So let's try something a bit different... I've dabbled in various original stories that kinda went nowhere... what about something more on the fan fiction side of things? This is something I just typed up spontaneously since I just replayed Dawn of the New World and wanted to write a little after-story. This takes place pretty much DURING the ending, so spoilers for those who haven't beaten the game.

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It was mid-afternoon in the seaside town of Palmacosta. The skies were mostly blue with a few scattered clouds overlooking the sparkling blue seas. A teenage girl stood on the docks, leaning against the rail as she gazed upon the ocean. Her brown hair split off into two long tails, a white decorative flower adorning each side of her hair. She was dressed in a white, sleeveless coat-like top with disconnected sleeves that only covered her forearms. She also wore white gloves, a brown skirt, black leggings, and brown boots. On her back, she carried a small, leather bag adorned with a Tokunaga design and a Mieu keychain.

Alone on the dock, the girl decides to voice her thoughts aloud. “Emil, I hope you’re watching. I’m going to convince the Tetheallans to accept the people of Sylvarant without resorting to any of Daddy’s harsh methods.” Her body leans forward more. “I will bring peace to the world that you are guarding for us. I think that would also be fitting in helping to pay for my crimes. It’s the least I can do.”

Suddenly, footsteps begin to approach from behind the girl. Seemingly unaware of this, she closes her eyes, pushing away from the railing. She eventually hears the approach and opens her sapphire eyes again, turning towards newcomer. It was a young man with short blond hair arranged in spiky layers so that the front-most part reached his shoulders, the back-most roughly ear-length; an ahoge formed on the top. He had soft green eyes and was clad in blue with navy pants and a matching scarf wrapped around his neck. As the girl turned to face him, the young man cheerfully smiled—his eyes closed as he did—and he lifted his right hand, placing it behind his head and scratching it a bit.

The two stood there in silence for a moment, no more than fifteen feet apart. Finally, the girl spoke. “It can’t be!” She immediately ran towards him calling, “Emil!” as she wrapped her arms around him, holding herself as close to him as she possibly could. He returned her embrace and she could feel the warmth in it. He was really here. This wasn’t an illusion. Once the two finally let go of one another, the brown-haired girl stepped back a bit and asked, “What are you doing here?”

Emil smiled again before replying, “I wanted to see you, Marta.”

Marta blushed slightly, looking away upon realization that she was doing so. “But… I thought you had to guard the Ginnungagap.”

“The other me is going to take care of that job,” he began. His voice took on a slight sorrowful tone as he continued. “My task is to try to live the life that Aster couldn’t…”

She blinked, looking up at him. “You mean…?”

Email nodded. “Because I killed him… or at least, Ratatosk did… and he’s still a part of me, so I bare his responsibility as well.”

The brown-haired girl lowered her head. “Yes… I have things I must atone for as well.” Her voice then gradually began to sound more cheerful. “But I’m glad you’re here either way. I was worried I’d never see you again.”

The blonde boy smiled. “I’m glad too, Marta.”

Marta looked back over the water for a moment and then to Emil once more. “So what are you going to do now…?”

He put a hand to his chin as he thought this question over. “I think I should back home first. Aunt Flora and Uncle Alba are waiting for me to return. They seemed to really want to try and have a fresh start, so I should give them the chance. I also promised Dida and Moll that I would tell them about what it was like to travel with Lloyd.”

Marta averted her eyes before responding. “I… see. It sounds like you have a lot on your plate then.”

Emil nodded. “Yeah. What about you, Marta? What are your plans now?”

Marta appeared slightly caught off-guard by this inquiry. “Huh? Well I just want to find a way for everyone to finally live in peace together.”

“I want that too,” Emil told her. “If there’s anything I can do to help you… even if it’s just to give morale support… please let me know.”

“A-alright…”

“I should be heading home now, though. You know where to find me.” The blue-clad boy raised his right hand in a wave as he began to walk off.

“Uh… r-right! Take care, Emil!” Marta’s return wave was far more animated. She watched him leave until he disappeared from sight. Once again, she was alone, left to ponder what her next move really would be.

Emil’s return to Luin certainly did not go unnoticed. As soon as the townspeople were aware of his arrival, they began to gather around. While not saying anything, they watched him from a small distance. It was easy to tell that the scene made the boy uneasy. As he moved, the crowd continuously shuffled and adjusted to maintain the same relative position. Fortunately, his house was very close to the entrance, so he did not have to deal with this for too long before heading up the stairs leading to his destination.

His aunt was folding some clothes as he entered, but quickly turned her head once she heard the door open. “Emil…?”

“Hi. I’m back,” he nervously declared.

Hearing voices, Alba came in from another room. His eyes widened once he saw Emil standing there, but he quickly worked to regain his composure. “Ahem… I trust you finished the goals you set out to accomplish?” Emil nodded in response. “So you’ll be home for a while then, right?”

After another affirmative nod, Flora informed Emil, “Your room is cleaned and the bed is all made for you. Oh, but you’re probably want something to eat after your travels. You might even be starving!”

Emil held up a hand and said, “It’s okay, Aunt Flora. You don’t have to trouble yourself. I ate regularly during my time away, so there’s no rush.”

Flora shook her head and sighed. “To think… after how inconsiderate I always was and here you’re worried about me troubling myself by preparing a simple meal!”

“I suppose we were both wrong,” Alba added. “I kept treating you like some kind of monster!”

Emil’s voice dropped in audibility as he suggested, “You weren’t entirely wrong. I’m not really a normal person after all…”

“Now, now… none of that talk! Get yourself settled in and I’ll get you something to eat,” his aunt insisted. It was really baffling to Emil to experience this change. These two were always critical of him when he tried his best not to be of any trouble. Now, if he wanted to say that he wasn’t human, they’d hear none of it. These two had every right to not even consider him family. After all, he was really Ratatosk, not Emil. Yet for the first time ever, they really seemed to accept him as their nephew. It was surreal for him.

Emil spent most of the next day humbly trying to answer the dozens of questions posed by the townspeople of Luin. It was overwhelming to say the least. It wasn’t until mid-afternoon that possible salvation came. Marta arrived in town and sought him out, dragging him away from all of the questioners. “Marta…?” he asked in surprise as she tugged him away from the crowd.

Once she got him out of the open and into the inn, she informed him, “I’ve been thinking…”

Emil tilted his head inquisitively. “Yes?”

“With all that’s happened lately… I haven’t really had a good chance to share my feelings with you.”

Emil scratched his head. “Really? It seemed to me like you expressed your feelings every chance you got.”

Her cheeks reddened slightly, her face taking on an angered expression as she balled her fists. “But you never accepted them! You always ran from them… I could throw myself at you and you’d run. How do you think that feels?”

He looked away, his tone very apologetic. “I’m sorry, Marta. I just didn’t really know how to deal with those feelings. It was so sudden and assertive. It honestly was a bit frightening. But over time, I really got to know you and realize how special you were… how much you meant to me. It came to a point where I actually missed your expressions of love.”

Marta’s eyes widened slightly at the last line, looking into his. “Really?”

Emil nodded in affirmation. “Absolutely. It just wasn’t the same after you had tried to stop. And either way, I’m ready now to accept your feelings and return them.”

“Emil…” Marta wrapped her arms around him, leaning into him. The blonde boy placed his hand on the side of her cheek and gazed into her eyes. Marta began to blush considerably, feeling herself wrapped in a magical moment. “I… love you, Emil…” the words just barely rolled off her lips in this tranced stated.

Emil smiled at her. “I love you too, Marta.” And in that moment, Emil knew that this new life would be fine.

Wow! Nice story! It had me reading all the way to the end, and I haven't even heard of that game. Definitely one of the better reads on here.