Edvar

Edvar
Title	Knight of the Einherjar
Hometown	Grandis
Gender	Male
Race	High Flora
Family	Unknown wife and child
Affiliations	Gerand Darmoor (formerly) Knights of the Einherjar (formerly) Former God-King of the High Flora (formerly)
Enemies	Gerand Darmoor Yuel Former God-King of the High Flora Asha
Status	Deceased

Edvar is a Knight of the Einherjar who served the former God-King of the High Flora. Edvar accompanied Prince Gerand Darmoor to Sefirot until he betrayed the Knighthood, after which he was killed by Darmoor.

Story

Knight of the Einherjar

Edvar was a Knight of the Einherjar whose family was an old, noble bloodline which had served the God-King faithfully for centuries. Though the God-King had once been a man of excellent character, he abruptly underwent a dramatic change of personality several years into his reign, turning him into a belligerent tyrant. Over time, the God-King declared that he intended to wage war against the other 'lesser' races of Grandis, banishing the Verdant Flora who had hoped to live peacefully alongside the other races. Within the Knights of the Einherjar, there was similar growing dissent. One of the God-King's most loyal knights, Adelaide, struggled with her loyalty to the God-King and her own morality in waging an unjust war against the other races of Grandis. When she declared that she could not follow him into battle, the God-King ordered her arrest and threw her into prison. As the God-King's madness grew worse, he slowly began transforming into a twisted monster, rendering him incapable of speaking or even recognizing his people. In desperation, Edvar and several other trusted knights began investigating the source of his insanity, which led them to realize that his affliction came from an illness. The knights began to secretly investigate a cure for his madness, but after finding no solution, they came to believe that the only way to save their king was through the blessing of the Transcendent of Life, for which they planned a secret expedition to Sefirot, the Transcendent of Life's sanctum.

Arriving in Sefirot

Alongside Prince Gerand Darmoor and another knight named Yuel, Edvar brought the God-King to Sefirot, where they overheard a gardener named Asha telling several visitors that the Transcendent of Life wasn't in Sefirot. At their questioning, Asha told the knights that just as they had overheard, the Transcendent of Life was indeed not in Sefirot, adding that they could check for themselves at the altar. However, she noted that the altar was closed, and that they would not be able to open it. Edvar and Yuel brought the God-King to the altar, where Edvar expressed his relief at finally arriving. He noted that it hadn't been an easy journey, thanks to the barrier surrounding the sanctum. He then wondered whether it would truly be possible to cure the God-King's madness, which was so severe that even the greatest minds could find no solution. Yuel replied that they had no other choice, as the God-King's violent tendencies had become so strong that he couldn't even recognize them anymore. She noted that the only possible solution left was to use the power of a Transcendent. Edvar replied that he felt uneasy about leaving the palace empty at such a moment, to which Yuel asked him whether he felt uneasy because of the Verdant Flora. She explained that she doubted that they would invade the capital in their absence, adding that she had even heard of a rising divide within their ranks.

However, Edvar told her that the Verdant Flora weren't the problem, pointing out the state of the Knights of the Einherjar. He noted that with just a single word of dissent from Adelaide, all of her comrades had also refused to follow the God-King into battle. He added that with their most prominent knight imprisoned, the advancement of their forces had been delayed indefinitely, which had made a complete mess of their plans. Yuel pointed out that, to be exact, it had been the God-King who had ordered her imprisonment, adding that they all had been shocked by his sudden change, including herself. She noted that his plan to recklessly expand their military and subjugate all of Grandis was too far-fetched of a strategy, and that the God-King would never have ordered such a thing if he were in his right mind. Edvar noted that it was the toll that the God-King's madness had taken upon him. However, he added that turning one's back upon their master simply because of his change was the height of disloyalty, especially for a Knight of the Einherjar. Yuel replied that it was only recently that they had discovered that his condition was an illness, adding that the other knights would see reason and return to his side after he was cured. Edvar noted that the other knights had better return, or else they would have another mess on their hands. He added that while the God-King's stand-in held the fort down, they would cure the God-King by meeting the Transcendent of Life. He and Yuel then attempted to open the door to the altar, which remained firmly shut.

Unsure of how they could open it, Edvar suggested speaking with Asha, believing that they could force the information out of her if she was concealing it. Just then, Darmoor arrived in order to check on their progress. Immediately upon his arrival, however, the door to the altar began glowing brightly and swung open. Though the knights were surprised, they nevertheless proceeded inside and arrived at the altar. There, they found that the altar was completely deserted, just as Asha had said. Refusing to return home empty-handed, the knights began to search the altar. Darmoor then pointed out a stone tablet in the corner of the altar, with strange drawings carved into it. Edvar recognized the tablet as a cipher, explaining that solving them typically led to treasures or powerful spells, though in this case, he believed that it would allow them to summon the Transcendent of Life. Upon examining the tablet, he noted that it seemed to represent Sefirot, which meant that they would need to investigate the sanctum to find the answer. Yuel pointed out that it would be dangerous to be away from the capital for so long, which meant that they needed to solve it as soon as possible. As it could take quite a long time to solve it by themselves, Edvar suggested that they enlist Asha's help, as she would be very familiar with all the hidden parts of the sanctum.

Solving the Cipher

Back in the garden, the knights showed Asha the stone tablet which they had found inside the altar. Asha was shocked to know that they had managed to open the door, though Edvar told her that the important part was that the tablet had the power to summon the Transcendent. Though Asha was hesitant to believe it, she noted that the knights seemed to be special if they had been able to open the door to the altar. She then agreed to help and asked them what she should do. Darmoor told her that he had a great interest in ancient documents, and that he had a sizable knowledge about ciphers, which he believed would be useful on their mission. Noting that it wouldn't be particularly dangerous, Darmoor suggested that they split up. While Darmoor and Asha began investigating the outskirts of the garden, Edvar and Yuel began searching the grounds and soon discovered a barrier stone statue near the altar. Soon after, Asha and Darmoor returned and asked them about what they had discovered. Yuel told them about the statue and explained that she believed that it may be helpful in solving the cipher. Asha immediately realized what they were referring to and explained that it likely had nothing to do with the cipher. After arriving at the altar, Darmoor read the inscription on the statue, which said “The beings on the outskirts have turned their heads in the right direction, and the gate to the outside has opened. The path below the gate shall lead you down the mountain.” Asha explained that the statue was an emergency exit, which could lead them down the mountain. Yuel apologized that the statue had nothing to do with the cipher, though Darmoor told her not to be sorry, as it may be useful to have an emergency exit. He then suggested that they turn in for the night, believing that they may have better luck tomorrow.

That night, the God-King broke free from his seal and wandered to the grounds, where he began draining the magic out of the flowers. As Asha attempted to stop him, the God-King's hood fell off, revealing his monstrous face. Yuel and Edvar rushed to the scene, where they were shocked to find the God-King being sealed away by Darmoor, whom they called the prince. As Asha lost consciousness, she managed to overhear Yuel referring to the monster as the God-King and Darmoor as their prince. After she passed out, Edvar expressed his surprise that the God-King had managed to escape, as he was supposed to be inside the annex. Yuel realized that he must have managed to escape while they had all been preoccupied. Edvar then noticed Asha passed out and realized that she had seen the God-King in his monstrous state, which meant that they had no choice but to kill her. However, Yuel pointed out that they still needed Asha to solve the cipher, to which Edvar decided that they would keep her locked up in the annex until she finished helping them, after which they would kill her, just like all the others who had witnessed the God-King's true madness.

Yuel then began carrying Asha to the annex, though Darmoor remained in place and began observing the area. He noted that the God-King had become extremely sensitive to mana as a result of his madness, which made him wonder why he would come to the garden when there should be no traces of mana in a sanctum bereft of its Transcendent. Though Edvar speculated that it was because the God-King was not in his right mind, Darmoor began observing the garden and noticed the wilted flowerbed nearby. He noted that the flowerbed was right where the God-King had been standing, and since it was highly unlikely that Asha would have let a single flower wilt under her care, he concluded that the flowers – along with all the other plants in the garden – were imbued with nearly imperceptible mana. Edvar realized that the plants being imbued with mana would be quite troublesome for them, as they needed to stay in the sanctum until they could solve the cipher, yet they were surrounded by things that would agitate the God-King. He pointed out that if the God-King were to absorb any more mana, his madness would only grow worse. Darmoor suggested that they focus on isolating the God-King by raising another anti-mana barrier around the annex where the God-King was being kept.

A Noble Life

After Edvar and Yuel finished setting up the barrier, Darmoor met with them and revealed that he had finished solving the cipher. He showed them the completed cipher, which stated that "Only the beautiful sacrifice of a noble life will draw his gaze." He explained that the 'beautiful sacrifice of a noble life' had to refer to the sacrifice of a Flora – a superior race – and that, in particular, it had to refer to the sacrifice of a Flora knight. He noted that they couldn't return empty-handed, nor could they hide the God-King's madness forever, adding that it must have been discovered that both Edvar and Yuel had disappeared from the capital. He then told them that they needed to decide between them which of them should be sacrificed for the sake of the God-King. Immediately, Edvar and Yuel opened their wings and began to duel with their swords. As they locked blades, Edvar noted that Yuel – as one who had gained the God-King's favor at such a young age – would be perfect for the role of a 'noble sacrifice', though Yuel immediately retorted that Edvar would be a better fit, as he had been born into an old, noble family which had served the God-King faithfully for countless years. However, Edvar claimed that he hadn't earned any of it, as he had simply been born into that life. He also noted that a noble knight would never point their blade towards their junior like he was doing, adding that even a Transcendent wouldn't accept his life as a sacrifice. Dropping the pretense, Yuel admitted honestly that she had young siblings at home who would starve to death if she were to be killed, to which Edvar also replied that he had a wife and children who would die without him.

Suddenly, the two stopped fighting as they heard the sound of intruders outside the sanctum. Darmoor ordered them to lay down their swords for now while they investigated the intruders, as it wouldn't do for them to find the God-King. Outside the sanctuary, the knights discovered that several Verdant Flora had gathered at the outskirts. Though they were surprised to find that the Verdant Flora had found their way to the sanctuary, Yuel noted that they were few and unarmed. Nevertheless, Edvar suggested that they keep their guards up. The knights confronted the Verdant Flora, who were astonished that the High Flora knights really were there as they had been told. They assured the knights that they had no desire to fight, as they had come to see the God-King. A surprised Edvar whispered to Yuel, wondering how the Verdant Flora could have known that they would be at the sanctum, and whether there had been an intel leak somewhere. Yuel whispered back that they ought to go along with what the Verdant Flora were saying for now, after which she demanded to know why they sought the God-King. One of the Verdant Flora explained that they had come to realize that their decision to split into different races was a mistake, and that they sought to return to the High Flora in order to follow their ways once again. Yuel and Edvar began whispering amongst themselves once again, realizing that the Verdant Flora were only groveling to regain their magic, adding that it was quite a sorry sight.

However, Edvar noted that the Verdant Flora's arrival came at an opportune moment for them, causing Yuel to realize that he meant that the ‘noble sacrifice' didn't have to refer to a Flora knight, as any Flora ought to be sufficiently noble. Edvar then asked the Verdant Flora whether they were willing to sacrifice their lives for the God-King, which they immediately agreed to. Edvar unsheathed his sword and declared that he would make good on their claim by taking their lives. Yuel followed suit, with both of them opening their wings and cutting down one of the Verdant Flora, while the others began running away in fright. Edvar and Yuel gave chase and soon arrived to the sight of the God-King draining the magic of the Verdant Flora. Yuel realized that the God-King must have escaped while the barrier had been weakened during their battle and began rushing to stop him. However, Edvar stopped her and told her to think carefully, noting that there was nothing that they could do to stop the God-King from absorbing the mana from the Verdant Flora. He then asked whether she could truly call a mindless monster who couldn't even tell friend from foe, or even recognize his loyal knights, a king.

Though Yuel was enraged by Edvar's treasonous statement, Edvar told her to think, pointing out that even if they brought the God-King back to the garden, they still needed a sacrifice to cure his madness. He asked Yuel whether she would really sacrifice her own life for someone like him, adding that he himself had no desire to do so. He explained that he intended to run away, noting that they had hidden their identities before leaving the capital, which meant that they wouldn't be exposed, even if an investigation were made. He told Yuel that they simply needed to set fire to the sanctum and erase any evidence of their presence, which would mean that the Verdant Flora would be blamed for turning the God-King into a monster. He added that he wouldn't make her escape with him, though he declared that he was leaving, as he would just get killed by the God-King if he were to stay. Edvar then fled alone and arrived at the garden, where he noted to himself how foolish Yuel was, as she could have escaped with him when she had the chance. Nevertheless, he decided that he would burn down the garden to erase any evidence of his presence. He also resolved to kill Asha before he left, as well as Darmoor if he could.

The Transcendent of Life

Just as he began to set fire to the garden, however, Asha – who had escaped from her prison – discovered what Edvar was doing and attempted to stop him. However, Edvar merely struck Asha hard and caused her to fall to the ground. Though he wondered how Asha had managed to escape, he decided that it didn't matter, as she had simply saved him the effort of searching for her. He then opened his wings and prepared to unleash a flame spell to burn down the garden. Though injured from Edvar's blow, Asha begged him not to destroy the garden, as Sefirot was the sanctum for the Transcendent of Life. However, Edvar noted that there was no Transcendent in the sanctum, which made it completely meaningless. He then added how preposterous it was that the Transcendent of Life should demand a life to be sacrifice, believing that the entire place should just disappear. Though Asha begged him not to, Edvar used his magic to set the garden on fire, reducing all the plants to ashes. Asha then passed out, with Edvar leaving her to die in the fire. He then attempted to flee the sanctum, but found that the exit – and the entire sanctum – had been blocked off. However, he then recalled that there was an emergency exit near the altar and rushed to find it. There, he was shocked to find that the door to the altar was ajar, and that there was strange light pouring from it, causing him to wonder whether the Transcendent of Life had been summoned from to the sacrifice of a noble life.

He then entered the altar, where he was surprised to find that there was no one inside, and that the light had also vanished. He wondered whether there truly was no Transcendent of Life after all, though he noted that even if the Transcendent were to appear, it would be impossible to restore the God-King to his former state. Suddenly, he turned to find Darmoor emerging from the shadows. He expressed his surprise that the prince had managed to survive, to which Darmoor asked him whether he was disappointed, since Edvar had wanted him dead. Edvar began stammering that he could never wish for such a thing, and that he was relieved to find the prince safe. He then asked Darmoor where he had been, to which Darmoor explained that he had been confirming something. At Edvar's confusion, Darmoor told him that he had been confirming what determined a noble life, as he had been curious to see whether there were any lives noble enough to be considered special by the Transcendent of Life. However, he revealed that in the end, there were no noble lives, as everyone – Edvar, Yuel, and the Verdant Flora – had valued their own lives over everything else when it had mattered most, with none of them having the necessary resolve to truly sacrifice their entire lives for something.

A confused Edvar noted that it was natural for a living being to value their own life, to which Darmoor replied that though that was true, that was not the kind of being that he wanted. With his eyes glowing orange, he disdainfully noted that none of them had the right the summon the Transcendent of Life. At his words, Edvar slowly realized the truth and asked Darmoor whether he was the Transcendent of Life. He then asked when Darmoor had become the Transcendent in the first place. Darmoor revealed that when the balance of life was broken, the Transcendent of Life would appear. He explained that he had already become the Transcendent of Life by the time that the war had started, though he then clarified that it was actually when the war had begun. Edvar realized that the war had begun because of the God-King's madness, which made him wonder whether Darmoor had inflicted the illness upon his father. Darmoor noted that he had hoped to see something different upon becoming the Transcendent of Life, though he was ultimately wrong. He revealed that the arrogant High Flora, and the Verdant Flora who claimed to be different, were all ultimately the same. He then unleashed his Transcendent powers in a golden glow, fatally wounding Edvar. As Edvar begged to be spared, Darmoor replied that most lives had no value, and that Edvar's life was amongst them. He then sardonically thanked Edvar for his hard work and wished him pleasant dreams before finishing him off.

Gallery

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  NPC Portrait of Edvar
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  NPC Portrait of Edvar
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  NPC Portrait of Edvar
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  NPC Portrait of Edvar
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  NPC Portrait of Edvar