Fire Emblem: Kamon

Part 1: To Return Home

A Fire Emblem Fanfic

By: Super Smasher


Kaerue

Tanas, Begnion

"So, explain to me again why you are helping me." Lethe demanded, resting closed fists on the table. Her agitated nose twitched as the pervasive smell of the farm that Kamon and his father owned wafted around the room.

"Simply, because we are emancipationists." Kamon sighed. Obviously, this wasn't the first time this discussion had occurred.

"Emancipationists are dedicated to reclaiming and freeing laguz captured by slave traders." Kamon's father, Ken, explained. "However, we live in the province of Tanas, where laguz hatred runs high, due to our proximity. Before Serenes burned and was claimed by Begnion, Tanas was a border territory, and was subjected to numerous raids by laguz bandits."

Kamon gazed outside the window, where Mato, a blond-haired cat laguz known for his intelligence and wit, and Frell, a light-complexioned hawk laguz whose looks and cunning were her strong traits, calmly harvested apples from a small orchard. "Therefore, we are posing as a slaver's retreat, where captured laguz stay while being transferred from Sienne to Tanas City. The townsfolk respect us, and we are never bothered."

"And so, it wouldn't look strange for several laguz to pass through here in the space of a month." Lethe reasoned. The two beorc nodded. "But don't you also runs the risk of exposition to the Empire? The patrol in Sienne...they had no mercy. Aren't you afraid?" Ken laughed.

"Of course! But the town offers us protection, even if we are deceiving them." Lethe looked out the window at the collection of the fruit. Ken followed her glance. "When we free a slave, we give them the choice of going wherever they please. Some wish to return home. Some want to move as far away from here as possible. Others feel gratitude to us and choose to stay. Not only does it help us with the manual farm labor, but it adds to our alibi, since it appears we ourselves own labor slaves."

"Well, I am certaintly returning to Gallia, with or without my ability to transform. I will find a way to remove this bracelet...somehow..."

A sharp knock reported on the front door to the building, hasty and hurried. Quickly, Kamon grabbed a rope, and bound Lethe's arms behind her back, much to her displeasure. "Nobody's seen you before, you have to acts slavelike." She snarled, but acquiesced. Ken strode to the door and opened it. A small, stocky man burst inside.

"Ken, Kamon! Bad news! The town is..." His gaze landed on Lethe. "New slave? She's pretty good looking! You planning what I think you're planning?" The two men gave him false smiles. Lethe could tell they were farces, but couldn't help growling at the prospect of what the man had insinuated.

"Yes, yes." Ken waved it off. "You were telling me about the town, Rik?"

"Oh! The Nebel Bandits! They're attacking!" Lethe's breath hitched, she could hear Kamon's do the same. "There's probably twenty of them! Max is trying to hold them off..." The man trailed off as Kamon ran into an adjoining room. He returned a minute later with his light armor on, his helm in one hand and Iron Lance in the other.

"Can you do this by yourself, Kamon?" His father asked. The boy nodded, shoving the helmet ont his head.

"Good, good!" Rik smiled. "Quickly! Before we're overwhelmed!" He ran out the door and down the dirt pathway towards the town. Kamon quickly removed Lethe's bindings, and tossed a robe at her.

"Come on!" He yelled, sprinting outside. The cat quickly looked at Ken, who nodded. She donned the disguise, and followed.


In the town square, several bandits raised their axes, jeering as they brandished their weapons at the townsfolk holding pitchforks and spears in their defense.

"Gar har har!" Yan, the leader of the rogues laughed, prompting the same response from his men. "You fools think you can take us on with those kids' toys? We'll have your gold and mead, if we have to torch every house to get it!" He was met with cries of "Whatever!" and "Like to see you try!" from the villagers.

"Just give up now, while you still have your lives." One man yelled, waving a wooden club at Yan. Suddenly a bandit stepped forward and cleaved the villager in two with his axe. A woman screamed, and the angry mutters of the townsfolk turned into a roar.

"Looks like you're the ones who should be worried about living!" Yan yelled. At that moment, the crowd parted as a young man walked through the throng. His polished, heavy grey armor, devoid of any military ties, glinted in the sunlight. His helm rested in the crook of this left arm, an Iron Sword drawn in right.

"I shall not allow you free reign in this town. None of you will leave here alive." His fierce blue eyes glared through his blond bangs and seemed to be attempting to burn the bandits alive. Yan laughed again.

"And who do you think you are to oppose us?" He asked, baring his axe and shaking it at his foe.

"My name is Max, and I shall have no mercy for those who invade our village and slay our families." The boy grabbed his helm and set it atop his head, the heavy metal visor obscuring his face.

"Hahahahaha! I like you, kid! You would have made a fine bandit! Too bad you'll not have the chance! Spread out, boys! Take him down!" At Yan's behest, the bandits divided their forces, attempting to surround the Armored Sword. This development broke the villager's morale, and they all retreated to a safe distance.

"Damn...There's too many of them." Max cursed under his breath. "But I won't give up. I need to protect my home..." He gritted his teeth and settled into a fighting stance.

"Max!" He looked up to see Kamon sprinting towards him, Lance in hand. "Don't start the party early!" He quickly pressed his back against his friend's, gazing at their surroundings. Lethe quickly arrived as well. Max looked at her robed form quizzically.

"Who's this? Did you have to go all the way to Sienne for a girlfriend, Kamon?" Lethe bristled with disgust, and Kamon sighed.

"...She's a slaver. Here at the retreat. Just passing through." A knowing light glinted in the swordsman's eyes.

"I see. Well, let's clean up this rabble!"


Kamon spotted a Myrmidon advancing to his left. Quickly, he threw himself at the bandit, snarling as he struck him in the side. The man slashed his sword back at the Soldier's ribs, but he nimbly sidestepped and finished the sword wielder with a thrust of his lance. Glancing over his shoulder, he spotted Max engaging a slow-moving Bandit, quickly ending the matchup with only one sword stroke. Lethe was aware of her own vulnerability and positioned herself between the two men.

Immediately, another bandit burst from between two houses and attempted to strike at her. She dodged his axe and delivered a swift kick to his chest. She looked around, expecting Kamon to rush over and finish him off, like during the escape from the trading post. However, the Lance wielder had received a sharp blow from a ruffian who had managed to take advantage of the Myrmidon's defeat to sneak up behind him. The boy was able to land a glancing blow, but he did not really damage the man. The rest of the gang was slowly closing in.

Max was the next to move. He spied the Bandit who had attacked Lethe and took the opportunity to dispatch him. Kamon was still engaging the other man, his matchup against Axes apparent. "Don't you know Lances are weak to Axes?" Lethe called, receiving a snort of recognition.

"Don't you think I know that? But it's not like I can do much about it. I must protect our town!" Somehow, he managed to dodge the axe's swing and stab the man in the throat. "There's no way I'm gonna be able to do this alone. Good thing Max has a sword to counter all these Axers." Max just laughed.

Another Bandit swerved around a corner and attacked Kamon from behind. "By Ash...Yune! Where are all these guys spawning from?" He missed the Bandit entirely with his counterattack, sheer exhaustion covering his face. The rest of the gang snarled. They knew they would have their revenge soon.

"Just get behind me!" Max yelled, swinging his weapon at Kamon's foe. The man fell to the ground, and a Vulnerary rolled from his satchel. Max quickly scooped it up. Kamon jumped behind him and gestured for the item. Max nodded, and Kamon took a gulp of the liquid. He could feel the liquid fire energize him, and he wiped the excess from his mouth as Lethe quickly darted behind him. They had reached a small alleyway, and Max stood at the front as a shield to fight the Bandits while the other two took a quick break.

The rest of the Bandits were approaching. Once they all were within range, Kamon leapt forwards, which he regretted instantly. He succeeded in felling a small Myrmidon, and Max, snarling with distaste, dispatched another Bandit. Lethe once again took advantage of the space between the two, but Kamon's move had been costly.

He was now surrounded on two sides by Bandits. "Double-teaming, huh? Not exactly fair, but let's dance!" Both men charged at him, and while one missed by a wide amount, the other laid a deep gash into Kamon's arm, luckily not severe. Kamon was able to hit one of the men, but missed the other by a wide margin. He retaliated again by quickly incapacitating the weaker Bandit, and Max helped finish the other. "Lethe! We've got the rest! Can you check on the villagers?" Even if she had no way to attack anyone directly, the cat laguz was loathe to leave the battlefield. After a second though, she agreed and headed to the villagers' aid.

Yan was sweating now. Out of the ten men he had brought with him to this two-bit town, only three, including himself, were left. He snarled and bared his Iron Axe with vigor as Kamon and Max approached him. The two remaining Myrmidons quickly took their chances against Max, but their swords failed to pierce his heavy armor. Countering, Max was able to land significant damage on both of them, with the two boys finishing them shortly afterward.

"Look at what you have done to yourselves." Max called to the rogue leader. "Your men have met their ends at the hands of two inexperienced boys. You shall meet the same fate." He wiped blood from his blade on one of the fallen mens' shirts and let it glisten in the sunlight.

"You think I could do that? I'll avenge my men tenfold as you pay for what you've done!" he howled as he launched his body at the Armored Sword.

"Pity, that's my line." Max smiled, parrying his blow and slicing through his left arm. Yan grasped the stub in pain. His adrenaline-fueled rage allowed him to smash his Axe through one of Max's plates, giving him a sharp wound.

Kamon attempted to attack the man, but was unsuccessful in giving him a substantial wound. Yan's attack sent him to the ground. "I can't take much more of this, man." The black-haired youth said to his companion. "Finish him." Max smiled.

"With pleasure." Before the Bandit could turn back to face the Armored Sword, he had given the man a fatal stab through the chest.

"This...can't be..." Yan denied, dropping his weapon. "I lost...to mere children...?" His dying words echoed as he slumped to the ground. Max sighed heavily in relief, and grabbed the Axe he had dropped.

"Poor compensation for what happened here."


"I'm sorry, Lethe. All my efforts to remove the bracelet have failed." Ken said with a somber expression. "But you still wish to return to Gallia?"

"Yes. And I shall, even if I must hide in the shadows like the prey we laguz hunt." she said, acid in her voice. "Once I get help, I WILL get these men back for what they did to me...and my fellow laguz."

"I see...but you really think you can make it back alone?" Ken asked.

"Father, allow me to go with her to Gallia." Kamon stood from the chair he had been in, wincing as he felt a pang from a wound injure his side. "A good night's sleep and I shall b-"

"No." The boy was confused, as this rebuttal came not from his father, but from Lethe. "I will not accept anyone's help, especially not beorc. I do not need assistance. You would only slow me down."

"Are you sure?" Ken asked. "You saw the numbers with which those Bandits attacked you. What if Kamon and Max had not been there? If you find yourself in a ten-on-one situation, what will you do?"

"I will ford that river when I come to it." Lethe snarled. "I can defend myself just fine."

"But you can't transform. Laguz only fight when transformed." Kamon pointed out. Lethe opened her mouth to say something, but closed it when she found she had nothing to say.

"If you were to go alone, you would at least need to protect yourself." Ken reasoned. "I'm sure I have a sword or two lying ar-"

"No! Even worse than accepting your help! To use a beorc's weapon would be a disgrace to myself and my entire race! Do you expect me to bring myself down to the level of you...humans?" It had been long since she had last uttered that word. Although the feel of it was dry and distasteful, it felt good to vent her anger through these insults. She smiled inwardly as Kamon's demeanor changed from compromising to furious.

"What other alternative do you have?" another voice asked. Lethe whirled around. She had forgotten that Max was there as well, still holding Yan's Axe in his hands. "Don't you have family? Anyone to return home to? You have a chance to see them again, and would you throw that away? You laguz and your damned pride."The cat growled fiercely, ready to pounce on the boy at any time, regardless of if his statement was well-founded or not.

"It is against the laws of the world! We were created differently, to use different means of fighting!"

"Ah, but our races only separated once Ashunera split into two different entities, and Ashera assigned these roles to us." Ken claimed. "With the god gone, there is nothing but pride and tradition holding you laguz back from learning to fight while untransformed." Lethe was still sour at the prospect.

"...Only if it will allow me to see Gallia again."

"Good. Close your eyes." Lethe became startled at what Ken suggested, but reluctantly blocked her vision. "Kamon." She could hear the boy shuffling around, walking behind her towards Max. There were a few clinks of metal, and she sensed him in front of her again. "We're going to test out to see what weapon you should use. Just take these in your hand. Don't attempt to attack anything. Just see if you can feel the way you would fight."

She felt metal press against her right palm. She grasped the rough surface and held it upright. He knew she was holding something rod-shaped, but she didn't exactly know what. "Swing it a bit." She felt her arm hitch with the air resistance as she flung the weapon around a bit. "How is it?"

"It feels like if I squeeze any harder, it will snap."

"Next." She felt the metal again and sighed. This time, she knew the center of balance was more towards the front. Without warning, she did a couple strokes with the weapon, and was surprised by how light it was.

"It's too weak. I won't kill anyone with this piece of scrap." She heard a small screech from Max's direction as a chair scraped along the floor. She realized she was holding his sword, and quickly threw it to the ground.

"Try this."

Once she grasped the next item, she paused. It was similar to the sword, but yet different. It was heavier, and felt more like an extension of her arm. It was faint, but she seemed to be able to channel a bit of the energy she normally used to transform into it. Was this a sign? Was she meant to have and use whatever beorc weapon was in her hand at this moment?

"It feels...sort of right. Like I could actually use it and hurt somebody. Maybe even kill them." She heard Kamon cough, and Max sigh. Ken just gave a small chuckle.

"Open your eyes." Lethe did as she was told. Her breath caught as she laid eyes on the weapon in her hand. Yan's Axe, the Iron weapon Max had seized from the bandit, gazed up at her with vigor, as if it was ready to be wielded. "Out of the weapons we have, I'll admit I didn't expect it to be this. Cat laguz are built for speed, not strength."

"Maybe it just suits your blunt personality!" Kamon laughed, earning him a killing stare.

"That aside, congratulations, Lethe. You are the first laguz in recorded history to take a beorc weapon into battle. You're not just a Cat anymore, but a Cat Fighter." Ken announced. Kamon laughed out loud, and even Max sniggered a little. Lethe sweatdropped uncharacteristically.

"Really? Anything else? Cat Bandit, Cat Pirate, even?"