Part 2 of 3 of the Darkest Knight chapters.

I don't own Fire emblem

Chapter 20 The Darkest Knight

Part 2 The longest night

Aeyori stood a safe distance from the three siblings crowded around the massive sword that now marked the grave of their fallen father. It was unbelievable, just yesterday the mercenaries were laughing and singing, and now they stood stiffly, mourning the loss of their great commander.

Flashes of last night kept replaying in Aeyori's mind. The blood, Ikyna's urgent cries for Rhy's assistant, Greil's motionless body, and Mist, collapsed on the ground cradling her tear soaked face in her palms. Everyone was in a panic, running to Greil's side, checking on Ikyna, tending to Ike's wounds that he mysteriously earned. It was confusion and disarray and question after question was shot at Ike. What happened? Who did this? The only thing Ike uttered was, "The Black Knight."

None of it seemed real; not last night and not this horrid morning. Everyone else was missing, no doubt dealing with this death in their own way, but Aeyori lingered by the grave, lost in her own thoughts and struggling to find a way to comfort the dead commander's children. What could she do though? How could she even begin to reach the grieving children?

It didn't seem possible as she watched Mist, hands hugging her knees where she sat, her face still moist from crying. Ike stood, his expression flat as he stared at the rising sun. Ikyna was some distance from her siblings, hands at her side, her face was void of emotion.

It hurt to watch, even without words Aeyori could feel that all three of them were being consumed by sadness, and that same sadness threatened to devour her as well. Ikyna turned away from her brother and sister and wordlessly left the grave, a scowl curling over her eyebrows as she passed Aeyori by without a word, not even a glance of acknowledgement.

Soon Mist and Ike followed. Ike's hand rested on his younger sister's back as they slowly parted from their father. Aeyori heard Ike advise his sister to head back to the fort as his eyes locked on the patiently waiting mage. Mist exhaled shakily and wiped her face before passing Aeyori and giving her a trembling smile.

Ike gently scooted her forward and once she was out of ear shot he sighed and rubbed his face with one hand. Aeyori saw the exhaustion sitting on his face. She wanted to reach out and touch the young man, to convey the pain she felt for him, but he started walking away before courage found her.

"Are you coming?"

"Huh?"

"We should get back to the fort." He suggested and motioned for her to follow. She idled a few moments and the gloom of the situation gnawed at her, wasn't it only yesterday that he smiled at her? He drifted father away, lost in grief or anger, without a second glance behind him.

How did it turn out like this? She groaned to herself.

)(

Alone, parentless, orphan; these words rolled like wheels in Ikyna's mind as she shot arrow after arrow into a tree trunk. Just like her mother, her father was gone, and it was his fault.

Thunk!

Her arrows loudly rang into the forest clearing as they struck the tree again and again. That black knight, that monster, that despicable man killed her father. Ikyna could feel her chest tightening in anger and she gripped her bow with frightening intensity.

With every ounce of her energy she tried to contain the boiling fury inside of her. It was a nearly blinding anger; she blinked to clear her vision as she aimed an arrow again. No matter how she tried however, the knight raced through her mind. She clenched her teeth and wrinkled her nose, struggling, with no success to calm her ragged breathing.

With a swift movement she tugged the string back and strained to keep it stretched, but her hands quivered and her uneven breathing shook her arrow. She shouted in her mind that she had to keep going, she had to get stronger so she could defeat that man. He couldn't be allowed to live, he had to…

Thunk!

The string of the bow finally broke from being overstretched. The stray wire sprang off the bow and struck against her cheek. It stung like a whip and sliced a small slash into Ikyna's cheek. The gash immediately began to bleed.

Ikyna raised her hand slowly to her face as she sagged to her knees. Her hands trembled from fatigue and anger. She held her hand in front of her, temporarily mesmerized by the sanguine liquid. The she curled her hand into a fist and drove it into the dirt.

"Damn it!"

)(

Ike massaged his temples through loud groans as he sat on a couch in his bedroom; it felt like he had repeated the action for hours now. Maybe it hadn't been that long, maybe it just felt like hours since he hadn't slept for a whole day. Although, there hadn't been time to sleep. All night was spent carrying his father, trying to save him and then the eventual death of his father.

It was like he was watching a horrible dream from the outside of his head. Ike kept waiting to wake up. Yet no matter how many times he closed his eyes to soothe the headache roaring in his skull he never woke. Not long after burying his father, he had more disturbing news, Shinon and Gatrie left the mercenary crew. He couldn't blame them, who would want to be serving under such a young and inexperienced commander. It didn't make a difference though, Ike had settled in his mind to take over the company just like his father wanted.

The most troubling part of the situation was his sisters. Mist, as expected, was taking the news very hard. Even though she was trying to be strong, she cried nearly all night and all morning. Ikyna was the bigger problem however. Since their father died, Ikyna hadn't said a word to anyone. She avoided everyone, Ike hadn't seen his sister since his father's burial, he really wanted to talk to her; she was his best friend.

Someone cleared their throat and Ike quickly looked up to meet the worried face of Aeyori. She was wringing her fingers together and digging her heel into the floor nervously. Words failed her, what do you say to a person that lost their father? Sorry? That word seemed so inadequate, like it couldn't help or heal the wound that this pain brought.

Ike fortunately started the conversation for her, "Did you need something?"

He was speaking so kindly to her, though his face was blank like snow.

Her voice was strangled in her throat, caught by the overwhelming heartache she felt for Ike. Once again she was seized by the urge to touch him, to cradle that face, that despite its vacant look, held such hurt and anguish.

Before any strand of reasoning could stop her, she quickly strode to Ike. She stood over where he sat and he looked up at her, his cerulean eyes flickering and clouded with sorrow and a hint of confusion.

"What?"

Ike's words were cut off as Aeyori placed her hands on the side of his face and pulled him into her chest. She rested her chin on his head and let her hands roll through his hair. The young man stiffened at her sudden embrace; startled by her tender touch.

Why was she doing this? He faintly heard her murmur 'sorry' then quickly amend that she was sorry that it was all she could offer. Ike found himself smiling at the tender action of Aeyori; while all day his friends tip-toed around him, carefully chose their words to not upset him, she didn't hide from the topic.

Though her hands were shaking as she combed them through his hair, she kept him in her arms as if she was trying to take away the pain. "It's okay." She continued to whisper into her messy blue locks.

Although inside what he was mostly feeling was anger and the need to avenge his father, the warmth of Aeyori's arms stirred up the aching that he was suppressing so well. His desire was to throw his arms around her waist and indulge in this foreign affection; but as if tied by a rope, he found himself unable to move or respond in kind.

Ike felt the top of his head dampen slightly and he broke free, rather unwillingly, from Aeyori's hold. When he saw her, pain nipped his heart, her eyes were bloodshot from crying as tears slowly streamed down her rosy cheeks.

The mercenary chuckled sadly as he brought a thumb tenderly to her face to brush aside the moist trail. He let his hand rest on the soft cheek and smiled serenely, hiding the hurt he felt and began, "What are you crying for?"

Aeyori sniffled softly, feeling herself being swallowed by the false smile Ike wore. She knew, that despite the friendly gesture of the slight upward curl on his lips, Ike wasn't happy. His fingers were trembling lightly as he stroked her face, revealing the agony of the situation, that no matter how calm his demeanor was, he was drowning in his grief.

The mage found she could only answer one way, "Because you will not."

She swallowed as her emotions got the better of her, trying with all her might to gulp down her tears.

Ike sighed, "it's not that I won't, I can't." he admitted bitterly.

"It's terrible isn't it?" he asked while peering into her eyes as if asking for answers with his eyes, "That I can't even cry for my dead father."

Aeyori quickly shook her and wrapped her hands around Ike's and tilted her head into his palm. She let the sound of his soft voice resonate in her ears. It sounded airy and distant, strangled by uncertainty.

"I think you do what you feel you must."

Ike laughed tiredly and gave a weary sigh, "I honestly don't know what I should do. Gatrie and Shinon left, I have all these documents to review for the mercenaries, and I'm not sure if I have the confidence to be a commander"

Without saying a word Aeyori let Ike vent, she let him share his worries. He continued, "And I don't know what to do about my sisters. Mist cries all day and Ikyna won't talk to me."

His gloom was palpable as he kept his eyes glued to hers, "Ike…" she began.

"Please," he cut her off, "I don't know if I'll be able to do this but if you look at me like that, with such pity, my resolve will weaken." Ike one again flashed her an ironic smile as an attempt to comfort her. "But I'm going to try."

Aeyori nodded and inhaled sharply to stop her crying, "Fair enough." She shakily whispered as she took Ike's hands in hers. He stared curiously at the place where their hands were joined, it was like a warmly woven web made of her pale white hands and his olive ones.

"I know you're strong enough to handle whatever comes your way, but if your confidence does waver, you can come to me."

"You mean you're staying here? Even though everything is falling apart?"

Long eyelashes covered the scarlet eyes as they glanced down, "You are my family now; I will not leave you guys."

Ike smiled broadly at this statement and silently mouthed the words 'thank you.'

"Commander." Soren appeared at the doorway and interrupted abruptly.

Aeyori and Ike turned, startled by the intrusion. Aeyori quickly dropped Ike's hand, embarrassed by her own forward actions. Ike however kept his eyes on Aeyori but addressed Soren, "What's wrong?"

Soren was frowning in Aeyori's direction for a moment but cleared his throat before speaking, "Oscar made dinner, I was coming to let you know. You should eat; I know you haven't all day."

"I know, I haven't." Ike stood from the couch and stretched slowly, "Get everyone together."

"Excuse me commander."

"We are all dealing with this separately, but we shouldn't be divided. I think we should all have our meal together."

Soren paused, watching Ike with a blank expression. He inclined his head, "Very well, I'll go get Ikyna. Everyone else is in the castle still."

Ike shook his head, "No…I'll get her, just get everyone else."

"Yes commander."

He gave a friendly squeeze to Aeyori's arm before leaving the room and Soren behind. The area was still and deathly silent for a while before Soren spoke.

"Why are you here?"

The question was strange to Aeyori, "I just wanted to check on Ike."

"No, why are you still here with the mercenaries. You don't belong here, you should go."

Once again Soren's words bit like frigid ice and his eyes accused her as he spoke.

"Commander Ike…"

"And why are you so close to the commander anyway? And even Ikyna as well, who do you think you are?" His voice became more passionate and peaked with anger.

"You, some strange girl we picked up off the road has the audacity of trying to get close to Ike. How dare you. What is your aim, what are you trying to gain from Ike's misplaced kindness?"

"I'm not trying to gain anything!" Aeyori shouted, letting her own pained emotions overtake her. She didn't want to stand here and be accused and glared at by those hateful eyes.

"I care about Ike!"

Soren scoffed, "You don't know him. I know him, and he doesn't need someone like you hanging around like an unwanted parasite."

Aeyori felt herself starting to cry. What Soren was saying was partial truth. She hadn't known Ike for long and yet she was living off his hospitality. Indeed she did feel like a kind of leech; but she desperately wanted to give something in return.

With her voice trembling with tears, "I know to you I'm this burden that you don't know and you have no reason to trust me; but as long as Ike allows, I want to stay."

She managed the courage to fully face Soren, using all her strength to not back down from the withering glare. "Even if Ike allows it, don't think I trust you for even a moment!"

Though his words were pointed and venomous he abruptly turned away, no doubt seeing her resolve. "Know this though, if I think that you are going to put Ike or Ikyna in any danger or that you may betray them, I will end you."

Aeyori exhaled sharply, feeling the truth in his threat. "Why do you hate me so much?"

Soren turned his head and looked at her, almost a lifeless expression upon his face, "Don't feel so persecuted. I feel this way about anyone I see as a threat to Ike or Ikyna." Was his harsh yet plain response.

"What did the world do to you to make you so angry Soren?"

"Nothing half as bad as what I'll do to you if you ignore my warning." Then without another word, he was gone; leaving Aeyori's heart aching for Ike, Ikyna, and now even Soren, the mysterious mage filled with such an unresolved anger.

)(

Around the back of the castle Ikyna was still shooting her arrows at the tree, though her aim was failing with each shot. The arrows barely hit the wide trunk, but completely missed the round cloth she was using as her target.

Ike quietly approached her, calling out her name softly at first but as she ignored him he yelled to her. She cursed loudly as her shot sailed past the tree and landed in the grass out of sight.

"Perfect." Ikyna groaned as she released her bow.

"You going to keep ignoring me?" Ike said.

Ikyna didn't even turn, she kept her back to him and barely mumbled, "You shouldn't disturb someone when they are shooting arrows, they could accidentally miss and impale you."

Ike shrugged and slowly came up behind her, "I have faith in your aim, though it does seem like it's lacking now." He offered a small smile as he turned her by the shoulder. What he saw startled and disturbed him. Ikyna's face was sagging and dark circles sat beneath her eyes as a clear sign of lack of sleep.

"Ikyna…"

"What do you want Ike?" she spoke coldly to him, not a sign of friendliness that he expected.

"I just…what happened to your face?" he started as his hand flew to her cheek that was covered in dried blood. She brushed his hands away roughly without a word. Ike gasped as he saw her hands; he grabbed them and looked at the ravaged skin of her palms. They were cracked and bleeding from practicing with the bow for too long.

"Even your hands Ikyna?"

"Did you come here for anything at all?"

Ike was once again disturbed by her coarse speech; but he was too tired to fight with her. In fact, he didn't want to fight at all; he wanted to talk, about anything, everything, he just wanted to spend time with his sister.

"Dinner is ready." He said with a defeated sigh.

"I'm not hungry." She replied distantly as she shook of his hand and turned around, preparing to fire another bow.

"You need to eat Ikyna." He insisted.

"I don't want to."

Ike moved in front of her bow, blue eyes bent in frustration, "Then you can come into the dining room and watch the rest of us eat."

Ikyna looked back at her twin, vehement at his demand. Then she rolled her eyes and brushed past him without so much as a compliant word.

"She's worse at hiding her feelings than me." He whispered than followed behind her.

)(

When the twins returned to the castle and entered the dining room, it was silent despite all the people inside. The group all looked at the siblings, not sure how to act. It was painfully awkward, being surrounded by the upsetting truth and having no way to fix it.

Aeyori waved to Ikyna and motioned for her to sit next to her. Ikyna stiffly sat down in the chair, not looking or speaking to anyone. Aeyori smiled as she looked at Ikyna, "I haven't seen you all day, I was worried. I'm glad you came to eat with us though, I know it must be hard.."

"Please don't." Ikyna said, irritation evident in her voice.

"But I…"

"I don't need to be coddled, I'm fine. So just don't."

Aeyori closed her lips tightly and turned away. She felt like she was being soundly scolded and didn't want to irritate her friend anymore. Ike watched the exchange from across the table, finding himself growing more and more upset by his sister's foul mood.

"Hey." He started slowly but stopped as Mist shuffled up to her sister. She placed a hand on Ikyna's shoulder, she was still looking swollen around her face from crying.

"You're here, I'm so glad to see you sis."

Ikyna shook Mist's hand off, "Maybe if you weren't blubbering in your room all day, you could have seen me."

Mist's eyes widened, she wasn't expecting such a harsh reply from her normally doting sister. She dropped her head, feeling ashamed of the truth. "I know...I really should try and be strong."

Her voice sounded full like she was choking on her own sadness, "But I just can't stop." She burst into to tears and covered her face as she wailed.

"Enough!" Ikyna slammed her fists on the table.

"Are you trying to make everyone sorry for you Mist?"

"But I…I…"

"Get over it! Is your crying helping anyone at all? Look at me, look at Ike do you see us sobbing like babies?"

Mist whimpered as she shook her head, "Then give it a rest. You're an eyesore." She said with a scowl and stormed out of the castle.

Aeyori quickly moved to follow her but Ike called her name, "No, I'll take care of this." He waved her off and jogged after his sister.

)(

When Ike reached Ikyna she was at the same place readying her bow to start shooting again. Ike groaned within himself, not this again. "Ikyna!" he shouted letting a trace of his anger come out.

"What!" she yelled back without facing him.

"What are you doing? Haven't you trained enough?"

"I haven't trained enough until I can beat the knight."

"Are you going to train non-stop until you can?"

"If that's what it takes." She shot an arrow that started the bleeding in her hands again. Ike shook his head, completely frustrated.

"Hey." He spoke as he tried to calm down. "You know you really hurt Mist back there. You should apologize."

"For telling her the truth?" was her sarcastic response.

"Nothing you said was the truth."

Ikyna spun around and squinted her eyes in disbelief. "All you were was mean to your little sister."

"I'm trying to toughen her up. She doesn't need to do all that crying."

Ike shook his head, completely dumbfounded by his sister's blatant disregard for Mist's feelings.

"No you were being a jerk to your little sister who idolizes you." Ike roughly ran his hands through his hair, "Anyway what's wrong with her crying over her father's death. If it makes her feel better…"

"But it doesn't does it?" Ikyna shouted back as she stomped over to her brother, "What does it help? You and I haven't shed one tear and we are both fine."

The male twin shook his head, "You are not fine." he said under his breath.

"What?"

Ike felt his patience waning and he snapped, "You stomp around, you're moping and snapping at everyone, you won't talk to anyone, and just because you don't cry you think you're holding it together." He was pressing his forehead into hers, glaring down at his sister who merely looked up at him defiantly.

"Well you're not!"

"What you want me to do?"

"Talk to me!"

"About what!?" she cried out angrily as she threw her hands up in the air.

"I don't know, just." His voice softened, "Just don't shut me out."

Ikyna groaned and rubbed her hands roughly across her face, "By the goddess! What do you people want from me?"

She chuckled indignantly, "Should I cry Ike? Or call out to my father over and over? Will that change things?"

Ike tried to speak but she was lost in an emotional rant and wouldn't let him say anything, "If I start bawling for him to come back is he going to be at the castle with his arms open waiting for me?"

"No, but…"

"Of course not! Nothing is going to change, no matter how much I cry or scream about it, he's gone." The quality of her voice changed from harsh to weak and soft, "And he isn't coming back; not ever Ike."

By the time her sentence ended it was no more than a whisper, her head was hung and she was shaking.

"I know Ikyna…" Ike began.

"I just, I don't know what to do." She began in a faltering voice to no one in particular. Her brother whispered her name gently.

"What am going to do without him?" Ikyna finally looked at Ike; to his surprise her blue eyes were red and puddles collected around the rim of her lids. She pulled her lip into her mouth as one lone tear escaped and fell to the ground.

Through tearful sniffles she choked out, "Who's going to call me sprouts?" with those words a parade of water flooded from her eyes and before Ike could pull her into his arms she had begun to wail.

He could only muffle her cries slightly in his chest as he held her firmly as she repeatedly sobbed out the words "who?" Ike slowly rubbed her back to soothe his sister as she crumbled beneath him.

He continued to stroke her lovingly as she convulsed from crying so much. With all he had, Ike tried to take her grief; though all he could do was softly repeat the insufficient words, "It's okay. It's okay."

Thanks for the reading and for your feedback

PG