The Evil Stone Revived

(Before I begin there are a few side notes I would like to mention:
-This is based on Fire Emblem: The Sacred Stones, however, there will not be any actual characters from the game in this story. (Yet…Blaze) Shut up, Blaze! As I was saying, it will be comprised of completely original characters only!
-This story is actually authored by 2 different people. They are by pen name: SSF the original author, AKA me and Blaze (just call the nut house how, and save you a few minutesBlaze)more of the editor.
-This is my first story. My fellow author has quite a bit of experience though. I would really appreciate it if you would R&R anyway, please.
Now, then…On with the story! SSF)
(HUZZAHBlaze)

Chapter 1: Skirmish for Allies

At first darkness, darkness as far as the eye could see, just on the edge of vision, a glint of light hovered, only to dodge away when the eyes turn to face that way. After a moment in this shadow world, a white cottage blurs a few meters ahead. A green lawn…and two small blonde-headed girls running in white cotton dresses. One of them turns and gives a giant grin, her deep blue eyes shining with the fleeting sun, and she gives a slight giggle before running back to the cottage and the other girl. The atmosphere gives off a happy vibe, but when the comfort of this image starts to set in, the scene turns a bloody red, and from this liquid coloring, a dark flame arises, sending the entire image to a pile of ashes, and from this pile of what was good, a woman crawls forth, her skin a pale white, her hair stained as the pile of ash, and where a grin once was there was now a slight scow. Her blue eyes now blood stained a royal purple, she stands there and lets out a harsh laugh as the ashes are taken to the wind.

With that Lia jolted up from her bed, staring into a very bright sun. Lia covered her eyes and looked around her hotel room, without finding any site of a bonfire. The room was actually rather bland with a mere bed, small chair, a countertop with a mirror, and a window without any curtains. Being awoken by the sun and her nightmare at the crack of dawn put her in a particularly grumpy mood. She got up and put on her typical traveler's cloak, struggling with a 'feminine' part of her body that refused to be restrained. She then proceeded to look into the mirror, where two purple eyes on a pale face stared back at her, almost entirely covered by a mat of silver hair. She proceeded to braid her hair, having the same stubborn fight as with her cloak before eventually covering her glazed eyes with her bangs. "What did that mean?" she asked herself in thought. "What does that dream mean? It's always the same, and after two fucking years, I'm still no closer than on the first day!"

She walked out of her room and toward the exit of the hotel. When she reached the door, a man in white robes with long black hair reaching down to around his shoulders tried to enter, bumping into her. She took a step back and looked up to see who she would disect that morning. However, she recognized the man and decided that injuring her traveling companion was not the best way to start the day. So, she decided to growl instead.

"Sorry, Lia. I just went to the store to get us some breakfast." He smiled a soft, kind-natured smile and held out a bag in front of him meaning for her to look through it. Instead, Lia simply glared at him as if he had insulted her. She quickly pushed past him.

"Not now, Dindel, and don't go annoying me with your stupid speeches." She told him angrily. Dindel let out an exhausted sigh and jogged to catch up with her. He knew better than to try and coax her into eating, not after what happened the first time he tried, that is…

Lia walked randomly down the streets, letting the '6th' sense choose the path, her strange, unseen aura extending in all directions. She always had a habit of finding something before she knew what it was she was looking for in this fashion. She ended up in another hotel, a much nicer hotel with much more of the finer luxuries common folk never get to receive. She entered and took a seat in what could only be called a lobby and scanned the area for anything that might have led her here. The room consisted of a few old men, a large man dressed in a semi-noble fashion, two girls giggling in the corner behind him, and a couple at the other end in a louder than necessary argument.

She found just what she was looking for. The man wielded a sword on his belt and the woman carried a bow. Lia slipped forward swiftly and unnoticed, until she was bare inches from him. "I'm much stronger than you think Lana!" the man called out, "I could take on just about anyone in this town!" he continued, bringing a devious grin to Lia's face as Dindel walked into the hotel breathing heavily after trying to keep up with her.

"Well then, let's test that theory. You're going to be my sparring partner!" she said from right behind the man, causing him to fall over in surprise. She pulled the man to his feet and dragged him outside. His companion strode up beside Lia and giggled. The man tried to protest, something about not fighting women, but Lia just ignored this. She got him outside and dropped the man to the ground. The man caught himself and quickly stood back up. Lia unsheathed her daggers and stood in a battle-ready stance.

The man proceeded to brush himself off. "If you don't mind, I would like to at least find someplace away from civilians to battle." Lia scowled at him. She looked at Dindel hoping for him to agree with her, even though she knew it was a lost cause. Of course, he nodded his head in agreement with the stranger. She growled angrily and stormed off toward the edge of town.

As Lia stomped forward grumpily, Dindel began to talk to the man she had challenged. His female companion tried to walk beside Lia looking for a chance to talk but was stared down by angry eyes. She retreated back beside the men and walked silently.

Through the conversation, Dindel learned that the man's name was Rin and that his female companion's was Lana, though they already knew that from the argument. He then shared his and Lia's names with the pair. The man had on dull blue armor that was obviously worn out through time with limb braces to guard his arms and legs. What little remained of a Frelian crest showed on his shoulder. His hair was a vibrant red pulled back into a ponytail reaching down to his mid-back that accentuated his soft, blue eyes. The woman wore what seemed like blue leather armor on her torso and legs. She also had a more firm shoulder pad on her right shoulder, also blue. Her bright blue hair was cut short and uneven, reaching only to her shoulders. Her eyes were of similar color. On her back was a simple bow with a large quiver that contained well over 30 arrows.

At this point, they had reached the edge of town. Lia, immediately, turned glaring at her opponent, unsheathing her daggers in the process. He stepped away from the other two in hopes of leaving them out of the competition. Dindel turned toward the town and began walking a bit so that he wouldn't have to watch the battle; he was a bishop after all and bishops are supposed to oppose all forms of unnecessary violence. Lana, however, decided that it would be a fun event to watch and took a seat next to the nearest building. Once the other two were out of danger, Rin withdrew his sword and held it horizontally in front of him with both his arms out. He made a bowing motion and then drew his sword back to his side leaving his unarmed left hand in front of him.

Lia could now tell that he was ready to begin, and she charged forward, rushing at him. He put up a quick guard, expecting an attack. Lia grinned at seeing this and quickly jumped to the side, pulling a pick out of her pocket. She threw it at him, hitting him in the left hand. She stopped and turned to watch him with a grin on her face.

At first, he stared at the pierced palm of his hand in astonishment. Then, the pain set in and he winced. With this site, Lia's grin became even wider. Then, Rin looked up at her with a strong fire in his eyes. "This is unexpected. I didn't think anyone in this town had such speed. This will be interesting." He reached down with his right hand and pulled the pick out of his left, throwing it to the ground afterward. He got into what appeared to be one of his favorite battle-ready stances. He stood sideways, facing away from the town. His left hand was held behind his body with his right one holding the sword blade downward towards the ground, his knees slightly bent.

Lia observed this battle stance that she had never seen before and quickly found its weakest point. She grinned again and rushed forward once more. He waited longer this time before putting up his guard, making sure that she really was going to attack him close up. She swung her dagger lightly with as little force as possible. The weapons hit softly with the sword pushing the dagger backwards. Then, Lia jumped and began to spin quickly. She held out her foot on the way around and kicked Rin in the back of the head. He fell face-first into the dirt. Blood from his hand flew to the ground ahead of him.

Lia watched satisfied as he slowly got up. He turned toward her and glared slightly. "It looks like I better get serious." He stated with little emotion. He stood back up and grabbed his sword with both hands, some of his blood trailing down the hilt of the blade.

Then, without warning, he charged forward. Lia jumped back in reaction and prepared what little guard she could muster. He swung his sword horizontally from left to right at about the height of her shoulders. She ducked out of the way and rolled to his left. She prepared to strike a spar-ending blow but was caught off guard when he spun the way he had already begun and slashed at her vertically. She rolled away astonished by his ability to cover weak points on the fly. She glared at her opponent with renewed anger.

He said mockingly "Oh, woops, looks like I cut you." Lia looked around her body for blood coming out. Indeed there was a small gash in her left arm. She looked up at him slowly with a burning rage that was much beyond any form of sensibility. She rushed forward with incredibly speed before leaping to the side. Rin gasped as he lost sight of her. "Where'd she…" Before he could finish, he heard a sharp zap and bang behind him. He turned around to see Lia up against a tree as if she had just been forced up against it.

She looked up with a look of sense back in her eyes. "Now, why'd you do that, Dindel?"

"You know you were about to fatally wound him." He glared assertively at her. Then, he returned to his normal smiling face. He held up a staff and a magical orb formed above it. The orb then split in half with half absorbing into Lia's wounded arm and half into Rin's hand. They stared at their previous wounds that were now healed over as if nothing had happened. Dindel continued speaking. "Now, I have just received word that you and I are to meet the town elder to discuss important matters. You two are welcome to join us." He turned back and began walking into town once more. Lia stood up and jogged slightly to catch up. Rin walked over to Lana and gave her a questioning look. She stood up and began following the other two, muttering something about having nothing better to do, with Rin right beside her.

As they walked to their destination, Lia and Dindel let Rin and Lana discuss what they were going to do next. Dindel thought he heard something about "following" and "adventure" but that was all he could really make out without full on eavesdropping, which he refused to do. Lia however, listened intently. Eventually she made a small growl, which alerted Dindel to something she didn't like. He gave her a 'What's wrong?' look. All she said was "I'm sure you'll see soon enough."

They got to the elder's house and bowed to the guard, as to uphold the traditional courtesy of the village. He bowed back and let them in. It was a small room with no windows and only two doors, one outside and to the other upstairs where the bulk of the living materials were. In the middle of the current room, there was the elder sitting at a tiny, classic, Japanese style coffee table that was barely big enough to fit three people at.

"Oh I didn't know you were bringing guests, my dear friends. I apologize but they will have to sit on the floor over in a corner." Dindel looked back at Lana and Rin to see their reactions. Lana just shrugged and walked over to the nearest corner where she sat down Indian style. Rin however, made a quiet comment before he sat down.

"It might not be such a good idea sitting us two back there all alone, never know what might happen." It was obvious he was being sarcastic, and the elder didn't seem to pay any attention to it. It almost seemed as though they knew each other. Still, Lana gave him a glare telling him it wasn't a good time to be joking like that. Rin took his seat half lying down next to Lana. He propped his upper body slightly on his elbows. Then, Dindel and Lia took their places at the table.

"Would any of you like some tea?" asked the elder.

Dindel didn't wait for the idea to spread before answering for all of them. "No, Chiaro. I have heard that this is grave news and I would like to hear of it immediately." His tone was dead serious and for a moment no one made a sound.

Finally, Chiaro spoke once more. "Very well." He leaned forward putting his elbows on the table and resting his chin on his interlocked hands. "As you have heard, this is bad news indeed." He paused for a moment as if wondering whether or not to continue. He did so with reluctance. "You are from Rausten, correct Dindel?" said priest nodded. "Well, we hear they are searching for a traitor with the same name as you." He waited for a response from Dindel.

Dindel dropped his head slightly in a bit of shame. "Yes, I am the 'traitor'. As you know, I fled for my life away from Rausten. However, I did not flee from a shamaness as I had told you. Quite the opposite, I fled from the government with the help of a shamaness." He paused not wanting to continue with his damaged past and was relieved when Chiaro spoke.

"We know you would never do anything to threaten others lives, my friend. Especially not this treason they are accusing you of that almost started, and may still start, a war." He paused again, not wanting to have to give out the next information. "We also know how you will respond to what I am about to say…They are threatening all the surrounding villages, including ours, with destruction unless we hand you over to them."

Lia jumped up in anger. "How do they know where we are?! We have been traveling between villages every other day or so! And I've been doing everything in my power to cover any wake we may leave! How can they track us so well?!"

There was a long silence after this outburst. Lia knew they could have spies everywhere, but she didn't want to admit it. Finally, Dindel spoke once more quietly. "Let me turn myself in. It will save the people of these villages. It is the only option I have." Chiaro stared at him unwilling to say anything.

Then, the guard from outside stepped in. "We knew you would say that. We aren't going to let you. We also held a meeting with the nearby village elders and they have all agreed that they would rather fight than turn a good fellow like you over. You seem too important for them just to want you to punish you as they claim. Besides, even if we do turn you over, Rausten has been growing so powerful that we sense that they will try to invade just as Grado did in the War of the Stones. Also, according to our new king, the pontifex there has changed for the worse since he was a younger ruler, much like Vigarde did when he was emperor of Grado before the War. The situation is all too similar and I believe every country knows another great war is on the horizon, whether we turn you over or not." He concluded his speech with authority.

Dindel looked at him cautiously. After a few seconds he recognized him as Scuro, Chiaro's son who Dindel had healed after a vicious cattle stampede. Dindel opened his eyes more, still looking wary. "I cannot let you do such a thing for me. Even with all that, there is still a possibility that there may not be a war and that we may be able to avoid conflict altogether." He stood up and began walking for the door. Lia stood up behind him ready to act on her own self-interests.

However, the guard blocked the door preventing Dindel from leaving. At this point, Rin and Lana were standing as well, looking anxious. The guard spoke again. "It is the will of our villages, and we will not allow you to sacrifice yourself for a pointless cause. Besides, we should have an army from the king himself coming to aid us in this battle. We received word of his intended aid a few days ago so it should arrive anytime now."

Dindel's face became red with fury. "I refuse to let others die on my account! I wi-" He fell onto the guard, unconscious.

"Sorry, Dindel, but I am not going to allow your stupid goody-two-shoes attitude to kill the three of us." She had chopped him in the back of the neck, stopping most nerve activity from going to and leaving the brain, essentially paralyzing him for the time being.

The guard then turned to the two in the corner. "Rin, you fly a pegasus, right? Take him and fly him somewhere safe." He pushed Dindel's unconscious body onto Rin. He lifted him onto his back to make it a little easier to carry. It seemed odd that the man knew Rin, but Lana decided it was a topic for another time.

Then, Lia spoke again. "Take him to Frelia. I have good contacts there that can aid us to an extent." Lana gave her a curious stare but Lia ignored it. Rin stood there a second, still stunned from all that was happening. Lia glared at him dangerously. "Don't just stand there! Move it! I already know you were going to travel with us! This way, you can make up for your future annoyances." With that, he jumped into action walking out the door and whistling for his pegasus to come pick him and his new co-rider up.

The pegasus came flying over the building in mere instants, slowing just above them before descending rapidly to greet its master. Rin quickly threw Dindel over the lower neck of the mystical animal and jumped on the saddle behind him. He turned back to Lana and Lia and said sarcastically, "Now, I don't want to miss any good action so you'll just have to keep your beastly passion for each other in check till we see each other again." Lana rolled her eyes and Lia gave him a death glare. With a wide grin on his face, he took off northwest toward Frelia.

As he began to reach the clouds, he looked down. What he saw made him smile like nothing else could. He knew that Lana and Lia were going to be safe. He saw the Renais army marching toward the village he had just left. With an ear to ear smile on his face, he turned back to his destination.