[~Aoria-sama~]

Academy Chronicles.
I .

I was nervous about coming here to begin with.

Sometimes I have anxiety - okay, maybe more than sometimes.

"You've got this - your family is here" 

I remember when you took hold of my hand and told me this, dad. In those moments I wonder if you knew how much I appreciated such a small form of comfort. I had bitten my fingernails raw the night before, and you watched me as I had to bandage them up the morning before my first day at the academy. Did you know then, that I was going to have trouble? That I could not possibly be the daughter you and mum want me to be? 

Why was I the only one of my siblings to be put into Leonaus?

I've never been alone before now.
You never told me how scary other children can be.
I bit my fingers until they bled today.

"You're not going to make any allies that way. If you want to keep playing the defenseless little noble, then keep it up."

"I know what you've presented to us so far, and you haven't done much to improve that image."

"Try to act like less of a victim, and people won't treat you like one."

"I'm not makin' no fuckin' armor or weapon for a noble."

"What are you, weak?"

-but not all of them are that scary.
Elise, Perosa, Cortado, Caster, Fran, Rhesus.. - these are my friends.
They've all told me in one form or another, that I am stronger than I think I am.
Maybe they are right, maybe they aren't...Either way.
I'm going to try and be more confident.
I will become a Pelleaux worthy of my name.

. . .What's my next class?

[~Aoria-sama~]

Growth
II.

Things have been looking up.
It's been a while since I've wrote in this old book, so this might be long..
Since I've decided to be more confident, a lot of things in my life have changed.

I talk a lot more, even when it's hard.
It's easier for me to cope with uncomfortable situations.
I'm spending much less coin on bandaging for my fingers - because I do it less, now.
I'm passing all of my classes, except maybe gym but...Is gym that important?

Deep down, I think I am beginning to understand why I was put into house Leonaus. I've been thinking about it a lot, more so recently, with every stride I take at being more confident. I think it's my strength to overcome my own fears, that makes me so fit for Leonaus. The way my need to protect those around me, helps me overcome my own fears, too.

Am I brave, yet?

Brave enough to ask Caster to the Illumination dance.
Strong enough to take his rejection.

To talk to Rhesus about it, to let him see me cry?
Maybe that was brave, too.

To be brave enough to tell Cortado he's coming with me to the dance.
For him to agree? Now that's...
I don't know what to call that - but it formed a beautiful friendship.
I only tripped once at the dance, too.

Everything has been falling into place.
I've earned my medical badge.
I was able to learn holy magic, too.

I went on a trip with my siblings into the basement of the academy, and found those old child like spirits.
I was also hand picked by my mother for being an excellent student, to go on a field trip.
Both trips were so scary.
I even got injured, but it's a secret.
I won't let anyone see my weaknesses anymore.
Mom, dad, are you listening?


I am a Pelleaux, maybe, after all.


Now, to find out what this book I found in the Academy's basement is for . . .
How can I take my compassion for others, and change the world? . . .
...Me?

[~Aoria-sama~]

Love & Religion
III.

Mother, father, are you listening?
I had a vision of the holy lands.
I felt the pull of destiny, and I allowed it to take me.

The journey was taken with those I hold dear. It was long, but the scenes were worth it.

Mother, I met Sister Nadia. Does that ring a bell?
She's from Saint Niles Monastery.
Her church was plagued by a demon, pure corruption and it was spreading.
We put a stop to it. All of us did.
Now the Pelleaux name will be known for another miracle.
-because I was called by the stars and I answered.
I was chosen. I heard them, mom.
Tell me you're proud of me.

Sister Nadia gave me a gift before I left.
It's a statue of Jaethael. One of the high Angels.
Perhaps he will bestow upon me more visions, do you think?
I can feel so much holy power coming from such a small statue.
I will pray on it some more - what could I use this for?
Perhaps the heavens will provide me with another sign.
I wish to only work through their will.
To work for the Angels.
To be blessed.

All I have to do now is wait.
It's almost time to graduate, right?

[~Aoria-sama~]

Life & Death.
The natural Order.
IV.

Graduation has come and gone.
All of us are in the real world now.
They say that once your thrown into such a place, you have a choice to make. You either choose to live a life of human decency and light - or you fall into the darkness that plagues the best of us. The strongest and smartest of us are likely to survive, the others? Fight constantly for their right to freedom. Do you know what I think?

I think everyone has a right to choose what life they lead.

When I graduated I was eager to become a part of the church, and begin the process of turning my dreams into a reality. I've prayed with those who've needed prayer, allowed others who have sinned to confess those sins to me and ask me for guidance. I was approached by someone who was falling to their darkness, and I was there to offer them all the love and help I had to offer. I've saved others. Done my duty to both Osrona as a Pelleaux, as well as a now priestess of The Faith.

Yet chaos seems never ending, potent as ever as many do not understand the teachings of mercy and forgiveness.
Isana pyr Aertas, for instance.
Her own people so quick to exile her for her sins.
Yet Osrona welcomes her with open arms, offering her light in her darkest of days.
Forgiveness. Redemption.
Belonging and love.

The seeds of hate attacked me, too. Brought pain to my hands, that I have saved many lives with in the Blue Lion. I will feel the aftermath of that pain for the rest of my days.
But why? What is the purpose?
Is vengeance really so important?
Especially when Isana should be the least of their concerns?

Bruno pyr Aertas - another issue entirely.
He will need to be dealt with.
A danger to everyone around him, including my people.

I will need to empower the church. Put faith back into the people of our Shimmering City.
To do this, construction will have to take place. I've finally decided what I am going to do with that holy relic I received inside of that monastery.

Change is coming.
Who will be a part of it?

Who will defeat the most darkest parts of themselves?
I'm ready.

[~Aoria-sama~]

Construction & Rebirth
V.

I was inside of the church, awaiting to witness the cleansing of Isana pyr Aertas. The explosions and screaming coming from outside, were what brought out the clergy from within. I'd never seen a rift portal until then, to be honest. Yet Achyon's commander Ryker Pyr Docro, had made it look so easy. It was complete chaos, as knights and citizens alike rose to defend our Shimmering City. I aided in the efforts to construct a holy barrier, only for it to be blasted through by one of Achyon's more advanced soldiers so that they would be able to escape.

I'd never been so scared, mother. Is this what a taste of war states like?

Dallan, one of our own, subjected to a lifechanging bullet - but why?
I pondered this, as I observed his body bleeding out onto the cobblestone.
It's then I realized how vile and evil, Achyon truly is.
To kill an innocent. A man whose wife holds a baby in her womb.
To leave a child to easily without a father..

No, no.
Mother, you felt the same as I did.
I could see it in your eyes, as you ran to Dallan.
You would sacrifice anything, to save even just one of our people.
Even if that meant your own life.
-but I couldn't let you do it.
Not without Jaethael.
He'd be the beacon for all of us, to call upon the Divines.

To bring back an innocent life.
Can Achyon do that in their godless city?
No - but they've woken the lions who can.
Father taught me, that they are irredeemable.
This is war, now I know.

-but don't worry mother.
I'm going to be just like you.
I love our people. I aid to their wounds, feed their bellies when they are hungry. I check on them, to make sure that they are holding up alright through all of this. It's because of this, I think, that so many are willing to aid in the construction of my secret weapon. Within the church.
Maybe it will even help you get your magic back.
-or aid me in getting mine.

You can retire in peace, mother.
I'm going to strengthen our knights, our people.
Even if that means, I have to die to do it.

Just. Like. You.

[~Aoria-sama~]

Irredeemable.
VI.

Orain,

I love you, my big and fearless brother.
Your death will not be in vain, this I swear.
Your would have been wife will be taken care of, always.
Fathers mishandling of your life will be his last as Archmagi.

I attacked him for thinking so recklessly, for his greed.
His constant need to never concede.
It will kill us all, won't it?
If Cortado hadn't stopped me, I may have ended him there.

The High Angels demand redemption.
Father's mistakes must be repented for.
This, I hope he understands.
Five people I have watched him kill.
Either by his own hand or wrong reckless decisions.

Change to Osrona is coming.
I will make sure of it.

Don't worry about me, okay?
You always did do that.

But maybe, the Docro have put a bounty on the wrong Pelleaux.
Irredeemable enemies pose a danger to everyone in our city.
Evil, vile, unforgiving.
With my hand they will be extinguished.

Love, a mourning sister.

It's said that Valeria ven Pelleaux has been seen leaving the safety of Osrona's walls more often.
Covered in armor and wielding a bow.

She seeks justice.

Anyone who captures an Achyon soldier will be rewarded.
A captured Docro even more so.