I'm back! ^_^ I know it's been a bit, but I've been working on the Official Fanfiction University of Rekka no Ken almost non-stop!
Unfortunately for me, because I took so long to get this one-shot written, someone else posted a very similar fic in the time I was working on this. That'd be Suppi-chan, who wrote the very excellent "in the end." I suppose our writing styles are different enough for me to get away with this, though. . . . My apologies, Suppi-chan.
The reviewers. . . .
FIREmblemFAN: Thank you! ^_^
Phoenix 14: Sain's one of my favourite characters, to be truthful! I've read all his support conversation (that I know of), and they're really helpful for characterization, let me tell you! Everyone gets mad at him because above all, women like men who are faithful. And really, when it comes to the "lovely ladies," that isn't really an applicable adjective . . . !
Sain might actually hinder your girlfriend problems, as they'd probably assume you were like him and leave without getting to know you . . . ! And here's the next part!
Yoshimi Takahashi: *groans at horrible pun* Yoshiiiiimiiii! Thanks for the compliments, even if they were presented with a truly awful joke! And yes, Sain is going to make life pretty . . . interesting. . . .
Millennium Slinky: *waves back* Yes, poor Sain. You always hurt your favourites, soooo . . . ! ^_^ Guy certainly is untrustworthy when it comes to women! Just look at his supports with Priscilla—he's all over her! ^_~ And thanks for the compliments!
Itzel: Thanks! *grins*
kyuusei: Is it . . . Nergal come to demand I write him a one-shot? ^_~ Anyway, thanks a lot! I hadn't enjoyed writing a fic that much for ages! Sain's so fun to write about!
The Dark Dragoness: Thanks! Characterization is one of the hardest things about fanfic, in my opinion, so it's nice to know people think I succeeded! ^_^
Feonyx: Yeah, I am too. The chapter system of the game kind of makes it just like a collection of short stories! And I certainly hope I can match this with my next few chapters! ^_^
Kevin C: Rebecca may be naughty, but so are the rest for going along with her! ^_^ And I'll certainly try to keep it up!
Flaming Tigress Mage: "Disastrous" doesn't even half describe what'll happen if Sain tries his luck with Menardi . . . ! I don't think this counts as updating soon, but it's as soon as I could! ^^;;
Ivanfanatic: Hey, are you the one who's running "Just the Wind"? And poor Erk indeed. He doesn't have good luck with ANYTHING. ^^;
Semaj Fallen: Well, I did my best, though OFURNK kinda got in the way . . . ! Which reminds me, I'll probably be updating that in the next few days. Thanks for the review, Fallen! ^_~
Megumi: Thank you very much! ^_^ Hope this one-shot doesn't disappoint!
***
Wow, that's very impressive for one solitary one-shot o' mine! ^_^ Thanks a lot, everyone!
This chapter is from Matthew's point of view. Genre is angst (poor Matthew!), and the rating is PG for a few mentions of blood, though it probably could get by with a G. Enjoy—or not, since it's angst. Uh . . . yeah. *flees*
~ * * * ~
"Matthew, you get back here!" Hector roared at me. "I thought I told you never to do that again!"
Grinning, I darted across the pirate ship so that I was out of the enraged lord's reach. "What's wrong, milord? Don't like carrying all my extra gear? But you're ever so strong—I don't see why it bothers you so!"
"Matthew, you—you—" Hector spluttered, wanting to call me so many names that they were getting in each other's way in his mouth. Unable to speak, he simply gestured very explicitly.
Still smiling, I walked over to where Lyn was observing the steadily approaching isle of Valor. "Hullo, Lyn."
"Give it back, Matthew," she ordered automatically.
Looking wonderfully innocent, I handed back her purse. "Old habits die hard, as they say."
"It won't just be habits that'll be dying hard if you don't cut that out," Lyn threatened cheerfully.
I blinked at her. "I don't have a clue as to what you mean."
"I bet you don't." She shook her head and chuckled. "You're in a good mood. That means someone's probably mad at you. Let me guess—Guy?"
"Nope; Guy's still smarting too hard from the last time I beat him to try anything new. This time, it's Hector."
Lyn groaned. "Oh, Matthew, don't tell me you stuck your spare belongings in his pack again! And after he had just forgiven you, too!"
I smiled. "What can I say? I'm so small and light that I need a big lug like him to take my burden!"
Lyn snorted. "Don't let Hector hear you calling him that, as true as it is. And don't tell him I said that, either."
"Of course not, milady! Your wish is my command!" And with an elegant bow, I went off to find someone else to annoy.
* * *
A little more than an hour later, the hull of the boat scraped against the gritty shore of Valor. We had arrived at the Dread Isle.
A fog had started to creep in. It wasn't a soft fog that made lantern light into lovely soft globes and that eased the sharp corners of buildings, but one that made everyone move a little closer together. It was a hungry mist, one that seemed as if it would swallow a person and never give them up again.
"Matthew, could you light the torch?" Eliwood asked, voice subdued.
"Yes, milord." I spoke in barely more than a whisper. My earlier playful mood was gone with the sun.
Once I had done so, I held it high. It didn't help much. Beyond a certain point, the light only reflected off the fog, actually hindering everyone's sight. But it was still strong enough to pick out a figure leaning against a tree.
"Who's there?" Eliwood called out sharply.
The shape made no response. The three lords hurried on ahead; I followed.
"It's Leila!" Hector exhaled in relief. "That was great work, Leila, finding us here. . . ."
Leila, eyes shut, made no response. My breathing became shallower and more rapid as I realised—something is terribly wrong.
"Leila . . . ?" Lyn stepped forward and placed a hand on Leila's shoulder.
Slowly, as if in a nightmare, Leila toppled to one side. Landing facedown in the mud, we all could see the brilliant red, ragged slash that sliced her back from shoulder blades to waist. The dark crimson of blood . . . so much blood . . . that soaked her clothing until the original bright colours were almost gone. . . .
My mouth fell open and I very nearly let the torch fall from my sensation-less fingers. "L-L—"
"Such cruelty—they left her out here for us to find, to serve as a crude warning." Eliwood's face was dark, his mouth set.
Hector pulled his gaze from her and faced me. He didn't look me in the eye. "Matthew . . . I'm so sorry. You and she. . . ."
"Leila made a mistake, that's all." I wasn't sure how I was able to speak. Not when my world was ending. "She was careless. . . . I was going to talk to her after this last mission, convince her to get out while she still could. I guess I was too slow. . . ." I tried to laugh—it was a mockery of my ordinarily light-hearted chuckle.
"Oh, Matthew. . . ." Lyn murmured helplessly, eyes tearing.
I turned to face Hector, though I did not look him in the eye. "Milord . . . she needs to be—buried. May I . . . ?"
"Of course . . . take all the time you need." Hector silently clamped a hand on my shoulder for a moment, then let go.
I stooped and gathered Leila's light body in my arms and began to walk. I had pictured myself carrying her over the threshold of our house when we were married. Looking down at her mud-smeared, bloodstained face, I knew that dream would never come true. Not in this lifetime.
A chill rain began, at first slowly. It gathered strength, trickled down my back, washed Leila's face clean. With the dirt and blood gone, it almost seemed as though Leila was sleeping, and that any moment, she'd awaken with that wicked gleam in her eye that I loved so. Had loved so.
I could almost allow myself to forget, if it weren't for the stickiness that coated my fingers and lower arms. . . . The blood from her fatal wound brought me back to reality.
Just as quickly, I retreated to memories, a new one coming to me with every pace I took. Step. Leila picking my pocket as I stole from her. Step. Sitting beside her on the castle wall as the sun warmed our faces. Step. Stolen kisses in the darkness. Step. Step. . . .
The rain tapered off. I was in a small clearing in the forest; my feet had carried me there without my awareness. It would be a lovely place, if it weren't for the fog. And if it weren't for the fact that I was burying the only woman I had ever loved . . . would ever love.
With the same tenderness I showed her in life, I gently set her down under a tree, where the rain hadn't fallen. I searched for a reasonably flat rock and found it. Then I began to dig.
The ground was soggy, which helped. The work was mind-numbing. I should have been grateful, but instead of losing myself in my task, I began to think.
The last time I had seen her was in Castle Caelin. There, I had subtly proposed to her, but, fearing the answer, ran off before she could respond. I don't know why I was afraid. We had been lovers for several months, taking our moments alone when our work for Lord Uther did not separate us. I loved her so much that it frightened me sometimes. I had no idea what I would do if I lost her . . . and I never realised that I would find out so soon.
It was foolish, really. Both of us knew the dangers of our profession, and yet I never imagined that her life would be snipped off so quickly. I don't think she had thought of it either. Leila had been so very good at spying. And yet even the best failed sometimes. But in our trade, one mistake was all it took. One stupid mistake. . . .
The ground below me wavered as my vision clouded with tears. The hole I had dug was large enough to accommodate her body. It wasn't deep, but I hadn't the time to increase its size. I still had a job to do—and now I had to do it for the two of us.
I wiped away my tears with one hand. The time for mourning was later. Now, I had to confront the evil people who had done this to Leila, and, without a doubt, countless others. I had to make sure they would never again put anyone through such loss.
Removing my well-worn cloak, I carefully wrapped it around Leila. I didn't want to bury her without at least some sort of covering. I carried her over to the shallow grave and brushed a kiss across her forehead one last time. Then I covered her face and softly laid her in the hole.
I stared down at her cloth-wrapped body for the longest time. I couldn't bring myself to throw the first clod of earth onto her—doing so would mean the loss of all my dreams. Sprinkling dirt upon her would mean she was truly dead.
I still don't know how I began, but suddenly I found myself first sprinkling the mud slowly into the grave, then faster and faster. I couldn't bear it. As each handful of dirt dropped into the grave, my sobs came heavily and deeply. Tears streamed from my eyes, combining with the light drizzle that had begun again. Both tears and rain flowed freely, until the loathsome job was done.
I knelt at Leila's grave for a few moments, trying to get my emotions under control. It wouldn't do for my friends to see me in this state, not when they were so used to the light-hearted, carefree me. That Matthew seemed so far away right now.
"I'll be back, Leila," I murmured quietly, standing and brushing at the mud at my knees. "I'll have Lucius say some prayers over you or something, to make this seem more like a proper burial. And I'll never forget you. . . ."
I turned on my heel and silently walked away. If this were a bard's tale, the rain would stop, the fog would lift, and the sun would shine through the trees, as some sign of future hope.
But this wasn't a story. The fog stayed where it was. And the rain continued its frigid caress down my back, through my hair, over my bare arms as I walked away from one life and began another.
~ * * * ~
Vyctori: *sniffles* I liked Leila. I really did.
Kent: Excuse me, Miss Vyctori, but where should I put my gear?
Vyctori: Let's see. I have two guest rooms that are available right now. Kent, you can have Alex's room—he won't mind. *mutters* Or else. *louder* And let's see . . . Sain, you can have Menardi's room.
Sain: ^_^
Vyctori: ¬_¬ She's moved out, Sain.
Sain: ;_;
Vyctori: *headache coming on* I think she left a few things in her room, though. She'll probably be returning to get them any time now.
Sain: Darling pearl of beauty! What does this muse of yours look like?
Vyctori: *gets evil idea* She's tall, with long blond hair, and she's very pretty.
Sain: *eyes sparkle* Ahh, I must meet her!
*doorbell rings*
Vyctori: Go answer that, will you, Sain?
Sain: *rushes off*
Kent: . . . Vyctori, I get the impression you weren't telling Sain everything about this Menardi. . . .
Sain: *answering the door* O lovely vision of delight, I am struck by your beauty! Will you not grace me with your presence?
???: Pyroclasm!
Sain: Aiiiiiiiiiiiieeeeee!
Vyctori: You're right, Kent. She's also a fire mage and she wields a pretty mean scythe as well!
Kent: -_-;;;;; I had best bring Sain this vulnerary, then. . . .
Vyctori: I'd say you'll need a good half dozen of those—Sain hasn't built up a resistance to Mars Psynergy yet, unlike me. . . .
Menardi: *enters* All right, you lot, review this, or face the same fate as this weirdo here. *gestures at blackened Sain*
Vyctori: *sighs*