Chapter 2: Thunder and Lightning

Markus was given the North Tower as his personal quarters, a lonely place, peaceful and far from the palace, the right place for someone who needed to be alone. Inside his new chambers the commander was still thinking about his promise to Shigure.

-Damn it! What was I thinking?! Bringing Azura is more complicated than I originally thought, if she was like any other I would be able to bring back his soul from the Realm of Death, but she's not quite death…ughh what I'm gonna do now?-

Someone knocked the door. Markus opened it revealing Corrin and behind him Flora and Kaze

-Good evening big brother, how are you doing?-

-Hey little brother, what can I do for you?-

-Nothing at all, instead it is I who wish to do something for you-

-Excuse me?-

-More precisely I asked Flora to watch over you as she had done with me-

-What?! Why?-

-Well you chose this tower as your new quarters and it's pretty far from the palace itself, I thought you might enjoy some company and well Flora is a great maid and she was eager to accept-said Corrin seeing Flora

-I will not bother you commander and I swear to help you in whatever I can-said the cyan haired girl

-Ugh fine, do as you wish-said Markus returning to his room

-I'm glad to hear that, then it's all settled, we´ll see you in the morning-said Corrin, leaving with Kaze

-*sign* just what I needed, a babysitter-

-Excuse me my liege but I'm still here-

-Uh oh, pardon me dear Flora I didn't intend to offend you, it's just that…bah forget it-

-You seem like you are under much pressure, may I ask the cause?-

-Ugh…a promise-

-I see, maybe a cup of tea may help-

-Tea? Hahaha who you think I am? My brother? Haha don't be silly dear, I do not drink tea-he said approaching a big cabinet, pulling a bottle of wine out of it-A cup of this baby shall do the trick, what do you say?-

-I'm sorry milord I cannot drink while I'm in service-

-Mmm? Oh well I shall drink alone I guess-he said opening the bottle and drinking directly from it-Ah not bad for my first bottle-

-First bottle my liege?-

-Yeah, I´ve been working in my own supply of wine, I have a lot in the basement, but it's a secret, understood?-

-Of course commander-

-Heh good-

The night arrived as Markus continued drinking and thinking, suddenly a great thunderstorm arrived and the ceiling crumble as the lightning fell from the skies.

-Oh that's it!-said Markus

-My liege?-

-It may work…tell me Flora, have you ever hear of the Tragedy of the Thunder and the Lightning?-

-No commander-

-As I expected, not many people know, it's an old legend. It is the story of two god like beings, brothers to be precise, both of them ruled over the skies. They were mighty kings of old with the youngest being called Wu Ren, the Lightning King and the eldest was known as Roa Rin, the Thunder King, they loved each other, and upon the land they made music together by throwing lightning to the clouds, causing rain that fell down, soiling the land. But that peace shall not rest for much longer, as both of them were adored by the mortals, their ambitions grew over time until Roa Rin decided to take over the world, Wu Ren tried to argue with his brother but it was in vain, the Thunder King had been driven mad by his own ambition, he even began to enslave the mortals he once loved. The Lightning King had no options left, he couldn't defeat his brother alone as he was more powerful than he now, so in secret he used most of his power to brought the souls of those who creep between the realms and formed his own army of unholy angels who fought the rampant Thunder King and defeated him, throwing his body to the mountains. But Wu Ren paid a great price for this act, just as his brother the Lightning King´s body began to fade away, the two brothers disappeared into the skies never to be seen again, there are those who said that their spirits still fight in the form of mighty thunderstorms, with Roa Rin being the sound of thunder, always trying to defeat his brother, and Wu Ren being the mighty lightning, trying to control his brother´s wrath.-

-That's quite a story, isn't it? But still I don't understand what do you intend with this-

-Its simple dear Flora, the same power that could bring the souls from between the realms is just above us-

-You mean the lightning?-

-Yes, the lightning and the thunder, together they can accomplish great things- he said walking to the door -

-I thought the thunder and the lighting were part of the same thing-

-Yes and no, it's difficult to explain, I have much to do, you are dismissed for today, go and get some rest-

-Are you sure my liege? Maybe I could help-

-I'm sorry but you can't, you better hurry to your room, this place is gonna feel a lot more electrifying-

Days passed and Markus kept more and more time isolated inside his tower, only Flora saw him, this eventually lead Corrin to worry about his brother intentions, so he decided to ask Flora. He found her talking with his sister Felicia in the kitchen

-Flora may I talk to you-

-Lord Corrin, of course-she said bowing to him

-Please don't do that, we know each other since long ago at the Northern Fortress, you two were always watching over me. I think we have enough confidence between us to talk about almost anything-answered Corrin

-Of course my lord, what do you want to know?-

-It's about my brother, Flora I´ve been notified that you are the only one that talk to him these days-

-Well yes milord, now that I think of it. He doesn't ask for anyone else-

-Did he told you anything about what he's doing?-

-Not much I´m afraid, just something about a promise and an old legend about thunders and lightning but nothing more. Most of the time he is not even in his room, he is always at the top of the tower-

-At the top?-

-Yes-

-Haven't you talk to him milord?-asked Felicia-He´s your brother after all-

-Yes it is, a brother I´ve met only a week ago…I just *sign* please excuse me-he said as he turned to the door

-I'm so sorry Lord Corrin it wasn't my intention-said Felicia

-Please don't worry, forget the matter-he added as he exit the room

The night after that a mysterious thunderstorm appeared out of nowhere and lighting began striking down at the tower´s roof, being absorbed by something. Corrin immediately went outside his quarters.

-What is going on there?-he said walking out to the corridor were Kaze and Jakob were waiting

-My lord, the North Tower has received multiple strikes from those lightning-said Jakob

-Yes, I´ve seen it, is everyone ok?-asked Corrin

-Silas told me that every guard from the tower has been order to return to the barracks, the order was given by Commander Markus himself-said Kaze

-What? What is he doing up there?-

The three of them met with Silas and Shigure outside Markus tower, there was a small group of soldiers formed behind them, as soon as he saw Corrin, Silas bowed and approached his king.

-Corrin, the storm is getting heavier, the tower itself is crumbling for all those thunders. Shall we proceed and evacuate Lord Markus?-said Silas

-Let me go in alone-

-What? No way Corrin, it's too dangerous-exclaimed Shigure

-I agree with Silas and Shigure milord, let us go instead-said Kaze

-No, I´ll be fine, stay here-

Corrin entered the tower, it was cold and dark inside, every single light was gone, he walked through the dark corridor until he reach the big staircase. As he walked up the stairs he could feel some kind of energy, his heart started to beat faster and he felt electricity flow through all his body. Finally he arrived at Markus chambers nearly at the top of the tower.

-Big brother are you ok?!-he shouted as he entered the room

The atmosphere in the room was full of energy and a lot of noise could be heard from above but Markus wasn't anywhere around the room.

-Markus where are you?! Big brother!-he shouted, searching around

Finally a louder noise came from the roof, Corrin immediately climbed to the top. On the roof there was a lot of strange rocks floating around the center, each one contained numerous symbols that glowed in different colors, in the middle of all was Markus, working on something as the thunders stroke down at the levitating rocks.

-Big brother!-exclaimed Corrin, gaining his brother´s attention

-Corrin? What are you doing up here boy? I gave the order to evacuate the tower-answered Markus leaving his duty

Corrin could see a wide rock table with two glowing axe-shaped lightning inside what appeared to be a magic shield.

-I know, I wanted to know why? What are you doing?-

-Fulfilling my promise-

-What?-

-I can't explain it now! Just get some cover before the last thunder strike down!-

Suddenly the already dark skies turned even darker, lightings roared around the tower, it appeared as if the thunderstorm was charging its last shot.

-Here it comes! Hurry up now, get inside!-

-What about you?!-

-Don't worry about me just RUN!-he shouted as the sky growled

Corrin obeyed and ran to the staircase, jumping in just in time. The sky roared and two mighty lighting stroke down the tower, causing an immense and electrifying explosion that lighted almost all the palace and made the tower tremble. As the light faded, Corrin went out to check on his brother, what he saw was his brother without a scratch with two large axes that glowed in bluish and greenish light in his hands, both of them had the same symbols he saw on the floating rocks and both carried an electrifying aura.

-Markus…-

-Are you okay little brother?-asked Markus, as the axes vanished from his hands

-Yes, I'm fine, now big brother please explain yourself-

-*sign* Yes I supposed I have to give some answers…but later, I'm busy-he said walking towards the staircase

-Markus!-

-Don't worry my king it is nothing of relevance, just a small experiment. My most sincere apologies if it scared you or the others-

-Stop avoiding me!-Corrin shouted desperately

Markus stopped and turned to see Corrin

-I must be honest brother, at first I was happy yet a little worried about your return. I chose to believe in you even when your past pointed you as an enemy, but now how can I trust you when you don't trust me?-

-Corrin…*sign* you are right-answered Markus groping his head-Listen, I know I´m not the most trustful person right now because of my past, I understand if you don't trust me but I swear on my honor as a dragon I will never try to harm you again-

-Big brother…I´m sorry. It's just that…-

-You don't get the same feeling when you talk to me than when you interact with your Nohr and Hoshido siblings. Don't you?-

-…Yes…-

-Its normal, we´ve just met. I'm a total stranger to you, yet still you chose to believe in me and also you let me command your armies? Why?-

-Maybe it is because deep inside me I know I must trust you no matter what, because I know you're my brother-

At that moment, the thunderstorm ended and the clouds vanished from the sky leaving the cold light of the moon and the stars. Markus and Corrin stared at it

-You know, the stars always manage to calm me, their light it's so cold yet so precious-

-Yes it is-

-If you want to know what I was doing just wait a little more, I promise the surprise is worthy-

-Surprise?-

-Trust me…please-

Corrin hesitated after hearing that, but seeing his brother´s bright eyes shining in the middle of the night he said

-I suppose I can trust you-

-Heh you´ll get a big surprise little brother-said Markus rubbing Corrin´s head

Corrin left the tower with Markus inside and went to the small plaza where everyone was standing

-Lord Corrin, are you alright?-asked Kaze

-What happened?-asked Silas

-I…I don't know-

-What?-asked Flora

-Where's Markus?-asked Shigure

-Locked inside his tower-

-Not the sociable type isn't he?-said Jakob

Corrin just stared at the tower for a moment and then walked away, followed by the rest.

-I hope I'm doing right about trusting him-he thought

End of Chapter 2

I hope you liked it, sorry about the grammatical errors, I´ll try to improve it, but anyway leave a review if you like or not and wait for the next chapter, see ya!