The Last True Squire

by 4coyote

A Story from Levail's perspective giving some backstory on his role in Radiant Dawn set just before and during the third act of that game. I will not give details because of spoilers so read at your own risk .This is a one shot, best read in one sitting. Rated Teen for violence. Marked Zelgius because Levail is not even listed as a main character option since he has a minor role.

Disclaimer

I do not own Fire Emblem that is Nintendo's job I just write non-canon game inspired stories that are all my own opinion and rarely reflect those of my friends let alone the parent company.

Author's note I have had this idea floating around my head since playing Fire Emblem Path of Radiance last year namely I wanted to do something with a mid-boss from that game because he somehow became my favorite character from that game. I finally get the Mustafa love/fan club from Awakening. I needed a little break from my other project something in a different style and Levail's story fits first person which I have not done yet and the tone is more somber and coming from an out-of-print game I need to warn you on spoilers. Since I am from what I can tell the only person to vote for Levail in the latest choose your legends event for Fire Emblem Heroes I as Levail's biggest fan give you…

The Last True Squire a Three act Short Story

Act I Journey to Knighthood

Stiff, cold, a mild aching flit through my mind in a flash as I wake. Momentarily I imagine becoming a statue, the sensation passes I was spared the judgment of the goddess but not the people I serve. I get up from the bed turn to it and make it out of habit from my training. My lithe frame scarcely disturbed the sheets. The bed made; I turn to my chest of drawers at my quarters in the Tower of Guidance. I do not open the drawer for the armor of Begnion is gone, no longer does Begnion matter. Does anything I did matter suddenly I am back on the bed unsure of my decision. It was a lot to process just last week I was across the continent in a tent a moment later I sit here on sacred business instantaneously transferred by the ancient Goddess of order Ashera. I mutter a prayer I learned in Bengion as a boy things were much simpler then, I was not a great warrior I simply admired them.

I can still see father wiping sweat from his brow by the fire his prayer book open urging us to pray for the apostle our ruler and high priestess who is supported in day-to-day dealings by the senate. My father never stayed on the topic of the goddess for long a fanatical light comes into his eyes then he begins. "The apostle is nothing without heroes children men and woman who fight with her. The first apostle was a holy woman and a true knight." Without the Begnion knights the goddess of chaos would still be free, when the knights abandon the apostle the end is near chaos wins boy. Mark my words." I never forgot them how could I? There was never opportunity order was always on his tongue, praise of faithful knights on his lips. I doubted it was true when I grew older and became a stable boy. I spent as much time helping the soldiers onto the horse as caring for the beasts of burden, a more fitting term for the disorderly spearman than the noble animals. I after a time convinced myself that somewhere the ideal exists no one ever disparaged the General even when drunk the men adored him. When news of our impending involvement in the first war broke out, I knew the General would win it, honorably. While the others were conscripted, I volunteered to support our apostle I was in the army.

Act II Integrity Among Corruption

"It's not even our war it does not matter if the mad king destroys Crimea no one can take the general, we may even have to fight with subhumans. I will never help them Levaill, we are never going to see action the war will be over before we reach the front. Take a break if we never see combat I will die a happy man." I simmer they do not get it they are Knights they serve the people of Begnion and her apostle the Senate only supports us in it. Yet the only promotions went to toadies or men without morals from his company Levail toils endlessly hoping for combat, one day they are sent to protect a village for bandits have taken advantage of the lack of regular detachments to launch raids. The first days are quiet my regiment is on guard duty at the front gate I am staying in a house my entire company crowding the craftsman who owned the place and his family upstairs. The scent of sweat, dirt, and oil is overpowering I cannot sleep my watch is coming and then it happened the bandits came, two bodies hit the floor me and the captain are the only ones awake against eight men the others paid for their carelessness with their lives. Except one I hear the Captain shout "Private Levail with me to the stairs!" The bandits pour into the room I grab the nearest sleeper and drag him along, with me my spear in my other hand, The captain covers our approach and we hold at the bottom of these narrow stairs. Only four follow us the others kill my men. I look at the man I saved he was not enough. With their own spears the bandits are as well equipped for the fray as we are there is no hope except to limit their numbers.

"Levail, Victor, we can bumrush trough you two lead I will follow, right behind. I almost agree than I remember "The family sir, we have to protect them they will be slaughtered we cannot abandon them no knight can." Victor sides with me we hold the stairs for now they are upon us the captain is stabbed through the neck standing abreast with Victor we retaliate wounding two as the third pulls his spear free I lower my shoulder and barrel into him clearing the stairs. We repel two more attempts Victor is wounded and I am tired now there are three opponents left for us to face. Suddenly I hear Victor scream a knife is protruding from his leg, "retreat I have them!" Confidently scream my vocal cords I charge the first man I disarm by rapping his bare hand turning I impale a man heading up the steps. Then there was the duel, on the slick steps we range up and down then with my last gasp of energy I chuck my spear into his chest killing him. I exit the building only to see the General his black hair shing in the light unhelmed I remove my helmet and see the General as imposing as a one man army. It is over, I hear "You saved the family, did they offer you anything for it soldier what is your name." "I am Levail General Zelgius sir, no I did it for honors sake! "Good work you are in charge of what is left of the regiment Captain." I only saw him years later during the current conflict when I defy a senate members direct order to commit genocide, I was the highest rank there he put that overstuffed peacock in his place. Those two choices were my entire record I am not a great knight yet the goddess chose me.

I became his right-hand man I was there as he singlehandedly fights a Laguz General to a standstill when he out flanked their whole army. Zelgius he truly is the last great, true knight, there are no others. Snapping back to the present I ask myself if he defected, would I? In a heartbeat the knights are just puppets without him he is faithful to the chancellor. Still the Apostle marches against us we should stand with her? it comes back again his father's voice "The first apostle was a holy woman and a true knight." There is a knock at the door I open it the general stands clad in neither Begnion nor the golden armor he is in enchanted mail surely a special gift from Ashera and one of the sacred swords strapped to his side. I let him in.

Act III His Spear

"I need someone I can trust Levaill I have asked for a special boone from the goddess for you if you accept my mission. "What is it you require General?" He pauses "I need to face Ike alone the General of this assault must perish I must have his blade. I need you to hold the line again allow no interference keep it a honorable duel. I need to know who the better pupil is." I mull it over A request to second for the general, but I have doubts. "Sir how can I hold them back I am no great knight," "Hmm with this I behold the Wishspear as he unwraps it if you take it one more thing do not harm the Silver Maiden or allow her to come to harm." I am astonished the weapon looks formidable it is a spear of legend with this I will stand recognized as a true knight, my doubts vanish. Who know what may come but, I believe in Zelgius he is the best of us. I take the spear Zelgius takes his leave I don the golden armor following my hero.

It is a disaster Ike was not alone the Hawk king Tibarn had flown over after some words he returns a fiery barrier appears protecting Zelgius Levail joins the battle it is a fierce contest but my troops are no match before the duel is even finished I am surrounded Tibarn and a wyvern rider with an eyepatch, could it be the famous Haar? They face me challenge my loyalty I defy them "Yes. He is the last true knight. I will die for him." Eyepatch barely raises his head from his wyvern before replying "Yes, Levail. You will." His axe falls I see a mist the Wishspear falls from my hand "I failed him." Is my last thought Then darkness across that vast chamber Zelgius never even notices the fall of the last true squire he is too absorbed in his futile attempt to vanquish the ghost of his hero to care.

Author's Note 2

The Haar scene is the actual death quote conversation and I had to include it. I probably strayed from canon somewhere if I missed something from Path of Radiance I just have not played it due to its exorbitant price so I apologize. I hope you enjoyed this one shot. As much as I love Levail I will probably not touch him again, but I hope you appreciate that one random guy with the cool weapon a bit more.