Three Winds of Fodlan-
Hey everyone. I have to whisper because Constance is not exactly….happy about that light joke at the end of the last chapter. I've been avoiding Sagittae spells for a while now. Anyway I'm glad that people are reading but a few more reviews would be nice. Also please stop telling me to quit writing this and replace Mark. Blazing Sword is a good game and needs more love. I mean all we got in Warriors was Lyn and trust me…..I love that game but man do I have issues with it. I am not above making a Tactical Alliance version of its story.
Also a thought has occurred to me as I write these chapters at the pace I am…..which House should Flayn join when we get to that point?
For Tactical Alliance: Three Wolves of Ylisse here are the official already married candidates if I keep Male Mark and FemByleth:
Mark: Nino, Ninian, Florina, Priscilla
Byleth: Dorothea, Mercedes, Constance, Hapi, Yuri, Ferdinand, Ashe, Lorentz
I am not allowing a marriage to a Lord (Sorry Lyn, Dimitri, Claude, and Edelgard fans) due to me not wanting to exclude the chance to go down a road less traveled….also I do not count Yuri as a Lord so that's why he is there.
And finally for the potential visitors from Blazing Sword and Awakening, here are the pairings I have decided would be best and as with above….no Lords:
Blazing Sword: Nino and Jafar, Serra and Erk, Raven and Lucius
Awakening: Tharja and Henry, Cherche and Lon'qu, Gaius and Cordelia, Nowi and Donnel.
If I feel like it, I might add the appropriate Future Child. Now let's get this chapter started shall we?
Chapter 10:
White Clouds: Abyss and Surface
-Three Winds of Fodlan-
Yuri led everyone to what appeared to be a large meeting room. The collected group took seats at a large table. "So there's a Fourth House?" Robin asked.
"Unofficially." Yuri nodded. "We're kind of the dark secret of Garreg Mach. However we do have a cardinal assigned as the Caretaker of Abyss. He's a decent man."
"Abyss is a place where those without a place to go can live." Balthus spoke up. "There's a decent amount here and because of Abyss, some of them have been saved from disease and starvation."
"Sounds like a pretty interesting place. Sorry for just showing up." Mark said with a shrug as his fingers danced, playing their phantom piano. The battle had inspired the Wind Blessed.
"Not like we had anything major happening down here anyway." Hapi said bluntly. "Besides we don't get a lot of combat experience down hear so the fact we got to fight is welcome."
"So looks like this worked out well for everyone. And to think Edelgard wanted to tell on our professors." Hilda laughed.
"How interesting. You have the same name as the Imperial Princess." Constance said, looking at Edelgard.
"It's not the same name. I am Edelgard von Hresvelg, the Imperial Princess herself." Edelgard said. "And you are from the Nuvelle house that fell."
"Hmph. My house may be fallen now but mark my words, I will rebuild it." Constance declared.
"Ah it seems as if fortune has smiled upon us." A man said walking in. He was around middle aged and wore dark robes. "I am Aelfric, Caretaker of the Abyss. The three of you being here actually makes a request I wanted to make of you easier. But first, I must say something to you, Byleth." Byleth raised an eyebrow but nodded. "You look just like your mother."
"You knew….my mother?" Byleth asked.
"I did indeed. Your father as well." Aelfric said. "Now as for that request, The Ashen Wolves are a House in name only. Eager students without a teacher. I'd appreciate it if you'd invite them to your classes."
"Cool by me." Mark said.
"I'm all for it." Robin said.
"An extra student or two won't change much." Byleth nodded.
"Hmph. Why should I be taught by any of these three?" Constance asked.
"We thoroughly defeated you four…..and you had reinforcements." Mark said. "However I propose a bet." Mark said as he pointed at a piano in the corner. "I'll play a song on that piano. If it impresses you, you'll join my class."
"Very well. In fact I'll play alongside you." Constance said. Mark nodded as he and Constance took their seats.
(Begin Playing Fire Emblem Three Houses: The Shackled Wolves Piano Arrangement by Fire Emblem Pianist on YouTube)
The fallen noble was surprised by the fast pace of the melody that Mark was playing but soon joined in. Constance could feel that the song was about conflict and hope in a way. She looked over to see Mark had his eyes closed.
"Is he…..just feeling the music instead of thinking about it?" Constance thought to herself. Everyone else just watched with smiles on their faces until the wind picked up from Mark's blessing and coelesed in the center of the room, gathering light to create a dancing silhouette. It was feminine and short, appearing to be wearing an elegant gown. Robin noticed it had a scarf similar to Olivia's.
"Beautiful." Edelgard gasped at the figure. "But what does it mean?"
"Could just be an odd side effect of Mark's Blessing. He says he's not a performer so I doubt he knows about this." Hilda said.
"Blessing?" Hapi asked.
"Mark is blessed by the Spirits of the Wind. They protect him from magic and increase his speed." Byleth said. "In fact it's why I've been working on a little nickname for him. Oh and one for you too Robin."
"Nickname?" Robin asked intrigued.
"Like how I'm called The Ashen Demon. For Mark I was thinking of something simple like Wolf of the Winds or just using his weapon's name, Gale Wolf. Not very imaginative I know. For you Robin, I came up with Grand Spellsword or Storm of Shadows." Byleth explained.
"Why Storm of Shadows?" Robin asked.
"You seem to primarily use Thunder and Wind spells and Dark Magic." Byleth said. Robin thought back and had to admit Byleth wasn't exactly wrong. "Mark is harder to pin down."
"How about….The Pianist of Bladed Gales?" Yuri suggested causing everyone except Mark and Constance to stare at him.
"That's….an amazing name." Ashe said. "And very fitting." The group then watched the figure's dance as the song finished. As Mark opened his eyes, the figure disappeared.
-End Music-
"I think he won." Balthus said to Constance, who just looked at him annoyed as Mark stood up and began toying with one of his knives. "And Hilda even said he doesn't like to perform. Wonder why?" Constance rolled her eyes before noticing Mark had a hand on his heart and pained look on his face.
'Does he have a trauma involving performances? It would explain why he has his hand on his chest." Constance thought to herself. She walked up to say something but Robin grabbed her arm and shook his head.
"I don't think he wants to talk about it." Robin said. "He's never even mentioned it to me and Byleth."
"Must be something deep." Ashe said. "Hard to believe with how he is normally." Constance just observed Mark.
"Well, according to our wager, I'll be joining your class Professor." Constance said.
"Just Mark. I hate formality." Mark said with a wave and a yawn. "It'll be nice to have you in the class."
"In that case I'll join Hilda's class." Balthus said, getting a nod of confirmation of Robin.
"I'll join the Blue Lions then. What about you, Yuribird?" Hapi asked her leader. Yuri thought for a moment but it was Robin who spoke up.
"How about you switch around classes. Sure we're going to eventually trade around students every so often but this way we'll each have at least one Ashen Wolf." Robin explained simply. "Sound agreeable?"
"Sounds good. In that case I'll join up with The Blue Lions." Yuri said.
"Then allow me to welcome you." Ashe said with a smile.
"With that, let's head back up. Classes will begin soon enough." Byleth said before everyone headed towards the surface.
"Oh yes, Mark." Yuri said matching the Tactician Assassin's stride. "Just as a heads up, Constance has a condition. I don't know why but I assume it's due to the trauma of losing her family. Whenever she's in sun or bright light, Constance becomes….solemn and gloomy." Mark put his chin in his hand.
"Thanks for the heads up." Mark said as he took off his cloak. Upon reaching the surface, Mark tossed his cloak over Constance. "That should keep you out of the light enough."
"But…. that's one of your most prized possessions. Even more so than your knives." Byleth said.
"It's what my friends would do." Mark said with a smile as everyone headed to class.
-Three Winds of Fodlan-
Robin walked into class after the Ashen Wolves introduced themselves and took their seats. The High Deliverer was carrying in a large model of one of the battles he had fought back home. This one in particular was the attempted assassination of Emmeryn. Robin set the model on a table and set the unit models in place. He decided to not include recruiting Gaius and Panne. He had a feeling nothing like the Taguel in Fòdlan.
"Allow me to tell you a story of an assassination attempt." Robin said. "A mad man wished to assassinate a lover of peace to steal a magic relic. In the middle of the night he lead a band of thieves and assassins to kill the peace lover. Today, I want each House to come up here and draw up a defensive strategy and as I move the pieces, you must change the strategy on the fly."
"Where does this story come from?" Balthus asked.
"My past." Robin smirked. "I'll give you twenty minutes to devise your base strategy." Robin set the units for the allied forces to the side. Robin sat at his desk and observed the Houses perform their strategies. He noted that the Ashen Wolves really helped out. Robin noticed that Yuri had a lot of advice for dealing with assassins. Almost first hand experience advice. As the time wound down, the students drew up their formations. Robin looked at the plans before he moved the enemy pieces.
"Now then, it's your turn. Using your strategies, retaliate to the movements." Robin said. This continued for the rest of the lesson with Robin proving his tactical acumen causing a bit of fear among the students. When the bell rang, Robin nodded at the students. "Well done everyone. Off to lunch with you. Also Constance, be sure to return that cloak later." The students left while Robin went back to his book of magic theories. After a while he decided to check out the market for a bit. As he looked around he felt a familiar presence.
"Get over here for some great deals!" A female merchant called out. Robin turned to see Anna and froze. He ran through a ton of ideas of how this was possible. Robin walked up to examine her wares. "Hey there! Looking for something in particular?"
"Uh….no. Just browsing." Robin said as he avoided looking at her before he saw that she had a rare Plegian black quill. Robin held no love for his homeland but he did love the black quills. "How much for the quill?"
"Not a bad choice. That's a pricey one though." Anna said as she pointed to a price. Robin nodded as he paid for the quill.
"Where did you procure this quill?" Robin asked.
"I have my ways." Anna giggled, causing Robin to narrow his eyes before he left. "Silly little Plegian Prince. You know full well how all of us Anna are connected. Though admittedly the gate to this world is only one way."
The High Deliverer continued on with his day before he decided to go talk to a new friend that he, Mark, and Byleth had made. Robin walked up to the main gate of Garreg Mach and waved at the gatekeeper, Chad Gaites. "Afternoon Chad."
"Greetings Robin. Nothing to report." Chad said before he shook his head. "I'm sorry that's not quite true. Someone left me a message for Professor Byleth. Do you know where she is?"
"I have an idea. Want me to take it to her?" Robin asked before Chad shook his head.
"No. It's my duty to hand over this message." Chad replied, getting a nod from Robin. The Perfect Vessel made his way to Byleth's preferred tea table but didn't find her. He thought for a moment before going to the fishing area and spotted the woman leisurely trying to catch a fish. Robin walked over and put a hand on her shoulder.
"Hey Byleth. Chad has a message he needs you to pick up." Robin explained as Byleth pulled back her line and nodded. Byleth put her fishing gear away before heading to the gate. Chad waved at the Ashen Demon and smiled.
"Greetings Professor. I have a message for you. An odd woman wants to meet you at the Goddess Heart Tavern in town. Says she's a friend from your mercenary days." Chad relayed. Byleth was confused but nodded before making her way to the tavern. Byleth quickly found it after asking Anna for directions, noticing that the merchant looked extra amused. Byleth entered the tavern and looked around for this supposed friend.
"Long time, no see Ashen Demon." A female voice said. Byleth turned to see a young woman wearing a loose orange outfit supplimented with pieces of armor. Her long purple hair covered her right eye and had a messy bun on the left side of her head. On her waist was two swords though one had an oddly intricate hilt. "Remember me?"
"I do. You're the mercenary from months ago. The one I defeated as my father called a retreat. I don't believe I ever caught your name." Byleth said simply.
"It's Shez and I've been training to defeat you….however that's not why I'm here. I was on my way to Garreg Mach to return a student. She's resting upstairs. We've had a rough journey avoiding some goons who had kidnapped her a while ago." Shez explained.
"Why have me meet you then?" Byleth asked raising an eyebrow.
"Mercenary code. You have an in with people who can pay me for returning the girl. Hoping you'd help me smooth out negotiations a little." Shez replied with a shrug. Byleth nodded her assent as that was part of an unofficial code among mercenaries. However it only applied because Shez was not a member of a merc group. "Good. Monica should be up soon." The two former enemy mercenaries started to talk shop before they saw Monica walk down the stairs. She wore a worn and tattered Garreg Mach uniform. Her hair and eyes were red.
"Ready to go, Shez?" The young woman asked before noticing Byleth. "Oh and who might you be?"
"Byleth Eisner, a professor at the Officers Academy as well as a former mercenary." Byleth said simply.
"Pleasure to meet you. I'm Monica Von Ochs from the Adrestian Empire and a Black Eagle student." Monica said with a smile. "Shall we go?" The three of them left to head to the monastery. Along the way, Byleth noticed Mark buying a beautiful purple cloak. Mark saw Byleth and ran up to the group.
"Heya, Byleth. Friends of yours?" Mark asked.
"Actually a former rival mercenary and a Black Eagle student." Byleth said.
"Is that so? Nice to meet you, I'm Mark Frey, professor in charge of The Black Eagles." Mark said to Monica.
"Actually to be honest, I should have graduated but before I could I was kidnapped. I'm glad Shez was able to rescue me." Monica replied. "It was really impressive how she managed to take out an entire bandit stronghold by herself."
"That is impressive." Byleth nodded before she turned to Mark. "Grab Robin and meet us outside of Rhea's chamber. I have a feeling this will go smoother with all three of us present." Mark nodded before he Gale Stepped away.
"What kind of magic was that?" Monica asked surprised. "I've never seen it before."
"He's not the only one with odd and unique abilities." Byleth said. "Wait until you meet Robin." The three of them slowly made their way to Rhea's chamber where Mark, now wearing his trademark cloak, and Robin waited.
"So this is why you called me. Fair enough." Robin said. "Nice to meet you, I'm Robin Zephyr, professor of The Golden Deer. Well we better get inside and talk to Rhea." Byleth nodded before pushing open the door to see Rhea and Seteth waiting.
"Greetings professors and welcome back Monica." Rhea said serenely. "I am very pleased to see you returned unharmed. And this must be the woman responsible for that. I am Rhea, Archbishop of the Church of Serious. Besides me is Seteth, my aid."
"It's an honor to meet you. My name is Shez, I'm a mercenary who just happened upon Monica in a bandit stronghold. Though to be honest, I think the bandits were working for someone. They mentioned a woman named Kronya a couple of times and a few of the bandits were a bit….too well dressed and equipped." Shez explained. "Sneaking out with Monica was not easy."
"Why did you enter the stronghold in the first place?" Mark asked.
"I was just trying to get out of the rain. Didn't realize that the ruined fort I found was a bandit stronghold." Shez said with a shrug.
"Still it seems we owe you a debt." Rhea said.
"Considering how this is a bit of an…embarrassment for the church, how about you join the academy?" Seteth suggested, though everyone guessed this was offered in order for the Church to save face. However Mark looked over at Shez.
"Honestly if you look at this as a long term investment, you'll gain strength and gain connections with various potential future employers including the next sovereign duke of Leicester, the crown prince of Faerghus,and the imperial princess of Adrestia." Mark told Shez.
"That is quite the sales pitch. Count me in." Shez said. "Though what about Monica?"
"Actually, since I was abducted before I could graduate, could I join this year's class? I don't mind relearning things, especially from a new professor." Monica suggested before Mark nodded his approval.
"Very well. Monica will join your class, Mark. As for Shez, which House will you join?" Rhea asked.
"My last mercenary crew was from Leicester, so I'll join the Golden Deer." Shez said.
"That'll give us even numbers since you got two Ashen Wolves, Byleth." Robin said.
"Excellent. Perhaps we should redo the class evaluations then?" Byleth offered.
"Screw it, how about we just team up and let all of the students come at us at once?" Mark chuckled.
"Tempting but we should focus on theory and the arts still. A few of the students are still shaken from Zanado. Mark and Byleth looked down in shame.
"Fair point. Anyway, now that everything is settled we should introduce these two to our Houses." Byleth said.
"Before you do, allow me to tell you about who kidnapped me. I remember everything." Monica said, getting everyone's attention. "It was Tomas, the librarian." The gravity of the accusation was felt by everyone.
"If it was him, his cover is flawless. Who'd expect someone who's been with the Church as long as he has. Add in his personality and you'd never finger him as a suspect." Robin said.
"But that actually supports Monica's accusation. No one would point the finger at him but she has with absolute certainty. You don't do that unless you have zero doubts." Mark said getting a nod from Seteth and Rhea.
"Tomas is out right now so that gives us time to investigate. With your permission, Lady Rhea." Seteth said.
"Get the knights on it immediately. Have Shamir head the investigation alongside Jeralt." Rhea ordered before she dismissed everyone but Seteth.
"Let's not dwell on the investigation." Byleth said. "My father and the knights have it covered. If they need help, they'll tell us. Instead, Mark, gather all the students in the dining hall so we can celebrate the inclusion of our students." Mark nodded before Gale Stepping away. After a good half an hour, all the students, including The Ashen Wolves, were in the dining hall. Upon seeing Monica, Edelgard stood in shock.
"Monica! Is that really you?" The imperial princess asked before the red haired girl hugged her.
"It's me, Lady Edelgard. I'm so glad to see you." Monica said before she let go and looked at everyone. "It's a pleasure to meet you. I'm Monica Von Ochs."
"Hey everyone. The name's Shez. Just a mercenary with a bit of a grudge against one of your professors." Shez said looking at Byleth.
"I'm surprised at how civil you are about it." Byleth said.
"I can tell I'm not quite strong enough to take you. That and I did ask you for help. I'd look like a very bad mercenary if I didn't honor mercenary code. Besides, while I do have a grudge, it is born from us both doing our jobs as mercenaries at the time. As such, I have decided that blind hatred and a desire to kill you will only end in my death. Instead I'll settle fore beating you. Oh and if I did attack you, your two boyfriends might try to end me." Shez said pointing at Mark and Byleth.
"We're not her boyfriends." Mark deadpanned.
"They're more like brothers." Byleth said with a soft smile.
"Also Byleth doesn't need us to defend her. Though if you did kill her in could blood…we'd happily use our tactics to avenge her." Robin added before he threw a fire spells at a meatball heading towards him. "Nice try Hilda."
"Mind explaining?" Balthus asked Hilda.
"Oh yeah, we haven't told you guys. A year long assignment you all have is to prank us. You may team up with two other students but you can't target us in the library or in our rooms. Or during tea time with Byleth which is very sacred to her." Mark explained.
"Tea is sacred. Disrespect it and your families will never find your bones." Byleth said in most flat, Ashen Demon tone of voice.
"The point of this assignment is to help you learn to create unconventional tactics." Robin continued, trying not to be terrified of Byleth. "Or to reimagine tried and true tactics to make them your own."
"I get it. Assuming we can't do anything that would cause widespread damage?" Shez asked.
"Correct. This is to help you learn to not take undue risks or to sacrifice innocent lives for an 'easy' victory. Easy does not always mean right. Actually….it usually never does." Mark said as Robin remembered the like of Excellus. "Anyway, let's eat." Mark took a seat next to Constance, who was now wearing the purple cloak Mark had bought, and Bernadetta. Robin sat next to Lysithea at the end. Byleth sat next to Shez and Yuri. The food and company were great with Robin telling a story involving a sweets loving thief, a half naked girl, and huge pot of melted chocolate.
"So they showed up to the meeting, covered in chocolate and Lissa points out that it was the most covered up that Nowi had ever been." Robin laughed causing everyone else to laugh. "Of course Nowi pouted and just slowly ate the chocolate off of her which well…..caught the eye of her future husband."
"So was she actually a little girl?" Lysithea asked.
"No. Nowi had a body that looked younger than her age." Robin said, not knowing how to explain manaketes to his students.
"Ah, so she is one of those people the gods and spirits bless with youth huh?" Mark asked getting a nod from Robin. "Or would this be more of a curse?"
"Depends on how you look at it, no doubt." Sylvain said trying to picture Nowi before Ingrid slapped the back of his head.
"How did she fight?" Felix asked.
"Rare form of inherited fire magic." Robin lied smoothly. "We called it Dragonfire."
"Wish I could study that. Sounds like it could be useful." Hubert said with a smirk that once again reminded Mark of Sonia, his least favorite being next to Nergal.
'I swear if those two had a child it would be Hubert.' Mark thought to himself but waved the thought away. He needed to stop comparing his student to his most hated enemies. The celebration continued into the night, the students and professors bonding more.
-Three Winds of Fodlan-
And that ends this chapter! Yeah surprise again, we have Shez and Monica. I picked female Shez because I like her voice and design more. Now here is the final official list for potential pairings:
Robin: Lysithea, Marianne, Dorothea, Shamir, Ingrid, Bernadetta, Hapi, Constance, Shez
Mark: Petra, Edelgard, Bernadetta, Lysithea, Mercedes, Flayn, Rhea, Hapi, Constance, Shez, (If enough of a good argument is made) Kronya
Byleth: Edelgard, Mercedes, Dorothea, Dmitri, Claude, Ashe, Linhardt, Ignatz, Hapi, Constance, Balthus, Yuri, Shez, Monica.
Monica or Shez can also be considered as Byleth's partner for Three Wolves of Ylisse. Anyway I should start running again because I think Constance found me. So please review, like seriously please review. I love to hear positive and constructive feedback. And always remember:
The difference between Dreams and Reality is Conviction