Zanado – The Red Canyon. Where the knights had cornered the bandits. Where the Golden Deer would have to kill for the first time.
Or at least it would for most of them.
Lysithea had killed before. Not just a ravenous beast turning into a Youkai, but a Youkai that had been fully intelligent. One that had willingly chosen to break the rules of Gensokyo by eating an injured villager.
It was fine to eat a corpse of someone who had died in an accident or of natural causes. Those were actually free game and the Human Villagers often paid to have people like Lysithea or Marisa protect or bring back corpses so that they could be given a proper burial. A villager that was still alive but injured was a completely different situation. Those they were supposed to ignore until they actually died, in fact some Youkai groups would even go out of their way to aid the humans and bring them back to the village. Killing and eating them when they could be saved would never be forgiven, especially while witnessed by some young Tanuki, so a bounty had essentially been placed over their head that both humans and Youkai could collect.
Lysithea just happened to find him first at the time. Or rather he had found her with the full intention of getting another meal before he would be inevitably hunted down and killed. Using a Spell Card outside the rules of Danmuku to blast a hole into his gut had not been pleasant. Even though she had been perfectly justified at the time and would've been torn apart otherwise, actually killing a person with her own magic - with own hands – had shaken her for a time.
Marisa and Sensei had to comfort her for a week before she could go out again. She might've been only nine at the time, but that was how difficult it had been for her. She couldn't imagine how someone like Ignatz or Marianne would react.
If they did bite the bullet and get through their first kill then adrenaline would likely help carry them through the rest of the battle. After that though when they finally calmed down and had the clarity to realize what they had done… well that would be something that needed to be dealt with care. Hopefully the Professor would know what to do.
"What do you think Teach?" Lysithea overhead Claude as both he and the Professor returned from their scouting trip. "Split into two teams after we get through the first bridge?"
"Team 1 will be me, Marianne, Lorenz, and Ignatz," Byleth replied.
"Leaving Lysithea and I with Leonie, Raphael, and Hilda." Claude nodded. "Yea that's a good setup for both teams."
"Slow advance and meet toward the middle then… Lysithea have you killed before?"
"Why are you just asking me Professor?" Lysithea asked.
"You aren't tense or nervous. You're prepared," Byleth replied.
"I have," Lysithea admitted.
"Help Claude keep an eye on your classmates."
"Understood Professor."
The bandits' camp was about what you'd expect. Worn down tents, stolen supplies, dirty looking men, and lots of rope scattered around. The rope was probably to climb up or down certain parts of the canyon or to tie up anyone they kidnapped.
The class had barely just arrived at the bridge when two bandits charged at them with reckless abandon.
Lysithea prepared a spell, ready to sweep them both aside, when the Professor held out a hand to stop her.
Instead Raphael and HIlda would step forward to block their way while Ignatz and Marianne supported them. The bandits were cut down quickly, though there were still a lot of them left to go.
"Please forgive me, Goddess… and save their souls…" Marianne prayed for those she killed before moving forward with the Professor's group.
Lysithea looked at Ignatz who seemed shaken by what he had done, only for Raphael to suddenly walk up and pat his back. It took a bit of comforting from the giant but Ignatz eventually walked forward anyway with a tight grip on his bow.
"Seems like we'll be fine," Claude commented.
"Yea," Lysithea replied as she moved with the rest of her group.
There were still some nerves and a bit of hesitation, but soon the entire class was able to perform. They were young and inexperienced but against most of these lowly bandits it was more than enough. Especially when the bandits were more worried about their own hides and would abandon or throw each other under the Gap if it meant surviving once they realized that they had bit off more than they could chew. That just made it all the easier for the Golden Deer as they stuck in formation and provided aid to each other as needed.
For Lysithea's part, she mostly just focused on the lessons that the Professor had embedded in her. She always made sure to stick with her classmates and let them take the focus of the enemy. It was only when the bandits were distracted and busy fighting, did she approach to finish them off. She didn't completely annihilate them all even though she was capable of doing, some she left to the others so that they could gain some proper experience on the battlefield.
They would definitely need it for future missions.
"Seems things are going well," Claude commented as they watched Raphael quickly intercept a charging bandit. The difference in strength was made apparent as Raphael lifted the man up over his shoulders and threw him off the side of the canyon.
"Sorry. But I can't have you hurting anymore innocent people," Raphael commented with a frown as he watched the man's form disappear down the canyon. "Or my friends."
"Aw you here that Lysithea? You made a friend."
"Now is not the time Claude," Lysithea bit back as she encased a man's feet in earth leaving him immobilized and an easy target for Leonie who disemboweled him with her spear.
"Ew. That's not pretty," Hilda commented, ignoring the fact of course that she practically bisected a man from the waist with a swing of her ax. "I can't believe I have to go on work. My outfit is all dirty now."
"I'll help you clean it when we get back to the Monastery," Leonie replied as she set her spear aside, took out a bow, and started taking potshots at some approaching bandits.
"Blood's going to be hard to get out though, especially when it stains a white uniform," Claude informed them.
"Vinegar and cold saltwater should do the job," Leonie replied.
"Baking soda works wonders on blood if those don't work," Lysithea suggested.
"Nah, it's fine. I've already got a cleaner at home for this," Hilda said. "It's just so much work to make more of it."
"You all seem very used to this. Have plenty of experience with blood?" Claude asked
Lysithea, Leonie, and Hilda all briefly stopped fighting to turn and stare at Claude.
"Alright, dumb question," Claude conceded.
Eventually they were able to regroup with the Professor's group and together were able to finish off the rest of the bandits. The Professor would be the one to drive his sword through the leader's chest and end it.
"Good job Deer," Claude congratulated them and Lysithea was inclined to agree with the sentiment.
Though it was just a group of bandits they fought, they had still dealt with them cleanly and efficiently. There wasn't much else to say, their first mission as a class was a success.
At least until a howl could be heard. Followed by the sounds of several other beasts letting out their cries.
"What are those? Demonic Beasts?" Leonie asked as she took her spear out once more.
"No," Lysithea realized with wide eyes as the enemy quickly appeared in the distance. Wolves all in the process of transformation. "Youkai beasts!"
"What are those?" Hilda asked.
"Beasts that have consumed the blood and flesh of people and are in the process of becoming Youkai. We need to take them all out." They might eventually gain sentience, but the amount of people they would have to kill and eat to achieve that was simply too much. That along with the fact that even as true Youkai they would likely be a threat against the humans of Fodlan meant that they had to be killed now.
"It's a noble's duty to guard the welfare of the people. We should dispatch of these beasts while we can," Lorenz agreed with Lysithea.
"I think we should be more worried about ourselves first Lorenz," Claude shouted as the charging beasts quickly grew in numbers. "Incoming!"
"To the other side of the bridge," The Professor commanded with a raised voice that was just short of shouting. The way he stayed calm, or at least made it so that he appeared so, in this situation was impressive. "Keep them in one direction."
"Fire Earth Sign: Magma Fissure!" Lysithea slammed her hands on the ground and sent forth a wave of lava at the beasts. The spell bought them time to retreat to the bridge while incinerating several of the beasts in the process.
Eventually they made it over where they quickly took positions on the other side.
"Everyone line up. Close combatants in front ranged in back," The Professor commanded. "Lysithea take the center. Funnel them in and do as much damage as you can."
The Golden Deer did just as instructed, just in time too as a wave of Youkai collided with their weapons. Unrelenting, fierce, and with little regard for their own wellbeing. They were rabid uncontrollable beasts, likely only in the very first stages of their transformation, though how that had happened in Fodlan was something that the Witch's Apprentice couldn't answer.
The Professor stood at the front with Raphael beside him as they took the brunt of the fighting. As they kept the main force occupied Leonie and Lorenz would cover their flanks with Hilda occasionally stepping in to sweep aside clusters of the beasts with swings of her ax. Anytime they took a significant hit Marianne would be there to provide aid.
Claude and Ignatz fired arrow after arrow, doing whatever it took to stem the tide. As for Lysithea herself, she was just throwing everything that she had at the enemy, short of taking off her ring and revealing her Crests.
Somehow they were able to hold. With the Professor's leadership they were able to hold back the tide of beasts, though it was no easy task. The Golden Deer began to tire and wounds began to gather to the point that Marianne could no longer keep up with her healing alone. Lysithea was considering taking off her ring and utilizing her full strength… her Crests, when the Professor spoke once more.
"Lysithea! Take down the bridge!" he commanded just as the majority of the Youkai beasts began to pile on top of it. With a broad sweep of his sword he cut down several of the beasts and bought Lysithea enough space to walk up to the front of the group and put her hands against the stone.
It was made of stone, of hardened earth. Wood depleted Earth.
"Sun Wood Sign: Photosynthesis!"
Vines, grass, roots, branches, they burrowed deep into the foundations of the bridge. They cracked into the stone and gradually grew larger until it was too much. Lysithea didn't even need to finish the spell before the bridge broke apart and fell, sending the Youkai Beasts to their death.
"You're all irrelevant," Lysithea said firmly. Unlike the bandits, she could let herself be a little smug at the deaths of these beasts.
Just as she said that though a Beast suddenly jumped over the ledge, having apparently made it to the wall before it fell, and tackled her from the side. It bit deep into her arm as its weight sent her straight over the ledge.
"Lysithea!" Claude shouted too late as they fell.
Lysithea cursed, mostly from the pain than from the sheer drop, before blasting the beast off her arm with a quick spell. It continued to plummet to its death while she… simply stopped falling now that she no longer had the weight of that wolf pushing her down.
Flying was such a useful ability. Really more people in Fodlan should be learning to do it.
Trying to explain that to her Professor and classmates would be difficult though. Thankfully she had been close to the edge so it only took a brief moment to fly to the wall and grab it before anyone could peek over to see her do that. Just as she did so a rope was tossed over the cliffside, and the Professor's head appeared over the side.
"Lysithea grabbed the cliff, help me pull her up," The Professor shouted to the rest of the class while he looked at her with genuine concern on his face. "Are you ok?"
The fact that he wasn't shouting in panic at the sight of a student falling to their death was either incredibly impressive or deeply concerning. Lysithea preferred to think it was the former.
"I-I'm fine Professor," Lysithea did her best to act panicked, like she actually had just had a near death experience. "I was able to grab the wall."
He nodded. "Hold on to the rope and I'll pull you up."
Lysithea mentally congratulated herself for the successful deception before grabbing and holding onto the rope like a Koala. She then began to get pulled up. Halfway up she noticed that the rope was starting to snap due to her weight so she hovered to lighten the strain a little. Eventually she was pulled over the cliff where it was revealed that her entire class had gotten involved in "saving her."
"We're lucky you're small," Claude chuckled as he grabbed her shoulder and pulled her the rest of the way up. "Was worried the rope was going to break a second there."
"Please don't joke about that Claude," Lorenz replied wearily as he caught his breath. Once he composed himself, he glared at Lysithea. "And you ought to apologize."
"For what!?" Lysithea asked, annoyed as she lifted up her arm for Marianne to heal.
"For almost dying! Do you know how worried we were when we saw you fall off the ledge? It might be a noble's duty to help those in need but even I must shudder at the idea that I was quite ready to jump off myself had the Professor intervened and let us know you were fine."
"Oh…" Lorenz of all people was genuinely worried about her wellbeing? Huh… maybe she misjudged him.
"And look at my coat. Do you see how scuffed it is because it rubbed against that accursed rope when we pulled you up!?"
Ok. Maybe not that much.
"The point is Lysithea," Hilda decided to speak for the rest of the class. "That we were all worried about you and we had to work really hard to make sure you didn't die. So please next time let's try not to do that again."
"I understand I'll try to be more aware of my surroundings next time," Lysithea conceded. "Standing in such a precarious spot and congratulating myself before ensuring the enemy's demise was my mistake."
"See to it that you learn this lesson, we want to avoid a repeat of this," the Professor commanded.
"Yes, Professor. I apologize for my incompetence," Lysithea replied, genuinely regretful for the mistake she had made. Even if she had never been in any danger, it was a situation that should have never happened.
"You did well otherwise. And Lysithea."
"Yes Professor?"
"I'm glad you're safe."
Byleth watched as his students walked away with cheers and relief. He was content to just follow and watch from a distance when Sothis spoke to him once more.
Are you going to talk to her?
About what?
About the fact that she can fly? Or that Lorenz fell to his death because he lost his grip on the rope while bungee jumping off a canyon trying to save a person who could fly. Or that you fell to your death because you bungeed off a canyon using an old rope that broke on you once you realized that the person you were trying to save could fly after she flew to try, and failed, to grab a falling Lorenz.
Except it didn't happen. I stopped the both of us from jumping.
Also, that was one hell of a tongue twister Sothis just spouted. He was kind of impressed she pulled it off.
If you couldn't reverse time that girl would have your blood on her hands. And Lorenz's! For a secret she has to keep.
We all have secrets to keep. I have you as an example.
That's different! That's… okay. Fine. But mark my words that owl of yours is hiding a lot more than you realize.
Owl?
Why her snow-white hair and red eyes of course. Oh, also the fact that SHE CAN FLY!
Can't you fly?
I'm not even… honestly, I'm not sure what I am.
Marisa scratched her head as she took stock of her surroundings. She was in an open field now, surrounded by grass and nothing much else. The distortion, or apparently portal in this case, had of course disappeared after dumping her Gap knows where.
And she halfway expected Yukari to be responsible for this somehow.
The Ordinary Magician sighed as she considered her options. In a field like this she could see miles around in any direction, but it all just looked the same. No discernable landmarks or anything to follow.
She stabbed the end of her broom into the ground and then stepped away so that gravity could do its work. Eventually the broom fell, pointing somewhere, and Marisa decided to go in that direction.
There was a bit of a chill in the air, but the sun and her clothes were enough to make up for it. Still though, if it was this cold in the day then how bad would it get in the night? Not the first time she had to camp out, but it would be rough considering that she would only be having some grass to make a shelter with. Probably wouldn't make a good fire either. Would have to use her Hakkero to keep up a small flame during the night.
As luck would have it, she would only be flying for a few hours before a set of wooden houses came into view. It was a small village or town, but anything really could work as a shelter for her. The only issue would be the money. She wasn't too sure if they would accept Yen here, but she could always barter with some of the things she carried around. Or just slum in someone's home without them knowing. Wouldn't really hurt that much anyway if she spent a night in a basement or roof somewhere and left before they realized she was there.
The guards at the gate though seemed oddly concerned at the sight of her and kept their spears pointed at her as she landed in front of them.
"What business do you have here… Wizard," one of the guard's asked. They all gave her pensive and cautious looks, but at the very least they weren't threatening to burn her at the stake. Apparently, that had been a thing in the outside world. Inefficient too. If you really wanted to deal with a magician then she needed to cut their throats and/or chop off their hands.
"Got lost," Marisa replied casually. Said pensive looks quickly turned to doubt. "Figured I'd rest here a bit, get my bearings."
"Where did you come from?"
"Somewhere up north," Marisa lied.
"Galatea territory?"
That… definitely didn't sound like anywhere in Gensokyo. Which only confirmed she had somehow ended up in another world. Great…
The guards glanced at each other, closed in, and began to whisper among themselves. It was simple for Marisa to listen in with a quick spell.
"Those nobles and their Crests would explain that magic of hers."
"Since when did nobles start flying?"
"And why does she have a maid's apron?"
"Illegitimate child working at the manor? She has the hair and it's too clean and well-kept for her to be a true commoner."
"A runaway then? Shouldn't we be reporting this to Galatea then?"
"Just send them to those kids staying at the inn."
"The one's from the Monastery?"
"Yea."
"You realize that's the Crown Prince and the heirs of several noble families you're talking about."
"Still kids and they can handle this one."
Eventually the guards would split up and step to the side. "I'd suggest you head to the tavern for food, rest, and information. Don't cause any trouble while you're here."
"Wasn't planning to," Marisa replied as she made her way to the tavern. Whoever these people they were sending her to, they sounded interesting.
"Thanks to Ashe's scouting we've confirmed the location of bandit camp at least 10 kilometers due west," Dimitri said as he looked over the maps with the rest of the Blue Lions.
"Is there anything of note there?" Hanneman asked, relegating the planning to his students who were more familiar with the area.
"Just a hill, which they'll likely have set up on."
"Which means we're fighting an uphill battle," Felix commented. "Good, I relish the challenge."
"I'm not too sure that would be a good idea," Annette said with a worried tone. "Trying to siege a defensive position like that. Even if we do come out fine it'll still take a long time to make much ground."
"Maybe we should go about this a different way," Sylvain took a good look at the map and pointed in an area a bit further away from the bandit camp. "They've got a good eye on this road. Say we bring in a nice-looking carriage or two."
"You want someone to act as bait?" Ingrid said. "We can't be putting the villagers in danger Sylvain, its our duty and mission to keep them safe."
"Which is why one of us should act as bait. Maybe hide a horse underneath a tarp so they can make a quick getaway."
"Oh… that makes sense," Ingrid conceded. "My Pegasus will give me the best chance at escaping. I'll be the bait."
Sylvain looked at her with a strained expression. "Are you sure? It is dangerous."
"You're the one who suggested the plan in the first place. And it is good, which is surprising since it came from you."
"Wow, just twist the knife in then."
"Once we lure them out we can fight them on the open field," Dimitri agreed with Sylvain's plan. "Ashe, Annette, Mercedes, do you have any opinions about this?"
"We could probably set up a few traps in the carriage itself," Ashe commented. "Nothing explosive, but something distracting to help cover Ingrid's escape."
"I got these nice flashbang potions that Lysithea helped me with," Annette said.
"Flashbang?" Felix asked.
"Apparently, they're really bright and make a very loud noise. They aren't actual explosions though so Ingrid should be safe as long as she covers her eyes and ears and puts a blinder on her Pegasus."
"I can't wait to see the results Annie," Mercedes said. "I know you've worked really hard on those."
"I can't wait to show them to you Mercie!"
"It seems that the plan is set your Majesty," Dedue said.
Dimitri nodded. "In that case let us-"
The doors to the tavern opened with a bang, causing everyone inside to look in the direction of the individual that made such a notable entrance. And notable it was.
It was a young girl dressed in black and white, with an obscenely large hat on her head, and a maid's apron around her waist strangely enough. Her hair was a brilliant blonde, similar to Ingrid's, though much curlier and messy. However, there was a sheen to it that showed the meticulous care and cleaning that went into it.
The girl shot the Blue Lions a look and a bright smile before making her way to the Tavern's counter. "Yo Barkeep, you got warm food and a stiff drink?"
Said Barkeep looked at the girl with a raised eye. "Aren't you too young to drink?"
"I've been drinking since I was eight," the girl replied casually.
"Unfortunately, the laws dictate that I can't sell you any alcohol."
"Seriously!? What's the drinking age around here?"
"Twenty-one."
"Are you kidding me!?" the girl grabbed her forehead and groaned. "Just… grape juice and something warm to go with it."
The Barkeep nodded and began to prepare her order. The girl then turned around and suddenly walked up to the Blue Lions. She pointed to an empty seat. "Yo. This spot taken?"
"No, it isn't, you're welcome to join us," Sylvain replied, being the first one among them to compose himself. No surprise considering there was a fairly attractive, if petite, girl willing to be in his presence.
"Thanks," the girl quickly sat down. "The name's Marisa Kirisame."
"Marisa Kirisame?" Hanneman interest was immediately piqued. "Your name is quite peculiar. That outfit too?" Hanneman asked.
"This is my style or what I think a Magician should wear," Marisa replied.
"How so?"
Marisa tilted the brim of her hat. "Pointed hats, flat dainty shoes, and lots of Black, the mark of any Witch. Gotta dress the part after all."
"And the apron?" Felix asked.
"That's my own personal touch. I liked the look of it. By the way, could you tell me where I am?"
"How do you not know where you are?" Felix asked, the suspicion writ clearly on his face. For once Dedue looked inclined to agree with the man's sentiment.
"It's actually sort of crazy. I was just wandering when this portal popped up and sucked me right in." Marisa made a Woosh sound as she waved an arm over the other. "Next thing I know I'm in the middle of an open field.
"I have a hard time believing that," Felix replied.
"Well weird things happen all the time with magic… you guys know about magic right?" Marisa gestured toward Annette and Mercedes. "Cause I can feel a bunch of it coming from those two."
"Yes, magic is available to those who seek it and pursue the art. My name is Dimitri Alexndre Blaiddyd," Dimtiri greeted as the rest of his class introduced themselves.
"Mitri, Sylvain, Felix, Annie, got it." Marisa listed out some of their names casually. "So uh, about where I am? All I know is I'm close to some place called Galatea?"
"Galatea is my family name though the territory they own is close by," Ingrid was quick to clarify. "It's part of the Kingdom of Faerghus."
Marisa nodded. "Okay…" She glanced at the map they still had laid out on the table. "Could I take a look at that?"
"Feel free to," Dimitri stepped aside to let the strangely dressed, but otherwise friendly girl, look over their map.
"Fodlan?" The girl's eyes widened in surprise, fascination, and excitement. "Who woulda thought?"
"Is this your first time here?" Ashe asked.
"It is. Had a friend tell me about it all the time, but I never got a chance to visit it myself." Marisa put her hands to her waist and had a wide smile on her face. "Might have to see if I can find Lys."
"Lys?" Dimitri asked.
"Shorty and short tempered. Long white hair. Big purple ribbon on the back of it?"
"Lysithea!" Annette exclaimed. "She's with the Golden Deer on their class assignment too!"
"Golden Deer?" Marisa asked.
"The students at the academy are split up into three houses," Dimitri explained. "The Black Eagles, The Golden Deer, and us the Blue Lions."
"Well you certainly look the part," Marisa seemed to make note of Dimitir's blonde hair and the blue outfit he wore. "So Lys is out right now?"
"Yes, though we do expect the Golden Deer to finish up with their mission around the same time that we do."
"And this mission?" Marisa asked.
"To dispatch of several bandits that have been threatening this village and other nearby settlements."
Marisa smiled. "Alright. Sounds like a good deal. I'll go with you guys."
"We just met and you're already volunteering to fight alongside us?" Felix asked.
"I mean I kinda need you guys to meet up with Lys, these bandits sound like real jerks, and I'm itching for a fight after getting dragged off into another wo- continent," Marisa replied.
"How can we trust you?"
Marisa shrugged. "How can I trust you? Sometimes you just need a little faith and I find that a bit of fighting is a great way to get to know a person."
"A person's true self does often show when their life is on the line," Felix admitted. "Can you hold your own in a fight though?
With a snap of her fingers Marisa put out every single lantern on the tavern before lighting them back up again. "Should be asking you guys that."
Dimitri examined Marisa carefully. She was very casual, but otherwise friendly. Not very good at lying either. He wasn't very good with people but even he could tell that her face was essentially an open book. It was easy to tell that she was speaking to them vaguely and telling them half-truths. Still, she didn't seem malicious at all and she seemed genuinely excited to meet a friend of hers.
"Your Majesty, are you sure this is wise?" Dedue asked having already figured out Dimitri's intent before he could even give the girl his answer
"Marisa has been nothing but cordial and I won't deny aid due to fruitless suspicion," Dimitri turned back to Marisa. "I apologize for my retainer. He can be quite protective of me. Though I do worry for your well-being."
Marisa smirked. "Don't worry I can handle myself."
Grimoire of Marisa:
Sun Wood Sign: Photosynthesis
· User: Lysithea Von Ordelia
· Notes: Fusion Magic, like being caught in a jungle.
· Reference Level: ***
A Spell Card that rapidly grows plant life in an area.
Use is highly situational depending on the environment. Still, keep an eye on any vases with flowers when she starts using this spell.
