Chapter 6 – The Queen's Trial (Part 1)
It didn't take long for Lumera, Alear, and Marth to break off from the group, heading off in a different direction from the others at an intersection.
That's the direction of the Ring Vault, Ivy noted.
In any case, now she was alone with the stewards, making their way through the castle. It was a silent affair, with Vander leading and the twins bringing up the rear, with Ivy in-between. This went on until Vander came to a sudden halt at another intersection, making the others follow suit.
"I shall fetch a horse for the upcoming battle," he announced before then turning to fully face Ivy. "Is there anything you may need, Your Highness?"
"Perhaps a spare healing staff should suffice," Ivy said. "I already brought most of what I would need with me, but I must return to my wyvern first to retrieve them."
"Understood," Vander nodded.
He then turned to the twins.
"I trust you two to escort her to the garden."
"You can count on us, sir," Clanne said.
Satisfied, the old steward gave one last bow towards the princess before excusing himself. They watched him leave until he was out of sight, turning around a corner.
They were now down to three.
Clanne stepped towards one of the remaining pathways, before turning back to Ivy.
"Come, Your Highness, the courtyard is this way," he said.
Thus, they were on the march again. It did not take long before they were back outside. Outside an onlooker or two watching with curiosity, the wyvern had been left alone for the most part.
Ivy petted her upon coming near, before turning back to face the twins.
"I don't suppose it will be a problem to fly directly to the garden?" She asked.
"Eh? You want to take your wyvern as well, Your Highness?" Clanne asked, surprised.
Ivy nodded
"Yes, that is how I intend to fight," she replied.
The twins briefly glanced at each other.
"Well, we can't really deny it if that's what you wish, but is that a good idea? " Framme said, sounding a bit skeptical as she placed her hands on her hips. "Your wyvern doesn't look the type to get involved in a fight."
"I assure you that is of no concern," Ivy said. "Despite appearances, she is no stranger to battle."
Framme hummed, then nodded.
"Alright then. Though if you intend to fly directly to the garden then one of us has to come with you to guide you."
Though unneeded as she had been there already, Ivy nonetheless nodded.
"In that case, you should both come."
"Won't that be a burden to the wyvern, Your Highness?" Clanne asked, concerned.
"She can carry all three of us, don't worry."
"Oh, that's good to know," the boy looked relieved.
Thus, the wyvern would take off shortly after, carrying her three passengers over the castle.
"… and that is why half the rings were entrusted to the four nations, while we keep the other half here," Lumera said.
Having long reached the Ring Vault, she had just finished explaining its purpose to Alear.
"I see," Alear said. "Although-"
He glanced down to the Ring of the Hero-King.
"Marth's ring was not placed here, wasn't it?"
Alear glanced back up.
"It was kept on my hand all this time."
"That's correct," Lumera nodded. "We built the pedestal for it, but it was decided to keep it with you as you slumbered."
"Huh, why?"
Lumera smiled.
"You two went through so much together," she replied. "I did not have the heart to keep you apart."
"A decision I'm glad for," Marth added. "Even if we Emblems, too, would enter a long slumber after using our power."
"So, even they needed to rest for a thousand years. I wasn't the only one, then," Alear mused. "And now they must reunite in order to stop Sombron once again, right?"
"Correct," Lumera nodded, though then frowned. "Though considering the seal is capable of being breeched, I do wonder if we must reconsider the idea of sealing him again."
The atmosphere in the room suddenly felt heavier.
"Mother…" Alear trailed off, unsure on what to say.
That's how it was supposed to go, wasn't it, he thought. But it failed, and that cost us greatly.
He felt glumly again, though at the same time-
Wait. In that case, why was he sealed instead?
"In any case, retrieving the rings must be done as soon as possible," Lumera continued, before Alear could voice such thoughts. "Fortunately, gathering most of them should be no problem."
"What may be a problem is getting Elusia's ring," Marth pointed out.
"Yes, that is true."
"Eh? Did Princess Ivy not brought it with her?" Alear asked, surprised.
Lumera shook her head.
"Unfortunately, there's no indication that she did. I trust she was unable to take it with her, but it does not change the fact that no doubt it is now in Sombron's hands. I ignore to what all he is capable in his current state, but I would not be surprised if he has already summoned the Emblem of Blazing to do his bidding."
"Summoned?" Alear asked.
"Yes, you see…"
The wyvern landed in the middle of the castle garden, by one of the dragon statues. Ivy and the twins proceeded to dismount.
"Looks like they haven't arrived yet," Framme noted, looking around.
"I guess we'll have to wait, then," Clanne said as he did the same.
He then noticed Ivy in the process of removing one of the saddlebags from the wyvern.
"Ah, allow us, Your Highness."
Between the three, the bags were taken to rest against the side of one of the benches. Once done, Ivy would take out her tome once again.
"Oh, that tome," Clanne said as he glanced over to look at it. "It's more advanced than mine."
He then took out his own Fire tome, before then alternating his gaze between them as if comparing them.
"Are you still a novice?" Ivy asked.
"Something like that," Clanne replied, sounding a bit deflated. "My duties as a steward don't leave much time to practice my magic."
"And that's why I took to learning martial arts," Framme said. "At least all the work helps me keep in shape if I can't practice much."
"Though your skills with staves are in the same boat as my magic, Framme," Clanne reminded her.
"Well, that's true," Framme couldn't avoid admitting with a sigh.
"I see. Tending to the Somniel must take a lot of work," Ivy said.
Here she briefly glanced skywards, but the before mentioned place was not currently visible from the garden.
"You can say that again," Framme nodded in agreement. "Especially when it's just us and Sir Vander."
"Not to mention, the Somniel is just too isolated and protected to ever come under attack," Clanne said. "So while learning to fight is part of a steward's duty, it's just not that high of a priority."
"Yeah, since being attacked anywhere in Lythos would be inconceivable!" Framme added, before grimacing. "Well, until today, that is."
She was quick to recover however, clenching her fists.
"Which is why we must not just pass Queen Lumera's test, but also do so with flying colors!"
"Yes, that's right!" Clanne exclaimed. "We'll prove ourselves worthy of serving the Divine One in his mission!"
"Well said, you two."
They all turned at the source of the sudden voice. It had come from Vander, coming over from the garden's southern entrance. A horse followed closely behind, being led by the old steward. A healing staff was clutched in his remaining hand.
"We live in unprecedented times. For the first time ever the Stewards of the Dragon will serve the Divine One rather than simply tend to him. The battle at the grasslands was only the beginning. The focus of our duties will shift."
At this point he had reached them, coming to a stop and letting go of the horse's reins.
"As such, I expect you to continue to give your all!"
The twins quickly straightened out, arms at their sides.
"Yes, sir!" They both chorused in unison.
With a satisfactory nod, Vander then turned to Ivy.
"Here's the staff you requested, Your Highness," he said as he handed it over.
"Thank you," Ivy nodded, freeing up a hand in order to take the staff.
After this, it would not take long for Lumera, Alear, and Marth to arrive, soon being seen emerging from the fountain area.
"Ah, good, you're here," Lumera said once they were within earshot.
Crossing the remaining distance, they would finally come to a stop before them.
"We can begin right away."
"Eh?" Alear looked around, confused. "But I don't see any soldiers."
"That's because they won't be your opponents for this," was the reply.
Lumera then closed her eyes as her hands were joined in prayer. For Alear, the gesture was puzzling, but everybody else instead held looks of understanding.
I see, Ivy thought. So we will instead fight against Fabrications.
There were sudden flashes of light behind the Divine Dragon Monarch, from which a figure materialized in each.
"Your opponents shall be they," Lumera gestured behind her to the now small crowd that had showed up.
Alear looked at them and frowned.
"Who... are they?" He asked.
"They're Fabrications, Alear," Marth replied.
"What? Fabricated?" Alear glanced at him, confused.
"Yes. Think of them as golems conjured through divine power."
"They're not like the Corrupted, are they?"
"Oh, heavens, no," Lumera quickly shook her head, looking alarmed. "Fabrications are not reanimated flesh. We transfigure them out of raw material like stone or wood."
Despite the explanation, Alear remained visibly unsure as he glanced back.
"I see. They're still a bit unsettling to watch, though." He murmured.
Ivy hummed, as she too looked at the Fabrications.
He has a point, she noted.
Once past the novelty of finally seeing them in person, the princess had to admit there was something very uncanny about them. At first glance their white clothing and armor, combined with their uncovered faces revealing light blue hair and eyes to match those of Queen Lumera, inspired less fear to their presence. That said, their eyes glowed like those of a Corrupted, their faces showed blank expressions, and there wasn't much variety to their features, making them look more like identical dolls.
They look human… but aren't, she finished with a frown of her own.
Lumera sighed.
"Alear, I know all this must be overwhelming you," she said. "But I'm afraid there is not much choice on the matter. The Corrupted you fought won't be the last. Not until the Fell Dragon is defeated once again. For the sake of Elyos and all of us who live in it, you must not let your fears paralyze you when it matters most."
Alear briefly glanced at the Fabrications again. He frowned again, but only for a moment as he then nodded.
"I understand," Alear said, glancing back. "I'll try to not let it become a problem as we fight."
Lumera smiled.
"That's the spirit," she nodded. "Now, time to get in position."
The group stood in formation, not far from where they had gathered originally. Ivy was back atop her wyvern, who was still grounded. Vander had likewise mounted the horse he had brought. Everyone had their weapons in hand, including Emblem Marth.
Across the opposite half of the garden from them were the Fabrications. They were more spread out and had already assumed battle-ready stances. Their expressions remained as stoic as ever as they gazed towards the group. For her part, Lumera had retreated back to the edge of the fountain area.
"Are you ready?" She called out.
At this the group also readied themselves.
"Begin!"
With that, both sides charged. Ivy quickly ordered her wyvern to take off the ground, however they did not rose high; rather remaining more like hovering just off the ground. The princess had taken notice that the Fabrications included a pair of archers in their ranks. It was clear why they were there.
She wasn't the only one hampered in mobility, however. The statues and bushes likewise served as obstacles for everybody else; though at the same time offered ample opportunities for cover.
"Quick, to the center!" Vander called out.
They were certainly not going let their opponents take advantage of them first. Regardless, the Fabrications had the same idea, but a few went further into the offensive by heading around the statues as well.
We will be surrounded at this point, Ivy thought.
Knowing it was time to act now, she readied a spell. With a quick look around her, she saw one of the Fabrications had begun crossing swords with Alear in the area between the statues, with the latter still outside the opening. Her target decided, she quickly aimed and released the spell. Striking true, the Fabrication was left wide open for a fatal blow from Alear. Unlike with the Corrupted, its body remained, not unlike a corpse.
As soon as it fell, the Divine One saw one of the archers was now in view, arrow at the ready and aimed towards him.
"Tsk," Alear gritted his teeth as he braced himself, knowing it was too late to dodge or stop it.
However, in a sudden flash Marth materialized right next to the archer and slashed! Alear did not let the opportunity go to waste and rushed forward, downing the archer.
It wasn't long before they gained the upper hand. With one of the archers down and due the fact none of the Fabrications had mounts of their own, Ivy would quickly rush off. Remaining close to the ground, she flung magic then quickly put distance between herself and her targets. Despite breaking through to the other side, Alear and Marth remained by the opening between the statues. Framme did the same on the other side, with Clanne taking the space between them. As such, he remained secured while firing spells. Vander would soon follow Ivy's example of doing hit-and-run moves of his own, though with less success due to actually having to come up close with their opponents. Nevertheless it still proved effective as it either distracted them or drew them away from the center if they thought on giving chase. Once the remaining archer was dealt with, their victory became a foregone conclusion as Ivy would then quickly rise overheard. She would then rain down magic fire on any remaining Fabrication still standing, away from danger. It wasn't long before the last Fabrication fell.
"Alright, we did it!" Framme cheered as she punched the air.
With the battle over, the group would converge back. Vander and Ivy both dismounted as well. Whatever few injuries they had the misfortune to accrue were quickly put through both of Framme and Ivy's staves.
"Great job, everyone," they heard Lumera said.
They all glanced back in the direction of the fountain, where the Divine Dragon Monarch had remained from her spot, beaming at them... and holding a sword in her hand. Her expression would then harden as she assumed a battle stance.
"But this isn't over yet."