The Demon King is imprisoned by Emrys's plan, shackled by five powerful Stones. Through the efforts of Prince Lyon, four of those Stones have been shattered, and the Demon King is approaching the surface, ready to wreak havoc once more. One Sacred Stone remains, and regardless of the victorious side in this war, it must be present at Darkling Woods to bring about said victory. The defeat of the Demon King at the hands of Marin occurred in a temple deep within the now sickened forest, and Ephraim now approaches said temple. Monsters harry his approach, as the Demon King's very Essence fights against his victory...
Lyon smirked as he approached the temple. A man was standing guard outside of it, his arms folded in cold fury. The Demon King recognised the figure… Morva, of the Darkling Woods. His scales were instrumental for Emrys to create the Sacred Stones. Figures the manakete lived long enough to be a thorn in his side again.
"Hold. I can sense the presence of powerful magic emanating from you. I want you to tell me how you got it," Morva stated. Lyon chuckled.
"If you must know, I got it from Lyon Marinsdatter," he remarked. Morva tilted his head, recognising the surname. But a Marinsdatter would hardly be the more powerful of a pair in regards to magic…
"...You're the Demon King," Morva remarked.
"In other news, water is wet. Don't bore me, Morva. All your little friends are gone, long dead. I think you'd want to join them, wouldn't you?" Lyon asked. Morva chuckled.
"You're mad, Fomortiis. I remain alive to make sure their fight was not in vain. It is my duty to make sure that you stop here," Morva growled, transforming into his dragon form.
"Oh, is the conversation over? I had hoped for more…" Lyon remarked. A spell hit Morva from behind, as Delphine petrified him. Wise to Sivardson's newfound counter to the petrification spell, Delphine shattered the statue.
"Do we know if he's dead now?" Lyon asked, looking around at the rubble. Delphine kicked the shards around, at least a few landing in a lake Lyon recalled being in the area.
"I do know I can make Servants out of petrified people as well as dead ones, so it doesn't matter. I'd honestly prefer him to still be alive… it would be so much more torturous," Delphine cackled. Lyon smirked.
"I'll be starting the ritual. Remember, I'll need you to help me finish it," Lyon told her. Delphine summoned a dracozombie imbibed with Morva's strength.
"I'll be there," Delphine cackled, twirling her wand. She had more than a few other ideas to send forward… and if they failed, Berserk and Silence never did.
Ephraim looked up from the most recent batch of monsters. Baels and Maelduins were certainly steps up from Wights and the Entombed, but as they were, everyone had the strength to hold up against them. Myrrh was looking across the forest- without her Dragonstone, she was not as powerful as she might otherwise have been, but she still knew the way through the forest.
"Myrrh… how are you holding up?" Ephraim asked.
"Just fine, Ephraim…" Myrrh commented. Ephraim could tell that was the 'I'm really not fine' kind of fine, but Ephraim wasn't quite sure what in particular to reassure her about.
"...That's odd," Tana remarked, shooting into the sky. Ephraim looked up, to see her battling against a pegasus knight, of all things. Ephraim looked around.
"Myrrh, can you detect the witch?" Ephraim asked.
"...North-west," Myrrh stated. Ephraim couldn't see her, but he suspected she was deeper into the woods.
"Delphine lies ahead! Forward!" Ephraim called.
Tana parried another of the falcoknight's blows, at a loss as to who exactly she was fighting. What she could see was a falcoknight much like herself, the Frelian crest prominently displayed at her side. Tana was fairly certain that the exact design of the decoration did not match the style worn by Syrene, which was what caused the confusion.
"Who are you?" Tana asked. The falcoknight charged forward, and Tana caught her in the attempt, grabbing her reins. From there, disarming her was easy, and then Tana could descend and face the summon closely. Tana looked closely at the face, recognising her own blue eyes and hair amongst the many distortions that Delphine's summons had.
"...Who are you?" Tana repeated. The falcoknight made a grab for Audhulma, but the hilt shone and pushed her away. Tana defeated the monster then and there, still trying to piece together who the beast was. She was coming up with several explanations, some of which were unlikely and others of which were potentially terrifying if true. She flew to try and find Ephraim, hoping she could before one of those nasty possibilities turned out to be true.
Truth be told, she hoped she wouldn't have to try and explain her theories, not even to Lute.
Ephraim was running as fast as he could while still following Myrrh, and that kept his reflexes sharp. He could turn on the spot and block Gerik's sudden swipe. Gerik's superior constitution pushed him to the ground, though, and it was only with Marisa's intervention that Ephraim wasn't finished off quickly. Ephraim looked up, to see Natasha trying in vain to invoke the power of her Restore staff. Ephraim growled, knowing Delphine was nearby, and she was about to…
Wait… Natasha had done something he found really… really…
"Oh, how I love Berserk," Delphine chuckled, watching Ephraim begin his charge. She looked around for a new target- the chaos she had created would diffuse eventually. It had to- otherwise there'd be no way for Eirika to have made her escape. She felt her broom shudder, and looked around. A second strike of some kind of light shot from the ground, and she began to descend. She angled her descent away from Ephraim's group, aiming for a position that she knew would put a lot of distance between her and her attacker. As she fell, she began creating a horde of opponents for Ephraim to fight on the way to the Demon King's palace, as she found her broomstick taking a sudden turn. She tried pulling at it, only for the broom to resolutely thud into the ground in front of a young boy.
"So you're Miss Delphine…" the boy chuckled. Delphine got to her feet, grinning as she pulled out her wand.
"May your friends drive you Berserk!" Delphine cackled, throwing forward a Berserk spell. The boy waved his arm, and the charm dispelled. Delphine cast a Silence spell, to the same outcome.
"...Fine. I get it. You want to fight me? Let's see how misguided you are…" Delphine chuckled. She disappeared into the darkness, awaiting the boy's strike. He had chosen to surround himself with bright orbs of light. A foolish choice- Delphine's Stone spell came rushing through one of the gaps. The boy reflected that one with ease, and it was only then that Delphine noticed the chunk of wood in his hands.
"You have a wand… you are as versed in wandlore as I?" Delphine asked, reappearing in the corporeal world despite herself.
"Of course!" the boy exclaimed. Delphine tilted her head. He did not seem to be as versed as she expected. She shrugged- he could wield one, he could duel like a proper wizard. Delphine shot a Torture Curse forward, which the boy blocked again. Delphine's eyes lit up- something here was wrong. The boy should not be blocking spells that well- she was sure the Torture Curse couldn't be blocked. Or maybe she was thinking of something else.
Her thoughts were interrupted by her cloak being set on fire. She shot a glare at the boy, only for the orbs of light to shine a little brighter.
"Very well, then…" Delphine muttered, pulling off her hat.
Ewan looked in Delphine's direction, confused by the her movement. She had taken off her hat, and from what he could see, her eyes were definitely not normal. But from the way she glared intently at Ewan, he could've sworn that she believed her eyes would have some kind of innate ability to do something to him.
"...Now what?" Ewan called. Delphine stepped back, confused. Ewan noticed she didn't blink: maybe her eyes did have something. Delphine began casting again.
Torture Curse, counter by-
Ewan cast the counter-curse, not needing the reminder the Illuminators provided. What he needed was to begin his offensive. He fired several jets of light around, several of which struck Delphine to what appeared to be little effect. The witch had some form of endurance against the spells, that much was certain. But that simply meant he had to try harder.
"I summon the power of Gleipnir!" Ewan casted, throwing his left hand into it. A disc of light surrounded Delphine, binding her arms to her sides and preventing her from moving. A rain of purple-flamed meteors rained down from above, each one somehow striking Delphine. Delphine dropped to the ground, panting heavily. Ewan made his move- he ran forward, and pulled Delphine up by her collar.
"It looks like you don't have the energy to continue…" Ewan grinned.
"How… I have the power of the dragonstone!" Delphine cackled. Ewan searched her with his free hand, and pulled the dragonstone out of her pocket. He passed it to a figure to his left, and eyed her thoughtfully.
"...Lute suspected I would duel you, so she lent me this," Ewan told her, pulling aside his cloak to reveal the wyvernstone at his side. Delphine gasped, as Ephraim stepped forward. A lunge forward, and Delphine completely vanished, leaving only her robe still in Ewan's hand, Siegmunde having left a hole in its side.
"...Let's try not to think about a naked Delphine somewhere," Ewan joked. Everyone in range let out a muted gagging sound, and Ephraim gave him a gentle knock on the head.
"If you don't want us to think about something, don't mention it," Saleh laughed, the dragonstone still in his hands. Myrrh approached, and Saleh knelt to present it to her.
"My… my dragonstone… thank you, kind human," Myrrh told Ewan, taking it into her hands. She looked up, noticing a small horde of shambling servants of Delphine. Riev looked much like he did outside Morva to Innes, but the rest were clearly undeads.
"A-Allow me…" Myrrh mumbled, holding the dragonstone in her hands. Everyone stepped back, allowing her space to transform into her dragon form. She let out a proud roar, sending a blast of flame forward. When the last of the Dragon's Breath cleared, there was no sign that there had ever been a horde of druids in the first place.
"Remind me not to get on your bad side, little sister," Ephraim chuckled, as Myrrh reverted to her regular form. Myrrh gave a similar chuckle, a light fading from her eyes. Ephraim, who had recontinued the march at a cautious pace, did not notice.
Gerik marched quite a distance from Ephraim's group. After a quick discussion between Marisa and Tethys, Marisa went to join him, eyeing him with a vague curiosity one might afford something unfamiliar and interesting. Gerik ignored her for some time, before deciding he'd best talk to her.
"I don't deserve sympathy, Marisa," Gerik stated simply.
"Gerik, you're a kind person," Marisa told him just as plainly.
"That's why I hate it so much! I attacked my employer, wanted to kill you when you fought me off…" Gerik exclaimed. Marisa let him breathe a little after that outburst before adding her own piece.
"You were cursed by Delphine. It was a coward's attack, and it was in no way your fault," Marisa told him. Gerik shook his head.
"Lute saw me while I was practicing with the axe. Said mercenaries like myself who studied swords and axes were Heroes. I'm no hero, Marisa…" Gerik told her.
"You're my hero, Gerik," Marisa stated. Gerik blinked. It hadn't been in any tone other than the one Gerik was most used to, but it was much different than what Marisa normally said. If he was correct this time…
"Marisa?" Gerik asked. He needed to risk it- he needed to know where they stood.
"Gerik? Do you… would you tell me…" Marisa started. Gerik had an inkling his suspicions were correct: Marisa never got nervous.
"I do, Marisa. You are my finest companion, after all," Gerik told her. Marisa tilted her head in confusion, but Gerik cleared that up with a tight hug. Marisa smiled as she reciprocated, and when Gerik let go, Marisa held out her hand. Gerik took it, and let her guide him back in formation.
The group marched past several signs of unfortunate travellers as they entered this unknown part of the woods. For the most part, they did not stop to consider them… but for one pair, an exception was made. L'Arachel stopped dead in her tracks when she noticed a trio of skeletons, one of which was a horse, accompanied by scraps of fine cloth. Even at a distance, L'Arachel recognised Rausten's crest on one of them.
"Not a pretty sight, hm?" a gruff voice called from behind her. L'Arachel turned, nudging aside her new pegasus to see the figure leaning against the tree more clearly. Unfortunately, he had hidden himself in the shadows quite well.
"Do you know who they are?" L'Arachel asked. A period of silence followed.
"You seem aware, so I will not open your wound by naming them. Rest assured I know of their identity," the rogue remarked.
"You do… what do you think they think of me? I mean… I must be a disappointment to Rausten's legacy…" L'Arachel quietly remarked.
"I assure you that you do not. I have researched your ancestry for personal reasons. I know for a fact that bluster like your own is not an uncommon trait in the Latonase bloodline," the rogue remarked. L'Arachel shook her head.
"It's not that. I know that- Uncle's like that, too. It's… something else… I have a preference…" L'Arachel started, her tears beginning anew.
"...I believe I have my suspicions about your 'preference'. It is the reason you are less than amicable to Seth, correct?" the rogue asked.
"I… I have nothing but respect for Seth! Besides, he doesn't seem to share my feelings for her…" L'Arachel started, before stopping herself. The rogue let out a clicking sound.
"You shouldn't be bottling it up like that. Let people you trust know. Have people to talk about it to. And you never know… while I don't think you'll find the person you're looking for in this army, I also don't think she doesn't exist," the rogue suggested. L'Arachel turned to the bones again.
"You do not know your parents. It is unwise to linger on attempting to justify yourself based on their beliefs. But I also know that, on some level, all parents harbour some feeling of pride for their children. Some more so than others, but you and your parents are too similar for them to be thinking poorly of you just for your preference," the rogue told her.
"I… I do not understand… but I suppose you are right. My parents will always appreciate my work in ridding the world of monsters. Now come, Rennac! We can't miss out on defeating the Demon King!" L'Arachel called out, her confidence returning to her.
"Wha… how did you know it was me?" Rennac asked, coming out of the shadows.
"You don't think I forgot your voice… or your payment?" L'Arachel asked. Rennac's eyes lit up.
"You're actually going to pay me?" Rennac asked. L'Arachel smiled.
"Everyone is different. Some people are motivated to success for the sake of success. Others prefer to actually see benefit from it. If you are right, and I am to allow myself to love Eirika in a way a woman should not, I should not be forcing others into positions that they are not comfortable with," L'Arachel observed. Rennac smiled.
"You've grown," Rennac remarked.
"All great legends do. Figured I might as well get into the act. Now I mentioned getting moving?" L'Arachel asked, mounting her pegasus. Rennac chuckled as he sunk into the shadows. L'Arachel urged her pegasus forward. She knew she had no way of knowing whether she beat Rennac to the army, but the race would be fun now.
Ephraim looked up at the sight before him at the temple. Looming in front of him was a dragon of some description. It was skeletal, like a monster summon, but it was unsteady on its feet and didn't attack on sight. Ephraim peered closely at it, wondering what exactly it was.
F-finally… a voice yelled in Ephraim's head. Ephraim jumped, looking around for a possible speaker other than the dracozombie before him.
"Who are you?" Ephraim asked it, finding none.
I… I am Morva... Great Dragon... and acquaintance to the... Five Heroes, Morva claimed. Ephraim could feel every word.
"What's the matter?" Ephraim asked.
This… this body is not mine. I was petrified… and shattered… my spirit possesses this dracozombie... but I cannot hold it for long. Sivardson… kill me. Kill me… let my spirit move on… Or else I will be trapped as pebbles on the forest floor… Morva told him. Ephraim nodded, readying Siegmunde. Myrrh stepped forward, looking at Morva. Morva gave her a long look, which Myrrh returned. Myrrh nodded, crying slightly, as she transformed. Her breath defeated the dracozombie, and it crumbled. With any luck, Morva was free to pass on to the afterlife… the Heroes would certainly welcome him.
"...Brother…" Myrrh sobbed. Ephraim turned to her, concerned.
"Was that your brother?" Ephraim asked. Myrrh shook her head.
"That was my father… at least, Morva was," Myrrh told him. Ephraim dismounted, and placed a hand on Myrrh's shoulder.
"Don't tell me I was brave. That bag of bones wasn't Father. I was helping him… after all, death is but the next great adventure, and if the bonebag didn't die, he would miss it. I'm just… without him, his responsibility falls to me…" Myrrh told him.
"What responsibilities?" Ephraim asked. Myrrh looked down in shame.
"...Father never told me. He said I was to wait until he was ready… live my life free from worry until I needed to know. Now I won't know… hopefully Saleh will. Or Dara," Myrrh told him.
"...So you can't live with us?" Ephraim asked.
"Sadly, no. I was kind of looking forward to it… if it weren't for Delphine, Father might have outlived you, and I would've had your lifetime to spend with you," Myrrh remarked. Ephraim chuckled.
"I guess we'd better make sure the Demon King gets fixed," Ephraim laughed. Myrrh nodded, and the group looked up at the Temple.
It was time to march on it.
Lyon took in deep breaths. The Dark Stone was readied. Eirika was waiting quite patiently behind him for success. The statues of the Demon King's Druids lined the walls, ready for their might to be added to the ritual. All that was missing was Delphine… right on cue, she appeared, without her hat or robe. Lyon knew something happened.
"Delphine… was your mission a success?" Lyon asked. Delphine shook her head, still resolutely looking down. Lyon knew unpleasant things happened to those that looked at the nothing in her eyes, and was happy Delphine avoided it, even if he couldn't tell much about her reaction.
"I… I got beaten by a kid…" Delphine muttered.
"Sad, isn't it? And you know what's going to happen to you, right?" Lyon asked. Delphine nodded.
"I don't care, Master. The ritual is more important… and that Sivardson bugger got me," Delphine remarked, moving her hand from her body. Lyon, who assumed the arm was to preserve her modesty, saw it instead futilely stemmed the blood flow of her lance wound.
"So you return…" Lyon remarked.
"I'm not going to let him see me die. I won't give him the satisfaction of victory. And you need my magic… do it now, Lyon. Before you need necromancy to use my power…" Delphine pointed out. Lyon nodded, and cast the petrification spell. Delphine smiled as the sensation of stone enveloping her body hustled forward. Her statue carried her sinister charm, even if the statue's attempt at her eyes was incredibly mood-killing. Lyon moved the statue to stand opposite Riev's, and stared at the entrance.
Sivardson would come soon. And Lyon would be ready.