Fire Emblem SW

The Mila Temple, built as the place of residence and worship to Zofia’s patron goddess, the Earth Mother Mila. Three years ago Emperor Rudolf of Rigel attacked the place, sparking war between both countries. Through all this time the Rigelians held control of the temple, until they were driven by a band of warriors led by a priestess from Novis Priory, Celica, whose real identity was actually Princess Anthiese of Zofia. Worried for the increasing droughts and blights that plagued the land, she had departed from Novis to seek audience with Mila herself. Due to how remote Novis was, on an island far enough from the continent, the news of the temple’s capture had been unknown to them until they saw the Rigelians in the building. A fierce battle ensued, one which the princess and her forces emerged victorious. Aware of the implications of the Rigelians’ presence in the temple, she was set to inquire on what had transpired between both parties’ arrivals, priority being placed on the Earth Mother’s whereabouts and safety. What she found, would only bring more questions than answers.

“I was there, three years ago,” one of the surviving Rigelians said as he was being interrogated, “I accompanied Emperor Rudolf in his march to strike down the Earth Mother. But when we got here… nothing. Whole place was empty, with nary a soul around. Not even the Mother’s.”

At this point he scoffed.

“Hah, perhaps they caught wind of our approach and turned tail. I knew you Zofians and your goddess could be spoiled little cowards.”

Normally, such blasphemy towards the Earth Mother would bring forth the princess’ ire, but the revelation was such, it had her at a loss instead. Though that too was being eclipsed by something else…

If what he said is true, Celica was thinking,

Normally such conclusion would make her feel hopeful, and yet, she frowned.

But if true, then why the droughts and blights? Attitude aside, I don’t believe he’s lying, so Mother Mila must’ve really abandoned the temple; but then why did she stop blessing the land?

Alas, there was no one to supply her with an answer. With the Rigelians’ departure, only Celica and her group remained alone in the temple. Well, they and the caretaker of the temple’s sluice gate, which alongside its counterpart on the other side of the continent, regulated the amount of water the giant reservoir situated between both countries contained. By either fate or miracle, the old man had not been in the temple that day. That also meant he didn’t have much to say on the matter either, however, being as befuddled as the Rigelians were about the disappearance of the Earth Mother and everyone else in the temple. In light of all this, Celica had to plan her next course of action. Finding out where the Earth Mother went to was obvious, but how to begin was eluding her.

Perhaps some sort of clue was left behind, she thought, just because the Rigelians spent years here doesn’t mean they had to have found anything if there was. After all…

She glanced down to her right hand palm.

There are some things they lack.

It was her best shot at the moment. Thus, once everyone had settled in, for what could possibly be days, the search would begin. Her search soon brought her to the bowels of the temple. With the western sluice gate not yet open, the waterline prevented a full exploration of the basement level, but what areas could be explored were being thoroughly searched for by the princess. It was here then, as she walked a dimly lit hallway, that it happened. She was about the middle point of the tunnel when she suddenly stopped.

This is…

Celica had begun to sense something. A strange feeling… yet curiously familiar. She turned over to the side, right into the wall. She narrowed her gaze, staring intently at it for a few seconds.

There’s something on this wall, she realized, or behind it.

She then reached out with her right hand to touch it.

I wonder…

The moment her hand touched the stone, the area around it began to glow. The light spread out, forming the familiar flower sigil of the Mila Faithful. It didn’t stop there, for then more of the wall began to glow, curiously in the shape of a doorway. A second after, the light disappeared… as did the wall behind it. Now touching air, Celica withdrew her hand, as she watched what looked to be another door now revealed on the other side.

As I thought!

She briefly reveled that her first guess had been proven right, before stepping through. This room was small, and it only contained a single thing: A warp circle, placed at the very center. Celica glanced down at it with a look of understanding.

So this is what they used to leave the temple.

She couldn’t help but smile.

How ingenious of the Mother to hide it in a way only she could open it back up.

She then looked at her right hand palm again.

Or those who carry her blood.

Though covered by her glove, Celica carried the brand of Mila, who blessed her ancestor Zofia generations ago. The princess glanced at the warp circle again.

They must all be on the other side…

The temptation to step on it was great. However, she shook her head.

No, I must inform the others first of my discovery.