* Date: September 29, 1173

* Time: 6:25 AM

* Location: Gian Pantheon Church

Terwa awoke with a loud chirp. They were taken by two priestesses right after the invader was defeated. Terwa and his master have been placed under their supervision. The avian remembered how scared his master was when they took her away from the iron idiot. But he admittedly missed him: he was the only one who stood up for his master, and he can thank him for that. Looking around the room, he found his master still slumbering, gliding his way toward her bed and landing safely. Terwa then started pecking at Joan's face to wake her up.

''Stop...''

''...Stop it.''

The young elve rolled to the other side, attempting to avoid her pet's pecking, but the bird persisted in waking up her master.

''Ouch!''

Pecking at her cheek. The avian successfully wakes up the young elve. Opening her eyes wide, Joan felt the painful peck given to her by Terwa. The blue avian celebrated by chirping wildly. Pain was not the first thing she expected when she woke up.

''Terwa! What was that for!''

The bluebird tried to act innocent.

''Don't you act so innocent, mister! You pecked me!''

The avian responded sarcastically. Chirping: as if saying that pecking Joan's cheek was the only way of waking her up. Joan looked at the sassy avian with revenge in her eyes.

''Thanks, I guess...''

''...Oh, looks like the priestess already placed down a meal for us!''

Joan exclaimed, and directly on their table was their morning breakfast, ready to be consumed. Hopping out of her bed, Joan placed on her slippers and headed toward the table. Terwa flew close behind her.

''Yummy! Let's eat!''

She then took off the glass cloche over their meal. Joan then began eating her breakfast. Meanwhile, beside her plate was a smaller plate for Terwa. The contents of the smaller platter were delicious foods for the avian. It only took a few minutes worth of eating. Before, Joan and Terwa were filled with the energy needed to start their day.

''That was delicious.''

Suddenly, a knock interrupted Joan's comment about her meal. And hop off of her seat. Joan approached the door and opened it.

''Good morning, Joan.''

''Good morning as well, priestess...''

''...Is something wrong?''

''My twin sister and I are here to inform you that the Hero of Eldrant has been released.''

Joan smiled with excitement. Hearing her saviors release from the dungeons brought joy to her heart. But it seems like the priestess was not yet finished.

''Currently, he is meeting with the former Queen of Elvenia. He requested that after the meeting be concluded, you were to be brought to him. And now their meeting has concluded, so we are here to guide you...''

''...But, you should change your clothes before we go.''

''Right!''

She then slammed the door shut directly in the priestess's face. Joan immediately took off her pajamas and wore a casual blue dress. Terwa bathes himself in water to remove any dust on him.

''I'm ready! How about you, Terwa?''

Terwa then agreed with his master. The avian flew and landed on the elve's head. Proceeding to open the door, Joan met with the priestess.

''Priestess, we're ready.''

''Very well, let us meet the Hero.''

Joan then moved away from her quarters. They proceeded to pass through multiple hallways and corridors. Along the way, they saw a handful of priestesses murmuring to themselves.

''Sister Celine.''

"Sister Laetitia, Nadine. It is nice to meet you...''

''...And you must be Joan?''

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Joan nodded, gaining a smile from the priestess.

''Yes.''

''Then I assume you are headed to meet with the Hero?''

Again, Joan nodded, and soon the other priestess took notice of Joan. It was common knowledge that the Hero had already done a few heroics here in Eldrant. Such examples were slaying the ravagers, murdering some bandits, and defending Quake Town. But it is also known that the Hero saved a young elve in Adel Village. Of course, Joan is unaware of her reputation all across Eldrant.

''I see, then I will not hinder you any longer...''

''...May the Pantheons bless you, young Joan.''

''Thank you.''

After talking with the priestess, the group moved on, passing through another set of hallways and corridors. They finally reached their destination.

''Here we are.''

''Are you not coming with us?''

''We were ordered by the Saintess to bring you here...''

''...We are merely doing our duties. Go on, Joan, we shall see each other later.''

''Okay, thank you, priestess!''

Joan entered the garden of the Pantheon Church. And she was greeted by the lush greenery of the Church's garden. Flowers, exotic avians, and artistic structures were present. In the middle of it all lies a gazebo. Approaching the middle, Joan saw an unforgettable face. Terwa chirped loudly as Joan immediately ran toward the Ghost.

''Mister Tale!''

Turning around, the Ghost was met with a crying Joan hugging his leg. Vee was also present, and she had a shocked expression seeing Joan. The young elve embraced the titanium leg of the Ghost.

''You're okay!''

''Yes, I am okay.''

''Did they hurt you?''

''No, they were unable to do such a thing.''

Besides the Ghost, his companion was also present. Vee smiled at the young elve, knowing that she was okay. Joan would let go of Tale's leg and looked at Vee.

[Hello, Joan! It's so good to see you!]

''It's nice to see you as well, Lady Vee.''

Terwa immediately flew toward the Ghost's head and spread his wings to hug. Tale was albeit surprised by the avian's actions. After all, they both have a negative attitude toward each other.

[Aw, it looks like Terwa. Missed you as well, Tale.]

''I pay no attention to it.''

[Oh, come on! Can you be nice to him for once?]

''I will consider it.''

Joan then took notice of the several elves in the Gazebo. There was the Queen and the Saintess. Beside them was a woman wearing a red outfit and a man. That the Ghost had previously fought. Joan's fear kicked in and hid behind Tale. Vee took notice of Joan's response and appeared in front of her.

[Joan, honey. Mister Adelard is not here to hurt us.]

''But- But he hurt mister, Tale remember?''

[Yes, I do. It was mean, and Mister Adelard said sorry about it.]

Hearing this, Adelard stood and approached the young elve.

''It is in my deep sorrow for me to cause you unnecessary fear. Young one.''

''Will you hurt Mister Tale again?''

''The Hero and I have already said our apologies to one another. I will ensure that I will not make the same mistake again. I can assure you.''

The Champion of Elvenia promised. Although Joan didn't trust Adelard, he could always earn her trust in due time. She needed to give him a second chance to prove himself.

''Okay. But if you break your promise, I won't forgive you!''

Joan responded and caused Vee in the background to chuckle.

[Alright, simmer down, sunshine. Adelard gets it...]

[...Also, I would like to introduce you to a new friend.]

''New friend?''

[Yes, her name is Sarroth, and she will join me and Tale in hunting down the invader.]

Sarroth then stood right beside Vee after introducing her. Joan's eyes sparkled with wonder: this was an actual spirit. She always wanted to meet one in person.

''Hello, little one. I am Sarroth, and I am a servant of Tale.''

''Hi, you're sparkly!''

''Yes, yes I am.''

''Is it true that you're helping Mister Tale find the invader?''

''That is true. I have made a promise to the Hero, and now, he is my master.''

Joan smiled in awe toward the spirit. If she was going to help fight the invaders. Then that could mean Tale wouldn't be hurt as much.

[Ahem. Now that the meeting is concluded. I think it's time to retrieve Tale's armaments, don't you think, your Majesty?]

''Of course, Lady Vee. Adelard will guide you toward the armory.''

Adelard nodded in agreement. And if he and the Hero were to face the invader again. The Hero must possess his iron-barreled sword to do so.

''I shall guide you to the armory and retrieve the Hero's weaponry.''

The Saintess and General would simultaneously stand up.

''As ordered by Her Majesty, I am needed in Fae to prepare Elvenia's military...''

''...After you retrieve your weapon, Hero. Meet me on Fae. So that we can plan our next move against the invader.''

''Much like the General, I must prepare my subordinates to search for the invader. Good luck, Hero.''

TALE: Hero of Eldrant

After saying their reasonings, the Hero, his companions, Adelard, the General, and the Saintess, left the premises, leaving the Queen of Elvenia alone. The General would head straight toward the Church's courtyard. The Saintess went ahead and assembled a meeting with her subordinates. Meanwhile, Adelard accompanied the Hero and his companions toward the armory.

''Lady Vee, what's an armory?''

[Well, it's a place. Where armor and weapons are stored or created...]

[...For example. Adelard could store his armor in the armory for safekeeping. Another example would be if you want a weapon. You would go there to get one.]

Vee explained to Joan, and she somewhat grasped the idea. They proceeded through hallways and corridors. And would be met with a sturdy-looking door. The door swung open, and Tale and his companions were greeted by a burly blacksmith. Holding a heavy hammer is perfect for his profession.

''Champion!''

Exclaimed the unnamed elve as he hugged the Champion. Adelard would return the gesture in return. Joan looked confused as to what was happening along with Terwa.

''Good to see you, old man.''

''Bah! Me old? Your eyes must be deceiving you!''

Bellowed, the senior elve. After calming himself, the blacksmith took notice of Tale. The elve's eyes widened, shocked about the Ghost's armor.

''By the Pantheons! Who crafted this beauty here!''

The blacksmith moves past Vee and Sarroth. And inspect every inch of detail on Tale's armor. The design of Tale's armor had never been seen by the blacksmith before.

''Ahem! Favreau. That's the Hero you're inspecting.''

''What...''

''...This guy is the Hero!''

The elves immediately kneeled in front of the Ghost. Tale was annoyed by people kneeling to him because he's the prophesied Hero. The blacksmith sweats profusely, fearing he just disrespected the Hero.

''Raise.''

Tale answered, and the blacksmith complied.

''My sincere apologies, Hero!''

''No need, we're here to retrieve my weapon.''

''Retrieve a weapon, you say. Is it the iron-barreled sword I've been hearing about?''

''Affirmative.''

''Then what are we waiting for? Come in!''

Entering the premises of the armory. Tale was greeted by the site of armor and weapons. Knights and their respective blacksmiths kneeled when they saw the Ghost.

''Here we are!''

On the table, Tale saw his rifle. Its magazines were also present. Taking it off the table, the Ghost checked for its functionality.

''Good, it's not broken.''

He picked up the drum magazines and placed them on his pouches. While that was happening, Joan and Terwa stared at the plentiful weapons of the armory. Spotting a small dagger, Joan took a closer look.

'Woah.'

Joan said in awe as she held the dagger. It had a silver handle along with rubies on it. Unbeknownst to Joan, Favreau, the blacksmith, was behind her.

''Whatcha got there, kiddo?''

The duo yelped in surprise. Favreau chuckled at the sight of the young elve's reaction. Regaining her posture, Joan felt embarrassed about herself.

''What was that for?''

''Apologies for that, little missy, but I wanted to check what you were holding.''

Favreau then saw the dagger in her hand and smiled.

''Well, looks like; you got good; old Bertha over there.''

''Bertha?''

''It's a dagger crafted by me a while back...''

''...You know what. You can keep it, kid!''

''Really?''

''Yep! These days, daggers are not used by anyone anymore.''

''I see.''

Joan looks at the dagger with wonder. Favreau then took out the dagger's sheath and handed it to Joan. In the background, Tale watched as Joan tinkered with the sheath she was given.

''That there is the dagger's sheath. Take good care of her, little missy.''

''I will!''

Sheathing the dagger, Joan quickly returned with her new weapon.

[What do you have there?]

''It's a dagger! Mister Favreau said that he made it.''

[Oh. Well, as long as you only use that for self-defense. Then you can keep it.]

With Vee's approval, Joan smiled. Seeing that the Hero had with him his weapon. Adelard stepped forward to inform them about their next destination.

''Lady Vee, now that the Hero has retrieved his weapon. Shall we head toward Fae?''

''Affirmative...''

''...Your General said we can better understand the situation and our next move over Fae.''

To Be Continued.