Don't ask how this story idea came to be, it just happened. So enjoy!
Disclaimer: I wish I owned Left 4 Dead and Fire Emblem.
'Did I die...?' The mercenary asked himself, faint memories blurring through his vision, attempting to put a reason as to why he was feeling this lifeless floating. His whole body felt numb to any feeling, aside from a slight drifting, but even though his body felt nothing from around him, he could still feel the warmth in his heart and it's rhythmic beating. Though it was dead silent, wherever he was, it was not peaceful. The silence put an annoyed feeling in him, hating how nothing he did at the moment would even cause an alert or trigger for anything. He furrowed his brow and huffed out a grunt.
"If this is the afterlife, I would defy the Gods just to end it." His claim was coming from an irritated soul, he was still concerned about what had happened and as to why it happened. Though the mixtures of colors that presented itself as his last moments wasn't really making things anymore apparent.
Oddly enough in this strange suspension in such a strange dream like state, a faint feeling in the back of his mind told him he wasn't alone in this world. And solitude was indeed not the right word for this moment. Though he could not sense or see the others, he wasn't alone, two were also questioning how it was possible that they got here and the purpose of being here.
Seeing as none of the three knew of the others' presence, they could not call for each other and piece some answer together with the little messes of their memories. But all three shared a purpose, an intertwined fate, and a goal. That which they sought to protect with their lives, has been protected and thus their jobs fulfilled, but not quite over.
After feeling more heat beat down on their faces, and even a light that was poorly shielded by their eyelids, the three opened their tired eyes to be greeted with the clear blue sky before them. Fiery red, loyal green, and strong gray eyes stared stagnant at the blue above. Though each had the nagging feeling that they should get up and investigate where it is that they are, the peaceful feeling of laying sprawled on their backs and gazing at the heavens above was relaxing.
The first to get up and off the ground was that of the fiery eyed mercenary, though his rising alerted the other two and each quickly jumped to their feet and looked at each other, hands reaching for their weapons at the unfamiliar faces.
A mercenary with red eyes, and dragonfire hair to match, his hand already grasping the hilt of his blade by his side, he appeared to be the oldest out of all of them though the youthful look suggested only by a few years.
An archer whose green hair and eyes reminded the mercenary of another archer he knew off, but the determined look on his face suggested another person. His bow already drawn, but at the range he was now, the weapon would surely miss.
The last of the trio, was a journeyman, hatchet raised up and ready to chop with, his serious face suggested that he was tough with a fighting spirit.
"Who are you?" All three asked in unison, eyes shifting across each other, scanning for any hostile signs to allow a need to attack.
"My name is Wolt." The archer spoke first, having honor and dignity.
"Raven." The mercenary coldly replied, leaving only the journeyman to respond.
"The name's Ross." After introductions were done and over, each lowered their weapons, but still remained on guard, despite not being in an unknown location and waking up next to strangers, they were the only people around so far, so it was best to rely on each other than to kill each other off at the first moment.
"Do you mind explaining to me why we're here?" Raven asked, crossing his arms and observing the area, it looked to be a field, but out in the distance were some structures that he was not familiar with.
"I... I have no idea..." Wolt responded, having took a look around as well.
"We might want to find a village and grab a map or ask where we are... But that's my plan, I don't know about you guys." Ross announced, turning around to face the wind that blew through his black hair.
Although the red haired man could care less about the his forced upon companions, he had the faintest inkling that he knew Wolt.
"I'm fine with traveling with you." The green haired boy smiled and took position next to the young journeyman. Again, Raven wanted nothing to do with the two boys, but he could not leave both alone in this place, especially when he himself had no idea of what territory they were in.
"It's not like I have any other choice..." Still a bit annoyed with it, the red haired man made the decision on his own terms, meaning he had dug his own grave. As they began the hike through the field, just as the older mercenary predicted, conversation would break out.
"So since we're sticking together, might as well learn about each other." Ross of course was the one to bring it up. The mercenary remained silent, arms still crossed and eyes closed firmly. Wolt on the other hand was glad to share his past and experiences.
"I am merely a servant to serve under Marquess Pherae's son, Master Roy, who is also my Milk-brother and close friend." Raven opened his eyes and stared at the young archer. He knew Marquess Pherae, he personally fought alongside Eliwood, but he had never heard of him having a son being born.
"That cannot be, Eliwood has yet to have a son." The green eyed boy stared up at the red haired man.
"It is true, my mother, Rebecca nursed Master Roy along with her own child, me." Upon hearing his ally's name, the mercenary was finally able to make the connection. But the young journeyman was lost, he had never heard of any of these names or royalty.
"You're Rebecca's son...? But... She was still young when I saw her last." The two kept eye contact as they stopped in their tracks, Ross, not wanting to leave them behind, watched as the two stared each other down.
"Raven... Now that I think of it, my mother told me a story of when she was younger and helped stopped the Dragon's Gate from opening, along side Lilina's parents, Lyndis and Marquess Ostia. I think among the group, she mentioned your name." Upon mention of Ostia, the mercenary grumbled, memories of the ruined childhood and separation from his sister haunting him, Ostia's corruption leading to the destruction of his beloved Cornwell family.
But upon thinking of his sister, voices echoed in his head. 'Raymond!'
"... Priscilla...?" Her scream reverberated in his mind, he had no recollection of her concerned voice ever reaching that level of distress and grief. Perhaps it had something to do with why he was here with the supposed son of his ally? "So what about you?" Raven shook off the feeling after realizing that it would not return anytime soon, he directed his questioned at the black haired boy, who was the first to suggest speaking of their pasts in the first place.
"Not until you elaborate on yours, Raven." The mercenary closed off his red eyes from the light of the world and crossed his arms, letting another grumble escape his throat.
"That is of no importance right now, I am a mercenary, and that is all you will get to know for the time being." The journeyman was reluctant to let the man win, but he gave in. Wolt however was able to piece a few details having heard about the man before from his mother. So far this man fit most of the descriptions his mother had shared over stories, and one detail remained unchanged that should not have been the same. 'He was very handsome for his young age, but always so cold and quiet.' If that was true, how in the world had he retained his youth?
"Fine, I'll let it slip, but now it's my turn. My father was a great military leader, he's taught me everything I know about the battlefield and I'm determined to surpass him in strength." Ross held his smile firmly, thinking that this small little adventure would help in his training. But even so, training won't help him surpass his father if he can't return home.
"Enough with the formalities, we need to find civilization, the sun is only going to stay up for so long." Raven reminded the young ones. nodding in agreement, the three continued on. Questions still left unanswered and only increasing in number.
After crossing miles of endless fields of grass, and the sun quickly looming over the horizon and painting the sky a bright orange and a vibrant purple at the opposite end, the small group managed to find a structure that appeared to look strange to them.
"What in the world is this thing?" The green haired archer approached the structure. "It looks like the strangest road I've ever seen." The three caught up and hoped the small fence to stand atop the highway road.
"Whatever it is, it is our only lead to a town, it's best we follow it." The red haired mercenary advised, already heading in the direction of the setting sun.
"Guess we got no choice." Ross sighed and ran up to catch up to the mercenary. Wolt stood in solemn silence, staring at the horizon lit by starlight. Hearing in the distance a faint humming that seemed to get louder as the time past.
"Raven, Ross, something is coming." The archer announced, the red haired man turned on his heel and pulled out his blade.
"Put your sword away, if it's friendly, we don't want to scare it away." The black haired boy reasoned with the older man. Though, he reluctantly sheathed his weapon, but kept his hand gripping the hilt, as to be ready for an attack.
Eventually the humming became a roaring noise, and a bright light came to their attention. The source of the light getting brighter as it approached them. The light nearly blinding all of them, and the noise close to deafening their ears as it stopped before them. The roaring stopped, however the light continued to blind them. A person emerged from the side of the light.
"What the hell are yew guys doin' out in the middle of the Highway?" The man asked, his accent being unfamiliar to all three. The light's intensity dimmed and the three could make out a strange metal object, a vehicle seeing as it managed to travel to them from the other end of the road at such a fast pace. The man that asked the question appearing to be young, but around the same age range as Raven. A hat hiding most of his dirty blonde curls from them, blue eyes full of concern looking at them.
"Do you know of the closest village from here?" The dragonfire haired man asked. Approaching the man. Wolt and Ross followed closely, wanting to greet the local man as well.
"Village... well, Savannah is not far from 'ere. If ya want, I can drive ya there, sure does look like yew can use the ride." Before making the decision, the red haired man looked to the young boys to have them nod in agreement. He also took note that he had never heard of a place named Savannah.
"We'll take you up on that offer, thank you, sir." The man smiled and opened the doors to his vehicle.
"Always welcomed to help some people, an' no need ta call me sir, Ellis is fine, or just El, by the way, why are yall carrying weapons, and dressed funny?" After taking their seats, Raven taking passenger leaving Ross and Wolt with the backseats, the engine roared to life and startled the occupants.
"I can see we are no longer in our respected worlds. All three of us had awoken out in the fields away from our rightful places." Raven explained. It was a possibility that he was waiting to have confirmation on. Ellis, by sharing small information, allowed to connect the dots and confirm his suspicion.
"No way man, I already know someone like that, he actually works with my and mah buddies. I'm gonna take you ta see him right away." Ellis pushed his foot harder on the accelerator, speeding down the highway. Wolt felt the pressure of the speed pushing back on him, deeper into the seat. Raven remained stoic, even as Ellis pulled a sharp turn, drifting slightly. Ross on the other hand was enjoying the adrenaline filling his veins from the excitement. Though through the blurring images, the three were still able to notice the town's differences from what they were used to. House structures, shops, and the use of roads similar to the highway they were at.
Eventually the thrill ride ended and the archer could not be anymore relieved to have his feet on solid, stagnant ground. The black haired boy nearly jumping back into the vehicle and ready to beg for another ride. The mercenary however was more interested in meeting Ellis' coworker to bring more light to the situation.
"C'mon, he should be still workin' in the garage." The blonde lifted up shutters to reveal another vehicle, legs could be seen underneath it with the periodic clinking of metal.
"Yo Ike, I got some fellas ya need to talk to, I'll finish up your work to speak with 'em." The man from underneath the car slid down, his hair being a blue that draped a bit below his eyebrows and begin to spike upwards. His eyes sharing a similar shade as his hair. Grease matted parts of his face at the moment. Upon laying eyes on the soldiers, he was lost for words.
"Thanks Ellis, I got a lot to explain to them." Rising from his position on the ground, the blue haired man stood, tall as Raven and equal in age appearance. He removed a rag from his back pocket and wiped his face with. Ike stared into the mercenary's eyes and extended his hand to greet.
"As Ellis probably told you, my name is Ike, I'm also not from this world." The red haired man still stared at the blue haired man, studying him. Before he could react, Ross took the handshake into his own hand.
"Don't mind him yet, he seems to always be grumpy, but I'm Ross, that's Wolt, and this glaring guy is Raven." Having had the situation out of his control, Raven huffed and crossed his arms. The green haired archer smiled and waved from his spot.
"Hmm, I'll explain as much as I know on how I got here, but I need to clean up, feel free to come inside into the living room and wait while I return." The bluenette lead the three to said room, but taking a solo stroll up stairs and having the others wait on him.
"At least we know someone can explain what's happened to us." The green haired boy looked at the bright side of the situation, and from the people they met in this world, they all seemed friendly.
"Looks can deceive." The mercenary sighed, his comment more or less applied to the fact that they should not assume the whole population in the world is great when they have only met two people, one of which didn't even belong to this world much like them.
"Come on, just give this place a chance." The journeyman tried to reach through the man's cold heart. Raven remained silent, which soon spread to everyone and left them studying the room's design as well as the strange devices around. The time flew by too slowly to their tastes, they were wondering if Ike even remembered they were waiting on him, but footsteps going down the steps brought relief to their souls.
The blue haired man was using a towel to dry off his hair, his chest muscles were exposed, but he still wore his pants, but after getting his hair to be less damp, the man draped the towel over his shoulders and took a seat on the couch and stared at all three standing.
"No need to stand around, take a seat, you'll need to for what I'm about to explain." Wolt and Ross easily agreed to the seating and occupied the chairs. However, Raven leaned against the wall, once again crossing his arms.
"Now that you're all comfortable, if what happened to me is the same way you three ended up here, then you might want to brace yourself for this." Wolt, Ross, and even Raven were a bit tense from the sudden suspense Ike had set up. "Believe it or not... But I have died, and you three probably have too."
Hmm, ending with a cliffhanger for the first chapter... I dunno. I hope this has peaked your interests, I realize this is the first Fire Emblem and Left 4 Dead crossover, so I'm hoping you guys like what I have set up so far. Anyways, I hoped you enjoyed this.