A Knight's Lilies

“From what little archaeological records remain from that period, I conclude that the main avenue of betrayal came because of sharply divided values. In essence, many viewed the peace negotiated with the Myndiri as a traitorous action that sold the soul of humanity right back to the elven overlords. In the same vein, we also have records of Myndiri discontent with the idea that their leaders ‘negotiated’ with lesser beings that rebelled against them amidst a crisis. “

- Gallius Segosa, Lecture at the Arterian Academy of History “A Different View on Our Ancestors”

Sophie groaned, the groggy feeling not dissipating despite her best attempts at rolling on the bed. The bed?! She leapt up at once, startled and a little surprised before the previous day’s events came flooding back into her. Looking around she found herself back inside the room where this had all begun, the palace…Eva?!

With a new objective in mind she raced out into the hall, her feet almost gliding over the carpeted floor as she bounded her way towards the portal room. She skidded to a stop at the open doorway and sprinted inside. To her relief and horror, the portal was closed and the sanguine gem was missing. Does this mean she’s back to life?

Her question was answered as the soft tapping of footsteps rushed towards her and a slightly flustered looking Eva glared at her, a playfully angry look on her face.

“You…” Eva panted, holding up a finger before continuing, “I appreciate…the concern…ugh! But please…slow down next time.”

Sophie’s face twisted from worry to shock to what she could only assume was a goofy looking grin plastered on her own face. Real or not, there was some comfort to a friendly face and Sophie relished in the moment, running up and wrapping Eva in a small hug. She’s back! She’s alright! Her mind yipped in glee.

“Next time…guh.” Eva mumbled even while she wrapped her own arms around Sophie, “Next time take it easy when you wake up…so I...I don’t have to work up a sweat chasing you down little rascal.”

“Gah!” Sophie yelped as Eva rapt the top of her head.

The two separated and Sophie’s expression quickly turned to one of concern as she spied the sad look on Eva’s face. But before she could speak Eva raised a finger to her lip, silencing her before beckoning Sophie to follow. Reluctantly and a little worried, Sophie simply accepted her mistress’s command and trailed close behind.

A bizarre sense of deja vu hit her as they ended up back at the courtyard, the flowers still blooming and a few small platters of food ready for consumption. It’s the Mist’s Blessing! But how? I didn’t make it! Like a mind reader Eva turned towards Sophie with a small smirk on her face. Sophie spent a moment marveling at her companion before a small tug on her sleeve urged her forward.

“I’m sorry.” Eva whispered and Sophie stared with a growing sense of unease as the two took their seats. “Please do enjoy, I tried my best.” Eva gently dipped her head and Sophie followed soon after.

The two ate their meal in silence, occasionally flashing small smiles and glances at each other. But underneath it all, whatever wonderful tastes and sensations she felt became dulled by the uneasy sensation tingling down her back. Eva too seemed nervous and just when the tension neared a breaking point, Eva drew in a deep breath and sighed. Sophie watched the other girl glance upwards and followed her gaze, her fork stopping mid motion as she moved to take another bite.

In that very moment she felt truly insignificant once again, her eyes trained on the gargantuan being that hovered above the open air courtyard. Ah, so it was here after all.

“Don’t worry, feel free to keep eating. The master is merely curious.” Eva gave a shy smile.

Sophie’s mood plummeted at those words, her mind grimacing in agony at the thought. The master… it made her come to the stark conclusion that this version of Eva, however real and lifelike she was, is still naught but another of the entity’s creations. It was a realisation she had hoped to avoid but knew deep inside.

“Sophie…” Eva whispered, drawing Sophie’s eyes back down to the sadness etched on her friend’s face.

Her mind grappled at the thought of this simulated being, but ultimately flashed a sad smile nonetheless. Eva is fake Eva, but even fake Eva should be happy. Seeing her response she could see Eva’s face relaxing a little, but before more words could be exchanged, rounded pillar-like appendages descended from the sky. They were quickly followed by the entity’s eyestalks and soon her bracelet began glowing blue once more.

“You have done well.” It trilled towards Eva who acknowledged it with a nod, “And you, little one.” It flittered one of the eyestalks right in front of Sophie, “I suspect you still hold many questions?”

Slightly flummoxed, Sophie merely nodded wordlessly, expecting the entity to simply recall all her thoughts from the previous day when it chuckled, sending a chill down her spine.

“I suppose then it is the time for answers, but only a little. The rest must be learned by thyself.”

That made her eye the entity warily, a cocked eyebrow the only real sign of displeasure. “Have I…” She began, taking a small peak at Eva for support, “Have I not already suffered enough to know the truth?” She finished with a scowl.

Once again the entity chuckled knowingly, as if it had already predicted this response. “That is not something that is easy to determine. But what thou should know this, long have the secrets of your world, about the Gods, about your struggles and about thyself been taught to you. But no sooner learned such things you became maddened by the knowledge thou ingested.”

“Huh? What does that even mean?”

“It means that every time it just told you the truth, your mind could not handle it before you drove yourself into madness.” Eva chimed in.

Sophie was stunned for a moment at the sudden interruption into what was usually a mental conversation, but quickly nodded appreciatively nonetheless. Makes sense, I think, that a giant space entity might think of things differently. Still a slight tingle gnawed at the back of her mind, doubts at the edges of her thoughts. Does she truly think and feel? Or is this all merely an act, an illusion like the simulaca? Simularcar? Simulacra? Gah! The simulated people of the township…and the monsters. They were all created by the entity and she was too, what if all of what I’ve felt…had already been planned? It was a discomforting thought that dampened her spirits, a depressing idea that the happiness she did feel was all manufactured by the entity.

Pushing away the thought away she grunted and waited for the entity to continue. It didn’t take long for her bracelet to glow blue once again.

“Answer me this, young one, have you always felt a little different, as if you never quite belonged?” It trilled much more softly.

Unsure of how to react, Sophie nodded.

Its eyes twisted up to reveal a dark twisted smile, muscles pulsating unnatural as veins bubbled and cooled like some deranged alchemist’s experiment gone wrong. It was a sight that unnerved Sophie, who could only stare back down at her half eaten food in hopes of avoiding its gaze.

“Perhaps, thou feel unfilled, weak, feeble and laughably pathetic when placed beside your compatriots.”

That hurt her, she kew she was pathetic, stupid and often times more of a liability to her allies. But she had hoped eventually she would not just improve, but surpass all her peers enough that one day she would be like the adventurer princess Aurelia. Yet, it was a sobering thought, nothing more than a dream, but one that found itself increasingly at odds with how she truly was. Regardless, that was a concern for the future, and in the present, she shook off the thought before giving the entity a furtive nod.

“Thoust remember mine comment about a child out of time?”

Sophie furrowed her brows, running through the various comments from what she thought was yesterday. She nodded.

“Thine friend,” It trilled, pointing a spindly tendril at dream Eva, “Not of your world, yes?”

Sophie nodded, her eyes widening at the thought, is it…is it saying I’m an outlander too!?

“Their strength, wisdom, and power. All hail from the process which brings them here, their natural forms, buoyed by the touch of your Goddess. In this instant, the soul is tampered with, imbued with strength and potential beyond normal means. Placed back into a vessel that has surrendered most of itself to sustain the Godtouched or birthed anew entirely with the blessings of the Goddess.”

Sophie listened with rapt attention, whatever reservations she had mattered little to learning the truth of her world and her comrades. Though this was information she knew that most already suspected, hearing the confirmation still brought an excited jitter to life within her.

“Yet, for you. Your physical self is continuously decaying, your very form an anathema to the world itself.”

Sophie tried processing the information but found herself unable to comprehend what any of it meant. Her blank expression drew a sympathetic smile from Eva who only shrugged, “It’s okay, the master will explain.” At that, Sophie frowned, but listened on.

“You, little one, were meant to have perished hundreds of star cycles ago.”

Wait, what? Sophie finally looked up towards the writhing mass.

“Death would have claimed your soul, were it not for a little accident.”

Sophie was not just confused, her mind struggled to make sense of the words and she turned to look at Eva who wore a downcast expression on her face. “Eva? What is it saying?” Sophie asked, “I…don’t understand.” Certainly I don’t feel like some undead creature, I move, eat, sleep and talk like a living being. I think. I mean, it’s saying I’m alive but should be dead right? That’s what it means, right?

Her mind burrowed deep within, searching through every facet of her conscious memories when Eva reached across the table and laid a calming hand on hers. The sudden touch startled her and she almost yelped before refocusing on her companion ahead of her.

“Sophie, relax.” Eva soothingly began, “It’ll make sense, promise.” Dream Eva flashed her a smile.

“But..I feel alive. I mean, I am alive…right?” Sophie muttered.

“Child, little one, it was not my intention to distress you.” The entity trilled worriedly, “You were meant to have perished, but you are indeed still very much alive. Yet, your body, your strength feels weak often, does it not?”

“Y-yeah?”

“It is because you were sent here, to my care, through a chance of fate. An accident in which you breached this sanctum of the void.”

“Uhh…the void?”

“Indeed, the void.”

“Umm, I think Sophie’s confused by what you meant, less so than what it is.” Eva quipped.

“Ah, of course little ones. This place, this realm, all that you see and all that you will see. It is my domain, my prison. An everlasting, unchanging place. Unsuitable and uninhabitable for mortals such as yourself. A great deal had to be created to sustain your existence. In turn, during the process, it changed you as well.”

Sophie stared blankly, still unable to understand. Eva finally coughed to draw her attention.

“What it means is that this palace, the town, you, me, all of it is located in a place far away from your world. In fact, much of this place is a prison...a-a plane of existence so to speak, that is static and unchanging, hence why it said you were a millennia out of time. Because…well Sophie, you umm…how do I put this, well you’re not from the ‘current’ time period. You’re from almost a thousand years ago? That is if I interpreted hundreds of star cycles correctly.” Eva said with a nervous smile.

Sophie just stared at her blankly, the words flowing over her head. Thousands of years ago? Huh? We are not in Cyndralia that’s for sure. The void? Unchanging prisons? I don’t get it. I don’t get any of it! Her mind strained itself to derive some form of cohesion from the strange words, her effort driving her to hyperventilate and falling into a self induced panic. I am Sophie, a half elf, that is true. Half elves live shorter than elves, also true. But then how would I be a thousand years old? Why am I still so small? Also what did it mean an accident brought me here? What does this do with anything-

Her entire being came to an abrupt stop as a bone chilling tendril coiled itself around her once more, her eyes glazing over before flickering with a small inkling of consciousness as she refocused onto the concerned face of Eva, no, dream Eva. Her bracelet glowed an ethereal pale blue before a calming coolness wrapped itself around her. What’s happening?

“Mayhaps I was hasty, your mind remains anchored with hesitation. Perhaps, another method is required.” It trembled as it spoke.

“A medium that she recognizes perhaps?” Eva chimed in.

“A peculiar suggestion, but worth pursuing. Ah! A story perhaps! She seemed to like those.” It trilled happily at the idea.

Before she or Eva could protest, Sophie felt her mind grow fuzzy, her vision blurring before she found herself staring at an image of a world, from very, very, very high above.

She found herself on a journey, looking back down at an empty nothingness until a brilliant speck of light illuminated the darkness. From within, a small child flung itself into the nothingness, floating as it suffocated to death. But before its final gasps of air, she could see the strange symbols being etched onto her skin, moments before they all bloomed with light before fading into her body. At once the child seemed to regain their breathing again, yet the exhaustion took its toll instantly, like a switch had been turned, the moment it adapted, it had already begun slumbering. Even as whatever flung it into the darkness having closed behind her.

So it was, a spark of hope flickered in the nothingness.

She then felt the moment the memories of the child being torn from its head. Her own mind grimacing in pain at the memories being forced upon. Glimpses of faces she did not know, places she never saw, and people she never met flashed before her eyes before vanishing. It was however, also in that moment of pain that the process of creation began. A grandiose project that drew upon the energies of nearby stars, all in an effort to recreate the strange sights stolen from the child’s mind, her mind.

In it she saw flashes of wondrous constructions, large temples and castles all dedicated to some unknown figure. Statues, markets, peoples of all creeds and kinds shimmered slightly, Then the vision dissipated, lost in the infinite recesses of the void. But upon the completion of its creation, a dark feeling gnawed at the edge of her concentration, something felt missing and there was an emptiness within her heart.

In her contemplation she found that a part was missing, when the child was flung through, something was taken as well.

As thou art found, so was the dawn stolen from me.

From there, lifetimes zoomed past. Stars would be born, others flickered and died, even more were consumed to satiate the unending hunger, some even to fuel the creation of more parts of the realm. Yet amongst it all the one thing that remained constant was the child, herself, never growing older or smarter, only weaker and weaker as time wore on. So weak she had gotten that eventually she had special inscriptions burned deep into her body, magicks of the void that defied understanding to sustain her and keep her functioning. Time was ticking its biological toll even if nothing was allowed to change, her very body wasting away only to be held together loosely by her benefactor.

So it was that this was her existence, until suddenly a mote of light exploded violently. A gateway materialized itself out of nowhere and dark tendrils stalked through, wispy veins emerging like a blight that found its target almost immediately, her. From beyond she saw a dark shadow responsible for dragging her was much like the entity itself with eyestalks and tentacles. Yet she knew it was not it, for the entity was trapped in the void.

Sensing the disruption and in a desperate attempt to protect its ward, a body length inscription was hastily etched onto her. The magicks immediately flared to life and snapped the other’s tendrils, an act that produced an ear piercing screech from beyond the veil as a tremendous about of magic exploded from within. But the deed had been done, and as the child was flung back through the portal, no longer in the void.

Thus what was gained was lost, what was lost was found, and so the journey of the champion begins. A journey of reclamation, discovery and growth. The journey of my ward, my chosen champion, you. An end to an era, a beginning of another.

Sophie staggered back out of the vision, her heart racing at the eeriness of every sensation that assailed her. She assessed that she was sitting at the table, the fake Eva was there, the entity above. But something had changed, some part of her changed. Enough so that she now felt very lonely.

“Hah…” She whispered, “So I did have a family huh? Those faces...” She looked up to find fake Eva reaching over and let herself be enveloped by her hug. “Ugh…my head hurts so much.”

“I sense clarity. Perhaps, thou now understand the kernel of truth that was revealed.” One of the stalks emitted the sounds.

Creeped out by how the leathery, flappy looking eye stalk could enunciate words clearly, Sophie opted for a short reply whilst embracing the comfort. “Little bit.” She murmured.

“Then you understand? Of the false God? The Usurper?” The stalk wriggled as it spoke, sending another set of shivers down her spine.

“I-I mean ugh,” Sophie groaned, her attempt to sort through the new memories aching her skull. “Do you mean right there at the end? When some tentacle came to grab me?”

“Indeed.”

Sophie shuddered at the thought, “So that…whatever that was, something else wanted me?”

“Not just anything, but a fragment of power that your kind stole in the brief moment you were flung into this realm.”

“Stole?” The words piqued Sophie’s interest, not only had she been tossed into some bizarre star scape when she was just a child, she could potentially have been part of some greater conspiracy. For a moment she felt a little like Aurelia, mired by intrigue and destined for adventure.

“Precisely, it was unnoticeable at first. Too insignificant the losses, one assumed it was merely a part of whatever primitive process used to deliver you. Yet, over time, the faint hum of power flowed elsewhere, somewhere else but this prison. That was unacceptable, a challenger, a false God was siphoning the void and the imposter needs to be stopped.” It downright snarled, the sudden anger making both the girls wince, fear building up in their hearts.

“So that thing that wanted me…you’re saying its some false God that wanted me…because it came from here?”

“Stolen from here.”

“So it took energy from here…to do what exactly?” Sophie asked, but this time the entity only trilled in what she assumed to be an imitation of a chuckle.

“To become a foul mockery of the void,” It trilled hatefully, “A being that needs to be extinguished like a dying star, and thou art a perfect vessel to exterminate the imposter. For your scent, would be a familiar one.”

Sophie nodded along passively until she realized what was actually said, “Hold on, you want me to-to fight and kill a God?!” She asked incredulously.

“Indeed.”

“I mean…I get it, but I really don’t. How? How would I even do such a thing?!”

“Training.”

“Ugh! That’s not even…I mean sure, but that’s not what I mean! And why?! Why would I even do that?”

“For it desires to emulate the void! A misguided notion, the contemptible worm. But more importantly, it has stolen something far more precious to you than it has from here.”

“Something more…precious?”

“You have met before, the imposter that grows, the false God. It stole from you, one which you cared for. Traded for naught but a lie.”

“One which I cared for?” She mumbled, trying to uncover some hidden meaning when she gasped, the images of the barrows flashing back into her mind, “The barrows? Riza! Are you saying that’s where-”

“The dead mounds yes, where it stole from you into parts hidden even to me. “

“But wasn’t that you? I mean it looked like well err you.”

The eyestalk shook angrily, “Fool, an imposter it is, and an imposter it will be. How that imposter could manipulate your feeble mind so easily is unfathomable. To confuse it for one such as I, preposterous.”

Sophie winced at the voice that boomed from the eyestalk, “But didn’t you grant me strength? To uhhh break the bonds of fate or something? To resist being taken? Besides, wouldn't it just have taken me if it really wanted me to begin with?”

“Fool child, should I have given you a boon I would have granted it the way I restored your heart. Only through the presence of the blue crystals can I truly breach through the material planes to you. What you saw was nothing more than lies and deceit. Mayhaps it merely ordered its minions to release you.”

“Yeah…but my point still stands, doesn’t that mean it could’ve just taken me?”

“Perhaps, or some darker scheme is in play. Regardless, you must stop it. If not out of disgust or contempt then to save your compatriot.”

“Saint damned hells,” Sophie grunted, her mind spinning from the revelation. I mean I did think it was a little weird but an imposter God? What the hells is even going on? But if it lie and take Riza, oh Goddess protect her please. “Fine. Not for you, but for Riza.” She declared.

The eyestalk bobbed approvingly and Sophie found herself sighing in relief. Goddess help me, this is all too much, Stellesia guide me and grant me luck, and High Goddess Phaenera for your wisdom to help comprehend all this.

“Good…good…in the coming days I will guide you, but remember, only through the blue minerals can I truly grant you my support. For now, thou should rest and regain your strength.”

“Yeah…yeah that…that works. But there’s one more thing.”

“Oh?”

Sophie could feel Eva’s grip tighten and knew the girl understood where she was going despite the eyestalk looking curious at what could be coming next.

“I know I have…had a family. That they’re gone…” She said whilst nuzzling herself into the embrace, “And that you’ve created many things…including…this.” Her voice trailed off at the accusation. Sophie knew it hit hard when she felt Eva’s grip loosen slightly, but she refused to look up, refusing to acknowledge the hurt expression she knew flashed across Eva's face. Because if I saw her sad, I’d back down.

“Are you perhaps dissatisfied? Has something failed? She is based on the companion she shared the most time and positive interactions with. Her actions are based on your ideal thoughts and patterns, was that perhaps too presumptuous?“ The stalk queried.

“I…” Sophie’s voice froze in her throat, she knew what she said next would hurt this version of Eva, and as before, fake or not, she couldn’t stand to see Eva hurt.

“It’s okay.” Came the soft whisper from above her, “I understand.”

The hint of resignation in her voice cracked Sophie’s resolve, her own body tensing. She felt the choked sorrow being held back as Eva stiffened slightly, the tiny change in demeanor sending a cascade of regret coursing through her.

“No…I just…”

“It’s okay.” Came the whisper, but this time Sophie could hear the sad smile, the weary acceptance and she couldn’t bear the thought that the entity would simply just replace her.

“Yes? Does thou desire a replacement?”

“What?! No! No one’s being replaced. It’s noth-it’s...just…I-I can’t see you as Eva I just can’t.” She stammered, “I mean, I can’t accept this, I can’t accept that you…you could be the Eva I always wanted.”

“Sophie, it’s-”

“No…no! What I meant to say is…well…umm…”

“Sophie, I’m here for you. Whatever it is, it’s okay. I’m ready.” Came the soft whisper, a small caress of her hair following soon after.

“Can you dye your hair black?” Sophie finally blurted out.

“Huh?”

“Your request is incomprehensible, little one. Are your mental faculties afflicted by the recent vision?”

Seeing their confused expressions, Eva’s looking back down at her like she was petting a goblin, the entity’s eyestalk staring quizzically over. Sophie couldn’t help but giggle from the nervousness, especially at how absurd it was for her to have surprised a cosmic entity.

“I…heheh…ahem. What I mean to say is I can’t see you as Eva, I’m sorry. Eva, Eveline, Kaori, whatever form she takes, there is only one of her.”

“Ahh…I understand,” dream Eva replied, “but my hair?”

Sophie managed a light chuckle before she continued, “So since there should only be one Eva, and umm…well I just learned that maybe any chance of ever learning about my family went up in flames.” Sophie looked sheepishly back up at dream Eva with a worried smile, “I was thinking how nice it would be to have a sibling.”

There was a strange silence, as human, half elf, and gargantuan monstrosity simply contemplated their current situation. But slowly but surely, their frozen selves settled into an acceptance of the new norm. Much to Sophie’s relief, dream Eva giggled nervously before breaking into a wide smile that carried from ear to ear.

“I think that sounds wonderful.” Eva beamed.

Sophie felt a day’s worth of tension deflate and sank into Eva’s arms, a tired sigh escaping from her mouth. Cosmic monsters, the void, Riza, family, Eva, hah! Goddess help me, I doubt even Annalise would believe all this.