So. Ready for chapter four? The fourth chapter of this stupid, lame, cancerous fanfiction? I bet you are. Or not. I don't really know. But I guess I'll post it. Something to do with my life I guess. So I'll shut up and let you read now. Enjoy.
Chapter Four: March
Well. I am on my first official adventure as a Shepherd today. Going to Regna Ferox to ask for some help to deal with the "Risen". That's what Ylisse decided those zombie fuckers name is. Sounds cliche and corny but it is easy to remember so I guess it works. Still don't understand how the Risen have Classes but I was never one to theorize. That's what Miriel does. That mad scientist who thinks she is so cool. Son of a bitch… Oh, she would correct me by saying "Daughter of a bitch," except in bigger and fancier words. While pushing her glasses up her nose so her lens shine; completely poker face as well. Good thing Stahl is with us. Did I talk about him yet? No? I guess I should.
Stahl is the perfect example of average. Literally. I think the only reason why I even remember him is because of how much dinner he ate, he wears green armor, and he is the second Calvier for the Shepherds. I like him because of his averageness makes me feel special. Yes; I am insecure about being average. Funny considering I am a Mercenary; a basic all around swordfighter who is average in everything. But it's Stahl's averageness is what makes me feel that I am better then him. Plus he is being tortured by Miriel because he is so average, it matches up with something called a "median." Weird.
But I am getting off track, again, for like what; the fifth time? I have no idea to be honest. Anyways; the Shepherds are on the march to Regna Ferox. We're halfway there by the way. We just got to get past this bridge up ahead to arrive at the pine forests which signal nearing Ferox land. Plus the giant wall. Did I mention that a giant wall called the Longfort was built along the entire northern border of Ylisse. I mean the entire northern border. It goes for coast to coast. Amazing am I right? I'm probably not right. Hold up; we are stopping for some reason.
"Gods, have the Risen spread this far?" Chrom says, drawing Falchion at the appearance of Risen swarming all over the bridge. I guess it's time to fight. I knew that there was going to be a Risen attack somewhere on this journey.
The Robins ask, "'Risen?'" I guess no one told the Robins what we decided to call the zombies. That is fucking rude. Wait, I didn't tell them either. Well I am a fucking idiot.
Frederick looks back at the Robins with an expression that just said, "You are so fucking dense," and says "We needed a name for this new threat, so the council gave them one."
Chrom raises his sword into the air as a signal to get ready before saying, "Everyone, remember what we're up against!"
I draw my iron sword and say, "Hey Chrom; you do realize that about only half of us have fought Risen before?"
"Oh… Just be careful and double tap the dastards everyone!" Chrom signals the Shepherds to take positions when he saw some of the Risen starting to advance towards us. I never understood why Chrom changed bastard with 'dastard.' But that's his grammar so I ain't going to touch that.
Vaike laughs and says reaching for something and says, "Mya ha! They'll remember ME once I drive my axe into their…" He only grasps air and starts to pat himself down while growing concern. "Wait... My axe. Where's my axe?! I had it a second ago!"
Chrom looks back at Vaike and says in a very serious tone, "Vaike, this is no time for jokes…"
"Chrom; knowing Vaike, this isn't a fucking game." I say, taking position next to Sully and the female Robin.
"I'm serious! It's gone, but I JUST had it! It's got to be around here somewhere…" Vaike says, walking to the back of our lines to try and find his axe. I knew it. It wasn't a fucking game!
Chrom turns back to the Risen who have gotten closer and in what seems to be poor and readable battle positions. "Keep to the rear, then! The battle is nigh!" Chrom shouts, whirling his sword about before the Shepherds charge into battle. I guess it's time to fuck shit up! Not living shit but still it's shit! I think. Do Risen shit? I guess that's a question I will never find the answer to. I hope.
Me, Sully, and the Female Robin move in a group. The Robins drilled the Shepherds in some classic formations before we started to head towards Ferox. The Robins called this the "Crane Wing Formation." Basically a group lures the enemy to the center while two thirds of the force are on the flanks or "wings." After the enemy follows the diversion enough, the wings close in on the enemy and destroy them. Simply yet effective. I like it.
So my group was the left wing while Frederick, Stahl, and Virion took the right wing with Chrom, Robin, Vaike, and Lissa as the diversion force. The diversion force manages to lure in two Fighters, a Soldier, and a… Mercenary. How fucking dare the Risen disgrace the Mercenary class with their foul presence. I picked this class because it was apparently the gateway for the Hero class! If there are Risen Mercenaries then there must be… Risen Heroes. Those motherfuckers! My uncle was a Hero and I like my uncle!
The wings close in on the enemy once the diversion force lures them a good distance away from the the main Risen force. I find myself partners with Stahl as we face off against the Risen Mercenary. I attack first; charging forward and the enemy a decent stab wound in his unprotected shoulder. I jump back and see Stahl charge in, his bronze sword gleaming in the sunlight while he rides up to the Risen. Stahl cuts the Risen's sword arm off and rides back. I take this as my cue to finish the Risen with a slice that severs the Risen in half. We watch the Risen dissolve into black smoke when it dies but I notice something strange. The severed Risen's arm isn't dissolving like the body is. It's also holding an intact iron sword in it's hands.
I grab the iron sword before hearing something metal shatter. I turn and see the male Robin as the source. Apparently his bronze sword broke and now he is fighting a Fighter Risen without a weapon. I take a few steps before saying, "Robin! Catch this," and throwing the iron sword at the male Robin. He caught the sword and finished off the Fighter Risen with a stab to it's stomach. I also notice him shining in a pale golden light. I guess he "Leveled up." I look at myself and also notice I am glowing as well. I guess I'm a bit stronger now. I hear a battle cry and see Vaike fly through the air, axe in hand finally, and attack the Soldier. In the distance I see Miriel scribble something down in that notebook she carries everywhere before casts some fireballs to help Vaike out. They should be fine. I hope. One critical attack and someone life will end. I've seen it happen. Thanks female Robin. Speaking of the Robins.
I need a name for the Robins. I am so tired of just saying 'the female Robin,' or 'the male Robin'. Let me think… How about Jack and Jill? Rhymes and it definitely sounds like an unoriginal name that the Robin's parents could've given them. But more original than naming both of them Robin. But how am I going to get them to respond to the names I've picked out? Do you think reverse psychology would work? I mean it worked on my dog so it stopped peeing on the carpet. I guess I'll try that. I'm forgetting about the battle aren't I? I am such a fucking idiot.
Looks like it's a fully fledged battle now. The main Risen force is starting to charge across the bridge to attack us. My smile despite the situation; this is going to be fun. I live for combat afterall! Me, Frederick, Sully, and this dude in giant white armor form a line, that I swear just showed up out of nowhere, and wait for the Risen to hit our weapons. The Risen slam into our makeshift line like a wave on a rock; pushing our line back a few steps but we still holding our ground. I find myself fighting a Myrmidon and a Fighter, all by myself, while the others take care of the rest. This is going to be fun.
I barely block a few of the Myrmidon's attacks; his speed unnatural even to Myrmidons' standards. I guess being undead or something of that nature gives you wicked boosts to your speed stat. I jump back when the Fighter attacks, his axe slamming into the ground. I rush in and deliver a good slash at the Fighter before going back on the defensive against the Myrmidon. I hiss in pain when the Myrmidon delivers a short, but painful cut to my arm before I blocked the rest of his strike. I need one good strike to be rid of this Risen. Time to go all out.
"I will break you!" I say before I throw my sword into the air and jump, bouncing off of the Fighter's helmet, and do a little somersault. I grab my blade and put all my weight downwards, sending me flying towards the Myrmidon. My blade slams into the Myrmidon before my feet slam into it's face, dissolving it on contact. I whirl around and stab the other Risen in the throat before pulling my blade out and decapitating it. I am such a badass aren't I? I know it so you don't need to say it! I think it's the pleasure of killing is making me a bit arrogant. Ah who cares? I feel fantastic!
A Soldier charges at me and I'm forced to keep my distance away from it's prodding spear. I near get impaled by the thing before a lighting bolt slams into the Risen's face. It slams into the ground; giving me a chance to run up to it and cut it's throat while it's lying on the ground. I slash it's throat wide open and jump back so the cloud of smoke doesn't make me cough. I look to my side and see Jill wiping some sweat off her forehead.
"Thanks Jill!" I shout at her before I head back into combat. I swear she looked a bit confused but seemed alright with it. I think the reverse psychology is working. While rushing back into combat, I notice Jack defending Lissa against what seems to be the leader of the Risen, a Fighter. It looks like Jack is getting bested due to the Risen's strength due to how battered he looks. Lissa doesn't has a scratch on her so Jack must be doing a good job at protecting her. Ah… The lengths some men go to impress women. Especially princesses. It doesn't look I need to help seeing how Stahl and Virion are running to help Jack. I'm never really needed aren't I? I guess I'll kill one more Risen before the battle ends I guess.
I reach this Mercenary and I give that motherfucker no quarter. I batter it's blade to the side before I showed it the color of it's stomach. Which it's grey by the way. I guess the Risen are really undead. I step back from the cloud of black smoke that once was a MErcenary Risen and rub my face. Man, I am really fucking tired right now. Good thing the battles over now. I watch as the Shepherds cheer victory cries before swarming around Lissa to heal their wounds, using their personal vulneraries to get rid of some bumps or scrapes, or just cleaning themselves and their equipment off. I grab my personal vulnerary and use it to heal the cut on my arm. I look into the bottle and notice I only have enough for one last use before I run out.
The Shepherds regroup and listen to Chrom congratulate use for winning the day. I look around a notice a few Shepherds are glowing from leveling up. Chrom turns back to the road and says, "Finally the Risen are gone, and good riddance! But if they're appearing this far up the Northroad…" He has a point. The last time I've seen Risen was during that clusterfuck in the forest and seeing how many there were today they must be getting reinforcements somewhere. This is only to get much worse before it gets any better. Who am I kidding, there isn't going to be a better.
Frederick rides up to Chrom and says to him, while including us by the tone in his voice, "Then no path is safe. We'll need to stay wary." Yeah, no shit the Wary. Did I mention the Frederick has a title and it's "Frederick the Wary"? I hope so. But back to the action. The Shepherds roar in agreement at Frederick and we continue marching. I hope we get there soon, it's getting dark.
A Few Hours Later
We are so fucking lost. No one had the bright idea of bringing a map with them on this journey! Not even the Robins brought a map with them! And they are the fucking strategists of the Shepherds! We are just wandering down this road, hoping that some village is going to appear so we can ask for some fucking directions. I have been walking almost all day with a few skirmishes here and there after the battle at the bridge. I really hope we get to camp soon. I really do.
The Shepherds stopped when a villager with a bucket on his head comes bursting through the woods saying, "Halp! You gots to help us! I'm beggin' you, milords!" Oh boy, another battle. What fun! I better get some fucking overtime pay for this or I am going to use up all of the Shepherds' gold to buy hand carved bath ducks!
Chrom stops the boy and asks him, "Slow down. What happened?"
Soon after the villager, a fucking Barbarian comes out of the trees and says, "Oy! There's the wee piglet!"
Chrom sighs, drawing Falchion, and says, "…Great. Bandits."
"What's this? A little lording come to watch over his chattel? Haw ha—Aw, damn me! Sh-Shepherds!" Wow. This Barbarian is actually pretty smart. He recognized we were the Shepherds. I hope he gets some gold for that.
"That's right. So, what'll it be? Run and live? Or fight and die?" Please run away. Please run away.
To my luck, the Barbarian actually runs away. He really is smart! But that means he must be running back to his leader to tell them the Shepherds are in town. Maybe Chrom should've killed him.
Chrom turns back to the villager and says, "Quickly, lad. What happened here?"
The villagers stutters at the presence of royalty and says, "Y-yes, milord! Right away, milord! …Er, if it please Your Graciousness."
"Maybe just hold off on titles for now. What's your name?" huh. I guess Chrom has some potential intelligence in him. Who knew?
The villager readjusts his bucket helmet and says, "Donny. Er, that is, Donnel. …Your Majestyful. I live in the village just beyond, sir." Donny. Despite the weird speech; Donny actually looks pretty alright, appearance-wise I mean.
"I guess that'll do. Now, what happened?"
"That rotten-toothed, pig-stinkin' bandit you just ran off attacked us! Er, pardon my language, You Lordliness. I'm the only one what got away, and even then just barely. They were roundin' up others to haul 'em off to a bandit camp… Please, sir! You gots to save them folks! My ma's one of 'em, and… She's all I got in this world! Please, Your Royal Highness!" A family man… We better help him. Family is something that shouldn't be taken for granted. I of all people should know that.
Chrom grits his teeth at Donny's request and says, "This blasted war seems to spawn more evils by the day. All right, Donny. We'll save your ma. Can you lead us to her?"
Donny smiles and gestures us to follow him while saying, "Aw, thank you, milord! Thank you! Just follow me, Your Sirness!" All of the Shepherds do double time while we follow Donny through the forest. I never thought I'd be rushing to save a village without being paid to do so. If I was told that was what I was going to do before I joined the Shepherds; I would've laughed. Now, not so much. Just some groans that's all.
It takes us a good twenty minutes before we reached the bandits' camp. It looks like they were waiting for us seeing how they have taken up battle positions. This is going to be tough. I prefer battles if we have the element of surprise. Gives us an edge. Off to the side I see Chrom talking to Donny before handing him a bronze spear. Chrom wants Donny to fight! That fucking idiot. If Donny fights, his class will be Villager and those are basically the weakest meatshields! But… If Donny manages to level up, he could join the Shepherds! That would be ok with me. I always wanted a chance to make someone like a little brother. Though we will have to work on the accent.
The Shepherds charge into the enemy's camp, hacking and slashing our way through countless Barbarians, Fighters, Archers, and Thieves. I find myself in the middle of the fray with Donny. From the way Donny is shaking, he is downright terrified. Suddenly an Archer appears and shoots an arrow at me. I dodge the arrow and was going to attack him but watch in wonder as Donny charges the Archer and runs him through with his spear. Donny pulls the spear out of the dead Archer and just stands there, looking at the corpse. Shit; Donny has battle-shock! Happens to all new fighters when they killed their first enemy. I notice a Fighter charging Donny, still standing and staring at the corpse, with the intent to kill. I can't let Donny die! He has to see his mother one last time!
I rush up to Donny and block a Fighter's attack that was aimed at Donny's neck. The clang of metal snaps Donny out of his daze and turns to look at me defending him. I turn slightly and say while I grit my teeth, "Help!" Donny springs to action and stabs the Fighter through the stomach. The Fighter stumbles back and I finish him with a quick decapitation.
I pull Donny's spear out of the Fighter and hand it back to him, saying, "Never lose your weapon. It's the only way to survive out in the middle of battle. Now come on Donnel!"
"R-right! You sure are one heckin' fighter… um… What's your name again your sirness?"
"My name is Aiden but call me Rider. Now stick with me Donny; the battle isn't over yet!"
Donny grips his spear and gives me a "Right" before following me as I head join the other Shepherds while we head deeper into the bandits' base. While fighting, I notice Jack and Jill heading into this room with two chests. Free loot I guess. But when the entered the room, Jill looked very… creepy. She had this weird smile and her eyes were dull. Is Jill a loot whore? I don't have time to figure that out. The bandits' leader is here.
The bandit leader is a Barbarian, no surprise there, and looks alot like Garrick from the raid. Almost scarily so. I wonder why? Anyways, the Barbarian says while twirling a steel axe around in his hands, "Time them castle whelps learned what us wild-born men can do!" The man charges into the fray and jumps at his first foes. Guess who they are? Me and Donny. We jump back as the Barbarian's attack slams into the ground, leaving a tiny crater from it's impact. He looks up and stares at Donny with a hungry glare.
"Oh boy! It's that pig herder's brat; the one who broke my rib! Like father like son I suppose. I can't wait to kill you boy. Come on! Let me show you the color of your innards!" The Barbarian says, getting into a fighting stance. So this man killed Donny's father? I look at Donny and notice he has an expression of pure rage on his face. Who knew a boy, barely a man from how young he looks, can look so scary?
"Git ready!" Donny shouts at the man before charging straight at him. Donny is going to die. I try to catch up with Donny but he reaches the Barbarian before I do. What next just stuns me. Donny reaches the man and stabs his spear at him. The man dodges Donny's attack before slamming his axe into Donny's side. Donny only sways a bit before he twirls his spear around, smacking the Barbarian's hand so he lets go of his axe. Donny then used his spear to whack the back of the man's knees, making the Barbarian fall to the ground on his knees. Then Donny spun around the man and says, "Yeeeeeehaw!" After saying that, Donny plunges his spear through the man's head, killing him instantly. Donny then kicked the now dead Barbarian's body to the ground before pulling the axe out of his side.
I know. Who knew Donny was a closet badass? I guess everyone now because everyone is looking at Donny with a mixture of fear, respect, and worry. Fear from how brutal he killed the Barbarian, respect on avenging his father, and worry from the amount of blood coming from his wound. I'm a mix of all three to be honest. That was so amazingly scary that I'm worried for Donny despite him not being a Shepherd- Wait he's glowing so he just leveled up. I guess he's going to become a Shepherd now. After the bandit leader fell to motherfucking Donny; all of the other bandits ran away. Fucking cowards. A true warrior never retreats! They simply advance away from the fight. Like manly men. Or manly women. Both are pretty badass so I ain't complaining.
After regrouping and setting about to free the captives, Donnel says with a great big grin on his face, (And a great big bandages around his side), "We did it! We're rid of them bandits for good and all!"
Chrom walked up to Donny with an middleaged woman following him and says, "A worthy first victory, Donny. You fought well."
Donny notices the woman next to Chrom and says while rushing over to her, "Ma! Ma, it's me!" Wow. That's Donny's mother. I guess Donny has his hair color from his father seeing how his mother's a brunette.
"Oh, Donny! Thank goodness you're safe! I was worried near to death, boy! I can't thank you enough for savin' my son and our village, milord. …Donny! Where are your manners?! Take a knee and thank His Lordness!" Donny's mother says, bowing to Chrom after hugging her son.
Donny scrambles to the ground and hastily bows while saying, "Er, I can't begin to repay all what you done for us, sir! Th-thank you!"
Chrom chuckled a bit before he says to Donny, "You led the charge, Donny. We just picked off the stragglers. Hone your potential and use it to keep this village safe."
Chrom started to walk away from Donny but Donny stood up and says, "W-wait! Please!"
Chrom stops and looks back at Donny with a confused expression. "Something wrong?"
Donny swallows some saliva before asking Chrom, "I has a request, sir. If it please Your Graceliness… Take me with you, milord! Lemme be a Shepherd like you! I'm good with livestock, I am! Please, sir!"
Donny's mother gasps at her sons before yelling, "Hush now, you fool boy!"
"I want to hone my…whatever he said. I want to keep this place safe! I never thought I was good for nothin' more than shovelin' dirt… But milord showed me there's more I can do. More I needs to be doing!"
"You needs be knowin' your place, boy! A farmhand's no fit for a royal-"
I cut off Donny's mother and say to her with a smile to my face, "Actually, we'd be thrilled to have him. The Shepherds need every good warrior we can find, and your son fought like a proper badass! Exactly what we need in the Shepherds!" What? You surprised I am trying to persuade someone instead of stabbing that person for the thing I want? I know when to use words to get what I want! Besides, Donny was pretty badass during the fight so I hope we can take him with us.
"Y-you're very kind to say as much, Your Lordshipness, but…" Donny mother sighs in defeat and turns to Donny to say, "Well, you're a man grown now, Donny. I s'pose you can make up your own mind."
Donny sniffs and rubs his eyes with a tiny, "Aw, Ma…" Even badasses cry when their mothers wish them luck and to be safe! Don't judge!
"You just come home safe, love. I'll see that the village is still standin' when you return a hero. …Well?! Off with you, then! Glory's waiting', boy!"
"I ain't fightin' for glory, Ma. I'm fightin' for you! But if I do find some glory, I'll be sure to bring it home for you!" Donny says, now crying at his mother's words. What a mother's boy.
"…Just come home alive, Donny." After a few more words, we depart with a map that one villager gave us. Apparently we are on the southern tip of Ylisse. You know what that means! We've been going the wrong way this entire time. There goes a day of marching and fighting wasted because we took the wrong turn! I hate this so much!
So. There's the fourth chapter of Mercenary. I hope you enjoyed it. I bet not though. This fanfic is cancer afterall. Not just regular cancer as well! Lame cancer. It is lame cancer. I don't know if that's a thing but it is now. The story is so lame that it makes cancer look lame. Yeah. It's lame cancer. I guess I'll go replay the next couple of chapters in game to get ready to write the next couple of chapters for this story seeing how some people are following this. Go find some better fanfiction and have a good day.