Me: hey all I'm back and hopefully for good this time I got a new monitor for my desktop computer so now I can continue to give you those chapters you're all dying to read.
Lyn: sorry about the long speech he's been without a computer for a little too long if you ask me.
Me: you and me both sister. so here's chapter 10 and the last of that three part bit.
Chapter 10
The attack came too fast for Shadow to block with his sword or his shield as the large wooden blade came crashing against his left side causing him to go flying across the small battlefield. "Ugh! dammit that fucking hurt!" Shadow cursed to himself. 'And he was holding back, I can just imagine the kind of damage he could do to me if he wasn't.' he thought. Lethe having seen Shadow fly across the field, muttered "Idiot" under her breath as she tried to attack Ilyana only get struck by lightning in the process. Ike was making his way toward Shadow as the boy was getting up. "Wow I didn't even mean to hit you that hard, guess I'll have to go easy on you then." Ike said shrugging. "No! Don't hold back even more it only tells me that you think I'm weak, so come at me like you mean it." Shadow said. Ike merely looked at him in shock, his opponent was out-matched and yet he doesn't want Ike to hold back anymore was, simply put, crazy. But looking at the boy Ike noticed a burning determination in his emerald eyes not seen in most people his age, so how could he refuse that request.
Lethe, who already had Ilyana pinned to the ground looked on in shock as her parnter stood there with his sword out in front but his shield far away from the boy's body. 'Is this kid stupid or something, there's no way he can handle Ike when he's not holding back, that's just begging for death even if Ike is using a wooden sword.' Lethe thought. The cat laguz continued to watch as Shadow and Ike fought it out at the edge of the arena with neither of them giving an inch. Muttering could be heard as the other mercenaries started to think that Shadow was indeed crazy for asking Ike to go all out in a simple sparring match, among these were Mia, Lyre, Ranulf, and Marcia. "That kid is really gonna get himself hurt if this keeps up." Ranulf said calmly. "No kidding it's almost as if he's trying to prove himself or something." Lyre answered. 'Shadow what are you thinking asking boss not to hold back is that some sort of death wish or something?' Mia thought.
The duel between Ike and Shadow raged on as the their swords constantly clashed against each other. "You know, you're good when under pressure." Ike commented. It's true, the battle was a losing one for Shadow since he had been struck a few times by the mercenary commander, but that didn't seem to slow Shadow down in the least, instead int only seemed to urge the boy more and more. "Well I appreciate the compliment but the fact is that I've yet to get a decent hit in, this is a losing battle for me, but if I'm to lose I'd rather lose with honor and dignity." Shadow said giving a short speech. Lethe in the meantime couldn't help but admire the scene unaware that Ilyana was attempting to break free from the laguz's grip.
Hours pass and still there was no victor, Rhys began contemplating whether or not to call the match a draw. "Titania we need to stop the match otherwise those two could end up worse than they are now." Rhys said. "I agree but we'll need some help if we're going to stop them." the red haired paladin stated. Rhys nodded and the two began to pick Ranulf and Boyd out from the crowd in order to quell the fight. Meanwhile Ilyana had finally broken free from Lethe's grip on her and made her way to the yellow book she always kept by her side. Lethe who had noticed this took the opportunity to try and interfere or at least aid Shadow in trying to bring down Ike. After repelling Shadow's attack Ike turned in time to see the cat lunge at him but failed to notice Shadow and whatever it was he was doing. Lethe made contact with Ike's body and soon the two were sent falling down as the commander tripped over Shadow who then got up off the ground and made his way towards Ilyana. However before Shadow could attack the thunder mage, Rhys, Titania, Ranulf, and Boyd stepped in calling the match a draw.
"You idiot what were you thinking taking on Ike by yourself?" Lethe shouted. "Hey at least I wasn't sitting there gawking at the whole thing." Shadow retaliated. Ike and Titania walked in just in time to watch Shadow and Lethe enter another argument this time about the match earlier. "Guys knock it off, seriously it's getting annoying." Ike said. the duo turned to the mercenaries and shouted "Who asked you!" Leaving a surprised Ike and an angry Titania. "BOTH OF YOU SHUT UP AND SIT DOWN NOW!" Titania screamed. Lethe and Shadow immediately closed their mouths sat down and stared at Titania as if she were the one in charge. "Thank you Titania I'll take over from here." Ike said as his second in command huffed and headed for the entrance. "Look we can do this the easy way or the hard way the hard way being we could force you two to stay in the same tent until the end of this very long ordeal, the easy way being that you two appologize and stop fighting each other." Ike said giving the two in front of him options. "There's no way in hell you're making me stay in the same fucking tent as him." Lethe spat. "Oh I can Lethe I am your superior officer and therefore you have no choice but to obey." Ike said crossing his arms. Shadow and Lethe stared at each other only to "Hmph!" and look away. "Okay so be it, until the end of the war you two are to stay in the same tent, in the same bed, and if I catch one of you not doing so there will be far worse consequences." Ike said seriously. "Worse than sharing a bed with her, I'll take that any day." Shadow remarked. The last thing Shadow saw after that was Ike's fist crashing down on his head.
"You really are a glutton for punishment aren't you?" Lethe asked unpacking her things in their new 'living arrangments'. "No, but it was fun watching him get angry." Shadow said smiling. Lethe couldn't help but smile as well, after all it wasn't every day someone gets the shit beat out of them by Ike without a weapon. "And here I thought you couldn't smile at least I accomplished something." Shadow said. Lethe blushed in anger as the remark left Shadow's lips. "If we we're forbidden from killing each other I so would right now." Lethe said angrily. "And what's the idea forcing us to share the same tent and bed what are we a married couple?" Shadow asked sarcastically. Lethe's blush continued at the thought of her and Shadow getting married and having kids together but was immediately pushed out of her head the moment her sister, Lyre, entered the vicinity. "I see you two are living together, that's so sweet of you two to openly share your love." Lyre teased. "We are not in love with each other." both Shadow and Lethe shouted.
It was getting late as Shadow and Lethe prepared to hop into bed. "Okay which side will you take?" Shadow asked. "The side closest to the wall." Lethe said. the two then proceeded to climb into bed and put their backs against each other. It started off nicely (if you consider arguing who had more room nice) but it became short-lived as the camp cam under attack by Daein Soldiers, by this time Shadow was already half-way dressed and about to head out when Lethe stopped him telling him he forgot his pants. Shadow looked down and blushed that of all the things in the world to forget it had to be his pants and by the time he found and put them on the battle was over. "Well that was a complete and total waste of time." Shadow said hanging his head. As he entered his and Lethe's tent he noticed that the cat laguz was sound asleep and sprawled out on the bed. Ignoring the fact that if he woke her there would be hell to pay, Shadow slowly climbed into bed, closed his eyes and fell asleep.
Me: Well there you have it chapter ten in all it's glory, if you want to call it that.
Lyn: so will anything happen to Lethe and Shadow like are they going to develop a relationship or is it just Lyre's damnable imagination?
Me: why do you always ask me these things when you know you're going to need to wait? anyway since i feel like being a pyro if you want to flame me go ahead it'll give me a perfect excuse to roast marshmallows.
Both: Later