MEMORIES OF AN OVERLORD
by Victar (vctr113062 [at] aol [dot] com)
Victar's Archive: https://www.vicfanfic.com
"I remember when he told me, 'I wish I could be more like you. You don't care how bad your grades are, or how much your family disapproves of you. You don't feel like you're a failure.'
"Was that the first time he asked me for help, and I just didn't hear it?
"I sure failed him."
Chapter Thirteen
Memories of a Musician: Reveille
On the day that Kreisia's most unlikely Savior journeyed to the shrine where the Holy Brand Aldea slept, the bard Anemos awaited the Savior's arrival near the shrine's entrance.
The shrine of the Holy Brand Aldea was reputed to be the most sacred place in all of Kreisia. While the Holy Brand's shrine lay in a known, immutable location, the shrines that housed its pommel stones always stayed hidden from both mortal and undead perception, and always changed venue with each turn of the cycle. Kreisia's history did not record the reason for this discrepancy. If Aldea knew, then it kept its own secrets.
Something about the grassy plains surrounding Aldea's shrine was a little too, intensely holy. No person felt comfortable staying in the region for an extended time. The nearest village was a day's brisk travel away. Animals shied from the area. Birds avoided flying over it.
Anemos eyed the shrine's entrance from what he hoped was a safe distance.
None of our agents have entered the Holy Brand's shrine and returned, the bard contemplated. Not that many have dared to try.
'Really dumb', indeed. Dreaming Savior Yusis, you who stumbles through Kreisia believing that all is a fantasy within your own mind... you cannot comprehend how 'dumb' or 'crazy' we Alteans have the potential to be.
Or can you? Are you emotionally precluded from applying rational suspicion?
How much did the most delicate adjustment to your 'Savior gift' transform how you think and act? Could my master's plan truly end the depredations of the cycle, if only because you are exceptionally weak to Altean chants?
Or will your journey end here? Will the Holy Brand judge you unworthy, dreamer?
If I enter that shrine with you, will the Holy Brand judge me unworthy as well?
A whisper of divination magic informed Anemos that Savior Yusis was approaching, long before the off-worlder became visible. The warrior Laminah and the priestess Cynthia accompanied the Savior.
There are worse fates than to be judged alongside the Savior and his beautiful companions. What I do now, I do with no regrets.
I cannot confront the Savior about his 'dream' in front of his companions. I promised that I would keep his secret, and I need him to trust me.
Is there any other way to help him awaken?
Anemos played a stirring reveille that he had personally composed.
"Oh, hey, Anemos," Yusis greeted, with a wave and a smile. "Good to see you again. Playing something lively today, huh? That song would make a great ringtone for my phone!"
More strange off-world words? No matter. Your appreciation is clear enough. Anemos concluded his reveille with an elaborate musical flourish.
"Wait, I'm not carrying my phone," Yusis belatedly realized. "I think I left it connected to its charger."
"More sleepy gibberish?" Cynthia reproached, looking at the off-worlder with a trace of exasperation. "Are you sure you don't want a splash of cold water?"
"I'm not sleepy," he denied. "I'm just worn out from all this hiking. Now that we're finally at this holy sword's shrine, can we, uh..."
Laminah sternly frowned at him. "Are you requesting another 'break'?"
"Well, yeah," he muttered. "Uh, I won't make it a long break, okay?"
Anemos observed that the off-worlder's drab brown hair was still thoroughly uncombed, with a haircut so horrendously ragged that it was most likely self-inflicted.
I could offer hair dye or barber services...
...no, that would be unwise. I did overhear a most distressing argument between you and the Priestess of Salvation, whom you otherwise seem to find charming. If she cannot persuade you to abandon the appearance of dementia, then I certainly cannot. Expressing any desire to improve your coiffure would likely antagonize you, and therefore jeopardize my mission.
Anemos made a small bow and said, "It is a consummate pleasure to see all of you again."
Laminah acknowledged the bard with a wary gaze.
Cynthia's voice carried a hint of reservation as she told Anemos, "Your music is pretty good."
"Your praise is an honor, Priestess of Salvation."
"The anti-poison beads you gave us saved lives. We helped a village fight against a monster attack on the way here, and we used your curatives to treat the injured."
"I cannot express in words how pleased I am to hear that."
Yusis cheerfully added, "They were so grateful that they gave me an enchanted sword!" He lightly rested one hand on the hilt of a steel sword, in a simple scabbard fastened to a plain belt about his waist. "I wasn't sure I should take their magic weapon when I'm about to get the holy sword here, but they insisted. They even said I should sell their gift for travel funds when I don't need it anymore. How cool is that?"
Anemos sensed that, in addition to a minor magic ward against unintended dispossession, the off-worlder's steel sword did carry a modest holy magic enhancement. The holy magic's primary purpose was to act as a safety coating that would prevent the blade from accidentally cutting any living creature, while keeping its edge sharp against the undead.
I suspect your sword was originally a child's training weapon, especially since it is small enough for one as physically weak as you to wield it.
Laminah commented, "The current Overlord's reign of terror has strained the Royal Treasury to the breaking point. It seems we must rely upon the people's generosity to provision the Savior with curatives, weapons, or funds."
Yusis rambled, "I was originally planning to spend our budget on equipment upgrades. Turns out Laminah's already got some of the best stuff in Kreisia! Her uncle's like a genius enchanter-blacksmith or something. And Cynthia's really good at casting defensive wards on clothing and shaping fire magic into weapons, which helps a lot because restocking our travel rations cost way more than I expected. The grocer said that the threat of monsters has disrupted farming, and people are living off the food they've stored. I'm a little worried about what will happen if all this bad stuff drags on for too long, and everyone's reserves run out."
We know what will happen. It happened during the dark days when half of Kreisia perished. Deprivation claimed as many lives as the Overlord's monsters, if not more.
Yusis' rambling slowed to an uncertain verbal meander. "What I'm leading up to is... I feel like we're on a timer. I've played time management video games before, and I'm picking up on the same kind of pressure now. I don't know how much time we have left to manage."
Ah. Have I discerned the optimal way to proceed? I believe I have.
Anemos ventured, "Perhaps I can be of assistance. If it pleases all of you, I would humbly accept Yusis' offer to accompany your travels. In addition to various useful battle supplies, I also possess some talent for bardic magic and Altean chants. In particular, I am skilled in bardic magic that enhances celerity, whether in battle or during a long journey."
Yusis' face lit up with excitement. "'Enhances celerity' - you mean, bardic magic can make us travel faster? That's how you got here before we did, isn't it? Why didn't you mention this sooner?"
Because it is common knowledge?
Ah, of course. You are from another world. Our world's common knowledge is unknown to you. I should not have overlooked something so obvious.
I swore upon my honor not to prematurely divulge the cycle's requirements, but perhaps I should make an effort to educate you about other matters. You may be unaware of certain everyday customs and etiquette.
Anemos smiled warmly. "Please forgive my oversight, Yusis. It would be an honor to assist you."
Laminah noted, "You claim that you desire to assist the Savior, yet you are not pledging your service to him."
"I must take time to contemplate an oath of such magnitude," the bard smoothly replied. "When I am fully resolved, I will either declare the vow or confess my inability to declare it. I swear to you that I will not impede any other person willing and able to pledge their service; if necessary, I shall step aside."
Laminah narrowed her eyes, but said nothing.
Cynthia touched her fingertips together and spared the off-worlder a sidelong glance. "Yusis? You never told me about this offer you made."
"Oh, you're right. Sorry, I should've mentioned that," he distractedly apologized.
"The Savior's companions are expected to pledge themselves to his service, like Laminah pledged to serve you. The pledge is important; it's more than a ritual," the priestess continued, in a solemn tone. "Laminah really meant what she said. I really meant what I said, too. Um, I didn't exactly say the traditional pledge, but I really meant what I did say. Anemos can't pledge unless he's sure that he also means it. That's why he needs time to think."
"Yeah, I get it. Promises are serious business. It's still okay if he travels with us, isn't it? Better than okay! His magic will speed us up!"
Cynthia thoughtfully studied Anemos for a moment. Then she said, "Maybe it's for the best."
Laminah turned her wary gaze upon Cynthia and stated, "There is uncertainty in your words."
The priestess had to tilt her head slightly upward to look the warrior in the eye. "I'm certain about one thing. Yusis isn't wrong to want more help; we were nearly overwhelmed by that monster attack."
Laminah's lips tightened an immeasurably small amount.
"I'm really grateful you were there to protect Yusis and me," Cynthia hurriedly added. "But the battle took too much of my strength. I was too drained to treat the poisoned villagers with holy magic, and basic curatives were too weak to help them. If we hadn't had Anemos' strong curatives on hand..."
That gift was purely an impulse, yet ultimately more ingratiating than the most intricate of premeditated plans.
Laminah emotionlessly said to Cynthia, "I abide by the will of you and the Savior."
Cynthia turned back to Anemos and smiled brightly. "I've never traveled with a bard before; I've only heard about bardic magic to enhance celerity. I'm looking forward to experiencing it firsthand."
The bard strummed his lute. "I shall not disappoint you, Priestess of Salvation."
"Just call me Cynthia, okay? We're all in this together, at least for now. "
"Sweet!" Yusis happily exclaimed. "We've got a fourth party member. All that's left is to pick up this holy sword and shut down the Overlord, right?"
"Yusis," Laminah evenly addressed, "I believe Cynthia and I should herald your arrival to the Holy Brand Aldea, before you enter."
"Huh? You want me to stay here for a bit?"
"You desire a 'break', do you not? I trust that Anemos will help you keep watch for any threats."
"Oh, okay."
Laminah, you know full well that there are no threats here. These holy grasslands repel all monsters. Even the Overlord cannot approach, or desecrate the land.
Do you truly wish to 'herald' this dreaming Savior to the Holy Brand? Perhaps, but perhaps you also possess another motive. Do you intend to privately consult with the Priestess of Salvation about the 'fourth party member'?
I hope the Holy Brand does not make the two of you disappear...
As soon as Laminah and Cynthia disappeared into the shrine, Yusis eased into a sitting position on the grass.
Savior, have you deduced that there are no threats in these holy grasslands, or are you simply too immersed in your 'dream' to remain vigilant?
Anemos took the opportunity to share some basic knowledge about Kreisian etiquette. Yusis appeared to be listening, or trying to listen. He briefly raised an eyebrow when Anemos cautioned him against casually discussing a Varg's horns. Anemos also warned Yusis against looking too intently at a Lunarl's ears and tail, or speaking about a Lunarl's fur.
"So, uh, am I not supposed talk about Alteans' green hair either?" the off-worlder asked, uneasily.
The bard replied, "We Alteans do not have any specific taboos akin to those of Vargs and Lunarls. However, you may have noticed that virtually every individual of all three races takes great pride in their chosen hairstyle. To respectfully admire a person's hair is almost always welcome, but to malign a person's hair is to imply that they suffer from dementia, or worse."
The messy-haired off-worlder frowned.
Anemos shrugged, and smiled. "There are stories of Saviors before you who had difficulty adjusting to our world's culture. It is common knowledge that our Saviors are summoned from faraway worlds, where the way of life may be very different from our own. I expect that anyone you meet will make allowances for honest misunderstandings."
"Okay," Yusis sighed. "Is there anything else I should know?"
Anemos provided more information about Kreisia's three races.
Eventually the off-worlder interjected, "Wait. Are you saying that Alteans are from another world? Like me?"
"Not precisely the same. You are a pure-blooded off-worlder," the bard clarified. "We Alteans are descended from the union of the off-worlder Yumarac - the legendary creator of the Holy Brand Aldea - and his Lunarl priestess wife, whose name has never been recorded."
"Wait, what? 'Never recorded'?"
"Indeed. Yumarac respected his beloved's wish to remain incognito, even after she passed on."
"Uh, okay. I don't really get it, but okay."
"Perhaps you are unaware that knowing a person's name makes it easier to target that person with magic, or with Altean chants. Monsters are especially known to target priests and priestesses."
"Wait. Does that mean Cynthia...?"
"As a priestess, she is indeed at much higher risk of being a monster's target than most others would be. However, concealing one's name also has disadvantages; beneficial spells or chants to aid a comrade are weaker when one does not know the comrade's true name. Personally, I feel that using an alias is simply not worthwhile, and I expect that both of your beautiful companions hold the same view."
"Uhh... okay. So, um, all Alteans are part Lunarl?"
"Indeed, and we have Varg blood as well. Yumarac's progeny have often intermarried with Vargs and Lunarls, throughout the generations."
"You don't look like you're part Lunarl? Or part Varg."
"Altean physical traits and the talent for chants both tend to be very distinctive, unless Yumarac's ancestry is extremely distant. As it is for the delightful Priestess of Salvation. Remote descendants of Yumarac who have the general appearance of Vargs or Lunarls are considered to be those races."
"I guess the green hair is a dominant gene, or something like that? And from what Cedric's told me, maybe canine teeth are a recessive gene that washed out of the gene pool."
More unusual off-world phrases? I wonder if my words sound odd to you. "Yusis, do you suppose Yumarac could have been from your world?"
"No." The dismissal was abrupt, and cursory.
"You seem quite convinced," Anemos mused. "Even though you appear almost identical to an Altean."
"Well..." A hint of uncertainty affected the off-worlder for a moment. Then he shook his head. "I really don't think so. Magic and chants don't exist on my world, and green isn't a natural hair color there."
"Ah, duly noted." Am I still searching for evidence that you are the Return of Yumarac? I must cease that at once!
"Besides, this is all my dream, remember?" Yusis said with a shrug. "I've never been very creative, but I hope I'm not so dull that my mind can't come up with three original races."
Your belief in your 'dream' is firmly entrenched. If I were to openly declare the truth, would you stay in denial? Would you retreat further into your own delusions?
Yumarac's teachings state that the Holy Brand Aldea can read mortal minds and souls. Perhaps deferring to the Holy Brand's judgment is for the best.
I pray its judgment is not too harsh...
"Hey, Anemos, did you hear what I said?" Yusis prompted. "You look kind of spaced out."
"Ah, my apologies," the bard humbly responded. "My mind was wandering."
"Don't worry about it. I was just asking, can you tell me why I'm not supposed to talk about a Varg's horns?"
"To speak of a Varg's horns is not strictly forbidden, but even an innocuous comment could be perceived as criticism. Criticizing a Varg's horns is potentially as rude and perilous as criticizing a Varg's hair. Or anyone's hair." Including yours, despite your atrocious haircut.
"And... well, Cynthia has already told me that I shouldn't look too much at Lunarl ears or tails, or talk about Lunarl fur. I get that no one likes to be stared at, or have their body used as a conversation topic, but is there another reason why...?"
Anemos cleared his throat, and delicately provided further explanation.
"Looking too closely at a Lunarl's ears or tail means what?" The off-worlder's voice all but cracked, and his face flushed from mortification.
"The furred body parts of a Lunarl are very private," chuckled the bard.
"What have I been doing in my own dream?" Yusis whimpered, hiding his face in his hands.
Anemos raised a light green eyebrow. "You have not attempted to touch any Lunarl's ears or tail, have you?"
"I didn't know Cynthia's personal space was that personal," Yusis sighed, lowering his hands. "I owe her a major apology. How can I give one, without sounding perverted?"
"Quite the conundrum. Women are a mystery, are they not?"
Anemos felt a small twinge of relief when Laminah and Cynthia returned. Yusis unsteadily rose to his feet.
Laminah stated, "We attempted to convey word of the Savior's arrival to the Holy Brand Aldea, but its slumber is deep. If it heard our proclamation, then it made no reply."
Cynthia cheerfully added, "Let's all go see Aldea together. I'm sure it will wake up for you, Yusis."
I did not truly believe the Holy Brand would destroy either of you, did I? pondered the bard, as he followed the others into the shrine.
"Who built this place?" Yusis wondered aloud.
Cynthia brightly answered, "It wasn't exactly 'built'. Everything here is shaped from holy magic. Legends say that Yumarac and his wife created the Holy Brand Aldea here, in Kreisia's most sacred lands. Maybe they made this shrine first, to use as a workshop?"
"That is not precisely accurate," Anemos quietly returned. "Yumarac's teachings state that the Holy Brand created this shrine, under Yumarac's supervision. Yumarac intended this shrine as a safe haven for the Holy Brand, where it could renew its fire between turns of the cycle."
"Yeah, that whole cycle thing..." Yusis mumbled, his eyes darting back and forth. "It kind of bothers me."
"It bothers many," Laminah concurred. "No one has found a way to achieve total victory in the war against Orzand. Not yet."
Yusis, if you knew of our plan to end the depredations of the cycle, would you volunteer for it? Anemos silently wondered. If I were in your place, would I volunteer for it?
To lose one's life is tragic. To endure undeath for ten years is worse. An eternity of undeath - is that a fate I could condemn you to suffer, in exchange for lasting peace? Would I truly have no regrets?
I am not certain I know anymore, and I cannot ask what price you would choose to pay. You do not comprehend reality well enough to answer.
Kreisia's most unlikely Savior hesitated, when he set eyes on the Holy Brand Aldea for the first time. Anemos lounged against a nearby wall, and curiously observed the legendary weapon.
The Holy Brand was not a typical sword. Its blade was not flat, but rather a long, narrow tetrahedron, three sides fused together into a dull gold chunk. Three small indentations marked its hilt.
Legend had it that, when wielded by the Savior, Aldea could transform into holy fire and take any shape. At the moment, the Holy Brand appeared like a mundane object, plunged point-down into a pedestal of unknown material.
Cynthia playfully reached for Aldea's pockmarked hilt.
"Ah, perhaps you should not do that," Anemos cautioned.
"Ow!" When Cynthia's fingers touched the sword's hilt, she jumped back. The fluffy fur of her tail puffed out, and a light crackle of flashing holy static danced on it. Yusis appeared to be trying not to look too much.
Laminah approached Aldea and resolutely extended her hand. An invisible force flung her back. She reeled and nearly fell.
"It would seem the legends are true, and the Holy Brand does not allow natives of Kreisia to draw it from its pedestal," Anemos remarked.
"Are you certain you do not wish to try?" Laminah calmly returned.
"I believe I will pass. Yumarac's teachings state that only a pure-blooded off-worlder may claim the Holy Brand. We Alteans do not possess sufficient off-world ancestry to qualify."
"Okay," Yusis muttered. He stepped up to Aldea, started to reach for it with his right hand, and froze in place.
Moments passed.
The off-worlder took a deep breath, and moved his hand forward. His fingers brushed the holy sword's hilt.
"EEEYAGH!" Yusis shrieked. His right arm went completely limp.
*I only accept those who truly desire to protect Kreisia, with all their heart and soul. Even if it costs their life. Even if it costs more.* Contempt saturated every word of a soundless voice that resonated in each person's head. *You corrupt off-worlder, you do not even recognize that Kreisia is real. You think that all you see and hear is a dream of your own making.*
"Wait, what?" Yusis gasped, shuddering. "Aaaah!" A spasm wracked his body, making him stagger backward.
The dull gold weapon glowed with a brilliant light. The illumination erupted from the pedestal and coalesced into a golden avian shape with blazing wings, blood-red talons, and shining white slashes for eyes.
*I must sleep for nearly ten years to renew my fire, between turns of the cycle. By interfering with my repose, when you are clearly unworthy to wield me, you place all of Kreisia at risk. You have committed a crime against life itself.*
Yusis clutched at his unresponsive right arm with his left hand. A pained grimace crossed his face as he whispered, "This - everything - it's real...?"
*Does there exist any reason to show you mercy, you defective, worthless weakling?*
"I don't know," Yusis gasped. "All this horrible stuff in Kreisia - I didn't mean to make it worse-!"
The phoenix extended its blazing wings in a vertical spread; a luminous blast of holy power slammed into the shocked off-worlder from above, smacking him hard into the floor and dissipating into flowing sparks.
Cynthia ran forward, pleading, "Aldea, please stop! It's been ten years, the cycle has turned! Please don't, please don't-"
*What MIND-ADDLED 'Priestess of Salvation' is this!?* raged the firebird. A fierce wind arose; Cynthia crossed her arms in front of her face and struggled to remain upright. *YOU summoned this loathsome 'Savior' - YOU have sullied Kreisia with his corruption!*
"Don't hurt her! Please!" Yusis frantically begged. "It's not Cynthia's fault I screwed things up!"
*Will you accept her punishment upon yourself?*
"Fine, whatever, just don't hurt her- AAAH!"
The blazing firebird swept its wings toward Yusis. A shining burst of holy power erupted underneath the off-worlder, lifting him into the air and smashing him into the shrine's wall. He crumpled on his side, and quivered.
*Is there at least ONE shred of the drive to protect within your miserable soul, 'Savior'? What of your other 'companions'?*
Laminah stepped forward. "Holy Brand, the Overlord's reign of terror has extended for too long. These are the only Savior we have, the only Priestess of Salvation we have! We need them now. We need you now. If you must administer castigation, then do so to me!"
*How dire is Kreisia's peril, protector? How close to extinction, that you would cast your lot with these miscreants?*
"You know full well how few of us were left, after the last turn of the cycle."
*And what of you?* the phoenix demanded of Anemos. *I know an Altean throwback when I see one. You have not committed your life and more to protecting Kreisia!*
"I chose to come here, did I not?" the bard smoothly replied.
*You chose to be executed.*
"Aldea, if you kill any of them you're NO BETTER THAN ORZAND!" Yusis screamed, struggling to stand up.
The phoenix's brilliant fire flared, reaching out from its form in jagged tendrils that shed no heat. *You corrupt trespasser - you dare compare me to-*
"Yeah, you heard me, Aldea!" the injured off-worlder snapped. "If you kill any of them, you're no better than-"
*DO NOT REPEAT IT.*
A maelstrom of holy magic materialized around Yusis, engulfing him for several seconds. He tried to shriek and couldn't; the luminous aura stole his voice, even as his body shook from agony. The radiance inflicted no visible wounds or burns, but it left him sprawled on the floor with tears streaming down his face.
"...okay, not repeating it," Yusis wheezed, wiping his eyes with his working hand. "Still true. You know it's true. Don't kill any of them, Aldea. Don't."
*Is this wretched soul truly the only 'Savior' you have...?* The flaming phoenix shimmered, then reverted to a golden sword levitating in midair.
Yusis coughed, and panted. "Aldea - give me a moment, okay? Just - just hover there, for a bit. Let me - let me talk to the others."
*I am not a servant, to be kept waiting at your beck and call!*
"I didn't say you were! Just give me some time, please - I need some time." Yusis slowly managed to stand, swayed in place, and pressed his left hand to his head. He sluggishly moved to face Cynthia, Laminah, and Anemos.
*You would turn away from me, 'Savior'?*
"What are you going to do, stab me in the back?" Yusis retorted, over his shoulder. "You can't kill me because I'm the only 'Savior' you have, so give - me - some - time - please!"
The golden sword's glow dimmed. Throngs of its scornful presence pervaded the atmosphere.
Yusis coughed some more. "Uh, hey, everyone. So, uh... this is all real. Kreisia, monsters, Overlord, suffering, death. All of it. Real."
Cynthia looked at Yusis with sadness in her eyes. She called a soft, white glow to one hand. Her holy magic arced through the air and spread to his body, easing his injuries.
"Did you think we weren't real?" the priestess asked, crestfallen.
"Yeah. Sorry." Yusis hung his head. "I thought being Kreisia's 'Savior' was like playing a video game, for the 'good ending'. Now that I know it's real, I have to ask you... I have to ask all of you..."
Yusis swallowed hard. "Why me?"
"You are an off-worlder," Laminah replied, before the others could speak. "Only an off-world Savior may wield the Holy Brand Aldea to counter the Overlord's poisonous miasma vapors. You saw what happened when Cynthia and I tried to draw the Holy Brand, did you not?"
"But why me, and not some other off-worlder? Why am I the only 'Savior' you have?"
Anemos softly responded, "To bring an off-world Savior to Kreisia is no small feat. The summon spell is fueled both by the desperate need of every person in the world, and the will of the priestess who shapes that need into a call that reaches far beyond. Very few priestesses have sufficient talent to cast the summon spell, and fewer still succeed. A priestess who does succeed can never summon a second Savior, because the spell forges a unique connection between the priestess and the off-worlder who answers her call. The summon spell has been passed down for a great many generations, yet it is poorly understood."
"But... but I..." Yusis shook his head. "I'm not a warrior, and I sure don't have any magic. I've never accomplished much, there's nothing special about me, and I-!"
A thread of bitterness cut off Yusis' words. He forced himself to continue, but the dark, resentful sentiment spread through his face, his voice, and his entire composure. "I've never 'saved' anyone. Never. Not anyone. Cynthia, why... why did your summon spell choose me?"
Tears brimmed in Cynthia's eyes. "I can reverse the spell. I can send you home, Yusis."
"No. No, that's not what I mean. I mean - I have to know-" Yusis clenched his hands. "Are all of you really asking a useless screw-up like me for help?"
"Yes," Laminah immediately confirmed.
"Yes," Cynthia plaintively trilled.
Anemos said nothing.
Yusis looked to the bard. "What about you?"
Anemos broke eye contact.
Yusis slowly inhaled a deep breath and let it out, unclenching his hands. The acrid tension faded from his countenance. "I remember, now. You never said that you were a dream. You said that you 'would prefer to be a dream'."
Yusis' eyes all but closed, and an indescribable tone affected his voice. "Anemos... do you need help?"
The bard remained silent for a space of heartbeats.
"All of Kreisia needs your help, Yusis," Anemos quietly admitted. "That does include me."
"Yeah, okay. All right, then." Yusis' eyes snapped open, and he turned to the Holy Brand. "Aldea? I'm in."
Lights flickered up and down the length of the hovering sword.
*Do you truly understand what you are committing yourself to?*
"Now? Yeah, I do. They asked me for help. They need someone from off-world, and I'm all they've got. So, I'm going to help save Kreisia."
*No. You do not understand what you are committing yourself to. Your mind is not unworkably addled, but-*
"Aldea, I get it already, Kreisia is real!" Yusis interrupted, throwing out both hands. "Trying to protect Kreisia could cost my life or more, because everything here is real. If we lose a battle then I could die, or turn into an undead monster. It's all real! I know I'm the worst pick for 'Savior', but there's no one else. We both have to deal with it."
Aldea's flickering lights momentarily froze in a checkered pattern.
*I will deign to journey with you for now, off-worlder. I cannot function as a weapon until you recover my three pommel stones, regardless.*
"Moving the goalposts, huh?" Yusis sighed. "Figures. I thought this 'video game' lacked padding."
*Perhaps during your quest, your pathetic soul will improve enough for me to endure your corrupt touch. Or perhaps another priestess will summon a better Savior.*
"Whatever works," Yusis agreed, with a half-hearted shrug.
End of Chapter Thirteen: Reveille