AN: Hoped you enjoyed Noire's ONLY POV. Sorry if any of you guys are hardcore Noire fans.
Once again another child recruitment chapter, then a chapter or two more. Then we finally get to do the Valm War!
That is what it's called right? The war against Walhart?
Argghh too many questions from me!
Enjoy this chapter!
Chapter 20: The Mirage Village
Now I really prefer the snow over this damn heat! Maybe it's the fact our supplies are all being held by Anna. Maybe it's the fact this heat is getting into my head! Maybe it's the-
"Mother?"
Must resist to freak out!
"What Lucina?" I sighed,
Hooray I did it!
"W-We must make haste after finding our friend here in the desert," she said with a serious face.
"What's the rush?" I wondered,
"Noire is telling me the same thing too, we've arrived at the mansion and man is it huge!"
So you guys are getting Nah right?
"Pfft nah!"
...
"Kidding of course we are, it's Nowi and Donny's kid. We never leave behind our friends,"
Your pun sucks!
...
Robin?
...
Brother?
...
Nevermind.
Lucina looked so hesitant on telling me, but I think it has to do with the future. Maybe it's the fact I'm going to have a male Morgn, but Lucina doesn't know, I know I'll have a son too.
"Y-You'll have a son," Lucina sighed,
Was it me or could I feel Chrom's eyes piercing me. Do I dare look at him?
...
Oh gods his eyes are like a jester; l-like he's toying with me and he's enjoying it too! Grrr.
"Grim!" Chrom yelled my name with a grin,
"L-Let go!" I blushed,
He was carrying me and spinning me around! I could hear his laughter and joy just from his voice but I get it...
"Pervert!" I screamed as I hit his back,
Chrom just grinned and carried Lucina as well.
"F-Father!" she squeaked,
"Lucina I must make your brother with mother," he grinned,
I knew it! I must counteract this, somehow! I gotta think!
"Lucina how younger is your brother?" I asked,
"H-He's a few years younger than me, mother," she replied,
Wohoo!
"Well Lucina how about your mother and I have more siblings?" Chrom asked,
Why is my husband so eager?
Wait we gotta back to serious topic, Chrom did put our minds at ease, sorta.
"Lucina did something happen to him," I asked with a worried tone,
She was quiet for a few seconds and I glanced at her friends. Severa and Yarne were enjoying their time with their respective parents. Great I don't want to put them in a bad mood now, I'll feel pretty mean about it.
"Lucina?" Chrom called her name out,
"I-I haven't heard from Marc the past couple of days," she answered us,
Marc? Such a lovely name for a male Morgan. Then again that is the original name. So Marc is my son and Morgan is probably my niece, huh?
"Lucina if he is our child then I'm pretty sure you wouldn't worry," I reassured her,
"Besides if you take more on me then I bet Marc takes more on your mother," Chrom added,
Aww thanks hubby!
"R-Right," she nodded,
Looking towards the horizon we saw the oasis and a couple of villages around it. Lucina was looking at Vaike and Miriel with worry. Then I realized where we were.
This is where Laurent was and of all the future children he was trapped in the past longest.
...
...
...
"Miriel, Vaike, Lucina, with me!" I ordered,
"Guess I got the back again?" Chrom asked,
I nodded and gestured him with his group. Well it does make sense, most of our calvary are with Robin afterall. It does make sense right?
"The Vaike doesn't sweat, water just loves to stick by me!" our warrior boasted,
"Please beloved your egotistically boasting is not taking the heat away," Miriel sighed,
Remember when I despised Vaike since he mocked me? Well that was the first time we met and first impressions are always important. During the past two years, we're able to finally be friends, sorta.
"Well Vaike then I'm glad you're not thirsty," I retorted as I drank some water,
"Miriel d-do you have any water with you?" Vaike gulped,
Oh I just love messing with him!
"Our provisions have enough for the two of us," Miriel answered though she held up a finger as if it was a warning, "If we share the same bottle,"
Aww Miriel's trying to be like a couple with Vaike! Oh wait they're married.
"I-I don't mind," he looked away,
Ohmigods he's blushing!
"Vaike is your face red or is the desert's heat getting into you?" I snickered,
"Please Grim, I believe small mockery of my beloved is enough," Miriel told me,
Awww fine. Vaike you are so lucky, Miriel is very considerate of you! I nodded at the dark knight. Yes Miriel is a dark knight, she want to learn how to use a sword, though Vaike thought her how to use it like an axe. Well you can hack with a sword so it's not really a waste, right?
"So Lucina, why are the Vaike and the Shepherds here in this oasis?" he asked my daughter,
Vaike and Shepherd? More like the Shepherds and Vaike! Hah! If you don't get it I'll explain: Vaike's saying is like he's the lead and the Shepherds are just backup, meanwhile my saying is like it's the Shepherds and that guy Vaike! Hah!
"There were mere speculations of a Goddess Staff lurking amongst this oasis, which is concealed by the infamous Mirage Village," Miriel answered, though she stared at Lucina with piqued interest, "Though that is the answer you will give us however you have another motive,"
Oh jeez Miriel is really observant on things like these! How is Lucina going to say they're going to find her son?
"I-I, yes Aunt Miriel I have another reason for going here," she nodded, "Y-Your son is here looking for the Goddess Staff and at the same time you,"
All I could say was Miriel and Vaike's reaction.
"W-What, I-I mean inconceivable!" our dark knight blushed, "Vaike and I swore an oath to conceive our child when the war is over!"
"Woah, whoa you sayin' the Vaike gets to knock his hot smart wife soon?!" Vaike blushed as well,
"V-Vaike!" Miriel growled,
Oh did I just Miriel actually not thesaurus on us?! That's a rare sight!
"Lucina you gotta tell Uncle Vaike, if his son is as amazing and good looking as him?" Vaike wondered,
Was it me or did Lucina blush? Oh gods looks like I found her crush!
"I-I don't want to say, i-it's better if you see him yourself," was her reply,
Vaike decided to take the lead, with Miriel right behind him. I took this as my chance!
"So do you like this guy?" I giggled,
Laurent and Lucina are pretty cute! I recall their S-Rank, where Laurent felt so unworthy of Lucina because of their status but Lucina did no care at all! Wait then there's the one with Gerome, love at first sight and they both loved wearing their masks! Then there's Inigo, the boy with a smile trying to cheer the glum Lucina up! Oh man which one should I ship?! Better yet, Olivia just get together with someone already!
"No, just Uncle Vaike being so straight forward and loud," she answered,
Oh man, oh well! Well back to the other topic, I wonder who Olivia is going to end up with. If I think about all the remaining single shepherds it's her, Libra and Kellam! Oh man then the last man is single forever! Wait a minute if Gaius and Anna can hook up that means...
...
Someone's going to hook up with Say'ri! Wohoo I can't wait to meet her!
Uhh back to the actual situation.
"Lucina did your friend tell you where you're going to meet up?" I asked,
"The nearest village when you enter the oasis, was what he told me," she replied,
I looked ahead and realized Vaike and Miriel were gone.
"Lucina,"
"Yes mother?"
"They're gone,"
"Yes I can see that,"
...
...
So it took us a little longer than them but we finally made it to the first village. Lucina and I immediately realized why Vaike and Miriel were so shocked. I could hear Lucina's nervous chuckle.
"What's wrong?" I asked,
"Last time I saw Laurent, he confessed his feelings but I rejected it," she answered,
Oh so that's why she's so nervous!
"Oh that awkward huh?" I wondered,
Well, I have no advice or comment for this. No seriously, I never had anyone do this to me.
"Lucy is such a heartbreaker she didn't even realized it," Severa sighed,
"She rejected me too," muttered Yarne,
Oh gods don't tell she's got ALL of the second generation guys wanting her, besides Owain! It's even worse if she didn't even realized it!
"So Severa did she have any interest at boys at all?" I asked,
"Nope aunty she's too busy spoiling Marc," she replied, "I think she's got a brother complexity,"
...
I got no comment.
Well besides Lucina having to take care of Marc, and plus she's got overprotective instincts towards her younger brother, my future son.
"A-Ah," was all I could say,
"Wait you do know about Marc, right?" Severa realized something,
Well I do know but Severa didn't know that I know. I know right?
Sorry.
"Don't worry Lucy told me," I replied,
Awkward silence engulfed us. Severa and Yarne couldn't stand the silence so they went back by their parents' sides. I glanced at a nervous Lucina and took note of the new found family approaching us.
"Hey guys never thought the Vaike's son is as smart as his good looks!" Vaike grinned excitedly,
Well at least he's not neglecting Laurent. Wait why would I think like that?! Jeez I really did not like Vaike back then.
"Pleased to meet you, aunt Grim," the mage son bowed with a small smile, "We have met in my timeline, with you taking care of us. Oh my apologies I am Laurent."
Woah, he seems to be pretty polite. Where's his scientific side? Then again he is more sociable and more genuine than his mother. Now I realized these children actually got something from their fathers like: Severa having a stoic side, and Yarne sometime being really boastful of things. So I wonder what Laurent got from his father. I swear if he starts screaming 'the Laurent' then this would be interesting.
"Lucina," said Laurent in a neutral tone,
"Laurent," my daughter returned the favor with the same tone,
Oh there's the awkwardness. Lucina seemed so uncomfortable with Laurent staring at her, though I could tell she is glad and relieve to finally see him again. Then there's Laurent, his eyes tell me a different story: he had a longing look. It looked like Laurent was reminiscing.
"So we're all here for this Mirage Village, you know where it is Laurent?" I asked,
Well we have to get back to what we're doing, right?
"Ah yes, the Mirage Village!" his eyes gleamed up,
Well I could see his excitement is just like Vaike's, then again anything like this could make Miriel excited as well.
"The few villages scattered around will provide clues and hints to see if anyone is worthy and dedicated to believe such a myth," Miriel answered,
"What mother said," Laurent sighed,
Oh man it looked like he wanted to explain it.
Thinking about our plan, I nodded at Lucina for approval. She seemed to like the idea and realized it was so simple.
...
...
...
Damn desert!
So hot!
"Checkmate!"
"Gahh!"
Another of these raiders fall by my hands, thank you tomes!
Let's see the moment we left the village I realized the others were under attacked by bandits. They too were searching for the Mirage Village, but they prefer force and demands. Plus there's the fact we got a convoy for our supplies, they decided to attack us.
"Honestly could these bandits ever learn," sighed Lucina,
"You'd think after a war they would recognize us and flee the scene!" Chrom chuckled,
"Well not everyone is up to date with gossip and news," I pointed out,
Ah good family bonding activities like killing bandits! Hooray!
"Pretty sure the Yliseen banner at the wagon should've scared them," Chrom thought outloud,
So while we're having this casual danger dialogue, we were taking down these guys left and right! Like it's not even fair on their end! Sure they outnumbered us but their numbers mean nothing when it comes to strong formations and pairings. I just chuckled and glanced at another village.
"So how long?" Lucina asked as she dodged an arrow,
"Right now!" I grinned,
On my cue, Laurent, Vaike and Miriel left the village gates. I could see them heading towards the next village. I signaled Chrom and he nodded.
"Shepherds onward!" he shouted,
Everyone else cheered and we pushed up.
...
...
This process happened a few more times and when we found the last village, the bandits are no longer a problem. We left no prisoners. Hey blame Chrom: he offered mercy but the idiots were just too stubborn and tried to attack Lucina. So you could guess overprotective father wiped them all out.
As of right now we are at an empty section of the oasis.
"So what exactly did the villages gave you?" I inquired,
"All the Vaike knows is that most of them don't have a clue but the Vaike is sure this Mirage Village had a lullaby or something like that," Vaike answered,
Lullaby?
I looked at the other two who were investigating around the place.
"Hey Laurent how did this lullaby go?" I asked,
He looked with a confused look until he realized what I meant.
"Uh yes I believe the elder said it like this," he coughed to clear his throat, "Find the last tree north of the oasis shore, then two steps to north and one step more!"
Oh wow good singing voice!
"Last tree is there," Lucina pointed, "Then two steps, north,"
Uhh Lucina that's east. Oh gods she got my lack on sense of directions!
"North beyond is fertile land," Miriel mused,
That tree is like borderline to dirt and here I am wondering where this village is.
"Find the last tree north of the oasis shore, then two steps to north and one step more!" I sang to myself,
Then I felt it.
Some strange air was dispersing like it was showing something. Like showing something: the Mirage Village!
"The Vaike's getting tired and sweaty!" Vaike whined,
Vaike was by the last tree up north while we're next to the oasis.
"Miriel, I'm hungry!" he complained,
He was approaching us, heading south, until it looked like he hit something invisible.
"What the?" was his reaction,
The Mirage Village!
"Click your heels three times!" I chimed,
Everyone looked at me weirdly besides Lucina who actually did it. Hey I was kidding!
"Vaike you found it!" I pointed out,
"What?" he asked,
"Father you have discovered the long lost Mirage Village!" Laurent answered for me, "Excelsior!"
...
...
...
So we got it: the Goddess Staff.
It looked so beautiful and majestic, Lucina and I awed at the design.
"Mother it just looks lovely," she told me,
I nodded in agreement. Now I just want to hold it, even if I'm not a healer. Oh man if feels so smooth, so lovely, it feels-
"Ouch!" I reacted,
Why did it felt like my hand got burnt? I gasped at my hand and realized some burnt marks! What just happened?
"What in gods name-Ouch!" Lucina touched the staff as well,
We were both clutching our hands from the burnt wound.
"Grim, Lucina what happened?!" Chrom demanded,
Lucina looked at me with hesitance and I just smiled at her.
"Well the Goddess Staff kinda burnt us," I laughed nervously,
"What?" my husband wondered,
He picked up the staff and it didn't burn him! What is gods name is going on?!
"It looks fine to me," he had a confused look,,
Lucina's eyes widened at some realization while I requested Chrom to get Anna.
"Lucina?" I asked,
She looked away with an apologetic look.
"Curse this dark blood," she muttered,
Now I get it, Goddess Staff, Naga's Staff. Only those blessed my Naga's family can use it, but those of opposing blood, Grima's, will only feel pain. I only had a crestfallen look and hugged Lucina.
"Sorry," I whispered,
"It's not your fault," Lucina hugged me back,
"We got Nah and we're regrouping at the harbor,"
Both Lucina and I nodded simultaneously, it seems we got the same message. We looked at each other with determined expressions.
"Mother you ready to meet your son and niece?" she asked,
Why did have to ask me that? The answer is so obvious.
"I'm ready,"
END AN: Alright next chapter I hope you guys are excited!
So Laurent has joined th group and Vaike solved the puzzle, yay!
Well that's that so...
Enjoy your day!