Interlude ~Base Convos Part 29~
"I wonder why he was there in the past... when your father accidentally took your mother's life..." The young girl spoke to herself in front of Ike. "Him and that other fellow... why were they there?"
The two were within the same forest Ike was spirited away from. Their last conversation involved using Bramimond as her vessel. But this time, Ike finally arrived within the vestiges of his mind to speak with her.
Ike frowned at what Yune uttered and asked: "What do you mean? Do you know that person who made me forget that incident about ten years ago?"
Ike wondered about the identity of the pair who came across the scene after his father's rampage. The same people who left Mist the medallion after she picked it up and left Ike with amnesia. Honestly, Ike felt relieved that he had forgotten such a traumatic event that made his father go berserk.
While Ike couldn't remember the details of what was said, as what was remembered were like images passing through his mind, he could tell how traumatized he was until the man cast a spell on himself. He was glad to have stopped hurting his sister by clenching her too hard. Then again, his thoughts went to Soren as he forgot the boy even though it was just the day before the incident...
Yune nodded at Ike's inquiry. "Yes, the long-haired man used to sing to me while I remained trapped in the medallion for many years... At least until the medallion was passed around for whatever reason... I wonder why?" She mulled while Ike continued to ponder why the long-haired man and the knight came to Gallia that time in the aftermath. She then shook her head and continued: "I usually can't remember most of the things regarding the people who held the medallion. The only time I remain somewhat lucid is whenever someone sings... except until a year ago..."
So she only remains in a semi-conscious state whenever someone sings. That explained how Yune was aware of Soren if Mist was present humming her melody while Soren was present with Ike. Yune has remained awake since Ike was warped to Elibe and is aware of what Ike has experienced for the most part.
If only the last part didn't sound so... intrusive... In retrospect, the idea of a little girl being aware of everything Ike experienced or done sounded very odd. Ike quickly put away such thoughts and proceeded to focus on the important matters.
"That medallion... my father coming to contact with it made him go berserk like you said back at the Shrine of Seals. How come Mist and my mother could come into contact with it and remain sane?" Ike queried to the incarnate of Chaos.
He remembered that Yune introduced herself as the element of chaos multiple times. He assumed the medallion housing her must make anyone... chaotic. Luckily, Ike never touched the medallion since his father drilled the warning into him throughout most of his life.
Ike surmised the moment his mother took the medallion from his father that he finally regained clarity. At a high cost, unfortunately... Why did their family have such a dangerous item in the first place?
Yune obliged and responded: "All people are made up of chaos and order, and depending on the proportion of order, people may be affected or unaffected if they come into contact with the medallion. Your mother and sister may have been the latter. My entire being represents chaos, so I can't control what happens if someone touches the medallion that houses me... I'm sorry..."
So that was the dark secret that caused his father to accidentally harm everyone in Gallia... Greil came into contact with the medallion and killed everyone on sight within the village where they once lived. Ike only hoped that King Caineghis had not blamed his father for the incident that took the lives of most of the people in that village. Whatever made his father, Greil, even slay his own wife, should be avoided at all costs. That made another question pop up in Ike's mind: why keep the thing that caused such devastation?
If he was correct, Yune might be the very thing within a certain artifact that houses... a dark god. He was not well-versed in lore or history but everything he knew pointed to a rather unsettling potential truth. But he didn't consider her dark or evil whatsoever.
"Then why does my father still keep the medallion that holds you? I don't blame you for what happened..." Ike's last statement made Yune pleasantly surprised. "I can tell the object that holds you is very dangerous if you can cause most people to go crazy. So why hasn't my father hid you away where no one could find you? You say that you're all these different things, but who exactly are you, Yune, if my father can't afford to leave you behind? Are you the dark god that was sealed away...?"
It was then that Yune closed her eyes and took a deep breath before exhaling. She opened her red eyes and stared at Ike's cerulean eyes before nodding.
"You stand before the counterpart of Ashera, the goddess whom most of your continent worships. I am not dark, nor holy, nor evil. I am Freedom. Chaos. Transformation. Future. Mystery. I am Yune," Yune once again introduced herself before the stunned mercenary commander. "We are two halves. She is Order. I am Chaos."
Soon, their surroundings turned to white, signifying Ike's awakening. Ike needed to hear more from Yune, but time was running out. Yune smiled at Ike and decided to speak her fill.
"Please... when you return to Tellius, a continent-wide war cannot happen. We must not fully awaken for another two centuries. If you cannot prevent it, at least fight to the bitter end... For the people you cherish..."
Ike began to black out that moment, but not before hearing one last set of words before he regained consciousness.
"Maybe you and your friends can help make a world Ashera and I can be proud of... A world we can agree to reunite to become one once again..."
Ike stood up from the bed in Castle Ostia panting heavily. All the revelations he heard from Yune were just the tip of the iceberg. He needed to inquire more about the sorcerer who made him forget all those years ago as well as Yune being a goddess counterpart to the one worshipped in his homeland. That would probably explain why his father cannot leave the medallion elsewhere if a goddess resides within it.
"And what was that about a war...? And Yune and Ashera reuniting?" Ike muttered while mulling over the revelations given by the goddess.
He shook away such thought and would have to inquire more from back home. For now, he had a job to finish as a mercenary in Elibe, and will probably be his final one...
"Hawkeye," Ike called out to the desert guardian. The concern on Ike's face was evident as it was clear what he would say to the man.
Hawkeye stared at Ike for a moment before shaking his head. "I do not blame you..." He spoke promptly, surprising Ike.
"But... Fae is not in Arcadia anymore... because of that spell," Ike responded with a guilty tone. "Don't worry, I'll do my best to bring her back to Nabata."
Hawkeye nodded and replied, "Take your time... Igrene and I will await her return... However," Hawkeye turned behind himself, and from behind a castle pillar came a young woman with violet hair and matching eyes. Her hair went all the way down to her feet, making Ike wonder why she had not trimmed it.
She appeared a mage of sorts. She gave a curtsy bow and introduced herself: "I hail from Arcadia... I am Sophia... Fae's friend... I don't blame you for what happened..."
Ike knew who this person was, she was mentioned by Hawkeye the last time they chatted. He mentioned something about the prophetic powers Sophia had.
Ike wanted to say something to claim responsibility but relented with their insistence. She then pulled out what appeared to be a talisman and offered it to Ike.
"This will help with your magic defenses... We want… …you all…to do your…best. …For the future… …please don't lose… If the light is strong enough… it can dispel…darkness…" She uttered quietly. "When your journey ends... I will join you to Tellius to find Fae..."
Ike then widened his eyes at Hawkeye who nodded. It seems as though he was already informed.
"Sophia is a shaman, but as a child of human and dragon, her prophetic powers albeit giving vague images and ability to sense draconic blood may prove useful..." Hawkeye explained to the mercenary commander. "It may take you some time to reach this country of dragons... so she may take time to study your homeland to better prepare herself before meeting the Goldoans. Her father was human, but she cannot transform like the children of ice."
So Sophia had some powers to tell the future and sense dragons/draconic origin. Not only that, like Nils and Ninian, she was half-dragon. Ike wondered if the case for being part dragon doesn't always make for a person to transform. Ike already nodded approvingly at the young shaman.
"I'll be glad to have you aboard when you come to Tellius," Ike responded. He then held his chin for a moment before staring back at Sophia and continued: "I have to warn you, best to avoid bringing up that you're half-dragon. It might not be safe once we're in Tellius since you might get misinterpreted... Although, I have a friend who might be able to relate to you..."
Nils and Ninian were a different case, despite the fact their father was Nergal, making them half-human as well. But they still possessed draconic forms, making Sophia closer to what people considered branded. Soren was a branded (despite Ike being unaware of which laguz tribe his friend was associated with), which made Ike aware he had to hide his secret. If Yune could be heard, she would inform Ike that the girl emits a presence similar to Soren.
Sophia nodded, as she was already aware of hiding such a fact from the rest of Elibe. Likewise, the dragons of Arcadia also needed to remain in hiding. She wondered about the friend Ike referred to.
"Ha..." Hawkeye sighed to himself, bringing the attention of the pair to the guardian. "It saddens me... the children of ice... their father who united with a dragon and helped build our sanctuary... such grief must be unbearable..."
Nergal and Athos helped the community of Arcadia to settle in. For such a man to lose himself and forget his purpose must be depressing for former acquaintances. Moreover, to see that the man refuses to acknowledge the children he brought into this world with an ice dragon was disheartening.
Sophia became melancholic along with Ike shaking his head in disapproval. The man needed to be stopped. Soon, footsteps could be approaching them, bringing the attention of the trio to the familiar visitors.
"Indeed, such a tragedy that a man Athos once called friend would lose himself and forget what drove him to pursue power..." Pent's voice called out while his wife was at his side. Their expressions were of sadness as they appeared before the group. "The pursuit of knowledge in darkness can be blinding... but I feel a fellow like Canas may refrain from reaching such a point. With family and friends, he will never reach such grief that makes one forget themselves or their goals..."
Louise nodded with her husband and smiled. "I know Erk will do splendidly in his studies with Canas in your homeland. Grief can make people lose sight of what is important. But with friends and loved ones at your side, you can never forget what truly matters..."
That's right, Nergal lost himself in the pursuit of power within the darkness that made him forget his original goal of reclaiming his family. The loss of his wife and separation from his children drove the man to depravity. All for a desperate attempt to regain what was lost that led to losing his memories as a consequence. Despite having Athos as a friend, the lack of his family left a void in his heart that having a like-minded companion could not fill.
Sophia and Hawkeye nodded in agreement with the couple who arrived.
"Right... to have friends and family... you can't go wrong if you cherish and protect them with all your heart." Ike responded with a smile.
"Ike," Lucius's voice called out to his commander. The boy in question turned to the acolyte.
"Something wrong, Lucius?" Ike queried to man who shook his head.
Lucius held a neutral expression and shut his eyes closed. "Everything... It's as if fate led you to us... Other worlds, you guiding us to our most desired people, it's as if you were sent to bless us..."
Ike widened his eyes at Lucius's statement. Did he really believe this was a hand of fate? But based on what Anna implied...
Ike scratched his head at the idea of fate being a part of him present in Elibe. He didn't fault Lucius for thinking such a way. Everything seemed to fall into place where he managed to wedge himself in so many events.
"Ummm... Lucius?" Ike queried awkwardly to the acolyte. "I don't consider myself to be chosen by fate or something like that... I just managed to involve myself in all these messes..."
Lucius chuckled and shook his head. "Nevertheless, for what you've done for everyone... as well as unveiling the truth laid bare to all. You've guided me to find my answer and leave my past behind for the future. I cannot thank you enough."
Ike smiled and nodded. "If you see it that way, I won't stop you."
Might as well go with it. He can't convince others that coincidental or discovering long-lost family was not part of his job description. The pair were immersed in their conversation until they heard quiet footsteps from a distance.
"When this is over..." Rath called out to the pair, bringing their attention to the nomad. "I will join you to Tellius after I reunite with my tribe."
Rath's announcement made Ike and Lucius look at the plainsman with curious eyes. Ike half-expected the outcome since the others were going to come with him. However, it was unlikely for Guy to return with Rath out of his promise to become the best swordsman in all worlds.
Still, depending on how many farewells, it may take a month or so for the members of the Greil Mercenaries to leave Elibe (along with Dart and Farina's treasure hunt). That's assuming they do not teleport to their destination with Athos's help.
"Only after when we stop the dark flame that consumes all..." Rath said with a serious expression which soon turned to a rare smile. "We must help our friends above all else, is that not right, commander?"
Lucius and Rath looked at Ike with an empathetic look. They knew what had to be done for a man who's grieved most of his life. They considered both Nils and Ninian to be friends, regardless of their draconic origin.
Ike nodded and replied, "Blood ties don't matter, what matters is that we are all family. Family that will fight for their own and friends. As a commander with lots of family, I couldn't be prouder of you all."
"To think a man's grief led him to forget was most important to him..." Canas voiced out with concern in his tone. "Elder magic has its risks and like Bramimond, the Enigma, to gain further knowledge or power, one must give up something of equal or great value. For the man that Athos once called friend, the cost was too great..."
Lloyd and Linus stood silent with their eyes closed while Nino stood in front of her uncle-in-law. Her expression is sullen over the series of events along with the rest of the army. Every single misfortune came from a man's misplaced attempt to have their family back.
Nino had gotten acquainted with her new family member who had decided to help tutor her in literacy. Canas was quite eager to assist her in learning whatever she could from the alphabet. She had yet to learn the ancient tongue and focused mainly on the common language text. However, everyone was not in the mood to learn or teach as of recent events.
"You won't turn out like that, right Canas?" Nino asked the shaman scholar with a concerned expression. "There are times when even you look a little scary when you use magic."
"Nino..." Lloyd voiced out in a soft but scolding tone. Nino jolted from her brother's scolding but knew she was being a little bit rude.
Just as Nino was about to apologize, Canas shook his head and held up his hand to stop her from voicing her remorse.
"It's quite alright, I understand how mastering the dark forces can be associated with a bad stigma. And it is true, as one must invite darkness into their being to use elder magic. One can end up submitting like my brothers in a lifeless state, or lose something precious like one's identity... or forget cherishing the life one brought into this world," Canas thought of his wife and son in Ilia. "I wonder... was it loneliness? No... he had Athos, but did he fully trust in the legendary hero after his deeds in the Scouring?"
While Canas remained mulling over the answer Linus scratched his head in frustration.
"Does it even matter?" Linus spoke up, bringing the attention of everyone in the vicinity. "He had no right to deprive others of their families. He made his choice and it amounted to nothing but misery in his path. The man can't even recognize his kids, killing his family and ours in the process!"
"Linus," Lloyd called out to his younger brother who clicked his tongue. Nino also looked worried for her brother who was distraught since the revelation yesterday.
Everything from the man's original intentions, to his methods, all of it pointed to obtaining the power and means to regain his original family. The sheer irony of it all is that even though he reached his goal and reunited with his family, he forgot and abused his family to no end. Essentially making a mockery of all the sacrifices and horrific actions against the people he trespassed for nothing. In the end, what was the point?
Such irony and failure weighed heavily in the army's thoughts as they could no longer doubt the truth of Nergal's actions and identity. Legault stood in the side with a tired look but silently agreed with Linus.
"Lloyd, our father and Uhai became a flesh puppet all because of a sick joke of a sorcerer who can't even remember what he wanted to do in the first place! Our organization, Nino's original family, so why!?" Linus shouted at his brother who remained silent in front of his rant. "Why do you want to empathize with this monster!?"
Everyone looked at Lloyd with widened eyes. They thought that Lloyd would also be furious despite his calm and collected disposition. They waited for the response from the most calm man within the vicinity.
Lloyd took a deep breath and shook his head. "I just thought if I lost you, Linus, I would be lost and self-destructive like that man," Lloyd's response shocked Linus to his core. Lloyd looked at his brother in the eye and continued: "Don't get me wrong, I will never forgive that man for his actions. But I can't say that I wouldn't be blinded by grief with your absence. Even if Nino was there, I fear that wouldn't stop my actions to reunite with you in the afterlife... But you, Legault, and Nino are here with me while Father is gone. I can't afford to lose sight of my family like that Nergal."
Lloyd was reminded of what is important and to move forward for the lives of his siblings and friends. While he grieved for his fallen friends and father, he needed to remain strong and vigilant for those remaining.
Linus closed his eyes and nodded. He would likely fall into the same state as Lloyd but with worse blind rage. Linus felt he needed to snap out of his angered state and focus on the present like his brother. And that included preventing the madman from destroying everything in Elibe, including the last remaining child who lost his sibling.
No one blamed Nils and Ninian for their father's actions. In the end, they were victims of their father's insanity and desperation.
"I... I'm still glad because I have you all," Nino spoke up bringing everyone's attention to her. "I have my big brothers, my uncles, and Jaffar. So despite everything that happened, I'm still as happy as I can be."
Everyone smiled at the little girl's resilience to continue onward. Despite her original family slain by Nergal and his creations, she was not miserable at all. She was content with being surrounded by the people in front of her.
Legault sighed and snorted. "I better be included as one of your brothers. I don't appreciate being referred to as an uncle, Nino..."
Soon everyone, including Canas, laughed heartily at Legault's remark while Nino remained confused. Ike saw this scene from a distance and nodded approvingly at the group who found their resolve.
"It's so unbelievable..." Fiora voiced out while Geitz was at the side tending to his axe and bow. "To think the children of the Ice Dragon that lived in the mountains of Ilia..."
She once told Florina that it was a bedtime story. The ice dragon they saw approaching the Lycian lords was far too eerily similar to the statue made in the tallest mountain in Ilia. She scolded her sister wanting to meet the ice dragon one time when she was little.
After hearing the truth and connecting certain dots, the ice dragon that was once... Nergal's wife... was the kind dragon in Ilia that fled. Nils and Ninian's mother was the ice dragon that the civilians in Ilia gave thanks to at the Mountain of the Ice Dragon. However, it was best to leave Nils alone to mourn.
"Well, I sure ain't bored, that's for sure," Geitz replied nonchalantly. He seemed to agree with her regarding the events that unfolded. "And I thought I had a crappy father..."
"Must you say such things like that?" Fiora protested against the son of the now-hated merchant. "They didn't choose their father. Now that..."
Geitz shrugged as Fiora trailed off her sentence. "One thing I can connect with them, despite being ice dragons, they're not as frozen as my old man," Geitz sighed after making his remark while polishing his axe. "The brother seems pretty lost, I hope he can find his way one day... Despite becoming a pirate on the Davros, I'm still trying to find my purpose in life. Maybe I'll find it in Ike's continent... Jake and Anna left on a supply run while giving word to Fargus. Once the fight is over, I'll join them on a voyage to tull-... wait no, it was Tellius."
Fiora snorted at Geitz's correction mid-way into his sentence. He seemed to have empathy for the siblings who had a bad father. Only time will tell if Nils can have the resolve to gain purpose in life to continue onward.
"You're gonna be surprised what Tellius has in store," Ike added while walking towards the pair. "After Dart is done with his treasure hunt at the Mountain of the Ice Dragon and everyone gathers at the Davros, Anna and Jake will give you an otherworldly experience you can never forget."
Geitz grinned with excitement at Ike's statement. He knew what Ike was hinting at after Jake and Dart informed him what the Davros's next destination would be. He thought of it as rubbish but he decided to just go along with it as something to pass the time.
Just as Fiora was about to greet Ike, her brows furrowed at the mention of the mountain. Treasure hunt... Her mind flickers to Farina accompanying Dart far too often and saying something about Ilia and "revisiting" the shrine dedicated to the dragon. Her face pales at the idea that Farina was going to possibly go on a treasure hunt that could desecrate the place of offering.
"Already went there... wasn't much of a treasure hunt..." Farina's voice was heard calling out to the trio. Alongside her was Dart who seemed in a much more giddy mood compared to her tired expression. "So much for a hundred million gold..."
"What nonsense are you saying, lassie? There's more to explore from Han Gak!" Dart replied to the pegasus knight. "To think Han Gak left such a thing there... was that a sign of respect to that man when he was sane?"
Dart mused over such an experience despite getting no treasure for themselves, it was a worthwhile endeavor to go through.
Fiora pales at her sister's response and said, "You didn't..." To which Farina put her hands up.
"We did find treasure once we asked old man Athos to warp us to our destination with Nils. He was planning on going there to help gather other legendary weapons while Nils wanted to visit the mountain dedicated to his mother. Wasn't that exciting as we hoped it would be, as the main treasure was something for Nils to inherit something from within that 'treasure' pile," Farina explained to her fuming sister, who quickly snapped out of her state at the mention of Nils. Geitz chuckled at the mention of Dart finding the treasure of Han Gak.
Ike quickly gave his full attention to the pair who found the treasure with Nils. And Athos to gather more weapons? Did he go to Ilia to get Maltet, the Blizzard Spear? Moreover, Nils decided to go to the shrine dedicated to his mother...
"Tell us what happened," Ike requested to the pair who obliged.
"I'm glad we found that switch within your mother's fang, we'll be sure to find the treasure! I'm surprised Han Gak might have built such a passageway in this mountain..." Dart remarked to which Nils gave no response. Farina nudged Dart for his insensitivity to Nils who was just strung along on their adventure.
Nils blankly followed the pair with Athos who curiously came with them upon a magical mechanism that led to a hidden passageway deep within the mountain. Athos just stroked his beard wondering what was left behind in the mountains by a pirate.
For Nils, he just wanted to see the statue dedicated to his mother, Aenir. When Athos was present in Ostia, he announced before the lords that he would try to get assistance from Bramimond and gather the rest of the Divine Weapons. Athos obliged when the trio seemed to want to go to the Mountain of the Ice Dragon, with only one of the three wanting to go there for pure intentions.
Nils seemed more tired and disillusioned from everything. And now people had just intruded and desecrated his mother's shrine that had a secret treasure room built in by a pirate... He just chose to follow the pair of scoundrels who wanted the treasure. The only one who seemed sympathetic to Nils was Farina.
"Oh my..." Athos's voice snapped Nils out of his stupor and looked at what was ahead. Ahead was architecture fashioned similarly to the Dragon's Gate, surprising Nils. But instead of a portal gate, the doorway was an actual door.
"Huh... 'The treasure lies on the other side of the door that separates fire and water'..." Dart recited part of the riddle. "My hunch was somewhat on the mark... Isn't this place fashioned like the Dragon's Gate?"
Farina raised an eyebrow at Dart's remark. She never went to Valor like her sisters but they did take a glimpse after a tragedy occurred after Fiora's unit was eliminated and the former marquess of Pherae had perished. The Gate was used to summon dragons who crossed it from the Scouring.
Athos went up the stairs and looked curiously at the door for a moment before turning back to the stunned Nils.
"This door will only open for those of draconic blood. If you may touch the door..." Athos beckoned to the child of Ice who remained silent for a moment before nodding.
Dart stroked his chin curiously wondering how Han Gak managed to hide his treasure behind the door if he probably wasn't a dragon. All the while Farina held an excited expression, anticipating the riches she would encounter behind the door.
The moment Nils approached the door, he hesitantly reached out and touched it. At that moment, the door opened on its own. The trio behind Nils looked at what was inside the room. Athos widened his eyes at what was present within the door while Farina was speechless and seemingly disappointed. There wasn't as much gold and jewels as she expected... Moreover, it wasn't something she could take for herself as the most valuable in the room was hands-off based on what Athos whispered in her ear right after seeing it.
Dart, on the other hand, patted the shoulder of Nils whose tears began to fall. He was trembling and sobbing to himself out of sadness or happiness.
Within the room was a jewel akin to sculpted ice held at the center akin to a memorial. Nils continued to cry in front of the jewel until he gained the resolve to take the cherished item for himself.
"You're telling me that was the treasure of Han Gak!?" Geitz repeated in a surprised tone. "Just a respectful return of family belongings!?"
Everyone was awestruck by what Han Gak's treasure was. But another thing that was odd to everyone was how Han Gak even managed to construct such a thing for dragons when making that passageway in the mountains. It was then that Dart shook his head and brought out a book, specifically a notebook or diary.
"Not just that, our legendary pirate left a memoir after studying the contents of the ruins in Valor. He and his crew were geniuses, apparently! After studying the personal notes of the ones Canas got in the old library and dragons, he secretly made that passage and room dedicated to the family who left behind many clues that helped his research," Dart explained excitedly to the group. He then pointed to a journal entry that was seemingly the last page. "Finding a Ice Dragonstone was just the beginning! He used that stone to open the door he made in the mountain and left it there. Han Gak was excited by the prospect of venturing to worlds unknown with a magical item he made similar to the Dragon's Gate. Who knows what more treasures and wonders await if the Pirate King had ventured to other worlds!?"
For Han Gak to connect the dots regarding Aenir and left the most important thing in Nils and Ninian's family within the mountain where they were born. He likely found the Ice Dragonstone in his adventure and studied the contents of Nergal's library back in Valor. And he may have found that very portrait of a dragon and man along with another. Well, the Dragonstone was valuable but something that Farina couldn't take based on her sulking.
That was an awfully kind gesture for the legendary pirate. Such knowledge would be worth its weight in gold if one could go to other worlds like the dragons and Anna merchants. But using a Dragonstone to open a gate...
Ike looked visibly worried as Nergal did not seem to require his children anymore after leaving them behind. Nergal had already taken theirs and may cause further harm. He only hoped Nergal wouldn't be able to open the gate with just the Dragonstones...
"I'll speak with Nils..." Ike announced to the group who nodded.
"The lad was seen at his sister's coffin... probably speakin' and showing what was found to her..." Dart reported to the mercenary commander. Dart then gave a slight smile to Ike as he continued: "I think a huge anchor was finally lifted off his shoulders after we found the treasure..."
"I wonder what went in that pirate's head when he found our mother's Dragonstone..." Nils remarked while grasping the bright blue jewel in his hand. "Why construct such a gate to the treasure that only those with a stone or dragon blood can cross...? To dedicate the item that belonged to her as a final offering? Or was it for explorers to muse over the union of a dragon and a human? Or for us...?"
He mused while he stood at the side of the coffin where Ninian was held. Kept unwounded but still asleep for an eternity.
"I'm glad Eliwood was still by your side by the time I arrived..." Nils uttered to his sister. His tears soon fell from his face as he continued to stare at her lifeless body. "Forgive me, I shouldn't have been against you for being with him... I should have accepted the love you held for each other..."
His regrets were too late for his sister. He was far too afraid of the friendship they built being broken if their human friends knew their origins. Despite that, they found out and remained good companions.
Nils felt he should have never doubted the people that protected him and his sister.
"Nils," Ike called out to the bard.
His eyes wandered to the blue jewel in Nils's hand. Nils didn't look back at Ike but remained staring at Ninian.
"T-there's no way for him to return to us... How painful it must have been all these years without us... without M-Mother..." Nils sobbed out. He turned to Ike and addressed him: "That's why I have to request from you. Please. End his suffering..."
Ike closed his eyes in front of Nils's request. He inhaled deeply before staring back at the ice dragon's red eyes.
"You're not alone..." Ike's answer stunned Nils for a moment. "My father... he killed our mother... it wasn't on purpose, not at all."
Nils was shocked by Ike's statement. His father killed his own family, his wife? But it seemed as though Ike was about to explain further on the matter.
"He touched something he wasn't supposed to... and ended up losing his mind. He regained clarity after killing her and was agonized by it... for ten years... he must have kept it bottled up when looking at us..." Ike recalled with a pained expression. Ike noticed the difference between his sword arm before and after the incident. There was something definitely wrong after most of his memory returned. "I remember his swordsmanship being the best there was... after that day... I think he crippled himself... I suppose he took punishment upon himself for what he did..."
Nils stood silent in front of Ike's recollection. To think he held such a revelation to himself. Nils thought that he and his sister's situation couldn't relate to others. Once again, he was proven wrong.
Ike gave an empathetic smile to Nils and gave one final set of words: "My father was resolved to continue taking care of us... He knew what was important... And that's why I'll remind your father of what's important..."
Nils grasped his new Dragonstone in response to Ike's determination and nodded. To end the suffering of his father and move forward for the future... He would fight too.
"He did that to his own kind!? How dare he!?" Reyson raised his voice of what was revealed to him. Ulki and Janaff were on standby watching Idunn and Fae's room but they had a disapproving expression upon what was revealed. Kurthnaga was also in the guest room across from their room currently paling while Gareth clenched his fist alongside the other attendants.
To think he was helping a poor soul who was mentally harmed by someone who was currently in the same vicinity as the two. Reyson was about to protest to King Dheginsea to keep such a man far away or at least execute him.
"Yeah..." Tibarn rubbed his head in frustration over what was revealed. He then turned to Kurthnaga and continued: "After he nonchalantly revealed what he did in the library, I was about to rake my talons across that dastard to have him answer further until your father stopped me..."
Tibarn clicked his tongue in annoyance despite being in the same room as Kurthnaga. But the disrespect was not taken, as he was more preoccupied with the truth of what happened to Idunn.
He quietly went to the door and went in the direction of the royal library while Gareth gave a glance to the guest attendants who gave a salute. Gareth hurried to the side of his prince leaving the hawks the duty of guarding the guests until more of his men came around for their shift.
"Father!" Kurthnaga called out in the library alongside his attendant, Gareth. Dheginsea sat quietly without Jahn present in the library. "You must have that man leave Goldoa at once!"
Dheginsea knew what his son was getting at and shook his head. His response garnered frustration within Kurthnaga as his words did not seem to go through to his father.
"Why must you keep that man if he's done something terrible to our honored guest? Why father!?"
It was then that Dheginsea turned to his son and spoke: "It is none of our business in the end, my son. What happened in the past does not concern us," Dheginsea's callous remark exasperated Kurthnaga but he exhaled and continued. "Not to worry, Jahn will not go near Fae and Idunn. He won't do anything drastic under my watch. Moreover, I will ask that he share his knowledge to reverse what happened to Idunn, so he will have to have to stay in Goldoa. That much I can do, so it shall end here..."
Dheginsea's declaration made Kurthnaga surprised but forced to willingly accept. He wanted to protest further but he finally relented and left the library with Gareth, who bowed to his king before leaving. Without a single word of rebuttal, he had to make do with the situation.
Meanwhile, Dheginsea mulled over what was revealed to him after Tibarn was excused. What kind of conflict happened in their homeland to deprive a girl of her soul? In the end, all Jahn could admit was defeat in the face of beorcs who forced him and his brethren's hands to fight for their species. While it was no justification, it was a matter of survival, morals were to be disregarded for the battle of the land they lived in (at least in Jahn's words). Moreover, where was this Elibe...?
At the very least, Idunn and Fae will remain safe within the walls of Goldoa. That much he can guarantee...