The Tactician's past
By Type-00
Mark looked around, seeing all his companion's from the battle against Nergal and the Black Fang. It had been three years since that fateful battle. Everyone had gone their separate ways, and this had been he first time since they had been able to have a reunion.
Eliwood was talking animatedly with Hector about matters of Lycia. Lyn seemed to be paying attention, but Mark could easily see that she would much rather be talking with Florina.
Florina was in a similar situation, being trapped with her older sisters, the calm Fiora, and the currently drunk Farina.
"C'mon! Have a drink!" Farina was busy trying to force ale upon her sisters, both who seemed to be assisting her and trying to escape. Isadora headed over, and after a few words, dragged Farina out of the room to sober up. As he watch them leave, Mark's quiet observations were interrupted by the sudden appearance of Matthew.
"Enjoying yourself?" the thief asked with a smirk on his face. "I supposed so, I've just had a lot on my mind lately…" Mark sighed, knowing that he was opening a box that should be kept shut, but he needed to get it off his chest. "Things on your mind such as what?" "I haven't had much work lately, and I've heard a lot of unrest throughout the lands around Lycia." Matthew glanced at the tactician, and pushed him a bit further. "What else? I can feel that your holding something back." "My past…" Matthew paused for a second, and before he could voice another question, an explosion of noise and activity diverted the attention of everyone in the room.
"Bandits! Bandits are attacking the town!" The room was suddenly filled with activity, people drawing their weapons, mounting their steeds, double checking supplies, and general preparations for battle. Finally, Mark organized them into a form of order, and they began the quickly advance.
Matthew felt anxious for some reason, sensing that whatever was bothering Mark would come to head in the approaching battle. Mark had banished all thoughts of their interrupted conversation, focusing on the coming conflict. When they arrive, he immediately stopped, sensing something was very wrong. The field was too quiet, no sign of bandits anywhere. It didn't feel like an ambush, but something was wrong none the less.
The combatants felt the unease as well. They moved cautiously through the streets, taking heed of Mark's quietly murmured instructions. Serra was the first to discover why it was so quiet, and her gasp drew the attention of everyone. When they arrived, most of them froze in horror at the scene before them.
Al of the bandits had been brutally killed. Each of them wore an expression of total fear on his face. The street seemed to ooze blood; it was so thick upon it. The trail of dead lead to the center of town, where Matthew's sharp ears picked up the sound of begging. As the leading warriors turned the corner, they all heard a scream echo through the alleys. In the middle of the town square, a cloaked figure had just finished killing the bandit leader, his face as terror stricken as his men's.
Hector burst forward, shouting, demanding answers to half formed questions. "Who are you! Why did you kill them this way! Why are you here?" The figure made no move to answer or acknowledge the Great Lord. Hector continued to demand answers, everyone else seeming to be content to let him represent their own questions. The figure still said nothing, and Hector's fury got the best of him. With a roar of anger, he charged. The figure made no move to stop him until the Axe was almost hitting him. No one followed what happened at that moment, but the next thing anyone could see, Hector was lying in the ground, his neck under the figure's foot. The figure kicked him, then proceeded through the ranks of the army. The actions it had performed caused them to allow its passage, even avoiding its touch. As it passed Mark, the figure whispered something in his ear. What Mark heard caused him to stiffen as all his fears were realized. By the time he turned to demand answers, the figure had disappeared. What it had said caused all of Mark's fears to be realized.
"It's been a long time, little brother."
Here we go. 1 of the 4 fics I planned to post. This one was already written, so it went up first. 3 more planned to post up, but might just be one or two. Vote for which I should continue along with Shinji Tokisaka!