Divine and Fell

by HazelGatoya

Tensions between Plegia and Ylisse are growing once again. War is only a few steps away, and to top it all off, the dead seem to want to be a part of it all, along with a mysterious swordsman who goes by the name of the Hero-King of the old kingdom of Altea. *Fire Emblem Awakening Fanfiction Book One*

20. Alive

Validar cursed, watching another pillar collapse into the darkness of his mental sanctuary. Another guard against complete death gone, only two left. If this kept up...

The pain of that cursed blade shot through his system once again, and he collapsed to his knees, barely biting back a scream. "Nnngh... How?" he roared, glaring up at the last two spells that stood between him and the void. "My purpose is too significant... to be... thwarted here... Aaargh!"

Another pillar collapsed, leaving only one, before the darkness suddenly glowed violet. Validar shook his head, gritting his teeth against the pain as purple fog filled the area. Then a soft, female, low voice spoke in the silence, knocking the breath right out of him. "Validar."

He looked up in alarm at a figure shrouded in shadow. None of her features were visible except a pair of glowing red eyes, regarding him like he may not be worth her time. "What?" he asked hoarsely, noting that the pain was beginning to fade. "Who are you? Where did you... come from...?"

She chuckled, red eyes gleaming as she lifted her hands. "I am the power that compels you," she replied, her voice oddly resonant. "You will not perish here. It is not written." The words were spoken as a command, fact set in stone, and his orange eyes widened. "You must live on to author a destiny greater than you know."

"I-Impossible!" Validar gasped. "It can't be you!" Their eyes truly met, and a delighted smile cut its way across the sorcerer's face. "It can't be..."

And at the same time, it had to be. "I am the wings of despair. I am the breath of ruin," she proclaimed, the scream of another voice under her already resonant tone. The room glowed a violent purple, the pillar spells began rebuilding themselves at a rapid rate, and her entire body glowed, features beginning to show themselves as she lifted her arms. "I am the fell dragon, Grima."

"Master!" Validar fell into a full-body bow. "I-I can't believe it!"

"You have questions. I will answer them at a more... opportune time. We have much work to do after you and I have regained our strength some. After all," her smile was tinted red by the glow in her eyes, and the world suddenly glowed white.

"There is more than one way to extinguish a light."