Ch_27: The Heart of the Abyss
Thank you for continuing to read this story! I hope it has been enjoyable! I finished the Ashen Wolves DLC, kept dying at the Boss battle. Woo-wee!
The Savage Mockingbird…steel blue eyes watched with interest as the young man circulated about his rogues, checking on each with a look of concern. At times Byleth noticed his gaze peek over towards Ashe, who was being tended to by Ingrid.
"Professor?" Mercedes's soft voice inquired, shaking Byleth from her observation. The young woman turned around to see that the healer had her hands outstretched towards her, beckoning.
Byleth tilted her head with a wordless inquiry causing Mercedes to sigh as she reached out for the injured left hand. Upon the young healer's serene face danced a mixture of vexation and dolefulness, then relief as she appraised the depth of the self-inflicted laceration. Byleth watched with interest as she was always curious how those around her could show so much emotion upon their visage with just the faintest crinkle at the eyes or downward tug of their lips.
"You are upset with me again," Byleth remarked bluntly.
Mercedes paused, looking up to meet her Professor's gaze with mouth slightly agape, then she closed it, and formed a soft smile. "Am I so easy to read, Professor?" Mercedes inquired as she returned to tending to the wound, though there had been a slight touch of bitterness to her tone as she let go of Byleth's fully healed hand.
"I have always paid attention to others' expressions, I wish I could do the same," Byleth remarked thoughtfully as she appraised the healed skin bearing no hint of its recent trauma.
"Professor," Mercedes began, but halted with a loss of words. It was apparent to her that Byleth had a flat affect, but the healer never considered that Byleth was not only aware of it herself, but yearned to express her emotions. Yet before Mercedes could comment, the flock of Blue Lions gathered around them to check on their Professor.
Meanwhile Yuri sighed in great relief, none of his rouges suffered fatal wounds. Was it a miracle or…the young man turned to note how a cream color haired healer tended to the Professor. "Hmmmm," Yuri murmured thoughtfully to himself. Then he heard a couple more footsteps behind him as Balthus, Hapi, and Constance joined at his side. With a nod from Yuri, the Ashen Wolves drew closer to the Blue Lions. "Well, one thing has been brought to light, your class has nothing to do with the church's intentions," Yuri sighed with a perplexed frown.
"But that means those other creeps could attack us at a moment's notice," Balthus growled as he stretched his muscular arms, causing the adorned chains to clank with his movement, echoing his discomfort.
"Creeps?" Annette asked curiously with a tilt of her ponytailed head.
Balthus gave the mage a solemn nod, "Someones targeting the Abyss. We haven't had trouble like this for years and suddenly mercenaries are sniffing around like rats on the hunt for cheese. But these rats will do anything to get it!" The brawler growled.
Hapi frowned as she added, "We are now having steady reports of Abyss citizens missing." She folded her arms across her chest as if to give herself some comfort against the awful news.
Constance huffed and dramatically opened her fluffy feathered purple fan to air herself profusely as she remarked, "Maybe the surface doesn't care about the Abyss citizens, but they are our own and we protect each other."
Yuri sighed deeply at the magnitude of the problem, "But, the root of the problem is we have no clue who's pulling the strings." Heather hued eyes gleamed as Yuri added, "There are many within the church who would love to see this filthy underground city purged."
Ashe could feel the bite in Yuri's tone. Living on the streets trying to survive, Yuri had done it longer than Ashe. However Yuri took in many, including the archer and his siblings under his wing. It wasn't a surprise to Ashe that even here Yuri was doing the same.
"But we learn about each other's intentions through battle," Yuri's eyes softened as he continued, "You did not inflict mortal wounds upon any of us." Though some could say Byleth may have, had Ashe not intervened. Yet the Professor had listened to the archer's plea.
Hapi rubbed her upper arms as she conceded, "As Yuri-bird said, we're all pretty on edge these days." The Valkyrie kept her eyes steadily focused upon the Professor, and Sylvain was pretty sure she was deliberately not looking at him even though he stood right next to Byleth.
"Speaking of which, we should take this conversation elsewhere," Yuri stated as his keen eyes peered about the shadows of the chamber. "Come, let us introduce you to the heart of the Abyss," the Ashen Wolves's leader beckoned as he turned around, leading the Blue Lions through the far tunnel.
"What is the purpose of the Abyss?" Ashe inquired as he peered about the long tunnel, his voice echoed off its ancient stones.
"No idea," Balthus replied as he shrugged his heavy metal chained shoulders. "These tunnels have been around for an age…or more. They could be older than the monastery for all we know."
Constance, still fanning herself, piped up, "None remain who know the complete truth. However, I shall tell you all that we know for certain, the Abyss is home to those who shun the light of day. It is the secret shadow of Garreg Mach if you will." At her words Mercedes and Annette exchanged quizzical glances over their old schoolmate's enigmatic remark.
"The church quietly tolerates us," Hapi added indifferently. "They think they need a place like this for Garreg Mach to thrive."
Yuri scoffed before he remarked, "The deal is simple. Abyssians never get involved with the surface, and the surface never gets involved with us."
"Oh but alas," Constance sighed dramatically, as she quite enjoyed regaling this tale of woe to fresh ears. "For some reason, surface dwellers have been after us as of late. Further oppressing those souls who can only find solace beneath the ground. I cannot abide by it!" Constance fanned herself furiously causing her curls to waft in the breeze. "Though it pains me to admit, we too, harbor valid reasons for not venturing into the light. That is why, by the grace of our esteemed patron, we have been granted sanctuary here in the Abyss." And as Constance finished her remark, the Blue Lions walked out into an even larger chamber than before.
What may have been a multistoried living area, had walls fallen off and sections crumpled away leaving parts of various levels exposed to the large chamber. Though holes were patched up with the various gathered materials, the overall effect gave the heart of the Abyss shanty town appearance. And at its base was a bustling indoor bazaar with makeshift tents, stalls, and areas for people to sit around with one another. The chatter was a low but constant hum that was almost soothing in the reverberating quality casted from the ancient cobblestone walkways leading in all different directions, some with sections of exposed stone revealing whooshing water channels underneath.
Byleth spotted many familiar furniture that seemed like secondhand from the Monastery and Officers Academy. As she observed candelabras embossed with the Church of Seiros's emblem, the young woman recalled Anna's words, 'They mainly trade for supplies like food, clothes, candles…'
"Why would mercenaries target the Abyss? I see nothing dangerous, nor treasures to plunder here." Dimitri asked as if he had read Byleth's mind. The prince peered about the run-down area with slight confusion creased between his brows.
Balthus rubbed his square jaw thoughtfully before he began, "Well, we did have one treasure...this place, I mean look at it, it's a refuge. We have folks seeking safe shelter. And it's not like we're harboring fugitives, we have the elderly, infirm, orphans, lost souls, merchants who were chewed up and spit out by the nobility, the works."
Constance nodded her head vigorously in agreement as she added proudly, "And thus it rests upon us to protect those who cannot protect themselves. To that noble end, I must insist that you lend us your strength."
Dimitri swelled with a sense of duty, honor, and justice. But something nagged at the back of his mind. "I feel for your cause, truly. However I cannot help but wonder why you would trust us so readily? We are from the surface after all."
Yuri looked at the prince thoughtfully before replying delicately, "Trust is a choice, and we're choosing to trust you, for now." The young man's heather hued eyes surveyed each of the Blue Lions in turn as he added, "It's clear you're not here by command of the church, but that doesn't mean they don't have a hand in you being here." Now Yuri took in Ashe, as if speaking directly to him, "I'm reluctant to get you involved in this madness. It's our problem, not yours." The gaze held an array of emotions from having a reunion with his once partner in crime from the street, to involving Ashe in the mysterious and often dangerous machinations of the Church and whatever his target was conspiring. The twinge of hurt was due to the observation that Ashe had found himself a better life and caring comrades with the Blue Lions.
Hapi rolled her ruby eyes at the Ashen Wolves's statement, "Ugh, it's too late now Yuri-bird. We told them everything apart from our favorite food. Just let them decide." This time Hapi's gaze flickered towards Sylvain, a look that did not go unnoticed by Ingrid.
Feeling eager, Constance fanned herself thoroughly at her friend's suggestion, "Most true Hapi, pray you wander the Abyss for a time and meet the very souls who would benefit from your selfless act of aid. I am certain you will come to the correct conclusion." Constance casted a meaningful gaze towards Mercedes and Annette.
Balthus slapped his large hands together in a thunderous clap making all the students and a few of the Abyssian denizens jump in fright. "Yeah! What she said! Take a look, think some thoughts! Consider yourselves our special guests!" The young man grinned happily from ear to ear.
"We'll be around, just find us if you need anything," Hapi advised with a small smile before she and the rest of Ashen Wolves fanned out and disappeared into the bustling crowd.
The Blue Lions exchanged inquiring looks between each other before setting their gazes upon the Professor.
'Well,' Sothis mused in Byleth's mind. 'Are you not curious about the very area you stand within? Does the Abyss not call to you? I can feel it Byleth...something here beckons to us…'
And with one nod of her head, Byleth sealed the Blue Lions's fate to the uncovering the secrets of Abyss, and herself…
(Author notes)
Oh boy! I have a lot to plot out as I just finished the Ashen Wolves DLC this week and want to put my own twist on it.
I am also excited for the upcoming Fire Emblem: Three Hopes! I wonder how it will fit in with the Pre/Post time skip and various paths of Fire Emblem Three House. Or be a completely alternate version/path? Also it looks like Jeralt may be in it too!
Anyway, I hope you enjoyed this chapter. Comments are always appreciated, I love hearing for you!
(DISCLAIMER) I do not own nor claim to own any of the Fire Emblem Franchise and Ninetendo's work. It is from the team's own brilliance…my additions are from my own madness