The wind was gently blowing while they were riding through the roads of the Leicester Alliance. They were alone in the middle of the land, no other soul could be seen in the distance, allies or enemies.
"These secondary roads are a better way to avoid getting detected" said Jeritza next to him. He couldn´t see his face since it was covered by a helm, but he had got used to the tone of his voice.
"True, but we have to be careful. The enemy is near" According to the last reports they had received before departing, the enemy was close to the area where they were, but they haven´t received an exact location. Meanwhile, the open areas filled with small hills had been replaced by small forested areas.
"How many weapons are you good with?"
"I´ve come to use many types of weapons, but swords are what I use the most"
"I´m weary of that, a sword is agile enough, but it can´t compare to the reach of a lance. However, a mace would more suitable to crush those wearing armors. I choose my weapons depending on my prey, but I can do short work of most of them with the help of my lances"
"Your prey?"
"Humans and animals aren´t that different. Some of them react aggressively against the presence of a threat, while others try to run away from the source of danger. The instinct to survive is the thing that moves us all in the middle of a battle…and I act accordingly to such instincts. The realization of their imminent deaths is the reward of a great battle. Some curse you, some ask for mercy. It doesn´t matter. In the end they were just bested and their fate is dying by my hands"
"That way of thinking will grant you no good. There will be always someone stronger, faster or more intelligent that will be able to defeat you. Following your logic, the hunter will turn into the prey and your death would be a painful one"
"And I accept such consequences, but that doesn´t worry me. Only someone like you could be able to defeat me, but I will do nothing until this war comes to an end. Putting an end to war…why I wonder, when war is the natural state of us humans. Tell me, the people that you have killed, do you remember their faces?"
"Not all of them" he had to admit.
"In the end it´s just a number. We aren´t that different, don´t you see?"
"I haven´t killed just for the sake of killing. I have killed following orders or to protect others. The act of killing someone is a responsibility. Killing as an instinct is what animals do, killing for the sake of killing would turn you into a monster"
"A monster…At least monsters are honest with their true nature. Most around us hide their true faces behind nice masks. I´m the only one that is honest enough to admit what I am in front of everyone. You should not fear a monster like me, but those that hide their true selves behind a mask of kindness"
"Were you always like that?" he finally asked. He was in part disgusted with the things he was saying, but another part of him was genuinely curious about what had turned him into what he was. The kindness of Mercedes forwards his brother despite all the terrible things he had committed was the proof that he wasn´t someone like that since the beginning. Mercedes always believed in the good of others. If she was like that with someone like Jeritza it was because she still had hope in him.
"Always?... I was once weak and I paid because of it. If I had always been strong, my life would have been easier"
"You say that you are strong, yet you insist on hiding your face under a helmet. Isn´t that a sign of weakness?" He knew that he was playing with fire, but he knew that there was no other option but to pressure him.
"Don´t tempt me, Byleth. If I wear a helmet it is because I prefer keeping my face hidden. We fear the unknown so why showing my face to those I kill? But if you want to see my face…" he muttered as he took it down. "Is this face of your liking?"
"You would terrorize them more without a helmet" he said as Jeritza laughed. It wasn´t intended as a compliment, but it had no purpose explaining it to him. Having such companion would prove to be a daunting task, but he hoped for the best of outcomes.
"Better with me than with someone else" he thought, although he knew it was just wishful thinking.
…
"They are there" he muttered, hid in one of the forested areas. The sun was starting to hide as well, but there was still enough visibility. He could see a group of soldiers awaiting in what appeared to be an abandoned fortification, but there was no doubt about it. The soldiers there were Agarthans, some of them carrying strange devices.
"We can´t see all of them, but they appear to be at least a division" Jeritza said next to him. He was using his helmet again and he had placed one of his hands on a dagger to his left.
"Some of them must be inside the building and there could also be patrols as well. Approaching now would be unnecessarily risky"
"I agree, there is no point on attacking right away. It´s better to wait to see what they are doing" he said as he muttered some words in a language, he couldn´t understand.
"With this spell you will be able to see in the dark as well, when the night claims the sky" he said as he placed his hand close to him. He was suddenly blinded with the sudden luminosity, forcing him to close his eyes, but he got used after a while.
"What kind of magic is this?"
"Well guarded secrets from the underworld. Most of its inhabitants don´t even know about them, but I have learnt many of their abilities during these years"
"You mean that you have learned Agarthan sorcery"
"They consider it an art. They say that only those with innate qualities are able to understand it and use it, but I´m not the only one with such abilities. The lapdog of the Emperor is capable of such magic as well"
"His name is Hubert" he replied a bit irritated, but that was an important bit of information. The Agarthans appeared to have developed their own branch of magic, with spells that were completely unknown in their own world, although that was understandable. If most magic was influenced by the teachings of the Goddess it was only normal that those that despised her would have developed their own branch of magic.
"Daylight is coming to an end. Be ready to use your weapons. We´ll sneak through them and crush them before they realize what has happened to them"
"That´s something I can agree on" Jeritza said. He couldn´t see his face, but he could imagine he was smiling.
…
The night was already on them as they silently started to approach the old fort. They could see that they have left some patrols outside although most of them had entered the old building. The entrance to the fort was illuminated by two flying orbs that released a ghastly blue light, but apart from it the only other source of illumination were the magic orbs that were accompanying the patrols.
Approaching them from behind, Jeritza released a silent spell that trapped some of the soldiers of the patrol while he got rid of the rest with his sword. Repeating such technique, they were able to get rid of the patrols around the deteriorated building.
….
The entrance to the fort was pitch dark, but thanks to Jeritza´s spell he was able to see clearly. Behind the gates he could see what appeared to be a completely abandoned building, rusted armors and weapons in one of the corners. Apart from that the only thing that could catch his attention was an old tapestry and a half-destroyed wall. No one was there.
"Be careful, they could be at any place" he whispered as he carefully observed his surroundings. Every shadow could be a potential threat, but the area was unusually calm. Climbing through the stairs they arrived to an abandoned watchtower, but there was nothing there.
"How could this be, they aren´t here"
"Impossible, we saw them enter, they must…" Jeritza said before placing his hand on one of the walls.
"What´s it?"
"If you want to find a rat you need to go to the sewers, the same can be said about them. They live in the dark, in the places where no light is found…They must be down here, somehow"
"Then there must be a secret entrance" he said as he placed a hand on the wall as well. He must have realized earlier. It wasn´t the first time he had to find a secret entrance. The monastery was a place filled with secrets and so were the Agarthans. The fact that they could be just under them was unnerving.
"There must be a way to activate the entrance from the outside" Jeritza continued as he went downstairs, his hand always on the walls. "Do you remember the time both of us were patrolling in the monastery?"
"There was a secret entrance and we entered to explore the area. Yes, I remember"
"That time the device was related to one statue, but there are none here"
Then his attention was caught by the old tapestry. Carefully moving it he could see that there weren´t any signs of dust on its surroundings. Compared to the rest of the room, there wasn't any dust there. He touched the surface of the hidden wall, pressing the loose rocks that were there, but nothing happened.
"It must be here, but there must be another requirement to access"
"Let me take care of it" Jeritza said as he placed himself in front of the wall. Placing the hand on the wall he muttered a spell as a faint purple light appeared in front of him.
"It seems that the entrance is well protected. A key word is needed to proceed, do you have any idea of what it could be?"
"No"
"I see, in that case" the phrase was interrupted as an explosion shattered the wall in front of Jeritza. "The time of being careful is gone. Now it is time to have a real fight" Jeritza said as he unsheathed his weapon of preference, a lance with a purple light on its tip.
"I guess that being careful wasn´t of your interest" he said as he unsheathed his own weapon and jumped into the darkness beneath.
…
Projectiles were piercing the air around them, spells and all of kind of dangers hitting the walls of the underground world. Even though there was no natural source of light, with the help of Jeritza´s spell and the magic orbs that had been placed by their enemy he could see what they had in front of them. Their enemy had been surprised with the initial explosion, but they have quickly reorganized, its forces consisting on many magic users as well as some close combat units. However, the ones that were more dangerous were the ones that were throwing at them projectiles with a device resembling of a crossbow, although its rate of fire was highly superior and it wasn´t shooting arrows, but a projectile similar to a wyvern´s fang in shape.
"They are just little rats. Can you hear me?! You are running out of time…and of space" Jeritza laughed as he used a potent lightning spell that shattered some of the walls surrounding them. Many of the long-distance fighters were trying to attack him, but the lightning spell was strong enough to act as a shield. Taking advantage of the opening, he shot at their enemies his spears of ice. The sound of ice piercing through flesh was filling his ears as he prepared his next spell.
To the bottom of the cave, he could see a group of units that was evacuating, some of them carrying heavy boxes. Whatever it could be, he knew that if they were trying to run away with it, it was of great importance.
"They are trying to run away!"
"Running away at a time like this shows that they have no manners" Jeritza said as his body started to glow in a dangerous light. "Prepare to take the opening!" Jeritza shouted as he released all his magic power at once, the blast of the explosion sending their foes to the ground. Taking the opening, he used his ice spears to finish those who had fallen to the ground, running towards the area where they had seen the retreating rearguard. In front of him he could see a staircase that went even deeper in the abyss.
"We must have discovered their nest; it is time to get rid of the rest. Be careful though, a rat without a place to hide can bite. I wonder how will they scream" Jeritza simply said as he entered first. His eyes were calm, but his unnatural smile made him realize that he was acting as the Death Knight.
The lower level was strangely unnatural. Even though the cave beneath the old fort was just like some caves he had entered during these years, the area where they had just entered was made by the hand of men. The area was carefully divided in different aisles, red light orbs giving him the feeling that they were entering into a beast´s jaws.
"Could this be their base?"
"Highly doubtful, this is just a refuge of rats. The big trophy is still unknown to us" Jeritza simply said. He appeared to not be surprised, despite the unnatural atmosphere around them. Everything was calm when suddenly a shadow moved.
"Watch out!" he shouted as a shock wave sent him to the floor. The aisle was filled with the smell of dust, blood and burnt flesh, shadows appearing through the clouds of destruction. He almost didn´t have time to stop one of its attackers. Using his sword, he was able to parry the attack before cutting in half his unknown attacker. But there was no time to rest, since more attackers were appearing, the labyrinthic structure of the underground turning into a living hell.
Fireballs were met with ice spells, the ground shattering as all kind of projectiles impacted with the walls of the aisles, the structure menacing to collapse. Unsheathing his Sword of the Creator he prepared to face the herd of enemies.
"I feel…no pain…" said a voice colder than a blizzard. And then his surroundings were engulfed in a black miasma, his vision completely blinded by complete dark. But he could hear it. The screams in pain and a screaking sound that was coming closer. Preparing his sword, he waited for the incoming attack.
A pair of hands tried to grab him, but he was faster and use the whip form of his sword to throw the attacker to one of the walls next to him. The impact made the structure collapse, debris falling on it.
The miasma was starting to disappear, revealing the horrors under it. Defaced bodies, arms and legs without a body. It was a living nightmare turned into reality.
"Your hit really hurt me" chuckled a voice from the debris.
"Jeritza, what the hell were you doing? I thought the blast killed you" In front of him he could see a heavily injured Jeritza, his armor partially destroyed. His face was covered in blood, but it appeared to not be his own, and the smell coming from his hands was nauseating.
"You were the one that killed all of them" he realized. "You slaughtered them like animals"
"A rat that is willing to bite must know its place. We butcher animals and eat them without any remorse. The pain just awakened my primal instincts" he said as he touched his covered in blood cheeks. Observing the fresh blood, he couldn´t avoid smiling in satisfaction.
"A pity that crows won´t have a proper feast down here"
"You tried to attack me too"
"And I paid the price for it" he laughed as he coughed a bit of blood. "You must forgive me. Sometimes I have these…temptations. They are always trying to tempt me, trying to bring my most savage nature"
"We´ll talk later about it. We don´t know if someone is still here" the aisles had been heavily damaged under their attack, but he wasn´t sure about the extension of the labyrinth. There could be even deeper areas so relaxing now could be a fatal mistake.
Stepping over the debris and the corpses they walked through the partially destroyed aisles, but there were no signs of movement. He was wondering about what had just happened to Jeritza when a giant gate appeared in front of them. Its surface was completely dark, but he could see a familiar sigil on its surface.
"A giant gate, but for what purpose?" he wondered as they approached. He could see his own face on the surface of the gate, but somehow his reflection was twisted as if the giant gate was mocking him.
Jeritza placed his hand on the surface of the gate, but nothing happened. He then attacked it, but the weapon he used to attack the surface of the gate simply shattered not even a scratch on its surface.
"I´ll try" he said as he threw at the gate his most potent spells, but nothing happened as well. He then unsheathed the Sword of the Creator. The moment that the blade met the dark surface of the gate sparks started to appear as the surface started to melt. The once calm surface of the gate was boiling as if had just turned into thousands of living beings trying to find a way out.
"The gate is trying to defend itself" he realized, but he continued to push forward, a smell of burnt flesh filling his senses. When he was starting to feel tiredness, the structure finally collapsed with a final cry.
"Empty?" muttered Jeritza next to him.
To the other side of the gate there was nothing but an empty area.
"It can´t be, no one would have placed such defenses just for defending nothing" he said as he entered the empty space. The light of his weapon casting away all the shadows. They spent a while searching for possible hidden passages, but their search was fruitless.
"Nothing, that truly leaves a sour taste in the mouth"
"It truly is, but we achieved our objective. The enemy has been wiped out, that was what we had to do. It seems like they had prepared a base here. Perhaps they were planning to expand it and we appeared before they could finish their task. There is no point staying here. We must return to the surface"
"Understood" Jeritza simply nodded, but looking at his eyes, he knew he was calmer than before.
…
The dawns breeze was a blessing after spending hours under the ground. Around them there was no sign of activity.
"I guess that no one survived" he thought relieved. He knew that they would eventually realize the lack of troops, but they wouldn´t be unable to know who was the attacker.
"Jeritza, return to the camp to inform Edelgard about our last battle. I will continue travelling to the east to reunite with the students that had gone to the region"
"Do you still call them students?"
"What´s the problem with it?"
"Nothing really" Jeritza said, his face expressionless. "I will report to the Emperor. Make sure, you don´t get yourself kill until I have the opportunity to face you again"
"You already tried when you lost control of yourself. Anyway, I´m not planning on dying anytime soon, don´t get yourself killed as well…and try to control your dark impulses as well"
"I will try, but I won´t promise anything about it. Don´t forget my words, a monster can appear in many forms, some of them even pleasant to the eye" Jeritza simply said as he mounted on his dark horse without looking back at him.
…..
1/04 Guardian Moon
"Professor, where have you been? I thought you were going to accompany us" Caspar greeted him as if he had never seen him in years.
"Some unplanned events happened, but nothing to worry about. What is the situation here? Are the nobles willing to cooperate for the cause?"
"They mostly are, but one of them asks for something in exchange, and it happens to be the most important noble of this region" Ferdinand sighed, his armor was decorated with his own crest, an elegant lance to his side. "If we can convince him, the rest of the nobles of the region will cooperate with us"
"What´s the condition he is asking about?"
"It seems to be that one of his relatives had disappeared. The last days prior to her disappearance she appeared to be extremely pale, screaming in the middle of the night until one morning she was nowhere to be seen as if she just had disappeared from this world.
"Wait a second" he said as he recalled some conversations regarding the noble. "We are talking about Lord Margraviate of Edmund, right? That person he is talking about must be Marianne!"
"Marianne? Wait a second, I´ve heard that name before! She was that gloomy girl from the Golden Deer. I think I´ve never heard her talk in public"
"Caspar, you should be more polite regarding such matters, but I do agree she was extremely shy. I barely know about her background, but it seems that she was adopted by one of her relatives. If she lost her parents that would partly explain her behavior during our monastery days"
"Normal or not we need to help her!" Caspar shouted as he picked a battle axe.
"There is no point on doing so" interrupted a voice.
"Who are you?"
"I am a Crest Scholar and the girl you are seeking is nothing but a monster"
"A monster? How dare to say something like that!"
"Calm down, Caspar" he said before he looked at him. "What do you mean?"
"She has the mark of the beast. This region has been suffering the wrath of giant monsters that tear the flesh apart of those living near the forest. Sometimes they have even attacked the inner villages of the region…and if my conjectures are correct those who are marked with the crest of the beast are responsible of such calamities"
"How ignorant! A crest cannot turn someone in a monster. If something like that was real, someone would have already reported about it. A noble turning into a beast would be something impossible to hide from the rest of the world"
"Not every crest is a blessing of the Goddess. Some of them are burdens, but hopefully that mon…" the scholar couldn´t finish his phrase as he slapped his face. "How dare you?"
"As a Professor it is my duty to correct the ignorance of those surrounding me. Otherwise, the education of my pupils would be poor"
"Be careful with the Professor. He once hit me and left me unconscious" Caspar laughed.
"I think that something like that is not something to feel proud about…but I agree regarding your ignorance, Crest scholar"
"Some people would rather see with their own eyes instead of believing the words of those that have spent years investigating. In that case, how about you go to the great forest of this region? One of my disciples saw her travelling alone in that direction. Perhaps she is already gone by now"
"That won´t happen as long as I´m here and you, get lost before I decide to hit you again"
"As expected from commoners" the Crest Scholar muttered, but he left nevertheless.
"Prepare the rest of the group We´ll be heading to the forest. I don´t know what she is thinking but we have to find her before anything else finds her"
"Well, it seems that we have a new task ahead, just like the old times" Caspar laughed.
"Professor, I will give everything I have to save a fellow companion"
"I´m counting on all of you"
For the war phase, battles paralogues and things alike will take place without taking into account the rigid schedule of one month-one important event. In the case of the monastery phase, it made sense, since you could consider them assignments, but a war isn´t something that you can put it like that (although understandable from gameplay reasons).
I have something important to say. This month and the following are going to be extremely busy and stressful to me so I won´t be able to post in the meantime. Hope that everyone can understand. Don´t worry, I´ll be back (unless I have an accident or something lol). Anyway, I hope that everyone stays safe and see you!