Wrath of Fate

Chapter the Eleventh

Meeting of Heroes

Eliwood looked at the scene that was unfolding. All the soldiers that tried to stop the knight from getting to him dropped to the ground unconscious. Eliwood wasn't fooled. He had seen many gimmicks and combat techniques in the past. There was probably someone eliminating those who got too close. Removing him would be a challenge.

"What do you want?" Eliwood asked.

"I seek to reclaim my house, foreign invader. I alone shall lord over this castle in this time of war. The hero and master has returned." Ramza said, approaching Eliwood. It was then that the ninja accompanying him chose to reveal herself. She strode confidently alongside Ramza, brandishing her twin knives.

Eliwood scowled. He raised Durandal and dropped it down on Ramza.

Eastern Ivalice

Cloud suddenly stopped and fell to his knees, clutching his head in pain and screaming at the top of his lungs. Raven struggled to his feet, his broken arm dangling at his side. He raised his sword with his right arm and thrust it straight into Cloud's gut. This seemed to pull Cloud back into the last moments of his twisted reality. He stared down at the blade in his gut then up at the blade's owner. He smiled. He looked up at Raven and spoke. "Thank you…You have freed me from the chaos. But you can't free the whole country as you are."

"Speak." Raven said. "What is it that you want? I have heard many deathwishes of those I bested in combat. I shall grant yours if it is honorable."

Cloud closed his eyes. "Seek out Lord Cid and Lord Beowulf…they shall teach you to be a greater swordsman than you are now. Free this scarred land from the chaos and let peace and life shine anew." Cloud coughed out some blood then seized to breathe.

Murond, dark city

The red mage moved toward the door and readied himself. He slowly began to recite the incantation of a spell. The bishop grasped his staff firmly, sweat forming on his palm. He looked terrified. He had underestimated the potency of the enemy. Outside him his city was being torn to its foundations. Soon even those would be flattened by the foreign warriors.

Zephiel ran up the stairs. In front of him was the commander of their ground forces. Murdock and Vaida were somewhere in the sky. The knight on front of him threw the door open, revealing an empty room. Zephiel grew impatient. He longed to conclude the battle at hand but the bishop seemed to have hidden himself somewhere in the large palace rather well. "Search the room!" Zephiel shouted. A number of knights entered and began to raid the room.

Igros Castle-Gate Ruins

Ramza drew his sword, Ragnarok from its sheath so fast that he caused sparks when he slammed it against Durandal. The impact disarmed Eliwood and sent Durandal flying into the crowd. Ramza reached out with his left arm and grabbed Eliwood's left upper arm. He hoisted the young marquess into the air and crushed his arm in his gauntlet. He then let Eliwood drop to the ground then sheathed his sword. Eliwood got up slowly in a retreating motion. He drew his rapier and charged again. Ramza scowled behind his helmet. He sidestepped and put his hand to Eliwood's chest he put his other arm on Eliwood's back and lifted him into the air. He then slammed Eliwood into the dirt. Small stones, gravel and other manner of battle remains flew into the air. The Pheraen army looked on in shock. Ramza surveyed the crowd.

"Leave! Go back to the land whence you came! Bring us not your warmongering monarchs and generals!" Ramza bellowed.

The Pheraen army was quick to disperse save for a few who were frozen in fear or fainted from shock. Eliwood rose slowly and, assisted by Marcus, left the battle field as well.

Yuguo Woods

The gates were shaken by the rams and the archers were shot at by other archers. The keep's watchers were outmatched. The battle was as good as Ositia's. Save for one thing, the mighty warrior watching over the battle from the tallest tower of the keep.

Meanwhile, somewhere a bit away from the entire fray, two long time friends were rushing to aid their comrades.

Murond, dark city

The red mage could now here footsteps, very close footsteps. And they numbered at least ten. Meanwhile, unbeknownst to both he and the bishop, a wyvern was already making its way to the loft from far away.

Western Ivalice

Eliwood sat in a tent, a healer attending to his crushed arm. Marcus and Lowen sat in one corner and Rebecca sat on Eliwood's collapsible bed. The soldiers outside were resting. The wounded ones were being treated by the other healers.

Eliwood sat in silence contemplating what had just happened. In less than two minutes one of the enemy lords had defeated him in one on one combat. Worst of all Eliwood had the first strike and still lost. This was definitely having an adverse effect on troop morale.

"We just got a foothold in this territory and we were single-handedly forced out. It makes me wonder how many powerful warriors like him there are in this nation." Eliwood said. "Marcus, what do you suggest for our next move?"

"Well, since we lost our territory I suggest we let the troops rest first then strike out at one of the smaller towns. We'll need supplies and the easiest way to get them is by raiding towns. Besides, we have lots of cavalrymen."

"Lowen?" Eliwood asked turning to Lowen.

"I agree with Sir Marcus. We need more supplies so raiding a village would be a good idea." Lowen replied.

"Hmm. Alright. Send scouts to the surrounding areas. Have them search for any villages. We raid as many as we can tomorrow."

Murond, the dark city

The door burst open. The red mage released his spell, a bolt of fire, into the ground forces commander of Biran. Zephiel got in the room. He drew his sword and prepared to face the red mage. Meanwhile, the soldiers were hurrying up the stairs.

"Hurry, your eminence. Leave this place!" the red mage shouted to the bishop.

"No…NO! NO! I will not leave…I will not abandon…" the bishop said, getting hysterical.

"Go! Now! I shall handle things here. Your city will be safe."

"No…" the bishop said now staring blankly ahead. A giant mass loomed behind him.

Zephiel began the attack. He thrust his sword at the red mage. The blow was parried effectively. The red mage returned with a thrust of his own. Zephiel parried and returned quickly with a riposte. They continued on like so, neither one landing a strike, neither on receiving a strike.

Suddenly a loud rumble was heard as a large wyvern smashed through the loft with Vaida on its back. The wyvern roared then extended its neck, snapping at the air and sniffing out its enemies. The red mage and Zephiel continued their duel as if nothing had happened, the bishop stood stone still, rooted to his spot with sheer fear. The wyvern soon set its eyes on him.

Yuguo woods

Now the soldiers were running up the bastion of the keep, slaying all resistance they met. That was till they reached the top. Cid drew his sword at the same time unleashing a blast of powerful lightning at the oncoming soldiers. Five caught in the blast fell dead, the others squirmed on the ground in pain. More came up and Cid did the same.

Eastern Keep

The dancer named Alyssa stayed in the courtyard of the keep, practicing her skill with knives. In the background, a boy around fifteen years of age watched her. He was clad in a scale mail hauberk. He had steel epaulettes and copper bracers. He wore leather pants and boots and a crimson cape was draped on his back. In his hand, resting against his shoulder was a halberd that stood taller than him.

He slowly turned away and began to leave.

Murond, the dark city

The wyvern head snapped out and tore the bishop's body in two. The red mage turned around. His jaw dropped in horror. In that moment Zephiel struck out and stabbed him in the heart.

Thus ended the Theocracy of Murond. The dark city was then plunged into the greater darkness of a foreign Imperialism.

Notes:

I'm not getting too many reviews…Should I put this back in FE? Thanks to Kenshkrix :D