Bravely Default *SPOILERS*

[Guest spoiled_it]

Post True End, Ringabel goes to try and fix what he sees as his greatest failure, by saving the other 3 Warriors of Light from Airy. Well, whether it's his world or another that just happens to overlap properly, he gets some help getting there from Airy's sister, whose status as an ally is confirmed when Airy tries to kill her. With the benefit of knowledge and his end-game power level, the 4 warriors are able to defeat Airy, but, as a last minute vengeance, she lashes out to kill Agnes, only for Tiz to take the blow instead, or the "celestial life force" inside him leaves Tiz's body after the battle, causing him to die.

Having defeated their enemy, Ringabel reassumes life as Alternis Dim. Fortunately, it's one of the worlds where the Eternian forces were more reasonable, so instead of all the asterisk holders being dead, as in the first world, they were defeated and left alive. But there are still problems, like DeRosa, Qada, and Profiteur. As the effective second-in-command of the Duchy, Alternis is sent to assess the situation of each legion and report back, with the Grand Marshal's decision being for Kamiizumi to deal with Qada, Alternis take down DeRosa and clean up the BloodRose Legion, and for Khamer to shape up how he handles Ancheim and get Profiteur on a much shorter leash.

There's also still the issue of the crystals to deal with. Given the more moderate situation, with help from Airy's sister, Yulyana, DeRosso, and having Agnes and Olivia both alive, getting the crystals under control and in a manageable state is reasonable and easily handled. As for the lingering anti-crystal sentiments...well, nobody is really willing to risk the wrath of the Dark Knight by attempting anything against either of the Vestals.

Seems ideal. But Alternis can't quite let go of the guilt from his first failure, and then Tiz's death. And Edea is just...so oblivious to his feelings, while literally EVERY other asterisk holder except the ones that got eliminated and the 4 in Ancheim can tell his feelings. Frankly, that loyalty, that strength, going as far as they know he did for Edea...except Victoria, but she's insane.

For the vestals, Alternis was a strong presence after Tiz died, and remains a staunch ally, as well as the only male they're consistently around. Holly thinks that a tumble with the Templar's son the Dark Knight sounds delightful. Plus, his asterisk depends on hurting himself, while she's a white mage; some kind of hurt/healing S&M kind of thing there. Praline thinks he's adorable, and he's also her only fan on the Council of Six other than the dirty old man. Kikyo feels a sense of kinship between the man who constantly covers his face with a helmet, and herself, who constantly disguises herself and can only speak freely when disguised.

But the BloodRose Legion...they already love the fact that he got rid of DeRosa. He and Einheria get along great, with their shared chivalry and fondness for Edea. It gets a bit further when he helps Mephilia out, since he knows where to find each and every summon, once she gets her head on straight. As for Artemia..."Strong Prey! Strong Mate!" Even the fairy is trying to get in on it!

And Alternis has all of these women going for him, while he's still sorting out how he feels, and trying to run Eternia. At least he has frequent stress relief.