Kaori's heart raced as she stood in the summoning chamber, the ornate patterns on the floor glowing softly under her feet. This was her first attempt at summoning a Hero. Her right hand trembled as she lifted the summoning relic, its cool surface smooth against her palm. Commander Anna and Prince Alfonse of Askr watched her expectantly, their expressions a mix of encouragement and curiosity.
"You'll do fine," Anna reassured her, her axe resting casually on her shoulder. "Just focus on your intent. Picture a Hero who will aid our cause."
Kaori nodded, swallowing her nerves. Closing her eyes, she reached out with her thoughts, concentrating on the light of the summoning circle. The chamber filled with a hum of energy, the light intensifying until it became almost blinding. When Kaori opened her eyes, a tall and lean figure with mid-length emerald-green hair that framed his face in loose waves appeared. He was clad in white and dark blue, his emerald green eyes glinting with his iconic charm.
"Hello there!" A masculine voice came, his voice smooth and melodic, "The name's Lewyn. I'm a simple traveler, a wayward bard... Though there is more to my tale."
Kaori smiled faintly, hiding the flood of emotions. Lewyn. He doesn’t know what’s to come. "I'm Kaori, the Summoner for the Order of Heroes. Welcome."
Lewyn's smirk widened, his emerald eyes gazing into her yellow ones. "A summoner, huh? Looks like I’ve landed in the middle of something intriguing. Don't worry—I’m a fast learner."
Before Kaori could respond, Commander Anna stepped forward, her red ponytail bouncing with energy. "Ah! Perfect timing! Kaori, this is your first official mission as the Summoner of the Order of Heroes. Prince Lewyn, you’ll be joining her team. Let's move out!"
Kaori nodded, stealing a glance at the others. Alfonse stood at attention, his stoic expression unwavering. Anna, always energetic, seemed ready to charge ahead. Then Kaori's curious eyes landed on Takumi, who stood with his arms crossed and a frown on his face.
Takumi hadn't said much since Kaori’s summoning, not even after that night when he had accidentally startled her, but she could feel his guardedness. It wasn't new to her—after all, she had seen it in her previous life. But still, it mentally stung her to see him looking at her with that same distrust. She pushed the thought away. 'This time, I'll earn your trust.'
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Kaori led the team toward the forest bordering a small village, where a group of Emblian soldiers had reportedly attacked. The group walked in relative silence, the tension of the impending battle palpable.
Alfonse walked at the front, his gold plate armor gleaming in the sunlight. Takumi trailed slightly behind, his sharp amber eyes scanning the surroundings, his hands resting on the bow slung over his shoulder.
Kaori glanced at him, noticing the slight furrow in his brow. Takumi's guarded expression reminded her of their earliest interactions in the previous life. Back then, he hadn't trusted her, and she couldn't blame him. Now, she has the chance to change that.
"Hey, umm... Takumi?" she softly called his name out, falling into step beside him.
He glanced at her, his expression wary. "What is it?"
"I just wanted to say that… I'm glad you're here. Your skills as an archer are invaluable."
He raised an eyebrow, his skepticism evident. "You don't even properly know me. Don't act like we're friends."
Kaori's heart sank as she watched him going a bit farther ahead from her, her eyes turned to a solemn blue, but she forced herself to stay calm. 'One step at a time.' she thought. "I understand," she said, offering a small smile. "I'll let your actions speak for themselves."
Behind Kaori, Lewyn chuckled, clearly enjoying the exchange and decided to walk up to the Hoshidan Prince. "You've got a sharp tongue, don't you, Prince Takumi? Reminds me of myself at your age."
Takumi's amber eyes shot the Prince of Silesse a glare but said nothing.
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The village came into view, smoke rising from several thatched roofs. Villagers screamed as the Emblian Empire's soldiers rampaged through the streets, destroying indiscriminately.
Kaori's voice rang out, clear and commanding. "Alfonse, take the left flank and block their escape! Anna, you go and support him. Takumi, find a high vantage point and cover us with your arrows. Lewyn, you're coming with me—we'll focus on thinning their numbers from the center."
The group nodded in affirmation and sprang into action.
Takumi climbed a rocky outcrop, his lithe movements as precise as his aim. He nocked an arrow and released it with a soft twang, the projectile finding its mark in the shoulder of a charging bandit. The sword fighter crumpled to the ground with a cry.
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Meanwhile, Lewyn's Forseti magic surged, slicing through a group of enemies with a sharp whoosh. His dark blue scarf fluttered as he cast another spell, his movements as fluid as a dancer's.
Kaori stayed close to Lewyn, directing her allies with a calm efficiency that belied her inner turmoil. 'I know how this ends if I make the wrong choices.' she thought, biting the corner of her lip, 'I won’t let that happen again.'
When the Emblian Empire's leader—a burly man wielding a massive axe—emerged, Kaori didn’t hesitate.
"Takumi, take him down!" she called.
"On it!" Takumi nodded in affirmation and loosed an arrow, striking the leader's leg. The axe fighter stumbled but kept moving, his eyes wild with rage.
"Lewyn, now!" Kaori shouted.
Lewyn grinned. "Forseti's rage!" With a flick of his wrist, a powerful gale tore through the battlefield, knocking the Emblian Empire's leader off his feet. "Sorry, but this is the end." He takes his levitating tome and placed his hand on his hip. Alfonse closed in, his Fólkvangr sword flashing as he delivered the finishing blow.
The remaining soldiers from Embla scattered, and the villagers erupted into cheers.
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As the group reunite, Kaori approached Takumi, who was perched on the edge of the rocky outcrop, cleaning his Fujin Yumi.
"Hey. You were incredible out there," she gave him a soft smile, her tone genuine.
He looked up, his expression softening slightly. "I just did my job." the ash-blonde haired archer shrugged.
Kaori hesitated, then admitted with a faint blush scattered on her cheeks, "I know you don't trust me yet. But I just want to let you know... That I trust you, Takumi. More than you realize."
He studied her for a moment, his amber eyes searching for her transformed, earnest periwinke ones. Finally, he sighed. "You're… different from what I expected. Most people just see me as a prince or a weapon. But you... You actually listen. You just... see me for who I am."
Kaori smiled, warmth spreading through her chest. 'At least that's a start.'
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Unbeknownst to the group, Destiny, the self-proclaimed Goddess of Destiny, observed from afar when she noticed the five of them returning back to the Askran Castle. She was already in the Order of Heroes when Kaori joined not too long ago as their Summoner, and her bitter pink eyes observes the sand-beige with a mixture of disdain and curiosity.
"So, the new Summoner thinks she's special," Destiny muttered under her breath, her fingers tracing the edge of her ornate staff. She forced a smile when Alfonse, Anna and Lewyn praised Kaori for her efforts, but bitterness burned within her.
"How does she command such respect so easily?" Destiny thought out loud. "She's no goddess, that's for sure. And she's definitely no chosen one. And yet… they all follow her."
Her jealousy grew as she saw Takumi's subtle acknowledgment of Kaori's leadership. Destiny's desire for attention, for adoration, clawed at her. She resolved to keep a closer watch on Kaori, determined to uncover her secrets and ensure her own superiority.
"I'll keep an eye on you, Kaori..." The lilac-haired destiny Goddess darkly muttered under her breath,
"Your secrets will be mine one day..."
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Kaori sat at her desk in the dimly lit room, the soft glow of a candle flickering beside her. She flipped open a leather-bound journal, its blank pages waiting to be filled with her thoughts.
Taking a deep breath, she dipped her quill into the inkpot and began to write.
Journal Entry, Day 1:
"My first mission as Summoner was a success. The villagers are safe, and the soldiers from the Emblian Empire have been driven away. Still, I can't help but wonder if things could have gone smoother. I hesitated—more than once. Every time, it felt like a weight pressing against my chest, reminding me of the consequences of failure.
Lewyn fought with incredible grace. His magic flowed like a song, effortless and precise. And Takumi... his aim was unparalleled. I trusted him to watch our backs, and he delivered. Despite his wariness, he regardlessly listened to my commands.
But there's a long road ahead of me. Trust isn't built in a day, especially not with Takumi. I see the doubt in his amber eyes—it’s a mirror of the distrust he had for me back in my first life. Yet, for a moment today, I felt the smallest crack in his armor. Perhaps it's a start.
As for me, I'm going to keep pushing myself forward. This is my second chance in life, and I'm not gonna waste it."
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Kaori put down the quill, rubbing her temple. Writing always helped her sort through her emotions, but tonight, her thoughts felt tangled. She closed the journal and locked it, then leaned back in her chair, letting out a sigh.
A faint knock at her door startled her. Before she could respond, it creaked open, revealing Takumi standing in the doorway. His long ash-blonde hair was let loose and he was wearing his blue jinbei. His sharp amber eyes glinted in the candlelight.
"You're still awake?" he asked, stepping into the room, uninvited.
Kaori blinked in surprise, a very small, curious smile formed on her face. "I could say the same to you."
Takumi shrugged, his movements casual yet deliberate. "I couldn't sleep. I just thought that I should check on you." He glanced at the journal on her desk but didn’t comment. "You did well today."
Her heart skipped a beat at the unexpected praise. "Thank you. That means a lot coming from you."
He leaned against the doorframe, crossing his arms. "Don't let it go to your head. You still have a lot to prove."
Kaori smiled faintly, recognizing the mix of his guardedness and reluctant honesty. "I know. But… I'm glad you're here, Takumi. I mean it."
For a moment, his expression softened, and he met her gaze. "Just don't mess it up, Kaori. We can't afford to make any mistakes."
She nodded, her resolve hardening. "I won't."
Takumi lingered for a moment longer before turning to leave. "Goodnight, Kaori."
"Goodnight, Takumi." she replied, watching as the door closed behind him.
As silence settled over the room once more, Kaori picked up her journal and held it close to her chest. Takumi's words replayed in her mind, fueling her determination. This was only the beginning, but she was ready to face whatever will come for her next.
With a deep breath, she blew out the candle, plunging the room into darkness as she gets into the blankets on her bed, her eyes drifting off to sleep.