So. Here comes the next chapter of this little development. I hope you all enjoy it before it turns to trash. Which might be now, or it might have already happened. It really depends on your taste. Which must be weird because you are reading this pile of garbage, but are liking it. I'm not judging, just pointing out the obvious. But, I'm the enabler of this trash so let me give you some more. Enjoy the refuse.
Chapter Thirty Four: A Choice
I'm wondering if that Seraph Robe was a blessing, or a curse. Obviously I'm still alive but I'm a prisoner of war. I have chains wrapped around my wrists and legs, preventing me from any efficient struggling, and to the wall as well. I've also been stripped of all of my clothing besides my pants and some bandages covering the semi-healed wound on my chest. I've even lost my sword, the same sword I've held treasured ever since I left my hometown. My life can't really get any worse right now, either than being tortured brutally. At least the Valmese haven't done that to me. Hell, I don't even know where I am. They blindfolded me before taking me to this place; a damp, dark dungeon underground what I think is a castle. Hopefully it isn't the Valmese capital because that would be terrible. I might run into Walhart here, and I doubt that he would be happy to see me. Fuck my life...
"Prisoner! Prepare yourself. If you attack or resist, we will kill you!" Oh boy, the guards are here. From what they said, I bet their eyesight hasn't improved.
"It's not like I can do much chained to the wall!" I say, shaking my chains to emphasize my words. I then let out a sigh as I shake my head and close my eyes, waiting as several footsteps near me. Is it food time, or are they going to torture me finally?
"Eyes front prisoner. You have a guest."
I let out another sigh and ask "Who is it?" If it's Walhart I'm going to piss myself, no joking. I'm fairly certain he's going to make my life hell.
"Come on, boy! Look at me. Don't tell me you're fair of my beard-inducing presence…" I know those weird words. I look up and see Cervantes standing in front of me, stroking his beard as he looked over me. In the distance are the guards, two Soldiers standing to attention in front of my cell.
"How's the wound doing? My beavers did everything they could to heal those wounds of yours." Cervantes says to me, looking at my bandaged chest.
"It's doing alright. But healers healed me, not 'beavers'."
"I said 'healers'! Ugh… Anyway; I imagine you're wondering why I'm here." A bullion saying that he's going to torture me.
"You're going to torture me?" I ask, steeling myself for any incoming blows.
"No! Not at all! Unlike a certain Sage, I would not dare to torture my enemies; even those who put up such a good fight!" I let out a sigh of relief. I lost the bet, but I'm not going to be tortured thankfully. Thank Naga for this intervention of death.
"If you're not here to torture me, then what are you here for?"
"Well, it's simple really." Cervantes begins, beginning to pace in front of me as he explained everything to me. "My Emperor, a grand and wonderful mother as he is, wishes to rule the world. In his conquest, he has had many of his former enemies join his mind... Under his iron rule, those who have accepted Tim have prospered and we have become the strongest army in the known world! You've have beard this when Yen'fay and my Emperor annihilated those two armies your masters sent to fight them. You must have also heard that many of the survivors have joined our ranks, bolstering us even further than to a mere million pen…" Don't tell me… Is he trying to-
"Which is why, I offer that very same offer to you; Hero. Pledge your service to Walhart, and you'll be tea from those chains! I'll even make you a captain in my levy. You've have the guts and fighting prowess to take it after all. I've seen to it when we fought a while nap. All you must do is swear your loyalty to Walhart, and to fight his enemies." Cervantes says, stopping back in front of me. He looks very proud of what he said, and seems to hope to instil that pride into me.
"What happens if I refuse the offer?" I ask, staring back at him with a wary gaze.
"Then, you will die. Whether by me leaving you here to rot or by some other cruel method. What is your decision, toy?"
Gods, I am in a situation aren't I? Accept his terms and join the enemy, or refuse and waste away in a dungeon. Well the answer is obvious. I'm going to refuse this moron's offer. I refuse to betray my friends and go back to what I was when I was hired by Plegia all those years ago. I changed my ways from those cutthroat days, and I will not go back to them!
But, who knows how long it will be until I'm rescued. Better yet, the chance of me being rescued is barely there seeing the sorry state my friends and I were in when we separated! Who knows if they managed to survive, much less defeat Yen'fay's army! The chances of them making it to me is practically nonexistent. So if I refuse, I'm basically going to die here in this damp dungeon. I don't want to go out like that!
What am I thinking? There is no way I'm going to join those idiots! My friends will come for me, I just know it! They'll defeat Yen'fay and rescue me from the enemy. They can do it, I know they can! They have the Robins with them! Jack and Jill can defeat anything once they come up with a plan.
But their army is simply not big enough to face off with an army as big as Yen'fay's is. We lost two-thirds of our forces to Yen'fay and Walhart's armies like it was nothing. Not to mention, most of the survivors of those armies joined the enemy; most likely replenishing any soldiers the enemy lost during those battles. Not only that, but knowing my friends; they simply won't cut down their former soldiers as easy as the enemy would. Chrom's got a too big of a heart for that. If Chrom says no to that, then the others will do the same; including the Robins! Gods, they'll wipe themselves out with that honor and kindness of theirs…
No! I believe in my friends, I know they can do it! I know they can! They'll rescue me and we'll end this war together!
If I refuse, I may not live long enough to see Anna again…
They'll survive! I know they can! I just know it!
If I accept, I can Anna amnesty and she can survive the carnage should my friends fail.
They won't fail!
If I accept…
"Alright." I say, looking at the Valmese General. "I accept your terms. I pledge my service to Walhart." Gods, I'm sorry everyone. But I can't risk it. I won't risk my lives for a seemingly hopeless battle.
"Excellent!" Cervantes says, clasping his hands together in joy. "I just know that you'll make a fine addition to our cause! Maybe someday, you'll even earn a personal place at our great Emperor's side as one of his generals. Guards; release the prisoner." Cervantes shouts to the two Soldiers standing outside my cell, beckoning them to hurry up and release me. They quickly oblige, scurrying into the cramped cell and freeing me from my shackles.
As I rub my sore wrists, Cervantes says to me "Follow me… Um… What is your name again, Zero?"
"It's Aiden." I answer back, cracking my sore back to make it feel better.
"Aiden, strange game… Anyway, follow me Aiden. We'll fit you with your new weapons and armor; befitting of a high-making officer such as yourself." With that, Cervantes began to walk away, exiting my cell and heading towards the dungeon's exit. I follow behind him, biting my lip as I worry if this was the right choice.
Gods, I hate my life right now.
"...And that is why we are heading to Farrador Fort. Any questions, Captains?" Cervantes asks; turning away from the map of the Valmese continent pinned to the wall.
"So we're basically going to put down a combined revolt of several rebel groups currently hold up in a makeshift, wooden fort?" I say, tapping the table I am seated at alongside several other high-ranking Valmese soldiers. It has been one day since I've joined the Valmese, and I feel rather conflicted to be honest. I've mostly been treated as an equal, if not greater by the other soldiers in the army. It probably has to deal with my rank; but I do feel an honest, genuine affection from a good amount of the Valmese. Of course there are a few bad apples like in every other bunch. They tend to stay civil though, only speaking ill of me once I've turned my back. Can't say I blame them for being secretive. They are speaking bad about a captain after all.
"Basically. I expect that this is going to be an easy battle. These rebels aren't as trained or organized as those in the south are. " said Floyd; a Valmese Archer who is seated right next to me. I remember him as one of the soldiers who found me back in that bloodsoaked field. He seems rather calm and collected so I don't know what's he thinking. That makes him pretty dangerous.
"So we're dealing with Villagers and other weaklings? Pathetic… I expected a real challenge!" moaned out Norward, a Valmese Berserker seated at the far end of the table; his feet propped up on the table. He's one of those types, the sadistic bloodthirsty ones who puts down his enemies like they are trash. I can already tell I am not going to like him. But, he'll be a pushover seeing how he'll underestimate me if we ever get into a fight.
"I'm well aware that you all would be much happier rooting out the Ylisse army that has disappeared from our eyes and ears." Cervantes says, stroking his beard. "But we have other duties besides fighting foreign armies. We have to maintain the peace and jaw of this land, as per his Mightiness' word. We cannot disobey him, for he is much grander than all of us."
One of the captains, a Soldier by the name of Nash, speaks out and says "We understand sir. Now let us think up of a strategy of completing our mission. We may be better trained, equipped, and more organized than the rebels; but they have the home advantage and a minor fort to aid them. Forts, even weak wooden palisades made from scrap and tied together with string, can cause havoc if used to their fullest potential." Nash is pretty smart to think of that. No wonder he was made a captain. Which means it will be harder for my friends to defeat the enemy, and essential me, at this rate.
"What is there to plan of?" Norward laughs out, mocking Nash's voice of reason. "We can just have some Mages burn their fort down and slaughter any of the survivors of the fire! Simple as that."
"They'll have Archers, that much is certain." Floyd interjects into the conversation. "Almost ever peasant knows a little archery in order to hunt for food. One cannot survive on just the harvests alone. Our Mages will be shot down once they get into range of the fort."
"I-I think we should talk to them, see why they are upset. Maybe then, we can reach a peaceful solution t-to the problem." Jenna, a meek Cleric who is also a captain surprisingly, says; looking down at the table as she blushes in nervousness.
"That's a stupid idea, woman." Norward says, glaring at the now cowering Cleric. "I can already tell you what those idiots want. They want their freedom back. They don't want to be a part of Valm. We aren't going to play pansy to such rabble, you stupid-"
"Hey!" I say to Norward, cutting his insult off. "Lay off of her alright. No need to keep insulting her. Let's just focus on another idea, shall we?"
"Whatever you say, Ylisse scum." Norward answers back, making my anger flare up a bit.
Floyd, thankfully, quickly takes control of the conversation and says "What about a plan where a small group of soldiers sneak into the base while the main group distracts the enemy in front of the fort. Once the group has secured a passage into the fort, a bigger group reinforces them and the two groups push the enemy in from two sides. Does that sound good?" Floyd asks us, looking at everyone including Cervantes who has just been standing there; stroking his beard as he just watches us.
"I believe it is a good plan." Nash says first, looking at Floyd with a smile. The other quickly chime in, voicing their own opinions.
"Whatever works as long as I get to kill something."
"S-Sounds good. I'll f-follow this plan."
"This flan is rather well thought out. I say we use it."
I'm the last to voice my opinion, saying in a tense tone "Let's just hurry up and do this." I hate everything about this, but I have to stay strong.
Cervantes misinterprets my tone and says "Yes! Walhart will be pleased if we handle this quickly! He hates delays, especially those that could be avoided but happen." The Valmese General clasps his hands together and looked at us, a commanding gleam in his eyes. "Alright; I will now assign battle positions. Floyd and Aiden, you will take command of the infiltration team. Norward, you will reinforce team once they secure the route into the boat. Nash, Jenna, and I will take command of the distraction. Everyone understand what they need to do?"
"Yes sir!" we all answer back, standing up to salute the General. As I salute, I can feel my stomach start to turn. I still don't like being in this situation. But, if I'm going to survive; I need to do this. Hopefully it won't be long term. But if it is long term... Well I'll cross that bridge when I get there, if I get there. I'll just treat this like that time where I was on guard duty, preventing riots and all that. Except I'm going to be putting down one. Gods, give me strength.
"Alright everyone; you are dismissed! Let's show these rebels the meaning of beard!"
So. Here is the first new chapter for this fanfiction of 2018. Sorry it took so long. I had a ton of family issues to deal with, not to mention the holidays. I understand if you're mad and write a review insulting me about my upload speed or something else. I deserve it for making you all wait for so long for this garbage. Anyway, I'll leave you all to do what you do best. See you in the next chapter.
