Authors: Xan and Vallen
Rating: R (For now it is PG-13)
Warnings: This story involves Marth and Roy in a relationship with one another, and other yaoi/slash/shounen ai themes. So if you have a problem with that, violence or torture, go read another fic. Also, we highly suggest that you read the first Fubuki no Kaen before starting this.
Disclaimer: The characters of Marth and Roy, plus "Altea," do not belong to us. We just use them for our pleasure.
Feedback: Yes. (That means we would love to hear from you and what you think.)
Notes:
Xan: Well, here we go again… This chapter gets into the angst that y'all were asking for, and hopefully some character development and PLUS, we tell you what the soldiers wanted with Marth! Whee!!
Vallen: PS, they're not bad soldiers… They just have some very bad news.
Thanks to (written by Xan): Dark Comet (Special kudos to you for being the very first reviewer! Glad you liked it and everything, we couldn't resist bringing Rowen back 'cause he's just so cool. ^_^ And there's no use asking about the soldiers – you know we never give anything away! And Vallen got lotsa nice stuff!), tikimoof (The beginning is a little amusing, ain't it? Marth has a definite problem with his advisors and so do Roy and Rowen, obviously. ^_^), Bleu (Oh I'm sure Vallen would love it if you drew her something! It'll get more interesting, I promise! Their mood changes are fun to write, we really try to make them act like "real" people.), Spryte Andoloni (^___^ We loved the idea of the horses having a baby, so we stuck it in. The horses are characters too, so its important to tell about what's going on with them in the story too. Glad you think we do a good job on spelling and grammar, although it's mostly just Microsoft spell & grammar check. *sheepish* Hey, it works!), Slifer (Thank you! We work really hard at making the fics pretty for y'all, so we hope you like them!), Syiax_Rafael (Hey now, no getting bored. Updates will be much more regular now that we've started posting this. You aren't allowed to get nasty at us! Hee, we're flattered, but you can't fail any classes 'cause of us!), Pichu*Star (Whee, fainting! And it is back! Heh, I like that "triumphant return" thing. It's true! Like we've said, it's important for us to "keep it real," so that's what we do. And yay, thanks for the plushies! Vallen's happy that y'all love her so much!), Crockgirl13 (Hee, I was proud of this beginning… it's weird 'cause Vallen began the last one and she doesn't like doing them at all, so started this one. Random Xan-Vallen fact there.), Jennie (HA! I TOLD Vallen that there was at least one person who checked the site every day! Thanks for proving me right, your diligence has paid off!), Curious Dream Weaver (Heh, not that Roy would ever ACTUALLY do that. It made Marth laugh though, so… *gasp* Oh my god, that means that Marth has a sense of humor! Oh no!), Trogdor (Seeing as you don't know us in real life, you can't say we stink at everything. Aaaaand if you think that we'll listen to somebody who isn't even brave enough to leave their OWN email address, you stick about ten times more than we do since your brain has obviously decayed inside your skull.), Persian Kittie (Foreshadowing to WHAT? Roy or Marth is NOT getting pregnant, thank you! Glad we're the exception!), pannybaby123 (Hee, why ARE the chapters looking for Marth? Could it be… *trails off into mutters* ^_^), Sherrilyn (^_^ Heh, that was all me, sorry to sound vain. I'd had that beginning in mind for a while before we started writing and I'm glad at least one person appreciated it!), MysticalWoodElf (Hee, another person who checks obsessively! We love you guys! *shroofles the confetti out of Vallen's hair* Aw, they wub you Val-chan! And hey, patheticness is okay here!), RavenGhost (Yay, so happy you like it!), YoshiMars (Heh yeah Vallen's one of those generous types who gives presents to other people on her b-day. And yes, they're all back! We love our guys!), Rayestar Ikina (Oh don't worry, we don't. Actually, we could block him but we don't just so we can have something to point and laugh at. There seem to be a bunch of SSBM/marthxroy bashers all the sudden. Wonder why. Oh well, they're cowards, so who really gives a damn?), bladegryphon (We're working on it!), Sinnatious (Hell yeah! Xan and Vallen DO ride again! Sweet! Yes, head-first into the drama on this one, that's for sure. It's a nutty ride, this one. The drama doesn't stop! Whee, we're legendary! *blushes* Seriously, we NEVER expected all this, but we really hoped that y'all would like the sequel to our baby. Yes, Rowen makes a triumphant return as well. And we did make an effort to have the characters appear changed 'cause time does that, but keep their "core." *snorts* I sound all pompous. And of course, nothing but cliffhangers. You expected less?), Shea (YES! Hail the cliffhangers!), Escuro de la Lus (Yay, on the edge of seats is good!), The Flame Panther (Awww! We feel so loved! That was a short wait? I knew we shoulda made y'all wait longer. ^_^ Just kidding!), VanillaFire (Whoa, until 3 AM?! *glompage* *bad southern accent* It's fans like you that make writing this fic the experience that it is!), rosekurama (Sorry, but we can't go around telling people when we're gonna update 'cause it would take waaaaay too much time and we never actually know! So you'll just have to keep checking, like everyone else! Glad you think it's awesome!), Kanashimi Ame (*secretive* *a la Xellos* That… is a secret! Seriously, that's privileged information. If we told you, we'd have to kill you.), Evui (I like the first line too, but y'all guessed that already, I think. And of COURSE there's gonna be yaoi! This IS a yaoi fic, we just couldn't get as into it in the first one, but this one's got more, so just keep readin'.), chibi fairy (Ooh, a PERFECT beginning, that's awesome that you think so! But since you haven't read the whole thing yet [for that matter, neither have we ^^;;], you don't KNOW if it's a perfect beginning yet!), ALTLIMIT (Glad you like it, but we don't actually respond to advertisments on review pages... Sorry!), Thais (Oh don't worry, we will!), rex16 (Ya know, we love the praise but there is more than one author on here...), LilFilipinoGurl (You dare threaten US?! *gives her the Xan-Vallen EVIL EYE* Just joking, but don't worry, we're writing our tails off here!), and Kevin C ( We always like to see "new faces" on the review pages… Thanks and we're glad you found our fiction!).
A frown flickered across Marth's features and the other two men could perceive the visible change that came over Marth's face as he shifted emotionally from quiet young man to powerful monarch.
"I expect to see the both of you at the castle shortly." He told Roy and Rowen before rising and getting up to go meet the guards outside the cottage. "What is the meaning of this?"
Roy didn't acknowledge Marth – it was understood. He went over to Rowen and shook him.
"Come on." Rowen did not move. Mildly concerned, Roy reached out a hand and tilted the older mage's head upwards. What he found in Rowen's face scared him. The general ran outside just in time to hear the horsemen briefing Marth just as they had done to him earlier.
"Several of our border scouts were found mauled in every sense of the word with a warning carved into their bodies. We're trying to decipher it, but we haven't had luck yet…" The captain said. "You need not worry, Highness. This is probably just a terrorist threat against the country. The general – oh there he is, plans to take a group down to where we found them very soon. Your presence is required at the capital, your Majesty. The people are beginning to panic."
Roy caught Marth's eyes.
'And when you get a chance,' the teen stated to Marth in thought-speech. 'Check inside… It's Rowen… He's not waking up and I don't know what to do.'
Marth was silent for a moment, his mind rapidly sorting out every bit of information that he had just been told by his general and the Captain of the Guard.
"General, I want you to go with the captain and reassure the public – tell them that I shall speak to them shortly and offer an official explanation. Keep them calm, we don't want a riot. I would also like you to look over the cadavers. You're a Healing Mage; perhaps you'll pick up on something that others would miss. I also wish to inspect the bodies myself, but after I address the public." Marth spoke all this aloud, but his real focus was on his thought-speech conversation with Roy.
'What do you mean he's not waking up?'
The teen-general bowed and went with his men. With his back turned to Marth and as he was walking away, he answered the king mentally,
'I don't know… He's just sitting there with his eyes open and looking like a zombie. His eyes, Marth... They're… It's like he's not there. I'll be with you again in a little while.'
Marth nodded. 'Right.' He went back inside to see the older mage with a touch of apprehension, feeling rather disturbed by what Roy had told him. 'Rowen? Rowen?'
Rowen's face was deathly pale and his head was lolled back, leaning against the chair, lifeless violet eyes staring up at the ceiling. The only sign that showed that he was still living was the shallow but even rise and fall of his chest. But on the inside, within Rowen's mind, there was a storm of images that only the owner of the mind could comprehend or understand.
Marth's frown deepened and he felt the anxiety rise and turn into real concern for his friend. What was wrong with Rowen? He placed his calloused fingertips upon his Master's temples and they began to glow blue. He pushed farther into Rowen's tangled inner web, breaking a few of the inner barriers that protected the mage's mind. He was afraid to go any deeper for fear of what may happen to himself or to Rowen if he went too far. But Rowen wasn't giving any response; he just sat there like the dead.
'Rowen, what's wrong? What do you see?' He shouted into Rowen's mind, hoping to jostle him out of the stupor that he was in. 'Rowen, wake up!'
The older man's body suddenly gave a great jerk and he let out a pained groan, abruptly snapping back to life. He fell forward off of the chair twitching and onto his knees on the floor, his body shaking as if it was the middle of winter.
"No…" Rowen moaned, fisting his hands in his own hair and pulling unmercifully as if it would draw away from the other great pain he was feeling on the inside. "Marth… Roy…"
Marth's nails dug into Rowen's wrists as he tried to pull the mage's hands away from his scalp before he injured himself. His eyes showed the fear that he felt for Rowen and the real panic that was fighting to rise within him, but Marth was determined to stay calm and cool-headed. No matter how much he tried to focus on the shaking man, questions like "What will I do if something happens to Rowen?" began to barrage his mind.
"Rowen, get a hold on yourself! Tell me. Tell me what you see." He commanded, forcing his voice to remain steady and calm. "What about Roy and I? What is it?"
"Run."
Rowen's eyes cleared and he stifled another moan, his entire body gradually relaxing into a limp, shivering state. He gazed wearily up at Marth and tried to push himself back up into a sitting position, but failed. The mage was quiet now, a strange expression upon his face.
Upon seeing Rowen look just a little more alive again, Marth felt his own body relax a fraction. Muscles that he didn't even know were tensed slowly loosened and he pulled Rowen back up into his chair, brushing the mage's hair back from his face. His insides were still tight from the chilling tone in which Rowen had spoken that one word.
"Rowen, talk to me. What did you see?"
Rowen's hands shook as he ran them through his long brown hair messily, rubbing his temples.
"I…" He croaked out. "Tell Roy not to touch the bodies – they may be cursed. I might know what's going on."
Marth took a deep breath, glad to hear Rowen speak again.
"Are you alright? What happened?"
Without waiting for an answer, Marth immediately contacted Roy mentally. He was in such a hurry to share Rowen's warning that he 'stumbled' badly and inadvertently 'crashed' into the general's mental signal.
'Roy!' He gasped. 'Don't touch the bodies!'
There was a crumbling block between Marth and Roy as Roy fumbled for the connection and finally found it.
'I already did, why? There's nothing really abnormal except the markings and cause of death. I'm about to see if there's anything left of their minds.'
"Don't!" Marth cried both aloud and mentally. 'Just wait until Rowen and I get there, understand? Something is wrong.'
'Alright… Tell me what's going on when you get here. Hurry.' Roy responded and cut the connection.
He hauled Rowen to his feet, supporting the heavier man's weight with minimal difficulty.
"C'mon, old man… You can't go out on me now…"
Rowen bit his lip to stifle yet another groan, trying hard to walk with Marth. His legs wobbled unsteadily, but his face was a mask of grim determination. Rowen is a tough old man… he'll be fine, Marth thought, watching him out of the corner of his eye.
"Sorcerer… Invasion… I have to tell you…" He choked out.
"Invasion?" Marth repeated in a shocked tone. He felt the bottom drop out of his stomach, replaced by a gnawing pit of disbelief, horror and fear. Rowen hadn't said invasion… had he?
"I have to tell you everything… A long time ago, I didn't choose to become a hermit… I had to run," Rowen said, catching his breath. "The magic of Altea was banished by him, the sorcerer…"
The blood drained from Marth's face. One man. If what Rowen was saying was true, then a single man had the power to destroy the magical power of an entire nation.
"Shut up and don't talk until we get to the castle. Save your strength." Marth ordered through clenched teeth, helping Rowen to walk out of the cottage.
The weather mage was silent and surprisingly enough did as he was told, which told Marth almost more than anything else that Rowen was definitely not feeling himself. Eventually they came upon the area where the bodies had been taken for analysis, around the back of the castle infirmary. Roy looked slightly agitated as he walked up to them.
"What is it? I've been waiting for you to show up, so what's going on?" He asked sourly.
"We're going to be invaded by an insanely powerful mage who apparently banished all of the magic from Altea decades ago, we have mutilated bodies coming in from our border with Pharae and Rowen is on his death bed, so please excuse my tardiness." Marth said quietly, setting the mage down in a chair.
A loud buzz of disbelief and conversation started up amongst the guards, causing Roy to whirl around, his face angry.
"Shut up! Don't say another word unless I say you can!" He yelled snappishly before turning back to Marth and Rowen, eyes blazing. The temperature was rising. "I'll try and heal him… Where'd you get that information?"
Marth pointed to Rowen.
"He told me. He knows something about what's happening and it took all his strength just to be able to speak to me. I don't know what's going on, with Rowen or with Altea, but we have to talk to him and find out what he knows immediately."
"Fine," Roy answered shortly, placing his hands upon the other mage's chest. An orange light engulfed the two of them and the teen closed his eyes tightly in concentration. He felt his power being sucked into Rowen like a sponge and he opened his eyes wide with surprise.
'His magic must have really been drained… It's taking most of mine just to restore it…' The general exclaimed mentally, still encased in the orange light.
'Then borrow mine.' Marth offered.
"Hurry up and come over here…" Roy said under his breath, reaching out for Marth with one glowing hand.
Marth walked over and clasped Roy's hand tightly, sending his icy magic flowing through the pyromancer. The glow that now surrounded all three of them changed to orange with blue shimmering over it.
Rowen's eyes opened once again and he put his hands over Marth and Roy's.
"That's enough," he said softly.
The general cut off the power almost immediately and fell to his knees, gasping for breath. He'd never tried that before, but he was very glad that it had worked successfully. Rowen did look a little better and was now sitting up straighter in the chair, but his amethyst eyes were still strangely dull and weary. Marth reached down and pulled Roy to his feet, steadying him in a friendly, but not too friendly manner. They were still in public.
"Before you or your parents were born, magic ran wild and rampant all over the entire world. I was born in the middle of a great magic war, when a single sorcerer sought to stamp out all knowledge and existence of magic – all but his own, of course. He accomplished this and has been controlling all the other countries behind the curtains ever since, slowly pulling the strings to manipulate them however he desired… I… I suppose he's after you now," Rowen said, speaking slowly and seriously.
The young king of Altea listened, his face too still, too calm.
"… I'd like to discuss this further inside."
Rowen stood shakily from his chair, nodding agreement.
"That would be more suitable for the things that I'm about to tell you," he said quietly.
The general had risen up as well and was now standing a little to the side, collecting himself and his thoughts. Unlike Marth, his emotions were displayed on his face – anger, fear and apprehension.
The three men moved to Marth's private chambers, after leaving orders to the guards to move the bodies to a secure location to be isolated and held until they could further inspect them. The room was secluded and well guarded where they had little chance of being disturbed or overheard. Marth collapsed into his large chair, now wearing long mage robes in varying shades of blue. He had to address his people soon, but did not feel like wearing full court regalia.
"First, who is this mage and why is he only attacking now?" Marth asked, looking intently at Rowen.
"No one knows his name. And my only guess as to why he's attacking now is that yours and Roy's powers are at their height. Maybe he feels threatened by you two… When I was blacked out a little while ago, I saw things, a future that I would not like to have come true. You can run or you can fight," Rowen choked, his eyes misty from memories of the demons of his childhood. "I chose to run, but I don't know what you will do. Altea will be under attack by Pharae, your neighboring country, within a week."
Marth's face tightened. He would not roll over and allow Altea to be defenseless at a time like this!
"Strengthen our defenses on the Altea-Pharae border immediately. I will not lose my country now, not after everything it's been through… Rowen, of what power does this mage possess?"
Roy nodded and shifted his weight nervously, glancing from Rowen to Marth.
"Yes, sir."
"He has no specific power… but has instead mastered every element known to man. The last time he battled, he used armies of men who had ceased to live…"
"Powers of the dead… So he's a Necromancer among other things…" Marth pursed his lips. "Can you recall how he was driven off? Or did he even attempt to take Altea?"
Roy frowned,
"What do you mean, 'powers of the dead?'"
Rowen shook his head, rubbing his temples to no effect.
"I don't remember… It's all… gone. And Roy, I meant that he has the power to raise people from the dead and use them as his undead slaves for battle and other such things. Zombies, to put it crudely."
The general's eyes widened for a moment, then narrowed angrily. He let out a growl and clenched fists that erupted into flames.
"That's great."
Marth didn't even attempt to calm Roy; his anger would just have to burn itself out in time, like an oil fire. And besides, Marth was angry as well and one of them had to keep a cool head.
"So you're telling us that we're going to be attacked by an army of our own dead?!"
"Precisely." The weather mage held his head in his hands. "I'm so sorry… Your magic turned out to be a double-edged sword."
"I never wanted mine in the first place and now I have to answer to some psycho because we got too powerful!" Roy grumbled, beginning to pace around the room.
"No, it's me." Marth fingered the blade of Falcion as he thought. "When was the last time Altea had a strong young king who is also a powerful mage? I think it was I who attracted his interest…"
"Fine. You go and be the martyr for your country!" Roy snarled, his eyes blazing. He whirled around on his heel and stormed out of the room, his irritation lingering even after he was gone.
Rowen walked over to stand at Marth's side, placing a hand upon the king's shoulder.
"I will do what I can to help you, but I'm afraid that it won't be enough."
"It'll be fine," Marth said through clenched teeth. "I'm not going to lose everything now."
He ran after Roy until he caught up with him and grabbed the back of Roy's tunic, whirling the general around so that they were face to face.
"Do not walk away from me, you little brat! I am the king, you are my general and we have a crisis on our hands and all you can think about right now is your own foolish pride! Grow up, Roy! This is too important for that!"
"Leave me alone!" Roy cried, hiding how hurt he was from Marth's words and reaching back to free his tunic from Marth's grip. "So you decided to pull rank on me again, huh? I'm just going to do my part of this and organize the army… Is that all right with you, Sir?"
Marth stepped back, his eyes going hard and expressionless.
"That will be satisfactory, general. I expect a full report as soon as you get the operation underway, with estimates and when we can be expected to mobilize. Is that understood?"
"Yes, your Highness." Roy stated firmly, punching Marth square in the jaw. He stared back evenly into the king's eyes, trembling slightly. "I will fulfill your expectations."
Marth's face snapped to one side because of the force of the blow, but he turned it back slowly to stare at Roy, his eyes blistering with cold anger.
"See that you do, general. You are dismissed." The king turned and walked away from his lover, rage threatening to break the ice that contained it under the surface of his face.
Roy did the same, fiery heat radiating from his body as he made his way down the hall to his room, which wasn't far from Marth's at all. He pulled on some clean clothes, dark grey breeches, a red tunic, black-plated body armor and a flowing cape – in other words, his general garb. The teen went off to find his officers to discuss the impending war.
I don't like this…
To Be Continued…
Xan: Hm, this one was fun to write. I liked all the Rowen-ness and how we find out about him and lots of good inner-thought process-y junk too! Heh… But I'm just waiting for the THIRD chapter!! And then y'all are REALLY gonna hate us. BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! *vanishes, cackling*
Vallen: Hey, sorry if that was too much information to cram into your head, but in short: Marth and Roy have a lot of problems on their hands. Meh-heh, I want to write Rowen's Story…