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jaredxenoengage · 18 days ago

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Royal Archetype Symbolism:

This will be major spoilers for the endgame of Metaphor Refantazio from 9/24 onwards. Do not read this if you don’t want spoilers from here on or the entire game for that matter.

The Royal Archetypes are the final Archetypes to be unlocked in the game. They are some of the strongest Archetypes in the game and are exclusive to the respective party members. I.e., Royal Warrior for Strohl, Royal Knight for Hulkenburg, etc.

With the exception of The Prince (which is unlocked automatically and is their own Archetype separate from the Seeker), the Royal Archetypes are essentially Prime Personas. To give an example, Orpheus Telos from Persona 3 FES onwards is a reference to Prime Personas in Persona 2, which serve as mid tier evolutions for the Personas. Royal Warrior, among others, are the “Prime Persona” counterparts to their initial forms.

Furthermore, the Royal Archetypes requires the Max Rank 8 in the bonds of your allies.

I mainly want to talk about the requirements for each Royal Archetypes and how they take after to the Followers of the respective Followers that embodies said Archetypes:

This includes the following:

• Samurai + Warlord = Royal Warrior

• Paladin + Dark Knight + Elemental Master = Royal Knight

• Ninja + Dragoon + Tycoon = Royal Thief

• Persona Master + Trickster = Royal Masked Dancer

• Devil Summoner + Soul Hacker = Royal Summoner

• Destroyer + Martial Artist = Royal Berserker

So based on these requirements needed to unlock the Royal Archetypes not named Prince, you notice how each of the Archetypes are the final forms that are linked to many followers of the game. Warlord is Bardon, Elemental Master is Gallica, Dragoon and Tycoon are Neuras and Brigitta respectively, Trickster is Alonzo, and Martial Artist is Catherina.

Soul Hacker is an interesting case; while the Seeker Archetype is embodied by More, Will (the Protagonist) is the one who awoken to the Archetype. And even then, it makes sense once you realize that More is the deceased King Hythlodaeus V who is the father of the Prince Will. Ergo, Will inherited the Seeker Archetype from his father.

This post’s main purpose is to show how each character foils to the Followers who have the Archetypes that ties to the requirements for the Royal Archetypes. Be it their tribes, personalities, role in their stories and roles in Will’s ascension to the throne, etc.

⁃ Strohl and Bardon; the way of the Royal Warrior’s sword:

◦ Bardon’s Archetype embodiment is the Commander linage (where Warlord stems from), which focuses on strategy by hitting elemental weaknesses and bypassing resistance via Almighty attack, buffing party members and attacking advantage of the front and back rows. This fits perfectly with Strohl being the main strategist of the party. Starting with the Heismay Arc until halfway through the Altabury Arc, Strohl has been shown being the one to plan out each strategy Will and Co. have for the Tournament for the Throne.

◦ Both Strohl and Bardon deal with the burden of their respective countrymen in their own ways. Strohl’s story resolves around wishing to avenge the death of his parents and the victims of Halia (a village that was destroyed by a Human attack). Bardon is a Guardsman for the village of Martira and becomes their leader after the events of exposing the true culprit behind the kidnappings (Joanna, not Heismay).

◦ Strohl’s follower story focuses on his efforts to help the survivors of the village, an owe to his creed as a noble to help people in need. While Bardon must face his own struggles in helping the people of Martira. Later in Bardon’s Bond, we are tasked with fighting the same Human that we had to escape from the butt before Martira shares the same fate as Halia.

◦ Both Strohl and Bardon are good people, but quick to anger. When all is said and done, they bare a great burden to the people that they feel they failed to protect. Be it the victims of Halia or the people in Martira who suffered from the kidnappings Joanna caused. And by the end, they learn not to shoulder their burdens alone as they both make their deceased predecessors’ proud.

⁃ Hulkenburg and Gallica; wisdom of the Royal Knight’s shield:

◦ Hulkenburg is of the Knight Archetype, while Gallica (while she can’t fight, is still considered to be a party member) is of the Mage Archetype. Hulkenburg’s introduction in the party is when Synthesis Skills (where Archetypes grant power to another Archetype for a team attack) is unlocked. Later stages of the Mage Archetype have skills that better the usages of Synthesis Skills (Wizard’s Arcane Unity and Elemental Master’s Magic Link). Synthesis Skills are about teamwork and the bonds of friendship, as well as strategies in the Archetypes you use.

◦ Both Hulkenburg and Gallica are devoted in their mission to save the prince, and they are both unwavering in their loyalties to those they devoted their power and trust to. However, the truth behind the prince’s identity and the true culprit behind the curse alludes them. The Prince was Will all along and was cursed by Rella, not Louis. And also, both of them knew Grius/Alces longer than anyone else and are heavily impacted by his death and the fight against his undead self.

◦ Even after learning the truth among other truths, their devotion to the true prince (Will) only became stronger than it ever was before. Hulkenburg is delighted to know that Will was the Prince the whole time and that everything she did wasn’t in vain. And Gallica learns that the memory of her and Will being long time friends was just a fabrication. This doesn’t stop Gallica from being Will’s friend and would continue to devote herself to him of her own volition.

◦ Beyond that, they both have self deprecation issues as far as their roles are concerned. Gallica has been shown very early into the game that she wishes to help Will as much as possible and feels regret when he’s in danger. And Hulkenburg doubts her role as a knight for not being able to save the prince. Will seems to be an emotional button for them as well. Hulkenburg turns into a grieving mess when the original prince is found dead during the events of 9/24. And when Will dies by crushing his vessel to prevent his second Human transformation at Louis’s hand, poor Gallica is left crying over his fresh corpse.

◦ Overall, in their own ways, both Gallica and Hulkenburg have Will as their emotional guide because the two of them are devoted to him in their own ways.

⁃ Heismay, Neuras and Brigitta; the Royal Thief’s walk of atonement:

◦ Heismay, Neuras and Brigitta are interesting combination of characters to talk about considering that all of their Archetypes play wildly different roles. A Thief, a Gunner and a Merchant. How exactly do all of these Archetypes work to fit with the requirements for the Royal Thief archetype?

◦ It’s not necessarily the gameplay that tied them together. It’s their respective roles in who they are as people. What do I mean by this? It’s simple, Heismay, Neuras and Brigitta are all adult followers. And as adults, they have their own personal burdens that ends with them resolving to ensure that the younger generation doesn’t pay the price for the old ones’ mistakes.

◦ Both Heismay and Brigitta are both cynical about the world around them as a result of their backstories: Heismay lost his child to a Paripus riot, while Brigitta was a street urchin who became cynical of the ways of the world. It’s thanks to Will’s actions that both of them begin to find hope and walk out of their respective dark paths.

◦ Heismay and Neuras are both the only known characters in the team that actually drink. Neuras has been drunk a few times, while Heismay is very careful with how much alcohol he consumes. He only became drunk when he ate the Dragon’s Tear (not that he could have known its properties until was too late).

◦ On a more serious note, while both of their sidequests and stories resolve around certain items (Heismay’s son’s remains and the Relics), both of their Bond stories end with a resolution regarding them. Heismay decides to turn his son’s urn into a necklace with Eupha’s help, while Neuras destroys the relics after realizing their world destroying properties. So in a way, both Heismay and Neuras learn from the past so that the future won’t be affected by it later on.

◦ To me, Heismay serves as the adult figure of the group that Grius initially served. Some may say that Grius’s death unintentionally undermines that message of equality between the races as the team loses their only Rhoag representative. While I can understand the sentiment, Grius’s spirit remains with the cast through other characters like Maria. Heismay and Neuras serves as the adult figures for the team twice over, and Brigitta, while not a party member, is a fellow Rhoag that knew Grius.

◦ Heismay finds similar themes with Neuras and Brigitta through the fact that they are the adult figures that fills the void Grius left behind. His spirit is with us through various ways, and it shows here.

⁃ Junah and Alonzo: the Royal Masked Dancer’s hidden depths:

◦ Junah and Alonzo both are of the Nidia tribe, often deem by other tribes as deceiving, lying scum. And it’s not hard to see why they get the reputation. Both Junah and Alonzo both use deception in their own way, but they both do it for greater good.

◦ Junah is acting as an undercover agent on Louis’ side, working to find a way to break the prince’s curse. While Alonzo uses his deception to help Will, acting as the future King’s intelligence advisor. Both also have adoptive family members of different races that ultimately die in their stories (For Junah, Rella who is an Ishika, and Alonzo’s mother who was a Paripus). And Junah and Alonzo’s actions going forward are in their memories.

◦ Their respective Archetypes in Masked Dancer and Faker both have final forms that serve as a reference to the Persona games: Persona Master takes after mainly Persona 3 and 4, while Trickster mainly takes after 5. Persona Master’s main Synthesis Skill is shown to be reference to both 3 and 4 via the Tarot Cards, the Invokers that SEES uses (which are guns) and cut ins. While Trickster is based on what P5’s Joker is often called in the story: “A Trickster.”

◦ Junah and Alonzo both aspire to be beacons of hope to those around them in their own ways and are good people at the end of the day. Junah’s singing is what gives her hope, and she wishes to spread that hope to others. While Alonzo uses his lies to help the people around him, even if they deem him a “parasite.”

⁃ Eupha and Will (son of More): the Royal Summoner’s journey through life:

◦ I have already made a post on how the Seeker linage being the prerequisite to evolve the Summoner Archetype is fitting with Eupha’s growing love for Will throughout their bond: https://www.tumblr.com/jaredxenoengage/765352399442526208/i-love-that-euphas-archetype-summoner-requires but let’s see if there is more to it than that.

◦ The Seeker Archetype, as we know, is the Archetype that is cultivated by More/King Hythlodaeus V, who is Will’s father. Will awakens to the Seeker Archetype linage first, and not the Prince. So while More isn’t a party member, Will is. So technically speaking, out of all of the Royal Archetype requirements, this makes Eupha the only one that needs a linage that was awaken by a fellow Party Member.

◦ Will (knowing that he is the Prince) and Eupha had both lost their parents, obviously. And both of them have ties with the greater lore of the entire game as a whole, which depicts stories of the old world that was once humankind (which is what Eldas are). Eupha has a sworn duty to fight alongside the Dragon God: Eht, Dragons are made of pure Magla. With the revelation that Will is the Archetype of the Prince given a human form, he too is a being a pure Magla. Which is why Eupha was able to speak through his mind during her introduction. Just as Eupha is meant to fight alongside the beloved god, Eupha also finds herself fighting alongside another being made of Magla. This plot point compliments itself further with the Dragon Trial’s (which were made for the protagonist) in mind.

◦ As for More, it’s the same thing as Will, he is the Archetype form of King Hythlodaeus V who was killed by Louis at the start of the story. How do Eupha and More foil each other? The main difference between them is that Hythlodaeus lost hope because of the death of his wife and the lost of his son. He sought his own death and used the Royal Magic in hopes that he could make someone into a better king than he was. While Eupha was convinced her whole life that her life was meant to be sacrificed for the sake of her village. Eupha eventually breaks free from this mindset and awakens to her Archetype. Eupha did what More could not in her lifetime, find hope and a reason to live.

◦ The Elite forms of the Summoner and Seeker Archetypes are both named after the Atlus related games: Devil Summoner and Soul Hacker respectively.

◦ And it’s just Eupha herself says in game, she, like Will has the power to journey into the unknown world. An unknown future. Will had the power to awaken this resolve in her, and with it, blossom potential love between the two.

⁃ Basilio and Catherina; the Paripus’ Royal Berserker soul:

◦ Basilio and Catherina are both Paripus with rough dispositions on the surface, but both prove to be earnest people. They both initially had reasons to oppose the protagonist at first; Basilio was working with Louis, the one who killed the king. While Catherina, who is a fellow candidate. has no hard feelings towards Will, but she wants to become Queen to help the future of the Paripus. Both eventually see the folly of what they were doing and eventually turn coat (Basilio joins the team after his brother’s death, while Catherina drops out of the race because her folks were crossing a line she wouldn’t have).

◦ The Berserker and Brawler Archetypes both revolve around physical strike attacks and dishing out as much damage as possible. Notice how Berserker doesn’t use HP like Brawler does. Basilio may be of the Berserker Archetype, but when he is calm, Basilio is a lot more insight than it would seem. As he is the first person to truly question if what Louis is doing is truly right for him and his brother, and the future of those that can’t fend for themselves. Catherina is much more reckless in comparison. And it takes seeing how her race to become Queen becomes a risk for Paripus to go the extreme to get ahead to see that what she is doing might bring more harm than good.

◦ Even their Follower Stories are mainly different with some similarities being that it’s about Basilio and Catherina stopping their fellow tribesmen from crossing further lines. At least Catherina was able to convince followers to walk down a better path eventually, but Basilio isn’t as fortunate. As he was forced to put Vinca down.

⁃ Will; the prince’s path to be king:

◦ 9/24 reveals that Will is a living breathing Archetype created from the Prince’s wish to travel the world and lead the kingdom to peace. The Seeker Archetype was the first Archetype to awaken in Will. It embodies the very essence of this game’s themes to explore the unknown without fear.

◦ As Will journey continues, and he eventually learns who he really is, the Prince Archetype embodies the Ruler Archetype from Carl Jung’s 12 Archetypes (which is what the aforementioned powers are based on). And based on Carl Jung’s take on the Ruler Archetype, it also falls in line with the themes of what makes a good king.

◦ In contrast to his father; as the previous king, gave up on his hope that he had for the Kingdom. As such, by leaving most of the circumstances in Forden’s hands, Louis lost all faith in him and decides to kill him. Will becomes king and defeats Louis by staying true to his ideals.

◦ Although the Prince Archetype is its own Archetype, it takes after the Seeker Archetype in many ways. It has the same One Handed Sword usage, the same Hero Passive in Cooperative Chase, and has the most Synthesis access in the game. However, Seeker doesn’t have Synthesis Synergy with the Summoner Archetype (ironic given that Will and Eupha are the most romantic coded relationship in the game). Eupha’s Arc contains the most truth about the old world in all of Euchronia. We get the full truth about the old world after Will awakens to his true Archetype, which can perform Synthesis Skills and grant them between all Archetypes. This is when Will and Eupha’s bond is at its strongest.

The fact that so much intention to detail that comes with the Archetypes and the Followers is the type of writing talent that I have come to expect from Atlus.

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vvenussir · 15 days ago

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I will protect you too [CONTAINS SPOILERS]

By Venussir

Cross posted onto AO3

SPOILERS FOR END GAME METAPHOR; IT TAKES AFTER THE EVENTS OF THE GAME!!!

Synopsis :

Sneaking out of the palace is a norm for the king. One faithful day he meets a young eldan girl in the city. They have a nice conversation.

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It was a practiced act. Giving a guard or two the slip, narrowly avoiding Hulkenberg's stem gaze, and making his way into the heart of Grand Trad. The king made an almost daily trip into the city.

No longer was he, his Majesty the king, he was just Will. People are less honest when they are speaking to the king about their issues. As Will however, they are free to say whatever they want. Now outside of the palace, and away from his usual entourage. He was now free to explore the city streets and it's people.

Now riding his sword across the streets, listening to his citizens discuss their daily happenings or the kings policies, reputation, and actions. Occasionally he would hear the words of a Louis supporter, or the cruel words against the Eldan Tribe. Such ideals do not fade in a single year it seems.

Sheathing his sword, Will arrived to the market. Cooking has become a thing he greatly enjoys. He first started to learn to cook through his teammates' recipes. Once he was more confident in his skills he vegan to create some of his own. Now cooking has became thing he enjoys as much as he does reading.

Sure, he could ask for anyone in the palace to grab him the ingredients he needed. Hell, even Hulkenberg would go shopping for him if he asked. However, searching for the freshest ingredients, and greeting the stall owners is an experience he couldn't pass up for convenience.

Now with his bag full of fresh produce and herbs the king moved on with his routine. As Will reached for his sword he felt a small tug on his pant leg, the opposite side that held his trusty sword. Looking to his left he spots a young girl with a small fist on his leg.

Dark almost Maroon tightly curled hair pulled into to high ponytails, gray eyes, and dark tan skin. No wings, horns, or big ears. Not even a third eye. She had no distinct features. She was an Elda through and through.

"Excuse me, sir. Are you the king?"

The king looked at the child in no small amount of shock. This was the first he has met an Elda since he had left the Sanctum to become king, since.. Louis. Will watched her eyes as they lit up in a similar revelation as him. A smile that he could only compare to the warmth of Maria's beamed to him from the child.

Will went onto one knee in front of her, getting to her level. Now looking the young eldan girl in the eye, it all but confirmed she was in fact Elda. The first he has met in the capital city.

"Yes, I am. What brings you here?"

The girls eyes averted from him. The once excited look in her eyes changed in the flash of the light. The girl was now playing with the hem of her shirt, looking down to the cloth as she played with it. Will watched her movements, observing how quickly she had become timid.

"Where are your parents?" He asked the young Elda, only to get no response. Her eyes only went to the ground at her feet. He knew that look.

Will let out a small huff of air as he thought of what to do. Perhaps she wanted to ask him something and felt intimidated? Perhaps she was shy? Nevertheless it was the king's duty to help anyone in need. If she had come to ask him herself for something, he is obliged to help her.

"Would you like to eat something, my friend?"

She gave him a small nod, she crossed her arms; as if realizing how hungry she was in that moment. Will gave her a small smile before standing up, and reaching his hand out. Offering to guide her. Her grey eyes met the silverish blue hues of the king. The young girl hesitated before placing her hand into his gloved one.

"You can trust me." He said in a soft tone. One benefiting of a king.

Together the two Elda walked through the market to stairs that led to Sunshade row. As the two walked on the girl stayed class to the king the entire journey. If any person got too close to her she would move closer to Will. It was cute, but he pitied that she had any reason to fear people.

Soon they reached the end of the street. It was a dead end. There was a well decorated sign that read "The hushed honey bee inn." There was decorative honey combs, a fake bee, and four portraits. It was just the head of a paripus woman, a young girl, an older man, and a boy that looked similar to the king. Before she could ask any questions they were walking through the front door of the inn.

Inside there were plenty of people inside even during the daylight hours. Notably there was a Paripus woman at the counter, and a young Ishkia girl whom was chatting with the woman. When the pair at the counter noticed the two who just walked in, both of the girls smiled brightly.

"Nice to see you again."

"Mister! You're back!"

They said at the save time.

"Maria," the girl next to the king observed the two. Noticing the joy the king had as he greeted the girl. "It's great to see you." The young girl, now known to the young elda, Maria looks over to her. Before she could ask any questions the king spoke again.

"I am craving some roasted Bidou. Would you help Fabienne make some?" Maria lit up and nodded. Her smile so bright it could light up the night sky. The girl swiftly made her way over to the older woman and the two walked into the kitchen.

Now the two were sitting at a table. The young Elda girl fidgeting with the hem of her shirt again as the king observed her actions. His mind went through many scenarios as to why she was in the city, alone too. Does she have family? She must, the burning of the Sanctum was when he was about her age, so clearly the girl must have been an infant when it happened. Will couldn't start there though, he needed to start simple.

"What's your name?"

"Erris."

That's good they have made ground. Not to mention she has now spoken for the first since she had asked if he was the king. He gave her a small smile, which by her body language made her feel a bit better. Her grey eyes no longer fixated on the hem of her shirt, and now on the table.

"Do you like Grand Trad so far?" A simple question, a good place to start before getting to the stuff that could make her shy again.

"It's big.. and loud." Erris trailed between her words, as if not really knowing what to say. "Way more people than the country side." He nodded to her words.

"I know what that's like. When I first arrived in the Grand Trad I was shocked by all of the people as well." He reminisced how Gallaca had lectured him for not knowing any street smarts. At the time he was too nervous to explore, and wanted to head straight for the recruitment center.

"Was it scary?" Erris asked, this time she was looking at him. She is getting more comfortable.

"It was at first. When I arrived the city was very different to how it is today. There was more crime. However I had someone guide me, and soon it didn't become so scary." Her eyes watched him as he spoke, the subtle movements he made with his hands, and eyes. Like she was fully entranced in every word.

"Even as an Elda?"

Ah.

"Erris, why are you in the city?"

She glanced away for a second. Unlike before where she looked away from him entirely. This time it was a flick of the eye, she was thinking. A solid second hanged in the air before she looked at the older Elda in front of her.

"When news came of the new king being Elda, I got so excited. Someone like me." A grin formed on her lips. Her eyes on her hands as she spoke, still not fully confident to look him in tht eyes. "There were tales of your journey to become king. I heard of how the friends that helped you rise to the throne became the six partisans."

"My favorite is miss Hulkenberg. She is so strong, and cool." Her eyes lit up as she talked to him now. Now looking at him with a wide smile, one that couldn't stop him from smiling. "I wanna be like miss Hulkenberg. I want to be strong like her, and if our king is Elda, what is to stop me from being a guard like her?"

The smile on Will's face couldn't go away as she spoke so excitedly about her role model. He had never quite thought about it before, but it all but makes sense a young girl like Erris would look up Hulkenberg.

"That's a wonderful dream, Erris." His response only caused her grin to grow wider. The excitement in her body could probably fuel a gauntlet runner. As much as he would love to indulge her dreams, he wondered where her family was.

"If I may ask, where is your family?"

The girls expression fell a bit, however she didn't feel as nervous as before. The young elda's head filled with thoughts as she considered how to respond to the king's question. He seemed as kind as the tales say, so it must be alright to tell him the truth.

"I do not know about my father. However, my mother died not long ago to illness. She got sick on our travels to the city." She was an orphan too. Though he must say he is impressed that she had gotten to Grand Trad by herself, it must have been a distance if she had to leave behind her mother. He could only nod.

Before he could respond their food arrived. The girl looked at it with delight. It is clear to him now that she hasn't eaten well in probably days. Erris's eyes lit up in joy as she ate the Bidou. He was slower with his meal but the girl in front of him couldn't get enough of it. Maria watched from the counter, the act that her friend was enjoying the food was enough for her.

Unfortunately their fun and joy was ended by a certain red-haired roussainte. He could tell his trusted royal guard had entered by the clanking of the armor and the sigh of annoyance she made as she entered the building. "Your majesty. What I have I told you about leaving the palace alone?"

The king turned to his companion with a knowing smile. Oh how have the stars aligned for the young Erris. The frustrated expression of the guard captain did not falter however. Hulkenberg has come to collect the king numerous times at this point. Most of time she had found him right here, so it hasn't become too complicated to find Will. However it frustrates her how little he listens to her. A wall good listen to her better than the king.

"I was just aquiring some fresh produce when I met her." He gestured to the young girl, "Who happens to be your biggest fan."

The annoyed expression on her face instantly fell at his words. Her once stern gaze now on the young elda looking up to the roussainte with wide eyes. One would think her eyes were ready to pop out of her head how excited she looked.

Now it was Hulkenberg's turn to look timid. Sure she had met some people who admired her, but they are all in the military, or in military adjacent positions. Never a young girl, let alone a child. She mus'nt even be older then the his Majesty the night he was attacked all those years ago. The only thing that managed to come out of her mouth was: "Wha-What?"

The woman was truly taken off guard. She was used to having to track down and drag back the king. However, a child admiring her? Out of the question. Turning her gaze back to her old traveling companion he was smiling at her with an all knowing grin. With the Royal guard captain thoroughly shocked, he slide over on the bench and patted the spot next to him. Offering Hulkenberg to talk to the girl.

"Is it really you, miss Hulkenberg? I am a big fan!" Erris spoke enthusiastically as the roussainte sat down across from her. The woman took a glance to the king who gestured her to speak up.

"Tis' I Eiselin Burchelli Meijal Hulkenberg. And your name?"

"Erris! And I want to be like you someday Miss."

Since she has met this child, the kid hasn't stopped causing her brain to pause. The king only looked on in amusement as the woman he had known to only break down her barriers for food, be so calm.

"I am not sure what is there to admire, Erris. Tis' simply my duties as a knight."

With every word the kid did not move her eyes away for a single second. Erris was fully fixated on the knight in front of her. "Miss Hulkenberg, you are so strong, and cool. In all of the tales I had heard of your adventures with the king. I wanted to be you in the moments where you protected someone. Like the times you had protected the king from getting hurt, and drawing attention to yourself from the bad guys!"

"Oh oh! Also the time you helped the king vanquish a dragon. That's so cool!! I want to vanquish a dragon and save people like you."

Hulkenberg's normal serious expression was no where to be found, now it was one of solemn, and content. A soft smile was placed on her lips as she watched the child very expressivly talked about her. Admittedly she had never quite thought of how children would think of their journey.

"Well you see, I had started my training when I was about your age-" she was cut off by the excited voice of Erris.

"I know! That's why I wanted to come to Grand Trad! When I told my mom I wanted to be like you, and after a bit of begging her. She agreed to let me come here to join the royal guard. Then she got sick on the road- but- I know she would have wanted me to live my dream."

Hulkenberg gave the king next to her a look. Which he returned with a nod. The child in front of them looked at the both of them, having calmed down from the initial excitement of meeting her hero.

"I admire both of you. I want to be like you. A hero."

The king could only smile at her words. Sure he had heard much praise as king, however hearing such from a child, and a fellow Elda at that. It made his chest feel warm. Hulkenberg felt similar, only she saw herself in the kid.

Truly she was conflicted. Should she allow this child to go on a similar path as her? The road to become a knight is not an easy one to trek. The girl probably has not faced an easy life considering she had traveled to the capital by herself.

Hulkenberg turned to the king, standing up from her seat at the table. The king watched as the knight had gained her composure. "Your majesty, we must return to the palace. It isn't safe to travel alone."

Will sighed at her words. He had hoped that maybe the child would let him gain some leeway from the woman. Alas it did not seem to work. He stood up from the table and looked over to the child who was watching them curiosity.

He walked around the side of the table and got on one knee again to be on her level. She looked back, observing the smaller details of the king's face. "First I will find you a place to live, and you need a caretaker. Then after I am happy with your situation, we will discuss how you can become a knight."

A bright smile filled her face as the kid practically bounced on the bench in excitement. "Really, Mister King? I can?" She asked in pure joy, almost as if this moment wasn't real to her.

"Of course, and someday you might even be better than Hulkenberg here." There was an annoyed "Hey!" come from behind him, which he ignored.

"I can take her in for now." Fabienne spoke up as she walked over to the small group of people, Maria on her heel. "I am sure Maria would like a friend." The mentioned girl nodding the words.

"Is that alright?" The king asked as he stood up straight. In which the inn owner nodded in confirmation. "Well if Fabienne is taking care of you, I wouldn't need to worry at all."

Erris looked at the two a bit nervously. She had not really spooked to the two, and yet the Paripus woman was willing to help her out? She was supposed to trust the king though, so if he trusts them she must too.

"Thank you, ma'am."

"Now, we must go your majesty." Hulkenberg spoke up. In which the king rolled his eyes while looking at Erris, causing her to giggle in response.

" 'Tis a pleasure meeting you Erris. Till we meet again." Hulkenberg spoke up, a soft smile on her lips as she observed the kid.

"Someday I will protect you too, your majesty." The young elda said as she pretended to hold up a shield. Causing the king to smile at her antics. He placed a hand of her head and ruffled her hair.

"I will be counting on you then."

#metaphor refantazio #one shot #fluff #no beta read #no beta we die like Grius #original character #minor oc #post canon #mentioned death #hulkenberg metaphor #metaphor protagonist #metaphor refantazio one shot #metaphor spoilers #will metaphor

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