Chapter 3

Rising Action

A/N: Here's another chapter. I don't own Fire Emblem and if I did, I would have redone Lissa's confession quote (Gawds, it's horrible).

A certain guest makes an early arrival and we learn a bit more about Alec's kinda capricious yet messed up personality.

I wonder if that bear meat had some sort of sleeping drug. It took Frederick's fisticuffs to wake my sleeping body up. I opened my eyes and saw Frederick about to throw his fist. When he saw my eyes, he helped me up on my feet.

"Alec, finally, it took not only noise, but also slapping from Lissa, and my fists to wake your up,"

"What happened, where's blue boy and blondie?" I muttered.

"They're in the forest! A group of savage soldiers are attacking us. Grab your weapon and assist us in battle!"

I grabbed my bronze sword and Thunder tome and hopped on Frederick's horse; too tired to run. I thought there was a forest fire, but a crevice full of lava made it as if the forest was burning. If it was, all of us would have died in flames.

We managed to reach Chrom and Lissa, who were running away from a group of soldiers with an inhuman aura. These people seemed more savage and evil than those bandits we faced. Their faces expressed more of bloodthirst than thirst of gold and valuables. Their lack of audible speech makes it clear what these are. Even if I have the term in my head, and I didn't even know where I got it from, I just shouted it out.

"Zombies?!" I said with wide eyes.

"Alec, what are these 'zombies' you speak of,"

"Well, I don't remember where I learned of it, but all I know is that zombies are basically the living dead who prey on the living,"

Frederick scanned them. Their skin seemed old and decayed, and some of their skin is shown to be peeled off.

"They look like reanimated corpses, that's for sure..."

Yes. Zombie massacring is probably the best kind of massacring. Scratch that IS the best kind of massacring. They're just completely mindless and killing them isn't so remorseful. It's like euthanasia all over again, but you can be as bloody as you want.

"Let's bathe in their expired blood, Frederick," I said as I raised my sword.

I scanned the area and spotted an abandoned fort. That fort can provide some much needed defence.

"Frederick, transport me to that fort and take care of that Mercenaries to the east,"

Frederick nodded and trotted to it with haste. When we made it, I hopped off and approached the gate of the fort.

"I can take these Fighters to the south, Frederick, those mercenaries won't be much of a big deal with your lance,"

"Aye, sir," he continued his journey to the east, disappearing into the forest.

The fighter units may be slightly similar to the barbarians, but they are much more balanced than the more offensive focused barbarians.

I stood on top of the wall of the fort and saw Chrom fighting a zombie fighter. Lissa stayed close to Chrom as she can't fight.

"You fighters need to relax on a chair," I said as I charged a ball of electricity.

Due to having a sword advantage, Chrom managed to damage the fighter effectively, making my E-tiered tome kill the axe fighter in an instant.

"An electric chair."

What is an electric chair? Why did I even say that? Good thing I didn't shout that out, otherwise it would get really awkward, and what I remember from zombie invasions, you should never be idle.

"Chrom, Lissa, come to this fort and fight the incoming hordes," I called out, "I'll provide artillery support in case these guys get in your way (I hope)."

With that said, they both ran to the fort. As I predicted, zombies attempted to attack them. For some reason, I have knowledge of some advanced bombarding technique from a misty source in my brain; I just hope that I can control the path of the electric ball. I read the tome, but was saddened to realize it was meant to re-enact a horizontal thunderbolt, as you were suppose to launch it forward. If that's the case, then I'm going to have to gain high altitude. Only problem is, who the hell is going to boost me?!

"Is there anyone aside from Frederick who can toss me up high?!" I shouted to the skies.

"Teach knows a thing or two about TOSSING!"

Suddenly, a pair of muscular arms tossed me high up into the air. I looked down and saw a half naked muscle man with spiky blonde hair. He had some sort of cocky smile.

"What the hell?!"

Instead of complaining any further, I decided to act quick. I flipped backward, making my belly point toward the ground. I was pretty high up in the air, so I had enough air time to fire a few electric balls. There were a group of five risen; mostly composed of mercs and archs; short terms for Mercenaries and Archers. After I tossed four balls at them, a Merc carrying a Steel sword was left. I suddenly felt a huge surge of energy, an energy that's 3x more powerful than my usual attacks.

"Cry more, casual!" I shouted in a slightly insane tone.

I placed the tome underneath my left armpit and used both hands to launch the lightning orb. As I let out a mighty battle roar, the orb shot out of both palms. It accelerated faster than the normal lightning orbs I toss. It hit so hard that the merc was maimed horribly by the sheer power. The recoil of the spell was strong, knocking me backward and away from the fort. I think Chrom can take care of that.

I really didn't think how I could land safely. Holy shit, I'm going to die painfully. With that, I screamed loudly, thinking I'm about to die. I clenched my eyes, not wanting to see myself tumbling on the ground. Looks like that I inadvertently paid death a get out of jail card (whatever that is), because someone managed to grab my body and cushion my fall. I heard an "Oof" noise as my flight immediately halted.

"Whoa!" a more mature and tomboyish voice said, "Are you okay?"

I suddenly found myself in the arms of a red armored knight, sitting underneath a tree. I thought it was a male, but realized her feminine musculature.

"If you weren't screaming like a girl, I would have let you die," she said with a pained groan, "What's your name? What are you doing in a place like this?"

"I'm Alec, and yes, I am affiliated with Chrom. Who are you?"

"I'm Sully, I'm also a Shepherd like you. Good thing I made it in time to help a fellow ally," Sully smiled confidently. Even if she has the hair of a tomboy, she sure has the body of a woman. She has too much skin showing. She's quite charming in her own way.

When she realized me gawking at her body, she immediately dropped me on the ground, but not without being seen with a shade of pink on her face.

"Why are you starin' at me like that, perv?"

Due to me being saved by her, I got up first and offered my hand. Instead of swatting it off violently or grabbing my hand, she politely declined.

"Nice try, princey, but I'm a strong independent-"

"Woman who need no man?" I finished. Where did I get that quote from?

"Whatever," she got up and was about to head to her horse, but I halted her by standing in front of her.

"Wait, Sully, don't go yet," I commanded.

"Who are you to give me orders? Are you trying to hit on me or something?" she said sharply.

Look girl, you may have a sexy body toned by combat, but I'm in no way interested in falling for you. You're just not feminine enough to be around.

"He's our tactician, Sully; a talented one if I can add," Chrom called from the wall of the fort.

"Oh yeah?" Sully said as she turned her head to me.

"Why don't you prove it?" her smile basically invited a challenge.

I looked at a bunch of mercenaries about to attack the "Teach", who stood in front of the fort alone. He wielded an iron axe and the mercenaries wielded powerful iron swords. "Teach" might be my ally and he'll most likely die from those three mercs. While they're zombies, they seem to have the battle performance of soldiers. I looked at Chrom, who was on top of the wall and exhausted from all that running.

I noticed how Frederick attacks with his lance while horseback. He sometimes commanded it to leap forward while landing on its front legs, letting the rear go forward a bit. I wonder if Sully knew that technique.

"Okay, Sully, can you do a jumping attack with your horse?" I asked.

"Like what Fred did? Yeah," she replied.

"Okay then, do that same jumping attack with your lance on the mercenary in front. I'll use the raised rear of the horse to jump off and do a dropping strike on the other one behind the one in front," I said.

"Well, you've got a pretty sharp mind and a thirst for risk," Sully confidently smiled again," I'll do it."

I turned to Chrom.

"Hey Chrom, weaken the first mercenary to your left so that Sully can finish her off."

"I can do that," Chrom said with a confirming smile.

"Sully, wait for Chrom to attack the mercenary, then you deliver the finishing blow," I said to Sully.

"That I can do, hoods," Sully said.

I climbed on her horse and she charged toward the first mercenary. Chrom managed to do a plunging attack, weakening the mercenary. Mercenaries have high stats all around, meaning they have vitality strong enough to withstand at least two strikes from a bronze lance and at least two strikes from Chrom's falchion. When she reached a certain distance, her horse leapt high and she lunged her lance into the merc's head, instantly ending its life. Luckily for Chrom, he hopped back before he would get caught in Sully's warpath. I hopped off and performed a front flip before plunging my blade into his arm and shoulder, splitting the zombie's arm in two.

"Look's like Teach just got tenure!" he shouted.

He leapt up high, raising the axe above his head and dropped it down on the disarmed (literally) zombie

As the Red Knight kicked off the zombie's head off her lance, she cleaned her lance with a cloth from her pocket. The Risen was still alive, managing to stand up at a weak pace. I grabbed my sword and was about to attack, only for the zombie's head to be impaled again by an iron arrow, finally ending its life.

"Haha, a true legends finish," some sort of French (I don't even know what that is, but I just suddenly described it as is) accented man said.

"Hey, who are you, Frenchy?" I asked the man with the French accent. That man wore some sort of French styled archer attire with a head of blue hair.

"Frenchy? Are you from Chon'Sin, young man?" he said as he was about to point his arrow at me.

"What?! Just state your name and your purpose here, stranger, and maybe I'll start," I put a thumb on my chest, "I'm Alec, tactician of the Shepherds and also thanks for helping us finish those zombies."

"Pleased to meet you, Alec. I'm Virion, the Archest of Archers,"

A disapproving stare was my response, with a pinch of one eye twitching. Gosh, or in their case, Gods, this guy is unbearably annoying. Virion walked toward me and gently pushed me aside. I realized he was approaching the red haired Sully.

"My my, a radiant beauty graces my eyes in this flaming battlefield," he suddenly summoned a rose from his belt, intensifying my twitch.

"I believe your name is Sully, no?" Virion asked.

"Yeah, so?"

"My, such a wondrous name for an elegant lady," he knelt down to the ground and presented her the rose, "My dear Sully, will you marry me?"

I looked at Sully's armored boot preparing to kick the archer. I quickly ran toward them and I accidentally took the blow for Virion. The kick was strong enough to launch me slightly. After a second, I was on the ground.

"Hey pipsqueak, why'd ya protect this honkey?" Sully asked, visibly angry.

"I just wanted to scold Virion instead of having a violent conclusion," I said, "Also, he may be kind of a sleaze, but he's still my brother-in-arms."

In secret, I actually saw Virion's potential of being one of the strongest ranged fighters in the team. It would suck if I overlooked his potential. Also, this technique can be useful to keep my allies safe. I'll delve into this technique at a later time.

"Alec, such a noble act for a man I just met," though his accent usually mistakes him for being a romantic, this is probably the most genuine thing he would say. I guess underneath his attempts at romance, he might have potential for some honorable and noble actions in the future despite his dumb flirting.

"Bros before Hos, Frenchy," I wheezed, but not without doing a thumbs up.

"You callin' me a ho, Alec?" Sully said in a threatening voice.

She was about to throw her leg at my crotch, but Virion took the blow for me. The kick was strong enough to launch the Archest archer into a tree as if he was an arrow being launched by a bow.

"What the hell, you guys are already friends this quick?" Sully said.

"Instead of questioning about our friendship, how about we go back to battle, madame?" Virion said in a raspy voice.

Suddenly, heavy breathing was heard in the forest. A mighty axe was tossed from the darkness of the forest. Sully managed to get in front of us and sustain the blow. For a female, she was quite sturdy, but it still took a great toll on her health. I already saw Lissa running to us, aiding the damaged cavalier. When I looked back at where the axe came from, I suddenly heard a pained shriek.

Out the forest came Frederick the Wary, using his horse's helmeted head to shove what looked like the leader. He wore a savage mask and a muscular half naked body. His hair is wild and extends to his lower back. From the looks of it, Frederick has put a few deep lacerations on the zombie chief in exchange for some scratches on his armor. Sully used her remaining strength to skewer the feral leader with her lance. While her lance didn't cause enough damage, he was still stuck and attempted to struggle out.

"Lissa, heal us please?" I said.

With a cute wink, she stood on one leg and bent her other leg as she raised her staff. A green light shone over me, Virion, and Sully, healing us of our wounds. With regained strength, Virion and I stood up and prepared our ranged weapons. Sully's grip on her lance strengthened from her recovered health.

"Virion, with me," I said as I held out my tome.

"Hmm!"

We both stood back to back. His left hand extended outward, extending the string of his bow; an arrow chambered between bow and string. I pointed my right hand, summoning a series of magical text around me. Both of us pointed at the skewered zombie chief.

"Guess this finishing blow will be good for musicians?"

"I concur, friend," Virion said.

"In the count of three, we both say "Bingo!" right before we fire," I said with a smile, "You know, for the bards?"

Are they those travelling musicians?

"Very well," Virion confirmed.

I was already too impatient to count.

"Ah screw it. Three."

"Bingo!"

"Wait!" I think I heard Sully shout.

Both lightning orb and arrow flew at equal speeds and quickly ended the beast's life, shown through massive electrification and being shot straight into the head. After its defeat or I think his? Well after it got defeated, it just immediately evaporated into purple mist. Guess they're kinda like zombies, but minus the whole body bag work. I looked at Sully, hoping she was okay. I just remembered I used an electric spell while she was wearing metallic armor. Uh Oh.

"Sully, are you okay?" I asked.

Sully... thanks to the electricity, it caused her already spiky hair to spike out upward then all around. Both Virion and I had widened eyes. I tried hard not to laugh, but a certain teen beat me to it.

"Oh Gods this is golden," Lissa commented as she continued to lose her sides.

With her laughing, both the archer and I laughed extremely hard and let loose our sides. Both Virion and I dropped to the ground, but I added more emphasis on the hilarity by bashing the ground with my fist. This laughter was short-lived as we both were introduced to each of her fists.


A few minutes later.

Both Virion and I had eye bandages from the punch we each received from the Crimson Knight, or what she prefers to be called: The Woman to End all Men. Lissa used her staff to heal whoever had injuries left. Much to my impatience, she still hasn't come to us. Good thing that Lissa knows how to sew; she managed to mend my jacket after it got cut by one of the axe men back at Southtown. If I were to be in a public place right now, then I would have immediately took off my coat, but it's just too cool to be thrown away.

"You think that was totally worth it, Frenchy?" I asked.

"Though I usually don't like laughing at maidens who accidentally look silly, it was quite worth the laugh," Virion replied.

We heard a low growling noise behind us. If it was Sully, then Virion and I had to run for the hills. Instead of fists, we were introduced with pats on our shoulder.

"Hey, I can handle some electricity, but I gotta admit, that was a stylish finish," Sully admitted.

"Heh, thanks," I said.

"Looks like we've cleared most of these "zombies" as Alec would say," Frederick commented, "But that youth with the mask has took care of the rest of the beasts."

A blue haired youth wearing a butterfly styled mask approached us. I looked closely and realized that he may or may not be a she. Either he's extremely skinny, yet toned, or IS a toned girl. That sword he er um she, I mean he carries something that looks similar to Chrom's sword. Despite my analysis, I decided to keep silent about this. His aura is scary.

Lissa approached him and smiled at his face.

"Thank you, you saved me from those "zombie" thingies," Lissa said gratefully.

"Zombies?" he questioned, "What in Naga's name is that? Who came up with that idea?"

I put up my hand awkwardly. The masked man looked at me, and I think I saw her- I mean him, grit his teeth with anger. The expression was set aside as she looked at Chrom. Does she, I mean he, bear any ill will toward me?

"Well, we're glad you helped us kill these zombies," Chrom said gratefully,"I am Chrom. What's your name?"

"Just call me Marth," he said a bit coldly.

"Marth? Are you really the hero-king of the olden days? Your swordsmanship nearly parallels that of the hero-king." Frederick asked.

"I'm not here to talk more about me, this event is but a prologue to what's to come,"

With no hesitation, Marth walked into the forest and disappeared into the night time's darkness. Chrom attempted to chase him, but I held his shoulder.

"Chrom, as much as I want to chase he- er, him, we still need to get back to Ylisstol," I said.

Chrom raised his brow from me calling Marth a her.

"Did you just call Marth a her?"

"I don't know, but that body seems too feminine to be a male," I should've stayed quiet.

"I guess it doesn't matter for now," Chrom said. The blue haired man stared at Vaike with a skeptical glare.

"Vaike, what are you doing here? Aren't you suppose to be at the barracks?" Chrom said. He dug his ground into the earth and crossed his arms.

"Well, Teach volunteered to join in Sumia's test flight with her recently found pegasus, but I fell into the forest. Good thing I wasn't too high, otherwise I'd have been dead meat. I managed to survive by single handedly killing these zombies or whatever." he shrugged.

"What?!" Chrom said.

"Well, I saw Sumia actually fly away from the forest safely before these Risen suddenly came from nowhere," Vaike replied, "She couldn't help me because she had no weapon at the moment. Not like the Vaike needed help or anything."

"I'm surprised you actually didn't forget your weapon, Vaike," Sully commented.

"Oh this," he raised his axe, "The Vaike beat up a Risen with his fists to get this axe."

"Or you just found it in the fort?" Lissa said with crossed arms.

With a sigh, Chrom grabbed his sword and sheathed it into his scabbard.

"Either way, good work on managing to kill a few zombies, Vaike," he started walking, "You and Sumia are going to have a word with me when we get back to Ylisstol."


Ylisstol, a few hours later.

After a few hours of marching, it rewarded us with the introduction of a bustling city. Ylisstol, capital of the country of Ylisse, as well as most of the Shepherds' home. According to Virion himself, he came from Rosanne, which is probably the French country. With a childish "Ta-da!" Lissa introduced me to Ylisstol.

Ylisstol is bright and full of joy, shown through the villagers. On a hill, a castle rests, probably where the ruler resides in.

"Welcome to Ylisstol, Alec," Lissa said with her ever-present smile.

Thank goodness that the zombie outbreak didn't spread to this bustling city nor did that large quake affect the town in anyway. Every villager seemed quite happy and joyous. I don't know why, but I'm starting to regain my past memories as easy as carrying 10 tons of lead. I remembered being in a city similar to this, though people seemed to be a bit more distant. I don't know why exactly.

"Good thing those "zombies" didn't come to Ylisstol," Frederick commented.

"Yes, or it would've caused some big problems," Chrom said.

I was still intrigued with this mysterious device. I connected this cord again and put on the sound medium as I would call it for now. Even when I was surprised from the loud volume, I found myself loving loud music. I could barely hear anything around me. Perhaps that's the purpose of these cushions? To suppress noise from other noises to bring my music listening experience to the fullest?

I couldn't hear the crowd's chatter, nor the Shepherd's speaking, but I did see a man pointing to someone as if they were important. I can't read mouthing, but I think one of his speech said "Your Grace"?

It seems something important is happening. I took off my musical mediums and turned off the music.

"Hey, Chrom, what's going on?" I asked, "Something about, Your Grace or something?"

"Yes, my sister has visited the village," Chrom said, "She's the Exalt, but is known formally as Your Grace to the public."

"Lady Emmeryn rules over Ylisstol and the halidom of Ylisse," Frederick said.

"For a ruler, I find her to be quite charismatic with not only royalty, but to commoners as well," I noted.

"Em is a paragon of peace, earning her the much needed respect for all citizens in Ylisse," Chrom said.

She looked slightly mature than Chrom and also carried that same tattoo or brand that Chrom has, this time, on her forehead.

"Hey Chrom, I'm guessing you're royalty too, considering you have the same brand as her," I said to the blue blood, pointing at his right shoulder.

"Yes, the brand we carry is called the Brand of the Exalt. Those who have it have the Exalted blood flowing through their veins," he said, "Because of this, only those born in the Ylissean royal family can only wield the Falchion."

I turned to Lissa, who stood on my right side.

"Hey Lis, where's your brand?" I asked.

She sighed and looked away with a sad expression. I'd be so surprised if she actually said her brand was somewhere near her chest. Gods, her chest is flat. How old is she? Why am I thinking such perverse thoughts?

"Mine hasn't surfaced yet," she had a sad tone in her voice.

I didn't know what else to say. I hope not having her Mark surfaced won't affect her whole psyche. Most of all, I just hope that her silly and happy-go-lucky attitude isn't a mask of someone who's desperate for her mark to be surfaced; her mark being her identity.

"It will come in time, Lissa," Chrom said with a confident smile, "You don't need a mark to prove you're my sister."

"Thanks, big bro." She seemed a bit more happier from her brother's comment.

"I'm guessing the Exalts were renowned Heroes in the past?" I asked Frederick, who towered most of the army.

"Yes, in the past, one of Chrom's ancestors saved the world using the power of the Divine Dragon to foil the Fell Dragon's plan to destroy the world," he turned to look at Emmeryn, followed by royal knights while she waved at the public. I think all of the citizens smiled at her arrival.

"Her wisdom, endurance, and gentle yet peaceful persona is a representation of the peace the Exalted ancestors fought for."

"So, how is a peaceful ruler going to fare against Plegia?" I asked Chrom, "Oh and sorry for not addressing you formally earlier, especially when you told me about Falchion."

"It's okay, a friend like you doesn't need to to be too formal. Same for Lissa, too," Chrom scratched his head, "You know, for a tactician, you're quite forgetful, but we shouldn't digress your question."

While we were marching to Ylisstol, Frederick and the rest of the Shepherds educated me in not only the current situation, but also Plegia. These Plegians are kinda douchebags from what I heard. The king is sending bandits to invade our towns, just to instigate a war. Those guys at Southtown were no exception. Why does he even want a freaking war?

"Emmeryn will speak with the king; try to reason with him to stop his little invasions," Chrom commented.

Emmeryn then started to head toward the palace. Chrom started to follow her and soon, Lissa and Frederick did.

"Now that Em is heading back to the palace, wanna pay her a visit?" Chrom said with a smile.

"I guess, she seems like a nice person."

I would say she IS, but I've never personally met her, yet at the same time, she felt I've met her before. I guess it's time to expand my social barriers.

A/N:

Oh no, the Shepherds have referred to the Risen as zombies, and it's all my fault.

So Vaike makes an early appearance. Also, he didn't fist fight a fighter to get the axe, he just found it in the fort.

A bit of Alec: He seems to always want to be flashy, especially with finishing moves.

Alec may suffer from insanity, or could just be severe ADHD (Uh Oh).

Alec's friendship with Virion made him develop the dual-guard technique.

Gameplay wise, I always try not to ignore Virion as much as possible; he's one of my favorite units in the game. Vaike too, but I always pick that floating armor with a spear over them. I never knew we had a poltergeist in my team.