Seeing the state of the girl who looked like a nun and the knight behind her—both bruised, battered, and disheveled—Leon, Lucia, and Livia didn't waste time with words. They pulled them into the house and ushered them into the living room. Livia and Lucia hurried into the back to fetch drinks and a basin to wash the wounds of the two guests, who sat with their heads bowed low.
"Alright, who are you?" Leon asked.
"Forgive us, Your Majesty. My name is Mariana Yorna. I am a Saint appointed by the Esvana Monastery in Central Vanadias, and this is my guardian, Isabela Harthel," Mariana answered.
"Greetings, Your Majesty," Isabel added, bowing her head.
Lucia returned with two glasses of water and set them before Mariana and Isabel. They drained the glasses instantly. Lucia then sat beside Leon, observing just how exhausted the two newcomers looked. Shortly after, Livia brought a basin and two towels to the table so they could wash their faces, then she took her seat beside Leon as well. Mariana and Isabel cleaned their faces and the scrapes on their arms. Leon, Lucia, and Livia remained quiet, letting them find their composure before asking anything else.
Once the guests seemed calm and breathed a sigh of relief, Lucia fetched more water from the kitchen. After she sat back down, Leon spoke up.
"Alright, explain what you're doing here on the Black Continent. It's a very long journey from the capital, isn't it?" Leon asked.
Mariana took a deep breath and looked at the three teenage triplets sitting before her. She explained that the capital of the Vanadias Empire was in a state of emergency. Rebellions had broken out in the names of various gods that had never been heard of before. These uprisings were still raging in every major territory, compounded by the fact that the Emperor had not appeared in public for a long time.
"About two months ago, while I was praying in the monastery before the statues of the three gods, I received a vision of the future," Mariana said. "I saw the destruction of the world—the wall crumbling and three kings and queens leading a group of the gods' chosen. They reunited the fractured empire and led them to victory against the Undead in the north."
A few days after that vision, and after discussing it with the High Bishop, she had a dream telling her she must seek out the three sovereigns who had been reborn on the Black Continent. When she told the High Bishop, he strictly forbade her from making the trip, citing Emperor Barrington's poor health as the reason. A council of five members, representing the five major regions, had taken over decision-making for the Emperor.
Mariana was devastated. The vision of the future remained vivid in her mind—everything would be destroyed by the Undead unless the three sovereigns intervened and brought peace to the world of Estoria. Driven by recurring dreams, Mariana finally decided to travel in secret without the High Bishop's knowledge. She was accompanied by several Holy Knights, including Isabel. They started as a group of seven, but after a journey of great sacrifice, they finally managed to cross over to the Black Continent.
Isabel was the only Holy Knight left. After asking around at the ports and among various tribes scattered across the Black Continent, they finally arrived at the village where Leon, Lucia, and Livia lived. Hearing Mariana's story, Leon, Lucia, and Livia—who knew exactly how terrifying the Undead were from a thousand years ago—fell into deep thought. Leon turned to look at his two younger siblings,
"It looks like we won't be living a quiet, peaceful life after all," Leon said with a thin smile.
"True. It seems destiny has finally tracked us down," Lucia replied, smiling back.
"It's time we returned to the world," Livia added, her expression bright.
"Swooooosh." Without a second's delay, Leon summoned a blue trident into his hand—the weapon of Cronus. Lucia called forth a massive, white, lightning-shaped sword—the weapon of Soranus. Livia summoned her twin single-edged axes of yellowish-green—the weapons of Terranus. The mark of Terranus, a large island-like brand, appeared on Livia's cheek; the mark of Cronus, resembling ocean waves, appeared on the crook of Leon's arm; and the mark of Soranus, a thundercloud, appeared on Lucia's back. Every crest pulsed with a brilliant light.
Witnessing the legendary weapons and the marks on their bodies, Mariana and Isabel were struck with awe. It was as if their faces were shouting that their journey had not been in vain. Without hesitation, both women slid from their chairs and bowed low, worshipping the three teenagers.
"Thank you... thank you for believing my story," Mariana whispered.
"Rise, Mariana, Isabel," Leon said, his voice now ringing with authority.
The two stood and returned to their seats, while Leon, Lucia, and Livia sent their weapons back into their summoning circles. Before they could speak further, the door burst open. Eluisa, Lot Har, and Helen walked in, stopping dead when they saw the two strangers from the Libelia continent sitting in their front room. Eluisa glared at the siblings.
"Who are these people?" Eluisa asked. She harbored a deep hatred for anyone from Libelia because of what they had done to her family and the families of her triplet siblings.
"There's something we need to tell you, Big Sister," Leon started.
"Hmm... judging by your clothes, are you from the Esvana Monastery in Central Vanadias?" Lot Har asked.
"Yes, sir. We apologize for the intrusion," Mariana replied politely.
Lot Har studied their tattered and messy clothing, which still looked high-quality. He turned and opened the front door, scanning the area to the left and right. He stepped back inside and, with a sharp "sriiiing," drew the sword from his waist and pointed it at Mariana. Isabel started to stand, her hand going to her own hilt, but Mariana raised a hand to stop her.
"You're the Saint and the Holy Knight from the rumors, aren't you? You've brought disaster to our doorstep. Are your pursuers following you to this village?" Lot Har asked, cutting straight to the point.
Mariana went silent, hanging her head in shame. Leon, Lucia, and Livia stood up to intervene, but Eluisa held up her palm to signal them to stay back. Helen, standing behind Lot Har, kept glancing out the window to monitor the situation. Suddenly, "teng... teng," the village defense bell began to toll. Everyone turned toward the window. Lot Har looked back at Mariana, his sword still leveled at her.
"Just as I thought. You brought your pursuers here," Lot Har said. He then turned to Eluisa. "I'm going out, my wife. Wait for me here."
"Alright. Please be careful, my husband," Eluisa replied.
"Let me help you, sir," Isabel said, standing up.
Lot Har looked at Isabel and gave her a firm signal to stay back and protect Mariana. Isabel nodded and sat back down.
"Don't make the situation any worse. Stay here and don't go anywhere," Lot Har ordered Isabel.
"I... I understand. I'm so sorry," Isabel whispered, bowing her head.
"We're coming too," Leon, Lucia, and Livia said in unison.
"You stay here. Only if things get desperate should you come help. Protect your sister. Helen, can you join me?" Lot Har asked.
"Of course. I'll go with you," Helen replied.
Lot Har and Helen opened the door and ran out. Eluisa closed the door behind them and sat down next to her three siblings, who were still standing. She turned a sharp, piercing gaze toward Mariana and Isabel.
"Tell me exactly why you came here," Eluisa said, her voice heavy, cold, and full of resentment.