Chapter 200! This chapter aligns with Chapter 139 of my rewrite. My fanfiction left off on Chapter 390 before I began this rewrite, meaning I still have 250 chapters to go through. all of this happens within Vol 5.
Better fasten your seatbelts. It's going to be a long one!
*
As everyone got squared away with what they wanted to do, the sands of time began to churn again. S1198 came and went, and the start of the next year arrived. KeA continued her visits to the Thirteen Workshops, with the Rosenberg Studio being her latest stop.
One year later.
A different scene could now be seen taking place, all the way at the western reaches of Erebonia.
Lamare Province, bordering the Balares Sea.
A gorgeous port city could be seen facing the sea's coastline. It was within the top five cities of places to visit here in Erebonia. Contrary to the historic appeal Messeldam Port had back in Calvard, this port city was much more grandiose, and luxurious at that. Many fancy white buildings and mansions littered the street. It even had a large marketplace, and for good reason. Many types of seafood get exchanged on a daily basis, as fishing was one of this city's primary jobs in the workforce.
Even with the passage of a year and it being summer again, many fishing boats and cruise ships could be seen out and about sailing the Balares Sea. This allowed traders to smoothly exchange their goods. If there was a single word to describe this city, it was prosperous.
This place is the Port City, Ordis. It acted as the capital of one of the Five Great Houses, belonging to the Cayenne Duchy. It was also home to a lower-ranked noble family, the Egret Family.
Several years ago, Naoto warned Duke Cayenne, the acting Duke at the time of this place, during His Imperial Majesty's coronation. Since then, it looks like the unfortunate accident still took place on the Balares Sea. Duke Cayenne and his wife lost their lives in a maritime accident. This caused a large blow to the nobles residing here, and some chaos ensued.
There was one individual who quickly quelled the chaos, and soon became the new head of the Cayenne Duchy. Duke Cayenne's younger brother, who called himself Croire de Cayenne. Much like the other nobles, he has come to detest the actions of Erebonia's new Chancellor, Chancellor Osborne. At the same time, this new Duke used this chaos to secure his footing. One would think this would cause Ordis to fall ten arge under, but that didn't happen here. The new Duke knows how the game works. Not only did he increase his own wealth, he caused Ordis to soar into new heights. Many nobles now flock over to this place, creating a weird dynamic. This much is visible in the Nobles' district, a stark contrast to the rest of the city. Many mansions resided here.
At the time, however, Naoto did not know that his own actions would thwart this man's actions that he was planning to do, as it was the case in the games. Duke Cayenne is the mastermind behind leading Prince Cedric to become the Vermillion Knight's pilot in hopes to overthrow the Imperial Family. Likewise, Duke Cayenne doesn't know about Naoto's plan to become Testa-Rossa's pilot. All he knows right now is the weird, inactive circle right now that is present in Dreichel's Plaza.
And while all of this might be happening on the outside, something different could be seen taking place within the confines of Ordis.
To be specific, what lies underneath Ordis. It was a vast array of interconnected waterways that crisscrossed throughout the entire city. Ordis was dubbed the City of Water for good reason. What people didn't know was the fact that it was home to an ancient proving ground. Only the Cayenne Duchy knew of its existence.
But that no longer seemed to be the case...
Somewhere deep below Ordis.
"So this is the site of the Azure Trials? The same place that appeared back in Heimdallr, yeah?", A voice said, echoing inside one of the many waterways stretching across Ordis. It belonged to a boy, who presently stood what appeared to be an ancient-looking structure that was reminiscent of a door. He didn't appear to be alone. A gray, sandstone-haired girl could be seen beside him. She had a large, azure staff currently held in her hands.
"Haha, that's right. This place serves as the entrance to its proving grounds. Once you step into this place, there is no going back. You will have several trials within its dungeons to clear.", The girl said. "You won't be attempting it now. Perhaps in one or two years. The time is not yet ready. I merely decided on a whim to show you what it looks like beforehand."
"So you say, Witch. Still, thank I'll thank ya for that. It's better to know what I'll be dealin' with before jumpin' into the lion's den, as one would say.", The boy said, and smiled at the girl. He seemed to be around fifteen years old this year. He was already on his own now. It's been two years since his last relative, the Mayor of the autonomous state Jurai, has passed away. This boy has become a drifter of society ever since. By some miracle, he came across the sandstone-haired girl before him.
As for the boy, he was two years older than Naoto. He has messy, gray hair. Someone who Naoto has not yet met, but could potentially become comrade-in-arms in the coming future, depending on the actions Naoto takes. He is Crow Armbrust, a new Awakener for the Azure Trials.
That's right, Crow will eventually become a pilot to a Divine Knight too!
Hearing Crow say that, the girl beside him giggled.
"Hehe, preparations should be the least of your worries. You will need both strength and wit to conquer the Azure Trials. This place has been the property of the Cayenne Duchy for generations, but they haven't found a single potential Awakener to show for it. Just shows how much faith they've put into this place.", The girl responded, and shrugged her shoulders after she laughed. A hint of scorn appeared in her eyes.
As for the girl beside Crow, she had turned nineteen this year. Contrary to her earlier appearance, she was now insanely beautiful. She had also recently begun her work as an opera singer at a certain famous opera house in Erebonia's capital. On the outside, she was a diva, but on the inside, she's none other than a Witch. The very same line of Witches who reside in the Hexen Clan. Like others, she too is responsible for guiding potential Awakeners through their trials.
But unlike before, this girl is now enjoying her freedom in the outside world as a "Wandering Witch". She was placed under house arrest for a few years thanks to her actions caused back on Nemeth Island, but that, in return, allowed her to focus on training herself. Ever since then, she has been unable to leave her home. Thankfully, enough time had passed that even the likes of Roselia had come to acknowledge her growth. You guessed it, this girl is Vita Clotilde, Emma's older sister.
Hearing Vita say that, Crow looked at her.
"You claim these so-called Azure Trials are difficult, but is that the truth?", Crow asked, still feeling hesitant. After he asked that, he looked at the ancient, sealed door. It had a symbol etched in its center that was lost through time. But it felt familiar somehow. That was because this symbol was the very same symbol that was etched into the ground within the magic circle that appeared in Dreichel's Plaza. That place also served as a trial ground.
"Very much so. It weeds out those who are not worthy, and it rewards you with a Divine Knight. I am following you because the Azure Trials have deemed you worthy, Crow Armbrust.", Vita said. Her playful demeanor vanished, and a hint of seriousness appeared in her eyes.
"Haha! It's more like, I'm the ONLY one you chose, right? Or did everyone else not live up to your expectations?", Crow replied, and grinned.
"Take it as you will, Crow. You fit all the bills required to become an Awakener for the Azure Knight. Do not disappoint me. If you end up dying in there, then that fault lies on you.", Vita responded.
"Then I'll try to live up to your expectations, Miss Witch.", Crow said, pumping his arm upward, showing his vigorous side.
"Mmm.", Vita spoke back. "Still, I do have a name, you know. Call me Vita, just like everyone else."
"Fair point.", Crow said, and shrugged his shoulders.
"But that's beside the point. How familiar are you with this tale, Crow?", Vita decided to ask.
"I've not a damn clue about it. Didn't think Erebonia would hold such a secret to its history. Sounds like more of a wretched fairy tale if you ask me.", Crow answered. "You keep spouting Divine Knight this, Divine Knight that. Is such a thing really beyond this door?"
"Hehehe.", Vita said, and giggled. "Of course it is. This proving ground is passed down through select individuals. Only one person can pilot a Divine Knight at any given time. Unfortunately, its previous occupant had long passed away. It's been lying in wait for decades for it to find its next owner. And now, it thinks of you as its next Awakener."
"So that was the case. You're sayin' someone else used to have this. I'm guessin' there are others too. Multiple from the looks of it.", Crow said, shifting his eyes back to the sealed door.
"More or less. I've only met another pilot a couple times. Most remain unoccupied, as far as I can tell. The roster will increase in due time. You're not the only potential Awakener I know for that matter either. But that person is currently being assisted by my little sister. You might have a chance to meet them soon.", Vita explained. "We haven't been in much contact these last couple years, but it sounds like his schedule has been freed up, for the most part. Now might be a good time to drop by and say hello."
"There really is someone out there in my same position, eh?", Crow asked, gaining interest.
"There is. You're not busy right now, are you, Crow? The point of this little detour was to scope the place out to make sure nothing has happened to these proving grounds. Seeing no one tamper with it, it means they're as clueless as ever. We can take our time until you feel ready. So instead, why won't we divert our attention elsewhere? Up for a little trip?", Vita suggested, drawing Crow's interest back to her.
"A trip huh? Where to, exactly? I'm not against a change of scenery.", Crow replied.
"Oh nowhere big, just a place I know in Liberl. I think it's time for a little reunion.", Vita stated. Her lips curved upward into a smile. Seeing Vita smile like this, Crow shuddered, and felt his stomach drop.
"Why do I get this feeling that this isn't going to turn out good..."