War of the Steel Lions
I'm not sure if this will even become a story but I got the idea on my head and I needed to get it out so here it is.
I won't give a summary or anything like that, just let you read it.
Disclaimer: I don't own The Legend of Heroes or any of its characters.
White
That was the only color that any human could see.
Of course, considering the blizzard that only showed signs of getting stronger from here on out, that was hardly surprising.
Any people that were to try and travel in the middle of it would have to be either an idiot or have literally no other choice.
The two hooded figures wearing matching brown cloaks that were slowly walking forward belonged to the second category.
"Are you okay?" The one at the front asked, judging from the voice it was a girl and with her height she would have to be in her teens or early twenties at most.
"Y-Yes, don't worry". The other person answered, their voice identified him as a male of more or less the same age as his companion. "Do you think this blizzard will stop any time soon?"
"I don't know. It started out of nowhere". The girl answered. "We should find a place to rest and wait it out".
"Y-yeah".
"We could help you with that". A third voice was heard making the two jump in surprise.
Before they knew it three men wearing armor, two holding rifles and one a great sword he held with both hands, surrounded them.
"Wh-what is…?!" The boy trailed off in a panic.
'Those are orbal rifles, why do they have them?!' The girl wondered.
"Now, now, no reason to panic". The man holding the sword said. "Just come with us peacefully and there will be no reason to hurt you". Much, the look on the three men said more than what the apparent leader spoke.
The two teenagers walked towards one another, ending up back to back and held each other's hand as the men slowly walked closer.
'What's gonna happen to u-?'
BANG.
Their thoughts were interrupted by the sound of a bullet been shot.
Shocked by the sudden sound, their eyes went to their bodies thinking that the shot was meant for them.
Thud.
That was proven wrong when one of the armored men holding a rifle fell to the ground, blood dripping from his head and into the ground.
BANG.
Before anyone could actually register what had happened another bullet was heard and the other men with a rifle fell death.
"What the hell-?!"
The third men was interrupted, not by a bullet, but by a new hooded figure wearing a white cloak that camouflaged them with the snow, that appeared seemingly out of nowhere with a sword on his hands and stabbed him in the heart, instantly killing him.
The hooded figure took his sword out of the thief's lifeless body, which fell to the ground, staining the white snow red like his two companions, cleaned the blood off his sword by doing one quick swing and sheathed it on his waist.
Then they turned to the two victims of the incident that were on their knees trembling in both fear and shock at what they just saw and walked towards them.
"Are you okay?" The new hooded figure asked as he kneeled to be at their level, by his voice the two could tell that he was a man, most likely older than them if his height was anything to go by.
"Y-yes". The girl answered slowly.
"That's good". He said with a sigh of relief. "It's dangerous to stay out here with this blizzard, would you like to come with me to my hometown?"
The two youngsters looked at each other for a minute before looking at their savior again and nodding.
"Good, can you two walk?"
Once again they nodded and stood up.
The man made a signal with his hand, probably to whoever fired those bullets before, and started to walk signaling to follow him.
The walk was slow due to the blizzard but eventually they reached a forest.
"E-excuse me?" The girl of the two travelers called out. "Is it much longer?"
"Just a little longer, give or take five minutes and we will be there".
"A-all right". She said.
"Watch out down there". A new voice, clearly male, said before out of nowhere a fourth hooded figure with the same cloak as the swordsman appeared from above having a sniper rifle attached to his back, having jumped down from a tree, and startled the ones that weren't aware of his presence. "Oh, don't worry, I'm with him". He said pointing with both index fingers to the first white cloak wearing male making them sigh in relief.
"Any problems?"
"None that I could see, it seems those three were alone".
"Let's hope so". After that exchange they resumed their walk.
Like the swordsman had said before it took them around five minutes till they reached a town.
At first glance there was nothing remarkable about it; luckily the blizzard had subsided quite a bit so it could actually be seen.
The first thing that one could see was a footbath in the middle of the town, its water still warm as the vapor proved it.
There was a funicular station directly on the opposite side from where the four entered and several buildings that were either houses or stores of some kind.
One building, though, stood out from the others; above a small steep there was a mansion with two floors of height and at least four rooms plus an entrance hall of width.
"Come on". The two new arrivals couldn't look around the town much longer as the swordsman called out for them to keep walking and guided them to the mansion.
"Woof, woof".
The four looked in the direction of the barks and saw a dog with thick black fur, except for his legs, most of his tail, belly and face that was white, walk towards them.
"Hey Badeaux". The swordsman greeted as he kneeled and pet his head. "Dad must be back home if you're here, right?"
"Woof". Although no one could actually talk dog everyone interpreted his bark as 'yes'.
"Good, these two are guests so no scaring them, got it?" He got another bark like the previous one in response. "Let's go inside".
The four entered the mansion as Badeaux stood at one side of the door standing guard.
The entrance hall of the mansion was pretty simple, there were two doors at each side taking to different rooms and two set of stairs one pressing to the left and the other to the right to the second floor.
A red rug in the floor before the stairs, and a small space in between the two sets had a green rug with what looked like the emblem for the family that lived there.
Said emblem was a white venison in a black and orange background split in the middle, the upper side been black and the lower one orange.
The emblem could also be seen in a banner right in the opposite wall from the entrance.
"We're back!"
"Rean". A girl with long dark purple hair and light blue eyes answered as she made her way downstairs, she was wearing a white dress with the skirt at around her knees, a dark purple sash, a red handkerchief held by a blue brooch, black leggings and white shoes.
"Hey Elise". The swordsman, Rean, answered. "We're back".
"Welcome home". She greeted the two males before noticing the hooded people behind them.
"They were about to be robbed in the middle of the blizzard, we rescued them and Rean offered to bring them here". The still unidentified male answered her unspoken question.
"I see". Elise said before straightening her posture. "Welcome to the town of Ymir, my name is Elise Schwarzer, daughter of Baron Teo Schwarzer; it's a pleasure to make your acquaintance".
"Likewise".
"N-nice to meet you". The girl and boy answered in that order.
"I thought I heard someone". Another female voice said from, now opened, the door to the left.
It was a woman, most likely Elise's mother as their features were more or less the same, wearing a white buttoned shirt covered by a vest, a white apron along her waist and a golden shawl draped around her.
"Welcome back, you two".
"I'm back, mom". Rean said taking off the hood from his cloak revealing unkempt black hair and light fuchsia eyes. "Where is dad? I saw Badeaux outside"
"He is taking care of a few minor business at the Phoenix wings, he should be back soon; but I heard what you said from the kitchen, come here I'll give you something to eat". The woman said.
"Thanks". The sniper said also taking off his hood, showing his wild white hair with a black bandanna on his forehead and red eyes. "Have the others returned yet?"
"Not yet Crow, they sent a message saying that it may take them a couple more days". Elise answered as everyone made their way to the kitchen.
"I see". Was Crow's only response as he and Rean took off their cloaks and hanged them near the door along with their weapons.
Crow was wearing a dark grey-violet overcoat jacket with a few light brown belt-straps over the shoulders and around the waist, a red shirt vest underneath, grey brown pants, magenta color boots and black gloves.
Rean, on the other hand, wore a long red overcoat with a black shirt underneath, black pants and brown boots.
Soon enough everyone was sitting at the table eating a stew made by Rean and Elise's mother.
The two strangers slowly ate it but it seemed they were forcing themselves to not chow it down quickly.
"I don't believe I have introduced myself yet, my name is Lucia Schwarzer and I'm Baron Schwarzer's wife". Lucia said after everyone finished eating.
"It's a pleasure to meet you". The girl said taking off her hood revealing a beautiful girl around Elise's age with long, wavy blond hair and blue eyes. "My name is Alice Lenheim and this is my twin brother Charles".
Charles also took off his hood showing similar features to his sister, the only difference been their faces and that his hair was short.
"Nice to meet you". He said with a respectful nod.
"You're just kids". Crow murmured a bit sad, he already suspected as much giving their builds but this confirmed it.
"Could you tell us why you were walking through that blizzard?" Rean asked calmly.
"We were escaping". Alice answered immediately. "The town we were staying at was attacked and we were forced to run".
"What about your relatives?" Crow asked next.
"Our older brother was with us but we got separated as we ran". Once again Alice was the one to answer.
"And your parents?" Elise asked this time.
"We were separated from them before that town". Charles joined the conversation. "We don't know where they are right now".
"You poor things". Lucia said with a sad sigh. "Well, you are welcome to stay in Ymir if you want".
Before they could answer the sound of the door opening was heard.
"Oh, I didn't know we had guests". A man with brown short hair wearing a brown vest with a white shirt underneath, black pants and brown boots said, the dog Badeaux at his side.
"Welcome home". Everyone but Alice and Charles greeted.
"I'm back". He said with a smile before walking to the head of the table and taking a seat. "I'm Baron Teo Schwarzer, may I ask who you are?"
Everyone took turns to tell him the story.
"I see". The Baron said with closed eyes before frowning. "I would love to give you a place to stay but I'm afraid the Phoenix wings and our local inn are both full".
"Really?"
"I'm afraid so, some people have started to sleep on the couches". Teo said with a solemn nod.
"Why don't they stay here, at least for tonight?" Elise said suddenly. "They were just in the middle of a blizzard and almost robbed, we should make sure they get to sleep on a bed at least for tonight".
"Oh, we wouldn't want to-".
"That's a good idea". Rean supported, interrupting Alice. "It can't be permanent but they deserve a good night's rest".
"You are a pair of softies". Crow said with a playful grin. "Not that I disagree".
"Well, I guess that's that". Teo said smiling proudly. "We don't have enough beds, though".
"They can take my room". The daughter of Baron Schwarzer immediately answered. "I'll sleep in one of the other ones, I'm sure the others will understand".
"W-we appreciate it but-".
"She's right". Once more Rean interrupted, this time to the male twin.
"Now, now, before we decide that we should talk about it with our guests". Lucia said before turning to said guests. "Will it be okay for you two to sleep here tonight?"
"W-well…" The twins trailed off as they exchanged a glance. "I-if we're not bothering you…"
"It's no bother at all". The head of the Schwarzer family confirmed.
"…thank you". They gave in.
"Elise, would you show them to the bathroom and then to your room? I'll go get a few blankets and a spare change of clothes". Lucia said to her daughter who nodded happily.
"Please follow me".
After excusing themselves Elise guided their new guests out.
"…what do you think?" Rean asked after making sure they were out of earshot.
"I think they're hiding something". Crow answered. "Although it doesn't sound like they're lying but the way both answered almost immediately felt a bit… rehearsed, like they were told what to say".
"Hmm, I'll take your word for it". Teo said with a frown since he wasn't there when they told the story the first time. "Do you think they could bring harm to us?"
Rean and Crow exchanged a look before the former answered.
"No, or at least not by their own will".
"Then there is nothing else to discuss". Lucia said, everyone else nodding.
That night.
On Elise's room the twins were currently under the blankets provided by Lucia to ward them against the cold.
"They seem nice". Alice said.
"Yeah, they even went out of their way to give us a bed". Charles answered. "Do you think brother is all right?"
"I'm sure he is, he is not the type to die easily". The girl said confidently, not letting the worry show on her face.
"…do you think this war will end soon?"
Neither of the twins talked after that and soon enough they were fast asleep, for the first time in several days it wasn't restless.
The next morning.
The twins were given a spare change of clothes, Alice got one of Elise's dresses, similar to the one she wears except it was light green, and Charles got some of Rean's old clothes, a black shirt, blue jeans, black boots and a red jacket.
They had just finished breakfast when the Baron spoke up.
"I talked to manager of the Phoenix wings, you will be staying there during your stay in Ymir, as I said yesterday I'm afraid that there aren't any rooms available but you'll have food and a roof, for sleeping arrangements there are a few couches and you will be provided blankets".
"Thank you for your hospitality". Alice said as they both bowed in thanks.
"I'll take you there when you're ready". Rean said.
"We appreciate it". Alice answered.
"U-umm… may I as you a question?"
"You just did". The son of Baron Schwarzer said jokingly to Charles earning a giggle from his twin. "What is it?"
"I-it's not that I'm asking you to let us stay here but, aren't there some empty rooms?"
"Sorry, not possible". Crow answered him. "The empty rooms you saw belong to some other people that are staying here".
"Oh, I see".
"I'll be outside, let me know when you want to leave".
A few minutes later Alice and Charles were been guided by Rean towards their new lodgings while Baron Schwarzer had gone hunting with his horse and Badeaux
Now without the blizzard the town was really lively, several people were going around, talking with each other, relaxing in the foot bath, or been generally busy.
A lot of people greeted the swordsman as they walked and he greeted back.
"You seem popular". Alice said to break the silence.
"You think?" He said back. "We're not a big town so almost everyone knows each other".
"It seems to be a nice place". Charles joined.
"Yeah, I'm really glad I got to stay here". That sentence got a few curious looks from the new residents. "Oh, I haven't told you? I'm adopted, dad found me in the middle of a blizzard when I was little".
"O-oh".
"Yeah, that's usually the reaction I get when I tell people that". Rean said with a grin. "Anyway, here you go". He stopped in front of a large building, at least the same size, if not larger, than the Schwarzer mansion with a sign that said 'The Phoenix Wings' above the entrance. "Talk with the manager and he'll get you settled in, I need to go but I'll come by and check on you later". As he said these words he started to walk away and waved at the twins, who waved back before entering their new lodgings.
"So everything went well?" Crow asked.
He and Rean had left Ymir shortly after the latter left the Lenheim twins and were now wearing their cloaks while walking in the forest.
"Yeah, it seems a good night's sleep did wonders for them".
"I can imagine".
As they walked around some monsters approached them but were quickly slain by the duo that afterwards took them back to store as food.
Meanwhile.
"So our objectives are there?" A man said in a carefree tone.
"Seems that way". Another man answered. "Are you ready?"
"Yes". A third person, a girl judging by her voice, answered.
"Alright, you know our objective". A fourth person said. "Zephyr, begin operation".
"Ja!"
I'll leave it here.
Like I said this is just an idea that I needed to get out of my head, whether it turns into an actual history or not I am not sure.
That been said, I hope you enjoyed, until next time.