Queen Nerea Bosses

Description

I have never been so close to Queen Nerea as today, in the courtyard of the Iron Castle. She appeared out of nowhere, majestic, and fixed her gaze upon Aran. Something happened, I can’t be sure, but I thought I saw her make a subtle gesture with her left hand, something characteristic of certain Thaumaturgist spells… then they both stood still for a few seconds… then she approached Aecides, whispered something in his ear, and vanished without a trace.

I have seen that gesture from the Queen before. I remember the day of her coronation. I remember the anticipation giving way to disbelief when the Queen spoke in the language of the Thaumaturgists and made that very same gesture. I remember her army blocking the exits, surrounding the crowd, and drawing their weapons.

Those among us who were armed also drew their weapons, only to watch in horror as their steel turned to stone before their eyes… Abbot Dorin got me out of there, but many died that day. Aran told me in his cabin that his purpose was to kill the Queen. What I saw today in the courtyard of the Iron Castle tells me that he is not prepared for that yet.

Today, in the Abbey’s cloister, I once again recognized how incredibly difficult it will be for Aran to kill the Queen. He stood frozen before an ancient statue of her. I doubt that his thoughts were filled with happy memories, but I cannot be sure, as he is extremely reserved and reveals nothing to me.

My history books offer little insight. From them, I learned that Aran’s father was a high-ranking officer in the royal guard, whose family fell from grace after being accused of high treason. I am starting to piece things together: I believe that Aran and Princess Nerea were lovers, and it was this forbidden relationship that led to the downfall of Aran and his family. Surely, the King never intended for his heir to wed a commoner.

If Aran holds himself responsible for his family’s ruin, if he was torn apart from the woman he loved, and if that woman is now the sorceress he is destined to kill, I cannot even begin to fathom the weight of the burden he bears.

I never would have imagined that Erin, Nerea’s younger brother, was the Thaumaturgist manipulating events from the shadows! What madness and what tragedy! Aran has slain the Queen, while Erin has emerged unscathed and is now poised to be crowned King. Aran is left with nothing but revenge and a lifetime of remorse for having killed Nerea. I do not even dare to ask him how he feels, so I will attempt to express my own emotions through my art.