Same as for the last chapter, R&R if you'd like, if you spot any errors be sure to point them out.
Spoilers for Fire Emblem Path of Radiance and Radiant Dawn are in this chapter...
Ike was sitting at a dining table. The room was mostly empty; after hours of showing their gratitude towards Ike, the villagers all returned to their homes to make repairs, and clean up after the attack this afternoon. The room was dimly lit; a woman with several logs in hand was tossing them into a small fire pit in the center of the room. In the kitchen, Ike could hear a ruckus, assuming that the villagers were preparing a meal. The village master was walking down a flight of stairs, up to the table Ike sat at.
"I know you've probably heard it enough by now, but we couldn't ever thank you enough for what you have done for us." The old man clapped his hand together.
"It's no issue really; I've had to deal with men of their kind on a weekly basis." Ike leaned back in his spruce wood chair.
"Seeing as how you handled them, I don't doubt this…" the village master took a seat in front of Ike, "If you wouldn't mind me asking hero, what is it you do?"
The mercenary considered the repercussions of divulging information about his past, but he realized, Tellius may be in another world entirely. And even if he kept his past hidden, the battle today would sound all too extraordinary, one mere sell sword easily besting twenty one bandits all on his own.
Ike shrugged, peering into the old man's grey eyes. "I'm a mercenary; I used to be the leader of a mercenary group in a land far from here. After two wars, my mercenary group disbanded. Now I am here." man was wide eyed in astonishment, clapping his hand together.
"Oh how incredible… how truly, most absolutely incredible!" Ike frowned, thinking he didn't deserve such praise.
"Oh wonderful, yes, truly, most incredibly wonderful!" The man grinned. "We can never thank you enough for ridding us of those foul bandits. Year after year, season after season, they come to raid our village, and now, they are finally gone." Ike looked over, perplexed.
"You've had to deal with these men before?" Ike's asked.
"Oh yes, but not just us. Our neighbor villages, even the port town of Windfall has had to deal with these men." Ike remained silent. "It truly is tragic, we of the port towns and border villages always have it the hardest. Even in peace time, the Lords of our realms struggle to assist us in times of need. Now with this new war… Things might be a little harder."
The man smiled at a thought. "Well, it would have been, had it not been because of you mister mercenary."
"Do you mind telling me more about the two kingdoms, Nohr and Hoshido?" Ike asked
The old man pondered for a moment. "Well, the kingdom of Nohr, a dark and cruel land, ruled by the harsh King Garon. The bureaucracy behind this kingdom has always had its problems, but over the last twenty years or so, the corruption seems to have over taken this kingdom. Nohr is an unforgiving land, hard on its people, seemingly testing them at every corner." The man paused. "The royal children to Garon, the High Prince Xander, perhaps the finest blade of his people, Prince Leo, a swift clever tactician, Princess Camilla, a ruthless warrior on the battlefield, but kind hearted at her core, and the young Princess Elise, a slightly naïve girl but purely innocent young lady."
"And Hoshido?" Ike asked.
"Hoshido was lead by the late Queen Mikoto, however, she as well as many innocent Hoshidian people were killed in some sort of explosion in Hoshido's capital." The old man looked down to the tile below. "She was a good Queen, a very wise, peaceful queen. Her son Ryoma, the finest warrior of his land, perhaps all the land, is now the ruler of Hoshido in her stead. His sibling, Takumi, Hinoka, and Sakura, are kind hearted and brave children. They are the true essence of Hoshido's best."
Ike pondered for a moment. "And Hoshido's worst?"
"Well, Hoshido is a beautiful land… the kingdom is one of great peace. However, much like always, this great prosperity has lead to great depravity. Many are born spoiled, and unsympathetic to the plight Nohr faces constantly."
Ike simply nodded, letting the man continue.
"The one thing all the royal families share is the core of their bloodline." The old man stated. Ike rose an eyebrow in intrigue.
"What is that exactly?" Ike asked.
"They all descend from dragons. I don't know how it is where you come from, but you see, dragons are creatures of deity proportions. At the beginning of time, these dragons helped form the land, and aided mankind to become what they are now…" he paused, "but over time, the longer these beings remain in our world, they grow mad, a form of self destructive tendencies come over them…
In their time here on earth, they intermingled with the royal families, and thus, to this day, though the dragons are gone, their blood still runs through the veins of the royal families."
Ike was absorbing all this information, but one glaring thing still needed to be answered for him. "And what of Princess Corrin, where does she fit in all this?" Ike asked.
The man was surprised by this question. "Do you know Lady Corrin?" he asked.
"I met her briefly. She seems to be a good person… though I struggle to understand how a person of her stature could find herself in the crosshairs of the two kingdoms." Ike replied.
"Well, for years, no one knew of Princess Corrin… She was held up in a fortress her whole upbringing in Nohr… as such; she was raised among the royals of Nohr. I hear they were all very close. However, it came to light recently that she was in fact the daughter of Queen Mikoto, having been kidnapped at a tender young age by King Garon himself when he set a trap for the king of Hoshido."
Ike grimaced at the thought….
"Poor Queen Mikoto died in young Corrin's arms… it must have been all too much for the princess. Only mere hours after the event, Nohr and Hoshido assembled their armies at the border. Corrin had to decide, would she fight for her blood family, or those she has known all her life."
All this was more complicated than Ike had realized. His suspicions about Corrin's role in this war were right. He felt immeasurable sympathy for her... he knew what it was like to have a parent die in their arms.
"And I assume she refused to side against either family?" Ike asked.
"Yes, she did, the poor girl." The old man replied. "Her eldest brothers were quite unpleased I hear, going as far as to attack her to try and bring her home." He paused. "I do not know what she intends to do about this senseless war, but I know it'll be a task no one could ever do alone. Thankfully she has Princess Azura, a true voice of reason in light of a dark situation, though I don't know if she'll be enough."
Ike absorbed everything. He knew Corrin may have been in a bad spot in this war, but this whole situation was something he couldn't imagine being in himself, given even the things he had been through.
"These brothers of hers, Xander and Ryoma… you say they're strong?" Ike asked.
"Oh very, I've seen them both in person. They are fierce fighters. Up until today I thought they were the strongest warriors could ever get." The old man replied.
"Up until today?" Ike asked with a raised eyebrow.
"Well, though you are a sell sword, the way you flawlessly took on those bandits, not a tang of fear, not one miss step in you footing, not one miss-swing… It was like watching the stuff of legends." The old man praised, "I was once a soldier for a small kingdom south of here long ago… a commander, I know what it takes to best men in battle…. But never in my life have I seen a warrior like you, mister…"
The old man paused, "Actually, what is your name young warrior?"
"Ike… Ike Greil."
-Several days later-
Ike had traveled from village to town all across the land, both in Nohr and Hoshido. In that time, he had encountered more than just bandits. Pirates, mercenaries, even soldiers mistaking him for a rival kingdoms scout. With each victory, each saved village or town or caravan or boat at sea, Ike's reputation across the land had spread. Word of a blue haired mercenary wielding a large golden two hand sword had become word of mouth in almost any town. Much to his dismay, some of the people he had saved compensated him quite generously.
Ike wondered what is it he must of done to be dealt this hand again… he did indeed leave Tellius in search of work that would have been unavailable to him in Tellius… among other things, but why is it, no matter where he went, it was always the same thing, war.
The land he walked was always at war. His mind was at war with his heart, which told it to stop, no more fighting, no more running. Running from your past won't let you step any closer to being truly at peace. But he was still so restless. He thought he had made peace with things in his past… the killing of his father, the hundreds of souls he had sent to their graves, including the life of a Goddess. It was strange, but the further he ran from home, the more the guilt of it all ate him up inside.
But he knew of the skills he had, how lethal he was to those of the living. When he saw those in need, his mind and heart were no longer at war, his conflict with himself was fuel to pad out the flames of war. He could never turn his back on those in need... no matter how much he'll despise his hunger for a fight in the long run. He didn't enjoy killing, but the thrill of a good fight; he hadn't felt that in a long time. Zelgius was the last man who truly gave him that. All that anticipation leading up to both their battles, to first avenge his father, then to become that of an equal to him, it was all to surreal.
Ike was entering the port town of Windfall; the town was very busy; ships were being loaded with goods, hard working dock workers blurting out orders here and there. It was a mildly large town, a windmill was at the center of it all, several shops and stalls littered the pathways. The town was on a hill, the port on the lowest portion, while the mighty windmill was at the top portion. The stone walls were mildly decorated, and had no signs of wear.
There looked to be a lot of guards, woman gossiping, a man in green wearing a hat strolling up a pathway, an old man standing next to a tree. There were a group of four young kids, who each looked to be around eight or nine years of age. They were walking single file, chanting to the old man.
"We are the Killer Termites, we don't go to school and we don't listen to no one!" their leader stated, and the three others all said 'Yeah!' in unison. Ike chuckled, walking over to them to shoo them away from the old man.
"Go on children, go play somewhere else."
"No can do, sir, we're the Killer Termites, we listen to no one!" the smallest boy exclaimed.
"Yeah, what makes you think we're gonna listen to you!" a second one added. Ike chuckled again.
"Even those with authority have to take orders sometimes, boys…" Ike scolded the boys
They huffed, complying with the mercenary, marching away from him and the old man in single file up the hill and through an alleyway. The old man walked up to Ike, taking his hand, shaking it in appreciation. "Oh thank you sir, you don't know how troublesome those kids can be."
Ike chuckled, freeing his hand. "Well, kids will be kids…. Do you know where the closest inn is at here."
"Oh, just up the hill, close to the windmill. It's integrated with a pub at the bottom floor, so it may tend to get noisy." He replied.
"No issue for me, I could use a drink." Ike thanked him, making his way up the hill.
-Hours Later-
Ike entered the bar, greeted with the cheers and hollering of the drunkards about it. He looked around for a moment, he noticed an empty chair by the main counter, the bartender turning just in time as Ike took a seat at one of the barstools. He walked over; throwing the towel he was holding over his shoulder.
"What can I get you, pal." He had a grey mustache and was fairly upper middle aged.
"You guy's carry any mead?" Ike leaned forward.
"Sure thing, buddy, sure you don't want any rum instead?" The bartender stood straight up.
"No thanks, I'm not going to be here long."
"Alright pal, comin' right up." Ike nodded, as the bartender went and grabbed a tankard. As Ike watched him fill it to the brim, he felt a tap on his shoulder. He turned to see a group of women, one short redheaded girl, a brunette, another red head, and a blonde.
"Hey there, handsome you not from town?" Ike shook his head.
"Just passing through." They each giggled.
"You wantin' any of us to give you a good time?" The two girls behind the blonde giggled. Ike shook his head again.
"No thanks ladies, I'm not going to be here long." The four looked to each other, whispering before looking back to him.
"I'm sure if you spend a few minutes with us, you'd never want to leave." Ike chuckled internally.
"Unlikely..." They each rolled their eyes walking away from the mercenary.
"Whatever, it's your loss." The red head said.
Ike turned back in his stool. He wasn't lying; he was completely incapable of staying in one place. He felt a slight stir in his stomach. He left Crimea when the princess offered him a spot as a royal, he left Tellius when all his adventures were complete and peace had been brought to the land. He could never recall staying in one place. He wasn't one to live peacefully.
The bartender returned, placing the tankard in front of Ike. The mercenary placed a coin on the counter, the bartender pocketed it. Ike motioned for him to lean in.
"What's the word of the town?" Ike asked.
The bartender leaned back, taking a towel to clean out a tankard. "What's not word of the town, what with that war going on… I hear that Princess who turned tailed encountered both her brothers in some port town." He sat the cup down out of sight. "Not to mention that mercenary going around saving all the towns around the two kingdoms."
"Do the royal's know of him?" Ike asked, taking a swig of his mead.
"Yeah, they've been concerned he'll somehow get involved in this war…" he spit into a can, "I'm sure that would make them tuck their tails in-between their behinds."
"Hmmm…" Ike took another swig. "But Princess Corrin is still struggling with this war?" he mumbled to himself.
"I'm sorry?" the bartender asked.
"Oh, nothing …" Ike finished his mead in one quick gulp. "I'd like a room…" Ike noticed a case of cigars, he loved cigars. "And one of those."
"Absolutely, big guy, coming right up."
The full moon was peaking over the tree line. The sound of wind, crickets, and a flowing river helped soothe the soul of this restless mercenary. He liked the forest; it was warm, calm, and peaceful. However, in his mind, an inner turmoil was brewing. Nights like this always brought back painful memories, and as hard as he may try, Ike could never tame these thoughts. This night, one that many would call beautiful, reminded him of another fateful night, many years ago. He peered into the dense woods beyond the road he walked. He knew nothing was there, yet he thought he heard the sound of sword fighting.
He stopped in his tracks. Remaining still, he listened closer.
'I could have sworn I heard something.' He took a deep breath. 'Ike, you got over this long ago. You've avenged him, you don't need to….' He heard it again, the sound of blades clashing, a yell, a grunt. Ike shot up, his inner instincts taking over. He ran into the forest, away from the road.
The moonlight cast lightly over the tree line, Ike's jogging grew to a sprint as he thought he was drawing closer. As he ran, a memory clouded his mind, a phrase he remembered saying to himself in his most frightened state.
'Father, it's been long, where are you.' It echoed so loud in his mind that Ike did not know if he had said it. The sound grew louder, the grunting was clearer than ever. He recognized it.
"Father…" He whispered. 'Ike… Stay back!' It was the voice of his father. He stopped, breathing heavily as he looked over his surroundings.
He made it to a clearing in the forest, and to his sadness, there was nothing. All that surrounded him was the same forest, the full moon above, and his thoughts. He looked around, the stage he currently stood upon looked completely identical to that fateful night. There were no more sounds, no more cries, nothing. It was so quiet. He turned to head back for the road, but there, in the tree line, stood an army… they were waiting for him, the faces of all the men he had killed. His father and Zelgius stood at the front, his face was pale, his hand almost bone. His father rose is hand out to Ike, all the dead warriors behind him following suit.
"Welcome Ike…. Welcome… Son..."
Ike awoke, breathing heavily, the bed he laid in drenched in sweat. The room was dimly lit by the open window to a full moon night…. He sighed, grabbing his chest.
"It was nothing… nothing at all…"
Ike stood near the window, watching the sunrise peak up from the ocean. Looking around his room, he sighed, walking over to a chest at the bed's end. Opening it, he pulled out his paladin shoulder armor, shin guards, gauntlets, gloves, a number of belts, buckles and satchels. He placed them all on the bed, moving to his wardrobe closet, he pulled out all his leather padding, work boots, and cape.
He sighed, as he began to mount up. He fit the leather padding's over his tank top, using several of the belts and buckles to fasten them tightly around his torso, stomach, and waist. He wrapped one strap around his right leg, and then tied a small satchel to it.
Taking off his casual footwear, he pulled his work boots on, placing his leg on the chest, and he grabbed his shin guards, tying them each to his boots. He fitted his paladin to his shoulder, fitting his gloves on his hands. The gauntlets fit neatly over them. He tied several more satchels to his belts, checking them to see if they were full of herbs or not. Many of them were empty, but seeing as were he was going, it wouldn't be a problem. His leg satchel was full of gold, and another on his chest had flint and steel. He grabbed his cape, tying around and clipping it to his collar. He looked to the mirror on the wall, looking himself over. He grabbed the headband off his dresser, looking back into his reflection; he scrutinized his own image, pondering as he wrapped the green headband around his head.
'You can't keep running, Ike… in your heart of hearts, you know there are those who still need you.'
He signed, looking into his own gaze one more time. He turned to the left; next to the wardrobe was a weapons rack. The only blade on it was the holy blade Ragnell, the sister blade to Alondite, both blessed by the goddess Ashera, and the old blade of his father Gawain. It had seen many adventures in its time; Ike wielded it for two wars. He killed a mad king with it, and the killer of his father, and was the blade he used to strike down Ashera. Its goddess was dead, its sister blade lost somewhere in time, and its original owner dead. He lifted it up, holding it close to his face. He took another deep breath. When he was wandering the wastelands beyond Tellius, this blade was always in his grasp. He had to carry it everywhere, something this heavy, for hundreds, maybe even thousands of miles.
He didn't know if this burden was a test of will and strength, or a metaphor of his heavy heart, all the things he carried with him. He glanced over to the mirror again… the image of that tall strong man… who was he? What was he to do in this situation? Corrin was in a very desperate situation… but he couldn't just go off and help her. He didn't know if he could bare anymore lives on his shoulders, to command another group of people, to have the fate of their lives in his hands. But what about Corrin, she was on her own. She may have the support of her friends, but she was the one who had to lead them into battle, the one who would forever bare their lives in her soul; what if she had to face her brothers again, or someone or something stronger.
Ike couldn't just stand by, but he didn't want to fight this war for her. He thought of Zelgius, about when he faced him for a third time during the Mad Kings War, how Zelgius had spared him, letting him live knowing that one day he would grow stronger, to put the pieces in place for a great warrior. He truly was Ike's final teacher.
Perhaps, Ike would have to do the same for Corrin, to be that guiding hand. Ike turned to face the mirror full on, standing tall.
"I have to help Corrin."
I really liked writing this chapter. I used some tidbits of stories I wrote before but have since removed.
As always, R&R if you'd like, or not, your choice.
I don't think the next chapter will be as long as these first two based on my lay out of the plot, but I could be wrong, I may add things to it to boost it.
If you spot any error be sure to let me know, it means a lot, and I don't mind putting more work into these chapters.
There maybe a P.O.V change at parts of the next few chapters, just fyi.
Anyway, I hope you guy/gals/others liked this chapter.