I don't own fire emblem
After a long walk, more tiresome and bothersome than expected, the bird laguz found themselves standing before the entrance of a small human inn. Reyson had long since stopped fighting Tibarn who held Reyson around the waste with one arm. The hawk king didn't knock out the heron, Reyson called his bluff, but it was no hard feat to take the weaker bird by force.
Thus their two-mile travel felt like a two-day journey filled with ranting and cursing of the ivory fowl. At times even Tibarn's ears would cringe at the filthy words from the frail laguz's mouth; he wondered where he picked up such un-heron like mannerisms. Then, as if hit by a brick, the king was forced to admit it was his influence that had so radically changed Reyson.
Never the less, despite the complaining, Tibarn was glad he insisted on finding shelter as the first drops of storm tumbled down. The once friendly guide, the moon, was now cloaked behind a thick curtain deep gray clouds.
Reyson sighed heavily in Tibarn's grasp. His body was dangling against the king's waist as he finally fully exhausted all of his energy; though his scowl remained. Tibarn ignored the obvious vocalized displeasure from the heron and pushed the wooden door of the inn open and entered.
Just as he and his men stepped in two small human children ran past them, laughing and snickering as they rudely pushed by the laguz. They didn't stop or even notice that they'd collided with their families inn guests. The first was a girl, no more than the age of four, with a loose mess of blonde curls and round cheeks. As she weaved through furniture she growled like an animal while laughing.
Behind her was the second child. A boy, perhaps two or three years older, chasing her with a short wooden toy sword. The boy's face was partly covered by a crudely made wooden hat meant to resemble a soldier's helmet, but stray strands of light brown hair stuck out over fierce and mischievous hazel eyes.
"I'll get you, you dirty sub-human!" the boy loudly declared as he cornered his sister. He pointed his sword with a menacing glint at the girl's throat; she energetically clawed and growled back at him.
"Now die!" he cried as he stabbed the blade into the trapped girl's stomach.
"Ow!" she whined and swiped the wooden toy away immediately.
"You're not supposed to really stick me Tulo." Was her complaint followed quickly by large tears.
The boy snorted, "You're supposed to be dyeing! You can't talk back!"
The little girl was peaking in her distress, "But that hurt!"
"Be quiet! Sub-humans don't talk! They are just stupid animals." Tulo viciously replied.
"Mommy! Tulo stuck me again!"
In a few moments the soft shuffling of feet came from down the hall of the inn and a short plump woman entered. Her hair was smoothed back by a scarf but curls similar to the young girl fell out the sides. She wore a long dress and apron and was drying her hands with a towel as she calmly approached the quarreling children.
"Now, now Kaya what happened?"
Kaya's eyes were a mess of tears and her nose was dripping with snot as she wailed, "Tulo poked me too hard with his sword again."
The mother scooped up Kaya into her arms and rocked her gently and she cooed into the weeping child's ears. "It was only a game darling, I'm sure your brother didn't mean to hurt you. Right Tulo?"
Tulo clicked his tongue, "If I'm a soldier and she's a sub-human, I'm supposed to hurt her."
"Tulo, you need to be a little gentler with your sister. Maybe think of a nicer game to play with her."
The boy angrily threw off his helmet and folded his arms.
With a soft smile the mother tilted her round face and began, "You can play soldiers and sub-humans with the village boys tomorrow."
Tulo scoffed, "This game isn't that fun anyway." He grumbled childishly.
Tibarn cleared his throat to gain the mother's attention as he decided that he'd heard enough of their conversation. As it were, if he heard the word sub-human one more time from that awful child, he'd probably snap the boy's neck.
"Oh my." The woman said as her circular face reddened and her lips, that were small for her size, formed into a shocked 'o' shape.
"How long have you four been there?"
"Not long." Tibarn lied; he didn't want to get into detail on how he'd seen her tyrannical son terrorize his sister not long before.
The mother grabbed Tulo and pushed him behind her. She squinted suspiciously at the four cloaked men in her inn. "What are you here for?" was her leery question.
Tibarn noticed the woman becoming uneasy. He flipped down the hood of his cloak and smiled as best he could. "Sorry, my friends and I were looking for a place to stay while this storm is passing."
He motioned for Ulki and Janaff to relax. They complied and rolled their hoods off their heads.
With her expression not changing from wary, she pointed at Reyson, "Is something wrong with that friend?"
The king laughed, "He was just tired so I carried him here." He gently placed Reyson down. The heron shot Tibarn an irritated look as he smoothed the wrinkled cloak. Tibarn silently cursed to himself as he watched the woman's eyes that were locked on Reyson. Reyson probably looked like a prisoner.
"Are you all right?" she questioned, her hands still protectively covering her kids.
Reyson made no move to uncover his face but instead muttered insults in the ancient heron tongue at her.
"I'm sorry, I couldn't hear you. What did you say?" she asked, not realizing that Reyson was speaking a language she would not understand even if she could hear him.
Again in the heron language he called her a rotund oaf.
"Can he not understand what I'm saying?"
Tibarn tilted his head and stared at Reyson. The heron shook his head to show he would not comply or make this night any easier. Yet Tibarn pleaded silently with Reyson, his eyes flickering with the sincere appeal to the hard-headed bird.
With a soft sigh Reyson removed his hood and spoke, though he refused to make eye-contact with the woman, "I understand."
At first the woman was speechless; completely dumbstruck by the man before her. She'd never seen anyone like him. His flowing golden hair and intense green eyes, he was like a doll, a beautiful porcelain doll.
Reyson could feel her eyes boring into him, scanning him, and lingering far too long for his comfort. Tibarn stepped between the woman and Reyson and cleared his throat. "Would you happen to have an open room we can stay in?"
"Oh yes of course." She quickly replied, letting her embarrassment flood her face from being caught. "Let me just get my husband."
"I'm already here." A tall burly man entered the front wearing a severe scowl over his dark ebony eyes. His hair was black and tightly curled and his skin was a light bronze color. He stood, with his large muscular arms crossed over his broad chest, glaring down on everyone in the room. "What's all the commotion?" he nearly growled as he stomped towards his wife.
His wife let out a small yelp and stammered, "We have guests."
"Guests?" he questioned as if it were strange for visitors to come to an inn. He turned his dark eyes to the laguz and locked his eyes on Reyson. With a smirk he made his way to the heron, his heavy steps barked against the wooden floor with each step.
"It's kind of late for a frail guy like you to be traveling ain't it?" There was a tone in his voice that bothered Reyson. An obvious hint of superiority and condescension. He stood looming in front of Reyson and the heron could see the haughty heart he had.
Reyson found himself unable to stifle his own short laugh as he read the man's heart. All his pride was focused on his unnecessary girth and bravado. Yet Reyson could see the man was as dull as he was muscular.
"Something funny?" he snarled as he attempted to intimidate Reyson.
The heron pierced the man with a glare of his peridot eyes; he wouldn't be looked down upon by this fatuous man. Reyson's obvious defiant attitude angered the man and he inched closer to Reyson. Once again Tibarn wedged himself between the human and the laguz.
"Your wife said we could find a room to stay?" he said. Though the man was very tall, Tibarn still towered at least a head over him. The king snickered inwardly as he saw the discomfort the human received from being so clearly out matched.
The man coughed and took a few steps back, "As long as you have money." He grumbled then turned around and walked to his wife. His wife was once again staring at Reyson but her husband quickly pulled her from her daydream with a stern yell, "Kayna."
"Oh right." She stammered in a panic and ran behind the front desk. It took a while as she fumbled around while searching for keys to rooms. Finally she secured one with her chubby hands, "How many rooms do you need?"
"Just one?" Tibarn replied.
"One?" Kayna gave the men a queer smile and raised an eyebrow, "For all four of you?"
"I should have known." The father sneered as he went behind the counter. A small glimmer of confidence was growing in him again as he made several false assumptions in his mind.
Once again Reyson saw the man's heart mocking them with wild assertions. "We don't like to be separated." Tibarn cooly responded.
This was the truth; Tibarn knew the prince would be less disturbed with all three of the hawks by his side. Not that Reyson was afraid of the humans in any way, however, the heron's malice for humans was deep and Tibarn believed it would take more than just him to pacify the bird until the storm passed.
"I'm surprised your kind are out this late." The man said, a sly grin curling the tips of his mouth.
Tibarn pondered the strange phrase. "Your kind?" he questioned to himself. Certainly he wasn't referring to them being laguz? This is what Tibarn thought as he studied the dangerous smirk. A man that had such a disturbingly prejudice child would definitely not let laguz stay in his inn. Finally it struck the hawk exactly what was being inferred. Instead of denying or adding to the suspicions, Tibarn just made a false smile, "We didn't mean to get caught in the storm."
"It's pretty dangerous this late at night."
"Oh really?" Tibarn questioned as he grew tired of speaking with this bothersome man.
"Yeah, we border sub-human territory on this side. You could run into one of those beasts."
As he spoke the man was picking his teeth with his thick thumb nail. Horrid smacking sounds came from his mouth but he continued speaking anyway, "I bet your little friend there would be scared paler than he already is if he saw one."
It was obvious the man was mocking Reyson, it was no secret that this person probably valued brawns and mass over intelligence.
"Not you though dad right?" Tulo ran to his father. The boy's eyes were filled with misplaced admiration in Reyson's opinion. Yet Tulo pandered for his father's attention as he spoke, "You'd kill a sub-human good and dead if you saw one. You aren't scared of them."
The father pushed his chest out and gave a firm nod. He attempted to present himself as strong and his son lapped up his father's oozing confidence. The entire scene was ridiculous to Reyson, the only terrifying thing he saw was that this moronic man managed to procreate and to produce a child even more dim-witted than himself.
"Should we go to the room now?" Tibarn whispered into Reyson's ear.
With the affirmative nod of the heron Tibarn attained the key from Kayan and lead Reyson and his men to their room where he hoped they would not have to deal with humans anymore.
)(
Ike Felt a wave of relief to no longer be Soren's captive. Then again, perhaps captive was a strong word. It wasn't like Ike felt miserable in Soren's company, but after reviewing lists, the mercenary's pay, equipment cost, the young mercenary felt his head spinning with new information. He knew being the general was going to tough but all the extra things, things that didn't involve fighting, were going to be troublesome.
Ike was so engrossed in the vortex of, "the business of the general," that he didn't even notice Aeyori in front of him as he crashed into her. She yelped before toppling to the ground and groaned lightly.
"Sorry." Ike quickly apologized as he offered her his hand. He noticed that her eyes widened and the hue of her cheeks tinted pink slightly. For reasons still not apparent to him, Ike enjoyed the fact that his presence tended to embarrass and fluster the light mage.
As she reached for his hand she held her gaze steadily on the ground and murmured, "It's okay." Aeyori knew he was watching her; that his deep blue eyes were locked onto her now slightly trembling figure. It wasn't entirely unpleasant, however, to have him looking at her. In fact, part of her enjoyed the warm sensation that turned in her stomach every second that she held his attention. On the other hand, it was also agonizing.
Could he see her flaws? What was he thinking about her? So many questions flew in her mind and turned the once pleasing attentions into something unbearable. Desperately she sought to change the focus from herself, "How is your sister."
Ike sighed softly before rubbing the back of his head with a small frown, "She'll be okay I hope."
"Just okay?"
"She just always tries to act so tough and I wish she'd just talk to me before she gets to the point where she can't bear it."
Aeyori could see the worry and concern for Ikyna written over the commander's face. It was occurring to her now that it must be very difficult to be flung into this very taxing situation. He was now the commander of the mercenaries, charged with the great task of supporting and leading an entire group and looking out for the well-being of his family.
It couldn't be easy to juggle mercenary concerns and familial ones.
"I think she just doesn't want to let you down commander." Aeyori replied with a somber tone.
"She knows you're in a tough situation and doesn't want to add to the stress; probably, she just doesn't know how." Aeyrori shrugged, "I mean that she doesn't know how to help or what to do. All she has is this overwhelming desire to support you.
Ike nodded in agreement. His sister was the kind of person who would put herself completely out for someone else but would forget that she had limitations as well. Although he loved the fact that his sister constantly put others before herself, he wished she wasn't so careless about her own well-being. Even though she promised to be open with him, in reality, Ikyna would still hold everything in and she'd hide her feelings and herself away somewhere that he wouldn't be able to help.
"You're right. I wish she'd rely on me more though." He admitted with a hint of sadness.
"I know." Aeyori began softly, "but she has to learn to deal with this situation just like the rest of us. Everything is very new so just give it some time."
Ike tilted his head and gave a small smile, "How is it that you've known Ikyna for such a short amount of time but you can already read her like a book?"
Once again the mage found herself suddenly burning red at the compliment. She didn't know how to respond however. There were many reasons of course, but none that she wanted to mention. Aeyori didn't want to tell Ike that she was once in the same situation; stuck dealing with the helplessness that comes from losing a parent. She didn't want him to know that she also held all her tears and pain in from her family because that was proper and expected. It was really too painful of a memory even now.
"I'm just guessing is all." She shyly replied, "I could be very wrong about your sister."
"I don't think so." He noticed Aeyori drop her head in embarrassment and couldn't help but chuckle inwardly. He placed a hand on her head and ruffled her hair playfully, "However, I know you well enough to understand you don't take compliments very well. Therefore I thank you for your advice that may or may not be extremely helpful."
Aeyori could hear the teasing tone in Ike's voice and once again felt that wonderful yet unbearable warmth in her stomach. "You're welcome commander."
"Anyway." She began as she was unable to stand the silence and allure of his teasing smirk, "What are you doing?"
"Oh right." He said as he hit the palm of his hand with his fist as if he was just remembering something, "I was going to meet a merchant convoy that requested an audience with the commander of the mercenaries.
Ike shrugged, showing an obvious discomfort at his new title, and continued, "Since that's me now, I was going to see what they wanted."
"Can I accompany you?" Aeyori asked this and was suddenly surprised by her own forwardness. Though she felt a constant twinge of uneasiness around her cerulean-haired commander, she didn't want to be parted from him just yet. Ike nodded with small curl of his lips and motioned with his head that she could follow.
It was only a short walk before the mage and commander met with the merchant convoy. There were four members of the group. A burly man with a thick brown beard and a severe brow that was wrinkled over an "x" shaped scar on his face. Then there were two young men with identical faces and ponytails; though one was blonde and one a brunette. Lastly was a woman with long raven black hair that curled around a seductive smile as she eyed Ike.
Muston was the bearded man and he sold the weapons in the convoy. Next were Daniel, brunette, and Jorge, blonde, and they bought spare items and could also forge weapons. Finally the woman, named Aimee, sauntered up to Ike and placed her hand on his shoulder.
"I sell items like vulnary or anything you might need." She nearly purred as she spoke, "If there is any way I can help you, don't hesitate to ask."
Aeyori felt another warmth in her stomach; but this time is wasn't even remotely pleasant. It was like a boiling volcano was stirring and would soon erupt. She didn't like how this woman was touching the commander or that the light peach shawl she was wearing so perfectly accented and hugged her feminine and petite body.
As she looked down at her own cloths, they were dirty from fighting and torn in many places, she felt woefully inadequate next to this coy and charming woman. Ike seemed unphased, to Aeyori's pleasant surprise, by Aimee's conspicuous flirting.
Aimee ran her hands down Ike's arms, "You're so very strong; it's no wonder you're the commander of these mercenaries."
Ike raised one eyebrow, "I'm not really that strong. I'm actually much weaker and less experienced than most of the men on my crew." He admitted dryly.
The female merchant delicately placed her manicured fingers to her lips and giggled, "You're not going to tell me you became the general solely on your good looks now are you?"
Aeyori could feel a frown creasing her forehead as the woman continued to touch Ike so affectionately. She was using all her strength to not strike Aimee with a light tome.
No one noticed as Aeyori grabbed at her chest to stop the raging beating that was happening. At first she couldn't understand what was wrong with her; why was this woman making her feel so irritated? Then a word came into her mind that nicely answered her questions, jealousy.
The word rang like loud cry of a wyvern about to feed; since when did she become jealous?
As Aeyori let this realization settle into her mind she vaguely heard Ike agree to offer protection for the merchant convoy and in exchange they could provide the mercenary group with supplies and weapons.
It seemed like this was a perfect arrangement that would benefit both the mercenaries and the merchants well, but Aeyori could hardly focus on the conversation as it ended or even on Ike as she unconsciously followed after his retreating form.
She heard herself mutter, "She's very pretty isn't she?" The question was posed more to herself as she continued to deal with the fact that she was jealous over her commander. It was inappropriate on many levels and there was no reason for her to be envious, she thought as she sorted the strange situation out in her mind.
"Yes, she is pretty."
"Huh?" Aeyori didn't know Ike overheard her jealousy filled muttering. His response hurt to hear. Even if she knew Aimee was pretty and it made sense that Ike would be attracted to her, it wasn't pleasant hearing him easily admit it.
"Oh? Yeah, I know." She admitted softly and sadly.
Ike quickly noticed the sudden dampening of Aeyori's mood, her shoulders slumped and she drug her feet as she slowly pulled ahead of him. He had an inkling, although it seemed crazy to think, that maybe Aeyori was upset that he called Aimee pretty.
He tried to hide his satisfied smile by pulling in his lips. Though he convinced himself that Aeyori wasn't sad for that reason he couldn't help but think the mage looked a little adorable as she pouted.
"She makes me uncomfortable." Ike said as he felt that leaving his prior compliment unchecked might be a bad idea.
"She kept touching me and it was a little strange. I didn't really like that."
For a second Aeyori's scarlet eyes brightened and widened as she looked up at Ike, "Really? You don't like her?"
Aeyorie cursed herself for sounding so excited and at the same time Ike swore that Aeyori looked relieved that he didn't like Aimee, though he convinced himself that he was imagining it all. Both mercenaries locked eyes with each other and wished desperately to be able to read the others mind. It was agonizing to be stuck in their minds filled with only speculations and their slowly budding desires
Soon the couples thoughts were interrupted as Boyd came barreling down the hall, "Daein soldiers have surrounded the fort!"
)(
Reyson sat by the window staring out into the night absently. This was becoming an uncontrolled habit of his he noticed. There was always so much to think about, so many memories, that sometimes he just liked to let his mind go blank and pretend that he could forget it all.
Especially on nights like the one he was enjoying, it wasn't so hard to just let his worries go away. The wind was blowing and the storm passed by leaving the crisp smell of rain and dampened leaves in the air. If he closed his eyes and just breathed in the air he almost felt like he was back home in the Serenes forest.
Without even noticing he was smiling as the familiar smell of plant life filled his nostrils. It suddenly dawned on him how close he was to his home. He wondered what it looked like, if it had recovered from the fire yet.
As thoughts of his forest began popping up, his once calm mood flared up into his rage against humans once more. It was like a pot of boiling water in his pit and it was over a roaring flame. He set his burning heart again to never let himself feel at ease until he had his revenge.
"You're shaking. Are you afraid of the dark?"
Reyson spun around in surprise at the unfamiliar voice addressing him. At the doorway of his room stood the devil child Tulo. The boy still held a play sword in his hand and grinning mischievously at Reyson.
"You're afraid of the dark aren't you? Like a little baby." He jeered with a cackle
"How did you get in here?" Reyson barked as he moved towards the child with half the intent of just frightening the boy off, and the other half was to strangle the human offspring with his bare hands.
The boy scowled and pointed his sword forward, "It my inn, I can go wherever I want!"
Reyson would have amended the child's statement, it was in fact the parent's inn not his, but he didn't wish to waste his effort fighting with the rat.
"You shouldn't be in here." He hissed as he resisted the urge to wriggle his fingers around the pale column of Tulo's neck and squeeze it like an orange.
Tulo paid no attention to Reyson's complaint, "Where are your friends? Did they go out into the forest?"
"It's none of your business." Reyson's was practically biting his tongue as he ground his teeth while he spoke. He was cursing the fact that he insisted Tibarn and the others could go hunt while he was left at the inn. At the time it didn't seem like a bad idea, plus he had sworn to stay in the room no matter what. In either case Ulki and Janaff weren't far off so if anything happened they would quickly come to his aid.
This child wasn't a danger, but he was a great annoyance to Reyson and if Tibarn or the others were there the wicked child wouldn't bother to come in uninvited.
"You know if they go outside, they are gunna get eaten by sub-humans." Tulo said with a cruel grin as he swung his sword over his shoulder. Reyson blew out a harsh breath from his nose as his anger rose.
"That's right," Tulo began as he saw that his taunts were affecting Reyson, "those dumb beasts will eat your friends all up."
Reyson wanted to lunge and snap the little boy's neck. He knew very well that he wouldn't have the strength to, but it would feel good to try. Yet flickers of clarity peaked through his growing rage and in those short moments he saw the boy's heart, that devious heart.
It was then that Reyson realized he was falling into this child's trap. He was allowing himself to be toyed with. The heron took a step back and smiled as he decided that two could play that game.
Tulo saw the sudden change in Reyson and frowned in discomfort. "What are you smiling about? Do you think it's funny that your friends are gunna die?"
"Not really, but they are probably much safer out there than in here." He casually began as he watched the boy's eyes slant in suspicion. Reyson was throwing bait and Tulo was struggling with all his might to not bite. To no avail, however, "Why are they safer?"
"Where I come from, my people know of beasts far worse than anything in your forests." The prince loved the boys slowly blanching face as his curiosity slowly turned to fear, "they don't hunt in jungles or look like animals but they are so much more vicious."
Reyson paused for effect, "They kill anyone just because they want to, with no concern to men, woman, or…"Reyson smiled as he looked at Tulo's dilated pupils, "even little boys."
"You're just making that up!" Tulo stammered with a glare, "But I'm not scared."
The boy was indeed scared and the white bird reveled in the sensation of seeing his trembling heart.
"I'm not making it up. They are the most terrifying and despicable monsters there are; and they don't run like beasts, they stand on two legs, just like you. They don't live in forests, they live in the homes, probably right next your to inn in fact."
"That's dumb! What kind of monster lives in a house?" Tulo angrily yelled.
"Do you want me to tell you?" Reyson cooly asked, "Come closer, I'll tell you."
Tulo looked doubtful but inched toward Reyson with leery eyes. The heron bent down to Tulo's ear and whispered a word in the ancient tongue.
"What?" Tulo said.
Reyson stood with a smug look, "That's right, you don't understand that word do you. Let me translate it for you. That word means, 'human'."
It took a few moments for the word to settle within Tulo but soon his face turned from afraid to what of outrage.
"Human?" he echoed incredulously.
"Yes human!" Reyson shouted, "It's you and every one of your despicable kind."
The prince placed his palm forcefully on the boy's forehead and roughly tilted it up so Tulo could see the rage in his eyes. "The monsters of this world are not the four-legged laguz but the instead they are the murderous, idiotic, mules who walk up tall!"
Tulo's face dropped in horror at the abrupt assault of the inn's guest. Although he could not understand why, he could feel the hatred directed at him from the blonde man. "Let me go!" he cried as he shoved Reyson with all his might.
Reyson tumbled back and his cloak snagged on a loose piece of wood sticking out from a small table. The sound of ripping fabric sounded loudly as the heron fell. He saw part of the brown cloak flow into the air followed by a trail of white feathers that danced past Tulo's horrified face.
"Daddy!"
)(
"Ike!" Ikyna called out her brother's name as she saw and enemy soldier club him with the dull end of his ax. Ike fell to the ground with a groan and sent a wave of water into the air from the puddle he landed in as he hit the stone floor.
She tried to run to his side but was immediately blocked by a myrmidon who swung his sword down on her so fast she could barely block him with her two knives. The impact of his sword against her knives made her wince as her cuts from earlier that day opened once more. Her palms quickly became mixed with blood and rain water as the storm that started as their fight began raged around her.
Ikyna struggled with the sword wielder for a short time before he kneed her in the stomach. The strike to her gut sent her crashing into the unforgiving stone wall behind her. She gasped as the wind was instantly knocked out of her and she began to cough to reclaim her breath.
However the enemy was upon her with his sword held high ready to end her life.
Suddenly the soldier groaned and a large bubble of sticky blood formed than popped around his mouth. The Daein fell at Ikyna's feet and behind him stood Boyd heaving with his ax at his side.
"Just in time." He said through his heavy breathing and a smile.
Ikyna meant to show her gratitude but she was quickly distracted by her thoughts of her brother, "Ike!" she cried again as her eyes searched for his fallen body. Ike was still in the same spot he fell at but was now sitting with Aeyori who was wiping his face with a cloth.
The female twin sighed in relief to see that Ike was safe. With great effort she pushed herself off the wall and stood on tired and shaky legs.
"Looks like Ike is going to replace you." Boyd teased.
Ikyna felt the weight of her own exhaustion setting in from the long battle, "Good, if I die tonight, I know he'll have someone to look after him." She said bleakly as she scanned the battle around her. All the mercenaries were stretched thin guarding the openings of the castle.
Daein was swarming the Gallian castle like ants to a fallen fruit. Their armor and feet pounded through the trees and up to the temporary home of the mercenaries. The troop was completely surrounded and so badly outnumbered that it was almost laughable.
"You shouldn't say things like that." Boyd scolded lightly, "We can't afford to have anyone die tonight."
Ikyna felt like laughing at the dreadful situation they were all stuck in now. First her father's death and now would tonight also be their ends?
"Perhaps we won't have a choice Boyd." She murmured as she put a hand on his shoulder briefly then began limping toward her brother.
Ike was engaged, at the moment, with trying to find the energy to stand. It was almost impossible for him. The fight was stretching into its fifth hour and as reinforcements on the enemy side continued to pour in it didn't seem like the fight would be over soon.
Then he looked at his men, clearly growing weary from the extended battle, and felt dread in his bones. If only his father were there, or Shinon, or Gatrie, he lamented as he watched the mercenaries fight for their lives against wave after wave of enemies. He let his attention rest on a lightning mage sticking close to Rhys.
Ike recalled that her name was Illyana and that she switched from the Daein side to help his mercenaries. There was a pain of guilt he felt as he thought that maybe, he had asked her to join a losing battle.
As the rain soaked and chilled his achy body he tried to stand again but received both a sharp stabbing pain and scowl from Aeyori. She held him down by the shoulder and frowned, "You should take a rest, you're injured commander."
"I don't have time to rest." He protested then tried to stand again. Aeyori insisted and held him firmly, "What would we do if something happened to you because you recklessly ran into battle before getting your wounds treated?"
Her eyes were determined as they looked into his.
"It's my job to keep fighting with the rest of the company. I can't take a break because I'm tired."
"At least wait for Rhys to heal you." She pleaded.
"Rhys needs to take care of everyone else first." He said as he looked at her face and saw the bloody scar diagonally slit across her nose to her cheek.
Ike took his thumb and ran it across the blood to wipe it and recalled how she barely missed being decapitated by a soldier's sword. "Even you need to rest." He softly added as he slowly drug his finger down her cheek and let it rest there.
She watched him through the pouring rain, that flattened and weighed down her hair against her face, with a firm expression. The moister brightened her crimson eyes as they shown through loose strands of her locks that looked almost like silver. A few pieces of her satin hair clung to her full rosy lips and in the split moment that he allowed his mind to wander Ike couldn't help but think of how beautiful she looked even in this condition.
That thought, when it fully registered in his mind, caused his heart to jump and he retracted his hand quickly. Though unbeknownst to Aeyori, Ike felt shame that he allowed himself to think of such things while he and his comrades were in such a dire situation.
Ike cleared his throat and hardened his expression, "Even if I have to fight after my body is cut and bloodied I'm not going to rest."
Aeyori opened her mouth to protest but was quickly cut off by Ike, "I'm the commander now, so I'm responsible for all of you. Therefore, I won't let a single one of you die even if it costs me my life."
"Were not going to let you die." Ikyna chimed in as she finally reached her brother and Aeyori. Both siblings sized the other up and cringed at their twin's battered bodies.
"Well," Ike began as he stood up slowly, "I guess none of us are going to die today."
Ikyna smiled weakly then looked out at the large amount of enemy soldiers still advancing. "I just don't know how we'll survive this bro."
"We will." Was Ike's short yet firm reply. Ikyna nodded; despite how bleak things were, she knew she could believe her brother.
In the next moment loud roars rolled out from the forest and met the mercenary's ears.
"Was that?" Ikyna said as she dared to let a glimmer of hope creep into her voice.
Her question was answered quickly by a second roar followed by the agonized cries of soldiers. The growling and roaring grew louder as it came closer as did the soldier's wails in pain. Suddenly a cat and a blue tiger burst through the soldiers closest to the mercenaries.
The beast laguz easily slayed the enemies, cutting them down like they were nothing at all. The Daeins began to shout for retreat and those who were not killed by the laguz began fleeing quickly.
Ikyna could hear her brother under his breath say, "So this is the power of the laguz." She shared the same astonishment as the reality of two soldiers defeating this many men registered.
The laguz changed from their beast forms when the enemies were gone. One was a female with short orange hair and eyes that glowed. The second was a large muscular man with blue hair who stood behind the woman.
The woman began, "I am Lethe a soldier of Gallia. My companion and I have been instructed to escort you and your company to our king. You beorc are not too tired from this small battle to follow us are you?"
Her tone was harsh and angry but the mercenaries were too relieved to be done with fighting to even notice the laguz's hostile tone.
Ikyna plopped down on the ground and let herself fall back into a puddle. She happily stayed in the water as the relief washed over her in the most pleasant manner. She began to make angles in the puddle with her hands and legs and laughed happily.
"You're going to get sick doing that." Ike warned but smiled as well knowing his sister was just as happy and surprised as he was to have survived the fight.
"No I…" Ikyna stopped mid sentence and sat up and stared at the sky, "It stopped raining." She observed.
Ike mimicked her action and looked at the once thick clouds that were now breaking into thin strands of a much more inviting white color. He was shocked because the storm was so strong it didn't seem like it would ever end.
Ike looked down at his sister who was holding her hand up over her face with her palm turned towards the sky. A golden light danced over her bandaged and bloody hands. "What's that?" she asked as she put her hand down and looked to the clouds.
Her smile widened as she realized what the light was, "It's the sun." she said with a low happy sigh. Sure enough, beyond the slowly migrating clouds was the warm and friendly light of the sunrise.
Ikyna threw her hands up and cheered, "Oh my gosh it's the sun! Mr. Sun I never thought I'd see you again." She said with a goofy grin spread from ear to ear.
"Isn't it the most beautiful thing you've ever seen bro?"
Ike watched as the first rays of morning sunlight crawled closer. A streak crept passed him and he turned and watched as it hit Aeyori and lit her up with a warm golden glow. She covered her eyes but smiled.
The young commander couldn't help but think that it was indeed very beautiful. A new day was beginning; a day he thought he and his friends might not see. Yes indeed it was a beautiful new day and with that came something greater than sunlight, and that was hope.
Yahoo! All done!
