Fire Emblem: Healing Hearts
Disclaimer: Fire Emblem isn't mine. I want to though!
Happy New Year Everyone!
Reviewer Response!
Axel Wildfire: Thank you very much. I'm glad you're enjoying the fiction. Yes, Kocoi is quite the swordsman, but his true ability won't be known until a critical part of the story. I'm pleased to see that I've done well with Sain's character. Keep reading.
Dairokkan: Broccoli? Dream talking? Is that what you sent me? Oh dear . . .
OnikiDD: You're not the only one who thinks this . . . Keep reading to find the answers!
Wandering Cat: Hope you received my PM awhile back. If not, well, yes, her parents did die six months before meeting Kocoi. Answers concerning his age and other things are answered later in key chapters. I'll box those moments out for you from now on, thanks for the insights. Meow, meow, meow, meow, MEOW . . . !
Looks around . . . "Where'd everybody else go?" I need input peoples! NEW CHAPTER! MWUHAhahahahaa!
Oh, and for anyone confused by thoughts and speech . . . '' means thoughts. "" denotes verbal talking.
Strategy 3: Sacred Sword Mani Katti
After meeting Kent and Sain, two knights hailing from the Caelin providence in Lycia, Lyn and Shiyo traveled to the border of Bulgar to the east. The wounds were slow in healing, but they were better than nothing.
Lyndis had not explained her reasons for heading east when their new destination lay to the west, but Sain and the Kent brooked no arguments. Kent said nothing but followed as a loyal retainer would do, whereas Sain had been a bit overboard. Shiyo questioned his authenticity as an actual knight of Caelin at one point.
"You would doubt my word? Young people should trust a man in arms such as myself!"
Kocoi had smirked and raised an eyebrow at that comment. Lyndis giggled behind him, knowing full well that her father's friend was much older than one might have first perceived.
"Young people Sain?"
The green adorned horseman nodded confidently. Lyn looked over the tactician's shoulder with a mischievous smile.
"Well, Sain I guess that means you then."
"Whatever could you mean Lady Lyndis?"
"Shiyo knew my father Sain, and he's known my mother as well."
The two knights took another look at their traveling companion and frowned. Shiyo looked barely older than Lyndis. The strategist looked to be in his middle twenties, his hair hung loosely down to his shoulders, but stayed decently neat.
Kent was the first to break out of his shock.
"So you knew Lady Madelyn, Kocoi?"
He nodded with a memorable smile.
"Yes I did Kent. Yes I did. She was Hassar's light and day. A wonderful woman."
Lyn smiled with the compliments. Looked back to her intended destination; she spotted the temple on the horizon.
"Shiyo, hold those thoughts a moment and allow me a short detour. There is a sacred sword enshrined in an altar east of here."
The three men turned toward the east. The temple was quite large for the plains. Sain turned back with a grin.
"Oh! How quaint!"
"The teachings of Elimine have the most followers in Elibe. It is nice to see here at least, the ancient customs are still observed."
Kent smiled easily. Shiyo nodded in agreement, his mind wandered to the past memories with Hassar and Madelyn. Lyn nudged the older man in the ribs. He shook his head from his thoughts.
'I really need to stop daydreaming.'
As they began to approach the temple several men and women ran out, looks of fear covered their faces. One of them made eye content with Shiyo, his mind jolted from the memory.
"Elizabeth . . ."
His voice was a whisper, but Lyn noticed and looked to where his attention was fixed. A young girl was running toward them. Fair skin was framed by deep chocolate brown hair down to her waist fairly glowed in the bright sunlight. Blue eyes shined with joy as she embraced the swordsman.
"Mr. Kocoi! You're safe!"
Taking her at arms length, he was shocked to see her dressed in the robes of a mage. A small yellow book with strange runes running up the spine caught his evermore widening eyes.
"Elizabeth . . . is that a Thunder tome?"
Glancing at the book in her hands, she blushed and hid it behind her back. Lyn and the others exchanged curious glances. Shiyo looked at her closely, sensing a new aura about her. His question came out quicker than he wanted it to.
"Did someone train you in the ways of a mage?"
She shook her head negatively, eliciting a surprised look from everyone. The girl flinched and took a small step back.
"I found it in a conclave in the wall of the well you hid me in several days ago."
Genuine confusion spread across Shiyo's face. The knights were shocked.
"He dropped this beauteous thing down a musty well? How crude!"
"Sain, mind yourself you oaf!"
Ignoring the two and focusing on Elizabeth, Lyn was beginning to piece together bits of information.
"Shiyo, you gained your injuries helping her? Is that how I found you?"
The two grew silent and she knew she had guessed right. Kocoi's voice was low.
"Yes Lyndis. You're quite perceptive . . . that's a good thing though. Now's not a good time to explain everything though. Elizabeth, what's going on at the temple?"
"Why, are you heading in that direction?"
Lyndis nodded.
"Well, several ruffians rushed into the temple and ruffed up some of the priests. The leader seemed to be intent on taking the sword enshrined there."
The plainswoman gasped in shock.
"They intend on stealing the Mani Katti?"
Kocoi frowned as everyone followed after Lyn. She was quite quick on her feet as she quickly gained ground. He and Elizabeth began to fall behind as they continued to press onward.
'Mani Katti? That blade's rumored to slash through infantry and horseman like a farmer's scythe to wheat. What's it doing out here?'
Looking beside him, Elizabeth appeared to be uncertain as the mounted soldiers took out spears and Lyn drew her sword. The knights took up positions on each side of their charge, allowing enough room for mobility. The yellow eyed swordsman drew the bow from his back; an arrow rested notched on the string.
"Elizabeth, if you think you can keep up and make use of that magic tome of yours; it will make things a lot easier."
A hesitant nod was her answer. Her eyes spoke volumes to him, he'd seen them all too often in his lifetime. The doubt and fear of killing a person was unmistakable in her eyes. She knew that he was asking her to use her gift to kill; and that idea scared her. It did for countless new fighters and mages all across the continent. Anyone who didn't feel nervous the first time around wasn't human.
'Not that I'm altogether human anymore.'
As they approached the temple's outer walls two of the reported ruffians appeared, axes in hand. Lyn charged forward as the knights exchanged spear for sword. Kocoi released an arrow, the shaft embedding itself in the brigand's gut as Lyn finished him with the same sword stroke that Shiyo had used yet again. Her footing was rough on the gravel path as she landed. The loose dirt flew as she rolled to lessen the impact.
The untouched man raised his axe, ready to strike her as she came out of her tumble. Sain and Kent were both cursing under their breath as Shiyo struggled taking aim; paranoia about hitting Lyn making him falter. The two men of Lycia wouldn't provide aid fast enough and Kocoi's worries had stopped him from feathering the brute.
"Sacred order of Father Sky, bless this one with your fury! Thunder!"
Looking toward the voice, he saw Elizabeth chanting from the anima tome. A swirling breeze surrounded her lightly tossing her cloak as her voice grew louder and more ambient. The arcane power flowed from the pages as her body served as the conduit for its release. Her right hand arched through the sky, crackling tendrils of electricity surrounded it. The glistening bolts radiated around her hand before flying out and striking the attacker in the chest.
Watching the magic do its work as the man writhed while the energy crackled around him visibly disturbed Sain and Lyn. Kent kept his gaze stolid as Kocoi gaped. The spell thrust its target backwards and through a crumbled portion of the temple wall. Only amber eyes stayed on the girl as everyone else took advantage of the new 'entrance'. Sain charged in first, no doubt desiring to impress his new liege lady.
'That amount of force from a Thunder tome is unheard of, even for prodigies and the animically adept. Did she really learn on her own in five days?'
The young woman stood shakily, her body trembled. Blue eyes stared into her hands as tears formed.
"I killed . . . I've killed . . ."
The golden bound book dropped to the soft earth as her tears fell. She crumbled to her hands and knees as her head began swimming. Nausea set in and she dry heaved several times, her hands covering her mouth as she clenched her eyes shut.
"I've killed a man, me, with these very hands I've . . . Ugh!"
One final heave came as her insides felt as if they had been turned inside out. She vomited; once again on all fours. During the entire event, two sad, understanding eyes rested on her.
Meanwhile inside the temple, Sain and Kent found maneuvering around the aisles and pews difficult with two axe wielding marauders running about. Lyn was up at the pulpit engaged in combat with a swordsman who called himself Glass.
He was fairly skilled, but Sain had been disgusted by his conceit. Kent actually agreed with the womanizing knight. Putting yourself on the 'high horse' was no where near as pompous defaming the gods.
Lyn had heard enough of his blabbering and charged him early in the fight. Her speed had caught him off guard as her sword found his arm and left a cut across his forearm; leaving the appendage hanging limp. While it prevented him from using two hands to increase his strength, his skill one handed wasn't shabby, and Lyn was finding it hard to strike.
Halfway through the fighting Sain finally grasped his partner's words and was mortified.
"Kent, are you saying that I'm pompous!"
The axe swing harmlessly passed by as he spurred his horse out of the way. Kent parried his opponent and swung the sword down, scoring flesh as the man fell with a scream.
"Perhaps Sain. Concentrate on your enemy!"
The man rolled his eyes as he took another swing at the bandit in front of him.
Glass threw out a kick at Lyn, managing to knock her down the small steps that lead up to the parapet. As she rolled he leapt off the stairway hoping to slice her in two as she got up.
Landing on her back, Lyn raised the sword and blocked the blade meant to take her life. The sound of steel against iron grinded throughout the chapel area as small sparks flew from the blade lock. He grinned wickedly at his position. He was straddling her while putting all his weight down on the sword. That smug look disappeared half a second later when she kneed him in the groin and slashed at him as he dropped the sword and instinctively grabbed his nether regions in pain. The sword caught him across the face, leaving the man bellowing as his right eye bled.
Finally standing up, Kent and Sain appeared by her side.
"Milady Lyndis, are you alright?"
"Yes, I'm fine Kent. I have him, stay out of this."
She regained her breath as he rolled around in agony. Adjusting her grip, Lyn charged as he reached for his sword.
Just outside the temple's walls, Shiyo was helping Elizabeth recover from her bout of sickness. She had drained off the water skin that he'd handed her. She didn't know what he had added to the water to flavor it, but she enjoyed the sweet citrus flavor that had mixed into the liquid. It helped her nausea greatly.
"Mr. Kocoi."
He nodded slightly, wiping off the opening before replacing the cap to the skin. Clutching the magic tome to her chest, she stared at the ground. He'd moved her away from the pool of vomit so they wouldn't gag as she recovered.
"I've killed someone. I've ended his life. How can I live with this?"
He sighed as he placed the container back in his travel bag. He had seen this conversation coming when she had gotten sick.
'How to go about this . . .'
"Elizabeth, the fact that you question you actions shows that you have a good heart. I know this is a trauma for you, but I believe you'll make it."
"Make it! Make it!"
Her voice grew hysteric as blue eyes watered. Kocoi knew that this was trouble. She thrust her hands out at him; the tears ran freely down her face. Anger, frustration, sorrow, and confusion rang clearly in her voice.
"Make it as what! A murderer? I probably made a widow and orphan when I killed him. A father and mother lost their child! Siblings without a brother."
"Yes, all of that is possible and perhaps even true. However . . ."
Kocoi reached out, taking the distraught girl's hands in his. Giving her a gentle gaze and compassionate smile he brought her hands to his lips in a chaste kiss. The maiden blushed fiercely at his actions; her eyes were wide with shock.
"In doing so, you have also saved a life. Lady Lyn owes you her life today."
"I . . . saved someone . . . but I still . . ."
"Think Elizabeth, a man like that probably doesn't have a wife or children. If he does have any children, they're more than likely the result of rape. Men like them are brutal raiders. They pillage, rape, steal, and kill and then boast about it. Men like the one you've now killed are exactly like those who raided your home."
She sniffed, her tears ebbing away as she took in his words.
"Really? So I'm . . ."
"You are alright. In situations like these, it isn't just killing. During battles against men who have no morals and no shame, it's not murder . . . it's justice."
For the first time, she saw Kocoi not just as a wandering sword, but as a man who knew the world. Knew it and stood above it. His reasoning made sense to her and it made her feel more at ease. It didn't make her heartless to what she had done, but it helped her see both sides of a cruel coin called life.
Giving her a supportive hug, he helped her up. Together they looked through the hole in the wall. He smirked as he nudged the girl.
"I'm going to have to help you gain better control of your talent."
Stepping through, they witnessed Glass fall quite literally over a bench, Lyn stood triumphant, if not a bit winded. The swordsman was cursing vehemently. Elizabeth covered her ears. She'd never heard such expletives in her life.
"Damned wench! I am Glass, the gods fear my name! You can't possibly . . ."
The flash of black metal from a slender gauntlet was the last thing he saw as Kocoi bashed in the face as he walked past. Continuing past the unconscious mercenary up to Lyn he noticed he Mani Katti in the hands of the bishop. He smiled mirthfully.
"And like glass he shattered under pressure. Well done Lyn."
The daughter of the plains fairly glowed at the praise. Elizabeth hastily joined them, hopping over the defeated Glass nervously. The blow to the head that Kocoi had given him looked like it would keep him that way for awhile, but she wasn't taking any chances.
The elderly bishop approached them, the sacred sword of Sacae in his hands. No doubt, the incident had an affect on him; his hands were trembling. Despite that, he kept amazing control of his voice as he addressed them.
"I thank you for doing this for me and the young ones here."
Behind him, several acolytes had come out from hiding. Lyn had regained a bit of her wind. Kent and Sain had just dismounted and tethered the horses outside. Lyn spoke on behalf of everyone in their group.
"You're welcome. Is everyone alright?"
Nods went around the room.
"And the Mani Katti? Is it safe?"
The old priest nodded and presented it to the woman.
"It is, and I shall let you touch the sword. Feel its pattern and pray for a safe journey."
Lyn's face brightened as she thanked him. Stepping forward, she took the sword in hand. A blinding light shot from the weapon and then dimmed to a soft glow. The acolyte's gasped as everyone else stared in awe.
'So it is the true Mani Katti . . . this changes a great many things about our journeys to come.'
Kocoi finger the hilt of his blade anxiously. His right hand formed a tightly gripped fist as he suddenly found it hard to keep his composure. A soft touch by his side steered his attention away from the spectacle. Elizabeth had apparently seen his reaction and concern was written on his face.
"I'll be alright. I'm just slightly stunned by this revelation."
The distinctive sound of a sword being drawn drew his focus back to Lyn as she released the blade from its sheath. Her eyes were wide with wonder.
"It came out . . . effortlessly."
'She's been chosen . . . she will have the strength she desires in due time now. I know she will.'
He stayed behind as everyone left the temple grounds, the elder priest and a few of the students gave him curious looks.
"Is there something that I can help you with young man?"
"Yes Father, there is. If it isn't too much to ask, how did the Mani Katti end up here?"
The old man smiled as he recited what he knew.
"A young craftsman about your age was said to have brought it to this temple as a holy sword. He spoke saying, 'This blade shall not be drawn lest the spirits of the plains will it so, and who they choose will become its master.'"
Kocoi smiled, some of his frustration about the blade left him.
"His name was Silvas was it not?"
The acolytes gasped. The bishop nodded slowly, Silvas . . . the creator of the Mani Katti, was a name that only the religious clergy knew of. His name was not spoken about in any town or public place and was not shared with the outside world. He had been a Sword Saint and the Mani Katti had become notorious against Bern's cavalier, paladin, and knight squads. It was supposed to be a 'holy' sword, but in reality it had seen more blood than most swords ever will.
"How sir, do you know his name? Were you once a priest here?"
The yellow eyed tactician laughed loudly before apologizing for his behavior.
"I'm sorry Father, but the idea of me being a priest is a bit silly. May I ask how long ago the sword was brought here?"
"It was brought here about four hundred years ago, shortly after Bern stopped its fighting with the Sacaen nomads and Lycia who were under the tactical genius of . . ."
"Shimanyo Kocoi?"
The whole of the religious priests gaped as the stranger before them. The bishop looked as if he were about to pass out from a stroke.
"How do you?"
Shiyo let out a heavy sigh.
"I know him because . . . I am him."
A book hit the ground behind him. Elizabeth was on her knees, unable to believe her ears. The last part kept repeating like a mantra.
"I know him because . . . I am him."
Done with another chapter! Whew! Christmas and New Year's are great . . . but I'm glad to be back at the computer typing away at this. Next semester in college is starting up so the updates will be longer in coming, but they WILL be coming.
Up Next: Elizabeth finds out a sad tale about Kocoi, and he makes her take a vow of silence to the others! What part did Yanagi play in his life? Why did he lead Lycia and Sacae all those centuries ago? Who exactly was Silvas?
All these answered and more in Bloody Tears of the Past Pt. 1, 2, & 3!
