Cordelia's eyes were contemplating how the sun was starting to go down. The faint colors in the environment and the sound of the air blowing towards her made the afternoon so melancholic. How long she had been following that Taguel? She didn't know, but she was starting to get desperate. She couldn't feel her body anymore, not even her wounds, and all that was because of the cold. She was also worried about Cynthia, who hasn't received any kind of medical help yet.
She felt so impotent, she hadn't felt like that in a long time. Tears started to flood her eyes, she tried to fight them, but it was useless. Cordelia hid her head on Minerva's neck. She pressed her eyes and all the tears fell.
"Frederick, please, protect our precious daughter" she begged.
The wyvern made a little squawk, alerting Cordelia. The Pegasus knight opened her eyes and looked at the front. Her gaze was a little blurry, but in the snowy mountain ahead, she could see light and smoke.
She felt hope as they approached to that place. Cordelia cleaned the tears of her face and focused on the path ahead.
The light was coming from an estate, surrounded by a wooden fence. With no difficulties, the giant bunny jumped over the fence, and Minerva flew over it. They crossed several miles of empty vegetal patches, until they reached the building's main entrance.
A woman, who was sitting on a bench in the porch of the building, stood up when she saw the figures arriving. This woman was covered in a long green robe, but her face was visible. It was light brown, with dark brown marks near her red eyes. Her hair was long and dark, and she had a pair of long bunny ears.
"Yarne, what happened?!" the woman spoke, as she climbed down the porch steps. "Who is this people?" she asked, looking at Gerome who was getting off Yarne, still with Cynthia on his arms.
Then she looked at Minerva, and a familiar figure dismounted the wyvern.
"Panne!" Cordelia shouted, and throwed herself at the woman's arms.
Panne, with confusion and surprise, embraced Cordelia. The hug didn't last more than ten seconds, because Cordelia made enough space between them to look at Panne's face, without letting go the Taguel's arms.
"I need your help" Cordelia asked with desperation, then she pointed at Gerome and Cynthia. "She is Gaius and Sumia's child. She is badly wounded." At the mention of her former comrades, Panne opened her eyes. She never imagined that she would meet the descendance of her friends, especially in that way.
"Hurry, let's go inside" Panne ordered.
For Morgan, using his dark magic for the first time was overwhelming. Like if he were a dam that just broke. He felt a pressure all over his body, still, he focused on the other side of the door. It was like his mind could travel through the darkness, he could feel the walls, the doors, and even his friends, and the thing that attracted him the most was the other people who was being controlled.
Morgan could feel it from his cell, there was just one guard patrolling the dungeon. Following his curiosity, he focused on that guard.
The young Manakete, Nah, kept her eyes in the tactician, who was still resting his forehead and his right hand on the door.
Nah saw who the mark on Morgan's arm started to shine, and to emanate a purple fume. It was a creepy thing to watch for the young girl. Then, out of the blue, Morgan gave some steps back, his movements where lazy, it almost looked as if the boy was about to fall.
Nah also stepped back and didn't move. She placed a hand on her chest and felt how her heart was racing. The boy's head was down, she couldn't see his expression, but she noticed something, Morgan was breathing rapidly.
"I… did it…" the boy muttered; his voice made evident that he was trying to catch his breath.
Nah approached him, just a few steps. "What did you do?"
Morgan straightened himself, and looked at Nah, revealing that now he had red eyes, making Nah to give another step back.
"I can control them too" Morgan explained.
Some seconds later, the door of their cell opened. On the other side of the door, there was a man with brown hair and a brown long bear, he was using a simple armor and had with him a lance.
"Marlon!" Nah exclaimed, then she approached the guard. The Manakete observed the man, he seemed normal, except for the purple glimmer on his eyes, and that he was looking straightly at Morgan, waiting for orders.
Nah turned at Morgan, "Can't you free him?!" she demanded.
Morgan shook his head, "If I do that, he will be controlled again for the original caster. Let's hurry, I don't know how long I can keep this up, or how long will happen until someone detect us."
Nah and Morgan excited the cell. The girl kept her eyes on Morgan, he looked like a completely different person than the nice guy who she met twenty minutes ago.
The guard started to open the remaining cells, who appeared first was Inigo and another young woman. Both of them had a curious face. When Inigo saw Morgan, his face lit up, but then he made a concerning look when he noticed the red eyes and the shinning mark.
"Oh, no, Morgan…" the prince muttered. Morgan was shivering, that power was too much for him.
"Nah!" exclaimed the young woman while running to hug the girl who accompanied Morgan. This woman was shorter than Morgan and Inigo, but a few inches taller than Nah. Her hair was light-green, long, and messy. She was using a purple gown, of the same color of her eyes.
The young woman embraced Nah with all her strength, the younger girl didn't seem comfortable. "Oh, I was so worried about you, my precious little princess."
"Mom, stop it, now is not a good moment for this" Nah complained.
"Why are you so rude with your mother? Didn't you missed me?" the woman answered without letting go Nah.
Morgan got surprised by hearing that the young woman was Nah's mother. By appearance, the woman looked a couple years older than Nah. It would be easier to believe that she was Nah's sister, but then, Morgan remembered that Manaketes don't age like humans do.
Finally, the woman freed Nah, "I'm really glad that you are okay, Nah" she said while holding Nah's hands, "and that is thanks to this guy" the woman said while looking at Morgan with a smile, as she observed Morgan, her face became curious.
"Why do you look so familiar, kid?" the woman asked Morgan.
Inigo interfered in the conversation, "well, Lady Nowi, that must be because he is Robin's son, Morgan."
The woman's eyes shone at the mention of that name, "oh yeah, that explains the robe!" Nowi walked towards Morgan and gave a little hop to reach Morgan's face. She took the tactician's face on her hands. Morgan had to tilt because of the woman's strength.
"But you look weird, you are pale, and those eyes are scary. You look just like that crazy man who imprisoned us here" Nowi said.
"Interesting, do you mind explaining yourself Morgan?" a male angry voice asked, it was Frederick, who was behind them, and with him, the rest of the Shepherds.
"I…" Morgan tried to speak, but he couldn't find the words, his mind was busy enough trying to control his power.
"There is nothing to explain" Inigo interrupted with a defensive tone, "as you can see, Morgan has the curse, and I think he is using it to save us."
"Yes!" Nah spoke, "he is controlling the guard who freed us."
"Interfere a curse with another curse… Fascinating" Laurent muttered.
"Let's focus on what is important right now" Inigo ordered. As the prince checked all his companions, he realized something, something that made his blood run cold.
"Where is Lucina?" with that question, all the Shepherds started to look for her, but the rest of the cells were empty.
"She is not here" Severa informed with worry. Inigo placed his hand on his forehead and started to walk in circles with nervousness.
While everyone was in panic, Morgan walked towards the guard. When he was standing in front of his puppet, he asked him "where is the Ylissean princess?"
Everyone got silence, waiting for the answer.
Immediately, the guard answered, "she was escorted to the Khan's chambers" the man said with an empty voice.
"Oh, he must mean our room!" Nowi exclaimed.
"I can't believe that for a moment I forgot that we are with Feroxi royalty! You must now this place as the palm of your hands, don't you?" Inigo spoke to Nowi and Nah with excitement.
"Yes! We can take you there" Nowi assured with excitement.
"Are you forgetting that probably the whole city is being controlled, mother?" Nah added.
"I'll distract them" Morgan said, "You find princess Lucina and escape" the tactician ordered to Inigo.
"You aren't planning on leaving us behind, are you?" Inigo questioned while crossing his arms. Morgan didn't seem willing to answer.
"No! Because I'm going to help him to distract all the Feroxi. I just need a dragon stone" Nah interrupted before Inigo said another word.
Nowi got alarmed when she heard that, so, in a bossy tone, she told Nah "Nuh-uh, little miss, I'm the one who is going to help Morgan, you will guide Inigo and the others to our room."
"But, mom" Nah protested.
Nowi placed her hand on Morgan's shoulder and looked at him with proud, "Robin saved us, the least I can do for her is to take care of her son."
Everyone got touched by Nowi's words, except Morgan, who wasn't paying attention at all.
"That fella doesn't look okay" Brady whispered to Kjelle and Laurent.
"It's Morgan, he is going to be okay" the girl answered.
"Scientifically, children inherit better qualities than their parents. It is highly probable that Morgan has a better resistance than Robin" Laurent commented.
"Yeah, whatever you say, glasses" Brady said.
Frederick, who was standing still with his arms crossed behind him, spoke, "Excuse me, my lady, but where do you plan to find a dragon stone."
"Oh, easy, they must be over here" Nowi answered and started to walk towards the exit.
Outside the dungeon's entrance, was a door that led to another room, and stairs that connected to the castle. Nowi opened the door, revealing a small room.
"Our things are here!" Inigo celebrated.
Each Shepherd took their belongs, and Nowi and Nah took each one a stone that looked pretty much like a transparent diamond.
Inigo also found Falchion, as he contemplated the sword, he muttered to himself "It's alright Lucina, we will find you" and then he equipped the sword.
After that, there wasn't much left in the room, just a chair, a table, a bed, some documents about the people who enters the dungeon, some cabinets with supplies, nothing really useful for them.
With nothing left to do, the Shepherds exited the room and went upstairs. The stairs led them to a castle hall, which fortunately for them, was empty. On the other wall, there was a wooden double door.
As Morgan stepped in, he lost his balance and kneeled, placing one hand on his head in an attempt of stopping the dizziness. Immediately, a worried Inigo and Nowi helped him to stand up again.
"Morgan, what is happening?" Inigo questioned.
Morgan, who has looking at the front with a lost sight said, "he is coming, he knows I'm here."
"But who?" Inigo asked, he was starting to get desperate.
Nowi interrupted, "It must be the Plegian guy, the one who caused all of this." Nowi squeezed Morgan's arm and dragged him towards the double door. The older Manakete looked at her daughter and shouted, "we will distract the bad guy, you help them to find Luci."
Nah, with a hand on her heart, watched her mother go. She was scared, she had never faced a situation like that before. But her mother's bravery gave her strength. She knew it wasn't time for fear, she had to save her father and her home.
Nah's semblance was decisive, she looked at the rest of the Shepherds and told them, "follow me, I know a safe way to get to my parent's room." Then, she and the Ylisseans walked across the corridor.
The double door led Morgan and Nowi to the outside. It was a training field, and nearby was a horse stall. Passing by where two guards, who immediately spotted Morgan and Nowi. Both guards equipped their bows and aimed at them.
Quickly, Morgan gave a stomp on the snow, causing a small transparent purple wave that reached both guards. The guards dropped their weapons and stayed in a static position.
"Good job, Morgan!" Nowi celebrated giving some hops in the air.
Suddenly, the guards started to shake, like if they were struggling with something inside them. At the same time, Morgan placed both hands on his head and moaned with pain.
"What is going on?" Nowi asked him.
"He… is here" Morgan muttered.
For the first time since Morgan met her, Nowi made a serious face. The Manakete gave some steps away from Morgan, then, she took her Dragonstone. A pink light started to surround Nowi, this light grew bigger and bigger, and then, it formed a giant yellow dragon.
The dragon roared so loud, that the whole building rumbled, the crystals vibrated, and the snow from the trees and roofs fell to the floor.
In that exact moment, three figures crossed the building's door, Arune, Lon'qu, and Flavia.
Morgan turned his face when he heard the door, and then, they exchange gazes, red eyes vs brown eyes.
Arune stayed frozen on his place, his eyes were clearly amazed, "Who… who are you?" he asked Morgan.
Thanks your reading!
Special thanks:
Yoman66: Sorry that I couldn't keep the good service, but you know, the holidays and everything, but I'm back again, and I hope to update more frequently. And don't worry for the ships, I want to make all the readers happy, so you'll receive a surprise later.
Mysterious guest: I know it's been a long time, but I really hope you are still here, and yeah! As always you guessed right, that was Gregor.
YellowHello1: Thank you very much for your comments, they always make me happy. Sorry for taking so long, but i'm back :)