Disclaimer: I still don't own anything, it would still be nice though. As before, spoiler alert, this part is a bit graphic too, so please don't read if that's an issue for you. Hope you enjoy it, and as always, I love reviews, so let me know what you think!
The sentinel stood a lonely vigil into the darkness of the night. Nephenee leaned against the haft of her lance, her back to the fire behind her as her eyes roved slowly through the darkness beyond the borders of the little hill on which the group had set up camp.
Her thoughts drifted, standing watch was tedious, and her mind wandered back through memories of the company's recent battles. All the world had been silenced, its innumerable inhabitants transmutated in an instant of vengeful judgment into stone. All that had been left were scattered remnants, the Greil Mercenaries, the Dawn Brigade, the Laguz Kings and their retainers, a handful of others.
She shook her head, driving away the confusion and questions, and another memory surfaced, Ike, no, the Commander cradling her in his arms as he carried her away from the burning Senator's camp. Her shoulder aflame as she wrapped her arms around his broad shoulders and neck, resting her head against his chest and doing her best not to whimper whenever her wounded shoulder was jarred. He smelled, of sweat, and blood, and well-worn leather, and something else as well, some intangible scent that she couldn't place.
An unconscious smile crossed Nephenee's face, he had stayed with her, held her hand, supervising the removal of the bolt and her healing, even though they both knew she was fine and that he had more important things to do. The sentinel had caught a glance over Rhys' shoulder, Titania and Mist trading significant glances as the passed the three.
That had been before the world was silence though. A handful of survivors, a handful, and them.
A flash of gold. Nephenee's eyes darted quickly, training on the spot where a muted glint of light off golden armor had appeared. There was a soft rustling that might have been mistaken for the wind, if the wind had been blowing, and if the wind had ill intentions against the camp.
"Boyd!" The reaver, dozing lightly near the fire, jolted awake, and staggered to his feet. He made no reply to the sentinel, but rather, dashed back to the tent, sounding the alarm. An eerie howling rose from the west side of the camp. Nephenee swore, Volug had sighted enemy forces as well; no doubt they were boxed in. Still, there were worse things that could happen, the camp was well fortified, and the group was as ready as they could be, they had been expecting the company of Ashera's lackeys soon.
Ike materialized out of the darkness next to her like a wraith. While expecting this, Nephenee was still a little surprised, how could someone so big move so quietly? The vanguard glanced appraisingly at the sentinel, and then turned his gaze out into the darkness. "Situation?"
"I'm not certain Ik-, Commander, light flashed off some armor out there, and there's some rustling, but no wind." She licked her lips nervously, hoping he hadn't noticed her slip up.
The man's small smile indicated that perhaps he had, and he continued to peer into the darkness. "Alright, the others are getting ready. You and I will cover the south approach, Soren will back us up. Gatrie, Shinon, and Mia are covering the east entrance; Boyd, Mist, and Volug have the west side. Rhys will hold back and make sure everyone is okay. Titania, Oscar, and the others are protecting the camp and supplies. Let's get to work."
There was another long howl, and then the sound of battle being joined. Another flash of gold, this time an expanding light as Rhys cast a magical ball of golden light above the camp that illuminated the area. Disciples of Order froze as they were suddenly robbed of the concealing darkness. There was a moment of infinite stillness, and then a voice cried out, "Charge, no hesitation, kill the worshippers of darkness!" The Disciples roared and charged forward, a golden wave of glittering death.
Ike stepped forward, sword flashing in a glittering arc, the magical blade unleashed an umber blaze of light that scythed down a charging halberdier. Nephenee moved next to the vanguard, knocking aside the sword of a charging Disciple and then spinning, delivering a crushing blow to the man's chest with the butt of the lance. The swordmaster grunted in shock, and his ribcage gave way with a sickening crunching as he was tossed backwards, rolling down the hill.
A flash of green zipped between the pair, and a blast of compressed wind tossed another charging swordmaster backwards, dropping him on his fellows at the base of the hill. Vanguard and sentinel moved in perfect harmony, Nephenee using the reach of her lance to hold back the press of enemies while Ike's blade sowed death to those who got in close. Soren, at length noting that he was hardly needed here to help, slipped away to check on the other defenders.
The battle raged on, gold clad Disciples rushing in waves and battering themselves to pieces against the rock steady pair defending the southern approach. At length the sea of foes receded, Ike and Nephenee panting from exertion, and peering out into the night to try and catch sight of any more foes. The clash of weapons could still be heard in the distance, but a sudden high pitched howl split through the night, ending abruptly. The Vanguard swore, darting a glance back towards the darkness, but seeing nothing. He motioned to the west, and they set out that way quickly.
A vague, misshapen form stumbled out of the blackness before collapsing near the fire. Mia dropped do her knees, the bloody wolven form of Volug falling from her gasp. The swordmaster was panting heavily, and bore several open wounds, she ran a tender hand over Volug's ears comfortingly, and glanced up at the approaching duo.
"Boss, Shinon and Gatrie had things on the east. Soren got me, said they were pressing hard on the west. Volug's hurt bad, Boyd and Soren barely got the bastards off him in time, Rhys went to see if he could get Titiania or Oscar to help, Boyd and Soren need Mist, I have to, I have to-." She was clearly in shock, both from physical trauma and blood loss. Mia staggered to her feet, turning back towards the field of battle, when a white-gold flash caught the sentinel's eye.
"Mia, get down!" There was no time though, and the Falcoknight dropped from the sky like an avenging bolt from the heavens, spearing the swordmaster through the back and driving her to the ground, killing her instantly. "Mia!"
"Kill them all, kill them all, for the glory of Ashera!" The Falcoknight wheeled her mount in the air, another spear leveling itself as she swooped towards Ike and Nephenee. The sentinel's face had gone blank, her eyes burning with fury. She skipped forward lightly, snapping her arm forward and launching her spear at the descending Disciple.
The foe shifted her weight, tugging hard on the reigns, and got lucky, the javelin missed her mount by mere inches, tearing a long, bloody gash in the beast's flank and causing it to buck wildly, losing altitude. That was where her luck ended though, for her swooping dive left her near the ground, and her dodge of the spear at put her directly into the vanguard's path. Ike's blade flashed like the wings of an avenging angel, and the Disciple only managed part of a horrified scream before her head was separated from her shoulders, jouncing metallically into the darkness.
"Mia!" Nephenee hopped aside as the deceased Falcoknight's mount cantered, and then hopped and flew away, natural instincts taking over in the absence of a rider and causing the beast to flee the fading sounds of battle. The sentinel dropped to her knees beside the limp form of her dead friend, and she ripped off her helmet, laying her hands gently on the swordmaster's body, searching for some sign of life.
"Nephenee." His voice was soft and low behind her, carrying the weight of understanding and sympathy. He had lost a friend as well, and yet, Nephenee ignored him, her hands clenching into fists, wadding up Mia's clothing between her hands. "Mia, Mia, damnit, you can't do this to me! Mia!"
"Nephenee!" Suddenly she was moving, an inexorable strength jerking her up right. "Nephenee, she's dead."
"No! No, she's not, she's not. How could you say that? How dare you?" She rounded on the vanguard, her hand hammering against his chest with every pain-wracked word. Ike simply stood there, absorbing her fury until the sentinel dissolved into bitter tears in his arms, resting her head against his chest as her body was wracked by sobs. The blue-haired mercenary closed his eyes, a pair of his own tears slipping out for his dead comrade. He held Nephenee gently, stroking her hair with one hand, and rocking her gently until the exhausted woman fell asleep in his arms.
Ike was still there near the fire, still rocking the sleeping sentinel gently, relieved by the peaceful look of sleep on her face, when Soren materialized out of the darkness. The archsage's gaze lingered on the woman for a moment, and then shifted to the vanguard, and he spoke softly. "Ike, the Disciples fought to the last, luckily," Soren paused and sighed at the irony of what he was saying, "luckily Volug and Mia are the only casualties."
Ike's eyes squeezed closed hard, and when they opened they were full of a fell, dangerous light. "I can feel it Soren, it's almost over. I don't care if she's a god, she'll pay for the pain she has caused us." He glanced down at Nephenee's head pillowed in his lap. "She'll pay."
