Chapter 9

(Connor)

After several minutes of walking, Connor reached the end of the tunnel only to find a thick steel door. He turned to check that Chrom and Robin were still behind him. "I'm gonna blow the door. Stand back," he warned them.

"Any requests for the soundtrack to your impending rampage?" his Ghost asked him.

"Something… classical," the Hunter replied. His statement was immediately met with the sound of loud electric guitars. With a grin, Connor called upon the power of the Aegis strapped to his arm. There was a flash of light as the blue shield regained its true shape. Summoning forth the power of the Traveler, he channeled massive amounts of energy into the Aegis before unleashing a bolt of pure Light from it. The bolt flew forward at tremendous speeds and ripped the door off its hinges.

The Guardian was through the doorway instantly. The first criminal to rush at him was flung against the far wall with a sickening thud as Connor swatted him aside with the Aegis. Another man came charging with a sword from the Hunter's left. He spun, deflecting the blow off the glowing shield as he drew his Trust hand cannon with his other hand and fired two shots into the man's gut. Two more men ran up from behind Connor, who simply backflipped up into the air and over them before bringing himself crashing to the ground with the Aegis and unleashing a powerful shockwave.

Having vanquished the last of his attackers, Connor stood and surveyed the room. Finding nothing of importance he turned and charged deeper into the Duvali hideout, summoning his Arc Staff as he did.

Chrom and Robin hadn't even had a chance to get through the doorway.

(Noah)

A series of panicked shouts, screams, and gunshots could be heard off in the distance. This prompted the Duvali thugs outside of the cell Cordelia and I were in to run off in a hurry, weapons in hand.

"I wonder what that was about?" Cordelia murmured. She had regained most of her composure, but I could tell she was still shaken up from earlier.

The noises quickly drew closer and I was able to make out the sound of music. I smiled to myself, knowing that it could only mean one thing.

Apparently Cordelia heard it too, because she asked, "What in Naga's name is that sound?"

I chuckled softly. "That would be the battle song of the cavalry."

"It sounds like a dying pig wailing to the sound of a Thunder spell gone wrong."

"That would be Brian Johnson and the sound of electric guitars, so you're almost right," I laughed at her description of AC/DC's Thunderstruck. "Give it a chance. It'll grow on you."

Cordelia opened her mouth to say something, but was interrupted by the screams of a man who came flying down the stairs, blood splattering against the floor as he was shot through the chest before he could even hit the ground. Connor came sprinting down the stairs immediately afterwards, Trust in hand.

"Your gear is at the end of the hallway," he said as he shot the lock off the cell. "Chrom and Robin are farther behind holding our exfil route. I'm going to finish clearing this place out."

"I'm coming with you," I demanded. "Kesel is going to pay for what he's done."

AN: We're back! Sorry this took so long. I was busy with finals last week, and this week Outbreak Perfected was added to D2 and I started work. I'll try not to fall so far behind again. Next chapter will be longer.

Now for review responses.

Haro654: Noah most likely will not be getting any Guardian abilities. Gonna leave the trauma of dying repeatedly to the professional.

As per usual, if you enjoyed the chapter, please leave a review! I love getting feedback on my writing, as it helps me grow. Until next time, May the Traveler's Light be with you.