-Artor POV-
I woke up in pain and found my limbs were in pain beyond belief. My head felt like someone had grabbed it and stretched it in all the wrong ways. I held my head in pain, trying to remember what had happened.
My head throbbed as I tried to recall my memories. Prasutagus and I were escorting the Roman back to his camp…. Oh, that's right, Prasutagus is dead. He killed himself to protect me, all to save me.
Why would the Romans do that to us? Prasutagus and I never showed the Romans any animosity. As far as I could remember, Father and Mother were the same. The Iceni as a whole were the model vassal Tribe.
So why did everything crash down? For what? As I tried to find a reason for the madness, I witnessed a voice interrupt my thoughts.
"Honestly, what were you thinking?" A youthful voice rang out. I turned to the voice and saw a young girl. Sitting on a throne.
"Who are you?" I asked, never having seen the girl before in my life. But she seemed familiar to me. I knew I had seen her before, but I couldn't recall where.
"You haven't introduced yourself yet. Are the children of today lacking in manners?" Sothis pointed out with a flat expression.
"Ah, I am sorry; my name is Artor," I replied with a bit of embarrassment at forgetting my manners. The girl nodded, pleased with my response.
"You can call me Sothis… but also known as 'The Beginning.'" Sothis exhaled and gestured to herself.
When I heard Sothis' name, that's when it clicked for me. Despite never having played Fire Emblem: Three Houses, I recognized Sothis from videos. But that was all because I had never played or watched the game. Still, the way she looked was oddly familiar to me.
"So, do you know a Divine Dragon named Naga?" I asked. I may not have played Fire Emblem: Three Houses, but I played Awakening. Sothis, to me, looked kind of like Naga. With her pointed ears, it was clear she was a Dragon.
I saw a hint of surprise cross Sothis's face at my question. Sothis let out a hum before she stepped over her throne and approached me. I felt nervous about the potential Goddess approaching me as she looked me over.
When Sothis was before me, she leaned in, inspecting me. "How odd it appears you have Naga's essence within your being… and is that Anankos I sensed? Oh my, is that Divine blood I sense? You are quite curious, Artor, having the power of two different dragons from worlds I created," Sothis remarked as she looked me over.
Her words stunned me. Anankos — that was the name of Corrin's Father and I carried Naga's blessing. That meant I had the Mark of Exalt somewhere on me. With my mind buzzing with question I tried to search my body for where the Mark could be.
"What are you doing?" Sothis asked, clearly confused by my strange behavior. I couldn't blame her; I was inspecting every part of my body for the Mark of Naga. From what I remembered, the mark was a glowing sigil. Unless it was on my eye, like Lucina's, it should be visible.
"I'm searching for the Naga sigil. She gave her chosen a Mark, I know, but I can't find it... Can you see it on my eye, Sothis?" I replied to her. Sothis hummed softly before placing her hands on my shoulders.
"I see... Hmm, from what I know about Naga's mark, it should be visible, but I don't see it," Sothis said, helping me search. Her hand ran down my shoulders before stopping. "There it is. It seems your bloodline hasn't awakened yet. It just needs a little magic... right here." Sothis added, and I felt a strange energy enter my body from my shoulder.
I could feel my body grow warm before I felt energy burst from it. A tingling sensation spread from my core, reaching towards my extremities. I could see my right shoulder glowing blue, the color intensifying until it became a brilliant, almost blinding light. The light burst forth, a dazzling flash that forced me to close my eyes instinctively. Even after the initial flash subsided, lingering spots of vibrant color danced behind my eyelids, remnants of the intense illumination. When the afterimages finally faded, allowing me to focus on the form of my arm, I saw it. Etched into the skin of my forearm is the Mark of the Exalt, the sigil of the Divine Dragon God, Naga.
"I must say, with all these powers within you, our meeting must have been set up by Fate," Sothis states, her voice echoing in the cavernous space. I couldn't help but agree. It was staggering how improbable it was that we met. The memory of the Shadow of the Counter Force flickered unbidden in my mind. I understood the implications of that entity, the embodiment of humanity's will to survive.
Why would Alaya, the very personification of humanity's desire for survival, need *my* help? Her go-to method was summoning her Counter Guardians — beings of immense power, warriors drawn from across time and space to combat threats to the planet. That was her modus operandi. I highly doubted Alaya even considered, let alone cared about, collateral damage. Just going by what EMIYA said in the show, I knew she had no qualms about sacrificing entire cities to preserve the greater good.
So, the question remained: Why was *I* chosen for this? Why was I, a relatively insignificant individual in the grand scheme of things, selected to play a part in whatever scheme she was orchestrating? Was it a test? A manipulation? Or something far more complex, something I couldn't even comprehend? The weight of the unknown pressed down on me, heavy and suffocating. The air itself seemed to crackle with anticipation, and the shadows in the cavern danced with secrets I couldn't yet decipher.
"Sothis, what's the last thing you remember?" I asked, curious. I knew little about Sothis, but her title, "The Beginning," clearly suggested she was a god. What kind of god, though, I didn't know. Based on her statements about creating worlds, I figured she was some kind of creation goddess.
Sothis seemed to think about my question for a moment. "The last thing I remember was fusing with my previous host, Byleth. I was supposed to disappear from her body. But the next thing I knew, I was here in your body. Similar to Byleth, I have been with you ever since you were born." Sothis said, but her words just confused me.
Sothis has been with me since I was born, so how could no one have sensed her? I was carrying a Divine Spirit within me, after all. The Tribe didn't have many magecraft experts, but we had a few. Yet, not a single one sensed Sothis, which seemed unlikely. Could something be hiding her presence? I wasn't complaining. All it would take was one person finding out, and rumors of a child harboring a Goddess would spread like wildfire.
The last thing I wanted to do was give the Romans even more reason to target the Iceni. The thought of the Romans made my expression sour. I suddenly felt a hand pat my head.
"There, there. It's okay to feel sadness over your loss. But you must keep your temper. Your outburst nearly destroyed Prasutagus's body. If not for me directing your rage elsewhere, Prasutagus could not have had a proper grave," Sothis said to me, her voice an inaudible murmur that barely pierced the fog of my grief. Her words, however gentle, were a physical blow. They made my face pale, the color draining from my cheeks as I replayed the scene in my mind: the raw, untamed fury, the earth trembling beneath my feet, the very air crackling with an energy I could barely control.
The last thing I wanted to do was desecrate Prasutagus's body. The thought, once fully comprehended, sent a fresh wave of nausea through me. My hands, still trembling from the residual power that surged within me, clenched into fists. I wouldn't know how to look myself in the mirror if I had been the one to deny him the dignity of a proper burial.
And it wasn't just my reflection I would have to avoid. How could I face Mother, her own heart is no doubt shattered by Prasutagus's death? How could I meet Father's gaze? I could never look in the eyes, as shame would forever fill my body. I could never thank Sothis enough for redirecting my anger.
"Thank you, Sothis. I could never thank you enough," I said, bowing my head. I was truly grateful. A thought surfaced in my mind. "Sothis, will you help me?" I asked.
Sothis looked me in the eye. Despite how young she looked, you could tell Sothis was ancient from her eyes alone. My heart leaped into my throat at Sothis's face. It was completely blank as she seemed to stare into my soul.
"Ask Artor. What do you want?" Sothis asked, her voice echoing in the vast, almost silent chamber. The question, however, felt less like an offer of help and more like a pronouncement, a royal decree. I stood before her, the weight of my unspoken desires heavy in my chest. I considered the multitude of things I craved: adventure, to explore the world beyond the familiar borders of my tribe; fame, to have my name sung in the halls of warriors and poets; power, to shape the destiny of my people. But amidst these glittering ambitions, there was a single, unwavering core desire that burned brighter than any flame, consuming my thoughts and shaping my every action. It was a yearning that had taken root within me when I thought of Prasutagus's death.
I wanted justice for Prasutagus. I will always remember his warmth, strength, and wisdom. He should have lived, grown old, and witnessed the blossoming of his grandchildren. He should have died peacefully in his sleep, surrounded by his loved ones. But he was gone, taken too soon, his life cruelly extinguished at the hands of the Romans. The injustice of it all, the brutal violation of his person and his dignity, fueled a fire within me, a righteous rage that demanded satisfaction.
The faces of the Romans — their cold, calculating eyes, their arrogant disregard for our people — haunted me. The memory of their cruel acts and the devastation they wrought on our lands became a constant companion. Now, standing before Sothis, the very embodiment of ancient power, I knew what I truly wanted. Justice for Prasutagus. And if getting that justice meant taking the fight to the heart of Rome itself, then so be it. I was ready.
"Sothis, what I need, what I *want*, is your power," I begged. "I need justice for Prasutagus. I can't just sit here knowing what the Romans did. They won't stop... something is wrong with this timeline. You're in my body, so you can see my memories. Things are happening too early, things that shouldn't be. I can feel it." We stared at each other for what felt like forever before she finally sighed.
"You're right, unfortunately," Sothis admitted. "I delved into your memories while you were out, catching up on recent events. While I'm no expert on this world's history, I can sense two immense sources of Draconic energy. One lies beneath this land; it seems to emanate an incredible power, despite being dormant. It's actually quite impressive, surpassing even the First Dragons, though not as strong as Naga or me. However, it's powerful enough to pose a threat to both of us." The casual way she mentioned being stronger than the Dragon of Albion was chilling. She casually dismissed Albion's power, even though others considered Albion a potential Archetype Earth.
Wait, Sothis mentioned sensing two Draconic presences in this timeline, but there should only be one. "Sothis, where is this second Draconic power you sense?" I asked. Sothis's expression shifted. I shuddered, chilled by her stony face and the clear disgust etched upon it.
"That second source of energy, Artor, is foul. I can sense its slow buildup. I estimate that in twenty years, it will unleash itself. The consequences for this land will be devastating," Sothis said, her words setting off alarm bells in my head.
"Sothis, where do you sense that second energy?" I asked with dread building up in my body. Sothis was quiet for a moment as she stared into the distance.
"Off in the distance in the direction you call Rome. I sense the power of a dragon building up, but it is foul. Even more than the Fell Dragon Grima," Sothis said with a cold tone, her words causing me to freeze.
A foul, dragon-like power towards Rome. It's just a guess, but only one being comes to mind that fits that description: the Whore of Babylon, also known as Beast VI, the Beast of Depravity. "Sothis, show view my memories," I requested, picturing Beast VI and everything I knew about her. I could see Sothis' expression growing colder with each passing moment.
"In exchange for my power, Artor, I ask two things," Sothis commanded. "First, you must go to the dead body of Albion. Second, you will slay the Beast before it destroys this world." I couldn't help but pale at her request.
Getting to Albion wasn't a problem, but battling that Beast felt impossible. Sothis, seeing my face, scoffed. "Do you think I'd let you face her alone? Artor, the day we fight the Beast, we'll do it together. When that day comes, I promise you'll have the full power of the Mother of Fódlan at your side." Sothis's promise filled me with renewed energy, and just the thought of her by my side brought me comfort.
"Thank you, Sothis." I said with gratitude, I felt lightheaded. I would have fallen if it weren't for Sothis, who caught me.
"It seems you are waking up. Artor, when you wake up, things will be different, but have faith, for I will be by your side," Sothis said as I closed my eyes.
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I opened my eyes and found myself under a familiar ceiling. I could tell where back with the tribe. Mother's cries resounded throughout the home, and I felt sadness wash over me. I knew why she was crying. There could be only one reason. Pushing myself up from my bed, I walked to the common room of our home. When I entered, I saw Mother crying over Prasutagus's body.
I felt tears enter my eyes when I saw Prasutagus's body. Dirt and dry blood covered Prasutagus's body. My tears only grew as I knew the reason his body was like that. The only small mercy was that Prasutagus's body was intact.
I took a step forward, and my footsteps echoed in the room. Mother and Father turned to me with relief appearing on their faces. Mother crossed the room in a flash and hugged me. Her tears drenched my hair. I could only hug her back, my own tears covering her clothes. Father walked up to us, and he hugged both of us as we let our grief surround us.
The three of us stood there for what felt like an eternity. The biting wind whipped around us, carrying the scent of wood smoke and the distant cries of gulls. Nothing changed before Father broke the silence, his face etched with a mixture of concern and something I couldn't quite decipher. He let us go, his hand leaving my shoulder, and knelt down to me, his heavy cloak pooling around him in the damp earth. "Artor, I know this will be hard, but please tell us what happened," Father said, his voice gentle. My breath hitched in my throat, and I closed my eyes, the scene of the past week replaying in a horrifying, fragmented montage behind my eyelids. The stench of blood, the screams, the weight of Prasutagus's limp form in my arms... it all crashed over me again. I fought to contain the tremor in my hands.
I opened my eyes, staring at Father. He flinched at the look on my face, a perceptible tightening of his jaw and a momentary widening of his eyes. Though I couldn't see it, I couldn't feel it–I knew the change was there. My pupils, vibrant red, had turned into vertical slits, like those of a wildcat, a predator. The world seemed sharper, the colors more intense, the ambient sounds of the surrounding forest amplified to an almost unbearable degree. My control was slipping, and the beast within was clawing to get out. With a voice that felt detached, cold, and devoid of the emotion that was churning inside me, I recounted the events of the week: the betrayal, everything that had happened to Prasutagus and me. The words, once spoken, felt like acid on my tongue, but the truth needed to be told.
I watched my father's eyes go cold, while my mother covered her mouth in horror. His jaw clenched, and rage consumed him. "Artor, if what you said is true, this is an act of war." Father said with rage. I knew what Father said was true, but the Iceni couldn't defeat Rome as it was now.
"Father, I understand how you feel. I want to rage and fight the Romans, but we can not afford to fight Rome. We are weak." I said with frustration, and by the look of bitter defeat, Father felt the same. We may not have the strength to fight back, but in the future we could. But that required strength. I needed to be strong enough to make my way to Albion, to fight Rome, to fight the Beast. Everything came back to strength, and I knew one person who could provide that strength.
Pushing myself away from Mother, I stared at both Father and Mother with determination. "Father, Mother, I ask for permission to seek training from the Immortal Witch of Dun Scaith, Scáthach." I said, and I could see horror cross mother's face, but father looked at me with pride.
"Artor, do you have any idea what you are asking? To train with Scáthach means to travel to the Land of Shadows! The countless men who have died to reach her is massive!" Mother cried out in disbelief. Mother turned to Father for help, but he was still as he stared at me.
"Artor, are you sure? You shouldn't make this decision lightly. To reach Scáthach means pushing your mind and body to the limit. If you reach her, you will push yourself beyond your limits, and you will cough up blood every day." Father said, and I nodded my head. I knew what training under Scáthach meant. I would wish myself dead each day. But I knew she was my best bet to reach my goals.
"Antedios, you cannot be agreeing with Artor. This is madness!" Mother cried to Father, but he shook his head.
"Niamh, it's done. No matter what we say, Artor has made his choice. He's going, so I'll just say this," Father said, gripping my shoulders. "Artor, you have my blessing, but you have to come back alive!" He commanded, and I nodded. Mother looked shocked, but then she closed her eyes.
"Artor, you have my blessing, but please come back," Mother said through her tears, and I embraced her. "My heart couldn't bear it if you died." If I had had any doubts before, they were gone now. No matter what, Scáthach would train me, and I would return home alive.
"I promise, Father, Mother, I'll come home alive," I declared with conviction, clenching my fists. I knew the training would be brutal, even deadly, but it would bring me closer to my goal.
Father nodded his head with pride. "Artor, when you return, you will become King," Father said, and I froze. The words hung in the air, heavy with responsibility and the weight of a legacy I never expected. I had always admired Prasutagus; he was a man of strength and vision. Becoming King... it was never a thought that crossed my mind. That was Prasutagus's dream, a dream he nurtured with passion and purpose. But Prasutagus was dead, his vibrant life extinguished too soon, leaving a void in our hearts and a crisis in the Iceni kingdom. Someone had to carry his legacy, to step into the role and guide our people. The choice, it seemed, had fallen upon me. A wave of conflicting emotions washed over me: fear, uncertainty, and a burgeoning sense of duty. I would make Prasutagus proud and honor his memory by ensuring the Iceni thrived. I would learn to be a King, not just for myself, but for the people who depended on me. The path ahead would be fraught with challenges, but I would face them with the same courage and determination that Prasutagus had shown. My journey had just begun.
"I understand, Father, when I return I will take the throne from you. Keep that crown for me until I am ready." I said with determination, I will make everyone in the tribe proud. Just then I had a thought: "Father, how did I get home?" I asked, and Mother gave me a sly smile.
"It turns out that one of our visitors found you. Lady Locrian and her daughter Boudica found you. It seems Boudica is taken with you." Mother said, but my mind went blank. Did she say Boudica?
I heard footsteps behind me and felt a pair of arms hug me. "You're awake! I was so worried when you slept for so long. How are you?!" An energetic voice spoke from behind me. With trembling eyes, I saw red hair out of the corner of my eye.
"Boudica, give Prince Artor some space," I heard a stern voice say, and the surrounding arms released their hold. I turned to see a pair of redheads standing together. One was young Boudica, and the other, her mother. I glanced at Boudica's mother, and my mind went blank.
There's so much I could say about Boudica's mother, but one thing stood out. With a quick, almost imperceptible glance, I realized Boudica would inherit everything from her. 'What is in the water here!' I thought in disbelief.
No one seemed to realize it, but Boudica's mother did, judging by her smile. I blushed and turned away because I knew she had caught me. "Thank you for saving me, Lady Locrian, and especially for bringing back Prasutagus's body," I said, and everyone's expression shifted at the mention of Prasutagus's name.
"My deepest sympathies, Prince Artor," Lady Locrian said, her voice heavy with grief. "The passing of Prince Prasutagus is a tragedy for us all. He would have brought significant change to the tribe." Her words struck a chord, and my face fell, knowing she was right. Prasutagus would have been a remarkable king, but he was gone. Now, it was up to me to fill the space he left.
Boudica grabbed my hand, and I could see in her eyes just how sad she was for me. "Thank you, Boudica, I needed that." I thanked her. I turned to Mother as she gave me a small smile that made me blush.
I didn't know what the future held, but I knew my goals. I felt a weight on me, and I could see Sothis leaning against me. Judging from the fact that no one was reacting to her presence, she must be invisible to everyone but me.
"Artor, don't forget, you're now my vessel," Sothis said. "That means we're together forever, no matter what. We will always be together." I knew then that I'd have an ally with me always, no matter what happened. I nodded at Sothis, and she nodded back, as I knew that Together there would be nothing that could stop us. Turning to Father, I knew I needed to get ready for my journey.
"Father, I need to gather my things." I said to him as Father nodded his head. I heard Boudica gasp as she ran outside to return with a haversack.
"I found this next to you, Artor, when Mother and I found you," Boudica said as she handed me the haversack. I looked at the bag in confusion, not recognizing it. When I took a peek inside it, my eyes dilated at what I saw.
"Oh my, who would have thought we'd find those two items? I must say, Artor, it seems Fate brought us together," Sothis remarked, and I couldn't help but agree. Despite my feelings for her, it seemed Alaya was on my side. After all, why else would I find Falchion and the Sword of the Creator in that bag?
"Thank you, Boudica, I can't express how much this means to me," I said, happiness bubbling in my chest. Boudica gave me a wide smile, and I mirrored it. I could feel Mother's smile widening, too, but I pretended not to notice. I wasn't ready for whatever she had in mind.
"Father, Mother, before I go, we have one last thing to do," I said. We all looked at Prasutagus's body. It was now covered in cloth.
"Prasutagus's funeral will be held immediately," Father announced as servants began preparing his body. I turned to leave, needing to get ready for the service. My future held many possibilities, but right now, it was time to grieve.
But at week's end I would leave home to search for the Land of Shadows to meet Scáthach. I didn't know why, but I shivered when I thought of her. I wish I could say it was anticipation, but I knew it was dread, as if my genes from Cú Chulainn sensed my thoughts to train under Scáthach.
"I must say, with the way your body is shaking, I am interested in meeting this woman," Sothis said. I just knew I would either die under Scáthach or be traumatized.
"Oh, calm down. What's the worst that can happen?" Sothis said, and I turned to stare at her blankly.
"You just had to say that." I said in a dead voice, the words tasting like ash in my mouth. My shoulders slumped, the weight of the impending doom pressing down on me. Sothis, bless her naïve heart, just tilted her head, a single eyebrow arched in confusion. Despite the crafted plans I had for the future, I just *knew* the adventure I was about to embark on would go down in legend. I also knew my life would be full of blunders, so all I could do was brace myself for the inevitable.
Chapter 1: A Lost Peace End
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