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Chapter Text

Erythia Sea. The shining jewel of Cadensia, spanning a seemingly boundless ocean. One could easily get lost staring into its endless blue canvas. One woman took the opportunity to allow her thoughts to flow.

‘How long has it been now, since I gazed out at the magnificence of Eryth? And yet, it is not the home I know and remember.’ Such were the thoughts of the reticent Queen of Keves, Melia Antiqua. The woman had tagged along with Ouroboros to assist with supply distribution at Agnus Castle. She now found herself gazing out to the sea, aboard the Bravery. She longed to stare into the starry sky of her homeland, yearning to breathe in the salty sea breeze and let the gentle motion of the waves hypnotize her into a blissful rest. Unfortunately, the Bravery moved so swiftly through the waters that she couldn’t get a proper view without negotiating a headache. ‘Shulk and Fiora would love this sight’ she thought.

She then shifted her gaze to the other passengers. The six kids (and two nopon) entrusted with the strength to redeem Aionios. The six kids upholding the hope for the future.

Sena, despite her small stature, displays tremendous physical strength, far more than most soldiers in Agnus and Keves. Even though she seems optimistic, her brave face belies an uncertain girl, struggling with her self-doubt. ‘She is fortunate to have such close friends at her age’ Melia thought. ‘They will help her to find her own confidence’

Lanz, a foolhardy yet skilled fighter, proves himself to be unfailingly loyal to his friends. Even though he often speaks before thinking, his emotional perceptiveness is surprisingly sharp. ‘Always looking out for others around him, yet he rarely takes the time for his own health’ the Queen thought. He reminds Melia of a close friend in that regard.

Taion would seem like an aloof tactician to some, yet the trust he holds in his friends is clear for anyone to see. Yet he has suffered loss in the past, and he struggles with the feeling of powerlessness, the fear of losing the ones precious to him. ‘He needs to trust his processes. He has the power now to protect the ones he holds close’ Melia thought. Taion is similar to her in the sense that he is prone to overthinking. Fortunately, he has a reliable partner to keep him from getting lost in his own head.

Eunie, for all her snark, is a refreshingly honest person, with a caring heart at her core. The girl is far sharper than her aggressive demeanor would suggest, and her quick wit has saved the team on many occasions. However, beneath the brash exterior lies a girl locked in battle with her own fears and insecurities. ‘Her friends will be the key to conquering those fears. Tyrea would be proud of her.’

Melia then shifted her focus to Mio. ‘The poor girl knows far more about death than she deserves. No one should have to shoulder such a looming dread at such a young age’ Mio was certainly kind and wise beyond her years, but a ten year lifespan was far too short to truly experience life. And yet, in spite of everything, she pushes forward with an iron will. ‘She must be careful. Shouldering such a burden will take its toll, especially with the memories she’s gathered from M’ she thought. ‘She must not forget to rely on her friends, and especially on-

Noah. The Queen winced at the name. Hearing his voice so clearly made her heart ache. She felt pangs of guilt every time she gazed upon his blade, both the shining silver Sword of Origin and its all too familiar scarlet sheath. She entrusted it to him with the hope that he would not have to clash with the sorrow of his past, yet he was still forced to witness every tragedy of his previous incarnations. She wanted so desperately to reach out to him, but from her chains in Origin, she could only watch as Z drove him to the depths of despair.From her simulacrum, she watched on as the two versions of him haunted her sight. She blinked once, and she saw a young boy learning the flute with a sparkle in his eyes. She blinked again, and she saw a man forced to make an impossible choice. She blinked once more, and she saw the boy holding his little one with unspeakable joy, before witnessing the man fading away in front of the poor child. 

'A millennia of torment, and I failed to protect you at every moment of it.’ she thought. ‘You deserve better from me than a single sword and a world of troubles.’

Even when traveling with him, Melia could only interact while she wore the mask. The mask that shrouded her heart. The mask she donned to spare him any further mental burden. She was content to bear the weight until Origin was reclaimed, but now, the mask grew heavy, and it was starting to exhaust her, and it hurt. Terribly. Her heart was at its limit. She wanted to tell him. She wanted to hold him tight. She wanted him to know her as a trusted ally, beyond the scope of-

"Your Majesty?” a sudden voice interrupted her train of thought.

Melia jumped at the noise and turned to see Noah and his liveslong partner Mio, with concerned looks in their eyes.

“You seemed a little out of it. Is something wrong?” Mio asked. “

Apologies” Melia started. “I was lost in thought for a moment. Traversing this grand sea had me reminiscing about my home” she said, though not entirely true.

“Your home? Do you mean from your world?” Noah asked.

Melia nodded. “This sea that you know as Erythia contains fragments of my old home, along with fragments from Queen Nia’s world. The sea from my world was surrounded by hovering reefs, much like the reefs surrounding Keves Castle.” Noah and Mio hummed with interest. Noah considered asking if the reefs were as desolate, before a spiky-haired nopon cut him short.

“Friend Noah? Riku could use hand with boarding Bravery.” Riku chimed in. “I’ll be right there Riku” he replied. Noah made his way to the cockpit, leaving Melia with his off-seer counterpart.

“You seem to be quite fond of him. Your ears always perk up whenever he’s nearby” Melia said.

Mio’s face heated up, caught off guard by the sudden comment “W-well of course! He’s my-I mean I-”

Melia giggled as Mio tripped over her words. “Relax dear, I was only teasing” she said. “It’s all right to feel that way. That love, for him and your comrades, will be the key to overcoming Moebius.” she continued.

“Love, right. I’m still not sure if I fully understand it” Mio replied, having recomposed herself. “Did you have someone that you loved, Melia?”

Melia shifted her gaze from the gormotti before smiling wistfully. She could feel the mask creaking beneath the weight. “Yes, and I still do. I have a wonderful family, whom I love more than anything. I look forward to taking back Origin and seeing their smiles once again” she answered.

Mio nodded. “Smiles. Noah said something similar to me a while back. He said that he wanted people to have the choice to smile” she said. “You know, Melia, I think you two are quite alike in some ways.”

Melia winced internally ‘Oh you sweet girl. If only you knew.’

Chapter Text

Melia found herself ascending the stairs of the Cloudkeep, standing before the grand doors leading to the Hall of the Serene. ‘ This place has hardly changed since I last came here, though I wonder how that platform got damaged’ she thought. Deciding to save that question for another time, she gently pushed the doors open. Stepping into the chamber, she found the hallway-

Empty. ‘Strange. I know I informed Nia of my arrival time.’ Melia soon had her answer as she heard what sounded like a yawn. She turned to find Nia, trudging up from another room with frizzed hair and drooped ears. 

“*yaaawn* mmmm, that was a nice cat nap, but I better get myself ready to greet- Melia! What’re ya doin here!? Oh- bloody hell!” The Agnian Queen scrambled to make herself presentable, which proved a futile effort. “Poppi! Didn’t ye set that alarm I asked ya to!?” she shouted.

“Poppi did set alarm for Nia, but alarm has not reached specified time. Set to go off in approximately 17 minutes”the bladebot answered, sporting her QT maid outfit. 

Melia chuckled to herself. “A personal attendant? She must make for fine company.” She couldn’t help teasing her fellow queen on occasion. It was their way of having a little fun with each other. 

Nia stifled a groan as she hastily brushed her hair. “Titan’s foot, Melia! Would it kill ya not to be so early? Ye damn near scared me ‘alf to death!” She growled. 

“It is never a bad thing to be punctual, Nia. I will try to give a warning for my next visit if it will help you” Melia said. She couldn’t blame Nia for trying to get some rest. In a world as brutal as Aionios, sometimes the only escape could be found during sleep. 

“Alright, alright. Ye got me this time” Nia huffed, still slightly embarrassed. “But I know ye didn’t just come here to tease me. Got somethin’ to get off yer chest, don’t ya?” She asked. 

Melia nodded. “Yes. I feel like you are the only one I can talk about this with. Shall we have a seat?” 

Nia accepted the suggestion, leading her fellow queen to a small table perched beside a clear glass window. She pulled up a chair, beckoning Melia to follow. “Alright, let’s hear it. The floor’s all yours, Melly” she invited. 

Melia took a deep breath before starting. “I will keep this direct. I have decided to come out and tell my son the truth” she said. “I have hidden myself from him long enough.”

Nia listened with intent, slightly surprised that Melia would be so straightforward. “Ye mean Noah, right? I was wondering if you’d share that tidbit with him. Good on ya for being honest. I know this isn’t somethin’ yer used to” she said. 

Melia hummed, before continuing, “I appreciate your praise, but I still have some reservations about this” she said, looking away from Nia’s gaze into the cloudy sky. “Would it be the right decision, or would it simply distract them from the task at hand?” she pondered. “I would not want something like this to get in the way of their mission of reclaiming Origin” she said, a worried look in her eyes. 

Nia cleared her throat, “On the contrary, Melia. I think that Noah knowing that he has his Mam’s support could be great incentive to take back Origin. I was planning on telling Mio the same. I think it would give her a stronger desire to return home, to see our family again. If we’re gonna take our future back, then holding out on those bonds won’t do us any good” she replied. “Weren’t you the one that told me not to hide my stripes?” 

Melia turned back towards Nia, looking stressed. “Y-yes, but what were to happen after everything is said and done? What if telling him puts another target on his back? He has already suffered enough. I had to witness his torment across countless years. If I were to reveal myself now, after all this silence, would he-” Melia choked on her words, too stressed to finish. 

“And do ye really think that hidin' yerself from him is doing anything better for him? Keepin’ that mask on will only make it harder for him to trust ya!” Nia snapped back, before realizing her tone and dropping her volume. “Ah- sorry, Melia. Didn’t mean to snap like that” she apologized. 

Melia looked up at her with misty eyes. “N-no, you had good reason to-” she croaked the words out before breaking down from stress. 

Nia shifted her seat before embracing Melia. “It’s alright. I’m right here for ya. Just let it out” she whispered. Nia held her friend as she wept softly. After a few moments, she wiped her tears and prompted Melia. “Ye said you want to protect him, yes?”

Melia wiped her face and cleared her throat. “Yes, I did say that” she answered.

“Then tell him. The longer you hold off, the stronger that regret will get” Nia said. “I’ll be the first to tell ya, holding on to that doubt will only serve to put your dearest ones in danger” Nia continued. She thought back to when she hid herself, and how it caused her friends and family pain. “I thought that keeping myself hidden would keep others safe, but I was wrong. My regret caused others to suffer. People were hurt because I was afraid.” She stopped herself from thinking about Vandham. “And if yer worried about how it might affect his childhood, ye can stop. He’s more than capable of handling that truth, and you’d be setting a good example by being honest with yer family. And as for putting him in harm’s way, he’s mastered the Sword of Origin for cryin’ out loud! Nothin’ can stand against him, so have a little bit of faith won't ya?"

Melia listened in stride, before replying “You make a fair point. I do apologize for causing you to reminisce on such unsavory memories” she said.

Nia let out a small laugh. “Even when yer eyes are red, yer still considerin’ others feelings before yer own. Ye really are Noah’s mam” she said. She then took Melia’s hand and gave her a soft smile. “You don’t have anything to lose by telling him, Melia. Sure, the queen side of me might be saying to wait, but the parent in me is in control right now, and it’s saying to not give a hode’s arse about that! The wielder of Lucky Seven needs to press on with no regrets. He needs allies that have casted those doubts along with him. More than that, he needs his mother’s love and support” the queen said. 

‘ That love, for him and your comrades, will be the key to overcoming Moebius.’

Melia looked back with a smile of her own. “I understand now. My doubt will only be holding them back. Thank you, Nia. Your guidance has helped me to see the decision I must make.” 

“Yer always givin’ me advice. It feels nice to return the favor” Nia said. ‘ You should be thankin’ yerself first’ she thought. 

“On the topic of favors, could I offer you a hug in return?” Melia offered, a shy smile on her face.

Nia giggled. “Well, since you insisted. Come here” she opened her arms, to which Melia accepted swiftly. ‘ Never took ya for a cuddling type, but I can’t complain’ she thought. Melia’s embrace felt more relaxed than the previous. It was clear that her stress had melted away. 

Nia proceeded to run her fingers through Melia’s silver locks. “I’m proud of ya, Melly. We all are. Don’t forget that” she assured her. Seeing the normally calm and composed queen break down from stress had set off a few alarms in Nia’s head.

‘Alarms? Why do I feel like-’ Nia pondered, before it hit her. ‘Ah shite!’

BEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE-

Melia visibly jumped at the sudden loud noise, and almost fell before Nia caught her at the last minute. 

“ Poppi! Cut the damn alarm!” Nia roared. In all the emotional conversation, she completely forgot about the alarm she set. 

“If Nia wanted Poppi to turn off alarm earlier, Nia should have been specific with Poppi” the maid answered, sporting a subtle grin. 

Nia shot Poppi a glare. ‘Cor, yer about as cheeky as the little shite who built ya’ “You good Melia?” Her friend had her ears covered tightly.

“I’m quite alright, thank you. However,” Melia replied, before blushing slightly. “Can you please put me down?” she asked, covering her red cheeks. 

Nia shot her a toothy grin, before ultimately relenting. “Oh, alright. Have it yer way, ya little cuddlebug.” she teased, helping Melia on her feet. 

Melia dusted herself off. “You certainly have an effective alarm to say the least” she joked. 

Nia chuckled. “Well, after livin’ with three kids and their dork of a da, it takes a lot more to wake me up than it usually did. The musical ones are especially bad about waking ya up at the bloody crack of dawn!” she said. 

Melia laughed. She couldn’t deny Nia’s statement though. She thought back to the many noisy morning calls. If it wasn’t Fiora dragging a sleepy Nikol (and sometimes Shulk) back to bed, it was Noah practicing a new song on his flute. “On that note, I suppose I should be going now. I thank you for your time, Queen Nia.” she bowed. 

Nia returned with a curtsy. “It was my pleasure, Queen Melia. I bid you safe travels.” she declared with her royal voice, before switching to her regular tongue. “Oh, and another thing, before ya go.”

Melia turned to face her friend. “Yes?”

Nia approached Melia and gently held her by the shoulders. “You can do this, Melia. I believe in you. You don’t have to wear that mask anymore, and ya certainly don’t have to carry it alone either. So get out there. Yer son’s waitin for ya. Go to him. Put that smile back on his face.” 

Melia nodded, and turned to leave the Cloudkeep. 

‘Nia, your advice will not go unheeded. I look forward to the day you reunite with your daughter.’

She put a hand to her heart. Perhaps it was time for her to break that mask off.