[Chapter 98: The Sands: Part 4: Bloody Truth]
It's been quite some time Sophia.
I...I apologize if my handwriting is shaky. I'm currently writing this as I am flying with my wyvern. I just recently learned from Anna that she met you. I'm so happy you are alive! I know this may sound crazy but for me in our old world, it has been many, many, years. I hope this letter gets to you. Just know I am just happy to hear you are okay along with Iris. I learned from Anna that you and Iris somehow ended in the world of Awakening and a war against Walhart. Again, sorry, I'm just beyond excited to the point I am not making sense. I'm sending an entire box of things I collected in Fodlan along with a magic tool I hope will help you. I know this may be impossible but if Grima is a male in your world, kick in in the balls for me. No, I know you would do it anyway without me asking. I heard you have a daughter and that she looks like you! Does she come from the future? I recently learned that Edith and Jay are in the world of Heroes. Unique in World of Fates. My end, Three Houses/Three Hopes. Arisa and Chris are here as well with me.
Iris, I am so happy you are okay. After the earthquake, I kept searching for you and Sophia non-stop. I'm so happy you are alive. I'm sending a bunch of things I got from Fodlan and Almyra along with a few magic tools and weapons for you guys to use. Be safe my friend. I also hear you have a daughter. Oh, I hope after the wars in our world are over we can meet. It'll be a reunion and I won't lie, you all are going to see me be a wailing mess as I hug you all.
Unique, I'm so happy to hear you're alive! After you did Ed in my arms, I didn't know what to do. I won't lie, my life on earth was not pretty. Even so, I am-
"Incoming! Dodge!"
Inami's voice snapped Theresa out of her trance writing letters to her friends. The woman looked up, only to see a bunch of tumbleweeds flying her way. The woman dodged and just slowly turned to look at the seer who smiled meekly.
"We have...a lot of Ariel desert plants," Inami said and at that moment, both witnessed Balthus get smacked by one right in the face.
"Ow." The man said and Theresa couldn't help but snicker as they kept flying.
"So, what exactly are the Pyramids of King Verethragna? I've never heard of them before." Theresa said as Inami let out a heavy sigh.
"It's about 10 hours away from our kingdom since we are flying. 3 weeks if we went by carriage. It is where our kingdom originally formed but due to a catastrophe that happened 800 years ago, the entire nation and its people were forced to move. The first queen gave her life to ensure everyone was evacuated." Inami said, her gaze distant, "We don't have many records of what happened even if the king and their children survived. I theorized that they chose to keep silent about what happened because of how traumatic the event was." She said as Balthus nodded.
"In Kupala, we got a couple of our own stories of the place. That it used to be a home for the Pari and humans but then the apocalypse came and wiped out the land. That's our version. I wonder if other places have their own." Balthus mused as the seer nodded.
"Well, it's going to take some time to get there, but everyone is prepared. There is a high concentration of black and dark magic there. I think you two will be fine but me? Sigh...Good thing I bought that protection necklace from Anna." Inami said and tapped the star-snapped pendant on her neck.
"Will we make it back on time?" Theresa thought as Falco chirped, "I know...I worry too much."
"(The place isn't actually a pyramid.)" Falco said and Theresa blinked multiple times, "(It's a mixture. Buildings like you said, but also ones that have pointed arches, sculptural stalactites, and bulbous domes with floral decorations. It was once a united nation of all of the East. But they scattered and grew apart after the disaster.)" the wyvern said as Theresa looked at him shocked.
"How do you know this?" She asked and the wyvern snorted.
"(Cirina.)" Falco said and continued to look forward, "(I made sure no one entered the forest. There were Agarthans that tried to harvest Cirina's body but I cut them down. It was the least I could do after she saved you.)" he said and Theresa smiled sadly.
"I'm sorry you went through so much because of me." Theresa said as she laid down to hug him, "You did well, Falco. When this is over, I hope you can be with Zahra." She whispered and the wyvern closed its eyes, nodding.
"(My mate is a kind one. Though kind, she knows when to set her foot down. I hope you can be with your mate as well in the future. Claude von Riegan...I found him worthy to ride me.)" Theresa sat up straight, her eyes wide, "(Cirina showed no mercy in her trials. She went as for as torturing emotionally, physiologically, and mentally. She was stubborn but what I witnessed from them all...especially Von Riegan, is a change in mindset. I think...he is finally learning to open up...even if it is a very slow process.)" He said as Theresa went silent.
"Claude...is finally learning." She whispered as she covered her mouth and looked down to her lap, her eyes, conflicted.
"Cirina...just what did you do?"
[—-]
To say the ancient ruins were pyramids was an understatement. Theresa could hardly believe her eyes as she took in the city of the ancient ruins from above. The buildings, structures, domes, and stone carvings, the best way she could describe the place was that it was a combination of Persian, middles eastern, Hindu, Turkey, Southeast Asia, and Indian, buildings and architecture. But what was once a beautiful city was now nothing but ruins, surrounded by black fog with high dark and black magic concentration to send a normal human to their grave in two minutes. But what was the most noticeable was the giant pyramid-like castle at the far end of the ruins.
Black sludges and crystals grew from the ground along with vines with thorns. Strange wilted bugs and sprouts with dark energy that would explode at the touch. The scent of rotting flesh and food, as well as dust. But what was the most haunting thing when she, Balthus, and Inami walked into the place was the number of humans that were just frozen black crystals, she could see their last moments. Several were either crawling or running for their lives. Others were curled up just trying to protect their families. Others were just fragments on the ground. Animals, plants, humans, even the supernatural, nothing was spared.
"Sigh...sad isn't it?" Inami whispered as she put on her necklace and walked up to a crystalized man that was reaching out to a woman, "You poor souls...Now your regrets linger here as Fortyde." She whispered and looked around, "How are you two holding up?"
"I feel sick." Balthus and Theresa said in unison, "Our bodies aren't used to feeling this much corruption." Balthus said and Theresa touched her necklace to make her relic appear.
Somehow, making it appear made it feel like she could breathe better as if someone opened the window to let the dust out. Seeing Theresa do it, Balthus summoned his own and let out a sigh of relief as he breathed again.
"Luck bastards." Inami clicked her teeth as Theresa told Falco to wait for them at a nearby oasis.
The wyvern nodded and growled, commanding the other two wyverns to follow him.
Theresa let out a breath as they turned back to the place. Their destination was the pyramid castle. But first, they had to go through the old city. As they walked, the sights just became more haunting, and the same scenes repeated. But most of all, the biggest slap to the face was the amount of monsters there were. Baels, the sight of faceless nearly sent Theresa screaming had it not been for Balthus slapping his hand over her mouth. Bonewalkers, gorgons, the list just went on. Not to also mention Fortyde now had physical forms. At the moment, the trio was hiding behind an old building, seeing a group of Risen devouring what looked like a mage. The blood was still oozing so that meant it was an unlucky agarthan.
"Looks like the bastards are struggling to get in." Inami's forehead creased as she had a nervous smile, "Come, let's go—"
Something suddenly glinted and Inami slammed her hands on the ground, creating a barrier that blocked a masia attack that came at them. The impact on the barrier shook the woman, catching her off guard. She had never felt such a powerful magic attack before in her life. Her arms trembled as the barrier collapsed and Theresa quickly caught her on time.
"Are you alright?" Theresa said and Balthus charged at the monster that attacked them, a purple flame vestal witch.
The Vestal witch's body glowed of purple and white magma, yet instead of the fierce and enraged expressions they usually have, this one wailed as black sludge tears fell from her eyes. The witch unleashed another wail and charged. The two women got up and lunged. At that moment, Theresa was Alexandra again. She spun her scythe and slashed, aiming for the vital points and searching for the opportunity to behead the monster. But something felt different about her fighting style since she regained her memories. The best she could describe it is that she became quieter. Her movements, barely made any sound or none at all because now the experience of fighting in her past life was implemented into her movements.
Her silence as she slashed at the Vestal Witch, and then twirled like a ballerina for her blade to injure it, she could hear it scream in agony.
"Heads up!" Balthus yelled as he and Inami stood back to back, "Fortyde are coming!" He said and punched one.
Fortyde was like black shadows taking on a distorted yet sludgy form. As spirits, they have a body like smoke. Alexandra still remembers the first time she saw them, but it was the amount that clung onto Dimitri during the time after Lonato that made her sick. She also remembered how they, seemed to scream at the presence of Arisa, as if she was burning them away with just standing near the prince. As the months went by, she felt more and more Fortyde has gathered around the monastery. It was an entire tsunami that clung onto Rhea, a horde of Edelgard and Dimitri and even Claude, and so many others. She kept it to herself but she had felt sick.
"Hyaaaah!" Alexandra gritted her teeth and raised to fingers, "Nova frost!" She yelled and wrote in the air the rune symbols for spear and Ice, lances of ice formed behind her and she pointed at the witch and Fortype, unleashing them.
They screamed as they were pierced and cut, Balthus slammed his fist together before he ran and charged, jumping in the air.
"It's over!" He slashed left, right, before slamming a foot down and then punched the ground, "Eviscerate!" He yelled and the ground cracked then exploded.
As much as Alexandra and Inami appreciated they had just got saved, their battle was attracting more monsters.
"The roof! Just run! Run!" Alexandra yelled and Balthus quickly jumped up, scooped up Inami, and they all bolted, heading straight to the castle.
As they ran and defend themselves, Theresa noticed that there were some areas of the place where the magic concentration dropped or there weren't any at all. Also, she could sense some of the dragon veins were still healthy but were fighting against the contamination. As if something was swallowing the masia.
"I need to focus." The woman thought as she turned to look back and unleashed another rainfall of ice lances at the monsters coming their way.
She wondered how the hell the Agarthans even managed to get into this place. Something was here that was rejecting evil yet trying to cleanse the place. Alexandra looked around, searching for any opening they could escape from when she spotted what looked like a cracked opening in a wall covered in black vines. They couldn't keep running forever and Inami wouldn't last long in the miasma before she collapsed. She gritted her teeth and made her choice.
"Balthus!" She yelled, looking back, "I found an opening! Follow me!" She said as the man looked at her shocked but nodded.
They kept going forward and then made a right turn. The number of broken ruins was their advantage. The woman made another sharp right turn, Balthus right behind her with Inami. She could feel the direction she was going, the miasma was starting to drop and the closer they got to the w—?!
Alexandra quickly grabbed the back of Balthus's coat and violently pulled him back on time right when the ground cracked and split open. Before their eyes they watched risen crawl out of the ground, screaming with Fortyde and other monsters. It felt like they were in hell, watching the land produce wave after wave of monsters. Was this where Anacharis was getting her supplies of monsters to unleash not just on Fodlan but other nations as well?
"There's no way we can fight that many," Inami said but Theresa gritted her, the grip on the pole of her scythe becoming tighter.
"No. But we can run right through them." She said and the two looked up to her, horrified but they knew she was brewing a plan.
Theresa had to act fast. She looked to the side, seeing where they were crawling, and spotted a black vein that was pulsing, it looked like the source. And the entrance she saw was right in front of them.
"What if...I cast Nosferatu to an extreme level?" Theresa thought as her eyes widened just a bit, "Similar to what Annette did in the past but this time..." she quickly looked down at Inami, "Inami, can you cast a blue light spell?!" she said as the seer looked at her confused but nodded.
"Cast it. Make it bright, bright to the point it would completely blind us when I give a signal. Balthus, I need you to use Eviscerate right!" She pointed at the black vein that pulsed purple, "Right there when I create an opening. You both got it?!" She said and they nodded firmly.
"Alright, let's go!"
The three then lunged at the hood that blocked their way. They slashed, punched, and burned the monsters with everything. Even if black blood splattered on their faces, even if Theresa felt her body was about to reach its limit, she kept pushing. She was going to end this. She was going to stop the Agarthans and get answers. Something big was going to happen in this damn place. Theresa sliced in half a demonic beast, its blood and guts spilling all over but she didn't care.
"BALTHUS!" The woman screamed at the top of her lungs and from behind her, Balthus jumped in the air, Vajra-Mushti began glowing bright gold and red, and the Crest of Chavelir manifested brightly in his eyes and above his head as a feral, excited, yet smug grin formed on his face.
It was the first time Inami was witnessing the true power of those who have truly awakened the power of their crest. It was a beautiful and terrifying sight. A power that is beyond a person's wild imagination. Balthus's canine teeth became sharper, his senses as well, and then he raised his right fist, falling closer to the ground and...
"Ha!"
A voice suddenly rang in Balthus's head.
"Those who bring ruins to our lands must perish. You who despite are a fool yet your heart is strong and white. Go. Do what you must. I have watched you over the years. You who is the descendant of my student and friend. Go. Unleash my power, the power of the Snow Dragon."
"Eviscerate!" Balthus roared and Vajra-Mushti slammed into the ground.
Snow suddenly began to spread rapidly through the ground and into the cracks, the monster screaming and trying to get away from it before the ground exploded, creating a giant crater. Balthus grinned as the impact threw him back before slamming his fist into the ground to stop himself.
"INAMI!" Alexandra screamed with all her might and the woman jumped in the air, monsters lunging at them.
Her balled hand opned, "Adwa' alshalaalat!" Inami screamed and pure blue light exploded from her hand.
Theresa jumped from roof to roof, spinning, dodging, and cutting the monsters that came her way. She jumped into the light, an Ice Sapphire in her hand, it began to absorb the light and she threw it towards the source of the monsters, raised two fingers, her eyes turned to slits and her crest appeared in them as well.
"Nosferatu!" Theresa screamed and it happened.
The ice sapphire exploded and deep blue giant spikes and crystals of ice rose from the ground, piercing, stabbing, and destroying everything as they spread through the cracks like thorns. At this moment, the trio ran, ran, ran as fast as they could to the entrance, even if the wave of monsters and ice came their way. They ran, ran, and finally threw themselves into the opening, right at the moment the ice exploded into the entrance. They would have let out breaths of relief but the floor they were on suddenly crumbled and disappeared.
"AAAHHHHHHHHHH!"
They screamed as they fell into darkness.
- Dream -
"Dad! Dad!"
A little girl ran through the wheat fields towards her father who stood still, looking out to the horizon. His long white hair blew in the wind, a solemn expression on his face as kept looking out to the sunset. The little girl slowly came to a halt and looked out to the horizon as well.
"Missing Fodlan?" She asked and the white-haired man sighed, turning to her fully.
He had jeweled blue eyes, and pale skin with dark circles under his eyes, he wore a white shirt but about halfway down his neck, the torso was dark blue see-through skin, where his bones could be seen. He wore black pants, a wooden shepherd staff, and lastly, he nodded.
"It feels odd not living in Fodlan. It's been...10 years now since we left it." He said as the little girl smiled sadly.
"I prefer my life here in the east. Besides, big brother doesn't even want to think about Fodlan again after what we've been through." She said, referring to her brother.
"Sigh...You're right about that. Zagreus wouldn't exactly be happy with me being like this." He said and gently patted her head.
"Say, can you tell me the story again about Cirina?" She asked and the man nodded.
"Cirina was a kind woman who had a tragic life. She was a woman of ice and snow yet her heart was gentle as roses. But Cirina had a fire personality. People believed she was a fool but each time she proved them wrong without even trying. There was a moment in time, should the war be won, she would become the queen of the north, and her beloved, and friends would rule beside her. But tragedy struck and betrayal came high. By the hands of the one she loved and by the one who she shared blood with. The Sky Dragon blackmailed her that she would reveal who her lover was if she did not win in an upcoming battle. When in reality, it was a setup to humiliate her and then expel her." The white-haired man said as he picked up his daughter and carried her with one arm as he walked.
"But it backfired. When news traveled that Cirina was killed, Serio's entire army demanded answers from the Saints, Clans, and Apostles. The words said by Serios were only salt to the wound, saying the girl died of a false promise and that she was a fool to follow it. At that moment, before Serios's eyes, I and every one of Cirina's army threw our weapons to the ground and left. Serios panicked, saying what are they doing?" He then smirked smugly as he continued to walk.
"We follow Cirina. Not you and if even dare try to falsely accuse us of being deserters, know that you will declare war on the clans, Fae Queen, and the rest of us that follow Cirina!" I yelled and it was the most beautiful thing seeing just how much Serios was struggling. People began to question their faith, even no longer looking at their saint, they no longer respected but feared her. Some even left and chose to join us. We of Cirina's army formed our army and fought against Nemesis. I, Ui, Badlr, and your aunt led them." He said and looked back to the horizon, "How disappointed Sothis would have been if she saw what his daughter had become. Sigh... Persephone would just have second-hand embracement for Sothis." He said as the girl looked at him confused.
"Mom was friends with the goddess?" The little girl asked and the white-haired man smiled sadly.
"Yes. So was I. Sothis, your mother, and I were inseparable when we were young. We would travel around Fodlan and build amazing temples while also healing the land using the knowledge Sothis bestowed upon us." His smile was sad.
"Those were the days...till that spider came..."
- End of Dream -
"Ale..."
"Ale..."
"ALEXANDRA!"
"GASP!" Theresa gasped and quickly sat up, frantically looking around till she felt a hand on her shoulder along with a sigh of relief.
"Oh thank Goodness!" Inami said as Theresa kept looking around and finally at her, "No headaches or anything?" She asked and Theresa shook her head but placed her hand on her forehead.
"I...I had a strange dream." She said, and carefully stood up, "Anyhow, where are we?"
The strange area they were looking they were an underground sand area, as well as some broken ruins that looked like an old stone hallway, and what looked like tree roots growing. But the most important was that there was no miasma in the air. They were underground, yet the air felt so fresh and clean.
"I think we are under the castle. Not the best entrance to my ancestor's home but it will do." Inami shrugged, "But..." her lips became a thin line for a moment, "I don't know why but I feel...joy. As if I've returned to a place I longed for." She sighed, "Never mind...I asked Balthus to look ahead for us while I waited for you to wake up. You said you had a dream?" She asked and Theresa nodded.
"Does the name Persephone sound familiar?" Theresa suddenly asked and Inami blinked.
"No. It sounds foreign. I have never heard of it. Do you know of it?" Theresa nodded, "The name Persephone belongs to one of the many goddesses in legends that existed in my world. She was the queen of the underworld, the goddess of harvest, spring, and fertility. She was also called Kore." Theresa said and Inami was still puzzled.
Hades...Anacharis...Sothis...Now she suddenly heard the name Persephone. What was Sothis's connection to all this? What did Sandana have to do with this? Why was Anacharis so set on killing Sothis? What was her connection to those with the names she mentioned?
"I know Hades was the founder of House Illac before he left and passed on his leadership to his son. His daughter married The Founder and First King of Almyra. However..." the woman pinched her forefinger and thumb on her chin, deep in thought, "the names are different."
"How?" Theresa asked.
"The first queen's name was Ahurani, and the King's name was Ahura Mazda. The name of the queen's brother was Bahram." She said and before they could continue, Balthus had returned.
"Oh, thank goodness you're awake! I was starting to get worried." Balthus said as they turned to him, "Good news. Looks like we have to go through the place. I'm not sensing any masia and it's easier to breathe here. Bad news. We're going to have to find an exit or hopefully run into those bastards and take them out." He said as the group nodded.
"It's a good thing I have a map on me." Inami said and reached into her chest then pulled out the map, "It's ancient but hopefully reliable." She said and the other two looked over her shoulder as she opened it.
"Hah?!" Theresa said, "This looks like a damn maze!" She said looking at the map.
She felt she was looking at the map from The Maze Runner, which in itself was a good book but man was the movie butchered.
"It's not that bad." Inami huffed, "I understand the map. I'll lead us. Based on the reports, there's a high possibility that the Agarthans are after the legendary relic of the king that was buried here." She said as they started to walk, a torch each in their hands.
"What's the weapon named?" Balthus asked.
"The Arrow of Indra." Inami said as they walked, "It is said that before King Anura Mazda became king, he was a village boy who lived in poverty. The land and nation he lived in, was ruled by a Tyrant God King. The once benevolent king, went mad after his wives and children were killed by humans. Enraged by this, the king ruled with an iron fist and retribution fell onto the land." She said as the two gulped, "One day, a boy heard a whisper from the winds and traveled to the forest. There, he saw an injured Pari and tended to their wounds. The Pari thankful, revealed her true form, The Pari Queen, Ahurani." She whispered and they stopped, "Ha! What a coincidence."
Theresa turned and saw there were ancient stone carvings and paintings on the walls. It showed a king surrounded by black fire, holding the body of a woman and child, crying out to the sky as a man in black armor had what eerily looked like the Lance of Ruin, to the sky. The next wall carving showed a land surrounded by black flames, preventing anyone from leaving and the story continued to a young boy who before him stood before a beautiful woman with wings, in her hands was a fig.
"The fact that you were telling us the story and right when we were walking, this old work appears, creepy." Balthus shivered as Theresa snorted.
"What is that fruit she is giving him?" Theresa asked as she held the torch closer.
"It's a fruit said to be created from the stars. Queen Ahurani gave the fruit to the boy to heal and thank him. The boy then swore he will grow and become strong to free his people from the reign of the Tyrant god. Years went by and the boy went through many hardships and the queen watched through the reflections of dew. She watched the boy grow and become a warrior of pride and joy, fighting back against the army." She said as they stopped.
The now warrior returned to the forest where the queen was. The queen was surprised by this but the warrior knelt and spoke.
"I know you have been protecting me over the years. You spoke in my dreams and whispered words of comfort when I was at my lowest. You never once pushed me, only told me that it was my choice to make. Though you have guided me...I must apologize but my heart yearns for you. I have fallen in love with you." The hero confessed and the queen looked at him shocked but smiled, nodding.
So I have fallen for you. My dear and beloved hero, I wish to be by your side. But know that hardships will come. The path you walk with me beside you will be full of thorns. Are you prepared to face what is to come?
"Oh great. I think I know where this is heading." Theresa said as she pinched the bridge of her nose and they stopped in front of the last mural, "The two fell in love, she fought by his side to defeat the Tyrant king. They won and she crowned him king of the new nation." She said and sure enough, the mural was exactly as she said it.
The warrior kneeled, professing his love to The Pari Queen and her taking his hand, then joined him in the battle to take down the tyrant king. But the next painting showed some sort of tree sprouting from a pool of black mud. This was new but it somewhat matched the previous story that Inami told her. Theresa gulped and looked at Inami, who seemed to be in some sort of trance.
"Inami, are you alright?" Theresa asked and the woman's eyes were becoming glazed, "Inami?!" She was about to place her hand on her shoulder to shake her but Balthus quickly stopped her, grabbing her wrist. The man shook his head, his eyes telling her not to do it. He only slightly nodded, indicating to just watch the woman.
"What is going on?" Theresa demanded in a hushed tone as Balthus gulped, the seer walking on a head in a tranced state.
"I've seen this before. My mother called it A Calling. Like some sort of spirit is calling out to Inami. It's better not to disturb her in the state she's in because we don't know how she'll react. All we can do is follow her." He said as the two looked back at Inami, who swayed slightly.
"I'm so creeped out right now. This entire place is giving the creeps." Theresa shivered.
"Hey! I am too but we got to follow. Also, I'm more concerned about the fact we haven't encountered any of those mages yet." He said and Theresa hated to admit but he was right.
She estimated it had been at least two hours since they fell into the ruins and had just continued to walk. There wasn't any sign of enemy activity, let alone monsters. Compared to the outside, the inside of the ruin felt clean, purified. As if it had been cleansed. She could feel something preventing the corruption from spreading and cleaning it in the process. Something was here, and she had a suspicious feeling that it had to do with the story of the Pari Queen and First King of Almyra, Hade's children along with Vernata.
Alexandra didn't know much about Vernata. Only the little bit of information she knew from the books and the bits Cirina would tell her. She knew that Vernata was a wind faerie who was one of Titania's and Oberon's children. That she was a woman who fell in love with a human, and the man chose to become immortal to be with her. She was a powerful woman who could control the winds, calling forth storms at her command. And she was granted a powerful relic that was created by Sothis and Titania. But also, that she was a trickster but was one of the few faeries who told no lies. She was someone who genuinely only loved a selected few. Cirina was one of them along with Hades, Baldr, and Ui.
Unfortunately, during the final years of the war, Vernata and her husband were killed by Anacharis along with Rhea's wife, to create the opening needed to destroy the witch. Anacharis said that they succeeded in destroying her original body. If that's the case...then whose's body was she currently using? No...Only Arisa had a close-up encounter with Anacharis. Theresa had little to no information about the enemy they were now facing. In her world, Anacharis was the name of a Scythian prince and philosopher of uncertain historicity who lived in the 6th century BC and was one of the Seven Sages of Greece. Unfortunately, history wasn't her best subject but she knew enough thanks to her early years in watching over Chris when he was young.
Ah, Chris...
Theresa bit her lip as she thought back to her past life. After Arisa passed away, she left a will. It was safe to say the snakes in her friend's family started appearing when she was gone. She, Sophia, Edith, and Unique immediately hired security to prevent anyone from entering Arisa's apartment and her studio. She remembered Arisa's siblings, she was the fourth out of seven children. The firstborn, a brother, she got along decently with but the relationship soured over the years. Mainly because he saw the money being used on Arisa's treatment as a waste. The woman was terminally ill and he believed they should stop using their funds on her.
This made Arisa feel guilty, it's also why it's the root of Arisa's insistence that people should put themselves first instead of her. Arisa was kind but didn't exactly know how to accept kindness. Eventually, as the years went by, they did reconcile and talked to each other heart to heart. The second child, a sister, was decent. She worked, was there to help out, and had a mutual relationship with Arisa. The third was another brother, who loved his younger siblings and took care of them, they had a great relationship. The fifth and sixth were twin boys who were spoiled but were good kids.
"Those two never held back when someone tried to talk smack on their siblings." Theresa thought.
And Chris was the baby of the family. Arisa didn't know her mother's side of her family but she knew her father's. She didn't talk much but the most she would say is that her father's side of her family looked down on her and her siblings. The main reason was because of culture. Arisa and her siblings were raised to be respectful and mindful while he father's side of her family was...Theresa would just say assholes. The aunt loved to stir drama. The cousins would put on smiles but then talk behind their backs and gossip. The aunts and uncles would talk smack about their mother in whispers and hush.
Yet, half of those cousins ended up in not-so-good positions in life. Arisa left a portion of her money to her parents, for their retirement and paid off their house as a final gift. She left her studio to Chris. Her plushies to her twin siblings because she knew they loved and would treasure them. Her car to her third sibling. Her jewelry is to her second sister, and another portion of the money is to her elder brother. Lastly, a portion of the money to her, Unique, Sophia, Edith, Iris, and Jay, and the belongings in her apartment to them. The snakes that came out of the woodworks tried to protest but Arisa gave them all a dollar so they wouldn't contest, and a final "FUCK YOU" message.
Theresa smiled softly, remembering their faces. But a frown formed on her face. When Sophia, Edith, Unique, Iris, and Jay were declared "dead" in her old world, those snakes over the years tried to claim the things Arisa gave them. Well, on the bright side, her friend group was a slightly paranoid bunch and made sure they write wills should anything happen to them. Sophia's Dojo, money, and belongings went to Theresa. Iris's belongings to Unique. A year or two later, it repeated, but with Edith and Jay, they didn't have much so they passed to Chris. And then when Unique passed away, she had everything go to Theresa and Chris.
"Arisa...Chris...I'm glad you two are forgetting your old life...It's time...you two move on. Hopefully, I'll be able to do the same one day." Theresa thought but something bothered her.
It's been so many years and Arisa had NEVER forgotten, Sophia, Edith, Jay, Iris, her, and Unique. That alone...she wondered if it was something beyond their knowledge that allowed Arisa to never forget them.
"Or it's the power of love." Theresa thought as they continued ahead.
- Three Hours Later -
It's been three damn hours since they have been following Inami and Theresa and Balthus looked like walking wrecks. Booby traps, pitfalls, the damn slicing giant knives from the movies, the giant boulders, a few monsters, they encountered all that. And of course, she and Balthus accidentally activated a few trap spells and unleashed a small army of mummies. Of course, they beat them with ease. At the moment, she slammed her foot onto a skull and crushed it but not before the mummy muttered the words...
"Stop...The...Darkness...Protect The Queen..." and it turned to dust.
Theresa wiped her brow and looked at Balthus, who was checking on Inami. The woman's eyes had returned to normal, and she was blinking away tears.
"Hey!" Theresa quickly checked on her, "What happened?"
"I...I think I just witnessed my nation's history..." Inami said, "It...was all just a blur. I kept hearing voices screaming, fire, some sort of monster destroy the place!" The woman's voice began to crack as she raised her hands, they were shaking.
"She gave her life!" Inami screamed, "The queen gave her life to seal away the darkness!" She said and it was clear, the woman was spiraling, "My mother knew the history of this nation! My mother came from a clan that used to serve the queen! Mother knew the truth! She didn't die giving birth to me! SHE WAS KILLED! MOTHER WAS POISONED! SHE WAS POISONED!" she cried and all Theresa did was quickly hug her tightly.
"Shhh! Shh! Let it out...Just let it out." Theresa said as the woman was stunned but the first sobs came.
Theresa didn't fully know Inami but just at this moment, the way the woman screamed and wailed, it was clear she had self-guilt. Guilt that stemmed from her birth. Guilt that was buried for so long, only to suddenly be brought out. Balthus remained silent as he watched but joined the hug. Theresa was surprised at first but he just nodded. As time passed, they let the woman cry and wail. They don't what she saw but what Inami needed right now was comfort and rest.
[—-]
"Sigh, we'll rest here," Theresa muttered as they found what looked to be an old study to rest in.
Cobwebs were everywhere, along with scrolls that looked like they would turn to dust at the slightest touch. Balthus was carrying Inami, who had fallen asleep after crying so much.
"Hold onto her," Balthus said and Theresa nodded as she was handed the woman.
Balthus raised his hand, gulped, and then muttered a spell. Winds were suddenly felt and the dust and cobwebs were cleaned. Theresa had to quickly cast a spell on the scrolls because she knows damn well if Inami were awake, she would be furious if they turned to dust. Balthus dusted his hands and nodded in approval seeing the place clean. Theresa handed Inami back to him, and put down her bag along with Inami's. She unloaded it and set down the sleeping bag and Balthus put Inami down.
They were just silent as they were cleaning up the room and writing runes on the door entrance to protect them and have them hidden should anyone or anything pass by. Silent they were but it was a welcomed silence that was needed. Minutes later a fire was made and a stew was being made as they sat.
"Sigh...today was eventful." Balthus said as Theresa nodded, "I've never seen her like that."
"How long have you known Inami?" Theresa asked.
"Well, since she saved me, a few years now. We'd run into one another every couple of months. Either I was running or I accidentally run into them while she was in the middle of a job." Balthus said as Theresa listened, "Once in a while, we work together. She's crazy but she's a good woman. I've seen how she is with my people." He smiled fondly.
"Do you like her romantically?" Theresa asked and Balthus looked at her shocked.
"Oh, no! Don't get me wrong. Inami's a pretty attractive woman but not my kind of gal. Think it is better she finds someone else." He said, "And you? Why are you trying to get away from Claude?" He said as Theresa sighed.
"I feel dirty," Theresa said as the man looked at her shocked.
"We're you-" Theresa nodded, "Who's the bastard? Don't worry, Yuri knows how to hunt them, down and we'll make sure to chop off their dick and hang it." He said.
"I wasn't raped." Theresa said, "Almost but managed to fight back the bastard and left him unable to get up ever again." She said and Balthus let out a sigh of relief.
"But if you need him hunted-" Theresa cut Balthus off, "He's dead." The woman said, "He was killed in an alleyway, and above his corpse was left a list of the crimes he committed along with other victims. Those who help him were arrested and sent to prison. As for the victims, I helped them. They're doing better now." She said as she spoke of the memories of her past life.
"You're not dirty," Balthus said and Theresa smiled seriously,
"I know...The reason I feel dirty is because of the things I have done." She sighed as she looked at the fire, "The one who killed a friend of mine..." she gritted her teeth, "It took...years to hunt them down. I went rogue for a long time. Went on hunting down and killing the group responsible. Played the role of a dirty lawyer and a villain to reach my goal. Hell, I even tortured people to get to the one responsible," she said, "And once I did...I killed them. Yet...I felt so empty. I avenged my friend but I felt empty." She sighed and looked up to the ceiling.
"I guess...now that time has passed, I finally understand that revenge didn't fill in the hole I had in my heart. Yet, after everything I've done..." she hugged her knees close to her chest, "I don't want Claude to be...tainted."
"You know Claude ain't innocent as he looks," Balthus said and Theresa snorted.
"I know. Someone has to put the man in his place." She chuckled, "Sorry for dumping all this on you. I tend to..." she groaned.
"Hey, it's fine!" Balthus said, "Constance does the same thing when she drinks too much. I've had my share of hearing things. You heard my woes." He said and took a sip of his drink.
"Is your stepmother still after you?" She asked and Balthus paused for a moment.
"Honestly, wait now that you made me think about it..." his eyebrows furrowed, "For a year no, no assassins have come after me. Let alone bounty hunters." He paused, "Is that normal?"
"I'm guessing either the witch finally got caught or she screwed up." Theresa said, "Hey if she got caught, that means you don't have to worry about her anymore." She said with a small smile.
"True, but I'm worried about my brother." Balthus sighed, "My stepmother always tried to pit us against each other but it never worked. My father didn't have much of a spine because of my grandparents, but he tried his best to protect me and my mother. My mother misses him...I can with how she looks at the sky in the night," he said with a smile, "She told me that it was him that introduced her to apple tea and since then, it's been one of her favorites."
"Do you have a grudge against your father? Even resent him?" She asked and Balthus shook his head.
"As a kid, maybe. But the years made me wise up. With the way things were back then, I don't blame him. I just wished he stood up for us more. That's all." Balthus said, "You know if things are better when the war is over, I like to take my dad to Kupala for him to see my mom. I know he misses her." He said and Theresa was silent for a moment.
"Hey Balthus," Balthus looked at her, "I'll make it happen. I will make sure your parents can see each other again." The man chuckled.
"Hey, it's fine. No need to burden yourself with such a task." He said but Theresa hid her smile.
"If only you knew you're talking to the future archbishop of Fodlan."
— Two Days later -
Two days yet it felt like an eternity. Inami was a bit better but the woman wasn't the same after what she witnessed. She won't talk about it, only that the murder of her mother was someone that was part of those who slither in the dark.
"Another added to the list." Theresa thought as they walked through what once looked like some sort of inner garden.
The ceilings above had cracks, enough to allow sunlight to illuminate the place. The place, ancient statues that had different body parts broken off were all wrapped in vines. What was a fountain, but by some miracle it still had running water. But it was what the flowers grew in the place they were—beautiful pink flowers with butterfly wing petals with shades of yellow and blue. The seeds of the flowers looked like dew drops and they glowed beautifully in the light.
"These flowers..." Inami awed, "I remember seeing these in fairy tales Tiana would read to me and Khaild." She said and knelt, "The story was that The Pari Queen created these flowers as gifts to her children and husband. That she would always live among the flowers, and be there with them." She whispered and gently touched one.
"The story in my village is that these flowers can cure any poison in the world. And supposedly," Balthus wiggled his eyebrows while the two women raised one, "they enhance your stamina during sex and help with fertility." Inami snorted and then burst out laughing while Theresa looked at the man, offended.
"Really, Balthus?! You had to ruin the moment!" Theresa said while Inami just laughed along with Balthus.
"Oh, gods!" Inami wiped a tear, "I haven't laughed like that in a while! Phew..." she smiled, "I needed that." She said, "But what Balthus said is true. While there are stories that the flowers were used to enhance someone's stamina, the more known story was that the flower was made into a tonic to help women become more fertile. The tonic was mostly given to women who had fertility problems or...were unable to have children." She said as she looked at the flower sadly, "Legends are legends...it's no longer possible for me to have children..." she whispered that last sentence.
Theresa smiled sadly and looked at the flowers, knelt and carefully picked one.
"You never know," she held it to her, "if you don't try. This world does have magic after all, so anything is possible." Inami chuckled, "Let's pick a few of these. I can research how to grow them."
"Hold on," Balthus said and the women looked at him confused as he was looking behind them, "Hide! Hide!" He said and the woman scrambled up and went to quickly hide in one of the rooms they saw was empty.
Theresa hid behind one of the giant statues. Balthus is behind a pillar and Inami is in the room. All three cast an extra protection spell on themselves just to make sure. They waited a bit before they finally heard voices. Sure enough...three mages appeared. One, a pale-skinned gremory, a plague doctor, and a dark priest. The trio looked frustrated and tired.
"By the gods!" The gremory growled, "The seal on the stupid relic won't crack! I don't get why Lord Myson is so set on getting that damn lance back! We could make a better version of The Arrow of Indra!" She said, barring her teeth.
"You know very well why Lord Myson has come for the relic." The priest said, "It was originally ours. Made by Lord Chilion and has been used to kill Nabateans in the past by Lord Myson. It has observed those beast blood." He sighed, "My question is how on earth did it end up in the hands of the East?"
"Hades," the plague Doctor grumbled, "The man took the weapon after the dead dragon was slain by Jose. It disappeared for hundreds of years till the bastard crawled out of the Underworld. Literally crawled out." He shivered.
"Hades was one of the original leaders of our nation along with Lady Persephone." The gremory said, "I have stories of the woman. A beautiful woman who was once a friend of the Fell Star till she was slain by her. Betrayed by the Fell star...I shall avenge Lady Persephone! As a descendent of her followers, I shall do it—-"
WHACK!
And the three fell knocked out to the ground. They were dragged away and tied up into the other room but Theresa paused and looked at the gremory.
"I can use her." She thought and knelt.
"Theresa?" Balthus said as the woman place two fingers on the mage's forehead, "What are you doing?"
"This mage..." She began, "The conversation earlier they had. Do you remember when Castor and Pollux told you about their nation?" Balthus nodded, "How their people are becoming infertile and they all live under an iron rule? Did they ever tell you what they have been told growing up?" She said and Balthus thought for a moment.
"Hmm..." Balthus held their chin in thought and then blinked, "Castor said that reason the war between the goddess and their people started was because one of the founders was killed by The Goddess and the other founder betrayed them and disappeared. But also that The Goddess massacred the founders of Agartha during the time she walked the earth." He and Theresa were silent.
The dream she saw...Sothis...Hades...Anacharis and now the name Persephone...
With the little information she has...Hades and Persopnephe were lovers. They met Sothis and they became friends. At some point in time, Anacharis joined their group, and...there is a high chance the witch betrayed them. She killed Persephone, and believed she killed Hades but the man reappeared during the war of heroes and joined Cirina and Serios. Sothis mourned that her friends were killed and added the fact that the Agarthans were... Theresa's eyes went wide as she slowly stood up and came to a dark realization.
"Anacharis... and the sages..." she slowly turned to Balthus, "Balthus...do you know someone by the name of Shez?" Balthus raised an eyebrow.
"Yeah. He has a twin sister." He said, "Do they have a special power, similar to Chris and Arisa?" She asked and he nodded.
"Yeah. How do you...What does Shez have to do with this?" He said, narrowing his eyes.
"Did the twins ever say, that they felt they are losing their power?" She said and Balthus's eyes went wide but he nodded.
"Theresa, what is going on?" Inami said and Theresa was about to commit the same taboo Arisa did years ago as she created three balls of magic.
But unlike Arisa who did it to protect, Theresa was doing it to bring harm.
She was going to manipulate the enemies' memories and turn them against their nation.
[—]
Invisibility cloaks were a magic tool that Arisa was always dead set on perfecting and making. Mainly because when Florencio opened the door on teaching her how to create magic tools, it was safe to Jeralt said they had just opened Pandora's box. Arisa was a creative person, a person who was fully invested in her hobbies and likes. And the invisibility cloak was one of them. It took her a long time but she had finished making them a month before Florencio passed away. She made her students each one, for her friends, even for Jeralt, Florencio, and Sandana. Unfortunately, she never had the opportunity to gift Florencio his, and Sandana's now lies locked away with her belongings.
The invisibility cloak, Theresa never fully understood the hype behind it. She wasn't much into Harry Potter like Arisa and Sophia but she tried on the cloak anyway...for Arisa's sake. It was safe to say Arisa made a GRAVE mistake giving a damn invisibility cloak to Claude and Lestia of all people. To Theresa, she finally understood the hype. She could sneak around without being detected and seen without a care in the world. And right now, those cloaks were helping them sneak up on the enemy.
Balthus was wearing his, as well as herself. Thankfully Edelgard accidentally left her cloak behind. Theresa managed to claim it before anyone else did and Inami was using it at the moment. They were following the trio of mages, again it felt like they were walking through a damn maze and Theresa was debating if being struck by divine lightning was worth screaming that whoever designed the place was a bastard. They followed the three mages, the gremory had a dark expression that looked haunted.
"How dare...all this time we have been lied to. My sister...Husband...their deaths in vain." The gremory muttered darkly as they walked.
Soon they arrived at what looked like a giant throne room with a huge tree. It was a tall and huge redwood tree named Hyperion. Its tree branches are beautifully shinned. Its leaves were pink, purple, and green. But some of its branches looked withered and had no leaves. It was near its roots that caught their attention. There at a throne, were two relics wrapped in a cluster of roots, sealed away by an ancient seal. The roots pulsed purple-like veins, as if were sucking up the filth in the ground and the place was filled with the flowers from earlier but they were all purple, white, or black. At the throne was Myson along with several other soldiers. Myson was a man with pale skin, and black hair, and wore the robes of a doctor. His pale green eyes were filled with rage as another mage screamed in agony and then melted into a puddle of sludge.
"Dammit!" Myson cursed as he was forced to step back, "This stupid seal! We finally found The Arrow of Indra and Lance of Nehalennia!" He turned furiously and then calmed down a bit once he saw the trio of mages return, "You three, good. Where is the blood sample of Sandana?" He said and Theresa twitched as she and the others quickly went to hide behind some roots.
"Here it is." The gremory said, "Lord Myson, I have to ask..." She said, "Perhaps I am crossing the line but why was House Illac eliminated?"
The silence was still yet it felt like things were becoming tense. Myson narrowed his eyes.
"What brought this all of a sudden?" He said and the gremory spoke, "Out of curiosity."
"Haha!" Myson laughed, "Well, I do not mind entertaining the idea." He said turned back, looking at the tree, "House Illac are direct descendants of the traitor Hades and Witch of Persephone. They are the descendants of the children of the founding sages of Agartha who chose to betray us, the true humans! Their blood is a stain on our great Empire! Their blood is the fifth of this world! Hades, the fools who rose from the dead and made a contract with a God! And Perphsopne! That peace-loving fool who was friends with The Fell Star! Their blood had no right to be here on this land!" Myson said as he had his hands raised preaching yet...
"Then why did Anacharis kill Zesus?"
"Huh?" Myson said and slowly looked down to the gremory as whispers were now being spoken, "What did you just say?" He said slowly, "Why did Anacharis kill Lord Epimenides?" The gremory said and a few of the soldiers suddenly turned to look at Myson.
Theresa had a feeling they most likely used to serve Arval in the past...
The gremory gritted her teeth and pointed at the tree, "I was told the truth! The souls of The Queen live! Lord Hades, Lady Persephone! Sothis! They were all allies Anacharis! But time passed and the Spider grew to question herself. She felt no emotion. Nothing till she first killed Persephone! She then pushed Hades into hell! Then she blamed the death of the sages of that time: Zesus, Poisodon, Hera, Demeter, Apollo, Hestia, and Pan on the Goddess of Fodlan! It was you! Solon! Thales, Anacharis, Cleobulus, Pittacus, Oddesse, and Periander overthrew the sages and killed them! It was you all who began to forcefully sterile our people to keep them in your wraps!" She screamed in rage.
"What the fuck? What the fuck? What the fuck?!" Theresa was mentally screaming, "I didn't put any of that in her mind! I only put that it was Anacharis who killed Hades and Persephone and put the blame on Sothis to instigate the war!" She thought and everyone continued to listen.
"Lady Persephone was the direct descendant of one of the founding fathers of Agartha, she was the descendant of those who came from beyond the gates! From the World of Steel! A world where humanity does not need gods! The world where our people took inspiration from based on the stories told by Lady Persophene's ancestors!" She took a step forward, hand on her chest as she raised the other, "The Clans! Even ourselves! We are descendants of those that came from beyond the Outrealm Gates! Yet the bloody war, you and the sages wiped them out!" She roared.
She turned to look at her people, hands raised.
"My brothers and sisters! How much longer must we continue to fight? How much longer must we fight the humans that live on the surface?! How much longer must our own families suffer based on a war where our leaders!" She pointed furiously at Myson, "destroyed it all for the sake of power!?" She screamed.
"Those who are still able to have children! What did you do to them?! You had them all taken away and forced into sex slavery like breeding beasts all for the so call sake of preserving our nation! What happened to the women that could no longer bear children?! What happened to the children you all forced to grow up in such wretched environments?! What happened to the men that no longer had fertile seeds?! What did you do to them?! What?!" The gremory screamed and everyone was just too stunned to speak.
"Oohhhh...I fucked up...Ooohhh...I fucked up..." Theresa thought as she covered her mouth in horror, "But wait..." her eyes widened just a bit, "Persephone...descent of an outworlder. Agartha took inspiration from my world." She continued to listen.
"Not only that, you had us poison The Seer of The Sands!" Immediately Inami twitched, "The Seers of The Sands foresaw the truth didn't she?! That it was you and Cleobulus who had House Aubin and House Illac massacred! It was you who planted the fake evidence of treason onto House Illac when in reality it was House Zadeh!" She screamed and Inami hung her head.
"House Zadeh...The House where Shahid's and Mahatma's mother comes from..." she whispered and Balthus looked at her worried.
"And The Seer of Sands! The one who was a direct descendant of The Right Hand of The First Queen of Almyra, you had her killed, making her leave behind two children! It was you who provoke the wyvern that caused her daughter to have an accident and destroyed her womb and you who used the same poison to make her son nearly go blind!" She yelled.
Suddenly, the entire place was filled with a dark aura unlike anything anyone has ever felt. Slowly coming out of the shadows, it was too late for Theresa and Balthus to stop Inami. With each step she took, the ground cracked as she made her way to the gremory, and pulled down her hood.
"What. Did. You. Just. Say?" Inami growled and the magic flowing out of her body made her hair rise like snakes.
Theresa and Balthus quickly came out and removed their hoods, revealing themselves to all.
"It's you!" Myson roared, pointing a cursed finger at Balthus, "The son of a bitch, Damion! How are you alive after all these years?!" He screamed and Balthus just narrowed his eyes.
"The name Balthus! And Damion is the name of Saint Chevalier, who founded Kupala!" Balthus yelled but was stopped when Inami raised her hand.
The woman's eyes were wide and a frown on her face as she just kept staring at the gremory, who looked back at her in shock, along with the other two.
"What did Myson do to The Seer of Sands? Why go so far as to end the bloodline?" She demanded and the gremory gulped but spoke.
"The Seer of Sands saw the truth...she saw who truly was the one that instigated the war between us of the underworld and those of the surface. She saw who was responsible for the massacre of our people. She saw the truth of what truly are the relics you people of the surface worship. She saw who truly was Anacharis. She was enlightened by the God of Time and God of Space." She said and Inami motioned her to keep going.
"She foresaw that five individuals from The World of Steel would come to Fodlan and put an end to Anacharis's and the sages's reign of terror!"
"Then why kill so many...? Why kill House Illac and House Aubin? They have no relationship to these...Outworlders?" Inami said but the gremory was cowardly in fear.
"T-That is not true! House Illac was said to one day unite with House Aubin! The Seer of Sands foresaw the two would unite! She foresaw that a child with the soul of an outworlder would be born into House Aubin! For years they kept an eye on House Aubin but none ever manifested the souls of an outworlder! Even so, Cleobulus decided to massacre them, but never expected survivors! The last two children born with the blood of Aubin were Marianne Edmond and Alexandra! But Alexandra is dead and Marianne is the only one left! They plan to kill her when the opportunity arises! Two outworlders are dead! Now they are still searching for the last three!" The woman screamed in fear.
"We suspect that The Fell Star has chosen an Outworlder as a vessel! The one called Byleth!" The other mage yelled and Theresa felt her heart drop.
"All of this...all of this...to get to me...? All of this...to get to Arisa? All of this...to get to Chris? The other two...Melusine and Xeno...No, there is more to it." And then heard Myson scream, "CIRINA YOU HALF-BREED!"
Theresa turned, and snapped her fingers, undoing her disguise.
"Oh, it's you! The half-breed's incarnation!" Myson yelled, "Tch, to think you are here in Almyra of all places. To think you survived the fall. If you are standing here, that means it's only a matter of time till Outworlder who is The Vessel of The Fell Star awakens." He growled and Theresa laughed, "What's so funny?"
"Oh, how foolish of you," Theresa said, she was doing a good job holding back her anger, she looked so calm compared to the others.
Perhaps because now her true age was showing as she walked in the center line. The Agarthans all remained still as she raised one hand towards Myson, the shadows covering her eyes as she spoke.
"People of Agartha! You all now know the truth! The truth that it was him and the sages you all follow that brought doom to your land! That it was them who turned their backs on you all! All because of jealousy, envy, and hatred! Myson, so arrogant you are! You probably were an apprentice mage before you were in the position you are in now. Oh, I see..." Cirina's memories were playing in her mind as she kept talking, "Oh! You were an apprentice to Apollo! He was a powerful mage who wished to use his magic and arts to improve the lives of his people. But you, you saw that as useless." She said it felt like it was Cirina speaking and not her.
Myson was turning red as he shook, hands balled into fists and nails digging into his skin, making blood drip.
"Lord Apollo! How could you waste such gifts?! Oh, Lord Apollo!" It's a good thing Theresa trained with Unique all those years ago.
No one could see the droplets of drugs being dropped on the ground because they evaporated immediately when they touched. She had already given Balthus and Inami protection spells. Myson was becoming angrier and she wasn't being affected by the poison at all.
Yes…It's about time she unleashed every single bit of rage she had been holding back.
"Our family is also known for poisons." Rensen said as Alexandra stared nervously at the small tiny medicine cup of poison, "And of our abilities is that when we drink poison, we gain ammunition to it. But we must go through pain." He sighed, "Every day from now on, you will take a small dose of different poisons. Until ultimately," he reached into his pocket and took a small bottle with black liquid, "you can drink Sothal."
She was 12 when Rensen and her began such training. Rensen and Florencio were always there on standby should the worst happen. Everyday day she would take a half-table spoon of a dosage. And as the years went by the dosage would increase till it reached half a cup. She saw Florencio and Rensen didn't want to go through with it but with the way things were, perhaps because the voice of Theresa told her she must do it to survive. To protect those she cares about. Alexandra did it. She drank the poison. Each time she threw up or was in pain, making the adults run to her but she told them to stay back. She endured each time, no matter how much she cried, she bit her lip even if it bled. She gritted her teeth even if it hurt. Even if the tears spilled, she kept her head down as she endured so no one could see her face. Every day she trained, every day she endured, all for the sake of protecting those she loved.
"Seriously." Arisa sighed as she gently tested her wounds, "Idiot."
"Ow." Alexandra grumbled, "I'm not an idiot."
"Yes, you are." Arisa said, making her friend screech when she tighten the bandages, "Alexandra, there will be a day where you are alone. There will be a day when no one is there for you. And when that times come, you have to think about yourself. You have to think about what you want. You have to be selfish in that moment. Think about only what you want." She said and had her friend turned around to face her.
They rested their foreheads on each other, both were silent.
"Be selfish. What do you want?"
"What I want…" Theresa thought as she spoke, "People of Agartha! Do wish to stand next to the true traitor of your nations?! A selfish bastardized who has an inferior complex and killed his master?!" She yelled, "Myson, you're nothing but a dog who KILLED ITS OWNER!"
"But me!" Theresa placed her hand on her chest, "As the successor of The Church of Serios and a chosen one of Sothis, as one who has known the truth! I promise you as The Future Archbishop of Fodlan, I will create a new chapter in time! Your people will no longer have to live in fear but beside us! It will take time to adjust! Your sins against us will be forgiven but not forgotten! Together, let us unite and build a better future! A future where you no longer live in fear of your family being taken away simply because they are fertile! A future where you can finally go into the light once again! If you wish to atone then I shall grant you mercy and the opportunity!" She yelled with all her might as she spread her hands.
"People of Agartha, you who no longer wish to live in fear and the dark! Stand beside me and fight against the true enemies of our lands!" She finished and everyone was stunned but Myson was shaking in rage unlike anything he ever felt before.
How dare the filthy human speak such nonsense?! She knew nothing of what he has sacrificed. But then…Myson slowly turned his head as he heard footsteps from the right.
He had brought a total of 80 soldiers. 10 had been lost through the journey. And right at that moment, he was watching his soldiers with contemplating expressions before they raised their heads and nodded to themselves, before looking at him in disgust.
"Don't you…" the first to take a step forward was Archer, "Don't you dare!" He yelled and the archer went to stand beside Theresa.
One by one, more joined, and Myson trembled in fury. The truth that had been hidden for a long…All his bloody and hard work was destroyed in an instant by the words of a woman. A woman that shouldn't even know anything about the history of his nation and people, yet here he was watching his soldiers turn their backs on him and join her.
Balthus and Inami were stunned by this but soon, the people in the room were now split in two. Those that want freedom and those that remained loyal to Myson.
"KILL HER!" Myson roared and at the moment, it true was war. The people of Agartha at that moment split into two groups. Those that had enough of Myson chose to turn their backs and lunged and those who chose to remain loyal fought.
"Follow our lead!" Balthus yelled and the bloody war began.
"Arisa, what I want is a world where we won't have to keep suffering. It's time I play my part to end the story the way we want."