Engulfed by Darkness,

Ice Kestrel: I think this is my first fanfiction… huh. The first to be published actually. I'm working on at least six different ones at the same time (not such a good idea). Hope I did justice on this one. Part 2 and 3 to be up soon. Real soon.

Disclaimer- I do not own Fire Emblem, I merely play the games.

--

She thought he would be startled by her intimidating appearance but he didn't so much as bat an eyelash at her feral presence.

She believed he would fall for her charm, much like his predecessors had, to their somewhat demise, but he only silenced her with a cold glare from his golden piercing eyes.

She sought to uncover his true character hidden beneath his monstrous acts, but he shrouded himself further in his own darkness, away from her shining light.

She was drawn to him.

He did not acknowledge her existence.

This is their story.

--

"I'm soooooooooooo bored!" a voice whined from somewhere among the foliage.

The leaves rustled as a gentle breeze wound through the forest, the air silent, save the chirpings of a few birds. A lone cleric sat perched daintily on the edge of a large rock, fiddling with the azure staff in her hands. It had been trying her patience, her new assignment; Lord Hector had ordered her to remain behind, away from danger as he led the front lines in a direct assault against the enemies. Being a healer as opposed to a fighter, Serra's skills would be put to greater use behind their lines, attending to the wounded and out of any opponent's striking distance.

Serra sighed once more, as she pondered why nothing could spark her interest; it would be a long day after all.

--

Karel peered over the branch on which he sat, his bored gaze scanning the battlefield below him. None of them were worth his time, he concluded.

He perked up at the sound of faint footsteps behind him, his right hand instinctively reaching for the scarlet blade by his side.

The feast has begun.

He crouched low on the branch, doing one final sweep of his surroundings, and slipped off into the forest.

The woods had become eerily silent as Karel progressed deeper into the dense undergrowth, his steps silent, his breath held.

There.

The swordmaster closed his eyes, all senses alert, as he stood rigid along a tall oak tree. With both hands on the hilt of his sword, Karel pulled back into position.

………

………

Now.

The Sword Demon leapt into action, his sword a mere blur in an intricate pattern of flashes. It was all part of one smooth line of movement, a dance really, as Karel wove in and out of the woods. Up, down, slash, whirl, twist, turn, and… pause.

Karel turned around, his eyes now opened and narrowed as he looked over the corpses that littered the clearing. The sword in his hand was stained as it dripped, coloring the green grass a brilliant shade of red.

He turned around, and looked straight into the eyes of a startled cleric, her mouth agape.

She screamed. Really really loudly. He almost winced.

--

"What do you mean, no?!" Serra demanded angrily. "I want him gone, now!"

Hector winced as he rubbed his aching head. "I'm sorry, Serra, but he's an invaluable member of our army."

It was true, as the swordmaster had single-handedly obliterated an entire raiding party without breaking a sweat.

"His skills are legendary, and greatly needed among our ranks. Besides," Hector added, his eyebrow raised, "he did save your life back there."

"Lord Hector!" the cleric whined, "He's disturbed, and icky, and he scares me! How can I work with those evil eyes staring at me all the time? It ruins my beauty and my concentration!" She sniffed pitifully and whimpered. "How can you do this to me? I've been the perfect help to you and this is how you repay me?"

Hector threw his hands up in frustration. "For the last time, Serra, No. Karel is here as a part of our group. Stay away from him, and do your job." With that, the armored lord bid her farewell and took leave.

--

While the rest of the company retired to their tents after dark, Karel preferred sitting out next to the campfire, under the stars. The sentries on duty for the night were smart as to leave him in peace and not bother him; no one dared approach the Sword Demon in fear of his skill, and his thirst for blood. The rumors spreading across camp like a wildfire did not help much with the matter either.

It was here that Serra chose to determinedly march up to Karel and give him a piece of her mind.

The swordmaster sat unmoving, his back turned to the others as he synchronized to the rhythm of the night's tranquilities.

"You there! Karel!"

The shrill voice brought his distasteful gaze onto the cleric who stood a few feet away, her arms crossed, her foot tapping impatiently.

"Who do you think you are? I'll have you know there are ways things run around here, and as the dutiful cleric of this company, it is my responsibility to inform you of such things. As senior cleric here, you must keep away from me. However, you must also follow all of my orders and do my every bidding. Furthermore-"

"I do not waste time on one of no significance to me."

Serra paused, her face twisted in rage as she shrieked, "What did you say?!"

Karel did not look at her, but continued in a quiet tone, "You do not interest me; you possess no skills in fighting, whether among the weapons or magical arts. I sense no potential in you whatsoever, so stop wasting your time and leave."

By now, Serra had become quite red in the face. "You- you are sooooooooo annoying! What, you do nothing but fight?"

Karel scoffed. "If you insist on being difficult, then by all means, show me you can prove some sort of challenge to satiate my boredom. Prove to me I am wrong and you truly are worth my time."

"You," Serra screamed at him, "are insufferable. Ergh! I am so fed up with you!" She stormed off muttering to herself through clenched teeth.

From the tree where he sat, watching the whole thing, Matthew could have sworn the Sword Demon was smiling.

--

"Lucius!! Get over here now!"

The befuddled monk frantically pushed his way out of his tent, his eyes wide as he approached the fuming cleric. "Y-yes, Sister Serra?"

"Teach me how to use light magic. NOW!"

--

Ice Kestrel: Special thanks to SpeedDemon315 for this challenge. Review! Flame if you must but give a solid reason. Flame and hate randomly and you will see death at the blade of the Black Fang assassins. You have been warned. :D