A Ballad for Icarus - A Historical Pokemon Quest

Vlad vonCarstein · Mar 19, 2025

barty said:
Nooo, we lost Skiddle

Capella took the kid (ha) in the divorce it seems.

Illunima · Mar 24, 2025

Skiddleeeeee noooooo djsjyeejdihehejeueueiejdiejwjejejwjwjwjwj :sad:

RiceRockRekt · Apr 1, 2025

Hmmm, that's odd, why is this fic on Insufficient Acceleration instead of Sufficient Velocity? Ah, whatever, what's more important is not simply that I've found the time to continue reviewing ABfI, but that I've also reached the point I can continue the character sheet changelog with spoilers!

Elpis said:
Aria, the Titanslayer

Adrianne, the Righteous Blade of Olympus

Aria, the Aspirant Hero

Aria, the Runaway Knight

Art by Me

Your Pokemon and your Skills share the same slot. As one grows in power, the other will too. Aspects are combinations of Skills, representing the content of your character and choices, not necessarily the things you can bring to the table.

They're graded loosely adapted from We Stand In Awe's and But Not Forgotten's skill levels. Everything runs purely on a narrative basis, with your capability in a skill deciding the paths that become available to you rather than rolls which decide their outcomes.

Aspects and Skills

Aspect: Imp‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎r‏‏‎i‎‏‏‎al (Wisdom + Authority)

This is an Aspect of your Character. Something that you ARE, not something that you CAN DO. Wisdom and Authority make for a better noble that most. If you hone this aspect, perhaps you can forge it into a blade that can carve borders. It is missing a few letters, though. You should go find those.

Skill: Wisdom

There are many ways of persuasion. Knowing when to apply the right kind of force, knowing when to ease up, such is the way of a Knight. During lessons, the stories of those generals who set enemies up to fail with strategy and wit were always much more interesting to you. You are Aware. You notice things that you might not usually, you make connections that make no sense sometimes because of details you picked up but might not quite have the context for yet.

Skill: Authority [Competent]

Your voice commands respect. Your deeds will make people think twice before starting a fight with you. It is easier to convince others to follow you. These are all aspects of Authority, something you have inside of you whether you want it or not.

Skill: Righteousness

You are Righteous. Your path is true and the help you offer to people comes from a place of kindness and goodness. This does not make you a pushover, but rather someone who cannot stand people being helpless. You also know how to share that load, rather than take it all on your own.

Aria's Pokemon

Inana the Weavile

A proud Sneasel of Northern Gildera. She knows she's adorable and will let everyone know. Her biggest goal seems to be proving herself as strong and dependable.

Perun the Helioptile

A fighty Helioptile with a strong personality. He mocks Inana by copying her poses while behind her.

~~The Flamberg Growlithe~~

?: ??? the Growlithe: You are someone capable of great empathy and affection.

~~Skiddle, the Runaway Knight's Regret~~

Skiddle is your first partner as a Glastrier Knight. She's kind and happy, always ready to cheer you up and keep you company when you're down. She will keep you upright if you can barely walk, and she will warm you up at night if you're cold. That's the kind of Pokemon she is.

Or was.

Aria's Party

Sophia, Aria's Knight

A former knight of the Spectrier Order. You saved her life. She has sworn loyalty to you, and your cause, whichever cause that is or will be.

Ray, Follower of the Righteous Blade

A scam artist and priestess of Raikou. She is tiny, but her eyes look so old.

Precious Friends and Important Characters

Capella, your precious friend.

Capella is a year younger than you. She has spent a lot of time with Drake before he returned to the Caer after picking you up. She is your best friend. The only one who truly understands you.

Drake, your adoptive father.

The man who took you in. A bald Commander whose name makes many tremble in fear. To you, he's your savior and mentor. His trusty Partner is a Dragonite named Typhon as scarred as him.

Lissy, the Future Legend

A girl who wants to become a hero. She knows all the tales and stories of those who now dwell in the Elysian fields. Her ability to fight in close combat is enough to make even some older knights cower. Her Scraggy is named Perseus.

Ruby, the Mountain Child

A member of the last natives in Western Gildera. They hail from Regis' Pass, a village where the last survivors do not know what their future looks like. Ruby wishes to become a noble to protect their people. Their Bunneary is called Opal.

Leif, Spectrier Knight

A man who knows more than he lets on. Leif is a Spectrier Knight who used to be a villager in the Reichert Marquisate. He is easy to get along with and quite perceptive. He gifted you a Pokeball.

Enemies

The Cult of the Nameless God

Wilhelm the Fool: A man using two daggers. His partner is a Tauros. You beat him twice already.

Adelheid the Priestess: A woman using a long and thin sword. Her partner is an Ampharos that contains draconic energy.

Minor Characters and Acquaintances

Silvia, the Lightning Blade

Silvia is a Captain of the Glastrier Order. Despite using a long sword, she is said to be the fastest swordswoman on the continent. Her partner, Bolt, is a Raichu with a darker fur than usual.

Redwood, the Scholar

A man who towers over everyone in the Caer. Redwood is a teacher at heart, though his own skill with the blade is not to be taken lightly. His partner is an Ursaluna named Princess. She wears a crown.

The Murkrow Squad of the Northern Woods

Led by Thalia the Murkrow, these four Murkow were your first battle, and rivals for berries. They're not that bad, though. They did save your life. Maybe one day you can come back for them.

A lot of change has come and gone, it's a whirlwind that matches the growth this quest and Aria herself have undertaken.

First off:

Aria, the Titanslayer

Adrianne, the Righteous Blade of Olympus

Aria, Adrianne! The Titanslayer! Righteous Blade of Olympus!

Our girl's legend is growing, lovely to see.

Aspects and Skills

Aspect: Imp‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎r‏‏‎i‎‏‏‎al (Wisdom + Authority)

This is an Aspect of your Character. Something that you ARE, not something that you CAN DO. Wisdom and Authority make for a better noble that most. If you hone this aspect, perhaps you can forge it into a blade that can carve borders. It is missing a few letters, though. You should go find those.

Skill: Wisdom

There are many ways of persuasion. Knowing when to apply the right kind of force, knowing when to ease up, such is the way of a Knight. During lessons, the stories of those generals who set enemies up to fail with strategy and wit were always much more interesting to you. You are Aware. You notice things that you might not usually, you make connections that make no sense sometimes because of details you picked up but might not quite have the context for yet.

Skill: Authority [Competent]

Your voice commands respect. Your deeds will make people think twice before starting a fight with you. It is easier to convince others to follow you. These are all aspects of Authority, something you have inside of you whether you want it or not.

Skill: Righteousness

You are Righteous. Your path is true and the help you offer to people comes from a place of kindness and goodness. This does not make you a pushover, but rather someone who cannot stand people being helpless. You also know how to share that load, rather than take it all on your own.

Slowly but surely, we're closing in on the final letter of Imperial...

Inana the Weavile

A proud Sneasel of Northern Gildera. She knows she's adorable and will let everyone know. Her biggest goal seems to be proving herself as strong and dependable.

Perun the Helioptile

A fighty Helioptile with a strong personality. He mocks Inana by copying her poses while behind her.

Inana's evolution to Weavile was perhaps the hypest part of an already extraordinarily stacked climax, so I gotta say that I'm really looking forward to what her new art will look like.

Perun's definitely going to want to catch up to his senior to continue annoying her properly.

Sophia, Aria's Knight

A former knight of the Spectrier Order. You saved her life. She has sworn loyalty to you, and your cause, whichever cause that is or will be.

Ray, Follower of the Righteous Blade

A scam artist and priestess of Raikou. She is tiny, but her eyes look so old.

The fact Ray isn't "Maiden of the Thunderbringer" anymore, but "Follower of the Righteous Blade"...

It's fascinating to bring her in line with Sophia's epithet, but in diametric opposition, Ray aligns with Olympia's hero, but Sophia devotes herself to the girl who pulled her out of the snow.

The Cult of the Nameless God

Wilhelm the Fool: A man using two daggers. His partner is a Tauros. You beat him twice already.

Adelheid the Priestess: A woman using a long and thin sword. Her partner is an Ampharos that contains draconic energy.

We know the name of our adversaries now! With confirmation that the same can't be said about the God they serve.

Aria: Yeah that Wilhelm guy, he uses knives, he has a cow, and I punted him 2:0. Nothing else of significance or concern.

How the hell Adelheid has a Mega Ampharos in a setting that doesn't know what the fuck Mega Evolution is has me. Slightly worried. Just a bit.

Now, I have one final thing to make note of:

You are Aria. Long ago, that name had more than four letters.

A story about a knight who never set out to be a hero, alongside a party of friends, across a continent that still sings the songs of those ancient men and women that carved their names into the mountains and temples.

As inspired by an endless amount of Otome isekai, villainess stories, anachronisms and Yuri manga.

New synopsis to go with the thread icon returning to this loveable scamp!

It's interesting how the tone register and kinda, workman succinctness comes across compared to the older synopses and summaries over the course of the quest's runtime:

The world is changing quickly in the Kingdom of Gildera. The border tightens, old friendships turn sour, and in that desperation you find yourself facing down your greatest challenge yet: facing your past.

You are Aria.

Long ago, that name had more than four letters.

You are that girl. The one who yearns for freedom and friendship, who is mourned by the snow under her feet. Where you walk, the sun will follow. Breathe and take in the world one step at a time, even as you run from your past. Become a knight, protect the weak, devour the strong.

Darkness will forever flee from your light.

You are Aria.

Long ago, that name had more than four letters.

The Empire of Sol is a thousand years old. The girl called Aria is hardly seventeen. But this is a ballad, and her name is a song—and Aria refuses to let it be sung with melancholy.

She'll never be the very best.

But she'll damn well be good enough.

It's amazing how, save the Pick of the Month quote last December, how often "Long ago, that name had more than four letters" has repeated across the lifecycle of A Ballad for Icarus, and now we know...Adrianne...The name with the rest of those letters...

Honestly crazy to think of the timeline where Imperial finished up the same moment Aria's birthname was revealed, but that just means we get to stay on the edge of our seats for when that culmination pops later.

Now, without further ado, it's finally time to experience the start of Arc 4, "Thank You."

Lot of feelings baked into that title.

Elpis said:
You dream of a young serpent.

It is the lowliest of all creatures in the garden. It crawls on its belly, it has no legs or arms. No feet or hands. What it can grip, it can only grip with its mouth.

"Tell me of the sky," the serpent would say, as it cannot raise its head to look up. "Tell me of the world above us."

"It is cruel and indifferent," the fish says. "It floods our rivers, or it dries them out. Sometimes it freezes them."

"It is warm and giving," the lizard says. "It reveals the sun to wake me, and it hides it so I may rest. Sometimes, it sends fire down."

Neither lies, for the serpent knew that neither of them was a liar, and so if all these things are true, the sky must be vast and unknowable.

The serpent(Rayquaza), the fish(Kyogre), and the lizard(Groudon), who will never join hands again...

Elpis said:
Down here, what little food it can find, the serpent cannot share with its friends. It is hard to survive, every day is a struggle against those who are bigger and stronger, those who are faster and have more wit.

But one day, the serpent knows, it will grow and devour the sky, and when it does, it will share its bounties with its friends. The fish will have all the water it needs, and the lizard shall have all the sun it requires.

...The hungering snake, who would tear down the stars to feed its long lost friends...

I cannot believe how much grief this gives me. What the fuck.

The fact it would rule the sky so the ocean and land would prosper, but the rain and the drought are enemies that may never meet in harmony.

And so the serpent merely locks the air to zero, and will only descend to return them to the depths.

Insane.

Elpis said:
Speaking of having to fix your habit of falling unconscious after a hard fight, you wake up with a start. Everything hurts. Everything. Unlike the energetic feeling after the fight against the Guardian Charizard, you find yourself immediately lying down again and trying to ignore the throbbing that explodes from every limb.

You are alive, that's good! Pain means you're going to live to see another day! You'd rather be dead right now, you think. The dead can rest, right?

Aria: Never mind the prophetic agony of growing to your full self only to never reclaim the people you left behind to touch the sky, I am experiencing the REAL agony of getting turbo electrocuted by an angry god, which I thought was fake on account of Ash Ketchum.

Elpis said:
Something stirs. Or someone. You look to your left, where Ray is sleeping with her mouth half open, drooling all over the sheets that were draped over you. You look around, immediately recognizing Julius' medical office at the brothel.

The smell should've given it away, but at this point you're a bit lightheaded. Sophia is nowhere to be seen and your Pokeballs are lying on the table, undisturbed.

Sophia is literally going to kill Ray for stealing her spot and that's a genuine mercy compared to what Capella will do when she catches up.

ABfI describing Sophia asleep: Her dreams are of puppy dogs and kitties and you will share the wonder the world can hold witnessing her rest.
ABfI describing Ray asleep: BEDWETTER.

Elpis said:
You'd let Ray continue sleeping, but you're pretty sure she's cutting off your legs from the rest of your body and you'd rather not lose a limb like this. You poke her cheek, giving her a few seconds before lightly slapping it to rouse her. She wakes up slowly, rubbing her eyes.

"Good morning," you say. The slow start becomes an abrupt and frantic flailing as she nearly falls out of her chair. She finds her footing by standing up, sending the chair backwards before wrapping her arms around you. "R-Ray, this hurts!"

She does not let go, so you try to get used to the pain.

"I can just slap Ray a lit—OH GOD THE CONSEQUENCES OF MY ACTIONS."

Elpis said:
"You're such an idiot," she says. This seems like a familiar situation, though last time there was a softness that Ray simply does not grant you. "A big, big fat idiot."

"So I've been told," you say, wheezing out a high-pitched groan when her grip tightens. "Ray, please—"

You are freed from torment, though her hand still finds yours and holds it tightly. You can see Gumi in the corner of the room, yawning at the sight before going back to sleep. For an Electric Pokemon in a place like this, she really has low energy.

Unfortunately, the price of being loved is to have women torture you on your bedside. RIP in RIP Adrianne.

Girl who desperately wishes she had the freedom to take a nap like that one Jolteon wandering around in the vicinity.

It feels like Ray just like. Picked the laziest dog in reach. Saw an Eevee panting on her side in a ditch and said "Is anyone gonna take this thing" and went ahead and did that before someone else could speak up.

Elpis said:
"What happened?" you ask. Ray grits her teeth, clearly in thought as to where to start.

"What's the last thing you remember?"

"My sword's broken after I kicked Wilhelm's ass," you say. "I don't know if I did the right thing, though. I destroyed the staff, right?"

"It's… complicated, but you did good," Ray says, nodding. "The staff was a creation of Raikou, using it to unseal Regieleki was never its purpose. While the seal is still weakened, the part of Regieleki you defeated won't regenerate for a long while. They'll fix the seal right up before that happens."

"That's good," you say, for lack of true understanding about the situation. In truth, the concepts and mythology of the whole matter have gone above your head for the most part, in the end you feel like one of those cavemen who were freed by the beasts. As long as you have a hammer, everything in front of you is a nail.

THE GIRL WHOSE FIRST VIRTUE IS WISDOM, EVERYONE.

Are you sure the staff was a creation of Raikou, though?

It feels like.

It feels like it was like a solid hunk of Regieleki they pried off and paraded around.

Like it just seemed pretty convenient that the lightning god staff could manipulate the structure of the mountain itself.

As if it was related to a deity that presided over the continents.

Ho hum.

Man though how the fuck is Olympia gonna patch this thang. Like apparently they needed to kill seven people to forge it in the first place, what's it gonna take to plug it back up.

"That's good," you say, for lack of true understanding about the situation. In truth, the concepts and mythology of the whole matter have gone above your head for the most part, in the end you feel like one of those cavemen who were freed by the beasts. As long as you have a hammer, everything in front of you is a nail.

It bears repeating.

Aria is.

SO stupid.

Elpis said:
You look to the empty sheath. The Skarmory steel held up well for so long, the idea that a sword like this could shatter never crossed your mind. "But… What happened? How did I win?"

"That's also complicated, you nearly killed yourself with that move," she says. You want to crack a joke, 'nearly killed' isn't dead yet, but the way she looks at you makes it impossible. "Your body's a conduit, whatever powers you have make it so you can channel energy easier, even if you can't produce your own."

"That's, something," you say, tasting ash on the tip of your tongue. That answers some things, though you're not sure what the questions are. "So I became really strong for a moment?"

"You're an idiot;" Ray says. You narrow your eyes at her.

Number One Girl to say "Maybe sticking this fork in a light socket will make me a Super Saiyan" and mean it.

I think what's funny about this is that. Like implicitly Aria doesn't have power in of herself, even though she really should as a bitch plugged into Rayquaza and Solgaleo to some indescipherable degree, no, she is the plug, an extension cord.

Being an unmarred vessel to the heavens...That's what they call "Royalty", isn't it?

Elpis said:
"The temple is built atop of Dragonveins, so the tomb under it was filled to the brim with energy."

That's a new term, though you can guess what she means.

"So?" you ask, raising an eyebrow.

Ray holds up one of the quartzes she likes to use. It's empty. "So, imagine you're this dumb little gem. Kind of pretty, not very bright. So you draw energy into yourself, first when fighting the Charizard. You reach the point where you're full, so—"

View: https://brightmoontor.tumblr.com/post/779662874570309632/roselalonde-niklas-sagara-roselalonde-you

Had to add "kind of pretty" huh.

Elpis said:
The gem starts to light up, and glows brightly in your face as it reaches its capacity.

"You're full of energy and ready to take on the world," she says. "But if you keep pushing it, like fighting a demon."

She keeps charging the quartz. It begins to crack, then shatters and falls apart right in her hands. All that is left is shards and dust that glitter on her skin.

"Okay," you say, nodding. You understand the concept. So… "What does that mean?"

Ray slaps her hands over her face and sighs.

You know there was a time Aria was thoughtful. And insightful. Weighing personal knowledge of the overall geopolitics with a cutting attention to small human habits that inform the personalities around her. Whatever happened to that.

Is it all the traumatic brain injury? She has been headbutting people a lot...

Elpis said:
"It means you nearly killed yourself," Justus says, walking through the door. "And until that excess energy is out, your physical state will be terrible. Here."

He throws something at you. A… spoon. You raise your hand to catch it, and you do, but your fingers don't grip it right and it falls onto your lap. You frown, reaching out for the spoon and grabbing it.

Once again, it falls from your fingers. There's no strength in your grip, and for a moment your heart sinks into your stomach. You kick off the covers, forcing yourself to stand up. You lose your balance, forcing Ray to keep you upright.

"You say this is temporary?" you ask, your voice tight.

I'm impressed by how I can't rightfully decide between "Hysterical" and "Depressing", much in the way the majority of Aria's life is.

Elpis said:
The weight you put on Ray must be too much already, her face red as she tries to help you back onto the bed.

Aria. Come on.

I think a lot about how Ray brings something funny to the table as the "third love interest", in that Capella has been microwaved by Aria for years before we get to the quest and Sophia just falls head over heels the moment she put her guts back together, but Aria/Ray is a slowburn for idiot tsunderes and the wizard who is so sick of her shit, which is we all know is a classic for a reason.

Elpis said:
Justus nods.

"I can't say how long, but probably not longer than a few weeks," he says, shrugging. "See it like recovery from a broken limb, except you can't just potion your way out of this. This takes time and patience."

Things you have in abundance, of course. You sigh, gripping the air with your hand and trying to focus the weakness away.

It needs to be said that I do love Justus. I love that Justus is back. Desperately want to know what his backstory is and how it was supposed to relate to the overall plot that Aria basically bus crashed.

Justus: You can't HP stack this away Aria.
Aria: You don't know that. I could develop some random superpower I never knew about right this second.

Elpis said:
"Alright," you say. Can't cry over spilled Moomoo milk, can you? Justus grabs something from the closet near the wall, walking over to hand it to you. It's a crutch, very simple overall, though it looks like it's been used for a long time before.

"This should work, energy flows back to the world, so the strength in your legs should come back first," he says. You nod at him, taking the crutch. Your lack of gripping strength will make using it a bit harder, but if you pretend it's training, it's no more difficult than carrying a dozen bags of grain up a tower. "No fighting, no stressful activities. And a balanced diet, if I see you with another one of those knight's rations in your mouth we'll have a serious talk."

You roll your eyes. For someone who was initially very unwilling to involve you, he sure has evolved into a mother hen.

She's soooooooo annoyed that an older male figure is keeping her health and safety in mind (Lying).

Giving her his old mobility aid...

Elpis said:
"Sure, so can you actually tell me what happened? How long was I out?"

"About half a day," Justus says. Ray nods, chiming in.

"Wilhelm's body fell apart into dust, the temple was pretty mad about the staff at first but the crown prince's presence has made them shut up pretty fast."

"The crown prince?" you ask.

"Yeah, apparently he was near the border," Justus says, sitting down at his desk and throwing his legs up. "The border guard you sent us to? Uten? He got the prince here pretty fast once he got the message. Bit late, though, you had already won by the time he got here."

"Won," you say.

Well waddaya know, Aria has a brother! That isn't dead! Maybe!

I'm glad Uten came through, but I wonder what's going to happen now that two forces that have the misapprehension of thinking they're unrelated are gonna cross paths...

We are definitely never going to see Wilhelm again now that he's been turned into carbon. Without a doubt.

Elpis said:
It doesn't feel like a win, in some regards. "I suppose so, Wilhelm's… well, Wilhelm's dead. I can't say I mourn him, but it does not fill me with joy to see someone die at my hands."

"He killed himself the second he sacrificed his soul to Regieleki," Ray says. She is unhappy at the topic, but does not let that stop her from speaking her mind. "You don't need to take credit for that, he was doomed by his chosen path."

"Right." You want to agree, but the truth is that you cannot stand the idea of death. Even if it is more dangerous, you'd rather someone stay alive to face the law than to face the justice of steel.

I love how Aria is letting herself feel genuine somber consideration for the fact that the loss of human life is tragic no matter how much of a bitch the victim was, which will have no consequences when said victim fails to pop up like one of Those Feratu who didn't get staked right.

Elpis said:
"What about Sophia, where is she?"

"She's giving a testimony, the emperor's men flooded the city and this one wasn't ready to leave your side." Justus shrugs, pointing at Ray. She does not say anything, but her face twists in discomfort. "Turns out your little stunt pulled a lot of attention, though. The hole that opened in the city gave a lot of people quite a display of your fight, they are running around calling you Titansbane. Demonslayer. I think there's a painter who wants to draw your portrait camping outside the brothel."

You wave him off. "Okay, okay, please stop."

Titles and great deeds aren't something you really care about, though you can't say that being appreciated feels bad. Still, the circumstances that led to this are far too strange.

Aria, I'm fairly certain "Sophia is the only person was there giving the details of the incident" is not going to do anything to lessen the amount of flagrant worship that's about to hit you like a tide.

I believe in portrait guy. Homie is holding their seat in reserve.

Elpis said:
"I still don't understand why Wilhelm was here," you say. Ray nods. "And the woman that helped him, I remember a friend in Wallburg telling me about someone like her. A priestess that heals people who get sick and die after she leaves? That must've been her."
"Adelheid," Ray says. You raise an eyebrow. "She introduced herself, a priestess of the nameless god. I couldn't tell you which one she means, but I imagine it is not a benevolent one."

"Yes." You nod. What a ridiculous display. That someone like Wilhelm has allies at all makes you break out in hives, the audacity that someone could stomach him long enough to participate in his plans.

NEVER STOP HATING.

The fact Aria literally ranks "Some kind of demon god cult that tried to blow up a city" lower than "Somehow these freaks can tolerate Wilhelm" is genuinely too much. She thinks this man is (permanently) dead and that isn't enough to offer any grace in the least.

Elpis said:
"At least we got out, what about Debora? The Centurion? Are they alright?"

"Debora's gonna be just fine, she's bounced back from worse," Justus says, smiling softly. It's a strange sight on his face, you don't like it, but won't deny him his joy.

Why are you so fucking mean Aria.

"Wow you're like. Happy. I've never seen you happy. I kinda wish you'd stop."

Elpis said:
"The Centurion's the reason Sophia's out, there's a lot of conflicting reports so she was picked as a neutral party due to you lack of availability."
Speak of the knight and she will kick the door in— almost literally. The door to the office opens with such force it hits the other side of the wall, and you can see Justus' irritation at the crack that appears on the wood.

Well okay I guess Sophia granted your wish! The simp.

We are following a bunch of idiot ape women (Affectionate).

Elpis said:
Sophia walks in with swift steps, then throws herself onto the bed and wraps her arms around you, knocking you both into the pillow.

She does not say anything, and you don't have any air left in your lungs to do it either. It takes a few moments in which you look at Ray and Justus for help and just receive smug looks back. After a good minute, Sophia's iron grip loosens enough for you to wheeze out a greeting.

Put that on the list of things to work on. Breathing exercises because all your friends seem like huggers.

Ray and Justus: We LOVE seeing you get put in the torment nexus.
Aria: When my kingdom is founded upon generosity and prosperity for all, you two alone will have nothing.
Aria: ...
Aria: Nothing but three meals a day.
Aria: Everyone else will have three meals a day and a pony. Just so you know what you're missing.

Sophia is just quietly a standout.

Elpis said:
"You're the biggest idiot in all of Elysium," Sophia says, pushing off you. "But you're a real hero, Aria."
You don't know what you say, so you smile and hug her back. She winces slightly, and you can see the bandages under her shirt that reach all the way up to her neck. It seems that nobody came out uninjured, but everyone came back alive.

And that is worth all the pain you've endured and will endure in the future.

Dawwwww, this is just great, I love it.

Okay I've been writing for a While and I don't have gas in the tank for the pace I'm going at, so I'll stop here at 1/3 in, can't say I regret giving it the push today, because this is just like. Yeah : )

Missed ABfI. I love these dumbasses and their guest star party member Dr. Gregory House.

RiceRockRekt · May 4, 2025

Okay, so an Asphodel in Mourning update happened this week of all weeks, but I'm honor bound to finish the Update 19 review that I was saving my energy for this past month, so we're doing that, let's gooooooo.

Elpis said:
Unfortunately rest is not something you can afford while the city is in turmoil. The emperor's men have summoned you, and though they said it is not urgent and you can take your time to rest and recuperate, you cannot sit idly by while the guards and the temple have a chance to lie.

At the base of the temple, just before the stairs that lead up, there is a square. It's big enough to hold a few hundred people standing close to each other, surrounding a wooden stage that is no doubt used by the temple's town crier.

You are let through by the crowd, the crutch Justus gave you under one arm and Sophia's shoulder under the other. Step after step, and though you find exhaustion already taking hold of you, you cannot stay still. It takes a few minutes, but you end up right in front of the platform.

The image of this really is like. Historic. Mythic even.

The Olympus storyline has super been a matter of religion and legend and the way Aria keeps finding herself stumbling into the optics as she acts with blind sincerity towards the spirit really ties everything into a bow.

Elpis said:
There are a few familiar faces. You can see Uten, who waves at you in greeting before returning to his position of the stern and focused guard. There is the Centurion Argos, on his knees, a man holding a sword against his neck as he is forced to lower his head in front of the people of Olympia.

You can see a woman on a Mudsdale, not on the stage but still eye to eye with those that are.

Argos, you are about to get Fucked Up, rip dude.

Hey Uten! Love you Uten!

Elpis said:
And you can see a young man, a boy really, dressed in a uniform in golden and silver colors.

He's younger than you, though not by much. His eyes shine bright blue, like portraits of Kael you have seen in the past, his hair short and purple. His skin mirrors yours, as one would expect of Solian royalty, and though his stature is comparatively small, his presence makes up for it.

You know that the emperor married again after the death of the empress. You know that though this marriage was fast, and even the prince's birth was but a year after the woman's death, that this was done out of a need for an heir, and not to forget the woman he loved.

Loves, still, you are certain.

It is no secret that the emperor does not love the current empress, though he fulfils his duties as her husband all the same.

Heyyyyyyy baby brother Aria has no idea is her half-brother.

...Wait.

Gildera's royalty has blue hair with purple eyes.

Sol's royalty has purple hair with blue eyes.

...Un-fucking-believable.

This is VERY silly. This is VERY VERY silly.

His skin mirrors yours, as one would expect of Solian royalty, and though his stature is comparatively small, his presence makes up for it.

ALSO THE FACT THEY GOT THE SHORT KING FROM THEIR FATHER'S SIDE LMAO!

The Emperor is clearly a perfectly good father who's obvious complexes have never caused strife in his home life.

Elpis said:
Your mother loved you so much, Aria. Your father… he loved your mother.

It was the only time your grandmother spoke of your father.

Never ever.

Elpis said:
"The guest of honor arrives," the prince says, smiling at you so brightly it makes you feel you're staring directly into the sun. "Please, come up here if you wish."

You don't want to, really, but Sophia's feet are already dragging you towards the stairs to the platform and Uten gives you a pat on the shoulder as you pass him. You can see the smile in his eyes behind the mask.

The dramatic irony going on here is like. Blinding. Frankly.

Aria and the Prince, perfectly in sync: (Weird how that guy's so purple)

Uten I just appreciate you. Sophia you're a little bit putting Aria through the Torment but that's funny so it gets a pass.

Elpis said:
"Now I have been briefed on the situation in Olympia," the prince continues, addressing the people of the city with that same smile. "I have heard of corruption among the clergy, and the very same among the guards who were meant to uphold order."

The people do not say a word, unable to speak out of turn in front of the prince. You frown, ready to add your own complaints, but he does not stop to let you.

Rather, he takes the words right out of your mouth.

"And yet I find it ridiculous that in a city that outnumbers both clergy and guards, not one person decided to report this situation," he says, raising his arms towards a group of prostitutes. You recognize the two that went to get Uten's help among them. "That it escalated to the point where people could scream for help at night and not one of the righteous citizens of Sol would stand and help their fellow brother or sister. Do their cries fall on deaf ears, Olympians? Are they lesser than you? If so, please show me the law where my father has decreed them so."

And once again, shameful silence.

"Oh he's just like me fr" Aria who does not even remotely understand how factual this is.

It's so funny to me. The tension. The righteous indignation. The way they can see the good in people so clearly as to demand it when none arrives.

The main thing separating them is less the chromosome and more the fact Princey can keep a smile up while he's mad.

Elpis said:
"It is quite a debacle," he says, his voice tight and his shoulders tense. His eyes move from the crowd to Argos. "Not only has my father's trust been broken by those who should know better, but in our time of need it was a foreigner who took up blade and spilled her blood on our soil to keep his subjects safe."

"Your Highness—" the Centurion begins. The prince does not say a word, he does not need to, the man holding Argos down presses his blade closer to his neck for speaking out of turn.

Don't worry, the blood wasn't even a little bit foreign! You'd find it all too familiar, honestly.

Love how we got Argos out of being sacrificed just to put him through this. Deadass think he'd have preferred getting God Murdered.

Elpis said:
"A shame, really," the prince continues. "The governing of these cities lies in the hand of the faithful, as long as the emperor's laws are upheld. Collusion between the temple and our very own guards is something we should have considered before. Perhaps a harder hand must be used to keep the peace, don't you think so, Maria?"

The pale woman on the Mudsdale gives a nod. She does not speak, her lips drawn in a thin line. Her eyes are fixed on you, quite clearly staring. You stare back.

Aria getting shooters every arc. EVERY arc.

Elpis said:
"You, woman," he says. You blink. You? Well, at least he didn't try 'girl'. "The people of Olympia have given you many names, but I know not the one you prefer. Titles are harsh, and life is too short to worry about formalities, don't you think?"

"Aria," you say, frowning. You don't like how he speaks, though you can tell from the way his voice breaks at the end of some words that he is putting on a show. For the people, for the peace, and for his knights as well. "That is my name."

You are Aria, and even though you can say your old name with pride, the name you have chosen will forever be the thing you introduce yourself with.

"Aria, Titansbane," he says, using a title despite his earlier words. "I must thank you for your service, in the name of the Sun, and in the name of the temple. Though tragedy has no doubt struck this city, the worst was avoided by the blade of you and your companions."

His fist hits his chest plate twice. He bows his head, very slightly, and the people around you follow suit, bowing much deeper.

That's because you're older than him! And for the first time in your life taller too!

Oh he definitely knows about Adrianne though.

Elpis said:
A hole appears in the ceiling. Sunlight streams down between dirt and stone, and you can hear the people of Olympia shouting down. You hear the people who put their faith in you. You hear the righteous path like a choir in the back of your spine.

"I am Aria," you say, loud and proud. The sword in your hand sings. You hold the blade to your face, closing your eyes in deep thought. "I am Adrianne!"

Not was or will be. Your name shakes the earth, and your blade carves mountains across continents. With a swing of the sword, the demon is pushed back until it hits the far wall of the cave. With another swing, you cut the distance between the two of you.

"You, woman," he says. You blink. You? Well, at least he didn't try 'girl'. "The people of Olympia have given you many names, but I know not the one you prefer. Titles are harsh, and life is too short to worry about formalities, don't you think?"

"Aria, Titansbane," he says, using a title despite his earlier words. "I must thank you for your service, in the name of the Sun, and in the name of the temple. Though tragedy has no doubt struck this city, the worst was avoided by the blade of you and your companions."

Decided to be preeeeeeeeeetty deliberate about immortalizing whatever it is she calls herself when not in the heat of the moment.

.

Wait.

Elpis said:
"Well, in for one corpse, in for two," he says, the knives in his hands spinning for a moment as he changes his grip. "What name do you want on your gravestone, girl?"

"Aria," you say, pointing the sword at him. "Memorize it so you can share it with the rest of the scum in prison."

Ohhhhh, so that was just straight up the callback, huh!

Elpis said:
"I didn't do it for the thanks, Your Highness." You don't get very far with your sentence, he waves you off.

"Please," he says, walking up to you. He extends a hand, and though your entire body screams at you as you extend your own, you still grab it. "Call me Kieran."

"Prince Kirean," you decide to compromise.

Aria please call your baby brother by his name this is probably the most emotional intimacy he's gotten from his family ever.

Oh but fr Kieran DEFINITELY knows. Like definitely definitely.

...Wait this is so funny. Literally Kieran. This little purple boy is gonna be so normal about this.

Elpis said:
He notices the lack of strength in your grip.

"I apologize, your deeds sound so great it is easy to forget your injuries," he says. "There's something I wish to discuss with you, though perhaps it would be better to meet in private after the criminals have been prepared for transport."

"Transport?" you ask. He nods.

"To the capital, while I would usually decide the punishment myself, this man was appointed by my father, which means that the punishment must be issued by him."

You nod. "That makes sense, sorry, I'm not very familiar with the laws of Sol. We can meet after, of course, I still have to meet up with a few people now that I'm up."

"Of course, thank you," he says, giving you a nod. "We'll be setting up at the guard's barracks, do not be in a hurry, it will be a few days before we are ready to leave."

ONCE AGAIN ARIA HAS DELAYED A PRIVATE INTERACTION WITH HER FAMILY, HOW WILL SHE DO IT NEXT!

Argos is in for such a bad time, rip.

Elpis said:
Tia and Lora are there to greet you on your way back. Sophia does not let go of you, though, her grip tightening as she helps you up the stairs to Debora's office. It's been cleaned up, no doubt by Justus, though the destroyed desk is not something he could fix so easily so you try not to look guilty.

One day Sophia, you're gonna have to get off thot patrol when it comes to perfectly nice prostitutes.

You need to save your AP for when Capella flies in like an actual rod of god!

Aria: I'm sorry. The thirst for solving puzzles came over me.
Justus: You're gonna have to use whatever fancy hero money you get for paying back to desk.
Aria: You'll never take me alive hussy sorry that is SUCH rude phrasing in light of this establishment's line of work.

Elpis said:
"I apologize, you should be resting and all people are doing is dragging you around," Debora says. You smile.

"It's fine," you say, "I'd go crazy if I have to sit in that bed for another hour. This is a good distraction, I even got to meet royalty."

I can hear you laughing Elpis. I can hear you.

Honestly though Debora, it kinda goes as much for you two, you got Wrekt.

Elpis said:
"The prince is the pride of the empire," Debora says, crossing her arms. You look at the ceiling. "While not every emperor was a good man, the current one is, and with the prince the apple has not fallen far from the tree it seems."

"He seems like he has a good head on his shoulders," you say, nodding. "You didn't call me here to talk about him, though, right?"

Just a little gassing up, laying the foundation of how funny this topic is gonna be in hang on.

Debora says, crossing her arms. You look at the ceiling.

Aria is there anything you want to say to class. The Sophia shaped class. About why that gesture made you look up.

Elpis said:
"Right," she says. "I wanted to thank you, Tia and Lora have informed me about everything we didn't have time to talk about in the tomb. Now that the guards don't require bribery, a lot of our funds have opened up, so I wanted to give you some of it."

"I can't accept any money," you say. Ray rolls her eyes.

"Sure you can," Ray says. "It's really easy. Watch this. Half."
"Not in a million years, you little shit," Debora says, raising her nose at Ray.

I have no idea where this hatred came from but it DOES make me clap.

Ray: I'm gonna teach Aria a little trick called accepting generosity. Pay me for it.
Debora, who is trying to teach Aria a little trick called accepting generosity: Kill yourself.

Elpis said:
"I need you to accept at least enough to get a new sword, I know that the material is not something you can find in Sol."

"We accept," Sophia says. You want to say something, but she does not let you. "It won't be able to replace that sword, I know, but the alternative is not getting it replaced for a while. You can't feed yourself with gratitude."

"Fine," you say. Sure gratitude won't fill your stomach but these people have suffered enough, haven't they? Cutting them a break isn't wrong! "But no more than the price of a sword."

"Of course," Debora says. She winks at Sophia for some reason. Sophia… winks back? You choose to ignore that.

This is the most positive interaction Sophia has had with a woman of the night since she entered this city.

Bro you are gonna get Scammed (by being paid so much money that you could only use for the most expensive sword).

I love how much of a dipshit Aria is, she's learned how to accept help but in no way if it's financial help.

Elpis said:
"Truth is, we owe you a debt we can't repay," Justus says. "The whole situation became much bigger than a missing matron but you kept your cool and helped us out. Thank you, Aria."

"Thank you," Lora and Tia say as well. Lora continues. "You saved all of us, you'll forever be a friend."
"Indeed," Debora says. "While our friendship isn't much to write home about, we do have places in other cities that will give you shelter and aid whenever you need it. Take this to prove you are one of ours."

She hands you a pin in the shape of a yellow rose. You accept it, though you can't quite attach it to your clothes yourself without Sophia's help. She fishes something out of her pocket, the emblem you received for your title of honorary knight, and does much the same for it. They look off, but somehow you feel pride in your chest.

You are now part of [The Hoe Brigade] Aria!

Being real I do think it's charming that Aria is wearing the emblem of the Spectrier Knights and Olympia's brothel with equal prominence, it's just the most earnest thing. These are equal things, they're gestures of the same gratitude and support.

Elpis said:
"You're a good child, Aria," Debora says. Any upset about being treated like one is met with that warm gaze of hers. "A thousand lifetimes could not repay what you've done for us and the city. Whatever reason your journey has, I am glad your feet walked through those gates and into our lives."

"Me too," you say, giving Ray a nudge. "My friends might one day come through here looking for me. Knowing them, my name will already be enough. If they come here, can you do me a favor? Point them wherever I go, so they can catch up."

Journeywoman...

The fact Aria has accepted her friends might follow before she comes back, and she's ready to embrace that, because being out in the world has been changing her for the better, and she hopes that's the same for them? Daww.

Elpis said:
You don't want to be the very best, but you will be damned if you can't be good enough.

So as your journey continues you are placed in front of many choices. As you have to rest now, you will have to let your Pokemon do the fighting.

But one day, when your hand can grasp your fate once more, you will need to pick a weapon.

[ ] Reforge your sword.
It is your attachment to Gildera, to the Glastrier Knights. The swords in Sol are made from Bronzong, less conductive but quite useful in other ways.

[ ] Forge a new blade.
You find yourself evolving, and the style of swords in Sol might prove useful in finding new ways to fight. The swords in Sol are made from Bronzong, less conductive but quite useful in other ways.

[ ] Completely change your weapon.
If you pick this, another vote will trigger later on what kind of weapon. You will not lose your shield, though you might get less use out of it if your weapon ends up too big.

So this is the first vote of the chapter! Interesting, interesting, I do wonder what got picked.

That she's gonna be using the metal of a Steel/Psychic-Type, juuuuuuust like Solgaleo...How convenient.

Elpis said:
The guard's barracks are quite plain overall, which is suspicious. The money that was gathered never went into the place, or the equipment. You see rusty spears and swords, you see broken tables. The best that this place has to offer is right in front of you, the old desk of the Centurion that is now being used as a tea table.

Argos I feel like you're just ticking up the summary execution you've earned.

Elpis said:
Sophia and Ray sit with you. Prince Kieran sits across, that eternal soft smile on his face. Maria is there too.

The maid pours tea for you before leaving the room. You stare at the cup, calculating the probability of making a fool of yourself if you try to lift it right now and spill half of it on the floor. The alternative is Sophia's aid, which also seems a bit ridiculous to display in front of royalty.

I mean it'd be a pretty royal gesture. Honestly.

Sophia would go "My liege can't lose to yours!" to Maria and by initiating this rivalry would unknowingly save herself from competition.

Elpis said:
You settle on simply enjoying the smell of the tea.

"If you don't mind me asking, why were you near the border anyway?" you ask, not actually caring if he minds.

What is your damage Aria?

"Oh I can't be improper or entitled enough to need medical assistance in front of the crown. Now where's my damn lunch money?"

It's like she's addicted to whatever gives her the most problems. For some reason.

Elpis said:
"The conflicts with Gilderan knights have escalated," he says. "Because I was on my way to the Research Tower anyway, I decided to check the situation. The Marchioness was celebrating something, so we ended up staying at Wallburg for a few days before making our way back."
The Tower. The place where science is made, as you know it. Though on Solian territory, officially the Tower has been declared neutral ground that is funded by both nations and nobles to learn more things about the world. You don't know much more, but you imagine it would be a place you'd like to visit as well. It's not too far from the border, though quite a long while away from the capital of Sol.

"It's not a good situation," Sophia says, frowning. "I hope you found that out yourself."

"It's not pretty, I admit," Kieran says. "The late empress' death has left scars across the continent. They run deep, like the tombs beneath our feet, and they threaten to ruin a peace that my father worked too hard to establish."
"But it's not that easy to solve," you say, already knowing where it's going. "Imperial power is low near the border, I've heard the whole thing already. How'd you fix it?"

Towerrrrrr. New Locale Get.

I cannot express how much it's taunting to go "Oh yeah Aria's unknown half-brother got to meet Aria's aunt, but not Aria."

Man I wonder how messed up that relationship is. Literally the replacement kid and the sister who's there to keep the peace for a woman who's gone.

This is honestly like a ghastly conversation. Kieran talking about how peace is dead because a woman he could only exist in the absence of.

Elpis said:
"Your tongue is sharp, but you forget your place." The words are harsh, coming from the stoic woman standing behind the prince. Now that you get a proper look at her, you can say one thing for sure: this woman is dangerous. It's a feeling similar to the priestess Adelheid.

SHOOTERS EVERY ARC.

It's so funny. Charisma +10 can't stop that mouth of hers from biting Aria in the ass.

Elpis said:
"Maria, please," Kirean says, giving you a nod. "It's a valid question, I was the one who asked us to forgo formality."

Maria does not say anything, but her gaze remains on you nonetheless. Sophia glares at her, but does not speak up either.

It really does feel like Maria—Hang on.

Maria.

Maria.

Aria.

Hm.

Anyway there is a sense Maria is like "My Prince this is a rival for your throne" "It's fiiiiine" "It's not" "It's fiiiiiiiiiiine."

Elpis said:
"To be honest with you, I don't know yet," Kieran says, answering your question. "I could do it with a heavy hand. There's some ways to do that—none which I would like to use, to be honest. Disowning nobility would breed malcontent, gathering greater forces to keep our own in check looks like preparation for an attack, and to be honest with you, the conflicts do not stem from one side alone."

"The Spectrier Knights would not pick fights at the border for no reason," Sophia says. You nod. Though there are issues with the size of Sol, Gildera, and specifically the Marquisate, are not too big to keep track of movements near the border.

"It's not Spectrier Knights, though there are some who remember the old wars and aren't too keen on peace," Kieran says. "Seized goods have been reported, injured merchants who have sworn before the emperor that they were cut by Skarmory steel."

Sophia looks at you with worry, as if you are about to react badly. But the truth is, after all that has happened, you can just nod.

I like how it took this long to point out the obvious bias Sophia had brought to the table and remind everyone that this realpolitik runs deep.

Elpis said:
"The Glastrier Knights are a mess since Drake's death," you say, crossing your arms and glaring at the rapidly cooling tea. "And last I spoke with Redwood, he said war was practically inevitable, that there are forces that want another conflict."

"Redwood? Mountain Bear Redwood?" Kieran says, his eyes lighting up like a child's. "You spoke with one of the captains of the Glastrier Knights?"

"Ah, yeah, sorry," you say, blinking away the surprise. He looks… so much like a child all of the sudden, it makes your defenses crumble. Maria looks embarrassed for him. "I was a Glastrier Knight, and Redwood was one of my teachers."

Aria there is a TERRIFYING possibility that you're going to adopt your baby brother before you find out he's your brother. It is going to be hilarious and a bloodbath.

The way Aria has decided that she doesn't give a shit about secrecy anymore and she's just gonna tell everyone any part of her backstory she cares to. Really funny.

The fact that Kieran is just one (1) year younger than Aria. But he baby. This implies nothing about how baby Aria is, no sir.

Elpis said:
"My father told me stories about the people he crossed blades with," Kieran says. "Redwood and Drake were amongst the strongest, so I always wanted to meet with them. It's unfortunate that I am too late for one of them."

Unfortunate indeed. Somehow you cannot feel too much apprehension with a person who idolizes the same people that you do.

The layers of this. The literal actual layers of this.

Okay so at least Emperor Aurelius read his kid bedtime stories. At least.

"I wish we had the same dad" "Me too" [People with no idea which the other is talking about]

Elpis said:
"Then again, while you are injured now, I would love to spar with you one day," he says. "You are a hero in the making, after all."

"I'm not that great of a person," you say. "I just did what anyone should do."

The way he looks at you makes you wonder if you misspoke. His eyes are distant, as if he sees someone else in front of him.

"You're admirable, Aria of Gildera," Kieran says. "If the nobles at the border had a heart half the size of yours, I know I could go in peace."

You don't know what to say to that.

So for the first time in a while, you simply say: "Thank you."

OUGH. THIS IS DEPRESSING.

LITERALLY THE SIBLINGS WHO NEVER HAD EACH OTHER.

So that's what the name of the title comes from...Thank you...

Aria please give your baby brother noogies. Maria would kill you for it but this is everything he could want.

Elpis said:
"The truth is that you made an impact, and this means attention," Kieran says. "Attention is not always good. A lordless knight from Gildera prancing about the continent, solving problems that the nobles can't? Resentment is the least of your worries, there will be people trying to recruit you and not taking no for an answer."

"I'm quite good at avoiding things I don't want to do," you say. Ray laughs softly, still the silent observer to the conversation. "You needn't worry about me, Prince Kieran."
"I am worried, regardless," he says. You notice he hasn't touched his tea either. "I don't want you to be bothered by such things when we owe you a great debt. I do have a solution, though it might not be to your liking either."

"Oh?" you ask, urging him to continue. If he already knows you won't like it, you are even more curious to hear why.

Kieran is soooooo ready to angle this into adopting Aria as his personal knight sister and you really do have to ask if he like. Knows. Or is just going for it too fast to pay the obvious any mind.

Aria: I'm so good at staying in my lane.
Ray: Really? Seriously? You couldn't even turn on blinkers.
Aria: Shut.

Elpis said:
He smiles. "Your deeds are great enough for a good reward, if we make a public showing out of it that'll satisfy the nobility."

"What kind of reward?" you ask. "I've got an honorary knight title for getting a flute back, I don't think I need another."

"A flute?" he mouths at Sophia, who just shrugs at him in a 'what can you do' kind of way.

Honestly amazing how much more confusing Aria's backstory gets when she. Says things.

When she says nothing? Open and shut case, when she blabs? Literally incoherent.

Elpis said:
"Not what I had in mind," Kieran admits, "but not that bad of an idea. It'd probably be a small piece of land in Sol, establishing you as a true daughter of the land instead of a foreign national. You wouldn't need to actually live on it, give it some time and you can just sell it."

THE WAY THIS IS. THE WAY. THIS. WAY.

You are making so many excuses to make her part of the royal household without opening that political can of worms yet, are you fucking with me.

Their dad did so much work to have Aria not be a part of this country (apparently?) and Kieran's just clicking CTRL+Z until the keyboard breaks.

Elpis said:
True daughter of the land.

"Borders and politics," you sigh, leaning into the seat. "Is it really that important for me to count as Solian?"

"Even if you don't have any pride in your nationality, others do. Perception is everything." He raises his fingers to his chin, cupping it. "You can live your life as you wish, and find importance in so many things that are not your blood, your name, or your nation. But regardless, to them that is important, and if you had wished to avoid such attention you would be better off laying down your blade instead of toppling gods."

Like Ray and her faith, you imagine. Just because your own worldview doesn't subscribe to asking the gods for deeds that a woman can do, doesn't mean you should sell short how much it means to her.

Of course, to some people their nation is as important to them as your friends and your freedom are to you.

Article:

Can you see any borders from here? What has borders given us? We're going to start over from scratch. That's what V2 is for.

I think what makes this really. Something special is that Aria isn't just obviously Solian, to everyone who looks or even thinks to ask, that it's been haunting her her whole life—

Elpis said:
"You'd know," one of the more daring noble girls decided to rise up to the challenge. It's amazing what kind of childhood must create such expressions on faces way too young for them. She looks at you as if she stepped into something rotten. You return the glare without hesitation. "There's no need to pretend, Flamberg. Everyone knows you're not actually nobility."

"Yeah, a mistake," a boy speaks up. "A maid's child, at best. Maybe not even that."

"A peasant who gets to share our table," another girl speaks up, raising her face. "And insults us? Isn't that strange?"

"Mother says you're clearly not the child of Marquess Flamberg." Their faces blur together, you can't even tell anymore who's saying what. They're all the same, they're all the same. "She calls you a mongrel, because that's what you are."

You know for a fact that the boy who said this didn't know what a mongrel was.

But you do. It's not a word you've heard for the first time.

"You don't look like them at all," one says, reaching out and grabbing your hair. "Look at it, your hair is all wrong, and no noble family has skin like yours in Gildera."

Elpis said:
Ah.

They know, of course. About the blood, the smell clings on you even if you've already gotten used to it. You take the uniform off, laying it in a heap on the ground before untangling the clothes they offer. A loose shirt with long sleeves and thick trousers that'll stave off the cold. There's even a hat there, to hide your hair and ears. There's not much that can be done for your skin, but from the looks of it, this close to the border you're not the only person that has a darker complexion.

—It's that Aria does think of Sol as her homeland.

Elpis said:
In the high grass around Olympia, where the plants stand at attention from the charge in the air. The static is lessened inside the city itself, and though you know that part of it is the massive deposits of electricity aspected minerals in the ground, there is a feeling of something more surrounding you.

Or maybe that's just your entire body waking as the sun crawls over the horizon and touches your skin. You feel home—

Elpis said:
Are Solians really that different? Does living under the gaze of the Sun God grant blessings that those banished to darkness cannot hold in their soul?

"I really don't understand why you're surprised," Ray says, her earlier irritation once more slipping away to ponder with you as Cubone looks up at Sophia, confused. "Aren't you the same, Aria?"

Are you?

You think, and think, and think, but nothing seems to stand out. Except—

"I was never an early bird," you say, frowning. "But since coming to Sol, I wake up when the sun comes up. That's the only thing that's changed, really."

In a place beneath conscious thought, she feels an innate belonging, and why wouldn't she? She was born here.

Which is why there's so much irony, so much instinctive contempt to having to "prove" she's a daughter of the land, and that only gets more complicated when her political manifesto is "Hey why can't everyone just be free without tyranny or discrimination? You dipshit?"

The longer we go with Aria just. Not Knowing, and having to make her beliefs independent of what her birthright is, the more you can feel the shape of her Rebellion become tested, more developed, more thought through independent of her circumstances, and what she believes is right for everyone. It's her Praxis!

Elpis said:
"I can't make that decision yet, I have to talk to my friends."

"Of course," he says, smiling softly. "I can't reward you myself, of course, which means you'll have to come to the capital with me if you choose to accept."

"We're going," Ray says. You frown, turning to her. She looks you straight in the eye. "You can't enter the capital without a really expensive permit, being invited means we skip the line. There's no way you're going to say no."

You raise your finger, ready to say no out of principle, but her eyes grow big and wet. Since when is this a we? Apparently Ray decided to follow suit with Sophia and just attach herself to your party.

~~[ ] Don't go.~~
There is no way you can say no to this girl right now.

[X] Accept your fate.

Fine.

SENT TO HELL. SENTENCED TO RAY PITY PARTY.

Every fakeout vote is funnier than the last.

Elpis said:
"Fine." You sigh. The capital was on the way anyway. "But only if we can stop by the Tower."

"That's fine, anything for our hero," he says, smiling. Maria rolls her eyes with such subtlety that you would not have caught it if it wasn't a dire change in her expression. "Rest up as much as you can, you'll ride in my carriage if you don't mind. It is quite comfortable."

"I must protest—" Maria begins. Kieran smiles at her.

"Of course you all can share it, I will ride ahead with my dear knight," he says. Maria's mouth shuts quickly, her teeth clacking against each other. You raise an eyebrow. Though you don't know what exactly is going on, Sophia seems to, giggling before Ray joins in.

And so you're on your way to the capital.

I see Maria is our new champion among suffering women everywhere.

Sophia: Ganbatte Maria...!
Ray: You wanted her dead in the dirt before you found out she's down bad for purple dumbass too.
Sophia: GANBATTE MARIA...!!!

Elpis said:
Daughter of Sol, whose name carves mountains across continents, whose heart dwarves the size of the mad Titan. You find another letter in that fractured husk that would have become a god. - Imp rial. Soon you will be complete.

On the way to the capital, there is a Tower. The men and women that work there have already heard of your deeds, and they wish to reward you as well. In front of you are three Pokeballs, all carrying the seal of the Tower. You are meant to pick one. They each represent your FIGHTING SPIRIT.

[ ] Chespin.
This one seems rather shy.

[ ] Tepig.
This one is quite a handful.

[ ] Quaxly.
This one is very easygoing.

FIGHTING SPIRIT!

And three sets in we're finally see just straight up Starters! Right after the ancient immortal Starter Aria couldn't keep and didn't like!

I wonder the votes successful kept things at no repeating Types for—

WAIT THESE ARE ALL FIGHTING-TYPE FINAL EVOS! That's so funny.

Anyway, ahhhhh, good time. Eventually I'm gonna catch up and have a real fucking emotion about ABfI, but I really am thrilled to be an audience for your work Elpis, signing off.

A Ballad for Icarus - A Historical Pokemon Quest

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