Chapter 1-17 : Dark omens (summer 2620)
Macros
omnisciently vague councilman
- Location
- Dirac Sea
[X] Confront Tharja directly
You spend all night thinking about your options. It would be a lot simpler to let your father handle it... But it doesn't feel right, somehow. This is something you have to see through, and for that... there's no choice. You have to talk to Tharja directly. It is a rather terrifying prospect, to be honest. You remember the woman having a rather scary aura back then, and that was before you knew any of this. And if she'd go as far as cursing her own daughter, what might she do to you? You admonish yourself. You can't back down now! This is to help Noire! … still, maybe you should write a will. Just in case.
The next morning, you gather every ounce of courage you can find, and walk toward the dark mage's apartments. As you stand in front of the door, you swear you can feel a heavy atmosphere coming from inside. Judging from the low mutterings you can hear, Tharja is apparently home. A pity ; you had half hoped she wouldn't. Before your nerves fail you, you knock. You hear an exasperated groan, the door swings open, and you find yourself face to face with Noire's mother.
"What is it this ti... Hm? What are you doing here, brat?"
Her tone is filled with annoyance. She doesn't sound really angry... yet. Taking a deep breath, you speak.
"Lady Tharja, I'd like to talk to you about your daughter."
"If you want to play with her, she's busy. Now go away, I'm busy too."
The tone is dismissive, and she already begins to close the door, until you step forward, putting your foot down to prevent it. Tharja's eyes narrow at your sudden act of defiance, her expression becoming thunderous. You do your best to ignore the pit in your stomach and stand straight, voice as firm as you can manage.
"I'm afraid I can't do that. It is with you that I want to talk."
She still seems angry, but also a little bit curious. At the very least, she stops trying to forcibly close the door, giving you time to say your piece. You decide it is probably better to not dance around the subject.
"I know you used hexes on Noire. At least twice, probably more."
There. Tharja's face is hard to read, and for a moment, you hope that she'll deny it, that this was just a big misunderstanding. Then she sighs.
"Tsk. Libra talks too much, it seems."
Your stomach drop. Those words are akin to a confession, as far as you're concerned. Finding that you spouted false accusations against the mother of your friend would have been terrible, but you'd have endured the mortification if it meant that your fears about Noire's health were unfounded. Now though, it seems like everything was true.
"Sir Libra didn't tell me anything. I saw Noire for myself and looked up the symptoms."
A half-truth, at best. Libra was the one to point toward dark magic, and you'd never have suspected Tharja if not for Henry. Still, you do not wish for them to be targeted by her wrath. Tharja most likely realizes there's more to your story than what you just told, but in the end, how you found out doesn't really matter.
"Hm. So what of it?"
Your eyes widen at the casualness of her tone. Does she really not see why you'd object to that? Your previous fear begin to make way for another emotion : anger.
"What of... you hurt her! She's your daughter!"
Tharja only crosses her arms, clearly unimpressed by your growing outrage.
"Bah. How is it different than your own training with your father? I imagine you got your fair share of bruises."
You grit your teeth. How dares she?! There's nothing in common between the two situations!
"Father never hurt me! And even if he was to accidentally do so, training with him was my own will! You never gave Noire a choice, did you?"
"The way I raise my daughter is of no concern to you, little girl."
You can see her own anger rising, but right now, you're too furious to care. In fact, you don't remember ever being this angry at someone. Your shoulders are shaking at this point, and your expression is little more than a snarl.
"Noire is my friend! I won't stand by and let her be hurt!"
Tharja's scowl is now mirroring your own, and you can feel the air becoming heavier around her. Magic? Truth be told, you're past caring at this point.
"I won't be lectured by a naive, ignorant girl on matters she knows nothing about. If you think..."
A new voice interrupts her angry retort.
"Mother, what is happening? I heard shouts... Lucina?!"
Behind the two of you stands Noire, a stupefied expression on her face. She looks well enough, you note with some relief, but you can tell seeing the two of you in the middle of an argument has her extremely nervous. Truth be told, you had hoped to not involve her, you know she tends to shy away from conflicts. Still, there was nothing you could do about it now. Tharja seems nonplussed by her daughter's intervention, only sniffing in annoyance.
"Your annoying friend seems to object on how I train you. I expected you to seek a more reasonable company, Noire."
"Huh... wha... what? Really? Oh, Lucina, you shouldn't have..."
There are many emotions displayed by your friend, there. Surprise seems to be the dominant one, and you can also feel her anxiety, which seems mostly directed at you, as if fearing for yourself. But behind those, you can hear an undercurrent of happiness, and that's all you really need to keep going.
"I won't watch her hurt you and do nothing, Noire. That's the least I could do for you."
"Ah..."
She seems at a loss for words. Is it really so unbelievable that you'd stand up for her? You weren't that bad of a friend, were you? Behind you, Tharja only scoffs at your display of defiance.
"How cute. And have you ever wondered if your meddling might make things worse from her in the long run? How I choose to protect her really should be of no concern to you."
"Protect her from what? Nothing is threatening her, beside you!"
The dark mage emits a low chuckle, and that is enough to send shivers through your spine. There is no warmth in this laugh, no pleasantness to be found. Only coldness and malice.
"Is that really what you think? I suppose I shouldn't be surprised. Everyone here seem blinded by the current peace. But know this, brat : this won't last. Even now, I can feel the darkness growing. It won't be long now, until this world suffers a calamity you can only begin to imagine. And I intend to have my daughter prepared for it."
You want to deny her words. There is no substance to her claims, you know that for a fact. The peace of the world is but assured for at least the next decade, your recent studies told you as much. With the Valmese empire dismantled, the Plegian kingdom still nursing its wounds from the last war, and the other kingdoms in friendly relations with Ylisse, there is no foreign threat to worry about. Yet the absolute certainty of her tone makes you hesitate. More importantly, something just rang true in what she just said, even if you're unable to explain it.
"Hmph. If you're going to cause me troubles, maybe I should do something about it. Maybe a hex to erase your memories... that might do the trick..."
That is enough to jolt you out of your thoughts, suddenly very aware of Tharja's hand gestures, who seem ready to start an incantation at a moment' notice. She wouldn't... she would, you realize. This is a person who cursed her own daughter, why would she hesitate for someone else? The fear is coming back now, but you still stand defiantly. Even if you forget this day, this won't be the end of it, of that you're certain.
"N... no! Please, mother, don't do anything to her!"
To your surprise, Noire's plead is enough to make her mother hesitate. The glare she sends your way is still anything from pleasant, but you can tell most of her anger has abated. At this point, she seems mostly weary.
"Tsk. First Libra, now this. And I suppose this will only get worse, given the amount of weak-willed fools among the Shepherds. Very well, little girl. I'll do my best to not use as much magic on Noire. Now leave me be, you two. I have to devise a new way to train her resistance."
This is a dismissal, and you know you're unlikely to achieve a better result. Truth be told, you don't think you could have hoped for a more favourable outcome, and Noire's sigh, both incredulous and relieved, tell the same story. Tharja disappears in a back room, where you suspect her laboratory is, leaving you alone with your friend. All your righteous anger and worked-up courage finally vanish at once, and you almost collapse from the tension rushing back all at once. Noire manages to spare you an embarrassing tumble, catching you back at the last moment.
"Lu... Lucina... You... Why would you do that? I've never be so..."
She seems as mentally exhausted as you, and you manage to send her a weak smile that you hope is reassuring.
"Of course I'd want to help you. What kind of friend would I be otherwise?"
She seems to struggle for words, but the small smile that begins to show on her face is the only answer you really need. Finally managing to steady yourself, you put one hand on her shoulder, giving it a comforting squeeze.
"If... if you have troubles, come and talk to me about it, okay? I'll do my best to help."
Noire nods, not trusting her voice to answer. The two of you stay side by side for a few minutes in a comfortable silence, until Noire finally breaks it.
"Umm, I think I'm beginning to be a bit hungry. Do you... want to have lunch with me?"
You smile. "It will be my pleasure."
Bad Omens - Characteristic : luck decreased to D-
Skill : magical theory increased to D-
Skill : authority increased to D-
Relationship with Noire greatly improved
Relationship with Libra improved
Enmity between you and Tharja
Skill : magical theory increased to D-
Skill : authority increased to D-
Relationship with Noire greatly improved
Relationship with Libra improved
Enmity between you and Tharja
[] Meditate on the presence at the shrine
After the recent events, coming back to Naga's shrine is a real relief to you. Working up the courage to confront Tharja by yourself really left you a nervous wreck, and you're more than happy to return to the place where you can meditate in peace. You're welcomed by Libra, and though he doesn't say anything, the grateful smile he sends your way and the extra attention he gives you when teaching you how to use a healing staff say it all, really.
After a few weeks, your mind is at peace again, enough to begin exploring that strange feeling you got during those last months of meditation. Maybe it was just your imagination ; maybe it is awfully presumptuous of you to think that Naga would pay specific attention to you, let alone talk to you. But Libra often told you that the divine dragon was not a distant deity, removed from her worshippers, but one who still cared about the world of men. So was it really so implausible...?
For several days, nothing changes. The place is still the sanctuary of tranquillity you remember it to be, but no otherworldly being reveal itself to you. Yet bit by bit, you can feel a growing presence around you. It is a warm, comforting sensation, and in those moments, you know this can't possibly be your imagination alone at work here. You try to focus on those feelings, and though your efforts are mostly unsuccessful, one day you manage to hear a faint, ethereal voice, almost if carried by the wind.
Your courage will serve you well, child. Remember it when darker days come.
Well. It seems like Naga is indeed whispering to you. You honestly don't know how to feel about that.
Characteristic : willpower increased to C+
Skill : staffs increased to D
Skill : theology increased to D+
Skill : cult of Naga increased to D+
Skill : first aid increased to D+
Option unlocked : Speaking to the Divine Dragon
Naga has hope for you
Skill : staffs increased to D
Skill : theology increased to D+
Skill : cult of Naga increased to D+
Skill : first aid increased to D+
Option unlocked : Speaking to the Divine Dragon
Naga has hope for you
[] Let Cu get used to your presence
You now have a wyvern. It's an exhilarating feeling, but you know you're going to need a lot of time before a real bond of trust is established between you and Cu. Well, you decide, might as well start as soon as possible. In the coming months, you make daily visits to your new friend, letting her be used to you, as yourself learn to know her. Cu is a bit skittish, probably due to being fairly young herself, and quite far from her home. On a couple of occasions, she attempts to bite or claw at you ; fortunately, you have been expecting those instinctual reactions ; your work alongside your mother with pegasi taught you that even a peaceful creature can react strongly to an unknown presence, and a wyvern is considerably more aggressive than a pegasus.
You're vigilant and quick enough to avoid any notable injury, only getting a scratch one morning where you're a bit slower than usual. Still, that is a cheap price to pay in exchange for Cu's eventual trust. You are the only one taking care of her meals, cleaning her box, admonishing her if need be. Soon enough, she begins to respond positively to your presence, no longer shying away or snapping at your arrival. It is far too soon to try to take her on a ride, but when she begins to accept physical contact with you, you know you're on the right track.
Skill : animal care (wyverns) raised to D+
Cu is now accustomed to you
Option unlocked : How to train your dragon
Cu is now accustomed to you
Option unlocked : How to train your dragon
[] Study the mysterious card
The gift left to you by the mysterious old man is most intriguing, you must admit. While the quality of the image is indeed impressive, you can feel that this isn't all there is to it. Fortunately, looking for information in old tomes is becoming something of a habit for you. For days, you go through most of Ylisstol resources when it comes to magical artefacts, trying to identify the one you might possess. Finally, one obscure volume offers you a possible clue, and a name : Einherjar.
It truly is a fascinating read. According to those pages, this was a way to create a reflection of some of the most famous heroes history ever knew, with a rough approximation of their skills, knowledge and personalities. Taking the form of cards, a trained user could summon them in the material world for a time, letting them walk among mortals once more. The created copy isn't truly the original hero, though, only an imperfect reflection, unable to create long term memories. And the ability of making new ones has been lost to the ages ; even their continued existence was in doubt. Yet what you had was proof, was it not?
Armed with this new knowledge, you decide to try it out. It is... harder than you thought. The first days hardly provide any result, no matter how you wave the card or shout improvised incantations. Still, your rudimentary grasp on magic tells you that is the key to summon the spirit inside the card. You'll probably need to learn more on how to properly apply your willpower to get a proper result... But you're close, you're sure of it.
Skill : magical theory increased to D
Option unlocked : Spirit of a Hero King
Option unlocked : Spirit of a Hero King
Summer holidays
You are now old enough for your parents to consider the possibility of letting you go on a trip for a couple of months. This would be done under escort, of course, and only toward a destination perceived as safe, but still, the prospect of leaving Ylisstol for more than a couple of days is enticing. Do you want to leave for...
[] Chon'sin : the tales of lady Say'ri about her homeland have made a vivid impression on you, and you're eager to meet the princess once again. Plus, you heard the Voice of Naga was there! This sounds pretty exciting!
[] Rosanne : meeting uncle Virion and lady Cherche would make you really glad, not to mention it's been a while since you've seen Inigo and Gerome. Plus, they have wyverns around there, don't they?
[] Regna Ferox : you've heard a lot about the northern warrior kingdom and its ruler, Khan Flavia. Maybe it would be a good opportunity to discover the place?
[] Nowhere : you have enough to do at home, really. There'll be time to travel when you're older.
If you wish so, you might also invite up to two of your friends to come with you. Do you want to travel with... (up to two choices)
[] Brady
[] Cynthia
[] Kjelle
[] Laurent
[] Noire
[] Owain
[] Severa
[] Yarne
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