The Dark Executioner
A Fire Emblem and NCS Adventure
Chapter 4: Staring At the Eyes of An Assassin
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)
Eliwood led the sisters past the many hallways of his castle and as they walked, the clanging footsteps of guards were heard all about them for news of their murdered companion has them stepping up the defenses, even though they do not know what they are up against.
" Lord Eliwood, is this really necessary?" Fiora asked.
" The safety of my people is at risk Fiora for there is an assassin in Pherae. I was to discuss our meeting in the throne room, but we must go to a secret place in case of an attack," answered Eliwood as he pressed against the wall, opening up a secret passage. " This will lead us to the secret room of the castle."
" Will it protect us?" Fiora asked.
" Only I, Marcus and Rebecca know of this room. Now, please follow me," he answered as he stepped into the passageway before them. Only a few torches along the walls offered light for the lack of windows was most evident. Eventually, they reached the room in question and it too had no windows for secrecy purposes. Eliwood then lit a candle and sat down on a small throne built into the very wall itself. " I am sorry for the surroundings, but we must make sure that this room can never be discovered by the enemy for all of our battle plans are within this very room."
" Are you saying that this room, is what you use as a Battle Room?" asked Fiora.
" Yes," replied Eliwood.
" I see," said Fiora.
" Now then, about this mission of yours…." Eliwood began as he opened a drawer upon a desk situated next to the throne. He picked up a small key and handed it to Fiora. " Use this when the commotion outside has calmed."
" Why do we have need of this?" Fiora asked as she stared at the key given to her.
" What you need is locked within a vault behind my main throne and that key is the only thing which can open it. I know that the assassin has not come here to obtain that which you seek, but has in fact come here for the three of you," answered Eliwood.
" Yes," sighed Fiora.
" You told me as soon as you arrived that you have been attacked by someone on two different occasions, am I correct?" Eliwood asked.
" That is correct," answered Fiora.
" From what you described about these incidents, it is clear that this assassin isn't doing this out of spite, but rather is working for another who wants you dead. That I understand, but what escapes me is how he is going about it. Usually, assassins sneak into a palace or home and kill their intended target without remorse and leave all in the dead of night. But, this one in particular is a most unusual figure. Instead of killing you right away, he is toying with your minds making you insane before taking your lives," said Eliwood.
" We don't even know who this assassin is my lord," said Fiora.
" Hmmm….I think I might know who it is. I have heard of him before and what he does has been deemed legendary by most assassins these days. He is called the "Dark Warrior" and he is known as the "Dark Executioner" due to his actions and numerous murders. This does seem like something he'd be involved with, but I can't really say for sure as there isn't enough evidence to support it." Eliwood said as he rose from his throne. " The murder by the gate could have been done by any common killer, but from my perspective, it has the markings of the Dark Warrior all over it. The guard was found dead with throat slit open and the wound was made by an axe, and not a sword."
" We've been attacked by an axe user!" Fiora exclaimed at the mentioning of that statement.
" Then it is certain! The Dark Warrior is here in Pherae, and his targets are the three of you. You must use the key, take what you came here for and leave before he decides to strike at you again." Eliwood shouted.
" What about your people?" Fiora asked.
" My guards are posted all across Pherae and the castle, so if he is here, then they will catch him. Take this passageway here and you will reach the throne room from the back way. The vault is where I said it will be," answered Eliwood.
" Are you sure of this my lord?" asked Fiora.
" I am," answered Eliwood.
" Okay, then we shall depart for the throne room. Come Florina, Farina, we must do as Lord Eliwood says for he knows what he is doing," said Fiora as she opened up the new passageway. Followed by her sisters, Fiora led them into the dark passage and the door closed with a click.
" I know they will be fine Rebecca," said Eliwood calmly.
" Of course they will Lord Eliwood, and I am here to protect you in case that assassin shows up here," said Rebecca.
" There is no need to worry," said Eliwood.
" Why is that?" asked Rebecca.
" No one from the outside even knows of this room's existence, so as long as we both remain in here, the Dark Warrior cannot reach us," answered Eliwood.
" That's what you think, lordling!"
" The Dark Warrior!" exclaimed Eliwood.
" My, what an interesting décor that you have here little one….not as impressive as what I grew up on, but I will give you modern people credit for trying. And you have yourself a little girl as your bodyguard. Oh come now! You can't fight your battles so you have a poor miserable child do it for you….such is the way of this age." Dark Warrior said as he ran his finger along the throne.
" I will protect you my lord!" shouted Rebecca. She notched her bow, placed an arrow in it and fired it at Dark Warrior, only to see him catch it with his hand, and this was at close range. " Ah, an arrow, a piece of wood with a sharp point upon it. How pathetic! It is a sorry excuse for a weapon if I ever saw one!" He said as he crushed it into fragments.
" That was a silver arrow!" exclaimed Rebecca.
" A Silver Arrow you say? It fails in comparison to my Demon Axe, but I guess that's what I get from you modern people. You have been terrible when it comes to improving upon the weapons of old and the new weapons you have prove that you care only for war and vengeance and money….such a pity," said Dark Warrior.
" Maybe another one will work," suggested Rebecca. Before she could fire, Dark Warrior quickly stepped towards her, grabbed her bow and crushed it with his hands. Then he punched her causing her to hit the back wall and falling unconscious.
" Rebecca!" cried Eliwood.
" Oh, don't go off starting to weep like a boy! She is not dead my little lordling, but merely unconscious. She isn't a part of my mission anyway so letting her live will not tarnish my record," said Dark Warrior.
" How did you get in here?" Eliwood demanded.
" I am able to move through the very shadows themselves! I also happened to observe you coming in here and thus here I am. Your so-called "guards" could not find me, and I knew that they wouldn't. They much too idiotic to pose a threat to me," answered Dark Warrior.
" Then perhaps I should be a threat to you!" Eliwood shouted as he drew Durandal and took a shot at the Warrior. " I knew you were going to try that old move child." He said as he stepped behind Eliwood, wrapping his arm around his neck with his Demon Axe mere inches from his throat. " Do you think I am so foolish, that I would not see that attack coming? I have had centuries of experience with those like you and all perform the same moves."
" Centuries?" asked Eliwood.
" You will understand in time lordling, but for now I have much use of you, and don't struggle or else you shall die! Now….I need a map of Ostia," said Dark Warrior.
" Ostia? What business have you got there?" asked Eliwood.
" Such a curiosity you have little lording. That's another thing about you modern people that makes me yearn for the past days. Each day that passes in this time, you and your people continue to try to understand things you were never meant to know. You never hold back and wait for the time when you have advanced long enough what you discover indeed makes sense. But, your kind are also stubborn and impatient, for you want to keep on going and going until you have understood what it is you're trying to figure out, yet you never do and it winds up claiming your lives….as miserable as they are," replied Dark Warrior.
" That made no sense," said Eliwood.
" I'm surprised that it did, for you also lacks the knowledge to make sense of these things….but enough about that. You will give me what I want, or I shall kill you here and now! To me lordling, you are but a mere bonus," said Dark Warrior.
" I have but one question to ask." Eliwood whispered for the grip around his neck was beginning to tighten.
" Go on," said Dark Warrior.
" You have killed so many innocent people and for what? Money? Glory? Tell me, why do you do this?" Eliwood asked.
" Why do I kill in the first place?" Dark Warrior asked.
" Yes," answered Eliwood.
" I have explained this question to my current employer, but her mind is feeble compared to yours Eliwood of Pherae, so I shall give you much more details. I do not kill for money or for glory like you think I do. Money is useless and meaningless to me, but even though I work for whomever pays me the most, it is the victims that are involved that compel me to do my job. Those three sisters are of great importance to their land of Ilia for they are the best Pegasus Knights that they have. If they are killed, then Ilia's status will be crushed, in addition to their strength and confidence making them vulnerable to an attack by a neighboring country. Then, there are those like you lordling. To me, you are a mere bonus, a kill on the side to my work much more plentiful….and to cause additional damage. If you were to be killed by me, Pherae would be in an uproar and it would cause chaos! But, if you cooperate with me and give me what I seek, then you shall be spared your worthless life," said Dark Warrior, his eyes glowing a yellow hue like before.
" I see," said Eliwood.
" I grow tired of these games. You have stalled long enough! Surprised that I know that? I am well aware that my victims have gotten what they came here for and that they used another passageway to get there in order to escape from me….you played the game well, lordling, but not well enough." Dark Warrior said. He then took his axe and made a deep cut on Eliwood's arm causing it to bleed slightly. " Looking at the fear within your eyes is more than enough to qualify for a bonus. Now, where is that map? Tell me, or I might change my mind and make my next strike….fatal!!!!" Eliwood then pointed towards another drawer on the desk and turned away in disgust. " Yes….this is it! What I need from this place. I may be working for another, but I do have my own agenda to maintain you know. With that, I am done here, so I shall take my leave of you."
" Stop!" moaned Eliwood.
" You are in no condition to be stopping me at any time lordling. Your main concern now is that girl over there and yourself!" said Dark Warrior as he too entered the other secret passageway that lead to the throne room. " The vault has been left open….that means they have what they came here for and are on their way back to Ilia right now. No matter for I know where they will be going so catching them will be a simple task "
TO BE CONTINUED….
Next Chapter: " Return to Ilia and Facing Your Fears"
The conclusion is almost here, but there is still a bit more to go before getting there.
A Fire Emblem and NCS Adventure
Chapter 4: Staring At the Eyes of An Assassin
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)
Eliwood led the sisters past the many hallways of his castle and as they walked, the clanging footsteps of guards were heard all about them for news of their murdered companion has them stepping up the defenses, even though they do not know what they are up against.
" Lord Eliwood, is this really necessary?" Fiora asked.
" The safety of my people is at risk Fiora for there is an assassin in Pherae. I was to discuss our meeting in the throne room, but we must go to a secret place in case of an attack," answered Eliwood as he pressed against the wall, opening up a secret passage. " This will lead us to the secret room of the castle."
" Will it protect us?" Fiora asked.
" Only I, Marcus and Rebecca know of this room. Now, please follow me," he answered as he stepped into the passageway before them. Only a few torches along the walls offered light for the lack of windows was most evident. Eventually, they reached the room in question and it too had no windows for secrecy purposes. Eliwood then lit a candle and sat down on a small throne built into the very wall itself. " I am sorry for the surroundings, but we must make sure that this room can never be discovered by the enemy for all of our battle plans are within this very room."
" Are you saying that this room, is what you use as a Battle Room?" asked Fiora.
" Yes," replied Eliwood.
" I see," said Fiora.
" Now then, about this mission of yours…." Eliwood began as he opened a drawer upon a desk situated next to the throne. He picked up a small key and handed it to Fiora. " Use this when the commotion outside has calmed."
" Why do we have need of this?" Fiora asked as she stared at the key given to her.
" What you need is locked within a vault behind my main throne and that key is the only thing which can open it. I know that the assassin has not come here to obtain that which you seek, but has in fact come here for the three of you," answered Eliwood.
" Yes," sighed Fiora.
" You told me as soon as you arrived that you have been attacked by someone on two different occasions, am I correct?" Eliwood asked.
" That is correct," answered Fiora.
" From what you described about these incidents, it is clear that this assassin isn't doing this out of spite, but rather is working for another who wants you dead. That I understand, but what escapes me is how he is going about it. Usually, assassins sneak into a palace or home and kill their intended target without remorse and leave all in the dead of night. But, this one in particular is a most unusual figure. Instead of killing you right away, he is toying with your minds making you insane before taking your lives," said Eliwood.
" We don't even know who this assassin is my lord," said Fiora.
" Hmmm….I think I might know who it is. I have heard of him before and what he does has been deemed legendary by most assassins these days. He is called the "Dark Warrior" and he is known as the "Dark Executioner" due to his actions and numerous murders. This does seem like something he'd be involved with, but I can't really say for sure as there isn't enough evidence to support it." Eliwood said as he rose from his throne. " The murder by the gate could have been done by any common killer, but from my perspective, it has the markings of the Dark Warrior all over it. The guard was found dead with throat slit open and the wound was made by an axe, and not a sword."
" We've been attacked by an axe user!" Fiora exclaimed at the mentioning of that statement.
" Then it is certain! The Dark Warrior is here in Pherae, and his targets are the three of you. You must use the key, take what you came here for and leave before he decides to strike at you again." Eliwood shouted.
" What about your people?" Fiora asked.
" My guards are posted all across Pherae and the castle, so if he is here, then they will catch him. Take this passageway here and you will reach the throne room from the back way. The vault is where I said it will be," answered Eliwood.
" Are you sure of this my lord?" asked Fiora.
" I am," answered Eliwood.
" Okay, then we shall depart for the throne room. Come Florina, Farina, we must do as Lord Eliwood says for he knows what he is doing," said Fiora as she opened up the new passageway. Followed by her sisters, Fiora led them into the dark passage and the door closed with a click.
" I know they will be fine Rebecca," said Eliwood calmly.
" Of course they will Lord Eliwood, and I am here to protect you in case that assassin shows up here," said Rebecca.
" There is no need to worry," said Eliwood.
" Why is that?" asked Rebecca.
" No one from the outside even knows of this room's existence, so as long as we both remain in here, the Dark Warrior cannot reach us," answered Eliwood.
" That's what you think, lordling!"
" The Dark Warrior!" exclaimed Eliwood.
" My, what an interesting décor that you have here little one….not as impressive as what I grew up on, but I will give you modern people credit for trying. And you have yourself a little girl as your bodyguard. Oh come now! You can't fight your battles so you have a poor miserable child do it for you….such is the way of this age." Dark Warrior said as he ran his finger along the throne.
" I will protect you my lord!" shouted Rebecca. She notched her bow, placed an arrow in it and fired it at Dark Warrior, only to see him catch it with his hand, and this was at close range. " Ah, an arrow, a piece of wood with a sharp point upon it. How pathetic! It is a sorry excuse for a weapon if I ever saw one!" He said as he crushed it into fragments.
" That was a silver arrow!" exclaimed Rebecca.
" A Silver Arrow you say? It fails in comparison to my Demon Axe, but I guess that's what I get from you modern people. You have been terrible when it comes to improving upon the weapons of old and the new weapons you have prove that you care only for war and vengeance and money….such a pity," said Dark Warrior.
" Maybe another one will work," suggested Rebecca. Before she could fire, Dark Warrior quickly stepped towards her, grabbed her bow and crushed it with his hands. Then he punched her causing her to hit the back wall and falling unconscious.
" Rebecca!" cried Eliwood.
" Oh, don't go off starting to weep like a boy! She is not dead my little lordling, but merely unconscious. She isn't a part of my mission anyway so letting her live will not tarnish my record," said Dark Warrior.
" How did you get in here?" Eliwood demanded.
" I am able to move through the very shadows themselves! I also happened to observe you coming in here and thus here I am. Your so-called "guards" could not find me, and I knew that they wouldn't. They much too idiotic to pose a threat to me," answered Dark Warrior.
" Then perhaps I should be a threat to you!" Eliwood shouted as he drew Durandal and took a shot at the Warrior. " I knew you were going to try that old move child." He said as he stepped behind Eliwood, wrapping his arm around his neck with his Demon Axe mere inches from his throat. " Do you think I am so foolish, that I would not see that attack coming? I have had centuries of experience with those like you and all perform the same moves."
" Centuries?" asked Eliwood.
" You will understand in time lordling, but for now I have much use of you, and don't struggle or else you shall die! Now….I need a map of Ostia," said Dark Warrior.
" Ostia? What business have you got there?" asked Eliwood.
" Such a curiosity you have little lording. That's another thing about you modern people that makes me yearn for the past days. Each day that passes in this time, you and your people continue to try to understand things you were never meant to know. You never hold back and wait for the time when you have advanced long enough what you discover indeed makes sense. But, your kind are also stubborn and impatient, for you want to keep on going and going until you have understood what it is you're trying to figure out, yet you never do and it winds up claiming your lives….as miserable as they are," replied Dark Warrior.
" That made no sense," said Eliwood.
" I'm surprised that it did, for you also lacks the knowledge to make sense of these things….but enough about that. You will give me what I want, or I shall kill you here and now! To me lordling, you are but a mere bonus," said Dark Warrior.
" I have but one question to ask." Eliwood whispered for the grip around his neck was beginning to tighten.
" Go on," said Dark Warrior.
" You have killed so many innocent people and for what? Money? Glory? Tell me, why do you do this?" Eliwood asked.
" Why do I kill in the first place?" Dark Warrior asked.
" Yes," answered Eliwood.
" I have explained this question to my current employer, but her mind is feeble compared to yours Eliwood of Pherae, so I shall give you much more details. I do not kill for money or for glory like you think I do. Money is useless and meaningless to me, but even though I work for whomever pays me the most, it is the victims that are involved that compel me to do my job. Those three sisters are of great importance to their land of Ilia for they are the best Pegasus Knights that they have. If they are killed, then Ilia's status will be crushed, in addition to their strength and confidence making them vulnerable to an attack by a neighboring country. Then, there are those like you lordling. To me, you are a mere bonus, a kill on the side to my work much more plentiful….and to cause additional damage. If you were to be killed by me, Pherae would be in an uproar and it would cause chaos! But, if you cooperate with me and give me what I seek, then you shall be spared your worthless life," said Dark Warrior, his eyes glowing a yellow hue like before.
" I see," said Eliwood.
" I grow tired of these games. You have stalled long enough! Surprised that I know that? I am well aware that my victims have gotten what they came here for and that they used another passageway to get there in order to escape from me….you played the game well, lordling, but not well enough." Dark Warrior said. He then took his axe and made a deep cut on Eliwood's arm causing it to bleed slightly. " Looking at the fear within your eyes is more than enough to qualify for a bonus. Now, where is that map? Tell me, or I might change my mind and make my next strike….fatal!!!!" Eliwood then pointed towards another drawer on the desk and turned away in disgust. " Yes….this is it! What I need from this place. I may be working for another, but I do have my own agenda to maintain you know. With that, I am done here, so I shall take my leave of you."
" Stop!" moaned Eliwood.
" You are in no condition to be stopping me at any time lordling. Your main concern now is that girl over there and yourself!" said Dark Warrior as he too entered the other secret passageway that lead to the throne room. " The vault has been left open….that means they have what they came here for and are on their way back to Ilia right now. No matter for I know where they will be going so catching them will be a simple task "
TO BE CONTINUED….
Next Chapter: " Return to Ilia and Facing Your Fears"
The conclusion is almost here, but there is still a bit more to go before getting there.
