The sound of steel rang over the empty air.
Normally in the dead of night, where the Risen are more adapted to stalking the shadows, no one would dare hide alone in the woods. No matter how skilled of a warrior one can be. But here he was, sharpening his Killing Edge in an empty clearing in these woods with no one around. Just him and no one else.
The woods were dead, long before he came here it was killed by the invasion of the undead. The trees were mainly just wood, some sick and others fighting to live. Those that still had leaves left are all shriveled up and dried down to a fuzzy brown. The bushes are just like the trees, long slender hands reach out to grab a hold on any passersby. Weeds and spikes came out from the dried up ground, its soil as useless as the sands of Plegia. There were no signs of life. The only thing that seems to be living was him.
Making long strands with his whetstone, he silently hummed a tune with the ring of steel filling the night.
One would question why someone would voluntarily leave the safety of the campfire and the reassurement that his companions were by his side. It was foolish, selfish, and a suicide mission all on its own. With the sword in hand, he wasn't entirely defenseless but one sword can only cut so much.
Yet the thought of going back to the campsite didn't seem so appealing. 'Safe'. 'Warm'. 'Home'. Nothing just doesn't sound right.
Maybe that's why he left for a while. To get away for a bit.
Yeah… that must be it…..
Finished with the blade, he picked up the sword over his head to inspect it. The moonlight reflected on the steel of the perfectly sharpened blade. The light of it shone upon his face, blinding him for a bit before he rearranged his grip. With pride over his work he jumped from his spot and thrust his hand forward with the sword firmly in his grip. The sound of the man-made wind echoed in his ears as he consecrated over the feel of his hand.
Sturdy and fast. The blade is now sharpened to its fullest. The handle could use some work and the collar needs to be replaced but he could fix that in a-
SNAP!
Alarmed from the sound, he quickly wiped around in a 'defensive' stance. Cursing his own stupidity for not being aware of his surroundings he raised his blade in his left hand to the source of the sound. He was ready, ready to strike the foe that dares to sneak up on him!
For he was….
"Halt fiend! Who dares to deny this sacred dark ritual! For the clangor of your sols gave your baseless character away! Now come and fare the castigate destiny that I, the Dark Prince, Ow-
"Owain! For Naga's sake, shut up!"
To both the surprise and horror of the young Myrmidon, out came from the bushes was a girl he knew all too well. Her twin pigtails had a few leaves stuck in her olive-colored hair making Owain winch from the mess they become. Her clothes were still dirty from the battle that day making him wonder why she didn't clean herself afterward as she always made a fuss when her clothes dirtied. Her tights had some rips on the side and one of her sleeves were nonexistence, showing off her exposed shoulder from the battlefield. But the worst of it all was the expression on her face as she glared daggers at him.
Then it hit him.
He just threaten Severa. Something that no one should ever do.
"Se-severa!?"
Annoyance darken in the young girl's face as she took in the stance he was in. Sword raised, right hand over his eyes, and legs bent in a half crouch as if he was going to spring upwards. She must have seen something in his stance she didn't like because she stared him dead in the eye. "You were playing your little games again, weren't you! Don't you realize how stupid it is to waltz around and go 'woo me, I'm the great Owain, bow or be killed by my twitching hand!'"
"Sword hand!"
She scoffed. "Even worse."
He stood up from his stance but did not comment on the insult. He was use to it after all and getting another insult wouldn't change anything. But with a glance at the state of her well being he gave her a grin as he started up with a very dramatic but toned voice. "While I could battle for the abhor of my sacred blood that lingers in my veins, I heed the call of the quaint fair maiden that draws this brave hero to his prophecy! Now speak the words of the ancient ones!"
Severa winched from his voice (even when he clearly toned it down a bit from his usual stage voice) and gave him an unimpressive look. "Speak normally. You know, how a real prince would speak to a real civil person."
His smile twitched to a frown for a second but only sighed. "Fine, why are you out here in these woods? I thought you were going to clean off after we set up camp?"
"Like I had a choice," she argued. "Loudmouth has taken over the damn bathing tent and the stupid acrobat is nowhere to be seen. So not only do I not get a warm bath but I can't even get my clothes stitched back on!" Hence the clothes it seems. "And on top of that, Luci got on my case because you were nowhere to be found! Why can't you stand still and be the pretty little prince you're supposed to be and stay behind." She paused. For a second, Owain saw something flash in her eyes before it was gone with her laughing. It wasn't a joyful laugh, it was more of a mocking cackle that made him dread what was to come. "What am I saying, of course, you won't stay still. You can't even talk right, you're not even close to being a prince!" Done with her laughter, she placed a hand over her hip and gestured towards the trees behind her. "Look, I got no time for you so you better get a move on to either face the Risen or the wrath of Lucina. Your choice."
With that, she turned on the balls of her feet and started to walk back toward the direction she came from. He didn't follow her. Not immediately and chose to watch her walk away. Her figure getting smaller and smaller until even her shadow was gone from his vision.
As soon as he was sure she was gone he collapsed onto the dry dirt ground. Taking in a shaky breath he gaze upon the crescent moon. Thinking why she would say all those things, why Luci was looking for him, or the wounds that he had wore an hour ago.
Wounds….
Blood….
Battle….
They had a battle that day. They were journeying to Naga to ask where the last of the gemstones were but was paused in their affairs to face another army of Risens. It was nothing new to them, in fact, they expected for a number of Risens to attack them if they somehow figure out where they were going. But today's foe was far greater than they intercepted.
The proof was in their wounds. Normally they were tough enough to hold a number of Risens by themselves and will only manage to get flesh wounds or small scars. But even Lucina has gotten hurt with an arrow in her shoulder, alarming half of the army. Nothing could get pass through Lucina. Even he had his fair share of pain if he hadn't healed himself with the little bits of magic he still has.
And that scared him. It scared him to his bitter core. If Lucina was shot, who's to say that no one would fall to the same fate. If this kept up, then they might be digging their own graves. But that will never happen. He will make sure of it. If it wasn't for the blood of the chosen ones in his veins then it would be the mark that he bears to show the proud heritage that his mother passed down to him.
But that only lead to another thought.
She knows. She knows what they were trying to do and was trying to stop them. She wanted them dead. She wanted all of the children dead. His friends. His family. And his-
A heavy blush bloomed around his face as he thought about a certain person.
S-she wasn't his. Why would he think such a thing? It was..vile and repulsive and...and ...and….
He sighed.
What is he doing? Thinking like this? To make fake fantasies of a happy future with someone who clearly doesn't return any sort of affections for him? To think of the words 'I love you'? Or perhaps….just maybe….
He laughed softly.
He sometimes wonders how someone like his mother manage to fall in love with his father in the middle of a war, only for her to receive her feelings in returned no less. It amazes him how someone as calm and serene as his mother could do something so dangerous and impossible. With the weight of war, assassins, bloodshed, and foes lingering over her. Then again look at Luci's parents. They were a pair that should never have happened but yet they fell in love either way.
Shaking his head out his thoughts, he let out a sigh before getting up slowly. Severa would be furious with him if he stayed any more then he should. After all, she was assigned to guard the prince of the fallen, and once fair, Ylisse for a reason.
With reasons in mind and mixed emotions of past memories heavy in his heart, he follow the footsteps his knight left behind for him.
o~0~*~0~o
A person is born with feelings of envy and hate. If he gives way to them, they will lead him to violence and crime, and any sense of loyalty and good faith will be abandoned.
-Xun Zi
o~0~*~0~o
Weeks past as they travel to seek the guidance of the Goddess. More battles were fought and more wounds were added, shortening their supplies more and more each day. To the point where they send groups of fours to take down even one Risen. They refuse to take any chances.
But the journey wasn't in vain as the arrived at Mount Prism with no casualties during their travels. Relieved, to say the least, Lucina ordered the soldiers to set up camp and assign those that were to be doing the rounds while everyone else rest. After an hour of getting everything together did all twelve of them walked to greet Naga at the temple.
He could tell that everyone was excited. Brady who would always wear something akin to a frown was smiling opening while others like Yarne and Noire didn't have their shoulder hunched or legs shaking no more. Even Nah was actually skipping for the first time in ages, not enough to be noticeable, but skipping neither a less.
This was it, only one more gemstone and they can finally defeat Grima.
Just one more battle.
Just one more step to the temple doors.
Just one wait for Lucina to talk to Naga.
Just one more word for the location.
And…
And…
And his world, his promise, his hope, was shattered.
"She couldn't sense it anymore," Lucina delivered in a grave tone. "Naga herself said that she couldn't find it anymore." she took a deep breath. "It's lost. It's lost."
Was this how it was supposed to end? The use of false hope? The fake sense of security? The painted future only to be tainted with blood again? Was there no future for them at all?
"But there's another way to stop Grima."
What?
"What 'da ya' mean another way? Eh?" Brand said. "You just said that theyn't any way to get'em the last gemstone."
"Yes," she carefully whispered. "But with the four gemstones we have, there might be another way than to defeat this Grima here."
"What do you mean this Grima?" Cynthia said curiously, finger on her chin. "Don't we only have one?"
"There is only one Grima, but we can stop it from ever awaken in the first place."
"Uh, Luci?" Inigo asked cautiously. "What exactly are you suggesting?"
"Naga told me that we can not defeat Grima with only four gemstones, but she has enough energy to send us twelve back before Grima does resurface. With the four gemstones, we can save everyone."
Lucina didn't miss a beat. "Yes."
There was a heavy silence. Everyone clearly thinking about the words Lucina delivered. To travel back to the time Grima was reborn, to travel to a time where they weren't even born. To a time where their parents were alive.
To see his parents again would be a dream, an illusion that no longer has to be fake. To see his mother's wonderful face fill with joy. To see his father's strength in battle like the invincible force he was. To see them alive, whole, breathing. He could protect them. Just like how they protected him.
He didn't need to be told twice.
"What do you think Luci?"
"Huh?" Lucina looked up to find the person who asked her such a question. "What do I think?"
"Yes," Inigo smiled. "You wouldn't have given this bit of knowledge if you thought it wouldn't help us. To defeat Grima that is." He looked deeply into her eyes with confidence with the next line he will deliver. "You truly do think that this would work don't you."
The way he said it was more of a statement than a question.
Lucina was surprised. Not from the questioning of her belief of the plan or from the knowledge that he knows that she was confident in Nag's plan. It was from the strong believing faith in his voice that astounded her.
"Not that I'm picky or anything but what's a gotta happen to the rest of us eh?"
Inigo frowned at Brady with something alike to annoyance. "What do you mean by that?"
"Well ain't it obvious. She didn't say what would happen to them soldiers when we leave out of this dump." Brady exclaimed in an accusing tone. "What about them, eh?"
She said nothing, but the look of sadness in her eyes was more than enough. In a half-hearted attempt to reassure him she whispered softly, "The four gemstones only have so much power to give. If I could, all of us would go through the portal but the confusion of it all might hurt more people then save them. They can damage the timeline more than they heal. Besides," she looked away. "If we can save them in the past, then there's no need for them to witness this monster."
Inigo came in front. "Luc-"
"So what you're saying," Kjelle interrupted. "Is that we must leave the dead weight behind so that we could save are our hids." Eyes narrowed. "Is that what my ears hear?"
"I-no, that's not wh-"
"Are you really that stupid!" Flipping her hair behind her in the most dramatic of manners, Severa gave off her usually glares. "We have to leave them all behind because we will save them. We're not ditching them if we're saving them again before they even seen us, let alone know us! Duh!"
"I don't fully agree on what are darling Severa said but I do agree that we're still saving them," Inigo said coming back, nodding while feeling the glare that Severa sent his way burning through his skull. Unknowingly he didn't feel nor see the other secret glare looking his way. "We can save them and everyone else we lost."
"Yeah," Cynthia jumped. "We can all become heroes!"
"That still doesn't make it right to sacrifice their lives," Gerome growled. "To give up the lives of our comrades makes us no better than Grima."
"Stray away from the venom in thous idiom!" Seeing that things were going south, Owain raised his left hand to point at his masked friend as if he was holding a sword. "For the sake of our confrères, the goddess herself has chosen us a path of awakening light! Why must we stray from her calling?"
"Yeah!"
"Cynthia, not everything is about you being a hero."
"How could you be so mean Gerome!"
"A-ah….you should b-be figh-hting….ple-please stop.."
"Oh, and what do you think about this Noire?" Kjelle intercepted. "Will you also stay with the people that you swore to fight alongside or will you leave and turn your back so that you can save their 'past-selves'?"
Noire shrank back from her spot to find some coverage and hid behind someone's back. "I-I don't want to stay with Grima or go to Mother!"
"M-me either! I mean….I'm not scared of Ma'... b-but what I mean is that I….I….uh…. I DON'T KNOW EITHER!"
"Guys, stop. You're scaring the rest of us," Inigo applied even though he didn't look scared at all, pointy looking away from Yarne.
"And you Laurent?" Kjelle demanded, ignoring Inigo. "What are your thoughts on this."
Laurent who still had a shaken Noire behind his back pushed up his glasses with his gloved hand and looked up with a stoic expression. "You are asking for my opinion on this matter then? Very well. I have no statement over right or wrong as the concept is taught as its 'right' to save the allies of our parents of the past but it will also be 'wrong' to deceive with the falsehood of speaking and then to extract the morales of the set mindset that we implanted. Although that may infer that it is 'right' to stay and stand with the very little morals we have, it also stands that the only option of ever defeating the Fell Dragon is to grasp the idea of time-travel." Gently taking one of Noire's hands from his robe and pushing it off the cloth, he looks back up. "Of course, there is no solid knowledge in which I could take in to chose a side. But besides the point, everyone has given their statements over the material but Nah."
As if they were in a trance, everyone turned to look at the red hair manakete who had her arms cross with a half lid expression on her face. Not noticing the stares, Nah's head dip to the side but violently shot up with wild eyes. It was obvious that Nah was fighting to stay awake. A manakete on her way to sleep.
No one wanted to wake up a sleepy manakete. Not even a small Nah.
Then they all turn to the only person who was brave enough to do such a deed.
Wearly, Laurent walked up to the petite girl. With a moment of hesitation, he turned his back towards her and gently nudged her to fall on his back. She fussed, made a little growl as she tries to wiggle out of his grip but soon comply with his wishes and was now piggy-back riding on the young mage, sleeping soundly on his back.
"...I think we should go back for now. Naga gave us three days to open the Outrealm Gate. We can discuss this at another time." Walking away from the small party Lucina walked back to the stairs of the temple but paused when she was at the first step. "But remember, I will not force you all to follow me. You will have to make the choice on your own to stay or to leave."
And with that, the princesses, no, Exalt of the fallen kingdom Ylisstol declined from the stairs with the bloodline of heroes watching her disappear.
o~0~*~0~o
For the information I gave through this story:
-Nah, daughter of Nowi and Gregor (I love love loveeee the red hair)
-Severa, daughter of Cordelia and Stahl
-Yarne, dubbed as the loudest in the game (surprisingly) (also if you figure out who his father was with that one line I am so proud of you!)
-Also remember that everyone is younger than Lucina so that makes her the oldest. But even then they are still 'young' so I made them all a little op in this
-Another thing is that everyone is keeping their personalities because I think it was the war that made them this way and not the growth sperm, but again, I made them a bit op as they are still children
For the rest you have to wait and see~
Also there is a bit of hints for other side ships in here but most of them are just the children looking out for one another so there wasn't that much of a hint in there except for the main one…. yet