Chapter 19Lucina – An Evil Revealed
The essence of a soul is intricate, comprising of emotions, memories, and an individual's inherent energy or in other words strength of character. While souls are commonly believed to coexist in a different realm, entirely separate from the realm of the material. It is acknowledged that the body acts as an anchor of which the soul can interact with the world.
Many are the rituals that attempts to commune or affect this perceived connection between the realms. Most are with the intent to encourage harmony and healing. Indeed, many afflictions with no clear physical cause is believed to be the results of a disturbance between soul and body.
The applications are numerous, but this chapter will focus on the principles of transferring the essence of a soul into another vessel. Imagine the soul to be like a solvent and the body a container. If we're to keep this mental image, it would not be too farfetched to imagine that it could be theoretically possible to transfer souls between bodies, like swapping fluids between two mugs. Keep in mind that this is a gross simplification as the character of the soul and the vessel itself have proven to introduce complications that prevents a simple swap. But if it could be achieved, true immortality could be theoretically possible, as one's soul merely need to continuously jump between vessels, whenever the body was to somehow expire.
The people of Plegia are believed to be the most adept in this practice. Yet even they have been unable to present any truly successful cases. Most ending with being little better than necromancy, producing barely controllable living corpses with little trace of intelligence. Despite this, they continue to invest much in these fields, as they seem especially interested in bringing souls that have already passed to the immaterial realm into our material. An interest that stems from their Grimeal religion (se appendix.)
Even if these fields are a barely understood science, our recent victory over Plegia has made some of their more enigmatic text available for our academy. There are a few undisputable principles that one need to consider whenever attempts of transfers are made. Please note that I have taken the liberty to add a few of my own notes.
A vessel needs to be ''compatible'' with the soul. To fail to account for this would result in the creation of a living corpse. How one determines the ''compatibility'' of the soul and the vessel is regrettably unknown or at best mere speculations. Examples include that the vessel needs to share some blood relation to the soul.
A vessel must be of living flesh. Corpses or inanimate objects are not suitable, and attempts have only resulted in either living corpses or golems of limited intelligence respectively. This principle is the reason that soul transfer is considered a controversial art of magic, as it demands a living vessel with its own soul in order to hypothetically work, which is problematic considering the next point.
A vessel cannot contain multiple souls. Like a mug of ale, a vessel is not a bottomless pit and would not be able to contain multiple souls let alone allow them to coexist within the same body. Two outcomes have been observed; one is that one soul would inevitably eclipse the other, the other is that the less dominate soul would simply be cast out. Either way the one soul that remains in the vessel would always be changed, and therefore a true soul transfer cannot be said to have been ever successful.
Except from ''An insight into the dark arts'' by Headmistress Miriel of the Royal Academy of Ylisse
Lucina had a headache; She had spent every waking moment she could spare to read that book that Laurent had marked with his last breath. Much of the finer details went over her head, she never was very adept in the magical fields, but she could understand the general principles, which was enough. She doubted that Laurent intended for her to understand every subject in that book.
Months has gone by since his death, and much has happened since then. The sudden attack by the risen had bewildered the camp but did negligent damage to the Ylisseans capacity to continue their war against Valm, and most curiously did not repeat. Efforts were made to discover the cause of it with little success. And the entire attack was soon forgotten under the shadow of the war against Valm. Even Laurent's murder had been casually dismissed as an unfortunate casualty alongside a handful of other victims.
Lucina did nothing to discourage this.
There was no point. No one would believe her anyways, and Lucina was certain that Laurent himself would have discourage her for wasting energy on a pointless cause.
He always was a practical man, and she would honour his memory by analysing his last act before turning her efforts towards vengeance.
What was Laurent really trying to tell her?
Considered how he had marked that particular chapter about soul transfer, Lucina had devoted most of her energy there.
It had not been easy with an entire war going on in the background, not to mention stressful. The princess never ceased to keep a watchful eye on the tactician and guarding vigil of her father. She liked to think that her efforts were of some benefit, as the traitor apparently didn't make any further moves against her or her father during the entire war.
The. Entire. War.
Lucina could hardly believe it herself that she had been a part of one of the greatest conflicts in the history of her nation, and yet be so detached of it. She has fought in many of its battles and seen many tragedies and historical events unfold before her own eyes. Yet all of it had become a mere side act for the princess, she knew the real danger was in the horizon.
The return of Grima was approaching, and only by gathering the five gemstones could they prevent this. And with the conclusion of the war against the Valm, the Ylisseans had gathered two more of the five gemstones. One had been in the possession of the Conqueror himself, the other was secretly held by Basilio, who only revealed his possession of it recently after deeming her father ''worthy''.
Now they only needed one. And yet the traitor had still not acted. Was he waiting for them to gather them all before making his move? Or did her vigil really prevent him to make any more moves?
The inaction had unnerved the princess. Her foe had not hesitated to act against her in the past, so why was he holding back now? What was that traitor even planning?
Was the tactician even a traitor?
It was a thought that resurfaced with increasing frequency, and began to solidify as the Princess read and understood more of the book that Laurent had marked. Did he carry the same idea all this time? Was it why he always seemed so reluctant to kill the tactician outright? Laurent had always been a man that knew more then he lets on, and it was regrettable that he would no longer be able to voice his opinion whatever she was on the right track.
Transfer of the soul…Plegia's proficiency in its mysteries and their religious goal of bringing the Fell Dragon Grima back into the mortal world…
The numbers two and one…
Could it be Laurent was implying that the tactician had never betrayed them wilfully? That he had merely been possessed to do so by another malign soul? The numbers…Did they mean two souls becoming one?
It suddenly made sense why they had been unable to find anything that could prove his treachery. There were none, for none had been committed. Naga herself had said that his soul was pure.
And where did it leave her?
Lucina felt guilt and a sense of shame wash over her. If that was true then she had accused and mistreated an innocent man, a good man.
It was a prospect she did not relish to acknowledge, and yet...
She remembered how he never acted against her, the times he spoke on her behalf and that one time he even saved her from drowning. And in return she had treated him like a plague to be avoided and at times even resorted to physical violence.
He killed your father…
He didn't mean to…
He ruined your home…your country…
He had no control over his body…
He killed your mother…
It was not him…
He killed your sister…your friends…
It was not him…
It was not him…
It. Was. Not. Him!
A clearer picture began to form in Lucina's mind.
The tactician…her uncle was not a traitor, at least not yet. Someone possessed her uncle's body and used it to masquerade as him in the future. Someone else was definitely pulling the strings, someone who needed his body to perform some nefarious purpose.
While it was undeniable that the tactician was the leading figure of Grima's armies in her time. He was not alone, the Cult of Grima encompassed many more mortals.
And if her uncle only betrayed them because he was possessed, then the true danger could be said to be those that was responsible for his corruption; The Cult of Grima.
They were the ones responsible for all this, and the true treat. Even the Conqueror had implied this, before he was cut down by her father. Justifying his war against Ylisse by claiming that he intended to stop the dangerous worship of degenerate dragons of old. He could have been a powerful ally, but unfortunately his ire also included the worship of Naga.
Several questions sprang into the princess mind. Why did Plegia need to possess the tactician in the first place? Was it because of his closeness to her father? And if he was an unwilling host, who did they accept him as their leader? What malign soul did they replace her uncle that could command such authority? The text did mention that Plegia was obsessed with bringing a certain ancient dragon of old…
Lucina shook her head.
It couldn't be.
Grima was a separate entity. She had seen that herself. A fell dragon of unimaginable seize and power. Yet the corruption of the tactician was most likely an essential step in bringing that ancient evil back.
But why?
She drew a deep breath and leaned back from her chair. Trying to find answers were exhausting work. Lucina was grateful that she for once have the opportunity to rest in an actual room with solid walls.
The army was currently stationed in a major harbour in Valm in preparation of returning home. While most of the army was still in tents, many were able to be housed in abandoned stone buildings in the war-ravaged city, which included her.
It was dark and there was a stillness that suited the princess well. It was a rare moment of contemplation that she had sorely missed. An opportunity to compartmentalize her thoughts.
Lucina looked at a nearby mirror.
The face that starred back at the princess looked terrible. Her face was gaunt, and she could see dark lines had begun to appear around her eyes. Even if she was barely twenty summers old, her eyes had a stare that spoke of a lifetime of troubles. It was obvious that she had not eaten nor slept well since Laurent's murder.
She needed rest, but it was a luxury she could not allow herself just yet, when so much was at stake.
She was of the Exalted line of Ylisse and it was her duty to secure the future of Ylisse and her people. The Brand of the Exalt on her left eye was proof of this.
The Brand…
Suddenly Lucina recalled that the tactician had a similar brand on his right hand, and vaguely remembered that her mother once told her that it had some connection to the royal family of Plegia.
The book did mention something about the necessity of possessing the right bloodline. Was that why the Cult of Grima needed him? Was that the reason that her uncle came to the service of her father back in her own timeline? Was it in order to avoid taking part of the resurrection of Grima?
Speculations, it was all just speculations, but it was all she could do at the moment.
She was tired, so tired of this burden. How much longer did she need to fight? And to fight alone?
She missed her friends.
None of them had reappeared since she sent them away. And those rare moments where she had been able to look out for them proved fruitless.
Are they still alive? She prayed to Naga that it was the case.
If they were to contact her, they needed to do so discreetly. They were officially deserters of the army. Lucina could try to appeal to her father and even get some assistance with finding them, but that might bring them in more danger.
Maybe their absence was for the best.
Her carelessness had gotten Laurent killed; she should never had let him stay and she did not intent to get any more of her friends killed.
It was all her fault…
In the solitude of her room, Lucina allowed herself to finally cry for all that she has lost.
It all felt so hopeless and pointless. Things were still proceeding unchanged, despite all those losses in the name of a better future. She wondered if Gerome had a point. That the past was unchangeable? No…She wouldn't give in to despair. If their undertaking was pointless, why did Naga send them back? Just to experience a past yet ruined? No, she had a purpose, and it was to protect her father. As long as he lived the past could be changed.
And if nothing else, she had learned something that brought her a strange sense of comfort. That her uncle might have been innocent and had not wilfully betrayed her father.
It was something that she never imagined feeling towards that man. He who had been an object of her hatred for so many years. All those nights where she was alone with her thoughts, wondering how he could betray them so. He had been her father's right hand and best friend, and his betrayal had been unthinkable, which had only fanned her hatred for him to a point that it was almost blinding.
Yet all that hatred was nearly undone by this one simple prospect, no…a mere speculation that her old tutor had not turned on them by his own will.
That all those years they spent together was not a lie.
That he like her father had been a mere victim of the dark arts of Plegia.
But someone had been acting against her and have done so ever since she had made her presence known. It was a foe that with high certainty still hid amongst them even now at that Lucina had no doubt.
Laurent's death and the reappearance of the Risen proved this.
But who? The most obvious culprit had been the Plegian representative Aversa, but she alongside most potential Plegian agents were long gone when Laurent was murdered.
The Risen's presence suggested that his murderer had to be a competent practitioner of the dark arts. And the attempt on her life back in Fort Steiger implied that it was someone who could influence her father's decisions.
And most frightening, someone who somehow knew about not only her but her friends as well. Was it possible that they had been followed from the future? Or maybe she had just been too careless with her contacts?
So, who was it? And how many of them hid in the shadows?
No matter how Lucina tried to connect it. It all came back to the tactician.
Innocent or no, he remains the catalyst for bringing the Fell Dragon back. And whoever who worked against them would need him or at least his body for this. And if she could not identify the true foes, she could at least deny them the means to awaken their God.
And there was only one way to ensure this; Kill him.
Kill him…Once there was nothing, she would like to do more, but now it was less so, given what she had learned. But for the sake of the future her goals must remain the same. She would need to confront him; She owed him that much.
The opportunity would present itself soon enough. One certain mage would later visit her quarters a few days later, on the same day as the army prepared itself to depart the continent of Valm.
''Alone you say?''
The princess asked, as Henry reported that the tactician had left the camp without any escort.
''Why yes princess! Completely alone and with no clear reason! Suspicious, very suspicious indeed wouldn't you say?''
Henry said with his usual wide grin.
''Thank you Henry, I appreciate that you tell me this.''
Like a jester from the circus, Henry clapped his hands and jumped at the praise.
''Oh, it's nothing at all princes! Nothing at all! I'm happy to serve! But I do have to insist on going with you. Can't have you try to do anything to our dear tactician can we?''
The dark mage said playfully, but Lucina knew what he implied. If it came down to it, she was certain that she could shake him off or make a move before he could act. Henry had always struck her for being a bit absent minded, he didn't even protest as she picked up Falchion and took it with her outside.
It turned out that she didn't really need to concern herself with him at all, as soon as they were outside the city he got distracted by some of his crows and left her alone.
Now she only needed to get close.
The war against Valm was over, and the tacitician was no longer essential for Ylisse survival. Whatever he was indeed a traitor or an innocent sacrificial lamb, it did not matter. It was a terrible thought, but it was clear to her that this was the most direct way of saving her father, even if he would condemn it.
Her dark future must be prevented, whatever the cost.
This was another burden she needed to bear. This would scar her very soul, and some part of her wished that she had not read the book Laurent had left behind. It would have made this easier.
As Henry had reported Lucina found her target alone in a meadow.
She wondered what drove him to seek out such a place alone.
What this a trap?
She couldn't see anyone; It was as Henry said.
The tactician's back was turned towards her, as if he was just a common man that was merely on a leisure stroll out in the countryside. He made no move as she approached him, it would have been a small matter to just run Falchion through his chest. A quick merciful death. A definite end to it all, but instead she spoke up.
''Beg pardon, Robin. Might I have a word?''
Lucina was a bit surprised that she actually managed to speak with a tone that sounded almost gentle, more so that she actually used his name for once. Robin for his part did not answer immediately, but he had heard her as he slowly turned towards her. For the first time since coming to the past did Lucina take a proper look at the tactician without a vail of hatred and disgust, and she finally saw him as he was. A kind man not too unsimilar to her father, whom she admired above all else.
''…Lucina, this is an unexpected surprise. To what do I owe the pleasure?''
Despite their recent past, he did not seem alarmed at her sudden appearance. His body gave no sign of preparing to defend himself, it was relaxed as if he merely spoke with another one of the Shepards that he got along with (which was practically all of them).
For a moment Lucina found herself lost for words.
''It's…It's about my father. As you know. As Exalt of Ylisse, he's an important man not to mention courageous, kind and loved by all…''
The words sounded idiotic as Lucina spoke them, she did not know why she even bothered to speak with him. She had made her choice, now she merely needed to act on it.
But maybe those words were not for the tactician's benefit but more so to her own? Some kind of justification for the crime she was about to commit. Either way Robin gave no sign of being confused at her sudden mention of her father, but merely listened attentively as was his nature.
''A-and after coming to the past I know this not just to be merely empty words, but true. It is his destiny to lead Ylisse through the dark times ahead of us. His death would rob the world of a very great man. And I won't allow it to happen. Please Robin…Forgive me…''
She drew her blade, but the man before her still made no motion of defending himself, nor shout any words of protest at the implication of her intent. Instead, he just starred at her with those crimson red eyes. It was the same caring and understanding gaze that she had seen in her youth.
How she hated it. It made it so much more difficult to do what needed to be done.
''I understand. You love him…We all do.''
There was no malice nor hatred in his voice. It was soft and caring.
Lucina tightens her grip on Falchion and pointed the blade towards him, she could feel her hand shake.
''Please…please understand Robin…I no longer hold any ill will towards you. I know that you did not intentionally betray us in the future. And I'm sorry for my treatment towards you all this time. But I know that you're at the mercy of our enemy. You're of the royal Plegian line, aren't you?''
Robin starred down as if her words brought him some kind of shame.
''I'm…I won't deny it. Although I can't remember much of my past. I know I'm of high Plegian descent. And that curse is what would drive me to raise my hand towards Chrom and towards you…''
Lucina was shocked.
''You knew?!''
Robin lifted his hands defensively.
''Only recently! My mind has been murky for a long time now, I don't know how to explain it, but I get these dreams…Dreams that feels too real to be mere imagination. I think they are glimpses. Fragmented visions of your future…''
Lucina wondered how that made any sense.
Yet she needed to focus on the task at hand, she could not allow herself to be distracted.
''So, you understand my actions then? Why this needs to be done?''
At this Robin smiled. A sad smile.
''I do…If you are fully intent on doing it. Go head. I won't stop you. My life is yours…''
He lowered his hands and spread them out, signalling that he would offer no resistance.
Everything was delivered to her in a silver platter, yet Lucina could not accept that.
''Draw your weapon…Draw damn you! I won't let it be said that I cut down a defenceless man.''
Robin did not bulge.
''I would rather die then ever point my blade towards you. I'll always watch over you…''
Those words broke the princes. She could not go through it, no matter how necessary it was.
She could not kill him, knowing that her uncle Robin was an innocent man.
It would be murder, nothing less.
The world around her broke and she could no longer hold her blade, as she collapsed and began to cry.
How it hurt.
So close and yet so far away.
Her failure was absolute.
She felt like being the little girl that had fallen from that tree in the royal garden all those years ago.
Hurt and alone.
Yet her feeling of isolation didn't last long as she felt herself being pulled up and embraced by the very same person that she had tried to kill moments before.
''There…There…It's alright Lucina. You haven't failed. We'll find another way to change the future, and we shall find it together.''
Lucina returned the hug.
''T-thank you…I'm quite pathetic, aren't I?
''Indeed, you are!''
A voice said behind her.
Before anyone of them could do anything, Lucina felt a sharp pain in her lower abdomen. She looked down and could see herself bleeding profoundly. Both her and Robin had been impaled by an ice spike, and as one they fell down on the ground.
Lucina spat blood out and could feel her strength quickly leave her, as surely as the blood that came out her, she and Robin would bleed out soon if nothing was done about it. Yet despite the immense pain she turned her head to get a glimpse of their assailant.
It was Henry.
He stood over them. Eyes open for once, revealing a malicious gaze that Lucina was all too familiar with. It was the traitor from her time. She knew this as she saw his face distort back into an appearance that was exactly like the man that laid beside her.
Magical glamour.
Lucina thought bitterly. A simple yet effective spell if one wanted to disguise oneself.
But how could it be? How could there be two Robins? The numbers…One? Two? One? Two?
The bluenette found it difficult to keep a coherent thought as she bleeds out.
''And here I thought that I could get some entertainment by watching you kill your beloved tutor yourself, but it is true as one says; If you want something done right, you do it yourself!''
The last thing Lucina saw was the traitor preparing to charge another spell and aimed it at them.
Ohhh we are finally nearing the end of this story! Longest chapter yet and the most difficult. There might be some mistakes here and there but might update later if I find some major mistakes. For now, I hope that the story has been coherent enough.
Next chapter's POV is undecided.
Thank you all for reading and seya next time
As always comments and reviews are always welcome, they help to keep my motivation up