The Burden of Destiny | Sequel to The Aura Within

Prologue

Queen Rin didn't know how to react upon seeing the adolescent girl through the crack of the double doors. Her initial reaction was to burst through those doors and embrace her tightly, sending Arceus endless grateful prayers for bringing her back, but something stopped her. Three years have passed since the war between Hoenn's forces and Johto's troops ignited on the neutral grounds of Kanto, their harmless ally that got caught in the crossfire. Kanto would soon become a region torn apart by a war that had nothing to do with them, and so, there was no other choice but to put a stop to it once and for all. Peace came at the price of two heroic aura guardians named Soul Fraverden and Sir Aaron, who laid down their lives to Mew that day.

The war ended when that powerful force of aura from the Tree of Beginnings spread across the region. Consequently, the queen lost her most valiant knight and the one person she cared for like a daughter of her own.

Seeing the girl who resembled the fallen aura guardian was a daunting realization, even if her grieving heart tried to tell her otherwise. Shaking her head from such thoughts, Queen Rin looked over at her trusted general, who was responsible for bringing the girl into the castle. The bewilderment in her hazel eyes never left.

"What is the meaning of this, General Hayes?" the queen questioned in a shaken voice.

"The young lady in that room was arrested by the local knights in Nebesa Town due to a confrontation she had with one of the merchants," he reported. "After interrogating her, they found out she migrated from the Sinnoh region in hopes of seeking asylum here. They were going to originally send her back had certain sensitive information not been released."

"I see..." Queen Rin sighed. "Perhaps it is the reason Lady Ainsworth thought it best to send her here."

"Would you like for me to interrogate her?" he asked.

"No, I would like to hear it from her myself."

Queen Rin pushed the double doors open and approached the teenage girl. General Hayes closed the door behind him to keep this conversation between the three of them. The last thing he wanted was to issue out a statement when a panicked servant began spreading rumors.

The girl didn't react at all, not even when Queen Rin took a seat across from her. General Hayes joined and sat next to the blonde royal, eyeing the girl suspiciously. Taking a closer look at the girl, the queen's heart ached a little as she inevitably saw the image of the woman who saved the world. However, the reality of the situation snapped her out of the anguish she felt.

Dull blonde hair struggled to stay in its messy braid to the point that some locks fell to the girl's shoulders. Still, her fringe hid her eyes that were fixed on her fidgeting thumbs on her lap. Her skin complexion suggested she once worked out in the sun as it reflected a bisque hue. The dirty maroon dress under her ragged shawl successfully hid her slightly malnourished body. No visible weapons and no PokéBall were on her, meaning she had to have taken a great risk coming all the way here without protection.

Queen Rin cleared her throat, but the girl still didn't react. General Hayes kept her under strict surveillance. He was usually able to tell who posed a threat, but this time was different. As unfazed as she appeared, the girl didn't seem to pose any kind of threat. One would say that the general was overreacting, but he wouldn't be in his position of power if he wasn't.

"Hello," Queen Rin greeted the girl. "Would you mind telling us who you are?"

"...My name is Hope," the girl answered in a quiet voice. "Hope Eldridge."

"Well, Hope Eldridge, it's a pleasure to make your acquaintance." The queen's tiny smile dropped into a line. "General Hayes tells me you were in a confrontation with a merchant in Nebesa Town. Is that true?"