The ocean's waves carefully rocked Iris' ship as it glided across the blue waters.  As she sat on the deck, meditating, she could hear only the sounds of the waves hitting the wood of the ship and the rare creak if made.  They were quite soothing to her as she focused her mind within her body.
    Over the course of the last week, Iris has been soul searching.  During her routine searches, she was greeted by random memories that brought her discomfort.  These memories were always immediately repressed into the depths of her brain.  She also used her meditation as a way to get better connected with the energies of the world, hoping that it would make her search for her father's sword easier.  Ancient hymns were sung to herself.  Cassandra, her cherished sword since childhood, laid beside her, occasionally sliding an inch or two when the ship rocked.  Her yellow ponytail wafted in the wind.  Today was a great day to be out at sea.
    Iris' current session would last for a few minutes before she stood back up and examined the world surrounding her.  Only two islands were in her view; Yo'ster Isle and another small island that sat to the north of it.  The thing that obtained her attention was the castle that sat on that island.  Its silhouette was clearly visible through the sun's light as it near the horizon to end the day.  Her eyes remained fixed on the castle.  She could feel her heart beat a little faster as she stared, but it soon returned to normal.
    "Never thought I would be back here so soon," Iris said to herself.  "It might still have some useful supplies inside.  Plus, I'll just stop there and rest for the night."
    Iris picked up her rapier and returned to the steering wheel.  She turned it slightly as she guided the ship towards the island.  Iris could see a small dock when she got close to the island.  There was a tiny boat floating nearby, which made Iris scowl.
    "Nobody should be here..."
    Despite her ship being only half the size of a standard galleon, it was still too large for the miniature dock.  Iris managed to carefully park it against the shore before dropping the boarding plank.  She took a rope with her and tied the ship to a nearby rock formation.  She tugged the rope a few times to make sure that it was properly secured.  Iris then started for the castle entrance.  What used to be a large flower garden was now completely void of life.  Decaying petals littered the ground beneath her feet and the soil was as hard as most rocks.  Iris ignored such details, only focusing on the large door ahead.  She grabbed a metal handle and struck the stone door with, using the knocking to get the attention of whomever lurks inside.  Her other hand kept a firm grip on Cassandra.  The wait wasn't long before Iris could hear someone messing with the locks.  The person that eventually opened the door was a slightly elderly green Yoshi.  He had a gentle smile on his face that quickly turned to shock when his eyes saw Iris.
    "Iris!  This is certainly unexpected!" he exclaimed.
    "Who are you and why are you in my home?"  Iris inquired.
    "I am Marcus, one of the last Imperials that roam this planet.  I also served as your father's top advisor until his passing."
    "Why are you still here then?  I know I dismissed you all before I left."
    "There wasn't a life waiting for me anywhere, so I chose to stay here.  I am curious of why you returned though.  I remembered you told us to leave because you had no plans to come back here."
    "I only stopped by to rest for the night.  Also, I am here to see if there is anything lying around that might be of use to me on this trip."
    "Ah, that makes sense.  Feel free to browse and take what you wish.  There isn't much that I can find useful anymore."
    "Thank you."
    "It is the least I could do.  I am currently making something to eat for dinner.  Would you like some?"
    "Sure."
    "Excellent.  I'll return to the kitchen and call you when the food is ready." Marcus announced as he allowed Iris inside and closed the door.
    Iris nodded and the two parted ways.
    She began to ascend a nearby staircase.  The walls were still decorated with paintings and empty flower pots.  It was eerily quiet, her footsteps being the only source of noise.  The rugs on the floor were in excellent condition.  Several suits of armor stood against the walls.  Iris examined one of the suits and failed to find a singly imperfection in the steel.
    "For an elder, he does a great job at keeping this place in shape, with exception to the plants," she remarked as she closed the helmet.
    Iris then opened a nearby door and entered the study.  Shelves of books made up the walls of the room.  A long table and several chairs sat in the center of the room.  A globe sat near the tall window in the back.  Several maps of the archipelago were on a desk in the corner.  Iris approached one of the maps and scanned over it.  She smirked once she was done.
    "This one is perfect."
    She took hold of the map, rolled it up and sat it on the table.  Iris then proceeded to look over the room some more.
    "I remember spending countless hours in here.  I loved reading all the books that my master made me read for my studies.  So much knowledge, so much fun," Iris said as she sat down.
    Her eyes closed so that could picture herself as a child, reading one of the many books as a magikoopa watches over here.  His voice echoed in her head.  As she watched the vision in her mind, she slouched a bit in the chair.  The vision continued with her master answering one of Iris' questions regarding the book she was reading.  Just as he finished, the vision faded into nothingness.  Iris opened her eyes and looked across the table.  She seemed to stare into nothing in particular before she shook it off.
    Iris got out of her chair and resumed gathering more items of interest.  The other objects that she collected were an old compass, another map that showed some geological details of the islands and several books about Yoshian lore and magic energies.  There was a bag sitting near the door that she used to carry all the items.
    She lifted the bag over her shoulder and left the room.  Iris continued down the hallway until she reached her bedroom.  It was just like she remembered it.  The room was badly lit, but the furniture inside was stunning.  The frame of the large bed was built out of solid oak while the cabinets were nearly around a standing mirror on the opposite side of the room.  Another small desk sat beside her bed.
    Iris sat the bag down beside her bed and began to examine the room.  The first thing that caught her attention was a journal that was on the desk near her bed.  The spine of the book was in terrible shape, but it still kept the pages together.  Iris picked it up and began to read the pages.  Each page contained a different passage that Iris wrote during her initial stay at the castle.  Many of the entries were about her growing skills and knowledge, but several were more personal entries that showed her desire to know more about her deceased parents.  Most of those entries were in written during her teenage years.  Iris lost track of time as she absorbed every word in the book.  Just like every other passage, she read the last one aloud to herself in a soft tone of voice.  The passage was dated one week before she left the castle.
    
    It has now been a couple months since my master fell to his illness.  Yesterday, I promised his spirit that I would go out and find what my true purpose in this word is.  The Imperials are almost done with the ship that will finally allow me off this island.  They have served me so well for all these years and they will be released to do as they wish once I leave.  I just hope that I know what I am doing with this.  May my parents and master watch over me.

    Iris closed the book and placed it into her bag.  She then sat onto her bed and looked towards the mirror.  Her reflection could be seen in it.
    "If they only saw how I have turned out..."  Iris whispered as she leaned back onto the bed.
    Another vision appeared in her head.  This time it was her visiting the grave sites of Leon, Cassandra, and her master.  She had knelt down in front of the three headstones and closed her eyes.  She could hear herself reciting a prayer and asking for their blessing to protect her on the journey ahead.  The vision broke into mere particles as the sound of a bell ringing shattered the silence.
    Iris groaned before sitting up.  "Marcus must have everything ready."
    She hopped off the bed and quietly walked back the way she came.  The bell started ringing again after she got to the bottom of the stairs.  Iris grumbled at this sign of impatience.  She eventually made it to the dining room.  Marcus was already sitting in a chair by a small wooden table.  Two fully plates of food and two glasses were already placed onto the table.
    "Did you find what you were looking for?"  Marcus asked.
    "Yes, but I would appreciate not being rushed to dinner," Iris responded angrily.
    "That was not my intention, but I do apologize for offending you.  Please, sit and enjoy this meal.  I hope it is to your satisfaction."
    Iris took her seat and began to quietly eat.  Her pace was faster than Marcus, showing that it had been a while since she had a good meal.  Marcus stifled a chuckle, not wanting to anger Iris again.
    "This is better than I expected.  How are you keeping such delicious food here?"  Iris asked before taking a sip of water.
    "There were some others that chose to stay for a short time after you left to finalize some things.  Before I was left alone, they kindly built me a small ship.  I use it to get to a trading post on the northern part of Yo'ster to get some food and supplies every couple of weeks," Marcus explained before taking another bite.
    "But isn't money scarce?"
    "There were some coins sitting around here at one point, but yes, money is hard to come by here.  That being said, I just trade some of the items that aren't worth much for the items I need.  The old storage basement has become a treasure trove for me."
    "I see," Iris replied as she ate a few more parts of the meal.  "What do you do around here?"
    "I usually sit in the study and read books.  I would practice in the training grounds, but I have slowly developed a case of arthritis that limits my mobility more than I would like it to.  It is unfortunate that my age has caught up to me, but I am still able to clean the castle to the best of my ability, as I am sure you have noticed.  Thankfully, I am also able to take an occasional trip to other parts of Yo'ster and see the sights."
    "It must get pretty dull to be doing the same things over and over again," Iris state as she crossed her arms on the table.
    "You would be incorrect actually.  This kind of life suits me perfectly.  The books here are all the friends and family that I need.  They will always be there for me until the day I pass."
    Iris was quiet.
    "Enough about me though.  Has your trip yielded the fruit that you desire?"
    "Somewhat...I know I am getting closer.  However, I'd rather not go into the details of what I have been through so far."
    Marcus frowned at the response.  "Very well, I won't poke into a subject if you don't wish to discuss it."
    "Good," Iris said as she stood up.  "I am going to the training grounds for a while, excuse me."
    "Be my guest.  Just exit the way you came, take a right and the door to it will be the third door on the right."
    Iris nodded while she departed.  She followed his instructions and found herself in the center courtyard.  Like the front of the castle, any flowers that existed were now just dead petals on the ground.  In the center, a large stone circle that depicted an ancient symbol made up the floor.  The training dummies were standing to her right, near the opposite corner of the courtyard.  A few torches hanging on the adjacent wall brought light in what had become nighttime outside.  Iris unsheathed Cassandra as she walked the path between a few hedges.  Once in the area, she stood in the center ring and took a deep breath.  Her sword dance followed; the graceful, yet rapid movements made short work of each dummy she came across.  Each wooden dummy was shattered when struck, sending debris all over the ground.  Iris then stopped and looked behind herself to see another dummy.  She aimed her rapier and thrust it backwards to stab the chest of the target.  After pulling the sword back out, she proceeded to decapitate it with one smooth swing.  The head bounced on the ground before rolling against the wall.  Iris then targeted the final two dummies, but was interrupted by a sound of clapping that was being emitted from her side.  She turned to see Marcus leaning over a stone railing.
    "Impressive.  Your skills are a lot like your mother's," he remarked as he walked around the rail.
    "Master told me that she never fought in combat though."
    "He was correct, but even so, Cassandra was an excellent wielder of the blade.  It was part of her routine to spend some time out here and practice.  I honestly thought that she was more elegant with a sword than your father."
    "Then why did she never fight beside him?"
    "I do not know the details since he never gave a true reason.  All he told me was that he did not want history to repeat itself."
    Iris looked at Marcus suspiciously, but she stayed silent.  She desired to know what this "history" was, but it looked like Marcus was being honest.  Marcus looked down at her sword and smiled.
    "It runs in the family blood.  That rapier you hold was the same one your mother used.  No wonder you were such a natural when you started training with a sword."  Marcus smiling expression quickly changed to curiosity.  "Did you inherit anything from your father though?"
    Iris looked down at her free hand and clenched it.  She said, "yes."
    She turned back to the two dummies.  A red aura appeared around her hand.  The blade of her sword had a yellow glow coming from within.  She muttered something to herself before unleashing several fireballs from her hand and a large bolt of lightning from the sword.  Both dummies were instantly disintegrated and a thunderous roar filled the air for a few seconds.  Once finished, she turned back to Marcus, who was staring at her with wide eyes.
    "...It did work," he struggled to say.  "and in a combination strike.  I don't even recall ever seeing your father combine element attacks.  This is-"
    "Wait.  What worked?"  Iris interrupted.
    Marcus sighed and shook off the astonishment from earlier.  "Your master never told you about your birth?"
    "No."
    "Then I will explain," Marcus said as he sat on the nearby railing.  "Your mother became pregnant a few months before your father passed away.  Leon wanted to see you born before he left for his assault on Tiriana, so he looked to his powers.  Using the dark arts, he implanted his own energy into Cassandra's womb in hopes of speeding up the pregnancy.  He succeeded."
    Iris shook a bit at this finding.  A chill started to form over her spine.  "How fast was it?"
    "Cassandra laid your egg within a couple months and you hatched from the egg within a week or two after that.  Never before had a child been born so quickly.  It was astounding to see such rapid development while your mother was in perfect condition throughout the shortened pregnancy, but I did question the morality of interfering with a process of nature."
    Iris hands were now shaking a bit as she sheathed her sword.  "Did my mother ever object to such an idea?"
    "Your mother was willing to do anything for Leon, that is all I know.  It could have something to do with his past history though, but that is only what I have theorized."
    "My master never mentioned a word about this or the supposed "past history" that my mother and father endured.  Why would he choose not to tell me such important details?"
    "Probably for your own protection.  Before your mother fell to illness after Leon died, she wished for you to have a normal life.  The magikoopa came to me and told me to inform the remaining Imperials to never tell you about your birth or your parents' lives until the time was right."
    Iris turned to the side and looked down at the ground.  Her sword slipped out of her hand and fell to the ground, making a clanging noise as it landed.
    "I need time to think."
    "Of course Iris.  I will leave you be for the evening," Marcus stated before walking away.  He took a few steps before turning his head.  "Be sure to see me before you leave.  I'll provide you with some food to take with you in the morning."  He then proceeded to leave again.
    Iris walked over to a nearby fountain and sat on its outer rim.  She stared into the water, looking at the faint reflection of herself.  She took several breaths before trying to break up her refection by dipping her hand into the water.
    "Quite a bit to take in, isn't it?" a voice from nowhere asked.
    "Huh?" Iris responded as she looked up.  A holographic Yoshi was standing on the top of the fountain.  "Chaoshi?  Why are you here?"
    "I wanted to make sure you were handling the truth well," he responded.
    "I see.  You knew, didn't you?"
    "Unfortunately so."
    "It took me over two decades to learn that I am just a freak of nature because of my father."
    "There is more to the situation Iris."
    "Really?"
    "Yes, but like this, you will have to learn about it on your own.  Seeking out the past history that Marcus mentioned would bring more sense into the situation,"  Chaoshi remarked as he crossed his arms.  "He had a lot more intended for you than just being born, but your mother did not have the same intention fortunately."
    "How so?"
    "Leon's original corruption within you was also a result of his dark magic.  It would make you more susceptible for you to do anything that he desired and eventually take over for him and his empire if he was able to succeed.  Your mother merely wanted you to be happy."
    "That's true..."
    "And her blessing has kept you alive and strong enough to fight your father's temptations, despite what was originally planned for you."
    "I know Chaoshi.  It is just overwhelming right now."
    "That is to be expected, but it was necessary for you to return here.  You will be facing situations like this again in the near future."
    Iris did not respond.
    "Every day in our lives, we learn something new.  Your journey has been no exception.  With each passing day, you learn more about yourself, your history and what you want in life.  You will realize the complete truth about your parents and yourself in time."
    "Very well," Iris replied as she looked down into the water again.
    "Get a good sleep Iris.  If you need us, we'll always be there to listen," Chaoshi announced as his hologram vanished.
    Things were silent for the longest time before Iris finally stood up again.
    "Just another day in my life..." she whispered.
    Iris began to go back to her room and rest.  No doubt in her mind that it will be a rough night to get some sleep before returning to the vast sea.