Azure Sword

New Friends and Foes

Routed and panicked, the remaining warriors nimbly sprint through the jungle before they come across an untamed river before breaching through the water and swimming along the current.

Absorbing the brisk chill against their skin, and the rush of the water pumping the adrenaline through their veins, the survivors quickly come across their destination: a rickety worn pier that's barely being held together.

With quick thinking, the wavered warriors, shift their bodies against the current, inching close to the shoreline until they roll onto steep land, quickly grabbing ahold of each other, and lifting one another up to dry land.

The leader of the survivors, a young man with a thin athletic build and jagged claw markings across his back and chest, checks on his comrades assuring them to save their strength for a moment before they move on. As his copper eyes gaze down at the ground, his chest tightens slightly and a pained expression wrinkles onto his face knowing all too well where they are.

Steeling himself, the leader reluctantly raises his head and sees that bone chilling sight of the horrid scars that still stain this island: The coastal village, said to be teeming with life and joy is now an abandoned hollowed out husk, with dusty bones as the only inhabitants.

The unsettling tightness is quick to twist into a barely contained rage, a rage that steels his resolve and firmly reminds him what his purpose is.

"Up!" He barks in his native tongue. "Almost there!"

He knows that there is the risk of harsh consequences for failing in his mission, but as leader, he knows that it is his duty to give this report. And if a penalty must be paid, he'll offer himself to spare his friends.

No matter how unnerving the thought is to him.

The leader guides his friends up the upward path into the charred village, his chest grows heavy as he is eager to leave this place, hopefully rebuild it someday, but for now, down the well they go.

The group encircles a well-intact water well in the center of the village, and the leader boldly steps forward placing one foot over the rocky edge ready for the leap of faith. He turns one of his friends, a meek looking young woman with big fearful eyes and pursed lips. He offers her has hand, assuring her that she will be fine, and she takes it after a second of hesitation.

"This is always the fun part!" He cheerfully tells her.

She responds with a nervous chuckle.

With a nod to his friends, the leader and the girl fall feet first down below into the void.

The girl squeezes her eyes shut as she feels her stomach jumping up into her throat, Her body tenses up with each passing second until she feels her body breach through water, slowing her fall.

Ignoring the burning in her nostrils, she feels his hand guiding him with the tug of her wrist and she complies by shifting her body towards him. They are quick gasp for air, as he still yanks her harder with her kicking her feet.

"Here we go! Dry land!" He assures her.

With his help, she feels her hands feeling the mossy surface of a bumpy rock and she begins to rub her eyes with her arm, letting herself recover from the shock and the rush she felt.

The leader, quick to recover, lets out a distinct whistle, letting it carry across the dimly lit empty caverns until it slowly fades into the rocks. He's quick to take the lead with his friends following him.

The girl, close to the leader's side, carefully treads her feet across the slippery moss with her nervous eyes never leaving the ground. Anxiously biting her lip, she mentally smacks herself for her nervousness, but wonders if she will ever become used to these conditions they she and her comrades have to live with. The distant commotion from a vivid illumination casts those thoughts from her mind as she is happy that she is back home safe and sound.

Seeing a few sentries posted outside the lit entrance with two white beasts calmly watching their move brings her heart joy. Though that feeling soon turns to dread knowing that they have to report their failure. Or more specifically, the unknown foe that forced them to retreat!

Like her friends, the guards adorn white striped fur pelts around their waists and unique markings across their bodies, prayers for each marking. And after what just happened, the girl can't help but feel they will need all the prayers they can get.

Stepping through the narrow entrance, the leader and his friends are now in a fairly lit and spacious cavern with the stone and rock formations providing adequate shelter and lodging for the warriors and their families, with the bountiful lake filling up the center teeming with vibrant schools of fish, and young supervised children being taught to swim, much to the dismay of the fisher men and women.

At least the food supplies are plentiful.

Climbing up short path up towards into the makeshift village, many of the inhabitants gaze upon the returning warriors with awe and respect. The Leader hides his dismay from the onlookers with his usual cocky grin as he enters down into a smooth and shallow crater with several esteemed looking warriors, conversing with heated words. Nothing the leader and his friend have not seen before, but what catches his attention are four people that he has never seen before, all adorned in grey themed attire, and each of them strangely adding chains to their clothes. The leader is quick to quickly observe the tall muscular one with outlandish hair and a cocky smirk, an olive skinned girl with bright red hair and a grim aura surrounding her, a refined blonde who carries a haughty demeanor that others around her can barely tolerate, and a silver-haired young man with a suave persona and keeping his composure despite the tense air around them.

The leader's brows furrow knowing well that they are not native to his home.

As he approaches the council, the voices dimmed down as all eyes are on the approaching party, many become disheartened knowing their numbers a fewer now.

"Guess things are still just as lively as ever." The leader cheekily greets while his colleagues offer curt but respectful bows.

The group of older warriors reactions are mixed with some snickering while others appeared annoyed. One of the men however, a broad-shouldered looking man with a strong jaw with sharp edges, curved back dark grey hair, and a small but charming beard, hastily approaches the leader. His expression is one of relief and anger making others around him squirm in their spots.

The man greets with leader with a rough shove.

"I ordered you not to chase after those intruders!" He snarls in fury. "You could have been killed!"

The leader lets out an annoyed sigh. "Father..."

The older man shakes his head, immediately dismissing his son.

"Save it! I'll deal with you later! Sit in the corner, until I decide to summon you!" He barks snapping his arm towards the edge of the crater before turning to the others. "As for you, you are all confined here until I say otherwise! MOVE!"

Stunned, but not surprised, the girl along with her friends limp out of the crater hanging their heads down in shame. Humiliation and anger seep into the girl now, its not enough that she had to watch those closest to her get cut down, or that they failed in their attack, they also had to be scorned at for their actions.

"I don't understand..." She murmurs quietly. "What did we do to deserve this? At this rate, will our lands ever be free again?"

*FE*

The broad-shouldered man rubs his temples as he turns his attention back to the meeting.

"Now... where were we, my lords?" He asks taking his seat in a crisscross fashion.

"My king," A gruff and rugged man of huge stature starts. "Whatever has fallen from the sky has fallen on our shores, just on the fringes of Empire territory!"

"Zhihui is all Empire territory..." The man off in the corner loudly mumbles crossing his arms while he keeps his fuming glare to the ground.

"Hah!" A young spiky haired young woman casts out a quick laugh. "For a buncha outsider bigshots, they sure love letting us slip right through!"

The king sighs ignoring the chest pounding and griping. "As of right now our objectives have not changed." He brings edge of his palm to his chin, contemplating deeply. "Still... if we know about this, then Adrestia will as well."

"Send me, father!" The young woman eagerly volunteers with a spring in her step. "My team and I are waiting for a good hunt!"

The King hums lowly, though hesitancy is present, much to his daughter's annoyance. After thinking on the matter, his head twists towards the four outsiders and motions his hand to approach him.

They complied with the blonde one taking the lead with her head held high.

"Are you certain your friend is by these shores?" He neutrally queries.

The blonde woman answers without missing a beat. "With absolute salutations! I have your assurance that our lover is waiting for us!"

Her boisterous words are met with mixed reactions from the others, from mild amusement to utter awkwardness.

"Uhh... Coco?" The red haired girl mutters to her companion. "Are you sure you told them that Aelfric is here, oooor... did you just accidently tell them that nature calls, ooor..."

Coco lets out a proud scoff. "Hah! Have faith Hapi! My flawless understand of Brigid's tongue and my unparalleled speech patterns are beyond the best!"

"They're definitely beyond something that's for sure..." Hapi dryly mumbles.

After an awkward silence, the King lets out an a loud laugh looking very amused before turning to his daughter. "Looks like you're going to have company, sweetheart!"

The daughter's face contorts into shock and disbelief. "Wha-" Her head whiplashes at the four grey dressed outsiders then back at the King. "Father, are you being too harsh?!"

"Got any idea what she's saying, Boss?" The tall muscular man whispers to the silver haired man.

"I'm sure she's saying that she's just thrilled to come along this little rescue mission with us." He cheekily responds.

"Mean to tell me that your can speak Brigid, too Yuri-bird?" Hapi deadpans.

Yuri-bird chuckles. "You do say the nicest things, Hapi."

"...and remember: If we rescue their friend, our cause will get those supplies we sorely need." The King gently reminds his daughter resting a hand on his shoulder before his expression grows stern. "But I do not want any heroics, or prolong hunting!" He turns to the ashamed man by the edge. "Scout and observe the sight, aid our allies, and disengage before the Imperial forces make their presence. Do you understand?"

"I won't disappoint, father." The girl declares. "I will succeed for you and for a free Zhihui!"

"That's my girl!" The King nods. "Now go! Show our guests how tigers hunt our prey!"

"Right!"

Twirling around, the daughter skips in a step before eagerly rushing past the four allies she'll be forced to escort.

Yuri-bird watches the girl rush up and out of the crater before turning back to see the King materializing right up front in his face with a curved sword drawn dangerously close to the silver-haired man's neck. Yuri-bird's brows arch up, but does not appear intimidated unlike a squealing Coco or wincing Hapi. The big man, however steps forward with a fist smashing into his hand. The King's seasoned warriors counter him with weapons drawn, and the two girls stand ready to intercept them.

"Listen up, kid!" The King growls. "Anything happens to my little girl, and you're going to answer to me!"

*FE*

"Nooooo..." The trooper groans not even making eye contact with Gil.

"C'moooooon!" Gil whines. "Just a peek! That's all I'm asking for!"

A compressed sigh is heard as the Bylin shakes his head. "Why is it a big deal to take my helmet off?"

"Well since we're roped on the same boat, just thought you might loosen up." Gil suggests. "I mean, hey, we're not attacking you, and you're not attacking us, soooo..."

"No."

Gil raises his hands. "Okay, okay. Little shy, that's no problem."

"I'm not shy!" He snaps at Gil before toning his voice down. "Wearing full body armor and headgear is just second nature to me. Same thing for other models."

"Sooo... in other words," Gil smirks. "I'm looking at your face right now?"

The Bylin stares at him before drawing out a uncertain, "Sure."

"So... that means your real face acts as your skull then?" Gil quips.

A compressed sigh of irritation rings out as the trooper sets down large stacks of wood. "Don't you have a prisoner to check up on?"

"Just did." Gil answers. "Gave him a med-booster and patched up some nasty spots. Little crude buuut... effective enough."

"So you're 1-7's medic and saboteur." The trooper assumes.

Gil frowns and replies lowly. "Nah... nah no medic. I'm flattered though." His countenance contorts into serious manner. "Anyway, he's stable for now, but sooner we get him some help the better. Hey waidda sec... are you building a pit fire?"

The Bylin nods. "That a problem?"

Gil scowls and stands up. "Not trying anything funny are you?"

"Uhhhh... no." The trooper cocks his head to the side. "We'll need the flames for cooking some food, and boiling water."

"Ohh..." Gil looks convince. "Soo that explains you needing help with filling containers with water."

"Why did you think I needed your help in the ocean to begin with?" The Bylin sounds annoyed.

"I dunno. To kill time, I guess?" Gil cluelessly responds.

"You depress me."

"Hey! Don't try to change the subject!" Gil cries. "Pit fires leave trails of smoke you know! Smoke that can draw attention, might I add!" He gets up right in the Bylin's faceplate, standing on top of the fire pit. "And if you think the Zaibatsu is gonna find you first, you ever stop to wonder if PAL might beat them to it?"

"If that crash landing didn't alert the Zaibatsu or the League, its safe to assume what I'm doing won't either." He boldly replies. "Trust me when I say that you're not my enemy right now."

"Wai-wai-whoa..." Gil looks flabbergasted. "What do you mean?"

The Bylin shoos Gil out of his pit before adding stacks of wood into it. "Well, I don't know about League protocols, but I can guess their similar to ours when it comes to crash landings. Let alone a rig being taken offline."

"Meaning?"

"In those situations, command would send in response teams to investigate. When they arrive on the scene, the officer in charge is given the call on how to proceed. Rescue, captures, search and destroy, sabotage, and keep in mind, those response teams are quick and good at what they do."

"Speaking from experience are we?"

The trooper makes a sound but does not make eye contact.

"Well..." Gil uncomfortably. "Maybe PAL just hired some pirates and their attacking those response teams." He speculates. "Maybe that's why no one's coming to help us so quick."

"Maybe." The Bylin simply says.

Gil, looking more unsettled, hotly presses the subject. "Hey if you got a crackshot theory on why the cavalry hasn't showed up, I'm all ears!"

"I'm not jumping to conclusions, I'm just stating the facts."

"Yeah, yeah yeah, I heard you!" Gil snaps. "No response teams, no pirate raids, Chief and Jill haven't found us yet, even Alma can't pinpoint our location because..." Gil stops in the middle of his rant and he feels a subtle chill in his blood. "Because... we don't even know where we are..."

"That's likely a strong possibility."

"Not helping!"

The trooper shrugs and begins spinning a small stick into fat chunk of wood.

"But our navgear went haywire when... holy..." It hits Gil square in the gut.

The thunderstorm! As scary and life threatening as it was, that thunderstorm that randomly emerged must have something to do with this unusual situation they were stuck in! And its only when it vanished is when all this strange things started happening.

As outlandish as it all sounds, Gil could think of no other logical conclusion.

"Hit me." Gil curtly orders.

The trooper cocks his head up at him. "Come again?"

"I think I can fix this mess we're in, but you gotta hit me!"

There is a puzzled tilt in the trooper's neck. "How will that help us?"

"If my theory is correct, then I'm just KO'd and dreaming this whole thing!"

"No."

"Wha- what do you mean no?!"

"I mean 'No, I'm not hitting you'."

Again Gil smashes his face into the trooper's faceplate. "Listen here, you... green lean... blank staring... weirdo, you better hit me, or I'm definitely gonna-"

"G! Byleth!" A familiar voice breaks through Gil's ranting.

Both men turn to see a sight that causes Gil's jaw to drop, and the trooper's hands letting loose the stick onto the wood: Kira returning on the back of an elephant!

Gil, petrified, lets out a tiny strained squeal as Kira softly orders her mount to stop in front of them.

"Kira..." Gil finds his voice. "What... the hell... is that?"

Kira lets out a shaky chuckle. "I know, I'm kinda shocked myself." She gently rubs the top of the elephant's head and it lets out a cheerful blare with its trunks rubbing Kira's face.

"And... who are they?" The Bylin nudges to the unconscious girl on top of the creatures back, along with the frigid limbed man, with a clenched jaw and eyes that are struggling to blink.

"Figure these clowns are feelin' generous on helpin' us out, so I brought 'em here to make 'em nice and cozy!"

There is a brief silence before Gil speaks up. "Okay, but... what are you doing on top of an elephant?!"

"I know!" Kira cheers. "It's so friggin' cool! I feel like Meng Huo, King of Nanzhong!" She proudly raises her arms in the air, like a gleeful child winning a competition and proudly cries. "Invaders from the north, bow down before King Meng -BWOAAAH!"

The elephant, appearing excited as well, eagerly stands on its two back feet trumpeting loudly throwing Kira and the orange haired girl off of its back. Only Kira has the unfortunate luck to fall straight on her face.

"AHAHAHAHAHA!" Gil cackles like a madman as he shamelessly points his finger at the face planted girl with the twitching leg. "Looks like the King just got OVERTHROWN! AHAHAHAHA! Overthrown! Get it?! Cause of the... heh... eehhh..."

Gil is met with unamused glares, except for Kira who mumbled lowly beneath the sand.

"Mii miww murmer mim mour mweemp..."

"Hey! I'm allowed to laugh!" He continues chuckling though it sounds more forced. "But its a laugh to cope with our situation... because, Kira, we have a situation!"

As Kira pulls her face from the sand, she mutters a quiet, "Bite me," Before turning the Gil with shiny little particles glittering her cheeks. "When are we NOT in situation, G?" She lowly asks as a fountain of sand falls from mouth.

"Ahaha... Oh Kira..." Gil's laughs sound more unhinged. "Oh it's all so clear now! We're all trapped in some crazy virtual reality! It all makes sense! Us being stranded, no rescue party, and the elephant!" Gil stares at the young beast that gives him a thoughtful gaze. "WHAT IS AN ELEPHANT DOING HERE IN THE FIRST PLACE!"

Kira responds with a sharp slap across Gil's face, snapping him out of his hysteria. "Keep it together, man! And don't shout in front of Xu Chu! Poor guy's havin' a rough day, too y'know."

Kira gently lulls the frightened elephant, calming the creature.

"You named him after one of your many Three Kingdom boyfriends?" Gil lowly mutters.

His snarky words are rewarded with a swift strike sending him spinning in the air before landing on his face.

"Never talk smack about The Three Kingdoms in fronta me, Choom." Kira warns him in a low menacing voice.

"Mmmm..." Gil moans twisting his head to the side and out of the sand. "Times like these, you're scarier than your sister... you know that right?"

"Hmm... I'll take that as a compliment." She then bends her legs in a regimented manner and guides him in a sitting position on the sand. All while keeping her back straight. "Now lay it on me, what's this mumbo jumbo 'bout us bein' in a virtu?"

"Think about it!" Gil sounds no less calm. "Nobody, and I mean NOBODY has pinpointed our location! Even after the Crimea, the crash! No one's hasn't come for us! The Zaibatsu, PAL, or even Chief and Jill! Heck why hasn't Alma even pinpointed our location?!"

Kira's expression is stoic as her eyes dart to the floor, deep in thought. As much as she didn't think about it at first, she has to admit Gil has a point: This whole situation is too strange for her to be normal.

"Maybe that rando storm..."

"Aww come on! It was that storm was it?!" Gil's hands tear into his hair. "Why do WE always get the weird jobs?!"

"Well... prolly gonna hafta chat it up with Rockerboy and the circus I brought." Kira declares aiming her thumb at the incapacitated duo behind her.

"Where did you find those two?" The trooper asks closely observing them.

"We bonded over little workout in the jungle. Couldn't keep up with me, obviously." Kira replies picking the girl off the sand and throwing her over her back. "Byleth, be a team player, and pick up big, blonde, and ugly, will ya?"

"Why are you calling me that?" The trooper asks somewhat offended.

"I'm sorry would ya prefer the original name I gave ya earlier?" Kira sassily asks. "Thank me later and just pick 'im up will ya?"

"Where are we taking them?" The man now dubbed as Byleth asks through heavy grunts as he grabs the paralyzed man by the shoulders.

"Gil, where's Rockerboy?"

"Resting in the transport..." Gil responds in a low dejected tone. "Why can't anyone just hit me right now? OW!"

Gil impulsively plants his hand on the back of his head after Kira smacked him.

"Not dreamin' choom! Shoulda pieced that together the first time I socked ya. Byleth and I are gonna take our guests inside the transport! Give sleeping beauty a nice refreshing splash and get 'im to sing for us!" Kira orders immediately taking charge. She then turns to Byleth. "Once that's done, do some rounds and let us know if we get any visitors."

"You sound very certain that we'll be expecting trouble." Byleth says.

Kira's brows furrow. "Just 'cuz no rescue's comin' doesn't mean no one's comin' at all."

She grimly glances at the tree line. "Really hope I'm wrong though. More importantly... I'm plannin' on bein' back home for another shift."

Xu Chu's trunk brushing against Kira's head snaps her out of alert mentality as she chuckles and pets his head. "Tell ya what: When we're done, how 'bout I spruce ya up in the ocean. Deal?"

*FE*

Another chapter outta the way. So this chapter was going to be longer, but it felt like a sludge to go through where it was going, so I took the liberty of doing parts for this chapter. And of course more characters people know and love are introduced!

Lemme know what you guys think, feedback is appreciated. :)