《Chains of the Past (A Fire Emblem Heroes Fanfiction)》 Chapter 1: Shattered Devotion The rain poured relentlessly, drops splashing against stone and tile, mingling with the thunder that roared in the distance. Footsteps echoed through the desolate halls, a haunting rhythm against the silence of death. The air carried the faint metallic tang of blood, mingled with the acrid scent of betrayal. Inside the Askran Castle hallways, Kaori paused, her breath unsteady, hands trembling, as her gold-and-white nightdress was stained with the metallic blood. Her sorrowful blue eyes gazed down at the lifeless body of Takumi, the Prince of Hoshido and famed archer from the World of Fates. "I''m so sorry..." she whispered, her voice cracking as she turned away, the sound swallowed by the distant rumble of thunder. Her head hung down low as she strolled across the hallways, strands of her long, sand-beige hair hanging down to cover her gloomy mood. "Clear as much evidence as possible and dispose of the final Hero at once." Her head remained hung down low as she commanded the soldiers, not willing to make any eye contact with them. "Yes, Miss Kaori." they responded, carrying the Prince''s lifeless body as they exited. Kaori felt regret for her actions. ''For the love of my life... For my saviour... This is all for you...'' she sent her thought message to her devotion whilst walking away from the gruesome scene. Her hands trembled from the aftermath of her commitment. She walked to the throne room, her steps heavy as the weight of her actions pressed on her chest. The doors creaked open, revealing him who clads in black. Lazarus sat upon the ornate throne, his dark brown eyes piercing as they locked onto her colour-changing ones as he twirled round a strand of his long, curly brown hair. "Well? Any news, Kaori?" he demanded, his voice sharp and commanding. Kaori hesitated and gulped, her gaze drifting to the lifeless Askran Hero near the door before meeting Lazarus''s expectant glare. "...Everyone is dead," she finally said, her voice trembling. "I just... I just managed to kill Prince Takumi of Hoshido." For a moment, there was only silence. Then Lazarus laughed, his voice booming through the chamber as he threw his head back. "Ahahahahahaha! FINALLY!" he roared, rising from his seat. "ALL OF THE KINGDOMS... are ours to rule FOREVER!" His dark brown eyes gleamed with unrestrained triumph. "I, Lazarus, and you, my dear Kaori... WE will become deities together." He extended his hand, its slight tan stark against the dim light of the chamber. Kaori''s lips curved into a faint, weary smile, relief flooding her as the weight of their shared goal seemed to lift. "I promise you," Lazarus kisses Kaori''s cheek, his warm embrace around her body, "our lives will be changed forever..."
And that was five years ago. Despite being human, Kaori still awaited Lazarus to make her his deity, but she understands how busy he is, conversing with the Gods and the stars about their future. She was fully devoted to him. She''d go out of her own way just to protect Lazarus, regardless of what she hears from other citizens and nobles. But sadly she remained his fianc¨¦e, and nothing more.
Four years ago, life in the Askran Castle was quiet¡ªToo quiet. Despite that it was a year ago, Kaori''s still shaken by the memories of her gravest sins she had committed, just for Lazarus, her love and devotion. She then hears other demigods who are allies with Lazarus chatting amongst themselves, and overhears them talking about her. She takes a deep breath, knowing that she has to get used to it, as long as they do not talk about Lazarus in a negative light. "I heard that Lord Lazarus'' partner is trying to claim control of the palace." One spoke in a murmur. Kaori clenches her hand, her eyes closed to remain her composure. "A mere mortal? Her? HA! It''s absurd to think she''d even try!" Another laughed. "Her very presence taints the balance of Midgard." The third admitted with a sick smile. ''Just... stay calm, Kao...'' The former Summoner breathed in and out so many times to keep her composure. ''No matter what they think, my loyalty to Lazarus will never falter.'' "Did you hear?" the fourth whispered, "I have heard that Lazarus is the lowest ranking among the Gods. To think that he plans to marry that commoner fianc¨¦e of his just so that she can boost up her rankings. What he is doing is clearly unjust. He made a terrible decision in doing this." SPLAAAASH. The fourth demigoddess froze, drenched in tea, her once-white hair now a dull, tea-stained brown. Kaori''s crimson eyes burned as her trembling hand gripped the empty cup tightly. "DO NOT... SPEAK OF LAZARUS LIKE THAT AGAIN...!" She growled, her tone seething with rage. Support the author by searching for the original publication of this novel. "WHAT''S GOING ON?!" A masculine voice came. Kaori''s eyes reverted to a joyful yellow the moment she recognized his voice. "Lazarus!" However, the long, dark-brown haired God''s expression turned to one of shock and surprise. "Oh no! Lady Liesa!" He hurried over to the Demigoddess who was drenched with Kaori''s tea. The former summoner''s expression fell to surprise at how her beloved had supported the Demigoddess instead of his fianc¨¦e. "Are you alright?! You''re drenched from head-to-toe!" He then offered his hand up to the Demigoddess, "Please, allow me to help you." The Demigoddess Liesa sighed. "I see that you are very well educated in your manners, Lord Lazarus! If only I could say the same thing to your fianc¨¦e!" Liesa stood up, and sighed in annoyance again. Whilst the other Demigoddesses scurried around Liesa, Lazarus smiles, but instantly turns his gaze to Kaori with a disapproving glare. "You have absolutely NO RIGHT to treat a demi-deity like this!" He yanked her arm towards him, his tone seething with anger and disgust of Kaori''s behaviour. "Can you not see that I need to earn their support to being a God?!" "Compared to your reckless defiance, Lady Liesa''s divine grace and her favor among the celestial council are far more valuable to my ascension." Kaori''s terrified violet eyes appeared as she is continued to be scolded by her fianc¨¦, his dark-brown eyes glaring. "How can you expect to ascend as my consort when you give in to such mortal trivialities? You must embody the wisdom and poise of a goddess, someone worthy of standing by my side as I rise to godhood. Only then will I consider you fit to claim the title of my bride." "You will never understand what it takes to ascend to godhood, Kaori. Just do as I say and do not think about embarrassing me again." He then walked away from the scene, leaving Kaori stunned.
And that''s all Kaori has ever stroved to do after the four-year-old incident. She waited... And waited... And waited... But sadly, she still remained to be Lazarus''s fianc¨¦e and nothing more.
One evening, Kaori was in Lazarus'' room, sitting on the reading space, looking through word-to-word on a storybook, when Lazarus himself walks into his bedroom, his messy, long dark-brown hair slightly covering his eyes. The two finally conversed about their future together, but then he spoke up. "I have some news to share." He began, "To rule alongside me as a deity... I am going to be marrying your best friend, Destiny." The book dropped to the floor, the pages all folded and messy from the impact. "What... did you just say?" Kaori whispered in shock, her transformed orange eyes showing. She instantly stands up and retaliates, "Destiny was already married to Takumi - the Prince of Hoshido. She''s a Goddess herself, and has already made her husband to be a God. I thought... I thought that Gods are not allowed to marry a widow who already lost her innocence!" Lazarus folds his arms as he stares nonchalantly at the sand-beige haired girl. "Fortunately for her, Lady Destiny is able to seek another husband since her marriage was short-lived and she has never lost her innocence." He explained, "Unless you want her to be trapped in the eternal fiery pits of Hell?" Kaori refused to believe the news she was hearing. "But that isn''t true! Destiny has already bore and miscarried Prince Takumi''s child!" Lazarus grits his teeth in anger and... SLAP. Kaori''s face turned sideways, her orange eyes widened in shock at his harsh contact on her now reddened left cheek. "YOU''RE SUCH A JEALOUS LADY!!" he bellowed, "You would truly seek to tarnish another deity''s good name?!" SLAP. Again, her face turns to the opposite direction, and now her right cheek has turned red from the slap, causing her to fall to the ground with widened eyes. "GET OUT OF MY SIGHT!! I won''t accept any more hideous accusations!!" Lazarus''s voice echoed in the bedroom. "Lazarus..." Kaori''s voice begins to break, her hands trembling at this revealed betrayal. She clings onto his torso, panic and desperation consumed her emotions. "Please, listen to me! You told me that you loved me!" Tears begin to fall down from her face. "You said that you''ll take me as your deity... AND THAT WE WILL BE TOGETHER FOREVER FOR ALL ETERNITY!!" "Was everything... a lie?" Kaori''s orange eyes transformed into blue and begins to cry, which, as his response, he sighs in annoyance. "You''re certainly not fit enough to become a Goddess, Kaori. And you''re just another commoner who uses her selfish desires to get whatever she wants. You''re certainly nothing in comparison to the great Lady Destiny." Kaori couldn''t stop sobbing. Everything... was a blatant lie. "Could it be... That... Behind Prince Takumi''s back and before his demise, you were secretly with Destiny?" She asked. The dark-brown haired God smirked evilly. "Well... Lady Destiny was my very own destiny from the very beginning! And, I, the strongest God deserves the most beautiful and natural Goddess, am I correct?" Lazarus laughed, "And yet... The Gods and Destiny''s adopted family paired me up with you, a filthy commoner human being who has no power and only is capable of summoning Heroes and play with them like toy soldiers and that''s it. Could you even comprehend the humiliation I felt on that day?!" He grits his teeth. Kaori''s body slumped to the ground in defeat. "You... You mean to tell me... that I was never your destined?" She shakily asks, her tears falling and splashing on the marble bedroom tiles. He sighed, his expression cold. "You are nothing, Kaori. You are nothing but a mortal clinging to delusions of grandeur. Lady Destiny was my true destiny all along." Her tears wouldn''t stop falling down from her sorrowful blue eyes. Kaori sniffles and tilts her head up, confronting him. "I GAVE UP MY LIFE FOR YOUR SAKE!" She roared, "I betrayed the Order of Heroes, abandoned my reputation and duty, and even gave away my life to help YOUR cause! I EVEN THROW MY POSITION AWAY AS SUMMONER, JUST FOR YOUR SAKE!!" Silence fills the room. Glares between the human and the God are the only tension being created in the room. Lazarus swiftly couldn''t bat an eye on Kaori any longer, and turns his head away from her in disgust. "GUARDS!" Lazarus''s voice rang out, summoning two soldiers into the room. "Take her to the Northern Tower. A demon from the pits of Hell has possessed her body, and that she is no longer welcome here." He fixes his clothes, first by patting it away. Kaori struggled as they dragged her away, her voice raw with fury and heartbreak. "LAZARUUUUS!" she screamed, his name echoing through the halls as the rain poured heavily outside, alongside the claps of thunder. Chapter 2: Deceived by the Divinity The Askran markets is filled with citizens and variety of stalls. From creating sweet treats to crafting pinwheels, and from baking freshly-made goods to performing magic... It was very packed. Children bursts out laughing as they ran towards and past Kaori, who is devotedly holding the God Lazarus'' arm. A tender smile plastered across his face when he noticed a young girl handing out a sky-blue gladiolus to the sand-beige. She crouched down to the little girl''s height and her quite-pale hands accepted it as she graciously takes it. "Thank you!" She smiled, causing the little girl to giggle and run off. As they walked into the gardens of Askr, Lazarus separates his arm away from Kaori. "Kaori, my dear Goddess-to-be..." He found a white lily and hands it over to her, "This is for you." "A... Lily?" She asked, and he chuckled and shakes his head in response. "Not just a lily. This is a daylily. They really do remind me of you, you know. They''re subservient, and obedient... Just like you." Lazarus gave her a gentle smile, making Kaori smile too. "Lazarus... You¡¯re too kind." she complimented.
Kaori''s almost-lifeless yellow tired eyes fluttered as she groggily sits herself up from the cold-hard brown stoned floor. Her nightdress became rags, and her long, sand-beige hair is messy. "I was dreaming..." She murmured to herself. The Northern Tower. That''s where Lazarus sent her. What''s even heartbreaking is that today was supposed to be the deification. Her deification, where Lazarus was meant to deificating her to become a Goddess - to rule alongside him. But that is never going to happen. What''s even more heartbreaking is the fact that Kaori can hear the musicians performing the music she had composed and chose, and citizens of different kingdoms are invited to witness and celebrate the ceremony. She did it all for Lazarus. No one. Just. Lazarus. "A daylily may brighten the open fields with its fleeting beauty," a young, soft feminine voice came, and Kaori tilts her head up, her shocking orange eyes widened, "but it will never be as revered as the azalea that flourishes under careful tending." The figure turns herself to face her. Destiny, the Goddess of Destiny, stands before her. Her long, lustrous lilac hair cascades in soft waves, delicate plaits woven with fine mesh to hold shimmering pearls, sparkles, and pale pink azaleas. A faint, gossamer bridal veil trails lightly behind her, framing her pristine white wedding dress. The lace sleeves cling elegantly to her arms, while the gentle dip of the neckline offers just a glimpse of her d¨¦colletage. Her serene pink eyes, soft and sweet, gaze down at Kaori''s fiery red ones¡ªa stark contrast to the fury trembling within her. "Des...tiny...?" Kaori uttered in shock. "Ah. I see that you''re finally awake." She turned her head around to face the former Summoner from the window. Kaori couldn''t believe it. The Goddess of Destiny to giggle and smile sweetly at the former, making the former Summoner clench her teeth in anger. "Wh-What are you doing here?!" Kaori spoke, her voice shaky, and Destiny continues to beam a sweet smile at the former, "What have you done with Lazarus?!" "Kaori." Destiny spoke and frowned, "I think you should be the one to explain your actions towards my husband." The sand-beige turned her head away from her best friend, not wanting her to see her guilt. "I... I have no words for what I did to your husband, Prince Takumi¡ª" she shakily explains. "Takumi?" The lilac-haired tilts her head in confusion and sneered cynically, "Wow... You really are as pea-brained as ever. I was referring to Lazarus, you clueless girl..." Kaori is left stunned. "What...?" "Don''t you understand?" Destiny opened her arms out and begins to explain, "Lord Lazarus belongs with the most powerful and revered lady of the land. Who eles would be more fitting to stand beside him than me?" She slowly walked towards Kaori''s sitting position, her white heels clacking against the stone-cold floors. "In fact, it is simply abhorrent that you of all people would seek to seize my rightful place as an all-powerful deity. If you have any common sense, you would have broken your engagement a long time ago. Now. Because of you, my name has been dragged through the mud. Everyone sees me as nothing but a widow, who has lost her innocence and had a miscarriage. So, allow me to ask you this: What is your plan to undo this mistake?" Destiny tilts her head once again. Kaori clenches her teeth again, her fists closing. "Is that what made you furious?! What about your husband, Prince Takumi?! He treated you with love and kindness from the bottom of his heart, and from the very beginning!" Kaori countered, making the Goddess of Destiny to shrug. "Isn''t that how all men in general treat me?" she asked, her voice dripping with feigned innocence. "Should I then return the affection of every man who claims to love me? Shall I become a woman who gives her heart and devotion to anyone who desires it?" She laughs wickedly, her pink eyes glowing maliciously. Kaori couldn''t stop her hands from trembling so much from the news. "Then... Do you even love Lazarus?" she questioned, "And if so, then why did you initially refuse his engagement proposal? In fact, you were the one who encouraged me to spend time with him and¡ª" "Enough of your foolish question," Destiny interrupts, her tone icy. "Lazarus was never more than a pretender¡ªhe may be the God of Aspirations, but in truth, he''s merely a God of empty promises and words, crafting illusions of devotion to the needy while concealing his hunger for power. And now, look where he stands. Everything has changed. After today''s deification ceremony, Lazarus will no longer be the God of the lowly. He will rule over all kingdoms, and as his wife, I shall reign at his side as his rightful Goddess." This story has been taken without authorization. Report any sightings. "I must admit, though..." the lilac-haired girl sighed, "It is a shame that Takumi had to die... But since he couldn''t make me the most powerful Goddess in all the land, his failure has justified his death perfectly..." "Are you serious... Him¡ªa mortal, who you made him into a God to rule alongside you... You tossed him aside?!" Kaori yelled. "Didn''t you hear me?" Destiny placed her hands on her knees to meet Kaori''s floored level, "I wish to be the highest Goddess of all kingdoms. And as such, Lazarus has observed everything in me to make me his Goddess." She stood up and looks outside, where the fresh, bright air meets her beautiful facial appearance. "He has earned the right to have me as his Goddess, and paid the price to meet my worth." Kaori shakes her head in disbelief. She refused to believe every word of it. "Lazarus... Meant... everything to me... He was more precious to me than my own life!" she expressed her frustration, her right hand clenching to her where her heart is, "But you... You don''t even love Lazarus! And all you are obsessed with is status, power and popularity... AND FOR THAT, YOU DRIVE A WEDGE BETWEEN ME AND LAZARUS?!" Destiny smiled wickedly at Kaori, "Is that what you really think?" Silence. "AH-HAHAHAHA!" Destiny bursts out laughing, covering her mouth with one of her hands whilst glancing sickly-sweetly at Kaori, "You are definitely not wrong. All of those may be all I want, but to tell you the truth¡ªit was Lazarus, who approached and begged me to be his, and informed me that I have never left his heart at all. Whilst the times he held you in his arms, he actually thought of me." "..." Kaori is left stunned, her shocked orange eyes returning to be widened. "Actually, he did tell me all about you. Lazarus mentioned that your height reminded him of someone still too young for such responsibilities, and he said your hair color was... unremarkable. He compared your appearance to something rough, like a cow''s, while praising my figure for being more refined. He says I''m delicate and that he wants to protect me, and he adores my lilac hair with the soft, pale pink azaleas, as it reminds him of how he sees me: as a princess and a true Goddess in his eyes." Destiny explained, "My poor, misled best-friend... Has anyone ever wanted you so desperately?" Kaori is left shaken. All the memories of when Lazarus confronted her for shaming him and embarrassing him, they all flooded back to her mind. He really did led her on to being involved in this mess... Her trembling body stood up, ready to confront to Destiny once again, but the lilacette sighs and turns to Kaori, holding her cheek. "You may dedicate your life to a man and sacrifice everything for him, but chances are, you won''t be receiving anything in return. I''ll offer you this advice, though: men can be ungrateful and unreliable, and they don''t always deserve your trust. For women like us, our path is to make ourselves strong and valuable, so that we can give our devotion to something or someone truly deserving." The sand-beige haired summoner slumped to the grounds in disbelief. "No... Lazarus wouldn''t do that to me..." Tears begin to prick in her turned blue eyes. "Awk, Kaori, dear. Your precious Lazarus is currently into me at the moment, but, in time..." Destiny stares outside, "He will surely get bored of me, and will begin to recall the fond moments of you and him, especially your five years of endless loyal devotion. I''m afraid that I am not one to leave loose ends, dear friend. So I''d like you..." She turns her whole body around and gleefully smiles, "to make it painless for my own experience, please." Before Kaori could speak, she felt something impaling her from the back of her heart. ¡äA... sword...?¡ä she thought when her eyes darted down to a blade piercing her heart, then turned to a cloaked soldier who held the sword. "She is my bestest friend ever." Destiny spoke with a smile and walked away from the cold, dreaded Northern Tower, leaving her once closest friend to her death.
"Why..." Kaori uttered weakly as blood begins to leak out from her wounded body. "This is injustice... Why... was my sacrifice wasted? Why... was it all for nothing? Where did it... all go wrong?" Tears begin to form and fall from her blue eyes that''s about to go lifeless... "I wish... to go back... in time... and... fix... everything..." She breathed her last, her voice unable to utter a word anymore. "The Code of Retribution. You will atone for your wrongful punishments, and receive your just rewards for your virtuous actions." That''s the sort of life I wanted... That''s how it should be laid out. So why is it.. that I have sacrificed everything, and gained nothing in return? "Do you think you have the ability?" The ability... to... what? "Do you think you have the ability to follow the Code of Retribution?" I have... Of course, I have the ability to do so... "As you wish..."
Kaori''s eyes widened as she jolted up from her bed. Everything looked so modern... "I''m... I''m in the modern world...?" She observes the room she is in - a bunkbed where she is lying on the top bunk, a glass working desk with a gaming chair and laptop underneath her bunkbed, white wardrobe with drawers and a mirror, shelves containing her figurines and books... She looks at her slightly tanned hands. "My hands look pretty small." Noticing the mirror, she gets down from the bunkbed¡¯s ladder and looks at herself in the mirror. "Is that...!" There she was. Kaori Amitola. A young girl who is only 16 years of age, and has slightly longer sand-beige hair. Her eyes are brown. "My younger self..." She lifts her hands up and observes them once more. "I''ve gone back in time..." She ponders out loud. Then, a vibration buzzed on her desk. "Hm? My phone...?" She turns to the noise and approaches it, lifting it up. The screen on her phone turns white. So white, that it blinds her eyes.
"Oooh! You''re here? Then the ritual actually worked?" A feminine voice spoke, then clears her throat by clenching one of her fists and gently side-punches her chest. "Ahem... Oh Great Hero from another world! Thou hast come so far to fulfill your role in our legend! For our kingdom now stands on the very brink of ruin, and thou..." Kaori blankly stares at the red-headed ponytail girl. It was Anna. The red-headed Commander of the Order of Heroes. Kaori definitely remembers her. But it seemed that Anna certainly does not remember her. "Um..." Kaori uttered awkwardly. Anna frowns as she closely observes her. Kaori now dons a white cloak with gold accent decorations on each edge of her coat, with a blue shirt, white skirt and black and red boots. However, her right arm looks different. It is now a rusty-turquoise with brown rings to indicate that they are her bone joints. "Hold on. Are you really our Great Hero? You don''t look like the thee-and-thou type." Anna frowns. "I... I''m not, really...?" Kaori scratches the back of her sand-beige head awkwardly, "In fact..." She has to play along to avoid suspicion. Anna is already suspicious of her origins... "W-Where am I exactly?" "What''s that? You want to know where you are? And how you got here?" The Commander repeated her questions, "Fair enough. You''re in¡ª" Chapter 3: A Second Chance, A Familiar Face "FOUND YOU!" A soldier yelled as he spotted Anna. Kaori instantly turns her head to notice the man''s voice¡ªit was the Emblian axe fighter, and she definitely remembers him as well. "Drat! How did one of those Emblians get here already?" Anna grits her teeth and clenches her N¨®at¨²n axe, whilst stretching the other arm to protect Kaori, "Stand back! I¡¯ll take care of him somehow!" Somehow they ran to outside the Temples of Askr, but the axe fighter continued to pursue them. Both Kaori and the Commander stopped in their tracks, knowing that they can''t go on without a fight. "Now, let''s move!" Anna instructed and rushed forward, which the Emblian axe fighter did the same. Both clashed their axes at the same time, but the red-headed commander managed to sneak a secret swing at him, causing him to be defeated. Anna then turned to Kaori with a relieved smile. "Whew!" She sighed, "We took care of him. My name''s Anna. I¡¯m the commander of the Order of Heroes." Anna introduced herself and offered Kaori a handshake. "I''m Kaori. Pleasure to meet you." Playing it oblivious, Kaori smiled and returned the Order of Heroes'' Commander''s handshake. "We believe that Heroes should live free. Our enemies, however, enslave them¡ªthe fiends. This realm has gateways to the worlds where Heroes come from." Anna explained, "Have you heard of the World of Awakening?" "Well, a bit of¡ª" "How about the World of Birthright?" "I definitely have, but¡ª" "Or the World of Conquest?" "Same goes¡ª" "There are so many more!" the Commander beamed a smile, but then a serious frown formed on her face, "The Emblian Empire invades those worlds and binds their Heroes to service. We fight for their freedom!" A sigh escaped her lips, "That soldier was from the Emblian Empire, which will soon invade our neighboring kingdom Askr. I was desperate for help. I performed a summoning ceremony. And you just appeared out of nowhere." "Really?" Kaori tilts her head in confusion. She definitely remembers all of this... "Lucky us! But there''s no time to rest. We have to act fast if we¡¯re going to save our kingdom!"
After walking away from the first battle, Anna held a gun-like weapon¡ªBreidablik. "First things first." Anna hands the new summoner Kaori Breidablik, "I summoned you here with the divine Breidablik. That''s the name of this relic I''ve brought." Kaori carefully observes the relic. It still looked and remain the same from her past life... "It fires something out of it, according to legend, but Breidablik doesn''t look like any bow I''ve ever seen. The legend also calls it ''the true key,'' which, if raised high, will summon the Great Hero who can fire it." the Commander explains, "That''¡¯s what I did. And now you¡¯re here. So it''s all yours now." "Thank you." the sand-beige haired summoner smiled, causing Anna to beam a smile back. "Hopefully you can figure out how to¡ª" "THERE SHE IS! GET HER!" The opponent axe fighter yelled after spotting the two. Kaori throws her head back in annoyance. "Seriously? The same guy?!" She groaned in annoyance. "Drat. More of those Emblian soldiers." The red-haired grits her teeth. "I can''t defeat them all by myself, and you''re not equipped to help me." Remembering how Kaori had summoned a hero back in her previous life, she quickly configures Breidablik, whilst Anna steps back to protect her. "You run while I hold them off. Take Breidablik and get out of here, Kaori!" WHOOSH! "What''s that?! That bright light, coming from..." Anna spoke, stunned at what had just happened. Kaori''s eyes widened in horror... "Need me?" A masculine voice came, "All right. I''ll help." Armed with the wind bow¡ªthe Fujin Yumi¡ªa man with long, ash-blonde hair and wearing a Hoshidan archer''s outfit that has cornflower blue and white with red decorations on it, appeared before both Kaori and Anna. "I''m Takumi, a prince of Hoshido and wielder of the divine Fujin Yumi. Which makes me pretty useful, I''d say." Takumi. The last Hero she had killed in her previous life... "How''d you do that?" Anna asked in awe and relief, "You summoned a Hero, Kaori! You just picked up Breidablik, and you''re already able to use it!" ''More like I used a cheater''s edge here...'' Kaori thought, hiding her sheepish smile. "But there''s no time to chat now. This Takumi and I need to get to fighting." Both Anna and Takumi readied their weapons against the Emblian axe fighter, who brought along a bow fighter. Takumi readies a green wind arrow on his Fujin Yumi, raised it to eye-level and shoots at the axe fighter, giving the latter some damage, then Anna finished him off. The bow fighter, avenging his fallen comrade, retaliated by shooting his bow at Anna. "I''ll finish them off! It¡¯s time to attack!" She shouted to inform Kaori, and swung N¨®at¨²n a few times before the bow fighter is defeated as well. "We won! And it''s all thanks to you, Kaori." Anna beamed a smile, walking towards the sand-beige haired summoner. Takumi gave her a small smile. Kaori tries to smile, but the memories of her past life of how she had ended the two made her feel guilty. She shakes her head to get rid of these thoughts and smiled at the two. "I just... didn''t know what I could do to help, so..." She stammered awkwardly. "Why, none of us in the Order of Heroes can actually summon these Heroes." Anna shrugged, then laughed, "Ha! I never doubted for a second that you were the Great Hero. You''re the one who will save our kingdom. Our order is small, Summoner, but welcome to our ranks. That goes the same for you too, Prince Takumi." She turned to the Hoshidan archer which he nodded in response. The red-head turned back to Kaori. "Please, help us find more Heroes to assist us. Now that you''re here, I just know that we¡¯ll win our fight against the empire." Stolen from its original source, this story is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.
After some time of a walk, Anna brought the two over to the Askran Castle, where there are a few heroes waiting; some noticed Kaori and observed her bizarrely. "This is Kaori. She''s our Summoner of the Order of Heroes. And this is Prince Takumi¡ªfrom the World of Birthright. Please¡ªmake them feel welcomed and at home." The Commander instructed. A young spy with short, light-brown hair and wearing a red scarf, vibrant green top, white pants and dark-brown boots was the first to approach Kaori. "The name''s Matthew." He offered Kaori a handshake, which she returned, "I''m in the service of the young master¡ªI mean, milord¡ªHector. Good to meet you." "Good to meet you too, Matthew." She smiled softly. Then, a young child with short, green hair and wearing dark-coloured clothes that matches well with a dark mage was reading his tome then tilts his head up. "I am trying to learn the deepest secrets of the dark arts. But if you must know...the name''s Raigh." He smiled a little. "A pleasure to meet you.. Raigh." Kaori nodded. Another archer like Takumi, but this one has mid-length blue hair and wearing posh archer''s clothing approached and instantly takes Kaori''s hands, causing the latter to be surprised at this. "I am Virion, the finest archer of the fairest of realms. Delighted to be of service." He spoke with a posh accent. "Uhh... O-Of course! Nice to meet you too... Um... Virion." Takumi frowned and folded his arms when Kaori goes awkward with the Elite Archer. Then, they hear a door opening. "At least you seem to have the manners." A mature, feminine voice came from the shadows. As she stepped forward, the flickering torchlight revealed a woman clad in a high-class burgundy dress, exuding authority with every poised step. Her lightish brown-red hair was tied into a low bun, plaits encircling it like a crown. Twilight-pink eyes scrutinized the new Summoner with a gaze that was both assessing and dismissive. "But know this¡ªyou would do well to dedicate your time to perfecting grace and obedience, rather than meddling where you do not belong." Her voice carried the weight of expectation, of an unspoken command that demanded compliance. A practiced smile followed, one that did not reach her eyes. "After all, you represent my household now." Kaori observes closely at Susan with a nonchalant expression. In her first life, she had admired the High Lady for her appearance and gracefulness as a noble woman, but now... The Summoner realises that Susan is merely a crass woman. A smirk formed on Kaori''s face as she then bowed. "Of course. I will strive myself to be as graceful and obedient as I can... High Lady Susan." Everyone in the Askran Castle Hallway had surprised expressions (except for Raigh, who''s too busy dabbling in the dark arts; Virion who''s just admiring himself so much, and Takumi¡ªthe latter doesn''t seem to care too much about this.) on their faces. "That''s new," Anna muttered under her breath. "Didn''t know that Lady Susan had the heart to take strays into her care." "O-Oh... Actually... Kaori..." The High Lady stumbled her words from this embarrassment, "Why don''t you just call me your ''Mother'' instead?" The sand-beige haired Summoner smiled at this, "Of course, Mother..." Mother. The word felt foreign, unnatural on her tongue. Susan wasn''t her mother, nor was she her family. She was a captor in silk and pearls, and Kaori was just another piece in her collection. "I must apologise for my late arrival!" A soft, sweet feminine voice came, her boots clacking against the tiled floors as she came down the stairs. Kaori recognises her voice. Her transformed orange eyes widened. "Oh, and welcome back Anna! I see you brought some guests with us today?" Anna folded her arms and smiled at the approaching Hero. "Yep¡ªwe''ve found ourselves a Summoner for the Order of Heroes! She''s great so far¡ªshe just summoned a new hero! You should have seen her!" the red-haired commander boasted with a proud smile on her face. Kaori still remained stunned, her body flinched at the incoming guest''s voice. "If there''s anything I can help you with at all, please! Don''t hesitate to ask! I''m Destiny¡ªthe Goddess of Destiny." Destiny beamed a smile, both her held hands to her heart. Kaori instantly took a step back, her expression filled with shock and horror, fearful purple eyes taking over. ''Destiny!'' She thought. The sand-beige turned her head away, still refusing to believe that she''s actually seeing the person who betrayed her. Kaori had always looked up to Destiny as a beautiful, perfect, older sister-figure, despite the two being the best of friends. She had always admired her like the sun in the sky and wanted to become close to her... But she was constantly in her orbit. Destiny always made her feel so small in her past life, and made Kaori withdraw into herself, until, in the end, the last thing Kaori saw was Destiny''s radiant smile before the former got stabbed in the back. ''Destiny... I won''t let my life end in tragedy like it did before...'' Kaori grits her teeth in anger. Noticing her darkened expression, Destiny tilts her head, and extends her hand out. "We''re going to be comrades, are we not?" She beamed, "You may call me your ''Sister'', if you''d like." Kaori brushes her thoughts off and smiles, taking the Goddess of Destiny''s hand and shaking it. "Thank you... Sister." She beamed a forced smile.
After a tour round of the Askran Castle, night falls. The Heroes that were already in the Order of Heroes began to properly settle into the castle. Kaori lingered in the summoning chamber, her mind weighed down by the memories of her past life as she lied down on her bed. The sight of Takumi¡ªalive and standing before her¡ªwas both a comfort and a torment. "You''re still awake?" Takumi''s voice cut through her thoughts, startling her. "AAAAH!" She let out a small yet loud scream, and turned to see him leaning casually against the doorway, his arms crossed. His usual stoic expression softened slightly. "Everyone else is already resting." Kaori managed a small smile, clutching Breidablik tighter in her hands. "Yeah. Just... getting used to things. It''s been a long day." she did slight nods. He stepped into the chamber, his sharp eyes scanning her. "You handled yourself well back there, for someone who''s apparently new to this. Summoning me like that¡ªit felt... odd. Like you knew what you were doing." Her breath caught. Of course, he noticed. Takumi was observant to a fault. She quickly looked away, pretending to inspect Breidablik. "I guess I got lucky." "Hm," he replied, unconvinced. "Lucky, huh? Even so, you were quick to adapt. You didn''t hesitate once." Kaori hesitated, her grip tightening on Breidablik. She wanted to tell him everything¡ªto confess how she had taken his life in her past life, how she had watched him fall with the very weapon she now held. But the fear of his reaction, the risk of exposing her secret, silenced her. Instead, she offered a noncommittal shrug. "I guess... when you''re thrown into a fight, your instinct takes over." Takumi studied her for a moment longer before letting out a soft sigh. "You¡¯ve got potential, Kaori. But don''t think you have to shoulder everything alone. If you¡¯re going to be the Summoner, you''ll need to rely on the Heroes you summon." His words made her chest tighten. She looked up at him, her expression softening. "Thank you, Takumi." "Don¡¯t mention it," he said, turning toward the door. But before he stepped out, he glanced over his shoulder. "Just... don''t push yourself too hard. I''ve seen what happens when people try to take on too much by themselves." Kaori blinked, her heart sinking at the hint of vulnerability in his tone. She remembered the loneliness and insecurities that had plagued him in his world. He had been so determined to protect Hoshido, yet that very resolve had led to his possession in her past life. "I won''t," she promised softly, though the words felt heavier than she intended. "Goodnight, Takumi. And..." A small blush scattered across her face. "Thank you." Takumi gave her a small nod and a smile before leaving her alone in the chamber. As his footsteps faded, Kaori let out a shaky breath, her hands trembling around Breidablik. "I''ll do better this time," she whispered to herself, her voice trembling with resolve. "I''ll make sure you don''t suffer like you did before. I''ll do my best to protect you in this life..." Chapter 4: The First Mission Kaori''s heart raced as she stood in the summoning chamber, the ornate patterns on the floor glowing softly under her feet. This was her first attempt at summoning a Hero. Her right hand trembled as she lifted the summoning relic, its cool surface smooth against her palm. Commander Anna and Prince Alfonse of Askr watched her expectantly, their expressions a mix of encouragement and curiosity. "You''ll do fine," Anna reassured her, her axe resting casually on her shoulder. "Just focus on your intent. Picture a Hero who will aid our cause." Kaori nodded, swallowing her nerves. Closing her eyes, she reached out with her thoughts, concentrating on the light of the summoning circle. The chamber filled with a hum of energy, the light intensifying until it became almost blinding. When Kaori opened her eyes, a tall and lean figure with mid-length emerald-green hair that framed his face in loose waves appeared. He was clad in white and dark blue, his emerald green eyes glinting with his iconic charm. "Hello there!" A masculine voice came, his voice smooth and melodic, "The name''s Lewyn. I''m a simple traveler, a wayward bard... Though there is more to my tale." Kaori smiled faintly, hiding the flood of emotions. Lewyn. He doesn¡¯t know what¡¯s to come. "I''m Kaori, the Summoner for the Order of Heroes. Welcome." Lewyn''s smirk widened, his emerald eyes gazing into her yellow ones. "A summoner, huh? Looks like I¡¯ve landed in the middle of something intriguing. Don''t worry¡ªI¡¯m a fast learner." Before Kaori could respond, Commander Anna stepped forward, her red ponytail bouncing with energy. "Ah! Perfect timing! Kaori, this is your first official mission as the Summoner of the Order of Heroes. Prince Lewyn, you¡¯ll be joining her team. Let''s move out!" Kaori nodded, stealing a glance at the others. Alfonse stood at attention, his stoic expression unwavering. Anna, always energetic, seemed ready to charge ahead. Then Kaori''s curious eyes landed on Takumi, who stood with his arms crossed and a frown on his face. Takumi hadn''t said much since Kaori¡¯s summoning, not even after that night when he had accidentally startled her, but she could feel his guardedness. It wasn''t new to her¡ªafter all, she had seen it in her previous life. But still, it mentally stung her to see him looking at her with that same distrust. She pushed the thought away. ''This time, I''ll earn your trust.''
Kaori led the team toward the forest bordering a small village, where a group of Emblian soldiers had reportedly attacked. The group walked in relative silence, the tension of the impending battle palpable. Alfonse walked at the front, his gold plate armor gleaming in the sunlight. Takumi trailed slightly behind, his sharp amber eyes scanning the surroundings, his hands resting on the bow slung over his shoulder. Kaori glanced at him, noticing the slight furrow in his brow. Takumi''s guarded expression reminded her of their earliest interactions in the previous life. Back then, he hadn''t trusted her, and she couldn''t blame him. Now, she has the chance to change that. "Hey, umm... Takumi?" she softly called his name out, falling into step beside him. He glanced at her, his expression wary. "What is it?" "I just wanted to say that¡­ I''m glad you''re here. Your skills as an archer are invaluable." He raised an eyebrow, his skepticism evident. "You don''t even properly know me. Don''t act like we''re friends." Kaori''s heart sank as she watched him going a bit farther ahead from her, her eyes turned to a solemn blue, but she forced herself to stay calm. ''One step at a time.'' she thought. "I understand," she said, offering a small smile. "I''ll let your actions speak for themselves." Behind Kaori, Lewyn chuckled, clearly enjoying the exchange and decided to walk up to the Hoshidan Prince. "You''ve got a sharp tongue, don''t you, Prince Takumi? Reminds me of myself at your age." Takumi''s amber eyes shot the Prince of Silesse a glare but said nothing.
The village came into view, smoke rising from several thatched roofs. Villagers screamed as the Emblian Empire''s soldiers rampaged through the streets, destroying indiscriminately. Kaori''s voice rang out, clear and commanding. "Alfonse, take the left flank and block their escape! Anna, you go and support him. Takumi, find a high vantage point and cover us with your arrows. Lewyn, you''re coming with me¡ªwe''ll focus on thinning their numbers from the center." The group nodded in affirmation and sprang into action. Takumi climbed a rocky outcrop, his lithe movements as precise as his aim. He nocked an arrow and released it with a soft twang, the projectile finding its mark in the shoulder of a charging bandit. The sword fighter crumpled to the ground with a cry. Unauthorized use: this story is on Amazon without permission from the author. Report any sightings. Meanwhile, Lewyn''s Forseti magic surged, slicing through a group of enemies with a sharp whoosh. His dark blue scarf fluttered as he cast another spell, his movements as fluid as a dancer''s. Kaori stayed close to Lewyn, directing her allies with a calm efficiency that belied her inner turmoil. ''I know how this ends if I make the wrong choices.'' she thought, biting the corner of her lip, ''I won¡¯t let that happen again.'' When the Emblian Empire''s leader¡ªa burly man wielding a massive axe¡ªemerged, Kaori didn¡¯t hesitate. "Takumi, take him down!" she called. "On it!" Takumi nodded in affirmation and loosed an arrow, striking the leader''s leg. The axe fighter stumbled but kept moving, his eyes wild with rage. "Lewyn, now!" Kaori shouted. Lewyn grinned. "Forseti''s rage!" With a flick of his wrist, a powerful gale tore through the battlefield, knocking the Emblian Empire''s leader off his feet. "Sorry, but this is the end." He takes his levitating tome and placed his hand on his hip. Alfonse closed in, his F¨®lkvangr sword flashing as he delivered the finishing blow. The remaining soldiers from Embla scattered, and the villagers erupted into cheers.
As the group reunite, Kaori approached Takumi, who was perched on the edge of the rocky outcrop, cleaning his Fujin Yumi. "Hey. You were incredible out there," she gave him a soft smile, her tone genuine. He looked up, his expression softening slightly. "I just did my job." the ash-blonde haired archer shrugged. Kaori hesitated, then admitted with a faint blush scattered on her cheeks, "I know you don''t trust me yet. But I just want to let you know... That I trust you, Takumi. More than you realize." He studied her for a moment, his amber eyes searching for her transformed, earnest periwinke ones. Finally, he sighed. "You''re¡­ different from what I expected. Most people just see me as a prince or a weapon. But you... You actually listen. You just... see me for who I am." Kaori smiled, warmth spreading through her chest. ''At least that''s a start.''
Unbeknownst to the group, Destiny, the self-proclaimed Goddess of Destiny, observed from afar when she noticed the five of them returning back to the Askran Castle. She was already in the Order of Heroes when Kaori joined not too long ago as their Summoner, and her bitter pink eyes observes the sand-beige with a mixture of disdain and curiosity. "So, the new Summoner thinks she''s special," Destiny muttered under her breath, her fingers tracing the edge of her ornate staff. She forced a smile when Alfonse, Anna and Lewyn praised Kaori for her efforts, but bitterness burned within her. "How does she command such respect so easily?" Destiny thought out loud. "She''s no goddess, that''s for sure. And she''s definitely no chosen one. And yet¡­ they all follow her." Her jealousy grew as she saw Takumi''s subtle acknowledgment of Kaori''s leadership. Destiny''s desire for attention, for adoration, clawed at her. She resolved to keep a closer watch on Kaori, determined to uncover her secrets and ensure her own superiority. "I''ll keep an eye on you, Kaori..." The lilac-haired destiny Goddess darkly muttered under her breath, "Your secrets will be mine one day..."
Kaori sat at her desk in the dimly lit room, the soft glow of a candle flickering beside her. She flipped open a leather-bound journal, its blank pages waiting to be filled with her thoughts. Taking a deep breath, she dipped her quill into the inkpot and began to write. Journal Entry, Day 1: "My first mission as Summoner was a success. The villagers are safe, and the soldiers from the Emblian Empire have been driven away. Still, I can''t help but wonder if things could have gone smoother. I hesitated¡ªmore than once. Every time, it felt like a weight pressing against my chest, reminding me of the consequences of failure. Lewyn fought with incredible grace. His magic flowed like a song, effortless and precise. And Takumi... his aim was unparalleled. I trusted him to watch our backs, and he delivered. Despite his wariness, he regardlessly listened to my commands. But there''s a long road ahead of me. Trust isn''t built in a day, especially not with Takumi. I see the doubt in his amber eyes¡ªit¡¯s a mirror of the distrust he had for me back in my first life. Yet, for a moment today, I felt the smallest crack in his armor. Perhaps it''s a start. As for me, I''m going to keep pushing myself forward. This is my second chance in life, and I''m not gonna waste it."
Kaori put down the quill, rubbing her temple. Writing always helped her sort through her emotions, but tonight, her thoughts felt tangled. She closed the journal and locked it, then leaned back in her chair, letting out a sigh. A faint knock at her door startled her. Before she could respond, it creaked open, revealing Takumi standing in the doorway. His long ash-blonde hair was let loose and he was wearing his blue jinbei. His sharp amber eyes glinted in the candlelight. "You''re still awake?" he asked, stepping into the room, uninvited. Kaori blinked in surprise, a very small, curious smile formed on her face. "I could say the same to you." Takumi shrugged, his movements casual yet deliberate. "I couldn''t sleep. I just thought that I should check on you." He glanced at the journal on her desk but didn¡¯t comment. "You did well today." Her heart skipped a beat at the unexpected praise. "Thank you. That means a lot coming from you." He leaned against the doorframe, crossing his arms. "Don''t let it go to your head. You still have a lot to prove." Kaori smiled faintly, recognizing the mix of his guardedness and reluctant honesty. "I know. But¡­ I''m glad you''re here, Takumi. I mean it." For a moment, his expression softened, and he met her gaze. "Just don''t mess it up, Kaori. We can''t afford to make any mistakes." She nodded, her resolve hardening. "I won''t." Takumi lingered for a moment longer before turning to leave. "Goodnight, Kaori." "Goodnight, Takumi." she replied, watching as the door closed behind him. As silence settled over the room once more, Kaori picked up her journal and held it close to her chest. Takumi''s words replayed in her mind, fueling her determination. This was only the beginning, but she was ready to face whatever will come for her next. With a deep breath, she blew out the candle, plunging the room into darkness as she gets into the blankets on her bed, her eyes drifting off to sleep. Chapter 5: A Quiet Concern Kaori stood at the base of the Training Tower, her eyes scanning the roster of Heroes yet to complete their drills. The sun had risen and set three times, but she hadn''t allowed herself the luxury of rest. She rubbed her temple, her fingers brushing against the stray strands of her dark hair that had escaped her ponytail. A deep sigh escaped her lips, though she quickly straightened as Tharja approached. "Another round?" Tharja moaned in annoyance, her tone was as flat as ever, though her dark eyes held an unspoken curiosity. "Yes, Tharja," Kaori replied firmly. "You''ve been doing well, but we need to refine your strategies for group combat. Just take a five minute break, then we''ll go again." Tharja rolled her eyes and gave a slight shrug and walked off, her dark cloak swaying behind her. Kaori turned back to the list. She still had Niles, Subaki, Lyn, Ephraim, and Camilla to oversee before tackling the next group. Alfonse and Sharena had finished earlier, their cheerful thanks ringing hollow in her ears. Unbeknownst to her, Takumi leaned against a nearby pillar, his sharp eyes narrowing as he observed her. Kaori was slipping. Her normally confident stride was sluggish. Her precise commands, though still effective, lacked their usual fire. Even her complexion seemed pale, a stark contrast to the vibrant energy she¡¯d displayed during their first mission. Takumi folded his arms, his mouth pressed into a tight line. He''d been watching her push herself for days, driving the Heroes to improve while ignoring her own wellbeing. Enough was enough.
Kaori''s next session with Niles and Subaki was nearing its end when Takumi finally stepped forward. The moment she dismissed the two Heroes after they have completed the eighth floor of the Training Tower, he strode into her path, bowstring taut in his gloved hand. "We need to talk," he said, his voice firm. Kaori blinked up at him, her tired eyes meeting his determined gaze. "Can it wait? I still have more training to go through and oversee with those guys¡ª" "No," Takumi interrupted, his tone sharp. "It can''t." The weight in his words stopped her mid-step. She frowned but followed him as he led her to a quiet corner outside the Training Tower. The cool breeze rustled the trees, and Takumi gestured for her to sit on a flat rock nearby. "Takumi, I''m fine," Kaori said, though her voice lacked conviction. Takumi let out a short, humorless laugh. "You look like you''re about to collapse. Do you even remember the last time you ate?" Kaori opened her mouth to reply but paused, her mind drawing a blank. "That''s what I thought." From his satchel, Takumi pulled out a cloth bundle. He untied it to reveal a modest meal¡ªrice balls and dried meat. He thrust it toward her, his expression unreadable. "Eat." Kaori hesitated. "Takumi, I really don''t have time for this¡ªmmph!" Before she could finish, Takumi let out an exasperated sigh, grabbed a rice ball, and shoved it gently¡ªbut firmly¡ªinto her mouth. Her protest turned into a muffled noise as she froze, wide-eyed. "I don''t want to hear another excuse," Takumi warned, crossing his arms and glaring at her like an annoyed sibling. "Chew. Swallow. Then you can argue." Kaori stared at him for a moment, then reluctantly began chewing, her cheeks puffed like a chipmunk''s. "Okay." Her voice muffled as she nodded, but he can clearly make out that she said the word "okay". Takumi smirked, leaning back against the rock as he folded his arms. "See? That wasn¡¯t so hard," he quipped, clearly pleased with himself. She shot him a half-hearted glare as she swallowed. "You''re lucky that I''m too tired to fight you on this." "And you''re lucky that I''m too nice to let you starve," Takumi retorted, a smug grin on his face.
As the tension eased, Takumi leaned back on his hands, his amber eyes studying her sitting form as she continues to eat the food he provided for her. "You''re not just pushing yourself because of training, are you?" Kaori paused mid-bite, her heart skipping. She met his gaze and found it unrelenting. He was perceptive, far more than she had given him credit for. "I... I just want to make sure everything is perfect," she said carefully. Takumi raised an eyebrow. "Perfect? Or are you trying to make up for something?" If you encounter this narrative on Amazon, note that it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it. Her hands tightened around the rice ball. ''Well... I''m trying to make up for what happened back then...'' Her guilty indigo eyes formed as she thought her answer that she wanted to say out loud. Kaori looked away from his gaze, her own eyes focused on the horizon. "Does it... actually matter?" "Yes, it does," Takumi said, his voice softer now. "I get it. You''re carrying something heavy. I don''t know what it is, but I know what it''s like to feel like you have to prove yourself." Kaori¡¯s gaze flicked back to him, surprised. "I was the second prince of Hoshido," he continued, a bitter edge to his tone. "I was always constantly in my siblings'' shadows. I''ve always been doubting if I was good enough. It''s not the same, but... I know how it feels to push yourself too hard." For a moment, neither of them spoke. The quiet was broken only by the rustling leaves. "I''ll try to slow down," Kaori finally said. "But it''s hard to let go of the pressure." "Then let me help," Takumi said. "You''re not alone in this, Kaori." Her chest tightened at his words. She gave him a small, genuine smile. "Thank you, Takumi."
The next morning, Kaori returned to the Training Tower with renewed energy. Though still focused, she allowed herself moments to breathe, delegating some tasks to Heroes like Ephraim and Camilla. Takumi stayed close, offering quiet support and occasionally shooting her a teasing remark to lighten the mood. Destiny, watching from a distance, clenched her fists as she grits her teeth in anger. The sight of Kaori receiving Takumi''s attention made her blood boil. Why was the Goddess of Destiny¡ªa being of immense power¡ªbeing overshadowed by a mere mortal? "Enjoy your moment," she murmured under her breath, her lips curving into a bitter smile. "It won''t last long." As Kaori worked alongside the Heroes, she couldn''t shake the feeling that she was being watched. But when she glanced over her shoulder, all she saw was the sky stretching endlessly above. For now, she pushed the thought aside. There was work to be done¡ªand for the first time in days, she felt like she could handle it.
After training up Ephraim and Camilla, Kaori strolled through the Askran Castle hallways, her footsteps light and unhurried. The day''s work was done, and she welcomed the rare chance to wander aimlessly. As she passed a particular room, something caught her eye¡ªa piano, sitting alone in a quiet chamber. She stopped in her tracks, tilting her head. The instrument looked untouched, its polished ivory surface gleaming faintly in the soft light of the room. After glancing around to ensure no one was nearby, she smiled to herself. ''The coast is clear...'' With a soft hum of satisfaction, Kaori slipped into the music room, quietly closing the door behind her. She approached the piano, her long sand-beige hair swaying slightly as she leaned down to lift the lid. She pressed a single white key, holding her breath as the note rang out. ''Looks like it''s still in tune. Thank goodness,'' she murmured, her lips curling into a small smile. Without hesitation, she pulled out the stool and settled herself in front of the piano, her fingers brushing lightly over the keys. At first, she played softly, letting her hands move instinctively across the chords. The melody she played was one she hadn¡¯t touched since her first life, but the notes came to her as naturally as breathing. Soon, she began to sing, her voice filling the room: "It''s underneath my skin, these godforsaken memories / The puppet takes the stage, she¡¯ll carry on..." Her voice was clear, each word carrying the weight of emotions she''d locked away. Kaori closed her eyes, letting the song take her to a place only she knew¡ªa place where sorrow and determination intertwined. "Forgotten who I am, but all the world keeps telling me / It may be where you live but it¡¯s not your home..." Unbeknownst to her, Takumi was passing by when the faint sound of music reached his ears. He paused, frowning as he listened. The melody was unfamiliar, but it was Kaori''s voice that made him stop in his tracks. "I got a one way ticket straight out of here / And I don¡¯t know where it goes / It¡¯s not the destination, it¡¯s the crawl..." Curiosity tugged at him as he followed the sound to the music room. He peered inside, staying in the shadow of the doorway. There she was, seated at the piano, singing a song he didn¡¯t recognize: "Was it out of love, or out of fear? If you ask me, I don''t know..." Takumi''s brows furrowed as he watched her. The Kaori he knew was composed, focused, always working tirelessly for the Heroes under her command. But here, she seemed... vulnerable. The words she sang carried a pain he hadn¡¯t seen in her before, and it stirred something in him¡ªa desire to understand. "You forget how to want, once you¡¯ve had it all..." "You''ve got a good voice," Takumi said, his voice breaking the silence and interrupting her song. Kaori jumped, pressing the wrong keys that sounded extremely horrible. "AH!" She yelped and instantly spun herself around to see him leaning casually against the doorframe. "Takumi! I¡ªH-How long have you been standing there?!" she stammered, her face flushing in embarrassment. "Long enough," he replied, stepping into the room. "What was that song? I''ve never heard it before." Kaori hesitated, her hands tightening on her lap. She couldn¡¯t tell him the truth¡ªthat the song was a fragment of a life she was trying to rewrite. "It''s... just something I made up," she said, forcing a small smile. Takumi tilted his head, clearly unconvinced. "You¡¯re a terrible liar, you know that?" His tone was light, but his amber eyes were serious. "You''ve been different lately. If something¡¯s bothering you, you can tell me." Kaori¡¯s heart twisted at his concern, but she shook her head. "It''s nothing. Really." A pause. The sand-beige haired Summoner looked away, her heart aching at his concern. He didn¡¯t know the full truth¡ªhow could he? And yet, his words offered a warmth she hadn¡¯t realized she needed. "But... Thanks, Takumi," she said softly, her voice trembling. "I know that I can always confide in you, but... some things... are better to be left unsaid." He frowned but didn¡¯t press further. Instead, he leaned on the edge of the piano, folding his arms in the process. "Well, if you''re not going to tell me, at least promise me one thing: don''t carry it all by yourself. Like I said earlier - you''re not alone here, Kaori. Not anymore." His words hung in the air, and for a brief moment, Kaori felt the weight on her shoulders lighten. She nodded, a faint smile returning to her lips. "Thanks, Takumi," she nodded with a small, grateful smile, this time with more sincerity. "I mean it. Just... tell me when you''re ready." The Hoshidan Prince gave her a small, sincere smile and as he left the room, Kaori turned back to the window, her fingers brushing over the keys once more. The melody of "Take Me Anywhere" lingered in her mind, but so did the warmth of Takumi''s words. For the first time in a long while, the weight on her shoulders felt a little lighter.