MEMORIES OF AN OVERLORD
by Victar (vctr113062 [at] aol [dot] com)
Victar's Archive: https://www.vicfanfic.com
"I liked to lose myself in music a lot. I'd listen to songs while reading comics, or I'd play video games with the soundtrack turned up high. Music made it easier to block everything out, especially my own thoughts."
Chapter Eleven
Memories of a Musician: Nocturne
On the day that the new Priestess of Salvation summoned Kreisia's most unlikely Savior, her spell sent a great column of light into the sky. King Cedric Welkin's skywatchers immediately spotted the spectacular display. One of the skywatchers swiftly conveyed word of what had happened to an organization unaffiliated with Kreisia's elected government.
On the day after that, the bard Anemos contemplated a half-dozen teleportation beads in the palm of his hand, as he lounged outside of a traveler's stop. The rainbow-colored beads contained powerful magic that, thirty seconds after being invoked, could transport up to four companions to any settlement, shrine, traveler's stop, or summoning station. Each bead was worth a small fortune, more than many people were likely to save up in a lifetime.
Could I sell these, and use the money to vanish? the bard silently wondered. Is there any crevasse in the world where they would not find me?
An acrid thought twisted his lips into a frown.
Would it truly matter if they did find me?
Anemos stowed the beads away in his vest, readied his lute, and played a song to mollify his discontent.
No. I will not choose that path, not yet. I would regret losing the opportunity to meet Kreisia's latest Savior, and the new Priestess of Salvation. What are those two like, I wonder?
Hours passed.
What is taking them so long? I was informed that they most likely stayed within the nearby village last night. Surely they would have set out in the morning.
Could they have teleported to the Royal Capital's outskirts? That village is so small it does not currently have a Royal Mage stationed to ward away monsters, nor does it have an official name. It is difficult to believe that any person there has the wealth to afford a teleportation bead.
Would they have refrained from coming here? Why? This is the only traveler's stop between that village and the Royal Capital.
Could the Royal Guards have intercepted them? I was told that the military escort would be distracted.
Best to remain here for the present. Our operative among the skywatchers will notify me if they arrive at the Royal Capital. I will adapt to whatever circumstances arise.
The sun had nearly set when Anemos' vigilance was finally rewarded.
When the bard spotted two approaching figures, he began playing a nocturne that he had personally composed. It had been his attempt to search for beauty, to cling to the moment, to create something that could justify each day's harsh existence.
Will I ever be able to craft another song like this one?
The curious pair came closer. Anemos observed that this cycle's Priestess of Salvation was quite young, with reddish hair and fur - a moderately rare color among Lunarls. Her humble, frilly dress was much less elaborate than traditional priestess garb, and sewn from thin fabric.
As unusual as she appeared to be, this cycle's Savior was far more surprising.
He... he looks like an Altean. Almost exactly. He could easily pass for one of my people, if he so desired. In all the turns of the cycle, has there ever been a Savior who so closely resembled us?
There is a legend about the Return of Yumarac...
...no. I should not dwell on such a thought. His hair is the wrong color - or could it be dyed?
No, impossible. No one would ever use such a drab, dingy brown dye. The dreadful color must be natural.
Why is his hair uncombed, and trimmed in such an atrocious haircut? Are off-worlders truly that uncivilized?
I hope that is all his coiffure indicates, and that it is not evidence of an unsound mind on his world...
Why is he not wearing any armor? At least his clothing does have protective wards cast upon it. The same is true of the priestess. Do they both value swift movement more than physical protection, in battle? That is a prioritization I share; it is safer to evade a monster's teeth and claws whenever possible.
His off-world garb appears only a little out of the ordinary, but he has an unusual talisman hanging from a cord around his neck. Is it a cultural adornment?
That iron sword of his... is its only magic a weak enchantment to prevent dispossession?
Is its hilt tarnished?
Why does the Savior have such inferior equipment? Was he not carrying any when he was summoned? Is the Priestess of Salvation unskilled at enchanting weapons? She is young; she may not have mastered the subtle nuances of such magic.
He does not seem much older than she is, and his frame is quite thin. He cannot possibly be physically strong.
Is he even walking in a straight line? He stumbles as if lost in a fog.
When the pair reached Anemos, he smiled warmly at them. The Priestess of Salvation did not return his smile. The Savior waved one hand and flashed a broad grin.
A few of his teeth are pointed, like those of a wolf. Legends recount that the earliest generations of Alteans had similar teeth...
"Your music's amazing," the off-worlder said, cheerfully. "You're an Altean, right? Cynthia's been telling me about-"
"Yusis, we shouldn't bother him," interrupted the priestess. Now that she was close enough, Anemos spotted thin green trails in her hair.
This cycle's Priestess of Salvation has a distant Altean ancestor. Could her Altean blood have called to-?
No. I can sense no talent for magic or chants within this Savior. Even the talisman around his neck is entirely mundane. He cannot be the Return of Yumarac; I must get that idea out of my head.
"It is no bother at all," the bard affably replied. "I am indeed an Altean, and a musician. Anemos Monochrome, at your service. It is an honor and a pleasure to meet you both. You are the Priestess of Salvation and the Savior, are you not?"
"Yeah, that's us!" Yusis affirmed, a little too enthusiastically.
Did I say something amiss? This Savior's emotions are trivial to read, but the impetus behind them is not as obvious.
There is a weak Altean chant affecting his subconscious mind; the priestess is presumably responsible for that. The chant's only purpose is to grant him basic skill with a sword. There is no other effect on his cognition.
"Maybe we should press on," Cynthia suggested.
"Oh, no," Yusis refused, shaking his head. "No way, I'm beat. You promised me we could rest here, and the sun's going down. There's a place to sleep in that cabin, right?" He staggered inside the traveler's stop, almost tripping over its steps.
Why is this Savior so uncoordinated? Is it merely exhaustion? The priestess does not seem as greatly enervated as he is.
The Priestess of Salvation appraised Anemos with a wary look.
"Thank you for summoning a Savior," the bard gently told her. "The people are suffering. They cry out for him, and for you."
"I'm protected against your chants," she stated, bluntly.
Is that the attitude you are adopting toward me? Do you treat all Alteans that way, in spite of your own heritage?
Yes, I know that your feathered hair ornament is a ward against Altean chants. Apparently you cannot sense how limited it is, or how strong I am. I could control your actions if I wanted to.
The priestess continued, "Yusis can't wear a chant ward because he needs the 'Savior gift' I put on him to fight monsters. Don't you dare do anything to him. Don't you dare."
I accept your challenge.
Anemos made a gracious bow to the Priestess of Salvation. "I wish both of you pleasant dreams."
Anemos played his lute long into the night.
When the moon had risen high overhead, he leaned against the cabin's exterior, and reached with a whisper of divination magic. The spell made him lightly aware of the two travelers inside. One slumbered deeply, on a soft floor mat. The other was sitting in a chair.
Priestess, are you trying to remain awake all night long? This will not do. You need your rest.
Anemos ceased his divination and began to chant. He kept the spoken syllables extremely soft, so that his music would completely muffle their sound. His chant gradually reached through the cabin's walls.
Sleep, Priestess of Salvation. Sleep, and dream of happiness.
The difficulty of his task did not come from surpassing the resistance of Cynthia's ward. The challenge lay in using such a light touch that she would never distinguish the chant's results from being overcome with fatigue.
You are quite tired, are you not? You have made a substantial journey, over the course of a long day.
Cynthia's weariness worked to his advantage. He sensed the chant influencing her mind; she soon lost consciousness. Once she had succumbed, he doubled, then tripled the power of his chant, sealing her repose tighter. Another whisper of divination magic confirmed that she had fallen asleep while sitting in the chair.
Now, I will need even more finesse.
Anemos contemplated the 'Savior gift' that the priestess had placed on the off-worlder. It was a weak, tenuous thing that curled and wavered.
If I place a chant of my own on the Savior, then the Priestess of Salvation will sense it. However...
Anemos chanted so quietly that he almost mouthed the syllables.
...I need only perform a few minor adjustments, so subtle that even a true master could not detect any change. Not unless they knew precisely how and for what to look.
I should also improve the primary 'Savior gift' effect. After seeing this Savior's bumbling efforts to so much as walk, I suspect he needs all the assistance he can get with wielding a sword.
There. Good. You will come when I call, will you not? You will also be more inclined to trust me.
A test might be worthwhile.
Anemos used the modified chant to work a simple summon, while playing the nocturne that Kreisia's most unlikely Savior had described as "amazing".
Rise from your slumber, Savior. Step outside. Come to me.
The cabin door opened.
"Wait, what?" Yusis blearily mumbled, blinking in the darkness. "Was I dreaming about swordfighting lessons? Another dream inside of a..."
You seem as befuddled as you were earlier, if not more so. Why? You have had the opportunity to rest, and my modifications to your 'Savior gift' affect your emotions, not your intellectual capacity. You are not even compelled to answer my summon, should you choose to resist.
Yusis closed the cabin door behind himself and gazed upward at Kreisia's luminous moon. He listened to Anemos' haunting, melodic strains for long minutes.
"That really is beautiful," the off-worlder distantly murmured. "This has to be a dream. I never liked classical music before."
"It is an honor to play for you, Savior," Anemos said, with a small nod.
"I mostly listened to techno, J-pop, and video game soundtracks, back home."
What odd words you speak. "I am overjoyed that my modest work can compare to the music of another world. You are most kind, Savior."
"Could you just call me Yusis?"
"As you wish."
"Thanks. Being called 'Savior' doesn't feel right. I'm just an ordinary person. I've never 'saved' anyone." A thread of bitterness touched the off-worlder's voice and countenance.
Is your mood darkening? Perhaps I should change the subject. "Our world is very new and strange to you, is it not?"
"Yeah, you got that right. My world doesn't have magic or undead monsters, except in video games. Everything here is so strange that it can't possibly be real. It's a dream. This is literally a dream. It's the longest, weirdest dream I've ever-"
Yusis blinked his brown eyes several times. "Did I say all of that out loud?"
It would seem you do trust me. "Do you truly believe that you are dreaming?"
"Uh..." Yusis worriedly looked at Anemos. "Please don't tell Cynthia. Or anyone else."
"I promise I will keep your secret." Even my master does not need to know this, I think.
"I don't get it. This whole 'Savior' deal has to be a dream, but it keeps going on and on. Is my mind trying to tell me something?"
"I expect the truth will become clear, in time."
"Are you a dream?" A perplexed expression descended upon Yusis, as he appraised the bard. "Why are you so calm about being called out on it?"
"I would prefer to be a dream." An inner shock ran through Anemos, as he realized the words were completely honest. He suppressed his discomfiture with a congenial smile.
"You're, uh - Monochrome? I forgot your first name."
"Anemos."
"Right, sorry. Your last name's easy to remember, but I've never heard of a first name like 'Anemos'."
"I would note that the name 'Yusis' is unlike any I have encountered before."
"It's not that common on my world, either," Yusis remarked, amiably.
"If I may ask, what do the people of your world call themselves? Assuming that they use a term other than 'people', of course." You are not going to say 'Altean', or any variant thereof. You are not the Return of Yumarac.
"We call ourselves 'human'," Yusis answered.
Why do I need to keep confirming that to myself?
A light smile touched the off-worlder's face. "Hey, Anemos."
"Yes?"
"Cynthia and I are going on this quest, you know?"
"Indeed."
"Want to come with us?"
What? So soon? I did not make the inclination to trust me that strong, did I? "I am not certain the Priestess of Salvation would approve."
"Oh, don't worry about Cynthia. She's really sweet." The off-worlder's smile grew broader. He tilted his head and closed his eyes. "She'll be fine with it, I'm sure."
You appear fond of her, even though you believe that she is a dream. I should remember this. It could make you easier to manipulate.
Yusis opened his eyes and straightened his head. His expression changed to apprehensive concern. "Wait, I guess I am asking you to do something dangerous? Since there are monsters roaming the world, and stuff. Sorry, this dream is so weird that sometimes it's hard to think."
Why are you doubting yourself over danger from ordinary monsters? Is it because you are from a world where monsters do not exist?
Anemos carefully kept his puzzlement concealed. "You need not fear for my well-being in battle. May I inquire as to your combat training and expertise?"
The off-worlder seemed taken aback for a moment. Then he shrugged and said, "Uh, I don't have any. It's okay, though; Cynthia put a 'Savior chant' on me, and now I can use a sword just fine. Maybe even better than fine?"
I suspect that you are utterly incapable of recognizing what 'just fine' or 'better than fine' would be, in this context. "Kreisia can be quite dangerous. It is good that you are prepared for battle."
"Of course I am! Cynthia even put 'defensive wards' on my clothing. Do you have wards on your clothing, too? I could ask her to cast some if you don't."
Can you not tell? Not only do you lack the talent to use magic; you do not seem to possess the slightest sensitivity to its presence. "There is no need to trouble her. I have indeed invested in such precautions."
"You're not carrying any weapons that I can see. How do you fight monsters?"
"I am quite capable of defending myself with bardic magic and chants."
"Bardic magic? Cynthia mentioned something about that. Can you really force monsters to move in slow motion?"
'Slow motion'? Your off-world phrase is curious, but your meaning is clear. "Yes, to a limited degree. It is often simpler to invoke an elemental attack to vanquish monsters."
"I bet you'd make an amazing party member."
Why are you discussing this so lightheartedly? Is it because you believe that you are dreaming?
Or, could you be unaware of...
"Yusis, I must seek clarification of your request. Is it only to travel with you, and battle monsters?"
"Well, I guess we have to beat this evil Overlord, right?" The off-worlder shrugged. "Cynthia says he sends miasma and monsters to murder people, and worse. Sometimes his victims turn into more undead monsters, with trapped souls inside. It's pretty horrifying to think about, you know?"
"It is true that the Overlord Orzand causes unbearable misery."
"Cynthia's told me that there's no cure for people or animals who have turned into monsters. They can only be destroyed. Is there really no other way?"
"Monsters do not have a living body to cure. They have only a shell of dark magic, animated by miasma vapors within. Holy magic that heals injuries or cures miasma poisoning cannot affect monsters in any way, although holy magic shaped into an attack will harm them. Destroying an undead monster frees its imprisoned soul."
"I guess..."
"Most monsters are mindless, or virtually so. Undeath reduces them to madness. To be undead is to be a slave of the Overlord, compelled to spread death, terror, and suffering at his command."
"The Overlord just says 'Go kill people,' and they do it?"
"Essentially, yes. The Overlord is the master of monsters, and monster bites and claw attacks can inflict undeath, if the poisonous miasma is not treated in time. Anti-poison wards do provide some defense - the Priestess of Salvation appears to have cast a strong one upon you - but a high enough concentration of miasma will overpower such protections. Almost every living person carries anti-poison curatives out of necessity; you do as well, do you not?"
"Uh, yeah. Cynthia gave me some, just in case."
"Would you mind showing them to me?"
Yusis reached into a pocket, and produced a handful of white anti-poison beads.
"Ah, yes. The basic type," the bard evaluated. "Their magic is effective, but only if invoked swiftly. Savior, please do me the kindness of accepting some of mine. They are more likely to preserve a life, should treatment be delayed."
Anemos proffered a quantity of larger white beads from his vest. The beads had a pearly luster that glowed in the darkness.
"Uh, thank you?" Yusis mumbled, tentatively reaching out with cupped hands. Anemos dropped the luminescent beads into the off-worlder's possession.
The bard suggested, "Feel free to share these with the Priestess of Salvation, when she awakens. She will recognize the potential of their magic."
"The shop in Cynthia's village didn't have beads as big as this. Are they expensive?"
"Perhaps, but life itself is far more precious. Please do not trouble yourself any further over such concerns." I suspect you cannot afford their market price, given the pitiful quality of your sword.
"Thanks again, then." Yusis clumsily transferred the shining beads to one of the pockets in his slacks. "If we need to use these on ourselves or anyone else, we will."
"It is an honor to aid you."
"There's... more to it than that, isn't there? You're pretending like this gift is no big deal, but..."
Did you see through my veneer, if only for a moment? This will not do.
Is your perception more keen than it appears to be, Savior? Or is it only that you are sensitive to thoughts of death?
Anemos smoothly explained, "I must confess to having certain personal motivations. I lost my family to a monster attack, twenty years ago."
Dismay shadowed the off-worlder's face. "That's awful."
"They were spared the worst. I personally honored their remains with fire, to ensure the safe passage of their souls. As the only survivor, I was left in a precarious situation. Charity rescued me from starving to death." An extremely lenient definition of 'charity'.
Yusis looked at the ground, uncomfortably. "I'm sorry."
"There is no need to apologize."
"Are you sure? Why is there so much bad stuff in my dream?"
"Who can say? Rest assured that I have no cause for grievance against you, dreamer. However, I am uncertain whether I am destined to accompany your journey."
"I understand if you don't want to come," Yusis sighed, looking back up. "It's just that I'm pretty sure I need party members to see this dream through. I'm beginning to think it won't end until the Overlord is defeated."
Are you truly unaware of...
"What happens after that?"
The off-worlder's eyes drifted upward in thought. "Everybody in Kreisia lives happily ever after? Like the 'good ending' of a video game. Then I wake up back in my world, I guess?"
You do not know anything about the cycle, do you?
Why is the Priestess of Salvation keeping secrets from you? Is it because you seem utterly unprepared to accept death and worse?
To the best of my knowledge, every Savior in history was a battle-hardened veteran, who came to us ready to sacrifice their life and more. Why are you unready? Why are you so young, and inexperienced in combat?
Will anyone dare to tell you the cycle's price? We are so desperate, and so few. The current Overlord's reign of terror has extended longer than most others, and capable priestesses are scarce. No priestess has been both willing and able to summon an off-world Savior, until your summoning.
As unfeeling as my master is, his plan may be our world's only hope. The cycle will doom us to extinction, if it continues to turn.
"'Happily ever after'? That truly does sound like a dream," Anemos mused.
When morning came, the Savior and the Priestess of Salvation emerged from the traveler's stop.
Cynthia was holding some of the strong anti-poison beads Anemos had given the Savior. She studied them with extreme care, and spared the bard a furtive glance. Then she slipped the beads into a pocket of her humble, frilly dress.
Anemos smiled and played a song as the pair passed by him. Yusis waved and voiced a friendly goodbye. Cynthia kept her eyes on the road ahead.
Anemos waited until the pair were almost beyond sight. Then he shadowed them from a distance, using concealment magic to stay unnoticed. When hills or bends in the road obscured them, Anemos called upon divination magic to maintain his vigilance.
At one point, the pair scuffled with a trio of raccoon-monsters, each half as tall as a person. Anemos monitored the battle carefully.
Weak monsters such as these should not slay the Savior, if he can refrain from tripping and falling into their jaws...
I should keep a long-range battle spell ready, as a precaution.
"Chains of holy!" Cynthia's piercing cry was so loud that Anemos did not need his divination to hear it. Beautiful, shining white bonds erupted from the ground, restraining one raccoon-monster. The priestess conjured a flashing crossbow and shot blazing bolts of magic into the second raccoon-monster, while Yusis swung his tarnished iron sword to cleave the third monster in half. The off-worlder almost lost his balance, but righted himself with a stumble.
Cynthia summoned a holy barrier to defend Yusis from the lunge of the second monster. He made a flailing slash that scored a deep rent in the monster's side. Miasma plumes burst from the gash; more plumes escaped from holes where Cynthia's bolts had struck. The monster's body dissolved into black smoke.
Yusis and Cynthia quickly vanquished the immobilized raccoon-monster, before Cynthia's binding spell could wear off.
This Priestess of Salvation is skilled in both archery and battle magic. Good. Her Savior most assuredly needs the support.
"I think I'm getting better at this!" Yusis' exuberant remark sounded clearly through the bard's divination.
Cynthia's reply was softer, and the divination conveyed only part of it. "-'Savior gift'... more you use it."
"Does it give dreams of swordfighting lessons, too?"
"-never used... anyone before."
"Why not? I mean, everyone in Kreisia has to worry about monster attacks, right? Wouldn't a lot of people find skill with a sword helpful?"
"-Altean chants... most people carry wards."
"Do you have a chant ward?"
"...this is?"
"I thought that weird thing in your hair was just for decoration."
"-really just... 'weird'?"
"Uh, no. No, I did not call your hair weird. Definitely not. I'd never say nonsense like that, I promise. Your hair's very pretty, honest, I really mean that. I was only talking about the-"
"-not criticize... especially given your own-"
"You're right! You're absolutely right. Don't criticize anyone's hair, or what they wear on it. I'll remember that. I won't make that mistake again."
"-haircut... trim it yourself!?"
"We don't have to talk about this anymore, do we? I don't want to talk about this anymore."
"-accepted my razor... refuse to comb-?"
"Look, I appreciate the magic razor you conjured to help me with shaving, since we're going to meet a king and I don't want to look too bad-"
"-worse than bad... brainsick!"
"Seriously?"
"-surprised... normal person!"
"I'm surprised I can act like a normal person, too."
"-not joking!"
"I wish I were. Okay, maybe picture-perfect hair is a Kreisian thing - that does explain why nearly everyone in your village looked like they'd been to a top-tier stylist - but it's not the same for me. I'm from off-world."
"-won't even... mirror-"
"I don't need a mirror to shave. The proof is right in front of you, isn't it?"
"-why...?"
"Can we just drop all of this? Please?"
"-really think... 'weird'?"
"I... I said something dumb without thinking. I'm sorry, I do that sometimes. It's a bad habit. Your feathered thing isn't weird; it looks good on you."
"-not just..."
"Of course I'm not just saying that. It really does look good on you. You know what else looks good on you? A smile."
"-see right through you."
"See through me all you want. It's still true. You know it's true."
At the outskirts of the Royal Capital, Anemos observed several Royal Guards near an unlit funeral pyre. Cynthia approached the pyre and helped a Royal Mage set it ablaze with fire magic.
My illusions cannot keep me concealed from a trained Royal Mage for long, even at this distance. This magic-insensate Savior surely cannot see me, but I am fortunate that the Priestess of Salvation has detected nothing so far, if only because she is young and most likely self-taught.
I dare not keep following them. The risk of being discovered is too great.
There is no need to trail them any longer. The Royal Guards will ensure their safety for the rest of their journey to the Royal Capital. Perhaps I should swiftly venture ahead, and wait within the city walls.
When Kreisia's most unlikely Savior reached the Royal Capital's walled interior, Anemos was nestled within the public garden outside of the Royal Castle. The bard alternated between playing songs on his lute and sending out slight whispers of divination magic, so subtle that even a Royal Mage would not notice them. The invocations would have been incapable of relaying any information at all, if not for the modified chant within the off-worlder that served as a beacon.
Where are you now, Yusis? Ah, you are... heading this way?
It took quick thinking, silent movement, and a dash of illusionary sorcery to remain hidden from both the Savior and the Priestess of Salvation, as they searched the public garden for over an hour.
What are the two of you looking for?
Anemos stayed out of sight after the pair left. When they returned, they followed a path leading directly to the Royal Castle. A tall, shapely Varg woman in form-fitting armor accompanied them.
You must be Laminah Thor, Captain of the Royal Guards. You appear as impressive as the reputation that precedes you. I suspected you might be beautiful as well, but to set eyes upon you is truly an experience that makes life worth living-
-did you just spare a sidelong glance in my direction?
How?
You are a Varg. You have very little talent for magic. How did you detect my illusion? Am I imagining things?
As expected, the entire Royal Castle was especially well-protected against both divination magic and chants. Anemos could never have successfully used either power from outside its walls, if not for his resonant anchor to a chant within Kreisia's most unlikely Savior.
Well after nightfall, Anemos played his nocturne within the public garden. After losing himself in the music for a time, he resolved to take the next step.
I do think I would like to see you again, Yusis. Come to-
-are you already here?
"Hey," the off-worlder greeted, flashing a smile and waving his hand in a friendly manner. "That song really is something else."
I did not invoke the summon yet. Did I?
Does it take only the slightest nudge to summon you? We Alteans have some natural resistance to our own chants, but you only look like an Altean.
Yusis' smile became broader. "I was just stargazing through one of the Royal Castle's windows, wondering if I'd get to hear your music again. Maybe my dream's making it happen, because I wanted it so much."
"Your praise is quite generous." Could you be weak to Altean chants?
"Hey Anemos, can we talk? I feel like I can trust you."
Could you be exceptionally weak to Altean chants? "Of course."
"I'm getting really worried about where this dream is going." The off-worlder's smile faded away. "There's this evil Overlord that kills people and turns them into undead monsters, yeah, that's bad. Then there's this 'cycle'; the Overlord comes back every ten years! I don't want this dream to finish with 'ten years of peace', followed by more bad stuff. That's not a 'good ending' to a video game."
Yusis started to pace back and forth. Anemos noted that the off-worlder's strides were still unsteady and disjointed.
Yusis rambled, "This dream world is so pretty on the surface, but it's a horrible nightmare underneath. Almost everyone has lost someone they love to the Overlord and the monsters! You lost your family twenty years ago. Cynthia lost her birth parents in the last cycle, and she warped her own mind to make the pain go away. Laminah - she's my new party member, she's really strong - she lost her father and her mother's mind is completely broken. Even the king lost his sister, and-
"-and - it's more than side-stories, you know? I saw a funeral pyre for two victims, outside of the Royal Capital. And - okay, I didn't see any of this personally, but Cynthia told me that the monster hunting guild suffered a massacre, and Laminah told me that super-strong monsters completely slaughtered a military escort. The escort was supposed to protect Cynthia and me on the way to the Royal Capital, and - yeah, you get exactly what I'm feeling, don't you Anemos? I can tell from the look on your face."
I... I was told that the escort would be 'distracted'...
The Captain of the Royal Guards has an unparalleled reputation. It is hard to believe that monsters could slay her allies with impunity. Was she not leading the escort? Why not?
Yusis continued, "Anemos, you're the only one I've met who knows this is a dream. Why is it so bad? Am I that messed up, on the inside? Or...
"...or maybe...
"Anemos, I don't remember going to bed before this dream started. I think I'd just left my house. Did something happen to me? Am I in a coma, is that why this dream is going on for so long? Am I in a hospital, with other people who are really sick or badly hurt? Is that why there's so much death and suffering, everywhere in this dream?"
What should I say? His belief in his dream reinforces his trust in me, and I need his trust to carry out my mission.
Do I want to carry out my mission?
Did the entire escort truly have to die? How were 'super-strong monsters' sent to kill them? I must request more information when I can. I realize that our entire world is at stake, and yet-!
"You don't know either, do you?" Yusis sighed. He stopped his stagger-pacing, almost pitched forward, and barely regained his balance. "I guess that makes sense. You're my dream, so you can't know anything that I don't know. Sorry for dumping all this on you."
"There is no need to apologize," Anemos soothed, disguising his internal troubles with an outward appearance of calm. Then he peered over the off-worlder's shoulder and commented, "It would seem that your absence from the Royal Castle has been noticed."
"Huh?" Yusis turned his head. "Oh, hey, Laminah. This is Anemos Monochrome; he's a friend I made on the way to the Royal Capital. He's really good with music."
"Is that so," said the approaching warrior, with no hint of congeniality. "Yusis, my king has requested a private audience with you. Please return to the Royal Castle's throne room at once."
"Uh, okay, I guess? Just one thing first." Yusis turned to Anemos. "I'm setting out with Laminah and Cynthia tomorrow morning. We're supposed to get a holy sword-"
"You must not inform outsiders of our itinerary," Laminah interrupted. "Whether they are 'friends' or not."
"'Outsiders'? Yeah, about that." Yusis took a deep breath. "Anemos, I get that it's asking a lot from you, but would you reconsider coming with us?"
"Are you inviting this one to be your companion?" Laminah contemptuously interjected, before the bard could answer.
"Hey, what's with the attitude?" Yusis shot back.
"He is an Altean. They have the power of chants that can take control of your body and mind."
"So? Vargs like you are really strong. You could hurt anyone you wanted to; that doesn't mean you're a criminal. The same goes for Lunarls like Cynthia; her fire magic could burn down a house, but her power doesn't change who she is on the inside."
"This particular Altean's talent for chants is extraordinary. Are you certain that he has done nothing to you?"
How can you gauge my ability? You are a Varg. You are not particularly sensitive to such things, are you?
"Why are you even asking me that?" the off-worlder told Laminah, in a guarded tone. "I thought your king was all about ending prejudice."
"Yusis, there is an Altean organization known as the Ascendance Disciples. They are reputed to pledge obedience to the Overlord."
"Pledge obedience to the Overlord? Like a death cult? How dumb is that?"
"You would ask me?"
"I think it's really dumb. So dumb that very few Alteans are crazy enough to do it. Am I right?"
"Perhaps. This Altean could still be one of them."
"Laminah, quit it already." Yusis shook his head. "Here's the deal. If you're going to be in my party, then you don't treat people like dirt because of their race. I won't tolerate any bigotry; not in my world, and not here! Either you follow your king's example, or we're done with each other. You got that?"
Laminah's eyes narrowed. "I abide by the will of you and the Priestess of Salvation."
"Okay, good enough." Yusis turned back to Anemos. "So, what do you say?"
How much of that came from your own convictions, and how much came from the inclination to trust me within your modified chant?
Anemos cleared his throat. "I would respectfully request some time to consider your offer, Yusis. You do not mind?"
"Sure, that's fine."
Laminah warned, "We cannot delay our journey to await an answer."
Anemos smoothly responded, "Please do not make any changes to your plans for my sake. If I am destined to accompany your travels, then our paths will cross again."
"Uh..." Yusis looked to Laminah, then to Anemos, then touched his forehead with one hand as if he were dizzy. "Well, yeah, I figured as much. On both counts."
The off-worlder unsteadily headed toward the Royal Castle.
Once Yusis was out of sight, Anemos made a gracious bow to the warrior before him.
Now that I am an arm's length away from you - yes, I can feel it. You are very strongly warded against Altean chants. Something under your armor protects you. A soft shirt, perhaps? Something that you can comfortably wear at all times.
Most Alteans could not possibly overcome your ward. In my case, overriding it would require a sizeable amount of advance preparation.
Your armor is also enchanted with various enhancements. Is that how you are able to sense magic or chants so keenly?
Laminah appraised the bard with a cool gaze. "I was overseeing defenses in Melusine when I received word that an off-world Savior had been summoned. I rushed to the Savior's location as swiftly as I could."
"He mentioned a military escort that suffered an ill fate,"Anemos returned. "I wondered why you were not leading them."
"I should have requisitioned a teleportation bead from the Royal Treasury before I departed for Melusine."
"How were you to know that the Royal Capital would not need such a limited and valuable resource, in response to any other emergency? You should not regret your decision. Regrets are a terrible burden to carry."
"If I had reached the Savior sooner, I could have protected him from you."
"You are pledged to the Savior's service, are you not?"
"Yes."
"Perhaps you find this difficult to believe, but I truly am grateful that you will defend him." I no longer need to shadow him from a distance while I determine my next move. I can remain secure in the knowledge that you will safeguard his life.
"Whether you are an Ascendance Disciple or not, you have not pledged obedience to the Overlord. If you were beholden to Orzand, then you would have attempted to assassinate the Savior when you first encountered him. And most likely succeeded."
"Allow me to avouch that I do not personally know anyone 'dumb' or 'crazy' enough to pledge obedience to the Overlord, least of all myself."
"You fully intend to join the Savior's journey. You are feigning uncertainty, so that you do not appear too eager."
Anemos shrugged. "Would you believe that I do have certain reservations?"
"Are you truly willing to become a Lesser Seal?"
"I do not have an answer for you at this time."
"The last Altean who volunteered to become a Lesser Seal abandoned his duty at the moment of reckoning. His dereliction resulted in only six years of peace instead of ten. The Overlord slaughtered half the world's people, before the Holy Brand recovered enough strength for the summoned Savior to wield it."
"We Alteans suffered as many casualties as the Lunarls and Vargs, in those dark days. For decades afterward, we have endured ostracism and injustice. To change that, King Welkin appealed to a much stronger motive than any noble ideals of equality. He pragmatically drew upon the people's fear of the Overlord."
"My king's noble ideals are genuine. His pragmatism is in service to those ideals. His devotion to Kreisia is absolute. Do you truly believe that Vargs are loyal to him out of fear?"
"Fear certainly has no hold on you. I cannot generalize about all Vargs."
"My king is infinitely wiser than I am. He proclaims that Kreisia's three races must work together as one, if any of us are to survive, and I know it is the truth. That does not mean you can be trusted."
"I give you my word that I will decide whether becoming a Lesser Seal is my destiny before the battle against Orzand."
Did that stir a reaction she is trying to hide? Did her face tighten, ever so slightly?
The bard added, "I presume that no one else has volunteered to become the third Lesser Seal yet." No one... except possibly the king himself.
If he truly is so devoted to Kreisia, then he would be willing to sacrifice his life and more, would he not? And he very likely is that devoted. His accomplishments do speak for themselves.
I think you earnestly desire to spare him that dark fate.
Laminah evenly stated, "You must know that only a willing sacrifice can become a Lesser Seal. If you cannot make the commitment, then you should admit that now instead of delaying your refusal."
"At the very latest, I will choose when Yusis understands what the cycle requires of him."
Laminah's cool gaze transformed into a hostile, searching glare.
"He does not possess the faintest idea, does he?" Anemos remarked.
"My king has decided that Kreisia's only Savior is not ready to learn the cycle's price. Not yet. A royal order to this effect is being circulated as we speak."
"The Priestess of Salvation has also been keeping secrets from the Savior. Did she come to the same conclusion?"
"Do not concern yourself with her."
"And you?"
Laminah glowered.
"Ah, of course. You have asserted that your king is infinitely wiser than you," Anemos acknowledged. "I should not have asked something so obvious."
"Are you threatening to disobey a royal order?"
"I swear upon my honor that I will not inform Yusis prematurely."
"Altean 'honor'." Laminah spat at the bard's feet.
"You are very beautiful when you are angry. I wonder how brightly you would shine if you knew contentment?"
The edge of Laminah's halberd hovered beneath Anemos' throat, before he was aware of her making any motion. "You did something to the Savior. I do not know what. I cannot detect any chant of yours on him. You still did something."
I am in no danger. She will not risk angering the Savior by harming me. And yet...
Laminah's eyes and voice were like ice as she warned, "Interfering with the duties of the Savior is high treason. I am no longer Captain of the Royal Guards, but by law, every citizen has full authority to protect the Savior. When I obtain proof of what you have done, I will serve justice upon you."
And yet...
"I can think of no better way to die, than to be served justice by you," Anemos told her, allowing a heartfelt smile to spread across his lips.
End of Chapter Eleven: Nocturne