Wrath of Fate
Chapter the Eighth
Guardian
Igros Castle-Gate Ruins
The claw continued rising lifting in its wake a massive body. It soon came full size before the Pheraen army. A dragon, and not a lesser one. It was the convoluted form of the evil that lingered from the zodiac stone once in the castle.
Eliwood sized it up. He took note of its hands. One had seven fingers the other had eight. Its tail was forked midway and its body was covered in scaly lumps.
"Take it down." Eliwood said.
Murond-Near Capital
The knight held his lance up, trying to shield himself from the flying terror charging at him at high speed. The wyvern snapped at his lance and Zephiel tok out the soldier with a stab. The city was being stormed now with a force of both Biran soldiers and rebels of Ivalice.
Zephiel rode his wyvern to the highest tower in the city. He observed the field of battle. Thousands of soldiers and bandits under the banner of Biran swarmed the city. The defenders were hopelessly clung to all the defensive positions they held.
A smile formed on Zephiel's lips as he watched his army trample yet another of Ivalice's cities. He was on a winning streak.
Igros Castle-Gate Ruins
Knights, soldiers, cavalier, archers, snipers, paladins and generals all charged at the convoluted reptilian being in front of them. The dragon easily swept them away with its claws and seemed to take no damage from the projectiles lodging in its body.
Eliwood mounted his horse and took Durandal in his hand. He crouched in his saddle and urged his horse onward.
Murond, the dark city
"Your Eminence, the enemy is at hand. You must summon the defenders to the city! They come with flying lizards larger than horses, their spears are poisoned and they have the bandits and rebels on their side!" a priest said, fear evident in his voice and on his forehead which was full of sweat.
"Calm down. Our city is well defended. The towers are garrisoned and the ramparts are patrolled. The mage guild has even sent a member to oversee and help us. We shall be fine." The bishop of Murond said.
"But my Lord-" the priest started.
"Calm down! Go pray for the citizens' safety. They have refused to evacuate. Mercy on their souls…" The bishop said with a worried expression.
Igros Castle-Gate Ruins
The dragon threw its hand down in an arch that blasted several Pheraen knights and soldiers back. It roared and then slammed its hands down. It slowly turned its knolled head to Eliwood's direction.
Zirekile Falls
Ramza trudged across the muddy grass. His iron boots left three inch deep footprints in the ground. He gazed into the distance. Igros catle was still out of sight. That didn't worry him. He had faith in the guardian of the castle.
Eastern Ivalice
Kent hurled his javelin at the rider. It struck him in the shoulder with enough force to knock him off his mount. He rode up to the man and shoved his lance into the man. He drew it back and lifted it to his face. He grinned evilly. Then, he plunged it into the rider's head, down through the middle of his forehead. He jumped of his horse slamming his foot into the dead man's neck. He crushed the vertebrae and yanked the man's head out of whatever was remaining. He ripped the man's head off and raised it, brandishing it to the surrounding enemies.
The enemies seemed to just disappear after that. Whether they fled in disgrace and cowardice or if they were crushed in an unmatched show of force was not evident. The skirmish, though, had been won by Ivalice with little contest.
Ositian Encampment
Oswin sat in his tent pondering his next move. A day ago one of his scouts had discovered an enemy fortress somewhere in the woods. It was a small one but it provided enough of an advantage to protect them from weak attacks. It would take a large force to break their garrison.
Eastern Ivalice
Lyn sat in Kent's tent. A meeting was going to be held to decide whether to go northeast or southeast from their current location. Raven and Karel were present as well to represent the mercenaries. Most were in favor of going southeast, being more used to the temperate regions. The others wanted to press to the less inhabited north.
Lyn sighed as the debate grew more heated. Some of the lesser generals were losing their cool. Raven put his hand on her shoulder. Lyn faced him.
"Your will can play a big part in this. Think without bias. You can once again steer this nation to victory." Raven said.
"Alright. I'd rather have no part in this, though." Lyn replied softly.
"I understand." Raven said.
Igros Castle-Gate Ruins
Eliwood found himself charging towards the fifty foot tall monstrosity that was impeding their victory. He held the greatsword Durandal in his left hand and the reins of his steed in his left. His mighty horse stormed the ground between its rider and the dragon at tremendous speed, crushing the debris underfoot.
Several archers still fired their missiles hoping that the dragon would finally collapse from loss pf blood. Knights ravaged its feet and cavaliers sped around it to grab its attention. Eliwood dashed between two knights and extended his sword arm.
Rune Hall
The red mage looked around at his gathered friends. A summoner, a black mage and an Oracle; all three opposed to the mages getting involved in the war. He had devised a plan to get out of the continent to avoid conscription. He had with him others who desired to leave.
"Welcome. I believe we all have a common desire. That is to get away from this war. As you know, the alliance of the Obsidian, signed seven years ago still holds strong. Their forces will come eventually, we can slip away on one of their ships. That is my plan."
The other mages nodded in agreement. Then they heard footsteps by the door.
Eastern Keep
The dancer knelt in silence in front of a spring. She held a pendulum in her hands. She muttered a soft prayer, the pendulum swung gently back and forth, keeping in rhythm with her chanting.
Yuguo Woods
"Hector! Most of the soldiers are too fatigued to go on! Have some consideration." Serra said.
"We move now! Leave behind anyone who wants to rot to death on this foreign land. We can't waste time!" Hector growled. The whole camp was set in motion, preparing to leave the campsite.
Serra sighed. She looked around. Over half the army had serious wounds, the other half looked exhausted. Matthew approached her, enigmatic as ever.
"I don't know what happened to Hector." Serra said.
"Yeah. I guess he's still depressed about Uther." Matthew said.
"You weren't like that." Serra said.
"I guess not. Well, Hector's different. Live with it." Matthew said, turning and leaving Serra.
Serra sighed again.
Igros Castle-Gate Ruins
Eliwood drove Durandal into the dragon's leg, forcing it as deep as he could. The dragon roared in pain and began flailing its arms. Eliwood pulled his sword out and struck the other leg. The dragon roared even louder. Its knees buckled. Eliwood urged his horse onward again, avoiding the collapse of the dragon.
The dragon had gone to its limits. It could take no more. It finally let its head arms, head, and tail slam onto the ground. Its breaths came slowly, and its eyelids began to droop.
Eliwood dismounted and walked up to the dragon's face, staring into its eye. He raised Durandal and plunged it into the reptile's head.
"This," Eliwood said "is our first victory! This is the first step to our great conquest! Glory to Pherae!"
The soldiers let out a cheer, raising their weapons and banging their shields.
Zirekile Falls
Ramza lay out his mat. He looked at the fire. "Hmm. So the guardian has faltered. Such a shame."
Author's Notes:
Hmm...no notes, actually...still moving it by Chapter the Tenth to the games crossocer section... pls send a review...