MEMORIES OF AN OVERLORD
by Victar (vctr113062 [at] aol [dot] com)
Victar's Archive: https://www.vicfanfic.com
"Immediately after their funerals, Dad forced me to take an internship at his company. The stress from that job, on top of all my guilt and thoughts about death, built up until...
"I lost it. Just completely lost it.
"I went ranting-screaming crazy, then tuned everything out and shut down for weeks. Hardly talked, hardly ate, hardly got out of bed any more than I had to. I was going through the motions of being alive, nothing more."
Chapter Eighteen
Memories of a Priestess: Resolve
Cynthia hugged her knees as she watched Laminah train Cedric in swordfighting.
Laminah, earlier today you were crying, the priestess silently thought. Now, you're acting like a stern teacher. You're hiding how you really feel.
When Yusis was the Savior, and he learned the truth about the cycle... he acted so angry. Was that really how he felt inside? Was he forcing himself to hide tears all along?
Did he learn how to do that from you?
The warrior used a flashing, magical practice sword that Cynthia had shaped to be completely blunt. Cedric wielded the Holy Brand Aldea, but not as its avatar; the weapon was dull, and the golden-haired Lunarl's determined eyes were their natural blue. Anemos assisted their efforts with bardic magic that greatly improved resilience to physical injury.
A shroud of misery wrapped tightly around Cynthia's thoughts.
Why did Aldea tell me to give Cedric swordfighting skill with my 'Savior gift'? Anemos' chants are so much better than mine.
*You are a Priestess of Salvation, and that empowers your gift with a unique augment the bard cannot provide. I did have him 'modify' the chant's assistance, this time without adding any extraneous manipulations.*
Cynthia's eyes widened in response to the soundless, emotionless resonance of the Holy Brand in her mind.
*I am not attuned to your thoughts at all times, priestess, but when you think that strongly of me then I will hear you. I am only speaking to you, at present. The current state of your mind and soul troubles me.*
Why are you bothering me, and not Laminah? You saw her crying, didn't you?
*I am not concerned about the warrior. She has regained control of her meaningless emotions, and her commitment to the war against Orzand is absolute. At this moment, I cannot say the same about you.
*Priestess, I need your resolve. Why does it waver?*
My 'Savior gift' was... for Yusis.
*The chant you placed on the former Savior's subconscious was lost when he became the Overlord. You know this.*
Cedric did not make the same swordfighting mistakes that Yusis used to make. The golden-haired Lunarl made entirely different mistakes.
Aldea, why do we have to fight Yusis at all? Why can't we just destroy miasma-things that he makes?
*I do intend to purify all of the miasma-obelisks that the Overlord has created. That is only a fraction of what threatens Kreisia.*
Yusis could make more.
*No. He cannot. Not in the cooperative sense that you imply. Orzand's influence upon him is rising, fueled by the natural growth of Kreisia's miasma. The former Savior must devote himself to preparing for our battle to the death, in order to prevent himself from either slaughtering victims, or succumbing to Orzand's complete control.*
Cedric did have one trait in common with Laminah's previous student - a striking lack of stamina. The golden-haired Lunarl was panting heavily in a short time. Cynthia wondered how sedentary Cedric's life as a king and a scholar had been.
*To lift the curse of the miasma, we must challenge the Overlord. I wish we could do so now, while he is nearly helpless, but I require time to raise my avatar's 'holy resistance'. When a sufficient threshold is reached, I will be capable of something I have never been able to do before.*
No matter how much he struggled, Cedric could not so much as graze Laminah. She effortlessly parried every attempt.
*My magic created the vortex within the Greater Seal. That connection enables me to affect the vortex. With an avatar as my wielder - one with talent and training in holy magic, at that! - I can potentially do more than destroy the Greater Seal and the miasma that saturates it. I can strike the Greater Seal's vortex and purify the miasma within it. This will prevent a miasma flood from drowning Kreisia, after the battle.*
So you're going to stab that hole in Yusis' chest?
*Yes, and that is only feasible because of a miracle. This risen Overlord is the first to retain an impression of his Savior mind. He can and will choose to leave his miasma vortex as an open target, instead of shapeshifting the Greater Seal into a form that would surround and protect it. I must purify the entire vortex before destroying the Greater Seal, or else the vortex's miasma will revert to an amorphous sludge that I cannot significantly affect.*
You made that hole in his chest when you killed him, didn't you? You tortured him for five minutes!
*I can only inscribe my directive on the soul of a living being, and the process is incompatible with anesthesia. His soul was exceptionally difficult to work with; far more than the usual amount of time was required. I did no more and no less than what was necessary to fulfill my function.*
You didn't even warn him that it would hurt so much, did you?
*I could not take the slightest chance of eroding his resolve. All of Kreisia was at stake.*
I can still hear his final scream in my head. I'll never forget it. Never.
*Your meaningless emotions are of no use to anyone, least of all the former Savior.*
You used to say things like that to Yusis all the time, didn't you? Did you have any respect for him at all!?
*My interactions with the former Savior were to strengthen his soul, and guide him to become the Greater Seal. I did not concern myself with niceties irrelevant to protecting Kreisia.*
That's why he hates you so much now!
*It is very likely a lesser source of his hatred. Miasma is my antithesis, and he is its Greater Seal. I am astonished that he willfully yielded my pommel stones, and refrained from flooding my shrine until after I awakened from my slumber. He truly does have some lingering impression of his Savior mind.*
What about your mind? Do you have any respect for any of us?
*I cannot discern your concept of 'respect' clearly enough to answer that.*
You're rude to us!
*I am dedicated to protecting life. I am not dedicated to politeness.*
You never ask permission before you read our thoughts, or even our souls!
*The former Savior understood that sometimes I must disregard mortal privacy. When lives were at stake, he expressly requested that I 'scan' mortal minds, to search for enemy agents. You know this. You have memories of when he told you.*
A memory of Kreisia's most unlikely Savior stirred, disrupting Cynthia's impulse to retort.
"Yusis! There you are, I've been looking all over the Royal Castle for you. I finished writing that letter to my parents."
Cynthia smiled as she briskly approached Yusis amid a cavernous chamber brimming with shelves upon shelves of books and scrolls, all of which carried strong wards to protect against damage or decay. One large, starkly vacant section of shelves stood out from the rest.
"Huh? Oh, hey, Cynthia." Yusis warmly returned her smile. Then he looked to a nearby Lunarl woman dressed in a tan uniform and quietly said, "Thanks for your time."
The woman made a respectful bow, and silently departed.
"Um, did I interrupt something?" Cynthia asked, after the woman had disappeared among the bookshelves.
"Not really," Yusis replied, with a single shake of his head. He briefly touched his brow, as if the physical movement had made him dizzy. "I was just asking one of the Royal Artificers a few questions, and she has to get back to work anyway. I was lucky that she had any time to spare at all. She's been doing a lot of research here."
"I've never been to this part of the Royal Castle before. There are so many books!"
"Yeah, the Royal Library is pretty huge. I think Cedric is responsible for expanding it as big as it is now. Maybe he'll build more libraries like this one, when there's peace again."
"Why are the bookshelves over there empty? They look really out of place."
"A librarian said that's where books about the history of the cycle are usually kept. The history books are in storage right now, and they'll be put back on the shelves sometime soon."
"That's a little strange."
"The really weird thing is, I didn't ask about the missing books. The librarian just made an announcement as soon as he saw me. He looked so nervous that I asked Aldea to scan his mind."
"You asked Aldea to-?"
"Just as a precaution. Turns out the librarian's fine, and he was telling the truth about the history books. Aldea said that there's no need to worry about him. It's just as well; we've got way more important problems to deal with."
"Umm... Yusis, there are strict laws against using mind-related magic to influence or control people, but I don't know what the law says about using magic to read a person's mind."
"Neither do I, really. I decided it would be better not to know."
"Yusis..."
The off-worlder flinched from her reproachful tone.
"I'm sure you mean well," she sighed. "I'm not so sure you understand what you're doing. Aldea's power to read minds is way, way beyond what any person is capable of. Only a few specialists can use mind-related magic to get a fleeting glimpse of a person's mind, or influence a person's mind; spells like that are weak, and easy to detect, resist, or counter. Their most common use is to help people who have brain sickness."
Yusis raised an eyebrow. "I thought you didn't know much about mind-related magic."
Cynthia put both hands on her hips. "You're not the only one who's been training and studying! I've been practicing my magic every day; I've been reading books and talking to experts whenever I can. Anemos has been teaching me techniques to help me focus my mind, and don't you remember how I worked with the Royal Mages stationed in Melusine? I spent almost the whole day learning from them!"
"Uh, sorry. I know you've been pushing yourself, just like I've been trying to improve," he hastily apologized. "And I really do understand what I'm doing with Aldea's power, I promise. I'll never ask it to get in anyone's personal space any more than necessary."
She relaxed her pose. "I know Aldea would have refused your request if it disapproved. It's just... even though Aldea is dedicated to protecting us, I don't think Aldea completely understands us. I'm not even sure it tries to understand."
"Yeah, tell me about it. I did ask Aldea if there's any risk that its scans could cause physical or mental harm; Aldea said there's no side effects at all. The target doesn't even notice, whether they're sensitive to magic or not. I've never felt anything whenever Aldea scanned my mind, and you've never felt anything either, have you?"
"I..."
"Exactly."
"...when did Aldea look into my mind?"
"On the day we met it, and occasionally afterward. And, uh, earlier today - just a quick check to make sure you're okay, after that ambush. Aldea doesn't read our minds all of the time, although I've known for a while now that it 'monitors' me a lot. It does that a whole lot, but I'm not going to complain. Much."
"Aldea can also see into people's souls."
"Seriously?"
"Yes."
"Huh. That must be why it talks about my soul so much. I thought it was being metaphorical. It could have just told me about its power, instead of keeping secrets."
"It's not really a secret, though? It's history. In some turns of the cycle, more than one Savior was summoned. Whenever that happened, Aldea studied the candidates' souls to determine which Savior was most worthy to wield it, and commanded that the others be sent back to their home worlds."
"Whatever. Anyway, I don't think I'll ask Aldea to look into anyone's soul. That definitely sounds way too personal."
"But you asked Aldea to look into a librarian's mind?"
"I know it's sketchy..."
"Do you ask Aldea to do things like that a lot?"
"Uh, well... I've never asked it to do anything like that before today. I'm not proud of having such a 'corrupt' idea."
"Did you apologize to the librarian?"
"Uh, no. I'm pretty sure apologizing would only make him more nervous. It's better to just leave him alone. Look, Cynthia, I swear that Aldea really does take 'mortal privacy' seriously. Aldea won't reveal what it picks up to anyone, not even me, unless lives are at stake."
"Didn't Aldea announce what was in your mind, when you woke it up?"
"Yeah, it did. Lives are always at stake when Aldea has to choose a Savior. Even if there's only one choice."
An uneasy expression appeared on her face. "Um, Yusis?"
"Yeah?"
"I think Aldea has been asking other people if another Savior has been summoned."
"It does, especially whenever we're near a city or a village. It reaches out with its mind to contact the mayor or village magistrate. Today it asked Cedric."
Her expression changed to mild surprise. "You knew?"
"Yeah. Aldea doesn't make any secret of how badly it wants a better Savior."
Her surprise receded into thoughtful concern. "Does that bother you?"
"It does and it doesn't. I can't blame Aldea; it really does care about protecting Kreisia more than anything else. If another Savior is summoned, I... don't want to leave Kreisia... but there's no time to worry about something that might or might not happen. I have to focus on what needs to be done here and now."
Yusis swayed in place, and leaned on a nearby bookshelf to maintain his balance.
"Yusis, is something wrong?" Cynthia trilled.
"Uh..."
"Are you sure you're okay? I'm glad Anemos' treatment worked, but you still seem a little..."
"I'm okay, I promise," he sighed, straightening and letting go of the bookshelf. "I've asked Aldea to examine me, and it more or less agreed with what Anemos said earlier."
"More or less?"
"Uh, well, I was talking to the Royal Chanters about the aftereffects of Ascendance poison... anyway, those aftereffects aren't a direct threat, especially since Aldea is watching over me. I should be in good enough shape to travel by tomorrow."
"I'm so glad."
"We still have to travel on foot for now, but hopefully not for much longer. The Royal Artificers and the Royal Mages have been working together to build a super-fast airship. I remembered the night Cedric told me about that, so I was asking that Royal Artificer about what the airship can do. Turns out it's really big; it can carry a lot more people than just the four of us. It uses both wind magic and mechanical technology to fly, and one of its crew will channel bardic magic to speed up its travel."
"I've read about airships. I don't think there's been a working one for generations."
"Earlier, I had Aldea relay the lead Royal Artificer a question. He said the airship should be ready in eight more days. Aldea told me that's about what we need to reach its second pommel stone on foot, with help from Anemos' bardic magic. Aldea also said that it has to raise my 'holy resistance' for another eight days before I can wield it."
"I've asked Aldea if I could help it improve your resistance. It said there isn't anything I can do. The magic it uses isn't something that 'mortals' can cast, or amplify."
"I figured we may as well hit the road tomorrow. I don't want collecting Aldea's pommel stones to get delayed if the airship's construction hits a snag. And Aldea suggested that, while we're traveling, it can lure some of the Overlord's more dangerous monsters right to us. It's been doing a lot of that all along; I kind of wish it had told me sooner, but whatever."
"I thought it was a little strange how easily we found so many bounty targets. Monster hunting usually requires more tracking and divinations than what we did. I've been trying to track monsters like how Siwell and Oreanna taught me, but I have a really hard time with divination magic. I'm sorry, I should have admitted all of this long ago."
"Oh, Cynthia, don't worry about it. I should have realized something was up; maybe I didn't because I still think of Kreisia as a video game sometimes, even though I know it isn't one. Anyway, we'll destroy the monsters Aldea lures to us as we go. We won't have time to collect the monster bounties, but at least we'll take pressure off of the Royal Mages who ward monsters away from settlements."
"Do you think Aldea could send messages to the people who posted the bounties, and let them know their requests have been fulfilled?"
"Hey, that's a good idea. We could have them turn the bounties over to the government. Cedric has told me that resources are stretched thin right now; every little bit helps. Aldea should be able to communicate with patrolling Royal Guards who can deliver our messages."
"How far can Aldea's mind reach?"
"I asked it that a little while ago. Turns out it can talk across the distance covered by roughly one or two hours of normal travel on foot. That's not counting how bardic magic speeds us up, of course."
"I'm so glad you're getting along better with Aldea."
Yusis' eyes darted back and forth. "Uh, right. That is actually true. I am literally getting along better with Aldea than on the day I first met it. Honest."
"You're funny when your eyes zip around like that," Cynthia giggled, with a mirthful grin.
Yusis blinked several times, then spared a single, rueful chuckle. "Huh, am I? Well, you're cute when you smile like that, so whatever works."
In response to a brusque request from Laminah, Anemos invoked a new effect with bardic magic, enhancing the celerity of both trainer and trainee.
Laminah attacked with practiced grace, and dealt Cedric a hard blow to the back with the flat of her blade. Cedric, clearly unaccustomed to the enhancement accelerating his movements, nearly fell on his face.
Cynthia hugged her knees tighter, and pursed her lips in an unhappy frown.
Aldea, 'respect' is acknowledging that other people's lives, needs, and feelings are important.
*Feelings are meaningless.*
You just don't get it at all, do you?
*I accept the rest of your definition. I am 'love of life' and 'hatred of that which threatens life'. Life is of paramount importance to me, but my function to protect Kreisia supersedes every other imperative.*
Don't use your 'function' as an excuse. You won't even say our names!
*I am incapable of expressing the names of mortals. It is a cognitive limitation, not an intentional slight.*
You can say Orzand's name!
*My limitation does not extend to Orzand, nor does it preclude me from recognizing mortal names. My creator designed me to be the way I am.*
Are you sure Yumarac designed you to be so mean? Are you sure that isn't just you?
*Priestess. For the sake of both the former Savior and all of Kreisia, you must listen to me.
*Your companions have all resolved to do what must be done. I need your resolve as well. I need your full commitment.
*'The Overlord cannot surrender.' It is an incontrovertible law that binds him. He must battle us. His power growth is phenomenal because of the bargain he struck with Orzand, and he is a Chronomancer. His manipulation of time itself will make landing any strike on his miasma vortex extremely difficult.
*I will need all of you to assist me. Only you three can support my avatar, because the Overlord has granted you innate resistance to his miasma vapors. The objective of the destined battle requires more from me than ever before; I cannot spare the power or focus to shield anyone other than my avatar from-*
Is that the real reason why Yusis did this to us? she bitterly interrupted, twirling strands of the jet-black stripe in her hair. He claimed it was so he wouldn't poison us when he came to wake us up. Did he expect us to destroy him all along?
*Both rationales are quite logical.*
Cynthia rested her face against her knees.
*When the Greater Seal is destroyed, the former Savior's soul will be released from undeath. You know this.*
Cynthia squeezed her eyes shut.
*To lift the curse of the miasma is what the former Savior desires, above all else. You know this.*
Cynthia thought of the moment when Kreisia's most unlikely Savior had confessed his deepest desires.
"You know, the eye thing is really just a bad habit," Yusis remarked. "I get kind of anxious sometimes. For no good reason. Heh, I wonder if you know a chant to help with that?" He brushed aside stray trails of his disastrously ragged hair. Cynthia wondered whether the gesture was an attempt to conceal embarrassment, dizziness, or both.
"Bardic magic would work better," she reasoned. "It's known for inspiring greatness; it can help people control their own emotions from the inside. That's not the same as Altean chants, which can push an outside influence on emotions. You wouldn't want to have a chant like that on you. Chants that manipulate emotions aren't the same as domination chants, but controlling a person's emotions is only one step removed from completely controlling them."
"I... think I understand what you mean," he replied, carefully. "Hey, that reminds me of something I want to ask you. Do you know anything about Altean chants for communicating across large distances?"
"Um, no, I don't. Maybe Anemos does?"
"It's possible he does. He knew how to treat Ascendance poison when none of the Royal Chanters did. The Royal Chanters told me that long-distance communication chants used to be a limited thing; it took ten minutes to transmit a few sentences, or something like that. The techniques for long-distance communication chants were lost when an Altean was 'derelict in his duty', and the Overlord's reign of terror lasted for three and a half years. No one wanted to say much more."
"Siwell and Oreanna were both children during that time. They don't like talking about it."
"I can imagine. The Royal Chanters said that the Overlord murdered half of Kreisia's population through monster attacks and famine. Miasma vapors blighted croplands, monsters assassinated the most skilled and educated people, miasma flooded Kreisia's schools and libraries, and, well, I'd better not go on about this. It's depressing."
"I don't like thinking about it either."
"When I talked to the Royal Mages, they said long-distance communication spells take so much power that they require a group of strong spellcasters to work together. I don't want to make any unnecessary demands of the Royal Mages when they're needed to ward away monsters."
"I've never been able to cast communication spells. Mind-related magic is hard to learn. I know that short-range communication spells take much less power, but even those are kind of tricky."
"Yeah, some of the Royal Mages use short-range communication spells to relay reports. I actually talked to a Royal Mage who said she sent Cedric reports about me, when I was stumbling around here in a dream. The too-long-didn't-read version is, any plans to have the airship meet us far from the Royal Capital should be made in advance."
Cynthia happily perked up. "Riding on an airship sounds exciting!"
"It does, but maybe we should all carry some extra float gossamers, just in case."
"Laminah's uncle probably sells them. Do you want to visit his shop with me? That's why I was looking for you. After we ask him to deliver my letter, we can buy travel supplies, and then do some sightseeing in the Royal Capital. I thought it might be fun."
"That does sound fun," Yusis sighed, wistfully. "I would if I could, I swear. Can you pick up supplies for me? I have to stay in the Royal Castle today."
"Why?"
"Uh..."
"Yusis?"
"...well... I've been talking to a lot of people here, and I'm going to meet with Cedric later on."
"Oh, I didn't know you'd scheduled an audience with Cedric."
"Cynthia, did you know..."
Yusis trailed off. He swallowed, and cleared his throat.
"Yes?" she prompted.
"...did you know... not all of the Royal Chanters are Alteans?"
"Really? I only saw Alteans when I was in the Royal Chanters' wing."
Yusis briefly touched his forehead again, and adjusted his footing. When he resumed talking, his rambling words oscillated in speed and intensity, gathering and receding like ocean waves.
"Most of the Royal Chanters are Alteans. Nearly all. There are a few like you, though. They're Vargs and Lunarls with a little bit of Altean heritage. They can only use weak chants, but that doesn't stop them from contributing a lot. They do research, tests, and right now I think they're part of the team effort to create wards against Ascendance poison.
"Not all of the Royal Mages are Lunarls, either. I think that's a change Cedric made, when he became king? Lunarl women naturally have the most talent for magic, so most of the Royal Mages are female Lunarls, but not all. There are some male Lunarls, some Alteans, and even one Varg. The ones with weaker magic talent don't do as much field duty; they're more heavily involved in developing new spells and enchanting items.
"Even though the Varg Royal Mage can barely cast any spells, he spearheaded some kind of major breakthrough. He found a special use for the shattered remains of crystals that once imprisoned Lesser Seals. The last cycle's Savior delivered a huge supply of shards to use as raw material, specifically at the Varg's request - the Varg wasn't a Royal Mage back then, he just had a passion for magic. Nearly everyone thought the Varg was crazy; maybe a few still do, but they stopped openly mocking him after Cedric made him a Royal Mage.
"I guess the Varg wanted those crystal shards because miasma can't consume them, when almost nothing else is immune. The other Royal Mages found a way to strengthen a crystal into something 'nearly indestructible', and the Varg's been doing a lot of stuff on his own time, ever since Cedric had to suspend government research. I think the Varg's almost done making something really important.
"Most of the other Vargs here are Royal Guards, and most Royal Guards are Vargs, but not all. There are a few Lunarl and Altean Royal Guards; I think Cedric's also responsible for that. The Lunarl Royal Guard I met reminded me of your parents - really tall and strong - but the Altean Royal Guard I met is a different kind of specialist. She's an elderly historian who's studied all sorts of combat techniques and battle tactics.
"She used to be the strategist for a band of Altean mercenaries. Ten years ago, her band tried to get work protecting Cedric's village. They were turned away - she says she regrets letting her leader quote an extremely high asking price - but Cedric remembered how they went out of their way to bring a warning. I think she's one of Cedric's military advisors, now?
"She had some advice for me, too. She suggested that getting Aldea's pommel stones should be my number one priority, because Aldea is more than a super-strong weapon. Aldea is immune to Altean chants, and it's almost immune to physical attacks or most types of magic. Only dark magic can really hurt it, and it probably can't be destroyed by anything less than a miasma flood.
"She told me that with all three pommel stones, Aldea can ward away weaker monsters, or make its wielder resist harmful chants, or block living people from teleporting away, even in battle. Regular wards for any of those cost a lot of time and power; they can't be cast in the middle of a fight. Regular chant protection would also mess with my 'Savior gift'.
"And, she reminded me that I can channel Aldea's power to teleport up to four people, once certain conditions are met. I never asked what those conditions are, before today. Turns out Aldea needs its pommel stones, and it has to raise my 'holy resistance' high enough before teleporting is an option.
"That Altean Royal Guard knows a lot. She's really good at thinking through tough problems. She didn't look like she'd be a slouch in a fight, even though she's so old that her sight is going, but her true specialties are strategy and research.
"Then there's the Royal Artificers. Practically all they do is research, inventions, and building stuff. It's because of Cedric's support that they got enough recruitment and resources to make a working airship. And you know what? They're an even mix of Kreisia's three races.
"It's like... no matter what talents a person is born with, no matter how much or how little power they have, they can dedicate themselves to achieving amazing things.
"I want to do that, too.
"I can't use magic or chants, and you know I'm not good at swordfighting. The 'Savior gift' you put on me helps a lot, but I'm never going to be as strong as Laminah, or any Varg. Or even most Lunarls and Alteans. Just not happening.
"Even so, I...
"...I want to stop the Overlord.
"Not just for ten years. Not so he can come back and murder more people and this horrible cycle keeps repeating. I want to stop him forever.
"Cedric's been researching how to do that. I want to help him. Any way I can. I don't want to 'corrupt' Kreisia with bad stuff from my world, so I'll have to be very careful when I bring ideas to the table, but I do know about some things that no Kreisian has ever heard of. I might be able to kick off another breakthrough.
"To do that, I'll have to stay on Kreisia after we beat the Overlord. You've said a 'golden light' will magically take me back to my world, but you've also taught me that magic can be resisted by the target's will. That's what I'm going to do, with all my strength.
"Cynthia, I tried to ask you this once before, but I understand why you didn't answer. I was borderline scrambled from channeling Aldea's holy power, at the time. So, I'm asking you now.
"Can you help me block this 'golden light'?
"The summon spell connects us, doesn't it? Can you use that connection to help me stay? Maybe your spell chose me for a reason. Maybe the magic decided that I can do more than bring ten years of peace.
"Maybe... you might want to do research with me?
"I understand if you don't. When I asked Anemos last night, he said that he couldn't make any commitment at this time. When I asked Laminah today, she said, 'I cannot discuss this until later.'
"Cynthia, I... I don't really know what your plans are, after we beat the Overlord? If you're not sure about doing research, well, I'm still going to help Cedric as much as I can. You'll know where to find me, if you decide you want to work with me, or if...
"...or if... if you'd...
"...if you'd... like to..."
Yusis nervously trailed off again. He closed his eyes, put one hand on his chest, and breathed deeply. When he opened his eyes and let his hand fall, only the slightest trace of jittery anxiety remained.
"Cynthia, I want to stay on Kreisia until the Overlord is shut down for good. At least that long. At the very least, I want to stay until I help make that happen, but I also want... I also want to be with you."
Cynthia smiled, and blinked several times.
"As more than just a friend," Yusis continued, earnestly. "I want to be with you. It really is... beyond amazing... when you smile like that. I want to be with you, and I want to make this world into a place where you're free to smile anytime. At me, or for any other reason."
Yusis displayed a broad grin, tilted his head, and closed his eyes.
Moments passed.
Yusis opened his eyes and straightened his head. He tried to meet Cynthia's gaze. She remained motionless, with her face frozen in an expression of gentle warmth. Her reddish-brown eyes seemed to be focused on something far away.
"Uh, Cynthia?" Yusis' grin faded, and his eyebrows descended in puzzlement. He tentatively raised one hand in front of her face, and waved.
She did not move, except for the slightest amount of breathing, and the occasional blink.
"Cynthia, are you okay?" he uncertainly asked.
"You're making so many friends inside the Royal Castle today! That's wonderful," she beamed, in an abrupt outpouring of heartfelt joy. "When you see Cedric, please tell him I said thank you for all the support he's given us."
Kreisia's most unlikely Savior appeared completely at a loss for words.
"I'll make sure to pick up plenty of travel supplies!" she affirmed, enthusiastically. "Including float gossamers. I won't forget."
He lowered his hand. "Uh, Cynthia..."
"The funds I'm carrying now should cover it. I'll let you know if I need more."
"...are you...? I guess I did kind of spring this on you." His confusion receded into uneasy concern.
"Maybe I'll browse some other wares, too."
His eyes darted down and to the side, then back to her. "Please don't feel like you have to tune out, or shut down. I know that's what you're doing. I've done it myself, when stress and bad thoughts piled up too high."
"I'll tell you if I see a sword you might want! Since you can't wield Aldea for eight more days."
"Cynthia, I... I didn't mean to pressure you. Don't worry. Nothing bad is going to happen because you don't have that kind of interest in me. I won't freak out. I'll deal with it."
"I'll see you later today, maybe? Or else tomorrow morning."
"You can forget what I said today if you want; just don't make yourself forget anything else, okay?" Yusis appealed, with a tremor of fear in his voice. "You don't have to do that, I promise."
"I'm looking forward to when we all set out together."
"Yeah. I am, too." His eyes fluttered closed, and he nodded once. "I really am. More than anything."
Cynthia heard a sharp rebuke from Laminah, carried on the breeze. "My king, every time you allow the Holy Brand to touch the ground, I will permit it to shock you."
Aldea, do you know what I don't like about you?
*I am listening.*
You use people.
Every turn of the cycle, you use people. You use them up and throw them away. Over and over. Do you care? Does it hurt you, to do that?
*I was not created with any meaningless emotions that would impede my function to protect Kreisia.*
Well, I'm not like that! I never wanted to condemn anyone. I couldn't cast the summon spell until I forced myself to believe a lie about a 'golden light'!
My head was so cloudy that I couldn't tell Yusis about the cycle. I couldn't explain why I wouldn't make any plans for the future. I couldn't even-!
Because I fogged my own mind so much, my summon spell didn't look for a Savior who was ready to accept death and worse. Instead, I got someone we all lied to, someone who 'freaked out' when he learned we'd hidden the awful truth, someone who wanted us to hate him so he could push himself to become the Greater Seal!
I didn't call for a Savior who was strong, or magically talented, or a great leader. I didn't care about any of those things! I wanted someone who - I called for a Savior who-!
Cynthia raised her face from her knees, in time to see Laminah bowl Cedric flat on his back with a single blow.
No. No, Aldea, I'm not going to tell you. I haven't told Yusis why my summon spell chose him, not yet. I'm not going to tell you.
*Priestess, I need your resolve. Why does it waver?*
Because-!
Two tears spilled from her eyes. She wiped them away with her hand.
Then, the smallest of smiles touched her face, and the lightest giggle of mirth escaped her lips.
Because... I'm doubting myself.
Cynthia closed her eyes, put one hand on her chest, and breathed deeply.
Aldea. I will help you.
I'll fight alongside you, with everything I have. All my heart, will, and soul. Even if it costs my life, even if it costs more.
Aldea, I want to do more than support you with magic. I want to purify Yusis' miasma, too.
*Your direct bursts of holy power cannot purify any significant quantity of the Overlord's miasma, although your recent memories have evidence that holy power can stun him. His Savior mind must be more vulnerable to disorientation than Orzand's consciousness is.*
I have another idea.
Aldea listened to her thoughts.
*Yes, that is possible. Your holy magic would be insufficient by itself, but my power and my connection to the Overlord's vortex augment the parameters. I will perform the required preparations through my avatar.*
I think you'd better spread it out over several days, at least.
*I am well aware of my avatar's limitations.*
Okay.
*There is also the matter of materials. Since we plan to visit your loved ones at midnight, I would offer a suggestion.*
Cynthia contemplated the Holy Brand's recommendation.
That's a good idea. Can you talk to them with your mind, and ask-?
*As you wish. However, I must re-emphasize, as strongly as I can, that this Overlord is a Chronomancer. He will be exceedingly difficult to hit.*
I'll practice, just like Cedric is doing. I'll ask Laminah to train me as hard as she can, and I'll have another advantage.
Yusis has strong feelings for me. They're still there, even though he's been trapped as an undead monster for ten years, even though I'm responsible for every day of it.
I can use those feelings against him.
Cynthia clenched her hands into fists. I hate having to think like this, Aldea. I hate having to think like YOU, but for Yusis' sake, and for all of Kreisia...
...I will 'deal with it'.
"I hate having to think like this," Yusis grumbled to himself, as he walked out of the Royal Castle's throne room. "The worst part is, I'm the one person who understands it naturally. Some Alteans sort of get it, a little, but the only reason Cedric can wrap his head around it is because he's super-smart. And Aldea's not even pretending to think like a person; it keeps acting like all this is some kind of test or trial it has to put me through."
Kreisia's most unlikely Savior abruptly stopped moving, and blinked several times. "Cynthia?"
The Priestess of Salvation showed a cheerful grin. "Is your audience with Cedric finally over? I've been waiting for a little while. I got all the travel supplies we'll need, including float gossamers, and I really wanted to give you this tonight."
Cynthia proffered a sheathed sword with an elegant hilt.
Yusis' eyes widened as he accepted the sword. "This is really lightweight."
"It's enchanted to be easy to handle, without sacrificing any durability," she brightly affirmed.
Yusis pulled the sword partway out of its inscribed scabbard, and his mouth parted slightly in astonishment. The lustrous, silvery alloy of the razor-edged blade shined with more than reflected light.
"Laminah's uncle made that sword," Cynthia continued. "His name's Lamton. He's kind of like the Varg Royal Mage you told me about; even though he can't use much magic, he knows just enough to combine it with his blacksmithing skills and craft incredible enchanted weapons. He said Laminah's halberd is the best weapon he's created in his life, and that sword is the second best. He was inspired to create it after he met you."
"Huh, really? I barely remember him. He didn't say anything to me, and he looked at me for all of five seconds."
"Lamton has been working really hard, all this time; demand for quality weapons is always extremely high during a reign of terror. He can't leave his shop much, between his workload and his responsibility to look after Lamtia - that's Laminah's mom. Laminah never told us her family's names, did she?"
"Uh, no, she didn't. She doesn't even call Cedric by name. Seems like nearly all Kreisians avoid saying anyone's name, as much as they can. I didn't pay much attention to it before, but today... none of the people I met introduced themselves by name, except for the lead Royal Chanter. She's the Altean who told us about Ascendance poison."
"Umm..."
"She said I could call her Melinda Verid, and she emphasized that's not her real name. How weird is that?"
"...Yusis..."
"Not like it's a big deal. I know some Kreisians hide their names, to protect themselves against being targeted by magic."
"...I'm sorry."
"Huh?" Yusis' eyebrows rose, slightly.
Cynthia touched her fingertips together, and looked at the ground.
His voice softened. "Oh. Cynthia, there's nothing to apologize for. Nothing at all. Don't feel bad, okay?"
"Yusis..."
"Yeah?"
Cynthia took a deep breath, and looked back up. "Lamton wanted to apologize to both of us. I promised him I'd tell you his confession. I was pretty sure you'd consider his work on weapons and armor for the Royal Guards too important to interrupt."
"You're right about that. What did he confess?"
"Do you remember when we searched for Lamtia's toy in the public garden? It really wasn't lost by accident. Lamton said he hid it. He didn't mean to interfere with your duties; just the opposite. He needed a little time to consult with Cedric about the best way to help you with your duties."
"Huh. Well, no harm, no foul," Yusis said with a shrug.
"Since Lamton's really good at making enchanted weapons, Cedric suggested he should help you that way. Lamton was grateful I stopped by, because he was planning to offer that sword to you. He might have intended to give it to you for free, but I know weapons this powerful take really expensive materials, and he has responsibilities like paying his workers and suppliers."
"We have travel expenses, too. We can't afford to pay him what this must be worth, and we can't ask Cedric for government funding; the Royal Treasury is strained to the breaking point. The government doesn't have the money to, uh, do much of anything beyond what it's doing now. That's one of the problems I was talking to Cedric about."
"I know our travel funds are limited. So, I promised Lamton we'd deliver that sword to a shopkeeper client. You can use it to fight monsters on the way; that will actually make the sword more valuable. The client can tell his customers that the Savior wielded it!"
"But... we can't make a detour to deliver this. We won't have time-"
"Yusis! Don't doubt me so much! We won't make any detours. You said that we can communicate with Aldea's mind from anywhere in a big area, so I tried it out. I asked Aldea if there were any shops near its other pommel stones, and it told me about this trading outpost that does business with monster hunters. I thought Lamton might do business with the outpost too, and I was right. Aldea was happy to help me find a way to help you!"
Yusis raised an eyebrow at her.
"Okay, maybe I'm exaggerating a little," she amended. "I'm not sure Aldea can feel happy, or sad."
Yusis returned his gaze to the incomparable sword. "Cynthia, I... I don't know what to say."
"Say 'thank you', silly! Or, 'I really like it!'"
"Uhh... thank you. I really do like it a lot - wait, what's that white glimmer? Is it holy magic?"
"I wondered if you'd notice," she replied, with a gentle laugh. "I've charged that sword with holy power. I learned how to charge weapons from my parents; it's a useful skill for hunting monsters. I was never able to do it very well before, but I've been practicing and Lamton showed me a helpful technique. I'm getting so much better at holy magic!"
"I can't use magic..."
"That doesn't matter. If we're up against a really mean undead monster, all you have to do is concentrate and the charge will go off. And you know what? The charge will be even stronger because you'll be fighting alongside Laminah, and her uncle made that sword! Holy magic is sensitive to emotional connections like that."
The Holy Brand Aldea hovered in midair and lit up the midnight darkness, when Cynthia visited her adoptive parents. They stood a sizeable distance away from her, just beyond the outer fringe of the village where she had lived nearly her whole life. Both of them were dressed in full battle armor, and holding their weapons ready.
"I presume King Thor has spread word of our quest," Cedric remarked, with a charming smile. "Surely you have heard that the Lesser Seals' return to the Royal Capital was peaceful? You did read the obelisk on the village outskirts before I purified it, did you not? I know the Holy Brand has heralded our visit."
Siwell Klaus and Oreanna Klaus made no response. Neither did the throng of monster hunters, Royal Guards, Royal Mages, and Royal Chanters alongside them, but at least no one moved to attack.
"I suppose maintaining this holy barrier is part of my training," Cedric sighed.
Cynthia smiled from behind Cedric's protective shield, and waved.
Siwell and Oreanna did not smile or wave. Laminah appeared to be carefully scrutinizing them.
Laminah quietly said, "Both of you have trained your daughter quite well. I am continuing her training."
Cynthia's parents made no reply.
Anemos steadily returned the gaze of a Royal Chanter, but said nothing.
With a smile to one of the Royal Mages, Cynthia added, "I remember you. Thank you for warding this place ten years ago, while my parents were away."
The Royal Mage did not answer.
In a low tone, Siwell said, "Daughter, you have now seen us. Are you satisfied?"
Cynthia nodded. "I'm so glad you're doing well."
No emotion affected Oreanna's voice as she stated, "We have brought what you and the Holy Brand asked for."
Siwell hefted a large quiver, brimming with fletched, wooden crossbow bolts. "Each one of these was crafted with our own hands, daughter. Precisely as requested."
"Thank you so much," Cynthia gratefully replied.
With the solemnity of a ritual, Oreanna intoned, "In exchange for our gift, we ask that you and your fellow Lesser Seals vow to leave our village and never return. Do you accept this bargain, Cynthia Klaus, Priestess of Salvation, and Lesser Seal?"
Cynthia glanced to Laminah and Anemos, who both nodded.
Cynthia's eyes blinked rapidly and repeatedly as she answered, "Yes, Mom and Dad. We promise we'll never come here again."
I'm not going to cry. Not this time. Because-
"I'm so thankful that you are my parents," Cynthia told them. "I know you'll keep what used to be my home safe. That means so much to me."
Siwell tossed the quiver at Cynthia's feet. It passed harmlessly through Cedric's holy barrier and landed next to her. She picked it up, and cradled it tightly against her chest.
"Mom, Dad, I want you to know-!"
Cynthia showed her beloved parents the biggest, happiest smile her heart could bring forth.
"I want you to know... I'll use these to help destroy Kreisia's miasma forever!"
End of Chapter Eighteen: Resolve