The first voyage of the Sea Queen went as well as you could have expected on Aldean Sea. Attacked twice by monsters and once by pirate ship. It seemed cannons were no longer effective as sahagins learned how to quickly climb the ship's hull. Shame they weren't able to assess the threat onboard as now seasoned adventurers quickly cut them down. As for the pirates, their attempt at boarding at night also failed and they too were slain. Among the gifts left behind by them was a nice sabre that Kelin claimed as his own since his rapier wasn't good at cramped spaces like the ship. The rest of the journey went peacefully. As they arrived in Southport, they caused quite a scene due to the unknown ship bearing a familiar flag and city's ruling family's crest. Rosch was quickly whisked away to meet with his father while the party went on ahead to the capital. They were ambushed on the road by a group of goblins and 2 peculiar wolves. So used to engagements such as these they quickly killed them. As they were planning to return back to their journey, they were horrified to discover that the wolves turned to humans. Rumours and myths said that people could learn a black magic to be able to turn to animals or in the worst case scenario be forever cursed and spend your life as an animal. This was the first real life example of this myth and everyone were horrified by it. Unfortunately, there was nothing on them to identify them or track where their home was. As Kelin and Lewyn were digging up graves while Mari was praying, Rosch caught up worried that Kelin might try to woe Sarah to his side. However, when he realized what his party members were doing, he shared his feelings with them. He and Kelin agreed to a truce for this visit. As they entered the castle town, they were greeted by many cheering citizens who noticed the sour mood of the party. That mood carried over when they were presenting their report to the king who was confused by their behaviour. As they shared what had happened, the looks of everyone assembled was that of shock and disgust. To think such magic did exist. The king showed gratitude for the party actions in liberating Pravoka and burying the unfortunate victims of the curse. A small monetary rewards was given to them as well as a letter directly addressed to Kelin. Once he saw who the sender was, Kelin went quiet. As the party returned back to Southport, they tried prodding Kelin for answers, but Kelin learned from Lewyn and remained unmoved by this. He did promise he would share about this someday.
The next destination for the party was the elven port of Ilkhos on the southern coast of the Aldean Sea, the gateway to the elven kingdom of Elfheim. As stories in the cities went, the elven prince Van'er was put under the spell just before his coronation by the Dark Elf king Astos. Now he remains asleep and no known medicine can wake him up. Seeing the opportunity to help out the elves, the party set off south. The journey was surprisingly peaceful so the ship landed in Ilkhos unopposed. An elven official was surprised to see Sea Queen land in the port, but after seeing and confirming the official letters of introduction from Cornelia and Pravoka, he officially welcomed the party to the kingdom and officially granted them a safe passage through the kingdom. With this party boarded their wagon and went for the royal capital. On their way was the Faleron forest. Just like other forests across Feinan, it too was filled with monsters and dangers. However, to the party this was business as usual. Even large cobras, native to this forest, fell as easily as goblins. No threat ever came to their wagon as Sead watched how heroes fought. He was surprised at how Lewyn was so effective at fighting unarmed. He asked Lewyn how he had gained such strength and where did he learned such moves. Lewyn answered that he used to train at Sun Flame monastery before it fell. Now to Sead this name as well as Lewyn's family name did sound familiar, but he couldn't recall where from so he dropped the subject for now.
The party reached the capital without too much problem. The famed city well known for its wooden structures had welcomed them warmly. With the funds they have received from selling wolf skins and monster parts, they decided to stop at the inn to clean themselves before they go to the castle to present themselves. Kelin also stopped by an armour shop to replace his leather shield with an iron one and a helm. As someone who was in thick of the action the most he needed the armour to keep him safe as Mari wasn't always ready to cast Protect at the moments notice. After a good night's reast in the Lightning Mare Inn, they went to the royal castle to present themselves in front of the council of elders who were currently ruling the country. As it turned out, the stories were true. Following the death of the Queen Soraya Radaker the Crown Prince Van'er was preparing for his coronation when he was cursed by Astos and put under sleep. While the whole put was chaos trying to discover what had happened, more dark elves had broken into the treasury and stole many artefacts. For five years every medicine, spell and technique was attempted to awaken the prince, but none worked. They also had no luck in finding where Astos was hiding, so now the council was desperate. While no elf wanted Astos as their king, with the current world situation someone had to take the charge and due to how the elven politics were run, none of the elders was allowed to take Van'er's place as the next king. One suggestion during this meeting did rose up. The elves had heard of the witch Matoya who was said to be able to craft any potion so the council wanted to send the party to the witch. Unfortunately, the party did have an experience with the witch, so they informed the council that in her current condition the witch was unable to help any request might have had. The look on elven faces was that of the desperation as they had no more ideas how to deal with this. In an attempt to appease the elves Kelin requested that the Warriors of Light join the search for the Dark Elf King and potentially force him to give up a cure. Without any other option, elves agreed to this request.
First several patrols were unsuccessful for the party as the only things they have encountered were more monsters. Every elven patrol that they have encountered had said they have failed to find them for years. How lucky would the newcomers have been if they have managed to find Astos on their first try? Without any clues, there was only one thing that the party could try. A gamble. According to the map and some local legend, far in the northwest there is an abandoned keep that supposedly belonged to a fallen kingdom. Very few venture there so the information about it were very few. Knowing no other clues the party decided to venture forth to see what they can find there. However, on the day of their departure, an incident occurred. While they were getting prepared for another expedition at the city gates, an elven patrol returned in terrible shape. All five of them were wounded with one they were carrying on their back in critical condition and unconscious. Rosch and Mari dropped everything they were doing and went immediately to help out with their Cures. While Rosch was helping out those who could walk, Mari went to help out the elf that was carrying his unconscious comrade. Soon enough all five of them were feeling better. Rosch noticed that the elves that Mari helped were really grateful so he asked why. It turned out Mari used a Phoenix Down to revive the unconscious elf. He was surprised by that. While not rare, Phoenix Down are not cheap. A single stone costed 500 gil, the same amount they had when they started their adventure. After returning back to their companions, Rosch started arguing about the use of that Phoenix Down, stating that it might have been used during their adventures instead of using it on that elf. Mari tried to argued about this, but Kelin and Lewyn sided with Rosch. Mari then revealed that she used her own instead of one of party's, surprising the three men. She explained that she was in possession of one even before they met for the first time. This brought in more argument as the men were surprised at the lack of trust between them and her. In the end they agreed to remain another day in the capital as they didn't want this issue to carry on during fights.
That night Mari couldn't sleep so she put on her white cloak, exited the inn and went for the small hill outside the capital. On her way there she met someone unexpected.
"Oh, there you are, miss. I was looking for you." The elf exclaimed this excitedly. It was the same elf that she saved earlier in the day.
"Oh, you? Are you sure you should be walking?:
"It's alright. As long as I don't fight I should be fine. Besides I wanted to thank the person who saved me personally. Where were you going?"
"I needed some fresh air so I wanted to go to that small hill outside the city."
"May I please escort you there? I wanted to express my gratitude to you."
"Um, sure. Would you please lead the way then?"
"Of course. Follow my lead."
The two of them left the city walls with another following them from a safe distance. After 10 minutes they had arrived to their destination, a small hill overlooking the city walls. As the full moon shone on the night sky, it illuminated the area quite well as the red trims on Mari's cloak left a trail behind them.
"May I ask why did you decide to come here?"
"This area has reminded me of a similar area near my monastery that I often went to when I was young. It makes me at ease listening to the sounds of the night whenever I have trouble sleeping."
"Do you have trouble sleeping tonight, miss?"
"Yes, but that's a problem for me to solve. Anyway, you wanted to express gratitude towards me or something?"
"Yes. To think a famed hero has spent something precious to save a lowly patrol elf like me from death. I never could have seen this coming. Thank you from the bottom of my heart."
"It's nothing. You don't need to think about it.
"How can't I? They say it would have been touch and go if you didn't save me. A selfless act from a hero."
"Oh, please don't call me that."
"What else can I call someone who saved a kingdom and city from evil?"
"That was mostly the work of the others. I was just supporting them."
"And such modesty. A trait that worthy heroes have."
"Would you stop it already?"
"But I-"
"Just listen the words that are coming out of my mouth and SHUT THE HELL UP!"
At this a deafening silence fell upon the area. Mari, realizing what she just said from the looks of the shocked elf, tried to fix this.
"I am sorry, I didn't mean to-"
"It's alright, I apologize. I didn't realize I was insulting you this much. I should leave you alone."
"Please stay. I... I..." Mari tried to say something, but words weren't coming out of her mouth.
"I don't want to pry in your affairs, but I heard that you and other heroes had a big argument that caused you a delay. May this be connected with that?"
"M-maybe."
"My mom says it's better to blow off some steam and have someone with a good ear to confide in. Otherwise you will bottle up your emotions until it explodes at the worst possible moment."
"Fine. Would you mind being the good ear, ... Um..."
"Oh, right. I am so sorry. I never introduced myself, did I? Wolt Luoxi at your service, hero."
"Ahem."
"Oh. Um, would Miss Balfour be better then?
"It would be better, yes. Now, would you mind being a good ear, Wolt?
"Of course, Miss."
"Thank you. Now, before I start, I assume from your last name that you have a family history behind you?
"Oh, yes. My grandfather had managed to end serving in the royal guard. A dream one day I hope to accomplish myself."
"You want to hear where mine came from?"
"I assume you came from a noble family?"
"No. I came from a small fishing village on the Kaldean coast called Balfour. My family is so insignificant we don't have a family name. Back at my old monastery there are other ones also named Balfour despite not being related."
"How did you end up in a monastery?"
"As others in my village my parents were fishermen too. Born as the fourth child in a poor family there was not enough resources to go around so they gave me up to the monastery so that I might have a happier life. It took me years to finally reunite with my birth family and by then I had no feelings about them. I threw myself so much in monastery life I cared little about the outside life. From there it's a simple path. I became a priestess and then a white mage. Got this cloak as the showcase of my class. So I became a traveling priestess. Taking care of spiritual needs and wounded in villages across Cornelia. That's my life. Or at least it was until recently."
"Is that when you received that Crystal?"
"Yes. As I was returning back to the Cornelia Cathedral, I started hearing a voice. No matter where I went or how much I tried to silence, it was always there. So I followed its instructions. I ended up in Aberda Forest with the rest of them. And you basically know the rest of that story."
"I see. I didn't expect that you had such a humble origin."
"You wouldn't expect a simple priestess like me could have ever hope to become a Warrior of Light. There must be hundreds like me and yet I was the chosen one. Until recently I have never even wielded a weapon properly. I assume one of the passive abilities of this Crystal is to make learning weapons and spells much faster."
"And is that a bad thing?"
"Well, no, but compared to others, it feels as if I am just throwing stones at the enemy. I am pretty sure Lewyn can snap my neck like a twig if he wanted. Kelin uses his training as a squire in a great way, slicing and piercing anything that came our way with that rapier of his. Rosch has both sword and sorcery under his belt. And what do I have? A weak strike with a hammer and white magic to help people."
"Isn't that enough though?"
"If that's true, then why me? Why not someone who is more capable? Why not someone who isn't scared every time a powerful foe?"
"That bad, huh?"
"I have nightmares in which that knight we have defeated lunges at me and pierces me right through. As I lay there on the cold floor, others successfully defeat me, but fail to save me. Every time I see their faces in that nightmare, I wake up covered in sweat. I don't think others have noticed it yet."
"You don't want to tell them?"
"No. They don't need to know. No need for them to be distracted during fighting."
"I see. Do please tell me this. Do you think your efforts among the Warriors of Light are miniscule?"
"I would say so."
"And if you left them, what would you do?"
"Probably the same as I did before, help people out with my powers. Probably eventually settle down and have kids."
"So you would have saved me with or without your powers?"
"Of course. I used my own Phoenix Down, not one of the party's."
"So how exactly you would have saved me if you remained back in Cornelia? Hm?"
"I would assume you would have gotten help and survived even if I didn't intervened."
"Maybe, maybe not. The fact is the only reason I am standing here is because of you. You do have a presence among the Warriors of Light and you are bringing results because of it. So please, don't consider yourself useless. You have merit like the others. In fact, here. Hold this ring."
"Okay, but what about it? Wait, why are you kneeling down?"
"I, Wolt Luoxi, son of Arryn and Safiya Luoxi, hereby swear an Oath of Life to you, Mari Balfour. Until the day it is settled or until I draw my final breath, my life is yours to command. Call me from whenever and wherever and I will come to your rescue. On the honour of my ancestors, I hereby swear this."
"Seriously, what are you-"
As flustered Mari tried to ask her question, an azure blue light shone from the ring. As Wolt looked up at Mari's face, he saw beautiful eyes that matched the colour of the light as well as a beautiful blonde hair that looked like a gorgeous golden river. As the light dimmed down and all that was left was a silver ring with aquamarine stone on it, Mari tried to find her words.
"W-w-what did you do?"
"Oh, I thought I would have needed a longer incantation. Guessing that was enough."
"What did you do, you idiot?"
"An Oath of Life. An ancient elven magic. Never heard of it?"
"No, what is it?"
"According to the myths, back when kingdom was first formed and magic was still rarely known, the first king and queen swore an oath on their rings so that each could feel presence of the other, no matter how far apart they were from each other. As magic became more prevalent, other elves found other reasons to swear such oaths. However, as society changed and contacts with races were established, this magic had disappeared with the only remnant being the use of wedding rings as symbols of marriage. I wouldn't have been aware of this if I hadn't studied some of my father's books."
"Why are you giving this to me?" I don't feel like I-"
"Do not finish that sentence. I was deliberating on whether I should have done this or not. After everything you just said right now I realized I must do this."
"But why?"
"As you said, you are scared and don't feel like you are a real hero. So I want you to look at this ring every time you have such thoughts. Remember the life of a single person you have saved. Remember it was by your decision that my life was saved. Remember that now you have power far more capable of helping others than before. Can you do that? Can you do for me?
"... Yes."
"Thank you. As for other properties of this oath, I don't know how well someone like me can help out, but if you ever need me, I will come running. It might take days, it might take months. But I will do my best to reach you."
"You don't need to."
"But I want to. Anyway, that was all I wanted say, Miss Balfour. Good night."
"Good night."
As Wolt left Mari alone, she was lost in her thoughts while basking in the moonlight. She never did notice the other person who followed them and who just left the area.
In the morning Mari met with the others where she was surprised by an apology from all three of them. They promised to try and communicate better with each other and try not to have any secrets among them. Mari was a bit confused by this, but in the end she accepted the apology and so the party set off on their journey to the abandoned Keep. That night, as they set up the camp to rest for the night, Mari was unexpectedly dragged away by Lewyn who wanted to talk with her in peace. As they found a small clearing, they started their talk.
Mari: "So what is it that you wanted to talk about?"
Lewyn: "Can you do one thing for me, first?"
"What?"
"Attack me with your hammer."
"Wait, WHAT?!"
"You heard me. Strike me down."
"Is this some kind of a joke? Are others around looking at this?"
"No, we are here alone and this is no joke. Go ahead."
"No!"
"Why? Are you scared?"
"Yes. What if I hurt you or something like that?"
"Then cast Cure if you hurt me or cast a preventive Protect if you are that scared."
"No. What's with you all of a sudden?"
"I heard the conversation you had with that elf last night."
"... Every word of it?"
"Yes. I wanted to talk to you so I followed both of you to that hill. Didn't originally meant to listen in, but I didn't want to disturb your conversation."
"Is that why everyone apologised this morning? You telling everyone what you heard?"
"No, that was just cool heads thinking things through."
"Fine, then. I will have to accept you listening to a private conversation. But what that has to do with this?"
"Easy. Can I count on you during fighting?"
"What do you mean? Of course you can."
"Are you sure?"
"Oh, I see. You think because I am scared that I will run away at some point, is that it? Well, I am sorry that muscle brain of yours doesn't know what being scared means when confronted with something or someone more powerful than you."
"I don't care that you are scared. What I do care and worry is you chocking up when that fear overwhelms you. You see this scar on my chest? That's from Garland's sword when it went through me. Back then you immediately casted Cure to save me. What if this happens again, but this time you don't react because you are so scared, huh? What then?
"Well... ...."
"Tell me, where do you live?"
"Huh?"
"Do you live in past, present or future?"
"Um, present?"
"Are you sure? Because you don't act like you do."
"What do you mean?"
"You still think yourself as just your everyday priestess and that you are easily replaceable. Well, I have news for you. You are not. You were chosen by the Goddess so act like it."
"Easy for you to say. Don't you feel any pressure because of this?"
"Nope. If we succeed, the world is saved. If we fail, the world is screwed. Simple as that."
"I wish I had that simpleton brain of yours."
"No one is stopping you from that. As I said, you still live in past. You still think of yourself as a lone person instead of a party member. So I would like for you to stop thinking that and change it before you risk our lives on a wrong decision."
"You really think that this is easy to do? Just change yourself on a dime?
"No, but the sooner you do, the sooner you will start to live in the present with us. Hell, you might even might plan for your future like Rosch does."
"A future that may or may not come?"
"Exactly. Try to live in the moment."
"That your family philosophy or something?"
"Why, yes it is. And each of them died without any regrets."
"Died? Do you even have alive family members?"
"Last time I checked, two. They are probably traveling the world as I speak. If not, then they probably died in a fight and have the eternal sleep somewhere in a shallow grave."
"Wow, thanks for providing me with confidence."
"My pleasure."
"That was sarcasm."
"I know."
"You really think your advice will actually help me out?"
"Yes. There is a fighter in you yet. Otherwise that pirate in Pravoka would still have his head intact."
"..."
"Welp, I am going to the camp and sleep."
"Really?"
"You won't play with me at all and I have given my piece to you so why waste this fine night for anything else? Good night."
"Good night."
As Lewyn returned back to the camp, Mari was left all alone. The words he said have been etching in her mind as she checked her pocket and took out the ring that Wolt gave to her. These past months for her have been a brand new experience, one that she never even imagined. Had she been asked if she wanted to be the Warrior of Light, she would have refused it as she was happy with her old life. But this wasn't the case. She was trusted with a role she was not prepared for at all. She was forced to save a world that she knew very little of. As dangers increased and her opponents became more stronger, her meek self couldn't hope to keep up. So this was a breaking point for her. As the full moon shone on the young priestess, she clutched the ring and made a vow to herself. A vow to be stronger. A vow to be braver. A vow to save others. A vow to defeat evil and save the world. A vow to earn her title as the Warrior of Light. From that night she started to change as her old self slowly died and in it's place came her new self.