Better to Die in your Arms-Chapter Six-Prism of Love
Landing softly on the grass, Huey snorted, reared and trampled a mercenary beneath its strong hooves.
"Hey, thanks!" Legault grinned up at Florina. "I didn't notice that coming."
"Umm…okay…just…be…careful…next time…" Florina stuttered. Silently, she hurled abuses at Squarehead the tactician for sending her to fight next to the purple-haired assassin. He was downright scary, with his highly perverted mind. The only reason she had to fight next him was to aid him and help him through the vulnerable stage of being an amateur assassin.
"Everyone done? Let's move up! To the throne!" Squarehead hollered.
Rapidly, Florina scanned the battlefield. Guy and Priscilla were making their way up from where they had been killing snipers; her sisters were in the air, along with Heath and the new recruit Vaida; the lords were already running up the steps. Nino was dragging a very reluctant Jaffar up the steps. Lucius was preaching a very insane and blood-splattered Karel as he weaved his way though the remnants of war. Rebecca was rearranging Wil's collar, Serra was bear-hugging Erk, and Ninian held Lord Eliwood's arm.
"Aren't you coming?" Legault shouted as he sped towards the steps of the throne.
Swiftly, Huey soared into the sky, his powerful arms outstretched. Using the guidance and energy of the thermal currents, it carved through the air and dived down before landing smoothly on the stone platform.
The rest arrived at the top as well.
The man on the throne looked up at them.
Sitting in a casual position, he fingered the light brand he had been toying with in his hand. He brushed back a lock of his sandy hair. His golden eyes blinked once or twice as it scrutinised them. An eyebrow rose in disbelief and surprise crossed his features. His lips parted. "Florina…" The word was a whisper, yet she heard it clearly.
It was like a balm to the emptiness she had felt since their separation.
"Lloyd…" Her voice was hoarse.
Neither of them moved for the moment. Instead, they just remained where they were, staring at each other.
The gusts swept past slowly, twirling to the time a waltz.
Slowly, she dismounted from Huey's back.
Running over to him, she plunged into his embrace, weeping into his shirt. She felt his fingers curling protectively across her waist and she tightened her hold on him. She wondered how long it had been since they have been in each other's arms.
"Lloyd…" She disentangled herself reluctantly from him. "I missed you so much…" A fresh stream of tears spilled down her cheeks as she wound her arms around his neck. "I was so happy when you sent me the present…"
"Then I assume that you like it?" Lloyd grinned. Leaning closer to her, he nuzzled her cheek with his lips. "I missed you too…especially when Linus was gone as well…"
"Linus? Gone?" Florina looked up in shock. "What do you mean? Isn't he with you?"
"Your friends…killed him…" Lloyd said slowly, pronouncing each word fully.
"They…killed…him…" Florina looked back directly at Lord Hector. "But…I thought…I never saw him…I was in all of the battles…"
"Not one of them," Squarehead said grimly. "You were missing in the battle in the town in Bern. That was where we met the Linus Black Fang member."
"Then you did kill him," Lloyd said coldly.
"We left him alive," Hector boomed. "Injured, but alive." Lloyd could sense the jealousy, rage, hatred, disappointment and other array of feelings in his voice.
"Lloyd, I'm so sorry, I…" Florina looked up into Lloyd's eyes apologetically.
"It's alright, it's not your fault, but they will get a taste of my sword," Lloyd said with clenched teeth. His hand was already tightening its grip on his light brand. Fondly, he kissed Florina on the lips. "I hope you don't mind some of your friends getting injured or dying."
"Lloyd, must you do this?" she leant against him, very much distressed by the situation. "I don't want either you or my friends to get hurt…"
"There are some things which cannot be forgiven," he said firmly.
"Lloyd…"
"Enough!" A loud roar came from behind.
Lord Hector marched up, waving his Wolf Beil.
"I have never seen a more romantic sight on a battlefield ever before and I doubt I ever will," he spat, his face clouded with black hatred, dark rage and extreme jealousy. "Florina, move aside! He can have a taste of my Wolf Beil instead of your hugs and kisses." The last words were emphasised with a distinct snarl.
"No!" Florina shielded Lloyd with her slender frame. "Don't!"
"Move aside!" Hector roughly pushed Florina away, waving his Wolf Beil. "It's a man's battle! There's no need for a woman to interfere!"
A jet of red spurted out as Florina gave a thin cry.
"Hector! How dare you do that to my baby sister!" Farina leapt up. "I shall personally sue you for assault!"
"Yeah, and I shall make a huge hole in you with my Mani Katti," Lyn threatened.
"Oh my god! Hector! What did you do to her?" Serra shrieked.
"What in the Lord's name did I do?" Hector demanded angrily.
"You're stupid lumbering Wolf Beil nearly cut off her arm! That's what you did!" Farina shouted. "Now, I shall sue you for manslaughter and attempted murder as well!"
"That was an accident!" Hector protested. "And it's just a small cut!"
"A small cut?" Lyn shrieked. "I'll make a similar small cut in you if you want, Hector!"
"Well, she shouldn't have interfered in the battle," Hector argued.
"That is no excuse for being clumsy, young master," Matthew vapourised from apparently nowhere again.
"Everyone, move aside, please!" Nino pushed her way past the ring of people of Priscilla, waving their staves. "Bring her back to the camp, she is losing a lot of blood though that wound."
"No…Lloyd…" Florina caught scrapes of Nino's words. The blood was pouring out of her in torrents; her vision was darkening into a deep purple miasma; and there was repeated pounding in her ears. Her breaths came out short and labored.
"Lloyd…don't…Lord…Hector…" She trailed off as the sleep-inducing magic enshrouded her. "Please…stop…"
"You're Lord Hector of Ostia, aren't you?" Lloyd asked.
"Yes," Hector snapped. "Now, quit talking and take up your sword." He raised his Wolf Beil over his head. "Let's start the fight, shall we? Then we can find out who's better."
"Wait," Lloyd held out his hand. "I have a question for you."
"What is it?" Hector growled impatiently.
"I was just wondering," Lloyd closed his eyes. "You love her just as much as I do, don't you?"
"…" Momentarily speechless, Hector stared at the sword master. "What…do you mean by that?" he spluttered.
"If I die in this battle or sometime later," Lloyd reopened his eyes and looked straight at Hector. "Will you promise me that you will take love her, accept her, and take good care of her for me?"
"…"
"I might not survive this battle," Lloyd said mournfully. "I have already decided when Linus died that it was time for me to leave as well. I just wanted…a last word with her and a chance to avenge my brother…I was worried that she would be too upset over my death…"
"…"
"She is a lovely girl, too beautiful and sweet to be wasted away in the wrong hands," Lloyd said firmly. "I knew that there would be rivals for her love. Before, I always held on to the belief that I could be with her, but gradually, after Linus died, I found that that was untrue. I still love her, yet I cannot take care of her even if I live, for I will be consumed with ideas of revenge on you and Eliwood of Pherae. I will place my life in danger and in doing so; place hers in danger. That's why…please, treasure her for me…"
Woefully, he unsheathed his sword. "Let's begin…"
The sharp metallic sound rang through the air.
The music of the clash between two men of completely different characters and status, both loving a same woman.
The music of the dark face of love.
The inevitable fate.
When the Lloyd's blood finally splattered at Hector's feet, both of them were panting in exhaustion.
"You're highly skilled…" Lloyd gasped for breath, clutching to his sword hilt. "Very good sparring…" A fresh column of crimson blood spat out of his mouth as he collapsed to the ground.
Using the last bit of strength left in him, he looked up at Hector. "Remember… take… care… of… her…" He smiled. "True love…does not…necessarily…mean…that the…two…must be…together…It means…to give all…you can…to your…loved one… That I have… come… to… realise…over…the…"
Another jet of scarlet blood, and he was gone.
The only thing left was the light fragrance of love in the air.
"How's Florina?" Hector asked Oswin anxiously.
"She's still unconscious because a particular cleric messed up her staves again," Oswin scowled at Serra. "But generally, she's not in danger anymore." He paused. "I heard that you had a conflict with Lloyd Reed of the Black Fang."
"Yes," Hector looked out of the window.
"So, you killed him," Oswin said.
"Yes," Hector sighed. "I had to, to get to the throne of Shrine of the Seals and get my brand new Armads."
"I see, Miss Florina will be very upset," Oswin nodded wisely. "I suggest to you not to tell her the truth so quickly if you still want to woo her."
"I know," Hector walked into the room and sat down on a chair beside Florina's cot. "Where're her over-protective guardians?"
"Probably concocting some plot to destroy you, young master," Matthew appeared mysteriously again.
"Shut up, Matthew," Hector brushed a lock of lavender hair from Florina's forehead. "I'm sorry, my-"
"Lord Hector!" Serra shrieked. "Mister Squarehead is looking for you!"
Sighing heavily, Hector left the room. "I know. I'm coming."
This chapter is a little short, but I hope it captures the essence of the plot.
Please review and tell me whether Florina should agree to marry Hector...
If she does, there will be sequel...
If she doesn't, it's just going to end with another chapter...
It's all up to you...
If it is an even match , I would just have to add my own vote...
Pretty please...with a cherry on top?
Merci beacoup! (and no, I'm not french, I just learn french for a third language)
Next Chapter: Hector's Proposal/Florina's Response