Fire Emblem: The Scouring
Chapter 1: The Oppressed
The village square was filled with the murmurs of the townspeople. Fear was laced with every spoken word. The armies of men were gathering across the mountains to the east. Two men had come from the east with the news and were staying at the inn. Many in the small settlement had been surprised with the two human men's kindness and concern for them. The war had begun to rack up innumerable dragon losses, now their small inhabitance was next.
"Elder, we can't just leave our home; our children are barely able to fly, much less travel over land."
The eldest dragon of the village gazed across at the villagers gathered in the square. Everyone appeared to be human to the normal eyes, but all present were really dragons, their disguises held in place. The youngest of dragons born normally came into the world looking like whatever form the mother took during childbirth. If she was human, the child was as well, reverting to its true nature a few hours afterward.
In all his days, he had hoped that a decision like this would never cross his path, yet now he was faced with such a decision. Just as he was about to voice his decision, the crowd hushed to complete silence as the two men from the inn approached the skulk of dragons. One wore his hair long, dark brown hair trailed to his waist, his friend wore his cut short and trim.
A crimson colored shirt paired with tan pants was hidden underneath the long haired mages' deep blue cloak. A pale green magic tome lay cradled in his left arm; everyone present could feel a powerful force behind the anima user. The same went for the other mage, though his presence made more of the people nervous than the sage. He was dressed darkly from head to foot, black robes with golden filigree and crimson contrast held the runic markings of a druid; a practitioner of the elder magic.
"Please, you need not quell your discussions on our accounts. We prefer to hear you dilemma and solve it if possible."
The druid behind him nodded in agreement. The dragons present looked to one another, each skeptical as to how these magi were to aid them. Certainly, one of the men alone could strike fear into hundreds, but the army across the range was far more numerous than that.
"Kind Athos, you have done enough in showing kindness and sincerity to us during these chaotic and evil times. There is no need for you to stay here, for I fear that this is our last meeting."
The druid behind the wizened sage stepped forward, the dull jangle of the golden pendants at the end of his cloak echoed in the cool morning air.
"So this is the way the dragons would meet their ends? Come now, gird yourselves and live to your fullest one last day at least. Spend these last moments with family and friends, enjoying one last peaceful moment. Apathy is worse than death. Meet your ends facing forward and bold, so that people may say that you lived proud lives."
Cries of protest and anger arose from the masses. Several of the men closer to the elder magic user clenched their fists. The women among the throng of dragons were appalled at the words of the stranger. A large shadow overhead drew everyone's attention, all present forgot about the druid as a group of large dragons landed just outside the town gates.
The first one's wings were full and almost translucent in coloration. Its body was sleek and curved; the skin looked almost like water instead of leathery scales. The two following it were of differing origins. One of the escorts was a dragon of the flames from the mountains far to the east. Their territories were the first to fall and were still considered the bloodiest of all the dragon massacres.
They were known for their passionate and open minded natures, preferring to keep the peace and help others with building and culture despite first impressions. Now however, they were the most violent of any dragon to be met, countless flame dragonesses were sold to slavery of made a mockery of while they remained human in appearance. This had lead many of the males to go into a berserk like state, destroying everything in their paths.
It was this reaction to the enslavement of their fairer sex that had begun the rumors of malicious dragons who thirsted for nothing but blood and battle. Thus, mankind started to fortify themselves against a threat brought on by their own reckless greed and lust.
The final dragon held an awe inspiring aura, its wings held no physical form, appearing ethereal in nature. The gouts of light stemmed from its muscular shoulders in two groups of four. The people in the square held their breaths. The wings remained, though a handsome man appeared from his original state. Long, flowing silver hair framed a commanding set of eyes and well formed face. His dress was formal and crisp, white and light blues trailed across his robe and its sleeves. The long pants and shoes, also of ivory white, made him look like some kind of angel from heaven.
He landed and entered the gates of the village. The two dragons had taken on their human guises while falling into an escort formation behind the snow white adorned man. Many of the women bowed as he drew closer. The women were always respectful to the men and elders, but for this particular dragon, the up most reverence was given. The men also bowed with their faces solemn.
"Your Resplendence! I never imagined that you'd come to us in this time of need. What may we do to help you?"
"All of you stand, I've no need for such treatment, unlike the last Matriarch, I do not intend on weighing myself down with trivial formality."
All present rose and sighed in relief.
"You are the Matriarch? I'd imagined that you would be older."
The Matriarch looked to Athos, who was receiving fierce glares and dismal glances from men and women alike. The Matriarch was the sole ruler of the Radiance Dragons and one of the Seven Elders. Though by no means was he the oldest of his breed, he was revered as the most suited for leading his kin. The other dragons held similar hierarchies, but none were quite as prominent.
To everyone's surprise, the representative of all Radiance kin began laughing. A huge grin appeared on the Matriarch's face as he crossed his arms in front of him. The two escorts, the Flame dragon and the other smirked. Quelling his laughter, the dragon representative bowed deeply.
"Dear sage, I am honored that you think of me as young for such a position, but I assure you, I've lived quite the long life already and still have, the gods permitting, a long life to live."
"So just how many years have you lived in this world?"
"Three millennia if that will sate your curiosity."
All present gawked at the revelation.
"So, with that answered my dear Sage and Druid, would you aid me in defending this small abode?"
The two men nodded sincerely. The whinnying of a horse outside the gates made several of the villagers jump. A number of the children hid behind parents as a deep brown mare passed through, the rider sat with ease in the saddle. A ridiculously long, curved blade sat in its sheath beside the saddle, its cutting edge facing downward as a great tachi from the plains people in human circles.
His hair was a deep black and flowed down to the small of his back. His armor was crafted as a cavalier might have, but appeared just as ceremonial as it was functional. The dark blue armor was easily mistaken for black at first glance. The chest plate looked molded to resemble chest and stomach muscles while both greaves and gauntlets were trimmed in silver. A long scarf wrapped around his neck hung short in the front on his left side, the longer portion behind him also on the left.
The most unique feature which drew glances from everyone after they had held his appearance was his eyes, the deep golden yellow seemed to pierce all, searing away all lies and corruption with a purifying golden flame.
"Your Resplendence, I apologize for my late appearance, but a horse can only be driven so hard, and the terrain doesn't help very well."
"That's quite alright my tactical advisor. My fellow people, Athos, and Druid; I present to you Kikai Jiyuu, or Vigilant Freedom in the ancient tongues. His true name right now matters little in the face of battle."
"How are we to follow a human into battle?"
Many present nodded in agreement. They had seen this tactic before, and it had taken many lives on both sides. It wasn't the first time a human offered aid, only to turn on them and lead a massacre. The mounted swordsman urged his mare toward the man and held out his sword.
"Take this blade in your hand and feel its weight, its burden and tell me if you will not take up arms and follow me."
Still skeptical, the man reached out to take the offered sword when the Matriarch's voice interrupted.
"I warn you now, should you take that blade in hand, you will see many things that could be, but you must be willing to give up your life to make it possible for our future little ones."
Nodding firmly, the dragon took the offered blade in hand and gasped in surprise. Images as real as his own existence began to flash before his eyes. An alabaster walled city was populated by both human and dragon; living peacefully in a desert oasis city, and children running freely through its streets. Lovers of both human and dragon pairings could be seen on long winter nights cuddling somewhere private. A truly peaceful place, yet behind it all he could see the heavy price paid for such a city in its cemetery, which held countless elaborate graves.
He could see the bloody path carved through the future history for that place's birth. Thousands upon thousands would never see the city or even hear of it, but their lives would build that asylum for those who would remain.
Releasing his hold on the sword, he looked boldly into the tactician's eyes.
"I believe in that vision, guide my hand, advisor of our Matriarch!"
With the affirmation of a fellow dragon, many others began to swear their strength to the tactful swordsman. Athos looked at the mounted warrior with concerned eyes.
"My friend, what say you to this man? His aura is concealed too well for a warrior, you do feel it too yes?"
"His path is clouded in the bright hopes he fights for. Keep close tabs on the man, but do not shun his wisdom Athos, he is closer to me in philosophy than you may think."
The sage looked back to the warrior who now turned to them. Both found themselves under the most intense scrutinizing gaze they felt they would ever feel in their lifetimes.
"Do you resolve to assist us, my dear masters of spell and lore?"
"I do, and I believe you will find us most capable."
"Hmph, save your boasts for the fields of battle Sage, for my tactics are not at the forefront of military genius; . . . they are beyond the mortal mind. Druid, I would have your name please."
"Brammimond."
"Brammimond. Hmm, yes I see. Do you have weaker elder magic tomes at your disposal?"
The question brought curious glances from the two friends. Brammimond held his favorite tome close. The Apocalypse could easily dismantle regiments on its own, so why would Jiyuu ask for weaker ones?
"I do, why?"
"Good, please assess who among the villagers has an aptitude for such magic and train them overnight. Athos, I'd like you to do the same among the villagers with the basic Fire tomb. I will explain why on the morrow."
The sleek dragon in human guise walked up to the tactician as the mages walked off to do their work. Many of the villagers, with the Matriarch's help had already begun to organize themselves into groups for assessment.
"Jiyuu . . . if I may ask a question?"
"You may ask it, though I cannot be sure I can answer immediately."
"I know that you are taking great pains to hide your true self, but why take this burden on yourself? We've not asked for your assistance, your brother is beginning the preparations for the portal, should you not be with him?"
The man gazed in the direction of the coming army and grimaced. True, he had taken many great pains to hide his true nature, as a dragon from his own kindred. However, he did so due to the Matriarch's orders when asked to lead the resistance in order to buy time for the ritual to finish its creation. Looking down at the figure, a woman of light blue hair and deep azure eyes, her healer's staff and light magic tomb in hands, he smiled lightly.
"Nor did we ask for your assistance in this god forsaken war. Did you enjoy your final days as a dragon? Neither you nor I shall be returning to that form for some time."
The woman looked down at the dirt beneath them. She had taken full liberty of her wings over the past few days, relishing the feel of the winds against her skin, the cold air from high in the skies refreshed her. She could feel the sadness of such a sacrifice flowing off of him. She was also quite sure that he could feel the same emotions flooding off of her as well.
"Well, regardless of what the two of you do, I won't hesitate to take on my true form in battle! Those humans have crossed the fine line of honor and I'll be sure to destroy all the bastards they throw at us!"
The fire dragon glared viciously at the horizon, his fangs showed in the bright sunlight. Clouds began to form just beyond the mountains. They could smell rain coming. Jiyuu smirked a moment, then frowned in disgust.
"I understand and sympathize with you Ruathar, however, my battle plans will not run smoothly if you rampage like that. I must have you word that unless I permit it, you do not go back to your true form. Oh, and do watch you language around our lady."
Ruathar stared at the man for a moment before rubbing the back of his head.
"Oh, I apologize, but y'know how I feel. I'm sorry milady."
"No need, we have all been so wrapped up in fear for our lives that we've forgotten all about our abilities as dragon kin. Now we must stand and defend ourselves as one people. Jiyuu, I will follow to the end!"
"Well spoken milady, I will try to hold up to your hopes."
"That goes the same for me as well Jiyuu, though I do admit, most everyone here will be relying on you, I trust you my friend."
"Thank you Ruathar, I will bring us all out of this oppression and lead us until my brother is able to secure our escape from this realm of existence. I only pray that the goddess of victory smiles on us."
Lightning in the distance arced across the skies, letting loose its cry across the heavens as if to announce the beginning of a nightmare, made into reality. A full scale war between dragon and man was about to begin, and the storm would bring a sea of blood.