Hellooo! Sorry for the long wait! No, I'm not dead! (Yet. I mean wat.)
The chapter ahead's an extra long one, just for you guys! So grab a seat, a drink and popcorn, and enjoy! Thanks for your patience!
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Chapter 3: A Crooked Smile
"Hm… hmmm…"
Underneath the shop's rooftop, a robed man stops along its busy streets, and among the busier people. A porcelain face widely grins from beneath the dark hood, belying the careful way pages are turned with delicate fingers.
The shopkeeper watches from the counter with anticipation, waiting to see if his goods will find a new home. For long moments, all that pass by them are the sounds of playful children and haggling merchants, until the man closes the book. "… My good man, I do believe we have a deal~ Four hundred, correct?"
"Aye Sir, that it is. Thank you for your patronage." The merchant smiles, visibly relaxing as the man reaches into his bag. But before he could take out his wallet, a couple of playful boys shove past him, jarring his elbow and knocking the book onto the damp cobblestones.
The shopkeeper's face turned pale as he angrily sputtered after their retreating backs, "Y-you no good brats! Get back here and apologize to not only this gentleman, but my busin-!"
"Ahaha, no worries, no worries~" The customer waved off freely with a laugh. He bends down to dust off the black cover before flipping through the pages. "Still looks plenty readable to me. And even if, it's nothing a good curse can't fix, hahaha!"
"Aha, t-truly..." As if not knowing how else to respond, the shopkeeper could only stammer out a grateful and nervous laugh.
"H-help! Somebody help, please!"
A man's desperate cry ground their conversation to a halt, coming from the end of the docks. A balding, middle-aged merchant was motioning frantically at its edge, attracting perturbed onlookers. "It's my son! He's fallen over and can't swim! Someone hurry and save him!"
The loud and erratic splashing below was overshadowed only by his hysterical wife's screams, "Please! As a mother; HIS mother, I beg of you! Someone save my boy!"
Unsettled murmurs rippled through the crowd as strangers turned to one another, not knowing what to do.
"Hang on, isn't that the boy just who ran through here?" The shopkeeper asked with disbelief. "For him to have fallen in… it's a shame and a tragedy, but there is no saving him now. That dock doesn't so much as have a ladder." He shook his head with pity, "His parents shouldn't have been allowing him to run around in such a crowded area in the first place… He's best off in the Goddess' hands now."
At the indifferent statement, the man's blank expression slowly twisted to form a strange smile. "… Goddess, you say?"
With a flick of his wrist, the man opened his new book and held out a hand, cupping something unseen while muttering an ominous chant. In response to his voice, the waters immediately rippled once. Twice. Three, four times, until it grew into a violent pulsing of waves, shaking the ground while threatening to capsize all ships at port.
Frightened spectators ran off screaming in various directions as peacekeepers rushed in to quell the scene, only to be pushed back by the frightened crowds.
The man grinned delightedly at the sight with a touch of madness, before sweeping his hand into a final, giant arc. The water abruptly stopped, only to shoot into the air in form of a gigantic geyser, coming down to drench the market in a torrential downpour. Even more shrieks burst forth, swallowing the once drowning boy's own screams as he came falling back down into his dumbfounded father's arms.
The shopkeeper stood gaping as chaos overran the streets, until the sound of clinking coins knocked him out of his stupor. He whirled on the perpetrator once more, this time with a whole new terror, as the man – no, demon – now playfully inspected his tome with an impish grin.
"Hmm, yup! Works just great to me! Thanks again for the biiiiig 'catch'! Ahahahahaa!"
As he cackled gleefully at his own joke, the merchant let out a terrified sound, backing away. But before he could scream, a furious bellow rattled the port's waters and into his very bones.
"OY, YE SEASCUM! WHICH ONE O'YE NO-GOOD DOGS HAVE GONE AND RUINED ME SHIP?!"
A furious roar rattled the air.
Amidst the piles of floating driftwood, a single half-sunken ship remained in the waves with its large mast protruding from the water. A large and burly eye-patched man glared down menacingly at the villagers from the ship's starboard, as if to determine the culprit. Bearing a menacing flag of a skull and crossbones, several other like-minded men lumbered onto the port with large axes in hand.
The perpetrator felt the shopkeeper point at him wildly in response, shrieking about having served a monster.
Even as the pirates' wild and angry eyes turned against him, the man's laugh never wavered. "Haha, I knew today was going to be a good day~!"
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Her throat burned and her legs ached.
But no matter how far she ran, the darkness refused to let her escape.
Tears blurred her vision against her choked, frightened gasps. 'They're going to kill me. They're going to kill me, they're going to kill me, they're going to kill me-!'
Cold fingers suddenly locked themselves around Reina's ankle, dragging her down with a scream. Propping herself up on shaky elbows, she turned around, only to freeze. A bandit stared emptily up at her, a gurgle passing his bloody lips as he weakly tugged her ankle closer. The girl shrieked, kicking his hand away before scrambling backwards into someone's leg. Craning her neck back fearfully in dread, she met another bandit's gaunt face, this time with an arrow impaled between his brows.
Reina recoiled, hands flying over her head and shrieking. 'N-no! Go away! L-leave me alone!'
She laid there on the ground sobbing, until there was a white flash and burst of heat. Lifting her tearstained cheeks, she watched thunderstruck as the bandits shrieked and contorted terribly in a perverted dance, their forms disappearing within the flames. Staggering to her feet, she mouthed inexplicably at where they stood moments earlier.
White flames?
A hushed voice whispered suddenly.
'O… ust… re… …ou… ames…'
Her emerald gaze flew to the right as rows upon rows of black armored soldiers emerged from the darkness, marching on either side of her in eerily tidy waves. The dark silhouette of a man towered over them all from the back of what appeared to be a large dragon, balls of fire lighting their way. She instinctively stepped back, only to scream as a soldier marched through her, 'W-what's happening?! Who are you?!'
'…urn… yo… ance…' The voice was barely a whisper. 'Figni-'
The black dragon lunged-
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Reina flew awake with a hoarse scream.
Ragged pants escaped her as she sat on top the mattress, verdant eyes wide and tearing. Her heart continued to fearfully pound against the chirping of songbirds outside, creating a contrast she couldn't shake away. The tossed bedsheets laid scattered across the bedroom floor.
'A dream. It was just a dream…' Although she repeated it to herself in form of a mantra, her arms were already wrapped around herself, shivering.
She could still envision the dragon's roar, the smell of blood, the corpses' empty stares; they all seemed to be coaxing her into joining their twisted and bloody world…
She shut her eyes tight and buried her face into her pillow, forcing herself to calm down.
After remaining that way for some time, she reluctantly forced herself to climb out of bed, throwing back on the bedsheets. She made her way towards the open window, leaning her head out to take in the fresh air and gentle breeze. Shielding her eyes against the bright sunlight, she allowed a small smile.
It was a beautiful day, without a single cloud in sight. Perfect for a playdate. But when her eyes left the open sky to land on the white book sitting on top the dresser, she quickly felt that smile fade.
Ah… right. Of course the others would have given the book back. Even if she herself didn't know what that thing was in the first place. But so far, it was proving to be more trouble than it was worth.
The memory of the kidnapping resurfaced unbidden, the bandit's deranged growls ringing loud and clear in her ears.
'Roast'em, cut'em, into itty, tiny bits! Or I'll kill yah here and now! Starting with the mage whelp right here!'
Her face fell, gripping at her chest. What could he have meant by that? It wasn't like she had anything like a knife or lighter on her… And even then, there was no way she could've done anything like what he wanted, anyway. (N-not that she would ever consider doing such a thing in the first place!)
But the way he said it so confidently… and the fact he called her a 'mage…'
Was that what mages were expected to do? Was that why he had given her back the book?
Though the disturbing thought made her stomach churn, Reina stared at the enigmatic white cover with a new intensity.
Before she knew it, her hand was mindlessly reaching out for it, intent on picking it up to read; only to stop just short of touching the cover. Surprise filled her face. It was faint, but warm air was definitely brushing against the tips of her fingers.
'… Huh?' The odd sensation made her eyes narrow in bewilderment. 'It's… warm?'
She hesitated, debating for a moment before carefully reaching closer-
"Heeeey, Reina! You awake?"
She jerked, breath hitching at Rolf's loud voice before instinctively glancing out the window. The boy waved from the courtyard with Mist beside him and a couple empty baskets in hand. "We're going shopping, do you wanna come?"
"Uh- y-yeah, I do!" She shook off her initial surprise while calling back, glancing at the book from the corner of her eye. As she did, she was now very aware of her empty stomach, "But, um, did everyone get to e-eat already? I didn't get to have b-breakfast yet…"
"Oh yeah, we did! But don't worry, we need to get some groceries, anyway, so we'll just grab lunch after!" Mist called back smiling, "We'll be waiting at the entrance, 'kay?"
"O-okay! Thank you!"
Reina shook off her initial disappointment and left the window to reach for her jacket hanging from the chair. Fitting her arms through the red sleeves, she then slipped her sneakers on her feet, glancing back from the doorway one last time before shutting it behind her. The warmth still lingered on her fingers.
'It's… probably nothing. I'll check it later.'
She feebly convinced herself before hurrying outside, eager to meet the ones waiting for her.
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"This is terrible…"
The frank, but pitiful words left Titania's lips upon arriving at the chaotic scene.
The once peaceful market had been turned into a hunting ground for the pirates, as they filled their burlap sacks with as much food and gold as they could carry. Many of the shop stalls had been damaged, some outright destroyed as the local peacekeepers had fought and failed to keep the place under order. Bodies already lay scattered in the streets.
The woman unhooked her steel axe from her saddle, "Don't let your guard down, everyone. And remember to warn any locals to close their doors."
"Got it." Ike nodded before tightening his grip on his blade. After the trouble he caused everyone the other day, he was determined to make up for it with twice his efforts.
"Just remember not to rush ahead and leave the rest of us behind, eh laddie? Deputy Commander, will the standard Thunder and Lightning maneuvers work here?" A blonde man cheerfully called out in his blue armor, brandishing his lance.
"Sounds good, Gatrie. You and Shinon will soften them up, while Ike and I take care of the rest." Titania affirmed, but the boy wore a quizzical frown.
"Er… 'thunder and lightning'?"
He nodded with a sunny grin, "Yup! I crash into'em like thunder, and Shinon rains arrows down on'em like lightning! Pretty fitting, don't you think?"
"Hm."
"Peh, this is going to be easier than spearing fish in a barrel." Shinon cockily smirked before shooting an unsuspecting pirate from afar. The arrow hit the side of his skull with a hollow 'thunk,' dropping him to the ground. The noise drew the other pirates' attention, the sight of their fallen comrade enraging them into a charge with their axes.
Gatrie stepped forward, letting their axes hit his armor uselessly before countering with deadly blows. As sparks flew from their clashing weapons, Titania took opportunity of the diversion to visit a home in the bottom corner of the market. Keeping her weapon close, she hid her horse behind a pile of crates before running inside.
Ike grunted against the strength of his opponent as his blade met the large axe repeatedly with terrible clangs, before he finally found an opening. After parrying the axe in a way that made the pirate stumble under his own strength, Ike kicked him in the gut, making him stagger backwards. Leaping in, he stabbed the man in the heart, making him let out a terrible scream.
Hearing the angry footsteps of another, he whirled around to block the next downward swing, albeit not perfectly. He winced in pain as he caught the parry in an awkward angle, shooting pain down his hand and wrist. Watching him struggle with a scornful huff, Shinon aimed over Gatrie's shoulder to shoot the pirate in the neck. The knight next to him in turn speared a pirate who thought to get too close the sniper.
They fought back to back with each other, with the sniper expertly aiming his shots at their vitals, and the other impeding any trying to flank his friend.
As Ike shook off the numb feeling in his arm, Titania returned to help with any leftovers, knocking aside any scoundrel trying to go for her steed. Her stallion's hind legs would occasionally kick back into an unfortunate pirate's sternum, finishing them off. Between its crushing hooves and her deadly axe, some of the smarter pirates tried fleeing, only to be taken by Ike from behind. His sword skewered and slashed their bodies, leaving them crumpled on the ground.
At they began to realize they were outmatched, some attempted to make off with the looted goods, but Shinon's arrows would find them every time. The sacks of loot fell nearby their bodies, the fletchers sticking out of their backs.
Ike wiped off some blood spatter on his cheek before glancing around the square, counting how many were left. So far, so good… With only a handful of them left on land, they should soon reach the enemy ship at the end of the docks.
"S-Shawn! Come back here this instant!"
"No! These people could help…!"
A couple of hushed voices met his ears, making Ike turn around, blade at the ready. But instead of pirates like he expected, a blonde boy was peeking out from beneath a fabric stall, fighting to free himself from his mother's grip. The woman remained in hiding underneath with a couple other villagers, her voice hushed and frantic with fear.
"Hey, excuse me. Who is it you're talking about?"
At Ike's voice, both mother and child's heads shot up to meet his curious gaze. He carefully approached to avoid startling them.
Before his mother could protest, the boy quickly explained, "T-there's a dark robed man those pirates forced onto their ship. I was playing with a friend when I fell into the water. That man saved me, but when he did, he ended up destroying all the ships. Including the pirates'!" He explained guiltily, eyes downcast. "Now they're really mad… I think they're gonna do something bad to him. Please save him, mister!"
The ranger nodded, giving him a small smile. "Got it. Don't worry, I'll be sure to explain to my friends what's going on. You go back and hide with your mom."
"Really, you mean it? Thank you! If you save him, I'll make sure to give you my most special, important treasure! It's a promise, okay?" With a wide relieved smile, he scurried back to hide beneath the stand.
"Dark robes, huh…" Gatrie mused aloud, approaching him alongside Titania. "If what the lad said was true and that guy was the one to destroy all the ships, it's gotta be the work of magic."
"I agree. But mage or no, it sounds like his hands are quite literally tied. Let's hurry." The horsewoman said, determined.
"Feh. Doubt that pipsqueak's 'treasure' will be worth much of anything. But fine. I don't mind the extra target practise." Shinon sneered, cockily twirling an arrow.
Upon making sure the area was cleared, the mercenaries raced towards the pirates' ship, hiding just outside it behind a stack of crates. A couple of guards stood outside the ship, on the lookout for intruders.
With Titania's nod towards the sniper, Shinon kicked the siege to a start by drawing back an arrow straight into one of the guards' temples. As soon as his friend fell, the other man grew enraged, throwing his hand axe to meet with Titania's in midair. As both weapons fell to the ground, Shinon took another shot, landing it in-between the eyes.
Ike took that as his cue to pass the guards' dead bodies with Gatrie and up the ramp, where they were met with several other pirates. Only, they weren't waiting for them.
With their backs turned in a circle, the pirates seemed to be struggling against something large and white, their axes swinging wildly in hand. It was reflex that saved Ike as he stepped aside to avoid the pirate's body as it flew past him and into with the water below. A fierce neigh filled his ears.
"Hands off, clambake! Eat this! HAIYAA!" A girl's angry proclamation was punctuated with a slim lance twirling above a pirate's head, before being imbedded into a torso. Realizing what was happening, Ike wasted no time in freeing her from the circle. Lunging at the nearest pirates, guttural screams of agony tore from their mouths as steel mercilessly cut into flesh.
As his comrades turned on Ike in shock, the girl took the opportunity to sweep them aside with her lance. Now that Ike got a clear view of her, he realized the woman he saved was a Pegasus Knight. Her bubblegum pink hair was damp with sweat, her bright red armor scratched and dented from battle. She sat wincing atop her Pegasus, clutching her shoulder where red had already begun to seep between her fingers.
Ike reached into his pack to offer a vulnerary, "Hey, are you alright?"
At his voice, wide cornflower blue eyes peered up to meet ultramarine hues. "Huh…? Who are you?"
"I'm Ike of the Greil Mercenaries. Leave these guys to us. You should get out of here now while you can, before there's reinforcements."
"What? Really? Are you really going to do that for me?" The girl blurted out, surprised.
He nodded, pushing the medicine into her hands. "Of course. Just go find somewhere safe until this all blows over."
"Oh hey, thanks so much! I don't know what to say!" She said, forming a tired but grateful smile. "Is there anything I can do? I need to show you my gratitude somehow!"
"Uh… That's nice and all, but-" Ike ducked to avoid a stray throwing axe; Titania countered with her own, just missing the pirate leader's jugular. "No offense, but this is hardly the time for that."
"Oh crackers. That's true, huh." Her lips pursed with disappointment before knocking a fist into her open palm in determination. "That settles it, then! When I have things taken care of on my end, I'll come find you about repaying my debt later!"
"Wait, what?" Ultramarine hues widened at the unexpected answer, leading Ike to raise a hand in protest, "Hold on, I'm serious, I really don't need-"
"Pshaw, don't worry about it! It's the least I can do. Ike of the Greil Mercenaries, huh. I'll remember that! Marcia's the name Handsome, don't forget about me!" She threw him one last wink before he could say anything, flying off in a cloud of feathers and out of sight.
Ike was left to scratch the back of his neck, bewildered until a pirate's cries of rage came from the ship's bow.
The repeated clashing of axes rattled the air as the opponents collided, their weapons not giving an inch. The man's breath was putrid against Titania's hardened face as he continued to taunt and jeer. Circling around the other, they dealt and avoided each other's strikes in a deadly dance. Ike raced towards them, blade poised to strike at the captain's back. Noticing his movements from the corner of his eye, the pirate avoided his initial strike.
Not to be deterred, Ike tried again, this time finding his mark in the man's arm. A howl of agony escaped his lips as blood splashed with the severed limb onto the deck. The man fell to his knees to cradle the stump to his chest.
Ike pointed his blade resolutely to the man's chest. "Return what you have stolen from the good folk here and set sail. Never return."
"Arrrghh… Bastard… how dare you…" He suddenly craned his neck to the distance, snarling, "DO IT NOW! KILL'IM!"
"What?!"
"Ike, look out!"
Titania's warning cry was useless as a lone pirate emerged to throw his axe from behind the giant pillar, aimed directly at Ike's head.
Taken by surprise, the boy wasn't given a chance to react as it flew towards him. But before the axe could land mercilessly into flesh, it was batted aside midair by a slender, black vine-like form, landing it in the ocean.
"W-what…?"
Ike's startled response was cut short when a terrified scream came behind the mast. Similar tangled masses of dark tendrils were binding the pirate responsible, steadily raising him a couple dozen feet into the air. He struggled frantically against his bonds with growing fear, to no avail.
"N-no… no, someone help me! P-please, somebody help! H-heeek! AAUUGHHHHHH!"
The final scream of terror was abruptly stopped by the ebony vines, as they mercilessly crushed the man into a ball of tissue and bone. The ugly crunch was followed by the gushing of blood and fluids, as they rained heavily onto the deck below.
A dark hooded man stood, grinning merrily at the crimson rain landing just inches from his feet. Ike rounded the pillar just in time to witness him shutting the black book.
Yards of discarded rope and twine were pooled at the back of his heels, letting Ike make the connection he couldn't quite believe. Nevertheless, he slowly asked, "Are you… the hostage?"
"Hm~?"
He turned towards him, Ike unable to help but tense at the dubious grin stretching his blood-stained cheeks, "Ah, am I being rescued? Hooray~ you have my gratitude. Or in this case, we should probably be having each other's gratitudes, eh? Hahaha~! Ahhh, but it's such a waste."
"A waste?"
"Yes, it is! Had I known, I would've tried a little harder to act according to my role. It certainly would've been a new experience." Despite his sophisticated words, his lips were jutted out in a sulk, reminding Ike of a disappointed child. "Not that these gentlemen were much better at being captors. For goodness sake, they don't even know how to do a basic slip-by-slip knot!"
'What on earth is this guy on about?' Shaking off his initial confusion, he added aloud, "Well… it's good you don't appear to be injured. There's a boy called Shawn back at the village that was worried about you. He asked us to help save you."
"Hmmm, Shawn, Shawn… Can't say I know anybody like that! But whoever they are, they must be a goooood boy~" He happily giggled, attitude doing a complete one-eighty. "Anyhoo, you have my thanks, brave hero! Who might you fine folks be?"
"I'm Ike of the Greil mercenaries. And you are…?"
The stranger's broad smile never faded as he shook off his hood, letting it fall back to reveal himself. Indigo hues beamed up at Ike, framed by long albino locks. Tied in a thin ponytail at the base of his neck, an additional thin side braid hung past his chin. His pale porcelain skin would've reminded the mercenary of an antique doll's, if it weren't for the tad unsettling grin.
He patted the mercenary's back repeatedly with an open palm, unabashed. "You can call me Fyran. 'Dying' to meet you, lad~"
Ike barely had time to cringe at the bad joke when Titania galloped towards him in concern.
"Ike, are you alright?!"
He quickly turned to reply, "I'm fine. And the hostage – I mean Fyran – appears to be safe as well." The dark mage waved at the horsewoman in cheerful greeting.
"That's me, alright~ Pale and hearty like hale!" He laughed at his own joke, earning him more than a few deadpans.
"I see. Well, that's… certainly a relief." She relaxed visibly, "Shinon just took care of the pirate leader, so let's hurry back and report to the mayor before anything else happens."
They joined up with the other mercenaries and descended together down the ship's ramp. At the sight of their safe return, the town's mayor rushed over to meet them at the docks, seeming to want to have a word with Titania. But at the sight of Fyran, the man immediately bristled and turned red with anger.
Before he could open his mouth, the dark mage leaned over to whisper something in his ear. As he went on, the angry look on the old man's face gradually vanished into one of surprise before settling on calm neutrality, even nodding twice before the albino left to greet the ecstatic Shawn.
Although the mercenaries watched the exchange in wary confusion, Titania proclaimed to the man, "The pirates are no more. Your people will no longer suffer atrocities at their hands."
"Oh, thank goodness…! When they arrived so suddenly at the port like that, it was all I could do to call for help!" The man wheezed a shaken smile, "Thank you so much for saving our village! I apologize that it was such short notice!"
"It was no trouble at all. We were just glad to be nearby before it turned worse." She shook her head, modestly deflecting the elder's lavish praise.
"Nonsense! If it weren't for you all, I dare not think about what would've become of our fishing village! Such combat skills… I must admit, when I first saw you with, no offense, a band of children, I was a tad nervous. But you can be sure we'll contact the Greil Mercenaries should anything arise again."
"I apologize for troubling you." She said sincerely, "But please, pay it no mind and take the time to recuperate."
"Ah, thank you. You've nary a selfish bone among you. Now, if you'll excuse me, we have much reparations to prepare for. Until we meet again." As the man began to leave, Titania stopped him with an outstretched hand.
"Apologies Sir, but we have not received payment yet."
"Hm? Payment? Was the initial sum not to be the compensation fee?" The man blinked with confusion.
"I'm sorry, 'compensation?' I'm afraid I don't follow?" Titania asked, surprised. Ike instinctively turned to the others for any trace of guilt, but found none lining their features.
The elderly gentleman wheezed, gesturing to the albino man now carrying Shawn laughing on his shoulders, "That man… he just told me that as apology, we were free to rescind the payment as the repair fees. As you seemed to get along on the way back here, I assumed he was with you. … Is that not true?"
"WHAT?!" The mercenaries collectively blurted in shock.
Shinon was the first to recover from gaping, "You've got to be joking! Of course not! Hey you bastard, the hell is this about?!" He whirled menacingly on the man, who was in the middle of waving Shawn good-bye.
"Hmm~? Whatever do you mean?" He sunnily grinned, propping his arms behind his head.
"Don't you 'whatever do you mean' me!" Shinon snapped, pointing directly at the old man. "I'm talking about our pay! When the hell did we say YOU could use it to clean up your mess?! Let alone say you were one of us?!"
"Hmm, but I thought it was okay, wasn't it? Hasn't the boy promised you his treasure?" He asked with a convincingly musing tone. "A Goddess Icon should be more than enough to cover the initial deal, no?" He went on to hold up the small white figurine as proof.
"That's not what the problem is, dammit!" The redhead spat, scathing with accusation, "If anything, YOU'RE the one that owes US! The hell are you trying to play at?!"
"While that is true, and I am grateful, I seem to have another problem on my hands." His grin turned somewhat sheepish at the other mercenaries' confused looks, "See, the damages were originally supposed to be twice the amount I paid, but they agreed to cut me some slack seeing as I helped save the village boy. But those pirates ended up taking the last bit of gold I had, sooooo I'm afraid I'm broke, and out of things to sell. Save for my soul, that is. Good thing you folks came along when you did, ahahaha~!"
"WHAT?! You son of a bitch-!" Shinon grabbed the man's collar over his laughs despite Titania and Ike's attempts to hold him back.
"Shinon, calm down! While I cannot say his actions were… innocent, we'll earn our pay back with the icon soon enough."
"Yeah, we take on jobs for free half the time anyway. It's not like it's anything new."
He whirled around snapping, "You idealistic morons can shut your mouth!"
"Ahahaha, you all get along so well~" Fyran grinned unashamedly at the spectacle unfolding in front of him, "It makes me wanna get in on the fun!"
"Hell no!" He grouched, roughly freeing himself from Ike's grip and glaring at the man.
"Aww. And here I thought we had something in common~" The mercenaries then watched aghast as the stranger shamelessly threw an arm around the sniper's shoulder, pulling him in with a Cheshire grin. By now, Shinon looked ready to tear his arm off and cast it into the sea. Heck, Ike was tempted to throw it off for him if only to spare the oblivious mage a limb. "C'mon, think about it! You, me, and a great time, awaiting the two of us!"
"Insane. Batshit insane is what he is. Mad as a goddamn hatter." He snarled furiously under his breath, wrenching the shaman's arm away.
While Ike was tempted to agree, and was hardly encouraged by his sly attitude, it was true that Fyran went out of his way to save the boy. Plus, he did offer the icon the boy initially gave to him as compensation. Maybe he wasn't that bad…?
"… Why not." Ike said, surprising the mercenaries, (and infuriating a certain sniper). "He did save Shawn, as well as my own life. Plus, it's not everyday you come across a dark mage… We could use that kind of magic in the group."
"Heeeeh~ that's rather generous of you~" He giggled, a sound that was equivalent to Shinon as nails on a chalkboard. "But are you suuuureee? It could be just me, but~" He leaned in whispering with a sinister smile. "You seemed a little put off by my earlier show beforehand."
"… I can't deny it was a little off-putting." Ike admitted, honesty lining ultramarine hues. "But in the end, that was what saved my life. So, although I was uncomfortable… I appreciate what you did. And I can't really thank you if this is the last time we meet."
The smile on the man's face twitched into one of confusion for the briefest of moments before reverting; it was so fast, that Ike almost assumed it was part of his imagination. However, his sneaky grin grew even more playful, but somehow also amused. "… Heehee~ Oh, why not. It's true I don't have anything planned at the moment." He shrugged, humming like a playful child, "Who knows, this could be fun! Fun, fun~"
"No. Not a snowball's chance in Hell."
In response to Shinon's grouched words, Gatrie sighed, opting instead to place a gloved hand on his friend's shoulder, "Shinon, just let it go. I hate to say it, but once he's made up his mind, there's no chance of winning with Ikey, I'm afraid."
Titania herself took a minute to decide before she affirmed, "Very well, I'll speak with the Commander when we return. But for now, it is good to meet you, Fyran. Welcome to the group."
"Haha, much obliged~"
As they walked back out the village, Ike could feel the daggers of Shinon's glare on his back the entire way home. However, the ranger paid it little mind.
To him, it was just another small thing added to the pile of hundreds that the sniper already wanted to kill him for.
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A pair of tawny boots stopped at the mercenary fort's front steps, before several bags of groceries were placed on the ground. Leaning back, Mist stretched her upper body and arms with a proud and content smile. "Ahh! Nothing like a great day with great bargains! Seriously, I can't believe we managed to get so much for so little!" Her proud grin then faltered to one of confusion as she realized she was the only one to arrive. She looked around, "Guys? Where are you?"
"Right…. Here…"
A weak groan answered her a distance behind as Reina and Rolf finally emerged from over the hill wobbling and panting, various bags of food and supplies in their hands. Mist immediately ran over, "Oh! I'm sorry! Here, let me help!"
"T-thank you…" They dropped some of their load off to her, before wobbling over to the porch and practically dropping their remaining bags with collective groans.
"Hey, you two, be gentle! Apples bruise pretty easily, you know! It wasn't easy getting that merchant to agree on the final price." Mist lightly admonished, earning an eye-roll from Rolf, "I'll say. You were arguing with the fruit merchant there for a whole fifteen minutes to settle the matter." He wryly said, opening the front door and carrying in his bags. "I wonder if we can go back for a while…"
"Oh hush, you! I was planning on making a pie for the first time in ages! It was an emergency!" Mist insisted in a light huff before chasing after him, getting Reina to weakly laugh. Even now, she could recall the crowd the other girl had unintentionally drawn in, eager to see who would win the dispute. Forget bartering, it was more like a final showdown at high-noon. Quite literally, in that case.
Until now, she didn't think Mist had that kind of fire within her. Now that she had seen that, she can't help but look at the girl with a new respect. 'This must be the mark of a true adult…' She subconsciously nodded, sure of herself. She bent down to pick up her bags when a whispering voice reverberated in her ears.
'It's started…'
Eh?
Alarmed, she whipped her head to face the sky. That voice is…
'Come… this way…'
The voice from her dream. The mansion. It was definitely the same.
Without thinking, she dashed towards the sound, her feet starting running on their own, "W-Where are you?! Come out!"
'Over here… don't look away…'
Hearing it come from her right, she leaned her body to make the turn, when, "Ah-!" As she ran, her left foot twisted awkwardly on the mud facing the shallow cliff. Quickly feeling herself lose balance, she wildly waved her arms, to no avail. "W-waaugh-!" She had clenched her eyes shut, bracing herself for the fall when-
"Watch out!" A gloved hand grabbed her wrist, saving her from a nasty fall down the small, but rocky cliff. She wobbled unsteadily, attempting to regain her footing with a deep breath. "Whew… that was close. Where were you going in such a hurry?"
"I-Ike?" Recognizing the voice, Reina opened her eyes to face Ike's own startled expression. The rest of the mercenaries were lined up loosely behind him, similar looks spread across their own faces. Shaking off her initial surprise, she managed to stammer out, "Um, h-have you seen a child go by here?"
"Huh? A child?"
"Yeah like, they're…" She suddenly trailed off as she realized she didn't even know what the owner of the voice looked like. The longer she stood there in silence, the more she felt stupid as Ike silently pressed her with an expectant stare, to elaborate something she didn't understand.
Her instincts fought. Fight? Or flight?
"Reina?"
She chose flight.
The girl shook her head, "S-sorry, never mind, i-it's nothing."
He arched a brow with skeptical confusion, but seemed to have accepted it; for now, at least. "… Alright then. If you say so."
Unable to do much else, she slowly closed her mouth, shameful heat rushing to her cheeks.
But luckily for her, the awkwardness was broken by Gatrie shouting into the distance, "Hey, look! The Commander's back!" At the knight's words, Reina looked down at the bottom of the path. Advancing up the hill was a towering man enclad in cerulean armor and a yellow cape, wearing blue gauntlets to match. His weathered pale blue eyes were sharp and focused, not missing a detail as he climbed the path with Oscar and Boyd behind him.
"Ah, good timing. It seems we will be having the discussion today, after all." Titania nodded with satisfaction.
'Huh? Discussion?'
It was then Reina noticed the presence of a dark-robed woman behind Titania, with stunning long white hair and dark blue eyes. Moon-white tresses were tied at the nape of her neck, stopping at the back of her waist. Her indigo cloak swished as she raised a sleeved arm to greet the man approaching her, the maiden's skin as fair as her hair.
Titania had motioned for everybody else to clear the way and enter the fort, the mercenaries already moving to obey her orders. Reina had begun to do the same, when she snuck back one last glance. She lightly blushed. The woman really was beautiful. It made her wonder what such a person would be doing in a place like this.
Seeming to feel the girl's gaze, the albino woman tilted her head to meet verdant eyes with her own. Indigo hues vanished in happy crescent moons as she smiled, waving delicately.
Reina nervously returned the gesture with what she hoped was a polite smile, but her initial thoughts of them being a woman would quickly fade. As soon as they opened their mouth to start conversation with the other man, her face immediately turned bright red, turning away.
That… was definitely not the voice of a woman.
Yikes. Good thing she hadn't said anything, or she would never have lived it down.
But she was curious about who the man could be. Both men, actually.
Catching Ike's departing back at the corner of her eye, she quickly formed a light jog to meet with him and ask. "Um, Ike? W-who are they?" She shyly motioned behind them with her head.
"Hm? Oh, the one with the white hair is Fyran." He introduced the man in the dark robes first with a nod of his head, "We just ran into him on our job at port and he's with us, now. He's a mage like you, but more into the dark arts. He is a little weird, but he doesn't seem to mean much harm." He admitted, making her more curious. He then gestured to the one in the yellow cape, "The other man over there is our leader, and my father, Commander Greil. He manages the company, while also overseeing what jobs are to be handled by us. All the big decisions go through Titania and my father, so nothing gets done until they get the final say."
"The Commander? Really? I thought he seemed different. He kinda reminded me of- … Wait a minute." Her eyes grew wide as she alternated shocked glances between father and son, as she finally began to process what he was saying. "Y-you mean, you and Mist are the Commander's kids?!"
"Uh, yeah, we are. … Didn't I mention that earlier?" He asked with a confused tone, earning him a look of disbelief.
"N-no, you didn't!"
"Huh. Could've sworn I did." He obliviously scratched the back of his neck for only a moment before shrugging. "Still, I don't think it matters that much anyway, does it?"
At the mercenary's rather carefree words, Reina couldn't help a small sigh. For someone that doesn't say much, he's surprisingly dense.
But as her gaze trailed to the sheath of his sword clacking repeatedly against his leg, she was also reminded of what he and the others did for her before.
'Oh, that's right… I still haven't said anything to him about that, have I.'
"U-um, Ike?"
"Hm? What is it?"
"About before… T-thank you so much for saving me."
Thinking she was referring to her close call with the cliff, Ike gave a slight smile. "Don't worry about it. I was just lucky to meet you at the entrance when I did. Or at least, earlier than the cliff bottom would have." He ended half-jokingly, getting her to shake her head.
"N-no, not that. But I-I am thankful for that, too." She quickly added before elaborating, "I mean, with the bandits. Thank you, a-and, um, I'm sorry for the trouble." She bowed her head for good measure.
"Whoa hey, relax. It's okay, really. If anything, it's me that has things to answer for." He insisted, his face now grimacing into a regretful frown. "Truth is, yesterday I just did whatever I wanted. I really ended up inconveniencing a lot of people for that. That being said, it wasn't like you, Rolf and Mist asked to be kidnapped, either. How about we call it even, and leave it at that."
"Eh? Um... if you i-insist... But..." She suddenly felt herself grow shy at the next thought, going quiet and puzzling him.
"But... What is it?"
She fidgeted for a moment, before finally mumbling out, "I-I'm sorry, I know you got in t-trouble, but... I'm really glad you d-did what you… did." She immediately looked down, embarrassed and red-faced.
At her awkward but kind words, the mercenary allowed a small smile. He turned back to the fort, but not without a final nod of acknowledgement. "I'll see you inside for dinner."
Reina lifted her head in time to watch his red-caped back disappear inside. He was blunt, but... it definitely wasn't an unkind honesty, either.
She glanced back at the courtyard behind her to sigh one last time. Looks like she'll have to meet the voice another day.
"Heeeey, Reina! Can you bring the potatoes inside?! We need to start the peeling!"
She jumped at the sound of Mist's voice coming from the kitchen. "S-sure! I'm coming!" She ran to pick up the remaining groceries, struggling to carry them through the door. For now, it was another unconventional day seen through, and that was enough for her.
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Sorry for the wait! Thanks for your patience. Again, for those that don't know, this story is supposed to be a rewrite of the original Medallion's Spark. While I made many descriptive changes, I'd like to know if I may be overdoing some of them to the point of dragging on. I'd like to improve my writing as best I can, and feedback is much appreciated. Thanks again for reading, and let me know if you think! See you again soon. :)