The Fey Conquest, # 14— "Leonyde's Hollow"

[Short stories. Images generated by hotpot.ai]

“Lord Leonyde,” Maka said with involuntary trembling, “Our land is being— ruined. Our people are dying and being ensla-aved. Why is thi-is happening?”

Leonyde, the Sovereign Esper, had a voice like the rushing of waters, and also deep and echoing with divine power. “Remain silent and listen.”

Maka swallowed. Thankfully, her bladder and bowels were taken care of before her ascent to Leonyde’s Hollow.

Leonyde, a huge White Tiger with angelic wings, spoke, “The Realm of Iceglass was never without its imperfections. The dark espers infected our land for over two centuries.”

Maka said nothing, as Leonyde instructed. Also, she didn’t want to.

He continued, “In exchange for my protection and favor, I commanded the people of our land to purge the land of the dark ones, without making excuses.”

Maka silently wondered why Leonyde didn’t destroy them himself, but was far from saying it out loud.

“I know your thoughts. Do you believe Life is meant to be lying on your back while honey is dripped into your mouth?”

Despite her fear, Maka said, “Ho-oney wo-ould get old, a-after awhi-ile.”

Astonishingly, Leonyde laughed, and it was both awesome and comforting. He had a sense of humor.

“Have you ever read a story worth reading without conflict?”

“No, my Lord.”

“It is the same with Life. You break or succeed according to your character. And some stories are Tragedies, or a Cautionary Tale.”

Maka was speechless.

“I commanded the People of the Fey to remain vigilant, and rid the land of the dark espers, though it would risk their lives. They were to earn peace and plenty through victory over evil. But beginning over a century ago, they made peace with the dark espers, and decided to live in harmony with them. They dared not face them in battle, but defiled themselves by paying them worship and offering their children as sacrifices. Is this not the ultimate cowardice? To refuse to face an enemy in a battle, but give up your children as food? When there was still a chance?”

Maka, in terror, dared not utter that not every village worshiped dark espers.

“I know your thoughts. My servant, Aestheyas, has scried the entire realm. Those who are happy and in peace are simply glad that they aren’t the victims. They turn a blind eye to the oppression; there are none who found their courage and took up the sword. The Order of the Spear does little but keep Sovereign Valley free of dark espers.”

“A-are we just food for Ivalice?” said Maka in despair.

“Ivalice is a land of mighty warriors, who will not tolerate cowards. They are the answer to my indifferent and foolish people.”

“Thi-is is. Bitter.”

“This is a time of Testing, for their people and ours. In truth, many from Ivalice are more wicked than my people.”

“Bu-ut, then why—”

“— If you embrace evil, without distinguishing it from what is good, then I will give you all the evil you can stand, and more. This, I have done.”

Maka somehow found more tears. “Te-ell me what to do, please! Just don’t destro-oy us!”

“You have acted ably as a defender of your realm, though much of it is for naught. Your journey ahead is to salvage the remnant of our people, and forge a new future.”

Maka said nothing, simply kneeling in obedience.

“You will be given one power to use against the conqueror, the one called Swain.”

She was silent.

“He will fall in love with you. If he remains stubborn and proud, his love will be brought to a glorious fruition, and you will have the power to take it away from him, when he needs it the most, your heart still intact.”

Yeowch, she thought.

Though it was nothing compared to the bestial cruelty of the other warlords.

“Sovereign Lord, what of the other tyrants? The ones who are unbearable?”

“This is your journey. You must have faith in my word, and the word of the ones I have sent. Naori has been faithful.”

She was silent.

Then she said, “Can’t you tell us how to beat them?”

“You are not a horse. Do not be like an animal, who needs a bit and bridle to be controlled. Believe, and all shall be granted to you.”

“A-all? What about the Net Region? The women the Lecher captured?”

“Your people chose indifference, and I in turn shall be indifferent.”

She wept a few more tears.

“I will place my Spirit upon you. You shall have my authority and power. Do not be in fear of them.”

But her people were dying, she did not say.

“You will be a glorious Queen, and my land shall be rebuilt, greater than it was before. Many will be given to the crucible, but so long as you believe, I will restore this land.”

It was still bitter. “Yes, my Lord Leonyde.”

“The time is now come for you to depart. I will forge a new people out of the Fey and the Intruder.”

She shakily arose.

Then he said, “From this day forward, even if you give in to fear, I will not forsake you, for you are my Chosen.”

“Y-yes, my Lord Leonyde.”

And with a flash of holy light, she found herself at the entrance to Leonyde’s Hollow. Still shaky from the experience, she wearily descended the steps back to the Emerald Obelisk, where Naori and Japheth were waiting for her. She felt like she had briefly become a god, and then was turned back into a human. She would never look at the world in the same way again.