Chapter VI: The Tournament
Chrom, Fredrick, Lissa, and Robin were waiting in the Regna Ferox throne room. Raimi had told them that she would summon the Kahn and left the group there. Ragna had his arms crossed and was learning against the wall, his eyes were closed as he was minding his own business. He heard a small amount of snickering from Chrom, but chose to ignore it.
'Man, what's taking them so long to get the Kahn?' he thought to himself. 'It shouldn't take them this long to get one person.' He heard Chrom's snickering again. 'What's his problem? Freddy actually crack a joke for once? I wouldn't believe it.' He opened his eyes to glare at the young prince, but he noticed that Chrom was looking right at him and trying not to laugh… or at least looking right next to him.
Ragna turned his attention to where Chrom was staring at. It was Lissa, leaning against the wall right next to him with her arms crossed and her eyes closed, completely mimicking him. 'Really?' he thought with a grin. 'Doesn't she have anything better to do?'
"Hmph, having fun are we?" a new voice sounded. The group turned to the source and found a tanned skinned woman with blonde hair in battle gear. She regarded the group with a small smirk on her face. "I'm Kahn Flavia. Raimi had told me that your group was going to be… different, at least now I can tell what she was saying."
Ragna shrugged. "Yeah, well being stuck up and boring all the time is overrated."
"Ragna!" Chrom vented at his friend. Most nobles prided themselves for being addressed with the proper manners and never being insulted. What Ragna was doing was-
Flavia interrupted his thoughts with a chuckle. "That's what I like to hear! Finally someone who'll tell it like it is!"
"Glad someone agrees," Ragna scoffed. Chrom meanwhile, was completely surprised. Is this how Ferox conducted its treaties and politics? "Anyways, we should probably get down to business."
"Yes, Raimi told me why you're here. Addition troops and support was it? Well, I'm here to tell you that we have a common enemy in Plegia. They've been attacking our borders with bandits and claiming that Ylisse was the cause behind these attacks, I've found otherwise."
"Bastards," Ragna said annoyed. He noticed the glare that Chrom and Fredrick was giving him. "What? You got a better word for them?"
"How about assholes?" Flavia suggested. Chrom and Fredrick both gave a startled cough in surprise. "As much as I understand the situation I'm afraid that as of right now, I'm unable to give Ylisse the support they need."
"What?" Chrom asked devastated. "But you're the Kahn, if anyone had the power or the-"
"I am the East Kahn," Flavia told him. "Currently the West Kahn holds the throne. Every two years we hold a tournament with a champion of our choosing to determine who the next one to hold the power will be." She then gave a smug grin. "However, the next tournament is in two days and I'm in need of a champion."
Chrom thought to himself for a moment. "Very well then, I'll represent the East Kahn and the Shepherds myself. I'll get us the troops we need."
Flavia nodded in agreement. "Wonderful! And please, feel free to us the fortress as you see fit to prepare for the tournament."
"Great," Ragna said. "Chrom we need to get you ready for the tournament, so get ready for the most brutal sparring of your life."
Chrom scoffed. "Please, I've dealt with sparring before, what's so bad about-?"
"You'll be sparring me," Ragna said simply as he proceeded to grab the young prince by his shoulder and drag him out of the throne room.
"…Naga damn it," was all Chrom could say.
*Time Skip- Five hours later-Midnight*
"Not bad," Ragna said as he looked at the broken wooden sword in his hand. "You're better than I gave you credit for Chrom."
"Tell me you were going full force!" Chrom demanded as he lay exhausted on the ground.
"Close to, but still you've got some pretty good moves and you've even been improving by leaps and bounds, I'd hate to be that other guy right now."
"Let's hope so," Chrom said sorely. "From what I hear he's supposed to be a challenging fighter."
Always here to help… or there
"Well the good news is, we're done until then. Rest up tomorrow for the tournament, you're going to need it." It was then that he heard heavy breathing and Chrom's snoring. "He's able to fall asleep in these conditions. Great, now what?"
"Something wrong Ragna?" a voice asked. The Reaper turned behind him and saw Kellam standing behind him. "Oh, I haven't seen Chrom like this for a while."
"He's done this before?" Ragna asked. Kellam gave a small nod.
"Yeah, back when he was little he would constantly train with Fredrick to get better at combat, and after every 'bout he was so worn out that he'd fall asleep. One of us would always end up having to carry him back to his room."
"Is that right?" Ragna asked with a smug chuckle. "Strange part is I could see that happening. Guess I should probably get him back to his room… problem is I don't know where it is."
"I can take him back," Kellam said as lifted Chrom off the ground. "Your room is on the other side of the barracks anyways."
"Really? Thanks Kellam, I owe you one."
As Kellam carried Chrom back to his room Ragna started heading the other way, until he heard Lissa. "Wait is that Chrom? Is he… NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO! CHROM'S BEEN POSSESSED! SOMEBODY GET THE PRIEST! FIND SOME HOLY WATER! DO SOMETHINGGGGGGGGGGGG!"
"What's all of the noise for!?" Vaike demanded. "HOLY SHIT! CHROM'S BEING CARRIED BY A GHOST!"
"HOW THE HELL DO WE FIGHT A GHOST!" Sully shouted.
"Huh? What?" Chrom said drowsily. "HOW IN NAGA'S NAME AM I FLOATING OFF THE GROUND!? A GHOST!?"
While Ragna slightly cringed at the mention of his weakness, he was mostly concerned at the attention he'd brought by the appearance of the 'Floating Chrom.' 'Poor Kellam,' he thought to himself.
Support Rank C Achieved with Kellam
*The Next Morning-Breakfast*
"And that's what happened," Ragna finished recounting his tale at breakfast. "Now everyone tell Kellam you're sorry!"
"Wait, he's here!?" Vaike demanded, he wasn't the only one looking around for Kellam.
"He's standing right next to me," Ragna deadpanned as he pointed at the silent knight.
"We're sorry Kellam," the dining hall said as a whole.
"I-It's alright, no biggie," Kellam said, somewhat embarrassed.
After that everyone started digging in to their food.
I wanna be the very best (like no one ever was)
"Hey Ragna," Vaike greeted as the axe wielder walked over.
"Hey teach," Ragna greeted. "What's up?"
"Nothing, nothing, 'was wonder if I could spar with ya today."
"I guess so, but what brought this on?" Ragna asked.
"I saw ya fightin' Chrom yesterday, really gave the guy a trouncing. Was hoping you could… remind me how to do that."
"Guess I could," Ragna said as he sipped his soup. "Just try tone done the ego alright?"
"Ego, what's that?" Vaike asked scratching his head.
"Never mind, just get ready for the training of your life."
"Hah! The Vaike is ready!"
*Later- The Training Grounds*
"Hey, Vaike, where's your training axe?" Ragna asked.
"Oh! Uh… I left it on the rack… I'll grab it."
Ragna sighed to himself; this was going to be a long sparing session.
"Hey don't look so glum! Teach hasn't trounced you yet!"
"Yeah, well…" Ragna started as he took the ready position. "I don't really get 'trounced' Vaike!"
"Enter the Vaike!" the warrior yelled as he brought his wooden axe back.
Support Rank C Obtained with Vaike
*The Next Day- The Tournament*
"So where's Vaike again?" Chrom asked Ragna as he finished suiting up for combat in the waiting room.
"In the infirmary," Ragna said bluntly. "He took his training a bit too seriously there."
"Great, just what we need," Chrom sighed to himself. "Anyways, thanks for helping me get ready this Ragna. You're doing a lot for all of us."
"Hey, you were willing to take me in when I really didn't have anywhere else to go, I'm the guy who owes you."
"If you say so," Chrom said shrugging. At that moment the tournament gong rang out. "Looks like it's time, see you in the winner's circle Ragna."
"Give 'em hell Chrom," Ragna said to the young lord.
*Time Skip (Look you've all seen the fight enough times to know what happens)*
"Well done," Flavia said to Chrom. "You've gotten me the throne back, and more to the point you'll have the support you were asking for."
"Truly?" Chrom asked. "Thank you Flavia."
Flavia laughed. "It's I who should be thanking you Chrom, now I finally hold power over the throne. I think a feast is in order tonight, and all of the Shepard's are invited."
As Flavia made her way to make plans, a burly man with an eyepatch made his way over with a silent swordsman. "Huh, seems like I've lost."
"Sorry, but do we know you?" Ragna asked.
"I'm the Kahn you just managed to dethrone. Name's Basilio. I've got to say boy, you've put up a better fight against my champion than we I would've thought."
"You're not upset about it are you?" Ragna asked, his eyes narrow.
"Hah, I can take a loss, but that Marth character was sure quick to leave. Real enigma too. Still surprised he beat Lon'qu as quickly as he did to take his place in the tournament."
The swordsman said nothing as he simply regarded the rest of the group, LIssa on the other hand went in for a closer look at the swordsman. As soon as the princess approached, the swordsman took a defensive step back.
"What?" Lissa asked. "Did I-?"
"Just… mind your distance…" Lon'qu said, his calm demeanor now gone. "I'm… not good around women…"
"Sort of a weakness of his," Basilio commented. "But he's a good man and a fierce warrior, I'm offering him to your cause. You'll need his skill?"
"And you're fine with this?" Chrom asked.
Lon'qu gave a silent nod. "You tell me who you want dead, I make it happen, simple as that."
"Curt isn't he?" Basilio said with a laugh. "I'll see you all at the banquet tonight. Lord knows Flavia's going to overdo it again." He left the Shepherds there and left with Lon'qu.
"Seems that we've gained a new ally," Chrom said he made his way back with Ragna, Lissa, and Fredrick. "He should prove to be a good asset."
"Yeah," Lissa agreed giggling. "We'll just have to think of some way to keep him away from the ladies… You don't think he's-?"
"None of that," Ragna hissed. "He didn't become that way by choice; something happened to make him act like that… something traumatizing."
"How can you tell?" Fredrick asked.
"I could see it in his eyes," Ragna answered. 'Because I'm the same as him.' "Anyways, you guys enjoy the festivities tonight."
"What? You're not coming with us?" Lissa asked.
"I've got studying to do, I really need a refresher on those old strategy books."
"Not happening," Chrom said.
"What are you-?"
"This is also part of being a good tactician; you need to be able to handle yourself in public. And don't think about coming up with an excuse, because as your captain I'm ordering you to go."
"Tch… fine," Ragna relented. "But I'm not dressing up."
Lissa gave a small giggle. "Enjoy that while you can. Maribelle wouldn't put up with that for an instant."
"Whatever."
*That Night-The Feast*
The feast was exactly as Basilio had pictured it would be. Far too many decorations and only the best, most expensive food, and the most well know group of minstrels this side of the sea. Flavia was always like that, but at least she had reason for it. Many of the Noble's from Regna Ferox were attending as well. Contrary to popular belief, these men were less of warriors and more of politicians. They had a tendency to crave power when an opportunity presented itself and would often challenge the old ways of a combat run government when they could. Basilio didn't care for them at all.
Currently the Kahn was doing his usual thing, chatting it up with one of the serving girls, telling them about the (unexaggerated) tales of his youth when he traveled the entirety of the kingdom alone. The girl seemed somewhat dubious to his tales, but he couldn't really blame her for that, they were pretty outrageous, even he could admit it.
Out of the corner of his eye, he noticed his other least favorite part about nobles; they would always try to forcefully romance his dancer Oliva. Ever since he'd rescued the girl long ago, she'd always been like a daughter to him. Currently his least favorite person in the world, Count Tristan, was in the corner talking to the dancer, and it was apparent that Oliva was very uncomfortable with it. If her nervous face and trying to get her arm out of the Nobles grip was anything to indicate.
The Kahn motioned to Lon'qu, who got the message instantly and moved in to break the two up. While Lon'qu made have had a crippling fear of woman (something he hadn't even explained to Basilio) he'd grown fine around Oliva over the years, maybe it had something to do with the fact that he saw her as more of a sister than another woman. As Lon'qu made his way over to tell the noble off, he and Basilio were surprised to see someone was beating them to it.
"Y-you have a very… interesting offer," Oliva said to the Count, unable to make eye contact. "B-but I can't possibly-"
"Please, it would only be for a night," the Count said with a sneer. "Besides, I have connections, enough to make you your own noble. Think of the possibilities, anything you want could be yours, even that theater that you've been saving your miniscule pocket change for."
"B-but I don't want to-!" Oliva tried to protest.
The Count was now losing his patience. "Now listen to me you wench! I-!"
"Hands off the lady."
The two turned and saw a man standing before them, his arms crossed and his red and green eyes glaring at the noble. Oliva was glad that this newcomer was on her side, even just being near him made her feel very small in comparison.
"Ah," Tristan said. "Ylisse's tactician, correct? I thought that you of all people would tell when to not interfere with the business of others."
"When you're making a lady uncomfortable and threatening her I make it my business," Ragna answered. "Like I said, hands to yourself."
"That's far too bold for you tactician, why don't you go and polish your prince's boots. This dancer and I have a long… 'talk' to be getting to." The count tightened his grip on Oliva's arm and the gleam in his eyes increased.
"Oh wow, I think I'll leave you to it then," Ragna said sarcastically before his arm shot out and grabbed Tristan's, forcing him to release his grip on Oliva. "I hate scum like you. Go back to whatever rock you crawled out of." He turned his attention to Oliva. "You alright?" That was before he felt a sharp sting across his face.
"You dare mock me?!" the Count demanded, holding a glove in his hand. The hall had become silent now, the music stopped, all eyes focused on the scuffle. "I suppose I'll have to put you in your place in a duel you pathetic usurper!" He looked to the Noble's. "Who will offer me their blade?"
"I shall offer!" another Noble called out as he approached Tristan with a specially crafted broadsword. The two nobles had one goal in mind, remove Ylisse's tactician, and improve their claim over them in the war.
"That idiot," Chrom commented when he saw who was challenged. "Flavia, what's going on with the offering of blades?"
"In order for someone to prove that they're in the right, a noble has offer the blade to the challenger. Then the same thing happens to the challenger," she said with a grim look on her face.
"And who will offer their blade to the challenger?" the Count called out. There was silence in the hall. "So it will be less of a dual and more of a massacre. Any strategies to get you out of this one, tactician?"
"Why aren't you offer your sword?" Chrom asked Flavia. The Kahn shook her head.
"Kahn's are the exception in that rule, we can't offer blades. It's how they keep our power in check. Such a shame too, he seemed like a good man."
"It's too early to count him out," Chrom said to her. "WAY too early."
As Flavia pondered Chrom's words, the rest of the banquet cleared the room, many of the nobles sneering as they eagerly awaited the fall of the tactician.
"I'm SO sorry," Oliva said to Ragna, on the verge of tears. "I-If it hadn't been for me-"
"I'll be fine," Ragna said without emotion as walked to his side of the room. "This way I have an excuse to kick this pervert's ass."
"But you don't even have a sword!" Oliva told him. It was true, Ragna had left Blood-Scythe in his room. "And the Count been known to be one of the best swordsman in Regna Ferox. You can't possibly-!"
"Trust me," was all Ragna said as he cricked his neck.
Count Tristan gave the tactician a smug grin as he brought his blade back before charging the weaponless man. "Die, you pathetic commoner!"
Almost too quick to see, Ragna reeled his fist back and pummeled Tristan with a jaw shattering punch to under his face. The impact was enough to send the noble in the air and have him crashing against the ceiling, 30 feet above. He stayed in the imprint that his body had created, before falling to the ground at Ragna's feet. He wasn't dead, the pathetic groan his body gave off proved that much, but he wouldn't be getting up anytime soon.
"You were right," Ragna said darkly, looking down at the noble. "It was a massacre." He turned to the crowd. The nobles were looking at him fearfully, Flavia was staring at him with wide eyes in surprise, Chrom was shaking his head with a grin on his face, the Sheppard's were giving him a grin and a thumbs up (even Vaike who'd managed to show up), and Basilio was having the best laugh he'd had in long while.
"You sure you're the tactician boy? You act more like the damn army to me!" Basilio said with a laugh as he made his way over to Ragna. "I don't think there's any doubt here, but this duel goes to Ragna… You got a surname?"
Ragna hesitated for a moment. This had been his chance to start over, he could pick whatever name he could… Funny, he couldn't see himself going by anything else. "BloodEdge… I'm Ragna the BloodEdge." Ragna crossed his arms and stared at the nobles, challenging them to say something, they didn't.
"Intimidating! I like it!" Basilio with a laugh as he walked over the rest of the crowd. "Well then go on you lot, back to the food and entertainment!"
As the conversation and music started again, Ragna made his way back over to Chrom and Fredrick. "This is why I told you not to bring me, I can't control my temper. Especially not around these nobles."
"In this instance," Chrom said, "If you didn't do it, I would've." Even Fredrick nodded in agreeance. "I'm not faulting you for this, in fact I'm thanking you for it."
"Heh, thanks guys."
"E-Excuse me?" Ragna heard the timid voice of the girl with pink hair from earlier saw. He turned and saw her standing behind him biting her lip. "Th-Thank you for saving me, Ragna the BloodEdge."
"No problem, and just Ragna is fine," Ragna said to her as Chrom and Fredrick made their way elsewhere. "Never caught your name though."
"I-I'm Oliva," she told him nervously. "I'm a close friend of Basilio's and… a dancer."
"Huh, really," Ragna said. "Anyways you don't have to be so nervous. The only asshole who was going to hurt you is… well look at him." He motioned to where the servants were carrying the Count away, his once perfect smile now cracked in several places. "He shouldn't be giving you any more trouble."
"Can I ask you something?" Oliva asked meekly. Ragna simply nodded. "Why did you save me?"
"Simple; you needed help, I helped, easy as that."
"But you could've gotten killed, didn't that bother you?"
"I've dealt with enough times that I don't really notice it," Ragna said to her. "Someone else's death… that's something I fight to avoid."
"Oh, I uh-"
"Get a room you two!" a sudden shout came startling them both. Oliva's blush deepened and Ragna glared at who had said it: Vaike. "Oliva, was it? You really want to thank this guy, you should ask him to dance!"
"Vaike," Ragna said with menace. "Keep this up and I'll put you back in the infirmary."
"Aw, this is what I get for doing you a favor!? Oh well, see you Rags!"
'Not that nickname again,' Ragna cursed internally. He then noticed Oliva was looking at the floor.
"What's wrong?"
"R-R-Ragna, would y-y-you like to d-d-dance?" Oliva managed to get out, her face was now the same shade as Ragna's coat.
"Look," he said scratching the back of his head. "Just because Vaike said it, you don't have to ask."
"No," she said trying to have more courage. "I-I-I'm asking because I want to."
"Well that's nice, but…" Ragna sighed. "The thing is I can't dance."
"What?" Oliva asked, somewhat shocked.
"Look I've never danced before, you'd be better off with another partner."
"Well I can teach you to dance… if you don't mind messing up for the first few times…" Oliva then gave a friendly smile. "But I think you've established that you don't really care what anyone thinks of you."
Ragna returned the grin with his own. "Damn straight. All right then, I'm all yours, instructor Oliva," he said offering his arm, which Oliva hooked, her blush a much lighter shade.
Ragna was a little clumsy at first, leading to him falling his rump on a few times, but he quickly got up and laughed it off with Oliva giving a small giggle. After fifteen minutes though, he was a pro, in no small part to Oliva's tutelage. When the last song ended the two gave each other a respectful bow.
"Thanks," Ragna said to her. "You're a good teacher."
"You're welcome," Oliva said, much more confident than earlier. "I enjoyed that dance as well."
As the two went their separate ways, Lon'qu leaned against the wall, he'd been observing the two the entire time. 'Even when it was me who was equally bashful it took Oliva months before she started acting normal around me… yet this man's done it in just a few dances and a rescue.'
He shook his head, no point in worrying about something that wasn't his concern. Oliva was free to dance with who she choose… he might still have a word with the tactician later.
Ragna sat down and sighed. Dancing had been nice, but actually felt tiring for him in this environment. 'Maybe the lack of sleep is catching up with me,' he thought to himself. "Oh well, at least I don't have to do anymore-"
He heard a sudden cough beside him and saw that Flavia was staring at him expectantly. "Well?"
"Uh," Ragna said intelligibly, currently at a loss of words. "Well what?"
"Aren't you going to offer a dance with me?" Flavia questioned.
Ragna audibly gulped. The look in her eyes was clearly telling him this was a command. "Oh, sorry, would you like dance Flavia?" he asked before standing.
"Certainly," Flavia said with a smirk on her face. She held her arm out and this time it was Ragna's turn to hook into it.
The dance went more or less the same as before, though Ragna noticed he was getting more glares from the nobles now. "So, what is a Kahn doing dancing with a lowly tactician?"
"I think you're show of force showed that you weren't just some lowly tactician Ragna," Flavia said to him. "I was hoping you'd been available for another duel tomorrow, this one with me as your opponent."
"Sorry," Ragna apologized, "I've already got a lot on my plate balancing an army now… maybe another time?"
"If you wish," Flavia said to him. "But please, let me know whenever you have a chance."
"I promise," Ragna said simply.
After finishing his dance with Flavia, he bowed to her and walked back to his seat ready to sit down. What awaited him was several woman… some of them Shepherds, others of them Nobles or a Noble's daughter. They were all giving him expecting glances, each of them waiting for a dance.
'…Seriously!?'
Authors Note: I don't own BlazBlue or Fire Emblem.
Sorry for skipping over the tournament, I didn't really have a plan on how to show it. Anyways, I tried to mix up the events a little in this chapter, what did you think?
Be sure to Review and Favorite. Next chapter I'll introduce everyone's favorite shopkeeper… or second favorite for you Tellius fans.
Ciao.
