When Worlds Collide

Chapter 24

Erza entered the temple quietly, taking care not to make a single noise that could cause a disturbance. She did not want to do anything to upset or aggravate the sylphs. She slowly approached the stone tablets that stood at the base of the temple and then lit an incense which she then placed in a hanging encense holder. Finally she got down on her knees, bowed her head, and spoke.

"Great sylphs, you are the most powerful and knowledgeable beings in the entire empire, and you are the only ones who know the entire truth of the Great War. Origins and all." She said. "I need your help, my people are speaking of going to war again but I truly believe that we cannot survive another war. At least not so soon after the last one. You are my only hope, tell me what I must do."

At first there was nothing. Only Erza sitting alone in the silence, fearing that her pleas had been ignored. That perhaps the sylphs considered her too inferior to even acknowledge. But then a strong wind entered the temple and blew out the incense at the base of the center stone. The center stone began to glow and right before Erza's eyes, a figure appeared. A young woman who's body was made completely of the breeze. Just looking at her told you that she was all powerful yet her gaze was humble and gentle.

"Be not dishearted mortal." She spoke. "I am sympathetic to your plight and shall help however I can. I am called Sonya and I was there at the beginning of the war. I know it all started."

"Then please tell me." Erza said. "Is it true that war was started because the other realms threatened mine?"

"No. There was a time when we all lived in harmony but then two former associates of mine became overtaken by their jealousy and greed. They felt that they had been denied what they believed was rightfully theirs and they wanted to punish the world for it. So they whispered rumors and lies of treachery to all the realms, turning them against one another and resulting in that dreadful war."

"I knew it." Erza said. "You must speak this truth to the emperor and his council."

"Alas, my word will do little good. Though I am a first hand witness to the war's origins, so many your people are too full of fear and hate to believe me."

"So you're saying that there's nothing you can do?"

"Nothing I can do. But perhaps there is something you can do."

"Me? What can I do?"

"Prove to the empire that they have been misled."

"How?"

"Bring forth those outside your realm to voice their beliefs on the war to the emperor, for they have all been mislead too. That in very least should persuade him to think about changing his mind."

"But I don't know how I could do that?"

Sonya wooshed around an empty space on the floor which caused armor and a helmet of terracotta and lamellar to appear alongside a map and a mighty sword crafted from the finest steel and jade.

"Don this armor and go to the Magnolia Nation masquerading as a lieutenant in the emperor's army." Sonya instructed. "Seek out the ones called Sting and Rogue, tell them of your desire for peace and they will extend messages to the other realms, requesting a reconciliation between all five realms."

"But why must I go in disguise?"

"No realm will allow a common woman to cross into their domain without an invitation. But they will allow a monarch or a solider of high rank to do so."

"But impersonating a solider is punishable by death in the empire. If I'm discovered, I'll be killed, banished forever if given leniency."

"Doing the right thing has many risks, and if this risk in particular is too great, do not feel shame. It is understandable to be afraid, and perhaps you can find another way to establish peace and prevent war. This is the only solution I can come up with."