The Flames Within Us

By: V-Dawg

Chapter 13: Return to Spotlight. Kinda...

2 years later...

Elincia was in some deep trouble, and she knew it.

While gaining the leadership through war and violence, she knew what it was like be under these kinds of situations.

The threat of a conflict, a rebellion no less, was not new to her.

And as a result, when the news of a rebellion had broken out, Elincia had immediately gotten the troops to fight, armed from the start.

The rebels, for the most part, were no match for Crimea's Army.

With Geoffrey's military assistance in logistics and planning, they were able to overwhelm the rebels in evasion and power.

While Elincia had hoped that the rebellion would be to a swift end, she had unfortunately had an twist.

Lucia, Geoffrey's sister, was captured by the rebels and was soon to be hanged, in a clear display of pressure negotiations.

Essentially, they were using Lucia as a pawn to get what they wanted, and Elincia was as furious as she was concerned for Lucia's health. Ludveck was a cruel and unforgiving individual, and if he was captured, Elincia would institute the death of him.

However, Elincia knew she was the one at his mercy, this was Lucia, after all.

Elincia sighed, as she watched Geoffrey was mortified to hear that his sister was to be executed. They knew the situation they were in, and it would be a miracle if they made it out without a painful loss.

The thought of Ike suddenly dawned to her. The mercenary, it has been three long years since she had last seen the blue-haired mercenary.

Originally, he stepped down on the royalty squabbling, and then he disappeared, alongside many of the other laguz. It wasn't until around a year after that did the whole Greil Mercenaries had disappeared from the public eye.

Elincia had not heard from them for around 2 years, and with Ike, 3 years.

Elinica had asked the others who had last seen them where they had been, Tibarn, Caineghis, Naesala if they had found any semblance of the Greil Mercenaries, however they too said they have had no connections with them for the year.

Elinica sighed, she worried for Ike. She hadn't had any updates on his disappearance, however she had found something that had gave her hope.

Through some appearances in Gallia, Elincia had seen Ranulf and Leanne after a while, the two others who had disappeared alongside Ike. When Elincia asked them if they had seen Ike, they shook their heads, which made Elincia sigh in distress.

However, they did say that they had all made it out, and thus indicating that Ike was still alive. Even if she hadn't seen him, she can at least take solace in the fact that he is said to still be alive.

Elincia sighed, as she reminiscence on the first time she had met Ike, and how much he had grown. To helping her reclaim her throne, if it wasn't for him and his group, who knows what would have happened to Crimea. He was the saviour of Crimea for a reason.

However, Elincia felt like she had failed Ike when she first got reports of his disappearance. Originally saying she couldn't help due to her issue with Renning, she eventually decided to give limited assistance. Maybe if she had given more help, they could have found more evidence on their whereabouts.

Regardless of what happened, Elincia had to move on. She looked yet again to Geoffrey, who was distressed at the wellbeing of his sister, and knew that their choice would make an impact. If they said yes, they'd lose their power. But if they said no, they would most definitely destroy the remnants, but at the cost of Lucia.

Putting the lives of thousands at risk, especially after a country that had already been at war before would no doubt put a strain on Crimea further.

But she knew, as she watched her caucus bicker, that the decision was clear. Despite her hesitance and Geoffrey's opposition, they conclusion was a no.

Lucia would most definitely pay for her life, and Elincia knew all she could do was watch, maybe stall by words, but it was hopeless.

Unless a miracle happened, Lucia was as good as dead.

Caineghis knew of the brewing of conflict in Crimea. He was receiving some intel from neighbouring citizens at the possibility of rebellions, and Caineghis was concerned.

He had offered Crimea help, however Elincia rejected, stating this was an issue she didn't want spilling into Gallia. It was as noble as it was hurtful, but he didn't take it to heart.

He watched as he could hear the faint sounds of fighting, his canine senses enabling him to hear farther than the usual.

He watched as he saw Lethe and Ranulf approach him. Ever since Ranulf had returned, Lethe had kept a closer eye on Ranulf, maybe to make sure he didn't disappear again. He had disappeared once, and they didn't want him to disappear, and endure whatever he and the others had gone through.

While he had heard through some occasional visits from Tibarn and Naesala that Leanne had been doing well ever since, he unfortunately hadn't heard a lot from Ike and the Greil Mercenaries.

At first, he had thought the worst, however, he also knew they would probably be fine, especially if they all had disappeared simultaneously, rather than one on one.

"King Caineghis, we had received some information regarding to Crimean civil war." Ranulf had spoken first.

"Go on." He started, seeing his face was a mixture of emotion.

"It seems that the Royal Crimean Army had successfully pushed back the rebels to a small amount of rag tad soldiers, however they seemed to have gotten an ace on their sleeve, as they had captured Lucia, and have threatened to publicly execute her if the Crimean Royals doesn't accept their terms."

Caineghis was appalled, and Lethe was pissed.

"These beorc don't know how to fight nobly, cowards!" She snarled; her sass still hadn't gone away after all those years.

Caineghis sighed, "If they had taken Ranulf how would you have felt?"

That effectively shut Lethe up as she realized how severe the situation really was.

"Sorry Caineghis..." Lethe mumbled after a bit.

"It's fine, but the tactic is as effective as it is cruel and a low blow." He replied, agreeing with Lethe.

"So, what do we do?" Ranulf had asked.

"There is only one thing we can do. See what happens next." Caineghis answered from them.

"But sir, wouldn't the Crimea-"

"I understand your concern Ranulf, but Elincia had told us she doesn't want Gallia's assistance over fears of retribution towards us, we shall respect her decisions."

Ranulf's ears lowered in a sigh of hopelessness.

"I just wish I could help them."

"I understand your concern Ranulf, but we must let it work out on its own."

They nodded, however Ranulf decided to ask one more question to his king.

"Wouldn't it be wise to contact Ike and the Greil Mercenaries?" Ranulf asked finally.

While Caineghis was going to tell Ranulf no again, he stopped himself and actually thought about it.

There was no doubt that they would provide a sneak attack that would allow them to rescue Lucia, no doubt. Without their leverage, the rebels would most definitely collapse.

"That's actually not a bad idea, Ranulf." Caineghis said.

"Are you saying most of my ideas are bad?"

Caineghis laughed, "No, I'm not, but rather it was something even I hadn't thought about."

"Oh, but then the question we had now is where have Ike and his Greil Mercenaries been?" Lethe asked, to both of them.

"Well, they had told me of their plans to stay out of the public eye, and they did say they were planning of residing at Susa, which is near the border between Gallia and Goldoa." Caineghis had spoken.

"You knew where they were the entire time?" Ranulf asked.

"Not necessarily, but rather that is where they told me they would stay until they changed their mind. They could be elsewhere at the moment." Caineghis finished.

"Very well, if Lethe and I hurry we can get to them on time!"

"I don't think that will be necessary." A new, deeper voice had said, its figure entering the room where the three laguz were talking.

"Ike?" Ranulf asked, and they three turned around to see the person who had entered.

There, standing tall as ever, was Ike, his sword in his hand, ready for combat.

Ranulf immediately ran to hug his friend, "Where have you been?!" He asked.

Ike chuckled, "we were in Susa the entire time, our company was just recuperating after everything that had happened."

Ranulf then turned to look at Ike, and he could see that his overall figure had changed rather drastically.

His body had changed, he was taller, bulkier and more intimidating. His headband, which now was a green bandana had acted as a tie to most of his hair, though some got through.

Much to Ranulf's concern, Ike's wings were still there on him, if anything looked more longer and stronger, as if they had been worked out.

Overall, Ike looked even more different than Ranulf had ever seen, so much so that he couldn't even recognize him at first. Almost like he was a completely different person entirely. His wings no doubt was a big factor. If it wasn't for his voice, he wouldn't have recognized Ike.

This quite possibly meant that the wings Ike had gained throughout those times were highly likely to remain on him for life. He was also curious as to how long Ike would live now, but he decided to just let everything happen. He didn't want to dwell on the future or past too much.

"Ike." Lethe had started, and Ike turned to her, his brows arched in confusion.

"Hello Lethe." Ike had begun, but was stopped when Lethe began to feel his wings. Even after all those years of gaining them, they were still rather sensitive, more of the fact that Ike tried forgetting about them. Even going as far as to pull his feathers, they would just grow back, and Ike knew they would be a part of him for the long run, maybe for his entire life.

Regardless, Ike asked Lethe what was going on, and was somewhat surprised to see Lethe lightly scratch him with her claws.

"Um, is everything okay?" He asked and Lethe shook her head.

"You told me you would." Lethe started, and this confused Ike.

"I would what?" Ike asked, and Lethe looked at Ike.

"You said you would come to Gallia with me to learn how to fight like a laguz!" Lethe said, her voice a bit louder this time.

"I think he meant become a laguz." Ranulf said jokingly, which made Caineghis and Ike laugh and sigh respectively, and Lethe more furious.

However, Ike spoke, "I'm sorry Lethe, but after the war, and during those disappearances-" Ike started with a bit of struggle, which Lethe could tell, and she immediately put her hand on his forehead.

"Damn you got even more taller, but don't worry about it Ike, what happened to you wasn't normal by any means, and I can understand why you did what you did." Lethe said, this time a bit more understanding, which soothed Ike a bit.

"But regardless, what's your plan regarding Crimea, Ike?" Caineghis had spoken.

"My plan is to rescue Lucia, the Greil Mercenaries had been yearning to return to Crimea." Ike said, and they laguz noticed the rest of the Greil Mercenaries had joined them. Soren, Titania, Mist, Rhys, Gatrie, Shinon, Rolf, etc.

"We have a plan." Soren spoke, which Ike smiled, his tactician becoming a bit more confident in himself, as well as not being as skeptical towards them.

Ike sighed, remembering the look Soren had given Ike when he had returned. No doubt was Soren a fan of what happened to Ike, and hadn't talked to Ike for over a month after that.

In fact, Ike would say he was about as friendly to Ike as Shinon was, which was saying a lot.

However, after Ike had confronted Soren on what happened, and how he reiterates that he wishes he was his normal self, almost breaking down in the process, Soren's tone on Ike changed slightly.

Ike knew it was the fact that he looked like, and pretty much was a laguz didn't help matters, and Soren was still a bit skeptical of Ike. Regardless, Soren knew what had happened to Ike, and knew better what had happened to him.

He remembered asking Soren if there was a way to turn him back to himself, but Soren shook his head. Stating unless he wanted a sort of reverse of what happened, it was unlikely.

Ike, obviously shook his head at the thought of going through that again.

Shaking his head, after realizing Soren had finished his plan, which was given a thumbs up from the rest of the group, they began to head towards Fort Alpea, in Melior.

They had to rush; the cavalry they had been given was of particular use to transport them in a quicker sense.

"You think this will work?" Mia asked Soren, who simply nodded.

"It has to."

Ike was able to hear them as a result of his advanced hearing, no doubt the result of what he described as his prison.

Not only was that the result of his trials, as all of his senses improved, with his sight being the most improved, but his wings were clearly the most consequential of the bunch.

Eventually, Ike saw Ranulf and Lethe, in their laguz forms also travelling with them.

"What are you guys doing?" Ike asked.

"We're going to aid you, obviously!" Lethe answered.

"Why?" Ike asked bewildered.

"Caineghis insisted, also aren't you trying to hide yourself from the public?" Ranulf asked.

Ike then silently cursed to himself, "I was, darn it."

"It's fine, if we travel with you, the public may think you are associated with us, rather than the Greil Mercenaries." Ranulf told Ike, who pondered at how that wasn't a bad idea.

"Alright, if you and Caineghis insists, we appreciate the help." Ike said at last.

Eventually, they made it towards the Fort, and they had been waiting for the signal, for about a couple of minutes.

Soren stressed, that this plan was to be precise, and that precision would be the main factor at how it would go. Thankfully, Ike's eyesight and hearing would help with the precision, as he could see and hear from very far what they were saying.

"Come on, do it, it's a clean shot." Shinon has told Rolf, who was clearly faltering.

"I can't do it, what if I hit her, or the wrong thing..." Rolf said at last, before Shinon sighed, and took the bow from him.

"Listen, use your eyes to ready the aim, use your dominant hand to stabilize the arrow, and set the bow in its line of sight. Then, once it is all ready, no hesitations, no struggling, just a quick flick back, then the arrow flies in its line of target." Shinon said

"One clean motion, no hesitation." He said, before he let the arrow go, it striking its mark, the rope, before emboldening itself on the wooden still.

Lucia had begun falling after the impact, however, in the massive crowd of onlookers, a figure had begun his sprint, his legs carrying him as far as he could go, the sound of rapid footsteps alongside the small flapping was apparent, but the crowd was acting as a shield.

Before anyone could react, Lucia landed in the arms of a tall, bulky and broadening figure, with wings that made him stand out from the crowd.

The crowd gasped at the sudden turn of events. Ike quickly unsheathed his sword, Lucia safely in his grasps.

The troops began to quickly surround Ike, however, he simply smirked. Using a trick, he had learned in his practices alongside Soren, he extended his wings as high as he could, before he began flapping rapidly, in an attempt to pick up a windstorm.

He then quickly spun with his sword, and a large gust of wind from another source, combine with Ike's own circular windstorm, struck down the soldiers who had surrounded Ike. Ike's own windstorm had spared him from the wind tomb that Soren had unleashed.

They had quickly figured out that Ike was vulnerable to wind magic, but with that technique, it managed to mitigate the effects of it.

A nearby soldier almost struck down Soren, however Mia quickly took him down with a back stab.

"Soren! Always lost in your book! Watch your back!" Mia remarked, while Soren rolled his eyes.

A cavalry, with a redheaded woman on top, with Urvan on her hands began hacking at the surprised troops.

Gatrie and Boyd had come up from behind to assist Titania, on the ground force, who was doing fine on her own.

Ike had used his wings flapping to keep his back clean, as the wind picked up was catching them off guard, though it was hurting his limbs rather quickly.

However, a snarl from two cat laguz who had come up behind Ike made him stop his rapid gust storm. With Lethe and Ranulf now aiding him on the ground force, he was able to focus on his flank.

He made sure to stick with Ranulf and Lethe, so that they won't recognize Ike, and thankfully, they didn't seem to.

The surprise attack from the Greil Mercenaries, aided by Lethe and Ranulf, was too much for the rebels, who had collapsed from the flanks.

Setting Lucia down, Rhys approached her, and with his healing staff managed to heal her. She was still unconscious, but breathing. The whole ordeal was too much for her, as she passed out from exhaustion and over adrenaline.

Ike looked around and watched how not as much people were staring at him, though he was still aware, hoping he wouldn't be recognized.

"Lucia! Hang in there!"

The crowd of onlookers had seen the whole event happen to them.

"What are those laguz doing?!" One onlooker spoke.

"They're helping them obviously!" The other replied.

The two laguz and Ike looked around and noticed the eyes on them, and Ike had gulped a bit.

Through the whole talk, Ike was thankful that they seemed to have think that the weird bird laguz was just with Lethe and Ranulf, who themselves were decently known in Crimea.

Ike sighed, and watched as the Greil Mercenaries began taking Lucia to the Crimean Castle, no doubt to tell Elincia.

Ike watched as Lethe and Ranulf went alongside with them, and he quickly followed suit, not before looking at the crowd, who seemed to be confused at the sudden third laguz with them.

Ike smiled, knowing that despite his blue hair, and green bandana, he wasn't recognized as previously.

It was nice especially after the Mad King's War, where Ike had been revered as a saviour and hero.

With his hair blocking his upper vision partially, Ike followed Ranulf and Lethe towards the Crimean castle, ready to tell Elincia the good news.

A.N / Chapter 14 will include some more dialogue, like the whole Begnion war. Regardless hope you enjoyed. We'll also see some of the effects Ike has as a result of what he's been through.