Fire Emblem:
Flow of Destiny
Author's Introduction - Hello everyone! Welcome to the first chapter of my story, which is a sequel to Fire Emblem: Radiant Dawn. I have only recently had the pleasure of playing it and its excellent predecessor, Path of Radiance. Both are excellent, and I was deeply drawn to the engrossing story and fascinating characters of the world of Tellius. However, the ending of RD left a lot of unanswered questions and unexplored themes which I believe provide more than an ample supply of material for a new and exciting entry in the Tellian saga. Many original characters return, with some fresh faces and additional elements that I hope will enrich the experience. As always, I welcome your comments and constructive criticism. Thank you, and enjoy the story!
Part 1 – The Shattered Path
Water remembers. Whether as part of a surging wave or the lifeblood of a newborn child, it remembers everything of which it has been part - miraculous creation one moment and incomprehensible destruction the next. It is a mute and indifferent witness to what our planet was, is, and will be. Most of its secrets will be forever hidden from us. But there are some secrets which are like water itself - refusing to remain buried, resisting tenaciously against the forces that constrain them. They will push and prod incessantly until they burst forth in a fearful geyser, imposing themselves upon accepted reality, merging with it, reshaping it forever in an unceasing flow.
Bythinius – Survivor of the Great Flood, former advisor in the Court of her Highness the Holy Altina
Chapter 1 – Unexpected Encounters
The sharp, cracking noise yanked Ike out of his roiling thoughts back to the sharp focus of reality. He quickly straightened his tall hefty frame from against the oak tree, hand on his weapon. The young warrior then surveyed his surroundings with a trained, steady gaze as he sought out the source of the disturbance.
To his right the nighttime shadows mingled with dense forest, concealing everything within its boundaries in a hopeless obscurity. He shifted his gaze forward into the camp itself where a flickering campfire danced lazily off a patchwork of tents. Nothing. His eyes roved straight ahead over the tops of the tents, past the dozing horses, to the dotted colonnade of trees spilling out from the dense woodland. Beyond the scattered black sentinels he could make out glowing flickers of light where Elincia and her retinue were camped, but he did not see anything out of the ordinary. He followed the curtain of trees up until it was abruptly sliced off by the dusty trail that had led them out of Sienne, winding its way through the countryside like a lazy serpent sliding towards the west. Pushing against the opposite side of the trail was more thick, leafy murkiness.
Ike scanned the area several times, trying to see or hear anything that didn't belong. But there was nothing. He gritted his teeth as he stabbed the ground forcefully with his sword. Dang it, why did they have to camp here? There were so many places an enemy could hide! Ike had wanted to push ahead and camp out in open country, but when they had come along these clearings he was besieged with requests to stop. It was late, and the restive surge brought on by intense battle was quickly ebbing, and in its place an overwhelming fatigue was settling in. Besides, Mist had argued, hadn't they won? Ashera and her followers were beaten. The threat was over.
But that doesn't mean the world is a safe place, Ike thought to himself as he looked around one more time. There were still bandits and cutthroats and goddess knows what that could still be out there…. Suddenly something, he didn't know quite what, made him stop his anxious examination of his surroundings. He looked down at his sword, sticking absurdly in the ground, and then down at himself, still fully arrayed for battle in his gear – his scratched, torn, dented, and scorched gear. He chuckled to himself, realizing for the first time in weeks just how tired he felt. Through his weariness, he recalled one of the first lessons his father had taught him about being a mercenary - An exhausted mind in an exhausted body can create enemies out of shadows.
He ran his fingers through his spikey blue hair and sighed, trying to remember the last time he had rested without worrying about being woken up surrounded by fanatical hordes anxious to kill him, but in vain. Looking up at the position of the moon, he realized it was about time for Titania to take over the watch. But before that, there was something he had to do. He tramped his way through the cluster of tents until he arrived at the one he had thrown together a few hours earlier. Silently, as a cooling spring breeze blew over the camp, he slowly began to remove his battle gear. He began with the cumbersome shoulder plates, loosening them and sliding them off, before working his way downwards. Finally, Ike threw the last piece inside where it landed with a soft thud on his blanket.
He let out a huge breath, closing his heavy eyelids as he was pleasantly overcome by a feeling of alleviating lightness that swept through his body and into his mind. The sensation led him to recall a conversation he had had with Soren earlier in the evening in which he had made some wild speculations about the future. But now that he thought about it, maybe they weren't so crazy. Maybe they were just what he needed. But for the moment he needed to rest, and before that, Titania had to be awakened. He proceeded to pad lightly towards where his deputy commander was resting. As he made his way along, a slight whipping sound caught his ear. He looked over towards a tent he knew to belong to Mist, and observed upon closer examination that the opening flaps, instead of being fastened shut, were fluttering loosely in the wind. He frowned. It wasn't like his sister to be so careless. He looked inside.
It was empty.
A myriad of possible scenarios were scurrying through Ike's brain when he heard another snapping noise. This time he was able to pinpoint it – it was coming from somewhere in the trees that separated the two camps. His reason told him that is was probably Mist. She was most likely just taking care of some personal business, and any minute now she would be back. But even as he was telling himself this, images of less likely but disturbing possibilities continued to filter through his head, scattering doubt over his rational explanation. Finally, mentally berating himself, he spun back towards his tent and grabbed his sword belt, fastening it around his waist as he headed toward the dark, brooding pillars.
As he pushed his way hurriedly through tangled brush and around the rough, passive columns his ear picked up what sounded like light footsteps. He came to a sudden stop and listened closely to the sound as they faded off to the south. "Mist?" he called out, but there was no answer. Muttering to himself, he altered his course toward the south and set out once again.
Before he had gone very far, he stumbled upon what appeared to be the ruins of a small chapel. The wooden roof had rotted away long ago, leaving only crumbling yet obstinate stone walls. Ike was about to pass it by when he thought he heard a hushed whispering noise from inside. Deciding to investigate, he entered through the gaping, arched doorway.
Once inside Ike scrutinized the interior. Strong, streaming moonlight pushed though the verdant canopy above him, coating everything it touched in silky luminescence. Layers of forest debris crunched underneath his boots as he moved forward toward the weary remains of the altar, a worn statue of Ashera standing watch over it. Old and faded as it was, Ike could still make out the faint traces of a smile on her face as she stretched out her arms to welcome her faithful. Not a very accurate representation, Ike thought to himself as he reflected on his death struggle with Ashera, only a few hours old. He listened carefully, but all he could hear was the wind nudging its way through the fluttering leaves and a few scattered insects rehearsing their summer chorus.
"Dang it, I don't have time for this!" he grumbled, throwing his arms to his side.
"Ike", a feminine voice called out. It was childlike, yet imbued with ageless maturity. Ike spun around, drawing his sword as he did so, trying to determine where the voice had come from.
"Mist?", he replied, taking a step towards the entrance, "Are you messing with me? Come on, this isn't funny. I'm tired, and we have long day tomorrow."
"Ike," the voice called out again, this time from directly behind him. "Mist," he growled as he turned around, "I really don't…"
His next words bid a hasty retreat back down his throat, for it wasn't Mist standing before him.
A tall, diaphanous form flitted where the statue had been, shrouded in white. Her delicate features, like her voice, was a curious blend of eternal wisdom and playful innocence. Its corporeal yet translucent head was adorned by drifting locks of faded scarlet. Although he had never seen the figure before, he could recognize both the simple playfulness of a recent friend and the implacable resolution of a recent foe in her, now brought together in ethereal unity.
"Ashunera," he mouthed unconsciously.
The figure seemed to nod slightly, although it was hard to tell with her unsteady undulations. Sanaki and Micaiah had suspected that something like this might happen, but to see it before him… Ashera, the goddess of order, and Yune, goddess of chaos were once again merged into the form of the creation goddess standing right here before him. Standing before this eternally powerful being, part of whom had help to save the continent of Tellius while the other half nearly destroying it, caused a blur of tangling emotions which swirled together and knotted his words, leaving him speechless.
"Ike, my brave hero, why are you here?" she asked, as a troubled smile crossed her features. "You were not the one I was seeking."
If Ike wasn't half-convinced that this was only a dream, he would have been rather insulted. "I was just thinking the same thing myself," he muttered before he could think, but the figure did not seem to be offended. In fact, she didn't seem to be responsive at all. He studied her more closely, and noticed that although she flitted over the ground like a nervous butterfly, there was an aura of heaviness around her. Her arms were drooped listlessly at her sides, and her face bore the expression of one who was struggling to maintain concentration.
"Is something wrong?" he inquired. "Are you sick?" He furrowed his brow. "Can you even get sick?"
The smile disappeared. "I have little strength left. I have spent my energy warring against myself and my beloved people."
"Then you should be—. "
"I am here because I must be here. I must retrieve it."
"Retrieve what?"
"The Fire Emblem. I must have it back."
Ike blinked rapidly. He hadn't thought about the Fire Emblem for – how long had it been now? "But why? I mean, it's worthless now, isn't it? Now that you're…together again?"
"It may yet have value, due to an error I made."
Ike frowned. "An error?"
"Explanations would be fatal now. Bring it to me."
"Isn't it still in Daein?" He briefly considered the demands of the request. "It will take me weeks to get there. Couldn't you just flash there or something and get it?"
She shook her head. "No, it is very close, and I must have it. Now." Her gaze turned into a frigid glare, and a slight shade of crimson filtered through her features. The wind seemed to pick up slightly, and on it Ike thought he smelled the slight hint of rain.
"Hey, hey," Ike said, as he took a step back, hands raised defensively. "Don't worry, wherever it is, I'll find it for you, okay? Just please, try to stay calm."
The tension faded from her features and she now regarded him now as a parent who had just gambled away all their money would stare at their hungry child. "I am so sorry, my brave hero, but I am so tired." She shook her head mournfully. "It wasn't supposed to be this way. If only I had been more generous, this would not be happening, and everything would be…" But as she was speaking her eyes had welled with liquid, shimmering blue, and she left the thought unfinished as she cupped her head in her hands and sobbed softly.
Ike took another step backward, wishing that the sword in his hand was Ragnell. What should he do? What possible use could she have for the fire emblem now, if it could even still be called that? Had the reunification been too much for her? Did she want to separate again? He considered for a moment the unthinkable possibility that he was witnessing a goddess crumbling into madness. No, he admonished himself as he sliced through his troubling thoughts, I only need time to sort this out, and for that I need her confidence. He straightened and looked directly ahead at Ashunera, his features dominated by a familiar self-assurance. "I promise, I'll get it and bring it here as fast as I can, okay?"
She lifted her head and opened her mouth to speak, when suddenly she was seized with a violent trembling. She shot a sharp glance one way, then another, then right back at him with large, popping eyes. "It is too late for that now. She is on her way. You must go with – "
But Ike heard no more as he was seized with a violent chill, as if he had been swallowed by a cold, heavy cloud. He stumbled back, the inexorable, oppressive force of it pushing him to his knees, pressing against his back like a falling boulder, leaving him struggling for breath. He fought to stand, to turn his head, but it was futile. He was fused in place, struggling to draw in scant, insufficient whiffs of air as the ground began to blur and fade away.
But then the pressure was lifted, gone as if it had never been there. "What in the hell was that?" he asked as he picked himself up and looked around, inhaling deeply.
But Ashunera was gone, and the fading statue was once again smiling blankly at him. He reached out his hand to feel it, but nothing greeted him but the grainy roughness of the stone. As he stood there pondering what had just happened, a slight scuffling noise caused him to whirl around towards the door. Before him, standing in the entryway, was another white clad figure. But this one was undeniably solid, with feet firmly planted on the ground, a gleaming weapon at the ready. Ike tensed and raised his own weapon, trying to identify the shadow-flecked form. Was this one of the Disciples of Order that they had missed? If that was the case then reason would not work, he would have to finish it quick. He was preparing to charge it when he detected a familiar fragrance gliding on the breeze. It was resolute, yet gentle, and drew in his mind the image of a Pegasus galloping through wildflowers. He lowered his sword, speaking with certainty the name of the figure facing him.
"Elincia"
The figure stepped forward out of the gloom into the calming illumination of the moonlight, allowing Ike to make out the battered yet defiant regalia of the House of Crimea that contrasted smoothly with the emerald tresses that crowned her slender visage. She slowly approached him, not with the arrogant stride one might expect of royalty, but rather with quiet, confident steps. She sheathed her weapon as she neared him, regarding him with large, worried eyes.
"My lord Ike," Elincia spoke as she came to a stop a few feet from him, arms clasped together over her chest as if she were praying. "Are you all right?"
"What? Yeah I'm fine, fine as anything that can be fine, that's me" he sputtered as he clumsily put away his own weapon, the memory of his unsettling encounter sloshing around in his brain like a child in a rain puddle, muddying his thoughts. "So, uh, what are you doing out here?"
She continued to watch him. "Well, I couldn't sleep, so I was having a walk around our campsite when I thought I heard what sounded like your voice through the trees."
"Oh," Ike muttered, gritting his teeth when he realized how close he had wandered to the Crimean camp, silently cursing himself for his stupidity. "I'm sorry Elincia, I didn't mean to scare you."
"I wouldn't say I was scared, just a little concerned," she replied as she glanced around the ruined structure, sighing softly. "I love places like this. They're so full of charm and history."
Ike grunted. "You really think so? After everything that has happened?"
Elincia smiled. "Oh, Ike, you just have to have a little imagination. Just think about the joy of the people who once gathered here to celebrate important times in their lives, like a new child or…young couples pledging themselves to each other," she remarked as she studied the moss-draped walls.
"But it was all based on a lie, wasn't it?"
"Perhaps, but that didn't make the people's happiness any less real."
"I don't expect to see a lot of happiness when people find out what's really been going on."
Elincia turned her attention back to him. "Of course there will be anger once the truth becomes known. They were lied to, deeply and horribly. But I believe that the anger will subside as they come to understand the whole story, the mistakes made on both sides. Then I believe that something amazing will happen - the people of Tellius will come to have faith in something stronger and richer than what came before. Just as Ashera and Yune together make up Ashunera, the people of Tellius will come together in peaceful unity to live their lives with greater purpose." Her eyes were shimmering with imagined possibilities. "And who knows? Maybe this place could once again bear witness to…important events."
Ike glanced back at the Ashera statue, which was covered in a dappled mix of light and shadow. "I don't know. Maybe some things shouldn't be rebuilt. Some things should just be allowed to disappear."
Elincia opened her mouth to say something, then merely exhaled softly as she let her hands drop down to her sides. "Anyway, I thought I heard you talking to someone." She took a step closer, scrutinizing the dark crevices in the back of the structure carefully as she did so. "Did I…interrupt something?" she asked with a degree of hesitation.
Ike's forehead wrinkled. "So you didn't see her?"
For a moment Ike thought he saw a twitch in her features, but in the limited light it was difficult to tell. "See who, Ike? What is going on here?" she asked in a slightly elevated tone as she folded her arms tightly against her midriff, her face remaining a perfect image of serenity.
"What? Nothing," he assured her as he scratched the back of his head. Why did it suddenly feel like he was back in the Kauku caves, standing next to a lava pool? "Well, there might be something. It's Mist, she wasn't in camp, and I thought she might have gotten lost out here, and I came to look for her."
Elincia unfolded her arms as she relaxed her pose. "Oh," she replied. She glanced to her left, then her right, a thoughtful look on her face. "I don't see how that's possible Ike. I mean each of us can see the other's camp through the trees, correct? The worst she could have done is wander over to our side."
"Well, you know Mist and her dubious sense of direction. She could get lost in the royal gardens."
"Ike!" she chided, trying to conceal a smile. "That's not very nice."
He shrugged. "It's not about being nice; it's about being honest."
The smile broadened. "Well if we're being honest, then I feel I must point out that Mist wasn't the only one who could get lost on the palace grounds from time to time."
Ike cleared his throat as he shifted slightly. "I thought we both agreed not to discuss that…incident anymore."
"Incident? Is that what you call the time you got lost trying to raid the castle kitchens at midnight, and ended up hopelessly lost?"
Ike cleared his throat slightly as the event in question poked at his memory. "I vaguely recall I might have gotten turned around a bit. But nothing serious."
"Well maybe not, until one of the guards mistook you for an assassin and sounded the alarm. Lucia laughed about that for a week."
A slight grin cracked through the cloud in his expression. "Hey, it wasn't my fault! It was so dark and I just got mixed up with all those halls and floors and everything. Besides, I wasn't entirely to blame for that."
"Oh?"
"Yeah, that's right. You should have had better lighting in the castle. A fellow could get hurt, you know."
Elincia assumed an air of mock seriousness, and bowed slightly to him. "Forgive me, my lord Ike, you are indeed correct. Had I been informed that you would be going on a midnight kitchen run, I would have had every candle and torch in the castle lit to guide…" but she was unable to finish as she was interrupted by a fit of giggling.
Even Ike couldn't help but chuckle. Without him realizing it, the tension of recent events had quietly disappeared as he casually leaned against a tree and watched Elincia bring herself under control.
"I guess it's a good thing you did get lost, or we might not have had any food left for the festival the next day," she said finally, wiping a tear away from her eye.
"Oh yeah, the Liberation day banquet. Yeah I remember that. It was the last time I had honey spiced ham before—."
He stopped himself, as a blanket of unpleasant memories wrapped itself around the pair, smothering them in strained silence. The tension reasserted itself, and the grins were pushed away by the remembrance of old and new concerns. There they stood together in the old, lonely chapel, staring at each other.
"Anyway," Ike said, decisively cutting through the unease as he gestured with his sword to the south. "I heard footsteps heading in that direction. "I'm going to go have a look, just to make sure."
Elincia nodded. "I'll go with you."
He shook his head. "I can handle it myself. Besides, you should get back to your camp before they send out search parties for you."
"I doubt it. Makalov is on guard duty, and he's probably daydreaming about how to win his next card game. Everyone else is asleep, and thinks that I am too. Besides, what's the worst that could happen? Probably a lecture from Lucia about how queens should not be traipsing around in the woods after dark."
Ike cocked an eyebrow. "Traipsing?"
"Oh, you know what I mean. Anyway, time is precious. Mist is like a sister to me, and I won't be able to rest until I know she's all right."
"Okay, let's get started traipsing that way and…."
His words were interrupted by a distant yet angry screeching of metal clashing against metal.
