Hey, I'm back. Thanks for reviewing. When I wrote chapter 1, I hated it. But you guys liked it, and that's all that matters.
Valkan: Yeah, Ike and Elincia is pretty safe, but I don't feel like writing a tricky love plot on my first story. Glad you think I have a working story.
Ayumi187: Thanks for the compliments (though I don't understand some of them). I've been waiting for a story too, and I got so fed up I wrote my own. I know it's Melior, and I realized it myself right after writing it, but thanks. I wish I could update more often, but I've got a tight schedule. Glad you like it.
InuKratosStan: Yeah, it could definitely use more description, and I'll try to keep that in mind, but right now I'm just setting the scene, so detail isn't as important as it will be later. As for Princess vs. Queen, Elincia was made Queen during her coronation in the Epilogue of the game, so that's why she's Queen Elincia. Thanks for reviewing.
baka-schala-neko-chan: Yeah, I hate yaoi and yuri too (as well as parings between family members). I'm glad you think it'll rock.
Biggoron: I'm glad your interested. I will keep it up.
It took me a while, but I think I have a satisfying second chapter. Here's chapter 2.
In a grotto not far from the capital of Goldoa, the Black Knight was finishing up his preparations to fill the Goldoan rivers with Gritnea Tower's medication.
"You there," uttered the general as he turned to someone standing behind him, "go and make certain that the soldiers are in position. Be certain to remain hidden."
"Yes sir," answered the soldier, "I'll see to it that nothing stops those filthy sub-humans from falling under our control." At these words he flew out on his wyvern.
"Excellent. I knew these people would come in handy. I doubt anyone but Prime Minister Sephiran realizes the discord formed from Gawain's son…no, General Ike's adventures. Finding would-be soldiers seeking similar glory was a simple matter. Everything is falling into place," said the Black Knight, "Goldoa will soon be mine. The continent shall be in a state of full-scale war shortly. Now, I think it's time I paid the herons a visit." He then pulled out his warp powder, and was gone in an instant.
Meanwhile, at the sleeping quarters of the mercenary base,
Mist, Gatrie, and Oscar were in the room. Gatrie turned to the others and said, "The commander certainly does seem distracted these days. It's almost weird seeing him so deep in thought all the time. You'd think that after feeling like that for weeks, he'd just quit being a mercenary and return to Melior."
"Yes," Oscar agreed, "it's pretty clear why he's so depressed. Somebody should really talk to him about it."
"All of this hinting at the subject around him isn't helping. Someone needs to—" but she was cut off as Ike entered, clearly absorbed in his thoughts.
"…"
"Ho Commander, you look blue," Gatrie said to Ike jovially. "Might I ask what's troubling you?"
"Huh? Oh…nothing…" Ike continued to look as if he was somewhere else entirely. Then Mist stood up.
She looked at Ike and got this sad look in her eyes. "Ike, will you please stop sulking? If you miss Elincia that much then just go see her. I'm tired of seeing you just stare off into space with that distant look in your eye."
Ike, completely disregarding Mist's speech, saw someone at the fort's gate. He said, "Looks like someone wants to hire us. I'll go check it out," and quickly left.
"Oh why does it have to be like that?" the brunette voiced sadly. "Seeing him in pain breaks my heart. Why won't he just go to her?"
"There are plenty of possible reasons, but I suppose only he knows," answered Oscar.
'Why don't I go to her?' Ike thought to himself as he walked to the gate. 'How am I supposed to explain that? My father's dying wish was for me to take control of the company. I can't just forget that. I'd never be able to live with myself…' Ike had reached the man at the gate. He was rather nondescript, mid-sized height and weight, the kind of person who would blend in anywhere that beorc resided. "So you want to hire us?"
"Ah, you must be the commander," said the man. "My village is constantly being plagued by pirates. I've been sent to hire you to get rid of them"
"Which village is this?" the swordsman inquired.
"It's Zalgo, on the far western coast."
"Zalgo, huh? Alright, our standard fee for pirates is 5,000 gold."
"Certainly," and the man gives Ike the money.
"One more thing. I'd like to know the name of my employer."
"How rude of me. My apologies. I am Simon. If that is all, I'll be going. Thanks again." The man called Simon turned and left.
"Maybe this is for the best. A little sea air might help clear my mind."
Meanwhile, on a pathway in the forests of Gallia,
"Even after five years this forest still doesn't feel anything like Serenes," Reyson said as he glided along. "Hmm? What is…that?" An intricate circle had appeared before him. A second later, Reyson gasped as The Black Knight materialized before him.
"How nice to finally meet you face to face, Prince Reyson," chuckled the Knight.
"You! You're the monster who kidnapped Leanne. But that's impossible! You're supposed to be dead."
"Unfortunately for you, I'm still very much alive," the Black Knight responded. "There's nowhere you can run. I won't rest until I've killed you, as well as your father and sister."
"Accursed fiend'" the White Prince was now angry, "I won't let you lay a finger on my father or Leanne!"
"And how do you intend to stop me? We both know you have no combat abilities. If you simply cooperate, I promise to make it as painless as possible."
"Even if it kills me, I won't let you harm them," Reyson replied.
"So be it." The Black Knight drew his sword. "Do you have any last requests?"
"…Tell me why Ashnard wanted my clan massacred in the first place."
"Very well. If you really want to know, that was my doing," replied the Knight, without a hint of remorse. "I killed the apostle, then started the rumor that it was the 'disgusting sub-humans from Serenes', and the rest is history." Again the Knight chuckled.
"You're…serious?" Reyson was having difficulty accepting this. Then he finally grasped what he was told, "It was by your hand that my entire race was burned alive!"
"Yes. How fitting that I shall also finish the last of them off." He prepared to swing the Alondite, but stopped short at the sounds of someone behind him.
"Stop right there!" shouted the voice of Master Giffca. When he took in the scene, he asked, "The Black Knight? How are you still alive?"
"Well, well, well, if it isn't the lion king's shadow. I suppose if anyone could detect my armor and get here fast enough, it's you. This doesn't concern you. If you leave now, I'll let you live."
"Never. Prince Reyson, go and seek safety," he called as he assumed his lion form.
"No, this wretch is mine!" he responded with fury.
"Don't be foolish. If you fight him, he'll kill you, and you're family will be left alone." the beast laguz replied
"…Very well," acknowledged the heron as he too changed form and flew off.
"Do you want to die?" the knight asked, in the same tone he used when he faced Greil.
"Your strength is insufficient. I shall put a stop to you here and now." At these words, he let out a roar and charged at the Knight.
"Foolish." uttered the Knight as he rushed forward. Almost instantly, he thrust the Alondite down Giffca's throat and out his back, then tore it upwards and cut through the lion like butter. Giffca was dead before he hit the ground.
"What a shame. He could have been a useful ally. I've spent too much time here. I must return to Goldoa. I'll have to get the herons some other time." Again he pulled out his warp powder and vanished in a flash.
In the Goldoa grotto,
The Black Knight rematerialized. "Ah, Sir Knight," one of the soldiers said, "I trust everything went well."
"We've run into a delay. But no matter. Tell the soldiers to release the medication."
"At once Sir Knight. You there," the soldier said to a group of wyvern riders behind them, "tell all groups that they're to commence operations immediately."
"Yes sir." they replied in unison, and went off at once.
"Excellent. By this time tomorrow, the dragons will be mine, and thanks to Colonel Simon, Ike won't be anywhere near Melior to lead Crimea's resistance when we invade. Ha ha ha haaaa!"
Well, what do you think? I know that Elincia didn't show up anywhere in this chapter, but she'll be back in the story pronto. I realize I still don't have much location description, but none of these places are really that interesting so far. As before, review me or flame me (though flames won't get a nice response like above). Until next week.