Review Last Chapter: Sain found out that everyone in the group knew about the events between him and Rebecca except Rebecca. The next day, a group of ladies blew his cover with words of baby shower and bachelor party. Rebecca received a package from Raven and left for the battle in store on the island. Sain accidentally ruined Rebecca's book and now trying to fix his mistakes.
I am going to stop writing the "I don't own Fire Emblem thing." I will write it every two chapters. Sorry for the short chapter last time. I promise this one will be longer. I hope.
Chapter XII: First Day on Dread Isle
Raven sat quietly in the fog with Rebecca by his side. His mind was filled with questions and thoughts. He was not the type of person that can tell his feelings, but tend to keep them for himself. As if coincidence, the two were assigned to guard Merlinus this duration of the battle. As usual, Raven was deep in thought and concentration while Rebecca is happy and jumpy. Raven had already agreed to Rebecca's request of lunch together. They haven't had any time for themselves for so long. Rebecca decided to break this unnecessary silence.
"Raven, I can't thank you enough for your present." Rebecca thanked Raven. Rebecca never would have thought she ever gets the chance to read a cookbook authored by one of the greatest cooks in the world. Right now, she is very grateful to Raven with all her heart. Raven turned and looked at Rebecca's emerald eyes.
"No need for thanks. I had that book lying around for centuries and just glad to have a perfect owner for it." Raven answered in his usual harsh voice with no sign of affection at all. But because of this, it made Rebecca smiled. To her, being by his side is her greatest honor and it did not matter to her that he is always so quiet. Being quiet to her is his best quality that she longed admired. Raven is Raven and she would never wish for him to change.
Raven, on the other hand, was a bit confused at this smirk on her face. He did not understand ladies very well and had not tried to either. The only other lady he ever known was and is Priscilla, but now he found himself closer to Rebecca. He cannot tell if this smirk on her face was a sign of teasing him or just a way of showing her usual happiness. But either way, he liked how she smiled. The smiled that he will always remember in his heart even if he does not show it towards her. He tends to keep these thoughts to himself.
Lyndis and Eliwood were walking quietly through the heavy fog. Lyndis can still remember all the sparring she had with Eliwood and how Ada told them both to take the west road away from the west of the group. It was awkward but Ada seemed to know a lot about everyone the camp. Lyndis had always longed to be side by side with Eliwood in battle, but never the opportunity. Now, Ada sends them both alone. Lyndis can tell this is not by coincidence.
Lyndis decided to start a conversation with Eliwood after walking in silence. "Eliwood, you are really good at your sword. I have respect you for that." Eliwood smiled quite modestly and turned over to Lyndis. Eliwood had been quiet lately, but who can blame him? His dad might or might not be in danger right now.
"You too. I am trying really hard not to fall behind. Your swordplay is absolutely beautiful as well as you." Eliwood quickly flushed and found out his mistake. He had blurted out the words too quickly and now regretted it. He didn't intent to say that right in front of her. He calmed down a bit when he saw her giggle at this.
"Thanks, Eliwood. You are so modest sometime. I have to respect you for that too." Lyndis said, as she giggled even harder. She felt good to be with him, and the same goes with him. Eliwood frowned a bit to show that he ran out of words and beginning to regret what he said. Eliwood felt safe with Lyndis around, but of course, he never mentioned this to her. He found this time not suitable to talk about love and all that. Maybe after he found his father, he can tell Lyndis his affections toward her.
Just then, an arrow shot out from the middle of the fog and almost hit Lyndis. Luckily, Eliwood pushed Lyndis out of the way and ducked out of the way as well. Lyndis was too shocked to open her eyes, but when she did, she can see Eliwood right next to her. Sometimes, in these situations, she thinks he is so cute when he is like this, all worried about people around him. Lyndis gradually got up first and head for the archer hiding in the fog. The archer didn't expect this to happen as she killed him immediately with a swift stroke of her Mani Katti.
Eliwood got up and saw Lyndis by the dead archer. "Lyndis, we should concentrate on the battle or else, Lady Ada and Hector will find our dead bodies around here somewhere." Lyndis liked his sense of humor even at a time like this. He is learning bit by bit from Lord Hector. She nodded as they headed on their way.
Some pirates started wandering around the island near Merlinus. One of them finally noticed Merlinus's tent nearby and gestured the rest of the pirates to attack the old man and his goods. Merlinus was busy chatting to Hannah, the fortuneteller, to notice the pirates approaching him. They were a foot away from his tent before he noticed. "Oh my! Help me! Help me!" Merlinus started shrieking.
The pirates laughed at Merlinus's attempts, but failed to notice a mercenary hiding behind Merlinus's tent. Raven knew if he sat in front of the tent, the pirates will not come. So, now he waited back there quietly with Rebecca for the pirates to get closer. And indeed, they did.
They were so focused on Merlinus that when Raven jumped out and killed one of the pirates in the back, the ones in the front didn't noticed at all. Raven found this quite lame and aimed for all of them by himself. The three pirates surrounded Raven now, but Raven didn't care. He knew he can take of all of them by himself. Rebecca walked out from behind Merlinus's tent. She did not noticed a pirate behind her, waiting to kill her.
Raven noticed however, despite the three pirates around him. "Rebecca, watch out behind you!" He shouted to her, even though he cannot get out of the circle to help her. Rebecca turned around to see the pirate jumping at her. Rebecca shrieked.
At that moment, a javelin came out from the fog and killed the pirate. Rebecca turned around towards the direction of the owner of that javelin. She found a tall, teal hair girl with a short skirt. She must be a peg knight as the pegasi showed itself behind its owner. The new lady grabbed her javelin and flew away on her pegasi. Rebecca just stared at the flying pegasi and its owner flying away as Raven walked next to her.
"Are you ok? I apologized for not helping you when you needed it." Raven apologized with a sense of embarrassment in his face. Rebecca shook her head to show him that he did nothing wrong. They resumed their sitting positions in front of Merlinus's tent.
Rebecca looked up and raised an eyebrow to see Sain running towards her and Raven. Rebecca knew something must be up today. Sain panted slowly and recovered his posture in front of Rebecca. "Rebecca, how fare you today? Such a lovely day, is it not?"
Instead of Rebecca answering, Raven did it for her. "Fine, what bring you today Sain?" Sain scowled a bit to see Raven by Rebecca's side, but not surprised. Sain force a smile back at Raven.
"Nothing. Rebecca, how about you? Are you alright?" Sain asked, trying really hard to look into Raven's cold eyes.
Rebecca's other eyebrow raised as well. "Nothing much. What do you want Sain? I know you're hiding something from me." Sain chuckled nervously, trying to hide his guilt.
"No, why would you say that? I just came to ask if you eat lunch with me. That's all." Sain managed to smile, but his stomach is hurting him badly and he is trying really hard just to stand up. His stomach would not stop hurting.
"Sorry, but I am going to eat lunch with Raven to thank him. I don't have time to go to lunch with you today. Maybe dinner." But Rebecca saw Sain falling on the ground, holding on to his stomach as if it is going to explode any second.
"My stomach…it hurts…." Sain groaned under his breathe.
Rebecca shook her head. "What a pathetic attempt, Sain. You already tricked me once, you can't trick me twice with the same deception. You are getting a bit too old, Sain." Rebecca commented as she started taking Raven's arm and walking away from the fallen Sain.
"Rebecca…my stomach…it really hurts this time…" Sain managed to say as he started closing his eyes to stop the pain from his stomach. But it wouldn't.
Rebecca ignored Sain and walked off with Raven to meet up with the rest of the group. Sain cannot stand up, the pain was too much for him. The pain in his stomach as well as the pain that Rebecca did not believe him. Wil and Priscilla soon raised him to his feet. He was so relieved to see two familiar faces.
"Are you alright, Sain?" asked Priscilla in her sweet innocent voice. Sain nodded as he leaned on her shoulder for balance. Wil stood in front of Sain, searching for some kind of expression on his face.
"Wil, send message to Rebecca…tell her that I do have a stomachache and I want to see her now." Sain commanded as Priscilla dragged him to the tent while Wil ran off to send the message.
The battle ended with Guy killing off Uhah. Guy was pretty pleased with himself now. Eliwood and Lyndis managed to survive to whole way and meet up with Lord Hector and Lady Ada. Of course Ada immediately said, "I knew you guys should have no problem fighting by yourself." Ada smirked towards Lord Hector, who bet her earlier that Eliwood and Lyndis would not stand a chance by themselves.
"I guess I won, huh Hector?" Ada said, rubbing it into Hector's face even more. Hector did not deny that she was beautiful as she is smart, but he wished so much to win for once. She outsmarted him again and he cannot deny his lack of luck. He turned away in embarrassment as Eliwood smirked at him.
That day, there was no time to waste on lunch as everyone only had 5-10 minutes to eat their lunch before they had to move deeper within the forest. Everyone was eating lunch quickly, but happily. Matthew was nowhere to be seen, but everyone knew it is better for him to be alone. After all, the person he loved the most just died. Sain and Priscilla were nowhere to be seen as well. Sain was laying in bed with a horrible stomach and Priscilla by his side. Rebecca had a quick, yet satisfying, lunch with Raven. It was almost perfect if there was more time and if Wil didn't come in every second delivering Sain's message to her. Rebecca swear she cannot get Sain off her back. He's faking this stomachache pretty well with the moaning and all that.
As soon as they were distant from the Dragon's Gate, a battle was about to unfold again. Like always, Lady Ada was gathering everyone to be ready for battle. "Where is Sain?" Lady Ada asked Rebecca as soon as she saw her. Rebecca shrugged in reply, having no idea what is going on. After much consideration, Guy and Fiora, the new peg knight Rebecca met earlier and Florina's older sister, were the ones to guard Merlinus.
The enemies consist of mostly magic users and knights. This was the reason why Florina and Lord Hector took the lead. In the middle of the battle though, there was a sudden barrier that stops all magic-users to use magic. This sudden move confused Lady Ada because it seems to hurt their own allies more than their foe.
"Why would anyone do such a thing??? Why would someone stop me from using magic??? When I want to heal people, they won't let me!!! But when I don't want to heal people, everyone makes me!!! This is so unfair!!!" Serra screeched while stamping her foot. Everyone stared at Erk in a dissatisfying expression as Erk started to drag Serra back to the tent.
Despite that little interference, the battle was great. The boss, turned out to be not as easy as it seemed. He might not be able to use magic, but he can dodge pretty well. Florina attacked him with her lance, and missed. Rebecca tried to hit him with her arrow, and missed. Oswin tried to attack him with his javelin and missed. Wil tried the same attempt as Rebecca, and missed. Florina moved out of the way and let Hector tried with his axe and missed.
The usual calm Lady Ada was not so calm anymore. After attempts after attempts of trying to kill the boss, Lady Ada was getting really annoyed. Lady Ada pushed everyone out of the way and stood right in front of the boss. "You listen here! I want you off that throne right now! I don't care if you live or die, just get off the throne!" Lady Ada shouted.
The guy just smirked and sat on his throne in a gratifying way. This was way too much for Lady Ada. Lady Ada walked up to him closer and slapped on the face. Now, the guy was shocked as shocked can be. All the men of Ada's group gasped. The guy still wouldn't move. "Why you…" Lady Ada immediately grabbed the lance out of Florina's hands and smacked the guy with the lance hard on the head. He fainted.
"You guys can kill him now. He won't be able to dodge any longer. Any of you can kill him and I encourage you to kill him as much as you can." Ada announced as she left the area for the rest of her group to kill the heck out of the unconscious guy on the throne. Ada winked at Florina as she walked by as thanks for the lance.
Dinner that day was satisfying because of the shortness of lunch earlier. Everyone ate in his or her usual group like always. Any kind of change would be noticed throughout the entire group especially Lady Ada, who always seemed to notice everything around here. Lady Ada was walking around to see if everyone was here. Bartre and Dorcus were sitting near their tent, talking and eating the plates Lowen made for them. Plates filled with meat and no vegetables, just the way they wanted.
Marcus, Oswin, Kent and Lowen were sitting together. They were not really touching their food, but instead were in deep discussion how the Black Fang movements are so mysterious and how they should be on the lookout all night. Florina and Fiora were sitting together in front of Florina's tent, talking about how Fiora got here and stuff like that. Of course, their "noble horses" were in the their own tent, eating their vegetables.
Canas, Lucius, Erk, and Serra grabbed their dinners set for them and headed for a perfect spot to sit. Of course, Serra wanted to be alone with Erk and tried to shoo the other two away. Lucius apologized and grabbed Canas and left the two alone. Serra was playing with a ring on her finger, while Erk ate his vegetables (Serra converted him into a vegetarian like herself somehow). Erk eyed the ring curiously and asked, "Isn't that a guiding ring?"
Serra stopped playing with the ring and nodded. "Lady Ada gave one to me and one to Priscilla. There's one for you too, but she haven't given it to you yet. She thinks Priscilla and I are ready for its use." Serra hated saying Priscilla's name but she knew she would not want Erk to involved in her issues with Priscilla. This means not telling him about the events between Priscilla and Rebecca.
Erk finished eating his vegetables, and started digging for his books again. He had found a very interesting book indeed and did not feel like putting it down. Serra started eating her vegetables now, while eyeing Erk in an irritating expression. She can't stand him being too uptight and too into books. She grabbed his and her plate when she finally finished and walked off to throw away the food.
While reading his book, Erk can feel someone trying to take his enjoyable book away and he responded by grabbing hold of his or her arm. With some skills he remembered a long time ago to defend he, he skillfully twisted his or her arm to his left side. Then, he pulled the invader hard.
"Erk! That hurts! Stop it!!!" shrieked a familiar voice. Erk immediately recognized that voice, even though it had more anger in it than usual. Erk immediately let go of Serra's arm and left her panting on the ground. For someone who reads all day, he can really bend her arm hard. Serra was rubbing her arm while making faces at Erk.
"Erk, I thought you were off guard…I guess I shouldn't have done that. I didn't frighten you, did I?" Serra asked, now sitting closer to Erk. Erk gave up in reading his book in peace and now turned his attention to Serra.
"No." He lied. Serra immediately smiled with pleasure at his uneasiness. Serra knew she shocked him a bit, even if it didn't caught him off guard. Serra happily played with her staff as she saw his tense body relaxed bit by bit. It was a tiresome day, indeed.
"Are you ok?" Erk finally said something, flouting the 20-second break between the talkative Serra. Serra looked at Erk in a sly expression. "Of course nothing is broken, you are not that strong."
Erk can hint a bit of sarcasm in her tone, but he playfully replied to her teasing answer. "Of course not, how can someone who reads books all day do anything strong?" Serra can tell his hint in sarcasm as well as she chuckled gently while resting her head on his shoulder. Her body tensed a bit when he put his head carefully on top of her pink soft hair, but slowly loosen up.
"Promise me you will stop reading so much." Serra demanded, closing her eyes enjoying this embrace by her usual uptight boyfriend. She knew this was the perfect time to change him a little bit at a time. She loved him for who he is, but it doesn't hurt to change him a bit.
"I promise. Now you have to do something for me. Stop talking so much." Erk returned the request back at Serra.
"Sure, I'll stop." Serra answered quickly, looking suspiciously.
"I highly doubt that though. Look at me, Serra." Erk ordered as Serra looked up at his gentle eyes. Erk suddenly pressed his lips upon hers. Serra's eyes opened widely but slowly closed them to enjoy this moment. He surprised her by making the first move. She did not want this to end and neither does he. She slowly pulled him closer to her, but the moment ended as Serra gently pushed Erk away from her. Erk did not understand why she did this until he saw Lady Ada.
"Sorry, I should have knocked if there was a door available." Lady Ada apologized as she left the two alone again. Erk and Serra were completely red, even more than Kent's armor and Eliwood's hair combine.
"Does this convince you to talk less?" Erk asked.
"Very convincing." Serra said as she hugged him tight.
Rebecca was carrying boxes of chocolate cookies for everyone. It was awfully heavy, but she wanted to surprise the whole group with her fresh desert tomorrow. She smiled proudly at this thought in her head, making the work less stressful. Raven was walking by and offered to help Rebecca.
"Thank you, Raven. I might not make it all the way without someone helping me carry these boxes. Raven, you are like a brother to me." Rebecca thanked Raven. They had been seeing each other a lot lately. Rebecca liked his company. He can cook very well now and is nearly as good as she is. But Raven didn't look very happy, but with a sign of displease on his face.
"Rebecca, you are never a sister to me and you never will be." Raven replied harshly to Rebecca's comment. Rebecca cannot believe what she was hearing. Raven doesn't like her as a sister?
"Raven…is it because I am not good enough to be your sister??? I'm not a friend to you either, huh?" Rebecca asked, looking hurt. Raven doesn't like her as a sister or a friend. Then why was he always so nice to her? Why did he treat her differently from other people? Was it all a lie?
Raven can tell how hurt Rebecca is and answered quickly. "It's not that, Rebecca. I appreciated you and all…but you are not someone I see as a sister but rather…" There was a long pause as Raven replied slowly and quietly. "the one I want to spend the rest of my life with." Rebecca gasped. She never heard Raven say anything so emotional before. Rebecca blushed.
"Raven…it's not like I don't love you back…but…Sain…" Rebecca cannot believe she said that. Why did she mention Sain? Of all people, Sain??? Rebecca shook her head, trying to get this thought out of her head. I must have got hit on the head or something…
Raven looked away, trying to avoid eye contact. "Rebecca, I understand. I just want you to know that I am always here for you no matter what. I know one day you will understand." Rebecca felt guilty now. Raven was showing his feelings towards her and she is in denial. But it was true, she cannot tell yet whom she loved more.
Rebecca was deep in thought and accidentally bumped into a pirate. "Sorry." Both of them said in union. The pirate picked a few of the boxes without asking what's inside while Rebecca grabbed the boxes off his hands. He left immediately without looking around. He looks awfully familiar…
Priscilla was watching Sain all day. Priscilla grabbed some dinner she packed for herself and ate it quickly. She really did care for Sain, and hope he is ok. But when it comes to Rebecca and Serra, she just can't stand them. Serra loved Erk, who she loved, and Rebecca supported Serra. Serra had a friend and Priscilla can't stand that thought. Am I jealous of Serra? Priscilla immediately shook her head and got rid of that thought. Priscilla threw away her trash and went back by Sain's side.
"Sain, how are you feeling? I should have healed you enough for you to eat dinner again. I noticed you miss lunch today. You should stop eating those junk food or else that stomachache will come back." Priscilla warned, shaking her finger at Sain as if she was telling him as a "sister" instead of a friend or girlfriend.
Sain did not show any type of reaction. He just sat there and stared at the top of his tent. He heard Priscilla but he ignored it. He finally thought hard and now is ready to face Priscilla. "Priscilla, I don't love you. I realized it now. When I had my stomachache, all I longed for is to see Rebecca. When I saw her walking with Raven, I felt as if my whole heart going to rip apart. This is love. The one I always love was Rebecca." Priscilla gave a fake chuckle.
"You must hit your head as well as your stomach. You love me! Don't you see it? You love me!" Priscilla cried. Sain was about to answer back when someone enter inside the tent. It was Rebecca and Raven. The four stared at each other, none of them willingly to say anything. Raven was eyeing Priscilla, Priscilla was eyeing Rebecca, Rebecca was eyeing both Sain and Priscilla, and Sain was eyeing both Rebecca and Raven.
Priscilla was the first to smile at this situation and to say anything. "Rebecca, did you know that Sain was sending messages to you all day? Don't you care about him? He was having an awful stomachache all day and you did not come to his side? I was with him the whole time." Priscilla scolded at Rebecca, trying really hard to ignore the fact that Raven was in the same room.
"Priscilla…sister…you're going out with Sain? He's the one that broke your heart?" Raven interrupted, looking really deadly right at Priscilla. Raven never to see his polite quiet sister in a situation like this, nevertheless Rebecca as well.
"I thought Sain faked it out!" Rebecca blurted out, arguing with Priscilla when she realized what she heard from Raven's mouth. "Raven…Priscilla is your sister? Priscilla?" Rebecca locked her eyes on Raven now. They always seemed so alike, but no one ever questioned this before. And Raven never talked much about his past either, even when the two were alone.
Priscilla, now ignored Rebecca, and turned her attention back to her lord brother. "Sain did not break my heart! I don't know where you heard that but it's a lie! And if he did, it's because you're never around for me. You are supposed to be my brother, but you don't care for me like one! You are always with her." Rebecca knew Priscilla meant her and this is just too much. Priscilla was now staring angrily at Rebecca with fire in her eyes.
"You listen here, Priscilla. I don't care where you go, but you can't stay here! This is MY tent and I don't want YOU here." Rebecca said, placing her hands on her hips to show Priscilla who is boss. Priscilla winkled her nose a bit and took a step forward towards Rebecca. Sain was enjoying this argument the whole time, but he knew that he must stop this right now.
"Rebecca, this is not YOUR tent. This is OUR tent and say that she stays." Sain announced, trying to stand in between the two angry ladies. Rebecca stared angrily at Priscilla, who gave the expression right back. If Sain would move out of the way, they will jump at each other any second. They look like they would fight to the death.
"Fine!" Rebecca finally announced and grabbed Raven's arm. "Then, we leave!" Rebecca put the boxes on the table and left with Raven, whose face is now in complete shock. Priscilla and Sain stared blankly at the two that left. Sain sat down on a chair and started eating his dinner. Priscilla left the tent as well. Priscilla cannot believe what happened. If Raven knew about all this, he will surely tell Erk. She wanted this to happen, but never expected her own brother to do this. Priscilla knew that she should stop, but something inside her told her not to. Priscilla was so confused. What should she do?
Chapter 12 was long and I enjoy writing it. So I hope you guys do too! I am estimating it will be mainly on Erk and Serra's POV again by Chapter 14. Anyways, for the next chapter, Erk will talk to Priscilla for the first time in awhile. Wonder what they will say? Sain's test had finally come, will he pass or fail? Wil Rebecca ever find the one she loves more between the two? Answers in the next chapter. R & R, tell me any suggestions please.