“We stand alone not because we don’t welcome the help, not because we are shunned or outcasts. We stand alone because we cannot bear others suffering needlessly for our sins, for we shall bear that responsibility, the mantle of protectors. Against the evils of the Dark Tide, we shall not falter, that much, I assure you.”

- Knight Commander Dennis Meloin, Knight Order of the Iron Cross, “Speech to Knight Initiates”

“Damnable curs.” Sophie snarled, “My deeds are mine, to push this onto you is beyond ridiculous.”

“Soph, it’s fine, I’m more worried about you than anything.” Eva pleaded.

“Forget me! I had already resigned myself to die that night. Since then, just being able to meet everyone, you, Ary… this is all a miracle in my eyes. But for those events to be perverted and turned against you is stupid.” Sophie huffed, shaking with rage.

The others had mostly left the two to sort the issue out amongst themselves, waiting for a calmer setting before engaging in conversation with the two. Sophie was furious both at herself and the imbeciles within the court. If the words of the Meltonian king were true, then herself, and by extent Eva, was instrumental in helping set a tone for a more peaceable relation between the two nations, however much or little truth that might be in truth. To have so quickly condemned Eva alongside her was simply unacceptable, and a saintess at that. Absolutely preposterous.

It wasn’t even a desire to protect Eva that motivated her, for she knew that Eva was more than capable on her own. It was the backhandedness of how the court had so swiftly abandoned Eva that had infuriated Sophie. But as her friend comforted her, her mind cooled off with the one good thing she was able to dig out of this new mess. Does this mean I’ll get to see Eva more?

“Don’t worry about it. Really.” Eva reassured her, her hands resting atop Sophie’s ever so familiarly, “I left them a little bombshell of my own before I headed back here.”

“But they… you did?” Sophie asked.

“Mmhmm. There’s a reason I’m so open about my outlander status now.” Eva winked.

Sophie gasped, “But your freedom! The church!”

"I can handle the church. I’ve dealt with them before, and if they think anything will change just because of this… well they’re partially right, but not in their favor at least.”

Hearing this, Sophie let out a soft giggle, amused at Eva’s confidence and equally as inspired. With that alone, some of the tension defused and the others in the room breathed a little easier.

“Of course you would. You’re Eva, incredible and unstoppable.” Sophie grinned with pride.

“That’s the spirit!” Eva cheered, “So don’t worry that much about it! I mostly came because I was worried for you. Being called a traitor, even a minor one in this case means that entering Carrador would have you arrested.” Her mood dropped the more she spoke.

Sophie went on the offensive this time and patted her own chest, “I’ve handled worse than that.” She beamed, before she too, quickly deflated, “I also don’t think I’ll get a chance to go back anytime soon anyway.”

“Ah… your quest right? By the creature in the stars.”

“Mmhmm.”

The two shifted uncomfortably, the weight of responsibilities falling upon their shoulders an oddly familiar yet strange sensation. They had been apart for a while, never really getting to spend too much time together. Since the kidnapping. Heh, ‘since the kidnapping’? Haha-

“-ahaha.” Sophie chuckled to herself.

“Soph?”

“No, no, it’s nothing. I was just thinking how it takes yet another disaster for us to spend time like this.” Sophie continued chuckling.

“You make it sound like that’s the only way we get to meet.” Eva huffed.

“Maybe. After all, you’re the saintess teaching other saints and saintesses. You’re a leader if you know it or not. Hells, I turned out like this because you found me. You’re a heroine, Eva. You’ll be busy as fuck.” Sophie snickered.

“And you're not? Miss little defeating eldritch monsters, undead, dark shadows, conspiracies and cults? Am I missing any? Sound pretty busy yourself.” Eva smirked.

Sophie laughed. A pained laugh that showed both her joy and vulnerabilities. The guilt of failure hidden just beyond the horizon.

“Okay, that’s enough from the both of you. As much as your tales are enrapturing, I’m feeling a little hungry, and I was hoping we’d all get this big group dinner, provided no one has other plans. Also! Before you two launch into another private conversation the rest of us aren’t a part of.” Sophia interrupted, “Look at poor Aryana, she’s sulking at being left alone.” She gestured at the girl in question.

“Am not!” Ary protested, but she looked very much like she had been.

The room broke out into a small general laugh and whatever concerns Sophie had faded as her own stomach growled to join the chorus. She gave Ary’s cheeks a teasing pinch, the girl just pouted in her general direction. Looking over at Sophia, she found her counterpart motioning for her to look at a clock. Almost six, yikes, we talked for longer than I thought.

“Sorry for…uh, I guess for holding everyone hostage. Eva and I have a lot to play catch up with evidently. But yeah, Sophia’s right, it's practically dinner time so…” She looked to Ary, giving the girl a wry smile, “I propose a little trip to Pressel Hall. How about it?”

“Food!” Ary nodded.

“Food.” Yana echoed her bonded.

“It would be pleasant company.” Maylesa spoke for the elves.

Elaria nodded her assent and thus Raylani did too, still eying the elves. That left Eva, who seemed almost amused by this turn of events. But after a few seconds, she blinked and her eyes lit up.

“Sounds like a swell plan.” Eva beamed, "Been a while since we had dinner together."

Eva’s generally more relaxed nature meant she never really went out of her way to engage with the nobles back at the Rosengart estate or in the Palace of Neun Carad. But her upbringing combined with her outworlderness also meant that she was much more comfortable at conversing with people than Sophie would ever be. Or at least that’s what Sophie thought.

The dinner was a strange yet lively affair. More than a few students were back by now and seeing such an eclectic group, in particular Raylani, just casually within the dining hall eating was something that attracted its own fair share of attention. Sophie had little doubt that any hopes of letting Raylani attend school without much scrutiny would be thoroughly trashed in the coming morning after rumours had spread.

As for the group itself, Eva seems to have found a common cause of Elaria, the two more than happy to discuss the intricacies of society together in a way that Sophie hadn’t expected. Then again, Ela was modelling herself after Eva before I dashed that idea to the ground. She shuddered, the Entity is scary.

Without her designated speaking delegate, Rayalni was left with Sophia to face the ever curious siblings. While Raylani was less than pleased with Sophie’s twin, the girl at least made the dark elf laugh on more than one occasion. The siblings got most of their questions answered, but kept looking for more opportunities to ask questions whenever possible. Also scary.

Ary was satisfied once more. She practically monopolised Sophie’s presence at the dining table, always sticking near. Yet, Sophie could feel that lingering sense of unease within the redhead. More than once she caught Ary glancing over at Eva, a complicated if almost worried expression flashing across her eyes. Just as quickly as it appeared, it would vanish. But every time, without fail, Ary would ever so slightly give her hand a little squeeze.

“Soph.” Eva called out, prompting Ary to squeeze a little again.

“Mmhmm?” Sophie mumbled through a mouthful of roast chicken and mash.

“May, Thal and I were wondering what’s exactly up with this whole last name thing your newly discovered siblings have.” Eva nonchalantly asked.

Both Sophie and Ary shared a look of absolute amazement. They’d known the siblings for almost half a year now and still called them by their full first names. Sophie was afraid of accidentally insulting an elven culture that she had little experience with. Ary just liked erring on the side of cautiou to not alienate her friends. Eva had met them only a few hours ago and already shortened their names. She doesn’t like pronouncing names with more than three syllables, let alone two. Sophie smiled at the memory, hells, she even shortened mine to one. But to do it to distinguished elves like these two…

“Indeed, we meant to ask but forgot.” Thalnor spoke first.

“We might have been a bit preoccupied with meeting you all. Which was a pleasure, by the way.” Maylesa affirmed, everyone else responding positively.

And they didn’t care at all! Sophie and Ary now shared the same thought. Recovering from the shock, Sophie looked towards her counterpart, who just shook her head.

“Was going to explain it earlier since they did bring it up. But uhh, I got distracted by the food.” Sophie admitted, "But no worries! It’s not a long story anyways. So I'll tell it now, if you're still up for it.” Sophie spoke and moved to tell the others when she froze. Oh hells, but I don’t think any of them know just how ‘close’ our talks to the Shadow Goddess had been.

Evidently the same thought finally triggered within her counterpart’s mind, a look of alarm taking over Sophia’s face.

Yeah, we weren’t sworn to secrecy, as far as I know, but I don’t think people just ‘talk’ to Gods like we did. Sophie shot a message to her counterpart.

Okay. But now what? Do we just… tell them? Sophia countered.

No…? Maybe? Do you think Morea would care?

I don’t think she even remembers either of us exist. Sophia scoffed.

So…

Go for it, why not? The more the merrier, right? Besides, it's more so your secret than mine.

I guess. But let’s keep it pretty vague for now. Sophie cautiously affirmed.

Barely satisfied, she pushed on and gestured for the curious three to come closer so she could whisper if away from the countless other ears in the cafeteria. The three of them leaned towards Sophie and even the others in their group unintentionally followed despite already knowing the truth.

Even now, the words that slowly came out of the back of her mouth felt odd and unwieldy, as if they were meant to be uttered by normal mortals.

“In the deeps. Sophia and I met with the Shadow Goddess Morea. With her, I made a deal. Information for a favor. What she told me was my name, my real… no, my other name. One that I once had.” Sophie whispered.

“And so we adopted it. To deepen our familial bonds and to celebrate her having learned a little more about herself.” Elaria added.

Sophia joined the fray by offering a furtive nod, though Sophie was unsure if her counterpart was agreeing or trying to convey something about mentioning the Shadow Goddess. I guess it’s fitting, she’s technically twins with Caelinor. Makes sense why she made Sophia look nearly identical to me.

“You’re serious? You just… met a member of the divine stellar pantheon. Just like that?” Eva whistled, surprised and in some ways, very worried.

“More or less. But ah! It was while I was at the siege against the dwarven city.” Sophie explained, shooting the two elves an apologetic look, “I might have glossed over a little bit. We were fighting alongside dwarven titans against… monsters?”

“Corrupted monsters.” Sophia corrected.

“Right. Corrupted monsters. During the battle, I noticed a cadre of dark elves in the distance. After that, the Shadow Goddess spoke to me. So I suspect she was observing through something alongside them. What it was, I didn’t see.” Sophie continued.

“It is quite possible.” Raylani finally spoke, her voice drawing everyone’s attention, “The Lady of Shadows can be quite active should she choose to be. Those who are truly devoted to her and serve as her messengers are called…” Raylani searched for a word, her stoic expression cracking with a hint of frustration at her inability to remember. “I suppose in your tongue… it would be something like ‘Shadow Sorters’? I apologize. I do not know all the proper words.” The dark elf dipped her head in shame.

“That’s fine.” Elaria quickly reassured her, “You still got the point across.”

“It is certainly possible. It would be similar to how your human priests sometimes channel divine powers. But I suppose this would be more than a ten-fold increase in power if the Shadow Goddess herself can appear.” Maylesa hummed, Thalnor also holding a thinking pose.

“Still, I wonder just what she got from trading that information with you.” Eva pursed her lips, “In my experience, though Gods are unfair, they rarely trade in deals as lopsided as this. Whatever favor that was asked of you, I won’t pry if you aren’t sharing. But for just a name? That seems like a high price. Unless of course, your name held some value.” Eva speculated.

Sophie furrowed her brow and dug into the unpleasant memory. Plucking out pieces of the deep in a search for something when she remembered. The forgemaster spirit, what did it call me again? A being of the first men and first blood? By the stars! How quickly that all slipped my mind!

“Ah! That reminded me. In the deep, a… a… a dwarven forge spirit, I don’t know, it was a spirit rock of sorts, I think.” Sophie excitedly stammered, “It called me a child of the first blood and of the first men.”

“Of first blood and men? So… like an elf and human halfie. A half elf?” Eva scratched her head.

“Why does that sound like such oddly familiar terminology?” Maylesa hummed, “Brother, do you have any ideas?”

“Not at the moment. But first does lend credence to Lady Evaline’s thought process considering elves are a long lived species. But first men? Are they referring to humans or beastfolk? Technically those are considered humanoids as well.” Thalnor tried to help.

“Could it… could it mean Myndir? And Aetosian?” Sophie suggested.

The siblings looked at her oddly, Thalnor in particular looking her up and down before staring directly into her eyes. Gosh, that’s a little… Sophie squirmed.

“Of course.” He mumbled, “Despite being extremely improbable bordering impossible, something that seems to pose no obstacle to you, it would make sense.” He drummed his fingers on the table, “Yes… sister, remember what we learned about mana rich eyes like hers?”

“That they are coveted for being most in tune with their mana. And that the appearance of such eyes are beyond rare as a recessive gene that is often left overwritten by whatever else it is paired with.” Maylesa responded.

“Indeed, and over the generations, most of those with such eyes have long since disappeared. With the trait more than gone from a not insignificant amount of communities.”

“But to be a half elf her parents would’ve been an elf and a human, surely in that case, any gene the human provides would certainly become dominant. Like how her hair is black instead of a lighter color.” Maylesa argued, but then the elf frowned, “Unless…”

“She came from a time when those genes were dominant. Where magic was an inherent part of a creature’s functioning more essential by exponential leagues compared to now.” Thalnor finished the thought. But he too, frowned.

“But from the Myndiri era till now, we’d be… a few hundred maybe a thousand generations separated. In human terms, anyhow. That’s still unlikely to be sufficent time for evolution to have ‘evolved’ Myndiri traits out of our people, at the very least.”

“But what if it wasn’t evolution.” Eva interrupted the siblings, making elves and the more and more eager half elf turn towards her, “It was a time of horrific atrocities and magical experiments, or so we’re taught. But judging by Carrador today and the MIstveil, couldn’t it have been the result of an experiment?”

Thalnor seemed unconvinced but bobbed his head along as he continued craft possibilities.

“Possibly. One complaint within the elven scientific community is that we can’t find too many traces of the Myndiri left. So identifying what one’s genetic makeup would be and its similarity to ours might just be a gap in our knowledge.” Maylesa stated.

“They were prolific inventors as well. Inspires even our peoples now.” Thalnor added, “It isn’t out of the realm of possibility that Miss Rosengart’s teachings are a bit skewed but correct.”

“Explain, brother.”

“As you said. There are no discernable genetic comparisons between our current forms and that of the Myndir. Hence making Sophie be one of them a possibility. What I mean to add is that, what if the reason there’s no difference, is that their experimentation also resulted in… in… a tapering of their magic abilities? Or at least an offshoot of them. Like how our battery is an offshoot of the more standard sized ones. But unlike that analogy, the changed thing then became the norm.”

“Hold on.” Eva stepped in again, stopping the two, “Before we go off on a tangent, are you saying, the tiny child I picked up off a forest road is actually some long extinct elf? And that, the possibility of that somehow being true despite Sophie looking no older than us, is… not at zero?” Eva exclaimed.

The siblings looked at each other. “No. It is greater than zero. It is now, a possibility we cannot discount.” Then they both paused before turning to Sophie. “Oh my.” They muttered in unison. “Can we have a vial of your blood for testing?”

The night ended strangely, with the siblings and Eva growing increasingly agitated about the possibility of having just accidentally stumbling across a member of an extinct species. Eva seemed more alive than when they had started the dinner, what with news of her temporary banishment and Sophie now a traitor. That alone was enough for Sophie to be satisfied.

Sophia just looked smug the whole way through. For the briefest of moments, Sophie wondered if there was a way to just forever shut Sophia out of her mind, but decided against potentially drawing Morea’s ire, and that such telepathy was pretty convenient at times. Raylani was perhaps now the most wary of her, finally taking her recollection of events in the deep more seriously. This worried Sophie as from Raylani’s retelling of history, it was the Myndir or their children who had forced the dark elves into exile underground, a state they had remained in since then.

Whatever the case, their night as a united group came to an end. Sophie and Eva embraced for a minute before she left, the two just happy that their friendship hadn’t been lost along the way. With her own siblings departing for Maplewood hall and the elven siblings towards Kingswood, that left Sophie and Ary alone at least.

Yana had struck out with the sheer amount of food and now rested lazily on the window sill of their dorm. Giving the two of them time to shower and prepare for bedtime after the pleasant dinner. Now, they just rested against each other, their shared exhaustion provoking little bouts of giggling.

“You’ve been busy today.” Ary teased.

“Mmhmm. Fun though, catching up with everyone.” Sophie grinned, "Why? Feeling a little neglected?"

“No! Absolutely not!" The girl shrieked before calming down, "Ahem, what I meant to say was that it made me so happy when Maylesa and Thalnor came to say hi.” Ary blushed, “And off of just rumours and speculation! They must really see us as friends!” The girl bounced excitedly.

“Heheh, I think they already counted us amongst their friends when they invited us on a walk around town last semester.” Sophie clicked her tongue.

“Well… yeah… but still! It made me happy.”

“I’m sure it did. In fact, I was pretty surprised anyone even came to greet us.” Sophie reached over to ruffle Ary’s hair, “Though I think maybe being such a test subject also helped get their attention.”

“Maybe.” Ary snuggled a little closer.

The two shared a sigh, the last energy they had left slowly fading as sleep drew ever closer.

“Classes start back up soon. You have your schedule and everything?”

“I do. Do you?”

“For the most part.” Sophie smirked, “Still seeing what they sort my combat class level at, or if I even get into one at all. Stars know I need practice.”

“I’d prefer if you just didn’t have to fight.” Ary pouted.

“Heh, me too. But someone’s gotta do it.”

“But why does this have to be you?”

“Ary… we talked about this before…”

“I know.” Ary sighed, retreating from the subject once more.

Unwilling to press the matter but also seeing her mood deflate, Sophie pecked her on her forehead, the small kiss making the girl visibly a little more cheery. Even if she still found displeasure at Sophie’s quest. The two spent a few moments quietly curled against each other, only their breaths echoing in the room. Finally, after a while, they both shuffled a little and moved to more comfortable positions. Though the two would have no agreement today, they found contentment and affection within each other’s gazes and smiled.

“Goodnight, Sophie. I love you.”

“Love you too, Ary. Sweet dreams.”