Disclaimer: The Fire Emblem series belongs to the Nintendo Company, Intelligent Systems, and all its respective owners. I only own my OC/SI.
Review Shoutouts
JP – Well to try and answer you in order:
As for "critical moves" yeah; it doesn't make sense for such iconic moves to be used just willy-nilly so I may save them for special fights in particular.
I think I may have misspoke; what I meant by comparing my story to "A Story Retold" is that in context to our respective takes on the OC Tactician; I just don't think ours mesh well with the method of development I've made for Lucas going forward.
I don't want to put this here as doing so will… well be a giant spoiler to everyone reading and neither of us wants to ruin the experience right?
NickNays135 – Thanks again for the review! And yes; conflicts of ideals and emotions will be at the very forefront of this story; especially for Lucas' own journey through Elibe.
FireEmblemMaster101 – Well in context since the original games are nothing like the warriors series where there are nothing but armies of peons all around and here we have single units… I think the "fighting love" can be spread around equally where everyone does there part.
As for Lucas revealing his origins… I feel it's still way to early at least in Lyn's story for him to do so right now. But don't worry I think I may have the perfect spot in mind for him to do so.
And Now An Important Question
AN#1: I'm going to start a third Fire Emblem Story and I'm going to put a poll up so among these four go make your pick:
Fire Emblem: The Sacred Stones
Fire Emblem Awakening
Fire Emblem: Path of Radiance/Radiant Dawn
Fire Emblem Echoes: Shadow of Valentia
Fire Emblem: The Blazing Blade
Journey Among The Plains
Chapter 3 – Band of Mercenaries
The secrets of her past revealed in the words of two Knights of Lycia. Now, to meet her grandfather, Lyn heads west, to Lycia, and to her destiny. A mountain range separates the Sacae Plains from Bern. There are many bandits lurking here, the cruelest of which are the Taliver. They create havoc on both Sacae and Bern, and their savagery knows no bounds. On her tenth day away from the plains, Lyn witnesses their atrocities herself.
But even as the group travel; the silence of their tactician still plagues them…
The group continues southwest on their journey towards Caelin after the incident at the shrine. Since then Lucas rides ahead and a very pregnant quiet plagues the group.
"Um… perhaps one of us can talk to him? This is getting our of hand." Sain whispered to Kent.
"I never thought I would hear such anger from Lucas… even he and Lady Lyndis have not spoken since we left." Kent replied.
"I know… but maybe… maybe he was right?" Sain pondered aloud to the shock of his red armored companion.
"Sain, what are you saying? Kent said surprised.
"I mean Kent think about it his words ring true even if they were harsh… if Lady Lyndis had indeed fallen to that craven bandit… we would've failed in our task that Lord Hausen gave us." Sain explained.
"Sain I understand I do… but shouldn't we have faith in Lady Lyndis?" Kent countered.
"I do above all. But do we have just as much faith in Lucas as we do Lady Lyndis?" Sain replied.
But as knights stirred their thoughts they stopped when they saw that Lyn and Lucas stop at the horrific sight before them.
The burnt remnants of a small village were laid out before the group; "Such absolute destruction… this is horrid." Lucas said taking in the sight of the destruction in front of you.
"This town is not far from where the Taliver are based from in the mountains near here." Lyn said with nothing but venom in her words. "They're nothing but monsters; who terrorize the weak and innocent… they kill women and children without hesitation…"
"It was the Taliver that night…" Lucas said to Lyn. "They descended on the Lorca at night."
Lyn stood in her place, but nodded recalling that chilling night, "My people were… The Taliver came at night. It took only one night… the survivors were numbered only to ten, including me. They're soulless beasts. I will never forgive them. Never."
"Lyndis…" Sain sad solemnly
"…" Kent said nothing seeing his lady's pain.
"I am not running away. I will be back… someday. I'll be stronger… I will break their swords beneath me like twigs beneath a stallion's hooves. I will avenge my people. I'll do everything in my power." Lyn said her words venomous; her face contorted in anger and rage.
"…" Lucas said nothing. While he knew Lyn's words by heart to see the emotion behind them… the vitriol and anger… in that moment he could see the pain and turmoil inside Lyndis.
"Lyn… I see now why Wallace did what he did. Lyn… you will gain nothing from what you want. Lyn, the vengeance you seek will bring you no peace. At the end… you will be nothing but a cold husk of what you were. I should know…" A memory floods in Lucas' mind.
"And just as Wallace said too; to see such beauty contorted into anger… such rage. From how he described her parents. I don't think they'd recognize her. Lyn… I know your strong, but much stronger than that… and when that time comes I hope you'll forgive ME for what I do."
Stirred from his thoughts he hears Sain reply, "When the time comes, bring me with you."
"Sain…" Lyn said surprised.
"Don't forget me either." Kent joined in.
"Even though I'm no fighter… I will still follow you." Lucas said but if any paid attention… there was a hesitance in his voice.
"Lucas… I… Thank you." Lyn said.
"Let's go." Lucas said as the group continued a little more ways on down south; that is until they heard a loud commotion like an argument going on.
"Wait tight there, little lady!" A gruff, angry voice said.
Lucas and the group rushed toward the commotion to hear a female voice this time trying timidly to argue back, "Uh… I… That is, I…"
"Hey, she's quite a catch, eh, buddy? I bet the boss'd give us a pretty penny for her." Another bandit said this time in a more nasal, whiny voice.
"Yeah. She roughed me up a bit, so I figure fair's fair. It's no more'n she deserves." The leader said.
"I…I…" The young girl still can't reply barely.
"What about her flying mule?" The co-leader bandit asks.
"No, don't touch her! Do what you want to me, but let her go! I beg of you." The young maiden finally finds her voice.
"What you think I'm dumb? I know that Pegasus is from Ilia and it goes for a fortune, besides we get extra taking you for ourselves." The leader said.
Back with Lyn's group; Kent notices the disturbance but Lyn herself runs up to see the familiar voice, "Wait, that's a Pegasus. But here in Sacae, could it be?"
Lyn gets closer and recognizes the girl, "Florina? Is that you Florina?"
"Ah! Lyn?! Lyn, it is you!?" Florina said in shock, on the verge of tears.
"Come now, no crying it's alright." Lyn said as she took the young Pegasus knight into her arms.
"Are you acquaintances?" Kent inquired.
"Yes, this is Florina, a Pegasus knight-in-training from Ilia and a good friend of mine. But a little uncomfortable around men." Lyn replied.
"Tell me Florina what happened here?" Lyn further inquired.
"Well… um… I had heard you left you'd left..." Florina began. "And I decided to try and find you. I wanted to see if anyone here knew where you were and then… I didn't see those two and I…"
"Did you hit them with your Pegasus by mistake?" Lyn asked.
"Maybe… a little?" Florina timidly confessed.
"AHA! She admits it!" The bandit leader from before exclaims as he comes at the group; Florina hiding behind Lyn. "She admitted to stepping on my friend, and now she's got to pay the price!"
"Florina, did you try and apologize?" Lyn asked her friend.
"Yes, I did… but they wouldn't listen…" Florina replied as she started to cry again.
Lyn turned to face the bandits as she comforted her friend, "She said she's sorry and you appear to be relatively unharmed. Can't we just let this incident pass?" She said in vain hope that they would see reason and go away.
"Not a chance!" The leader bellowed. "She comin' with us! By force if we got too."
"Go to hell then!" Lucas exclaimed as he rode up to the bandits, and to the shock of his friends. With a glare like daggers he continued, "Lyn, these guys can't be reasoned with. They wouldn't even know what reason was if it bit them on the ass! Besides we know what kind of people they are… what they'd do to Florina and her Pegasus if hadn't intervened. So get lost you scum!"
"You little pipsqueak! You're asking for it. That's it boys… tear those guys to shreds! But go easy on the girls!" The leader said and moments later a large group of bandits appeared. This time with several swordsmen and archers in tow.
"Lyn.. who's that?" Florina asked as she looked at Lucas. At first no one said a word, still awed by Lucas angry reply from before.
Lucas noticed the stares and softened himself as he got down from his horse and bowed to the young Pegasus knight, "My name's Lucas… sorry you had to see that. I'm a tactician and I've been helping these guys along the way. I can help… in my own way."
Lyn was still quiet waiting to see if Florina would respond but when she didn't she reassured her, "It's okay Florina… you can trust him."
"I-if you say so, Lyn… if she trusts you. Then I will too…" Florina said shakily, but it was a start.
"No need to worry. But for now you and your Pegasus need to stay down since I think I saw some archers of theirs…" At the mention of archers, Florina paled, but followed Lucas as he went up to a small house. From inside the residents screamed for them to go away but Lucas ignored them.
"Look were not bandits! But we're looking for anyone who's willing to fight some!" Lucas yelled. A window opened as a young man with brown hair replied
"You ain't bandits huh? And just what do you need me for?" The young archer asked the obvious Iron bow in his hand.
"Well you hate bandits, and we need to fight off some bandits. So… what do you say?" Lucas proposed simply.
"Well you don't look like bad people, and I owe it to these people who took me in. So consider me your man to help! The name's Wil; that's with one L to be specific." Wil explained.
"Name's Lucas and that's Florina… word to the wise she's got a thing about guys and archers as well so… give a wide berth." Lucas said. Wil nodded.
With a very quick and brief explanation later…
"Okay, with what info Florina gave me from her brief view in the air the bandits almost have all the sides covered except the west. The eastern side of the village holds the most bandits. Kent, Sain; you two take the front there and use the narrow passages to funnel them. Lyn you'll stay with them in reserve for the leader, but if you feel the need to help them." With that order the three heaviest hitters headed east.
"Wil, there's some archers over that wall I want you to deal with. Florina can't move until you do, until then Florina when the way is archer-free there's two sword bandits as well over that wall. With just them I know you'll be able to take them alone. But remember to go hit and run, don't make yourself a stationary target okay?" Lucas explained to the two remaining members.
"Of course, these people need our help!" Florina said energized to fight.
"Good, after the coast is clear I'm sure there's some more people in the north so shelter with them until the fighting's over okay?" Lucas asked.
With both groups out Kent and Sain did as they were ordered; facing the large bandits that Lucas had anticipated. Using the narrow ways to their advantage they were making quick work of the axe brutes and bandit swordsmen.
With Lyn; she was exchanging blows with the Ganelon leader, Migal.
"Tell me now… are you with the Taliver? Did you destroy this village?!" Lyn demanded.
"Me with the Taliver? Hell no! I have some standards! Besides… why kill when you can just take for yourself!?" Migal pronounced.
"Then even if you aren't… like my friend said… your unforgivable scum… and for that you will die." Lyn said with a cool rage.
"You little minx… prepare to die!" Ligal charged Lyn with his Steel axe, but with his heavy axe and Lyn's natural speed she was able to dodge his attacks.
With both Wil and Lucas watching in awe at Lyn's movements she unsheathed the Man Katti and counterattacked.
Just as Migal made another large swing of his axe, Lyn dodged the heavy blow. But she had disappeared.
"What.. where'd she go?" Migal said frustrated.
"This is over… Shadow Dance!" Appearing as if from nowhere Lyn unleashed a devastating blow on Migal with a large gash over his chest. He dropped his axe and fell to his knees.
Coughing up blood, he fell over unceremoniously, "This isn't… over… my brothers will… avenge me…"
"So that's the sacred sword of the Sacae people… and to see such technique and elegance. It's quite the sight." Wil said as he stood in awe of Lyn's fighting ability.
"Enough with the gawking; we need to go check on Florina." Lucas said as he rode off towards where he had sent Florina to face the bandits and help the villagers.
"Hey wait up!" Wil said as he ran to catch up to Lucas.
"I hope she's okay… I know two bandits shouldn't be an issue for Florina since she can get pretty serious when fighting but - " However Lucas' worst fears came to be when he heard a blood-curdling scream.
"Florina!" When he rounded the corner Lucas saw a horrifying sight that he'd never forget; Florina being dragged from her Pegasus and held down by the other bandit leader from before and several others; as another tried to haul off her Pegasus.
"Oh no… no, no, no, no… this shouldn't be happening…" Lucas began panicking at the sight before him. Wil having came upon the scene late saw what was happening he fired his arrows with deadly accuracy and killed three of the bandits; one that was dragging Florina's mount, and killed two of the bandits who were crowding Florina. With his last arrow he fired at the co-leader but only injured him.
Reaching back he was shocked to realize he was out, "Oh no…"
Lucas looking around for anything his eyes widened he saw a Javelin sticking out a nearby bandit. The archer noticed the tactician take the short spear and gallop toward the bandit.
"Lucas, stop!" Wil tried to stop Lucas shocked at the young man's actions.
"Get away from her!" Just as Lucas threw the Javelin however the bandit got his second wind and threw the hand axe in his hand at Lucas.
"Little bastard… die!" Were the bandits last words as the Javelin struck him in the chest killing him. But Lucas could only watch as the hand axe fly at him and then it struck him in the shoulder; throwing him from his horse and nearly vomiting on impact.
The flash of agonizing pain as he could now feel the axe having dug into his flesh. Lucas' vision dulled as he heard hood beats and multiple voices. The last few sounds he could hear was a shriek similar to Florina's voice and another calling his name; "Am I… going to die?"
"…"
"…"
"Hah!" Suddenly Lucas drew in a heavy breath. "I'm not… dead?! But the axe…?" Lucas felt his shoulder only yo realize there was no would, but he was wearing a cast of some type. Just as he tried to move he was met with immediate pain.
That was when he heard the door open and saw a panicked Lyn barge inside and rush to his side.
"Lyn's what's the mat- " But he couldn't finish as Lyn took him into a tight embrace, but a sudden shot of pain stopped him just the same. It would've been his greatest memory, had it not hurt so much.
"Thank the gods… you're alright…" Lyn said through her tears. Lucas then heard footsteps as he saw the others enter the room.
"Well look who's rejoined the land of the living!" Sain said with his ever-cheerful sarcasm. "Last I remember you tactician's aren't supposed to be fighting."
Lyn refused to let go of Lucas; fearful he'd either disappear or faint again. With that sight Sin left to go get the others.
"Lyn… aaaah… what happened?" Lucas finally asked the big question on his mind.
"You… fool… what were you thinking!? You could've died trying to fight that bandit! Had it not been for a passing Priestess in the area you would be dead already!" Lyn said with a furious sadness.
"A passing Priestess - " However another thought crossed his mind, "Wait… where's Florina?! Is she okay?!"
"Yes! But why did you do that?! We would've gotten to her and taken care of those bandits together." Lyn replied.
"I just acted Lyn… I did what I thought was right… all of you have to follow my guidance and if anything happened to any of you… I couldn't forgive myself… if you… you…" Lucas trailed off as he tears of his own welled up.
"If anything happened…" Lyn then realized why Lucas had been so emotional after the fight with Glass' bandits.
"Lucas… is that why you were so emotional after my fight with Glass? You… thought I would die?" Lyn asked.
At first Lucas was quiet; his back still facing Lyn, "I'm a tactician. It's my duty to help guide you all into battle and ensure all of you come back alive. If my orders somehow ever got any of you killed… that burden falls on me. Even then… I don't want to see any of you hurt at all if I could help it." Lucas began as he finally turned as faced her with a face of resolve.
"I'm sorry if I did insult your pride or your honor. But to me… you all are more important than anything else in the world to me… I could never just sit by and watch as neither you, nor Sain, Kent, Florina or Wil got hurt because of me… but perhaps I did get so caught up in my own planning… perhaps I was ignorant, self-centered… and I may still never understand such things like you all do. But I suppose that means I'll just have to explain my own motives and see if you all approve next time." Lucas continued on.
"Lucas… I'm sorry as well… I should've known from the beginning since we met that you were a good person. I was so caught up in trying to protect my tribe's honor that I also disregarded everyone else's interests… I suppose we both made assumptions about each other. I promise I'll always come to you when I need advice… and for the record… I could never hate you… ever." Lyn said with a softness in her voice.
Then to Lucas' shock he felt a pair of lips peck his cheek as he looked at Lyn give him a caring smile.
"And I promise to do the same." Lucas replied. The two then heard the door open as the others had arrived.
"I'M SO SORRY!" Florina exclaimed as she fell as the foot of Lucas' lap with tears in her eyes.
"It's okay Florina, it's my own fault… I should've trusted everyone to help. And been more careful." Haha, it's quite cute to see her fear overshadowed by worry.
"Lucas… I must apologize." Kent said as he bowed deeply.
"I as well." Sain did the same.
"Wait… what?" Lucas said in surprise at the knights' actions.
"As you said that day… we merely stood on the sidelines as our lady fought that brigand at the shrine." Sain began.
"And your words afterward had an impact on us. Had Lady Lyndis indeed fallen we would've failed in our assigned task that Lord Hausen gave us." Kent continued.
"As you also said… many lackeys of Lundgren know of Lady Lyndis' identity… so it goes to follow Lundgren might be laying for Caelin's throne and as it was Lord Hausen who sent us…" Sain tried to finish but couldn't.
"He may already be spreading lies about us being traitors or how were trying to find some fake heiress with some incredulous lie. Again please, we must apologize for our arrogance." Kent insisted.
"No, it's fine… I also insulted yout own honor and integrity. I also have some blame to share." Lucas replied; the knights made to speak but a raised hand from Lucas stopped them.
"But I must ask… how mant days have passed since my coma?" Lucas asked.
"Almost two days.. why?" Lyn asked.
"Then we must go… those bandits spoke of others. For the sake of these villagers we must go now… Aaaah… lest we attract anymore unneeded attention to their homes." Lucas said.
"Yes, we should. But will you be…?"
"I'll be fine Lyn. Besides I'm the 'master tactician' right?" Lucas said with a smirk.
Lyn returned the favor; "And I your peerless warrior."
"Alright then everyone… let's make preparations to leave. Kent, you go to the armory and procure these weapons… Wil, Florina get these food stuffs… Sain…" Lucas the was ordering people like usual.
After gathering their supplies… and a quick rare trinket that Lucas received as a reward from one of the village maidens the group headed off.
"Oh yes that's right; Florina will you be joining us?" Lucas offered.
"Huh?" Florina naturally stepped back; her fear finally returning.
"For Illian knights; it's part of your training to join a band of warriors and spread your name far and wide right?" Lucas inquired with Florina nodding. "Well then even though it'll be dangerous, I think our group would be much better than some random band you come across right?"
Florina looked to Lyn and then back to Lucas and nodded, "I'll do it!" She sounded sure, but the timidity was still there.
Sain all the while cheered the addition of another beauty to the group, "Yahoo! Yes, beautiful Florina! With you and Wil by our side; we will make a fine band of warriors!"
"Wait, did you just include me?" Wil asked as he pointed to himself.
"Why not? You got any other commitments?" Lucas asked.
"Not really." Wil shrugged. "But you're all good people; so yeah I'll join the Lyndis Legion!" Wil proclaimed.
"Lyndis Legion?" Lyn repeated as Kent facepalmed. "Well Lucas what do you - "
"I love it!" Lucas simply replied as the group carried on.
AN #1 – Welcome everyone to my third chapter Fire Emblem story, "Fire Emblem: The Blazing Blade – Journey Among the Plains". The group's synergy has returned and has gained two new members and has officially gained the name of the 'Lyndis Legion!'
Also we come to see some of Lucas' backstory as he watches Lyn's anger for the Taliver and sees her rage for the first time in the flesh. What was this event in Lucas' life?
And now Lucas has his first kill under… lethal circumstances. But now the group travels on… but a shadow trails them.
All of this and more in the next chapter, "In Occupation's Shadows – Raid at Night"
AN#2: As always it's you guys that keep me going and I hope you hear from you with any constructive criticism. So remember to favorite, follow and most importantly review so I can hear from you guys.
AN#3: Now then onto the juicy development:
Lucas' reaction to Lyn's anger at the Taliver is also part of his and Lyn's shared development. Lucas as we all know has seen Lyn's want for revenge. But for him this reaction of her strikes closer to home due to a tragic event in Lucas' own life which will be brought up later.
Also his hesitance there is also a big hint as to why… a cookie for those who guess correctly in the reviews.
And while yes I know most people who experience their first kill are supposed to go through guilt and all that, but I think we can all agree given the circumstances Lucas wasn't able to have that as the first thing on the forefront of his mind.
Well that's it for now. Have a great day!
Again; see you later. Author of Mystery… out.