Disclaimer: I don't own the fire emblem series or in anyway present that I do. But I do own rights over all original Characters presented thus far.

Author's Note: The Arena is where I think the story pics up... Even though I don't see many people reading this I won't let it bring me down.

The Artefacts of the Ancients

Chapter 04:

The First Round

Kai was nearly late for his battle in the Arena due to oversleeping. He would need to save his energy for the battle especially because it would be a straight up fight. No stealth would be used, putting Kai at a disadvantage.

Panting slightly, he arrived at the Competitor Wing of the Arena. "I'm here...when does the fight start?" Kai asked the referee. "In about...30 seconds. Best get to the ring." the ref replied. Kai nodded and headed to the entrance of the ring. Just as his opponent had turned to leave, Kai entered. "I'm here!" he yelled. The crowd cheered and the warrior known as Mirage turned back, smiling. "I hope you've got some energy left. You'll need it." he retorted, taking his blade from his back. Kai readied his own weapon, holding it steady and smiling. "Oh, I do. I doubt I'll need much to take on the likes of you though."

As soon as the gong rang Mirage charged, swinging at Kai from the right. Twisting the blade to the right, Kai parried the strike swiftly and ducked down low and backed away from his opponent. Mirage, however, matched every step Kai took back with a step forward. He thrust the blade at Kai's torso, catching him on the right side. The wound was light, but still drew blood.

Mirage smiled as the crimson liquid ran down Kai's chest. "Looks like I've drawn first blood." he taunted. Kai returned the smile and slashed at Mirage's arm, inflicting a long slender cut the length of his arm. Caught off guard, Mirage stumbled back. "Better not get too close, mate. I'd be more than happy to give you another." he laughed. Mirage growled low and charged again.

Sighing, Kai stepped to the left and allowed Mirage to run right past him. Striking from behind now, he swiftly ran his blade across Mirage's back. With this wound, Mirage dropped to his knees. Blood now ran down his arm and down his back. After a few moments, he fell face down in the dirt. Kai simply smiled and whispered to his unconscious opponent.

"Better luck next time."

---

Kyari was next to fight, against a warrior named Burenda. All Kyari knew was that she was a myrmidon from Aufero.

"So, you are a newcomer to the Arena? Well, I have been drawn a simple tie here. I'm as good as in the second round... After being so close to victory, I crashed out in the semi-final last time. I shall win this tournament, however! Prepare to fall to my blade!" Burenda shouted.

"... Right, the only rule I have to remember is to not fly out of the enemy's range for more than 5 seconds. Come on Faera, let's go!" Kyari remembered, before commanding her Pegasus to float slightly in the air.

Kyari got in the first attack, shooting an arrow quickly to open and then switching to her Jupiter's Wrath, a purple-tinged blade, ready to strike. She was flown forward by Faera, and she slammed her blade down, slicing through the arm of her opponent's robe. Burenda's whole sleeve fell gently to the ground.

Burenda leapt into the air as a reply to the opening move, gracefully swiping her sword as accurately as possible at Kyari, but Faera flew higher and then swooped down, turning 180 degrees to face the enemy, who then cast a simple ice spell at Kyari, who braced herself and took the attack, shuddering from the cold. This gave her opponent time to prepare another attack, quickly attacking.

Angered by this, Kyari shook the attack off and fiercely returned fire with three quick arrow shots. She had perfected the switch of weapons and then swooped in to attack again with the sword, hitting the sword arm of her enemy. Burenda grabbed her arm in pain, unable to stop the blood flow.

"Doesn't matter. I'll win even with my weaker arm." her enemy said as she picked up her sword with her left hand, but she clearly was nowhere near as adept at swordsmanship with that hand, missing even Faera completely one time, before Kyari flew up in the air on Faera, then swooped downwards, and leapt off her pegasus, attacking her opponent with a downwards slash. Burenda fell to the ground as Kyari landed, with Faera landing next to her. Happily, she stroked her Pegasus.

"The victor is Kyari!" an announcer shouted as cheers flew around the arena.
"You... I- You cheated! If I had a Pegasus, I would have won." Burenda said before fainting.

---

Next up was Blade, who got to the arena that morning, entering closer than the stands assigned for the crowd, leaning against a wall. He watched the first few fights, admiring the tactics and strength of some of the fighters, laughing to himself at the weaknesses of others. Eventually, his name was called to fight. "Finally," he muttered as he rose, slowly making his way onto the raised stone platform meant for the fighters. He found himself facing a young woman gripping a large broadsword with two hands. Her knees were slightly trembling, as was the large sword she was struggling to hold up. "This…isn't fair," Blade said, talking to the Arena ref. With no response, he turned to his opponent. "Don't do this…there's no reason to try"
"Shut up," she squeaked.

A loud "Mia versus Blade….GO!" from the announcer's booth high above began the match, and Mia rushed forward. The crowd was roaring, all the women cheering for Mia. Blade sighed, his shoulders drooping at the dismay of his pathetic draws. Mia managed one huge, long swing aimed at Blade's head, before Blade vanished before her eyes, dropping below the swing and thrusting a knee into her stomach. She merely coughed once, letting the sword fall to the ground and falling to her knees, struggling for some breath. Blade turned and walked off, bored. The crowd was hushed, disappointed at such a boring fight.

"And the winner is…Blade."

---

"Jeimusu and Kage, please make your way to the ring." a voice boomed from out of nowhere. At hearing this, Kage made his way from the stands to the arena floor.
"So, where is my opponent...?" Kage muttered to himself, but just as he uttered those words, a complete novice swordsman came out carrying a chain. But before the announcer could start the match, the swordsman spoke.
"Don't start the match. I'm not Jeimusu." he said, dragging the chain.
"If you're not Jeimusu, then who is?" Kage asked, getting annoyed. But before the swordsman replied, five other people also carrying chains came walking out onto the field. "This is getting annoying... what's going on here!" he demanded, wanting an explanation. As he said this, the arena started to rumble. An extremely large man, about eight feet tall and looking about the same width in height made his way into the arena, chains binding his arms and legs, with two chains wrapped around his neck. Also, he had a huge ball and chain mace in his right hand. The crowd erupted in cheers of awe and excitement as this man made his way to the ring. As the man made it to his starting position, all the chains released, and the men who where carrying them pulled the chains out of the arena hurriedly.
"BEGIN!" the announcer shouted. Jeimusu threw his ball straight at Kage, but he was too quick for him and dashed out of the way. At this, Jeimusu pulled back the ball with the chain that was connected to it and readying it again.
"You're making this too easy." Kage taunted, dodging another pitch of the ball.
"You think this is too easy!" a scratchy voice boomed from the huge man, "Well... try this!" Jeimusu yelled, spinning the ball and chain around and around over his head, creating a twister of dust in the ring, sucking Kage inwards. Noticing he couldn't spare any time, Kage phased into a ghostly silhouette and appeared onto the other side of his opponent and thrust his dagger into Jeimusu's back, yet the blade didn't even make a scratch on the man's skin. At this, Kage sparked an idea, and jumped onto the ball that Jeimusu was spinning around.
"I don't think so!" Jeimusu boomed. He now used great strength to stop the ball from spinning and swing it straight down, trying to slam Kage into the ground with it. However, just as the ball was above Jeimusu's head, Kage jumped off, cutting the thick chain. The ball came falling down upon the backside of Jeimusu's head, knocking him out cold.
"...And the winner is... Kage Hakaisha!" The announcer... announced. However, Kage was already walking out of the ring and back into the stands.

---

Kyari sat down in the Spectator Area to watch Varlen's fight, which was to close the first round of fights. They walked out, Varlen, covering his nerves with bravado first. Then, Syre, his opponent, nervously walked out. He looked determined but slightly unsure of what was about to happen. Varlen, however, was eagerly receiving the cheers of the fans.

Anxious, Kyari waited for the signal to be given by the referee to start. When it was given, Varlen threw his javelin at Syre, who sidestepped the attack, and ran at the unarmed warrior, striking him twice, who desperately tried to get back to his weapon. Varlen had chosen to not fight mounted on his wyvern, and this heightened Kyari's fears over the fight, as he was less sure on firm ground, it seemed.

Varlen picked up his weapon and attacked Syre, damaging him quite severely, and blood gushed from his side. Wincing through the pain he quickly tried to attack, wanting the fight to end as soon as possible. Varlen was also struggling, as he was cut and bruised from the attacks of the enemy, who had a clear speed advantage, highlighted by Varlen using his unwieldy weapon carelessly once or twice, missing, and giving a perfect chance to his opponent to attack. Varlen soon tired, and Kyari gasped as both fighters attacked each other at once. He fell to his knees.

Kyari gasped as Varlen's wyvern flew down. Varlen slowly scrambled up and shouted "I admit defeat." Turning to Kyari in the audience, he said "I shall go away to train, and will return when I have mastered this weapon, when I may be of more use". The wyvern flew up and over the horizon as Kyari looked shocked.

Kyari ran to tell the others what had happened as they prepared for their second round fight, as Syre stayed in the centre of the arena. Medics rushed out to him and began casting various curing spells and aiding him as he looked surprised.

Only ten minutes later, a buzz passed through the room where the competitors stayed to make their preparations. Kyari was sitting on a bed when Blade walked over.

"I heard just a second ago that that Syre guy won again. He's the first warrior through to the next round. Your fight's coming up soon, good luck. I watched the Kuragi guy you're fighting in the last round. He's pretty tough, because he's a very quick rogue-like warrior, but I reckon you can win"
"Oh, thanks Blade. Wait... If you beat your second round fight... Don't you face Syre?" Kyari replied.
"Yeah, but to be honest, Varlen was unprepared. He thought his first round fight would be as easy as mine was... I felt so sorry for that girl I fought... But I know I'll be okay, I'm focused, and I know the dangers. I'll be careful. So must you, okay?" Blade said in a definite moment of anxiety.
"I will. Thanks, Blade." Kyari smiled.

---

Arashi and Asura moved north to meet the so-called enemy. No sooner had they reached the point they planned to attack, than a group of seventeen warriors with the standard of Iuria, carried by the leader.

"Look, its Master Asura! Ex-commander of our entire army! We had heard you were here! Master Asura, we need your help. Kezuro has gone missing. We need you to come back and lead Iuria until he gets back, if he does. Would you do that for our people?" he said.
"Oh... I was planning to fight, but... My people need me. I am torn." Asura said to Arashi, who looked sad.
"This is obviously Kezuro's plan. He wants to part the group by getting you to fulfil your duty." Arashi said, but Asura's mind was made up.
"I despise Kezuro for this, but the city needs a leader. I shall return to Iuria, and if my traitor brother returns, I shall kill him there and then." Asura decided, "Come on men, let's get back to Iuria and I'll sort this mess out. We'll rebuild the destroyed parts and help those who need it. Arashi, I know you can lead without me."

Asura smiled at the others, then continued north with the warriors to Iuria, while Arashi, dejected at the necessary continuation of the group's now almost complete parting, returned to Kilina to explain the situation. The Marquis of Kilina, pleased with their work, rewarded her with some money, but with the group split, she decided that she should spend some time relaxing in the city, perhaps watching her allies in the arena, or doing some shopping before the group move on.

---

Rynna's march brought her to an ancient structure, built of sandy brick and weathered by the desert winds. The gate was directly ahead, and in front of it stood two men, one with a pair of scimitars, and the other with a twin-bladed cutlass. The two stared hesitantly at Rynna as she approached.
"State your business." the guard with the scimitars let out brusquely, pointing one of them at her.
"...I'd like to speak with the Swordsmaster." Rynna replied evenly, eyes regarding the guard sharply. The two guards paused for a moment, exchanging glances.
"Very well. Come." the warrior with the twin-blade took his turn to speak, walking in through the gate. Rynna followed in behind her. The weaved through the halls of the ruined temple, light shining through large cracks in the ceiling, until they finally came to an ornate, enclosed room, missing any form of ceiling at all. The high walls cast a thick shadow across the corner of the room. Rynna's escort stopped at the doorway, and she proceeded to walk past him, straight before a regal throne, two guards in scarlet robes standing on each side, with a man in the centre, heavily clad in violet armour, being fanned by two female servants. His blue eyes met Rynna's, underneath his rather long and messy blonde hair.
"Who the hell are you?" the man demanded, annoyed already. Rynna stared at him resolutely.
"...My name is Rynna Ichiko. I ask the same question of you." she stated simply. This turned the heads of almost all in the room. The guards at the man's sides remained still, however, the female servants, as well as those who were simply minding their own business at the sides of the room looked towards her and ceased their actions. The man looked around him, and smiled in amusement.
"I see your reputation proceeds you. I am Lord Sakurai Takahashi, leader of the Halcyon Assassin Clan... I welcome you to my humble abode... however-" he explained, until Rynna cut him off.
"Where is Swordsmaster Takeda?" she interrupted rudely, annoying the man greatly. He rose from his seat.
"...Never speak the name of that dog in front of me again!" Sakurai erupted in anger. He drew a thick lance, a silvery blue, and thrust it towards Rynna, who batted it away with a flash of her sword, sheathing it once more underneath the black cloak. Sakurai blinked for a moment in disbelief, pulling a crimson-tinted lance into his other hand. Two assassins rushed to her side, one with a pair of thick metal claws, and the other with a pair of knives in his hands, spare sheathed daggers strapped across his chest. His eye was replaced by a thick scar.
"Swordsmistress Ichiko... it fills my heart with joy to see your return..." the man with the claws said in a raspy tone. The latter continued.
"Are you alright, Swordsmistress?" he questioned, looking hesitantly around himself. From the shadows in the corner of the room appeared a ring of red-robed assassins, encircling the three in the centre of the room.
"...Swordsmistress? Hmph. It matters not. As with your Swordsmaster friend, I will do away with you as I did with him. Tell me... do you believe in god?" Rynna turned towards him with a hateful glare, drawing the Brillante from underneath her cloak. The wind began to howl. "...Maybe you should."

An assassin leapt from the surrounding circle, signalling the start of the battle. Many assassins came at this time, ploughing through the perimeter to assist the small group in the middle. Rynna herself stood, until two assassins came at her from both sides, each with a pair of swords. She ducked quickly to avoid their thrusts and slashes, blades simply tearing her cloak to shreds. She rose from the ground, impaling the one on her left in the eye, then spinning around to parry the continuing assault from the other.
"I'll bury you!" Sakurai shouted, drawing Rynna's attention. She turned her head towards him, then pulled back to narrowly avoid a lance thrust at her face. Rynna instinctively drew her legs into the air and fell into a backroll to the next quick stab aimed at her feet. She rose hastily once more, whipping around to drag the Brillante across another assailant's throat before his dagger could reach her. She spun around, batting away another strike from Sakurai's lance, and now it was her turn to attack.
"Take- ah!" Rynna began, slashing upwards at him to begin her Scourge of the Desert technique, but unfortunately, Sakurai was much faster than he looked. He put his other lance in the way, into a twirl, pushing the rapier aside and throwing Rynna off balance for a split second. She recovered, and Sakurai pushed forward his free spear into Rynna's shoulder, piercing flesh and withdrawing the point as quickly as it had entered, Rynna stumbling backward with a sharp gasp of pain, putting her left hand to her shoulder and falling backwards, braced on one knee. Sakurai brought his other lance around and sent it hurtling through the air, straight at her. Rynna saw her opening and lunged forward into the attack, ducking to one side, the spear slicing a clean incision across her cheek. She however, thrust her sabre forth, into the joint section of his chestplate, drawing a trickle of blood to spill down his sleek armour. He gritted his teeth, left his spear stabbed into the ground, and clenched his now free fist, letting it fly forward with crushing power into Rynna's jaw, sending her flying onto her back.
"Swordsmistress!" the man with the extensive arsenal of daggers called out as four assassins dived down upon her with various weapons drawn. Thinking quickly, Rynna stabbed her sword into the ground behind her, pulling on it with both hands and removing herself from most of the intended harm. A wristblade left its mark across her thigh, and she winced in pain as she boosted herself back onto her feet, slashing immediately at the ground, giving them no chance to give chase. A cutlass came less than an inch from her face, cutting off a few blue strands, but unfortunately, those in front of her were swept up in the resulting tornado of sand. Sakurai's expression turned grim as he drew his lance from the ground, and began to twirl it, dispelling the powerful cyclone that had kept five assassins from reaching her. He stared on, watching her thrust her blade into one, then turn around, gracefully upper-cutting another across the face.
"Swordsmistress...! This way...!" the assassin with the pair of claws hissed from the doorway, and Rynna dashed for the exit, slashing down one who decided to get in her way. They quickly made their escape, however, Sakurai remained unamused. His eyes ravenously scoured the battlefield for survivors of the opposing side. His female servants had seemed to have run off as well. He observed the blood seeping into the stony cracks beneath him, drying in the hot sun. A smile pursed his lips.
"Hahaha... impressive." Sakurai began aloud, pausing for a moment to cough up a bit of crimson, putting his hand to the wound at his chest. "...Run along... try to outrun death."

And onto the next chapter .