Note: Thank you for the feedback, everyone. It's great encouragement, and your advice helps with the writing of stories. And I'll try not to make Ken into a Gary-Stu/Mary-Sue/etc. Just let me know if you think it's happening.

Fire Emblem: Blade of the Planeswalker

Chapter 1: Out of the Nest

I felt another jolt conciousness as felt something coming. I opened my eyes as a saw what looked like a portal appear. I was quickly pulled in, unkowing what was on the other side.

As was thrusted through the portal, I landed on my stomach. Luckily, it wasen't very painful. I got up, dusting my pants off for no particular reason. I looked at my leg. No wound! Whoa, well I'm not complaining. Checking to make sure I had all my valuables on me, I looked around. Yumi and Seitou aren't here. Where did they go? Oh well... I continued looking around the room. It looked like a throne room, from the looks of the large seat at one end, and a large door at the other end. There were banners hanging from the ceiling, but besides that it was empty.

As I continued to look around the room I saw several doors that would lead into side halls. As I went up to one of these doors to see where exactly they went I bumped into a boy that looked my age from the looks of his hieght and face. For some reason, he was wearing a cloak which seemed cover most of his body. The boy looked shocked, for his red eyes were wide. Wait, red? I think I saw him utter something under his breath, but now he was clearly.

"You shouldn't be here! Get out of here, now!" he urged.

"What?" I asked.

"Go down the hall behind this door! Quickly, before the guards get here!" he ordered.

I couldn't help but just stand there bewildered.

"GO!" he yelled, pushing me into the door.

Deciding to go with what he said, I went down the hall as the boy went into the throne room. I heard the large doors open followed by some voices. I stopped to listen, keeping myself flat against the wall.

"Greetings Lord Zeka. I trust you have been doing well?"

"Of course. Have you discovered any intruders?" the boy's voice spoke.

"Aside from a few peasents sneaking into the kitchens, nothing much milord."

"Good. Go back to your duties then."

I hear the door close, followed hasty footsteps as the boy came back into the room. He grabbed me by the arm.

"Come with me."

His grip was strong enough that it didn't really matter if I didn't want to. I barely kept up with him as he pulled me along before we came to a door. Pushing it open, I found myself in what looked like a small armory. It was a room filled with swords, spears, axes, you name it. It was at this point that I realized I didn't have my prop sword. Letting go of me, this Zeka person went over to the swords, inspecting a few before a giving an satisfied grunt.

"Catch." he said simply, tossing the sword to me.

I did so, catching the sheathed sword, tying it to my jacket which now served as my belt. The boy turned to me.

"Have you ever killed before?"

I shook my head.

"I've only knocked people out at the most..."

"Well prepare yourself then, because you might have to kill to survive here." he spoke simply.

He must have seen the look on my face because he went on.

"If you don't want to kill, you don't have to. Just use that rapier in self defense."

He then tossed me a small bag.

"That's a vulnerary. Do you know how to use it?"

I shook my head.

"That bag contains three bottles of a fast-healing solvent. When you injured, pour some of the solvent on your wounds and you'll be as good as new."

"Now listen carefully. Back in the throne room, behind the thrown is a small crystal orb. Push it into the back of the throne. After that, a set of stairs will appear next to the wall. Climb down those stairs until you get a door. Go out that door, where you will find yourself outside. Head straight out into a valley you see. If you see any Pegasus Knights or Wyvern Riders flying around, duck under a tree before they see you. Try to get as much distance between you and the castle. Do have all of that?"

I nodded, but asked a question.

"Why are you helping me?"

"You'll know later. For now, just do as I have told you and try to get out of here before more guards decide to stop by."

He quickly took off down one of the many halls. On my own now, I guess. I quickly tuck the vulnerary into my jacket pocket and head down to the throne room again. Checking to make sure no one else was there, I invested the throne itself, discovering the crystal orb.

As I moved to press the orb, I began to think. I really didn't want to kill anyone, but what if I had to? So far I have been relying on force of numbers, surprise attacks (back in school) or deus ex machina (when I was spontaneusly transported). What would happen when I'm actually faced with combat? I didn't hold back earlier since I wasen't using an effective weapon, but now I'm using a real sword. Well, with luck I'll avoid fighting altogether.

I heard a soft click as I pressed the orb into the throne, then heard the sounds of stone grinding against stone. I looked behind me and saw pieces of stone floor falling into the ground, forming staircases. Peeking down, I saw that they led to more stairs. I heard the sound of the large doors opening. I looked up over at the door.

"Oh, me." I said under my breath.

"INTRUDER!" shouted a heavily armed guard.

I ran down the stairs without a second thought, almost stumbling on few as the steps eventully spiraled downwards. Crap-o-crap-o-crap, running-running-running! I have never been this terrified before in my life!

I ran for what felt like hours, not stopping to think about what might be ahead, the sounds of guards running down the stairwell keeping my adrenaline levels high. I eventully found myself going down a small hall to a door, quickly opening it as I heard the soldiers getting closer. I turned around to look just as I got outside. Those precious few seconds cost me another load of pain. From the looks of it, only one soldier had made his way down the stairs. And that soldier's spear was just pulling back from a wound in my side.

"AAAAAH!"

Not again... I rose up, clutching the wound as I gagged, threatening to cough up some blood. I charged forward with my rapier drawn, and thrust at my opponent. I missed, uttering obscenities under my breath as I recieved a blow to my shoulder, adding insult to injury. By now, I am VERY lucky I haven't passed out from either the sheer pain, or blood loss.

While attacking again was probably something I shouldn't have done, luck decided to turn at this point. I thrust forward again, this time I hit. My weapon pierced the weak leather armor the soldier wore, and successfully stabbed him in the chest.

"Ha!" I yelled as I withdrew my sword.

The soldier looked back at me with a rather pissed off look, and counter-attacked. I recieved a blow to my left arm, which is relatively lucky since that isen't the arm with my dominant hand. Deftly, I stabbed again, this time hitting him in the leg. Taking the oppurtunity, I ran like hell away from soldier before reinforcements could arrive.

However, I began to feel dizzy again. Then I realized I had four stab wounds, and I began to wonder why didn't feel the pain earlier. I reached down into my pocket to grab the vulnerary bag, but my balance slipped and... I collapsed, the wounds finally taking their toll. I coughed up some drops of blood, my breathing becoming harder... Man, I am officially screwed by now...

"Take him to the infirmary and treat his wounds." I heard after some footsteps.

"What do we do with the intruder Lord Zeka?"

"Nothing. Let him lay here to rot."

"Yes milord."

"And one more thing. You are the captain of tonight's watch correct?"

"Yes milord."

"By the time we are back in the throne room, you will tell me how an intruder not only slipped passed the guards, but managed to find his way into the throne room, AND discovered this exit."

"Yes milord..."

From the sounds of it, the soldiers wer now following Zeka back to the throne room. Did he really intend to have me die, or was he covering for me? Bah, it doesn't matter now.When the door closed, I reached into my jacket pocket and pulled out the vulnerary bag. I loosed the drawstring and pulled out a small bottle filled with a translucent, clear-gray liquid. Pulling off the cork seemed to take ages, by I managed to pour some of the solvent on my injuries. Like Zeka said, they healed instantly. Only the echo of pain was left from the wounds. Zeka really was helping me...

I looked out over at the valley and began to think.

This was starting to feel very much like a Fire Emblem game. Rapiers, Vulneraries, Soldiers, Knights... Even that Zeka person seemed to be familier to my gaming experience somehow. It couldn't just be a coincidence. I looked at the sword in my hands, then out at the horizon, where the sun began to rise. If this truely is "Fire Emblem", then I knew one thing for sure. I had to become stronger. Hopefully, I won't have to kill. Unfortunately, just about everyone I have met with a weapon has tried to kill me so far.

Well, off I go. With luck, I'll make allies, just like the lords in the games.

"And with luck, no Jeigan characters." I joked to myself.

I proceeded down the valley, the rising sun starting to light up the plains. I sheathed my weapon, a smile on my face.

Look out world, here I come!