Disclaimer: I don't own the Fire Emblem characters...wait yeah I do! I paid
$30.00 for them. Hahaha! In your face big companies! Who needs you?!
*ahem* Sorry about that. Now onto the thank-you's.
Firetail – You were the first person to review my story! Thanks so much! You're awesome! (I'm going exclamation point happy...)
The Story Master 125 – I think Rebecca with Wil, Raven, or Rath is good too. I haven't gotten very far in the game yet, so I don't really know if she gets together with anyone in the game. I hope she does! I just paired Rebecca with Wil because they knew each other as children (I think) and Rebecca's brother Dan and Wil were best friends or something like that. Thanks for pointing out that problem with the chapters. I just thought they would get really long, but on the Internet the stories seem so much shorter than in Word...anyway...thanks for reviewing!
Jodi - *blushes* Me? A talented writer? That's so sweet! Thanks for the suggestion on what Rebecca's mom should be feeling. I haven't had much experience with being a mom, so I could use a lot of help in that respect! Thanks again for reviewing!
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This chapter—and probably all of the battle chapters—are why my rating is PG-13. I try to make them feel real, but I haven't really been in any battles so suggestions would be appreciated. Something's wrong with my Tab key too, so that's why some of the paragraphs are tabbed and others aren't. Grr...
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"Eliwood."
"Yes, Marcus. What is it?"
"That rapier you have. It is a special gift from your mother, is it not?"
"Yes it is. Why do you ask?"
"Weapons break when you use them too often and that rapier is the only weapon you have..."
Eliwood sighed. "We're in the midst of a battle Marcus, couldn't this conversation—" He was stunned into silence when Marcus abruptly handed him his steel sword.
"I wouldn't want your rapier to break too soon." Eliwood looked at Marcus, pure thankfulness on his face.
Marcus, unaccustomed to such gratitude from anyone, quickly changed the subject.
"I believe we have a fight on our hands."
Eliwood snapped back into the present. "Yes, you're right. And...thank you."
Marcus nodded and moved close to the first brigand.
The brigand's eyes never left Marcus, and the moment Marcus moved in close, the brigand ran to cut him down. Not if I can help it, thought Rebecca, as she notched an arrow and launched it straight into the brigand's right arm. The brigand howled in pain as he glared around for the archer who had done this to him.
Time seemed to stand still as the brigand saw Rebecca standing there with her hand on her upraised bow. Rebecca knew she should move, but her body wasn't cooperating. She saw, as if from a distance, the brigand opening his mouth in a war-cry and charging straight towards her.
She wasn't quite sure what happened right afterwards, only that a flash of silver and bright red hair signaled Eliwood coming to her defense. Then she felt herself being lifted by—was it Lowen?—onto a horse, and felt, rather than saw, the brigand's demise on Lowen's sword.
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"Rebecca? Hey Rebecca? This is Krista. Wave or something if you can hear me." Rebecca opened her eyes and waved weakly at nothing in particular.
"Good. Now if you don't want to fight you don't have to, 'cause while you were...um..."
"Out of service?" Rebecca supplied wryly.
"Um...yeah. Anyway, while you were 'out of service' two guys showed up who were willing to help us. I've trained with one of them. His name's Dorcas, and he's a pretty good fighter. I don't know about the other one—Bartre, but Dorcas seems to trust him. I guess I will too."
"Thanks for the offer Krista, but I'm still determined to fight. By the way, where's everybody else?"
"Oh. They're still fighting. I asked them to leave you here so you wouldn't wake up to an enemy's axe."
"Thanks," replied Rebecca, touched by her concern. "So, how do I find them?"
"That shouldn't be a problem. Just follow your ears. Good luck. Krista out." Rebecca heard a click in her ear and assumed that Krista had turned off her device to let her concentrate on finding the others.
Soon enough, Rebecca found her friends by following the sounds of weapons clashing and human voices lifting in the cacophony of battle-rage.
She found herself face-to-face with an enemy archer, and before she knew what she was doing, she had shot an arrow towards him. He could have dodged the arrow easily, but luck was not on his side. The arrow sped swiftly and surely to lodge in his left leg just as Eliwood moved in to make the kill. The archer would not die so easily. He twisted his body so that Eliwood's blow, which should have ended his life, only grazed his side. Triumphantly, the archer raised his bow and shot, not at Eliwood, but at Rebecca!
The enemy's arrow flew across the plain straight towards Rebecca's heart. Her mind was screaming at her to move, but her rebellious body remained excruciatingly still. In order to please both her mind and body, she was forced to twist awkwardly and the arrow planted itself into her side.
Pain exploded from her side and traveled throughout her body. Pain was hers. It was all she had. Something instinctive inside of her made her focus on the pain and eliminate the source of it—the arrow.
Rebecca's hand made slow progress to the arrow, hesitated before touching it, and finally grasped it tightly. A light gasp escaped her at the acute pain that came with the grasping of the arrow, but she steeled herself against it and pulled.
It took all of Rebecca's will power not to scream when she pulled the arrow out. She looked at the arrow she held in her trembling hand and then threw it as far as she could. Next, she examined her side where the arrow had pierced her. It didn't look so good. She was bleeding too much and sharp bursts of pain came whenever she took a breath. Was this it? Was she destined to die in her first battle and never see her family again? She could hear a voice very near—almost too near—like it was coming from her head...or more like her right ear. Wait! That was the ear with Krista's device in it!
Struggling to regain full consciousness, Rebecca concentrated on Krista's voice. It had renewed her urge to continue fighting.
"Rebecca. Please answer. Rebecca. Please answer. Do something! Oh, Rebecca. Answer me! It's Krista! Rebecca!" Krista's voice had an edge of hysteria in it. She thinks I'm dying, thought Rebecca. That thought was so comical to Rebecca that she laughed quietly.
"Rebecca! You're alive! That's such a relief! I..." Rebecca thought that Krista was crying, but soon Krista came back on sounding so much like Rebecca's mother that she laughed so hard her side was in agony.
"What were you thinking going after another archer?! They can shoot back you know! Of all the dumb things to do—" Krista had to take a deep breath before continuing.
"Are you bleeding a lot?"
"A-A little bit," Rebecca managed to answer.
"OK. Take a piece of cloth—like you headband—and use it to hold back the blood." Rebecca untied her lime green headband and did as Krista said. The pain subsided to a dull, but consistent pounding.
"Rebecca? Are you alright?
"Y-Yes." Rebecca cleared her throat. "Yes."
"Good. Your friends have their hands full so you're going to have to rely on your own strength. Think you're up to it? They could use your help."
"Yes. Thanks Krista."
"You're welcome. Now go beat up some enemies like a nice little girl. Krista out." Rebecca heard the click, and looked around at her surroundings with a clear head.
Dorcas had killed that *beep* archer; Eliwood had gotten up from the ground and was currently dusting himself off; Lowen and Bartre were engaged in fighting with another brigand; and Marcus was in town getting some information and what looked like a Dragonshield. All Rebecca had to do was get up, and then she could join them. That was easier said than done.
When Rebecca could stand up for more than five seconds, she pronounced herself fit and went to join her comrades. Eliwood and Lowen were both overjoyed to see that she was alright, but two brigands came to attack them before they could reach her. Eliwood was slashed by one of the brigand's axe. He did manage to counterattack quite nicely, but Rebecca could see he needed immediate medical assistance. His armor was starting to match his hair color. Lowen managed to dodge the other brigand's blow and deliver a blow right back.
Eliwood had lost so much blood that he was becoming sluggish. The brigand that just attacked him noticed him slowing down. He bared his crooked teeth in a malevolent grin and jumped into the air to deliver a final blow. He came down dead with an arrow protruding from his back. Rebecca had managed to pull herself together long enough to save Eliwood. He nodded his appreciation and pulled something out of his pocket. A vulnerary! He tossed one to her and used one on himself. A healthy glow surrounded him and soon he emerged looking a little less weary than before. Rebecca just stood there staring at her vulnerary.
"Rebecca?"
She looked up at Eliwood.
"Yes...um...sir?"
"Please, just call me Eliwood. I would like to know why you haven't healed yourself yet."
"Oh." Rebecca blushed and stammered something about not wanting to waste such a valuable item.
"Haha! Don't worry! I still have one more. They come in packages of threes." Rebecca still argued avidly about why she shouldn't use his vulnerary.
"Eliwood! I can't! Please take it back. I'll be alright. I promise." She then looked so distressed that Eliwood hadn't the heart to deny her.
"Fine. I'll take it back. Just promise me that you'll be careful."
"I promise. Now let's go help our friends!"
"Agreed. We should—Rebecca look out!"
Rebecca whirled around opening up her wound. She gasped in surprise and pain and lost her footing. Eliwood caught her, but by doing so, he wouldn't be able to stop the brigand who was coming for them.
Rebecca fumbled feebly for her arrows, but even if she could grab one of them, it would be too late. What could they do? When the brigand came almost close enough to kill Rebecca, a huge man leaped up with his axe glinting hellish red in the sunlight. The axe claimed the brigand's life in such a way as to make Rebecca sick and dizzy with repulsion. She would never want Bartre as an enemy.
"Rebecca?" asked Eliwood, "You're trembling."
"I-I'm alright, just a bit shaken up by..." She pointed at the dead brigand.
"Sorry. I kind of go crazy when I see one (or two) of my comrades in danger," apologized Bartre, "which reminds me. Dorcas could use some help with that archer, and Lowen with that brigand."
"Right," answered Eliwood. "I'll help Lowen. Rebecca, will you help Dorcas?"
Rebecca nodded mutely. Why did it have to be another archer?
Eliwood helped Rebecca stand on her own two feet. Then, with one worried glance in her direction, he ran to help Lowen. Rebecca limped into a forest so that she would be hidden from view, and then searched for Dorcas. Hmm...there! He had cut up the archer pretty badly, but he looked pretty bad himself. An arrow was lodged in the shoulder of his axe-wielding arm and blood was flowing freely from it. He looked the part of a valiant warrior who had pushed himself to the limit. Krista was right about this one, thought Rebecca.
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Dorcas gripped his axe, his arm trembling with the effort. He seemed to be debating whether or not he should strike, for his shoulder simply couldn't take anymore. He thought his eyes deceived him when the archer tensed, looked shocked, and then looked no more. Had Dorcas thrown his axe? No. It was still here in his sweat-soaked hand. If not his axe, then what had killed the archer? Dorcas forced his tired eyes to focus on the archer's quiet body. An arrow. An arrow had killed the archer. But how? None of his allies (that he knew of at that time) could shoot a bow...wait. Was someone coming out of the tree? Dorcas hoped that it wasn't another enemy. He couldn't take much more.
Dorcas didn't think this new person was an enemy, but he could never be too careful. With her green braids whipping around her face and her large innocent eyes, she didn't look all that threatening. Then his eyes alighted upon her bow that she held so possessively. Ah. So this was the one who had killed that archer. Instinctively, he raised his axe over his shoulder ready to strike.
"Dorcas!" Surprised by a voice suddenly yelling in his right ear, he lost his balance for a second.
"Hey! Don't do that!"
"Sorry," apologized Krista, "but you looked like you were about to murder Rebecca for saving your life! What is it with men and not liking to accept help?!"
"Hey, it's not like I knew she wasn't an enemy! You never told me about her!"
"Oh." Krista was strangely quiet. "I...forgot. I'm sorry. She had just shot her first enemy, and had gone into a kind of emotional shock. I- I guess I was so worried about her and so delighted that you and Bartre came to help that...I'm sorry."
Dorcas understood. "It's alright. You and Lyn helped save Natalie remember? I'll always be grateful for that."
Krista smiled in reminiscence. "Yeah. Thanks Dorcas. Now, I believe you have yet to defeat Groznyi."
"Understood oh might tactician!"
"Glad to hear it. Krista out."
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It was hilarious watching Dorcas talk to Krista, because it looked like he was talking to himself. Rebecca would have laughed if the situation had been lighter, but it wasn't. Besides, her wound could open up again—not something that she was eager to repeat.
"Understood oh mighty tactician!"
That sent Rebecca over the edge. She absolutely HAD to laugh now. She chuckled lightly, and just as she had predicted, her wound reopened (again).
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His conversation with Krista finished, Dorcas turned his full attention to Rebecca. He didn't really need to look out for any more enemies because Rebecca had taken care of the last one—except for Groznyi. She was panting from both her laughter and the pain from her bleeding side. Dorcas winced in sympathy. He knew all to well what hurt she was in, for his shoulder still had the arrow in it.
"Do you need any help?"
Rebecca looked up in surprise, touched that such a brawny-looking man could be so gentle.
"Oh, no. That's OK. I'll be fine as soon as I get that Groznyi." Rebecca had to pause and take a deep breath. "Come on. It looks like everyone else is moving to take him on."
Dorcas smiled at her bravery. "OK."
With that said, they both walked slowly toward their friends—and Groznyi.
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Bartre was the first to attack Groznyi. He had always been the one to make finishing blows, and so had never gotten counterattacked. Therefore, he was still in pretty good shape. Rebecca felt a prick of jealousy at Bartre's heroic stance as he prepared to throw a hand axe at Groznyi, all too aware of her own worn-out looks. At least, she tried to console herself, she had done her part in the battle. She just wished that she could hurt Groznyi just as he had hurt her home.
Bartre threw his axe. It connected, but barely, just grazing Groznyi's side. Groznyi glared at Barter and yet refused to move. Why won't he move? Rebecca couldn't understand. SHE would move if her enemies were closing in on her. Maybe it was Groznyi's stubbornness, or maybe he was just plain stupid. Whatever it was, it gave Rebecca an idea.
Rebecca lifted her bow, strung an arrow, and shot it straight toward Groznyi. It struck him dead-on, but didn't seem to have much effect. He snorted like a bull, but otherwise did nothing. There's something definitely wrong with him if he won't fight back, thought Rebecca. This could turn out to be easier than she had first believed.
Eliwood, heartened by Rebecca's courage, ran toward Groznyi with his rapier extended. He connected with such force that Rebecca was sure it would be the end of Groznyi. Imagine her dismay when he was not only still alive, but about to attack Eliwood as well. Groznyi's axe landed in Eliwood's shoulder with a dull thud, and was extracted dripping with blood. Eliwood's blood—his life's essence—was seeping into the ground, flowing away from his body at an alarming rate.
Rebecca watched in horror and then in relief when Groznyi was stopped from killing Eliwood by Marcus. He had charged up atop his war-horse to scare Groznyi out of his mind, and then he had lifted Eliwood onto his horse and into safety. Through all of this, Groznyi still had not moved.
A javelin came out of nowhere to land with a devastating effect in Groznyi's side. Good ol' Lowen had managed to sneak in on Groznyi and throw a javelin. While this was going on, Dorcas helped Eliwood onto the ground, so Marcus would be freer to move around.
Since both Rebecca and Bartre could attack from far away, they managed to simultaneously shoot their respective weapons at Groznyi. Rebecca smiled, thinking that Groznyi was finally defeated. This, unfortunately, was not the case. Like a wild animal, Groznyi was even more dangerous wounded than he was before, and he charged at Rebecca, hatred in his eyes.
Rebecca was too tired to move. Her mind dimly registered that danger was coming towards her at a rapid pace...wait. Now the danger stopped and Lowen was painting it red. Silly Lowen. He was holding a sword not a paintbrush, and why was he painting in red? Rebecca liked the color green better. She couldn't focus her eyes, and suddenly she was very tired. Oh, Lowen could paint in any color he wanted so long as Rebecca could sleep.
Red...green...or black. Black was a nice color, Rebecca thought, as it became all she could see.
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Have any questions, comments, or suggestions? Then REVIEW! I know the ending is kind of strange, but I wanted to try to portray what might go through a person's mind when they're about to...well...faint. Don't worry, Rebecca hasn't died. I wouldn't be that mean to her. Oh yeah, I know Rebecca has a brother named Dan, and Wil and Dan went on an expedition to help both their families, but it would be nice if I could get more details. ( Does Dan ever meet them in the actual game? Please answer. Thank you.
Firetail – You were the first person to review my story! Thanks so much! You're awesome! (I'm going exclamation point happy...)
The Story Master 125 – I think Rebecca with Wil, Raven, or Rath is good too. I haven't gotten very far in the game yet, so I don't really know if she gets together with anyone in the game. I hope she does! I just paired Rebecca with Wil because they knew each other as children (I think) and Rebecca's brother Dan and Wil were best friends or something like that. Thanks for pointing out that problem with the chapters. I just thought they would get really long, but on the Internet the stories seem so much shorter than in Word...anyway...thanks for reviewing!
Jodi - *blushes* Me? A talented writer? That's so sweet! Thanks for the suggestion on what Rebecca's mom should be feeling. I haven't had much experience with being a mom, so I could use a lot of help in that respect! Thanks again for reviewing!
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This chapter—and probably all of the battle chapters—are why my rating is PG-13. I try to make them feel real, but I haven't really been in any battles so suggestions would be appreciated. Something's wrong with my Tab key too, so that's why some of the paragraphs are tabbed and others aren't. Grr...
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"Eliwood."
"Yes, Marcus. What is it?"
"That rapier you have. It is a special gift from your mother, is it not?"
"Yes it is. Why do you ask?"
"Weapons break when you use them too often and that rapier is the only weapon you have..."
Eliwood sighed. "We're in the midst of a battle Marcus, couldn't this conversation—" He was stunned into silence when Marcus abruptly handed him his steel sword.
"I wouldn't want your rapier to break too soon." Eliwood looked at Marcus, pure thankfulness on his face.
Marcus, unaccustomed to such gratitude from anyone, quickly changed the subject.
"I believe we have a fight on our hands."
Eliwood snapped back into the present. "Yes, you're right. And...thank you."
Marcus nodded and moved close to the first brigand.
The brigand's eyes never left Marcus, and the moment Marcus moved in close, the brigand ran to cut him down. Not if I can help it, thought Rebecca, as she notched an arrow and launched it straight into the brigand's right arm. The brigand howled in pain as he glared around for the archer who had done this to him.
Time seemed to stand still as the brigand saw Rebecca standing there with her hand on her upraised bow. Rebecca knew she should move, but her body wasn't cooperating. She saw, as if from a distance, the brigand opening his mouth in a war-cry and charging straight towards her.
She wasn't quite sure what happened right afterwards, only that a flash of silver and bright red hair signaled Eliwood coming to her defense. Then she felt herself being lifted by—was it Lowen?—onto a horse, and felt, rather than saw, the brigand's demise on Lowen's sword.
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"Rebecca? Hey Rebecca? This is Krista. Wave or something if you can hear me." Rebecca opened her eyes and waved weakly at nothing in particular.
"Good. Now if you don't want to fight you don't have to, 'cause while you were...um..."
"Out of service?" Rebecca supplied wryly.
"Um...yeah. Anyway, while you were 'out of service' two guys showed up who were willing to help us. I've trained with one of them. His name's Dorcas, and he's a pretty good fighter. I don't know about the other one—Bartre, but Dorcas seems to trust him. I guess I will too."
"Thanks for the offer Krista, but I'm still determined to fight. By the way, where's everybody else?"
"Oh. They're still fighting. I asked them to leave you here so you wouldn't wake up to an enemy's axe."
"Thanks," replied Rebecca, touched by her concern. "So, how do I find them?"
"That shouldn't be a problem. Just follow your ears. Good luck. Krista out." Rebecca heard a click in her ear and assumed that Krista had turned off her device to let her concentrate on finding the others.
Soon enough, Rebecca found her friends by following the sounds of weapons clashing and human voices lifting in the cacophony of battle-rage.
She found herself face-to-face with an enemy archer, and before she knew what she was doing, she had shot an arrow towards him. He could have dodged the arrow easily, but luck was not on his side. The arrow sped swiftly and surely to lodge in his left leg just as Eliwood moved in to make the kill. The archer would not die so easily. He twisted his body so that Eliwood's blow, which should have ended his life, only grazed his side. Triumphantly, the archer raised his bow and shot, not at Eliwood, but at Rebecca!
The enemy's arrow flew across the plain straight towards Rebecca's heart. Her mind was screaming at her to move, but her rebellious body remained excruciatingly still. In order to please both her mind and body, she was forced to twist awkwardly and the arrow planted itself into her side.
Pain exploded from her side and traveled throughout her body. Pain was hers. It was all she had. Something instinctive inside of her made her focus on the pain and eliminate the source of it—the arrow.
Rebecca's hand made slow progress to the arrow, hesitated before touching it, and finally grasped it tightly. A light gasp escaped her at the acute pain that came with the grasping of the arrow, but she steeled herself against it and pulled.
It took all of Rebecca's will power not to scream when she pulled the arrow out. She looked at the arrow she held in her trembling hand and then threw it as far as she could. Next, she examined her side where the arrow had pierced her. It didn't look so good. She was bleeding too much and sharp bursts of pain came whenever she took a breath. Was this it? Was she destined to die in her first battle and never see her family again? She could hear a voice very near—almost too near—like it was coming from her head...or more like her right ear. Wait! That was the ear with Krista's device in it!
Struggling to regain full consciousness, Rebecca concentrated on Krista's voice. It had renewed her urge to continue fighting.
"Rebecca. Please answer. Rebecca. Please answer. Do something! Oh, Rebecca. Answer me! It's Krista! Rebecca!" Krista's voice had an edge of hysteria in it. She thinks I'm dying, thought Rebecca. That thought was so comical to Rebecca that she laughed quietly.
"Rebecca! You're alive! That's such a relief! I..." Rebecca thought that Krista was crying, but soon Krista came back on sounding so much like Rebecca's mother that she laughed so hard her side was in agony.
"What were you thinking going after another archer?! They can shoot back you know! Of all the dumb things to do—" Krista had to take a deep breath before continuing.
"Are you bleeding a lot?"
"A-A little bit," Rebecca managed to answer.
"OK. Take a piece of cloth—like you headband—and use it to hold back the blood." Rebecca untied her lime green headband and did as Krista said. The pain subsided to a dull, but consistent pounding.
"Rebecca? Are you alright?
"Y-Yes." Rebecca cleared her throat. "Yes."
"Good. Your friends have their hands full so you're going to have to rely on your own strength. Think you're up to it? They could use your help."
"Yes. Thanks Krista."
"You're welcome. Now go beat up some enemies like a nice little girl. Krista out." Rebecca heard the click, and looked around at her surroundings with a clear head.
Dorcas had killed that *beep* archer; Eliwood had gotten up from the ground and was currently dusting himself off; Lowen and Bartre were engaged in fighting with another brigand; and Marcus was in town getting some information and what looked like a Dragonshield. All Rebecca had to do was get up, and then she could join them. That was easier said than done.
When Rebecca could stand up for more than five seconds, she pronounced herself fit and went to join her comrades. Eliwood and Lowen were both overjoyed to see that she was alright, but two brigands came to attack them before they could reach her. Eliwood was slashed by one of the brigand's axe. He did manage to counterattack quite nicely, but Rebecca could see he needed immediate medical assistance. His armor was starting to match his hair color. Lowen managed to dodge the other brigand's blow and deliver a blow right back.
Eliwood had lost so much blood that he was becoming sluggish. The brigand that just attacked him noticed him slowing down. He bared his crooked teeth in a malevolent grin and jumped into the air to deliver a final blow. He came down dead with an arrow protruding from his back. Rebecca had managed to pull herself together long enough to save Eliwood. He nodded his appreciation and pulled something out of his pocket. A vulnerary! He tossed one to her and used one on himself. A healthy glow surrounded him and soon he emerged looking a little less weary than before. Rebecca just stood there staring at her vulnerary.
"Rebecca?"
She looked up at Eliwood.
"Yes...um...sir?"
"Please, just call me Eliwood. I would like to know why you haven't healed yourself yet."
"Oh." Rebecca blushed and stammered something about not wanting to waste such a valuable item.
"Haha! Don't worry! I still have one more. They come in packages of threes." Rebecca still argued avidly about why she shouldn't use his vulnerary.
"Eliwood! I can't! Please take it back. I'll be alright. I promise." She then looked so distressed that Eliwood hadn't the heart to deny her.
"Fine. I'll take it back. Just promise me that you'll be careful."
"I promise. Now let's go help our friends!"
"Agreed. We should—Rebecca look out!"
Rebecca whirled around opening up her wound. She gasped in surprise and pain and lost her footing. Eliwood caught her, but by doing so, he wouldn't be able to stop the brigand who was coming for them.
Rebecca fumbled feebly for her arrows, but even if she could grab one of them, it would be too late. What could they do? When the brigand came almost close enough to kill Rebecca, a huge man leaped up with his axe glinting hellish red in the sunlight. The axe claimed the brigand's life in such a way as to make Rebecca sick and dizzy with repulsion. She would never want Bartre as an enemy.
"Rebecca?" asked Eliwood, "You're trembling."
"I-I'm alright, just a bit shaken up by..." She pointed at the dead brigand.
"Sorry. I kind of go crazy when I see one (or two) of my comrades in danger," apologized Bartre, "which reminds me. Dorcas could use some help with that archer, and Lowen with that brigand."
"Right," answered Eliwood. "I'll help Lowen. Rebecca, will you help Dorcas?"
Rebecca nodded mutely. Why did it have to be another archer?
Eliwood helped Rebecca stand on her own two feet. Then, with one worried glance in her direction, he ran to help Lowen. Rebecca limped into a forest so that she would be hidden from view, and then searched for Dorcas. Hmm...there! He had cut up the archer pretty badly, but he looked pretty bad himself. An arrow was lodged in the shoulder of his axe-wielding arm and blood was flowing freely from it. He looked the part of a valiant warrior who had pushed himself to the limit. Krista was right about this one, thought Rebecca.
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Dorcas gripped his axe, his arm trembling with the effort. He seemed to be debating whether or not he should strike, for his shoulder simply couldn't take anymore. He thought his eyes deceived him when the archer tensed, looked shocked, and then looked no more. Had Dorcas thrown his axe? No. It was still here in his sweat-soaked hand. If not his axe, then what had killed the archer? Dorcas forced his tired eyes to focus on the archer's quiet body. An arrow. An arrow had killed the archer. But how? None of his allies (that he knew of at that time) could shoot a bow...wait. Was someone coming out of the tree? Dorcas hoped that it wasn't another enemy. He couldn't take much more.
Dorcas didn't think this new person was an enemy, but he could never be too careful. With her green braids whipping around her face and her large innocent eyes, she didn't look all that threatening. Then his eyes alighted upon her bow that she held so possessively. Ah. So this was the one who had killed that archer. Instinctively, he raised his axe over his shoulder ready to strike.
"Dorcas!" Surprised by a voice suddenly yelling in his right ear, he lost his balance for a second.
"Hey! Don't do that!"
"Sorry," apologized Krista, "but you looked like you were about to murder Rebecca for saving your life! What is it with men and not liking to accept help?!"
"Hey, it's not like I knew she wasn't an enemy! You never told me about her!"
"Oh." Krista was strangely quiet. "I...forgot. I'm sorry. She had just shot her first enemy, and had gone into a kind of emotional shock. I- I guess I was so worried about her and so delighted that you and Bartre came to help that...I'm sorry."
Dorcas understood. "It's alright. You and Lyn helped save Natalie remember? I'll always be grateful for that."
Krista smiled in reminiscence. "Yeah. Thanks Dorcas. Now, I believe you have yet to defeat Groznyi."
"Understood oh might tactician!"
"Glad to hear it. Krista out."
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It was hilarious watching Dorcas talk to Krista, because it looked like he was talking to himself. Rebecca would have laughed if the situation had been lighter, but it wasn't. Besides, her wound could open up again—not something that she was eager to repeat.
"Understood oh mighty tactician!"
That sent Rebecca over the edge. She absolutely HAD to laugh now. She chuckled lightly, and just as she had predicted, her wound reopened (again).
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His conversation with Krista finished, Dorcas turned his full attention to Rebecca. He didn't really need to look out for any more enemies because Rebecca had taken care of the last one—except for Groznyi. She was panting from both her laughter and the pain from her bleeding side. Dorcas winced in sympathy. He knew all to well what hurt she was in, for his shoulder still had the arrow in it.
"Do you need any help?"
Rebecca looked up in surprise, touched that such a brawny-looking man could be so gentle.
"Oh, no. That's OK. I'll be fine as soon as I get that Groznyi." Rebecca had to pause and take a deep breath. "Come on. It looks like everyone else is moving to take him on."
Dorcas smiled at her bravery. "OK."
With that said, they both walked slowly toward their friends—and Groznyi.
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Bartre was the first to attack Groznyi. He had always been the one to make finishing blows, and so had never gotten counterattacked. Therefore, he was still in pretty good shape. Rebecca felt a prick of jealousy at Bartre's heroic stance as he prepared to throw a hand axe at Groznyi, all too aware of her own worn-out looks. At least, she tried to console herself, she had done her part in the battle. She just wished that she could hurt Groznyi just as he had hurt her home.
Bartre threw his axe. It connected, but barely, just grazing Groznyi's side. Groznyi glared at Barter and yet refused to move. Why won't he move? Rebecca couldn't understand. SHE would move if her enemies were closing in on her. Maybe it was Groznyi's stubbornness, or maybe he was just plain stupid. Whatever it was, it gave Rebecca an idea.
Rebecca lifted her bow, strung an arrow, and shot it straight toward Groznyi. It struck him dead-on, but didn't seem to have much effect. He snorted like a bull, but otherwise did nothing. There's something definitely wrong with him if he won't fight back, thought Rebecca. This could turn out to be easier than she had first believed.
Eliwood, heartened by Rebecca's courage, ran toward Groznyi with his rapier extended. He connected with such force that Rebecca was sure it would be the end of Groznyi. Imagine her dismay when he was not only still alive, but about to attack Eliwood as well. Groznyi's axe landed in Eliwood's shoulder with a dull thud, and was extracted dripping with blood. Eliwood's blood—his life's essence—was seeping into the ground, flowing away from his body at an alarming rate.
Rebecca watched in horror and then in relief when Groznyi was stopped from killing Eliwood by Marcus. He had charged up atop his war-horse to scare Groznyi out of his mind, and then he had lifted Eliwood onto his horse and into safety. Through all of this, Groznyi still had not moved.
A javelin came out of nowhere to land with a devastating effect in Groznyi's side. Good ol' Lowen had managed to sneak in on Groznyi and throw a javelin. While this was going on, Dorcas helped Eliwood onto the ground, so Marcus would be freer to move around.
Since both Rebecca and Bartre could attack from far away, they managed to simultaneously shoot their respective weapons at Groznyi. Rebecca smiled, thinking that Groznyi was finally defeated. This, unfortunately, was not the case. Like a wild animal, Groznyi was even more dangerous wounded than he was before, and he charged at Rebecca, hatred in his eyes.
Rebecca was too tired to move. Her mind dimly registered that danger was coming towards her at a rapid pace...wait. Now the danger stopped and Lowen was painting it red. Silly Lowen. He was holding a sword not a paintbrush, and why was he painting in red? Rebecca liked the color green better. She couldn't focus her eyes, and suddenly she was very tired. Oh, Lowen could paint in any color he wanted so long as Rebecca could sleep.
Red...green...or black. Black was a nice color, Rebecca thought, as it became all she could see.
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Have any questions, comments, or suggestions? Then REVIEW! I know the ending is kind of strange, but I wanted to try to portray what might go through a person's mind when they're about to...well...faint. Don't worry, Rebecca hasn't died. I wouldn't be that mean to her. Oh yeah, I know Rebecca has a brother named Dan, and Wil and Dan went on an expedition to help both their families, but it would be nice if I could get more details. ( Does Dan ever meet them in the actual game? Please answer. Thank you.