• Date: September 29, 1173


  
• Time: 6:25 AM


  
• Location: Guest Room


  

  The young elve, Joan, and her avian pet, Terwa, rested in a luxurious room. It had been some time since the priestesses of the Pantheon Church had taken them in. Her sudden collapse after confronting the Kaynian Lord had left her utterly drained. Yet, she wasn't the only one overcome with exhaustion. The blue avian, awoken from his slumber, stretched his wings before dusting himself as part of its routine. Looking around the room, he found his master still slumbering, gliding his way toward her bed, and he then started pecking at the elve's face to wake her up.

  ''Stop...''

  ''...Stop it.''

  Joan rolled to the other side, attempting to avoid her pet's pecking, but the bird persisted in waking up his master. Moving to her side, he began pecking at her face, this time without holding back.

  ''Ouch!''

  Terwa pecked at her cheek, successfully rousing his slumbering master. Joan's eyes snapped open as she felt the sharp sting of his peck. The blue avian celebrated her awakening with wild chirping. Waking up with pain on her cheek was the last thing she had expected to feel upon waking.

  ''Terwa! What was that for!''

  The blue avian tried to act innocent, tilting his head to the side and fluffing up his feathers as if he had done nothing wrong. His beady eyes sparkled with feigned innocence, but the mischievous chirp that followed gave him away.

  ''Don't you act so innocent! You pecked me!''

  The avian chirped sarcastically, implying that pecking her cheek was the only sensible way to wake her up. Joan narrowed her eyes at the sassy creature, her lips curling as she stared intently at the avian.

  ''Thanks, I guess.''

  Thanking her avian pet, she yawned, still groggy from being awakened by her mischievous companion. Unbeknownst to her, a meal had already been placed on the table before her bed. Of course, the young elve would notice the food through its aroma going through her nose.

  "Oh! It looks like the priestess has already placed a meal for us!"

  Joan exclaimed as she noticed their breakfast already set on the table, ready to be eaten. Hopping out of bed, she slipped on her slippers and made her way to the table, with Terwa flying closely behind her.

  ''Let's eat!''

  She then took off the glass cloche over their meal. Joan then began eating her breakfast. Meanwhile, beside her plate was a smaller plate for Terwa. The contents of the smaller platter were delicious foods for the avian. It only took a few minutes for them to finish their meal, and soon, they were both energized and ready to start their day.

  ''That was delicious- Huh? Who's knocking at the door?''

  Suddenly, a knock interrupted Joan's comment about her meal. She quickly hopped off her seat and approached the door, opening it to find two priestesses standing before her, with Terwa on her head, looking anxious.

  ''Good morning, Joan.''

  ''Good morning, Joan.''

  Offered the priestesses as they gave a light bow before her, and in return, Joan would return the gesture. However, as she welcomed the sisters, she couldn't help but feel that something had occurred behind the scenes.

  ''Good morning as well, priestesses...''

  ''...Is something wrong?''

  ''My twin sister and I are here to inform you that the Hero of Eldrant has been released.''

  Joan smiled upon hearing that her saviors had been released from the dungeons, a surge of joy filling her heart. However, it seemed the priestesses weren't finished yet. Noticing the young one's expression, the sisters continued to explain the situation to the hero.

  ''Currently, the hero is meeting with the former Queen of Elvania. He requested that, once the meeting concluded, you be brought to him-''

  ''-Now that the meeting has ended, we will guide you. However, you should change your clothes before we go.''

  Pointed the twin sisters, and Joan looked at herself. It wouldn't do well for her to meet her savior in a nightgown. No, she should change first, as advised by the priestesses before her.

  ''Right!''

  Immediately, Joan slammed the door shut in the priestesses' faces. She walked over to the closet, opening it to reveal a vast array of dresses. The options varied in design and color, but one dress immediately caught her eye—a blue dress with a ribbon tied at the waist. Without hesitation, she removed her nightgown and put on the dress she had picked. Meanwhile, Terwa watched his master change clothes, knowing the upcoming reunion with the armored being awaited them. He then flew to a pedestal with a flat bowl, bathing himself to wash off dust before the meeting with his master's savior.

  ''I'm ready! How about you, Terwa?''

  Terwa agreed with his master, standing proudly on the pedestal after his bath. He then flew and landed on his master's head. Now fully dressed, Joan opened the door and was greeted by the priestesses.

  ''Priestess, we're ready.''

  ''Very well, let us meet the hero.''

  Joan moved away from her quarters, walking through the long, quiet hallways of the church. The soft murmur of priestesses filled the air as they passed, busy with their daily rituals. As they continued through the corridors, the faint glow of stained glass windows cast colorful shadows across the stone floors. However, as the trio made their way to the meeting location, they unexpectedly encountered an individual, another priestess.

  ''Sister Celine.''

  ''Sister Celine.''

  The twin sisters stated as they bowed before their sister, and of course, the priestess, now known as Celine, bowed before them as well. Meanwhile, Joan felt uneasy watching the interaction between the sisters, as she was unfamiliar with the church's practices.

  "Sister Laetitia. Sister Nadine. It is nice to meet you...''

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  ''...And you must be Joan?''

  Joan nodded, gaining a smile from the priestess. Celine stared at the shy young one, who did her best to compose a calm expression, but, of course, she should expect this from a child.

  ''Yes.''

  ''Then I assume you are headed to meet with the hero?''

  Again, Joan nodded, and soon, nearby priestesses noticed her. It was common knowledge that the hero had already done a few heroics. Such examples were slaying the ravagers, murdering some bandits, and defending Quake Town. But it is also known that the Hero of Eldrant saved a young elve in Udel Village. Of course, Joan is unaware of her reputation all across Elvania.

  ''I see, then I will not hinder you any longer...''

  ''...May the Pantheons bless you, young Joan.''

  ''Thank you.''

  After bidding farewell to the priestess, they proceeded through the quiet hallways, sunlight filtering through arched windows. Each step brought them closer to the garden, its scent wafting faintly through the air. At last, they arrived at the lush sanctuary, where vibrant flowers and calm fountains awaited.

  ''Here we are.''

  ''Here we are.''

  The twin sisters stated as they halted before the garden's entrance. However, as eager as Joan was to meet with her savior, she noticed the sudden stop of the priestesses. Turning around, she stared at them, wondering why they weren't coming with her.

  ''Are you not coming?''

  She wondered as to why they weren't allowed to come with her to meet her savior. However, unbeknownst to her, the twin priestesses were compelled to comply with their Saintess's decision. Thus, they shouldn't pursue anything beyond their given objective.

  ''We were ordered by the Saintess to bring you here-''

  ''-We are merely doing our duties.''

  They both explained, but the young one struggled to understand why their duties prevented them from accompanying her. Eventually, she realized she had no choice, so she reluctantly accepted their explanation and allowed the priestesses to leave.

  ''Okay, thank you, priestesses!''

  Stepping into the Garden of the Pantheon Church, she was greeted by a breathtaking display of lush greenery. Vibrant flowers bloomed alongside exotic birds fluttering between artistic structures, creating a serene yet majestic atmosphere. At the center stood a gazebo, and as she approached, her eyes locked onto a familiar figure. Terwa chirped excitedly upon spotting the armored figure in the distance. Meanwhile, Joan ran toward him, her heart brimming with joy.

  ''Mister Tale!''

  The Ghost turned around, only to find Joan clinging to his titanium leg, tears streaming down her face. Nearby, Vee's shocked expression mirrored the unexpected reunion between the young one and her partner.

  ''You're- You're okay!''

  ''Yes, I am okay.''

  ''I was- was so scared! I- I thought I wouldn't see- see you again!''

  Joan stuttered as she addressed her concerns to the operative. Tears flowed down the girl's cheeks as she held dearly to her savior's armored leg. Of course, it wouldn't just be the super soldier the young one had missed. Just behind her was the A.I. partner of Tale, Vee. She couldn't help but feel a hint of joy as it observed the reunion between them. Afterward, Joan quickly composed herself, her tears gradually subsiding as she regained her calm.

  [Ahem...]

  [...Aren't you forgetting someone, Joan?]

  Turning around, she saw the blue avatar of the A.I., her heart racing as she recognized the familiar maternal figure. Kneeling to her level, Vee smiled warmly, gently addressing the stunned child.

  [It's so good to see you again!]

  ''Um, it's- it's also nice to you too, Miss Vee!''

  As the three shared the moment, Terwa quickly flew to the Ghost's head, spreading his wings to embrace him. Although taken aback by the avian's unexpected gesture of affection, he couldn't help but find it ironic, given their short history of mutual dislike.

  [Aw, it looks like Terwa. Missed you as well, Tale.]

  ''I pay no attention to it.''

  [Oh, come on! Can you be nice to him for once?]

  ''I will consider it.''

  It didn't take long for the young one to notice several elves gathered in the structure, including the Queen, the Saintess, and others she didn't recognize. Standing beside them were a woman dressed in red and a man—the same one her savior had fought earlier. Fear gripped Joan, causing her to hide behind Tale. Vee, observing her reaction, immediately appeared in front of her.

  [Joan, honey. Mister Adelard is not here to hurt us.]

  ''But- But he hurt Mister Tale, remember?''

  [Yes, I do. It was mean, and Adelard apologized for it.]

  Upon hearing this, Adelard stood and walked over to the young elve, his expression softening as he knelt to her level. Joan instantly recognized the figure who had threatened her savior and, in response, clung tightly to the operative's leg. Seeing her defensive stance, the commander sighed, realizing that gaining her trust would not be easy.

  ''It is in my deep sorrow for me to cause you unnecessary fear, Joan.''

  He exclaimed, trying to apologize to the child before him. This was all a result of him mistaking the hero for an invader. Thus, it should be his duty to mend the aftereffects of his past actions. Starting with the young one.

  ''Will you hurt Mister Tale again?''

  ''The hero and I have already said our apologies to one another. I will ensure that I will not make the same mistake again. I can assure you.''

  The Champion of Elvania made a promise. While Joan didn't trust him yet, she knew he had time to earn it. Thus, she decided to give him a second chance to prove himself.

  ''Okay. But if you break your promise, I won't forgive you!''

  She responded, her voice laced with uncertainty yet determination. The A.I., observing the exchange from the background, couldn't help but chuckle softly, her eyes gleaming with amusement. She found it endearing how Joan was trying to find her way through this uneasy situation, reminding her of a time when she first met Tale on Luna.

  [Alright, simmer down, sunshine. Adelard gets it...]

  [...Also, I would like to introduce you to a new friend.]

  ''New friend?''

  [Yes, her name is Sarroth, and she will join me and Tale in hunting down the invader.]

  Sarroth stood beside Vee after making her introduction. Joan's eyes gleamed with wonder; she was in the presence of an actual spirit, something she had always longed to experience. Now, seeing the ghostly being up close, she was overwhelmed with awe and excitement.

  {Hello, little one. My name is Sarroth, and I am a servant of Tale.}

  ''Hi, you're sparkly!''

  {Yes, yes I am.}

  ''Is it true that you're helping Mister Tale find the invader?''

  {That is true. I have made a promise to the hero, and now, he is my master.}

  Joan gazed at the spirit with a smile of awe, her mind filled with hope. The thought that the spirit might aid in fighting the lone invader gave her a sense of relief—perhaps this would mean Tale would face less danger, and the weight of any battle wouldn't fall so heavily on him.

  [Ahem. Now that the meeting is concluded. I think it's time to retrieve Tale's armaments, don't you think, Your Majesty?]

  Addressing the Queen, Her Majesty Gabriella. Vee quickly got her attention as she stood up from her seat. If they were to hunt the Kaynian Lord, the Ghost Operative's armament must be returned to him. If they were to succeed.

  ''Of course, Lady Vee...''

  ''...Adelard will guide you toward the armory.''

  Adelard nodded in agreement. If he and the hero were to face the invader again, the Hero of Eldrant would need to carry his iron-barreled sword, as it was the only weapon strong enough to damage the invader's magic shield.

  ''I shall guide you to the armory and retrieve your weapon, hero.''

  Hearing the champion, Tale nodded in appreciation. Without his weapon, he felt vulnerable and uneasy, constantly on edge. He would gladly welcome the return of his trusty MK12 Battle Machine Rifle, knowing it would bring him the reassurance he needed.

  ''As ordered by Her Majesty, I am needed in Fae to prepare Elvania's military...''

  ''...After you retrieve your weapon, hero. Meet me on Fae. So that we can plan our next move against the invader.''

  The marshal stood up from her seat, the Saintess rising alongside her. Both had preparations to make to face their enemy—the lone invader.

  ''Much like the marshal, I must prepare my subordinates to search for the invader. Good luck, hero.''

  TALE: Hero of Eldrant

  After the meeting, the hero and his companions, Joan and Adelard, headed to the armory to retrieve his main armament, following a route toward Ivershine's premier smithy within Her Majesty's Castle. Individuals responsible for guarding the Queen's Castle were often found there, from the esteemed riders to the humble rangers.

  ''Miss Vee, what's an armory?''

  [Well, it's a place. Where armor and weapons are stored or created...]

  [...For example. Adelard could store his armor in the armory for safekeeping. Another example would be if you want a weapon. You would go there to get one.]

  Vee explained the situation to Joan, who began to understand the concept. They made their way through hallways and corridors, eventually arriving at a sturdy-looking door. The champion paused before the door and knocked using the door knocker.

  ''Here we are, just a little further before we retrieve your weapon, hero.''

  Adelard spoke as they waited for the door to open. When it finally did, Tale and his companions were greeted by a burly blacksmith wielding a heavy hammer suited for his craft. Inside, the sound of bustling clients and blacksmiths echoed throughout the armory.

  ''Champion!''

  The unnamed elve exclaimed as he embraced Adelard, who reciprocated the gesture. Meanwhile, Joan and Terwa looked on in confusion, unsure of what was happening.

  ''Good to see you, old man.''

  ''Bah! Me old? Your eyes must be deceiving you!''

  The senior elve bellowed in surprise. After calming himself, the blacksmith's gaze fell upon Tale, and his eyes widened in astonishment at the sight of the Ghost's power armor. He studied its intricate design, recognizing the immense craftsmanship needed to forge such a formidable suit.

  ''By the Pantheons! Who crafted this beauty here!''

  The blacksmith moved past Vee and Sarroth, carefully inspecting every inch of detail on Tale's power armor. The design was unlike anything he had ever seen, and his eyes traced the unfamiliar armor with a mix of curiosity and admiration.

  ''Ahem! Favreau. That's the hero you're inspecting.''

  ''What...''

  ''...This guy is the hero!''

  Hearing the revelation, Favreau dropped to his knees in reverence. Tale, however, felt a surge of irritation—he had grown weary of being treated like a prophesied hero. The blacksmith, meanwhile, broke into a cold sweat, fearing he had inadvertently shown disrespect to the savior of his race.

  ''There is no need for you to kneel.''

  Tale answered with a firm tone, and the blacksmith complied without hesitation, quickly moving to fulfill the request. Standing up, Favreau, the blacksmith, faced the Hero of Eldrant in all his glory.

  ''My sincere apologies, hero.''

  ''No need...''

  ''...I am here to retrieve my weapon.''

  ''Retrieve a weapon, you say. Is it the iron-barreled sword I've been hearing about?''

  ''Affirmative.''

  ''Then what are we waiting for? Come in!''

  Stepping into the smithy. Tale's eyes were met with the gleam of meticulously crafted armor and weapons lining the walls. The bustling activity of rangers, riders, and blacksmiths halted as they saw him. Without a word, they all knelt in unison, their reverence palpable in the air. Meanwhile, the Ghost and his companions moved past the kneeling elves without a second glance, their focus fixed ahead. Ignoring the reverence surrounding them, they made their way toward a secure chamber that housed the iron-barreled sword.

  ''Here we are!''

  Tale's gaze fell on the table where his rifle and drum magazines lay neatly arranged. He stepped forward, picked up the drum magazines, and secured them in the pouches on his stomach. Then, he retrieved the rifle from the table and inspected it with his H.U.D. to ensure it was in proper condition.

  'Good, it's not broken.'

  Turning around, the super soldier faced his companions. Now fully reunited with his primary weapon, he immediately placed it on his back, the magnetic attachment on his right shoulder connected with the MK12 Battle Machine Rifle.

  ''Weapon retrieved.''

  To Be Continued.