The Enemy of My Enemy
A/N: Here you guys go! Isn't it exciting? This chapter…sorry it took so long, I'm on vacation and we're being hurricaned, or we were, so I couldn't get online. Thanks to the muses for reminding me about…certain things regarding invasions and infiltration. You'll see.
Chapter Three: To Be Destroyed
Genis walked down the brightly-lit hall, swinging the free end of his kendama around in a little circle. The Desians had given him a better one upon the completion of his week of 'training.' He had been moved to the human ranch near the cities of Asgard and Luin, and was one of the guards of the Exsphere conveyors. He had a relatively nice room of his own, with a view of the sunset, and was no longer troubled by dreams of any kind.
He had grown accustomed to, and even begun to like, the resonance of magitechnology that hovered constantly in the background. Out of some lingering sense of pity, or perhaps disgust, he never went anywhere near the rooms where the humans were kept, preferring to spend his free time with his Desian friends instead.
Elysia, a short but powerful spear wielder, and Riley, two feet taller than Genis and several times denser, and with sword skill that matched his strength, were waiting for him outside the door to his room.
"Come on, kid," Riley said, messing up Genis' hair. Genis sighed, shoving the older man away.
"I told you to stop doing that or I'd flash-fry you," he warned, trying to rearrange his hair with his fingers. Elysia laughed, then shoved her brother as well.
"Come on, leave him be. He's new, and he hasn't lost any of that hair to a battle yet."
"You have," Genis remarked, ducking as the spear swing across at about where his head had been. Standing upright again, he noticed a sparkle dancing in Elysia's eyes. "What is it?'
"New humans," she said, pointing. Genis turned around and watched as three Desians—unfamiliar faces, but then most still were, here—carrying whips and leading two prisoners, walked past them, their feet falling in perfect step with one another.
Genis glanced back at Riley and Elysia, and the looks on their faces were almost predatory. He understood it in Riley; the man was one of the prison guards, and he enjoyed any time he got to spend 'talking' to the human captives. He was always boasting that Exsphere quality had gone up since he'd come here.
Elysia, however, worked double-duty, half the time with Genis and the conveyors, and half the time in one of the hallways outside the control room. She never even came into contact with the humans, unless you counted watching them go by through the window in the conveyor room.
Genis shrugged. This was how Desians were. He knew, too, that he'd be equally disposed to helping the development of the Exspheres along by 'guarding' the humans, given the chance. He frowned, thinking about it, giving the wall across from him a very dark glare.
The humans were not to be forgiven.
Genis gave the siblings a nod, then retreated into his room. He sat on his bed, reflexively rubbing his wrist—there was the faintest of marks, still, from the metal ring that had blocked his magic. It had been tight enough that its impression had remained for days after they'd taken it off. To his relief, though, the swelling on the left side of his face had been practically gone by the time he'd reached this ranch.
It was still strange being here, though. Even in such a short time in Iselia, he'd become accustomed to speaking with Forcystus. Now, he was under the direction of Kvar, one of the Desian Grand Cardinals, and had only spoken to the man once. Genis found he thoroughly despised the leader's harsh voice and arrogant demeanor, but he didn't dare say something like that aloud. He didn't know if there were consequences for that sort of thing—he'd only been here four days.
Genis got up and set his kendama on the middle shelf in a set of three, then looked at the single, open window. The sun was coming strongly in, which put sunset about an hour away. Sleep was often a welcome relief for Genis—something in him was virtually exhausted by the small amount of work he did each day. After all, no one ever tried anything inside the ranch—there wasn't anything to guard against.
Genis ate his meal in silence that night, in his room, the window closed. He went to sleep with the disconcerting feeling that something was about to happen, and it would be big.
"Lord Kvar requests your presence," said the man standing outside his door the next morning. Genis raised his eyebrows in surprise, but nodded his acceptance. Making a fast decision, he grabbed his kendama, hooking it at his side. He'd learned very early to be prepared.
Carefully, trying not to forget where he was, he navigated the way to the control room, where Kvar spent most of his time. Elysia stood there, her spear firmly planted on the ground. Giving Genis a significant look, she stepped aside, and the door slid open for him.
"You wished to see me, Lord Kvar?" Genis asked, stepping in as much as he dared. Kvar turned from where he was studying a lit panel and regarded Genis with cold, impatient eyes.
"Yes, I did. Forcystus seems to think you're some sort of valuable asset. I feel the need to test that idea of his. You are to lead a team of five others, and I've already picked them out for you. Take your mage self and your companions to the city of Luin.
"Destroy it in front of its inhabitants. Kill some, if you must, but bring the rest here. Is that understood?"
"Of course, Lord Kvar," Genis said, stomping on the tiniest of voices that had begun to protest in his mind. He would prove himself useful to these Desians. He would bring them humans.
"Good. You go tomorrow. Now get back to work."
Genis turned and walked out of the room, and he could tell by the look on Elysia's face that she had heard everything.
"He's crazy, sending a kid like you on a raid like that. You sure you're up to it?"
"I've caused the destruction of towns before," Genis said vaguely, then continued walking. Been part of the cause, anyway, he added in his thoughts. He gave a half-wave as he passed three other Desians going in another direction, then turned left to the Exsphere conveyor room. The door slid open and he resumed his usual place, standing near the door itself, leaning against the wall.
'Oh, Genis. I never thought…you of all people, Genis. It's terrible.'
Genis gasped. He knew that voice. But he wasn't dreaming—he was very much awake. And anyway, that lady had stopped pestering his sleep long ago. But still…it was her voice.
'You give up hope so very easily. I always thought humans were so much more determined.'
Genis looked around, then said very quietly, "Well there you go. I'm a half-elf."
'But aren't you, then, also half-human?'
"Half…human?" For a single, pure moment, Genis felt very strange, and yet it was a familiar feeling—this was how he had felt before ever leaving Iselia, before joining Colette on her quest. But the moment passed, and Genis frowned. "It's irrelevant. Half-elves are superior to both of their ancestral races."
'I am sorry.'
"What? What the heck does that mean? …Hey, where'd you go! Come back!"
"Hey, kid," said a voice, and Genis' eyes snapped open. Another Desian, one he recognized but could not name, stood in front of him. "Dozing off on duty?"
"Oh…oh, no, I'm sorry. I've been asked to lead a team to Luin tomorrow and I was trying to plan a strategy."
"Ah, I see," the man said mockingly. "Lord Kvar chose you to raid Luin?"
"You can ask him yourself, if you'd like," Genis challenged, standing taller. "I'm sure he'd love to be so suddenly interrupted." The other man paled and backed away quietly, returning to his post. Genis nodded, satisfied.
So I was dreaming, after all, he thought with a sigh. I hope this doesn't become a constant thing—I don't need lectures from a dream-woman about being kinder to humans. Humans killed my family, and for that they cannot be forgiven.
Walking back toward his room later that night, Genis stopped in front of the door to the human prison area. He wondered if Riley was done yet, then decided he might as well figure it out for himself. Stepping inside as the door slid open, he spotted Riley and began to join him on the far side of the room.
"Genis!" cried a female voice. Surprised, Genis turned toward the voice and saw that it came from one of the imprisoned humans. Shaking his head, he gave no reply, and commenced walking away.
"Genis, wait! Don't you remember me? What are you doing in Desian clothing?" He turned around again, to watch the realization dawn on Heather's face. "Oh…Genis…no…"
"Do not speak to me again, human," he said, turning away, though a second's hesitation held him before he could join Riley.
"Who was that?" Riley asked, flicking his whip playfully.
"I used to be at the Iselia human ranch," Genis said blandly. "So did she."
"You gave her your name?"
"It was given to her," he replied, shrugging. "That is how things are at Iselia, perhaps. I was only there for a week, in training."
"You must've been good, then. A good mage."
"I like to think so, yes. Anyway, I've been told I'm raiding Luin tomorrow, and that Kvar has picked out my…companions. Know anything about it?"
Riley grinned. "Sure do! I'm one of them! It'll be great—you can take out the buildings, and I'll round up the prisoners! The other guys…eh, we'll give 'em orders."
Genis grinned, too. "You bet. And if they say anything about it, I'll unleash my firepower!" They both laughed, then Genis bade Riley goodnight and headed for his room.
He stopped before he reached his door. Invading a city in broad daylight seemed silly. Luin would see them coming long before Genis ever got close. Better, he thought, to attack at night…when neither Kvar nor Luin would be expecting it.
Running back to the prison room, Genis collided with Riley, who was leaving himself. Sprawled on the floor, Genis blinked until the stars vanished, then pulled himself to his feet.
"Hey, I'm sorry," Riley said, frowning. "What was so important?"
"We have to do it now!" Genis exclaimed. "Get Elysia, and Fel and Jacob, and someone, anyone else, and meet me outside the gate. We're invading Luin tonight."
"Tonight? But Kvar—"
"It's easier to beg for forgiveness than ask for permission!" Genis explained, giving Riley a bit of a shove. "Go on, go! I'll meet you there in a few hours!" Riley nodded and took off down the hall.
Genis hurried to his room, savoring for a moment the experience of putting on his Desian armor for the first time. Fully dressed in it, he looked at himself in the mirror and gasped. He didn't recognize his own reflection. The kendama shone at his side, and mythril bracelets encircled both his wrists. They, too, glowed softly in the orange sunset.
Genis smiled, though even that was hard to discern in the mirror. Tonight, Luin will fall, and I will prove my worth to Kvar.
"Are you sure about this, Genis?" Elysia asked quietly, hours later, as the six of them marched toward Luin. "If Lord Kvar finds out and gets angry…it could mean our lives."
"Nothing ventured, nothing gained," Genis said stonily.
"He sure is one for clichés tonight," Riley remarked, and behind him Jacob chuckled. "Get your mage power ready, boys, we're nearly there. Genis, what's the plan?"
"Jacob and Fel, you two are with me," he said. "We're going to stand towards the outskirts and take out the buildings. Jacob, head for the eastern side, and Fel can take the western. I'll use my strongest techniques to take out the buildings in the center. Riley, Elysia and Teren are with you. Take as many prisoners as you can, and try not to kill anyone—more survivors means more Exspheres."
"Right," they said as one. Genis nodded, then brought himself into focus, and planted one foot on the bridge into Luin.
"Now!" he cried, and they ran into the city. Standing just across the bridge, Genis closed his eyes and felt the spell within him. Raising his kendama, he said the incantation, then grinned and unleashed his power.
"Stalagmite!" The building directly in front of him, bearing the sign 'Phoenix Inn,' exploded into fragments of wood and stone. Several people went flying as well, but Genis didn't pay attention to where they'd landed. He was too busy preparing his next spell.
"Air Thrust!" The wreckage of the Phoenix Inn was thrown into a spin by the force of Genis' spell, and pieces of it smashed into the other buildings, and the bridges and cliffs besides. Immensely satisfied with his destruction, Genis walked carefully across a half-smashed bridge to check on the others.
Elysia and Teren were standing guard around a group of huddled prisoners, and Riley was bringing along even more. Genis grinned, then gasped as he felt something slip into his armor and pierce his side.
Whirling angrily, Genis found himself facing…that idiot human assassin who stopped us on the Ossa Trail! Genis glared at her, raising his kendama.
"If you truly wish to fight, human girl, I will give you a fight," Genis said coldly. "But you will not escape with your life."
"Get out of this city!" she yelled, raising her blue-tinted cards in some kind of defense. "Leave these people alone! If it's a fight you want, you can fight me. But you will leave Luin be!" Genis laughed, and the back of his mind found the laugh fittingly evil.
"You'll take you own advice if you value your life," he replied, swinging the kendama's free end lazily. The assassin glared, and took a step forward. "Stone Blast!"
Earth erupted beneath her, and the assassin was thrown backwards. She righted herself midair, landing on her feet, and rushed at him with reflexes he couldn't hope to match. Raising a card, she cried, "Pyre Seal!" and a whirl of fiery cards struck at him, driving him back.
"Get your filthy half-elven selves back under the rocks you crawled from!" the assassin screamed, coming at him again. Genis laughed, stepped out of the way, and watched her collide with the far side of the city's fountain.
Genis laughed again, then turned his gaze on the fountain, the centerpiece of Luin's attractiveness. Another Stone Blast wrecked the outer wall, and the water bursting from the fountain caught the faint light of the rising sun.
The assassin tackled him from the side, then, but Genis rolled with her, coming to his feet almost as fast as she had. Looking down at the ground, he watched as the rings of his Spread spell began to glow beneath him, but listened also for the assassin's footsteps. When she had nearly reached him, he glanced up and slashed across with his kendama.
The assassin screamed, falling back, one hand clutching her stomach. Genis moved forward to attack again, to finish the annoying assassin off, but Riley's hand on his shoulder stopped him.
"The prisoners are getting…restless," he said, giving Genis a significant look. Genis sighed, then gave the assassin a good, solid kick before turning to become part of the escort that would take the remaining people of Luin to the ranch.
Elysia came to walk beside him, though she was limping, and Genis slowed his pace to match. "This went very well," she told him, smiling. "Lord Kvar will be pleased."
"He won't take my head for having initiative?"
"He shouldn't. An invasion this successful hasn't happened in years. You're quite good for one so young, Genis."
"All it took was some motivation," Riley put in, grinning. His grin switched to a frown after a few minutes. "Hey, Genis. You alright? You're walking funny."
"Maybe that assassin did more than I thought," Genis agreed, looking down at a spreading stain on the side of his shirt. "Um…"
"What?" Elysia asked, turning to look at him as well. Genis realized he'd kept on falling behind. The sun was peeking over the horizon now, and Genis realized that it wasn't going to be a foggy morning. He was foggy himself.
Elysia and Riley were looking at him strangely now, and Riley moved to catch him as he stumbled. Pushing himself away, Genis stood again, the sun in his face, and remembered watching the sunrises with Raine in Iselia.
That was his last thought before he collapsed.
"What did Kvar say?" A male voice.
"He muttered about for a while, and then said he'd talk to him in private." A female voice.
"Well if this keeps up they won't be speaking at all!"
"You stop that! He wasn't hurt that badly, and Lord Kvar will wait. He'll have to—even he wouldn't risk a powerful mage like Genis over something trivial like a meeting."
Genis, hearing his name among the words, fought with the fog in his mind. Triumphing for a moment, he opened heavy eyes. Riley and Elysia were standing beside him, talking; he was lying in his bed. Angry at himself for being helpless, he pushed himself up until he was sitting.
"Good afternoon," Elysia offered, though her voice was nearing whispering tones. "Feel any better?"
"Than I did yesterday?" he asked, confused. Riley shook his head.
"Been three days. Kvar wants to see you," he added, and Genis sighed. Three days. Three days of doing nothing, being useless. And Kvar is probably furious. But I did it. I led a team to Luin, and we raided it. And we won.
"If you're still hurt, Genis, I'll tell him to wait," Elysia said, crossing her arms and glaring at empty air. Genis suspected she'd had this conversation with Kvar more than once already.
"No, it's alright. I'll go now." Genis swung himself out of bed, leaning on the table beside it until he recovered himself. "You guys know what hit me?"
"Some kind of dart, they said. Not like anything we've seen in this world." Walking down the hall to Kvar's control room, Genis filed away that choice of words—nothing in this world, suggesting, crazily, that there was another. The door to the control room slid open, and Genis experienced a moment of déjà vu.
"You wanted to see me, Lord Kvar?"
"I've been waiting long enough! You dared to disobey my orders! You went against my commands!"
Genis stood still, waiting for the angry Desian leader to finish. He knew he'd hear the point eventually.
"And…it was expertly done, boy. Raiding at night, when we all least expected it. We didn't get all the humans, but we got a good handful. You're to be commended." Genis, taken aback, couldn't answer for several seconds.
"Uh…thank you, Lord Kvar."
"Now. Because of this, your next mission will be higher in difficulty. Are you ready to face the challenge?"
"Name it."
"Alright. You'll be going out to the Balacruf Mausoleum, to—" He was cut off by an alarm sounding from everywhere all at once. Pressing a button, Kvar barked, "What is it?"
"The Chosen of Mana and her companions have infiltrated the ranch, sir," said a voice. Kvar slammed the panel before him, and turned to Genis with fire in his eyes.
"Your old friends, yes? Smash them. Kill them all. No, wait," Kvar amended, and Genis mentally sighed. He hated humans, all of them, but there was still a bit of a soft spot for Colette, kind to everyone and everything.
"What should I do instead, sir?"
"Take them prisoner. We will use their Exspheres."
"Yes, Lord Kvar. …One more thing, if I may?"
"Speak, boy."
"Traveling with…the Chosen…is another half-elf. If…if she might find some kind of place among the Desians as well? There is no reason to be killing another of our kind, after all, and she's a healer, she'll be useful…"
"Granted. Now go!"
Genis nodded, running from the room. He'd have to get back to grab his kendama, and put on his armor—he knew Lloyd and the others better than anyone, and he'd need the armor.
Emerging from his room minutes later, he noticed two Desians rushing by, escorting Lloyd and Kratos between them. Genis didn't recognize them, but that was nothing new—most Desians here, especially the females, were unfamiliar to him. Genis assumed his best stance and watched them pass. He was half-elven, after all, and those idiots were only human. Even if Lloyd had once been his friend.
A sunny, breezy day…two children stand on the roof of a house in the woods, calling a third to join them…he climbs up and they watch the clouds pass together…they are kind to him despite who he is…
Genis shook his head. False memories, pretended friendships; those had no place here. As the Desian following Lloyd and Kratos passed, Genis nodded and said, "Good work. Makes my job easier."
"Sure hope so," the female replied. She took only two more steps, then turned and stared at him. Genis was giving her the same shocked look, and his hands were shaking slightly. "…Genis?"
"Raine?"
There. Another one down. Two or three more to go, methinks. Hail?
Arr?
This is the threat. Review or...all Hail will break loose.
Arr!
