Author's Note: Don't really have much to say, just apologies it took this long. Although, writing the chapter itself barely took like two weeks. Anyway...

Chapter 11 – The Meeting

All eyes were on the princess, stunned by her proclamation.

"Pardon, Your Highness, but did I heard correctly?" Vander asked.

"Your Highness?" Lupe repeated, confused.

"Yes, I am Elusia's First Princess," Ivy replied.

"T-the First Princess?" The cleric was now dumbfounded.

Her reaction did not surprise Ivy, though the princess frowned nonetheless.

No matter what happens, my full identity will not remain hidden past the night, she thought.

As it was, now was not the time to dwell on that.

"As such, perhaps I can get them to stand down and avoid a confrontation," she explained.

"Perhaps? Alear was surprised. "But surely they'd listen to you, as their princess."

"That may be so, Divine One, but even that may mean nothing if my father sent them here," Ivy explained. "Besides-"

She spared a brief glance towards the doorway.

"They're also taking direct orders from Veyle, a Fell Dragon," she glanced back. "It goes without saying my word would be worth even less, in spite of my title."

"Yes, we understand that sentiment all too well," Vander said, frowning.

"If Queen Lumera was not our monarch, we would obey her first all the same," Lupe added, before turning to Alear. "Same for you, Divine One."

"I see…" Alear merely said.

"Such is the hold dragons have over mankind," Marth said. "A constant in many worlds, as some of the others Emblems can attest."

"Even yours, Marth?" Alear asked.

"Well, the dragon we worshipped… she had passed away long before my time. Her influence remained, however, even centuries later."

"Wow. She must have been on the same level as Queen Lumera," Lupe said with awe.

"Or Sombron," Ivy said. "Not dead, but absent nonetheless; with his very much alive and present daughter on the other side of the bridge."

"Yet you intend to try all the same," Marth pointed out.

"Of course," Ivy said with complete confidence. "They're my people. Elusia has been astray for centuries, but it does not have to remain so. If I can reach to at least one of them, then it would be all worth it."

She frowned.

"As it is, my main concern is what they would make of my presence here. I'm afraid they could think I have turned traitor. If not for seeing me, then for ordering them to stop."

"Do you think they would actually attack you because of that?" Lupe asked.

Ivy went pensive.

Would they really raise their arms against their princess? She wondered.

Perhaps if it was any other situation, but considering Veyle's presence-

"I cannot rule it out," she said.

A heavy silence fell upon them, with only the distant sounds of the clash between dragons heard.

"We'll protect you," Vander suddenly said.

The declaration surprised Ivy.

"You would?" She asked.

"Of course we would," Alear nodded. "And we'll try to avoid killing them, even."

He then turned to the others.

"Right, everyone?"

"Oh yes, that would be the preferable outcome," Lupe agreed.

"Perhaps once detained, they might be more open to talk things out," Marth said.

"I doubt we can avoid casualties," Vander frowned. "But yes, it would be the best for everyone involved."

Ivy was shortly stunned.

I expected it of the Divine One, she thought. But if even some Lythians agree…

She showed a small smile.

"Very well, I accept your support," she said.

The smile then faded shortly after, though.

"However, I must first head alone to meet them. If they see you accompanying me, they might not be as willing to talk."

"Understood, Your Highness," Vander said, placing a hand over his chest and bowed. "But should there be any sign of trouble, we'll jump in immediately."

"I can accompany you, even if I have to return to my ring," Marth said. "But at least you won't be alone facing them."

"Right," Ivy nodded in acknowledged.

She actually felt glad to remember that.

"Now then, we must take our leave."

With a final nod, the Emblem vanished in a flash of light. The princess spun around, and approached the doorway. She took a glance at the Elusians on and around the bridge, then down at herself. She frowned.

It's not the most presentable of images, but it will have to do.

Bracing herself, she crossed the doorway and stepped onto the bridge.

The effect was instantaneous. The moment she came into view, all Elusians eyes were quickly on her. Even the pegasi riders moved closer to the edge of the bridge, resulting in flanking the princess as she walked. Though she kept her composure on the outside, Ivy felt unease swelling up inside her. Soldiers surrounded her from almost all sides, her only means of retreat could be easily blocked, she was clad in nothing but a nightgown and, save for Emblem Marth, had no means to defend herself.

Never before had the sight of her own people had made her feel so vulnerable.

The Elusians, for their part, had their weapons drawn but did not assume battle-ready stances. They seemed more curious of her presence, if anything. Perhaps her vulnerable image was to her advantage. Who would expect to confront them the way she was doing it, after all. Still-

"Halt!" One of them called out.

Ivy complied, stopping in her tracks.

"I wish to speak with your leader," she was quick to say.

The soldiers glanced at each other. The one who had spoken then signaled to another, who promptly ran to the back.

"Stay were you are," the man then told Ivy. "Don't think of doing anything funny."

Ivy frowned.

Do they not recognize their First Princess? She wondered. Regardless, it seems they are willing to talk, at least.

So far, so good.

"Hyaaa!"

"Take this!"

"Gaaah!"

Clanne and Framme had finished dealing with a small group of Corrupted, still in the castle hallways. The twins glanced around.

"There, all done," Framme said, dusting off her hands.

"This was the third group we encountered now," Clanne said. "Just how many Corrupted are there?"

Framme frowned.

"I don't know, but what worries is the lack of guards," she said.

They had indeed seen none since they separated from the Divine One.

"You don't think the Corrupted have overwhelmed them!?" Clanne exclaimed, worried.

"Not a chance, Clanne!" Framme protested, hands on her hips. "They must be somewhere, still fighting. And we must go help them out. Come on, let's go!"

She then ran off.

"Right," Clanne nodded, before following suit.

Abyme made her way across the bridge.

What are the Lythians up to? She thought, frowning.

It was certainly strange, that when finally someone showed up, it was a single woman in her nightclothes.

She either has a death wish, or is hopelessly naïve that she can get us to stop.

Abyme smirked.

Perhaps it's the latter. Typical Lythian arrogance.

The smile did not last, as she went back to frowning.

Still, this could be some kind of trap. We must keep our guard for any funny business.

Soon she made it to the other side, where her men and the debris no longer blocker her view of their interloper. Upon seeing her, Abyme stopped in her tracks, her expression quickly turning into shock.

"P-Princess Ivy!?" She cried out.

The twins made it out of the castle, and into the sight of battle.

"Finally, we found them!" Framme said.

"Oh, Stewards of the Dragon!" One of the nearby soldiers called out. "What a sight for sore eyes!"

"Is the Divine One coming here to help us?" Another said, hopeful.

"Sorry, he went to help out Her Majesty," Clanne replied.

"Yeah, but don't worry, he sent us to help you guys," Framme added.

They suddenly heard a gasp. A nearby archer suddenly turned to face them.

"Wait? Did I heard correctly?" She said, shocked. "The Divine One is awake?"

"Oh, Lady Etie?" Clanne said, surprised. "What are you doing here in Lythos?"

The young lady glanced at the unfolding battle, frowned, and turned back to them.

"We'll talk later," she said instead. "First we must get rid of these invaders."

"Right," the twins nodded.

Framme was quick to jump into the fray, as Clanne opened his tome and Etie readied another arrow.

The atmosphere at the bridge had completely shifted.

"Princess Ivy!?"

"What!? The First Princess, here!?"

"What is going on!?"

The Elusians were in slight disarray. They all hurried over to the front, and even a few of the fliers flew between the pillars to be inside the bridge area and ordered their steeds to land. Abyme, however, was quick to turn around.

"Quiet, all of you!" She called out. "That's no way to act before Her Highness!"

That seemed to do the trick. The Elusians all straightened out, before the ones without mounts then knelt down. Abyme turned back and did the same.

"Ah, forgive us, Your Highness," she said. "We never thought to find you here, of all places."

"I could say the same for you and your men," Ivy said. "Lady…?"

"Abyme, Milady," Abyme said, glancing back up at her. "General Abyme."

She then stood back up, with the others doing the same shortly after.

"Forgive me for asking, Your Highness, but what are you doing here? I was not informed we'd receive additional help; and of the First Princess, no less."

"I'm not surprised," was Ivy's reply. "I was not informed we'd raid Lythos this soon, either. A bold move."

They had to have left port at least since yesterday, she surmised. They must not know yet the Divine One is awake.

Ivy went pensive.

Would that have changed anything?

"Well, Milady, we could not spare much time," Abyme said. "Sooner or later, word of Lord Sombron's return will spill out. You know how crafty those damn Solmic spies can be."

Ivy frowned.

"That's… true."

With all that had transpired, it had not really crossed her mind until now. As it was, word of her arrival to Lythos had to be at least halfway to Solm by now, if not already in the ears of Queen Seforia. Whether or not that meant they had figured out her full identity as well was a different matter, though one not important for now.

"In any case, we're honored for your presence here, Your Highness," Abyme added. "Though I can't imagine having to bear dealing with those Lythians."

She then smirked.

"Well, unless they have to deal with my axe, that is, heh."

A couple of the soldiers chuckled as well. Ivy did her best to keep her expression as neutral as possible, though inwardly the princess was getting worried.

This is not going to be easy.

"It has been manageable so far," she said instead.

"Either way, I don't envy you, Your Highness," Abyme said. "I don't think I could manage myself. I'm a soldier, not a diplomat. And even if I was, I wouldn't want to be sent here to reason with them."

Her face then contorted in disgust.

"The Lythians are one thing, but I for sure would not want to be near their queen. I certainly don't envy Lady Veyle right now, either."

"Lady Veyle is here too?" Ivy asked, trying her best to feign surprise.

"Of course," Abyme nodded. "She's the only one who could stand up to the Divine Dragon Monarch, should the worst happen."

She briefly glanced back and frowned.

"Which it did. I swear, it's like she knew we would be coming."

Ivy glanced over at the opening of the Ring Vault. The dust made it hard to see how the fight was unfolding, though the sudden passing of a large figure from within offered the barest glimpse.

"Has the fight dragged on for too long?" Ivy asked.

"Enough to be concerning," Abyme replied. "The Corrupted can only buy us so much time."

"I see."

If not for the present company, Ivy could almost sigh in relief. Still, something was off.

Queen Lumera should have long recovered from our earlier skirmish, she thought. So how is Veyle able to keep up? She cannot transform into her dragon form, while Queen Lumera can and has Emblem Sigurd at her side too. Has Veyle been withholding some unseen power, or-

Her eyes widened. In hindsight, Lumera's performance in the trial was starting to look suspicious.

Has Queen Lumera's own waned, somehow?

From the doorway, Alear, Vander, and Lupe had been watching things unfold.

"Well, looks like Her Highness has managed to establish communication with them," Vander said.

"Too bad we can't hear them," Alear frowned.

"Will she really be able to get them to stand down?" Lupe asked, worried.

"We hope so," Vander replied. "But we must still be ready for the worst."

"At least Marth is there with her," Alear said.

"It might not be enough," Vander frowned. "But should Framme and Clanne not be back in time with reinforcements, we'd be at a numbers disadvantage."

"Surely it won't come down to that," Lupe said.

"There's always the possibility, young lady," Vander told her. "Being at the Somniel did not made us Stewards forgo our duty to keep the Divine One safe. We always prepare ourselves to fight, no matter how slim the possibility. And sometimes, it is inevitable."

"Inevitable…" Alear repeated, getting pensive. "Well, that just means we have to ensure it happens as little as possible."

"Ah, of course, Divine One," Vander said. "I did not meant my words to sound defeatist."

"Well, it would still be better if there was no fighting at all," Lupe said.

She then sighed.

"But I suppose that is the best alternative. Even I know the Fell Dragon won't be stopped without fighting him."

Alear frowned.

"Yes, that's also true," he said.

Although, he's currently weakened, just like me, he remembered. Perhaps if we can get all the rings first…

Ivy shook her head. Concerning as Lumera's possible current condition was, it was another thing to worry about later. Right now, it was time to act at last.

It is now or never, she thought.

"General," she began.

"Yes, Your Highness?" Abyme asked.

The princess took a deep breath.

"Truth be told, my reason for coming here was… different," Ivy said. "If I was meant to help with Lady Veyle's own task, I received no such foreword about it."

Yet, how ironic it would be if that were the case, and here I am all the same.

"Oh?" Abyme frowned. "Then why are you here, Your Highness?"

She then smiled in amusement.

"Were you hoping to convince the Lythians to surrender already?" Abyme chuckled. "Forgive me, Your Highness, but that may be giving them too much credit."

She then glanced back.

"Ain't that right, boys?"

The Elusians joined in with a few laughs of their own.

"No," Ivy shook her head. "General Abyme, it is you and your men who have to stand down."

The effect was immediate. The laughter died down, replaced with confusion.

"What?" Abyme turned back to face Ivy, frowning.

"You are to return to Elusia," Ivy continued. "It is an order."