Tales of Zestiria: The World Beyond

Chapter 22

"You've returned," Maotelus said when he saw the group.

"We want to ask you something Lord Maotelus," Arthur began as he held up the Requiem. "Do you know anything about this?"

"I have not seen this anywhere. Where did you find it?" Maotelus looked at the book and had clear confusion in his voice.

"In a tower near Aball." Velvet answered.

"There isn't a tower near Aball."

"So that confirms it." Magilou crossed her arms.

"There are two names we wanted to see if you knew." Arthur continued, "Lucilius and Ma'ano."

"I'm afraid I haven't heard of Lucilius before. However, Ma'ano sounds familiar."

"Really?" Velvet asked.

"I believe your friend there could give you some answers." He gestured to Vanessa.

"What do you mean?!" Vanessa said in shock.

"The book you have. The book of the purple Phoenix."

"Purple Phoenix?" Eizen asked.

"I...um..."

"You haven't told them yet, have you?" Maotelus looked at Vanessa.

"I...I..."

"Vanessa?" Sorey asked worriedly.

"Just leave me alone!" She ran out of the temple. Sorey and Mikleo went after her with Rose right behind them.

"What was that about, Maotelus?!" Velvet said in anger.

"Laphicet that's enough," Eleanor said.

"What did you say, Eleanor?" Velvet turned to Eleanor. "Why did you call him Laphicet?"

"Because that's who he is."

"It's true." Magilou chimed in.

"Velvet..." Maotelus began.

"No. Just hold on. You're Laphicet?" Velvet interrupted him.

"Velvet, what's wrong?" Arthur asked.

"Phi...is that you?"

"It's been a long time Velvet." Maotelus' formed glowed and reverted to when Velvet knew him. A young Malak who had barely known anything beyond following orders until he joined her. He had short blond hair that was white at the ends, wore a long white cloak with a blue tie, had a black collar around his neck with a golden bell, black leggings, and black shoes. "Are you mad?"

"No, it's just..." Velvet turned her back and followed Vanessa out of the temple.

"Velvet?!" Alisha ran after Velvet with Edna and Lailah following her.

Maotelus, no, Laphicet had sorrow written on his face. He kept his identity a secret for too long just because he was worried about Velvet's reaction. Eleanor with Eizen and Magilou explained to the rest of the group that Laphicet had become the fifth Empyrean after Innominat. The entire journey they were a part of ended with Velvet sacrificing herself with Innominat to stop the scarlet moon. Laphicet, for the first time in years, took a step out of the temple and went to confront Velvet.

She was sitting on a rock with Alisha next to her, Edna not caring, and Lailah trying to cheer her up. Laphicet apologized, he knew it would take a while for her to fully accept what had happened. She went over to him and hugged him, it had been so long for him, but for her, it hadn't been that long. Before she ended up there, she had learned the truth about why her brother in law killed Laphi, and she had no idea what to do.

After meeting Sorey and the others, she had nearly forgotten about the fact she wasn't from that time. Being her old friends again made it feel like nothing had changed between them. She was happy to know her brother in law wasn't around causing trouble and that the future was exactly how she thought it would be. Laphicet was nearly crying, despite being an Empyrean, he was the same little Laphicet as he was before.

Lailah slowly dragged Alisha away as Edna went the other way to inside the temple where the others were waiting. Velvet needed her moment.

Vanessa wasn't in such a great spot. She was crying and nothing Sorey tried was making it any better. Rose suggested to give Vanessa some space but Sorey persisted to ask what was wrong. Vanessa didn't know how to tell them, she had kept it a secret for so long. Sure she had moments where she almost revealed it, but she caught herself each time.

She held onto her book tightly and calmed herself down, she told them that she would tell them everything when they went to the next inn. It was time they knew, and with Laphicet around, she couldn't keep it a secret anymore.

The energy inside the temple shifted drastically, there was no longer an alarming presence and the others were talking among themselves. Arthur and Celica talked about the name Laphicet recognized, Ma'ano, the same one Vanessa seemed to know as well. They stopped when Velvet and Vanessa returned with their small groups.

Velvet ripped into Eleanor and Eizen, she was wondering why they didn't say anything about Laphicet beforehand. While it did make sense that they were scared of how she'd act, it was immoral for them to keep it a secret for so long. If she had known sooner, she wouldn't have freaked out and would have talked to Laphicet like an old friend not like a stranger.

"Velvet," Laphicet said. "It's fine you don't have to yell at them."

"What am I supposed to do?" Velvet asked, "they didn't tell me for the entire time I was here."

"And you wouldn't react this way if we told you the first day you were here?" Eleanor asked back.

"Calm down everyone," Arthur said. "We've figured it out, we don't need to yell at each other. I got a question, why are you in that form, Maotelus?"

"Me?" Laphicet stuttered. "I thought it was better if I looked like this. You all seem to be more comfortable with this."

"What are you going to do next?"

"Huh?"

"I mean. You seem pretty upset about the disturbances in this world, what do you say you help us take care of it?"

"Now who said anything about fighting?" Magilou asked.

"Well..." Arthur rubbed the back of his head.

"That's typical of him, he sees a problem and he wants to take care of it," Celica said.

"If it helps me figure out what's going on, then I don't mind." Laphicet smiled.

(Well, that's the first chapter to the Phoenix arc, to those who want to know about the whole Lucilius deal, you'll have to wait until the final arc. I did plan to have the new cover-up before I posted this, but my schedule said no. So, the new cover might be up by next week or later in September. Anyways, the input is always appreciated. I'll be talking more with Vanessa about how she wants this arc to go, so the next chapter might be in the late September area.)