(A/N): No you are not imagining things, the chapters are getting shorter
Disclaimer: I do not own Fire Emblem
Chapter 10: Forewarning
Gallia…
Nathan eyes shot open to the sight of burning tents and fire all around him. He could hear shouts of pain, the renting of flesh, the clash of steel against something equally durable. He could smell burning flesh, and saw the flaming bodies of Daein soliders both of those he knew and those he did not. He could hear growls, howls, and snarls all around him. Then finally what appeared to be a large cat stepped out of the shadows, followed by a larger tiger. He turned and saw another tiger, and another, and another. He was completely surrounded with no chance of escape. He reached for the fire tome at his side only to find it was not there, the color drained form his face. All hope was lost, the beast circled around him slowly. Then, after a few tense heart-pounding moments, the cat creature pounced.
Castle ishmar…Nathan expected searing pain as the claws dug into his chest, but felt none. He opened his eyes and found himself no longerin the burning camp, but in a wide stone room. One desk occupied the room; behind it was a large man. Obviously laguz, Nathan looked around in confusion. Another laguz man suddenly appeared running before him, and Nathan realized that the man must have run right through him. It was as if he were a ghost, maybe he was dead.
"Commander, beroc have been spotted just outside of Gallia!" cried the man
The commander lifted his head, "How many?" he asked
"A lot sir, a massive invasion force."
"Filthy humans" said the commander, "They think they can just march in and take Gallia for themselves? Ha! Who do they think they're dealing with? Another weakling human nation? Well we'll show them up!"
He turned to the other laguz man, "You say they just sit there outside of Gallia?"
"Yes, commander Falsetto"
"Then we will take the fight to them! We'll crush them before they could ever set foot in our homeland!"
"Bu-but sir, that's against the king's orders!"
"His highness won't know until I've put my plan into action, and by then the human invaders will be dead and destroyed." Falsetto said with a smirk. "Now go, ready the troops!"
"Y-yes sir!"
Nathan watch as the laguz ran into him, then looked behind to see him running out into a dimly lit corridor.
Attack…Nathan suddenly found himself floating over the encampment of the Daein army at an incredible height. He just looked down on it, thinking this was his last chance to see it before he met with the Goddess. Suddenly, out of the sea of trees came a large force of beast warriors headed directly for the camp. Nathan watched as half of the rushing wave broke off to the side and ran in a curve. He realized then what their strategy was, he had read about it in one of the old war books in his father's study. This was a standard pincer maneuver; half the force would rush in a direct assault while the other half would break off for a sneak attack directed toward the enemy's flank. Nathan was actually quite impressed; imagine a sub-human having any tactical knowledge at all?
It will come at first light, the day after today…
It suddenly turned night; the invading force disappeared into thin air. Nathan suddenly felt heavy, and he began to fall. He had not enough breath reserved for screaming, he fell wordlessly down into the camp. The voice echoed in his mind in jumbles of words, words he knew and words in a foreign language. The ground rushed up to meet him.
His eyes opened.
He bolted upright on his bed, breathing heavily and sweating. His hand grasp the covers, the color of his face was pale as a ghost.
But he was not a ghost, he was alive.
And he gripped the strange, glowing stone in his hand.