Disclaimer: I do not own Fire Emblem, its characters, and so on.
Chapter One - Of Shadow and Light
The Scouring, a bygone age when the dragons, once allies, brought forth fear and destruction to the land of Elibe. That war between humanity and dragon kind lasted for so long that the peace that had once existed were shadowed by hate and lust for power.
However, it all ended when humanity sent their eight champions who wielded the eight Divine Weapons.They restored the light that was once lost in Elibe through their endeavors. But in turn, the dragon kind were blamed, branded as the harbingers of chaos. Driven to the brink of extinction during their weakened state, humanity continued to triumph with their great numbers.
Lest you forget, that part of our history is but a fraction of the whole. You and I know more than what the populace assumes in our history. Nevertheless, the knowledge we possess are not meant to be written, even in runes that only we can read. We bear the burden of these secrets with our lives yet we do nothing to save Elibe. I hope that you, my child, will one day make your own path unbound by the laws which we were forced to live with. So that you can save the lives we were supposed to protect.
And that you can face him once more.
000
An obscured sun shone brightly in the blue sky dotted by few thin clouds that hung above the outskirts of Bulgar. Merchants littered outside the ancient temple sacred to the people of Sacae selling trinkets of St. Elimine, Sacaean cloths, and wooden replicas of Mani Katti. The bustling crowd of travelers and locals would not had been possible if it were not for the events that happened here four years ago. This was the very place where the fabled sword of spirits chose Lyn and where her lineage paved the path to a greater destiny. The green cloaked young tactician witnessed it all, being the shadow that once guided Lyndis Legion to victory.
Arya, the young Master Tactician, could still remember how it all began. That time she woke up in the house, no, a ger of a young green haired lady of the Lorca Tribe, Lyn, who had not known yet the royal blood that flowed in her veins. Then, the time when she was called a 'master strategist' by her even though, technically, she was an 'apprentice tactician'. She did not want to dampen her new found friend's glee so she did not explain the slight difference between a strategist and a tactician since the two were always interchanged by most.
Brushing her thoughts away, the young master tactician sighed as she pulled down the hood of her cloak from her head. She sometimes reminisce those days before she formally became a Master Tactician: her first meeting with Lyn after collapsing in the Sacean plains, her reunion with Eliwood a year after the battle to reclaim Caelyn, and the way she surprised Hector with her knowledge and skill of military tactics the first time they met.
Maybe I should visit them some time. Arya thought as she started to make her way out through a crowd of incoming travelers and tourists hoping to see the altar where the Mani Katti once rested, after offering her prayers. Many still venerate St. Elimine, asking for her guidance before setting out in their journeys, a custom always done for more than a century.
"Well, if it isn't the great Master Tactician of Elibe. May Mother Earth and Father Sky bless this unexpected reunion." an old kind voice said. The young master tactician stopped walking towards the exit then faced the owner of the voice who appeared to be an old priest of St. Elimine, judging from his robes. She could not help frowning at the man until her eyes widen in recognition at his elderly face.
"You're that priest who we saved four years ago," she said, putting a hand on her chin in thought. "Your, uhhh ..."
"Well, the circumstances four years ago didn't gave me the chance to introduce myself, Master Tactician. My name is Morven." the old priest answered then bowed courtly.
"W - Wow. I'm quite surprised you still remember, Morven."
"Well, I wouldn't forget my saviors that day when Glass threatened our temple, Master Tactician." he replied then chuckled. "Lady Lyndis together with her husband, Marquess Hector, came here just a week ago. She asked me if you ever passed here. She told me you left them the day after the battle with Nergal."
She's still worried about me even though we already parted. Arya could not help but chuckle at the thought. Even now, her dear friend's protective instinct had not yet disappeared. Although they both have the same age, Lyn always act like a mother to her. And Serra used to tease her about it.
"Well, the duties of a tactician is always on the battlefield." the young tactician replied. "Their battle already ended but I swore an oath to someone ... and it seems that my battle has yet to end."
Morven nodded understandingly after a moment of silence. "May St. Elimine bless you in your upcoming battles then, Master Tactician. I shall pray for the success of your endeavors."
"Thank you."
"I know the spirits will choose you to lead a greater fate in your journeys, just like it how it chose Lady Lyndis four years ago." the old priest said then smiled at her. "It seems that many more will gather at the altar to offer their prayers. Forgive me for cutting short our conversation, Master Tactician." Morven continued, noticing that the crowd around them began to thicken.
"It's alright. I understand you have important matters to attend to." the young master tactician replied. "I wouldn't want to delay your duties much longer. Oh, and if Lyn comes here again, please tell her not to worry about me too much. She must focus on being a good wife of a Marquess instead." she continued with a light chuckle.
"Of course, Master Tactician."
Arya bowed respectfully to the old priest of St. Elimine as he bid her farewell before she went outside the temple. She still felt uneasy being called 'Master Tactician'. Truth be told, she never included that title of hers whenever she introduced herself. It was a good thing that no one bothered to bat an eye to her direction earlier when the old priest called her. Months after the day when Eliwood was crowned Marquess of Pherae, the rulers of Bern, Lycia, and Etruria began seeking her. And during those times, she managed to hide from the men which the rulers of these countries had sent to look for her. She never intended to be recognized by the ruling monarchs.
"I need to leave the continent if these continues," she muttered to herself when she was almost far from the crowd of tourists and the merchant stalls set up by the locals.
Even with the strong bond she shared with them, the young master tactician never shared her story before Lyn found her to anyone except her friend and former lord, Eliwood, who swore to keep it a secret. Even though he was a noble, he treated everyone in the army equally with respect. He was truly kind, humble, and brave. And it was no wonder for her, and everyone else in the army she once commanded, why Ninian fell for him.
Eliwood was the only one who knew why Arya refused his offer to be Pherae's tactician even after what they had been through as a friend, and the reason why she had to leave. True, she made that decision with a heavy heart. It was not easy to leave the people who had treated her as a family for so long even though they knew little about her, and that they were bounded by camaraderie alone. But that was the burden of a tactician, was it not? She made a living through strategizing army troops and guiding them through tactics in times of war. Furthermore, it was odd to her to experience peace she helped brought in Elibe.
Being the shadow of the lords she served, careful not to be recognized. Using the art of battle effectively while prioritizing the lives of those she commanded and to win with fewer or, if possible, no casualties. The latter sounded impossible to many but one can achieve it, though the strategies to meet and the tactics to use would not be easily selected. After all, it was easy to lose sight to those whom the tactician command, and some were likely to be left to fend for themselves.
Though, the bond between the young master tactician and the troops she had once commanded was a great factor besides skills if she must achieve no casualties. This was one of the things that she had learned during her journey before saying goodbye a few months ago to her comrades. She was the first one to separate from them, after all.
"I heard that a huntsman from this place went missing yesterday." a traveler said to his companion as they passed Arya, who was distracted from her thoughts as she heard them.
"It seems that some strange men were seen from the forest northeast where the huntsman was last seen they say. Most of them claimed that these strangers looked foreign and their weapons as well." the said traveler continued.
"Ehh ... Maybe they are bandits from Bern looking to establish their turf in the forest since most merchants and travelers alike pass a route not far from there. Besides, I heard from a barkeep here that Bern's political system turned most of their civilians rogue." his companion answered.
"I dont think 'they' are from Bern or any place here in Elibe. But I heard some stories that these strangers are led by an eerie woman." the traveler reasoned. "Folks said she was covered in some strange glowing light."
His companion, however, just rolled his eyes at his words. "Thats quite a tall tale if you ask me. I'm quite sure ..."
The young master tactician did not hear what the traveler's companion was about to say as both were pretty far off from her hearing range. A strange feeling then crept upon her chest at the mention of the strangers lurking in the forest northeast.
They must be some morphs left even after Nergals demise, she thought.
Arya wrapped her right hand on the hilt of her rapier that hung on the left side of her waist, together with her dagger. She immediately set out to the place where the traveler mentioned as her cloak waved behind her back.
000
The dark sky that hung above the Kingdom of Nohr dotted with faint stars peered at a young prince's barred window whose room was located in one of the towers of The Northern Fortress, which was the name of the place he had lived for most of his life together with his servants whom he had treasured as much as his family. Even though he was isolated from Castle Krakenburg where the ruling royal family resides (well, his family to be exact), the young prince never felt that distant to them since his siblings always made time to visit him in every way they can.
During his siblings visit, one of their bonding moments was sparring, in which the young prince could test his sword skills. Xander, his big brother, was the one overseeing this and also his sparring partner for most of the time.
The mock battle lasted for almost an hour, though mostly it was the young prince who kept falling with his back on the cold marble floor of the training grounds.
"Let's call it a day, Corrin." Xander said as he offered his hand to the young prince, Corrin, who took it gladly. His big brother then pulled him up to his feet before patting him on the right shoulder.
"Big brother is right. You're of no use to us when you're tired and bruised all over." quipped Leo, the young prince's little brother, who was observing them from afar.
The young prince, who was pretty much used to his behavior, chuckled. "Leo's right. I really am useless at this state, Xander. I guess I need to rest." he said to his big brother before sheathing his bronze sword, a weapon commonly used by the Nohrian footmen since he has yet to wield a weapon of his own.
After four hours or so, Corrin was pretty much tired that he never even bothered to change in his pajamas. He was escorted by the twins Felicia and Flora, his maids, and Gunter, his knight and bodyguard, earlier when he went to his room. Jakob, his ever so patient butler, kindly gave him some chamomile tea to drink before he slept (which he could not do as of this moment). Sighing, his eyes flickered to the fireplace where some charred fire woods made tiny cracking sounds as it broke from the intense heat. He stared at it for a while, mesmerizing the flames that was slowly dying, before he succumbed to sleep.
Most of the time, the young prince's dreams were hazy. And at times, he felt he was trying to remember something important as he thought over it but failed to do so. Thus, leaving him a strange feeling of regret. However, this time the dream was so clear that he felt he was awake.
Corrin was standing alone in the middle of a vast plain under the gaze of a descending sun that slowly turned the sky blood red. He could actually feel the tall grasses brushing against his ankles as a gentle wind blew, making him wonder if he this was a dream or not. Suddenly, a bright blue light flashed in front of him. He raised both of his hands in front of his face, shielding his eyes against it. As he slowly lowered his hands after the light died, his eyes widen in shock as he saw two tall figures who appeared to be human standing before him. The first one was mounted on a dark horse while the other stood with a strange looking blade that hung on his waist.
The young prince could not see the faces of the figures that stood in front of him but even so, he could feel the strong presence emanating from them. Out on the corner of his eye, there were people behind them whom Corrin 'felt' he knew for a long time. He could tell that all of them were looking at him expectantly. The two tall figures then held out their hands to him, though he felt scared and nervous for some reason he could not understand. He was hesitant for he knew he had to choose a side but it might mean a great sacrifice had to be made. His silence was suddenly broken when a green cloaked figure appeared next to him, who then put a hand on his right shoulder.
"Don't let them decide how your fate goes. It will always be yours to shape its course." the strange figure said.
Corrin could not see the strange figures face since it was mostly covered by the hood. However, the figure sounded like a young woman who she spoke with a different accent that did not sound Nohrian. As he stood gaping, the dream faded as she smiled warmly at him. It was a smile that felt calmly and strange somehow.
"Time to wake up, Lord Corrin!" a familiar voice which definitely belonged to his teal haired maid, Flora, called.
Corrin blinked his eyes open and saw his two maids beaming at him.
"Hey, wake up, Lord Corrin. Up and at em!" his pink haired maid, Felicia, shouted.
Yawning, the young prince sat on his bed groggily then pressed his palm on his forehead. He blinked a few times before staring at his retainers who were all standing beside in his room.
"Hmm ... What are you talking about? Its still dark outside," he said before looking at the dark sky behind the barred window of his room.
Gunter sighed at this before answering. "Listen well, Prince. It may be dark, but it is indeed morning. You have practice today." he said.
"I have taken the liberty of readying your armor, and, er, pounding out the dents." said Jakob, putting a hand on his chin. "Your brother is a fearsome opponent, is he not?" he continued.
Turning his gaze back to his retainers, Corrin sighed in defeat. He knew they were stubborn enough not to let him back to bed, even to snooze for ten minutes. "Ugh. Fine." he said, removing his hand from his forehead. "I'm still not completely awake though ..."
"Oh, we can help you with that!" replied Flora with a glee before facing her twin sister. "Would you please assist me?"
"Sure thing." Felicia nodded with a knowing smile.
The young prince did not had time to react as his maids immediately pressed their ice cold palms on his cheeks. "Wauuugh! Cold cold cold! I'm awake! Totally awake now." he yelped.
000
The dark green shade of the cloak the young master tactician wore provided enough disguise as she kneeled behind a bush in the forest northeast. She spotted some of the strange men less than half a mile from her position. They all bore the air of a skilled soldier, unlike most of the bandits she encountered back then who all looked rugged and the weapons they carry were mostly stolen from the scouting footmen and traveling mercenaries they killed which gave no hint of being maintained or cared for.
Arya then approached the strange men silently, crouching underneath the shadows the thick bushes. She was trained in the art of stealth and espionage by Matthew during her apprentice days which he said it might come in handy one day. And it did since she was obviously outnumbered. After she was close enough to make an observation, the young master tactician slowly rose to her feet then leaned on a trunk of a pine tree. As she peeked from her hiding spot, she noticed that all of the strange men did not have the same armor designs as well as the kinds of weapons they held. Some bore resemblance but were completely different from the others. It was as if these strange men belonged from two different countries.
Thats odd. Arya thought as she made mental notes at their designs. Though some of the weapons the strange men held closely resembled those of the ones in Elibe, there were some slight differences. The traveler was right. They were indeed not from Bern or any country in Elibe.
The one that stood out the most, however, were their purple eyes. Although these were different from the morphs golden eyes, it bore the same eerie look. The young master tactician knew attacking one of them would be a foolish act even though her swordplay was good enough. Suddenly, an eerie woman who was wrapped in a strange purple light like flames appeared just a few meters away from her. Arya could not make out the woman's face though her some her features clearly resembled like those of a noble woman. If she remembered correctly, the traveler called her as the leader of these morph-like soldiers.
As far as the young master tactician could tell, it seemed that a new enemy appeared again a year and a half after Nergal's demise. Sending a message to the nearby village would take time and calling for help was useless, only a handful of people who were mostly skilled mercenaries, pass this deep part of the forest.
I guess it now or never. Left with no other choice, Arya had to finish the eerie woman, or at least injure her enough to for her to interrogate afterwards. It was a good thing that she already scanned the terrain of the outskirts of Bulgar during her travels with Lyn, Kent and Sain when they first arrived here years ago. The forest would provide her enough cover to launch a surprise attack to their leader. The young master tactician moved stealthily, just like Jaffar had taught her, around the morph-like soldiers that patrol near the leader. She hid just in time behind a tree as a morph-like archer turned his head in her direction. She stayed silently there for a few minutes, letting the enemy pass before proceeding to hide in the tree near their leader.
Arya closed her eyes then breathed. She knew she must execute her attack perfectly in order to prevent alerting the enemy soldiers that were littered nearby. Unsheathing her dagger with her left hand, she launched a sneak attack from the shadows. But just as her dagger almost sliced the throat of the eerie woman, her blade was frozen in mid-strike. It was as if she hit an invincible barrier that was protecting the enemy before her.
Damn it, the young master tactician cursed as she backed away quickly from the leader who sneered at her futile attempt.
The morph-like soldiers who were walking aimlessly moments ago now quickly surrounded her Arya, blocking any attempts of escape. With no choice but to fend for herself, she then unsheathed her rapier with her right hand. She lunged the tip of her blade at the throat of an enemy who wielded what looked like to be an iron club making an overhead strike. The young master tactician quickly twisted just in time to block the iron sword of the enemy behind with her dagger. Using her speed to her advantage as more soldiers rushed to her, she thrusted her blade to their necks and chests. The rapier was a brutal and efficient weapon. To use it is to attempt to kill an opponent, not just defend oneself.
However, as minutes pass by, more enemies who wielded swords and lances encircled Arya. They were faster and more skilled than the first few she defeated. She must escape soon before her vulnerary runs out.
The young master tactician scanned the enemies that stood around her who were ready strike at any moment. However, the eerie woman made no move for she stood silently as if sizing her up.
Arya ignored their leader and focused on the gap between the fighter and the archer that stood on her left instead. She quickly dashed to the gap thrusting her blade to the fighter's chest whose iron axe missed her more than an inch then dodging an arrow just in time before striking the archer's shin. She then escaped as fast as she could, drinking the last vulnerary from her satchel.
As arrows reigned down from behind, she ran in a zigzag pattern through the trees. Their trunks provided her enough protection from being hit on the back. She did not dare look at her pursuers knowing that escape was her priority. She had to be alive in order to send message to her former comrades of the incoming threat in their land.
But as the young master tactician was nearing the edge of the forest, the eerie woman suddenly appeared in front of her. She yelped in pain as an arrow grazed her left shoulder. It seemed that her pursuers had already caught up with her. She knew was almost at her limits as she gripped her wounded shoulder with her right hand.
I need to come up with a plan fast. she thought, breathing heavily. She could almost feel her consciousness slipping away as she stared at the leader of the morph-like soldiers who then stepped closer.
"You're coming with me, Master Tactician." the eerie woman said to Arya in an accent not common to Elibe before she collapsed on the grassy ground.
000
The young prince's blue cape waved as he landed his final strike to his big brother, who fell from his dark horse. Corrin could not help but smile at his victory as he sheathed his bronze sword. Xander then stood up putting a hand to his horse to steady himself since his little brother's attack left him a little bit staggering. Well, the victory of today's mock battle belonged to him now.
"Well done, Corrin. You're getting stronger every day." said Xander proudly, before approaching him.
"Thanks, brother. I couldn't have done it without your, uh, tough love." answered Corrin then smiled. His determination paid off, after all. Their father, King Garon, would now finally see him worthy to join his siblings.
"I disagree. I believe you have a natural talent, Corrin." his big brother insisted as he crossed his arms on his chest. "Someday, you could be the greatest warrior in all of Nohr." he mused.
"Now, you're just teasing me." the young prince chuckled.
"Come on, Corrin. We all know that Xander isn't the type to joke about serious matters." said Leo as he approached them.
"You could be the one to bring light to our kingdom so long shrouded in darkness." Xander then continued.
The young prince did not say anything in reply except his big brother's name. He knew Xander may be flattering him to boost his confidence when he steps out of the Northern Fortress. Though, Leo just rolled his eyes at their big brother's words before speaking up.
"Typical. You do know that true strength is more than simple swordplay, right?" he said.
"Calm yourself, little brother. You really are competitive to a fault. As I've always said, you're a talented mage with formidable magical abilities." replied Xander before patting his head.
"Hmm," Leo huffed. "Well, just remember that pointy metal sticks are not the only path to power."
Corrin could not help smiling at his witticism. That was then when he thought of reminding their little brother about 'that'. "Oh, that reminds me of something I've been meaning to tell you, Leo." he said.
"Something important enough to derail this conversation?" their little brother said, raising an eyebrow.
"Well ... your collar's inside out." said Corrin as he tried to stifle a laugh.
"What?!"
"It would appear someone got dressed while still half-asleep." teased Xander who failed to suppress a smile.
"Why didn't you say something earlier?!" Leo fumed.
Xander laughed at his reaction. "Sorry, Leo. But that sort of thing is what makes you so very lovable." he said.
Corrin burst out laughing as well before agreeing to their big brother's words, which very much annoyed Leo more.
Meanwhile, curious at Corrins progress, Camilla, his big sister, and Elise, his little sister and the youngest, went to the training grounds. They then spotted Corrin and Xander looking at Leo who was busy fixing his collar.
"Are you all right, Corrin? Did you get hurt at all during practice?" Camilla asked, who was very much fond of Corrin since he was a child, as she and Elise approached them. "If you did, let me know right away so I can take extra-special care of you ..."
"I'm perfectly fine, Camilla. As always, thanks for your concern." answered Corrin immediately then smiled. He sometimes felt that his big sister was pampering him too much.
"I was worried about you too, Corrin." said Elise beaming at him.
Sighing, Corrin knew that his sisters would always ask him of his welfare whenever they visit together with his brothers. Still, it always made him happy that he never felt alone all those years. He had them, after all, including his servants whom he treated no differently from his family.
True enough, Xander could see he had a charisma of a leader and Camilla could sense the warm kindness he bore which made him even more likeable to those people around him. However, the young prince did not know this himself.
Before his conversation with them ended (with Elise giving him a bear hug), Camilla announced that he could leave with them in the capital and that he can fight as a soldier of Nohr. This surprised him greatly that he could not hide his joy. Finally, he could be with his family.
- o - o - o -
Two hours before their departure, Jakob, Flora and Felicia packed Corrins things as he prepared his horse together with Lilith, who was one of the maids who served him here in the Northern Fortress.
"I hear you can finally leave the fortress. You must be very happy, Lord Corrin." said Lilith as he helped the young prince in saddling his horse. "Gunter has asked me to go with you to the capital so I can look after your horses."
"Glad to hear it!" answered Corrin with a smile. "I'd miss you if you weren't coming along too."
"Lilith, are the horses ready?" a familiar voice then asked behind them. Turning their heads, they saw Xander standing at the stables' entrance.
"Yes, milord. Everything is ready, and the horses seem excited for the trip." the young prince's maid replied with a bow. "They are all very fond of Lord Corrin. Probably from all his time in the stables ..." she then added.
The horse who was beside them nudged its nose to Corrin's cheek, who seemed to agree with what Lilith said. She and Xander then looked at the young prince patting the horse's neck in return with a smile.
"Big brother," said Corrin as he looked at them. "I'll be going to my room to help Jakob, Flora and Felicia in packing my stuffs. There are some things I want to bring with me."
"Very well." Xander said with an approving nod.
"Then, I'll wait for you here, Lord Corrin." said Lilith as she bowed to him.
"Thank you, Xander and Lilith." replied Corrin, smiling at them before he went outside the stables.
I will miss this place. The young prince thought as he stared around the Northern Fortress which had been his home for most of his life. As he gazed at the training grounds where he used to train with his siblings, it was then, oddly enough, that his strange dream flashed in his mind which he forgot during his sparring with Xander. The green cloaked woman's words echoed in his head for some reason.
"Huh?" Corrin muttered when something lying there caught his eye. He was sure that the training grounds was empty after he and his siblings left. "That's strange."
He then approached it carefully, his hand almost reaching the hilt of his bronze sword. But as he was near enough to make out the object lying there, his eyes widen in surprise as he realized that it was not an object but an unconscious young woman lying there. He sprinted quickly to her as he noticed that her cloak was stained with blood. He quickly knelt beside her then slowly raised her head to his lap before checking her pulse. The young woman, who appeared to have the same age as him, groaned in pain as his hand slightly touched her left shoulder. He then noticed she had a severe injury there. Hoping to save the stranger's life, Corrin carried her to his room where his servants are.
000
Even before his hatred began to consume him, I wish I could have done something to save him from himself. I know we're to cross paths again somewhere, master, but I fear my memories of those days will blind me when that time comes.
The closer I am to the truth of this world, the more the burden of killing him weighs guiltily in my mind. But it is the only way to save him. I have to commit a necessary evil to save the innocent lives caught in his schemes, and those that died with it.
I'm sorry that this is the only way I can think of. I, too, wanted to avenge your death but you asked me not to carry on the hate that for so long has been the cause of everything that happened that day.
I'm so sorry, master, that everything had ended this way. It's all my fault ... I should have been the one that died that day.