I just couldn't stand but to put up Chapter five so fast! Ideas are overflowing. Oh well, this is a bit later, but here come Soul Soup Chapter 6!
Eirika: And that's what you get for leaving me with the bandits
Ephraim and Valkyrie tumbled in a pile….
Valkyrie: Get off me, you big lump!
Ephraim: Well, I didn't have much choice as Eirika just push me onto you.
Tana: Where are we in the story?
Innes: Yes, where are we?
Valkyrie: um….I don't know?
Tana: What? We are gone? The magic, it's gone! NOOOO!
Chapter Six: The Restored Empire
"Ephraim!" Eirika screamed. The man muffled her mouth. The other man stared at Ephraim with dark cold eyes. His cold eyes stared right in to a pair of angry, fiery eyes.
"Let go of her, NOW!" Ephraim bellowed, but the man holding Eirika just slowly backed away from Ephraim. Eirika's muffled scream angered Ephraim even more. The thin bandit in front of him sneered.
"What are you going to do about it, King Ephraim?" he mocked. (Yes, I am making this person dumb)
Ephraim put his hand on something on his back.
"You have no idea what I can do, do you?"
Before the bandit said another word, Ephraim pulled out the lance and thrust it into the man's chest. Pulling it out, he let the bandit fall as he ran after Eirika.
Eirika kicked in the air, struggling in the bandits grasp.
"Those old scums always liked a pretty treat". He eyed Eirika, and she shivered in disgust.
"Eirika!"
Ephraim ran as fast as he could. He readied his spear, but stopped at his tracks when the man pulled out a dagger and held it near Eirika's neck. Eirika's eyes widened with fear.
"Make another move, and this pretty girl will be wasted. Of course, my fellow friends wouldn't care, live or dead." Ephraim stayed silent. He had to save Eirika, but how? He took a small step. The bandit noticed his movement and held it so close that Eirika could almost feel the knife. Ephraim stayed right where he was, helpless. However, a shout filled the silence, followed by a scream, and a thud.
"Shine!"
Light magic exploded within the bandit and he dropped the knife, himself following it. Eirika gave a sigh of relief. She was scared, but she didn't cry. She let herself fall into Ephraim's arms.
"I'm so sorry." Ephraim squeezed Eirika.
"It's….okay!" Eirika managed to gasp out. She loved her brother's embrace, but he was choking her!
"Oh, sorry." Ephraim let go, and Eirika gave him a smile. The mysterious savior rode up. Eirika and Ephraim were both surprised.
"Natasha!"
"Are you alright, Princess Eirika? King Ephraim?"(I made her princess but Ephraim king because she's not the king's wife. Please correct me if I'm wrong.)
"Yes, thank you very much, Natasha." Ephraim bowed his head in appreciation. Eirika followed the suit.
"Please do not bow. I have merely defeated the bandit." Natasha said modestly. "But it is not mere coincidence that I am here. Emperor Duessel has ordered General Amelia and me to escort you to the royal palace."
"Emperor Duessel knows of our being here?" Eirika asked.
"Yes. It seems that words travel very fast around here when it comes to the savior of our land." Amelia approached them, cleaning her lance. "Sorry, I had to clean up some other bandits.
"Amelia, how nice to see you!" Eirika exclaimed. "I'm glad you are both promoted to generals."
"I'm just doing my job, Princess Eirika." Amelia bowed. "However, we are in need of another general for the Imperial Three, and Cormag is no where to be found."
"Cormag? You mean Glen's brother?" Eirika asked. Amelia nodded. Natasha cleared her throat.
"I'm sorry to interrupt, but I don't think this is the appropriate place to talk. Perhaps we shall continue this talk in the lovely garden of the Grado Castle while enjoying a nice cup of tea?" Natasha suggested.
"That would be nice." Ephraim and Eirika said in unison.
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Duessel paced back and forth in the grand hall, uneasy. Amelia and Natasha have taken longer that he has expected.
"Where are they…hm…"
"Lunch is served, emperor." A servant came in and reported.
"Lunch? Don't you mean dinner?"
"No…my king, it is morning."
"DON'T QUESTION YOUR EMPEROR! IT IS DINNER!" Duessel bellowed.
"Y-yes sir!" The servant ran out of the room. (A crappy little piece of humor thrown in to this not so humorous chapter. My story is suppose to be put in the humor category….)
Duessel gave a sigh. People are really dumb these days, ever since the war ended, Grado has been a mess. He opened the blinds to enjoy a night view, only to be blinded by the sunny rays. "Argh! My eyes! They burn!"
It so happens that Amelia and Natasha walked in the find their emperor in such a flushed state. Amelia just covered her mouth while Natasha slapped her hand on her forehead. Duessel was screaming in pain when Ephraim and Eirika walked in.
"Uh, Lord Duessel?" Eirika said politely. Duessel immediately stopped screaming, though his hand still covered his eyes.
"Eirika, is that you?" Duessel asked, unable to see.
"Yes." Eirika thought of bowing, but it was no need, since he couldn't see. Amelia and Natasha went to help Duessel, bringing him water to rinse his eyes.
"Ah, much better." Duessel gave a sigh. He turned to Ephraim and Eirika, looking beet red.
"Well, sorry about that. Welcome, King Ephraim, Princess Eirika. What brings you here?"
Just when Ephraim was about to speak, a servant came in and informed them that lunch…ahem…dinner, was ready.
"Ah, let us enjoy some lunch first." Duessel said. The servant looked at him funny.
"I thought you said…" he looked at Duessel, who shot him and angry glare, and he shut up and left.
"Let us enjoy a nice feast." Duessel gestured into the dining hall, and they all enjoyed lunch.
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As the feast was going, Ephraim and Duessel shared what was happening in their kingdoms. Of course, some of their spies have already gotten some information, but not all of it.
"So, what big event happened that brings two such royal subjects to be here in the kingdom of Grado." Duessel asked.
"Well, King Duessel," Ephraim smiled at him, "we were devastated by the loss of our friend, Prince Lyon. So, we've been researching on how to revive him."
Duessel nodded. Amelia seemed genuinely interested. Natasha, however, seemed a bit disturbed.
"So, one day, in Castle Frelia," Eirika continued, "we discovered a drink that could bring a dead person back to life. However, we have not tried it on anyone, and we would like to try it on Lyon. Would you grant us the honor?" Eirika looked at them.
Duessel looked flustered. Amelia just nodded. Natasha, however, stood up abruptly, furious.
"Absolutely not!" Natasha yelled. Eirika jumped.
"Calm down, Natasha." Duessel said.
"Sorry, my king, but they must not be allowed to see Prince Lyon's corpse. Now, if you will excuse me." Natasha stormed out of the room. Ephraim gave Duessel a quizzical look.
"Uh, what is the reason?" Ephraim asked.
"It is nothing. Let us finish our food." Duessel hastily said. Ephraim shrugged and ate more. Eirika looked at everyone, and then started to eat too.
After they finished eating, two escorts were sent to escort the twins to their room. Eirika and Ephraim talked while one escort led in front while one was right behind them. Eirika looked at Ephraim.
"Why do you think they won't let us see Lyon."
"I don't know, but I think Lyon's body is kept at the priest's temple inside Grado."
"Ephraim, do you think we should try getting in. I really want to see Lyon."
"Me too, Eirika. Say, how about we sneak there right now?"
"Don't even think about it."
Ephraim jumped at the voice of the escort behind him. He stopped and looked at the escort.
"Please, let us go see the prince's body." Ephraim pleaded, but the guard shook his head.
"We have direct orders from his majesty and General Natasha. We are not to allow you to go anywhere but your room. You will obey, by force or not."
Eirika gasped, but Ephraim stayed calm.
"Don't you forget. It is the king of Renais you are talking to." Ephraim said. Swiftly, he took his lance and slammed the dull side on the soldier's head. The soldier fell instantly. The one in front grabbed his lance, but Eirika kicked his hands away. Then, she slammed her hand on the side of the escorts head, and he fell unconscious.
"Wow, Eirika. You pack quite a punch." Ephraim laughed. Eirika just giggled a little and they ran towards the temple.
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After the feast, Amelia went to the emperor's room. She had some question as to why they couldn't see Prince Lyon. Walking in the room, she presented herself. Duessel told her to stand, and she immediately got to what she wanted.
"Why didn't General Natasha allow King Ephraim and Princess Eirika to see Prince Lyon's corpse?"
Duessel gave a sigh. He trusted Amelia dearly, but did not know if this piece of information can be given to her.
"It's complicated, Amelia."
"How so, Your Majesty? Please, I would like to try to understand."
Duessel did not know how to respond. Amelia had always been bright. He struggled to find words, but at last, he gave up.
"Amelia, the reason they could not see Prince Lyon's corpse is because the priests and clerics are going to perform a ritual."
"A ritual?"
"Yes. This ritual shall, um, destroy the prince's body."
"WHAT?" Amelia was shocked. "Why?"
"The priests believed that dark magic still dwell within the prince, and they cannot allow such deep darkness to be within the prince. Of course, with Knoll gone, we cannot discover another way."
"That's…that's….absurd!" Amelia cried out. "King Ephraim and Princess Eirika have worked really hard to find a way! I'm sure they can also find a way to rid Prince Lyon of his darkness. Or maybe, even use it for good."
"We cannot take the risk, Amelia." Duessel said plainly.
Amelia cannot believe this. They kept this all from the prince's best friend. She must tell them. Amelia immediately stormed out of the room. Duessel was flustered.
"Guards! Stop her!" The guards looked at each other in puzzlement, because Amelia was already out of sight.
"Blast….call in the leader of the guards."
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Eirika and Ephraim could see the temple, so they could also see the soldiers posted around the temple. Emperor Duessel really intends not to allow them to find out the truth. Just when they were about to foolishly stomp in, a voice from a dark corner called them.
"Psst! King Ephraim! Princess Eirika!" The voice whispered. Eirika and Ephraim were alarmed. The owner of the voice came out and it was Amelia.
"Amelia! Were you sent from the king to stop us?" Eirika asked, getting suspicious.
"No, I am here to tell you of what they are planning to do to Prince Lyon's body."
The twins looked at each other, puzzled.
"They are about to destroy Prince Lyon's corpse."
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Valkyrie: As I promised, a longer chapter. Although not that much longer.
All: Yay! Cheers for Valkyrie.
Valkyrie: Wow, that's a surprise. Well, please, R&R!