Chapter Text
The ruins of the castle have long decayed into nothing but a sight to see. The rug was torn up and burned, and the torches have blackened, their use long over. Parts of the walls were collapsed, blocking off rooms in the halls.
As he walked, Rowan couldn’t even remember the layout of the castle. He couldn’t remember which hall led to the armory, or what tapestry depicted the most recent victory against the Chaos Dragon Velezark. His memories of his old life years ago have been twisted and malformed by a clawed hand of malicious intent. All he could do was walk forward and just hope he’ll find something, anything.
He came here looking for answers. He should have also prepared himself to hear answers he never wished to hear.
It was in the throne room where he found her. Miraculously, one of the two thrones of the room had survived the destruction of Aytolis. She was sitting in it patiently, as if waiting for Rowan this entire time. Fox stood by the throne, only planning to keep quiet during the entire exchange, and intervene if things went sour in the Queen’s favor.
Rowan had the faint instinct to kneel or bow like a knight to the throne, to offer some sort of mutual respect. But not this time. This deviless didn’t deserve any sort of common courtesy.
He stood at one end of the room, by the door, as he pointed at the Shadow Queen. “You have no right to sit in that throne!”
The Queen had no change in expression. “I think I have more than a right to be in this seat.”
“Oh, yes. Inheritance by your bloodline.” The Queen’s eyes widened. “Yea, I figured it out, LIANNA!”
She slowly stood up. Her hands, having been laying on the armrests, were shaking. “I was...hoping you...”
“You don’t deserve to stand here at all! You should be cast out like the monster you are!” Rowan had nothing but boiling hot rage in him. “How the hell are you even alive?! I stabbed you, right in the damn heart!”
The Queen...no, Lianna...placed a hand on her chest. “It did leave a scar,” she admitted. “But our timeline’s Sakura was waiting for the moment she could revive me. I just had to play dead until then. You’ll be surprised to find that even the most fatal wounds take some time to claim a life.” She paused. “Unless it was the brain. Funny. Maybe this all would have played out differently if you had stabbed me in the head.”
“Shut the fuck up!” Rowan snapped. “SHUT THE FUCK UP! Don’t taunt me with what could have been! Tell me WHY! WHY EVERYTHING?!”
“You don’t understand.” Lianna was fighting hard to keep a straight face instead of bursting into tears. “This was all destined to happen. Once I heard of the prophecy, I knew I had to fulfill it. I needed to instigate a fight with you, and in the most non-lethal way.”
“Then explain Ylisse! EXPLAIN TAKUMI!”
Lianna only seemed to further agitate him by saying, “That wasn’t me, but I will take the blame. It happened under my rule.”
“You monster...You’re not Lianna! Lianna died that day! And YOU!” Rowan pointed at Fox. “You’ve probably done this to her! Turned her into a cruel psychopath!”
Fox frowned. “Actually, she’s the nicest ruler the Umbra Mondo has had in centuries. Do think before you jump to conclusions. If she was truly psychopathic, many more people would be dead than just one kingdom.”
Rowan raised his sword, pointing it at who used to be his beloved sister. “Why?! WHY IS HE YOUR ALLY?!”
“Because he used to be Prince Yumal of the Luxonia, millennia ago.”
Once more, all of Rowan’s viewpoints shattered. Everything suddenly became more potent and terrifying in his mind.
“The red cape,” he murmured.
Fox smiled faintly. “I still love it, even after all this time,” he answered.
“Then...I’m not the first Otherworlder Reploid?”
“No, you still are. I’m just the only Luxonian Reploid.” Fox ran a hand through his hair. “This isn’t naturally brown. I’m blonde. And I changed my eyes to a more humane look, and tanned my skin upon conversion.”
“Then...I don’t...what...”
Fox turned to the side. “I knew your ancestors. Orli and Ciar. Orli was...my childhood friend. She and I were closer than you could ever imagine. And my mother...I loved her and my family so.”
“Gabriel...?”
Fox looked back. “Oh yes, Gabriel. I did have a hand in his childhood myself. I rubbed off my artistic traits on him, I will admit.”
Rowan was shaking heavily now. “Why...how...?”
This couldn’t be right. Prince Yumal. The one Gabriel spoke so highly of. The one the Luxonia mourn and treasure. He was the same man who wants to watch the universe burn in an insane bloodlust.
“When I heard Orli had fallen in love with an Umbrati, I had to do something. I told my family.” Fox laughed. “What a horrible idea. Orli’s family heard the news, then banished her from the Lux Mondo. She became a social stigma. My single mistake led to the prophecy being created.
“I had to hunt her down. I began to delve into magic no Luxonia should ever touch. I poisoned my very being with shadow magic. I erased my own identity, and created the chaos dragon Velezark.”
Rowan’s mechanical heart thudded in his chest. “You made...Velezark?”
“As the dragon grew, I realized what cost I have done to his sanity. To protect the world, I created a pocket world to seal the dragon in to. I had torn its pieces from the timelines, so I was dooming multiple human lives to solitude in this pocket world and terrors from my chaos dragon. I also created the only things that could ever stop the monster I created.”
“The Shield of Flames and Enliron and Facinna,” Rowan breathed.
“Exactly.” Fox stared at the twilight sky outside of the castle. “But my own mind was fracturing as well. I lost sight of my original goal of finding Orli. I began to obsess over her. I ripped apart timelines in a bloodlust to find her. And when I did...she was pregnant with Ciar’s child. Everything snapped in me, and I threw both of them into the pocket world I created, and never looked at it again. I don’t remember much else during that event.
“When I regained my consciousness, I realized what I had done. The trauma I have done to the innocent could never let me be king. So I faked my death, and fled the Lux Mondo myself. I wandered the timelines for millennia. I turned myself into a being of metal to hide my identity further. I became a madman.”
“Gabriel said...you perished in your mother’s arms when you recited the prophecy. It was you that created it.”
Fox seemed...genuinely surprised. “Really? I find I have a gap in my memory between the reciting part and the perishing part. I never knew it was I that made the prophecy. But the next part of my story carries over to the time I learned of Aytolis and Gristonne. They were made out of the pocket world I created. All of it, with its humans having integrated societies and now worshipping some dragon I didn’t know. At once, my bloodlust came back. I stormed your kingdom, and tore it to shreds. I massacred its people, all of them and their watered down Luxonia and Umbrati blood. But...For once in my life, I stopped myself before I could go further. I didn’t know why...until I met your sister. She reminded me so much of Orli, my possessive behavior came spewing back...but it was better than outright murder.
“When she bloomed into the Shadow Incarnate, I began to dive deeper into shadow magic. What was left of my Luxonia soul was completely desecrated, making way for my fractured mind of bloodlust. But every time, Lianna would be able to calm me down. She was so kind, and she knew what a broken man I really was. Unable to control my actions, and subconsciously enjoying them...She helped me become more sane than I have ever been in millennia.”
Fox looked at Rowan on the ground at this point. His legs have given out. “Which brings us to today. I’ve harmed as little people as possible. The war is a standstill. Lianna restores my mind, bit by bit. And the only way for it to conclude is for you to embrace your light.”
Rowan tried to get up. “E-Embrace...?” He was too battered by today to function properly.
“Reach deep into your soul, Rowan.” Rowan looked up at Lianna walking up to him. “The only reason you haven’t been able to access your light is because your soul has been traumatised by the darkness. Fight past it, and you can see our ancestor.”
Rowan scrambled away, shaking his head. “Get away from me.”
Lianna reached a hand out. “I’m going to remove your darkness. It’s the only way.”
“Stop it! Get away! NO!” Rowan screamed as he felt her grasp his head.
The memories came rushing. Strapped down, drills puncturing his body, blood pooling down the sides, eyes scooped out to have the sockets filled with optics.
All the bloody darkness was filling his lungs. He couldn’t breathe correctly, but at the same time, was still screaming. And yet, he had no ability to fight back.
Was he drowning? Flying? Or simply dreaming? He couldn’t tell, and it wouldn’t stop, and it just kept going, and the darkness-
The darkness was gone, and there was nothing but the warmth of light.
“I’m happy that we can see each other, Rowan.”
Rowan screamed, and the blast of light emitting from him shattered the entire throne room into a shockwave of rubble. Lianna and Fox went tumbling back, but were able to stand their ground, arms raised to shield their faces.
Rowan was sitting there, on his knees. His arms were dangling at his side, the whipblade released from his grip. Wisps of light flew upwards from his mouth and his half-opened eyes.
What was most different was that, like how Lianna’s hair was completely black, Rowan’s hair was completely white. There was not a single trace of golden locks anywhere.
Breathing slowly, he opened his eyes to stare up at the sky. The roof was completely gone, blown apart by the blast. It faintly reminded him of when his body did the same thing when Cayde accidentally shot him in Hoshido. But much more potent.
Slowly, he dropped his head to look forward. Both Lianna and Fox stood there, with minor burns, but would otherwise be okay.
“I...” Rowan whispered, none of his ferocity evident in his voice anymore.
“Are you well, Rowan?” His shadow suddenly warped into a bright shape by him.
He looked and screamed. A woman sat there, Luxonia by the looks of it. She stared at Rowan with a curious expression, clothed in yellow robes and silk curling around her arms to make a flowing loop behind her.
Rowan scrambled backwards. “Wh-Who are...?!”
Fox looked at him oddly. “Rowan? What are you staring at?”
Rowan pointed. “That...That woman! Right there! Can’t you see her?!”
As Rowan looked, he jumped straight onto his feet. By Lianna’s side, there stood an Umbrati that was not there before. He was decked out in armor, and had a few scars on his rugged face that glowed a lighter shade of purple than his skin.
“Who’s THAT?!” He pointed at the Umbrati.
Instead of paying attention to him, the Umbrati raced over to the Luxonia. “Orli!” He cried.
The Luxonia got up. “Ciar!” She responded, and both immediately enveloped each other into a warm hug.
Lianna smiled. “They would be our ancestors. Nestled within our blood, their souls are bound to our lifeforce. Once we awaken our powers, we are able to see them, and the other’s. When you had awakened your powers, Orli was finally able to emerge, and reunite with Ciar.”
“What...? Awaken?” Rowan finally looked at himself.
Besides the snow white hair, he noticed the soles of his shoes glowing. He decided to lift up a foot to check, only to notice a footprint on the ground. It glowed white, and sparkled faintly. However, it vanished after a few seconds. He quickly checked to see Lianna’s feet having the same effect, though it had a more of a smoke effect than sparkles.
Lianna reached a hand to Rowan’s hair. “The hair color is permanent, by the way.”
“Wait, it’s different?” Rowan murmured, dazed and confused.
Lianna sighed. “Your powers have awakened, but...the destined fight should not be today. You’re not in a well-enough condition.” She placed her hands on his cheeks. “Perhaps when we meet again, it’ll be the right time.”
“Wait, but...but that doesn’t explain Father.”
Lianna looked up. “Hm?”
“If Darios was the Shadow Incarnate, and I was the Light Incarnate...why did Father prefer you over me? Why was I cast aside?”
“Well...to be honest, Father thought I was the Light Incarnate.” Rowan looked surprised. “I was thought to be Light Incarnate. Our father attempted to train me in the way of light magic as best as he could. Due to our Luxonia blood, I managed to learn some spells, but...obviously, I lost it all by the time I became Shadow Incarnate.”
“It was...all a mistake.”
Lianna looked downwards. “Father did love you, I swear. He just had a good reason to spend more time with me.”
“So I was the unwanted twin,” Rowan remarked bitterly.
“Rowan, Father loved you.”
“Then why did I never hear a single ‘I love you’ from him?! Why was I cast aside and forgotten?! Why was I delegated to just become king while you would have the adventures I dreamed of?!”
“...At least you’ve had the adventures now?”
“At the cost of HIM-” Rowan pointing at Fox. “Destroying both of our lives, and me losing much more than you did!”
Fox looked down. “While I was caught up in the darkness within me, I will not fight against your words.”
Rowan’s shoulders finally sagged. The snow white curls rested against his steel forehead, bringing out his electronic blue eyes. It was almost heavenly, but tragic in a sort of way.
“...Why do we keep fighting?” Rowan clasped Lianna’s hands. “You can control Fox. You can stop the war. If you surrender, no more bloodshed will occur!”
“...I wish-”
A sudden sickening sound raked the room. Both ancestors looked horrified at the siblings. Fox nearly dropped his axe in wide-eyed shock.
A spear made of shadows was punctured through Lianna’s chest from behind. Her eyes were wide, as if she couldn’t believe it herself. She suddenly coughed up blood on Rowan’s face, adding color to his paling cheeks.
“No...” Fox raced over as Lianna fell to the floor. “NO! NO NO NO NO NO NO!”
Rowan slowly looked to the direction of the spear being thrown. He saw Kurami, heavily breathing and leaning against the ruins of the castle, but alive. Another spear was already clumping together from darkness in her hand.
“Thank...me later...” She gasped, looking at Rowan. “I just...saved...the entire...universe!”
Fox was sobbing on the floor. “LIANNA, PLEASE! PLEASE, I CAN’T RETAIN MY SANITY WITHOUT YOU! I’M BEGGING YOU, DON’T LEAVE ME!”
“You...” Rowan whimpered quietly. “You killed her.”
“And I’m gonna be Shadow Incarnate!” Kurami snarled. “I’m gonna be queen of the Umbra Mondo! And I’m going to stop this war, and everything that Fox would do! I’m doing you a favor!”
Orli was sobbing. Rowan looked to see her holding Ciar, burying her face on his chest. He was shaking, looking petrified at the events that had suddenly occurred.
“Are we to be driven apart by fate again?” Ciar wondered. “With Lianna and Rowan, peace was a chance. We could defy destiny, just as we have done before. But now...”
“Cursed!” Orli wailed. “We are cursed! Our descendants pay the price for a tragedy that they were no part of! It is not fair!”
Rowan slowly raised a hand to his cheek. Lianna’s blood was dripping down it. Every drop was another blow to his sanity, to his hope that things could get better. The red stain would be nothing but a reminder that all good things are nothing but lies waiting to be exposed and taken away from him.
Kurami straightened up. “Now...as the queen of the Umbra Mondo...My first act of business is killing you, Fox!”
“...Heh. Heh heh.” Fox grinned. “Kill me? You think you can kill me?”
Rowan gasped at when Fox raised his head. A dagger, clenched in his fist, was puncturing Lianna’s heart.
“I still win,” Fox hissed as the last blow on Lianna’s life was claimed by him.
Kurami’s bravado was gone. It evaporated, just like the life of Rowan’s sister. All of her weakness surfaced in that single moment.
“No,” she whispered.
“You fool. You’re a fool!” Fox laughed, standing up. His whole body was radiating with darkness now. “If you had never intervened, I would have never taken the killing blow! I would have never become Shadow Incarnate! It is YOUR fault this future has come to be!”
Kurami looked sick to the core. “My...fault?”
Ciar slowly let go of Orli. Gulping, he stepped slowly towards Fox. His hands were raised, as if he was negotiating Fox to not take his own life.
“Fox,” he whispered. “It’s me. Ciar. You are Shadow Incarnate now, so you can hear me. Please. Listen.”
Fox listened by plunging his axe right into Ciar’s chest.
Rowan screamed. His cry was one of anguish and sorrow, built up from this entire night that had dedicated itself to destroying everything he knew.
“NOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!” He screamed, reaching a hand out to the Umbrati ancestor.
Ciar’s eyes were wide. The glow of his scars was ebbing away from death’s pull. His mouth moved, as if he was trying to say something, but no sound spilled out before his entire form cracked and spilled away into black fog, a common sign of an Umbrati death.
Fox stood there as Orli wailed on the floor. Kurami looked panic-stricken, and was already scrambling to get away. And Rowan just stood there, his body unwilling to move from the terrible sight.
Fox slowly looked at him. His hair was beginning to grow black from the roots upwards. A tiny sliver of gold between brown and black passed through down his hair, then it was gone with his original hair color. And his eyes were now purple, staring right into Rowan’s soul.
He suddenly gained a wicked smile. “I reject my Luxonian blood,” he whispered.
“Rowan, watch out!” Orli cried before suddenly disappearing into a white light. Rowan paused as the light slipped along the ground, then reformed as Rowan’s shadow. He never noticed he was missing it.
Rowan looked up again. Fox was radiating with darkness now. His whipblade was to the side. If he could reach it-
He never did. The blast sent him careening outside of the castle. He went soaring through the air for a good five second before he smashed into the dirt, grass and flowers in his mouth while rocks dug into his skin to stick there.
Rowan laid on the floor, panting. The blast had sapped him of all of his energy. But how? One hit, with such power...How could he ever compete with such an opponent?
Kurami was right. Lianna was holding back. Otherwise, the entire Alliance would be dead by now. But now there was no Lianna to hold the true enemy back.
He had to leave. He had to get to the Alliance. He had to warn them. He had to apologize to Gabriel for yelling at him.
But his body just wouldn’t respond. It was shutting down, forcing him to lay there.
There were footsteps on the ground. Getting closer...
I’m sorry, Carla, because I wasn’t good enough for you. I’m too much of a mess for someone like you.
I’m sorry, Gabriel, for hurting your feelings and never getting to apologize.
I’m sorry, Andal, for letting everything happen to you.
I’m sorry, Takumi, for letting you die in the middle of unfamiliar territory without finding your sister.
I’m sorry, Uldren, for dooming you to a life of suffering with Fox as Shadow Incarnate.
I’m sorry, everyone, for failing you all as Light Incarnate.
I’m going to sleep now. I’ll see you sometime soon.