As alway, Giliath demands your power stones!
*****
"This...", Elise uttered, seeing the newspaper placed in her hands. "An old copy of Liberl News dated a couple years ago? Isn't this when Liberl's Crown Prince showed up out of the blue and declared his right to the throne?", Elise mused, seeing a younger violet-haired boy dressed in his Phoenix Robe. He was younger back then by a few years. A lot had happened since Naoto exited the caves of the cult, and returned to the real world. It was S1200 now, making the boy turn fourteen soon.
"The very same. Have a look at who is beside the prince.", Yun said, causing Elise's eyes to wander to the figures beside the prince in question. She saw a couple individuals aside him, minus the one and only Cassius Bright. Three figures, to be specific. A lilac-haired girl, a black-haired boy whose hair had blue tints in it, and a light-blue haired girl whose eyes were mostly deadpan.
They were Sherryl, Van, and Tio respectively. Elise had no clue about Sherryl and Tio, and neither Van for that matter. But Yun's finger was currently placed on the black-haired boy.
"Hohoho. It really is a small world out there. Didn't think the guy that Barkhorn picked up would become his next student, and be associated with the prince at the same time. And I have a feeling that what is currently in your hands somehow ties to all of this.", Yun said, smiling.
"I haven't checked its contents, I was hoping to read it together with Brother Rean. It is addressed specifically to him, after all, which might be the most surprising part.", Elise mused. She knew the letter was official too, it had Liberl's stamped insignia on it. Only few would dare to forge documents pertaining to royal families no matter the country.
"Is that right?", Yun also mused.
"You know Master, you needn't stay in the doorway. It's winter. It's cold out. I can also say the same thing to our cute little guest.", The girl's voice said, acting as if she could see the two figures currently outside. She also called out to Elise, which distracted her current train of thought.
"Guests? I wasn't expecting anyone to come today--", The boy's voice tried to say.
THWACK!
"Is that your concentration wavering, Rean?", The girl suddenly said, only for a loud thwack of a blade to echo around them right after.
"Y-You demon...", The boy uttered, not expecting to get himself hit a second time.
Yet the moment he said that, he felt his back run cold, realizing what he said just now was a mistake. He immediately closed his lips, not speaking another word. Seeing this, the girl inside smiled.
"Hehe, it's no surprise she knows we're out here, Master. Shizuna's senses are on another level entirely. Shall we enter?", Elise suggested.
"Let's. The kid's right. It is quite cold out. It just snowed the night before too.", Yun said with a nod.
As Yun effortlessly opened the two large wooden doors, they were greeted with two figures seated on the raised platform in the center of the dojo.
"You know Master, I ain't a kid anymore. I'm fourteen now. I've already begun my own journey too. I'm only back for a few days just to check up on how Rean's doing with you-know-what.", The silvery-white haired girl said, greeting the two as they walked in. Her hair was the same hue as Tamamo's fur. It was quite long too. As she stated, she had turned fourteen before the year ended. She was one year older than Naoto. But she is one of Yun's disciples, Shizuna.
Later on and during the Daybreak series in particular, she would become a big threat to surrounding groups. But right now, the rising Jaeger group, who is spreading their name in the Middle East, is taking hold of its underworld by storm. It was the same group Cao Lee warned Naoto of.
Ikaruga, a potential SSS-Level threat, and one of the deadliest jaeger corps on the entire continent. They even have ninjas in their ranks. It isn't explicitly said when Shizuna here joins this group, but it happens anywhere from now until Daybreak happens, which is quite a long time gap. That doesn't prevent Shizuna from doing what she wants to do. She still sees herself as Yun's disciple, even after she joins a different school, which would be called the Black God One Blade School. That School is essentially the Eight Leaves One Blade's progenitor. Yun splits off from it, eventually finding his own School that stands in present time. Both offer different teachings and styles of combat.
Very similar to the three popular styles of martial arts spread throughout Calvard. Taito. Gekka. And Kunlun.
"You'll forever be a brat in my eyes. Thanks for looking after Rean while I was away.", Yun said, greeting Shizuna.
"Oh it's no problem. Rean might still be an initiate, but he's making good progress. Still pretty far away from grasping the basics, though. His mind's a mess too. Hard to stay concentrated.", Shizuna said, giving a blunt explanation of Rean's current progress.
"Hey. How can I stay focused when you keep hitting me every chance you get?", Rean retorted.
"That's because you keep getting so easily distracted! How else are you supposed to meditate?", Shizuna retorted back.
"Hehehe.", Elise giggled, causing Rean's mind to wander yet again. He saw his sister arrive beside Master Yun.
"Elise! I wasn't expecting you to come today. Don't you have a flight back to the capital today?", Rean said, greeting his sister. "And it is nice to see you again too, Master.", Rean continued his greetings.
"I guess we'll end it here for now that we've some new arrivals. We can continue your meditating later.", Shizuna said, looking at the black-haired boy before her. Unlike Van, the boy here was still pretty young. Around the same age as Naoto, twelve to thirteen. Naoto was slightly older than Rean, making him the older sibling of the two.
That's right. Unbeknownst to almost the entire population of Zemuria, Rean has a secret brother that even he himself doesn't know about, thanks to the trauma of the original plot. Losing his mother and his memories at the same time. Rean struggled to get back on his own two feet while remaining under the care of Teo Schwarzer, whose name he had adopted. And in turn, becoming Elise's older brother.
Naoto wasn't sure whether this would shed the light of day, or if it will be a secret he will keep to his grave. He did tamper and rescue their mother's soul, which is biding time away back at Eryn Village. Naoto currently doesn't know a good time to bring this soul back, but it might happen eventually. The same could be said for the second soul he has, Emma's mother.
But the fact remains that Naoto is directly tied to Rean. Both of the same father. Just different mothers.
Naoto's mother led him to his birthright, laying claim to Liberl Kingdom's throne. While Rean here played out just like how his story went in the games. He was adopted by a low-rank noble. Baron Teo Schwarzer. He can't remember what happened to him at all.
Right now, Rean's power manifested a couple years back. The so-called Ogre power. A power that didn't belong to him, yet did at the same time. He was currently learning the Eight Leaves One Blade style of martial arts in hopes to strengthen himself. That incident almost caused a disastrous event for Elise, but Rean was able to save it. Since then, he's been focused on improving himself.
Shizuna had come to learn of what happened to Rean, and on occasion, she would overlook his training.
Much like what is happening right now. Only when time permits. After all, Shizuna had already started her own adventure in Calvard and beyond. It is unclear as to whether she had already connected herself to the Ikaruga.
It would still be a while until Shizuna is officially known as the Divine Blade of Silver, however. Right now, she's just Shizuna.
"So what brings you two here today, Elise? Master Yun?", Rean questioned. Like he said, he didn't expect these two to arrive today. Elise had a flight bound for Heimdallr so she could spend a few days back in the capital before studies began again. It was already Wednesday. She only had four days left to enjoy what she wanted to do. She spent enough time here. And now that Shizuna is looking after Rean, she knew he was in good hands.
"I was actually looking for you, Brother. An express mail was sent to the Schwarzer Mansion. It was addressed to you. It has Liberl's signature on it. Just what in Aidios's name did you do to warrant their attention?", Elise answered with a frown. She was obviously worried.
There should be zero reason why a letter sent from Liberl of all places would be addressed to Rean here. And yet, here they are. Letter in hand.
"A letter for me?", Rean asked, eyes full of doubt.