I was putting off saying anything because...well because but I'm not too fond with a lot of the design choices made for Fire Emblem Fates. I mean above all what reason are we getting children back? I liked it in Awakening it had story purpose but...do we absolutely NEED time travel again or is it something even more arbitrary? Not to mention the loons getting off on the marriage system again, you guys have your priorities straight.

I don't know, it bugs me (emphasis on ME), still gonna get the game, or one version of it (haha that is something I'll never live down) hopefully all the positives outweigh my opinions on the negatives / unnecessary things I feel it currently has and again all these things are very personal issues and they come from well a slightly dumb place I feel. It's nothing inherently bad but eh...

As of now I'm far more excited for Genei Ibun Roku #FE...and of course Xenoblade Chronicles X (DECEMBER! DECEMBER!) ps did you hear the English voice acting at E3? Don't know why I was so concerned, sounds great! Better than i imagined!

On an actual story note, Hitenticul is moving well enough along. After Thyremog ends I "might" wait a day or two before starting Hitenticul. Every time I tell myself to hold off on uploading chapters though I wind up uploading three anyway *shrug*

Chapter 13 – Blood and Fire

At Sea

Calling on the powerful torrents of Arcwind Soren blasted three more soldiers off the ship before turning and striking another soldier, however this time the gale was only enough to push him back a bit. Mia leapt in and cut the man down.

Moving near Soren, keeping her blade pointed at the enemies she asked "Are you alright?"

"Apparently not…"

The soldiers moved in and Mia ran out to meet them, keeping a good gap between them and Soren.

The sage clenched his fists, he was still tired and Mia was fighting alone. "Damn it…I can't…I can't protect her alone like this…"

Barbyos laughed as he pushed Zihark's blade away, standing still as Zihark moved in again. Weapon knocked away he stumbled and fell. Barbyos gestured to the other soldiers to laugh and they did.

"This is what you wanted?"

Standing, Zihark roared and swung again, Barbyos stepped aside "Really?" Moving back and away from each swing he laughed before catching Zihark's arm and ramming his knee into the man's stomach, twisting his arm about he flipped him over and slammed him onto the deck.

Walking a few feet away he sighed "Let me know when you actually start trying alright?"

Standing Zihark spat before gripping his Killing Edge "I'll never stop trying."

Barbyos nodded "Good. This will be a fun game until we reach wherever we're declaring war on first."

Thyremog Palace

Neteau struck Oogram in the back, knocking him down before attempting to impale him. Rolling to his feet the man brought up his blade and launched himself at the older man.

"You can't keep up Neteau! The years have slowed you!"

"I'm not dead yet!"

Uhnie landed near Lytros, throwing knives into two approaching guards, leaving them open for Gatrie and Edal to kill.

"We have to get out of here!"

"Uhnie, you're still on my pay! Jilger! Hilt! Find them! Kill them!"

"Sir, I-"

"We can't let them drag Thyremog to hell, this is the country we're talking about we are far beyond me!"

Looking back she spotted Ike easily handling Tol and Neteau pushing Edal back as well as Gatrie and Rolf doing battle with the horde of Gren Haus soldiers.

"Are you sure?"

"Of course. I have far more protection here…Yatno, where are they, can you feel them?"

Yatno closed his eyes "They are…heading due east to the south end of Sil Tem's border…there is an inlet there probably with a ship. Get is most likely with them as well."

Uhnie nodded and took off.

"You stupid foreigners! Why did you have to step in this!?" Tol screamed as his blade bounced helplessly away from Alondite, moving back Ragnell barely cut into his chest plate.

"We didn't come out here to met out justice…we came to make peace."

Tol spat "You are interfering with matters that don't involve you!"

Moving forward the blade met Alondite again, sparking "Why!?"

"Because you have to be the worst group of conspirators I've ever met!"

Swinging his blades, Ike disarmed Tol, then swung back around and cut his right hand off. Screaming the man fell back, gripping a strewn about blade with his left hand.

Aiming it awkwardly at Ike "You're goal is impressive. Ambitious. But the fact that those in charge, Barbyos, Jilger and Hilt couldn't hold it in until after we left…that is the one mistake you made. We didn't come to Thyremog to stay here indefinitely and definitely not to play politics…instead of letting your situation cool you all accelerated it. You were doomed to fail."

Raising his blade weakly, Tol was cut off as Ike pierced a lung with his blade, forcing the man to the floor. Blood poured out of his mouth as Ike ripped his weapon out.

"Get them!" Turning Ike noted two dozen more Gren Haus Soldiers pouring into the Throne Room. Edal, Gatrie and Rolf surged forward to meet them.

Looking back he spotted Neteau and Oogram dueling but Uhnie was nowhere in sight.

"Titania!" the woman just entered the room, swinging her mighty Silver Poleax, taking a man's head with it before spinning around and ramming it into a man's stomach. Pulling her weapon out he fell over before she turned "Ike."

"Can you handle this, I've got somewhere to go."

"Are you sure?"

"We have to cut off the heads."

Smirking the Gold Knight nodded "Very well, I'll take care of this."

Outside the Palace, Shinon nailed another traitor before seeing Uhnie shoot out into the wild "Now where are you headed." Leaping off the banister he landed and started following her.

At Sea

As the last man fell dead, Mia gripped her arm, blood running down it.

"Lucky shot."

Soren neared her, taking her arm but she pulled away "No…save your energy."

"Mia-"

He then noticed something else, her back, the clothes were tattered and beneath her skin was very badly burned. Putting a hand to it he felt Mia twitch.

"You're fighting like this? When did this happen?"

Touching the burns, Mia twitched "Oh…I didn't even notice that…must be from when that guy set off my Fire Bombs…"

"Didn't notice? Mia! I need to-"

Turning to face him she smiled "Don't worry about it…at least, not yet. We have a job to do."

"You are far too selfless Mia…please let me do this for you."

Shaking her head she continued "Later alright? I'll take care of myself, I promise."

Winking she gestured to the other ships around them. Using his magic, Soren launched several more Fire Bombs, destroying the ships.

"Your promises don't fill me with much certainty anymore."

"I'm sorry."

He wanted to argue but he couldn't, he already said it, she is too selfless.

"We have to go." Before she could ask, Soren put an arm around her waist "Soren?"

Propelling them into the air, they landed on another ship, a bit too roughly. Acting quickly, Soren spun around, unleashing a circular wave that did not harm but pushed, knocking most the crew overboard.

"Have to save my energy…"

"Mia!" Standing she spun her Wo Dao "On it! We still need to find Z! Can't let him fight alone."

Knocking his foot out from beneath him, Zihark fell on his back, Barbyos stomped on his chest, then reeled back and kicked him across the deck.

"What is this? A distraction? For what? We're already out at sea! A fleet at my back, even if you kill me, those ships will continue on, war is happening. Accept it."

Zihark spat blood and stood back up, wiping his face "I'll tell you when it comes down to it…"

Charging Zihark leapt over Barbyos, holding his blade up to meet the axe as it came around. The force knocked him to the ground and acting quickly rolled aside, dodging the steel boot that tore through the flooring.

Standing he swung his blade wide, Barbyos leaned back in time to avoid it before swinging his axe, tearing into the deck as Zihark jumped back. "Now!" Charging in, Zihark ran the bandit through.

Barbyos laughed as he grabbed Zihark's head with his hands and threw the man into the air. Zihark cursed as he felt a hand close around his foot. Laughing Barbyos swung him into the ground, breaking the deck and causing Zihark to feel every bit of the impact through his spine and back.

Pulling his foot out of the deck Barbyos dragged Zihark to him and threw him back against the cabin. Gripping the Killing Edge, he tore it out and threw it aside before retrieving his axe and laughing "You still have some fight in you…to do this with your weaker arm after I thoroughly defeated you the first time…impressive."

Zihark stood slowly as Barbyos spun his axe "Well?"

"I can't keep up…" Zihark could feel how worn out his body was becoming. Reaching into his pocket he turned to face Barbyos with a Fire Bomb. The crew began panicking "I throw this…we all die…"

Barbyos smiled "Oh?"

Thyremog Palace

Taking another strike to the chest, Oogram leaned back. Growling he swung his blade again, clipping Neteau's leg as he leapt back "I won't be out smarted by an old man!"

Swinging his blade again, Neteau avoided the strikes with ease, taking every opportunity to strike the man's arms with the flat of his lance, effectively slowing his swings down even more.

Finally he knocked the oncoming blade away and slice through the man's arm. Grabbing the sword with his other arm, Oogram continued the assault.

"You realize you will die here?"

"No I won't!" Picking up his blade he moved forward only for Neteau to run him through with his spear. As Oogram dropped the sword he gripped the spear's shaft.

Neteau stepped away "All your betrayals…for nothing…"

Pulling the spear out, Oogram struggled to stand. Raising the spear "Die!"

Throwing it, Neteau noted as it flew right over him, panic settled causing him to turn and yell "Lytros!"

The King saw it coming but someone else acted far quicker. Stepping in front of his King, Yatno allowed the spear to impale him.

"Yatno!" The psychic fell over as Neteau turned back to Oogram picking up the discarded blade and slicing the man's head off.

Rolf, Gatrie, Titania, Edal and the reinforcements of Ranulf and Oscar managed to clear out the rest of throne room. The young sniper noted the fallen psychic "In the end, he used his powers for his King."

Gatrie crossed his arms "Never should've doubted him…"

Neteau approached them sighing "The rest of the palace?"

Oscar looked to Ranulf and nodded "We'll take a look but we're pretty sure it's clear."

"Sir."

Neteau shook his head "Its fine Edal…conflict and death come hand in hand…"

Titania looked in the direction Ike left "This isn't over yet."

Gull Tor Outskirts

"Stop right there!"

Uhnie threw several knives, one striking Jilger's leg. As the man stumbled he turned "You!"

"Me?"

Hilt smirked "We knew about you as well."

Yass and Horats looked to her "What do we do?"

Get appeared "Hey! Aren't we leaving?"

Uhnie shook her head "None of you are leaving!"

Charging forward, she barely made out Hilt kicking Yass and Horats to the ground and dropping several Fire Bombs before retreating with Get and the limping Jilger.

She saw the Bombs drop in slow motion and flash, before she could redirect away from them, someone grabbed her and they fell to the dirt as the explosions rang out around them.

"You really shouldn't take off on your own." A voice said before coughing, there was dirt everywhere. Waving his hand in front of her face he spoke "Yo? You there?"

Blinking she nodded "Shinon?"

"Yeah, the dashing hero…so, how bout a kiss?"

Laughing she stood "No time for jokes."

"Hey, you laughed and it wasn't a joke."

"Jilger, Get and Hilt are still out there, can we focus on that?" Dusting herself off she noticed Ike run past the two of them.

"Well he's quick…come on!" With that she continued her pursuit, shaking his head Shinon followed.

"No kiss. No thanks. What is your deal?"

At Sea

Zihark sighed "So? Any last words?"

Barbyos charged at him as Zihark dropped the Bomb. With his full force he slammed into Zihark, pushing the man against the wall, grabbing the bomb out of midair and throwing it over board just as it exploded, knocking the ship off balance.

Barbyos grabbed Zihark's left arm and snapped it, causing the man to cry out and fall to his knees, his limp arm at his side.

"Once again…that was impressive I really didn't think you'd kill yourself."

Zihark glared at him as he raised his axe "Now you die."

At that moment, Zihark smirked, Soren and Mia landed behind Barbyos. Falling to the side, Zihark gave Soren the room to summon a gale and strike the bandit as Mia shot out and cut down the soldiers still standing by.

Rushing to his side, Soren took out his staff and focused on his wounded arm before looking to the broken one "Z…you're a fool."

"I know…I just really wanted another go at him."

Focusing on the power within, Soren put a hand on Zihark's arm, feeling the bones fix themselves. "This time…we do it right…"

Zihark stood, testing his once broken arm "How did you-"

Barbyos tackled Zihark at that point, summoning another gale, Soren pushed him back to Mia who impaled him from behind. Cursing he swung about, she ducked away, her sword still in him.

Zihark rushed in, pulling the Wo Dao out and swinging it to cut through him. Roaring Barbyos turned again and slammed his axe against Zihark's blade.

Mia grabbed Zihark's discarded Killing Edge "I guess we're trading."

"So you can't beat me alone! Fool!"

Zihark smirked "That's not what this was about…I did my best to wound you, slow you down and keep your attention so they could destroy your fleet and we could beat you."

Barbyos growled turning to see dozens of burning husks as Zihark continued "Your axe will never fall to a blade right? Well how about two blades and magic?"

Breaking away, another gale buffeted him, blinding him as Mia dashed by him, cutting his side followed by Zihark stabbing him in the arm, splintering a bone.

Roaring and ignoring their attacks, Barbyos charged forward, slamming into Zihark, throwing the man against the railing. As it broke on impact, Zihark grabbed the edge of the ship to prevent himself from falling into the ocean.

Turning Barbyos noted Mia and rushed her, the woman easily leapt over him. Soren summoned another Arcwind gale and slammed it into Barbyos' side throwing him over.

Skidding across the deck his eyes landed on Soren and he charged the sage. Starting to move, Soren felt something clench inside him, something painful. "Soren!" Mia called as Barbyos swung, missing as Soren threw himself to the ground.

Dashing over Mia slashed Barbyos across the back who turned and struck her along the face with his axe, turning her around before kicking her in the back and to the floor.

Springing onto the deck Zihark charged the evil man as Soren and Mia rolled away. Leaping his blade met the axe again "Die!" Barbyos screamed bringing his knee into Zihark's stomach again.

Reeling back the bandit punched Zihark in the face, breaking his nose and flooring him.

Commanding a series of sharp gales Soren directed them at Barbyos' weapon arm, as they passed over it, deep cuts formed. Winding back he threw his axe at Soren who dove aside. Seeing this Barbyos charged forward and kicked Soren in the chest as he landed, tossing him back several feet.

Mia tried to get him from behind again but he grabbed her hands, swinging her blade into the deck and sticking it there before retrieving his axe. Pulling her weapon out, Mia barely blocked a blow though it resulted in her blade getting torn from her hands. Relying on her agility she flipped across the deck away from the wicked axe's range.

"You are all bugs compared to me!"

Zihark stood and spat blood "Then you are going to fall to bugs."

Barbyos leapt towards Zihark, crashing into the deck, splintering it as the Trueblade shot into the air. Coming down he buried his blade as far as it could go into Barbyos' shoulder.

Seeing red, Barbyos roared, striking Zihark in the face with his axe, causing the man's head to snap back. As the Trueblade reeled in pain Barbyos tackled him to the ground and proceeded to brutally beat Zihark's face in with his bare hands.

Mia picked up a stray blade and ran back towards the bandit, sinking the blade into his back "Let Zihark go!"Stopping his assault he grabbed her face, pulling out a short sword he stabbed her a few times before throwing her body away.

"Mia!" Soren yelled as she hit the deck he felt the force in his stomach renew with unbridled rage, a burning so intense flooded his whole body as he held his hand out towards the bandit leader. A black ball of flames formed and shot across the deck into Barbyos arm.

"What is this…searing sensation…is this…pain?"

Looking at the black flames spreading across his arm, Barbyos screamed in pain and fury for the first time ever and fell back.

Thyremog Shore

"Finally." Jilger stated. "Now-"

Springing out of the trees, Ike tackled Hilt to the ground before swinging Ragnell, an energy wave struck Jilger and Get, flooring them.

Uhnie leapt over Ike and Hilt landing on Get "I'm not done with you yet!"

The bandit tried to strike but missed as she leapt aside "Where's your weapon?"

Cracking his knuckles he charged her "I'm going to rip you apart with my bare hands!"

Standing Hilt cursed "Killing me won't stop this…the fleet is already out there…you'll never catch up to them…"

"You all only cared for yourselves…betraying each other at every turn…nothing you formed was going to last." Ike stated aiming Ragnell at the one armed man.

"You don't know what you're talking about.

Ike gestured behind them "I don't?" Hilt spotted Jilger climbing the rigging, the last ship, his ship was pulling away.

"No!" Roaring he pulled his blade out and swung at Ike.

Meanwhile, Uhnie kicked off Get "Not running this time? I'm impressed!"

"Not until I tear you limb for limb!"

Charging her he gripped her arm, she responded by sinking a knife into it, refusing to let go he swung her about and threw her. Righting herself in midair she landed and charged forward again, leaping over him "Shinon!"

An arrow shot in, splintering the bandit's left kneecap. Screaming he gripped his leg.

"You bitch!"

Landing she turned "What? Did you think this would be fair? Last I checked the ambush was totally unfair!"

Ignoring the searing pain he tried to charge her. Meeting him halfway she jammed two knives into his chest as another arrow shot into his other knee from behind.

Falling to the ground he spat "I'm not…dying here…"

Picking him up she caressed his head "Aww…of course you are…"

With that she twisted his head, as quick as his screams came they were silenced by a loud snap.

Head limping first, Uhnie released the body, allowing it to fall.

Shinon approached "You get very personal with those you kill…"

"Indeed. What do you think?"

"What did I say last time?"

"Hot?"

He smirked "Still applies."

Near them, Ike deflected Hilt's blade "Is this how you fight? Pushing me away? Have you no killer instinct!"

"I'm not trying to kill you! As twisted as you are, you have to face what you've done!"

"Never!"

At Sea

Barbyos laid on the deck, his right arm completely burned away, revealing horribly burned muscle and bone, every so often a drop of blood would join the puddle forming below him. "Pain…" he muttered through bloody lips. Zihark stood slowly, his entire face felt broken, spitting blood he moved over to Barbyos.

"Geez…Soren how did-"

The sage ignored him, kneeling next to Mia "I'm sorry about this." He pulled the blade out, flinching as Mia cried out. Focusing on his hand he put it to her wounds. After a few seconds he pulled away "Are you alright?"

One hand gripped his arm, a smile formed on her face "Yeah…Soren…thank you. I-"

She stopped, seeing a genuine smile form on Soren's face "I'm so glad you're alright."

At that moment Zihark called for them, sounding rather alarmed.

Looking up Soren saw their ship was about to collide with another at shore.

"Let's-"

At that moment the feeling inside him faded away and was replaced by intense pain, stronger than any pain he'd felt before. Hunching over he fell to his hands and threw up blood all over the deck. "Soren!" Mia screamed.

He tried to regain himself only to fall over, limp.

Standing Mia shook her head "No, no, no! Soren!"

Before she could pick him up Zihark grabbed him "I'll do it, we have to go! Now!"

Mia looked to him but she seemed lost "Mia! NOW!"

Nodding slowly she slapped herself and nodded again "Right! Right…"

She and Zihark cast one last look to the one armed Barbyos who muttered another low "Pain…"

The two jumped turned and ran for the railings, jumping into the ocean as the ship they left behind crashed into the other, both groaning and splintering.

On board his ship, Jilger tripped as a result of the crash "What now!?"

"Sir we-"

Before the Senator could say anything else the Fire Bombs ignited, he couldn't even scream as his body was charred black, melted down to bones then to ash.

Hilt stood weakly looking out to the sea, the burning husks of the last to ships sinking. In time with the sun, bringing the bloody day to an end.

Laughing he shook his head "Everything I planned…all of it…"

As he laughed, Ike narrowed his eyes "It's all over. Turn yourself in."

"Over? Over my-"

His swing was cut off by Ragnell plunging into his chest, splitting his black heart in two.

As the corpse fell, Ike nodded "I thought as much…"

Letting out a deep breath Ike looked over to Shinon and Uhnie, the latter crossing her arms "I guess we're done here."

"Maybe…from what Titania told me, Soren, Mia and Zihark went for Low Benet, I imagine to do that."

He gestured to the last two ships with Shinon narrowing his eyes, looking to the sea "Think they were on those?"

Casting glances to each other the three proceeded down the coast, before anyone could call out they saw Zihark and Mia emerge from the ocean with the former carrying Soren.

"Shinon, Uhnie-"

"Healers on it." With that the pair took off as Ike moved to join the others.

"Hey Ike." Zihark muttered, he felt drained swimming to shore with Soren but kept standing to support Soren.

"What happened?"

The Trueblade shrugged as Mia approached "We don't know but…he's hurt…bad."

Zihark gestured towards the Palace "Everything else?"

Ike sighed "Done. We won."