Ch. 2
The First Battle
What is this place? Some sort of dungeon? Why am I here? Can I escape…or at least get a bigger room? Steps…someone's coming, guess I'll try and make my escape now.
With a jolt I awake in a sweat to find myself in the same bed I fell asleep in…did I just dream about where I was from? No wonder I wanted to escape so badly…and of course the sun isn't up yet…how long was I asleep? I suppose it doesn't matter, I'll just stay up and explore the fort I guess.
I walk out of the room and bump into Commander Greil. "Ah! Sorry sir didn't see ya there." I say as I slowly adjust to the poor lighting.
"Good morning Hawk. What are you doing up so early?" Greil asks. Guess he is as surprised as I am that I'm up so early.
"Nothing. Woke up so I figured I'd walk around a bit and learn my way around the fort." Not much else to do considering I can't see…maybe if I bump into stuff enough I'll know the fort inside and out!
"Well you better get ready." He says as if ordering me around.
"Ready for what sir?" Oh geez please tell me I don't have to spar against him…I kind of like living. "If you are going to stay here you are going to earn your meals and living expenses like everyone else." He says and begins to walk away…wait did I just become a mercenary without the choice of refusing?
"But commander, I don't even know if I can use magic or anything like that." If I get attacked I'm basically dead…why me? "Guess we'll find out now won't we?" He says turning a corner and disappearing from sight…lucky me I get the chance to die…or live via massive amounts of luck. As I turn another corner I bump into someone else…just my luck.
"Sorry! I still can't see very well." Geez eventually one of them is going to get angry and kill me. Who did I bump into this time? Ah ok it's only Titania…I hope she don't kill me
"No worries. How are you this morning Hawk?" Titania says also leaving…why is everyone up so early? Is there that much work to be done?
"Confused…I don't know my way around the fort, I'm hungry, lost, and I think I became a mercenary a few moments ago so that I could earn my meals and living expenses." I say as my stomach rumbles yet again. "It wouldn't be too much trouble if I asked you to show me to the kitchen would it?" I ask…I feel like I'm going to die if I don't eat soon.
"No problem it's this way." We begin to walk towards what I hope is the kitchen and not the armory where I'm to be killed by someone I don't know all that well. As we get closer I begin to smell food and hear someone walking around the kitchen preparing food. Who would get up this early just to cook? Is commander Greil our cook as well as leader? Can't be him the footsteps are too light.
"Ah! Good morning Hawk." I hear Mist say with a smile as she is cooking breakfast.
"You are up early. And I thought I was up early." My stomach rumbles as I say that and I'm pretty sure she heard it.
"Sounds like someone is hungry; Breakfast will be ready shortly." She says while laughing. Now I'm really embarrassed. It's bad enough that she heard my stomach rumble but she's laughing at it too? Just kill me.
"Well I will leave you two alone; Keep an eye on him Mist we don't need him getting in trouble." Titania says right before leaving. Why would she do that… wait is she laughing? What the hell! She is evil…what am I supposed to do now? I bet she had this planned the whole time. It's awkward and quiet now…if I ask to help I might ruin something if I say nothing…ah who am I kidding? I might as well ask if there is something I can do.
"So-" We both say at the same time. Oh god it's getting more awkward!
"You first." I say quickly while looking down…Why the hell am I so nervous?
"I was wondering if you wanted to help me cook…If you're not busy that is." Is she nervous too? At least I'm not the only one.
"No I'm not busy…Greil asked me to get ready for a job, but seeing as how I have nothing I'm all set." All I can do now is hope I can cook.
A few minutes later I'm getting pushed out of the kitchen by Mist. "I will handle the cooking, why don't you go explore the fort some more?" Was I that bad? The fire was small…wait…please tell me I'm not on her bad side now…I don't have much pride or dignity. If she destroys them I might kill myself. I don't even want to think about it.
I began to walk around the fort getting myself lost some more. I stop in the doorway of a larger room and see Commander Greil, Ike, and Titania. Wonder what's going on here.
"Good morning, Ike. Today's your first day as a professional soldier, isn't it?" Titania asks.
"Yeah, and I'm ready to go." Ike says with an almost excited tone. At least one of us is ready…I'm scared for my life over here!
"What you are is late. The others were suited up and ready at the break of dawn." Greil says scolding Ike. The others are up? Only ones I've seen so far are Mist, Titania, and Greil; the fort must be bigger than I thought…I'm never going to figure this place out.
"Sorry. I'll get up earlier from now on. So, what's my first job?" Ike says. Wow he is prepared for everything isn't he? Guess that's natural when you're raised by a mercenary.
"I'm talking with Titania right now. Go wait outside until we're done." Greil says.
"Yes, sir." Ike says as he begins to leave. Where is Ike going? How many ways out of this room can there be? Bah. I'll figure it out later.
"Very well, Commandeer Greil, shall we continue?" Titania asks getting them back to the main subject of their conversation.
"You were telling me about some bandits that needed taking care of, weren't you?" Bandits; is that where I'm going? I hope I can use magic… or that I don't have to go. The latter would be better.
"Correct. The request comes from a nearby village. According to our reports, the bandits are not all that strong. I think it best if I ride out and take a look. I plan on taking Oscar and Boyd with me." Just Titania and the two brothers, will those three be enough to take out a group of bandits?
"Just the brothers? Hm. Go ahead and add Ike and Hawk to your team. Shinon, Gatrie, and I can handle the other two jobs easily enough. Titania, I'm leaving them in your care. I'm trusting you to show them the ropes." Curses, it looks like I really am a mercenary now.
"Understood, Commander. Come on, Ike. Let's get you set up. Hawk hurry up and get over here." What the hell? She's as bad as Commander Greil. I thought I was being quiet.
"All right…My first job." Ike says as I catch up to them. Am I the only one worried?
We begin moving through the fort; of course I'm completely lost so I don't have the option of running away. We enter another room that's filled with different weapons, some swords here a few lances there; a couple bows hanging on the wall… you know basic armory stuff. I see something that catches my eye so I walk up to it. On the shelf was a book…probably a magic tome. What's that say on the front…Thunder?
"That is a Thunder tome Hawk; take it, you can use it during today's job. Unfortunately that is the only tome we have; we don't get many mage recruits." Titania says walking up behind me.
"I don't even know if I can use magic; are you sure I should even go? I would probably just get in the way." I say looking away. Wouldn't you? I don't even know if I can use magic and I would prefer to live than die.
"Well you can't sit around here doing nothing so deal with it." Titania says in a commanding tone that has me shaking. Why does she have to be so scary? Guess I have no choice I think to myself quietly taking the tome and leaving the room. A few minutes later Titania and Ike emerge carrying a few weapons and begin heading to what I assumed to be the entrance to the fort. As we get closer I here two people walking down an adjacent hall way towards our direction. Oscar and Boyd perhaps?
"Captain Titania. Preparations are complete, and I'm ready to go. Good morning Hawk; you coming with us today?" Oscar says stopping in front of us. Where did he get his weapons? Different armory? Or does he have a secret stash in his room?
"It would appear so." I say trying to sound as positive as I can. For someone who is sure to die today anyways.
"Impeccable timing. It's nice to know we can count on you to be at the ready, Oscar." Wow it would appear that everyone is confident…am I the only one scared of death?
"Don't forget about me! I'm ready for the action!" Boyd says placing an axe over his shoulder.
"Is that so, Boyd? That's a surprise." Titania says to Boyd in almost mocking tone. I guess it's not just Mist that makes fun of Boyd then…note to self be more prepared than Boyd to avoid ridicule.
"Ha! Not today it isn't. As of today I am going to be the absolute model of perfection. I need to set a good example for Ike!" Boyd says shrugging off the insult as if it were nothing. Probably used to it by now. For some reason I doubt it will last long.
"I'll take your word for it." Ike says sounding as if he is thinking what I am thinking.
"Your first campaign at last. I know you've wanted this for a while. Are you nervous, Ike?" Oscar says to Ike in a somewhat excited tone. Guess he's happy that Ike is a full-fledged mercenary now too.
"I think I was more nervous last night. I could hardly sleep." This morning, I'm feeling pretty good. It's the calm before the storm." I could hardly sleep last night too…although I was thinking of other things and trying to remember my past.
"You should try to relax. You're not going to be out there alone." Oscar says reassuring Ike that everything would be fine…I just wish someone would reassure me…
"Yeah you're right." Ike says.
"Right. Everyone ready? Let's go." Titania says giving the order to move out.
As everyone is beginning to leave I stop and look behind me to see Mist standing in the entrance to the fort; 'You'll be fine' was all she said when she ran up to me and handed me a small loaf of bread; then she turned around and went back into the fort. With that we left the fort on our way to take out the bandits although I still didn't want to fight. But, some looks were given and some things were said so I gave in and decided not to fight it and just fight. After a while and climbing up a mountain path we reached our destination.
"This is the village of Caldea. The bandits are few, but we mustn't get careless." Titania says as the bandits come into view. "Our goal is to take out the bandit leader in front of the large building, and the secure that building." Oh is that all? Pfft cool I can die at a later date then.
"Ike! Hawk! Listen up! All this stuff is old news to me, but I can give a couple of rookies like you a few tips. First off, don't let up and jump out in front of everyone. You'll just end up getting hurt." Boyd says acting all tough again…unless…is he actually serious?
"Don't try to do too much you two. When things get dangerous, you can-and should-rely on us." Oscar says reassuring me that I probably won't have to do too much fighting. "As long as you watch how the enemy move carefully, you'll be fine. Think of this as a training mission."
"Got it." I say hoping that I didn't sound too afraid or worried.
"I'll do that. Oscar, Boyd, thanks for your help." Ike says. Well I guess I really am the only one worried.
"Don't mention it." Oscar says readying his lance.
"Just sit back and watch how a professional handles things!" Boyd says as he readies his axe. I hope he can back up his words with action.
"Enough chitchat, you guys! We've got work to do!" Titania commands as we all get into formation. "Hawk I want you to go to the nearby houses and let the villagers know that we have arrived and are here to help."
"Y-Yes M'am!" I say running to the nearest house while the others begin to engage the enemy. Better than fighting I suppose. I run to the closest house and knock on the door. An elderly man opens the door.
"Uh… you guys requested the help of the Greil Mercenaries; just thought you should know that we're here now." Never mind this is worse than battling I have to communicate with total strangers.
"You? But you're just a kid." The old man's words sting but he's not wrong I'm not that old. Maybe 15 or 16…I don't know, never bothered keeping track.
"My age doesn't matter I am a member of the Greil Mercenaries." That sounded pretty confident…maybe I can live and fight.
"Well take this. You look like you could use all the help you can get." The old man says handing me an iron sword. What am I supposed to do with a sword I'm a "mage". Now isn't the time to be picky better go to the next house.
This time a woman opened the door. "M'am I am a member of the Greil Mercenaries we have come to help rid you of these bandits."
"Oh thank the goddess someone has come to help us!" She seems very glad… I should go join my comrades in the fighting now they could use my help even if I am kind of useless.
As I leave the house I didn't notice the bandit coming up from my left. As he raises his sword he yells "DIE!" and before I even realized what was going on I turned around to face my certain doom. Seeing as how scared I was I raised my hands to defend myself but then it happened.
A look of terror and amazement crossed my face as the bandit was lit on fire and screaming. Did I just cast a spell? But how I only have a Thunder tome not a Fire tome…what kind of mage am I?
I hear other bandits shouting things like "A mage? Kill him quickly!" Soon after I'm being surrounded by several bandits…Where are the others when I need them? And right on cue Oscar comes riding in to my aid.
"Quickly Hawk! Get on!" Titania was right I can always count on Oscar. As quickly as I can I jump onto Oscar's horse casting another spell towards yet another enemy…by accident again…I have got to learn how to control this.
"How are you casting Fire Hawk? I thought it was Thunder tome." Oscar asks as surprised as I am.
"I don't know! But I can't control it; you might want to get away from me." I say as I begin to panic not wanting to hurt my own ally. The only thing I can think to do is point my arms out away from my allies and hope for the best.
"No way! We're comrades I cannot and will not abandon you!" Oscar said as he impaled another bandit. I have to admit I'm a little surprised myself. I figured mercenaries cared more about the job at hand than their comrades.
As we fight our way through the small group of bandits around us I can see Ike battling the leader as Titania and Boyd come to aid us.
"Have no fear! Boyd is here!" He says charging straight at a bandit. So much for his advice.
"What was the first thing I told you Hawk? You should have waited for one of us to join you before going that far off on your own." Boyd says with a hint of anger in his voice…wow it's not just Oscar that cares. But, why care about me? They don't know me. Not long after we all joined up at the large building Ike standing in front.
"Building secure, Titania." He said with a proud tone in his voice. Thank god it's over. Hm…I also have stopped casting Fire randomly…could it have been cast out of fear? A magical defense? Either way doesn't matter how can I cast magic without a tome?
"That's the end of it. Is everyone all right?" Titania asks making sure that her team is unharmed.
"I'm fine…thanks to Oscar that is." I say embarrassed because I could have gotten myself or someone else killed.
"Yeah, I'll be fine." Ike says
"You know, you surprised me. To think that you've come so far." Titania says to Ike. She seems proud. How long has she known Ike and his family?
"Look at my father, though. I've still got such a long way to go." Ike says with a sad but determined tone. I suppose I would also want to try my hardest to become as strong as the person I admire most if I had someone like that.
"There's nothing you can do about that. After all, Commander Greil is-" Titania stops mid-sentence…just who is Commander Greil?
"Huh? What about my father?" Ike's curiosity is as strong as mine.
"Oh, nothing." Titania says trying to change the subject.
"'Nothing'? Now I'm really curious." Ike says trying to force an answer out of Titania.
"I have to agree with Ike, Titania. Just who is Commander Greil?" I don't know why I bothered saying anything I already knew I wouldn't get an answer.
"Don't worry. You'll learn all about it someday." Titania says ending the conversation.
With no idea of what to say we remain silent for a while until Boyd decides to talk. "Hey, Ike! That wasn't bad for your first battle. Not as flashy as my first time, though!"
"Yeah, you were a real standout. I'll never forget the sight of you so keyed up you broke your own axe." Oscar says while fighting back the laughter. I have to admit I was laughing too; the sight of Boyd breaking his own axe had me in pain from laughing so hard.
"Oscar! Dang it! You didn't have to bring that up!" Boyd says both frustrated and embarrassed.
"Anyway, Ike, Hawk. Congrats on finishing your first mission. Welcome to the group." Oscar says changing the subject back.
"Everyone's all right? Then let's get going. I'm sure Mist has a nice, hot meal waiting for us." Titania says as we all begin our way back to the fort. I began to think of what happened during the battle. How can someone cast magic whenever they want? Does it have anything to do with that dream I had?
Before I realized it we had made it back to the fort and we all went to eat dinner. Still off in my own little world I didn't even pay attention to Boyd's tale of what happened during the mission. And, when I finished my meal, I left the table without saying anything and went outside to look at the stars again.
"Why do you look at the stars Hawk?" Mist says almost scaring the life out of me. Was I so lost in thought that I didn't even hear her walking up behind me?
"I don't know. Helps me think I guess." I say as she sits next to me to join me at stargazing.
"What really happened today?" Mist asked. I can tell she really wants to know but, how would she react if I told her that I cast magic randomly…and without the use of tomes?
"I'd rather not talk about it…sorry." She doesn't need to know…at least not yet. Why make her worried, or worse, scared. I don't know why but after that I just left her there and went to my room.
"Hawk." The voice this time belonged to Titania.
"Yes Titania?"
"We need to talk. What was that at Caldea today? You cast magic without the use of tomes and by the looks of it you were casting it at random. What if you had hit one of your comrades?" She said in a voice that seemed filled with both anger and worry.
"I don't know how I cast Fire without a tome and I was not casting it at random. I couldn't control it. It started when I was attacked and didn't stop until the enemy had been defeated. I have a couple of ideas but-"
"Let's hear them." Titania says only prying further into what I don't even know myself.
"Well I think it happened as a reaction to my fear. Or it's a defense that occurs when I'm in danger." I probably sound crazy but it's the truth.
"You know I will have to speak to the commander about this right? Depending on what he says you will be asked to leave the Greil Mercenaries." She says and walks away. I can't help but feel worried that I will have to leave. I just made friends and I don't want to leave them.
After I could no longer hear Titania or anyone else I entered my room. I laid down on my bed and just waited to fall asleep.