This chapter has been keeping me awake at night. Every time I have trouble sleeping, I start thinking about the story. This usually results with me having to fumble around in the dark for a pen so I can write the idea on my hand. Of course…I sleep with my hand under my face so I end up with ink on my cheek…really often. Anyway, Merry Christmas and Happy holidays everyone!
Chapter 11
Twisted Hero
In the depths of the night, when the entire camp has settled in from a long day of strenuous travel and the occasional skirmish, Ranulf finds himself wide awake. His only desire is to sleep and yet an annoying sense of worry is keeping him awake. "Mist?" Ranulf skulks through the camp as he softly calls her name. "Mist?" He slinks up to a nearby tent and pauses. Listening for any sign that the occupant is awake, he finds none and moves on. "Mist?" He calls slightly louder this time. Where could she get to at this time of night? "Mist, c'mon gimme a hint…or something." A voice from a nearby tent calls for quiet and he sheepishly backs away. In order to avoid any unwanted shushing, he leaves the safety of the camp to continue his search elsewhere. He travels deeper into the forest until the trees grow close and thick. He pauses here to pinch his nose in frustration. The bloated croaking of a bullfrog sounds from somewhere to the east. Apparently it's easier to find a frog than a young woman. "Mist!" He unintentionally says her name with much more force than he should.
"Over here." Her youthful voice calls from the same direction as the bullfrog. He picks up his pace and hears her sigh, "Keep your voice down. You'll wake the entire camp...If you haven't already." He hears the sound of a few splashes and quickens to a trot. He arrives at a lake to find Mist sitting at its muddy edge.
"Do you have any idea how long I've been looking for you?" He rests his hands on his hips and tries to look authoritative.
"About fifteen minutes." She says simply and begins to sift through the rocks by the bank.
"You heard me calling and didn't answer?" He visibly droops.
"No, but that's how long I've been out here and nothing gets past you. I'm sure you noticed I was gone instantly." He gives her a judging look but quickly backs down. He's simply too tired to argue.
"Fair enough."
"I'm sorry. I just wanted to be alone. You know… only for a little while." Ranulf smirks sheepishly and rubs at the back of his neck in embarrassment.
"I've been…smothering you haven't I? Look… if you want me to go…"
"No, stay." She pats the ground beside her and invites him to sit. He hesitantly drops down near her and looks out at the water. He doesn't know what to say at this point so he says nothing. If she wants to speak, she can go first. Mist selects a flat pebble from the dirt, places it between her fingers and sends it bouncing across the water. "Three skips." She declares with a tiny glimmer of a smile before she holds another stone out to him. "Beat that." He takes the rock and gives it a good fling. They count the jumps silently. "Seven…not bad, but I think you hit that poor turtle."
"That's why they have shells." She cracks a more visible smile at his reply and removes her boots. She tosses them aside without a care and dips her feet in the water. The action confuses him. It's a cold night and the water can only be colder.
"Don't you ever worry?" she swirls her feet about and admires all the silt and mud that gets kicked up. "You always do so much and I don't think I've ever seen you upset."
"I've had a lot of practice with Skrimir. If I take time to worry, he's likely to run off and do something stupid. I usually just complain to Ike. He's seen me pretty stressed when it comes to that hotheaded lion." He suddenly wonders if it was wrong of him to mention Ike. She tosses another stone but seems intent to listen further. "I know you're worried about your brother, but we're going to find him."
"Thank you, Ranulf. It's not that I'm worried about finding Ike, it's more…" She trails off.
"What?" He shifts uncomfortably and hopes it isn't noticeable.
"Do you think…" She takes long pause as if she doesn't even dare to voice what she's been pondering. "Will he still be Ike when we find him?" Her tone is grave. "I've heard what the others are saying. They…they act like he's already dead." She's already begun to shed tears by the time she looks to him. His mind scrambles to find a worthy answer.
"It's only because they're afraid. Sometimes it's easier to accept defeat than it is to continue to hope." She seems to think on this. His words surprise him. He actually managed to say something comforting off the top of his head.
"When I was little…my father would tell me so many stories about my mother. I can't remember her as much as I would like. I think most of them aren't even real memories…their just dreams. Father once told me about the day I was born. Ike sat beside my cradle and watched me all day. When mother asked him what he was doing he said 'Someone has to keep the baby safe.'" A peaceful expression crosses her features at the mention of the recollection. Whenever I cried he was always the first one to get to me."
"He loves you very much."
"When father died…Ike promised he'd never leave me…but I don't know…We can't keep every promise." A deep worried frown claims Ranulf's face. "Not even Ike."
"He isn't gone... He's just…" He searches for the word. "Delayed. No matter how lost he may seem, he won't forget you." Mist skips her final stone and withdraws her feet from the water. She's ready to return to camp.
"I hope you're right."
DIVISION
The world ebbs and fades before his eyes. Sothe cannot feel his fingers due to the harsh chill. The sounds of battle are all around but he cannot make any sense of them. However, he's almost certain he hears his name being called. It's so cold. His consciousness is fading. I can't sleep…I have something important to do…what was it?
"Sothe, get up!" Is that Nolan? From the hazy world before his eyes a sword materializes. His eyes widen. It's going to strike him. There's a spark of light as the sword is met with a familiar dagger. His eyes struggle to adjust and to his shock he manages to make out the form of Naesala holding the blade Ike forced him to drop mere moments ago. The raven king has saved him. He can hardly believe it. Nothing in the man's nature would ever have allowed him to act in such a way. Yet here he stands. Naesala's arms tremble beneath the weight of the enemy's weapon. Sothe spots the blood from his recent wound as it drips from his wing into the snow. He directs his words down upon Sothe. "You had better appreciate this, human." The raven king grinds out and struggles to maintain his failing grip. He turns his pained eyes upon the enemy and offers up what little strength he has left. The two of them are more than grateful when Nolan arrives to take Naesala's place. Mere seconds pass and the enemy has been cut down. Sothe sits up with a great sense of vertigo. Unable to stand steadily he scoots back on his hindquarters before flopping onto his knees and dragging himself to the gate. Safe inside the town walls, Laura rushes to him with her healing staff glowing brightly. Sothe squints in the bluish light and looks back out into the fray.
"Whereshego?" He slurs and rubs at his face. "What…happened?"
"Sothe, come on. Get up." Leonardo and Edward help him to his feet. He doesn't even know when they arrived. He tips back and his friends help support him all the way back to the inn. As they walk he catches them looking hastily back over their shoulders to see how the others are fairing. Once inside, Sothe drops into the nearest chair and buries his face in his hands. Naesala brushes past him with Laura on his heels demanding to see his wound.
"You hit your head pretty hard back there." Edward remarks. He really doesn't know what else to say to his friend. Judging from Sothe's expression, he isn't even listening.
"Where is Micaiah?" Sothe asks a bit more clearly this time. His friend's faces falter and the answer becomes more apparent. "Did he take her?" He shakily rises from his chair and steps closer to the window.
"Sothe, you should really sit down." Edward says softly but Sothe doesn't hear him.
"I can't believe he did that." Sothe stumbles slightly and his friends grab at him before he can topple. He brushes off the embarrassment and focuses on Ike's betrayal "…I need a knife." He looks at his friends in turn. They can only offer him nervous glances before their eyes dart away. "Where are the weapons?"
"Sothe, you should really think about what you're about to do." Leonardo holds up a hand to stop his comrade from attempting to storm out of the room. "Really, Sothe, we all love Micaiah but that man…he is your friend…"
"Isn't he?" Edward asks sounding fretful. Sothe takes a deep breath and stares at his feet dejectedly.
"No." He answers with a deep exhale. "Not anymore." Each of them is stricken with a deeper sense of worry as he turns back to the door. "I'm going after them."
Nolan's voice comes from the shadows of a nearby house and precedes his appearance by only a few seconds. It seems he's been listening in. "Sothe, perhaps it's time for you to just accept that there are some things you cannot help."
"What?" Sothe can't believe Nolan's lack of faith. Of all people, Nolan was usually the first to stand beside him in time like this. Why on earth would he suddenly want to abandon Micaiah?
"You can't help her on your own." The rage begins to swell in those young eyes as Sothe prepares to match his anger with Nolan's reasoning.
"Of course I can. I have to." Nolan doesn't understand. He can't appreciate the situation. His idol didn't just backstab him and kidnap his dearest friend. Sothe's did. How can he not go seeking justice? What does he expect of me?
"No, Sothe. You can't." Nolan bows his weary head. "We've already seen how that battle will end. You're fortunate that… thing let you survive." The words seem to burn his tongue like acid. The mere thought of Ike serves only to bring him disdain. "I saw the way he attacked you. He wanted to kill you, and don't you dare think he wouldn't have. If Micaiah hadn't distracted him, you wouldn't be here." Sothe gives him a glare harsh enough to make even the bravest soldier flinch."You know as well as I do that if you two meet again he won't hesitate to finish you off."
"I can catch him off guard. I can take him down. I c-"
"No." Nolan cuts him off with a stern word. "No matter how certain you are that you can kill him, there is always a chance you'll second guess yourself. You'll only anger him more. You do that… and he could hurt her"
" But he has Micaiah. That's the point. We can't just forget her." Even now, he knows he's fighting a losing battle.
"Which is exactly why we need you here. We need to stay strong. We'll take him down as a team and when we're all in fighting condition. Maybe then we'll stand a chance." Sothe bows his head and tries to hide the anger boiling up inside him. He knows Nolan is right. He just doesn't want him to be. Nolan places a hand on Sothe's shoulder. "I'm worried about her as well, but she's a smart girl and Yune is with her. She won't be harmed. He must have a reason for taking her."
"…fine." Sothe mutters and shirks away from Nolan's hand. He steadily backs away from his comrades. "But I swear...If he hurts her, I'll drop him where he stands." As he stomps from the room, both he and Nolan share the same thought.
He just doesn't understand.
DIVISION
Micaiah sits stiffly on the back of a white horse with a visible pout on her lips. Omega sits behind her looking more or less aggravated but. She's doing her best to ignore him. The horse whinnies and she gives it's mane a gentle stroke. She can't help but wonder where he obtained this creature, and she's been pondering it all morning. Of course, she knows the answer can't be anything pleasant. For what must be the tenth time today, Omega stiffens and stares off into a grouping of nearby trees. His intense gaze burns into every shadow where enemies could be lurking. He's done this every time he hears the faintest sound to a point where Micaiah is beginning to wonder if most of the noises are in his head. After all, when traveling through an ancient forest in a world filled with human statues it is unlikely you will come across anyone even capable of creating these sounds. So far it's only managed to unnerve Micaiah even further. Frankly, she's had enough.
"Please, stop that. Every time I look at you, you're glaring at the trees. It's beginning to scare me." Micaiah huffs and brushes his arm away from her. He gives her an impatient scowl before he shoves her down flat against the saddle. At first she thinks this is some crude way of telling her to be quiet. Only now, does she suddenly realize something has sailed over their heads. Micaiah doesn't get a very good look at the object, but she's almost certain someone just lobbed a sizeable rock at them.
"You missed, you great oaf! You missed!" It's a woman's voice coming from the group of trees Omega had been eyeing so intently. From behind the very same trees step a group of five soldiers, four of them men and the other a woman. Judging from the amount of noise coming from her mouth, she's in charge. Each soldier looks worn and haggard which stands in stark contrast to their golden armor. They must have some fight left in them if they're willing to cross two travelers. Either that or their exhaustion has made them incompetent.
"Ike?" Micaiah asks and tries to turn her head to see them. He allows her to sit up but doesn't enable her to face these people. "What are they doing here?" He just glares at the newcomers, daring them to so much as step closer.
"They've been following us since last night." He states and looks them over as if he finds them boring. "It's…annoying." The motley band of soldiers straightens up and tries their best to get into a battle formation. The female soldier raises her hand as if making a great proclamation and begins to address Omega and Micaiah.
"We are the disciples of order, hand chosen by the goddess Ashera herself. We are honored with the task of cleansing this world for her almighty grace. Only those bearing the golden armor of the goddess shall live in her new world and…" She continues to rant on about glory and greatness but Micaiah and Omega had stopped listening long before this. As the woman rants, Micaiah leans back and looks at Omega and is surprised to see an emotion other than anger on his face. To put it simply, he looks bored. She shifts her eyes back to the woman who is now gesturing wildly at the heavens. Omega grumbles from deep in his throat and she can't help but share his feelings.
"This is so creepy…"Yune comments. "I'd take you're messed up friend here over these loonies any day."
"Prepare thyself for the end!" The female soldier finally finishes her speech and brandishes a hardy looking axe. Omega looks at her unimpressed.
"I'm not in the mood." He growls. His words catch her off guard and she blinks a few times before composing herself. She doesn't even notice the slack jawed expression on her comrades faces.
"N-no, there shall be no mercy from the wrath of the disciples of-"
"Let's just kill em!" One of her men cries out and the others quickly join in with a cheer. Her thunder having been stolen once again, she sighs and tries to regain control only to fail.
"Fine whatever, slice em." She gives up the theatrics and takes on a more modern tongue. "B-but leave the half-breed for me to finish. He needs to learn some respect" The men cheer and brandish their weapons in the air and charge. In an attempt to dodge a swipe of a man's sword Micaiah drops from the horse and hides behind its broad legs. Omega launches from the saddle. He pounces on the first soldier, grabs the man around the waist and collar and hurls him at his allies. A friend's sword pierces his chest in the confusion and he collapses. Swiftly ducking the swing of the leader's axe, Omega reaches out and grabs the handle. A look of shock crosses her face when he drags her in closer.
"Unhand my weapon, fiend!" Omega roughly jerks the axe to the side and sends her sprawling to the ground. Taking the axe as his own, he arcs it back around in a half circle to clash with the sword of another soldier. The enemy tries to strike again but is blocked by the broadside of the axe. In his distraction he doesn't see Omega sneak in a side swipe to the back of his knee. He crumples and Omega ends him. A scream of anger comes from one of the few remaining men. He clutches his lance and lashes out at Omega who evades the blows with ease while working his way up to the man. When he's close enough, he drops to the ground and with a sweeping kick knocks the man off his feet. Grabbing the falling lance, Omega rushes at the only man left standing. He plunges the lance's tip into the ground and gripping it tightly he sends his feet into the other's chest. With his feet back on the ground, he whips back, grabs the spear and finishes off this man as well. Micaiah watches it all with a dainty hand covering her mouth.
"Monster!" The woman shrieks as she and the only remaining soldier help one another to their feet. "Demon!" Her eyes are bloodshot with rage. She throws her dented helmet to the ground and draws a dagger from her belt. "Come at me, you filthy beast. Come and face your end." Micaiah can't help but pity this woman. To see all her friends fall around her and now, to only fight blindly with rage, she's got no chance. Omega watches her with disinterest as he prepares to kill her. Her only remaining soldier pulls a small knife and holds it at the ready. Before he can even move, Omega is at his side, swiping him across the face, and sending his skull to crash against a nearby tree. "Bastard!" She cries out like a banshee and goes to plunge her blade into his back. He's too quick for her. His hands are on hers, forcing the knife she's holding to face her as he edges it closer to her chest. Her strength won't hold out much longer. Her hate filled eyes meet his and she spits at him. "The goddess will know of your crimes." The blade buries itself in her flesh all the way to the hilt. She looks down at the wound in her chest and drops backwards. A final breath is all the sound she makes as she falls to the earth, dead and done.
Omega takes a heated breath and looks to Micaiah who steps out from behind the horse cautiously. Both of them look to the horse's hind leg. It was injured in the chaos. Omega paces a hand over the wound and tries to think. Suddenly, His head snaps to the side and his irises narrow to slits. "There's more." He snatches at her wrist and they take off running. He practically drags her half of the way before she can find her feet and move on her own. Even now, she can hear the voices of the soldiers. There don't seem to be all that many, at least nothing Omega can't easily handle. Cries of outrage erupt from behind them. It seems they've found their fallen soldiers. Omega leads her to a lake, and to her surprise, he leads her into it as well. Beside them a small and poorly built dock bobs in the water and sways with the small waves they create. Something squirms past her leg in the water and she kicks out at it to swim further away. Whatever his plan is, she'd like to know right about now. Omega reaches an arm under the dock and seems satisfied with what he finds.
"Come here." He doesn't wait for her to listen. He grabs her by the sleeve and pulls her close. Taking a deep breath he gives her a warning glance before going under. She quickly does the same and lets him tow her along. They resurface somewhere very dark. Micaiah has to wipe the filthy water from her eyes before she realizes they are under the dock. The area is small and short. There's only enough room for her to get her nose above water. It forces her to take clam breaths which is difficult in this kind of situation. The real question is "who is she afraid of?" Is her false friend more of a danger than the approaching soldiers? There's no time to think on that now. In this low space she has to tip her head back in order to speak.
"Since when do you run away from a fight?"
"Shut it." He hisses. Overhead, there are a few open slats between the boards of the docks. Sunlight somehow manages to squeeze in through them. It doesn't provide a good source of light but it does serve as a nice way to eavesdrop.
"Search everywhere! They can't have gone far." From this point on, nothing is said between Micaiah and Omega. She doesn't know how much time they spend in the water. All she knows is that her hands have pruned so much, they're almost painful. Omega has done nothing but stare at her this entire time. That blank look is enough to make her want to smack him. She is pulled from these thoughts when heavy footsteps thud slowly above them. It's far too close for her to feel at ease. She inches closer to Omega as silently as she can in an attempt to receive some mock form of comfort. He offers little support but it's better than nothing. A shadow flashes over them as the set of footsteps comes to a halt directly over them. For a fleeting moment, Micaiah is certain they've been found out.
"Sir, I'm certain they came this way." A voice from the shore calls. The man on the dock turns around. The very movement of his feet seems to resound deep in her chest.
"Then where are they?" The man asks hotly.
"Uh…perhaps they were ravens…or hawks…or even-"
"Spare me…" The man above them sighs. "Unless they've drowned, they're long gone." In his anger he thrusts an axe into the dock. The wood above Micaiah's head splinters and she sucks in a quick breath. Omega moves the two of them away from the new opening and back toward the shallows. With a screech of the wood, the weapon is wretched free and the footsteps stride away. Micaiah's and Omega's gaze hovers on the small ray of sunlight squeezing in through the fresh hole before she turns to him. When she twists he moves in sync with her and their eyes meet. They look away awkwardly and remain this way as they linger under the dock. When they're certain the threat is gone, they make their move. With every ounce of caution they dive under the water and emerge on the other side. Micaiah puts her hands on the dock and lifts herself free from the water. Omega makes to do the same but stops. Something seems to be troubling him.
"You could have taken them." Micaiah says simply and wrings out her clothing. With a bit of a struggle Omega manages to crawl onto the dock. He gives a grunt of exhaustion as he drops onto his side. "You can't be that tired." Without warning, he lurches in on himself and clutches at his chest. Deep gasps squeeze out between his teeth. He wraps his arms tighter around his torso and bears down. Micaiah watches in shock. She has no idea what's happening or how she can even help. He cranes his neck up to look at her and a trail of blood runs from his nose. It stains the dock and seeps into the wood. Omega coughs harder and rolls onto his back. His eyes close in pain and blood flecks his face as more dribbles from between his teeth.
"Ike, what's wrong?" Instinct brings her to stand beside him. She places a worried hand on his shoulder; through his pain he manages enough strength to blindly swat her away. She pulls her hand back and steps further away from him. And that's when she realizes that nothing is holding her back. Taking one final look at him, she turns on her heel and takes off. She leaves him there alone. The world flies by so quickly that she has no idea where she is heading or who will be there to help her. She's back in the forest when she slows her run to a jog and gradually stops moving all together. She catches her breath and looks hesitantly over her shoulder. She's free.
She tries to calm herself but a growing knot in her stomach won't loosen. "What are you doing?" Yune asks wildly. "Run! He'll find us if you don't run."
"He's all alone." Micaiah whispers and hugs her arms around her. What do I do?
"Good. Start running so he can stay that way." Micaiah turns to face the direction she came from. "Hey, what is your fleshy brain thinking?" Yune cries. "This is not how we escape. We have to get to the tower! Now quit gripping and let's hurry"
"He must be so scared." Micaiah takes a few steps forward and places herself closer to him.
"Are you crazy?" Yune yelps. "Danger! Psychotic exboyfriend! Don't you get i!."Micaiah ignores her and runs back to him. The run back doesn't feel nearly as long as the run away. I must be losing my mind…When she arrives, the sight she finds pains her. Omega lays curled up in on himself on the dock. His left arm hangs limply over the edge and dangles in the water. Blood oozes and then drips from the corner of his mouth with each shuddering breath. He look at her or even react when she kneels beside him.
"Ike," She's going to try again. "What's happening to you?"
"Need…finish." He grinds out and bites onto his lip.
"Finish what? Ike, what?" She jostles him to keep him conscious and he thinks hard on his words. They seem to be failing him.
"Finish O-omega. Not meant… to be this…way." He twists his fists in his clothing and lets out a wail of pain. Cautiously, she reaches her hand out and sets it on his right shoulder. He doesn't try to shrug her off this time. Instead, he looks at her with clear eyes and studies her.
"Don't I…Don't I know you?" He asks weakly. In this moment Micaiah is certain she see's Ike inside this monster. She even allows a faint glimmer of hope to escape in her voice.
"Y-Yes Ike. We know each other." Whatever light had been in his eyes quickly vanishes and he glowers at her.
"I told you…" He breaths deep. "Not to call me by that name." They share an irritated stare before she remembers what she was going to do. She closes her eyes and an aqua light emerges from under her palm. Sothe has warned her against using sacrifice but there is little else she can do. She feels her body become weak and slumps beside him on the rotting wood of the dock. It's as if they've changed places. Omega's pain gone, he works his way into a sitting position and looks at her. Only now, when she is gazing up at him, half conscious, does she realize she should have tied him up.
Sometime later, she awakens only to be aware of a strange feeling. Somehow she feels incredibly high off the ground. She opens her eyes and discovers that she is being carried around on Omega's back like a child. She clears her throat subtly to let him know she's awake but he just ignores her. Perhaps he intends to carry her everywhere from now on. He stops and grunts in annoyance. Micaiah surveys the area sees the bodies of the soldiers he killed earlier and states the obvious,
"The horse is gone."
"I know."
"Put me down." She swears he just scoffed at her. "It'll be easier to find the horse if I can walk."
"No." He growls and purposely lets a low hanging tree branch bump her forehead.
"Ugh! Why not? It isn't exactly like I can run away? Where would I go?" He seems to think it over. "Besides…you're probably really tired." She's really laying it on thick. The world seems to jump when he suddenly drops her on her backside. "…Ow." Rubbing at her sore body, she sucks in her lips in annoyance and gives him the best rueful look she can muster. It's still Ike. It's not his fault he's a walking puppet…and a complete jerk. She tells herself this but simply can't help but feel that Ike really is gone despite that brief remark at the dock. But this guy…he doesn't even offer to help her up. When she stands she discovers a rope encircling her wrist. The line running off from it is tethered to Omega's. She gives him an odd look as if to ask him why he thought she would get away in the first place. "I think I see the horse." She points to an area about one hundred paces away and starts walking. He moves faster than she does and her wrist gets a swift yank from the speed. It's a well tied knot and she would have little chance of getting it undone with only one hand and without him noticing. It doesn't matter anyway. She's already proven she can't leave him behind.
She stops dead when a berry bush catches her eye. The sudden pull on the rope forces him to look back at her. "We haven't eaten all morning." She whines and gestures to the prickly bush. He looks longingly at the horse but consents at last and allows her the small pleasure of plucking the berries and popping them into her mouth. They are in no way filling, but they are something. She notices how uninterested he looks and holds a handful of the shiny fruit out to him. "Here, take them." He eyes her hand before stepping away. He acts as if she just offered him something poisonous. "They're only blackberries." He shakes his head at her and she withdraws her hand. She tries to go back to picking but turns back to him in frustration. "You can't possibly not be hungry." His expression doesn't change as he crosses his arms with impatience. "It's like talking to a wall…Omega" She forces herself to use the name with distaste. "Eat something."
"No."
"Why not?" She balls her hands into fists and accidently crushes the berries she was holding. She doesn't know why she cares about his eating habits anyway. Maybe it's because of all those days she snuck food to him or maybe she just wants to argue.
"I wasn't ordered to." He snaps and sizes her up with a stern gaze.
"You're…insane. Why would he care?"
"He's my master."
"But eating…" She can't even begin to describe how disgusted she is by it. "You have to eat or you die. You know that right?"
"Yes."
"Then why don't you eat!" She's becoming incredibly annoyed. "It's like you've become stupid. Did you get hit in the head or something?"
"You hit me in the head."
"Agh! Why can't you just…"
"I wasn't ordered-"
"I know!" She drops the smashed berries she's holding and presses her hand to her forehead. "I know." She tries to calm herself and a new thought crosses her mind. "Did he…order you to speak to me?"
"Yes."
"So what you said last night… about loving me…what was that? Orders?"
"I'm not going to talk to you anymore."
"Good because I don't want to talk to you anymore. You're an embarrassment." He doesn't seem to care about a word she's saying but she continues to vent. It's more for her than him. "The way you use Ike's memories, it's sick! The things you said to Sothe last night…were for what? What did you gain from that? Was that an order or just for your own enjoyment?"
"If master hadn't told me to protect you, I'd kill you right here." His words are cold and she's completely certain he means them.
"I won't tell if you won't." She mocks him to his face with whatever courage she has remaining. She doesn't feel nearly as brave as she sounds it's simply her outrage speaking for her.
"Get on the horse."
"Make me." His eyes narrow menacingly. In hindsight, that wasn't the best way for her to phrase it.
DIVISION
Nolan awakes to a nothing but utter silence. If it was any other time he would have woken up and wondered where he was, but things are different now. After all the time he's spent fighting and running his mind has been trained to never truly relax. Like all good soldiers he is always aware. He sits up in the bed and casts aside the blankets before pulling them back up. It's freezing in the inn. He tugs on his boots and travels to the common room. Most everyone who had been present in the room last night has retreated to a room by now except for Naesala who chose to brood from his chair by the fire. Nolan approaches the laguz while glancing at the fireplace. Nothing but ashes remains. This fire had been out for hours. His mind goes to Sothe. The youth had volunteered to tend the fire as they slept. It seems that promise wasn't kept.
"Raven King." Nolan nudges the sleeping man's shoulder. Naesala winces in his sleep and awakens. He looks around and sees no danger before returning his glare to Nolan.
"There really is nothing subtle about beorc." He rubs at the spot Nolan touched on his shoulder and hisses in pain. "You do remember I was wounded last night?"
"Where are the others?" Nolan asks not really in the mood to baby the raven.
"I didn't know it as my turn to watch them." Naesala yawns and shut's his eyes. "If that's all you want, I'm going back to sleep. It's still dark out." He tips his chin to his chest and quickly falls back into slumber. Nolan gives him a dissatisfied frown and travels about the inn on his own. After a few minutes of peeking behind closed doors and searching the grounds Nolan had tallied up the head count and found that only one person was unaccounted for. Unsurprisingly, it was Sothe. Nolan returns to Naesala's side and clears his throat. Whether the raven king is in a deep sleep or simply ignoring his he can't really say. He glances down at Naesala's booted feet placed on the small table and gives them a nudge with his leg. Naesala doesn't open his eyes but simply grumbles.
"Whutdoyouwant?"
"I can't find Sothe."
"Good to know."
"Have you seen him?"
"As a matter of fact I did."
"Well?"
"It was last night, when I was bleeding all over the snow. You were there. Remember?"
"Sorry I woke you." Nolan mutters and heads for the exit feeling as though he has just wasted precious moments of his time. Naesala raises his hand and waggles a finger at him.
"You know…I did see him again last night." He smiles in remembrance. "He was walking out the door. Probably going to look for that pretty little lady he's always with."
"Why didn't you stop him?" Nolan's mouth hangs slightly open as he turns to face Naesala completely.
"Well, I don't really see how it's my responsibility aaaaaaand," He yawns long and deep. "I don't think there was really any stopping him either." Nolan shakes his head and rubs at his beard. Whatever is he going to do with that boy? "Teenagers in love. Now that's dangerous business. Are you going to go look for him?" Nolan can't help but be surprised by his interest.
"…I'm not sure."
"Best to not even try. He may not be an assassin but the kid knows how to disappear when he wants to."
"You're being oddly helpful."
"don't think too much into it. Letting the kid go lets me get a few more hours of shuteye."
"How selfless of you." Nolan can't resist the sarcastic remark. His mind lingers on Sothe as he silently prays the boy doesn't get himself killed.
DIVISION
Micaiah looks up to see the ominous structure standing before her. Although so different from Izuka's old lab she can't help but feel she's returned there. She casts her eyes to her feet. The sight of this place makes her feel ill. Omega goes rigid beside her. His ears fold back as he glares into the distance. "They're coming."
"Who?" Her answer comes in the form of a shout from the same direction he's looking.
"For the goddess!" It cries. "Disciples of order, surround them." The deafening clank of armor and the rattle of weapons reach their ears as a blaze of gold encircles them. They're upon them so quickly Micaiah can't make sense of where they came from. They must have been planning a trap. Countless spears point at them. The soldiers stare at them with helmet covered faces. They look like nothing more than faceless drones. Still the proximity of the weapons puts Micaiah ill at ease and she grips Omega's arm to her chest in fear. It isn't the same as it would have been if he were still Ike. He doesn't reach out to shield her like she knows Ike would. He doesn't demand anything of these people. He just stares; doesn't even growl. Still, she holds tight and desperately wonders how he intends to get them out of this one. Her heart drops into her stomach when she feels the tremors running through him. He's weak and hardly able to stand.
"Monster, prepare to face judgment." One of the soldiers shouts and jabs his lance for effect. Omega looks at him as if he were the most obnoxious thing on the face of the planet. Almost as if to say 'are you finished?" But in truth, he is out of Ideas. Whatever plan he normally would have concocted simply wasn't coming to him. Sure he could simply jump up and out from this circle of overzealous goddess lovers but that would require strength he simply doesn't have.
"Stand down." An eerily familiar voice orders from somewhere outside the golden circle. Micaiah's mouth drops when the crowd parts and Izuka approaches them.
"But Sir-" Izuka silences him with a wave of his hand.
"I won't have you ruining my greatest achievement. He gives Omega an appraising glance and frowns. "Omega, your performance was nothing short of pathetic." He glances to Micaiah. "Enjoying my work?"
"You're in league these people?" Micaiah asks incredulously.
"Hand chosen by the goddess herself to lead this world into a better future." He quotes the words fluidly as if repeating some ancient text.
"Excuse me, Sir?" A soldier raises his hand. "But the half-breed slaughtered some of our best men and-"
"Then perhaps they weren't good enough… and something tells me you were the one who started it."
"But he's a freak."
"Omega, please show our guest inside while I enlighten my subjects on the matters of progress."
"Yes, master."
"I didn't tell you to speak. I told you to go." Omega bows his head in defeat and loosely slips his hand around Micaiah's before leading her away. She looks back over her shoulder as Izuka begins to berate his subjects. She follows Omega up the cold stone steps in silence. Whatever lingering thoughts she had about simply abandoning him and running to save here hide had been dashed by the arrival of the disciples. She has a sneaking suspicion he was unaware of his master's alliance with the disciples of order.
"He shouldn't speak to you that way." She says abruptly. He appears to ignore her and continues to pull her along. "You don't deserve it. Are you hearing me, Ike- ugh!" Omega stumbles over his feet and topples to the ground dragging Micaiah with him. She slaps her hand against the wall to break her fall. She takes a breath and steadies herself. With her free hand she clears the hair that fell over her face and looks down at him. She watches with a solemn face as he grips the steps with trembling fingers. He bows his head low and takes a shuddering breath. Micaiah goes against whatever feelings of hate she may hold for him and offers a hand. She isn't at all surprised when he rejects it. It's nothing he hasn't done already "Fine. Get up by yourself."
"I never asked for your pity." He whispers
"That's why it's called pity." She withdraws her hand and waits for him to lift himself up. He doesn't dare look her in the face. Two steps pass by and he drops again. This time, even Micaiah is taken down. She hisses when her shins connect with the steps. She wouldn't be surprised to see two identical bruises on each of her legs. She winces as she gets to her feet and rubs vigorously at her injuries. Her breath catches in her throat when his hand reaches up to her. She leaves him to hang there and eyes him skeptically. She holds her position until he finally looks at her with defeated eyes.
"…Please." He asks almost inaudibly. Whether it's from weakness or pride she isn't sure. She grasps his hand and struggles to help him stand. The two of them look upwards to the top of the stairs.
"There are only five more steps." She says encouragingly. "We can make that."
"That's just the landing." He sighs. "There's another flight."
"Well, damn." They work their way up the final few steps and into a dark room lined with cells. She's quick to note the lone desk at the one end of the room. When turning back to survey the rest of the room, Izuka appears on the steps. They must have been moving pretty slow for the old man to catch them.
"I didn't expect you to return so late." Izuka stalks toward them until he's mere inches from Micaiah's face. His eyes bear into hers. It's a meaningless battle but she can't be the first to look away. She stands her ground until he gets tired of her and looks to his precious pet. "Show her to her cell." Omega corrals her into the nearest one. He doesn't bother to be gentle but he isn't nearly as forceful as he's been as of lately. He unfetters her wrist, and gives her a lingering look before stepping out. The door slams in her face and she winces. Micaiah retreats from the bars wanting to be as far from this madman as she possibly can. "Omega, the book." The old man holds out his hand expectantly. Omega looks at him with shame and hangs his head.
"Master, I didn't-" Izuka's cane strikes him across the skull once and then twice. Omega grips at his cranium and collapses from disorientation. He lands just beside the bars of her cell. Micaiah rushes to him despite her better judgment and reaches through the bars. She sees the blood staining her fingers and cradles his head in her hands.
"Look what you've done!" She hisses vehemently and pins Izuka with the darkest look she's ever managed. The full weight of her situation consumes her at last. She is alone. Utterly alone. The closest thing she had to a companion was this twisted version of Ike and now she can't even have that. Tears brim in her eyes as she whispers more to herself than anyone. "Look what you've done." Finally she shouts. "You can't treat him like this! It's killing him. He's starving to death just because you won't order him to eat!" As if on command omega's stomach gives a moan of emptiness. "He's dying and it's all your fault." Izuka reaches back to his desk and takes up an apple. He rolls it across the floor until it bumps into Omega's knee.
"The fault is all yours, thief." Izuka mocks her. He turns to omega. "Eat." "Omega casts a puzzled look to the green apple and another to Micaiah. He casts a bewildered glance to his master. He seems to think its all some kind of sick trick. Slowly he pulls away from Micaiah's touch and takes the fruit in his weak hands. Slouching deeply he drags his feet across the room to sit by himself. Izuka turns back to her with a satisfied gleam in his wicked eyes. "That ought to shut you up. Now, where's my book?" He directs the question in Micaiah's direction.
"As if I would know. Perhaps you're going senile." She crosses her arms defiantly and turns her nose up in the air. From the corner of her eye she can see the old man's fingers grip his cane in a tight bundle.
"Master, she told me it was with the Laguz Ranulf."
"I doubt that's true. She knows as well as I the importance of that text. Doubtless it's no longer with him." To her surprise he doesn't press any further he simply returns to his desk and sits. From this moment forward not a word is spoken. The only sounds in the room are the constant scratches of Izuka's quill, the rattling of chains in the corner, and the disturbing sound of Izuka muttering under his breath.
The only thing in this dreadful place that has managed to interest her is the man in the cell across from hers. So far he has done nothing but stare at her through dreary eyes. Whether he is beorc or laguz she cannot tell in this light. Perhaps he, too, has become one of Izuka's slaves.
Izuka sets down his quill for the first time in hours. Whatever he's been trying to record seems to have left him. "Useless…" He slams the cover of the journal and thrusts the book aside. "All of it." Micaiah has taken to ignoring his muttering. She folds her arms in front of her and sighs. Out of the corner of her eye she can see Omega sitting against the north wall. He's been watching her intently. She blinks when the journal lands with a harsh slap at Ike's feet. He doesn't seem to notice. Izuka has been trying to remember the formulas of his previous journal for some time. It seems he's grown tired of it. "Omega." He beckons. Omega stands quickly and approaches his master. Izuka produces a dagger and he places it in Omega's hand as his servant waits for instructions. Izuka walks the few steps to stand in front of her cell. "I've had my fill of these games. Now, tell me, where is the book?"
"What book?"
"Don't act so innocent." He spits. "THE book. The one you stole from my lab assuming I, Izuka, would never notice. And you've taken it again. Haven't you? Where have you hidden it?"
"I have no idea what you're-"
"Omega, come." Omega stands beside him, holding the dagger in his hand.
"I'm not afraid of you."
"But you worry for him." He gestures to his pet and smiles like a snake. It is now that Omega raises the gagger to the bare flesh of his arm and waits. Micaiah's eyes go wide as the gravity of the situation hits her. In a moment of fear she finds clarity remembers that he is no longer Ike.
"What do you take me for? I know Ike is gone." Izuka only sneers at her.
"Omega," Izuka hums. "Tell us. What do you think of me?" Omega's face falters and he looks at his master with a look of shock.
"I…" His expression turns dark. "I think you're nothing but a monster."
"Tell me more." Izuka cackles. He's thoroughly enjoying the look of horror on Micaiah's face.
" All you think about is power. Power to help you get more power. You've hurt so many people. You've ruined so many lives. You sicken me."
"That's enough." Omega goes back to being silent. Izuka pats him on the head in a degrading matter. With a wave of his hand he gestures to his puppet as if displaying him for Micaiah to view. "You see, child? He's very much aware of you and I. Don't you want to end it? Think of it…His mind trapped forever in a body he has no power over. How you must feel for him. To never truly live again… The book can end it. We'll let the last bit of him go free. Release his poor pathetic soul. I'll just keep the remains. Creatures like him…they don't need memories or emotions to gnaw away them." He folds his fingers in front of him and looks at her with a great deal of seriousness. "Now, the book, if you please. Or if you like…I can have him remove a few fingers." He taps his cane of the stone floor. "Whichever you choose."
Micaiah's mind races. He's lying about Ike being free. Whatever this madness is that has taken a hold of Ike will simply consume him in the end. What can I do? There could be a chance he's telling the truth But… no. as of right now he knows what's going on. I can't cause him any further pain. Forgive me…
"The book is with the hawk king." The words escape her in a single string. She bows her head in shame.
"If you're lying…" He warns.
"I'm not."
Of course…and where is he, now?"
"They should be passing through Salmo as we speak."
"That was simple enough." He chuckles to himself.
"You have what you want. Now, let me leave."
"I'm afraid you've misunderstood. You'll be staying here indefinitely."
"What?" She's hardly surprised but still…
"Isn't it obvious? The goddess sent her judgment upon us and all that remain are those worthy of becoming mine. Imagine it. Only the best. And you are one of them. My suspicions have been confirmed." He points an accusatory finger in her direction. "You're branded. I've never had the joy of using a branded in my work. Imagine it. An entirely new species."
"I won't let you."
"You have no choice…but don't fret. At lease the two of you will be together for always. That's all you've ever cared about. Wheee heee! Am I right? You people and your delusions of friendship. What is Love except for a childish delusion?" What he does next, he does simply to increase her misery. "Omega, say your goodbyes and join me outside." He hobbles slowly from the room but is quick to toss a satisfied sneer in her direction. She watches him go with nothing but the deepest sense of repulsion.
"Micaiah." She freezes when she hears Ike say her name. Not Omega. It's Ike. She just knows it is. He doesn't speak like Omega. None of that anger is there. He says it softly and in a beseeching tone. It's nothing Omega could ever produce.
"Ike." She turns to him and looks him over cautiously. "This…this wasn't what I had planned. All I wanted was to save you." He nods and approaches the cell door but stops just inches from the bars. It feels so strange. When he first met her, he had been the one in the cage and now their places have switched. Of course one could argue that Ike had never left his. He had simply traded one prison for another.
"I have no right to speak to you." He rubs at his face and tries to clear the muddled thoughts from his mind. He isn't even sure which ones are his and which belong to Omega. "After all that's happened…I've ruined all our chances of reaching the tower." She's sure of it now. She's never blamed Ike for any of this. It was never his fault to begin with. Whatever urge she's had to tear into him have left and been replaced by a deep sense of pity.
"We're still here. Aren't we? There's still time." She doesn't believe her words either.
"Not for me…I want to apologize for everything I've done…and everything I'm going to do."
"I thought I could save you. That's why I didn't keep my promise. I'm sorry"
"I know. Maybe… it will be like going to sleep" He presses his face against the bars and feels the cold steel against his flesh. Feeling a sensation other than pain is almost foreign to him. "What are you most afraid of?"
"I don't know." She lies. He looks disappointed by her answer. "Okay. Honestly, at the moment, what I'm most afraid of," She looks at him with tearing eyes. "Is you." He doesn't look at all surprised. He simply looks satisfied.
"It's funny. That's my biggest fear, too. And I don't want you to be like me. I tried to warn you."
"Warn me?"
"When we first met. Remember? I told you. I know I told you." She thinks he's slipping from rationality again until her eyes widen and she suddenly remembers.
"You did. You said he wanted me, too. I was just too blind to realize what you were trying to tell me."
"It doesn't matter. We'll all be together again in the end." She doesn't know what he means by "the end" but thinking about it makes her feel ill. He reaches a hand out to her and she places hers within it. "One way or another." His fingers slip slowly from hers and she does her best to hold onto the moment before his touch is gone. He casts a sorrowful gaze as he backs away before racing out of the room. Micaiah feels a lump in her throat tighten and clenches her fingers. She can't help her friend. Until this point she's only made it worse.
DIVISION
Sometime in the late of the night, a figure ceases their run and examines whatever trail they've been following. Crouching down they view the prints of a horse. The prints are fairly new but have been almost destroyed by the many boot prints covering them. It would appear he isn't the only one perusing them. With a swipe of his hand he removes the hood of his cloak and revels himself to the world as Sothe.
All throughout the day, he's been reflecting on his situation. He feels guilty for lying to Nolan but at the same time he's disappointed in his old friend. Nolan's choice to not search for Micaiah had seemed heartless. Of course after all this time to himself he's had had plenty to think over. Nolan had been right in some ways. The trek alone had exhausted him. Now if he had traveled all this way with his group he would have been able to stop and rest without having to constantly watch his back. But Micaiah may not have the time to sit and wait. He did what he had to do.
He nearly jumps out of his skin when someone speaks his name. He whirls around and peers into the dark. His trained sight sees the form of a man standing no more than twenty feet from him. Despite his ability he still can't make out the man's face.
"Hi Sothe." Ike's familiar yet twisted voice greets him. He almost sounds normal. But something is off. It's the something he should have noticed back at the inn; the something that took Micaiah from him. Sothe's blood runs cold when he hears it. He had known it would come to this but he never expected it to be so soon. Omega makes to step closer but Sothe quickly takes the defensive.
"Not one more step." He threatens as he draws his blade. "I swear I'll run you through." Omega places a hand to his chest and feigns hurt.
"Is that any way to talk to a friend?"
"Don't. push. me." He gives each word equal purpose and prepares to strike. Even now his eyes are searching the nearby shadows for any sign of where Omega has hidden Micaiah.
"How are you going to live with yourself? Are you really so heartless you would kill one of the few people you ever trusted?" Omega smirks. "I thought we were friends." The words drip from his mouth like venom and only enrage Sothe further.
"You killed him. Not me." Sothe grits his teeth. "Tell me what you did with Micaiah."
"No." Omega laughs and drops into a fighting stance.
"It's your move, faker." In the flurry of movement and the blinding rage Sothe was unable to predict what came next.