Chapter 5.5: Desert Flash

"It's this way, boss! Come on!"

"Right!"

The two bandits made their way across the Plegian desert as the hot sun beat down on them.

"Boss, it's really hot, isn't it?"

"Of course it is, moron! We are in Plegia, after all!"

"I was only observing, boss. You didn't hafta slap me, ya know?"

"Yes I did. I really had to."

"But why, boss?"

"It's because you were pissing me off, idiot!"

"I didn't mean to, Boss!"

"Hmph! Just because you didn't mean to still doesn't change the fact that you did it anyway."

Sensing that his superior was getting more and more pissed, the second bandit changed the subject.

"So where exactly are we going boss?"

"I already told you! We're going to meet up with the others and attack that village."

"What village, Boss?"

"Idiot!" I told you, it's not too far to the west of here."

"Oh"

The two didn't say anything to each other for the rest of the trip.

3 hours later…

The two bandits arrived at their base, tired and with boots full of sand.

The "Boss" signaled for the gate to be opened. When his request was received with silence, he got steaming mad.

"Idiots! Open the goddamned gate, would ya?!"

Once again, there was only silence.

"Seems like no one is home, boss."

"I know that!"

Having gotten sick of waiting, he busted down the door.

What he saw could only be described as horrifying, even by bandit standards. There were corpses strewn about, with blood covering the sand. The "Boss" could only stare at the carnage, unable to move his legs.

"W-what the hell happened here?!"

"Seems like everyone is dead, Boss."

All of a sudden, the second bandit felt something sharp through his chest. He looked down, and to his shock, there was a curved blade sticking out of his ribcage.

"B-b-boss, h-help me…"

He fell over, dead, his hand still twitching and blood foaming at his mouth.

The "Boss" took a step back, horrified, before readying his axe.

"W-who are you?"

The enigmatic figure remained silent, not even moving.

"Answer me, dammit!" He charged straight at the cloaked figure, intent on getting revenge for his fallen comrades.

He swung wildly at the assassin, with the man nimbly dodging every clumsy attack, before pulling out his blade and cutting the bandit leader's arm right off.

"AHHHHHH!" The bandit leader screamed as he fell over, clutching the stump where his arm used to be. Blood began to spray from the wound.

"P-please don't k-kill me. I'll give you anything you want."

The assassin began to speak. "Alright, then. How about you give me back the lives of the villagers you slaughtered. If you can do that, then maybe I'll spare your miserable life!"

"W-what village?"

"You don't remember, do you? Well too bad for you, then. Guess I'm killing you now!"

With that, he chopped off the head of the "Boss". The head flew about ten feet in the air, before being pierced by an arrow.

"My revenge is complete." Exclaimed the masked man, as he quickly left the scene of the carnage.

Elsewhere…

The Dragon and his companion had seen this rampage from afar. He let out a small chuckle as he signaled his companion to the assassin's last known location; a small cave about 1.5 miles away from the bandit camp.

He had a few questions for him, and he would see them answered.

1 hour later…

Having arrived at the cave his companion spoke of, the two walked inside, only to be greeted with a hail of arrows. He quickly transformed his torso, arms and head into dragon-like scales. The arrows bounced off of them like they were made of rubber.

A masked figure appeared out of the shadows, quite surprised at his surprise attack failing, began to address the two.

"You must have very quick reflexes to dodge my surprise attack like that."

"I am pretty quick, but it was my transformation that stopped your arrows."

He then showed the assassin his chest, still bearing the dragon scales.

"So, you're a Manakete, I take it?"

"You would be guessing right, my mysterious friend."

The assassin put away his bow, and sheathed his sword as well.

"So, what is so important that a Dragonkin needs a lowly thief like me?"

"Do you take me for a fool? I know exactly just how skilled you are with a weapon."

"If you know that about me, how much more about me do you know?"

The Dragonkin's companion then spoke up;"All we really know is your nickname."

"I wasn't aware that I had one."

"You didn't before 3 months ago. Apparently the locals have taken to calling you "The Desert Flash". Quite a stupid name, if we're being honest."

"I'm flattered that anyone even took notice of me. Frankly, I thought I was being quite inconspicuous."

"It shouldn't be a surprise, to be honest. You have a record of chivalry that isn't seen in many Plegians. The people apparently like you, almost as much as they fear their king."

Realizing that the topic was getting out hand, the Manakete changed it.

"The reason I'm here is because I need your help."

"Why would you need my help?"

"Because a great war is brewing between the countries of Ylisse and Plegia, and we're recruiting as many capable individuals as possible."

"How much?"

"I'm sorry?"

"How much are you willing to pay me for my services?"

"You would have to take that up with the Exalt. I have no interest in paying others."

{Sigh} "Very well. I suppose I could help you. For now."

"Thank you. What is your name, pray tell?"

"My name? It's Blake."

Elsewhere…

They had finally reached it. The great capital of Regna Ferox.

"Finally. We're here."

"Took us long enough."

Chrom opened the gate and prepared to walk in. He was stopped by a mysterious figure.

"Welcome, Sheperds. Glad you could make it!"

End of Chapter 5.5