Chapter XII: Does the Scythe Reap Farmland or Souls?

The Shepherds were currently on the boat that would ferry them to the Southeast islands. They'd already solved the problem of Southtown's risen problem, not it was time to address the bandit problem on the farming islands. The bandits had been causing trouble for several of the towns, and because they lacked the proper town guards the Shepherds were called in for duty.

The ship was fairly small, but all of the shepherds still had enough room to walk around and the cabins below were available for use if anyone needed to get some rest. Currently Ragna was above deck leaning on the rail as he looked out into the sea and enjoyed the salty air. It'd been to long since his last sea voyage, so the Reaper was set on enjoying this little experience while it lasted.

'Where was I last time I was on a boat?' Ragna thought to himself. 'If I remember correctly it was when I went to the past and saw Celica. That was when the Black Beast was still rampant… I still haven't told Chrom or the others about the Black Beast yet, or the fact that I can end the world if I ever let myself lose control… On the other hand, I don't really think that they need to know. This'll be my secret from them.'

Ragna stayed there for a while longer before he heard footsteps approaching him, he turned his head and saw that it was Lissa. The young princess leaned on the railing beside him for a moment before speaking.

"Enjoying the trip?"

"You could say that," Ragna told her. "It's been forever since I've been out in a boat. Anyways, did you need something?"

"Yeah actually, it's Cordelia," Lissa said to him. "Something's… different about her. I don't really know what it is, but she just kinda seems different. You know?"

"Why are you coming to me for this?" Ragna questioned, though not harshly. "You realize you could always just ask her yourself?"

"I tried, but she just never seemed to say anything to me," Lissa said somewhat disappointed. "Maybe you could try asking her? I know she seems to trust you a lot."

"If you really think it's such a big deal I'll talk to her. No promises though." With that Ragna started heading below-deck. He stood outside of the room he'd seen Cordelia enter to rest or whatever before knocking on the door.

Realization

"Yo Cordelia, you inside?" he asked. "I was hoping we could talk for a bit before we got to the island."

The door opened, revealing the crimson haired Pegasus Knight. To Ragna's satisfaction she didn't look like she was drowsy from a nap, so he knew that he hadn't waken her. The room behind her was mostly empty, but there was a bed and a chair, so the two would at least have somewhere to sit."

"I'm always available to talk," Cordelia said with a bright smile that Ragna didn't remember seeing when he'd talked to her back in the fort. "Please come in."

"Thanks," he said as he walked inside. Cordelia closed the door behind him and sat on her bed. Ragna took a seat on the chair. "So… how have things been? We haven't had much of a chance to talk lately."

"I've been doing really well," Cordelia assured him. "I've been doing well with my training and I've had fun talking with the other Shepherds. I even talked to Robin and Elphelt when we were in Southtown and got to know them a little better. They seem to be very kind individuals."

"Yeah, they do," Ragna agreed. "They're also pretty optimistic, despite not having any memories to go off of or even knowing where they are. Anyways, I was actually here because Lissa said that you seemed different."

"So she put you up to this," Cordelia said, looking somewhat disappointed. "I told her that I'm fine and that there's nothing wrong with me."

"I can believe that you're still doing well," Ragna said to her. "But I also have to agree with the princess. You certainly seem different, but not at all in a bad way. You look like a weight's been lifted off your shoulders or something. You don't have to tell me now, but I'm curious to know what's going on."

"Well I can certainly tell you. After all, you're the reason that I'm doing so well," Cordelia said giving the Reaper a small smile.

"Sorry, but if you're referring to something, I have absolutely no idea what. Think you can explain?" Ragna asked.

"It was when you talked to me back at the fort, remember when I was disappointed after the battle on the road?"

"Yeah," Ragna said. "You were disappointed after that fight because you weren't noticed by… Chrom. Sorry, I remember that I was going too far with my advice."

"On the contrary, it was just what I needed to hear," she assured him. "I gave some thought to your words and I realized you were right. I was letting this obsession eat me alive, but now I've realized to move on."

"Wait, seriously!?" Ragna asked, completely surprised. "I didn't expect my advice to be so… effective."

"Well it certainly was," she told him. "Of course part of the reason for that was the compliment you gave me afterwards. You gave me the same feeling that I used to get from Chrom. That's when I realized that the only reason I felt like that was because I was unused to receive such heartfelt compliments like that."

"Huh, so it was the compliments…" Ragna said, mostly to himself. "And now you're deciding to look past that?"

"Yeah," Cordelia told him. "Chrom's still my commander and a wonderful person, but now I know that there are other people out there. People who will take notice and see me for who I really am. So… thank you."

"You're welcome," Ragna said giving a small chuckle and a smile. "If it's alright with you, can I let Lissa know what this was about? I don't think she'll stop nagging me otherwise."

"Certainly, I think everyone knew about the crush I used I have on Chrom anyways," she let out a giggle. "Well, except for Chrom himself of course." It was funny, earlier she'd felt pain when talking about this, but now she felt like it was just something she could look back and laugh on.

"Yeah, Chrom's not exactly the sharpest tool in the romance shed. Anyways I'll see you later Cordelia. Good luck in the fight today."

"To you as well," she said to him. After Ragna had left she lied on her bed and thought to herself. 'I know that Ragna is there for me, and I think I'm starting to fall for him… but I want to make sure I know what I'm getting into. I don't need another unrequited love story.

Despite her uncertainty, Cordelia was feeling better than she'd had in years. Even if Ragna didn't end up becoming her lover, she'd always have him as her friend… and that meant the world to her.

Support Rank B obtain with Cordelia


*Later*

Ragna walked beside Robin, Fredrick, and Chrom at the front of the Shepherds as the three looked at the plains around them and tried to figure out the map.

"So according to the information we've received it looks like we'll find the bandits base to the south, inside those woods over there," Fredrick said. "Seems pretty straightforward."

"But there's also this small farming town to the east," Robin reminded him. "We'll want to make sure those people are alright. Maybe they could give us insight on what's going on and a more precise location of the bandits."

"But the bandits could attack another town while we're helping that one," Fredrick argued back. "I'd say we wipe out the bandits now and look after the towns later."

"Or we could pay attention to the threat right in front of us," Chrom scolded them. In front of the party was a young boy being chased by two bandits, the boy seemed fairly young and had curly brown hair underneath his tin pan hat. Once the bandits took notice of the Shepherd they immediately began to retreat.

"Robin!" Ragna commanded as his as his assistance tactician got the message. He cast his wind spell as she cast a lightning spell. Each of the spells hit the bandits and finished them off.

"Prince Chrom!" the young farmer exclaimed. "I need yer help ser!"

"Calm down," Chrom said to him. "Just tell us what's going on."

"It's my village! Those darned bandits attacked us and kidnapped my ma and Jessica! They're taking over my village!"

"Looks like we know what to do," Ragna told the others. "What's your name?"

"I'm Donnel," he told them. "My village is over thar to the east. Please hurry!"

Out of the corner of his eye Ragna noticed Robin grin Fredrick a cocky grin since she'd been right. He decided to address their shenanigans later. "All right then, c'mon Donnel, we're heading out!"

"Wha? But I can't fight! I'm just a farm boy!" Donnel protested.

As the rest of the Shepherds started heading out Ragna stayed behind to address the young man. "They've got people close to you right?" Donnel nodded. "I've been in your spot myself, but back then I didn't have a chance to fight back and I've always regretted it. You have this chance so don't do something you'll regret… or something you'll regret not doing."

Donnel said nothing as he just stood there and grimaced. "But… I-!"

"Tch! Fine, be that way," Ragna said as he ran off. He knew that he'd been too tough on a kid he just met, but there wasn't anything he could do about it now. He'd apologize once he made sure that everyone got out of this alive.

*Meanwhile*

"Where the hell are they!?" Roddick yelled as the peasants he'd just taken over started loading this year's harvest onto wagon for the bandits to take back to their base. "Those two idiots said that they'd kill that twerp and be back shortly!"

"Look boss," one of the brigands said to him. "Maybe the kids just faster than we thought. But it doesn't matter anyways. The closest one that could take us is the capital and they have problems of their own from what I hear."

"You're right, those stupid nobles and those weak Shepherds wouldn't be able to take us anyways! We're the strongest bandit group in Ylisse!"

"You got that right boss!" the brigand shouted before cupping his hear. "You hear something? It sounded like-"

"Virion Away!" came the battle call as an arrow impaled itself in the brigand's heart. The man looked in surprise before falling forward dead. Across the battlefield sounds of screams echoed as the brigands were being quickly dispatched.

"We're under attack!" Roddick shouted. Noticing that he had few options, he tried to find an option to escape, but all he saw was a few of the… oh, that could work.

Ragna was busy cutting through the bandits on his side of the town. He'd had the Shepherds split up so that they could each take out a smaller portion of the bandits and ensure the safety of the townsfolk. It was then he looked up and noticed one of the bandits was trying to sneak away while holding a middle aged woman hostage.

"Not this again," Ragna said as he ran forward trying to catch the bandit off guard. Unfortunately for him as soon as he was within ten feet then bandit turned to face him with the axe at the woman's neck. "Shit!"

"You people really screwed up my plans!" the bandit yelled at Ragna with hate filled eyes. "Now I need to raise a new bandit group! Do you know how long that's going to take!?" Ragna didn't say anything as he kept his sword drawn. "How the hell did you manage to find us anyways?"

"We were brought here by a kid who managed to get away from you freaks," Ragna said without emotion.

"That was my son!" the woman shouted. "Is he safe? Is he alive? Is he-?"

"He'll be dead later!" Roddick yelled, before noticing Ragna taking a step forward. "Oh no you don't! Either you drop your weapon or I'll slit he throat right here and now!"

Ragna was silent for a moment as he weighed his options, but after a few moments, he defied all current standings and smiled. "All right," he said planting his sword in the ground. "You win."

"Wha?" the bandit said completely confused.

"I surrender, you got me. You won't have any trouble from me," Ragna said surprising both of the people in front of him. "But that's not going to sit well with the kid."

"What kid?" Roddick demanded before he was startled be a battle cry.

"MAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!" Donnel yelled as he stabbed bandit leader in the back with a pitchfork. The leader gave a surprised grunt of pain as he slowly turned and looked at Donnel with hate filled eyes.

"Little... bastard..." he was barely able to say he his last breath left him and he fell to the floor. Donnel's mother looked down at the corpse of her previous captor in surprise before going to hug her son.

"Ma, I'm fine," Donnel said looking somewhat embarrassed. Ragna gave a small chuckle as he grabbed Blood-Scythe out of the ground and placed it on his back. "Hey wait," he heard Donnel say. "I'm not the strongest guy in tha village, but I can help ya."

"Donnel, what are you saying?" his mother demanded.

"Ma, he's with Prince Chrom and the Shepherd's! I can help them!"

"But…" his mother sighed. She knew her son was only doing what he always did, what he thought was right. "Stay safe and make sure you say goodbye to Jessica," she said to her son with a small smile.

"All right ma," Donnel said as he ran off.

"He'll be in good hands," Ragna assured her. "We'll teach him everything we know and he'll go far with that courage of his."

"Will he really get a chance to work with Prince Chrom?" his mother asked.

"Well he was the one who lead Chrom here, so I'd say he already is," Ragna told her. "I've got to check in with the rest of the city."

Strange Love

As Ragna walked around the city he passed by Donnel talking to a girl that seemed to be about his age. 'That must be his childhood friend Jessica,' he thought to himself. It was then that Jessica lunged forward and met Donnel's lips with her own. 'Well now, wasn't expecting that one. Kid's a smoother operator than I thought.'

Ragna heard a sigh beside him and saw Elphelt observing young Donnel. "Ahhh, young love."

Ragna grimaced slightly as he grabbed the Valentines arm and started to drag her away. "Let's give the kid some room."

"Sorry," Elphelt said as she blushed slightly and walked beside Ragna. "It's just I've always enjoyed a good love story…"

"Yeah, I can see that El. I just think that there needs to be a bit of privacy for those two, I mean it's a special moment and all of that."

"Oh, I didn't think that you were much of a romantic Ragna. Then again, I suppose it does make sense."

"What do mean?" Ragna asked, not sure where this was going.

"Well, you're from another world right? That means that you're probably fighting to-!" Elphelt stopped for a moment, blushing for what she was about to say.

"What? What am I fighting for?" Ragna asked, his interest piqued.

"Well, you're fighting to go back home right?" El said, now not meeting his gaze. "I mean you obviously have a family to get back to or a… lover." Her blush seemed to increase tenfold with that last word."

"Okay first off, I'm not fighting to go back to my world. I was wanted dead by everyone before I came here. Second off, I like it here and my friends need me, this is like my second chance. Third, my family wanted me dead last I heard and they knew they'd never hear from me even if I wasn't sent here. And lastly, I never had a lover."

"Oh… okay then," Elphelt said. "So you really didn't have a special someone where you were from?"

"No, I didn't," Ragna told her. "I was fighting a war most of my life, so I have no experience dating whatsoever."

"But that's so lonesome," Elphelt complained as the two walked through the city. "Maybe I can help you find someone."

"Pass," Ragna said. "Why do you care anyways?"

"I care because thanks to you I'm finally starting to learn what love is." Okay Ragna hadn't been expecting that, and lo and behold all of the Shepherd were noticing as Elphelt had said that.

"Well…" Chrom started, somewhat surprised. "And only after a day of knowing her… You move fast Ragna…"

"IT'S NOT LIKE THAT!" Ragna said with a furious blush as he wove his hands horizontally in front of him at a rapid rate. "She's talking about something else!"

"He's right!" Elphelt exclaimed. "Ragna was actually helping me out with something else, it's not like that!"

"If you say so," Chrom said as Ragna speedily walked away, Elphelt following closely behind him.

"Thanks for that, now who knows what everyone's going to think."

"I'm sorry," Elphelt said, pretty deflated.

"Ah, it's not your fault. This'll blow over soon anyways. But what did you mean by that?" he asked.

"Well, it's more like I'm starting to get used to the feeling of caring for someone. You, the rest of the Shepherds, everyone really. And I'm starting to get used to the idea of being in this world."

"You do get used to it after a while. Anyways, are you trying to get back to your home world?"

"Actually no," Elphelt told the Reaper. "I've been thinking and I was supposed to be a cataclysm for my world. I care about the people in my world too much to go back and be turned into a weapon."

"I understand that all too well," Ragna told her. "Anyways, the town seems to be decent condition, so you want to practice magic?"

"Sounds good, hopefully we'll be able to learn some new spells."

Support Rank B Obtained with Elphelt

Authors Note: Don't own anything.

Support Ranks

Elphelt Valentine: B

Robin: C

Chrom: C

Lissa: B

Fredrick: C

Sully: C

Virion: C

Stahl: C

Vaike: C

Mirel: C

Sumia: C

Kellam: C

Lon'qu: C

Cordelia: B

Oliva: C (Not joined, officially anyways)

Anna: C

Emmeryn: C (Kinda Joined?)

Donnel: Joined

First off, thank you all for the vote you submitted. I'll probably come up with the next chapters myself. Hopefully you enjoyed it.

Speedking535: I'm trying to keep this a Ragna only story (despite adding Elphelt) so no tales characters, sorry. I have played Tales of Symphonia, but I'm not that great with the lore. I see you've pick your pairing.

Sugouxxx: Whatever floats your boat I guess. You'll be seeing some of the archest of Archers in the coming chapters.

Warrior of Six Blades: The Summarizer returns. I'm glad to have someone reading my stories so in depth.

Mrgamerandwatcher: Well here's the next chapter. Hopefully this holds you off for awhile.

IdeaPerson1097: It's only the way I present him getting his powers is like the gamer. The real way he gets his powers is through intense training.

Black sun 123: I get the reference, but Ragna will be able to one-shot a lot of the guys in the earlier chapters.

Until Next Time!

Ciao!