Disclaimer: If the Birthers stop trying to convince us all that President Obama wasn't born in the United States, then I'll claim that I own Fire Emblem. But since those idiots don't know the meaning of 'reality', I am forced to admit that I do not own Fire Emblem. I am making no money off of this...(unless you count the money I will make as a world-famous Sci-fi/Fantasy Author following all the writing practice I'm getting from this.) And Yes, a long disclaimer, I know. And making it longer.
Author's Note: Yes, I spelled Durandal wrong. Call the spelling police. I lost my copy of the game, and I couldn't be bothered to look it up. It sounded right. Don't be surprised if I accidentally spell it wrong again.
The Fourth Tale
By Enilas
Chapter 34: Revelations, Recuperation, Revenge.
"Such a shame, Isn't it? Ninian fled to the one place she felt safe, the one person she loved more than anything, trusted with her heart....and when she gets to him, the love of her life kills her. Oh I love the taste of Irony." Nergal's harsh mocking voice rang out. Everyone turned as one to face the direction his voice came from. The black robed man stood there, his turban still covering one eye.
"Nergal!" Lyn burst out. "Die you foul, despicable scum!" She drew the Mani Katti. "You are a miserable, worthless excuse for a human being! You have caused too much suffering to be allowed to live anymore!" She made to charge at him, but both Alkeni and Hector grabbed onto one of her arms, holding her back.
"What did you do to her, you cur?!" Hector snarled, still holding onto the arm of a struggling Lyn.
"Do?1 I did nothing. Ninian was simply so desperate to return to her love that she assumed her natural form."
Alkeni responded. "Natural form? What in the name of Elimine are you talking about?" He felt Lyn stop struggling and he let her arm go. Hector followed suit moments later.
"You didn't know?" Nergal barked laugher. He looked at Athos, his visible eyebrow raised. "You never told them? Why am I not surprised?" He faced the rest of the group. "Your dear friend Ninian- and her brother Nils- were...in the case of Nils, still is...dragons. And now-"
Athos interrupted, staff glowing red with power, his voice louder and stronger than they had heard before. "Nergal! Cease your mind games!"
"What can you going to do to me, you washed-up old wreck?" Nergal spat back, but nonetheless began to gather dark energy into his hands.
"I will do what I should have done a long time ago!" Athos shouted in reply, thrusting his staff forward.
The ground began to rumble, the temperature rise, white hot flames shot up from the ground and flew into the sky, leaving trails of smoke behind them. Then they spun down from the sky, molded into a giant ball that collided with Nergal. The inferno consumed the dark spellcaster, but a minute later when the smoke and fire cleared, Nergal still stood, mostly unharmed, although it seemed he was fatigued, to a degree.
"Wha...how..." Athos began, shock evident in his voice as he too felt exhaustion hit and he staggered backwards, almost falling over.
"It has been a long time since we last fought, Athos. Almost as long as the span of time since I called you friend." Nergal replied. "In the five hundred years since, I have grown in power, while your power has remained stagnant. You should have killed me when you had the chance. But I will not kill you. In the spirit of our former friendship, I will spare you now. And only now. As you spared me, I will spare you." He vanished, his mad cackling still hanging in the air.
It was sometime later that they were within Castle Ostia. With the aid of the Archsage's magic, they had gone to Hector's home. Lord Uther was away, inspecting one of the border forts. He would not return for another week. Hector's plan was for them all to rest and ready themselves for the final battle. The final battle against Nergal.
Because Eliwood had so completely withdrawn into himself, Hector has assumed temporary leadership of the group. The death of Ninian had knocked everyone back on their heels. Hector's decisive leadership was helping to pull them out of their stupor.
Eliwood...he had said nothing to anyone since Ninian's death. He had simply stayed with her body, clutching it to him during the phase back from the area where she had died. Now he simply was sitting next to her body in one of the rear rooms, simply stroking her pale ice-blue hair, as if she were just sleeping.
In the war room of Castle Ostia, Hector, Lyn, Alkeni and Athos were about to discuss what the next best step was. A message had already been dispatched to Fargus, asking him to be ready for them at Badon.
"Well Graybeard." Hector began slowly. "I think its time you tell us what you haven't. What is this about you and Nergal once being friends...how do you know him?
Athos sighed. He sighed a sigh that for the first time made them realize just how old he was. The centuries and burdens he carried with him.
"I first met Nergal just under six hundred years ago, in the wastes of Nabata. We both shared a thirst for knowledge and a passion for discovering the mysteries and secrets of the world. We became fast friends."
And so he told them of how he and Nergal had found the community of humans and dragons hidden in the dunes. How they had spent many years learning in that utopian land. They learned how their research had diverged...how Nergal had become obsessed with quintessence. And how, in the end, Athos had been forced to strike down his friend....but instead of killing him....he let him live....
By the doors to the room, Eliwood heard every word.
"We will set out for Badon once we gather supplies. If we're going to fight a campaign on The Dread Isle, we're going to need to stock up. Weapons, arrows, vulnaries, the whole nine yards." Hector began. Eliwood had returned to his position as leader, but was still quiet and somber. "We can have free reign with the treasury to fund-" He was interrupted by Oswin clearing his throat. "Okay...say...100,000 gold."
"Much better." Oswin said in reply. Alkeni smirked as he heard the exchange.
"The city is well stocked with blacksmiths and other shops. We'll have ample selection to choose from." The tactician added.
"We will make Nergal pay for what he has done. And we will make him pay with his life." Eliwood said, with absolute certainty in his voice.
A/N: Yes, I hate giving you this short chapter. HOWEVER, the chapter has served its purpose, and there's no way to make it longer without adding unnecessary words. Therefore, here it is.
Two more Chapter before the Nergal Arc is complete. Each should be 3,000 words or so. I won't give you a definite date or even loose time frame. I hope to have them done by the end of 2009. We'll see if that happens.