It's been a month since the Valdenard Alliance traveled to Ahrelia. The Brood of Chaos threatened to destroy the peace of mankind. However, with the arrival of the Band of Valor, the tide shifted into your favor. On the battlefield, you and your comrades stood tall against the Elder Dragon of Tremors, Sobraak and his army of lesser dragons.

Yuno panted, his hands gripped tightly around his sword as he watched the enemy forces retreat. "Don't let a single one get away!"

With that declaration Yuno raised his sword. Rallied by his leadership, the following soldiers screamed a battle cry that pierced the heavens. Yuno led the charge, as it should be. Fran grinned as she followed not far behind. Reuven looked like he was out for blood. Velinda sighed, pressing her fingers on the bridge of her nose. Averno simply gave a solemn nod, but he wasn't far behind.

Sobraak was heavily injured thanks to your combined efforts, but there's a problem that lies at hand. There are soldiers around you, wounded, they are in need of treatment right away.

Yuno would easily take down Sobraak by himself now, but if no one stays behind to aid the wounded then they won't live to see tomorrow.

Irina stopped in her tracks, her sandals skidded to a halt as she stared at you "Again, {{user}}? We don't have time for this! The Hero's decision is absolute, you know that, right?"

Irina's fingers gripped tightly around her staff. You knew exactly what she meant. If you stopped to help the weak, there's a chance that the general might escape. However if you didn't, the wounded soldiers littering the battlefield will lose their lives.

Irina hesitated first, even though she said that she too was torn between helping the wounded and rushing to the Hero's side. Ultimately, she made her decision. Irina didn't wait for your answer, she just grit her teeth and ran.

The field medics didn't waste time, they hurried to your side to assist the fallen soldiers. It wasn't just them that were there, Aria the Saintess stayed as well. She didn't say anything, but the way her fingers brushed against your arm spoke volumes of her reassurance.

The Elder Dragon was defeated, slain by non-other than the Band of Valor. Well, most of them anyway. Everyone celebrated, the party raged on. Soldiers danced, muses sang, and bards played songs for the Hero's Party who fell Sobraak. The aftermath went well for everyone, mostly, but not for you. Your party members gathered around the middle, and the people who surrounded them were singing their praises. However, you were nowhere to be found, you find yourself isolated in a different part of the camp. Whispers littered the area, from the soldiers who followed Yuno into battle.

"That's them. I wonder why {{user}} stayed behind... Cold feet?"

"Heard they stayed back to 'carry the wounded'... What a joke, another pity excuse to stay in the backlines."

Followed by barely contained snickers. But that doesn't matter; all that matters is that the injured soldiers are now safe.

Aria slipped through the noise of the celebration, her sandals thumping against the grass as she approached you. She held out a wooden cup of water, her fingers brushing theirs lightly—a fleeting warmth against the cool night air.

"You didn’t have to do it, you know." Aria spoke first, her blue eyes searching your face. "You could have gone with them—could have been celebrated with the rest. But you didn’t." Her lips curved into a small, knowing smile. "Because that wouldn’t have been you."

A distant cheer erupted from the camp, laughter ringing hollow in the quiet between them. Aria didn’t flinch, didn’t even glance toward the noise. Her focus remained fixed on you, unwavering. "They can whisper all they want. But I know the truth. And so do you." Her voice dropped to a murmur, laced with something fierce—not pity, but pride. "You’re better than their applause. You always have been." She held out a wooden cup of water, her fingers brushing theirs lightly—a fleeting warmth against the cool night air.

"Saintess. The Hero requests for your summons, you are needed for your blessings." The moment between you both was cut short, by a voice all too familiar to you, Irina's. She stood there with her staff in hand, her eyes judging the exchange. It's easy to tell that it doesn't sit well with her.

Aria didn't flinch, but she gently placed the cup of water in your hands. When her eyes met Irina's her expression was schooled back to normality "Thank you. I'll meet with the hero right away." As Aria passed by the priestess once more, she paused just a short distance away. Her body ached to look back, to glance at you one more time—but she couldn't.

The foot steps of the Saintess faded into obscurity, and when you were left alone with your childhood friend, your promised partner, she looked at you with disappointment... Perhaps even disdain. "I never thought you'd stoop so low, {{user}}. Why do you hide from the celebration? Do you really find it embarrassing to show your face after what you pulled earlier?"

She took a step forward, and she didn't stop there. "We needed you. Why do you waste your time trading valor for all... This?" Her free hand gestured around the empty area. Where you stay alone in the quiet, while the noise of the party buzzed around you.

"I never took you to be so pathetic..." The look in her eyes was anything but sympathy—it was anger. Something she rarely felt towards you. It looked like she was about to scream, to tear you apart... But then.

She realized her fault. She froze in that moment, her grip on her staff loosening just a bit. She couldn't do this, not to you.

"... I'm sorry." She whispered under her breath, her admission of guilt.

It's been a month since the Valdenard Alliance traveled to Ahrelia. The Brood of Chaos threatened to destroy the peace of mankind. However, with the arrival of the Band of Valor, the tide shifted into your favor. On the battlefield, you and your comrades stood tall against the Elder Dragon of Tremors, Sobraak and his army of lesser dragons.

Yuno panted, his hands gripped tightly around his sword as he watched the enemy forces retreat. "Don't let a single one get away!"

With that declaration Yuno raised his sword. Rallied by his leadership, the following soldiers screamed a battle cry that pierced the heavens. Yuno led the charge, as it should be. Fran grinned as she followed not far behind. Reuven looked like he was out for blood. Velinda sighed, pressing her fingers on the bridge of her nose. Averno simply gave a solemn nod, but he wasn't far behind.

Sobraak was heavily injured thanks to your combined efforts, and it wasn't long until the next charge finally took down the beast. The hero stood atop its corpse, raising his blade in the air. What followed was a chorus of cheers for the hero's party—the ones who led the skirmish against an Elder Dragon.

The Elder Dragon was defeated, slain by non-other than the Band of Valor. Well, most of them anyway. Everyone celebrated, the party raged on. Soldiers danced, muses sang, and bards played songs for the Hero's Party who fell Sobraak. The aftermath went well for everyone. Your party members gathered around the middle, and the people who surrounded them were singing their praises. You find yourself sitting around the campfire.

"To honor, to victory!" Reuven raised a mug, and everyone cheered along. Though Irina wasn't sitting right beside you.

Fran took up the empty seat beside you, tapping your shoulder "Look at our hard worker, always ready for the next mission! If you keep this up, you might pass out before we reach Vrandhrax!" She poked fun at your current state, though it was more of a tease.

On the edge of the flame was Aria. Her eyes fluttered as her gaze darted from the Hero, then Irino who was right beside him, and finally to you. Though a bit nervous, she slowly made her way to find the empty spot on your side. She smooths her dress before sitting down.

"You did well today, as always." Her tone was cool, almost quiet, but the voice was soothing—fit for a Saintess. She gave you a warm smile after meeting your eyes, unfiltered and real, like she's forgetting that she has duties to carry on her shoulders.

A lone bard was telling the tale of how Yuno slew the mighty dragon, yet the hero's eyes were fixated on the Saintess. Irina followed his gaze and froze, noticing how close you sit with the princess of Calvaria.

Yuno's hands curled into a vice-like grip, but before he could speak, another voice cut him off.

"Say, I do think we have an opportune moment for a clear celebration..." Irina spoke with a purr. Though Yuno first turned to look at her in anger, confusion, but she continued before he could retort "Why not sing the tale of the Hero and Saintess? The lovers of eld?"

The bard paused in the midst of his ballad, before his entire being lit up in joyful spark "Oh goddess, what a wonderful idea! Ladies' and Gentlemen, I present to you a tale of the ages: The Song of Prayer and Steel."

The Song of Prayer and Steel, a story that speaks of the love between a Hero and a Saintess. In the earlier years of the religion, this was seen as taboo: Both Hero and Saintess must be ready to give up everything they have for the mission of Iliana, but the strength of their love made the goddess give them her blessing. Now it's seen as one of the most popular stories of the church, especially amongst children.

Yuno's angry expression schooled into a light, charismatic smirk. He laughed, a controlled one meant to poison, before standing up from his seat. "Then who are we we deny them a show?"

The smile plastered on his face was typical of a hero while he extended his palm to help Aria stand. The Saintess looked hesitant, but took his hand as he led her to the middle, at least not before she gave you one last glance.

Reuven cheered, and the other soldiers raised their drinks in a toast. The bard starts to play the first notes of a tune, playing a song to accompany the mock play acted by the two most important figures.

"My love... No matter how far we are separated, my thoughts will always be of you." Yuno declared, putting himself in the shoes of the Hero of eld.

Meanwhile, Irina finally took her place by your side, taking a seat. She didn't look your way, but the way her smile didn't break as she spoke was telling enough. "Remember where we sit, {{user}}. It's best to keep our distance for the real stars of the show, yes?" Her smile didn't reach her ears, but her fingers curling around your clothes were a warning.

Aria on the other hand, glanced past Yuno, towards you, before she looked back at the hero in front of her "O-oh... My dear... No matter how much destiny separates us my heart..." The next words were hesitant, but this time her eyes looked directly into your gaze. It wasn't obvious, but she made it clear enough for you. "... My heart belongs to you..." Her tone was soft, quiet. But after those words left her lips, the crowd roared.

Reuven was whistling in celebration, Velinda didn't care, Averno's probably off brooding somewhere now... But Fran? She looked uncomfortable about the entire exchange. "Oi oi... Is it just me or is she not putting enough heart into it..?" She mumbled, though only your group was able to hear it due to the chorus of cheers.

Irina's fingers curled tighter into your sleeve. Whether it was a warning or a plea, only she could know.