This is a revamped version of one of the first stories I ever read when I first got into fanfiction! With the original author's permission, I've expanded on the plot and added some details and chapters. Make sure to check out their original of this and other stories if you get the chance! ( u/2479131/Mariko-Midori )
Chapter 1
"I can't believe we're on patrol duty again. Again!" A guttural groan came from the throat of red-haired cavalier as he sat atop his horse. Cain tightened his grip on the reins and gently pulled, directing his way through the forest and following the path that had been forged the week before.
"It's not that bad," argued his companion, another cavalier by the name of Abel. "We'll be out of here in a couple days, anyway." The green-haired young man sighed as he caught Cain rolling his eyes. "You know how Jagen is about patrols. Even Prince Marth was a bit on edge about being in this area."
They were quiet for a while. The only sounds were those of the horse hooves thumping on the hard dirt ground and the occasional crinkling noise of leaves being trampled or bushes pushed aside. Suddenly, Abel broke the silence. "Do you want to take a break?"
Cain hesitated. They'd been going for quite some time, and had reached the furthest mark; a small forest clearing, shaped in a neat circle, completely devoid of trees. With a sigh, he grunted a response and jumped off his horse. He and Abel tied their horses to a nearby tree on the edge to keep them from walking off, and then sat down on the other end of the clearing with their backs against a large tree.
"How long do you think this war will last?" Cain was the first to speak as they sat, and he stared up at the sky in thought.
Abel didn't respond right away. "However long it takes, I suppose." Cain grunted, not satisfied with the vague answer, but didn't push the question.
They sat and just enjoyed each other's silent company for a few minutes. Abel ran his hand through the soft green grass, feeling the blades tickling his fingers. Suddenly, his eyebrows furrowed and his expression become hard.
Noticing the shift in atmosphere, Cain glanced over his shoulder to see Abel's concerned face. "Wha—?" His words stopped short as he felt the same thing Abel had; a low thumping on the ground, like footsteps. The redhead's sharp gaze locked with his partner's as the vibrations flowed through their hands that were connected with the ground.
Cain leap to his feet almost immediately, but Abel stayed on the ground for a moment longer, his hand still connected, listening through the earth. "Soldiers. Lots of them. Not Alteans. Most on foot. Coming from our left and in front." As Abel spat out information as quick as he could decipher it, Cain pulled his sword from its hilt and gripped it. The horses, along with their lances, were across the clearing and out of reach, but the two were not unarmed. As the red-haired swordsman scanned the trees for the signs of enemies, Abel joined his side, weapon drawn.
The bushes and plants surrounding the clearing were shoved aside brutally as men poured into the clearing, their blades glinting in the sunlight. The sound of metal on metal sounded harshly as the battle began.