Author's Note: *strolls in two months late with a nearly completed Encore file and gas station coffee* Yo.
Sorry about the silence on this story, but I want to get it back into high gear now that Encore has really ignited my inspiration again. And to all the new readers, a hearty hello! Welcome to my dump of Fire Emblem fanboying.
Last thing, real quick: I've had a lot of people asking me if Three Houses/Fódlan will appear in this story. The answer is a hard no. I drafted most of this story's plot before 3H was even announced, and I don't have much room to squeeze it in (Though I'll gladly go down with the Golden Deer).
Now that all that is out of the way, enjoy!
Itsuki's eyes adjusted slowly to the darkness around them, and just ahead, he found the Lycian lords and the elderly man standing before a strange figure. It had no definite form from the look of it. As Itsuki approached and joined them, he could swear the figure took on his form.
"You're Bramimond," Eliwood said carefully.
"Yes, I suppose that is me," Bramimond replied in a voice that bore an uncanny resemblance to Eliwood's. "What do you want of me, you who live above ground?"
"We have a favor to ask," Lyndis spoke up. "We seek something to help us defeat Nergal."
"That is unfortunate, for I cannot grant that which you seek." Strangely, now Bramimond sounded awfully similar to Lyndis. "Humanity would suffer were I to remove the seals."
"What do you mean?!" Hector demanded, fists clenched. "The entire world is on the brink of destruction as it is!"
"The entire world?!" Bramimond was now apparently mimicking Hector. "Why would I care about that? The whole world can burn for all I care!"
"By Father Sky, your voice…" Hector finally took notice. "The way you talk, it keeps changing."
"Bramimond has no self," the elderly man explained. "He… She… It… Yes, it is a mirror that reflects the person addressing it. It projects no personality of its own. There are as many Bramimonds as there are people facing him." He turned to the strange creature. "Bramimond, do you remember me?"
"Athos," Bramimond replied in the same level tone. "Mm… It has been many ages. I cannot fathom why you brought these people here. Do you forget why I sealed everything away? The legendary items are not meant for human hands."
"But…" Eliwood protested. "We can't stop Nergal like this! We need your power to help us save the world!" Bramimond was silent for a moment, and its gaze swept over the visitors.
"What more could I possibly do?" it asked. "You already carry in your company the Binding Blade. How did you manage to break the seal upon it?"
"Ah…" Roy shifted his weight uncomfortably as he came to stand at Eliwood's side. "Bramimond, I come from over two decades in the future. I have this blade because I had to raise it against the mad king of Bern and to save Idoun's soul. The dragons WILL threaten this world again. And it's thanks to what you do now, you releasing the seal on the legendary weapons, that will give us a fighting chance to save Elibe both now and then. And it's not just Nergal that we face; We're fighting the Demon King of Magvel as well. Humanity is doomed if we don't have the strength to face them. Would you assure that destruction, or give us the means to save ourselves?"
"The fact that he stands here with the Binding Blade in hand should be proof enough that you will release the seals," Lilina piped up. Bramimond thought all of this over for quite some time.
"As I have watched over this land, I have seen the foul creatures that have appeared as of late. I have seen the flesh the Demon King cloaks himself in and the Dark Druid that works with him. And I have no other explanation as to how it is possible that the Binding Blade is here before my eyes and yet sealed in the shrine above at the same time. Therefore, I have released the seal upon the legendary items in some future past." It fell silent once again. "Very well, Children of Roland. I have seen your strength and can only hope you will not fall to the frailty of man. I shall release the seals." Bramimond focused for a moment, and Itsuki could swear he felt a shift in the air.
"The seals have been released," Bramimond said. "You may now do as you please. I am tired. You will let me rest."
"Thank you, old friend," Athos bade. "Come. We shall return to the surface." A great flash of light enveloped the Lycians and their allies, and when it faded, they found themselves standing before the Shrine of Seals once again as evening began to fall, bringing a chill in the air.
"Ah!" Hector grunted as he stretched, his armor clinking at the motion. "It's good to breathe the outside air again!"
"Bramimond certainly is a mysterious figure," Lyndis was pondering in the meanwhile.
"He has given much, perhaps the most, in defense of Elibe," Athos spoke up. "But there is no time to delay. The seals have been broken. Nergal has certainly sensed this. You must retrieve the Blazing Blade as soon as possible."
"How unfortunate." The sudden voice caught them unawares, and Itsuki looked around wildly for the source. "You're too late."
A short distance away, a flash of light appeared, and as it dissipated, it revealed Nergal standing with a dark smile on his face.
"Nergal!" Eliwood fumed, though he held his ground. He, Lyndis, and Hector all readied their weapons, and several of their allies, Itsuki included, did the same.
"At last, my power is restored," Nergal taunted. "Come, Ninian, Nils." He lifted his hand to the siblings as they nearly cowered away from him, and Roy immediately jumped between them and the Dark Druid. "This way," he went on. "Open the Dragon's Gate for me."
"No!" Nils snapped, though his terror cracked his voice.
"You mustn't go," Eliwood told them firmly. "Neither of you."
"Would you like to see my powers here and now?" Nergal inquired. "You may choose, Ninian. Obey me, or…" Both Eliwood and Roy appeared ready to spring and cut Nergal to shreds, but Ninian gave a quick, forlorn glance to her brother. She stepped past her son and to Eliwood's side.
"If I go to with you, will you let my brother go?" She asked in a solemn voice.
"Ninian!" Eliwood and Nils both barked. Nergal watched her for a moment, intrigued.
"One of you should prove sufficient," he said. "Very well. As you wish."
"No, Ninian!" Nils lunged for her and grabbed her hand. "Why?!" Ninian turned to him, her gentle red eyes filled with sorrow.
"Look after Eliwood and the others," she said softly, and she took her brother's other hand and held them both close to her. A light enveloped the two of them, and Nils fought back tears as his sister released him and approached Nergal as he called after her.
"Ninian, no! Please, don't do this!" Eliwood pleaded as Roy rushed to his side, his own shock and grief etched all over his face.
"Mother, please…" he begged. "Don't leave us!" Ninian only gazed at them a moment longer before returning to Nergal, her head down.
"The Gate will open, and I will gain unlimited power," Nergal said with dark satisfaction as he grabbed Ninian's shoulder. Nils cried out for her and Eliwood grit his teeth.
"Don't move!" He snapped. "Nergal!" Both of them started for the Dark Druid, but Athos appeared before them.
"Both of you, stop! Get down!"
Itsuki, as well as many others around him, yelped as the ground beneath his feet began to shake violently. Nergal let out a bellowing laugh and he and Ninian vanished, a sharp wave of wind erupting from them. Both Eliwood and Nils were knocked to the ground and fell motionless.
"Eliwood!" Hector yelled, and as the shaking subsided, he hurried over to his friend as Roy skidded to his father's side.
"Everyone, we need to get away from here and out of the open," Lyndis ordered. "Then make camp quickly. We depart once we assure they're unharmed."
The Lycian allies, Fortuna included, followed her directions, and once camp had been set up, Itsuki paced about fitfully. So many thoughts threatened to drown him.
"Now what?" Tsubasa was saying nearby. "Was this supposed to happen? I thought Ninian is supposed to marry Eliwood and be Roy's mother."
"Either we'll rescue her or this is different from Roy's time," Yashiro remarked, eyes closed in thought. "How does the flow of time work? Would he just vanish if something happened to his parents, or is this a separate timeline from the one he comes from?"
"Okay, okay," Touma interrupted. "This is making my head hurt. How about we focus on Nergal and the Demon King right now? We can deal with the rest later."
"I wonder what's going on back home," Eleonora piped up. "I hope we didn't just leave it undefended."
"I doubt it," Robin assured her. "As I said before, I believe your world's power is strong, but well defended. It's not as easy to cross the realms to reach it."
"But it has been reached before," Kiria pointed out. "That's how we got into the mess with the Mirages in the first place."
"True, but the Mirages struggled to take form in your world," Caeda said. "So crossing over completely was incredibly difficult."
"If the Demon King is still in this world, we need to worry about here first," Itsuki said as he stopped and turned to his friends. "He's obviously interested in Nergal. If we can corner him, the rest is secondary." His friends stared at him.
"You okay, man?" Touma asked. "You look like hell."
Honestly, Itsuki felt like hell. So much negative energy swirled around him and he felt like he was going to vomit. The longer this campaign went on, the worse it got. Even from relatively far away, he could feel Roy's inner turmoil and fear for his parents. He could sense Hector and Lyndis's concern for their friend, never mind all the overall dread of the army for whatever was coming. He figured it had something to do with the little trinket hanging from his neck, but what could he do? He needed its power for something, apparently. He was almost afraid to ask what.
"Just stressed," was all he was willing to admit. "I'll be okay."
He looked up at a bit of commotion from Eliwood's tent, and a moment later, he, Hector, Lyndis, and Athos emerged with Roy behind them. Eliwood gave the order for the troops to gather, and it didn't take long to get everyone together for him to address. He looked shaky, but the fire of determination burned in his eyes.
"My friends, there is only one way forward now," he said. "In order to face Nergal and save Ninian, we must gather the power of the legendary weapons from ages ago. We will return to Ostia with utmost haste and put an end to this whole nightmare- first the Dark Druid, and then the Demon King!"
"Is everyone gathered?" Athos asked. "It would not do for anyone to be left behind." He lifted his arms, staff gripped in one hand, and a brilliant light enveloped the army.
Itsuki blinked several times and shook his head, trying to clear away the disorientation clouding his vision. He found they had been transported to the base of a mountain, and the opening of a cave gaped at them. It led down deep into the ground, though he thought he saw a faint red glow coming from way below.
"Here, you will face the trial to claim the Blazing Blade," Athos said to Eliwood. "Choose your comrades carefully. This will test your courage, strength, and perseverance. Should you falter, it may mean your death." Eliwood nodded and looked over his friends and companions.
"Hector, Lyn, I know this will be dangerous, but I can't imagine anyone greater to join me."
"I thought that was a given," Lyndis said with a smile as she crossed her arms. "We're with you, Eliwood."
"To the end," Hector agreed. "Can't let you hog all the glory!" Eliwood nodded and looked to his son standing at his side.
"Roy, much as I wish I could ask you to stand with me…"
"I understand, Father," Roy replied, dipping his head. "This is your moment, not mine. You have to do this without our interference. I'll stand watch, and when you come out victorious, we'll go save Mother." Eliwood smiled slightly and gave his son a quick but warm hug, then backed up with his hands on Roy's shoulders for a moment longer.
"Be safe," Lilina bade. "I know you'll be successful. We'll see you soon!"
"Sooner than you think," Hector said with a grin. "You two behave, got it?" Lilina barked a quick "Father!" at him, and Roy just shook his head. With that, Eliwood selected a handful of his truest allies, and when they were prepared, they followed Athos down into the cave. The rest of the army set up a basic camp to treat injuries, make meals, and tend to weapons and armor as needed. Itsuki looked over as the Lycian nobles from the future approached him.
"How are you feeling, Itsuki?" Lilina asked. "I know you were the one who defeated the Black Fang commander… Are you well?"
"I'm not seriously injured," Itsuki replied as he looked over his sword. "Thank you for your concern."
"That's good," she nodded. "But I thought I saw you speaking with him. What happened?" Fortuna's lord frowned and lowered his blade.
"I tried to convince him that we did not murder his brother. To be honest, I think some part of him believed me, but…" He shook his head. "He was so desperate for revenge, and for death. He said that he would either avenge Linus himself, or he would trust us to in his stead. Either way, he would only accept death so he could be reunited with his brother." Lilina lowered her head, her eyes darkened with grief.
"To be driven to such madness," Roy remarked with a huff. "I never knew much about the Black Fang before all this. I may not agree with their methods, but I believe now that they truly were an honorable band. It's a shame they ended up on opposite sides of war with our parents. Had things gone differently, they could have been powerful allies." He sighed, shaking his head. "I knew Nergal was an absolute madman, but to see the true extent of his influence…"
"We know our parents were successful in defeating him, but right now, it's hard to believe," Lilina agreed. "Then again, I suppose that's why we're here now. Things are even worse because of the Demon King."
"Hey, it's not all bad," Roy turned to her with something of a smile. "If we hadn't come here, I may never have discovered the extent of my origins."
"True," Lilina chuckled. "You make a handsome dragon." Roy's face flushed, and Itsuki gave a helpless smile.
It probably wasn't all that long of a wait for Eliwood and the others, but it felt like an eternity. But finally, there came an echoing sound of footsteps from the cave that steadily grew louder, and before long, the Pheraen heir emerged with a large and rather imposing blade in hand, a look of both triumph and relief on his face. Hector beamed with pride behind him as they stepped into the light cast by the setting sun. Roy and Lilina quickly hurried to their fathers to welcome them back.
"Durandal, the sword of sacred fire," Eliwood murmured. "With this, we'll stop Nergal and save Ninian." The fire of determination burned bright in his eyes. "Come! To the Dragon's Gate!" But as soon as the words left his mouth, his eyes lost focus.
"Father?" Roy beckoned. Eliwood didn't respond, but he looked down just as Durandal began to glow.
"...What?" He murmured. "Why is it…?" His gaze snapped up. "Watch out! Something's coming!" Itsuki joined many others in glancing around wildly, and he spotted a large form clawing its way around the mountain. As it came into view, it was easy to recognize if not hard to believe.
"It can't be…" Eliwood breathed.
"It's a… dragon!" Lyndis blurted.
"How?!" Hector demanded. "How is that possible?!"
"Get back, everyone!" Eliwood ordered, and he raised Durandal as the dragon quickly came toward him.
Roy, meanwhile, shifted his gaze quickly between his father and the dragon, and his eyes widened. He tore forth and drew the Binding Blade in a flash from behind his back.
"Father, NO!" He snapped and nearly dove in front of Eliwood, and the two swords collided in a burst of fire and power that rolled off them, knocking back anyone caught in its path.
"Roy, what are you doing?!" Eliwood demanded as he lifted Durandal. "Out of the way!" He tried to sidestep his son and took aim at the dragon now looming over them, but Roy intercepted him again and parried the Blazing Blade.
"Father, stop!" he nearly growled. "That dragon is Ninian! My mother!" Eliwood grit his teeth as he struggled against his son.
"D-dragons…" he panted. "Must be… destroyed…" He and Roy broke apart, and he shoved Roy to the side and lifted Durandal.
"STOP!" Roy howled, charging forward and driving his shoulder into Eliwood's side, knocking him off balance. Roy immediately positioned himself between his father and the distressed dragon watching them, Binding Blade at the ready. "I won't let anyone harm my mother," he said firmly. "Get ahold of yourself, Father! Listen to me!"
"Roy…" Eliwood stumbled back to his feet, his shaking hands gripping Durandal. "Move. The dragons must be destroyed…" Roy met his father's gaze steadily.
"Fine," he said as he straightened up, and he tossed the Binding Blade to the side. It skidded across the dirt with a clatter as he reached into his pack on his belt, and he drew forth his Dragonstone and held it toward his father. "If you truly believe that, then you'll have to kill me first. Dragon blood runs in my veins, Father. Her blood." He gestured with his free hand toward the dragon who was watching Eliwood solemnly.
The allied troops from Lycia and beyond could only watch, mortified, at the exchange. Eliwood stared at his son as Durandal shook in his tight hold, and he took an unsteady step forward. Roy never wavered, his eyes fixated on his father, all but daring him to make another move. Eliwood once more raised Durandal.
With a cry of effort, Eliwood drove the sword into the ground and released it, falling to his knees as he tried to collect himself. Roy immediately lowered his Dragonstone and knelt down before his father, reaching his free hand toward him.
"Roy," Eliwood managed to say. "I'm so sorry. It was like… like the sword was trying to control me…" Roy shook his head vigorously.
"You are the sword's master," he said. "Not the other way around. And you just proved it. Your will is stronger than the sword's." Eliwood gave a weak smile.
"Thank you, son. Thank you for bringing me back to my senses." Roy merely nodded and the two stood up, and Eliwood turned to the dragon still restlessly watching them.
"Ninian…" he said gently. "Is this really you?" He reached his hand toward her, and she lowered her head and hesitated just beyond his touch. "No matter what form you take, you're radiant." He stroked the side of her head softly. "Please forgot my actions, dear. I would never hurt you. I promise." Ninian let out a soft exhale and closed her eyes, and Eliwood's smile grew.
A light slowly enveloped the dragon's body, much as it had Roy's before. Ninian's form returned to her human shape, leaving her cradled in Eliwood's arms. She stirred and looked up into his eyes, her own filled with affection.
"I… wanted to see you…" she said, and he held her tighter. "Eliwood…"
"My dear Ninian…" he murmured back, and after a moment, they looked up at their son.
"Thank you, Roy," she said gently. "I'm so proud of you…" Roy started to say something, but his eyes blanked and he whirled around.
"Meddlesome brat," a dark voice spat, and Nergal appeared in a burst of darkness not far away.
"Blackheart!" Eliwood snapped, holding Ninian protectively. Roy immediately took a defensive stance between his parents and the Dark Druid.
"Ninian has proven useless," Nergal said flatly. "I've come for a replacement." He lifted his hand, and from a flash of light, an unconscious Nils fell at his feet.
"Nils!" Eliwood called, but the boy did not respond.
"Don't waste your breath," Nergal retorted. "He will not wake for some time." His single eye fell on Ninian. "He will do for me what his sister could not."
"No…" Ninian attempted to stand, but her weakness at the ordeal overwhelmed her. Eliwood picked her up in his arms and got to his feet, glaring daggers at Nergal.
"With their power, I shall open the Dragon's Gate," Nergal chortled. "You will await the end of the world trembling in the shadows of dragons!"
"Enough, Nergal." From the Lycian allies, Athos emerged with a tome gripped in his hand. "I will not permit it. I will instead see you perish in flame!" He lifted his hand and powerful magic swirled about it, and as he cast it forth, flames erupted around Nergal and engulfed him, though minded the unconscious Nils. But when it subsided, Nergal still remained standing and undaunted. A wicked smile formed on his lips.
"The purest fire of Forblaze," he clucked his tongue. "Very impressive, old friend. However… Your fire is no longer my foe! Not even a legendary weapon can cause me harm! I am invincible!" He let out an ear-wrenching bout of laughter. "You are a pitiful old wretch past your prime, and with my power along with the dragons, I will see the world burn to nothing!"
"ENOUGH!" Roy approached the Dark Druid with fury written all over his face. "No more of this, madman. You want the power of dragons? So be it!" A brilliant light shown from his Dragonstone held tight in his hand, and that light enveloped his body along with a chill that radiated from him. He quickly took on his dragon form and let out a growling screech that very well might have shaken the mountains. He reared his head back and snapped it forward like a whip, shards of ice accompanying the breath he aimed at the Dark Druid. Nergal cried out and rocked back as Roy's breath enveloped him and ice razed his body. The power of a dragon was indeed a sight to behold.
As the remnants of the icy breath faded, Nergal was struggling to remain standing, and his turban had nearly fallen from his head. The scars once hidden by its cloth were now in plain view as well as his damaged eye. He groaned as he glared at the dragon before him, and Roy lowered his head and growled deeply.
"I will deal with you soon enough, boy," Nergal said darkly. "Enjoy your last days with your wretched parents." With that, the Dark Druid vanished, leaving Nils still lying on the ground. Roy surveyed the area quickly, then allowed himself to return to his human form. He hurried over to his uncle and knelt down at his side, and Nils groaned as he stirred and opened his eyes.
"Uncle Nils, are you okay?" Roy asked as he helped the boy sit up. "You're safe, don't worry." Nils looked up at him and nodded. His gaze then fell on Eliwood as he approached them with Ninian in his arms, and Ninian gave her brother a relieved smile.
"Ninian!" Nils stumbled to his feet, and Ninian murmured something to Eliwood, and he set her back on her feet. She and her brother tearfully embraced, and both Roy and Eliwood had smiles on their faces.
"That was… something else," Tsubasa remarked from where she, Itsuki, and the others had been watching the whole ordeal. "Dragons really are powerful. I mean, I guess we knew that, but…"
"Considering Roy is only part dragon, it only serves to prove how strong they are," Yashiro said. "We are lucky to have him on our side."
"Now it's just a matter of stopping Nergal," Itsuki spoke up. "Now that Ninian is back with us and he failed to take Nils, I'm worried about what he may try next. We should be careful from here on out."
"We'll manage one way or another," Chrom said as he placed a friendly hand on Itsuki's shoulder. "I imagine they'll want to keep up this momentum, so we should all get what rest we can." Itsuki nodded and turned to his companions.
"You heard him," he said lightly. "Rest up. The sooner we stop Nergal, the sooner we can focus on the Demon King."