Dawn of Destiny
Authors Note: Hey welcome back readers. Sorry for the delay I've had tests over the past couple weeks in all my college classes and I was also sick for the past week. Now if you can tell; chapter one has been completely overhauled and is better than it was previously. Thank you IsanTheWizard, Angel of Darkness and Light; Solyeuse (who I know is big into Final Fantasy and Pokémon as well I used on your name after you told me to do so) and SunLord89 and TheSilverHairedMaiden. These are my most faithful reviewers and if you other readers review I will mention you every time you review a new chapter. Also I have a semi-important announcement but I'll wait until after the chapter to say. So now I give you the new and improved Chapter 1 of Dawn of Destiny. I do not own Fire Emblem or Intelligent systems though I do own any O.C's and possibly the phrase "my cute little guard"; provided FoxWolfJackson doesn't mind. Also a minor detail. Italicized words indicate thoughts. Bold words indicated emphasis or sarcasm and normal is well just normal speech. Ok now your'e ready to read and enjoy ^_^
-Date: 645 early summer
-Location: Crimea; 15 miles outside the capital Melior
(? POV)
The late morning sun beat down on me as I walked down the dusty road leading to the next town. I stopped momentarily to wipe the sweat coming down from my blond hair into my eyes. My eyes stung slightly as the sweat interfered with my vision.
It's really getting hot right now. I should find some shade and rest for a bit.
I spotted a tree up ahead just a few feet off the road. After a few minutes I reached it and eased myself into the welcoming shade. I sat down and rested for a bit; after I was fully recovered I got up off the ground; and continued the walk to the nearest town. A couple hours later I had finally arrived at my destination. Caldea was a small town just a few miles away from the Crimean capital Melior. I was hoping to stay here for a couple days and replenish my food and water supply before continuing my way to Melior. Once I got to Melior I was hoping to set myself up as a mercenary for hire; and help keep the streets free of criminals and thugs. However when I came to Caldea I couldn't help but sense the tense atmosphere in the town. Normally a town would be full of bustle and activity as merchants sold products and there would be plenty of people lining up to buy what the merchants had. However the market square was deserted with little exception and the townsfolk that were outside eyed me with a mix of suspicion and fear.
Something is off here and it's not right. The town should be busy; yet it's almost deserted.
I spotted a tavern where I could possibly rest and get information on what's going on and stepped inside. The tavern was in a slightly dilapidated shape. The floors were a little dirty, a couple of the chairs were broken; and the bar itself had gouges and splinters in it; showing the abuse it's taken over the years. There were a couple of other people at the bar; they were sitting at the table playing some card game; a serving maid with chestnut hair and big bust was serving them drinks. A drunken man was also asleep in the corner of the bar on the floor as well. The barkeep was a rough looking man; brawny and with a thick beard covering the lower half of his face.
"Greetings sir; may I have some water please?"
"Sure lad; that'll be 1 gold."
I dug into my pocket and counted out the sparse number of coins that came out. I counted out the coins to 1 gold and handed the change to the barkeep as he gave me a glass of water. I drank the refreshing glass quickly as I hadn't had anything to drink yet today and I was terribly thirsty.
"Thank you for the water sir; now I noticed when I came here that the town wasn't too busy; why was that."
"Tis a simple reason; bandits have been terrorizing us for months and we haven't had any peace here for a long time. My brother set out a couple days ago to find some mercenaries to take care of them but he hasn't returned yet."
"That's troublesome sir; but I will compromise with you; if the bandits show up, in exchange for a couple days room and board I will take care of them for you."
The barkeep looked startled at that and peered into my blue-gray eyes trying to see if I was kidding our not. His eyes then dropped to my person and saw for the first time the scabbards at either side of my waist; iron swords sheathed within.
"You a mercenary kid? 'Ow old are you 13?"
"Actually I'm 17 and I've been a solitary mercenary for the past 4 years."
"Don't you have family to get back to? I'm sure they miss you lad."
"That's unlikely…my family is dead."
"I'm sorry to hear that lad; but you say you're a mercenary eh? If you can rid us of those bandits I will be glad to give you free room and board for a few days."
"You have a deal sir."
The barkeep reached over and shook hands with me and as he did eight men entered the tavern. They looked really rough and tough and were extremely well muscled. They all had axes strapped to their belts; and the men at the card table rose up and fled before them. I turned to the barkeep who was watching them with narrowed eyes.
"Those that bandits you were talking about?"
"Aye that's the lot alright."
I stayed at the bar and watched them out of the corner of my eye. The bandits all ordered beers and were soon chugging away at the liquor; as they constantly demanded refills from the poor barmaid who worked as fast as possible while avoiding any direct contact with them. One of the ruffians had apparently drank his mug and called over to the barmaid.
"Hey woman; more beer!"
The barmaid hurried over but in her haste stumbled and accidently spilled on one the bandits.
"Watch what you're doing bitch! No one spills on Zawana."
With that he swung his arm back and hit the barmaid across the face and she flew across the room. She lay on the ground; whimpering in pain but Zawana wasn't done with her. He got out of his chair and started to head over to her; but I couldn't let him continue.
Now's my cue I guess; well I guess I'll know if one can beat eight.
"Hey dude; didn't you know it's rude to hit a girl."
I started to make my way over and got his attention; my hands loose and ready near my swords.
"Don't interfere boy or I'll make sure you don't live to see tomorrow."
"Hmm don't interfere or you'll kill me…funny I was going to say that to you; now leave her alone."
"That's it! Get 'im boys!"
Zawana started advancing towards me as the rest of his posse rose from their seats and drew their axes. I took two quick steps towards Zawana; but then changed direction and ran full speed out of the tavern.
"Don't let 'im get away!"
The bandits followed after me; I led them to the town square where there would be plenty of room to maneuver. I then stopped; turned around and drew both my swords and held them at the ready.
"Ooooh well look at that boys; this wimp thinks he can fight us. Well I'll tell you boy; we're going to hack you to pieces."
"Well then; prepare yourself."
I charged full speed at them as they came at me with their axes. I ducked under one swing blocked another with my left sword; turned to avoid another axe and thrust my right sword into one of the bandits chest. I withdrew my sword and he fell to the ground dead; his heart pierced as blood started pooling around his body. I then parried Zawana and another bandit as they both came at me with their axes raised. I quickly backpedaled out of the bandits reach; parrying when one tried to close in and swing at me. A metallic glint caught my eye as I looked to my left and saw another bandit trying to flank and surround me. I faked like I was charging at the main bandit group and sprinted towards the bandit trying to flank me. He saw me coming and took a hasty swipe at my head. I parried with my left sword and with my right embedded it in his stomach. The bandit wheezed; coughed up some blood and then collapsed as I took my sword back out of his stomach. I had taken out two of them but there were still six and I was starting to breath heavy from exhaustion.
"Hahaha you're finished kid; you won't last another five minutes."
This Zawana guy is really starting to piss me off; but he's right I'm not going to last too much longer unscathed.
Suddenly I heard the growing thunder of hooves against the ground; two horses flashed by the bandits and two bandits fell as their chests were slashed open.
"What's this? Other mercenaries...ok boys get the other mercenaries; I'll take this kid out."
The other bandits heeded Zawana's orders and charged at the two people on horseback; but they were surprised by two more people; a guy with green hair holding an axe and a young man maybe my age with untidy blue hair wielding a sword. I didn't take a second look however because I noticed Zawana coming towards me. I readied both my swords and stated.
"Yo, Zawana you haven't asked for my name at all."
"Why would I do that kid? You're going to die by my axe anyways."
"Well then I'll tell you my name; that way you will know the name of the person who killed you. My name is James…now Zawana; prepare yourself."
We charged at each other and my blades clashed against his steel axe. Zawana disengaged and swung his axe down at me again. I parried with my left and thrust with my right; though Zawana was able to successfully dodge. He slashed his axe again and I parried again with my left. I thrust with my right again but he blocked it with his axe.
"Haha you're a good fighter kid; but I know your strategy now; you can only block with your left and attack with your right, now that I know that you're done."
You've only seen what I've shown you fool. Let me show just how wrong you are.
Zawana's axe glinted in the sunlight as it came crashing down towards my right shoulder as I casually parried with my right and then slashed with my left and cut his arm off at the wrist. Zawana bellowed in pain as his axe fell from his severed hand to the ground. He tried picking it up with his other hand but I stabbed both his legs and he fell to the ground on his knees holding his stump of an arm to try and slow the bleeding.
"How did I lose…I don't deserve to die to a sellsword like you."
"You lost easily Zawana; you thought you had my battle style picked out; and while I do like to fight that way I can do the opposite as well; arrogance was your downfall. Goodbye Zawana."
I slashed with my right sword and slit his throat. Blood gushed out of his ruined windpipe and air whistled through the opening before Zawana fell lifeless to the ground. I quickly turned around; scanning for anymore of the bandits but the only people left alive were the other people who had attacked the bandits and they were unharmed by the looks of it. On horseback was a man with short green hair and narrow eyes; and there was also a stern looking woman with fiery red hair cascading past her shoulders. Next to them standing were the other guy with green hair and the boy with spiky blue hair.
"Hey, thanks for helping me out. You guys probably saved me back there."
"Think nothing of it; we just did what we were hired to do."
What the red-haired woman said sunk in for a minute before I spoke up again.
"Ah so you were the other mercenaries who were hired to take care of them."
"Yep we're the Greil Mercenaries for a reason; those bandits didn't stand a chance."
That was the guy with green hair and the axe who spoke up.
"Wait you're The Greil Mercenaries?"
I was incredulous; everyone in Crimea knew who the Greil Mercenaries but to actually meet them was quite the shock for me.
"Yeah we're the Greil Mercenaries; the best that there is so no need to sweat it kid."
The other guy on horseback with green hair replied to the other's comment.
"Boyd; no need to be so full of yourself; we are the Greil Mercenaries but we're humble about it and besides this kid here could be better than you, I watched him fight that other bandit and he's quite skilled."
"Really Oscar; you think this little kid could beat me? Ha how old are you kid,14?"
"17 actually and if you want I can prove myself that I'm more than just a kid."
"Wow he's almost as old as I am."
That was from the spiky blue-haired guy.
"Well Boyd are you going to accept his challenge?"
"Haha you bet Ike; get ready kid, I'll show you how the pros fight."
"The name's James; not kid."
Boyd took out his axe and swung it a few times to get loose; and I drew both swords and got in a ready stance.
"Ready or not, here I come!"
Boyd charged at me and swung his axe horizontally at my stomach. I parried with both swords in an X formation. Boyd disengaged and swung again. This time I parried with my right and thrust my left at his shoulder which he dodged by spinning to his right.
Ha gotcha.
Before he could re-orient himself after spinning away I lashed out with my foot and caught his foot and he tripped and hit the ground; he tried getting up but stopped when he felt the tip of my sword against his throat.
"Well Boyd looks like the pro got beat by a rookie….again."
"What do you mean again Oscar? Kid got lucky this time."
"Well Mist told everyone that Ike beat you a few days ago; so yeah you got beat again."
"You've been slacking on your training again Boyd it seems….looks like you'll be doing practice swings when we get back."
"Aw come on Titania; that's no fair I've done them already today."
"Well it looks like you need to do some more; anyways it's getting late and we don't want the commander to come looking for us do we?"
Turning to me;
"Thank you for your help today…James was it? I hope to work with you again in the future."
"Thank you ma'am it was an honor to fight alongside you people."
Pleasantries exchanged the Greil Mercenaries mounted up and headed back to their base. With the fighting done and my adrenaline starting to wind down I realized how stiff and sore my muscles were feeling.
I'm going to need to stay here a couple days and make sure I'm rested up.
Thought in mind I headed back to the tavern. True to his word the barkeeper had a meal ready for me and told me I could stay free of charge for the next day or so before heading out. I thanked him and ate quickly. I then headed to the room he had for me and collapsed exhausted on the cot. Before the darkness of sleep came over me I reflected on how cool it was to meet the Greil Mercenaries and I wondered what else would happen in the future for me. It seemed that the dawn of my destiny was rapidly approaching and almost upon me. Then sleep came over my senses and I succumbed to the blissful darkness.
Authors Note: Lol I wish I could use both my hands as well as my OC but I'm heavily right-handed unfortunately. Well I hope this chapter was much improved the 2nd time around; please give me your thoughts and reviews to it. Now for my announcement; I don't know if any of you know the TV and manga series Bleach…suffice to say I'm a huge fan and I will also start taking time to write a Bleach fanfiction at the same time I'm writing this one. I will let you breathe now and tell you that I will still be continuing this novel on a regular basis and my update times won't be exaggerated or prolonged…but with my college schedule I now have time set aside time for another novel and I'm going to give that a shot. Enough with that now…This was the only chapter I'm planning on re-editing but I will look at my other chapters to make sure any changes I may have made will flow with the rest of the story but that should be very minor if it needs any more editing. Also if you want to know what I listen too when I write…I listen to midi's of all music from Final Fantasy's 4, 6 and Fire Emblem Radiant Dawn and Path of Radiance. That allows me to focus more on my writing and I just like this music ^_^. I will update again soon I hope and wish you all the best in life; and remember guys if you meet a girl who's pretty; likes sports and video games…get a ring ASAP.