The Dark Executioner
A Fire Emblem and NCS Adventure
Chapter 3: The Long Road to Pherae - Fraught with Danger
By: Davis(Davis3 on FFN)
Disclaimer: I do not own Fire Emblem or any of the official characters but I do own Amber(the Rogue Pegasus Knight) and Dark Warrior(aka the Dark Executioner)
Note: A guard dies in this part and there is some showing of skin due to the sisters taking a swim deep within a forest.
Florina, Fiora and Farina were unable to sleep well that night for they all had the same nightmare and it repeated on them in an endless loop. The flash of silver, the deadly accuracy, the unknown killer after them, these were the key parts of their nightmare. Yet, Dark Warrior, the killer in question was still outside, camping, waiting for daybreak so that he could pursue his victims for he knew where they were headed.
" The sun will be up in a few hours and I must prepare myself. My victims will leave first thing to head for Pherae for their mission and I'll follow along by horseback and see where they go....all night I have observed this ancient castle and not a single soul has braced its presence." He rested against a tree on the edge of the local forest and stared at the Silver Axe that lay by his side, thinking about what damage it will inflict. " This waiting drives my patience, but it must be done so. I have not once fallen asleep for sleep is a sign of weakness. A true Warrior does not need sleep! No, a true Warrior needs only his trusty axe, and a focused mind to ensure a good well-deserved rest." He then got to his feet and observed his surroundings. The castle was pretty quiet for during the day it was busy with numerous people and various Pegasus training sessions which drew many a face. " Such pitiful creatures, these modern people, looking towards simple entertainment to drown out their miserable existences....but when I have completed my task....their lives will be forever in sorrow for their best knights will be dead!"
The next morning finally came and Fiora was doing some last minute checking to make sure that she and her sisters had everything they needed for the big flight that was to come.
" Sister...."
" Oh, Florina! I did not see you come in here," said a startled Fiora.
" Have you been up this entire time looking over what we need?" asked Florina.
" It is well worth it," answered Fiora.
" I know that Farina will be begging us to leave right away for she is in it for the paycheck, not to mention the honor of being of the elite Pegasus Knights of Ilia," said Florina.
" As I've often said, she's the same as she's always been. We shall be departing shortly for we do have a long way to go. We can afford only to take one break during our trip so we need to make sure that we use it sparingly," said Fiora.
" Did you not say we could not take a break the other day?" asked Florina.
" I did, but I thought that if we flew non-stop, not only would our Pegasi be upset about it, but we would as well. It would be best if we rested for about 30 minutes along the way. By doing that in addition to flying to Pherae, we ought to get there by nightfall," answered Fiora as she resumed her notes.
" I'm glad you changed your mind," said Florina. Within the next hour, the three sisters took to the skies to begin their long flight to Pherae by heading South towards the border between Ilia and Lycia with Dark Warrior following along the ground riding his black stallion at a slight distance. " Why go this way to get to Pherae? Would it not be easier to go via Sacae and then onto Pherae?"
" Florina, you of all people should know what Sacae is like in the wild areas of it. You were in those places when Lyn found you near Bulgar and you had to fight your way through the Ganelon Bandits just to enter Lycia," said Fiora.
" I know. I thought it would be much faster," said Florina.
" You tangled with bandits?" asked Farina.
" Um....yes," Florina answered nervously.
" I wish I had been there with you. Would've been one heck of an adventure," said Farina.
" Farina...." Florina said.
" Keep in formation sisters," said Fiora.
" Oh, come on. Why don't we just cut loose and fly the way that we want to," commented Farina.
" We are on an official mission and as such, we must fly by the rules and regulations of the Pegasus Knights of Ilia no matter where we are," said Fiora.
" That takes all the fun out of this." Farina moaned.
" They have crossed over into Lycia, as have I, and this ought to make the journey much easier for me. It has hard to keep up with them for Ilia has many high mountainous regions, yet Lycia is much more open. I have no worries about catching them now. They are only normal people and as such, need to take a rest at sometime. Their bodies and their minds are unable to avoid such a glaring weakness as this." Dark Warrior said to himself as he pursued his prey.
" Okay, we're over Lycia now and need to head in a south-eastern direction if we are to reach Pherae on time," said Fiora.
" How long will it take for us to get there?" asked Farina.
" Eager to get your pay sister?" Fiora asked.
" That and meeting Lord Eliwood again." Farina answered.
" Eliwood! So....that is who they are going to meet, the noble lordling of Pherae....this makes things much more interesting than before." Dark Warrior laughed a laugh of evil as he urged his horse to travel faster. " Looks like I'll be getting myself a little bonus on the side....three Pegasus Knights and one Lord as extra takings." The journey through Lycia was a difficult one as strong winds kept the sisters low to the ground, causing them to fall behind schedule, but a chance shortcut on Florina's part allowed them to cut through the country and get within striking distance of Pherae....however, their Pegasi were getting tired, so they were forced to land inside a deep forest.
" Why land here in this clearing?" Farina asked.
" This clearing has a small lake and our Pegasi are dieing of thirst, plus we could use a good swim ourselves as we have been flying all day you know." Fiora answered as she took her Pegasus over to the water's edge for a drink.
" Sister did mention that we would be taking a break," said Florina.
" Now, that's what I meant by cutting loose," said Farina.
" Blast! I lost them when they entered this forest. Impossible! How could I, the "Dark Executioner" allow mere children to elude me so? It is unacceptable! I must find them before they leave here or else I will have failed my task and I have never failed a task in my life!" Dark Warrior then turned his head in the direction of the sounds of Pegasi. " It looks like I found them sooner than expected." He said as he got off his horse and leapt high into the trees. " I know you three are in here somewhere....ah, there they are by that clearing. They decided to take a rest after all as I knew they would. This is the perfect time to give them another demonstration of my skills....and if they thought my mental strikes on them the other night were something to be worried about, then this will bring them one step closer to the brink of insanity!!!!"
" Come on in sister, the water's fine," said Farina.
" Okay....if you say so," said Florina. She removed all of her clothing as her sisters had done and joined in the lake to relax for a while. " The water is quite nice to relax and we all deserved the rest."
" We need all the rest we can get for when we speak to Lord Eliwood," said Farina.
" What do you suppose he has for us?" Florina asked.
" According to our mission, we are to see him about obtaining a certain special item of great importance. As to what that item is, I have no idea," answered Fiora as she scratched her head.
" I would have thought Fiora that you of all people would have known what it is we're getting," said Farina.
" Other than pay?" Fiora asked.
" That was a cheap joke!" shouted Farina as she splashed Fiora with some water.
" Hey! I thought you would've laughed at that one as it suits you perfectly," laughed Fiora as she splashed Farina back. All Florina did was stare at them as they splashed each other numerous times. Then, from out of nowhere, a booming laugh broke the silence of the forest.
" What was that?" asked Fiora.
" It sounded like a laugh to me," answered Florina and then the same booming laugh was heard again.
" Someone is nearby," said Fiora.
" The freak, thinking he could get a gawk at us like this," moaned Farina.
" It sounds like it's coming from all over the forest," said Fiora and then they hear the sound of a tree as it fell and smashed into the water mere inches away from them. " That tree had been cut down."
" Um....there are no signs of a weapon used on it," said Florina.
" You mean, someone pushed it down?" Fiora asked nervously.
" Uh....I'm not sure about that," answered Florina. The booming laugh was then heard once again, only much louder than ever before another tree fell into the lake. " This is starting to scare me to the limit."
" I know....it reminds me of what happened the other night," said Fiora.
" You mean like that!" shouted Farina as a quick flash shot between them and submerged into the water. " Something just went by and it was just inches from each of us. Whatever it was, it was fast and looked like it had been thrown with great skill."
" Can we go now?" Florina asked.
" Yes," answered Fiora. The sisters then climbed back out of the water, changed back into their clothes and took to the skies on their Pegasi as fast as they could. A pair of yellow eyes, accompanied by a familiar shape then stepped into the clearing.
" Look at them, cowering in fear over things they do not know. Once again, I have struck them mentally and only their duty keeps them from insanity." Dark Warrior spoke as he walked into the water and went below the surface. A few moments later, he walked out from the other side clutching a much bigger axe than before. " My Demon Axe has served me well for it gave them a sense of fear unlike any previously endured. And not forgetting the falling trees....my strength knows no bounds and my booming laugh strikes many a person with fear and terror! No doubt they will not stop any more on the last stretch to Pherae, but I will take a much faster route and arrive there before they do, for I still have much more in store for them...." The remainder of the day until the sun began to set was nothing but non-stop flying as Florina, Fiora and Farina arrived at Pherae via the front gate. Waiting there for them was Eliwood along with Rebecca and a few guards.
" I am glad to see that you three made it here," he said as he smiled, hand stretched out to greet them.
" It is good to see you again Lord Eliwood," said Fiora.
" The way you speak to me....is something troubling you? You look as though you had seen a spirit or something," said Eliwood.
" We have reason to believe that the three of us are being targeted by an assassin," said Fiora.
" What!" exclaimed Eliwood.
" The other night, someone tried to kill us by throwing a Silver Axe with such accuracy, that out maneuvers barely saved our lives, and then a few hours ago whilst taking a break on our way here, we heard laughter from that forest and we were almost struck by falling trees and something fast. The worst part was that the trees looked as though they had been pushed rather than chopped down." Fiora explained.
" Maybe someone has caught wind of your mission and has sent a common killer to stop you," suggested Eliwood.
" This is no ordinary assassin Lord Eliwood, as would any trained killer perform the kind of feats I have detailed you about?" Fiora asked.
" I'll be sure to post every last guard that we have for whoever is after you may be a threat to my people as well. You three come with Rebecca and myself and we'll talk more once we're in the castle. Lieutenant, I want you to alert the guards of a possible assassin somewhere in the city." Eliwood declared.
" Understood my lord."
" This way," said Eliwood.
" Men, you heard the commands of Lord Eliwood. You two head back to the castle and alert them of the situation. You, come with me and we'll alert the guards monitoring the city....move out!" ordered the Lieutenant.
" Yes sir!" The Lieutenant and the guard with him decided to check the other gate which lead into Pherae and when they got there....
" Sir, I've found one of our men."
" Good, send him towards the castle," ordered the Lieutenant.
" But I can't sir."
" Why not?" asked the Lieutenant.
" Because he's dead!"
" What!" exclaimed the Lieutenant. He rushed over to find that the guard was telling the truth. The other guard had indeed been killed, and the way it was carried out was the telltale signs of an assassin. " He's had his throat slit open and whoever did this knew exactly what they were doing. We must report this to Lord Eliwood at once!" The two then left the body and headed off towards the castle.
" The lordling will just have to be an addition to my bonus as I have claimed this pathetic guard as my extra take....if they are as strong as this one was, then my work will be much more simpler than I had expected. Yet, I must discipline myself for I have brought unwanted attention to my being here. Thus I shall slit my arms and let them bleed for a while as my punishment for making an unnecessary mistake, such as this. My prey has gone to the castle so I shall move through the back alleys and make my way there....and make my presence known...."
TO BE CONTINUED....
Next Chapter: " Staring At The Eyes of an Assassin"
More of Eliwood in the next part, and Rebecca gets a cameo.
A Fire Emblem and NCS Adventure
Chapter 3: The Long Road to Pherae - Fraught with Danger
By: Davis(Davis3 on FFN)
Disclaimer: I do not own Fire Emblem or any of the official characters but I do own Amber(the Rogue Pegasus Knight) and Dark Warrior(aka the Dark Executioner)
Note: A guard dies in this part and there is some showing of skin due to the sisters taking a swim deep within a forest.
Florina, Fiora and Farina were unable to sleep well that night for they all had the same nightmare and it repeated on them in an endless loop. The flash of silver, the deadly accuracy, the unknown killer after them, these were the key parts of their nightmare. Yet, Dark Warrior, the killer in question was still outside, camping, waiting for daybreak so that he could pursue his victims for he knew where they were headed.
" The sun will be up in a few hours and I must prepare myself. My victims will leave first thing to head for Pherae for their mission and I'll follow along by horseback and see where they go....all night I have observed this ancient castle and not a single soul has braced its presence." He rested against a tree on the edge of the local forest and stared at the Silver Axe that lay by his side, thinking about what damage it will inflict. " This waiting drives my patience, but it must be done so. I have not once fallen asleep for sleep is a sign of weakness. A true Warrior does not need sleep! No, a true Warrior needs only his trusty axe, and a focused mind to ensure a good well-deserved rest." He then got to his feet and observed his surroundings. The castle was pretty quiet for during the day it was busy with numerous people and various Pegasus training sessions which drew many a face. " Such pitiful creatures, these modern people, looking towards simple entertainment to drown out their miserable existences....but when I have completed my task....their lives will be forever in sorrow for their best knights will be dead!"
The next morning finally came and Fiora was doing some last minute checking to make sure that she and her sisters had everything they needed for the big flight that was to come.
" Sister...."
" Oh, Florina! I did not see you come in here," said a startled Fiora.
" Have you been up this entire time looking over what we need?" asked Florina.
" It is well worth it," answered Fiora.
" I know that Farina will be begging us to leave right away for she is in it for the paycheck, not to mention the honor of being of the elite Pegasus Knights of Ilia," said Florina.
" As I've often said, she's the same as she's always been. We shall be departing shortly for we do have a long way to go. We can afford only to take one break during our trip so we need to make sure that we use it sparingly," said Fiora.
" Did you not say we could not take a break the other day?" asked Florina.
" I did, but I thought that if we flew non-stop, not only would our Pegasi be upset about it, but we would as well. It would be best if we rested for about 30 minutes along the way. By doing that in addition to flying to Pherae, we ought to get there by nightfall," answered Fiora as she resumed her notes.
" I'm glad you changed your mind," said Florina. Within the next hour, the three sisters took to the skies to begin their long flight to Pherae by heading South towards the border between Ilia and Lycia with Dark Warrior following along the ground riding his black stallion at a slight distance. " Why go this way to get to Pherae? Would it not be easier to go via Sacae and then onto Pherae?"
" Florina, you of all people should know what Sacae is like in the wild areas of it. You were in those places when Lyn found you near Bulgar and you had to fight your way through the Ganelon Bandits just to enter Lycia," said Fiora.
" I know. I thought it would be much faster," said Florina.
" You tangled with bandits?" asked Farina.
" Um....yes," Florina answered nervously.
" I wish I had been there with you. Would've been one heck of an adventure," said Farina.
" Farina...." Florina said.
" Keep in formation sisters," said Fiora.
" Oh, come on. Why don't we just cut loose and fly the way that we want to," commented Farina.
" We are on an official mission and as such, we must fly by the rules and regulations of the Pegasus Knights of Ilia no matter where we are," said Fiora.
" That takes all the fun out of this." Farina moaned.
" They have crossed over into Lycia, as have I, and this ought to make the journey much easier for me. It has hard to keep up with them for Ilia has many high mountainous regions, yet Lycia is much more open. I have no worries about catching them now. They are only normal people and as such, need to take a rest at sometime. Their bodies and their minds are unable to avoid such a glaring weakness as this." Dark Warrior said to himself as he pursued his prey.
" Okay, we're over Lycia now and need to head in a south-eastern direction if we are to reach Pherae on time," said Fiora.
" How long will it take for us to get there?" asked Farina.
" Eager to get your pay sister?" Fiora asked.
" That and meeting Lord Eliwood again." Farina answered.
" Eliwood! So....that is who they are going to meet, the noble lordling of Pherae....this makes things much more interesting than before." Dark Warrior laughed a laugh of evil as he urged his horse to travel faster. " Looks like I'll be getting myself a little bonus on the side....three Pegasus Knights and one Lord as extra takings." The journey through Lycia was a difficult one as strong winds kept the sisters low to the ground, causing them to fall behind schedule, but a chance shortcut on Florina's part allowed them to cut through the country and get within striking distance of Pherae....however, their Pegasi were getting tired, so they were forced to land inside a deep forest.
" Why land here in this clearing?" Farina asked.
" This clearing has a small lake and our Pegasi are dieing of thirst, plus we could use a good swim ourselves as we have been flying all day you know." Fiora answered as she took her Pegasus over to the water's edge for a drink.
" Sister did mention that we would be taking a break," said Florina.
" Now, that's what I meant by cutting loose," said Farina.
" Blast! I lost them when they entered this forest. Impossible! How could I, the "Dark Executioner" allow mere children to elude me so? It is unacceptable! I must find them before they leave here or else I will have failed my task and I have never failed a task in my life!" Dark Warrior then turned his head in the direction of the sounds of Pegasi. " It looks like I found them sooner than expected." He said as he got off his horse and leapt high into the trees. " I know you three are in here somewhere....ah, there they are by that clearing. They decided to take a rest after all as I knew they would. This is the perfect time to give them another demonstration of my skills....and if they thought my mental strikes on them the other night were something to be worried about, then this will bring them one step closer to the brink of insanity!!!!"
" Come on in sister, the water's fine," said Farina.
" Okay....if you say so," said Florina. She removed all of her clothing as her sisters had done and joined in the lake to relax for a while. " The water is quite nice to relax and we all deserved the rest."
" We need all the rest we can get for when we speak to Lord Eliwood," said Farina.
" What do you suppose he has for us?" Florina asked.
" According to our mission, we are to see him about obtaining a certain special item of great importance. As to what that item is, I have no idea," answered Fiora as she scratched her head.
" I would have thought Fiora that you of all people would have known what it is we're getting," said Farina.
" Other than pay?" Fiora asked.
" That was a cheap joke!" shouted Farina as she splashed Fiora with some water.
" Hey! I thought you would've laughed at that one as it suits you perfectly," laughed Fiora as she splashed Farina back. All Florina did was stare at them as they splashed each other numerous times. Then, from out of nowhere, a booming laugh broke the silence of the forest.
" What was that?" asked Fiora.
" It sounded like a laugh to me," answered Florina and then the same booming laugh was heard again.
" Someone is nearby," said Fiora.
" The freak, thinking he could get a gawk at us like this," moaned Farina.
" It sounds like it's coming from all over the forest," said Fiora and then they hear the sound of a tree as it fell and smashed into the water mere inches away from them. " That tree had been cut down."
" Um....there are no signs of a weapon used on it," said Florina.
" You mean, someone pushed it down?" Fiora asked nervously.
" Uh....I'm not sure about that," answered Florina. The booming laugh was then heard once again, only much louder than ever before another tree fell into the lake. " This is starting to scare me to the limit."
" I know....it reminds me of what happened the other night," said Fiora.
" You mean like that!" shouted Farina as a quick flash shot between them and submerged into the water. " Something just went by and it was just inches from each of us. Whatever it was, it was fast and looked like it had been thrown with great skill."
" Can we go now?" Florina asked.
" Yes," answered Fiora. The sisters then climbed back out of the water, changed back into their clothes and took to the skies on their Pegasi as fast as they could. A pair of yellow eyes, accompanied by a familiar shape then stepped into the clearing.
" Look at them, cowering in fear over things they do not know. Once again, I have struck them mentally and only their duty keeps them from insanity." Dark Warrior spoke as he walked into the water and went below the surface. A few moments later, he walked out from the other side clutching a much bigger axe than before. " My Demon Axe has served me well for it gave them a sense of fear unlike any previously endured. And not forgetting the falling trees....my strength knows no bounds and my booming laugh strikes many a person with fear and terror! No doubt they will not stop any more on the last stretch to Pherae, but I will take a much faster route and arrive there before they do, for I still have much more in store for them...." The remainder of the day until the sun began to set was nothing but non-stop flying as Florina, Fiora and Farina arrived at Pherae via the front gate. Waiting there for them was Eliwood along with Rebecca and a few guards.
" I am glad to see that you three made it here," he said as he smiled, hand stretched out to greet them.
" It is good to see you again Lord Eliwood," said Fiora.
" The way you speak to me....is something troubling you? You look as though you had seen a spirit or something," said Eliwood.
" We have reason to believe that the three of us are being targeted by an assassin," said Fiora.
" What!" exclaimed Eliwood.
" The other night, someone tried to kill us by throwing a Silver Axe with such accuracy, that out maneuvers barely saved our lives, and then a few hours ago whilst taking a break on our way here, we heard laughter from that forest and we were almost struck by falling trees and something fast. The worst part was that the trees looked as though they had been pushed rather than chopped down." Fiora explained.
" Maybe someone has caught wind of your mission and has sent a common killer to stop you," suggested Eliwood.
" This is no ordinary assassin Lord Eliwood, as would any trained killer perform the kind of feats I have detailed you about?" Fiora asked.
" I'll be sure to post every last guard that we have for whoever is after you may be a threat to my people as well. You three come with Rebecca and myself and we'll talk more once we're in the castle. Lieutenant, I want you to alert the guards of a possible assassin somewhere in the city." Eliwood declared.
" Understood my lord."
" This way," said Eliwood.
" Men, you heard the commands of Lord Eliwood. You two head back to the castle and alert them of the situation. You, come with me and we'll alert the guards monitoring the city....move out!" ordered the Lieutenant.
" Yes sir!" The Lieutenant and the guard with him decided to check the other gate which lead into Pherae and when they got there....
" Sir, I've found one of our men."
" Good, send him towards the castle," ordered the Lieutenant.
" But I can't sir."
" Why not?" asked the Lieutenant.
" Because he's dead!"
" What!" exclaimed the Lieutenant. He rushed over to find that the guard was telling the truth. The other guard had indeed been killed, and the way it was carried out was the telltale signs of an assassin. " He's had his throat slit open and whoever did this knew exactly what they were doing. We must report this to Lord Eliwood at once!" The two then left the body and headed off towards the castle.
" The lordling will just have to be an addition to my bonus as I have claimed this pathetic guard as my extra take....if they are as strong as this one was, then my work will be much more simpler than I had expected. Yet, I must discipline myself for I have brought unwanted attention to my being here. Thus I shall slit my arms and let them bleed for a while as my punishment for making an unnecessary mistake, such as this. My prey has gone to the castle so I shall move through the back alleys and make my way there....and make my presence known...."
TO BE CONTINUED....
Next Chapter: " Staring At The Eyes of an Assassin"
More of Eliwood in the next part, and Rebecca gets a cameo.
