Italics = Thought
I do not own Fire Emblem.
Cross published on A03
"Arcfire!"
Hinoka barely had time to defend herself as she threw herself aside, out of the way of the blasts of fire from above. It scattered the four Hoshidan warriors, and allowed the twins time to jump down and draw their blades.
"Now. We will offer one more time." Pollux announced. "If you refuse, we will kill him first." The Knight pointed at Azama. "Then her." He moved his finger to Reina. "Before we kill that pretty archer of yours. Then we will strip you nude, clap you in chains, and drag you through the streets of Haven as a trophy."
Hinoka simply glared at him.
"Oh well, I tried….Sister? All yours." Pollux grinned, and gestured to Castor. She grinned, and threw herself towards Reina, eager for a good fight. She swung her blade wildly toward the Kinshi Knight, who caught her blade with her naginata.
"Come on! More! Give me more!" The swordswoman roared gleefully. "I haven't had a good fight in far too long!"
Reina allowed a faint grin to form on her face. Despite the hellscape around her, she could appreciate a good opponent.
"As you wish!"
Steel clashed against steel in a storm of unadulterated bloodlust, as the two women tried to slice each other into bloody ribbons. Reina, older, more experienced, but slower, kept Castor on the offensive, awaiting the single chance she needed to drive her weapon into her attacks chest. Castor fought like a rabid beast, matching every attempt to strike with her own strength, unhindered by the choking clouds around them.
Reina thrust forwards, her weapon ripped open a wound in the side of Castor's armour, and the violet haired warrior let out a howl of near ecstatic pain. She stumbled back, holding her wound.
"G-Gods! You are something, aren't you?" She grinned, letting out a cackle. Without warning, she bolted toward her foe, getting close. With a flurry of blows, Castor's blade cut Reina's war naginata into three. She swung her boot into the elder woman's chest, sending her tumbling into cinders. The old warrior was silent, unmoving, but breathing.
"Know what lady? I'm gonna let you live." Castor declared, panting heavily. "Good, entertaining opponents are so very few and far between."
A warcry filled the air, as Hinoka entered the fray, her fighting style as far more acrobatic and sure than Reina's, but it was evident, even to Castor, that she hasn't had to fight on foot for sometime. She shot a look to her brother, and knew it was only a matter of waiting, so she toyed with her, slipping out of the way to stabs and slashes whilst in an almost bored manner throwing slashes at the Princess to keep her focus on her..
Pollux, whilst his sister fought against the Hoshidan Princess, was toying with the Princess's retainers, sending off blasts of arcfire towards them both, adding to the choking smoke and flames. Setsuna didn't let up with her storm of arrows whilst her companion and husband kept her healed as the fires still roared strong.
Pollux wasn't a fool. Whilst he did appreciate and enjoy a good fight, they had already wasted so much time. Azama was both the enemy's greatest asset, and its greatest weakness.
So he ran, blasting the oncoming arrows to cinders as he darted behind the priest, bathing his spine in glorious, golden arc fire. Azama screamed as the smell of his own roasting flesh hit his nose. He tried to run, only to feel the cool, numb bite of steel against his neck. Azama, his back awash with agony, cast his last spell. It did little to heal the damage, but dulled his pain. If he was to die, he'd at least go with some grace.
"Do you believe in the afterlife, Priest?" Pollux hissed, as he held his blade against his foes throat.
"…I don't think this is the time to be making enemies…" Azama jested nervously. His attacker let out a bark of laughter.
"Well said. Do tell the Dawn Dragon I said…'Hello'."
Without another moment's hesitation, Pollux thrust his blade clean through Azama's throat. Setsuna let out a broken wail as Pollux kicked her husband's dying form off of his blade, and collapsed to her knees. Hinoka stood shock still, the world went silent in her ears.
"Well." Pollux shrugged with a smile as he turned to face Hinoka. "I did warn you, Princess."
As realisation began to dawn on her, Hinoka's world went dark with a thud. Castor stood over her, grinning. The chance had presented itself, and she had taken it, slamming the pommel of her blade into the back of the Princess's head. She hauled her onto her shoulders, watching as her brother subdued Setsuna, and hauling her up.
Castor grinned. She was a nice toy. Corrin would get Hinoka as requested.
They would get Setsuna..
Kana knew something was happening. Rhajat seemed particularly happy today. She had awoken early, even for her, and had even dressed in a simple clean dress for whatever the occasion was (even if it had only taken half an hour to get it caked in dirt).
"Kan-Kan!" Her pale haired companion dashed up, and after taking her hand, all but dragged her to the village entrance. "It's Papa!"
The group marching towards them dressed in hues of purple and blue, their clothing appeared surprisingly thin for travelers in this area.
"Papa!"
Abandoning decorum completely, Rhajat barrelled into her fathers legs. In the past decade, Hayato had lost his youthful, boyish appearance, now taller, more handsome than 'cute'. He had been named as Fuga's successor, a post he'd no doubt inherit soon, as Fuga was deathly ill.
It was only later, after a family meal, that Hayato finally decided to start things moving towards the inevitable.
"Rhaj, go get your things." Hayato knelt down to face her. He glanced at Kana, before return his attention to his daughter. "You're coming to visit my home. Tell your friend to do the same, okay?"
"Okay Papa!"
"You are certain about this?" Hayato asked quietly after both their daughter and Kana were safely out of earshot.
"I am, yes."
Hayato fought back a scowl. "You'll die."
"Frankly I'm got looking forward to it." The Flame Chief grinned. "But that appears to be what will happen."
"You could come with us." He tried not to sound pleading, but failed.
"I'm the Flame Chief. My place is here. My people have never abandoned their homeland, I will not be the one who does. I will not."
The heir to the Wind Tribe sighed, and stepped forward, taking her in his arms. In all honesty, Rinkah did wish to go with him, combining the two Tribes into one, but there were older laws and traditions. By sending her daughter away with the children and non-combatants, she'd save the Tribe. Her Rhajat was far, far younger than she would have liked her to be upon taking up the mantle of Chief, but deep down she knew that the Tribe wouldn't let her down, nor let her go it alone.
She all but melted into his embrace, enjoying it for probably the last time.
"….My life began the day I met you, Love." Hayato murmured into her ear as he let go. Rinkah slipped her Oni Mask off, and handed it to her husband, who looked at her knowingly. An Oni Mask was carved for a family, and carried with it the stories and histories of that family in the small, introcate carvings cut into them. Hayato knew what it ment. Rinkah was telling him her tale was done, and it was time for Rhajat's story to be added to that of her ancestors.
"Papa! I'm ready!"
Rhajat's voice shattered the silence, a large pack on her back, and Kana at her side with an equally large one on hers.
Rinkah bent down, and pulled both girls into the mother of all bear hugs. "Be good..."
"We will Mama! See you soon!"
"Bye-Bye Auntie Rin!" Chirped Kana.
Rinkah forced herself to remain composed as she watched the small convoy leave, but she knew, even then, that she'd never see her family again. In all, about fifty Tribesmen left with Hayato. She hoped it was enough.
"…Chief?"
"Prepare to battle." She responded coldly.
"Skald…..Skaaaaald…it's time to wake up, Skaldy-boy."
The now former Head Priest of the Dusk Dragon blinked himself awake, and hurriedly looked around. He was strapped to a table. He struggled against his restraints before he looked up into the beaming face of Dorian Erised. "Ah! There we are."
"Where…?" Skald wheezed.
"Haven." The man smiled, almost warmly. "You are in Haven. Specifically the Ministry of Magi-Science Research. As to why you are here, that is simple, we're-"
A scream of pain emanating from another cell interrupted him.
"Oh ignore her, she does that from time to time." Dorian waved a hand dismissively. "Our Lady Higanbana didn't take well to our….improvements."
"I care not for your monsters" Skald snarled. "Kill me and be done with it."
The doctor let out a laugh.
"Kill you? Oh no no no, my friend." He all but purred. "King Corrin has given us explicit instructions to keep you alive, and the Ministry does like to keep his Majesty on side..."
Skald's eye fell upon the tome in the man's hand. With the first feeling of dread he had felt in years, he realised that it was a Thoron tome.
Dorian smiled pleasantly.
"Shall we begin?"
Historical Logs: The Royal Blades.
The Royal Blades of Haven were formed by the first King, Corrin, in the first few years of his reign. Initially comprised of ten individuals, King Corrin later allowed the famed archer, Lady Emilia into its ranks. A twelfth was added during his successors reign, and the Royal Blades have stood at twelve strong ever since.
Of course, whilst every Royal Blade (barring the First) are equal, they each have 'traditional' duties.
The First Blade is considered the leader of the Blades, and is more often than not the current Highlord. As such, their duty is to command the Royal Armies
The Second Blade is traditionally the Commander of the Dark Fliers, or, more recently, the Commander of all air forces of Haven.
The Third Blade represents the Beastkin, acting as their champion and representative to the King.
The Fourth Blade is usually put in charge of settling new cultures into the Kingdom, finding them a home and educating them in how the Kingdom works.
The Fifth Blade is traditionally the personal armsman of the monarch, usually starting out as their squire. Their duties include the upkeep and maintenance of the monarchs armour and weaponry.
The Sixth Blade is usually a member of the Havenite Expeditionary Brigade. They serve as the leader of the vanguard of the Royal Army, and all the duties that comes with it.
The Seventh Blade is often a wildcard. A highly adaptable warrior capable of both frontline command, and solo missions.
The Eighth Blade is typically placed in charge of the 'Deeprealm Terminal', giving them control over which realms Haven is open, or closed to.
The Ninth Blade is technically in charge of the Monarch's so-called 'secret' projects, whether it be kidnapping, assassination, or researching a new technology.
The Tenth Blade's official duty is the protection of the royal palace. In actuality, The Tenth's purpose is more akin to an enforcer, a thug whose sole duty is to enforce their lieges will, no matter how dark or immoral.
- Excerpt from the book 'Haven in the First Century', written by Irene Isauros.
Just an update for you all on 'The Long Way Round'. It's on its way, I admit I misjudged how much time I'd need to sort it all out into something coherent.
So all I'll say is that it is on the way.
As usual, I do hope you enjoyed it. Drop me a review if you feel like it, they really do help me get an idea of what you guys are and aren't enjoying.
Stay safe!
-Rem
