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This part is a little short one to get you started with the next section of the story. I decided to break up part 9 into two parts. I am currently putting part 10 together right now and I am expecting to upload it later today! This is a treat for waiting to upload for this long! Hope you enjoy!

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Blackness. Emptiness. Silence.

Complete blackness is all I see. I hear nothing for a while. I did not feel anything either. It feels like centuries have passed.

What is happening? Am I dreaming? How long have I been sleeping?

Then, what feels like a soft, cushion-like surface slowly forms underneath me. I feel some warmth to it, like I have been laying here for a while. I could not move still, but my senses are tingling, beginning to come back to life. I can feel something under my hands, my back and my legs. I cannot hear anything, see anything or smell anything though. I feel warmth surrounding me like a blanket.

Okay, focus. The fact that I am starting to feel my surroundings means my healing magic is beginning to work. I must keep my focus on the spell. Keep pushing my emotions throughout my body, focus my breathing. I must not be on the ground outside Lycia Castle anymore. I have to be inside somewhere, but where? What happened to my mother? What happened to me? I hope my friends are okay. Oh my god, Ike, please be okay. Why are the thoughts of him all of a sudden smothering me? Shake him out, you must focus Star! Heal yourself.... focus on your breathing... I must find my father.

I wait for a moment, focusing on my breathing, then I realize I could speak, "F... fa... father..."

Please, let him hear me...

"M... mo... mother..."

Please, let her hear me...

Then a blinding white light slowly appears in front of me. It speaks to me.

Is that, mother's voice?

"My dear child. Do not be alarmed,"

"Mother? Is that you?"

"Yes, child. I was so happy to see you again. I approached your friend, I asked him to go find you and bring you back. He told me that he would ask his sister. I opened one last portal and let her through. I am glad she found you so quickly. Do not worry, my child. You are healing yourself, you will wake soon,"

"Wait, mother. Why did you send me there in the first place, if you wanted me back now?"

"I did it to protect you, child, I thought I could fight this myself. You hold the power..."

Before she could say anything else to me, everything goes black once again.

~~~

I abruptly wake up. I find myself in my room, laying on my bed. My room is just how I remember, dark red and black walls, dark red bed sheets and black curtains over my window darkening the sunlight as it enters through them.

"Star!"

I turn and see my father rushing over to me then embracing me in a hug. I wrap my arms around him and bury my face into his armor over his chest.

"Oh, father, how I've missed you," I say softly, "Father, what happened?"

His grip tightens on me as he lets me stand up off of my bed to stand before him, "Star, how did you get here? I was so worried! I was glad I found you before that demon did anything else to you! Once I arrived on the scene, the demon vanished into thin air. I quickly scooped you up and brought you here. Star, how and why are you back? It is too dangerous here!"

I can see the worry in his eyes as I stare back at him. I fall back into another hug and bury my face into his chest plate again, wrapping my arms around him tightly, clutching his shirt with my fists. My hood falls down onto my shoulders and reveals my dark red hair. I feel his hand rest on the top of my head. I cannot stop the slow tears from reaching the surface of my eyes.

"Father, I saw mother, in my dream. She approached me there. She told me she did not know she could not fight that alone. Mother brought me back here, father. She said I had the power before I could not hear her anymore. That was the last thing I remember before waking up here," I say, between fighting back tears and stopping my voice from cracking. I feel my father brush my hair with his hand as he stays silent for a moment, before breaking the silence.

"Star, the demon sealed up the castle, searching for you. For now, we are safe here. Back to what you just said, your mother mentioned that you have the power. I wonder if she meant you or something you possess," He goes silent again, like going into thought.

Then after another moment, he slowly releases his grip and turns towards his right. "Star, your friends are here,"

I open my eyes and see Ike, Roy and Lucina standing and sitting on the other side of my room. They look over at us and smile at me. "Oh, I am glad to see you!" I tell them, with a small smile appearing on my face.

"Your friends are very interesting. They told me most of what happened once they met you. They followed you here, wanting to help," Father explains to me, "They tell me they are surprised how similar this place is to their home and have been surprised by you ever since day one,"

I turn and see a smile on his face, "I am proud of you, Star. You have become stronger with more confidence, I can see it resonating inside of you,"

I smile even bigger, "Thank you, father!"

He glances to my friends again, "That armor matches you and your personality very well, too,"

I look myself over, "I think so too,"

Unexpectedly, sounds of the demon appear out of nowhere, startling everyone in the room. The room goes unsettlingly quiet as we listen. Snarling and shrieking are heard from down the stairs leading up to my room. My father pulls me close once again as he listens. My friends keep their gazes on my closed door.

That demon is in the next room, searching for me.

I lean against my father, my face pressing against his chest, knowing it is impossible to hide from a demon. The demon encircles the giant and tall room below, grunting, while sounds of muffled whispering for the young child to come out from hiding is faintly heard.

"Oh, young child, you cannot hide from your fate forever, listen to your mother,"

I silently remark, "You're not my mother..."

The castle rumbles and my father's grip tenses around my waist. The sounds of the demon grew louder as it grows closer and becomes more restless.

"I will find you child, I sense you are near,"

I tense up when the demon says this, feeling the vibration from its profound voice.

"Star," My father says quietly, "Are you ready?" Sounds of the demon grow nearer. My eyes grow dark, as the orbs appear around my hands.

I nod, "I need your support, father, I am not afraid anymore," I respond quietly.

The demon's steps grow closer. "My child, you will join me soon," The shadow appears below the door, and it slowly encircles it entirely, "I am here for you my child,"

Then, the demon destroys the door, and those deep red eyes are staring right back at me.