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It had been a busy few days since the group's arrival at the city of Alcamoth. It had not been an auspicious start regarding the hostility shown by the royal palace guards for security reasons, being held ‘hostage’ in a conference room of sorts, the increasing number of sightings and encounters with Telethia, and the assassination attempt on the crown princess’ life in the High Entia Tomb.
All of these events had shaken Fiora’s thoughts on just how small she had felt in all of this. Her conversation with Emperor Sorean Antiqua an hour or so ago had left her feeling very little against the giant titan that was their world. The Monado was, deservingly, in the centre of a grand scheme, deciding the fate of all sentient life forms of the Bionis. Nothing could stop the re-awakening of the great titan, not even the mechanical beasts of the Mechonis. In fact, it would seem that the Mechon army’s war on the races of the Bionis was only serving to speed up the titan’s resurrection. No matter which side succeeded first, the Bionis or the Mechonis, total extinction was at hand. So what was the larger picture to their hostility?
However, such matters were not the main focus of the current occasion. Fiora and her rag-tag group of friends had taken rest in their temporary holding turned base of operations, the so-called Whitewing Palace.
While the architecture was just as extravagant as the rest of the city, the overall furnishings were not. Judging by the long table and several chairs placed alongside and at either end, this room was primarily used as a conference room of sorts. Much to the chagrin of the party, there were no other comforts available. They were trying their best to not complain though as it would’ve been improper to their High Entian hosts.
Rest was not the only reason the group had taken refuge in the conference room for the time being. Since they had just rescued the crown princess from attempted murder, their exploits had attracted a lot of attention from the residents of the great city. The royal family, consorts and guardsmen had assured the group that they would keep their deed to the family out of the public eye in respect of their privacy. Naturally though, in such a busy and populated metropolis, word spread quickly. The band were fortunate enough that the Whitewing Palace was only accessible through Ascension Hall, which in turn, restricted public traffic unless it was of importance to royal matters.
Despite their new found popularity and their temporary safe refuge, they still found themselves stuck. Emperor Sorean Antiqua, during his discussion with Fiora, had not immediately given them permission to enter the location of their ultimate goal, Prison Island. Fiora was insistent that there was something important there - something related to the Monado that could potentially aid them. However, as per the emperor’s view on matters, the lives of the Bionis come first. Sorean had warned her of something that was sealed away on the island aeons ago by the ancestors of the royal family. Detailed records of the act had been lost over the years, and only the passed on knowledge of the action had survived. What was sealed in that dark, foreboding place, only the emperor knew, and even he didn’t know the specifics.
Fiora, despite her internal frustration of being denied the way forward to discovering the reason behind her vision, needed to respect the emperor’s decision. The fate of every single lifeform on the Bionis was balanced on a knife edge, and the safety of Emperor Sorean’s subjects came first. Fiora couldn’t blame him. She knew that if she was in the same position, then entrusting the wellbeing of everyone came first, no matter how important any information was.
The conference room, with its glass walls and position high above the courtyards below, gave the Homs and single Nopon a bountiful view of the entire Imperial Palace.
Fiora’s thoughts turned to a certain princess she had just saved as she gazed upon the crowds of people that were forming at the base of the Imperial Palace.
Melia was a strange anomaly to Fiora. Despite only having met her a few days ago, she had come to believe that Melia was the most dependable person she had ever met. Battling alongside her, Melia was a force to be reckoned with. To wield elemental arts against the enemy as well as keeping every team member protected on the battlefield was an extraordinary feat in itself.
Outside of battle though, she was stoic, rational, intelligent and often quick witted. Despite her often serious demeanour, she never failed to brighten Fiora’s mood - particularly when she was teasing Reyn.
When Emperor Sorean personally requested Fiora to be Melia’s friend, not out of royal protection, but as a father, the Homs girl felt like she couldn’t have been granted a higher honour.
All in all, Fiora had come to value the princess as a great friend. She was glad that they had met.
Thoughts of the princess had been recurring with increasing frequency for Fiora. Even though their overall time together was still in its infancy stage, she couldn’t help but occasionally wonder if there was something more than just friendship with Melia. Those thoughts never went anywhere though as other important matters kept the group busy.
“Quite the turnout for a royal coronation, isn’t it?” Dunban came to Fiora’s side as she gazed upon the crowds below.
“Yeah, definitely one to remember.” Fiora had never seen a celebration so grandiose in scale, nor as lavish in spectacles.
Circling inside the ample space of the domed courtyard were several airships performing aerial tricks with graceful precision, leaving the spectators below in awe of their display.
“Wow! Check it out. A High Entia airshow!” Reyn was standing on the other side of the room, gazing out at the flying machines.
“Bird people fly higher than Nopon Birds!” Riki, the proclaimed Heropon of the Nopon, was beside Reyn, showing equal interest at the aerial display, even going as far as creating exaggerated sound effects of the airships flying by.
Outside the walls of the city, Fireworks were being released high into the sky, exploding into a myriad of colours.
“Puts our parties at our colonies to shame, doesn’t it” Sharla strolled to the other free space next to Reyn.
“Nah, it’s just a different spirit, is all.” Reyn rebutted. “They may have their fancy displays and light shows, but I bet they don’t share the same sense of close community as we would do in the colonies.” Sharla could only gaze at Reyn for saying quite the inspired statement, quietly reminding herself that despite his occasionally brash attitude, Reyn still had some surprising outlooks on life.
High above the crowd, high tech displays lined the dome, which were now transmitting a picture of a masked figure dressed in special intricately decorated royal garments and holding an ornate staff. Said figure was standing on the large balcony, known as Revelation Hall, overlooking the courtyard.
“Hey Fiora, isn’t that Melia?” Reyn pointed at one of the displays. Fiora only stared at the emotionless mask that hid the princess’ face. Why did she need to hide her true image from the people of this city? In her opinion, Fiora thought that Melia would look even more regal and dignified without the mask.
Standing at either side of Melia was Emperor Sorean and his first born son, Kallian. They were both flagged by a small squadron of imperial guards, protecting the royal family.
The crowd below quietened down, preparing to hear Melia’s speech to the people.
“By the authority of our divine ancestors, I, Melia Antiqua, am honoured to accept the responsibility of becoming your next benevolent ruler. Should I be deemed unworthy of this calling, or fail to protect the ancestors or the Bionis, I promise here and now to throw myself on the mercy of you, the people!”
The crowd burst into an uproar of cheers and welcoming of their new crown princess, Melia Antiqua.
Fiora, Dunban, Reyn, Sharla, and Riki all gazed in awe of Melia’s grand speech.
“Well said, Melia. Most majestic.” Dunban commented favourably.
“That fragile girl we first met in Makna Forest feels like a distant memory now.” Sharla crossed her arms, wondering how the girl she had revived out of a coma brought on by Ether Deficiency had become the powerful figure that now stood to lead her people into prosperity.
“Melly make good chief of bird people. But Riki wonder if mask hide true self. Which Melly is real Melly?” Despite his broken sentences, the group got they gist of Riki’s question right away. Was this persona shown to the citizens of Alcamoth and the others all that there really was of Melia’s nature. Fiora immediately knew the answer.
“No, it’s not like that. No matter what guise she has, be it when we found her in the forest or as we see her now, she is still the same Melia we all know: someone we can depend upon, and she can depend on us.”
The others turned to Fiora’s direction, slightly speechless at her conclusion.
“I know it.” she whispered to herself. In her opinion, Melia would always be her friend, no matter what image she portrayed.
With the main part of the coronation over, the people of Alcamoth now busied themselves to their own celebrations.
The group now returned to the centre of the room, ready to plan their next move.
“Well three cheers for Melia, then. Crown princess of the High Entia.” Reyn started, concluding their observations of the coronation.
“Right, but we’re still no closer to getting back at that… murdering faced Mechon.” Sharla recoiled slightly at the memory of the mechanical monsters that attacked them both inside and outside of Colony Six.
“Well, as soon as we can get to Prison Island, we can get our revenge then. If Fiora saw it in a vision of hers, then we must get there somehow.” Reyn continued. “Maybe we could try and persuade ol’ Big Wings again. Melia’s crown princess, now. She might be able to put in a good favour for us and make him change his mind.”
Dunban wasn’t convinced though.
“Reyn. The Emperor’s request to us was clear. He needs to make his own decision. Give him time. And there is more to this Island than we know. Something far bigger than us is at play here.”
“I can see that. But we can’t just sit around here.” Reyn’s impatience was apparent, an experience felt at an unfortunate time when Reyn pressed a button in the High Entia Tomb that shouldn’t have been pressed. They were at least fortunate that there was no button or collapsing floor trap to activate in their holdout.
Away from the conversation, Fiora was still gazing out of the window, but this time in a different direction. A way aways from their lookout, a skybridge span across the dome which connected the Imperial Palace to a separate structure, a single large tower on a standard, High Entia technology powered platform. Fiora could just make out a figure walking across the bridge to the structure. She instantly recognized the figure as Melia from the royal garments she was preparing to take off. She put a hand to the window. Sympathy was all she thought for Melia - so many ceremonial duties to withstand now. All she wanted to do now was to go there and comfort her, reassure her that she was doing great. It reminded her of when she used to comfort Shulk when he had bad days back at the colony.
Was she placing Melia as high as Shulk was in her level of affection already? What was all of this meaning?
Dunban, ever being the observant big brother, immediately noticed Fiora’s spiralling concern and smiled. He silently joined her at her side, leaving the others to go deep into their conversation.
“You want to see her, don’t you?” Dunban witnessed Fiora’s subdued startle with great amusement.
“I… I’m just concerned for her, that's all.” she blushed, seething that her own brother was too perceptive for his own good.
Dunban only kept up his smile and reassured his sister.
“Why don’t you go and see her.” he kept his voice low for the others not to hear. “Don’t worry, I’ll keep the others occupied.”
While her blush further increased at the claim that she just wanted Melia all for herself, Fiora couldn’t help but appreciate Dunban’s support. She gave her older brother a quick hug, showing her appreciation.
“Thank you, dear brother.” She then made a direct beeline for the door. Only when the door closed behind her did the rest of the group notice her exit.
“Hey. Where Fifi go?” Riki flapped his large ears, briefly elevating him off the ground from the immense lift.
“Yeah. Where’s she off to?” Reyn joined in with equal concern in his eyes.
“She’s just off to take a breather” Dunban walked back to the group circle.
“Is she ok?” Reyn’s look of confusion quickly changed to worry.
“Don’t worry, Reyn.” Dunban reassured the tall Homs. “She just needs to… find some help elsewhere.”
Despite Dunban’s lack of a substantial hint, Sharla alone had a good idea of where Fiora was headed, and who she needed to see. She smiled, knowing that a bit of girl-talk could solve anything.
The Imperial Palace was huge – Fiora didn’t doubt that fact. From the Great Hall to the Audience Chamber, the High Entia ancestors who built this wonder of their world didn’t seem to lack any subtlety or vanity in their grand vision. She did appreciate the concise plan of the building when she found that directions to Melia’s residence were not hard to acquire. The first royal guard that Fiora asked immediately pointed out which transporter to take.
Materialising on the other side of a portal was something that Fiora would never get used to. Keeping a physical connection of body and mind was always something that was taken for granted. Now though, every time her physicality disconnected from her mentality, her appreciation for remaining whole on an atomic scale increased.
With another uncomfortable portal experience out of the way, Fiora now stood at the beginning of the skybridge to the Imperial Villa: Melia’s residence.
An unusual sense of nervousness invaded her thoughts as she walked on towards the large tower. She didn’t know what to expect when she made it across. Despite her resolve in wanting to help out her friend, unwanted thoughts entered her mind. What if she didn’t need help? What if she just wanted privacy and would promptly shoo her away. Were her actions just fuelling a selfish desire to see her again?
That last question made her stop half way across the bridge. Her resolve suddenly seemed jumbled. Just who was she trying to help here: Melia, or herself? Help Melia stave away any self doubt, or help herself satisfy a growing selfish need for her presence.
No. She wasn’t about to lose her nerve over her little moral dilemma. Sometimes, a one-dimensional approach to a situation was good enough. She was here to see Melia, and that was it. Encouraged on by that thought, Fiora resumed her walk along the bridge and quickly made it to the other side.
The Imperial Villa was stunning. The large ornate tower that dominated the view was just as lavishly decorated as the rest of the city, yet the addition of tall stained-glass windows coloured in a cascade of greens, yellows and reds, made the tower shimmer against the daylight sky. Contrary to the rest of Alcamoth’s decorative design though was the addition of two fields of flowers surrounding the walkway to the tower. The sea of purple and white and green gave the area a relaxing feel. Fiora felt like she could just sit within the flowers and let all of her problems flow away. However, it looked like someone else was doing just that.
Fiora spied the princess sitting in the middle of the left field. She looked completely at ease, with her eyes closed and her mind tuned to the faint sounds of the flowers blowing in the barely noticeable breeze. She was humming a soft tune. Although she didn’t recognize the melody, Fiora was entranced by the princess’ delicate performance, elegantly adjusting her pitch perfectly while keeping her tone quiet and sensual. It was beautiful.
Then Fiora noticed something that was different to how she had seen Melia before. The finely decorated coverings that made up her headdress were missing. Fiora could now see what they were covering all this time.
A pair of white feathered wings adorned the back of her silky silver hair. To Fiora, this ultimately proved that she was a High Entia. Unlike her kin, however, they were short and delicate upon her form instead of the long and imposing wingspans she had seen on other High Entia.
Fiora then remembered something she had heard before she encountered the large Telethia and the High Entia assassin, known as Tyrea, in the tomb.
“Half Homs.”
Was this the reason why Melia’s wings were shorter than the rest of her brethren? It would also explain her more Homs-like appearance in comparison.
Fiora wasn’t able to ponder this theory for long though as the quiet song had stopped. The princess turned.
“I wasn’t expecting visitors.” Melia’s tone was oddly calm after being intruded on.
“Oh, no, no, I’m so sorry Melia. I just wanted to see how you were doing. I can leave if you don’t want me here.” A tirade of words spouted out of Fiora’s mouth as she tried to save her dignity.
Melia just smiled.
“Oh no, Fiora. That won’t be necessary. In fact, I would appreciate your company.” Melia motioned a space next to her in the flowers, inviting Fiora to join her.
“Oh, ok.” Fiora, flustered and embarrassed, walked down the small flight of steps to the field and gently sat down next to Melia.
For a while, everything was quiet as the two girls familiarised themselves with the new atmosphere. Melia had her eyes closed as if she was meditating. Fiora couldn’t help but observe the princess in an almost excruciating detail: how her wavy silver hair fell about her garments, when her delicate wings seemed to flutter every once in a while, and how slowly she was breathing.
“It’s rude to stare, you know.” Melia suddenly chuckled.
Fiora, now flustered beyond belief, shifted her gaze away quickly and pouted, ashamed that she had been caught.
Melia merely chuckled again at Fiora’s embarrassment which, to Fiora, was starting to become endearing.
The pair settled down again and Fiora decided to break the tension.
“This is a lovely garden you have here.” Fiora gently stroked some petals on one of the numerous flowers.
“Thank you.” Melia seemed to sigh wistfully. “It feels like this is the only place where I can relax.”
“After what you’ve been through lately, you deserve it.”
“Even if it is fleeting.” Melia, too, gently caressed a single purple flower. She sighed, feeling painful, yet happy memories surface. “My late mother always loved this section of the palace.”
At this, Fiora became confused.
“Your… late mother? I thought your mother was… umm… Yumea.” Fiora shuffled awkwardly given the recent events where Yumea conspired against the crown princess.
Melia merely shook her head. “You misunderstand me. The first consort is not my Mother.” Melia paused, trying not to feel anxious in front of Fiora. “My late mother was a Homs, just like you. Sorean Antiqua is still my father, but Kallian is Yumea’s son and my half-brother.”
Fiora was beginning to understand, yet still some questions lingered.
“Then… permit me to ask this…” she didn’t feel comfortable with this next question, “...but why would a High Entian emperor have a child with a Homs girl?”
As much as this question slightly offended Melia, she could forgive Fiora for her lack of knowledge due to isolation in the Homs colonies and her overall curiosity. If anything, she too was interested in speculating such an inquiry. Most importantly however, she was her friend.
“That I am not completely sure of. In the tomb, an artificial imitation of one of my ancestors performed an analysis of what it called ‘Homs Genetic Integration”. I’ve still yet to learn what that entirely means.”
Both girls shared each other’s confusion.
“It deemed me to be the true successor to the throne. Today’s ceremony fulfilled its statement.” Another sigh left her. Fiora could sense unease within her.
“I think you’ll be a great empress. Though I don’t have much experience in judging the qualities of High Entian leaders”.
Melia lightly chuckled and the pair fell into silence again.
The silence allowed Fiora to focus on Melia’s wings again. She saw them flutter slightly and a loose feather dropped out and floated slowly towards her; its wavy fronds danced gently in the air. She plucked it gently.
She felt nothing between her finger tips. So tiny and soft was the feather that a fifth of her senses couldn’t even detect it was there. She couldn’t even begin to think of how soft Melia’s wings would be.
“Why hide your wings, though?” Fiora broke the silence once more as she released the tiny feather in her grip, letting it float gently onto one of the flowers around them.
This question briefly caught Melia off guard and she instinctively tucked her wings closer to the back of her head.
“My half-Homs heritage stunted the growth of my wings when they were developing.” She sighed with frustration. “Compared to my brethren, they feel… inadequate, and it's better to keep them hidden from the eyes of the people than to let them see what made them this way.”
Fiora didn’t believe that for one second.
“I think they’re beautiful.” She reached out to gently stroke the closest wing to her. When she made contact, though, Melia yelped in surprise, her cheeks blushing fervently.
“Oh, I’m so sorry. I… I didn’t know what I was thinking!” Fiora immediately realised her mistake and shrunk back, waiting for Melia to berate her for such behaviour.
Melia was speechless though. She couldn’t think of a single remark about her friend’s actions. On the one hand, it was extremely improper to touch a High Entian’s wings in such a fashion, yet on the other, she had never received such a compliment for her own pair. However, seeing Fiora looking embarrassed and ashamed made the princess rethink her response hastily.
“Ask… next time.” She wasn’t even sure if this was the right response for such an act. Maybe for the sake of ignorance for just one time, she could allow Fiora to indulge in her, rather endearing, inquisitiveness. However, if she found out that stroking a High Entian’s wings was reserved for a more personal interaction, then the embarrassment alone would be catastrophic for both of them.
But… maybe…
“May I?” Fiora hesitantly held out her hand.
Melia decided to indulge in her curiosity, doing her best to hide the increasing redness in her cheeks.
“You may.” She positioned one of her wings closer to Fiora’s outstretched hand. “Just… be gentle.”
That last statement stung Melia’s conscience. It sounded so intimate. She knew she needed to be more careful with what she divulged. In her isolated royal life, making and having friends was influenced by how beneficial it was to her status, and… just hard. It didn’t surprise herself then to find she was inexperienced with such interactions. Like any challenge in life though, she was determined to accomplish well in making new friendships.
When Fiora’s hand stroked her covert feathers though, that determination suddenly vanished as it was replaced with a feeling she had never experienced before.
Melia had learned, in her youth, a reason why such an intimate act between two strangers was frowned upon. A High Entian’s wings were very sensitive to touch. Their capability for flight was further enhanced by nerve endings which could detect the faintest change in air currents – be it through speed, temperature, or direction. The subtle caress of the air was gentle – the touch of a hand, though intentionally gentle – was not.
She didn’t feel uncomfortable though. She was assaulted by an unknown, yet increasingly desirable feeling. The sensation was so exquisite that she had to put all of her focus and strength into not making any noise. She closed her eyes, relishing this single moment of comfort and knowing that moments like this would be fleeting in the future. She sighed and, unconsciously, leaned more towards Fiora.
The blonde Homs girl was now at an impasse. She wanted to stop in case someone wandered in on them, yet seeing Melia so at peace made her feel a strange tug at her heart. She realised that she didn’t want to stop. Melia deserved all the comfort that could be given to her.
She, alone, wanted to give her that comfort.
Melia slipped from Fiora’s touch and the princess righted herself on instinct. Both of the girls recoiled slightly, jerking back and putting a bit of distance between themselves despite being sat down.
“Sorry… -wasn't paying attention.” Fiora stumbled with apology, embarrassed at the mood being broken.
“No… I apologise, Fiora.” Melia was quick to regain her dignity, despite feeling flustered and slightly confused. “I shouldn’t have drifted off like that…” She paused, trying to discern the whirlwind of emotions surrounding that interaction. “But… that was… nice.”
Fiora subconsciously stiffened. The emotional dilemma she had before was now boiling inside her heart. Only Dunban and Reyn knew that she had feelings for Shulk. Throughout her life living in Colony Nine and her time with Shulk, their feelings for each other had grown to levels beyond simple friendship. She couldn’t deny that she had feelings for the blonde haired boy, and possibly that he had feelings for her. Everyone, Dunban especially, knew that the two Homs were in a stalemate. Neither had the courage to admit their feelings to one another.
Ever since Shulk was murdered though, she didn’t think that she could share those same feelings with another person. Her resolve was absolute. She wanted revenge against the vile Mechon that performed this heinous act.
Melia was breaking that resolve – for better or for worse she did not know. Those same feelings were bubbling inside her now, and they were for the princess – a different person.
Could she follow through with this? Could she let go of Shulk and her devotion to him?
“We should reconvene with the others, don’t you think?” Melia began to stand up from the flowers, holding a hand out towards Fiora.
Fiora gratefully, if slightly reluctantly, accepted her hand, the action pausing all thoughts of her relationship problems. Even if it was only brief, it probably was for the better.
As both women stood up, Fiora looked down to see the flowers she was sitting on flattened against the ground.
“Oh, I’m sorry about your flowers.” She commented timidly.
Melia only smiled.
“Do not worry. They are more resilient than they appear. Whenever I come here to ruminate, there is always a flattened section of flowers afterwards. But they will always rise back up again.”
Melia gazed longingly at her beautiful garden.
“No matter how damaged or trodden they become, they always pull through and heal. It’s… amazing.”
Fiora now felt admiration at Melia’s statement. She chose not to admit this to Melia, but that entirely summed up her character in a metaphor. Where she once had looked frail and beaten in Makna forest, she had grown from strength to strength not only surviving an assassination attempt, but also becoming the next destined ruler of a powerful empire.
Fiora was proud of her to say the least. Whilst Melia was distracted with observing the garden, she gazed longingly at the princess.
Then she realised that metaphor also related to herself.
Shulk’s death had crushed her spirit, but her resolve to protect the ones she loved and avenge Shulk was healing her.
She couldn’t protect him, but she could now protect Melia.
She knew now she couldn’t deny these emerging feelings for the princess anymore. They may have felt unwelcome in a time like this, but maybe, just being observant for now was for the best.
Time could only tell when she was fully ready to let go of Shulk. Unbeknownst to her though, that decision was approaching faster than she thought.