(Event) Enter Dissonance | Page 4

As Seigi was lying on the ground, more-or-less exhausted, she could feel how the pressure faded. How the darkness disappeared. How the voice inside her head crawled back into its corner, well aware that the only chance it had was with the help of Despair. "We... did it?" A rhetorical question aimed at none. They did it, indeed!

Standing up via a quick kip-up the crimson-hair put her fist up into the air, ready to celebrate, until... this wasn't right. They didn't do it. Letting the very same arm slowly fall down, Seigi took a glance at Kiri. Fuck.

Sometimes, it was hard to not apologize. And this was one of these moments. She would not. She refused. Seigi still refused to regret. Tapping around on her virtual inventory, as she moved over to Kiri, the girl pulled out a Schokobon, offering it to Kiri. "Here! Take a sip."

Chocolate was supposed to make a little bit more happy, no? "Next time..." Seigi put on the warmest smile she could. A hero was someone you were supposed to look up to. "...I'll promise to be powerful enough so nobody has to lose anything." She would not apologize. But she could still make promises.

That said, even in such a situation, Seigi couldn't deny her curiosity to learn more about being a Stair Maiden and stuff!

 

Vina poured all she had into maintaining the storm of vicious winds around the D. Angel until finally the creature began to fall apart, the druidess not allowing herself to fall down until all the Dissonance around them had dispersed, the fog having disappeared from their sight as if it had never been. With no remnants of the danger left Vina released her magic, the streaks of white air fading away as she falls to her knees, letting out a sigh of relief before looking around tiredly, her breathing ragged from the stress and the exhaustion. It hadn't even been a very long fight, but it had been a very intense and taxing one, with danger surrounding them and things progressively getting worse and worse until finally it had all ended.

She now understood why the message hadn't given the exact details of what they were going to do here. If information about this kind of thing spread too widely it could lead to panic, people worrying about the Dissonance appearing anywhere, especially with how suddenly it had shown up here, even before the people tasked with fighting it had anticipated.

After having taken several deep breaths, enough to at least recover from the worst of her exhaustion, Vina stood back up. She would have liked to stay on the ground for a bit longer, but there were several things she needed to do. First of all she joined Hylia in healing Zia (@Pandora), after listening a bit to the performer to get a feel of the melody humming along. She didn't know the lyrics well enough to actually sing along, but she was good enough with music that she could support the main singer and combine their musical magic to strengthen the healing effects. As she did this Vina kept her eyes closed, her hands placed together almost as if praying.

Once the song had ended Vina opened her eyes again, feeling and looking a bit better although she still gave a somewhat weary impression. Listening to Zia and Enea Vina smiled at the two and bowed, but then shook her head and looked over towards Kiri.

"I'd love to hear the rest of the story, and some rest would be appreciated. But before we leave we need to take care of our friend."

With that said she headed over to Kiri, where @Seraphy and @Seigi had already gathered to support and comfort the only person to have truly lost something this day. It was painful to admit for Vina, that despite all of them trying so hard there still had been a casualty. The big guardian had been taken so fast that Vina hadn't even been aware what was happening until it was already too late, having been facing the other side of the battlefield at the time. It wasn't like it was their fault, they weren't responsible for the man's death, but it still turned what could otherwise have been a flawless -if hard-earned- victory into one which came with a bitter taste in the mouth.

She joined the attempts of the other two women in comforting Kiri as she sat down next to the girl, placing an arm around her shoulders but refraining from pulling her close since she didn't want to interrupt the swordswoman's prayer. Instead she just curled her large fluffy tail around Kiri's waist as she spoke softly.

"He died protecting you and the world, and while it isn't much we'll always remember him for it."

If these kind of dangers existed in this world Vina would need to become better at helping and protecting people, since she'd rather spend her time exhausted but satisfied with a job well done over comforting people as the danger was repelled but their loved ones were lost.

 

After all the team put into ridding the area of looming Dissonance Comet hardly felt surprised when they won. Her figure slumped due to a widespread weakness spreading throughout her body now noticed since attention had been taken from the fight to herself. Without much thought, however, she continued on to stand by the others who were with Kiri. "I feel like remembering Kiri's brother will keep him alive even if only in our hearts. You've got the right idea, but it's worth a lot more than you think @Vina Skysong. Memories are powerful things after all," she paused to move closer to the eye-patch adorning warrior but kept a comfortable space between them out of respect and a sort of nervousness within her gut. "I offer my condolences Kiri. They say actions speak more than words. You showed us all how much you love Bart today. And, well, that you sure can kick some ass." Comet spoke with a light tone towards the topic and gave small, weary chuckle towards the end before slipping away with a nod of the head.

Seigi and Majolica were the type of girls Comet envied because she never got the chance to be them. A little bit of immaturity mixed with a whole lot of heart, and overall a genuinely lovable character. Even Seraphy's innocent and kind nature had the Archer a bit jealous from time to time when around them. She decided to thank @Roland Rutledge indirectly with a, "I'm glad you asked me to join. Call me again when there's more evil to take on, yeah?" before moving to hang around Enea. Wounds and exhaustion and a thin layer of sweat marked her lithe figure from head-to-toe. But nothing could conceal a strong sense of pride held tightly to her chest in the form of both expressive body language alongside an enlightened aura.

@Pandora

 

Roland let out a relieved breath as the angel began to disintegrate. Seigi's and his attack had almost failed, but with the work of everyone around him, they had somehow managed to pull through. The rest of the dissonance faded along with the angel, and not a moment too soon. If any of the monsters had attacked one more time... it wouldn't have ended well. Still, they had come out victorious, and that was all that mattered. Roland scanned his team, they hadn't lost any besides the one large guardian and judging by the kneeling sister, he didn't think it could be resurrected.

"At least the witch seems to be feeling fine," Roland muttered after shooting a quick glance at the surprisingly cheery Majolica. She seemed to be the only one who wasn't affected by the solemn mood that hung in the air, as most of the others rushed to Kiri's side in an attempt to help ease her grief. Roland held back, nodding as @Comet spoke to him, "Believe me I will, your arrow is what ended the angel's life unless I'm mistaken. You might be blessed by the gods for all we know." He shot her a happy smile, before turning towards Enea as his expression growing grim.

"From what we just saw, I think it deserves more than to be called a legend. Legends are normally made up fables, which were probably exaggerated a hundredfold. I'd like to believe that's true for your story, but I have a feeling it isn't. If there is more of this to arrive, I need to know about it." Roland stood patiently as those that could, healed the others to the best of their ability. Once everyone was prepared to move out he spoke up again, "I know this isn't the best time, but please, accept my hospitality in following us to my Manor. There you can eat and rest as you recover from the ordeals you faced today. All I ask in return is to hear the full story of your order, and its purpose in the morning." As he spoke, Roland held out his hand to Zia. He knew she'd likely decline, but something pushed him to ask anyway. He would never admit to himself that it was out of fear.

 

Epilogue 2

The snow blew so hard it made it difficult to advance. It was always a harsh winter in northern Tertoria.Yet somehow, House Weiss endured and even prospered in it. Zia found this difficult to believe but considering who the daughter of Lord Weiss was, it made sense. This snowy land was the second most holy in all the country. Zia had to remind herself as she took a few more steps in the deep snow towards her destination. All around was barren winter landscape...

With each step the snow lessened.

With each step the air grew calmer.

With each step the warmth rose.

And with each step the world faded away.

Whiter... brighter... warmer... gentler....until Zia found herself only seeing white. The feeling of this place. It was unlike anything else. It always brought her such a piece of mind.

Her eyes closed and she sighed heavily. Before opening them to see a golden ring hovering a ways above her. It was slowly turning. A silhouette formed in the center of the ring. It grew clearer by the second.

Lady Weiss, I have returned. I have come to report to you on our results... I...

Zia! I'm so happy to see you again! Ja, Ja! Please, of course I will hear it, but no need to rush. Visiting a outside land is a first for you isn't it? Isn't it exciting? It's like a whole new adventure.

A white haired girl materialized. She wore extremely causal clothing. More akin to a village girl going on a picnic than a divine warrior. She began to descend one step at a time. Golden stairs materializing with each step. Her delicate hand reached out as a songbird flew onto her finger from nothingness.

Zia! It is quite cold out here isn't it? Inakzeptabel. You will catch a death of a cold Zia!

Upon stepping on what must have been the floor as it was even leveled with Zia. A ring of green grass and flowers appeared beneath the platinum haired girl's feet. It expanded and in a mere moment Zia and she were in a beautiful field of flowers and tall tree towering in the distance. Animals began to prance about and the sun shown brightly in the clear blue sky above.

Ah... truly a beautiful field. Your kindness knows no boundaries my Lady.

Zia was used to this at this point. In fact she expected it. Lady Weiss had always loved to use her powers to make things as pleasant as possible. The Star Maiden was far too kind hearted to tolerate watching anyone be uncomfortable for too long. Yet... she seemed extra enthusiastic today. The Star Maiden was likely excited to hear the results... although Kiri's Guardian.

Halt! I told you I am Weiss. or Dessy. Not this My Lady nonsense. We are friends and you are my chosen aren't you?

As Weiss went about setting up a actual picnic for the two. Basket, sandwiches, and all. Zia would give her report. A rare flushed look on her face that only Weiss ever could get out of her. It was difficult to change one's mental state quick enough to respond to this kind of paradise like environment after being in a near blizzard.

A angel? Oh mein, that must have been close. Ja, I did not think it would be that bad. Es tut mir leid. Here take a sandwich, what kind do you like?

As Zia selected one, Weiss continued to go over what Zia told her.

Being a Star Chosen can be hard sometimes. You did well Zia. Glückwunsch. Dissonance is getting stronger and more varied in where it attacks.That and Chaos Beasts... Times are changing. BUT!

She shouted with such enthusiasm that Zia dropped her sandwich on the blanket.

I have never felt as full of love and purity as I do recently! Tria and Ella are certainly watching and preparing to make a great stand to remove all Dissonance very soon! How else would Lord Krelian have learned the method to slay Titanius forever? Kiri's brother can always be recycled and I'm certain he will return. A soul is far too strong to permanently die! Simply believe in it hard enough and it will be truth! That is the power of a hero. Hmhm! My predecessors... This may be the generation where Ella finally returns to this world! I cannot be certain of course...

She shrugged to Zia and made a goofy smile before the fire of a hundred confident heroines seemed to burn in her amazingly reflective red eyes.

Sehr bald! ...hmmmm.

She made a thoughtful look and sat back down nibbling on what looked like a potato chip.

*Crunch* Mr.Rutledge. I think I've heard that name from somewhere. He could be a awesome hero! Or at least someone for a hero to befriend. He certainly seems interested in the story and he is a noble? Perhaps I can give him a better telling then Hylia *giggle*. Please tell me more about the others as well. I haven't ventured beyond the Naryu in a bit either. Astorea sounds interesting and fun! Maybe I'll visit someday and make even more friends and bonds!

[FIN]

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