"... J"
"CJ."
"Hey CJ! Get up!"
I bolted awake, glancing around wildly before I fully woke up, and realized I was in no danger.
"Sheesh. You sleep like the dead. Get up, we're moving out in 10 minutes," Lissa said, turning and leaving my room. I stared at the closed door for a couple of seconds before getting up and taking out my new clothes.
They weren't very expensive but Robin told me that the material should last. I got myself 5 black shirts, Robin called me dull for not buying a different color, and 3 baggy pants, perfect for walking long distances. Along with the baggy pants, I got myself 2 much-tighter pants for the winter and a pair of boots.
I got myself dressed and looked at the tiny mirror I found in my room the night before. My black hair was crumpled and greasy and was getting way too long for my taste. My face was in a similar state, hairs starting to pop out on my chin and neck. I needed to get some scissors and a razor soon.
I grabbed some small tomes and put them in my satchel, which Robin made fun of me for, and stepped out of my room to see most of the team already ready. Virion, Lissa, and Maribelle shared some tea while Vaike did some pushups next to them.
"Ha, finally awake are you?" Vaike said, getting up and wiping sweat from his forehead.
"Get away you oaf. You smell horrendous." Maribelle pinched her nose for emphasis.
"Can't handle a MAN's smell can you?" Vaike responded, flexing his muscles.
"No man would ever allow himself to smell like that." Maribelle retorted, finally getting up and moving away. Lissa chuckled at Vaike's antics as the man waved off Maribelle and went back down to do some sit-ups.
"Would you like some tea CJ?" Virion offered. "I brewed it myself. Of the finest quality, I assure you."
"No thanks. Not a tea person. You guys got coffee?" I asked. I got a bunch of surprised looks, even from Maribelle.
"You drink coffee?" Lissa asked.
"Yea. I love coffee. I live off it. Why? Did I ask something wrong?"
"Not so much wrong as surprising," Lissa said. "Coffee is exclusively for the royal elite. There are only a couple of people I know who can even afford it."
"Oh. Well then. I'll settle for some tea then." I sat back down as everyone got back to whatever they were doing before.
"I just must ask. Were you an elite from where you come from?" asked Virion, breaking the awkward silence that had taken over the room.
"No. Coffee is plentiful in my country. Anyone can afford it. It goes for as much as a couple of bronze coins." I explained.
"Fascinating. I would love to hear about your country a bit more. Where is it located?" Virion asked. Before I could continue, the door opened to reveal Chrom and Frederick.
"Alright, guys. Let's go. I'm hoping we get to Ferox by nightfall or early morning tomorrow. The pegasus knights are running late so they'll meet us halfway," Chrom said.
"Finally," Vaike said, getting up and stretching. "I've been waiting for some time now. Let's get this sh-"
"You are not going like that," Chrom said, stopping Vaike in his tracks.
Vaike looked down at himself and looked back up at Chrom in confusion.
"Vaike, you have no shirt for gods sake," Chrom explained. "Get a shirt on."
Chrom turned and left the barracks, leaving a grumbling Vaike to fetch a shirt.
"Will you be accompanying us, Maribelle?" Lissa asked the noblewoman, who was putting away the teacups and kettle.
"No, darling. I need to go to Themis. Apparently, my father has some urgent issues he needs attending to, so I'll be taking over for the next day or two."
"Oh. alright then. Take care!"
"As goes for you darling." Lissa and Maribelle hugged each other before Lissa followed her brother out.
"Those two are quite a pair, don't you think?" Virion whispered to me as we left the barracks.
"A tight bond, that's for sure," I agreed.
"Friends since their early youth. I have yet to see them have an actual argument."
"Really now?" I said, surprised. "How ideal would that be. Have a perfect relationship and never fight."
"Only the luckiest can hope for that, my friend"
Robin POV
I woke up with a horrible headache that made me feel like Vaike was hitting me with his ax. It's happened before so I would know.
I got up and put some clothes on, tried combing my hair to the best of my ability, and entered the kitchen to find Maribelle in the kitchen putting some things away.
"The bear ended her hibernation early it seems," Maribelle taunted.
I ignored her and sat down at the table. I looked around the common area and realized that no one was here. Usually, I'm the last one up, but it seems I was early. Unless?
"Where is everyone?" I asked.
"They left."
"What?!"
I hurried into my room and got my tomes before back out.
"Why did no one wake me up?!"
Maribelle laughed before she answered me, "I guess we all forgot about you."
"Hurry along. If you sprint, you might catch up to them."
I hurried to open the door when I ran headfirst into someone. I looked up to find Cordelia rubbing at her temple.
"Oh, I apologize. Please, allow me to help you," Cordelia said, reaching out her hand. I grabbed it and allowed her to help me up.
"Oh, if it isn't Cordelia. How may I help you?" asked Maribelle, emerging from the kitchen.
"Miriel here forgot her tomes. I'm fetching it for her." Cordelia moved to the side to reveal Miriel and...
"What is she doing here?" I asked, pointing at the person accompanying Miriel on the pegasus. She hasn't changed at all since then.
"She's accompanying me on my mission. Who are you? A new shepherd?" asked Cordelia.
"Yea. Just got here yesterday. I'm also supposed to be with Chrom." I responded.
"What are you doing here then?"
"Oh well…"
"She overslept. Now she needs to catch up," Maribelle interrupted.
"Oh really? You can accompany us. We'll get there before they reach Ferox."
"Can I ride with you?"
"I mean, who else will you ride with? It's two people max on a pegasus."
"Just making sure…"
Cordelia looked at me with confusion.
"What do you have against Sumia?"
"I can't shake the feeling that I forgot something," Chrom said.
"It's quite possible that you forgot something in the castle," Frederick responded.
"Are you saying that I have a tendency to forget things?" Chrom asked. Frederick's silence and Lissa snickering gave him an answer.
"Didn't realize you were that old, Chrom." I joked. "Already losing his memory."
"Hey. Watch it. We're around the same age."
"Whatever you say, my prince."
"Don't taunt me. And stop laughing Lissa. I'm not the one that took half an hour looking for her staff."
"Hey! You misplace the rapier Emmeryn gave you a ton of times," Lissa fired back.
"No, I don't. I just don't need it as much when I have Falchion."
"And what if we go against cavalry, sire? How will you deal with them with a weapon as big as Falchion?" Frederick asked, a rare smile on his face as he got into the banter with us.
"That's why I have my dutiful knight with me. You'll take care of them in no time." Chrom smiled at his response as Frederick just sighed and shook his head. Me and Lissa laughed at the poor knights' reaction.
"Anyway, I do hope Ferox gives us the troops we need. Otherwise, we'll be hard strung to fight back a full invasion."
"Why wouldn't they give us the troops?" asked Lissa.
"Multiple reasons, princess. It's possible that they themselves are having issues with the Risen, and don't have the ability to give up troops. They also might have no desire to give troops to Ylisse for military reasons," Frederick explained.
"Don't say that Frederick. Ylisse and Ferox have no reason to conflict with each other. We see eye to eye with them on Plegia and we'll see eye to eye with them on the Risen situation." Chrom said.
"Speaking about Risen." I pointed towards the Risen emerging a couple of meters in front of us from the woods. "We might need to deal with these before we keep going."
"They're this close to the city? We haven't even walked that far yet!" Chrom unsheathed Falchion and turned to address the rest of the shepherds behind us.
"Alright shepherds, we got some Risen to fight. Robin, what's your plan?"
Chrom looked through our small group before realizing what he had forgotten back at Ylisstol.
"Crap. We don't have Robin." Chrom turned to look at me.
"Why didn't you wake her up?"
"I'm not her babysitter. Why the hell would I wake her up. I thought Lissa was doing that?"
"Why would you think that?" Chrom asked.
"She was the one who woke me up this morning. Otherwise, I also wouldn't be here."
"Wait why did Lissa wake you up? She never does that."
"Sire, not that this conversation isn't enthralling," Frederick glanced down at the blushing Lissa. "But the Risen are starting to move. We need to get ready before we lose them in the forest."
"Damn ok. Got any suggestions, CJ?"
"Wait, why am I the strategist now?"
Chrom shrugged at me as Frederick started massaging his temple.
"Alright, well I can do my best. We'll do the following. Sully and Frederick will be at our sides. You need to keep the Risen from wandering off into the forest, and being the most mobile units, you'll be in charge of that."
"I'm a what now?" I heard Sully ask.
"Vaike and Chrom are going to go straight down the middle of the road. You're our frontline. You need to keep the Risen off me and Virion. We'll support you, so you don't have to worry about taking them on 1 on 1."
"As sound as I think it can be. Let's do it," Chrom affirmed, lining up like I planned out. "These guys are especially tough, so make sure they disintegrate before moving on to the next one!"
"Haaa! No one is tough enough to take on the Vaike. One swing from my… Hey, where's my ax?"
"Vaike, please don't tell me you forgot your ax," Chrom said, looking exasperated at Vaike.
"I just had it!"
"This screws my plan up quite a bit," I said, thinking on how we can possibly progress with only Chrom keeping me and Virion safe from the Risen.
"W-wait for me!"
We all turned around to see Stahl galloping towards us.
"Stahl? I thought you weren't back yet," Chrom said, as Stahl leaped off his horse.
"I got back some time after you left. Maribelle told me where you were going, so I decided to catch up." He looked towards me. "Who's this?"
"CJ. New shepherd. Good to meetcha," I said, holding out my hand.
He took it and nodded. "Stahl. Nice to meet you as well."
Stahl is probably the only person I've seen so far with green hair that conveniently matched his green armor. It looked like he just woke up, with how unkempt it was. He was as tall as Chrom and carried a sword on his waist.
"Why don't we just replace Vaike with Stahl in the front now?" asked Lissa.
"Not that simple. We need someone that can stick with us, instead of running forward. Why do you think I placed Frederick and Sully on the sides?" I responded.
"Wait, why am I replacing Vaike?" Stahl asked.
"Vaike forgot his ax… again" sighed Lissa.
"Here." Stahl went over to his horse and unlatched an ax from the side of his horse. "It's small but it's better than you're fists." He tossed the ax towards Vaike.
"It's small, but it'll work," Vaike said after analyzing it a bit, swinging the ax around and testing its weight.
"Great. Then Stahl will be in front of us and try and pick someone off. Every time you go in, swing a couple of times and go around to the back. We'll surge forward and kill anything you didn't kill. We'll repeat that until they're all dead."
Stahl nodded before getting on his sword and moving towards the front.
"Alright guys, get into the formation I said earlier. Frederick and Sully on the sides! Don't let any get around us or away from us. Stahl at the very front. Don't stay long and don't get overwhelmed. Vaike and Chrom behind Stahl, me and Virion behind them and Lissa behind us."
We all got into our places and moved forward. The Risen were starting to notice us and started lumbering towards us. There were six or seven in our immediate area, with another couple past a bridge in an opening. They all seemed to be the same type, but a Risen past the bridge seemed bigger than the others.
"Alright, Shepherds. Let's do this! Charge!"
With Chrom's call, we all surged forward, Stahl immediately putting some distance between us as he slashed at the first Risen he saw. Just as Chrom and Vaike were closing the distance with Stahl, Stahl pulled off and Chrom and Vaike went in, killing the Risen.
I looked to the sides to see Frederick demolish a Risen with his lance, piercing straight through it. Sully was notably slower, having to receive some help from Virion.
"Let's go guys. These dastards won't kill themselves!" Chrom called, allowing Stahl to pass by him as he went in once again.
Stahl went in once more but was forced back much quicker than before. Chrom and Vaike hadn't gotten there yet before he was forced back, revealing two Risen teaming up on him. As soon as they could, Chrom and Vaike both took on one Risen. I looked towards Virion and indicated that each of us would help one person, to which he nodded his understanding.
I prepared a fireball, forcing it to become slightly bigger than normal. Unfortunately, Chrom was right in front of me, so I didn't have a clean shot.
"Chrom! To the side!"
Chrom glanced back and nodded, pushing the Risen away and dodging to the left. I launched the fireball at the Risen, creating a hole where its heart would normally be. The Risen looked at me and started coming at me before Chrom came up and slashed it through. It disintegrated before it could get close. Chrom smiled and nodded towards me, before looking at the rest of the team.
Virion and Vaike were finishing up their Risen, Vaike's strength and Virion's accuracy being more than enough to overwhelm the Risen. Frederick was cleaning up his side, allowing the Risen to lumber towards him before cutting him through. Sully, on the other hand, was still struggling with her second Risen. With Virion's help, she wasn't able to get a clean shot on the Risen, forcing her horse back each time the Risen swung. I decided to help out a bit, as Virion was still preoccupied.
I started to create a fireball, before realizing the distance between me and her would make it way too inaccurate. I didn't want to hit her, so I decided to experiment. I closed my eyes and started imagining the fire to change shape, slowly forming it into a sort of spear, creating a sharp end, and making it very narrow. I opened my eyes to see it in such a shape.
I took aim and threw the fire spear, which moved at a much faster pace than a fireball would. It hit the Risen from the side, going clean through him and fizzling out soon after. The Risen looked mildly annoyed, looking at where the shot came from. This was its mortal mistake, as Sully took the chance to tear through it.
"What was that?" asked Lissa, coming up to me as she finished healing Vaike.
"Don't know. I tried experimenting and it worked," I said, looking at my hand. I felt a bit wobbly and sat down before I fell.
"Seems our mage has more capabilities than what we expected," said Virion, dusting himself off.
"You should see Robin sometime. Her magic is league's stronger than mine."
"While Robin's magic is stronger, yours is more interesting. In all my years, I have never seen a spear made of fire," commented Frederick, grouping up with us.
"Yea. Saved my ass as well. Thanks a ton," Sully said, giving me a thankful nod, which I returned.
"Alright, enough talking. Let's keep going. We still got some more," Chrom ordered. He looked over at me. "Same plan?"
"Similar. Stahl and Frederick will take the lead here and cross the bridge first. Take out the Risen on the sides. Sully will go with Stahl. The rest of us will take that last Risen. Should be simple."
"Alright, you heard him. Get going."
Frederick, Stahl, and Sully crossed the bridge first, and dispersed, Frederick going to the left and Stahl and Sully going to the right. We quickly crossed the bridge and approached the Risen in front of us.
This Risen was quite a bit bigger than the other Risen and had a sword, instead of only having claws like the other Risen. The sword was giant, much bigger than Falchion, and seemed to be created from the same mist that formed the Risen. It looked at us and seemed to analyze us before he charged in our direction. It raised its sword into the air, intent on slashing us into pieces.
Chrom and Vaike went shoulder to shoulder and raised their weapons to meet the Risen's sword, which made a dong sound as they made contact. Chrom and Vaike notably shuddered from the strength of the Risen, but they held. As the Risen stepped back to attack again, two arrows sprouted from his chest, Virion not allowing any rest for the beast. I launched a fireball towards his arm, tearing through it and forcing the sword away from the Risen's hand.
It glared at me, his eyes filling with rage and bloodlust, and charged once more. Vaike and Chrom lunged to stop him, but this time around, the Risen launched them back, as if they weighed nothing. I quickly launched two more fireballs, giving him another two holes in his chest, but he refused to go down. Virion's launched arrows at his head, but no matter how many appeared in his head, he still didn't go down.
As it closed the distance, I closed my eye and started focusing on the fireball. I changed it and forced it flat, making it a discus. I opened my eyes and allowed the Risen to get closer and closer and closer. As he raised his arm to maul me, I released the discus and allowed it to grow in size in front of me. The Risen came into direct contact with the fire, disintegrating his arm immediately. As the Risen staggered backward, now both arms useless, Chrom slashed his legs apart, forcing the Risen to the ground. Vaike finished it off by slashing across its back, finally making the Risen dust.
I sat down as I tasted salt enter my mouth, the spell draining me completely. I turned and spit blood onto the ground, thankful that it wasn't too bad. I really needed to learn how to control my mana pool.
I turned to see Frederick, Sully, and Stahl approach us, Sully having a scratch on her cheek, but otherwise seemed fine. Chrom approached me and gave me his hand, which I took.
"Can't believe I let it get past me. Sorry, CJ," apologized Chrom.
"No worries. I'm just happy it wasn't able to get past me. If he got to Lissa, I'm scared what might've happened."
"But how did it get through both of you?" Lissa asked, healing Sully's wound. "The first time around, both of you seemed fine."
"I don't know. It's almost like he got stronger when he got hit with the magic," Chrom responded.
"No. I think he got stronger because he got that injury. Almost like a last burst of power before his death," I said.
"What terrifying power…" commented Lissa.
"Very true. Yet it seems we have our own source of power," Virion said, staring directly at me.
"What?"
"That new fire spell. You used it to protect yourself. Do tell how you do it. Oh, and don't forget to mention that fire spear from before," Virion said.
"It's not new. I just use the fireball spell and change it a little."
"A little? I've studied magic for more than 5 years and I've never heard of a mage changing the shape of a spell," Lissa said.
"Doesn't matter. What matters is that we're all still alive." Chrom said, abruptly ending the conversation. "Let's keep moving. We can't wait around any longer or we won't get to Ferox until tomorrow afternoon."
Everyone put away their tools and started marching like before when Lissa idled up to me.
"You need to teach me how to do that," she whispered.
"Sure. When this war ends I can teach you."
"What?! I want you to teach me now!"
"I can't right now. I'm still learning how to use it. Once I master it, I can teach you."
Lissa glared at me before sighing and nodding, moving to walk next to her brother in the front. I opened a tome Robin had bought yesterday and decided to try and learn a new spell. It seemed this new one was a wind spell.
"Fucking hell it's cold. How much longer till we get there?" I ask, covering my ears with my hands to try and heat them up.
"It's right there. Can't see it?" Chrom said, pointing out in the distance.
I stared off into the distance, trying to see anything in this snow before noticing a giant building. As we got progressively closer, I realized it wasn't a building but a giant gate, with stairs going up to the top on both sides. People, who I assume were guards, were stationed all around the stairs, eyeing us as we got closer.
"So this is the fortress? Looks more like a giant gate," I noted.
"It is a gate. It just so happens, the only place where we can cross is right here. This is the Longfort. It stretches along the border of Ylisse and Ferox," Chrom explained.
"The Khans have grown wary of foreigners. Don't dwell too much on it though. We should be able to pass with some diplomacy," Frederick said.
"Last time I checked, that wasn't my strong suit, but I'll try either way. Let's go guys," Chrom said.
As we started to get closer, I noticed that the guards were starting to move around. More came out from the top of the gate and started surrounding us.
"We got some problems, Chrom. The guards are mobilizing," I said.
"What? Why?"
"This is getting dangerous, milord. I suggest we get ready for the possibility of combat. I think CJ needs to think of a plan," Frederick said, looking back and forth from the left and right sides of the structure.
"Plan? This thing is designed for defense Frederick. And those guards outnumber us by quite a bit. I don't know how'll we get through them all before more start descending from the top."
"You're our tactician. It's your job to make up plans like those!"
"ROBIN is your tactician. I'M just a mage."
"Don't sell yourself short. I trust you if this goes South," Chrom said, patting me on the shoulder.
"Halt! Who goes there." We hear a voice from the top of the gate calling down to us.
"In the name of house Ylisse, I seek an audience with the khans," Chrom called up.
"Not another step! I've my lancers at the ready!" the voice said.
"We are not your enemy. Exalt Emmeryn herself sent us to discuss matters of mutual interest!" Frederick said.
"My only interest is keeping you out of Ferox, brigand!"
"Brigand!?" Frederick became enraged and started walking up towards the nearest guard before Chrom blocked him and forced him back. Frederick moved back to his horse and unlatched a lance.
"You better make a good plan. I will show that woman the strength of the person she called a brigand," Frederick whispered.
"I am prince Chrom. Heir to the throne! I demand to-"
"HA. You're prince Chrom? And I'm the queen of Valm. Impersonating royalty is a capital offense, you realize. Let us settle this the Feroxi style. If you defeat me and my guards currently stationed here, I will believe your tale of being prince Chrom. GUARDS"
I looked up to see multiple guards station on the edge of the gate and prepare to throw spears. Frederick and Vaike noticed at the same time, and both sprinted towards Chrom, who was still in front of us, trying to protect him. They were going to be late though.
It seemed like time slowed down. Frederick and Vaike calling out Chrom's name, trying desperately to save their prince and leader. Lissa turning around and covering her eyes. Virion already sending out an arrow to the nearest lance user on the gate, knowing full well that it would be too late. Sully taking out her sword and getting ready to charge the nearest guard. I was trying to pool enough mana into a new spell I learned, trying to use the wind to force the spears back, yet the wind would simply not pick up.
And suddenly Chrom isn't there anymore.
Me, Frederick, and Vaike looked around in bewilderment before I noticed the pegasus in the air. There was Chrom, seated behind… Cordelia?
I rubbed my eyes a bit, and looked again, and realized that it was indeed Cordelia that saved Chrom. They touched down a few yards behind me, Chrom looking as bewildered as I was, though probably for different reasons. The games sold her short from how beautiful she was. She radiated beauty, her crimson hair cascading down her shoulders to her mid-back. She had a lean body, almost like a supermodel, which was covered by her red amor, which complemented her red hair perfectly.
Just as suddenly as the appearance of Cordelia saving Chrom, another person, a person I expected to be a Shepherd, appeared from the sky, carrying a passenger on board. The pegasus knight had tan-brownish hair with a little ribbon at the top, which after looking closer, were actually feathers. She had the same outfit as Cordelia, but instead of the red armor, she had brown and pink armor, complementing her armor better. Sumia dismounted and helped her passenger off.
Miriel looked exactly how one would think a witch would look like. She had a giant hat on with dark brown robes that seemed a size too big. Her short red hair stood out quite a bit among all the duller and darker colors, but she fit the image quite well.
"My liege! I apologize for leaving you open like that. I pro-"
"It's alright Frederick," Chrom interrupted. Chrom looked over at me. "How about now? Think we got enough troops?"
"Plenty. I think we can div-"
"Wait!"
We all turned to see Robin run up the path, completely out of breath and red in the face.
"I made it. Thank god," she said.
"Robin? How did you get here?" I asked.
"The pegasus knights took me. Cordelia kicked me off after she saw Chrom in danger, and I had to run here." she explained, gasping for breath.
"I apologize once again. I didn't want to kick you off like that, but if my prince is in danger, he takes priority over anyone," Cordelia apologized.
"Yea, I know. Don't worry." Robin patted herself off before looking at the situation at hand. "So. I'm guessing we need to fight our way through those guys?" She pointed towards the guards approaching us.
"Yup. And now that you're here, you can make up a plan," I said.
"Alright. Let's see." Robin took a minute to analyze the field before creating a plan. "Frederick, Sully, and Stahl won't be able to make it up those stairs well, so they'll be the ones to take out the guards at the bottom. Frederick, go left and Sully and Stahl go right. The rest of us will split into two groups and go up the stairs. Left side will be me, Chrom, Virion, and Miriel, while right side will be CJ, Cordelia, Sumia, and Vaike. Lissa, you can choose who to go with. Either way, both groups might need help, so get ready to attend to either one."
"You heard her. Let's go!" Chrom ordered, taking out Falchion and following Frederick into the melee.
I grouped up with Sully and Stahl and indicated I was ready to go in.
"Let's do this!" Sully said, galloping straight into the first guard.
On our side, there were six guards, three swordsmen, two lancers, and a knight at the entrance of the door. Sully and Stahl took on the first two swordsmen while Vaike took on the third. The pegasus knights swooped down and engaged the lancers, leaving me alone with the knight. If the game was anything to go by, this was a winning matchup.
The knight slammed his lance on his shield, creating a loud clang noise, before charging forward. I used my familiar fire magic to send a fireball in his direction, which hit his shield. It didn't deter him, however, as he let the shield drop to the ground and grabbed his spear with both hands. He closed the distance and lunged, but he was much slower than I was, all that armor slowing him down. I dodged to the right and creating a small fireball, and flattened it into a discus. I slammed the back of his armor with my open palm and forced the fire to expand once it got into contact with the armor.
The man started screaming as the metal started melting before he turned with a glare and launched his spear at me. It nicked me on the shoulder but otherwise missed me. The guy was tough. He lasted a couple of minutes fighting before the pain from the molten steel made him collapse. I looked up to see the rest of my group finish off their opponents, Vaike the only one with minor injuries. The guy fought like an animal and usually resulted in small cuts and bruises.
"It's a shame that we have to kill them. Ferox and Ylisse are friendly for the most part." Cordelia said, touching down them to me.
"If we don't kill them, they will. I doubt the Khan will hate us for it." I said.
"Nice to meet you. Name's CJ. New mage for the Shepherds, and tactician when Robin isn't around." I offered my hand up to where she was seated, and she took it.
"Cordelia. Part of the pegasus knights along with Sumia over there." She nodded towards Sumia.
"Glad to have you guys on board. Can always use the extra help, especially from the pegasus knights."
"Let's get going," Stahl said, now unmounted and passing by me to get to the door. "We need to get through here and onto the second floor. We don't want to be late to the show."
"I can open it. Step back," I said. As Stahl stepped back, I started imagining the new spell I learned after the battle against the Risen. I imagined the wind picking up speed, focusing the air around me to go under my control. I opened my eyes and forced that wind forward straight into the door.
And it didn't budge.
"Was that meant to open the door?" Vaike mocked, laughing at me as he stepped forward. "Watch a man open this door."
He raised his ax, and with all his might, slung it into the door. The door got a giant crack from where the ax hit, but as Vaike removed it and pushed the door, it still wouldn't budge.
That's when I realized that the door might be barricaded by someone on the other side.
I decided to use the magic that I was used to and started forming a large fireball. I threw it at the door, which went straight through the door, and whatever was on the other side. I heard a DONG on the other side, and when Vaike went to open it again, we noticed the dead knight that was behind the door.
"Oi. Never mind what I said before. I don't think I want a taste of that magic you got there." Vaike muttered before he stepped over the corpse.
A set of stairs led upwards to where we saw another guard posted, utterly terrified at what he just saw. The guard turned and started running, who Vaike immediately started chasing.
"We'll stay down here until you give us the clear. Then we'll fly over and join you guys," Cordelia said.
"Right." I turned to Stahl and Sully. "Are you guys coming up with us?" I asked.
"As much as I want to, I can't leave my horse down here. Doesn't feel right." Sully said, patting her horse.
"You gonna do the same thing?" I asked Stahl. He nodded affirmation.
"Alright, one of you stand at the entrance and I'll indicate when to tell Cordelia and Sumia to go up. Shouldn't take long."
I left the group and went up the stairs to find Vaike trying to take on two swordsmen and an archer in the distance. The guy had an arrow in his shoulder but was still fighting like a demon. I quickly fired a fireball at the nearest guy, which distracted him long enough for Vaike to cut him down.
Now it was a 2v2 with me and Vaike against an archer and swordsman. This wasn't going to last long, however, as I could see troops surrounding the leader start separating to confront my group and Chrom's group, who seemed to have gotten through their group of guards.
Vaike engaged, going onto the swordsman immediately, forcing him backward. I allowed him to do his own thing as I went towards the archer in the back. He noticed me and started firing off arrows, not nearly as quickly and accurately as Virion, but nevertheless still quite dangerous. I used the wind around me to slow down any arrows coming in my direction, rendering them useless before I got close to him, and used my fire to ignite his clothes. As he danced around, I formed a galeforce of wind to hit him in the chest, extinguishing all the flames but throwing him backward, quite literally cracking the wall when he hit it.
I coughed up blood as that final spell had been probably a bit too much, as I kneeled on the ground. I saw Vaike finish off his opponent before approaching me and grabbing me by the shoulder.
"You alright there. I didn't see you get hit at all."
"Not an injury. Just exhaustion. Get ready Vaike, more are approaching. I'll call the pegasus knights to get back up here."
Vaike nodded as he faced the approaching guards, all swordsmen. I got up and walked over to the staircase, indicating to Stahl the all-clear for the pegasus knights. As I came back out, Vaike was trying to fight all three of the swordsmen, and while he was putting up a good fight, he was losing ground, and slowly approaching the staircase.
I prepared a fireball, one much smaller than what I wanted, and aimed it towards one of the guards before a spear sprouted from his chest. He went down when another guard received a similar injury. The lone guard looked around before Vaike descending onto him, finishing him off quickly.
I sighed with relief and allowed the fireball to flicker itself out, and approached Vaike and the two pegasus knights who were retrieving their spears.
"Great. Now all that's left is the leader of this place. They sh-"
"No need," said Cordelia, pointing at the other side of the gate.
Chrom and his group had already made the leader surrender and were walking over to us. Lissa hurried over to Vaike to start healing the multiple wounds the guy had suffered.
"Nice job, shepherds. Raimi will open the gates to allow Stahl, Frederick, and Sully to get through, then she'll direct us straight to the Khan. Get healed and get ready to move."
I sat down to give myself a rest before I noticed Robin approach me. She seemed distracted though.
"Hey. How did you do that?" she asked, pointing at the guard who I threw using wind magic.
"I used magic."
She looked at me and hit me behind the head.
"I mean what tome."
"Oh, this one right here." I took out the tome I had and gave it to her. She flipped through it and gave it back to me.
"Oh ok. Thanks."
She walked off back to where Chrom was, leaving me confused as to what the hell happened.