#pheraean

[artificidel]

nietzsche? nietzsche to shut the hell up

the Abyss - Pitch black as ever. If only you had some light…

@ninocence @pheraean

Like a sudden chill flickering out a flame, in an instant, it was night. Not even do the stars above offer any hospitality, for they don’t seem to shine as bright. Pale comparisons to the true and only refuge in this endless blackness; bioluminescent blooms, that some of their lot had even fashioned into crowns. There was little to do between poor visibility and incoming storms than fortify their shelter. But curiously, Ephidel took the short walk to the steep drop off between building.

Not even in brightest day did the sun illuminate much of this abyss, but her reach could only go so far. But his-

Ephidel knelt by the abyss’s edge and removed his crown, dipping it just below the surface and bringing light back to the depths.

What was beyond this chasm?

[lmstella]

@pheraean

Pale, thin, red-haired. He does not wear his cape, nor the royal blue outfit that is seared in Limstella’s memory, but he is recognizable all the same.

Lord Eliwood. The Pheraean lordling. The man who led an army against them. The man who had, over and over again, ruined and demolished the most concerted efforts of Master Nergal and those he commanded.

... Why?

What was it that this human teenager had that Limstella did not? What power did he brandish that they could not master?

They stride, closing the distance between the two of them — they stare in his bright eyes. Always so bright. Nearly searing.

They don’t know why they ask, but— but— but they must know.

“Did you do it?” One hand closes into a fist — they hide it behind their back. Their heart races uselessly in their chest, aching as it does so. “Were you the one that killed my Master Nergal?”

[salveden]

HONEY! THE MINIONS CAN EXPLODE?! — team 11, iron round

MIDORI’S SMILE WAVERED at the sudden pulsing between her eyes.  she did not stumble, though the ground moved beneath her feet.  her eyes closed, her grip on the heavy staff tightened, then loosened; when she attempted another grip, her fingers closed around air.  midori opened her eyes and choked back a gasp.  whether of amazement or fear, she could not spend time identifying the feeling when there were massive hunks of metal in front of her.  like... massive massive!  and there were multiple of them—   four, to be exact.  but the one in the back, behind some flickering veil that seemed cast around it, looked like the baddest guy there.

fists clenched, midori swallowed and whispered,   “   holy sweet cakes, what is that?   ”   then, surprise colored her face in a faint flush.  midori looked down at her hands, finally aware of the lack of weight from the staff.  instead, there was a shield clipped tight by a band around her forearm.  that was... all, really.  despite the oddness of it all, midori couldn’t argue since she adored how the ochain shield flashed a glow of light within its gems every time she shook it!

ochain shield! heals midori for 1hp!   (   midori hp = 10 / 10   )

a groan of metal sounded in front of them and midori turned towards her team, smiling bright and hopeful,   “   i’ll go first!  watch my back, friends.   ”   she was sure that, even if something went wrong, her teammates would be there to cover her mistake.  so, determined and bright-eyed, midori turned back towards the beasts of metal and raised her hands.  the weight of the shield made it a slight struggle but it was nothing that she couldn’t handle—   nothing would compare to the travel case she carried daily!

midori! rolls d20 = 7! ‘seraphim’ critically hits, 4 damage!   (   radio scout: bulwark a hp = 6 / 10   )

the incantation fell from her lips in an easy roll of enunciation.  at the call, light burst from midori’s hands and enveloped in an explosion around the closest scout beast.  if she looked close enough, peered through the brightness of the spell, then she would guess that there had been a flicker of feathers from the blast.  angel wings, midori thought, then ignored it at the sound of the scout’s metal whirring and churning.

black ice node! rolls d3 = 1! ‘radio scout: bulwark a has been deactivated!

suddenly, there was silence.  midori blinked wildly; once at the beast, twice at her hands, before whirling around to face her team.  her fists flickered with a faint glow but she paid little mind to them as she shook her hands excitedly.   “   did you guys see that!?  i think it stopped working.   ”   a glance was thrown back to the other two scouts.   “   we might have to do the same to those two, right?   ”

@wolfskintribedaughter , @pheraean , @stalarmonios , @einjelique

[amitieos]

🌱 SEEDLING - what is their most vivid memory from childhood?

also asked by @pheraean!

It's vibrant and ever so real in her mind, although she cannot be sure how much of it is real. Which parts she made up, years later, in solitude.

The setting sun streamed through tall, intricate arched windows. A sweet, almost haunting melody plays, accompanied by her mother's honeyed voice. A child sits in the corner, book in hand, swinging her little legs above the ground in time with the music. Heavy oak doors scrape across the floor as a man enters the room.

Tiny feet skitter and slide across the floorboards as Elincia runs forth, leaping into her father's arms. Peals of laughter threaten to drown out her mother's melody. The singing stops as mother greets King Ramon with a beaming smile. A broad and warm hand ruffles the little girl's hair before placing her on the ground and taking her far smaller hands gently. Takes her slowly but surely through a waltz, careful with her much smaller frame. Warm voices mingle with jaunty melodies as the sun sets further and further, eventually dropping below the distant horizon. The child curls up in her father's arms, tired out from dancing for so long. Coffee coloured eyes flutter shut as her mother places a soft kiss upon her forehead.

Goodnight, my sweet princess.

[lionsword]

Eliwood cannot help but wonder to what extent this - watching over his father as he sleeps - is a new experience for Roy.

Probably... not entirely, and the thought - he has to admit - upsets him. Eliwood has pieced it together by now, from what he has learned thus far. Surely, his future incarnation would not have sent the boy to war as a commander at the age of fifteen, had he had another choice - and the ability to do it himself. Which would mean he did not... and the marquess knows himself well enough to figure out what the possible reason for that could have been.

He truly cannot escape making others worry for him, can he?

Approaching Roy, he isn't quite sure what words he can really offer, what he should offer - and in the end, he resorts to a simple light smile, and pulling his son into a tight hug.

"Everything will be fine," is all he whispers into his ear as he does.

"It'll be okay. You look after yourselves as well."

As a child, the reassurance of an adult felt absolute. Roy was beyond those days of believing in such things, yet calming, affirming words from his father pulled him in with the same effect as he hugged back, resting his head against his father for a few moments.

The little moments of peace kept him going. Always had.

“We will, father. I know you’ll be victorious as well.” Roy gave him a proud smile, managing to not gush about the Eliwood he knew, the invincible seeming Eliwood who always made it home.

His father was smart enough to have put a few things together. Roy put his hands on his father’s shoulders, giving an imploring squeeze, eyes up on his.

“You should know, I’d do it all again. For Pherae. For the world. Please, don’t feel guilty, or like you let me down, in case you were worried. It was my way of protecting what I love most.” Another slight squeeze. “I learned it from you.”

[fangedjustice]

@pheraean  x

There is no need to apologize.

Eliwood’s voice is gentle, much as he remembered, but his words sit like a heavy weight in Lloyd’s chest. How could someone be so forgiving, so open hearted? A small part of him wanted to call it foolish; why would someone be so kind to the person that had almost taken their life right in front of their friends? But this was not foolish optimism, it was a soft but determined sort of hope.

A heart and mind that had been tempered through a fire that Lloyd could not entirely put a name to.

Lloyd made a noise of uncertainty at that. “You all did what you had to. I’m...not sure I fall into the same category. You suffered your own losses, but you continued forward because it was the right thing to do -- not just for yourself, but for all. I knew something was wrong, and I chose the lesser and easier path of simply doing as I was told. Kind of you to offer me a way out, but I made my mistakes and I'm...not going to avoid trying to make up for them,” he sighed out, smiling despite the topic. 

“...Mercy shouldn’t have a price. You put things in perspective, and if we did not not follow what was right, that was our failure alone.”

Alive and well. Yes, he supposed so. He’d been luckier than others.

“For the time being, at least. It seemed...a better thing to do than simply wandering from job to job. And you? I doubt you came all the way out here for a change in scenery. I know you’ve friends here, but I’m sure you have your duties back in Pherae as well.”

[destinian]

So Won't the Real Lady Lyndis Please Stand Up?

When you break the news about the imposter lords to one of the villages, they naturally react in horror and shame for being deceived. However, something goes awry when the message is passed along to the village elders. A miscommunication down the line leads these leaders, half-blind and three-quarters-deaf, to believe that you are the “real Lyndis”. Whether you are or not, there is little you can do to convince them otherwise, and so they demand you make things right. [Grants +1 Authority]

It had taken all of the courage Ninian could muster to stand before the village elders and explain that whoever was causing trouble in their village surely could not be the real and true Lady Lyn. Lady Lyn is noble and kind and would never hurt anyone! That is why Ninian stands up for her. She knows Lyn would do the same for her. Lyn has done the same for her. Ninian will never forget the way she rushed to retrieve her stolen ring even though doing so put herself at risk. Even if she is afraid, she will do whatever she can to help her friend!

It goes well at first. Ninian is believed and given an audience with the elders. But somehow, her message is misheard or misunderstood and now Ninian is being accused of being the imposter Lyn. The anciently oldest leader of the elders grabs her by the wrist with surprising strength and begins to drag her about the village demanding reparations for the various acts of mischief its people have suffered.

"B-but...I'm not..."

"Nonsense!" The elder hollers over Ninian's timid attempts to explain. "Ya look just like that Lyndis from earlier! Who else could you be!"

As the poor dragon girl is dragged to the location of the first of her supposed crimes, luck is kind enough to allow her to catch a glimpse of a familiar face. She manages a smile for it seems it does not matter what sort of trouble she manages to get herself into, her Eliwood will always be there to get her out of it again.

"Lord Eliwood!" She cries out, crimson eyes pleading up at him as she struggles against the grip around her wrist. "Please...help me..."

@pheraean

[ashenprofessor]

A sim-plain mistake

closed starter for @pheraean

When you break the news about the imposter lords to one of the villages, they naturally react in horror and shame for being deceived. However, something goes awry when the message is passed along to the village elders. A miscommunication down the line leads these leaders, half-blind and three-quarters-deaf, to believe that you are the “real Lyndis”. Whether you are or not, there is little you can do to convince them otherwise, and so they demand you make things right. [Grants +1 Authority]  

Another month, another village and more talk of ‘phantom’ Lords appearing. At least these ones had some basis in reality as far as the Church was concerned. A group of crime lords manipulating the local population by weaponising their love of their famed heroes. It made Byleth mad hearing about it. Now it was their job to inform these people of the deception. 

Entering the village along side Eliwood, they made their way to elders in a hope to explain the situation and conclude things peacefully. For this village, it was the someone calling themselves Lyndis who had tricked them, making off with their harvest in order to ‘feed those more in need’. 

Explanation finished, it came as a surprise to Byleth when the leaders of the village turned on them, making all sorts of demands. It went against reason. 

“It’s you! Lyndis!” “Make this right” “It’s your duty to help us, sort out this mess you created” “Lyn! You’ve returned” 

Confused by the cacophony of noise, Byleth turned to Eliwood. “What are they on about?” The asked the royal under their breath. “I’m not Lyndis. I don’t have the ponytail.” 

A strange situation but as Byleth heard more from what they could gather, the village elders had mistaken them for the Lady of the Plains and now wanted them to give back the food and absolve them of their mistake. 

Looking across to Eliwood, Byleth simply mouthed “HELP”

[destinian]

Ninian laughs as she's lifted off the ground and wraps her arms around Eliwood's neck. She can't remember anyone making her laugh as much as he does or anyone who makes her smile as big and bright. Seeing him now makes her feel so foolish for not accompanying him in the first place. She'd been so nervous to leave Elibe but it all dissipates the moment she sees his warm smile.

"I've been...well." Lonely too but she doesn't voice that. He knows, she's sure he must. She doesn't want to add to any unpleasant feelings he might have surrounding it. "And you?"

He looks well, she decides. Happy and healthy. And so handsome in his uniform. Her cheeks flush at that thought and she hides her face against his shoulder.

"Do you like it here? Will you...show me your favorite places?"

She sent a letter ahead detailing her plans to join him in Fódlan. There was a bit where she did try to keep it a secret so she could surprise him but that didn't last more than a week. There is a lot of planning and preparation that goes into moving to another continent, even if only temporarily and the excitement was too much to keep to herself.

She's here now, in a school uniform of her own, and waiting outside of the Blue Lions classroom for class to be dismissed. Nervous fingers trace along the golf designs decorating her skirt but she stops when she sees him and smiles softly.

"Lord Eliwood I...missed you."

For once in his life Eliwood, the normally perfect and dutiful student, has difficulty focusing properly on his studies.

Could anyone really blame him? Ever since receiving the letter, he has felt as though his heart was soaring far above the clouds. It's a little difficult to see his notes and books from up there.

The separation from his beloved Ninian was the one drawback of his journey to Fódlan that haunted his mind. He is already aptly aware that the air of the human world shortens her lifespan, that they will not be able to cherish each other for long; and in spite of that, he made the decision to shorten that time even further. And though she did not seem like she was holding it against him, and he knew that in the long term it was the right thing to do, he nevertheless could not help but feel guilt for the choice he made.

But now, it would plague him no more; and when he exits the classroom and his eyes land on her, the radiance of his smile could rival that of the sun itself.

"Ninian!"

Arms wrap around her waist, and soon, her feet leave the ground as he lifts her up, holding her in an embrace, as though they had been separated for a lifetime, rather than a handful of weeks.

It felt so good, seeing her again.

"I'm so glad you're here... Welcome." Setting her back down, he plants a kiss on her cheek, cheerfully ignorant of whether or not someone's watching them. "How have you been? Has your travel gone without any problems?"

[delicatevalentine]

blank space » team flood (finale)

Blank had been worrying her for what felt like days now, although the unusual circadian flow in this realm made it difficult to judge. It began with just a few offhand comments about the dangers of the living world. Then came the guilt-tripping remarks about how everybody left them, in the end. Then, the casual questions about whether they might consider staying. And finally, it became an insistence. 

“I, Perses, will protect you.” 

And with that, Hilda knew there was no reasoning to be done. 

Because Blank’s -- Perses’? -- protection looked a lot like brute force. 

Hilda didn’t want to hurt him. In their time here, she had grown fond of the peculiar amnesiac. She would have even considered bringing him with them, if that was what he wanted. But if he was the only thing standing between her and finally returning home... Well, she had no choice. 

She swung. 

[ Hilda attacks Perses using Freikugel. Roll: 13 — Hit! -4HP ] [ Perses HP:  50 → 46 ]

And as she suspected, Blank didn’t seem to have any reservations against hitting them back. 

[ Perses counterattacks using Again the Martyr. Roll: 17 — Crit! -4HP ] [ Hilda HP: 10 → 6 ] [ Hilda is inflicted with -4 dexterity and -2 avoid until Round 3 - Player Phase. ]

A wave of magic engulfed her before she could escape from its range. A jagged knife of ice was born from the ground. The force of its emergence sent Hilda stumbling to the ground. She looked up in despair, just in time to catch a glimpse of the frozen shard that was headed straight for her. It sliced into her forehead and sent waves of pain through her whole body. Blood dripped down into her eyes, obscuring her vision. 

“Blank... Perses...” she said weakly. “Please...”

@pheraean

[braveryinblue]

It is excitement and nervousness both that fill this gift giver's heart when they find out who they have been assigned. A present for Lord Hector must be carefully selected. He is an important man both in the world and to them personally.

But a gift is selected and left outside of his door the night before the holiday. When Hector opens his door, he'll find a large, sturdy, wooden chest. Nothing too ornate and elaborate but something practical. Inside is an array of training weapons in all sorts of variety (not just axes!) and of a clearly higher quality than those provided by the Academy for its student use. On the top is a simple handwritten note.

For Lord Hector and your spars with Lord Eliwood

He isn't sure what he'd been expecting, in truth, but as he sees the chest before his door, he can't help a faint albeit bubbling swell of curiosity. A chest held many possibilities. Could be a shiny new axe. Could be a hunk of coal. Could be anything under the sun.

All the same, he crouches down to closer inspect the chest. First he runs a hand over the wood, feeling for the texture of the wood. He can already tell it has a good heft to it, nothing he can't handle of course, but then, what of its contents?

Hector undoes the latch with a deft hand and eases the lid open, and there he stops in his tracks. The weapons are of more interest than the note, really, he's already looking forward to getting intimately acquainted with them all,

but he'd be remiss not to give the simple courtesy of a quick read concerning his gifter's thoughts, at the least.

And it is a mighty quick read.

Brows furrow at the simple note. Who...?

Plucking a training sword from the coffer, he looks down its blade with an appraising eye. Who, indeed, could afford to gift him such weapons in abundance? Not that the school is lacking in nobility any.

And yet...

Scratching at the nape of his neck, Hector stoops to pick up the chest and shoulders his way into his room, and deposits it in along the far wall.

Is it just him or is there something familiar about the penmanship...?

Pfff, nah, probably not. He's never really paid attention to things like that.

Regardless, he scoops up an axe and a rapier, and his feet know where he wants to go before his thoughts fully catch up.

And so:

three sharp knocks sound shortly at a certain Pheraen's door.

"Eliwood! Open up, ya rascal!"

He waits, but not for long before knuckles impatiently rap their tune once more.

"I need your help! I need to figure out who gave me this stuff." Could be Farina. But she wouldn't willingly part with all that gold, he thinks with no small amusement. But then, who...?

"And then," he announces as a matter of fact, "we are gonna go test these babies out, hah!"

@pheraean

[artificidel]

don't look at me with them big ol' eyes

is there a problem young master eliwood

[nagaficat]

“ Good day, Your Imperial Majesty, and thank you for allowing me to tell your students of this event. As for your own participation, you've been tasked with procuring a gift for Lord Eliwood, Marquess of House Pherae in the continent of Elibe. You shall find him as a student of the Blue Lions house.

“ As for his tastes… I could not help but notice that his only fantasy was of a chance to relax. He endeavors to study in the equestrian arts and of literary and scholarly pursuits, but that desire to spend time without the burden of his title came up more than once in his words, so I imagine that would be the most fruitful strategy, if I might be so bold as to intrude… Something that could bring him ease in the company of good friends might be a good direction, knowing him.

“ Not to imply that I know him very well, of course. This is all just what I have gleaned, that is all. If you require color preferences for him, he likes shades of red and blue, so it would seem. Best of luck to your endeavors, Your Imperial Majesty. ”

"Thank you, Sir Kent. I do believe I shall enjoy preparing this gift."

Deirdre may not know Eliwood personally, he is not one of the students in her class, but she has seen him around enough to feel confidence in her ideas. Kent suggests good company and the chance to shed the weight of his title. Deirdre has seen him enough times with a woman to piece together their relationship. She has seen the way the two of them look at each other.

What better way to truly be himself than in the company of the one to whom he has given his heart? She shall endeavor to give them an excuse for each other's company! How romantic!

@pheraean tagging you if you are curious haha

[salveden]

nice argument senator — gold round, team 11

THOUGH THE DREAM SHIFTS, tears still remain clinging to midori’s eyelashes.  she closes her eyes and wipes her face with the gloves of her knightly attire.  when her hands touch her face again, the gloves are different.  rougher.  pulled over two fingers instead of five.  bright eyes open to the arena floor, where the length of her new uniform stretches out from her legs.  there’s an irony to the clothing; how familiar it seems to the samurai armor back home.  a laugh passes through her lips, weak but joyful, and she touches the symbol across her chest.  the weight of swords on her back is easier to bear when she remembers where she got the strength from.

“   alright,   ”   midori says, finally looking up towards her companions,   “   i’m ready.  let’s finish this and... s-shigure?   ”   silence overtakes her words.  midori stares at the kinshi knight with a hopeful gaze, eyes watering after a moment of realization.   she takes off in a sprint towards the space where his kinshi is mounted.   “   shigure!  you’re back!  i’m... i’m so sorry i couldn’t help you.  i’ll do better this time!  for all of us.   ”

and it starts with the gentle wave of the apothecary’s hand.

midori! heals +1 health with amaterasu.   (   midori hp = 8.5 / 10   )

midori! rolls d20 = 8! ‘recover’ heals good, +4 health.   (   shigure hp = 9 / 10   )

midori! heals +4 health with live to serve.   (   midori hp = 10 / 10   )

the call of magic within her is desperate—   that much, she knows.  still, it works and a channel of light opens between the both of them.  what midori doesn’t expect is the warmth that encases her as well.  small scratches and tears of skin are pulled together and gone within seconds.  the same channel of magic, the same spell that healed shigure.  midori sighs, holding her hands to her chest, and smiles up at her friend.

“   be careful, shigure.  please.   ”   young apothecary turns towards her team,   “   the same goes for you all.   ”   a slight glance is given to the enemies before them, though there hadn’t been a need to.  she had heard the mechanical groan of gears and metal when her eyes first opened.  it was an illusion of their earlier enemies; the beasts of metal.

@pheraean , @wolfskintribedaughter , @stalarmonios , @einjelique !!

[serraic]

   Hi, all! It’s been a while! I’ve been super busy, but after my birthday I really want to light it up on here again! 

   My replies list is below. If you’re not on the list and you should be, please please please let me know! I don’t want to miss anything!! 

https://www.tumblr.com/reverenceofmacedon/695650284709494784/serraic-as-far-as-serra-was-concerned-the 

https://www.tumblr.com/heartoftheloathsome/695704619512463360/flamboyant-vs-frightening-serraic-it-seems  

https://www.tumblr.com/braveryinblue/696159531223351296/inseparable-serraic-babysit-you-no-no 

https://www.tumblr.com/braveryinblue/701567117727793152/bravery-in-the-kitchen-serraic-thered-been 

https://www.tumblr.com/liegebound/701127333238734849/reading-rainbow-serraic-everything-serra-knows 

https://www.tumblr.com/liegebound/700756904470822912/serraic-any-complaints-no-not-at-all-in 

https://www.tumblr.com/fangedjustice/700508432067936256/serraic-not-much-of-an-actor-hm-well-to-be 

https://www.tumblr.com/liegebound/700314863309832192/serraic-liegebound-friendship-bracelets-are

https://www.tumblr.com/childofvalla/702364811989778432/serraic-dont-want-that-she-stares 

Ask from sacaeblade

https://www.tumblr.com/liegebound/701127333238734849/reading-rainbow-serraic-everything-serra-knows 

https://www.tumblr.com/liegebound/700756904470822912/serraic-any-complaints-no-not-at-all-in 

https://www.tumblr.com/pheraean/699277635078979584/serraic-pheraean-lord-eliwood-its 

https://www.tumblr.com/goldoandragonprince/702731633634246656/serraic-tasseomancy-or-as-serras-always 

[peerlessscowl]

Raven's gut pitched and shifted with the movement of the ship, with his own discomfort at his comrades, at the very idea of returning to Elibe, for what remained there but ashes, but he managed, for the time being to reconcile the war in his heart, the complicated feelings of one who had left home behind, of one who would have done anything to preserve it anyway. 

His lips dipped into a frown at being approached, but less in irritation than confusion – the Imperial princess. She and Raven had fought side-by-side during the illusory training exercises, what seemed like so long ago. 

She was strong. In body, and in heart. There had been more than one occasion during the gauntlet where she and he had struck at the opponent, one right after the other, battering against the onslaught to give their comrades time to get their breath, get their feet under them, a wall against the crashing wave. 

It seemed she had formed a similar opinion of him from that time, though he'd been unaware that she had wanted to speak to him. 

Raven remained silent as she spoke, regarding her coolly, assessing. She wanted information? About Elibe? He huffed a breath through his nose at the request, cocked his head, gathering his thoughts. 

The reports, those hurried letters in increasingly desperate hand, dated closer and closer together as their authors' plight shifted from harried to frenzied, heralded another Scouring. A fairtyale. Raven had scoffed, when he heard it being discussed – dragons on the horizon indeed – but to hear it told, the myth was closer to life than he understood, his perspective protected from the spectacular reality during his time, wandering aimlessly. 

He chewed his cheek for a moment, considering, then shifted along the bench where he sat, patting the space next to him in invitation. 

"I suppose I'll start at the beginning. The Scouring..." Raven shook his head, pinching the bridge of his nose. "The Scouring was...during an age of heroes, the legends of our continent coming together to defeat the evil of the dragons. It's a myth. The legends that noble families tell themselves to feel more important about their lots in life." 

He frowned. His own family was descended from Roland – not directly, as Ostia claimed, lording over the rest, a mere offshoot, but the blood of heroes sang in his veins just the same. But...it wasn't just a legend, was it? His eyes flicked to the Lady Caelin and her knights, to the nervous fluttering of a flame-haired boy – a Pheraean if he'd ever seen one – to the unnerving pair of lilac-haired girls and the woman hovering nearby, whose eyes raked across the deck. 

To the whelp, milling about. 

They all seemed to know something he didn't, seemed to be of the understanding that the danger was very real. 

"There was...a period afterward that drained the magic from the dragons that remained. They were...sealed? I guess, by the weapons wielded by the legendary heroes."  

Despite his fellows' disquiet, he still could not fully reconcile the tales of his childhood interpreted with such sincerity. Nevertheless, something was happening, and even if dragons hadn't magically come back to Elibe, there were other monsters that he knew were real, and would have taken advantage of the chaos with relish. 

"It seems that there are those who believe that...seal has broken." 

depths and dreams