Lady Calamity and the Shepherd (Tales of Berseria × Tales of Zestiria Crossover)

Chapter 3: Velvet's True Identity

It had been three days since Sorey fell unconscious. Mikleo and Lailah sat around his bed. "That woman... how much do you know about her?" Lailah asked Mikleo. "Not much. Other then the fact that she can see us. Though there is something off about her." He told her. "I agree. The aura she releases is powerful and she has her own domain as well." Lailah commented, holding her chin. That's when Sorey groaned and sat up. Mikleo and Lailah greeted him and asked how he was doing. When Sorey said he was fine, all three of them exited the room. The innkeeper and his family were glad that he was okay and offered a meal on the house. Sorey said thank you and continued out of the inn. That's when he sensed and saw it. Malevolence had corrupted the city. "The city..." Sorey said in sadness.

"Come. Let's talk away from prying ears." Lailah said, walking away towards the port. Sorey and Mikleo followed her. Lailah then explained to them the duty of the Shepard and his mortal enemy, the Lord of Calamity. "The Lord of Calamity?" Mikleo questioned. "A being of immeasurable power and controls the flow of malevolence in the world." Said the voice of Magilou. All three turned to see the girl walk up the steps to them. "The Lord of Calamity is most likely the reason for this world's suffering." She said with a smile. "You seem happy about it." Sorey stated. "Oh, don't get me wrong. I care about humanity. But there is something about the Lord of Calamity of this Era. I want to know why they all of a sudden gained so much power." Magilou replied.

"You sound like you have experience with a Lord of Calamity." Lailah said. "Well, if your as old as me, you tend to get wrapped up in these things. Poor Velvet had to watch her 11 year old brother be killed by the first Shepherd." Magilou said. "What!?" Mikleo exclaimed. "That can't be true! No Shepard I've known would do such a thing! To a child too no less!" Lailah yelled. "What do you know about the first Shepherd?" Asked Sorey. "What!? Sorey, you would listen to her!?" Mikleo asked, shocked. "Of course. If she knows about the first Shepard, then maybe I can answer Velvet's question." Sorey told them. "My my Mr. Shepherd. You have surprised me." Magilou stated. "Fine! The first Shepherd was named Artorius. He was a heart broken man. He couldn't save his own wife and unborn child from a Hellion attack back in his home in Eastgand." "Eastgand?" Mikleo questioned.

"Now now! Please hold all questions for later! Though he was able to save his wife's siblings, he still had hoped it would have been them that died and not her." Magilou said. The three just stood back and absorbed the info that was being given to them. "7 years later, on the same night that happened, he had decided to use his wife's younger brother as a sacrifice to awaken the Fifth Empyrean, Innominat." Magilou explained. "In doing so, he almost succeeded in taking away all human emotion from the world to fully get rid of Malevolence." "Wait, almost?" Sorey asked. "Yes, almost. Artorius' sister-in-law was still alive and wanted revenge for what he had done to her brother. She became the first Lord of Calamity. You see, traveling with her was very exciting." Magilou finished with a smirk.

All three of them then got into defensive positions as Magilou slowly approached them. "You sided with the First Lord of Calamity?" Lailah asked, ready to attack if Magilou made any sudden moves. "Why yes! Artorius' ideals were flawed. He sent all four elemental Empyreans asleep deep within the Earthpulse and suppressed the emotion from humanity. He had to be stopped. So to counter act Innominat-" "You awakened the four Empyreans." Lailah finished. "Correct." Magilou stated. Sorey let his guard down a bit. "I see your point in doing so. You gave everyone back their free will because you wanted humanity to grow by itself and learn from their mistakes." He said. "Correct." They heard the voice of Velvet say. They saw her come up from behind Magilou, her bandaged arm seemed to be drawing in the Malevolence around them.

"You were also there during that time Velvet?" Mikleo asked. "Why do you think birds fly?" Velvet asked. That question again!, Sorey thought. "My answer is that Birds fly because they want to fly. They don't need a reason. Even if their wings snap and doom them to die. They don't fly for anyone's benefit. They don't fly cause they were ordered to." Velvet said. That's when her left, bandaged hand turned into a demonic red claw, surprising the Shepherd and the Seraphim. Velvet slammed it into the ground and absorbed the Malevolence of the city. "Birds fly because they want to fly, and for no other reason!" Velvet yelled. "And so says the words of the Lady Calamity on the day of Artorius' death." Magilou said. This shocked the three soon to be heroes of the new world. When Velvet stopped absorbing the Malevolence, the city seemed brighter and the air wasn't as hard to breath.

Her deamon hand reverted back to its concealed state and Velvet stared at them. "Wow..." Sorey finally said. "Anyways, Velvet and I will be joining you on your journey." Magilou said. "What? Why?" Mikleo asked. "If the new Lord of Calamity has anything to do with Maotelus, then you'll need us for help." Velvet stated. "That would be greatly appreciated." Lailah said with a smile. With that they left the port. "So, other then Artorius, what were the other Shepherds like?" Sorey asked Lailah. "Hmm? I'm sorry. I missed what you said." She said, paling a bit. Magilou shot Lailah a look. "What were the other Shepherds like?" Sorey asked again. "Sorry missed what you said." Lailah said again, turning away and hiding her face. "Lailah?" Sorey questioned. "Hmm?" Lailah hummed. "Hiding something are we?" Mikleo asked. "My isn't the weather just fascinating today!?" Lailah said, completely off track.

"Reminds me of you." Velvet told Magilou. "How cold! I at least add flair whenever I'm hiding something!" Magilou over exaggerated. Velvet just shook her head. "You took an oath didn't you? That's the reason you can't speak about the Shepherds and how you have the Silver Flame." Magilou stated, getting serious. Lailah blushed and nodded. "Well, we'll all find out on this adventure, so let's drop it!" Sorey said. "Seriously Sorey? She could be hiding valuable information!" Mikleo said. "So? There will come a time where all secrets will be revealed. Let's get you guys to the inn." Velvet said. "Yes! Before Sorey collapses with fatigue and we have to carry him through the back alleys!" Lailah said. They made it to the inn and everyone (A.K.A Velvet, Magilou and Sorey) got something to eat. Velvet felt happy though. Her taste had returned. "Hmm... sweet." Velvet said with a small smile. Magilou just watched Velvet with a smile, glad that her friend was happy.

"We need to speak with Alisha." Sorey said, getting up from the table. "No problem. We'll be around town. I want to check something first." Velvet replied. Sorey nodded and walked away with Mikleo and Lailah. "And why aren't we following?" Magilou asked. "Come on out!" Velvet called. That's when a familiar figure approached them. "Velvet Crowe. Been a while." Said the man. Magilou looked at the man with a grin. "Zavied the Whirlwind. Or do you go by The Oathkeeper? I can't remember." Magilou questioned. Zavied just smirked at the two women.

Meanwhile, Sorey had put on his Shepherd robe and had just arrived at Alisha's manor. "Hey Alisha!" Sorey called. Alisha was sitting on her porch, a cup of tea beside her on the table and the Celestial Record in her lap. She looked up upon hearing her name. She grinned and waved at him. "Sorey! Glad to see you're okay!" She said with a smile.