A/N::

SOOOOOO. I'm taking on the Fire Emblem 100 themes challenge! Woo!

I'm actually gonna do two—one for Path of Radiance/Radiant Dawn, the other for Rekka no Ken. 200 themes. Oooooh dear.

Lord

Ike was rather taken aback when Sanaki decided to promote him. He was used to being a Ranger—it was the way his father had taught him to fight. He used his opponents' strength against them though he himself had plenty. He fought with many different styles and weapons. He was used to the blue of his shirt, the red of his cape. His class represented all he knew about life and all he held dear. In truth, he had never thought of what he would become if he was not a Ranger any longer. Realistically he knew that eventually he would have to make the adjustment if he wanted to reach his full potential, but there was no natural progression from Ranger. It wasn't like with the others—Cavalier became Paladin, Fighter became Warrior, Myrmidon became Swordmaster, and so on—he had nowhere to go.

He faced Elincia and got down on one knee. Some distant, disconnected part of him recognized that this was huge, life-changing, even. He had never offered his sword merely for the posterity of future generations. He wondered how it would be different—being a tool of the kingdom, to be directed at his superior's will. It didn't exactly sit well, but Ike wasn't one to dwell on such things. It was Soren's job to be wary of each new development in their lives.

He didn't know what to expect from promotion. He had seen it on the battlefield—just last time they had met Daein in battle, Oscar had become a paladin. The green-haired paladin described for him how the Goddess's light surrounded him and left him teeming with power. As Princess Elincia touched his shoulder with his blade, Ike began to see the glow developing around him. He could feel Ashera's blessing strengthening him, changing him. When his eyes opened once more, the sensations Ike felt were nothing like those Oscar had described. Yes, he felt powerful; yes, he felt fast and skilled and lucky. But it was unsettling. A quick examination revealed that his new shirt was a dark grey lined with green, his old, tattered red cape was now blue and neat. The empty feeling increased when he learned of his new title—that of lord.

This wasn't what Ike wanted for himself. This wasn't what Ike wanted for Mist, or Soren, or any of the other mercenaries under his command. This, Ike had a sinking suspicion, was going to be the end of the Greil Mercenaries and he himself.

ANNND HERE WE GO GETTING OFF TO A TERRIBLE START.

Ike doesn't contemplate stuff like this, I know. And he's not the cynical one. I really hate this. Oh well.

Next up::

#2-Departure Preparations featuring Soren!