After the Battle Between Arianriod and Aurelia

Arianrhod watch as the Stalrittered ran off somewhere from he upper ledge on Rock Patio

"You are the same as you ever were, Lianne." A voice said to her.

(Trails of Cold Steel II ost - Spirit Shrine)

"Has it already been 20 years?" Arianrhod asked as she turn around and see her old friend. "Time has treated you well. You're much cuter now, Rose."

"It is a result of having split my power among my kin. I heard that Vita somehow managed to receive him. But I agree I make for quite a charmer in this tiny form."

"Indeed. You were a beauty before, but I quite like this cuter version of you. Though I can't imagine what Dreichels would say if he could see you now."

"Hmph, it would certainly not be anything kind, knowing that blockhead. Most likely something obnoxious like, 'You're shrinking in your old age, Rose!'"

Arianrhod couldn't help but chuckled. "I can certainly picture him saying that."

"Hehehe. That would definitely he would say." A voice said and came behind Roselia... was Aether.

"It's been some time Aether. I see you haven't change 20 years ago as well." Arianrhod said.

"Nor have you, 250 years ago. Same to you Rose." Aether said, turning to her. "I haven't seen you in awhile."

"I know that look in your eye. You're probably thinking. "How did Rose suddenly get so small?" Didn't you?" Roselia asked

Aether scratched his cheek. "Ahaha... Was it that obvious? Anyway, I never thought the three of us will be speaking like this."

Arianrod nodded. "Indeed. How long has it been since we use to gather together for a chat. 20 years perhaps?"

"That sounds about right. You and Aether were traveling together until 20 years ago. How nice that you two had your fun." Roselia said.

"It would be nice if you could join us. But you have your duty as the Elder of the Hexen Clan." Aether said. "That reminds me, a little birdy told me that you have a son now Lianne. How did that happen?"

"Ah yes. He's a sweet boy, and surprisingly talented when he put his mind into it." Arianrhod smiled before letting out a worried look on her face. "Though to be honest. I do worry about him at times. I understand he's fine making friends with the Ogre and the others but. I was wondering if he will ever have friends of his own age and had a good life in school. But alas. My darling son is unable to due to his position in the society."

"Ah yes, the School life. Where youth go out and learn, make friends, had a normal life and such. Just thinking about me makes me jealous." Roselia said.

"I understand how you feel. I look pretty young myself. often mistaken for a teenager." Aether chuckled.

"Anyone would really. I mean seriously. How are you still able to look this young?"

"That's my own secret. So Lianne, Rose, I'm sure you heard about the news about the creatures with hearts shape symbols suddenly appearing?"

"Ah yes. The Heartless." Arianrhod said, looking trouble. "Creatures who are after the darkness from the hearts of people. I'm not sure how they appear exactly, but I bet it has something to do with what happened back in the Infernal Castle two years ago. Judging from your look. I take it you found the answer."

"I sure have. Though I imagine the Grandmaster of Ouroboros already knew this. But apparently, that clash between the Ashen and Azure Knights trigger a power chain reaction which made the distortion worst. Now the Creatures of Grimm are invading the other worlds."

"So it's most likely Ouroboros fault, unintentionally." Roselia said.

"I can't deny that. None of us expected that to happen. As if the Creatures of Grimm aren't enough problem as it is. There's another problem with Organization XIII." Arianrhod sighed.

"So I heard."

"Yeah. And yet, despite all that. More troubles will happen in the nearby future. Not just different worlds along with people coming here." Aether nodded.

"And yet, it does make life amusing in a sense."

"Indeed. I wonder what else might happen in the near future. And speaking of the future. I also worried about how my son would feel about it."

"About what exactly?" Aether asked.

"Well, at a certain point. I'm afraid there are at some point. I won't be able to look out for him and watch him grow. Watch him grow into a remarkable young man, finding a love life of his own, maybe even a family. I suppose me being his mother made me experience how it means to be a mother."

"That's just goes to show that you're a good mother Lianne. You wanted to bare Dreichels children. But alas... until that happened... you couldn't anymore." Aether sadden. "But now, you're able to experience of being a mother for the first time, right?"

"I suppose so. Training him, raising him, and helping his education was certainly a challenge. I did imagine parenthood would be difficult, but it does feel warm in the end. I just hope someday, he will have a good life once everything is in order." Lianne smiled.

"I'm sure he will. And if possible. He can enroll in a school life like how you vision it. But who can say for sure." Aether said.

"Thank you old friend."

"All right. Enough pleasantries. Just what are you doing with Vita?" Roselia asked as she turn to Arianrhod. "The Gnomes 'Twilight,' Ouroboros' Phantasmal Blaze'... Two completely different plans with completely different goals. What happens when they clash?

"You needn't worry about the Abyss. Her collaborators are truly adept individuals... and they will make formidable foes. And as for the Great Twilight and the Phantasmal Blaze Plan..." Arianrhod turn around and activated a teleportation technique. "You'll find your answer 250 years ago, on that fateful day." She said and she disappeared.

Roselia sighed. "Fool. I do not know if you're going this out of a sense of duty to the man you feel for. However..." She look down. "You and Vita are the same. You have no idea how I..."

"Rose..." Aether sadden as he close his eyes. '250's ago...'

"It seems I have no choice but to put my trust in Emma, Celine, and that Ashen and Light Child."

"I should be on my way too. See you around Rose." Aether said as he use his magic and teleported away.

Old friend to have a nice talk like this... only to end for a short moment...