DISCLAIMER: I don't own the Kingdom Hearts nor Fire Emblem: Shadows of Valentia characters, Square Enix, Nintendo, and Disney are the owners.
The bich: At least Roxas didn't mention where did he come from nor explicit stuff from King Mickey per se. I will do my best to keep it up.
CalamityCreeper: I'm glad you liked it.
CHAPTER 2 – PIRATE RAID
/
Noon | 6th of Avistym, Year 401.
Roxas had begun his quest to head to Fodlan to help Sora and the others, but as expected, he arrived in a medieval world alike. He landed to a graveyard and fought his way defeating a horde of Terrors to get to where Celica, Mae and Boey struggled to defeat the nobodies, saving their lives in the process.
Celica was amazed by Roxas actions and the way he took them out without shedding a sweat, so she asked him out of gratitude if he wanted to join them, on which he gladly accepted.
And the party walked their way to the port and had a… interesting conversation.
"I wonder how you manage to handle such a horrific situation without looking frightened." Boey expressed curiosity while asking Roxas a question.
"Well… this is my secret. I keep my head cool and don't let myself be controlled by fear, I mean, I do get scared sometimes but the only way to counter this, is controlling the fear and believe in yourself." Roxas tried to explain his philosophy.
"I… this is easy to say than be done." Boey said in a pessimistic tone. "I mean… I can take on any rogue and bandit… but when it comes to Terrors, I really feel frightened, but I DO fight them to survive and protect milady."
"I see, that's very admiring of you, Boey." Roxas gave him a good praise. "So, where are we going?"
"We are going to Mila's Temple, Roxas." Celica replied him. "I need to see what happened to Mila and try to make peace in all Valentia."
Roxas understood what King Mickey meant, as he had expected, he got in midst of a medieval war, aside of having to deal with the nobodies, heartless and unversed, he would have to endure any hard-ships he encountered. Like having to end this senseless war.
"Valentia?" Roxas asked her out of curiosity.
"Yes, this is the continent of Valentia, Roxas." Celica affirmed his words, leading him to understand the world where he currently was. "There are two nations between both parts. Rigel is in the north, and Sofia is in the south, that's where we are going to and head to Mila's Temple."
"Okay, so that's where we're going to." Roxas figured out her mission. "In that case, I'll provide you some assist if you wish to."
"It's a kind gesture of yours, thanks." Celica accepted his request.
/
Novis Greatport.
Roxas and the others finally arrived to the port on their feet with a purpose to sail to Sofia but before they could do that, they decided to distract for a while.
"How about we relax for a few moments?" Celica proposed them to loosen up to be ready.
"Yeah, I think this will do good." Said Mae yawing after walking for hours.
The party walked around the port distracting themselves, Celica didn't know why but she found Roxas attractive due to his unusual personality and the way he was dressed. But something that really got her attention was his attitude, a different attitude from his childhood friend Alm.
Ok, Alm may be an important person to her, but they have been separated years now and anybody's feelings are subject to change. Let's not make a fool of ourselves.
Celica wanted, and needed to know more about Roxas.
"Good day, milady. Are you thinking of leaving for Sofia, perchance?" a man greeted her and the party. "If so, I fear you may be in for some disappointment. Ships aren't sailing, or so I'm told. Too many pirates about. Still, probably best you went to the docks and asked the captain yourself."
"We can deal with them." Roxas said showing optimism.
"Ha-Have you fought pirates, before?" Mae said in surprise.
"I have." He assured her remembering his fights from a long time ago.
"Really? Then you guys know how to handle such a peril situation, ok, be careful." The man was amazed by his words, aside of asking them to take care of each other.
"He may smell like a tavern floor. But that Saber's a skilled sellsword." A woman spoke. "If you ever find yourself in need of steel, you could do far worse than him. Though if that steel needs a history fit for retelling in polite company, well… he's strong, though. I'll give him that. And I suppose… passably handsome."
"Thank you for your info, miss." Celica thanked her for receiving the information.
The party walked through the port heading to a wharf and put their feet inside.
Once there they spoke to some people about this problem concerning Sofia and more.
"Chancelior Desaix has taken up the throne at Sofia Castle." Said one of the men informing the party. "The villain thinks slaying a king makes you next in line… He's a right tyrant! Sir Clive of the Order of Sofian Knights has gathered an army to run him off. But from what we hear in these parts, fighting's been hard and progress slow."
"God… the things have turned ugly." Celica realized of the bad situation they all were in Sofia.
"Heading out to sea, young people?" spoke a young man making them a question. "Be careful out there amongst the waves. A vile man named Barth has named himself pirate king of these waters."
"Barth?" Roxas asked him a question about this man. "Who is that?"
"He sits in his island hold to the east and commits what barbary he pleases." The man gave them important information regarding Barth and his evil deeds. "Just the other day, a man who'd had his whole family slain set out for revenge. Like as not, he'll meet the same fate. At least he'll reunited with his kin…"
"I understand, sir." Roxas intuited his words after hearing that tragic story.
"Ah, excuse me, but—" Celica talked to an old man.
"Oh, lady priestess! Welcome. Something I can help you with today?" the old timer replied in a nice voice.
"I need to book passage to Sofia Harbor." Celica made him a request to sail.
"Hmm… I'm afraid that's a difficult wish to grant, even for you, priestess." The old timer stated her the biggest obstacle. "This patch of sea is teeming with pirates of late. It's just too dangerous."
"Oh, that's not good…" Celica said feeling blue due to his negativity.
"That being said… if milady were to do something about those pirates… well, that'd be a different matter altogether now, wouldn't it?"
"You want me to… to fight pirates?" Celica spoke in surprise after deducing the words.
"They have grown bolder by the day, so they have." The old timer continued. "And yet, his highness hasn't seen fit to send so much as a single man… This sea's out love and livehood. We can't live cut off from her. Ah, what's happened to Sofia?"
"Hmm…" Celica felt blue after hearing the biggest issues surrounding Sofia.
"Forgive me, milady, but I can't get you across the sea so long as pirates sail it." The old timer finally denied her request, much to Celica disdain but…
"Don't worry, sir." Roxas expressed the initiative to jump into the big danger in the sea. "We can deal with those pirates on our own."
"Roxas!" Celica was amazed by his statement. "You…"
"Are you sure, young boy? The pirates aren't willing to go easy on you guys when you step on them." The old timer tried to warn them.
"Sure, but I have fought many worse people than those guys and survived, so they aren't a big deal." Roxas made him see that he went through many hardships before arriving Valentia.
"I see, boy… I know I ask much of you, but if you would lend us your strength…" the old timer accepted Roxas request.
"I will, sir." He agreed.
"Very well, let me know when you are ready to sail." The old timer gave them green light to sail at any time they wanted.
Thank you, sir. We'll head back in a moment." Celica thanked him for allowing them in.
"Hmm… Couldn't we sail by now?" Boey asked.
"We can, but we need to gather some allies we can find." Celica suggested to find some help they could. "The sea is only the start. Sofia is at war, and ravaged not only by Terrors, but Nobodies too. Roxas may be strong but we'll not make it very far traveling alone. We need more allies. As strong as Roxas."
"Indeed." Roxas agreed with her.
"Yes, and mad enough to set sail into pirate-infested water with us." Boey expressed agreement as well. "I'm sure they'll just be lining up to take the job."
"Okay, guys. How about we search for a tavern and investigate there?" Roxas had lightbulb above his head.
"Are you sure? Do you even look older?" Mae tried to tease him but he didn't let himself be mocked.
"I may look younger, but I have done adult people's stuff before except for drinking alcohol." Roxas expressed irony.
"I see, you must have traveled and done a lot of stuff on your own." Boey intuited his actions. "At least you don't seem eager to be drunk up."
"Anyway, let's head to the tavern and try to recruit someone." Celica asked them to leave trivia aside and focus on their mission.
/
Tavern
Roxas and his team got inside of the tavern encountering a tough tall man with a reddish short hair wearing an eyepatch.
"You're Saber, right?" Celica talked to the man.
"Yep. Who are you, girl?" the red-haired man affirmed asking her name.
"My name is Celica. The people here speak quite highly of your skill with a blade." She tried her best to recruit him. "I'd like to enlist your services as a protector…"
"Guard duty, eh? You headed somewhere, or is this a local deal?" Saber didn't look convinced for her request.
"We seek the Temple of Mila." Celica explained her reasons to have him at her group.
"That's awfully far…" Saber said realizing of the big problem they were about to get through. "And I suppose you've already heard about our little problem?"
"It's the reason I seek your aid, in fact." Celica continued to persuade him. "Unless you think a few mere pirates are too much to handle?"
"Oh, that's real cute. Believe me, lass, I ain't worried about a couple of sea rats." Saber replied keeping his cool. "All I'm worried about is if you can pay. I don't work charity cases. Especially when I'm risking my ass out there."
"I'm afraid I don't have much money, but I do have this." Celica kept trying to get him to join her team by showing Saber a sharp object.
"A dagger?" he said having his gaze at that said object and whistled. "Well, ain't you fancy?"
"Will this be sufficient for your services?" Celica hoped the object made him change his mind. He seemed to be difficult to convince.
"You mean will I risk life and limb for a simple dagger? Ordinally, no." Saber appeared to deny her request but… he immediately change his heart. "But… since I like your moxie, I'm gonna go ahead and give you a break."
That's right, Saber made his choice to join Celica's team. "You got a deal. I'll get you to your temple."
"Wonderful! You have my thanks, Saber." Celica expressed her gratitude for his decision. "Roxas! Mae! Boey! Did you hear that? Saber is coming with us!
"He is?" Roxas said out of amazement. "That's good."
"Heh. This job's got easy money written over it." Saber laughed lightly. "What kind of fool hands over treasure like this without batting an eye? She must be daddy's spoiled little lass…"
/
Wharf
With Saber at their side, the whole party headed back to the port with the purpose of sailing towards Sofia and get through hostile pirate territory.
"Ah, lady priestess. You've returned." The old timer greeted the group.
"I have." Celica said in a kind smile. "And this gentleman, Saber, has agreed to aid us."
"I guess you guys are ready to deal with these pirates, aren't you?" the Old timer looked at the team with their determined faces.
"We all are, sir." Roxas assured the old man.
"Well, then, I'd be honored to do my part, guys." The Old timer was set to get the ship turned on, inviting them to get aboard. "Come aboard. We'll depart as soon as you're ready."
/
VALENTIA OCEAN
As soon as the ship sailed, Celica suddenly felt somewhat blue looking at the waters and how they were departing.
"Celica, are you alright?" Roxas asked out of concern for her melancholic gaze.
"Oh, it's nothing." She tried to force her smile while looking at him. "It's just that the last time I was on a ship was when I came to the island, Roxas."
"You came here by a ship?" he looked curious at her statement.
"Yes, I did come here traveling around the sea." Celica affirmed his question.
"Hey, that's right!" Mae spoke in an energetic voice. "Boey and I used to take little trips every now and again, but never with you, guys. Shame we never got to travel as a group. Woulda been way more fun!"
"Are you completely daft, Mae?" Boey said in an annoyed voice berating her. "Celica came here in hiding, remember? She can't just announce herself by hopping aboard a pleasure cruise."
"Uh, I know that much, Boey! Of course I do!" she defended herself putting an argument between the two. "I'm just saying I'm happy we're getting the chance NOW. Isn't that right, Celica, Roxas?"
"Errr… Yeah?" Roxas replied lifting an eyebrow having his face puzzled.
"Please stop talking before you dig a grave so deep we all go tumbling in…" Boey tried to persuade them to be quiet in disdain.
"It's alright, Boey, really." Celica let out a smile at them. "And I'm happy to be traveling with you as well, Mae. Though I'm also anxious. What could have happened to Mila? Will we even make it to the temple to find out? And…"
"And?" Mae tried to interrogate her but Celica was smart enough to keep it quiet. "I'm sorry. Best I keep this one to myself."
"What?! That's so mean!" Mae whined after receiving her negativity.
And then, she stared at the ocean wondering about his adoptive brother's whereabouts. "Alm… where are you right now? And what are you doing? Are you still living in that village with granpapa? No, I can tell. You've left your home behind, haven't you? I want to see you so badly and introduce you to Roxas. There's so much I need to ask. Perhaps Mila will cause our paths to cross on this journey…"
Roxas was also standing next to her, but he somewhat was aware to not make uncomfortable questions for the time being unless she spoke to him first.
/
UNKNOWN LOCATION
An old man priest with a sinister appearance bearing a purple skin was staring at a creepy eyeball and he proceed to speak: "Are you in pain, my lord Duma? The sight tears at my heart… But you don't need to endure it much longer. I've had report that the girl has left the island. I will deliver her to you without fail. She of the fated children… Bearer of the Brand…
That man showed mere evil intentions with Celica, he truly had twisted obsession in bringing her with Duma or whatever that entity was called….
/
7th of Avistym, Year 401.
It had passed twenty-four hours since Roxas and the party departed from the Island to reach to Temple of Mila.
It was the first time that Roxas had a relaxing sea trip without having to fight anybody, even though he sometimes did undergo some warm up in case they ran into some relentless pirates and had to take them out.
"Roxas?" Celica spoke upon watching him practice with his keyblades. "Do I interrupt something?"
"No... Not at all, I just finished." He replied affirming making her realize that he was finishing his training. "You need something?"
"Well… I was wondering if… I could have a word with you about something… personal?" Celica was about to speak when…
"Yar! Not a step further, ye motherfuckers!" spat a hostile pirate, frightening the old timer in the process.
"Aaah! P-p-pirates!" the old man was very scared of the pirates.
A number of pirates stormed and surrounded the ship with threatening intentions to kill Roxas and the others. "These waters belong to Barth the Pirate King, as yer surely aware! That means ye needs pay a toll… All yer goods and women'll do nicely!"
"An interesting offer… but I fear we must nevertheless decline." Celica refused to compile with the vile pirates.
"Why don't you guys go and mess with somebody else?" Roxas expressed his disagreement as well telling them to go away.
"The sea belongs to no one man—she's a gift to every citizen of Sofia." she scolded them as well.
"You, who be the sick fucks mouthy wenches?!" the pirate spat in anger at the two.
"Enough with the chit-chat. Reason and logic are wasted on sea dogs like him." Saber knew that words wouldn't work with those people. "Let's get to business already. That's what you hired me for, ain't it?"
"Fair enough. Let's go, everyone!" Celica understood his message and commended her team to engage the battle.
"Got it!" Roxas summoned his two keyblades putting himself in battle stance.
"Whoa… so you're able to summon a key-like weapons, huh? Interesting." Saber said after watching him put out his keyblades.
[INFORMATION: Help Celica and the party defeat the pirates!]
The pirates surged against the team and Roxas engaged them using his keyblade powers giving a number of strong slashes to a number of the pirates aside of shielding himself with one of his weapons, and attacking using the other.
Just as the other pirates were about to stab him from every corner, Roxas leapt above dodging the swords and casted the thundaga spell to put them down.
"Holy shit! Did you see that?!" Boey was surprised by Roxas actions.
"I can tell that he's a badass warrior." Saber was impressed by his actions, as soon as he killed some pirates after slashing them.
"This is why I asked him to join us, we did fine in having Roxas with us." Celica expressed gratitude of having the boy at her team.
"More pirates are coming! Be ready!" Saber warned them of the second pirate raid.
"We can see that." Roxas said having eyes on the incoming pirates. "Ready?"
"Ready!" Celica replied showing true courage.
More pirates entered the ship to engage a yet another round with Roxas's team.
Celica casted the fire spell onto some of the hostile pirates and Roxas was behind her back doing his own thing taking down some more by launching a Strike Raid.
Saber, Mae and Boey also did their own thing killing way more pirates.
"How have you come to have those magic powers?" Celica asked him purely out of curiosity. "This thunder spell… seemed way brutal and stronger enough to take out large numbers of these pirates who tried to kill you."
"It's a long story, you see… I have capacity to not only deal damage to the enemies physically, but also cast spell as you just saw earlier." Roxas explained to her while keeping the most secret stuff.
"I can tell you're the most versatile person I've met." Celica praised him for his actions and the way he manages to solve a situation.
"Thank you, now let's keep smacking those pirates!" Roxas expressed his excitement and incited her to keep defeating the pirates.
"Alright!" Celica replied in the same emotion. "Let's go!"
[SUPPORT BETWEEN ROXAS AND CELICA REACHED LEVEL C]
Everybody kept giving hard-hitting blows, punches, kicks and slashes to the pirates who were attempting to put Roxas and the others down.
The fight kept going on until the team finally managed to beat the whole pirate army down and clear the area, and on the top of that, they noticed something from afar.
[Celica has learned the Dark Aura Signature]
"Look there. Do you see that small island to the east?" the Old timer noticed the said island. "Thet's where Barth's keep stands. He's the pirate king of these waters. Unfortunately this current means we'll have to sail right past it. It'll be trouble if we're seen, so let's unfurl the sails and be quick about it."
"Hold a moment." Celica let out a theory. "If we were to deal with his Barth, would this stretch of ocean be safer?"
"Well, yes, undoubtedly—but no sane person picks a fight with a pirate king!" the Old timer assured her aside of advising them to not mess with Barth recklessly.
"Whoa there, lass." Saber questioned her in confusion. "I signed up for a nice, easy escort job, not to storm some pirate hold."
"I'll lead the charge myself." Roxas took the initiative. "Let's make sure to keep Celica safe."
"Kid, that's just—" Saber tried to retort but Celica talked first. "The people of that island are suffering under tyranny of those pirates. Roxas is right, somebody has to lead the charge and make sure everyone is safe. I can't stand by knowing starving innocents are being routinely plundered."
"Oh, for Pete's…" Saber expressed annoyance. "Look, I ain't sure why I have to remind you of this, but you're on a mission. And you can't finish it if you keep pokin' your nose where it don't belong."
"I have no intention of wasting time on idle philanthropy, Saber." Celica gave him a strong statement. "But there's no guaranty I'll ever return from this journey. I would at least like to ensure peace to those who have been so kind to me. Is that so unreasonable?"
"Fine. It's your neck—go head and risk it on whatever fool thing ya like." Saber agreed to help her, but expressing his disdain and poor attitude.
"Thank you, Saber." Celica thanked him for listening to her.
And then, they headed to the said island, which turned out to be pirate throne, where Baith was lurking inside and the party had to face.
END OF CHAPTER 2
AUTHOR'S NOTES:
I hope you've enjoyed this chapter I brought to you guys, any feedback is welcome, I'm excited to have begun writing this story so bad. So, I'd like you to give them some support. I would appreciate it.
Peace out.