled upon hearing a piercing scream.

She grabbed her robe and a pair of slippers and rushed out of her room. "What?! What's happening?!"

"Outside!" she heard a voice cry. "It's happening outside!"

What the...she was just looking outside! What could be out there? Nevertheless, she followed the sound of where the multitudes of feet seemed to be running; it appeared to be right where the gates were. When she arrived, the young woman saw firsthand what was causing such a panic among everyone.

Small pellets of white slowly fell from the sky, the clouds that produced them darkly colored, even for the night sky.

Snow. It was snowing.


Yet another day. Another failed class. Another skipping of said class due to failure, and, as she had seen Victor come her way, yet another lecture was the last thing to be checked off the list.

"Yeah, yeah. Give it to me, Victor." Angela sighed, having taken to reclining on one of the pews in the worship area of the castle.

He was more shocked than anything. Really, how could she display such disrespect and not even bat an eye?! "What do you think you're doing?"

"Studying," she told the blonde plainly, holding up a book, though it was not a magical text. Nevertheless, it looked to be some novel. A youth with a sword was embracing a young woman with tiny wings on her back, feathers flying all around them.

"Angela, is this any way to behave in all places?"

"If the Goddess has a problem with it," Angela began, propping her feet on the pew ahead. "Then She can come down and say it herself. Besides, it's not one of THOSE books, if that's what you're wondering."

"Still..." Honestly, he sometimes wondered why he put up with her. "Well, believe it or not, I'm NOT here to lecture you."

"Oh, that's new," Angela said, flipping through the pages of her book, eyes widening as some somewhat spicy material was on the following few pages. "Or has Jose discovered he is just wasting your breath?"

Victor crossed his arms and sighed. "No, it's a different matter entirely." at first, she gave it no mind, yet what came from him next made the book she had been so engrossed in (especially the part of the man's muscular arms taking ahold of the protagonist's naked body) fall from her hands. "Your mother wishes to see you."

Kingdom of Laurant

"Elliot, come on! You have to do better than that!" the blonde Princess commanded, a far more petite boy blocking the strikes made by her staff, his staff somewhat too large for him, but he could maneuver with it decently. Yet that was just it. Decently. The boy was far younger than the Princess, wearing a green tunic with white and gold linings, a short, indigo cape and pants, and a pair of brown leather gloves and boots. He bore short, shaggy blonde hair and blue eyes, just like the older young woman engaging with him. "Elliot, have you been practicing your katas?" Riesz asked, taking a moment to allow him to speak.

"Yeah. I have!" the boy, Elliot, responded. "It's just hard, Riesz!"

"That's why it's called practice," she informed him. "Katas are meant to be repetitive to hone your body and mind so that it comes naturally to you."

"But there are so many steps...your katas are so confusing."

"Then it needs to be studied more," she told him. "Now, come on." she got into position again. "Come at me again."

Gulping, he readied himself, not having much confidence...no, having no confidence at all that he'd succeed. Still, he knew well that he wasn't getting out of this. Not until his sister was satisfied. He ran at her, holding his bo staff out like he was about to ram into her. "Oof!" only to have her duck to the side, take ahold of it from his hands, which sent him falling towards the floor. "Oww…."

"You came at me without thinking," Riesz told him. "Charging is a last resort. The enemy will surely take advantage of that. So always be the last one to move if you can."

"Oww…" Elliot whined. "Sis, that hurt…."

"Training isn't supposed to be pleasant, Elliot." she lectured. "It's a preparation for the eventual struggle between life and death. Now get up and try again." she commanded. The boy puffed out his cheeks yet did as he was told. She insisted that it was for his good, that it would be helpful one day, yet he had no interest in such things yet.

All he wanted to do was just play. Perhaps with her.

Altena

She was a nervous wreck, knowing well that she caught the eyes of several that she had passed as she made her way to the main body of the castle. On the one hand, Angela found herself exhilarated. Her mother, the woman who birthed her and yet barely acknowledged her existence, wanted to see her, for her to be in her presence. And on the other, nothing short of utmost trepidation and anxiety twisted her insides into knots. What in the world could she be being summoned for? Perhaps her mother reconsidered her words yesterday. Maybe...maybe she wanted to apologize? But, no, no, that couldn't be it. The True Queen...she's above such things. At least, that was the general attitude that Angela had gotten throughout the years. Yet perhaps, in a way, she should be grateful, considering this was happening at all.

Approaching the doors to the throne room, she steeled herself, yet there probably was no way she could prepare herself. Thankfully, it seemed that she didn't have to open the doors; they opened themselves, two Altenian mages behind them. In fact, from what the green-eyed Princess could see, many mages were in the room. More so than what was probably necessary. "What in the world…" she said aloud, not even noticing the woman stationed before her on a throne.

The throne room was furnished with deep blue curtains, perfectly polished windows stationed behind the Queen's golden throne, the stone tiles beneath everyone's feet arranged in a diamond pattern, and a long, red carpet serving as the way to lead to the throne. Large columns of fluted stone flanked the raised dais upon which stood the throne, and beside the throne itself appeared to be two floating, shimmering crystals on two platforms. Then, there was the Queen herself.

While others had called the Princess a perfect reflection of her mother, Angela herself found herself doubting such. Indeed, her mother was nothing short of the divine in her eyes. Long, flowing, violet hair with beautiful violet eyes shimmered like amethysts. She wore long, blue robes that trailed the floor, a golden fauld that served as a belt, and a tall crown of gold atop her head, an oval, smooth gemstone of blue centered in it. Everything about her was gorgeous. And yet there was an undeniably chill to her. A general coldness that made Angela liken her to the tundra that stretched for leagues in all directions beyond the gates of Altena proper:

beautiful, yet a place she'd not wish to stay in for too long.

Beside her stood Lord Koren, which surprised Angela. Had he come back so soon? Whatever the case, she was here now.

"Mother," the young woman began, approaching the throne. Though as she did so, she saw the woman's eyes narrow in displeasure, Angela realized her mistake. Immediately, she knelt and lowered her head. "Mother-" she could see it but felt her eyes of steel on her. "I mean, Your Highness, you wished to see me?" it didn't make it much better, yet at least the weight of her gaze began to lessen.

She didn't speak; Koren spoke for her. "Princess, allow me to explain," he began.

Laurent

If Elliot himself saw her doing this, he would've immediately decreed her as a hypocrite. Yet technically, she wasn't outside the kingdom's borders, just on its edge. Besides, she had her lance with her should any trouble arise. Riesz sighed, feeling the wind grace itself upon her, her body slightly chilled, yet the hot rays of the sun lessened it, allowing her to engulf and appreciate the air that came her way fully. Reaching around, she undid the ribbon that held the lower part of her hair together and let her golden mane flow freely, completely enslaved to the whims of the dancing breeze.

"Riesz?" She looked down, seeing her little brother looking up at her with large, curious eyes. "Where did mom go?'"

Why had that memory come up? Was it the wind? Or maybe...maybe it was just because all she could think about was him. And maybe her.

"What kind of question is that? You know well where she is."

By the Goddess, she loved coming out here on days like this. The wind was perfect, the sun was excellent, and everything was perfect. The blades of grass lightly nipped at her calves and thighs as she sat down, though, despite the seemingly picturesque scenery, she didn't strictly come out to relax. This environment was also where she came to reflect. And at the moment, she found herself with much to reflect on.

"She's with the wind, Elliot," she told him.

"How? Can I be with the wind too?"

"No, it doesn't work like that."

"Then how does it work?"

Elliot's training session didn't exactly go well...nor had several of his other sessions. Honestly, Riesz didn't know what to do with that boy. He insisted that he had been practicing his katas; some of those under her command had attested that he had been doing so, but why was he showing so little improvement? It made no sense to her. After all, her training regimen at that age was far harsher under Alma. If anything, she was merciful in her methods compared to the former captain. Somewhat surreal, in a way, that a woman such as that could become such a thing later in life. Then again, her relegation to such a position wasn't exactly of her choosing.

The rose-haired leader of the harpies immediately came to the princess' mind.

"Everything that lives has a spirit, right?" she asked, nodding his head. "Well, when someone or something dies...their spirit becomes one with the wind. They blow throughout the world, traveling all around and viewing the world from below. They can soar high above the clouds to wherever they want."

She closed her eyes.

"Then why doesn't she come by here?"

"You…sometimes doubt that she's there. That's what father told me once. But, he also said that it's not about seeing. Just as you can't see the wind, you can't see her. But she's there. She may be somewhere else in the world or above it, yet she passes through here more often than you think. So...father said to me this once: she's with you, even if you can't see her. Even if the wind doesn't blow, that doesn't mean she isn't there with you."

Still, the issue was with Elliot. She found herself stuck. What could she do to see some sense of improvement in the boy? For as long as she had been personally training him, he should've at least gotten something down, surely! It infuriated her at times. Even the young girls that had just enlisted into the guard had done better. Even Eliza, possibly the most accident-prone young woman she had ever seen, scored a hit or two! She had reviewed her methods repeatedly yet could find nothing. She didn't make him do any strenuous exercise when he missed or performed poorly, as Alma had done. Yet this wasn't to imply Alma was too harsh or unkind. Far from it. Everything she did, she did with a nurturing spirit. And Riesz tried to recapture such...at least, she had thought she did. But...something was off, she could tell. She tried to teach Elliot as Alma did, but she had to admit that there was something she wasn't doing right. She didn't exactly what it was, yet it had to be something.

"Why can't she be here now all the time then? Why does she have to go to other places? Why did she have to go at all?"

She couldn't answer him then nor now.

Maybe, the Princess thought, the wind continuing to play with her hair, her father would have a better idea of what she should do.

Altena

"As you know, our kingdom is preparing an invasion to claim the Mana Stones of the other nations due to the power of Mana of our nation fading."

"Yes, I'm aware," Angela stated. Honestly, no one aside from Victor had told her much of anything, and his information was limited. She hadn't known what to think of it, mainly because, like everything else, things would go on with or without her input anyway. "But what does that have to do with-"

"Silence." The Queen interrupted her, the monarch's voice firm and cold. "Lord Koren is speaking."

Angela flinched. "As I was saying," Koren continued. "Mana is fading from our country. Thus, we shall conquer the other countries and claim their Mana Stones. I believe that Valsena should be our first target." Angela was about to speak again, mainly to question why that particular location, due to Altena's past relations with the country, yet she remained silent. "To harness the power of the Mana Stones means access to the Mana Sanctuary, and thus, the source of Mana, the Mana Tree, and the Mana Sword. With the Sword in the Queen's hands, we shall possess access to all the Mana that resides in the world. Once the Stones are activated, the portal to the Sanctuary will be opened."

"That's all?" Angela found herself unable to stay silent any longer. "How do you know that it'll work? Has anyone done it before? I mean, it just sounds like you're putting in blind faith into something based on some old legend that we don't even know if-"

"We do NOT question legends." The Queen interrupted again, voice seemingly even colder than before. Angela immediately regretted her decision.

"However," Koren paused. "The process in harnessing the full power of the Stones "To harness that power, there are several methods, yet all are deadly. One in particular that the Queen and I have decided on requires the use of a powerful yet ancient and forbidden spell that, for a long while, had been lost to time." Lost to time, Angela thought. It sounds like something Old Jose would've been looking into, the older man always researching such things. "The spell was forbidden to use due to it consuming and taking the life of the caster."

"It...it kills you?" Angela questioned, afraid as she had accidentally opened her mouth again. Yet, to her surprise, she was chastised for it this time.

"Indeed." The Queen answered. "Thus, you understand the dilemma. To activate the Stone, a person's life must be forfeited. That said," Angela knew not why, yet a chill began to creep up her spine. "Lord Koren nor I can afford such a risk. As Queen of the nation, I and Lord Koren, our most skilled and prized magic-user in the entire kingdom, are of too much importance to simply throw our lives away."

"Then...someone has to die?" Angela questioned, steadily growing more and more uncomfortable.

"That is correct." Koren confirmed.

"Then...then who would…" the young woman grew silent, noticing that all eyes were centered on her.

Laurent

She opened her mouth to speak, yet he looked right in her direction before she could. "Yes, Riesz?"

Damn, she thought, though she dare not speak such language. He DID have a sixth sense or something along those lines. "H-Hello, father." she greeted, still somewhat off-put by the man's seemingly unnatural intuition.

"You seem troubled," he observed. "Something on your mind?"

Indeed, there was, though, just how much COULD this man sense? Said man had blonde hair like she and Elliot, though it was a far lighter shade, appearing a sandy color. His hair was long, his beard was kept in a braid, and he had a handlebar mustache with thick eyebrows. Atop his head was a red cap with a golden rim with diamond-like pieces attached, a green gemstone on the center of the edge, making it look like a combination of a hat and crown. He wore a red cape and a darkly colored, long-sleeved undershirt underneath a red tunic lined with gold around the short sleeves and section on the lower half, a darkly colored belt around his waist. A pair of black pants rested on his legs, covering up his shoes as he sat on his throne. His eyes, however, were perhaps his most notable feature. They were a hazy, golden color that, had one not known better, would've assumed they looked dead, yet those who knew him knew well that this was a ruse. Yet, due to their glazed look, no one could tell what he was thinking exactly. If eyes were a mirror to the soul, then while he depicted a calm and mellow nature, they hit elements that one couldn't help but let out in moments of extreme emotion. Yet somehow, he managed to keep everything in check and only released what he wanted to present to the open.

King Joster, Ruler of Laurent.

"Well...I don't know if I would say that." Riesz bit her lip. "But...I suppose you could say I have some...conflict."

"It's Elliot again, isn't it?"

The Princess felt her breath hitch for a moment. Seriously, how in the world did he do it? "Well...yes. You could say that."

"And it deals with his training, does it not?"

Ok, now it was just getting creepy. "I don't know what to do with the boy," Riesz confessed. "I admit I'm having difficulty with his training. He just…" she sighed. "He just doesn't seem to be improving in the slightest."

"In what way?" her father questioned.

"He...he insists that he's been practicing. And...I don't want to just up and call him a liar, yet one would think he would've gotten at least the bare basics down by now, surely!"

"At age ten?" King Joster asked.

"I began training at five." Riesz protested. "And I was allowed to handle a real spear at his age."

"Yes. YOU did. He isn't you, is he?"

The Princess paused. "Well...no. But it shouldn't be that-"

"Tell me, when has he had time to play?"

"Father, he has to attend to not only training but his studies, his chores, his-"

"Tell me, when has he had time to play?"

Riesz was silent. "Um...he...he has time to go out and play. I don't know when, but he does, surely."

Joster sighed and closed his eyes. "I'll allow you to think about this, Riesz. Think for a while, then maybe you'll find the answer yourself."

"...all right. Thank you, father." with that, she went away to the training room. Not because she needed to; she had done her daily routine of patrolling and training, yet...she needed to prepare. She needed to get all this tension out. Then, she'd go out into the wind again. She'd certainly need a bath after this session. Maybe that would finally relieve her of all this nonsense thinking.

Altena

No...they weren't serious. These...these eyes all on her...they, they couldn't mean...then why were so many in here then? Was it for this reason? To keep her from...no. No!

"You...you're not serious." Angela found herself beginning to say. "Your...Your Highness...Lord Koren…" no reply came from them or anyone, her blood running cold at the silence she received. "But...but you...you can't mean-"

"That this is the most viable option?" The Queen interrupted. "That this shall be what this kingdom needs, that shall save us all?" her eyes narrowed. "I've never been more serious."

As if instinctually, the Princess turned, only to find several mages in her way, all with wands aimed in her direction. "M-Mother...Mother, I-" she couldn't contain herself; she rushed up to the throne and grabbed at the Queen's robes. "Mother, you can't! You can't do this! I'm your child-"

SLAP!

Her cheek felt as if it were on fire, her feet lost contact with the ground, and she felt on her side, her gloved hand cusping the stinging side of her face.

"My child?" the Queen questioned, rising from her throne. "My child, that has shown no progress in her magical studies? Who cannot do the simplest of spells? My child that has been nothing but a blight on my and this kingdom's legacy?" she shook her head. "No. You are NO child of mine."

"M-Mother...please." Angela croaked, tears flooding her eyes. "Don't say that…."

"You should be grateful to me that I am allowing you an honor such as this." the Queen spoke again. "With this act, you shall at least have SOME semblance of contribution to this operation and be remembered for something other than a blight on my lineage."

Lord Koren began to approach her, Angela backing away from him. "Now come, princess." he urged, reaching out a hand. "There's no need to make this difficult."

"N-No…"

"It'll only be a brief moment of pain, I promise you."

"N-No. Don't touch me!" she slapped his hand away.

Koren sighed, shaking his head. "Restrain her," he ordered, Angela feeling several hands clasping her arms and hosting her up to her feet. "Take her to a cell and make sure to keep it secure. Yet do not treat her too roughly. The less bruising there is on her, the better."

"N-No! Please!" Angela begged, her captors dragging her away. "Mother, please! Lord Koren!" they did nothing but stare ahead as she was being carried to her death. "No…" she cried. "No!"

"Hm? What's that?" one of the mages holding the Princess questioned. Indeed, something was happening. They were sparse at first, yet small orbs of light began to form; where were they coming from? Could they be coming from-

"NOOOO!" Angela shrieked, not even realizing her entire body was consumed by a light that blinded everyone in the room. The light expanded and overtook everything, the sensation as if a massive current of wind had just entered and rustled everyone, some being taken off their feet. Yet when the light dispersed and dematerialized, there appeared to be no damage done. Everyone was present and okay.

Save for Angela herself.

"NOOOO!" she screamed, yet realized something had changed when she had fallen forward into...snow? Yes, there was no mistake; this WAS a thick blanket of snow beneath her.

And looking up, she could see why that was. She stood at the palace; was she outside? Rising to her feet, the below-freezing temperature struck her, her legs buckling and her hands immediately clasping at her arms to warm them. How did she get out here? What had she just done? All she knew was that she was desperate to get away, run, do something, to be somewhere other than where she was, and now, she was outside the palace? Had...had she just used magic? Actual magic? This made her nearly faint in shock, and yet another sensation overcame her. One of paralyzing fear. If she was outside...then... what her mother and Koren said they would do...she would be searched for. And when they found out she wasn't in the palace, they surely would…

No. No, she wouldn't let them! She wouldn't let them use her for such a thing! She...she didn't understand. She understood nothing at that moment. Nothing, aside from one thing.

Run.

Note: I Got Duran and Angela's intros halfway done; now, all that's left is to get the others. Again, things will occur sequentially, as things happen before the other. That said, there will be a bit of an explanation of how people get to where and a bit of filler in that department. With that said, I've been researching some Final Fantasy lore and am considering putting bits and pieces into it, a la some references to games, monsters, and other little things. As really, the series did start as 'Final Fantasy Adventure' and is listed as a gaiden or spin-off series. Plus, given that Moogles are a thing in the games don't see why other small things can't be in there.

Anyhow, let me know what you think, and I hope to hear from you soon!