Art of War & Love

Note: Hmm…it's been a while since I've written much of anything. Scratch that, it's been four years. I'm really bad at keeping up with things like this…anyways, I most certainly do not own the Fire Emblem series or whoever made it, although I'm sure it's Intelligent Systems. The only things I own are the characters of my own creation. That's about it. Also, if you haven't played "Fire Emblem: Radiant Dawn", then I recommend researching knowledge of it before continuing on to read this, since this story is based off of it, after all. Either way, enjoy.

Chapter 1: Wandering The Dark

…The world of Tellius didn't change too much from the last war. It was lucky of that commander Ike and his companions to end Ashnard's reign without causing Lehran's Medallion to awaken the "Dark God" within. I chose not to involve myself in the conflict; I had other matters to attend to…but that's not important. I had overheard while I was in the outskirts of Crimea two months ago that Begnion had been given control over Daein, who had lost that bloody war. That conjured a very bad feeling in the pit of my stomach, as it is a military country, as well as the fact that I doubt that any of the good people in Begnion are actually running the place. So, I took it upon myself to travel to Daein myself, and see what had happened.

'Hmm…' I thought to myself. 'I haven't gotten to Nevassa yet. That's odd. Then again, I started walking all the way from the outskirts of Crimea where I first started, since I didn't want to bother Queen Elincia. Oh well, I suppose that explains why I am just about to cross the border into Daein.' And so I continued walking along the dirt road I was in, until I was halted by two soldiers in red armor. They lowered their lances into a position so that I was prevented from proceeding onward.

"You there! What business do you have here?" One of the soldiers asked me, one of his eyebrows raised.

"I only wish to pass through and reach Nevassa. My family resides there…" I lied, as my parents were already dead. The only blood relation I had left was my dragon laguz cousin Meira, and I barred her from accompanying me because I was concerned for her welfare. I didn't want to lose her…

The two soldiers began talking amongst themselves for a brief moment. After discussing, they both turned to me and the other one told me, "Very well then. You may pass."

"I thank you. May you have a nice day," I replied.

"To you as well. Ah, I should warn you of something first."

"Hmm? What is it?" I asked, as I had no clue as to what had occurred in the country after Begnion took over.

"Beware of the Dawn Brigade. They are a group of bandits and insurgents attempting to rebel against us, despite being only mostly teenagers. If you see any of them, especially a silver-haired girl, please let any of us soldiers know."

"…Very well then, I'll keep an eye out. Thank you for the information." I began on my way once more down the path after that blockade. Something bothered me, with what they said. 'Hrm…silver hair? That seems oddly suspicious. I'd best hurry to Nevassa and gather more intel on this Dawn Brigade the soldier mentioned, as well as the state of affairs. At least a few of the soldiers have good hearts.'

A few weeks later…

I finally arrived in Nevassa after so much walking and that confrontation with those Begnion guards. However, it didn't feel the same as it did when I was there a year ago. The air seemed to be filled with a tense sensation, and I didn't like it one bit. I decided to keep my profile hidden as I wandered around the city. It was saddening—no, much worse. The poor people here struggle so much just to keep their families alive…and yet bandits and Begnion continue to siphon what little they have for their own gain; it sickened me to my frozen heart. As I continued through the city into a market, I saw two people, a young teenage boy and girl, conversing amongst each other as if they were waiting for somebody. I immediately shifted my body so that it was against the wall, as what the Begnion soldier told me finally recalled in my brain.

'If you see any of them, especially a silver-haired girl, please let any of us soldiers know.' I cringed at the realization. 'That girl that I saw matched the very same description! Then the boy must be part of the Dawn Brigade as well…hrm…' My thoughts were interrupted by their talking, albeit sort of indirectly.

"Something must have happened to him," the boy exclaimed, slightly loud.

"Don't worry. He'll be here," she replied, attempting to allay his fears.

He started considering something. "Hey, I have an idea…Micaiah, why don't you use your farsight to see when Leonardo will arrive?"

'Farsight?' I thought. 'She is one interesting girl…her abilities don't seem to be human.'

"Edward, you know that's not how it works. I foresee some things, but I don't get to choose what I see," she replied rather icily.

"I was just teasing! Still, Leonardo's never late. Something must have—" He was interrupted when screaming was heard from my direction.

"H-help! Someone, please help us!" A female voice yelled, visually distressed from what I saw when I turned around. Behind her was a young boy, most likely her son. "Bandits! Bandits are attacking the town! Run away! Who knows what the brutes will do if they catch you!"

"Where is the Imperial Occupation Army this time? How can they keep the peace when they're nowhere to be found?" Edward asked, clearly confused.

"Who, the Begnion soldiers?! Hah! They don't care a lick about us! We lost the war, and they won. We're nothing to them. They're only interested in chasing down the Dawn Brigade. They let the real bandits run wild and brutalize us," she said in a sorrowful tone.

His temper flared to a high, as he unsheathed his iron sword from his scabbard. "They're worse than useless! We'll be glad to help you. Just find someplace to hide, and leave those bandits to us." He gestured to the nearest safe building, which happened to be a bell tower.

"And don't worry about us. We happen to be members of that same Dawn Brigade that the Begnion troops are so interested in!" Micaiah chimed in after him so matter-of-factly.

"What! Really?! You guys are in the Dawn Brigade?! Wow, my friends and I talk about you all the time!" The boy exclaimed with unusual energy. His mother, however, only seemed to be filled with shock at what she just heard.

"You? But you're just children! Oh, how Daein has fallen... Children, forced to fight and steal for the good of the poor. But we can't fight the rogues, so we'll take you up on your offer. Please be careful. They'll slice clean through you if they can." She took her son by his hand and they both ran off to the tower for shelter from the raid. As soon as they did, I could sense yelling from across the market.

"Listen up, you louts! This town is nothin' but idiot kids and drooling graybeards. Steal everything you can!" The voice bellowed at the top of his lungs, which caused my ears to twitch.

"Yune, it's dangerous here. Go find someplace safe for now." Micaiah said to a little yellow bird, who promptly fled as soon as she could. "All right, Edward. The usual plan of attack?" She asked him, taking out what looked to be a light tome.

"Yup! You strike the brutes from afar with your magic. But be sure not to get too close to them. Then, I'll move in when they're weak. That's the safest strategy." He told her, nodding simultaneously.

"I'm ready. You and I should be more than a match for them. Let's go!" They charged into the market with their weapons at the ready, leaving me to my own devices.

I thought about it for a minute if I should join the fray; in the end, I decided against it. 'If that is what they wish to do, then I should not have any part in it,' I thought. 'Perhaps they can eliminate those seven bandits and their leader…this should be something to behold.' I decided to trail the duo, moving from stand to stand whenever a bandit fell to their attacks. After about four had fallen, I heard yet another voice behind me.

"Micaiah!" It yelled, loud enough to get her attention.

"Leonardo! How did you find us?" She asked, slightly puzzled.

"A little bird told me. Yours, in fact," he replied, as Yune returned, chirping and flying in circles around Micaiah. "What were you two thinking, taking on these bandits alone? That's beyond reckless." He shook his head while shrugging his shoulders.

"I'm sorry, Leonardo. We couldn't just leave the helpless villagers to these monsters. Please, help us fight them," she pleaded.

"…Alright, if it's for the sake of villagers, then let's go." He grabbed his bow from his back and a couple of arrows and followed them in engaging the enemy.

'An archer too…it seems as though this "Dawn Brigade" is armed fairly well,' I thought, pondering whether or not I should stay here. 'Still, that leader seems formidable…I should assist them. Without making too much of a scene, of course.' I pulled out my dark blade and followed the three, still attempting to not attract their attention. While that happened, they were doing battle against the leader of the bandits, Pugo. As much as it was a three-on-one fight, he proved to be a formidable foe and weakened them with ease.

"Ohohoho! Is that all you can do? Well now, prepare for yer beheadin'!" He raised his iron axe to deliver the fatal blow to Edward, who was severely weakened as a result of numerous wounds.

"Edward!" Micaiah cried out. "No…this can't be happening…"

As soon as I heard her voice, I started dashing and easily caught up to them and deflected his weapon before he could bring the fatality. The axe flew into a nearby wall.

"Eh? Who the hell are ya?" Pugo asked rather rashly.

"Simply a shadow. Nothing more." I told him, readying my blade.

"Well now, a tough foe, by the looks of ye! I'll cut ya into bits with ease!" He retrieved his axe from the wall and began charging at me. I lowered into my fatal slashing stance, as I noticed he left himself wide open for the strike. The dark energy within me started flowing into my blade, endowing it with colossal power.

"This is the end of the line for you."

I lunged forward and slashed at his torso, completely cutting him in two. His remains lay there, limp and not moving in the slightest. I stood up once more and turned around to see the three of them scared out of their minds. I didn't blame them, as only a rare few ever saw what powers I possessed.

Micaiah was the first to stand back up on her own two feet. "Ah…thank you. You saved me and my companions. But if I may ask…who are you?"

"I'm naught but a fallen trueblade, although I can use tomes of all types as well. I am also a renowned tactician. My name is Galzin. You are part of the Dawn Brigade, correct?"

"Yes, my friends are too, Edward and Leonardo." She pointed to the two of them as they were recovering from the scene they saw.

"You're a trueblade!? That's so cool!" The myrmidon said, clearly admiring my skill. I could only laugh a little bit as his expression on his face was a sight to behold.

"Try not to be hyper, Edward. Thank you, I appreciate the help as well. My name is Leonardo, the Dawn Brigade's archer, as you can plainly see." He let out a chuckle as he told me the last part.

"What brings you to Nevassa, Galzin?" She asked me, curious about why I existed here at this time. However, just as I was about to explain myself, a Begnion soldier decided to appear at just the opportune moment.

"You there! What are you doing? Stop immediately!" He bellowed, immediately putting us in a compromising position.

"Well, well, well. Look who decided to show up...Begnion soldiers. They certainly took their time, didn't they?"

"Hmph, they take forever to catch on, it seems…" I let out a demented chuckle at that fact.

"We mustn't be caught. Micaiah! Edward! Make a break for it. Run!" Leonardo yelled, telling them the obvious. Edward immediately followed him as he started making an escape.

Micaiah paused just as she was about to start running. "Wait! Galzin, can you come with us? I think you might be able to assist us in our situation. That, and I want to know why you're in Daein right now."

I considered my options right now, as I just interfered in their affairs. I realized that I might find something useful if I lent them my aid, as well as the fact that I was probably now branded an enemy. "Yes, I will. I would be glad to assist you." I began running in pursuit of those two, with Micaiah lagging slightly behind me. 'I've complied with helping the Dawn Brigade…this might be interesting, to say the least. Perhaps I could run into somebody that knows me there…'

End of Chapter 1

Ah…that's a nice return to writing for me. As usual, review if you wish and give me feedback and suggestions as to plot relations to Galzin, I would be happy to consider them. This story will replace my original trainwreck known as "Death and Life", so yeah. Either way, good day to you all. :)