One Star to the Next

Disclaimer: FE Echoes belongs to Nintendo and Intelligent Systems.

A hard hand clapped on his shoulder just as Kliff pocketed something away, and he didn't have to hear the fool open his mouth to know that it was Tobin. Of course it was. It was always Tobin. "Who was that girl back there, Kliff? Don't tell me you're embarking on a grand, exciting adventure and you plan on leaving a woman waiting for you to return home?! How the hell does a guy like you end up with a fairy tale ending like that and I-..."

"It's not like that, Tobin."

"...Oh. It isn't?"

"It's not." Simple, confident, collected.

"You SWEAR?!" Tobin bounced in front of his friend, walking backwards as he scrunched his nose and scrutinized him. "Cross your heart? Are you blushing? You're definitely blushing!-... Alright, alright. You're not to type to blush anyways, huh? Just... who the hell was she, anyways? Does she have a sister? An older sister, preferably. Are you tuning me out again? Look, you've got to give me the details, man!"

"Gods, you moron... Can't you think about anything else?" Kliff pushed him aside playfully, and Tobin quickly fell back into place beside him, though his smile was waning.

An audible choke shook Tobin's voice, and a dark mask of fear dropped over his features. "I didn't mean to bug you man, it's just that I needed to think about something else. Anything else. Kliff, we're really going to war, aren't we? I'm... I'm scared."

Pity touched Kliff's stony features as this time he gripped his friend's shoulder, shaking him out of his stupor. "Come on, don't get all spooked on me. If it shuts you up, I'll tell you on the way."

Ch.1

Spirituality and Axe Ladies

"Do you hear spirits speak to you? They say that's how dark mages are born." Kliff's eyes flitted up from the page of his tome, finally realizing that someone had been standing over him. He had stolen away from the other students that were still hanging about outside the school after class. They clustered in groups of friends and traveled back to Ram Village; that, or waited for their parents to ensure safe travels. Kliff, not wanting to even think about the nagging that would come along with being escorted by his mother or sister, always chose to go home alone. From time to time (and as fate would have it, this time), he stopped beneath the green shade along the river to lose himself in chapter after chapter of history tomes.

Kliff was certainly an odd one, and he was very conscious of it. The boy didn't need to overhear his mother's gossiping friends to know that the adults took pity on his thin frame and pale skin, often at odds with the dark skin, dark eyes, and dark hair of the other boys and girls who basked in the sun while they worked on their parents' fields and played in the river. They thought him sickly and in need of special attention, for fear that he might break. He found it curious that the adults talked about him like this, and yet their children took it upon themselves to make his life hell, as if they were trying to break him.

Finally his eyes adjusted to the light blinding him from behind the girl that had spoken to him; no, perhaps the term "woman" was more accurate. She was older than he, but likely no older than his other friends. Thick in chest and hips, the browns and greens of the village women didn't seem to flatter her too much. Pale strawberry-blonde locks stuck to her face and cheeks from the heat and her nose was red, dappled with freckles from working in the sun. His eyes were drawn to the axe hanging at her hip before they returned back to her own hazel gaze.

"Can I help you with something?" He muttered, annoyed to have his solace intruded upon. Was she a sister of one of the bullies, here to harass him even moreso? The last thing he had any interest in was company, especially of the unpleasant sort.

"I already asked you a question, and it was far more conversational than yours, you know." She said with a sassy half smirk on her face, wiping her brow before apologizing. "I didn't mean to come across as rude, it's just... I study those old tomes all the time, know them cover to cover, and haven't heard a thing from the spirit world. The very last thing I expected was to see a boy your age clutching one of those, especially around here."

Kliff felt his annoyance fold to his own curiosity, closing the tome in his lap. To speak of dark magic in Ram Village was to pen your own writ of exclusion. For some reason the villagers believed that spells shamed the good name of the Earth Mother, though it was known all throughout the land that magic was a gift that many used to serve Mila. It was only here, in such closed-minded pockets of the world, that children who heard the voices of the spirits were frowned upon. It was for that reason that he stole away from the others as it was; even his own mother didn't like the idea of knowing her son was a potential magic conduit, despite her being the one who had found him such books in the first place.

To swing a sword was a gift, but to be blessed by the wisdom of the goddess herself was a curse. In many of Kliff's books, history and geography wove a different tale, but for now it was all he could do to simply try to blend in, outcast though he already was.

These thoughts alone, and the unpleasant reminder that came with them, made him wrinkle his nose in distaste. And as much as he would have enjoyed having someone to talk to, his guard was as high as could be.

"Why are you sweaty, and why do you have that?" He nodded at her axe warily, distrustful coral eyes peering from beneath his disheveled silvery locks.

She lifted her chin, wearing a wry smile. "I was running for exercise, and I happened to pick it up. And then I decided to make my way to the woods and bring home some firewood." She was lying, perhaps being sarcastic, but her voice made it difficult for him to be sure. Her accent was one that he couldn't place, but it certainly didn't belong to someone who grew up in a backwater village like Ram. "My turn. How did a boy such as yourself get ahold of those kinds of books in the first place? And what, pray tell, do you intend to do with what you learn?"

Kliff didn't know why, but he found himself telling her. "The thought of living my life out at this village just turns my stomach, but everyone keeps hammering the point home that I'm not as strong as my friends. I figured if I knew magic, then maybe I could do some traveling of my own." A scoff passed his lips, and he shook his head as he set his book aside. "Are you some kind of dark spirit here to tell me I have a gift or something? I've lived here my whole life and haven't ever seen you."

"You seem plenty strong to me," she stated, scrutinizing him in a way that made his face flush. It was just like an adult to pander niceties and pat him on the back as opposed to being honest. She avoided both of his questions, and he duly noted that.

The boy rolled his eyes, feeling the familiar thread of annoyance tugging at him. "Oh, come on…"

"I mean it! You don't look any different than any other boy running around Ram, though maybe a bit on the short side. Why don't you give my axe a swing and see how you fare, huh?" She held it out in front of him hilt first, giving him a smile that was almost apologetic.

"Seriously? That thing would break my arms off..." His brow furrowed as he closed his eyes and unleashed a sigh, a trademark Kliff expression. "Besides, lady, I'm trying to read. Would it kill you to lay off?" Despite his complaining, he was on his feet and brushing his clothing clean, as if his body knew that he wanted to try a swing before his mind agreed.

She placed one hand on her hip and held the weapon out to him with the other still, wearing a worried smile on her lips. "…I didn't mean to tease you into trying, I admittedly noticed the cover of your book and was overcome with nosiness. In all honesty, it's dangerous around here. Nobody should tarry too long."

Kliff gave his exasperated look again, not even aware that he did so. "No, don't go yet, I want to give it a whack for the hell of it. Besides, I come here all the time by myself, it's not an issue. Nothing to be scared of as far as I know, and I'm still alive." Nose wrinkled in uncertainty, he held the weapon in both hands as Mycen had taught him to do with a sword, but it merely felt lopsided and uncomfortable. How did she grip it with just one hand so easily? He wound it up over his shoulder like a bat and gave a half swing, trying to stop just in front of him and fumbling from the weight.

Letting out a cry of surprise, the woman leaned away with both arms raised in a mercy gesture. "Before you swing that with no warning, you should know that the woman you might kill is named Rune."

Embarrassed at his blunder Kliff stepped back, thought her name brought a smile to his face. "All that talk about dark spirits and your name happens to be Rune? Well, isn't that magical." The axe nestled in the crook of his shoulder as he shook his head. "I'm Kliff, by the way." A breeze picked up the fine hair at the nape of his neck, bringing with it the smell of flowers. Spring meant pollen and pollen meant his mother forcing him to stay tucked away in bed away from the world.

"It's a nickname, but you have an excellent point, Kliff." At the call of a crow, she cast her hazel gaze to the sky, a worried look crossing her features. "I guess it's getting a little late, isn't it?"

"Scared of the dark?" He twisted his body and swung at an adjacent tree, feeling his hands ache as the edge split the bark and little else. His hands released the handle almost in an instant, his palms stinging as the heavy tool dropped to his feet, far too close to his toes for his liking. He expected her to laugh at him and flinched, but she did no such thing. Instead, her eyes were locked onto the darkening grove of tree just across the river. He tilted his head, unable to spot anything even with his perfect vision. "Lady?"

"Now of all times they decide to show up. Give me that axe back." Her tone was vastly different, sharp though it was barely above a whisper. She held her hand out expectantly, and he didn't question her. With effort, he picked it back up and passed it to her, feeling a twinge of heat in his face as she easily held it in one hand. He wasn't frightened, not even by her behavior, until the stomping and breaking of twigs broke over the rumble of the lazy river. Two hunkering men emerged from their cover, both holding tight to gleaming daggers. They were laden with sacks both empty and full, food smeared on their faces as their voices gurgled with drink.

"Good eye, my man," the thinner of the two remarked, a gross grin smacked onto his ugly features as his drunken eyes gleamed with familiarity at the woman beside him. Kliff wasn't a self proclaimed genius, but it suddenly became very clear that Rune hadn't been just running to run, nor had she just picked up the axe for the hell of it. She was being pursued.

"Told you I spotted the wench heading out on her own, yeah? Giiiirrrlliiiieeee, giiiiirrrlliiieee! You got some sweet treats for a coupla' lost travelers?!" Drunk as they were, they weren't too incapacitated to be wanting for trouble and began to cross the stream, not a stumble to their step.

"Don't be frightened Kliff," She muttered softly, raising her free arm in front of him. "Don't speak, and don't run. I've been waiting on these two for a few days now, but luring them away from the village after their drinking binge seemed to be the best course of action."

"Afraid? I've dealt with bandits before. Did you really have to play nice if you were just going to get a stranger involved in trouble..." His voice didn't waver and though it wasn't a lie, it was many years ago now that he had stood with his friends and fought off a few rogue knights of Desaix. But back then, Mycen had been there, as well as Alm... fear did grip at his heart, but it wasn't difficult to remain stoic and stand upright.

"I sincerely didn't mean to," she admitted, brow knitting in worry though her gaze remained locked on the other two.

"Ain't yer momma taught you to listen when yer spoken to, ya witch?" The more heavyset of the two was a fair few paces away now, keeping his distance as the other paced to block any escape route.

Kliff watched, large coral orbs widening in curiosity, as she brandished her axe and let it fall into the crook of her shoulder, feet planted shoulder width apart. She certainly looked the part of a warrior, at least. A smile touched her lips as she cocked an eyebrow at the duo, her voice suddenly not sounding the least bit on edge as she called over to the two plodding fools.

"My father taught me to never talk to strangers, especially those who steal from houses and stores in the dead of night like cowards."

'Not smart...' Kliff felt sweat break out across his forehead at this bold statement in the face of danger, especially as both men moved closer with their weapons gripped tight at their sides.

"Oh, where's ya daddy now, huh? What business have you and this little one got out here all alone, aye?" The one closest to Kliff pointed his dagger and Kliff opened his mouth to respond, but Rune stepped in front of him in an instant, almost completely obscuring his view with her height. Her free hand was outstretched, and Kliff unleashed his trademark sigh in silent, shaky relief, moving closer to the safety of the near-stranger's back.

"Not a good idea there. He's a dark mage you know. If he were to get upset, then it's likely we would all end up dead." Her voice had dropped to a deathly growl, one that seemed to convince the bandits as they murmured curses in hushed tones and took a step back. "Surely even lowborn fools like yourselves know to fear being burned alive or electrocuted into oblivion."

Kliff didn't expect it to be convincing at all, but both bandits stood upright, appraising the both of them with squinted, ugly eyes. "Ain't nobody except Duma faithful got that kinda magic around here, ya know. Maybe we'd best just let it be and come back. 'Sides, Mycen's around still, and they say his grankid-..."

"Shut yer hole! If we haven't gotten all there is to be got, yer mum's a fool!" They were talking amongst themselves, clueless idiots who hadn't realized her bluff. If they weren't drunk enough, if they weren't stupid enough, if they had enough time to realize... the entire situation would likely end in bloodshed.

'Gods, it's working! Hurry up and finish it, please...' Kliff mentally begged, certain that just holding their ground would be enough, when suddenly Rune was charging forward and swinging her axe with both hands at the more narrow of the two bandits. Perhaps caught up in the illusion that the pale skinned little boy was going to spontaneously explode and murder them with his dark arts, they both unleashed screams and backed away, their stupor finally catching up to them.

"This village is right done as it is, let's just be out!" The larger man was stumbling over himself in his attempt to escape, completely fine with leaving his partner behind. The narrower, who had just barely stepped backwards enough to avoid having his throat slit open, fell into the babbling brook behind him and unleashed a scream that resonated through the trees. He panicked, scrambled, and then was after his partner before Kliff had a chance to do anything besides stand and stare.

And then it was over. Still at a loss for words and with his knees trembling with fear, Kliff looked to where the brigands had been and then turned his quizzical gaze towards Rune, who had rested her axe back against the tree where they had first met only... could it have really been minutes ago? To keep his hands from shaking he balled them into fists, locked firmly at his sides as he felt his skin crawl at the realization that cold sweat had been running down his back.

"What if that hadn't worked, Rune? Or what if you hadn't missed and had hit that guy?!" He finally broke his silence, frustrated at the feeling that he had been a bit used.

"Then we would be injured, or he would be dead." She dusted her hands clean, tilting her head at his angry expression. "You were quite brave."

"I didn't do anything!" He gave pause, taking a moment to catch his breath. Allowing his reeling thoughts to calm, he let out a sigh and squatted down beneath the treescape, elbows on his knees. "...I'm sorry. Thank you, I don't know what I would have done had I been cornered alone. …Are you a mercenary?"

Her chuckle was sinister and sarcastic. "Do I look like a mercenary?" Her voice told him that he was a fool for asking, but his answer was a silent yes. "You wouldn't have been cornered alone, considering they were after me. They wouldn't have come this way if not for my leading them somewhere away from the villagers." She tucked an unruly lock of hair away from her forehead, looking up at the sky once again. "But you're welcome. Will you be safe making it home? Gather your things and be out of here before they get the wise idea to come back."

"Of course I'll be fine, I come this way every day." He turned and began to gather his books in his arms, dropping one in the process and quickly snatching it back up. "How about you? Do you truly live in Ram Village and expect me to believe I've never seen you before?" He turned back around to face her, only to see that she had completely vanished. He looked around, even glancing above and hoping to spot a sign of trampled grass or wet leaves from her crossing the river, to no avail. "Lady? ...I mean, Rune?"

His reply was the idle silence of the wood, whispering through the trees and stirring his unruly locks. As suddenly as she had appeared, she had vanished in turn, leaving nothing to show that she had ever existed besides her axe, resting against the tree under which they had met.

A chill ran up his spine as his eyes darted around the trees, looking for any sign of her. Had it not been for the axe that was lying so close to him, the entire encounter could have been a dream. Or perhaps, a brush with the shoulder of the spirit world.

Author's Note: Updated on 06/30/2019