I've been wanting to write this for a while now. I just needed time to think things through before actually proceeding.
- Disclaimer: Fire Emblem characters do not belong to me.
- Notice: May contain spoilers. Original characters may be added. Storyline may deviate from original video game. Contains fantasy violence, mild language, alcohol reference, and suggested themes.
A sharp pain radiated along my head, then to my body. This may be the worst I'd ever felt. It were as if I was tossed into a herd of wyverns, left defenseless as they rammed against me with all their strength. I mustered whatever energy I had to move up, my elbows supported me as I scanned the area. A field of corn surrounded me, it seemed like a pleasant environment. 'Wait...Where exactly am I?' My eyes narrow at the sky, then back down at the ground. 'I honestly have no clue...'
After minutes of lazing around to recuperate, I slowly pick myself up. My hands dust away the rubble and traces of soil. I must be near a village given the vast farmlands that extend towards the plain hills. Surely someone around here could tell me where I'm at.
The wind picks up slowly as I smell the familiar scent of fresh linens. There must be a house a few paces down. I reach for my silver sword and find it missing. 'Defenseless and lost...great.' A sigh escapes my lips. I must've lost it when I fell from the sky. ' Maybe I will get attacked by those wyverns...
"Augh! What am I saying?" I shake my head and decide to continue onwards, maybe I'll find it along the way.
I stop in my tracks when I hear a gentle voice. 'Could it be?' My hand pulls apart a layer of corn to see a young maiden singing a melodious tune while she retrieves the laundry. It's no surprise that she's beautiful. Her light brown hair sways ever so freely before she pulls it back against her ear. I can't help but smile and say something unintelligible.
She darts her eyes at me as I step forward. I do admit it looks a bit suspicious. She instinctively screams and heads back for her house.
"No!" I run after her because the last thing I need is a misunderstanding. That and her father beating me to a pulp. "Wait a moment." Luckily I'm exceptionally fast and make my way into her house.
She's standing by the kitchen and she manages to pull out a knife. I close my eyes and listen carefully, there seems to be no one else here but the two of us.
"S-Stay back!" She warns me as I stand my ground.
"I mean no harm, I assure you." My hands are held up as I surrender and unfasten my utility belt that would've held my swords and other weapons. I set them on the ground as I attempt to earn her trust. "I'm just passing by and...a little lost. I was wondering if you could tell me where I am." There's a sense of sincerity in my tone. I soften my eyes at her, almost like a silent plea for help.
She lowers the knife. I'm pretty sure she understands I'm not a thief.
Bulls eye.
"You're in Valm." She responds rather quietly.
I think hard, it sounds familiar. Unfortunately nothing comes to my mind, save for the long list of girls that had spurned me.
She slowly makes her way towards me, her knife still in her grasp. "You're not from here...are you?"
It's enough to snap me out of my train of thought. "Oh, yes..." I honestly answer.
She stands a little too close for comfort. My eyes still notice the knife in her hands. I must tread with caution. Her eyes examine every detail on my face, I can tell by the way she looks at me. I decide to take this opportunity to study her as well, brown hair, petite face, hazel eyes and a figure that most men would fawn over. I'm terrible with guessing a woman's age, but she seems to be the same as me. About 16.
Her eyes narrow one more time before she steps back and sets the knife on the table.
"So, Valm...where exactly is that?" I scratch my head as her eyes remained trained on me.
"It's to the west of Plegia. A separate continent from Ferox, Plegia, and Ylisse." She reminds me.
"Oh..." I really have a ways to go to get back to Ylisse.
The sun starts to set as a yellow-orange hue paints the little house. We both look out the window.
"I have to prepare supper soon." She gestured to the kitchen. "But you're more than welcome to stay." For a girl who just met a completely dashing stranger, she is oddly hospitable.
"I can help, if you require any..." I blandly offer. I may not have been the best cook, but I was able enough to make a decent dish.
There's that bright smile that I immediately take a liking too. She tilts her head as if to motion me to come follow. I obediently obey as the sun continues to set.
"So what's your name?" She asks curiously as I dice the tomatoes accordingly.
"It's Inigo." I manage to give her a grin as I finish my portion.
"Inigo..." She repeats my name slowly. "That's a great name."
"Thanks," I set my knife down as thoughts of my mother instantly swarm my mind. My eyes fall downwards as I stare at the perfectly sliced ingredients.
She immediately notices the change of mood and introduces herself. "I'm Marissa."
I manage to mask my face with a smile. "It's a pleasure to meet you, Marissa."
She blushes and takes my diced tomatoes. "I-It's a pleasure to meet you as well, Inigo."
I watch her tend to the vegetable soup as she turns the ladle, mixing the solution slowly. "So, where are you from?" She asks as her back is turned against me.
"I'm...from Ylisse." Although from a different time, I add mentally.
"Oh.." She stops to face me. "I hear there's this handsome blue haired prince there."
'Chrom...' I recall correctly. During my time, he and the other Shepherds along with my own mother were long gone.
"Have you ever met him?" Marissa leans to her side with her hand on her hip.
"No..." I look away, the only royal heirs that I ever met and fought alongside were Owain and Lucina.
"Oh," she manages an impressively adorable pout. "Well, that's a shame."
"Yes," I manage a coy grin. The pot seems to be boiling a bit too much, so I walk past her and stir it with the ladle.
She snaps out of daydreaming and stands beside me. I don't know why, but being close to a girl always made me blush. It was only a matter of time before I would lose my composure and mess things up, like I always do.
There's the sound of a door closing as a tall, burly man appears from a distance. There's no doubt it's her father. I instantly lose my cool and accidentally shove Marissa. She yelps before I fall onto the floor with her.
The position we're in is more than enough to set off her father. She closes her eyes and massages her head. I look up to see the tall, burly man looking straight into my soul. About that misunderstanding...
The three of us are sitting at the dining table, the tension still fresh in the air as none of us had begun eating.
I could still feel his stare searing into my flesh. Thankfully, Marissa cleared things up rather quickly and effectively. Although, he didn't seem to be buying it. I can't blame him.
"So, Inigo." He started off as I did my best to maintain eye contact. "What is your occupation in Ylisse?"
"I'm a mercenary." I reply confidently.
Marissa stops herself from taking a bite of her meal. Her father looks my way. He doesn't seem to be surprised.
"So you're a sell sword?" Marissa asks, her eyes shifted to concern.
"Yes," I guess in way, it may seem a bit of a ruthless job. Killing people for money may no be the best way to make a living.
"So you kill people...for money?" Marissa spoke with disdain.
"Well, not really.." I look up to find her father waiting for me to continue. "Most of the time I just take care of people's problems for them. Like brigands, thieves..." I eventually look down at my cold meal. "I don't do it for the money. I just...want to make the people happy."
Silence spread across the three of us. Marissa looks at me and still has a difficulty comprehending what I mean.
There's the thundering knock that breaks this as her father gets up to answer it.
"Filo!" A man who looks beaten appears at his door. "The brigands, they're back." He looked down at the floor. "And they have my daughters as well."
Marissa's father Filo, shoots a look at me. There's a mutual understanding between us. I reach for my belt, but realize that my sword is missing.
"Looking for this?" I look up and find my silver sword in his hands. He must've found it when I crashed onto the field. I take several strides to meet him. My hands run along the mettle. It remained unscathed, in perfect condition. I'm glad it was in good hands.
Marissa makes her way to the door. The man must've been their neighbor.
"So, Inigo, you said you were a mercenary." Filo looked at me as my eyes blazed with confidence. I returned it with a coy smile, it was finally time to dance with my sword.
...To be continued
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