A/N: This is my first story and I'm pretty excited. Constructive criticism is welcomed. Enjoy!
The world of heroes was a strange one, that much was certain. None of the renowned warriors summoned to this world had ever heard of such a place, where people from different times and countries long since passed are summoned in one, reunited to fight for the freedom of the future. Askr was unheard of to the newcomers, but if they managed to lift the dead and heal the sick, they were supported.
Eirika and Ephraim were included in the heroes who were able to see their loved ones, separated from life years ago, rise from the legendary weapon of their new leader, Kiran. It was more magical than any caster's spell or dragon's curse. Blue light erupted from the summoner's stone, only intensified by the weapon's presence, and finally faded away to reveal violet robes and matching hair.
The twins couldn't speak for a moment, allowing the light to fade entirely and for the figure to step away from the stone, ancient clothing swirling behind him and a mage's book tucked under his arm. With his free hand, he brushed back some unruly strands of periwinkle hair and looked around at the crowd surrounding him. Every time there was to be a summoning, every hero in the castle would gather with the curiosity of wondering who would be next. Who would come to this world next, either pulled from their home conflicts or from heaven itself.
This time, it seemed, it was Lyon.
He observed the faces around him with the friendly demeanor they had grown up knowing, seeming not in the least concerned of the strangers of Askr and far away dimensions. When his eyes landed on the Renais twins, his calmness switched to barely restrained excitement.
"Eirika? Ephraim?!"
"Lyon…" Ephraim was the first to step forward, easily escaping his sister's slacked grip on his arm. "Is that really you?"
Kiran looked on, hood over their head so that one could only make out the small smile of satisfaction on their face. "Welcome to Askr, Lyon. We are glad to have you."
By now, many of the onlookers began to make their way back to their work, either slightly disappointed by the summoning or just unfamiliar with Lyon, and uncaring to know more. It left the twins to rush to Lyon's side, embracing their friend who seemed clueless on the sheer miraculousness of the situation.
"My, Eirika are you crying? And Ephraim, since when were you so affectionate..?"
"Lyon," Eirika managed, wiping her eyes and containing herself enough to speak. "Do you not remember how you were the last time we were together?"
"If together is even the right way to put it," Ephraim interjected, "You were completely possessed, I'm not sure you even knew what was going on anymore. What is the last thing you remember?"
Lyon opened his mouth like he had the answer, but as his throat tightened with the effort to speak, all train of thought left him. He looked between his two concerned friends as he scrambled for the answer. "The last thing I remember… I believe I was- oh! We were fighting, the demon king was inside of me." His excitement at remembering something faded as his mind pieced together the probable solution. "You're here, and so am I, but we are not where we were when I was against you. The cleric," he turned his attention to the summoner tending to the stone behind them, "welcomed me as being in Askr, but I don't know where that is."
Eirika took Lyon's hand, "We were fighting, but that was a long time ago."
"We're still trying to figure this out ourselves, to be honest," Ephraim smiled to lighten the darkening mood, "but we'll try to tell you as much as we can."
And so, with Lyon between the twins, they made their way to the castle, leaving that miraculous stone and the summoner who made it possible.
"So, Askr is another world ahead of our time?" Lyon was against one of the windows in the castle, in the wing dedicated to others of their similar time. So far, he was able to learn that they were all from different worlds, summoned by the cleric- who wasn't really a cleric at all- in order to aid Askr in its time of need. This castle was dedicated to those summoned here, and belonged to the Order of Heroes, or Askr's army.
The cleric, known as the summoner, called upon legendary heroes from other worlds- Lyon's and the Renais twins' included- and gave them a place to stay in exchange for their service. People had been reunited with their long dead families and friends, meaning that Askr could summon people from one world who were either dead or alive, or summon from the same world but at different times within it.
All in all, it was magic unlike any he had ever studied during his time as a mage, before his infatuation with demons.
"That's right," Eirika sighed, "It's all rather confusing, and we aren't entirely sure what happens when our job is finished here, but why not enjoy this miracle while it lasts, right?"
"Indeed. There are festivals in this world, with tournaments and food and, oh Lyon, you'll love it here! You'll never have to worry about the problems of our world again."
"But Ephraim, what problems? I was possessed, and from your explanation of this world and reaction to my summoning, I died." He said it so calmly and factually that Eirika shivered. He made a not to be less blunt, "However our world was calm before that calamity. Surely once I was defeated, things returned to their peaceful ways?"
"We faced more adversaries that the demon king, I'm afraid," Ephraim sighed. "The council of Grado did not hesitate to follow your orders, and we were attacked by many."
"Sometimes I still see those wyverns," Eirika said, her voice shaken with sorrow, "There were many times where we nearly died. At one point we had to separate, and there was no telling if we would ever see eachother again.
Luckily we were able to defeat those who attacked us, but it left a trail of bloodshed. Our kingdoms were never as close as they had been, and those who lost their lives could not be returned." Ephraim went to comfort his sister, whose gaze had traveled to a far wall, making her appear completely lost in the memory of the past.
Lyon's heart ached for his friends. He had been the cause of all this, just because he couldn't sate his desire for knowledge and power. He wanted to be as respected and strong as his friends, but requesting the help of a demon made him everything he wanted in all the wrong ways.
A thought suddenly occurred to him, and he found that he had to ask. "I know it must be difficult to think about the past, but I must know what happened, in case when we are through here the effects of home will remain. Who else perished in this war?"
"All of Grado's generals died, expect for Duessel, who joined us in our cause with Glen's brother. You remember Cormag, right?"
Lyon is taken aback for a moment, but nods, "Yes, we were not well acquainted, but I remember. I recognize Glen the most, though. Is he here?"
"No," Eirika is quick to respond, snapping out of her trance. "None of the generals have been summoned here, and I hope none of them are! Besides, only true heroes are called to join the Order. That is why you were called, despite what happened. Your intentions were pure, I always believed that."
Lyon smiled to show his gratitude. Part of him felt undeserving, especially if his so-called pure intentions led to Grado's destruction in the end, and obvious pain upon Renais. But he would not argue against the affection he was offered.
"So, what were you doing before you were summoned? Did Renais recover?"
"Of course it did!" Ephraim stood proudly, "We rule over it together, Eirika and I."
"That's great. Together you say? But Ephraim, shouldn't yu be old enough to have a queen of your own? Unless, of course…" Lyon's eyes darted to a confused Eirika, to which Emprain's face turned scarlet red.
"It's not like that! It's just, argh!" He made his way to the door to escape Eirika's laughter and Lyon's half smile, "I'm going to go find Roy. We have training to do," and with that he was gone, the wooden door coming to a close behind him.
The two friends laughed at Ephraim's embarrassment, and Eirika stood as well, about to leave herself. "Oh Lyon, we missed you so much."
"And I'm sure I would have felt the same, if the time between when I last saw you didn't feel so small." Lyon turned his head out the window for a moment, watching knights practicing in the courtyard. Ephraim came into view below, waving at a red headed knight on a horse.
"That's Roy, from another world," Eirika explained. "They have become quite the pair, those two." The air hung heavy with unspoken words before she continued, "Lyon, many people have made friends with those they have never lived to see, or have departed long ago. I just want you to know that there are some people you did not live to see wreck havoc on Renais and the surrounding kingdoms."
"Do you mean to tell me that there are villains here, too? But you said only heroes-"
"Yes, but again, we're not entirely sure how this world works, and it's not like the summoner ever cared to call an assembly and explain. Part of me thinks even they do not know. The point is, there are some people who are here, or can appear any day, that are not allies. You must always be on your guard."
"Eirika, if anyone can be summoned here… What if I'm still dangerous?"
Eirika gave Lyon such a genuine smile that it felt like they were kids again, laughing in the fields outside the castle of Grado while they chased one another. "How could you be, if you are so happy to see us and understand this world?" With those as her last words, she made her way to the door to leave Lyon to process the onslaught of information.