I suppose you guys are lucky that there were 5 reviews…but I am going to take a review limit off, because I will be balancing time with school, friends, Ragnarok Online, and updates. Anyways, I'm so glad to have such appreciative commentary! I posted this thinking that people would say it sucks and all, because it was my first piece.
Erk: It sucks, shut up and get on with the story already.
Don't make me kill you Erk. Setting him aside (I'll just kill him in chapter 16 again), the pairings are still the same, and I'll be writing a LynxEliwood/Rath fic soon for those of you who are particular to those pairings. I'm not sure if it'll be as good, because my friend and I like to bash on Eliwood a lot, but I'll do my best to make it a good one.
Hector: Yeah yeah, just get on with the story so that we can all know if my charm and intellect wins Lyn over.
…Charm and intellect? Don't make me laugh Hector.
Serra: Destin doesn't own any of the characters or plot lines or anything except for his own ideas, so please don't sue! Do I get a cookie now?
…No.
Talking
Thinking
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The sound of steel against steel sung out through the day as the battle-weary warriors clashed through an endless sea of relentless Blank Fang assassins. Eliwood was leading half of the warriors to the east through the mountains, hoping to sneak up on Limstella, while Hector and Lyn were directing the other half to the north where most of the battling was going on. Destin was getting furious from the sheer number of troops that were pouring out of the numerous fortresses. "Why can't the all just stay in the damn fortresses and let us just mosey on up there?" He cursed and kicked hard at the ground. Just a few minutes ago he had to rely on the ability of Rath to get him out of a sticky situation.
"Where the hell did Lyn get off to. I told her to stay with the rest of us!" Hector growled, swinging his axe high over his head, and brought it down to strike a paladin square in the chest. Blood sprayed everywhere from the force of the blow, causing Hector to take a moment and wipe his face clean of blood. "Lyn!!! Where the hell are you?" He ran forward, followed by those following him. Oswin was having the most difficulty keeping up, with the heavy armor he wore. Matthew seemed rather surprised at how fast his lord was running.
"Oswin, Lord Hector seems rather unnerved by the disappearance of Lyndis, don't you agree?" The general nodded at the thief, causing a frown from Matthew. Oh why do I bother talking to him at a time like this, he'll never answer. He should lose the heavy armor and get a horse instead…that would make him a little more useful on the battlefield. I wouldn't have to fight! He chuckled and ran after Hector. Hearing a battle cry, Matthew stopped instantly. "Lord Hector, I heard a yell that sounded like Lyn!" Hector stopped, skidding to a halt, and turned to look at Matthew.
"Tell me where she is or I'll gut you where you stand Matthew, and no games this time either." Matthew's eyes went wide, and he pointed towards the river. Just at that moment, a blur of green went by, followed by a horseman. Sure enough, Lyn was there fighting another paladin. "Those fools just don't quit do they? Alright, everyone make sure that no one gets behind us, and we're supposed to meet Eliwood's forces near that…thing!" Hector began charging towards Lyndis, followed by his small band behind him. He saw the swift blade lord bring the paladin down to slay him quickly, and he saw behind her a general about to thrust his with his lance. "LYNDIS!!!" Hector jumped high in the air, bringing his axe down to shatter both steel and flesh alike. Shards of armor and blood sprayed out across the grass, forever staining it red. Lyn turned, astonishment showing clearly on her face at the scene…not that she wasn't used to it, it was just strange to see that happen to a person with heavy armor on.
"Thank you Hector, I was so busy with that paladin, I didn't even hear him coming up behind me!" She knew that she could thank him properly later, but right now they needed to focus on the battle. "Duck!" Her bow flashed out and not even a second later, an arrow sped past Hector's ear, hitting a sniper full-on in the face and downing him instantly. "I guess you still need someone to watch your back after all Lord Hector." She laughed some, earning a scowl from the other lord in the group.
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"Erk, hurry and attack that wyvern lord over there!" Eliwood pointed towards the mountains, a large shape narrowing the space between them. It should be close enough for a javelin through, but only from his height would he hit anything.
"Frozen winds of the north, embrace my enemy in your endless torrent of death! Fimbulvetr!" Erk completed the pentagon of magic, showing that it was more powerful than normal, and the shape began to be buffeted by sharp icy winds. The rider fell from the wyvern, sure to die from the length of the fall. He sighed as he felt someone grab his arm and nearly scream in his ear, even for how close she was.
"That was SOOOOOOOOOOO cool Erky! Do it again!" Serra was jumping with excitement at the effects of the spell, and the fact that the frozen wyvern was falling to shatter on the ground. Girls like so many different things. Erk again sighed and looked at Serra.
"I don't like killing things, so I'm not going to do it again unless I have to…and don't call me Erky! If you do again, I'll use the same spell on you." He growled as Serra just giggled at his threat, both of them knowing that it was an empty one. She had told him a while ago that she loved him, and he realized that he felt the same emotions towards her. They were both broken out of their little argument by Eliwood clearing his throat.
"If you two don't mind, I'd like to get away from here. I heard something nearby us, and it wasn't any of our own troops." He heeled his steed into a trot, circling the rest of the troops as they marched on towards Limstella. Hopefully Lyndis and Hector aren't going through the same problems as me…this is hell enough as it is, listening to these two bicker constantly. I should talk to Destin about having them go with Hector next time. He frowned inwardly when he saw arrows come flying at his troops. This was going to be a long battle indeed.
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Destin side-stepped another sword-swing, countering with his own. It's a bloody good thing that Erk taught me some magic and Kent taught me swordplay, otherwise I'd be dead right now! He spun and thrust his sword forward into the myrmidon's chest and slaying it instantly. His mind was now on his siblings back on the main continent of Lycia. Remiel, his eldest sister and sibling, and how she was doing with her family. His two brothers, both in unknown areas to him. Finally his youngest sister and sibling, Seras, whom he felt obligated to protect, as she was closest in age to him. Yeah they fought a lot, but she was the only one he could trust. His mind then focused on the battle ahead. Closing his eyes and peering around with his newfound magic, he found Hector's position. Hector…he needs to hurry if he doesn't want to get ambushed by the swordsmen coming fast on him. He spun in fury and instinct, carefully blocking a lance thrust.
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"Lord Hector! Swordmasters and mercenaries are advancing on us as we speak!" Matthew was running towards Hector and Lyn, waving his arms madly. Hector only shook his head and sighed, while Lyn seemed somewhat amused that they would still be sending troops to try and kill them.
"Let them come, I'm not afraid of anything! I'll kill them before they even knew what was happening." Hector could only hope that his boast was not an empty one. Out of nowhere, what looked like men began rushing for them. Hector grinned evilly and held his axe above his head. He was ready to kill anything that came within 3 feet of him, as long as it wasn't friendly.
"Hector, there's too many for us to handle out here in the open. Let's pull back into the forests and stream-sides, that way we have a better chance of getting all of them" Lyn spoke hurriedly, pulling another arrow to her cheek and letting fly at a sword master. She was already beginning to move backwards while firing.
"That's a good idea Lyn. Everyone fall back to the forests, and let's turn their own ambush against them!" Hector turned and began to dash towards the forests, hearing everyone else behind him trying to keep up. It was all he could do to try not to think about what might happen if he died here on Valor Isle. Oswin would have to take over, because he knows most about the Lycian politics. Matthew is too dodgy, and Serra…I'm not even going to go there. He grimaced at the thought of Serra taking over as marquess of Ostia. Just the mere idea made him want to live past this battle.
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"Sir Kent, please pace yourself a little slower so I can catch up!" Fiora, one of the three pegasus knights in the small band flew behind her knight and love, Kent. Since the day that he told her that he loved her more than he could ever love anyone again, she had stayed by his side. Dodging arrows left and right, and thankful she had the Delphi Shield, she flew lower to be next to Kent.
"Fiora, you're supposed to be with the unit sent with Lord Eliwood! What are you doing over here?" The hurt look on Fiora's face made Kent realize that he said something wrong. It still wasn't enough to make him consider learning from Sain on how to treat women.
"I wanted to be near you Kent, that way if you die, I can die with you! Lord Eliwood gave me permission to be here with you!" She spoke quickly, dodging another arrow. It was then that she noticed they were charging into trees. "Please stay alive! I couldn't bear the thought of living without you!" Her plea made Kent all the more ready to make it through the day. With Lady Lyndis' permission, he would ask that Fiora live with him in Caelin as his wife. He had best not die now. He rushed into the forest as Fiora flew overhead to meet him on the other side.
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Hector ducked as a sword flew where his head had been just seconds before. It was a miracle to him how he had managed to live this long. Shoving his axe directly into his opponents throat, he through him down onto the cold forest ground to allow the earth to take it's natural role involving the dead. He looked down at himself for a minute, blood caking his armor and axe, a small wound above his left eye, and what felt like dents in his armor. Surely his enemies couldn't be that strong…could they? "Lyn, your plan was working! They've begun to become sparse!"
"Well of course, living on the plains gives you a steady mind like that. Not that you would know of course, being brash like you are!" She laughed heartily as she evaded an axe swing. Bringing her powerful Mani Katti down, she cut off the arm holding the axe, and then brought her sword through the man's skull. He would never live to see the light of day again.
"Energies of the holy heavens, gather and purge my enemies of the unholy spirit that resides in them! Divine!" The bishop Lucius held his staff pointed at another swordmaster, holy energies swirling around it, and the swordmaster froze. Lucius immediately began looking for any of his allies and friends that had been hurt so he could heal them.
When Hector saw that there were no more swordsmen entering the forests, he smirked and began walking in the direction he was facing. "Like I said, they couldn't possibly beat me!" He laughed and broke into a run, listening for the rest to follow. They did in fear that he would leave them behind. He was acting much differently than ever before. Maybe it was because he didn't want Lyn to die from any mistakes that he might make.
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"I hate those damn archers! Rebecca, get up there and see what you can do!" Eliwood sat nursing an injured shoulder while Serra was trying to heal it. Erk was busy casting thunder spells in the general direction of where the arrows were coming from, hearing screams every now and then to show that he hit. Rebecca also added her own attacks, arrows finding their marks. "Merlinus, I'm going to ask that you remain a little further behind so that you don't get struck by any arrows." The frightened merchant only nodded and began to lead his horse into a cleared out fortress.
"Swirling forces of nature, listen to my call and cast down your rays to forever curse my enemies! Bolting!" Again, Erk finished the pentagon formation that was so familiar in his mind. A massive bolt of lightning struck in the center of where the archers were, killing half and injuring more. He held a grim smile, glad that Serra didn't see that and want him to do it again, and also from the fact that he had to kill.
"Good job you two, the way should be clear now. Thank you Serra, but that's all you can do at the moment. I need you ready with Erk and Rebecca to hit anything that comes at us before they have a chance to hit us. If we can damage them before they reach us, then we have a better chance of staying alive during the fight." Eliwood held his rapier out in front of him to signify a charge. "I need two people to protect Merlinus!" Rath walked into the fortress without a word, followed by Canas.
"Lord Eliwood, who will you send to us when we can rejoin with the main group?" The druid had turned to look at the knight lord. Clear seriousness mingled with the smile on Canas' face.
"I'll most likely send Fiora, should she find us again. If not, then look for Guy." Canas nodded and walked inside without another word. "As for the rest of you, wait until I give the order to charge. Those on foot will be on the sides, and all those who ride will be in the front and back. Nils, you get in the middle so that you can be protected, and if you fall behind, then someone will pick you up." Eliwood looked on as his troops began to form as he had told. He had very little time now to make up for any mistakes he might make. "Stand ready! CHARGE!!!" He swung his rapier forward, kicking his horse into a mighty gallop, and began to rush into the oncoming enemies. I hope that my luck will hold out until after we defeat Nergal, because mother will be too upset to care for the castle should I fall now! Eliwood was going to risk everything from here on out.
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So that's that for now, I'll conclude the battle next chapter. I think I got a better grasp on how the characters act this time around. I hope that you all liked the way I described the spells and what was said before they were cast. Got that from my friend. Also, Destin's siblings come from an idea that a friend and I had. I can't remember the brother's names, but I'll be sure to get them tomorrow or something.
Erk: Maybe it's just the fact that you're stupid and can't seem to remember everything except for an age-old code for a stupid game that doesn't even work anymore.
Hey, be nice because I'm letting you talk in my review. Setting that moron aside, I'll be updating rather soon because I have Christmas break next week and the week after. Ahh…Christmas…I hope I get something good for Christmas.
Hector: Ah man, I didn't get to use my charm on Lyn this chapter. You're going to be the first to die once I get my hands on you!
Eh heh…I don't think so Hector. Anyways, please do as the characters say!
Erk xHector: Yeah yeah, please review and all that other crap.
Lyn: If you don't, Guy and myself will get critical hits on you!
