7/31/2015
Three things: following the cover changing to my Mia Radiant Dawn image something else has changed...oooh.
Second: this chapter did not want to end, all these 'preparation' chapters are feeling like this. It's hard to determine when to go to the next chapter because all this set up is just continuous. At this rate they're gonna keep getting longer! Though I suppose that is a good problem to have.
Finally...here Nintendo. 75 cents. BLACK KNIGHT MII OUTFIT IS MINE!
Chapter 35 – After
Elsewhere
"You would not believe how adorable they looked together."
"Uh huh…"
"Seriously, if ANY couple was capable of manifesting little hearts it'd be them."
"Yep…"
"You should totally meet them."
"I don't think so."
Sighing Cadeera turned "Seriously? You've been against meeting anyone!"
"Why are you still surprised?"
She crossed her arms "I'm tired of people not believing I have a boyfriend because you refuse to go out with me."
"I didn't think their opinions mattered so much."
Cadeera looked away and shook her head "They don't…but I just…I want to spend time with you…not here."
"…"
"I know that you think everyone will-"
"I know they will."
"Then they'll have to go through me!" She yelled, the man could see the anger and determination in her eyes. Cooling down she whispered "Just think on it again. Please."
"For you. Anything."
She smiled and nodded "Thank you, Tyse."
Emerging from the shadows, the gray skinned man allowed a smile to come to his face "Don't mention it."
The Free Nation of Wan
Commerce Center Tekit – Outskirts
Dawn found the Shades exhausted, Uhnie whispered to Shinon to take a deep breath before ripping the other arrow out of him.
"Are you absolutely certain-"
"Yes, Gatrie. I am. Whoever shot at us took off."
Following the bolt that struck Gatrie's shield, there was nothing but silence. The Marshall didn't want to move just in case but after a while, Shinon had assured him the archer was gone.
"So was this some kind of…display of power?" Gatrie asked.
Uhnie shook her head "No. This one. He wanted to kill us…I'm not sure why he didn't."
"Who is this one?" Shinon asked as Uhnie pulled out a vulnerary and began treating his wounds "This one goes by Hell Rain. He's a terror."
"Did you know he was here?" Gatrie asked.
The woman sighed "I did…but there is no way he could have known we'd be here going after Quick Foot…unless…"
Taking her hands from Shinon the archer spat "Unless the other Shade you met…what did you say her name was again?"
"Blood Rose."
"Right…what if she gave him our scent, you did say she liked the idea of you taking out the others for her."
Uhnie closed her eyes "That's a possibility…a very strong possibility…I'm sorry."
Shinon put a hand on Uhnie's injured shoulder "We should treat you now."
"We should be going back to Mist and getting her to heal us. You took a rough hit Uhnie but Shinon-"
Standing, Uhnie shook her head "No. We can't let anyone else know what happened. Hell Rain's eyes are on the three of us…the only reason he'd let us live is that he's marked us for later. He'll be back to finish the job and until then we can't let the others fall into his line of sight."
"Then let's pass off these injuries as sparring mishaps." Gatrie decided.
Shinon nodded "At the very least for that shoulder, Uhnie."
The woman gestured to the wounds in Shinon's chest "And those? What? He ricocheted an arrow off a wall into himself accidentally?"
Shinon shook his head "Its fine. I'll recover. It's better than lying outright."
Uhnie helped Shinon up who let out a sigh before speaking "By the way. If it isn't too much. I'd like to know a bit more about the Shade War."
"Volke only filled me in on some of the details after I officially became a Shade. Though I did do it in a haphazard way."
"Yeah well we were just feathered by a Shade archer. We're definitely a part of this now."
Looking to Gatrie and Shinon she saw the pair nod. Clearing her throat she began "Volke has the finer details on most of the whys. You see…I was sworn into the war by Volke when I took the Mistress of Fire title but unofficially I'd already been pulled in."
"By killing Coldheart?"
Uhnie nodded to Shinon as Gatrie added a flat "Who?"
"Killing or even fighting a Shade is enough to pull you into it, the other Shades will learn about it and determine that a new combatant has entered the fray. It can be on purpose or a very unfortunate accident."
"Have there been people accidentally entering the war?"
Uhnie nodded to Gatrie "Quite a few...anyway, after my training Volke gave me a…list so to speak. It was entirely verbal and I've committed it to memory but it had three categories of tasks. Eliminations like Ion Jack and Quick Foot."
Crossing his arms Shinon asked "How did he determine those had to die? What did they do?"
"Most Shades are independent. They get hired to do jobs from normal people or are sought out by contractors who act as go-betweens for some of the more…black operations. A would-be employer never meets his or her employee with a contractor, so when the task happens whatever it may be there is no direct link. Aside from contractors a few Shades joined together to form groups. Coldheart's group had a long standing issue with Volke. I can't say how it started but Coldheart and his goons Green Smoke, Shine Night and Ion Jack have been after him for a long time."
"So killing Ion Jack was finishing that off…Quick Foot? Did he steal from Volke?"
Uhnie shook her head "No. Most Shades don't like him but he is hard to catch when one is alone, believe me. I wanted to take him out as a service and Volke agreed."
"What other tasks did you have?"
"Ghost. Basically be aware of and avoid. Hell Rain falls in that category. Volke said he wanted me to be very careful. If I thought I could handle them…he left it up to my discretion."
"I'm guessing Blood Rose was not on the list at all eh?"
"Not at all…the last mission type was Recon. Volke's done a lot of that so he only had one name for me…Desert Dragon."
Shinon raised an eyebrow "Desert Dragon? You asked Leah about him, who is he?"
Uhnie sighed "Have you seen Volke work?"
"In battle? A bit."
Uhnie looked away from Shinon "Well, imagine someone faster, deadlier."
"Fuck that." Shinon stated.
"It's true…Desert Dragon is the best…he's fought, beaten and nearly killed Volke multiple times."
"Bull. Shit."
Uhnie shook her head "I'm not lying Shinon. Volke's exact description for this man is that he is a demon."
"And you are looking for him?"
The woman nodded to Gatrie "Shades can mark other Shades for their own personal vendettas. For the fun of it. To test themselves."
"Which is what Hell Rain did to us." Gatrie earned a nod from Uhnie as she continued "Volke however…has never done that. He does his jobs as they come…nothing is ever personal with Volke."
Gatrie and Shinon remained silent as she finished "But when Desert Dragon is involved. They are. That man is the only Shade…the only person that could make Volke angry, the only person who can make Volke doubt himself and the only person that Volke has ever marked."
The Free Nation of Wan
Coast City, Nevrez
Ike stood outside Titania's room, knocking. No response, he didn't know what he expected it's been this way since he started. Sighing he looked away and thought. Even if she did open the door…what would he say? What could he say? Scratching his head he groaned, things just became far more complicated than he was prepared for.
"Ike."
Turning around he sighed "Hey Soren."
"You look…down."
"And you look up. What in the world happened to us?"
Soren crossed his arms as Ike chuckled.
After a short silence Ike sat down on the floor "Soren…I'm oblivious, aren't I?"
Soren joined him "To what?"
"I didn't know you or Mia had feelings for the other until Mia told me. I didn't see Boyd and Mist happening. My own sister…I just can't read this kind of thing."
The sage raised an eyebrow "Is this actually bothering you? You always took the prodding as a joke."
"I know…and I did."
"Then why now?"
Ike shook his head "I don't know…I just seem to be realizing that…I'm not good at this love thing."
Soren crossed his arms "I've only ever heard of how difficult love is in every possible way…being with someone is hard, having feelings for someone is hard…once I started experiencing it I tried to rationalize it and just confused myself even more. You may not see these things but maybe that's just another way that love is difficult."
"Soren…have you noticed anything different about Titania?"
"Titania?"
Soren thought about the woman and started shaking his head "Not outwardly…she still cares for me in the way she does despite the fact I was so trying in my early employment. She's continued to become a better warrior…stronger than most of us."
Ike nodded at that as Soren continued thinking "I haven't spent enough time talking with her lately to see if there was anything odd with her…perhaps I should."
Ike sighed "I don't know what to do…"
"About?"
"Her…I've never been this…conflicted in my life."
Soren narrowed his eyes as Ike brought a hand to his head and sighed.
"Ike…what happened yesterday? What did you two do?"
"She took me out dancing."
"Dancing?"
Chuckling Ike nodded "Apparently she has always wanted to dance with me…I think. She was very, very lively yesterday."
Ike faced Soren and continued "I didn't want to and she actually gave me an out, telling me it was alright. But her face…"
"She was upset?"
"Sad. She wanted me to stay so I did. We danced…it was great…the whole night was great…and…"
Soren nodded slowly "I see…"
"You see?"
"Ike. You know what I am. Mia knows what I am. Yet it has not changed the way either of you see me. If what you're saying is true…it would be very vile for me to change my view of you."
"…what am I…saying?"
"Did you enjoy last night?
"Yeah…it was great."
"Why?"
Ike started to speak, before the name came out he caught himself.
Soren smirked "See?"
Ike tried to figure out the how, the why, the when. Only stopping when Soren put a hand on his shoulder.
"Soren, I can't…this isn't…we don't-"
"Ike. Don't explain this to me. Think about it…"
Standing the sage began to leave only to face Ike one more time "I finally realized how I truly felt about Mia when I was torn away from her...when there was the very real possibility that I would never see her again. Don't let that be what clears your confusion."
Walking away, the sage left an even more lost Ike behind.
Outside, Titania was standing in a clearing near a tree swinging Castle in very brutish arcs. Letting out groans and yells whenever she could because as it was obvious, she was very very frustrated with herself. Spinning around she swung Castle across the tree before swinging back and leaving another deep cut in the wood.
Yelling she swung the weapon away, kicking up dirt before bringing it back around again. Mia was standing a short distance away, initially coming to train she saw quickly how…wild Titania seemed to be. "She should slow it down a bit."
Mia watched as Titania sunk the axe deep into the tree near her, before tearing it out, stumbling back and barely catching herself.
"Titania?"
Sticking the weapon in the ground, the woman leaned against it as Mia neared "Titania?"
Turning to face her, Mia noted how sweaty the other woman was "Are you okay?"
Titania shook her head "No…I'm far from okay…"
Straightening out she spun Castle around again "Titania! You shouldn't-"
Mia ducked as the axe swung wide over her and slammed into the tree, burying it deep into the wood. Releasing the weapon Titania laid herself against the tree and slid to the ground, breathing hard.
Getting up, Mia moved closer "Okay, you are clearly not alright."
Titania shook her head "Nothing to worry about."
"You almost cut my head off, there is something to worry about here."
The older woman waved her off "It's alright."
Mia sat down next to her "No, it isn't."
After a short silence Titania spoke up "You're right…but it is nothing for you to worry about Mia. I'm sorry for almost hitting you."
"Titania. When I was moping about Soren or not sure what to do, you always helped me…early on I tried to deny my feelings, handle it myself but you forced your way in and helped me. I am grateful for that, especially now."
A small smile appeared on Titania's face as the younger woman continued "So I'm not going to leave this alone. Talk to me."
Exasperated, Titania just whispered "I screwed up."
"Screwed up…what?"
She tried to say it but couldn't, shaking her head again she sighed "I let my emotions control my actions…"
Mia nodded as Titania continued "I just…I felt…I feel."
Mia watched Titania bring a hand to her chest "I feel so strongly…but I shouldn't…I can't have these feelings. I can't. But…I do…"
"Titania. Everyone is allowed to have feelings. You especially."
Looking to the younger woman, Titania raised an eyebrow "You help everyone out so much, you are a great source of knowledge, a wonderful guide and benevolent guardian…but far too selfless. You do all this for everyone else and ask for nothing in return. You make all of us happy…but rarely do I see you do things for yourself."
Titania shook her head "Do I need something for myself? Something to make me happy? I can't just be happy?"
"Of course you can be happy Titania."
Mia watched as the older woman still held a hand over her chest before adding "But what about your heart? The feelings you have now? If anyone should be able to fall in love or want to pursue something…it's you. Be a little selfish. Give yourself this."
Titania shook her head, Mia was surprised to see a tear fall from one of her eyes as she whispered "I can't."
Mia put a hand on the other woman's shoulder "Why not?"
Once again, words failed the older woman. Mia thought about this before asking "Titania…how long has this been…an issue? I'm ashamed to say I never noticed anything wrong with you. After all the help you gave me…I'm sorry…I'm really sorry."
Titania looked at Mia, the younger woman's face showing immense guilt and sadness as she apologized again. Titania shook her head "I've been hiding this from everyone…from…him…honestly…even from myself. You have nothing to apologize for, Mia."
As Mia nodded, the other woman continued "I don't know why but…it's just getting stronger…harder to conceal…I've been doing things that months ago I'd never have done…it was so easy to control back on Tellius but…being in places where no one knows who we are I just…want this."
Unable to take it anymore, Titania decided to finally let it all go. Eyes on Mia she gave out a worn out "Ike."
Mia tilted her head and began to speak when she realized exactly what that meant "I-Ike?"
The older woman looked away "How wrong is that?"
"And this started…before we left Tellius?"
Titania nodded "It did and it just…grows. I've been trying to stop it…I can't feel like this, I can't…"
"Why not?"
"Because before this I…I had…feelings for…"
She shook her head "I'm just…I keep telling myself that I'm just settling. That I'm just changing my gaze. But that isn't it…it can't be…but then I see that I'm just making excuses. My mind keeps…fighting…yes this is real…no this is only because of this…yes I want this…no I want to stop this before anything happens…too late for that last one now."
"What happened?"
Titania brought a hand to her face "I…"
Letting out a heavy sigh she shook her head.
"Titania. You have to stop fighting and think. Really think about it."
Titania shook her head as Mia continued "Do you have feelings for Ike? Answer that question, ignoring whatever else. Sort it out and see. It'll become clear."
"I don't think I can."
Mia smiled and put an arm around the other woman "I know you can."
Titania looked to Mia's smile "Titania. You have to know how strong you are. You can do this."
"…you're not…you don't think this is…wrong?"
Mia shook her head "I never thought it could be a possibility…but if you really feel this strongly about him. About everything regarding him then there has to be a reason for it right? Don't worry about what it means for the rest of us, any of us. Put yourself first this time."
Titania let out a heavy sigh. Still unsure of what she should do.
Deciding to clear his head, Ike took a stroll through the city, not really paying attention to anything.
How could this happen?
How could he not see this?
Boyd and Mist were one thing. Soren and Mia were another but this involved him.
"…and her…"
The second he started thinking about her, he remembered last night. That very brief kiss she gave him. He kept seeing it, almost feeling it. He thought about what he and Soren talked about. Why was last night so enjoyable? Because of her. Releasing the thoughts he tried to forget about it all, push it away but it kept coming back.
"You look lost."
Turning he noted Hyte walking next to him "You. What are you doing here?"
"I'm actually a native born on Zatuo. Shouldn't be that shocking."
"Right. Right."
"In all honesty, Enri and I are leaving Nevrez. Got somewhere to be but the blind man wanted to meet you."
Turning to his other side Ike saw a tall man in green, looking forward who held out a hand to Ike "Enri Tous."
"The one who said we were odd."
As the three started walking Ike looked over to Hyte "I appreciate your help yesterday but I'm kind of conflicted right now."
"Over what? The not-date-date or is this something more?"
"It's a lot…I just need to process it."
After a short silence Enri spoke "Are you looking into the events?"
Ike raised an eyebrow "What events?"
"I talked to the woman, Titania…she asked about things so I told her of the strange scents that arrived here. Four and five months ago."
It was clear that one of those trips matched with Tyse Erent's supposed arrival "Where? Was there one here?"
"Four months ago."
Hyte sighed "I wouldn't take anything Enri says too seriously, a lot of the information comes from his wyvern Hikea primarily."
"No. No. That matches up. I'm looking for a man named Tyse Erent."
Hyte and Enri shook their heads and spoke in unison "Doesn't ring a bell."
"But four months ago there was a line of attacks here in Nevrez. They eventually stopped only for a few to come up to the west in Oeldehm." Enri added.
"Attacks." That was most certainly Tyse Erent, as Klein said he was a vampire who couldn't control his bloodlust. It sounds like he continued going after people here.
"Oeldehm is to the west? Thank you." As Ike started to leave Hyte called out "What exactly are you looking into?"
"As I said. A lot."
After the man left, Hyte crossed his arms "Peculiar."
Enri nodded "They are odd…just…not in a bad way."
"Good to hear you being less wary."
In an open field, Zihark and Leah stood watching Mia as she read a few passages from Spark. The Islander turned around "Hey Soren! Finally up?"
"I got held up. What's going on?"
"You made a tome for her but not me? Talk about picking favorites."
Soren sighed "It was hard enough building the one. I-"
Zihark smacked Soren's back "I'm just foolin. Seriously Soren you need a lot of help with the whole joking thing."
Soren sighed again as Leah spoke up "Have you been reading from your Thunder tome? We spent some time sparring and all that but I didn't really see you break out the book."
Zihark chuckled "Well…"
Soren couldn't help but smirk as a small fire exploded in the field causing Zihark and Leah jumped. Mia laughed and started cheering "I did it!"
"Was it supposed to burst like that?" The group noted Ranulf joining them, Soren shaking his head "Not really."
"Hey Mia, if you are going to be using that…do me a favor and warn me about it."
The woman looked to Ranulf "Oh shush, I'm not gonna burn your blue cat behind."
"What's up Ranulf? Something happen?" Leah asked.
"Ike just wants to see everyone…we're moving from Nevrez."
"He probably found something." Zihark stated as Ranulf gestured for them to head back.
"Mia."
The woman ran to Soren's side, the pair joining the other three. "I'm going to be able to blend magic and swordplay soon right?"
Soren nodded "Most likely. I have faith in you."
"Thank you teach."
"Hey guys!"
The five came to a stop, Soren and Mia spoke in unison again "Cadeera?"
"Yep!"
She stopped in front of the group "Was hoping you were still around!"
"Who's this?" Zihark asked.
"She helped us out last night." Soren stated.
"Indeed I did! Please tell me the night was fantastic! That diner is a great one so I'm sure it was!"
The couple nodded, Mia speaking "It was wonderful. Thanks again."
"Don't mention it! SO! Are you all going somewhere?"
"We're leaving Nevrez apparently. Did Ike say where to?" Soren asked to the Laguz who tapped his chin "West."
"OH! So…Oeldehm? That is the immediate city next to Nevrez. What are the ODDS!? I was about to ask if you two would join me on a trip to Oeldehm! Now I guess I don't have to!"
"Well we are in the middle of something rather important…" Mia started.
Soren shrugged "But we will be in Oeldehm anyway. Who knows we may find what we're looking for while we're with Cadeera."
Mia nodded at that as the other woman smiled "Great! So mind if I join you all?"
Soren and Mia looked to the other three who all shook their heads, Zihark speaking "The more the merrier."
"Wonderful!"
Soren and Mia walked ahead with Cadeera close behind. Leah looked to Zihark and Ranulf "You two okay?"
Snapping his fingers the two jumped and looked to him. The Islander sighed "Come on guys. That's how you make a first impression? The least you could do is look her in the eyes."
"How?" Zihark deadpanned.
"You guys should be more careful in your sparring." Mist stated as Uhnie examined her fully healed arm before smiling at Mist.
"My bad. I'm making these two into Shades…it's nothing easy."
Sighing Mist walked away as Gatrie asked "So what do we do about this Hell Rain and Blood Rose thing?"
Uhnie sighed "I'm not entirely sure…I shouldn't have mentioned I was traveling with friends when I was talking to Blood Rose. We can't bring anyone else into this."
Shinon nodded "Right. Will he be able to recognize us without our outfits?"
Uhnie shrugged "Maybe. Maybe not. But he's going to play with us. Volke's notes put down that he enjoys hunting his targets. It's like a game to him."
"A dangerous game." Gatrie stated before scratching the back of his head "So can we find him?"
Uhnie shrugged "I don't know…but if I can find Blood Rose again I'll make her tell me where he is. Till then be on your guards."
Shinon nodded as Gatrie sighed "Great."
"Hey, you wanted to tag along so now you're in it. Welcome to the Shade War."
Gatrie brushed it off as they came to a stop near Ike. The blue haired man couldn't help but smile seeing all the Mercenaries wearing normal clothes. It was a strange yet pleasant sight.
"So, where are we headed?" Boyd asked.
"Oeldehm. It's possible the one we're after is there…well, one of the ones we're after."
"Did someone tell you this?" Soren asked.
"Sort of. A few locals mentioned that four months ago something odd arrived and afterwards there were a few attacks here in Nevrez before continuing in Oeldehm. If he's there we have to find him."
"Shouldn't we…I don't know…get some official help? Thyremog's King and Hitenticul's ruling class were pretty great allies to have." Boyd asked.
Ike shrugged "Do we…know who is in charge here?"
"I do."
Ike looked to Cadeera "Uh…who are you?"
"Oh. Right. My name is Cadeera Ien, friend of Soren and Mia's. Friend right?"
The two looked to each other before Mia nodded "Yeah. Friend."
Smiling the woman in white continued "Each dominion on Zatuo runs itself. But being the Free Nation, each city in Wan has its own governing body in accordance to what the people of the city want. A small senate or a single governor. In all honesty I don't think they'd be much help since they have such limited jurisdiction."
"Politics. Wonderful." Shinon stated, rolling his eyes.
Ike sighed "Well then we'll have to handle this ourselves." He then looked to Oscar who was leading his steed "Where is Titania?"
"Probably at the stables getting her horse."
"Okay I'll go get her. Everyone else go on ahead and remember who we are looking for alright?"
All the Mercenaries nodded and began walking, Oscar approaching Ike "So. Was last night fun?"
"Huh? Fun?"
"Yeah. You were very worried about it. Was it alright?"
Ike nodded "It was…great."
"Well that's good then." With a smile Oscar turned and walked away.
Leah looked to Cadeera "That was good info to know."
"I can help you all a lot more, I know a lot about Zatuo."
After a short pause she asked "By the way…what are you guys doing?"
"We're on a mission." Zihark stated, simply.
"I made that much out. What's it for?"
"Finding a few guys." Mia stated.
The other woman nodded slowly "Who are they? What did they do?"
The group looked to each other before she laughed "Oh no. I'm that person aren't I? The 'why are you asking so many questions' type of person. I'm genuinely very curious! You're all foreigners, never been to Zatuo before but you're here looking for locals? It's weird."
Putting a hand on her chest she smiled "I swear I only want to help!"
Soren nodded to Mia who spoke "Well there are three men. We only know their names: Tyse Erent, Zijo Oit and Norad Jyuugo."
No one else noticed anything except for Soren, the smallest bit of…familiarity in Cadeera's eyes.
"Oh. Well. I've…I'm sorry to say after all my insistence but I've never heard of…any of them. Sorry."
"That's fine. With any luck this lead will pan out." Zihark stated as the group continued moving.
"Um…what are you…hoping to find them for?"
Soren looked to other woman "We're hoping for Tyse Erent at the very least to help us."
"Help?"
Soren nodded "We've heard from his former partner, a man named Klein Kruse that he might be approachable to say the least. We're hoping he can help us hunt down the other two."
Cadeera swallowed as the group continued on their way.
"I screwed up real bad." Titania stated, stroking her horse's mane as she led it out of the stable. "I just couldn't stuff it all back down as hard as I tried…"
Even now when she thought about…the kiss…she felt her heart hammer in her chest. She wanted it but…no, she didn't.
Shaking her head a voice came out of nowhere "Hey there good twin."
Titania barely noted Ufernia as she led her horse along, the other woman followed, seeing Titania's expression she sighed "Oh no…it didn't go well did it? Damn, I'm sorry, I really thought…I'm sorry."
Titania shook her head "No Ufernia. It was all good…great actually. We had a lot of fun…we danced far more than I thought we would…my…"
The Gold Knight brought a hand to her chest "I felt…so happy."
The other red haired woman smiled "Oh…well that's wonderful! So why do you look so distraught my fair twin?"
Titania faced the other woman "Have you ever had issues like this?"
"Feelings for a younger man? Fair twin, look at me."
Ufernia gestured to herself "I'm not really one for long relationships. I like to have fun. It's why I'm the bad twin. I've had connections with younger men but never a desire to actually be with one."
Titania looked down "This is wrong…isn't it?"
"Now don't go putting words in my mouth. If you really have feelings for him you should act on it but if you don't want to. If you really believe it to be wrong…then the only person who can stop it is you."
"I can't decide…I really can't."
Ufernia crossed her arms, before she could speak Ike appeared "Titania!"
She looked up in shock, coming to a halt "Ike-"
She shook her head "I mean…Commander. I heard from Oscar where we are going. Sorry for the slow response."
Before Ike could speak he noticed the other woman "Um…hello?"
"Ah so you are Ike." She then whispered to herself "This all became much clearer now…"
"What?"
"Nothing. Nothing. Fair twin, I'll leave you be."
"N-no! Please I-"
Ufernia started walking away "I have a store to run! Enjoy your day!"
After the woman left, Titania's eyes landed on Ike.
"Titania-"
"Commander-"
The pair cleared their throats with Ike speaking "Titania…I…I'm not…"
"Commander. I really am…deeply sorry for last night. My actions were inexcusable."
Ike shook his head "Titania. You are allowed to refer to me as Ike. You know this."
Looking down she spoke lowly "I can't."
"Titania…I've been…thinking and…"
"Spare it no thought, Commander. We have work to do. Important things that we need to take care of. There is too much ahead of us for distractions."
Titania led her horse past Ike, the man putting a hand on her shoulder, feeling her flinch.
"Ike please…just let this go…"
Not sure how to respond to Titania's broken voice, Ike stood there with his hand outstretched as she walked away.
The Benkanan Republic
Benkanan Palace
"Welcome back Wesa. How did the nation look?"
The man shrugged "Better. The small riots have been mostly stamped out, hear anything here Noet?"
Noet shook his head "Just some rumblings about that Ute man but he's long gone."
Wesa and Noet turned as several men in ebony armor with blood red trims walked by. Wesa swallowed "Those…men…they still make me nervous."
Noet shrugged "What does it matter to us. They did all the work last month. What did we need to mobilize our military for aside from letting our new subjects know what changed?"
"What did change Noet? Why did we go along with this?"
Noet tapped the side of his head "I'm not entirely sure but he is our King yes? Why should we disobey?"
Before Noet could reply another man joined them "Wesa Nee. Noet Telkit."
They stood at attention "Yes sir!"
"I see your back…how did the trip go?" Wesa added to which the other man smiled "Excellent. I feel moving into that nation would be the best bet…all I need is word from the King."
"…we are…invading again?"
"Well we have to stop the would-be rebels that escaped right? They'll incite rebellion wherever they go, can't have that can we?"
Wesa and Noet eyed each other as the third man walked by "Either way I'll speak with the King. With any luck he'll grant me the right to use the same method of invasion."
"What of Ezak and Sutne, sir?"
"When they return from their search they'll receive new orders. Is that all?"
The pair bowed "Yes Commander Oit…sir."
Entering the palace, Oit nodded to the guards, a hunched back older man joining him "The tome you granted me Commander…is most intriguing. The secrets it holds…"
"Can you use it, Yakaan?"
"Not yet sir. But I'm very close."
"Get. Closer."
"Yes, of course."
Coming to a stop, Oit faced him "Heydhar and Unotch, how do they fare?"
"Heydhar remains still as stone but Unotch has made himself scarce as of late. I'm the only one in the capital acting at the moment. Well aside from the Watch."
Oit tapped his chin "Very well. We're moving again soon so hopefully those two will be set by then, return to your work."
"Of course."
After the man left, Oit entered the throne room "King Wetka, sir. I have a suggestion."
The Free Nation of Wan
Cliff Town, Oeldehm
Oeldehm earned the name Cliff Town for the valley that the town was built around. The valley cut north through the town and met with a large cave system inside the grand mountain named Oeldehm Peak, there were many cliff faces along the town making the place look very inhabited but also very natural as many homes were built into cliff and stone structures that were already there.
In addition there was a large stone clock tower in the center of the town. It was east of this tower that the Mercenaries entered the town.
"So…how do we begin?" Zihark asked.
"Ask around I guess. See if we can find out where some of the attacks happened. Unless you know, Cadeera." Mia stated, looking to other woman.
"Huh? Oh…no, I'm not too familiar…I actually just remembered something I had to do…I'll be right back!"
Soren tilted his head "You sure? I thought-"
"Yeah! Yeah." The woman bowed to them and started walking away.
"Alright everyone, let's see if we can find anything out. We'll all meet back by that."
Ike pointed at the massive clock tower earning nods from everyone as a few groups began breaking off.
"So should we-"
Soren held his hand up, Zihark tilting his head "What?"
Before Soren could speak a voice came from behind him "That woman knows something. You're going to follow her." The group turned to Titania. "It was written all over her face, did none of you see it?"
Leah and Zihark shook their heads with Mia pointing out "I don't like distrusting nice people…"
"And we shouldn't…but she knows something and she is reacting out of fear. Not malice." Soren nodded to Titania "She's right."
"Mind if I come along?"
Soren cast a brief look over to Ike then back at Titania "I don't see why not. Leah? Mia? Zihark?"
The three just smiled and gave thumbs up to the older woman. Turning they started heading in the direction Cadeera left.
"Titania."
The woman gave Ike her horse's reins "Lead her somewhere she can stay if you don't mind, Commander."
"We're partners. We're supposed to-"
"Thank you." With that she headed for Soren's group as Ike sighed.
"What was that all about?" The hero looked to Ranulf and shook his head "It's a long story. Mind sticking with me while we look for this Tyse Erent character?"
"No problem at all."
Leading the horse along, Ike and Ranulf fell into step with each other.
"Stay calm. Stay calm."
"Calm!? Now is the time to fucking PANIC!"
"No. No. It's not…they need help. That's all."
"They are looking for him! For your BOYFRIEND! Do you know who they could be!?"
"Of course I know who they could be! But…oh…"
Shaking her head, Cadeera kept walking. What were the odds these people she met from another country, the ones who seemed so nice and she honestly liked them knew who her boyfriend was? Were they here to kill him? Take him away? She had to talk to him first.
"If by talk you mean get him to leave the city! Then yeah."
"I'll see what he thinks first."
A man came in front of her "Excuse me-"
"Not now!" She yelled before pushing past him.
Several feet behind, Soren's group was following with the sage speaking "Mia. Leah. Zihark. Cover another angle. We'll attract less attention that way."
Mia nodded "Right. C'mon."
The other two followed as Titania and Soren eyed each other. As they prepared to move forward a man approached them "Excuse me."
"Yes?" Soren asked.
"My name is Ezak Roun. My partner and I are currently looking for this man." He held up a picture of a rather dark looking man with gray clothes that had almost royal red and blue insignias all over it. He wore a large hat over his black hair, covering his eyes.
Soren and Titania shook their heads the latter speaking "Afraid not. Who is he?"
"Just a…man we need to find."
"We're actually looking for someone right now. Tyse Erent."
Ezak tilted his head before saying "I apologize but I'm not familiar with the name."
Soren sighed "It's alright. Thank you though."
"Don't mention it." With that Ezak walked away as the pair continued forward.
Titania looked over to Soren "You know…I expected you to cover from this side with Mia."
"We don't have to be together every waking moment…and I actually wanted to speak with you."
Titania looked away "About?"
After a short pause he asked "How are you?"
"How am I?"
"You and I haven't exactly had the chance to…catch up, so to speak. Given everything that has been happening."
Titania's eyes moved to Cadeera as the woman rounded a corner before coming back to Soren "Is this really what you wanted to talk about?"
"Yes. Titania. You showed a lot of concern for my well-being back on Hitenticul. I want you to know I really appreciated that."
"Don't mention it…are you…worried about me?"
"Should I be?"
Titania sighed "Did Mia tell you something?"
"Mia? No."
The pair remained silent as they continued walking before Soren came to a sudden stop. Titania looked at him "Soren. We-"
"The others will follow her. Titania. Are you okay?"
She looked away before answering "Yes. I am."
"…I am asking because I do in fact care."
Facing the sage she smiled "I'm fine Soren. I swear."
Sighing, Soren nodded and continued moving. As he walked by, the Gold Knight's smile vanished.
"I feel kinda bad about this."
Zihark nodded to Leah "Yeah, she seems really peppy."
"She's super nice. But it's like Titania said, she isn't doing anything out of malice."
Zihark looked to Mia "Are we absolutely certain about that?"
"Yeah." Mia stated "I know Soren and I only spoke with her for a bit but she is a genuinely nice person. A good person."
"Guys she's headed for the cliffs."
Looking to where Leah was pointing, Cadeera had indeed started heading off the main road onto the rockier outcroppings.
Mia, Leah and Zihark glanced at each other before continuing with Leah speaking up "You all have a partner system right?"
Mia nodded "Yeah, why?"
"Well…aren't Titania and Ike partners?"
"They are." Zihark stated.
The two men looked to each other as Mia remained silent before Zihark asked "Did something happen? She did win that bet with Ike."
"You think they're not on speaking terms right now?" Leah said, confused "Given what I know of all of you…I see that as highly unlikely."
The Daein nodded "It is unlikely…so why?"
"Maybe she just wants to help us. Ike, of all of us, can certainly handle himself."
The men thought this over before agreeing.
Mia thought about what Titania told her and sighed sadly. It seemed the woman didn't want to try to settle her situation with Ike, rather she was avoiding it.
"Ike?"
"…"
"Ike?"
"…"
"You stepped in animal waste."
"Okay."
Sighing, Ranulf took the horse's reins from the other man's hands, Ike looked over to him.
"You okay man? Probably not, you look way more distraught than I've ever seen you before. Not to mention your mind seems to be elsewhere. What are you thinking about?"
Titania's face came to mind again and her name to his lips before he shook his head "Nothing. Nothing."
Ranulf looked at Titania's horse which looked back at him. The Laguz spoke "Do you buy that?"
The horse seemed to shake its head, bringing a smirk to Ranulf's face "Yeah. We both know you're lying."
"Ranulf-"
"Pardon me."
The pair came to a stop before looking up at a man.
"Need something?" Ike asked.
"I'm looking for some friends of mine. Muscle man, blonde hair, very loud and smaller girl, blue hair, more withdrawn."
Ranulf brightened "Sounds an awful like Ewata and Atzu."
The man looked at him, Ranulf barely able to make out one eye not covered by his black hair or the shade from his hat "Yes. That would be them."
"Last I saw they were in Nevrez."
"Hm…thank you." Holding his hand out, Ranulf took it "By the way, I'm Ranulf, this is Ike."
"Well met then. I thank you again. Ranulf." Nodding to Ike the man walked away.
"Small world eh?" The Laguz stated as the three continued walking, a stable drawing near.
Ike stood mostly silent, causing the Laguz to sigh, before he could say anything Ike spoke "Ranulf."
"Yes?"
"Have you ever been in love?"
"Woah. This is about love? After all these years who caught your eye Ike? This is only our second day on Zatuo! When did you even meet someone?"
The hero sighed "I just…it's hard to explain."
"Duh. If it's love it's never easy to explain. Come on man, let's sit at the stable and you can tell me everything."
"Hello, my name is Sutne Palk. Have any of you seen this man?"
Shinon, Uhnie and Gatrie looked to the picture before shaking their heads in unison the woman speaking "Sorry. This guy have a name?"
"Teiaya Ute."
"He a criminal?" Shinon asked.
Sutne started to say something but thought better of it "He's just a person of interest. Nothing more."
"Wish we could help but never saw him."
Sutne groaned and walked away, Shinon and Gatrie following the retreating man. Uhnie on the other hand felt something, her eyes flying to a roof where she barely made something out. Clenching her fists she took off.
"Uhnie!" Shinon yelled "Damn it! Gatrie!"
"Right behind you!"
The pair shot off across the road after the woman as she scaled a building. "Uh Shinon, I'm not wearing my armor but I still can't do that!"
"Go around then! I'll stick to the edge!" The man scaled the building as Gatrie cut through an alley.
Noting the same woman coming after her, Blood Rose let out a sigh, grinding to a halt she turned "You again? Look-"
Before she could speak Uhnie tackled her to the ground and struck her in the face before pulling out Scarlet.
"Hey what the fuck are you doing bitch!?"
"Shut the fuck up and answer me! Why!?"
Lifting a leg, Blood Rose kicked Uhnie off before springing to her feet and drawing two blades, Uhnie shot back in, red blade flashing. The pair began dancing around each other, weapons aiming for flesh but only finding steel.
Second blade coming in, Uhnie flipped over it and landed behind Blood Rose, ducking beneath a kick and jumping away from another blade.
Shinon finally made in time to see the blades clash again before Uhnie was kicked away, sheathing her blades Blood Rose threw several knives at the fallen woman. Quickly drawing his bow Shinon sniped one out of the air as Uhnie adjusted herself, the leftover knives bouncing off the roof. Standing again and spinning Scarlet, Uhnie launched at the other woman who deflected her blade with ease before jumping and kicking the woman in the face.
"Hey! Stop!" Shinon stated drawing back his bow string "Stop or I'll put you down!"
Blood Rose eyed him. Shinon barely made out a black flash before taking two swift punches to the gut and a kick to the head. Stumbling away, Blood Rose drop kicked him in the back, slamming the archer to the roof.
Uhnie stood up as Gatrie appeared "Finally up here, what's going on?"
Screaming Uhnie tackled, Blood Rose to the ground, away from Shinon.
Looking at the other Shade's one eye showing extreme anger Uhnie punched her in the face again and screamed "Why!?"
Blood Rose flipped them around, striking Uhnie in the face as Shinon yelled "Stop!" Aiming an arrow at the woman. Blood Rose turned to see him then saw Gatrie on her other side holding shield and spear.
Standing up from Uhnie the woman narrowed her eyes "So I was on your list…is that what this is? You sure had me fooled."
Uhnie spat as she stood up "I could say the same thing about you…"
Blood Rose looked at Shinon "Shoot me, I'll cut the arrow out of the air, knock the woman to the ground and flip the other guy around and slam him into the roof. You three hold no power over me."
Shinon narrowed his eyes as Gatrie groaned "She's going to flip me over?"
"No."
The four turned as another man appeared and gestured at Blood Rose "Can I speak with her."
"When she tells us why she set Hell Rain on us!" Uhnie yelled.
Blood Rose looked at her "What in the world are you talking about?"
"Don't play dumb!" Shinon called "We went after Quick Foot after you told her about it and then Hell Rain got the drop on us! He marked us! All because you told him what we were doing!"
"Admit it!" Uhnie yelled.
The other man and Blood Rose locked eyes before the woman let out a sigh "I'm sorry that happened to you. Hell Rain is not one to get involved with."
The woman put a hand on her chest "But I swear to you. I said nothing."
"I can attest to that. After she spoke with you Mistress, she was with me. We did not once meet with this Hell Rain."
"And who the hell are you!?"
Following Uhnie's yell, Gatrie looked to the man "Hey! You're that Teiaya Ute guy!"
Shinon and Uhnie looked at the man and he was indeed the one in Sutne's picture. Teiaya's one visible eye narrowed as Blood Rose walked over to him.
"Who are you all with?" The man asked carefully. Shinon shot an arrow at his foot "I see your hand going for the blades along your back. Don't-"
Reaching into his cloak the man pulled out a tome, a black flash covered the area in darkness. Shinon and Uhnie reacted instantly shooting through the shadows and emerging on the other side.
Gatrie followed them shortly after, sighing "I'm guessing they're gone."
Uhnie narrowed her eyes as Shinon asked "Was she telling the truth?"
"Maybe…"
"What do we do now?" Shinon asked, putting his weapon away as Uhnie tapped her chin "We have to find that Sutne guy again. Ask him about Teiaya. Find out he is we can maybe track him and find them again."
Shinon and Gatrie nodded, the three climbed down from the building and began their new mission.
The Free Nation of Wan
Cliff Town, Oeldehm – Mountain Outskirts
Turning around, Cadeera noted the silence before proceeding. Entering the same cave she was in several hours back.
"Tyse! Tyse!"
The man rolled over on his bed and groaned "What?"
After a short silence she smacked the side of her head "Can you put a shirt on! You're distracting me!"
Sighing the man laid back down "You're fault for getting distracted. Why are you here so soon anyway? I said I'd be fine with meeting these friends of yours today as long as they came here. Couldn't find them?"
"It's not that…but it looks like you were right to be wary."
"…why?"
"They know you."
Tyse sat up quickly "What?"
"I swear I never said your name but they came to Zatuo specifically looking for you…and two other guys."
Springing to his feet the man grabbed his jacket and put it on "Didn't you say they came in on a ship from Hitenticul?"
"Yeah. They mentioned a bunch of names and something about wanting help but I'm not completely sure what about…I just had to tell you, just in case."
Tyse nodded and approached her "I don't know who these people are but if they came from Hitenticul they could very well want me dead. I told you everything I did while I was over there, right?"
"Yeah…but maybe-"
He shook his head "No. No maybe…these people-"
Cadeera raised an eyebrow as Tyse spun around and began sniffing the air. "Tyse?"
"What is that?" Sniffing again he narrowed his eyes.
"Tyse! Remember what we talked about! Remember why we're out here! Tyse!"
Outside of the cave, Soren and Titania kneeled behind several stones, the pair noted Mia, Leah and Zihark across the way.
"What now, Soren?"
The sage sighed "We're going to have to show we didn't completely trust her…but also that we have no malicious intent ourselves. So let's just go in and talk to her."
"Are you sure?"
"We have to. If she knows something she could be a big help."
Soren stood up just as a man walked out of the cave, Titania stood as well "Who is that?"
The man's eyes found Soren. The sage noted the gray skin and before he could say anything the man unfurled his wings.
"It's him! Tyse Erent!"
Screeching the vampire shot straight at Soren.