Dawn of Destiny
Authors Note: Not sure what I want to say right now. I guess I'll discuss the issue of quote unquote "rivals" for my OC for the various FE girls he tends to run across. Suffice to say this is still a Jill X OC fic so other girls are really just distractions and plot twists. And really he already has a rival but he hasn't been introduced yet so don't worry about it. Also thank you IsantheWizard and SunLord89 for your new reviews I appreciate it. Also just saying I was also looking for reviews from Angel of Darkness and TheSilverHairedMaiden; but didn't get any which made me sad. If you two are still out there I really appreciate your reviews and miss you XD. Well I got that taken care of so I'll finish up and get back to the main event.
Chapter 14: Life Returns to Serenes
(James POV)
Swiftly; yet silently our group marched through the Serenes Forest. Searching for Ike and the rest of the group we scoured the forest full of dead trees; twisted gnarled stumps and bark burned black by fire and some tragedy that took place here before I was born. I really didn't know anything about this forest or why it would be like this so I turned to the person closest figuring to ask them.
"Hey Marcia; why is the forest like dead like this to begin with?"
"You don't know? Crackers; have you been living under a rock or something?"
"Obviously not but I'm not from Begnion so I wouldn't know. So what happened here?"
"Well; first off this is where the Heron tribe laguz used to live."
"Ah so that's why that heron we're looking for came here."
"Maybe but anyways twenty years ago the Apostle of Begnion…Ack turnips I forgot her name. Anyways; rumor got spread around that the herons had done the evil deed. Looking back it made no sense because Herons don't even fight and don't use weapons. But back then the whole of Begnion was wracked with grief and the citizenry didn't think clearly and they actually thought that the herons had assassinated the apostle. So a few days after the assassination a mob gathered and torched the forest and killed every heron in sight; I've heard that only three or so escaped the massacre. So that's what happened and the forest has been like this ever since though the rumor obviously was proven false. And for the last twenty years Begnion citizens that can remember have been troubled by guilt and constantly ask Ashera for forgiveness on their crime. That's all that I know."
Wow; I never would have thought it'd be something that serious. I thought maybe the forest was hit by lightening or some natural disaster; guess not.
"I really don't know what to say; that's quite the story Marcia."
"Yeah sometimes when I think about it; I think that it's surreal and that it's not as bad as it really was; but that's just because I don't remember it."
"Well I'm glad you don't remember that because that's not something a cute girl like you should have on her conscience."
"Well thank you handsome; I'll remember you think so."
I turned to reply but I saw Mordecai running up to us.
"What's the matter Mordecai?"
"We're close I think…Mordecai smells weapons and I can hear clashing."
"Thanks Mordecai; lead the way and we'll follow."
Mordecai then transformed into his tiger form and took off with the rest of our group racing after him. We caught up with Mordecai after about 5 minutes. He had stopped by the last row of trees into a swampy clearing and pointed. Duke Tanas' soldiers were on the left side and the Duke's soldiers were on the right side of the clearing. The enemy soldiers were marching across to engage Ike and the rest while they seemed to be on the defensive. I looked and saw that Ike was carrying something on his back; it was tall and white and I thought I saw wings.
"Is that the heron we're looking for that Ike has on his back Mordecai?"
"I can't tell for sure but I think the one Ike's carrying is a girl and we found a boy at the mansion."
"So it's a different one."
Ike and the rest are outnumbered; I need to think of a plan and fast.
An idea formed in my head and I turned to everyone else.
"Ok guys wait until the Duke's soldiers actually make contact with Ike and the rest once they do that they'll be focused on them and then we can cut them down from behind. Marcia; myself, Boyd, Mordecai, Gatrie will lead the charge. Volke you and Sothe come right behind us. Mist stay in the rear; and Rolf can you and Astrid be accurate from this distance if you stay hidden here?"
"I can promise I won't hit anyone on our side."
"Ok thanks Rolf you'll do that then. Marcia when they start fighting Ike and everyone else give us the order and we'll attack."
"Ok James; I'll go with that."
We held our breaths as we waited as the soldiers of Duke Tanas made their way towards our company. The enemy had about 40 foot soldiers and myrmidons; about 25 soldiers on horseback; and 20 archers and mages so Ike was vastly outgunned at the moment. Also about 5 priests were in the back lines of the soldiers as they advanced.
"New plan for you Volke, Sothe; you guys take care of the priests as soon as you can so they can't heal the enemy. Ok; everyone ready?"
Everyone nodded showing that they were; the enemies front line had met up with Ike and the others and the clashes of steel on steel could be heard. I nodded to Marcia waiting for her order.
"Ok let's get them."
With that we drew our weapons and with Marcia leading on her Pegasus we charged out of the forest coming up on the Duke's soldiers from behind. I impaled an archer has he was readying his bow; both steel swords coming out his chest.
That's one.
I drew them back and kicked the archer's body off my blades. I then saw a fire mage; hand out chanting an incantation. One slash of my right sword and his hand was on the ground; severed from his body and my left sword caught him in the side of the throat; and decapitated him.
That's two down.
Another mage heard the noise and turned his head and saw us.
"We're surrounded!"
His warning to the others turned into a muted gurgle as a javelin from Marcia ended his life. However the soldiers near him had heard and turned around to face us. A myrmidon came at me with an iron sword; slashing at my arm.
Really? You won't even be a challenge.
I dodged his blade easily; not even bothering to parry. Stepping forward I swept my left sword up slowly; deliberately leaving myself open. He sprang at me seeing his opportunity and stopped as my right sword came under my left arm and tore his chest open. The myrmidon's mouth opened in a wordless shriek of pain and fell to the ground lifeless.
Too easy.
Two more myrmidons came at me in tandem. One on my right and the other on my left; they both swung at the same time. I parried both of them for a second and then disengaged my right sword and swept towards the myrmidon on my left; slicing into his ankle. He dropped to one knee as I ducked the blade of the other myrmidon as he came sweeping at my head. I swung wildly at that myrmidon forcing him to stumble back and I stabbed the one halfway on the ground in the chest before he could block my blade. That myrmidon crumpled to the ground dead.
And then there was one.
The last myrmidon charged at me his sword arching for my head. I parried with my left about a foot from my head and severed his sword hand with my right. He fell to his knees in pain clutching his handless arm and trying futilely to stop the flow of blood from the wound. I stepped up to him and slashed his chest across with both swords. He totally collapsed to the ground; and would never rise again. By now the combined forces of Ike's group and ours had decimated the enemy soldiers and there were none left. I paused to catch my breath and see if everyone was alright. Luckily it seemed we had suffered no major casualties though some people had small scrapes and cuts. Rhys and Mist went about the two groups healing what they could. In the meantime; Ike and Soren met with Marcia and I so we could give our report.
"Well James; Marcia we thought that your group was only going to be reserves if needed and we'd signal if we ran into trouble."
Sheesh Soren; we basically saved you and you tirade us for not following orders? Man he needs to relax and not be such a stuck up know-it-all.
"It's my fault Soren; Ike."
Marcia seemed ready to accept the blame.
"We knew that; however we were attacked by soldiers of Duke Tanas and barely fended them off; and since they knew we were divided, I decided that we should join up just so neither group was picked off without the other's knowledge."
Sorry Marcia but I'm not going to let you go down by yourself.
"It's not all Marcia's fault either. I'm the one who suggested the idea of joining with you guys right away."
"Well I agreed to your idea and besides I'd be dead without your help."
"Ok James; Marcia; it's nice that you two are willing to shield each other but you still didn't follow orders. Granted your logic was sound but orders are there for a reason. Without orders people die and you can't just do whatever you want on the battlefield. Ike; should we punish them for insubordination?"
"Well first off lay off them a little ok Soren. They did a good job; we'll just have you two clean up dinner by yourselves for the next week for the company. However we appreciate the report; but anyways we should start moving. Duke Tanas can't be far and I want to end that fat sack of crap."
"Ah yes; Ike, who's your friend that you were carrying around, it's not the heron we're looking for is it?"
"No, it's actually another Heron; except this one's a female."
"Really! That's great that there's another one." Marcia was excited by that.
Then Ike clarified what happened.
"Yeah she appeared out of nowhere and fainted when she saw us. I think she was afraid but we couldn't understand her. Anyways after she fainted; Duke Tanas appeared; saw her and realized it was a different heron. So he ordered the soldiers that attacked us to bring him that heron while the rest of his forces searched for the other one."
"I see; we should get going though if that's the case because we don't want that guy getting his bulky, fat hands on that heron."
Ike got everyone's attention so he could give orders.
"Ok everyone we continue to look for the other Heron; the entire group will form up and continue the search. Also if we run into Duke Tanas forces we engage and stop them from finding the other heron. Greil Mercenaries move out!"
We began marching and continued our search for the missing heron. As we were walking through Serenes Forest; I was busy thinking about all that had happened lately. One thought that kept my thoughts was what had transpired between Marcia and me lately.
Really I'm not sure if I'm going to pursue this or not. Seriously I don't know how I end up with all the attention that I do. I don't try to flirt with them shamelessly and I don't take advantage of them. So why do these girls all end up attracted to me anyways.
A tap on the shoulder brought me to reality. Well I say a tap but in reality it was a solid punch that stung; and I didn't even have to turn around to know who it was.
"Goddamn it Jill, that hurt you know."
"How'd you know it was me?" Jill asked in the cocky tone of hers.
"You're the only person who hits me on a regular basis and I've felt enough of your punches to know how hard you hit."
"That so? Maybe I should try punching harder then."
"Well what do you want anyways my cute little guard?"
"Don't call me that!"
This time the punch was aimed at my stomach; though I had anticipated that and the blow glanced off my hardened abdomen as I sucked in before the punch landed.
"Ha that didn't hurt!"
Unfortunately I didn't think she'd try again and this time my stomach was flat and squishy; and the wind was knocked out of me when the fist connected.
"You don't learn do you James?"
I struggled to catch my breath and talk.
"Nope I can't say that I do."
"Anyways we all heard how cozy you and Marcia have been getting so are you going to do anything about it."
"Well I don't know Jill but why do you care?"
"Is it not obvious? I want to know if you two are going to start dating so I can offer her my condolences and tell her she could do better."
"Haha I'd say very funny but obviously you're taking this very serious so I know you're not kidding."
"Of course; when am I not serious?"
"Good point; it shows that you're always uptight and you need to loosen up and have fun once in a while."
"What the hell is that supposed to mean! Ah forget it I'm done talking to you."
Jill left in a huff and walked away angrily.
Whoa…someone needs anger management issues. But it's true she does need to relax more. Granted it's just my opinion but at the same time she does need to.
"Ike I see enemy soldiers ahead." Marcia had been flying on her Pegasus and was reporting what she was seeing to Ike.
"It's definitely the Duke's soldiers and he has a lot of them."
"Everyone form up and prepare for combat!"
Ike's orders got everyone checking to make sure they were ready. I made sure my swords were all in their sheaths and good to go. Duke Tanas' soldiers had seen us and were slowly marching towards us in formation with the fat duke himself at the head. When only about 100 yards separated us from them; they stopped. Apparently Duke Tanas wanted to say something.
"Mercenaries of the Apostle; you are hopelessly outnumbered and severely lack in skill compared to my battle-hardened forces. Lay down your weapons and hand over the heron and leave and I will let you live."
"Sorry Duke Tanas but we cannot do that." Ike was speaking and he still had the unconscious heron on his back.
"I under the authority of the apostle order you to surrender and put yourself at our mercy or we will fight and win."
"What? You think you can win; you who is too barbaric and stupid to know beauty. I Duke Tanas will end your ugly lives if only because only I can appreciate the living art of that heron. Soldiers bring me that heron; kill everyone else."
We braced for the enemy soldiers to charge at us but they walked at a slow pace.
Why are they taking their time getting to us; what are they planning.
Then I saw a mage near the back of their lines and he was chanting a spell. All of a sudden a great meteor of flame came from the mage and flew towards our lines.
"Ike that mage knows meteor and we don't have any long range spells to counter it."
Soren was actually worried as we scattered to avoid the first meteor but the mage kept firing meteors and we were being separated from each other so the enemy soldiers could overwhelm us easily. As I was running I tripped over a stump and fell to the ground. I looked up to see one of the meteors heading for me and it looked like it might hit me if I didn't run fast enough.
"James; above you, get on!"
I looked and saw Marcia flying right above me on her Pegasus. Marcia flew lower and I was able to jump and grab hold and pull myself up. Then both Marcia and I were flying on her Pegasus as the meteor hit the ground where I had been and burst into flames.
Too close; we have to get rid of him or we're going to lose this battle.
"Marcia head towards that mage we need to get rid of him."
"Whatever you say handsome."
Marcia wheeled her Pegasus around and we started flying towards the mage with meteor. The enemy saw this however and their archers let loose a volley of arrows as we came in range. Also Duke Tanas also had a couple of Pegasus knights and they flew up to engage us.
"Ok Marcia just get as close as you can and I'll jump off and kill that mage."
"How are you going to get out of there alive?"
"Don't worry about that; when I get off just head back and tell Ike to rush forward."
Sorry Marcia and everyone I probably won't survive but everyone else has to live.
I drew the two steel swords at my waist and jumped down. I hit the ground and rolled to my feet; and started running towards the meteor mage in a zigzag motion. The mage was still busy firing meteors to notice me but the other mages did. They started throwing fireballs at me and it took all my energy to just dodge as I tried to get closer. A couple came close and one singed my tunic but I pressed onward. I leapt forward at the group of five mages swords ready. I stabbed the one closest to me in the chest killing him. I whirled and ducked a fireball aimed at my head and cut down another mage; my sword slitting his throat. The next mage apparently wanted nothing of me and tried to run but I caught up and stabbed him in the back. I turned to the last two and flinched as an arrow whizzed over my shoulder.
Crap the rest of the army spotted me.
I peeked behind me to see a few archers and a group of ten to twenty soldiers and myrmidons charging at me.
I must get that mage before they get me!
Abandoning reason I charged straight ahead at the remaining two mages. I got to the first one and put both my swords through his abdomen and out his back. I wrenched my swords free; but I wasn't fast enough. An arrow caught me in the back of my left shoulder. I stumbled forward and dropped my left sword; but I refused to go down. I staggered towards the last mage as he was casting another meteor spell. Another arrow pierced my left calf and my leg buckled under me.
NO! I will not give up!
Still staggering I reached the mage and he finally saw me; his eyes growing wide. He tried to defend himself with his hands; but unluckily for him swords beat hands. I sliced off his hand and then stabbed my sword into his chest. Blood spilled out of the cavity where my sword penetrated and I withdrew and turned around. The last thing I saw was the mages meteor spell in midflight just drop and land on the main formation of Duke Tanas army. Then another arrow pierced my chest and I felt it pierce through my flesh.
Marcia, Jill, Ike, everyone…I'm sorry.
Then I pitched forward and even before I hit the ground my vision turned into a white flash and everything went black.
(Marcia's POV)
As James had jumped off I wheeled my Pegasus around and headed back to where we were trying to take cover from the meteors being fired at us. I spotted Ike and shouted to draw his attention as I landed by him.
"Ike; James had me drop him off behind the army and he'll take care of the mage and he said we should charge forward and engage the other soldiers so they can't use meteor without fear of hitting their own troops."
"What was James thinking; what he did is suicidal."
"He said he'd be alright and he was putting us ahead of himself."
"I see…EVERYONE CHARGE AS FAST AS YOU CAN AND ENGAGE THE ENEMY; WHILE THE MAGE IS TAKEN CARE OF!"
The rest of the Greil mercenaries heard Ike and as one we charged Duke Tanas soldiers. As we got closer dodging the meteors I saw the last meteor stop; and then drop down unto some of Duke Tanas soldiers; burning them alive while crushing them.
Yes James must have gotten him.
As I was flying towards the soldiers I saw Jill on her Wyvern.
"Jill guard my back; we have to engage their Pegasus knights."
Jill nodded and we flew in tandem and entered battle with Duke Tanas Pegasus knights. I swung my Pegasus left as we dodged a javelin thrown by one of the Pegasus riders. I grabbed one of my own and threw; it hit their Pegasus embedding in its torso. The Pegasus neighed in pain and fell from the sky and crashed into the ground below. I saw Jill was side by side with another rider; parrying her axe against the riders lance. I flew towards them and I came at the Pegasus rider from above. They looked up right as my slim lance pierced through them and they fell; dead off their Pegasus. There was one more left and me and Jill flew and flanked it. I thrust my lance only to have them parry and then they dived below; avoiding Jill's axe. Jill and I dived to pursue as one of our arrows found it's mark in the rider and ended their life. Jill flew over to me as we dodged some arrows that the few enemy archers remaining shot at us. We could both tell our mounts were tired so we landed behind the rest of the mercenaries. As quickly as possible we tied our mounts to the tree that was there and then we rushed on foot to help everyone else in the fight. As we got there I saw what looked to be three hawk laguz burst out of the trees to my left and started attacking the Duke's soldiers along with us. I thought I also glimpsed a flash of white from there as well but I didn't see for sure.
"Crackers; let's help finish this Jill."
"I'm right behind you Marcia."
That's the good thing about being the only flying units in Ike's company. Jill and I had done a lot of bonding in battle and we always worked together because we needed to do that to ensure we both survive. Relying on your allies; especially in air battles is important because you have someone who can make sure someone doesn't swoop down behind you and kill you before you know they're flying right there. I had my lance in my left hand and I took a couple javelins out of the quiver on my back and started to throw them at the enemy; wounding a myrmidon that had been battling Mia; and a Paladin that was fighting Oscar. Both Mia and Oscar took advantage of that and finished off those soldiers. I then swung my lance at another soldier who blocked with his lance. I swung again and again he parried but I threw myself to the left and forced his lance with mine to his right so he was open when Jill came with her axe and took his head off before he could react. I saw an archer notch an arrow ready to fire at Jill; and I threw another javelin; hitting his hand and that forced him to drop his bow. Jill saw that and threw a hand axe that spun through the air and embedded itself in the archer's chest and he dropped a dead man. By now the enemy was significantly smaller and we now had the numbers advantage. Looking ahead I saw that Titania and Stefan had engaged the Halberdiers guarding Duke Oliver of Tanas. Duke Tanas looked frightened as he tried using his light magic to hit Titania and Stefan but they were dodging it. I then saw Mia run up and before the duke could stop her she embedded his sword into his thick, stomach. I heard him scream in agony and then he fell to the ground with a thud.
"They got the Duke!"
Panic seized the Duke's soldiers when they saw their duke down and they tried disengaging and fleeing. Boyd, Kieran and Gatrie tried running after them but Ike stopped them.
"Let them go; the battle is over."
We all gathered in the area; Mist and Rhys as usual making sure everyone was ok and it looked like no one was severely wounded. But then remembered; and I felt myself go numb.
Wait…where's James; I don't see him anywhere.
I started getting frantic.
"Hey does anyone know where James is?"
Silence fell upon the whole group as it was clear he wasn't among us. Soren quickly took charge of the matter.
"Marcia you and Jill get on your flying units and scout from the air. Titania, Kieran, Makalov go on horseback. Carry Rhys as well. Oscar; go find the apostle along with Tanith and Sigrun and bring them here."
Jill and I ran to our mounts which were still where we'd left them. I had my Pegasus untied in record speed and within seconds I was flying through the air.
Come on James; where are you; please be alright. I flew over the battlefield; the ground stained red as the corpses of the enemy littered the ground. I searched swiftly looking still holding out hope that James was fine. I had passed an area that seemed to have a bunch of dead mages. I wheeled around the area again and saw a body there not in mage garb. Three arrows were sticking out of the body; and with dread forming in my stomach I recognized the blond hair and tunic. At that point I totally lost it and shouted to the heavens. "NO!"
(Jill's POV)
The scream from Marcia seemed to confirm what everyone thought. I guided my wyvern to where Marcia was; she had already landed and had found James body. She was checking for a pulse but she didn't appear to find it. She wailed in anguish and as much a soldier as I was I found tears starting to form as well.
Damn it; I'm not supposed to cry; besides James was just another soldier like me.
But tears still trickled down my face as I remembered how James and I had interacted. I don't even know what our relationship was. The best way to describe it would be 'friends who hate one another'; and that was putting it nicely. The others involved in the search on horseback and reached Marcia by the time I jumped down from my Wyvern and ran over. Rhys was now checking for any vital signs. As I got closer though he shook his head dropped. That was when I knew that James was dead. We just stood around the body in silence; not knowing what to do, but Titania decided to speak up.
"We should bring the body back; so at least he can have a proper burial."
Everyone else agreed. Marcia was adamant on taking back the body herself but it was decided that Kieran would bring it back since his horse had the most room. We marched in somber quiet as we slowly made our way back to everyone else. Ike appeared to be conversing with some laguz and the apostle who had arrived with Tanith, Sigrun and Princess Elincia as well. The laguz looked like the people who had helped us in the fight. Three appeared to be hawks while the fourth when we got closer I could see that they were the heron we'd be looking for. And right beside him was the other heron whom we had found and Ike had rescued. Ike noticed us approaching and took the direct approach.
"Did you find him?"
Marcia couldn't even speak right now and I had a lump in my throat as well so it was Titania who answered.
"Yes we did; and I'm sorry Ike he's gone."
Ike looked stunned; I guess he'd never take into the fact that James would be dead. Everyone else seemed shocked as well.
"Damn…I can't believe the kid didn't make it. That really sucks hardcore."
Typical response from Boyd. I'm surprised with his limited brains that he even figured that out.
Kieran got off his horse and grabbed the body off the back of the horse and laid the body in front of Ike. It appeared that Ike was about to speak to mourn the fact that James was dead when the female heron started chirping in an incomprehensible language as was starting to get excited.
"What's with her?" Ike asked the other laguz.
The male heron spoke to the female in the weird language again before turning to Ike.
"Leanne says that while the wounds are critical; that person isn't dead yet."
James isn't dead yet?
Hope surged through me and the rest of the group and even Marcia lifted her head to listen. "He's not dead yet but will be soon and is currently too badly injured for your heal staffs however; Leanne and I; since we are grateful that you saved us and such we have already forgiven the apostle and Begnion for what they did to us twenty years ago though I do it more for Leanne than for myself. However we would like to perform a ceremony at the altar in the forest and all are invited to attend. Also bring the body as we may be able to save him."
After the heron said that we all followed them swiftly deeper into the forest and there came upon an old altar sticking above the ground. The herons went on top of the altar one on each side and turned to us.
"Put the body in front of the altar and have your healer have his heal staff healing. Our song or Galdr as it's called will increase the power of the staff as well as perform what we came to do as well." Then turning to each other the herons nodded to one another and then began to sing.
"imisanakikeganonawot
orokokumorodametemotowikot
uaerufetotetiarahowimay
oditiuomami"
As they sang words that I hadn't been thinking of starting flowing into my head and I said these words to myself as the herons continued to sing.
"Endless grief and sorrow.
Hearts slumbering again,
Stars frozen in their place:
Darkness envelopes the land.
But in the spilling of blood,
a hope still glimmers dim.
in a reflection in the water.
in a whisper in the wind.
Gather your courage.
It will break the bonds of night.
take wing, and dance upon the sky.
take wing, and dance upon the sky."
"Ike look up there!"
Mist's shout caused me to glance up and what I saw amazed me and everyone else. The forest started to become alive again. Leaves; rich and green grew on the trees, flowers blossomed on the ground. The damage wrought on this place twenty years ago was becoming undone right before our eyes! Soon the entire forest was healed and living once more.
"The order of the forest…has returned."
Ike said those words aloud in wonder as we gazed in awe at what happened.
"Ike!"
A shout from Rhys made everyone turn their attention to where he was healing James. James body stirred; and his eyes opened.
(James POV)
I had thought that I was dead and that I would never see Marcia, Jill or anyone again. Darkness had claimed me and I'd thought that I would never open my eyes again. What felt like a second after I'd thought I'd died. My body felt weird; like a great unknown power was doing something to it and my body started tingling. I was semi-awake now and I could feel my wounds closing and healing without even a scar left behind.
What the heck is going on? How am I healing so fast.
Then I opened my eyes and "What the heck; the forest is back."
Even lying on my back I could see green and other vibrant colors as a forest once thought dead had apparently come back to life here.
Ok now I really must be dead.
However the sound of people cheering brought me back to the fact that no I wasn't dead and I was truly alive again.
How is this possible?
I looked and saw Rhys with his heal staff over me; so he must have been healing me. My body felt totally fine and healed so I raised myself up and tried to get to my feet.
"Whoa James, slow down; you're probably not fully healed yet."
Rhys was worried about my condition yet.
"I'm fine Rhys; really…I'm totally healed and I'm in perfect health right now."
I got to my feet and saw we were at some sort of altar and two herons were there. One was the one that Ike had been protecting and I recognized the other as the one we'd been looking for. I then turned to the others but was stopped when a flash of pink hair rushed at me and embraced me; stopping me dead in my tracks. I looked and saw Marcia; tears of joy streaming down her face.
"Hey Marcia; I'm fine really; there's no need to cry."
She looked up at me. "Idiot; what were you thinking. You almost died and we..I almost lost you. Don't ever do something stupid like that ever again you hear me?"
"Ok Marcia; I'll never do something stupid like that again. I promise to never leave you like that again."
"You promise?"
"I do." I would need to be filled in on all that had happened since my apparent death and resurrection but for now. The only thing on my mind was embracing Marcia and how close I'd come to losing her; and we embraced for a long time; as life not only came back to me; it came back to the Serenes Forest as well.
Authors note: Finally! By far my longest chapter and with the most words. YAY…though I do have to apologize a bit again to you guys. I could have finished this sooner but I didn't have writers block or anything. I just plain procrastinated on it for too long. So forgive me for keeping you waiting. Keep reading and reviewing and I hope to get another chapter out soon.
p.s. the song in this chapter from the game is in my opinion the 2nd greatest song in video game history; it's only topped by the Aria de Mezzo Carraterre from FFVI...I have both songs on my laptop and listen to the frequently and I think you should do the same...also I topped 6000 words with this chapter...AWESOME!